Author's Note

Warning: This chapter contains Blood/death.

Fight Fire With Fire

A procession of caravans and carts packed with belongings and equipment moved through the Everfree Forest. Work ponies carried heavy sacks upon their backs as they marched alongside the guards that flanked the entourage. Sunset Shimmer lead the exodus into the southern regions. While their leader's loss couldn't remain hidden forever, for now she believed it best kept it a secret. All she needed do was take a look around at the weary ponies and knew another blow to morale could divide them completely.

There wasn't even time to arrange a proper funeral. They would have to mourn their losses later. She knew Applejack and Rainbow Dash deserved far better after their long and tireless service to the cause. She'd managed to scrape together materials for a pair of coffins to suit them, at least, so they could be laid to rest elsewhere later.

Flash Sentry and Fleur di Lis had been so badly wounded she wasn't certain they would ever be fit for the battlefield again. Two of the weaker fighters, Fluttershy and Tree Hugger, were now tasked with serving as her closest lieutenants. The ever unpredictable Pinkamena also popped in-and-out seemingly at a whim throughtout the procession.

She hoped that Trixie and Rarity were doing better. Was it a mistake to send them away? She couldn't help but second-guess her decisions even now, realized that her error of judgment could doom Equestria. "Twilight," she mumbled to herself. "What would you do?"

"Probably consult one of her books or something," said Tree Hugger who lazed about on a bumpy cart drawn by stallions. Red round glasses sat on her snout, flowers for the dead decorated her dreadlocks, and she'd pinned some new buttons to her open vest, this time in the shape of AJ's and Dash's cutie marks. "What do you think, Shy?"

"Well...most likely," admitted Fluttershy who drew up close around her animal companions. She'd picked up plenty more on their trip and yet her eyes were still raw from all the recent losses. "That or she'd turn to her friends for support. I think you've done well, Sunset."

She knew the kind mare would say whatever it took to comfort her. Nevertheless she was always grateful for her tender words. "Thank you. I'm sorry about what happened. We thought you'd be safer at the back. We had no idea what Pestilence was capable of."

"Speaking of which, you decided what to do with him yet, Sunnybuns? Never thought I'd see a day when even Nurse Redheart would refuse to treat a patient," said Tree Hugger. "After all the deaths he caused, can't really blame her, ya know? He's a mass murderer."

"There's a slim chance Sunburst can be recovered. Traces of his personality seem to remain. Of course, even if that's possible, it may be crueler to offer him a second chance. But I'll take that risk. Not just for his and Starlight's sake...but the truth is, he could prove a powerful ally, and we're rather short on those. I've already had a number of mages and counselors look at him, but I think your deep meditation techniques could help, too."

"Hmm...maybe. Put him in a trance and maybe I can make him face his worst fears. He'll either work 'em out and end up reborn or lose his mind completely. Far out, man. Maybe it'll even be fun, you know? Well, probably not for the poor bastard."

Fluttershy frowned as she cuddled up to Mr. Bear and basked in his warmth. "It seems needlessly cruel, but there's no other choice. I know he's not responsible, however it still won't be easy to welcome him back, even if this happens to work."

"You two keep watch here. I want to talk with him." She temporarily abandoned her post and made her way towards the center, where a particularly fortified cart awaited to house their solitary prisoner. The stoic guards on duty saluted her, and used a ring of keys to undo the series of locks that barred the heavy door, where she was escorted inside.

The interior was dark. One of her attendees lit a lamp which flickered to life and revealed the lone stallion who was tied to a stool. He stared blankly back at her. She hated to treat anypony this way, even the enemy, but couldn't afford to take chances. "Sunburst?"

"That was my name...in a former life. Pestilence is all that remains now. Nurse Redheart is correct. You should execute me. Otherwise, I may find a way to escape and slay every last pony here." There was no malice in his words or mannerisms; to his mind it was simply a statement of fact. He didn't look particularly threatening now; however she knew better than to underestimate him. She'd even had him fitted with a neutralizing ring on his horn.

Such things were considered monstrous and banned under Celestia's reign. However these were desperate times, and when they had managed to capture one from the enemy, she'd decided to have it secured in a vault just in case. Originally she intended to place it on that monster that wore Twilight Sparkle's skin and have her assassinated, but the chances they'd be able to confront her directly seemed less likely than ever now.

"Would you like to see Starlight?" He simply stared back at her. "Because I could arrange that. However, you'd have to be willing to work with me. Nothing strenuous or anything. All I want is to talk. I'd visit you for a few hours a day, ask you some questions. How about it?"

"I'd consider it. After all, I have no purpose now. I doubt the mistress will even take me back after War and Famine were lost. I was considered a third-rate pick anyhow." He'd rarely spoken ever since his transmutation, but now that the costume and his powers had been stripped away, it seemed easier to call upon well-buried and distant memories.

Not that he wanted to. He knew he was a monster. But he had no choice but to love and serve the mistress, and twisted logic however he could, in order to feel his actions were necessary. It was the only way to cope with the atrocities he was forced to carry out. He cursed his own sensitivity, wished he'd been more thoroughly broken in like the others, so that he could either revel in sin like War and Famine, or be a sheer force of nature like Death.

She patted his shoulder and he bristled. "I'll see you later." She would leave him time to ruminate on her words, made certain he was well-treated, fed, and bathed like anypony else. Just because it was a cruel world now didn't mean she had to act that way.

*****

From what Starlight Glimmer had gathered after an extensive tour, these survivors was nestled deep underground, below the ruins of the devastated Las Pegasus. Homes were built into the rocky surfaces which were lit by enchanted lamps. Water veins discovered underneath and the aid of earth ponies who helped farm what they could from the dim light that crept in from certain open sections allowed them to thrive to a certain extent.

It seemed that shortly after Canterlot's fall Fancy Pants had made his way here with a small portion of survivors, and he'd sent out his followers to collect stray ponies where he could, providing them sanctuary here to the best of his ability. She figured the population here dwarfed the encampment she came from at least four times over. Despite how thin their resources were often spread, it appeared the citizens here lived relatively well.

She had to admit it was impressive. He offered her a small but cozy room and told hers she could stay however long she needed to. In turn she shared information about her own home, however reluctantly, afraid of the repercussions once they tracked her down.

But what mattered to her most was unlocking the Necronomicon's secrets. She felt it try to worm its way into her psyche each time she turned another page and devoured its secrets. But she wouldn't be exploited; she swore to use and then discard it. She would save Sunburst. Save everypony. Perfect a time travel spell that wouldn't eventually tear apart the fabric of space and time so that Equestria could be returned to its former state.

What didn't occur to her was that the Necronomicon had deliberately helped direct her here when she teleported out of desperation; that it saw another civilization to corrupt and consume. It sensed an area teeming with life. The tome had grown frustrated with Twlight Sparkle before it had been stolen by Trixie; her constant obsessive need for order that conflicted with its nature. The warped traces of her former personality were filtered through its will until the forbidden book and its vessel became one dualistic entity.

Even now this perverted version of Twilight Sparkle believed she was making a better world, that the scientific advances and accumulation of personal knowledge were worth any sacrifice. She had weaponized sex, set up munition factories to forge weapons, had her mages produce spells and potions, even produced breeding farms to one day repopulate the land with slaves that would worship her superiority. Once the resistance was eliminated this new Equestria would run like clockwork under her single-minded direction.

However the Necronomicon decided Starlight could be further turned to evil even than this one. Her selfish and impatient nature seemed to border on amoral at times. She would likely fall into complete darkness much faster, and with her experimental time-travel spell, she could take it to the very birth of Equestria, and corrupt the very earliest lifeforms...

Heavy bags dropped under Starlight's eyes as she scanned and memorized the alien lines and symbols. She hunched over it by candlelight which cast her in a soft glow that cast thick shadows over the barren walls. She tried not to let the rather grotesque pictures distract her, nor the fact that it was made from stitched together flesh and dried blood. All that mattered were the results once her plans came to fruition.

A rap sounded outside the tiny cave that served as her abode. "Yes?" She couldn't hide the irritation in her voice as she looked to the tarp that covered the entrance.

"Sorry, I have no wish to intrude. I've brought you a small feast and have asked my servants to prepare you a hot bath," said Fancy Pants.

She slammed the book shut with a sigh and waved away the dust it kicked up. "Yes, yes, I'll be there soon!" She tucked her prize into a bag that she now carried on her at all times. She forced a polite smile when she pushed aside the curtain, resisted the urge to simply rip the plate of food and drink from the tray the debonair stallion offered, and retreated back into her room. She peeked her head back out. "Um...thanks for everything. Really."

"It's my pleasure," he answered without any offense.

She wanted to blame a lack of sleep and hunger for her crankiness. However she couldn't deny the Necronomicon was trying to infect her already. She thought it best to take a short break, sat on her backside, and stuffed her face with the breads, cheeses, fruits, and wines he provided. "Mmm...it is nice." However her eyes drifted to where the book was stored.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so rude. Would you like to come in?"

"I have no wish to impose. However, I can't say no to a beautiful mare. It's one of my weaknesses, I'm afraid." He cautiously cantered inside and took a seat across from her. A napkin removed from his coat pocket was used to dab at the crumbs on her lips.

She flushed a little and had to admit he had a certain charm, even if he wasn't her usual type. But she already had her hooves full trying to make Sunburst hers again; she couldn't be bothered with another relationship right now. She'd already used to fool around with Trixie on the side but found they were quite incompatible for anything remotely serious. Still, she had to admit all the sex and cuddles were pretty damned nice at times.

"Tell me about the camp you came from."

She shrugged between sloppy bites. "It's a pretty long and boring story, but I'll share what I know." Of course she'd leave out some details about her own transgressions and what the Necronomicon was. She did her best to fill him in on everything that had happened so far. It wouldn't matter anyhow once she was able to fix all this.

*****

Rarity sat upon the main head of Spike, and to one side settled Trixie, who clasped her limbs close to the leather neck. She tentatively placed reigns she hastily crafted from her materials, afraid that he might take offense, but he simply relaxed under her touch. Her beauty had tamed the beast. Nonetheless she would need to constantly make it clear who was an ally and who the enemy was; his only instincts now were to protect her and survive. She stroked his purple scales with bittersweet ambivalence.

Trixie had cleaned herself the best she could. She was still a little shaken after all that had happened to her, but poured over the map anyhow, determined to move on quickly as she could. "So...meet back up with our allies or look southward?"

With a thrust of the reigns Rarity took the fair of them skyward, as Spike beat heavy wings, and lifted them above the forests, until they sailed high above before the moon and stars. From their vantage point they could see quite a bit of the continent below. Ponyville remained a war zone. She could see the smoke and fires from here as the citizens rioted. She considered intervening but questioned whether it was her place to, and besides, she wouldn't be able to tell who deserved to live or die anymore.

She pointed back towards their camp. "That way, Spike!"

Trixie held her hat into place as they sailed across the sky. She shivered atop the living weapon below her thighs, figured this was how her counterpart felt, like she could do anything with his aid. They finally had the means to launch an all-out assault on the enemy's lair. The enemy came from the south. They narrowed down likely possibilities and now believed that the Ahuizotl's ruined temple had been rebuilt and converted.

The beast snorted as he smelled the scent of so much potential food nearby. He whipped low so fast the riders were almost thrown from him, slowed when he realized that, and used his thick claws to part the dense trees. His slit-like eyes hesitantly studied the series of packed down wagons and ponies that were revealed below him.

A smoking joint fell from Tree Hugger's snout when she stared back. "Holy shit-" She readied a musket and took aim, pausing when she noticed who commanded him.

Rarity hopped down and instinctively spread her hooves in a protective manner, despite the fact that she was far more vulnerable than him. "Wait! He's one of us now. Aren't you, Spike?" He almost purred when she draped herself upon his main head.

"Well he did save our lives," admitted Trixie who still couldn't help but fear him.

Tree Hugger lowered her weapon but still kept it at the ready. "This gets wilder all the time. I suppose stranger stuff has happened, you know? Just don't expect me to clean up if he makes a mess, you dig? Got enough on my plate already!"

Fluttershy watched in wide-eyed fascination. "Poor Spike...he'd never hurt anypony. I don't sense any danger from him. I think he's hungry, is all." She cast a worried glance back at her animal companions. "Um, you won't eat them, will you?"

Grumbles escaped Spike as he plucked the tops off of trees and started to chow down on them. He sensed they were important to Rarity and refused to do them any harm, no matter how much his stomach grumbled for some fresh meat. It hadn't been unusual for his former master to let him pick off any stray ponies they ran across, or for a number of sacrifices to be thrown to him each day. However after his transmutation his constitution was altered in such a way that he could survive quite well on almost any sustenance.

The soldiers reluctantly stood down but continued to warily study the abomination. Nopony could forget the day when he lead a horde that caused the Crystal Empire's fall. When one of the Rainbow Dashes performed a Sonic Rainbow that eclipsed any she'd ever performed before, an act of desperation that had obliterated hundreds of drakes.

*****

Sunset's heart almost stopped when she saw the beast up close. She remembered those days well. In order to finalize an alliance between the ponies and dragons, she and Shining Armor had traveled to the Dragon Lands, to meet with the current Dragon Lord, Ember. A series of volcanoes lined the rocky cliffs that made up the barrens. Lava flowed through dips carved into the surface and cast up wisps of noxious fumes.

Normally she wouldn't have come to such a dangerous place, especially since dragons had ferried them here and there was no hope of escape should things turn sour, but the attempts to crossbreed ponies and dragons hadn't borne any fruit. She still believed it was possible with the right kind of magic but there was little time for more research now that all the races had gone to war. Sides were hastily chosen and thousands were slain by the day. Rumor had it that the Changelings had already been wiped out. Of course with their shape-shifting nature she hoped a few strays may still survive in hiding.

Ember stood ahead with a scepter in claw. "Welcome!" She looked the pair of them over, surrounded by a number of drakes. "Ready to seal our alliance?"

Shining Armor nodded. "Sure. Whatever it takes." He tried to hide a swallow, droplets of sweat rolling down his white muscles. "Let's not waste any time."

"I like the way you think," admitted Ember. "We don't have much time for horseshit. No offense intended." She approached him and traced a claw down his chest. "I need proof that you're worthy to ride with me. I want you to mate with me."

He cocked an eyebrow at her bluntness. "Huh? A-are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure! I told you we don't like to mess around much! We can do it right here, or somewhere more private. We don't have the hang-ups about such things that ponies do. However, you may wanna stick here because we'll need to test her, too."

He shook his head as Garble, Fume, and Vex cackled and snorted in anticipation, lusty eyes pinned on the mare. "No! Do whatever you want with me, but-"

"I'll do it." She raised a hoof to silence his protests. She didn't remotely like it ever, but knew it was a test, and that to turn it down could mean the alliance between their races would never be realized. "Do...do whatever you wish with me."

Garble stepped forward. "Damn, I can't wait to stick my dick in her tiny pony cunt-"

The scepter whapped him hard on the butt to make him heel. He hissed and rubbed the mark but didn't dare protest. "No harm had better come to her, or I'll rip off those testicles and feed them to you! Got it?!" He nodded meekly.

She planted her scepter upon a throne she'd carved from rock, pushed the stallion down, and mounted him without ceremony. His stallionhood immediately came alive and filled her. He was surprised at how hot her interior was. Normally he had no sexual interest in their kind, but he was surprised at how well they fit, and found her dominant nature a nice change of pace. She raked her claws over his pecs and drew thin slivers of blood. He winced but didn't resist as she started to relentlessly ride him.

He'd heard about how brutal their kind could be when it came to mating. Instinct would take over once the union was underway, and they wouldn't stop until they were satisfied, regardless of what their partner felt. Usually dragons would fight for dominance while they mated, be it on the ground or amidst flight, the empowerment they felt far more satisfying than mere sex. He buckled and whined. She kissed him hard and bit him.

He looked over to Sunset and felt sorry for her. It wasn't fair that she had to take so many dragon dicks but he knew better to complain, especially after she had agreed to this primal ritual. At the least he hoped she could take some pleasure from this too.

Sunset tried to steel herself when the drakes surrounded her. Each of them had a pair of twin pink cocks that were wet from the moment they exited their sheaths. She couldn't help but shiver and tried not to cry when Garble stuffed both penises into her pussy with an snort. To her surprise it didn't feel remotely unpleasant as they conformed to her.

She was lifted up so that Vex could stuff her ass, and Fume hovered before her, claws upon her head as he shoved his twin sticks of meat down her throat. Another pair of drakes wandered up to take advantage of the situation, and she reluctantly placed her hooves around their dicks, determined to simply end this as soon as possible.

Not that the sex itself was entirely unpleasant. Under different circumstances she may have found them rather attractive in an exotic way. It was their personalities that put her off, as they reminded her of the callous bully she used to be. At the least she hoped she'd never acted anywhere near this dim-witted. They molded their surprisingly soft palms around her asscheeks and tits, poked her a little with the tips of their claws.

She could tell they were insanely frustrated as Ember wouldn't allow them to surrender to their baser instincts. In a way it was almost torture for them. She took a little solace from that at least. Her wetness dripped down Garble's cocks and over Vex's dicks and her own asshole. Her comparatively small frame quivered under their constant thrusts.

"You can cum now," said Ember who huffed atop him. "Don't be a little bitch!" He whinnied and clasped her unbelievably soft buttcheeks as he fired his seed into her.

Despite how unsatisfied they were, the dragons refused to be completely shown up by their Dragon Lord, and they started to unload inside and upon Sunset Shimmer, until she whimpered and teared-up a little, overwhelmed by a mixture of shame and euphoria. They smiled lustily as she came a viscous fluid all over them.

Garble pushed Fume aside, thick wads of cum dripping from her snout as she couldn't possibly swallow it all at once, and he scooped up bits of marecum from his chest, forcing his claws until her mouth. She suckled on each digit and licked it up. She couldn't help but feel rather turned on by her own spicy taste. Were they not so needlessly cruel she would have happily offered them all another round.

Once the trio was finished they dropped her. She landed with a thud and rubbed her rump with both hooves. It's not like she expected them to be concerned with how she felt anyhow. To them she was simply a piece of meat to stuff, cum inside, and dump. However she had to admit they were much better at their work than she anticipated.

Once the stallion stumbled back to his hooves Ember slapped his firm flanks so hard they wobbled. "You both pass." She drew his seed from her snatch and licked herself clean. "There's no time to waste. Ready to ride to the Crystal Empire?"

A mass of dragons collected under the Dragon Lord's command, as she blew a horn to summon them all over, and they rode for the Crystal Empire. They were supposed to aid them against the rogue drakes that sided with who they believed to be the true alpha, the transmuted Spike, as a civil war raged between a race that some believed had grown soft, ever since Ember had befriended the ponies. Their numbers were roughly split in half as brothers and sisters senselessly shed each other's blood.

What none of them anticipated was a number of traitors within their ranks. Garble, Fume, and Vex turned on them mid-flight, as did dozens of other dragons, as they attempted to assassinate Ember and the Crystal Empire ambassadors. Confusion set in amidst the bedlam. Once more the proud raced violently turned upon each other.

Blood and fire rained across the dark skies. Ember valiantly defended the ponies to her last breath, her claws opening Garble's throat amidst their struggles, before she collapsed from her wounds and went into a free fall. Her thin body vanished into the waves below. Vex, Fume, and hundreds of others on both sides were lost in the battle.

By the time what small reinforcements remained arrived at the Crystal Empire, the crystalline city laid smashed into shiny chunks, and scorched into a blackened husk, the twisted shadows of ponies scorched in the holocaust burnt onto the walls. Ash rained like snow over the silent ruins which almost made it seem quite peaceful.

Shining Armor rushed to the wreckage of the Crystal Palace. He called hysterically for Cadance and Flurry Heart, while Sunset Shimmer could only watch from the distance, burying her head between hooves as she wept. He dug aimlessly through the rubble for hours, refusing to surrender hope. Complete darkness fell once she finally approached.

She held him to her furry bosom as he wailed. There was little she could do to ease his wounded heart. She stroked his mane and told him he wasn't responsible, that he hadn't abandoned his family in their time of need, no matter what he felt as shame consumed him. His honor and nobility were permanently stained in his tired eyes.