Chapter One: EQUALLY TERRIFYING
-Space. The Near Future-
The silent darkness seems eternally peaceful. Nothing could really disturb things up here, two hundred and fifty miles above the planet known as Earth. The blue orb, the home of many, is nothing short but spectacular. Yet it was not all as it seems. For nearly a hundred years this peaceful, interstellar boundary has been disturbed by the arrival of scientific devices, devices used to connect the world below to the stars above. Slicing through the darkness was such a device, an artificial satellite that was launch nearly a decade ago. One of the many in the array of machinery hovering over the planet, the satellite was made as an advanced instrument to study the Earth with state of the art equipment and instruments. Officially it was made to observe weather events and their aftermaths such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Unofficially, it was mainly used for spy work and keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity that might threaten the security of the western world. The machine served both purposes effectively as it graced across space at speeds reaching nearly sixteen thousand miles per hour. It was just leaving the eastern side of North America, crossing the blue abyss that was the Atlantic Ocean.
Then everything changed. As the satellite crosses the midpoint of the arch, something was happening in the middle of the ocean below. Sparks and bolts of lightning were crossing all over the water’s surface. Waves of energy were being emitted from the center of this activity. It was causing the ocean to tremble and churn. Suddenly lights were being emitted from the center of this disturbance. The energy continued to ripple through the atmosphere and the sea. The lightning bolts were hundreds of miles across as they skim across the air. The energy causes the surface water in the area to quickly evaporate.
Steam rose over sky quickly becoming fog in the cold air. This all happen in less than a minute but the satellite saw the whole thing. Every instrument was going haywire. Thermal, x-ray, radio, the transmitter, and the camera were reaching max capacity as the new influx of data was overwhelming it. The satellite noted the issue and send an error report on its programming. Its ability to record things was being compromised. Luckily it had reached the coast of Africa before the new entity could destroy it completely. But the error alert still persisted. A distress beacon was being transmitted and within a few milliseconds, it would be received.
-Earth, the Third Planet from Sol-
Earth, an isolated blue marble in the abyss of space, is not what it seems. Unlike the many planets that span across the galaxy, this one had one unique feature: it was inhabited by many forms of life. And with the key aspect of life being mortal, these forms of life have fight each other to death in order to survive. For a cold and uncaring universe only provided this planet with a finite amount of energy and not enough space on this planet for it be shared. So life on this planet has to compete to keep itself sustainable. Throughout time life has faced many trials and errors to stay on top. Some lifeforms faded into obscurity, others had to adapt to the changing world. Some of them disappeared in a blink of an eye, others manage to cling to this planet with incredible endurance. But if there is one form of life that has stood above the rest, sprouting from the shadows with their incredible skills and tenacity, it would be the lifeforms known as humans.
And suffice it to say, they were the first to take notice of the anomaly.
It was just an ordinary day for Chris who was watching the monitor of his terminal and the hologram of Earth above him.
He drank some of his lukewarm coffee when a red light began to flash.
Chris looked puzzled. He sat down his mug and quickly click on the icon. The red light usually means an error but those were very rare. Most of the satellites were a part of the Network and were in prime condition. The light indicates that one satellite has experienced a malfunction. He pulled up the list of technical difficulties as he brought the satellite up to his screen. The error number indicates that something overloaded the satellite feed and instruments. He pulled the satellite ID and turn to his co-worker.
“Hey, Tony,” Chris said as he leans back. “Do you know what is for?”
“It is a weather survey satellite,” Tony said as he looked at Chris’s computer. “It should be pasting
China now. Why?”
“Because it saying it has this error,” Chris said as he began to click on some more buttons. “I’m trying to get the video feed. Nothing should overload these instruments short of a nuclear weapon.”
“Well, let’s watch it together.”
The two men watched as the video played. They saw a bright light filled the camera. Sparks of different colors spewing all around them. A rainbow radius filled the outer rim of this unknown mass. The thing was growing. It was causing the camera to start to flicker. The video abruptly ended. Then it resumed over Cape Verde. The two men looked at each other, a mild shock silencing them. Finally, Chris spoke
.
“We have to report this.” He said flatly.
“Are you sure?” Tony questioned. “It could be a false alarm or an illusion of some kind.”
“No,” Chris replied sternly. “I bet you more instruments from all over the globe are taking readings from this thing. Upper management needs to see photos of this thing right now.”
“All right then,” Tony said meekly.
Chris was already pressing his phone
“Get me, Director Frost.”
-SETI Institute. Mountain View, California-
A Hispanic man was bobbing his head to the music blasting out his headphones. He was enjoying the song, although singing a bit off key. His eyes were closed, not paying attention to the data flashing across the computer screen. This was going on for a few minutes until a colleague emerged from the other room.
“Ray?” he said as he emerged from the doorway. “Ray, do you know what is happening?”
“Bright light, feeling pretty psyched.” Ray sang, not noticing a thing.
His colleague snapped the headphones off Ray.
“What?” Ray exclaimed, startled by the sudden movement. “What did I miss?”
His colleague pointed to the screen. Ray turned to the computer, reading the data.
“No, that’s impossible.” He muttered. “It can’t be….”
Ray quickly typed down a few key commands. The screen pulled a picture of Earth, a red, flashing light appearing in the middle of the ocean. Then a stream of noise was coming from somewhere else. Ray quickly trace a single that came from two directions with the new source being in between. Ray quickly calculated the distance, his face frowning.
“What the hell is going on?” his colleague said, his face paling.
“It seems,” Ray hesitated, his tongue between his teeth. “That we are receiving an unknown single from the Atlantic Ocean. I traced the radio single from the source but it seems to be reflecting off of
two sources in order to triangulate a position on Earth.”
“So, are we being contacted by aliens?”
“Perhaps,” Ray said as he took off his glasses. “It appears that whatever is emerging from the ocean has been recently activated. So if it is aliens, then they are arriving at this exact point and they’re using the Sun and the Moon to triangulate that position.”
-Southern California Earthquake Center. Los Angeles, California-
“Sir, we are getting some major activity on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.”
“Iceland is reporting 6.0 earthquake ten miles south-southwest of Reykjavík.”
“Our sensors are picking up something near the Eastern Seaboard.”
Dr. Anthony Grant looked up from his desk as the various men and women from the center came to alert him of some important news. He didn’t even have time to enjoy his coffee. He let out a frustrated sigh. Being a head of geology with a degree in seismology in the Earthquake Center wasn’t all crack up to be. Nevertheless, he got up from his chair and headed to the activity center. As he walked, his workers explain the news. For about fifteen minutes semantic activity has increased in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Earthquakes were going off in every direction. They were small but it seems that something huge was generating them. The only logical explanation was that something was emerging from the ocean. Yet what could it be?
Grant looked at the main screen. The map of Earth layout in front of him. Various red spots were cropping all over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Calls were now being pour in from other seismic centers across the globe. No doubt that the other countries were aware of what is happening.
“So, does anyone have a clue to what is going on?” Grant said as he took in the massive picture.
“Well,” one of the head seismologists said. “The earthquakes seems to be spreading further out in the last minute. Ruptures are appearing hundreds of miles away from the ocean center.”
“Okay, so the ocean floor is being broken apart,” Grant said, tapping the walls with his fingers. “We
need to alert the East Coast for possible tsunami warnings. Now, where is the center of this thing? Do
we have coordinates of the source of this thing?”
“I have it right now.” said another seismologist. She turned to face Grant. “It is roughly 34°04'45.6"N
42°07'30.5"W
“Okay, now that is done, alert the federal branch of this information,” Grant commanded. “We might
be facing unprecedented event.”
“Umm, sir?”
“What?” Grant said rounding on the speaker.
“It seems the Feds already know about the situation.” The speaker said.
“But that is impossible,” Grant said. “We just found out…two minutes ago.”
-The White House. Washington D.C.-
General Keith Bardolf was walking down the narrow hallway, following the nervous intern who was following the Chief of Staff. The three men were heading for the State Dining Room where the President was currently attending a late luncheon with a special committee. Bardolf felt himself running out of breath as he tries to keep up with the younger two men. He was getting on in years but the day he will admit that he was too slow for this job is the day hell will freeze over. They entered the room, the buzzing of conversations was still in the atmosphere when they arrive. However, a developing hush formed across the room as people realize the Chief of Staff was whispering something into the President’s ear. Bardolf stood by the door, his gray eyes sweeping across the room.
After a few seconds, the President got up and left the room, the three men following close behind.
President Nathaniel Fitton was a complex, cunning man. When he was first elected, Bardolf wasn’t a
fan of him and thought of him as a weak, cowardly person. How could a man like him, who had no experience in the military, know what was best for country’s future? How would he be able to figure out how to command the largest military in the world? Bardolf was cynical with most politicians. He had served the army for nearly fifty years. None of them really knew what it was like or appreciate the hard work of the military machine. But Fitton was different. He was clever as a fox. He could see the potential of strength but also the value of negations. He was one to speak first but keep his options open. One who would not lay his cards on the table until the very last moment. Bardolf appreciated that more than ever. He admired the President for being this damn crafty despite Bardolf being old enough to be his father. Still, Bardolf was wary of how such a man like President Fitton would react to such a startling revelation.
The four men were walking to the Oval Office. The nervous intern was showing a dozen pictures to President Fitton whose face was getting more and more concern. The President put on his glasses. He read the reports over and over again as he walks. He strokes his silver goatee. Bardolf realized that something was ticking in this man’s head. The news wasn’t something he expected but he was finding a prospective piece of information in this revelation.
“Sir, we believe this is all legitimate.” The Chief of Staff finally said. “No one could be able to fake it for this long. The single has been verified by SETI and the timing of the earthquakes matches with the satellite photos. We are set for a flyby and are waiting for your orders. We have another satellite set to pass by in approximately ninety seconds.”
“So, this is happening?” President Fitton said, looking up from the reports. “We're actually getting contacted by
some aliens?”
“That is what SETI is saying.” The Chief of Staff said impassively but Bardolf could tell that he wasn’t buying this scenario. “They have been trying to playback the single but this seems to be taking longer than expected. Technology is supposedly going haywire near this entity.”
“So this white sphere is appearing in the ocean and any technological readings we try to get are becoming faulty?” President Fitton stopped, his mind processing this new information. “How can we be sure this isn’t a weapon? Perhaps the aliens are firing a planet death laser as we speak?”
Bardolf felt a cold shiver run past his spine. It was one thing to be able to fight the enemy but another to just simply be useless against such an attack.
“The intelligent committees are gathering information as quickly as they can. It has not yet confirmed but they do believe that this sphere is losing its base energy and just past its peak capacity. We will find
out in about half an hour if we can get a reading on this object or not.”
“So in other words…”
“This unknown entity has just reached the maximum output.” The Chief of Staff replied. “If that is to be believed then this may not be a weapon. The energy this thing has been giving is startling but it seems to be dying down. We are going to have to respond soon though. Media satellites will intercept that area in seven minutes and other countries are getting their Intel. We will have a responds
committee in the next five minutes.”
“Okay,” President Fitton turned to Bardolf. “General Bardolf, get with the chairmen and the vice chairmen at the Pentagon. I will send Secretary Stryker over as quickly as I can. Standby to await further instructions. I want Vice Chairman Davis to have response team ready when I contact the Pentagon. We can’t have fighter jets though. So we might have to improvise. Do you think we have the non-combative plane ready?”
“I think we have something on standby, sir.” General Bardolf told the President smoothly. “I will relay
this information to the Joint Chief of Staffs as soon as possible.”
“Good sir,” President Fitton said, turning towards the Oval Office. “I will not have this country be
caught unguarded.”
“Sir?” General Bardolf said as President Fitton was halfway down the hall.
“What is it, General?” Fitton replied.
“Do you think these ‘aliens’ could become hostile?” General Fitton asked, his heart pounding.
“God, I hope not.” President Fitton said darkly. “I sincerely hope not.”
-The Undisclosed Federal Building-
The office was chaos. For the past thirty minutes, everyone was running around the room, adjusting the computers and answering phone calls. Director Dorothy Frost was commanding the room from her spot near the entrance. She demanded that everyone be on top of their jobs for the next four hours for one of the higher ups or even the President himself would stop by to find out more about this discovery. Although Chris disagreed that the President would travel all the way out here when they can easily send the information to his office, he did know that responding quickly was their top priority. There can’t be mess ups or snags happening now. They must be quick, the entire country could depend on their response time. Chris was trying not to look down at the icon that said DEF Four on the bottom of his screen. It made him feel queasy about his family.
In times like these, he thought of how he would unwind at home. He would play video games and talk about them to his friends. He would play guitar, adjusting the frets and practicing his chord progression. He was able to separate his work life from home. It wasn’t that he hated his job, he knew what he was doing at least and there could be worse jobs he could have taken. But the stress levels lately were getting unbearable. People like Dorothy Frost were demanding a little too much from him while they themselves were sitting comfortably in the back. Although granted she was now taking the mantle when a thing was actually getting serious.
“Director Frost, we are passing the entry point.” Someone said up front. “Getting visual feed in about
five seconds.”
“Patch it to the main hub.” Dorothy Frost commanded. “I want this to be recorded and analyzed. Set
up a link to the White House. We don’t want them to miss a single second.”
Josh looked up from his monitor as the main screen flickered on. The video was becoming fuzzy, static kept interfering with the picture and the noise. They were watching the impassive image of the blue ocean. Everyone
hold their breath. Then the satellite was passing over the area. An unusual amount of clouds were filling the area. A burning light was still covering the area, like a bubble full of magnesium. But some spots were getting clearer. The light was dying down. As the satellite left the area, they could all see dark shadows over the ocean surface. There was no doubt about it what it was. Joshua was still hoping for another explanation. Yet he knew that this was it. History was being made today.
“No way!” someone yelled.
“There is no doubt about it,” a voice said softly next to Chris. Tony was standing behind him. He holds his coffee mug tightly.
“That is land.”
-SETI Institute-
Ray was running frantically around his office. The whole place has gone crazy. It was all right to think that they could contact alien life. That is what most of them dream of. But for it to happen right on their front door was nothing short of terrifying. It was always assumed that they would find life light years away. It would give them time to react, to prepare. Now everything was chaos and everyone was blindsided by this new. To make matters worse, Ray had only a limited amount time to get ready. It was ticking him off how things were getting out of hand. Why did he join this community? But Ray
then remember all the fun he had when finding his calling in astronomy. Hell, Ray remembered making most of his friends during the scientific seminars at the local community college. Famous scientists from all over the globe would talk about they were breaching the scientific frontier. Most of Ray’s friends would be bored by the second hour but Ray was paying attention adamantly. It made sense to him and was fascinating.
Unfortunately, it is biting him in the ass as he ran from one computer to the next. He adjusts the instruments accordingly and was calculating what could be a solution to the next step. It was going to happen in the next five minutes. He can’t afford to lose time. This was now or never. As he was adjusting the radio and making sure every sound frequency was being recorded, Bob came waltzing in.
“What the hell are you doing?” he asked, fascinated.
“Trying…to…diffuse…the voice…in the…single.” Ray hissed, adjusting a knob and plugging wires in.
“What?” Bob asked. He was one who didn’t really understand the context of most of the institute around him. Ray was losing patience but he figures Bob deserved some answers.
“The radio single is being transmitted from the bubble,” Ray told him as he brought up the screen. It is being transmitted to the sun and the moon and it is being reflected back to the source. It is being garbled but it losing energy every second. If I can catch the single at the right moment….”
“But what would that do?” Bob asked. “If they are attacking…”
“No, they are not attacking,” Ray explained sternly. “You don’t send a weak explosion to alert your enemies of your presence with something like this. It is too far weak to be noticed by anyone but us. This isn’t an aiming single or a weapon being used. This is a desperate move. They are not attacking us, they are teleporting to our planet.”
“That’s…physically impossible,” Bob exclaimed. “I thought it would take an enormous amount of energy to teleport mass. Like a thousand times the amount we are seeing.”
“Normally yes,” Ray said as he tapped a few keys on his computer. He was almost ready. “This is still in the range of atomic weaponry but it is dying down. The energy to teleport would have killed us the moment it happens. Instead, it is not letting out enormous energy but taking it all in. This is not an explosion but an implosion. I’m getting reports of the tsunami waves not being as high as it could be. The entity dropping in the middle of the ocean would have caused enormous damage by the earthquakes alone. No, this thing is taking all the energy it can and it is almost done.”
“So, it is almost over?”
“In about four minutes and fifteen seconds,” Ray said, looking at his watch.
“So, we are safe?” Bob asked, but Ray was still working on his computer. “Then what are doing?” Bob
asked, his head tilting. “You said that the single itself was intangible and it would take decades to unlock. Surely we can’t do anything now until this thing is over.”
“No, there is an option,” Ray said as he turns his instrument all the way up. “The single is being used as landing lights for these aliens. They are not teleporting in the middle of space. They chose this locating specifically. But the bubble is vibrating at enormous speeds causing it to alter the radio single. It is carrying different sounds but they are too soft to be heard properly over this radio single.” Ray flipped a switch and a loud, low, vibrating noise filled the room. “I can’t separate the voices from the single coming from the bubble and they are lost permanently coming from the moon and the sun. The only
option is to wait when the teleporting is complete and the radio single dies down completely while
this bubble is still transmitting.”
“Wait, voices?”
“Yes, hundreds of thousands,” Ray said grimly. “Maybe millions. The entire area is vibrating with the bubble. The voices are being echoed inside the bubble as it moves into the area. The only way I’m
going to get a clear shot of theses aliens speaking is when the bubble is fully here and still have the energy to transmit. That is about three seconds. There is a brief area in the center that I can lock on and turn the sounds into an electric single that I can record without any inference.”
“So basically you can get three seconds of these aliens talking?” Bob said, looking impressed. “That is brilliant! We could find out how they speak and learn how they communicate. Will we able to find out where they are from? What their name is?”
“Well, we are about the find out,” Ray said as he flipped one last switch.
- Washington D.C: Situation Room Bravo, Pentagon-
Bardolf was looking up from the stacks of papers in front of him. He along with the rest of the Joint Chiefs were sitting at a long, cold table that span across the room. They all looked up to the large screen that shows multiple images of the situation along with President Fitton who was getting the same video feed. Underneath was a small countdown instrument that just past the three-minute mark. Next to it was the bold words of DEFCON FOUR. Bardolf knew some of the Joint Chiefs wanted to raise it higher but President Fitton point blank refused. He didn’t want to bring panic. In fact, he was keeping a cool head during this entire situation. The same couldn’t be said for Robert Stryker, the Secretary of Defense.
“Mr. President, I sincerely believe you should be move to a secure location.” the pudgy figure of
Secretary Stryker said to the screen. “If the situation gets severe, then it would be prudent for you to be protected and kept safe until this dies down. We can’t afford to have you expose if we are encountering hostile forces.”
“And I refuse to coward away on that account alone.” President Fitton said strictly, his thin, dark gray eyebrows narrowed as he spoke. “The Vice-President and Secretary of State are already in their secure bunkers and you are at the Pentagon. If America is going to face extra-terrestrial life for the first time then I would prefer to do it from my office rather down below. We can’t have fear get the best of us. We are better men than that.”
“Sir-” Secretary Stryker began but President Fitton cut him off.
“Enough, we have two issues we need to address immediately.”
Silence filled the room.
“Now,” President Fitton said, closing his eyes for a moment. “What is the situation with the public? How much do they know?"
A voice from another location began to speak on the line.
“They are getting some reports of the activity in the Atlantic.” The informer told them all. “But
commercial satellites are malfunctioning within a four hundred mile radius of the new landmass. We
don’t know if that would keep up once the single disappears but so far no one in the public has visual imagery. This is, however, getting the attention of the media. They will send teams to investigate probably in the next three hours. So far, it is being reported as a meteor strike but that would not hold up soon. Already people are linking the earthquakes with the event.”
“Okay,” President Fitton said, thinking quickly. “We must make sure that this situation is under control.
Luckily this is happening in the ocean. We can’t have witnesses saying anything without it being official. We put a temporary lockdown on the media’s investigation. Quarantine the area. We can’t
have any information spread, especially visuals. The Coast Guard and the Air Force will act as a
blockade. We can’t have anyone leaving to investigate. All international flights on the east coast will be grounded. This is the top priority.”
“Yes, sir.” Two joint chiefs replied.
“Now, this is only temporarily.” President Fitton said. “We can’t keep the public out forever. They will find out or at least our allies will find out before long. What kind of window are we looking at?”
“It is hard to say, Mr. President.” The informer replied. “We can keep the area clear for about thirty hours. By Tuesday however people will notice. The internet will find something to link to soon. The official media will have a report on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon at the latest.”
“So deadline we are looking at is about three days.” President Fitton felt his face tighten. “No doubt this will be trending on the internet as we speak.”
President Fitton then called another person up front.
“Parker, what is the situation of the other leaders? He spoke on the phone.
“Well, we have no word from Russia, China, France, or Japan.” The man said. “Prime Minister Graddick
is reporting. His team is getting the same information as we are. They seem concerned about it being
hostile.”
“We'll send a message to London.” President Fitton told the speaker. “I will schedule an emergency
United Nations meeting at 1800 hour tomorrow, we should enough information by then.”
“Sir, we have to report that the countdown timer has reached thirty seconds.” One of the men reported.
President Fitton adjusted his tie.
“It appears,” he began to say. “That the unknown entity will cease transmitting in the next thirty seconds. According to my reports, this new landmass will be fully developed and nothing else will happen. All we can do now is hope and pray.”
Bardolf wasn’t convinced, however. Nothing good could come from a countdown timer. He watched the clock tick down the final seconds. He wonders if this was his final moments, stuck in this room with a dozen of his colleagues. He never really knew them. Sure they talked about the old days and their years in the military. But they never had time to enjoy each other’s company. Now they were facing what could be the last few seconds of Earth.
Ten seconds.
Did he really want to remain silent?
Nine seconds.
He felt sweat dripping down his neck.
Eight seconds.
He never thought he would live to see this.
Seven seconds.
He saw half of the men in the room were closing their eyes.
Six seconds.
Whether it was for a prayer or meditation, Bardolf didn’t know.
Five seconds.
Should he pray to God?
Four seconds.
He didn’t what to say. All the regrets he has in his life…
Three seconds.
President Fitton was tapping his fingers on the desk. Bardolf wanted to say how much of a pleasure it was working for him.
Two seconds.
He turned to officer next to him.
One second.
He opens his mouth to ask him a number of personal questions. Something friends would share. But
fear took a hold of him. He realized that these men weren’t really his friends despite that he knew them for well over thirty years. Now he was going to die in this room with them…
Zero.
The timer flashed on the bottom of the screen. Bardolf closed his eyes for a few seconds. He waited for the bright light to wipe them off of this planet. He waited for the fiery explosion that is to come. He
waited for something to shake the entire world. Instead, nothing happened. Bardolf opens his eyes, his breathing returning to normal. Relief seems to be plastered all over the faces of the men in the room.
One of them asked. “Is it over?”
“Perhaps.” President Fitton said. He alone didn’t seem relieved.
Then someone paged the channel.
“Mr. President, we are getting thermal imagery…”
-White House-
President Fitton straightens his body a little. Everyone in the room was all looking at him intensely. He
didn’t think this day was going to turn out like this. But that is the price of being a leader. He had to take charge of the situation at a moment’s notice. No one can know what it is like except those who were in his shoes. His predecessor warned him repeatedly of these moments. One slip up and it will damage everything. You have to remain on top of your game. When the countdown was reaching the final seconds, he wasn’t thinking of family, friends, or his past regrets. He was thinking of how he could prepare better, how he could have handled this situation better. But he had less than twenty minutes to this point. Who will accuse him of being incompetent? The answer was simple. Everyone.
Now it was fair game. From here on out, he has countless minutes, hours, and days to figure out what shall be his next move. He knew everyone was watching him. They were all following his lead. The
the burden was nearly unbearable. Beyond this day was going to be history. He knew he was stepping into unknown territory. Anything he did now would be reflected on his leadership. Any criticism would be just.
There was no backing out now. So Fitton tried to cherish the few, innocence moments he had. He
cannot blame time, the people who work underneath him, the enemies from halfway across the globe, or the faults of his predecessors. From now on, it will be on his shoulders. God help him.
“Show me the images.” President Fitton addressed the surveillance crew.
A second later, a dark image of the unknown land appeared on screen. President Fitton didn’t know what was more jarring: the mere fact that this land distorts the normal pictures of Earth they are used to? Or the fact that was roughly half the size of this country? Either way, there was no way he could keep this under wraps by Thursday. Already, people will see the images of this new land. Now the screen was fading to black as several red dots appeared all over the land. A wave of new information was crashing all around the reports. The three satellites were being overfilled with information. They
relay the data back to the intelligence agency who were deciphering it quickly.
“…that has to be a city.” One of the men spoke.
“We are indicating that there are at least over nine hundred thousand of these life forms inhabited
this land.”
“We can make out mountains, rivers, forest….”
“Is that a railroad system?!?!?”
“I’m counting seven cities at least.”
“So,” President Fitton said slowly. “Is this officially what we are facing?”
“Mr. President,” The Chief of Staff said calmly as he took off his glasses. “The surveillance committee and the research facility have come to the same conclusion. What we have in front of us, is officially extra-terrestrial life. We don’t know how it is possible but we are seeing life forms from another world.
It appears to be intelligent life forms we are dealing with.”
“Is there any way we could communicate?” President Fitton asked. “Are we facing friendlies or
hostiles?”
“We are honestly trying to get more information.” The Chief of Staff replied. “From our photos, we don't see any high technological weapons or devices. It doesn’t mean that these life forms could conceal their weapons. From what we could tell, they looked just as confused as we are. There is no invading army ready or any recon party on standby. This took them by surprise too.”
“Sir!” one of the interns came running in. “Someone at SETI has decoded an audio clip from the radio single. It is being replayed right now.”
-SETI Institute-
Ray was stunned. He didn’t think he believes what he heard. But it was clear as crystal. He stood there,
debating on what to do next. He has to report it. He turned to the door. Then he notices a red flashing light. He looked down at his equipment. Suddenly, cold realization dawned on him. He went pale as he quickly realized what he had done.
“No, no, no, no, no, no!” Ray was shouting.
He disregarded the precautions he painstakingly put up for the past few minutes with a simple error.
He knew he had to keep all the information under wraps for right now. He didn’t want the government to come down on him. This was a secret task. He didn’t want to be caught doing something this bold. But it was too late. He accidentally transmitted the message on a broader scale. Now nearly everyone in the world will know what these aliens said as they arrived on Earth.
Ray let out a long sigh. He felt conflicted. He didn’t want to betray these aliens’ trust. But how was he supposed to hide this from the rest of humanity? He could almost hear the cries of these aliens when their land was being teleported. Clearly, they were scared. Now they were meeting creatures that were at least equally terrified of them. This did not bode well for him. Ray felt that he had damned both species. He grabbed his music player. He felt a twinge of irony of the song that he was listening to. He played the song as he walked out the room.
“Well, here 's to the new future,” Ray said. Then he sang softly. “And I feel fine…”
The radio single was played across the country. Soon it became a burning topic for the public. Not everyone knew what was going on. Rumors were spreading. People were reporting that it is the end of the world as others were believing that this was some sort of prank. But the reality was settling in. Soon everyone guessed correctly that Earth had just been visited by aliens. How right they were. For the moment that land had mysteriously appeared in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, something else was happening. Something that was approximately two thousand miles away from the event,
deep in the Cascadia forest of North America. Another surge of energy was happening. Bolts of energy of all different colors were flying all over the sky. They were converging on one particular spot.
Then a flash of light illuminated the forest. Two figures appeared a few feet in the air. They remain suspended in the air for a few seconds before gravity took hold and they fell down to the ground. They landed with a large oof. One of them was coughing. She stood groggily on her four legs before she collapsed onto her ground. She was a small, purple unicorn. Her companion was a lizard, a baby dragon of some sort who was a few shades lighter than her. It seems important to note, that against all probability, a purple unicorn and her dragon assistant had appeared into existence a few feet above the surface of their new, alien planet. But it was not just her appearance that was important. For this small unicorn was important to the utmost degree. It is because of her that this event has happened in the first place.
There is a reason for a magician to use a big distraction to keep the audience’s attention: it is so they don’t notice the small changes with the other hand. This unicorn, unbeknownst to herself, has started a series of events by uttering two simple words. There was a change coming spawning from those two words. For the first time, humanity has encountered a new lifeform and they were unprepared for it. They only know one thing from these aliens. The two words that were in that three seconds clip that was transmitted by the SETI. Two words that will forever change to future.
“For Equestria.”
“Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”
-ARTHUR C. CLARKE.
Chapter Two: MIRROR THAT REFLECTS
-Canterlot: The Royal Palace-
Dawn broke over the land below, spilling the fresh, golden light across the country that was known simply as Equestria. For over a thousand years this land had stood brightly under the sky and the heavens, shining like a radiant beacon to the neighboring lands beyond its borders. Be it because the peace they have held persistently or the magic that flows freely within the land, Equestria was the source of inspiration and beauty to those who have seen it. This was the land of the ponies, the friendliest creatures known to this world. And it is through their happiness and joy that their leader rose. For she was the reason for their peace, the shining light, and guidance that help each and everypony in her land. Travelers from miles around have come to see the ruler of this beautiful land. To see the alicorn princess that has countless legends and feats under her name was a goal of many. But despite the weight of her name, Princess Celestia never thought of herself worthy of praise. She maybe a ruler but she too had made mistakes. Mistakes that she undoubtedly regrets. And even more so when it affects the countless lives that it has been put under her care. Such is the life of a ruler.
This morning she was overlooking her kingdom as she raised the sun above the horizon with her arcanic magic. But something was troubling her. She felt like something was amiss, that there was darkness coming to her subjects. That this day will not be like the countless days beforehand. That something sinister will happen today and it will change everything. How right she was.
“A storm is coming.” Princess Celestia whispered darkly. “I can feel it.”
She watched the sun rise above the horizon, bathing her inherent land in a golden light. She watched the morning bring a newfound energy into the life below. The birds were tweeting, the animals were waking up, and a gentle breeze moves across the forests and over the grasslands. But most importantly the residents of Ponyville were starting their morning routine. Celestia smiled, although briefly. The beauty of normalcy was worth the pain and effort that it took to keep her kingdom in peace. For the thousand years of peace, the land had experienced thus far was not without cost. The years before Celestia and her sister Luna ruled Equestria, this land had experience famine, darkness, chaos, and even wars. All of that Celestia wished to leave in the past and never happen again as long as she ruled. Still, she can’t help but feel that something was going to happen, something terrible. Celestia glanced at the morning sky. At least, she thought, I was able to enjoy a peaceful dawn one last time.
Celestia began to enter the castle when she caught sight of a landmark in Ponyville: The Golden Oak Library. Even from this distance, she could see the library. The sight of this tree building eroded some of the despair Celestia was feeling. Living in the library was none other than her promising and faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. When Celestia first meet Twilight Sparkle, both physically and spiritually, she knew there was something special about her. So she gave her a chance to enroll in her school here in Canterlot. From the moment she began her study here, she was obsessive with learning. She took to magic like a duck to water. But it scared Celestia. In the many years Twilight was studying, she was slowly being isolated. Celestia had seen this behavior before. In a move to help Twilight discover her true potential, Celestia had manipulated the circumstance for Twilight to make friends in Ponyville and to keep her studies from consuming her. But there was another reason. A not entirely selfish less reason.
Celestia remembered that day. It was a day that she had waited for a thousand years. It was the day that she both dreaded and anticipated. For it was the day her sister, Luna, returned. It wasn’t always just Celestia who ruled this grateful land. When they established Equestria, it was both Celestia and Luna who rule over the kingdom. They were the ones who brought the day and night to this land. They brought peace and harmony after years upon years of suffering. Celestia thought that their rule would last forever after they created Equestria. After all the terrible things that ponykind had to endure, they were in desperate need of order, peace, and happiness. Celestia was happy to provide these things. But their rule wouldn’t remain peaceful. After years of being in Celestia’s shadow, Luna was growing bitter and jealous. There were signs of course. But Celestia ignores them. She regretfully thought that Luna was strong enough to resist the unhappiness that grew inside her, appreciate the role of the night that she brought forth every day. But her anger was unquenched and it transforms Luna into a dark, powerful creature who declared herself to be Nightmare Moon. The battle was extensive and difficult. With all her regret and pain, Celestia had to use the most powerful artifacts she had, the Elements of Harmony, to banish Luna to the moon, sealing her inside for a thousand years.
Celestia looked into the Memorial Hall. The hallway was used to depict Equestrian history and kept the most powerful treasure of them all: The Elements of Harmony. Celestia closed her eyes. She remembers when she once had to wield them, the moments she had to use their powers. Honesty. Laughter. Kindness. Generosity. Loyalty. But most importantly: Magic. It was a power that protected Equestria for over a thousand years. It was their most powerful weapon and their last resort when things become dire. Yet Celestia hopes to never use them again. She had a feeling that something might be off with the Elements, like a dark seed planted in her mind. She remembers how she and Luna got them to defeat-
“Celestia?” a voice rang from the hallway entrance. Celestia turns to see Luna appearing in the entranceway. Her star filled mane flowing with magic embedded in her since birth. Celestia let out a small sigh relief. She felt that Luna could bring her some small comfort and maybe they could discuss the dark feeling that was consuming her.
“What are you doing over here?” Luna asked.
“Nothing,” Celestia told her as she walks to the entrance hall.
“What is the matter, dear sister?” Luna said as they began to walk down the stairs. “You look tired and dreadful.”
Luna was not usually up this early. Or late from her point of view. She was usually asleep before dawn for her night duties keeps her up late. In truth, the two sisters don’t spend a lot of time together because of their conflicting roles. If Luna was up, however, that means something is going on. Celestia turns to her sister and answers her question honestly.
“I feared something is going to happen before the day is out.” Celestia confined in her sister. “There is a plot going on. A plan that is going to endanger all of Equestria.”
“Yes,” Luna said thoughtfully. “I feel something too. Have you been sensing a new change in the air?”
“It doesn’t make sense though,” Celestia stated, her brow furrowed. “We extinguish all sources of refined dark magic and any generating sources a long time ago. Any attempt to bring more into our land would give us some sort of warning. Yet what source would be lingering in the background? It must be something we have yet to encounter.”
The two of them stood in silence for awhile. It was a scary thought for them to acknowledge that there is something out there that is beyond their knowledge, they have lived for nearly two thousand years and they have encountered all sorts of threats of the time they rule this land. Yet they know that there are more threats out there than just the ones they have encountered.
“I think,” Celestia turned to Luna. “It is time for us to visit The Vault.”
“Are you sure?” Luna asked. “We cannot be sure the answers are in there. It could take years to find what we are looking for, our spells won’t be strong enough to hold it for long.”
“Yes, but what choice do we have?” Celestia stomped her foot impatiently. “We cannot ignore this now. We have to figure this out before it gets ahead of us and puts Equestria in danger.”
“But we don’t even know what it is, sis,” Luna exclaimed. “I mean, do you have any idea what could be out there that is unnerving you so much?”
“I don’t know, sis.” Celestia looked up to the sky as gray clouds began to move in. “I feel like something terrible is going to happen, a presence I’ve not felt since…”
“Your Majesties!” a voice rang out from the entrance.
Celestia and Luna turned to see a royal guard clad in her complete armor with a large blue cloak covering her head was running up the hallway She was one of the special, elite guards. She looked out of breath and worry. She quickly bowed to the two princesses.
“What is it, Captain Silver Light?” Celestia asked the royal guard.
“We have some troubling news from Cloudsdale.” Captain Silver Night reported. “Dark clouds are forming rapidly out of nowhere. The pegasi are trying to control them but they seem to be resisting magic. They are gathering over the cities as we speak.”
Celestia felt a cold feeling forming inside her. The darkness from these clouds could only mean one thing. But he was dead! Twilight made sure of that. Celestia tried to think of all the threats they were could be facing. The thousands of years that have plagued Equestria beforehand. But none of them could cause this much of coordinated attacks. The only explanation was dark magic and she could only remember one being that could do this.
“King Sombra….” Celestia growled.
“But he is dead.” Luna reminded her. “Twilight and her companions sought to the matter.”
“Even so,” Celestia said. “This is dark magic we are dealing with. Nopony has the power of that magnitude unless they have been banished or imprisoned in Tartarus. Anypony who can do this is a threat to all living things in this realm. Equestria is in danger if we don’t act-”
But Princess Celestia was interrupted by a bright, white flash. The light filled the whole room for a brief second before vanishing. It was followed by a loud roar of thunder. Princess Celestia turned to the window. Rain was starting to come down. But this was no ordinary rain. It was coming in hard and fast. Puddles of water quickly formed on the ground, soaking it in water. Celestia noticed something outside. She let out a loud gasp.
“Luna!” she told her sister. “To the Statue Garden.”
They started to head to the outside garden. However, at the last second, Celestia turned to the royal guard.
“Captain Silver Light.” She said, approaching her
“Yes, Your Majesty?” Silver Light asked, standing up straight.
“I need you to relay a message to Counselor Winter Night about this event. He needs to contact all the unicorns in Canterlot. We have to get rid of these storm clouds first and foremost. “
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Captain Silver Light said.
“Also,” Princess Celestia said as her horn glowed. Suddenly a small box appeared in front of Silver Light. It was locked but Silver Edge knows what was inside them. It could only be one thing to be used at a time like this. “These are the Elements of Harmony.” Princess Celestia said sternly. “Guards these with your life. Send a crew of your best pegasi and your best guards and gives these to Twilight Sparkle. Tell her that I will send a message to her soon. If I’m not back, alert the rest of the guards and the elders. They will have to inform Twilight of what has happened.”
“Your wish is my command, Majesty.” Silver Light replied.
“Thank you, Captain Silver Light.” Celestia said and she left the room like a soft breeze.
-Ponyville: Sweet Apple Acres-
The morning was still hot and bright down by Ponyville. It was only a few minutes past dawn but the farm of Sweet Apple Acres was bustling with activity. It was, of course, one of the greater landmarks of Ponyville and nearly visible from nearly every part of town. The owners were the oldest and most respected families in the area. Indeed they are the reason that the town even exists. So it goes without question that the ponies in Ponyville assumed that there is only one pony that will be up this early and that will be Applejack.
Applejack had started the day as early as possible. She could feel that a storm might come despite the pegasi saying they weren’t planning on. Still, she needs to get some of her ripe apples down as soon as possible. She and Big Mac were already pulling out the barrels by the time the sun has risen properly.
“Sweet Celestia” Applejack said as she put the barrels on the wagon. “Today is going to be a scorcher.”
“Eeyup” Big Macintosh, her older brother, replied.
“Boy mighty,” Applejack said as she went in front of the wagon. “I’m glad we are getting this done in the morning. There is no telling how hot it will be today.”
Big Mac merely nodded. Her brother wasn’t much with words.
“Okay, Big Mac.” Applejack looked at the orchards in front of her. “You take the ripe apples in the east field. I’ll handle the ones in the west. Sounds like a plan?”
“Eeyup” Big Mac said again.
“All right then,” Applejack said. “Let’s get to Applebucking!”
Even though Applebucking Season was still a month away, Applejack wanted to tackle the early bloomers before they had prepared for their family reunion which was coming up soon. Applejack was not one the delay things. Each year the early apples would keep catching her and Big Mac off. Not this year, Applejack thought. She wanted to be ahead this year. If she can take care of the early apples then she can have time to prepare for the harvest season.
Applebucking was a craft that very few ponies understand and even less master it. The ponies who spend their whole lives harvesting have to be strong to get fruit, especially apples, down from a tree. The whole method was believed to be developed by the Apple Family of course. It was taught and mimicked by other harvesting ponies but was never as good as the Apple’s. Most ponies have to kick a tree three or four times to get the fruit to come down. The key, Applejack thought, was to aim at the very center and kick hard with the strength of both your forelegs and back legs to get all the fruit to fall. That way you weren’t spending a lot of time on one tree. Most folks down in Ponyville would believe that Applejack was the best bucker in the world but Applejack would have to politely disagree. She believes wholeheartedly that Big Mac was way better than her.
It was mid-morning when Applejack came upon her fifty-sixth tree. Sweat was pouring down her face but she was enjoying it. Nothing like a good workout to get the day started. She leaped up and give the tree a good kick. It felt heavier as it shook. Then something let out a yelp. Falling down with the fruit was something big, blue, and definitely not an apple. Applejack turn around to see what had fallen out of her tree.
“What in tarnation?” Applejack said as she looked from under the tree.
Sprawled on the ground was a light blue pegasus who just woken up with a start. Her rainbow mane was wild and messy. She stood up, shaking her face from the cobwebs of sleep. Applejack’s face turns from mildly confused to extremely annoyed in a matter of seconds.
“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack said huffily. “I told you not to be sleeping in my trees anymore. Did you really have to sleep in one of my apple trees, especially the ones I’m harvesting?”
Rainbow Dash suddenly realized where she was. “Oh,” she said, rubbing the back of her head. “Sorry about that.” She said,
clearly embarrassed but slightly amused.
“Couldn’t you sleep in your own bed?” Applejack said, rolling her eyes as she proceeded to the next tree.
“Yeah, it has been a long night.” Rainbow Dash said, yawning as she stretched her forelegs and wings.
“I bet.” Applejack said as she bucks the next tree.
“Yeah, well I was next to Spitfire and Soarin for the nearly whole night.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “We were talking about the stunts I pulled back at Junior Speedsters flight camp and then we talk about the Wonderbolts recent missions and how they rescued a lost filly from a sleeping dragon, eating and drinking-”
“So I take it-” Applejack paused to buck another tree. “The ceremony went well.”
“Oh yeah,” Rainbow Dash said as she flew up into the sky. “It isn’t totally official yet but you might be looking at a Wonderbolts reserve here. That means if one of the Wonderbolts gets sick and can’t make a performance, then I might get to fly with them! That is totally awesome! Me, flying with the Wonderbolts. It is like a dream come true.”
Applejack merely nodded as she continued to applebuck the trees. She knows that she surprises even the early birds of Ponyville by being active so early in the morning. But Applejack is shocked of how much energy Rainbow Dash has once she gets up. She was like a rambling, flying storm. At least Applejack needs a good meal before she could start her day. Thank Celestia that Rainbow Dash hardly gets up before noon or that their other friend, Pinkie Pie, isn’t a pegasus. Applejack shutters at the thought of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash’s antics in the sky. Applejack was finishing her last apple tree before lunch when she saw her sister Apple Bloom coming up.
“Hey, whatcha doing out here, little sis?” Applejack said as she gathers her baskets.
Apple Bloom came up with a small letter in her mouth. Their dog, Winona, came bounding along barking. Apple Bloom was a small filly, still in school and Cutie Mark-less. She can be annoying sometimes but Applejack won’t trade her for the world. Every time Applejack finds herself in a terrible situation, like the quests she goes on with Twilight, she thinks of Apple Bloom and how much her sister looks up to her. Then nothing can stop Applejack from escaping the danger. She will cross a field of irritated snakes to get to her sister and home.
“Here you go, Applejack.” Apple Bloom mumbled before she put down the letter. “It is a letter for you.”
“Now who in the whole world would be giving me a letter?” Applejack wondered as she lifts the baskets of apples into the cart. “Apple Bloom put the letter on my apple cart. I will look at it before lunch, ‘kay?”
“All righty then.” Apple Bloom said, grabbing the letter
“That reminds me,” Rainbow Dash said from above them, causing Applejack to jump. She totally forgot that Rainbow Dash was still here. “I have to head home and check on Tank. He hasn’t been feeling like himself lately. I hope his new goggles actually come in today. That mail pony keeps missing my house. Later, AJ!”
Rainbow Dash flew off into the sky and headed towards her home.
“Don’t forget what I said about my trees!” Applejack yelled at Rainbow Dash. “And take care of these clouds! I don’t want another rainstorm because you forgot to do your job.”
Applejack looked up to the sky. A few, stray clouds were hovering in the sky. But they were not that threatening yet. If Rainbow Dash does her job today, then Ponyville will have a nice warm afternoon. Applejack grabbed her end of the cart. She could see some more clouds in the northeast. Some dark ones were hovering over Canterlot. Applejack thought nothing of it. A few clouds in Canterlot won’t affect Ponyville. Applejack picks up her cart full of apples and headed to the barn, her letter in tow.
-Canterlot: The Statue Garden-
“And you are sure that is what happened?” Celestia asked quietly.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The guard replied, sinking his head lower.
Celestia looked at the spot where a perfect circle formed.
“It just…vanished?” Celestia asked, her voice trembling.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The guard repeated. “I was watching the statue and a bolt of lightning hit it. And then it disappeared. I blink and the statue was gone.”
“Very, well,” Celestia said. “You may go and help the rest of the guards conduct a search of the castle.”
The guard left. Celestia scanned the entire garden. The statues were all still, the rain pounding hard against their stone skin.
Celestia was lost for words, a feeling that was something she hadn’t felt in a long time. It scared her. She was scared. She walked down the pathway that circled her garden. If all these things were happening at once, then she may be facing her greatest challenge yet. Something is trying to attack Equestria and they are gaining the upper hoof.
Celestia looked up to see Luna flying in from the north. She landed gracefully next to her.
“Any progress?” Celestia asked even though she knew the answer.
“Unfortunately no, my dear sister,” Luna said. “The guards have checked all exits around Canterlot and even the cliff areas. We have no sight of him.”
“Strange” Celestia looked back at the spot of where the statue once was.
“But why Discord?” Luna asked worryingly.
“I don’t know, Luna,” Celestia replied. “Something is not right.”
“Do you think Discord is on the loose then?” Luna said, her eyes widening in fear.
“No, I don’t believe so,” Celestia stated as she looked up the swirling clouds above. “I think our suspect wanted Discord out of the way. He is too powerful to have around. If they are working with dark magic and we released Discord, then this adversary will have no countermeasures against Discord. I believe this is attacking the large cities of Equestria first and disabling our mobility.”
“Do you still believe King Sombra is Involved?”
“Not exactly, Luna.” Celestia said. She felt chilly as the rain splattered against her skin. “At least he’s not initially the cause of this attack. This maybe his kind of magic but the scale and planning of it far precedes him. I cannot see who could be responsible for such an act. All the usual suspects have been dealt with or put in Tartarus. But there has to be something I’m missing.”
Celestia began to pace. Her mind began to fish for the clues to reveal who would be able to control the weather and be gathering the power of darkness. She could tell that Luna was watching her, expecting answers. Celestia wanted to have them, she truly did. Yet being nearly two thousand years did little to retain the most crucial bit of clues. It didn’t help that they had faced all kinds of threats since they became the leaders of Equestria. Celestia felt herself stressing. What good was she if she can’t react properly to an attack like this? No, she must stand strong and figure this out quick. The longer they don’t react, the quicker that the enemy will be able to win. They need to do something unexpected. It is clear that the culprit was planning everything for years and they were predicting what the princesses would do next.
Celestia and Luna would attack the storm head on.
“You believe that we are next?” Luna piped up.
Celestia turned to her sister. “Isn’t obvious?” she said. “First this magic storm, then taking out Discord, and the only logical thing is to target us next. We are Equestria’s ultimate form of defense.”
“Perhaps we should consult the representatives from the other lands” Luna suggested. “Perhaps they have a suspect that might hold a grudge against Equestria. We could figure out if this is happening to just us or that they maybe are trying to control all the weather in the world.”
“But an attack on the scale would take forever to build.” Celestia stated. “No, this is somepony on the inside. I’m sure of it. This is just happening too quickly. First King Sombra’s dark magic, the weather going out of control, and now Discord. No, this predates Sombra, Queen Chrysalis, Discord, and even Nightmare Moon. I’m sure of it. However, that only leaves one or two suspects that have been long gone. They can’t be just a coincidence. This just doesn’t make any sense.”
Just then a guard came running up to the two princesses.
“Your Majesties!” he said, gasping for breath. “I just received word from Cloudsdale. The pegasi are encountering some sort barrier. They say that it is a few miles from the city and it is totally impervious.”
“What’s this?” Luna asked, her face showing some skepticism. “Explain thyself!”
“They say an invisible shield has engulfed all of Equestria.” The guard told them. “Nothing can get past it. They are trying everything but the storm is making it too difficult. The pegasi are trying to control the clouds but it is becoming impossible. The storms are blowing the pegasi away from the higher altitudes.”
Celestia and Luna looked at each other. This recent revelation was nothing short of sinister. If what this guard was saying is true, then all of Equestria is trapped. This is unprecedented. Nothing alone could trap the entire land of Equestria and the amount of magic to do so would take centuries to build. Celestia didn’t want to admit to being afraid that what they were facing was beyond the usual scale. The amount of power one could use to put a dome over this land is enough to challenge Celestia and Luna as ruler of the land, a god of this land. Celestia couldn’t allow that to happen. She knew what a cruel god could do.
Celestia stepped a few feet into the grass. A determined look came upon her graceful face. Her eyes focus up to the sky, the sheet of rain pounding against her body. Then with a mighty leap, Celestia bounded a few yards up into the sky, her horn glowing. She let out a yell as she fired a golden light from her horn. The powerful beam of magic cut through the rain and the dark clouds. It went on for a few good miles before it hit an unexpected barrier. Celestia could see cracks of green energy spreading across the invisible wall before dissipating completely. Celestia let out a surprised gasp. That was one of her stronger spells and it wasn’t making a dent. Celestia looked all around her, hearing a dull echo of her attack reverberate in the sky.
“Luna,” Celestia shouted. “Follow me!”
Celestia burst out of the garden and flew straight into the storm. Her golden magic cut across the dark, billowing clouds, shielding from all the dangers. Luna quickly followed her. The two regal sisters were gaining speed as they were reaching the area underneath where the top of dome supposedly was. Soon they were above the highest layer of clouds, their magical defenses stopping even the strongest gales. Celestia let out another burst of magic. It hit the top of the dome causing sparks of energy to fly out of the invisible wall.
Celestia let out a frustrated growl. “How is this possible?”
“Celestia,” Luna said quietly, her voice tingling with concern.
“What?”
“Look” Luna pointed as figures emerge from the clouds.
Celestia turned to see that lights of various shades of green were forming into large shapes. Sparks were coming out of the clouds, energy pouring into this strange matter. Then they began to become tall figures made of dark material. The creatures let out a terrible noise, a roar of pure menace. They were galloping with great speed, their bodies developing as they exit from the clouds. Their narrow eyes were glaring menacingly. They were like a pack of Timberwolves that had found prey. Celestia felt dreaded realization hit her at that moment. Whoever is doing this wanted to isolate her and Luna from the rest of Equestria. They knew that Celestia would investigate herself of what is happening in the top. Now she and Luna have been played like fools. This was a trap. Celestia and Luna huddled close to each other, their backs nearly touching. Surrounding them was about forty wendigos.
“Sister,” Luna began.
“I know,” Celestia said, her eyes darting to the two nearest groups.
She prepared her magic, her horn blazing.
“On my mark.” Celestia told Luna.
Luna nodded.
“Three”
Luna flared her horn up as well.
“Two”
A distant boom was echoing from below. Thunder, perhaps.
“One”
The wind began to howl fiercely. The wendigos let out their haunting howl.
“NOW!”
Then, all at once, the wendigos attacked.
-Ponyville: Carousel Boutique-
Rarity started to put down the current dress she was modifying when the shop bell let out a soft ding. Rarity let out a sigh as she adjusts her red glasses. She had hoped to be finished with this particular dress by today but it just didn’t seem to be right. It was her own criticizing attitude that was nagging her but it was well right to listen to her inner thoughts. Her gut feeling is what made the best dresses. Speaking of the gut, Rarity felt her stomach growled. She put down her tools and went down to the shop room. Once she has helped this customer, she must have a bite to eat. Rarity couldn’t believe it was lunchtime already. Time flies when you are working hard.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique,” Rarity said, greeting the customers below. “Where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique.”
“Hiya, Rarity.” A familiar voice rang out. Rarity looked down to see a bright pink pony jumping up and down.
“Oh, Pinkie Pie my darling, how are you?” Rarity asked as she came downstairs.
Apparently soaking wet. Pinkie Pie’s entire body was covered in water as she bounces up and down.
“Oh, the usual” Pinkie Pie said. “The usual, the usual, the usually EXCITING!”
“My, you looked dreadful.” Rarity said as she looked to the stormy outside. “Did you get caught in the rain?”
“Mhmm” Pinkie Pie nodded. “I was doing my deliveries for the Cakes when it started to sprinkle just a teensy weensy bit. Then it started to come in small drops. Before I blinked, the entire sky pours on top of my head.” Pinkie Pie let out a bout of laughter.
“Not to worry, my dear.” Rarity said as she went to the back. “I should have dry towels somewhere.”
Rarity went back to her storage room where she kept her extra supplies and other items. She was hoping to go out this evening in her new dress but this rainstorm seems to put a stop to that. Oh well, Rarity thought as she uses her magic to telekinesis the towels out of the closet. It is not like tomorrow won’t be sunny. She heard the belt ding again as she came out of her storage room. She was about to say her motto again when she spot who it was.
“Fluttershy!” Rarity gasped.
The yellow pegasus was positively soaked to the bones. She stood in the threshold, shivery and dripping. Her entire body looked like she swam across a lake. Fluttershy let out a soft sneeze. Rarity immediately went over to dry her up. She moves the towels with her magic to dry both her friends up. They looked like they were on the verge of getting a cold.
“Um, sorry to intrude like this.” Fluttershy mumbled. Rarity had trouble hearing Fluttershy half the time because she was so quiet.
“Not at all, dear.” Rarity said politely. “You shouldn’t be out there in dreadful weather like this.”
Fluttershy mumbled something along the lines of ‘I know.’
“Now, then.” Rarity said as she finished drying her friends. “Let’s have a nice, warm lunch. I’ll make some hot soup for us all.”
“Um, you really don’t have to.” Fluttershy said quietly.
“Tut, tut” Rarity said. “I insist. We can have some of the bread rolls that Pinkie Pie was gracious enough to give to me.”
“Ooh,” Pinkie Pie squeaked. “Did ya like them?”
“Indeed, I did.” Rarity said as she headed into the kitchen. “They were absolutely marvelous.”
Rarity wasn’t much of a chef. She didn’t cook meals that often. She mostly ate prepared or raw foods. But with Sweetie Bell living here now and her massive yet picky appetite, Rarity had to improvise some nights. She was far from the greatest cook but she did all right compare to some (Sweetie Bell). Within fifteen minutes, Rarity had three bowls of hot tomato and carrot soup with some lettuce. Pinkie Pie bounced up and down as the three of them sat down at the table. Fluttershy muttered her thanks as Pinkie Pie began to attack her food. Rarity chew on some of her food before she spoke to Fluttershy.
“So, Fluttershy,” Rarity looked to the yellow pegasus. “How have things been for you? It seems like it has been ages since we last spoke.”
“Oh, things have been alright,” Fluttershy said quietly. “Angel’s been under the weather lately. I went out to get him some of his favorite foods when this rain started. I hope he is doing all right.”
“Yes, this weather is getting to everyone.” Rarity spoke, looking down at her food. “Come to think about it, Opal hasn’t been feeling well either. I was hoping her new bed would help soothe her but nothing seems to be uplifting her spirits. I ordered the bed from the best pet shop in Canterlot in hopes that it would be satisfying.”
“Ooh, that reminds me.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed out of nowhere. She pulled out a package from behind her back. “This was sitting on your porch when I enter the store, Rarity. It was starting to get wet and I didn’t want it to. So I brought it in.”
“Thank you, Pinkie.” Rarity took the package. “This must be the new fabric I ordered.”
Rarity put the package to the side and finished her meal. She, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy continued to talk about their days as the deluge began to worsen. Now the sound of thunder was coming in the mix. Rarity could tell that Fluttershy was getting increasingly worried. Her eyes kept darting back and forth between the windows. Rarity was starting to worry too.
This storm felt a bit too strong and terrifying. The pegasi were overdoing it today.
Eventually, the three friends finished their meals. They all looked at the soaking outdoors. Large puddles were forming in the street. All the residents were running around to the nearest shelter. Rarity can’t blame them. She wouldn’t want to be out there either. She would allow Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to stay but Fluttershy seems to be upset. Rarity guessed that she is thinking about her pet rabbit, Angel. Rarity did her best to soothe her friend’s concerns.
“Now, Fluttershy,” said Rarity. “You can’t get too worried about Angel. He will be all right. This storm is just not suiting anyone today.”
“Yes, but I’m afraid of coming home emptyhoof today.” Fluttershy told Rarity. “Angel needs to eat today but all the shops seem to be closing from the weather. I don’t know what to do.”
“Not to worry, my dear.” Rarity assured her friend. “I will get your pet rabbit his much needed food. I’ll stop by later today when this weather is better.”
“Oh, thank you” Fluttershy smiled.
“Not a problem.” Rarity said, her horn glowing. “Now, you're my dear need to stay dry. Here, take my umbrella.” Rarity gave Fluttershy one of her umbrellas from next to the door. “This will keep you dry for the most part.”
“Oh, Rarity. You are too kind.” Fluttershy thanked her.
“Now, you best head home.” Rarity told her. “That umbrella wouldn’t do much against lightning.”
“Okay then.”
Fluttershy quickly ran out towards her home, the umbrella shielding her from the worst of the storm. Rarity looked up to see some of the rain being blown across the sky. Thunder rumbled above her. A chill came over Rarity. Something didn’t feel right. Rarity shook her head. She can’t be concerned with the weather now. She turned to give Pinkie Pie her umbrella.
“Here you go, Pinkie Pie.” Rarity said, giving Pinkie Pie a blue umbrella.
“Ooh, sparkly.” Pinkie Pie let out as she looks at the umbrella.
“Speaking of which, how is Twilight doing? Haven’t seen her in days.”
“Oh, she is studying for some magic test.” Pinkie Pie said offhandedly. “Said it was really, really important. It just looked boo-ring! Glad I’m not studying for a magical test. Oh, well. Guess it is time to head home. I believe I got a package in the mail too.”
Pinkie Pie headed out the door. She was halfway out when she stopped in her tracks. She shuttered, her whole body shaking. Rarity tilted her head, looking at Pinkie Pie inquiringly. She has heard of Pinkie Pie having special senses. She calls it Pinkie Sense. Usually, Rarity chalks it up to being nothing. But now she felt something was wrong.
“Something a matter, dear?” Rarity inquired.
“I don’t know,” Pinkie Pie said, her head shaking. “It just felt like something is going to happen in a few hours. Like a big, huge, monstrous, immense doozy.” Pinkie Pie paused. “Aww, it is probably nothing.”
Pinkie Pie smiled and then proceed to bounce out into the puddles, splashing everywhere. Rarity shrugged it off as she closes her door. She turns to the package.
“Now, let’s see what I got today.” Rarity said softly as she opens the package up.
-A few miles above Equestria-
Celestia and Luna were hovering together, back to back. They were both panting from their recent efforts. It has been a long time since either of them had to exert themselves for this long. The wendigos themselves were wise enough not to approach the two royal sisters. After being blast apart by Celestia and Luna, the wendigos were now sending shards of ice and the wind at them. Celestia was quick enough to block each attempt. However, she noticed some of the wendigo’s strange behavior. They were not attacking at once anymore but some were circling around a certain area of clouds. They were being guarded by the rest of the pack, their eyes locking on to Celestia. Celestia didn’t like this new tactic. She moved forward.
Then out of nowhere three pitch black creatures leaped in front of her. Their red eyes were burning with hatred as they rose up and open their mouths. Suddenly sparks of lightning came out of them. Celestia let out a surprised gasp. Wendigos couldn’t produce lightning! But Celestia didn’t have time to question this as the lightning bolts were aiming for her! She dodged them by doing an aileron roll. The bolts missed her but headed for another target.
“LUNA!” Celestia yelled.
The bolts of lightning barely past her, only grazing against her left wing. Still, Luna let out a cry mingling with pain and shock. Celestia felt her heart tighten. She rose up to the sky faster than an eye could blink. Before the wendigos could react, Celestia let out an array of lights that started to vaporize every one of them. Celestia hovered over the cloudscape, looking for signs of any activity. But everything was starting to calm down. The entire area became still for a moment. Then Celestia felt a presence. It felt like a dark shadow came over her. She turned around.
Green cracks were appearing in the sky above. These were not normal crack but rips that were tearing through matter, space, and matter. The tears of space-time were spreading across the barrier wall. Flames and sparks were pouring out of the crack and into their world. An endless supply of dark energy was coming into their world. Celestia felt her throat closed in fear. She swore something was coming. She turned to her sister.
“Did you just-” Celestia started to ask but a rumbling laughter interrupts her.
That laughter was not normal. In fact, it came from everywhere. From the clouds, from the invisible barrier. From the very air around them. Celestia knew at that moment who it was.
“Destroy the Princesses.” The voice stated. “Destroy Equestria.”
“No,” whispered Celestia. “It is impossible. You’re dead.”
Celestia, however, felt a chill come over, a chill that one would associate itself with dark magic. Celestia turns around. Behind her and Luna was a giant, billowing head made of dark clouds and a pair of red eyes. It lunges forward. Its mouth open as sparks flew out of it. Celestia was paralyzed with fear. She didn’t react quick enough. Luna however did. Luna dived at her elder sister and tackled her off her balance. It caused Celestia to tumble down as the bolts of lightning hit Luna.
Celestia could feel herself screaming but didn’t hear her voice over the rushing wind. Luna shook in pain before she went still completely. She froze in midair before a flash of light engulfed her. Then like that she vanished. Nothing there. Just a poof of air. Celestia felt completely numb. Her body fell down as she stared at the spot where her sister was at.
Then Celestia felt uncontrollable rage building inside her. She let out a scream of fury and pain. Her magnificent white wings spread out as skyrocket up and blast full speed at the adversity. Her horn sparked with energy. She didn’t bother with spells. She just went full force at him. This caught him off guard. She pierced the black clouds causing both of them to tumble down into the storm. Rain, wind, and lightning lashed against their bodies as they began to descend into the heart of the storm. Celestia lifted her head up, slicing her foe’s shoulder. The pain caused his face to form into a solid shape. Celestia lowered her horn right in the center.
“Hello,” Celestia said, her voice shaking with anger. “King Sombra.”
The former king of the Crystal Empire was not a pretty sight. His once handsome normal body had become decay and rotten in some places. Red crystals were growing in some places like his joints and limbs. Dark energy came out of him like a star radiating heat.
The evil unicorn let out a bark of crackling laughter.
“Good to see you, Princess Celestia.” Sombra said, unfazed.
“You’ll pay for this.” Celestia growled. “What have you done? Where is Luna?”
“I doubt you will be able to stop me.” Sombra told her politely. “If you had the nerve, you would have done it all those years ago. I, on the other hoof, am a different story. You really didn’t think I would have taken you on alone, did you? No, we now know the key to victory. And we will not be stopped this time.”
“We?” Celestia asked. “Who’s this ‘we’?”
KIng Sombra began to grin, his rotten teeth excreting a terrible smell.
Celestia suddenly realized who he meant.
“No,” Celestia said, clearly shaken. “Not her too.”
“There is more of us this time, my sweet, darling Celestia.” Sombra said triumphantly. “Surely you realize that the power to bring me back, bring an army of abominations, and entrapped Equestria is more than you can be prepared for.”
“If you think I will go down without a fight this time,” Celestia stated, her horn glowing. “Then you are very much mistaken.”
“I’m afraid that is you who is mistaken, Celestia. If it was just my plan alone, then I will kill you in a heartbeat. However, it isn’t so. But not to worry my friends here will be able to take good care of you.”
Celestia looked around to see hundreds and hundreds of eyes locking on to her. They were closing in fast. Sombra let out another bout of laughter before disappearing into the clouds. Celestia looked to see that Sombra has laid a trap for her once again. He was planning for every step Celestia was taking. That means he has predicted her movements, her plans for this sort of action. So once he got rid of Luna and her, who would be next? Celestia let out a loud gasp. She just realized how careless she has become. Equestria is hanging in the balance and now it may fall all because of her stupid mistakes.
“The Elements” Celestia realized. “Twilight!”
Just then the wendigos, the monsters, and the abominations all charged at Celestia, overcoming her with sheer numbers.
-Outside of Canterlot Palace-
Silver Light put the final lock on the chest that held the Elements. She let out a whistle and the convoy began to take off. Silver began to hover above the carriage where two sets of guards were inside, guarding the Elements. The group flew up above the spirals of the buildings that led to the palace. Down below, countless citizens were seeking shelter from the storm. The rain was intense. Barely any of them could see beyond the wall of rain. Silver felt the water clinging to her skin. She adjusted the goggles on her face. The wind was also picking up speed. It was pushing against her team with a surprising amount of force.
The convoy was now in the open air. They had exit the airspace of Canterlot and were now traveling at a downwards angle, heading southwest. The team had done this over a hundred times in practice. They were the most qualify air guards to led this mission. Yet Silver cannot help but feel like they were heading into danger. They were vulnerable on all sides. She decides to check on the other guards nearby.
“How are we doing on the upside?” Silver shouted from above her.
“Doing good!” one of her guards said.
“Downside?”
“Everything is green.” the voice below said.
“Frontside, are we clear?”
“Affirmative, Captain.”
Squall, we good on the backside?”
Silence.
“Squall?”
Nothing.
“Squall! Report!”
Suddenly a loud cry echoed from behind her. Silver turned around to see what it was but then another cry came from above. And then another one from the front. All the guards were on full alert, their weapons were drawn. Silver took out her dagger. The rain was, however, making impossible to distinguish friend from foe. But then she heard it. A small, faint buzzing noise. Out of the fog, she saw hundreds of figures flying nearby. Their insectoid bodies were illuminated by the flash of lightning. Silver felt herself gulped but she stood her ground. Then all at once, the changelings attack.
-Ponyville: Sweet Apple Acres -
Applejack looked out at the downpour that was pounding her farm into muddiness. The storm came upon them so quickly and suddenly that Applejack barely had enough time to get her apples inside. Now she really has nothing to do but wait it out. This storm really put a damper (quite literally) on her plans. How was she going to get her work done now? Those pegasi really don’t know how to communicate with them about the weather. Applejack shook her head. Well, she probably just sorts these apples before heading to lunch. Applejack went to her sorting bench when she notices that letter Apple Bloom brought.
Applejack shrugged her shoulders. Couldn’t help to see what it was. She put the package down and began to open it up. She uses her mouth and tongue to pull open the letter, revealing a bunch of tissue paper inside. Applejack was not amused. Was this some kind of joke? Did Rainbow Dash plan this? She was about to throw it away when something hard hit her table. The package did contain something. It was a small purple crystal. Applejack tilted her head. It looked like a crystal from the Crystal Empire. But who would send her something like this?
While Applejack was looking down the crystal, a mysterious figure appeared in the doorway. The figure stood there silently for a moment before it began to enter the barn. It slowly closed the door, without making a sound. A large black cloak was covering the figure’s features. But something was glowing from within. A voice began to repeat various words, words of
dark magic. But it was done so quietly that Applejack didn’t notice. Yet the spell had begun.
Suddenly the crystal flashed. Applejack looked down to see energy pulsing from it. It began to radiate a strange magic. She could hear a strong, low droning noise coming from it. Then the crystal began to rise above the table. It was becoming redder and redder. Applejack was completely dumbfounded
“What the hay?” Applejack let out.
Then sparks flew from the crystal. Before Applejack could react, the figure came from behind her and put Applejack in a quick hold. It held her mouth as she tried to scream and struggle out of her attacker’s grip. But it was all in vain as a stream of red, evil magic shot from the crystal, hitting her on the forehead. Applejack felt her whole body go rigid. The crystal began to change, the shape morphing into something different. Something like a small crystal crown. Applejack couldn’t concentrate. The whole room was tilting. The attacker kept her still. Her whole body was completely paralyzed. Then the evil crystal crown floated closer to her. Applejack tries to speak, try to move. But it was fruitless. The crystal crown attached itself to her head and then everything faded away.
-Ponyville: Golden Oaks Library-
Twilight Sparkle was in her comfort zone. She was enjoying her favorite passage in one of her favorite study books (Stars, Planets, and the Magic in Between). It was hard to enjoy peace like this. Sure there were the times she enjoys going out with her friends to do things like help Fluttershy build her wingspeed or the time Rainbow Dash was having trouble finding a new pet. They were all having good times when it was peaceful and safe. Twilight turned to the next page. Heck, she has to admit the times when it was dangerous were even fun. Stopping Discord, saving the Crystal Empire, defeating the Changelings. But those times were over. She was done with those crazy adventures. Now she can enjoy the peace and quiet of her home. She’s glad she lives in the Golden Oak Library. It gave a warm, homey feeling to it. Especially on rainy days like this.
Twilight turned the page. This book was fascinating. It talked about how the stars were connected and that every one of them was pulsing with energy. It was talking how in the past of how ponies use them navigate, both to explore the land and their own destiny. It seems silly now but Twilight could see the appeal. When one is lost in darkness, they tend to use the only sources of light as guides. Twilight would love to help ponies in this way. By being a light, a guide to help them in their trouble times. Like her teacher, Princess Celestia.
After finishing brushing up on her knowledge of stars, Twilight stretched her body. She needs to go out soon. She hasn’t really left the library in days. She is getting a bit too cooped up in here. Too bad it had to storm today. Twilight put her book away. A small frown appeared on her face. She was missing a book. If there was one thing that Twilight prides herself on, it was her organization skills. It was something she deemed necessary to survive in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Be it papers, books, or supplies, Twilight would keep everything in their own little places and double check on them to see if they were still there. She would never allow a book on her shelf to go missing.
So, Twilight started to search for the missing book. The library was clean and clutter free. It didn’t take long before Twilight concluded it was no longer down here. It left the basement and the upstairs. Twilight decided to check her basement. The basement was old, dusty place that had the equipment of the previous owner. The place made Twilight feel uneasy. She didn’t believe ghost or curses but there was definitely something off with this place. Twilight found the book lying on top of a desk near one of the machines. Twilight was about to pick it up but something is off. She caught something staring at her.
Twilight blinked. Whatever it was, it was gone. But she could have sworn there was something at the far side of the room. Twilight looked at the book she left down here. It was a research piece of the formations of the constellations and their origins. How they hold a certain part in the beliefs of the old civilizations. Twilight then remember why she brought it down here. She was just researching the possibility of the power of foresight. She heard rumors of certain pony tribes had seers who would look to stars for answers of what threats would possibly come from beyond this realm. Twilight then open to the page she last was on. It was explaining about a mysterious force that was once on Equestria. How the constellations were parallel to such a force. It said there are those who can unlock the stars would unlock unusual power.
Twilight was about to turn the page when a knock came upon the door. Twilight looked up. She didn’t expect anyone today. Oh, well. It was probably one of her friends. Twilight closed the book and set it in her bag. She needed a break anyway. Twilight got up as another knock came, this time more imperative. Twilight realizes that she hasn’t heard from her baby dragon Spike for nearly an hour. Twilight didn’t want to worry. He is probably asleep. But still Twilight called out as she heads out of the basement.
“Spike? Spike?” Twilight called upstairs. “We got a visitor. Where are you?”
Twilight didn’t get a response, so she turns to the stairwell to head back upstairs.
There was a hooded figure standing on the top of the stairs.
“Hello,” Twilight began to say, expecting to see somepony she knows.
The figure didn’t say anything.
“Uh, hello?” Twilight waved her front hoof in front of the figure. “Can I help you?”
Then she saw sparks of magic coming out of the hood.
Twilight immediately felt a cold darkness engulf her.
“What is this?” Twilight let out.
A red gem materialized in front of her from this intruder. The red gem began to spark and shimmer with energy. Waves of magic were emitting from this gem. Dark magic. Twilight tried to look for an escape. But she felt herself frozen in fear. The red gem hummed. It started to rise into the air. Twilight was fixated with the gem’s movement. It was watching a dark sun rising above the horizon. Twilight felt herself shuttered. Then the gem let out a bolt of energy before it flew right at Twilight. Twilight began to let out a scream. She wanted to cry for help, she wants to stop this evil sorcery. It was too late, however. The gem attached to her skin and everything around her fade away.
She felt cold.
So cold.
No.
She has to get up. She has to stop this.
Twilight felt herself being jolted awake. Her body was now in endless, dark void. Nothing could indicate what was, what was down, where the sky was. She just felt herself floating in the endless shadow. Yet she felt movement. Wind was brushing up against her body. Twilight felt herself moving through this darkness. It made her feel infinity small. For how long she was sailing across the darkness, she couldn’t tell. It seems like forever when he found a set of colors in front of her.
There were five of them, each one of them was very, very familiar. Twilight forces herself to move faster. It couldn’t be, it shouldn’t be. Twilight hope it wasn’t but deep down she knew who was in the darkness with her. She finally came to a stop in front of the five columns of light that was present to her. Inside them were her friends.
Her friends were either unconscious or dead. Twilight refused to believe the latter. But it looked so eerie for them to be perfectly still like this. There were held in a column of light that matched with their fur color. Bolts of magic were flashing across the light. Twilight tried to approach them but something was stopping her. For some reason, she couldn’t reach them. Then she heard a voice coming from somewhere nearby. It was a voice that Twilight never thought she would hear
again.
“Lost….Lost....Lost.” the voice said.
“Where are you?” Twilight asked the darkness. “Show yourself!”
But the darkness remains unyielding. Her voice was strangely hollow against it. Twilight looked up and down. There was no platform, no landmarks, and no indication of where she was at. Twilight let a growl of frustration. She shot a spell up to the sky. Twilight looked up before it dissipates. She wondered what it was. Twilight launched herself upwards. Her body was flying against the darkness. As she moves upward, a cold laughter reverberated from all around her. Twilight stopped. She didn’t like this. She felt a cold chill beginning to fill her entire body. Then the voice began again, clearer and louder.
“King of Nightmares, Finder of Fears, the Ruler of the Night.” The voice was ranting. “I am your worst outcome. I have seen your fears, little pony. I have your soul In this darkness, you will lose! In this darkness, you have failed. In this darkness, I will WIN!”
The last words came out like a blast. It sends Twilight flying across the darkness. She let out a cry of despair before she felt herself tumbling in the air. Suddenly she came to a complete stop. Twilight felt her body tighten. Her back legs refusing to move. Twilight opened her eyes to see a wave of green and purple flames erupting in front of her. Twilight felt herself gasp.
“You!” she let out.
The image of King Sombra did not waiver or disappeared. It remains solid and undeniably real as he approached Twilight. King Sombra began to circle around her, his green eyes piercing into her. Twilight tried to move but it was becoming impossible. The strength of King Sombra’s dark magic was overwhelming. Twilight tried to ignore the smug, triumphed look that was plaster on the wicked unicorn’s face.
“You…you…you’re dead.” Twilight panted, her body weaken from the effort.
“Perhaps I was,” King Sombra said thoughtfully. “But, my dear Twilight, when you delved into the knowledge of dark magic as I have, you will learn that there are powers beyond understanding, far beyond your world. When you deal with the forces of darkness, you’ll learn that wherever you are, the dark powers are always awaiting you. It is these powers that are helping me and it is in this void you will meet your fate.”
“You won’t get away with this.” Twilight said as she felt her body glowing. “This isn’t over!”
“Bold until the end.” King Sombra laughed softly. “You can try to stop me but I find it more likely that I have won this victory. Enjoy your time, Twilight. For this is your final fate.”
King Sombra began to walk away. Twilight tries to speak but then a bright column of purple light engulfed her. She felt her body tighten some more. Then voices were coming from all around her. The voices of her friends. They were begging for help. Their cries were torturous to Twilight. She wanted to comfort them. She had to tell them they are okay. But she couldn’t speak. Her body was beginning to shake. Pure fear was overwhelming her. The feeling that something was happening, something she could stop. Images of things that were scaring her. Fears that ran deep in her soul. Before she knew it, Twilight was starting to plead for help, her voice joining the chorus of her friends.
Somepony has to help. Anypony.
-Golden Oak Library-
Thunder rumbled overhead before it came with a loud boom that shook the entire room and jolted Spike awake. Spike rubbed his eyes. The cobwebs of sleep were still clinging to him. Spike stretched his body, his long lizard-like tongue curling up in his mouth. Comparatively to any dragon, Spike was tiny and to put it slightly less scary. Spike couldn’t even count how many times he has been referred to as cute and cuddly. And this was coming from a species that has an absolute fear of dragons. Once upon a time, this might have bothered Spike. But now he was comfortable with living with Twilight Sparkle, the purple unicorn who he had known since he hatched out of his egg. The only pony he would consider family, his only family member really.
“That was a nice nap.” Spike said, patting his purple body. “Guess eating all them gems really did cures what ails me as Twilight would say.”
Spike started to head downstairs. He looked out the window where rain was lashing out fiercely against the window. Bolts of lightning were streaking across the sky with tremendous speed. Spike felt disappointment. He wanted to go out today but this weather seems to say otherwise. Now he probably has to spend his time inside reading some plays from a pony writer long ago with Twilight. Granted that is Spike’s new favorite activity. He never told Twilight this but sometimes he imagines himself on stage reenacting these famous plays. He even performed as the narrator to Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant in Canterlot last year. Spike sighed as he saw a branch fly by the window.
“Hmm, the pegasi are really overdoing it today.” Spike pondered. “I guess this storm was overdue anyway.”
Spike headed downstairs when a knocking came upon the door. Spike doubled his speed.
“Twilight? Twilight?” Spike called out. “There’s someone at the door. Where are you?”
But Spike didn’t get a response. So he turned and open the door.
“Hello?” Spike asked the visitor.
The visitor slumped over, her body nearly crushing Spike. Spike moved out of the way as a pegasus mare staggered into the library. Spike could see that he had a set of silver armor and white Mohawk brand helmet. Spike recognized easily as the symbol of a Royal Guard Captain. The pegasus’s helmet fell off, revealing a mane of silver with white streaks in them. Spike looked at the guard and saw that she was injured. Her armor was scorched and her helmet was battered. The guard collapsed, her body shaking.
“Are you okay, madam?” Spike asked as he rushed to her side.
“Attack…Twilight…The Princesses…” she gasped as he tries to get up.
“What’s going on?” Spike asked, utterly confused. “Who are you?”
“I’m Captain Silver Light, head of the Secret Elite .” The pegasus replied. “I was sent by Princess Celestia to get…Twilight Sparkle….Equestria is under attack!”
Spike took a step back. Equestria is under an attack? But everything seems normal. Sure it was storming a bit that doesn’t mean anything. Yet Spike felt like something was off. It was like a big shadow has covered the land. But who would attack Equestria? There really is no enemies that could have this kind of power, Spike thought. Still, if there is one pony who could fix this and that is Twilight. She can solve anything and Spike has complete faith in her.
“I’ll have to get Twilight.” Spike told Silver. “Just wait here and I’ll be back.”
Spike turned to face the library, thinking she’ll be in the main room. But she wasn’t. Spike saw that the basement door was open. Twilight must be in there. Spike went down the basement door. He and Silver didn’t have to go far. There was a figure that caught his eye at the bottom of the stairs and he noticed a purple leg lying across the bottom step. Spike felt his heart leaped to his throat. He ran over to see that it was Twilight who laid on the ground, her eyes unfocused and her body twitching. A red crown was attached to her head, glowing with malice energy.
“NO!” Spike let out. “Twilight! Twilight! Please get up! Twilight!”
“She won’t wake.” Spike turned to see Silver limping her way towards him.
“What happened to her?” Spike wailed, tears in his eyes. “Is she going to be all right?”
“That’s a Fear Gem,” Silver Edge told the baby dragon. “Powerful, dark magic. Made to immobilize a pony by showing their worst fears that are strongly linked to their soul. That is only one dark unicorn I know that could pull something like has been gone for a long while.”
“You mean-”
“King Sombra.” Silver Light confirmed. “Princess Celestia suspects him when this first began. She entrusted me to deliver the Elements of Harmony to Twilight Sparkle. My convoy was attacked, however. By Changelings. They were able to attack my crew before I escaped. I don’t know how long until King Sombra and the changelings find out I’m here with this.”
Silver Edge pulled a golden box from her bag. In the box, Spike knew they were the Elements of Harmony. Although he only saw them a couple of times, Spike knew what they could do. They were powerful magic, Equestria’s greatest power and defense. It could only be wielded by Twilight and her friends, the ones who were able to redeem Princess Luna, the ones who fought Discord, the mad god of chaos. This was their only hope. It suddenly occurs to Spike why Twilight was under attack. She and her friends were the only ones who could use the Elements of Harmony. They were taken out so King Sombra will have no obstacle in his way. But King Sombra has forgotten one critical error: Spike.
Spike remember the only time he had ever faced King Sombra. It was at the most critical moment of their adventures to the Crystal Empire. He was taking the Crystal Heart away from King Sombra’s trap. Twilight told Spike to deliver the Crystal Heart to Princess Cadence. That he had to be the one to save the Crystal Empire. Spike remember the pressure of doing that task, the fear that was engulfing him as he evaded King Sombra’s dark magic to get the Crystal Heart. And then at the worst moment, the Crystal Heart fell down and Spike dove after it. Together, he and the Crystal Heart fell down to the ground as King Sombra rose up to strike. Spike could see the evil burring in his eyes, the greedy, hungry look that was covering his face. Had Princess Cadence and Shining Armor not intervene, then Spike would shudder to think of what would have happened next. It was in this moment of revelation that Spike felt some resolution. A determined look came upon his face, the same look that Twilight gave him when she told him to deliver the Crystal Heart.
“I have to be the one to remove the Fear Gem off of Twilight.” Spike announced.
“You can’t.” Silver Light told him. “The dark magic is bound to her. The magic will do everything to stop you. Only a powerful unicorn could break the spell. We can only wait until the magic wears off, otherwise, we could be trapped in our own fears.”
“Somepony has to do it.” Spike said. “Somepony has to save Twilight.”
Spike reached for the Fear Gem. As he touched it, he immediately felt power magic shake him. He felt pain blaze across his body and then suddenly he felt himself being shot across the room. Spike hit the bookshelves with enormous force. Books were falling everywhere as Spike shook his head to clear it. Spike let out a groan as he steadies his body. He will not fail. Spike tried again as bolts of magic hit him. Spike slowly but surely to gain footing and began to walk to Twilight. Silver Light was saying something but whether it was to discourage Spike or warn him about the evil magic, Spike couldn’t tell for all he was focusing on was getting that crown off of Twilight.
Spike moved his claws and latch on to the gem. He gripped tightly, not willing to let go of the gem. He could hear a rasping breathing noise coming from somewhere above him. Spike tighten his hold. It was the battle of the wills. Spike think of something that will prevent him from letting go, all the memories that he had. Twilight teaching him how to read, the first time they came to Ponyville, Twilight defeating the Ursa Minor. Suddenly the crown shifted. Spike looked down to see the gem was moving. Spike thought of more memories. He thought of Twilight hugging him after he got Princess Celestia during Twilight’s freak out. The happiness, the joy, the hope…The gem was suddenly moving off of Twilight. Spike was nearly surprised by all this that he almost let go.
“You are doing it!” Silver Light exclaimed. “That’s it!”
Spike began to use all of his strength to lift the gem up and off Twilight. The power of the gem that turned on to Spike. Bolts of electricity were shooting at him from every direction. Spike felt his heart raced. He could almost see the flaming eyes of Sombra. He let out a hiss, his mouth opening wide. The feeling of abandonment was starting to develop in Spike. He let out an angry cry and let out a burst of green flames. The fire consumed the gem causing the magic to disappear. Spike felt relieved before his vision darken. Then Spike felt himself go weak and then he blacked out.
A moment of silence filled the room. Silver Light decide to act quickly. She grabbed Twilight and head to the upper floors. She glanced out the windows.It seems that King Sombra is having creatures patrol the land. Silver Light doesn’t know how he is doing it but it seems King Sombra is searching for them. They need to get out of here quickly. Then she heard soft muttering coming from behind her. Twilight was starting to wake up. The lavender unicorn started to move her legs, then she opens her eyes. She blinked a few times before she woke up completely. Her eyes widen in fear. She stood up, her horn glowing.
“Easy, easy.” Silver Light trotted up to her.
Twilight turned to her. “Who are you?” she demanded. “What’s going on?”
“Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. “ Silver Edge bowed despite the pain in her neck. “My name is Silver Light, guard captain of the Mythic Elite Branch. We guarded Equestria’s deepest secrets. I was sent to Ponyville to give you this.”
Silver Light pulled out the golden box. She set it down in front of Twilight who open it with her magic. Inside the Elements of Harmony were glowing with intense power. Twilight Sparkle shielded her eyes from the shine. She looked up to Silver Light.
“Most of Equestria is under attack.” Silver Edge informed her. “Shortly after dawn theses mysterious storm clouds appeared out of nowhere and have been pelting the land with rain, wind, and lightning. Before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna left, I was instructed to give you the Elements. I had my best team of pegasi flew me over here but we were attacked by a group of changelings. It seems we are under attack by more than just dark magic. There are all sorts of monsters attacking Equestria: demons, spirits, windigos...”
“What?” Twilight exclaimed. “But the wendigos were rendered powerless over a thousand years. There is not enough hatred and anger in Equestria to fuel their powers. How can they be here and become this strong? Changelings were banished to across the world.”
“I don’t know but somepony out there is controlling them.” Silver Light looked out the window. “They are coordinated and they seem to be attacking the bigger cities first. We need to get going. I don’t how long it will be until they find you out you are awake.”
“King Sombra” Twilight let out.
“Yes, I figured he would have a hoof in this.” Silver Edge said. “You do realize that he probably attack you and your friends with separate attacks. He knew you would be by yourself. Had your dragon not destroy the Fear Gem then he would have you out of the way Now let’s-”
“Wait, Spike removed the Fear Gem.” Twilight inquired. “I thought you did. Only a powerful unicorn could tamper with dark magic.”
“Yeah, well he figured out a way.” Silver said pointing to where Spike was lying.
Twilight turned and let out a scream. “SPIKE!” she let out.
Twilight rushed to Spike’s side. The dragon seems to be unconscious. His eyes kept shifting and kept moving his head.
Twilight felt his heart break into two at the mere sight of it all. He didn’t want Spike to have suffered. He was just a baby dragon.
“We have to help him.” Twilight told Silver Light. “There must be a way to heal him. Do you know any healing potions?”
“Yes,” Silver Edge replied. “But I don’t if they will work on a dragon. Besides, we have more important things to do than to take care of a dragon…”
Silver Edge stopped for Twilight was giving her a fiery glare.
“DON’T,” she growled. “YOU SAY THAT!”
Silver Light bowed her head in shame.
“He’s my baby dragon and he shouldn’t have to suffer like this.” Twilight told Silver Edge flatly. “He has been with me ever since I started going to magic school. And I will not allow him to be harm any further!”
“Sorry,” she said, trying to amend her mistake. “I didn’t mean to downgrade him. I'm not just used to having a dragon living peacefully amongst ponykind. I have served The Canterlot Royal Guard for a long time. I have seen all sorts of conflicts. Griffins, manticores, changelings, and even dragons. Yet seeing Equestria attack like this, it...terrifies me to the core. I don’t think there is a way we can win. The Royal Sisters are gone and we don’t have a clue of what is going on.”
“But we have the Elements” Twilight reminded her. “We have a chance.”
Silver Light let a long sigh. “Fool,” she began. “My best soldiers were barely able to escape from the changelings. King Sombra has the Royal Sisters. We don’t know where these storm clouds are being produced. The type of energy to feed this kind of magic is unprecedented and we have no plan, no backup, and no weapons to stop them. I’m sorry but what chance do we have?”
Twilight closed her eyes, considering her options. All around them were powerful creatures that were able to shoot lightning, fierce winds as well as now. Her friends were in separate areas in Ponyville and made it difficult for even the royal guards to reach her place. It seems King Sombra is playing a clever game. He somehow knew that Twilight would be separate from her friends. If that is the case, then why just her? He could easily pick a day where all six of them were doing their own….thing. Twilight suddenly realize what she saw in her nightmares. It wasn’t an illusion, it was real! An anger began to burn inside her heart. Twilight realized what she must do.
“I need the Elements.” Twilight said as she lifts the Elements of Harmony into her bag and into her back.
“What are you doing?” Silver Light asked.
“What needs to be done,” Twilight told him. “I have to save my friends. King Sombra made a mistake, a huge one. He thought that he had taken care of me. That I would be easy to stop. No, stopping me is the hard part. He already achieved the easy part of ruling Equestria. Now it is time for me to ensure that his reign wouldn’t last long. Take care of Spike. Do whatever you can, use whatever healing potion you have to help him because I’m going to save Equestria.”
Silver Light staggered. “How?”
“By getting my friends back together” Twilight explained. “By gathering together and uniting against King Sombra. He can throw whatever he has at us because we will do our best to ensure he wouldn’t win. He made a mistake by attacking us. Now it is time to show him the error of his ways. My friends and I are a burning light that will pierce the darkest shadows. We have done it before and we will do it again!”
“But how do you plan-” Silver Light started to ask but then Twilight raised her horn and vanished in a puff of light and smoke, leaving her question unanswered.
Silver Edge looked out into the window, the storm raging outside.
“I hope you know what you are doing, Twilight.” Silver Light said to the small space where Twilight was at. “Because the fate of Equestria hangs in the balance and we can’t afford to lose. Heh, I guessed I was right about you. When you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. I just hope that can forgive me for what is about to happen.”
Silver felt herself become emotional.
“Yes,” she said quietly but firmly. “I do you believe you are ready.”
Then Silver Light picked up Spike and tried her best to heal him as the battle continues on outside.
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
-EDITH WHARTON
Author's Note
This story takes place in Season Three timeline, roughly between Wonderbolts Academy and Apple Family Reunion This is the approximate point in the time where my timeline will diverge from the canon timeline. Several reasons for this but I tell you one for now.
Reason #1: Want Twilight to be a unicorn for this story.
Chapter Three: BASE PASSIONS
CHAPTER THREE: BASE PASSIONS
-Sweet Apple Acres: The Orchards -
Twilight felt herself teleported right into the cold, wet outside. She begin to catch her breath as she spotted the apple trees around here. Twilight steady herself, getting herself some bearings. Twilight looked around. The storm was causing the trees to move in a dangerous way. Lightning flashed above her revealing dark shapes. It seems Silver Light was right and that evil forces were loose, causing the weather to become very chaotic. But if it is windigos that were causing these storms, then it should only be cold weather. Something was not right. Twilight shook her head. Now was not the time to dwell on what these creatures are, that’ll come later. Right now it was time to find her friends. “It’s okay.” Twilight said to herself. “I can do this.” And then she jump out into the open.
That is when she found herself looking up to a swarm of changelings
Oh,” Twilight let out softly.
At that moment, five of them lunged at her. Twilight sprint underneath them and to the other side of a row of trees. The changelings were coming out of the sky, landing on either side of her. Twilight gave out a yelp as the changelings out their raspy hiss. She ducked as the changelings attacked one another with their miscalculated leap. Twilight took the moment to escape.
“Okay, bad idea,” Twilight said and turn back to the woods.
She stopped.
In front of her were horrible creatures. Twilight guessed she was looking at what were once only legends before. They were not like the creatures Twilight as read. They were black as night, their mane was raggedy and wild, and their eyes glowed with a fierce red. Their entire bodies were just plain sinister looking. Twilight took a step back as bolts of lightning were shooting out of their mouths. The wendigos let out a loud howl that chilled Twilight to the bone.
Then the wendigos charge. They flew across the skies, their bodies flapping like giant bats. Twilight did her best to attract the wendigos. She even stopped to fire a beam of magic in the sky. The wendigos let out a fresh cry of hunger. But they could not see where Twilight was heading to with all the trees in front of them. Twilight hope this will give Silver Light enough time to get Spike out of the library. Bolts of lightning were being shot down from the sky. One barely missed Twilight. She had to teleport soon. But not yet. Not until-
“Find her!” The booming voice of King Sombra commanded.
Twilight realized all of the wendigos and changelings were going to comb the land for her. She could hear the buzzing and rumbling of the monsters above. They will hunt her down no matter what. But she was prepared for that. With a quick turn, she jumped underneath a tree and vanished with a blast of teleportation.
*
The entire room was filled with a white light that nearly blinded everypony. Twilight stood on the ground, dizzy for a bit. Her magic was running a bit thin and teleporting long distances and without seeing where she was going really was taking it out of her. Twilight looked up to see three ponies looking down at a fourth figure. They all turned to see Twilight standing in the room. Apple Bloom came running to her, tears in her eyes.
“Twilight! Twilight!” Apple Bloom cried out. “You got save Applejack! You got to save her!”
Apple Bloom ran into Twilight, sobbing uncontrollably. Twilight looked up at the other Apple family members. Big Mac, a stallion that Twilight never see expressed any emotion, was shedding tears. Granny Smith seems broken as she looked down on Applejack who was laying on the ground. She looks like she was sleeping peacefully except for the glowing red gem on her head. Twilight approached the family of Earth Ponies. Normally, they were all suspicious of magic but Twilight needed to rescue Applejack. She raised her horn, magic sparkly out of the tip.
“Don’t worry, everypony.” Twilight Sparkle told them. “I will get Applejack back to normal.”
“You-You-promised?” Apple Bloom asked, her large eyes quivering.
Twilight took one look at the grieving family.
“I promised,” Twilight said and she meant it.
Twilight raised her horn and then touch the red gem with the tip of it. The two magic almost instantly connect. Twilight felt the room spin around her. She felt every hair on her mane standing up from the wave of energy. Her body began to shake. But she remained focused as she poured her magic into the Fear Gem. There was something blocking her before she finally made a connection. Then everything disappeared.
-Applejack’s Fearverse-
Twilight felt herself landing on solid ground. She looked around to see that she was back in Ponyville. But everything looked disoriented. She felt as if the buildings were swaying back and forth. The sky was a weird color orange and it put the entire scene in a brown tint. Twilight looked for directions or any sign of Applejack. But it seems that the entire town was a maze. Twilight began to gallop towards the general direction of Sweet Apple Acres. This, however, turns out to be fruitless as every time Twilight goes in the right direction, she wound up back in the center of Ponyville. She stopped after the fifth time. It was then that Twilight saw another pony, although she didn’t recognize him.
“Excess me, sir?” Twilight asked the stallion. “Can you tell me where Sweet Apple Acres is?”
“What?” the stallion said, clearly hostile.
“Sweet Apple Acres” Twilight repeated. “You know the farm that built this town? The one run by the Apple Family?”
“There’s no Apples living amongst us, missy.” The stallion replied, clearly annoyed.
“Oh, you gotta to be kidding me,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes.
“Look,” Twilight stepped in front of the stallion. “This entire town was built because of the Apple Family. Apples are what Ponyville grows.”
“We ain’t growing apples, missy.” the stallion said, putting his hoof down. “All Ponyville sells are turnips. Turnips and peaches. That. Is. All.”
Twilight, however, looked over the pony’s head and clearly saw an apple tree in the distance.
“Then what is that?” Twilight pointed at the tree.
The stallion turned around to see the tree. “That ain’t no apple tree.” He simply said.
Twilight let out an irritated growl. She shook her head and realize what she was doing.
“Why am I arguing with you?” Twilight said as she rushes off to the tree. “You are not real.”
“Right back atcha, missy.” The stallion said.
Twilight was heading off to the tree. She then notices something. All these buildings looked different but something was off about them. It then hit Twilight. These buildings were not ones she remembers because they were not Ponyville of the present. This was Ponyville of the past. Or at least some version of it. Twilight’s theory was confirmed when she found another pony she didn’t recognize standing in front of the apple tree.
“I say, I say, I say!” the loud pony said to a crowd of ponies. “Fillies and gentlecolts of Ponyville. Elect me, Ditch Turnip, as your new mayor and I will give you everything you wanted! You want a new house? It is done! You want to have your taxes go to the right things? It is done. You want to have your lives perfect and make sure your neighbor has to pay for it all? It is done. That is the Turnip policy. Who’s with me?”
The crowd cheered.
“Turnip for what?” Ditch Turnip asked.
“For you!” the crowd replied.
“And how to get me?”
“By electing you and trusting you to keep your promises.”
“That’s right!” Ditch Turnip said. “Why deal with the consequences now when you can have your children deal with them later and you can enjoy your much-needed vacation.”
“Oh, how can I ever find Applejack?” Twilight groaned.
As soon as those words were spoken, a glowing light came from outside Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle turn towards the general direction. She ran down the street and out into an open field. Before she could get lost, Twilight teleported a few feet. She landed exactly where she meant to. She kept this up until she found herself at the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres. The orange light hovered over the farm. Voices were being emitted from across the field. Twilight swears she can hear Applejack. Twilight made her way down to the farm.
There she can see Applejack crying uncontrollably. She was in front of Granny Smith who was rocking back and forth in her rocking chair. She kept saying something over and over again. Twilight went over to hear what she was saying. As she walked over, she saw bits of woods scattered everywhere. Claw marks were everywhere. Twilight saw bits of cloth clinging to the fences and bushes. Twilight quickly doubled her pace as Applejack began to speak again.
“Granny, where is Mom and Dad?” Applejack asked, her eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t you worry, youngling.” Granny Smith said. “They’ll be fine.”
“You keep saying that!” Applejack shouted. “You keep saying that but that’s not true!”
“Don’t you worry, youngling.” Granny Smith repeated. “They’ll be fine.”
“You keep telling me that!” Applejack was now furious. “You never tell me what happen to Mom and Dad. You keep lying to me.”
“Don’t you worry, youngling.” Granny Smith continued to say. “They’ll be fine.”
“Applejack!” Twilight said as she approached her. “You have to snap out of it.”
Applejack saw Twilight and turn away from her in shame. She didn’t seem like herself. She avoided Twilight’s face as she tries to talk to her. Twilight didn’t feel like dealing with this. She turned in front of Applejack and try to lift her chin up. She wanted Applejack to hear this.
“Hey, AJ,” Twilight spoke softly. “You have to listen. This isn’t like you.”
“Yeah, and how would you know?” Applejack muttered. “Maybe I am a weak pony. Maybe I am lost and cannot take care of the farm.”
“Come on, Applejack,” Twilight said laughing. “We know that is not true. You are strong, reliable, honest, tough, and let’s not forget who was willing to work without any help from others by herself on the apple farm.”
Applejack looked up. “Me?”
“Yes, you,” Twilight said. “Now let’s get out of here.”
“So, you're telling me the truth?” Applejack asked.
“Yes”
“Honestly?”
“Honestly.”
Then the world began to shimmer. Everything stopped before a bright light covered everything.
-Sweet Apple Acres: Farmhouse-
The two ponies suddenly woke up and were forced apart. They landed on their backs. The Apple family let a cry of joy as Applejack started to get up, putting her hat back on. Apple Bloom was half sobbing and laughing as she runs up to hug her sister. The two of them hugged as Big Mac and Granny Smith came up to hug her. Twilight shook her head as she too got up. The family hugged for a good while until Applejack saw the glowing red gem. She went over to stomp on it. But before she could Twilight intervene.
“Wait!” Twilight said and she bent down and touch the gem with her own horn.
The gem flashed and then it turns into a small red material that looked like it was a part of a unicorn’s horn. Then the gem flashed back to its original state. The magic flickered but then die. Twilight lift it up and put it in her bag. She then pulls out a necklace from the bag. A necklace that had an apple on it. The Element of Honesty.
“I knew it,” Twilight said, her eyebrows narrowing.
“Knew what, sugarcube?” Applejack inquired.
“Normally, any unicorn could easily found out these were Fear Gems.” Twilight explained. “If they had a detection spell on then we can easily find that there is dark magic nearby. But King Sombra disguised the gems as crystals so that they could have snuck by security. And he is using his own horn to fuel the magic. That way he can make sure we are targeted and isolated.”
“So, he planned this?” Applejack asked. “He wanted to catch us off guard?”
“Yes, but what I don’t get is how he could do this.” Twilight continued to think. “If it his horn, then it must be what is anchoring him to this land. I always heard rumors that his horn survive but in order for him to achieve this kind of power, something else has to be helping him. What did he say?”
“Now, Twilight, don’t be rattling on like a squirrel in a walnut tree.” Applejack reminded her. “We need to solve this together. We can’t go all willy-nilly on King Sombra. Besides he’s dead.”
“No, Applejack,” Twilight said. “He’s alive and he’s attacking Equestria.”
“Okay, so how do we stop somepony who we stop before?” Applejack asked.
“We have to undo what damage he has cause first,” Twilight stated. “We have to rescue our friends first. Then we can use the Elements of Harmony to stop King Sombra and save Equestria.”
“Well, I’m with you there, girl.” Applejack exclaimed.
“Great.” Twilight turned to Big Mac. “Big Mac, I need a favor to ask you.”
“Mmmm?” Big Mac inquired.
“I need you to get me and Applejack to Fluttershy’s cottage,” Twilight told him. “We need to go by cart and Applejack and I need to remain hidden. We must have a blanket or something covering us.”
“What are you going on about?” Applejack asked.
“We need to go to Fluttershy’s place and rescue her next,” Twilight said as she levitates a blanket down. “I can’t be teleporting all the time, it is too much energy. Besides, we'll need it for the final match. But if we go outside exposed, then King Sombra’s patrol will find us. I gave them the slip once but I don’t think it will work a second time.”
“So, is this a plan you are making it up as you go along?”
“Pretty much, yeah.”
Applejack smiled a bit.
“I like that, sugarcube,” she said.
-Ponyville-
The town seems abandoned as the storm continued to get worst. All the ponies remain indoors, avoiding the windows as they saw creatures fly past them. The storm wendigos were searching every street, tree, and stone for a certain unicorn. They did not care for the others but shot bolts of lightning at them just keep them out of their way. The storm wendigos did not see a figure galloping across the streets and towards the other side of town. Big Mac was known for his endurance. He kept going full speed across the town, his mind focused on the destination ahead. The drenching rain was nothing to him. He had the strength ten times of a normal pony. He was dragging a cart across the muddy land where inside Twilight and Applejack remain hidden.
The wendigos eventually did notice and went flying towards his direction.
“Keep going, Big Mac.” Applejack told her brother. “You’re doing fine.”
Suddenly changelings were coming from all directions.
“Or not” Applejack realized.
But Big Mac wasn’t going to be taken down so easily. He plowed past the attackers and towards Fluttershy’s cottage. The wendigos try using wind and lightning to slow Big Mac but it all seems to be doing was fueling his rage. He leaped up unexpectedly, causing the wendigos to scatter. They landed roughly on the ground. Twilight used her magic to keep the blanket on but she feels like she was spotted. She hoped that they could keep this cover on for just a little while. Yet it was in vain. For another voice erupted from the skies.
“Well...Well...Well, what do we have here?” the alluring voice of Queen Chrysalis said, her voice was dripping with sickening excitement. “Do I see the one little-lost unicorn and her friend trying to escape?” She let out a bout of laughter. “Don’t think you are hidden, for we have been given far greater power than ever before!”
Suddenly the ground shook as a loud roaring sound came from behind. Twilight peaked from all around and saw something moved over the ground. Then, right in front of them, a large crystal emerge from the ground. The crystal was about three times larger than Big Mac. Twilight felt a dark voice growling from somewhere. She turned to see an army of wendigos coming at them. They were being hunted down. There was no escaped. They were cornered. But then Big Mac did the unexpected. He plowed right into the crystal.
“Nope” he simply said.
Shards of crystals flew everywhere. The wendigos had to scatter to avoid getting hit. The three ponies were able to gain headway and were at the boundary of Fluttershy’s cottage when a line of crystals began to appear. Big Mac slowed down as they reach the cottage. Twilight quickly leap out and hit the ground running. Applejack soon followed. The two of them manage to make it to the door as more crystals were appearing on the ground. Applejack turns to Big Mac.
“Now, you head on back to the farm, you hear?” Applejack told her brother. “I don’t want to hear no fuss! Granny Smith and Apple Bloom need you.”
Big Mac was about to say something but a large crystal bloom out of the ground in front of him.
“Oh, gosh.” Applejack said as she turns to the doorway and shut it.
Twilight thought she was prepared for this but it still broke her heart to see Fluttershy in this state. She was curled in a ball, her legs twitching. Angel Bunny, her pet rabbit, was prodding her. He looked worried as did Applejack who glanced down at Fluttershy. Applejack seems frightened of what has happened to her dear friend.
“Is that what I was like?” Applejack asked with a look of terror on her face. “Scared and isolated?”
“Afraid so,” Twilight replied as she approached Fluttershy.
“Get her out of there now.” Applejack said, an edge of anger in her voice.
“Planning on it.” Twilight as she prepared her horn.
“No.” Applejack turn to Twilight. “Get. Her. Out. Now.”
Twilight held the gaze of Applejack for a moment. She nodded her head once. I promise, Twilight told her silently. Then she pressed her horn on the gem. Once again the sensations of the Fear Gem hit her like a ton of bricks. She could feel the gem resisting her magic, trying to keep her out. But Twilight was persistent and push through. Then once again the room around her disappeared and Twilight fell through the darkness.
-Fluttershy’s Fearverse-
Twilight felt herself landing on something soft. She felt herself rolling in the soft, whiteness until she was able to stand. Twilight looks around to see where she was at. It was Ponyville again but definitely different this time around. It was winter this time. The sky above was a deep shade of red. Everything seems to be darker and less colorful. Twilight began to move around looking for clues on where Fluttershy was at. She didn’t like the looks of this place. It was giving her the creeps. She was making it down the street when she saw two pegasi in front of her.
The two pegasi seem to be staring at each other. Then suddenly the two pegasi lunged at each other. Twilight let out a gasp as the pegasi began to fight like a pack of Diamond Dogs. They were punching, kicking, and yelling as they both tumbled down the street. Twilight was about to break it up when she saw another pair of ponies doing the same thing, and another, and another. All throughout the streets were ponies feuding and fighting. They were all yelling and kicking like mad animals.
“What is going on here?” Twilight asked.
Just then the house behind her exploded. Twilight felt her body being thrown across the air a few feet before she landed softly on the ground again. Twilight turned around. High in the sky was a pegasus who was riding his cloud and striking house with powerful lightning bolts. The pegasus kept yelling strange words and phrases. But the worst part was that he seemed to be purposely setting the houses all around him on fire. He laughed maniacally as he continued to burn the town to the ground.
“These houses will not serve the enemy.” The crazy pegasus said. “For our own country!”
Twilight quickly realize the situation was getting out of control. She ran down the street and out of the center of town where the madness was most active. It seems the ponies were doing their best to me hostile and throwing whatever they can at each other. After a few minutes, Twilight began to hear a chanting happening nearby. She turned the corner and saw a group of pegasi surrounding somepony.
“Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy, can hardly fly!” the group of pegasi were chanting.
Twilight went to the group to find the pegasi have surrounded Fluttershy. Fluttershy was curled up in a ball, weeping profusely. She was burying her face in the ground, trying to ignore the voices around her. Yet they kept on going, repeating the same words over and over again. Twilight tried to get in between the crowd, yelling at Fluttershy to listen to her.
“Fluttershy! They are not real! None of this is real! Fluttershy, listen to me!”
But it was no good. The voices kept on going. Twilight did and last-ditch effort and teleport right next to Fluttershy. She yelled at the top of her lungs, “Stop!” at the pegasi. The pegasi then slowly backed away into the shadows. Twilight gave them a burning glare until they were gone. She then put her arm around Fluttershy, giving her comfort.
“Shhhh, it’s okay,” Twilight said softly.
It seems like this soothing words came to Fluttershy for she stopped crying.
“It is all right,” Twilight told Fluttershy as she looked up.
Fluttershy sniffled. “Is it?”
“Yes,” Twilight confirmed. “This isn’t real, Fluttershy. Nothing here is. You are perfectly safe. Nothing is going to hurt you.”
But even as she said those words a great shadow began to loom over them. Twilight looked up to see a giant bear coming at them. The bear was at least twice the size of a normal bear. It was growling fiercely as it came down upon the two ponies. Twilight tried to remember that this isn’t real. She kept repeating that this was all an illusion.
“This isn’t real. This isn’t real.” Twilight quickly told herself. “This is all imaginary. Nothing can hurt me.”
But fear quickly took hold of her reasoning. The bear let out a mighty roar. The footsteps it made shook the ground. Everything felt so real now. Twilight looked around for an escape but she was becoming too frightened to move. The bear began to raise its claws. Its fangs were bearing down on the two ponies. Panicky, Twilight turn to Fluttershy.
“A bear!” she practically yelled. “You have a bear in your nightmares!”
“It must be Mr. Bear,” Fluttershy said softly. “I didn’t mean to bring him along.”
“Undo it! Undo it!” Twilight said in a panic state.
Fluttershy quickly flew up in front of the bear’s face. The bear let out a mighty roar to intimidate Fluttershy. But Fluttershy stood her ground, hovering in midair between the bear and Twilight. She raised her front hooves in front of the bear. The effect was to make Fluttershy bigger. The bear seems to notice that it wasn’t scaring Fluttershy. It seems confused for a second before it began to back away. Twilight wonder if Fluttershy was using her Stare on it. Before long, the bear disappeared. Fluttershy settled back on the ground.
“I guess that wasn’t hard,” Fluttershy said.
Twilight felt her heart rate return to normal. “Thanks, Fluttershy.” She told her friend.
“It was no problem,” Fluttershy said, giving Twilight a small smile. “It was an act of kindness.”
Twilight felt herself smiling. And like that, the illusion was broken.
-Fluttershy’s Cottage-
The two ponies return to the real world, their eyes blinking. They looked around to see Applejack pacing like a worried mother. Her face lit up when she saw Fluttershy returning to normal. She quickly went up to her and hug her tightly. Twilight meanwhile pick up the powerless Fear Gem and put it in her bag. She then picked up the Element of Kindness. She gave Fluttershy her Element.
“So, now what?” Fluttershy asked.
“Next, we go to Pinkie Pie,” Twilight announced.
Applejack, however, spoke up.
“Uh, yeah, there might be a slight problem to that.”
Twilight turned to Applejack.
“What’s that?” she asked.
Applejack pointed to the door. The door to Fluttershy’s place was covered in crystals. It seems crystals were appearing everywhere. Twilight looked around for an exit but it seems like King Sombra trapped them here. Twilight turned to Applejack.
“What are we going to do?” Twilight asked.
“Don’t worry, I got an idea.” Applejack said as she approached the door.
“You do?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yes, there is a reason I am the second best applebucker in Equestria.” Applejack told her. “Big Mac ain’t the only one who can break these crystals. Although, apologizes in advance, Fluttershy.”
“What are you-” Fluttershy and Twilight began to ask before Applejack turned around and kick the door with all her might. The door literally flew off the hinges. Crystals flew everywhere from the sheer force. The door flew a good few feet before it crashed into a small tree. The door shattered into a million pieces from the impact. Applejack turned to face her friends who were quite shocked by Applejack’s action.
“Come on, our friends are in danger.” Applejack said. “We can worry about everything else later.”
Twilight narrowed her eyes. “Right.”
-Ponyville: Sugarcube Corner-
With the madness that was going on outside, The Cakes decided to close shop early. They could hear the panicking yells that were echoing through the streets. It wasn’t easy living near the center of town. It seems that something is always happening in the center of town. But it was good for business. Everyone comes to their bakery for food and treats. Mr. Cake, however, was starting to regret that decision. He looked out the window to see ponies panicking all over the street.
“Oh, darling please get away from the window.” His wife called out.
“There is something fishy going on, Cup.” Mr. Cake told his wife. “I don’t know but something feels off out there. I can sense it. I just need it to hit me like a ton of bricks.”
It was at the moment that three figures came out nowhere and burst into the bakery through the window and landed on top of Mr. Cake. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Twilight had to quickly outrun the wendigos and use a cart to get her faster. What they had not accounted for was how to stop. The cart was getting out of control in the rain and was stop full force by a large crystal which sent the three of them flying. Luckily, Twilight was able to keep them afloat for a long while and have them landed safely in the Cakes’ bakery. Although safely is a questionable description of the other party. Mr. Cake got up, groaning. Mrs. Cake came running in.
“Oh my goodness, what’s going on?” Mrs. Cake asked.
Twilight shook herself to return the feeling to her body.
“Sorry to intrude on you like this,” she told the Cakes. “But we need to find Pinkie Pie. Have you seen her around? Is she here?”
“Oh my,” Mrs. Cake let out. “Is it serious?”
Just then a bolt of lightning hit a house nearby. The explosion shook the house causing everypony to glance in the general direction. They could hear several ponies panicking from all over the street. Twilight returned her gaze back to Mrs. Cake.
“If I had to guess,” she replied to Mrs. Cake. “I would say yes, this is very, very, serious.”
“Well, she went upstairs with a package not too long ago.” Mrs. Cake told her.
“Perfect, Fluttershy you take The Cakes to the basement,” Twilight told her pegasus friend. “If the wendigos are getting stronger and the changelings are trying to break into the houses, then they need to be protected. Applejack, you have to guard the stairs and make sure nothing tries to get in while I try to get Pinkie Pie back.”
“All right, then.” Applejack said and Fluttershy nodded.
Twilight quickly went up the stairs and to the room where Pinkie Pie lived. She could hear the storm shaking the house. If she is quick enough, then she can keep the Cakes safe. The storm was getting worse, however. How was King Sombra able to fuel these wendigos to be this powerful was a question that has been bugging her since she realized what was going on. But she didn’t have time to think about it now. It was something she can look into later. If there was a later.
Twilight enters Pinkie Pie’s room. Pinkie was seemly asleep on her bed, muttering something. It seems like all the color was drained in her room. Everything was duller, greyer. Even Gummy, her pet alligator, looked less colorful. Twilight approached the bed. On Pinkie’s head was a large red gem that was glowing brightly. Twilight looked at Gummy who seems intrigued by what was going on.
“Don’t worry, Gummy,” Twilight told the gator. “I will have Pinkie Pie back. I promise.”
Twilight then touched the Fear Gem with her horn and was plunged into darkness.
-Pinkie Pie’s Fearverse-
Grey.
Everything was grey around Twilight. The ground, the sky, the houses, the trees, and even the walls. The walls were especially grey. Twilight wasn’t shocked by this but this seems very unnerving. Twilight looked around. It seems like everything that had any life and color in it was completely drained. Twilight saw some activity in the center of the town. Twilight took a glance at it. There were ponies walking in a row, each of them doing it in sync. There were all walking past a large poster that had a red and gold symbol on top but Twilight couldn’t tell what it was. It kind of looked like an equal sign. In front of the sign was a unicorn saying stuff into a microphone. Twilight didn’t know why but there was something awfully familiar about her. Twilight shuddered. She hopes that this is the only time she has to see this unicorn. Twilight could hear what she was saying and even her voice was creepy.
“This is a harmonious society.” The unicorn droned on. “Practice is the sole criterion from facts. Seek the truth from the facts. We are all equal.”
Twilight turned away and began looking for a place Pinkie Pie would be at. She remembers Pinkie Pie saying something about growing up on a rock farm. Twilight tries to look for directions for a rock farm. Then she came upon a street where there were a bunch of fillies playing in front of the houses. Each house was creepily identical. The fillies were the scary part. They were playing games, skipping rope, and bouncing balls in the same rhythm. Twilight felt the pattern drilling in her mind. It was discomforting just looking at it. Twilight quickly turned away and ran down until she spots the outskirts of Ponyville.
“Okay, horn,” Twilight told her magic appendage. “Show me where is Pinkie Pie.”
The horn seems to know what she was talking about. It dragged her past the houses and into a large rock field. Twilight kept her eyes peeled for Pinkie Pie. She could be anywhere around here. Finally, Twilight found her. She was pushing a bunch of rocks with her nose in the middle of the field, muttering to herself. Twilight ran up to the hill, yelling her name.
“Pinkie! Pinkie!” Twilight cried out.
“No talking, no smiling, only rocks.” Pinkie Pie kept muttering.
“Pinkie, we need you!” Twilight said once she was in front of Pinkie Pie.
Pinkie Pie looked utterly confused as if she didn’t even recognize Twilight. Twilight noticed there was something off with Pinkie Pie. Her mane was flat, her body was discolored, and one of her eyes was twitching. Twilight didn’t know why but this new Pinkie looked less like her friend and more like one who would do the most horrible, notorious things imaginable. Twilight felt she got her too late. She had to do something quick.
“Look, Pinkie-” Twilight began to say but suddenly her back hoof slipped.
Twilight found herself slipping off the top of the hill. Twilight tried to gain traction but it didn’t matter. She slips off and began to fall down the side of the hill. Twilight braced for impact as she tumbled down the rocky hill. But the pain wasn’t as severe as should be. Twilight felt herself bounce a couple of times before she landed hard on the ground. Twilight groaned. She looked up to see Pinkie Pie staring down at her. And to see a huge boulder coming down from the side of the hill and right towards her. Twilight had just enough time to react.
“Oh, perfect” Twilight said in a deadpan voice.
The boulder landed on her with crushing force that would normally kill a unicorn. But the rules of physics didn’t seem to be applying much in this realm. Must be taking a few notes from the owner of this nightmare, Twilight thought. She felt the pain hit her but it seems to be neglected. It didn’t kill her but it was still heavy enough to push her into the ground. Twilight tries to lift the boulder. She almost got to move before a pink blur started to push it off her. Twilight looked to see Pinkie Pie completely scared and worried, something Twilight never thought she would see on her friend’s face for Pinkie was more of an optimistic, hyperactive pony than most of the ponies Twilight has meet. Twilight got out of the crater and shook the feeling back to her body.
“Are you all right?” Pinkie asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Twilight said, brushing the dust off of her forelegs. “Not much worse than getting hit by an anvil.”
“You got hit by an anvil?” asked a flabbergasted Pinkie Pie.
“Yeah, I think so.” Twilight struggled to remember. “I think it was after the piano but before seeing the hydra. I honestly can’t tell at this point. It was the day I try to find out about your Pinkie Sense. It bugged me so much because it makes no sense to me.”
“Well, duh.” Pinkie Pie said in a tone dead voice. “It is my sense after all.”
“Oh,” Twilight said quietly. “That’s true.”
The two of them sat in silence for a moment before they suddenly both burst out into a fit of laughter. Their laughter was so strong that they fell to the ground. As Pinkie Pie continued to laugh, her color began to return to her body. Her flat mane became poofy and inflated. The two of them laughed and laughed. Tears began to roll down their faces. Color began to return to the world. After a good couple of minutes of laughter, the two friends began to get themselves back together.
“I don’t know why that’s so funny,” Twilight said as she wiped away a tear.
“Me neither.” Pinkie Pie let out, bursting into a smile.
“I guess it is time for us to get Rarity next,” Twilight announced. “Hopefully I won’t have an anvil fall on me this time.”
“Yeah, maybe you need your own Twilight Sense.” Pinkie Pie chuckled. “Can’t have stuff fall on you all the time or else you might break something.”
“Yeah, that will be a barrel of laughs,” Twilight muttered. Then she too started to let out a series of giggles.
The two of them continued to snicker and giggle as the world started to dissolve. It fades away into nothingness and then they too were gone.
-Sugarcube Corner-
Twilight and Pinkie Pie returned to reality with a fit of giggles. Twilight and Pinkie were feeling much better now, better after dealing with the terror of the last few hours. Twilight looked outside to see the eerie stillness that had engulfed all of Ponyville. The rain and wind kept on going but everything else was gone. There was no movement outside, no wendigos, no ponies, and no crystals appearing out of the ground. Everything was too still. Like a large calm before the storm delivers a final blow. Twilight didn’t like it, not one bit.
Pinkie was still laughing when Applejack came galloping in.
“What’s going on?” Applejack asked. “Are you guys all right?”
“Oh, Twilight just got me out of that crazy world.” Pinkie Pie said as she got off of her bed. “We were just talking about how Twilight was hit by an anvil. Or was it a boulder?”
“Yes,” Twilight said as she looked down to the floor, pondering the situation. Then she looked at Applejack. “But we still need Rarity and Rainbow Dash if we are going to use the Elements to stop King Sombra’s attack. But King Sombra has to know what we are up to by now. This seems to be too easy for us. I’d expect King Sombra to have all six of us to be heavily guarded or something. It should be like a trap he had last time.”
“Well, you might want-a reconsider that thought processes before we try to get to Rarity and Rainbow Dash.” Applejack said blatantly. “Because I have a hunch of where them wendigos might be heading. They all went away right after you enter Pinkie Pie’s room.”
“Great, that definitely means King Sombra is aware of us being awake,” Twilight exclaimed. “I was hoping he won’t notice since he is not connected to his old horn. Now I don’t know how we can get to Rarity or Rainbow Dash with his forces alerted.”
“Pshhh, don’t worry about it.” Pinkie Pie told Twilight brightly. “We’ll get them out.”
“What makes you so sure?” Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie.
“Well, you got me and Applejack out.” Pinkie Pie pointed out.
“And Fluttershy” Applejack informed her.
“And Fluttershy,” Pinkie Pie resumed to her statement. “That’s three out of five. If we keep at it then we can have all of our friends free from their crazy world. Then we can stop King Sombra and his evil army of wendigos from taking over Equestria and save our world from terror, destruction, and unlimited doom! Especially unlimited doom! It will be like old times, nothing compared to fighting Discord. I believe we will have Equestria back to normal before the day ends. Then nothing bad will ever happen again.”
Twilight felt a small smile “You really believe that, Pinkie?”
“Believe it?” Pinkie Pie said as she jumped up to the ceiling. “I know it!”
“Okay then, girls.” Twilight rallied up her friends. “I don’t know what King Sombra plans on throwing at us but with you gals at my side, I believe we will beat this.”
Twilight let her horn glow with her magic.
“We can do this!”
-Ponyville: Carousel Boutique-
“We can’t do that!”
Twilight looked at where Rarity’s place is at. Surrounding the clothing store was near all the storm wendigos who were circling the building. They have wrapped the store in a vortex of wind similar to a tornado. Twilight could see a pair of them ready to strike the moment they try to approach the store. Twilight was able to find cover in a small porch for her gang but in order to get to Rarity’s place, they will have to go out into the open. Twilight didn’t want to risk having her friends be attacked but it seems they have no choice. The longer they continued gathering, the more powerful they will become.
“We have to get to Rarity’s place,” Twilight said to herself. “But how?”
“I may at times be a few apples short of a bushel,” Applejack told Twilight. “But how are we going to get past that?” She pointed to the wall of wind. “That there wind will be strong enough to knock us to the ground. And with them wendigos flying about, we will be exposed!”
“Yes, I know,” Twilight said. “But how can we get to Rarity’s?”
“Maybe a distraction?” the quiet voice of Fluttershy suggested.
“No, we can’t split up.” Twilight tried to think of something better.
“Oooh, a distraction?” Pinkie Pie was curious.
“No, no, no.” Twilight groaned in frustration. “We can’t split up and I can’t teleport there. I may have enough energy for a single jump but Rarity is too far. We have to go out in the open and the wendigos will have us cornered. I don’t know what we can do now. Wait here and let the wendigos tear this town apart or run out in the open? I am totally unprepared for this! This isn’t like my test! I’m going to fail! I’m going to fail Rarity and I’m going to fail Rainbow Dash. Worst of all, I’m going to fail Princess Celestia and all of Equestria! I can’t do this!”
Twilight slammed her head against a wooden post, hyperventilating and sobbing uncontrollably. Fluttershy put her hoof around Twilight, comforting Twilight. She looked out into the stormy wall of wind with great intensity. She felt anxiety just looking at it. But she comforted Twilight. Now was not the time for them to panic. Fluttershy figures they will find a way in. Right now, Twilight just needs to take a breather. They couldn’t just go at this without thinking first.
“It is okay, Twilight,” Fluttershy said softly. “I know the pressure is too much. We just have to take baby steps, that’s all.”
“But-but-but-how can I-” Twilight began to say.
“Shhhh, you can’t keep blaming yourself, Twilight.” Fluttershy reminded her. “We are all in this together and we’ll figure a way out together. Don’t put the pressure all on yourself or you’ll snap. And I don’t want you to snap. Just breathe and think of the most calming places.”
Fluttershy’s words were calm and soothing. It made Twilight feel better.
“Thanks, Fluttershy,” Twilight told her as she wipes away a tear. “I really began to lose it.”
“It’s all right,” Fluttershy said. “Just remember, we’ve beaten Nightmare Moon. We can definitely do this.”
“Yeah, I guess even with teleportation, having you guys-” Twilight began to say. Then she paused with realization. “Fluttershy, what did you say?”
“About Nightmare Moon?”
“Yeah,” Twilight said and then she gasped, her face lighting up. “Fluttershy, you’re a genius!” Twilight exclaimed.
“I am?” Fluttershy was taken aback.
“You see I don’t have to teleport to Rarity.” Twilight turned to her friends. There is a way we can get to Rarity together. Now we have to gallop as fast as we can. Do you trust me?”
Applejack and Pinkie Pie looked at each other and then back at Twilight.
“Aww shoot, Twilight.” Applejack said, kicking her front hoof up. “You know I’ll trust as long as Celestia keeps the days shining.”
“All, right. We have to do this quick.” Twilight told them. “Everyone ready?”
“Ready, steady, and jumpy to your favorite candy.” Pinkie Pie told her.
“I’m, I’m ready,” Fluttershy said quietly.
“Okay, let’s do this.” Twilight turned to the general direction. “On my mark, get set….GO!”
The four ponies burst out from the hidden location and into the street. As expected, the wendigos leaped out of the sky and start to dive towards the group. They were able to gain enough ground before they were closing in. Soon they were only a few feet away from the whirlwind. But the wendigos were closing in on their trap. Three were coming in from behind, two were coming from above, and four were coming from each side. They let out a hiss of energy, sparks flying from their mouth. It seems like they’re about to strike. Then a flash of purple light and the ponies were gone.
The wendigos roared furiously. They turn to see that Twilight’s company were within the vortex. Twilight felt dizzy, her body completely weak. She never thought she could teleport her friends like that but good thing it worked. Twilight was able to walk a few feet before she started to stagger. Applejack picked her up and help her get inside Rarity’s home. The four of them entered the building as the vortex started to close in.
Applejack set Twilight to the side as she shut the door.
“Are you okay, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” Twilight said, wearily. “I just need a minute.”
“Well, that minute better hurry up fast,” Pinkie Pie spoke up. “Because I think these storm wendigos might have noticed us.”
She pointed to the incoming wall of wind. Twilight stood up. She couldn’t afford to stop now. She had to keep going. She turned to the center of the room where Fluttershy was comforting a small filly. Sweetie Belle was crying over Rarity who was completely still just like Applejack was. Twilight felt her heartstrings tugged. She hated herself for not coming here sooner. There was no time to waste. She approached Rarity.
Sweetie Belle looked up to Twilight. “You are going to save, Rarity?”
A determined look appeared on Twilight’s face.
“You have my word.” Twilight informed her.
And without further delay, Twilight plunged herself into Rarity’s mind.
-Rarity’s Fearverse-
Twilight found herself once again in the middle of Ponyville. But like the others, this one was different. The entire town was desolated, old, and nearly in complete ruins. Every town looked like it was ransacked and broken. Twilight didn’t have time to look around. Time was of the essence. She quickly checked every street and houses for a sign of her unicorn friend. But to were to no avail. Then Twilight began to hear a new sound. Yelling and groaning. Twilight looked to the direction of the sound. It was somewhere east of Ponyville. She ran to the fields and up to the top of a hill. There she came upon an abysmal sight.
Piles upon piles of gems were all over the field as far as the eye can see. The ground was turned up and destroyed as it seems like something was searching for these gems. Down below, there were hundreds of ponies all chained up and forced to carry carts of gems. They were miserable, dirty, and malnourished. Twilight found it sick. She trotted down the hill to find out who would do such a thing. She didn’t have to look far. Holding whips and barking orders was a species Twilight hoped to never have to encounter again. Diamond Dogs.
Diamond Dogs were patrolling the rows of gems, ordering the ponies to move faster. They were vicious, brutal, and totally more relentless than the ones Twilight had encountered before. She didn’t she could get by without them noticing. But the Diamond Dogs were more focus on their captured ponies than the one running around. Twilight even catch the stuff they were saying and they were things Twilight never wanted to hear.
“Work, ponies, work!” one of them shouted. “Work or die! We are in charge!”
“Work for us, work faster!” Another one said. “For we are in charge. For the sun will never set when we rule the land. No night! No sleeping! Your precious princesses belong to us now.”
Twilight suddenly heard a familiar voice. She turned to the direction where she saw a white unicorn taking care of another pony. Twilight came running up to her. Rarity was trying to get a pony to drink some water. The pony was gracious. But as she was about to drink, a whip came out of nowhere and smack the bowl of water out of the pony’s face. Rarity was taken aback as Twilight looked up. In front of Rarity was a large, tough-looking Diamond Dog who towered over her. Rarity wasn’t impressed. She gave this Diamond Dog the meanest, angry stare she could muster.
“How dare you?” Rarity said to the Diamond Dog. “The poor thing was thirsty. You can’t keep her working like this.”
“Too bad.” The leader of the Diamond Dogs told her. “You ponies work! You work! Work or die! We are in charge! You work! We profit!”
But it’s not just fair!” Rarity whined.
“You be quiet!” The Diamond Dog raised his whip.
Before he could bring it down, Twilight leaped up. She grabbed the whip with her mouth and force the dog to stagger. The Diamond Dog turned around. He saw Twilight and let a nasty growl. Twilight didn’t care. She stood her ground. Then the Diamond Dog struck. Twilight, however, was able to evade his attack, allowing him to crash into a pile of gems. The gems start to collapse. Twilight could see the Diamond Dog struggling to get out of the avalanche of gems. Twilight turned to Rarity who looked amazed.
“Twilight?” she said. “You came to rescue me?”
“Let’s not count this as a rescue yet,” Twilight said as she noticed the dogs were beginning to circle her.
“I would help but my legs are chained and can’t perform my magic.” Rarity informed her. “I did bring my sewing needle but I can’t reach my lock.”
Twilight saw that they were being surrounded. Two Diamond Dogs was holding a leash that holding three ravage, vicious dogs that were barking and snarling. Twilight realizes she couldn’t escape without Rarity. This Fearverse was determined to keep Twilight here. Perhaps a part of King Sombra’s plan? Whatever the case, Twilight would have to keep these dogs at bay long enough for Rarity to escape. But Rarity didn’t have any magic left. She must have spent it all trying to help the ponies in here. Darn it, Twilight thought. If only she knows that none of this is real. Twilight tried to think of a solution. It wasn’t easy as the dogs were bearing down on her. Then Twilight came up with a plan. A risky plan but a plan nevertheless.
“Rarity, take my magic,” Twilight told her.
“What?” Rarity said. “Your magic?”
“Yes, use it to unlock and free yourself,” Twilight told her. “I’ll distract the Diamond Dogs until you are free. I can keep them at bay for long as you need.”
“But, darling-”
“No buts!” Twilight said and with one, last effort she let out a spark of energy that traveled from her to Rarity. “Now get out of here.”
It was just in time too because the Diamond Dogs let loose their minion dogs and they came right for Twilight. Twilight was able to evade a few as she zigzagged all over the field of gems. It didn’t keep them off for long. Soon they were cornering Twilight against a mountain of gems. Twilight was prepared for this. She lifted her horn and try to produce a spark. This causes the dogs to hesitate. This gave Twilight enough time to jump onto the gem mountain behind her and began to climb.
Twilight was able to climb a lot farther than the dogs were able too. She soon was on top of the gem pile. She looked around to see the dogs circling her. Then suddenly a gem came flying. Twilight looked to her left and saw a group of Diamond Dogs throwing gems at her. They weren’t able to hit her but Twilight saw what they were doing. They were making her footing unstable. Twilight was trapped. She tried to back away but there was no room. Then she saw a Diamond Dog climbing up the gem pile next to her. He was smiling evilly, think he had her now. The Diamond Dog leaped.
Suddenly a gem came flying at the airborne Diamond Dog. He fell down screaming, hitting another pile of gems. Twilight looked to see Rarity was free. She started to pelt the dogs with the gems. This causes the dogs to scatter, allowing Twilight to get down. She slid down and landed next to Rarity. Rarity was smiling at her beautiful triumph. Twilight turned to her.
“So now how do we escape?” Twilight asked.
“Not to worry, dear.” Rarity said, brushing her mane. “For where there is a will, there's a way. And I-” Rarity paused as a Diamond Dog leap out of nowhere. Rarity reacted by simply kicking the dog right into a pile of gems. “Have a way.” She finished.
Rarity turned around and started to head back to Ponyville. Twilight turned to catch up with her. She didn’t know what Rarity was up too but she hoped it would be helpful. Twilight grew more doubt when Rarity started to pick up random gems. Twilight was about to remind her that this was no time to be picking up gems when she started to throw them at random slave ponies. Then Rarity used the gems to break the chains off. The ponies were overcome with joy.
“Be free my fellow ponies!” Rarity shouted to all of them. “Let us not enslaved like a common beast!”
“Rarity, what are doing?” Twilight had to ask. “They are not real…oh!”
Twilight realized what Rarity was doing. By freeing the other ponies, they started to run around and looking for an escape route. The Diamond Dogs found themselves in utter confusion. Real or not, dreams or not, they were acting like any normal dog would do. They were panicking. The slaves were overrunning the Diamond Dogs who had no choice but to retreat. This gave Twilight and Rarity and opportunity to escape.
“Thanks for come getting me, Twilight.” Rarity said as they were making it to the town.
“You’re welcome, Rarity,” Twilight said. “Now I hope we can exit this nightmare soon.”
Right on cue, the world began to fade away. Twilight was happy to escape this horrible land. Now there was one thought that was singing in her head. One more to go.
-Ponyville: Carousel Boutique-
Twilight and Rarity woke up with a start. The house was shaking and stuff was beginning to fly around. All of them remain in the center of the room as the tornado was starting to rip up Rarity’s home. The walls were being torn apart, the windows were breaking, and the chairs were starting to fly up into the ceiling. All of them were paralyzed with the mere sight of this sudden destruction. All except Applejack who pulled a rug to the side to reveal a trapdoor.
“Quick, Y'all!” she told everyone. “Into the cellar!”
Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle, Fluttershy, and Applejack divided into Rarity’s basement as the house started to collapse and rip apart by the fierce winds. They manage to get in just in time. The ground was shaking by the mere force of the wendigos who were using all they can to stop Twilight. Luckily the ponies were safe in the darkness down below. Although how long they were going to stay here was anypony’s guest.
Applejack managed to find the matches and lit one. “I didn’t even know you had a basement, Rarity.” Applejack said as she held the match gently in the mouth and use it to light a lantern. “It was lucky you did or otherwise we be trapped in here like mice in a snake hole.”
“Yes, well it is where I keep my old dresses and unused display mannequins.” Rarity informed her as she continued to stare at the ceiling where her home was being destroyed.
“Hey,” Twilight put her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure we can rebuild it. The important thing is that we got you and Sweetie Belle out of harm’s way.”
“Yes, I supposed that’s true.” Rarity said, her eyes quivering. “It’s just all my hard work, my home, my….OPAL!”
Rarity leaped up to the door but Twilight and Fluttershy hold her back. It was just in time too because suddenly the shaking stopped. It was followed quickly by a loud THUD that made everypony jump. Rarity began to sob uncontrollably into Fluttershy’s body as Twilight back away, staring at the ceiling. Various noises began to play out. Glass breaking, wood snapping, something large scratching at the ground. Then a haunting howl echoed from above them. More movement came from various directions. Applejack came up next to Twilight. She too was looking at the ceiling.
“I think they are looking for us.” Applejack said.
Suddenly everypony went still. They didn’t dare make a sound. Even Rarity kept her sobbing to small whimper. The noises continued. It wasn’t until another howl came from somewhere far off did the searching end. One by one the scratching stopped. Everypony let out a sigh of relief. The danger has passed for now. Now the question was to see if the coast was clear. Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie.
“Pinkie, check to see if we are safe,” Twilight asked her pink friend.
“On it!” Pinkie Pie said and she bounced up to the door.
“Now, all we have to do is find Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said.
“I think a got a hankering of where she might be at, Twilight.” Applejack said as they walked up the stairs. “But you ain’t gonna like it.”
“Where?”
“She too was hoping for a package like us.” Applejack said. “So she went home right before this whole mess happen.”
“Her home?” Twilight thought about it for a moment before it hit her with a dark realization. Rainbow Dash’s home was right in the sky. Right where the wendigos were patrolling. How was she to get up there without being spotted? Guess it didn’t matter that she didn’t get all her other friends if one is still held captive. And the last time she tried to use the Elements without Rainbow Dash, things did not go well. Twilight felt almost defeated. But she won’t allow herself to think like that. Rainbow Dash won’t give up. So neither will her.
The crew arrived above ground. All around them were the ruins of Carousel Boutique. Rarity let out a surprised gasp, tears building up in her eyes. Twilight looked to the area around them. The rain had almost completely dissipated. Only a fine drizzle came down on Ponyville. The wind and lightning were absent too. Yet the eerie calm still lingers over the town. Twilight felt like time was running out. This was the end game. If King Sombra were to strike, now would be the time. But with the exception of the few crystals that littered the streets, all seems normal. It seems King Sombra is up to something, Twilight thought. But what could it be?
Twilight stepped out of the hole. No sooner as she done so when something white, fast, and furious came out of the blue and attack her face.
“AHHHHHH!” Twilight screamed.
“OPAL!” Rarity cry out in joy.
Rarity’s pet cat hissed angrily as it bounced off of Twilight and out into the streets.
“Oh, Opal come back here.” Rarity chased after her cat.
Twilight shook her face, giving herself a minute to recover from that cat attack. She then looks at the overcast sky above her. There was not a wendigo in sight anymore. But Twilight had a bad feeling where they might be. She tried to use a spell to find them but her horn glowed feebly. Twilight groaned again. She still needs time to recover. She can’t use a cloud walking spell now. And she needs to use her magic to get Rainbow Dash out. Twilight began to think. She had an idea, a risky one like what she had to do to save Rarity. Granted this one will not just put herself in danger but others as well. Yet the entire Equestria was in danger. They have to risk it. Twilight turned to her friends.
“Applejack, Pinkie Pie,” Twilight told them. “You gather all the ponies that are remaining in town. Get them to safety. Once I get Rainbow Dash, there is no telling what King Sombra will do next. We need to get everyone out of harm’s way.”
“On it!” They both replied.
“Fluttershy, I need you to help me get to Rainbow Dash’s place.”
“Me?” Fluttershy was taken aback. “I know I am a pegasus and such. But I can’t do anything helpful.”
“Yes you can, Fluttershy,” Twilight told her. “You are the only one I trust who can lend me a hoof in getting Rainbow Dash. I just need you and couple of items.”
“All right. I do my best.” Fluttershy agreed. “But what items do you need?”
“Rope. Lots of it.”
-Above Ponyville-
Twilight’s assumption of where the wendigos were at was correct. Above the layer of clouds that had blanketed nearly all of Equestria, the wendigos were patrolling the sky, waiting for a disturbance. It wasn't long before their senses alerted them to something breaching the clouds. Three groups came down on the scene. It was coming up right near where Rainbow Dash lives. In a matter of minutes, the pack of wendigos was surrounding the intruder. Only it wasn’t a pegasus. It was a hot air balloon. It rose up for a few seconds, taking the wendigos by complete surprise. They stared at it for a few moments before one of them let out a bolt of lightning, blowing up the balloon. It seems like nothing else was on it.
That, however, was the point. While the wendigos were attacking the aircraft, a pegasus and a unicorn were rising out of the sky and right towards the cloud house. Twilight was hanging on desperately as Fluttershy struggles to get to Rainbow Dash’s home. They manage to make it. Fluttershy landed on the cloud, panting with effort. She wasn’t used to carrying something as heavy as a unicorn this far. Twilight, meanwhile test the clouds to see if it was safe for walking. It was. Twilight let out a sigh of relief. It seems Rainbow Dash made her house safe for earth dwelling creatures. Twilight proceeded to enter Rainbow Dash’s home.
It didn’t take long before Twilight found Rainbow Dash. She was laying on her couch, twitching. Her cyan body looked cold and sick. Twilight wonders if the Fear Gem was doing its best to keep Rainbow Dash trap. Given how bold and brave Rainbow was, Twilight wouldn’t be surprised that King Sombra was trying his best to fight Rainbow Dash. Before she could proceed to get Rainbow Dash back to reality, Fluttershy let out a scream. Twilight ran out to see what it was.
No sooner did she got outside did it became clear that they were spotted. The wendigos were coming from every direction. Their red eyes were glaring with such a burning rage that Twilight could feel their hatred from here. They were going to flank the house, catch them by their blind side. Twilight hope this didn’t happen. She began rummaging through her bags.
“King Sombra must have had alarms set off as soon as I enter Rainbow Dash’s home like he did at the Crystal Empire,” Twilight said to Fluttershy. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing up. The wendigos were tough to kill. Twilight didn't have the means to kill them. But she knew this was going to happen. She had a plan ready, though. King Sombra is good at predicted my moves, Twilight thought. Well, two can play this game.
“Wh-What are we going to do?” Fluttershy asked.
Twilight started to tie ropes to the columns of Rainbow Dash’s home. She hated doing them manually. But she needed to save her magic for Rainbow Dash. Once she recharges, then she can do everything the normal way. She grabs the ropes and started to tie them to Fluttershy.
“You are going to fly us out of here,” Twilight ordered Fluttershy. “We are sitting ducks here in the open. We need to move now!”
“But I-I-I can’t move an entire house by myself,” Fluttershy said.
“Yes, you can!” Twilight said. “You help us get Rainbow Dash before and we can do it again. Remember Discord. Remember getting water for Cloudsdale. You can do this. I believe you.”
Fluttershy gave Twilight a small, pleading look before a look of determination took over her. She jumped off the clouds and start to head to the sky. The house gave a mighty jerk but eventually picked up speed. The wendigos realize this and try to intercept. But as they got closer, Fluttershy put in all her effort and dived down. The house followed, sinking underneath the wendigos. The wendigos howled in frustration as their prey slipped past them. Twilight meanwhile was going towards Rainbow Dash. She lit up her horn.
“Hope this is quick,” Twilight said to herself as she heard thunder rumble from above.
She touches her horn on Rainbow Dash’s head and she was plunge quickly into her nightmares.
-Rainbow Dash’s Fearverse-
Twilight found herself caught off guard. In all of her other friends’ Fearverse, she was greeted with a despair version of Ponyville. In here, however, it was sunny, clean, and above all, happy. Twilight realized that she was also not in Ponyville. She was high above the ground, probably somewhere in Cloudsdale. All around her were crowds of pegasi who were cheering immensely. What they were cheering for was pretty obvious. Twilight turned to see a small race being perform right in front of her. The crowd went wild as one racer cleared a difficult barrier. Twilight wasn’t a betting pony but she guessed that Rainbow Dash was one of these racers. She began to approach the race when a voice began to speak up.
“Ah, yes what a fantastic start to our annual Tour of the Clouds.” The voice said in a delightful tone. “It is a beautiful day here in Cloudsdale where we get to see the best pegasus flyers from all around Equestria compete in a race that has attracted everypony around.”
Twilight could see that as she tries to scan for Rainbow Dash. It shouldn’t be that hard to spot her.
“It looks like a crowd favorite is just appearing on the stage,” The announcer said. “One of Ponyville’s finest flyers, the most talked about pegasus this year, it is Rainbow Dash!”
Twilight looked up to see Rainbow Dash flying into the stadium followed by another group of pegasi.
“Can this rookie possibly beat the records set by this race and become champion?” the announcer pondered. “It is difficult to decide. Her competition is closing in on her. Soarin, a Wonderbolts veteran, has won the Tour of Clouds six times thus far. He is aiming to break the record with seven. Can this champion stop the rookie or will his hopes be dash by none other than Rainbow Dash? This stage will be the deciding factor. It seems like they are neck to neck. They’re weaving through the cloud cones. They are going over the rainbow ridges. It seems they are getting closer to the exit. They have to fly over the pits. Hopefully, the snow doesn’t freeze their wings and oh!”
The crowd gasped. In a quick move, Soarin knocked down a cloud full of snow, hitting Rainbow Dash with full force. The impact knocked Rainbow Dash down. It caused her to spin and crashed right into a cloud. She tries to get up but her body seems completely frozen, her wings glued shut. Rainbow Dash tries to gain ground as she starts to slip off the cloud and dangle over the open sky. Twilight quickly started to leap to Rainbow Dash, hopping from cloud to cloud.
Rainbow Dash pleaded for help. Soarin paused. He stops moving forward in the race. He turned around and head to Rainbow Dash. At first, Twilight though he was going to help Rainbow Dash. But then she saw a wicked grin appeared on his face. He stepped towards Rainbow Dash who was struggling to keep herself in the cloud. Then Soarin lunged forward and slam his hooves on top of Rainbow Dash’s.
“We don’t need someone like you around,” he growled into Rainbow Dash’s ear. “We are better off without you. You are an embarrassment to the rest of us. I don’t need someone like you beating me. You are not Wonderbolt material. You're not even pegasus material. Now get out of my sight. Long live the Wonderbolts!”
And the Soarin pushed Rainbow Dash off of the cloud.
“No!” Twilight let out as Rainbow Dash fell down, her wings completely worthless.
Seeing Rainbow Dash falling caught Twilight by surprise. There was only one course of action she can do. She leaped off of the cloud and dived right after Rainbow Dash. She narrowed her body, trying to keep up with Rainbow Dash who was flailing about. Twilight inched closer to her. But she was getting out of reach.
“Ugh, I really wish I had wings right about now,” Twilight said before she let out a huge sneeze.
Finally Twilight was able to catch up with Rainbow Dash. Twilight grabbed onto her, hoping they can find a way to get Rainbow Dash to fly again. Twilight really did not want to test if falling to the ground in this nightmare will end badly or not. She shook Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash was taken aback.
“Twilight, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“Rescuing you,” Twilight said. “Although judging by how we are falling to the ground, I would say it is not going as planned.”
“What are we going to do?” Rainbow Dash said, terrified. This was so unlike the Rainbow Dash, Twilight knew. She was running out options. And space between the ground. She had to snap Rainbow Dash out of it.
“You have to fly us out of here,” Twilight begged her. “You are the only one that can do it.”
“But I can’t!” Rainbow Dah admitted. “I’m not that good. Everypony knows it. I am not the best flyer in Equestria. I keep trying and trying but I always fail! I am disappointing everypony. I’m a complete and utter disappointment. I am a failure.”
“No, you are not,” Twilight yelled over the wind. “You are the best flyer I know.”
“Am I?” Rainbow Dash asked bitterly. “Am I really?”
“Yes, you are!” Twilight told her angrily. “You can do this. Don’t believe the words I’m saying. Believe in yourself!”
Rainbow Dash looked defeated. She closed her eyes. For a moment, Twilight felt like all was lost. Then Rainbow Dash opens her eyes, a fiery passion burning in her. She began to free her wings. The two of them were falling fast now. Twilight thought they were going to hit the ground. She closed her eyes and hope Rainbow Dash would be able to pull up in time. She held her breath.
Then suddenly she was jerk upwards. Twilight opened her eyes to see Rainbow Dash flying them both away from the ground. They were flying fast, faster than Twilight could ever hope or dream. As they were soaring above the sky, the world began to fade away and they returned to reality.
Now it was time to face the king.
-Rainbow Dash’s house-
The two ponies jumped out of the dream and back into reality. Twilight had time to look around the see the wendigos were doing their best to destroy Rainbow Dash’s home. Bolts of lightning were ripping the house apart, destroying the clouds walls. It was becoming clear that they were catching up with them. Twilight looked out to see Fluttershy completely exhausted as she did her best to get them out of here. Before Twilight could think of a plan to escape, a fast, blue blur went past her and took hold of the ropes. Twilight felt her body fly backward as the cloud house tripled in speed. Rainbow Dash flew them out of the wendigo’s range and completely left them behind.
It was after a few minutes did Rainbow Dash slow down. Twilight doesn’t know where they were at or where Ponyville was but it seems they have completely lost the wendigos for now. Twilight regain her balance and laid down for a bit, panting. All this mind diving was really hard on her. Fluttershy came next to her, tired and worn out. Twilight knew they should be heading back but she just needed to rest for a minute. Rainbow Dash was checking on her damaged house. She went inside to check on her pet tortoise, Tank. Twilight looked at the setting sun. Has it really been only a day when all this was happening? It felt like forever. Then Twilight looked at the sun again, a horrible thought dawning on her. Celestia and Luna might be trapped! But then how are they still controlling the sky? Were they still fighting King Sombra’s reign of terror? Or were they completely lost somewhere far away, not knowing what is happening? Twilight didn’t know what to believe but she hopes she’ll be able to find the Princesses.
“Well, it could have been worst.” Rainbow Dash said, holding Tank. “I mean it is not like a can simply rebuild with the clouds around.”
Twilight and Fluttershy were too exhausted to acknowledge this.
“So, what’s going on?” Rainbow Dash turned to the purple unicorn. “Who’s doing this? Where’s Princesses Celestia? Where’s the rest of the gang?”
Twilight explain everything as best as she could. When Twilight was done, Rainbow Dash flew up in anger.
“That fiend!” Rainbow Dash said to the sky. “That no good unicorn! He’ll pay for this!”
“The only problem is I don’t know where King Sombra is at,” Twilight said, getting up.
“Don’t worry, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said. “We’ll find him.”
“How?”
“You forgot,” Rainbow Dash leaped up and quickly flew in a loop above Twilight. “You have the fastest flyers in Equestria. I can cover all of Equestria in ten seconds flat!”
Twilight simply raised one of her eyebrows.
“Okay, maybe not ten seconds flat” Rainbow Dash reframed. “But I can find an evil fortress that King Sombra is hiding before the day goes out.”
“That’s awesome, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said politely. “But I think I have a plan to find King Sombra.”
“You do?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yes, I do.” Twilight looked down to the ground below and then up to the sun. She is ready to end this. No longer would she allowed King Sombra to hurt her friends. It is time to stop him from harming Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and all of Equestria.
“Come on, girls. Let’s assemble our group. It is time for us to strike back.”
-Ponyville-
The town of Ponyville remained in the tense stillness that hovers over the area for the past few hours. It seems that even the atmosphere knew that something was happening. Everypony in the area was evacuating or hiding from the storm monsters that have attacked their homes. Now it seems like a final battle was being set up. It was wise for the town to clear way. Who knows what could happen next? Only the outcome of this battle will decide. All they can do is hope.
Coming up the street were the only ponies brave enough to face King Sombra and his powerful army. Twilight was leading the group, her eyes focusing on the road ahead. Following her were Applejack who remain sullen and quiet, Rarity who eyes were darting everywhere nervously, Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down next to Fluttershy who was trying to be indistinguishable among her friends, and Rainbow Dash who was flying above them, ready to attack anything that could be dangerous. The crew was nervous. They feel like they could be walking into a trap. They had their Elements on, ready to use them at a moment’s notice. But the feeling that something was watching them never wore off. Still, the Elements brought a certain warmth and courage that kindle inside their bodies. If they were going to fight, then it was best they have their heads up.
Twilight’s idea of finding King Sombra seems simple enough: use the Fear Gems. They have a hidden connection to the dark lord who had to use them to against Twilight and her friends. It was to ensure that they were shown their most troubling fears to keep them occupied. But as Twilight dismantle the defenses and rescue her friends, the gems became inert and the power inside remained in flux. Normally this would leave it vulnerable for one to destroy. But Twilight sense that King Sombra had it connected to him for a reason. Whether to ensure their fulfilled their job or to alert him of their presences, Twilight could only spectate the reasoning. However, it was a mistake either way. For he was connected the Fear Gems by making it out of his old horn. And any talented unicorn could use a spell that would track anypony if they left something behind. Twilight just happens to be a talented unicorn.
“Now, hopefully, this will work,” Twilight said as she connects the two pieces. Her magic was almost fully restored thanks to some food and the Element resting on her head. She put the two red gems together and then cast her tracking spell. The magic glowed for a moment before it started flashing in the direction that led to the center of the town. Twilight looked at the bearings.
“Girls, King Sombra is center of Ponyville,” Twilight announced.
“Then let’s get over there and stop him.” Rainbow Dash said impatiently.
“Hold it,” Twilight said, holding her hoof up. “Something is not right. It is like I’m getting two-”
Just then a roar echoed through the town. The six ponies looked up to see a wall of darkness falling from the sky. Something large was enclosing the entire center of the town, an entire structure was made of obsidian rock and steel. It was shaped like a large citadel, similar to the one in the Crystal Empire only it was on top was made of black crystals and earth. The fortress was ascending above the entire town. Twilight saw a stream of bright, purple light coming up from the tallest tower and up towards the sky.
Figures began to emerge out of the clouds and suddenly an army of wendigos was emerging out of the clouds above. A cold chill erupted from the center, sending a wave of howling wind and ice across the landscape. The roads all over the town begin to freeze over. Ice was forming everywhere along with large crystals emerging from all around them. The group was suddenly facing an offensive attack. They braced themselves for the cold, wintry fury these wendigos were bringing.
But just as one was about to hit them, a jet of green flames hit the wendigo in the face. The wendigo howled in pain as it turned around and retreated back to the group. Then a burst of silver light came from another source and something flew across the air. A silver spear pierced the retreating wendigo. The storm wendigos howled as they try to spread out before another silver light appeared and another one was pierced with a spear. Twilight turned around to who had joined the fray.
Behind them was Spike who started to blow jets of small flames at the lone wendigos and Silver LIght who was holding multiple spears between them and the storm army. Twilight was glad that Spike was alive. She felt her spirits soar at the sight of her baby dragon being alive and kicking. Spike and Silver Light were able to push the wendigos back, keeping them from attacking the town. But the road in front of them was now ice and crystal covered with occasional lightning strike striking the ground. In the middle of this layer of defense lie the fortress and dark king himself. Twilight turned to the captain who was blocking a wendigo from reaching her with her spear.
“I’ll hold them off” growled Silver Light. “You go find King Sombra. Hurry, I can’t keep them back forever.”
“But how are going-” Twilight began to ask.
“Go, you foals!” Silver Light fired another spear at the wendigos.
Twilight paused and then nodded once. “All right.” She told her. Then she turns to her group. “Let’s go, everypony!”
They didn’t even walk two steps before Silver Light spoke again.
“Spike, you have to go with Twilight.” He ordered the dragon. “She needs you more than me.”
“But the wendigos.” Spike pointed out. “Would they be able to get to you?”
“Just listen!” Silver Light hissed, her eyes narrowing f. “I’m dispensable, you’re not!”
Spike pondered for a second before he too gave a small nod to Silver Edge.
“All right. If that is what you want.” Spike said and then hurry after Twilight.
Once the group had disappeared into the depths of town, Silver Light stopped her volley of spears. She reached into her bag as the wendigos began to circle her.
“Finally,” she said, smiling. “It is time for the real fun.”
Then the wendigos all attack at once before the mysterious pegasus erupted in silver light.
At the other end of the street, the group was going as fast as they can, weaving between the hills of crystals. But a maze seems to be forming out of Ponyville. Walls of crystals started to burst out of the ground. Each path they tried to take was cut off with a burst of jagged crystals. Applejack tried to break them but these crystals were indestructible. Rainbow Dash went flying over the wall but a strong gust knocked her down. Twilight then tried to teleport but the dark magic kept blocking her. This was frustrating, Twilight thought. They try to seek a different path to town center but it ended up getting block too. After a while, it became clear as crystal that King Sombra was making sure they never reach him. But they weren’t going to give up.
Instead Twilight decided they will break in together. All at once, the six ponies kicked the crystal wall. The wall began to crack when Twilight uses her power to take a hold of the centerpiece. With her magic, she twisted the wall apart and cause it to collapse into itself. Twilight lift the debris out of the way. Then they did it again at the next section group took the opportunity and enter the arena that surrounded Town Hall.
In the middle of the circle were a group of large, black monoliths that was emitting dark magic. It stood above them, nearly ten feet tall. Twilight could see blue and purple letters glowing on the smooth surface of the pillar. What is this thing? It looked alien and out of place here. Twilight could see purple flames burning on the top of the pillars. Twilight looked for more clues. Above them were two clusters of crystals that were humming softly like a deformed chandelier. They were purplish black and they were sparking with dark energy. Twilight felt a disturbance coming from these crystal masses.
“Look!” Fluttershy pointed to an area left of Twilight.
The group turned to see a large statue near the wall. Discord remain in his petrified state, his body unmoved from the position they had put in when they used The Elements of Harmony. Twilight approached the statue, giving an unwary stare. But it seems Discord remained lock.
“Well, we can cross him off as an issue,” Twilight said.
Just then an evil laughter started to come from all around them. The group drew themselves closer as crystals upon crystals started to appear all around them. Then in the center of the arena, a vortex of purple flames erupted. It swirled for a few seconds before something appeared. A figure emerged out of the light, floating menacingly over them all. The dark king himself.
King Sombra’s appearance has not changed since the last time they had encountered him. The only difference was his body was fully solid. He exhaled a ragging breathe, his greedy eyes looking down at the terrified ponies below. He was the lord of fear, an agent of darkness. To be in his presences requires the most astonishing amount of courage. Yet the group began to stand up. This is it, Twilight thought. This was their fight. She began to approach him as a powerful gust of wind was coming down upon them from nowhere. King Sombra let out a bark of laughter
“You think you can stop me?” he asked them, a twisted form of amusement was plaster on his face. “Go ahead, Bearers. Hit me with your best shot.”
“King Sombra, your time is up,” Twilight yelled over the wind. “Surrender now or we will use the Elements!”
King Sombra simply smiled back.
“All right then,” Twilight said. “Have it your way.”
Then she activated the Element and one by one her friends follow suit. To use the Elements of Harmony was something unusual and hard to explain. The Elements was a deeper level of magic. A magic untouched by most of ponykind. Regular magic requires a train of thought, concentration, crafted words and most importantly a powerful emotion. You have to want to use the spell to achieve it. The Elements of Harmony were like this but more. They were a hidden power, a power that was rooted in the heart of the magical field, a spectrum of different feelings and emotions. While normal magic uses positive feelings and dark magic uses negative feelings, The Elements of Harmony was like everything combine, a pure, unadulterated, raw source of energy. To use them was to be connected to it. To use it was to be connected to her friends and their Elements. Every positive memory, everything they cherish, all the connection they have made. For this magic was made of friendship and friendship is the most powerful, positive magical forces that this world had to offer.
A field of white magic engulfed Twilight and her friends. Their Elements glowed with a power beam of colors before they formed together to create a concentrated ray of magic. The magic shot out and headed straight for King Sombra. The rainbow beam sparked with power as it lit up the entire sky and earth. King Sombra looked bewildered for a moment before the beam completely overcome him. He began to yell in fury.
Twilight would have smiled if she wasn’t focusing on her Element. She felt victory at last. But then something went wrong. Amongst the powerful ray of light, a red spark emerged. Then slowly emerging from the light was a red bubble of dark magic with King Sombra inside, still intact. King Sombra was laughing, his head tilted back. He had tricked them all. With a stomp of his left front hoof, a wave of magic hit them. Twilight felt the connection broke and then the Elements were deactivated.
Twilight let out a gasp of surprise before she was thrown back a few feet. She and rest of her friends were knock off the ground and push back by King Sombra’s spell. Before they could move, crystals burst out of the ground and engulf them, pinning them down so they could not move. Twilight tried to struggle but it was useless. She could hear Spike running towards her. Twilight turned her head. Spike almost reached her when a bolt from King Sombra knocked him down too. Twilight looked up to King Sombra who looked nothing short than enthusiastic over his victory.
“Oh, I have waited a long time for this, my little, purple unicorn.” King Sombra gloated. “You see, no one appreciates the patience of a plan like I do. It is the same kind of patience that resides in the crystals and their magic. You could never understand the brilliance and the power I have developed to get to this moment.”
Twilight struggled and then look back at King Sombra. “How could you stop the Elements?” she asked.
“Oh, it is quite simple.” King Sombra grinned. He looked like he wants to tell her this. “The Elements may be the strongest magic in this realm but they cannot fight the magic I have found. For they relied on the power of hope. Hope may be strong in this world where everything is peaceful and brilliant. But I have seen other worlds, worlds that have a power that can destroy hope. For there is one emotion more powerful than hope: fear. And have armed myself with it.”
“What?” Twilight couldn’t believe it.
King Sombra was shaking his head, bemused. “Did you really think it was that easy to retrieve your friends from my Fear Gems?” he pointed out. “I could have used any of my powers to render them useless. But I had to use a fear that correlates with their Elements to perfect my defenses and anchors me to this land. No matter what you do, your Elements will never stop me.”
“You couldn’t do this alone!” Twilight shouted. “You were defeated! Your body was destroyed!”
“True,” King Sombra acknowledged. “But I have made a deal with the darkness on the other side. There are creatures upon creatures, rulers upon rulers, gods upon gods, who like power. And I have spoken to a new player. A new god from a different world. He gladly gave me help for what I have to offer. You see Discord,” King Sombra pointed to the statue. “I have to give him over to him and I will be restored to full strength. The darkness is hungry and it is time to feed it. Once I get rid of Equestria, I will rule this world and build a new empire. An empire that will expand across the void and to ever realm possible. I will rule all of the worlds!”
“No, you can’t” Twilight was struggling to free herself. But each movement was useless. Twilight tried to use magic but it was rendered incapable by the crystals. She couldn’t give up. They were so close. But were they? They have played right into King Sombra’s hooves. Twilight didn’t want to fail. Everyone was counting on her. Equestria was in dire peril. Yet her plan fell flat with King Sombra. He easily has beaten them all. Twilight closed her eyes. She needed to succeed. Fight to her last breath. She remembers the days when it seems all was lost until a sudden spark of hope erupted out of her. She could use one right about now. She remembers the day Discord ruled. The time Queen Chrysalis had attacked. The night of Nightmare Moon. Of when all her friends pulled through. Now she’ll never see them again.
Suddenly a spark did emerge out her, her eyes opening with realization. This spark ignited something within her. Hope. Commitment. Power. Rage. Suddenly a burning inferno was building up inside her. She wasn’t going to let King Sombra win. She let out a growl of anger as she built up her power. The power kept rising and rising. Then Twilight let it all out. She yelled with righteous fury as the crystal that held her were blown apart by the raging, purple flames that radiated from her magical body. Then all the crystals that kept her friends were blown apart by the sudden influx of energy. Twilight stepped towards King Sombra. King Sombra was at least surprised by this.
“This is new.” King Sombra said; a flicker of fear ran across his face.
“You may have beaten us once, King Sombra.” Twilight was now shaking with her raging power. “But you will not stop us. I will fight to protect my friends. No amount of fear would stop me from doing so. You can use all her dark magic you have, King Sombra. But I will overcome you and stop your victory. Today is the day we will win.”
“You may think you have found our fear.” Twilight continued. “But I know that hope will always win as long as one keeps fighting. For you made one mistake, King Sombra. A mistake that will stop you and be undoing. Because you place your power over fear but your fear has no ground to stand here. No matter what you throw at us, I will always believe in my friends and the best of ponykind. For what you have shown my friends can never happen to us. We will never give up! We will strived to the end even if we have to face those who will keep lying to us, where everypony is hateful and cruel to each other, where nopony could enjoy their day because of a dark, crushing force, a world that is full of greed and hunger, a world that will betray us and won’t lend a hoof and we will certainly never be broken by such forces. You have failed the moment you place your power in fear because fear is useless against the power of friendship!”
Twilight suddenly felt her power rising. Her body began to float. Soon all her friends were floating. They too began to glow with colors and magic auras. The six ponies began to float up to King Sombra who was looking at this sudden reveal with surprise interest. But once they were on the same level as King Sombra, King Sombra simply closed his eyes and allow a smug smile formed on his face.
“Be that as it may, Twilight Sparkle.” King Sombra simply said. “But explain to me then, how you are going to go past this?”
He moved his hoof across the air, showing off a dozen wendigos
“You may have a power to fight me,” King Sombra told them. “But do you have the power to fight my army? These wendigos are fueled by emotions and hatred by the many worlds beyond ours. There are millions upon millions of worlds that thrived in hate. Attack me and you will engage with every single one of them. You may have friends with a tremendous amount of courage and hope but I have friends that are beyond this world, friends from the dark side of magic. They are gods. You are mere weaklings to them.”
“Don’t listen to him, Twilight.” Applejack yelled. “He’s just trying to stop us from winning. He wants us to give up.”
King Sombra chuckled. “I’m just being polite and showing how utterly useless your attack will be.” He said.
Twilight didn’t believe it. “I know.” She told her friend. Then she gathered all the power she had.
“It’s over, King Sombra!” she pointed her horn at him. “Your reign of terror ends now!”
A large white ball of magic began to emerge. King Sombra, however, lit his horn glowed too.
“Not so fast!” King Sombra said suddenly.
A wave of magic came across the crystals that flanked King Sombra. The crystals open up and revealed two figures trapped inside. Twilight let out a gasp and stop her magic. Inside the crystal traps were Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Both of them look defeated and broken. They were trapped inside a powerful bubble that held them captive. Twilight looked at them and back at King Sombra.
“You-” Twilight was about to threaten the dark king but he cut her off.
“Let’s not have childish threats get in the way.” King Sombra told her. “I have allowed this inflated sense of determination for far too long. It is time to render you and your Elements useless. Relinquish your Elements or you will never see your precious Princesses again!”
“You can’t do that!” Twilight cried out.
“Can and will.” King Sombra said savagely. “You see these?” King Sombra waved his hoof on the magic pillars below. “These are pillars of arcane magic, built in the deepest regions of space. They were formed in the abyss in which I had slumber there for centuries. I infused them with the magic disciplines link to time and space. With them, I have the power to banish anypony I see fit. How do you think I got rid of the Crystal Empire for a thousand years? Granted, I only had a fraction of what I have now back then. Now imagine what I can do with this precious gem. Thanks to my friends, I can send my enemies far, far away. Now give up the Elements or your Princesses will be banished from Equestria.”
Twilight felt like she was in a middle of a critical moment. What can she do? If she gives the Elements to King Sombra then they will have no way of defeating him. But if they don’t Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would be banished from Equestria forever. She looked at her friends who seems just as terrify and perplexed from this choice as she was. Twilight looked down at the two royal sisters. She wanted to beg for their forgiveness, for failing them. Twilight wanted to say something to Celestia. But King Sombra was watching her intensely. So for the longest moment, Twilight looked at her powerful leader, her mighty teacher. Then Celestia finally looked up her. They held each other’s gaze for one moment. Then Celestia gave a small wink.
“Enough stalling!” King Sombra commanded. “What will it be? The Elements or your Princesses?”
Twilight let out a small sigh. “The Elements.” She said, lifting her tiara off of her head. “You can have them.”
Everypony behind her gasped. King Sombra, however, gave a different reaction.
“Actually,” he said as he looked up. An evil grin came upon his face again. “It doesn’t matter.”
Suddenly a bright blue light shot from the ground and towards the ceiling above. In a fraction of a second, the ceiling erupted and a million crystals were engulfed into the swirling sky above. Everypony looked up. Twilight felt the hairs stand up on her body. Her mane was suddenly whipping behind her for the sudden charge of energy in the sky. Twilight shielded her eyes as the column began to glow immensely. Then the powerful blast erupted from below and flew up high. Twilight saw the sky began to be torn apart. The sky was being ripped into pieces. One by one, the blue sky disappeared. It was replaced by a dark, massive area of pure nothingness. Then Twilight saw stars emerging from the darkness. Then a large, unknown, ringed planet. Before she could even believe it, a large portal into space had formed right above them all.
“Now to get rid of Equestria once and for all.” King Sombra told Twilight. “Once I get rid of Equestria, I will build my own land. A land where fear will thrive. A land in which I will begin my new empire. And nothing will stop me now. It is too late. Equestria has fallen!”
King Sombra laughed maniacally, lightning spewed from everywhere. Then a voice spoke up.
“Not so fast, King Sombra.” Princess Celestia told him.
King Sombra looked down at her, his evil eyes burning with hatred.
“You may have built a defense against the Elements,” Celestia said, her horn glowing. “But you have made a critical flaw in your plan. For you have attacked my subjects with the magic of your old horn. And it is this magic that is keeping you here. Now it will be destroyed.”
Then Celestia revealed a red gem that was hidden behind her. The last piece of the Fear Gem, the one used to stop Twilight before Spike uses his dragon fire. Celestia had modified it, however. A bright light was glowing inside it. She had rigged the gem to destroy all of the dark magic it touches, severing King Sombra’s connection to this world. There is only one last effort needed to be done. Celestia threw her piece to Twilight. Twilight caught it midair and then connected it with the rest.
The Fear Gem down as pulsing with an unbalance stream of magic. Now it needs to be broken. Twilight knew how to do it. She lifts the gem above her and threw it to the ground. It seems like they have won. It was flying to the ground faster than a raindrop. But then it stopped. Twilight felt her heart sink. She looked up as King Sombra lift the gem above her. Then with a simple nod, he knocked the six of them out of midair and down to the ground. Twilight hit the ground with an enormous thump.
Twilight tried to get up, her body shaking from the fall. As she steadies herself, she saw Spike running up to her. Twilight turned to see the sky being torn apart. King Sombra began to fill his powerful Fear Gem back to full strength. It was what was keeping him here. But it can’t be broken by magic, he has a defense for that. There has to be a way, Twilight thought. She can’t let him win. Then a thought occurred to her. It was a last ditch effort but it will be the only way to save Equestria.
Twilight turned to Spike. “Do you trust me?” she asked.
“What?” Spike asked, surprised by her sudden question.
“Do you trust me?” Twilight asked again.
Spike straighten his body, preparing for anything.
“Yes,” he replied to Twilight.
“Good,” Twilight said. “Because this is my last shot.”
King Sombra remained floating in the air, tasting his victory at long last. Where to send Equestria, he thought. There were a million of places he could choose. They were all passing through his head, lingering only briefly for a moment. Then he felt something was off. King Sombra looked down to see Twilight still standing, her horn glowing. King Sombra leaned forward, his eyes narrowing.
“What are going to do, little unicorn?” he challenged her. “I have won and you have lost.”
“I’m going to do what it takes to end this,” Twilight yelled as the wind was beginning to pick up. “And I’m sorry that this has to end like this but you leave me with no choice. Goodbye, King Sombra! To the Void from where you came from!”
Then Twilight lighted up her horn and lift Spike up into the air. She blasted him across the sky and right towards King Sombra. King Sombra was utter befuddled by this move. He tilted his head back, wondering why this unicorn was sending one of her friends to their graves. The dark king fired up his horn, ready his magical defenses. As he raised his horn, he realized was Twilight was aiming at. Blank shock struck King Sombra’s face. The Fear Gem was hovering a few feet from him, barely able to get in his cone of protection. Then the purple dragon grabbed within a second blink. Before King Sombra could blast the little pest, Spike holds the gem and took a huge bite out of it. The gem broke clean in half, fractures forming all over the sections. The magic burns out and King Sombra’s old horn, his own soul, was destroyed. His connection to this world and all the dark forces he was bringing, was severed.
“NOOO!” King Sombra howled as the entire world began to shake.
Figures began to surround King Sombra. He tried to blast them away but they were mere lights that were wrapping him in ghostly chains. King Sombra’s real body began to be torn away, fading into bits of shadows. The chains began to be lifted into the portal above, lifting King Sombra up. King Sombra dived to the closest wall of crystal, using all his might to keep himself from being pulled into the portal. It was all in vain, however. He began to yell at the top of his lungs.
“NO! NO! NO!” King Sombra shouted at his unknown captors. “This isn’t over. I promised you will still have Equestria. This is just a setback. I can still do this! I can still win! I promise! Don’t take me back there! HELP!”
But something had gripped the chains tightly. It pulled with a mighty force and began to drag King Sombra up from the ground and into the portal. King Sombra let out on final yell before his entire body was pulled away and he has sucked into the endless void above. A flash of energy engulfed the sky and suddenly all the dark magic, crystals, and monsters were gone within a cold, jolty second. Lightning flashed across the sky, causing the dark clouds to dissipate completely. Everything was back to normal.
Except for one problem.
The pillars were still intact. Equestria was still in the process of being ripped away from the world and being banished into regions unknown. Twilight, her friends, and the two princesses looked around to see that the shield that encased their land was still unblemished and whole. Meanwhile, the sky above was slowing being ripped away by the growing portal. Everypony looked up. The blue sky, the warmth was fading away. Twilight could see stars, planets…darkness. The ground was rumbling with a great tremor. Panic began to settle in. Everypony who remain in town were now screaming and galloping about. Spike came running to Twilight, the remains of the Fear Gem still in his claws.
“What’s going, Twilight?” Spike frightfully asked.
“The end,” Twilight whispered vaguely. “We are trapped in the middle of space. King Sombra must have been in the middle of teleporting Equestria when we destroyed the Fear Gem. I didn’t know. I thought that we would have been able to return to our own land.”
Her friends started to gather all around. They were all looking at the remains of the sky.
“Now, how are we going to stop that?” Applejack pointed to the portal.
“I don’t know,” Twilight said, collapsing on the ground in a dismal defeat. She looked at the black monoliths that were humming with chaotic energy. It seems like they were dying. Twilight realize the power source of this instrument must have been cut off when they got rid of King Sombra. Soon they would be lost in another dimension or in the middle of nowhere and it was all her fault. She made a mess of things trying to stop King Sombra. He was the only one who was able to use these stones properly. If only she could take control of their magic and use them to return home. But now it dying and there will be no way they can get back home. The amount of magic that would require them to go back is beyond what they have. It would require…
Twilight suddenly stood up.
“Hold on,” she told her friends. “I have an idea.”
“Uh, do you mind tell us what this idea of yours is before, you know, do it?” Rainbow Dash inquired.
“It involves the Elements,” Twilight said as she put on her Element back on. “I need you to use them once I am in the middle of these monoliths. I’m going to take control of this spell and rerouted it. I’m going to close that portal I’m going to get us back home. This is my mistake. I’m going to fix it. Somehow, someway and if I don’t make it, tell everypony that I’m sorry.”
Then Twilight teleported.
“TWILIGHT!” Spike yelled.
Twilight then appeared in the middle of the columns. She summons up her magic and tries to repeat the spells King Sombra was using to open the portal. The air was hot, almost too hot for Twilight’s taste. Every fiber of her body felt the magic charged through it. She got her horn glowing and then she cast a spell that she hopes will work. The spell floated above her and then flash. Suddenly bright purple, almost white, strings of magic began to connect to her horn. The power began to overwhelm Twilight. She needed to counterbalance it. She summons all her will and uses her Element to power up the alien devices around her. It was working. Her Element began to glow and then it began to spread out. A bright, purple ball of light spread out and overtook Twilight. Soon the entire area was glowing with purple energy.
The rest of her friends stood on the side, struck by confusion.
“Whatever are we going to do now?” Rarity asked.
“I’ll tell you what we are going to do.” Rainbow Dash said as she flew up. “We are going to help her. You heard what she said. We can’t stand by here and watch. She needs our help.”
“I don’t think we are going to stand by and watch.” Applejack said and she pointed to her Element. “The Elements are already activated. They will probably go off any minute. I guess we are going to perform the same spell when we fought Discord.”
“But, um, what if doesn’t work?” Fluttershy asked.
“Then I guess we don’t know until we find out.” Applejack said. “Come on, girls. The fate of Equestria rests in our hooves.”
The group of them lined up. Then with their fullest concertation, they began to use the Elements of Harmony. Their power began to charge and then suddenly they fired a ray of light. The Elements of Harmony connected with the dangerous tool that was ripping Equestria apart. With the sudden power, The Column was now emitting strange lights and noises. It became clear that it wasn’t usually powered this way. Now things were starting to go hectic.
Applejack felt herself being lifted into the air, her Element shaking. She still kept concentrating, she didn’t dare try to let go. She noticed however that something was moving her. She opened her eyes just for a minute. The rest of her friends were being moved across the air too. It became clear what was going on. They were being moved to each section that surrounded Twilight, forming a star-like figure. Multiple colors were streaming out of the columns. The magic connection was shaking. They had to hold on still. Each one of them felt a burning sensation on their chest. Something was happening to the Elements, something that had never happened before. It was like they were being drained. Still, they kept at it, knowing that they would fail all of ponykind if they give up now.
But deep in the magic center of all this was a different struggle. Twilight was fighting the madness that was overwhelming. All of space was running through her mind. Needless to say, it was mind-numbing. She couldn’t figure where they were at, how to get home, or how to stop the darkness crushing her and all of Equestria. It was like she was everywhere yet nowhere at the same time. She kept looking at the night sky, looking for a sign. Constellations. But none of them were making sense and didn’t look at all familiar. Then she felt a chill coming down on her.
The constellation was warning her of something. There was shadow figure. A shadowy figure with an evil grin. Twilight felt fear overcoming her. Fear from all of Equestria. She had to get Equestria out of here now. But how? She couldn’t move this entire land. The only other option was to teleport. Twilight felt that she can do it. If she can use the spell to affect all of Equestria, then she will teleport them to a safe place, a place where they would be caught by that shadowy figure. She needed a place that would be safe. A place with a familiar setting. A place with a sun and a moon.
Twilight felt the idea came up to her. She had to do it. Giving an unspoken apology to the Princesses, Twilight fired two golden lights at Luna and Celestia down below. The Princesses looked up in time to see the magic hit their horns. They felt themselves being frozen solid and their bodies become weightless. For once, Celestia and Luna didn’t know what was going on. Their powers were nullified by King Sombra’s dark magic. He had to cut their powers off so they wouldn’t be able to take control of the sun or the moon while he had them locked away. Now Twilight was doing the exact opposite and use it to help her locate a place to put Equestria. The royal sisters didn’t know this of course but they seem to understand the risk that was coming with it. Celestia gave Luna a knowing nod and then together they used their deific powers to help Twilight.
The black monoliths began to shake as cracks appeared on the surface. It was going to break apart. The pressure was too much. The mighty shield that held them together was weakened by the strain that this spell was putting it through. Twilight felt the jeopardy of the situation as time was running out. She had to choose quickly. There was not much time left. Then she saw it. A pale blue dot was floating in the darkness. It didn’t look much but it was hope. She focused all of her might on the blue orb in front of her. It grew bigger and bigger. She looked up to see a planet that had a sun and a moon. This was perfect. She then used the only spell that would work now: teleport.
Just like that, a bright light emitted from all around Equestria. The spell was more complex and slower acting than it would be for a regular unicorn. Yet it was working. Twilight could feel it. She could see everything being held together but still be teleported to the new location. Tears were streaming down her face. The magnitude of it all was overwhelming. She didn’t dare break the connection. This was their only hope. If she didn’t see it through, then millions would be lost. Twilight had to say one thing, one thing that would keep her from giving up. As the spell was nearly completed, she said it with last fiber of her being.
“For Equestria!”
As soon as she said those words, the magic columns broke apart and a powerful, magical shockwave rippled across the land. Everything fell into place. Every tree, every speck of dirt, every drop of water. It all came together. The land rigged itself back to normal, fusing with the seabed below. It shook the crust a little but most of the energy was absorbed by the final push that brought Equestria here. It seems like everything was safe and secure as Equestria finally settled.
Twilight remain in the air for one last second.
“I-I-I-I did it,” Twilight said, her tear stricken face broke into a smile.
Then she felt the weight of thousand worlds hit her mind, her energy burn up. She fell, both her body and mind. Then in a flash, she disappeared into nothingness...
-Ponyville: Aftermath-
Celestia looked up at the night sky. The cool air felt refreshing over her body. After this past day, she felt like she could use a warm bath. Everything seems safe for now. But there were still problems she had to face. She couldn’t delay the inevitable. Celestia took a deep gulp of this fresh air before proceeding to the first problem that was present to her.
Twilight and her friends were missing. Whatever they did to save Equestria has somehow destroyed the pillars of arcanic magic. Celestia was unaware that such a magic existed to begin with. It seems the Elements were a bit more powerful than expected. The Bearers were, however, a link needed to complete the spell. Whether this had killed them or merely teleport them to parts unknown, it was difficult to tell. Celestia didn’t like this feeling of powerlessness. It should have been her on the line. She should have been the one to ensure Equestria’s safety. Yet the burden of saving Equestria had fallen to her pupil instead. Twilight, instead had to deal with the consequences. Celestia swore to herself that she would protect Twilight and save her from danger. And she failed.
“I’m sorry, Twilight,” Celestia whispered as two sets of tears rolled down her face. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Coming from across the town was the sound of hoofbeats. Celestia straightens her body, demolishing her tears. She couldn’t show her subjects her tears. Now she must be strong. They were depending on her, to lead, to stand strong. She must be resilient for them and go through every difficult task ahead of her, be it one, ten, a hundred, or a thousand. Every second of every day of every year she must endure. The least she could do was to make sure Twilight’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain. Celestia turns to see the approaching figures.
Guards were gathering around her. Inquiring expressions were shared among them all. It is no doubt that they needed guidance. The entire town of Ponyville was in shambles, rumors of the attacks were running rampant, and several emergencies were declared all across the town. The last thing Celestia needed was Equestria to fall into disarray. She didn’t trust that they will be able to defend themselves so readily if they were to face another crisis. They have enough enemies to deal with at the moment. Speaking of which…
“Your Majesty,” a gray pony general named Solid Stonewall bowed before delivering the news. “Several of my scouts have tracked a group of Changelings into the deserts south of here. The formation indicates that indeed, Queen Chrysalis was among them. These group of Changelings seems to be the same ones that attack our patrol and caravans. No doubt King Sombra has given them an opening to ensure that their attacks will help distract our armies during this crisis. By the Maker’s Voice, we will do better to ensure this will never happen again.”
“Indeed,” Celestia said as she approached the guards. “This was no doubt an act of pure malice on part of two parties wanting revenge for our recent victories. But they were mere pieces that were playing their part. No doubt that there is a force out there that help them achieve this victory.”
Celestia looked up to see Luna hovering behind the guards. The look on her face indicated that she wished to speak to Celestia. Alone. Celestia nodded once and then turn back to the crowd.
“Listen up,” she told her guards. “I want Queen Chrysalis captured alive. She has vital information of the recent attack on Equestria. She is on the run and she must not escape our borders. I repeat, she must not escape! General Stonewall, I want you to lead the search in the southern deserts. I want you and every guard to comb the desert and the borders surrounding it. I want you to search every part of the badlands, outlands, highlands, and the wetlands for her. General Flamestrider, I want you to search for any spies or dark magic users that are hiding in the Canterlot and Ponyville area. Report to me your findings as soon as you found something.”
“Now,” Celestia turned to a messenger pegasi. “I am setting an emergency session for the day and night courts. Tell Councillor Winter Night to set up contacts with the rest of Equestria communities. Our first priority is to set up relief for our citizens. Once we get our recovery efforts underway, I need to organize an investigating committee into solving a current predicament. We will decide the next action as soon as possible You are all dismissed.”
With that, Celestia and Luna took off and flew into the night sky.
The two sisters were flying across the land, heading west at a casual speed. They were able to keep themselves hidden from unwanted eyes. Celestia knew they would be asking questions, questions that she doesn’t have the answers to. Yet. She hopes that Luna has found out something. But the look her younger sister had told Celestia that this won’t be good news. It is something that Celestia hopes she can solve or at least marginally handle. They don’t need another crisis on their hooves, especially if the Elements of Harmony were gone. This day, has indeed, gone terribly wrong.
After what seems like hours, the two sisters landed on the edge of their land. Beyond them was a dark, vast ocean. Celestia didn’t know why but the colors of this ocean seem duller and tone down. It was like the water wasn’t as bright as it usually was. Even the sky lacked the color and feeling the Celestia was used too. This strange land feels lifeless to her. Lune meanwhile was looking up to the stars.
“The constellations are wrong,” Luna said softly.
“What?” Celestia asked.
“The constellations,” Luna repeated. “They aren’t what they were back home. Everything has changed. The sky, the ocean, the feeling of this land. Nothing is the same anymore, my dear sister. Nothing.”
“I’m sure we will figure this out.” Celestia tried to reassure her.
“It’s not just that.” Luna lifted a small rock from behind her and chuck it out into the ocean. Instead of hitting an invisible barrier, the rock kept bouncing across the water surface.
“The barrier is gone?” Celestia asked, dumbfounded.
“Yes and that’s the problem,” Luna said. “Follow me, my dear sister.”
The two sisters flew up to the night sky. The air was getting colder and thinner as they were heading to a higher altitude. But they kept it at a slow pace. Celestia had a feeling that they were being watched. Somehow, someway. Finally, when the land below as small and compacted, the two sisters slowed down and stopped in mid-air. Luna looked to the west where a faint, pink glow lingers near the horizon. Celestia studied it for a moment. It looked like firelight but controlled. So this land must have artificial lighting which means….
“No” Celestia let out, her stomach dropping.
“Yes, Celestia,” Luna said, looking at the distance. “I believe,” Luna pointed to the horizon. “The truth is out there.”
“That could only mean one thing.” Celestia realized.
The two sisters recognized the gravity of this discovery. That they and their subjects were not alone.
“Of all base passions, fear is the most accursed.”
-WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
