Once a Hero

Appleloosa

The entire townsfolk charged at the changelings with knives, ropes and pitchforks. The changelings  were no match for the ponies in hoof to hoof combat.

Unfortunately for the ponies there were at least a few dozen changelings for each pony. The changelings that dove down were overcome by the ropes and flying ones were constantly bombarded by apple pie.

Each pony struggled to keep up with the vast amount of bugs and a few of them stumbled, or took hits and a swarm of changelings dove for the fallen pony.

Fortunately, the constant charging of the buffalo tribe made it impossible for the changelings too stay in one place for too long. The fallen ponies often got out, seriously hurt or joined the fight again.

The fight raged for a couple hours after Braeburn sounded retreat. The ponies scrambled to cover behind the haystacks and switched to throwing pies.

Chysalis snarled.

The pies were soft and getting hit would leave bruises at the most. But, the amount of flying pies blocked her army's vision and made it difficult it for the army to advance.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was streaking from one changeling to another, knocking the bugs out with a swift buck. On her way to her tenth victim, she briefly looked down.

Twilight was trying to shoot the changelings that got to close to her. Applejack was by Braeburn's side knocking out changelings with her stones. Pinkie was blowing raspberries and throwing pies at the swarm and Rarity was levitating haystacks to build the walls. Even Fluttershy was tending the injured, occasionally freezing a changeling whenever it got to close.

Rainbow smiled as she bucked the changeling.

It was good to be fighting alongside her friends.

Another hour passed and only the mane six and a few others were left standing.

Chysalis cackled. The ponies were completely surrounded.

"Now you pathetic ponies have nowhere to.."

A green smoke cloud suddenly exploded outwards, blinding the changelings.

Zecora threw down the now empty jar and ran. The ponies followed her lead, Braeburn throwing a few stones for good measure.

"I got a message from Shining that they're almost here!"

"Ah thought they needed a few more hours! Not that Ah'm complaining" Applejack yelled back.

The bush in front of them exploded in a purple light as a white unicorn popped into existence.

"Twily!"

Shining Armor quickly surveyed the scene. Cadence arrived in a similar fashion.

"We had to teleport ahead with my allicorn magic. The guards are still a few hours away"

"Uh.. I'm not trying to be rude but.. There's a entire army of changel.." Fluttershy started.

"It's alright. We've defeated them before. I suppose it won't be any different."

Shining started moving towards the infested town.

"We'll take care of Chyrsalis. You girls have to take out Discord. Keep moving that way, and the guards will find you"

"Shiny!"

The stallion turned.

"Be safe"

Cadence sighed.

"Honestly I'm more concerned for you girls. Discord is bound to have something up his sleeves"

Spitfire saluted Dash.

"We'll stay here. Hope we see each again alive, soldier"

Zecora nodded as she brandished a wicked looking staff.

Twilight nodded and took off into the woods.

The Everfree

A hour passed and the group met with the guards. Discord was in the Barren Wastelands and he seemed to be waiting for them, explained the guards.

"That sucker has something up his sleeve" Rainbow growled as they neared they're destination.

"The princesses.. You think they're all ri..." Rarity asked.

"They've fought with their foes in the past and they've won. I see no reason they'll fail this time" Twilight assured her.

"Besides, we've got our fight to worry about."

"What is there to worry? We get there. Blast him with the elements, Blow a raspberry in his face, Go home, Party!"

"I'm just worried. Discord is just waiting for us. Something fishy is going on.." Twilight sighed.

"Come on! There's nothing to be worried about! We're the main characters! Surely we won't die or anything!" Pinkie bounced around excitedly.

"Ah don't have the slightest idea what she's goin` on about" Applejack groaned

The group soon approached a open clearing.

Twilight cautiously walked out to the middle of the sandy wastelands.

"This looks too orderly for Discord's liking" Rarity commented, poking at a rock.

A deep laughter echoed around them as the sand melted into mismatched colored glass.

"Well, then. I hope this change will suit me better." Discord materialized out of thin air.

"You're going down for good, this time!" Rainbow yelled at Discord.

Twilight's horn glowed and the Elements of Harmony appeared around their necks. A glow surrounded the ponies as they slowly lifted up.

Discord stared at the scene, amused. He popped a bag of popcorn into existence as he munched on it noisily.

"I think you're missing somepony, Twilight" Discord leered in a mocking voice.

Twilight turned and looked back in confusion. She gasped as she noticed the struggling pegasus.

"Rainbow Dash! Wha..What's wrong...?!" Twilight yelped. Discord chuckled behind them, clearly in a relaxed mood.

"I don't know! Somethings keeping me from using it!" Rainbow was clearly struggling with her element.

Discord laughed as he glided down to the ground.

"That's because you sweared loyalty to me, when you were.. *chuckle.. disoriented" Discord gloated. "That's the reason I chose you as my victim, you're the Element of Loyalty"

The others gasped as the truth sunk in.

"You cannot break your loyalty to me. It is your Element and you're bound to kee-" Discord disappeared as Rainbow tried to buck him off.

He reappeared in front of the ponies. "It was all planned from the beginning, Chrysalis and Sombra are mere pawns"

He grinned at Twilight and snapped his fingers. Two moving images appeared next to him.

The first image had Celestia and Luna in it, stepping over the defeated body of King Sombra. The second depicted Chyrsalis and her army scattering in panic as a force wave rolled out.

"Once I get rid of all of you, there will be no one that can oppose my reign" Discord made a crunching gesture as the images dissapated.

Rainbow Dash growled. "So, that's what we are to you? Just mere Elements? Pieces of rock?"

A blue aura surrounded the enraged pegasus as she lifted up.

"Wha..How.. No! What?!" Discord stammered, clearly in shock.

A beam of pure magic shot up into the clouds. Discord slowly backed away, but a glowing ring surrounded the ponies and Discord.

"Nooo! How...! This doesn't make any sen-"

"Look at me!"

Discord flinched.

"Turn around and look at me, you mismatched monster!"

Discord turned around to confront the cyan mare.

"You're a real smart guy, but you made one big mistake"

Discord gaped, speechless.

"Nopony is perfect"

The beam of pure energy descended and started to reduce Discord to stone.

"Applejack can occasionally lie"

Discord thrashed wildly as his lower body solidified.

"Rarity can be selfish at times"

He could no longer move his arms.

"Pinkie can be depressed"

His perfect plan was reduced to rubble.

"Fluttershy can be assertive"

Tears formed in his eyes as he realized the end was coming.

"Twilight can fail spells"

His face froze mid-scream as he saw the pegasus turn around and aim.

"And I CAN BETRAY YOU!"

Rainbow bucked at the solid form of Discord with all her might, cracking the stone and toppling it over.

"That's for Silver Streak!"

Thump

"That's for Midnight Star!"

Thump

"That's for Silent Mist!"

Thump

"That's for the Crystal Heart!"

She repeatedly stamped on the statue until she reduced the entire thing into rubble.

She felt the energy drain from her body as she slumped to the ground, tears blurring her vision.

She struggled to get up and spat on the broken pieces.

"And that's for Equestria"

Rainbow smiled as she blacked out.