The Legend Of Harmony: The Eternal Eclipse

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: The Festival of the Eclipse
Chapter 2: Faith in your Friends
Chapter 3: Journey through the Everfree Forest Part 1
Chapter 4: Journey through the Everfree Forest Part 2
Chapter 5: 1 Heart, 4 Minds
Chapter 6: Enigma of Veiling
Chapter 7: The Darkness' Ray
Chapter 8 : A Battle for Harmony
Chapter 9: Inexorable Nightfall
Chapter 10: The Calm before the Storm
Bonus Chapter 9.5: Under Cover of Darkness
Chaper 11: Sought Ravage
Chapter 12: Hearts of Gold and Flint
Chapter 13: Verity
Chapter 12.5: Chaos or Havoc?

Prologue

……..
Many ponies search for their purpose, their special talent. They find it; accept it, live with it. It is their benison.
Mine is not a benison… it is a curse… a curse… that makes me unique… and isolates me…
Neither bound to the wide earth… nor the distant sky… nor the mighty horn…
Unique… contemned… feared… sealed away by the puissant 2… in eternal crystal…

The heart beats… yet, it is dead… unable to love…
The soul shines… but it is black, like an eclipse… incapable of feeling…
The mind thinks… but it is dazzled… disabled to understand…
The body acts… but only operates… incompetent to decide…

And finally the ego, born from the powers the harmony fears and is corroded by… the darkness itself… the contrary of the elements…
Insincerity… Callousness… Desperation… Greed… Egoism… And the most powerful of all, The Dark Magic…

So I am at rest in my eternal dream till the day the chosen ones, the guardians of light, the elected 6, unleash me and I can finally fade by eclipsing the world.

Chapter 1: The Festival of the Eclipse

Many legendary sagas start off with a pettiness. Banal, barely noteworthy, unsuspicious. It was a festival… a festival where ponies celebrate a legend that better should have been forgotten. A legend about the light and the darkness, a legend that gives hope to those who feel crushed by the vices the life imposes on them.

It’s ironic that such a little thing was the flashpoint for an incident that is called “The Renascense”. An incident that caused so much pain, woe, angst, grief and despair. I’m still questioning if it was worth it, believing that leaving the darkness sealed in the crystal where it once belonged would have been the best thing to be done.
But seemingly random circumstances precluded this possibility. Or maybe it wasn’t random and it was predestined to happen. I don’t know, nopony ever will.

The only thing I know is that we have to live with our past sins and mistakes. Keeping them in mind helps us to prevent another failure… and in some cases even an inevitable catastrophe. But if the fault surpasses your durability, everything seems lost and only a loving light can reincarnate your spirit.

If there had been a light… nothing of this may have happened…

It was a warm summer morning and tension controlled whole Equestria, possible even the whole world. The Festival of the Eclipse would soon begin. But it wasn’t just a regular festival. It has been celebrated every 25 years since millennia by all ponies, for 3 whole days. This quarter century, it has been celebrated in Ponyville and ponies from everywhere poured into the town to see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna performing a sacred ritual, the summoning of an eclipse.

Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie stood in the first row. Because they are her most faithful friends, Celestia wanted them to be next to her, but Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were on the spot as well, but not in the crowd. They were behind the stage.

The Wonderbolts performed a spectacular airshow for the occasion, together with Rainbow Dash performing a Sonic Rainboom. The crowd indeed enjoyed the performance, but still, they longingly expected the princesses to begin with the actual initiation of the festival, but they took their time.

“Can you believe that we will see this event with our very own eyes!?” Twilight yelled to his also very excited friends. She had to yell, because it was so loud that ponies could barely hear their own thoughts.

“The glamour, the art, the fascination!” Rarity raved about all the famous ponies in the crowd with their expensive dresses and their exorbitant self-portrayal.

Applejack turned Rarity’s head back from the snobs to her friends. “Not to mention the huge honor for Ponyville. It’s the first time ever that the princesses want the festival to be celebrated in our little town.”

“It´s also exactly the fiftieth time ever ponykind celebrates it!” Spike pointed out to seem to be well prepared and informed, especially to impress Rarity.

Fluttershy interrupted the attempt of Spike by asking an interesting question. “But… I thought that Equestria has been founded just about 1100 years ago.”

But like always, Twilight had the answer. “That’s right, but the festival has already been celebrated 150 years prior the foundation…”

“Wow! That´s very long ago, isn´t it?” Pinkie Pie asked, actually interrupting what Twilight was going to say.

“Yes… Pinkie, I will explain it! Our princesses were born 1270 years ago. When they were 20, that means when it was 1250 years before today, they had defeated a gigantic threat. That is the reason why ponykind celebrates this festival every 25 years. Like you have said before Fluttershy, Equestria has been founded 1100 years ago, 150 years after the rescue of the world. 20 years later, Discord conquered the new land Equestria and controlled it for over 50 years. Then, Celestia and Luna conquered it back and were crowned princesses and ruled the land together for 30 years. But then, Luna transformed into Nightmare Moon and… you know the rest of the story.”

“This land has a really dramatic past, hasn´t it?” Applejack pointed out with a slightly sarcastic undertone.

“But this makes this festival so romantic!” Rarity shouted at Applejack, willingly provoking a dispute. Fortunately Rainbow Dash got in their way and stopped the dispute by presenting her point of view.

“Romance or not, I’m just here because of the Wonderbolts. Yeah, yeah, my heroes…” But Spike did not like her very superficial opinion and fought against it.

“You know Rainbow Dash; you should look forward to celebrate the festival and not just…” Pinkie Pie suddenly interrupted him. After so many times her friends said festival, she couldn’t contain herself anymore.

“Oh yes! Party! Party! Party! I wanted to celebrate this festival since my day of birth! I always wanted to celebrate the… I mean, that we…” She stopped and began to think, but she got no answer. “To be honest, I´ve no idea what we’re going to celebrate…”

Twilight was slightly confused. She was sure she told her the reason for celebrating the Festival of the Eclipse just a minute ago. But after all, it was Pinkie Pie, so she just summed everything up. “Didn’t I mention that? Ponykind celebrates the festival because of the gigantic threat 1250 years ago. It was…”

Loud trumpets played by the royal guards interrupted Twilight and all the other ponies. Everypony knew what the interruption was supposed to mean. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna entered the tribune, which has been decorated with pretty flowers and colorful balloons. The crowd acclaimed the princesses, but everypony became silent after a little while, so everypony was able to listen to the respectable princesses.

Celestia began “My loyal subjects! I welcome you to the fiftieth Festival of the Eclipse!” Luna then took the lead. “Let us make the next 3 days be the most memorable moments in this millennium!”

With much confetti and a fireworks display, the festival was opened and the crowd was astonished and put into fascination. After 5 minutes of only cheering and applauding, everypony became silent again. Like every time, Princess Celestia told the story of an ancient threat, the reason for celebrating this festival, but this time with the assistance of Luna. Luna introduced.

“Keeping with tradition and to make it enjoyable for our young ponies as well, my sister will tell you the story behind the Festival of the Eclipse. Celestia, would you?”

“But of course. My dear friends, exactly 1250 years ago the perhaps darkest chapter in history of ponykind occurred, a time in which our beloved land Equestria didn’t even exist. At that time, me and my sister were just young mares and very energetic and we weren’t princesses yet. However we and our 5 best friends who unfortunately cannot be here were destined to fulfill a greater duty, the prevention of a catastrophe that could have destroyed our world. The eternal eclipse!”

Deep horror and tension controlled many minds and especially the young foals were excited of the story.

“Despite we were just 7 young and vehement adults; we knew what we were supposed to do. We had to defeat the creature that could have set the end of everything off.”

A young foal, the pegasi Scootaloo, interrupted her and asked Celestia openly a question. “What was that creature?!”

“Good question my sonny. It was the being, ponies say, which created the nightmares. It was the opposite of all good, the come to life gloom… the harbinger of the complete darkness. The dark pony called… Pariah!”

A cold shiver went down the spines of nearly everypony, but Scootaloo wasn’t impressed at all.
“A pony? Is that everything? That isn’t terrifying at all.”

“Scootaloo keep quiet now!”

“Apple Bloom is right. You spoil all the fun.”

“Never mind my little ponies. Pariah wasn’t just a regular pony. He was unique. He neither was an Earth pony, nor a Pegasi, nor a Unicorn. He was a beast, born from the worst characteristics that exist, the opposite of the 6 Elements of Harmony. Insincerity, callousness, desperation, greed, egoism and the most powerful of all, the Dark Magic!

“His coat was jet-black, his mane, tale and eyes had a dusky purple. Although having jet-black coat is already nonrecurring, other special characteristics were more outstanding. He could summon a horn made of pure darkness, representing the Element of Dark Magic. In addition to that, ponies say that his heart was as black as his coat, freed of all kindness. In place of his chest where his heart was supposed to be was a big scar. That is why some ponies believe he ripped his own heart out of his body right after his birth, so he wasn’t forced to feel anything. The Element of Callousness then took the role of his heart.

“But the most unforgettable characteristic traits of Pariah were his wide wings. There were 4 of them! Each of them had a unique symbol engraved into the flesh, representing the remaining 4 dark harmonies.”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe what Princess Celestia just said and shouted her opinion out loud. “4 wings?! That is impossible!”

Luna took the word and replied. “We couldn’t believe it as well, but it is the way Celestia told.”

“Indeed. We 7 behold this monster with our very own eyes, but it was already too late. Pariah created an eclipse made of pure dark energy, which gradually consumed every bit of life energy out of all beings. The grass shriveled, plants withered and even the light couldn’t dispense any warmth.

“The world was doomed fall, but there was always one hope that never faded. The Elements of Harmony. Each of us possessed 1 element. Me and my sister were both the bearer of the Element of Magic. Together, we were able stop Pariah just before he could finish his plan to drown the world in darkness and we were able to banish him into eternal crystal.

“But the price for our victory was high. The land was burned, the world’s balance was disturbed… and our friends… perished… when they used all their energy to push back the darkness.” Several tears poured out of her eyes, flew down her face and shattered into millions of pieces on the ground. Luna consoled her sister and a sudden smile graced Celestia’s face.

“After many years, the world recovered from the ordeal it had to endure and the burning sky became azure again. Since that time, 1250 years ago, we celebrate the Festival of the Eclipse. We celebrate for 3 full days, because our fight against Pariah took the same amount of time. In the end, we will create a total eclipse which will last only a few minutes. After it is gone again, we can greet our precious light and see how beautiful our beloved world is.”

Everypony applauded Celestia for the fascinating story; some ponies even began to cry. But then, it was finally time to officially begin the festival.

“With this festival, we honor the light, which gave us all the harmony we carry in our hearts and share with our family and friends every day.”

“But also the darkness, which gives us strength when we have to face a threat we believe we cannot overcome.”

Celestia and Luna together carried an amulet with their magic. It looked like an oval crystal vessel made of lucent materials, hold by a bleak altar. Luna then explained its meaning.

“The relict from a past time, the essence of darkness. Although we defeated the darkness, it will always be a part of our world, like the light is a part of our world as well. Both are required so life can exist. So we give the darkness the required light.”

They levitated the amulet in front of the sun. The light coming from it shined directly into the vessel and a luminescent, rainbow-colored gleam appeared in it. The princesses placed the amulet on a crystalline basement in the middle of the tribune. The crowd was thrilled of this ravishing sight.

“Heroes of harmony, would you mind doing a pleasure for us?” Celestia asked her most faithful friends. They did not know what to do, so they just went on the tribune. Luna levitated a familiar looking box to the heroes and opened it. Inside were the Elements of Harmony.

“Take them and bring them next to the amulet.” Luna told them supportingly. Each took their respective element and carried to the basement. The elements despites Twilight’s began to glow and hovered in midair, surrounding the amulet in a cycle.

“Levitate it on the amulet, my dear student.” Celestia told her and Twilight executed her order. The Element of Magic finally began to glow when it was right above the amulet. A magic force field held the Elements in the air and the heroes went off the tribune again.

“In honor for past heroes, the heroes we thank today and the yet to be born.” Celestia said sentimentally. It was silent for a minute, but it felt like hours would pass, as time itself would have been slowed down by the magnificent view.

“May the festival begin!” Celestia shouted and everypony began to rejoice and all ponies celebrated until the late evening. No pony was able to hold a candle to Pinkie Pie, but many tried hard. As the sun went down, our heroes, the princesses, Shining Armor and Cadance sat jovially at a private table which was a bit away from the party. They took a good gulp of Applejack’s cider and a big mouthful of Pinkie Pie’s cupcakes, who was very proud of her backing recipe.

“Dig in ponies! You have to savor this S.S.R! Secret Special Recipe!”

Rainbow Dash was very curious and wanted to know what this special recipe might be, so she asked her. “What do you mean with special recipe? What’s inside these cupcakes?”

“You little dimwit you are, hihi! If I would tell you, it wouldn’t be secret anymore, right?”

Rainbow Dash took a look at her cupcakes, regarding it suspiciously, but then she stopped questioning and began again to eat it. “What the hay! I can think about when I’ve piped out. They are just too delicious!”

“Wow! Hard to believe that already a half year went by since we defeated the Changelings and this cruel Queen Chrysalis.” Cadance said in an assuaged way and Shining Armor immediately replied to her.

“Well, time flies when you have great friends spending it with you.”

“Hear ye!” Spike yelled, holding his jar into the air and inviting everyone else to raise their jars as well. But he got no backlash, so he just put his jar down again.

“Aaaah… it is just so wonderful magnificent, isn’t it?” Rarity said dreamily, pointing to the ancient relict that glowed suavely in the light of the sundown.”

“Eeyup! Like the morning dew on fresh, seasoned apples.”

“Or the song of nature…”

“Or a good, old Sonic Rainboom.”

Pinkie Pie recognized that Twilight was very quiet and not happy at all, just staring in the air. “Hey Twilight, you are so silent and lost in yourself. Be happier and have fun with us! Hey, even Fluttershy is more excited and louder than you.”

“I am? I’m sorry…”

“Oh, it’s okay, I have my fun. It’s just that the old legend fascinates me very much. Everything we heard today was just a précis. I’m just… brooding over some aspects…”

Celestia suddenly behaved a bit petulant and looked Twilight right in her eyes.“And what is it you are brooding about?”

“Ääähm… well, the historical tradition says that Pariah said something to you before he got sealed. Something about that he will recover the source of darkness. No matter how, he will find a way to return to finish what he once began… shortly before the fiftieth eclipse will arise.”

Celestia began to giggle a bit, but then she suddenly stopped and told Twilight something she already once said to her.
“I see Twilight! You don’t have to take everything so serious, especially when it is just written down in an old book.”

“But you were there. Did he say something like that?” Twilight asked suspiciously, but Luna interfered with her slight royal voice.

“Of course he did, like everyone would have done in his situation. But you don’t have to fear. Pariah has been defeated and now rest in eternal crystal, sealed away from the rest of the world in a distant place nopony has ever reached.”

Twilight still seemed to be sorrowful, so his brother Shining Armor consoled her.
“Hey… our princesses are right Twili. Nothing involving him has ever happened again and I’m absolutely sure that nothing involving him will ever happen again.”

“Yes… I think you’re right. We really should focus on having our fun.”

Pinkie Pie heard what she said and knew what to do. “I’ve waited for this catchword! DJ Pon-3! Time to make the hooves of everypony sweat!”

“My pleasure Pinkie!” She yelled to Pinkie Pie and levitated a whole DJ construction right next to the tribune. She then began to play her best funky songs so loudly that it was ear-battering and everypony had to scream so the sound could reach somepony else ear in the first place. Understanding what somepony else said was nearly impossible, but fortunately the royal group resided short of the festival.

“Come no guys! We should enter the dance floor! I mean it’s a party, not a supper.” Pinkie Pie commented energetically rashly, but the others reacted positively and approved her idea.

“I’m with you Pinkie!”

“You can count on me sugarcube.”

“Me, too. I love to be in the spotlight.”

“I think I will join in as well…”

“Twilight, what’s about you? Do you stay, or do you come with us?” Spiked asked her sentimentally, assisted by every of Twilight’s friends making use of puppy dog eyes, even the princesses.

“Hehe, all right then! You’ve convinced me, I’m coming.”

“Wuhu! Best party in life we’re coming!”

The ponies didn’t celebrate the whole night, but it was already 2 in the morning when they wished each other a good night and went home so they would be fit again for the next upcoming day.
While Spike was fast asleep, Twilight was still awake and foraged for something in dim candle light. She went through hundreds of books until she finally found what she had been looking for all the time, the historical tradition centering on Pariah.

“There it is, *The Legend of The Eternal Eclipse*. Ok, let’s see…”
Twilight thumbed through the tradition and found the passage she had been looking for, which was at the very end of the book.

“Thus spoke Pariah, he would return one day, overcoming every obstacle no matter what and finish what he once began, shortly before the fiftieth time the world experiences a near-drowning in lasting darkness. Before his whole body was surrounded by crystal, Pariah cried a single, rainbow-colored tear, of which ponies say the artifact was made of. This tear burned in a message in every mind and those of the yet to be born offspring. It said “When the harmonies, together with the ancient fragment, break the chains that perpetuate the dream, a power will reveal itself which is mightful enough to restore the world’s balance. This power will be obscure and shrouded, but it will save the peace together with the sparking light. If this power won’t be recognized, this world and every life exist on it will evanesce”…”

“Twilight… why are you still awake?” Spiked asked warily, being obviously annoyed by Twilight’s invasive, insatiable thirst of knowledge.

“I just had to check up something Spike. Don’t worry, I will hit the hay, too.”

“Oh, I’m not worried about you… I am the one who wants to sleep.”

“Hihi. No reason to be on edge, I’m coming.”

But before she closed the book, Twilight noticed something strange. The seemingly last page seemed glued, because it was creased and corrugated. Despite it was against her own attitude, she broke the page away from the book and found another short paragraph on the page’s backside.

“Forgive us Radiant Eclipse… We had no other choice, we had to arrest She’ol. There was no other opportunity. Please forgive us young colt. And please forgive us sister. We miss you and we will never forget your self-abandonment. Farewell.”

Twilight startled shortly. She couldn’t grasp the last line of the paragraph.

“Thus spoke Celestia and Luna…”

She put the book back into the bookshelf and took to her bed with a strained, nervous and questioning mind. She began to think, analyzed everything she knew thitherto and tried to see a sense behind everything.

“This paragraph hasn’t been hid without any reason, but why? And what do the princesses dissimulate? Who is Radiant Eclipse or the nameless… sister? A close relative? But their family tree only displays the two! Maybe just a best friend they honor by calling her a sister, like Applejack calls us sugarcube sometimes? And has this Radiant Eclipse-guy the mysterious power the tradition speaks of? Do we have to find him? And who or what is She’ol? Maybe it is the darkness the legend speaks of. But what is Pariah then…

“Shoot Twilight Sparkle! Those are just theories, speculations! But two things I know aren’t just speculations. First, the princesses leave relevant particulars out, but why? Do they fear something? But just this information could help us to stop Pariah… or whomever. That brings me to point two. Something will happen and it will have to do with Pariah, this Radiant Eclipse and She’ol… and whatever it is, it will have apocalyptic proportions. And even worse, it will happen the day after tomorrow. The fiftieth time the world experiences a near-drowning… the fiftieth time we celebrate the Festival of the Eclipse…

“No, I can’t just sit around and do nothing. Something tells me that everything that happened or is going to happen isn’t just a contingency, like Nightmare Moon’s appearance wasn’t as well. After all, me and my friends are the chosen ones who possess the power of the Elements of Harmony. It is our duty, no… our destiny to act and I will not confront my.”

“Stop mumbling around and finally fall asleep, Twilight.” Spike peevishly whispered to Twilight, but then he suddenly fell asleep again.

“I hope… my friends will help me… this time…” Twilight thought.

When she made sure that Spike was fast asleep, she sneaked out of the library right into the dark, cold night.

========
Fascinating how a sole, little filly can have such sense of duty, although it’s based only on possibilities and speculations. It’s inspiring how a single soul can have so much will and strength.

I often asked myself if she had a hunch about what’s going to happen to her. That she would face a threat infinitely greater than anything ever before. That she would participate in the final battle between good and evil, although I question that those notions had any meaning left.

Or that she would realize what the true friendship’s power is capable of and that she and her friends never unleashed more than just a tiny piece of its true, unbridled fortitude before.

Chapter 2: Faith in your Friends

Although Twilight was focused on her self-imposed quest, her spirit filled with burning, blind ambition and courage, her hope was fragile.

She often had to face problems on her own, because her friends didn’t believe her, didn’t take her serious or didn’t want to listen. It is very unfortunate that they often acted that way, especially because she was right nearly every time.

Still, she never questioned the bound between her and her friends. Maybe that is true friendship, the Elements of Harmony’s wellspring of power, the light that overcomes any darkness.

That is possibly why Twilight didn’t even think about it a second and immediately asked her friends to help her, although she had a bad feeling about the others reaction.

I must admit, even darkness itself would be fascinated of such confidence.

Already in the very early morning, Twilight’s friends assembled in the library, but unfortunately nopony knew why despite Twilight. Predictable Rainbow Dash was the first to complain.

“Gosh darn it, Twilight. *yawn* It’s just seven in the morning…”

“No time to sleep. We have an emergency!”

“An emergency?! What happened?! Did somepony steal all cupcakes?! Did they ponynapped Vinyl Scratch? Did Apple Boom get her Cutie Mark?!”

“No, Pinkie…”

“Hold on a second. What’s so bad about mah sister gettin’ her Cutie Mark?”

“Well… Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are the most favored foals of all. The audience would surely be sad if there weren’t any adventures with the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore.”

Nearly as always, the other pones had no idea how to deal with Pinkie Pie and her random behavior, so they had no other possibility than just asking her.

“Ääähm… audience?”

“You mean the other ponies in our town?”

“Also!”

“What in tarnation do you…?”

A sudden, shrill whistle stunned everypony and their focus were now on Spike, who was actually the one who whistled. “Guys, concentration!”

But Rainbow Dash was not in the mood to just stay quite. “So early? No, thanks.”

She suddenly heard a groan, a very threatening groan of Twilight. She was furious about the behavior of her friends and finally wanted silence. “Listen… to me!”

The others didn’t want her to become furious, so they automatically stopped complaining and focused on her.
“All right Twilight, we’ll listen. Just tell us what that this emergency is.”

“It’s Pariah.”

Her words threw the others for a loop. They were confused, but also slightly afraid. “P… P.. Pa.. Pariah…?”

“You mean the Pariah of the legend?”

“Indeed. I mean the dark pony.”

Like many other times, Rainbow Dash did not take her serious and questioned her state of mind. “Pariah… yeah... of course. And how is he involved in this emergency…?”

“I will explain it. The historical tradition said that we, the harmonies, have to bring the old artifact, I guess the amulet the princesses use to initiate the festival, to a distant place, so something powerful will be released that prevents Pariah from destroying the world.”

“So that was it you were mumbling about all the time this night? I can’t believe it…” Spike murmured sneeringly when suddenly Rainbow Dash confronted Twilight.

“Woah, stop right there! Pariah has been sealed away. It is impossible for him to escape, you are aware of that?!”

“Like it was impossible for Nightmare Moon to escape, or for Discord?”

“Ääähm… ok, that’s a point, hehe. I’ll take it back, at least for now…” While Rainbow Dash suffered a bit in her self-humiliation, the other ponies took the chance to question Twilight.

“Granted that Pariah would return, what kind of advantage would this power bring? The ol’ heroes used the Elements of Harmony to get rid of him. We should simply do the same.”

“To be honest, due to the tradition, I have doubts about the validity of the legend.”

Rarity couldn’t believe what Twilight just said. After all they went through, together with Celestia, this couldn’t be her true opinion. “What? You dare calling our gracious, honored princess liars? This borders on blasphemy, Twilight!”

“No! Of course not! Maybe they just can’t remind themselves of what really happened. 1250 years are a very long time span after all.”

Still, the uncertainness was apparent in everypony’s eyes and Fluttershy was the first one to reveal her bad feelings about the whole situation.

“I don’t know, Twilight. It just sounds a bit… ridiculous…”

“Yup! Fluttershy has a point. It really sounds far out, no offense.”

“What about the party? We can’t just leave! We would miss it.”

“If I may interrupt!” Spiked yelled intercreatively “Even if it’s true what you say Twilight, how do you want to get that vessel… artifact thingy anyway?”

“To be honest… I already have it.”

Twilight put the artifact out of her saddlebag and presented it her friends. “I took it this night, while everypony else was asleep. I also took the Elements of Harmony. We might have to use them, although it’s unclear if they will really help us.” She explained relatively quiet and anxious.

“What!? You simply stole them? Do the princesses know just anything about that?”

“No…” She replied even more anxiously than before. The others recognized that she seemed to conceal something and wanted to know what and why.

Applejack slowly walked towards her and consoled her. “Hey sugarcube. There ain’t nothing you have to hide from us. We also want closure, so please, tell us everything you know. We can only help ya if you’re completely honest, ok?”

For a few second, Twilight went into herself and realized that the only way to gain her friends help was to tell them every detail she could remember. “Ok. You’re right. It was different this night than I have told you. I… I met the princesses…”

Although it was summer, it was a mild night. Twilight cantered through Ponyville to reach the tribune where the artifact and the Elements of Harmony had been left. She stood right before the basement and stared at the luminescent gleam inside the vessel, suddenly feeling something like a warm, little heartbeat.

“Unbelievable…” Twilight enthused about the gleam in a whisper. She just meant to touch it when apparently two, big figures appeared behind her without her to recognize.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?”

Twilight jumped screamingly into the air and turned around to see who scared her.

“Princess Celestia… Princess Luna…?”

“Calm down, my student.” Celestia told Twilight so she was able to get a grip on herself.

“It is a delightful night, isn’t it?” Luna remarked, but Twilight was not interested in chatting. She was confused about the appearance of both princesses and wanted to know why.

“May I ask you what are you doing here this time?” She asked nervously.

“We could ask you the same, you know?” Luna replied slightly gloatingly, but furthermore seriously.

“Well… ääähm… I just… wanted… to…” Twilight stuttered, but immediately got interrupted by Celestia.

“It’s ok, Twilight. We are aware of why you are here.”

“You… you are?”

The princesses pointed at the artifact and Twilight nodded aggrievedly. “Yes… you’re right.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? We also wanted to enjoy it when nopony is here, but I guess we are in a threesome now, right?”

Twilight realized that the princesses didn’t seem to know the true reason for her appearance, so she just nodded. Celestia recognized that her faithful student seemed to feel poorly and consoled her.

“Still worrying about the legend, Twilight?”

“Yes, a bit. It’s not like I don’t believe you. It’s just… I am scared.”

“Never fear! As long as the harmony doesn’t give up hope, the world will be safe.”

“What…?” Twilight asked suspiciously. She could feel that the princesses we’re still hiding something, but she couldn’t ask them. If she would, they would possibly forbid her to take the artifact and the elements.

“I guess you’re right...” Twilight lied directly into Celestia’s eyes.

“Well then, we should better go to bed, or we won’t have enough power to endure the next 2 days.” Luna suggested merrily.

“You are right sister. You should go to bed as well, Twilight. I wish you a good night.”

“I will take your advice. Good night, princesses.”

When Twilight wasn’t able to see the princesses anymore, she took the artifact and the elements and galloped as fast as possible back to the library and put the things she took into her saddlebag.

What she didn’t know was that the princesses immediately returned to the tribune and saw that the artifact and the elements were missing. Both shook their heads anxiously and comprehended the situation.

“There was no other way… right? We couldn’t prevent it from to happen…” Luna asked Celestia gloomily.

“No… Only the harmonies can prevent what’s to come. It now rests in their hooves. The only thing we can do… is to trust that they will find a way… to finally end this nightmare.”

“Or…”

“… Everything was in vain…”

“So… you just stole everything?” Fluttershy asked Twilight, seemingly being very disappointed of her.

“I had no other choice!” Twilight yelled, making Fluttershy shy away from her.

“I’m… I’m sorry…” Twilight realized what she just did. She screamed at one of her friends. She began to feel guilt and apologized to her. “No. I am sorry. This whole situation just stresses me…

“Guys… I have to admit that I don’t understand anything, too. But this hidden paragraph of the tradition proofs at least that there is something more.”

She then took a deep breath and continued to explain herself. “Listen, I know it sounds crazy, but I feel that we are confronted with a catastrophe… and this time, the Elements of Harmony aren’t enough to hinder it, well, at least not completely.”

But her friends seemed unsure and didn’t really believe what Twilight said. She realized that and became upset.
“Well. Then I’ll do it on my own. Don’t worry about me and enjoy the party. I will make it.”

Although Twilight pretended to be happy, her friends knew she was not. When she walked out of the door, she got interrupted by them.

“Twilight! Wait!” Rainbow Dash shouted to gain her attention. Twilight stood still and the others went out of the library as well.

“What is it?” Twilight asked hopefully.

“We’re comin’ with ya. We just can’t let you go all alone through this dangerous walk on the wild line.”

“Without your smile, this party wouldn’t be any fun. I want everypony to smile!”

“Besides… we often didn’t believe you. No matter how unlikely something was, you we’re right, especially with the changelings. That wasn’t very kind.”

“And honey, we’re absolutely not going to do this mistake another time. That would truly be the worst possible thing.”

“We remain at your side, no matter what! We’ll show this swell-headed wannabe what a good dressing down is!”

“As your friends, we owe you that. You can count on us!” Spike shouted and finished the speech that way.

Twilight was visibly moved to tears because of her friends’ sight, standing in a row, faithful, adamant and prepared to follow Twilight into any obstacle.

“Thank you very much. And if everything was just fiddle-faddle after all, don’t worry. I’ll take the full responsibility. So or so, I always wanted go on vacation and see the moon’s backside!”

The group began to giggle, but soon focused again on their self-imposed quest.

“O.K! We’ll get together in 1 hour at the entrance to the Everfree Forrest. Unfortunately we have to travel through it, again.”

With her magic, Twilight levitated a scroll out of her saddlebag, entitled *Checklist*.

“Pinkie Pie, you’ll bring food, all right?”

“Okeydokeylokey!”

“Applejack, can you offer some… healthy food… and some cider?”

“Ain’t a problem!”

“Rarity, after we traveled through the Everfree Forest, we have to climb several mountains. We need fleecy scarves or we could freeze to death.”

“Don’t worry about that anymore. You’ll get them.”

“Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, you don’t have to bring anything. But we need you as an air-scout Rainbow Dash. There is a high chance for us to get lost.”

“You can count on me!”

“And Fluttershy, I know you don’t like to fly much, that’s why I have a more appropriate task for you. We will possibly encounter wildlife. Are you prepared to communicate with wild animals?”

“Ääähm… well, I’ll do the best I can.”

“And nopony expects anything more from you. Good, then I guess we have…”

“Hey, what about me? What can I do?” Spike asked her excitedly.

“Well… hmm… ah! I know something. You could keep records of our journey. You know, if it should reveal itself as the biggest adventure ever, we’ve got material.”

“Got it!”

“All right then! We’ll get together at quarter past 8 at the entrance to the Everfree Forest. Let’s get to work!”

“One for all and all for one!” The group yelled to represent their strong bond.

Everypony despite Twilight rushed back home to gather everything they required. Twilight was already prepared and cantered to the entrance of the Everfree Forest, together with Spike on her back.

“Did you tell us the truth, Twilight? You know, about that you don’t understand anything so far.”

“I did. There are names nopony knows, an apparent vision of the future, the princesses ignore me or just keep something secret for a reason I don’t know and of course the world’s imbalance. The sun shines, birds sing and everypony is happy. Doesn’t seem like an imbalanced world. It is… filled with light…”

“You are actually hoping that you are wrong, right?”

“This time? Yes. I pray for that I’m totally mistaken..."

========
Poor child, perished by thoughts. There was actually nothing she could latch on. She knew that nothing made any sense. She just made sure that she was prepared for anything. Anything that could matter was involved in her plan. The Elements of Harmony, the amulet, her friends, the historical tradition.

That was it. She had no proof, no idea about what’s to come, not even trust in what the historical tradition said. Still, she never meant to give up. She had to find out the truth, her natural desire besides knowledge.

Ponykind should thank her for her passion, or else… everything would have been obliterated.

Chapter 3: Journey through the Everfree Forest Part 1

The Everfree Forest. Many ponies regard it as an unnatural place, something that should not exist. For them, it seems like an anomaly in this world, nothing more than a failure.

But the irrefutable truth is that this forest is one of the most natural places in this world. Other species like zebras or griffin are aware of that, but not the ponies.

This is very ironic because all of Equestria was like the Everfree Forest when the founding fathers discovered it and made it their home, though not all of it was overgrown with plants.

But you may ask why for example the clouds do not move in Equestria, or why rainbows have to be made and do not emerge from the reflection of the sun light. It is simple. The ponies’ magic has oversaturated the nature in Equestria itself. Both flora and fauna have adapted to the ponies actions and made themselves dependent, no, overdependent.

The reason is nothing more than evolution and natural selection. They have adapted to the ponies will to have control over everything and get rid of those things they cannot control. The forest’s natural enmity and hazard protected it from being seized.

How delightful. The self-proclaimed most nature-loving and with it coexisting race is actually the race that corrupts the nature and imposes its will on it the most. But do not blame them. Almost all ponies do not even know this.

========

The sun merely began to rise when the assembled group stood in front of the entrance to the Everfree Forest. They were strained, but also got excited about the new adventure that waited for them. Twilight, as the leader of the group, made sure that everyone was prepared and ready for the quest.

“Good, we’ve got everything we need. We may take about 10 hours, depending on breaks and getting lost for a short time, to reach the other side of the Everfree Forest. Then we have to scale the snowed mountains to possibly reach the secret place where this mysterious power is supposed to be. Is everypony ready?”

Everyone nodded to the pleasance of Twilight. “Excellent. Then let’s go. Follow my lead!”

Everyone rejoiced and laughed, while the sky slowly turned summerlike blue. After a few steps taken into the forest, Fluttershy seemed to become nervous and remembered earlier journeys through the Everfree Forest.

“Oh no. Not this again…”

With a speedy, but prudent pace, the group cantered through the dark, mildewed forest, not having a premonition about what is to come.

Applejack broke the silence of the forest with a question “May I ask ya somethin’, Twilight?”

“Sure. Go ahead!”

“Thanks. Ääähm… why did you actually want to keep the fact that you met the princesses a secret? Seems mindless to me.”

“Well, I feared that you might trust their opinion more than mine… and not help me at all.”

“We were that unfair to you the last times that you don’t even want to tell us everything?” Rarity asked Twilight dolefully.

“No, no. Of course not. You were…” Twilight stuttered, trying to explain herself, but immediately got interrupted by Fluttershy.

“No. We were. We were that unfair…” She said and suddenly, the happy mood of everyone but Twilight became a mood composed of self-reproach. Twilight could not stand the sad face of her friends and brought everyone to a stop.

“Listen guys, everything is all right. We are here, together, that is all what matters. Honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, loyalty, magic and Spike. We are all together now, because you wanted to be by my side. You aren’t bad friends. You are the best friends I ever had and ever will. Let’s forget what happened and move along. That’s all I want and need.”

Her friends were moved by tears, especially Spike. “This is the most touching thing I’ve ever heard.” He suddenly remembered that he was supposed to be a manly dragon. “Ääähm… I mean, it is very friendly to say that.”

Everyone else giggled and became happy again. “Yeah… I thought you would laugh…”

But Rarity consoled him “Don’t take it bad, Spike. We don’t laugh about you, we laugh with you.”

And her words flowed like blood into his heart. “Ok Rarity. Whatever you say.”

Although it is quite a funny situation, Twilight had to end it. “Ok then, guys. We have to continue. Everything all right?”

Her friends nodded happily and they moved along, only to discuss another topic 2 minutes later. It was Rainbow Dash to point out a possible threat to their quest.

“You know Twilight, first I’ve got to say that I’m sorry about that I questioned your state of mind in the library.”

“No problem. It’s not the first time you did that. Besides, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Okay then. Yet, I’ve got to ask you something.”

“Sure. Go ahead!”

“Don’t you think the princesses and everypony else will realize that the artifact and the elements are missing when they wake up? I know they will sleep ‘till noon, but we won’t be through the Everfree Forest that time, even if we would gallop like Nightmare Moon would chase us.”

“Shoot! I knew I forgot something!” Twilight yelled to herself, but got interrupted by Pinkie Pie.

“Nah... Don’t worry about that. You said the princesses are keeping something secret. Maybe they even want you… or us… to find whatever we are going to find.”

“Would make sense in this framework of nonsensical eventualities…” Spike pointed out.

“But still, it is just a possibility after all.” Applejack commented, leaving Twilight to think about it. After a minute, she gave a untypical, but also expedient answer.

“Well, I guess we will find it out if we surprisingly have to face royal guards.” She argued slightly careless, but after all, this was truly the only reasonable way to regard this topic.

2 hours went by and the group talked about several things, detracting themselves from the tedious march and the lack of sleep. Rainbow Dash flew like the wind through the treetops and landed next to Twilight.

“Still on the right track, captain!”

“Ääähm… yeah… thank you.” Twilight responded ruggedly. “Like thirty seconds earlier when you scouted the area the last time.”

“Sorry. It’s just… boring.”

“I guess we are all still a bit tired.” Spike commented and got bad response by Applejack.

“No hay, Sherlock. I thought we were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Thanks for presentin’ us your wisdom.”

“Wow… harsh.” Rarity told Applejack and she apologized to Spike.

“I’m sorry. My ol’ brain doesn’t work like it should do. And I guess I drank too much cider that night. My head’s still spinning a bit.”

“No worries… I know what you mean…” He replied, accepting her apologize and burying the topic.

5 minutes passed when Rarity realized that something was wrong about the situation the group was in.

“The Everfree Forest is so extraordinary peaceful and calm today. Spine-chilling, but peaceful.”

“Hey. Sometimes we just have to have luck, don’t we?” Applejack answered confidently.

“Pah! Luck? I prefer skill. You know, something that is inherent, like in my case.” Rainbow Dash noted, only to get attention by Spike.

“I wish your overconfident ego wasn’t inherent.”

“Tzzz. I don’t have to listen to something like this coming out of your mouth! I’m going to fly and look if we’re still keeping the right direction.”

“Yeah… do it once more…” Twilight responded and Rainbow Dash lifted off, taking her time above everyone else.

A sudden sound, a loud smack, reverberated through the forest, but Twilight knew exactly where it came from.

“Pinkie, stop eating all of the cupcakes.”

Pinkie Pie wiped all crumbs out of her face and packed the remaining cupcakes back into her saddleback.

“Sorry. Not even I can resist the S.S.R.”

“But… we need those for later…” Fluttershy answered indicatively.

“Don’t worry about that. I Pinkie Promise not to eat anymore cupcakes. Cross my heart…” And the group joined in canon. “… Hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"

“Wow… Am I getting that repetitive? They really should give me some new jokes…”

Just a few moments later, the group heard another smack and Applejack reacted visibly annoyed towards Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie, do we really have to drum your own promise into your head?”

“But… but I’m not eating anything… at all.”

Realizing that Pinkie told the truth, the group immediately stood rooted to the ground and the ponies nervously observed the area around them. Crinkly bushes, creaky branches and this smacking sound made the ponies and Spike feel observed and they were frightened.

“Guys… I… I am… scared…” Fluttershy mumbled tremulously.

“We are all scared. Just stay by my side. They won’t lay a finger on you or they will feel my hoof.” Applejack told her and she did as requested.

“We also have magic. We can defend ourselves if we have to.” Twilight said to keep up the morale. Unfortunately Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be seen, so the group lacked a stubborn, but strong fighter.

An obscure creature tramped out of the bushes. It had the shape of a big dog, but it had no coat. Instead, its skin looked like it was made of wood.

“Dear Celestia. That things are Timberwolves; maybe even the same we once faced!” Applejack yelled, making the group realize that it was indeed a threat.

“Fluttershy, can you talk with it?” Twilight asked her.

Fluttershy shook like a leaf, but then she swallowed her fear and took a deep breath. She slowly walked towards the timberwolf and when she stood right before his face, she began to speak with it.

“Hello… sweet-natured, strong wolf. Would you mind leaving me and my friends alone and cut your own path? We just want to travel through the forest to reach the mountains. We didn’t mean to break in your territory and we promise to leave as fast as possible. No struggle, no complains, no pony gets hurt. Sounds good, right? What do you think?”

She looked fearfully into its cold, dead eyes. The timberwolf growled in different frequencies, emulating the language ponies speak.

“Aha… aha… ok. I understand. Thank you for your understanding.” Fluttershy told the wolf and turned to her friends.

“And? What did it said?” Twilight asked her.”

“It said the following,” Fluttershy then cleared her throat and began to repeat what the wolf said.

“What we think about is not in our power, you already unleashed the fury this hour. Like a wave we will break through your fragile dam, running away is all left what you can. Yet you can’t hide from our blistering claw, because in this place, the strongest determines the law. But you don’t have to worry, it will not smart, quickly our prey that is you, we are tearing apart.“

Fluttershy smiled stubbornly, but then she understood the content of the poem. Her eyes widened when she heard the snarling timberwolf behind her. A small squeak was all what she could say and as she turned around, she fell on the ground. The timberwolf slowly splayed its claw over her head, ready to finish the poor pony of.

She could not move. Her blood was frozen and her body was like in stasis, unable to do anything. As she looked away so she must not see her fate, all she could hear was her own heartbeat and the claw that rushed through the air towards her. A single tear flew down her face and Fluttershy accepted her end.

Suddenly, before the claw reached her face, she heard something. It was like something would crash into a piece of wood. She did not feel anything, not a single bit of pain. That was why she slowly opened her eyes again and saw her true blue hero. It was Rainbow Dash standing in front of the now unconscious timberwolf.

“No pony will ever lay hand on her, got it?!” She said furiously, but then she and the others immediately ran to Fluttershy to console her.

“You’re alright, darling?” Rarity asked her while Applejack and Spike helped her standing up.

“Yes… I’m fine. Thanks to Rainbow Dash.”

“Don’t worry! You can always count on me!” She said while winking at her.

The timberwolf regained consciousness and stood up, slowly walking backwards to avoid another confrontation with the rainbow colored pony.

“Oh yeah! Now you’re not so tough anymore, huh?! Let your kind know that they should never…”

“Ääähm… Rainbow Dash…” Applejack mumbled.

“Not now!” She replied to her. “Like I said, puppy, you and your kind should never, ever attack a pony anymore, or I will kick…”

“Rainbow Dash, you should really listen to..:” Twilight tried to explain to Rainbow Dash, but she did not listen.

“…Or I will kick your flanks to the end of this universe.” She flew, but was face to face to the awed timberwolf. “Got it?”

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity shouted for her anger.

“What is it?!” She asked furiously

“How about lookin’ around for a second or two…” Applejack told her provocatively.

“What? Why? What is there more to gaze at than my glorious… vic…to…ry…” And that was the moment she realized why the others wanted her to quit her humiliation. Dozens of snarling, bloodthirsty timberwolves surrounded the group. Rainbow Dash landed on the ground, scratched her head and then began to explain herself.

“Uups… Did I hurt your friend? Oh… I am really sorry about that. It wasn’t on purpose, it just happened. So… peace?”

But grinning into the face of the timberwolf she just ambushed did not help at all. All what she got was a short snarl.

“It said No.” Fluttershy explained to Rainbow Dash to her annoyance.

“Oh really?! I thought they want to snuggle with us.”

Rainbow Dash slowly walked to the rest of the group while the pack corned them entirely.

“Wouldn’t you rather want my S.S.R. cupcakes? They are mouth-watering and you’ll be full up quickly.”

“Or what about apples from the Sweet Apple Acres. Nothing is more juicy and healthy than those. Freshly picked from the tree… for the tree-creature. Hehe…”

But the lame joke was not any help. They were easy prey, delivered on a silver tablet and ready to be eaten. They could not escape and it seemed like they would meet their fate.

“Twilight. Your turn…” Rarity whispered to her.

Twilight’s horn began to glow and when the whole pack jumped towards the group, they disappeared in a flash.
In an unknown spot in the wood, they reappeared and breathed deeply.

“Pew. That was close. One second more and those things would have made a hotpot out of us.” Applejack commented and breathed a sigh of relief. “Good job, partner.”

“Not a big deal. Wow. Everypony else also want the boring forest, again? I would appreciate it.” Twilight suggested sarcastically to the others.

But then they heard the timberwolves’ snarl again and jumped on their lags.

“What?! They chased us?” Spike yelled in the air.

But that was not the case. Twilight realized what actually happened. “No. They didn’t. I transported us just about… 10 inches. Uups…”

The whole pack stood right next to them, ready to ambush the group another time.

“You know Rainbow Dash, I always wanted to do that.” Applejack said and then she hit her very hard on the head.

“Ouch! What was that for?!” She asked Applejack furiously.

“For being an overconfident, holier-than-you jerk!”

“In that case… I deserve that.” She admitted

Fluttershy then made a suggestion. “Ääähm… guys. You know, I really don’t want to interrupt you… and I’m really sorry for doing so… but ääähm… how about, you know… RUN AWAY!”

She and the others ponies jumped into the air and galloped away as fast as their hooves could carry them. But the pack chased them like a gundog chased a little bunny.

“Suddenly, I remember the day I was supposed to learn not to brag when I’m a hero. You remember that?” Rainbow Dash asked the others.

“Yes!” The group yelled synchronously.

“Well. Ääähm… Next time when I’m going to behave arrogant… do yourselves the favor and throw something directly into my face… as hard as possible.”

“Oh don’t worry! We will do ourselves this favor!” The group yelled synchronously another time.

After a few minutes of rushing, they began to run out of stamina. Fortunately, this problem could have been ignored, because a drifty river blocked their path. Unfortunately, there was no place left to run. They were caged.

“Twilight, teleportation!” Rainbow Dash yelled to her, but she was too exhausted.

“No way… I can’t…” Twilight replied. She even tried it, but it was futile.

“Then Fluttershy. Try to communicate with them, again.” Rarity suggested.

“Are you crazy!? Those things aren’t animals… they are… demons!”

“But… what are we going to do then?” Pinkie Pie asked the others.

The group was totally surrounded and jumping into the river would probably end deadly. There was only one possibility left and Twilight knew that.

“We’ve got to fight.” She mumbled and then she threw Spike down from her back. She jumped in the middle of the half-cycle the timberwolves had created and moved into battle position.

“You want us?! Then take us!” She shouted to make the creatures aware of her resistance.

Her friends knew that this was the only thing they could do, so they rushed next to her and went into battle position as well. They were 7, one of them was a baby dragon and of them was a pacifist. Not the best cards to open up a match.

It was obvious. They could not win this fight. They managed to knock out some of the timberwolves, but every time they did that, it felt like just two other would replace the predecessor. They were done for. They were not hurt yet, but they were totally exhausted.

“We… we can’t defeat those... things…” Applejack said while the group got constantly pushed back to the river.

And then Rainbow Dash did something no pony would have ever expected her to do. She went forward and talked with the wolves. “Listen! I am really sorry! Ok?! I’m regretting that I humiliated you! I wish I could undo my mistake, but I just can’t. Please… I’m begging you…”

The poor, blue pony felt on her knees to ask for forgiveness. Fluttershy rushed to her and stood by her side to console and help her. One of the timberwolves, the one that got hit by Rainbow Dash, walked closer to the blue pony, while the others stood on spot.

“I’m begging you… please… don’t punish my friends for my mistake.” Rainbow Dash begged the creature.

“Rainbow Dash… you… you cry…” Fluttershy realized as she held her. But Rainbow Dash pusher her away a bit and continued.

“If you really must have your vengeance… or fulfill your desire… then take me.”

“WHAT?!” The others shouted, questioning Rainbow Dash’s behavior. They wanted to help her, but she refused with a simple sign.

With her distressed, swollen eyes, she looked straight into the face of the timberwolf. Deadly silence ruled the whole forest. A small wind streamed through the manes and tales of the ponies. It seemed like the whole world was focused on the blue pony that knelt on the grass, regretting her doings. Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours.

And then the timberwolf reacted. It groaned two different frequencies, nothing else.

“What… What did it say?” Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy.

“It said… proof it…”

“What...?”

The Timberwolf jumped over Rainbow Dash, landed behind her and assaulted Fluttershy. But Rainbow Dash slid over the ground and managed to get between the two, holding the wolf back with her arms. Bit by bit, she managed to get up. She was not sad anymore. She was furious.

“Why won’t you believe me?!” She shouted, pushing the arms of the timberwolf away and kicking him in the chest so it would make him fly a few meters. “You want me to proof it?! Then I will!”

She breathed heavily as she saw the timberwolf standing up again, ready to attack. Her desperation was gone, and pure anger blinded her mind.

“You coward!” she screamed when both of them rushed towards each other and tried to push the opponent on the ground.

“You jerk! You should be the one to excuse yourself! But what can you expect from a dumb, wild animal?” She said and with that, the timberwolf got real mad and lifted her into the air.

“Is that all what you got?!” She shouted and opened her wings, dashed down to the timberwolf and crashed right into it. The impact caused both to slide over the ground in opposite directions, creating skid marks. Both the ponies and the pack were fascinated of this intense clash.

Then it seemed like the timberwolf would collect all of its remaining energy into one, final attack. His right claw tensed up in an attacking position and he sprang forward Rainbow Dash. Again, she was able to hold its arm, but this time only one. The left claw whizzed in the direction of her chest. She barely managed to pull hers in and tried to strike back, only to miss it.

It was like in slow-motion when she saw that her opponent performed an unforeseen uppercut. Rainbow Dash could not dodge the attack anymore, so she clenched her teeth and stole herself for the pain. “Holy sh..”

And then there was it. Dead silence. The only thing the ponies could hear was their own, slow heartbeat as they saw that the claw had reached Rainbow Dash’s chest. The heavy strike made her flew over the heads of her friends and land in the river, her powerless body immediately carried away by the current.

Fluttershy did not think for a second and jumped into the water and because there was no other option left, the others did as well, despite the high risk of drowning.

As the others struggled so they would not sink, Fluttershy submerged to reach the lost Rainbow Dash. Together with her, she emerged again and made sure that Rainbow Dash’s head was above the water level so she could breath.

“Fluttershy…. Thanks….”

“Shush, easy. Your hero is here to save you.”

The current seemed to wound down, but as they began to feel safe, they heard something.

“Hey. Do ya hear this whooshin’?” Applejack asked the others.

Twilight replied. “Yes. It becomes louder. Like… a…”

“Waterfall! That’s the word you’re looking for, isn’t it? It surely is!” Pinkie Pie answered, beaming with pride.”

And then the group got the flash of genius. “A waterfall!?” Everyone screamed. They tried so swim against the current, but especially because Fluttershy still had to carry Rainbow Dash, it was useless. They had to prepare themselves for a hard landing.

They were flushed away over the edge and fell down, dozens of meters into the abyss. Fluttershy tried to open her wings in midair, but they were too wet and Rainbow Dash was too heavy for her to carry. Besides, the others immediately slammed into her and dragged her downwards.

Finally, they disappeared in the dark depths of the lake under the cascade.

Everyone was near by passing out when they and their saddlebags were washed up at the shore. They pulled themselves out of the water and tried to stand up, but collapsed. Rainbow Dash was the last one who was still conscious, possibly because of the pain her wounded chest caused. She saw the timberwolves on the waterfall, but they left for good.

“Seems like… we’re… even now…” She mumbled before ultimately passing out, barely seeing a shadow of something running towards her.

And there was the group, defeated by the forces of nature. Was it because they were flathoofed? Was it because they were too weak? Or was it because the situation was as tricky as the actual problem they intended to solve. In the end, it does not matter. They failed. And if they failed here, what would happen when they would face the gigantic threat Pariah possibly is? Would they fail, again? Were all efforts, all hope, futile?

========

They have met with a terrible fate, haven’t they? But never fear. The destiny of all true heroes is to survive until the very end, the final climax. That is how stories work. Heroes never die.

And what is this but nothing else than a story. A story amongst infinite others. Some people may think this is my story, but it is not. It is their story, the story of everyone, the story of friendship, the story of the whole world, the story of destiny itself.

When these six ponies and the little dragon are the protagonists, then I… merely am the trigger.

Chapter 4: Journey through the Everfree Forest Part 2

As a rule, there are basically always two possibilities for an outcome of a situation; a success or a failure.

Usually, a failure will result in the end of a story, because it often leads to either death of the protagonists or more failures. A success will continue the path of the story, leading to a new situation with two more possible outcomes as well. This phenomenon repeats itself over and over, until the story ends.

In the case of this event, we had two basic possible outcomes. The heroes die or the heroes survive. If the heroes would have died, the story would have ended. And even if just some of them would have died, the others would have possibly retreated back to Ponyville, which had possibly resulted in a bad ending of this story.

The only possibility for this particular event, if the story should have continued and should have had the chance for a good ending, was the survival of everyone.

But who knows? Maybe this story was never supposed to have a happy ending. Maybe this story is not a comedy but a drama, or something in between.

I know it of course, but do not worry, I will not spoil you. So or so, I assure that you would not understand anything if I would spoil you at this moment. This is because we have not even open-worked the mantle of this story. That is just a simple fact.

========

Twilight Sparkle slowly woke up and found herself in a with candles well-lit, small cave. She felt soft hay under her underside, like she would lie on a bed. She stood up to make herself a picture of the situation. Her neck still hurt from the impact, but at least she was able to move. There were crates, shelves attached on the wall and bottles filled with strange looking mixtures on them.

Twilight looked to her friends and saw them waking up as well. Everyone was there, except for Rainbow Dash.

“Gosh… my head feels like pound into cider… by my own, strong kicks…” Applejack complained about her headache.

“Hihi, so many Gummies spinning around my head. You for sure want a party, am I right? Hihi…”

While Pinkie Pie was still talking with her own hallucinations, Twilight helped her friends getting on their legs so they could figure out where they are and what is going on.

“Does anypony know what happened? I’ve a blackout.” Spike asked his friends.

“Let’s sum up. We travelled through the Everfree Forest. Timberwolves attacked us. A river flushed us away and then we lost consciousness, because we fell about a hundred meter or more into our doom. Everything correct so far?”

“Yes… but how did we get here?” Rarity asked.

“I have no idea. Somepony else, maybe?” Applejack asked but only got negative nods.

Fluttershy did not care about herself. She only wanted to know how Rainbow Dash was.

“Rainbow Dash… where is she?” She asked but when she only got silence as answer, she rushed out of the small cave into the bright outside. It blinded her and the others for a second, but when they were able to see again, they realized that they were still in the Everfree Forest, but in a small, treeless area.

“Oh…. My….” Fluttershy stuttered when she discovered something that shocked her. It was a wooden cross hammered into the ground. The earth in front of it looked freshly dug over and Fluttershy and the others feared the worst.

“No… this can’t… be…” She sobbed when she fell on her knees and began to cry. No one could comprehend and stand the apparent fact that they lost a friend.

“You stubborn idiot. Always playing the hero…” Applejack mumbled sobbingly.

“What… have I done…?” Twilight whispered, suffering in self-reproach.

Everyone was so focused on the cross that they did not realize that another person joined the dolorous group.

“Hey! Hello…? Hey…? What’s the matter? What happened?” The unknown asked without getting any eye contact by the others.

Twilight answered. “We… we lost a good friend.”

“A loyal pal you could always count on…” Applejack continued.

“Somepony you could always have fun with... you know… pranks and parties.”

“She was a heroic pony who sacrificed herself to save her friends.”

Rarity then turned towards the stranger and talked with her face to face. “I don’t know if you knew her, Rainbow Dash, but Rainbow Dash was a really good pony, a strong pony, a true blue pony. We will…”

The others suddenly turned to the stranger and realized who it was. A particular blue pony with a bandage around her chest.
“Rainbow Dash!” Everyone yelled and they sprang towards her, hugging her and performing a group cuddling. They overbalanced and fell on the ground, resulting in everyone bursting out laughing. They got on their hooves again and Rainbow Dash wanted to understand why everyone was so overjoyed to see her.

“Hey, guys. What’s wrong with you? Why so overwhelming in… overwhelming me?”

Fluttershy went up to her and gently punched her shoulder and began to shed tears.

“Don’t ever do that again. Don’t ever scare us to death like that again, got it? You… you dimwit.”

“Hey, Fluttershy. Please, pull yourself together. I promise, ok? That’s my style, marking the hero, but I promise I will be more careful next time. After all, this claw marks do really hurt.”

“And they will continue to be painful, if you will not be more careful.” Another stranger coming out of the bushes told her. It was a grey pony. No, it was not a pony, it was a zebra, a zebra that always tended to communicate in rhymes.

“Zecora!” Twilight yelled happily. “I knew you were the one who saved us. All this herbs and liquids. It only could have been you.”

“Indeed my dear friend, I was the one that brought you into this cave. It’s one of my storage rooms, in which materials for the winter I save. I couldn’t let you be on that feral place, it sure would have been your grave.”

“And what is that then?” Spike asked her, pointing at the wooden cross that stuck in the ground.

“That is where I grow a special substance, but this is of no importance.”

“Well, I guess I’ve got to thank you for saving me and my friends.” Rainbow Dash said.

“No problem, it was my obligation. But I have to ask you why you were in this situation.”

“We…” Twilight Sparkle said before she realized that all of their saddlebags were missing. “Oh no, our saddlebags!”

“Most of your things inside were beyond remedy, yet the Elements of Harmony and a strange book escaped that destiny. They are inside the cave and I will bring them to you. Just give me a minute, if you are patient then two.”

Zecora went into the cave and came back some time later with a bag where the Elements of Harmony and the historical tradition were in.

“Oh thank you so much, Zecora.”

“No problem my dear, now tell me why you are here.”

Twilight knew she could not avoid this confrontation, so she requested everyone to sit down and listen to her. Although most of them knew what is going on, they still were excited about what Twilight had to say. After about ten minutes, she was finished and waited for the reaction of Zecora.

“And that is why we are here. It is our responsibility.”

“I am not sure if that what you say is really true, but there is no doubt that I and everypony else have faith in you. You for sure have to go this doubtful path through, but in this condition you won’t be able to. Good that I have something for you.”

Zecora went to the spot where the cross was and bore her hooves into the soft earth, digging out some brownish, bitter looking nuts. She cleaned the nuts in a little brook right next to the cave and then gave them to the group. Everyone got one and not one more.

“Just eat them up without to consider, they will give you the energy you need, although they taste bitter.”

Everyone stared at the unsavory looking, brown nuts, but they knew they could trust Zecora, so they just put them in the mouth and tried to chew them up, but the instant reaction of everyone would hinder them from doing so.

“Hard and bitter! Buarg!”

“Don’t chew, just swallow the seed without hesitation! Your stomachs may not want that, but this time, you have to ignore you inner insubordination.”

Although they bristled, they had quiet no other choice, so they did as she said. They swallowed the nuts up and after just a few moments, they felt way better than before. They were not dozy anymore and they even filled quite sated.

“This things are amazing! What are they?! You need to tell us!” Pinkie Pie asked her nervously while beginning to dither and jump around like a hedgehog had pricked her flank.

“These have some special extra abilities, but in general, with these beans, you make coffee.” She replied.

“That were coffee beans? Quite astonishing what special abilities these particular beans have. I am as fit as a fiddle!” Rarity told her thankfully.

“Woah, woah, woah!” Spike shouted to interrupt everyone. “Your last sentence wasn’t a rhyme!”

Zecora rolled her eyes and reacted to Spike’s infantile comment. “If you can make a rhyme with coffee, I will give you a trophy.”

And then she realized that she found a very fitting rhyme. “Oh! That was quite easy… coffee, trophy… guess I have not slept that well this night. But it doesn’t matter, after all, it is you who are going to fight.”

“Thank you very much, Zecora.” And with that sentence finished, she embraced her.

“Always a pleasure for me to help you, but I think you have to continue.”

Suddenly, Rainbow dash threw her bandage away and her body seemed to be completely healed.

“Oh yeah! We are going to show this black brute what we are made of!” She shouted out loud, but then she felt a little pain in her chest and calmed down.

Fluttershy moved to her and helped her. “Do not go over the top, again. You may look as sound as a bell, but you still have to recover, so please, take it easy.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know I promised it. I will not break it.”

The whole group, even the still squirrely Pinkie Pie got in one line and bow to Zecora.

“Thank you very much!” Everyone said and with Twilight Sparkle putting the saddlebag with the Elements and the historical tradition on, they moved along.”

“Farewell my little ponies and all the best! I hope… you will defeat this edacious pest.”
She turned around and walked back into her cavern. “Coffee; trophy. What in the hay is wrong with me today?”

“According to the position of the sun, we have about 3 o’clock.” Applejack told her friends as they went deep into the forest, again.

“You can determine the time by analyzing the position of the sun?” Twilight asked her.

“Eeyup! Ponies need such talents to work on a farm. All in a day’s work.”

“Impressive.” Spike pointed out, sitting on Twilight’s back as usual.

“Thanks.”

“Wait! We lost 5 hours?! It will be night when we reach the end of this dreadful forest.” Rarity pointed out grumpily.”

“Worst of all, we lost all S.S.R. cupcakes! At least these coffee beans were filling, but they tasted horribly.” Pinkie Pie said grumpily.

“Gosh, we had much luck with Zecora. I don’t even wanna imagine what would have happened if she didn’t take care of us. Sometimes… I really mess things up.” Rainbow Dash admitted, reproaching herself for her actions.

“Stop blaming yourself already and stop to sulk. Smile already!” Pinkie Pie said to convince her.

“Pinkie is right. You already suffered retaliation, so finally get over with it.” Fluttershy added.

“Ok, ok. I won’t bother anymore. I am just happy that these mixtures, ointment and whatever Zecora used else worked so pretty well and healed my body in just a few hours.”

“That explains why you are not injured. But I have still a question in mind.” Twilight said with a scrutinizing look.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“Did you really mean to sacrifice yourself?”

Rainbow dash thought about it for a second, but then she rolled her eye amusedly and began to giggle a bit. “Are you crazy? Of course not! This was all part of my plan, if the timberwolf would have bite into it. They would have focused on me, you were able to run away and in the last second, I would have dashed into the air and followed you. That would have worked… somehow…”

Her friends were very suspicious about Rainbow Dash’s plan, but they left the topic for good and focused on their journey again. Speaking of their journey, Fluttershy got a question in mind.

“Does anypony know in which direction we are walking?”

Hearing this question, Twilight gave herself a facehoof and turned to Fluttershy.

“Would you mind scouting the area for us…”

“You can count on me!” Rainbow Dash shouted. She opened her wings, ready to soar, but got interrupted by Twilight and the pain her chest caused.

“No Rainbow Dash, you stay on the ground. Fluttershy, would you mind?”

“But of course not.” She replied as flew above the treetops, landing again after just a few seconds.

“Luckily, we are walking the right path.”

“Great… Now I am no use at all.” And with that sentence spoken, Applejack beat Rainbow Dash’s head again.

“Ouch! AJ! Stop doing that.”

“Only when you stop to behave so melancholic.”

“Not behaving like a hero, not behaving like a mope... What are you? My mother?!”

“Nope! Just a friend who is concerned about you.”

“Ok, ok. I will be quite from now on. But thankfully, I remembered that I am supposed to write a letter for my parents in Cloudsdale. Haven’t seen them for quite a while…”

“I did not either.” Everyone but Spiked replied synchronously, causing the ponies to laugh.

“Wait. I don’t get it, what are you laughing about?” Spiked asked confusedly.

“Oh right, I remember.” Twilight said. “You don’t have parents. You hatched in the royal castle in Canterlot.”

“I consider Princess Celestia my mother in some way; after all, she took care of me for quite some years.”

“And what am I then?” Twilight asked him excitedly.

“Well… you are my best friend, a sitter and mentor for me.” He replied. Hearing what she wanted to her, Twilight tousled his round spikes, making him laugh a bit.

“Stop it Twilight. You know I am ticklish there.”

“You mean like this?” With these words spoken, she levitated him on the ground and continued to tickle him, making him stumble on his back and laugh.

“No, no, no, no, no! Please, stop it!” He begged her, but she continued.

The situation was too enticing; that is why the rest of the group joined Twilight’s ambush and assisted her in making Spike cry because of laughter.

Finally, they stopped and fell on their back, too, laughing out loud and getting rid of their former atrabiliousness. After just a few minutes, they stood up again and with Spike sitting on Twilight’s back, they kept going on.

At 4 o’clock, the sun merely began to sink, but it still was very bright. In this moment, Twilight began to think about their self-imposed task again, looking at her saddlebag with the historical tradition and the Elements of Harmony in it for a second and wondering about what is to come.

“How powerful do you think is Pariah? After all, in some way, he is an alicorn, but with 4 wings and very destructive magic.”

“I am honest, I have no idea. Having the story of the princesses in mind, we may have to offer more than just the powers of the elements.” Applejack answered doubtfully.

“It doesn’t matter! We will defeat him anyway! There is no way that this guy can overwhelm us.” Rainbow Dash commented agitatedly.

“And even if we have to retreat; together with the power of our dear princesses, he has no chance.” Rarity pointed out elatedly.

“We will gobble him up like a piece of cake. I bet my smile on it.” Pinkie Pie shouted out loud, bursting with energy as usual.

“Don’t you think you are taking this whole situation a bit too easy? We have nearly been devoured by these wolf-thingies; and I am really sure that Pariah, if he really is a threat, is much more powerful and diabolic than the wolves.” Spike responded seriously.

“That is why we are here, Spike. We have to find this promising source of power which is hidden somewhere in the mountains at the edge of Equestria, before Pariah returns. I am still asking myself what this power could be. An artifact? A catalyst? I guess it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that it can help us defeat him.” Twilight remarked in a persuading manner.

“Do you really think that Pariah is really that evil? This part of the legend could have been a lie, too.” Fluttershy pointed out and with that, everyone else suddenly stopped and turned around, looking at her with a questioning look.

“I… I mean, maybe he is not mean at all and ponies have simply misunderstood him.”

Twilight then replied to Fluttershy’s idea. “I know you don’t want to fight. Believe me, nopony of us wants to. But according to the legend, several heroes had to sacrifice themselves to stop him.

“And nopony, not even the princesses, for what reason whatsoever, should deny such acts of heroism. You don’t fake these up and you don’t drag them in the mud. This is against moral and nopony should ever do this. And I am really sure about one thing. Though the princesses are keeping something secret, they do not, I repeat do not pad the legend with so much sorrow up.”

“But I… I am not denying the pony-hearted acts of these heroes. I just think… we really should not overact. You know that every avoidable conflict has to be avoided. In these dark times, kindness is all left what we have. We should not be the first to attack, or we are not just a bit better than Pariah may is. I… just…”

Applejack walked to her and she consoled Fluttershy, patting her on the shoulder and smiling in her direction.

“You just can’t believe that a pony is wicked enough to do such bad stuff.”

“Yes. I… I really don’t want to believe… that Pariah is pure evil.”

She went into herself for a minute, but then she put her face up again and looked at her friends with a serious gaze.

“I want you to stay calm when we met him. I will try to talk with him, no matter what.”

Her friends were surprised and slightly shocked about what Fluttershy said, but she has not finished, yet.

“I am sure about that he is not that evil as the legend has told us. Maybe there is a dark power that has its evil finger in the pie, or something else is responsible. It could be similar to Luna’s transformation into Nightmare Moon.”

She nodded her head from side to side and continued. “No. We have to try this. After all these nonsensical things, we simply have to check this possibility. I am sure you assist my theory Twilight, right?”

She looked gravely into Twilight’s eyes. She in return became slightly nervous, but she thought about Fluttershy’s theory for a moment. In actuality, she was right. There was really no proof that Pariah is really the one in fault for everything.

“I see your point, Fluttershy… still, I am not sure.”

The others did not mix in and waited for Twilight to decide what will happen.

“Are… Are you sure, that you can handle this?”

“I am absolutely sure, Twilight.” She replied with unusual confidence and spiritedness.

“Then you will get your chance. You are right. Maybe we would do a big mistake by simply ambushing him. And you are also right that we are not on this low level. We would insult ourselves by doing this.”

“I thank you for understanding my point and agree with me, but what is about you guys?”

Both turned to the other five and waited for response. Fortunately, everyone nodded and agreed with their point. After all, they had no reason to no trust their words and it was a possibility not to be ignored.

With these words spoken, they moved along. Fluttershy was visibly relieved, knowing that she had a chance to make everypony happy for the greater good and the kindness itself. But she was honest to herself; she was scared of Pariah. He probably was a ginormous threat and extremely malicious.

But he also was a pony and somewhere behind his façade, there had to be a shining light; something he could claim to be his soul. In any darkness, there has to be a light. She wanted to fuel this light and weaken the darkness. Defeating an enemy always made her feel poorly, especially when she had to fight the Changelings or banish Discord into stone.
At least here, she had the chance to rescue more than just innocent ponies, but also the adversary.

“Still, there is something I have in mind. Do Celestia and Luna really have another sister? And who could this Radiant Eclipse be? Is he a pony?” Twilight asked the group, but the only thing she got was unknowing and unassertive gazes.

“I guess we will just have to find it out.”

Without being warned, they were abruptly blinded by a near, bright light. Nearly completely dazzled, they moved forward to it, causing everything surrounding them to blur and to glare. Standing in a perfect row, they opened their eyes and what they saw was stunning and bewildering at the same time.

In front of their eyes, a wide, magnificent plain revealed itself. It was nothing they would have ever expected. In the far distant, they saw the ginormous mountain chain they were voyaging, too. The mountains were thousands over thousands of meters high; piercing the clouds like a push pin pierces a piece of paper. Dozens if not hundreds of them filled the entire background.

“I guess we are on the right way, though this area wasn’t even marked on the map. We must be the first ponies to ever see this place. It is… astonishing…” Twilight said. In this very moment, Spike wanted to write down everything like he was originally tasked for, but he was unable to do so, making him feel useless.

“Don’t worry about that, Spike. We will help you to write everything down after we have finished our task.” Rarity told him to console Spike.

“Yeah, I am sure you are right. And I still have to see it with my very own eyes, or the chronicle won’t be written properly.” He answered happily and with his good mood restored again, he jumped of Twilight’s back so he could feel the soft, green grass under his own feet.

“Let’s move along” Twilight said resolutely; and so they did. The whole area was like being split into three parts as they moved along. They have left behind the lugubrious forest, were in the extensive plain now and moved towards the colossal mountains.

The variety of flora and fauna in this plane was astonishing. But these were normal, peaceful life forms especially Fluttershy was used to. Ducks and swans swam in little lakes or huge rivers, little mammalians like rabbits and hedgehogs shooed on the ground and all kinds of birds and flying insects, mostly butterflies, flew through the air.

Combined with all the variety of flowers; roses, sunflowers, dandelions, marguerites, and uncountable more, this was nothing they have ever seen before or could imagine. The nature was so peaceful, so harmonic, but also completely
unaffected by ponies.

Was that possible? A place where peaceful creatures can survive on their own. This was something completely new for the ponies, but it also let them think about why it is different here and not in the rest of the world. Or maybe it was not the whole world but just Equestria. Especially Spike remembered the phoenixes he protected against Garble and his featherbrained friends. So all of it seemed possible, and they had the proof right in front of her eyes.

Every animal seemed to be contented and happy, but also free and unbound to anything but them. Seeing all these little animals romping around and enjoy their lives, Fluttershy brought an aching but obvious question up. “Are we helping our animal friends, or are we oppressing them?”

It was 4 o’clock when the ponies were celebrating the festival by competing in all different kinds of sports. Medals of Honor vaunted the winners, but everypony had their fun and participated in the competition, like they were called for duty.

But something was amiss, because 3 well known foals were not able to find the ponies they were looking for. They sat on a small hill and looked at the competition from little distance.

“Where is my sister Applejack and where are the others? They aren’t anywhere.”

“Like they disappeared from the face of Equestria. Do you think they are in danger?”

“Never! After all, they have Rainbow Dash on their side.”

“But where in tarnation are they?”

“Maybe we should ask the princesses. Rarity always ensured me that we can count on them when there is something wrong. And we know that there is something fishy going on.”

“Exactly!” Scootaloo jumped on her 4 hooves and was in a hurry. “Come on guys! Hurry up already!”

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle jumped on their hooves as well and followed Scootaloo’s lead.

Meanwhile, the princesses sat on a high position; like a throne and watched the competition. The truth was that their minds were on something totally else. They looked to the distance, the mountains the heroes were travelling to, and had an anxious gaze on their face, but they hide it from the crowd. In any case, the ponies were too focused on the sport competitions to realize the real mood of Celestia and Luna.

“I am glad that the illusion spell worked so well. Nopony realized that the Elements of Harmony and the artifact on the podium are fake and just images. That was a great idea Luna.”

“Thanks, but this is barely noteworthy. After all, it now rests in the hooves of our friends.”

Suddenly, Luna’s mood turned upside down and she questioned herself. “Do you… Do you think we have made a mistake? Was it the right thing to do? To… keep so much secret?”

But Celestia was not sure about how to answer this hard question. “I don’t know. We awaited this for more than thousand years, prepared ourselves, but still… it feels like we did everything wrong.”

“We did it to protect our servants. We want them to be able to lead a life worth living and not worry about an upcoming threat, being in constant fear for their whole lifes. We want them to be happy.”

“And what could an army of combat-ready ponies actually achieve against him? We know the answer… Nothing. It would have not changed anything.”

Though it consoled them for a moment, the facts still weighted heavily on their minds. “But… I feel confident. We lied so much, so many times. Was it all worth it?” Celestia asked her sister.

“It will be worth it, sister. You will see, the presaged heroes of harmony will save the world.”

“I have faith in them, but I think we should have told them the truth.”

“Only to fuel their fear and doubts?”

“No; to prepare them what is to come.”

With these words sounding in Luna’s ears, her defense fell apart and she shared her opinion. “Celestia… I… I don’t know. I can’t think clearly anymore.”

“I can’t either… I can’t either.”

The 3 Cutie Mark Crusaders popped up out of nowhere and scared the princesses, but they immediately calmed down and put their fake façade back on.

“My little ponies! Don’t come out of nowhere next time. You could scare everypony that way.”

“That was just direful.”

“We are sorry…” Applebloom said and to strengthen their remorse and pay respect, their bowed to the princesses. “But we need your help. We can’t find my sister or any of her friends. Do you know where they are?”

Celestia stocked for a minute. What could she say to those three little, innocent and kindhearted foals. She just could not lie directly into their round, irresistible eyes. She looked to her sister and Luna nodded. Celestia made room so the foals were able to sit down right next to them on the pillow-like underlayment.

“Will you promise, no… pinkie promise… not to tell anypony what I am going to tell you now? Not until I will allow you to tell it anypony else?”

The young fillies put one of their hooves in front of one of their respective eyes and promised it.

“Good. Your friends are on a secret mission. They are preventing a threat from attacking. Pariah, to be precise. We don’t want to cause any riot or panic, so we are keeping it secret. Don’t worry about your friends; they will make it for sure. They have everything they need. The Elements of Harmony on the podium are only fake. They have the real ones.”
Luna continued. “Until the threat has been averted, nopony else is allowed to hear that. Not your friends, your neighbors; nopony. Understood?”

They took their time to comprehend what they have just been told, but they nodded and made the pinkie promise another time.

“Good. I am counting on you. And know, enjoy the festival.”

The princesses were alone again and breathed a sigh of relief.

“At least you did not lie.”

“A white lie is still a lie. But when this is over, there won’t be any lies. I am sick of it.”

“Me too, sister. Me, too.”

The fillies returned to where they came from, a little hill, just a hundred feet away. They sat down and looked into each other’s eyes.

“This is strong cider.--”

“Our friends? Pariah? But why now. Just another way for Rarity not spending time with me.”

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were in a sad mood, but Scootaloo was there to console them.

“Hey. Don’t be sad. Think about it that way. After that, Celestia will reveal the secret mission and our friends will be celebrated like heroes… again. And they will probably get their own festival. After all they have done, they deserve that; and the princesses know that. And we will be the friends of these heroes. Hey! You will even be the sister of a hero who saved Equestria multiple times. Well; and I will be the famous pupil of the fastet Pegasus in Equestria, but you know what I mean.”

She thought about a second and then gave the most attractive reason. “And we can rub that in Diamond Tiara’s and Silver Spoon’s arrogant, snobbish and spoiled noses.”

Hearing these words and seeing Scootaloo smile in a nasty manner, they smiled as well and nodded.

“That might be worth it.” Sweetie Belle said frowningly

“Oh yes. This is good. Really good.” Applebloom commented about Scootaloo’s idea. “They will go green with envy and bow to us and cry for being our friends; and we can simply shoo them away.”

The filly trio laughed nastily and enjoyed their daydreams. The belief in finally defying these two narcissistic fillies was pure nectar for their souls; true satisfaction. But Sweetie Belle broke the daydream by asking her best friends a question.

“Will we still crusade for our cutie marks?” She asked seriously, yet uncertainly. Her friends opened their eyes widely and looked at each other, then looked confusedly to Sweetie Belle and displayed a surprised gaze.

========

Poor, inculpable Fluttershy. She tends to move from one extreme to the other. Sad, happy and then sad again. The closer the heroes come to an answer, the more question pop up and plague them, but at least they were able to relish the peaceful nature for some moments.

Considering how many things surprised and confused them, I wonder how their minds were even able to still work right, but I guess they simply did what they thought was right; like the princesses did.

Following your heart is a lifestyle considered to be worthwhile, but what does that mean?

Does that mean to be happy? But the heroes followed their hearts and were not happy about the situation at all. Does it mean to do great things? But what does accomplishing great things bring. when you are not happy? Is it worth to follow your heart at all; or is it just a way to repudiate responsibility.

You can argue about that until the end of time, but you can trust me and the heroes in one thing. There is a lesson everyone has to learn to overcome their own fears and doubts. It is the only way to achieve true happiness. Fluttershy did it and gained a chance to save everyone, even her enemy.

Follow your heart, you will never be wrong.

Chapter 5: 1 Heart, 4 Minds

The defense of the princesses was shattering. The dolorous feeling, knowing that the end of a thousand years old story would reach its apex in just a few days, consumed the two like darkness consumes light. The three fillies were too young and too infantile to comprehend the situation they were in. They had just faith in her friends.

Unfortunately, the faith of the heroes diminished. They tried to hide this fact by playing up or focusing on something else, but it was obvious. Faith was not their ally. They were fueled by fear; the fear that everything might end in just some fleeting days. The surprises that overwhelmed them were no help at all, not even the great plain they were cantering through.

It rather reminded them of what they were fighting for and what they would lose, if they would fail. This made them nervous and strained, but also gave them reason and with that purpose.

If they would have known what hided in that area, they would have made a big step around it.

========

“No honey.” Rarity told her with the intention to console her. “It is just different here. The creatures in the Everfree Forest live without the help of ponies as well. You don’t oppress your animal friends. They just want to life with the most kindhearted pony in the world. You!

“And they want to live with us, under the safeguarding hooves of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna; in the safe and wonderful kingdom Equestria is.”

“I guess you are right. But it still weights heavy on my mind. I never thought that this is possible. I mean, these are the small and innocent animals we all know and love; and they live in such a… feral place.”

“Fluttershy, this is something you have got to learn and accept, hay, everypony has to accept. We always looked in our own borders and never thought beyond the edge. There is so much more to see, so much more to discover and to learn. We just mustn’t limit ourselves and our minds to what we see and know.

“This adventure may not have even started, but this is something I have learned. You have got to look outside the picture to understand what is going on. The picture we have about Pariah is nothing more than a broken jigsaw, so we have to see what is behind it. Like you said Fluttershy, there is a chance that he is good and you want to take that chance. Technically, this is the very same like this here.”

Twilight’s words filled Fluttershys mind and the minds of everyone else as well. She was absolutely right. There was nothing to regret, but something to embrace. If things were not what they seem, there was hope. Hope to finish this once and for all for the greater good.

With the feeling to have finally broken all despair and fear, they moved along; and eventually reached a lake. A lake so ginormous, it would take an eternity to cross by swimming. As the sun merely began to sink, they water reflected the light and the whole surface seemed to be made of diamonds and crystals. Like a sun in the empty void, it stood out and even the animals were fascinated by this sight. The ponies sat down at the shore and took a break: just relaxing and filling up their energy.

“This sight is truly amazing.” Rarity raved about it, even more than about the famous ponies at the festival.

“Eeyup! Like the morning dew on fresh, seasoned apples.”

“Or the song of nature…”

“Or a good, old Sonic Rainboom.”

They began to laugh when they realized that they said exactly the same back at the festival. Twilight then looked into the still azure sky and smiled, but rather cramped than normal.

“This is maybe the last time we will ever see something like this. Let’s enjoy it.”

Though the dark undertone of Twilight’s words was noted by everyone, they did nothing else but to do as requested. They were just sitting there and enjoyed it. The soft grass under their bodies, the mild wind that stroked their manes and the warm sun that gave them energy. They enjoyed it, but still, they had to continue their journey.

“So… How are we able to cross this lake?” Twilight asked her friends.

“No problem! Fluttershy and I can transport you to the other side. But it will take at least 5 minutes from one side to the other. But don’t worry about me! My wounds are healed and I feel as fit as a fiddle!”

“Twilight could also teleport us.”

“I could, but that would exhaust me.”

“Why don’t we just swim?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“No offense, Pinkie, but this is a goony idea. We would swim for about half an hour. We would be more sucked dry than a bull I rode all day long.”

“In any case, some of us will be more exhausted than the others. Shoot. If we had something like a boat... or even a giant fish.”

Like right on cue, something popped out from under water. Its waves consumed the ponies and left them wet took the air at the shore.

“Oh my dear. What was that?” Rarity questioned as she got on her hooves again.

“I am sorry! Are you all right?!” An unfamiliar voice shouted from the distant. It was the creature who created the waves. The heroes wanted to identify the creature, but because of the light reflections, they could only see a blurry shadow of something that looked like a lizard, or a snake.

Rarity suddenly recognized the voice as the unknown creature came closer to the shore. “Wait. Is it you? Is it really you, Steven?” She asked it joyously.

“Who is Steven?” Her friends asked but before they got an answer, the creature grabbed her and hugged her. “Rarity, darling.”

Their eyes focused again and then they saw what was in front of them. It was a tall, purple sea serpent, with a blond moustache and headdress. Steven, as he was referred to, cuddled with Rarity and let her down again.

“It is so good to see you again, Rarity.”

“The elation is with me as well.” Rarity replied and then she turned around to her friends. “Don’t you remember him? He helped us crossing the lake in the Everfree Forest when we were looking for the Elements of Harmony.”

Rainbow Dash was the first to remember. “Oh yes! You were that whiny hairstyle sissy who cried because of his moustache.”

“Rainbow Dash! Don’t be so discourteous and contumelious!” Rarity yelled at her.

“It is ok, darling. She is right. I overacted, but I had good reasons.” Steven said to calm her down.

Meanwhile Rainbow Dash turned to her other friends and asked them something in a whisper. “Does anypony know the meaning of these words? I don’t speak fancy.” To her resentment, she got no reply.

Rarity suspired, but then explained everything. “First, be polite to others, Rainbow Dash. Second, in case you want to know about our relationship, every now and then, I inform Steven about the newest trends and fashions.”

“She is right. Sea-serpents live rather solitary and I don’t show of myself very often, so every month, I go to the lake in Ponyville and Rarity gives me advice.”

Finally, the heroes understood and greeted Steven. For most of them, more than a year passed since their last meeting, so it was pleasance to see him again.

“So my friends. May I ask you what you are doing here at my home?”

“This is your home?” Twilight asked him.

“Yes. Well.. actually, my house is underwater, but you could consider this sea my home.”

“Interesting. Well, to be precise, we try to hinder an ancient threat from returning. This is why we need to go to the mountains. And this is why we need to cross the lake.” Twilight answered.

“Steven, would you be so kind to bring…” But she got interrupted by him. “My pleasure, Rarity. Just climb on my back and we will be ready to go.

The group did as requested and climbed on the back of the serpent. Without losing a second, Steven dashed through the water. They grabbed hold on his back, but also enjoyed the fast ride laughingly while their manes and tails waved in the wind.

Something that would have took them at least half an hour was shortened to mere 2 minutes. For the first time in this journey, they had luck and they were happy and thankful for it. Eventually, they reached the other side of the lake and climbed down Steven’s back.

“Thank you very much mister sea-serpent, sir.” Fluttershy thanked him.

“My pleasure my friends.” He said when the ponies and Spike bowed to him. They turned around and wanted to move along, but were interrupted by him.

“Wait! I have got to warn you. If you go this way, you will probably meet my neighbor. He is… quite severe and hostile towards intruders.”

“Thanks for the warning, but no need to worry. We can care for ourselves.” Applejack replied.

“Besides, we are not interested in any further trouble. We will just take a big step around him.

“Well, if you think that is enough. I will continue my dance training then. If you need help, just scream my name and I will be there.”

“Thank you Steven. See you in two weeks then.” Rarity told him while shaking his claw.

“Don’t forget the nail polish!” He shouted while the group was already heading towards a cliff and marched through the rocky narrow.

“Lipstick. Are you serious?” Spiked asked Rarity and the others began to giggle a bit in the background.

“Only for men which aren’t ashamed to go with the fashion.” She haughtily replied.

“So you like these kind of men?”

“Indeed.”

“Well.” He said while turning to Twilight. “Where can I buy nail polish, Twilight?“
Twilight groaned dispersedly and facehoofed herself. “Oh no… Not this again.”

The sky barely turned red when they reached the other side of the rocky narrow. They thought they finally reached the mountains, but they were wrong. Instead, they faced another area, thought this one was different. It was smaller in size than the plain, but still at least as large as Ponyville.

The area was swampy, but the water was relatively clear and the grass was green. There were only a small amount of scattered trees, giving the impression that this area is rather desert than utopian.

Rarity carefully put on hoof in the water and pulled it out again. Her hoof was not dirty at all, just wet, though the water still looked a bit muddy.

“So can we cross, my dear queen?” Applejack asked her sarcastically.

“Yes of course we can... you brute.” She replied provokingly.

“Hah! Impressive for a buttercup.”

“Impressive for a provincial.”

“Hahaha! I must admit, you are the biggest challenge I got so far today. Why didn’t you just nag those wolves away?”

“Why didn’t you just make them run away with your fuel body odor?”

“Hey! That is unfair! I washed myself last weekend!”

“Falling into the grape juice barrel is not washing yourself!”

They stared furiously into each other’s eyes. They gnashed their teeth and pressed their foreheads against the one of the opponent. Both snarled at each other.

“For the planets sake! Stop it and settle down!” Twilight clamored when she got between the both and pushed them away.

“You will have time to continue this when Pariah has smashed this world into pieces, but until then, quit it and get along!”

“Fine!” Both shouted and after a moment passed, they shook hooves.

“Good. Then let us continue.” Twilight said relieved, but also resentful tone. As they moved along, Pinkie Pie got in between the two contenders and tried to cheer them up.

“Come on guys. Don’t quarrel with each other and just smile. Enjoy the walk. Relax. Everything is going to be alright. No need to be tetchy.”

Both did not reply and simply looked grumpily away.

“Maybe the Smile-song will cheer you up.” She said when she took a deep breath and sang the first note.

“Oh gosh. This is going to be a very long walk.” Both said synchronously when Pinkie Pie continued to sing.

“’Cause I love to see you smile…”

“How many times do you want to repeat that Pinkie?! You already sung it five times!” Rainbow Dash shouted out loud, but then she kept her countenance again.
“
I am sorry Rainbow Dash, but I have to sing this until Applejack and Rarity smile again.”

They immediately put a fake, big grin on and looked in Pinkie’s face, but she saw that Applejack sweated a bit because it was some sort of lie.

“I guess I have to sing it another time.” And so, she did. But after just 5 seconds, the earth began to quake. A water fountain pour out of the water right next to the group and out of it, a ginormous being arose.

“Oh… my… goodness.” Fluttershy said when she saw the creature. They knew what it was and who it was. It was a tall like a tree, had a brown skin and 4 lizard-like heads.

“The… The hydra?” Twilight stuttered halfheartedly.

“That is Steven’s neighbor?! Rarity asked affrightedly, but before she got an answer for her rhetorical question, the hydra roared at the group to mark his standpoint.

“I am sure he is angry and pew…his bad breath smells worse than you, Applejack.”

“That was unnecessary, but I agree.”

Fluttershy sighed discouraged and spoke with the rest. “Do I really have to shout again, or can we just run away.”

“Running away sounds good.” Twilight replied and the others supported her by nodding.

They exclaimed in fear galloped away as fast as their hooves could carry them, but like the last time, the hydra chased them and ran only a little slower than the ponies. Spike latched onto Twilight’s back and was petrified.

“What is the hydra doing here!? Was the swamp we’ve met him in just some sort of summer residence!?”

“Don’t go bananas Spike and run!” Pinkie shouted.

“I don’t run! I go on ponyback!”

“Then don’t go bananas and go on ponyback!” Twilight exclaimed at him.

“Yes, mam!”

“Steven!!” Rarity shouted for help. She hoped that he would come to support them, but they ran for another minute and nothing happened. Like before, they ran out of stamina and had to slow down.

Applejack suddenly put on the break and faced the hydra.

“AJ! What are you doing?” Rainbow Dash asked her while everyone braked as well.

“If we don’t fight it now, it will be the same like with the timberwolves!”

The others tried to comprehend Applejack’s words, but before they could react, the hydra slammed one of his heads directly into Applejack. She slid over the wet ground, but kept holding the head. When she was not moving anymore, she let it loose and gave it a very hard kick right against his head; a kick strong enough to shake trees. The whole hydra staggered back and the head that was kicked by Applejack was dizzy.

“Not bad for a cowfilly, huh?” She asked him self-reliantly and tauntingly, but the other 3 heads were still fully conscious and in addition to that, they were enraged.

“These animals are beginning to tick me off!” Rainbow Dash yelled as the hydra slowly recovered from Applejack’s attack.
Twilight knew she was the leader of this group; the one her friends had to rely on. She remembered former fights. And in that moment she realized the only way for them to defeat her enemy. Without hesitation, she ejected Spike and galloped between the hydra and the rest of the group, took an instant break and turned around to speak with her friends.

“Come on! All together now!” She yelled.

Though her friends did not know what to do and Spike fell vertiginous because of the impact on the ground, they nodded and let themselves guide by their instincts.

Pinkie Pie pulled out her party canon and beckoned Twilight to come. She in return jumped right into it and Pinkie fired the canon straight to the hydras heads. The heads tried to bite her, but Twilight created a light so bright, it would even make the sun look like a firefly.

Having the hydras blinded for a few seconds, she flies behind her heads and turned around, creating several projectiles and shooting them right at the back of their heads. The impact caused the hydra’s heads to fall over and land on the ground.

But before they crashed on the soft, brownish grass, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity kicked the heads, along with Pinkie Pie shooting her party canon, back to where they come from.

The hydra tumbled around, being absolutely unable to deal with its supposed dinner. The ponies knew that it would gain consciousness back if they would not act, so Applejack rushed away.

“Pinkie! Fire Rainbow with your canon in my direction!” She yelled to them, still galloping away as fast as possible. Both had no idea why but did as commanded. Rainbow Dash jumped into the canon, formed herself into a cannonball and was shot directly at Applejack.

Applejack did an instant break and tightened, holding the pressure and focusing all energy in her forelegs. Just a blink of an eye before Rainbow Dash hit Applejack, she transferred all of her energy into her hind legs and kicked her back to the hydra.
I
n midair, Rainbow Dash began to understand and opened her wings, increasing her speed exponentially. Like a photon, she rushed with an amazing speed towards her opponent. She screamed her war cries and as she came closer. The fire inside her eyes raged like never before.

And there was it again. That total silence. Barely a hair tip of Rainbow Dash’s fur touched one of the head’s flakes and there was it. Her signature move. Her traditional Sonic Rainboom. Everyone was blinded by the colorful explosion that caused a great stir.

Everyone stood rooted to the ground but Fluttershy. She knew she had to play her role as well. She flew through the trail of dust and saw the silhouette of her best friend falling down. She caught her and landed safely on the ground while the dust blew over.

They fell on their backside and Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh of relief. “Good job, Fluttershy.” She said while giving her a pat on the back.

Then they realized that the hydra was unconscious, lying on the ground without moving just the slightest bit.

“Good night, pal.” Rainbow Dash said self-reliantly. The others joined the two and were happy that this was over.

“Man! That was amazing! You were awesome, guys!” Spiked praised his friends, being overwhelmed by the skill they showed off.

Twilight helped Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy getting back on their hooves and looked to the defeated hydra. “Harmony 1; hydra zero.”

Bringing everyone else to chuckle for a second, she turned around and spoke to her friends.

“See! This is what we can achieve. We defeated this tubby lizard nearly without effort. Whatever comes from now on can’t be anything impossible for us to deal with!” She declared to enforce the new gained self-esteem.

She smiled at the crowd, but suddenly heard a loud repine. She turned around and saw the impossible. The hydra slowly stood up again and hissed in anger. Everyone’s jaw dropped to the ground, incapable of comprehending the situation.

“What?! This… This can’t be!” Twilight yelled in despair, knowing that all their actions were seemingly in vain.

A mix of both wrath and distress graced their faces, waiting for Twilight to give orders, but she was too lost in her thoughts to be able to play her role as the leader of the group. The hydra shrieked and moved its heads close by the ponies and Spike, ready to attack them while they were standing in a half-circle.

“Stop it right there!” An unknown, yet familiar voice shouted. The hydra turned around and like it has just been drilled, it stood bolt upright.

“Steve!” The group shouted when they saw the fashion-conscious, purple sea-serpent swimming in the water right in front of the hydra.

“Didn’t I tell you that my neighbor is quite impolite?” He asked reproachfully.

“You said nothing about a hydra!” They answered irately.

“Ok, ok. Fine.” Steven then turned back to the hydra. “Don’t hurt my friends, or else…”

They hydra laughed at his menace, but its corners of the mouth turned upside down when Steven revealed a bottle; a bottle filled with liquid soap.

“That is right. If you hurt my friends any more, I will make sure it will take you years to dirty you again to look like you do now. And maybe I will clean this water here up, too. Maybe with some Shampoo, bath salt… or how about a sanitation?”
With the last word spoken, the hydra’s eyes opened widely in worries. It showed the white feather and looked down sorrowfully.

“Oh come on now.” Steven consoled him. “You are not sorry, you just fear the consequences. But, I understand you. It is part of your nature.”

Suddenly, the hydra negated Steven’s theory by shakings its heads.

“What? Then, why were you chasing them?” He asked it confusedly.

They hydra gnarled in different frequencies, mimicking the pony language like the timberwolves did.

“What? An annoying, shrill and unnerving blubbering that repeated many times woke you up?” He asked the hydra while turning back to the group.

Pinkie blushed when everyone stared at her irascibly. “Oh. Uups. Hehe, I am sorry. I did not mean to bug you out. I just wanted to cheer Applejack and Rainbow Dash up.” She said and everyone else replied with a wide, nervous grin.

“See, hydra? It was not her intention to make you angry. So would you please leave it at that.” Steve asked hopefully.

They hydra looked at the ponies and rolled his eyes, visibly being in a snit, but eventually, he nodded.

“Good. Then return to your afternoon nap.” He said while the hydra went off grumblingly.

The group took a deep sigh of relief and walked towards the sea-serpent.

“Thank you very much.” Twilight said, behaving with respect. “You helped us out today; two times to be precise.”

They bowed low again and sea-serpent began to giggle because of prudency. “Oh my. This is not necessary. Everything for Rarity’s friends. But if you would excuse me now; I really need to wash myself.”

“Oh come on!” Applejack replied. “The water is barely dirty.”

“She is right.” Rarity commented. “It is nearly like the water you are used to swim in.”

“Yes, yes. It may look so. But do you remember my threats I give the hydra. They were not empty.”

Spike did not understand. “Wait. You said shampoo, bath salt and… the installation of an sanitation.” But barely a few seconds later, they comprehended Steven’s situation and they sicken at that, taking a few steps distance to the water.

“Oh Celestia. This is disgusting!” Rainbow Dash shouted, suffering from nausea like the others.

“Yes. I’d rather not think about it and leave this area as quickly as possible. Will you make it without me?”

Fluttershy counter questioned Steven’s question. “It depends on what is to come. May I ask you, if you would be so kind mister sea-serpent sir, if there are any more neighbors that may threaten us?”

“No! Just go ahead and you will reach the entrance to the mountains. But I think it is starting to get late.” He said while staring into the sky. “You will probably need a place so sleep. I think, if I remember correctly, that there is a little coppice between this swamp and the mountains; and maybe a little cave. I would invite you, but I think you can’t breathe underwater. At least not more than 2 minutes.”

“Yes…” Rarity replied engrossed in her thoughts, but then she jumped up and got an idea. “I simply plait the grass there. So we have at least something.”

“Great idea, Rarity!” Pinkie Pie yelled in the air, but got negative response and became quiet again. “Sorry.”

“Well then. I see my service is no longer need. Have a nice day!”

“You, too!” The group answered and moved along.

As the sun was on target for sunset, they group managed to cross the swamp and they found themselves in a little, sylvan area.

“Ok, guys!” Twilight stated. “We will have night soon. Rarity, you plait us blankets. Everypony else collects all kinds of materials for a campfire.”

They immediately followed their lead and were passionate about following her lead.

A starlit night sky covered all of Equestria. It was nippy and a fordable wind scurried though the branches. But in this dark night, there was a little light that spent warmth and safety for a small group inside the heart of the wilderness, miles away from any kind of civilization they were used to.

Everyone rested under one big blanket made of all kind grasses. The ponies lay there in a row with Spike lying on top of Twilight and the ponies next to her. They cuddled up to each other to warm each other and to give solace and sympathy.
While looking at the blazing fireplace, they heard an owl bawling into the night sky. They smiled and silently enjoyed the night together. Even the fidgety Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were calm like sleeping lambkin.

Knowing that they overcome the recent events victoriously, though they had to rely on help from others, they fell asleep felicitously; everyone close to each over, giving warmth like friends should do.

========

Though Twilight indeed recovered faith from the ripping claws of black despair and demise, she still was unable to take a rest. Even in her dreams, she could do nothing but thinking about and preparing for what is to come. Me, to be precise.

It is undeniable that they faced the hydra with bravery and fortitude, but would they have won the fight against it if the sea-serpent did not interfere? Maybe, or maybe not.

These thoughts plagued Twilight through the night. After all, what is a hydra compared to a possible demigod-like specter of darkness? A grain of dust struggling against divine winds? A little bird speeding against light itself? Or just a young filly and her friends facing me.

Chapter 6: Enigma of Veiling

The heroes were close to their goal. The only thing between them and a power to stop whatever might happen, at least they believed they would find that, were some high rocks covered in snow. Or was there something more?

Good old Heart’s Warming Eve. A history about some ponies learning about friendship and its true capabilities. A history of cohesion, affection and, to no one’s surprise, love.

But also a history of an etherealness that feeds upon the blind spleen of their prey, devouring all what is good, leaving their bodies behind, frozen in ice crystals, maybe for all eternity.

Let us see if the story behind these creatures really had come to an end in the past millennium.

========

The only thing that seemed to exist in the realm they had to cross was pure, white nothingness. The chain of mountains they had to travel through was covered in a flogging blizzard. A thin mist of steam encumbered the visibility of the ponies drastically as they walked along the precipitous path they had to walk.

The ground was covered in a hoof-high snow-layer, the rampant wind made it impossible to fly for the two pegasi and even the sky seemed to exist of nothing but greyish-white clouds. But not just the area, but even the ponies and the little dragon themselves seemed to be just another part of the environment.

Their upper halves were turned into coverlets made of white crystals, their eyelashes covered in frozen teardrops and their fur as well, because of iced perspiration. Their manes and tales were stiff because every single hair froze up into one unit, like they had been transformed into crystal ponies, again. But even the blizzard in the Arctic was just a gentle breeze compared to this.

Giving consideration to the possibility that they might fight a pony, this whole adventure was really like the adventure they had in the Crystal Empire, but fare more hazardous, wasting and essential for the future.

“Looks like the princesses don’t search for us after all!” Twilight shouted to her friends who walked behind her in a straight line, but Spike, who, like usual, sat on her back.

“I really don’t get it, guys! When the princesses don’t hunt for us, why didn’t they just tell us about what is to come?! This makes no sense to me!” Applejack discomposedly pointed out her opinion about this whole situation.

“Never doubt the princesses’ wisdom!” Rarity, as usual, taught everyone else who doubt the princesses’ actions.

“Oh come on, Rarity! Stop backing them all the time! Even Twilight thinks that there is something iffy about them, right Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked her, though she already knew the answer.

Twilight did not say anything. She was not unsure about her answer, but it was unnecessary to speak it out. The situation was too tense for Pinkie Pie, so she tried something to lift everyone’s spirit.

She stopped and slammed her face into the snow layer. When she lifted it up again, she formed the snow on her face to a long, fluffy beard and began to role-play a very famous stallion.

“Ho-ho-ho-ho! Marry Heart’s Warming Eve my little ponies! Santa Colt is here with many presents for you good fillies! Ho-ho-ho-ho!” All out of the sudden, she took a glass of milk and some cookies from behind her back and devoured them in an instant.

“Ho-ho-ho!” She said when she burped her beard away. “Oh! Falling out of hair. Wait, I fix that!” She said and again, she slammed her face into the snow and formed another beard, but this time, it was a French beard.

“Mesdames. It would be endearing to savor your congenial simper.” She said with an outré artificial accent and indeed; her friends enjoyed this amateur performance.

All out of the sudden, the blizzard seemed to calm down a little, like their laughter would chase the bad weather away. Now, the wind blew softly of the fur of the ponies, the fog faded away and even their manes and tales defrosted, as well as their fur. But because the snow still fell in heaps, they were still covered in snow, but definitely less than before.

“Amazing.” Fluttershy pointed out, being surprised by the immediate change of the weather. “It’s like our mood would change the storm.”

“Like me, this doesn’t make any sense!” She shouted while shaking of her beard. “But when it worked, I don’t care!” She said with much self-esteem, walking forward while the others still stood, because of the wonderment the current situation had caused.

Still sitting jovially on her back, Spike turned to Twilight. “Couldn’t she share some of her cookies with us?” But all he got was a shrug. “Yeah… that is Pinkie. Always not thinking about her actions.” He replied, obviously having a strop on.

As the rest of the group followed Pinkie Pie, it seemed like it would became colder again. The wind slashed their faces and the snow fell with a faster rate. Pinkie took an instant break when her friends caught up and looked discomposedly into the greyish sky.

“Something is just plain wrong with these mountains.” She pointed out, turning to her friends with an unsettled gaze. “Be careful guys. I fell my pinkie senses go off.”

The others nodded, knowing that she was right, moving along with an uncertain mood. The longer they climbed up the mountain, the more circumspect and unconfident their mood become, fearing another threat, a threat they may not vanquish; and with that, the blizzard became more intense.

The group struggled through the galling blizzard, barely able to see their own hooves in front of their eyes, when they suddenly heard a relative silent scream.

“Help!!” Fluttershy shouted out loud. The rest of the group turned around without hesitation and rushed towards the yellow Pegasus.

“What is it, Fluttershy?!” Rainbow Dash asked her rashly when she saw one of her hoof completely frozen in a layer of ice, and the others were appalled by what they saw.

Fluttershy puled because of fear, but the more she was afraid of what is going to happen to her, the faster the ice crawled up her body.

“Somepony! Please help her!” Pinkie Pie shouted, running scared and jumping all around the place when she suddenly was not able to move anymore. “Guys. Why can’t I feel my hooves anymore?” She asked while slowly looking down, realizing she shared the same wicked fate Fluttershy did.

“Ok, ok! Everypony keeps calm and quiet. Just leave it to me!” Spike averred when he jumped from the back of Twilight and went to Fluttershy.

“Stay calm, Fluttershy. I will melt that ice with my fire breath, ok?” He asked her, only getting a very uncertain approval.

Spike breathed in deeply and moved his head closely to the lower part of her body, breathing a constant blaze out of his mouth, slowly melting the ice.

“Excellent, Spike!” Twilight cheered him on.

“He is a glamour boy.” Rarity commented about him. “Way to go, Spike!”

Spike smiled at her charming words, but he was not finished yet, so he focused again on melting the ice that still covered Fluttershy’s legs.

“Please, Spike. Hurry up. I am begging you.” She said timidly, jittering stronger in her ice.

“I do my best… but something’s wrong. The ice grows back!” He pointed out, knowing that his efforts where futile and slowly stopping his actions. “I am sorry. It won’t melt off.”

“Never mind! Twilight, can’t you use magic?!” Rainbow Dash asked her, unable to think of any other way.

“Yes. I will give it a try.” She said while beginning to do the exact thing Spike did, but only with her horn and magic energy, to melt the ice away.

But like Spike, the longer she took, she faster the ice grew back. Knowing that this was completely futile, she gave up as well. Her spirit was broken once more and her friends knew that. Just in that moment, ice started to slowly consume everyone else, too. They screamed in horror as the ice slowly crawled up der bodies, already covering their knees.

“This can’t be! What is this ice?! This… ice…” She said while Twilight slowly immersed herself into her thoughts. She turned around and looked at Pinkie Pie. She just stood there smiling, staring into space while dithering a bit.

“Pinkie! Why didn’t the ice already consumed you?” Twilight ask in perplexity.

“I have no idea!” She replied happily like she always does.

Twilight began to think about this phenomenon. Somehow, Pinkie Pie seemed to be immune against the constant growing ice.

“This doesn’t make any sense. Everyone is afraid of being frozen and Pinkie... she isn’t…
Could it be? Her happiness protects her? Yes, yes of course! The blizzard calmed down when she made us laugh, but started again when Spike complained about her behavior. Fluttershy is already an insecure pony, so she got first. Our shock and inability to help her made us share the same fate.
Of course! The ice, our condition and Pinkie Pie. All of that makes sense now!”

She awoke from her daydream and yelled into the grey sky. “Windigos!” She shouted, immediately getting the attention of everyone else.

“Windigos! They are the reason for this.” She explained, but Spike was not quite sure about her explanation.

“But Twilight, I thought they would only freeze ponies when they are angry; not scared or hopeless.

“Seems like these horses changed their shoes.” Applejack replied.

“Yes. But it doesn’t matter because we know what their weakness is.” Twilight remarked with much self-esteem.

With her magic, she teleported the whole group very close to each other, knowing that most body parts were already imprisoned in the cold crystal.

“Let us display our friendship.” Twilight explained when she stretched her a bit. Her friend did as well, making them touch each other and feel the remaining warmth. Twilight began caressing her best friend Spike, who in turn caressed Rarity, eventually causing everyone to smilingly enjoy the bond of affection they share.

And Twilight was right about her idea. The blizzard began to fade away once more and the ice melted away like an iced-lolly in a sauna. The ponies and Spike were now fully able to move again; and knowing that the threat may not be over, they once more displayed their affection by embracing each other in one big group hug.

The energy of their friendship flushed through the air, driving all hatred, fear and insecurity out of the surrounding area and the hearts of every single one. As quickly as the storm came, it ultimately cleared away again, because of the act of affection they did.

The group ended their embracement and beheld the new, peaceful appearance of the environment. There was no wind, no snowfall and the clouds were restored by a splendid, blue sky.

“We did it!” Fluttershy called gently.

“Never underestimate the power of friendship.” Twilight noted jokingly.

“Hey look! Over there!” Pinkie Pie yelled, spotting some unknown entities in the distance while pointing at them.

“Do you think these are the ponies in power?” Rarity asked the group in bewilderment.

“Let’s find out.” Twilight responded self-assuredly.

The group walked towards the standing figures and realized, to their surprise, that these beings were really the cause for what have happened. The three horse-like creatures just stood there in peevedness, unable to accept their defeat against some mere teenagers and a child.

Both camps faced each other, just standing there and observing the opponent. Like most of the times, Fluttershy hid behind Applejack, Rainbow Dash was ready to attack and Pinkie Pie did not take anything too serious.

To the surprise of everyone, the three Windigos just walked past the group, snarling in wrath while trying to prevent any further disgrace. But just as the three walked along, Applejack dealt an extra blow.

“Hah! Nice try, jackasses! Next time, give it your best shot!” She insulted the Windigos, leading her friends to laugh at them and they in return fly away in a freezing wind gust.

The group breathed another sign of relief, knowing that they succeeded this trial as well, especially to the pleasure of Rainbow Dash.

“Hehe. You know guys, I have nothing against nostalgia, but having to humiliate every single foe another time is a bit over the top, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry about that” Twilight replied quiescently. “We should be close to our goal. Besides, remember what you promised.”

“No worries, mam! I won’t cause any trouble!”

“Great. Then let us continue and finally get it over with.”

“After this, we really have to care for us in the spa.” Rarity remarked exhaustedly. “A long, hot bath would be appropriate right now. All this struggling soiled us.

It was about noon when the group stood in front of something that looked like a big, closed gate that has been carved into the mountains.

“No wonder no pony has ever found this place. It is on the other side of the mountains.” Twilight claimed as she analyzed the structure in front of them.

They stood on a little, round stone plateau that has been built in the middle of one of the mountainside and that has been decorated with many engraved images of ponies and magic symbols. The most notable was a very big image in the middle that displayed a demonic looking pony caged in a crystal like vessel, surrounded by two alicorns, obviously the two princesses.

But there were also five other ponies of different races who stood at the bottom; showing a pose that resembled praying. All of them carried an Element of Harmony, with the exception of the princesses, who carried both the Element of Magic.

“Astonishing…” Rarity raved about the images that obviously displayed the events that happened in the past.

“Hey! Come here!” Twilight shouted and with that, they did as tasked.

She pointed at holes in the big gate that resembled a familiar shape; the shape of the Elements of Harmony. They understood and put the respective element into the respective hole. Finally, Twilight put hers into the hole and the group backed off some meters.

The formation resembled the familiar round shape; the Element of Magic in the middle while the others surrounded it.

“Is it working?” Spiked asked Twilight, wondering why nothing is happening.

“Wait and see, Spike. Wait and see.” She replied, focusing on the big, stony gate.

Eventually, her patience paid off. The objects glowed without any apparent reason, but the crystal amulet did as well. It floated, shrouded in a luminescent veil, to the middle of the big image in the middle of the plateau, right above the demon pony’s body.

A sudden, bright light blinded the group and covered the area in a flashy light. The light merged into the elements and caused them to react like the heroes would use them. A rainbow beam dashed right into the amulet and it absorbed all of it.

As all the power was focused into the crystal of the amulet, it was canalized into one, thin beam that pierced the image of the dark pony. An unexpected earthquake took the group by a surprise, but predictably, the gate slowly opened and the group gained access to whatever may lie behind that 10 meter tall gate.

The group jumped for joy, but was also proud of what they managed to do.

“Now, nopony can stop us!” Twilight shouted out loud, beaming with pride and joy, affecting her followers in a way that made them feel like she did. They put their respective element on, displaying their confidence in a way never seen before, and put the amulet back into the saddlebag Twilight carried.

“I can’t believe we did it.” Fluttershy commented wonderingly.

“Believe it, my dear.” Rarity replied, insuring the victory they have just achieved.

“First the timberwolves, then the hydra and finally the Windigos. That was one heavy ride for a week, eh?” Applejack noted with a confident grin on her face.

“Going the whole hog and surpassing the own limits? That is something I like.” Rainbow Dash added haughtily like she always did.

“Time to finish this and return to the party!” Pinkie Pie bawled while she jumped into the dark tunnel the gate has revealed.

“Well, seems like our adventure comes to an end, right?” Spike asked Twilight, but he did not seem to be as happy as everyone else. He had his arms folded and looked askant at the black path they will soon have to walk.

Twilight saw him in this precarious mood and tried to console him. “Don’t worry. It will be fine. You will see; everything is going to end well like it always does.”

“Yeah, I guess you are right.” He replied doubtfully, following Pinkie Pie with a calm pace; and so did the rest of the group.

“I can’t see anything; it is too dark in here. Twilight, Rarity; Can you bring your horns to glow?” Pinkie Pie asked them suppliantly, and so they did.

The tunnel, in contrast to the plateau, was not decorated with anything. It was just a coarse, slim and cragged tunnel that seemed to lead into the core of the mountain. But at least, there were torches that had been attached on the brusque walls. Twilight levitated one of the torches in front of Spike and he breathed a small flame out, causing the dry straw, the fuel of the torch, to burn and light the bleak corridor up.

“Much better.” she replied to the actions that have just occurred.

Without any further interruptions, the group silently walked through the seemingly endless tunnel, but their patience and endurance paid off. A dozens of meters wide, round room unveiled itself before their eyes.

They beheld the beauteousness of this unique, magnificent place they have just entered. The semi circled room, but the ground they were standing on, was covered in uncountable, gorgeous crystals and jewels that emitted a restrained light in all imaginable colors.

“Like a rainbow in the dark.” Spiked commented, seemingly amazed by this view like the others, while breaking one of the jewels away and devouring it. “Tasty.”

But they took their time before they realized the true majesty of this realm. At the center, there was a ginormous, diamonds-shaped, lavender colored crystal. It was mounted on a podium that stabilized the crystal with small ramifications made of solid stone that enmeshed the lower quarter of it.

Everyone was once more astonished by this sight, but they kept moving, heading to the center. Only as they reached the podium, they realized that the crystal was at least two floors high, probably more; and that is seemed to be particularly fractured.

“Wow. This crystal has many cracks. It surprises me that it didn’t collapse already.” Rarity pointed out in bewilderment, while the cracks seemed to become bigger, like the crystal could break any minute.

“Well, looks like we have made it just in time.” Twilight replied, focusing on the inimitable structure she regarded

In front of the crystal, there was a stone tablet that resembled a familiar shape. Like the gate, it had the forms of the elements concaved in it. Like before, they put in their respective element into the fitting hole and waited for what is to come. The gigantic crystal began to glow once, then once more and so on; faster and faster until it was a constant light.

Twilight, as the leader of the group, wanted everyone else to pay absolute attention. “Well then, guys! Prepare to see something no pony has ever seen before since more than a millennium. A power most ponies don’t even know about. This is the most powerful thing ponykind knows. Take your hats off to this, because it will help us to save the world.”

Everyone but Rainbow Dash did demonstrated respect as tasked, but also with pleasure and voluntarily. Applejack actually took Twilight literally and put her Stetson off her head, holding it in one hoof.

Twilight’s smile got bigger and bigger as the light became brighter. She was too excited and only stared at the glowing crystal, while her friends looked away so it would not blind them. But suddenly, a thought she blocked out flushed her mind. It was something the princesses have said.

“Together, we were able stop Pariah just before he could finish his plan to drown the world in darkness and we were able to banish him into eternal crystal.”
“Pariah has been defeated and now rests in eternal crystal, sealed away from the rest of the world in a distant place nopony has ever reached.”

She looked to her saddlebag and stared right at the historical tradition. Finally, she remembered something she said.

“No matter how, he will find a way to return to finish what he once began… shortly before the fiftieth eclipse will arise.”

Her eyes gapped in horror, holding her breath while turning back to the crystal. “I misunderstood it…”

“What?!” Spiked asked her loudly because the light created a constant, loud sound, but also a heavy wind.

She turned to Spike and the others. “I misunderstood the context of the book. We are not revealing a power that helps us stopping Pariah.” She swallowed and took a deep breath. “We are releasing… it…”

“What?!” They shouted, having an obvious horror that garnished their faces, but before they could act anymore, the crystal exploded and the blast wave sent everyone flying and slamming into the wall. In midair, the saddlebag with the amulet and the historical tradition in it detached from twilight and got buried under the jewels that shattered into pieces and fell on the ground.

The heroes were lying there, tarnished by the impact and the raised dust. The only thing they were able to comprehend in this moment was a loud, shrill and vicious scream coming from the center.

Twilight looked at it, still not able to stand up again, grasping that she just did the exact opposite of what she intended to do. She apparently did not save the world; she doomed it.

“I… I failed.”

It was midday and the party in the park caused the ground to heat. The princesses, but also the three Cutie Mark Crusaders, were sitting on blue pillows on a hill, keeping a discreet distance from the party.

An easy earthquake took the ponies by a surprise, but it faded off again, so they simply continued to dance to Vinyl Scratch’s funky rhythms. But the princesses and the three little fillies knew that there was more behind this earthquake, starring at the distant mountain at the edge of Equestria and thinking about what is happening over there.

“Do you think they are alright?” Applebloom asked Celestia.

“But of course. This was probably the effect of the power they used to overcome Pariah and seal it back again.”

“Awesome!” Scootaloo yelled, beaming with joy, but Sweetie Belle put her hoof immediately on Scootaloo’s mouth.

“Shush!”

“Oh, yeah. I am quite as a mouse.”

Though the three foals were joyous about the apparent victory of their friends, the princesses did not share this joy. In contrary, they were stressed and suffered in trembling uncertainty.

“So it has begun?” Luna asked her sister quietly while the fillies were jumping for joy.

“Yes.” Celestia replied fearfully. “It has.”

========

What a shocking surprise. The most intelligent, apt and gifted unicorn made a mistake. She looked for a power to stop an enemy that threatens the whole planet, but accidentally, she released the foe. What dramatic irony.

Hehehe. To err is pony, but the consequences in this case were far from bearable; that is what she thought at that moment.
Celestia and Luna acted amiss as well; twice to be precise. First, she thought that keeping my return secret was the best to be done. She should have prepared them for what is to come. Second, she answered Luna’s question incorrectly. It was not a beginning, it was just a continuation.

But in the end, I guess all of that did not matter that much. Maybe, their faults were even the things that pushed them forward, letting them fight until the end. Maybe these mistakes were not mistakes at all. But this is too forward-looking.

Chapter 7: The Darkness' Ray

There were these seven characters now, lying in the dust while trying to digest what they thought has happened.

They felt the sensation of having not fulfilled their duty, their responsibility. This utter feeling that burned in their mind; this feeling, already causing them to think that they have went through was all in vain, must have put pressure of unimaginable extent on these very young heroes.

Like I mentioned before, a monumental failure can influence the path of a story in a way that will change the outcome for the worse. The question now is: “Is what the group did really so monumental; or was it never a mistake?”
Well, we will understand by deepening into the events.

========

The agitated diamond dust wore off as the light and the earthquake expired and sinister silence ruled the whole area, even the minds of the attendees. Fortunately, the elements have been blown away as well and lay right ahead of the bearers.

Though they stood up slowly, looking very peaky, they put on their belonging element without hesitation and prepared to combat the monstrosity they accidentally have unleashed. They bared their teeth, focused mind and soul and shifted into a fighting position; everyone but Fluttershy and Spike who hided timidly behind the rest.

The only sources of light that lit the cave were the shattered crystals that cumulated at the outer brink. All what remained of the gigantic crystal and the altar that surrounded it in the center of the room was a crystal-stump that stuck out knee-high of the podium.

But that was not all. The apparent origin of the harrowing scream sat on the remains of the former shrine, but it was not what they have expected it to be. It was not a monster at all, it was just a young pony; a colt to be precise; barely as old as Twilight.

But this colt was not just a regular male earth pony; he was one-of-a-kind. His coat was jet-black and his eyes were a dark and diminish purple. His Mane, colored in dark and dim lavender, shared similarities with the mane of Spitfire, but it also covered up his forehead with pointed streaks. His tale also shared a similar appearance with that of Spitfire, but was spikier and a bit shorter.

---[An image of Radiant Eclipse ]---

The group, slowly walking towards the stranger, still deaf and a bit numb, wondered what happened and who he might be, though they had a bad assumption. The unknown pony, obviously fallen into pondering silence, stood up very slowly, causing the group to immediately scare stiff. Standing on his hind legs, he did nothing else but looking towards the ceiling.

Then, he raised one of his forelegs into the air and a dark, grayish-lavender magic aura that emitted sparks, lacking all radiance of common magic auras, enwrapped his hoof. A magic projectile formed itself in his hoof and actuated by a pulse wave, it careered towards the ceiling. The impact of the energy blast with the ceiling resulted in a glaucous explosion and the pressure wave freed the group from their deafness.

“Don’t move!” Twilight shouted at her friends as boulders fell from the top of the room and shattered on the ground.

Just before one of them hit the group, Twilight’s horn glowed in its usual red violet color and a force shield, similar to the one of Shining Armor’s, protected everyone from the rock that broke into thousands of little pebble stones.

As the dust, dispersed by the falling detritus, faded away, the group opened their eyes again and fathomed what happened. The magic burst blasted the whole hilltop away and the only evidence that the mountain top has ever existed was a wide hole in the ceiling that filled the once gloomy cave with the warming light of the midday sun.

Then, the stranger began to speak, taking his foreleg down again. “The light is nothing more than a mixed blessing. Those who were born in its symbol persist in it to the point they lose their freedom and self-determination, though they disavow it. By a cruel twist of fate, you are abandoned by the light and no matter how much you wish and beg for the benison of its love, it will always leave you forlorn, barred from all hope you once had. Boon and bane, like light and darkness, are very alike, yet very dissimilar.”

His voice was a bit low-pitched, like he was in puberty; but in contrast, it was very soft and had a cordial tone, like his body was too young for the voice to fit in, though it still was very manly.

“What the hay are you talking about?! And why did you do this?!” Rainbow Dash asked without dread and abrasively.

The black colt turned his head, looking directly into the rainbow colored pony’s eyes. Though not showing that clearly, everyone, even Rainbow Dash, felt a freezing shiver down their spine as the frigidity of his gaze pierced their eyes and froze their blood.

“The air in this cave is stale. I wanted to replenish it.”

He jumped in front of the group and landed on his hind legs, folding his forelegs, looking chillingly into the ponies’ and the little dragon’s eyes while they backed off some steps.

“What I am talking about? Life; Pegasus. Just life.”

“Rainbow Dash is my name, hardhead!” She replied sulkily.

“Fine, Rainbow Dash.”

He analyzed the group and felt wonderment by what he saw.

“The Elements of Harmony. You, six teenage fillies, barely 20 years old, are the guardians of harmony? Assisted by a dragon-child?”

Spike appeared from behind his cover and positioned himself next to Twilight, while Fluttershy remained in a defensive position, covering behind one of Rainbow Dash’s wings.

“I am not a child. I am a man.” He replied courageously.

The dark pony fell on his forelegs, standing on all his four legs and looking right into Spike’s eyes with a nasty smirk. “You are right, dragon boy. Age is not determined by the body and mind, but by the heart. But the question is, how robust is your heart?”

Because Spike immediately took a step backwards after the dark pony finished his question, he got the answer. “Obviously not very much.”

He raised his head again and faced the group normally. “What happened to Celestia and Luna?” He asked in bewilderment.

But he was not the only one in this room who was astonished. This creature, though it spoke in a cheerless, but also calm and prudent fashion, was doing nothing but conversing with the heroes and the dragon. Did Fluttershy’s valid criticism have a true core after all? Twilight was not sure, but she knew that a precipitant hostile behavior was no use in this situation, so she stood calm, trying to make the best of this chance and took a step forward.

“Celestia and Luna are the princesses of Equestria and govern it. They lost contact with the elements after they were lost for more than thousand years; and we were the once to find them again.”

“They ‘lost’ the Elements of Harmony? How fatuous ignorant.” He commented, seemingly stunned cause of the purple unicorn’s words.

Rarity felt the drastic urge to defend the princesses, but she pulled herself together, knowing that these moments were of vital importance.

“Nopony is unflawed. Mistakes occur. There is nothing we can do about it.” Twilight continued, indirectly trying to convince him from her opinion and gaining his trust.

“But some mistakes have substantial repercussions, and they may impose agony on innocent that never did anything wrong…”

The black colt stocked for a second, but he picked up courage again and remained seriously and relatively unemotively for a pony.

“So, they have become princesses? Tell me, how much times has passed since I have been imprisoned here.”

“In 2 days, it will be exactly 1250 years.” Twilight replied.

Once more, a faint shimmer of incertitude overcame him, but like before, he shook that off and focused on the group, wanting to know who they were.

“Who are you? What are your names?”

“My Name is Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight answered courteously.

“Rainbow Dash; the best flyer in Equestria, like you have probably noticed.” She replied, only displaying visible disrelish.

“Rarity is my modest name.” Rarity responded graciously.

“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie!” She said joyfully as always and without hesitation, she took one of his hooves and shook it racily; so powerful in fact that the he lifted up from the ground, giving the black pony a good shaking.

She let go of him and he fell on his 4 hooves, gently holding his head to get rid of his dizziness.

“They are callin’ me Applejack, but AJ is fine with as well. How-d'ye-do?“ She replied self-confidently.

“I am Spike; personal assistant of Twilight and at times adviser for all sorts of things.” Spike introduced himself.

The colt gazed confusedly at the yellow Pegasus, Fluttershy, who still hid behind one of Rainbow Dash’s wings. As he made a step forward to her, she took a step backwards, leaving him in utter surprising.

“What is your name?” He asked solicitously.

“My… my name is Fluttershy…” She answered typically quiet, barely for the black pony to understand what she said.

“Fluttershy? Did I get that right?” He asked and she nodded.

He backed off, facing the group like before, but he turned his head and starred rapturously into the blue sky.

Twilight could not stand this total silence and she needed liberating certitude, so she asked him the inevitable. “And… what’s your name?”

Still looking into the blue sky, he answered quiescently. “You know the answer; I can see it. Your heart reveals everything; yet, you ask me to give the last spark of hope in your heart a right to exist and with it, purpose for your words.”

He turned around uncomplimentary and walked back to the crystal, stroking it while still focusing on the splendid summer sky and losing himself in his thoughts.

“W-what…?” Twilight stammered discomposedly, but Rainbow Dash jumped forward and turned unhesitatingly to the colt, her spirit filled with anger like once before when she fought the timberwolves.

“Hey! Don’t turn your back on us!” She yelled at him.

“No. Don’t do it.” The others begged her, but she did not listen.

“You have no idea what we have gone through, only to reach this forsaken piece of rock! Stop behaving like a melancholic and stop talking so cryptically with us! Give us a straight answer!”

He turned around once more and the two stood right in front of each other, looking seriously into each other’s eyes.

“Not bad. No one did ever talk with me in that fashion. You are a very… vivid pony, aren’t you?”

“Well, yeah. Maybe. I am hot headed sometimes, but that doesn’t change anything. Just answer Twilight’s question already.”

“Well then.” He replied and then, he jumped back onto the remains of the once ginormous, purple crystal.
He once more straightened up on his hind legs and turned to the 6 ponies and the dragon-child with a hostile posture.

“My name is Radiant Eclipse. As the departed soul I am, a ray of darkness in a world filled with light, you can call me by this name as well. Just Ray; and nothing more.”

He took a short break, but then he smiled viciously and stared right into Twilight Sparkle’s eyes. “But you probably know me under a different name, as my title describes the nature of my very existence. I am the one that lives in reclusion, the one that has been exiled from the lush green grasses and the crystal clear waters of the place I once called home; this world.
I am… Pariah.”

Hearing this name, although they knew it, sent another shiver down their spine, but they stood their ground in a line and showed that Radiant Eclipse-guy that they were not afraid of him; well, Fluttershy tried at least.

“Wait!” Spike demurred. “You neither have 4 wings, nor a horn.”

“You have a keen mind, Spike.” Ray noted favorably impressed. “I lack these because I miss a part of my existence.”

He folded his forelegs and looked into the sky. “You see, being born in this world as a being like everyone else, 3 major entities should normally define my existence and give it balance and the possibility to actually linger on. These entities are also the core-idea on how to control magic and perform spells, am I right, Twilight Sparkle?”

“Body. Mind. And Soul.” Twilight hesitantly gave explanation.

“Very good. You see, your precious princesses have taken one of these away from me and have sealed it in a specific item. Without it, I can’t gain my full power, though the darkness inside me has filled that hole so I was able to proceed.”

He sank his and gazed at the group. “You haven’t seen it, didn’t you? It looks like a crystal on top of a black altar. A chain is likely to have been attached to it, so you can carry it around like an amulet.”

Still, confusion flooded Twilight’s mind, because she remembered the hidden page in the historical tradition she realized to have lost in the explosion along with the artifact. It must have been around here, lying somewhere under the crystal shards and the pebbles, but she thought that this was nothing he need to know at the moment, as the description of Ray fitted to the design of the artifact.

“Was that rainbow-colored shimmer his…?” Twilight asked herself in her mind, but her process of thinking got interrupted by a familiar, angelic voice.

“What did they take from you?” Fluttershy asked him, commiserating with the expulsed colt.

“My soul…” He revealed dolefully and his grief slowly encroached on the ponies’ minds, inflicting sympathy even on the hard-shelled Rainbow Dash; and Twilight’s thought was ultimately confirmed.

“Y-Your soul?” Rarity asked Ray, appalled by what the princesses might have done.

“Yes…” He answered deeply grieved. “A spell of unconceivable ferocity took it away from me. It was a spell created by Celestia and Luna, the former guardians of harmony. How do you think they managed to banish me here, into this secluded place of nothingness?”

“By weakening you?” Pinkie Pie asked him, having a faced marked by sorrow and Ray in return confirmed her rhetorical question with a simple nod.

Fortunately, Ray was not able to completely throw Rainbow Dash and Applejack off the track.

“Hey! Stop foolin’ us around already. We aren’t as half-baked as you think we are.” Applejack snubbed him abrasively.

“AJ is right!” Rainbow Dash continued, shooting her mouth off. “This punishment was maybe a little over the top, but that doesn’t mean it was unjustified.”

“You did some very terrific things in the past and got what ya deserve. They had all right to lock ya up.” Applejack finished explaining their position.

But Ray did not react like they have expected. He simply looked unaffectedly and groaned with antipathy. “If you say so, I suppose so. Far be it from me to deny it.” He replied collectedly to the shocking surprise of Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

This was the moment they comprehended that he was different from any foe they have ever faced. He lacked the vivacity and slight lunacy of Discord; the manipulative vein of Luna’s transformation, Nightmare Moon; the wariness, but also carelessness and arrogance of Chrysalis; and the pure desire for cruel entertainment and dictatorial control of Sombra.

Radiant Eclipse, or however they were supposed to call him, seemed like nothing more than an empty vessel that suffered from its own existence. He was cold inside, freezing outside. He understood and accepted everything he has ever done and ever was, not even giving the slightest hint he wanted to defend himself, as he would live on or not care. The question was; would all of this make him unperilous, or even more hazardous than any opponent ever before.

There fell a deep silence, the ponies preserving in the stone-cold, badly-lit cavern. But there was no time to rest, because Twilight still had questions in her mind and he might change his attitude soon.

“Ray, can I ask you something”? He asked him, Ray still standing with folded arms and stable posture.

“There is nothing that prevents you from doing so, isn’t there?” He replied snootily.

“You know that it wasn’t out intention to release you, right?” She asked him reluctantly

“I had major doubts about it, but your question delivers the unequivocal revelation.” He answered when a hint of a smirk covered his face for a second.

“Pariah or however you are called!” She shouted at him with a dead-serious ton. “To be completely honest, we were here to find a power to stop you that already stopped you once before. We are aware of that the Elements of Harmony weren’t enough to stop you, maybe not even the supposed stealing of your soul; so then, what is that power and where is it?!”

He raised an eyebrow and gazed in confusion at the lavender unicorn. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

She backed off one step uncertainty of the whole situation they were in flooded her mind. “W…what?”

“The former guardians of harmony weakened me with the spell I told you about and then used that moment of frailty for my part and pulled of the final blow by trapping me in that crystal, leaving me in the presumably eternal dream I was imprisoned in.”

“No! This can’t be true! The historical tradition, the reason why we are here, clearly stated that we have to bring the elements of harmony and the ancient artifact to find a power that would save the world, a message given by the tears you shed, given by you!” She yelled at him, being on the brink of crying in exasperation.

“Stop compensating your emotions by trying to find a way to deny it! There is no such power and whatever the ancient artifact is, it is probably totally useless! What you just said must be caused by the fancifulness of some creative narrators. You must know; information becomes vague and deceptive the longer they are passed on. What would say? Shouldn’t more than a millennium be enough for impeaching the validity of the context this so-called tradition has given?” Ray asked her and the whole group rhetorically, tensing up their minds on purpose.

“By the way; without a soul, you lack nearly all emotions but sinister sentiments, but usually, you are in cold blood. Do I look like I could cry? Do I seem alive and kicking like Pinkie Pie does?” He asked them rhetorically once more, pointing at the gaily looking, constantly teetering pink pony.

When she realized everyone was staring at her, she instantly stopped what she was doing and blushed. “Hehe… sorry.”

But Twilight did not care. She just held a hoof on her head and suffered in her misapprehension. Fortunately, her friends recognized that and they collected themselves around her, hugging her and consoling her in a way only best friend can do.

“Just forget it.” Rainbow Dash said. “We will wear him down anyway. No doubts about that.”

“It’s not the first time we got into such a wild ride, ain’t we?” Applejack noted funnily.

“You are not going through this all on your own. We are there and we will find a way to stop… whatever is going to happen.” Spike responded eloquently, leading everyone to assist him by nodding

A smile graced Twilight’s faced and she nodded in agreement. “You are right. I should take my own words more serious. As long as we have each other, nopony can stop us. Still…”

She gently pushed her friends away and took some steps forward. “There is one more question I have to ask you.”

“Ask away, but I won’t be responsible if you collapse because of the answer.” He replied gloatingly.

“Don’t worry about that.” She replied. “In the historical tradition, there was a hidden last paragraph; a paragraph in which

Celestia and Luna speak. It said: ‘Forgive us Radiant Eclipse… We had no other choice, we had to arrest She’ol. There was no other opportunity. Please forgive us young colt. And please forgive us sister. We miss you and we will never forget your self-abandonment. Farewell’ “

Suddenly, the black pony was lost in his thoughts, not reacting to the break Twilight did. Though this was only speculation, the group thought that this paragraph has touched him deep in his heart.

“Are you ok?” Fluttershy asked him solicitously.

“Yes.” He replied, reattaching his wall of gloomy graveness, but Twilight was too tensed up to wait any longer to wait for his answer any longer.

“So, what are you saying about that?” She asked him full of expectations.

“That is no concern of yours. Some things… should stay in the past. Besides, these things are irrelevant in the current situation.”

“But!” Twilight interrupted him, but she did not manage to dominate this conversation.

“No ‘but’, Twilight Sparkle. This is my business and only my. Don’t tamper with things you can’t understand and you shouldn’t take a hoof in anyway.” Ray explained her sulkily.

“Ok. I understand and respect that.” She told him insightfully.

Again, an awe-stricken silence filled the room with a feeling of despair. All relevant questions seemed to have been answered, so the frightening thought of having to proceed came into their mind, but Ray, who couldn’t await the next steps.

“And…” Rarity uncertainly turned to Ray. “What will you do now?”

He smirked and fell on his 4 hooves, jumped down from the remnants of the crystal and walked towards the group, causing his adversaries to back off.

“What I am destined to do. I am going to take revenge on Celestia and Luna and I will cover this world in an eternal eclipse so everything on it is going to pay its debt to nature.” He answered with a somber voice.

These ruthless, cold words saddened the minds of the young adventurers. How could someone say that so easily, so unemotively and deadly serious, especially when this someone was a pony, even worse, still a child? No, the creature in front of them was not a pony.

It may have been one before, and though it might have a heart and a soul, both of them were surely empty. Everything inside of him was pure darkness; and not even a single ray of light was there to give evidence of ponyness or even the slightest spark of hope. Everything good inside of him probably died away eons ago and all that is left was an empty vessel of gloom.

The thought that the princesses may have caused all of this tore Twilight’s spirit and her believe in the goodness inside every pony apart. Seeing this being, totally dead inside, made her feel like it was unjustified to resist his intention to devastate not just Equestria but the whole world.

While Twilight remained in her state of being inwardly broken, being consoled by her friends as usual, Fluttershy got up the nerve to do what she was willed to do after the conversation with Twilight in the Everfree Forest.

“Mister Ray. It doesn’t have to be like that. I know you feel empty and forlorn, but you don’t have to do this. Come with us, let us show you the light of Equestria and convince the princesses that you aren’t evil to get back your soul. You just need some friends who come to the aid for you and help being on the right path. We don’t have to fight; and we don’t want to.” She offered him cordially, causing her friends to smile like always when she displays pure kindness.

“You would call yourself a friend of my?” He asked her doubtfully after he took some time to think about her words.

“But of course. You are a reasonable pony. You are eerily powerful and too serious, but I am sure we, as your friends, can bring a lot of joy into your life.”

“Oh yes! We could start with a big welcoming party! Uh I can imagine it. A dark colt redeems himself and loves partying all the time! Oh that would be so much fun! Yes, yes, yes!” She raved excessively about the possible future with Ray.

“Just ignore her for now.” Fluttershy commented about Pinkie Pie’s usual behavior. “But think about it. Wouldn’t it be better that way?”

Unfortunately, all what Fluttershy got from Ray was a gentle laughter. “Oh trust me, Fluttershy. This is completely impossible.” He replied to the shock for her part.

“As much as I appreciate your offer, there is nothing that can change what I am and what I have to do. I am a creature of darkness, the harbinger of the end, the ultimate life on this planet and beyond. There is nothing I could do to change my existence. I would, but as much as you cannot change the fact that you are ponies, I can’t change that I am not.”

“You… you ain’t?” Applejack asked him confusedly.

“Didn’t you realize it? I am not bound to the horn, the sky nor the earth. I am free from this predestination and thus, my entity is as well. Don’t you remember? I used magic, dark magic to be precise; but did you see any horn on my head?”

“Right!” Twilight responded, coming to the conclusion that there is really something different about the black colt. “You channeled magic energy without a horn, nothing a… a pony could ever do…”

“Hehehe. You see, I am not like the ponies of your kind.”

Though Fluttershy was frightened by his behavior, she pulled herself together once more and tried to convince him. “It doesn’t matter, if we are the same kind or not. There is nothing that prevents you from coming with us and embracing the light of our world like everypony else!”

“But there is!!” He shouted at Fluttershy, making her pule while she slowly walked back and got consoled by her friends who looked at Ray with an irate gaze.

Ray was not surprised at all and explained himself with and for him unusual aggressive and loud voice. “There is nothing left for me in the light; and there is no way for me to return! The darkness is my existence and there is nothing no pony can do anything about it. Look!” He told them and pointed at his Cutie Mark.

His Cutie Mark was far from anything they have ever seen before. It was cryptically, nearly indescribable, but they were sure it resembled some sort of a dragon totem with a purple stone in the head. It astonished the group, but also frightened every single one.

---[An image of his Ray's Cutie Mark ]---

“This is my one way ticket to oblivion. This cursed symbol of darkness, burned into my skin, is the lesson I have been taught. A lesson I will never be able to forget. The symbol of my existence will forever be there. The ponies are a superficial race that only focusses on the Cutie Marks. This is the dogma that describes the journey of their whole life; and so does mine.”

He breathed in and out multiple times, constantly recovering his peace of mind and his manners.

“So that is a no, right?” Fluttershy asked him after waiting till he was completely himself again.

“Yes” Ray answered slightly annoyed.

“So you will join us?” Pinkie Pie asked him blithely.

“No, I am not.” He replied in bewilderment.

“But you just said ‘yes’!” she remarked confusedly.

“No; that was the answer to Fluttershy’s…” But before he could continue, he got interrupted by the hyperactive, pink pony.

“Now you say ‘no’, but you just said ‘yes’. Do you have decision making problems or something like that? Can’t you decide what do?” She said, finishing her speech and leaving nothing but a shocked black colt.

“Yes, I can…” But once more, Pinkie Pie interrupted him immediately.

“And now you say ‘yes’ again! Didn’t you just shout your reason for being a bad meanie at us? I would seriously recommend you to do something against your low assertiveness.”

He stood there, with a wide opened mouth and an expression of utter shock, maybe even a trauma. Nothing but bafflement and consternation was in evidence and his gesture perfectly portrayed his frame of mind. Not even Twilight was so shocked when she saw Fluttershy beating the laughter out the bears face, though it later became clear for her that she misunderstood the situation when Pinkie Pie told her that Fluttershy held a tea-party with all of her animal friends, including the bear, the day Pinkie Pie cloned herself multiple times.

“How do you function?” Ray asked her, still remaining in a state of discomposure.

“Trust me.” Applejack explained him. “She is always that way; always bein’ herself in every situation. That what’s makin’ her so special; and the Element of Laughter. The best thing to do is not questionin’ her. Got that?”

He did not reply to her explanation and only pressed a hoof on his forehead, groaning in shame while losing all respect for the guardians of the light. “I can’t believe these infantile fillies actually impose a threat on me.”

“I have no time to waste with the childish likes of you.”

“Hey! Don’t insult us for being happy. Besides, what do you mean with ‘I am not like the ponies of your kind? Only because of your Cutie Mark that allows you to use magic at your will? Who, or better said what, do you think are you anyway?!” Rainbow Dash asked him pushily.

“Something less; but also something more. I am just; and nothing else.” He replied provokingly.

“Oh I am going to give you ‘something more’ !” Rainbow Dash replied and she tried to ambush him, but got held back by her friends.

“Rainbow!” Spiked told her supportingly. “Did you forget? Push forward but not recklessly; always in the right direction. Don’t do this!”

“This smug jerk can’t speak plaintext for 2 words! He is always in this wannabe mystery modus and whining about his ‘unfair’ situation, but you are not fooling me! I won’t hold myself back if I have to fight you. It doesn’t matter for me what you have gone through!”

Suddenly, realizing that Rainbow Dash is in a unique moment of wisdom, they let her loose. “You don’t just want to revenge yourself on the princesses; you also, if not only, seek destruction of everything. Our friends, our family, Equestria and the rest of the entire world. They mean nothing to you. You wouldn’t feel any remorse for eliminating everything we love and care for; and I will not just stand there and allow you to do what you want!” She yelled at him, standing her ground like a true blue hero.

Twilight comprehended these words and realized that she was right. They made him an offer, they wanted to be reasonable. Everypony would have probably accepted, but the black colt chose his fate and wanted to continue walking his path of destruction. They got in line, ready to fight their new opponent. Even Fluttershy and Spike held the line, though they were aware of that they were not good fighters.

They stood strong and brave, but everything Ray did was cackling. “You don’t understand me, Rainbow Dash. I don’t just want my revenge. I do not only seek destruction of this world. I will get my revenge; and I will destroy this world. There is only one thing that you are able to change. Do I have to do it without interruptions, or do I have to go through you first. You know, it is not in my interest to get rid of you, but if you stand in my way, I will show no mercy and wipe your existence out without hesitation. And this is surely not in your interest, is it?”

But his gruesome words did not make the ponies take flight. This actually impressed him a bit, thinking that there is more in these kids than he thought. But ultimately, he moaned and accepted their choice.

“Of course you resist. As the bearers of the elements, it is your responsibility, right? But know this. You cannot prevent the inevitable; barely delay it. Caducity is the only constant in life that every being has to accept, even you, guardians.”

Then he mumbled something scarcely audible for the group. “Everyone, but me…”

But like always, he shook of his thought and focused on the actual situation, so did his opponents, facing him with valor and in full strength.

“Fair Enough! You want to behold a legendary power!? I shall fulfill your wish!!”

========

Blind courageousness; nothing I would ever support. But these ponies did not act with their mind. They did it with their heart.

Maybe that was the big difference. Maybe that was the reason they were the Elements of Harmony. They always consoled each other, always standing in a row and pulling; always together.

Though, I am honest, that day, I thought their acting against me was just asinine. Heroic, but misguided, as they have only seen the tip of the iceberg of my full potential; but to my surprise, I did the same with them.

Author's Note

I tried to show the character of Ray how it is. Usually, he is very calm and understanding, but also ruthless. In contrast, he can be very aggressive and hateful when he is pushed or someone stands in his way, easily seen in the scene where he talks with Fluttershy about his Cutie Mark.
I did both pictures by myself to make it more personal and you have no idea how long I took for the Cutie Mark. But it was worth it.
Radiant Eclipse has mainly been inspired by Shadow The Hedgehog, Alex Mercer from Prototype, Caius Ballad from FInal Fantasy, Cole McGrath from InFAMOUS and Asura from Asura's Wrath.

Chapter 8 : A Battle for Harmony

That was the moment of the rising action of this one of infinite others story. It has literally reached the next step of development.

Never fear. I know that you have waited for this since the beginning, so without any further delays, I will tell you about the following events; my first fight with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

The day I thought my last spark of hope perished along with my legacy.

========

“Before this is over, I will show you the true power of dark magic!”

Ray jumped back on the crystal, standing with two hooves on it while looking balefully to the group. He cramped his right hoof and a sudden squall slashed the ponies and Spike’s body, their hair streaming out behind them.

His magic energy channeling in his hoof, colored in dark purple with a bluish grey veil and twinkling particles, a sphere of pure darkness formed itself in it. It was so powerful that it caused the squall and even little pebble stones and crystal shards to vibrate on the floor. Especially Twilight could sense that the authors did at least not displayed fancifulness when they described the magic power Ray possessed.

He jumped high into the upper area of the cave and like he would throw a baseball, he catapulted the magic projectile at the group.

“Disappear!” He shouted as the magic missile detached itself from his hoof and gained extreme velocity when a magic impulse made it dash in the direction of the heroes. To their shocking surprise, the projectile split in midair into at least a dozen smaller beams that flew in different angles towards the group.

Ray saw nothing but a dusty, greyish-blue explosion that covered a quarter of the vault up when the projectiles hit the ground. Dust clouds streamed sideward and the dispersed dust affixed on the ground again.

“Looks like they were just regular ponies after all.” He assured himself with confidence, not fearing any unpleasant surprises while still floating in the air.

But his naive self-assurance turned out to be his doom when a familiar blue Pegasus blew the dust in front of her with her wings away and careered wrathfully to the black colt.

“Here you have ‘something more’!” Rainbow Dash shouted out her war cry.

She glared at him, but she was way too fast for him to react and holding a hoof ahead, she crashed into him, making him suffer the ache from a painfully powerful uppercut.

She smirked, feeling the elating sensation of victory, while Ray groaned with pain and anger, slowly falling back to the ground. Rainbow Dash turned around quickly to see the humiliated opponent, but everything she saw was a purple flash.
Suddenly, she felt a cold breeze at her back and a purple light shined behind her. She turned around and before she could act, horror began to grace her fact as her self-confidence faded away as quickly as it came.

Then she felt nothing but a severe pain in her chest; the pain of a horse kick strong enough to shake apples from trees, maybe even uprooting it. It was Ray who has teleported himself behind her and used the kinetic energy of a twisting to kick her with full power with his hoof ball.

Rainbow Dash groaned with pain, but she clenched her teeth and bore the brunt, unable to move and slowly falling to the ground. Though Fluttershy’s sight was diminished because of the dust particles, she could recognize the blear figure of a Pegasus and instinctively, certain that the figure was her best friend, rushed towards the falling figure and caught it.

“Ouch! That hurt…” Rainbow Dash complained about her pain in Fluttershy’s arms. “Thanks Fluttershy.”

“You can count on me.” She replied gently while helping her up.

Eventually, Ray understood why his opponents survived his attack when he saw everyone else standing in the distance of the explosion-radius. Twilight must have teleported everyone away; and Rainbow Dash must have been on a higher level, maybe even taking the blast wave for an instant increase of speed.

“Not bad; not bad at all.” He commented about his adversaries’ actions. “Though compared to your precious princesses, you are still nothing more but phonies.”

He smirked at the group and they in return looked angrily back at him, but then he proceeded the fight. Still hovering above the heroes, a dark magic aura gathered itself around him.

“Playtime is over!” He shouted slightly jokingly, as he would enjoy the battle he was in.

In an instant, being a projectile himself, looking like a blazing pony-shadow in a purple cocoon, he dashed at lightning speed towards Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Getting rid of the stricken foes firstn´, was, so was his opinion, the best thing to be done.

“Look out!” the bigger group warned the two Pegasi and in the last second, Rainbow Dash was able to hustle herself and Fluttershy, luckily avoiding his attack by a hairbreadth. Her swift reflexes saved both from harm, as a meter wide meteor crater was all that was left from the spot of impact.

But Ray rebounded immediately, like the impaction with the solid ground did not hurt him at all, and in less than a second, he impacted with the ceiling, only to rebound again and dash towards the group of Twilight.

They dodged his attacks by jumping away, but Ray behaved like a Bouncy ball that never lost his energy, constantly slamming into the ground and the walls, making them look like a long-range combat drill ground. However, there was nothing they could do than constantly avoiding his devastating attacks and trying to ride the situation out, but they knew they did not have the stamina to do this for good and all.

When Twilight Sparkle was separated from her friends, Ray seized his chance to dispose of the powerful and gifted bearer of the Element of Magic, so he brought his movement under control by performing a rising arch and he dashed towards Twilight while the ground under him was torn open, only because of the energy of his dark aura.

Twilight did not display fear and it was not her intention to dodge his attack. She was willed to stand her ground and face the mistake she was prepared to atone for.

“Fool! This will end it!” He bawled self-confidently at Twilight, but she was not impressed at all and only focused on her magic energy; preparing to counterattack his fell assault. By the skin of one’s teeth, he would have crushed her, but because Ray underestimated the magic powers of the purple unicorn, the only thing he hit was a magic shield she created in front of her in the last second; so powerful that it even absorbed the shock of Ray’s impaction with it.

Unfortunately, realizing that Ray did not ricochet, she is beginning to lose her energy as Ray continued to drill into her magic barrier, emitting sparks like a buzz saw.

“Come on, Twilight Sparkle! Show me what the Element of Magic is made of!” He yelled at her provokingly, but she endured as long as she could.

Ultimately knowing that defending would do nothing but leading to her doom, she gritted her teeth and gave everything she got to raise Ray with a simultaneous levitation spell. Her horn glowed brightly like never before; and to that effect, her magic energy was used up just as excessively.

Still, knowing that it was her responsibility, Twilight gave everything she got and slowly lifted him up above her head.

“W-What?” He wondered surprisingly about the purple unicorn’s impressive strenuous effort.

In her final demonstration of strength, she slightly angled him up, but then, Twilight ended her spell casting immediately, causing Ray to bounce up and, because astonishment inhibited his focus, he slammed in the ceiling with his back to it with such a velocity that he created a crater in his shape.

While Twilight was heading to her friends who congratulated her on her amazing accomplishment, gasping for breath and recovering her power, Ray’s seemingly unconscious body detached itself from the ceiling, leading him to fall fifty meter and smashing into the solid ground.

When Twilight heard the sound of the impacting of Ray’s body, she turned around and beheld her opus, not feeling good at the thought of having fought a pony; still, her ace in the hole seemed to have become true. She had defeated him and now, they could seal him again into crystal. Furthermore, in her opinion, it was very quick and surprisingly easy.

She turned around and all of a sudden, she was petrified with horror. She stared right into the blood-freezing, devoid eyes of the Harmony’s precarious enemy. She could only breathe shallowly, slowly creating a small distance between her and the dark creature that stood in front of her, but before she could react, Ray once more started to converse with her.

“So… there is more behind you then just imitating Celestia and Luna. Who are you anyway?”

Twilight swallowed once, but then she plucked up courage and faced him. “What you see is what you get. Just a pony that protects Equestria and her friends.”

“I see; and admire your fortitude, but you know, I can’t let you live. Your days of protecting are coming to an end.”
She just stood there, petrified by the black colt as he pressed one of his hooves against her forehead. She could feel the algid magic aura that gathered itself around Ray’s hoof, ready to be used to finish her off. She could feel it, her end was neigh. She could only hope that her friends and the princesses would finish the job. She closed her eyes and prepared herself face whatever is going to happen to her.

“How dare you threatening Twilight!” A familiar, young voice rang out from near distance, followed by a loud groaning she heard that soon had changed into a familiar voice threatening someone.

“Get off me you pesky little pain in the…” A voice yelled angrily that was readily identifiable the one of Ray.

Twilight peeped and saw that the black colt was gone; and that her friends were cantering to her while they were cheering someone on.

“Yeehaw little cowboy! Ride that bull until it pants!” Applejack shouted encouragement.

Twilight gazed at the point where her friends were looking at and saw her best assistant and friend trying to tame the dark pony-like creature. “S-Spike?”

“I t-t-t-try!” Spike replied to Applejack, being shaken by the bridling Ray who tried to shake him off, but Spike firmly grabbed hold of his neck.

“Are you alright, darling?!” Rarity asked Twilight solicitously.

“Yes, I am fine, thanks to my hero.” She enthused over her best assistance.

But meanwhile, Spike was in dangerous troubles, because the longer he kept the ride up, the angrier Ray became. “Get along with you!”

“In the name of my dragon-code, I will not!” He replied insistently.

“Then you will have to bear the consequences!” He yelled at him angrily.

Ray stretched his legs, focused magic energy in them and released it all in a jump and with his back to the wall; he smashed into it, with Spike still hanging on him.

“Spike!” Everyone else shouted frightened to death.

Spike groaned in pain and he lost his hold on Ray’s neck, slowly sliding down the wall hole his body has created and falling to the ground.

“Darn. I was so… close…” He said while he lay with his back to the fall, looking at the leaving body of the black colt.

“Spikey-wikey!” Rarity cried for him and all of a sudden, in a blind fury, she sprinted to Ray and jumped, trying to hit him with a karate-kick. “I’ll destroy you!”

But her rage made her blind and week. Ray was easily able to get on his two hind legs and grab Rarity’s hoof with one of his. “Don’t make me laugh.” He commented degradingly.

“Let go off me you brutal barbar!” She shouted furiously at him.

“Your wish is my command” He replied nastily.

Ray focused his magic energy in the hoof he held Rarity in the air with and a very strong impulse send her flying through the room with a shrill scream on her lips. Thankfully, Ray was not the only pony in this room to be able to use magic and with ease, Twilight levitated the flying Rarity to her and allowed the white unicorn to land softly on her hooves.

“Phew! Thanks a million, Twilight. You saved me.” He told her thankfully.

“My pleasure, but saved is sort of subjective here.” She responded, instinctively focusing on their opponent.

Meanwhile, Ray was surrounded by both Rainbow Dash and Applejack who constantly attacked him with her hooves and other body parts; Applejack from the ground and Rainbow Dash from the air, but he in return laughed about their in his opinion pathetic attempt.

“You with your silly hoof-to-hoof combat…”

In an attempt to surprise him by attacking him at the same time, Ray grabbed one hoof of each at a time and held both Applejack and Rainbow Dash firmly.

“… But do you know what the little difference between you and I is?” He asked her rhetorically as he caught a glimpse of Applejack’s Cutie Mark, immediately understanding what it symbolizes. “You can kick a tree and shake its apples off. I can kick a tree and… hmm… what could be appropriate… crush it into sawdust? Yeah, that should do it.”

Thankfully, while Ray was thinking about expressing himself in a proper fashion, the two ponies were able to break away from him and continued with attacking him.

“Is talking all you can?!” Rainbow Dash and Applejack yelled at him simultaneously, attempting to crash into him to which he replied with a single smirk.

As Rainbow Dash and Applejack continued their rough attempt that was driven by anger, he stayed calm and timed his actions very precisely.

Rainbow Dash approached him first and, knowing that she was already weakened, he easily managed to lean sideward and counterattack her, hitting her neck with his foreleg knee. Using this moment of Applejack loosing focus, gazing surprisedly at the vanquished Rainbow Dash, Ray took a small step forward and simply tripped her up, leading her to fall over his leg and roll over the ground alongside Rainbow Dash, ultimately slamming into the wall and laying dizzily and physically stricken next to Spike who was in the process of picking himself up again.

“Oh, hey guys.” He greeted the two overwhelmed ponies, still feeling muzzy from the collision with the wall.

He helped Applejack up who still recovered from her giddiness. “T-Thanks Spike. Looks like we took the bull by the horns; and it catapulted us into the next fence. Ouch…” Applejack thanked him, still holding her head to regain awareness of everything.

“No problem.” He replied friendly.

Spiked turned around, so he could help Rainbow Dash up as well, but she was gone and he was shocked by the following event he had to witness.

Ray walked on all fours towards his remaining four opponents. “3 for me, nil for thee; Twilight Sparkle. But I intend to whitewash you, so 4 remain for me to subdue” He clarified his point of view cattily.

Out of nowhere, Ray began to giggle nastily and without looking in any other direction than forward; he raised his left foreleg to its respective side and channeled magic energy in it.

“Where do you think are you going, Fluttershy?” He asked her gloatingly.
She stopped immediately when she heard her name, barely 20 meters distance between her and the black colt; and her eyes focused on the bluish grey shimmering magic aura around Ray’s hoof.

“Well, kind and friendly Radiant Eclipse.” She explained him good-naturedly as always. “I wanted to console and take care for my friends you have just hurt recklessly, but I know you would not let me, so I tried to sneak around you, but to your compliment, you have a good awareness; and eventually you got me.“

“No.” He replied visibly annoyed. “That was a rhetorical question. I was aware of what you were doing.”

“Oh, I am awfully sorry Mister Radiant Eclipse.” She apologized profusely to Ray. “Next time, I will try harder reacting to you properly.”

He was once more in bewilderment because of his opponents. He put his hoof down and looked with a raised eyebrow and an expression of total perplexity at the group consisting of Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie Pie.

He lowered his left foreleg and raised his right foreleg in a way that it looked like he would serve someone with something. “Seriously?” He asked peevishly callous.

“No kidding!” Pinkie Pie replied joyfully as always, but she immediately changed her behavior again and stood strong alongside her two friends.

He moaned long drawn-out about the in his opinion unconceivable infantile and goony, though respectful behavior of most of his opponents, smiting his forehead to display his exasperation.

“Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked him solicitously. “Have we done anything wrong to you?”

A simple sigh escaped his lips. “No. Don’t you worry…”

He slowly returned to his former position and once more channeled his dark magic in his left hoof. “I’ll be fine soon.” Ray replied balefully.

She squealed with agony, able to feel the cold gust of demise on her warm, soft cheek. She did not know what would hit her, as Ray seemed to have a huge variety of different attacks, though they tended to rather be imprecise, wild and destructive. Was there even a change for her to escape his menacing grip of terror?

No, they choose to fight against him; and there was no way out of it anymore. But what could she, a young, innocent and kind Pegasus do in the face of this pure entity of darkness? She did not know, but someone else did.
Spike tried to prevent Rainbow Dash’s action, but since he was not able to do anything either and had to reinforce the still shaky Applejack, he was not able to and hoped for the best.

Though she got hurt by Ray’s multiple attacks, she knew that she had to swallow her pain and excel herself to beat her. She would not allow him to inflict pain on her friends, the princesses nor anyone else in Equestria or the rest of the world, especially not a certain orange Pegasus filly she had in mind she promised to protect. That fueled her anger, but also her will to surpass Radiant Eclipse.

In a desperate attempt to ambush him and protecting her best friend Fluttershy from his truculent attack, she jumped high, opened her wings and dashed towards the black colt.

“Take it from me! You will not hurt my friends!” She yelled behind him shortly before she could crash into his back.

But Ray was not simpleminded and stood still, especially not when Rainbow Dash announced her attack so openly. Right before she was about to hit him keenly, he put his hoof down and strained his entire body, eventually slamming his hip against her chest, causing her to lose control of herself and bouncing up from his back.

But her volition succeeded her pain once again and she opened her wings once more, instantly turning 180 degree and dashing towards the somber colt.

“An inveterate Pegasus, huh?” He remarked sneeringly as he blended everything else but Rainbow Dash out and gave her his full focus.

Once again, her attempt to successfully attack him failed and she was counterattacked, but nonetheless, Rainbow Dash continued his attack. Again; and again. She would give her eye teeth if she could protect her friends, so she would not give up until her body would stop reacting to her commands.

The rest took the time to reunite with Spike and Applejack. Everyone, but Fluttershy, who just stood there in utter shock as she saw how her best friend was beaten up by a young colt that barely even move. A single tear collected itself at the underside of her eye, slowly flowing down her cheek and shattering on the ground into millions of pieces. But then, there was no trepidation, no lugubriousness; only incensement, contempt and her natural protective instinct.

“How dare you…?” She mumbled furiously, as she took a steady step towards the black colt.
In the meantime, Rainbow Dash was in serious troubles, as he countered everything she tried. Every attempt was futile and she knew that. There was only one last hope, one last chance to successfully subdue Ray.

“Alright Ray, time for me to finish this.” She told him relatively quiescently, as she flew to the height of the destroyed ceiling and turned her head into his direction. She bristled with anger, but then took a deep breath and banished all her wrath, leaving only cold, but pure focus for her last hope.

Rainbow Dash opened her wings another time and she careered with an incredible velocity towards her opponent. She compressed her body as much as she could and instantly, a cone of light made itself around her, with her head as the cone end.

“What is that?” Ray wondered himself surprisedly about what Rainbow Dash did, something he could not even dream about.

The closer Rainbow Dash was to Ray, the more tapered and blurry her body seemed to become, like she would gain more and more speed. Was that her goal; a special technique of her? Ray did not know, but he was sure that no matter what she got, it would not be enough, especially when she was as tarnished as she was.

Rainbow Dash screamed out her war cries to show that she would never fear Ray and that she would never stop. He recognized that, but nothing than a cackle left his mouth. Like Ray was used to do, he got up onto his hind legs to display his self-proclaimed dominant position, but also to have elbow-room to attack Rainbow Dash.

Her war cry rang in his ear, but he did not care. Just before Rainbow Dash struck him, he snuffled unimpressively and he brandished his arm like a whip, hitting the side of her face and ending her attack.

“How dare you?” A familiar, beautiful voice whispered angrily in the distance.

Rainbow Dash groaned with pain, but very quietly since her body repudiated every order of her mind. Her friends screamed cries of dismay, but for her, everything was silent as she hurtled past his body without control of her own wings.

But Ray was not done, as he knew she might recover sooner or later, so he oriented towards the hammered blue Pegasus and he raised his right hoof in her direction, forming a magic projectile in it to finally give her the finishing stroke that would release her from all the pain she had endure.

He saw it as an act of mercy; and he even looked quite sadly as he starred into her wide opened eyes. “What a waste…” He mumbled funereally, but determined as he build up the energy to catapult his blast attack.

“How dare you!?” An enraged voice yelled from his side and as he heard the sound of galloping, he turned around, feeling the sudden sensation of a shocking, dragging pain in his belly.

He felt that he lifted off the ground, as the object that hit him would drag him diagonally away from it. He could not move, only glimpse at the causer of his achiness; Fluttershy, who had slammed her side into his body and used her wings to fly slightly upwards. Her usual friendly expression was gone; and only wrath and assertiveness graced it.

The others gazed taken aback at Fluttershy’s action; and even Pinkie who intended to catch Rainbow Dash lost her focus for this unbelievable event that occurred.

Twilight comprehended that this was probably their last chance. They had to make this moment of weakness of Ray count. Like when they fought the hydra, Twilight run in front of the rest and gave her command.

“Now or never!” She yelled at her friends with an encouraging voice; and seeing that Rainbow Dash recovered control of her body in midair, like her body was healed by the initiative they ponied up, saluting flimsily to Twilight’s command, the rest was more motivated than ever before in this particular, seemingly hopeless struggle.

Fluttershy fell on the floor and Spike hurried to bestead her, but she was fine, still thanking him for his friendly care. Resting, they beheld the attack their friends imposed on the black colt.

Ray slammed into something massive, but not rocky like the wall. It was pitch black and he was curled up, like he was in some sort of box; a box of cast iron.

“Where… where am I?” He asked himself, still plagued with the feeling of dizziness because of Fluttershy’s strong ambush.

“Party-canon hold!” Pinkie’s voice rang out from somewhere behind the wall.

“Party canon?” He wondered in bewilderment.

“Aim! Fire!” She yelled joyfully and with that last syllable, she pushed the button on her canon and alongside with lots of confetti, Ray was shot diagonally into the air. He screamed loudly, unable to regain control of his situation as he could not figure out what was going on. The only thing he saw in front of him, as he fell dawn, was the silhouette of a pony.

As Ray reached the position where Applejack stood, she strained her hind legs and released all her energy in one, incredibly forceful horse kick into his belly that send him flying right to where he came from, above Fluttershy’s and Spike’s head and away.

A physical pain he never felt before flow through his body, but this was not the end of his ordeal. Rarity, as a talented Martial artist, jumped into his direction and karate kicked him powerfully into his back. Another groan caused by the inflicted pain escaped his lips as he fell down.

“Spike!” Twilight shouted at him to gain his attention when she began to channel magic energy in her horn. He understood.

As Ray fell from the air, Spiked rushed expeditiously towards him and he drove his head against his chest, making him fly in the direction of Twilight.

“What you can do, I can do as well.” She said confidently.

Shortly before Ray would crash into her, she performed a spell she adapted from him. A magic impulse flung him into the direction of the hole in the ceiling.

Heading in his direction, Ray was not able to do anything. He was shocked by what they managed to do and the pain benumbs every pone in his body. He made a fatal mistake. He underestimated him and took too long to get rid off them; and now, he would have to pay the price for his arrogance. Something he swore to himself in his mind that won’t happen ever again.

The blue, bright summer sky blinded him, but he could eventually catch another silhouette of a pony. A pony with wings that color intermixed with the color of the blue sky. First he thought two rainbows would prettify the sky, but then he understood.

“R-Rainbow Dash?” He wondered, but his thoughts vanished as he could feel the sorest of all pains; indignity.

Ray was able to feel a single hoof in his belly. He grabbed hold of hindleg with both his fore hooves, with all the remaining power he had. He gazed upwards and saw the serious, cerise eyes and her slight, confident smile of the pony he thought he had beaten up fit for the hospital, but though she looked extremely chipped, she was able to use her remaining power to turn the tide for her side.

“I told you I would not just sit around and let you do whatever you want.” She explained him seriously, before he closed his eyes, lost grab on her leg and fell to his doom.

Rarity and Twilight Sparkle used their combined magic power to levitate all the dust and crystal shards into one, relatively soft pile Ray slammed into without his awareness, as it seemed like he lost consciousness.

The group united close to the pile. They were tarnished, some of them bruised and covered in dirt, but they were alive and together. Combined with the overwhelming sensation of a triumphal and deserved victory, they could do nothing but to smile, in the face of what they have accomplished.

They looked at the defeated Radiant Eclipse whose stomach was covered in the dirt. They taught him a hard lesson, but he was breathing and would probably recover soon. No matter how much they execrated him, no matter how much they feared them or what he had done to them, they pitied him.

What was he more than a broken, blind and empty shell of his former self? He suffered for what he is; what he does. So much that he eventually lost all hope and was blind to all they offered him. A new chance; a new live; a new spark of hope. A light in his own, eternal darkness.

They never felt good when they had to act the way they had to. Neither the banishment of Discord, nor witnessing the presumably destruction of Sombra, no matter what they did, left the ponies and Spike with a languorous felling, though they easily digested it because they had each other and the will to protect Equestria and its inhabitants.

And what had their enemies? Nothing. And Radiant Eclipse was no exception. At least they were able to reform Discord after a while; a thought that made them smile every now and then in the darkness they sometimes have to face.

Twilight Sparkle sighed and turned to her friends. “Better gonna use the Elements of Harmony to banish him into crystal before he wake up, right?”

They nodded and prepared themselves for their final strike. The elements began to glow in a white, luminescent light, like they always do.

Then, a pebble stone rolled down the pile the black colt lay in, caused by only a very slight, slow motion.

========

This was not the end, only a victory that would lead to the next chapter.

Chapter 9: Inexorable Nightfall

Life is a test. Every time you do something, you are test. Your skills, your behaviors, your will; your everything.

Failing these tests leave something behind called ‘regret’. Often, this regret fades away, because of triumphs accomplished later on. But sometimes, regret will cause an innermost apocalypse nearly impossible to escape.

But sometimes, just sometimes, there are friends being there for you, comforting and consoling you; and then... it seems so easy to escape the dolor.

But without friends, you may stuck in an endless void of inner emptiness for all eternity.

========

As the ponies’ unbreakable will, mighty power and shining friendship began to fuel the Elements of Harmony, making them ready to be used against Radiant Eclipse, everyone heard a very silent sound of an impact; an impact of a tiny stone with the surface.

They looked up and gazed unpleasantly surprised at the unconscious body; the body that slowly began to move again.

For the heroes, it seemed absolutely impossible. He was a pony; and they beat him undeniably hard. Every being would need several hours, if not days or weeks, to partially recover in the first place from such a forceful attack.

They knew he was puissant; they knew that he was different from their kind of ponies. But this? They did not know. How could they?

“Something less… but also… something more…” Rainbow Dash mumbled, barely hearable for her friends, but immediately, they understood.

Radiant Eclipse was something less, since he lost most, if not all of his ponyness. But he was something more, because darkness was nearly his entire existence; and darkness is a magic energy beneficiated by all the negativity in this world, like common magic is enriched by the light.

But of course! He was, like the princesses explained, some sort of the counterpart to the Elements of Harmony themselves; artifacts with the strongest light magic properties known by any being. The Magic of Friendship.

But did that mean he was at least partially not even a life form, but a thing that was once able to be used? A tool?

This was a ridiculous thought they had in mind, but after all, they did not know anything undeniably true about him or his existence, so they kept considering it a possibility.

In any way, there was no time for thinking about it anymore, since Ray would soon be able to continue his siege of destruction. It was probably their last chance, as they were too exhausted to keep fighting any longer.

“Now!!” Twilight Sparkle yelled courageously at her friends, while Spike kept a safe distance to not interrupt his friends from re-imprisoning the black colt.

Suddenly, a shocking, familiar and shrill scream, the same scream they heard when all of this started, rang out in their ears and all their focus was gone, as a lucent explosion covered the area around the pile in a lurid, purple and grey energy blast.
In the center of the explosion, where once the pile was, a shape of a screaming colt, standing on his hind legs, was visible; and with an incredible velocity, the blast covered up the ponies and Spike, blinding them and letting them vanish in the painfully bright light the magic explosion emitted.

The ponies and Spiked opened their eyes and saw that the blast simmered down. Only some magic levins that quickly faded away procreated that there was something very intense going on.

And in the middle of it was, leaving the ponies in utter shock, Radiant Eclipse, standing on his 4 hooves and breathing heavily; seemingly intact without any injuries from their prior fight.

The heroes stood in a row, the elements still glowing and ready to be used, but they were in stasis, like their blood froze with the rise of the darkness that stood in front of them.

“I see…” Ray avowed with a hostile pitch of the voice. “Now I understand why Celestia and Luna chose you to prevent the fulfilling of my destiny. You are very capable beings with strong focus and a will hard as iron.”

He took a step forward. “But you must understand. I was imbecilic and over-confident; maybe even frivolous, because I did not regard you as a serious threat. I did a mistake, I admit that.”

He took another step forward, causing his enemies to back off. “But that won’t happen ever again!!” He yelled aggressively before the dark, purple magic surrounded his whole body like an aura; an aura that caused the hair of the ponies to stream out behind them.

“I told you.” Ray explained his opponents in cold blood. “Nobody will interfere with my plans. I shall surpass you and I shall bring this world to an end. You won’t stop the darkness, nor me!”

Twilight Sparkle took a deep breath and swallowed her fear, taking a step forward and facing the black pony. “We have overcome many obstacles; so many trials that tested our strength and our friendship to its limits and beyond. But every time, our friendship succeeded in keeping the harmony in Equestria and the world. We will face this trial and fight for the harmony.

“But above all else, you will not be an exception because we will defeat you and we will save Equestria!” She shouted at him as her Element began to glow even brighter, giving her friends courage and the ability to face Ray.

“Hehehe… such bravado for some little fillies.” He replied calm and serene. “I thought you were different, but it seems like you are as naïve as I thought. But I understand you. Expiration is something not many can accept; and the most do braze it out.”

He smirked, but he levitated into the air and charged his energy. “Well! Make your words come true!”
The ponies lifted from the ground and channeled the powers of the elements inside of them, causing them to glow in a white, bright and warm aura.

“This ends now!” Twilight shouted self-confidently.

The rainbow-colored beam emitted from the heroes and dashed its way towards Ray; quickly battering on him. But he was willed to hold his line and bear against the radiant power with his two fore hooves. The friction at the contact point caused the energy to become instable and threw out rainbow-colored sparks, but still, Radiant Eclipse kept his focus.

The ponies catalyzed everything they had at once into the beam, causing it to become larger and reach that apex of its power. Ray gnashed his teeth and pushed against the immense wall of magic power.

Suddenly, his wrath turned into venom when it seemed like he could face the magic beam with ease.

“You fools! I may not have my soul and with it my full potential, but I am in top condition! Even Luna and Celestia needed to exhaust me before they could unleashed their attack; and it took them and their following not less than 3 days! Looks like my supposition was correct from the beginning on. Compared to the princesses and their pathetic friends, you are nothing but phonies!”

He pressed his hooves stronger against the rainbow-colored beam and soon, a blackish, vein-like dark energy blazed its trail along the beam to the ponies. The bearers of the elements tried to give everything, but it was futile.

“Time for me to end this!” He bawled out loud before his magic aura amplified itself, making it larger than the white aura of the ponies.

He took control over the beam and channeled all the energy he had collected into one of his hoof. This hoof, pressed against the beam, caused it to increase in size and power exponentially, also turning it dark immediately.

It quickly overcame the heroes and they screamed in agony, because they themselves were now the impact spot of their own, corrupted attack.

Spike’s eyes were filled with tears when he witnessed the vain endeavor and suffering of his friends. He immediately rushed towards and wanted it to end.

“Stop!” He shouted, acting desperately by trying to save his beloved, but it was all too late.
The magic energy glowed brighter with each second that past, and soon, it collapsed in a ginormous, magic blast that consumed the crying Spike and the smirking Radiant Eclipse. Soon, it reached the brink of the walls and the top; slowly inflicting damage on them and causing them to crack and collapse.

“It’s awesome to see ya, Babs Seed!” Applebloom raved about the addressed filly.

“Hehe, thanks. It’s good to see ya pals, again.” She replied friendly. “I’m sorry it took me so long, but you know, never try to stop a Cutie Mark Crusader from getting’ the Cutie Mark, eh?”

“Exactly!” Scootaloo replied energetically.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders still remained close to the princesses on a green hill in short distance to the actual celebration, but they were fine with that since they had many stories to tell each other.

They sat down on the pillows the princesses had prepared for them and made it themselves comfortable.

“Unbelievable that you are befriended with the princesses. But these seats in the front row are proof enough for me.”

“Hihi. Yes. Being a close friend to her has some nice advantages.” Applebloom replied joyfully.

“So…” Babs Seed asked her fellow friends. “Where are Applejack and the others? I couldn’t see them anywhere.”

“Oh…” Sweetie Belle answered insecurely. “I am awfully sorry, but we are not allowed to tell you.”

“What?” Babs Seed asked her in bewilderment. “Why can’t you? Did something happen to…” She asked confusedly, but before she could continue, Celestia and Luna interrupted her.

“It is ok. She can know the truth.” Celestia assured the fillies. “It doesn’t matter anymore I guess.”

“Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? What are you talking…” But once more, she got interrupted by three different figures that arrived behind the princesses.

“Captain Shining Armor awaits your order!” He saluted with honor.

“Very pleasant to meet you here.” Cadance acclaimed the princesses.

But the third figure was not in the mood for displaying respect to Celestia and Luna and simply wave his hand to the them.

“Good afternoon Celestia; Luna.”

With no hesitation, Shining Armor butted the figure’s side. “Discord, show some esteem.”

“Why should I?” Discord turned him away. “I am not part of your guard, especially not a royalty; and I am not as austere and joyless as you are. Seriously, you always seem to be so stiff.”

“Because compared to you, I have to keep a certain pony dignity.” He replied angrily.

“Oh please. Now he is a sorehead.”

Mi Amore Cadenza began to giggle, because Discord’s words had valid content in them.

“Enough!” Luna yelled at them with her powerful, royal voice. “We have no time for this.”

“Ok, ok. No need to shout at us.” Discord explained himself, but immediately focused on the princesses alongside Twilight’s brother and his spouse.

Celestia took the lead and spoke with the threesome “Shining Armor, Cadance, Discord; I am thankful you three could arrange this meeting so quickly. We have to task you with something very important.

Discord and Shining Armor gazed at each other with a facial expression that could be interpreted as surprise, but they listened, since Cadance did the same.

The princesses told them, including Babs Seed, everything they knew. What the current situation with Pariah is, where the bearers of the elements are and what they were supposed to do.

“My sister is fighting against this monstrosity! I am awfully sorry, but what were you thinking?” Shining Armor and Cadance asked the princesses simultaneously in utter shock.

“So Pariah is back…” Discord commented engrossed in his thoughts. “And you knew that he would come back this day all the time?” To which the princesses only nodded insecurely.

“Well, this would have surely caused panic all over the place, like last time.” Discord remarked when suddenly, Cadance turned to the Draconequus.

“Wait. You know Pariah?” She asked him in bewilderment.

“Well actually, Pariah is nothing more than his title. His real name is Radiant Eclipse, though he tends to call himself Ray. He was, simply said, bringing havoc to the world. Things and ponies got together; I helped defeating him and every pony lived happily ever after.” He replied with pride

“You mean you tried to defeat him with chocolate rain and bicycle riding elephants that shot peanuts out of their nose.” Celestia commented, pushing him from his high horse.

“Hey! After all, you had time to gather the Elements of Harmony.” Discord defended himself.

“But our former castle was in ruin after our return.” Luna explained herself.

“An acceptable sacrifice for saving the world, isn’t it? And after all, I only wanted a little honor, but all what I got was seeing you being praised as heroes. So I eventually thought it would be the best to rule Equestria and bring joy to everypony after that terrible event.” He replied with faked display of innocence.

“You mean by imposing misery on everyone?” Celestia questioned him.

“No! By showing every pony the wonderfulness of chaos, of course. But then, you got in my way, because you wanted all the honor and praise and…” But before Discord could finish his sentence, he saw the shocked gazes of the fillies, Shining Armor and Cadance and, because of this, burst out laughing.

“I am awfully sorry, but this had to be done. Look at your faces” He overplayed the total perplexity of everypony else. “Quite simply unparalleled. No, no. I know you are right. I messed things and ponies up for the sake of my entertainment.”

“You behave arrogantly, but you forget that our friends and family; your best friends, are in great danger.” Shining Armor snubbed him angrily.

“Oh come on.” Discord carried over self-confident. “We are talking about your sister and her friends. The Elements of Harmony. Those who defeated me, an army of Changelings, this King Sombra guy I have merely heard of and, how could we forget, helped you, the captain of the royal guard, several times saving Equestria; better said, did your job.”

He smiled at every pony. “Shouldn’t we have faith in their abilities by now? I am sure there is nothing we have to worry about, because there is nothing our friends can’t handle, right?”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders jumped joyfully because of his impressive speech and stood tautly in a row. “But of course not!”

“See?” Discord amended what he just said. “When these young fillies can have faith in these heroes, shouldn’t we have faith as well?”

The rest gazed unconfidently at him. They wanted to believe Discord’s words, but it was so hard for them.

“Hey… What is that?” Babs Seed asked silently while pointing at a distant light beam at a mountain chain.

Every member of the group looked at the spot Babs Seed had pointed at and were shocked by what they saw. A dark purple beam of energy raised towards the sky before it ultimately faded away. Everything was silent, even the beating of their heart; and not a single thought was on their mind.

“Fluttershy?” Discord wondered himself solicitously and in trepidation.

An purple, powder-blue energy blast consumed the mountain and expanded even further, before it once more collapsed and sent a blast wave in every direction that rooted all nearby trees and tore the ground open.

“Cover!” Shining Armor ordered everypony so they would eventually throw themselves on the ground to be protected from the blast wave that soon reached Ponyville.

Though it has simmered down on its path, the fur of the ponies and the grass still streamed heavily in the direction of the pressure wave. The drowning out sound intensity of the explosion deafened the ponies; and when it reached the center of Ponyville and with it the celebrating herd, the festival came to an immediate hold, because every single one had to press their hooves on their ears because of the clamant sound.

Discord, while gazing at the rest of their group and then at Ponyville, knew that the princesses’ subjects needed to be calm and in control for the possible attack of Pariah. He did not lose believe in his friends, but it was possible they might have lost the fight, but he chocked his thoughts of what might have happened to them down and created a skyrocket.

He shot it into the air and made it explode into millions of different colors over the heads of the pack, hoping that this would keep the illusion of a save world alive.

Everything faded away and when the ponies saw the firework display, they were quiet amazed. Discord once more took his chance and teleported himself on the tribune.

“I am awfully sorry my fellow ponies. This was a test for the firework tomorrow; and it looks like the amount of magic we have used was way too much. It was the reason for the bright lights, the heavy wind and the extreme audibility. Please forgive the team and we wish you two more enjoyable days.”

The teleported himself next to the little group on the hill and breathed a sigh of relief. “I think they swallowed it.”

“Good work, Discord.” Celestia thanked him honestly.

The princesses, the fillies, Shining Armor and Cadance got on their hooves again, rushed towards the top of the hill and fathomed the result of the explosion.

The mountain has been completely evaporated. Rocks and dust particles where still falling from the sky onto the ground and fading purple magic levins were evidence of a ginormous power.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders shed tears, but when Luna consoled them, they shook their heads and smiled.

“This must have been the final strike.” Sweetie Belle commented.

“Rainbow Dash must have absolutely worn this colt down in this epic finale.“ Scootaloo assured her friends, but especially herself.

“My sister and her friends will soon return and be praised as heroes; and… and we are going to be the best friends of the heroes… and we will make Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon so jealous, their heads will be more read than the apples we pick.”

They giggled nervously, but eventually calmed down and, still being comforted by Princess Luna.
Discord finally saw the remains of the mountain as well and swallowed in uneasiness.

“Do you now understand the importance and severity of our situation?” Celestia asked him dolefully.

“Yes… yes of course.” He replied before he got lost in his thoughts.

Shining Armor had a tear in his eye, unable to stop gazing at the center of the explosion. Cadance stood right next to him and fondled him with her wing; catching his tear and kissing him on the cheek. He immediately felt better, but still, he knew that his sister was in this explosion; and the precariousness about her physical condition plagued his heart.

“Never fear!” Celestia told him comfortingly. “They are out of danger for sure. Your sister, Twilight Sparkle, she is a very gifted unicorn and has a strong heart. Together with the power of friendship her friends give her, she surely managed to escape.”

Shining Armor let her words in and believed in them. “Yes. Yes you are right. But then tell me, Princess Celestia, why did you let them walk this path without preparation?”

“Because they had everything they need. Our knowledge would have only scared them; and this time, they need as much courage as possible. They are our only hope in this dark time. Without the Elements of Harmony, we cannot win this.”

“And to be honest…” Luna noted regretfully. “This anguish of mind would have been too much.”

Cadance finally comprehended the princesses’ situation. “You acted as you thought it was right, but now, you regret it; somehow. You have kept the secret for more than thousand years; and now, close at the parting of the ways, it overcomes you and lacerates your hearts.”

They princesses nodded and saddened, but got consoled by the Cutie Mark Crusaders who snuggled with Luna; and Discord, Shining Armor and Cadance, who comforted Celestia.

Celestia smiled, but turned her head and gazed funereally at the gigantic crowd that danced in hundreds of spotlights.

“This is why we lied. To see the ponies happy. Even if it might be their last days…”

“Everything is going to be alright.” Discord assured her. “You will see; the laughter won’t fade.”

Celestia smiled and left her insecurity behind; standing haughtily and steadily in front of the threesome. “So you understand the importance of what I have to task you with?”

“Yes. Yes of course. Everything needs to be ready for our friends so they can defeat him.” Shining Armor replied tautly.

“And like I said” Discord commented spontaneously. “There is a chance that Pariah has already been defeated, so don’t lose the spirit and keep on going.”

Shining armor looked deeply into his special somepony’s eyes and smiled at her.

“You can do it. For us; for me.” Cadance assured him.

“Yes. I can do it.” He shouted with confidence.

He turned around and faced Celestia alongside Discord and with a brave facial expression, he says what he has been always trained to say.

“Captain Shining Armor, ready to your command.”

The black colt stood on a sere area of grass, surrounded by detritus and dry, torn wood. The dust cloud slowly simmered down and allowed Ray to beat the dirt out of his fur.

“Whew! Seems like I blew it out of all proportions. Pride goes before a fall. I shouldn’t let my aggression and arrogance lead my body, but I guess this happens when you are awaken so rudely.”

He turned around and looked at the destroyed mountain. The basis still existed, but everything over the first one-third was obliterated in the magic explosion.

Ray’s attitude immediately shifted. There was nothing more gracing his face than a frown that was marked by sorrow.

“What a tragic waste; and uncountable more to come.” He mumbled before his eyes began to fill themselves with tears.

“No… No time for this.” He shook his bad mood and tears off. “I have to put an end to this; once and for all.”

Deadpan with slight seriousness, he walked away from the mountain and inched towards the direction of Canterlot he could clearly see even from this distance. As he entered the areas that were still filled with life and light, a line of atrophy and Death emerged and followed his every step.

========

The Antagonist wins. You surely would have not expected that. Me neither, since I did not regard the triumph over the Elements of Harmony as a victory, but actually as a loss.

I thought they could free me from my existence, but it seemed like I was wrong. They were just fillies; and I was expecting way too much.

At least this is what I thought around that time, but soon, this preliminary estimate should turn out to be wrong; but more to this at a later date.

Chapter 10: The Calm before the Storm

For the next parts, there is no reason for explaining you what you may not comprehend. Everything that happened that time was self-explanatory. It was a conflict; and not much else.

So without further intermissions, let us continue to tell this legend.

========

The flame red sunset bestrode the sky of Equestria and beyond. More than a whole day has passed since the incident with the purple explosion and the possible outbreak of Pariah and defeat of the Elements of Harmony.

Unsurprisingly, the crowd, consisting of thousands of ponies and several other species, continued to celebrate in their illusion of safety and everlasting elation.

But at the moment, they were completely silent and focused only on a little filly on a tribune near the entrance to Ponyville, who stood in front of a microphone on an upright column.

This filly was indeed Sweetie Belle, the most gifted singer of her age and the elected one to perform the song that accompanies with the legend of Pariah.

Though she had been put under stress since the princesses had revealed her and her friends the truth about Pariah's return, she swallowed her tremulousness and sang the lyrics as angelic as always.

Once upon a time, beyond we see
Lived one of us, the darkest entity
A soul of fragility
Doomed to rage eternally
Not a single light seemed to come
In darkness they believed we did belong

But from the ashes of fading aspiration
The heroes not succumbed reached ascension
The guardians of good and glory
Faced the gloomy pony in its fury
Vanquished the reverse and the dark
Allowed once more the hope to spark

A young pony longing for its love
Dolor, in vain, forlorn and alone
Galloping in the nearing nightfall
Hatred, despair, lonesome and consumed
A young pony longing for its life
Never, turn back, fulfill your fortune
Erasing the fading sunlight
Face the destiny of the doomed

Havoc never seen to have ceased
Elation yet to be released
Hearts broken, minds obscured
Harmony not found nor cured
Clouds of ignominy blocked the sun
Thoughts of the past engulfed all fun

The first red rose and blue sky
With the wind a slight hope came by
Fertile plains to be harvested
Might of gracious wings unsettled
And magic with its great idea
With the Fire of friendship found Equestria

A young pony longing for its love
Living with an everlasting frown
Desiring the never coming call
A black snowdrop never to have bloomed
A young pony longing for its life
Waiting to break out of the cocoon
Dreams of bringing the eternal night
'Cause his return has been loomed

If you could try to land me a hand
I am sure we would understand
No words can say how much I care
Together we can take a stand

Don't fall apart, sing with your heart
And always take it with you back to the start
Never decay, live every day
Always resist against the darkest sway

A young pony longing for its love
A young pony longing for its life
Dolor, in vain, forlorn and alone
Living with an everlasting frown
Galloping in the nearing nightfall
Desiring the never coming call
Hatred, despair, lonesome and consumed
A black snowdrop never to have bloomed
Never, turn back, fulfill your fortune
Waiting to break out of the cocoon
Erasing the fading sunlight
Dreams of bringing the eternal night
Face the destiny of the doomed
'Cause his return has been loomed

Don't fall apart, sing with your heart
And always take it with you back to the start
Never decay, live every day
Always resist against the darkest sway

Don't fall apart, sing with your heart
Together in friendship let us be a part
Never despond, friends will respond
Always stick in the harmony's bond

Don't fall apart, sing with your heart
And always take it with you back to the start
Never decay, live every day
Always resist against the darkest sway

Sing with your heart

She heavily breathed in and out after the last word has be sung by her debonaire, most charming voice. Immediately after a short respite, the crowd started to applaud and praise her excessively. Not even the princesses were reluctant to do so.

Sweetie Belle smiled, feeling the sensation of deserved proud, honor and gratification, especially when she could clearly see that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were eating their hearts out.

Shortly after she had been eulogized by everypony, she took a step backward and returned to her friends, the other Cutie Mark Crusaders.

As Celestia and Luna approached the microphone, the applause quickly faded away to give them the chance to continue the Festival of the Eclipse.

“Thank you very much, Sweetie Belle.” Luna praised her thankfully.

“The song our hearts embrace every 25 years. A song that tells the story of facing your fears no matter who or what you are. No matter if you are in the brightest light, or the most gloomy darkness, friends will always be there to guide you and bring you happiness and joy. A story that teaches us, that if we stick together, we can defeat even the greatest of all threats.

Pariah was one of these dangers for our well-being, but even if it seemed hopeless, and the spirit was fading, we never gave up. We fought until the end, and won the battle. And when we can defeat something as big as Pariah was, imagine what else we can do to bring ourselves the deserved peace and joyance. I, as your princess, vow by my duty as your princess, that we will maintain this golden age of great fortune for all eternity.”

Once more, the ponies and other species applauded the princesses openly, but since they respected their rulers, the applause did not last long, expecting Celestia and Luna to continue their speech.

Unfortunately, ponies could still hear a clapping that did not stop, not far from their position. A standing figure, covered in the shadow of a tree's leaves, gazed in direction of the princesses and the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Impressive. Very impressive.” The shadowy creature praised the forceful speakers. “Your words and the filly's voice were indeed compelling.”

The shade walked out of the tree's shadow and marched towards the princesses. The crowd saw what the being was. A colt, walking only on his hind legs, with a completely black fur, violet mane and tail, as well as lavender colored eyes.

They did not know why, but there was something sinister in his eyes and in his voice; and his Cutie Mark left an impression of menace, though unexplainable since they could not interpret it. The black colt attracted all attention; and because he stroke everypony with awe, they gave away to him.

Nearly at the outer brink of the crowd, about 40 meters away from the princesses, he stopped moving and smirked while gazing into the alicorn's eyes. “Long time no see... Celestia and Luna.”

The princesses faces grazed both a shock and trepidation, unable to confront this familiar opponent.

“What is the matter?” He questioned them. “Suddenly lost all spirit? How disappointing.”

He intended to walk a step closer, but 3 Royal Pegasus Guards with lances stood tautly between them.

“Stay were you are!” One of the guards threaten him. “In the name of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I must arrest you because of irreverent behavior and for preventing this festival from going on as planned.”

The black colt giggled and did not took the guards serious at all. “Don't make me laugh. I have no time for such bravado. Get out of my way.”

Like their opponent, the guards did not listen and held their line. The dark pony shook his head disappointingly and went into action. “Fine! Have it your way!”

A dark, sparks emitting aura covered his left foreleg and before they could say knife, they were tossed aside by something that seemed like a steam of magic controlled by the black colt, that quickly faded away. Flying uncontrollably over the heads of hundreds of ponies, the Royal Guards crashed headfirst into fruit and veg stalls.

The foe chuckled delightedly. “Classic.” He pointed out before focusing back on the princesses.

A discomposure enshrouded all attendees, as well as the Cutie Mark Crusaders who hid behind Celestia and Luna, even though these four fillies were aware of who and what this black colt was. Everypony kept a safe distance from the black colt and questions like 'who is he?' and 'what did he just do?' arose in the mumble of the crowd.

“What?” He questioned the ponies in the crowd. “Is that everything? No terror? No tears because of who stands in front of you?”

He gazed through the crowd. Though they very quite afraid of what he did to the guards, they did not seem to be in utter anguish and agony. At the beginning, he was absolutely confused, but quickly, he comprehended and gave the princesses a vicious smile.

“You did not tell them? Nobody knows who I am?” He asked rhetorically, before he laughed balefully. “Oh this is better than I could have ever imagined”

The black colt calmed down again and teleported a book in his hand with a by flipping. It looked exactly like the historical tradition Twilight brought with her on her journey.

“Does anyone, just a single one in this crowd, know what this book is?” He asked without getting any positive response.

“I can't believe it. Are you too busy or too ignorant to read something as important about history as this book contains?” He frowned upon everypony else.

“It is a historical tradition about what you are celebrating here at this festival. It contains everything, even a little prophecy I would like to share with you.”

The black colt cleared his throat and read a passage of the book he has in his hooves. “Thus spoke Pariah, he would return one day, overcoming every obstacle no matter what and finish what he once began, shortly before the fiftieth time the world experiences a near-drowning in lasting darkness...”

He simply smirked and was fascinated by all the daunted, but also confused gazes others gave him as he threw the book away.

“Suddenly, it makes sense that all of you were so elated and carefree. You are unaware of everything and even now, I can see that bewilderment plagues your minds. But don't worry, I will open your eyes.”

The black colt turned to the princesses and asked them a fundamental question. “Shall I tell them, or do you wish to?”

“This won't be necessary.” Luna stated unwaveringly.

“You are the reason we celebrate this festival.“ Celestia continued. “You are the dark pony the light fears. You are the incarnation of disharmony. You are... Pariah.”

Finally, everypony comprehended who stood in front of them. His beating around the bush may have caused some fear, but this revelation filled their minds and hearts with terror and agony. They distanced themselves away from him.

“Now, you finally understand who I am. Yes. It is true. I am the pony legends refer to as Pariah. Well, not exactly actually. As you may have recognized, I look like a simple Earth Pony; nothing special, but that I have very dark fur. I know I am described as a monstrosity of a pony, with 4 wings and a horn. And that is why I am here.”

He gazed balefully at the princesses. “To take something back you two stole from me to become whole again.”

He smirked and walked towards the princesses while channeling dark magic in his hooves. “So; let's not waste time.”

“On your position!” A stallion shouted out loud, after which dozens of Royal Guards, as well as Night Guards, Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi alike came out of seemingly nowhere and surrounded Pariah, pointing their pikes and horns at him.

Immediately after that, another voice, a voice of a mare, resounded. “Take stand!” The mare yelled, causing several more armored ponies to give up their cover and surround Pariah. These ponies looked different from their common counterparts, shining like they were covered up in oil in a gleaming armor. At last, the two commanding ponies, Shining Armor in his uniform and Princess Candace stepped on the tribune and showed the dark pony that they were ready to defend Equestria.

Pariah, unsurprisingly, was not afraid at all, rather amused and sniggered. “Oh this is getting better and better with every minute. So you are telling me that your guard knows about my return, but your subjects don't? Oh Celestia, Luna. I am so deeply disappointed in you.”

He gazed around and simpered. “Crystal Ponies? Interesting. I always thought they were so introverted that they would never leave the Crystal Empire. Well, things change apparently.”

“My subjects, back out of this” Celestia ordered; and because of their fear, they did not object and distanced themselves from the conflict even further.

“Finally, a bit of sense in your actions.” He slagged the princesses off.

“We were always acting wisely.” Luna confronted him. “Letting our subjects live in constant fear from you? No, we could allow this to be.”

“But of course not. You have always been that kindhearted.” Pariah replied disparagingly

He turned to the dozens of guards that surrounded him. “Don't waste yourselves away. You don't have a chance against me. Nopony has anymore. Just let me pass; and it will be over quickly.”

Not to his surprise but to his resentment, they held their line. Though they showed courage, he could feel that they were afraid of him; and Pariah enjoyed that.

“Fine. If you want it the hard way...” He commented about their action.

Then, Pariah whistled. Surprisingly, seemingly appearing out of thin air, green flames covered up dozens of ponies in the crowd and their true formed revealed itself. They were like a combination of ponies and flies, with a small horn and dragon-like wings on their back. Colored in dark gray, they had no pupils in their bluish eyes; and two fangs emblazed their powerful set of teeth.

They spat furiously at the innocent civilians which made them petrified of these creatures, before quickly soaring into the air and ambushing the flathoofed and shocked guardians. They were easily overwhelmed by this fierce force, though some of them were not captured and bore against the ground, but cornered by these beings.

“May I introduce you?” Pariah said respectfully. “My attendant crowd, these are the Changelings. Changelings, these are the inhabitants of Equestria, including the Crystal Empire and beyond. And how could I forget to welcome your precious and sagacious ruler, Queen Chrysalis.”

Introducing her and bowing to her, green flames suddenly right next to him, from which the infamous Changelings Queen arose. She waved her mane around and moaned happily.

“Aah. Yes. Equestrian air. Always fresh and always having the right temperature. It is good to be here again. I should visit it more often. No, no. Better idea.”

She smirked in Celestia's and Luna's direction. “I will conquer it so I have no reason to ever return.”

Celestia immediately recognized her and fury collected itself in her eyes “You!”

But before she could continue, a sound, a menacing buzzing, seemed to came closer and closer. Uncountable shadows darkened parts of the ground, as the buzzing came closer with each second. Utter shock graced the ponies' faces when hundreds, if not a thousand more Changelings flew from the Everfree Forest right behind Queen Chrysalis and Pariah.

Many of them formed brigades of dozens of warriors, but a big part also remained in the air. The daunting army that formed up behind the two evil beings imposed agony on every single pony and individuals of other species, causing even the unfearful Shining Armor to swallow nervously.

Barely with anypony noticing it, another changeling, a unique looking, with a blue hair and tale, sharper wings, longer fangs, a edgy horn and eyes similar to those of Chrysalis, as well as a similar plate on his back. She stroke his neck a little, with a gentle smile like a mother, to which the young changeling nodded with a severe gaze on his face.

Pariah starred into the shocked princesses eyes, but simply chuckled. “Oh come on. Did you really think that I would face you all on my own once again? No, no, no, no, no. You see, I learn from my mistakes. But I assume you will as well when you get a second chance, like me.”

He abruptly stopped and smirked balefully. “Pardon me. You won't have another chance.”
Stone-cold silence ruled the entire situation after this assumable fulmination, but Pariah shock his head and remembered something.

“Oh yes.” Pariah suddenly commented. “Somehow, I completely forgot about this. Ahem, bring me the horn please.”

To his order, one of several Changelings in armor, probably serving commanders, marched towards the black colt and delivered him a horn-like shaped object in awe stricken silence. Pariah took it much obliged and held with one hoof in front of him, deliberately presenting it to the crowd and his main opponents.

This horn was curved and had an unusual color gradient. On the top, it was red, quickly becoming darker until it is completely black at the bottom.

Suddenly, Cadance's facial expression changed from bravery into disquiet, because she recognized what that strange object actually was.

“No. It's his horn...”

“Exactly, Princess of the Crystal Empire.” He told her with pride. “It is time to welcome an old friend of yours.”

The foreleg he held the horn with cramped when he channeled so incredible high amounts of magic in it, that is literally engulfed it.

“Time to release... the shadow.”

He squalled, groaning while clenching his teeth, as he canalized tremendous amounts of dark magic into the horn. Slowly, but consistently, a viscous substance, some sort of dark energy, formed itself under hoof, taking the shape of a pony-like figure, though still very inchoate.

“Stop him!” Celestia ordered the remaining guards that were not captures by the changelings, but even though they tried, they were prevented from doing so by a whole enemy brigade and were taken captivated; simply by being stomped down on the ground and hold there.

With a simple signal, Chrysalis ordered her troops to drag them to the side so the show was clear for everypony to see.

“Oh please, Celestia.” Pariah commented about her aggressive behavior. “Why so impatient? The real show hasn't even begun, yet.”

He still held he horn and soon, inside the shadow, two eyes appeared right under the horn itself. They had brilliant scarlet, dragon-like pupils, surrounded by a green conjunctiva which emitted a lavender veil of magic.

“I know you... shadow of your former self. And I request your help to take revenge on those who imposed this gruesome doom on you. You may know me. nor trust me, so I will be obliging and give you back what the ponies once took from you. Consider it a token of our new friendship.”

With his other hoof, he flipped; using his magic to teleport another object and holding it in the air with a levitation spell. As if the return of this evil shade was not enough, Pariah also managed to gain access to a quintessential artifact both Cadance and Shining Armor recognized.

“Impossible! How did you get access to the Crystal Heart!?” Cadance yelled at him.

“Oh please, Princess Cadance.“ He replied. “Now you are offending me. Your protection spell was very easy to overcome and besides that, all your loyal subjects weren't there to protect it, since they had been here, celebrating the festival to honor me.”

He gazed at the precious, crystalline heart. “Aah yes. The Crystal Heart. Even when I was a young colt, this artifact was shrouded in legend. It is a catalyst that amplifies positive emotions, especially love; and turns them into very strong magic, capable to bring happiness and prosperity over all of Equestria, maybe even beyond. It is so strong, that it allows to have an area as big as the empire itself to be lush green and nice and warm, but also able to be cultivated; in a hostile place like the Arctic, though I won't even begin to question why they formed the empire there in the first place.
“And now, I have this precious relict in my own hooves. And it will serve my purposes perfectly. As it contains a huge amount of light in itself, I shall free you from your curse and give you a second chance.”

Without hesitation, he slammed the Crystal Heart into the shade; and when it was engulfed completely, the dark eyes widened and the shadow screamed stridently. A bright, white light covered it over and blinded most attendees, but Pariah who stared viciously at his work.

“Stop! Don't do it Pariah!” Cadance begged him, but he did not care.

Soon, the light faded and as the now corrupted Crystal Heart fell down on the ground, it revealed that the shadow has vanished, but instead, there stood another pony in front of Pariah. It was a unicorn stallion with that strange horn on his head. It was gray with a black mane and tail. It wore armor made of iron and on his back, a robe that looked kingly.

The Unicorn opened his demonic eyes and starred satanically into the black colts eyes.

“Tell us your name.” Pariah request him respectfully.

The gray Unicorn smirked balefully, but answered his question with pleasure. “Sombra. King Sombra.”

Pariah put forth one of his hooves and pointed at the royalty on the tribune.

“Sombra. I know you and your history. These ponies are your enemies. They have taken away your body, sealed you into ice and most of all, they have taken your regal right to rule the Crystal Empire and their inhabitants as their sovereign. And then, they destroyed you another time.

“Oh; and besides.“ He added when he turned to the princesses. “Seriously, Celestia and Luna? Turning a pony into a shadow and banishing him into ice? That is not typical for you. Seems like you get desperate easily. Well, this situation here right now proves it anyway, so what else do I have to say about it.”

Celestia and Luna looked furiously at him, to his very pleasure. “Anyway, I would like to offer you something, Sombra.” He said while Sombra himself stared angrily at Princess Cadance who he recognized easily.

“I am the one that quickened your regeneration into a shadow by one thousand years; and I even gave you a new body so you can use the true extent of your power; and be whole once again. Join me, and we will teach these insolent ponies a lesson.”

Sombra questioned the pony in front of him, but he could feel a very cold presence coming from him. His gaze got distracted by the sight of the Crystal Heart.

“Still not trusting me?” Pariah asked while he realized what Sombra had in mind. “But I know how to make you.”

Without saying anything, he took some steps forward, presenting himself openly. He put one of his hind legs on the Crystal Heart, like a conqueror mounting a flag into the ground on a hill, and put pressure on it.

“What are you doing with the Crystal Heart?!” Cadance asked him furiously.

“Oh please. Who needs happiness and prosperity anyway?”

“W-what?!”

But before she could even move, Pariah already channeled magic into his hoof and rammed it into the Crystal Heart, causing it to crack and shatter into uncountable pieces. Sombra laughed diabolically, obviously pleased by what the black colt just did.

“No!” The royal ponies shouted desperately, but it was way too late for them to act.

Pariah smirked happily and turned to Sombra. “The only weapon they could use against you has been destroyed by my own hooves. Do you trust me now?”

To which Sombra delightedly replied. “Yes”

“Splendid” Pariah responded happily. “But first.”

He introduced Sombra to Chrysalis. “Sombra, this is Chrysalis, queen of the changelings; the ginormous army you see behind her. Chrysalis, this is Sombra; former dictator of the Crystal Empire.”

Funnily enough, these two greeted each other with much respect, like they would feel some sort of sudden bond of affection towards each other.

Sombra walked over her and kissed one of her hooves she reached out for him. “It is benevolent to meet someone as enchanting as you are.”

“Oh my. You abash me. The pleasure is entirely mine.”

Seeing this licentious display of affection made the Cutie Mark Crusaders shiver and feel execrate.

“This for sure isn't lovely at all.” Scootaloo pointed out to which her friends nodded.

Even Pariah did not feel very well when he had to watch this odd situation, so he tried his best to bring their attack back as the number one topic by flipping.

“Ahem. Guys? Didn't you forget something?” He explained while pointing at the princesses. “Something about taking vengeance and such?”

Pushed out of their daydream, Sombra and Chrysalis blushed backed off form each other a little. Pariah shook his head and turned back to his opponents.

“How did you even manage to get so much support and knowledge? We thought you were released just yesterday.” Celestia asked him inquisitively.

“Impressed, huh?” He replied. “Of course I had to push myself a little to make it in time, but I knew exactly where to begin with.”

“How that?” Luna sought for unveiling.

“By tracking down the paths the darkness has gone, of course.” He answered her question.

“What do you mean by that?” Cadance questioned him discomposedly.

“Light in this world is everywhere. But darkness; darkness sticks out like a flower in a dessert in this place. I can feel its presence, as I am darkness myself. I felt two ginormous presences of darkness near me, next to some tiny sprinkles here and there I did not bother to inspect. In the place the ponies call 'The Badlands', the kingdom of the changelings behind the southern dessert; and of course in the Arctic North near the Crystal Empire. I did not knew what would await me there, but it would turn out that I would be gently assuaged.
“The changelings were hostile at the beginning, but when they felt my magic, they backed off and I came into contact with their queen. Knowing that I would gain their assistance, I galloped towards the Crystal Empire. It was night, when I arrived and somewhere in the snow, I found Sombra's horn. At that time, I did not quite understand what it was and why it contained such much energy, so I decided to visit the local library to understand it. Realizing that nobody was in the Crystal Empire, I ran riot and gathered every piece of information I could get. Since the history considering Sombra has been written down, I knew what to do. Take it and the Crystal Heart with me; and so I did.
“Without hesitation, I returned and waited here for the perfect timing to let my plan do its job and succeed.”

The ponies; but also the changelings along with Chrysalis and Sombra were very impressed of his plan. Managing something like this in such a short time was indeed something that left a big impression.

“So you are telling me that you can gallop through Equestria off the reel in half a day?!” Shining Armor questioned him unbelieving.

“Well...” He replied before he instantly teleported himself right in front of him by using magic. “This helped out quite much.” He answered before teleporting himself back to the spot where he just stood on.

Once more, everything seemed to have been spoken out, but Pariah was not quite finished, yet.

“So Celestia, Luna. Will you make it easy for us and your subjects and simply surrender now? Or will you allow terror to break loose in Equestria and us to take revenge on you?”

“Wait, no!” Celestia shouted out loud. “Chrysalis, Sombra! I do not know Pariah made you trust him or promised you, but it is not in his intention to keep it! It is not his sole desire to take revenge. He craves to not simply destroy us, but everything! If you follow him, you will meet the same fate he threatens us with. If you allow him to continue, he will wipe out our world, along with you.”

Chrysalis and Sombra where quite shocked about what Celestia revealed about him. That was untypical for her, trying to back off from a confrontation. She seemed to be desperate, something they did not expect to see from here. But before they could scrutinize Pariah, he chuckled.

“And once again, you let me down. So desperate? I never made them trust me; and I never promised anything. They simply followed me because of my power.”

He stood between his allies and his opponents. “I don't care what you do with Equestria or anything else. You can conquer it, destroy it; it's not my busyness. All I want are the princesses and my amulet. The rest is in your hooves. And now, where I am here, you have probably the best chance you will ever have to do so.

“After all, you have no reason to distrust me. Chrysalis, I served you a gigantic amount of love on a silver plate; and Sombra, I did not only speed your regeneration process up, I also gave you a whole new body. Not just that, but because of me, you have a chance to take revenge on Cadance and take back your kingship.”

“No!” Luna interrupted him. “Don't you realize? Pariah is not a pony, not anymore! You cannot trust him. He has become pure darkness; and he will show now mercy when he achieved his goal!”

But Pariah simply shook his head. “He-he, they are right. I am not a pony, not really at least. But like I said. I never asked or forced you to do anything. All I did was because I wanted it that way. What you do now is completely your decision. You can join Celestia and Luna and stop me, if you want to. Or you can stand by my side to oppress your enemies. The choice is yours, but choose wisely.”

After his speech, he made a step towards the princesses, seemingly incentivizing Chrysalis and Sombra to make their decision by distancing himself from them. Nearly without hesitation, they followed him, with Chrysalis on his left side and Sombra on his right side.

“No” Celestia begged them. “You are doing a horrible mistake. He is not a po...”

But Chrysalis interrupted her heedlessly. “I don't care if he is a pony or not. His logic is flawless and he already showed himself to be a great ally. If he says he simply wants you and his amulet for what reason whatsoever, I can live with that easily.”

To which Sombra added with a sinister voice. “I agree.”

Without Sombra or Chrysalis noticing, his facial expression changed from seriousness to a diabolic grin. And they noticed something, something in his eyes. Seemingly some sort of a red light in his eyes, as malignity itself would residence in them. Quickly, this and his gaze faded away, and Pariah continued to badmouth the princesses.

“Well, looks like the cards have been dealt out. Everything was so easy, it's embarrasses me to see you in this situation. You are resisting me, but you have no chance against me and an entire army. Especially now where the Elements of Harmony aren't anymore to stop me or my allies again.”

“Actually...” Chrysalis commented. “It was Cadance and Shining Armor who foiled my plans.”

“Same to me.” Sombra added.

Pariah starred at Chrysalis and Sombra in bewilderment. “Seriously? That is... rather distressing to be honest.”

“Wait! What?!” About every pony asked in shock when they comprehended Pariah's words.

“What have you done to my sister you monster?!” Shining Armor questioned him irately.

“Your sister? He asked before he took a look at his Cutie Mark and comprehended. “Ah... I see. You mean Twilight I suppose. Well, she, alongside her friends, are currently buried under a million tons of debris and rubbish.”

“What?!” Once more echoed loudly through the crowd.

“No! You lie!” Cadance yelled at him. “They can't have lost against you!”

“What have we done...?” Celestia and Luna moaned over their mistakes.

“They are the Elements of Harmony!” Shining Armor convinced himself. “No pony can defeat them.” He explained before a tear streamed down his face.

But like always, Pariah shook his head in resentment and revealed everything. “They tried to convince me that this world has something left for me after they have accidentally released me. I refused and told them to get out of my way, but they resisted. And such, I had to face them; and get rid off them.”

The ponies in front of them sobbed and tried to deny it by yelling at him, calling him a lyer because he had no solid proof, but he indeed had and so, he kept his tone.

“Fluttershy; a yellow Pegasus and the Element of Kindness. Rarity, a light gray Unicorn and the Element of Generosity. Pinkie Pie, a, obviously, very random pink Earth Pony and the Element of Laughter. Rainbow Dash, a blue pain in the neck of a Pegasus and the Element of Loyalty. Applejack, an orange Earth Pony with a strange accent and the Element of Honesty. Their best friend, a little, purple dragon called Spike. And last but not least, Twilight Sparkle, an incredibly gifted violet Unicorn and Element of Magic.”

“R-Rainbow Dash...” Scootaloo sobbed.

“A-Applejack...” Apple Bloom sniveled while by hugged tightly by Babs Seed.

“R-Rarity...” Sweetie Belle lamented in tears.

Celestia gazed furiously at him, nearly tearing up. “Only because you know their name doesn't mean...”

“The historical tradition is the best proof.” Pariah replied cold-heartedly. “I found it some hooves away from the spot where the mountain collapsed. It is hers, because she quoted it before our battle to convince me and asking me questions. How should I know about it in the first place if it would not have been that way?”

“You monster!” Sweetie Belle yelled at him with a tearful voice.

“Hmpf.” He retorted. “Call me what you want, but it was not my fault. They resisted me after I tried to be reasonable. I never wanted to combat them, but they were too stubborn, so they had to pay the price.”

He shook his head and continued to explain himself. “That is why I am warning you. I don't want to harm anyone, but I've I have to, I will take you out with my own hooves, like the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.”

“Expect that you did not took us out!” A familiar voice called from an unknown spot.

Everypony recognized that voice and before they could say knife, a popular Unicorn stepped on the tribune alongside her friends. All attendees smiled and breathed a sigh of relief while rubbing the tears out of their eyes,

There they were. Just thought to be gone forever, they were standing strong and tall. Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie with their respective element, and even Spike. They gazed seriously to Pariah, who had a hard time holding the enraged Chrysalis and Sombra off.

“But where is...” One of the fillies asked before another pony pressed her hoof on the filly's mouth.

Pariah was completely confused, even in shock when he saw that his opponents where jolly and once more ready to face him. This time, he was unable to understand, so he needed to ask them.

“But... how?”

“To put it in your own words.” She said before teleporting herself in front of him. “This helped out quite much.” Twilight explained snootily before quickly teleporting herself back to her former position.

Though the princesses and Shining Armor desired to embrace her now, it was an inappropriate situation, but they helped her holding her line by standing right behind her. Pariah on the contrary clenched his teeth in anger and even snarled in his fury, before calming down after some seconds.

“Darn teleportation spell. Always preventing strong attack from taking effects." He mumbled before he focussed back on his opponents.

He-he... You really never cease to surprise me. I thought you are one of the most gifted Unicorn's I have ever seen, but now I realize the true potential inside you. Performing this spell with barely any stamina left and in the calamity you were.”

Still standing on his hind legs, he began to applaud her, which she took as an insult an rejected.

“Though it doesn't matter, as you I defeated you because you yourself don't comprehend your own potential.”

“Cut it out!” Twilight replied angrily.

“Enough with your friendly chatting.” Rarity continued abrasively.

“What's all this fuss about anyway?” Applejack added confusedly.

“You want to make everypony cry; and I will not let this happen.” Pinkie Pie explained before putting out her party-canon and aiming at him.

“I am sorry Ray.” Fluttershy continued.” But...”

“But it doesn't matter if you are nice towards us! Your goal remains the same! To destroy this world!” Spiked interrupted her, to which Fluttershy nodded supportively.

Pariah shook his head once again, but this time, rage seemed to control his mind. “I tried to make it easy for you, but you did not listen! I tried to make it easy for you as well, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, but you did not listen and defied me! And now you are defying me once again, Twilight Sparkle?!”

Incredible powerful, dark magic began to cover his body in thunder-like channels. “I tried what I could to avoid conflicts, but you were too stubborn. Alright! I will cut it out! You want the Pariah from the legend, so you will get it! But don't expect me to contain myself when your lying on the ground with tears in your eyes!”

Once again, his malignity seem to shine in crimson inside of his eyes, with Twilight noticing it this time. “W-What is...”

He began to walk towards his enemies, with his allies following him, ready to unleash terror on the ponies, but suddenly, Celestia mumbled something. “Now.”

From behind the tribune, Discord appeared and shot a gigantic firework towards Pariah.

“Long time no see old pal!” He yelled joyfully.

“Discord?!” He realized in bewilderment as the rocket flew in his direction.

Celestia turned to the crowd to warn them. “Run away and seek shelter!”

Before hitting Pariah and his allies, the rocket exploded, but not as they were expected. Instead, it realeased a light so bright that it blinded everypony who starred right into it. The crowd did as they were ordered and run away into Ponyville to seek shelter. The captures guards managed to escape because of the distracted changelings and returned to their captain and princess.

“We gotta go now!” Twilight told Celestia.

“Do you still have the amulet?”

“I hid it!” She replied

They understood and trusted Twilight, so they followed their plan and galloped away as quickly as they could, just as the bright light faded away. He tried to aim at the his going opponents, but suddenly, he realized something.

“Wait! Where is Rainbow Dash?!”

He suddenly heard something that resembled a war cry echoing from above him. He turned his head into the ear and looked with a shocked gaze at the things that rushed towards him. It was a rainbow-colored Pegasus that flew so fast towards him that it caused some sort of angle in front of her, the same technique she once tried on him as well in the cave.

“Oh this Pegasus is really starting to annoy me...”

The guards scattered around the city to protect it and civilians. Just the heroes and their friends jumped from the tribune and galloped away, they heard the ginormous bang Rainbow Dash's attack had caused. As they turned around, an enormous, rainbow-colored mushroom cloud rose from the ground into the air, like the one Applejack experienced when she was supposed to destroy Applejack's old shed.

As the mushroom cloud faded away, the causer herself flew uncontrollably in the direction of her friends, but was gently caught and brought to the ground by Celestia's magic.

Leaning on her Rarity and Applejack, she chuckled with a wide smile on her face. “Finally... That will teach him”

“Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked her solicitously.

“But of course. I am fit as a fiddle” She said while groaning a bit. “Okay... maybe a little brake.”

Suddenly, Shining Armor and Cadance embraced Celestia, as well did the Cutie Mark Crusaders with their respective family members and role model; even Discord who hugged Fluttershy blithely. Since Spike and Pinkie Pie were left out, they hugged each other, though they were quickly embraced by everypony else, which made especially Pinkie Pike grin happily.

Though the reunion was filled with love, tears of relief and laughter, Shining Armor turned around to the tribune and asked the inevitable. “Now what do we do?”

To which Twilight replied grievingly. “I... I don't know.”

As the dust settled again, Pariah, kneeling on the ground stood up and beat the dust out of his fur. “Rainbow Dash sure has some unique skills.”

He turned his head and saw all the changelings scattered slightly stricken on the ground, but alongside Sombra and their queen, they managed to stand up again.

He starred at the flame red sky and closed his eyes, seemingly forcing himself to keep cool. “Soon... it will be over...”
He regained focus and walked towards the tribune, channeling his magic energy as the crimson spark in his eyes returned.

“Chrysalis, Sombra. If you seek to do so... burn this place to ashes...”

Bonus Chapter 9.5: Under Cover of Darkness

The sun stood high above the sky, when a black colt sat on the shore of a lake next to a gigantic plain covered in high grass, colorful flowers and filled with a wide variety of tiny animals. His hind legs were slightly wet from the slender waves that flushed the fine sand.

This pony, graspable it was Radiant Eclipse, held a book in his hooves in which he read. It was the historical tradition that must have been blown away in the gigantic explosion Ray caused, but it was rather intact.

His gaze focused on a single paragraph in the last page; the page that looked cracked, as it would have been subtracted from the former page.

He read it carefully, over and over again, trying to digest it but without success. His lips jittered somewhat, when suddenly, a single tear poured out of his eye and shattered on the antique vellum of the book. Ray felt the moistness on his cheek and saw the wet spot on the brownish paper.

Carefully, he put his hoof on his cheek, on the wet spot on his face and gently stroked over it, seemingly unable to comprehend what just happened. How could he feel anything? How could he cry? He was incomplete. Not that he only lacked his soul, he was even partially darkness. A thought came in his mind. Maybe his soul was just who he is, and the heart may amplify the souls power into emotions. Ray lost what he once was, so maybe, just maybe, this made sense. At least it did for him.

He put away his slightly wet hoof and starred at it, holding it into the sun where it caused to reflect the light, making the edge of it shine brightly.

“What... am I...?”

Suddenly, he simply let his hoof dangle next to him, as he saw a single rose in the lilac field behind him. He did not know why, but he felt the urge to pick it. When he did, he flashed both the book's last page and the rose a glance.

“Even in the gloomiest of all darknesses...” He whispered to himself before pressing the rose against his heart.

“There is always a love that guides you as the brightest of all lights.” He continued, before he experienced once more the payment of the debt to nature.

In his hoof, still pressing it against his heart, the rose quickly withered; and died, like love has the nature of easily being deteriorated. As he suspired, he put the dead rose on the calm lake and regarded it, as it slowly began to sink in and eventually, it vanished in the dark abyss of the waters.

He sighed in despair, but shook himself from it and meditated, letting his dark magic become one with the flow of life and magic.

Ray was able to see it in front of his eyes, like he was watching a movie. Every path the darkness has walked in this world were like the word of a wise man to him; articular and understandable. There were many paths, but most of them were extremely small. Ray knew that this was normal darkness in every beings existence. Some of it bigger, some barely existent. They were not of his origin, uncompareable to the might of his own darkness.

But there were a hoofful of paths that seemed to not fit in the archetype of this world. One of this entities seemed to be far away from him; and apparently, it vanished from this planet for a very long time. Ray assumed it was located somewhere in the Arctic North far away from him. A source of darkness he felt connected to? Going this way was clearly something he intended to do, but he could not grasp the other paths.

One of it seemed to have grown over the time and always stayed at one place, with one exception where it was for just some days in a place the Guardians of Harmony must have referred to as 'Equestria'. He did not feel a strong bond between this and that particular darkness, but something about it felt familiar. Maybe he was just imagining it, but he was sure he wanted to give it a shot.

But what confused him the most was relatively nearby to him, presumable in the forest at the other side of the plain he could clearly spot. Very strong darkness suddenly unleashed itself, but then, it vanished from this planet. After a long time, it reappeared, only to be... to be sealed.

He saw enough and stood up in his confusion, leaving his meditation and his forced bond with the magic behind.

“What... happened in the past thousand years...?”

He gazed at everywhere, but the only thing he could see was shining light in form of life and harmony. They must have been anomalies... maybe fragments of his darkness that were lost in his past struggle. But in the end, what did it matter? Not much was what he thought.

“I guess it won't matter when it's all over...”

He took a deep breath and turned his body into the direction of the most nearby source of darkness and cantered in its direction, enjoying the warm sensation his surrounding gives him, likely for the last time ever.

After a straining march through an area that was rather a dry steppe than a dessert, he entered an uncommon looking place. A place he assumed to be a Badlands. It looked licentiously, and many small hills grazed the view. The ground was dusty, but not dead at all. No, there were many spots were scrubs and steppe grass filled the face of the plain. It was definitely more living than the steppe he just came from in terms of flora, but to his resentment, it was also hotter and the air was drier than ever before. The midday sun proverbially incinerated his hide.

To his disappointment, he could not see the gigantic source of darkness. Even after entering a wide area with a clear view, there was nothing, but sprinkles of gloominess.

“Something is not right here...” He assumed dubiously.

This assumption should have revealed itself to be correct, when out of nowhere, green bursts of flames surrounded him; and for him unknown creatures stepped out of it. This insect-like ponies with a chitin-exoskeleton instead of a hide, approximately two dozens of them, baffled him when they began to chuckle menacingly at him. All of them looked exactly the same, with the exception of one, who had pupils in his eyes, a green plate on his back and something that could be considered its mane and tail.

Both Ray and the most likely leader of these things gazed into each others eyes. The creatures attitude shifted from dominance so some sort of a mix between confusion and fear. Radiant Eclipse interpreted their behavior as instinct, like they could likely feel magic and comprehended that he was not ordinary being. At the same time, he could sense that something was not right with them, as they were... heartless, lacking all of their love. Maybe he found his source of darkness which was right in front of him, but there were definitely more of them than just these two dozens.

“What...” The leading creature began to ask in a voice that was very similar to Ray's voice, but slightly distorted, likely because of its bigger and sharper bit and jaw. “What do you want here?”

“So you can talk.” Ray remarked with a fascinated, but calm voice.

“But of course we can.” The black colt's opponent replied angrily. “What do you think we are? Wildlife?”

“No, your organized attack erased this possibility.”

“My question remains. What do you want here?”

“I want to offer something... to your leader. An opportunity to invade Equestria... successfully.”

Though Ray only guessed that this was once their intention, his sharp mind allowed him to nail it perfectly. The tone of the creatures in front of him changed once again into surprise. But on the other hand, they could feel an incredible strong, dark presence coming from that pony, if he still could be considered as such. They did not laugh at him, nor doubt him. He was absolutely serious. Even the pack's leader saw this black fire in the dark colt's eyes and believed him. Without hesitation, he waved Ray to him and lead him to his home, accompanied by his troops.

They found themselves in a seemingly disorganized area mostly under the ground, with many tunnels, filled with weak sunlight that shined through holes in the ceiling. All in all, it was a typical hive, only in ginormous size, and not crowded. Everypony had much free space, considering that Ray only counted about a hundred to a thousand of these bizarre creatures.

After walking through the tunnels for about a minute or two, they found themselves in a circular room that was at least as big as a stadium. On a gallery on a greenish black throne at the other end of the hall, there sat the biggest of all creatures, which was very likely a female, according to her body and her face's shape.

Only the both of them standing in front of her, because the others have had separated from them, the young creature bowed to her presumable Queen.

“You have returned my son.” She said proudly before taking a glimpse of Radiant Eclipse. “Who is that, Chetyre?”

“Mother Chrysalis, this is... someone that requested an audience.”

“A pony?! In The Changeling Kingdom?!” She questioned in bewilderment. “How absurd!”

“No, mother.” Chetyre contradicted respectfully. “He is... different. You will understand.”

Ray starred into Queen Chrysalises eyes; and so did she. At first, she doubted him, but then, she comprehended what her son tried to tell her and was very interested in to know more about him.

“Servants!” She yelled, but with a rather friendly than threatening voice. “Bring your prince and his guest seating-accommodations.”

And without hesitation, more of these changelings, as Chrysalis called them, did as they were told and both Ray and Chetyre were able to make themselves comfortable on big, high and fleecy pillows.

“So... pony...” Chrysalis asked Ray. “What could bring someone like you into this kingdom?”

“The name's Ray. Radiant Eclipse.” He replied. “And I am here to offer you a chance to conquer Equestria and assimilate it into your kingdom.”

“Why would you do this?” Chetyre asked him curiously.

“Because it would be too time-consuming to do it all on my own.”

“To do what exactly?” Chrysalis asked him fascinatingly.

“Taking revenge on Celestia and Luna.”

At first, they were confused. Why would a pony want to take revenge on their beloved princesses? But they listened to him, and he explained everything he could. Beginning with his story, his cravings and how he defeated the Elements of Harmony. Of course he left certain things out the changelings could and should not know to gain their trust. After he finished, Chrysalis and Chetyre thought about it, but were not convinced yet.

“Even though your doings left a big impression.” Chrysalis admitted. “I am not sure if this would be a good idea.”

“Fine. Then not.” Radiant Eclipse replied before he stood up and walked away. “I tried what I could, but I have no more time to waste here.”

“Wait!” Chrysalis yelled at him. “How impertinent from you! First requesting our assistance and then turning your back on us!? I would have captivated you if you weren't so... different.”

“No” He replied. “I am not here to request any help. I was only here to give you an opportunity, which would allow me to fulfill my own plans way easier. I don't care what you are going to do with this situation if it benefits you. That is not my business.”

He once more took some steps away in the direction of the tunnel that lead him out of this hive, before Chrysalis intervened.

“Ray, wait!”

He turned his head and gazed at her. “I'll be awaiting you; in the evening tomorrow, at the place where the fiftieth time the world experiences a near drowning in lasting darkness occurs.”

After these words, leaving the changelings in bewilderment but also with interest behind, he left this surreal place and headed towards his next goal, the Arctic North.

Pure darkness, but the stars and the moon grazed the face of the sky; and as Ray stood in an area covered in knee-high snow, he took deep breathes to refresh himself. Fordable, but algid wind streamed through the eternal plain of snow and ice. It was extremely cold. So icy in fact that his slightly due to the wind in snow and ice covered body shivered heavily. He was completely super-cool, but he seemed to be able to withstand it, or he simply did not care about it, because he was too focused on something else.

As the black colt hunkered down and took something very out of place in his hoofs, he smirked, presumably because he found what he was looking for. Still, he was not sure what he was supposed to do with this object. In his hoofs, he held the horn of a former evil tyrant. Sombra's horn. But he could not know that.

As he looked around, he could spot the near Crystal Empire with its lush grasses and welcoming atmosphere. Somehow, he felt that this place had a connection with this horn, so he went to it for further investigation.

After entering it, it was remarkably warmer. Very pleasing to his surprise, but he simply thought to himself that this was due to magic. What he found odd is that the entire city was empty of souls. He was the only pony in this entire empire, as everypony else were somewhere else. Maybe for a festival or alike. He did not care, but due to his interest, he gave the local library a try to find out more about this horn.

In the archives, he quickly found what he was looking for, when he saw a picture of King Sombra fighting against an Alicorn that was neither Celestia nor Luna. He did not question it, but focused on King Sombra. He read himself through the book called “The History of the Crystal Empire”.

“So... the Crystal Heart... eh?” He said to himself smilingly, before he put the book away and headed towards the giant palace in the center of the city.

There, he found this precious artifact, protected by a barrier spell. But this was no problem for such a sway he was. He easily obliterated the barrier by overloading it with his own dark magic and took possession of the Crystal Heart.

“Hmpf.. easier than stealing a lolly from baby Luna.”

He breathed a sigh of relief and rejoiced. “Good. I have everything I need. Now... let's see how good my plan is going to work out.” He said to himself, before he realized that no pony was actually there to listen to him and he felt some sort of shame.

“Hmm... I should stop talking to myself...” He commented as he felt blue. “I am so incredible alone.”

Unsurprisingly, the crowd, consisting of thousands of ponies and several other species, continued to celebrate in their illusion of safety and everlasting elation.

But at the moment, they were completely silent and focused only on a little filly on a tribune near the entrance to Ponyville, who stood in front of a microphone on an upright column.

This filly was indeed Sweetie Belle, the most gifted singer of her age and the elected one to perform the song that accompanies with the legend of Pariah.

Though she had been put under stress since the princesses had revealed her and her friends the truth about Pariah's return, she swallowed her tremulousness and sang the lyrics as angelic as always.

Over a good part of the day, Ray stood under a tree that protected him from being spotted by everypony else. He now understood what the ponies were celebrating. His downfall and Celestia's and Luna's victory. They were all so happy because another pony, that was blamed for what he was, a monstrosity, had been defeated.

This was his story, his legend, his festival they celebrated, his purpose, destiny and doom. He was aware of it... and he loathed every single bit of it as he bottled the pain it caused up and tried to shrug it off... without success.

Chaper 11: Sought Ravage

The cruddy, lutescent orange sky was covered in rough, dusty and pellucid clouds. Filled with the countenance of a thousand of changelings, entire Ponyville was obnubliated in one, gigantic shadow. The many ponies, crystal ponies and other species that fled from the assault took cover in buildings, under barrows and anything else they could find to protect themselves, even flower vases.

Only few civilians were still running through the streets when all tartarus broke loose. Careering from the high sky above, the changelings crashed like meteors with a fiery green trail into the ground and some smaller buildings, destroying them in result. Quickly, the normally lush grasses and flat streets of Ponyville looked like a training ground unexercised unicorn Royal Guard recruiters have just practiced in. Not just that, but soon, the magic, green blaze of the changelings caused real conflagrations to rage in the ville, whose threatening flame red appearance mixed with the eldrich look of the green magic blaze. In less than a minute, Ponyville changed from the carefree place ponies have just celebrated in in harmony, into a battleground of dissension and ravaging chaos.

In this havoc, the guardians did their best to protect Equestria from this terrifying force, both on the ground and in the sky, that outnumbered them at about a ratio of 5:1. Still, their schooling in academies proofed itself to be an essential benefit over the changelings rather wild and instinctive skills in combat. So even outnumbered, both forces were relatively alike in strength. But in the end, this only let the conflict to last even longer.

Having galloped towards the center of Ponyville, the heroes took a short break and hid themselves in an alleyway. Instead of sticking together, Twilight gazed furiously at Celestia and Luna, what they and the others easily recognized.

“You... you knew exactly this was going to happen?” Twilight asked the princesses in anger.

The princesses nodded in shame, but Celestia tried to explain herself. “Yes. We knew what may happen; and tried to prevent it from happening, by putting faith in you.”

“Why?” Twilight questioned her angrily. “Why didn't you tell us what was awaiting for us? Why keeping everything to everypony secret?”

“We understand why you are angry, Twilight.” Luna replied guiltily.

“We kept it secret to allow the ponies to live in peace and harmony; and not in constant fear from something that may be unstoppable.” Celestia added.

“But why...” Twilight dug deeper and put pressure on the princesses. “But why did you keep it secret from us; from me? Your faithful students who are supposed to defeat him with the Elements of Harmony?”

Celestia sighed, but understood her doubts. “Because we did not want to frighten you off. If we would have told you more about him, your spirit may have been damaged and you may have not been able to fulfill our hopes in defeating him.”

“Which did not work at all...” Luna remarked sadly when she looked around and fathomed the destruction around them.

“We were those who released him!” Twilight remarked. “If you would have told us about it, we would not have accidentally done so.”

“If you believe it or not, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia replied with a stringent voice. “He would have broken out anyway, as the seal that kept him in his prison had diminished over the centuries with every minute. It is still affecting him and preventing him from recovering fully, but we can feel it. It is only a matter of minutes before he completely recovers. We thought you could defeat him in his time of weakness, but it seems like it was already too late.”

“The seal...?” Rarity remembered.

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash continued. “The spell Pariah told us about that allowed you to seal him away.”

“Indeed” Luna replied. “The spell was nothing more than concentrated light magic from the Elements of Harmony flooded into his body to suppress the darkness inside of him.”

“We hoped that it would last eternally.” Celestia continued. “But the darkness resisted over the time and pushed it away. Slowly, but constantly.”

“Even though we lost connection with the Elements of Harmony.“ Luna added. “We could feel the increasing darkness.”

Twilight and the others began to understand why the princesses acted the way they did. They counted on them. No, they put all the faith they had left, in them, but they failed. As silence began to rule everypony's mind, Fluttershy remembered something.

“But... I thought he can't fully recover, because you have taken away his soul...” She asked dolefully.

“Just another temporary solution.” Luna replied. “Weakening him as much as possible.”

“But you are right, Fluttershy.” Celestia noted and continued to explain the situation. “As long as he does not regain his soul, he won't be able to unleash his true potential, but it is likely that this makes him more ferocious as he can't really feel emotions, but mimic them. I know you think he tried to be reasonable with us, but this was all a facade, because in the end, he is only seeking one thing. Destroying our world. As long as he does not find his soul, there is still hope for us.”

“We understand you would consider our doing as... desperate.” Luna remarked. “But we did everything we could to allow every being in this world to be happy. We had no choice.”

Twilight nodded before continuing. “His soul is in the ancient amulet, right?” Twilight asked them, to which they responded positively.

“Yes; and an illusion spell we cast may trick Pariah into thinking the real amulet would still be where it belongs. But eventually, he will realize it and pursuit us.”

“But there is one thing I still don't get...” Pinkie Pie told in bewilderment. “Why did Ray explicitly wanted the amulet and you, the princesses? Isn't it enough for him to simply take the amulet and become super strong and nasty?”

“Because...” Luna replied anxiously. “He need us to get access to it.”

“We allowed this amulet to be connected with ourselves. Without us as its keys to open it, it is of no use for him. ” Celestia explained.

“How can he know that?” Cadance asked confusedly.

“Because he was there when we performed that spell.” Celestia reconsidered, before Luna added something.

“We wanted to do the same with the spell we imposed on Radiant Eclipse, but the dark magic inside of him, even though weakened, was still strong enough to easily resist our attempt.”

The others understood, and Twilight Sparkle regained faith in Celestia and Luna, though it was still dickey. But at the moment, it did not matter, since they needed to find a way to stop the madness that occurred around them.

But first, there was another problem to be solved, because the Cutie Mark Crusaders were drenched in tears and huddled up to their respective family member.

“We've got to bring our sugar cubes out of the city.” Applejack said solicitously. “This here ain't anything for young hearts like them.”

“The farm is probably the closest place that isn't under attack since it is of no relevance for Pariah and these invidious changelings.” Rarity recommended irately.

“But we can't just let them go on their own. What if something happens to them?” Rainbow Dash asked worryingly as she gently stroke Scootaloo's head so she could calm down.

After a short time of thinking, Shining Armor volunteered for this. “I will make sure they and everypony else who is in need will arrive there safely.”

“And I will come with you.” Cadance insisted.

“Thank you, Twilight's brother.” Sweetie Belle thanked Shining Armor while smiling at him.

“But what are we going to do?” Twilight asked unknowingly. “We apparently can't defeat him. We already lost before. We need a plan, but I need some time for this.”

“You need more faith in your talent, Twilight Sparkle.” She consoled her mollifyingly.

“But she is right.” Luna stated. “Without a plan, we don't have a big chance to defeat him.”

Discord sighed, but knowing that he had to do this, he volunteered for this duty. “Alright my friends. I will buy you some time, so you can think about a way to stop this unfunny chaos.”

“No, Discord.” Fluttershy insisted anxiously. “He is too dangerous. He will hurt you for sure.”

“Alas! Fiddlesticks! It is not the first time I have faced him. It will be an ease for such a great maestro like me to hold him off.” He comforted her, bursting with energy.

Fluttershy smiled at him and gave him a kiss on his cheek which caused him to blush, but it also gratified him.

“Okay. Everything is certain.” Twilight claimed as inspiring as always. “When we hold together as friends, we will find a way to restore harmony in Equestria.”

She gained the trust and smiling faces from everypony, as they approved and stood by her side. She adjusted her golden tiara and nodded as well. “Alright friends. We have got a world to save.”

Without her needing to speak it out, everypony went on its way. Shining Armor and Cadance took the fillies and rushed in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Discord placed himself on a main road to encounter Pariah. The rest cantered away from him, but not without taking a quick break first.

“Discord.” Celestia told him. “Please, be careful, my friend.” She begged him, accompanied by worried looking gazes of the other ponies.

Discord in return turned his head to them and nodded his head. “You'll see. Everything will turn out all right.”

The ponies understood, and even though Fluttershy hesitated to leave him behind for a second, she comprehended and trusted him; and eventually, followed her friends.

Meanwhile, Discord gazed at the direction his opponent will soon come from; and he swallowed in fear. “Oh dear... A glorious mess...”

Shining Armor and Princess Cadance with the Cutie Mark Crusaders as their companion, rushed through the streets, avoiding attacking changelings that tried to slam into them and cutting some down in the progress. The moral appear their captain and princess gave to the many guardians they encounter strengthen them and allowed the defenders to slowly get the upper hand, at least for a while.

As the group approached the other end of Ponyville, they could already see the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, as they were only surrounded by a few houses and no changelings were in this area. But when they were about to step out of the ville, a humongous wall of green fire blocked their path and troops of the gray creatures filled the other ways, encircling them.

Finding themselves in the middle of this ring, the Cutie Mark Crusaders cowered behind Shining Armor and Cadance, when the royal's two rivals appeared in front of them.

“Phhh!” Chrysalis mocked them. “Already leaving? How impolite, considering the show has just began.”

“Mr. Armor. Please save us.” Apple Bloom begged him.

“Stop this now, Chrysalis! You are horribly mistaken if you think you can trust Pariah!” Shining Armor tried to convince her without success.

“There you go again!” Chrysalis depreciated them.

“Enough with all this chatting around.” Sombra intervened balefully. “Cadenza, it is time to dispose this, once and for all.”

Cadance nodded and held her line gallantly alongside Shining Armor. “Alright, Sombra. Let us bring an end to this madness.

Standing in front of the other group was an army of one hundred changelings, that could not await to surpass the ponies to impress their beloved queen. Not just that, but like before, the unique-looking, male changeling stood in front of the others, serving as their leader.

“Who are you? And what do you want from us.” Twilight asked him with a glare.

“My name is Chetyre. Prince of the Changeling Kingdom. As it is my duty to feed my people as their leader, I will not allow your to interfere with the plans of our queen. Surrender; and you will not be harmed.”

---[ An imagine of Prince Chetyre ]---

"You don't understand." Celestia tried to explain him. "You care for you subjects, so you mustn't allow this to happen. If Pariah achieves what he wants, then everything is lost, even for you and your people."

"There is no reason for me to trust you, pony." He replied as an act of fereign enemy. "What our queen commands is just; and unquestionable."

Expectedly, Chetyre did not listen; and though the opposing forces on the other side were overwhelming, the bearers of the elements and the princesses would never surrender to a threat; and so, they stood tall and strong, ready to face this challenge like many others before. Somehow, they would make them listen and fathom.

Chapter 12: Hearts of Gold and Flint

Fury was gathered inside the dark stallion's eyes, blinded by the devouring desire for revenge that was blazing inside of him. Without hesitation, Sombra galloped towards Princess Cadance and jumped into the air, while a black aura began to surround his horn. Shouting out a soul-piercing scream, dark crystals shot out of the ground around the royal couple, and pointing at their direction, they dashed towards them.

Using his instincts, Shining Armor summoned an energy shield around him and the others, letting the projectiles shatter as they collided with the sphere. Clenching his teeth, he jumped out of the fading barrier and uppercuted Sombra with his horn. Cadance realized that he was off to deal with Sombra and it was then her duty to face the one who nearly ruined her entire life, Chrysalis.

Both standing face to face, Cadance mood shifted from seriousness to a certain rage.

"You nearly destroyed everything I ever cared for. And now you want to cause misery on everypony, just because you crave for it." She furiously accused Chrysalis.

"Sure, I nearly did that. But don't say my intentions are bad. I just want the best for my subjects, and, if destruction is the best way to do that, well, who am I to defy it, huh?" She responded deridingly.

"Calamity is never the best option!" Cadance shouted at her, before she lost control of herself and galloped towards her.

Chrysalis in return smirked and responded positively to her action. "Fair enough!Have it your way, darling. It will be a pleasure for me."

She clenched her teeth and rushed right in the direction of Cadance, ready for ramming her horn against her like Cadance with her to win this duel.

Shining Armor fell with his back on the ground, but before coming to a halt, he managed to regain control of himself and slid some meters over the ground before stopping. On the other hand, Sombra accomplished the very same and smirked at the white stallion.

"Preposterous to common sense, thinking you could outmatch me." Sombra goofed on him.

"Look who's talking? The supposed king of evil? More like the king of failing." He countered, which made Sombra clench his teeth in rage.

"You will pay for your lack of veneration for me!" Sombra shouted out loud, before crystal shards in front of him were created by magic, which he shot with a fast rate at his opponent.

Shining Armor avoided the projectiles while galloping towards the dark pony, who, due to his failure in wearing Shining Armor down, put everything into one avalanche of dark crystals, directly shot at Shining Armor. As his attack seemingly took him out, he sneered in his victory.

Suddenly, the crystals deteriorated in a bright light, temporarily blinding Sombra. Out of the light jumped the enraged Shining Armor, directly to Sombra with the intention to strike him with his horn. Sombra just regained sight to see the upcoming Shining Armor and stiffened, because of this surprising shock.

Like blades, the horns of Chrysalis and Cadance were pressed against each other, both giving all the power they got to push back the opponent.

"Laughable to see you imposing me. You are but a buttercup." Chrysalis made fun of Cadance.

"Better a gracious flower than a nasty pile of trash!" She responded tartly.

"How dare you! You are nothing!" Chrysalis shouted at her in fury, before she channeled much magic energy into the horn.

Reacting appropriately, Cadance did the very same. As a result, the air around got charged with energy, and sparks of magic began to emit in the area. Both groaned, as they tried their best to surpass their disputant, which only resulted the energy to intensify.

With a loud shout, Shining Armor swung his horn at Sombra. Barely holding it off, his head was pushed against the ground, only mere inches away from it.

"I don't think so!" Sombra insisted.

He was a strong stallion and slowly, but constantly, while he grunted, he regained ground and pushed Shining Armor back with his own horn. With one burst of energy, he flung Shining Armor away from him and used this chance to be the first to strike this time.

Though out of balance, Shining Armor regained awareness of his situation and saw the upcoming attack of Sombra, allowing him to react just in time. A big bang was hearable when both the unicorns' horns clashed with each other, and like the two mares, they tried to succeed each other.

"It is time for you to atone for your dreadful crimes!" Shining Armor threatened Sombra, which lead him to smile.

"Don't make me laugh!" He replied snootily, before channeling his dark magic into his horn.

Shining Armor understood the situation and did the very same, using everything he got to save Equestria and his beloved.
With each second, the length and power of their magically amplified horns grew, and with that, the air around them as well. wind caused by the intensity of the energy bursts streamed through their hides and manes, and the sparks actually began to damage the environment, causing the changelings and the Cutie Mark Crusaders to back off several times.

The ultimate result of all of this was disappointing. Both opponents were equally strong, and soon, they were unable to control the massive amounts of magic around them. They broke out in sweat and began to breath heavily, but eventually, it was all in vain, as they lost grip of their magic. It was already so strong, that the spells themselves collapsed, causing them to cover the area in a blinding, white explosion, that catapulted the adversaries away from each other.

As the dust blew over, the adversaries were back where they once stood, breathing heavily and regaining stamina. Cadance and Shining Armor knew that this was a fruitless undertaking, but then, they remembered how they defeated both of them the last time. They gazed at each other and nodded, before they came close to each other and pressed their horns to one another, taking a deep breath before channeling magic to perform a combined spell.

"Oh no! This trick won't work a second time!" Chrysalis shouted out loud before galloping towards them, with Sombra following who understood that their spell might be devastating.

It took long to charge, too long, and Sweetie Belle realized just that when she saw the upcoming foes.

"Guys, we need to help them. The spell will take too long." She explained them anxiously.

"But what could we do? They are extremely mean! Not to forget that they are big!" Babs Seed asked her friend in bewilderment and worry.

"You know what that calls for." Scootaloo pointed out with a vicious grin.

"Exactly." Apple Bloom affirmed her assumption. "It's time to earn our Cutie Marks as heroes."

Out of the sudden, the Cutie Mark Crusaders jumped from behind their cover and galloped towards the two enemies. Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed, close in front of them, slit over the ground, intending to trip them up so they would fall.
Sombra and Chrysalis chuckled and simply jumped over the two ponies, but before they could even realize what was going on, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo did the exact same thing right when they landed with their forelegs on the ground, pulling them away and making them tumble.

After their success, they brohoofed each other in joy, bur soon, they were covered in the shadows of the angry villains who gazed at them in rage.

"How dare you, you pest!" Sombra threatened them before he channeled magic in his horn.
First, the fillies wanted to crawl back, but then, Scootaloo looked behind the evil ponies and pointed at something behind them.

"If I were you, I would rather focus on something else." She noted with a confident grin.

When they actually turned around, they saw what the Pegasus filly wanted to explain them and their eyes opened widely, and their pupils shrunk in size when they saw what their opponents' spell had become.

Bright like a sun, a blinding, white light covered the couple up, and the fillies duck to protect themselves. Immediately when Chrysalis and Sombra intended to do something, the spell was executed. Not with a deafening or pain inflicting explosion, the light burst out and covered up the entire area, blowing every evil away.

Sombra was lifted up from the ground and slammed with his back first into the next wall, rendering him unconscious while his entire armor broke apart and his royal robe landed right into a burning piece of wood, combusting alongside the woodwork.
The green fire wall was blown out by the spell, alongside some other fireplaces. The surrounding changelings had a hard time to hold on to the ground, and some were catapulted away, while the Cutie Mark Crusaders were barely affected by the spell at all.

Chrysalis dashed back first through the air and landed painfully on the just slightly soft and dusty ground. Though damaged, she quickly stoop up and spit the dust in her mouth out and knocked off the remaining dirt on her body.

"Enough!" She yelled in fury. "Changelings! Attack!"

The dozens of changelings smirked and clenched their teeth like wild animals, slowly cornering the 6 ponies like timberwolves did with prey, ready to ambush them. They chuckled menacingly, when the fillies were already hiding under the royalties, with just a few meters distance between them and the gray pony-like creatures.

But then, nothing happened. Every changeling lifted their head and erected their ears, like a dog that would hear something in the distance. And then, the most implausible happened. They simply walked away, or flew back to where they came from.

"Hey! That was an order!" She shouted at them before the same thing happened to her.

"W-what?! He... But why?!" She stuttered to herself. "Oh I will teach him a lesson."

She then realized that Sombra, who was regaining consciousness, was severely damaged, and she alone had just a small chance to succeeded Cadance and Shining Armor.

"Don't get to lucky, ponies! This was only easy mode!" She threatened them, before she did an U-turn and galloped away.

"Hey!" Sombra shouted at her, standing weakly on his hooves. "Come back here you dastard!"

Cadance intended to chase after her, but Shining Armor held her off, signifying her that it has been enough, to which she nodded and agreed with.

"Now..." Sweetie Belle questioned the situation. "What was that all about? Why did they just leave?"

"Don't look a gift pony in the mouth, I guess." Shining Armor replied.

But then, they gazed into the sky, and they realized it was not just at their position. Apparently, every changeling in the entire town was taking flight.

"Something must have happened over at Twilight's place; or Discord's, but what?"

"It doesn't matter, as long as we get the upper hand." Shining Armor explained them. "And you four go to the barn and hide their, understood?" He ordered the fillies, to which they pouted.

"We just saved us, and this is how you thank us?" Scootaloo questioned them.

"We are very thankful, and you showed great valor and bravery." Cadance assured them. "But now, your close friends need our help, and we can't allow Pariah to threaten them with hurting you."

"Yes, you are right." Apple Bloom agreed. "Just too bad we didn't get our Cutie Marks."

Suddenly they heard a threatening laugh. Over the course of the surreal events, they completely forgot about Sombra.

"Pathetic." He goofed on the fillies. "Cutie Marks? Is that all what you care for? Isn't it a bit inappropriate for the situation? Besides, I have no such thing as well, but I'm not crying about it like imbecilic foals."

He went slowly towards the heroes, who were facing him snout to snout, but he was obviously too weak to fight, barely limping towards them. Not just that, but they noticed something peculiar. The aura around his eyes was missing.

"I'd rather care about that you, Princess Cadance, have taken everything away from me. My throne, my empire... my power." He accused her.

She shook her head and her pitch of voice changed to an understanding tone. "Sombra. I never took anything away from you. First of all, because you did not deserve it. And then, I never claimed it for me. The Crystal Ponies wanted me to be their ruler. Could they ever say the same thing about you?"

He thought about it, but just giggled. "No. But what did it matter? I knew what was best. They were my subjects, so they had to follow my will."

"Do you really think that's everything a ruler is for?" She questioned him. "Using others to the own pleasure? A ruler is there to ensure everypony is happy, and lead their subjects to prosperity. Most of all, not to subjugate everypony, but to protect them."

"I know... and I did the best to protect the Crystal Empire." He asserted, leading to utter confusion in the other ponies.

"W-what?! By ruining it?" Shining Armor asked him.

"No." Sombra replied. "By preparing it."

He sighed, but then explained everything. "Pariah was right. What I am... rather, what I have become, was due to him. Darkness flows through me since thousand years ago, because I found one of the few sources of darkness that remained after his defeat, and it overcame me with ease. I knew, that this day would come. I could feel it, foreshadow it. And though the darkness had nearly entirely corrupted me, this goal would shine bright enough to keep me on its track. To save as much as possible."

"By taking away every hope and destroying entire lives!?" Cadance yelled at them.

"By doing everything that is necessary for the cause!" He replied, causing Cadance to become silent and listen.

"You can judge me as much as you want, but you can't defy what is happening right now. Celestia and Luna did not prepare their subjects and thus, havoc is breaking loose. I would have build massive fortresses, educated as much guards as possible, created devastating spells alongside the most wise Unicorns, and I would conquered and united everypony, to ensure that we still exist after this day."

"You..." Cadance stuttered in shock. "You did all of this to save the world?"

"And then why exactly did you follow him in the end?!" Shining Armor questioned him.

"I was blinded by the desire for revenge, and the corruption in me was strengthened by him. Your light pushed the darkness in me away; and it allows me some minutes of clarity."

He sighed and looked around him. "This destruction... it is only the beginning. We could have been prepared... but we are not."

"What do you mean?" Cadance asked him.

"This is the end of all. The last day of this world. Today, as presaged... is doomsday."

The fillies were anxious about the situation, but got consoled by Shining Armor.

"Don't lose hope just yet, Sombra. We all combined can put an end to Ray's scheme. The light can surpass the darkness, and it will. You are the living proof for that."

But Sombra only laughed weakly. "So much confidence in one, young mare. But somehow... I want to believe you."

Suddenly, he collapse and fell on the ground, weakened from their combined attack, with Cadance immediately crouching next to him.

"Sombra..."

He coughed, but took all his power to explain Cadance the situation. "Don't bother me! You have to help the Elements of Harmony to stop Pariah."

"I..." She replied. "I can't just let you lay here."

"But you have to!" He ensured her. "The cause is more important than me. Besides, the darkness is corrupting me, again. I would get in your way. Even in this conversation, I am not who I used to be. I am filled with hatred and envy... towards you."

"B-but..." Cadance mumbled, only to get interrupted by him once again.

"No 'but', Princess Cadance. There is only this one chance. If you really want to help me, too... then do what I could not. Put an end to this... once and for all."

She and the other felt sorry for this poor soul. What was he more than a slave of an even greater threat. But they knew he was right. Soon, he would become the monstrosity he was before, again. Cadance nodded and stood up.

"I promise you that I will save this world and set you free from this curse."

"I..." He replied with a smile. "I know... and thank you"

Without hesitation, the two adults galloped back in the hope to find Twilight, her friends and the princesses. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, now where one threat was gone, could not stand the feeling of leaving their friends behind and followed Shining Armor and Cadance secretly without hesitation.

In this one minute, Sombra had full control of himself, and it revealed a pony that would do anything to protect his subjects. The light in him was weak, but it was not about to fade without doing everything he could to prevent total annihilation. The laying Sombra just gazed at them, and he smiled happily while closing his eyes.

"Good luck... my princess." He mumbled, before he opened his eyes widely and the same, baleful aura covered them up, again.

Chapter 13: Verity

“Changelings!” Chetyre bawled out in a loud voice. “Channel your Magic! Prepare the goo-spell! Open fire!

Before they could even blink, the heroes could already see a massive wall of green, magic projectiles dashing towards them. Like rain coming in single drops, this seemed completely unavoidable.

But just before it hit them, Celestia cast a white force shield around them, protecting them from any harm and letting the spells just break up when they came in contact with it.

“You brother taught me this very useful spell once after the first invasion of Chrysalis.” Celestia explained Twilight joyfully.

“Yeah, that's definitely him.” She giggled, before focusing back as the force field disappeared.

“Subjects!” Chetyre commanded his soldiers irately. “Attack!”

Like the cow herd Applejack once subdued, the changelings were rushing towards them in an attempt to ambush them, like a avalanche intending to consume what lies underneath it..

“Here's the plan!” Twilight explained her friends hastily. “You hold the little ones at bay, while I'm knocking some common sense into Chetyre. Got it?!”

Her friends nodded, showing confidence and trust in her. Without hesitation or fear, all of them galloped towards the changeling storm flood, ready to face them and overcome them like so many threats before they surpassed.

But just as Twilight was about to hit them, she teleported herself behind them, causing the front line to stumble, because of surprise and confusion, bringing the entire ambush to an halt, even though the rows after it simply jumped or flew over them and continue their attack the ponies were prepared for.

Just some feet away from Twilight was already the Changeling Prince, who rushed towards her and channeled magic energy in his horn, and with one strengthened, swift strike, he hit her as well magically amplified horn, causing both trying to wear each other down, leaving them in a standoff.

“The faster you quit this, the easier this will be for all of us!” Twilight yelled at him with bad temper, but Chetyre did not seem to care.

“Same to you...” He replied sarcastically.

“Don't you see that you cannot trust an evil force like him?!”She questioned him in bewilderment.

“I only see an unfathomable amount of love in front of me I and my queen want to deliver our people on a silver tablet.” He argued grumpily.

“The only thing you will deliver them is an inevitable doom!” She aggressively tried to convince him. “You seem to not care for you subjects at all!”

“How dare you question me?!” Chetyre furiously scrutinized her. “What do you know about the methods we make use of to care for your people?! What do you know about a species that is born with the inability to truly love; born in the position of a love-milker, having to take something from others in the futile attempt to become whole, born as a parasite on the face of this world?!”

Hearing these words, Twilight Sparkle was utterly shocked. Chetyre described his race not as the evil creatures they were apparently, but a desperate kind that wanted to become more like the ponies themselves.

“I will never give up in my search to find a way to end this curse. I am venerated to give my people what it deserves, the best, and I will always protect them, and something like you, pony, will not get in my way!”

Twilight comprehend his words, but did not give up and clenched her teeth, using more power and slowly bringing him to his knees.

“I see the truth in your words, and I honestly feel sorry for you, but I can't let this happen. Not now and not in this way! I admire your will, but you must understand... That I will never give up protecting my friends, as well...!”

As she bawled her statement out loud, she succeeded Chetyre and made him become unbalanced on his two hind legs. Trying to regain balance, he could already see her sharp horn swinging in his direction like a blade, and not having to see his upcoming ache in his eyes, he closed them in fear.

The only aspect that was threatening about the changelings the others had to face was their number. Their combat skills were very lacking, as driving themselves against something different was nearly literally all they were capable of. But just, because of outnumbering the ponies at least twentyfold, they were a recognizable threat.

But just like the 5 fillies once managed to overcome a huge number of changelings before, now with the assistance of the skilled princesses and Spike, they quickly managed to gain the upper hoof, knocking them off one by one and in groups.

Rarity and the princesses blinded them with their magic while they were moving, making them slam into each other or flat out dash into a solid wall. Pinkie Pie, unsurprisingly, took her party canon and several pastries to shot at her opponents, causing them to fall on the ground and eventually enjoy their delicious cupcake.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack were not so softly on them and pasted them harshly with strong punches, severe kicks and numbing clouts. Fluttershy, over the curse of the battle, was in a defensive position and cowered, barely doing anything, but arguing in a whisper with the changelings.

But that did not help when one of them appeared in front of her on his hind legs and snarled, ready to tackle her, but just before that happened, Spike slammed his head against his belly, making him fly through the air into the next cider barrel.

“Watch it, Fluttershy!” He begged her worriedly, to which she nodded and backed off a little under the protecting size of Celestia and Luna.

Just as Chetyre prepared himself for the most dolorous of all pains, nothing happened. He opened his eyes to see what was wrong, and too his shocking surprise, Twilight stopped her attack just one, mere inch before she would hit him.

She just positioned herself normally and continued her sentence she apparently did not finish in the first place. “...But I will never harm somepony to accomplish that.”

Chetyre could just gaze at her discomposedly. Frightened and with uneasy eyes, he looked into hers and tried to fathom her incitation.

“Y-...You...” He was only capable of speaking out in his state of inner panic.

“Look around you. There is no need for havoc and violence. We don't want to get in a struggle with you or your race.” She tried to argue with him, but she hit deaf ears.

“As changelings would ever fear a fight with ponies. We are a proud and strong race, standing skillful against our opponents 'till the last breath. You are affronting me and my entire race. I will whip you off a str...” He tried to threatened her in anger, just as he got interrupted by a particular pink pony, who appeared out of nowhere from behind Twilight's back.

“Hey, Twilight. We are finished here. What about you?” Pinkie asked her agitatedly.

“Wait! What?!” Chetyre questioned her, only to look behind their backs and see the result of his subjects' attack.

Most of them were just resting on the ground while feeling dizzy, while others stuck with their heads in various objects, and some of them were taking a nap with their full and with crumbs polluted tummies, happily digesting their overdoses of cupcakes.

Chetyre gazed at this mess with utter shuck as his expression. He tried to bring his feelings into words, but impossible was this task like Pinkie Pie's logic defying actions, and the only words he could speak out after a minutes where. “What in the hay?!”

He facehoofed himself in shame, and he mumbled the following to himself. “I knew we should have invested in actual combat education...”

“Hey!” Pinkie Pie said happily as the rest of the group assembled themselves behind Twilight, while taking a cupcake from behind her back and handing it to him. “You look so sad. Why not taking a cupcake? They'll always make you beam, hi hi.”

Chetyre first gazed at the cupcake, than into the eyes of the pink pony, before he was struck by an inner lightning an slowly backed off.

“No... Not you... Not that infantile, walking sugar overdoses, again.”

“Hmm? What is the matter?” She questioned him, before a similar lightning struck her as well, though she got actually shocked by it.

“Hey! I know who you are. You are the cutie who of sorts copied me!” She yelled joyfully. “Come on, come on! Show me if you improved! I want to see myself!”

And immediately, she was already jumping around him in joy, making him feel dizzy and feel ashamed at the same time.

“Please... I'm begging you... make her stop.” He begged Twilight.

“Pinkie!” She ordered her like a dog owner. “Sit!” And indeed she did that.

“But wait!” Pinkie Pie realized. “You look different. You know with all that hair, spiky wings, chest plate, curvy horn, actual eyes and stuff.”

“Yeah...” He sighed. “I'm a prince, so a special form of adolescence hit me.”

“Ado... what-thingy?” Pinkie Pie asked him in confusion.

“I became older, got it?!” He asked her in anger and annoyance, to which she nodded understandingly.

“I sincerely don't want to disrupt your reunion...” Celestia made a point. “but I think we lost focus here.”

“Princess Celestia is right.” Twilight stated keenly. “There is still one problem left to solve.”

But instead of attacking him, she pointed at Chetyre's former army. “This is the result of your efforts. Your people are defeated, completely in vain.”

“There is more of us...” He yelled at her, but she interrupted him and simply continued what she had to say.

“There won't be any if you continue to assist Pariah! You and your subjects will be done for!”

Chetyre became anxiously silent, and continued listening to Twilight's words.

“I don't like to repeat myself, but I will. He is not your ally. He will destroy everything. Us, the world.... and you alongside the changelings. Look around you and finally comprehend. This isn't the actual act of his supposed revenge, no, this is just a foretaste. And if a foretaste is already such a ravage, what do you think his actual powers will cause, once he regains his soul?!”

Chetyre bit his lips and looked nervously around him. What he could see was a shrouded, brownish-yellow sky, dried grasses and deteriorated buildings. If this was just the beginning, what nightmares could be the end?

“I... just want the best... for my... people...” Chetyre spluttered in discomposure.

“Then allow us to proceed.” Twilight explained him with a gentle voice. “We, with the Elements of Harmony, are your one and only chance to see the next sunrise. I understand you want the best for your subjects, but right at the moment, it's not strengthening them with love, but being able to make it through all of this.”

Chetyre, trying to digest all of her words, looked into the cloudy sky with a sorrowful gaze. Having taken his time to think about it, his horn began to glow, and he seemed to mimic lip movements without actually speaking.

He stopped and suddenly, the sky began to fill itself with masses of changelings. Even those who were just defeated by the ponies were dashing into the air or going on hooves, heading towards the Everfree Forest.

Chetyre breathed in heavily, before slowly walking past Twilight, but not before gazing into her eyes one last time. “Please. Don't make me regret this, po.... Twilight...”

And immediately, he joined his forces and flew into the air, escaping from Ponyville and allowing the guardsmen to catch a break.

“Was that some sort of... telepathy spell to make them chicken out?” Rainbow Dash asked Twilight in bewilderment.

“Yes.” She replied happily. “At the end, he gained faith in us. And now it is in us live up to his faith.”

“Hey!” They suddenly heard from out of nowhere, but soon, they managed to see two figures and realized that they were Cadance and Shining Armor.

“Hey brother, hey sister!” Twilight welcomed them.

“Thanks.” Cadance replied while still breathing heavily. “Did you just see that? The changelings just backed off.”

“Let's say that Twilight is just very good in making things clear. “Luna complimented her in her own, odd way.

“Alright...” Shining Armor responded in confusion, but positively. “But what now?”

“Hey...” Fluttershy just noticed. “Isn't that... Discord?!”

She saw the silhouette of the draconequus standing on the next rooftop, with pride like he always does, but soon, that figure collapsed and fell from the building.

“Help!” She yelled, before careering towards him and trying to catch him, which only resulted in slightly thwarting him, as he was too heavy for her to carry. Luckily, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who sneaked behind Shining Armor and Cadance, were on spot just in time and allowed Discord to fall on them, which made them groan a little bit, but knowing that they softened his fall immensely, they swallowed the pain down.

“Help successfully accomplished. But still no Cutie Mark.” Apple Bloom reported.

“Didn't I tell you to bring them to Sweet Apple Acres?!” Applejack yelled at Shining Armor.

“W-well I did, kinda... but they just seemed to follow us.”

“Yes.” Scootaloo said while she helped her friends crawling from under Discord. “We just can't let our friends do all the work while were are just sitting their. We've got to help.”

But Fluttershy did not care about any of these differences and sat down right next to the almost unconscious and very weak Discord, gently stroking his cheek.

“I am sorry, guys. It was just... too much.” He used his remaining power to explain himself, but was stopped by Fluttershy.

“Quiet, my dear friend. You did very well, and I am so proud of you.” She complimented him while comfortingly stroking his snout with her own, which he enjoyed very much in his situation of weakness.

“Thank you...”

Everypony gathered themselves in front of Discord, intending to help him.

“We've got to get Discord out of here.” Rarity insisted, to which everypony agreed.

But before they could even begin, something changed. The ground was beginning to fill itself with a black, freezing veil, whose path they tracked back to the exact same rooftop Discord fell from, only to see its very origin.

Standing on the same stop where Discord stood was the nemesis of harmony itself. The dark pony that lead to this deteriorating chaos in the first place.

“No... it can't be... not now...” Twilight mumbled nervously.

“Here, near the end of this light-flooded world, the darkness is my ally...” Ray told them seriously, while the veil consumed him from bottom to his top, just before once again, this surreal, menacing red light began to glow in his eyes.

“Now let us decide the true ending of this story...”

Chapter 12.5: Chaos or Havoc?

Discord run like lightning through the dusty streets of Ponyville, breathing heavily in pain and looking around with an anxious face. A stream of detonation sounds originated behind him, like a trail of explosions that intended to consume him.

Diving headlong into a side street, he hid himself in the shadows and panted, hoping to regain some of his energy and gaining courage to face his enemy.

“That was a terrible idea.” Discord lamented sulkily. “I can't believe I actually volunteered for this! Blimey! No time to mither, or else we will wither.”

Unsettling silence dominated the area with the attacks having come to an end. Discord took a look and walked out of the side road, unable to see Pariah no matter how hard he focused.

“What's up?” A deep, male voice from behind Discord asked him in a nonchalant manner.

“Not much.” He replied while still observing the area with all his convergence. “Just gaining the Elements of Harmony some time so they can save the world.”

“That's a bit thick.” The stranger acknowledged. “Saving the world from what exactly?”

“Well I don't know.” Discord replied in anger with an irascible mien. “How about the changeling invasion and the return of Pariah?”

“Come off it! Pariah is not that evil. At least I think his logic was flawless.” The newcomer defined his position.

“Are you crazy?!” Discord shouted out loud, before turning around and facing the stranger. “Do you even have any idea what you are capable of, Ray?”

“Well...” Radiant Eclipse replied with an pseudo unconfident voice. “It's not like I actually witnessed myself in person, but from what I got, I have the impression that I am very reasonable, and that in fact you and your friends are the foolish ones.”

“What could you possibly know about us and yourself?!” Discord responded in a furious manner. “The only thing you crave for is taking revenge on the world and everything you are doing to convince other people is just a hypocritical side of yourself to lure everypony into your traps and accomplish your own goals. Now leave me alone, Ray. I have to watch out for Ray.”

Discord turned around again and observed the area in an attempt to spot Pariah. Just a few second later, his eyes widened and his beating of the heart became unhealthily fast. His body got filled with adrenaline, causing his body to shake uncontrollably, while slowly turning back to the not so alien pony he just talked with.

“Hi!” Ray greeted him with a faked smile on his face.

“Bye!” Discord immediately shouted out loud, before he took to his heels and ran away.

Meanwhile, Radiant Eclipse chuckled and channeled dark magic in hooves, surrounding them in a sinister aura.

“Much has changed, but some things and ponies will never change.” He noted while giggling a bit, before calming down and playfully following Discord. “Back to the paper chase.”

While Discord was running away and thinking for a plan, Ray teleported himself onto a building and chased him by jumping from rooftop to rooftop, assaulting him with streams of energy blasts.

“What are you running from! First starting a game and then not wanting to finish it!? I pity you for what the ponies have done to you!” Ray mocked him for his own joy.

“Says the ungiving lunatic who already stabbed me in the back? I don't think it's your right to judge me!” Discord responded dismissive tone.

“Come off it! After all, it was you who taught me the delightful art of chaos!” Radiant Eclipse remarked viciously.

“There is a difference between my chaos and your havoc! Chaos is only for entertainment!” The Draconequus answered back.

“In all honesty, I don't see the difference!”
Out of nowhere, Ray appeared in front of Discord, surrounded by dark haze, gazing with a smirk right into his eyes.

“H-hi.” Discord started stuttering, while waving his claw like he would literally great him.

Ray laughed hysterically, before calming down and beginning to levitate, pressing his hoof against his Discord's chest and conducting energy into it.

“Bye.” He replied with a simper.

Discord sighed, seemingly accepting his fate. “I see what you did there.” He murmured.

Just as he closed his eyes, he felt a ginormous ache in his chest, and as he opened his eyes, he realized that he was flying uncontrollably over the village's buildings. He bawled in fear, unable to gain control over just one muscle in his body, and eventually, he slammed into the dusty ground of a plaza.

Slowly, he tried to stand up, but as soon as he began his attempt, at least a dozen changelings gathered themselves around him.

“Hey look.” One of them pointed out with the typical slightly artificially sounding, reverberating changeling-voice. “Love that is not older than a month. Bull's eye, guys!”

Just as the changelings let their horns glow and intended to absorb Discord's energy, Pariah stepped in. “No! Get along with you and suck someone else dry. He is mine.”

But the one pony who found the Draconequus to begin with was stubborn and defied him. “Who do you think you are, pony? You may have the trust of our queen, but the deal was clear. The princesses and your amulet. And now get you gone. We have some business to do.”

The changeling licked his teeth and once again channeled his energy into his horn, preparing himself to suck Discord dry. Just as he raised his head, an incredible pain passed through his head. It was Ray, slamming one of his hind legs against his face, causing the changeling's facial expression to change into something indescribable. The Force was strong enough to send him flying through the streets, leading him to dash into a building and incising its wall with its body.

The other changelings gazed at him in shock, but Radiant Eclipse simply smirked and put his leg down again. “Anyone else who wishes to have a... lively... discussion with me?”

The changelings backed off and fueled with panic, they ran and flew off, with only two actually helping the incapacitated brethren.

Discord stood up and stroke his right arm with one his claws. “I suppose I should thank you. You know, stealing my love for my friends is far worse than anything you could do to me.”

“Don't bet on it, old pal.” He replied sinisterly, before walking towards him.

Discord, not knowing what to do, reacted spontaneously and clicked his fingers. Out of thin air, a pitchfork appeared on the ground and Ray stepped on it, making it lift up and it's handle snap right in his face.

“Gosh darn it!” He shouted, holding his aching snout with his hooves.

Discord smiled and clicked his fingers once more, spawning a chocolate cake right in beneath Ray. He used this opportunity and pulled Pariah's hind legs away, making him fall and his face slam right into the cake.

Discord could not hold his breath any longer and burst out laughing. “A classic! I am truly a genius.”

But he knew that his time was short, so he quickly took flight. Meanwhile, Ray cleaned his face and licked the rest of the cake away, savoring the taste. “Dark chocolate torte. My favorite. I should be thankful for remembering this for all these years. Maybe I will show my gratitude by letting him outlast me. But just slightly.”

Discord found himself next to the town hall, breathing heavily and taking a break in the hope that he escaped him. “I don't know how long I can keep fighting... I mean buying them time.”

He walked towards the well and drank out of it. “Just what I needed.”

Discord gazed into the reflection and his eyes widened when he saw the reflection of his enemy in it. Quickly, he turned around, but the only thing he got was yet another attack that made him stave in the ground.

Once again, this time choking since his throat was still filled with water, he tried to stand up, but Ray grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and stared right into his eyes.

“So, Discord. And now you are going to tell me everything you know, or else I will make sure you won't last long enough to witness the end of this world.”

Discord moaned and intended to answer him, but he was already very outworn and needed to push himself to do so.

“I don't know anything you don't know already, Ray.” He replied with a weak, but serious voice.

“I don't think so. I think you know what Celestia, Luna and the bunch of fillies have planned, and you are going to tell me every little aspect about it, or else...” He answered with his magic energy causing sparks to emit around him.

“There is no plan. I am simply holding you off, so they can think about something else.” He successfully tried to convince him.

“Not a big surprise.” He slagged them off while letting go of him. “All their foolish attempts were pathetic anyway. You can buy them as much time as you want. They will not succeed.”

Discord repositioned himself and just sat their on the ground, gazing at him in bewilderment.

“What do you actually want, Ray. I just don't understand you.” Discord questioned him confusedly.

“You know exactly, what I want. I will do what is right... necessary, and bring an end to this conflict, once and for all.” Pariah expressed himself with a calm voice.

Just as he turned his head, he spotted something. A tribune decorated with balloons, and a pedestal on it, which contained his amulet.

“It's mine... I can't... believe it.” He immediately ignored him and headed slowly for his precious treasure, but he got interrupted by Discord.

“Wait, Ray! Don't do this, please!” He begged, causing Ray to stop and slightly turn his head to him.

“Do you really thing this is the answer to all your problems? Senseless destruction can't solve anything. It can't be the right thing to do, it can't!” He yelled at him.

Ray took a few second and gazed dolefully at the ground. “Even if it is not the right thing to do, it's still the only hope I see, and I will fulfill my promise I once gave...”

Slowly he walked away from him and climbed up the stairs attached to the tribune. “...That's the only thing left that matters to me now...”

He had a dreamy smile on his lips as he grabbed his amulet and looked at it. “It's not even sealed. They forgot about it. Once in my life, I am the lucky one. And finally... it all can end.”

Just in a blink of an eye, the amulet dissolved in his hooves and faded away like thin air. Ray starred at it in shock, unable to comprehend what just happened. His hopes were crushed once more, leaving him in his state of distress again.

“So... that was a part of their plan too, huh?” He wondered funereally.

Discord stood on his feet and swallowed anxiously. The air around Ray was slowly consumed by a dark veil that engulfed his body, which slowly began to cover the ground around him. He turned his shrouded head to Discord, but only these red, sanguinary lights in his eyes were visible through the mist of darkness. Discord backed off and he trembled with fear, knowing that his ordeal had just begun.