//-------------------------------------------------------// Unholy In Equestria -by inuboy7- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Dream Weaver //-------------------------------------------------------// Dream Weaver Authors note: If your reading this you are probably reading the wrong story, this is the final installment of a trilogy I've been working on. Please refer to first Paradox in Equestria and then Demise in Equestria. It had been several months since Demises attack, the town had put together a rebuilding effort. Unfortunately the losses suffered would never return. Rarity had lost her sister Sweetie Bell, she and Twilight lost the beloved Spike. Applejack had lost almost everything. She now lived with Twilight now that her entire farm had burned to cinders, Granny Smith and Winonna had been unfortunately caught in the fire that took the farm. Big Macintosh had been killed trying to fight off Demise, but to no avail. The only one that lived was Applebloom, who had ran off during the battle with Demise, she fortunatly avoided what would have been a grim death at the claws of an Entite. We all had our ways of coping with our losses. Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow had all plunged into studies about the Entites. Rarity spent most of her time at Spikes grave sight, she would have had Sweetie Bells grave next to it... unfortunatly after the chaos we never found her body. Fluttershy hadn't left her cottage since the incedent, we all worried about her. She had food delivered to her cottage but nopony could get her to answer her door, one of her animal friends were the ones who took the food in. We all wondered what she was doing, but we could never get in to find out. As for me, parties were nonexistant. After loosing all hope inside that maze Demise had us in I faked my smiles from this point on. Ponies would greet me, I would be so wrapped up in myown pity I would have a delayed reaction. The happy world I once knew had been turned upside down, the happiness drained from it. I felt there really was no hope for it after all. How could we recover, I really had no idea. The Cakes were fine, they had a little damage done to the bakery but they kept buisness going as much as possible. It was slow, seeing as catering wasn't the top priority anymore. I even got to see the babies every now and again, even though it was the shining point of... well whenever I got to see them, well it just wasn't the same. It was as if they could sense my unease. They even avoided me sometimes, it made me sad to see them like this. Everyday I walked around the town, survaying the damage Demise had caused. Taking in what little efforts could be done for repair. Sin would come soon, probably even cast us into never ending darkness and kill us all. It was a little dark for me, but I really had lost all hope. I decided to try and at least cheer up for what little time I had left on this once happy land. I knocked on Twilights door. She opened it, she was surprised to see me. "Pinkie!" she said shocked, "What are you doing here?" I saw Rainbow and AJ flipping pages. "I, uh... was hoping maybe I could help with the search." I told her sadly. "Uh, ya sure we really could use the help." she said. Her hair was ruffled and she looked like she needed sleep. I started looking through the shelves for titles of interest. My forehead twiched a little when I came across a certain title. 'Legend, Mysteries and Maretales.' I opened the book and immediately was on a page that read, "The Legend of the Dream Weaver" I began to read. The Dream Weaver is not a creature, as is popular belief but an ability to control and weave a dream as if the dreamer is in a compleatly convincing of realistic state of mind. The Dream Weaver can cast the spell as long as he or she pleases. There is however one fatal flaw in the design of it's magic, for every dream cast there must be a connection to simultanious dream weaves. The connection is however undetectable to the dreamer, they will not notice it unless they know to look for it. The Weaver controls everything the dreamer sees, but not what the dreamer does. There is no recorded histroy of a dreamer ever being able to break free of a Weaver spell however. Weavers must have an imense amount of magical power. I stopped reading and closed the book, a little too hard. The others looked at me. "Find something interesting Pinkie?" Rainbow asked. "...No." I lied, "I... I think I'm gunna get going I'll see you girls later ok?" I left, as I closed the door behind me I heard Rainbow say "Is it just me or did Pinkie get even wierder than usual?" I put my head down as I walked away from the library. I had to see about this Dream Weaver thing and there was only one pony, well zebra I knew that could tell me. I was above the town surveying the damage my brother had caused. I laughed to myself, this was all he did? Oh I was going to have some fun here. This land would soon be mine, but first I had to find my six targets. Those precious little mares were perfect for feeding on they just oozed with that delicuious emotion had to watch my brothers feed on. I wasn't holding back I was just waiting for the perfect hosts to let my plan loose. I had already casted one into her slumber, she slept soundly with her little animals taking care of her. I laughed at their pathetic attempt, just for humor I let her wake up, thinking she was under no such spell. But at anytime I could make her fall. This truly was a fun place to plant the roots of this worlds down fall. //-------------------------------------------------------// Prophecies and Potions //-------------------------------------------------------// Prophecies and Potions I was headed to Zecora's hut to see if she could shed a little light on this Entite thingy. She had all sorts of books and answers I was sure she would know what was going on. I traveled the usual route through the Everfree. I finally made it and knocked on the wooden door. "Enter, but tread carfully. I warn you my project is almost ready." I opened the door and saw dozens leaves and herbs hanging from the ceiling and many more that littered the floor. I looked for a clear path. I saw Zecora on the other side of the room buried in her book. She was stirring a small cauldron in the corner. "Zecora?" I asked. "Yes Pinkie Pie, to what do I owe this pleasent surprise?" she rhymed her usual pattern of couplets. "Well first off what are you working on?" I asked looking at all the plants strewn about the room. "Ah, I am glad you have asked," she said picking up a bottle and scooping out some of the liquid, "my brew within this flask. An anti depressent, to bring joy back to the heart. A potion to bring one out of the dark." I looked at the pale purple liquid in the jar, she set it down on the table. I could probably use that right about now. "Now I must know, what brings you to my home." she asked. "Well Zecora...." I paused, she nodded for me to go on, "You see these things the girls and I have been fighting they... well they seemed to have taken away all of the happyness straight out of Equestria. I feel like... like nopony is there for me anymore. I mean I know they're all still my friends but..." I stopped I felt like crying. "These creatures you of to me you speak, what targets do they seek." she asked. "Well, Twilight called them Entites-" Zecora gasped. "You've heard of them?" I asked. "Oh my, oh no, this is indeed grim news. Prophecies awaken, against Sin you will loose!" she seemed really freaked out. She brought me a book off her shelf. "The Legend you must read, it's prophecy you must heed." I opened the book, immediately green mist surrounded us. I heard a voice fill the room. Univera and Galactica, the creators of the expanse of the universes. They created the sun, the moon, the earth as we know today. The creatures they created in the image of themselves to run the planet. These creatures could not understand though, how to learn and grow. In hopes to speed their development, there was one solution. Galactica and Univera created three brothers not of the species, the hope was that their hunger for emotions would teach the Equines the difference between right and wrong. But the creatures lusted for the powers they got from feeding off of their neigbors. They wanted more, they fed on innocents for the power they desired. They transformed from Whyps to Whyspers and on to mighty Entites. Their power was great. The mighty Univera and powerful Galactica defeated both Hate and Demise, though the third of the brothers, Sin was all to powerful. For five thousand years the war raged on. In a last attempt for stability, the two creators made two last creatures. Luna, to rule the Moon, and Celestia, to rule the Sun. They gave their lives in a Magicks Circle to seal Sin away. Only the true defeat of his other two brothers Hate and Demise could break his bondage and release him unto the world he once terrorized. Until then Sin will rest eternally in the slumber between dimensions. The story finnished and the smoke dissapated. So we had brought Sin to Equestria, by beating both of his brothers. I really had no hope now, if even the creators of the universe had to sacrifice their lives just to seal him away how were we expected to beat him. I turned around, "Um, Zecora?" She turned around. "Could I use that new potion you have, I think I may need it." She smiled and placed it in a saddlebag and straddled it on my back. "Thanks Zecora." I told her as I left. I headed off to try and find my other friends. I found Rarity by Spikes grave, as usual she was sleeping with one hoof over the stone tablet. I shook her awake, she mumbled and rubber sand from her eyes. "Oh, hello Pinkie. Have you come to see Spike as well?" she asked. "Well... no not exactly." I told her. I sat down next to her, we sat in silence for a few minutes. It seemed like hours, finally Rarity broke the silence. "I never got to tell him Pinkie." she said, "Twice he died for me." she sniffled. I said nothing, I only let her vent, "I didn't do anything to stop it either time." she said. She began crying perfusly. She sat there crying over his grave. I looked at the liquid in th saddlebag. I pulled it out and poured a small amount into the tiny glass Zecora had given me. "Here Rarity, drink this." I told her. "Th-th-thank you darling," she said through sobbs, "all this crying has made me parched." She told me drinking the clear liquid. "My that is simply devine." she said cheering up almost immediately. "Thank you Pinkie, you truly are an amazing friend." she said, and walked away. I looked at the small jar, it really did work. Rarity cheered right up. Perhaps this would help somehow, I had to keep it, just in case. I put it back in my saddlebag and trotted off. All the way home I thought about the oncoming fight we would soon have, how could we prepare for something we knew next to nothing about, much less beat something the creators of the universe to give their lives just to seal? I got home and plopped down on my pink fluffy bed, I was immediately sleepy. It was weird I wasn't tired all day, I slipped into sleep. I laughed as I watched the little pink mare fall under my spell. I wouldn't permanently put her under just yet, just mark her for the mass effect to come. I flew off to find the next victem. Four more and I would release my desies of Sin unto this wretched land. //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Dreams //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Dreams Rainbow Dash was asleep on a cloud high in the sky. She would have gone to Twi's place for some more studying on the Entites but she wasn't like her. Rainbow needed a little rest to recouperate herself. She couldn't do that much nonstop studying. I watched her nearby, I had taken to watching all of the mares that would soon become pawns in the game of my takeover. Nopony knew of my presence yet, I'd been here since my both my brothers' deaths. Univera and Galactica had given each of us an ability to be able to control the emotions of the creatures of this land. Originally the powers were for us to help them learn and grow, I would have no part in this. I fooled my brothers into believing that these creatures were below us, and apparently they were. As we fed on them we grew stronger, and I liked it. I took all I pleased with such a bountiful supply of power. My brother Hate fed on the grudging feelings between bonds. Demise fed on the sadness that dwelled within the hearts of all creatures. I fed on temptation, indulgance was everywhere so whether I was causing it or not I was always feeding, it could explain why I was the most powerful. Nevertheless I watched the little pony sleeping on the cloud, I swooped down and placed a claw gently on her forhead. "Time to see what Rainbow dreams." I murmered. She jerked a little as I entered the make believe world where nothing made any real sense but did. Dreams were a strange thing, me looking in I saw a chaos of images strewn about the little cyan colored pegasus floating around to each one. To a creature with no buisness in the dream world this would look like a cacophany of disasterous effects, but I knew what was happening. I cast the dream I desired and grabbed the floating pegasus and flung her into it, then watched the magicks. I suddenly found myself in Cloudsdale, what was I doing here? Wasn't I just at Rarity's place trying to fight off her need to make a new dress for me. I shrugged it off and stretched my sore wings, it was surprising how much they ached after all I had hardly done any acctual flying. That's when I saw her, Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts staring dead at me. I was frozen for a moment not knowing how to react to my idol watching me. "Hey there kiddo," she said happily. I wasn't sure how to respond. "What's the matter you've seen me before, Rainbow." she said. "Ya," I replied, remembering the time I met her at the Gala, "but why am I here now?" "We brought you to Cloudsdale so you can try out for the Wonderbolts." she explained simply. My mouth dropped and my heart raced, I knew it was my dream and all but I was shocked nevertheless. Spitfire smiled and wrapped a forehoof over my neck and led the way. "Common, we gotta get you to the stadium to suit you up." she said She led me into the Wonderbolts' official race track and it was a lot bigger than I expected. She handed me a uniform, I quickly slipped it on and pushed my wings through the holes. "Lookin' good, Dash, now let's see how good you are?" She fluttered over to the starting line where Soarin, Fleetfoot and Rapidfire were all waiting for me. It was like a dream, I really hoped it wasn't. I quickly flapped over to the starting line, I turned my attention to the flag bearer on the signal cloud. I flexed my wings in anticipation wating for him to drop the flag to signal the start. He raised the flag, I tensed my legs ready for takeoff. I saw the flag move ever so slightly just before he swooped it downward. ZOOM! We were all soaring at breakneck speeds, I had never felt so amazing. Flying next to the Wonderbolts, I gave it all I had. At the finish line I had won by a landslide, the others were all trying to catch their breaths. Spitfire came up to me with a scroll and quill. "OK, Dash now here's the deal." she said unfurling the paper, "Due to the recent outbreak in violence in the neighboring city we have to move home base to Manehatten so you signing this release form you'll be an official Wonderbolt and we can all move on." she said. I thought about it. "But I can still come back to see my friends right?" I asked. I could see the little mares worry over her freinds, something had to give. I thought quickly. "Listen, Dash this is your only opportunity to join the Wonderbolts. It's either this or you can never be one of us." she said grimly. Never... be... one of them? So I had to choose between my best freinds and the Wonderbolts. "Dash listen to me, if your freinds really care about you then they'd want you to follow your dreams. Didn't you say your number one dream was to be one of us?" she asked. It was I looked at the paper, she pushed it closer. "Sign." she pressed. I picked up the quill and scrawled my name. I wasn't quite sure but I couldn't shake the feeling that something odd was happening. I looked behing me and watched Ponyville slowly receeding into the distance. One down, five to go. Dash had given into the temptation and willingly surrendered her power, now it could not be taken back seeing as it wasn't stolen. //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Life //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Life I was in my boutique working on my projects, I sighed. It was quiet without Sweetie Belle around, I had thought I would like peace and quiet for once but... not like this. Why did it have to be this way? I wished she would come back, I wanted with all of my heart for my little sister to be here with me. A tear came to my eye, my gazed went from the floor to the wall as looked up. I had to be strong, but when my sights fell upon Sweetie Belles drawing I broke down. She had made it for me last year to show her love for being my sister. When she showed me all I did was shriek and ask her wha she had done, if only I had spent more time with her maybe she wouldn't have been killed by Demise. I watched over the little white mare reminescing over her dead sister. I laughed, these creatures were so fragile, making bonds that weren't worth the time. It wasn't something I cared much for but it kept me fed, it was time for another feed after all. I swooped down and prepared the little pony for the dream world. I hadn't been to Sweetie Belles grave today, maybe it would be a good time today. Suddenly, though, I felt extreamly drowsy. I began walking over to the couch in my waiting room but I fell to the ground before I could. I must have worked harder than I thought. I didn't remember what my dream was I thought I saw a few frames with images and then felt myself being dragged through a tunnel, but not much else. I woke back up in my boutique feeling somewhat refreshed, I got up and prepared to get going to see Sweetie Belles and Spikes grave sites. I turned to my wash room and looked in the mirror, the sight that was in it shocked me. Instead of myown reflection in it was instead that of my little sister. Sweetie Belles bright green eyes stared back at me. I blinked, she didn't go away. "Hi, Rarity!" she said in her hapy tone. I shrieked with surprise at the sound of her voice. "Wh-what's going on here Sweetie Belle?" I asked, "Your... your supposed to be-" "Dead?" she replied, "I am but while I was crossing over something stopped me." she said. I was confused but I listened. "It said it would need me for something, that it needed you." she told me. This whole thing was confusing, what kind of power could stop my sisters soul from crossing. I thought but I couldn't come up with any kind of answer, it was as if my mind had been wiped. "I need you now, Rarity." she said, I looked up at my little sister, "I can come back, that's what it told me." My blood ran cold at this thought. "Come... back?" I repeated. I reached out to touch her but she vanished. I knew it was too good to be true. "Uh-ah-ah." I heard a voice tsk-tsking me, I turned around and saw a shadow appearing out of the ground and form a small hunchbacked little creature. "Who are you?" I asked. "You mean you don't recognize an Entite when you see one? My, my those brothers of mine must have been quite rude to not have shown you all the true form of what we are." the little creature said. "So your Sin," I fumed ready to strike the frail little thing down where it stood, "not much of a threat are you." I told him. "No," he said agreeing, I dropped my guard but only a little, he was pacing around me like a wolf, "I am but a Whysper at the moment only able to manifest a single form. But I'm not here to speak of myself, darling I'm here for you." it told me. "For me? What so you can suck out my soul." I retorted, my horn now glowing preparing for a battle. He laughed, that caught me off guard once more "No, no, no, little filly. I know you mourn for you sisters death, the ones my brothers so viciously stole away from you. I offer mearly... a trade." he finnished. "What ever do you mean by that and why would I want to trade something I have with a deamon sich as yourself." I spat out. "You see my dear, what you do not understand is this. Each of the Entites are bound with an innate ability, Hate being the ability to control time as displayed by Parydan and Nox, who used it to turn back what had been done. Demise with the ability to control all things spacial and of physical form. So you see when you both destroyed them I gained their abilites when I drew their power into me." he explained. "I'm not sure where your going with this..." I was very confused. Sin was now floating on a plume of smoke which encicled the area around me. "You see me dear with Hate's ability I can reach through the fabric of time," he swirled his claws a small light grew between them, "and with Demise I can pull forth that which has been lost from said dimension." he closed his claws tightly, his hands shaking, "And... viole" Sweetie Bell was there, in his arms curled into a little ball. Not decayed but whole, and most of all... breathing. "You can have her back Rarity." he said almost comforting, "All I want in return is you to give me that which makes you yourself. Your generosity, become selfsish to save your sister." A contract appeared out of thin air. I glanced at it, then at him, then to my sister sleeping in this wicked creatures arms. She was so peaceful, and quite. Was it really my choice to bring her back? Did she even want to come back? I remembered a journal entry she had made, after all it was the only thing I had left to keep her memories alive. Dear Diary, Today Rarity taught me how to stitch pathes onto cloths so that you can save the fabric. I wasn't very good at it but she was proud of me anyways. I'm so lucky to have she knows what's best for me even when I don't. That last line, "she knows what's best for me even when I don't." I felt the pang of sadness from loosing the one thing that was real in my life. I took the quill and signed the sheet. Sweetie's eyes fluttered open and she looked at me with those beautiful bright green eyes I'd missed so much. "Rarity?" she mumbled as if she was waking up, "I had the weirdest dream." she said. I looked around, somehow Sin was gone and I was back at my boutique. In Sweetie Belle's bedroom to be exact. "I know sweetheart but it's over now, big sister Rarity is here to care for you." I cooed petting her head. She smiled, turned back over and went back to sleep. "I love you Rarity." she said. "I love you too Sweetie Belle." I told her. I laughed seeing the foolish mare fall so easily into my trap. This wasn't real none of it was not even my "True Form". These silly little ponies were so easy to manipulate it was almost sad, HA an emotion I had no need for. But all the same I knew what needed to be done to feed. And now it was time to weave anothers dream so that I can feed my ever rising hunger. //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Return //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Return Ah reckon it was all the studyin' Ah was doin' ta take down this new foe we were gunna tussle with but Ah was frettin' a mite fer a nap. These past couple a days were pretty tirein' fer me, loosin' my family, my orchard, and pretty much everythin' Ah ever cared about. Ah went up ta go to sleep in the room Twilight had made up for me in her guest bedroom. Ah was grateful to have such good friends, my whole orchard had been burned up includin' the barn from that Demise fella. I lost everythin' that day, an' I'm not sure I'll ever recover. Ah drifted off ta sleep countin' apples. I watched the littel depressed orange mare sulking and then slink off to her room. Had I had compassion I would have felt sorry, but I didn't instead I saw it as my next opportunity to feed. I swooped down from the ceiling and into the room before she could close the door. I waited for her to fall asleep and entered her dream. Time for the fun to begin. ?Ah woke up quick, Ah don't even remember dreamin' all that long. Ah felt real dizzy, an' a little sick. But Ah got outta bed anyways, that's when Ah heard a tap at the window. It was a little green bird that looked like a raven. Ah'd never seen a bird like it before. Ah opened the window for it an' it swooped in an' perched itself on a desk beside my bed. It put down a letter it had in it's beak and flew away. It was the strangest thing that had happened in a while, Ah was a little skeptical on what to do. After all it could be a trap, Ah left my room to get Twilight to see if she could help me out. Ah explained to her what had happened and she agreed to check it out. "That does seem strange, and we don't want Sin trying any of his funny buisness with anypony." Twi said. She trotted over to the scroll and her horn glowed. She closed her eyes for a minute like she was sensin fer somethin'. "It doesn't seem to be dangerous, I think it's just a letter." She told me. She opened it with her magic and read it, she seemed confused. "What? What is it?" Ah asked eager to find out. "It just says, 'Come to Sweet Apple Acres'" Ah ran out the doors of the library gallopin' as fast as my hooves would take me, it that monster dared to defile my families land there was no tellin' what Ah would do to him. Ah ran up the charred path into the middle of the burnt up fields. "WHERE ARE YOU!" Ah shouted. No reply. Ah sat down, a tear in my eye from the feeling of defeat an' depression. Everytime Ah felt the charred bark of what used to be my farm under my hooves Ah got this way. It just wasn't fair, Ah lost everythin' whilst my friends still had just about everythin' they started with. Why was this my life? "It doesn't have to be." A voice said behind me. Ah turned around ready to kick some flank, Ah stopped when Ah saw a... an apple tree... Ah looked up to where the voice was coming from, a little hunch backed thing hangin' upside down on a low hangin' branch. It was eatin' an apple. "Why hello there little Applejack, I suppose your wondering why I summoned you here to your dead families farm?" it asked. "Sin, I presume?" Ah asked him. "Yes, yes I am." he said in his coy smart alicky tone, "I can, possibly be of service to you miss Jaquiline." "NOpony calles me my real name." Ah spat. "My apologis Apple Jack. I just want to make a small offer here, you see you don't have to live in a life where everything you once knew has been stripped from your hard working hooves. You deserve to have the things you once held dear, the things you've worked so hard for." He waved his hand through the air the apple trees sprouted from the ground, then bloomed and grew apples. "You deserve your orchard," he waved his hand again and Applebloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith, even... even Winonna was there standing waiting for me, "you deserve your family. 'Tis a small price for the thing that makes you honest is it not?" Ah thought about it for a minute, all Ah had to do was give up my honesty for my families life back. It was more than a fair trade it seemed. Ah looked at my sisters pleading eyes. "So what'll it be young Applejack?" he made a quill and parchment appear and levitated it to me. "Will you become a liar to save that which you once held dear and closest to your heart? Or would you have them burn again?" He clenched his claws and fire consumed the orchard and a ring of fire surounded my family. "NO! WAIT!" Ah shouted, the fire froze as if it were stopped by time. This time Ah had a chance to save them, Ah took the quill and signed the contract. "Excelent!" he said, the paper burst into flames. Sin disapeared and so did the flames. "What happened?" Applebloom said. "You had a bad dream that's all lil' sis." Ah told her. I watched the foolish little mare from a hole in her dream. I couldn't help but laugh at this display of absolutely rediculous display of sentiment. She honestly thought that those were her family, I watched as my daemon pulled the strings controling the little puppets. These foolish mares were so easy to trick it was almost sad, once again myself being a being with no emotions I could not feel remorse. But I loved the sweet, sweet taste of it. This was truly my favorite part of being a Dream Weaver. Time to find my next bite of prey. //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Rebirth //-------------------------------------------------------// Temptation, Rebirth I stirred awake, I was awakened by one of my little critters tapping my forehead. I couldn't understand what was going on, lately I'd been much more tired and found myself sleeping more often. I lifted up and rubbed my head, it hurt. "How long was I out?" I asked Hummingweight. He flew over to the calender which had a few days crossed out. He pointed to one that was two days away from the last 'X'. I gasped. "Two days!" I exclaimed, "I was out for two days?" Hummingweight nodded, I quickly jumped out of bed and got to feeding my critters. I heard a knock on the door. I opened it, Pinkie was there looking at me. "Hey Pinkie I'm a little busy if you don't-" "Fluttershy you look terrible are you OK?" Pinkie interupted. I looked in the mirror, indeed I did look terrible, my mane was ruffled into knots I looked absolutely filthy. "Fluttershy what you need is some R&R go take a shower and drink some of this and you'll feel all better." Pinkie Pie said pulling out a vial of clear liquid. "OK, but I think I've had enough rest Pinkie. I really need to feed my animals." I explained as she pushed me up the stairs. "Well you don't have to sleep but I'll take care of your animals for you don't worry." she said as she started a bath for me. "We've all been so worried about you Fluttershy," she told me, "we haven't seen you in weeks." "Yes well... um-" "Bath's all done!" she said, "hop in and relax, Auntie Pinkie Pie will take care of the rest oike dokie lokie?" Pinkie insisted. I wasn't about to say no. I got into the tub, it was warm to the touch and indeed relaxing. I felt my muscles relaxing as I enjoyed the warmth of the water. Pinkie left me to soak, as I did I couldn't help but wonder what was in the little vial she had brought. It looked like a crystal flask that Zecora usually kept her potions in. I picked it up and poured it into the small glass that covered the top. It was a clear sparkling liquid that bubbled like it was carbonated. I gave it a swig, instantly I felt a warm sensation coming over my chest, as if I was somehow... happy. Pinkie came back in I hugged her tightly. "Hey, silly your getting me all wet." She giggled. "Oh, I'm sorry." I told her, I didn't understand it but I felt really, really happy all of the sudden. It was as if everything had gone back to before Demise had come and killed Angel. Even though I remembered it, and I still felt sad, I somehow felt a warm sensation. "Let's go do something Pinkie." I told her. "OK, we can have a party celebrating you coming out of your house, oh my gosh we haven't had a party in forever!", Pinkie said reverting back to her usual self. I even think her hair poofed back up a little. We went to Rarity's first, but she didn't answer the door. "Huh, that's weird, Rarity's place is usually alway's open." Pinkie said after about ten minutes of knocking. We tried Twilight's place but she said she was too busy and that Applejack was asleep. We were out of idea's seeing as Rainbow Dash usually found everypony else on her own schedual. "Well a parties still a party with only two!" Pinkie said, and so it was. Just Pinkie and I, until a few hours of cake and dancing later I finally left to go home. I lay down, satisfied with how my life was going. I had an extreamly strange start to my dream, as if I was being carried. I found myself waking up back in my house, it was morning. I looked around, my animals were gone! I called them but none responded to my pleas. Frustrated and dishearted I began to cry. I heard a laugh come from above, I looked around not bothering to wipe my tears away. "Who's there?" I called out. The laughing came again. A small green bunny appeared in front of me, it laughed. Then it burst into a puff of smoke and a face appeared and began laughing. "Dear, dear Fluttershy. You've lost Angel and now the rest of your animals have taken your kindness for granted. My, my, my how much has my brother taken from you?" It asked circling me like a wolf circles it's prey. I was terrified of this green smoke creature. "Th- they didn't ab-b-bandon me. They're probably just sleeping." I offered. "Who are you trying to convince?" It stopped circling me. I looked down in shame. "You came back from loosing Angel and continuously forget to feed your pets. They obviously left you surely you must realize that?" I began to tear. "Now, now young one don't be sad," he said lifting my chin to look me in the eyes, his were cold but somehow careing, "you can have your dearest friend back." He smiled. I was confused by his proposition. "Let me show you what my power can do young foal." It said. He floated a few feet away, I felt a blast of light hit my eyes as I shielded them. When I felt the light was gone I dared to look. In front of me was Angel staring up at me. I was so happy I picked him up and hugged him as hard as I could. That's when I noticed he wasn't moving; he wasn't hugging me back, nor was he fighing off the glomp. "Wh-what's wrong with him." I said looking up at the smokey figure. I laughed to myself, the little filly hadn't even heard about me yet. My self laughter was also due to her gullability. "Why becasue you have not given me what I desire." I told her with flase sincerity in my voice. "I- I'm not sure what you–" "I need your Element, my dear." I told her grinning to hold back my saliva. I produced a contract from air, "Sign, and Angels soul can be yours." She did something the others hadn't, she read it. I rolled my eyes as she studied the contract, this one was too cautious for my tastes. "But... I have to sign over my Element of Kindness to you." she said finishing it. I smiled at her once more, "A small price to pay for..." I pointed down at the little white rabbit. I tapped it's forhead and it's eyes looked up pleadingly at the little mare. I watched her smile, a sickening sentiment to me but it ment being fed so I held my regurgetation. She thought for a minute, words cannot express my anticipation. The adrenaline of whether this stubborn mule would sign over her Kindness to me. She looked up. "No." she said "I love Angel, but he died happy so my Kindness isn't worth giving up." My black hole sank in my chest. Frustrated I crumpled the paper. "Have it your way!" I dissipated and left her trapped in her dream. I watched him go, Angel dissapeared with him. What was all of that about? I had to go see Twilight about this. //-------------------------------------------------------// Awakening the Others //-------------------------------------------------------// Awakening the Others I seemed to wake up again. It was strange, I didn't remember falling asleep. But I still had to see what Twilight had to say about this. I got up and began walking from my cottage to Twilights library. I reached it in about twenty minutes, but the devastation all around me seemed to make time go much slower. Seeing all the sad ponies trying to rebuild what Demise had taken away from them. I was happy not to have taken the shadow up on his offer, sure I would have what I wanted back but I wouldn't be able to move on. Moving on was a part of life, although many probably would take him up on the offer to get back what they had lost. I knocked on Twilight's door, she was suprised to see me. "Fluttershy!" She said shouting my name from being startled to see me. "Nopony's seen you in two days where have you been?" She asked. "Um... sleeping, I think." I told her. "Come in, come in. Apple Jack's asleep right now. I think she's worked herself out helping me with my studies on the Entites." Twilight said. She let me in and then went back to reading a book. I reamaind silent, I didn't want to disturb her. She looked over to me staring at the floor. "Did you need something Fluttershy?" she asked. "Um... well, no it's not important..." I drifted off. She looked at me seriously, "Listen, Fluttershy. Right now nothing is more important than what our friends have to say." I looked up, she smiled. "OK, well... I had this dream." I began. She listened, I decided to continue. I told her about how the shadow had offered to bring back Angel, and then how he said it would be in exchange for my kindness. She gasped, I stopped. "You didn't sign his contract did you?" she asked hurridly. "No, of course not. I would never give up my kindness, besides Angel has already moved on. It wouldn't be right to bring him back." I told her. Twilight went deep into thought. "What is it?" I asked her. "If that was Sin, he could have tried hiding his form. He's entering ponies dreams and offering them something in exchange for their element. But if hew can only enter through manifestation of a dream?!" She seemed startled. She ran through a door to her left, I followed her. Apple Jack lay on a bed, sound asleep. "We have to wake her up!" Twilight said, I could tell from her voice it was urgent. We tried to shake her. We called her name. Twilgiht even tried yelling into her ear, nothing seemed to work. Twilight sighed. "Oh, it may already be too late!" she said, disheartened. I watched her for a little, trying to think of a way to comfort her. "Wait, Twilight." She looked up to hear my suggestion. "Is there um... possibly a way we can maybe... go into Apple Jack's dream?" I asked. Twilight seemed to think for a bit as if trying to recollect a lost memory of seeing a spell that could allow her to do such a thing. "YES!" she finally said after some thought. "I was reading about that in Distant Dreams of Dynasty's Past and Present, thank you Fluttershy." I followed her into her library and watched her pull a book from the shelf and turn to the page. "OK, the Dream Walking spell. It can allow us to enter a dream, but we have to be careful not to wake the sleeping host up, otherwise we'll end up trapped inside their mind until the next time they fall asleep." Twilight explained. She looked up to me, "Ready?" she asked. I nodded. Twilight's horn glowed with it's usual purple aura and I saw a flash of light that blinded me for a moment. When I felt the light was gone I opened my eyes and found Twilight and I were at Apple Jack's farm. Something was different though, it wasn't like the last time I had seen it. It was as if everything was– "Back to normal?" Twilight interupted and finnished my thoughts. "What happened here?" Out in the orchard we watched AJ bucking apples with Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom. Twilight and I galloped over to her. "Oh, hay gals what'cha'll been up to?" Apple Jack asked us bucking another tree. "Apple Jack, we need to talk. How is Big Macintosh here their supposed to be–" AJ shoved a hoof in Twilight's muzzle, she looked her square in the eyes to hush her. "Listen ya'll, an' listen good. That little green critter come by here made me a nice generous offer, and they don't know they died so keep it down an' there won't be no trouble. Ya hear?" AJ threatned. Twilight and I cowered beneath Apple Jacks vicious tone. "Good." she turned and walked away. "Apple Jack wait!" Twilight stopped her. "You have to listen Apple Jack, this isn't real none of it is. It's a fabricated dream spun out of lies from Sin." Apple Jack pushed Twilight away, "Even if it is a dream Ah don't wanna live in that world any more. Ah lost everythin' followin' you so Ah ain't goin' back no way no how!" Twilight seemed hurt by Apple Jacks words. "Git goin' ya'll don't need me, an' I sure as sugar don't need ya'll any more." Apple Jack spat. We turned and Twilight took us back to her library. "That's it, we can't beat Sin. He probably already got the others." Twilight sat down defeated. I put a hoof at her back trying to comfort her. That's when we heard a knock at the door. I went over and answered it. A familiar pink mare glomped me immediately. "Oh, my gosh Fluttershy how have you been?" Pinkie said. "Good, but... uh, I need your help with something." I told her. I explained the situation to Pinkie who, for once while somepony was telling a story, actually listened. "I've got just the thing!" Pinkie said pulling out a vial of clear liquid from her saddlebag. "Just a little shot of this and she'll be as peachy as pie," she giggle, "peachy Pinkie Pie, that is." Fluttershy and Pinkie peeked into the room where Twilight was watching over Apple Jack, a look of failure across her face. "Y'alright Twi?" Pinkie asked holding the glass in her hooves. Twilight cleared her throat before speaking, obviously still crying over the loss. "Mmm, uh, ya." She said. "I just... never thought it would happen like this, beating us so easily and right underneath our muzzles." "You sound thirsty, here I made punch." Pinkie said smiling happily like always. Fluttershy wondered what was in the glass that could make Pinkie so confident. Twilight took the glass and drank it. "Wow, Pinkie that's great." Twilight paused as if feeling some kind of new wave of emotion, it seemed to make a smile spread across her face. "Girls, wait!" Twilight said with a sudden pep in her step. "There's still one thing we haven't done yet!" Pinkie looked to Fluttershy and smiled; but Fluttershy couldn't shake that somehow this was going to be unfathomably risky and, possibly, dangerous buisness. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Face of Sin //-------------------------------------------------------// The Face of Sin "Twilight are you sure this is safe?" Pinkie asked with an undefinate tone. "I don't know." was simply her response, she turned to her pink friend, "But we've got to try, right?" Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy both nodded in agreement. They had to save their friends, at any cost. The plan was dangerous, and they may not come back, or even slimer chance, be successful. Twilight had succesfully used the Dream Walker spell on Apple Jack, but she was about to trek territory nopony ever wanted to have to venture. Twilight explained that Sin was using a Dream Weaving spell, which enabled him to embody the dream and control what happens. Though to do this he had to fall asleep himself. "So here's what we do," Twilight explained, "We enter Apple Jacks dream one more time. We have to make Sin appear again somehow. When he does, you girls need to distract him while I cast the spell to open up his dreams. Now since he has ultimate control over what happenes there it's going to be very unpredictable We have to fight Sin there, if we loose... well at least we tried right? Are you all ready?" Twilight asked. Pinkie nodded her head vigorously, Fluttershy merely gave a curt nod of her head. "Then let's get going." Once more back on the farm, Pinkie, Fluttershy and I had to persuade Apple Jack to come with us to find Sin. "Ah told ya'll Ah ain't coming with ya, I'm happy here." Apple Jack told us. "Apple Jack it isn't real" I told her. There was a pause. "Ah don't care." She turned and walked away. I hung my head in defeat. That's when something happened that gave me an idea, Apple Bloom walked by. She was carrying a bucket of apples over to Granny Smith who was buisying herself with sorting through the good and bad ones. I knew why AJ wanted to stay here, she was hit hardest by Demise. She lost everything she ever had: her family, her farm, her dog. Everything she'd ever lived for was gone now, I felt for her but we had to do this for Equestria... and for her, so she could move on. "Apple Bloom," I called, she turned around to look at me, I knew this was going to be bad but it was for AJ's own good, I walked up to the little filly, "Apple Bloom sweetheart, I know it is going to hurt your sister but...." "Ah have to tell her don't Ah?" she replied, it shocked me that she knew what was going on. "Apple Bloom how did you–" I was cut off. "You didn't think I was acctually going to keep up this charade forever did you?" Apple Bloom... well it looked like her but the voice was different, like Parydan it was a voice within itself. Her eyes glowed entirely green and then she burst into an emerald colored fire. A giant dark green smoke appeared from Apple Blooms ashes. It laughed maniacally as Granny Smith and Big Macintosh did the same, the smoke joining with the rest of the plume. Apple Jack could only watch in horror as her family and her orchard were stripped from her once more. I could see the tears in her eyes. "You all are so foolish so easily!" He cackled as if he had told the best joke in the world. "You won't get away with this you meanie!" Pinkie yelled. Sin laughed once again, "Oh little mares always so easy to trick into believing anything. For you see, none of you have seen my true face. Or for that matter the true face of ANY Entite. My brother Demise believed he was in his true form when in reality he had not even discovered it." "True form?" I said questionably, "The final form of you creatures is an–" "Entite, yes common belief." Sin said waving off my words with a claw. "For you see, only when an Entite reaches maximum control over all sentiant life on a planet can they become an Esper!" Sin almost sounded excited. "But first I must crush the spirits of every last soul on the face of this world. I'm almost compleate too, whilst you all slept so soundly I, Sin, greatest of the Wyspers was busy plotting against you all. Even the great Celestia and Luna are under my control, living in fantasies that conform to the life they wish they had." "Sin controls fantasy, he gives you a temptation you can't refuse becasue it's the one thing in life you've always wanted." I said more to myself. "There was only one problem." Sin said. He pointed a finger at Fluttershy and I. "You were the only two to avoid me, now though", he laughed, "it seems you caught in a world with no escape. I win." The plume of smoke rushed towards us before we could react, I closed my eyes and prepared for the impact... it didn't come. I opened my eyes to reveal that for some reason I was at Rarity's Carousel Boutique. I heard laughing and giggleing in the other room. I looked around, Fluttershy, Pinkie even Apple Jack were here with me. What was going on? Rarity came out of a room with her hair looking absolutely ridiculous, she was accompanied by her once dead sister Sweetie Belle. They were laughing until Rarity caught sight of her friends. "Oh, hello there everypony." She said, she ignored us and continued on her way. "Rarity, we need to talk." I told her. She looked back to me uninterested, "Yes, dear I'd love to but I'm simply too busy catching up with my little sister." She smiled at the young filly, I saw the gray lifeless eyes fill with false joy. "Rarity, you can see this doen't you!" I told her, she paused, "Your sister has green eyes, look at hers they don't even have color." Rarity shifted as if she was uncomfortable, "Sometimes... a lie," she said with mourning in her voice, "is easier to take than the truth." She turned and walked out. "Girls we have to follow her." I told them. "Why?" Apple Jack said, "Ah didn't wanna come with ya'll, Ah was happy where Ah was 'til ya'll came and ruined it. Rarity's right a lie's easier to take than the truth." "But Apple Jack, you of all ponies should know that dishonesty never lets you get ahead." I replied comfortingly. She hung her head, a single tear ran down her face. "Let's go get her." I was already at the park setting up our sisters picnic. Sweetie Belle was happily laying down the blanket, I watched her. I had noticed she was a bit off since that strange cloud of smoke brought her back. "Sweetie Belle?" I called quietly. "Yes, Rarity?" She asked enthusiastically. Her eyes big and bright. I saw what Twilight was telling me, her eyes were indeed gray, almost lifeless. I could see the enthusiasm and happyness but... it was as if it was fake, a falsified sense of emotion set there to fool me. "Are you..." I bit my bottom lip, "are you real?" I saw the expression change from enthusiasm to anger. "I thougt you were going to keep on going with this lie even after what your friend said, but I see we'll have to abandon that plan." It was Sweetie Belles voice but... another, much more evil voice was echoed behind it. Everything went black... //-------------------------------------------------------// Darkness Eternal //-------------------------------------------------------// Darkness Eternal The land was black and charred, just the way I liked it. And with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony tucked inside the dream world there was no stopping me. I watched as the fires raged on consuming the land that these filthy equine scum once called home, the ex-rulers of the land dared not show their muzzles lest they be destroyed by the awesome power of Sin. I didn't want any competition, but I wasn't going to go out of my way to take them down. I had finally acquired the mythical Esper form, a full height of almost twenty feet I towered over everything. Everything that wasn't already burned to the ground that was. I laughed at my own joke, it was saddening that none of these little fools could share my humor. I laughed once more at my own joke because I really didn't care what they thought. They were food to me, what did their thoughts matter. This land was mine and nothing could stop me. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack and I set out to find Rarity. We had to convince her that Sweetie Belle was an imposter, although I wasn't so sure that Rainbow was up to the task. She lagged behind us flying lazily mumbling about us taking away her dreams. Apple Jack remained quite, but I could see from the frown she wore she was sulking over the second loss of her family. Indeed these were bleak times for our friendship, we hadn't been challanged this bad since Discord... although I think this time was worse. Twilight yelled out when we came to Ponyville Central Park where we saw Rarity lying unconcious near the fountain. "Rarity are you OK?" Twilight shooke her. She merely murmered a series of gargled words that were incomprehensable. Her eyes fluttered open and she took some time to come into focus. Her head weaved as she took in the sight of her freinds. "Twilight?" she mumbled. "Oh, Twilight it was terrible. Sweetie Belle became this horid monster that knocked me unconcious." "I don't think it was a dream Rarity." Twilight told her. "I don't think it was either!" Boomed a voice from behind us. A cloud of green smoke plumed overhead and swirled into a massive solid figure that towered over us. It's body was muscular and menacing. It was surely Sin in his final form, the one he had called an Esper. "I control all that is and all that will be, for I exist here in my own dream and also awake in your own world. The six of you may have been able to come together but there is no escaping the final door. I will rule the real Equestria for etenity! Let the darkness become your eternal slumber..." he dissipated into smoke with his last words. "So that's it we give up we can't stop him!" Rainbow folded her wings and plumeted the four feet she was hovering to the ground. "There's just no way we can loose... we did everything we could we can't loose..." I could tell Twilight's mind was racing trying to find a way out of Sin's dream. "So we just quit now 'er what?" Apple Jack said, it was the first thing she's said to us since we pulled her from her fantasy. Fluttershy remained silent. "Twilight, there is no way we can win. I traded my Element for the only thing I thought I needed. In reality all it was that I needed was you five as my friends." Rarity hung her head in shame. I saw Twilight realize that without the Elements of Harmony there really was no way we could win. "I traded mine too," Rainbow Dash said it shocked us all, "he promised me that I could be a Wonderbolt, he even assured me that it was what all of you would want... I see now that it would be what you all would want for me, to accomplish my dream. But I should never have betrayed you all for a little glory." Rainbow also hung her head. "We all know I traded mine too," Apple Jack told us, "Truth is Ah knew all along it was a hoax, but for once in mah gol darn life Ah was willin' ta lie to muhself ta feel better. Ah know now that a lie may be easier to take, but it isn't the one you should follow." We all smiled and hugged, knowing that these were our last moments together, just like when we belived Rainbow had betrayed us when Parydan attacked, just like when Demise attacked and we had our last slumber party. Only this time it was real. Sin had total control over this dream world and we could see the darkness at the end of all around us closing in. We all took one last look around inside of our circle before it compleatly consumed us.... The next thing I knew I was out in the middle of a burned out field, groggy and waking up. I got up and looked around and saw the others with me too. We were amazed that we weren't gone! "Wha... HOW?" Rainbow shouted, "I saw the black stuff consume us I thought that was Sin destroying the world we were in." "Maybe it wasn't Sin." Twilight explained, we all listened, "Maybe you all realizing that Sin didn't have to have the power over you that you assumed he did opened the door up and woke us out of the dream he wove us into." "Well, well, well my little ponies!" Boomed a voice from up above that seemed to echo within itself. "It looks like you escaped pretty easily, it matters not for I am in compleate Esper form, and you don't have the Elements of Harmony with you." Sin laughed. I could see the faces of my dear friends all fill with defeat. "Now little mares it's time for you to face the white vortex, it will trap you all within the same imprisonment as the cage Univera and Galactica had once sealed me inside so very long ago." Sin raised his hands and a massive white tornado of bright power swirled around us, there was no sound but we could only watch as it closed in on us. "This is it girls, our final moments together." Twilight said accepting her fate. Her face was calm and I could see tears in her eyes. "No," I said they all looked at me, "no this isn't it don't you see." I told them. "What are you talking about Pinkie?" Rainbow asked. "The Elements of Harmony chose us because we possesed the charm that was possessed in each Element. Sin could take away the necklace, but he couldn't take away what made us who we were." I told them. My cutie mark glowed as I felt like laughing. I even laughed as I said, "We are the Elements of Harmony, and that can never be taken, just like what makes us who we are." Rainbow Dash smiled, "I am loyal, no matter what I face!" her cutie mark emblazoned red with the fire of her passionate spirit. "I am kind to all, no matter the size." Fluttershy said catching on, her cutie mark glowed with the soft gentleless that matched her voice. "I am honest, no matter who I talk to." Apple Jack's cutie mark lit up. "I am generous, no matter how hard the task." Rarity's cutie mark sparkled. "Together our spark ignites the fires that make the magic of our friendship." Twilights horn glowed with her cutie mark. The rest of us lit up as we felt the peace of our final act. Sin could see the small flashes of light through the vaporal vortex as it spun around and around. Suddenly a blast of magic hit him and wrapped around his throat pulling him in.The last thing she saw were those six mares looking back at him... smiling. //-------------------------------------------------------// Ten Years of Aftermath //-------------------------------------------------------// Ten Years of Aftermath It had been ten years since the battle with Sin, Celectia and Luna were preparing for the biggest ceramony created since the Summer Sun Celebration. Nopony was allowed to miss this event it was absolutly mandatory. Equestria shut down for a day to lay witness to this event as it took place. Celestia looked to her dear sister, these were the only times other than the brief moments between sunrises and sunsets that they could see each other face to face. She smiled as she hugged her sister. "It has been too long little sister." Celestia said. "For me as well big sister." Luna replied. "Lo this day does not belong to us and our endulgance in each others presance, we must prepare your speech to the subjects." She nodded. Celestia trotted up onto the platform to adress the crowd of millions of mares, colts, young foals and fillies who had come to pay their respects. Celestia began the speech she had recited for ten years, and from then on would be recited to those who had long forgotten the devastation that teh beasts had wroght. It has been ten years since the defeat of the mighty Esper Sin. Six very brave, and very powerful mares made the ultimate sacrifice to allow us to continue to live in the peace we know today. Celestia unveiled the first in a series of giant statues to commemorate the decade of the celebration. Twilight Sparkle, was my pupil. One of great power and magic she held the Element of Magic in the play of defeating the most dangerous threat Equestria has ever seen. The second veil dropped. Apple Jack, bearer of the Element of honesty in the battle against Sin. The third came tumbling down. Rarity, who's beauty was known throughout Canterlot was the Element of Generosity in the defeat of teh esper. The fourth veil dropped down. Fluttershy, though she was meek and shy she bore the Element of Kindness through the fierce war with the creature. The fifth veil dropped. Pinkemina Diane Pie, who brought smiles to Ponyville citizens whenever she could wore the Element of Laughter in her own personal battle with Sin. The final veil, the Wonderbolts were given the honor of unveiling it. Rainbow Dash, who stood by her friends had the Element of Loyalty against the wicked beast. "These six mares must never be forgotten, for they made the greatest sacrifice of all to seal a wicked foe to save all of us. I, along with each and every one of you, owe them our gratitude." Celestia unfurled her giant wings along with Luna. They descended in the front of the crowd beside Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. This was to be a new tradition. Celestia and Luna both knelt one royal knee to the ground and bowed their horns to touch the ground. Shining Armor and Cadence followed suit, and soon all of Equestira were paying their thanks to the six who gave all that they had to save them. That was how the Day of Thanks proceeded for the rest of Equestria's history. The End of Sin