Dark Descent: Beginning

Chapters

Part 1: Suffering (Edited)
Part 2: Confusion and Love (Edited)
Part 3: A Horrible Truth (Edited)
Part 4: The Element of Magic (Edited)
Part 5: For Every Action... (Edited)
Part 6: Forgive Me (Edited)
Part 7: Chains (Edited)
Part 8: Acceptance 1-1 (Edited)
Part 9: Acceptance 1-2 (Edited)
Part 10: Dear Princess Celestia... (Edited)
Part 11: Confrontation (Edited)
Part 12: Intentions
Part 13: Control
Part 14: Pinkamena Diane Pie
Part 15: Her Faithful Student
Part 16: Sister's Keeper
Part 17: One Hell of a Party
Part 18: Eclipse
Part 19: Desperation
Part 20: The Sun Rises...
Part 21: Inheritance
Part 22: Saying Goodbye...
Part 23: Surprises
Part 24: Power
Part 25: Beginning
Part Unknown: Pulling the Strings
Dark Descent 2
Author's Notes

Part 1: Suffering (Edited)

Twilight sat on the kitchen counter, waiting impatiently. She didn’t know how long the chloroform would put a pony to sleep, but she knew it was way too long for her liking. She looked around the lightly dimmed kitchen. It had all the basics that a kitchen needed: a stove, a fridge, sinks. Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

She glanced over the cabinets that hung above the counter, taking note of the random streamers that were crudely taped to them. Twilight turned away, feeling a sting in her heart, the sight bringing memories that she didn’t want to relive, memories that she wanted to get rid of for years. Tonight she would end all of them from haunting her, by getting rid of the cause...

FLASHBACK

“Twilight...Twilight...TWILIGHT!” Spike yelled to wake the lavender unicorn. Twilight jumped up from her bed and unwittingly fell to the floor face first.

“Ow! What is it Spike?” Twilight said annoyed, getting up from the floor. Why would Spike, of all dragons, wake her up at this time of night? Especially a baby dragon that was very fond of his sleep.

“There are guards at the door that want to speak to you.”

Twilight thought frantically. Had she done something she didn’t know about? Thoughts of what she had done sped through her mind, as she tried to figure out why guards would be at her door. She trotted down the stairs and opened the door to reveal two lunar guards standing outside waiting on her.

“Hello.” said one of the guards. “Are you Miss Sparkle?”

“Yes, that would be me.” Twilight said nervously.

“We have grave news.” the other guard said with a tone of sadness but maintaining his composture. Twilight’s nervousness vanished and sheer fear filled every ounce of her heart.

“What happened?” Twilight asked, the fear apparent in her voice. The two lunar guards looked at each other, waiting for the other to give her the news. Finally, one guard spoke up with sincere sadness.

“It’s your friends, Miss Sparkle. They were found dead. We were sent by Princess Luna to tell you. We are extremely sorry for your loss.”

Twilight’s world crashed around her like broken glass. Her mind went blank, unable to comprehend what was thrown at her. Her friends…dead? Twilight stared at the guards and started to feel her knees go weak.

“Miss Sparkle, we need you to come with us please.”

She brought her focus back to them and only nodded her head. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she tried her best to keep them at bay. She looked at the guards and composed whatever composure she had left.

“Tell The Princess that I will be there momentarily. I will teleport there and meet with her.”

“Yes, Miss Sparkle.”,They both said in unison and turned around and trotted off.

Twilight closed the door behind her. She held back her tears but it was becoming harder. This can't be true, this has to be a joke or dream. she thought to herself. She had to go. She needed to see them, to see if this was reality.

“Hey, what happened, Twilight? What did those two guys want?”

It was Spike. She completely forgot about the baby dragon. She couldn’t tell him…not yet. She had to see this for herself first. She forced a small smile and with every ounce of willpower, she spoke.

“It’s nothing, Spike. Princess Luna is here and wants to speak with me, that's all.” She hated lying, especially to her number one assistant, but she couldn’t bear seeing him cry right now. She would lose all composure and willpower to go if he did.

“I have to go, but I will be back soon, okay? You can go back to bed and get your sleep.”

“Well, alright, but I want to know what you guys talked about in the morning.”

Twilight couldn’t help but genuinely smile a little. Oh Spike, she thought, always so nosy. Twilight was grateful that even amidst her dread and fear, Spike could still make her smile.

She waited for the little dragon to go upstairs to sleep. When she heard him close the door, she decided that it was time to go. She concentrated and teleported out of the library. Moments later, she was inside of Ponyville Hospital, with Luna waiting for her.

“Twilight…” the princess said sadly.

Twilight walked towards her, her heart becoming heavy with what was to come.

Luna met Twilight halfway, seeing the pain that the sad unicorn had. Twilight looked up at Luna, and met her eyes. She couldn’t hold her tears anymore. All her sadness and heartbreak poured out of her and into Luna’s chest. Luna held Twilight close to her, wanting to comfort the poor unicorn as much and as well as she could.

Twilight spilled all her tears on the Princess of the Night. She had to; the pain was too great for even Twilight to take in stride. After what felt like an eternity of crying, she wiped her face and looked back at Luna.

“Thank you Princess. I needed that.” Luna smiled warmly back at her. “It is okay Twilight Sparkle, we know how thy feels.”

Luna was immortal. She has suffered many losses of mortal friends and even lovers. She knew Twilight’s pain all too well.

Twilight smiled weakly. She was happy that the princess was here. She felt safe and assuring, but Twilight had to see them… her deceased friends.

“Princess, where are they?” She had to know. She had to see them again and see what happened to them. There were so many questions in her mind but she couldn’t just focus on one. She only knew that she had to see them.

“Twilight, we know what thou is thinking, and we advise that it is best that thou dost not see them. All we can tell thee is that it was…gruesome.”

Twilight knew that Luna had her best interests in mind, but couldn’t help it as anger rose in her at Luna’s response. She was their friend and she felt it was her RIGHT to see them.

“I don’t care! They were my friends. I have to see them!” She did not mean to yell at Luna but her anger overtook her.

“Are thou sure?”

“Yes, I have to see them.”

“Very well. However, we must warn thee that thou will not like what thy sees.”

Twilight didn’t care. She had to see them no matter what. She couldn’t explain why but she had to. Luna instantly teleported them both to the basement of the hospital and walked towards a room with a sign reading PONYVILLE MORGUE.

Twilight entered with Luna and felt a death-gripping chill. The room was surrounded by cement walls and the air was cold. There were small silver doors that Twilight determined was what kept the corpses. Then she saw four bodies covered in sheets on four different tables in the center of the room.

It was them. Twilight choked back a sob, preparing for what she was going to see. Twilight looked at Luna, looking for a type of approval to proceed.

Luna only nodded.

Twilight approached the first body and pulled the sheet. She almost hurled at the sight of Rarity. Two blue gems were shoved through her eye sockets. One of her ears were ripped off and chunks of her mane were gone. Her once beautiful face was caked in blood. Twilight continued looking over towards her body. One of Rarity’s arms were bent completely backwards, her hoof on the opposite arm connected only by a strand of dead flesh. She looked farther down and saw that her three gem cutie mark was completely sliced off on both sides, only showing muscle and nerves. White bone was piecing through one of her legs. Twilight put the drape over Rarity again with tears rolling down her face after seeing the once beautiful fahionista as an ugly, bloody, broken corpse.

She reluctantly moved to the next body. She had to see what happened. These were her friends after all. She pulled the drape and gasped in shock at what she was seeing…or not seeing. The orange pony’s face was gone, only showing red, darkened muscles and veins with eyes rolled back in its head. "Oh Applejack." she sobbed. Her tears were coming down even harder. If Rarity wasn’t gruesome enough, then what was this? Applejack's body was burned and also missing her cutie mark and missing chunks of her orange fur. Twilight put the drape over the poor cowpony.

Twilight fell to her haunches and covered her face. This was too much for her. She only seen two of her friends, but the way they must have suffered and screamed grabbed at her heart. Her heart screamed with pain and she cried out in more tears.

Luna approached the unicorn and knelt down to her level. She nuzzled Twilight gently to get her attention. Twilight looked upon Luna, tears streaming like rivers down her face.

“Thou dost not have to continue this. Seeing this will only bring thou more pain than thou hast already endured.” Luna’s heart broke at the sight of the grieving unicorn, but she had to maintain herself for Twilight’s sake.

Twilight breathed heavily and focused on controlling herself. She had to see all of them. She has come too far to quit now. It wouldn’t be right if she didn't.

She wiped her tears away, resolving to finish. “No, I have to do this. I have to finish.” Luna frowned upon hearing this. “If that’s what thou choose.”

Twilight went over to the third body, expecting the worst. She pulled the drape to reveal a cyan pegasus with an iconic rainbow mane. One eye was gone, with only dried blood that seemed to pour out across her face. Her ribcage was ripped open and she had random organs gone like her lungs. Twilight vomited on the floor at the site of the corpse’s entrails. She couldn’t take it. She put the drape back over her former friend, and all resolve left her. She went towards Luna and sat on the floor once again.

“You were right…” she admitted. It was too painful. Her friends were now empty of life and disfigured. She didn’t want to remember them this way. Twilight let a tear come down her face.

“I wish we could help thee.” Luna said solemnly.

Twilight would not look under the last drape but asked, “Luna, who is under the last drape?”

“Fluttershy…” came the response.

Twilight bowed her head. Poor Fluttershy. she thought. How could something like this happen to a pony as kind as her? She wanted to cry, but there were no more tears. She felt empty and dry, as if all her feeling and life went out with her tears from earlier. Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. Where’s Pinkie? Twilight thought. What horrible fate has befallen her pink friend?

“Where is Pinkie? There are only four here, Luna.”

Luna rose with regal power and seething anger filled the princess’ eyes as connected them with Twilight’s.

“Twilight, the pink friend is the one who committed these foul acts. Pinkamena Diane Pie killed them.”

“Wha..what?” Twilight stuttered. Pinkie did this? How? She loved her friends. She loved making other ponies happy and throwing parties. How and why would that pink bundle of joy and laughter kill anyone, let alone her own friends?

“That...are you sure? Pinkie?”

“Yes, Twilight. Come with us so we may show thou something.”

Twilight followed the dark alicorn of the night out of the morgue to an unlabeled room. It had boxes everywhere and shelves stacked with all kinds of items.

“This room is where anything found on the deceased is taken to. This is what we found on thy friends' bodies.”

Luna levitated a box in front pf her with her magic and took the contents out of the box. They were nothing but streamers…streamers with Pinkie’s cutie mark drawn on them. Twilight knew there was no doubt anymore. It was all true. Her friends were dead because of Pinkie.

“Pinkie...murdered...them.” Twilight said soflty. She didn’t even realize what she said until Luna responded.

"Yes, thine pink friend did, and we have our guards looking for her, but I fear thou has left Ponyville already. We have no idea where thou could be.”

Twilight's shock faded. It was a new feeling that the gentle unicorn never felt before that was like lava bursting through her. Rage enveloped Twilight.

“I will find her.” Twilight did not know what she was saying. She only let her rage talk for her. “I will take as long as it has to and find her.I will bring her here to face what she done to my friends.”

Luna looked at Twilight surprised. She did not expect to see her sister’s student burst with such anger. She knew that Twilight wanted this. She heard it in her voice. She would find Pinkie and bring her to face justice.

“We will not deny thine’s desire, Twilight Sparkle. I grant you the task of retrieving Pinkamena Diane Pie, and thou will bring her to us and we shall then bring down the justice of the regal sisters upon her for her crimes.”

Twilight stomped her hoof.

“I will bring her back, but I will need time.” Twilight knew that Pinkie was random. She would need time to track her. She would devote all her time to finding Pinkie and make her pay for all of this pain she has brought upon her.

“Take as much time as thou needs. Thou are a smart unicorn and we have no doubt in thou’s abilities.”

This was all Twilight needed. I will find her. she thought to herself. All the pain that her friends must have suffered will be returned ten-fold. She would make sure of it.

“Let us leave this place. We will take thee home. Thou must rest. There is much work to be done.”

She was ready to go. She was ready to start working to find Pinkie.

“I will find her...”

END FLASHBACk

Twilight hopped off the counter. She said she would find her and she did. She laid her eyes upon the pink body wrapped in plastic bound to the table. Her mane was still bouncy as ever and her eyes sleeping peacefully. So much time has passed and Pinkie was still the same. Twilight stood over the bound pink mare and looked her over. This was her friend that killed them.

No. she recanted. She is not my friend. She is my enemy.

She lost herself in her thoughts.

Should I do this?

Yes…

But I said I would bring her to The Princess…

Luna will only have her imprisoned. She does not deserve to live.

Why?

She killed your friends and she betrayed them. She betrayed YOU.

Twilight shook with burning rage. Pinkie betrayed her and their friends. It was only right that she dies.

She will punish Pinkie and end her life. She will be gone and Twilight would have done her friends justice. Pinkie will suffer as they did and she will realize what she has done. Twilight walked over to the counter that was adjacent to her sitting earlier. She opened her saddlebag and pulled out a hacksaw.

"The chloroform should be wearing off here any minute.” she said to herself. She looked over at the pink mare again to see her waking up.

“Finally." she whispered with a sudden darkness to her voice.

Pinkie opened her eyes, showing her pools of blue, trying to adjust from the grogginess.

“Whoa, must have been some party.” The clueless pink pony exclaimed while looking at her own kitchen. She looked over and saw a unicorn leaning on the counter, watching her.

“Oh hi! Are you from the party? That was a doozy of a party!" She said excitedly. She looked closer at the pony and time froze. Realization hit her like a wall and gasped loudly.

"Twilight…?"

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

Part 2: Confusion and Love (Edited)

"Twilight..?"

Pinkie couldn't believe what she was seeing. It has been years since she saw her lavendar unicorn friend. She was filled with such shock, that for once, she couldn't say anything.

"TWILIGHT!" It's you! You're here! Oh, its been so long since I seen you! I feel so happy!

Twilight was taken back. Why was Pinkie so happy to see her? Didn't she realize what she was going to do to her? Of course, this was Pinkie Pie. She was always random and oblivious to the obvious. Regardless, the unicorn did not expect this reaction.

"Hey...um..Twilight...why am I in plastic on a table?"

Oh, now she just notices that... Twilight thought. She rolled her purple eyes, trying to contain an anger rising in her. Then she knew she would not overcome it.

"SHUT UP!"

Pinkie whimpered at the bellowing voice. The pink pony didn't understand why Twilight was mad. Shouldn't Twilight be happy to see her, after so much time away?

"Why are you mad, Twilight?"Pinkie said with caution.The only other time Twilight was being this angry was when Twilight couldn't figure out her Pinkie sense. This was not the gentle Twilight she knew.

Twilight couldn't believe it. She was mocking her as if trying to seem like they were still friends. Twilight's anger turned to rage. How could this monster be so bold? She acted as if nothing ever happened, or didn't even care. It doesn't matter, she dies tonight and I will get my answer. Twilight approached Pinkie until she was standing over her, looking eye to eye.

"You know why your here, so stop playing dumb...."

Pinkie has never been this confused before. Why was she here, wrapped in plastic and bound to her kitchen table? This definitely wasn't a party she was familiar with, and if it was a party, she wasn't enjoying it.

"Twilight, I dont..."

Smack!

Twilight whipped her hoof across Pinkie's face. Pinkie yelped at the motion.

"Enough! Stop playing innocent! You know what you did to our friends you bitch!"

Pinkie's eyes shot wide. Aside from the pain coming from her pink face, she felt her body go cold. Her friends... they were dead. She had known this for years, but to hear from Twilight was like another smack from reality. Wait...what did I do?

"Please Twilight, what did I do?" the pink mare stammered.

Twilight could't take it anymore. She was tired of playing this game with her.

"YOU KILLED THEM!! YOU KILLED THEM ALL!! Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack were killed by YOU, YOU FUCKING BITCH!!"

Twilight's anger seethed through her. She wanted to tear into Pinkie, rip out her innards and cut her body inot little pieces. She wanted to do many evil things to the party pony. She got on top of the bound pony and brought her face till both of their muzzles were pressed against each other and grabbed Pinkie's face with both hooves.

"You killed them Pinkie." Twilight said in a dark tone,"and I am here to see that I send you to Tartarus for what you did to them."

Pinkie's eyes were glued to Twilight's. She could see the hatred in her eyes and the anger raging like a furnace. Then something clicked in the oblivious mare. Oh Celestia! She is going to kill me! Pinkie startled to shake, feeling colder than ever before.

"So, I see that you finally get it now." Twilight could feel Pinkie shake under her. She knew she finally realized what she was going to do to her.

"Twilight! No! Don't do this! You got this all wrong! I didn't do it! I didn't kill our friends!"

Twilight scoffed."Wow Pinkie. I never knew you would stoop this low. I mean, I thought I knew you, well until you killed them, but now to lie about it? Pathetic."

She let go of her face and hopped off her. "Now before I kill you, there is only one question I want answered. Why?" Tears started rolling down her cheeks. She thought about her friends, how they were so gruesomely killed, and now she wanted to know why.

"Why did you do it Pinkie?!" She yelled, tears running down like waterfalls. "Why would you do that to them?! To me?!"

Pinkie looked at the broken unicorn. Her tears glistened in the dim light. Pinkie's heart broke to look upon the lavender mare.

"Twilight, please listen to me, I didn't do it."

SMACK!

"SHUT UP!" STOP LYING TO ME! TELL ME WHY YOU DID IT?"

Pinkie recovered from the assault. How could she convince her she didn't do it? She knew a party wouldn't help at all at this point...

"Twilight, I didn't do it! Why did you think I ran away?"

"YOU RAN BECAUSE YOU DID IT!" Twilight yelled between her sobs of pain. Why won't she admit? Twilight's heart was only breaking more everytime she was told that lie from the pink mare. What if she is telling the truth?

Could she?

Twilight looked at Pinkie. What if Pinkie was telling the truth? But how? She did her research and there was only one with streamers like the ones that were found on her deceased friend's bodies. Even Luna said it was her. Who would doubt the princess?

"Please, you have to believe me! I would never do that to our friends. I loved them too much, I loved YOU. Why would I do that Twilight?"

Twilight's heart stopped. Love. Twilight's head started to hurt and everything went black...

FLASHBACK

"Hey Twilight! You ready to help bake up some delicious cakes! We're gonna have so much fun! I got all kinds of frosting! I got chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, cherry, cherry vanilla, cherry chocolate- OH! How about cherry chocolate vanilla cakes!?"

Twilight zoned out long ago. Pinkie's ongoing rambling could become a bit too much for her at times, but she knew what to expect. Twilight walked into Sugarcube Corner, ready to help her pink friend like she promised days ago. She loved helping her friends, and she wanted to help Pinkie, but she also had another reason.

She loved Pinkie.

It was after the defeat of Nightmare Moon that she developed a crush on the pink party pony. A foalish crush, but a crush nonetheless, but she ignored this and continued on. It was only after she fought with Pinkie against the army of changelings that she realized that she really actually loved her. She was always fun to be around, though sometimes annoying, it what made Pinkie Pie, well, Pinkie Pie. She was always so happy, and loved making other ponies happy. Who couldn't love that? Ever since they came back from the wedding, her thoughts were only of the color pink, and anytime she could be around Pinkie, she would take it.

"...and maybe Rainbow Cherry Chocolate icing, but that would be spicy...Oh! I was rambling again." Pinkie giggled at the realization of her mouth going a thousand miles per minute.

"It's fine Pinkie." Twilight smiled warmly."Well, lets bake these cakes."

She levitated a cook book with her magic started reading the instructions in front of her. Simple enough Twilight thought to herself.

"Well, first we need.."

"Done!" Pinkie exclaimed as she presented the first cake to the shocked unicorn.

"But..how...what?" Twilight had no explanation. How did Pinkie do this? Twilight shook her head smiling. Nothing could explain that wonderful bundle of fun.

"Now for the frosting!" Pinkie hopped towards the bowl filled with chocolate icing, picked it up and balanced it on her head. She bounced back toward Twilight, excited as ever to get the icing going, to the point that she forgot that the bowl was still on her pink head. The bowl flew up and landed on a certain lavender mare.

Twilight felt the thick substance flow down her face and onto her kept fur. She didn't say a word, because in all honesty, she was not surprised by this at all. It was Pinkie Pie of course and anything was possible.

"Oh Twilight! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry, very very very sorry! Please don't be mad!" Pinkie cried quickly multiple times.

Twilight only giggled to see the Pinkie so apologetic.

"It's okay Pinkie, no big deal, I'll just clean it off." It really wasn't it a big deal. Normally, Twilight be a bit disappointed over something like this, considering she spent hours in the morning to keep her coat tidy and clean, but this was Pinkie Pie. She would forgive the one she loved.

"Oh! I can clean you up in am jiffy!" and with that, Pinkie Pie whipped out her tongue and slid it across Twilight's face and body.

Twilight blushed heavily as she felt her tongue come across her body and face, not even paying attention on how Pinkie even was capable of having a tongue that big. It sent chills through her spine and her face grew hotter. Her tongue wiped across her lips. Twilight wanted to put out her tongue, just to get a taste of the pink, beautiful, sexy mare.

"Um, Twilight? Are you okay? Your face is all red."

Twilight snapped back from her short bliss. Pinkie was staring at her curiously and it made her blush even more.

"Twilight, your blushing." Pinkie said giggling a little.

Twilight stammered."I..um..I'm sorry..It was just...oh." Twilight put her head down. She didn't want to show her feelings like that. She promised herself she wouldn't let Pinkie know, risking their friendship. Pinkie walked towards her putting her hoof on her shoulder. Oh, Celestia Twilight thought. Even Pinkie's touch was sending chills through her.

"What was it?"

She couldn't help it. Pinkie might have been random and sometimes clueless, but she was not stupid. Twilight figured she might as well tell her. Pinkie's blue pools seemed to stare into her soul, figuring out exactly what she felt for the pink pony.

"Well...Pinkie...I..I.."

"Oh, I missed a spot! Here let me get it." Pinkie exclaimed leaning her head towards Twilight's face.

Before Twilight could protest, a soft pair of pink lips touched hers. Twilight couldn't process what was happening. Her mind went completely blank, becoming lost in the pink mare's embrace. Twilight pressed back returning the kiss.

Pinkie pulled away smiling. "Well, seems I know why Twi' was so red," said Pinkie, giggling once more. Twilight blushed again, trying to comprehend what just happened. Then something hit her.

"Pinkie..there was nothing ever on my lips was there?"

"Nopey dopey.",the pink pony giggled.

"Then...why did you...kiss me?" Twilight still couldn't believe she was kissed by her. It was all too good to be real, so she had to ask.

"Well cause I really like you silly. Like really really like you."

Wait...Pinkie liked her? Oh yeah, this had to be a dream.

"You..like me?"

"Well yeah, but it's more than just liking you. Like I get really warm when I'm around you and I think about you all day. How smart you are, and how you are sooooooo good with magic, and your cutie mark...oh oops." Pinkie giggled and now it was her turn to have a darker shade of pink in her face.

Twilight blushed harder. Did Pinkie check her out? This was too good. Twilight felt a fire burst into her. A fire she felt many times before when she was alone in her home during her 'sessions' as she calls them. Then a wave of mischief swept over her. She threw all caution to the wind...

"So you like my cutie mark, huh, Pinkie?" she said seductively. She couldn't help it. She imagined Pinkie many times in her dreams, doing things with her that she would not dare tell anypony. Oh, how she wanted those dreams to be reality and this was her chance.

"Oh, is somepony trying to seduce me?" Pinkie caught on quick. She wasn't naive to these kind of things. Pinkie had a very dirty side that none knew about when she was alone.

"Maybe." Twilight said innocently. She felt like a foal again, playing games, but this game was much different.

Pinkie started heading up the stairs, gesturing for Twilight to come with her. Twilight followed obediently, growing anxious. She knew where this was going. She read enough books on it. She entered the room with Pinkie sitting on her bed. Twilight closed the door behind her and looked towards the pink mare.

"Well come on silly. Come here to Auntie Pinkie."

Twilight sat next to her. Pinkie's face was close to hers. She could smell something sweet like candy and baked goods. Both of their faces were drawn closer by some invisible force and their lips connected again, only this was different. A shot of electricity shot through Twilight as she pressed her lips harder against Pinkie's, taking in her sweet taste. She felt a tongue pierce through and let out a small moan. She wrapped her tongue around the pink pony's losing herself in bliss. After what felt like an eternity, they both pulled away, a strand of saliva the only thing connecting, both breathing heavily. Twilight could feel something running down her inner thigh. Pinkie noticed Twilight's arousal and smiled.

Pinkie threw Twilight on her back on the bed, hopping on top of her. She started kissing her neck and began kissing down. Twilight felt new waves of electricity through her body with every kiss. She wanted Pinkie to take her, to ravage her.

Pinkie kept kissing down her stomach, feeling Twilight's soft fur against her lips. She continued down and smelled the sweet musk of Twilight's arousal. She knew where she was and gazed upon the lavender unicorn's prize. It was wet with anticipation, her folds swollen, almost begging for attention.

Twilight gasped loudly. She felt a smooth tounge slid through her wet slit. Oh Celestia, this is actually happening! she barely thought, through her moans and white hot pleasure peeling away at her mind. She felt Pinkie's tongue plunge into her wet cavern, licking against her walls. The feeling was too much. How could this seemingly innocent pony be so...amazing? She felt a pressure..a pressure she knew too well from her 'sessions'...but it was much more intense.

"Oh Pinkie, don't stop please." Twilight moaned.

Pinkie knew where Twilight was going. She took her tongue out of Twilight's sweet pot, and went up to her nub. She licked it tenderly wanting her friend..lover..to scream.

Twilight's mind cracked as she felt Pinkie's tongue surround her clit.

"Oh Celestia!" she screamed. This was beyond all she imagined, everything she thought it would be. Pressure was building up between her nethers and she couldn't take it anymore.

"Pinkie!!"

Twilights mind broke as pure hot white passion exploded from her and onto her friend's..lover's...face. Her walls were clenching as she rode her orgasm for all it was, until she bucked one last time, and laid on the bed in her own orgasmic juices.

Pinkie rose from Twilight's legs, licking up Twilight's fluids from her face.

"Mmmmm, tastes like magic! Never knew what magic tasted like!"

Twilight couldn't focus anymore and slowly drifted away.

Twilight woke up and felt something soft and warm against her. It was Pinkie Pie. Her mane was in her face, smelling of cotton candy. Twilight smiled, her heart glowing inside. This beautiful pink mare...she loved her. She shifted out of bed, trying not to wake her lover up, but to no avail.

"Wow, what a nice nap. Oh, Twilight! You're up!"

Twilight looked at Pinkie and nuzzled her gently. "Sorry Pinkie, didn't mean to wake you up."

"Oh, no worries. After what you went through, I'm surprised you're even up." Pinkie said jokingly.

Twilight only blushed at this, with memories flooding her mind to recent events. Oh no, I didn't return the favor she suddenly realized. She had read in some books that both ponies usually pleasured each other.

"Oh, I'm sorry Pinkie!" she blurted. "I fell asleep after...oh I'm sorry! I could imagine how frustrated you were-", but before she could finish Pinkie put a hoof over her mouth.

"Twilight, it's okay. I don't know if this was a one time thing, but I did it cause I love you. It was enough for me to pleasure you, but I would like to have more times like this." Twilight stared into Pinkie's eyes, seeing her sincerity. She was so happy inside. Not only did Pinkie make love to her, but Pinkie loved her, just as she loved her.

"Pinkie... this is not a one time thing. I have loved you for a while now. I want more moments like this...I want them with you Pinkie Pie."

Twilight smiled when Pinkie grabbed her and hugged her tightly. They were now marefriends.

"I love you Twilight."

"I love you too, Pinkie."

END FLASHBACK

Twilight woke up, her head throbbing. She suddenly realized ... Pinkie! She threw herself up on her hind legs and looked around frantically.

"Oh, good! You're awake! I was so worried!" Pinkie exclaimed, still strapped by plastic. Twilight looked at her with confusion. Why was Pinkie still here? Why didn't she escape when she passed out? Wait...why did she pass out? She slowly regained her composure.

"You're..still...here?"

"Well yeah, you silly filly, you passed out while you were mad at me. I wouldn't leave you here like that Twi', well, not that I can really leave, but even if I could, I wouldn't leave my marefriend."

Twilight flushed at this.

"We are NOT marefriends. You killed our friends Pinkie..." she said solemnly. She was so confused. She wanted to be mad at Pinkie but after reliving that memory, only sadness filled her heart. She loved this pony but years of hate replaced it. Why was she only feeling broken inside now?

"Twilight, I said I didn't do it. Why won't you believe me?" Twilight looked into her eyes. She noticed something she hadn't seen in a long time. Her sincerity. Twilight was even more confused now. There was no doubt that she did it...right? She grabbed her head, trying to figure what was going on. Why did she persist that she was innocent? She saw the evidence, Luna told her it was her, but something told her to find out herself. To ask her.

Pinkie was a bit surprised that she was not smacked again. She just wanted to calm Twilight, calm this anger and darkness that filled her.

"Fine, Pinkie. I will listen to you..for now. You will tell me everything you know and no lies. Now, if you didn't do it, then who the buck did?

Pinkie nodded in understanding. She was not one to tell secrets, even her own, but she never Pinkie promised on this, and if it would help her mare...her friend...then so be it. She wanted this off her chest and her mind. She held for it too long, believing that if she told, that she would be found and killed, but she was already found out by Twilight. She would tell her, and maybe, hopefully, she would believe her.

"So, who was it then? I'm losing patience. Patience that you don't deserve."

Pinkie gulped deeply.

"It was ... Luna...."

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

Part 3: A Horrible Truth (Edited)

Luna?

"You must think I'm stupid for me to believe that. Why would Luna kill my friends?"

Twilight couldn't believe that Pinkie was pinning this on Luna. If that was the case, why didn't she kill her? She had plenty of opportunities, but Luna only showed sorrow for what happened.

"I don't know why, but she did it. I SAW her do it, Twilight. Please, you gotta believe me." Pinkie's eyes were starting to water. She needed Twilight to see that she was telling the truth. She wasn't even concerned for her own safety at this point. She was more worried about the mistake that Twilight was ready to commit.

"How would I know you're not lying to me, Pinkie. You looked suspicious as all hell. I'm told about my friend's murder, and you were gone. Nobody could find you. Only I took the time to trace your hoofsteps. 10 years I tracked you Pinkie,10 bucking years! Now here we are and you're telling me I'm wrong? What horseshit! There is no way you can prove that Luna did it. So as far as I'm concerned, your life ends here and now..." and with that, Twilight positioned her hacksaw over Pinkie's arm, ready to slowly cut it off.

"Wait! I can prove it!" Pinkie screeched."You know mind magic, right? You can use it to read my mind and see for yourself. There's no way I could lie in my mind!"

Twilight pulled the hacksaw away. Pinkie was right. She could delve into her mind and watch her memories. She could get answers and really see if she was lying or not.

"Fine. I will search your mind, but if you try to pull anything, I swear I'll rip your throat out. I will destroy you from the inside out, and make you wish for death. Understand?"

Pinkie only nodded.

Twilight began casting the spell. She pointed her horn towards Pinkie's forehead, and a bright beam of purple magic shot into Pinkie's head. Pinkie's eyes rolled back in her head and her tongue rolled out of her mouth. Twilight began fading out until suddenly she was in Sugarcube Corner, 10 years ago...

Flashback

"Wow, what a party! Vinyl knows how to get a party going!" Pinkie said, holding her head. She was coming back from a party that Vinyl held for becoming the official DJ of Canterlot, which in her profession was a big deal. Pinkie was invited because, well, all of Ponyville knew that without her, it wouldn't be that much of a party.
Pinkie unlocked the bakery and walked in to the scent of the baked pastries that she created earlier that day. She stumbled a bit inside, a little dizzy. Oh, Pinkie, you got to lay off that cider a bit she thought to herself. She was a sucker for hard drinks and she knew that she would regret it in the morning. That fact didn't stop her from partaking in the festivities. She walked toward the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water. Thank Celestia that the Cakes are out, I would hate for them to see me like this. Pinkie downed the water, hoping to wash out the cider aftertaste from her mouth.

"Wow, my eyes feel real droopy. I need to get some sleep or I'm gonna end up like Derpy." She really needed the sleep. She had a long day baking and a long party night. She smiled to herself and started heading up to her room, ready to embrace her warm bed. She opened her bedroom door and and dragged herself to its sweet embrace. She laid her head down on her pillow, thoughts of the party swimming through her mind, and towards tommorow to help her marefriend clean up the library and do some 'studying' together as Twilight called it.

Pinkie felt the heavy force of sleep coming over her. Her eyes fluttered trying to stay awake, the warm feeling of finally resting...

CRASH

Pinkie shot out of her bed and literally stood on the ceiling, her eyes darting everywhere, looking for what caused the sound. She got back on the ground and headed out of her room and looked down the stairs. She heard shuffling of hooves and muttering. Oh Celestia, somepony's in here! Pinkie felt fear rising in her. She wanted to run and get out, or even get help. But would they still be there when she got back? Maybe they were robbers who wanted to do a quick job.

"No." She whispered to herself. The Cakes left her in charge of this place. That also meant protecting it and by Celestia, she was going to do just that. She listened closely as she heard hoofsteps and...dragging? So the culprit had something with them. Pinkie kept listening and heard a door make a loud creek and hoofsteps going down some stairs. They were going into the basement.

Pinkie went down the stairs quietly, hoping to not alert the intruder. She made it down to the bottom and went towards the basement door. Okay Pinkie, just open the door and go down there and show that meanie that they are not allowed in here. Pinkie took a deep breath and opened the door. By some odd miracle, the door made no sound and she continued down the stairs.
She made it to the bottom and a small sense of pride welled up in her. She made it all the way down there without the intruder noticing. Like a ninja... she thought of herself. She went behind one of the pillars that kept the bakery on its foundation. She did not dare look yet, for she didn't know for sure if the intruder was looking in her direction. She had to take a chance. She peeked over and her eyes went wide in disbelief.

"There we go." Luna said as she bound Applejack against the wall with her magic. Pinkie saw Applejack struggling to get out of Luna's magical bondage to no avail. She looked on and saw Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy all in the same predicament. They were struggling to get out and..scared. What's going on? Pinkie was too confused but she kept watching.

"Let us go, you ruffian!" Rarity demanded. "Why do you have us trapped here?!"

Luna smacked her hoof against the white unicorn's face swiftly.

"Thou will not make demands to us, unicorn."

Pinkie yelped accidentally to see the princess hit Rarity with such force. Then she quickly realized what she just did. Oh, horseapples.

Luna and the other four quickly turned toward the pillar that the pink pony was hiding behind.

"Ah, so the Element of Laughter did make it on time." Luna said, almost as if she was satisfied with something. She summoned her magic and a dark tendril of black mist came from her horn and sped towards Pinkie.

Pinkie watched as the dark tendril came towards her. She couldn't move, for she was frozen with fear and confusion. What was Luna doing to her friends, and why were they so scared? Before she could ask another question to herself, she was slammed against the wall and her body was engulfed in the black mist, pinning her against it. She tried moving her legs, but realized quickly that she couldn't get out of Luna's dark grip. She maintained all five ponies with her magic restraining them.

"NO, PINKIE!" the others said in unison seeing their pink friend trapped like them.

Pinkie looked upon Luna, seeing the cold stare that Luna was giving her. What was all of this?

"What are you doing Luna? What are you doing to my friends? Let us go!" Pinkie pleaded. She was hoping this was all just a scary party that Luna was having, but it seemed way too scary to even be considered as a party.

"We cannot do that. All of you bear the elements. We need them from you."

All of them looked upon Luna in confusion. Applejack spoke up.

"We don't have the elements. They're with Princess Celestia! What in the hay makes y'all think that we have 'em?"

Luna turned to the orange cowpony and met her green emerald eyes.

"Those are the elements in their physical form. They are useless without their bearers. We have came here to take the very essence of the elements from thee."

Rarity eyes burst open. "A..and how do you plan to do this?" she stammered, fearing the answer she knew already.

Luna smiled devishly. "Well, we are going to take thine lives of course, and absorb thou essences with this." Luna raised a pendant with a black chain and a black gem inside it.

"Wh..what is that?" Fluttershy asked with terror obvious in her quiet tone. Luna looked over to Fluttershy. "Oh, don't worry about that. Just know that thou will die along with thou's friends tonight."

All five ponies froze with fear. She...she's gonna kill us?! Pinkie screamed in her mind and thought frantically. She had to get out and save her friends. She struggled as hard as she could but still couldn't get out. Then a horrifying thought enveloped her mind.

Twilight...

"Where's Twilight?!" Pinkie yelled at the insane princess, "What have you done with Twilight?!" Anger took over Pinkie. The thought that Twilight might be hurt or even worse enraged the normally happy-go-lucky mare.

"WHAT HAVE YOU WITH HER, YOU BITCH?!!"

Luna walked toward Pinkie and met her face to face.

"Do not worry about thy lover. She is unharmed. We plan to take her essence, but that will take much more time. She is by far the most powerful of thee, but for now we are only focused on all of the other elements. We will need them to have thy lover's."

Pinkie spat at her face, a glob of saliva running down Luna's face. She wiped it off with her hoof and only smiled.

"We were going to kill thou first, but we think it would be more painful to see thy friends suffer first." Luna turned around to begin her gruesome deed, beginning with the animal loving pegasus.

"No wait, please, not her!" screamed a rainbow-maned pony. Luna looked towards Rainbow Dash curiously.

"Ah, there is a reason thou is the Element of Loyalty. Thou wears it well. If not her, then who, we may ask?" Pinkie knew what Luna was doing. She was playing with their minds and feelings. Pinkie could only continue to watch in horror.

"Me. Please just let everypony else go. You can kill me, take whatever you want from me, just let the others go." Rainbow Dash pleaded. Tears fell from Pinkie's face, seeing how willingly her friend would give up her life for theirs, but her plea fell on deaf ears.

Luna shook her head."Thou must not understand that when we say we need the essence of the bearer's, that we mean ALL. That includes thou's friends. None of thee shall be spared."

Rainbow closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Rarity and Applejack only put their heads down, resigning to their fate. Fluttershy was crying. Pinkie cried silently as well, knowing that Luna meant her words. She heard the finality of them. They would all die.
No...no...this can't be it...Applejack...Fluttershy.... Dashie.... Rarity...Twilight ...me. Pinkie's heart broke into pieces, knowing that she would watch her friends die, and that she couldn't do anything about it. They would all die, including Pinkie... and her marefriend.

"But since thou has offered thyself, we will start with you. Prepare thyself. If thou struggles, thou will only make it worse."

"Buck you, bitch! You're lucky that I'm stuck here or I would send your sorry ass back to the moo-!

Luna knew what the defiant pegasus was about to say so she turned around and lodged her horn right through Rainbow Dash's eye, blood squirting out of her socket onto her horn.

"AHHHHH!" Rainbow screamed. Pinkie only stared in sheer terror. "NO, RAINBOW!" Applejack yelled, watching her best friend getting jabbed in her eye socket. Fluttershy squealed, watching blood shoot out and Rarity's mouth only hang open.

Luna pulled her horn out of the screaming pegasus, blood running down it. "We were going to grant thee a swift death, but we have changed our mind. All of thee will die painfully, because of your insolence. This ends now." And with that, Luna summoned her magic and summoned an ethereal sword. It's handle was decorated with Luna's cutie mark, the blade jagged, ready to rip into flesh. Luna jabbed the sword into the cyan mare's chest and ran her blade down, opening up her body to reveal her innards.

Oh my Celestia no! Pinkie and the others were in full blast tears, watching their friend die right before their eyes. Rainbow's screams echoed in her head, torturing her. Reminding her of how helpless she was.

Luna grabbed Rainbow Dash's ribcage and broke it wide apart, ignoring the screams of pain. "This is it. First the Element of Loyalty." Luna said to herself. She ripped out Rainbow's stomach. Rainbow Dash only screamed louder, but as more organs were ripped out, her screams became quieter and quieter, until there was no more sound from the sky-loving pegasus.

She was dead.

Luna brought the necklace towards the fresh corpse and a rainbow colored mist exited out of its mouth and was sucked in the pendant.

"Oh, Rainbow. I'm so sorry." Applejack said, crying. Pinkie couldn't say anything. One of her best friends was just brutally killed and she just watched it happen. Her soul screamed at her, her mind ached and her heart was in shambles. What could she do? I'm sorry Dashie. More tears came down her face, now wanting this to all end, hoping this was just some horrible nightmare.

Luna trotted towards Applejack and smiled." Do not fret, thou shall join thy friend shortly."

"I buckin' hate ya ... how could ya do somethin' so evil?! I'll kill ya, ya hear? In this life or the next!" Pinkie looked onto Applejack. No, not Applejack please...

"Hollow words, dear Applejack. That is one promise thou cannot keep. Thou is the Element of Honesty. It is not in thou's element to make hollow promises. We are tired of looking at thee." Luna's horn started producing another black tendril, though this one was forming into a claw. It sped toward the orange pony's face and latched onto it.

Rarity screamed."What the hell are you doing to her?!"

"We are tired of your face." Luna whipped her head and the claw ripped Applejack's face clean off, revealing muscle and nerves, blood pouring down her body, Applejack screamed in agony.

Rarity sobbed loudly, saying something, but through her sobs, it was not understandable. Fluttershy only whimpered even more, clearly traumatized.

"Now that that is taken care of, we don't relish the color of orange. We prefer black instead, like the night sky."

Luna pointed her horn towards the faceless pony and flame spewed out, engulfing her. Applejack thrashed in Luna's binding, screaming, but that's all she could do. Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy watched as the farmer burned before them, the smell of burnt flesh filling their nostrils. Applejack's screams went silent and Luna ceased her horrible flames.
Applejacks body was burnt black, flesh still falling off of her. Luna did the same as before and lifted the necklace towards the body and an orange mist appeared and was sucked into the pendant.

Pinkie no longer felt anything. She has just watched two friends die. She lost any hope of getting away, and resigned to her fate. This is it...were all going to die. I'm sorry for everypony. I'm sorry Twilight. That hurt the pink mare the most. It was heart-breaking that she couldn't save her friends from this gruesome fate, but it broke her very soul to know that Twilight would suffer the same.

"YOU BUCKING BITCH! HOW COULD YOU? WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO YOU? NO WONDER CELESTIA SENT YOU TO THE BUCKING MOON!" Fluttershy yelled. Pinkie and Rarity was taken back by her outburst.

Luna turned to her with fury. "Insolent peasent! How dare thee!" and Luna fired a black disc out of her horn, slicing Fluttershy's head clean off, blood sprouting like a fountain into the air. Fluttershy's head rolled onto the floor next to Pinkie.

Pinkie stared at the decapitated head looking at the shocked expression still on Fluttershy's face, blood oozing out. Pinkie threw up. The sight so close to her, it was too much to handle.

A yellow essence floated towards the pendant, just as all the others have. Luna shifted her eyes to the last two. "Well, it seems like we are almost done. Thou are the only ones left."

Pinkie panicked. Luna was coming towards her. What horrible form of death was she going to endure?Oh Celestia, please make it quick. Pinkie closed her eyes and waited for her body to be ripped apart.

"TAKE THIS!" and a beam of light fired toward the back of Luna.

Luna turned around and was hit in the center of her face, making her drop on the floor. Suddenly, Pinkie fell to the floor, no longer pinned to the wall by Luna's magic.

"RUN PINKIE! RUN!" Rarity yelled. "GET OUT OF HERE!" Pinkie jumped up on her legs quickly, a rush of adrenaline running through her body.

Rarity shot a bolt of magic at Luna hitting her, making her lose focus on holding Pinkie.

"No, I'm gonna get you out of there!" Pinkie protested.

"LEAVE PINKIE! THERE NOTHING YOU CAN DO! RUN!" Rarity's voice commanded. Pinkie turned towards the door and ran up the stairs and to the door of the shop. She heard a scream as she ran out of Sugarcube Corner crying...

Pinkie ran through Ponyville for a good half hour, not daring to look back, afraid to see the princess of the night coming after her. She had to get to Twilight and make sure she was okay. She felt the cool night whip through her mane and smack her face as she ran to the library.

Pinkie saw the library but the lights were on. Was Twilight awake? Pinkie ran even faster, a feeling of hope rising, saying that her marefriend was alright. She ran faster and saw two Lunar guards at the door! Pinkie stopped and jumped behind a bush nearby and watched. Luna got to her! No,no,no,no,no! If there were Lunar guards that must have meant that Luna had Twilight... and that means...

"She's dead...Twilight...." Pinkie whimpered. Something broke inside her. It wasn't just her heart but something different. She had watched her friends die, she left Rarity behind, and now her marefriend was dead. Her soul screamed again in agonizing pain, her whole body went numb. Then her mind kicked in fear and took control...

You need to leave. She will be looking for you. Get far away. Pinkie had to leave. She knew that Luna would come looking for her and she would send her guards to search. She snuck out of the bush and ran towards the Everfree Forest. She stopped at the entrance. She was going to leave everything she knew...or did know. She failed. She couldn't save her friends and she lost her lover. She wanted to die but something told her to leave. Why not just stay and let Luna kill her?

She needs the Elements of Harmony...

Pinkie remembered that Luna wanted the essence of the elements. Whatever she was planning, she needed all of them. She had to stay alive. She might have failed saving her friends and lover, but she would not let Luna have her way and do whatever she planned to do. With a heavy heart and a broken soul, Pinkie turned toward the dark forest.

I'm sorry everypony. I failed....I'm so sorry," as she entered the forest with only a trail of tears.....

END FLASHBACK

Twilight pulled out of Pinkie's mind and reeled back towards the kitchen counter. Pinkie's eyes went back to normal, her tongue going back in her mouth and gaining consciousness.

"L..L..Luna...s..she killed them." Twilight stammered. Ten years she searched for Pinkie. Ten years she burned with hatred for her, determined to end her. Ten years...it was all a lie. Twilight's mind broke into too many different pieces, causing her an immense headache. She dropped the hacksaw, her hoof shaking.

"I'm so sorry, Twilight! I failed them and you. For years I thought you were dead too, and I ran. I'm so sorry!" Pinkie wailed, tears flowing down her face. Twilight only looked at the pink pony. She..she never killed them. Twilight's mind was telling her what happened, but she couldn't believe it,

Luna killed them. Pinkie was telling the truth.

A feeling of bittersweet happiness and confusion and guilt welled up in her. She was happy that Pinkie didn't do it. Her friend...her marefirend...was telling the truth. She was confused at the fact that Luna killed them, for she didn't know the purpose. All she knew that it had something to do with the elements.

And now pure guilt filed her. She was so quick to believe the princess and go after her marefriend. She didn't stop to consider the possibilities, she only let her rage take control for the past ten years. Luna planted the evidence and played on her trust.

"I'm so sorry, Twilight." Pinkie continued, still crying. Twilight walked towards the innocent pony and summoned her magic to cut throught the plastic that bound her. Pinkie rose from the table and onto her hooves. Now Twilight and Pinkie stood facing each other. Pinkie was the first to move. She leaned in and hugged Twilight.

Twilight couldn't hold it anymore. Tears poured out, all her happiness, sadness, anger, guilt, all pouring out of her.

"I'm so sorry, Pinkie. I never considered...I hated you for so long...I wanted to kill you....I..I'm so sorry."

Pinkie hugged her tighter. Twilight could only cry more into the pink mare.

Pinkie cried along with her, trying to comfort her."It's okay, Twilight. I'm sorry for not coming back. I thought you were dead. What Luna did..." Pinkie couldn't continue. She just wanted to embrace her. For ten years, they both felt alone, empty and broken. "I'm sorry that you had to see what Luna-" but Pinkie was interrupted.

Twilight suddenly pushed Pinkie away, her eyes closed, and rage approached. "Luna tricked me. Luna turned me against you. I would have killed you. LUNA KILLED THEM ALL!" Twilight roared. Her rage had full control of her. Purple strands of light surrounded Twilight, rising form the floor, and soon surrounded the unicorn.

"SHE LIED TO ME!"

She began lifting off the ground. Her rage consumed her and pure magic radiated out of her. Cabinets flew open, dishes started flying, and silverware twirled into what seemed like a whirlwind of magic. It surrounded Twilight.

"SHE BETRAYED ME!! SHE TOOK EVERTHING FROM ME!" Twilight's eyes opened. Her eyes burned pure white hot rage.

Pinkie looked upon her with fear. Twilight was enraged and she has never seen Twilight's rage come to such a level.

Cabinets were beginning to rip from the walls and the table was lifting off the ground. Pinkie had to calm her down, or she would destroy everything.

"Twilight! Stop! Calm down! Your losing control!"

Twilight ignored her. Magic swirled faster around her, ready to rip the very walls down. She had lost all control and her rage could not be satiated, So much pain and anger fueled her magic now. If she didn't stop, she risked destroying everything. She risked killing herself....She risked killing Pinkie.

She did not care.

She wanted the pain to leave. She wanted the memories gone. She wanted to be gone. There was nothing left... the lies, the betrayals...the ten years she spent hating Pinkie when it was Luna. The one that comforted her...the one that toyed with her emotions and mind. There was nothing left for her. She wanted to give up and be consumed. She wanted....

"TWILIGHT! PLEASE! COME BACK TO ME! DON'T DO THIS!"

Pinkie...

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

Part 4: The Element of Magic (Edited)

Pinkie flew back into the wall behind as Twilight's magic grew. It was now ripping the walls into pieces. She looked at the windows and they were starting to crack. She had to do something to calm Twilight or her entire apartment was going to be rubble along with her! She got up and stumbled towards Twilight, trying to get a hold of her and have her revert to the old Twilight.

"Twilight...please....come back." Pinkie pleaded, making her way towards the rage consumed unicorn. Twilight's eyes only glowed a brighter white as more magic released from her body, threatening to throw Pinkie right off her hooves. And yet Pinkie still pressed on. She had to bring Twilight back. She already thought she lost her once and she wasn't going to lose her again.

Twilight's mind raced with thoughts of Luna. Luna...the comforter....Luna...the friend....Luna....the betrayer. How could she be so foalish?! Her friend's murderer was right beside her the whole time!

How did she..fail?

Twilight's rage only grew, now with the realization of her utter failure. She wasn't her friend's avenger. She was an accomplice. If she would have took Pinkie to Luna, she would have killed her, and then probably killed her too.

She betrayed you...

I know....

She lied to you

I know...

She killed them...

I know!

You let her get away with it. You failed to avenge them. Failed

Twilight screamed within her unmeasureable rage."I KNOW! STOP IT!" This voice in her head toyed with her. Why was it tormenting her?

YOU FAILED!

"SHUT UP!!" Magic swirled even faster around her, her skin now turning into a dark purple and her pink streak in her mane and tail turned snow white. Her rage was changing her, destroying her mind. She couldn't stop it, she only gave in to it and fed it her guilt, her anger and her pain. It was breaking her...

A hoof grabbed onto her arm. Twilight slowly turned and laid her white glowing eyes onto a cut-up pink mare. Pinkie pushed through her whirlwind of magic to get to her. Her cuts looked as if they were caused by flying pieces of debris and glass.

Pinkie looked up into the burning white eyes and looked deep into them, trying to find the Twilight she knew.

"It's okay, Twilight. It's okay to be angry. Just calm down and come back." Pinkie said quietly. "It's okay."

Twilight looked upon her, looking at her hoof holding onto her arm. She was telling her it was okay. Was it? Suddenly, she felt something shoot across her mind like a bolt of lightning through her brain. The magic abruptly ceased and she fell down to the floor. Darkness closed in on her and she only heard a name that seemed to fade away....

Twilight woke up with her body feeling numb. She shook her head a bit to try and get rid of a ringing sound inside her head. She slowly stood up, regaining her balance and took in her surroundings. Everything was dark.... She tried casting a light spell, but nothing happened. Her magic wasn't working.

What's going on?

"Your magic doesn't work here." a voice replied. Twilight looked around, but couldn't find who answered her.

"Who are you?" she called out.

"You." The voice was much closer now. Twilight spun around and before her was...her, but she was different. Her eyes were white and where her pink strand that ran through her mane and tail was replaced by a white one. Her fur was a dark purple.

"Me? You have similarities but you're not me." Twilight stated flatly. This was not her, but how did she know what she was thinking earlier? Who is this? Where am I?

"Like I said before, I'm you, and to answer the second question, we're in your psyche, or if you prefer, your mind."

Twilight stared at her. She was in her mind? In a way it would make sense, considering there was something standing in front of her that could read her thoughts, but how was she her?

"Okay, I'm in my mind, but you're still not me. There's only one me."

"Okay, I'll be more specific. I am a part of you, which therefore makes me you."

Was she losing her mind? She was talking to something that was a part of her? None of this was making sense to her, and she usually made sense of everything, except for The Pinkie Sense.

Pinkie...where's Pinkie Pie? The only thing she remembered, was Pinkie holding her her arm and telling her something. Other than that, the rest was blank.

"Pinkie is fine. You could have hurt her really badly. Luckily, she only has some cuts and bruises."

"Stop doing that!" Twilight said annoyingly. She was getting pretty tired of this...thing reading her mind.

"I can't. I said I'm a part of you, so when you think, I know what you're thinking. We're part of the same mind. For a pony that studies all the time, you seem to not have much common sense."

Twilight's face turned red with frustration. She hated being mocked and further more, when her own intelligence was questioned.

"You mentioned Pinkie. What did I do?" Twilight tried to remember, but all she knew was Pinkie holding her arm, mouthing words.

"You lost control. You gave in to your rage and, well, I pulled you back here to stop you. Right now, your unconscious but you'll be back up after we're done here."

Twilight remembered a pain that struck through her skull. It must have been whatever this thing did to pull her into her mind. Then memories flooded into her head. She felt rage, pain and guilt surrounding her. She remembered Pinkie yelling at her to come back.

Then she saw herself, surrounded by raw magic, destroying everything and throwing Pinkie back. She saw the anger in her glowing white eyes. It was so much anger, that Twilight shuddered. That was her?

I did that?

"Yes, you did. That's what happens when you give in and lose control."

Twilight only looked at the seemingly all knowing being.

"You said you were a part of me. What part?"

"Finally, you remember! About time. Anyway, I'm the part that makes you special. I am the Element of Magic."

Twilight choked on her own saliva hearing this. This was the Element of Magic? It was talking to her?

"How?! The elements are physical items, not spirits or whatever you are."

"Did you not pay attention when you went into Pinkie's mind? Luna was taking the essences from your friends. That is what I am. When you used the elements, we, the essences, manifested inside our bearer and give them the power of that certain element. We, or you, is what makes the artifacts work. Without the essence of that element, the artifact would be useless."

Twilight pondered this for a moment. So the elements were not physical items, but really a spiritual one? The artifacts are only there to help channel that power then. But I didn't have the artifact with me. How did I use its power?

"Now that's a good question!" the being said, abruptly. " You used your emotions to unleash your element. Your emotions are what fuels the elements, and depending on these emotions, can turn that power into something more than just flying, and strangely dangerous rainbows."

Twilight's head clicked. It was their emotions that powered their elements. She remembered the first time that she and her friends used them against Nightmare Moon. She had a feeling of warmth and bonding. It was that feeling of friendship with her friends that she felt. The whole time she thought it was the artifacts themselves that held their powers, but that was not the case.

"So my rage at Lu..her...caused me to unleash my element's power? My RAGE amplified its power?"

"Exactly! Your rage combined with your pain and guilt unleashed your element, and with devastating effects. It was destroying you, Twilight. If I hadn't intervened, that raw magical power would have torn you and Pinkie to pieces. I think you already felt some of the effects of it mentally."

She was right. Twilight remembered the voice that tortured her in her head. How she had failed her friends and that it was her fault. It only angered her more by hearing it.

"So that voice in my head was one of the effects? It only made me more angry."

"Yes, what you were hearing was rage itself. It wanted you to get angrier, to destroy everything and you gave into it. You lost control, so I had to stop you, as I said before."

Twilight understood. That would explain why her element was unleashed and why it was so destructive. She had to maintain control of it.

"Well thank you for stopping me. I could only imagine if I was left to continue...whatever that was. But how do I prevent that from happening again? How do I get rid of this rage?"

"You don't." the essence of magic stated. "Rage is a part of you now. You spent ten years channeling your rage towards Pinkie. You created it and now it's part of you. With no clear channel for it, your rage wants to consume you into senseless anger, having you disregard your's or others' safety."

Twilight knew this to be true. She spent ten years looking for Pinkie Pie, always angry for what she thought she did. She would wake up angry, go to bed angry, and would repeat this daily. Rage is what drove her every day to track and find her. Rage told her that she had to die, and only until this was done, would it be satisfied.

Then to learn that all that rage formed off a lie, a lie created by Luna that cost her ten years filled with pain and horrible dreams of her friends screaming her name while Pinkie killed them. A misguided and now lost rage. But if she couldn't get rid of it, then what was she to do?

"Then what do I do? Just stop being angry? I can't just shut that off. Luna killed them. I can't just not be angry about that."

"You keep in mind who you're angry at. Before, you were more angry at yourself, for what you thought as a failure, and your rage took advantage of that and used it against you. You lost all care and became enraged with the world. You wanted it all to end. Rage was gonna give you what you wanted at the cost of your life and Pinkie's. Channel your rage at Luna, for what she has done, and you will have complete control over it."

"I don't know if I want to use this anymore, though." Twilight was now terrified of herself. She was willing to kill Pinkie, her lover, and not even care, just because of her selfish wants. She was afraid to now use this rage to channel her element.

"You will have to, Twilight, because sooner or later, Luna will find out that you know the truth and come to kill you. You will have to fight her eventually. Do not fear this rage, but embrace it and control it."

"But even if I fought against her, I would be killed in seconds! Even if Pinkie helped me, we would BOTH be killed! What chance do we have?" It was hopeless. She knew that she was angry at Luna for what she had done, but what chance did she have? Luna was a princess, an immortal. She was a just a typical unicorn who loved a pink earth pony. Even combined, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"You're right. The two of you would be destroyed swiftly. But now that you know how to release your element, you can teach Pinkie and the other elements how. Together, the Elements of Harmony would decimate any who stand against them, even an immortal goddess."

Was this thing crazy? Did she not realize what the problem was with that plan?

"Do you not realize that the other bearers are dead? How can I teach them when they're bucking dead?!" Twilight's heart twisted. Was this just another lie? Was she simply going crazy and now she was in her own mind, being tortured?

"They are dead, but only physically. If you recall Pinkie's memory, Luna took their element's essence from them. They are not completely dead. They are simply trapped, sort of in a Limbo."

The necklace!

"Exactly. That necklace is what holds them prison."

Is it possible? Twilight thought about the necklace and how it would suck the essence from her deceased friends. Was it possible that they could...?

"Are you telling me that I could bring my friends back if I had that necklace? They would be alive again?"

"I am not sure. All I know is that their essence is trapped within that necklace, and a bearer's essence is powerful enough to transcend death. The problem is, I do not know what you must do once you have it. That is something you will have to find out yourself, but I can help you with your endeavor."

Twilight expected that this wouldn't be simple, but if there was any hope of getting her friends back, she would take it. To have them again was something she was willing to kill for. She would get that necklace and find out how to free their essence and bring them back to life.

"How could you help? I mean, yes, you are the essence of the my element, but you only help channel my power. What could you do to help?"

The being only smiled. "Let me take part of your mind. I will be able to speak with you in your mind, and help you. Also, it will allow me to take charge if you lose control again, but without sending you into your own mind."

Twilight thought about this. Was she willing to let this entity take a part of her mind? How would she know that this thing really wanted to help, and not just wanted to control, or even possibly take over her mind? She already learned the consequences of misplacing your trust in someone...

"You will still have complete control over your mind, if that's what you're worried about. Remember, I'm only a part of you, thus you control the whole. I can only take action if you give me permission to, and once I do what I am given permission to do, I will be forced out,"

Twilight nodded. She was going to have to trust it. She would need all the help she could get if she was going to get her friends back.

"Alright, I'll let you. You will help me get my friends back and then we will deal with Luna."

The entity nodded. "I will help you, Twilight Sparkle. Now that you know what you must do, and have a better understanding of the elements, I will send you back. I will be with you always now. All you have to do is ask and I will answer. Are you ready?"

Twilight nodded, feeling something she hasn't felt for years: hope. A hope that she could bring her friends back, a hope that she would make Luna pay, but most of all, a hope that she could be happy again.

"I'm ready."

Darkness started to envelope her once again and take over. She now had a plan to set things right. She was ready to go back out and try again. She never failed, only progressed. She found out the truth, and as painful as it was, it saved her friend... her marefriend...and together they would set it all right.

She couldn't wait...

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

(A/N. Well, can't believe I cranked this out 2:15 in the morning. So there ya go, Part 4 ready to go. Hope you guys are liking the story as much as I am writing it. I'm getting a bit addicted to it in a way. Cheers.)

Part 5: For Every Action... (Edited)

Twilight woke up to a pair of blue eyes looking at her.

"You're alright." Pinkie said calmly.

Twilight looked over and noticed cuts all over the pink mare's face and body. Some were still bleeding, but Pinkie didn't take the time to wipe the blood away. Twilight grabbed Pinkie's shoulders and hugged her, a familiar scent of her mane filling her nostrils.

Mmm, cotton candy. Still the same." Twilight said softly. It's been ten years, and Pinkie was truly still the same. Twilight released her from her grasp and stood up. She had so much to tell Pinkie, she didn't even know where to start. She realized that Pinkie had many cuts and bruises. Guess the best place to start is apologizing. Twilight now felt awful for what she did to her.

"Pinkie....I'm sorry. I lost control and got you hurt." Twilight said, putting her head down at the the word 'hurt'. Pinkie stepped forward and nuzzled Twilight under her chin.

"It's okay, Twilight. You came back. That's all I wanted." Twilight felt tears welling up in her eyes. Pinkie was definitely still the same. Always understanding and forgiving and wanting to keep her friends happy. Twilight could only imagine what Pinkie kept bottled to herself, but now was not that time to find out. There was too much to discuss. She sucked up her tears and started.

"Pinkie, when I was unconscious, I went into my mind. I learned a few things while I was asleep."

"You went into your mind? Oooooo, that sounds fun! What was it like?" Pinkie asked curiously.

Yep, still the same. Twilight rolled her eyes a bit. "Pinkie, this is serious, and I need you to pay attention. Besides, I'm not really in the mood for games right now."

Pinkie frowned a little. Ten years may not change a pony much physically, but mentally and emotionally, it changed Twilight quite a bit. She no longer laughed at Pinkie's humor and only seemed to get annoyed now. Pinkie perked up and watched Twilight with all her attention. "Ok, Twilight, sorry. Tell me what you have."

"Thank you Pinkie. Well..."

Twilight recounted her ordeal with her. She told her about how she had met the Element of Magic, or more so, the essence of it. She told her how it annoyed her that it could read her thoughts, but also told her that her rage was what seemed to give her that outburst of magic, and that she could use it and control it.

Pinkie shuddered when Twilight told her about her rage, remembering how terrifying Twilight was earlier, and how scary it was. However, Pinkie shrugged it away and continued listening to her, nodding here and there to show that she understood.

"We can bring our friends back, Pinkie. If we could get a hold of that necklace that Luna used, it's possible that we can get them back. AJ, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity...we can bring them all back. We're gonna have to."

Pinkie jumped up onto her hooves. During the conversation, she involuntarily sat down, only listening to Twilight, but now with the mention that they coud get their friends back, this really got her attention. "We can bring them back?! Really?!"

Twilight smiled a bit, seeing Pinkie all of sudden happy and hopeful. She even felt the same, a feeling she abandoned a long time ago. "Well, what I was told you was that the essence of the elements could transcend death itself. If we got back our friends' essences back, we could bring them back, given we know how."

"Does it matter, Twilight?! You're the smartest pony I know and you can find a way. If there is even a remote chance to get them back, I'm all in Twi'! I will help you get this magical necklace thingy from meany-face Luna and get them back!" the pink pony declared.

Twilight didn't even ask for her help yet, but it didn't need to be asked. Twilight knew that Pinkie would do anything for her friends. No wonder I loved...love you. The ten years that she harbored hatred for Pinkie was quickly undone with everything she now knew and it was replaced by love for her again... an even stronger love than before.

"Thank you, Pinkie Pie. I wouldn't have it any other way." Twilight now felt something was going right for once. There was hope now.

"So now that we have that settled, what are we gonna do about my apartment?" Pinkie giggled. Twilight looked around, not noticing the destruction until now. Parts of the kitchen walls were gone, broken dishes were scattered across the floor, silverware was lodged into what walls were left, and even the cabinets and sinks were pulled out.

"Oh, hehe. Yeah sorry about that." Twilight answered embarrassed. "But I have a different plan Pinkie...you come back to Ponyville and stay with me...."

Pinkie froze. Her playful nature left as quickly as it came and looked at Twilight as if she just blew something up.

"Twilight... I can't go back to Ponyville...you should know that." It's been ten years she has been away from Ponyville. Ten years that the residents there were left to believe that she was some sick murderer who killed all her friends, and left Twilight to suffer. She couldn't go back. It was basically a death sentence if she did.

"I know, but everypony knows I went looking for you...though they didn't know what I planned to do....they will believe me when I tell them that you didn't do it." It was no secret that Twilight swore to find Pinkie, but she didn't tell the Ponyvillians what she was going to do with Pinkie. Most ponies were under the assumption that she would bring Pinkie Pie to Luna.

Pinkie only turned away from Twilight, rubbing her arm in nervousness. "Twilight, I don't think it's gonna be that simple. I don't think just because you tell them I didn't do it, that they are going to just automatically welcome me back."

Pinkie wanted to go back to Ponyville, but how could she? Her memories of that night...their screams...leaving Rarity behind...could she handle all that?

Also, she thought of the aftermath. What about Sweetie Belle, and the Apple family? Fluttershy no longer caring for the animals, and Rainbow Dash no longer chief of the weather team? How did they take it when they were led to believe that the fun-loving pony took their loved ones from them? Did she want to face that?

Twilight moved towards Pinkie. "Pinkie. Look at me." Pinkie turned around and met Twilight's eyes. "I know time has passed and I can imagine why you feel the way you do, but they need to know the truth. We were all lied to Pinkie. I think they would rather have the one who did it answer up, than to have an innocent pony be punished for something they didn't do."

"But Twilight-" she was interrupted with a hoof to her mouth.

"No more buts, Pinkie. You ran away for ten years. If we're gonna make things right, I need you to come back with me. I need your help if were going to get our friends back and stop Luna, which means I need you with me. I need you, Pinkie Pie."

Pinkie Pie looked down in defeat. She knew Twilight was right, but she was so scared of what ponies would think of her now. This wasn't a fear she could simply laugh away, but she had to go back and let ponies know that she was innocent. She had to help Twilight stop meany-face Luna.

"Ok, Twilight. I'll go with you." She forced a smile to help reassure the unicorn. Twilight saw right trough this, knowing how nervous and scared she was.

"Trust me, Pinkie. It will be alright."

"Okay, but how are we going to get there? I mean, we're all the way in Trottingham. It's a good ways from Ponyville, and I don't have my flying machine anymore." Pinkie recalled her flying machine that she used to get to Rainbow Dash and spend time with her.

Twilight only grinned in satisfaction. "Well, I have had ten years to work on my transportation spell. I increased it to where I can transport over long distances and have more than just me come along. We can get back to Ponyville in seconds."

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Pinkie exclaimed. She was still scared and nervous but she trusted Twilight. If she said that it would be alright, then she would believe her.

"Stand next to me. I need you close by when I do this." Pinkie took her place next to her, brushing her flank against hers. Twilight turned a slight crimson when she felt the pink pony's flank brush hers. Damnit Pinkie... Twilight didn't want to feel like this, especially after everything that has happened. There was too much to do, too much at stake, and here she was, blushing over Pinkie Pie. She did love her, even after the ten years of hatred for her, she was surprised that, once she knew the truth, how quickly her love came back for her. Maybe she loved her the whole time it was simply covered in hate.

Maybe you should stop overthinking everything and realize you always loved her. Of the years I have been with you, you still have the most trouble accepting your feelings.

Twilight deadpanned inside. She knew exactly who was speaking in her mind. Is this going to be a regular thing with you? To lecture me about my own feelings and other stuff like that? This is going to take some time getting used to...

I'm only part of you. Just looking out for Twilight. Now instead of standing here, how about you take yourself and Pinkie back home.

Twilight snapped out of her inner thoughts and saw Pinkie standing beside her, looking at her nervously.

"Um, are you okay? You seemed to have zoned out silly. Are you ready to go?"

Twilight turned another shade of crimson out of embarrassment. This is going to take a LOT of time to get used to...

"Yeah, I'm all set. Let's go." Twilight pointed her horn towards the sky and focused on Ponyville. Pinkie looked around and saw her kitchen fading out. In only a bright flash, the torn up apartment was all that remained, silent.

Pinkie fell on the floor. She was dizzy from what seemed like infinite spinning. Twilight looked at Pinkie, laughing a bit inside. She knew the effects of transporting for the first time.

"Wow, I haven't felt this dizzy since Vinyl's party. That was sooo fun!" Twilight wouldn't exactly call it fun, but it WAS Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie stood up and regained her balance. She grabbed her head and shook it a bit to get her eyes back into focus (what?). She looked around and noticed that the library was...bigger. It still had the same setup, but it had alot more books. She noticed that there was now a door on the bottom floor now and it had a sign that read GUEST. She noticed another door and had what seemed to be intials on it that showed S.B.

"I have added to the collection of books here in the library. Mostly psychological prints to help me study well..." she trailed off. She knew why she had so many of them. She thought maybe she could understand why Pinkie killed their friends. Maybe something cracked in her mind and made her go off, but now that all seemed like wasted time...

"It's okay, Twilight. You really took care of this place, even after all this time. I would love to throw a party in here!"

"Yeah, well, when your always locked up in here studying, what else is there to do but take care of the place? Anyways...Spiiiiike! I need you down here!" Twilight needed Spike, though she had an idea of what his reaction would be.

"Coming!" a somewhat low boyish voice called out. Pinkie and Twilight listened as they heard Spike coming down the stairs.

"Twilight! You're back! How was...WHAT THE FUCK IS SHE DOING HERE?!" He took notice of Pinkie, narrowing his eyes towards her. Pinkie cowered at his gaze. It seemed to pierce through her and stab her over and over.

This, not so baby anymore, dragon definitely changed. He was much taller now. His color was still the same, but his scales seemed much more apparent. Two wings protruded form his back, open at full length. His snout was a bit longer, but still held most of his facial features when he was younger. Pinkie also took notice of how...buff he was. Did he work out or something?

"Spike, please calm down. I know this is not what you were expecting-" She was abruptly cut off by a very upset dragon.

"Why is she here?! I thought you said you were going to kill that bitch! What the fuck?! She should be dead! Why is she alive? SHE KILLED OUR FRIENDS, DAMMIT!! SHE TOOK RARITY AWAY FROM ME!!" When Spike learned that his friends were dead, he took it harder than Twilight. He was only a baby dragon at the time, and sometimes Twilight regretted telling him how they died, but she had to tell him. Ever since then, he helped Twilight find and track Pinkie. He blamed Pinkie for it all, and when the thought of his Rarity being made to suffer, he only wanted Pinkie to die more.

"SPIKE! THAT'S ENOUGH!" Spike kept his eyes on the pink mare, but listened to her. "There something I need to tell you."

For the second time, she explained how she had went into Pinkie's mind, saw what Luna did, and the possibility that their friends could be brought back. She decided to omit the piece of her going into a blind rage and being sucked into her own mind. He didn't need to know that.. not yet anyway. Spike only could listen. He had to process all this at once and upon hearing that Luna was responsible, his jaw dropped. It dropped even lower hearing that there was a chance to bring their friends back.

"So, what your telling me is that Pinkie never did it, Luna, the one who has even helped us track her, and not to mention, taken care of us when we needed it, is the one who killed them? Oh, and we can bring them back from the dead?"

Spike you can be a sarcastic bastard sometimes.

You're just noticing this?

Shush. I didn't ask for your opinion.

Well, just saying.

"Enough of the sarcasm, Spike. That is exactly what I'm telling you. Have I given you any reason to doubt me?" Twilight was annoyed at him. She could understand why he would be upset, but to just completely not trust what she was telling him?

"You brought her here..."

"Spike!"

"Fine, you're right, but I'm keeping my eye on her. If she tries to pull something funny, I'm gutting her with my bare claws." Pinkie flinched at this threat. This wasn't the lovable Spike she knew before. This one was not so naive and innocent anymore. This one was broken, just like them. Pinkie feared how many others felt the way he did, and was doubting if Twilight could really convince them to believe her, and at the least have them not try to kill her in her sleep.

Twilight turned toward Pinkie, noticing her distress and fear. She knew this was not gonna be easy at all.

"I'm sorry Pinkie. Spike is just shocked, is all. I'll talk to him more later. He'll come along. Don't worry." She said, trying to reassure Pinkie Pie.

"I don't blame him...Twilight...I don't know about all this. Look at how he reacted. Who else will react like that, or worse. This is not okie dokey lokie, Twilight."

"I know, but it won't come to that. It will take ponies some time, Pinkie, but they will eventually realize that you're still the good, fun Pinkie, not a monster like Luna."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Pinkie." Twilight approached and embraced her. She wanted Pinkie to be okay, but she knew this would also take time. For both of them.

"Twilight? Are we still..well..could we be...marefriends again?" Twilight didn't see that coming. She did still love her, but after all these years and everything that's transpired, could they continue that relationship that was cut off?

"Pinkie...I don't know...I don't think this is a good time to find out. I don't know what I feel and with everything that's going on...I just need time to think okay? Everything is still too sudden."

What you mean you don't know how you feel?

I mean that I don't know. I still love her but, oh, I just don't know. Twilight was already getting annoyed of this other voice that she allowed to be present within her head. If she knew this would happen, she might have reconsidered.

Or maybe your afraid of getting hurt again. You know she didn't do it, so why do you feel as if she would hurt you again?

Just..be quiet...I'll deal with it okay?

If that's what makes you feel better.

Pinkie broke out of their hug, smiling a bit. "Yeah, your right. No time for all this mushy stuff. We got to get ready to throw a welcome back party for when we get our friends back, and kick that stupid-face Luna's plot." Twilight knew that Pinkie was hurt at her response, but she would have to deal with it for now.

"Well, since you'll be staying here, you'll have the guest room. The bathroom is still in the same place and, well, pretty much everything else is the same."

"Oooo, can I put streamers in it and confetti and balloons and cake and candy-" Twilight had to put her hoof in her mouth once again.

"Yes Pinkie, I will get you some. It'll br in your room, the way you want it."

"Oh thank you sooo much! I'm already feeling-" but Pinkie's thanks was interupted by a voice she knew.

"WHAT THE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!

Twilight knew exactly who it was. Oh no...I didn't know she would be back this soon... Twilight had to calm the situation quickly, for she knew how this was going to go.

"Wait! I can explain, just listen-" She would not finish her sentence.

"NO! SHE DIES NOW! GO TO HELL, YOU FUCKING MONSTER!" and instantaneously, a bolt of light blue magic fired towards the stunned and quite shocked mare, her life's end coming faster towards her.

"SWEETIE BELLE! NO!"

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

(A/N. Sorry this took a bit to get out. Had some issues to take care of the past couple days.)

Part 6: Forgive Me (Edited)

Twilight acted and conjured up a shielding spell over Pinkie, just in the nick of time as the deadly bolt of magic was absorbed into the bubble over Pinkie.

"Sweetie Belle! Stop!" Twilight knew Sweetie Belle would be one not to take this too well, but to just go and attempt to kill somepony like that was beyond comprehension. It actually scared her at how quickly she would resort to that. But was she any different? She was more than willing to kill Pinkie. If she would have never looked at Pinkie's memory, she knew she would have Pinkie being packed up in trash bags, piece by piece...

Sweetie Belle's horn was seething with magic, wanting to blow the pink pony into oblivion. "Why is she here?!"

"I will tell you, but I need you to calm down Sweetie. Just listen to me and you will know why. Okay?"

Pinkie only stood inside the bubble of protection, her mouth agape. This was Sweetie Belle? Physically she looked the same, she was a bit taller, her hair also a bit longer, but what had her attention was her cutie mark. It had 3 light blue gems, but one had what seemed to be...blood? There was a red color splattered on one of the gems....

"Make it quick then, before I make her scream like how Rarity..." Sweetie Belle choked up at the mention of Rarity. "Just tell me."

Before Twilight could begin, Spike came running down the stairs in a sweat, "What is going on?" and then he took notice of the scene that stood before him. Sweetie Belle was standing at the entrance, the door closed behind her, and a magical bubble over Pinkie, and telling by the color of it, he knew Twilight was the one who conjured it. Putting the pieces together, he knew exactly what was going down. "Well, that's unfortunate..."

Twilight didn't take her eyes off Sweetie Belle, afraid of her taking another go at Pinkie, but answered back to her assistant. "What's unfortunate, Spike?"

"That you stopped her spell..."

"Get upstairs, Spike." Twilight didn't have time to deal with his attitude right now. She had more pressing concerns right now, and they were called Sweetie Belle. Spike obeyed and went back upstairs doing only Celestia knows what.

"Okay, now that's handled, Sweetie Belle, I need you to listen carefully. Pinkie never killed your sister. In fact, she didn't kill any of them."

Sweetie Belle took a step back and a look of disgust came across her face. "She didn't do it?! Are you serious?! You really expect me to believe that?!"

Twilight only shook her head. "Yes, I do. I know it's hard to hear but Pinkie is innocent. She didn't-"

"Twilight?" It was Pinkie. She spoke up under the protection of her Twilight's spell. "Drop the spell, Twilight."

Is she serious? If I drop it, Sweetie Bell will obliterate her, and I don't have enough magic left to conjure another one...

"Pinkie, let me handle this, I can't-" She was interrupted again by a now more firm Pinkie Pie.

"Twilight, drop the spell now." Whatever Pinkie had planned, she better hope it worked, or Twilight will have to clean her up with a mop. Twilight dropped her spell, nervous about what the pink mare had planned. Pinkie was on her own now.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. I'm so sorry." Tears streamed down the pink pony's face. Pinkie saw the pain behind Sweetie's eyes, how broken she was at the loss of her sister. Even after ten years, the pain was still fresh.

"Sorry's not just going to fix everything, you bitch!" Sweetie Belle walked towards Pinkie, wanting to destroy every fiber of her being. "Sorry won't bring my sister back!" Twilight got ready. She didn't know what Pinkie was trying to accomplish, but if it was suicide, she was doing a hell of a job. Twilight prepared herself to get in between them, to stop whatever Sweetie Belle was planning to do. She looked towards Pinkie, trying to figure out what she was trying to do, and was met by her blue eyes. Pinkie only shook her head and mouthed the word 'No'. Pinkie knew that Twilight wanted to stop this.

I hope you know what your doing..

Just trust her. She knows what she is doing.

And how would you know?

I have known Pinkie Pie as long as you. I have a good idea.

Right...

Sweetie Belle stopped, face to face with Pinkie. She looked upon the harbinger of Rarity's death, or so she believed. Pinkie only looked into her green eyes. Pinkie spoke first to break the growing tension..

"I'm sorry."

Sweetie Belle only narrowed her eyes. "You're sorry for what? You keep saying sorry over and over. How about you tell me what you did then, monster!" Pinkie flinched at 'monster' and how Sweetie raised her voice, demanding an answer. She would give her an answer, but not the one she is looking for.

"I'm sorry for leaving her behind." The white unicorn looked at her in confusion.

"Leaving her behind?! You killed her!" Sweetie Belle hoof flew across Pinkie's face knocking her to the ground.

Twilight couldn't take it anymore. Whatever Pinkie was trying to do wasn't working. She began to move towards Pinkie when some force tugged her back, keeping her frozen in place.

What the-? Why did I stop?

Sorry, but you need to let Pinkie do this.

What?! I thought you could only take control if I gave you permission to!

Yes, I know, but this is different. There so much doubt in your mind that it gave me an opening. Sorry, but I had to take advantage of it.

Twilight was really regretting her decision to have allowed the other Twilight, so to speak, be able to have a part of her mind. If Pinkie gets killed because of you, I swear...

Just watch. And so, Twilight merely watched, her heart pounding like a drum against her chest.

Pinkie got back up without falter, and looked in Sweetie Belle's eyes once again. "I'm sorry I left her behind." Pinkie repeated. Sweetie Belle did not want to hear this.

"You killed her! What the fuck is the matter with you?! Admit it!" and once again another hoof went across Pinkie's face, but Pinkie noticed something. It wasn't as forceful, as if Sweetie Belle was getting weaker. Again, Pinkie stood up and said the same thing.

"Stop it!"

"I'm sorry for leaving her behind."

"STOP IT!"

Sweetie Belle yelled. She was breaking inside. She couldn't understand why Pinkie kept saying sorry for leaving her sister behind. "Why do you do this? Do you enjoy hurting other ponies?!" Tears poured out of her green eyes, and stepped away from Pinkie.

Pinkie only looked at Twilight and nodded her head. Twilight was just...amazed.

I see now! She had to break her down to get to listen. Good job Pinkie.

Impressive

Yeah...hey! Stop it! Can't you just stay quiet for five minutes? Must you have an opinion on everything?

Look who's talking...

Twilight ignored the last comment. She looked at Sweetie Belle, seeing her now backed away from Pinkie, on the ground crying in defeat. She felt bad for the white unicorn, but now she would listen to the truth.

"Sweetie Belle, are you ready to listen now?" She only nodded, lost in her own crying. Twilight explained once again about Pinkie being innocent and how she knew she was. She revealed to her how Luna was responsible for Rarity's death, and that it had something to do with the elements.

Sweetie Belle was only wiping her tears away while she listened. "So, Pinkie didn't do it..."

"No. Actually, she would have been dead to if it wasn't for your sister."

Sweetie Belle looked up at Twilight in shock. "Rarity...saved Pinkie?" She turned towards Pinkie, looking for an answer. Pinkie did not deny her.

"Rarity used her magic to distract Luna help me escape. I tried to help her...but she told me to leave and run. And that's what I did..." She could still hear Rarity's scream while she ran...Pinkie closed her eyes tightly and looked away. She left her friend to die...she failed her...and left Sweetie Belle without a sister. Still turned away with closed eyes she whimpered, "I'm so sorry I left her." More tears fell from her eyes.

Twilight started to move towards her pink friend but was stopped by a hoof. A white unicorn's hoof. Sweetie Bell went towards the crying pony and wrapped her arms around her. She now realized it was all true, and that Pinkie was in just as much pain as they all were. Twilight felt a tear come down her face, seeing Sweetie Belle's kindness and how giving of support she was, despite what she felt earlier...just like her sister. Twilight looked upon the white unicorn hugging Pinkie.

She has been through so much, and now to see her like this...she truly is Rarity's sister.

She has you to thank for it.

I didn't do anything. I lost my friends. She lost much more compared to me.

You both lost a lot, but without you, she would have lost herself. Despite your anger and hatred, you still showed compassion and kindness.

You're giving me too much credit. I'm not either of those. Not anymore.

Is that why you took her in? To only remind you of your rage? Or maybe because you cared for her? Deny all you want Twilight Sparkle, but there are still good feelings in your heart. You may have rage and dark thoughts, but you're still good.

Twilight knew she thought of things and wished for things that no pony should wish for in the past ten years. She knew that it was wrong to wish that she could kill Pinkie, and do terrible things to her. With Pinkie being her focus for so many years, she was consumed in a darkness. She would feel it every day, every waking moment. A darkness was present in her heart, but even then, she still didn't lose her ability to care for other ponies. Sweetie Belle was a testament to that.

Twilight kept watching Sweetie Belle hugging Pinkie. Despite the darkness that was still present, even now, though for a different pony, she could only be moved by this sight. It as if a light was shining into her heart, just to remove the darkness for but a mere moment.

"You've been through so much..." she whispered to herself.

10 years ago. Three weeks after night of the murders.

Rain was pouring down upon the residents of Ponyville. Most were inside, staying warm and dry next to their fireplaces, listening to the pitter patter of raindrops against their windows. All except for a certain lavender unicorn. Her mane and tail were drenched, her coat soaked, but she kept walking. She was heading back to the library from the Ponyville Post Office. Her new edition of 'Equestria's Darkest Minds: Inside the mind of a Psychopony.' She had read many books on gruesome murders in history, but this seemed to not bring her any closer of answering the big question: Why? She had to know why she did it. Why kill her friends? So, instead of focusing on the the act, maybe it was time to focus on the mind. If she was going to find Pinkie, she knew she had to understand why she did it first.

Twilight arrived to the library, wanting to dry off and begin her studying once again. She walked into the darkened library, the only source of light being a few candles that she had Spike light before he went off to the store to pick up some groceries. She went to her desk, covered in manuscripts and other papers with writing everywhere, and maps of Equestria pinned to the wall adjacent of it. She flipped open the book with her magic and began her reading.

"How is thou, Twilight Sparkle?" Twilight jumped out of her chair and fell over. She quickly got up, pointing her horn to the intruder, magic building up ready to fight.

"Calm thee, we mean no harm." Princess Luna said reassuringly. Twilight gazed upon the princess, her mane ever flowing and her teal eyes shining brightly.

"Sorry Princess. I'm just used to ponies knocking at my door instead of magically appearing behind me you know."

"We apologize, but this is important. We have a favor to ask thee, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight wasn't in the mood. She never was now. Ponies have asked for her help with trivial tasks, but instead of always wanting to help, she only wanted to do her research and find Pinkie. Nothing else mattered.

"I'm sorry Princess, but I'm not one to do favors. I'm too busy. Maybe you can ask some pony else who is not as...occupied as I am." Luna only looked at her, unchanging in her face.

"We understand that thou is busy with finding the pink one, but we insist that thou listen to our request." Twilight gave in, seeing as Luna was not letting up.

"Okay fine, but please make it quick. I would like to get back to my research as fast as possible." Twilight, a few weeks ago would have never been this way, especially towards Luna, but then again, that was a few weeks ago, when her friends were still alive.

"Our sister has sent us to see how thou is doing first of all. She has not been receiving letters from thee since the incident."

Incident. Understatement of the year. Twilight hated how ponies would call it an incident. It was much more than that. It was just pure evil at it's best.

"I have too much to do. Just tell Princess Celestia that I won't be sending any letters until I find Pinkie and bring her to you." Twilight didn't want to write any letters to Celestia. Why should she? No doubt, she was grateful that Luna came here and there to check on her, but where was her mentor? Not once has Celestia come to see Twilight, she merely sent a letter the day after the murders expressing her sorrow. Twilight wondered why her mentor never came, but lost all care. She only wanted to find Pinkie.

"We will tell thee thy answer then." Twilight eyed Luna, getting impatient.

"Well, what is the favor you want to ask, Princess?" She was really getting impatient with all this. She had a pink pony to find.

"Very well. Thou know Rarity's sister, Sweetie Belle, yes?" Twilight knew Sweetie Belle of course. She remembered her and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Scootaloo, and Applebloom. Ever since learning her sister's death, she wouldn't come out of Rarity's room. Her own parents came to Twilight to see if she could talked to the depressed filly. She denied them. She didn't have time to deal with that, though she could imagine her pain. Applebloom took the same course of action, but she never heard about her again since the murders and Scootaloo ran away upon finding out about how her idol was killed. To this day, there were search teams still looking for the orange pegasus.

"Yes, I know her. Why is this important?" Luna now looked a little annoyed at the unicorn. Twilight knew she was getting annoyed, but every second wasted talking was one more second for Pinkie to be lost to her forever.

"The filly's parents have died. Thou's parents were heading back from Canterlot when the train derailed. They did not survive."

Twilight's eyes went wide. Sweetie Belle's parents..were dead? First she loses her sister, now her parents?

"She is now an orphan, with nopony to take care of thee. We ask thee to take her and take care of her, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight choked on her words, coughing. She wanted her to take care of the filly? She didn't have the time. She had to find Pinkie.

"Princess, I'm sorry, I really am, for her loss, but I can't take care of her. I'm too busy. Please find somepony else."

"We beg of thee, please take her. The young one has no one else, and she personally requested thee." Twilight's heart stopped. Sweetie Belle told Luna that she wanted to be with her?

"Why would she request me?" Twilight said with bewilderment.

"We do not know, only that the filly only wanted thee. We again ask of thee to take the filly." Luna was even more persistent.

Damnit Luna...

"Where is she?" Twilight really hoped she simply didn't just leave the poor unicorn alone, to wallow in her pain.

Luna stepped away and revealed a small white unicorn, her green eyes were red and puffy from hours of crying and only looked up at Twilight. Almost the same look that Applebloom gave her when she first met Applejack and her family, and had wanted to leave to continue her duties than stay for brunch.

Twilight's heart broke. She has suffered and knew too well the pain that Sweetie Belle was going through, but she turned her pain into anger and a determination to find Pinkie. This poor filly was simply empty, all the happiness gone, sucked out of her. Twilight got down to her level and motioned for the little unicorn to come to her. Sweetie Belle moved toward Twilight, not taking her eyes off her.

"Are you sure you want to stay with me?" That was the only question she needed answered. She didn't need to know why, she no longer cared after seeing the poor filly.

"Yes, please Twilight. I only want to stay with you, no one else." the broken filly stammered. This was all she needed. She didn't know what she would do, but she would try her best to take care of her. She looked at Sweetie Belle and knew that she was sure. Twilight would teach her and help her grow. Her life might have stopped, but that didn't meant that Sweetie Belle's had to. She was just a filly, she still had a life to live. As far as Twilight was concerned about her own life, it ended when her friends died, and it was devoted to finding Pinkie. She would now have to balance that with Sweetie Belle, but she would manage somehow.

"So have thee decided to take the filly?"

"I will take care of her." Sweetie Belle smiled hearing Twilight's answer.

"We are happy to hear thee's answer. We will go to collect thy filly's possessions and bring them to thee. Are thou sure of thou's answer?"

"I am sure." Twilight was definitely sure.

"Very well, Twilight Sparkle. We shall take our leave. We will check in periodically to check on thee and the filly. Thank you, Twilight."

Twilight only nodded and with that, Luna disappeared in a cloak of black mist. Twilight turned to Sweetie Belle and met her eyes.

"Well, I guess you will be having the guest room. We can decorate real nice and have it looking like your old room in a few days? How does that sound?" Twilight let a smile come across her face, trying to be nice as possible, though she felt awkward. She was just given a filly to take care of, Rarity's sister no less. How was she supposed to act?

"Rarity was good at decorating..."

Nice Twilight...

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. I didn't mean to..."

"It's okay. It's not your fault. It's Pinkie Pie's..."

Twilight frowned. It was obvious that when she said Pinkie's name, a wave of new formed anguish gripped at the filly's heart. She knew it wasn't a pain of a lost one, but one that was angry, so angry that it hurt. Sweetie Belle was just like her...

"I'm going to get some sleep if that's okay.."

"Yeah Sweetie, it's fine. Just come get me if you need something, okay?"

Sweetie Belle never responded and trotted off to her new room and shut the door. Twilight only watched, not knowing what to do. She sat back into her chair, her tail hanging out to the side. She looked at the book, ready to resume her research until she heard soft sobs. It was Sweetie Belle.

I need to study. I can't help her. I can't even help myself.

She understood how she felt, but Twilight needed to find Pinkie. She could end all the pain and crying by ending her. The young unicorn would have to deal with it, just as she did.

She's not me... This struck Twilight like a thunderbolt. Sweetie Belle was not her. Twilight had a vent for her pain and anger, and it was finding Pinkie Pie. She held a darkness in her heart that she had to bear, but Sweetie Belle had no vent. She lost everything. First her sister, and now her parents. Was she really that heartless now? She would let the poor filly sink into her own grief and not try to help pull her out?

No. I might not be able to be helped, but it doesn't mean I can't help her. And with that, Twilight went towards the guest room and entered. She didn't bother to knock. She knew nothing that Sweetie Belle told her was going to keep from coming to her aid.

Sweetie Belle was looking towards the window, watching the rain come down. Twilight could see small puddles on the sheets and tears falling. Twilight went towards her and sat next to her.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Are you okay?"

"No. Why would I be?" Twilight wasn't surprised. She knew her feelings.

"I know."

Sweetie Belle turned to face Twilight, and Twilight met her green, watering eyes,

"Why is this happening Twilight? Why is my sister and parents gone? Have I been a bad pony? Did I do something to deserve this?" Twilight grabbed her and pulled her into her embrace.

"Don't say that. You're not a bad pony. Nopony deserves this. It's not your fault, you hear me? You didn't do anything to deserve this." Twilight's heart screamed in pain for this young pony. Pinkie caused all this. Now Twilight had even more reason to find her....for Sweetie Belle's pain.

Sweetie Belle broke out in heart breaking sobs. "I want my sister back! I want my parents back! I want them back, Twilight! I want to watch Rarity make dresses again! I want to watch movies with my mom and dad!"

Twilight broke like glass. She couldn't take it. It broke the darkness in her heart and gripped it with sadness. She could feel a well of tears coming up into her eyes.

"I know, I know, I want them all back too." Twilight hugged her even tighter, not just for the filly's comfort, but for her own. It's only been a few weeks, but the pain was still fresh. It always would be.

Sweetie Belle broke away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry all over you..." she said wiping her tears away.

"It's okay. Cry if you need to."

Sweetie Belle rubbed her eyes, trying to get the last of her tears. Twilight looked at her and noticed the bags under them, remembering that she needed sleep.

"Hey, I think you should get some rest, okay? You'll feel better in the morning. Spike makes the greatest oats. I'll have him make you some. How does that sound?" She was trying everything, just to have Sweetie Belle feel a bit better. It seemed to work.

Sweetie Belle smiled weakly. "Thanks, that would be nice. I'll go get some sleep, Twilight." Twilight nodded, smiling back, still trying to hold back her own tears. She got up and headed for the door.

"Twilight, could you sleep with me tonight?"

Twilight stopped and turned around. She was at a loss for words. She wanted Twilight's comfort. Twilight thought about Pinkie. She needed to find her, did she really have time to comfort the filly?

I'll stay with her until she falls asleep...

"Sure."

Twilight walked toward the bed and hopped up on top of it. Then she laid on her side and got into the covers. Sweetie Belle grabbed onto Twilight and wrapped all four legs around her. Twilight's heart melted with a warmth that she hadn't felt in what seemed to be forever.

"I miss them." Twilight felt a wetness rolling down her chest. Sweetie Belle was crying again. "At least you're still here." Twilight broke like water breaking a dam. Tears came down her face. She knew at that moment that she would take care of her. She would teach her and help her grow. She would teach her spells and how to maintain the library. She would love her like a sister, like how Rarity would want her to be loved. She will protect her and help her with the challenges she would face...they both would. Twilight looked down to the filly buried in her chest, seeing her now asleep, tears still running her down her white cheeks. She smiled warmly. She knew that she would help her.

A wave of exhaustion came over her, her purple eyes fluttered, and slowly the embrace of sleep engulfed her, falling asleep with a small smile left on her face.

Pinkie's eyes opened in shock. Sweetie Belle was hugging her. She turned around breaking the white unicorn's embrace and looked at her, tears still in her eyes. Sweetie's green eyes met Pinkie's pools of blue.

"I forgive you."

Both Twilight and Pinkie eyes grew wide.

"Y..You forgive me?" Pinkie's whole body was trembling, in shock of what she was hearing.

"Yes Pinkie. Without my sister, you would have been dead. I knew my sister cared for her friends, and I know she wouldn't want me to try and hurt you for something you didn't do. I'm sorry."

She definitively has grown.

She just forgave her...One minute she was just ready to kill her, but now...

It confuses you don't it? You were ready to kill her, but you changed when you learned the truth.

But I saw the truth. She was just given my word. She could have denied me and actually killed her...

It's called trust. Something you thought you lost long ago. You have to trust ponies.

She has no reason to trust me and if you hadn't noticed everything going on, it's kinda hard to trust anypony now...

You're like her sist-

Don't say it.

She would love her like a sister, but never wanted to be called one. Rarity was Sweetie Belle's sister. Simple as that.

"So, Twilight. Spike and I know, but what about every other pony. Pinkie can't exactly just walk out into town, ya know."

Twilight snapped out of her stupor at the sound of Sweetie Belle's voice.

"Oh, um, yeah. Well, I was thinking of seeing if I could hold a town meeting and basically spill it all out there." She heard Spike coming downstairs.

"Are you crazy, Twilight!" the dragon declared, "She'll get murdered out there, some ponies aren't as understanding as us, Twilight! Wait...yeah, go ahead and do that."

Twilight threw a deathly look at Spike.

"I know. I'm going."

He would need more time than Sweetie Belle, but Spike had a point. Twilight thought of something else until a pink pony popped in front of her.

"Twilight, I think it's best that I just hide here for now. We don't need to tell any other ponies."

"Then what are we going to do then? Keep you hidden forever? You're gonna have to come out sooner or later." Twilight said. She was trying to figure something out, but she only was getting frustrated. "Ponies need to know that you're innocent, and about what Luna did. She needs to pay, not you."

Pinkie turned serious. Dead serious. "What then? Say we tell everypony and they all accept me. What about Luna?"

Twilight didn't even think about that part. She was more focused on getting ponies to accept Pinkie back. It was Sweetie Belle's turn to speak now.

"Pinkie has a point. If Luna finds out that everypony knows that she killed them, she will know that you found Pinkie, and know that you know the truth. If she could kill them the way she did, what makes you think she won't destroy the entire town? She will kill anypony that knows Twilight."

Wow, you can definitely tell she spends time with you. She thinks things out better than you.

Shut up.

She was frustrated but they were both right. Pinkie would have to be a secret for now.

"Fine. We won't tell everypony but there are some that should know. I will set up a meeting with some ponies that were close to our friends tommorow night. They deserve to know."

Pinkie and Sweetie Belle nodded in unison.

"Good. Well, Pinkie you know where your room is and I think that it's time for everypony to hit the hay. We all had a long day, today." Twilight was tired. She actually wanted sleep for once.

"Yeeeaah, I'm pooped! It's been a doozy of a day. I'm ready for some shut eye!" Pinkie hopped toward her room, ready to end the day and start anew.

"Pinkie, Wait." called Sweetie Belle. Pinkie turned around and smiled at her.

"Yeah, Sweetie?"

"I'm glad it wasn't you. I'm...happy that you're back."

Pinkie turned around, trying to hide tears that were welling up in her. They weren't tears of sadness, but of pure happiness.

"Thanks. I'm happy too." She entered the room and closed the door, left to meditate on her thoughts.

"I'm proud of you, Sweetie Belle." Twilight felt pride run through her. She was proud of Sweetie. She forgave the one she was led to believe took her sister from her.

"It's what Rarity and my parents would have wanted."

"They would be proud."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah, you can tell me anything, Sweetie Belle." She didn't want her to keep something bottled in. She knew how painful it was to do so.

"I really am happy that it wasn't Pinkie." Twilight only giggled.

"Yes, I think you told Pinkie that."

"No, but you don't know why." Twilight's face changed to one of curiosity.

"Okay then, why?"

"Because now, maybe you can finally be somewhat happy with her here." Sweetie Belle walked away into her room.

Twilight only stood there, shocked of how deeply the white unicorn could see into her. How could she be happy? Her friends were still gone and what was done to them would never change. Yes, she was happy that Pinkie was back and yes, she was happy that there was a chance to get her friends back, but she would never be truly happy until she had them back.

I'm sorry, I can't be happy Sweetie Belle....forgive me...

There was no response in her mind this time....

**Edited By SuperChaosKG**

Part 7: Chains (Edited)

WARNING - Since this is a MATURE fic, and it is listed for GORE and SEX, readers should know what to expect. So please read the rating before messaging me about how bad of a person I am for putting stuff like that in the story....for the rest of the readers who KNOW what they are reading, enjoy. Sorry for the rant, just gets annoying. Cheers. -WARNING

Twilight shut off all the lights downstairs, heading for her room. Everyone else had retired to their respective rooms, wanting sleep. Of course, Spike was way ahead of them on all that as he valued his sleep. She trotted upstairs, still thinking about Sweetie Belle's insight into her. She wanted her to be happy, but she had to have her friends to be truly happy again. That's what made her.

She entered her room as the moonlight shined through her window and beamed onto her bed. Twilight closed the drapes, ceasing it's glowing light from entering the room anymore. It only reminded her of Luna and how much she wanted to hurt her. The exhausted unicorn stuck herself within the covers, ready for sleep to take hold of her from today's events. She stared at the oak ceiling, tracing the grain and swirls that ran across it. She watched it as it now seemed to move and dance, and a warm darkness took over her, and gently forced her eyes shut.

Get up....

...........

GET UP!

Twilight flashed her eyes open at the voice's command and slowly started looking around. There was a bright light hanging over her, almost blinding her if she looked straight at it. She forced herself to move, but she felt heavy for some reason, and heard a crunching sound when she tried to move her arms. She attempted to move them again, but with every attempt, she felt heavier, almost to the point where she couldn't move at all. To make matters worse, her brain seemed to be lost in a fog, making her feel dizzy and lethargic. She looked around, trying to keep focus before succumbing to this dizziness that lingered in her mind. She tried to move her legs, but something held them in place. She looked over, still trying to keep her mind focused, and saw that all four of her legs were chained. Her mind suddenly seemed to switch on. She frantically looked to what she was chained to. She followed the metal links with her eyes but saw they weren't connected to anything. They went out into what seemed like an endless void of darkness. The chains held her vertically in midair, keeping her bound, and with every attempt to free herself, the chains only rattled. Twilight's body was overcome by a tsunami of fear.

Where am I?

She expected an answer from the other Twilight, but none came.

Where are you?! Where am I!?

Still no answer came. The lavender unicorn was consumed in terror, confused of why she was chained up in this eerie place.

"It's still funny as ever to see how scared and foalish you can be."

Twilight spun her head to her side, her eyes darting everywhere to find the origination of this voice. She knew this wasn't the essence of magic. This voice had a darkness underneath it, a darkness that shook Twilight to her very core.

"W..who are you? Why am I here?! Why am I chained here!?"

She attempted to free of herself of her metal bindings once again, but it was no use.

"You can stop trying to get out of those, it's pointless," the voice mocked.

"Who are you!? Did you do this to me!? Let me out now!" Twilight screamed into the endless void, wiggling her body in anger, wanting out but stopped when she felt a presence near her. She looked in front of her, helpless and hanging vertically in midair, and watched as a black smoke took form in front of her. It rose and took a form of a pony. It was almost built like Applejack's red coated brother, but it only was black, with only red eyes that seemed to sink back in its head. Her eyes looked upon it with astonishment and fear. She felt something emitting from this thing that stood before her. It stood level to her chained body, only staring at her, and she felt terror.

"You should know who I am Twilight," the black form said, "I been with you for ten years. Don't tell me you forgot me so quickly," it said with a sly tone.

"No, I don't, and I don't care who or what you are! Let me go!"

She only wanted out of this prison, whatever it was. She was angry that she was being held here and that this thing put fear in her. She didn't want to be scared but she couldn't help it. This thing seemed to radiate fear and it seeped into her like a poison.

"YOU BETTER CARE BITCH! I'M WHAT MAKES YOUR SORRY ASS!"

Twilight's body froze. The force of this thing's voice shook every bone in her body and turned every organ in her body into mush. This was terror beyond her imagination.

"That's better. Now that I have your attention, I will introduce myself."

The black pony moved towards her and grabbed her lavender cheeks with both it's hooves. She yelped and twisted her body, trying to get away from it but her chains held her firmly in place as she felt its cold touch against her face. It grabbed her cheeks and pressed hard into them. She felt tingles of pain run through her face as she whimpered as this thing pressed up against her muzzle and licked her lips with it's black tongue. It's tongue felt like a snake slithering over her lavender lips and her insides twisted as it slathered saliva across them.

"I am everything you try to keep locked away. I am rage, I am guilt, I am desire, I am power, I am the fear and terror that fills your pathetic body right now.. I'm all the darkness and negativity that is in you all wrapped into one being. You may call me any of these or you can simply call me Malum." It took it hooves off her and backed away from the terrified unicorn.

"And you have always had these chains on you my dear. Your just only realizing it is all."

"W..wha..what? I..I have a..always had these?"

The unicorn was too terrified to speak without stammering at almost every word. This fear in her was none like she has experienced before.

"You made these chains for yourself my dear. Everything that you have held inside has trapped you and bound you. You have had these since your weak friends died like miserable dogs, screaming for their worthless lives."

Twilight narrowed her eyes as her fear was quickly abolished by rage.

"What the fuck you just say about them!? How dare you talk about them like that!"

Twilight thrashed her body to get out of the metal links. She threw herself like an animal, wanting to be free so she could rip into Malum, and make it regret every word.

"SHUT UP! I RULE YOU HERE! I COMMAND YOU TO SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH!"

With those commanding words, Twilight went limp, hanging from her bondage, and her rage dissipated as fast as it came and was replaced with fear and terror once more. She was bewildered of how quickly she obeyed it and she felt ice cold. Malum had complete control over her here in this void. She only shook, now realizing that she was powerless against it.

"You see now my dear Twilight? You created this place for me and I have complete control here, and these chains help keep you in your damn place. It amazes me how something as weak and feeble as you made it this long without throwing yourself over a cliff."

"I..I'm n..not w..we..weak," the unicorn stammered.

Malum laughed hysterically.

"Your not weak?! Then what are you? Strong!? Here I thought Pinkie was the funny one!"

Malum laughed a bit more but soon caught it's breath. Twilight started crying. She dropped her head and let out sobs and tears fall down to what was supposedly the floor, but this black void seemed to have no dimensions.

"I am weak. I couldn't help them! They suffered and Luna was the one the whole time! I was too weak to know! I'm sorry."

She believed it that she was weak as the things she saw in Pinkie's memory flooded her mind. She was too weak to help anyone, too weak to even help herself. Malum only stared at her, watching in delight the pain that the unicorn was going through, but it had something better. The sobbing unicorn felt a cold hoof under her chin lifting her face up to meet Malum's red glowing eyes.

"It's okay my dear, I know your in pain of how pathetically weak you are, but that's why I am here. I can give you the strength to destroy those that have wronged you. All I ask is that you willingly give up your soul, mind , heart, and body all to me, and I can guarantee you power to decimate those that stand against you from getting your precious friends back."

Twilight stared into Malum's red eyes that looked right into her very soul. She wanted to kill Luna and get her friends back. Could it really give her the power to kill a Princess, an immortal princess no less?

It only wants to consume you and destroy you along with everything else...

She remembered those words that the other Twilight spoke. This was rage, this was everything that her darkness held, the one that she kept caged within her. It had power, but power to destroy everything....

"N..no, I don't need you..." she whimpered. The fear and dread that consumed her didn't stop her from staring into Malum's seething red eyes.

"Ignorant bitch. Then I will show what true pain and fear is!" Malum yelled.

His body rippled with rage and his eyes glowed a dark red. "You saw how your friends suffered! You will now know how they needed you!"

Malum grabbed her with his hoof and pressed his cold muzzle against hers. Her eyes went back with astonishment, confused with what it was doing. Then she noticed a black ooze coming from its face wrapping over her cheeks. She screamed but they were muffled with its muzzle pressed against hers. She kept screaming and noticed that a her lips were now connected to its deathly cold lips, and it pressed it's tongue and pierced through her mouth like a sword. She felt its slithering tongue curl around hers. She screamed, trying to push it out, but some force over her only made her weak. Malum's tongue curled around hers tenderly, as a lover would, but it knew what it wanted.

Twilight felt the cold tongue's embrace, and she only cried more. What was Malum doing? She was too confused, too scared; she wanted this to end. Her eyes went into shock as she felt its tongue thrust down her throat. She could only choke as it ran down her esophagus. Malum only sneered in seeing how scared she was. It's tongue kept running down deeper and deeper down her throat, until all of a sudden the cold slithering tongue disappeared and was replaced with some fluid. Twilight tears streamed down her face, now choking on the fluid that was now secreting from Malum's mouth. It kept vomiting something in her, and a black sludge seeped out between their connected mouths. Twilight was quickly fading away, her mind was going numb, and she was wishing for this to be death. Malum would deny her such an easy release. It broke away from her mouth, only letting the black substance spill out it's mouth, and smiled manically at her. The unicorn only hung from her chains, throwing up black sludge, and tendrils of saliva hanging from her mouth. Her mind couldn't comprehend what all just happened, and she only stared at the ground wide eyed, watching the puddles of black sludge on the floor.

Dear Celestia, please just kill me...

"I bet you never had a nice make out like that with Pinkie before!" Malum exclaimed in a triumphant twisted manner. "Now feel the pain that your worthless friends endured and face what you really are!"

As if on command, Twilight felt a pain in her stomach. The pain grew and grew until flashes of hot white torture wracked her body. She screamed as loud as her lungs could let her as remnants of the black vomit flew out of her mouth as she screamed for death. The pain was unbearable; she wanted it to end, she wanted to die. She thrashed her body, and the shaking of chains and screams filled the black void . She looked down and saw something poking inside of her stomach as if it was trying to get out. She felt something press against her organs wanting to get out.

"PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!! KILL ME! KILL ME, I BEG YOU!" The now broken unicorn only wanted to die. She didn't know what was happening to her, but she wanted to be dead before she found out.

"BEG TWILIGHT! BEG! CAUSE I WILL ONLY DENY YOU! TIME TO SEE THE REAL YOU!" Maulm cackled.

It enjoyed seeing the unicorn scream for death.

"C'MON, TWILIGHT! YOUR THE ELEMENT OF MAGIC! YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE STRONG! YOU CAN ENDURE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS THIS!"

Twilight felt something pierce out of her stomach like a huge shard of glass. She looked down and saw a black hoof sticking out of her and covered in her blood, and it was swinging furiously to get out. Twilight's mind shattered at what she was seeing.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?! MAKE IT STOP! IT HURTS!PLEASE KILL ME, I DON'T WANT THIS! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"

Malum only laughed. It shook with delight and pleasure as it replied, "BUT IT IS! IT IS! ISN'T IT WONDERFUL! TO FINALLY SEE YOURSELF FOR WHAT YOU ARE TWILIGHT SPARKLE?!"

Twilight screamed louder as she saw another hoof come out now grabbing at her sides as it pulled itself out slowly. blood poured out as her skin of her stomach ripped wider to make room for whatever was coming out of her. Twilight felt blood gurgle out of her mouth, tasting of iron and copper, and only watched in pain and tears as something slid out of the hole in her stomach. The spawn that was slowly sliding out of her grabbed onto her intestines. Twilight's body thrashed, jangling the chains into a horrendous melody of metal clinking mixed with agonizing screams.

"AHHHHH, STOP! STOP!"

"Its almost over! Now look upon what you are before you die! Look!"

Twilight felt her innards rip out, and a gush of dark blood spewed from her mouth. Her head went dizzy and she felt her body going cold and a darkness was setting in slowly.

"I SAID LOOK!"

Without question she lifted her head a final time while blood poured out of her mouth, and remnants of organs hanging out of her ripped flesh, and gazed upon the bloodied pony. She watched as it rose with her intestines hanging over the rising body, and blood running down it's body. It grabbed the ripped organs and threw them off, and wiped the blood that covered it's face. Twilight's eyes fluttered as the cold embrace of death came closer for her, but not before she laid her eyes on the bloodied body that was now obviously a pony.

"Hello Twilight," It said.

It walked over to the chain bound unicorn whose life was waning away faster with each minute. Twilight met it's eyes. They were red and outlined in dark purple, but she knew that it was her. This was the spawn of her darkness. This was what she truly was on the inside. Eyes seething with hate and anger with a crooked smile, and her body covered in blood. Twilight knew this was what she was and with that, she only looked away, ready to die. She lifted her head.

That odd light was still hanging over her and it grew until it engulfed her.....

Twilight woke up in her bed, gasping, drenched in sweat. She quickly pulled the sheets off and checked her own body. There was no blood and no gaping hole in her stomach. She got up and noticed that her bed sheets were soaked in sweat, but her mind was elsewhere.

That was a dream??

She was bewildered. She walked over to the restroom and splashed some water on her face, trying to make sense of what just happened.

How could that be a dream? It felt real...

Something bothering you?

Twilight looked at herself in the mirror, seeing her mane all over the place, and her fur caked with her sweat from before.

Didn't you see it??

This thing lived in part of her mind. How could it not see the hell that she just went through? How did it not see that nightmare that she endured?

Your dreams belong to you Twilight Sparkle. I can't see what you dream, but guessing from the way your acting, it must have not been good.

No shit...

I heard that....

Twilight threw her hoof into her face, forgetting that it could read her thoughts also. Her mind wandered, trying to figure out why she had such a hellish nightmare. The picture of Malum's face stuck in her mind. It's red seething eyes, and that other Twilight that was ripping out of her stomach made Twilight shudder. She put her hoof over her stomach for reassurance that there was nothing there. She felt disgusting and dirty thinking about Malum's tongue going into her throat.

She walked over to her shower and turned it on. She knew it was still the middle of the night but she needed it. She turned the knob to release the water that would hopefully wash this feeling of disgust away. She let the hot streams of water hit her face, and she fully gave herself to it. Her mane and body were now drenched, but she still felt disgusting. She remembered the cold black tongue that swam through her mouth, the black sludge that she choked on, and Malum's outburts of rage. She still couldn't beleive that it was a dream. She felt it happening to her and the fear...was too real.

Twilight sat down in the shower, and sobbed with the running water. The fear that she experienced was terrifying. It wasn't a fear that she had before but this was pure fear at it's finest. It scared her even now, where she was safe within the confines of her home. This dream or nightmare induced such fear into her that she could only cry while the hot water splashed across her.

What is wrong?

Twilght did not want this voice talking now. She wanted to be alone.

Leave me alone.

But your obviously distressed about something. Considering how you were earlier, I must say it has something to do with that dream.

It's nothing.

Twilight stood up, not wanting this voice to give her some type of lecture. It did not see what she just experienced, because if it did, it wouldn't want to know. She stepped out of the shower and dried off.

Twilight, you need to let your feeling..

I SAID IT'S NOTHING! Now go away! I don't want to hear your all knowing fucking wisdom!

She was tired of this. She did not need a lecture or some lesson right now, what she needed was some type of comfort. She knew it was a dream, but she needed to know it wasn't real, because it felt nothing but real.

She walked back to her bed and gathered the sheets. They were simply soaked in perspiration, and there was no way in Equestria that she was going back to bed now. She would have Spike clean them once he woke up, and it would give her a good time to talk to the dragon about Pinkie some more.

She opened the door to her room and descended downstairs as quietly as possible, not to wake any pony up. She went down the last step and noticed a small light in the kitchen. She must have left it before she went to bed. She headed over to the kitchen as thoughts of the dream still swam in her head. She entered the kitchen, and saw what looked like a pony getting hit by a train.

Pinkie sat on the floor with five or six bottles of empty cider around her, and one being chugged down by the pink drunk mare. Her mane was sticking out all over the place, more than usual, and a strong smell of alcohol permeated the air around her. Her blue eyes were glazed over, not noticing the lavender unicorn that now stood before her.

"Ohhhh heyyyy theeeere Twi! Whatcha ya been up toooo." Pinkie slurrred.

Twilight only looked at her with disappointment and decided to push her dream to the side for Pinkie's sake.

This is going to be a long night.....

**Edited By SuperChaosKG**

Part 8: Acceptance 1-1 (Edited)

Pinkie was slouched over on the floor with her back against the counter looking up at the disappointed unicorn. Twilight only shook her head as she looked up at her in her drunken stupor. She knew Pinkie was a sucker for cider and alcohol in general, but still hated how she would get drunk. She thought about all the times Pinkie and her went out on dates and how she would always have a bottle of cider with her food.

"It's just one Twi, stop being a stingy pony and have some! the pink pony would say.

Twilight had no desire for such drink, and seeing how Pinkie would get, it was enough for her. She would only say one, but then it became two, then three, then 12, and the already hyper party pony would start bouncing off walls...literally. Twilight would only look and watch, sometimes with embarrassment, but also with admiration. She wished she could be as open as Pinkie was, but she was always concerned with what other ponies thought, but as being Celestia's student, she had to be. Not Pinkie, but there was something else about Pinkie when she got drunk off her haunches and after ricocheting from walls had ceased. She became very....hot and bothered to say the least. Twilight would hate it at times, not being in the mood (especially the times they went to Joe's in Canterlot, destroying the place's interior in her drunk hype) and then Pinkie would get 'super duper sad cause she wasn't sexy' as Pinkie would explain, and took Twilight for a guilt trip.

"Pinkie, what in the hay are you doing?" She knew this was a redundant question, but she asked anyway, hoping for Pinkie to realize she was not one bit pleased at the sight before her.

"Wuch it looks like? I'm enjoyin shom party drinks," Pinkie declared in a matter-of-fact manner.

"Well I can see that, but you can't be going and taking Spike's cider Pinkie," Twilight deadpanned.

Spike kept a stash of cider within the kitchen, and it would be a regular drink for him. She only allowed this knowing that dragons could handle alcohol a lot better than pony's, meaning he virtually could not get drunk. She knew he would definitely throw a fit later when he finds all his cider gone, but she would just get him more. She needed to get Pinkie back to her room and have her sleep off the alcohol.

"Oooo he wilsh be fine Twi. Pull the schtick out your plosh and have some!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and began to help the drunk pony up on her hooves. Twilight stuck her front legs under Pinkie's front legs and lifted her. Pinkie reluctantly got up as Twilight heaved. Pinkie stood on all four hooves, wobbling a bit, as the effects of the alcohol taking hold.

Jeez, she is heavy....at least she's not jumping everywhere to wake everypony....

Twilight was grateful that the alcohol seemed to overtake the pinke mare.

"Everythins spiinin around! Wooowooowooo," Pinkie laughed and snorted as her eyes want askew.

"Let's just get you back in your room. You need to lay down."

Twilight didn't really want to deal with this. She just wanted to get her back to bed, and she wanted to figure out why she had that nightmare she endured earlier.

"Awww, do I have to?? Lesh have some fun Twi," Pinkie begged.

Twilight didn't know what Pinkie meant when she said 'fun'. She just hoped it wasn't what she was she was thinking, though she had to admit it's been awhile...a long while.

No, what the hell is wrong with me? I don't have time for that stuff.

Why?

Celestia help me, why are you back? I thought I said for you to leave me alone earlier?

That was earlier, this is now Twilight.

"Heeeey! Twiiiliiight! Equestria to Twilight! Yoush there?" Pinkie whispered loudly in her ear.

Twilight snapped out of her conversation with herself and turned to Pinkie, who was now dangerously close to her face. She could smell the mix of cider and candy in her breath, and suddenly felt Pinkie's forearms wrap around her. Twilight jolted slightly, feeling the warmth of her arms across her neck and to her dismay she blushed a hard shade of red.

Oh no! I don't want to feel this way! Oh, why am I blushing?? She needs to let go of me!

DON'T YOU DARE TWILIGHT!

Twilight jolted again in Pinkie's embrace at how forceful the voice was.

No, I need her to stop. I know what she wants, and I don't have time for this!

That's your excuse for everything. Make time. I'm tired of seeing you deny your own feelings. I know you love her still, despite all the years you were 'apart'

Pinkie let her go of her embrace, but kept her face very close to Twilight's. Twilight was still crimson and felt a hot rising fire inside her. She knew what this feeling was, and it was the same feeling that appeared the first time Pinkie and her had their lust quenched and admitted their love for each other.

"Twi, ya know you hash the most beautiful eyesh, even after all this times?"

She just turned even more red, looking into Pinkie's pools of blue.

I need to get away. I don't want to feel like this. She's drunk ....she needs to rest...I have to know...

Why do you run? You love her but yet you lie to yourself! You know you want her too. Whatever you have to know about this dream can wait. She wants you and you want her. You NEED this.

Fine! I love her! But I can't do this with her! We have too much going on right now! I have to get my friends back!

"O..okay Pinkie...we need to get you to bed...your drunk...you need rest."

She hoped that Pinkie wouldn't persist but she also had another side hoping she continued. This fire that lit in her was one she hasn't felt in what seemed forever, and it warmed her body. No, it burned her body from the inside out.

Yeah, get her back to bed so you can join her.

No! I want her in bed to...oh damnit!

I know you want her in bed Twilight. I can feel the heat in you. Feed that fire that rages in you. There's nothing wrong about it..

Pinkie only smiled.

"Oh Twi, your alwaysh looking out for mee. Yoush must really looooove me." she said in a drunken giggle.

Twilight's heart skipped a few beats, hearing how she said love.

Why is she doing this? I mean, I know she is drunk, but why of all times now?

Because she still loves you.

"Twi, I neesh to ask you something suder duper importants."

Twilight could only hope it wasn't what she thought it would be.

"Do you love mee shtill?"

It was.

"P...Pinkie..." was all she could sputter out, especially with Pinkie's face being so close to hers.

"Do you Twi"?

Twilight now wondered how Pinkie could think about this when she's drunk. She should know they don't have time to try and pick up where they left off, but Twilight in a way wanted to pick up the pieces and put them back together. She may not have her friends back, but she now had Pinkie back, and though she hated her at one point, that has long gone and left now.

Why is she asking me this?? We can't...

You denied her your feelings earlier, and now she wants a straight answer. What will you choose Twilight Sparkle? Be true to yourself or lie to the both of you?

Pinkie asked once again still close to the blushing lavender unicorn's face.

"Do you love me shtill?"

Twilight knew that she was drunk, but this was not the cider speaking. This was from Pinkie's heart. Twilight could only deduce that the answer she gave earlier about being marefriends ate at Pinkie more than she knew, and now she was just coming out blatantly to know the truth. She put the pieces together, and realized this must be why Pinkie came out in the middle of night and started drinking. It had to be eating the pink pony up and shredding her like paper. She had to give an answer and choose now.

What will it be?

Twilight felt her fire rise, knowing this was a pivotel moment between Pinkie and her. This could make or break them in the long run.

You know what? Fuck you and your wisdom.... Twilight smiled inside, knowing what her choice was.

Your welcome].

"Pinkie...I do love you. I have loved you since we got here. It's just been hidden under years of hate, but I love you Pinkie," the unicorn declared in confidence.

Twilight felt a shimmer of pride rise in her. She overcame her denial of her true feelings, and now finally accepted that she still loved this pink mare. She thought about how things have changed so quickly between the two. This newfound confidence filled her to the brim and did something that she hasn't done in ten years. She pressed her lips against the now wide eyed pink mare. Twilight only smirked a bit, now feeling amused how she caught Pinkie off guard for once, usually Pinkie being the one that throws her for a loop.

Pinkie pressed back, returning Twilight's kiss. Twilight didn't want to hold back, and shoved her tongue into Pinkie's mouth. She tasted her tongue, which had a strong taste of cider but with a hint of candy, but Twilight didn't care. She was drunk with love for her, wanting every fiber of her being. Her tongue wrestled Pinkie's but Pinkie was now determined, and it was only amplified by the cider. Twilight gladly let Pinkie pierce though her mouth, now feeling her tongue dominating hers. Pure passion fueled their kiss, bringing both mares to a point of pure bliss. They both broke their kiss, staring into each others eyes, seeing the lust they had for each other. It was a furnace that blazed in their souls. Twilight couldn't wait anymore. She had to have her again, she wanted that feeling they shared, the passion, the first time they made love to each other.

Twilight pressed her lips against Pinkie's once again and pushed her up on her hind legs and pressed her against the counter she was slouched over earlier. Pinkie wrapped her forearms around Twilight, rubbing her sides, feeling up the lavender unicorn. Twilight felt a hot heat between her hind legs, knowing full well what was happening, and she was loving it. She had forgot completely about the horrible dream she had earlier, Luna, and even of getting her friends back. She only thought how much she wanted this pink drunk mare, right here in the middle of the night, right now. They were both lapping tongues furiously, and a huge amount of adrenalin pumped through Twilight's veins, and she lifted the now surprised Pinkie onto the counter, with her head now between Pinkie's hind legs.

Pinkie, still in her drunken stupor, but still knowing enough what was transpiring, giggled,"Wow, Twily, didn't know you were so strong. Have you been eating those special cupcakes I made for Big Mac once?"

Twilight didn't know what the hell Pinkie was talking about, but didn't care. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of what she wanted to do to Pinkie. Ahe wanted her to scream in pleasure. Twilight was only listening to her now raging hormones, and her now moist sex was only pushing the notion.

Twilight looked up to Pinkie and her cheeks were rosy red.

"Pinkie, just shut up and spread em."

Twilight didn't want to play games. She wanted that pink prize.

Pinkie giggled more at hearing how Twilight was being so aggressive.

"Ohhh, I gets it Twily."

Damn that cider...

"You want to eat my pinkie pie."

She only giggled harder at her little joke. Twilight was becoming more anxious by the second, feeling her arousal down her inner thigh.

"Yours gonna hash to ask nicely."

She knew what Pinkie was doing. She was just now being a tease. She didn't care if she had to ask nicely to get a taste of this mare's sex. It was a taste she hasn't had for years now, and it was making the longing so much worse for it.

"Pinkie," she huffed."Please may I eat your pinkie pie?"

"I thoughts yoush never ash," the pink pony said teasingly.

She spread her hind legs, revealing her pink swollen mound, moist and glistening in the small light that they had in the kitchen. Twilight brought her muzzle closer to Pinkie's mound, and a sweet musk rose to her nose as she got closer. It filled her nostrils, and her mind wanted to only eat from this sweet pot of ecstasy. Twilight gently ran her tongue against the pink slit, getting a whimper in response to her ginger lick. She ran her tongue along her slit more, lapping her tongue over Pinkie's swollen lips, gathering more whines in response for her efforts. Pinkie bit onto her hoof, leaning on only one forearm, watching atop from the counter as Twilight's head was buried between her legs. Little tiny shocks of pleasure ran though her with each lick of her moist sex from this ravenous lavender unicorn.

Twilight stuck her tongue between Pinkie's lips, and ran her tongue up against her nub. Pinkie jerked and arched her back feeling her clit against the soft, tender tongue. Twilight felt the bulb against her tongue, but wanted to tease her pink mare more before she took her all the way home. She plunged her tongue into her moist hole, searching Pinkie's inner walls. Pinkie's eyes went big feeling Twilight's tongue moving around in her, and bit her hoof hard, trying to quell her whimpers and moans of pleasure. Twilight savored Pinkie's juices, with its bitter but sweet taste.

Twilight plunged her tongue even deeper into Pinkie, not wanting to miss out on any of Pinkie's sweet flavor. Pinkie arched her back, hurting her own hoof by biting so hard, but the burning passion that was running through her easily outweighed any pain.

"Sweet Celestia Twi, keep going!" the pink mare moaned.

Twilight noticed that she was getting louder. If she got any louder she might wake up an annoyed dragon and a cranky white unicorn, but she was taken by ecstasy to not really care. Besides, Sweetie Belle herself said that she wanted her to be happy, and she was sure as hell she was pretty happy right now. She pulled her tongue out, with strands of Pinkie's lubrication the only thing now connecting Twilight's mouth and a certain pair of pink lips. She now focused her eyes on Pinkie's now engorged nub.

"Twiii, why did you stop? You were making my head go all fizzy!"

Twilight noticed she wasn't slurring her words as much now. She figured it must have been all the excitement that was going on between the two heated mares. Twilight only smiled hearing Pinkie's plea, and began to caress her clit with her tongue.

"Ohhhhhh! Twilight!" Pinkie moaned loudly.

She flicked her tongue against the bundle of sensitive nerves, sending Pinkie into moans and whines of pleasure as she arched her back once again. Twilight's own arousal was dripping from her, forming a small puddle on the ground underneath her. She continued playing with Pinkie's clit with a tentativeness. Twilight brought her hoof down between her legs, now playing with her own sex. She moaned into Pinkie's moist mound, feeling her hoof massaging her clit, and in turn, the vibrations from her moan put her pink pony on the edge.

"Holy streamers Twilight! I'm so close!" Pinkie cried out.

Her hind legs were trembling and she felt a pressure build up in her, but she didn't want this to end...not yet. Twilight felt a hoof on her head that was pushing her away from feasting on the pink pony's nub. Twilight backed away, confused on why she was being motioned to stop. Pinkie quickly hopped off the counter, and with blinding speed tackled Twilight and pinned her against the floor, bombarding her with kisses and nips at her neck. Twilight only surrendered herself to such treatment. With every kiss and nip, her hungering sex only got wetter, and sparks of electricity shot through her body.

I love you...

"I'm super sorry I had to stop you Twi, you were doing soooo good, but I couldn't be a selfish pony and not help you out! I know a way we can help each other have fun!"

Pinkie turned around, lifting her bouncy tail and showing off her wet prize once again. Pinkie now faced Twilight's wet quivering mound begging for release. Pinkie began licking Twilight's lavender labia, then pressing her tongue to reveal her pink sensitive flesh. Twilight moaned and whimpered quietly, feeling Pinkie's wonderful tongue penetrate her. Twilight quickly began to work on her marefriends engorged mound once again, plunging her tongue to taste the new well of juices that Pinkie was secreting from her arousal. Pinkie bucked instinctively feeling her tongue inside her, and the ecstasy that shot through her only pushed her to move to Twilight's wanting clit.

"Ahhh, Pinkie!" She moaned.

Twilight felt jolts of euphoria going through her body. She worked on Pinkie's nub to return the favor, and was met with a louder moan from Pinkie. Twilight felt pressure building, knowing that she was nearing her peak. She wanted to bring Pinkie over to the edge, but it was becoming more difficult as she was reaching her own orgasm quickly. She shoved her muzzle into Pinkie's vagina. Pinkie took her face away from Twilight's sex to moan out. Her body shivered at such pleasure. Twilight felt Pinkie's wall clenching her tongue, knowing what that meant. Pinkie continued on Twilight from her brief period of moaning out, and knew Twilight was going to come soon. It was becoming too much for both of the mares, now knowing that the inevitable was coming.

"P..P..*gasp* Pinkie! I..I'm going to come! I can't hold it anymore!"

Twilight moaned out to her lover. Pinkie knew she was right there with her.

"M..me too Twi! Don't stop!" Pinkie begged.

Twilight gladly complied. She continued working furiously on Pinkie's quivering sex, but she couldn't hold it in any longer and broke like a dam. Shots of electricity shot through her spine, and she bucked up, shoving Pinkie's muzzle into her, gushing her orgasmic juices, but at the the same time Pinkie lowered her back to shove her pink vagina into Twilight's mouth. Twilight only went in wanting to taste her juices, and she happily received it. Pinkie gushed her sweet juices onto the unicorn's face as her walls clenched Twilight's tongue, and Pinkie rode out her orgasm. Pinkie was having the same happy result with her lavender mare, taking in her sweet fluids.

The two rode out their orgasm to the fullest, and Pinkie fell on top of her, her legs too weak from the euphoria that wracked her body. Twilight only laid there in their own puddles of orgasm, and just thought to herself as theyboth breathed heavily.

That...was...amazing...

Don't have to tell me twice

Twilight felt a bit of embarrassment rise in her.

Oh,so you stayed and watched huh? That's not creepy at all.

I live in your mind , which means I see everything that your waking eyes see, and must I say that Pinkie has a very nice plot.

She's mine, you stay away from her

Twilight knew that there was no way it could 'take' Pinkie, but even the thought of anypony taking her away from her got her on the defense.

I know she is. It's nice to see that you finally accept that.

Well, thanks for helping me stop denying my feelings for her...I still don't like you though.

Your welcome

Twilight only smiled and looked toward the window that hung over the kitchen sink and saw the first beams of the rising sun starting to pour into the kitchen. They must have been going at it longer than she thought. Pinkie rose up, releasing her from the ground.

"Ohhh, my legs are wobbly. They feel like jelly! I wonder what kind of jelly" Pinkie giggled.

Twilight wiped her face off as it still had Pinkie's orgasm over it and got up and nuzzled Pinkie. She looked around the kitchen and saw the mess they had created. She would have to clean this up quickly before the others got up and saw the questionable fluids on the floor. Pinkie nuzzled her back and smiled.

"That was so much fun Twilight. It's been a loooong time since my pinkie been played with like that." The pink pony giggled once again at her little joke.

Twilight didn't care, it was Pinkie after all, but she needed to clear something up with her, and to make it known what she wanted now.

"Pinkie, you asked if we could continue being marefriends earlier, and I know that I told you it wouldn't be a good time with everything that's happening. I realize now that I was wrong, and it's probably the best time to pick up and continue. We were robbed of time together, but I want to start again, and get whatever time I can with you now. I want to be marefriends again, I mean, if your still wanting to be that is."

Pinkie smiled warmly, giving Twilight her answer. No words had to be spoken, for they already understood each other. They both wanted to pick up where they left off. Twilight embraced Pinkie, hugging her tight, feeling the warmth of Pinkie's body against her, her heart pounding against her chest.

"I love you Pinkie."

"I love you too Twilight."

They held each other for a couple minutes longer until Twilight broke it, knowing that the other two would be up soon, and she had some cleaning to do and another shower to take due to the earlier...festivities.

"Well, I better get cleaning here before Sweetie Belle and Spike get up and bombard me with questions about all this," she said as she motioned her hoof towards the hot mess they created.

"Oh, I can help! Besides, it took two to do this," she said slyly.

Twilight smiled while shaking her head. She appreciated the offer of help, but she wanted to be left to her thoughts of what just happened, and to relive that moment of bliss.

"It's okay Pinkie, I got this, and you seem pretty tired anyways, get a bit of rest. We have a lot of things to do today."

Pinkie knew what she meant, remembering that Twilight was going to be holding a meeting here with close ones of their deceased friends and revealing the truth. Pinkie was a bit nervous about this, but she trusted Twilight.

"Okie dokey loky then. I'll be up in a couple hours, and I can help you set up for your big big meeting."

"Okay Pinkie, thanks, now get some sleep."

Pinkie obeyed, but gave Twilight a peck on her lips before leaving, and bounced away to her room, and heard a sound of a door click closed. Twilight put her hoof over her lips, loving how tender Pinkie's were. She smiled brightly, and happily began to clean up. She picked up the bottles of cider that she found Pinkie with earlier when she guzzling them down like water.

She picked up one and noticed that it was still full. She still couldn't understand how Pinkie could drink this stuff. She never had alcohol but she saw the effects it had on other ponies. She has seen them wander the streets of Ponyville, not knowing where they were going. She seen them have mood swings, their speech slurred, and even some relieving themselves out in the open where every pony could see. She didn't understand how such drink could do that to ponies.

She eyed the bottle, looking at its dark container as she watched the liquid swishing around.

How can she like this stuff?

Have you ever tried it before?

No, why would I? It makes ponies go completely nuts.

]Well, don't buck it till you try it.

Twilight grimaced at the response. True, she has never tried it, and was not one to judge other ponies based off what they liked, but she just couldn't understand how they would put themselves through that. She continued eyeing the bottle, now wondering what was so great about it? Her curiosity got the better of her, and she popped the cap open with her teeth. She could smell the alcohol rising from it.

She took a large swig of it, feeling it's burning contents going down her throat, and having a sweet and bitter taste all at the the same time with the alcohol lingering in her mouth as she ended the swig. She focused on her taste buds, and felt a warm feeling running through her veins. She was surprised and shocked that it wasn't actually that bad....

"Too bad this is the last one," she said to herself, and drank the rest, indulging in its taste.

**Edited by SuperChaosKG*

Part 9: Acceptance 1-2 (Edited)

Twilight and Pinkie admired their work. The main area of the library was cleared out and only a small podium stood. It took Pinkie, Spike, and herself all day to get set up for tonight, and she sent Sweetie Belle to go out and tell the ones that were listed to come. Pinkie wanted to invite them, being the master of invitations for gatherings and all, but was coldly reminded of why she couldn't by Spike who was still very weary about her. Twilight wanted to talk to him about Pinkie, but Sweetie Belle insisted that she would talk to him tonight about it. Twilight agreed, hoping that he would listen to her as a friend.

"So is there anything else we need to do?" Spike said flatly, really hoping that they were done.

He wanted to go to bed and he wasn't really all that happy at all considering Pinkie drank all of his cider from earlier that morning...among other things.

"No Spike, that's pretty much it. Ponies should be here in about ten minutes, so we best get ourselves ready," she said as she turned and smiled at her marefriend.

"Thank Celestia! I'm going upstairs," Spike said as he went up the steps that led to his room.

Pinkie smiled back, but it was a nervous smile. Pinkie had been becoming more and more nervous as the time came closer to reveal that she was innocent and was now back in Ponyville. Twilight walked toward Pinkie and nuzzled her under her chin.

"It's okay Pinkie. This might go better than you think," Twilight said.

She knew ponies here were accepting, and she was hoping that they would have Pinkie back now that she was proven innocent. She didn't want Pinkie to be a secret forever.

"I'm not worried about that Twilight, I'm worried once you tell them that Luna did it." Twilight looked at her confusingly. Did she not want to let them know who the real monster was?

"Pinkie, what do you mean? Luna did it, don't you think other ponies deserve the truth?"

Pinkie only looked at her, trying to get Twilight to understand.

"What if someone talks to Luna? She will know that I'm here and you know the truth. I mean, Sweetie Belle said it before that Luna would stop at nothing to silence anyone who knew Twi, and I don't want you...getting hurt."

Pinkie was concerned for her safety. Twilight only shook her head in a slight frustration.

"Pinkie, don't worry about it, and if some pony goes and tells, then I will just kill her when she gets here."

Pinkie flinched hearing the slight anger in her voice at the mention of Luna. Twilight realized quickly what she just said.

"Oh jeez, I'm sorry Pinkie, I got a bit angry again." Pinkie only hugged her. It's okay Twilight." They both smiled and shared a small kiss.

A blue flash appeared next to them , and startled the kissing ponies.

"Awww, that's sweet." Sweetie Belle giggled, happy to see Twilight finding some type of happiness.

"We got ponies on their way, and I got every pony you wanted on the list Twilight."

Twilight smiled, proud of how Sweetie Belle was so efficient. She rustled her neat mane, much to Sweetie Belle's dismay.

"Twilight, why do you do that? I'm a big pony now, and I would like to be treated like one."

Twilight only smiled wider.

"Sure thing kiddo."

Sweetie Belle only narrowed her eyes at Twilight, but she knew it was all in good taste.

"Well you and Pinkie better get ready, they will be here any moment. Spike and I are going to have a chat about your marefriend here," Sweetie Belle said with a smirk.

Both Twilight and Pinkie blushed slightly about the way she said it.

"Uhh...right...sure Sweetie Belle. Thanks I really appreciate it. He just needs one of his peers to talk to him instead," Twilight said nervously, still blushing at Sweetie Belle's earlier statement.

"No problem Twilight."

Sweetie Belle made her way to the stairs, getting ready to talk to the stubborn dragon, but turned around and beamed a wide sly smile.

"Oh, and next time you guys decide to rut each other, could you take it to the room so I don't have to hear your crazy moans and such? Almost made me wet my own sheets."

Twilight and Pinkie looked as red as apples. Their eyes darted in different directions. Pinkie was a much darker shade of pink, and Twilight felt a burning heat in her face from pure embarrassment. Sweetie Belle savored the sight of the two embarrased ponies, and proceeded upstairs, laughing to herself.

"Uhhh....erm...well we better get ready. You ready?" Twilight asked her also embarrassed marefriend.

"Yeah...let's do it."

Twilight's horn lit up.

Twilight looked at the small crowd that she had now. She swore she had less ponies on the list than what was before her. They were all taking their spots and settling themselves. She took in the crowd as she recognizing ponies. She first glanced at a red sturdy stallion with a green apple on his flank standing next to a pony with a brilliant amaranth mane.She had a pale yellow coat, a small red bow. and three red apples as her cutie mark, but one apple seemed to paler than the others.She was now taller, and looked much more mature beyond her years. Big Mac and Applebloom only stood looking at Twilight patiently, probably wondering why there were requested here along with some other ponies. She kept looking around and noticed the now famous DJ Vinyl Scratch with headphones over her crazy blue mane, bouncing her head to some music. Next to her was now Bon Bon and Lyra, ones who took care of the animals now that Fluttershy was gone, with Lyra providing her own chair, sitting the way she does. She kept scanning the area. Mayor Mare was here of course, providing she is the one who was in charge of the town, and Ponyville's own local mail-mare Derpy, just sitting with her crooked eyes. Twilight always adored how that blonde mare looked so innocent even after all this time. She waited a few more minutes, watching as a few more ponies walked in.

7 P.M. Let's get this started. She thought to herself now looking at the clock.

Twilight cleared her throat, signaling the small crowd to pay attention.

Please Celestia, don't let this turn into an angry mob

Twilight was now noticing she was very nervous thinking about some of the possible outcomes that could happen from this. They were either going to take her word for it, or Pinkie was going to become a house decoration for some.

"Well..uh..I want to thank everypony for coming out tonight. I know pony's are busy, so I really appreciate for all of you taking time out of your busy schedules to listen to what I have to say."

Twilight never had been nervous giving a speech or an announcement but she knew that she was about to break ten years of worth of lies. Ten years of lies that Luna force fed them and believed.

"So, I asked you here tonight concerning something I know much of us rather not talk about. It's about Pinkie Pie."

At those very words of 'Pinkie Pie' there was a shuffling of bodies and whispers that sprang out. Big Mac kept a straight face but his eyes watered, remembering his sister while Applebloom showed no emotion whatsoever. Vinyl now had her headphones off, with a serious type of face, wanting to know what had to be said about the pink pony. Derpy came out and straight up started bawling, with Lyra and Bon Bon trying to comfort the poor mare. Mayor Mare was the first to speak up.

"Twilight, we all know you are looking for her to bring to Luna to face her crimes, but what's the purpose of bringing her up? You know what that does to ponies," she said diassaprovingly.

"Well, maybe if you let me say what I have to say, then you would understand why I'm bringing her up. So shut up and let me talk."

Twilight didn't mean to come out so harshly, but she couldn't have them distracting her from what she needed to do. She had to maintain control or all hell would break loose. The mayor only stood silent.

"Anyways, you all know I have been looking for Pinkie for much time now. I am here to tell you that I have found her."

The small crowd went completely silent in shock. Vinyl's mouth dropped, Big Mac eyes were shot open while Applebloom still had a blank expression. Lyra and Bon Bon gasped loudly and Derpy's eyes went straight hearing the news.

"So where is she then? Does Luna have her?" Applebloom asked.

There was no anger in her voice, but concern. Twilight was now shocked at the tone of her voice, expecting an angry outburst of the sort, but there was concern in it? Of all ponies, Applebloom was concerned. Big Mac only looked at Twilight, waiting for an answer to his sister's response. Before Twilight could tell her, a pony busted through the door. She had an azure coat, and a silver mane with dark grayish violet eyes. She wore a dark blue cloak with only two stars imprinted on the back of it.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie has arrived."

Twilight face hoofed herself. She forgot she put the egotistical unicorn on the list. Trixie came back to Ponyville a couple years after the murders to come and apologize to Ponyville about earlier events concerning the Ursa Minor. They welcomed her back with open arms. Twilight was too busy trying to find Pinkie, so she didn't make an effort to get to try and know her better. Surprisingly, Trixie was the one that came to her at her doorstep, and apologized and offered to teach her some new spells. Twilight denied her and said she had no time to learn 'amateur spells' as she told her...unitl Trixie offered to teach her dark magic. This peaked Twilight's attention. Dark magic was a type of magic that was used back when the princesses fought Discord, a type of magic she could use against Pinkie if a fight arouse. From there on, they had sort of a hate/love relationship.

"Yes Trixie, we all know your here now. I was just telling them that I found Pinkie."

Twilight just went straight for the gusto, not wanting to repeat herself again.

"W..what?! Well, then the Great and Powerful Trixie shall listen then."

Celestia help me...

Twilight now turned to Applebloom's question and took a deep breath. "Luna does not have Pinkie....I have her. She has been here since yesterday, now living with me."

The whole crowd in unison gasped. All their eyes were looking at her in confusion, wondering what the hell she was thinking. Twilight, of all ponies, had Pinkie living with her? Vinyl's glasses dropped off her face, revealing her magenta eyes, mouth now hanging lower than before. Everybody else seemed to copy her reaction, even Applebloom.

"Twilight! Your housing a criminal! You could be thrown into Canterlot dungeons! What are you thinking??" Mayor Mare exclaimed.

Twilight now knew this was the time to break it to them. "Pinkie is innocent. She did not kill them," She said blatantly.

Vinyl shot up and yelled, "Are you bucking kidding me? She killed them! You know it, Luna knew it, we all know it! She took them from us! She took my Rainbow Dash!"

Twilight knew everyone's losses, but had to maintain control of the situation. She knew too well that their emotions were going on a roller coaster ride.

"Enough Vinyl! We all lost them for our own reasons, but I'm telling you that Pinkie had nothing to do with it. She would have been dead with the others if she didn't escape."

Trixie spoke up, "Then the Great and Powerful Trixie asks how do you know this and who is the real culprit then?"

Twilight's heart was thumping in her heart. All these questions were harder to answer than she anticipated. She was breaking ten years of what ponies thought was the truth.

"I used mind magic to enter her memories. She saw what happened to them, and with the help of Rarity, she escaped. She ran away in fear," Twilight took another deep breath in, "And the one who really did it was Princess Luna."

Everyone now yelled in angry cries.

"Twilight! How dare you excuse the princess of such an act!" the mayor protested.

"Are you crazy!?" Lyra and Bon Bon cried out together.

"This is absurd!" The Great and Powerful Trixie does not believe this!"

Derpy only stared at her, her eyes in disbelief, while Applebloom and Big mac only stood waiting patiently.

Twilight was bombarded with cries of disbelief and disgust.

Why don't they believe me?

Ten years is a long time Twilight.

When have I ever lied to them?

Twilight was now getting angry as the jabs of disbelief and insult continued.

It was Luna damnit! Now they are willing to condemn me?! The one who lost all this time trying to bringing justice to my friends!?

Twilight, please calm down. you should have expected this.

"The princess would never do anything like that! I bet your probably in kahoots with Pinke and helped her!"

Twilight's eyes flashed white fury in an instant.

WHAT!? I KILL MY OWN FRIENDS!???

Her rage came in an instant. Her eyes glowed white rage burning through her. She still had control, but it was waning quickly.

"ENOUGH!"

The crowd went dead silent, and in shock seing Twilight and her eyes now glowing a bright white.

"How dare you accuse me?! I have never lied to any of you and now you won't take my word for what I say! Pinkie did not do it! If she did, I would have killed her by now!"

Twilight's eyes went back to normal and was now feeling a slight tinge of pain in her head.

Good. You kept control.

Twilight ignored the voice. She was breathing heavy from the small outburst of power. Suddenly, she realized what she just said about what she would have done to Pinkie. The crowd only looked on in astonishment, except for two farm pony's.

Everybody only stood there, trying to process what happened. They saw only a glimpse of her power, but were even more taken back that they now knew that Twilight planned to kill Pinkie when she found her. Twilight took notice as Big Mac and Applebloom walked toward Twilight standing beside her.

"Wh..what are you two doing?" Twilight asked.

Big Mac spoke to the still shocked ponies with authority.

"Shame on all of you for doubting Twilight. Why would she come out and lie to us, especially about something like this? I believe her. Pinkie did not do it and if Twilight knows that the princess did it, then she did. You throw these shameful insults at her, and in turn you disrespect their memories when you disrespect her. You disrespect my sister by accusing Twilight of such....shit. Shame on all of you damnit."

Twilight looked as if she been smacked with a pan five times over. Big Mac, of all ponies, one who was deeply hurt by the loss of his sister, was standing up for her and Pinkie, even venturing as far as saying that Luna did it. Another reason was how good with words Big Mac was. He was a pony of few words, but to come out and speak like that was simply extraordinary.

Applebloom only reinforced her brother, " Y'all should have a bit more damn respect fer Twilight. She spent so much of her time tryin to find Pinkie and....," she paused, remembering Twilight's admission of planning to kill Pinkie," take care of her. Imagine how she felt to learn all this. She probably felt just like y'all are feeling now." Twilight felt a burst of gratitude toward Big Mac and Applebloom.

"Thanks" she whispered to them. Big Mac and Applebloom turned to her and both smiled, smiles she hadn't seen for a long time.

"We have no reason to doubt you Miss Sparkle."

"Yeah, you were one of Applejack's best friends. She trusted ya, so the Apple family trusts ya."

Twilight only looked upon them with appreciation. She nodded her head, ready to continue on but Applebloom now spoke out again.

"Pinkie, where are ya? No pony here is going to hurt ya, cause if they try, I'll buck them to the next century."

Twilight's eyes froze on how quickly Applebloom wanted to see Pinkie. Every pony else looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of pink.

Twilight knew they would not find her, not until she lifted her cloaking spell.

"Should I come out Twilight?" a voice whispered in the lavender unicorn's ear.

Twilight only nodded, and dropped the spell, revealing a pink pony with her notable poofy mane and bouncy tail standing beside Twilight and now Applebloom and Big Mac. Every pony only looked upon her, not knowing what to say.

"Uhh..Hi everypony...It's been awhile," Pinkie stammered trying to break the silence.

It stayed silent as only astonished eyes looked at Pinkie, the party pony that had been missing for years.

A hoof started to stomp breaking the eerie stillness. Twilight looked to see who was doing it and noticed Vinyl. She was stomping her hoof, now with her glasses back on. Lyra and Bon Bon began stomping their hooves, then Trixie joined in. Soon the small gathering of ponies were stomping their hooves for Pinkie. Smiles started to spread through the stomping crowd, now realizing that Pinkie was innocent, with some persuasion of course, but now were happy that they now had their pink party pony back, free from all conviction. Pinkie's eyes welled up with tears, overjoyed seeing the others and how now they understood and seemed to be willing to take her back again, as the fun loving pink party pony, not some cruel murderer. She was now back to Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, a pony who only wanted to bring smiles.

Applebloom went over to Pinkie, "Welcome back Pinkie."

"Welcome back Miss Pie" Big Mac said with a small smile.

Pinkie grabbed them both with two stretchy arms (Oh, Pinkie, how do you do the things you do) and brought them into a giant hug.

"I'm SO happy guys! Thank You! You have no idea how much I missed you guys. How much I've missed Ponyville!" The crowd only stomped their hooves harder, seeing the three embrace and hearing Pinkie's cry of joy.

Twilight's heart grew warm seeing the display of happiness and how everyone now understood that Pinkie was innocent, and now happy they had their pink pony back. This happiness would have to be short lived though as she had more to tell them.

"Okay, okay, every pony listen up." Everyone stopped and now paid attention to the lavender unicorn. "We cannot go out spreading the word that Pinkie is back and that Luna did it."

"Why not? I say we go after Luna and make her answer up!" Bon Bon exclaimed.

"We can't do that. It will look like complete treason, and besides, if Luna found out that the town knew the truth, she would probably burn everyone and everything to the ground. If she was willing to kill them is such a gruesome fashion, what makes you believe she wouldn't try to kill any pony that knew?"

"Twilight, the town needs to know." the mayor pleaded. Twilight rolled her eyes. Was she not getting what she was saying?

"Mayor, I understand that you believe that everyone should know that Pinkie is innocent, but ponies talk, and it will get to Canterlot and then Luna. We can't risk that."

"Twilight, if we don't, Pinkie would not be able to go out without some pony trying to kill her, or reporting it to Canterlot. Ponies here can be trusted Twilight. If they know how dire the situation would get if they knew the consequences if they even speak to Luna about us knowing, they won't. They would fear for their own lives."

Twilight was in disbelief, hearing this come from the mayor.

Is she saying to employ fear to keep ponies from talking?

Fear can keep even the most talkative ponies quiet. For example, that dream that you wouldn't tell me about.

Okay, I get it, but will it work?

My opinion would be yes. If not out of trying to keep ponies from getting hurt, then to save their own lives.

But that's wrong, isn't it?

]This is no longer about what's wrong or right, this is about staying alive. If you and Pinkie are killed by her, then she will have all the elements at her command, and I can only imagine what she could do with that much power. You must do everything to get your friends back and stay alive, whether it's right or wrong.

Twilight looked to the mayor. "You can gurantee me that no pony will talk? There's a lot more at risk than what you think."

"I can."

If Twilight needed to learn to trust ponies again, this was the time to start, and to trust the entire town of Ponyville. She knew this was either the best decision she would make or worst decision and last decision she would ever make.

"Fine. You tell everyone the truth and to keep quiet. I'm counting that you can make this happen mayor, cause it rests on ponies lives now." Mayor Mare only nodded. Every pony else nodded with her, reassuring Twilight even more.

"Now that brings me onto the next part."

Twilight looked at Applebloom and Big Mac, still in Pinkie's embrace. She was glad that she had at least some good news.

"There is a way to bring them back. Luna holds a necklace that has trapped their elements that she took when she killed them. If I can get a hold of that necklace and with some research, I can find a way to bring them back."

She looked over to Big Mac and Applebloom, "I can get back your sister Applejack."

She then looked over to Vinyl, glasses still on but her face was one of happiness at the news that there was a way to get them back. "I can bring back Rainbow Dash, and you two can be together again."

She now looked over to Bon Bon and Lyra, their faces with tears at the thought of Fluttershy coming back. "I will bring Fluttershy back, and you guys can continue with your music and learning to care for the animals."

She now looked over at Derpy, and smiled at her, being so innocent. "And I will bring Rarity back, so she could make you some new mail bags." Derpy fluttered her wings at the thought of Rarity being back to help fix her bags that ripped ever so often.

Twilight now looked over the group.

We will bring them back...

Pinkie stood next to Twilight now, looking at her in admiration. Twilight looked over to her and smiled at her. She looked back at the crowd and with a determination and confidence she stood straight.

"We will bring them all back. Were going to get our friends back!" she declared.

Everyone stomped their hooves loud, so loud that the noise could have made it to Canterlot.

We will bring them back.

Pinkie hugged Vinyl, expressing how happy she was seeing her again, and Vinyl expressed her apologies to her and left out the door to think about tonight's events.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie congratulates you and Pinkie. Ponies would have punished the wrong one if not for you."

Twilight only shook her head, really wanting her to leave.

"Thanks Trixie. Without some of your help learning...those spells," she said, not wanting Pinkie to hear her say Dark Magic, "I would have never built on my mind magic to invade memories. So, I should thank you."

Twilight knew she would regret this.

"Of course, without the Great and Powerful Trixie's teachings, you would have killed poor Pinkie."

Pinkie grimaced hearing that.

"Yeah sure, now don't you have a show to perform or something," she said as she pushed her head against Trixie's rump, pushing her out towards the door.

She quickly closed the door, not wanting to hear Trixie's protests. She slid down the door, her rump hitting the floor, wanting to just sit for a moment. All the evening stress and celebration had her exhausted.

"You did great Twi." Pinkie said as she sat by her and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks Pinkie," she said returning the kiss.

"Thank Celestia that Big Mac and Applebloom were here."

She really was lucky that they were there.

"So now we just wait until the mayor gives the okay for you to be walking the streets again."

"I know, I can't wait. I been wanting to go out since we got here!" Pinkie exclaimed happily.

Twilight smiled, happy seeing her marefriend finally getting the chance of a somewhat normal life back.

"I know Pinkie. Well, now that's out of the way, there's one other pony I need to talk to."

Pinkie looked at her confused, wondering who else she had to tell. Ponyville would know now, and with the town being quiet about Luna, hopefully, who else had to know?

"Who?" Pinkie questioned.

Twilight looked at her, her smile now gone.

"Someone I haven't spoke with for a long time."

Pinkie and Twilight stood up, but Pinkie was still confused about who she was talking about.

"Spike!" Twilight called. She needed her number one assistant.

Spike ran down the stairs. His cheeks were red, and he was sweating, looking like he ran a marathon.

"Uh, are you okay Spike? You look like your about suffocate." Spike was breathing heavily taking in gulps of air.

"Yea, yea, I'm fine, just Sweetie Belle was talking to me and I was really paying attention to her ya know? So we were just having this great discussion..." the purple and green dragon continued, but Twilight wasn't paying atteniton anymore.

Holy horseapples. Was Spike and her...wow

Damn, I think you just cock blocked him.

Twilight was bewildered at this obvious revelation and sweating dragon.

They were really rutting!.... Hey! What happened to the all knowing wisdom you love to say so much of?

I am giving you wisdom... you just cock blocked the poor thing.

Twilight shook her head out of her thoughts, looking over seeing Pinkie giggling, knowing what she was seeing also.

"But she's really making me realize how wrong I was about Pinkie, and was about to show me how nice Pinkie was." Twilight only looked at him, not sure how to feel about this but it would have to wait.

"Okay, sure Spike, but your discussion is going to have to wait. I need you to do something for me."

Spike looked at her in bewilderment.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, Spike I'm serious."

They all three heard another sound of steps coming down, and saw Sweetie Belle with her red cheeks and her mane in a bit of a mess.

"Spike where are..ohhhhh." She smiled slyly.

"Well Twilight send him back up here when your done please, I'm not done yet with him about Pinkie." She winked at him and headed back upstairs.

Twilight looked at the embarrassed dragon.

"Okay, you know what we were doing. It just happened okay? I know she's a pony and I'm a dragon, but does it matter?"

Spike continued trying to justify what was going on, but now Twilight only smiled at him, happy for him that he found love, or at least finally got some, she didn't know which yet, but that he was able to forget Rarity for a bit. He didn't want to meet other female dragons when he was younger, he only wanted Rarity, but she was gone. He never made an attempt to move on from his broken love for her, but it just seemed fitting now that he would now be involved with Rarity's sister.

"It's okay Spike. I'm happy for you. I don't care if your a dragon and she's not. Besides, I'm not in a position to talk much,"she said as she looked over at Pinkie.

"I'm sorry I interrupted your time, but this is really important. I'll let you have the rest of the night to yourself after this. Promise."

"Ooooo, they are so gonna be rutting tonight!" Pinkie exclaimed giggling and snorting. Twilight couldn't help but chuckle too. Spike only slapped his claw against his head.

"Okay, okay, what do I need to do?"

Twilight composed herself, now becoming serious. Pinkie got the hint and ceased her laughter, her curiosity rushing back about knowing who Twilight had to talk to now about her and Luna. Twilight eyed the dragon, and he knew that look. One he hadn't seen in years. She had to tell her, she had to tell her that Luna killed them, Pinkie was innocent, and that she was going to need her help.

"Spike." Spike stood at attention. He knew what was coming.

"Take a letter."

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

Part 10: Dear Princess Celestia... (Edited)

Celestia watched as the Sun Court debated. She sat upon her throne, watching them bicker and argue. This was a normal thing for her because would bicker and debate from the moment she rose the sun, to when her sister brought the night. Everyday was the same monotonous thing but her duties for Equestria came first before anything.

"We can't afford to let the changelings take the wastelands! That's too close for comfort!" a blue stallion protested.

"We have to make a compromise with Queen Chrysalis soon or we could face war! You saw what they did during the Captain of the Royal Guard's wedding! Imagine if they launched a full scale invasion!" an orange pegasus replied.

Celestia was getting tired of this. She looked toward one of the stained windows and noticed it was almost time for her sister to bring the night. She thought about Luna, and how she had been so reclusive the past couple years. Now that she thought of it, she been getting more and more reclusive ever since the bearers of the elements passed away. She knew Luna was hurt when she learned their gruesome end, and she felt horrible when she appointed her sister to take on the investigation, but she had a rising war to deal with.

For the past decade, ever since Chrysalis was defeated, she has been trying to negotiate with the Changeling Queen, but it hasn't gone as well as she hoped. It was always an issue of what land they could have and also the matter of the fact that they had to feed on another pony's love.

The Sun Court constantly debated about it, but she knew if a resolution wasn't found soon, Equestria was going to find itself neck deep in a new war. She had much on her mind to stress about, but for now, she just wanted all the arguing ponies to go away, to give her mind some type of quiet.

"I think that's enough, General Blaze." She motioned her hoof towards the orange pegasus. "The Royal Sun Court is dismissed."

He looked at the princess in shock. "But Princess, we need to find a solution to the changeling and the wastelands. They are literally-" but he was interrupted with firm authority.

"I said dismissed, General." Celestia said with more bass in her voice.

The officials started filing out into the hall, leaving Celestia to her thoughts in quiet serenity. She looked back at the stained glass, noticing how brightly the moon shone. Celestia sometimes envied her sister. She would never admit it to Luna, but she loved her night sky. It was like a canvas and Luna was the artist, painting her beautiful creations across the sky for all to behold.

She thought more on her sister. She missed how Luna and her would talk so much, especially after she was free from her banishment. They had much to catch up on. Now, Luna only resided in her tower, bringing the night and reading. Celestia had asked why she reads so much now, though she had no problem about one's yearning to learn, but Luna seemed obsessed with it. She would only tell her she wanted to catch up on Equestrian history, considering that she has been locked up for 1,000 years.

Celestia's mind switched gears. The thought of Luna reading made her think of a certain lavender unicorn. She missed her faithful student. It's been so long since she last spoke her, but she made it clear to Luna that she didn't want to talk until she had Pinkie Pie. She didn't blame her. She knew it wasn't because she had to find Pinkie, but she knew that Twilight felt abandoned by her. The only thing she did to comfort her student was a simple letter expressing how sorry she was. The feeling was genuine, but to send it through a letter and leaving it at that was cruel. Even Celestia knew this.

She wanted to see her many times through the years, but her royal duties kept her from seeing her adored student. She always had to have Luna check on her, which wasn't bad, but she was Twilight's mentor. She watched as Twilight grew up into an intelligent and powerful young mare. It ate at her soul to this very day that she didn't do more, but that was the past now, and all she had was now.

The giant doors that stood at the entrance of the grand hall opened, giving passage to Luna. Celestia broke away from her thinking and watched as her sister came in, her mane ever flowing of the night. This was definitely different with Luna actually not staying within her tower to read, but she was not one to protest this change.

"Hello Luna. What brings you here? I would have expected you to be reading some history tonight as you have done for so long?" Celestia noticed unintended bitterness in her voice, but she missed Luna keeping her company.

"I need a break from the books dear sister. Besides, I haven't spent any time with you for awhile. Is this a bad time?" Celestia was happy to hear that Luna wanted to actually spend time with her.

"No.no, Luna! I just rather not speak in this blasted hall. All I ever hear is echoes of the recent arguing within these walls. Walk with me to the gardens so that we may be alone under your night."

Celestia rose from her throne and walked with Luna to the serenity of the gardens. They entered the lush and vibrant garden teeming with life. Celestia felt the damp grass under her golden encrusted hooves, feeling the sensation of nature as if it was long lost to her.

"It's been awhile, Luna, since we had some time alone together." She didn't want to waste this chance to talk to her sister.

"True sister. It has been a while. With you busy with the changelings and my research, we haven't really made time to speak to one another." Luna replied. She turned to Celestia smiling. "But at least we have now." Celestia smiled back.

"So Luna, have you gotten anywhere with your study of Equestrian history?" Luna spoke of how much she was looking into it but never really asked her about her studies.

Luna replied with enthusiasm. "Oh yes, I have read many manuscripts, but the one I have took the most interest in is my banishment. The writer of that piece seemed to have believed that it was just a fight between you and I. This interested us considering we remember a whole lot of bodies..."

Celestia grimaced, hearing this come from Luna. She didn't want to think about when she had to fight her sister's alter ego, Nightmare Moon, and all the ponies that lost their lives during that battle.

"Please Luna, I rather not talk about that..... and you said 'us' again." Over the years, Celestia had helped Luna put away her old lingo of using the royal 'we' and the royal voice. She had been doing a good job withholding it, but it sometimes still slipped up.

"Oh, I apologize sister. I did not realize." Celestia smiled at her adored sister. "It's okay Luna, you have gotten much better over the years with it anyways."

Luna nodded, looking up at the night sky. Celestia took notice of the gold chained necklace hanging across her neck with a black pendant. She had seen this many times before, but it always looked so oddly misplaced, but she never questioned where she had obtained it from. She never felt the need to. She had her own things while Luna had hers.

"Do you wish to know how your student is doing, dear sister?" Luna said, still staring into the night sky. Celestia's heart twisted into a knot at the mention of Twilight.

"It's okay Luna. I know you're taking care of her, so I need not to ask how she is." She trusted Luna, and knew that Twilight was safe with her, but she couldn't help but be concerned for her student. She knew that she was looking for Pinkie Pie, but she could only imagine how much anger she could have by now. Luna made it very clear how angry Twilight would get at the mention of Pinkie's name. It concerned Celestia to hear this, and now with ten years for those feeling to manifest within her student, she could only imagine how much rage she had, not only towards Pinkie, but toward her also.

"I did not ask that sister. I know you wish to know how your beloved student is doing. You make it very clear in your mannerisms." Celestia was surprised at how well Luna could read her. She had to hide her emotions, and wear a mask of a leader, not of one as a mother who was worried for their foal when they were lost. Luna saw right through all of it, truly seeing how she missed and worried for Twilight.

"I am worried for her, Luna. I haven't seen her for such a long time. I miss her letters, her reports. I miss my Twilight. She was more than just a student to me, Luna." Celestia didn't know why she was spilling this all out to Luna. Her sister was not a very emotional type. The last time she saw her sister show any strong emotion was when she had to investigate the bearers' murders. She locked herself in her tower for months, not wanting to speak to anyone, until Celestia had to force her out and take on her duties. It was a harsh lesson, with her saying that Equestria comes first, everything else is secondary. Now when she thinks about it, it probably hadn't been the best advice. Since then, Luna did her duties without fault and still checked on Twilight, making sure she was safe and okay.

"Then why don't you go to Ponyville and visit her sister?" Celestia only shook her head, looking into Luna's teal eyes.

"I haven't seen her in ten years, Luna. I simply can't just show up." Luna took her eyes off Celestia and looked back up to her stars once again.

"Of course you can. You're a princess, who is she to deny you?" Celestia was taken back by her response.

"Luna! You know I do not use my status as Princess to take advantage of my subjects. What kind of ruler would I be to do that?" Celestia ruled Equestria, but not with an iron fist as other leaders would, but with treating her subjects as equals to her, and they respected her for it. She did not want to earn her subjects loyalty and respect through fear. Tyrants employed that method.

"Do not take it to heart, sister. I was merely reminding you of what you are." Celestia now looked up at the stars with Luna. They were always changing and moving, unlike herself. She stood at a standstill in time, merely watching and participating in its events.

"Sister, you need a break. Go see your student in the morn. I can take over your duties for the day." This was unlike Luna to make such an offer.

"Luna, I couldn't impose that level of responsibility on you. Equestria demands me here. I have to keep this war at bay from manifesting along with keeping it from the public. I have to stay." She had too much responsibility here, and as much as she wanted to see Twilight, she couldn't. Her selfish want may cost lives.

Luna turned toward Celestia, "Sister, you will go see her. I am giving you no choice. Now get some rest."

Celestia tried to protest, but Luna only stared at her, a dark aura seemingly to surround her. Celestia got the point very quickly.

"Okay, fine, I will see her tomorrow. All I ask is that you withhold your temper when the court meets tomorrow." She knew Luna had a temper with ponies sho disrespected her, but Celestia treated her subjects as equals, while Luna failed to understand why. They were regal beings, and they were mortals.

"Good night, Luna." Celestia said as she walked away, heading toward her bed chambers wanting to rest.

"Good night, sister." Luna whispered to herself, now admiring the black gem in the necklace that hung around her neck.

Celestia entered her bed chamber. The fireplace suddenly lit up at her presence and radiated its light to fill the room. Her bed was draped in red linen with two overly stuffed pillows. Beside it was a nightstand with a couple books on top, and across was a rug next to fireplace. She got on all fours, relaxing next to the fire, feeling its inviting warmth against her body.

She remembered all the times she would lay next to the fire to read Twilight's letters. Her heart twisted into a knot once again. She missed her faithful student more than she realized, and only memories brought her this heart-wrenching feeling in her chest. She gave out a long sigh, now wanting to raise the morning sun so she could see her, and maybe rekindle their seemingly lost friendship.

Celestia looked down, closing her eyes, wanting the embrace of sleep to take her. Suddenly she heard a popping sound. She shot her head up and saw before her a green flame appearing before her, revealing a scroll with a red sash tied across it. Her eyes went into disbelief, knowing exactly where this scroll came from. It dropped to the floor, Celestia's mouth agape. After all these years, a letter from no other than Twilight Sparkle, laid on the ground before her. Her mind raced with endless possibilities of what the letter could say, but there was only one way to find out. She levitated the letter with her magic and held it before her eyes, carefully undoing the red sash that bound it closed. She opened it, her eyes following her student's words.......

Dear Princess Celestia

I am sending a letter to you now concerning my progress with finding Pinkie Pie. I know you may have not been concerned or simply busy to ask about it, but it is important I relay this information to you. I have found Pinkie Pie-

Celestia's heart jumped. She had found her, but why was she telling her this? She thought once she had found Pinkie, that she was to bring her to Canterlot and to Luna immediately. Celestia continued reading, knowing her student wouldn't do something such as this without explanation.

I will not be bringing her to Princess Luna. I have found Pinkie Pie innocent by the magic of the mind, and entered her memories and saw what she remembered.

Her student was performing Dark Magic? Celestia has never taught her Dark Magic! She had forbid it from being used! Has ten years of Twilight's anger with her took her to such darkness?

Pinkie Pie never committed the murders. So in that respect, I have her living with me for the time being. Also, I know know who really killed my friends. It was your sister, Princess Luna-

Celestia involuntarily stood up seeing Luna printed on such accusation. In all her years of ruling Equestria, she has heard many claims and accusations, but never against her dear sister. Luna could never commit such an atrocity! Luna had her faults, but she was not known to mercilessly and mindlessly kill ponies. Celestia's anger rose understandably. She understood Twilight was her faithful student, but to accuse her own flesh and blood? But has Twilight ever lied to her? Ever came short for her? She continued reading....

Now, I'm not one to accuse ponies of such things, especially of this magnitude, and let alone the Princess of the Night, but I have an idea of her motive. She killed them to attain the essence of the elements, and she needs all of them. For what purpose, I don't know. I have also learned that I can bring them back if I can get a hold of their essence once again.

Celestia was in complete shock. She knew about the elements and the essence that was held within the bearers, but there would only be one reason one would want to acquire all of them. But how could Luna even know about essence that the Elements of Harmony held? She was the only one who knew that they existed, besides Twilight now. She had never told Luna about them.

But to get them back, I need the item she used to trap their essence. She used a necklace, with a black stone held in the middle to take them. I need that necklace to bring them back. I do not know how exactly yet, and I will be doing extensive research to find out, but I can't make this happen without you. I can imagine how you feel by reading this, but I need you more than ever.

Celestia was conflicted inside. She knew of the necklace she asked for, but she couldn't simply go off accusations, even if it was her student. This was her own sister she was convicting, but Twilight needed her. She needed her for the first time now in years, though she knew she had failed her many times before her when she needed her the most. This was a chance to redeem herself.

I need you to meet me in the morning, near the Everfree Forest so we can talk alone. I will be there at dawn. If you decide not to show up, then I will take matters into my own hooves and get what I need.

-Twilight Sparkle

Celestia' heart was pulled in too many ways. She noticed her sign off, only reading her name, no longer 'Your faithful student'. It felt like a chunk of her heart was ripped out of her chest, not seeing this piece she was so used to seeing. But should she be surprised? Ten years she has not seen her once, and to expect Twilight to still look up to her as her mentor and teacher was a foalish thought.

She now turned her attention to Luna. She had been accused of killing Twilight's friends but this was her own sister that she adored and loved unconditionally. They have had their differences, but she was still her sister. No one would ever know how painful it was to banish her sister to the moon 1,000 years ago. She had to go see Twilight, not only for herself but for her sister's sake now.

Celestia wrapped the letter back up, and set it on her nightstand. She would not confront Luna about this...not yet. She needed to see her student... Twilight...and learn if these convictions are really true. She left her bed chambers and briskly trotted down the hall to a small room. She knocked on the door, and the Captain of the Royal Guard appeared.

"Shining Armor, I need a favor. It is quite urgent."

Shining Armor looked over to his wife, who was now sleeping and didn't want to wake her up.

"Of course, Princess." he whispered quietly. Celestia realized how he was trying not to wake his wife and took the same level of tone.

"I need you to arrange an escort for me to leave before dawn to Ponyville. I know this is short notice, but it concerns your sister, and I must speak to her."

Shining Armor's face turned into worry. "Is she okay? Did she do anything?"

"No, just it's been awhile since I spoke to her, but I need to leave early." She wasn't going to tell him that Twilight was accusing her sister of killing the Elements of Harmony. He knew too well how hurt Twilight was by all the letters they wrote back and forth. Celestia felt ashamed that Shining Armor, who was in charge of an armada of guards in Canterlot, still made time to write to his sister and visit her, but the Ruler of Equestria could not.

"I understand. I will have an escort waiting for you early. Anything else you need, Princess?" he said politely.

"Yes, I need you to attend the Royal Sun Court, and watch Princess Luna for me, so she does not do anything rash." Shining Armor completely understood. He knew more than anybody about the war that loomed. He was always now training his guards to be ready for an attack if the negotiations would fail, and the changelings launched an invasion of Equestria.

He also knew of the temper that Luna had. He would see her rip a new one into her guards and sometimes her subjects if they seemed to have disrespected her, or at the mention of her banishment. That kind of short fuse at the court could cause a political standoff, and nothing would be resolved.

"Very well Princess. I will be at the Sun Court tomorrow early." Celestia smiled, grateful for him, always willing to take a job for her.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"No problem your highness." Shining Armor gently closed the door, still not trying to wake his wife.

Before Celestia could turn back to head back towards her chambers, she heard a small cry from behind the door, one of a foal. Celestia smiled, laughing a bit inside, at how Shining Armor was so intent on not waking up his wife, to only wake his small foal. She slowly walked down the hall, heading towards her room to rest.

She thought about Twilight, and what she would say and all the different scenarios played in her head. Twilight could be mad, enraged, being how she has not taken the time to see her for so long, or maybe one of forgiveness, and how would she take it if Twilight was right? That her own sister was the one who killed them? She knew what would have to be done if it was so, but she didn't know if she could bring herself to do it.

Suddenly she felt a tug on her tail, and quickly turned around. It was a guard, looking at her worriedly.

"Princess, a fight has broken out between the general and one of the delegates. We need your help to cease the fighting, your majesty."

Celestia frowned, once again, remembered her royal duties came first. She sighed long and heavy."Fine. Take me to them." and followed the guard. Princess Celestia, once again, worked to keep the peace.

Luna knocked on Celestia's bedroom chamber door once more. Still no answer. She knew her sister could sleep, but not to the point where her own hoof was cracking the door. Luna had enough, needing to speak to her sister about her duties for tommorow within the Sun court. She forced the door open with her magic, and entered the room, determined to wake her sister. She closed the doors behind her, looking for Celestia, but it was apparent that she was not here. Luna was now simply becoming frustrated with her.

She looked around taking in how beautiful her room was, compared to her stony tower that she spent many moons in. She looked and noticed a scroll with a red sash on it on Celestia's nightstand. She walked over to it, noticing immediately who it was from. She summoned the letter towards her with her magic, the scroll enveloped in her blue aura. She looked around, seeing if any pony was watching her, but knew she was alone.

She wondered why Twilight would write to Celestia considering they haven't spoke for several years. Twilight usually spoke to her now, considering she has been with her for most part of this dark journey she was going down to find Pinkie. Her curiosity was peaked and gently and carefully undid the sash that held the scroll in its rolled position. The letter opened before her revealing the truth that surely her sister has laid eyes on. Luna read the letter intently, taking every word and detail in. Moments later, she finished reading the incriminating parchment, and rolled it back up and bound the sash to it once again and placed it back on her sister's nightstand, looking as if it was never touched.

She only smiled...

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

Part 11: Confrontation (Edited)

"Please let me come with you. Plllleeeeeaaaase?" Pinkie begged Twilight. She had been asking her over and over for the past hour to come with her.

"Pinkie, I intend to meet with Celestia alone. This is between me and her. I will tell you everything when I come back home. Okay?" Twilight said, a bit annoyed now. Pinkie sighed, wanting to come with her, at least to be outside and see some of Ponyville again. She looked at her with big puppy blue eyes, attempting one last time to convince the made-up unicorn.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Pinkie, that's not going to work. Spike used to do that, so I'm pretty immune to it's charm." Pinkie dropped the look and crossed her arms. She REALLY wanted to go with her.

"Fine, but promise to tell me everything when you get back?"

Twilight smiled and gave Pinkie a hug, loving how she still had that charm of a small foal always trying to know everything. "I promise, Pinkie Pie."

"Pinkie Promise?"

Twilight broke the hug, and looked at her, clearly showing she did not want to go through the whole chant of the Pinkie Promise. She always kept forgetting to close her eye on the last part. Pinkie got the message loud and clear.

"Okay, you don't have to Pinkie Promise, but you still promised." Twilight turned around and shook her head at the persistent earth pony. She knew deep down that Pinkie didn't want to be left alone, especially since she had been alone for so long, but she had a meeting with a former mentor of hers. She grabbed her saddlebag with her teeth and threw it over her back.

"I shouldn't be long, Pinkie. Spike and Sweetie Belle should be fine, just tell them I will be back soon. I had to meet an old friend." Pinkie nodded furiously.

"Gotcha. I'll see you later then." Pinkie said bouncing back to her room.

It was still dark out and Twilight said she would meet Celestia at dawn. It was best to get a early start getting there. Unlike Celestia, she was there when needed to be. She opened the door to go outside and began walking to the Everfree Forest. She chose the entrance of the forest because nopony dared go near it, so it proved a good place to talk about things that she wanted nopony to hear.

Twilight kept walking, feeling the cool crisp air gently blow against her fur. As much as she didn't want to see Celestia, she knew she had to. There was no way Pinkie and her could just go to Canterlot, walk up to Luna and just ask for the necklace. Besides, that was not the only thing that Twilight wanted from her. Luna's bloody head on a platter would be nice addition...

Twilight took a left turn and was now on the road that led to the entrance of the Everfree Forest. She continued, now seeing Fluttershy's cottage still the same as it was ten years ago. The animals she used to take care of still stayed there, still being taken care of by one of Ponyville's most famous couple, Lyra and Bon Bon. She was glad that they decided to take on the responsibility, but they were still nothing compared to Fluttershy's talent with them.

She trotted along, now turning her attention to the possible meeting that she could be having with Celestia. She knew what she needed, but she also knew that she has not seen her former teacher for a long time. She had resented her for not coming to comfort her when she needed her.

Twilight believed that their relationship was more than just teacher and student, but one of a mother and child. She looked up to Celestia as if she was her own mother. She would look to her for guidance, wisdom, and comfort, but when she needed all those the most, she was not there to look to. In time, she accepted that all they were was teacher and student, solely for business. Nothing more, nothing less. When she accepted that, it made it much easier to search for Pinkie during the time.

She stopped, now at the entrance of the dark forest that loomed deeper within. She now only had to wait, with the first rays of the sun getting ready to shine over Ponyville in moments.

You're nervous

Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? I basically just told Celestia that her sister is a killer.

Was it such a good idea to tell Celestia all that in a letter? What if Luna got a hold of it?

Then we wouldn't be talking now, would we?

I do not like this at all, Twilight.

No one said you had to. These are my choices. I know what I'm doing.

I hope you're right.

Twilight looked around impatiently, looking for a white alicorn. The sun's rays were now coming across Ponyville, dawn now here. Twilight kept looking, but why? She didn't want to see Celestia, but she was looking around for her. Twilight gave up, the early morning now coming across the small town.

I should have known she wouldn't show up.

Twilight began to start heading back to her home with her head down, thinking of how she was now going to pull this off, until she saw a pair of hooves with gold decorating them. She looked up and met the majestic eyes of Princess Celestia. Twilight looked as if she just saw a ghost. Celestia was still exactly the same as Twilight last remembered her. Celestia now looked upon the no longer young but fully grown mare that used to be her student.

"Hello Twilight." Said Celestia, using the same majestic but firm voice that Twilight always remembered. Twilight looked at her former mentor, feelings of anger, sadness, and even a hint of happiness when she saw her. It was like a pot of different ingredients being stirred in her body.

"Hello Princess." was all she could mutter. She didn't expect it to be this hard to talk to her.

"It seems we have much to discuss. Come. Let's walk within the forest so nopony will hear our discussion." Celestia made her way inside the forest, with Twilight obeying and walking beside her. They both casually made their way into the forest. Twilight decided she might as well get to the point.

"I need your help, Princess." she stated bluntly. Celestia did not falter in her answer.

"You need my help obtaining the necklace that my sister wears, correct?" It seems Celestia was going for the gusto also.

So, she has seen it, Twilight thought, thinking about Celestia's answer. So Luna must openly wear it around. A wretched symbol of evil, and she proudly wore it in the open for everypony to see. Twilight's anger rose, now knowing that Luna was openly wearing the necklace that bound her friends essence, the key to bringing them back, and not giving a damn about what she did with it.

"Yes. I need it to bring the Elements of Harmony back." Celestia and Twilight kept walking, the trees looming over them, keeping their discussion hushed for all to hear. Celestia stopped and looked at the lavender unicorn. "Let us stop here, so we may focus." As always before, Twilight obeyed.

"What do you plan to do once you have your friends back, Twilight? What will happen when all the Elements of Harmony are together again?" Twilight knew what she was getting at, and prepared for this, but it was still as hard as she imagined it would be.

"I plan to kill Luna." Twilight's heart throbbed on her chest. She just told Celestia that she was going to kill her sister.

"And how do you plan to do that?" Twilight was taken back. She was expecting a protest or her being scolded, something of the sort, but she wanted to know how she would?

"I'm not sure, but I need my friends back to do that. That's why I need that necklace." Twilight wasn't sure what was going on in Celestia's head. She was telling her that she was going to kill Luna, her only sister, and she seemed calm, like it was completely okay.

"So, you plan to use your friends as a means to end my sister?" Twilight's heart dropped. The way Celestia made it sound as if she was only trying to get her friends back so she could use them.

"No, I want my friends back, but your sister killed them. It's only right she dies too." Twilight didn't realize what she was saying, but she didn't care.

"You plan to kill my only sister for your accusations of her killing them." Celestia's demeanor changed, now seemingly angry with Twilight. "My sister, Twilight. Your Princess. And you say you know this by performing Dark Magic."

Twilight noticed how her former mentor said the words 'Dark Magic'. Celestia narrowed her eyes to Twilight, wanting to her understand what she did and what she was accusing.

"If I wouldn't have, then Pinkie wouldn't be here now." Twilight protested. Celestia kept her eyes on Twilight, now wondering what she meant.

"What do you mean? You were supposed to bring her to Luna so that she may be dealt with."

Twilight anger rose more, tired of these questions, feeling she had to repeat herself with everybody.

"I mean I was going to kill her myself. Luckily, I performed the memory spell and saw the truth that your son of a bitch sister killed them." Her anger rose higher, filling her to the brim. She was tired of ponies doubting her and questioning her. She only wanted to get her friends back and kill Luna. Celestia kept her composure noticing how easily Twilight became angry now.

"I ask you to refrain from calling my sister such things. I will only ask nicely this one time. When you disrespect her, you disrespect me." Celestia took her eyes off her and looked toward the early morning sky. She understood that Twilight wanted to hurt Luna, but how could she accept that Luna did it? Her own sister. Twilight may be right, but it did not give her way to call her sister such names.

"Then fuck you both then."

Celestia stepped back in shock, hearing such words. This was Twilight, one she had taught since she was young and innocent. To see her now, with such anger, and wanting to hurt somepony, was like a revelation to the alicorn. Much had changed the past decade.

"Twilight! How dare you use such language towards me!" Twilight looked away.

I knew it! She won't listen! She'll protect that bitch no matter what!

Can you blame her? It is her sister.

I don't care! Luna has to die! It's only fair!

Is it fair to Celestia?

Twilight ignored the voice, not wanting to hear it. She didn't care if Celestia was Luna's damn mother. She had to die. No matter what, Twilight wanted her dead.

"I have not taught you this." Celestia continued, trying to make sense of what happened to the lavender unicorn.

Twilight turned back facing Celestia once more. She looked upon the alicorn, her heart filling with hate for her. Here she was trying to counsel her as if she was wrong, but who was she to do so when she abandoned her?

"Fuck you and your teachings! Where were you when I needed you, huh? All I ask was for you to come and help, but yet you try to talk to me and teach as if I'm still your student?! Fuck you and all your self righteous wisdom!" Twilight cried in her anger. She couldn't stand Celestia at this point. She now knew she should have never asked to meet her.

"Your damn sister took my friends from me! When have I ever lied to you?!" Twilight was full of too many emotions, she was just letting Celestia have it all.

"Enough! Twilight Sparkle, you WILL respect me and my sister! You accuse of her such acts and expect me to take them to heart? You want to kill my only sister! Do you not understand?! You performed Dark Magic on Pinkie which you know is forbidden! I could have you locked up for performing that type of magic!" Celstia said. This discussion was now becoming a shouting match. Celestia did not want to argue with her former student, but for Twilight to expect her to basically help kill her sister was insane. She couldn't bring herself to do that.

Twilight seethed with rage. She understood that Luna was her sister, but that didn't matter to her. Luna had to pay for what she did. Just because she was a Princess did not mean she could be exempt for performing such vile acts and now she was basically threatening her for performing Dark Magic? She had to, and with it, she learned the truth, a truth that Celestia refused to see.

"No, I will not respect the one who killed my friends and if you stand with her, then I will kill you with her!" she declared. This was no longer the kind Twilight, always looking for peaceful solutions to problems, but one who only let rage control her. Celestia eyes went wide, hearing her own star pupil, basically saying that she would kill her too. Celestia's heart broke hearing Twilight's anger pour out of her, seeing that her rage had no bounds, willing to do whatever it was to end her sister.

"Please Twilight, stop this. You may be right about all this, but you tread a dark path. To kill somepony is not an easy task, one that shouldn't be looked forward to." Celestia was now regretting never seeing her, now seeing the results of her absence. Twilight was fully consumed in hatred and anger and Celestia did nothing to quell it.

"Stop it! I don't want to hear your teachings and advice. You are not my teacher!" Something snapped inside Twilight's heart as she said those words. Her anger was becoming too much to bear, that she now broke down in tears.

"You abandoned me! I needed you and all you did was send a piece of shit paper to me! I didn't want Luna, I wanted you! You left me to wallow in my grief. Where were you?!" she sobbed. It was all out now. Twilight wasn't truly angry that Celestia wouldn't help her. Twilight knew she wouldn't, and to be angry for her not wanting to help was simply a facade she put on. She was truly angry that Celestia left her.

Celestia saw Twilight throw herself to the ground, tears pouring down her face. She now knew where this anger was coming from. She was responsible for causing this. She did abandon her, never once came to see her. Celestia got down on all fours, her heart shattering at what she had done. This was sadness and pain built up in ten years that Twilight had for her mentor, now finally letting it all out.

"Was I not good enough for you? To come see me, at least once, or was I just another student?" Twilight sobbed quietly. Her anger had left and only sadness filled her heart. She was now doubting herself. Maybe it was her fault. Maybe she just was not good enough for Celestia.

Celestia's heart shattered. What had she done?

"I'm sorry, Twilight." she said as tears were coming down her majestic face."I should have come to see you. I knew you were in pain, but I let my duties come before you. I am sorry."

Twilight looked up at her, tears still flowing from her eyes. "What was so important then? What was so important that you couldn't come see me?"

Celestia closed her eyes, tears falling to the dirt. She had let her own duties come before her own Twilight. She admitted herself that Twilight was more than a student, but her actions surely did not show it. She thought of herself as a mother to the unicorn, a mother that abandoned her child, and left her to fend for herself. She didn't want to tell Twilight what it was, but she knew she had to. She couldn't deny her any longer.

"I'm trying to stop a war, Twilight. A war that I'm trying to stop before it begins."

Twilight's eyes shot open. A war? That's what kept Celestia from coming to her? Twilight rose back onto her hooves looking down, seeing her mentor for the first time crying. She wiped her tears away, now wanting to know about this war.

"A war? War with who?" asked Twilight. Celestia looked up at her.

"A war with the changelings. Ever since your brother's wedding, I have been trying to compromise with the queen, but we seem to have no solutions. Her race is dying. They have no place of their own and no love to feed on. They are threatening war against Equestria. They are desperate."

Twilight was in disbelief. The whole time she thought Celestia abandoned her, simply not wanting to see her, but she was really trying to end a war before it began. She was trying to save Equestria. Twilight's heart dropped, feeling horrible, to think that her mentor would simply walk away from her.

"I didn't tell you because of what happened to your friends. I was hurt too, Twilight, but I also had to protect this land. To protect my subjects. To protect you." Celestia let her tears flow out. She wanted her student back, her Twilight back. "I'm sorry Twilight. I never meant to hurt you. You're more than a student to me,always have and always will be."

Twilight was getting all her answers, but it was too much to take in at one time. It was a war that kept Celestia from her, but she had to in order to protect every pony. To protect her.

Do you see it Twilight? She never abandoned you. Everything she was doing was for you.

Twilight didn't respond but it was right. Celestia did care for her. More than just a mere student.

"Can you forgive me, Twilight? For not taking care of you?" the once headstrong Princess said. Her mask of leadership was finally gone and was showing her true colors.

Twilight didn't know what to do. She was happy and guilty all at the same time. Celestia did care for her and never truly left her, but she also felt guilty that she would think she would.

"I..I forgive you." was all she said. She went towards the alicorn and hugged her. A hug she had wanted for many years, now finally having it. Celestia hugged her back, missing the feeling of embracing her faithful student.

"I'm sorry for doubting you." Twilight said. Celestia only hugged her tighter. They hugged for moments longer until breaking away from each other. Celestia rose again, in all her beauty , still looking majestic even after her spilled tears.

Twilight felt better, feeling a bitterness leave her, the bitterness she had for Celestia for so long. It felt good.

"Now about my sister." Twilight looked at her, wanting to enjoy this moment of reconciliation, but was broke with the mention of Luna. "I will confront her about this and get the necklace. If you are right, then I will deal with her, but I will not take her life and I can't let you kill her. I understand your anger, but she is my sister. It is only fair that I handle her."

Celestia was happy that she had her student back, but was dreading what she was going to do. She would confront Luna about it all, and if proved to be true, she would have to take action. She didn't want to lose her sister again, but Twilight was right. She was not exempt from punishment if she did do it.

Twilight nodded. She did want to kill Luna, but now thinking with a clear head, it was Celestia's sister. A sister she was going to lose once again. It was only fair that she decide what happens to her. She just wanted it all to end. She just wanted her friends back and Luna to own up. It may not be death she had to suffer, but if Celestia would deal with her and make it where she never had to see her again, then she will take it.

"Alright then. Let us head back. You have much to study if your going to get them back." she said smiling. "My faithful student."

Twilight cracked a smile, remembering how nice it was to hear her call that once again, but she knew better now that she was more than just a student to her. They both walked out of the forest, now standing outside the entrance once again, the morning suns rays now in full beauty.

"Twilight, I must ask you something." Twilight looked at her awaiting her question. "How did you know about the essence of the elements, and that they could bring your friends back?" Celestia was meaning to ask her this earlier but their reconcile was more important at the time.

"The Element of Magic told me. There was a time that I passed out and it spoke to me, telling me how to get them back." She didn't want to tell her that she now had it talk to her head now, she was afraid she would sound insane. Twilight saw Celestia's eyes widen but only for a mere second.

"Very well then." was all she said. Twilight wondered why she had asked but left it alone. She wouldn't dwell on it. Both of them started walking back to her tree house. Everypony was still asleep, even with the morning rays lighting up the small town, but still too early to be waking up just yet.

"Princess!" a voice called out from above. Both the Princess and Twilight looked up, noticing a orange pegasus dawned with royal guard armor covered in cuts and small blotches of blood. He landed on the ground, breathing heavily. Celestia looked at him in horror, wondering what had happen to him.

"General Blaze! What happened to you?!" she demanded. Twilight looked at the general, really taking in the blood across him and his cuts. Some were minor while others seemed deeper, as cut with a blade.

"Princess." he said between his breaths, trying to take in air. "It's a massacre. Luna has attacked the Royal Sun Court, killing everypony in there. Shining Armor has sent me to find you. We need your help. We have guards trying to restrain her but she’s killing all of them." he said still gasping for air.

Celestia's heart froze. Her sister was killing innocents...her own sister. Celestia thought to herself quickly. She had to act fast and stop her, she would ask questions later.

"General. Go to Twilight's home and take the escort I rode in, you need to rest your wings. Go back to Canterlot, take the rest of the guard and evacuate the city. Get them away from there. I don't want anypony else getting hurt. Understand? " the general nodded, and flew away to Twilight's tree home to get the escort.

Celestia looked toward's Twilight, who was only standing watching her mentor, listening in shock as she heard the news. "Twilight I need you and Pinkie to come with me. If what you say is true, then you will need that necklace. I don't know what has came over her but I have to stop it. I will transport us to your house to get her, then I will teleport us to the castle. We don't have much time."

Twilight nodded once again, feeling anger, but a righteous anger at Luna. This would be her chance to finally confront her.

"Let's go." Twilight said and in a bright flash of light, they appeared in Twilight's tree home.

Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle, and Spike were gathered on the floor with a deck of cards in the middle. They all rose at the sudden appearance of the Princess.

"Twilight, you're back!" Pinkie exclaimed running over to her. Twilight was quickly taken by her hug but pushed her away, not having time while ponies were being slaughtered. Pinkie looked at her in confusion.

"Pinkie, we don't have time! Luna is killing ponies at the castle. We have to go!" Twilight didn't pace around the bush. They had to go and stop Luna and she didn't have time for Pinkie's antics.

Sweetie Belle and Spike had their mouths wide open, hearing the sudden news. Pinkie's eyes popped out of her head, trying to take in what she just heard.

"She's killing ponies? At the castle!?"

Twilight grabbed her, "Yes! We have to go! Now!" Pinkie looked up at the Princess, seeing the worry in her face.

Princess Celestia spoke up."Yes. Every second here is another life my sister is taking. Please we must go!"

"Okay, lets go!" she cried.

Twilight nodded and looked up at Celestia. Celestia summoned her magic, focusing on the castle. A bright light enveloped them, the shocked faces of Sweetie Belle and Spike disappearing along with the library.

Twilight and Pinkie felt as if they were swirling around in a blender. Twilight had teleported many times, but this was different from hers, and the feeling was nauseating. After what seemed like an eternity of spinning, they now were outside the doors of the Royal Sun Court. Twilight and Pinkie gathered themselves, trying to keep from vomiting. There were screams beyond the door, and all three only stood there as it filled their ears and thoughts. Celestia looked toward the unicorn and earth pony.

"Stay close to me. I don't want you two to get hurt." Celestia feared what she was going to see when she opened the doors, but she had no choice. Luna was going on a rampage, and the screams beyond the door only made her fear even more what she was going to see.

"What are we supposed to do?" Pinkie asked, shaking a bit hearing the screams beyond the accursed door.

"I will get the necklace from her. You will take it and leave."

Twilight quickly turned to her mentor. "No! We're not leaving you. We can help fight her!" Celestia quickly shut her protest down.

"No! I must deal with her. You worry about getting your friends back! Once you have the necklace, you leave. Do you understand?" Twilight nodded, but inside her heart screamed to her. She wanted Luna to die, and she wanted to watch her suffer when she did.

Twilight, get the necklace and leave. She can handle herself. Remember if you or Pinkie are killed, then all hope is lost of getting them back.

I know...

I hope so...

The doors glowed with a yellow aura around them, and Celestia forced them open. Twilight yelped not expecting what she was seeing, while Pinkie hurled her guts out, the scene too much for her. Celestia looked at what was before her, her mind in a blur. The floors and walls were stained with with splashes of blood, limbs and organs littered the floor, testament of the gruesome deaths that these ponies must have endured.

"AHHHH! PLEASE STOP!" an agonized voice called out.

They all looked forward seeing Luna standing next to Celestia's Throne chair, slowly ripping the black coated and bloody unicorn in two with her magic. He was floating before her, and her magic was tugging at him, pulling him in two separate directions. The three only looked in horror as they saw his flesh starting to rip from the force. It tore open, the screaming becoming louder. They heard the cracking of bones, snapping in two, his spine being pulled apart within him. Pinkie had tears coming down her face, absolutely horrified at what she was seeing, reliving the scene that she endured when her friends were killed in front of her. Twilight watched as the poor unicorn was screaming and crying, blood pouring form his body and mouth, begging for it to stop.

She must die...

Kill her....

It was that voice! That voice that spoke to her back when she initially learned about Luna. It was in her head but she paid no mind. Twilight kept watching, anger rising to see the poor unicorn's suffering.

"I shall grant you your wish then." Luna replied to the screaming pony and with one last great tug of her magic, she pulled the pony in two, it's entrails spilling out of it. Luna dropped the body like a rag doll, and looked towards Twilight, Pinkie, and Celestia. Luna was covered in blood, but she relished it. It's warm feeling around her, the very fuel of life itself. She met Celestia's eyes and smiled wickedly.

"Hello dear sister...."

**Edited by SuperChaosKG**

Part 12: Intentions

Twilight looked at the blood soaked Luna. Her smile was disturbing to say the least, and it was one of pure enjoyment. This was the first time she has seen Luna in such a state for herself. It was one thing to see her through a memory, but to see her standing in the same room covered in blood, her teal eyes filled with excitement, and that smile....it enraged Twilight. She hated how Luna enjoyed all this pain that others were suffering.

Pinkie looked stared at Luna, her heart gripped with fear, the same fear she had the night she watched her friends die. Her body was shaking, she wanted to run, leave, and pretend she wasn't seeing what was in front of her.But she couldn't deny reality. This was Luna, an insane killer, monstrous, and merciless. Just when she was starting to be happy, it was all broken in her heart at the sight. Luna took her happiness away once again.

Celestia maintained her composure, but inside she was all types of broken. The corpses and blood and organs spewed across the room were not a sight she hasn't seen before. She has seen many terrible things in her time, but this was different. This was Luna, her own sister. She looked noticing the bodies were all of her guards, but none of the delegates or Shining Armor. There was some relief to be had, afraid if Shining Armor was among the dead, that her student would completely lose it. Twilight had lost more than enough of her loved ones.

"So, my sister and her favorite pupil are here to see my doing. Oh, and it looks like Pinkie Pie decided to join also." Pinkie shivered at her words, they had a darkness underneath them that seemed to go through her body, bringing it to a chill. Twilight wanted to run towards her, to kill her with everything she had, but she knew that they had to get the necklace. She would be risking too much.

"Why have you done this?" Celestia demanded. She needed answers, and needed them quickly. What would cause her sister to do this?

Luna cocked her head and smirked. "Oh, you mean all this?" Luna said motioning her hoof to the bloody mess she had created. "This....was all for Equestria dear sister."

"Equestria?! Luna, look at what you have done! There is no good reason for all this!" Celestia cried to her. Her heart was sore, seeing her sister becoming something that she never knew was in her.

Luna laughed, her laugh ringing through the hall against the blood spattered walls. "Oh but I do have a good reason. They all had to die, for they served a ruler who cannot rule anymore." She started walking slowly toward the trio.

"Do not move any closer Luna!" Celestia commanded. She did not know who this was. This was not Luna. It couldn't be.

Twilight put herself in battle ready position. There was no way in hell she was going to let Luna have the jump on her. Ten years she had waited to bring vengeance upon her friends murderer, and though it was misguided at first, she promised herself she would find kill the bastard, and so she will. Pinkie planted her hooves down into the floor, but was frozen stiff. She had never been scared before when they had fought Nightmare Moon and Discord, and she made Twilight a handy weapon during the wedding, but after seeing her friends killed, there was always a fear present in her, one she couldn't laugh away. It always had her, making her realize this was real life.

Luna stopped, only smiling at the three. "What's the matter sister? You don't care about me anymore?" she said mockingly.

"Enough! You killed all of these innocent ponies, just so you could rule?" Celestia feared that her sister had become power hungry, the makings of a tyrant, only fearing her answer.

Luna laughed once again, relishing how desperate Celestia was trying to make sense of all this. "No, they simply got in my way, and to be honest, it was quite enjoyable sister. The fear in their eyes when you hold their life in your hooves, and to rip it away from them. It reminds me of how powerful I really am, and how weak you had become." she shot at Celestia.

Celestia was horrified hearing these dark words come out of her sister's mouth. She enjoyed killing them.

"What are you talking about Luna!? Speak sense!" She was trying so hard to understand Luna. She hoped that there was some great reason for all this bloodshed, she didn't want to face the truth that Luna was a monster.

"You are weak Celestia! When I learned of your failure at the wedding against Chysalis at the wedding, it made me think sister. It made me think how long would it be before Equestria was taken because of your lack of power. Now, lo and behold, we are on the brink of war with the changelings because of your inaction! Equestria needs a ruler who is not afraid of destroying her enemies, and doing what must be done!"

Pinkie was confused. She had not heard of the changelings since the wedding, but to hear about that they were on the precipice of a war? She looked at Twilight, wanting to clear this confusion from her head, but Twilight was focused on Luna, her teeth grinding against each other, wanting a go at the insane princess.

Calm yourself. Your here for the necklace. This is not your fight.

Twilight desperately wanted to charge at Luna and unleash all her rage and hate towards her, and pound her six feet into the ground into she was nothing but a mess of blood and bone.

I know. I'm under control. But Twilight wanted to lose it.

"Luna listen to yourself! You sound like a tyrant! You are becoming the very thing we stopped and vowed to never have again! Your no better than Discord if that's what you believe! Power can't solve all problems and sometimes only make problems worse! You would do no better than I have!" Celestia wanted to get through to her, make her see reason.

"Do not tell me that I cannot do better!" Luna screamed, her voice piercing the trio's eardrums. "I do what I must for Equestria! Everything that I have done and will do is in Equestria's best interest, an interest you lost long ago dear sister!"

"Was killing my friends for Equestria too you insane fuck!" Twilight blurted out. Her anger was becoming harder and harder to control, it wanted to come out, but she also wanted her answers. Pinkie looked at her marefriend, remembering the enraged Twilight a few days ago, a sight that she rather not see again.

Luna looked toward the lavender unicorn. "Oh now Twilight, you should show more respect. Besides, I took care of you after all, while your great mentor abandoned you. How does it feel Twilight, to know you have wasted so many years of your life looking for the wrong one? That the whole time, your friends were murdered by my hoof, always right next to you.

Do not listen to her Twilight, she is only egging you on!

It was too late.

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! ENOUGH TALKING! YOU DIE NOW YOU FUCKING BITCH!" she screamed as she charged towards her, her body burning with rage.

"Twilight! No!" both Pinkie Pie and Celestia yelled. They both charged after Twilight to stop her from meeting her own death. Luna smiled wide, looking at the enraged unicorn.

"Yes! Come and take your revenge Twilight Sparkle! Come and join your pathetic friends!"

TWILIGHT! STOP! but this voice would not be heard. It was consumed in thought of only bringing death to Luna.

Kill her...make her suffer... Twilight ran even faster towards Luna, the voice driving her now, her rage fueling her.

Luna summoned her magic and a blade appeared before her, the same blade jagged blade she had used ten years ago, but now it was longer, and the blade had three black gems infused within it. The blade had a black aura covering it, as if a black fire had consumed it.

"Come meet your end Twilight Sparkle! Meet your friends in the eternal hell that they suffer!"

"TWILIGHT STOP! SHE IS GOING TO KILL YOU! PLEASE STOP!" cried out the pursuing Pinkie Pie, tears flowing behind. She didn't want to lose another friend, especially her Twilight.

Celestia ran toward her student trying to catch her. She saw Luna summon a blade...a blade she recognized. Celestia's eyes went wide open, now focusing on the blade that Luna now magically wielded, waiting for the charging unicorn who was now blind with anger.

"Twilight! No! Stop!" the princess cried.

Twilight couldn't hear them. She only heard her rapid heartbeat, the blood rushing through her body and boiling.

She took everything from you.... She was getting near Luna, finally making it across the seemingly long hall, and leaped into the air, as to pounce on her and beat her into the marble floor. She started falling towards Luna, raising a hoof, pushing all her power into it, but she missed one tiny detail. She noticed Luna position a sword, ready to impale her. Too quickly did she realize that she had made a fatal mistake. Time slowed down for her, only feeling herself fall to meet Luna's blade that she soon would fall right onto, but this would not be so....

Celestia opened her wings, her eyes became a bright yellow, just as the sun she would raise every day, and flew across the room with lightning speed, and knocked Twilight out of the way in midair, sending them both into one of the side walls. Twilight felt the impact across her side when the white alicorn pushed her out of her impending death. She didn't know how fast they were both going, but in seconds she felt herself slam into a wall, hearing it crack under such speed. Both Celestia and Twilight fell to the ground, while Pinkie ran to them to make sure they were okay.

"Now sister, why did you have to ruin my fun?" Luna asked as she plunged her blade into the ground. Celestia got up, and underneath her was Twilight. She scanned her quickly, to make sure she was generally alright. Twilight shook her head, trying to stop the spinning in her head form the impact, and looked up with Celestia looking down at her and Pinkie beside her.

"Damn you Twilight!" You can't go out all willy nilly out there!" Pinkie cried as she hugged her, seeing how her marefriend was about to be killed moments ago if if wasn't for Celestia saving her. Celestia quickly turned to Luna while Pinkie smothered Twilight, who was patiently waiting leaning on her sword and smiling.

"You killed them Luna. You killed the Elements of Harmony." she stated blatantly to her. Celestia had let it sink in and there was no doubt now. She had killed her student's friends but she didn't know why. Not yet...

"Why did you kill them Luna. They freed you from Nightmare Moon. They treated you as if you were their friend. You were their friend. Why Luna?" She asked, pleading for an explanation. It was breaking her heart to learn and realize what her sister had become.

"They freed me from Nightmare Moon on your account. You used them to take care of a problem you didn't want to solve, or couldn't solve" Luna sneered. Pinkie and Twilight were now both still on the ground behind Celestia, but looked at Luna confusingly. Luna caught their looks, and chuckled.

"Oh, I suppose you two didn't know that. Your wonderful Princess here used you. She sent you to come after Nightmare Moon, fully knowing that you could be killed, because she knew she was not powerful enough to stop me. If it wasn't for you Twilight Sparkle for figuring out the sixth element, you all would have died, and she would have covered it all up. My dear sister did this many times in her tarnished past. Remember Discord? Have you ever asked yourselves why she didn't do it herself?"

Pinkie rose up, looking at Luna straight in her eyes and courage rising in her. She just wasn't going to let her bad mouth Celestia like that in front of her or have her almost hurt Twilight again.

"Princess Celestia wouldn't do that! She said she can no longer use the elements, that's why she sends us. And now were going to whip your ass!" Pinkie said, finally standing up to her. She wanted this all to end. She may have ran before, but she was here now, and she is not leaving...not this time.

Luna laughed at the small pink pony. "I see why you are the Element of Laughter. But only the Element of Laughter and Magic remain now, as I'm sure you remember, I killed the rest, and they are in here." as she revealed the accursed necklace around her neck. Twilight took notice of the black gem. She had to get it from Luna. It was her only way of getting her friends back, and she would be damned if she came back empty hoofed.

"You have not answered my question Luna. Why did you kill them?" Celestia demanded.

"Oh, you already know the answer to that sister," Luna said as she turned her dark gaze back onto Celestia, "As you know already, when the Elements of Harmony are combined, they become a powerful weapon. A weapon powered by friendship. But I noticed something when I felt its power rip away Nightmare Moon away. I felt a darkness within it" she motioned her hoof to the pendant," and it left behind this black gem. I left it there at that abandoned castle, but a voice called to me ever since then. That's when I decided to go back. The voice grew louder and louder every day, so when I went back, while you were being miserably defeated by Chrysalis, I retrieved it. It told me that you were weak, and I should take over but I needed power. It told me how...." she said looking over to Twilight and Pinkie.

Celestia was taken back. She had always assumed her sister was merely sleeping that day. That explained her missing now from the wedding.

"Luna, what you speak of is beyond the natural. If you take all the elements and use them for yourself, there will be no order or harmony. Is that what you want?" Celestia knew full well what Luna was planning to do with the elements.

"I need this power, and once I have it, I will be more than capable of wiping out Equestria's enemies. I will create peace and harmony for every pony." Luna said, now pulling her sword out of the ground, and slinging it over her shoulder. "I will be a god."

Pinkie and Twilight stared in disbelief, hearing the revelation that was being made to them, why their friends were so brutally sacrificed. With all the elements and that black gem, she would transcend as an alicorn and have the power to rival gods.

"And you dear sister, have foolishly delivered the final pieces to me!" Luna cried out in triumph as she now pointed her sword straight at Celestia.

Celestia looked over to the the unicorn and earth pony. She was right! She had brought them here, now risking what their lives, and now realizing that if they died, Luna would win. She would not be able to fight that kind of power. She had to get them out of here. Twilight still laid on the floor, only listening to what Luna was saying. She was behind Celestia and Pinkie, both protecting her, but Luna was right. Twilight pieced it all together. That is why she wanted her to bring Pinkie to her. She would have them both in the same place and it would be easy. She would have killed them both and bring her plan of power into fruition.

"So sister," Celestia turned to face her sister once more,"I am tired of talking. Unlike you, I am willing to take action." with those final words, she turned her horn in Pinkie's general direction, and a black spear like magic bolt shot out, heading for the now frozen mare. Celestia turned quickly, and jumped in front of her. The black bolt was going too fast for her to cast a sheilding spell, and it hit Celestia firmly in her side, and threw both her and Pinkie into the wall. The blast knocked out Celestia cold, and Pinkie's head slammed against the wall upon impact and she followed suit.

(Yes, I'm going to try this. Prepare for tactical overly dramatic music: Overly Dramatic Shit If you don't like that kind of stuff, then don't play it please. This is supposed to be played from now until the end of the chapter.)

Twilight was left now unguarded and she watched as both her mentor and Pinkie were blasted into the wall, making a sick cracking sound when they hit. She watched them fall to the ground,and land on the floor with another sick crack. They laid there motionless. She looked back at Luna in horror, fearing the worst. She didn't know if they were dead or not, but she knew they were not moving or getting up. She couldn't scream or even call their names. A new found fear had rose in her, choking her words. Where had all her rage gone that she had been consumed by earlier, and why was she now so afraid. Was it the sight of seeing the most powerful alicorn and her lover thrown like a doll? Or was it that this was reality, that her life was now in extreme danger?

"So, it seems it is just you and I, Twilight Sparkle." Luna said, swinging her sword in front of her with her magic nonchalantly. Twilight heard a fizzing sound, and saw something black envelope the two unconscious bodies.

"NO! What are you doing to them!?" Twilight screamed. She couldn't see them anymore. Her heart filled with sheer terror.

"Do not worry, they are fine. I just don't want any interuptions between us. You and I have much to settle." Luna smiled, the same wicked smile she had given before. How Twilight hated that smile....

She must pay

Twilight rose up, getting up on all four legs, watching Luna the entire time. She hated that smile....

Make her suffer...

That grin...it burned her....

Kill her...wipe that smile from her face...

Like a tidal wave, a new wave of rage filled her washing away the terror that took hold of her moments ago. Her mentor and her lover were now in Luna's grasp, and she was their only salvation now.

Show her true power...

Luna began to walk slowly towards her, still with the same nasty smile, readying her sword. "So Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic, how do you think it will feel when I plunge my blade right through your chest?" she said now getting closer to the standing unicorn, who only said nothing.

She hated that smile...

KILL HER!

Twilight's eyes flashed a bright white, her rage filling her and now was overflowing. She would show Luna what true pain was. What suffering really was. What power was...

Luna stopped in her tracks and looked at the now changing unicorn. She noticed something about it, the same feeling and power that was used to defeat her alter ego, but it was different. Twilight's eyes now burned white, a trail of whit mist flowing out of them. It was pure rage...pure power. Her coat slowly changed to a dark purple, the pink strand that ran through her mane and tail turned whit once again, and purple strands of magic radiated from her body. She felt this burning magic flow through her, and her rage being the bedrock for it all. She would protect Pinkie and Celestia, and kill Luna for everything she has taken from her. This power she felt in her was almost overwhelming, like she wanted to lose herself in it, but she knew what had happened last time. She could not afford making the same mistake. She had to stay in control. The ground beneath Twilight's hooves cracked under the sheer raw magic that now flowed through her.

Luna watched Twilight as the ground beneath her shook slightly. She noticed the incredible level of magic she was producing and the slight transformations that took place. Luna was now seeing the true power of Twilight's element. A power that she desired. Twilight stared at Luna, her now burning white eyes focused on her enemy.

"The Element of Magic reveals itself. Then this will be a good fight." Luna said as she positioned her sword and a dark aura surrounded her body, summoning her magic. Twilight took one step towards the dark princess, the ground cracking with her step.

"This ends here Luna. You have taken my friends from me, you have lied to me, you have betrayed me, you have hurt my mentor, and you have hurt my lover." Twilight declared. Her voice now sounded of two people in one body, on being Twilight's voice, the other being one that seemed sage like. Twilight positioned herself, battle ready. "It all ends here."

Luna now positioned herself, ready to attack and take what she believed was rightfully hers. She pointed her word in front of her and looked at Twilight.

"So be it then Twilight Sparkle. I was going to grant you a swift death, but I will make sure you suffer. I have waited too long for this."

Twilight only stood her ground, not faltering once under her threat of a painful death. She could not die, cannot die, will not die. She had to save Celestia and Pinkie. She had to save her friends, and end this son of a bitch.

"I will finally finish what I started, beginning with you" Luna said, pointing the tip of her dark blade right at the unicorn's direction.

Twilight's eyes grew brighter and they burned more rage within her. She narrowed her eyes at Luna, preparing for the coming fight.

"You can try" she said as they both charged at each other, Luna with her accursed blade, and an enraged unicorn, leaving only a purple stream of magic in her wake.

You can try....

Part 13: Control

Twilight met Luna in the middle of the hall, her rage boiling within her body. Luna swept her sword towards Twilight, trying to hack her legs off, but Twilight jumped, the ground cracking as she pushed off of it. She had never fought before, at least not one where it was life or death but here she was, fighting against the princess of the night. This was not something she thought about, but only reacted. Her reflexes were faster, she was faster, stronger, powerful. She only watched Luna, her focus of her rage, and only wanted to erase her from this life.She was now watching Luna as she looked up and saw her in the air, just as before, but this time she would not make the same mistake before.

"I see were trying to use the same attack again. You should have learned before."Luna scoffed at Twilight, pointing her sword straight in the air, waiting for gravity to take hold and bring Twilight towards her. Twilight nose dived towards Luna, clearly seeing the blade waiting for her. She fell towards it, and raised her hoof, sending all her rage into it. A purple aura formed around it and tiny sparks of electricity danced around it. She threw herself at the the smiling Luna. Luna threw her sword upwards but it met Twilight's empowered hoof, stopping the blade in mid thrust. Tiny sparks of electricity danced around the point of the blade and Twilight's hoof. Luna's eyes went wide, confused why her blade didn't just go right through her. Twilight forcefully made her sword go to the side and plunged right into Luna's face sending her flying into the opposite wall.

Luna flew into the marble wall, leaving an imprint of her body across it, and fell to the ground. She was shocked. She expected her power to be strong, but to the point of stopping her attack with only a hoof? This was power she definitively had to have. Luna got up and positioned her sword in front of her once again.

"I underestimated the Element of Magic." She spoke out to Twilight who was now just standing, witnessing her own power against Luna. "Your much more powerful than I had anticipated. It will only make it that much sweeter when I take it from you."

Twilight was expressionless. Her eyes continued burning bright white, and her power and rage only grew within her.

She has to die...

An aura of purple surrounded her, and swirled around her like a tornado. As her rage grew, so did her magic, and she wanted to use it all to kill Luna.She looked at Luna, with her expressionless face.

"You will fail here Luna. There is no salvation to be had. I will kill you" Twilight declared, her voice now sounding of two beings, and together they sounded powerful and majestic. She was saying these words but she felt something else also guiding them. It guided her movements and now what she said. She stood on her hind legs, and put her arms out in front of her. A small white ball started to form between them, and it grew bigger as she focused more and more anger and hate towards the princess.

Make her suffer the voice repeated. She wanted to make her suffer and hurt and now she was able to make it happen, like a dream coming true. Luna watched as a white orb formed between Twilight's hooves, noticing it growing bigger. She braced herself, not really knowing what the Element of Magic was capable. of. All she knew that she would kill this unicorn and have this power for herself.

Twilight kept focusing on it, having it grow to the size of her head. She smiled, seeing this kind of power that she wielded. She didn't know how she was doing all of this, but did it matter? She had the power to take her revenge.

It's all that matters..revenge

She lifted her arms, the white ball coming up with them. She put all her strength into it and threw it at Luna. Luna watched as the white orb flew at her at a blinding speed. She threw herself to the side, the orb barely missing her, and hit the wall behind her. The orb made contact with the wall, exploding on impact, blowing out a huge portion of the wall. The shock-wave from the explosion threw Luna to the ground. There was so much magic built up in that one attack, that even Luna, who had seen many extraordinary magical attacks in her time, was in utter disbelief. If that would have hit her, her body would have been nothing but dust. She know understood that Twilight was serious about killing her. She threw her sword to the side.

"Well Twilight, you certainly have impressed me." Luna said. Twilight only stared at her, but she was smiling. A confidence had rose in her. Confident in this power that she now had. She knew she could beat Luna.

"I'm not here to impress you, only to kill you." Twilight retorted. "You are weak Luna, and the weak do not deserve to live." Twilight startled herself inside.

She is weak... Twilight suddenly realized what was happening. She remembered the other Twilight speaking to her, but where was it now? This other hateful voice...it had somehow now influenced her thinking and actions.

Luna became enraged hearing this simple unicorn mock her. "How dare you say I'm weak! I havent even begun to show you power!" she screamed at her and fired a black disk from her horn.

Twilight reacted and summoned a magical barrier to stop it. The disk met the barrier and was dissolved within it.

"I had enough games Twilight Sparkle!" Luna screamed. Her eyes turned white and her wings spread and lifted herself in the air. "Thou will die here! Thou will not stop us from our ambitions!" Luna bellowed with the royal canterlot voice within the hall. The stained glass windows shattered against her voice, and Twilight only watched as she now saw Luna rise into the air.

Kill her...stop holding back Twilight wanted to lose control, but she kept a lid on it. She had to maintain control, but the realization that her thinking and actions were being influenced by something she didn't know sacred her, but her rage was overwhelming. If whatever this was was helping her to kill Luna, so be it.

Remember how she killed them...how they screamed...and you didn't help them Twilight's eyes burned hotter than ever hearing the voice fuel her rage. She forgot all about her moment of fear of the voice, and the lid she had containing her anger from completely washing her away was weakening.

You let them die..you failed them.. The ground beneath her started breaking, bit and pieces now floating into the air from the levels of raw magic that she was losing control of. She had completely forgotten about Luna, and was becoming consumed in hate.

Luna watched below as she noticed that Twilight was becoming angrier. Her eyes glowed a brighter white than before, and she was lifting off the ground. Luna could sense that Twilight's power was drawing magic from a dark entity. She didn't know what was going within the unicorn, but she saw an advantage. Twilight would become consumed with anger, and as she demonstrated before, she would act on her rage and not think about what she was doing.

"What is the matter Twilight?! Have you lost your nerve?!" Luna called out to the unicorn. She wanted to make her angry now. She had something perfect planned for her.

She mocks you...and you let her.. Twilight shook her head trying to stop the voice that taunted her, not even noticing she was being lifted from the ground. She was losing control. Where was the other Twilight? She needed her now...

Shut up.

"C'mon Twilight!" You said I was weak before, prove it!" Luna cried to her. She wanted to see that rage take over.

Kill her! Give in! Give in to your rage!

No! I'm in control! You listen to me!

SHE IS WEAK! KILL HER!

Twilight was now completely in midair, fighting a battle within herself, ignoring Luna and the outside. She had to stop this voice. If she lost control....

"Do you remember how they screamed Twilight Sparkle?! Remember how they suffered?! I enjoyed their pain and screams Twilight!" Luna laughed out loudly.

You bitch...! The lid flew off and a wave of boiling, burning anger took her over.

"YOU BITCH! I'M GOING TO ENJOY HEARING YOU SCREAM!" Twilight screamed. She lost all control, and a tornado of magic covered her.

"I FUCKING HATE YOU LUNA! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!" The walls started to rip away and blocks of marble span around her. The marble floor started to rip from the floor.

Luna smiled widely. This power was fueled by Twilight's rage. And she knew exactly how to break it.

"STOP SMILING! I HATE YOUR SMILE!" Twilight bellowed. There were now bolts of electricity that shot through the spinning tornado of rage induced magic.

"Then make me Twilight Sparkle! Come and take it away!" Luna cried back.

"SHUT UP!!!!!" Twilight screamed, her rage burning her body inside. It was so hot, like lava bursting within her. She threw herself forward toward the mocking alicorn.

YES! KILL HER! END HER! Twilight obeyed. She flew towards Luna, and Luna now flew towards her. They met each other and threw their hooves together. Their hooves clashed against each other. with a loud thunderous clap. They were now face to face with each other, muzzles barely touching. Twilight looked into those hated teal eyes and Luna looked into her burning white hot eyes.

"So much rage inside you Twilight Sparkle. It gives you incredible power. It's a shame that it's being wasted with some pony like you!" Luna said. Twilight pushed against Luna's hooves, wanting to break her into a million different pieces. Her body flared into a what almost looked like a purple flame, and she gritted her teeth. She had to break Luna. It wasn't enough to kill her, she had to suffer even after this life.

"SHUT UP!!! JUST SHUT UP AND DIE!" she screamed in Luna's face. She ran magic through her, pushing against Luna's hooves.

"I'm afraid it is not me who will die this day." Luna said as her horn lit up. Twilight looked up to only find out too late. The beam of black magic fired right into her face, and sent her plummeting into the ground. She flew right into the partially destroyed marble ground, and landed on her back. She felt the impact against the ground and blood squirted right out of her mouth. Her eyes flashed back to normal, the aura of magic that had surrounded her had instantly dissapeared. She laid on the ground, her body in extreme pain. Her head throbbed like a drum, and she could only see Luna descend back to the ground. All her rage was gone in an instant, and was taken by this pain that wrecked her body.

Are you okay Twilight!? The other Twilight was back!

Unng...where were you?! Why was she just now coming back in her head. Where was she the whole time?

I was trapped Twilight. There something else in you that kept me from holding you back. I couldn't reach you, it seemed to block me out and I couldn't see what was going on.

What the hell are you talking about?! Twilight yelped as she felt shocks go through her head.

Luna went over to her sword, picking it back up with her magic, tired of dealing with this pest. She was annoying, but she got to see her power. It only excited her now knowing what she was going to take from the lavender unicorn.

It spoke to me Twilight. It said you belong to it. Twilight was confused while laying in the ground unable to move her legs and get up. Her body refused to.

What are you talking about!? I have to get up! I have to stop Luna!" She tried once more to move her legs once again, but shocks of pain ran through her.

Your dream damnit! Malum blocked me out! He took over your power! Twilight eyes opened with horror. She remembered Malum, the one who tortured her in chains, who broke her soul and will, making her beg for death and making her see the other Twilight that ripped out of her stomach. Was he real??

Malum's real?!!! It couldn't be real. She didn't want to face Malum again. She didn't want that terror coming back to her.

Luna walked over to the small crater that Twilight's impact had created. She laid her eyes on the broken Twilight, blood running down her mouth, and her body just laying there. Luna laughed inside. Twilight had all this power, but she didn't know how to control it.

Yes. He is slowly taking over every time you lose control of yourself. He was able to block me out. The voice you heard was him. Twilight felt cold inside. Malum was in her and all because she couldn't keep control. She tried to move her body once again, but shocks of pain ran through it, unable to still move.

Your body is damaged. You overexerted it using your element.

So I'm dead then? Twilight didn't want to admit it, but she was now a sitting duck. The magic she was using was too much for her body to take, and in turn, her body had shut down on her, unwilling to continue. All because she gave in, once again, and lost control.

Twilight...

Twilight looked up and saw Luna standing over her. She knew this was it.

"It's sad Twilight. Sad that you wield such great power, yet, you can't even control it without some pony pushing you over the edge." Twilight only laid on the ground, watching as Luna ridiculed her.

"But I do commend you for your effort, a wasted effort, but an effort at the least. Now, maybe you realize, that I am meant to have the elements and control Equestria."

Twilight hated how she just was laying on the ground, defeated and broken. She had done this to herself. Maybe Luna was right. Maybe this was all meant to be. What hope did she have now? Twilight felt her body being lifted. She noticed her body was covered in a black aura and completely now in Luna's magical grip. She floated up toward her body was in front of Luna. All she could do was meet Luna's eyes.

"You have lost Twilight Sparkle. You will join your friends and aid me in saving Equestria. Take heart that your death will not be wasted." Luna preached, accepting her victory over the limp unicorn.

This is it... Twilight thought about Pinkie and Celestia. She couldn't save them. She would never see them again, and Pinkie will suffer the same fate that she was about to endure.

At least she has Celestia...

"Anything you want to say before I end your miserable life?" Luna asked, taking delight that she had beaten the Element of Magic.

Twilight spat at her and a blotch of blood landed on the corner of Luna's mouth. Luna's eyes brightened and she smiled.

Stop smiling...

Luna dragged her tongue across the blood that had landed near her mouth, and licked it up, savoring Twilight's blood.

"Your a sick fuck Luna." Twilight said. If she was going to die, she was going to die defiant to the end.

"Does not matter. You are not going to live long enough to know how sick I can be. Goodbye Twilight Sparkle." Luna brought her sword to Twilight's stomach, and thrust her blade into the helpless mare. Twilight felt the blade pierce through her. She felt the steel run into her stomach and cried out in pain. Her insides were burning and she felt blood running down her coat. She felt something rush up through her throat and coughed. She felt a taste of iron and copper in her mouth and coughed violently, blood spraying out onto the floor.

"How does it feel Twilight? To feel the pain of defeat? To feel your failure to avenge your friends? You have failed them Twilight Sparkle." Luna took her bloody blade out of Twilight and threw her to the floor. Twilight landed back onto the marble floor, now laying in a growing pool of her own blood.

I lost..I failed...I'm sorry.. Twilight gave up. She couldn't fight her. She raised her head and saw the hole in her stomach spewing blood. She coughed again and more blood spattered on the floor. Luna walked to her until she was standing over her, and positioned her blade across Twilight's neck. Twilight turned her head and closed her eyes, her body in severe pain. She had now accepted it. She was going to die. She had failed....

Celestia woke up. She felt a tingling pain in her side. She looked over and noticed her white fur was scorched and then notice something was laying against her. She looked over and saw Pinkie laying on her. Pinkie was unconscious still. Celestia looked around and only saw black around her. Suddenly memories rushed to her head. Luna sending a spell at Pinkie and her getting in front of her. She tried to cast a shielding spell but she was too late and remembered herself getting hit by it and flying into the wall and Pinkie and Twilight was alone.

Here eyes shot open with fear. Twilight was alone! Alone with Luna! She quickly rose up and looked around for an opening. She now knew where they were. They were still in the hall, but Luna had cast a restraining spell on them.

"YOU BITCH! I'M GOING TO ENJOY HEARING YOU SCREAM!" Celestia looked around, noticing her student's voice. She was angry, and Celestia knew that she was fighting Luna. She had to get out of here quickly but first she needed Pinkie to wake up. She went over to Pinkie and nudged her with her muzzle. Pinkie stayed motionless, still not able to wake up.

SHUT UP!!!JUST SHUT UP AND DIE!! Celestia was beyond worrying. She was terrified of what was happening to Twilight, hearing her angry. She took her hooves and shook Pinkie, but gained the same result. She shook Pinkie harder, but she still would not wake up.

Celestia heard a crash as if something flew into the ground. she only hoped it wasn't Twilight who was the one crashing into it.

"Pinkie! Wake up Pinkie Pie." Pinkie stirred but still did not wake up.

"Pinkie! You need to wake up! Twilight needs help!" Pinkie slowly lifted her pink eyelids, hearing Celestia call her name. She slowly got up and held her head.

"Owww, my head hurts" she said rubbing her pink noggin. She looked around,"Where are we? Where's Twilight?"

Celestia looked around looking for a way to leave Luna's magical prison.

"Were trapped by Luna's magic. It has separated us from Twilight, and I fear that they are fighting as we speak."

"Oh no, Twilight is all alone! We got to get out of here! Isn't there a spell you know or something to get us out Princess?" Pinkie pleaded. She needed to get back to Twilight.

Celestia thought to herself. She saw no weak opening in the spell, but maybe she could force it open, breaking it essentially.

"I do not see a weak spot in this Pinkie. It seems my sister has improved upon her magic. I will have to force it open."

Pinkie looked up to the princess. "What you mean force it open? Can't you make it just dissapear or something?" Celestia had to keep in mind that Pinkie had no knowledge of magic.

"No. Her spell had been perfected to where there are no weak spots. She has sharpened her mind to the point where she can split it and keep focus on multiple tasks at once. I will have to break it open." Pinkie didn't understand anything about magic but she knew enough that Celestia was simply going to blast it open.

"Stand next to me Pinkie. Were getting out of here. We have to help Twilight." Pinkie nodded and stood next the princess. Celestia eyes glowed yellow and focused. She had to destroy the barrier, she had to get to her student, and Pinkie had to help her marefriend. A bright light shot out of Celestia's horn and crashed against the ceiling of the barrier making a loud crashing sound. Celestia focused harder. She had to get out for Twilight's sake, for Pinkie's sake, and her own. A new surge of bright magic surged through and blasted again against the barrier. She looked up and noticed a the dark void cracking like glass.

"You almost got it Princess!" Pinkie exclaimed.

Celestia focused even harder, now giving it all she had. Here eyes went to a bright yellow and she shot another blast of magic at the barrier. It crashed again against it, and the barrier fell piece by piece.

"Yeah Celestia! You are the pony!" Pinkie cried and bounced. The barrier kept falling apart, until they were back in the hall, but much had transpired. The marble walls were torn apart. chunks of the floor were missing, and all the stained windows were shattered. Pinkie looked around, trying to find Twilight and saw Luna standing. Celestia also noticed Luna, and terror gripped her heart. Both Pinkie Pie and Princess Celestia saw Twilight laying underneath her, her sword next ot her neck, and Twilight was covered in blood. Pinkie's eyes opened in horror as she saw the gaping hole in Twilights stomach, spewing out blood. Before she could scream to her, she was beaten to it.

"LUNA! GET AWAY FROM HER!" Celestia screamed and fired a blazing bolt of magic towards her sister.

"LUNA! GET AWAY FROM HER!" Twilight immediately turning her head, hearing Celestia's voice. Luna looked and saw her sister, but more importantly, a fiery bolt rushing towards her. She couldn't react fast enough and was hit smack dab in the side, sending her flying away form Twilight. Twilight watched as Luna was blasted away from her, Her body started going cold. She knew she was losing blood, and that her end was coming. Pinkie and Celestia ran to Twilight.

Pinkie looked at the blood that was still spewing from the unicorn. Tears poured from her blue eyes.

"No. no no no no no no Twilight. You..you can't be...you can't....Twilight hang on!"Pinkie didn't know what to say. She was watching Twilight die in front of her. Pinkie turned to Celestia crying.

"Can't you do something to heal her?! Use your magic?!" She didn't want her Twilight to die. This wa no longer about how imperative that they get the Element Beares back, but about her marefriend. Celestia thought quickly, her heart twisiting around watching her student laying in her own pool of blood. She could heal her, but it would take time. She would have to ask Pinkie to hold Luna off but she would just be putting another in danger, but she didn't have a choice.

"I can heal her, but I need you to keep Luna busy Pinkie. I have to act quick or Twilight won't make it." Pinkie turned back to the bleeding unicorn and put her hoof across her lavender cheek.

"You hear that Twilight? Princess Celestia can heal you,"she sobbed to her,"She gonna fix you right up. Just stay with me okay?"

Twilight smiled weakly, blood again spewing out of her mouth. She heard what Pinkie was saying, but she knew this was it for her.

"P..Pinkie...I...I'm s..so..sorry. I..I failed...our friends,"Twilight said gasping,"I..I..love you..Pinkie..Pie." Twilight felt cold, and she wanted to sleep.

"No!No Twilight! Just hang in there!"

"Pinkie! I need to treat her now!" Celestia said urgently. Her student was fading away. If there was any chance of saving her, she needed to do it now. Pinkie moved quickly out of the way, while Celestia laid on all fours pointing her horn towards the wound. Her horn glowed a soft warm yellow light, and it's aura surrounded it.

"Pinkie. I have to concentrate. You must keep Luna busy long enough for me to close the wound and regain some of her lost blood. I can fix these, but it takes time."

Pinkie only looked at Twilight, not paying attention to Celestia's directions. Her focus was on all the blood. She raised her front hooves and noticed that she had Twilight's blood on them.

"Pinkie! Do you understand!?"

Pinkie's head started to hurt.

Luna got up from being blasted away by Celestia. Her eyes were burning white, and her mane had grwon larger with her anger, now almost spectral in appearance.

"I have had enough of all this! You are wasting my time with your interruptions!" Luna screamed at them. Celstia couldn't respond. She had to focus. She had to save her student.

Pinkie was holding her head, still seeing the red blood on her hooves. She turend around, remembering she had to keep Luna occupied.

Luna caught Pinkie's eyes. "I suppose I will have the Element of Magic in time here soon. Now, for you dear Pinkie Pie, I guess your going to protect your dear Twilight."

Pinkie kept grabbing her head, it was throbbing even worse. Her hooves were shaking, and she only stared at the blood on them. It felt warm and wet, and Twilight's blood had been spilled. Her head throbbed harder.

Luna became frustrated, thinking the pink mare was ignoring her. "Speak up Pinkie Pie! Or do you wish to end up like you dear lover?"

Pinkie shot the meanest look she had ever given any pony in her life. "BE QUIET! SHE IS NOT GOING TO DIE! NOT BY YOU! YOUR A GIANT MEANY!" Pinkie screamed. Her head now shot with burning pain. She fell to her hind knees grabbing her head.

Celestia couldn't look at Pinkie, seeing what was going on with her. She had to focus. She only hoped that Pinkie was alright. The world around Celestia blacked out, and only her and her dying pupil now existed. She could not give any other attention elsewhere.

Pinkie pie shook her head. Her head was in searing pain, and only Luna watched. She was confused. She knew Pinkie was the random pony, but she did not like the fact that she was in pain because she was not causing it.

Pinkie shook her head. Where was this searing pain coming from?

"Ohhh, it hurts. Make it stop." she moaned to herself. The pain throbbed but then she heard something. A small laughter ringed in her head. It was laughing for some reason. It became louder and louder until it ringed in her head. She could hear herself laughing in her head but this wasn't her normal laughing. The laughing sounded sadistic and dark. She looked at her hooves once again, now stained red with her marefriends blood. Her eyes sunk in her head. She started to laugh quietly, feeling something rising in her. It felt like excitement. her laughing escaped her mouth and she was now chuckling to herself, and then it became full out laughter.

Luna watched as the pink pony started laughing like a maniac.

"What are you laughing about welp?" Luna demanded. She was completely at a lost for what was happening.

Pinkie turned to Luna staring into her eyes laughing. Then Luna noticed. Pinkie's pupils had become small and red. Her bouncy mane went flat along with her tail. Pinkie stood up on her hind legs, continually laughing. Her pink bright coat turned into a darker shade of itself, and a blood red aura radiated from her body.

"Why are you laughing!" Luna roared. She would not stand for this low earth pony to be laughing at her future ruler.

Pinkie ceased her laughing, smiling wickedly at Luna.

"I'm laughing because I'm thinking about how bad I'm going to hurt you. You hurt my Twilight! Now i'm going to hurt you! I'm going to hurt you real good!" Pinkie exclaimed, laughing some more.

Luna narrowed her eyes. She was becoming annoyed with this pony. She was the exact opposite of Twilight, but she was still an element. She needed her.

"You cannot hurt me. Your foolish lover already tried and now she will lose her life because of it. You will only meet the same result Pinkie Pie." she stated.

Pinkie laughing stopped and pointed her hoof at Luna yelling,"Don't call me that! It's Pinkamena to you bitch!" Her appearance was no longer of the fun loving party pony, but now an evil and dark looking pony, ready to finish what her lover started.

"And you and I are going to have one hell of a party!"

The Element Of Laughter had finally come out to play....

(A/N. Wow, I feel proud. I got two chapters out in one day. Go me. Now, I know Pinkamena is not an original idea, but damn I love Pinkamena. So sorry if anyone does not like that, but hey, I know many many stories that do the same thing. Now, the reason I have put out two chapters today is because tommorow I have a trip to go on and won;t be back until Sunday night. Soo, I won't be able to update daily like I have been for a couple days. You can probably expect Part 14 either Monday or Tuesday. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and the story thus far. Cheers.)

Part 14: Pinkamena Diane Pie

Luna knew that this was now the Element of Laughter’s power before her, but she did not expect to see such a dark manifestation of it. It did not matter though, because once she had all of them, her power would be unmatched. Besides, this was a simple earth pony, what could she do against her? She was an alicorn soon to be god.

“Pitiful earth pony! You will NOT talk to me this way!” Luna commanded.

Pinkamena laughed harder, “Oh is Woona getting mad? Here, let’s put a smile on that face!” Pinkamena said as she bolted towards Luna, running on her hind legs. Luna’s eyes went wide, amazed of how fast this pink pony was running towards her. She was running so fast, that Pinkamena now was right in front of her face. She could see the insanity in her tiny red eyes and it actually set something inside Luna, something she didn’t believe she had…fear.

“Think fast!” Pinkamena said playfully.

“Wha-!” Luna wouldn’t be able to finish her sentence as a pink hoof came across her face. Pinkamena felt the cracking of bone against her hoof and watched Luna’s face move with it. A fiery excitement filled in Pinkamena’s body, seeing the wince of pain in Luna’s teal eyes.

Luna felt her jaw crack under the power of her hoof, and felt herself fly against the floor, spiining and rolling onto the ground, the marble floor ripping away as she hit the ground. Pinkamena watched as Luna flew into the ground. She enjoyed hurting her, more than any pony should. Luna had hurt Twilight and if she died…

Luna quickly got up, feeling a sharp pain in her jaw. This mere earth pony had incredible speed and strength. She summoned her sword to her, now wanting to only end Pinkamena.

“Ohhh, what’s wrong Luna? Did I hurt you!?” Pinkamena cried manically. She couldn’t believe how funny it was to see Luna fly across the floor. To feel her hoof against her flesh excited her more than a party could ever do. She wondered how her blood would feel on her…

Luna stared down Pinkamena across the room, becoming more and angrier that this idiotic pony was mocking her.
“Enough with your games! That is nothing compared to the pain you will suffer!” Luna yelled angrily and spread her wings and flew towards her. She gritted her teeth, wanting to end Pinkamena. She was tired of the games and how seemingly carefree this pony was. What she hated more than anything was that for a moment, she, Luna, was actually scared of this now insane pony. She now only wanted to slice her in two, and then see who got the last laugh.

Pinkamena ran towards the enraged Luna. Luna swung her sword right where Pinkamena’s head would meet it, but she had different plans.

“Weeeeee!” Pinkamena exclaimed as she slid on her hind knees, dodged the incoming blade that would have beheaded her, and was sliding right under the flying Luna. “Now, let’s see how you like it when you hurt some pony’s tummy!”referencing to Twilight’s gash in her stomach.

As if time slowed down, Luna realized what just happened. The earth pony had slid right under her, missing her completely, and now was completely vulnerable from underneath. Pinkamena threw her hoof right into Luna’s stomach. Luna gasped, all the air rushing out of her lungs. Pinkamena pushed up more Luna’s stomach. She wanted to push through her flesh and feel the warm blood that ran through her veins, but the full force of her power would not grant her that. Luna flew straight up, smashing against the ceiling, and then began to plummet to the ground.

“I’ll help you Luna!” Pinkamena said, now running in place and stretching her legs. Luna was about to smash right into the floor, but the now insane pony had a different idea. Pinkamena threw her leg out as if she was going to kick a soccer ball, with Luna being the ball. Her pink leg met Luna’s stomach once again, and Luna gasped even more but with blood flying out her mouth from the sheer power of Pinkamena’s kick. She turned her whole body around, putting all of her power into her leg, and sent Luna flying into the wall once again.

“Goal!” Pinkamena said in celebration.

Luna forced herself back up, staggering to get up an all hooves once again. She was still gasping for air, trying to fill her lungs back up with oxygen. How was she so fast? Luna knew she had not put her full speed into that attack, but any normal pony wouldn’t have had reacted that quickly and would have their head rolling off their shoulders before they knew what happened. Then again, this was no normal pony she was fighting with.

“Are you enjoying the party Luna?! Cause I’m having a hell of a time!” Pinkamena exclaimed, laughing at how pitiful Luna looked. She had scratches and bruises and dirt on her, while Pinkamena stood unscathed.

Luna looked around. She realized she could not let Pinkamena get close to her, so she would have to fight her from a distance. Pinkamena was a regular earth pony, so she had no magic that she could use to use ranged attacks, and with no wings she couldn’t use the air to her advantage. She did have speed, but Luna was confident she could dodge them. Pinkamena simply threw her off guard at first. That wouldn’t happen again. She kept looking around, still taking in air that Pinkamena had punched and kicked out of her, trying to see if she could use her environment to her advantage.

“C’mon Luna! I’m getting bored! Let’s play another game! I’ll even let you start!” Pinkamena laughed. Only insane laughing filled her mind. She knew she was toying with Luna and whipping her ass, and she loved it. Luna’s pain and hearing her desperate gasps of air had filled her with a dark happiness.

“SILENCE! I WILL NOT BE TOYED WITH LIKE THIS!” Luna yelled at her. She couldn’t believe that she was letting this pony beat her. She knew the elements were strong , but only had expected the Element of Magic to be the most powerful while the others being weak in comparison, so why was she having trouble dealing with this? The Element of Laughter?

Pinkamena grinned devilishly. She loved that she was getting under Luna’s skin. “Oh, you’re not a toy Luna. You do have a nice coat, though, hmmmm, I can make a scarf for when we get Rarity back. I can call it the Night Sky.” Pinkamena smiled even more at Luna, the thought of skinning Luna’s coat off her and seeing all that blood pour out of her…
.
“YOU INSOLENT WENCH! I’M DONE! YOU DIE NOW!” Luna roared. Her eyes glowed a bright white, and her spectral mane burst out. Her horn lit up with a black aura. It became darker and darker around her horn completely covering her sharp appendage. She charged her magic within her, and Pinkamena stood watching and smiling at her. Luna could still see her blood colored pupils burning into hers. She hated it. “DIE!” she screamed as she hurled a one giant black magical spear at her.
Pinkamena ran towards the black bolt and flipped right over it but Luna had already planned that. When Pinkamena came down onto the floor, another bolt was already heading straight for her. Two spectral butcher knives appeared in both of Pinkamena’s hooves covered in the same blood red aura as her body. She raised one of the knives and deflected the bolt which flew straight into the floor, ripping more marble off the floor, leaving only rock and rubble.

Luna was bewildered. How did she now wield two blades, spectral blades no less. Only unicorns could only have the ability to produce that. She was an earth pony! She couldn’t have magic! Luna only watched Pinkamena stand there with her red spectral butcher knives, holding them in a reverse grip. Luna thought to herself how she could have…the element…it was her element! This was not natural magic that Pinkamena drew from, how could she? It was the magic of her element but then another realization came to her. She remembered how the Elements of Harmony were used against her as Nightmare Moon. They were uselsess against her until Twilight figured that the sixth element was magic. It was the spark…the spark! Luna’s mind went into double gear as she knew how to kill Pinkamena. She had to kill the element of magic. Without it, the elements were useless. Pinkamena would be no more without the magic that ran it. She had to finish Twilight off to finish Pinkamena.
Luna looked over Pinkamena to see Celestia near Twilight trying to heal her. She had been fighting the wrong pony. She had to break Celestia’s focus, and have Twilight die.

“Now these are real nice,” Pinkamena said as she admired the two butcher knives she now wielded,”Ooooo, I just got a great idea Loony!”

Luna’s attention was brought back to Pinkamena. She had to focus on killing Twilight but had to maintain her distance from this insane earth pony.

“I’m gonna use these to make a piñata out of you! I can just rip out all those nasty organs of yours, I mean they seem to make you real mean, mean enough to HURT TWILIGHT! But that’s okay. I’m gonna fill you up with happy delicious candy. I’m sure that will make you be good!” Pinkamena said happily.

“You are insane, but we will see how long you last once I finish off your dying Twilight.” Luna sneered.

Pinkamena’s playful demeanor left her. She shook with anger hearing about Twilight. Reminding her that she was dying…

“NO! SHE WON’T DIE! NO ONE ELSE DIES! SHE AND ALL OUR FRIENDS OUR COMING BACK HOME!” She screamed.

Luna brought her eyes back to Celestia and Twilight. Celestia had her eyes closed trying to heal her dying student, focusing only on her and oblivious to the world around her. She had to break her concentration.

Pinkamena caught where Luna’s teal eyes were looking and knew what she planned to do. She was going to go after Celestia and Twilight.

“NO! YOU STAY AWAY FROM THEM! I THREW THIS PARTY JUST FOR YOU BITCH!” Pinkamena ran towards Luna with her new weapons. She was going to carve right into her. Luna switched her focus back to Pinkamena barely dodging one of her swinging knives. She quickly summoned her sword to deflect Pinkamnena’s barrage of slashes and swipes.

Pinkamena threw all her anger into her swipes at Luna. “You hurt my Twilight! It’s your turn to hurt!” Pinkamena yelled still swiping at Luna, only to have them defelcted by Luna’s blade, but she was relentless. She was not stopping and she refused to stop. She had to see her blood, she had to make her bleed.

Luna could only block her savage knives from cutting right into her. She couldn’t take the time for an attack because Pinkamena did not let up. She thought about using her magic but Pinkiamena was way too close for her. She would hurt herself in the process if she did.

The alicorn who wished to be a god, and Pinkamena Diane Pie clashed blades at lightining speeds. If anypony were watching them, they would only see the air moving around the two. Their blades could not be seen by the normal eye. They were only locked in battle with each other, each waiting for the other to slip up so they could cut into the other.

“You do realize this is a wasted effort?! You can’t keep doing this forever! I have fought in countless times and have slain many like you! What makes you think you can win?!” Luna said defending off Pinkamena from her deadly slicing knives.
Pinkamena smiled. Not a wicked smile, but a smile of satisfaction. Luna continued parrying the two blades but was confused. “What are you smiling about?!” Luna asked quickly, carefully dodging another savage slice.

“I’m not trying to win…you have something I need.” Luna suddenly remembered. She knew Pinkamena was keeping her away from Celestia and Twilight, but she had completely disregarded what Pinkamena and Twilight had said.

…All our friends are coming back home!

Luna quickly lit her horn. She had no choice.

“No. You. Don’t!” Pinkmena cried, gritting her teeth now going for Luna’s neck. Luna summoned her magic and fired from her horn hoping the blast would push this now clever and insane pony. She knew she would hurt herself in the process, but she had to. She backed her head away seeing one of Pinkamena’s knives lunge for her neck while she fired her black magic at her. The bolt hit the ground next to them, and the shockwave of the blast pulled them apart, but not before Pinkamena’s knife caught on to the chain of her necklace. The blast tugged them away, ripping the accursed necklace from Luna’s neck. Pinkamena grabbed it with her teeth while flying backwards onto the floor, her body digging right into the ground. Luna followed the same, her body dragging through the ground from her own attack.

Pinkamena opened her eyes realizing she was still on the floor and her spectral butcher knives were gone, but that didn’t matter to her. She spit out the metal chain that had the black gem attached to it. She had it. She had the very key to bringing their friends back. Pinkamena studied the necklace for a moment. The black gem had some type of black liquid swirling continuously in it. It was strange, but she had it. She got up and placed the necklace around her neck. It was her turn to play defense. She could not let Luna get it back. She may be Pinkamena, but she was also still Pinkie Pie. Her love of her friends still proved to be dominant over the insane and blood thirsty Pinkamena.

Luna felt her body drag through the ground, but her focus was elsewhere. She had lost the necklace. The key holding her rightful power. Her key that could make her as powerful as a god. She had sacrificed too much and shed too much blood to lose it to…her. Luna’s body stopped dragging through the ground, as she had done many times now, all because of this one pony. Hatred burned for Pinkamena. She was a lowly earth pony, but for her to be beaten around by her and now tricked to the point of losing her most prized possession, it burned her up. She stood up, now seeing HER necklace, HER rightful power, HER ticket to godhood, around the wretched ponies neck. She opened her wings once more and rose into the air. She had been pushed over her limit.

“THAT IS OURS! HOW DARE YOU TAKE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS!”

Pinkamena looked up at the enraged Luna. She positioned her hind legs to support her, feeling the fury of Luna’s yelling hit her, threatening to send her backwards, but she stood her ground.

“YOU HAVE TESTED US FOR THE LAST TIME PIKAMENA DIANE PIE! NOW ALL OF YOU WILL DIE!”

“Oh good! You got my name right! Are you mad that I got your precious little necklace? I think we need it more than you. How can you become a god when you can’t even take care of your stuff!?” Pinkamena yelled back to her. She loved seeing Luna so angry at her. She could hear Luna’s blood boiling over and flowing through her. She wanted to swim in it. But Pinkie’s friends were more important for now. She was Pinkie’s element, and she would do what Pinkie desired most. For now, it was her friends.

“ENOUGH! YOU ALL DIE!” Luna roared. Several black shards formed around Luna, pointing at Pinkamena, Celestia, and the dying Twilight. Pinkamena’s blades reappeared, as if they knew she was going to need them, but how? She would have to protect Celestia and Twilight. If any one of those hit Celestia and either lose focus or kill her, Twilight was done for, and then she would be done for. She couldn’t protect them with just these two knives. No. She needed more, much more. Pinkamena threw the pair of knives away and threw her arms in front of her. She had a nice big present for her dear Luna.
“DIE!” Luna commanded, and all the black shards flew through the air to their intended targets. Several spectral knives appeared, forming an arch over Pinkamena.

“YOU FIRST!” Pinkamena yelled and threw her arms forward, throwing the knives to meet Luna’s black deadly shards of magic. Both of their attacks met each other. Every one of Luna’s black magical shards met Pinkiamena’s flying knives with loud pop sounds, destroying both the meeting knives and Luna’s dark magic.

Luna watched in all her fury as her attack failed. Pinkamena was no easy task to deal with. Twilight was powerful, but this was something completely different. She was not the party pony that loved to laugh, and also the one that feared her, but now it was one that only wanted to see her suffer and die, but she was also dangerously smart. She had gotten her so preoccupied with her, that she kept her from Celestia, and even tricked her into losing her prized necklace. And Pinkamena knew it. This was no longer Pinkie Pie. What she faced was Pinkamena Diane Pie.

“You are powerful Pinkamena. I would have never expected the Element of Laughter to be such a formidable opponent. You have thrown me around as if a doll with ease. You are a power to be reckoned with. But this must end! You will not leave here alive with my key to becoming a god! None of you will leave here alive! Give up and accept your inevitable death!” Luna declared.

Pinkamena listened to her and could only laugh now.

“My death? You’re the one getting her plot kicked around by me! It’s not my death you should be worried about. And why does it have to end? I have still so much to show you Luna! This party has only started!” Pinkamena laughed out manically, now summoning not just several but almost hundreds of blood red spectral knives floating over her, pointing for Luna.
Luna horn lit up brightly and hundreds of black shards floated in midair along with her.

“Try as you might Pinkamena, but I am to be a god! One that will have power beyond imagining! Nothing will stop me from my rightful power. I deserve the Elements of Harmony! I will stand while Equestria’s enemies bleed before me! You cannot hope to defeat a god!”

Pinkamena smiled, motioning her arms forward again, ready to throw hundreds of pierceing knives to open Luna up and spill her blood through the hall.

“You’re not a god yet Luna!”

Luna gritted her teeth, hearing her words.

“But I’ll tell you one thing bitch.”

Luna readied her black shards to pin the pink pony to the floor and turn her into a bloody impaled piece of flesh.

“Even gods….!” They both fired their projectiles, both only watching as deadly blades and magic flew toward one another.

“Even gods can bleed!”

(A/N. So, here I am 2:00 in the bloody morning writing this in my hotel room. God, what is wrong with me? I know I said it would be till Monday or Tuesday that I would have this part up, but for some reason when I went to bed at nine today, my brain was telling me write the damn thing...and I enjoyed every single bit of it. Anyways, so here is part 14, probably my favorite from my whole layout. So, yes, I know Monday or Tuesday but ponies got me once again. Confound them, I'm going to bed. Leave some comments or send some hate whichever you want, I'm all for it. Enjoy!)

Part 15: Her Faithful Student

Princess Celestia focused on the gaping wound that Twilight had suffered. She knew she was very vulnerable doing this, but she had to trust Pinkie Pie. With Twilight now dying, she really had no other choice, but she hadn't been killed yet, so Pinkie must be doing something to keep her sister occupied. She knew what she had told Pinkie, but it was a hollow couragement. A medical pony could heal her, she could only extend Twilight's time, whatever little that was. She could close the gash, but there was no way she could replace all the blood she had lost, but she would use a different life giving substance.

Magic.

Celestia knew many things from her long existence that most ponies would never learn in their entire lifetimes and things that not even her now sadistic sister did not know. She would sustain Twilight with her own power, her own magic, at least long enough until she could get help for her. Celestia saw the world much different from all other ponies, for she saw what bound life together and what really sustained it. She saw the magic in the world. It was a constant flow and system. A system that took many years for her to understand and eventually manipulate. Every pony had magic in them, but only unicorns could utilize and control it, while pegasi and earth pony's couldn't. She could see the connections, as if another set of veins, in a pony's body, intertwined with each other and with their own special aura that radiated from it.

Celestia had her eyes closed to keep her focus, but she could still see Twilight's body. Her magic was not just for her deemed purposes, but also an extension of her senses. She could feel and see with it. She could feel Twilight's broken flesh slowly come together and see the connections that ran through her body. A light purplish magic flowed through them, but they were dim and much slower. She could seal the torn flesh and she would give some of her own magic to Twilight to strengthen the flow of her magic, and would buy her dear student some more time. She had her worries though. This was actually her first time performing this type of healing. She has healed others before, but they were only minor injuries, or injuries that she knew a pony would survive. This was much different. It was now Twilight who needed help, hanging by a thread to life. Celestia was going to infuse her own magic into her student's own. She was an alicorn, meaning her magic was much stronger than any type of other pony. It would have enough power in it to sustain her student longer. Celestia's only worry was what the effect, or if any effect, this would have on Twilight, but did it matter? She wasn't going ot let her Twilight die, and whatever came from it, she would help her. She wouldn't abandon her again.

Celestia continued pouring her magic into Twilight's body. Her only concern was keeping Twilight alive. She felt It was her fault. Her own sister had done this to her, and she let it happen. Celestia knew in her heart this could have been all prevented, someway, somehow. No matter what happened or who did it, she was the ruler of Equestria, and she had to take responsibility for this. Just another regret now piled onto her lengthy list.

She continued focusing, but something was creeping in her mind. A memory, not a bad one or one that would make her lose focus, but one that only pushed her to save her student even more. One that ripped into her heart and produced a single tear from the regretful alicorn....

"Can I bring Smarty Pants with me?" the small lavender filly asked. Celestia looked down into her big glowing purple eyes and smiled warmly at her. Celestia loved how innocent she was. She actually adored small filly's and how innocent and curious they always were.

"Of course Twilight. We wouldn't want to leave him now would we?"

Twilight beamed and ran to get her precious doll. Celestia watched as the small Twilight grabbed her beloved doll and put it in her saddlebag.

"Smarty Pants is ready!" Twilight exclaimed to her teacher, reinforcing the fact that they were actually now both ready.

"Very well then, shall we go?" Celestia asked warmly as she began to lead the way. Twilight nodded and followed her adored teacher. Celestia had a tough lesson planned for her student, but nothing that she couldn't handle. She knew Twilight was an extraordinary unicorn, and very advanced in her level of magic for her age. She wanted to test just how advanced.

Celestia entered her personal chambers with Twilight following close behind her. Very few got to see Celestia's room, but this was normal for Twilight. She had brought her here for many lessons, and this was no different.

"So what do I do today Princess?" Twilight asked eagerly. Celestia knew she was always looking forward to learning something new.

"Something simple. You see those two cups?" she said as she motioned her hoof towards a table with two clear glass cups and one of them was filled with water. "I want you to take the water from the filled glass, and levitate the water into the empty glass without spilling a drop of it."

Twilight looked at her confused. Celestia knew her student's thoughts by giving her such an easy task. Twilight could levitate many things already, though it was still pretty advanced to levitate a multitude of objects at her age.

"Princess, with all respect, but, I have done this before. I mean, I appreciate you teaching me, but I have done this before."

Celestia chuckled a bit inside. Twilight was completly right. This was actually one of her first tests when she first began teaching her to levitate things with her magic.

"It is alright my dear Twilight. I just want to see you do it again. Just to make sure you understand how to do it completely." Celestia knew that Twilight could do this easily, if it was normal water. She had taken the liberty of taking the water and enchanting it, making it immune to unicorn magic. She really wanted to test her student today.

"Alright Princess." Twilight said half-heartily. Celestia smiled at the filly. She knew that Twilight was disappointed. She was probably looking forward to learn something new. Little did the she know, she was learning something new.

Twilight levitated Smarty Pants out of her saddlebag and sat it beside her. It couldn't be just herself, she wanted Smarty Pants to learn also. "Ready?" she said to the doll. Moments later she nodded, and Celesta figured that Smarty Pants had answered her.

Twilight's horn started glimmering lightly and progressively started to shine brightly. A purple aura took hold of the clear liquid but she couldn't lift it. Twilight stopped, now even more confused than before. She tried once again to no avail. Then again and again again until she finally became way to frustrated to continue. She looked over to her now amused teacher.

"I can't lift it!? Why can't I lift it?? I had done this so many times! I'm sorry, I studied real hard when we did this, but I failed. I'm sorry please don't be mad." the small filly pleaded. Celestia was taken back. She didn't expect Twilight to act this way and now she only felt guilt in her. She wasn't looking for Twilight to feel like she had failed. She looked into the lavender unicorn's eyes noticing that she was holding back tears. Celestia laid on all fours to now be on Twilight's level.

"My dear student, I know you do your best with everything that I give you, and you exceed my expectations every time. I couldn't get upset with you for that. You have not failed Twilight, only when you give up and stop trying something, is when you fail. I have given you many tasks that most unicorns would not master until later in their lives, but you have mastered them at such a young age. You can do this."

She hoped these words were of guidance for her, not just for this lesson, but for her future. She hated to see Twilight be so hard on herself for everything she did or couldn't do perfectly, but it was also what drove her. Her drive to be the best at what she did is what makes her stand out from the rest. She had an incredible talent for magic, testament to her cutie mark, but Celestia felt even Twilight's cutie mark was not enough credit to her talent. She even ventured to think that Twilight could be more powerful with magic than she ever was one day.

She watched as Twilight smiled at her. She had got the message. Celestia knew she was a fast learner. Twilight turned back to the glass cups with a new determination. Her small horn shimmered once again and became increasingly brighter. Twilight grunted as she focused her mind on moving the water. Celestia watched as Twilight's magic took hold of the water and began to slowly move it out of the glass. She didn't show it, but inside she was astonished. The very fact that Twilight was actually moving the water out of the glass was amazing in itself. She was just a young filly, but she was performing magic that took even Starswirl the Bearded years to master. To perform magic and have it work against something that was immune to it was hard for almost all unicorns, with the exception of a few, now including Twilight being part of those few. She watched as Twilight now had the liquid in midair floating slowly to the empty glass. Twilight now had droplets of sweat coming down her face, and grunting a bit louder trying to maintain her hold on the water. Celestia now watched as Twilight slowly put the water into the empty glass, not spilling one single drop.

She was blown away to say the least. Not only had she been able to move it, but also move it to the other glass and not losing her hold on one particle of it, just as she said. If her eyes weren't wide open before, they were now. With only a few tries, she was able do it. It would have taken other unicorns years to master something this hard, especially dealing with a magic immune item, but this young filly had did it in only measly minutes. Celestia's heart swelled up with pride for her student. She was truly proud of her.

"Oh, I can't believe that was so hard. I need to study more on this. I must have missed something..."Twilight trailed off, lost in her own thought, not realizing how much she really did. Celestia laughed quietly to herself, trying to be discreet, but Twilight took notice quickly.

"What's so funny Princess?" she asked, hoping she wasn't laughing about how much trouble it took her to do something that should have been simple.

"Twilight, you never cease to amaze me. What you have done was simply amazing." Twilight gave her another look of confusion.

"What do you mean? It was just water, and it took me forever just to get it to budge."Celestia chuckled softly again, seeing how her student was so naive of what she had just accomplished.

"Twilight, do you know there have been many unicorns that have taken years and sometimes lifetimes to do what you just did? Very few in Equestria's history could do what you just did at such a young age."

Twilight only became more confused. "But all I did was just move water? There are have been plenty of ponies who can do that." Celestia smiled, knowing what she was about to tell her would throw her off.

"Not every pony can move water when its immune to magic..." The lavender filly's eyes became wide, now realizing finally what she had done. She had moved water with her magic, when it shouldn't have been able to move at all.

"I..it...magic...shouldn't have worked?"

Celestia loved to see her student's astonished expressions sometimes. "Magic shouldn't have worked on it at all, but you made it work. You tried again, and did it, and only in a few tries."

Twilight instantly let a giant smile come across her face and started bouncing around," I did it! I did it! I did it!" Celestia felt herself go warm inside, seeing how happy Twilight was.

"I did it! I can't beleive it! Thank you Princess!" Twilight exclaimed still bouncing around the room. Celestia let out a small laugh.

"Why are you thanking me? Your the one who did it my dear Twilight."

Twilight stopped bouncing and looked toward her teacher still grinning as wide as ever, still ecstatic inside about what she had just done.

"You told me to keep trying." Celestia heart melted. This little filly was thanking her for such small advice. Or was it? It might have been small to her, but maybe the biggest for her student.

"Ow," Twilight yelped, wincing at the pain that was now apparent in her head. Celestia thought maybe she had pushed her a tad bit too hard.

"Are you okay Twilight?"

"Yeah, just my head hurts a bit and I feel cold." Celestia deduced that Twilight had used much more magic than she expected. She looked over her body and saw the magic that flowed within her small body slightly slower than usual which was probably causing the chill to her young student. The headache was probably simply because the amount of focus she must have had to use.

"Come lay next to the fire Twilight. It will help warm you up."

"Umm, Princess, could I just lay,um, with you?" Celsetia was taken back once again. She was her teacher, but she treated Twilight as if she was her own daughter. Was Twilight viewing her as some type of mother figure now? She would not deny her.

"Of course Twilight."

Twilight walked over to her mentor, and laid next to her, snuggling into Celestia's side. Celestia felt the young filly's body against hers, and it filled her heart with a tender,warm, happiness. She watched as Twilight made herself comfortable.

"Thank you Princess" Twilight said quietly. Celestia looked over to the lavender unicorn, and saw her laying on her stomach with her eyes closed. Sleep would be good for her, to get rid of the headache. She watched as the innocent filly slowly let sleep take her before one last whisper.

"I wish I could be like you Princess," and Twilight succumbed to well deserved sleep.

Celestia bowed her head down hearing that last whisper from her pupil. She had wished to be like her, but she only said that based on the side she would show her. Celestia knew what Twilight meant, but something struck her heart. The fact that she wanted to be like her plunged her mind into her past. The war against Discord, and the war she fought with her sister's alter ego, Nightmare Moon, which resulted in her own sister's banishment.

She stared at the now sleeping filly, lost her in her happy dreams. She smiled with sadness in her heart and whispered a response to the now dream lost pony.

"I hope you don't become like me my dear Twilight. You are a magnificent unicorn, and you only deserve happiness and life. Don't become filled with regret and pain as I have in life." she said thinking of the night sky she would have to raise soon.

A reminder of her past yet again....

Twilight's flesh closed itself with Celestia's magic guiding it. She felt herself waning, but she had to continue just a bit longer. She would not let her die. She would not allow it. She knew if she continued longer, her own life will be drained to supplement the lost magic she was using for Twilight, but it did not matter. If she died in the process in order for her to live then so be it. She wasn't there for her for the past ten years, but she was here now when Twilight needed her.

Celestia split her mind, one part still focusing on Twilight, and the other thought now to when she was done healing her, how she would get her out of Canterlot. She needed to get out of here along with Pinkie. This was not their fight, and she could not let Luna continue down her dark path of power. She will fight her and hold her off until they both made it out of Canterlot and to safety. The necklace would have to wait. Right now, Twilight's and Pinkie's safety was of the up most importance to her right now.

She knew General Blaze should be in Canterlot now evacuating citizens, but there was one she needed to contact. The only one that could make sure the two leave safely. She needed to find him for her sake, and for Twilight's and Pinkie's. Someone who would get Twilight to a hospital immediately without fail. Who better than Twilight's own brother..

Shining Armor...

(A/N. Well, I was very much contemplating putting this chapter up. After Pinkamena and to now switch over to this. I really hope I didn't ruin the flow of the story with this, but I also felt I had to explain what was happening with Celestia doing this, considering she is now at the mercy of Luna should Pinkamena fail, and completely vulnerable. A lot of things will be happening at the same time as Pinkamena fights Luna, but do not worry, I will be going back to her soon to see how she is doing. Anyways there is Part 15. Concerns, comments, questions if any, is encouraged. Also, I would like to know if you, the readers, would want to continue having updates almost daily, or I could do major updates being like, the rest of the chapters for Dark Descent that will take you to the end. Tell me your thoughts on this in the comments. Cheers my good fellows!)

Part 16: Sister's Keeper

"Once we have every civilian out of Canterlot, we will head back to the castle and retake it from Luna," Shining Armor commanded to his small group of guards that had gotten away from the slaughterhouse that was Luna.

A gray stallion with a silver colored mane and two golden colored eyes stood beside him with concern in his face when hearing about going back to the castle. "Sir, with all due respect, we lost too many back there. Were only left with only a handful of soldiers now, we can't go back there. It's suicide," the stallion said quietly, not wanting for the soldiers to hear him.

Shining turned his head to him and looked at him dissaprovingly. "We are Princess Celestia's guards Silver. Our duty is to her and her subjects. We have to take back the castle from Luna or die trying. It's our duty to her majesty." Shining Armor understood Silver's concern, but they had a duty to withold, and he was not one to abandon it. He was loyal to Princess Celestia, not just because he was The Captain of the Royal Guard, but also because of his sister. She was Celestia's prized student, and he didn't want to let his sister down by letting her majesty down.

"Please Shining, you'll be sending these young colts back to their death's. You saw what happened in there. You already got most of them..." Silver was cut off sharply by his superior.

"Liuetenant, I know the consequences of my decision. That is exactly why were going to go back once General Blaze returns and all the civilians are safely evacuated out of Canterlot. They will not have died for nothing. Do you understand Lieutenant Silver?" Shining did not need a reminder of the bloodbath that he had witnessed.

"Understood Sir." Silver replied blandly.

"Good. Now, what about the pegasi patrols? I need a report from them soon and not one team has checked in." Silver went into his saddlebag, and read from a piece of parchment.

"Well, Alpha and Delta team are over the perimeter of Canterlot, and Beta and Charlie teams are scouting over the wastelands to make sure that the changelings have not moved further inland."

Shining Armor thought to himself for a moment. It was bad enough that they were all worried about the changelings, but for one of the regal sister to completely lose it and turn on them was a completely different monster. He knew that a conflict with Luna along with the changelings would only spell disaster for Equestria.

"Shining Armor," a raspy voice said. The white colt turned around quickly, and an orange pegasus with a red mane and tail with a streak of yellow stood before him. He quickly shot his hoof to his head along with Silver and the small group of soldiers, saluting their superior.

"General Blaze." Shining Armor replied.

"You and I need to speak privately Shining." Blaze motioned his hoof over to the soldiers that only stood at attention, waiting for commands. Shining Armor nodded and turned to the small group.

"You are dismissed. You may go."

"Yes sir," they said in unison, falling out and leaving the Captain to whatever business he had with the general. He looked over to Silver, nodding to him, signaling that he could leave them in private. Both Shining and Blaze watched as the lieutenenant left them to be.

"How are you holding up Shining?"

Shining knew exactly what he meant. He wasn't doing fine at at all. The image of Luna ripping out a guards intestine from his mouth and then choking him with it wasn't in his book of being classified as fine in his head.

"I am fine sir."

"Cut the formalities Shining. With all the shit going down here, I think we have more things to worry about than titles." Shining dropped his pose of attention, and relaxed. Blaze was his superior to him, but they were friends when they were outside of duty, and treated each other as if they were brothers.

"Alright. Well Blaze, what is this about?" He knew something was up if Blaze had to talk to him privately, and usually it was something never good. He as also a bit impatient considering everything that has happened. He did just see two-thirds of his guard slaughtered by Luna and all he could was run with the surviving few. The scene of seeing his comrades ripped to pieces and their blood spraying everywhere still played in his head.

"Alright, I'll get to the point. We will not be going back to the castle to retake it. We are leaving Canterlot completly once we get all the civilians on the next train." Shining Armor's ears twitched. Was he hearing correctly? They were simply going to leave Canterlot?

"What?! We can't just leave Princess Celestia by herself to fight Luna! We are part of the Celestia's royal guard damnit! We can't abandon her!" He blurted out. He didn't want to just leave his princess by herself while she dealt with her sister. They were her guard, sworn to protect and serve Celestia. To him, that also meant standing with her against Luna.

Blaze took in his outburst and responded coolly, "I know how you feel, but you saw what she did in there to our fellow colts. If we go back in there, we will all be killed. What would be the point then? Were best off getting every pony out of here, and plan what we are gonna do next. I told you when I first got back here that she was going back to the castle to deal with her."

He still didn't like this answer. They all knew that Celestia was in the castle with Luna, but how was Blaze so sure that she wouldn't need help.

"How do you know she doesn't need help? Did you not hear the windows blow out of there earlier? We need to go in there and at least see what's going on. The princess could be injured or worse.." he trailed, not wanting to think of the result. He felt a hoof set down on his shoulder.

"Now you and I both know what would happen if the Princess had fell." Shining Armor turned his head towards the sun, hoping it would never happen.

"Shining, if she needs help, she will let us know, She always does. But I need you to listen to me. We are not going back in there and I'll be damned if you go back in there and get yourself killed. You need to keep in my mind that you now have Cadence and Daisy. I'm not goingto be the one that has to tell her that she has no husband and that his daughter will be fatherless."

"Okay, okay, I get it." Shining said as he broke away from Blaze's hoof on his shoulder. As much as he didn't want to hear it, he knew the pegasus was right. What would be the point of going back in only to see his guards slaughtered once more and eventually suffering the same.

"I will make sure the last of the civilians get on the last train then," he said as he started to walk away to do the deed.

"You do understand why I am doing this right?" In honesty, he thought Blaze was being a coward, but he wouldn't tell him that. He knew Blaze always had everybody's best interest.

"Yes, I understand. Now, I'm going to check on Cadence real quick before I check the last train." Blaze only nodded at him and spread his wings and flew away. Shining Armor began walking but the gears in his mind were grinding together. He wanted to go back and help. He had watched those poor souls ripped apart and savagely butchered, and though he tried to fight the Princess of the Night himself, it was useless. So, he had to save who he could and leave the castle and ones that were already caught in her grasp. He shook his head, trying to shake the images out of his head. He continued walking until he was at the train platform. Ponies were stacking into the train one by one. They were obviously confused to why they were being evacuated. The only answer they could get from one of the guards was that there was an emergency within Canterlot and it requires all citizens to be evacuated to a safe area. How little they knew.

Shining Armor went over to the tent that was set up for his wife earlier by him so she could take care of Daisy while he attended his duties. He pulled the drape of the tent to reveal Cadence gently rocking the small foal.

"Oh, hello dear, so what has the Captain of the Royal Guard been up to?" she said cheerfully. She knew what had transpired, though she never saw it luckily, but maintained her loving and positive personality.

"Were not taking back the castle. General Blaze said that we are all to leave after the last civilian train heads out." he said bluntly.

"Well, not a bad decision on his part."

Shining Armor was hoping that Cadence wouldn't agree with Blaze's decision. He really didn't want to just leave Canterlot and Princess Celestia alone with Luna after seeing what she could do.

"Do you really think we should just abandon Princess Celestia?"

Cadence eyed him. She knew her husband could be stubborn and hard-headed, but she was his voice of reason. She knew Shining Armor's dream was to become Captain of the Royal Guard, and he took his job to heart.

"Were not abandoning her. She is the princess. She has fought Luna before, I'm sure she could do it again. Besides, I don't think she wants to see any more ponies die. You know Blaze keeps the best interest of his soldiers and Equestria at all times. Please, Shining, I know you want to go back, but you'll only get killed...and I don't know what I would do if I lost you...." she trailed off at the thought of her husband dying.

Shining Armor went to his wife to comfort her, realizing that she was actually more worried that she would lose him. He put his hoofs and embraced her and his small foal. Maybe she was right. Princess Celestia had fought her before and won, and what would be the point to jump in and only end up getting killed? He would leave his family, and he couldn't forget his own sister. He knew she had lost enough and didn't need her brother being added to it. He looked to his foal Daisy Song in his wife's arms. He looked at the sleeping foal, admiring her amber coat and small brown mane. What would she do without her father?

"I'm sorry. I let my duty come first when there are more important things protecting right now. Princess Celestia can handle this herself. She will let us now if she needs help." He had so much to lose now, and he hadn't even considered the ones in his life that cared for him and how broken they would be to learn if he had been killed if he had gone back. They embraced each other for a few moments longer until finally breaking away.

"Well, I better set Daisy down. I can't keep holding her forever," she said laughing softly to herself,"and I think you have some ponies to see off so they can get on that train." He nodded and smiled at her and his foal. He trotted out of the tent to attend to the civilians and get them on that last train.

"Captain!" Shining knew that voice and quickly looked around for him. He saw Silver running towards him in a sweat. Shining felt his heart pump against his chest, seeing the hectic Silver running towards him. He started running to meet him, as if it was instinct. He met him in the middle and looked at the sweat covered lieutenant.

"What is it Silver??" Shining asked hastily.

"A pegasus from Alpha team has come back," Silver said trying to catch his breath.

"What you mean 'a' pegasus? Where is the rest of it's team??" Shining heart pumped even faster. He feared that it was Luna, that she was now out of the castel and she had beaten Celestia. He looked toward the sun as he did earlier that day. If she would have been beaten, it wasn't showing.

Silver looked at him with fear in his eyes. "They are dead. The pegasus had said it was Lunar guards. There are Lunar guards coming Shining. I have informed General Blaze first before I came to you, and he has told me to tell you that you''re w in charge. He is taking a platoon of pegasi with him to intercept them. Our orders are to get the civilians out of here as quick as possible."

Shining looked as if he had been slapped. Why were the Lunar Guard attacking them? He knew they were loyal to Luna but they were only to act on her behalf if her life was threatened and Equestria was in danger, but Luna was the danger to Equestria. They wee to serve for the good of Equestria even if it meant going against their princess. But how would they know if their princess was in trouble? He had stories that when one became part of the Lunar guard, that they are branded with a symbol on their chest, and it would signal them when their princess was in danger. Of course these were just stories he had heard, considering he didn't see many Lunar guards since they take over at night, he hadn't the time to find out, but now hearing this might have proved these stories true. He thought to himself, now coming to a realization that if Luna was in danger, that means Celestia was beating her!

"Okay, I want every pony, unicorn, and pegasus that is not assisting with the evacuation to get into battle ready formation. I want them all forming a perimeter around the station. They have to hold it long enough to get these ponies out of here."

"Yes sir!

Silver ran off, leaving Shining to his now hectic mind. Lunar Guards were coming to Canterlot and there was no doubt that they were coming to fend off anyone that stood against their beloved princess. He thought about his wife and child. He quickly turned and ran back toward the tent that they resided in. Cadence saw her husband run back in with a look of urgency in his eyes.

"Whats wrong? Did something happen?" she asked.

"You and Daisy have to get on the last train. There are Lunar Guards coming to Canterlot and they have killed pegasi that were patrolling outside of Canterlot. They could be here any minute so I need you to take Daisy and get on that train now!" He couldn't help the sense of fear and worry in his voice. He didn't want her to argue with him, just to get out of Canterlot. If they broke through the perimeter that was being set by his fellow guards, innocent ponies would be caught in the crossfire, including Cadence and Daisy.

"Shining,what are you talking about? I thought we agreed that I would go when you go??" Cadence was now worried, but she knew exactly what he meant, but she just couldn't comprehend it.

"Luna's guards are coming to help her, and that means they are going to kill anyone that stands against her. You have to get on that train and leave here." Shining said hastily, now starting to pack stuff for Daisy and Cadence in a saddlebag. "You are going to leave and get somewhere safe." Shining would not negotiate this. There was now an impending threat coming to them and he refused for his wife and child to be caught in it.

"Then what about you?!" He put the saddlebag onto her wife's back, trying to keep up with her questions.

"I am staying here. I have to make sure you all get out safely." He picked up Daisy, who was still wrapped up in her small blanket and sound asleep. "You have to get out of here."

Shining handed Daisy to her. He didn't want to be separated form them, but he didn't want to risk them being here either. He had no idea how many were coming and if they were too much, at least they would be safe.

"But Shining..."

"I don't want to hear it Cadence. You are going and that's that.." He knew that his wife now worried for his safety, but his own was not his concern. He motioned for her to follow him and she obeyed, seeing that he was not going to let up. They both left the tent together, and he brought her to the front of the line of other ponies that were waiting to get on the train that only waited for it's passengers.

"You." he said calling to one of the guards that stood at the side of the door that led inside the train.

"Yes sir."

"Make sure that Princess Cadence and Daisy get on this train without fail. Do you understand?"

"Of course sir." He looked over to Cadence and Daisy. Cadence had sadness in her eyes, she wanted to stay, but he would hear none of it. He needed them to be safe for his sake. She looked at him and tears started to well up in her eyes.

"Princess, I need you to come with me please," the guard said trying to motion Cadence to get inside of the train. She continued looking at him while Daisy only slept.

"You better come back Shining Armor." He went over and hugged her.

"Don't worry. I have dealt with much worse, this will be easy." He was trying to bring some comfort to her with a bit of humor, but it wouldn't help her. They broke their embrace and she entered the car of the train, and Shining only stood there, knowing that this could be the last time he will see her. He watched as she dissapeared into it.

The line of ponies started to go inside the train until there were none left. The train doors closed and let out a loud whistle, signaling of its coming departure. Shining listened as the train started to push itself slowly away from the station. It picked up speed and he watched it dissapear into the horizon, watching his beloved wife and foal leave, not knowing if he would see them again, but he took comfort that at least they would be safe. He turned around and looked to see if there were any civilians left, but all that stood was him and his fellow comrades.

"General Blaze has returned!" a voice cried out. He looked out into the sky to see Blaze and about ten other pegasi descending down towards them. Blaze landed swiftly, not missing a beat and quickly barked orders.

"Soldiers, we are leaving immediately. The Lunar guards are coming in close to Canterlot and they are coming in force. We have to retreat and leave Canterlot." The group only stood silent, understanding their general. "I want all unicorns setting up teleporation spells for everyone. I am putting Protocol 4 in effect." Shining Armor saw this coming. Protocol 4 was put in place by Celestia herself after the banishment of her sister. It was to have all Solar guards to leave Canterlot to the rendezvous point, which in this case would be Manehatten, and await orders from Celestia. They were admitting defeat. without even fighting.

"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's get going!" The momentarily stunned soldiers quickly snapped out of their shock and begun their task. All unicorns were to set up teleportation spells and every earth pony and pegasus were to be telported to the rendezvous point in Manehatten.

Shining Armor knew his job, and gathered with the other unicorns to begin casting the spell.

Shining Armor!

He jerked at the sound of a voice in his head. What was more for a shock for him though was that it was Celestia's voice.

Princess? Is that you?

Yes, and I need your help.

Was he going completely nuts now? He was hearing Celestia's voice in his head.

How are you talking to me in my head??

I can't explain right now, but I need you to help me. Whether he was going nuts or not, it shook him to his core to hear the fear in Celestia's voice. She had always been a calm, confident, and fearless leader in his eyes.

What do you need me to do?

[i]I need you to come back to the castle and meet some pony there. Shining Armor's mind went blank. Why did she need him to go back to the castle and what pony was he supposed to meet?

Princess, I don't understand. What pony am i supposed to meet? Whats going on in there? How are you talking to me but fighting Luna? Question after question started pouring through his head. He wanted to know if she was okay but didn't understand how she was in his head speaking to him, and what pony did he have to meet and for what reason.

Stop! He jerked once again hearing the force in her voice ring in his head. He had never heard her yell before. Was she really in that much need of help? Enough questions. I don't have much time, but all you need to know is that Twilight and Pinkie Pie are here with me. Twilight has been gravely injured and I am doing everything I can to help her, but she will need to get medical care or she will die. Pinkie Pie is the one keeping Luna busy while I try to save Twilight. I will send Pinkie Pie to the gardens with Twilight when I am finished doing what I can with her, and then you will leave Canterlot and get somewhere safe.

His world came crashing down before him. His sister was with Celestia, and she was hurt, hurt to the point where she could die. It wasn't Celestia that was fighting in there but Pinkie Pie. His mind raced. Why were they there, and why was Pinkie Pie of all ponies, the one that had killed Twilight's friends, there actually fighting Luna?

Twilight is there?? With Pinkie Pie?? What the hell is going on!? He couldn't contain his fear now. He had no idea what was going on in there, but to learn that his sister was there for some reason and was injured plummeted his heart into a black pool of terror. He couldn't lose Twilight.

It was my fault. I brought them with me, but I need you at the gardens when Pinkie arrives with Twilight. She needs you or she won't make it.

I'm coming! Shining Armor put all his power into his legs and ran off. He didn't need to be told again that Twilight needed his help.

"Where are you going!?" one of the unicorns called out to him. He didn't have time to answer back nor tell anyone where he was going. He had to save Twilight and get her out of there. He didn't know what reason or why Celstia brought Twilight and Pinkie with her, but it would have to wait. All that mattered was getting his sister.

"Where are you going!??" a voice above him called out. He looked up quickly seeing Blaze flying over him. He didn't have time trying to explain what was going on. He couldn't waste any second. It was one less second that his sister had before she died, and he would never forgive himself if he was too slow to get her. He kept running, and he was now running in the streets of Canterlot. He ran by the now empty shops and houses that stood within the city. Blaze was still flying above him, and seeing he wasn't going to get an answer, he resorted to a different tactic. Blaze landed right in front of the running colt. Shining Armor didn't have time to slow down and swerve around him and ended up crashing into the pegasus. They rolled around on the ground until Blaze stopped them and was now on top of the desperate captain.

"What the hell are you doing!? We need your help back there!" Shining wiggled around trying to break free from Blaze. He had to get Twilight.

"Get off of me! I have to go!!" he yelled.

"Go where!? To the castle!? I already told you your not going back there to get killed!" Shining Armor's anger rose in him. This had nothing to do with Luna or him wanting to go back and fight.

"I said get off of me! Twilight needs me! I have to get her or she's dead!" Shining broke one of his arms free and landed his hoof right across Blazes' muzzle, sending him toppling over and releasing him. He got back up and began running once more. Blaze got up and watched as the white unicorn made his way towards the castle. He did not pursue him.

Shining Armor's heart raced, he was breathing hard, but he would not relent. He could not afford to be slow. He had to save his sister. His mind screamed at him to go faster and faster. He had see enough ponies die today and he was NOT going to let his sister become one of them.

"I'm coming Twilight. Just hang on.." he said between his breaths, vowing that if he should fail, then he would go down with her, but not before he broke Luna.

His time was ticking. Twilight's life was waning, and Luna's guards were heading to Canterlot. Being Captain of the Royal Guard was his dream, but now, it only seemed like a nightmare...

The world as he knew it was going to hell right before his eyes....

Part 17: One Hell of a Party

The thousands of knives flew towards Luna, threatening to turn her into Pinkamena's new pin cushion. She sent her black shards of magic to meet them. The thousands of knives and black shards clashed against each other, and only destroyed each other once again. Pinkamena watched as their two attacks met each other once again as they did before, and watched as it gave a small show of fireworks. Pinkamena knew she could try and attack Luna while she was occupied guiding her magic into her knives, but she had the necklace. She didn't want to risk losing it, but she wanted to have as much fun as she could with Luna before she had to go. She knew her fun would have to end once Celestia was done doing what she had to do with Twilight, but she just had to get a feel for Luna's blood before she had to leave the party. She ached to have her blood drown her body....

Luna concentrated her black bolts to deflect the thousands of knives that the pink red eyed maniac had sent her way, trying to watch Pinkamena at the same time. She knew she was vulnerable but she only watched in the air as Pinkamena stood there and just watched her. She stared at the black gem that hung around Pinkamena's neck. She had to have it back. It was hers. Luna deflected the last deadly blade and looked down on this pony who giving her so much trouble.

"Even with everything you throw at me, you still cannot bring me down Pinkamena. I am destined to rule over Equestria with power, while you are destined to have your blood pave my path."

Pinkamena beamed at her. She loved Luna's little dramatic speeches. " Now what kind of party would it be if that's all I had Luna? And I don't know about destiny and all that mumbo jumbo, all I know is that you talk a lot." Luna face turned a dark shade of red. "Oh are you getting angry again? Did I make the wanna-be god mad?" Pinkamena teased.

"SHUT UP!" Luna yelled and flew towards her in a blinding rage. She couldn't believe how this pony could so openly mock her, and not seem to care.

Pinkamena summoned her knives once again in her hooves. She wasn't going to let this chance pass by. She wanted to see Luna's flesh tear open, and have the glistening life giving liquid pour over her. Pinkamena waited until she saw Luna's face right before her. Her heart skipped a beat as she lifted her knives and plunged them right into Luna's head while she was still in midair. Luna's body stopped and suddenly dropped to the ground, halted by two blades rammed into her head. Pinkamena felt an uncontrollable excitement and laughter rise in her. She started laughing loudly, her blood curdling laugh ringing through the destroyed hall. She had done it. She had killed Luna and took her precious life. Pinkamena felt powerful and happy. Now she would finally have her prize and see Luna's blood once she removed her knives from her skull. She quickly pulled her knives out, expecting to see rivers of precious blood to pour out but none came. She was confused and looked at her blades. They were completly clean, leaving no trace of blood on them.

"Behind you." a voice whispered into her ear. Pinkamena quckly turned her head, and was met with a blast of magic right to her face, sending her flying straight into the opposite wall. Pinkamena crashed into the wall and fell to the ground. She grinned as she laid on the floor at this new sensation in her body. It tingled through her, and realized what she was experiencing was pain...it felt good. She slowly got up, but the red aura that had surrounded her grew brighter.

"Good trick Luna. I didn't think of you as a prankster. You know, before you KILLED HER, Rainbow Dash and I used to prank a lot on other ponies."

Luna looked at her with confusion. She had blasted her right into the wall, and Pinkamnea just got back up like it was nothing to her. She couldn't understand why she couldn't break this mare. The fake Luna that laid on the ground dissapated into smoke, leaving nothing in it's wake. Luna was hoping that now that she had actually hit her, that it would break Pinkamena's cocky attitude, but it seem to only make it worse. She was not one to be mocked, and she would not tolerate it. Pinkamena had to die. Luna knew what she needed to do was go after Celestia, but she was tired of Pinkamena and now only wanted to kill her while everything else could go to hell for all she cared. The only thing she cared about was sending this disrespectful pony to hell herself.

"If you liked that, then I have plenty more to show you Pinkamena."

Pinkamena bounced up and down in happiness. "Oh good more tricks! Show me, show me, show me!"

Luna face scrunched up in displeasure seeing her happy. If she wanted tricks then she will give it to her. Her horn lit up and instantly she had made another copy of herself. The copy of her made another copy, and it continued until there were now six Luna's against Pinkamena. Luna smiled, delighting in the thought of how the pink pony must have felt now.

Pinkamena watched as Luna duplicated herself, her heart thumping against her chest but it wasn't of fear. It was of more excitement. She loved how the party was going so well and Luna was making it better and better. She watched as there were now six Luna's that now stood against her. She gripped her knives in her hooves, trembling slightly at the thought of not killing Luna once, but six times, even if they were copies. She could feel her blood rush through her, and adrenaline pumped into her body.

"Well Pinkamena, you wanted tricks, I shall give them to you. This will be the last trick you ever see in your pathetic life."

Pinkamena smirked at Luna's declaration. " You can be so silly Luna, but I have seen better."

"Very well then. Let's begin the show then shall we?" Pinkamena stood on her hind legs once more, getting herself ready.

"Oh goody, I love shows. Especially WHERE I MAKE YOU BLEED!" she suddenly yelled and charged at the six Luna's. She couldn't help it anymore. She forgot entirely of her original plan of just keeping the necklace by staying on the defesne, but Luna has been teasing her, not sharing that precious blood with her, and it drove her more insane than she already was. She didn't like Luna being so selfish, so she would help her learn to share.

Luna and her doppelgangers charged Pinkamena. What she really wanted was the necklace back. Her own copies would at least keep Pinkamena distracted enough for her to at least retrieve her prized item. At the most, Pinkamena would die in the process as an added bonus.

One of the Luna's fired a bolt of magic towards the charging pink pony. Pinkamena quickly swerved herself out of the way. Her red eyes now glowed an intense blood red, focusing on only killing all of them. Thoughts of shoving her blades into all them swam in her head. She didn't care if they were the real Luna or not, why only try to go for one when you can have fun with all of them? Pinkamnea kept running towards the group of Luna's. All of them in unison summoned thier swords and attacked at once. Pinkamena met all six swords against her knives, holding them from slicing into her. Her arms started to shake under the strenght of the Luna's pushing down against her knives.

"What is wrong Pinkamena? I thought you were stronger than this," the Luna's said together as they pressed their engulfed black blades against her red radiating spectral knives. They kept pressing down into her, and Pinkamena was being pushed down into the ground to the point of it cracking under her back hooves.

"Oh, sorry Luna, I thought we were playing around. I guess you meant you wanted to play a real game! Let's play!" Pinkamnea's eyes now burned a bright red, and a blood colored mist trailed from her eyes. All six Luna's faces turned into ones of alarm, as Pinkamena pushed against all of their swords, now pushing them back. Luna didn't understand where she could possibly be getting all this power from. It seemed that Pinkamena seemed to have no limit on her power, unlike Twilight who seemed to lose it if she lost control, but Pinkamena was nothing like that. She felt Pinkamena's strength through her sword, forcing her and her copies to weaken against her power.

Pinkamena's red aura now swirled around her. Her flat mane and tail and coat turned to an even more darker shade of pink. Luna's eyes opened in astonishment as she saw Pinkamena's eyes glowing blood red and her very power swirling around her. Fear rose up in Luna again, but it went form fear to terror as she saw Pinkamena's eyes. They werent just blood red, but there was blood coming out as if she was crying blood.

Pinkamena felt a heat deep in her stomach rising in her. It burned her body with excitement and ached. She needed to spill Luna's blood, her body demanded it. Nothing else mattered to her anymore. The necklace, Pinkie's friends, and not even Twilight no longer mattered. Luna's blood on her skin is what only mattered now. Pinkamena felt her eyes sting and felt something warm run down her face. She knew exactly that it was her own blood, but this would not satisfy her need for Luna's.

"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! BLEED DAMNIT!" Pinkamena roared as she pushed against all six swords with such force that she shoved them right out of their magical grasp, sending them flying into the air, and leaving Luna and her copies defenseless.

"YEAH! C'MON! LET'S PLAY A REAL GAME!"

Pinkamena shoved herself into the heart of the now terrified Luna's. The real Luna heart was gripped with horror. She had seen many terrible things in her life, but seeing Pinkamena like this was by far more terrible than anything she had encountered. It wasn't her appereance that scared her, but Pinkamena's lust for her blood. She had never seen any pony as blood thirsty as this. Not even herself.

Pinkamena threw her two blades right into the chests of the two Luna's that stood in front of her. She quickly turned to the one on her right and quickly jumped up and locked her legs onto it's neck. The Luna across from the one that Pinkamena now had in a choke hold with her legs fired a magical blot towards Pinkamena. The dark pink mare pushed the neck of the Luna she had, and bent her neck all the way backwards with a sick cracking of bone, sending it dropping on the ground, and Pinkamena completely dodging the bolt. The real Luna watched as Pinkamena slaughtered her doppelgangers, and she couldn't move. She didn't understand why she was now scared. She was Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night. She had fought in wars and had seen horrors in her time that if any other normal pony would have seen the things she had seen, they would kill themselves to be rid of the images. Seeing Pinkamena was seeing fear itself, and it gripped Luna's heart.

Pinkamena went over to the two copies of Luna that had her two knives plunged into each of their chests and pulled them out. She looked over to the last three Luna's. She looked into each of their faces, and saw the fear in the one that stood between the two and pointed her trembling hoof to her.

"You have to learn to share Luna!"

"What are you talking about!? Why won't you just die!?" Luna yelled out of terror. She just wanted this feeling gone from her heart. She was the one supposed to be inducing fear, not the other way around.

Pinkamena started laugh uncontrallably. "I love the fear in your face Looney! IT EXHILARATES ME! How does it feel to know fear?! How does it feel to know the same feeling that YOU put my friends through?! How does it feel to know that some pony wants your blood?! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I WANT YOURS! I WANTTO DROWN IN IT AND I'M GOING TO GET IT LUNA! YOU WILL LEARN TO SHARE!!" Pinkamena roared through her laughter. Luna felt herself to actually begin to shake at her words.

"Now, lets get rid of these other two," Pinkamena positioned her knives,"Besides, this party is only for me and YOU!" Pinkamena flung her knives into the two copies that stood beside the real Luna. Luna watched as the two blades went right into both their chests with a thud, but they didn't just lodge themselves inot them, the two knives started to sink into them, until they were completely gone. She looked over to see Pinkamena raise both of her arms. Both Luna's started screaming in agony as Pinkiamena moved her arms around. The Princess of the Night realized what was happening. Pinkamena could control her knives to the point that she could send them into a pony and kill them from the inside by moving her knives in them. Luna knew that the two copies were not actually her, but their screams frightened her. They were her screams...

The two copies fell to the floor and became stiff. Pinkamena threw her arms back towards her, and the two blades ripped out of both of their heads with a sick slicing sound.The dead copies now vanished into smoke, leaving the true Luna by herself. Both knives flew right back into her hooves, now wanting the last Luna that stood. Blood dripped to the floor from Pinkamena's burning red eyes, and Luna could hear the pitter patter of the crimson drops make contact with the floor.

"Anymore tricks Luna? I really,really would like to see more. I want your last moments to be fun!"

Luna couldn't answer. She didn't know what to do. She had plenty more 'tricks' but so far Pinkamena has dismantled every one of her attacks. It seemed this pony just couldn't be stopped. Luna decided that she may not be enough alone, but maybe with many against Pinkamena, she would fall. Luna cast a black sheild over her. Her eyes glowed white, and her horn started flashing on and off.

Pinkamena cheeks were now stained with her own blood. She watched as Luna's horn kept flashing like a light bulb behind her black bubble that covered her.

"I don't like this trick! Show me another!" She threw her knives at the bubble but they were deflected right off, not leaving a scratch on Luna's protective shield. Luna knew her shield would hold up as long as Pinkamena didn't go full out rage on her. She only had the shield hold a bit longer to call some friends of hers over.

"I want to PLAY LUNA! Your just standing there and it's boring me!" Pinkamena yelled in annoyance. She wanted to continue with the party and Luna was just standing there behind her bubble. She took all this time to throw such a great party and have fun, but Luna was just being boring now for her.

Luna ignored her and kept focusing her mind. She needed help and she knew the very ones that were bound to her will. Her very own guard. She will have them take Canterlot and take down this insane blood consumed pony. The Lunar Guard were bound to her will, whether they knew it or not. She has had some ponies join knowing what it meant, while some just thought of it as another job, but she had planned this for several years now. She had been marking her guards with magical symbols, though they did not know it. When one had completed training and joined the Lunar Guard, they would come to her and take the oath of service to her. They would kneel before her, and she would point her horn at them, granting them her 'blessing'. What she was really doing was the very opposite. It was a curse that she would put on them, a curse that bound their will to hers, and when she needed them, all she would have to do is call, and they would be willing to commit suicide for her if that's what she wished. What she wished now was for them to completely control Canterlot and kill Pinkamena Diane Pie.

Pinkamena watched Luna do whatever she was doing. She was simply standing there in her little bubble with glowing eyes and her horn kept flashing on and off. This was no fun at at all for her. She was coming to the decision that she would have to bring the party to Luna once again, but that thought would be cut off. The sun that was pouring in through the broken stained windows was waning away, and a darkness covered it. It was still mid-morning, and Pinkamena knew enough that it should not be getting dark out. She took her attention off Luna, and walked slowly over to one of the windows near her, not wanting to be caught off guard by Luna. She quickly looked out and saw it wasn't the sky becoming black, but it was an armada of pegasi. She looked down at the ground and saw guards surrounding the castle. Lunar Guards. Something clicked in her insane head. Luna was calling on her guard for help!

Pinkamena quickly got away from the window to bring her attention back to Luna. Luna now dropped her shield and her eyes went back to their normal teal color. The fear she had before was gone, and she took confidence that she had now power in enormous numbers. Lunar Guards started to fly in through the broken windows to aid their princess. Pinkamena watched as they surrounded her to protect her. They dawned the Lunar guard armor and every single one of them looked almost the same as each other. They all had gray colored coats and black manes with different cutie marks, but all of their eyes were a dark black, not even the whites of their eyes could be seen. They were taken by Luna's curse and only had one purpose now: Obey Luna.

"What now Pinkamena? You have been doing well with just me, but how well can you do against many?!" Luna let this new-found confidence take her. About twenty Lunar pegasi stood between Pinkamena and Luna, and they only waited for a command from the dark princess.

"Oh good! You brought more friends. I said I just wanted this party for me and you, but maybe I have been a selfish pony. Parties are always better with more ponies to enjoy it!" Pinkamena exclaimed.

Luna smiled at her, figuring this mare had no idea that she was going to kill innocent ponies.

"These are my guard, as you may well know, and they do whatever I wish them to do. What they do now is not by choice, but by my will Pinkamena. This is not something they want to do, but something they have to do, despite their choice. How willing are you to kill innocent ponies that have no will of their own?" Luna knew that Pinkamena was different from Pinkie Pie, but since she was Pinkie Pie's element, and Pinkie Pie hates hurting other ponies, how could Pinkamena hurt ponies that were under her control?

Pinkamena laughed at her and more blood streamed away from her eyes.

"You are hilarious Luna! I'm going to miss you when I kill you because I had never had some pony make me laugh this much in one day! I don't care if they are under your crazy mind magic or not, I'll kill them all!" Pinkmanea declared, throwing her arms up with both spectral knives still in her hooves.

Luna's smile dissapeared instantly. This was not the answer she had expected, but regardless, Pinkamena was greatly outnumbered.

"So be it Pinkamena. Guards! Protect your princess and retrieve her necklace from the treacherous Pinkamena! Kill her!" Luna commanded. All twenty of the pegasi charged her at once. Luna knew they had no weapons of their own, but her curse amplified their strength to where they could punch right through a pony's skull and rip the brain right out if they wished to. She wondered how Pinkamena's brain would look like...

"I thought I could throw parties, but Luna, you have outdone even me! THIS IS A HELL OF A PARTY!"

Pinkamena summoned exactly the number of knives she needed for the oncoming pegasi. One knife for each, nothing more, nothing less. She flung two knives and they lodged perfectly into two guards' heads and they dropped ot the floor as their lives came to a sudden end.

Her magical knives started to spin around like a moon orbiting a planet. All of the pegasi jumped into the air and spread out their wings. They formed a type of line in the air, and nosedived one by one into Pinkamena.

"This is going to be easy." Pinkamena said to herself in a joyous squeak. They were all just single file for their impending deaths. She launched every one of her spinning knives at the line of pegasi. The blades started to surround them in a whirlwind of deadly cuts. Pinkamena saw their blood dripping from the air as every single one of them were cut by her deadly knives, keeping them trapped within the whirlwind of insane death.

Luna summoned her sword and pointed it at Pinkamena, taking the oppurtunity to make a move while she was distracted keeping her guards trapped.

"It's time to die Pinkamena!" Luna's blade extended and shot toward's the unsuspecting Pinkamena.

Something in Pinkamena's head shocked her out of her trance of keeping the Lunar Guards trapped in midair with her entraptment of knives. She looked toward Luna and saw the tip of a black blade coming straight towards her. She clapped her hooves together, and all the knives plunged into the remaining guards, killing them all in an instant as they all dropped to the ground. She quickly turned and grabbed the blade between her hooves before it pierced right through her head. Her body was pushed back as her hind hooves dragged into the ground as Luna's blade continued pushing towards her until Pinkamena felt her back slam against the wall. She held the blade in place and it was only mere inches from her face. She saw blood running down her arms from her holding the side of the blade as Luna turned it, and it grinded against Pinkamena's hooves.

"Since you like blood so much, let's see yours!" Luna was ecstatic that she now had the upper hand. No pony has ever induced fear in her until now, but fear was only a feeling. This was reality, and the reality was that she will be ruler of Equestria, and this pink pony would die by her hoof.

Pinkamena's arms trembeled trying to hold the blade from piercing through her. Blood was dripping onto the floor and ran down her arms as Luna continued turning her accursed blade. Pinkamena closed her eyes trying to keep the blade from ending her life.

"What? No funny comment this time Pinkamena! Do you see your death right in front of you that you now lost your nerve?!"

Pinkamena felt her strength waning away quickly. She couldn't die here. She had to feel Luna's blood. It was unacceptable if she was killed before she had the pleasure of draining Luna's body of all the lovely red fluid, but she knew she couldn't hold the impending blade much longer.

Twilight will die...

Pinkamena opened her eyes and the blood that flowed out of them ceased and the red mist that seeped from them disappeared. One of her red colored pupils turned blue and the red aura that radiated form her body now were two colors of red and pink. A flow of new strength filled her body and she gripped the turning blade with her hooves and held it still. Luna tried to turn her blade but Pinkamena was holding it from turning anymore. She looked over to her in shock of where she had this new strength come from. Her eyes were now two different colors and her aura followed suit.

"No Luna. I can't die here. Twilight needs me. YOU WILL DIE!" Pinkamena yelled in anger. A red aura shot into the sword and made its way to Luna. Luna could barely see it shoot through her sword before it hit her. The red aura shot straight into her. She lost her focus and magical grip on her blade and fell to the ground. She felt an electric pain shooting through her body, and she writhed in agony on the ground, tossing her body around. It shot into her head, filling her mind with images of Pinkamena ripping out every one of her organs and shoving them into her mouth to consume. Random scenes of Pinkamena doing terrible things to Luna filled her mind and black fear grabbed at her heart.

The blade dropped onto the floor before Pinkamena. She watched as Luna tossed herself around in the ground screaming out in pain and horror. Pinkamena felt Pinkie Pie's presence within her, reminding her of Twilight, and the necklace that hung around her neck. Pinkamena still ached to cut Luna open, but she kept in mind about Celestia and Twilight. That was her main responsibility. She had to protect them, and she had been doing just that, but she was also becoming lost in her lust for blood. Pinkie Pie kept her in check and reminded her why she was fighting. She went over to the pile of dead guards that were laying in a pool of dark crimson, and pulled two knives covered in blood out of two of the guards bodies while Luna continued screaming. It was music to her ears. She slowly went over to the pain wrecked body that was Luna, until she was standing over her, smiling to see her in such pain.

Luna screamed feeling her body tortured inside. Whatever Pinkamena did to her was running through her body like fire and burning her inside. She felt as if her insides were melting inside of her, and her mind was just filled with images of Pinkamena, smiling, just watching her in her torture. She felt something against her neck and the images and burning ceased, and her attention was to a Pinkamena that now stood over her and held a bloody knife right to her throat.

"Hi Luna," she said, positioning her knife under Luna's neck, her pupils shaking at the the thought that she was finally going to kill her. Luna looked into her red and blue eyes, seeing Pinkamena's desire.

"This can't be. How could I be beaten by a pony like you? I am destined to rule Equestria, you are to die."

Pinkamena beamed at her denial of her impending death.

"I CAN'T DIE! I MUST BE A GOD TO SAVE EQUESTRIA!" Luna screamed in desperation.

"Oh Luna, you talk about saving Equestria but," she brought the other knife that she held in her hoof and licked the blood clean off of it and took in it's delicious flavor. Some of the blood from the blade dropped onto her lower lip, and she took no notion of licking it away or wiping it off. She loved how the thick blood trailed off her lip. "But who will save you?"

Luna looked up to Pinkamena, the harbinger of her coming death.

"Even if you kill me Pinkamena, my guards will still be in my control. You will die here no matter what. They have taken Canterlot and they have the castle surrounded. If you plan to walk away from this alive, then you are mistaken."

Pinkamena smirked at her.

"And they will die just as you as you will. I really had fun Luna, it was a great party, but I'm afraid all good things must come to an end." Pinkamena leaned in close to Luna's face. Luna couldn't do anything. Her body wouldn't move and she was petrified with fear.

"But before you go, I want to give you a going away present." Pinkamena pressed her lips against Luna's. Luna's eyes opened in shock, her mind screaming in terror. This was not a kiss of love, but of death. Pinkamena pulled away and left some blood on Luna's lips.

"Well Luna..." Luna looked in her eyes once again, knowing that her time was ticking away. She was supposed to be a god, she was going to save Equestria: what had went wrong?

"I had a lot of fun, but you have been selfish. You need to learn to share Luna."

Luna closed her eyes, angry now that she was going to die by some lowly earth pony.

"You got to care...."

Luna's body stiffened.

"You got to share...."

Part 18: Eclipse

Celestia felt her body becoming weak and cold. She had to keep going for Twilight's sake, she couldn't stop. She pushed her magic beyond her limit, but it was working. Twilight's magical flow was speeding up, and her gash was about closed. She couldn't think of what Pinkie Pie was doing to keep her sister busy, but whatever she was doing it was working. Celestia took a bit of comfort knowing that she now had a working plan to get Twilight and Pinkie away from Canterlot. Shining Armor was on his way to the royal gardens, and she would teleport Pinkie and Twilight to the garden to meet him there, and he would ensure that they get somewhere safe. Twilight would have the medical attention she needed, and she would stay behind to deal with her sister Luna.

Luna...what would she do about her deranged sister? Celelstia loved her sister, and to learn that she had killed Twilight's and Pinkie's friends, on top of slaughtering her guard, was heartbreaking. She had thought that they have resolved the bad blood between them. Luna spoke of having all of the elements and saving Equestria. She wanted the elements to harness their power and amplify her own. Celestia didn't know where she had gotten these idea's from, but they had to be stopped from becoming a reality. She would do her duty as the ruler of Equestria....

"P...Princess?"

Celestia's heart skipped a beat hearing Twilight's voice. It was weak, but it was more than she hoped for. It seems her magic was taking more of an effect than she thought.

"It's okay Twilight, just rest. You'll be safe here soon. Just relax."

Celestia finally closed the gash in Twilight's body. She opened her eyes to look at her work. Twilight's gash was completely closed but there was a faint scar that ran down her underbelly. It would have to do. She felt her body going numb now, but her work had ended. Twilight would survive, at least long enough for her to get medical help. She knew she had drained much of her magic, but it was well worth it to her.

"I..I'm sorry." Twilight whispered. "I should have killed her..."

Celestia did not want to hear these words. She knew now that Twilight had definitly changed...to be sorry that she couldn't kill some pony? She could only imagine what would happen to her in the future, but she would make it her mission to help curve Twilight's anger and hatred, and hopefully bring out the old Twilight, who was loving and caring. Either way, she couldn't dwell on that now. She had completed her task, now she only hoped that Pinkie was still okay so she could get them out of this living hell.

The black void that blocked the outside world to Celestia in her mind started to fade away, and slowly the once beautiful hall appeared before her once again. She staggered up to her hooves, while Twilight still laid on the ground covered in dried blood. Celestia took in the completely destroyed hall, with the walls completly lost of its once beautiful marble, the floors were ripped open, and there was even what looked like a crater in the ceiling. There were a pile of Lunar guards laying on the ground in their own blood. She quickly realized that Luna must be using her guard to take Canterlot and only hoped that General Blaze had evacuated all the citizens out of Canterlot before they came. She didn't know why Luna's guard would help her carry out her deranged dreams of power, but she didn't have time to find out.

"You have been selfish Luna..."

Celestia knew that voice, but it sounded much more darker and almost joyful. She quickly took notice of a dark pink mare standing over Luna. She held a red spectral blade to Luna's throat, and a dark red and pink aura radiated from her body. She quickly realized that this was Pinkie Pie, but she had changed so much. Her mane and tail that used to be so bouncy and poofy were now flat and her bright pink color was only a dark shade of itself. She noticed that one of her eyes were blood red while the other was blue. Celestia looked over the dark pink mare and saw that Pinkie was using magic. Celestia studied it carefully for a moment, knowing that Pinkie was an earth pony, and she couldn't utilize magic, but here she was doing it. She noticed that there were actaully two flows within her. There was a pink one that moved slowly, so she wasn't using that, but there was also another set of magical veins, to say, within her. They glowed a dark red, and it was rushing through her body. If any other pony had this ability as her, they might have thought they were seeing blood, but Celestia knew that this was a kind of dark magic that ran through her.

"You got to share..."

Celestia quickly brought her focus back to Pinkie Pie. She saw anger and fear in her sister's eyes and knew that Pinkie was going to kill her. She couldn't let that happen. Luna was her sister and responsibility and if anyone had to to do it, Celestia swore it would be her.

She had to stop Pinkie....

Shining Armor's heart pumped furiously within him. He was almost to the castle gates and with every step he was closer to getting to his sister.

I won't let you die..

He kept repeating the same slogan in his head, forcing his body to keep moving. He couldn't lose Twilight. He felt the hard ground underneath his hooves as they moved, and the wind speeding through his mane as he ran. The castle came into his sight and his heart leaped knowing that he was getting close, though it would be short lived. He kept running but noticed that the sun's light was fading away. He looked up and his eyes opened in sudden shock. There were Lunar pegasi flying over him, but it wasn't just a few or even a small group. It seemed to be a whole armada of them flying over him! His mind raced with thoughts of Blaze and his fellow guards. He could only hope that they were already gone. He looked back in front of him and saw that there were more Luna guards and they were surrounding the castle. About ten or fifteen of them stood at the front of the castle watching the door to make sure no one got in. He wondered why they weren't going into the castle, just standing and guarding it. Maybe they were also making sure that no got out also...like Twilight. He noticed that they didn't seem normal, seeing their eyes engulfed in a black color. The few Lunar guards he had seen being on the guard usually had different eye colors, but now they were all black. He had never seen them like this, but it wasn't going to stop him form going in and getting to the gardens. He slowly backed up, wanting to get a better understanding and a plan of how he was going to get in there....

"Solar Guard!"

Shit....

"There's a Solar guard here! Kill him!," one of the guards yelled.

The group of Lunar guards looked straight at him. The unicorns in the groups summoned blades that had Luna's cutie mark engraved on their handles and the earth ponies unsheathed their blades with their mouths, positioning their swords to kill the lone Captain. Shining quickly looked up to the sky hoping that the flying pegasi hadn't heard the warning, but they only kept flying. They were starting to cover the sky and completely surround Canterlot, but he couldn't worry about it. He had a more immediate problem to deal with.

"Kill him!" The group guarding the entrance to the castle charged at him. The earth ponies ran toward him with their deadly blades ready to kill him, and the unicorns kept their blades in front of them with their magic, wanting to plunge them into his white flesh.

Shining Armor quickly summoned his blade. A white steel blade appeared before him with the familar handle before him. It was gold with streaks of blue within it, and in the center it had a blue shield. A blade fit for the Captian of Celestia's guard. He had trained many times through his career with the blade, and became almost masterful in his technique, but this would be the first it would taste blood.He had hoped it never would.

He readied his blade to defend himself, but his heart raced seeing the group coming towards him. Could he really fend off all of them? He knew how to fight multiple enemies, or more like sparring buddies, but never with an intention to kill. He knew that there was something wrong with the guards that came towards him, the black color swirling in their eyes, but was he willing to kill them? He thought about Twilight, and resolved quickly he that he really had no choice. If he had to take lives for his sister, then he would. He felt a fire light in his heart as he thought about Twilight....

"It seems your going to need some help."

Shining quickly turned to an orange pegasus that stood next to him with a sword in hoof.

"What are you doing here Blaze?! Your supposed to be gone with the others!"

Blaze turned to meet his gaze and smiled.

"Silver has that taken care of, he was pretty efficient getting everyone out of here quickly. Might have to promote him when we get back, and then deal with you for that swing of yours."

Shining smirked remembering his hoof going across Blaze's face earlier...

"Besides, I simply couldn't let you go by yourself to get your sister now can I? If you get killed, I'll never hear the end of it," Blaze looked over to the ever closer of charging Lunar guards," Now, how about we deal wit these guys so you can get your sister." Blaze stood on his hind legs and shouldered his sword.

"Alright then General. Let's see who gets to the entrance first then." Blaze beamed, loving himself a challenge.

"I will. See you there!" Blaze spread his wings and flew towards the charging Lunar guards. Shining Armor floolwed suit. He charged blade first, and felt the fire in his heart burn.

He quickly found out that battle could be very exhilirating...

Pinkamena's heart was as loud as a drum in her chest. She loved how she had so much power and now held the defeated Luna's fate in her hoof. Her body trembled with such excitement.

"You have to share..."

She wanted all of it. She no longer just wanted her blood, she wanted everything that made Luna. She just wanted to rip open her body and just climb into it and feel Luna's slick organs covered in blood against her body. She wanted to feel her pain surround her. It was like a drug that she had to have, and she was going through withdrawals from going so long without it.

"Do it!" Luna yelled. If she was going to die by this pink pony, then she didn't want it dragged out.

"So eager Luna! I love it! Alright then!" Pinkamena knew this was the moment. The moment she had wanted for so long. She pressed her knife firmly against sapphire blue coat. Pinkamena eyes grew wide. She couldn't contain it anymore.

"This is so exciting! I'm so excited! Are you excited Luna, because I am!" Pinkamena squealed in her delight.

"Just do it you insane pony!" Luna yelled, wanting this mental torture to end. She couldn't believe she was so easily beaten by some maniac, and just wanted an end to it if she was going to die.

Pinkamena pressed it harder against her neck. She took her arm and was about to slice open her neck to watch her choke on her own blood. She moved her arm...but it didn't budge. Her excitement instantly dissapeared and filled with confusion. She tried to move her arm to slice the waiting Luna, but it wasn't budging. Pinkamena was growing angry. What was keeping her from having her fun? She looked at her bloodied arm and noticed a yellow aura holding her arm in place.

Luna didn't dare look. She didn't know what Pinkamena was doing, but she would not let her have the satisfaction of her seeing the life leave her eyes.

Pinkamena was now growing furious. This yellowish aura was actually holding her body in place. She couldn't move at all! What was happening?....something clicked in her insane mind. She had completely forgotten about Celestia and Twilight again since she was caught up with her obsession of finally being able to kill Luna. She darted her eyes to the side of her head, as she couldn't even move it, and saw a standing Celestia using her magic on her.

"What are you doing?! I was just about to have my fun!" Pinkamena yelled to her. She was furious that Celestia had stopped her. She was so close to having her blood spill....

"I cannot let you kill her Pinkie. She is my sister, and it is my responsibility to deal with her. You have done enough," Celestia stated firmly. Celestia would not let Pinkie Pie do this. This was not her burden, but hearing Pinkie's words, it seemed to be more of a pleasure than a burden.

Luna heard Celestia speak to Pinkamena. She slowly turned her head while still feeling Pinakmena's knife still pressed against her neck. She now saw that the pink mare was frozen in fornt of her by Celestia's magic. Luna didn't understand why Celestia just wouldn't let Pinkamena kill her. Why did Celestia have to 'deal' with her as she put it? It didn't matter, she was going to to take advantage of this moment and end Pinkamena once and for all. Her horn lit up with what looked like a black fire that surrounded it. She was going to burn the hell out of her until she was nothing but ashes. She saw Pinkamena's eyes move back to her seeing her horn. Luna smiled but just as she was about to release deadly flames, her head was slammed to the wall and was kept there. She winced as she knew what was keeping her from moving now, just as the hated Pinkamena couldn't move.

Celestia was not surprised that Luna would try to take an opportunity to kill Pinkie. She had actually expected it to happen, and already planndd for if she did. Luna and Pinkie were now held within her magical grasp, but she knew she wouldn't be able to hold it for long. She had lost of her magic to sustain Twilight, and though she did not look it to the two bound by her, inside she felt weak, and even standing was now only fueled by pure willpower.

"Don't even try Luna. You and I will speak momentarily. As for you Pinkie, you have given me enough time to sustain Twilight but she will need to find medical attention very soon. If not, she will still die."

Pinkamena didn't want to hear it. She was so close to having her fun and now Celestia was here to ruin it for her.

"Stop calling me Pinkie! I'm Pinkamena! And I don't care! I want to have fun with Luna!"

Celestia was shocked to hear her. So this was Pinkamena? Celestia quickly came to a realization that this must be the Element of Laughter's essence. It was sick, twisted, and dark, and had completly changed Pinkie Pie into what was now Pinkamena. She figured that Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie must be split personalities of each other and Pinkamena was the very opposite of Pinkie Pie.

Pinkamena's anger was boiling over. She had to have her fun. She hated any pony that was a party pooper.

Twilight will die...

"Shut up!" Pinkamena could hear Pinkie Pie's voice in her head reminding her over and over again about Twilight. She knew Twilight needed help, but Pinkamena needed to help herself first.

Celestia and Luna now looked over to the frozen pink pony that was now supposedly talking to herself. Celestia knew that this must be Pinkie Pie that was inside now trying to come back out.

Pinkamena could feel Pinkie rising within her, trying to take Pinkamena away from the party.

"Stop it! Just let me finish this party and you can come for the after party!"

You're being mean now. Twilight needs help. I thought you were supposed to help me protect her and save her?

"No! Your being mean! It was her fault that she got hurt! We have to hurt Luna! Isn't that what you want?! I got the necklace for you and I was just about to make a new party decoration out of her! She killed your friends! She has to die! Just let me do it!" Pinkamena was starting to sound desperate before Celestia and Luna.

Celestia completely forgot about the necklace! She looked at Pinkamena's neck and there it was hanging around it. She had to get them out of here more than ever now, but Celestia could not release Pinkamena, becasue she needed Pinkie Pie. She only watched Pinkamena talk to herself, but she knew that she was trying to fight Pinkie inside of her. Pinkie wanted control back. She could feel her magic waning away by keeping them in her grasp. She would have to help Pinkie gain control, though she would have to employ a method she rather not use, but if she didn't, she would lose them both, and one of them would die, and she didn't want that.

No! I have to save Twilight! I don't care about Luna!

"I do! It's what I want, not you!

Your being a giant meanie! It's time for you to leave and I don't want to see you ever again!

Pinkamena felt shocks in her, and she felt Pinkie Pie trying to regain control. If Pinkie wouldn't let her have her fun, then hell with Twilight. Pinkie wasn't being fair. She had just delivered Luna to her, but yet she wanted save some pony? She knew her purpose was to help Pinkie, but not when she was so close to her prize. Pinkie didn't understand how much she needed it!

"No! Stop! Pinkie Pie! Stop it!!!" Pinkamena yelled out in pain, not the pain that excited her earlier, but this was the pain of her leaving. She fought against Pinkie Pie. Her red aura was fading, and she could feel herself waning away.

Celestia, along with Luna, watched as Pinkamena fought within herself. Pinakemena's coat was slowly turning back to it's bright pink as before. Her tail poofed up once again to it's bouncy former self. Celestia couldn't wait any longer. Her magic was going to fade out. She would help Pinkie Pie regain control of the Element of Laughter that was Pinkamena. Sparks of bright electricity danced around Celestia's horn, and she flung it towards Pinkamena.

Let me out! I have to see Twilight! She needs me!

"No! Luna has to die first!" Pinkamena felt her tail poof out and she turned her eyes towards her arm that was still frozen by Celestia's magic, and watched as her dark shade of pink was now returning to it's bright form once again. She contnued to fight Pinkie within her, but suddenly, she felt something hit her. Pure electricity hit her, and shocked Pinkamena, making her lose her concentration and will to fight Pinkie Pie in her, now giving Pinkie easy access to regain herself. Her entire body was now completly bright pink once again, and now her mane poofed out to its curly and bouncy self. Only thing that remained of Pinkamena was one blood red eye with Pinkie's blue eye.

"Pinkie! Please, just let me kill her. I'll save Twilight! I just need to see her blood!" Pinkamena's final attempt to convince Pinkie Pie was futile.

No, I am saving Twilight, and you are never coming back!

With that, Pinkamena vanished and the one red eye turned to blue.

Pinkie Pie was finally back. She looked around and knew she had control again. She remained frozen and looked at Luna who was now just staring at her after witnessing the madness that went on before her.

Luna couldn't say anything. She had never seen such madness happen, and now it wasn't Pinkamena that stood before her, but now Pinkie Pie. How was she beaten by her?

Celestia felt her body going even colder. She had to execute her plan now if she hoped for a chance to get Pinkie and Twilight out safely. She would have to do it quickly, quick enough before her grip lost Luna. She could release Pinkie now, knowing that Pinkie, not Pinkamena, was now back in control, and wanted to see Twilight.

"Pinkie Pie, listen to me quickly," Celestia took a deep breath. Her breathing was becoming shallow, "I need you to to pick up Twilight and support her. I will be transporting you both somewhere to meet her brother. He will take you away from here."

Pinkie Pie nodded. She could hear the desperation in Celestia's voice. The yellow aura dissapeared and Pinkie was able to move once again.. She ran towards Twilight who only laid on the ground beside the panting Celestia.

"Twilight? Can you hear me?" Pinkie rubbed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder, trying to get some type of response from her.

"I..I can hear you...your Pinkie,"Twilight quietly said. Her body was weak, but the pain had vanished. Pinkie cracked a small smile, haeraing her at least speak. She quickly looked over her lavender marefriend and saw that the gash that poured blood earlier was completely gone, and only a faint scar remained.

"Okay Twilight. The princess is going to send us somewhere to meet your brother, and he is going to take you somewhere where can you get some nurse ponies to help you. Your gonna be okay and once your all better I'm gonna throw a giant party for you."

Twilight kept her eyes closed. She was too weak to open them, but she heard Pinkie's words of encouragement. It comforted her to hear her bright fun loving voice. She knew she had given up earlier, but hearing her voice made her want to live. She wanted to live and see Pinkie again and her bouncy and cotton candy smelling mane. Twilight let out a small cough, and smiled weakly, her eyes still closed.

"P..Pinkie Promise?"

Pinkie started to hoist Twilight onto her back until the unicorn was laying across it with her front legs on one side of Pinkie and her back legs on the other.

"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a cupcake in my eye," Pinkie said, but without sticking her hoof into her eye. She had to get Twilight out of here.

Luna watched as her head was held to the wall by her sister. It sickened to see Pinkie helping Twilight, but what ate at her the most was that she was going to lose her precious stone. She hated them..she hated them all...she had to save Equestria...she had to have more power...Luna's eyes glowed a burning white as her hate turned into fury.

Celestia staggered. She looked over to Luna to see that Luna was breaking her magic that bound her. There was not much time left.

"Pinkie! Do you have Twilight?!"

Pinkie adjusted Twilight on her back so the unicorn would be more comfortable.

"I got her Princess."

Luna's coat started changing to a dark black color, her horn became longer, and her mane and tail became bigger.

"Good. I am teleporting you two to Shining Armor and he knows what to do from there. You have to get Twilight to a hospital immediately once your out of Canterlot." Celestia felt a shock through her head, and staggered once again. Luna was breaking her concentration. "You have to go now!

"But what about you?!"

Luna's small black crown was transformed into a light blue helmet, and her black chest plate engraved with the moon changed. Her wings grew much larger, and her pupils turned into slits.

Celestia staggered once more. Luna was getting stronger and she was barely holding on to Luna as it was.

"Do not worry about me. I will handle Luna. You must go." Celestia didn't wait for a response. She released her grip from the now changing Luna, and used the last of her magic on Pinkie. Pinkie opened her mouth to inquire about Celestia's safety, but she wouldn't hear it. Her white horn flashed and Pinkie and Twilight were gone. Celestia dropped to the ground as her laegs failed to support her anymore from using so much magic.She had done it, and now the rest was up to Shining Armor.

Luna was released and free. Her long black wings shot out, and she became bigger and taller. Pinkie and Twilight were gone with her prize. Now only Celestia was before her on the ground, and if she couldn't induce pain into the other two, then her sister was the one who had to suffer. She may have lost her necklace but she would still rule Equestria.

Celestia's breathing became very hard. She could feel her heart working to keep her blood pumping through, trying to keep her alive. She was cold and numb, and she could barely move. She looked over to Luna, and saw the transformation of her sister take place. She saw the black coat and changed armor and the slits in her sister's eyes that replaced her once round pupils. She knew exactly what she was, but she didn't understand how. The Elements of Harmony had removed her and destroyed her. She didn't know if this was Luna in a different form, or was it what she feared.

Nightmare Moon...

Part 19: Desperation

Her black wings unfolded and spread out, showing off it's black majestic feathers. Her coat was a dark lustrous gleaming black, and her armor glowed eerily. Her teal eyes were still present, but her pupils were now slits. She blinked her light purple eyelids and looked over to the shocked white alicorn that laid on the floor that she recognized all too well. Her hooves were covered in a sparkling light blue armor, and her long horn protruded her helmet and her tail and mane flowed of the night sky.

"Well, this is definitly unexpected. I was truly hoping that I could control Luna to hold out a while longer before revealing myself, but considering the circumstances...

Celestia couldn't believe what she was seeing, but it was standing looking at her. Nightmare Moon had returned, but Celestia couldn't think of how she could be back. The Elements of Harmony had destroyed her and freed Luna from her bitterness and hate that was Nightmare Moon.

"Ah, Celestia, it certainly has been a while hasn't it? I think the last time we have seen each other was a few thousand years ago. Where has the time gone?" She grinned at Celestia and started to walk towards her.

"How are you here Nightmare?! You were destroyed by the elements?!" Celestia didn't mean for herself to blurt out the question, but her mind was completely lost. She had thought that Nightmare Moon was gone for good.

"Ha! The all knowing Celestia is confused? Your losing your touch dear. You actually believed that your pitiful ponies would actually be rid of me so you could have your precious Luna back?"

That's exactly what she believed.

"I was just pushed back deep back into Luna's mind by the elements. They never destroyed me."

Celestia gathered her strength and stood up, wanting to face Nightmare Moon, not on the ground laying down before her.

"They should have...they were supposed to free my sister from you..."

Nightmare Moon laughed at her.

"Free your sister? I am part of her Celestia, you can never free her from me. It's sad that your just learning this, I mean, you really thought that I would be destroyed? If that's what you were hoping for then you should have had your subjects kill me instead."

Celestia narrowed her eyes towards her old foe.

"One was about to kill you until I stopped her." Nightmare Moon lowered her head, glaring at Celestia.

"Well maybe if your sister's frail body was stronger, I wouldn't have been beaten so easily. She is lucky that I hadn't changed to myself earlier, or I would have had her head hanging from the ceiling."

Celestia's exhaustion subsided as she felt anger rise in her at hearing her comment about Luna.

"What have you done to my sister?!" She stomped her hoof in anger." What have you done?!"

Nightmare continued walking towards her, but Celestia would not have it. She summoned her little reserve of magic and threw a slicing blot right before Nightmare as a warning.

"You do not come any closer. Answer my question! What have yo done to Luna?!" She had to know what had happened to Luna. This was nothing like last time. Luna harbored feelings of jealousy and bitterness, and took on the form of Nightmare Moon many years ago, but this was much different.

"Now Celestia no need for temper. Your precious Luna is mine. She has been mine ever since she retrieved that necklace," She winked at Celestia,"You and I have been together for a long time dear sister."

Celestia gritted her teath. Her former weakness was being renewed by anger and hate for Nightmare.

"The necklace? The necklace that took the elements essence? What about it?"

Nightmare Moon flashed her white teeth in a wide smile. "Oh yes, that necklace was quite a show. It's a shame what happens when one lets their desperation get the better of them."

Celestia put one of her front hooves in front of her. She wanted to take a go at Nightmare. She had caused Luna to kill but it was really Nightmare Moon who had been pulling the strings.

"Speak sense Nightmare. The necklace is to absorb the elements and harness and channel their powers to the wearer. What had the necklace done to Luna?"

"Maybe it's better that I show you, and maybe your feeble mind can understand." Her long black horn glowed a black aura around it and a thin beam shot into Celestia's head. She didn't even know what hit her before it was too late and her mind spun, until she appeared in Luna's chambers.

Luna laid on her bed reading Equestria's Finest Minds. She had been gone a long time and she never had the time to really read. She was busy helping her sister set up for the wedding that was coming up in a few days between Celestia's Captain of the Royal Guard and Princess Cadence, and during the time she thought that she had never knew everything that had happened during her banishment, so why not read up on some history and find out? Now that she had some down time, she wanted to know everything she could.

Chapter 14: Starswirl The Bearded: The Greatest Wizard to Ever Live Luna's eyes brightened, seeing one of Celestia's former student listed in this book. She remembered him back when he was just a young colt. He was very stubborn and reckless but she would have never thought of him growing up to be such a powerful unicorn. It was unfortunate she couldn't see him one last time...if she wasn't banished....

Luna shook her head, trying to shake the thought away. She was still adjusting to life now, and though Twilight and her friends have helped try to fit in, other ponies still saw her as Nightmare Moon. They would always look at her with fear, and she just wanted to be treated like any other pony, but none saw her as just another pony. It was Nightmare Moon or The Mare in the Moon, never just Luna. Ever since her former self was defeated, and her feeling of bitternes towards her sister left, she had felt free but thoughts of her past still haunted her.

Her fight with Celestia....the ponies she slaughtered out of anger...and being banished. She would see the images haunt her in her dreams, and she hated all of it, cause she knew it wasn't really Nightmare Moon, but her behind Nightmare that drove it. She had done terrible things, but it was in the past now, and she just had to forget it.

She continued reading her book until a knock came to her door.

"Thou can come in."

Princess Celestia entered, and Luna smiled at her.

"Why hello dear sister, what brings thee here to our tower and chambers?" She was always happy to see Celestia, especially since she had been away from her so long from her banishment. She enjoyed every opportunity she could get to see her now.

"Really Luna, I must get you to move away from the Royal speech, ponies sometimes have a hard time understanding you," Celestia said teasingly.

Luna frowned. She knew that her speech was wierd to other ponies, but this was all she knew. Granted Twilight had tried to help her, but she had done it for so long that it was very hard to break.

"We know that sister, and we are trying," Luna snapped, showing her short temper. She quickly realized that she had lost her temper once again.

"We apologize sister, but we are still a bit sensitive...about our banishment." She looked over to Celestia, and met her eyes.

"It is alright Luna. Does it still bother you?" Luna knew it still bothered her, but she wasn't going to burden her sister with her feelings.

"No, just reminds thee of ourselves as Nightmare Moon." She remembered when she changed into her, and how she loved it. She remembered all her hatred and bitterness that surrounded her when she assumed the form of her more powerful self.

"Alright then. Well I came here to see how you are doing and thank you for the help for the upcoming wedding. With the recent threat and everything, it's been pretty hectic, and I know you have stayed up during multiple days when your supposed to sleep, but I really appreciate all your doing Luna."

Luna's heart glowed from the praise she was receiving from Celestia.

"Do not think anything of it sister. We know thee is busy with thy courts and duties, we thought only to help thee lessen the burden."

Celestia went over to and put one of her forearms around her, embracing Luna. Luna returned it, feeling the warmth of her older sister once again. They broke away after a few moments.

"Well, I better go, I see your reading,"She said laughing softly,"and I know how much you love to read."

"Will thee need help tommorow with more wedding plans sister?" Luna didn't know why she had asked, it just kind of came out on it's own. Celstia walked back to the door and turned her head.

"Do not worry about it Luna. I have the court dismissed tommorow for my own sanity, so I will be fine. You need to get some sleep anyways. You look absolutely exhausted."

Luna heart dropped inside. She wanted to help more, but her sister seemed to have it handled...as always. Luna put on a mask of a smile on her face.

"Very well then sister. We will see thee tommorow." Celestia nodded and shut the wooden door behind her, leaving Luna to her book once again. She suddenly felt alone...just her and her book...in her tower...under the night sky...alone.

Oh poor Luna, alone once again...

Luna's eyes went in shock as she heard a familiar voice in her head. She hadn't heard it since after the Elements of Harmony had been used on her.

W..What? Thee can't be...

But I am.

Luna froze on her bed hearing Nightmare's voice. How was this possible? That form of her was destroyed, gone, finished, never to return, but she was speaking in her head.

How can thee be in our head? Thou was defeated by the elements??

Oh Luna, you can never get rid of me. You are me and I am you, there's no escape from that.

Luna walked over to her mirror, worried that since she was hearing her voice, that she may have now started to look like her. She still saw her face and everything seemed normal until it started to meld into the visage of Nightmare Moon. Luna backed away from the mirror seeing her cat eyes staring into her.

"What are thou doing in us?" Luna didn't want Nightmare Moon back, but she couldn't wrap her mind around how she was back.

The image that was Nightmare Moon in the mirror spoke back to her, "I have always been in you Luna. I know your regrets, and how these other ponies reject you. I know your dreams that haunt you. You feel alone."

Luna's legs trembled. She didn't want to hear this from her.

"Silence! Thou dost not know us! We no longer need thee. We are happy now!"

"Do not lie to yourself Luna. You and I both know that you are from happy. You watch as Celestia slaves the day away, and you just sit there and do nothing. She never needs your help Luna. Look at what she had said earlier. She did not need you."

"We said silence!" Luna's heart hurt to hear what her former self was telling her. "Celestia is ruler of equestria, and thee can handle thyself. Thee would ask us if thou needed help. Lies only leave your tongue."

"Are they lies Luna? Have you ever wondered why she was ruler of equestria and not you? It's because she knows she has power. Power over you and her subjects, and that is why you are no help to her, because you have no power. You are weak!"

Luna shook her head as her temper flew out the window.

"WE SAID SILENCE!" She thew her hoof to the mirror and shattered it, and watched as the shards of glass fell to the floor, and the image of Nightmare Moon disappeared. She felt her hoof stinging and looked to see that it was bleeding. She quickly summoned her magic and mended her cut that seeped blood.

Her body shook with fear, now knowing that Nightmare Moon was in her. She didn't understand how it was possible though. Her ability to change to Nightmare Moon was gone, so how was she now hearing Nightmare in her mind?

"Princess Luna, we heard a yell coming form your chambers, are you all right?"

She heard the voice beyond her door and knew it was only one of her guards.

"We are fine. Thou can return to thy post."

"As you wish Princess."

Luna went towards her bed and laid down. She was frightened about what she just experienced and was afraid She had been trying hard to fit in and rid her name of Nightmare Moon but now it was speaking to her. She closed her teal eyes, and let sleep take her, hoping that this fear she had now would disappear, and she would never hear that accursed voice again....

Next Day...
******

"Luna, what are you doing here? I had told you that I have it handled today. You need to rest so you have enough strength to raise the moon tonight."

Luna had come to the hall that the wedding was supposed to be held in a couple of days to see if she could help with anything, much to Celestia's dismay.

"We are fine sister, we only wish to help."

"Luna please, you have done enough already. Go relax. Go out and make some friends or read your books if you choose not to sleep."

This was not the answer that Luna was looking for. She felt a pit in her stomach as Celestia was denying her help.

"Very well sister," she said sadly, walking slowly out of the hall.

Do you see now Luna?

Luna's body went into alert as she heard her voice again. She quickly exited the castle and flew to her tower. She hastily opened the wooden door that led to her chambers and locked it behind her.

"Get out of our head!" Luna yelled alone in her room.

You can't get rid of me Luna...I will always be here.

Luna flung herself on her bed, and shoved her face into her pillow and spoke withiin it, "No! We do not need thee anymore! We have changed!"

But not to others, they still see you as me.

"Be quiet!"

The truth hurts Luna. . Luna thrashed her head around trying to shake her out of her mind.

"We will get rid of thee! Thou is not us!"

Do you really want to get rid of me Luna?

What kind of question was that?

"Yes!"

Then try.

Luna trembled in her bed hearing Nightmare Moon challenge her. There had to be a way to get rid of this haunting voice in her head.

"We will!"

You cannot deny me. Luna noticed the calmness in the voice, but she would get rid of her. She refused to repeat her mistakes.

She climbed out of her bed, and went through her library of books. She knew there had to be one about a pony's mind and how to repress voices. Maybe there was some medical tyoe of science that could help her. She looked through book after book but couldn't find anything. She desperatly wanted to be rid of Nightmare Moon's voice in her head and the hallucinations that she was afraid to come after seeing her own mirror last night.

She thought to herself. Maybe she was going about it all wrong looking for one about the mind and medical practices, but maybe she needed a certain spell or magical artifact that could help her and knew exactly where to find one: Starswirl the Beareded Wing.

Luna transported herself to the wing, and appeared right next to the hourglass that stood in the center. She looked at the tons of shelves that were littered with old tomes and spells. This would be quick for her, as she knew the layout of the wing and what information was where. Her horn lit up with a blue aura and ten different books and pieces of parchment floated before her. She noticed a tome with the title of Magical Artifacts for a Pony's Mind. It sounded promising. Celestia didn't need her help, but she now had something more important to do...

That night..
******

Luna had found the perfect item for her. She laid on her floor studying the book and she now stared at the page that showed a necklace with a gold chain and had a black gem in the middle. Something inside her told it was just what she needed as she read the small description.

A necklace forged by the God of Chaos himself, it is said to be made to help supress the force of evil that Discord heard in his head during his rule, but these are just rumors. It is also said that the necklace was made to harness the Elements of Harmony's power and channel it to the wearer, and increase their power 100 times fold. Unfortuanatly, the necklace was lost during the battle between the two regal sisters and Discord, and to this day, no pony knows of it's whereabouts.

Luna didn't care about the part of the elements. She had no desire for power, only to be rid of Nightmare's voice in her head.It had said that it's ability to suppress voices seemed to be only rumors, but she would take the chance to get rid of Nightmare's torturous voice. She only started to hear it last night, but it was driving her crazy that it was there.

A knock was heard at her door.

"We are busy," she yelled out.

"Luna?"

It was Celestia's voice. Luna quickly grabbed the book in her mouth and threw it under her bed, and went for the door. She opened it to reveal a very worn out alicorn.

"Are thou alright sister?" Luna noticed Celestia's eyes seemed to be strainded and her body seemed to move stiffly. Celestia entered her room.

"I am alright Luna, just planning for this wedding has been a lot more difficult than I had anticipated." Luna had forget all about the wedding, she was trying to take care of her own problem.

"Why did thee not ask us for our assistance?"

Celestia looked over towards Luna, "Luna, I appreciate the offer of help, but I had already said that I don't need your help."

Luna's body jerked inside, remembering Nightmare's words.

"Of course sister."

"I'm sorry Luna, I am just stressed out. The threat against Canterlot has not made this event much easier for me. I have Shining Armor setting up a protection spell around Canterlot, but I fear that may not be enough."

Luna has seen her sister stressed before, but this seemed to be taking more of a toll on the white alicorn more than expected.

"Do not stress thyself sister. Thou hast completed much harder tasks than this."

Celestia closed her eyes taking a long sigh.

"I know, but I'm just tired of being a Princess I suppose." Luna walked over to her to meet her eyes and investigate her sister's feelings.

"What do thee mean? Do thou wish not to be the ruler of Equestria no longer?"

Celestia lowered her head and sighed once again.

"There have been times Luna that I have felt the way..."

She wishes to no longer rule Equestria. YOU should rule..

Luna's body stiffened.

"...but I really have no choice. Equestria comes first. My feelings and burdens are my own and I can't let Equestria suffer because of my own wants."

Luna was barely paying attention to her. Hearing Nightmare's voice had thrown her mind into a panic.

"Luna, are you well? You seem pale..."

Luna snapped out of her fear, and brought her attention to Celestia.

"O..Oh yes sister...we are fine...just a bit cold we suppose." Celestia accepted this answer.

"Oh, well I'll just be going then. I just came to check in on you and see how you are doing, but it seems I have digressed into my own banter." Celestia opened the door to take her leave.

Why does she always check on you?

"Sister, why do thee check on us frequently?" Luna's eyes opened in shock as she didn't mean to ask that. She had her Nightmare's voice as that to her, but then she involuntarily blurted it out.

"I just want to make sure you are all right is all Luna," Celestia said giving her a small smile.

"Oh, very well then, um, we were just wondering was all. We appreciate thee's visit's." Celestia nodded and shut Luna's door behind her.

Luna turned to the pestering voice in her head that she wanted out so much.

"What hast thou done?!"

I didn't do anything Luna. You were the one asked her and you know the answer don't you?

"Thou hast already given us an answer."

You know it's a lie...

Luna heard what Celestia had said, but she knew the reason why. Celestia feared her becoming Nightmare Moon again. She knew that Luna took her form of evil because of her bitterness toward her sister, but Celestia was making an effort to always be there for her, but was it really for her, or to prevent another war with her, even though she no longer had the ability to transform into Nightmare Moon, or so she believed until hearing her voice.

You are a threat to her Luna. She knows you can overtake her. She is not fit to rule Equestria. You are...

Luna would hear none of this treachery against her sister.

"Enough with thou's lies. We will not betray our sister again, and we will be rid of your awful thoughts."

Your thoughts...

Luna's heart pumped in her chest faster. "No! This is not us! We vow that we will be rid of thee!" Luna summoned the book she had thrown under her bed to hide form Celestia earlier and levitated it before her. She looked over the page that had depicted the necklace once again. If it was forged by Discord himself, it had to be tained with dark magic, and she knew that dark magic was forbidden. Dark magic usend on magical artifacts had unpredictable results when used, and if this was made by Discord, there was no doubt it would be unpredictable in the least, but Luna was desperate. If it rid her of Nightmare's voice, then so be it. She would dea with the consequences later. She couldn't fathom the thought of being loked away again and being away from her beloved sister.

"We vow it..," she whispered to herself as she decided that she must retrieve this necklace, but she had no clue where to find it. It stated that no pony had ever seen it after their battle with Discord, but she couldn't recall the God of Chaos wearing one when Celestai and her fought him and defeated him. She could ask Celestia if she knew anything about them, but that would raise too many questions. It only left her one choice.

She would ask the very maker of it himself. She knew that he was back in his stony prison after Twilight and her friends used the Elements on him, and she knew he had still resided and watched inside it. She would find the location of the necklace by asking Discord himself....

The Night Before the Royal Wedding
******

"Who goes there?" Luna heard a set of running hooves and looked below her."Stay indoors Twilight Sparkle," Luna said as she saw the young lavender unicorn rush into the castle under her night sky. She went back into looking into her telescope, watching for whatever could be a threat to Canterlot. She was very tired now that she hadn't slept at all yesterday or today due to her research and her plan of speaking with Discord. Nightmare Moon's voice had not spoke to her at all today, but she knew it was still there. The pit in her stomach that she had constantly felt all day had confirmed it to her, and only made her grow impatient. She needed to speak with Discord, as much as she hated him and loathed the menace, she needed his necklace. She needed to be rid of this torturing voice and it's terrible ideas. She knew that after Discord's defeat with the Elements of Harmony, that his stony body had been moved farther away from the castle in hopes that if he ever broke out again, he would not be able to take the Elements so easily again.

Luna was growing impatient as she thought about Discord and the location of her salvation from Nightmare Moon's voice. She felt like she was wasting time here, and she couldn't see any type of danger coming to Cnaterlot, and besides, Shining Armor had his protection spell up, so why was she looking through some telescope looking for something that might not even be coming? She knew she was thinking all this due to her impatience but it was unbearable. She was desperate, and she just had to know where to find the item. She had to leave now, so she would have time to plan her next course of action.

She looked down and saw two of her guards standing near the bottom entrance of the tower.

"Guards!"

The two Lunar guard looked up to see their princess.

"Yes Princess," said one of them.

"I call for one of thee to come up here to look watch for any dangers that threaten Canterlot. I must leave on royal business and I will be back shortly."

"Of course Princess," the same guard repilied.

Luna smiled at her faithful guards. "We thank thee for thy service." She turned and spread her wings and flew off into her night, making her way to Discord in his stony prison. She felt the cool breeze of the night flow through her wings, and she felt her mane flow behind her. It was a moment of peace for her from her fear of Nightmare Moon. A moment that was short lived as it came back to haunt her mind.

You really think you can get rid of me Luna?

Luna's moment of serenity in the sky was lost as the terrible voice spoke to her. She wouldn't give her the dignnity of an answer. She would be rid of her no matter what.

She descended down to the ground and landed softly. She looked around to see that Discord was now placed in solitude away from the garden he previously resided in unti he broke free. His statue stood alone in the middle of a small patch of grass. It was isolated from pony eyes, and now it was just him and her.

"Discord," she said as she went up to the statue.There was no answer.

"Discord. We wish to speak to thee," she said a bit louder. She heard something seeming to sound as if it was just waking up and a small dark yellow light glowed within the statues chest as it spoke.

"Oh dear, who interupted my beauty sleep? I was just about to make somepony's organs..." Discord's voice trailed off.

"Discord, we have something that we must know from thee." Luna didn't want to drag this out. She just wanted the location of the necklace.

Discord spoke as his stony prison kept him still, and the only expression that could be seen was one of defeat at the hooves of the elements that had been set in stone.

"Oh look who it is? My Luna, you have definitely grown into quite a fine princess I must say." Discord chuckled. "So what brings you here to my humble abode," he said with saracsm as he spoke the last two words.

"We seek the necklace that thou has created many years ago and have come here to ask where thou has hidden it."

Discord laughed within the stone at her .

"And what, pray tell, would you want something like that?"

Luna hated that she had come to him for help, but she was desperate. She had to obtain a neccasary evil for the greater good..her own good.

"For the purpose that we have chosen it for, now, where have you hidden it?"

Discord laughed once more at her inquiry.

"I see you still have a temper Luna, even after all these years. Now my little item does have a name so I will tell it to you so you can stop referring it to as just another old necklace. It's called remissionis tenebris, or in short, Rebris."

Luna was growing more frusterated. She didn't care what the name of it was, only where it was located.

"We do not care for such a name. We only want the the location of it. We will ask one final time before we take our leave, where is it?"

Discord hummed an unfamiliar while he thought to himself, and after a few moments, he gave the desperate princess an answer.

"Alright my dear, you seem very persistent about finding Rebris, so I'll tell you. I'm locked up in this stone anyways, so I don't see the harm. It resides in the abandoned castle where the Everfree Forest stands. My castle to be precise, before you and Celestia overthrew me milleniams ago."

This was also the same place that she was defeated in the form of Nightmare Moon by the elements. She now knew exactly where to look and had the information she needed. There was no reason to stay and discuss any longer. She turned around to take her leave, satisified with his answer.

"I would have never guessed that you would need it Luna, but I see you are trying to be rid of something. Maybe something like Nightmare Moon..."

Luna froze hearing him say it. How could he know about Nightmare Moon? He was never around to see her that way, and how did he know that she was trying to get rid of Nightmare's taunting voices in her head? She didn't dare turn around or speak.

"Oh, don't mind me Luna, I'll still be here while you go off and take care of your affairs." He paused and let out a small dark laugh. "Good luck..."

The dark yellow light faded away, and the once talking statue of Discord was now only silent. Only the silence of the night surrounded Luna. Her mind was racing a million miles a minute. She thought about what Discord had said, and thought who else knew. Did Celestia know too but wasn't telling her? She was also having second thoughts about retrieving Rebris. This was made by Discord, and it was sure to have some type of dark power within it. Maybe she should have asked what he made it to do instead of taking the word of some old book, but she was so determined within her decision that she only wanted to know where it was.

You deserve to rule. Celestia deserves to die.

Nightmare's voice rang in her head once again. She grabbed her head and closed her eyes. She heard her words, and to hear it say that her sister deserved to die drove a spear of terror through her. Nighmtare's ideas were getting worse and she had to hear it. She quickly resloved that Rebris might have been made by Discord, but she had to have it. It seemed to be the only thing that would be rid of this voice. She quickly spread her wings and lifted off into the air once again. She flew as fast as she can back to her tower to continue to her watch but she knew her mind would not be with it.

She landed behind the guard that was looking through the telescope.

"We have returned. Thou may leave now."

The guard turned around and made his leave, and now she was alone once again to her thoughts. She had to get Rebris. She had no other choice. She would retrieve it during the wedding that Celestia would preside over. She put her teal eyes to the telescope, now watching the night, but her stomach was turned into knots. What she was about to do was not settling well with her but again...

She was desperate...

During the Royal Wedding...
******

She was almost to the abandoned castle within the Everfree Forest. She was supposed to be the wedding, but she had told Celestia that she had to rest for a little bit, and she would definitly be there for the reception, so she had to be quick about this. She stayed high above the clouds so no pony would see her and only the shining sun could see her. She feared if any pony saw her, her lie would be revealed to Celestia and questions would be raised, and if her sister found out that she was hearing Nightmare Moon, she would no doubt be banished once again, and probably for the rest of her long life. She looked down and saw the rows of dark trees below her, and knew she was getting close.

She should have killed you. She should have killed to be rid of me. We are one, you and I.

It was getting worse. Nightmare's voice was becoming louder and louder in her head, and it was driving her mad, but today would be the end of it. It had only been three days since she been hearing her, but one day was too many for her. She still didn't understand how she had her in her head, and why she had suddenly started speaking to her, but at this point it didn't matter, she would be rid of it today.

She descended from the white clouds and saw the broken castle that once used to hold the elements and where she was defeated previously. Her hooves landed on the cold rock that formed the ground and looked around her. The place hadn't changed much since she was here last. The overgrowth of plants slowly started covering the wall, and the old windows were now broken, but she didn't care for the scenery, it was Rebris she was after.

She slwoly walked around the statue that once held the elements in stone and began her search for the necklace. She figured that the stone that held the Elements before,might also have the necklace. She didn't see any sign of the black gem, so she continued to looke elsewhere. She carefully scanned the ground or any loose stones that it could be hidden underneath of, but that quickly came to an end as she laid her eyes on it.

Rebris laid there in the middle of the cold stone floor with it's golden chain and black pendant, and it laid there as if it was waiting for some pony to have it. Luna stared at it from across the room, seeing her object of desperation before her. How could it have been lost to every pony but yet it laid right there? How did she not notice it the first time she was here trying to stop the elements? It was eerie to her, but she had to be rid of Nightmare Moon, and this would do just that for her...at least she hoped.

She slowly walked towards the accused pendant, and picked it up with her hoof and looked into the gem. It had a black smoke wirling within it, and it became darker as she held it up to her. She knew she should not trust anything of Discord's making, but she felt there was no other way. She didn't want this voice in her head with it's awful ambitions of power and treachery against her sister. She just wanted to be normal like every pony else. She was afriad that if she let it continue that she might be somehow influenced by it and carry out Nightmare's ambitions. If this is what it took to stop that, then she gladly accepted it. She put the gold chain around her neck and the cold gem laid on her chest. Nothing happened as she had expected it would. She was expectiing some magical happening or some process that would rid her mind of Nightmare's voice but nothing, so she would test it out.

"Nightmare Moon. Thou has no voice anymore within our mind..." She waited for a response but none came. She had believed Rebris had fullfilled it's purpose until she felt an unbearable pain shoot through her body. She yelped and fell to her legs. White hot pain ran through her body, and she felt as if she was being stabbed millions of times over.

YOU FOAL! HOW FOOLISH!

Luna grabbed her head once again as Nightmare Moon's yell thrashed her brain, along with the torture her body was experiencing. The chain of the necklace tightened over her neck and the pendant clamped down against her chest right over her heart. She began to choke and flung her hooves at the chain trying to break it,but to no avail. The pendeant lit up with a black smoke, and a black stream of magic flowed out the gem like a river. Luna's eyes were watering as the chain continued to choke her. She tried moving her body, but something wasn't letting her, and she barely watched as the black stream spilled onto the floor. A giant puddle of black sparkling magic laid in the floor and began to take shape.

The chain finally loosened as Luna's eyes started to turn a blood red from the lack of oxygen. She coughed violently and breathed trying to regain her breath. The black magical liquid began to rise and take the form that Luna recognized well. It rose and took form of her former self, Nightmare Moon, but her eyes were different. The slits for her eyes glowed a dark yellowish color and looked down at the still coughing Luna.

"What one's desperation will bring them to do is simply amazing." Luna looked up to what was now Nightmare Moon. She remembered her dark and intimidating apperance when she had tooken her form, but to see it stand before her only confirmed that she was Nightmare Moon.

Luna coughed but spoke, "How are thou here?! Nightmare Moon was part of us, not a separate being." The figure of Nightmare walked to her and slammed her hoof against Luna's face, bringing Luna's body against the ground, while her face was grinded into the stone.

"No, we are one. It was so fun to watch you fear and cower when you heard me. I have been with you since the elements defeated us. I have been in you the whole time, and you believed that I was gone? Maybe your ability to take on my appearance, but I am not gone." She dug her black hoof into Luna's face more.

Luna winced in pain. She felt her face smashed against the rock. She was confused and scared. Nightmare Moon was not something seperate, because she was Nightmare Moon, but how could she be when Nightmare was grininding her face into the floor? Nightmare's horn glowed and took hold of Luna's body and flung it to the wall. Luna felt herself fly up against the wall, but it wouldn't end there. She hit the wall and flew into the ground, smashing her face against it. She was lifted back up and thrown against the ceiling. She felt something crack within her as she hit the ceiling, and then she was thrown to the opposite wall, and she fell onto the floor. Her body was thrashing with pain, her nose was pouring blood, and the side of her head had blood coming down it. She tried to get up before Nightmare could do any more harm, but a terrible pain ran through her. It was the same pain from before when Rebris began to choke her. She looked down to see the necklace around her neck. She quickly threw it off hoping that the pain would stop, but it only continued.

"You should have known better than to trust something of Discord's but poor Luna was too scared. You wanted me gone so badly that you have resorted to this."

She summoned the necklace towards her and levitated in fron of her as she motioned to Rebris while she spoke.

Luna coughed out blood onto the floor. "It was supposed...to be rid of thee..."

Nightmare laughed loudly at her.

"You read that from a book! How could a book know what the purpose of this is?! Discord knew what it did, why do you think he told you of it's whereabouts so easily?! He saw right through you and saw me within you. He had told me what it was going to do. If it was really going to do what your small mind thought, then I would have turned your mind to a mess of insanity!"

Luna shook hearing Nightmare's words. She knew she should have never spoken to Discord. He had somehow saw right through her, and made contact with the evil inside her. She should have known just because he was imprisoned did not mean he was completely powerless, but it was too late for regrets.

Nightmare walked over to the beaten and bloodied Luna.

"Rebris has freed me from your weak body. Thanks to your doubt and guilt over your past, I was able to finally reach out out you, and I was going to drive you insane, but this had worked out much better than I had ever dreamed of."

Luna summoned her magic and a dark blue aura surrounded her horn. She would not let Nightmare stand before her and taunt her, but she was quickly interupted as Nightmare smashed her hoof against Luna's head and her head was into the ground once more.

"We won't be having none of that Luna."

Luna forced words out of her mouth. "Then what is to be done with us? Thou are free now. Do you plan to kill us, because if thou takes our life, our sister will find out what has transpired and seek retribution against you."

Nightmare stomped her hoof onto her head and Luna yelped feeling its hard texture smash her head into the floor again.

"I'm not going to kill you. You are going to help me. I have big plans for Equestria Luna and your part of them. I am going to be ruler of Equestria, not Celestia."

Luna lifted her head agaisnt Nightmare's hoof.

"We will not help thee. Celestia will stop thee and take thou's life. Our sister is more powerful than you." Luna tried to push more against Nightmare's force, but her face was slammed into the ground for a third time.

"I know you won't help me, but I'm not giving you a choice. Your also right about your sister being more powerful than me, but I have a plan for that. That old book did have soemthing right about Rebris. It can take each of the Elements of Harmony's power, and channel it to the wearer. Do you know what that means?"

Luna only felt blood running down her face, but she knew exactly what it meant.

"It means that I will be more powerful than any pony on this planet and the bearers of them will suffer because of you!Once I have their elements, I will be abudantly more powerful than Celestia could ever hope to be." Nightmare Moon laughed, loving how great her plan sounded. She took her hoof off Luna's head and lifted her broken body to her and looked in Luna's teal eyes.

"You cannot make us help thee," Luna said weakly. Nightmare smiled wickedly at her.

"I can and I will. You have had control over me for a long time Luna. I had no say so in what I wanted, and I was controlled by you when you fought against your sister and the Elements of Harmony, and both times you have lost. You are weak, and I will not be controlled by some pony as weak as you. Now the tables will turn, and I will control you. My desire will be yours, my ambitions will be yours, my thoughts will be yours, and my will will be yours. You will belong to me and do what I want."

Luna's heart was gripped with horror a hearing her words. Nightmare Moon was going to take control of her, and there would be nothing she could do about it.

"Thou will not get away with this!" Nightmare Moon didn't change, still smiling at the defiant alicorn.

"I am going to have so much fun with you Luna. You will cause so much pain and spill so much blood that there will be no coming back for you. Now, let's not wast anymore time. I have a wedding to get back to with my sister."

She dropped Luna's body to the floor and her body turned back into the black magical liquid that she once was. Luna quickly brought her eyes to the liquid that rose before her. It flung itself at Luna and forced itself inside Luna's mouth. Luna's eyes went wide with horror. She couldnt stop it, and she choked on it as it enetered her body. She felt her mind going hazy, and she knew that Nightmare Moon was overcoming her.

Death

Hate

Blood

These evil thoughts started taking over her mind. She felt a darkness enveloping her as she felt Nightmare running through her body. She was losing it, and it would be moments before she was just a puppet for Nightmare Moon. She thought about her sister, and how sorry she was, how sorry she was to go to such lengths because of her desperation. It would now consume her, and she would be lost. Her vision went to black, and she knew it was over.

Night of the Royal Wedding
******

Luna woke up inside the lonely castle. She stood up and looked around for something of importance. She saw the necklace lying on the floor, where she had thrown it. She walked over to it and picked it up with her hoof. She looked into the black gem and saw it's beautiful swirling darkness within it. She saw her own reflection and saw that she looked completely new. There was no blood running down her face, and her body felt refreshed. She loved it and put Rebris around her neck once more. She would never let it be away from her again, for this was her harbinger of power. she looked over to the broken window and knew it was almost time for her to raise the night.

She transported outside and opened her wings and hovered in the sky. She watched as the sun went down and prepared for her task. A black aura surrounded her body and her horn lit up brightly. The night sky and stars formed within the sky, and her precious moon slowly appeared, shining it's enticing glow upon Equestria. The stars shone brightly and comets swirled within it. She did not care much for this for she had much work to do. This would just be the first of many nights that she would plan her way to power. Luna smiled to herself, knowing her first course of action would be getting rid of the bearers of the elements, and she had much work to do to see how she would make them suffer, but for now she had a wedding to get back to. Her horn glowed black once again, and she dissapeared form the night sky to meet her sister.

She appeared within her tower. She went out and looked over her balcony to see that the reception was about to begin. She had arrived just in time. She saw Celestia standing next to Twilight and her friends, all in their wedding dresses, smiling and happy. She knew that would change soon, but for now, she would let them have their happiness. She flew down to meet them and stood next to Celestia and smiled at all of them.

"Hello every pony..."

They had no clue that the harbinger of their future pain and torment stood right beside them.

"...did I miss anything?"

Part 20: The Sun Rises...

Celestia's mind reeled her back into reality to the hell she was still in. Just as before, Nightmare Moon now stood before her once again.

"Your sister was too desperate to call for your help for fear of banishment from you," Nightmare Moon scoffed, "And now she is mine."

Celestia was angry and hurt at the same time. If she would have known her sister was going through what she just saw, she would never have banished her again. Didn't Luna understand how much it hurt her the first time she had to banish her? Despite all the ponies she killed and all the destruction she had caused thousands of years ago, Celstia never wanted to banish her to the moon, but it was her only alternative compared to the latter: killing her. She would have helped her and find a way to get rid of the haunting voice in her head, but now Nightmare Moon was it's own entity, and it owned everything that was Luna.

"You had drove her mad and made her do all this!" Celestia's anger was slowly turning into fury. Nightmare Moon beamed at her, seemingly proud to see Celestia now getting upset.

"Her will is bound to me, and whatever I want, she wants..." Nightmare's slits grew wider as she swung her head back and laughed, "And what she wants is to rule Equestria!"

Celestia's horn glowed a bright yellow, and she let her fury at Nightmare Moon take hold.

"Then I will break your will!"

Celestia fired a bolt covered in fire and shot it towards the Nightmare. She quickly jumped tot he side to dodge Celestia's attack, and the bolt hit the wall behind her, blowing a hole right through it.

"What is it Celestia, angry that your sister is now my puppet? That she didn't trust you with her problems?" Nightmare was enjoying taunting the once calm princess. It was satisfying to see the ever calm and disciplined Celestia lose her temper.

Celestia's stomach burned. Her blood rushed through her body. Her sister was now a slave to Nightmare's will, and she could have stopped it. If she wouldn't have let her duties come before everything, maybe she could have prevented this. She could have prevented a lot of things...just only more regrets. The only thing she knew she wouldn't regret though, was destroying Nightmare Moon once an for all and freeing her sister from Nightmare's bondage.

"Enough! I will free Luna from you, and you will pay for all the ponies you have killed, all the pain you had caused, and all the scars you have left on ones that don't deserve any of this!"

Nightmare looked at her with a manical happiness in her eyes.

"You mean all the blood that Luna had spilled."

"No! She didn't do any of this! You did!" Celestia summoned her magic once again. She was not going to stand hear and listen to Nightmare's taunts of her sister. A bright yellow disc appearead and she launched it to Nightmare, hoping that it would end her, and she could end this hell for her and everyone else.

Nightmare just stood there watching the disk come right towards her, threatening to slice her in two. She didn't make any attempt to move as the hurling disc of light came closer every second. It was mere inches from her until it suddenly froze in front of her.

"It's time that you learned some new tricks Celestia. You seem to forget that I have been with you for a very long time now. I have seen what you can do, and this is quite pathetic."

The once speeding disc that was now frozen in front of her dissolved as a black aura surrounded it and crushed it.

"I'm sure you can do better," she said shaking her head as if she was dissapointed in Celestia.

Celestia knew that she was even lucky that she was still able to perform spells, but she was already past her limit. Her moment of fury towards Nightmare Moon was being overcome by weakness again due to her almost expending all her magic trying to save Twilight. It seemed Nightmare Moon took notice of her coming weakness as her face changed to one of confusion, but then to a realization.

"I can't believe this...You must have....HA! Is it true Celestia? Had you used all your magic on that measely student of yours?"

Celestia felt exhaustion creeping up on her once again, but she refused to fall down. She had to continue standing. She had to show Nightmare that she would not fall, and she will not have her ambitions come to fruition. She couldn't answer the now amused Nightmare, as her breathing was becoming erratic.

Nightmare laughed as she saw the weak Celestia trying to just keep standing. She didn't understand why any being as powerful as Celestia would waste any type of power on something so...weak.

"This is amusing Celestia, I must admit, to use such power to save one life."

Celestia's legs were slightly trembling out of her weakness. She had to keep standing...

"This is just one of the many reason why you are not fit to rule. You are willing to sacrifice too much just to save one. I on the other hand, will sacrifice if it saves many, even if it means letting other ponies to die..."

Celestia forced her way through her exhaustion and retorted,"You don't want to save any pony. You only want power. Your willing to kill to gain it, and you will drown Equestria in blood."

Nightmare Moon unfurled her wings and in seconds flew straight in front of Celestia's face. a bright black flash popped form Nightmare's long horn and sent Celestia rolling through the ground.

"If it drowns in blood so be it. Blood will save it from it's enemies."

Celestia felt the force of her magic and it violently pushed her back sending her rolling against the ground. She rolled almost three different times as he felt her body smash against the floor. Nightmare's magic was much stronger than Luna's. She had sent her back with only a shock of magic. Celestia laid on the ground as her body succumbed to it's exhaustion, and Nightmare Moon walked towards her with an evil gleam in her eyes.

"I was hoping you would be in top shape when we fought Celestia. How am I supposed to kill you when your not at your best?"

Celestia looked up at her in anger, "Then why don't you kill me now? Or are you too weak to do it?" Nightmare swung her hoof against Celestia's white cheek but she wouldn't give her the satisfaction hearing her cry of pain.

"You call me weak? While you lay at my hooves? I have my servants surrounding the castle and taking Canterlot itself. I have put ten years of planning into this and it's working just swimmingly. Yet you call me weak? We will see who is weak," she said in a challenging tone. Her black horn lit up with its eerie black aura once again. Celestia kept her eyes on her and she was not going to look away. If she was going to kill her now, then she was going to die with dignity and deifiance. Cowards looked away, but not her.

A black ray shot into Celestia side, but it was not tearing at her flesh or causing any harm, but rejuvenating her. She was feeling her weakness waning away as she felt a new found strength rise in her. Nightmare ceased the the black ray, and walked away from Celestia as she went to one of the broken stained windows. Celestia got up, and felt normal once again, but why would she do that, and what exactly had she done her?

"What have you done to me?"

Celestia knew that her magic had caused her to regain her strength, but this was Nightmare Moon's magic. There had to be some trick to it, she wouldn't willingly put Celestia back up to normal, possibly risking her own demise. Why didn't she just kill her?

Nightmare continued looking out the window watching her guards take Canterlot as they surrounded every building and gate.

"If I'm going to kill you, I want to kill you while you are at full strength. Even I have standards Celestia. It will be much more enjoyable when I defeat you and make you suffer. I will earn your crown, and our fight will determine who is really weak, so I have restored your magic that you foolishly wasted on the unicorn. Do not worry," she turned to Celestia and smirked,"There is no trick to be seen here."

Celestia looked over her body and saw her golden magic flowing back up to speed, and there was no taint within it, so Nightmare was telling the truth. That also meant that if Nightmare was that confident in her abilities that she could fight her at full strength, then Celestia had to be on her guard.

"Then what are you waiting for? I have a sister to regain, and a kingdom to save from you..."

Nightmare eyes became wider in excitement and eagerness.

"Very good! Now we can finally have a real fight, but there is something I rather do first before we begin trying to slice each other's heads off. This is not a battlefiled fit for beings such as ourselves. We will fight somewhere will it have more....meaning."

Celestia didn't know what she had meant by with more meaning, but if it meant that she would be out of Canterlot, she would take it. She hadn't forgot about Twilight and Pinkie, and if they weren't gone already, then at least Nightmare Moon would be gone so she wouldn't pursue them. She only nodded at her in agreement.

"Very well then." Her black horn lit up and in an instant, Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon vanished from the destroyed hall, where only the echos of chaos and screams earlier remained.

Two stallions stood covered in shining blood among bodies of Lunar guards. Some were sliced open as their organs spilled out of them, while others had limbs missing, or some type of gash in their bodies.

Shining Armor and General Blaze both were breathing hard not from exhaustion, but from the rush of battle. This was not new for Blaze, but Shining Armor's heart was pumping through him and pure adrenaline pushed through his veins. He didn't enjoy the blood he had gotten all over him, but only thoughts of Twilight made him disregard it.

"So it looks like I got here first," Blaze said as he sheathed his blade and smiled. He had blood all over his face and armor, but it didn't phase him. Shining Armor's blade dissapeared as he ceased his magic to talk.

"It seems that way dosen't it? We need to get to the gardens and meet Twilight and Pinkie there."

They both entered the castle leaving a trail of their bloody hoof prints on the floor. They heard each other's hard breaths but not one was going to stop. Blaze spoke through his hard breathing.

"You said Pinkie is with your sister? Isn't she the one that killed her friends?"

Shining armor didn't really want to discuss Pinkie. He still had no clue why Pinkie was here in the first place, and Celestia didn't really give him an explanation for it, but considering the circumstances, he understood. He was a soldier, and a soldier followed orders, no questions asked, but there were many questions he wanted to ask her. He would have to wait until he saw her again, for now, he had to reach Twilight and Pinkie.

"Yes, and don't ask me how or why, just that I am supposed to get them out of here."

They ran past all the portraits that hung on both sides of the hall they ran through. Famous unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies had their portraits for all to see, along with Celestia and Luna's. Only if they could see that the world they knew was slowly descending into complete madness.

They both cut a quick left turn as they entered a new hall that was paved with windows on both sides, and the shining sun that should have been pouring into it would not because of all the Lunar pegasi that covered the sky.

"Told by who Shining? Celestia?"

Shining was really hoping that question wouldn't be asked, but it seemed inevitable, and he knew he was going to sound insane once he told him, but he would give him an answer while they continued to make their way to the gardens.

"Yes, Celestia told me in my head. It sounds crazy, but it was her, and she told me I had to get them."

Blaze turned his head with a confused look, as expected.

"Wow, thats some crazy shit Shining. I would call it horseshit if it wasn't coming from you."

Shining didn't know if that was a compliment or not, but he kept going.

"We got some more coming!"

Shining heard Blazes' warning and wasn't even paying attention to the windows until Lunar pegasi started crashing through the windows. They held their blades in their mouths, ready to stop the duo. Shining looked to Blaze who had also stopped but was looking behind them. Unicorns and earth ponies were coming in behind them. They were going to be trapped by both sides soon if they didn't do anything. The guards that must have been guarding the rest of the castle must have caught on that they were here.

"Shining, I think it's time to go!"

Shining Armor summoned his blade once again and called out to Blaze.

"Then we have to keep moving before we get boxed in!" Both Blaze and Shining ran towards the pegasi blocking their way. They didn't have time to try and kill them, they just had to make it to the gardens. Shining and Blaze charged towards the pegasi to make their way through. Blaze jumped into the air and spread his wings to fly over them.

"Shining! Just run through them, I can cover you from here!"

Shining nodded. He entered the group of pegasi as they swung their blades to slice him, but Blaze had him covered. He thrust his sword between the incoming slashes that were going to come down on the captain. A blade was swung to his side, but Shining blocked it with his ownn and sliced the attackers throat as he continued running. Blaze flew close over him, making sure none of the pegasi got the jump on the captain. One pegasus smashed through another window and caught Shining off guard.

"Shining, watch out!" Blaze yelled as the pegasi and other Lunar guards chased after them, but it would come too late. The pegasus' blade cut across Shining's side as he ran past him, and he felt a burning sting through his side. He felt the burn of his wound, but something caused him to turn around to face his attacker that was running after him. Adrenaline ran through him feeling the stinging of the cut. He threw his sword straight at the black eyed pegasus and the blade sliced right through it's head. He watched as the blade tore through his dark flesh and blood came sprouting out as its's nerves and muscle were sperated from its body and his sword came flying right back to him as he grasped it with his magic.

"No! We don't have time for this! We have to go! They are right behind us!" Blaze descended next to Shining as he tried to snap him out of his blood lust. Shining heard Blaze and turned to continue running, but his side was making hard to run. He looked at his wound and saw it wasn't real deep, but it definitely had tore into his flesh, and was making it difficult to now breath as blood seeped out of it covering his one side with blood. Blaze noticed how slow he was going and turned to help him. He saw the cut and knew it wasn't fatal but it was enough to hurt.

"Are you okay?!"

Shining nodded and looked forward to see Lunar guards running after them. If they caught up to them, then they were done, and Twilight was finished.

"You have to keep pushing! If they get to us, we're dead!"

Shining and Blaze began to run again as the chasing guards had gotten closer due to his injury. Ther were going to catch up to them unless they did something quick. Shining turned and jumped as he summoned his magic and formed a wall of magic to slow them down. It appeared to their pursurers and some ran right into it, smashing their faces against it. Blaze halted to see what Shining had done and noticed the wall.

"Good job! That will hold them for a few, but we need to get out of this hall and get to the gardens."

Shining turned to Blaze and now was halfway running and limping at the same time.

"That's not going to hold them forev-" Something caught Shining's eye. He looked towards one of the windows to his side and noticed pegasi flying above them, but they were gathering near the roof of the hall they were in.

" We gotta go Shining, that wall won't hold them long," Blaze stated as the halted group of guards smashed their bodies against the magical barrier that was keeping them fromm their two targets.

Shining didn't pay attention as he saw more and more pegasi gathering above the roof of the hall. Then it dawned on him. His eyes looked up to the ceiling and he knew exactly what they were going to do.

"Hey! C'mon! LEt's go, those guys are gonna break that wall any minute!"

Blaze was trying to snap him out of whatever he was doing, but noticed the fear in the capitain's eyes and how he was looking towards the ceiling.

"What are you-"

The ceiling made a loud thundering sound above them and small pebbles of stone fell to the floor. Blaze now looked up to the ceiling and it made the same noise again.

"Blaze..."

"Yeah....?"

"Run."

Blaze looked over towards Shining as the captain looked back at him. The ceiling made the same noise a third time and their pursurers were breaking the wall that Shining had put up moments ago.

"What?! What's going on?!"

Shining saw the ceiling beginning to crack. They had to go.

"Run! Run now!" (Begin Music)

They both took off on his command. Shining had forgot completely about the pain in his side as he knew what was going to happen. AS soon as they started running the roof began to collapse behind them as they heard the stone come down unto the floor, and even heard the smashing of certain bodies underneath the blocks of stone that fell.

"Holy shit!" was all the general could say as they ran. Boulders of rock and rubble began falling in front of them. They both turned into a different hall but the pegasi must have been following them as they now samshed the roof above them as they previously had done. They both saw the entrance to the gardens in front of them.

"We're almost there!" Shining Armor called out. He was almost to his sister. The roof collapsing behind them was catching up to them, threatening to smash their bodies into a bloody mess of organs and bones. Shining turned to see how close they were to a painful death, and saw pegasi that were smashing the roof earlier were now flying in through the absent roof behind them.

"We got pegasi after us!"

Blaze turned as he ran and saw them too.

"Just keep running were almost there!"

The roof ceased to crumble but now pegasi were flying in swarms through the broken roof and flying towards them. Shining pushed himself to run as the burning pain in his side came back. Blaze made it to the red door that led out to the gardens, and was motioning Shining to hurry up. The captain put all his strength into one final stretch and made it to the door and pushed it open as the pegasi flew after them. Green lush grass and trees surrounded him, but he looked back toward the door, expecting Blaze to come out after him, but he wasn't there. He turned around to go back and find Blaze but he saw the orange pegasus still standing inside the door as the swarm of Lunar pegasi was coming toward him. Blaze turned toward Shining and smiled at him. (END Music)

"I suggest you put a protective barrier over the garden so no pegasi get to you guys because I won't be able to hold these guys off forever but it will buy you some time to get it up."

Shining's eyes went wide realizing that Blaze was going to try and fight them.

"Blaze! What are you talking about?! We have to get out of here. You can't fight them all! Let's go!"

Blaze shook his head at him and began to close the door.

"No! Blaze!"

Shining ran back towards the door to stop him. Blaze was his general, but he was also his friend, his brother in arms, and he didn't want to see anymore ponies die.

"Blaze! BLAZE!"

Shining Armor ran but he wouldn't make it. Blaze held his smile at him, and closed the door, sealing his fate. His friend and brother was now at the mercy of Luna's guards, and Shining knew there was no mercy to be had. He called out one last time, but he knew it was out of pain in his heart than hoping he would hear him.

General Blaze would be no more...

It was only Shining Armor now, and he had only only had one chance to save his sister...

Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon appeared in a valley surrounded by trees. Celstia could feel the wet grass under her golden hooves, and saw the gray sky that poured its rain on them, and the lightning dancing around in the sky. The sensations of nature would not overtake her, as she knew exaclty where they were at.

"Bring's back memories, doesn't it Celestia?"

She knew what Nightmare meant. This was the very spot she had banished her sister to the moon, and where she saw the last of Nightmare Moon. It reminded her of all the pain in her heart when she had made her decsion to banish her, and the land only filled her with regret.

"The very place where you banished your dear sister," Nightmare looked around taking in the scenery, "And the very place will the powerful Princess Celestia will die. Ironic isn't it? We are back at the same place we started, but only this time, only one of us is going to come out alive."

Celstia knew that Nightmare Moon was enjoying all of this. She had control and she was dealing the cards, and Celestia could only take it, not having much of a choice. She had to defeat Nightmare Moon here, and make sure that she couldn't come back ever again.

"You will be the one left here this day Nightmare Moon. I will make sure here and today that you are erased from history, and gone from my sister!"

Celestia's body started to glow a light yellow color, and her eyes flashed to a bright yellow, just like the color of her Sun, and the very ground beneath her started to burn as she stood. Nightmare watched as Celestia readied herself and with the intention of ending her.

"We will see about that. One final battle Celestia. One final fight to decide who is more powerful and who Equestria needs!"

Nightmare Moon unfurled her black wings and rose into the air as her eyes flashed white and a black aura radiated from her body. They both looked at each other with hate in each other's eyes, one wanting to end the other.

The grass at Celestia hooves stared to catch on fire from the heat of her alicorn magic radiating from her body, and sparks of electricity ran around outside of her body, and steam rose as drops of rain pelted against her.

"We end this today Nightmare!"

A golden mist left Celestia eyes, and a gold plated chest plate appeared on her with the Sun emblazoned on it. Her horn lit up and summoned her blade against the darkness that was Nightmare. Her blade was covered in flames with a combination of the sun's light, while the handle was made out of pristine gold. The flaming blade appeared before her and she wielded it before her. The drope of pouring rain hit the blade, and only steam rose from it, not able to douse its's flames or light.

"I will have Luna back!"

Celestia will free her sister from this darkness that had hold over her, and Nightmare Moon would suffer just as she made innocent ponies suffer. She would make sure of it.

Lightning flashed throughout the sky as Nightmare hovered in the dark sky with her bright white eyes.

"Then take her back!"

That was all Celestia needed. She unfurled her white wings, and flew at her with her blade of flame and a gold trail following in her wake with hate in her heart. She was taking Luna back, and ending Nightmare Moon forever. Nightmare flew toawrds her without hesitation with a giant grin spread across her face. She would finally have her fight against the all powerful Celestia, and she will take her life from her and finally rule Equestria.

One final fight was all that was needed...

And all of Equestria depended on Celestia once again...or it would suffer for her failure.

(A/N. Alright guys, I been having some issues lately and been doubting my work here. Simple question: Are you, the reader, still enjoying the story thus far? Is there anything that I can do better? Is there anything you would like to be rid of or don't like? Feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.)

Part 21: Inheritance

Pinkie trotted through the garden as she looked for Shining Armor asTwilight slighlty bounced up and down on the pink pony's back as she trotted through the lush grass. Twilight didn't know how much time has passed that she had been bouncing around, but it seemed like an eternity.

Pinkie had been looking for Twilight's brother but she couldn't find him, and Pinkie was getting worried. Celestia had told her that Shining Armor would meet them in the garden and she was sure as pie that they were at the garden. By all the trees and colorful flowers and variety of woodland critters, she was positive they were. So where was the white unicorn? Pinkie continued as she frantically searched for just a streak of blue from his mane, or even a hoof, she would take that, becasue the more time she wasted looking for him, the less time that Twilight had.

Twilight's body felt heavy, and the pain that had left her while she was with Celestia was starting to return. Tinges of pain sparked through her nerves, and it felt like millions of tiny needles poking at her. Her eyes were heavy, and her mind was drifting once again. All she could hear was Pinkie's hooves against the grass, and her own heartbeat slowing down. Her heart thumped and she heard it loud and clear in her ears. Earlier she wanted to live for Pinkie's sake, to see her again, but death was approaching her, and it was pretty enticing with it's promise of closure from her pain.

Pinkie kept looking as her blue eyes were darting around. She was becoming desperate to find Shining Armor. She knew that Twilight was still alive as she could feel her heartbeat against her back, but for how long? Celestia did help her, but only to buy her a little more time, and just that. She was going to lose her if she didn't find him soon.

"Twilight, you still with me right?"

Pinkie had to make sure. She needed to hear her voice. She needed to know how much time she had left.

Twilight opened her mouth but it came out quietly and weakly.

"Yeah...I'm...here"

Not much time at all. She had to find him immediatly, and have take them to wherever he was supposed to take them. She was with her dying Twilight, and she was watching as her life was waning away. She started to trot faster, but was still mindful of Twilight on her back.The last thing she needed was Twilight falling off of her due to her increasing panic. She passed rows of beautiful yellow flowers and red roses, and a gentle breeze that blew against the trees, but she didn't have time to admire its immaculate beauty. What she wanted to see was a blue maned unicorn.

Twilight felt nature's breeze hit her face, and it soothed her. It wasn't helping her keep her mind with Pinkie, and her mind was quickly descending into haze and darkness. She didn't know if this was her death now approaching, but it was welcomed. She already failed earlier, what kept her from failing again if she lived? Who would get hurt next? Pinkie? Sweetie Belle? Spike? Would they be next because of her weakness? If she was dead, there wouldn't be a worry about that. Luna would be satisfied, and hopefully Pinkie would be able to hide once again from her dark grasp.

"Pinkie..."

Pinkie Pie stopped as she heard Twilight's voice.It sounded weaker and quieter than before.

"What's wrong Twilight?"

Pinkie laid down and gently slid Twilight off her back. Her heart was throbbing inside her pink chest, fearing that this was it. These were Twilight's last seconds, and that she was too late, Shining Armor was too late, and the lavender unicorn knew it.

Twilight was rolled on her side looking towards Pinkie. She loved her bouncy pink mane and innocent blue eyes.

"You...d..don't..." Twilight coughed as she tried to speak. Her pain had resurfaced and wracked her body.

"You don't have to do this...just leave me here...you go."

Pinkie's eyes filled up with salty tears as she heard her words. Pinkie didn't want Twilight to give up. They were so close, she just needed to find her brother, and they would be home free.

"No! Your not going Twilight! I promised that you would be okay, and I don't break Pinkie Promises!"

Rivers of tears ran down the pink pony's face. Twilight saw raw sadness leaving Pinkie's eyes, but Twilight couldn't take it. She wanted release from her pain, from her failure, from this world that she once knew.

"I'm sorry Pinkie...It hurts...I can't."

Twilight's mind was going into a black haze, and her vision was becoming surrounded by a dark void.

"You can! You have to! We're supposed to throw a party together when we get our friends back! Together! Twilight! You can, just hang on!"

Pinkie was desperate, screaming out to her, trying to break Twilight away from death's grip, but Twilight didn't want to hang on. She was done, and she was foolish to think that she would actually live.

"Twily!"

Pinkie spun her pink head around to see a white sturdy stallion with horror in his blue eyes.

"Shining Armor!" Pinkie exclaimed through her tears. He had found them, but was he too late?

He knelt before his sisters side and watched as life itself was leaving her. He had to get her out of here now. He hadn't even put up a barrier to protect them from the pegasi that covered the skies, but it seemed they were paying no mind to them. He had heard Pinkie's cries and it terrified him as he feared the worst for his sister.

"She needs help! She's going to die if we don't leave!

Pinkie's panic was taking her as she saw Twilight drifting away as she laid on the grass. Shining Armor looked towards her with a mix of horror and anger.

"You don't think I know that?! Why would you care anyways?!"

Pinkie went silent except for her whimpers of sadness. Shining Armor didn't know about Pinkie being innocent and that she was not the one who had brought Twilight's friends gruesome deaths. As much as he wanted to hurt the party pony, Celestia had given him directions to bring both of them. Lucky she had said both, or he would've left a certain pony behind.

"I'm supposed to get you both out of here. I'll be transproting us to Manehatten to regruop with my guards," He looked towards Twilight as she met her face. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was open as her breathing was becoming slower and slower, "and I'm going to get you some help. Just hang on."

Hang on...that's what they kept telling her. What if she didn't want to hang on anymore?

I'm sorry Pinkie. I'm sorry brother.

If she was hanging on before, then she was going to let go.

She heard her brothers seemingly distant words as he said they were leaving. She heard a loud pop sound and she felt herself floating. She knew her brother must now be taking them to Manehatten and taking her to receive some attention, but she wasn't going to be there with them.

She let go and let the darkness take hold of her.

Twilight's eyes flashed open and a bright light fed into her purple eyes. The sun shined brightly and she felt it's warm glow against her body. She noticed that she was standing on soft swaying grass, and it felt...good. There was a valley of grass that seemed to run forever, and there were five ponies all sitting in the distance. She couldn't make out who they were, as the sun was so bright that all she saw was black figures.

"Hey egghead!"

Twilight's body stiifened in shock and her mind and heart exploded inside her. She knew that voice. One that had confidence and almost an egotistical background to it. She knew exactly who it was.

"Well there she is! C'mon sugarcube, this here food is getting cold, and ah'm starving!"

Her southern twang rang through Twilight's ears.

She walked toward the lone group to get a better look at them. Heariing what sounded like Applejack and Rainbow Dash wasn't good enough, she had to see them and lo and behold, her friends were sitting on a red checkered blanket with a couple straw baskets filled with sandwiches, and all of them were drinking from apple juice boxes.

They were all here. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and even Pinkie Pie were all sitting together eating with giant smiles on their faces...just like before.

"Darling, you finally made it. Why don't you sit down and have some daisy sandwhiches? They are simply divine."

Twilight was still in complete shock. All her friends were here, happy, like nothing ever happened. She didn't know how to react. She sat on her rump and looked at all of them in shock with a mix of pure and utter joy. A yellow hoof appeared before her with a sandwich. She turned her head to see Fluttershy with her pink angelic pink mane with a small smile on her face.

"Here you go Twilight. I'm sure your hungry from your trip but, um, you know, you don't have to eat if you don't want to."

Twilight slowly grabbed the sandwich in her hooves, and she noticed that she was shaking. This was all too much for her. Her friends were back, and they were having lunch together, just as they did for so long before.

"Where you been ya slow poke?"

She turned to Pinkie Pie as she jested at her. Twilight didn't understand what was going on, nor did she care. This was heaven to her. It was just her and her friends. A wide smile came across her face. She couldn't help it. Her joy was too much, and she couldn't keep it hidden. It was a feeling she hadn't felt for so long, it was almost alien to her.

"Woah, whats up with you Twilight?" the multi-colored mane pegasus asked.

Twilights heart was exploding ten thousand times over.

"You guys...your alive...your alive!"

Tingles of happiness ran through her body. They were alive and they were all together again,

"Um, why wouldn't we be sugarcube?

"Yes darling, what ever would make you think we wouldn't be?"

She felt Fluttershy tap her shoulder. She turned to her with a nervous smile. Twilight loved seeing her nervous pegasus friend and her beautiful cyan eyes. She couldn't contain herself as she hugged her, feeling her yellow fur against hers. It was all just too much.

"Oh, um, wow Twilight, are you okay?" the animal loving Fluttershy asked.

Twilight let her go and beamed.

"I'm way more than ok. I'm perfect."

She was in heaven. She had release from her pain and torment. She was finally rid of the world that had shown it's true colors, and she was free from her failure. Only this paradise in front of her was all she wanted now, all that mattered. This was her reality now.

Twilight looked at her sandwich in front of her, and bit into it. The soft bread with the delectable daisies were exquisite. It was the best sandwich she had ever tasted, and she knew why. They all sat in happy silence as they ate and drank from their juice boxes. It was good to eat with her friends again under the shining sun. She had missed it all so much.

"Hey Twilight! I got a super duper important question for you," Pinkie chimed as every pony else ate.

Twilight was more than happy to oblige.

"Of course Pinke what is it?" she said as she smiled at her.

"Why did you give up?"

Twilight froze. Her body went ice cold as she looked at her half eaten sandwich. She swallowed hard and looked up, and saw Pinkie's face went from one of happiness to straight despair and anguish.

"Why did you give up on us?"

She turned to Rarity now who had asked the same question, but now her eyes were gone. Two gems were lodged inside her eye sockets as blood poured from them.

"Why did ya fail sugarcube?"

She looked over to Applejack to see her face completely gone and she was nothing but burnt flesh and shreds of meat of her body were falling off.

Twilight shot up onto her hooves and backed away as she saw their bloody and gruesome features.

"Whats going on? Your not supposed to be like this!"

Twilight had paradise right before her, and it was quickly turning into more like a hell. She felt something hit her her leg and looked down to see a bloodied head of Fluttershy with her eyes rolled back in her head.

"Your hurting me Twilight. What have I done to you?"

Twilight's mind was hurting, and her body was filled with terror and fear as she heard them speak to her in their anguished tones. She kept backing away as they all began to rise up and walk towards her, spewing their questions at her. The sun darkened, and the sky went to gray as something started to drop from them. She looked down to the grass as it was being covered in a red liquid. She felt the red drops pelt against her body. She lifted her hoof and saw that this red liquid was thick runny blood.

"Are we not worth it?" Rainbow Dash asked as her body split open and blood and organs spilled out of her, and her eyeball rolled out of her socket, leaving only a strand of a bloody bundle of nerves hanging out of the empty socket.

Twilight couldn't believe what she was seeing. Everything was so perfect moments ago. Was this hell? Was this what true hell was?

"You want to abondon us!" They all howled in unison. Twilight cringed as she heard their tortured voices howl at her as they continued walking towards her.

"No! Stop it! I didn't abandon you!"

She kept backing away from them until her rump backed into something. She turned and saw a face she didn't want to see again. Luna stood behind her and smiled at her.

"They are all dead Twilight Sparkle. You weren't there for them and they all suffer for your selfishness."

Tears started to well up in her eyes as the sky began to turn darker, and the blood coming down from the clouds came faster, and it seemed to dye her mane and coat a blood red.

"NO! Get away from me!"

Twilight charged right into Luna, but she dissapted into a black smoke. Twilight looked for her but couldn't see her. The mangled bodies of her friends continued towards her until she felt an intense burning on her front leg, as if it was catching on fire. She looked down as she saw a white decayed hoof wrapped around her leg.

"Ahhh!" Twilight screamed as she felt her leg burn and at the sight of the white arm.

She pulled away from the arm, but her leg wasn't scorched or burned, but it throbbed with searing hot pain. The white arm was followed by a head with two sap green eyes, and it looked at her with such pain in its eyes.

"Sweetie Belle?!"

"Why did you leave me Twilight? I loved you like my own sister!"

Her terrifing screech rattled Twilight's brain. She was so confused, she didn't understand what was happening. Swettei Belle wasn't dead.

"Stay with us!"

She turned her back to her decayed and mangled friends. They were holding their arms out for her, trying to touch her and bring them into their hell.

"No, what is this!? I didn't want this!"

She began to run away from them, but the blood kept pouring from the sky, and it seemed it was only getting darker. She felt her front hoof trip over something and fell face first into the bloodied grass. She looked to see what had caused her fall.

"Why would you leave your number one assistant Twilight?! I needed you!"

Her eyes began to pour tears as she saw Spike. He was dragging himself with his two arms. The bottom half of his body was completely severed off, and his bloody intestines dragged behind as random organs were left behind in the red grass. His two wings were bent in awkward positions, and bone was ripping out of one of the purple dragon's wings.

"No! Your alive! I'm the one who is dead! This isn't what I wanted!"

She felt her shoulder burn and she howled in pain. She turned to see a dark sapphire hoof on her shoulder, and looked up to a beaming Luna.

"This is what you wanted. You wanted to die, and that is what you got," she said smoothly.

Twilight yelped again as she felt another burning in one of her hind legs as Spike now had grabbed one of them with his broken claw.

"No! Get off of me! I didn't mean for this to happen!"

She broke away and continued running.

"This is what you wanted! You left us all to die!" the mangled bodies now all said, their torturing screeches permeating Twilight's skull. She wanted to leave and be away from this nightmarish hell. She kept running as her hooves hit the grass, and puddles of blood splashed on her. She kept running, but she could still hear their voices screeching in her head.

"You left us to die!"

"We needed you!"

"It hurts so much! Why are you hurting us?!"

Twilight fell to her stomach and flung her hooves over her head trying to muffle the voices that tortured her soul. A pink hoof extended out to her. She looked up and saw Pinkie Pie, but she was covered in dried blood. Her bottom jaw was completely missing, and a bloodied tongue hung out of her broken mouth. Both of her once blue bright eyes were missing and green slimy maggots squirmed out of the empty sockets. Her pink mane was missing chunks of hair, and chest was completely gone, showing her non beating heart and dead organs. Pinkie spoke to her, and it was clear as crystal though she had no lower jaw, and only blood spurted out as she seemed to speak.

"I loved you Twilight. I promised I would get you help, and you made me break it!"

Twilight quickly flung herself on her back seeing the disfugered Pinkie Pie. This had to be hell for her, and there seemed to be only pain and torture that resided here.More tears streamed down her cheeks.

"This isn't what I wanted. I just wanted to be free from all of it. I just wanted all the pain to stop."

Pinkie walked toward her still holding out her hoof to her, and her friends along with the now decayed Sweetie Belle and the broken Spike were making their way from behind her. They were surrounding her. The blood rain covered her body, and she only watched as they came closer. Her heart rattled with fear. She knew now there was no heaven to be had, and this hell would now be her reality. She now realized the extent of what she had done. This would be the fate of ponies because of her decision. They would all suffer as her friends had, and it would be her fault. She saw Luna standing behind the group of her former friends smiling at her.

"You realize now what you have done. This is what awaits every pony because of you. Your failure has doomed them all, and you will become part of us in eternal pain."

Twilight curled into a ball. Her mind was breaking. She wanted to see Pinkie again. She wanted to see her brother again. She wanted to see Sweetie Belle and Spike. She wanted to get her friends back again, she wanted to live again.

"I'm sorry! I just want to go back! I'm sorry!"

She had tried to run away from pain, and used death as her escape, but it only landed her in pain that she couldn't even imagine.

"Is that what you want my faithful student?"

Twilight's heart stopped and looked up to Princess Celestia who stood next to her, and the mangled bodies of the anguished ponies ceased their progression towards her along with Luna.

"P..Princess?? Are..are you dead?"

Celestia looked down at her and smiled warmly.

"No Twillight, and neither are you. You are just hanging between life and death right now."

So she wasn't dead.... at least not yet. The mangled bodies growled at them, but they wouldn't move towards them. She noticed that Celestia was not even touched by the blood rain as it poured down, but it was seemingly avoiding the white alicorn.

"You said you wish to go back. But why Twilight? Why do you wish to go back?"

Twilight looked around her, and bloodied and decayed hooves were trying to reach for her, but they would not dare move to her.

"I want to see my friends again. I have to bring them back. I want to see Pinkie again. She has had to carry the same pain I have for so long, and it was selfish of me to give up on everything just so I could stop hurting, " Twilight began to sob as she continued, " I'm sorry, I just want to go back. I haven't even thought about the ponies that needed me, " she said she looked at the tormented Sweetie Belle and Spike,

Celestia smiled, and put her golden hoof on Twilight's shoulder, sending a soothing warm feeling through her.

"Princess, how are you here with me? If were both not dead, how are you here when your with Luna?"

Twilight didn't quite understand how Celestia could be in two places at once.

"Dear Twilight, I am not Celestia. I am only an avatar of her, meant to keep you from giving up. You had heard her when she said what she did was supposed to buy you more time yes?"

Twilight nodded, still not seeing where this was going.

"I am that time Twilight. I was placed within you to keep you from giving in and accepting death. This is where the time that she has given you begins."

Twilight understood to a point. When Celestia was healing her, she put a part of herself within her, a fail safe almost, to stop Twilight from accepting death if she came to it. She still didn't understand how Celestia could have done that though. She had never read about any type of healing magic that could actually interfere with one's passing to whatever it was on the other side.

"Did Celestia do all this too?" she said as she motioned her hoof to the ponies that stood around them.

"No, this is just a nightmare, one that is trying to tell you to not give up in the harshest way possible. As I said before, you are not dead, but your very close. If you would have accepted this nightmare, your soul would have been lost and moved on, leaving the ones that care about you. It wants to show you the consequences of your decision."

Twilight was now losing her moment of clarity. It was becoming too confusing for her. She wasn't dead, her mind was trying to show her things that might not even be a reality, and Celestia, or whatever it was, stood before her.

"But how could my mind do this? This could only happen if you,er, I mean, Celestia didn't beat Luna..." she trailed off now coming to a scary realization.

"Celestia poured her very magic into you Twilight. She was desperate to save you, and she was on the verge of her own death after she had healed your wound. She didn't even know what would happen when she did this, but she was determined to keep you alive."

Twilight looked around as she noticed something. The gruesome bodies were gone, and the bloody rain was no longer pouring, and it was only her and what looked like Celestia. She stood back on her hooves.

"So she manipulated her magic to intertwine with miine? Is that what your saying?"

It nodded it's head.

"And I was placed here to ensure that you are given more time."

Twilight's head still spun around. How could Celestia mix her own magic within hers? She knew that all unicorns had their own special type of magic, but they could never 'mix', but it would have to do. She just wanted to go back now. There was so much to be done, and Pinkie and her brother were waiting for her.

"Well, I want to go back. I want to try again."

It smiled once more.

"Very well then, but once I take you back, I will be gone, and if you should ever decide to give in again before your time, there will be no turning back. Death comes for us all, and today you have decided to cheat it. No doubt it will be waiting for you next time."

Twilight nodded but took note when she mentioned 'her time'. Did she seemed to know when Twilight's time was coming? A new determination rose within her. She would have to deal with her pain but she wasn't alone in it, and she knew now that she hadn't failed. Only when she gives up and accepts death as her way out and let Luna win will she have failed. She had some friends to bring home, and a certain princess that had to pay for her transgressions.

"Good," a bright light glowed from her horn. It grew brighter and brighter until it blinded Twilight and she heard it's last words.

"Just hang on a while longer....

"We got her! She's coming back!"

Twilight gasped as a rush of air filled her lungs. Her eyes shot open as she saw a swarm of doctors over her with their tools and their eyes in relief. A bright light shined above her as it hit her eyes.

"Sweet Celestia! She's alive!"

She could hear the beeping of a heart monitor, and a oxygen mask was present over her muzzle. She tried to move her arm, but her body was weak, and her arm throbbed as she moved it. Her arm was stopped by a doctor and was led back to her side.

"Just relax Twilight. Your in good hooves now. We need you to just rest", one of the doctors instructed.

They were trying to bring me back...

She laid still and watched as they started to put equipment away. She looked around the room in hopes of finding some familiar faces. The room had was painted light green, and there was medical equipment everywhere but she had found who she was looking for. Pinkie Pie and her brother, Shining Armor stood in the room. Their eyes were red and puffy from the crying that they both had done. Shining Armor's face showed of relief and joy as he heard the doctor's outbursts, and the green line of her monitor that had flat lined for what seemed like an eternity was now beeping at a steady pace. Pinkie Pie let out a giant smile spread across her face. Her heart was thrashed with agony as she had watched the doctors desperately save Twilight, but they did it, and overwhelming happiness flowed through her. They both began walking towards her, happy to see that Twilight was back.

She looked at her marefriend and brother as they started to walk towards her but something was different. Much different. She saw what looked like veins in them, but it wasn't blood or veins that she had seen in her studies about the body. These seemed spectral, almost mystical in their own way. She saw a blue aura running through Shining Armor at a constant speed, and it flowed throughout his entire body, while Pinkie Pie's was a bright pink color, but it moved at a much slower pace. Twilight's mind went blank at what she was seeing. She was confused, and that was something she didn't want to be right now.

Pinkie Pie and Shining Armor now stood at her bed side looking at her, with tears still coming down their faces, but tears of relief and happiness.

"Welcome back little sister," Shining said as he hugged her gently.

She couldn't really hug him back as much as she wanted to due to her body still weak as before, but she was also studying this mystical blue aura that flowed within her brother. She couldn't wrap her mind around what she was seeing. It moved at such a speed, it seemed to flow like a rushing river. He pulled away from her as she continued studying thie eerir sight. It was now Pinkie's turn to hug her.

"I'm sooooo happy your back!"

Twilight wasn't surprised by Pinkie's outburst. She seemed to do that a lot, but she was now studying her. The pink aura that flowed withing Pinkie was much slower than her brothers. It was almost sluggish, but it moved constantly regardless. Pinkie broker their embrace, and now the two just looked at her and she looked at them. Her mind was rattling against her head. Did they know they had whatever this phenomena was inside them? Could they see something similar within her? She couldn't take her eyes off of it, but it slowly started fading away, and in moments, the spectral veins that ran through her mare and brother were gone, as if they were never there.

Welcome back Twilight...

Twilight heard the voice again, one that she hadn't heard in a while.

Did you just see that?

You can see them...

See what? What was that?

Twilight wasn't prepeared for it's answer. She wouldn't understand it, nor would she be able to think about it as Pinkie and Shining now began to speak to her, seeing how she felt, but it's answer was one that she would have to understand in time. She would need to...

You see the connections...

It seems Celestia's magic had done more than she expected....

Part 22: Saying Goodbye...

Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon fought in the air as lightning and rain danced to the sound of their blades crashing against each other. They both hated each other, and had let that hate fuel their swings and jabs at each other. Nightmare Moon felt a sick and twisted pleasure from all this. She was finally fighting Celestia, and after so many years of planning her rise to the throne, she was now at the last step of her journey. Celestia felt a burning fire deep in her stomach that pushed her to kill Nightmare Moon once and for all. She hated that she didn't see this happening and that Luna and now Equestria had to suffer for it.

Celestia and Nightmare Moon continued their hate induced fighting as they tried to stab and slice each other open, but they were equally matched. They were moving so fast, that with each slice and thrust of their blades at one another, the wind produced by their attacks was cutting each other's skin open and they were both riddled with cuts that seeped blood out of them. A blade covered in a black aura and a balde covered in the sun's flames met each other almost every other second, with small sparks of electricity apperearing every time the two deadly blades met. They both swung their blades with all their power, and both their blades met as they locked against each other. They both faced each other eye to eye as their hate for each other burned in them. Celestia hated seeing her white glowing eyes knowing that her sister was now a slave to Nightmare's will, and Nightmare Moon hated looking into her glowing golden eyes seeing her as she was the last obstacle in her way to power. Their blades shook and a giant explosion blasted both alicorns plummeting to the wet earth beneath them. The intenisty and strength of their power had became too much for their swords to handle, and raw power had exploded between them.

Celestia slammed into the wet grass and dirt, and a shock of pain from the force of the fall shot through her. She grunted as she laid on the wet grass, but she had to beat Nightmare Moon no matter what. She has had many regrets in her long life, and she was determined not to add another to her long list. She slowly staggered onto her hooves as wet dirt and grass covered the side of her body that she landed on.

Nightmare Moon's body dragged across the dirt from the explosion of raw power. She felt the side of her face grind into the dirt, but she didn't wince at it. Her lust for power overcame any type of pain she should have felt. Her dragging had ceased, and she also staggered onto her hooves as she narrowed her white eyes to the glowing Celestia.

They were both breathing heavily and not one had come out of their battle in the air unscathed. Spots of blood covered their bodies from their cuts along with their armor. Nightmare Moon's helmet was dented and scratched, and Celestia chest plate that had her cutie mark on it was cracked along with mutiple scrapes and scratches.

"This...this..this is..exciting!" Nightmare Moon cried out.

Celestia looked at her in disgust. She hated how her foe was enjoying all of this.

"You have not failed my expectations dear Celestia. No..you have actually surpassed them! This is the fight I have always wanted. A fight between gods!"

"We are not god's Nightmare Moon, and for you to see us that way only proves that your lust for power has no bounds."

Nightmare Moon beamed at her.

"A ruler's power shouldn't have any bounds. A ruler should pursuit power constatntly to provide their kingdom protection."

Celestia body radiated a golden aura from it now as she listened to Nightamare's deranged views.

"How would you know?!"

Celestia's eyes burned a golden fire now as her anger and hate burned even more within her.

"By you! You are weak and you are comfortable with the power you have. You don't look for ways to increase it, and that is why you were beaten by Chrysalis so easily! That is why the elements had to die. That is why I now have control of your precious Luna! You are weak!!"

"ENOUGH!"

Celestia's horn released a giant cone of fire that blasted towards Nightmare Moon. The grass turned to ash as it traveled towards the hated black alicorn.

Nightmare Moon's black horn glowed and there was a ripping sound. The trees that surrounded the valley began to rip from the ground as she quickly ripped several trees and stacked them in front of her. The cone of fire hit the wall of trees and they instantly lit on fire while Nightmare Moon stood safely behind them. She summoned her dark magic and levitated all the trees in the air as they burned.

"Your going to have to do better than that Celestia!"

She fired the burning trees straight towards the enraged white alicorn. Celestia began to run as the trees smashed into the ground with the intent of pulverizing her. She jumped to the side as another burning tree smashed into the ground, barely missing her. She unfurled her wings and took off into the air. Nightmare Moon dropped the burning trees on the ground as they set the valley's grass a blaze. Several dark tendrils appeared out of her horn and she smiled wickedly.

"Where are you going Celestia?! I have a kingdom to rule and your wasting my time!"

Celestia saw the dark tendrils coming towards her. She continued flying and dodged Nightmare Moon's dark grasp. She turned and saw the deranged alicorn on the ground as she controlled her magic. She closed her wings and began to dive towards her. Her white horn glowed and fired multiple fiery bolts toward her. Nightmare Moon's slits grew wide as she saw several bolts of Celestia's magic came towards her.

"You will never have my kingdom!" she said as she spiraled down to meet Nightmare Moon.

Nightmare Moon abandoned her concentration of her black tendrils as the blasts hit the ground around her. One landed right next to one of her hind legs and she fell to the ground. She felt a burning pain in her leg and looked to see that that one of the firey bolts had nicked her leg, and her skin was scorched and bleeding. She looked up to the sky, but her vision was cut as she she felt a hoof land squarely on her throat and she choked feeling the force of it.

Celestia took the oppurtunity to pin Nightmare Moon down as she held her down by her black throat. She summoned her fiery blade and pointed it right to her head as the pinned the alicorn coughed, trying to breath.

"This ends now Nightmare Moon. My sister will be free from you, and Equestria will be rid of your forever."

She pressed her golden hoof down harder on Nightmare's throat. Fire ran through the once green valley, and Nightamare Moon's face was glowing from the light of her blade near her head. Ripped trees laid on the ground burning, and even the rain could not douse it. This would be the destruction caused if she failed and Nightmare Moon was left to rule, but it would be much worse, and much more blood. Nightmare Moon smiled at her weakly and coughed a couple more times.

"You would kill me Celestia? Is that what you plan to do?"

"Yes, you have caused too much to be forgiven, and death is the only appropriate punishment for one such as you."

Nightmare Moon laughed weakly with Celestia's hoof still pressed on her throat.

"You do realize if you kill me, you kill your precious sister also."

Celestia knew that, but she knew that Luna would rather die than to be controlled by something that had caused her to do such terrible things. She would give her that release, but she knew it was her hate for Nightmare Moon that was really pushing it.

"You are telling me things I already know. No matter your excuse Nightamare Moon, you will die. There is no other way out."

Nightmare Moon smirked.

"Then tell that to your dear sister!"

Almost instantenously, Nightmare Moon turned into a black mist and Celestia's hoof went right through and hit the ground. She heard a laughing from the mist as it hovered before her.

"You want to free your sister from me Celestia, that you are willing to kill her? Then it should only be right that you tell her that!"

The black mist swirled around Celestia and Nightmare Moon's laugh echoed within the whirlwind. Celestia swung her blade at the mist, but it only sliced at air. The burning valley and rain started to fade out until there was nothing but darkness. The black mist faded, and Celestia was now in a black void of nothingness.

"Where are you coward?!"

She heard Nightmare Moon's sinister laugh echo through the void.

"I'm a coward? Coming from the pony that refuses to make war with her enemies and wait for Equestria's destruction?"

Celestia was tired of her acting like she cared for Equestria. She knew she was using the excuse of Equestria as a guise for her true desire of power.

"Enough of your lies," Celestia called out to her, "stop pretending as if you care for Equestria! We both know all you desire is power, and only want to see pain and destruction. You enjoy seeing others suffer!"

"Lies? You misunderstand. I do want to save Equestria," a dark low laugh sounded through the void, "and pain and destruction will be it's savior."

Celestia burned with hate. She shot beams of light from her horn into the darkness as she tried to break whatever hold Nightmare Moon had on her, but nothing happened. The beams just shot into nothingness. Her bright golden eyes looked for a way out, but she found none. She looked for any magic running through the darkness and saw a faint sapphire blue aura radiating from a distance. She walked towards it and kept her blade beside her. She wasn't sure what it was, but if Nightmare Moon was trying to get the jump on her, she wasn't going to let it happen. She got closer and closer to it and started to hear a faint sobbing, and Celestia's heart stopped.

"Luna?" she whispered to herself.

Her eyes went back to normal and her blade disappeaeed as she walked closer and closer and the sobbing became louder and louder. She gotten close enough to see her sister Luna, who had her hooves over her face as tears ran down her face. Her mane and tail flowed, but her crown and chest plate she used to wear were gone, and she her body was covered in brusises and cuts, and she sat in a pool of blood.

"Luna?!"

The sobbing Luna slowly looked towards Celestia and her teal wet eyes opened in astonishemt as she saw Celestia before her.

"Sister!"

Celestia started walking towards her slowly. She didn't know what Nightmare Moon had done, and she wasn't sure if this was the Luna she knew, or the one that had been driven insane and was under Nightmare Moon's control.

"What's the matter Celestia? Aren't you happy to see your sister?" Nightmare Moon's voice once again echoed.

Luna yelped and covered her head, as if the sound was hurting her. Celestia looked around trying to see where her accursed voice was coming from. She turned back to Luna who sat in the pool of blood and cried once again. She knew now this was her Luna.

"Luna. Are..you okay?"

Celestia saw all the bruises and cuts and the shining pool of blood, so why was she asking if she was okay? Of course she wasn't okay, but she didn't know what else to say.

"I'm so sorry sister! I didn't want to kill them, she made me kill them!"

Celestia's heart broke hearing her sisters desperate apologies. She walked over to her until she stood beside the weeping Luna.

"Luna, it's alright. I know this is not your doing."

Luna continued crying.

"This is my doing! I have been trapped here for so long. I have tried fighting her, but I can't beat her sister! She torments me every single moment. She made me watch myself as I killed them! I killed them all! Twilight Sparkle's friends, your guards, so many innocents, and I did it!"

Luna's wails of guilt echoed within the black void, and Nightmare Moon's laugh began to ring out along with Luna's wails.

"This is all your doing Luna. You could've prevented all this, but you are too weak to even stop it! Now tell her Celestia, tell her what you plan to do to help her stop."

Luna grabbed her head once again as she wailed in agony.Celestia stomped her hoof in anger as she heard her taunts.

"This is not her fault! None of this is her fault Nightmare Moon!"

Luna looked up to Celestia as tears streamed down her dark sapphire face.

"What is she talking about sister? You know a way to make me stop all this?"

Celestia felt her eyes well up with water. Her sister spoke to her with a hint of hope. She was going to kill Nightmare Moon, but she also knew that Luna would die with her, but she would be free of this torment.

"Luna...I..I'm." Celestia was stammering over her words. She was now truly understanding what she was going to do. She had wanted to kill Nightmare Moon out of her hate for taking her sister, but now that she was facing Luna, and it was replaced with dread. It was hitting home to her now. She was going to kill Luna...

"Celestia?"

"Luna...I have to kill Nightmare Moon,"she swallowed hard trying to keep her tears from leaving her, "And you will die with her..."

Luna's tears continued to stream down her face, and her face twinged as Celestia said her final words.

"Your...going...to..kill me?"

Celestia couldn't hold her tears back anymore and she let them fall down her face. She had completely forgot about Nightmare Moon and her mind and heart was filling with sorrow and another feeling she knew well...regret.

"I'm so sorry Luna. I don't know what else to do. I don't know any magic or spells to undo this, and she threatens Equestria. I can't let her..."

Luna turned away as she began to cry softly.

"I understand sister. You must do what is best for Equestria..." she trailed off.

"Please Luna, " Celestia's pain was becoming unbearable seeing her sister like this, "I don't want to do this, but I have no choice. Equestria will suffer if I don't..."

"Just do it!"

Celestia froze as Luna yelled at her.

"Luna..."

"Just do it sister! I know how important Equestria is to you, so just do it and get it over with!"

"Luna! It's not even about that!

"Then what is it sister? Am I destined to be alone forever?! Am I only to suffer for eternity?! Kill me and end this torment of mine, and you may continue to rule."

Celestia's soul cracked in her hearing her sister's outburst, but before she could even utter an answer, Luna started screaming and howling as she held her head again in agony.

"Luna!"

Nightmare Moon's voice reappeared once again.

"This is sweet, but I have to end this here, but don't worry Celestia, you will see your sister again in moments. How does that sound Luna? Would you like to be with Celestia again?"

Luna continued screaming and she slammed her face against the floor in the pool of blood.

"Please Celestia, just kill me!"

Nightmare Moon laughed menaically within the void.

"Yes Celestia, please kill her...if you can."

Luna started to fade away as Celestia watched her scream in agony. The black void was slowly fading away around her, and slowly the burning grass and trees had come back, and she felt the rain against her body once again. She looked over to see Nightmare Moon who stood at her smiling with satisfaction. Celestia's heart was wrecked, her soul was broken, her judgement was now wavering. Seeing Luna in such torment and her outburst of being alone now haunted her mind.

"What did you do to me?"

Nightmare Moon smiled wide to hear Celestia's question.

"I didn't do anything to you. I was kind enough to show you your beloved Luna. The one that is trapped in her own mind as I control it. Did you see how she suffers? She has suffered for years and I have tormented her every single waking moment. All that blood she sits in is the blood of every pathetic pony she has killed."

Celestia's tears continued down her face from earlier, and now the image of Luna being tortured and trapped within her own mind every single day for so many years wrecked her.

"You bitch," Celestia said quietly through her quiet sobbing, "How could you enjoy what you do? How can you enjoy the suffering of others?

Nightmare Moon replied with a sick and twisted satisfaction.

"Because," she chuckled to herself, "It's fun."

Celestia threw her head up and yelled with anger at her.

"Who do you think are to make ponies suffer?! What gives you the right to do that?!"

Now the black alicorn licked her lips, relishing what she was going to say.

"My right as Equestria's new ruler and upcoming god."

Celestia gritted her teeth, almost hard enough where her gums could bleed. She couldn't believe the insanity that she was hearing being spewed out of the hated alicorn's mouth.

"Nothing gives you the right to do this. Equestria would never follow a leader like you!"

Nightmare Moon scoffed.

"They will have no choice. After I am done here with you, the lands of Equestria will be given an ultimatum. They can either pledge themselves to their new ruler, or I can wipe them off the planet. Any who refuse me will be made to suffer and die."

"They will follow you out of fear, not loyalty. Equestria will be in complete chaos, and you would have it start a war that would only bring it's own destruction."

Nightmare Moon narrowed her eyes to her and Celestia stared right back into them as her tears slowly slid down her white cheeks.

"Then let it be fear that drives them, I don't care. They will eventually turn their loyalty to me once I acquire all the Elements of Harmony, and I have power beyond imagination."

Celestia staggered as she felt her legs become weak. She now thought of Twilight and Pinkie Pie, and the danger that they would be in if she couldn't stop Nightmare Moon. They had Rebris now, the key to bringing back Twilight's friends, and Nightmare Moon would no doubt pursue them to get it back.

"You don't have Rebris anymore in case you have forgotten. Even if I failed, Twilight will bring the other elements back, and they would defeat you. Either way, you have set yourself up for failure."

"Ha! I am not worried if they have it or not. Luna was worried because she had failed in protecting it, as was my will for her, but let Twilight Sparkle bring them back. I have seen the darkness that resides within her and the lust for vengeance she desires from your dear sister. Her hate for Luna and rage will consume her. Her and all her pathetic friends will come back to try and defeat me and I hope they do, " she licked her black lips once again as if savouring something delicious, "So I can have Luna kill them again, only this time, they will suffer beyond comprehension."

Celestia had to stop her and she knew it, but now that she has seen Luna and her suffering and pain, she dreaded doing what had to be done.

"Well Celestia, I did say you would see your Luna again, and I am a mare of my word," the slit eyed alicorn proclaimed, "so let's finish this."

Celestia watched as Nightmare Moon's body was engulfed in a black mist. Her body had become a bit shorter, and her slit eyes were replaced by two teal colored eyes. The mist evaporated away and revealed her once kind now insane sister, Luna.

"No..." Celestia whimpered to herself.

"Hello dear sister."

Celestia looked at her and saw Luna, but this was not Luna. This was a shell of her that had been filled with hate, anger, and insane views and ideas.

"Luna, you don't have to do this. You can fight her...please..."

The white broken alicorn was desperate now. Where had all her hatred for Nightmare Moon that pushed her to kill her had gone? Only the image of Luna crying in a pool of blood ran through her mind. She didn't know now if she could end her own sister.

"I don't wish to fight it sister. It has given me more power than I could ever hope for, and made me realize how weak you are. I am almost ashamed to call you my sister. I would never want be related to some pony who can't even save her own kingdom."

Celestia heard the words and knew this wasn't really Luna saying all this, but it still jabbed her inside. Nightmare Moon had twisted her and corrupted her, and the innocent and kind Luna was trapped, forced to watch as she comitted her unspeakable deeds.

"I know you can see this Luna. You have to stop this. I don't want to kill my own sister," she pleaded as she tried to reach out to the trapped Luna.

"Enough of this nonsense! Stop speaking to me as if I'm another pony. I am Luna, and if you do not wish to kill me, then I will kill you, and finally have Equestria under my hoof."

She summoned her black blade once again and pointed it at Princess Celestia.

"One of us dies here sister. I am tired of following in your shadow. It is time that I stepped out of it and removed you out of my path."

Celestia's tears were filled with such pain and dread to see Luna this way. There was no kindness, no happiness, no love within her. She was now just a puppet under Nightmare Moon's control, filled with illusions of saving Equestria by pain and blood. She lowered her head as she realized that there was no avoiding it. She couldn't let Nightmare Moon win, and if she had to kill her own sister to stop her, then so be it. She ceased her crying and held her head back up. Her body was broken inside, but her priority's in the end laid with Equestria. She had to sacrifice one to save many, but this was going to be the most difficult sacrifice of her life. Her white horn glowed as she removed her golden crown off of her head and threw it onto the scorched grass. She summoned her blade of fire and postioned herself for the inevitable.

"I see that you are ready then sister?"

She wasn't. She could never be, but she had to be. She needed to be. Equestria demanded it.

"Know this Luna.... I don't fight you as a princess or the ruler of Equestria this day, " she narrowed her eyes as her soul weeped inside of her for what she had to do, " but as your sister and that I have always loved you. Even after all this, and whatever happends here, I will always still love you as my sister Luna."

Luna looked at her in disgust hearing her sentimental words.

"We may be sister's by blood, but that is it. I have never loved you as one, and never will. Who could love a sister that was weak and not willing to gain power? I hate you Celestia. I hate you for what you had done to me thousands of years ago, and I hate that you are weak and useless. I hate you."

Celestia listened as Luna poured her words of hate out to her. She smiled sadly at her as she saw how far Nightmare Moon had thrown her mind into such madness and hate. She knew this wasn't her Luna, and she knew that the Luna inside loved her back as much as she loved her. She would kill her and release from this madness.

"I love you too Luna."

Celestia's eyes flashed a golden yellow once again as she raised her magic within her, and Luna did the same as her eyes flahsed white. Earlier, Celestia was filled with fury and hatred for Nightmare Moon, but now she faced Luna, and she was now driven by sadness and a want to finally free Luna from herself. Luna charged at her, filled with hate and anger, and Celestia stood and watched as she came towards her.

"Goodbye..," she whispered to herself.

Luna swung her blade at Celestia and it only met her reluctant blade.

She has heard many times through the years by ponies that saying goodbye was sometimes the hardest thing to do in one's life and she now understood why.

"...Luna."

Saying goodbye was truly the hardest thing to say...

Part 23: Surprises

"That's why Pinkie is here. She has been staying with me since then, and, well, were here now."

Twilight was getting tired of recounting of her story of Pinkie's innocence, but she kind of had to considering that Shining had no clue about it, and the fact that he threatened Pinkie to cut her down where she stood after the doctors had left alone.

"I guess that would explain why Luna went completely ballistic earlier. I thought she had just went insane, but I see she has her eyes set on bigger goals. Well, good thing Princess Celestia got you guys out of there."

Twilight thought about her mentor and guide. She didn't know how much time had past, but as she looked out to the window and saw the position of the glowing sun, and she determined that it had to be around midday. She wondered how Celestia was doing, and hoped that she would be alright. She knew it was only this morning that they had reconciled, but it felt that even with her gone all those years, she still had that connection with her.

"Well, I have to get going."

Twilight snapped herself out of venturous mind and looked over to her brother who was now heading for the door.

"Where are you going?"

Shining turned his head and let a small smile come across his face.

"I got to get back to the other guards. I'm sure Silver is losing his mind by now, so I probably should help him before he gets his mane in a bunch."

Twilight scrunched her face in confusion as she heard the name of Silver.

"Who's Silver?"

"He's the lieutenant. He was put in charge when me and.." he trailed off as he was about to say Blaze.

He didn't want Twilight to know that some pony died trying to save her. He had heard her tale and really didn't want her to feel any worse than she already did.

" Well, when I left to come get you, I put Silver in charge."

Twilight noticed his quick cut off. She knew her brother well, and she knew when there was something bothering him. It was her BBBFF after all.

"Shining, is there something wrong?"

Shining turned his head to look at the door. He sometimes hated how Twilight could tell when there was something eating at him. He knew that she was a very intelligent unicorn, the Princess' hoof picked student no less, but why did she always have to know if something was wrong with some pony?

"No, just a bit stressed out with everything ya know?

He knew his sister wasn't buying it one bit.

Well, I got to get back to the other guards. I'll be back soon to check on you again. Take it easy Twily," he turned his head back but to face Pinkie.

Pinkie Pie had been standing quietly, which was unusual for a pony like her, and only listened. She had other things on her mind that concerned her of what she had become when she fought Luna.

"You too Pinkie. Sorry about, well, threatening you and stuff."

Pinkie snapped out of her stupor and put on a fake smile for Shining Armor.

"Oh, it's okay silly! Don't worry about it."

Shining Armor turned and left out the door and left Pinkie Pie and Twilight alone together. Pinkie went back to her pondering as she thought about Pinkamena. She was scared of what she had become, but it was only now hitting her considering everything that had happened to Twilight, and her mind was too occupied on saving her marefriend at the time. She remembered the laughing in her head and feeling a surge of happiness and excitement as she relished thoughts of death and blood pouring over her. It made her sick to her stomach to think she actually was excited over that kind of stuff, but was it her or Pinkamena that had felt like that? She knew she was there, but she also felt like she wasn't as if she was sitting back and watching a very scary movie right through her own eyes.

"You okay Pinkie? You been real quiet there, and we both know that's not normal, even for you" Twilight said jokingly.

Pinkie was shaken out of her head once again, and looked at the lavender unicorn.

"Oh sorry Twilight, my head's been going around and around in circles and it's really hard to think when your heads going that fast you know? I mean, what if my head spun soo super fast that it flew off my head? Would that hurt? I don't know if that would hurt, but if your head is spinning-"

Twilight shoved her hoof in Pinkie's mouth from her ongoing rambling.

"Pinkie, your head is not going to spin off. It's not scientifically possible, so just calm down and tell me what your thinking about."

Twilight removed her hoof from her pink mouth.

Pinkie didn't want to tell her about Pinkamena. She was afraid that if she told her about how insane she was and the things that she felt, such as the excitement that filled her when she was about to kill Luna, that Twilight would think of her as a monster. That's what Pinkamena was...a monster.

"Oh it's nothing, I was just thinking about how big of a party I should throw when you get better!"

Pinkie cracked the most forced and fake smile she had ever given in her life. She could only imagined how she looked like. The only thing she could think of looking like was when Applejack had lied to her and gave her the biggest, forced, and nervous smile, as the orange pony tried to keep her out of her barn.

"Oookaaay then, nevermind."

Twilight knew something was up. She wasn't stupid or completely oblivious, but she really didn't want to take the time to try and pry into having Pinkie tell her what she was really thinking either, so she decided to just let it be for now. She had other things on her own mind as well. She wanted to know why she had seen something that looked like spectral veins in Pinkie and her brother earlier, and what was going on with Celestia. She also wanted to know why she kept failing. She knew she didn't beat Luna, but she had also forgot the reason they were there in the first place. They needed Luna's necklace, and she was to wrapped up in her thoughts of vengeance, that she compeletly forgot about it. Twilight knew she needed it and she had the perfect oppurtunity to get it, but she lost control and went after Luna, and it ended with her in a hospital bed reviewing her failure.

"I'm sorry for all this Pinkie."

Pinkie cocked her head in confusion of why Twilight was apologizing to her.

"What are you talking about Twilight?"

Twilight was feeling a rush of guilt inside her. She felt terrible that she had almost died, and was willing to die, and almost left Pinkie by herself and hope for the best. She had dragged Pinkie into hell and back, and now Pinkie had to see her on the brink of death earlier.

"I'm sorry I dragged you into all this. When I, well, almost died, I did it willingly. I was willing to leave you Pinkie, and hope that you would be okay without me, and I'm sorry. I'm just so tired of all this. I have been doing this for so long now and the pain never leaves. I miss them and I want to hurt Luna so much and look where it got us. In a hospital with you worrying about me. On top of that, we don't even have the necklace..."

Pinkie Pie wrapped her pink arms around Twilight's neck and pulled her close to her.

"You didn't drag me in this silly. If you wouldn't have found me, then you would still think that I did all that bad stuff. In a way, I'm actually really happy, well, in a weird way."

Twilight pulled away and looked at Pinkie with a face of confusion mixed with astonishment.

"Pinkie, are you saying you enjoy all this? Ponies have died, I almost died, and Luna-!"

Pinkie now shoved her hoof in Twilight's mouth this time and gave her a look of dissapointment.

"That's not what I mean Twilight. I don't like all of this. It actaually scares me. I mean that I'm happy because even with all this crazy stuff happening, I'm here with you. I feel safe with you, and you terrify me at the same time..."

Twilight couldn't believe how sincere and logical Pinkie was sounding. This was way out of the pink pony's element.

" You getting hurt or even the thought of you dying terrifies me. If you would've died Twilight, I don't know what I would've done. I thought you were dead long ago, and when you had me strapped to the table and I saw you, I was happy. I was happy that you were actaully alive, well then I got scared because you were going to kill me, but after all that, I was happy. What I'm trying to say is that Equestria could blow up right now, but I wouldn't care. I have my friend and marefriend back."

Twilight's eyes watered as she heard Pinkie's heartfelt speech to her. She never knew that Pinkie could be so open about her feelings for her. She knew that Pinkie was a pretty outgoing and open pony, but she had never seen her like this, and it warmed her dark heart.

"Pinkie, that has got to be the cheesiest speech I have ever heard." She wrapped her arms around Pinkie's neck and Pinkie returned the hug, "But it means a lot."

Pinkie smiled warmly as she held her unicorn. She was happy that Twillight felt loved, despite all the hate and pain she had been through. They broke away as they smiled at each other, but then saw Twilight's smile turn into frustration.

"We still don't have the necklace though. I promised myself that I wouldn't come back empty hoofed and now look," she said as she held up both of her hooves, "That could have been our only chance to get it, and I blew it." Twilight hung her head down as she now turned her thoughts about the necklace.

Pinkie grinned wildly at her.

"We won't need another chance."

Twilight turned to the smiling pink pony perplexed.

"What are you talking about Pinkie?"

Pinkie smiled even wider as Twilight couldn't figure out what the pink pony had in store for her. She hopped away from Twilight's bed and bounced over to one of the nightstands that stood in one of the corners. She openend the drawer revealing the black gem that they had fought for. She had hidden it there earlier as she felt uncomfortable wearing it, but she didn't want anyone taking it either. So she thought of the greatest hiding spot. The drawer of a nightstand...

"I have a surpirse for you!" Pinkie chimed happily.

She wrapped the golden chain around her pink hoof and bounced back to Twilight's bed and hid it behind her.

"What is it?"

Pinkie found it hard to contain her excitement and pleasure. She knew what she was going to show Twilight would definitly break her out of her sour mood.

"You gotta guess," Pinkie sang.

Twilight was not in the mood for games. She was too busy now thinking about how she was going to get the necklace, if they could even get it now, and now Pinkie was toying with her.

It better be one hell of a surprise...

"I don't know Pinkie. Can't you just tell me what it is?"

Pinkie violently shook her head left and right.

"Nope, you have to guess," Pinkie said as she giggled. She was entertained that Twilight couldn't guess the obvious.

"Alright then."

Twilight grinned as her horn lit up and started to tug at something that was wrapped around the hoof that Pinkie had put behind her back to hide the surprise. Her magic pulled the item away from Pinkie and she levitated it to her.

"Hey! That's cheating!" Pinkie exclaimed as she jumped in the air to grab the necklace, but Twilight kept it high enough where she couldn't even reach it.

Twilight giggled at her as she tried to get her little surprise from her.

"You never said I couldn't."

Pinkie stuck out her tongue at her.

"Meanie."

Twilight rolled her eyes and brought the small item atop her bed covers. She looked down at the golden chain. She followed it until she saw a black gem that was connceted to it. She looked closely and saw a black swirling smoke inside of the black gem. Her heart began to pound violently in her, and her body went cold.

"P..Pinkie..."

Was this what she thought it was? Was this the necklace that she had complained of not getting from Luna earlier? She studied it closer and knew for a fact that that's exactly what it was.

"Pinkie?! How?! How did you get this?!"

Twilight simply couldn't believe it. She picked it up with her hoof and just stared at it as it hung from it's chain and it's gem swiveled slowly in the air. She was boggled and in sheer disbelief that they had it.

"I took it from Luna silly. Where else would I get it?"

Pinkie giggled once again as she saw Twilight simply taken back by what she had. She loved making other ponies happy, especially Twilight.

"I know, but, I mean, like how?!" Twilight sputtered.

She was having trouble even getting her words out of her mouth as she still couldn't comprehend how she was even holding the prized item in her hoof now. Pinkie Pie now smiled nervously as she was quickly trying to come up with some type of lie explaining how she had obtained what was now Twilight's focus from Luna. She was certainly not going to her about Pinkamena. That would raise many unwanted questions, and maybe a very scared unicorn which was the last thing she wanted.

"I just kinda got close enough to her to take it. I just got really super lucky," she said nervously.

Twilight didn't even notice the nervousness in her answer. Her mind was fixed on what she held in her hoof. They had Luna's necklace, which meant they had the very key to bringing back her friends and finally seeing them again. Her mind was simply blank, but her heart was racing inside her. Pinkie had done what she had failed to do, but now her failure seemed to be wiped away now as they now had the necklace in their possesion. She might have not been able to kill Luna, but they did beat her in one way.

"Pinkie. I really don't know what to say. I can't believe that you got this from her. You know what this means right?!"

Pinkie beamed, knowing exactly what it meant.

"I know what it means! I know what it means! It means your really happy right?!" Pinkie cried as she bounced around the room.

Twilight was kind of caught off guard by her response.

Dear Celestia Pinkie. Sometimes I don't understand your thinking.

"Well, um, yes, I'm happy-"

"Yay! Your happy. I love seeing you happy!"

Pinkie conitinued her cheerful hopping as she heard Twilight say she was happy.

"Pinkie?"

Pinkie kept on bouncing as she beamed and giggled.

"Pinkie!"

Pinkie put her giddy bouncing on pause as she turned her head to listen to Twilight.

"Yes Twilight?" she said calmly as if this was the first time that Twilight had called her name.

Twilight laughed. She couldn't help how Pinkie could be so, well, Pinkie, and she loved it. She loved her. Pinkie had brought back a happiness that she hadn't felt for so long, it almost hurt her. Her body was a fuzzy kind of warm inside, and her heart was pumping like it never had before. For a moment, just one single second, it felt like the same happiness she had when she first realized who her friends were. It felt like true happiness.

"Were going to get our friends back Pinkie! Because of you, were going to get our friends back!"

"Well, duh, I knew that silly," Pinkie said teasingly.

Pinkie hopped over to Twilight's bedside once more to bathe in Twilight's sheer joy. Twilght knew there were no words that could explain exactly how she felt, but it felt really, really good. It felt so good, that she pulled Pinkie to her as soon as she was at her bedside and pulled her in for the most passionate kiss she was going to give her pink mare. Pinkie's eyes shot open as she was pulled in and her pink lips met a certain lavender unicorns', but she slowly closed her blue eyes and gave herself to Twilight. It had only been a few days since they had made love to each other, but it had felt like an eternity since the last time they had even embraced each other in such a way. They both wanted to just be locked by each other's lips for the rest of time, but all good things had to eventually come to an end as Twilight finally broke away as she softly gasped for air.

"You have no idea how much I love you right now," Twilight said in the most sincere tone.

"I think I have an idea," Pinkie said as she held her pink hoof to her lips. She could still feel Twilight's soft lips upon hers and she didn't want to lose the feeling of them.

Twilight couldn't help but giggle at her response. She turned back to the necklace that was still wrapped around her hoof and stared into it. The black swirling cloud within it's stony prison was constant and kept swirling and swirling. She knew that her friends souls or essences, which she still wasn't completely clear on that whole concept, was in there, and she would have to find a way to break it and free them, and bring them back to the world of the living. She thought about the moment she would see her friends again and the amount of pure joy and happiness she would have at the sight of them. It was a moment she thought was never possible at one time, but thanks to the little voice in her head that had told her about the revelation, she now knew it was a possibility. Speaking of her little voice, she hadn't heard it in a while.

Hey? Are you still there?

She waited for a few seconds for a response and one came.

Of course. I'm always here Twilight Sparkle.

Where you been? Ususally you like to talk and lecture me. What's going on with you?

Nothing. I am simply watching is all.

Well, that's certainly different. So I assume you see what we have now.

Yes, I see it very clearly. You are very happy about it yes?

Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be?

I am glad that you're happy, but realize that you have much work ahead of you. I don't know how to help you with this part, or even where to start Twilight. I only fear that Luna will get to you before you figure it out.

I know that... You can be a real mood killer you know.

I apologize. I will let you get back to your celebrating.

Twilight knew that her little voice was right. There was a lot of work ahead of her, and no doubt that Luna would go looking for them, but she would make it work. She knew that it would be very risky to go back to Ponyville, but Sweetie Belle and Spike were still there, and now a cold fear made it's way into her. What if Luna beats Celestia? Wouldn't she go looking for her and Pinkie, and wouldn't she look for her starting in Ponyville? She would go looking for them, and with Spike and Sweetie Belle still there, she could only imagine what she would do to them.

"Hey Twilight are you okay? You seem to be zoning out again."

Twilight realized that a pink hoof was waving in front of her and she quickly snapped back to reality. She really needed to figure out how she could stop zoning when she was lost in her head.

"Oh, um, yeah, sorry Pinkie."

"Is something bugging you?"

Twilight set the necklace down. Her happiness had left as quickly as it came, to her dismay, and she was filled with anxiety. She was worried for her assistant and Sweetie Belle.

"It's Spike and Sweetie Belle. I'm worried about them. We left them by themselves, and I'm afraid that if Luna beats Celestia-"

"I already took care of that. Stop worrying your little purple head," Pinkie said as she interupted Twilight.

Twilight was just getting a chock load of surprises today.

"You took care of it? Did you bring them here? How?"

Pinkie put her hooves over her mouth as she tried to retain her giggling.

"No silly, how could I do that if I been here with you? When we got here and the doctors started working on you, Shining Armor asked me where Spike and Sweetie Belle were at, in a really mean way too, and I told him that they were still in Ponyville. He said he would have something called an escort to get them I think? I don't what an escort is, but I think it means he's just going to get some other ponies to bring them over here so they can see you."

Twilight's anxiety dispersed as she heard the news. She had completely forgot about her brother. She knew that he knew that she had Sweetie Belle and Spike living with her. How couldn't he when he would come visit her over the years and see how she was doing? Of course, she was grateful that he would take time out of his duties to see her, but she knew she really never showed it, as she was too busy with finding Pinkie at that time. She was now very grateful to him, and she would definitely have to show it next time she saw him.

"You really are full of surprises Pinkie," Twilight said with a small chuckle. Her pink mare seemed to be just taking care of everything for her.

"Well, how do you think I got my cutie mark?" Pinkie grinned, showing her white pearly teeth.

"Oh and I'm not purple. I'm lavender," the unicorn joked. She had caught Pinkie's little remark about her being purple earlier.

Pinkie brought her arm over the side of Twilight's bed and rustled her neat mane playfully as she giggled.

"Of course you are Twilight."

They both laughed together as they joked and teased each other. It was something they both hadn't had for a long time and they both were experiencing something that they hadn't for many moons.

They were having...fun.

They continued to jest at each other and began to even reminisce about the past, and the dates they would go on, and the laughs and mischief that Pinkie would cause.

"Yeah, I still couldn't believe you drank three barrels of cider that night. I had to carry you all the way back to Sugarcube Corner."

Pinkie gigggled and snorted as she remembered her little contest with a certain cyan colored mare.

"You know how Dashie loved challenges and you knoooow how much I love cider. How could I say no to that?"

Pinkie was now laying next to Twilight as they discussed their little antics and episodes of hilarity.

"If you would've had said no, I wouldn't have had to carry you back home, and in case you didn't know, I had to go back and get Rainbow Dash. She was passed out on the floor and I had to drag her back to my place to sleep off all that cider."

"Woah! You took Dashie back home? You never told me that part."

Twilight chuckled to herself as she recalled the image of herself dragging the knocked out pegasus back to her tree home.

"I kind of decided not to. I think the headache you had the next morning was as much as you were going to handle that day."

Pinkie smiled apprehensively as she started to rub her pink head as she clearly remembered the excruciating headache she suffered that morning.

"Your right about that! Only Celestia knew how much pain was jumping around in my head. I even put Gummy on my head, and that still didn't make it better!"

Twilight smirked as she now laid with her mare, and looked up at the white tiled ceiling. It was nice to remember all the good times they had together. It made her forget about everything for a moment, but something wrapped around her hoof took that small moment away. She lifted her arm and brought it over her face as she studied the stone once again. It was still swirling as it did before. She turned over so she could look at Pinkie as she was also looking at the celing sharing the same moment.

"Here Pinkie."

Pinkie looked over at her and saw Twilight handing the necklace to her.

"No Twilight, you should hang on to it. I know how bad you wanted it,"Pinkie said.

"No Pinkie. Your the one who got it from Luna. You should hang onto it. I trust you with it."

Pinkie heard her words and realized this wasn't simply Twilight trying to have her hold the necklace simply casue she didn't want to. It was to show her that she trusted her, and she trusted her to hold onto the very piece that would bring their friends back. Pinkie raised her hoof and took the necklace from Twilight and slid off the bed and stood up. She carefully placed the necklace over her neck until the black gem laid firmly over her chest. Pinkie threw her hoof up to her head and took a saluting position as she grinned.

"You can count on me Twilight. I'm gonna keep this nice and safe. Pinkie Pie never lets her friends down!"

Twilight lifted herself once again so she sat in her bed and she returend Pinkie's grin.

"I know Pinkie. We won't let them down."

This was simply amazing for Twilight. It' been so long since she had actually felt this good. She had faced Luna, been stabbed, almost died, and had the necklace, and this was all in one day. A day that had started out terrible and only got worse, but in the end, Pinkie had come to the rescue and made it all better. It gave her hope. Hope that even though she wouldn't have her revenge on Luna, that Celestia would beat her, and this hell would end for every pony. She would rather have that, and have her friends back, and maybe go back to the once normal life they had. It was great, until she felt a sharp pain in her chest.

"Ow!"

Pinkie looked over to Twilight as she put one of her arms over her chest.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

Twilight put her hoof over her heart as she felt the sharp pain in her chest. She felt her heart pumping increasingly faster, and with each pump, the pain came back. She started to clench her chest as she she felt the pain increase.

"Twilight! What's wrong?!" Pinkie cried as she saw Twilight in pain.

Twilight felt the pain in her chest become more and more excruciating. She started to thrash around as she grunted even louder as her pain increased. Her grunts turned into small yelps. She started to feel her body burning from the inside, and It felt like fire was running through her veins and her blood was boiling. Her yelps quickly turned into full blown screams of pain.

Pinkie was terrified and confused. Twilight was just fine a minute ago and happy, and now she was hwoling and thrashing in her bed in agony. She had to act quickly.

"Twilight! I'm going to get help!"

There would be no need for her to get help though, as several doctors ran in and saw her thrashing around in her bed. They must have heard her agonizing screams. Who couldn't?

"Nurse! Get Doctor Scope Immedialtly! We will try to restrain her!"

The nurse that had ran in the room with the doctors obeyed without question. They all began to hold Twilight down as she thrashed around and screamed in pain. One of the doctors went over to Pinkie.

"What happened to her?!"

Pinkie was simply bewildered. Twilight was just fine a few minutes ago, and now fear had once again set in her as she watched her lavender mare.

"I don't know! We were just talking and she said 'ow' and grabbed her chest and then started screaming!"

Pinkie started to feel tears well up in her eyes as she began to think about if she did something on accident to her. She tried to think to see what could've caused this all of a sudden. She thought about their kiss, how they laughed and joked, and how happy Twilight was when she showed her the necklace. Pinkie's heart froze as she now thought about the necklace, She looked down to her chest and looked at the accursed stone that hung over her chest.

"Oh no," she whispered.

Twilight thrashed and screamed as the burning in her body felt like it was melting her organs and the jabs of shocking pain ran through her chest. The panicked doctors held her down to keep her from hurting herself or others, but all of their eyes were at large at what they were seeing. Sparks of yellow electricity sparked across her lavender body, and Twilight's eyes were burning a bright golden yellow. Twilight knew she was being held down, but it was making the pain worse. Suddenly, she felt her mind going into spirals, and confusing images started flashing in her mind. She saw two crowns laying in a field of fire, one that was a black and the other was golden. She felt something plunging into her chest and she screamed even louder. Something was piercing through her, but there was notihing. More images flashed through her head as she saw a hoof pick up the golden crown and place it on their head. She didn't know who the pony was, but there was a shadow behind the pony. The shadow had two horns and smiled wickedly and almost in a satisfying manner. She felt the same piercing pain in her chest as it seemed to run deeper in her. She now saw a giant puddle of blood on scorched grass and saw a blue sky turning red, but it wasn't the end of it. She now saw Ponyville, and it was burning, and it flashed to her home and a certain dragon and white unicorn. They were burning and screaming. Their flesh was falling off of them as they fell to the ground and their bodies continued burining

"NOOOOO! SPIKE! SWEETIE BELLE THEY'RE BURNINNG! THEY'RE BURNING!" Twilight howled.

The one window in the room shattered as she howled in twisted torment and agony. The doctors that were trying their best to hold her down were terrified, as they have never seen anything like this, and her screams rocked them to their cores. Pinkie could only watch as she saw Twilight thrash and scream about Spike and Sweetie Belle. She saw her yellow glowing bright eyes and the sparks of yellow electricity that danced around her body. She was crying seeing how Twilight was in such pain, and she felt it was her fault. She felt that it was the necklace she had given her somehow as was causing all of this.

"What have I done?" the crying pony whispered to herself.

"Where the hell is Doctor Scope?!"

A light red stallion ran in with a white coat and wore a stethoscope on his head. His eyes were a light blue and had a cutie mark of a heart and stethoscope. He ran over to Twilight as the other doctors held her down.

"What the hell is going on?!" he asked the others as he pulled out a syringe with a long slender needle.

"We don't know! She just started screaming and throwing herself around! She keeps screaming about some other ponies!"

Doctor Scope pulled out a syringe and tapped it with his hoof as a drop of the clear liquid came out of it.

"I'm going to give her a sedative to calm her down. I want every pony to keep her held down! Once I have administered the sedative, I want her in restraints and I want some damn unicorns here to scan her magic buildup. This could be a magical backup due to her injury. Does every pony understand?!"

They all nodded and firmly grasped Twilight down and held her down with all their strength but it was still very difficult. Her body ran with even more sparks of electricity and her eyes now burned a fiery golden yellow as she continued screaming and thrashing.

Twilight was in unberable pain. Her insides were screaming at her, and her chest felt like it was collasping in on itself. Image after image continued running through her mind. There was a library, one she didn't recognize, and then a black palace appeared before her and the ground was littered with corpses, then her mind threw her to another image. There was a pony that seemed to be standing over her and crying as she seemed to yell, but no words were being spoken. She noticed that the pony's hooves were pushing something down into her, and the more she pushed, the more pain she felt in her chest and she could only scream. She started to feel the warmth of blood spilling out of her, but she knew it wasn't hers, but she was feeling it.

"Hold her down!"

The other doctors tried but they were having much difficulty.

Doctor Scope positioned the needle over Twilight's arm and very slowly started to lower it. He had to be very careful, or end up missing or hurting the agonized mare even more. Twilight's screams echoed in Pinkie's head and she was full out bawling. It was all her fault she thought. The necklace had done something to her beloved Twilight and it was putting her through some type of hell. She wanted to make Twilight happy, but instead she had caused a living hell within her marefriend.

More and more images sped through Twilight's mind. They were fast and brief, and she coud barely make out what they were. She saw two massive armies under a red sky, then she saw her arms holding a small foal, and then a black pony with red seething eyes smiling at her. Tears ran out her eyes as the pain to seemed to last forever, but in reality, only a few minutes had passed by, but she didn't know what she was seeing was reality or a dream. One final image flashed through her mind as she saw her arms in front of her holding a pony with a bouncy mane and tail, and there was blood all over her body, and a giant hole in her body revealing all her organs. She knew this pony as Pinkie Pie, and she was dead in her arms. Pain and terror and exteme sadness filled her as she was her pink lover.

"NOOOO! SHE"S DEAD! SHE CAN'T BE DEAD! NO! NO! NO!"

A shockwave of gold magic bursted from her body, and threw Doctor Scope and the others flying into the walls around her. Pinkie Pie felt the wave of powerful magic hit her and she followed suit as her pink back hit the white wall behind her and she yelped in pain. She looked over to see Twilight's body floating horizontally in midair. Giant bolts of golden electricity covered her body, and a golden mist left her eyes,

"SHE CAN'T DIE!"

That one image stayed in her mind. A dead Pinkie Pie was in her arms and covered in her blood. Twilight's body seared in immeasurable torture. She wanted it to end, and she only heard one voice before she was released.

Twilight...

The pain that wrecked her body instantly left, and the image of Pinkie Pie left. She felt dakness come for her as she felt herself fall onto something, and whispered in response to the voice she would never forget before she blacked out.

Celestia...

Pinkie and the others watched as Twilight's body fell back to the bed and the sparks of electricity and her golden burning eyes had instantly left her. Pinkie quickly got up and ran to her bed, and saw Twilight now sleeping as tears ran down her lavender cheeks. Pinkie was wrecked inside. She didn't know what just happened but something in her gut told her that it had something to do with the necklace. She felt some hoof pulling her away. She turned and saw Doctor Scope getting her away from her marefriend.

"I'm sorry but we need you to leave immediatly. We have to make sure she's okay, and I can't have you in here while we do this."

Pinkie tried to break from his grip as she protested.

"No wait! I have to stay here with her! She needs me! Please, just let me stay! I won't bother anypony!"

He kept draggin her until they were at the door and he led her out into a light blue hallway.

"I'm sorry, but we need to make sure she's okay. We don't know what just happened and I'm going to do my best to find out what it was. She will be fine, I promise."

Pinkie broke his grip on her and walked away from him as she bawled her eyes out. She had done this to Twilight. They were bot having such a good time and even laughing together. How did everything change from go to terrible so quickly? It was her special talent to throw parties and she always made ponies happy, but she now she only saw the pain she had believed she caused to her Twilight.

"I have to go Miss, but I promise that were going to make sure she's alright," he said as he turned and walked back into the room and locked the door behind him.

Pinkie now stood in the hall by herself. There were doors on both sides of the hall with numbers on them, and she knew that these were other patients, but she didn't care. She began to run down the marble floor of the hall as she felt the damned necklace pound against her chest. She turned and saw the mare's restroom and hastily entered. She stood up on her hind legs as she hung her head over a sink and cried. Her tears ran right into the sink, and all she could think about was how much pain she had caused Twilight. She only wanted to make her happy, and instead, made her scream. She looked into the mirror that faced her as it reflected her broken image. She saw her puffy red eyes from all the crying she had done, and she felt disgusted with herself. The necklace that hung around her neck stood out and she hated it. She believed that the accursed necklace was the harbinger of Twilight's pain. She wanted to throw it and break it, but she couldn't. They needed it for their friends, and she promised Twilight she would hold onto it for her, and their friends. As much as she now hated it, she knew that they also needed it.

Pinkie had no idea how wrong she was about her misplaced guilt, but she would learn...

She looked at herself in the mirror as she now begun to hate herself for what she did and spoke to her reflection.

"You're just full of surprises today Pinkie Pie..."

It was part of her special talent anyways...

(A/N. Almost there. Two chapters left guys! I can't believe I had made it even this far with the story. I honestly thought that nobody would really read this, but it turned out better than I had hoped. All of you are an encouragement to me and I take the time now to thank all of you. Your what drives me to continue writing and try my best to give you all the best I can give. Enough of this sappy shit. On a side note, I am going through along with an editor through past chapters and fixing them and cleaning up most grammar and spelling mistakes, and also some formatting, so if you have noticed that, for example, the red text that signified Twilight's inner voice disappearing, it's because we are going through and changing that and making it consistent. Until the next part, cheers my fellow bronies.)

Part 24: Power

History had a funny way of repeating itself. Thousands of years ago, Celestia fought her sister's alter ego, Nightmare Moon, and it ended with Luna's banishment to the moon. Many ponies knew the story, or at least they thought they did, that the Princess of the Night became jealous of her sister Celestia, and felt that no pony appreciated her night. Then one day, she wouldn't move her night for the sun to rise, and she became the evil Nightmare Moon due to her bitterness and malice. That's what the books told them, but there were only two alicorns who knew the real story, and the dead that died with them. It wasn't just a fight between them, but a full blown war. A war for power. Nightmare Moon wanted to have the night last forever and have control of Equestria, while Celestia fought her to save Equestria. Both Lunar and Solar soldiers lost their lives, and they were the only two left standing as they fought on blood soaked soil among corpses. Celestia had the oppurtunity to kill her, and end it all there, but she had seen enough ponies die. It was a selfish notion, to let her sister live when so many have lost their lives, but it was her own sister. She couldn't kill her, so she chose the alternative. Banish her to the moon, and cover up the tragedy for generations to come.

Now, here she was again. The same spot, the same fight, the same struggle for power. Nightmare Moon had control of Luna and she desired power, and Celestia fought again for Equestria, but there would be no banishment this time. One of them was going to die, and as much Celestia wanted to save her sister, she knew that her only salvation would come from death. There was no way out of it, no way around it, no way to avoid it, but she knew that history had a way of repeating, and she could only hope it ended with her on top.

Celestia and Luna had their horns locked against each other. They could not best each other with swordsmanship, and both had given up their blades. They both had to end each other, one that was eager and willing, and the other reluctant, but their goal was the same, and they had to achieve it no matter the cost. Celestia was bloodied and bruised. Her golden chest plate was completely missing as it had finally broken due to Luna's vicious power, but Luna was not without her scars. A long cut ran diagonally across her face as blood slowly seeped out of it, and only half of her chest plate was on her, as the other half had been shattered completely. This was more than a fight for power, though, as the two sisters looked at each other's eye's. This was a fight between sisters. One that was corrupted and twisted, and used her past and Celestia's claimed weakness as her justification to kill her, and the other who had always try to do the right thing, but she had let her guilt and regret fill her. In reality, they both weren't that different. They both wanted power, though for different reasons and motives, and they both lived in their long past.

"Why do you persist Celestia? You can't win this. Your too weak to win," Luna said between her hard breaths as she pushed her horn against the white alicorn.

"To stop you Luna. I persist for Equestria," Celestia retorted..

Luna scoffed at her claim.

" The flinch in your eye calls your bluff sister. You don't do it because of Equestria, you do it for yourself. Does it really hurt you that much to see what I am?"

Celestia continued pushing as their horns were locked on their mental battle of words.

"This is not you Luna, and you may not believe it or see it, and I don't expect you to, but Nightmare Moon has twisted your mind and made you her puppet. There is still a chance to end all this, and it dosen't have to end in blood."

Celestia knew she was letting her selfishness get in the way, but she was trying anyway she could to avoid kill her, though it seemed very doubtful.

"It has to end in blood! We have had this struggle for centuries whether you want to see it or not Celestia! There has always been tension between us, and it needs to end. The world has changed, and it's time that we change with it. There is simply no more room for the both of us!"

Celestia heard her words, and it hurt her. It hurt her, because she was right. There was always tension between them, whether they admitted it or not, and it made Celestia think. Was this the inevitable? Would they still be fighting here, even without Luna under Nightmare Moon's control in the end? Was this the way things were supposed to be?

"We were meant to rule together Luna! We are weak without each other!."

Luna pressed harder as their horns grinded against each other.

"No! You are weak! I never needed you Celestia! I had spent one thousand years on the moon alone, and I never needed you once. What makes you think that we need each other now?! Equestria only needs one of us, and it will not have a ruler who refuses power! I am the only one fit to rule, not you!

Celestia knew this was only Nightmare Moon's control, but to hear Luna spew such delusions was still alien to her. The Luna she knew was kind and loving, and she had no desire for power, but to only be loved and accepted. Nightmare Moon had done a fine job as she continued twisting her mind and filling it with illusions of power.

"Power isn't everything Luna! Power doesn't rule kingdoms!"

Luna broke away and spread her black wings and hovered in the air as anger seethed through her.

"Enough of these lies! Power is everything! Withought might, you can't protect anything! I will protect Equestria and I will lead it into an era of peace! You would lead it into destruction! You are blind to the truth and you refuse to see it!"

Celestia simply stared into her teal eyes as she watched her hover in the dark sky. Maybe Luna was right. Maybe she had been blind to see it. Maybe she was too blind to pursue power, and maybe this was the truth of things. If this was, then Celestia would rather be blind. She knows what the pursuit of power does, and it only corrupts.

"That may have held true thousands of years ago Luna! But the world is different, and much has changed! There's no need to pursue power! I have ruled for many years without it, and Equestria is still safe!"

Luna eyes flashed a bright white. Her wings stretched out as her canterlot voice roared across the burnt valley.

"Nothing has changed! You cannot comprehend what power means. You are too ignorant and weak to understand such a concept sister! If Equestria was truly safe, then it's enemies would be wiped out, and it would stand on the pinnacle of this world! Equestria is meant to rule all things, and I will lead it to glory! You would have it grovel in the dirt, and beg for mercy from it's enemies!

"Ponies will die Luna for what you plan! Is power worth lives?!"

A dark aura began to glow around the deranged Luna.

"Then let them die! I would kill stallions, mares, and even foals if I have to! If it saves Equestria, then I will gladly do it!

Celestia's mind couldn't believe it. There was no regard for life in Luna, and to say that she was willing to kill even foals, children who only knew innocence, was too much for her. There was no way for her to avoid killing her. It now had to be done.

Luna flew higher into the black sky as the rain poured and a giant black aura enveloped her, only showing her white burning eyes. She summoned her blade once again, as she was now putting all of her power into one last attack. Black lightning started to strike the ground as it broke the soil. The black aura grew and grew until it covered the sky, and only a black swirling vortex surrounded her.

"I will show you what power can do! Today, power will strike you down, and hand Equestria to me! I will be the one to teach you this time dear sister, a you used to teach me! Your one and final lesson! Power is everything, and you are weak!"

Celestia knew this was it. This was the moment that would decide everything. She was either going to die and fail, or she was going to kill her beloved sister, and live the rest of time with another regret, one she would never be able to ignore. Either result did not spell well for her, but only one of them meant that many more will die with her, and she couldn't let that happen.

"So be it Luna! Let's end this! If you want to show me power, then I will meet you, and show you how wrong you are!"

"Come then! Let's not delay!"

Celestia eyes flashed a burning gold once again and she spread her wings out. Fire started to spark from the ground as a flame began to circle the alicorn, and she summoned her blade as it raged with fire. The flames began to spread and become larger as they rose and enveloped Celestia. It swirled like a tornado as it began to burn everthing, and only her golden eyes were visible. The tornado of flames dances around her as she looked up to the sky to face the darkness that Luna had become. She put all her magic into her blade and the tornado of flame that spinned around it's eye that was Celstia, roared as it's destructive flames caught trees on fire and lit up the eath in a bright orange light.

"Let fate decide now sister, and let's see who is meant rule this land! Prepare for your death, for I will show no mercy to you. Luna and Celestia as the regal sisters are no more! Only Luna, the ruler of Equestria, will be known after this day!"

The flames spun faster as Celestia fueled her magic within her.

"I will grant you a quick death Luna! As you are my sister, this is the most I can do for you!" Celestia proclaimed as the flames roared with her voice.

"You can try sister, bit it is not I who will die, but you!"

The black sky began to spin as it covered Luna and she put her sword out in front of her and dived towards Celestia. The sky was torn from the air as it followed it's dark princess and swirled around her with black lightning dancing around her body. Celestia did not hesitate, and she spread her wings and flew up into the air to meet the darkness. The tornado of flames moved with her as it spun around her and lit up the sky with it's amazing glow. Both of their swords pointed straight at each other as one blade led the darkness, and a blade enveloped in flames led the light. Darkness and Light were coming to join together in midair. The sky looked torn as a giant vortex of darkness was coming to meet it's opposing force of light. Celestia and Luna screamed as they got closer, as they both knew the inevitable was coming. Theri blades finally met as both tips of their blades met each other and the force of darkness and fire clashed against each other in the sky and illuminated the entire valley.

They pushed against each other as they channeled all their magic into their blades, and both steel tips began to turn red hot from the pure power they were pushing out against each other. The roaring of flames and the cracks of lightning filled their ears as they met each other's burning eyes once again. Celstia pushed more magic out and Luna did the same to meet her hers. They seemed frozen in midair as they pushed against each other. Neither one of them wanted to lose to the other, and they were pushind everything they had into one final blow. Blood started to come out of Celestia's nostrils as she continued pushing all her magic against her, and the flames roared even louder as they encircled her. Luna felt blood her blood raging within her, and she gritted her teeth to the point that her gums were beginning to bleed.

"A new era will begin sister! Accept your coming death, and relinquish Equestria to a ruler more powerful than you!" Luna screamed over the lightining and flames.

Celestia felt Luna's magic push against her, and she forced more into her blade. She felt a stinging in her eyes as she felt something warm run down her cheeks.

"You will have to make me Luna!"

Lightning shot through Luna's blade and to Celestia's. The white alicorn flet Luna's magic pushing on her harder and harder, and her body was giving out as blood was now pouring out one of her white ears. She was using all her magic and she was past her limit already. Luna's eyes had begun to cry tears of blood as she wanted to break Celestia. Celestia's magic was running out quickly, and she was now running off her very life, and destroying her body from the inside. She didn't care though. Luna had to die. The darkness in the sky was slowly pushing against the fire, and slowy pushing it back to the earth. Celstia kept pushing as more blood began to pour from her nostrils and eyes.

"I can't let you win Luna! I can't fail!"

Luna pushed more and more against the breaking alicorn.

"It's over Celestia. The darkness will always shroud the light, and you will be consumed in it! You and I both know that the sun rises..."

Luna pushed harder against Celestia's blade. The two tips of steel were steaming and red, but one began to crack. Celestia looked in horror as her blade began to crack before her. She pushed more energy into it, and she coughed out dark blood, but it didin't matter to her. She couldn't let Luna win, but Luna already knew that it was already over, and she would finally end it.

"...and it must also fall!"

A surge of dark magic blasted through Luna's sword and right into Celestia's. The horrified white alicorn watched as her blade shattered before her eyes, and Luna's sword sped straight to her. She felt it's steel pierce right trough her chest and push into her as she flew down into the earth. A giant wave of black was pushing the vortex of flames straight back into the ground. Celestia hit the ground as Luna plunged her blade deeper into her. The ground shattered at the force of the impact and broke, and the vortex of flames spread out as it burned all the trees in the valley, and the land became now just a complete burning fire. The darkness that had enveloped Luna slowly dissapeared as she plunged her blade deeper into Celestia's chest. Blood rushed out of her mouth, and burning pain ran through her body as blood seeped out from the sides of her pierced body. Her golden eyes vanished and water mixed with blood ran from her eyes.

Luna loved it. She watched as Celestia's blood poured from her body, and the pain she could see in her eyes. Power had overcome her, and Celestia would now finally see it in her last moments. Her sister had failed, and fate has chosen her. She had proven that might controlled everything, as she now had Celestia's life in her dark grasp

Celestia put her hooves on the blade as she tried to pull it out, but Luna wouldn't have it. She began to turn the blade in her, and Celestia could feel it twisiting in her. Hot burining pain ran through her body, and it felt llike her chest was collasping. Luna stood over her as she turned it and watched Celstia suffer.

"This is what happens when you refuse to gain power!"

Celstia screamed out in pain as blood flew out of her mouth and landed on her face.

Luna pulled her blade out of the bloodied alicorn and stood over her and brought her face close to hers. Pure joy and pride was running through Luna as she smiled wickedly at Celestia's bloodied face. It felt good to see her sister in such pain. All her lies of power, and her useless compassion for other's lives would finally come to an end. Celestia was a fool.

"Foolishness sister..." she put her hoof on top of Celestia's face and smashed it against her white, bloodied cheek,"....foolishness."

Celestia was burning inside. She felt her mind fading, but the almost unberable pain kept her attached to the world. She felt Luna's hoof smash into her bloodied face and she winced in pain. Her chest gushed out dark crimson blood and every breath she took was gurgled with blood iin her throat.

"Now you see it. Might controls everything, and you lack in it dear sister, and without strength, you can't protect anything...let alone yourself."

She grinded her hoof in Celestia face harder, and the dying alicorn felt the the bone in her face breaking under her hateful power.

"Now your foolishness will end your life. You should have let the pink one kill me earlier, but you were too much of a fool to let it happen, becasue the great and powerful Celestia felt it was her burden to bear. How does it feel Celestia? How does it feel to know that you were too weak? Too weak to save your kingdom? Too weak to save your subjects? Know that once I take your life, any pony that decides to still follow you, will suffer beyond imagining, and you know the last thing they will hear before they die? That they were fools to believe in you, because you have now failed.

Celestia's heart was racing in her, and her breathing was becoming erratic. She could only lay there in bloodied defeat as she listened to Luna. That's all she could do. Power had proven it's point, and Celestia would be it's example. Luna continued as she put her face close to Celestia's ear and whispered to her.

"You spoke earlier of saving me from myself, but you must understand something before you die sister...there is nothing you can do to save me. I do not want to be saved. It has empowered me, and opened my eyes to the world before me. Before I end your miserable life, know this when you pass... this path I follow is what it has shown me, and I will follow it, and it finally begins with your death. You have failed everything Celestia, and I will make sure that when I find your precious student, I will make her suffer so much, that even the heavens will cry out in pain, and she will call for you in her agony, and you will never come. She will die knowing that her mentor had abandoned her once again."

Luna walked away from Celestia and picked up her blade with her hoof. She stood up on her hind legs and went over and stood over Celestia once again. Celestia knew it was the end for her. She had failed, and a mix of blood and tears flowed out of her eyes. She had failed Equestria, and it was now doomed to die with her. Luna will lead it into chaos, and ponies will die, becasue she was too weak to stop her. She had failed her faithful student. She would die, and Twilight will plunge into darkness when she learns of her death. She will come back for Luna, and if Twilight didn't get her friends back, she would die a much more horrible death than her, but most importantly, she had failed Luna. She said she would free her from Nightmare Moon's grip, but now she was bound to her forever. Pain thrashed through her, and she felt herself slipping away, but she had to say one thing. One thing that she had to say before she left this world forever, and left it to it's new dark ruler.

"I'm...sorry...Luna," the alicorn said as more blood poured out of her mouth and she began to choke once again..

Luna smiled wickedly at her as she watched her sputter out her apology. It was all too good for her. Celestia was going to die, and she could would finally have Equestria under her hoof and begin her true path. The voice in her would help her, and show her the way. She will find her preciosu student and get Rebris back, and complete her path to power.

"Don't be sorry sister. Your death will grant me passage to my path, and to my ultimate goal of power. It will be a shame that you will not live to see my ascension to a god, but I will make sure that I take care of Equestria for you, and your precious student. So take heart dear sister, that you won't have to spend an eternity alone. I will make sure your student is reunited with you, along with her little friend."

Luna positioned her blade over Celestia. The dying alicorn looked straight into her teal eyes, but she didn't see her. She was overcome by images that began flashing through her mind. She saw a screaming unicorn, and she saw her purple eyes. She could see Twilight in a room screaming in pain. Celestia's pain was nothing compared to what she was seeing. Was this the pain that Luna would bring her? More images flashed through her head as she saw two purple eyes begin to glow red, and she could feel a burning rage coming from her red eyes, and it horrified her. She could feel the hate and pain burn into her. Celestia wanted to scream as she felt it, but she was fading away, and she didn't have the strength. Horrible images of her student appeared to her, and she didn't understand what it all meant. She didn't have the time anyways, her life was at an end. The images disappeared, and now she faced Luna once again.

"It's time Celestia. Your rule has come to an end."

Celestia watched as her sister held her blade over her head, ready to end her in an instant.

"As I am now ruler of Equestria..."

Celestia's blood poured out onto the ground. She could hear the earth screaming at her and yelling at her failure. She could hear the screams of dying ponies. She could hear Twilight scream at her for abandoning her once again. She laid her head down and accepted her fate and made peace with herself. She had many regrets, and now this was just one more on her long list, but it was all going to end. Regrets didn't matter anymore. You had to be alive to have regrets. Celestia looked out into the black sky, and her dying eyes caught something. In the darkness, there was an even darker shadow as it watched from above. She squinted her eyes as she heard the sound of her heart slowoing down in her. The shadow was smiling with satisfaction in its grin. It descended down and now stood behind the standing Luna that would impale her skull. It waved at her as it stood behind her sister, and she knew it was a wave of farewell. There would be no peace in her death now, as she slowly realized what this shadow was. She tried to say it's name, but it would never be heard.

"I senetence you to death!"

Luna brought her blade down and it split through Celestia's head and opened her skull. It pierced her brain and everything went black for the white alicorn. Luna twisted the blade as she heard the skull break and blood gush out of her sisters cranium. She pulled her bloodied blade out as she gazed upon her sister. Celestia's eyes rolled back in her head as more blood gushed onto the ground and brain matter came out with it. Her mouth was open, as if she was trying to say something before her last moment, but Luna never heard it and she didn't care.

Princess Celestia was dead, and at long last, Luna finally had defeated her sister. She threw her blade to the ground and went over to where Celestia's golden crown laid. She picked it up, and placed it upon her head. She looked up to the sky, and smiled. She would command all of Equestria now, and nature itself would obey her call.

She knew that from here on out, Equestria will follow her. It had no choice now, for there was only one regal sister. One that would take on the duties of Celestia, and rule with power. One that would pave it's path in blood and bodies.

Fire and blood was her usher and it welcomed the new Ruler of Equestria to power.

Luna had proved that power was everything...and Equestria will learn the same...

Part 25: Beginning

Pinkie Pie waited as she sat on the cold bench outside of Twilight's room. She didn't know how long she had been sitting out in the hall as nurses and doctors passed by her, but she didn't care. She ran her hoof across the black gem that hung over her neck. She hated it, despised it, loathed it. She stood firm in her belief that this hexed gem caused whatever happened to Twilight, and the pain that she had to watch her endure.

"Hey Pinkie."

Pinkie raised her head as she now looked at a white stallion with his signature uniform that he wore to his wedding.

"Oh, hi!"

Pinkie was trying to hide the sadness and guilt in her. She was Pinkie Pie, the pony that was always happy and bubbly, even in the hell she was going through.

"Can I sit next to you?"

"Yeah silly. Of course you can."

Pinkie Pie scooted her rump over to make room for TWilight's brother as he sat next to her. Shining Armor had heard what transpired with his sister earlier, and of course, as the good big brother he was, he immediatly made his way back to the hospital.

"Thanks. So have you gotten any word from Doctor Scope?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head.

"He said that she is okie dokie, but they have no clue what caused it."

Pinkie knew fully well, or so she believed. Shining Armor nodded, taking in the information. He wasn't there, but based off what he heard when he was sent word of his sister, it was terrifing to say the least. He could only imagine...

"Well how are you doing Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie looked down to the white floor as she saw her own reflection. How was she doing? She had watched her friends die, had to to run away and hide for years, was almost killed by Twilight, fought Luna and now had some other insane side to her, and everything else that she had to endure. No, she was not fine. She didn't even know if she was herself anymore.

"Yep! I'm okie dokie lokie," Pinkie lied as she lifted her head and cracked a fake smile.

Shining Armor saw right through this mask that she had tried to put on. She was faring no better than every pony else that knew what was going on. He put his hoof on her shoulder, to try and comfort her.

"You don't have to lie about it Pinkie. There's nothing wrong with the way you feel."

Pinkie felt the reassurance, but it was of no help. She felt empty and constant fear and sadness ran through her. She was simply...tired. Tired of all the pain, the blood, and death. She wanted her friends back. Fluttershy in all her gentle kindness. She wanted to hear Applejack apple bucking again and laugh in her trademark southern twang. She wanted to go and play pranks on other ponies with her partner in crime, Rainbow Dash. Lastly, one she could always hear in her head at night, Rarity. She didn't know why Rarity stood out, but for some reason it did.

"I'm sorry. I'm just not feeling Pinkie keen right now."

Shining Armor did something that he would only do with his sister, but he knew Pinkie needed it. He needed it. He was a soldier, and his emotions had no place in his line of work, but this was a rare oppurtunity for him. He had been holding onto something in his chest that he didn't want his sister to know, but maybe Pinkie would listen and keep his secret. He scooted over till his flank touched hers and he brought her in against his chest and hugged the pink mare.

Pinkie eyes went large as she felt her face against his warm body. All her thoughts of earlier had completely left her as she felt the stallions arms wrap around her. She felt a heat rush into her face, and she could have sworn that her face was three darkeer shades of pink now.

"No one said you had to," Shining Armor said as he hugged her. He didn't really understand why he was doing all of this, just he felt compelled to.

"Can I tell you something Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie was so entranced his gesture that she barely heard him. She heard her heart pumping in her chest as she felt butterflies in her stomach. She quickly answered him as her mind tried to pull out of the warm haziness that was taking her.

"Yeah, sure," she said as she pulled away. She didn't know what she just felt, but it felt...good. It felt real good, more than it should have.

Shining lowered his heard as he was about to reveal his loss and regret. Fortuanatly for Pinkie, he was completelty oblivious to Pinkie's darker colored face as she seemed to blush.

"I wasn't the only one that came to get you guys. There was another pony with me."

"You weren't? Well, where was the other pony?"

Shining sighed as he remembered Blaze smiling as he closed and locked the door, sealing himself inside with all of Luna's minions.

"He stayed behind. There were some of Luna's guards after us when we were making out way to the gardens, and he stayed behind to stop them."

Pinkie Pie now fully realized what he was saying. This pony that what was with him, had died trying to save her and Twilight, and she knew that he felt responsible for it, as she felt responsible for Rarity when she left her behind that night so long ago.

"I tried to go back for him, but I couldn't get in. I had to leave him, to get you guys.

Pinkie knew exactly where he was coming from.

"And you feel responsible, right?"

Shining Armor looked into Pinkie's blue eyes and knew she understood him. She could see what he was feeling and he now felt a connection now to her, and something else. Something he never noticed before. She had really beautiful large blue eyes...He blinked a couple times to get such a thought out of his mind.

"Yeah, I do."

Pinkie Pie looked back down at the floor as she saw her pink refelction in it once again. She thought about Rarity, and how she screamed for Pinkie to run, and she could hear her screams of torture. She wanted to save her, but Rarity had sacrificed herself to save her.

It was her fault.

"I know how you feel. When Luna was going to," she gulped as she paused to say what it was, "To kill me, Rarity shot her with magic, and I was set free. I tried to help her," she felt tears coming to her eyes, "but she told me to run. I didn't want to, but I still did. I was so scared that I ran from her, and I left her. I left her to die.."

Pinkie couldn't hold it. Tears started rolling down her face as the night replayed in her head.

"I can still hear her screams at night. She calls out to me and I cry in my sleep. Every night since then, I have cried when I heard her, and everyone screams at me, telling me I was a bad pony. I should have died with them."

Pinkie wasn't holding anything back. She didn't know why she was telling of all ponies, Twilight's brother, but she knew that they now had something in common. They both felt responsible for a death they thought they could have prevented.

Shining Armor saw her tears and thay actually hurt him. He didn't understand why. He had seen many tears shed in the years, but he never felt them. It was his job, but seeing this pink mare actually wrenched his heart. He had hated her before, when he was fooled, like others, that Pinkie killed her own friends, but now that Twilight has cleared that up, and seeing how Pinkie was now, how could he have ever thought she was capable of such acts? A better question would be...

Why was he feeling this way towards her?

"It wasn't your fault Pinkie. She gave up her life, so that you could have yours. I'm a soldier of Celestia, and our job is to scarifice for the good of Equestria. Like my friend sacrificed himself, so that I could come get you guys. We know what we sign up for, and the consequences it can have. We sacrifice ourselves, so that every pony else dosen't have to. That's what she did for you. She knew full well her choice, and she did it anyways. I wasn't even there, but that's what I believe."

Pinkie looked at him with her watery eyes as her heart pounded in her. It seemed he wasn't just speaking to her, but straight to her soul. She felt a rush of something that she knew she shouldn't be feeling, but she couldn't help it.

"Um, if it's okay if I ask, but who was your friend, like his name and stuff," Pinkie said nervously.

She didn't want to offend him, but she needed something else to talk about it than how she felt, because what she was feeling was a feeling of desire and want. A want for Twiligt's brother, her marefriend's brother. It was wrong to feel this way.

Shining Armor gave a small smile to her. She was trying hard not to try to upset him, but he wasn't upset. The words he spoke to her earlier weren't just for her, but for him as well. He still felt responsible, but he knew in reality it was Blaze's choice to do what he did, and he was thankful.

"His name was Blaze. He was my general, but he was also one of my best friends. He was a good a pegasus, probably the toughest I seen, but also the most mature of all of us. Heh, there was good reason he was made general," Shining said as he laughed a bit, just now seeing what made him such a great pony in his eyes.

"You lost a friend too?"

Pinkie Pie now had more of a connection with him. She had lost her friends, and he had lost his best friend.

"Yeah, but were here now. If it wasn't for our friends, I wouldn't be here," Shining Armor pointed his hoof to Pinkie's chest, just barely touching her fur, "and you wouldn't be here. Just remember that."

Pinkie's heart raced within in her chest, but she wanted it to stop. She knew what she was feeling and she didn't want to feel it. She only felt that way about Twilight, no pony else. She didn't feel that way towards this white, brilliant stallion, that looked strong and confident in his unform, and his cerulean, blue eyes staring into hers...

"Miss Pie. Captain."

Pinkie Pie and Shining Armor looked up to see Doctor Scope with a gentle smile on his face.

"She's awake. You may go in and have your time with her. I'll be back in an hour or so to check her readings."

They both nodded in unison and stood up to see one's friend, and another's sister. Their flanks rubbed against each other as they stood up and not only Pinkie turned a shade of dark pink, but also a certain married stallion had a flare of crimson over his face.

They both dared not look at each other.

Twilight woke up and flew up in her bed and beads of sweat rolled down her face. She looked around the room and she quickly noticed a doctor standing at the end of her bed as he seemed to take notes with his quill.

"Oh good, you're up. That was much faster than I expected."

Twilight shook her head as she felt a slight pain in the back of her head.

"How are you feeling Miss Sparkle?"

Twilight tried to speak but her her mouth was dry, and her throat was scratchy. She forced a request before she would give him an answer.

"Can I get some water please?" she asked with a raspy voice.

"Of course."

The doctor walked to the small sink that was situated across the room for her. She heard the running of water as her thoughts took her elsewhere.

Images.

Pinkie Pie.

Hearing Celestia call out her name.

Blood.

Twilight couldn't make sense of it. Her head began to throb slightly more as bits and shreds of her in pain ran through her head. The pain that she had felt...it was incomprehensible. How could there be pain that existed like that? It was unbearable. She remembered the burning in her body which felt like lava bursting from her veins, and the stabbing pain in her chest. It felt like it was collasping in and suffocating her.

"Here you go Miss Sparkle."

Twilight took the small plastic cup and brought it to her lips. She felt it's cold touch rush in her mouth and wet her tonuge. The liquid ran down her throat and she felt it's refreshing splash in her stomach. She drank the cup of blessed water hastily. Water had never tasted better.

"Now Miss Sparkle, how are you feeling? Do you know where you are?"

Twilight gave the cup back to the doctor that inquired about her health , as was his job.

"I'm fine, and I'm in the hospital.

"The Manehatten Regional Hospital to be exact, but close enough," the brown stallion said as he wrote more notes on his small clipboard.

Twilight looked around for a certain color of pink.

"Where's Pinkie Pie, err," Twilight asked, but was at a loss. She never seen this doctor before, and therefore, knew not what to call him.

"Doctor Scope. Pinkie Pie is outside waiting to see how you're doing. We have sent word to your brother about your recent event, and I'm sure he's out there with her. I had to escort her out after what happened to you so we could sedate you and run tests."

Twilight desperatly wanted Pinkie and her brother in here with her. She wanted to see their faces, so she could get rid of those confusing and horrible images that ran through her head earlier.

"How long have I been out?"

Doctor Scope continued writing in his small clipboard.

"Only for about an hour and a half, which is quite surprising Miss Sparkle. When we took your body's magical readings, they were perfectly normal. I had believed what you suffered was a magical backup due to your injury when you came in, but it seems that wasn't the case."

Twilight noticed the window as it was now boarded up with a giant piece of flat wood.

"What happened to the window?"

Doctor Scope turned his head towards the boarded up window and back to his clipboard.

"Oh that? Well, your outburst of magic had broken it, but don't worry, we will have that replaced by tommorow."

Magic? Twilight didn't use magic, but then again, she didn't even really know. She was consumed in pain and pictures that she wasn't very aware of her surroundings during that point in time.

"So what's wrong with me then?"

The question had to be asked. She sure as Celestia herself didn't know what had caused it, or what it was. This was completely new to her, and it was something she didn't want to experience again. Ever.

Doctor Scope set his clipboard down at the end of her bed as he took his glasses off .

"Well Miss Sparkle, that's a good question. A question we still have yet to answer. I ran all kinds of different tests on you. Disease, mental illness, magical mutations, even your horn. We had received negative on all of them, and to put it quite simply, we don't know. Accordig to paper, you're a perfectly healthy unicorn."

Twilight slammed her hoof down on her leg as she heard this unacceptable answer. How could they not find anything? Did they not see what happened?

"You're joking right? How can I be fine? I was in all sorts of pain, there has to be something wrong."

The doctor picked up his clibaord once again and began to scribble in it as usual.

"Unfortuanatly, no, I'm not. We have no clue what afflicted you to experience so much pain like that. The most I can do is subscribe some pain killers, but other than that, there's nothing more I can give you."

Twilight sighed.

"Well, I would like to see my friend and brother now if that's okay please."

Doctor Scope put his glasses back on and made his way to her bedside.

"Of course Miss Sparkle, but I have one more question before I have them come see you?"

Twilight raised her brow. What other questions did he need answered? They didn't know what was wrong with her so what more could there be?

"During your episode, you called out to two other ponies. I believe it was Sweetie Belle and Spike if I heard correctly. Also, you were screaming about some pony dying. My question is Miss Sparkle, were you seeing things during your episode?"

Twilight remembered it perfectly. Sweetie Belle and Spike were burning in her tree home, and they were screaming and in agony. She could see their flesh starting to fall off them as they slumped to the ground and laid still, while they just burned, and how could she forget about Pinkie. She had her in her arms, covered in blood, and a giant hole or gash that allowed her to see her organs perfectly.

"No...no I don't remember any of that."

She wasn't going to tell him what she saw. She didn't want ponies to think she was insane, because she knew that if they even got a whiff of her being crazy, they would more than likely keeep her forever, and that was something she couldn't afford.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I don't remember any of that. I only remember the pain."

Doctor Scope adjusted his glasses as he seemed to study her and see if she was telling the truth, but she wouldn't let him have the chance.

"IF you don't have anymore questions, I would like to see them now," she said in annoyance.

Doctor Scope nodded and smiled to her.

"Of course Miss Sparkle. I don't have any further questions. I'll be back in an hour to get some more readings, just to be safe. I will get your friend and brother."

"Thank you."

Twilight watched as the doctor left. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with her, but she knew another that may have an idea of what happened. She would have to take these few minutes she had alone to ask it.

Hey, where are you?

I'm right here Twilight, and I already know what you're going to ask. I have a theory but I don't know if it's right.

Twilight would take a theory as long as it sounded plausible. It was better than being told that nothing could be found.

Well, what is it?

Twilight, this theory I have will not be one that you like.

Just tell me.

Very well. You remember when Celestia healed you? I think that whatever she did to you is doing more than what we thought.

Twilight recalled Celestia' avatar when she almost died.

Yeah. I have an idea. When I was dead. or whatever I was, an image of Celestia came to me and stopped me from accepting death and brought me back here. She told me that she had actually put her magic inside me. Do you think it could be that?

I think it's exactly that. Celestia had infused her magic within you and as a unexpected result, you might have developed a connection with her, and if that's the case, I fear that the worst has happened.

Twilight's body went cold. It made complete logical sense. When Celestia had used her magic on her to heal her, it must have developed some type of telepathical connection with her mentor. That means the pain she had felt and the blood she had seen wasn't hers...it was Celestia's, and if it was hers, then that meant one thing.

Celestia could be dead...

Yes. Luna might have killed her.

Twilight shivered as she felt a chill run up her spine. If Celelstia was dead, that means Luna would have control of Equestria, and there would be no doubt she would come looking for them with an army behind her. How would they be able to fight her then if she had the kingdom?

She wouldn't have time to dwell on it as a blur of pink came over her and felt a tight squeezing pressure around her. Too late had she realized that it was Pinkie squeezing her as she embraced her.

"Pinkie! You're choking me!"

Pinkie quickly let go as she heard Twilight begin to gasp for air.

"Oh sorry Twilight. I was just really worried about you. You were hurting sooooo much ealrier."

Thanks for reminding me.

"I'm okay now Pinkie," Twilight said as she forced a small smile across her face.

"You sure about that? First you almost die, and then I'm told that my sister is screaming her head off. what's next? Twilight goes to a night club?"

Pinkie and Twilight quickly looked at each other as a memory came to both of them of a certain night. The night before everything had started, and the best night they ever had. She quickly turned to her brother, trying not to reveal that secret little detail. Her brother didn't need to know her personal life that deeply. Little did he know, she had been to a night club...

"Ha ha, you're histerical Shining."

Twilight knew if any pony was worried, it was him. He was simply trying to downplay the situation was all.

"Sorry to worry you guys. I didn't know what happened earlier, but I'm just happy it's over."

Pinkie gave her a bright smile, though inside she was beating herself down inside. She hadn't forgotten about her conviction of the necklace.

"Well, we're happy too. Hopefully no more surprises from you today. I already have enough on my plate as it is." Shining Armor claimed.

Twlight shot him a look of annoyance. She decided to change the subject. She needed to know about Celestia.

"Have you heard anything from Celestia yet?"

Please say yes.

"No. I haven't gotten any kind of message from her yet."

Pinkie now interjected as she spoke to Twilight's brother, but was careful to not look into his eyes. She still remembered what she had felt earlier when they were alone out in the hall.

"What do you think is taking her so long? Shouldn't she have sent something by now?"

Shining Armor shook his head as he looked at her. He noticed that her blue eyes were trying hard not to make contact to his, and he was grateful. Very grateful.

"I don't know. In all honesty, I would have expected something from her by now."

The two continued their discussion, but Twilight was now lost in her thoughts once again. Celestia hadn't sent any type of word since they had left, and this theory of Celestia being dead was now gathering some credible basis. She felt her heart rushing in her heart, and she was compelled to ask the question she needed to know.

"How would we know if she's dead?"

Both her brother and marefriend looked at her with looks of confusion, disbeleif, and dismay.

"Twilight! Why would you ask that?! Celestia is the most super duper powerful pony ever! How could she die?"

That was the last thing Pinkie wanted. She held such a high hope for the princess that she would beat Luna, and end all of this. They would only have to worry about getting their friends back, and they could begin a new life. She didn't want to get them and then jump right back into hell and fight Luna again. Who would die next?

"Twilight, I would know if the princess had died, "he lowered his voice as he said the word 'died', "and I haven't seen it, so she must still be alive."

Twilight understood why they would think she would be okay, but after what she saw, all belief that Celestia could beat Luna was shaken. Just becasue she had beaten her before didn't meant that she could beat her now. A thousand years is a long time, and many things can change. For example, Luna.

"But what if she did? What would happen to every pony?"

Shining Armor shuddered at the thoght. Equestria would fall into chaos and confusion is what would happen. He feared that if Celestia lost, there could be a possible civil waron top of a war with the Changelings.

"Well, I can't really say Twilight. I rather not even think about it," her brother responded.

"Twilgiht, why are you asking all this stuff?" Pinkie questioned.

Twilight didn't know if she should tell them what she saw, or smiply lie and make up some excuse for all her inquiries about her mentor. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe everything she saw were dillusions, and she was just over thinking everything. It's possible there was no explanation for what happened. She didn't know, and she was lost in what she should believe. One half wanted to believe that she was wrong, and Celestia was fine and well, but another half was saying that she was dead, and Luna had killed her.

"I..I don't know. Just forget that I asked. I guess I'm worrying too much."

They both accepted this lie without question. Maybe they knew she was lying, but rather accept the lie, then what possibly be could a hard truth. They were going to have to face it though, as this lie, would quickly turn into truth.

"Sir! We can't let you in there!

"No! I have to! It's important! Let me through!"

"We're sorry sir, but we can't let you in!"

The trio looked over to the closed door as they heard the yelling outside. Shining Armor knew that voice and quickly made his way to the door to see what all the commotion was. He opened the door to a scene of a nurse blocking his way to Twilight's room. Silver quickly caught his eye.

"Captain! I have to talk to you! It's urgent!"

Shining Armor noticed that it was his lieutenant, Silver. He was sweating and his golden eyes were wide and desperate. Something was definitly not right if he looked like that. Shining Armor turned his head to Twilight and Pinkie as he sighed.

"Give me a moment girls. It seems I have some more business to take care of. I'll be right back."

Shining Armor closed the door behind him and went to calm the distressed Silver.

Twilight and Pinkie were alone once again, and only silence was heard. Twilight decided to break it, seeing that Pinkie seemed to be a bit lost in something.

"What do you think that was all about?"

"I don't know. Who ever it was, they sounded really scared or something."

Twilight looked at Pinkie, but her eyes were fixated on the necklace that hung from Pinkie's neck. She had not forgotten that Pinkie had got it from Luna, somehow, and it was her only relief from everything now. The thought of Celestia being dead was haunting her mind as questions loomed, but at least they had the necklace. It seemed to ease her mind a bit.

"Can I see the necklace Pinkie real quick?"

Twilight wanted to hold it. She wanted to see the black swirling stone, as if she had to make sure that it was still the same.

Pinkie felt her insides turn to mush as she heard Twilight asking for the accursed item over her neck. She didn't want to give it to her. She was afraid it might do what it did to her earlier, and she was not going to let that happen again. She quickly tried to formulate a quick lie to derail Twilight's inquisition.

"Oh, I don't think you want to do that. I dropped it into one of the toilets in the bathroom, so it's probably all icky and gross."

"What? Are you serious? Then why are you wearing it Pinkie?"

Pinkie smiled sheepishly as she quickly thought of how she was going to keep her lie going. It was a ridiculous one, but she had to try and stop Twilight from having it, or watch as her unicorn suffered again. Such a silly belief. Only if she knew...

"Well, um, cause you said for me to hold onto it, and I promised I would, soo that's what I'm doing."

Twilight knew this was all a lie. It was pretty obvious and any pony who couldn't see it had to be severely stupid not to. She didn't know what was going on with Pinkie all of a sudden with it now. She was all happy about it earlier being a surprise, but now she was very held back and hesitant. Was it because of her recent torture? Did it scare Pinkie or-

She thinks the necklace caused it.

She put the pieces together. Pinkie believed that the necklace had caused her all that pian. No wonder she was reserved about letting her have it, and then to lie to keep her from holding it. Pinkie felt that she had caused all that body wracking pain to her when she gave her the necklace.

"Pinkie, do you think that the necklace caused whatever happened to me earlier?"

Twilight knew. Pinkie couldn't hide it anymore. Twilight had seen right through her absurd lie and pieced it all together. She hung her head in defeat as she came clean.

"I'm sorry Twilight. I didn't know it would do that to you. If I would have, I would've never given it to you. It's my fault that you were hurting so much."

"Pinkie, I don't think that was the cause of it, " Twilight said, as she thought about the possible theory of a connection with Celestia, "and it's not your fault. I know you would never try to hurt me on purpose."

Pinkie Pie wasn't so sure. She would never try to hurt Twilight in any way or form, but then there was the moment between her and Twilight's brother. That feeling she had, and the heat that rose into her face when she felt his flank rub against hers when they were going to see Twilight. She would never hurt Twilight, physically, mentally, and emtionally...she at least hoped.

"Besides, if it was the necklace, wouldn't it be doing the same thing to you?"

Twilight was right. Why didn't anything happen to her when she wore it? Maybe she was all wrong. Maybe not, but she took a chance.

"Okay fine, you can have it, but please be careful Twilight."

Pinkie took off the prized item and gave it Twilight. She wrapped it around her hoof and looked at the black gem once again. It's back smoke was still swirling around within it, but she now saw something within it. It was what looked like spectral veins, ones that she had seen earlier in Pinkie and her brother, but these were bundled and spread across the gem. They were blue, orange, yellow, and white colored veins that ran through it and they were all glowing within it. It entranced her, but her trance was soon broken by a very horrid thought.

These were the same color as her deceased friends. Twilight shuddered. Was she seeing her friends in this, but what was she seeing? She didn't understand, but her mind would be taken elsewhere as she heard the door to her room fly open.
Pinkie and Twilight quickly looked over to see Shining Armor running into the room and towards the boarded up window.

"What are you doing?!" Twilight exclaimed, confused to what her brother was doing. Pinkie quickly ran to him to see what was going on.

Pinkie saw beads of sweat going down his white face as his horn lit up and started to pry the wood from the window.

"What are you doing?! What's wrong?!" Twilight cried again.

Pinkie tapped his shoulder and he quickly turned his head to her. She looked into his eyes and saw terror and fear in them.

"What are you doing Shining? What happened?"

He was breathing hard, and he could only give one word.

"Celestia."

Twilight and Pinkie both heard the name, and a terrible fear rose in them. A fear that was coming to fruuition. Shining Armor continued prying the wood from the window. He had to see if it was true, and there was only one way to tell. The wood cracked and warped under his magic, until it completely broke off.

Twilight watched from her bed as her brother ripped the lumber off and saw red rays of light pour in. She figured that the sun was setting, but didn't understand what had her brother so worried.

"Shining! What's going on?!" she cried once more. He was scaring her. She had never seen her brother like this.

Shining looked out to the sky, and his fear's were now reality. The sky was red, but there was no sunset. The sun was set high above the horizon, and it was still in the middle of the afternoon. This was no sun setting, but one that had lost it's bright yellow appearence. It looked like its color was melting off of it, and red began to take it over. It looked as if it was bleeding, and it covered the sky in a blood red atmoshphere. This was the sign. Shining knew know why no message had been sent yet by his princess.

Princess Celestia had fallen.

Pinkie looked out to the window and saw the same visage, and knew something about it wasn't right.

Twilight was left in the dark to what was happening. She had to know and her brother wasn't answering her.

"Pinkie, what's going on? What are you guys looking at?"

Pinkie turned to her with as much confusion as her.

"I don't know. The sky is all red and the sun isn't all yellow and shiny anymore. It's all red too."

"Is the sun setting?"

"No, it's still really high in the air. I think it's only mid afternooon."

They both looked at Shining Armor as his mouth hung open agape and sweat covered the collar of his uniform. He knew they were both looking for an answer from him, but he didn't want to say it. He was still in shock and his mind was blank. He couldn't possibly imagine this, but yet, he was seeing it in front of him.

Twilight had enough. She needed an answer, and she needed it now.

"Shining Armor! Tell me what is going on before I get out of this bed and see myself."

He didn't want to. He couldn't believe it, but it was now reality. He slowly uttered an answer.

"Princess Celesita...is dead."

Pinkie and Twilight both were just hit with a wall.

"W..wait...is that why it looks so weird outside?" Pinkie asked, feeling her legs turn to jelly.

Shining Armor only nodded. All of their fears were true, and all hope that Celestia could beat Luna were completely wiped away.

Celestia is dead?! So that means...

My theroy was right. The pain you felt was Celestia's, and her final moments. Luna has killed her, and now she has Equestria.

Luna won.

Twilight couldn't accept it. How could Luna have won? How did her mentor lose? This was not the way it was supposed to happen. Celestia was supposed to beat her, not die. She had to see. She had to see the sign for herself. Twilight dragged her legs out of the bed and stood on them as she held the necklace in one of her hooves. She staggered over to the window. Her legs felt weak, but her heart felt weaker. It didn't want to believe her brother's words.

Shining Armor conitinued staring out to the blood sky. The sun was a burning red ball of fire now, and it was telling Equestria that their beloved ruler was now gone. Princess Celestia had failed them.

Pinkie's heart came undone. How could Celestia be dead? She was Equestria's ruler for a reason. She was kind and loving, but she was also powerful. She had defeated Luna before, but this time, history wouldn't repeat. She felt tears flll the brim of her eyes. Celestia was gone, and now they were left alone to Luna. What would they do now?

Twilight staggered to the window in her light hospital gown, and no pony stopped her. They were all left within their own thoughts of shock and bafflement. She stood by her brother as he only stared out into the sky. She looked out and saw the sun, now blood red, and it's color shot through the once blue sky. The clouds moved slowly through the sea of red, and something inside screamed at her. It told her that Celestia was dead. There was no doubt in her mind anymore. Her heart knew it. Her beloved mentor and princess was no more.

She's gone...Celestia's gone...

Her heart was breaking. Peice by piece it was falling apart.

I'm sorry Twilight.

Tears started to flow from her eyes as she began to shake. She felt that her heart was being ripped out of her chest and being crushed right in front of her. She had lost something more than simply a teacher and princess. She had lost a mother. She now felt guilt and terrible heart-break fill her. Those ten years she had not spoken to her, and only till this morning did they reconcile, but what did it matter? As soon as they had finally made up, they were flung right into hell with Luna. Memeoris started to flash through her mind.

Celestia covering her white wing over her when she was just a small filly.

The lessons that Celestia gave her, and watched her with such amusment and pride.

The time at the Grand Gallpong Gala.

Celestia's broken body.

The last image struck her like a spear, and she whimpered. She couldn't hold her tears and they dropped to the clean white floor.

"Celestia's gone..." Twilight whimpered.

Shining Armor looked over to his sister in heart wrenching pain. Not only did he hurt that his ruler was gone, but his sister was suffering for it. She was her student, and they had a close bond, one that no pony could break. To lose some pony that close was wrecking his sister, and there was nothing he could do to comfort her.

Pinkie felt tears running down her face as she watched Twilight slouch over the window sill, and tears poured out onto the ground below them. Pinkie was so tired of seeing every pony in pain and sadness, but nothing she could do would bring happiness now.

Twilight felt as if her body was breaking.

It's my fault. If I wouldn't have been so stupid, I could've helped her. She would be alive.

Don't blame yourself Twilight. None of this is your fault. She wanted you to be safe and she did just that. Your lives are more-

No! Don't you dare say it! Are lives were not more important than hers! She needed me, and I get myself almost killed. Becasue of my stupidity, she's dead! She's gone!

Twilight slammed her hoof on the window sill. Both Shining Armor and Pinkie Pie only watched as Twilight had her eyes closed and rivers of tears streamed out. They could see anger and despair in her.

But you and Pinkie are alive. There is still hope to stop Luna.

This isn't about Luna! I lost a mother, a teacher, a friend! Don't you get it?! She's dead! She's left me! Just like before!

Twilight felt anger mixed with her sadness. Celestia had left her alone now, jst as she did for all those years. She was alone, and with no guide.

She slammed her hoof again.

This is what she does! She leaves me and abandons me! I'm glad she's dead! She deserved it!

You know you don't meant that Twilight. You loved her. You ache for her and it's okay. Embrace your anger. Embrace your pain. Let it out.

Twilight couldn't hold it anymore. She slammed her hoof again into the window sill a third time, and cracked it. She felt a small sting in her hoof. She looked at it to see small drops of blood dripping from her hoof from the force of her slamming. She didn't care and begain to wail.

"She's gone! Celestia's gone!"

Pinkie quickly came to her and hugged her as Twilight dug her face in the pink mare's chest. She cried and screamed in it. The images of blood and Celestia calling her name pushed more despair through her.

"Twilight" Shining Armor whispered as he watched her bawl her eyes out in Pinkie's chest. He wanted to cry with her. He wish he could've took her pain for her, but no pony would hurt like she was. Her and Celestia were more than teacher and student. He knew their realtionship, and it was deep. Deeper than anyone could imagine.

"She left me! I should have helped her! I should have stayed!"

Pinkie hugged her tighter. She didn't know what to do. She looked up to Celestia, but she didn't have the bond that Twilight had with her.

"I'm so sorry Twilight."

That's all Pinkie could say. What more was there? There was nothing she could say to quell her sadness for her.

I hate her! I fucking hate her!

No you don't. You love her.

She left me for so long, now she's gone forever!

She never left you, and you know it. Everything she has done was for you. She died for you.

She died for nothing! Luna killed her! What did she die for?! She wasted her life!

Stop! How dare you say she died for nothing! Her life wasn't a waste and because of it, you are still alive! She may be dead, but you're still here! Luna can still be stopped. If you don't then her saving you was a waste! It's time to act!

Twilight's inner eye seemed to wake up. What this voice was saying spoke volumes to her. Here she was sad and angry over Celestia leaving her again, but she didn't take the time to see that without her, they would be both be dead. Celestia had really saved her, and though she may have not been able to defeat Luna, Celestia still had put in a backup, whether she realized it or not. Luna could still be stopped.

She pulled away from Pinkie as tears continued running down her face. There was still sadness and anger in her, but her anger was now channled toward some pony else.

Pinkie and Shining Armor noticed this sudden change in her. She was wailing and crying, but her cries had abrubtly ceased. They saw her tears still running out of her, but she didn't look sad. She looked angry and determined.

You're right...Celestia might have lost, but it's not over. We're still here. I'm still here.

Good. Mourn her death, but put it into action. Bring your friends back...

And kill Luna.

Twilight went back to the window sill and looked out to the blood sky and sun. It was the marking of her death to all of Equestria, and no doubt Luna will take advantage of it.

"Twilightt, are you okay?" Pinkie asked as both Shining Armor and her stood beside Twilight at the window. The red rays of light hit against their faces, as it warmed them, but insided they were all shattered and scared. Twilight now had lost another friend. A mentor, a mother, a ruler.

"I've had enough."

She turned around and staggered to the sink.

"Twilight, you need to get back in-" Shining Armor was cut off.

"No. I've had enough of it all."

Twilight went to the sink and turned it on and splashed cold water over her face to wash the salty tears away. Her heart was broken, her soul was smashed, her head throbbed. It didn't matter though. She knew what had to be done, and she would mourn for her teacher later. Celestia had died to save them, whether she knew it or not. She knew she had tried to beat Luna, but it wasn't enough. The fact stood though. She fought for all of them. She fought for Equestria, and though she failed, there was still hope. Her and Pinkie were still alive, and they would now stop her. They had to.

She turned back around to face the two.

"I've had enough of all this. Celestia may be dead, but we're still here."

They both flinched as they heard her say that Celestia was dead, but also they were suprised at her. To say those words must not be easy, especially for the faithful student, but they both saw something new in her. Determination.

"It's now our turn."

Pinkie stepped up and spoke.

"But Twilight, what are we supposed to do? Luna will be looking for us. All of us. We can't beat her now."

Twilight wiped away fresh tears that were still coming form her eyes. Her pain was great, but they had to act. In Celestia's name.

Shining Armor now took his turn to speak.

"With Celestia gone, the solar guards will be in dissarray. I only have a handful left, not near the force that Luna has. We can't retaliate against her. She now will have control of Equestria, and it will follow her out of fear. She will have ponies look for us and find us. No doubt they will be looking for both of you."

"Then what do you suppose we do then? We can't simply stay here and wait for her. We have to fight back!"

Twilight was ready. She wanted to go after Luna and end her. She had killed another one of her friends, best friend and more, and she was fed up. Luna had to die, and she had to do it.

"We hide. We hide until we can gather a force that could at least stand a chance against her. We can't just go and attack her now. A lot of guards had died today, and we're in no shape to launch an attack on her. Twilight, we have to hide and wait."

Twilight flet anger rise in her. They would have to hide? Like cowards?

"We can't hide! She will start a war, and if we don't stop her from doing it, Equestria will be gone!

"And if we don't hide, we will all be dead and Equestria will still be gone!"

Twilight looked over to Pinkie in shock. Not that she was agreeing with her brother, but her sudden outburst.

"Why are you so eager to go and fight?! Haven't we all lost enough?! I'm so tired of it Twilight! Celestia is dead, and you want to go and cause more?! Listen to your brother please!"

"Pinkie.."

"I'm sorry Twilight, but we can't go back at her. Have you forgotten about our friends? We have the necklace now! Let's get them back first at least!"

Pinkie was right. The unusual moments that she made sense always seemed to be right. They had the necklace now. She lifted her hoof to look at the black stone.

"Your right Pinkie..."

Shining Armor went over to her and met her face to face.

"Twilight, I don't want to hide either. I know how you feel. I wanted to take back the castle when we lost it to Luna, but a friend of mine told me no. Not because he didn't want to, but because it wasn't worth losing more lives over. I didn't understand at first but now I do. The best thing to do is to hide from her, and you get your friends back. Once that happens, that we can go after Luna. A lot more will die if we just try to fight her now. Get your friends back."

"But what about you and the other gurads? What will happen to them?"

"The Solar guard is no more. Celestia has fallen, but we will all hide all over Equestria, and plan. We're not going to give up."

"So does that mean your leaving?"

Twilight didn't want her brother to leave out somewhere where she would have no idea where he was or how he is doing.

"No, I'm staying here with both of you. There's an apartment here that I have Cadence staying in till I got done here. We can all stay there. I don't think Luna will try to coduct a search here. It would raise too many questions to what she is really doing. I expect her to take power under a lie of Celestia trying to start a war without every pony knowing since it was never made public."

Pinkie now went over to the two as she gave a small smile.

"We can use that time to find a way to bring our friends back Twilight."

Twilight knew they were both right. There was no denying it. They would hide from Luna's eyes, and use that time to regain their friends.

"I have to go. I have to do this quick. The Solar guard will be dismantled and I will send the remaining guards back to their families. Everyone is going to need all the protection they can get. I'll be back Twiliight. Pinkie..."

Pinkie looked into his eyes, and that feeling rose up again, even among her sadness.

"Watch my sister for me."

He left and closed the door behind him.

Twilight stood and stared at the necklace as Pinkie tried to get her to bed.

"C'mon Twilight, you need to lay down."

"I'm fine."

Pinkie didn't protest. There was too much in both of them to really argue anymore.

"So, this is it then? Luna finally has what she wants."

Twilight turned to her pink marefriend.

"No, Pinkie. This is not it. We're going to bring our frineds back."

There was nothing more true. They were going to get them back while they dodged Luna. She would pay for everything she had done. Her friends and Celestia would be avenged. She would make sure of it.

"Then were going to kill her. She's going to die for everything she has done to us. For everything she took away from Equestria. Our friends and Celestia. Mark my words Pinkie, she will die."

Pinkie heard the confidence mixed with anger and pain. She believed her. They would get their friends back, and they will beat Luna. She actually smiled.

"I'll be sure to mark them down."

Twilight smiled back at her. She was broken still but determined. Celestia was now gone, and it was up to them.

There was no turning back.

(A friend of mine put in a request to put music from a gaming soundtrack in this chapter in celebration of Dead Space 3 coming. Credit music if you will. You don't have to play it if you don't want to of course. For youman.

The path of revenge is a long one.

Filled with pain, sorrow, and blood.

Twilight now knew this, and accepted it willingly.

Her friends were dead and now Princess Celestia was dead.

She had Pinkie Pie with her, and only the future knew that she would need her help.

She didn't know what would come next. All she knew was what she had, and what she sought.

Revenge.

The path has been set.

The curtains have been pulled back.

Twilight Sparkle had finally begun.

Her Dark Descent.

To be Continued...

Part Unknown: Pulling the Strings

Luna sat on the scorched land as she watched the valley burn. It was all so beautiful to her. Everything was burning and the very life of plants and grass was being choked out of them. It seemed fitting in a way. Fire was an amazing element in itself, as it had the power to destroy whatever it touched. Luna knew that her day would come soon. She would be so powerful, that anything she even looked at would burn before her, and it would testament to her great strength.

"Bravo! Bravo! That was certainly a performance Nightmare Moon. I had to give a standing ovation for such brilliance. Your finale was simply fantastic!"

Luna stood up and turned to face the all too familar voice, but she knew this discussion was not for her but it. A black msit engulfed her and in moments disappeared to reveal Nightmare Moon once again.

"Still hiding in the shadows are we?" Nightmare Moon teased in her smooth and dark voice.

The figure bowed as it continued smiling.

"By your command of course. I wouldn't want to ruin such a well written script, now would I?"

Nightmare Moon smirked as if it was trying to fool her with the facade of following orders.

"You following orders? That's a bit contradictory for you isn't it? How about you just admit that you're still too weak? For powers such as yours, it takes a while to recover them."

"Tsk, tsk, Nightmare, I may not like order, but I'm not one to simply digress from such a lovely mare's orders such as yourself. I wouldn't even fathom such a concept my dear."

The figured quickly glided towards Nightmare Moon as she simply stood and watched it.

"So tell me, how goes your quest for Rebris?"

"You know fully well how it goes. Don't test me, Discord."

Discord summoned a summer chair as he now lay on it and sunglasses appeared on his face covering his yellow eyes.

"Temper, temper. I thought you didn't care for Rebris, as you so told the late Princess." Discord chuckled at the thought of Celestia now dead.

Nightmare Moon snarled at hime, tired of his jestering. She knew he was trying to get a reaction out of her, and it was working.

"I don't, but it's what I need to gain more power."

Discord relaxed and watched out to the burning valley.

"Ah power. Power was something I had milleniums ago. Such a wonderful and blissful thing to have."

Nightmare Moon was getting tired of this. She had to get ready to enact her next phase of her plan.

"And you will have it again once I have ascended. That pink tramp might have gotten Rebris away from Luna-"

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Luna your puppet? So wouldn't you have let my favorite pony take Rebris?

Discord gave a teasing grin to her, loving how he was frusterating the black alicorn.

"And so are you! If it wasn't for me, you would still be encased in your stone prison, weak and helpless."

Discord flew off his chair as he carefully wrapped himself around Nightmare Moon's body and he was now face to face to her, but she didn't flinch. She knew he dare not try anything.

"I am truly in your debt my dear," he ran his claw against her cheek as he looked in her eyes, "but the way that Pinkie. Oh. Excuse me, I mean Pinkamena, thrashed you around like a doll was hilarious. Imagine the chaos she could reek. Now that would be a show to see."

Nightmare Moon stared into his eyes as he ridiculed her for being almost beaten by Pinkamena. Discord flew away once again as he went back and looked out to the burning valley and spread out his arms as he admired the destruction.

"This is just the beginning of chaos! I wait in anticipation to see what more you will cause Nightmare Moon."

She began to walk away from him, as she was getting more than annoyed with the draconequus. Discord noticed and quickly flew over to her and walked with her.

"Oh come now, can i just have a tad of fun? I been having to work for years now my dear-"

"And you will continue your task! Work is not done until my ambition has come to fruition Discord. You are a great asset to me, and once we are done, I promise you, you will have your fun with your lovely chaos."

Discord sighed.

"Your no fun. No wonder I like Pinkie Pie more than you. She's a pony that knows how to have fun."

"She's also a pony who will die. Now tell me, have you or have you not finished your task that I gave you this morning?"

"Of course. How could you doubt me? We been together for so long now, and you still question me?"

Discord snapped his fingers as a stick of cotton candy appeared in his paw and he began to eat the sweet.

"Equestria's leaders will willingly follow you. No questions asked. You will have full control of Equestria."

She stopped and looked at the still smiling god of chaos.

"Good. You did your job well."

"As always," he said as he took a bow.

Nightmare Moon couldn't help but smile. She loved how she had such control over this god.

"You know my dear, it has been a while since we caused some chaos with each other," Discord said as he dragged his claw against her dark cheek. Nightmare Moon turned away. She had more important things to do.

"I have matters to attend to Discord. Besides," she turned to him and gave him a wicked smile, and he smiled back, "I am the ruler of Equestria now. If I feel in the mood for some celebrating, I will call you to my chambers."

Discord bowed once again giving a small dark chuckle.

"Of course princess. I am you're loyal subject after all," he lifted his eyes to meet her slits,"right?"

Nightmare Moon looked to the dark sky. It was time to begin, and lead Equestria into a new age.

"Of course you are and you always will be."

Nightmare Moon turned into a black smoke and flew off into the sky. Discord lifted himself from his bowing position as he watched her disappear into the sky until she was no longer visible. He looked over to see Celestia's dead bloodied body and floated towards it. Her head had been impaled, and there was a giant gash in her chest. A pool of dark blood covered her once white body.

He kneeled down and looked into her rolled back eyes. His long time foe was dead at last. With her now out of the picture, his rise to the thrown once again was underway. He stroked her dead cheek as he smiled.

"It's so unfortuanate that you had to die such a brutal way Celestia. I would have at least let you live so you could see the amazing chaos that will befall your land, but alas, it seems fate would not have it."

Discord leaned to the dead alicorn's ear.

"I have a secret Celestia. One I'm sure you will be delighted to hear." He paused as his eyes glowed yellow. "Your sister will join you soon."

He lifted himself up and began to walk away. He snapped his fingers, and Celestia dead body was consumed in flames. Everything was working out swimmingly for him.

He looked back at the dead body and shook his head in dissapointment.

"Luna knows nothing of good funerals. Burning is much more befitting."

Discord flew off and his laugh echoed through the sky as the valley burned along with Celestia's body.

The valley burned along with Equestria's beloved late ruler, but there would be nothing to remember her by, as everything burned to ash.

Dark Descent 2

The path of revenge continues.

The Sequel to Dark Descent: Beginning.

One month has passed since Twilight last faced Luna and both her and Pinkie Pie now hide in fear of Equestria's new ruler.

Twilight works to bring her friend's back with Rebris but time is against her. With strange visions and a darkness brewing, she must hurry and bring the Elements of Harmony back before Luna finds them.

Only with her friends back by her side will she have her revenge, but how far is she willing to go for it? How much is she willing to sacrifice to satiate her lust for revenge?

Revenge is a long and bloody path, filled with pain and sorrow. It's a path that is narrow and Twilight must tread carefully, or risk losing everything and falling into her own Dark Descent.

Author's Notes

I dub this fan fic complete! *pats self on back* My first one finally done. I want to say thanks for everyone who followed along and put up with my craziness. I honestly didn't think anyone would be interested in this, but it seems I was wrong. Now, I'm sure there are some questions some may have. Some questions I have left open on purpose because if you haven't guessed it by now, there is going to be a sequel to this.

But if you have any questions or anything that wasn't made clear within the story leave a comment and ask, and I'll finally answer. Also, tell me what you thought of the story as a whole. What did you like, what you didn't like, what you would like to see in the next one, and suggestions that would help your reading expirience better. I know a big one, is spelling and grammar.

I know. Believe me.

Finally, a week or so ago, a reader messaged me with a splendid idea. Make bonus chapters for Luna, explaining her perspective and what she did all the way until she was finally confronted, and I must say, she has been a really busy alicorn for those ten years. With this idea I came up with others. I have been asked about Twilight's and Pinkie's relationship and what exactly did Pinkie do for those years that she ran away from Ponyville? So, I have decided that I will also write about ONE of those topics, and you will choose.

My first question to you.

Would you like the Luna story as just bonus chapters or a separate story?

Second question.

There are two choices for two stories that I could write, but only ONE of them I will.

1) Twilight and Pinkie's relationship before the murders

2) What Pinkie did during the ten years she was gone all the way till Twilight finds her.

So you can tell me in the comments or PM me, either way is fine. Whichever gets the most requests will be the one I do along with Luna. I look forward to your answers!

Remember, the path of revenge is a long one, and Twilight has a long way to go.

Until next time.

Cheers and thank you.