The end

by Twishimmer

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Main 6, Romance, Other, Starlight Glimmer, Adventure, Tragedy, Sunset Shimmer, Discord, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 6446

Discord wakes up from a nightmare, and finds himself to be confused. Twilight finds out what it means, but it could be the end of equestria as they knew it. With the other princesses gone, Twilight and her friends find themselves to be separated from

Discord wakes up from a nightmare, and finds himself to be confused. Twilight finds out what it means, but it could be the end of equestria as they knew it. With the other princesses gone, Twilight and her friends find themselves to be separated from each-other. With the help of her student and a good friend, Twilight tries to make sense of it. The elements are surprised to find that everything they had fought against had returned, vengeance set on the minds of their fiends.

(Fic takes place after season 5 and The Friendship Games)

Published 2016-01-20 22:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-01-27 18:11:16 UTC

The beginning of the end

Discord sprung out of bed, and landed on his floor. Shaking his head, he looked up.

"That's not normal..." He rubbed his chin with his paw.

Discord was a lucid dreamer. He always had control over his dreams, and they were always chaotic, just as he liked them. Never has he dreamt something apart from that, and if he did, it would mean something was off.

Yet here he was, surprised by his dream, which he had no control whatsoever. The other strange thing was that it was not chaotic in the least bit. It was only dark and depressing, which was something that Discord found himself to strongly dislike.

He stood up, and flew to his calendar, which told the exact time and date. "Tuesday...." He rubbed his forehead, and a head ache started forming in his head. "Tea." He snapped his talon, and was teleported to his best friend's cottage.

"Oh hi, Discord!" The yellow-coated mare smiled. "Come on in." She opened the door all the way. He walking in, and his head ache grew worse.

"The tea is ready and on the table," The mare informed him. "You're welcome to it, of course."

He teleported himself to the chair, and summoned their tea cakes. "Can't forget these, now can we?"

Fluttershy smiled, and sat down across from him. "So, how has your week been?" She inquired.

"Splendid, of course." He said dryly, and drank his teacup.

"Are you sure?" She tilted her head at his tone.

"Oh, yes." He finished drinking the cup, and threw the tea in his mouth. "Just a bit tired, that's all." He assured her.

"Did you not get any sleep?" She asked, concerned.

"Ah, well, you- not that much." He stuffed a tea cake in his mouth.

"Discord, Is there something wrong?" The pegasus set her tea down.

"Nnng- Mmm Mmm." He wanted to avoid describe is dream.

"Discord!" She grew impatient.

He swallowed down the pastry, and sighed. "There's no getting out of this, is there?" He groaned.

"Discord," She got up, and held his paw. "You need to tell me what's wrong. You're not acting like yourself."

"Ugh, fine." He sighed in defeat. "I had a strange dream."

"Go on." She was still holding his paw.

"Well, you know how I'm usually a lucid dreamer, right?" He asked her.

"Mmm hmm." She nodded.

"Well, I-" His head started pounding, and he fell to the ground.

"Discord!" Fluttershy flew up to his head.

"I'm alright... just feels like there's construction going on in there or something." He groaned, and rubbed his head. "Anyway," He turned to be face-to-face with the mare. "This dream of mine... it was alien to me." He stated.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked.

"It was really... weird. Not the chaos weird, of course." The draconequus ran his talon through his beard. "It was dark, dreary, as well as cold." He continued.
“It was sort of like… when Tirek had been taking over, only… worse.”

“Do you know if this might mean something?” Fluttershy asked, still holding onto his paw.

“I… I don’t know.” He looked down. “I usually know things…. And things that make no sense always make sense to me but…”

Fluttershy looked at her friend, and saw the confusion in his eyes. She wanted to help, but she didn’t understand it herself.

“Maybe Twilight might know.” She suggested.

“Hmm?” Discord raised his eyebrows and looked up.

“Well… Twilight knows a lot… She might know what your dream was about.” She smiled.

“You think so?” He inquired.

“Mmm hmm.” The mare smiled.

“Alright then. Shall we go to Twilight’s place?” He quickly got to his feet, and summoned adventurer gear.

“Discord, we can just wa-“ She looked around her and giggled.

“Here we are!” He pointed at an upside down map. He pushed the castle door open. “Ladies first.” He grinned.

“Oh, Discord, you gentle creature, you.” Fluttershy teased as she walked in, and he followed after her.

“Now, where is that princess?” He summoned binoculars, and scanned the area.

“She might be in the library.” She pointed down the hall.

“Of course she would be.” Discord scooped fluttershy up in his arms, much to her surprise, and walked down the hall to the library.

***

“Exactly.” Twilight smiled at her student. Starlight Glimmer smiled back.

“And what about-“ Starlight was cut off be the door being swung open.

“Hello, your highness.” Discord set Fluttershy on the ground, and grinned.

“Ahem, I’m in the middle of something.” Twilight hinted at Starlight.

“Ah, yes. Your student.” He grinned.

He vanished and his head popped out of book that Twilight had opened just minutes earlier.

“Isn’t it amusing that you ended up having a student, like Celestia before you. It’s almost like Celestia is having you replace herself.” He grinned. “But why would she do that?”

Fluttershy walked over to the two, and waved at the student, who waved back.

“Discord needs to ask you about something.” she informed the alicorn.

Twilight sighed. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

Discord vanished from the book, and appeared on a couch. Twilight held a notebook, and glasses appeared on her face.

“Oh, it was just so dark-“

“Discord, shouldn’t you be serious about this? You want Twilight to take you seriously, right?” She raised her eyebrow.

The draconequus sighed, and the couch disappeared, along with the glasses and notebook.

Starlight sat down at her designated desk, and started reading the book Twilight had just given her.

“Alright.” He said. “I had a dream…” He paused.

“Umm… okay? I thought all creatures had dreams.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Umm, that’s not what he meant.” Fluttershy informed her friend.

“This dream wasn’t normal.” Discord stated.

“Aren’t things never normal with you?” She questioned him.

“It wasn’t normal to me.” He continued. “Usually I decided what goes on in my dreams, and I’m a lucid dreamer… but not this time. And there was nothing chaotic about it either.”

“Wait- what was this dream like?” She rubbed her chin with her hoof.

“It was dark and It felt cold.” He started floating midair.

Twilight’s eyes widened, and she quickly ran to a book she had looked at earlier.

“What’re you doing?” The draconequus inquired.

The alicorn didn’t speak. She was too busy frantically flipping through the pages.

Fluttershy and Discord looked at each other, then back at Twilight.

“Discord, by any chance, was there a voice in this dream?” She asked, a worried expression on her face.

“Umm, yes. Don’t see why that’d be important th-“ Discord was cut off my Twilight’s shushing.

The princess found what she was looking for, and started reading out loud.

“Every annum, a shadow spreads over Equestria. This shadow gave the ponies and inhabitants of Equestria dreary feelings, and they became depressed. Using the harmony tree, King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia vanquished the evil spirit, and the land became fulfilled once again.” She read.

“What does that have to do with my dream?” Discord inquired.

“Ponies were depressed from the nightmares the shadow spirit had given them.” Twilight shut the book. “If it has returned, then… I don’t know what we’ll do.” Twilight looked up, and noticed her student was still in the room, and she seemed to be listening to the conversation intently. “Starlight,” She started walking to her student.

“Twilight, I think you should tell Celestia and Luna. This might not be what you think it is, but you can’t be too sure.” Starlight suggested.

“You’re right… and even if it is, Celestia and Luna can just defeat it like their parents before them!” Twilight grinned eagerly.

“No.” Discord sighed. “I wasn’t around when they still ruled, but I do know that they were very powerful, and more powerful than Celestia and Luna. The two sisters aren’t even as strong as the princess of friendship.” He referred to Twilight.

Fluttershy looked at Discord and sighed. “Has it even been a million years since then?” She asked the princess.

Twilight galloped back to the book and opened it up again. Her mouth dropped, and she started shaking. “Exactly.”

***

Sunset Shimmer walked out of her classroom, a grin plastered on her face. She was eager for the day to be over, and she only had half more to go.

She put her books in her locker, and started walking towards the cafeteria.

“Hey Sunset.” Rainbow Dash waved as Sunset sat down next to Twilight.

“Hey guys!” She started eating.

“You seem to be in a good mood.” Rarity smiled.

“Why would she not be?!” Pinkie Pie grinned. “Spring break starts tomorrow!” She cheered.

“Ah almost forgot about that.” Applejack turned to Sunset. “Where are y’all going, sugar cube?”

“I’m spending spring break in equestria.” Her grin, if possible, seemed to grow wider.

“You’ve spent time there before…” Twilight spoke, looking down at her food.

“Is pony Twilight aware of this?” Rarity asked, taking a sip of her juice.

“She and I have discussed it, and arranged for me to stay I full week there.” Sunset held up her book, the one she had used to communicate with pony Twilight before.

“Well, It’s great knowing that you’ll have fun.” Rarity smiled.

“Yup. When you go, tell Twilight hi for us, will ya?” Applejack requested.

“Of course,” Sunset smiled. “but I’m only leaving after school ends.” she assured them.

She smiled, and her friends smiled back, all except two.

***

Sunset pushed her way through the crowd of students, trying to get out of the building. Everyone had flood the hallways once the bell had rang, and every single one of them were trying to escape the building, like it were a prison.

When she had gotten through the crowd, she spotted her friends.

“Hey guys.” She walked towards them. She looked around. “Where’s Rainbow Dash?” She asked.

“Rainbow Probably left earlier.” Rarity suggested, as she fixed Fluttershy’s hair.

“So… you’re going now?” Twilight stood behind Sunset. Sunset turned.

“Yep.” She smiled. “Oh, here, your glasses are falling off.” She helped the slightly shorter girl with her glasses, and Twilight’s face grew pink.

“Well, I reckon she will have fun, and I'm sure she hopes that y’all will have fun too.” Applejack smiled.

Pinkie started crying. “I’m going to miss you!”

“It’s only a week, Pinkie.” Sunset laughed.

“Okay, if you say so.” She sniffled.

“We’ll see you in a week, Sunset.” Fluttershy hugged her.

“Yea, see you in a week.” Sunset smiled.

All of her other friends joined in the hug. All except one.

Twilight stared at the ground, and fidgeted with her fingers. Sunset noticed her, and held her hand out, still in the group hug. Twilight hesitated, but took Sunset’s hand, and was pulled into the hug.

She too was going to miss Sunset, even though it would only be a week. She didn’t know why, but she felt as if this were the last time she would see her again.

“Well… don’t be too long.” Twilight forced a smile.

Sunset smiled back at her. “It’s only a week. I go to Equestria during weekends, so it’s nothing new.” She held the other girl’s hand, causing her to blush.

They let go, and Sunset stepped through the mirror. “See you guys in a week.” She waved, before disappearing into the mirror.

Author's Note

This is my first story so... yea. I try to correct all my grammatical mistakes, but if you spot any, let me know so I can correct them. I'm so excited for this story, and I hope you people like it. (0v0)/ If you've written something like this, then I wouldn't know. I've only read shipfics (mostly oneshots), so I wouldn't know. I'll try updating this at least every few days. Maybe a new chapter every three days, or two.

The spell

Sunset walked out of the mirror, and took a deep breath. She looked around, but didn’t see anyone.

“Twilight!” She called, and walked out of the library, and into the hallway. “

“Twilight!” She called again. There was no reply. She stepped out of the castle, and decided to ask Twilight’s friends about the princess’s whereabouts.

She walked towards Rarity’s boutique and knocked on the door.

Sunset never lived in ponyville, so she always got confused when she came to visit Twilight. So far she had only figured out where Twilight’s friends lived, but she couldn’t figure anything else out.

Rarity was at the door in a flash, and she opened it right away.

“Oh, hello Sunset.” Rarity smiled. “What brings you here?” She asked.

“Well, I came through the mirror, and Twilight wasn’t in the castle.” She said, looking up at Rarity.

“Oh, she’s in canterlot. Not sure why. I suppose she forgot that you were coming today.” Rarity informed her.

“Oh, alright. Thanks, Rarity.” Sunset smiled.

Rarity returned the smile.

“Are you going to wait for her?” Rarity inquired.

“Yea. I’ll just read some books until she gets back.” Sunset waved at Rarity as she started walking away.

“Alright.” Rarity waved back “See you later.”

***

Discord sat outside the door, listening to the princesses conversation. It was muffled, so he couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“If only Fluttershy had came. It’s just so lame listening to those ponies.” He summoned a cotton candy cloud, and lied in it.

Twilight opened the door, which had startled discord to his feet.

“Come in.” She said, beckoning the draconequus into the room.

“it’s about time. It feels as if I were waiting centuries.” He teased, and Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Hello, Discord.” Celestia greeted him. “We need to for certain if what you dreamt was really beyond your control.” Celestia informed him.

“Tia, you know that I see into dreams. I know for a fact that Discord is a lucid dreamer.” She glared at Discord. “One that-"

“I apologized for that.” He rolled his eyes.

“Then it’s true… the dark cloud has returned.” Celestia looked down and sighed.

Twilight walked up to the older princess, and put her hoof on her shoulder.

“King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia were your parents. Can’t you and Luna just vanquish it as they did before you?” Twilight asked, knowing what Celestia would say.

“It isn’t that simple…” Celestia looked down. “Twilight, you’re more powerful than Luna and I.”

“That… can’t be true.” Twilight shook her head. “You…. you and Luna raise the sun and moon…”

“Though only my sister and I posses that kind of magic, we don’t exactly excel in other types of magic.” She explained.

“Ahem.” DIscord groaned.

Celestia turned away from Twilight, and faced Discord.

“This voice you’ve described… what did it say to you?” She questioned him.

“Took you long enough.” He rolled his eyes, and received a glare from Luna. “I didn’t pick up much. Just a few words here and there like darkness, come, and follow.”

“I believe it might be trying to corrupt you, so that you would go back to being your old self.” She confessed.

“Me!?” Discord pointed at himself. “I’ve reformed, and I-“

“We understand that, but this… if it truly is what we think it may be… then it could control you.” Luna cut him off.

“How will we-“ Twilight started, but was interrupted by two guards opening the door.

“Your highness,” one rushed to Celestia, panting.

“We’ve just received an urgent letter from the Crystal Empire.” The other presented a scroll, and Celestia took it.

Celestia’s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.

“Sombra… he’s back.” She dropped the letter.

“What?!” Twilight was as taken aback as she was. “He… Spike.. We defeated him!” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was impossible, to her knowledge.

“Sister, we must send help, and immediately!” Luna exclaimed.

“This is only the beginning, isn’t it?” Celestia ignored her sister, and her body trembled.

“The beginning of what?” Discord inquired, raising his eyebrows.

Celestia’s knees locked, and she said nothing.

She shook her head, and came to her senses.

“Twilight, you must follow me, and quickly.” Celestia instructed.

Twilight nodded in response, and Celestia lifted up the rug with her magic.

“Sister?” Luna tilted her head.

“What is down there?” Twilight pointed at the staircase.

“Everything that had belonged to our parents, including spells all the spells they’ve ever created.” Celestia informed her.

“Sister….” Luna looked up at her, and looked down at the staircase.

Celestia turned to Luna.

“The only way… it’s here.” Celestia told Luna, and her sister nodded in reply.

“Can I go now or am I still of use?” Discord crossed his arms.

Twilight rolled her eyes, and beckoned for the draconequus.

The two followed Celestia and Luna down the staircase, and came upon a door.

Celestia summoned a key, and opened unlocked the door, before Luna opened it.

Twilight looked around, and became fascinated.

“Your parents were so amazing!” She grinned.

Celestia smiled, but it quickly faded.

“Tia, I think I found it.” Luna levitated a dusty old scroll, and gave it to her sister.

“Yes. This is it. Thank you, Luna.” Celestia hugged her, and turned to Twilight. “This is the spell that the Queen and King used all those years ago. I believe it may work if you use it on the cutie map, but you need help with this spell.” She explained, and gave it to her.

Twilight nodded, and took the scroll.

“Discord,” Celestia turned to him. “Teleport both you and Twilight back to Ponyville.”

Discord collected Twilight in a bubble, and they both disappeared in a Flash.

“Do you really think it will work?” Luna asked.

“I don’t believe it will do what it did so long ago, but I do believe that it is the only chance we have of vanquishing it.” Celestia sighed. “For now, we must go to the Crystal Empire.”

***

Starlight laid on her bed, reading a novel that Twilight had suggested. She found it difficult to focus on the book, and was thinking about what Twilight had been talking to Discord earlier.

She had a nightmare similar to the Draconequus’s that same night, and she couldn’t help but wonder what it meant.

She conjured up a bookmark, and laid it in her book. She looked around her room, which had look fairly similar to her teacher’s. Crystal-like walls, and a bed.

What did I do to deserve this much? Am I really allowed to be happy?

The unicorn shook her head, and got out of her bed. She walked out her room, and headed towards the library.

***

“Sunset?” The purple unicorn question as she walked into the room.

“Oh, hi Starlight.” The other replied.

“Twilight’s in Canterlot right now.”

Sunset nodded. “I know. Rarity told me.”

“Oh.” She looked up at the ceiling.

It was always awkward between the two. They were both aware about what the both of them had done, and how they had become friends with Twilight. Starlight Glimmer and Sunset Shimmer got along well, but at times Starlight felt a little jealous of how close Sunset and Twilight were, and Sunset could always feel it.

“Here we are, home sweet home.” Discord appeared, and a bubble of Twilight by his side.

Twilight popped the bubble, and glared at the draconequus. “Was that really necessary?”

“Maybe not, but it was quite hilarious.” He grinned.

“This isn’t the time to be-“ Twilight noticed Sunset.

“Hey Twilight.” Sunset smiled.

“Oh, Sunset!” She smiled and trotted to the unicorn, and hugged her. “How are you? Sorry I wasn’t here when you came. Something came up.”

Sunset nodded. “I understand.”

Discord coughed, thought it was obvious that it was forced. “Hypocrite.” He muttered under his breath.

Twilight rolled her eyes at him, and remembered what she came to do.

She turned to her student. “Starlight, I need your help with something.” She then turned to Sunset. “I could use your help as well."

The two unicorns nodded, and followed Twilight to the cutie map, and Discord followed behind them.

***

“Wait, are you telling me that… thing is back?” Sunset looked at Twilight in disbelief. “Celestia said her parents had defeated it… That’s…”

Twilight nodded. “Yes, unfortunately.”

“But… the tree of harmony is gone.” Starlight said, rubbing her arm.

“That’s why we’re here.” Twilight pointed at the cutie map.

“What would that do?” Sunset raised her eyebrows in confusion.

Twilight took a deep breath. “It-“

“Long story short, you’re going to cast the spell on that map.” Discord grinned, floating midair.

The alicorn glared at him. “Discord.” She gritted her teeth.

Sunset ignored it. “Do you know for sure… if this’ll work?” She asked, unsure if she should do this.

Twilight looked down. “I can only hope.”

Starlight walked up to her teacher. “Let’s just try. It couldn’t do any harm.” She said, trying to assure the princess.

Twilight looked up and nodded. She conjured up the spell, and showed it to the two unicorns. “Ready?”

The two unicorns responded with a nod, and Discord teleported out of the room.

They stood on opposite sides of the map, and started casting their spell. It proved to be difficult for all three of them, but they managed, and started floating up in the air. A purple strip of light emitted from Twilight, Sunset a red one, and Starlight a green. They all opened there eyes, and their pupils had disappeared. The light extended to the map, and a full blast of magic came from the castle.

The three fell to the ground, weakened by the powerful spell.

Discord had seen the blast, and teleported back into the castle to see what happened.

“Are you three-“

As the three struggled to get back to their feet, their pupils were restored.

Twilight had finally managed to get back to her feet. “D-did it work?” she started falling, but Sunset had caught her in time.

Starlight had eventually been able to stand, but Twilight was stuck in Sunset’s arms.

Discord groaned, and fell to the ground.

Starlight rushed to the draconequus. “What’s wrong?”

He ignored her, and started holding his ears, literally pulling them off his head.

Starlight then also fell, and started screaming.

Sunset was then caught in her mind just a few seconds later.

Twilight stood to her feet, and looked around the room. She looked at Discord, who was whispering things under his breath. The princess then turned to Starlight, who was still screaming, now incoherent words. Lastly, she looked at Sunset.

Sunset’s eyes were shut, and tears streamed down her face. Her lips were mouthing no, and Twilight couldn’t help but to pity all three of them.

A realization popped into her head.

It didn’t work.

Author's Note

Actually finished this chapter a few days ago. Pfft. If you see any grammatical errors, please let me know.

The map

“I came as soon as I heard Discord was hurt.” Fluttershy ran into the castle, followed Twilight’s other five friends, and Spike behind them.

“Thank you,” Twilight sighed. “I believe he’s fine now, though.”

“Why were you in Canterlot, might I ask?” Rarity inquired.

“What in the hay is goin’ on?” Applejack asked, most confused.

“What’s wrong with those three?” Rainbow Dash questioned.

“What was that big light explosion thing?!” Pinkie jumped up, her jaw dropped.

Twilight gulped down all the saliva that had gathered in her mouth, and looked up. “I have something to tell you girls."

***

“Wait, so this thing is giving them nightmares?” Rarity put her hoof to her chin. “Why just them?” She inquired.

“Think about it. They all have one thing in common.” Twilight replied.

“They were all once bad! But now they’re good!” Pinkie stated.

“Is that why they are having those nightmares? Sounded pretty bad.” Rainbow Dash blurted.

“Well, when Discord and I went to see the princesses, Celestia said that they may be trying to… pull him back.” She paused.

“You mean like, make him bad again?” Pinkie’s jaw dropped.

Twilight sighed. “I’m a afraid so.”

“So… the spell didn’t work?” Fluttershy questioned.

Twilight’s eyes widened. “No…” She stood there, her knees locked.

***

“Twilight?” Sunset’s eyes fluttered open, and her breaths were uneven.

“Sunset.” Twilight walked to the little bed that the other mare lay in, and held her hoof.

“Did it work?” She asked, tightening her grip on the princess’s hoof.

Twilight look down and sighed. “No.” She replied.

Sunset fell back on to her pillow. “I’m sorry.” Sunset whispered.

“You don’t have to be sorry for anything.” Twilight smiled weakly at the unicorn. “I should be sorry for putting through that.”

“No, It’s not your fault.”

They two were silent for a moment, thinking of something to say.

“Well,” Twilight broke the silence. “I think you should go back to the other world. I don’t want you to go through anymore of this…” A lumped formed in her throat, and she thought about different outcomes of what would happen to her friend.

Sunset nodded. “Okay…but I think I need some rest.”

The princess returned the nod, and left the room.

***

“Twilight, you need to take a look at this.” Fluttershy pointed at the map.

“What is it?” She inquired as she walked to the map.

“Well, it’s our cutie marks,” Rarity informed her. “But why would they be on the map, and our actual cutie marks not be flashing?”

“I- I don’t know.” Twilight looked at the map.

“They’re all in different places.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“I know, but why?” Twilight questioned aloud.

“Mine and Rarity’s are in the same place.” Applejack pointed at the two marks. “Just what in the hay is goin’ on?”

Twilight shut her eyes. The voices of her friends became muffled, and she turned her attention away from them.

What is happening? What should be done? What do you do?

I don’t know.

You don’t? You’re supposed to have all the answers.

I know…

You want to find out, don’t you.

…..

Yes, yes you do.

***

“Twilight!” The five ponies yelled in unison.

Twilight opened her eyes, and stood up.

“I think I know what we’re supposed to do.” She rubbed her head.

“What is it, Twilight?” Rarity put her hoof on her friend’s shoulder.

“We’re supposed to go to those places.. I think the map is telling us where to go ignored to defeat it… There may be something in those areas….” Twilight’s voiced trailed off, and she looked at the map. “I think that’s exactly what it’s doing.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Rainbow Dash smirked.

Author's Note

Yep, short chapter. Don't be afraid to point out any grammatical mistakes.

Goodbye

Twilight told the girls everything about the places they were going to, and what they would all need. They all left to go to their homes and prepare, while she was left on her own. Discord had gone home earlier, while Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer were still resting.

“Twilight.” Sunset’s voice made the alicorn jump, but she quickly got to her feet. “I’m ready to go back.” She looked away.

“Are you sure?” Twilight really didn’t want Sunset to leave, but she didn’t want to put her friend in danger when it was avoidable.

Sunset sighed. “Yes. I don’t want to get in your way.”

Twilight walked to the slightly shorter mare.

“Alright.” Twilight hugged her.

Sunset was washed with a warm feeling, and her cheeks became rosy. She hugged the other mare back, and felt a strange kind of happiness.

“Let’s get you home….” Twilight took the mare’s hoof in her own.

***

Sunset looked at her reflection in the mirror, and took a deep breath. She had came to Equestria just hours before, yet now she was going back. She turned back to look at Twilight, only to see that the princess was about to walk out of the door.

“Twilight?”

“Yes, Sunset?” She turned around.

Sunset couldn’t find anything to say. She just wanted to speak Twilight’s name, and see the alicorn’s violet eyes. She looked at the alicorn, and found herself getting lost in them.

“Sunset?”

The unicorn shook her head, and came back to reality. “Uh, bye.” She waved, and headed into the mirror.

“Huh?” Sunset opened her eyes. “Where’s the portal?” She put her hoof on it, but it didn’t go through.

“Oh no!” Twilight rushed to the portal.

“It’s not there anymore!” Sunset exclaimed.

“I didn’t know that…” Twilight put her own hoofs on the mirror. “I’m sorry.” Twilight leaned on the mirror, her face in her hooves.

“It’s not your fault.” Sunset did the same.

The two sat in silence, occasionally glancing at each other, trying to find the right words.

“I’m leaving tomorrow.” Twilight informed the unicorn.

“I overheard.” She replied.

“You can…. umm… if you want to… come along.” Twilight looked up at the ceiling.

“Okay…” Sunset did the same.

“Hate to interrupt, but I’m coming along as well.” Starlight walked into the library.

***

“Twilight.”

Twilight looked around her, but there was nothing. Just a blank white space. She ran towards where she was hearing the voice.

“Twilight” It repeated.

She continued running until she was stopped by an invisible force. A door appeared where she was stopped. It was purple-painted wood, and the knob was gold, and had been rusting of age.

She pushed it open, and the other side of the door showed a street. It had street lamps, but there was nothing else. The stars were not there, but the moon was, or what had appeared to be the moon.

“Twilight!”

“Sunset?!” She called out, and ran through the door. It disappeared, but she was too set on the call to notice.

“Sunset!” She called out again, still running to the source.

She spotted a blur of yellow and red, and stopped in her tracks

“Sunset?” She drew closer, and saw the unicorn’s figure.

The unicorn turned to face her, tears brimming her eyes. Twilight lunged to hug the mare, but Sunset became translucent and Twilights hooves went through her transparent body.

“Sunset!” Twilight yelled as Sunset vanished.

Twilight sat there, and started hearing voices. Her friends surrounded her.

“Twilight,” Rainbow Dash came close to her. “The war. Why wouldn’t you fight? I would be alive.” She snapped.

“Twilight,” Applejack drew closer, followed by Rarity. “You let us die. Why’d you do that?”

“You don’t care!” Rarity yelled in the Alicorn’s face.

“Oh, but of course you do.” Fluttershy came into the circle. “That’s why you let me get taken, of course.”

“YOU NEVER CARE!” Pinkie pie, her hair down, closed in on Twilight.

The alicorn covered her ears, and started to cry. .

“ENOUGH!” A voice boomed over them, and the five ponies disappeared.

Twilight looked up to see Luna, and flew up to her.

“Luna!” Twilight hugged her.

Luna pulled away from the hug, and the two flew to the ground.

“I don’t understand. Why were my friends all saying those terrible things?” Twilight asked.

“They weren’t your friends. They were shadows, and they were sent to your dreams to try and drive you mad.” Luna informed her.

The blue alicorn looked down, and took a deep breath. “Celestia and I have been captured.” Luna confessed.

“What?” Twilight’s eyes widened, and she looked at the older alicorn with confusion.

“We went to the Crystal Empire to see what we could do, but we were captured by some of Sombra’s citizens. We were sent to Tartarus.” Luna sighed, having revealed this all to Twilight. “I know not how I was able to come into your dream, but what I do know, is that you’re the only princess who hasn’t been captured. Cadence is frozen, along with her unborn child.”

Twilight’s mouth dropped.

“I understand that it is a lot to take in, but Equestria is in your hands.” Luna started disappearing.

“You are waking up now, so I must go. Remember your duty.”

Twilight nodded, and the princess vanished.

***

Twilight’s head rose off the pillow, and her eyes immediately opened. Recalling her dream, she planted her face into her pillow.

“How in the name of Celestia will I be able to take care of Equestria, and go on my adventure at the same-“ A realization came to her, and she walked to Spike’s side of the room.

The dragon snored, and smoke emitted from his nostrils.

“Of course.” She whispered to herself.

She walked to his bed, and nudged him.

“Twi?” His eyes groggily opened, and he rubbed them both.

“Spike… I need to ask you something.” Twilight looked him in the eyes.

“I need you to take care of Equestria.”

His jaw dropped farther than what Twilight had thought to be possible, and his eyes widened.

“WHAT!?”

“I can’t do it… and you’re the most responsible and organized pony I know, besides myself.”

Spike crossed his arms. “I’m not a pony…” He muttered under his breath.

“You are to me.” Twilight sat on his bed.

Spike sighed, and looked up at the purple alicorn.

“You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” He questioned.

“Yes, I am.” She looked at the ground.

“What do I have to do?”

“I need you to build an army, and foresee that it succeeds in taking down King Sombra, and whatever else that may appear.”

“You know I can’t-“

“I’m not asking you to fight. I just need you to make sure it happens. Think of yourself as acting as a prince.” Twilight put her hoof on his shoulder.

He nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

Twilight beamed with graciousness, and mouthed ‘thank you’.

“Where are the princesses, though?” He asked, and he leapt out of his bed.

“Oh… that.” Twilight’s grin faded. “Luna and Celestia were sent to Tartarus, and Cadence is frozen.”

“How do you know?” Spike inquired with a shocked expression.

“Luna came into my dream last night.”

“How did she do that if she’s in Tartarus?”

“I don’t know.”

The two sat in silence, until Twilight stood up.

“I must give you some papers. They’ll help you do everything that you need to do.”

`

***

Fluttershy lay on her bed, and looked at the paper map Twilight had given her. She was to go beyond the Crystal Empire, and this bewildered her. She was to be going alone, without any other pony. Rarity and Applejack were going together, so they had each other’s company, but Fluttershy didn’t. She’d never gone alone, and by foot much less.

“Surprise!” Discord appeared in front of her, causing the yellow pegasus to jump. “Miss me?”

“Discord, you’re alright?”

“Well….” The draconequus scratched his neck. “I’m going with you!” He beamed.

“But… the map said to go alone…” She reminded him.

“The map said you had to go there, not that no one could come along. Besides, Twilight is bringing Sunlight Glimmer and Starset Shimmer.”

The pegasus giggled. “It’s Sunset and Starlight.”

“Tomato potato.” He shrugged.

“Alright, you may come with me.” She hugged him, and the draconequus hugged his friend back.

***

“We’re here.” Fluttershy announced as she walked into the castle, and she was followed by Discord.

“He’s going with you?” Twilight questioned.

“Hypocrite.” Discord teasingly spat at her.

“That’s not what I meant.” She groaned. “Alright.” Twilight turned to Spike. “Are you sure you can handle everything?”

“If I can’t, who will?” He grinned.

Sunset and Starlight stood next to the dragon, and they both watch Twilight intently.

“Are you two sure you want to go with me?” She asked the two unicorns, and they both nodded.

Twilight nodded, then turned back to her friends.

“We must be prepared for whatever lies ahead, so Pinkie Pie,” She turned her attention to the pink pony. “I’ve arranged for a good friend of yours to accompany you.” She informed her.

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Who?!” Pinkie bounced up and down with excitement.

“Cheese Sandwich. He travels all of Equestria so he should be able to help you on your journey.”

“CHEESE!” Pinkie rushed to the door as the orange party pony walked in.

“Hiya, Pinkie!” Cheese grinned.

“How did Twilight get ahold of you?! I mean, I know where you are all the time since we wright to each other, but how did she know? ” Pinkie asked, still bouncing up and down.

“Through me.” Spike boasted.

“And you’re okay with coming on this dangerous mission?!” Pinkie’s jaw dropped to the floor.

“Why wouldn’t I not come?!” He laughed. “I know equestria like it’s my own home. Everything and everywhere.” The earth stallion beamed.

“Alright, now that that’s settled, Rainbow,” She turned her attention to the cyan pegasus. “Are you sure you can handle going on your own?”

“Duh, I’m Rainbow Dash, I can handle myself.” She flaunted her wings, and Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Alright, if it’s all settled, then we should go now.” Twilight declared, and her friends rushed in to hug her.

“Ahm gonna miss y’all Twi, Flutters, Pinkie, and even you Rainbow.” Applejack wrapped her forelegs tighter around the ponies.

“As will I. Do be safe, and Discord, watch Fluttershy.” Rarity glanced at the draconequus, but quickly turned her attention to the group hug.

“Gah, you’re making it- hard to breathe!” Rainbow Dash wheezed, but continued to hug her friends.

“AWW, I’M GOING TO MISS YOU ALL!!!” Pinkie Pie sobbed, and her waterfall of tears formed a large puddle.

“I’ll miss you girls, but I can manage.” A single tear rolled down Fluttershy’s cheek, and she embraced her friends.

Twilight was on the verge of tears, but she kept herself together. “Oh, I’ll miss you all. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack.” Twilight eyed Discord, who had been crossing his arms, and rolled her eyes. “You too, Discord.”

The Draconequus beamed, and joined the group hug.

The ponies pulled apart, and they all dried their tears. Sunset watched intently. Twilight’s friends here reminded her so much of her friends at Canterlot High, and it made her want to cry, but she stayed strong.

“Goodbye.” Twilight waved to her friends as she walked out the door, followed by Sunset and Starlight.

Rarity and Applejack left afterwards, followed by Pinkie and Cheese.

“You sure you’ll be okay, Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash questioned.

The yellow pegasus nodded. “I have Discord.”

The two pegasi hugged each other, and Rainbow Dash flew out, leaving just Fluttershy and Discord.

“Good luck, Spike.” She hugged the Dragon.

“You too.” He smiled. “Goodbye.” He waved at the mare and the draconequus.

The two waved back at him, and then walked out, shutting the door behind them.

Author's Note

Nothing to say, nothing here.

Yep.