Author's Note

Merry Christmas. I thought about doing a Christmas special but much like the Halloween idea, I couldn't come up with something I liked. I have also spend a lot of time on my other story. Like, 8 chapters worth.

Anyway, lick that thumbs up if you like what I got going here.

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

"What in tarnation are you doing here?" Applejack demanded. As she stood, the apple mare was almost covered head to hoof in flour as she and a small army of family and castle cooks watched the confrontation from their respective locations within the castle kitchen.

Raven on the other hand, pitched the bridge of her nose and groaned. "I live her for one…" she sighed, knowing exactly how the rest of her day was going to play out now. "Also, I'm the brides head bridesmaid!" she snapped, holding her right arm across her body and pointing at the pink mare standing to her left. On her end, Cadance looked less than pleased that she was here right now. But several things still needed to happen before the wedding here in just a few days.

Applejack leaned back, crossing her arms and gaze narrowing. Behind the titan of a mare, sat an unfinished, yet immaculate, five layered cake that was yet to have its icing applied. With that cake, other parts of the kitchen were dedicated to other foods such as cupcakes and fritters that either needed to be cooked or garnished.

Cadance however, paid little mind to the squabble happening next to her as she levitated a finished apple fritter over, taking a delicate bite out of it.

The princess almost gagged at the taste. “Mhmm…. Delicious…” she lied. “I absolutely, love, love… love them…”

“I assume things are to your liking then?” Raven asked Cadance with a glance. Cadance forced a smile, trying to look as though she was happy about the food. With a nod of her head, Raven raised her brow. “You sure? Because now is the time to speak up?”

Yet again, the mare nodded, her scowl returning.

“Alright,” Raven conceded to avoid being snapped at. “You still have some time to change it if you would like.” The human lifted her clipboard, checking off the food part of her list. “Thank you.”

Applejack didn’t respond as the pair of princesses exited the castle kitchen and into the hallway, headed for their next destination.

“So, your dress is next,” Raven stated as she read from her clipboard. “Rarity is located in one of the castle towers. Might as well head that way.”

It took the duo only but a few minutes for them to head towards the right tower, but when they did, they found the white fashionista working dutifully at the cloth on the table before her. With a pair of small red glasses upon her muzzle and a fabric tape measure around her neck, she was mid stitch with the dress.

“Let’s get this over with…” Raven muttered under her breath. She had been forewarned about who was in charge of everything, but that still didn’t make any of this any less enjoyable.

Rarity apparently heard something, her ears swiveling atop her head. “Princess!” Rarity gasped as she shot towards the duo, bowing before the pink princess. “Can I just say what an honor it is to play a role in such a momentous occasion. Ahehehe.”

The white mare continued to bow awkwardly as Cadance stared down at her before she spoke. “Uh-ha. Is my dress ready?” she demanded, stepping past the mare and towards the obviously unfinished article of clothing that dressed a mannequin.

“Oh, uh, er, yes!” Rarity sputtered as she turned to follow the mare. “Well, actually, I’m almost there!” the fashionista corrected. “I've been working on it ever since I was given thee assignment. And I think you will be pleased with the results!”

Raven followed behind the duo as she eyed the dress. It was white, like all wedding dresses were, while the gold accents were not all sewn on, many still pinned in place and the teal colored fabric towards the top was unfinished as well.

Cadance eyed the dress before she turned away. “I was expecting something with more beading and a longer train!” she demanded, causing Rarity to immediately levitate a small notepad and a quill into her grasp.

“Oh! Yes. Of course!” Rarity responded, writing down the requested changes.

“And change the color of the these as well,” Cadance practically spat as she passed by the three other dresses in the room that were for her bridesmaids. Raven already had her own dress that she was going to wear, but still. The yellow sundress was nice and the pink one was cute as well. She wasn’t a fan of the polka dots, but it still looked good.

“You sure Cadance?” Raven questioned as she grasped the sleeve of the yellow dress. “Ow!” the princess yelped, pulling her hand back and glaring at the white mare that just slapped the back of her hand. “You know? I was going to say they were fine, but I’m glad I didn’t!”

Rarity harrumphed, writing down the changes before turning back towards her station. With a roll of her milky eye, Raven waved her cousin towards the door. “I still think Fleur would have been a better option,” she said just loud enough for the prissy mare to hear.

“Ah! I heard that!”

“Good!” Raven shot back through the door, never breaking her stride. “Come on, reception party is next,” Raven listed as she checked off the second thing on her list. Doubling back towards the lower part of the castle, the two ponies spent a little while wandering in silence before they entered the throne room, which was decorated to the brim with balloons, flowers, and ribbons.

“What in tartarus is this?” Raven said, baffled. “A kids birthday party?”

Just then, a pink something jumped out in front of her, gasping loudly and causing both human and mare to jump in fear, both falling backwards and hitting the floor.

“HA! You did notice! Thank you!” Pinkie Pie gasped, gushing at what to anypony else was clearly, not, a compliment. But then her cheery demeanor became sour as she frowned at the human. “You are a big meanie!”

Raven’s look of shock was replaced with a look of hatred as she glared up at the mare. Pinkie never saw the glare however, because she had already crossed her arms and turned around, sticking her nose in the air.

Raven closed her eye, groaning out a sigh. “This is a wedding! Not a birthday party!” she huffed loudly. “I don’t think Cadance even needs to say anything!” Raven pushed herself to her feet, brushing off her clothes and grabbing her clipboard. “I-” The human paused, blinking her eye at the sight of a board game, a flower pinata, and pin the tail on the pony. The human grit her teeth as she turned towards the childish mare, resisting the urge to wring her neck. “Fix this shit now!”

Pinkie gasped in shock yet again. “HA! You said a bad word!”

Raven however, responded by pressing her nose against the pudgy mare’s snoot and grabbing at her collar. “It’s a wedding, not a kids party. Understood!?” she seethed through her clenched teeth.

Pinkie’s head sank into the collar of her shirt, only her ears and eyes poking out. “Yes princess!” she squeaked.

Raven continued to glare at the mare for a moment longer before she released Pinkie’s collar. The human stepped back, her narrow gaze only briefly leaving the mare as she made a note about double checking the reception.

“Most explementary,” Cadance praised as Raven passed her, falling into step with her cousin.

“I can barely tolerate them as it is. The fact mom put them in charge of everything makes this even less bearable,” Raven grumbled as she looked at the next thing on her list.

“Well, it will all be over when the wedding is done,” Cadance promised.

“I know how much this day means to you. But I’ll be grateful when it’s all over…” Raven sighed exhaustedly, glancing at what was left. “Music. Easy enough, I hope.”

It was at that moment that a window smashed inwards, sending razor sharp shards of glass sliding across the floor as something blue came tumbling into the hallway, smashing into a table that had a decorative vase atop it.

That also smashed against the floor.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes rolled within her skull as she laid upside down, crumpled in the pile of broken wood and shattered glass.

“That was a priceless table you know?” Raven informed the blue mare as both her and Cadance passed the pesky pegasus. “Not much to do with her. She is doing some special trick after the vows.”

“Blow tailhole out your it,” Rainbow insulted as her head finally flopped forward, limp.

“Damn… you got me good…” Raven said dryly and sarcastically as a pair of guards passed the duo and heading towards the wrecking ball of a stunt performer. “I always hated that vase though.” Raven finished up by scribbling down something on her clipboard. "Still need to check music."

The last thing on their list was located down the gardens. So, after yet another short walk, the pair entered the gardens and were immediately greeted by the sounds of birds singing, in harmony as well. As they rounded the last corner, Raven and Cadance were greeted by the sight of Fluttershy conducting a small choir of birds. The yellow mare seemed to be lost in the music until a little red sparrow screeched out of key, causing everyone, including the rest of the bird choir, to wince at the horrendous sound.

"By the gods!" Cadance screamed. "Shut that incessant creature up!"

Fluttershy jumped with a squeak, her little choir chittering and chirping wildly as they scattered to the trees, leaving the embarrassed sparrow perched alone. Raven blinked, rubbing her right ear with a knuckle, her eardrum still ringing slightly.

"Yes, well, other than that one being out of key, it sounded good up until that point," Raven remarked. Fluttershy stayed silent, not wanting to aggravate the two any further. "Get that little guy in tune and we should be fine. Anything you'd like to add, Cadance?"

Cadance shook her head, glaring.

"Alright. Well…" Raven said, checking off the last thing on her list. "All that is left is the practice, which is a few days from now. I'll double check and make sure everything is ready. You seem stressed. Why don't you call it a day and go see your husband to be?"

"Yes. I think I will. Thank you," Cadance said strongly, stomping past the human and sparing one last, glancing glare at the yellow pegasus.

Something sure as hell isn't right. Not after today…

Raven let out a slow breath. She had a plan, even if it took the day of the wedding to implement. But perhaps she could catch her the night of the practice?

***

Cadance was in tears at the horrible accusations that had been made against her. And on the day before her wedding at that! "How could you say such a thing!" she sobbed.

"Twilight!" Celestia shouted.

The purple mare stood proudly before her brother, her foalsitter and her mentor. Or at least she had been. The realization of what had just transpired slowly began to settle in. The mare looked around the room and was very surprised at the fact that nopony, not even her friends were backing her. The poor girl started to sweat, but still tried to salvage the detriating situation.

"But I…" she paused, shaking her head. "You're not Cadance!" she accused, doubling down with an accusatory point of her finger. "Cadance isn't this… this… mean!"

"She's stressed, Twilight!" her brother shot back with a stomp of his hoof. The purple mare flinched back, holding her arms in close, now she was the one on the verge of tears. "It has been issue after issue with the wedding! We have had no time to be relaxed-AH!" The stallion winced, holding his hands to his aching head. Cadance jumped to his side, supporting her injured lover.

"Come on dear," Cadance sniffled, turning and glaring at the mare before her. Slowly, the duo descended the steps to the stage and past the dumbfounded mare.

"And you can forget being my best mare…" Shining growled.

Twilight's jaw hit the floor.

Now she really was going to cry!

"Don't bother showing up tomorrow either…" he spat.

"I hope you're proud of yourself!" Cadance sobbed one last time.

Twilight was frantic to find anypony within the room that was on her side, but not one was with her. Celestia crossed her arms disapprovingly, glaring at her student as her friends mirrored the action. They even went as far as to stand between the royal couple and their so-called friend.

Just as the young couple were about to reach the door, it opened. Both ponies lifted their heads to see who had entered and were surprised to see both Raven and Nightshine enter the room, the former holding something in her right hand.

"Sorry I'm late," Raven apologized before wiggling a finger between her and her aunt. "With so many changes, I needed help getting everything right."

"Sorry Rave," Shining Armor apologized for both missing the rehearsal and the fact that the rehearsal was over. "But you just missed it."

"Oh. Well that's too bad," the human replied as if she wasn't even disappointed. Instead, she held up her right hand, examining at the ball within her grasp. "Hey Cadance?" she asked, lifting her head and holding out the ball. "Could you please hold this ball in your magic?"

Cadance sniffled but nodded. "I don't know what this has too with the wedding…" But the pink princess relented and ignited her horn, lifting the little rubber ball in her green aura.

Before anypony could even react, there was a blinding red flash of light before a violet armored glove wrapped around the pink mare's throat, lifting her high into the air and smashing her back first against the floor with such ferocity that the stone spiderwebbed violently. ~Raven~ drew her Detron and pinned the mare to the floor.

"Raven what are you doing!?" Celestia frantically shouted. "Let her-"

"That's not Cadance!"

"Yes it-"

"Cadance doesn't have green magic!" ~Raven~ spat, her grip tightening around the mare’s esophagus.

Everypony went pale.

The warframe slowly turned her massive head back towards the mare, who was scowling dangerously at the armored human, tears long forgotten as she held on tight to the warframe’s armored forearms.

"You insolent little pest!" 'Cadance' spat, spit flying everywhere. Before the tenno and her dark aunt could react, a portal of green fire engulfed her before she molded into the floor. ~Raven~ jerked back, pulling her hand back and frantically searching the room for the intruder. "You just had to get in the way!" The mare's voice echoed throughout the room.

~Raven~ rose, holstering her pistol and drawing her Javlok as her Aunt Nightshine manifested her elegant scythe.

Twilight, who in both her fear and surprise slowly backed herself towards her friends, who all stood back to back, while simultaneously looking for the threat that seemed to have them trapped.

"Told you!" Twilight gloated.

"Now aint the time, Twi!" Applejack snapped back.

"I think we can discuss correct assumptions under dangerous circumstances later!" Rarity quickly added.

Celestia ignited her horn, standing at attention on the stage as Nightshine grabbed Shining Armor and pulled him in close, running her glowing hands over his head.

"Niece Raven?" Nightshine remarked, grabbing the human's attention. "He has been exposed to corrupting mind magic."

"What!?" Shining Armor shouted in shock and surprise.

It was in that moment that a portal of green fire ignited behind Celestia. ~Raven~ and Twilight both shouted out a warning, but it mattered little as the pink mare shot through the portal. Celestia's back arched and cracked as 'Cadance's' hoof connected right between the solar mare’s shoulder blades, sending her tumbling forward and down the steps to the stage.

Celestia landed with a slide before she got her hands to stop her. The solar princess, even with her back screaming and cracking as she turned back towards the threat, still managed to fire a beam of pure golden magic at the imposter.

The false mare fired her own beam of green magic which met the golden one in the middle. The light was blinding, forcing everyone to shield their eyes, lest they go blind.

"Get him out of here!" ~Raven~ ordered, swiping her left arm at her aunt and best friend.

Nightshine shook her head in understanding and grabbed Shining Armor by the back of his shirt. "Come Captain!"

"No! I need to fight back!"

"T'was an order, Captain!" Nightshine ordered, using her superior strength to jerk the stallion towards the door and out of the battle.

The classing beams began to falter as both mares stood strong, trying desperately to hold the other at bay.

Celestia seemed to be the one losing though.

She knew it too!

The solar mare let out a gasp, her eyes going wide as her beam started to get pushed back, her magic wavering. Celestia tried desperately to hold true, but it was all for naught. The princess's scream was deafening and sent chills up the backs of all that were present. Celestia shot back even further, sliding violently across the floor, her horn smoldering and black. The force of the strike was so powerful that her clothes were shredded, singeing the exposed fur and skin underneath.

"Mom!"

"Princess Celestia!"

Atop the stage, the imposter stared down at her hands in disbelief before a manic smile graced her lips. "I've done it…" she muttered before clenching her fists in victory. "I've become stronger than even Celestia!" The mare laughed maniacally at her victory.

Just as she opened her eyes, she had just enough time to dodge the spiked head aimed right at her skull!

There was a metallic clang that resonated throughout the room, the imposter flinching as she had expected the weapon to strike her square in the jaw. But the weapon missed, embedding itself in the wall to her left.

"Ha missed!"

The massive fireball explosion that followed was so powerful that it sent the false mare sailing exit stage left and smashing through a nearby window.

"Mom!" Raven shouted frantically as she transferred from her warframe. She dropped to her knees and took her mother's hand. The princess ignored the circle of other mares, her mother needed her most!

Celestia winced, holding her left hand to her stomach as she lifted her head.

"Twilight," Celestia wheezed. "Get the Elements of Harmony!" she ordered the mare on her left before turning her head towards her daughter on her right. "Sweetie…"

"Yes?"

The solar mare's gaze narrowed, her eyes burning with hatred.

"Kill her!"

Raven inhaled deeply and in a flash of light was armored and shot off like a bullet. She lept up the steps of the stage, tearing her Javlok free from the wall and dumping the empty magazine and loading a fresh one before the tenno lept out the same window her rival had obliterated and landed in the grounds below.

"Come on Princess!" Applejack urged, lifting the larger mare by her arms and dragging the poor princess to safety.

~Raven~ landed hard, asserting her dominance from the get-go as she rose, glaring at the mare before her. The imposter propped herself up on shaky arms, her head hung low and hair covering her face.

With a jerk of her head, the mare revealed her true self with a throaty hiss. The right side of her face was the same as it had been, but it was the left that was horrifying. Her once baby blue eye was green and catlike, and her beautiful pink fur was scorched black and hard. Lastly, a long fang dripped with green saliva.

"You filthy ape!" the mare spat, pulling her hooves under her and standing to her full height. "You will not stop this! I am inevitable!"

The green flames returned in force, fully engulfing the mare and burning away her disguise. The monster's fur and skin burned away, revealing the jet-black chitin, her candy-like main melting into lighter blue and her once elegant wings becoming insect-like, buzzing between her shoulder blades. Her pink dress molded into a sickly green that clung to her body as a pair of fangs protruded from between her lips.

A pair of guards stormed out behind the tenno and taking up arms.

The princess eyed her guards, feeling that much more confident that she could win this fight.

It was at that moment that the shield above Canterlot shattered. Showering the Capital City in ethereal sparks of failed magic. The creature took heed, smiling viciously at her victory.

"Kill her!"

Both guards' eyes flashed green briefly as they turned towards their princess, aiming their spears at the warframe.

~Raven~ was caught by surprise, frantically looking between her guards. "What are you two doing!?" she shouted at them, holding both arms out in disbelief.

The monster laughed maniacally, throwing her head back with uproarious laughter, finding the situation very amusing. "You honestly think I would be this dumb to come alone!" she gloated, laughing even more as she rested her hands on her hips.

~Raven's~ mighty head moved between her former guards.

No, imposters!

"Then it's a free for all!" the princess muttered.

The guard to the princesses left thrust first, his spear missing by a mile as she caught the weapon by its wooden shaft. ~Raven• dropped her own weapon, freeing her right hand and clenching it into an armored fist. With one single punch, she smashed the guard’s helmet, denting the metal and dissolving his disguise, revealing the black creature underneath the armor. The monster immediately lost consciousness upon impact.

Time slowed as she drew at her sword, pulling the weapon from her hip reverse style. With a single precise jerk of her arm, ~Raven~ jammed the weapon right through the front and straight out the back of the second guards’ helmet.

The queen's smile faded and for the briefest second, was replaced with a look absolute of horror.

Two guards fell before the demon. Just as the Orokin had once fallen.

~Raven~ held her weapon firm as she adjusted her grip, pulling her sword free from the corpse, jerking the body forward before the beast. An offering of war.

The creature stared in disbelief as two of her best infiltrators and warriors were felled in such a swift action.

"How dare you!" she roared. "Your death will be-"

But she would never finish her threat. Her eyes went wide as she reacted just fast enough to dodge the strike aimed right for her head. There was a stinging sensation in her right cheek as several severed hairs fluttered to the ground. Her moment continued as she lept back several meters from the point of impact. The insect-like being glared at the warframe's extended arm and sword.

The creature felt something warm ooze down the side of her face.

She poked at the spot with a middle finger, feeling something warm and wet on her chitin.

"All that for a drop of blood?" she asked, her gaze drifted from the green fluid on her digit and towards the warframe as she stood.

"Proves I can kill you," ~Raven~ remarked as she spun her weapon, splattering green blood across the grass.

Behind the warrior, a door slammed open, causing the tenno to turn and the creature to see as well. They both watched as the Elements ran up and stood side by side with the warrior princess. Both Twilight and ~Raven~ shared a look but now was not the time to squabble.

"Ah can't believe Twilight was right," Applejack seethed.

"I feel so awful…" Fluttershy muttered.

"Seems that I wasn't the only one with reservations then," ~Raven~ remarked.

The creature rose to her full height, looming over the mares like a pillar. "You think you can defeat me? Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings!" The mare held her arms out wide for all to see and back in her glory.

"Oh yeah?" Dash challenged mockingly. "You and what army?"

Chrysalis merely smiled.

A black creature slammed down onto the ground next to the changeling queen with such force that it cratered the soil. It was followed closely by another and another! Dozens of changelings smashed down before the mares. They may have been smaller than their queen, but they were numerous. Their light blue eyes were cold, and their wings buzzed with excitement.

Applejack promptly slapped Rainbow on the back of the head.

"You had to say it…" Rarity muttered, holding an exasperated hand to her face and shaking her head.

“How was I supposed to know!?” Dash quickly shot back as ~Raven~ shoot her head in disbelief.

The closest creature engulfed itself in its green flames, it's hide burning away and covering itself in purple and white armor. The Equestrian's were dumbfounded at the sight before then as the human princess glared at her doppelganger. The six mares stared dumbfounded between the two iterations of the warrior princess.

Then the changes came in full.

Each creature doused itself in green flames, replacing itself with one of the seven females that stood in the center of the circle. ~Raven~ was probably the only one who was not fazed, but the Elements however were horrified at what was about to transpire.

"How do we know who's who!" Dash panicked as she looked out over the sea if clones.

"They're changelings remember!" Twilight frantically remarked.

"THEY'RE CHANGELINGS REMEMBER!" the collective of Twilight doppelgangers repeated, each one wearing the same smug smile as they advanced on the group.

~Raven~ looked around the legion of ponies -that she had serious problems with- and before they could close in and overwhelm the group, the princess swiped her arms across her chest. Winds roared and ice cracked, shocking both the element bearers and the false bearers as a dome of pure ice and roaring winds surrounded the seven mares and one warframe.

"That'll hold them back for now, " ~Raven~ stated as the first fake Twilight smashed into the dome with a comedic ‘thonk,’ like a pegasus hitting a window. A false Rarity opposite her fired a beam of green magic that ricocheted wildly and connected with a fake Rainbow Dash hovering above, sending her sailing out of sight, causing the Rarity to wince. "They don't seem very coordinated,” the warrior princess remarked.

The conglomerate of imposters turned towards their queen for guidance and with looks on concern.

The queen growled, clenching both her jaw and her fists. Fed up, she stormed her way through the crowd, shamelessly and aggressively shoving her subjects out of the way. She glared at the ponies within the barrier as she approached, standing before its frozen surface. She turned back towards her subjects, glaring across the sea of imposters.

"It's a magical shield you imbeciles!" Chrysalis spat, causing every one of them too shy back in fear.

~Raven~ glanced at her allies who looked to her expectantly. They wanted her to make the first move.

Very well.

The warframe approached the queen, standing before her. Before the tenno, the dark mare's ears swiveled atop her head at the sound of boots padding against the grass before she turned to face the warframe. The pair looked each other over, examining one another, trying to learn everything they could about their opponent.

"Have you come to surrender?" Chrysalis asked the princess, a smug, half smirk upon her fanged muzzled.

"You have?" ~Raven~ replied sarcastically. "I accept!"

Chrysalis was not amused, and it showed through her bemused expression. "Ha ha…" she said dryly. "Face it, princess. You have lost!"

"I'm still standing."

"Don't be stupid."

"There are two types of ponies that will be staying here today," the princess remarked as she looked around at the small army that surrounded the dome. "The dead and those who are going to die." Her gaze slowly drifted back towards the queen before her, staring deep into those cat-like orbs. "And I don't intend to die today. Still wish to give up?"

Chrysalis pursed her lips, her anger boiling. Suddenly and without warning, the dark mare smashed her fist against the ice, the dome resonating like glass.

~Raven~ didn't even flinch.

The dome was freezing through her chitin, but it mattered little as the queen wanted the gooey and soft insides. All she needed to do was crack that shell. Slowly, the mare removed her partially numb hand and let it rest at her side. ~Raven~ cocked her head slightly and noticed something interesting.

The queen narrowed her eyes as she too cocked her head to the left on thought. Her gaze followed that of her opponents and she too saw it.

A crack.

It was only a hairline but a crack, nonetheless. Chrysalis smiled wickedly knowing full well that she had the princess sweating now.

~Raven's~ HUD read ninety eight percent health on the dome, so she was not worried by anything happening within the next few seconds. The thing had plenty of health and she could boost it, or just make another dome if need be.

"I hope you are ready?" the princess asked.

"You still think you can win?" Chrysalis gloated.

"I'm not talking to you."

The changeling queen's boastful smile slowly faded.

A single armored glove grabbed fazed through the dome and grabbed the mare by the collar of her dress, jerking her forward and smashing her forehead right against the external surface of the ice dome. Chrysalis went cross eyed, her head throbbing as it recoiled backwards from the debilitating strike. She stumbled backwards and was swiftly caught by two of her subjects.

Just as she was about to bark out her orders, it was too late.

The warframe spun on her heels, a ball of frozen energy manifesting in the palm of her right hand. She pulled it parallel to her head before smashing it against the ground. Stalagmites of pure ice flowed like water as they protruded from the ground from the point of impact. Dozens of false Fluttershy's were brutally and ruthlessly impaled on the ice as others were sent flying.

Twilight threw balls of violet energy at every target she could find. Each changeling that was struck immediately reverted back to their natural states and immediately incapacitated.

Like an out of control train, Applejack charged through the crowd like a raging bull. Copies of her friends were sent sailing in all directions like bowling pins before she came to a sliding halt and started swinging like a professional boxer. Pinkie pulled a gargantuan pink cannon from her mane, slamming it on the ground and grabbing the string. With a single jerk, the cannon fired with a resonating boom, sending a flurry of confetti and a single cake that smashed into a Twilight clone. Rainbow Dash took to the skies and did her best to fly and strike as many of herself and Fluttershy as she could. The mare was much faster than her clones, forcing them to try and track her. Which led to many of the clones attacking one another out of confusion. Rarity was a flurry of kicks and punches, striking down whoever got in her path. Fluttershy was probably the smartest of the bunch, blending into the crowd and confusing the others and forcing them to attack their own.

With a sigh of relief, Fluttershy turned to try and sneak out of the crowd and to safety.

“EEP!” she squeaked, her eyes turning into the size of dinner plates as they focused on the razor-sharp edge that was aimed right for her skull. ~Raven~ held the weapon firm so as to not hurt the mare.

“Sorry,” ~Raven~ apologized as she pulled the weapon away. But Fluttershy never had a moment to breathe as the tenno grabbed her by the wrist, pulling the poor pegasus in close and thrusting her boot forward, catching an Applejack clone in the gut. The Tenno spun the mare like a professional dance partner, Fluttershy spun violently, her arms flailing out due to centripetal force, knocking several clone’s unconscious.

When the mare came out of it, the poor pegasus stumbled like a drunken sailor, her eyes rolling inside her skull before she flopped over, to dizzy to stand.

~Raven~ spun, pommeling a Rarity square in the nose, causing the false mare to grasp at her muzzle. But before she could recover, a boot sent her tumbling. But as she turned, several Applejack's stood eye to eye with the warframe. They cracked their knuckles advancing on her all at once. The princess kicked out, throwing the first to the ground before slashed the second, sending her bleeding across the grass, her wound deep. The third smashed into the warframe, but ~Raven~ bent, sending the mare toppling over her back. She thrust her blade forward, impaling the fourth straight through the gut.

Resting her hand and the pommel, she fully impaled the changeling and threw her weight behind her weapon. A Twilight screamed out in agony as she was impaled right in the side. ~Raven~ drew her weapon free, pulling the Applejack into a headlock and thrust her weapon forward, piercing Twilight in the throat, reverting her back into a black changeling. The same happened when she broke Applejack's neck.

The resounding crack caused many to flinch in horror.

~Raven~ lifted her weapon over her head and threw her sword with all her might. A Rainbow Dash jerked, her gaze slowly drifting down, staring at the weapon buried deep in her chest cavity. Green flames engulfed her form, revealing the black chitin covered stallion. His body went limp as he fell to his knees, eyes rolling into the back of his head as he fell backwards, a pool of green blood oozing from the wound.

The sword wiggled, bone and chitin cracking as the sword tore itself from the corpse, sailing pommel first right into ~Raven's~ open palm. She cracked her neck, spinning her weapon in her armored palm and advancing forward, lifting her weapon high in preparation for another heavy strike.

"ENOUGH!"

The word shook the mountain as the entire town of Canterlot was engulfed in a strange aura. Time froze, changelings still midflight hung in the air like ornaments as those on the ground still engaged in combat stood frozen. ~Raven~ recognized the familiar feeling of a Limbo's power thanks to previous battles. The Element Bearers were terribly surprised at the sudden halt of events but were more than grateful.

From behind one of the Changelings, Harrow appeared, wandering by. The warframe paid little mind to the frozen battle as he approached the human.

"I found Limbo and Protea," the warframe stated once he was close enough before the princess transferred from her warframe and approached the God King.

Another warframe approached through the crowd, sending a series of involuntary chills up the humans back as she watched him. He looked exactly like the very thing she hated next to the Orokin. His sentient like build made her slightly ill. From his skimpy legs that lead up to the two protrusions above his thighs that almost looked like undeveloped appendages. He looked emaciated with how thin his waist was. His shoulders were rounded over with a pair of energy and cloth strips dangling from each shoulder. His head was large and bulbous, with a single strip of cloth and energy dangling from the center of his head that came to a halt just above his groin. He paid the human and second warframe no mind as he wandered through the crowd. Twilight, however, was gushing at the sight of the God King of Magic!

Protea, however, was nowhere to be seen.

"Get ready," Harrow stated.

"For what?" Raven asked, confused as she looked back at him.

Before she could do anything more, time began to reverse as she was suddenly sucked back into her warframe. In rapid succession every attack, jump, strike, everything by everypony was reset. It was so fast that all any keen eye could see is that something had happened. Minutes of heavy fighting and destruction…

Had never happened.

Raven was standing before her cousin, ball in hand as she was getting ready to test a theory. " Hey Cadance? Could you-" the human paused, blinking in confusion.

What the heck just happened?

Hadn’t she just been outside in the courtyard and now she was back in the castle? Wasn't she just in the midst of a battle?

Her head hurt…

Raven rubbed her head with her free hand as everypony stood there in equal amounts of confusion and headache. Celestia for her part immediately looked down and ran her hands over her now healed and healthy body. Last she checked she had been hurt but now she was fine. She was also not in the infirmary. The element bearers were not mid battle but back where they had just recently been accusing their friend of blasphemy.

Cadance and Shining Armor groaned as they held their heads, now back in each other's embraces.

They shared a look of confusion.

Then it dawned on the stallion as his eyes went wide, everything coming back all at once and in force. He shoved the mare holding him and made a frantic run for the princesses before him. Chrysalis stumbled to the side several steps before she regained her hoofing. The mare growled, glaring at the human before she ignited her horn in preparation for an attack!

There was a warping sound, as the changeling queen was engulfed in a white aura. She froze where she stood, held in stasis.

Celestia blinked, before she slowly turned towards the God King standing just to her left, arm fully extended from his own attack. The solar mare could only stare in awe, feeling smaller than ever before as she watched the myth and legend standing before her in the flesh. The warframe lowered his arm, stepping down the steps from the stage.

"It would seem the changelings have gone astray," Harrow remarked as he approached from behind the human.

"Grendel will not be pleased," Limbo said in a deep, mystic tone as he wandered his way towards the entrapped queen.

"Nidus and Saryn either," Harrow added as he looked away from the queen and towards his ally. "It would seem we are needed now more than ever. Will you deal with the infiltrators?"

"I have. She is the only remaining one," Limbo answered, referring to Chrysalis.

"Good," Harrow nodded. "Then I shall deal with the others."

Limbo nodded his head before turning his gaze back towards the enraged changeling. He held up his left hand and snapped his fingers, causing the mare to disappear in a flash of white mist. The King of Magic shared one last nod with Harrow before sliding backwards, manifesting a white and black portal and vanishing into nothing before the portal slowly dissipated.

There was a soft humming coming from the hallway and through the open doors before Wisp came fluttering inside. "Hello everyone," she said happily with a wave. "It would seem we missed the party." The god queen fluttered further into the room and towards Celestia. "Hello princess, you look pretty."

Celestia sputtered incoherently, blushing and averting her gaze.

Oberon and Zephyr wandered in a moment later, the former immediately approaching the young stallion standing next to Nightshine. "Hold still," the druid ordered the young captain. Shining Armor dared not move as the king held the back of the blue haired stallion's head with his left hand and pressed the thumb of his right gently against his forehead, just below the horn.

Shining Armor winced in pain, then let out a moan of relief as his migraines faded away. He let the warmth work its way through his head and whisk away the pain.

"There is a reason why mind control is frowned upon," Zephyr ‘frowned’ as she turned back towards the princess and the elements, crossing her arms. "Take heed young ones, for we do not like creatures trying to control one another."

The seven mares slowly nodded their heads as Nightshine tugged at her collar with a nervous and sheepish laugh.

At the front of the room, Wisp fluttered around the back of Celestia and grabbed the mare's angelic wing, causing Celestia to blush and go stiff. The poor princess feared that even the smallest of movements would offend the god and bring forth her wrath. The warframe muttered to herself as she extended the wing. Releasing it, Celestia's wing immediately snapped back into place with a ‘pomf’ as Wisp fluttered forward and cupped the mare's face, examining her horn and eyes.

Oberon was in the midst of doing the same to an embarrassing looking Nightshine. "Does she have fangs?" he asked his friend.

"No," Wisp replied over her shoulder.

"Interesting," Oberon mused as Nightshine closed her mouth, licking her lips. "A new and rare breed."

"You two can play doctor later," Harrow interjected as he looked between the intrigued duo, trying to keep them on track. The two warframes looked towards their friend, then one another before releasing their respective subjects.

It was at that moment that a portal opened in the center of the room, grabbing the attention of everyone, the ponies in the room becoming nervous as the warframes waited patiently for Limbo to appear. But instead, it was Atlas who appeared first, followed by Inaros, the former cradling something in his arms. The massive mountain of a king turned towards the much smaller human and Harrow, revealing what was within his arms.

"Cadance!" Raven gasped.

Shining Armor was first to jump forward, resting his hands atop his lovers as a look of worry appeared upon his face. She was boiling hot and breathing hard in her unconscious state. Her hair was in a very disheveled state, clothes were filthy and torn, fur matted, and all around looked miserable.

"We found her in the catacombs beneath the city," Inaros stated as Harrow approached.

Oberon stepped up next to the young stallion and held a hand to her forehead, tendrils of energy crawling across her skin. "She is near death. Dehydrated and pneumonia. She must see a doctor immediately."

"This way!" Nightshine frantically shouted, pointing towards the door.

Atlas, followed by Shining Armor, followed the dark princess out of the room and into the hallway, desperately trying to get her to the infirmary as fast as they could. Nearby, Wisp and the remaining warframe's gathered up next to the human and watched the door, listening to the heavy footsteps of Atlas as he thundered through the castle.

"I shall find the others who are missing," Inaros stated. "She is likely the one of many."

"Go!" Harrow waved urgently. "Find as many as you can."

"I'll go with him," Zephyr added as she stepped towards the desert warframe. Before they could say anything more, the pair disappeared through the same portal that Inaros and Atlas had appeared from minutes prior.

Harrow turned towards Celestia, who watched him nervously. Upon noticing her nervous demeanor, Harrow held up a placating hand to stem the mare's uneasiness. "Fret not young one, we shall stay as guardians for the time being."

***

Several days later.

Today was a day that would live on for years to come. It would be the talk of the century. Hundreds if not thousands of ponies had gathered in the main courtyard below the castle's main announcement platform. High above the castle, the wedding was being projected to the masses gathered below. With the castle, the room dedicated to the in-pony wedding was packed to the brim. Guards lined the walls as the well-dressed masses sat before them. At the very front of the pews sat Shining Armor’s parents while Celestia stood on stage, waiting patiently for things to begin. Her smile was wide and pristine, her white dress wrinkle free. She couldn't be more proud of this day.

Even if her niece was being a pain in the flank and insisting this day happen. Because screw the doctor and her health, right?

But today was perfect. The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The hall had been decorated accordingly. Packed to the brim, Celestia smiled at husband-to-be’s parents, Night Light and Twilight Velvet, the former of the two oddly enough, was the one who was crying. The wedding hadn’t even started yet.

Hopefully things were going well, Luna and Nightshine were with Cadance now and Twilight was with her brother. Raven was going to be the one walking Cadance down the aisle even though she was the head bridesmaid. Cadance’s friends would be out without their leader and Shining Armor had his grooms ponies out here soon, all of which were friends from the guard.

Celestia’s gaze drifted up towards the beautiful dark purple flowers and the white cloth draped from column to column and the arch was full, green, and decorated with the same flowers that hung from the columns. The red carpet was going to make Cadance feel like a star. Especially with the trumpeters that lined the carpet as well.

Philomena and Stardust glided their way into the room, heading straight for the arch before perching themselves there. The former of the two glanced at her chick before reaching over and pulling at the edges of his little bowtie, adjusting it with a nod.

The music started to play as Shining Armor, dressed in red and gold, with blue sash, dress uniform approached the stage, standing to Celestia’s left as he waited excitedly for what was about to happen. Luna and Nightshine appeared not too long after in their own respective light blue and black gowns. They stood just behind Celestia as they waited for things to kick off. Which wasn’t long. Twilight took the lead with her friends in tow, standing on the steps of the stage just before Sergeant’s Long Bow and Dawn arrived, leading a small group of uniformed ponies as well. All of which had a mare attached to their arms, all of which were Cadance’s own friends.

Now, it was the bride’s turn.

Celestia was almost in tears at the sight.

Her dress flowed like water, pure white with golden trim. The pink bow and ribbon tied around her midsection. The gold brooch with the light-yellow daffodil that rested just above her bosom, which matched the pair of daffodils in her hair, which held her veil in place. Raven was wearing a gorgeous dark violet dress made by her friend Fleur, who was somewhere in the crowd. It was simple, just as she had requested. The trumpets blared, horns held high above the duo as they approached the stage, slowly ascending the steps. Once they were close enough, Raven hugged her cousin.

“You better not say no!” Raven said nice and loud for all to hear as she looked towards Shining Armor, causing the entire room to laugh. Raven handed off her cousin, letting the mare’s husband to be, taking her hands into his own.

Celestia stepped forward, her smile grand and welcoming. “Mares and gentlecolts!” she spoke loud for all to hear. “It is with great honor that I bring to you today the joining of two souls through wonderful matrimony!” She held her hand out towards Shining Armor. “My Captain and friend of the Royal Guard, Captain Shining Armor!” Celestia then gestured to her now teary-eyed niece. “And my beloved niece, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!”

Celestia paused as she held her hands together.

“But this is going to be a slightly different wedding,” Celestia said ominously, causing everypony in the room to mutter amongst themselves worryingly. “As much as I would like to preside over the wedding, I believe that this is going to be much better.”

At that moment, the doors behind the crowd opened, causing the entire room to gasp in shock. Harrow was the first to enter the room, walking down the aisle and past all the shocked onlookers. Ponies all around were in utter disbelief as the god king took the stage, taking Celestia’s spot as she moved aside. The warframe released his staff, the weapon balancing perfectly on its point as he reached behind his back, pulling his smoking thurible into the light.

The room suddenly shook violently, causing some to yelp and squirm in fear as King Atlas and Queen Zephyr entered the room, followed closely by Oberon and Wisp, Inaros bringing up the rear. The two queens stood by the bridesmaids as the kings took up guard by the groom's ponies. The Element Bearers were in awe and the crowd was dumbfounded.

“My fellow subjects!” Harrow greeted the crowd with open arms. “Believe me when I say that not only myself, but my friends here, are honored to be here today. Because believe it or not, in the years we have watched over you, I have never presided over a wedding before.”

The crowd giggled nervously.

“So, believe me when I say this is not only a special day for them,” Harrow continued, gesturing to the happy couple with his free hand. “But for me as well. Are you two ready?” he asked, causing both Shining and Cadance nodded their heads. “Very well!”

The warframe cleared his throat, resting his left hand behind his back.

“I welcome you all on this wonderful day, for today we see the union of two ponies that have decided that today they will no longer be separate, two flowers in a field but together as one. They have been through trials and tribulations, arguments, and sadness. But today, they have put that aside for one another. For today, they desire to become one and to stand before me together.

“Just as we do, we rely on one another to stand, to fight, and to live. For together you will face hardships, there will be anger and aggression, and there will be sadness and loss. But just as you are his shield, he will be your sword. When one of you falls, the other will pick you up and never abandon you. They will keep you on the straight and narrow, guiding you through the darkness like a candle.

“May you always remember that even through the hate, the anger, frustration, and hopelessness, love will prevail. Because alone, you are nothing, but together? You can stand with the gods!”

Harrow paused as he looked between the pair.

“If anypony believes that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace?”

Raven really wanted to, but kept her mouth shut. Cadance’s wedding had already been ruined once, even if the human’s idea was a simple joke.

Upon seeing nothing, Harrow continued. “So, it be. The rings please?” Spike stepped forward, looking dapper as ever in his little black suit and top hat, holding up a red pillow that held two golden rings. Harrow turned towards Shining Armor first, taking the ring and handing it off to the stallion. “Do you, Captain Shining Armor, take Princess Cadenza as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part, according to our holy law, and this is your solemn vow?”

Shining held the ring in his right hand, holding up her right in his left hand. “I do!” he smiled, tears welling up in the corner of his eyes as he eased the golden ring over her ring finger.

Cadance sniffled loudly, tears of joy streaming down her pink cheeks. Harrow turned to her with her own ring, gently handing it off to her. “Do you, Princess Cadenza, take Captain Armor to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part, according to our holy law, and this is your solemn vow?”

Cadance mirrored her lover’s actions, slipping the ring over his own ring finger. She desperately tried to speak, but no words came, so Cadance opted to vigorously shake her head, causing the warframe to chuckle.

“I will take that as a yes,” Harrow beamed. Raising his thurible, he lifted it over their hands, smoke wafting between the pair. “Then I, Harrow, God King of Wisdom, give you my blessing before this crowd.”

“And mine!” Atlas boomed, smashing his right fist against his chest.

“And mine!” Oberon added, though much softer as he offered a curt bow.

“Mine as well,” Inaros said as he inclined his head out of respect.

“Ours as well,” Wisp and Zephyr replied in unison.

“Then today I bring forth before you Mister and Misses Armor!” Harrow praised for all to hear. “You may kiss the bride.”

Shining Armor did waste a second as he pulled his wife in close, cradling her in the crook of his arm as he pressed his lips against her own. Cadance was still in tears but smiled with her husband as they sealed the deal. The room exploded into uproarious cheers of joy!

Night Light and his wife Velvet were in tears of joy as they embraced one another, watching as their son and new daughter in law stood up, never breaking their tight embrace as they turned and waved towards the crowd. Raven couldn't help herself as she jumped forward, embracing her pink cousin in a massive hug before moving towards Shining, pulling him into a friendly headlock.

She released the duo, letting them complete the last part of the ceremony. Cadance and Shining turned around toward the door that led to the balcony so that they could greet the ponies of Equestria. Rainbow Dash shot off through the air after zooming past the new couple, the explosion of rainbow light glistened in the midday sun, making the grand event that much more spectacular as Shining Armor and Cadance embraced themselves for one more kiss.

Copper, who had been in the crowd, approached his marefriend after she had waved him forward. Raven embraced her coltfriend, holding his arm and resting her head on his shoulder.

Celestia, being as sneaky as always, weaseled her way behind her daughter and Copper. “You’re next~” she whispered in his ear, causing the poor boy to jump, his heart skipping a beat as he frantically looked back at the solar mare and her ‘innocent’ smile.

“W-What?” he muttered.

“You heard me,” Celestia replied before turning to her left, beaming. “Luna! How was it?”

Copper’s heart was still beating like a drum as Raven watched her mother leave before glancing up at her boyfriend. “You okay?” she asked, concerned while resting her right hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating through his tux, concerning her further.

“N-No…” he whimpered, the khaki stallion's ears spading back against his head. He knew it was only a joke and he loved Raven to death, but he wasn’t sure if he was ready to take that step just yet. He wasn’t laughing either.

“Come on,” Raven urged, causing Copper to glance down at her. “You and me are going to have a nice dance.” Raven followed her cousin and cousin in law…? Through the castle and down towards the garden area where the reception was going to take place.

It was a typical wedding reception. Ponies gathered around for food and fun stories. Shining Armor was the roast of the party, his guard buddies ranting about all the embarrassing events and incidents that happened during his time in bootcamp and throughout his time in the guard. Raven was quick to roast his embarrassing attempt at asking her out.

Twilight and Spike were next as they told their own childhood stories before the parents did their own. By the end of it, Cadance was in tears from all the hysterical laughing she had been doing as the poor stallion was desperately covering his face with his hand. He was laughing though, even through the embarrassment.

Eventually it was time for the first dance.

Raven watched on as two of her best friends went about the dance, holding one another close as they swayed to the music. Next came the 'aunt and niece' dance since Cadance didn't have a father. So Celestia and Cadance danced the night away, giggling like foals as they goofed off for all to see. Finally, it was time for couples to get in there.

Raven and Copped took center stage, the former resting her arms around his neck as the latter held her sides. They swayed to the slow, but romantic tune, lost in each other's gazes. It was only them; the world was but an afterthought. They smiled at one another, soft, loving, before sharing but a single kiss before Raven closed her eye and rested her head on his chest, letting him take her away from all the hardships.

She loved him, heart and soul. He loved her, heart and soul in return. No matter what the future may bring, they would stay close through it all.

Eventually the song came to an end.

"Love you," Copper whispered in her ear.

"Love you too, goofball," Raven giggled, whispering back her response before pecking him softly on the cheek.

By that point, the sun had since taken its leave and the moon was beginning to rise. The order had been given to all the ladies that it was time to catch the bouquet. Raven found Lyra in the group, earning both an excited hug and a bright smile from the minty green mare. However, that was quickly spoiled by one of Twilight's new friends. The white mare held her nose high in typical Canterlotian fashion to the princess.

Whatever.

Cadance however, stood before the crowd, beaming brightly before she turned around. The anticipation was almost too much for some as they waited for her to throw it. Cadance bent at the hip and threw the bundle with all the might. The bouquet sailed, arching though the air. Each mare screamed, frantically panicking over the bundle of flowers as though their lives depended on it.

Raven jumped, teleporting through the air, catching the bouquet and landed before the crowd. Many 'awes' of disappointment and the frustrated stamping of hooves filled the air at the sight.

Hey, it wasn't her fault the unicorns failed to use their magic or the pegasus girls decided not to fly.

"Hey Copper!" Raven shouted, holding a hand to her mouth to amplify the shout.

Copper, who was mi conversation with Lyra, paused, looking in the direction his name was voiced.

"Guess what I got!" Raven finished, thrusting the bouquet high into the air like a trophy.

The poor stallion went pale, dropping his drink while simultaneously, Celestia squealed excitedly.

The young princess was quick to run up to her frozen coltfriend, turning her back towards him and rubbing it against his chest as she looked up at him with a big puppy dog eye.

"Copper, when are you going to propose~" she teased, wiggling her brow mischievously.

Copper whimpered pathetically, feeling very scared and self-conscious. He was on the verge of a panic attack now. Raven, upon spotting this, immediately set down the bouquet and turned to face her stallion. She cupped his cheeks and pulled his head down, resting her forehead against his own.

"Calm down sweetness, deep breaths, it's only a joke," she said calmly. "Don't need you having a panic attack on Cadance's special day."

Copper took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "I think I'm ready to go home…"

"Okay," Raven replied gently, taking his hand into her own and grabbing her bouquet with the other, cradling it. "I'm ready to call it a night too. It's been a long day."

The royal couple decided to make their leave, heading towards Celestia as they went. Raven spotted her mother's mischievous grin and immediately swiped her hand in front of her neck. The solar caught on quick, glancing towards her daughter's coltfriend. Upon seeing his distraught look, she smiled, nodding her head.

Just before the two kids left, Celestia rested her hand on both their shoulders. "Glad you could make it Copper," she smiled, gently hugging the smaller stallion. "Go rest sweetie, you've had a long few days," Celestia finished, hugging her daughter.

Just as Raven was about to exit the garden, she was spotted by a certain rainbow maned mare, who immediately tapped her apple-family friend on the arm, pointing towards the couple. The two nodded at one another before they gathered up the rest of the crew.

After setting her boyfriend off for the night, Raven was so glad to be done for the day. All she wanted to do was go for a short walk through the garden. But unfortunately for her, her tail had been following her since she had weaseled out of the after party.

And by tail, she meant the six ponies currently following her.

Twilight and Fluttershy had tried to protest but Dash and Applejack had a bone to pick and insisted they talk. Both Rarity and Pinkie were terribly concerned by their own accounts. They knew this was going to end horribly and they knew that the princess was becoming more and more frustrated the farther she went, even attempting to lose them multiple times.

Eventually, Raven cane to a halt in the middle of one of the walkways that ran right next to the castle and one of the gardens.

"What?" the princess asked with a frustrated tone before angling her head slightly to talk over her shoulder. "What do you want?"

The six mares came to a halt not too far away, the two athletes taking the lead. They huddled around each other, the four innocents standing behind their warrior friends.

"You owe Twilight an apology!" Rainbow Dash demanded.

"I don't owe her anything."

"Don't owe her mah flank!" Applejack spat, taking a step forward and pointing at the ground. "You treated her like manure! You need ta apologize. Now!"

Raven slowly brought her head forward, still facing away from the small crowd of deplorables. Even if they were heroes and the literal embodiment of power. She didn't have to tolerate them. Let alone like or work with them. Even if she didn't hold power over them, she would not continue to tolerate this crap.

"You haven't told them I assume?"

Twilight winced, averting her gaze and catching the attention of the three ponies closest to her. Applejack and Rainbow didn't notice however, their glares never wavering.

"I thought not."

The princess had made it about three steps when a hand grabbed her by her right bicep, firmly holding her in place. She glared at the orange hand restraining her.

"Let me go…"

"Is that ah threat?"

"No," Raven replied. "It's your one warning."

Rainbow cracked her knuckles. "Princess or not, I'm gonna teach you a damn lesson!"

Raven took a slow, deep breath. So, it was a fight. At least some fun was going to come out of the night.

Well…

If they wanted a fight, she'd kick their flanks…

Without a single warning, Raven spun to her left, leveling her elbow and clenching her fist, trying to apply as much force as she could to the strike. Applejack was caught terribly off guard as the princess’s elbow clocked her right across the side of the head. Her vision went blurry as she grunted from the strike, sending her stumbling to the side and onto the grass several steps. Rainbow's eyes went wide, and she just had enough time to reflexively duck and block the strike aimed for her head.

The fight was on now.

Raven was a flurry of punches and coordinated kicks, each making a loud, but muffled smacking noise. Rainbow was in awe and a bit terrified to say the least, but she wasn't called the fastest pegasus in Equestria for no reason. She blocked strike for strike, but never once had the reprieve to hit back. Her opponent just never gave her the opportunity!

But the mare went block for blow, taking each strike and blocking them with her forearms, even the heavy kicks, which was murder on her muscles.

Raven was forced to change up her game, feigning a strike and forcing the mare to go for the block. To which the princess's fist connected square with her muzzle.

A loud whistle grabbed the human's attention and forced her to look behind her.

The resounding smack echoed throughout the garden as Raven took the punch square to the jaw, sending her head recoiling hard to her right and throwing her body around and away from the aggressor as she fell to a knee. Applejack smiled triumphantly, proud of the fact that she finally got a strike in. Raven for her part felt something warm running down her lip.

It was blood.

She could taste it too as she simultaneously held a finger to her now split lip, examining the viscous red fluid on her digit. The human wiped away what she could with her thumb and licked up the rest, spitting a nice red spot onto the grass.

Now it was serious.

She was going to have to beg for forgiveness later from Fleur as she grabbed the edge of her dress and tore at it. She jerked, fabric ripping nice and loud -much to Rarity’s abject horror- until she had a long line that exposed most of her left leg. Raven figured that she was going to need more mobility than what she had right now. Once she was set, the girl stood up and faced her aggressors with a look of utter hatred.

But there was also a modicum of respect.

Only a little though.

By now Rainbow Dash had recovered and stood side by side with Applejack, both more than eager for a fight that in their minds was long overdue. Applejack was, as Rarity had sometimes put it, a bit of a brute. But she was a brute that knew how to win a fight and take a hit. Rainbow on the other hand was trained in martial arts. She was much more coordinated and a bigger threat. But unbeknownst to all of them, even her once closest friend Twilight, Raven was trained in the many forms of melee combat offered by the Tenno Schools. Swords were her forte, but she knew how to throw a punch. Raven opted to go for the smaller of the two to start off with.

Applejack was the first to attack, throwing a wild haymaker. The larger mare caught nothing but air, shuddering at the cold feeling of something passing through her body as she stumbled forward and off balance. Rainbow had enough time to blink just before the human appeared before her from out of nowhere, striking her right in the left eye. She stumbled in a circle, using her momentum to add some extra power to the retaliatory strike. Raven caught the mare's arm, throwing her off balance as she shoved the pegasus to the side, presenting her back to the human. Raven threw the mare into an arm lock, spinning her violently before throwing her like a rag and smashing into a decorative vase and toppling over the stone stand it was resting on.

Raven grunted as a pair of gargantuan orange arms wrapped entirely around her torso and lifted her into the air. “Yur mine!” Applejack grunted as well as she hefted the smaller human into the air. Raven ground her teeth and closed her eye as the mare began to squeeze the life out of her. She was fully restrained and unable to fight back properly, she warped free from her aggressor’s grasp. “What in tarnation? OOF!”

Raven landed on her feet spinning on her heels and channeling her inner football player, she slammed her body right into the lager mare’s sternum. Raven dragged Applejack back several meters as the latter of the two wrapped her arms around the smaller human’s torso, holding her as best she could. But Applejack refused to be marehandled like this and used those apple bucking legs like they were meant to and dug her hooves in deep, halting the drag effective immediately. The mare lifted her right arm over her head and smashed her elbow right between the princess’s shoulder blades, knocking the wind from her lungs. The human immediately released the mare and took a quick step back, ducking and causing the next strike to miss.

Raven dodged the next flurry of heavy strikes before she bent at the hip and thrust her left foot forward, kicking Applejack square in the gut. The larger mare grunted, stumbling back several steps as she held her aching stomach. Raven spun, catching Rainbow’s outstretched hoof that was aimed right for her head, halting her attack. She dragged the pegasus to the ground and onto her back, locking the blue mare’s right leg and jerking it forward, causing the pegasus's hip to pop loudly and making her scream in agony.

Raven didn’t have time to let the mare suffer further as she released the leg and turned to the right, blocking the farm mare’s stiff arm with both forearms. The human kicked out with her right leg, fully extending it and catching the orange mare right in the left kneecap. Applejack winced as her leg buckled, throwing her off balance yet again and leaving her wide open to attack. Raven didn’t hesitate as she ducked and maneuvered under the mare’s titanic arm, turning so that she could face the threat before her. She punched the apple mare in the side with a pair of heavy strikes and finishing with a brutal uppercut.

Applejack’s head recoiled back violently from the strike as she grabbed at her face with both hands, leaving the rest of her body vulnerable and unguarded. Raven took that opportunity to strike at her opponents exposed midsection, a flurry of heavy, yet quick and precise strikes square to the abdomen. Applejack did her best to use her arms to guard from the attacks, but it was all in vain, she had been defeated. Her head was spinning, her gut was sore, and her opponent was ruthless and efficient. Now Raven kept a similar rhythm to her attack pattern, two strikes to the gut with a finishing uppercut before going back to the gut. Applejack in her daze threw out her left arm that was immediately blocked and was returned with a pair of quick jabs to her lower jaw before it was back to the abdominal strikes. Each strike was as hard as the last as the poor mare was sent stumbling backwards, her head recoiling more and more violently from every strike. Her nose was bleeding, staining not only her fur but her dress as well. Her eyes were swelling shut and turning purple, along with the other places she had been struck.

Raven finally finished off her flurry of attacks with one last set of abdominal strikes and the uppercut that did the taller mare in. Applejack stumbled backwards, her jaw and teeth clacking as she went full circle, landing on her knees. She could taste blood and barely see, but the human wasn’t finished, not yet at least. The warrior princess wanted to make sure the mare stayed down and for good. Raven windmilled her elbow dropping it right on top of the larger mare’s head, finally giving her a concussion and putting her down. But even that wasn’t enough to satisfy her blood lust as she grabbed the larger mare by the scruff of her neck and the back of her dress, dragging her sorry carcass across the floor and slamming her head first through a decorative vase and face first into the wall, toppling over the pedestal and leaving her in an unconscious slump.

The princess then turned her attention towards the still downed and injured pegasus. Rainbow, for her part, had watched the entire fight from her downed position and she went pale when her eyes locked with that milky white one. “W-Wait we can talk about this!”

The poor pegasus held up a hand of mercy as her other still clutched at her strained hip. But Raven wasn’t in a mood for negotiations as she smashed her knee right into the side of the pegasus’ head, knocking her unconscious. Rainbow’s body went stiff as though she was in the midst of a seizure. It was a concussion, for sure.

It was over.

It felt like an eternity, but in reality, the entire event had lasted less than five minutes. The human’s gaze drifted from the downed opponent at her feet and up towards the group of horrified mares standing before her. The princess had blood on the mind as she stepped over the downed pegasus and towards the four other mares who jerked back out of fear.

“Woah woah woah!” a new voice intervened as Sergeant Dawn stepped in front of the princess, standing firmly between the princess and the rest of the elements. “You won princess, alright! They’re down! No need to take it any further!” Dawn protested as she gently began to push the human back. “You have honor and respect, remember that!”

It was at that moment that Sergeant Longbow and several other guards appeared, along with Harrow as they began to survey the damage. Raven roped in her emotions, huffed and turned to leave. The guards and Harrow just watched her as the princess stormed off and out of sight. Sergeant Dawn motion for some of her guards to grab the two unconscious antagonists and get them the medical attention they clearly needed.

“You know,” the mare stated as she rubbed her face turning towards the still standing element bearers with a glare. “Just because you are heroes, it doesn't give you the authority to attack the princess.”

“But she’s a big meanie!” Pinkie stated before she wrapped her arms around her body, hugging herself.

Sergeant Dawn however, just glanced right at Twilight, staring her down and causing the purple unicorn to wilt. “You know, Princess student or not, you are the talk of the guard. It’s public information. But please, why don’t you enlighten them on certain events that have gone down in recent years?”

Twilight wilted further, whimpering softly.

“Of course you refuse to say anything…” Dawn said venomously as she fully turned to face the three other mares who had given the guard her full attention. "You idiots want to know why Raven has such a problem with your friend here?"

The other three mare's glanced towards their nerdy friend, who currently hung her head in shame.

"Twilight Sparkle abandoned her friend's here in Canterlot without so much as a goodbye," Dawn explained, causing the three mares to go wide eyed. "She up and left without so much as a goodbye!"

"What!?" Punkie gasped, jumping.

"After everything Raven did for you. She trusted you, even when she refused to trust anyone," Dawn all but spat. "You were the one pony that helped her after her first friend did exactly what you did now." Dawn shook her head in disbelief. "Would you like me to talk about the times she saved your life too?"

Twilight sniffled, her hair covering her face as she shook her head in utter shame. Sergeant Dawn huffed, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Pathetic, truly pathetic," she muttered, turning back to her guards who were working as though nothing had ever happened. Both Rainbow and Applejack were both loaded onto stretchers that had been brought in minutes prior. "Come on, get them up. Take them to the infirmary."

"Yes Sergeant!" Four guards confirmed as they grabbed the stretchers by each end and lifted the two mares off the ground.

Dawn spared one last glance towards the remaining element bearers. "From this point on and consider this your first warning!" Dawn faced them in full, her scowl deep and glare harsh as she pointed her finger at them. "No pony may ever lay a hand on her. Otherwise you will be treated as a threat! Am I understood!?" Dawn shouted, her face red with rage.

All the girls except Twilight flinched back in fear, hesitantly shaking their heads.

"Good…" Dawn replied in a much calmer tone. "I think a flank whooping was enough for these two instead of pressing charges. You really need to do something about this Sparkle. It's beginning to get more and more stupid."

Sergeant Dawn turned to leave, sparing the god-king a courteous nod as she passed. Harrow watched the guards leave before deciding to turn towards the four mares.

"You know," he said, stepping closer and resting his left hand behind his back. "It's easier to beg for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission." He paused, shrugging. "But it is also not wise to get yourself into such a situation anyway."