Wavering Magic

by MrTyreste

Rating: everyone
Tags: Romance, Adventure, Sad, Dark
Length: 9870

Life is falling apart in Equestria as an ancient king returns from his imprisonment

One year has passed since the marriage of Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, and things are quiet in Ponyville as usual, until Rainbow Dash and Rarity decide to take Twilight to Canterlot to celebrate her eighteenth birthday.

What they don't know is that every year, Twilight's dreams turn to memories warning her to stay away from Canterlot on that particular day. When she decides to ignore them this time, she risks her friends' lives, her magic, and the very freedom of Equestria.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-06-20 21:24:03 UTC

A Strange Dream

"Armor, take Twilight and run!"  The blue unicorn commanded as the walls of the castle shook.

"Daddy, what's going on?  I'm scared."  A young purple foal cried to her father, using every last ounce of his magic to hold the door in place.

"There's nothing to worry about Twilight, dear.  Your brother will protect you.  Now get going!  Your mother and I will be right behind you."  The stallion still held the door in place as more and more guards came to their aid.

"I don't wanna leave you, daddy!"  The purple foal cried again.  "I don't wanna leave you!"  Tears streaming down her face, she clung to the stallion's hind leg.

"Twilight, I will come back for you.  For both of you, now get going!"  The door began to crack as a sinister voice echoed.

"Bring her to me..."  a demonic voice whispered as the walls began to crack.  Shining picked Twilight up and threw her on his back and made a run for it.

"Bring her..." it grew louder and louder as the door burst from its hinges revealing a monstrous entity of magic.

"Bring her!"  Twilight screamed.

The rooster crowed at the break of dawn in Ponyville, same as it always has while a certain baby dragon completed his chores before the resident librarian awoke.

"Twilight, you awake yet?"  the baby dragon tried to get her attention by shaking her out of bed, finally bringing her out of her slumber.

"Spike?"

"Haha, you like what I did to the place?"  Twilight looked around, still half asleep, at the beautifully cleaned library.  There wasn't a book or scroll out of place, the floor had been swept clean, and a hay and lettuce sandwich waited for the purple unicorn on her favorite desk.  "I got up really early to do this for you so you wouldn't have anything boring to do on your special day."

Twilight looked at him quizzically.  "My...what?"

"Geeze, and I thought I was lacking in the thinking department.  It's your birthday, egghead!"  A certain cyan pegasis flew around the room holding a copy of Daring Doo.  "I let myself in, hope you don't mind.  Happy birthday, Twilight!"

"Rainbow!"  Twilight finally was wide awake as she embraced her and Spike in a hug.  "Sorry if I've been a little off, it's just I had a hard time sleeping last night."  Spike and Rainbow looked at each other, and then back to Twilight.  Spike was the first to say anything.

"It was the dream again, huh?"

"What dream?  Did you dream about flying, cause flying is so awesome!"  Rainbow exclaimed.

"No, it wasn't about flying."  Twilight chuckled.  "But I was moving very fast."  She looked proud.  "Tell me you didn't plan some crazy party for me at Sugarcube corner again."

"Nah, no offence to Pinkie, but that place is getting old. I thought we could try a new place."

Twilight's ears popped up in excitement as she made a small "squee."  "Oh?  Where to then?"

"Well, get this, you remember that dude, Fancy Pants that Rarity met in Canterlot?  Well, it just so happens he is opening one of the fanciest places in town, called the Shining Mare.  He wants you to be the first guest of honor.  Well?"  Rainbow looked excited, but Twilight couldn't help feeling a twinge of despair.

"Canterlot?  Now?"  She said with a fearful look in her eye.

"Well, why not now?  Seems as good a time as any, and you may never get a chance like this again.  It'll be fun, Twi, come on."  Rainbow smiled as Twilight tried to force a chuckle.

"You're right, I'm being silly.  Tell the others I'll be on my way soon."  And with that, Rainbow dashed out of the library and into the horizon.

"Twilight, don't."  Spike sounded concerned.  "This dream happens every year just before your birthday, I don't want it to mean what I think it means."  Spike hugged Twilight's front legs.

"Maybe it won't really happen."  She said to assure him.  "Remember what Princess Celestia said, my element won't betray me as long as I stay who I am."  It was true, the element of Magic was the wildcard of the Elements of Harmony, only able to be used when all five are present.  However, something happened the night Twilight got her cutie mark, the person she was had changed.  She became something else, or rather something came from her and became something else.

"I'll be fine, Spike."  She patted Spike on the head with her left hoof.  "If anything happens, I'll come straight home."  She kissed Spike on the forehead.  "Hold down the fort til I'm back, I won't be all night!"  And with that she was gone.

"I love you, Twilight."  Spike muttered.  "Dear sweet Celestia, Twilight is like a sister to me, please don't let me lose her."

Maybe it wouldn't happen, maybe those dreams weren't warnings at all, but just tricks played on her by the strain she had endured from fighting the Changlings and Queen Chrysalis.

"Bring her..."

Explanations

"All aboard who's comin' aboard!"  The conductor shouted on the platform of the Ponyville train station.  The six friends, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight Sparkle galloped into the first car to await their arrival to Canterlot.

"Oh darling, you are going to love this place, Fancy Pants said it is going to be THE top in entertainment and cuisine in all of Equestria."  Rarity boasted about the place she wanted to take Twilight to.  It was hard to believe that she and Fancy Pants had officially become business partners over the past year.  While not exactly what she had in mind, she was at least selling more dresses than ever before.

"Umm, I hope it will be fun."  Fluttershy mumbled.

"Come on, Shy, it's gonna be a hoot!"  Applejack proclaimed.  "Why, I bet there will be singin, dancin, fancy eats, and maybe even a few critters in there."  Applejack had been reading the pamphlet she had received from Rarity a few days before Twilight's birthday.

"And parties!"  Typical Pinkie Pie attitude.

"Sounds like fun, everypony."  Twilight chuckled as she took a seat by the window.

Rainbow Dash flew over to her and sat down.

"Hey Twilight, can we talk?"  She motioned her head towards the other carriage.

"What about?"

"Just something that's been on my mind, that's all."

"Ok, we have time."  Twilight smiled.  The two mares made their way to the second car.

Twilight sat down as Rainbow Dash flew overhead.  At first Twilight thought it was going to be her asking about another book, but a look of genuine concern flashed in Rainbow's eyes.

"Ok, what's up?"  Rainbow landed down in front of Twilight.

"What do you mean?"  Twilight asked.

"I overheard you and Spike before I left, something about dreams every year on your birthday, your element 'betraying you' and Spike praying he doesn't lose you."  Rainbow inched closer to Twilight's face.  "What gives?"

"Look Rainbow."  Twilight said with a sigh, plopping down onto the floor.  "It's not a dream."

"What do you mean not a dream?"

"Well,"  Twilight began.  "Ok, you gotta promise me you won't tell anypony about this, Element of Loyalty, got it?"  She demanded, while Rainbow Dash just nodded her head.

"About a month after I got my cutie mark, on the day of my birthday, something happened at the castle.  My family and I were staying with the princess as a sort of happy birthday present."  Twilight began.

"Well, that night, something happened, and some kind of creature began pounding at the door.  It kept saying 'Bring her, bring her' and my father told Shining Armor to take me and get out of there.  I don't think the creature hurt anyone, but it did come very close to breaking down the door.  As me and my brother fled the castle, the pounding stopped, but I still heard the voice in my head."

Rainbow sat there listening intently.  "What then?  What was it?"

"Princess Celestia had this theory, before I got my cutie mark, I was failing the entrance exam to her school, badly.  When your Sonic Rainboom hit, it caused me to lose control of my magic and I went nuts.  She had this theory, that that much concentrated, raw magical energy in one place, could draw something."

"Like what?"  Rainbow dash questioned, now looking even more concerned.

"We don't know, no one does.  But every night before my birthday, the same dream happens.  I don't know what it is, but Spike seems to think it's a warning.  Stay away from Canterlot on my birthday."

"Stop the-!"  Rainbow Dash tried to shout, but Twilight grabbed her by the snout and held her down.

"Listen to me, you can't tell anypony!  Ever!"

"But Twilight, what if Spike is right?

"What if he's wrong?"

"If he's wrong, we have nothing to fear.  If he's right, we may lose a great friend."  Rainbow cried.

"I just want to know what's supposed to happen, Rainbow, and it's nothing we can't handle."

"Twilight..."  Rainbow began to say, but she became choked up by the tears.  "Don't you bucking die on me, got it?"  She playfully punched her on the foreleg.

"Ow!"  Twilight gasped, "I think you may cause that before any monster will."  They both laughed.  "If it helps I'll stay by you guys the whole time, ok?"

"Fair enough."  Rainbow said, and with that they left the car.

Doctors and Decendents

The train ground to a halt at the Canterlot train station after the several hours of travel.  The other ponies, weary from their travels, exited the various cars of the train and made their way to the platform.

"Ok everypony, we have a lot of work to do.  Applejack, head to the bakery and pick up the ingredients for the cake.  Pinkie, head over to the place to check on decorations,"  Applejack gave a nod and ran off while Pinkie bounced away in her usual manner.

"Fluttershy, see to the guests with me and Fancy Pants before the festivities start."

"Umm, ok Rarity, sounds like fun."  Fluttershy mumbled with a small smile.

"Ok, and Rainbow Dash, you remember the plan?"

"Keep Twilight distracted until the preparations are made and you and Fancy Pants give the Ok, got it!"  Rainbow Dash said with gusto.

Twilight finally made her way off the train, only to be greeted by a very eager Rainbow Dash.

"Let's get going, egghead!"  Rainbow picked Twilight off the ground and flew into the city, flying high above the other ponies below.  Twilight had to admit, she never saw her hometown from this view before, all the ponies and towers and shops looking like small toys just below her.  It almost made her wish she was a pagesi herself.

"Where are we going!?"  Twilight shouted as Rainbow still struggled to keep her and Twilight in the sky.

"Phew, I gotta set you down, Twi."  She landed on a street corner beside a coffee shop and a beauty salon.  "You been hitting the hay fries, Twilight?  Not to be rude, but you seem a little heavy."  Rainbow giggled

"Hey!  I've been watching my figure, jerk!"  Twilight snapped.

"Easy, I was only kidding around.  I'm sorry."

"Oh Rainbow, I'm the one who should be sorry.  I have no idea why I snapped like that."  She hugged her with her forelegs.  "Guess I'm still thinking too much about the nightmare-"  A sudden thud came from around the block, and another, and another followed by the screaming of ponies running from the direction of what appeared to be a giant, robotic pony.

"Everyone stay calm!  It's just a glitch!  He will stabilize!"  A brown stallion with a spikey mane called out from under it.  A grey pegasi with a blonde mane flew frantically overhead.

"Yeah!  He's just kinda wonky!  Don't worry!  Oh hey, Rainbow Dash!"  The grey pony yelled.

"Derpy?!  What are you doing here?"  Rainbow Dash flew up to meet the pegasus mare.  "I thought you were still in Ponyville."

"Oh, I got a job as Mister Doctor's assistant a while back, and well he's been keeping me busy, so-"

"A little less talk, Miss Hooves, I need you to focus on keeping the automaton stabilized without bringing harm to the citizens!"  The brown pony called out while dodging the legs of the enormous metal horse.

"Oh right, sorry Mister Doctor!"

"It's just THE Doctor, or Doctor Hooves, Miss Derpy!"

"Got it Mister Doctor Hooves, sir!"  She flew around the creatures head as it stomped around the street trying to catch Hooves as he waved a bizarre metal stick around it.

"Almost got it!"  He flicked the device at the creature and it made a small DING sound as it shut down.

"Have the royal guards fly this back to my office, it seems we have some bugs to work out."  He nodded to one of the guards who saluted and flew off.

"That was amazing!"  Twilight and Dash said in unison, much to the surprise of the Doctor.

"Why thank you, but it was nothing really.  Ever since-"  He stopped when he recognized the purple filly.  "Oh ho!  You're Twilight Sparkle!  I've seen you around Ponyville many times but I've never formally met you.  I'm Doctor Hooves, time traveler, doctor, and designer."  He held out his hoof which Twi immediately grabbed for a hoofshake.

"It's a pleasure.  I'm Twilight Sparkle, resident...librarian."  She laughed.

"I've actually been meaning to talk to you about something.  Would you be so kind as to come with me to my office for a minute?"

"Sure, I don't see why not.  I'd love to see some of your inventions, I've head a lot about you."  Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash.  "Do you mind if we go with him for a while?"

Rainbow shrugged, "Hey, it's just my job to distract you for the day, whatever floats your boat."

If Twilight thought books were interesting, she had a lot to learn here.  Each shelf was lined with several large tomes and scrolls on the subject of time, different dimensions, and technology.  Several different machines also lined the walls, including an enormous radar-esque device at the very back of the room.

"So Twilight, let me first wish you a happy birthday."  Whooves smiled and slid her a long, thin package across the floor to her.  Twilight picked it up and opened the lid to find a book titled "The Days of Starswirl, a look into the days of Medieval Equestria."

"Oh my gosh, thank you, I've never heard of this book before!"  Twilight screamed and hugged the book, and then proceeded to hug Doctor Hooves.

"Haha, you are quite welcome, Miss Sparkle.  It actually fits into what I want to talk to you about."  He walked over to the radar device.

"When I went back in time a few weeks ago, I met someone very important.  Someone who is the authority on unicorn magic.  Starswirl the Bearded himself."  Twilight gasped.

"You met Starswirl the Bearded?  He was around before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna even ruled Equestria!  He was around before Canterlot even existed!  He was-" The Doctor put his hoof over Twilight's mouth as she continued to mumble.

"Yes yes, I know.  But the funny thing was his cutie mark.  It was very similar to yours."  He nodded.  "I think the only difference was the color scheme, that's it.  It was a silver spark in the middle with golden stars around it, as opposed to your purple spark."

Twilight looked over her should at her flank, and cutie mark.  Who would have thought she of all ponies could share something in common with the master of unicorn magic.

"He taught me a way to use magic without being a unicorn, and gave me a spark to power this machine.  By now you both are wondering what it does, I take it."  Twilight nodded while Rainbow Dash looked as oblivious as ever.

"It's a device the Princess herself asked me to make.  Ever since the Changling incident we've been on high alert and on the lookout for magical signatures different from unicorns, pegasi, alicorns, and earth ponies.  So far we have averted one or two would be enemies, but two days ago, something weird happened."  Doctor Hooves explained.

"A bizarre energy signature blanketed the vicinity of Canterlot for one hour, it was unlike anything I had ever seen, even Princess Luna was baffled.  Then after that hour, it was gone."

Rainbow Dash snapped back into reality.  "So let me get this straight, a few nights ago, some weird magic blanketed Canterlot and just disappeared before Twilight's birthday?"

"That's correct, but I'm not sure-"

"That's it, we're pulling the plug.  I'm gonna tell Rarity and the others that we're going home now."  Rainbow turned around and spread her wings before she was grabbed by Twilight's left hoof.  "Let...go."  Rainbow growled.

"You promised you wouldn't tell them."  Twilight pleaded.

"Buck that, Twilight!  You're in danger!  I don't know what the hay your dream means, but Spike was right.  It is a warning!  I have to tell them!"

"No Rainbow, if you tell them-"

"It could save your life!"

"Umm Miss Dash, if I may interject, the magic held no hostile energy whatsoever.  It simply looked like it was just there.  I just said it looked strange, that's all."  Doctor Hooves explained.  Rainbow Dash sat down.

"I'm sorry, Twilight, I guess I kinda freaked out.  I'm just kinda worried.  What if this does turn out to be something like Discord or Night Mare Moon, what if we can't handle it this time?"  Rainbow Dash sighed as Twilight walked up to her.

"I'll be perfectly fine, Dash, you know me.  If it does turn out to be something like that, we'll just fight it off with the elements of Harmony, simple as that."  She smiled.

"I guess you're right, as usual."  Rainbow scoffed.  "Still not leaving your side, though!"

"I wouldn't have it any other way."  Twilight grinned.

A grey pegasi burst through the doorway and crashed into a bookshelf, toppling it over.

"For the love of Celestia, Miss Derpy, ever consider walking?"

"Bad news, Mister Doctor Hooves, the thing got away from the guards.  It was hungry I think, so it went to a restaurant."

"Oh for Pete's sake, I'll handle this.  Twilight, happy birthday once again, and make it a pleasant one!"  He yelled as he galloped through the doorway and into the street.

"Hey, wait for me!"  Derpy followed behind.

Assault on Canterlot

"Now careful, everypony.  A little to the left."  Rarity called out to the construction crew as a large claw eased a sign that read "The Shining Mare" onto a ledge of the front of a large building.

"Perfect!"  She yelled in delight.  "It looks like everything is properly positioned, and not a moment too soon."  She trotted over to Fancy Pants, who was signing a piece of paper on a clipboard.

"Yes, and the payment has been made.  I must say, Miss Rarity, we make quite a team, you and I."  The tall, unicorn stallion spoke with an airy accent.

"I'm glad you think so."  Rarity stumbled on her words, giggling in between.  The building was a magnificint sight, the architecture seeming almost Victorian with its old-fashioned stone finish and lamp posts.  On the top of the building stood a golden statue of a pony holding a book.

"Oh yeah!  It's gonna be fantastic!"  Pinkie Pie jumped out of a box of party favors, nearly giving the two unicorns heart attacks.

"Goodness, Pinkie, a little warning next time?"   Rarity stumbled back into Fancy's forelegs, which caused her to blush slightly.

"Oh oh!  I had this thought.  Twilight's brother married a princess, right?  So that makes him a prince, but then wouldn't Twilight be a princess too?"

"Oh heavens no, Pinkie, Twilight wouldn't-"

"Actually, it does seem likely, Miss Rarity."  Fancy Pants interrupted her.  "You see, by Canterlot law, all members of the married party are included into the royal family, but whether this means Twilight and her parents have royal titles I do not know.  However because Twilight is not only in the same generation as her brother, but is immediate family, Miss Sparkle could have the title of Princess or Duchess of Canterlot."  Fancy Pants finished explaining.

"Huh?  Really?"  Rarity looked at him with large, wide eyes as though in shock.

"Looks like Twilight will be calling the Princess Auntie Celestia from now on!"  Pinkie squeeled to everypony's amusement as they laughed.

"How one Pegasis could damage that many buildings is beyond me."  Doctor Whooves put his face in his hooves as Derpy flew behind him.

"I'm sorry Mister Doctor, I just don't-"

"What went wrong?  Don't worry about it, Miss Hooves, you're still my number one assistant."  He winked as her, causing her to blush.  A siren blared out of the machine he had recently shown Twilight as a large, white blob began moving around the vicinity of Canterlot on its map.

"There it is again!"  Derpy cried.

"Interesting, it seems to be condensing onto one spot.  But where?"  He began to fiddle with the machine until the map zoomed in on the city.

"Great Caeser's goats!"  He exclaimed, stepping back.  "That thing is condensing onto Twilight!"  Derpy gasped.

"We gotta get to her, first!"  Derpy flew out of the room as fast as she could.

"Allonsy!"  Doctor Whooves raced after her.

"Hey Twilight, are you feeling ok?"  Applejack had joined her and Rainbow Dash as they walked around Canterlot, her task with the catering company finished.  Twilight looked a little pale, not much different, but a little less purple than what she usually is.

"Of course, guess I'm just a little tired, that's all."  She smiled.

"Well no reason to be tired on your big day, sugarcube."  Applejack winked.  "We got all kinds of good eats down at the place Rarity's-"

"Twily!"  A grey Pegasus dashed down and collided with her, knocking her back into a food stand.  "Twily, thank Celestia, Mister Doctor has some news for you, come quick!"  Rainbow Dash pulled Derpy off of Twilight and pushed her away.

'What do you think you're doing, Derpy?!"  Dash was quite annoyed.  "You could have knocked her head off!"

"Rainbow, I'm fine!"  Twilight picked herself up off the ground and shook the dirt and crumbs from the bread on the cart out of her mane.  "I'm so sorry for your bread, I'll pay for it."  She reached into her saddlebag for some bits.

"No need, Miss Sparkle, this one's on the house."  The stallion smiled.  "Or should I say, on the coat?"  He started chuckling as he tossed her a loaf of bread.

"What is wrong with you, Derpy?  Isn't it enough that you nearly crashed into the delivery cart this afternoon?"  Applejack scolded her.

"I'm sorry, Mister Doctor needs to see Twily really soon.  He's on his way now."

"Mister Doctor?"  Applejack looked confused.

"Doctor Whooves, from Ponyville."  Twilight and Rainbow said simultaneously.

"Aha!  Found you!  Twilight, you must come with me, you're in danger."  Doctor Whooves ran up to them, out of breath.  "Dear Celestia, Miss Derpy, you're lucky you can fly."

"What do you mean she's in danger?"  Applejack asked.

"I knew it!  I knew something was wrong!"  Rainbow Dash exclaimed.  'We're getting Rarity and we're heading back to Ponyville right now."

"No!"  Twilight yelled.

"I swear, Twilight, if I have to carry you unconcious, I will get you home."  Rainbow Dash stood firm in front of Twilight, pushing her head against Twilight's and moving forward.  Twilight dug her hooves into the dirt and held her ground, pushing Rainbow back.  Rainbow's eyes grew cold as her wings flared like she was about to take off, raising off the ground onto her hind legs as Twilight's horn began to glow, readying a spell.

"That's enough, you two!"  Doctor Whooves and Applejack pulled them apart.  Rainbow looked at Twilight with anger in her eyes.

Anger and tears.

"I'm sorry."  Rainbow's voice cracked.

"Rainbow..."  Twilight eased towards her, but Rainbow brushed her aside and turned her back to her.

A loud neighing sound filled the air as the ponies looked up at the darkening sky, the clouds closing in on the city until the tallest tower was the only thing that measured how high the clouds stretched into the sky.  Three large, spectral ponies raced down onto the streets of Canterlot, freezing everything they came in contact with with their breath.

"Windegoes!"  A random pony shouted as screams of fright filled the air.  The Windegoes were joined by several others, each one neighing and freezing everything in their path.

"Come on Rainbow, we gotta do something!"  Twilight yelled over the commotion.

"I agree completely.  Miss Derpy, if you would?"  He held out his hooves.

"Okie dokie!"  Derpy Hooves grabbed him by the forelegs and lifted him up into the air at breakneck speed.

"I'll dispel the clouds and bring the sun back, you three focus on distracting the creatures until the Canterlot guard gets here!"  The Doctor shouted as he became enveloped in the unnatural clouds.

"Well you heard 'em."  Applejack produced a long rope and lassoed one of the beasts by its front legs and pulled it down.  "Yeehaw!"  She yelled as it pulled her up with it.

Twilight's horn flared as she shot a series of spells into the Windegoes that flung them back.  The air itself cracked as she continued to fire heat spells into them as Rainbow Dash barraged them with a series of bucks at high speed.

"Come on, I'll take you all on!"  Rainbow Dash shouted as she flew straight into the crowd of Windegoes, knocking them all back with her wings and forelegs.

"Whoooaa!"  Applejack flew around attatched to the Windegoe, her rope still her her mouth.  "A little help here?"  She said through her teeth as the creature flung her around.

"Applejack!"  Twilight aimed her horn at the rampant beast, preparing a spell that would knock the thing down.  Something was stopping her, though, a fear of hitting Applejack instead.  She stopped her concentration as the Windegoe continued to fling itself about.

Do it.  A voice entered her head.

"Who-"

You have the power, dear, use it.  The voice grew louder and louder as Twilight's eyes turned from their usual purple color to pure white.

Send them to Tartaros.  It said again as Twilight lowered her head as her horn flared even brighter and louder.  She looked towards the Windegoe that was carrying Applejack and fired a spell that rattled the space around her.  Applejack's eyes widened as the unthinkable happened that caused Twilight's eyes to change again.  The spell slammed into both the Windegoe and Applejack as they both came crashing down into the ground.

"No!  Applejack!"  Twilight screamed as her friend slammed into the earth with a loud crack.

"Got it!"  A loud crash sounded through the sky as the clouds dissipated, exposing the Windegoes to the sun and the incoming Canterlot guard.

"This way men!"  A familiar voice sounded as a large unicorn stallion ran across the ground towards her, the guards fending off the remaining Windegoes.  The unicorn was white, with a blue mane and wore purple armor as opposed to the golden armor of the others.  "Twily!"  He shouted.

"Brother?"  Twilight whimpered as tears filled her eyes.  Applejack, how could she have hit her too.  The world began to spin around her as her eyes became heavy.  Finally her eyes closed and her horn stopped shining as she fell to the ground, out cold.

Now you're mine, Star Swirl.

The Ancient King

Twilight fell through what seemed like an eternity of darkness and shadows.  The air around her became thick with malice as she continued her decent into nothingness.  Every fiber of her being wanted to scream, but the words became caught in her mouth, choking her as she fell and fell.  Finally, the clouds of darkness parted and she found herself on a balcony overlooking what looked like a courthouse, but more old fashioned.  A gavel sounded across the room as ponies started to appear around her.  To her left, in the seat beside her, sat a handsome unicorn with a blue coat and a brown mane and whiskers.  His body cloaked in an old fashioned coat with a pocket-watch in the front coat pocket.

"Umm, excuse me."  Twilight tried to get the stallion's attention.

"Clover?  When did you get here, girl?"  He turned and smiled, patting Twilight on the head.  "I thought for sure you were still with the little ones."  He looked up and down her body.  "Why are you naked?"

Twilight looked confused.  "Umm, who is Clover?"  The stallion rubbed his eyes, realizing his mistake.

"Oh, forgive me, you look just like my daughter.  Terribly sorry, are you one of the king's wizards as well?"  He extended his hoof.  "Star Swirl, at your service."  Twilight's eyes widened in awe.

"Star Swirl the Bearded?"  Twilight covered her mouth with her hoof.  "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed in a Rainbow Dash fashion.

"Haha, is that what they're calling me, now?  I really need to shave this thing."  He chuckled.

Twilight smiled as the jury took its place on the stand. A large, pure white alicorn stallion walked up to the center of the balcony that she and Star Swirl were on.  He was enormous compared to the other ponies, wearing a type of ceremonial armor with the symbol for Equestria on it, the two alicorns circling the sun and moon.

"Who is that?"  Twilight whispered to Star Swirl.

"New to Equestria, I take it.  That there is King White Mane.  The first alicorn ruler to set hoof on this land."  The alicorn looked over at them for a moment, his eyes flashing red and cracking a slight smile when he saw Twilight.

You've seen me, now.  The voice echoes in Twilight's head, even stronger than before.  Twilight shook her head, trying to ignore it.

"Don't worry, he can be a bit intimidating at first, but he's a good stallion."  Star Swirl smiled.  "I think you and me, we're gonna be..."  He trailed off as the room began to disappear, the furniture, the rail, the seats, all began to melt into the darkness.  All that was left were Twilight and the king, King Grey Mane.

"So here we are."  White Mane smiled and looked over at her, his armor falling off as his body became spectral and old.  "Finally his descendent is before me, as is my escape."

Twilight lowered her head as her horn flared, blasting a spell into the ghostly figure, all in vain as the energy simply passed through him.

"What are you?!"  Twilight kept firing as the stallion walked toward her.  He placed his hoof on her head, silencing her horn.

"I am a spectre, trapped in the fabric between life and death, unable to live or die.  All this courtesy of that cursed Star Swirl!"  He slammed his hoof down onto the ground, or lack thereof.

"Well what is it that you want with me?"  Twilight asked, backing away.  The stallion simply smiled and nodded.

"I thought my Windegoes made it clear, I want you."  He chuckled.  "You have his blood."

"Whose blood?"  Twilight asked.

"Star Swirl's."  He looked down at her.  "You are his predecesor, his legacy.  You hold all of his power, and you are the only thing that can set me free."

"Clear!"  A loud thud sounded all around them.

"Dammit!  They're bringing you back."  He sighed.  "No matter, next time you fall asleep, you're mine, Sparkle."  The stallion faded into the darkness.

"Clear!"

"Wait!"  Twilight yelled into the darkness, now cracking with rays of light.

"Clear!"  A huge jolt of electricity surged through Twilight's body as she convulsed and awoke in shock.  A crowd of ponies were gathered outside the door as the Doctors put away the equipment.  "Thank Celestia, you were dead for a good ten minutes."  The doctor panted.  "You can let them in now."

The orderly opened the door, and a surge of ponies came stampeding into the room.

"Twily!  Thank Celestia you're ok!"  Shining Armor was the first inside, throwing his forelegs around her in a hug.  Cadence followed behind him, hugging her as well.

"B.B.B.F.F?"  Twilight asked.  "Cadence?"

Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy trotted in, each one expressing their concerns for Twilight.

"Girls, what happened with the Windegoes?"  Twilight asked, in barely a whisper.

"Gone."  Rarity answered.

"We bashed 'em all up like pinatas!  Pow!"  Pinkie threw a punch, knocking herself over in the process.

"We're just lucky Doctor Whooves and Derpy were around, or else it might have been a lot harder."  Fluttershy added.

Twilight smiled, laying her head back.  "Thank Celestia everypony is ok."  Twilight finally realized something important.  "Applejack!  Rainbow!  Where are they?"  The doctor walked back in, followed by Applejack in a wheelchair being pushed by Rainbow Dash.

"No worries, Twi!"  Applejack smiled.  "Just a few bruised ribs and a busted leg, I've suffered worse on the farm.  I'd worry more about yourself, Twi."  Applejack said, concerned.

Rainbow Dash darted over to the bed.  "Yeah, you cracked your skull and one of your ribs stabbed your heart.  It took everything that had to fix you up, egghead."

"Uh guys, little help here."  Applejack exclaimed, realizing Rainbow Dash was the only one keeping her chair in place.  Shining Armor grabbed it before it could roll out the door.

Twilight lifted the covers of her gown and saw the stitching across her heart.  "Oh wow, I really got hurt, didn't I?"  She looked down, studying her chest.

"Hey, Twilight."  Rainbow muttered.  "Can we talk alone, please?"  Pinkie must have heard them, because she started herding everyone out with the exception of Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash.

"You heard the mare, fillies need their alone time!"  Pinkie exclaimed.

Rainbow sat down on her haunches and looked up at Twilight, tears in her eyes.

"Look, I wanted to say I'm sorry for the overprotectiveness and trying to fight you, and..."  Twilight stopped her.

"Rainbow, it's ok, it just..."  She searched for the right words.  "It seems out of character, I mean you practically tried to carry me out of Canterlot earlier."  She chuckled.

"It's just, you've been like a sister to me, Twilight.  I don't have any siblings, and I haven't seen my parents in Celestia knows how long.  You girls are the only family I really have, ya know."  She said.  "I love you like a sister, Twi."

Twilight got out of her bed and hobbled over to Rainbow's side and hugged her.

"You know, I've thought the same thing about you."  She smiled.  "You're like my sister, Rainbow."  Twilight stared into her eyes.

"I mean, if it wasn't for you I'd probably still be this slacker weather pony with no friends in Ponyville.  I wouldn't have won the Best Young Flyer competition, and I wouldn't be reading."  Rainbow hugged Twilight even tighter.  "You've really changed me, Twilight."  She smiled.

"I think you've changed me too, sometimes."

"How so?"

"Well..."  Twilight started.  "I'm braver now."

Rainbow smiled.  "Me too."

Who She Really Is

"White Mane…"  Doctor Whooves read from a dusty old tome.  Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Cadence all stood around the table, with the exception of Applejack who sat in her wheelchair.

"White what now?"  Pinkie quizzed, but was stopped by Rarity who gave her a hush.

"According to legend,"  Doctor Whooves continued, "White Mane was the first king of Equestria, and the first alicorn stallion to set foot here."  He turned the page, which showed a diagram of six jewels surrounding a large stallion.

"I recognize this!"  Cadence proclaimed, "These are the elements of harmony, the ones you girls used to stop Discord and return Night Mare Moon to her old self. "  She went on, "But why are they here?"

"According to this book, White Mane created the elements of harmony to serve as a means of protection for his family.  He gave each one to a specific pony, the element of generosity he gave to his wife, whose name I can't seem to find here.  He gave the element of honesty to…"  Doctor Whooves began.

"Well, who'd he give the others to?"  Applejack asked.

"This is Celestia's father."  He looked down at the book.  "He gave Celestia the element of honesty, the element of kindness to Luna, the element of loyalty to a pony by the name of Dawnstar, and the element of laughter to—Discord?!"  He looked up in shock, as did everyone else.

"Are you tellin' me Discord was a pony once?"  Applejack blurted out.  "No way!"

"Not a pony per se, but Discord was one of us once."  A familiar voice came from behind them at the doorway of the Canterlot library.  Her white coat and flowing mane stood out in the darkness of their surroundings.

"Princess Celestia."  The group of ponies bowed their heads in unison.

"Please read on, good Doctor."  Doctor Whooves raised up and looked over at the book again.

"The last element, the element of Magic, he gave to Star Swirl the Bearded, just before his death.  Is that right, Princess?"  Doctor Whooves looked up at Celestia.

Celestia sighed, "Not exactly, this book doesn't tell what really happened.  I suspect Star Swirl had something to do with this."  She chuckled.  "Dawnstar was supposed to be the next ruler of Equestria, not I."  Everyone looked at her with shock.

"However, tragedy struck when he was killed in the Everfree forest, and my father had never forgiven himself for it."  She began.  "He went mad, and out of anger he set a curse on the land and the ponies who murdered my brother.  Unfortunately, his anger extended beyond that of a parent losing a child, he had lost his only male heir to the throne, and out of hatred he ended the reign of kings and plunged Equestria into madness."   The library remained silent, save for the story Princess Celestia told them.  The other ponies still stood, listening intently.

"But then, who defeated White Mane?"  Rarity finally asked, breaking the silence of the other ponies.

"Many ponies stood against him, armies were raised, a rebellion formed, all led by two ponies.  Star Swirl being one of them.  The other being a mare I only knew as Blazewing.  For ten days they waged war on the castle in Canterlot, more and more ponies losing their lives every day.  Until White Mane met Star Swirl and Blazewing on the battlefield, I had very little memory of what happened.  They say for twenty-four hours the trio fought constantly, each blow shattering the castle around them, until finally Blazewing fell.  Heartbroken and enraged at the loss of his friend, Star Swirl summoned the power of his element, Magic, and using the last of his remaining life, blasted White Mane out of existence, and into the void between life and death."

"The last I ever heard from Star Swirl was when he came to me after the battle, barely alive.  He gave me a crown and five necklaces, which he told me would house the power of the elements.  He also told me that should I ever meet his heir, that he or she would become my personal apprentice.  I think I now understand who Twilight really is."

Doctor Whooves closed the book and placed it back on the pile of tomes he had collected from the shelf.  "So Twilight is Star Swirl's legacy after all."  He smiled.  "I always knew she was something special."

Shining Armor pushed Twilight's wheelchair through the double doors of Pony Joe's Doughnut Shop, accompanied by Derpy.

"Twilight Sparkle, haven't seen you in a long time."  Pony Joe smiled.  "Oh, what happened to you, kid?"  Joe frowned when he realized Twilight's scar and her wheelchair.  Twilight Sparkle sat upright in her chair and tried to pick herself up out of it.

"Just a little banged up, I'll be fine."  She grinned.  "Can I get the usual?"

"You bet, two doughnuts coming up.  That'll be three bits."  He said, grabbing a tray from under the counter.

"I got this, little sis."  Shining Armor produced three coins from his pocket and gave them to Joe, who placed them inside the register.

"Mr.  Joe!  One muffin, please!"  Derpy raced to the counter and smiled, nearly knocking Pony Joe over.  Pony Joe opened the register.

"Two bits, Derpy."  Derpy Hooves frowned and turned to Twilight and Shining Armor.

"Mister Armor, can I borrow some money?  Doctor has my bag."  She pleaded.  Shining Armor sighed and produced another two bits from his pockets and levitated them over to Pony Joe.  Derpy grinned and joined them at the table.

"So Twily, what did the doctor say about what happened?  You were collapsed on the ground bleeding pretty bad from your horn and your mouth."  Twilight placed her hoof on her chest and looked up at her horn.

"He said that the spell I used was too strong for my body, that the concussion from the impact caused my body to collapse in on itself at the moment of release.  From the look of the x-rays, I cracked my skull right at the base of my horn, and one of my ribs scratched the surface of my heart and nearly punctured it."  She looked down at her hooves, fear in her eyes.

"He said I was lucky to be alive."  She said in barely above a whisper.

Shining Armor, with concern in his eyes, sat closer to her.  "Do you remember that night, a few years ago?  When you passed your entrance exam and the creature came after us?"  He recalled.

"Yeah, I've had that dream every night before my birthday since."

"And every year, before your birthday, we've had your party away from Canterlot.  Princess Celestia was furious when she found out you were here, you know."  He said with disdain.

"She was?"  Twilight asked in fear.

Shining Armor nodded.  "She gave us the order to escort you out of Canterlot as soon as you could walk on your own."  Twilight hit her hoof on the table in anger.

"Stop treating me like a little filly!"  She screamed.  "I don't believe in whatever this thing is, so stop freaking out!"  Shining Armor slapped his hoof over her mouth, cutting her off.

"Would you listen to yourself?  Is this how my sister is going to act when her life is in danger?  Act like nothing's wrong?"  You almost died, Twilight, and I don't want to see that happen again.  In fact, I'm the one who requested this from Celestia, so if you're going to be mad at anyone, be mad at me."  Shining Armor immediately regretted his words when Twilight's eyes filled with tears, instantly turning from anger to sadness.

"Twily."  Shining Armor began.  "You're my little sister, you have so much to lose, and you have so many people who love you.  Rainbow Dash wouldn't leave your side until the doctors had to force her out to revive you.  Why do you want to stay so badly?"

"Because-"  Twilight began, in between sobs, "Rarity worked so hard on this party.  Her, Pinkie, Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, they all worked really hard and I didn't want it all to go to waste.  I know it seems selfish, but we weren't the only ones who were going to have fun.  Fancy Pants sunk a lot of money into this, and all our family and friends were going to be there, and-"  Shining Armor stopped her with a hug.

"I understand how important this is to you, to everypony, but wouldn't they rather see you stay alive?"  He asked her, to which she nodded sadly.

"I'll tell you what.  We'll station some guards outside the place to make sure nothing bad happens.  Have the party, and then right after we go straight back to Ponyville.  Agreed?"  Shining Armor said.

"Agreed."  Twilight smiled and nodded.

"Hooray!"  Derpy Hooves added, pointing towards the door to the kitchen.

"Fresh doughnuts, and a muffin.  Enjoy."  He set the tray on the table and walked back behind the counter.  "By the way, Twilight."  Pony Joe turned around.  "Be more careful, ok?"

"I will."  Twilight smiled and bit into her pastry.  The door slammed open as two guards ran in, almost completely out of breath.

"Captain, you're needed on the street corner outside the palace, right now."  The older one gasped.

"What's happened, sir?"  Shining Armor stood up.

"It's that new restaurant, the Shining Mare, sir.  It's-"  He gasped, kneeling down on his forelegs.

"It's on fire, sir!"

His Return, Her Absence

"Twilight, stay here."  Shining Armor nodded to the guards while equipping his own uniform.  Preparing to face whatever lie ahead, he darted out the door with his fellow soldiers.

"What's going on?"  Twilight wondered, the tense feeling permeating the air as smoke began to fill the sky of Canterlot.  "I can practically see the flames from here, what happened?"  She looked to Pony Joe and Derpy, hoping for some kinda of assurance.

"Mister Doctor should straighten it out, Twily!" Derpy bit into her muffin gladly.  "No worries!"

Twilight closed her eyes with a sigh, trying to fight the feeling of panic and worry welling up inside her.  As she breathed, a sharp pain shot through her chest as a vision of a fiery stallion raced into her mind.

"Probably being taken care of as we speak."  She could hear Pony Joe from the recesses of her mind.  "I can't tell you how many times this place has burned because of a few kitchen fires."  The fiery beast stood before her, looking into her eyes with a sinister smile.  The horse appeared to be rotting away, its singed flesh torn off revealing more bone than coat as it stood, the flames licking her body and the air around her.

"Bring her to me..."  It began to morph into a sphere of magical energy and back to its normal form, the fiery stallion began to shape into a mass of pure magic taking the form of an alicorn.

"Bring her!"  It bellowed, shattering Twilight's sleep and ripping her back into conciousness.

"This is no kitchen fire!"  She exclaimed before jumping out of her wheelchair, wincing at the pain of her body's full weight.  "I've gotta go."

"Someone put some water on that fire!"  Fancy Pants was the first one on the scene, using his magic to hand out buckets and hoses to the guards and fireponies who raced out to the burning building.

"Fancy Pants, what happened?!"  Rarity galloped up to him, panting.  "All that hard work..."

"I have no idea, Miss Rarity!"  His airy accent bellowed among the commotion.  "One minute I'm checking in with the manager, and the next the place is a smoldering mess!  I barely managed to get the crew out in time!"  He exclaimed, not faltering from his duty.  Fluttershy and Applejack were the next to make it out to the building, both tending to the wounded and shocked ponies pulled from the construct.

Next came Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, barely making it in time to see the rest of the buckets being dumped onto the flames, finally quelling the blaze.  The building lie in ruins, a smoldering ember of its former self, the sight nearly bringing Rarity to tears.

"At least everypony is alright."  Rarity sniffled.

"How in tarnation are the fastest ponies the last ones here?"  Applejack joked with Rainbow Dash, who brushed her off playfully.

"Yeah yeah, we weren't exactly closest to the corner, you know."  She grinned.  The Canterlot royal guard began escorting citizens home, with Shining Armor staying behind to tend to the remaining ponies.  As he stooped down to check under the rubble, Princess Cadence dropped down beside him and embraced him in a hug.

"Dear, are you ok?"  She said, worry in her voice.  Her lips were met by his in an act of reassurance, his way of letting her know all was well.

"Never better, dear.  Just glad you, sis, and everypony else is-"  He stopped when he saw a familiar lavender unicorn limping her way down the street, filling him with rage.  "Twily!  I told you to stay put!"  Twilight grunted as she limped towards him.

"Listen to me, everypony.  You all have to get out of here, now."  She panted the words out as her brother, sister-in-law, and friends galloped towards her.

"What's goin' on, sugarcube?"  Applejack wheeled herself over.

"This fire, it's not-"  She fell down, unconscious.  Shining Armor picked her up and placed her on his back, trying not to fall down himself.

"I'll meet you back at the castle, Cadence."  He kissed her once more and began his way home.  Fancy Pants strolled about the wreckage of the building, making sure no pony was trapped anywhere.

"Hello, what have we here?"  He noticed a small flame, slightly darker in color, burning weakly amongst the rubble.  "Must have missed a bit, don't want another blaze breaking out, do we?"  He raised his front leg and stomped on the flame a few times, putting it out.  He smiled and turned around to trot back to the others, only to be stopped by another flame that seemed to pop out of nowhere.  "Why you-"  He stomped on this flame as well, only this time it did not go out.  Irritated, he levitated a bucket of water over to where the flame stood, but as it got nearer, his horn ceased glowing as the bucket came crashing down.

"You shouldn't be doing that.  What if someone came along trying to extinguish you?"  A soothing voice came from a ring of fire that encircled him completely.

"We are so sorry for everything, Princess.  Had I known there would be fire hazards-"  Rarity pleaded with Princess Luna.

"Have no fear, Miss Rarity, the city of Canterlot will be glad to compensate you and Fancy Pants for the damages done to your facility!"  She bellowed, forgetting about her last use of the Traditional Royal Canterlot Voice.

"Volume, please."  Fluttershy muttered to an embarressed Luna, much to the amusement to the others.  Rarity looked around, trying to figure out where Fancy Pants had gone.  As she looked around, she noticed a silhouette atop the burnt roof of a large stallion.

"Ah, Fancy Pants, is everything ok?  You had me worried."  She called up to the shadow.

No response.

"Fancy!  This is not funny, please desist with the jokes."  Rarity called again.

No response.

"Fancy Pants!  Come down here this instant!  This is so unprofessional!"  The silhouette finally obeyed as the stallion came tumbling down the two story building and landing in a burnt heap of rubble.  The group rushed over to find none other than Fancy Pants, moaning and burnt to a crisp, with a pip protruding from his shoulder.  The sight warranted a scream from Rarity as Cadence lowered her horn to try and heal the stallion.

"Fancy, dear, who did this to you?"  Cadence asked in a hushed tone.  Fancy Pants could barely breathe, let alone speak, but he managed to utter two words in what was barely a whisper.

"White...Mane..."  He breathed before passing out.

Flames whispered among the group as they encircled them, each one seeming to have a life of its own.  The building caught fire once again, this time the flames were a crimson red as the structure was reduced to ash.  As the flames roared, an enormous stallion materialized in front of them, its flesh burning away and cooking as it roared an agonizing roar.

"What in the name of Celestia is that thing!?"  Pinkie bursted out.  "He could really use some sunscreen!"  She tried to keep the mood light amidst the burning entity.

"Oh no."  Luna gasped.  "Cadence, listen to me, go find Celestia and Blueblood, right now.  We need every member of the royal family here."  Cadence nodded and flew off in the direction of the palace.  "Face me, vile creature!"  Luna summoned her magic, levitating a firehouse towards the stallion and drenching it with water.  The stallion screamed in agony, but the more it screamed, the more the water vaporized until finally no water was hitting it at all.

"T...Tw..."  It began to stutter between roars.  It could not speak properly, but it still attempted to growl words as it lashed out with its burning tail at the other ponies.

"Pinkie!  Take Applejack and get out of here!"  Rainbow Dash darted at the creature, but as she did she pulled up at a ninety degree angle.  She climbed higher and higher until finally she reached the top of the tallest tower in Canterlot.  She looked down, swore under her breath, and dove as fast as she could towards the monster.  Being a weather pony, things like heat and cold barely affected her, she knew if this killed her, it wouldn't be from something lame like being melted.  Her vision narrowed, her teeth clenched, she kept flying and flying as fast as she could until she felt the sound barrier giving way just inches before the creature's back as the familiar Sonic Rainboom burst just above the fiery stallion.  Its back crunched loud enough to be heard from Appleoosa as the creature roared in pain before it became consumed by a rainbow colored mushroom cloud.  Rainbow Dash limped away from the sight, her head spinning, but still smiling her usual smile.

"This wreckage...just became...20% cooler."  She grinned before falling over, exhausted.  The ponies cheered as the fire quelled again, just before Celestia and Blueblood made the scene.

"I heard about what happened.  Is everypony alright?"  Celestia expressed her concern.

"All right?  I kicked that thing's butt!"  Rainbow Dash boasted from the ground.  "Oh wow, any pony have some aspirin?"  The group of ponies busted out laughing. Celestia looked over at the burned skeleton, tears in her eyes.

"It's not over."  She whispered as an eye formed within the empty socket on its left side.  The creature became engulfed in flames again, to everyone's shock and horror as skin and muscle began to form.  The creature opened its moth and let out a moan, but this time it roared one word.

"Twilight!"  The creature bellowed.

"I'm right here."  Twilight Sparkle limped over to them.  She could barely stand, yet the need to be near her friends not only let her fun from Shining Armor, but it kept her standing. Princess Celestia darted in front of her, her hoof extended to keep her back.

"Twilight Sparkle, stop."  She demanded, but Twilight knocked her hoof away.

"I know what I'm doing, your highness, I knew from the moment I jumped off Shining Armor's back and bolted here."  She limped closer and closer to the monstrous creature.  "I know what I'm doing."  She stood face to face with the beast, its mouth curling into a sinister smile as it whispered her name.

"White Mane, I know you can understand me.  I don't know how you can take forms like this, or how you can control this...thing."  She began.  "But I know why you need me, why you can't fully come back without me, so I'm prepared to offer a proposal."  The creature frowned as it knelt down to Twilight's level, its eyes meeting her's.  Its forehead produced a large, fiery horn that shot a beam of magic at Twilight's, forcing her eyes to roll back into her head.

The darkness swallowed them as the old alicorn met with Twilight Sparkle once again, this time to negotiate.  White Mane sat down upon his haunches and produced a quill and parchment.

"Make your proposal."  He sighed.  Twilight walked over to the quill and levitated it, writing on the parchment.  White Mane watched as the lavender unicorn scribbled her terms onto the parchment.  When she was finished, she let the quill drop to the darkness to be caught by White Mane as he read the parchment.

"What's this?"  He said angrily.

"I surrender every ounce of magical power I possess, the power I inherited from Star Swirl, to you so you may gain your body back.  In exchange, you are not to kill the Princesses, my family, or my friends.  Doing so will result in my magic being returned to me.  Do you accept my terms?"  Twilight Sparkled stared him down, confidently, to which he sighed and signed his name.

"Agreed, but first let me add a little term of my own."  He smiled as he began writing.

The ponies watched as the creature and Twilight stared at each other for several minutes, until finally the connection between the two was finally broken, and the creature roared.

"Twilight, what did you do?!"  Applejack yelled as the fires began to roar again.  Twilight looked over her shoulder to her friends, Cadence, Luna, Celestia, and finally her brother as he galloped towards them.  Each of them pleaded with her in vain as she was lifted off the ground by a glowing light.  Tears in her eyes, she looked at her friends one last time before she met the eyes of the fiery monster before them.

"Goodbye..."  She finally said as the light engulfed her, Rainbow Dash looking up at the sight, trying to find the strength to fly up there and bring her down.  But everytime she moved, she felt an agonizing pain in her wings.  She could only watch as her friend began to fade out of existence as the monster became more real.

"Father..."  Luna and Celestia said in unison as the light engulfed the fiery stallion, destroying it.  In its place, however, was the most handsome alicorn stallion anyone had ever seen.  Standing at nearly eight feet tall, wearing armor of a forgotten age, the ancient Equestrian smiled as he looked around at the land that was once his.

"Citizens of Canterlot, of Equestria, and to all beings within the sound of my voice."  If Luna was considered loud, this stallion could break the sound barrier.  "Let it be known throughout the known, free world, that the true ruler of ponykind has returned.  Let the pegasi rejoice, let the unicorns give thanks, let the earth ponies revel in this revelation, for the age of the Equine has come."  His voice thundered across the land, shaking every building and structure as countless ponies came to the street corner where he stood, out of fear and cowardice, and bowed to him.  Tears in their eyes, the ponies fell to their knees before him, save for the friends of Twilight Sparkle, her brother, and the Princesses.

"What have you done with Twily?"  Shining Armor stepped forward.  "Where is my sister?!"  White Mane looked down at him, a victorious look in his eyes.

"She made a deal with I, and I, being a merciful lord, accepted her offer."  He smirked.  "In exchange for your lives, and the welfare of the ponies, Twilight Sparkle offered her powers to her true king."

"You...you liar!"  Rainbow Dash screamed.  "Twilight would...she would never..."  Rainbow stood to her hooves, fighting back tears from the pain in her back and wings.  "The Twilight I know would never make a deal with the likes of you!"  She bellowed, issuing a chuckle from the alicorn king.

"Oh, but she did, Miss Dash.  You know, I see a lot of my son in you."  He smiled.  "Surely one as brave and daring as yourself would love to be a general in my army."

"Army?"  Fluttershy whimpered.

"All in good time, my dear."  He said with a smile.  "But back to the business at hand, Rainbow Dash, for your bravery and clear skill and prowess, I would like to hereby extend an invitation to you to become my head general."  He produced a contract and quill and levitated it towards Rainbow Dash, who eyed it with suspicion and anger.  Her temper rising, she raised on her hind legs and stomped the contract into the dirt.

"I'd sooner kiss a dragon's behind."  She spat on the parchment, a series of shocked gasps coming from the other ponies.  The smile left White Mane's face as he turned to anger.

"Make no mistake, you little tomboy, I will break you.  All will remember the fury of White Mane."  He walked across the crowd of ponies, shifting to avoid being in his way.  The alicorn flared his enormous wings and arched his head back, preparing another speech.

"Heed this day, citizens of Equestria, for this is the dawn of a new age."  He thundered.  He turned his head around and eyed Rainbow Dash and the other ponies one last time.  "Savor it."  He finally said before he flapped his wings hard, and shot himself off the ground.

"Twilight Sparkle..."  Princess Celestia's horn glowed as she looked in every direction.  "I can sense her life, but I cannot tell where she is."  Rainbow Dash limped over to her, sinking down onto her haunches.

"It'll be ok, sugarcube."  Applejack assured her.  "Our little Twi's gone through tougher stuff than this."  She tried to force a smile.  Rainbow Dash, tears cascading down her face, couldn't even look up at her.

"Twilight..."  She sobbed.  "Where are you?"

"I've sent word to the castle, we'll have a small guard force of our own before White Mane takes complete control.  Our top priority is finding her."  Doctor  Whooves finally made his way over to them.  "I'm so sorry, I wish I had been here."  Rainbow Dash still didn't respond to anypony, just simply looking down at the ground in agony.

"Twilight..."  She continued to sob.

"Miss Dash, everything will be fine.  I'll move space if I have to, but I swear we will find her."  Doctor Whooves reassured her, but still warranted no response from the cyan pegasis.  Rainbow Dash, stricken with grief, looked up at the sky, tears still flowing from her eyes.  She swallowed hard and took a deep breath as she closed her eyes.

"Twilight!  Where are you!?"  Rainbow Dash screamed at the top of her lungs, before collapsing onto the cold ground, sobbing to herself.

"Hurry up, Stronghoof!  We're almost there!"  A young pegasis called behind him to a large earth pony.  The two had made their way out of a small town in a heavily forested region.  The pegasis marched onward to a small clearing in the woods, where the snow collected onto the body of a frail unicorn.

"This is where it landed."  Stronghoof stated as he stared at her small body.  "Strikes, you think she's ok?"  He expressed concern for the young pony as she lay silently in the snow.  The pegasis knelt down beside her and nudged her gently with his hoof.

"Oi, don't be dying on us."  He remarked playfully.  "Are you ok, Miss?"  The unicorn opened her eyes and slowly raised her head as she felt a pounding in her brain.  She was tired, hurt, and above all she was lost.

"Where am I?  She asked, shivering.

"Outside Pine Village, just on the borders of Equestria."  Stronghoof answered her.  "Our village is just a mile away from here.  Strikes here noticed the falling star and we came to check it out.  Turns out-"

"It's not everyday a beautiful mare like yourself falls from the sky."  Strikes commented, trying to flatter her as though to make her feel more at ease, but only succeeded in bringing her even more confusion.

"Who am I?"  The unicorn asked, confused as ever.