Friendship's Kingdom

Chapters

Chapter 1: Escape
Chapter 2: Cadence
Chapter 3: Swordmareship
Chapter 4: The Search
Chapter 5: First Kills
Chapter 6: Final Days
Chapter 7: Travelling
Chapter 8: Mercenary Band
Chapter 9: Dinner Date
Chapter 10: Mission
Chapter 11: The Return
Chapter 12: Studies
Chapter 13: Beginning of a Revolution
Chapter 14: Preparations
Chapter 15: Diplomacy
Chapter 16: Battle
Chapter 17: Sorrow
Chapter 18: Conflict
Chapter 19: Ascension
Chapter 20: Queens Meet
Chapter 21: Tower
Chapter 23 The Crystal Empire Part 1
Chapter 24: The Crystal Empire Part 2
Chapter 25: Meanwhile in Equestria
Chapter 26: Healing
Chapter 27: Discussion
Chapter 28: Diplomacy
Chapter 29: Amore
Chapter 30: Fluttershy's Fury
Chapter 31: Meeting In Klugetown
Chapter 32: Dissapearance
Chapter 34: Our Town
Chapter 35: Arrival in Griffonsville
Chapter 36: Mother and Son
Chapter 37: Feral Nighttalon
Chapter 38: Family Reunited and Attack Imminent
Chapter 39: Truth
Chapter 40: Punishment
Chapter 41: New Beginning
Chapter 42: Horrors Begin
Chapter 43: The Essence Machine
Chapter 44: Diplomacy
Chapter 45: Attack
Chapter 46: Funeral
Epilogue 2: Elysian Field
Chapter 22: Fall of Saddle Arabia
Chapter 33: Harmony
Epilogue 1: Tartarus

Chapter 1: Escape

Twilight felt the tears dropping off her face as she wrote her farewell letter, she had almost ruined the wedding and she knew it. She grabbed a photo from her side table, she tossed it onto the bed and exited her room quietly. She trotted out of the castle the two guards barely acknowledging her presence. She headed to the Canterlot Train Station desperately holding back her tears, she took one last look at the castle before trotting up to the pony selling the tickets.

The Ticket Seller asked “Where would you like to go?”

Twilight cried out “As far away from here as possible!”

The Ticket Seller frowned but didn’t comment “A ticket to the south of Equestria it is.” Twilight silently hoofed over some bit as she took the ticket and boarded the train, tears flooding from her eyes as Canterlot grew smaller in the distance. She pulled out the photo hers tears dripping on it, it was of her when she was a young filly hugging her older brother.

She put it back and cried herself to sleep, she felt a hoof nudge she groaned s she looked around a heavy built Earth pony wearing heavy armour was sitting next to her. She jumped, the stallion smiled “Relax lass, I’m a merchant heading for Klugetown.”

Twilight frowned “Merchant, why do you wear such heavy armour?”

The stallion smiled “Well what is a young unicorn lass like yourself doing out here by herself?”

Twilight sighed “I’m running away, I made a mistake and now I’m leaving to start again.”

The stallion frowned “That must be harsh.”

Twilight sighed “It is” she then frowned “I answered your question now how about you answer mine.”

He smiled “Ah the young lass has some fire, very well. The land out here is harsh but the people out are quite willing to pay for Equestrian goods. Unfortunately bandits are everywhere and one needs to be armed out here.”

Twilight smiled nervously “They’ll leave me alone right, I don’t have much?”

The stallion shook his head “No such luck I’m afraid, you may not have much but for many a young lass like you will make fine for harvest or sale.” Twilight’s face paled, The stallion nodded “Unicorn horns are worth quite a bit as well as exotic cutie marks of course even worse is if they decide to send you into slavery.”

Twilight shuddered “What do I do? I can’t go back now.”

The stallion said “I will teach you how to survive but there is one thing you must be ready to do.”

Twilight asked “What?”

His eyes narrowed and then she saw him slam her hooves into her, she screamed in pain. She opened her eyes and stared at him confused “That was killing intent, you can make someone see and feel death. I am going to teach you how to kill.”

Twilight whimpered “But killing is bad.”

The stallion smiled “You’re a good lass” he then sighed “but that won’t protect you here. You must be able to kill in order to survive out here. So do you accept my offer?”

Twilight frowned “I don’t have much of a choice do I” she sighed “Fine.”

The stallion nodded “My name is Tempered Steel, what’s yours?”

Twilight responded “Twilight Sparkle but please just call me Twilight.”

Steel nodded “Very well Twilight please call me Steel, I will teach you the ways of this harsh world.” The train arrived at a station at the far end of Forbidden Jungle near the entrance to the Bone Dry Desert.

Steel pulled a huge wagon off the train full of goods, Twilight followed him into the desert, Steel said “Now is a good time to start your training.”

Twilight stepped back shivering “Right now.”

Steel frowned “The quicker we start the quicker you will learn. Once we get to Klugetown I’ll sell my goods and then head back to Canterlot for some rest time with my family, I assume you don’t want to go back and therefore you will need to to be able to defend yourself.”

Twilight nodded “Fine let’s begin.”

Steel said “Before we get to any combat, I must inform you of how to walk.”

Twilight blinked “Walk , we don‘t walk we trot we’re ponies.”

Steel shook his head and smiled “I guess showing you will make more sense” He pushed himself up onto to his hind legs and to her shock walked towards her.”

Twilight gasped “How?”

Steel explained “There is a type of magic all 3 races share and is not often mentioned. It is earthen magic and is completely passive, it does two things one allows us to walk on our hind legs and allow us to grip objects with our hooves. Earth ponies us it the most, it allows us to opens door and carry weapons such as swords. It is more effective on wood then metal, one may be able to turn a metal doorknob but no more it’s why pony swords have wooden handles.”

Twilight asked “So I have to learn to walk?”

Steel nodded “Yes, we will not leave until you have the basic of swordsmareship down.”

Twilight frowned “So how do I start?”

Steel said “Well try to push yourself up onto your hind legs.” Twilight pushed her hooves up and shakily stood on her back hooves. Steel nodded “Good now put one hoof in front of the other.” She put a hoof forward and instantly fell over. Twilight blushed as she sat up, Steel smiled “Don’t be embarrassed, most wouldn’t be able to stand on there first try.”

Steel watched her as she practised walking for the rest of the day. Twilight was smiling as she had made a new friend and was learning something new, she was just glad for the familiar amidst the world of uncertainty before her.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter, she will get into some fights in the future.

Chapter 2: Cadence

Cadence grimaced as she stood up next to Shining Armour, Celestia had just finished shaking the goo off her body. Shining Armour asked “Are you okay?”

Cadence sighed “I’ll be better when this is all over.”

Celestia trotted over to them and smiled “Well now this is over we can the wedding underway. We must show the fact the invasion hasn’t rattled us.”

Applejack galloped in panting “We have a problem!”

Cadence asked “What is it?”

Applejack shouted “Twilight’s gone, she left a letter behind in her room!” Cadence galloped out of the massive hall to Twilight’s room. Twilight’s friends gasped as the Alicorn knocked the doors off their hinges. She lifted the letter, she could see the tears all over the letter

To my friends, my brother and Princess Celestia

I’m leaving. I’m sorry for all the harm I caused, I’m sorry for ruining the wedding rehearsal, I’m sorry for being bad friend and I’m sorry for being a bad student. I don’t expect forgiveness, I just wish you all the best of luck in your lives.

From your friend, sibling and student Twilight Sparkle

Celestia and Applejack entered the room with Luna and Shining Armour just behind them. Cadence passed the princess’s the letter. Luna and Celestia read the letter, Luna roared “What the fuck did you all do while I was sleeping?!”

Celestia, Shining Armour and Twilight’s friends gasped at the language. Shining read the letter and was about to cry. Cadence asked a sickly sweet voice “What happened while I was impersonated?”

They explained the events of wedding to her, Cadence asked in the sweet tone as before, she pointed at Celestia and Twilight’s friends “So you’re telling me Twilight ran off because her friends and mentor didn’t support her?”

They nodded, Cadence’s let eye twitched then she roared her entire body setting on fire she turned to Twilight’s friends “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! TWILGIHT WAS YOUR FRIEND AND YOU CAST HER OUT, FUCK YOU ALL” Cadence turned to Celestia shouting “AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON YOU! YOU ARE AN ONE THOUSAND YEAR OLD IMMORTAL ALICORN, YET YOU CONTINUALLY FAIL TO LEARN FROM YOU FUCKING MISTAKES. YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ANYPONY ELSE DO YOU?! YOU DIDN’T LISTEN TO YOUR SISTER WHEN SHE WAS HURTING, YOU DIDN’T LISTEN TO SUNSET SHIMMER WHEN SHE NEEDED YOUR GUIDANCE AND YOU DIDN’T LISTEN TO TWILIGHT WHEN SHE KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP! YOU NEVER SIT DOWN, YOU ASK EVERYPONY TO CALL YOU CELESTIA BUT WHO IS CELESTIA, SHE IS NEVER AROUND WHEN SHE IS NEEDED! WHEN YOUR SISTER WAS SUFFERING ALL SHE SAW WAS THE PRINCESS, WHEN SUNSET WAS ABANDONED AND DISCARDED IT WAS THE PRINCESS WHO DISCARDED HER, WHEN TWILIGHT RAN AWAY IT WAS THE PRINCESS WHO HAD HURT HER NOT CELESTIA! CELESTIA IS LOCKED AWAY IN A CAGE TRYING TO GET OUT AND FIX HER MISTAKES BUT CAN’T BECAUSE AS SOON AS SOMETHING GOES WRONG THE PRINCESS TAKE CONTROL AND RUINS EVERYTHING!”

Cadence stormed out of the room, everyone save Luna was stunned. Luna shook her head and trotted out of the room. She trotted down the hallway, a few royal guards nodded to her as she past, she nodded back as the continued through the hallway. She heard Cadence sobbing behind a door, she pushed the door open and trotted into the room.

Cadence cried out “Leave me alone!”

Luna frowned “We art not our sister, we will help thee please don’t push us away.”

Cadence whimpered “Twilight’s gone, she was such a precious little pony. I remember her first birthday, she was such a cute little foal. I have kept a photo album of the time we spent together, it’s under my bed.”

Luna smiled “Will you show us?”

Cadence smiled weakly “Okay Auntie.”

Luna trotted over to her Cadence and wrapped a wing around the smaller Alicorn as who was pulling out a book with her magic. Cadence opened the book to page with Cadence and Twilight chasing each other, then another with the pair of them throwing snowballs.

Cadence began crying “She was so innocent and now she’s gone!” Her cries soon turned to wails as her tears flowed like a river. Luna hugged her niece as her niece cried on her chest, the book fell to the floor. Luna looked out wondering where her wayward saviour was.

Author's Note

Cadence loved Twilight like she was her daughter and then later sister so this reaction makes sense.

Chapter 3: Swordmareship

It had been a few days since training had started, Twilight frowned “Can we get down to the real training?”

Steel nodded “Yes, walking may seem simplistic but it is the hard part. It took me two months to do it properly, you truly understand magic on both a conscious and subconscious level.”

Twilight asked “So what now?”

Steel pulled out two wooden swords from his wagon “I will teach you the basics of proper swordplay. Holding the sword is the same as standing don’t worry it’ll be simple.” He tossed her a sword which she caught in her right hoof. He smiled “First is a simple slash.” He swung the wooden sword in a simple vertical motion, he smiled “Your turn.”

He smiled as Twilight imitated his swing perfectly, Twilight asked confused “That was simple?”

Steel replied with a goofy grin “I’ll explain later.”

Twilight grumbled “You better.”

Steel got serious “Alright next step is a thrust, once again it’s fairly simple.” He thrust his sword forward and then beckoned Twilight to do the same, Twilight copied the thrust. Steel nodded and then said “Alright this one is going to require both of us, take a swing at me.” Twilight swung her wooden sword and Steel blocked it with his own. He said “Your turn.” He swung at her and she blocked his blow, nodded “Alright final skill side stepping, swing your sword.” She did as he said and he sidestepped her sword swing. He then swung at her, she stepped to the side.

He smiled “Well we can head into the desert now.”

Twilight shouted “What, that’s it?!”

He said with a warm smile “The pony who taught me swordplay told me his master said ‘I do not fear the pony who knows ten thousand techniques but I do fear the pony who knows one technique but had practised it ten thousand times.Do you know what that means in reference to this?”

Twilight shook her head in confusion “No?”

Steel grinned “All sword fighting techniques are based off those four, one who has refined the basics will be capable of mastering any of the advance techniques. I have several books on complicated techniques as well as the magic that goes along with them.”

Twilight squeed as she darted into his wagon. Steel smiled as she was hugging a book, he shouted “We are going to get going, you can stay in there and read.”

Twilight smiled “Okay.”

Steel whistled as he pulled his cart along, he asked “I would like to know more about you?”

Twilight frowned “I don’t want to talk about it, my life before is gone now and I have to move on” tears began to form “I have nothing left to me, I have lost everything that mattered to me.”

Steel grimaced “I understand that feeling, my parents died when I was a foal. I had no friends as I was shunted through the foster system. Equestria may preach peace and kindness but for a foster foal it’s anything but.”

Twilight whimpered “But Princess Celestia would..”

Steel sighed “Princess Celestia is a great leader and a truly amazing pony but she is still a pony. Many forget that detail she can’t be everywhere at once and she is not without her own flaws otherwise her sister would never have ended up on the moon.”

Twilight scowled “Now that’s not fair!”

Steel frowned “The world’s not fair, lass. My first merchant trip out here I was woefully unprepared as where all my fellow merchants, I only survived by dumb luck.”

Twilight whimpered “I’m sorry.”

Steel smiled “Don’t worry about it lass keep reading, it’s going to take a couple of weeks to get to Klugetown.” Steel continued pulling on the cart, Twilight was reading about various spells and sword techniques. Steel grinned as he saw the sunset, he set up camp he smiled “Hey Twilight want to join me for my nightly practice.”

Twilight smiled weakly “Sure I’d love to try out some of these techniques.” The pair practised for a few hours before descending into slumber.

Author's Note

I hope you like this chapter, thanks for for warm reception to this story.

Chapter 4: The Search

Cadence slammed her hooves against the table “You just came back to tell you found nothing! What the fuck is wrong with you?! You had one job, to find her no matter where she is, I don’t need to know if you haven’t found her!”

The three trembling royal guard bolted out of the room. Shining Armour frowned “Please don’t traumatise my guards?”

Cadence shouted “Well I’m sorry if they are useless pieces of shit! I swear they lasted two seconds at the fucking wedding. The fucking Night Guards have been doing a good fucking job, they have brains to contact me over the long distance enchanted orbs they have been provided rather than wasting my time by barging into my room!”

Shining Armour frowned “Calm down we’ll find Twilight.”

Cadence took a deep breath “I know, I’m just worried about her.”

Shining Armour nodded “I know but the Princesses having been using scrying spells to try and find her but they haven’t had any luck yet. Still we will find her.”

Cadence heard a loud noise and turned to one of the orbs on her desk that was glowing a bright pink. She tapped it with her horn and Pinkie screamed “Why did you leave me these useless excuses for guards, they hid behind me and my cannon the whole time!”

Cadence gasped “Cannon?!”

Pinkie rolled her eyes “I am the most skilled cannon maker in all of Equestria, I have a lifetime explosive license as well as a lifetime weapon license, courtesy of the Princess” she then shouted “Captain Armour I can see you there, now you are going to explain to me why your guards are pathetic shitstains!”

Shining Armour and Cadence’s jaws dropped as they had never heard the pink party pony swear. Shining Armour tried not to meet her eyes “I don’t know.”

Pinkie Pie scowled and much to their shock she pulled her body through the orb and punched him in the face, she then when back through the orb and closed the connection.

Shining Armour grimaced as blood poured out of his muzzle “Wy dd shoe di thoot?”

Cadence sighed “A mix of five days with out sleep and dealing with the guard plus one of her best friends is missing, and she is hurting.”

Shining Armour scowled “Tht’s noot on exuse tu brook mo moozl.”

Luna yawned as she trotted in “Any luck.”

Cadence scowled “No, those so called Royal Guard are useless, I swear they are going to give me a migraine.”

Luna chided “They are doing their best.”

Cadence glared at Luna “That is not an excuse to be stupid, they failed at the wedding and everypony got captured, do you know how close ponykind was to being the equivalent of changeling food! With us princesses gone and the guards command destroyed, ponykind would have vanished from the face of the world as changeling rushed over our little ponies like a relentless tide!”

Luna remained completely silent for several moments, she then turned to Shining Armour “I believe we need to leave your fiance alone for a while.” She levitated him out of the room with her.

Shining Armour frowned “Why did you levitate me out of there?”

Luna sighed “The nobleponies are getting restless, they want us to bring the guard back to Canterlot.”

Shining Armour eyes widened “You’re not going to give into their demands are you?”

Luna turned to him “It’s not that, all of Equestria is rattled. They have seen we Alicorns are not invulnerable and are terrified. The guard need to be here to ensure we still stand strong.”

Shining Armour sighed “I understand, the needs of the nation come before our needs. I just hope she is safe out there.”

Luna smiled “We have two more weeks before we call our guards back, we better get to work and you better get your guards into gear.”

Shining Armour saluted “Yes Princess!”

Luna frowned as he galloped away “I hope we find you my saviour.”

Author's Note

They would be searching for Twilight.

Chapter 5: First Kills

It had been a week into the journey to Klugetown and Twilight had learned a few techniques during that time such as the Lightning Storm Strike and the Flaming Burst.

Steel smiled “Are you enjoying the books.”

Twilight smiled “Yes although I wish there was some on magic.”

Steel grinned “There are quite a few ancient tomes in Klugetown, although no-one can read them. Maybe you could buy them after doing a little work around Klugetown.”

Twilight smiled “I think I’ll do just that.”

Steel stopped quickly as he heard noises, Twilight shouted “What’s going on?!”

Steel frowned as he looked at the desert around him “Danger probably.” Steel looked around, this was not bandit’s work who were clumsy and obvious. This was skilled work, he grimaced as he felt a small cut across one leg.

He scowled as an illusion broke revealing thirty pony cultists wearing black clothes bearing dark crystals symbols on the back. The head cultist grinned “Hand over the bearer of magic.”

Steel shouted “Never!”

The cultist laughed “Well you don’t really have a choice.” Steel felt his legs buckle beneath him he looked to see the cultist holding a bottle filled with liquid, the cultist’s grin widened “You need this medicine or else you will die.” Steel grimaced as he saw the knife lying on the ground, it was coated in a strange liquid.

Twilight who was listening in grabbed a scabbard and put it on her side. She jumped out of the wagon, Steel shouted “Get back inside Twilight!”

Twilight glared at the head cultist “I won’t let you die!” A pop and a flash of light later the head cultist’s head rolled along the ground, Twilight was standing on her hind legs holding a bloody sword, she caught the medicine and teleported back giving it to him, he chugged the medicine but still couldn’t find the strength to stand. She then turned to the rest of them, they roared as they charged at the pair.

Twilight’s blade flicked with lightning, she rushed forward Steel watched as her lightning charged slashes tore through the crowd of cultists. Twilight panted as her sword dripped with blood, she trotted over to her friend. Steel blinked “Are you okay Twilight?”

Twilight frowned “No, I’m not I just killed 30 ponies. I would be crying or panicking right now but I’m too hyped up on my own adrenaline right now. Tomorrow I’ll be crying but for now I’ll need to clean my sword and sleep.”

Steel nodded “I could use some rest myself.” Steel woke the next morning bright and early, he saw Twilight lying there peacefully. He began to cook some eggs for breakfast. He stopped when he heard wailing coming from the wagon. He jumped back in to see Twilight sobbing on the floor.

He trotted over to her and lightly wrapped his hooves around her, she cried “I killed them, I have blood on my hooves!”

Steel pulled her muzzle up to his own, he looked into her crying eyes “As do I, as long as you don’t use it hurt the innocent it’s fine. Protecting yourself or others is not wrong.”

Twilight whimpered “But but…”

Steel smiled warmly “Cry it out, come on.” Twilight cried in his forelegs, he grabbed a story for young foals and began reading as Twilight cried herself to sleep.

Steel left the sleeping mare, he stepped into the middle of the corpses. He growled as he looked at the mark on the back “Sombran Cultists, damn Sombra worshipping bastards.”

He grumbled as he hitched himself to the cart “Better get going before more turn up.” He grimaced as he began pulling the cart.

Author's Note

Twilight 's journey will get a lot more bloody in the future.

Chapter 6: Final Days

Celestia was crying in her room, Luna entered “Sister what’s wrong?”

Celestia wailed “I abandoned her my precious student, I let it happen again.”

Luna wrapped her sister in a hug “We all make mistakes dear sister, we have to move on as we should have done so long ago, together.”

As Celestia continued to weep comforted by her sister, Cadence was glaring at a guard her eyes bloodshot “Find her, we must find her, you will find her!”

The guard bolted from the room shouting “I’ll find her!”

Shining Armour frowned “I’m calling off the search, your hurting yourself.”

Cadence turned to him with a growl “She’s your sister!”

Shining Armour roared “Don’t you think I know that but she is gone beyond our reach!” he cried “I can’t lose you too!”

Cadence cried “But we have to find her!”

Shining slumped over “She left for a reason, she doesn’t feel welcome here anymore. I just hope we will see her again someday.” The pair cried together as they gave up searching for the sister they lost.

Meanwhile

Tempered Steel and Twilight Sparkle had arrived in Klugetown, Steel frowned as the pair got out of the wagon “Twilight do you think you can survive here?”

Twilight nodded “I believe so, I just need to find some work and a roof to stay under.”

Steel smiled “You seem tougher than before.”

Twilight frowned “Killing does that to you, I can’t stop now it’s the only skill I have.”

Steel nodded “I’m glad I could help you survive out but I have wares to sell.”

Twilight smiled “I hope we meet again.” Twilight trotted away from him deeper into the town the smell of urine, faeces and alcohol filled the street Twilight did her best not to gag at the smell.

She heard a voice “You listen here Capper this is the last straw.”

She ran into the clearing to see a massive shark-like creature holding a bipedal cat, she scowled “Get off of him.”

The creature growled “I am Terror and I rule this part of town, prepare to be pummelled.”

Terror rushed forward swinging a massive punch only for Twilight with a single swing of her sword to tear him in half, Twilight growled “Anyone else want some?!”

As the crowd dispersed, the brown cat got up with a smile, he bowed “Thank you my name is Capper Dapperpaws.”

Twilight frowned “Mr Dapperpaws, if you want to thank me I want you to tell everyone here that the purple unicorn named Twilight Sparkle is looking for mercenary work and secondly I need a place to stay, do you now anywhere?”

Capper smiled “You can stay with me, it’s not incredibly impressive but it will do.”

Twilight smiled back “Thank you Mr Dapperpaws.”

Capper said “Please call me Capper.”

Twilight nodded as the pair headed towards his home, they entered his home. She saw a bed with stars on it as well as a small table, the most interesting thing she found was the picture on the wall. She asked “Who is this?”

Capper sighed “He is my father Colonel Lightning Dapperpaws, he died defending Abyssinia against the Storm King who now rules over the everything in this part of the world, he kills anyone who gets in his way.”

Twilight scowled “He sounds like a monster.”

Capper frowned “He is but no-one can oppose him, he is trying to subjugate the Hippogriffs but they are holding their ground.”

Twilightfrowned "What are Hippogryphs?"

Capper smiled "Well Hippogryphs are kind of a cross between Griffons and Saddle Arabians or Ponies, they are usually peaceful although in war are really dangerous."

Twilight asked "Can we look around Klugetown?"

Capper grinned "Sure." The pair wanrndered down the streets, he grinned as entered a dark alley "This is where I hang out most of the time" he pointed to a rocky looking building "that is the Burning Dragon bar he then turned around "that is Storm's regeants." The pair spent several hours exploring the town before returning home.

Twilight grimaced as he ehard someone “Who is that?!” She stomped over the door and opened it revealing several bipedal cats “Why are you here?”

The pale white cat at the front bowed “Forgive me I’m Steel Claw and we are a travelling caravan which needs to travel to Tabbytown but we are worried we are going be attacked by bandits, we have hired several mercenaries and I wondering if you would join us, we will pay handsomely. We saw what you did to Terror, we believe you can help us a lot.”

Twilight nodded “I’ll be glad to help, just tell me when and I’ll be there.”

Steel Claw nodded “We’ll need you to meet us dawn at the entrance to the bone dry desert in two days.”

Twilight nodded with a smile, Capper walked over as Twilight trotted towards him. “I got my first job.”

Capper frowned “Are you sure you’ll be okay with killing?”

Twilight scowled “I’m trying not to think about that, I’m just thinking about making money to survive and well no-one has any use for a magic here so I have to kill or I’ll starve, don’t make this harder on me Dapperpaws!” Capper nodded as he backed away from her, Twilight proceeded to collapse on the bed descending into a deep slumber.

Author's Note

Equestria will not return for a while, we have left it behind.

Chapter 7: Travelling

Twilight had arrived at the entrance of a tent early, she grimaced as she thought to herself (Can I really do this?) Several other creatures approached, a huge male minotaur , a female dragon and an arguing pair of identical twin Griffons. They all entered the tent

The massive red minotaur with a dark blue mane frowned “Who is this tiny pony and why is she here?!”

Twilight growled “My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am here to do mercenary work!”

The Minotaur burst into raucous laughter “Twilight Sparkle, what a pathetic name , you should go back home to play with magic while real warriors like me Stone Stature fight battles.”

The female dragon who had blue scales and a massive scar across her chest with a blue blade mounted on her back growled “Never underestimate anyone, I learned that mistake the hard way!”

Twilight frowned at the two yellow and blue griffons “Are you sure we can trust those two, they don’t look co-operative?”

Before she could get a response Steel Claw walked forward, he grimaced “I am here to tell you what you will be up against , we are marching through a hostile part of the desert full of bandits and other foul beasts, note you will all be paid in gold pieces after this. We will be leaving in a few hours.”

Stone Stature grinned as he hefted a steel axe over his shoulder “They will fear me the greatest fighter that has ever lived!”

Twilight grumbled to herself “I thought Rainbow Dash’s ego was large.” She then remembering her brother saluted “I am ready to serve.”

The Female Dragon nodded “I, Crystal Breath will guarantee your safety.”

The two Griffons grinned “We are the lightning twins and we are ready for anything.”

Steel Claw nodded “Good, Miss Sparkle I am putting you in charge of the mercenary contingent.”

Twilight galloped after him and frowned as she approached him before saluting “I don’t believe I can lead them sir?”

Steel Claw turned to her with a sigh “At ease, you are the only one who can, you obviously have some discipline and skill.”

Twilight frowned “Sir, I only copied what my brother would have done in the presence of a superior when on duty.”

Steel Claw nodded “Well then do what you think he would do and then work from there.” Twilight saluted as she left meeting with the ragtag group of mercenaries.

Stone Stature growled “Why should I take orders from you little pony?!”

She frowned as she thought about what her brother would do but in truth all the guards followed him with such loyalty, so she decided to take a simple approach, she slammed her hoof into his face before holding him in her magic as she snarled “I am in charge here and you will accept that is that clear!”

She dropped the huge fellow minotaur down, she turned to the other three with a stern glare “I expect you to be ready before we leave is that clear!”

Crystal Breath and the two Griffons saluted her she nodded to them “At ease and take of that idiot will you” the three of them took the foolish minotaur out of the tent.

A couple of hours past, Steel Claw approached them “Are you ready?”

Twilight nodded turning her glare upon Stone Stature, she commanded “I want the twin Griffons at the back, Stature and I will watch the front! As for Crystal Breath she will be our eye in the sky, now everyone get I into position!” They all instantly got into position at her command. Steel Claw was impressed at how this mare had gotten this ragtag group of mercenaries to follow her orders.

The group began to trudge through the the sweltering sands of desert, the multiple large wagons required careful movement to traverse through the harsh bumpy terrain. After about a day of two, The group had arrived a long path full of rocky outcroppings, the entire group heard voices as several ponies, griffons and dragons emerged. A rough looking unicorn with one eye grinned “Look what we have here, a bunch of merchants and a few mercenaries hired to guard them. You know what to do boys.”

Twilight shouted “Everyone protect the caravan!” Twilight grimaced as she swung her blade into a Pegasus’ neck before slamming her head into an Earth Pony before tearing them clean in half with a swing of her blade. The smell of blood filled her nostrils as clipped one of Pegasus’ wings before throwing him at a unicorn then sending a slash made of fire flying through the air tearing them both in half.

Twilight watched as their leader headed jumped down joining the fray, Twilight turned to the group “We can’t hold back these numbers, these are bandits the only way to win this is to take our their leader and they will lose all organisation.”

Stone Stature scowled ‘”And how do you plan on doing that?!”

Twilight grimaced “I’m going for him.” She teleported in front of him swinging her blade, he only barely managed to block it. Soon many of his men turned to her.

He commanded “Leave this one to me, she had earned the honour of fighting me!” He then swung his blade at her which she blocked with her own before head-butting him sending him stumbling backwards as she chased him preparing to swing again, she was interrupted as a corpse of one of the random goons flew past her face before her opponent swung at her “I am Storm Blade, head of the Storm Bandits the largest band of bandits in the land.”

Twilight growled blocking his blade “I don’t care who you are, I’m not going to give up!”

Storm Blade grinned as he leapt back before launching a thrust “Who taught you how to fight you are a natural.”

Twilight swung her sword sending the sword into the ground “I was taught by Tempered Steel three weeks ago!”

Storm Blade grinned “The blade-master, no wonder however it won’t be enough.” He flicked her sword pushing her foreleg into the air then delivered a large thrust into her chest, she coughed out blood onto the dusty sand.

Then he tried to pull the blade out only for it to refuse to move, he then looked up to see her horn glowing and the blade was glowing the same colour. He looked up to her scowling face as she swung her sword lopping his head clean off “Checkmate Bastard!”

The bandits realising their leader is gone immediately dispersed. Twilight smiled as she falls backwards “I did it.” She hit the ground quickly losing consciousness.

Twilight was laying there being tended to by the healers of the caravan as the group continued, with the largest band of bandits defeated not a single bandit band attacked them as they made their way to the destination.

She was rushed into the local hospital by Steel Claw, Stone Stature watched the mare closely every day as she slept.

The twin griffons who he learned were named Lionheart and Bladewing pestered him “Leave her and come with us, we should have some fun.”

He ignored them as he watched the injured mare sleep “You have guts, more than I gave you credit for I’m afraid.” He sighed “I’m sorry, I have been told my entire life that ponies were weak useless creatures incapable of fighting as you did, you proved me wrong that. I would not have the guts to let my opponent stab me to get an advantage.”

Crystal meanwhile was grinning as she whispered to herself “ He does have a soft side after all, I’m so going to tease him about later.”

Twilight meanwhile was in a dark abyss with her five friends around her, Applejack shouted “Leave us alone you liar!”

Rainbow Dash growled “How dare you do that to Cadence!”

Rarity turned her back “That’s not how a lady should behave.”

Fluttershy simply glared , Pinkie scowled “Why did you make Cadence cry?!”

The her teacher glared at her “Leave this place before you shame us further.” Stone meanwhile watched as Twilight began to writhe, he placed his hand on her hoof “Twilight Sparkle don’t give in, you are stronger than this you have proved it to me.” Twilight calmed down settling into a calm sleep.

Days past and those days turned into weeks, Stone Stature was sleeping on the chair when Twilight opened her eyes and looked around the plain white room. Crystal walked in with a smile “You saved us back there, you certainly impressed someone.” Crystal pointed to Stone Stature with a claw, Twilight looked at him with a frown.

Crystal giggled “He stayed here the entire time you were out, you earned his respect and believe me that’s hard to do.” Crystal smiled “See ya hero.”

Twilight looked around confused, she then looked down to see bandages on her chest. She forced herself off the bed and stood up, she was grateful that standing up put minimal stress on her chest although she knew she would not be able to swing a sword for a while.

Stone Stature awoke and shouted “Twilight you’re awake!”

Twilight nodded “Yes Stone Stature, I need to return to Klugetown. I was staying with a cat named Capper and knowing him” she paused for a second “he has probably run into trouble.”

Stone Stature smiled “Please call me Stature I’ll escort you home.”

Twilight shook her head “I need to get my payment.”

Stature smiled as he held two bags of gold coins “I was holding onto yours for you, for now I’ll carry it as we head back to Klugetown.”

Twilight blinked “You coming with me?”

Stature nodded “Yes and to be honest you are a great commander, your really did put me in my place. If you created a band of mercenaries I’d gladly join.”

Twilight grimaced “That does sound like a good idea.”

Crystal teased “You do have a soft side don’t you.”

Stature shrugged “Yeah so.” Crystal muttered under breath about his lack of reaction.

Stature pointed to the Griffons “By the way they’re names are Bladewing and Lionheart, don’t ask which one is which they keep changing it.”

Twilight frowned as she thought about it and began planning out her goals, one of the big things that irked her was this Storm King who ruled this area, she wanted to take him out but how she knew what would be a good start. Twilight looked at them “I intend to start a mercenary band when I return to Klugetown, would any of you wish to join.”

Stature nodded “You have my answer.”

Crystal smiled “You are a good commander, very well I’ll join you.”

The two twins grinned ‘”We will as well.” Twilight smiled as she looked to the horizon she felt things were looking up for her.

Author's Note

A lot happened in this chapter, I hope it doesn't feel like to much

Chapter 8: Mercenary Band

Twilight had returned to Klugetown with her new friends, her wounds had begun to heal on the return trip. As she arrived in the town with her four heavily armed allies, Stature with his axe, Crystal with her razor sharp claws and the breath that could turn any opponent into crystal on contact as well as the Griffons Twins Lionheart and Bladewing who together have slain thousands of foes.

They entered Capper’s home, Capper smiled “Hello Twilight who are…” His smile vanished “These are mercenaries, why are they here?”

Twilight smiled “They’ll be staying here until I can find a a place to become the centre for our Mercenary Band, they want me to be the leader.”

Capper frowned as he saw her wounds “How did you get hurt like this?”

She replied calmly “I let my enemy stab me to get an advantage and then cut his head off.”

Stature nodded “She earned all of our respect especially mine, I thought she was just a weak prissy little pony but she proved me wrong. I will not judge a book by it’s cover again.”

Twilight nodded “I will need to meet with the mayor in order to find a place for Mercenary Band.”

Crystal frowned “Verko is quite an arrogant soul, he won’t give you a building very easily.”

Twilight grinned as lifted up the sack of cash “Well maybe some money with the promise of more coming in as we get more work may change his mind.”

Capper smiled “You are really starting to figure this place out aren’t you.”

Twilight chuckled “Yes friendship doesn’t run things here but gold pieces certainly do” She turned to Stature “You mind coming with me to speak to him, I don’t want to be robbed after what I had to do to get this.”

Stature saluted “Of course, let’s go.” The two left Capper’s home and marched through the steam-punk town to what was clearly the largest building in the town, they knocked on the door of the building.

They heard a snivelling voice call out “Get the door!” The door was opened by two gruff looking sharks both as tall as Stature, the two entered the building as the two bouncers let them in. Twilight had to hold her muzzle in order to prevent herself from vomiting from look of the ugly looking Mole that approached them, Twilight put on a small smile as she removed her hoof and asked “You must be Mayor Verko I assume?”

Verko grinned “Yes, now what do I owe this visit?”

Twilight grinned back “I have a proposition for you, if you don’t mind.”

Verko smirked as he beckoned his bouncers to follow them up into his office, Twilight and Stature followed him as well, he took a seat and asked “What is it you want?”

Twilight sat opposite him “Well I have the idea of opening a mercenary band in the city and need to acquire a property to contain this band.”

Verko grinned “What’s in it for me?”

Twilight tossed a bag of gold coins with the Storm King’s face on them on the desk, she grinned “I believe that with time we will be able to recruit more mercenaries and bring more gold coins like this in in the future consider that a down payment.”

Verko laughed “You are my kind of person, very well there is an old abandoned warehouse, it does need a lot of work to get up and running but I have a feeling you can get it done.”

Twilight smiled “I’ll give you half all of profits fair.” Verko nodded eagerly with as his eyes turned to gold coins, he tossed them a map with the location of the Warehouse.

The duo returned to Capper’s house with a smile, Crystal laughed “I guess he bought the bribe.”

Twilight nodded “Hook, line and Sinker, of course he will be taking half of any profits we make. Of course profits are basically what I have left over after making sure all of our mercenaries are paid.”

Capper frowned “So what are you going to do now?”

Twilight smiled “We need to head to the warehouse and out fit it properly, we will need us to pool our remaining funds to get the building into shape then do more jobs to spread the word and get more recruits.”

One of the Griffon twins shouted “Come on let’s go, I want to see our new place.”

The other shouted “Not if I see it first!”

Twilight growled “Lionheart stop aggravating you brother.”

‘Lionheart’ shouted “I’m Blade Wing, he’s Lionheart!”

Twilight slumped “You know what I don’t care, let’s just go.”

Crystal smiled “Don’t worry about them, they have always been a pair of tricksters, you’ll get used to it in time.” Twilight grumbled something about not wanting to get used to it as they left for the abandoned warehouse.

One of twins groaned as they saw the massive rusty metal building “It looks like junk.”

Twilight scowled “Do you want to be the one who has to clean off all that rust because I will make you both do it!”

The other blinked “Why both of us?”

Twilight shouted “Because otherwise the both of you could just…” she grit her teeth a sharp bit of pain shot through her chest.

Stature growled “Stress and exertion are not good for her until she’s fully recovered and you two have been a major cause for both so I suggest you shut it.” Stature helped Twilight into the rusty building, it’s rusty metal walls were covered in dust and filled with cobwebs, Twilight groaned, Statute smiled “We’ll have all cleaned up quickly then one of us will stay with you while the rest of us go to get the necessary furniture.”

Twilight sat there as the two griffons, one dragon and one minotaur began dusting out the huge two story structure. Twilight rested a hoof over the bandages on her chest, the place was cleaned out within two hours, Crystal smiled “Me and the griffons will go, Stature will protect you.”

Stature sat beside her in the corner, Twilight frowned “How did I survive, I was stabbed clean through?”

Stature frowned “Simply put they used what a Zebran poultice that stops bleeding through Zebra magic, we don’t know exactly how it works but it does.”

Twilight frowned “I will definitely need to buy some books on magic for my own personal study as well as a few books on sword combat.”

Stature smiled “Books on magic are fairly cheap as few know how to use magic, combat books though are more expensive.”

Twilight nodded as she leaned against him, he asked “Can I treat you to dinner sometime?”

Twilight blinked confused “Why?”

Stature shrugged “No reason.”

Twilight smiled “Okay sure, I could use a nice meal.” The two sat there quietly awaiting the return of their fellow mercenaries.

Crystal pulled a large cart full of furniture and books into the room. The two griffons flew in after her, Crystal grinned “I see you two love birds are enjoying each other’s company.”

Twilight groaned “We aren’t like that he just asked me out to … “ she blushed “I completely missed that, I guess we may be like that.” She turned to him “I haven’t changed my mind but we will have to see if we can get anywhere more than just friends.”

Stature grinned “Good” the two griffons were about to comment when he cast a deep glare upon them, they instantly became silent.

Crystal smiled “I need to take Twilight for a bit, Stature do you mind assisting the boys setting up the base and giving the place a nice fresh coat of paint inside and out.”

Stature nodded “Sure just keep her safe.”

Crystal whispered in her ear “We are going to make you look fantastic for this date.” Before Twilight could respond she was dragged out the door rapidly with no chance to comment.

Author's Note

Twilight had a date, I hope you like the date chapter.

Chapter 9: Dinner Date

Twilight frowned “So why did you become a mercenary?”

Crystal sighed “It was actually an unfortunate circumstance, I had a husband we we on holidays in Abyssinia when the Storm King took over. My husband stayed behind to allow me to escape with our egg, I left it in a cave under Canterlot Castle.”

Twilight’s eyes widened “Was it a purple egg with green spots?”

Crystal shouted“What happened to it?!”

Twilight rubbed the back of her head “I hatched during my entrance exam to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, I raised him as best I could.”

Crystal hugged her as she cried “Thank you for caring for my son, thank you so much.”

Twilight smiled as she hugged the dragon “You’re welcome.”

Crystal let go as she dried her tears “Thanks for that, now I really have to make your date with that lug go well.”

Twilight frowned “Where did you get that scar?”

Crystal grinned “It was on a mission and well Stature gave me it” before Twilight could say anything Crystal shrugged “it was just business, if they don’t kill you they are your friend that’s how it works in the mercenary business.”

Twilight frowned “That’s harsh.”

Crystal nodded “Yes but that’s how it needs to be as a soft mercenary doesn’t live very long.”

Twilight nodded as she rubbed her bandages “I understand that, I must admit I never thought I would live to see the day I would let someone stab me.”

Crystal laughed “I never thought anyone would have the guts even dunderhead in there, now come on this is the place.” The two had been moving as they talked and now stood in front of a large building that was in better condition than many of the buildings around it, it was a bright blue with a neon sign, the sign read “Styling and Shining.”

Twilight and Crystal entered the building to see fancy technology that would not been seen out of place in high end Canterlot hairdressing Salon, Crystal grinned “This is where the Storm King goes to get himself ready for a major address.”

Twilight internally scowled as the thought of the Storm King and what he was doing to the land. She followed her dragon friend to to one of the machines and sat down, Crystal then called over a worker who was a pretty female Abyssinian who Twilight noticed was the race that made up the most of the Storm King’s guard. She smiled “A pony, we haven’t seen one in town other than the commander of the Storm King’s armies and she prefers bars to places like this, I have always wanted to style a pony’s mane.”

Twilight frowned as the hairdresser began brushing her mane and then decorating in several different styles, Twilight groaned “Keep it simple please?” The Hairdresser nodded with a smile as she straightened out her mane before tying it back in a neat bun, Twilight smiled “Perfect.”

Crystal passed the Hairdresser some gold as payment before taking Twilight back to the base, Twilight looked around at the walls, they were painted a plain white, several desks and tables were set up as well as a working fridge. Stature was stunned as he saw her “Wow.”

Crystal grinned at him “Now I believe you should give her a night she will never forget.” She him slapped on his back as she passed.

Stature growled at her before turning to Twilight with a smile “Shall we get going?”

Twilight nodded “Of course, where is a good place that a pony can get a decent meal around here.”

Stature grinned “I know the perfect place, follow me.”

The two moved through the dark night of Klugetown, they arrived at a small quaint looking diner. Twilight smiled “Moonlight Swallow huh?”

Stature grinned “It’s a place for those who wish to avoid the snobby types in Klugetown while enjoying a high level of luxury.”

They entered the building to see several, it had bright yellow walls and small blue square tables with red stools on either side, a Griffon waiter flew over to them “Here are the menus.”

Twilight smiled “Thanks” The waiter then returned to serving others.
Twilight then opened the menu “Oh the Parmesan Salad looks good to me.”.

Stature smiled “I like this Fish Soup myself, it tastes really good.”

Twilight giggled “I might try that next time, I must admit I have developed a taste for fish.”

Stature chuckled “Yeah, Pantherans love their fish.”

A Griffon walked up to their table “May I take you orders?”

Stature grinned “The Fish Soup for me and the Parmesan from the lovely mare across from me” Twilight blushed profusely at his words.

The Griffon bowed as he took their order “Of course, wish you two luck.”

Twilight turned to him “I want to know more about you, do you mind telling me?”

Stature smiled “I was raised in the Capital of Minos and well Minotaurs are quite brutal I trained in combat all my life” he then sighed “in truth I got sick of my life in Minos as I grew older I was always demanded to do this or that and thus one day I packed my bags and left. I became a mercenary because I was always a good fighter, I have not ever returned home since then.”

Twilight frowned “Are you okay?”

Stature sighed “No, I miss my parents a lot.”

Twilight smiled “Maybe one day I can meet them.”

Stature gave her a weak smile “Maybe what about you?”

Twilight smiled “Well I was born in Canterlot, I was five when I had my entrance exam to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The test was for us to hatch a dragon egg.”

Stature blinked in confusion “Only a dragon or a really powerful unicorn can hatch a dragon egg, it would be impossible for an foal to do so.”

Twilight nodded “Normally yes, I was foal and under the pressure I couldn’t even get my horn to light up but just I was about to turn around and leave a huge rainbow explosion went off in the sky, my horn lit up as I had a massive magic burst which turned everyone in the room into pot plants and not just hatched the egg but also increased his size immensely. Princess Celestia calmed my magic burst and took me on as her personal student, the baby dragon was reduced to normal size, I named him Spike and took care of him as if he was my own son.”

Stature frowned “If you were the student of Princess Celestia, why did you leave?”

Twilight sighed “Well on the most recent Summer Sun celebration Nightmare Moon returned and me and my friends were able to cleanse her using the Elements of Harmony, restoring the Princess of the Night to her glory.”

Stature eyes widened in shock “You did that, I remember that day the world panicked when that happened.”

Twilight nodded “Yes then a few months later we faced of against Discord the Lord of Chaos and we managed to seal him away in a statue again with the elements power.”

Stature frowned “Right go on.”

Twilight noted that he didn’t react, she figured that Discord had really been a closely guarded Equestrian secret “Well I was a guest for my brother’s wedding, I noticed the bride Cadence she was my foal-sitter when I was younger was acting strange, she didn’t know me at all and worse she was using some strange green magic, when I confronted everyone about it I was turned on by all my friends and family as well as my mentor so I ran away.”

Stature grimaced “I doubt that was really you foal-sitter, it was likely a changeling pretending to be her. They have green magic and impersonate the loved ones of another in order to steal the love they need to survive.”

Twilight scowled “So there was something wrong I knew it.”

Stature smiled as he put a hand on her wither “Let’s not worry about that, our food is here.” The two received their food and begun exchanging friendly banter before finishing the dinner with a simple kiss and then returning to the new base.

Author's Note

I did say Spike would be mentioned Spike 2000 and I meant it.

Chapter 10: Mission

Twilight woke up in the largest room that had been furnished, she pushed herself up off the green mattress onto the blue floor and frowned as she went into the bathroom to get herself ready to look through the list of jobs they had gathered.

After cleaning herself up she walked over to the nice wooden desk that her friends had brought in, she frowned as Capper walked over “What is it?”

Capper grinned nervously “Um I have a job for you, I just received word my sister is getting married in a few weeks in the capital of Panthera and I need an armed escort.”

Twilight frowned “I expect half of the payment up front, I can’t have this band taking on any job without sign there is payment beforehoof.”

Capper pulled a huge sack of gold and placed it on the table, Twilight smiled “I’ll take that as the full payment” she then shouted “Crystal, Stature our friend here is going to need an escort to Panthera, he has paid in full!”

Crystal frowned “Are you sure you’ll be alright with those two griffons?”

Twilight nodded “I’ll be fine, you two go with him.” Stature and Crystal saluted as they escorted Capper out of the building, Twilight turned to the Griffons “I wish to speak with you two.”

The two griffons approached her “What do what do you wish to speak to us about boss?”

Twilight smiled “Relax this is not business, I just want to know a bit more about you, you two are clearly younger than the others.”

One of them sighed “Yes you see we kind of were abandoned as eggs and spent much our younger years stealing food from others in this city.”

The other nodded “We were alone, no-one liked us so we learnt we could only rely on each other until one day.”

The first one smiled “It was amazing, you see we were being hounded by a bunch of people who we had stolen stuff from that day. It was when we ran into Stature, he defended us and even gave us a place to stay and provided enough food to eat, the reason he laughed at you was because he was honestly worried you were like us running head first into trouble without any idea of what you were up against.”

Twilight blinked “Really, I thought he was just mocking me?”

The second sighed “He doesn’t even realise it himself, it’s why he felt bad because he thought he was mocking you. Don’t tell him we told you or else he will get mad.”

Twilight smiled “I won’t tell anyone, we want to keep his tough guy persona a secret.”

Meanwhile

Crystal and Stature accompanied Capper through a forest that between Klugetown and Panthera, Crystal yawned as she walked beside Stature “So how was your date with Twilight?”

Stature smiled “It was good to see her relax, I assume you’ve heard of Princess Celestia?”

Crystal nodded “Yes who hasn’t heard of the goddess of the sun and it turn outs that Princess Celestia was using my son’s egg as a test for unicorns, Twilight hatched it.”

Stature blinked “So that egg she hatched was yours?”

Crystal frowned “Yes.”

Stature sighed “It turns out Princess Celestia was Twilight’s former Mentor and when someone she knew was impersonated by a changeling everyone she knew turned on her.”

Capper blinked “Wait a moment what” he pointed at Stature “so you’re dating her” he then turned to Crystal “she hatched your egg” he then blinked “and she’s Princess Celestia’s Pupil” he collapsed to the ground.

Stature frowned as he chucked over his shoulder, he then frowned “You guys are doing a crappy job of hiding by the way.”

A group of ten unicorns wearing pitch black robes, the one at the front grinned as his eyes glowed green purple trails flowing out of them“It matters little, we were sent here to keep you away from your base while the remain forces capture your precious leader and twist her to serve our Dark Lord…”

He was interrupted by Stature who rushed forward slamming his axe into his head. The other nine prepared to launch dark crystals only for Crystal to tear the closest three to pieces with her claws. Before the others could react Stature leapt over Crystal grabbing two of them and smashing theirs heads together, Crystal and Stature turned to the remaining two before both swung at them, Stature with his axe and Crystal with her claws tearing them apart.

Stature scowled “We need to go back!”

Crystal slapped him “Trust in those two griffons, they can protect her.” she then pointed at Capper “Come on we have to get him back to his home.”

He scowled “If something happens to Twilight I will kill you!”

Back at the Base

Twilight was talking to the two Griffons when they heard an commotion outside, Twilight poked her her head out to see one thousand armed cultists outside. Twilight groaned “You two get over here?”

The two Griffons fly over and blink “Wow that is a lot of enemies.”

Twilight sighed “Could you take them?” The two Griffons shook their head, Twilight sighed as she looked at them “Right” she then turned to the cultists “What do you want?”

The head cultist growled “We want you so you can serve our master, King Sombra!”

Twilight sighed as she levitated her sword over to her hoof and pulled her bandages off revealing a huge red scar across her chest “Right then let’s see how good you really are.” She leapt off the second floor slamming into the ground “Give me your best shot!”

Twilight growled as huge pillars of dark crystal rushed towards her, Twilight shrugged as she began to swing her sword so fast that as she ran forward the huge dark crystal were torn apart , she then stabbed her sword into one cultists head before chopping off the head of another. She then kicked a dark crystal shard into one’s head, the cultists then all pulled out dark swords and rushed at her, she parried one before grabbing their arm and shoving their sword into another’s chest.

She then then the cultist onto another’s sword before cutting three in front of her in half. The two Griffons watched in shock and awe as blood flew all over the place as corpses piled up, they blinked as Twilight’s flanks began to glow with light. Twilight stood on the one thousand bodies, the griffons flew over “That was awesome!” they then looked at her flanks

Twilight frowned “Hey what are doing looking at my flanks?”

They raised an eyebrow “Because the mark on your flanks has changed.”

Twilight looked down only to see a bloody blade in front of a purple star, she grimaced “That’s just fantastic, urghh” the two griffons followed their leader into the base unaware of drastic changes that would take place over the next few weeks.

Author's Note

Twilight's cutie mark has changed, she is not the same pony she was.

Chapter 11: The Return

Two weeks later Stature and Crystal had returned with a another bag of gold for escorting Capper to the wedding. They arrived at their base to see dozens of ponies, dragons and other creature entering and exited the building carrying weapons. They entered to see building with a light purple paint job on the walls as well notice boards for mercenary jobs all over the room.

They headed up a brightly decorated set of stairs to see that top floor’s colour theme matched the lower one and that there were several desks with different creatures filling out paperwork and approving jobs for those below. There was no sign of Twilight upstairs, they headed downstairs again and found there was a pale set of stairs that were heading further down, the two headed down those stairs to see a massive white underground complex full of training machines and gear.

They saw a large amount of mercenaries were surrounding an arena, the walked up beside them to see Twilight standing there with five others, two Dragons and two Minotaurs as well as Pegasus fighting her. Her five opponents were bleeding in several spots, Twilight grinned “Come on and hit me” the five of them rushed at her, she caught the first dragon in the jaw with a knee before slamming her hoof into the pegasus’ face before kicking the, into one of the minotaurs.

The other two quickly surrendered and they were carried out to the medical bay which had a blue cross on a white background, Stature and Crystal gasped at Twilight’s appearance albeit for different reasons, the huge red scar on her chest had faded to a pale brown. Her muscle mass had also increased, it reminded them of what you would expect from a Saddle Arabian War Destrier, she grinned at Stature “I take it you’re impressed.”

Crystal recovered first “How did this happen, you are running a full guild here.”

Twilight frowned “I dealt with a bunch of cultists single-hooved and what I did drew a lot of attention.”

Crystal frowned “Those cultist weren’t all that, we fought ten of them and shouldn’t you have been resting letting those two griffons handle it, they couldn’t have been that dangerous.”

Twilight frowned “There were one thousand of them, of course they would be two much for those two Griffons to handle.”

That snapped Stature out of his stupor as he glared at Crystal “I told you we should have come back.”

Crystal shouted “How I was supposed to know!”

Twilight raised a hoof “Enough” she then turned to Statue and gave him a small kiss “I missed you, now let’s go and eat out somewhere.” Crystal laughed as Twilight dragged the minotaur off with her, Twilight smiled as she dragged him into the diner “You owe me a date.”

The two took a seat on the red stools, Twilight smiled “I would like to try that Fish Soup and some raspberry wine”

Stature smiled “I’ll try the Parmesan Salad for something different and we can share the wine.”

A griffon waiter came over and after they gave their orders for food and drink Twilight asked “Who are your parents, I would like to meet them one day?”

Stature sighed “I’m not exactly in good with them, they didn’t exactly want me to be out here.” Twilight looked at him in confusion, he got up and sat next to her whispering in her ear “My parents are Hammer Blow and Steel Saber.”

Twilight‘s eyes widened before she shook her head before whispering “The King and Queen of Minotaurs.”

Stature nodded “Exactly, they wanted me to succeed them not go off on my own and see combat.”

Twilight frowned “Why did you leave?”

Stature frowned “I am a fighter in my soul, I am not one for the intricacies of politics.”

Twilight nodded “Fair enough, how about we speak about some other more pleasant topics.”

Stature asks with a smile “What it is it like in Equestria, I have only heard tales?”

Twilight smiled “It’s fantastic place, there is a party every other week and laughter and smiles are everywhere.”

Stature asked with a frown “It sounds like a wonderful place so why do you stay here, you could so easily return home?”

Twilight whispers in his ear “I wish to bring friendship here and overthrow the Storm King.”

Stature grinned as he gave her a kiss “That is a mighty ambition, the question is how do you plan on doing that?”

Twilight frowned “I’m not sure but I will find a way.”

Stature grinned as he gave her a kiss “I know you will, now let’s leave plans of the future and focus on the moment.”

The two of them smiled as their food arrived, Stature smiled “To victory and to success.”

Twilight smiled as she tapped her wine glass to his “To victory and success.” The pair continued to drink and laugh the whole night long.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter, also things will beginning moving quite quickly after this so strap in and enjoy the ride.

Chapter 12: Studies

Twilight woke the next morning lying next to Stature, she stood up and grabbed a few books she had to do some magic study, she had been reading a few books and began learning the magic in those books. She had picked up books on chaos magic as well as dark magic and oddly enough a rare tome on Changeling magic, she had been picking up on this quickly as her partner was about to find out.

With a burst of green flames she transformed into a spiting image of Stature, Stature woke up only to bump into what appeared into a spitting image of himself. Stature blinked “what, how this makes no sense!”

Twilight smiled as she transformed back to her true form and smiled “You told me that your parents were King and Queen of the Minotaurs last night.”

Stature frowned “Twilight how are you using changeling magic?”

Twilight smiled “I have been studying it a lot, it is quite easy.” Her horn glow as a glass of chocolate milk appeared in her hoof which she drinks before she lifts the glass above her mouth which then turns into chocolate milk and she drinks it as well “My special talent is magic, it come to me naturally.”

Stature frowned “Then why do you have those books out?”

Twilight sighed “Dark magic is really complicated and will require me to do some serious study, I may spend quite a bit of time studying it in order to work it out.”

Stature frowned “Be careful, that is the same stuff those cultists use and you saw what that did to them.”

Twilight nodded “That’s why I take time off, I probably could have figured it out by now but I don’t want to lose myself to it so I have breaks between study sessions whether it’s training my body or going on dates with you I need enjoy myself and have fun as well as study, I made that mistake too much during my formative years.”

Stature smiled “Good, see you later I have to find some work to do or else I’ll lose my edge.”

Twilight smiled “Go on, don’t want you going soft on me.” Twilight focused on what was a tome on dark magic by Starswirl the Bearded, she began to read

Dark magic is one of the most complicated form’s of magic, in truth I have only began to uncover the true depth of it’s secrets. It may bring one undone if used incorrectly but if used correctly you can surpass the gods themselves, that is what I believe at least.

As for it’s use dark magic is powered by negativity and in order to control you must control and direct your negative emotions, however if you let you hatred drive you it can control you completely.

Twilight smiled (Good old Starswirl, you have never failed me. Sombra’s diaries may have more on advanced dark magic but they were useless without the basics plus it didn’t help halfway through most of them had him speaking about crystals or his love of stairs, I swear half of his final chapters was devoted to explaining the different types of stairs.)

Twilight focused (Okay negative emotions, I have a lot of those) images of being abandoned by her friends and mentor flooded her mind as her eyes glowed green, purple trails flying out of them as dark purple energy flowed around her horn before firing a dark blast that tore a hole in the wall.

Twilight blinked “Oops” her horn glowed as she cast a repair spell on the wall. Twilight smiled “That was quite powerful, I have a feeling dark magic will a tremendous asset once I get the hang of it.”

Crystal ran in “What in Tartarus was that?!”

Twilight blushed “I was testing out some new magic and it blew a hole in the wall, I fixed it don’t worry.”

Crystal sighed “Twilight I understand you’re the boss but it is not good for business if you keep practising your magic up here, we have a whole underground section for magic practise remember.”

Twilight smiled awkwardly “Right, I’ll head downstairs then I have quite a few spells I’d like to try.” Twilight teleported into the training section for magic which a few unicorns were, they winced “Please don’t flood this section with chocolate milk.”

Twilight frowned “I’m not practising chaos magic, I got a handle on that. What I’m using is a more destructive than that.” The unicorns backed away as her eyes resumed their green colouration as she crafted two shadow orbs from her own pain which she fired, they creating a a massive explosion that shook the entire building, Twilight grinned “That was a test run, I can’t imagine they could do if I put my full power into them.”

Her eyes then glowed a deep green as long purple trails flowed behind them as she turned into a gassy smoke like form, she smiled as she dissapeared in a flash of light appearing back in her room with a grin as she continued to read through Starswirl’s book on dark magic

The more complicated spells are quite dangerous and some start to touch into soul manipulation and more importantly necromancy. Of course there are all the high level attack spells and summon spells, some include Dark Nova a spell that creates a massive explosion of dark energy, Dark Flames which is simply self explanatory as well as the Cerberus and Fell Beast summoning spells.

Twilight continued to practice magic for the rest of the day not realising that her studies will play an important role in the next part of her journey.

Author's Note

Twilight would have been pracitising magic and her special talent being magic it wouldn't take her long to figure it out.

Chapter 13: Beginning of a Revolution

A few weeks had passed, Twilight and Stature had gone on quite a few successful dates finding that they both had a love of drinking often ended up coming back to the guild a little buzzed. Twilight’s studies into dark magic had also paid dividends as she was capable of feats of magic she never thought possible before.

Twilight decided to take a break and visited one of the local pubs as she wanted to spends some time out on the town alone. She grimaced as she tossed a few gold pieces with the Storm King’s head on it across the table “I want a mug of Blitzfire.”

The Barkeep a large dragon grinned “Dragon Ale aye, strong stuff you must be quite a tough one.”

Twilight grinned as she placed the drink on the table and took a swig “Ah that’s the good stuff.” Twilight frowned as she saw a mare with a broken horn, her dark orchid coat matched well with her moderate rose mane.

Twilight frowned at the mare who was drinking “Who is that?”

The Barkeep shrugged “No idea, all I know is she comes here often, has a lot of coin and doesn’t like questions.” Twilight focused back on her drink as the mare trotted into the bathroom, meanwhile a few griffons approached the mare’s mug and dropped a few strange things into it before the mare trotted out.

Twilight had just received a refill of her mug placing a few more coins on the table when she heard a thump, she turned to see the mare lying on the floor and then seeing the three griffons grab the mare and lift her up, Twilight much to the shock of the bartender chugged the mug of Blitzfire before standing up no worse for wear.

She trotted out the back to see the griffons dragging the mare into an alley, Twilight being the smart pony she was knew exactly what they were planning to do. Twilight galloped after them and shouted “I suggest you leave that mare alone!”

The largest one twice her height even if she was standing on her hind legs grinned “Look like a little mare wants to play hero, well let’s show her what …” A hoof slammed into his beak shattering it completely before she crushed his skull with her one of her hind hooves before she darted at the other two crushing their wind pipes and then crushing their skulls as well.

Twilight lifted the clearly drugged mare and carried her back to the base. Twilight carried the mar up the stairs, Stature as well as Lionheart and Bladewing ran over, Stature frowned “What happened and who is this mare she looks familiar?”

Twilight frowned “I have no idea who she is but a few griffons tried to rape her., don’t worry they’re dead now.”

Lionheart and Bladewing scowled “I’m glad you did they bring shame to griffons everywhere”

Twilight frowned “In the meantime I think I’ll treat her condition.”

Stature blinked “What condition?” Twilight rolled her eyes before lifting a hoof to her horn then pointing at the mare’s broken horn, Stature blinked “Oh.”

Twilight frowned “Now let me get to work, we’ll talk later.” Twilight entered her room and levitated the mare onto her bed, before getting out a few books on magic for a little brushing up and a few books on unicorn horns for a the knowledge in it. After a few hours of reading, Twilight was ready, her eyes glowed green with purple trails as her horn glowed with a mix of light purple, green, dark purple and black, she placed her horn on the mare’s broken horn and it began to repair itself becoming a long sharp rose horn that would have been about as long as Luna’s horn.

Twilight sat back and smiled as she took a deep breath, she then trotted out with a smile Crystal smiled “I heard you saved a mare from some griffons, you really are tough.”

Before Twilight could reply she heard shouting coming from inside the room, Twilight shrugged “Looks like our guest is up.”

Twilight entered room to see the mare frowning “Where the fuck am I and why Am I here?!”

Twilight laughed “You’re in the Star Storm Mercenary Base and you were drugged by some griffons in a bar I was in, they were going to rape you, they’re dead now.”

The mare frowned “Why does my head feel so heavy.”

Twilight smiled “Take a look for yourself.”

Twilight levitated a mirror over to her and she gasped as she saw her horn fully restored “How did you do that, even Princess Celestia couldn’t do that?!”

Twilight smiled “The Princesses rely to much on standard pony magic, once you add changeling magic as well as chaos and dark magic a lot more becomes possible” Twilight then rubbed the back of her head “I never got you name.”

The mare smiled “I’m Tempest Shadow, I can’t believe you fixed my horn.”

Twilight smiled “I’m Twilight Sparkle, it’s a pleasure meeting the Storm King’s commander.”

Tempest frowned “The Storm King promised he’d fix my horn and yet he has failed to keep his promise, I was so desperate I expected him to fix it.”

Twilight frowned “Yes can you help me with something?”

Tempest frowned “I owe you a lot but I will not make any promises until I hear what it is.”

Twilight nodded “It’s quite simple, I want to overthrow the Storm King and bring Friendship and Harmony to these lands.”

Tempest blinked “That is crazy you can’t do that it is impossible!”

Twilight smiled “With your help it may not be.”

Tempest frowned “How could I help, I’m just his commander?”

Twilight frowned “It’s quite simple, you will be able to turn his forces against him and free then from his tyrannical rule.”

Tempest blinked “Then we can overthrow him with ease as his forces work for us, that is genius.”

Twilight nodded “The first part of the plan is to get as many of them on side as possible then march to Mount Aris.”

Tempest grinned “If we can get the Hippogriffs on side we can have allies as well.”

Twilight grinned grabbing a blade “Well let’s get to work.” Tempest nodded still grinning the two mares bolted out the door heading off to the local base of the Storm King’s troops ready to begin their plan.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 14: Preparations

Tempest roared “Abyssinians we have a new leader, Twilight Sparkle and together we are going to overthrow the Storm King are you with me!”

Twilight watched in shock from behind the large stage in the Abyssinian’s camp as the Abyssinians roared “For Twilight Sparkle!”

Tempest shouted “Now I believe it’s time for our new leader to address her soldiers!”

Twilight took a deep breath before trotting onto the stage with a stern look “I’m sure you’ve heard of me, I’m the leader of the Star Storm Mercenaries and with you help we bring the Storm King to his knees, are you all ready!” Twilight grinned as she heard the roars of her new army “Meet me at the Star Storm Mercenary Base and then we will move out to Mount Aris!”

The Abyssinian began to get their equipment ready for a long campaign, Twilight smiled “I am surprised they all agreed.”

Tempest laughed “So am I was so worried they would try and lop off my head.”

Twilight blinked “You didn’t show it.”

Tempest grinned “Lesson one of command show no fear, it makes you imposing and speaking of you did really well yourself.”

Twilight blushed “Thanks, well I better inform everyone at the base of what we are planning to do.”

Tempest nodded “We will be over shortly, that bastard lied to me and he is going to get his comeuppance.”

Twilight nodded as she galloped back to the base, Twilight entered the base with determination “Everyone I want you all here for a meeting!” Stature, Crystal as well as Griffon twins gathered everyone up, Twilight turned to them a look of determination on her face “I came here with little more than a sword and the skills I learnt on the way here, yet the Storm King who is in charge of these lands is the most despicable creature I have ever heard of. I have made it my goal in secret to overthrow him.”

Everyone in the room save Stature, Crystal and the Griffon twins gasped although, Crystal and the Griffons twins though had concerned look on their face. Twilight frowned “In truth I had no idea how to accomplish this goal, I discussed with my partner on one of our dates but I had no idea on how to achieve it” at that moment nearly everyone was confused except Crystal, Lionheart and Bladewing who were glaring at Stature who was sweating.

Twilight continued with a grin “That was until I gained access to a high ranking inside mare to help me achieve this goal, now are you with me!”

Twilight frowned as the group began to argue. Her four friends came over “Does this have something to with the mare you brought here earlier?”

Twilight smiled “Yes and I feel who she is will turn a few heads.” Twilight turned to the crowd “Reinforcements will be arriving soon, maybe they will convince you” Twilight grinned as she heard knocking “Hear are the reinforcements, Stature I believe you should let them in.”

Stature nodded as he ran to the door and opened it allowing over two hundred Abyssinians to file in and stand at attention, then a unicorn marched in she stormed over to Twilight and saluted “Commander Tempest Shadow at your service.”

The crowd roared “We will follow you!”

Twilight commanded “Then get ready to march you all have ten minutes!” Twilight grinned as everyone stumbled to get ready, her plan was starting to pick up momentum. Ten minutes later the group has begun to march out of Klugetown buying several airships to grant them passage to Mount Aris where they would get additional allies in order to bring this revolution well and truly underway.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 15: Diplomacy

Twilight’s airship landed on the outskirts of Mount Aria where one of the Storm King’s camps was. Tempest approached them, the largest of the Abyssinians approached “Tempest are you here to help us conquer the Hippogriffs?”

Tempest shook her head “There has been a change of plans.”

While Tempest was busy explaining the situation, Crystal frowned “When were you planning on telling us this?”

Twilight sighed “Would you have tried to stop me, tried to get me to give up this foolish idea?”

Crystal frowned “Yes I would, I would have told you this is a foolish endeavour and you should quit, now though I’d say you got a chance.”

Twilight frowned “Exactly, this was my plan and if I told you before I had a way of doing it, it would’ve failed. I made my choice and I’ll stick with it to the bitter end.”

Stature walked over “Twilight you okay?”

Twilight smiled as she gave him a peck on the cheek “I’m fine, I look forward to fighting alongside you on the battlefield.”

Stature grinned “As am I.”

Twilight frowned “Speaking of which have you discovered any interesting rumours lately?”

Stature nodded “Yes, just one there is tower that appear in the Bone Dry Desert. Anyone who enters hears someone wailing and then some have even seen an orange Alicorn crying as she wanders the empty floors of the castle.”

Twilight frowned (Could it be? She dissapeared years ago, did she do it?)

Twilight shook her head of her thoughts as she noticed Tempest trotting over, Tempest smiled “I explained the scenario, they are on board. I had a few of the ships take them back to hang with the some of the mercenaries back at our base, the ships will return soon.”

Twilight frowned “Good the easy part is over, now the difficult part.”

Tempest blinked “Difficult part, what difficult part?” Twilight pointed a hoof to the Hippogriffs city which had massive path work done to wall as well angry Hippogriffs glaring at them from the walls, Tempest frowned “Right that difficult part.”

Twilight grimaced “Come on we must handle this diplomatically.” She turned to Stature “You’re in charge of keeping those reckless fools over there in line, this must be handled with care that’s why me and Tempest are going understood.”

Stature saluted before running off to give orders to the mercenaries and Abyssinians. Twilight and Tempest meanwhile trotted towards the home of the Hippogriffs. Twilight looked up at the guards at the top of the gate “I wish to speak with your leader, I have a proposition for her.”

One of the Hippogriffs scowled “Why should we trust you when you have one of the Storm King’s lackies beside you as well as part of his army behind you!”

Twilight frowned “It can’t cause that much harm if only the two of us enter and are not allowed to be anywhere without a military escort of you own troops.”

The Sergeant of the Hippogriffs frowned “I wish you to inform the Queen, she will tell us what to do next.” Tempest was standing behind Twilight silently while Twilight glared at the Hippogriff Sergeant in defiance.

They continued their deadly glaring contest until a tall light gray Hippogriff with a mix of brilliant fuchsia and strong mulberry mane, the Sergeant bowed “You Highness Queen Novo I didn’t mean to disturb you but...”

Queen Novo frowned “I will hear out their proposition as long as you keep a guard around them during the meeting.”

The sergeant nodded as he gave out the orders to open the gates and as soon as Twilight and Tempest entered a contingent of Hippogriff guards surrounded them. Queen Novo ordered “Take them to the Castle and we will discuss our terms.”

Twilight and Tempest were escorted into the large spire like castle. They found themselves at the castle’s meeting room with Queen Novo glaring at them “Who are you and what is this proposition of yours?”

Twilight smiled “My name is Twilight Sparkle, I want to take over the Storm King’s Empire and bring friendship to this land for of hate and tyranny, I wish for you to aid in this endeavour and become our allies.”

Queen Novo frowned “Why should I trust you?”

Twilight shrugged “No reason, to be honest you help is a benefit but not a requirement I can take out the Storm King with or without you the question is are you willing to support us.”

Queen Novo grimaced “Fine I’ll accept your proposal for now, I will supply you one small contingent of my forces and if you prove yourself dedicated enough then I will provide more.”

Twilight bowed “Thank you, Queen Novo. I wish you a long and prosperous reign.”

A pale gray sapphire blue Hippogriff flies over to her with a frown as the guards escorted them out of the kingdom “Why did you trust them, they could be our enemies?!”

Queen Novo turned to him “Sky Beak I sense her magic and it was powerful more powerful than anything I’d ever sensed, even when I met Princess Celestia for the first time. In fact Princess Celestia who moves the sun and moon might I add would have been a drop in the ocean compared to the power of felt from that mare, if she wanted to she could pull the sun into the planet or even bend the very fabric of reality around her. If she wanted us gone she could have wiped us out simply by deciding she didn’t want us to exist and then we would no longer.” Sky Beak’s jaw dropped as Queen Novo contemplated the future of her people.

Author's Note

Who do you think the orange Alicorn is? Oh and just to date this chapter Merry Christmas.

Chapter 16: Battle

Battles were few in far between as Twilight’s force swallowed much of Storm King’s forces thanks to Tempest’s leadership skills. Of course as they arrived at another one of the Storm King’s camps they discovered there there was not a single Abyssinian there, instead there were thousands of Sombra’s cultists, Twilight grinned as she turned to Stature “Let’s have competition to see how many we can kill?”

Stature grinned “You’re on!”

Twilight shouted “Charge!” within a second Twilight jumped forward as Tempest, Crystal, Stature as well as Lionheart and Bladewing rushed forward mercenaries and Abyssinians behind them. Within a minute Twilight shouted as she stabbed a cultist “Thirty!”

Stature shouted back as he cleaved three cultist clean in half “Thirty Five!” The two then rushed forward striking at thousands of corpses piling up around them Twilight grinned “Two thousand!”

Stature pulled her over giving her a kiss before grinning “Two thousand and three!” the two then began to fight in tandem, Twilight jumped over him cutting through three cultists before, he held her hoof in his hand as they danced around the battlefield, she thrust a sword past his head stabbing a guy in the skull, they both jumped over a two black crystals as they killed the two cultists foolish enough to try taking them on.

Tempest blinked as she and Crystal were fighting “Those two really love each other don’t they?”

Crystal nodded as she ripped a stallion face off with her claws “Yep, they are a real duo.”

Tempest killed another few cultists “She enjoys this, I mean literally they have broken off again to get more kills.”

Twilight shouted “Five thousand!”

Stature shouted a minute later “Seven thousand, six hundred and nine!”

Twilight shouted back “Eight thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine!”

Lionheart and Bladewing shouted as they flew around tearing into the hoards of cultists “Woohoo!”

Twilight roared “Ten thousand!”

Stature boomed “Ten thousand and fifty!” The cultists were panicking as more and more of them just ended up being torn apart by ferocious forces engaging them.

Crystal meanwhile tore off one of the cultist’s face with her jaws, before disembowelling another “Take that you bastards.”

Tempest roared “Fear the might of my Storm!” Tempest horn glowed summoning a huge hurricane tore through over one thousand cultists.

Twilight grinned as the remaining cultists ran away “Fifteen thousand!”

Stature scowled “I only fourteen thousand nine hundred damn it!”

Tempest laughed “You two, I must you guys a lot of fun. The Storm King always was all about work, do this, do that. I don’t like this, I hate that. Build me a statue like me, no take it down it doesn’t capture my good side. I’m glad to be working with you, you are so friendly.”

Twilight grinned “Maybe to those on our side but to the enemy we are the bringers of death, we never falter and never surrender.”

Crystal flew over “We need to plan for our attack on the Storm King’s base.”

Tempest nodded “Yes, we do let’s head to the base and plan out our final assault.”

A couple of hours later, Twilight as she had stood around a table with Tempest, Stature, Crystal as well as the two griffons Lionheart and Bladewing. Tempest frowned “Alright so how do we do this, the Storm King’s base is large and vast, we will have to attack from multiple angles.”

Twilight frowned “I could just destroy the entire place with a simple spell.”

Tempest shook her head “I have studied war for years, he had quite a lot of resources we could use to make the changes to the kingdom.”

Twilight frowned “Fine so what’s the plan.”

Tempest frowned “We will have one small squad, let by Stature head into the castle to take the Storm King out quickly and effectively, he likely has a large army outside that will be able to match up to ours and we will need to hold them off, we will have three stalling forces one lead by Twilight, another led by me and the third led by Crystal.”

Lionheart and Bladewing complained “Why don’t we get to lead our own groups!” Everyone gave them a glance that basically said (You know why), the two griffons sighed as they sat down. The group were busy working out the details but one thing they didn’t know was that the next day would bring a great deal of pain and sorrow.

Author's Note

Chapter 17 hurt slightly to write, so when it's posted I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 17: Sorrow

Twilight was standing on the airship standing on the balcony watching as they landed first on the Storm King’s floating island, huge black spires covered the island. Her group rushed forward tearing into the countless dark mages, soon heads, hooves and horns of Sombran Cultists flew through the air.

Tempest’s forces and Crystal’s forces soon joined the group tearing into the attacking army. Meanwhile Stature’s much smaller force of mercenaries snuck through the dark eerie castle, the silently killed a few cultists who were guarding the pitch black door, they entered to discover a well lit room full of weapons and lazy cultists, they took out the lazy cultists quickly. Stature looked at them “We have secured the area, move out.”

The mercenaries nodded as they snuck into the next room which was dark an the night, the smell of blood filled the room. They looked around in confusion before dark purple candles lit up the room in an eerie glow, they saw thousands of dead cultists with genuine smiles on their faces as well as skulls decorating the dark purple walls. They turned around to see the Storm King but his eyes were glowing green, purple trails flowing of them, the Storm King chuckled “This host is truly amazing, I gotta say if the had any actual magic in him he would be really dangerous. He fell for it too power hungry fool.”

Stature scowled brandishing his axe “Who are you?!”

Their adversary chuckled “I am King Sombra and this will be a fitting host for my power until I can escape that pitiful prison the Princesses locked me in.”

He pulled out a sword and stabbed it into one of the mercenaries chest, the mercenary then dissolved into dust, King Sombra chuckled menacingly “This weapon is perfect, whoever decided to enchant a blade with an enchantment to dissolve their enemies is a genius.”

Stature grimaced as he brandished his axe “Everyone, fight or die!”

Twilight meanwhile was tearing through the cultists outside, Twilight turned to the castle as it exploded, Stature flying out slamming into the ground in the centre of the enemies. He stood up with his axe only for King Sombra to leap down stabbing him in the chest, he turned to Twilight with a sorrowful look as his body turned to dust, his axe landed on top of the dust.

Twilight let out a horrifying wail hat brought everyone save king Sombra to their knee as the anger and sorrow hit them. Twilight’s eyes glowed with chaotic black power, she turned to Sombra and his Cultists with fury in her eyes. King Sombra chuckled unfazed “Ah I see, the one who would have been my host. I am King Sombra master of Darkness and your…”

Twilight growled in a monstrously deep voice “Begone!” Sombra didn’t even get to make a sound as the Storm King’s body and all of the cultists dissapeared from existence, Twilight then slowly trotted over tears forming in her eyes to where the dust that made up Stature’s body laid and began to wail uncontrollably as everyone stood up in shock and horror. Crystal flew over giving Twilight a hug as she cried over the remains of her love.

Tempest trotted over to Twilight and joined in on the hug, as Storm Beasts and Mercenaries alike bowed their heads in respect of the fallen warrior. After about a few hours of Twilight crying she stood up tear in her eyes, she picked up his axe her horn glowing as she kissed it, it glowed a bright purple as she enchanted it so it would never break or rust as memento of the minotaur who she gave her heart.

Twilight felt the tears in her eyes as she boarded one of the ships “W-we h-have a-a f-fun-e-er-a-al t-to h-ho-l-ld.” Everyone else solemnly board the ship as they returned to the base all of them in tears, a few left the ship gathering up the ashes and bringing them back.

Back at the base flowers were all over the base, everyone was wearing black suits and dresses, Twilight stood upon the dais as she looked at urns “H-he w-was a g-grea…”

Twilight began to cry on the dais as everyone watched, Crystal held the crying mare with a conviction on her face “Stature was a bold and brave warrior, he never gave up and cared for others deeply even as he hid it behind his tough guy persona. He stood up for many who were week and helpless.”

Crystal escorting the crying mare off the stage as many mercenaries stood up there as many Mercenaries shared tales of the brave minotaur who had lost his life that day in the final battle against the Storm King.

Later that day Twilight met with her four friends, Tempest, Crystal, Lionheart and Bladewing. Twilight spoke tears in her eyes “I lost a dear friends today and I want to be connected with you more, come closer please.”

Twilight’s horn glowed green with changeling magic as she touched their foreheads with Changeling magic. Twilight smiled weakly as they all heard a voice (Can you here me?)

They all shouted (How are you talking to us?!)

Twilight sent a message across the hive mind as she tried to dry her tears (I have incorporated you in a Changeling Hive Mind, you will not be under my control or anything as you are in the advisor position of the Hive Mind and thus I can’t give you orders, you are my friends and I want to know you are all safe.) Her four friends hugged her as she began to cry again unaware of the tasks ahead of them.

Author's Note

I had this planned a while back, I honestly felt bad doing this but I had too. Also note the next chapter is going to have a lot happening in it.

Chapter 18: Conflict

Twilight after Stature’s death doubled down on her work spreading friendship throughout her new kingdom yet despite her success she refused to have a coronation. She also trained both her physically and magically over the next six months the only people who ever saw her outside of business were Tempest, Crystal, Bladewing and Lionheart.

After six months Twilight trotted through the streets smiling as she saw Ponies, Dragons and Griffons as well as Abyssinians, Pantherians and Minotaurs travelling through the streets in friendship and harmony, she smiled as she saw a dragon and abyssinian kissing.

Twilight did this often but soon her ambitions led her elsewhere, the three kingdoms around were under rule of tyrant as well, the kingdom to the north she knew would be incredibly tricky and she would need to overthrow the other two tyrants to in order to even think of assaulting it.

Twilight launched a duel campaign on the enslaved Kingdom of Wyveria which was being controlled by a ruthless Griffon Warlord and the enslaved Kingdom of Dragonia which was being used as a slave colony by Saddle Arabia, Twilight’s quick and ruthless strike against both kingdoms lead them to fall quickly.

Twilight then spent the next two years forging the Friendship Kingdom before planning her biggest assault on the Kingdom of Astrum a massive kingdom that dwarfed the Friendship Kingdom by a significant margin. It would need to as it was home to the Ursa Majors and their Tyrant King Fellstar.

Twilight was marching out of the gates of Klugetown once a small town, now a bustling capital with massive golden streets that several Ursa Majors could walk through side by side, Twilight smiled as a large green Wyvern was playing with a group of young Abyssinians and Pantherians. The cheering of the crowd of ponies, Wyverns, Dragons, Abyssinians, Pantherians as well as the other various races all hoping for their success.

Tempest frowned as she turned to Twilight (Are you sure we can do this?)

Twilight nodded as she turned to her (We don’t have the numbers advantage so we will have make a beeline for the capital Orion and slay their King quickly) After a few days of travel the huge contingent of Dragons, Wyverns, Abyssinians and Ponies stood at the edge of Astrum’s border city, Pisces.

Crystal grimaced (So what’s the plan?)

Twilight turned to her (We will strike hard and fast, I want to minimise casualties the enemy are largely forced into this.) She then sent a message to the Twins over the Hive Mind (Lionheart, Bladewing prepare to charge!) Twilight’s army rushed into the camp, they tore through the golden barricades as they tore through the titanic Ursa majors guarding the camp.

Tempest frowned “We cleared the camp of enemies, it wasn’t too hard but now they are going to on greater alert as we set off an alarm that informed all the other bases of an attack.”

Twilight scowled ‘Then we charge for the capital taking as few break as possible while still maintaining optimal combat efficiency, everyone move out!” Twilight’s forces struck at the bases with blistering speed easily outpacing the massive army of Astrum that was incapable of keeping up with the attackers as they zigzagged through the kingdom, they eventually arrived in Orion.

Massive buildings towered over them, Twilight watched as Ursa Majors and their cubs watched on in fear of the army of from their perspective small-tiny creatures that marched upon the castle, several Ursa Majors guarded the palace, they were the largest Twilight had ever seen far above the norm over twice the size of the average Ursa Major, Twilight growled flexed her muscles to show the results of all the training she did over the years “Stand down or I will be forced to bring you down!”

The Ursa Major guards let out a deep laugh “You, what can a pathetic pony like you do to us?” Twilight took a deep breath as lifted Stature’s large axe and rushed forward with a massive burst of speed she took a single swing appearing on the other side. The guards stood then sunned before exploded leaving nothing but a huge blood splatter that stood out against the deep brown stairs.

Tempest galloped up “That was amazing, how did you do that!”

Twilight frowned “A lot of training.” Twilight then turned to everyone “Come on and watch as I bring an end to another tyrant!” Twilight walked in on her hind legs with her army following her. Stature’s axe resting on her shoulder as they entered the massive throne room, a huge Ursa Major easily twenty time larger than the average carrying a massive sword walked forward.

He looked at the group with a confident gaze as his deep voice rumbled “So which of you is going to challenge me, King Fellstar The Unbroken?!”

Twilight glared at him “I am!” King Fellstar laughed a she swung his massive blade at her as he laughed, his laughter stopped as hi balder stopped with a massive thud, Twilight then with a flick of her hoof threw him off balance before jumping into the air swinging Stature’s axe, her army watched as King Fellstar’s head crashed onto the ground his body crashing backwards onto the ground.

Twilight and her army turned around as a huge group of Ursa Majors ran in, the tallest one at the front blinked in shock “King Fellstar’s dead!”

Twilight stated “I slain him with this axe! I wish for your kingdom to become part of mine.”

The Tall Ursa Major bowed “I am Captain Star Seeker, our kingdom won’t follow some random mercenary who isn’t even Queen of her kingdom, otherwise we would follow without question.”

Twilight frowned “Fine then, I would gladly hold my coronation in Orion. It has been long overdue.”

Two weeks passed since the Ursas accepted to integrate after her coronation. Two weeks had past since the day, they had organised the coronation with incredible speed, Twilight’s friends sat next to Queen Nov and her daughter.

Twilight entered the massive golden cathedral wearing a purple suit of armour, Twilight walked upright heading for the altar, she kneeled before Tempest. Tempest was holding a crown in her magic “Do you pledge yourself to protect your people from all harm.”

Twilight pledged “I do.”

Tempest then asked her “Do you devote yourself to spreading Friendship and Harmony through these lands.”

Twilight pledged “I do.”

Tempest nodded “Then take you place as Queen of Friendship and Harmony.” Twilight sat on the throne and then as soon as the crown was placed on her head she dissapeared in a flash of light, Twilight opened her eyes to see a strange realm full of stars and nebulas swirling around her.

Author's Note

I did tell you a lot would be happening in this chapter.

Chapter 19: Ascension

A sweet welcoming voice spoke “I am Mystica, welcome to the realm of ascension.” Twilight turned to see an Alicorn with a shining white coat similar to Celestia and a dark blue starry mane similar to Luna.

Twilight blinked “Why am I here?”

Mystica smiled “You are here to ascend beyond the limits of mortality to be like me, an Alicorn.”

Twilight frowned as she turned away “If that’s the case, I need check something” she trotted away as Mystica followed her.

Mystica frowned “What do you need to check?”

Twilight smiled as she saw a closed door with an orange and yellow, ying and yang sun symbol on it. Twilight smiled “You crazy mare Sunset, you went and bloody fucking did it” Twilight frowned “but that means she is living in a dusty tower alone with no-one to help her, I have to find that tower.”

Twilight frowned “Where is your Cutie mark?”

Mystica laughed “I don’t have one, I am a completely harmonic being, someone else gave them to ponies that was not me.”

Twilight shouted “What!

Mystica smiled “Never mind that. Now there are a few things I want to go through with you before you leave here but first I believe you need to meet with someone.”

Twilight turned around to see massive red minotaur with a dark blue mane, she cried forgetting her questions as she knocked him over “Stature I missed you so much!”

Stature smiled as he gave her a hug “As have I.”

Twilight chirped “Are you happy?”

Stature sighed “Valhalla is a fantastic place but often I wake only to miss you. What hurts me more though is that you have isolated yourself Twilight, you hold onto me and won’t let anyone else fill that spot.”

Twilight cried “I can’t let someone take that spot from you, I love you too much.”

Stature gave her a kiss “Look at me nothing hurts me more than seeing you hurting, so please move on or I’ll have to take drastic action.”

Twilight eyes widened “What do you mean?”

Queen Mystica nodded gravely “I will erase all memories of him from your mind, he told me what I had to do if you refused.”

Stature nodded “Swear to me on our love that you will move on and find another partner if the right one comes along.”

Twilight cried tears flowing “I-I p-promise.”

Stature hugged her giving her a kiss with a smile “Twilight have a good life, never give up on happiness.”

His form faded away as Twilight cried, Mystica sat there for hours as Twilight cried, until Twilight she couldn’t cry anymore. Mystica nodded “Are you ready?” Twilight looked up at her and nodded as she followed Mystica, Mystica gave her a sad smile “I hope you can forgive my daughter, Celestia at some point.”

Twilight scowled “She turned on me, she didn’t listen to me!”

Mystica sighed “She always looked up to me as you used to for her. She wanted to be like me but she didn’t ever realise I am not a good role model to be following. I left them under the care of Starswirl believing this world would be safe between my daughters and the Lord of Chaos.”

Twilight gasped “Discord!”

Mystica sighed “Yes, we were born out of the universe at the same time, he was like a brother to me. My harmonic presence stabilised his chaotic one, when I left the world he slowly started to unravel unable to stabilise the chaos in himself and not long after Starswirl’s disappearance he became Entropy a fearsome creature seeking the destruction of all things and it was only thanks to my daughter’s Celestia and Luna that he is as stable as he is.”

Twilight frowned “Why share this with me?”

Mystica slumped over “You will be the new Alicorn of Harmony, you can balance him out as I did millennia ago.”

Twilight frowned “I have a lot of work to do then, I have to spread friendship throughout Astrum, locate Sunset Shimmer and free Discord.”

Mystica nodded “You should save Discord for last, you have more pressing concerns to deal with.”

Twilight nodded “I’ll think about forgiving Celestia but I’ll make no promises.”

Mystica nodded “Very well” she then smiled “Come with me” the two entered a glowing door with Twilight’s Cutie Mark.

Mystica smiled “You have done great things, helped so many.” Pictures of her exploits and actions in Equestria flew by “Furthermore even in your darkest days you never stopped being who you were, you took action to bring happiness and joy to others even if it hurt.” Pictures of her exploits outside the borders of Equestria flew past “For that the world thanks you, return to your kingdom as a changed mare.”

Twilight reappeared the crown on her head, the armour how grown and shifted to fit her new body size which was easily twice the height of Princess Celestia. She then flared out massive wings covered in armoured plate, everyone roared in unison “Hail Queen Twilight Sparkle!” Twilight sat there contemplating her next move not knowing that one big change would come right around the corner.

Meanwhile in Canterlot at the moment of Twilight’s ascension

Celestia bolted up in her room as she felt a powerful entity emerge in the world one far more powerful than even than anything she had felt before. She shivered in fear of what it could mean for the world.

Author's Note

Twilight has now ascended, Equestria will get some focus later once Twilight has an acutal face to face with her mentor.

Chapter 20: Queens Meet

Queen Chrysalis groaned as she escorted the remains of her hive through the Bone Dry Desert, she growled “Stupid ponies, I turned my back on that mare and her husband for a second and we lost everything!”

She could hear her changelings travelling behind her as they approached what appeared to be a massive steam-punk styled city with a massive castle with steam pumping out of it. Chrysalis the remnants of her hive into the city, her hive blinked as they saw Ursa Majors walking through the streets wearing heavy armour and weapons, Chrysalis blinked “Who is in charge of this kingdom?”

An Abyssinian guard frowned “You are the Changeling Queen correct?”

Chrysalis frowned “Yes I am, why?”

The guard smiled “Our Queen has a proposition for you, do you wish to speak with her?” Chrysalis nodded, she knew she had no other choice, the guard escorted her toward the steam-punk styled castle, huge metal pipes emerge out of weird places pumping out steam.

Chrysalis commanded across the Hive Mind (Changelings keep out of sight, I’m being called to meet the ruler of this kingdom and hopefully we can make a deal with her so we can stay here.)

Chrysalis’ eyes widened as she saw the bronze coloured steam powered machines all over the building as she was escorted to the throne room, what was even more shocking for her was the mare who was sitting on the large chair in front of a round table, she was taller, more well muscled and had a pair of wing but Chrysalis had no doubt who this was (It’s Twilight Sparkle, shit!)

Twilight smiled “Take a seat, may I have your name?”

Chrysalis shivered “I-I a-am Q-Queen C-Chrysalis your highness.”

Twilight laughed “Relax and please call me Twilight, I hate formalities” she then frowned as he got serious “I have a simple proposition for you, I know your changelings are starving and need a home, I am willing to give them full citizenship in exchange for some of them acting as spies.”

Tempest trotted in “My Queen we still have no idea of where the tower is.”

Twilight nodded “I understand, keep up the search.” Twilight then turned back to Chrysalis, her words were laced with venom “There is only one question I need you to answer and I expect the absolute truth, do you know what happened at the Canterlot wedding?”

Chrysalis took a deep breath trying to regain her composure before responding honestly “I was responsible, I had kidnapped Cadence taking her place and brainwashed your brother so he would not doubt me, as for your other friends I’m surprised they turned on you like that.”

Chrysalis was shocked as Twilight’s horn glowed green like a changeling before she turned to Chrysalis “I am angry at you but you are a valuable asset so my offer still stands, you people will be given free reign in my kingdom and you will my spy-master. No harm will come to your people as long as you are honest with me.”

Chrysalis nodded “I accept your proposal.”

Twilight smiled “Good Tempest will escort you around the city, in the meantime I need to shatter some pots.”

Tempest had teleported right next to Chrysalis, Tempest took a deep breath “I’m never going to get used to that.” Tempest frowned “Come on then let’s escort you through the city.”

Chrysalis was escorted out of the massive castle (Everyling mingle, this is your new home.) Chrysalis was shocked as her changelings moved onto the streets everyone even the ponies were very accepting of them, she even found a few asking them questions about their culture.

Tempest chuckled “Twilight hates anyone being treated differently because of who they are” Tempest smile turned into a scowl as she pulled Chrysalis into an alley “Now listen here Twilight is a rough spot right now, she is just starting to get over the loss of someone very special to her so if you do anything to hurt her I promise you a slow and painful death is that clear!”

Chrysalis gulped “Crystal.”

Tempest grinned “Good now let’s show you around.” Tempest guided her to a massive park with statue of a massive red minotaur with a dark blue mane holding a massive axe. Tempest sighed “This is Stature Memorial Park.”

Chrysalis blinked “Who’s Stature?”

Tempest frowned “He is the individual who I mentioned, he was her first love and she has only just got over his death. There is more to see.” Chrysalis followed Tempest through the wide streets of Klugetown, she save a Ursa Major gently playing with a group of young ponies, Abyssinians and Pantherians, Tempest smiled “This is the base of the Star Storm Mercenaries where everything started.”

Chrysalis frowned “How did a nerdy bookworm like her become a warrior?”

Tempest grimaced “Klugetown and the surrounding areas are rough, all we know is she met up with a merchant pony who taught her combat, she hasn’t told us much else.”

Chrysalis blinked “Really.”

Tempest nodded “Yes.”

As they were moving through Klugetown they saw a large empty field next to a huge barracks building, a blue dragon was standing in front of row of Ursa Majors, Abyssinians, Pantherians as well as Ponies, Wyverns, Dragons, Minotaurs, Griffons and even a few Changelings. Chrysalis blinked “What’s going on?”

Tempest grinned “You’re in for a real treat, the dragon at the front there is names Crystal and she is in charge of training all the new recruits. I thought I was harsh but I have nothing on her.”

Chrysalis watched as Crystal roared “Stand at attention!”

Everyone except one Ursa Major stood in a line saluting, Crystal turned to the Ursa Major with a fierce scowl “Why are you not in line with the others?!”

The Ursa frowned “Why should I follow the orders of a pathetic dragon like yourself.” Crystal didn’t even speak instead she slammed her fist into the Ursa Major’s gut bringing him to the ground, before skydiving into his head bringing him to the ground.

Crystal then turned to the rest of them especially the other two Ursa Majors “Anyone else have an issue with me?!” Everyone just shook their heads, she nodded “Now because of him fifty pushups each and if one of you stops the rest have to start again, am I clear!” They all nodded.

Chrysalis blinked “She is scary.”

Tempest shook her head “Those who wish to enter the Phoenix Fire Core better be ready to fight or else they will die, now let’s show you around the rest of the town before we can put you and your changelings on duty.” Chrysalis nodded before she was escorted through the city to multiple places including the machine factory and to even see the floating Cloud City, Starry Storms.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 21: Tower

Twilight took a deep breath as she was listening to a petition of a stallion and mare who wanted lands to build a mansion, she frowned “Lord and Lady Bigwig we don’t allow anyone to build massive mansions, it takes up space that could be used for other things that need to be built.”

Lord and Lady Big Wig stormed out angry that their petition was not approved , Twilight grimaced at the long line which oddly enough was mainly filled with ponies “Do any of you wish to build huge structures or make yourselves filthy rich because I am not doing that.” Twilight sighed as the crowd all left, Twilight grumbled “Stupid ponies, spoilt by Celestia’s overly generous nature I see.”

Chrysalis wearing a pair of glasses as she looked over some notes before looking up as she entered, Twilight frowned “Please tell me you’ve brought good news because I’ve had a rough day.”

Chrysalis nodded with a small smile “Yes your Highness we..”

Twilight frowned “You’ve been doing good work for the last year, call me Twilight.”

Chrysalis smiled meekly “I was unsure of this whole thing when you gave me your proposition but what changed was when I saw ponies treating my kind with respect for the first time, they always saw us as monsters.”

Twilight nodded “That doesn’t apply here, I see everyone regardless of species as equals, even have a few Timberwolves, Manticores and Hydras living here now” Twilight then smiled ‘To be honest you seem meeker and less forceful than were at the wedding.”

Chrysalis blushed “Well, I acted like that because it was how my mother expected me to act and how most Changelings expected, now we are all in service to you I get to be my own ling for once.”

Twilight smiled “I have held this back from you for some time but you have proved yourself worthy.” Twilight’s horn glowed green as she placed it on Chrysalis’ forehead.

Chrysalis blinked as she heard Twilight’s voice in her head (Welcome to the Hive Mind, you are now one of my most trusted advisors.)

Tempest laughed (You’re finally in, I was wondering when Twilight would bring you in here. Twilight can’t command us as we exist to advise her and help her if she doesn’t think she needs it.)

Crystal grinned (Well said Tempest)

Chrysalis blinked as two loud voice shouted (Woohoo miss buggy finally got in here!)

Twilight scowled (Quiet!) she then turned to Chrysalis with a smile (Anyway, Chrysalis was what you needed to tell me?)

Chrysalis nodded (We found the tower, it is currently 10 kilometres north-east of Klugetown. We finally managed to triangulate it's location, damn dissapearing tower.)

Twilight smiled (Tempest rally our camp troop, we need to move out.) Within an hour Twilight and a small part of her army were setting up a camp outside of the tower, Twilight commanded as she flared out her wings “I wish for you to stay out here, I need to enter alone.”

Twilight frowned as stepped into the tall clear crystal tower, she trotted onto the Crystal Floor of grand tower Stature’s axe strapped to her back. She saw huge clear crystal pillars holding the flat crystal roof up, the crystal wall were also completely flat as if they were walls.

Twilight climbed up several sets of crystal stairs, she grimaced as she heard a harrowing wail echo through the crystal hallways, one that would stop any lesser creature running away. She decided to explore where she heard the wailing, she blinked as she saw an orange alicorn with a red and yellow striped mane wailing. Twilight galloped after her only for her to dissapear, Twilight rolled her eyes as her horn glowed sending a wave of magic.

Twilight then turned to see a door “An illusion clever, most unicorns powerful enough to pierce that veil would not have the mental fortitude to withstand the fear this place gives off or would even care to come here.”

Twilight pushed the door opened with her magic to see an orange mare wailing in the centre of the room, the mare scurried back “Stay away from me, I am not going back to Equestria. I can’t face her again.”

Twilight chuckled as she looked over the Alicorn, she was slightly bigger than Luna “Sunset I am not here to take you back to Canterlot, I am just here so you don’t stay here alone and unloved.”

Sunset frowned “Don’t lie to me Twilight, you were her pet, she cared for you like a daughter.”

Twilight scowled “If I was her pet what am I doing all the way out here in a dusty tower she would have had no idea about and she would have no idea that ascended would she. This tower kept your magical signal hidden from the world so if I was looking for you because of Celestia I wouldn’t be here” Twilight flared out her wings “I’m here because I heard the rumours and I ascended albeit the normal way.”

Sunset slowly approached her “Fine but why are you out here?”

Twilight sighed “I ran away because my friends and family, even Princess Celestia turned on me. I learned how to fight and even kill, I am now ruler of my own kingdom devoted to spreading friendship.” Twilight then spoke with incredible conviction “I will do anything to protect it even if it mean I must commit genocide!”

Sunset blinked “Wow, you have done some really impressive things.”

Twilight smiled “Yep, still I’m impressed you were able to ascend without doing it the normal way. I would have never even tried that, you truly have strong ambitions.”

Sunset blinked “I kind of had to use dark magic in order to bridge the gap, it took me a lot of work and study.”

Twilight’s eyes glowed green as purple trails flowed out them “I have studied dark magic as well, I must admit I wish I could use it on Blueblood. He was a massive flirt.”

Sunset laughed “Sweet Celestia yes, he was always a terrible flirt, he tried to date me several times until I set him on fire.”

Twilight chuckled “Really, that’s bloody fucking fantastic!”

Sunset blinked “You swore.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow “Of course I fucking swore, you don’t.”

Sunset frowned “No I do bloody swear, I just didn't expect a fucking princess to swear and I thought it would be rude to do so.”

Twilight shook her head “I’m a Queen not a Princess now let’s fucking get out of here, now put your formal no swearing pants when we confront my troops.”

Sunset frowned “Are you sure you want me to come with you?”

Twilight smiled “Of course I fucking do come on. "

As the two mares trotted out of the crystal tower to meet with the troops, Tempest frowned “Twilight, who is this?”

Twilight smiled “This is Sunset Shimmer and she is coming back with us to the Capital.”

Twilight smiled as the group packed up their stuff as Sunset’s horn glowed causing the tower to crumble behind them, Sunset shrugged as they all looked at her “It was temporary residence, there was nothing in there except my bed which I never used.” Everyone else nodded as they returned to the Capital of the Friendship Kingdom.

Author's Note

Sunset's here everyone.

Chapter 23 The Crystal Empire Part 1

Twilight smiled “Sunset, how you feeling?”

Sunset frowned “You are quite vicious, I’m just unsure of how to feel about that.”

Twilight sighed as she tapped the floor “Being turned on by those you cared about hurts, you will never truly recover and even if by some miracle you do you will never be the same as you were, you understand this don’t you?”

Sunset nodded “True, I just need some time to adjust to the new you.” The groups decided to have a slow flight back to Klugetown, they weren’t too busy, when they arrived at Klugetown a voice buzzed in her mind (My Queen I couldn’t get through to you, you were too far away we have something urgent)

Twilight frowned (What is it?)

Chrysalis reply was simple but it shook her to the core (The Crystal Empire has returned.)

Twilight grimaced (I’m going to be leaving an Alicorn named Sunset Shimmer here while I address this issue, she will treated with the same respect you treat me got it!)

Chrysalis nodded (Yes my Queen) A few hours later as the ship landed at the docks, Twilight frowned “We are not leaving, we have somewhere else to go” she then turned to Sunset as Chrysalis ran up to them “I need you to go with Chrysalis.”

Sunset frowned “Why can’t I come with you?”

Twilight asked with a look of concern on her face “Are you ready to meet with Celestia because if you come with me to the Crystal Empire, Celestia will find out about you, are you ready to face her?”

Sunset nodded “I understand what you’re saying, I wish you luck.”

Twilight smiled as she waved goodbye “Thanks Sunset.” Twilight frowned as a pair of Hippogriffs landed “Queen Novo it is a surprise to see you here, we have not been in contact since the Storm King’s defeat.”

Queen Novo nodded “Me and my daughter wish to come with you, the Crystal Empire is a grand place and I wish to see it for myself.”

Princess Skystar bounced “This is going to be so amazing.”

Twilight frowned “Have you considered letting my people take holidays in your land and yours in mine.”

Queen Novo shook her head “I am not willing to do that.”

Twilight shrugged “Fair enough.” The two Hippogriffs took a seat, Princess Skystar shaking with excitement.

As soon as the door closed she muttered “I know I’m going to face someone soon, just great!”

Twilight grimaced as the ship stairs retracted “We have another job, the Crystal Empire has returned.”

Several Ursa Majors bolted up from the larger seat “The Crystal Empire’s back, no way! We thought it was gone for good!”

One smiled “I missed the Crystal Cookies they used to make, it was a sad day when Sombra took over their empire. We sided with Princess Celestia and Luna during that war.”

Twilight frowned “Well we will be headed there to protect the Crystal Empire and defeat King Sombra, now take your seat and prepare to warp for the Frozen North!” Everyone took their seat and Twilight called out “Everyone remember please keep mouths closed while we warp, it get very ugly!’

Queen Novo nodded as she turned to her daughter making sure her mouth was closed.The ship jolted rushed forward, Twilight frowned as the warp ended and headed towards the front of the ship seeing a massive blizzard surrounding a crystal city. Twilight grimaced “Everyone get prepared for cold, we’re lowering ourselves into the city.”

The crystal Ponies were stunned at the giant airship and were even more shocked as Wyverns, Dragons, Ursa Majors and countless other creatures exited the ship on a massive stairway. Twilight trotted off with a smile “Don’t be alarmed crystal ponies, we have come to help you and to protect you from the darkness outside your borders.”

Twilight then turned to the twenty Ursa Majors and commanded them “Head to the borders, I want you to keep the King of Darkness at bay” she then turned to the larger dragons and the wyverns “You are too support them and if any ponies from Equestria turn up let them in.” Twilight then commanded to the rest of her forces “You are too protect the Crystal Ponies, keep them safe and happy, also if any ponies from Equestria are here make sure they cause no trouble.”

Princess Skystar shouted “This place is really cool!”

Queen Novo smiled “Have some fun and be careful please.”

Tempest frowned “What do you wish of me Twilight?”

Twilight smiled “We are going to explore the castle.” T

Tempest nodded as the two entered the beautiful crystal castle, they moved up to the second floor beyond the brilliant Crystal throne room. The moved through the stunning crystal hallways between several rooms checking them for anything interesting, Tempest called out “I found something!”

Twilight frowned as she trotted into a room “The diary of Radiant Hope, hmm maybe we can find out more about the Crystal Empire.”

Twilight opened the book to the first page as she begun to read

Sombra, I shouldn’t have left. I left you all alone in the darkness but I will make this right, I must find your people the Umbrum maybe they can help you control your own darkness. I have to find them, I just hope you can be saved.

Twilight grimaced “This just got a whole lot more complicated, Sombra is not even a bad guy. Urghh I need to do some research on the Umbrum.”

Meanwhile In Equestria

Luna and Celestia were sitting in the throne room, they turned to Cadence and Shining Armour “The Crystal Empire has returned.”

Cadence scowled “What does that have to do with us, we have been under a lot of stress funding privates searches to find Twilight but we’ve has no luck! So stop speaking in riddles!” Cadence raised an eyebrow Celestia shuffled her hooves a little.

Luna rolled her eyes at her sister before turning to Cadence “You are a descendant of Crystal Princess, Amore and you need to reclaim your kingdom.”

Shining Armour smiled “Thank you Luna.”

Cadence nodded before glared at Celestia “Agreed I’m glad someone around here doesn’t speak in riddles and chase off their personal students over stupid shit.” Cadence frowned “I assume a train is going to take us there.”

Luna frowned “It will take you to the last station in the Frozen North the you will have go on hoof.”

Cadence nodded “Good enough for me.” She levitated the stunned Shining Armour in the air and carried him to the station.

Celestia slouched “I’ve messed up.” Luna said nothing as she trotted out of the room preparing to go back to sleep, she was too tired to argue with her sister.

Author's Note

This is the first of the two Crystal Empire Chapters, I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 24: The Crystal Empire Part 2

Twilight was grimacing as he wandered the halls “Urghh this is such bullshit, it turns out the guy who killed Stature was just some poor bastard who couldn’t control his magic.Urghh!” She growled a she continued to read the book.

Cadence was sitting next to Shining Armour, Shining Armour frowned “You were a bit harsh on her.”

Cadence took a deep breath “Shining Armour, you didn’t watch as a mare with so much talent was brought low because Celestia didn’t love her enough. Sunset’s behaviour was not just because of ego, she wanted and need to be love and Celestia turned her back on her.”

Shining Armour stayed silent unsure of how to respond stayed silent until they arrived at the northern most station. Shining Armour wrapped a scarf around his neck as he trotted out after Cadence, the two headed North into the frozen wastes. Shining Armour grimaced “It’s freezing out her, how are you not cold!”

Cadence shrugged “I was a Pegasus, and quite a powerful one at that. On a good day I could keep up with Dash and after I ascended that has only grown. My Pegasi magic is powerful enough to keep the cold out in even the frost of space, I went out there one day to test so this is nothing.”

Shining Armour and Cadence blinked as they saw the Crystal Empire as well the giant City sized airship with a purple star that had a bloody blade in front of it. They then heard a growl only to see the huge shadowy from King Sombra charging at them, Shining Armour galloped as Cadence flew beside him heading toward the only to see a pair of Massive Ursa Majors. The two Ursa Majors opened their mouths firing a beam at King Sombra forcing him away.

Cadence froze “U-Ursa M-Majors!”

Before Shining Armour could respond one of them lifted the two up delicately and placed them on their paw “You must be the Equestrians, you have permission from our Queen to enter.”

The Ursa Major placed the two inside the city before turning around, Shining Armour blinked “I wasn’t expecting that I thought I was going to eat us.”

Cadence took a deep breath “We must head to the castle.” Shining Armour got close to Cadence as she shivered seeing Changelings wandering around the city in full armour, they arrived at the castle to see Princess Skystar fly over them “This place is amazing!” The two entered the Crystal Castle, they headed upstairs and as they trotted into the hallways they bumped into something.

They looked up to see a really tall pony purple pony with a tricoloured mane, the mare grimaced for looking at the two of them “Cadence, Shining Armour why are you here?”

Cadence eyes widened as she looked over the mare she cried “Twilight!”

Twilight hugged her with a wing “It is me Cadence, I’m sure you saw my subjects outside.”

Shining Armour frowned “What do you mean subjects?”

Twilight rolled her eyes “I am Queen of the Friendship Kingdom and…”

Tempest galloped over “I’m sorry I just had to check our forces and…”

Twilight put a hoof on her muzzle “It’s fine, this is my brother Shining Armour and his fiance or wife not sure which.”

Tempest gave the pair the evil eye before leaving, Cadence frowned “We are not married yet we were waiting for … wait how do you know we’re not bad, the last time you saw us was at the wedding and we were both horrible to you?”

Twilight frowned “That is a long story and I have more important things to fix like the fact that Sombra is an Umbrum who never learned how to use his dark powers and became unstable. I need to find the Umbrum as well as this Radiant Hope who I assume is a Crystal Pony.”

Shining Armour grimaced “I don’t like this idea, dark magic is dangerous and forbidden according to Equestrian law.”

Twilight frowned “One I am Queen of my own nation so it doesn’t matter and two the Crystal Empire is not technically part of Equestria, and finally this…” Twilight’s eyes glowed green with purple trails flowing out of them “I have studied dark magic extensively, it is very useful as long as you are it’s master and not the other way around.”

Twilight frowned“I can feel the Umbrum, I need to head down there.”

Cadence and Shining Armour eventually shook themselves out of stupor at Twilight’s use of dark magic followed her. Cadence frowned as they arrived at a place deep into the crystal caverns beneath the Crystal Empire, Cadence frowned “Are you sure this a good idea?”

Twilight nodded “It’s the only way, Sombra wasn’t always like this. Beside I can’t stand to let anyone suffer” Twilight muttered “Even if he did kill the minotaur I loved.” Twilight then summoned her dark magic, allowing a bunch of twisted looking ponies as well as greyish heliotrope unicorn mare with a pale light arctic blue mane.

The Umbrum grinned “It’s time of us to spread darkness all across the world!”

Twilight took a deep breath and frowned “Is that what you really want?”

The Umbrum growled “Why should we do anything otherwise, everyone treats us like monsters.”

Twilight scowled “And by acting like monster you are proving them right! Do you really want to be known by what everyone treat s you like or do you want to prove them wrong!” Twilight then smiled “I will allow you into my kingdom, where you won’t be persecuted.”

The leader them trotted forward “I am Shadow Skies, what reason do I have to believe you won’t treat us like the Princesses did.”

Twilight smiled as she summoned her dark magic, “I don’t fear the darkness like they do. All magic is to be appreciated.” Twilight summoned a glass of chocolate milk and just for a laugh, drank the glass before throwing the milk backward which exploded against the wall causing Shining Armour and Cadence to jump.

Twilight then turned to the greyish heliotrope mare “You’re Radiant Hope.” The mare nodded, Twilight smiled “Then let’s go save Sombra shall we, I know a nice restaurant for a first date.” Radiant Hope blushed.

The Umbrum nodded “Very well, if you keep your word we will bring no harm to this world but if you turn on us we will destroy this world.”

Twilight chuckled darkly “If I wanted you dead you would all be by now.” The Umbrum nodded as they could feel that the dark power in her alone could easily accomplish that.

Radiant Hope frowned at those words as she followed Twilight out of the castle with the Umbrum following behind as well. Cadence and Shining Armour blinked as they saw Twilight’s Cutie Mark and the bloody blade now adorning it as well as the words she just spoke “I think the little filly we knew is gone.”

Shining Armour simply nodded stunned, the crystal ponies backed away from the group but all of Twilight’s forces didn’t even flinch or show a single sign of anger at the Umbrum. Twilight commanded the Ursa Majors to step aside, the Umbrum glowed with dark magic as Sombra rushed through. The Umbrum bringing him down to the ground calming him as he transformed into his true form similar to the others.

Radiant Hope galloped over to him “Are you okay Sombra, please tell me you’re alright?”

Sombra backed away as she realised what he was,tried to push her away “Stay away Hope please I’m a monster!”

Hope growled as she drew him closer “I don’t care what you are, I love you!” Twilight smiled as Radiant Hope kissed him, his body then began to glow as did all the other Umbrum before a huge flash of light flared out forcing everyone to close their eyes. They all opened them to see all the Umbrum had turned into ponies, some where unicorns others were Pegasi and some were Earth Ponies but one thing was consistent their coast were all darker than deepest night.

Sombra blinked his crimson red eyes meeting Hope’s moderate arctic blue eyes “What happened?”

Twilight smiled “Her love for you triggered a change in all of you, I’m not sure how but you are all now true ponies, just of the dark instead of the light.”

Twilight sighed “Well it’s time to return home. I’m sure the Cadence And Shining Armour can handle the rest.” Twilight laughed as the her brother and former foalsittier who had just exited the castle were requested to host the Crystal Fair by all the Crystal Ponies as Sombra’s magic on them had dissipated.

Twilight commanded “Everyone we are heading home!”

Tempest nodded as she boarded, Queen Novo flew over, she smiled “Thanks for bringing us here even it was for a short time.” Princess Skystar muttered something about wanting to stay longer, they boarded the ship.

The Umbrum then boarded the ship as well enjoying their new forms. Sombra entered with Radiant Hope by his side “Thank for everything, without this I would have been still an evil monster.”

Twilight frowned “It was difficult, you killed the only one I had ever loved but I have moved on from that now.”

Sombra smiled ‘Thank you everything.”

Radiant Hope smiled “We’re coming with you, we plan on finding the pieces of Princess Amore. She can brought back as long as we can put all the pieces back together.”

Twilight smiled “I believe I can help you with that.”

Sombra smiled “After this I will serve you, you have done so much for us and you are even helping us restore Princess Amore.”

Twilight nodded before she turned around and shouted “We are going to warp back, glad we have plenty of spare seat everyone strap in and remember keep your mouths shut unless you want you insides on the floor!” The ship dissapeared as the Cadence began searching for the Crystal Heart while Shining Armour began overseeing the set-up of the Crystal Faire.

Author's Note

First thanks for commenting on th last chapter, I made a few slight revisons to this one because of them. Also I hope you don't mind the fact that there a lot of characters are pissed off with Celestia.

Chapter 25: Meanwhile in Equestria

Twilight was smiling as her subjects were giving the Umbrum the warmest of welcomes, she even saw a few Umbrum kissing, one with a pony, another with a changeling. Sombra, Radiant Hope and Tempest had followed Twilight into her castle.

Sunset galloped over to her giving her a hug “You’re back, I was expecting you to be gone longer.”

Sombra blinked in confusion “Are Alicorns this common in this era?”

Twilight shook her head “There are five now, anyway come with me.”

Hope frowned “What do you have to help us find Princess Amore.”

Sunset blinked “Who are these two?”

Twilight sighed as they headed to the Throne Room “That is Sombra and his marefriend Radiant Hope, turners out all the bad things he’s done are because he didn’t know how to control his magic.” They entered the throne room, Twilight frowned “There is a door here holding a bunch of stuff I took from the Storm King” she opened the door and pointed to a statue of a unicorn, I saw pictures Princess Amore in the castle and this looked a lot like her.”

Sombra blinked as he scanned it “Almost all the shards are here, we just need to find the last few.”

Twilight frowned “There is a good chance Equestria has the remaining ones, the Storm King was very through. He had searched pretty much everywhere for them, the only place he never went was Equestria.”

Sombra grimaced “I’d rather not go there.”

Twilight and Sunset frowned as they said in complete sync “I don’t blame you.”

Hope frowned “I’m guessing bad memories.” They both nodded, Hope sighed “Great, now what?”

Twilight frowned “I should have done this ages ago.” Twilight quickly wrote a letter, then summoned her dark magic sending off with a burst with a burst of magical dark flame “I hope it works.”

Meanwhile in Equestria

Applejack was alone sitting at the table after completing her daily chores, she slammed her hoof on the table “Why did Ah fucking treat my friend like dirt, she needed mah trust and I turned mah back on her!:

Big Mac frowned as he looked at her “Applejack.”

Applejack snapped “What do you fucking want?!”

Big Mac grimaced “Ya need to take better care of yaself, all ya’ve done after ya chores is sit in that chair.”

Applejack scowled “Leave me alone, Ah need to get some air!” Big Mac sighed as she sat at the table wondering how to help his sister.

In Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie was laughing maniacally as she was cutting her legs with a kitchen knife. The Cakes hearing the laughing sighed yet despite nothing they said could help the mare that once brought joy to everywhere she went.

Fluttershy was frail and sickly, while she kept up taking care of her animals she barely ate or slept. She simply spent the days weeping in front of picture of her friend, Angel was watched her full of sorrow as Fluttershy continued to waste away.

Rarity while able to continue to do work has lost a great deal of inspiration, only working when she got a job. Sweetie Belle had begun sowing developing quite a talent for both dressmaking and business as she took up a large amount of the work Rarity had to do during the day while also finding time to go on Crusades with her friends.

Rainbow Dash meanwhile was preparing to do her signature move, she reared up before flying forward tears in her eyes as she accelerated towards the ground before a rainbow fired around her as she slammed into the ground. She whispered as she closed her eyes “I’m sorry Twilight.”

Fluttershy saw the explosion and dropped Twilight’s picture on the couch as she flew out of her cottage at blistering speed. Fluttershy flew to the crater only to see Rainbow’s Dash’s bloody body, Fluttershy gasped “Rainbow! She landed hefting the dying mare onto her back “I won’t let you die, I already failed one friend I will not fail another!”

She burst off at speed most ponies would think impossible for the usually timid mare. She stormed into the Hospital, “I have an emergency!”

The receptionist looked up and and shouted “Nurses get out here now, we have a emergency!” Within seconds a whole bunch of nurses ran out and put Rainbow Dash on a stretcher. The receptionist frowned “I need you to fill out this from so we now who brought her in.”

Fluttershy frowned as she signed it, she then told the Receptionist “I’ll be back, Rainbow Dash needs her friends.”

Fluttershy flew over to Rarity's house, and banged on the door “Rarity!” After getting no response she smashed the door down and galloped up the stairs “Rarity!”

Rarity frowned “Why are you here?”

Fluttershy scowled “Rainbow Dash tried to kill herself, she is in the Hospital now go!” Before Rarity could even blink Fluttershy had already flown out the doorway, heading off to Sugarcube Corner.

She took a deep breath as she looked at Mr and Mrs Cake, then frowned “Where is Pinkie Pie?”

Mrs Cake sighed “She’s upstairs, we have heard nothing but she’s laughing in her room alone for weeks.”

Fluttershy growled “Well not anymore!”

Fluttershy stormed upstairs and knocked on the door “Pinkie Pie come out on the count of three, one, two, three.”

Fluttershy knocked down the door only to see her bleeding “Hello Shy wish to join me?!”

Fluttershy shouted “Rainbow Dash is dying in the Hospital and she needs all of us.” Pinkie’s madness left her quickly, as she burst out of the door heading to the Hospital. Fluttershy sighed “It seems her concern for Rainbow Dash exceeds her guilt for Twilight’s disappearance.”

Fluttershy than took off for the farm, she shouted “Applejack get you flank over here!”

Applejack grimaced as she trotted over “Rainbow Dash why are you..?” Fluttershy flew up to her face, Applejack blinked “Fluttershy why are you here?”

Fluttershy grimaced “Rainbow did a rainboom into the ground, she’s in the hospital I just hope she makes it.” Fluttershy and Applejack headed to the Hospital not realising that an old friend was returning soon.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 26: Healing

Twilight grimaced as she got herself ready, Twilight grabbed a pair of saddlebags before sliding her axe over her back. Twilight grimaced “Now Sunset I want you to begin something, I want you to study up on magic and become our official Archmage so you can start training a magic core. Also bring any discoveries you make to me as soon as I am available.”

Sunset smiled as she nodded “You can count on me.”

Twilight nodded “I expect the rest of you to take charge and keep our nation running while I‘m away.”

Meanwhile in Equestria Fluttershy was standing next to her friends, the Doctors came out “There is nothing we can do, her injuries are too grave and she has lost the will to live, she is not fighting for her life.”

Just at that moment they heard a commotion outside and galloped out, Spike shouted “I got a letter from Princess Celestia, she wants all five of you in Canterlot!”

Fluttershy felt tear flowing out of her eyes “Only four of us can come, Rainbow is dying back there and won’t last very long.” The five including left for station with tears in their eyes.

Pinkie was crying “Nooooooooooooooooooo, we can’t lose another friend we just can’t.” Rarity was sobbing next to Applejack who was doing her best to stay strong, Fluttershy was the strongest of the four despite her tears, she didn’t flinch or even whimper.

They silently moved through Canterlot, they entered the castle heading to the throne room the only sound coming from Pinkie’s sobs. They opened the doors only to hear a familiar voice speaking to Celestia “Celestia I’d rather not discuss personal matters right now and..”

Pinkie shouted as she jumped at the purple Alicorn“Twilight!”

Twilight caught the mare in her hooves, Twilight’s eyes widened as she saw the bandaged cuts “Pinkie what have you been doing to yourself” she then turned to “Fluttershy, why are you so thin and where’s Rainbow Dash?”

Rarity cried “We all felt so guilty and we have all been struggling, Rainbow is dying in Ponyville she performed a Sonic Rainboom slamming into the ground!”

Twilight growled “Diplomacy has to wait Celestia, I have a friend to save!”

Celestia frowned “You still consider them friends, after all these years?”

Twilight scowled “Celestia, I am not willing to discuss this right now!” Twilight then frowned “Girls get close, we are returning to Ponyville!”

They all huddled close and Twilight’s horn glowed, with the sound of a pop they were all back in Ponyville square with ponies staring at them for a few moments before going back to their daily lives. Fluttershy frowned “Are you not angry with us, we turned our backs on you at the wedding.”

Twilight sighed “It’s been years girls, I’ve been too busy to be angry to be honest and judging by the fact one of you look starved and Pinkie Pie has cuts all over her body you all feel bad about it.”

Rarity nodded as they headed to the Ponyville Hospital “Sweetie Belle has been handling most of the business I get, I just haven’t had the energy since you left."

Applejack grimaced “I have thrown mahself into mah work.”

Fluttershy nodded “In truth we had not seen each other since that day except for this incident.”

Pinkie was slowly trotting behind them, they entered the Hospital, “I need to see Miss Rainbow Dash.”

The Receptionist sighed “I heard from the doctors, there is nothing anypony can do to help her.”

Twilight grimaced “I’ll be the judge of that, where’s her room.”

The receptionist frowned “Third room down the hall.”

They entered to see a doctor looking over Rainbow, he frowned “Are you here to say you goodbyes, she doesn't have long left.”

Twilight grimaced “I’m here to heal here now get out of my road.”

The Doctor shook his head “You are not to allowed to touch her, you are not a medical…”

Twilight three him out of the room and slammed the door, she scanned Rainbow Dash and frowned “It’s something no Equestrian could heal but for me it will take a mere moment” Twilight summoned her magic as her eyes glowed green long purple trails flowing out of them as her horn glowed with a mix of light purple, black, green and dark purple. She then placed her horn on Rainbow’s body, the magic flowing through shifting and reattaching bones, reconnecting blood vessel and repairing internal organs.

Twilight smiled “She should wake in a few minutes.”

Applejack blinked “I just realised your really tall and you have really built some muscle.”

Twilight frowned “Well when you have fight and kill to make enough fund to keep yourself alive you tend to bulk up.”

Rarity whimpered “You killed living things.”

Pinkie was silent unsure of what to say, Fluttershy gave Twilight a hug tear in her eyes“I’m sorry we made you do that.”

Applejack growled “Fluttershy, how can you accept that?”

If looks could kill Applejack would be dead ten times over as Fluttershy gave her a killer glare “You fail to undersatnd that we drove her to do that, all of us yet here she is amongst again and I for one want to reconcile it will take time but we can do it.”

A weak raspy voice spoke “Fluttershy's right.”

Everyone turned to see Rainbow her mane was messier then usually and her coat was really pale, she smiled “It’s good to see you Twilight” then as Twilight sat on the bed Rainbow cried as she gave Twilight a hug “I’m so so sorry, I should have listened to you but I didn’t. I failed to be loyal, I turned my back on my friend I’m so sssssssssssssooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy.”

Twilight gave her friend a hug “Look you feel guilty about it and it has been years. I am not one to hold a grudge for very long.”

Just then three doctors burst in “You need to…”

Rainbow smiled weakly “Hi Doc.”

The Doctors blinked “How, you were on the brink of death.”

Twilight smiled “It was all me, now I suggest you nurse her back to health.”

Spike ran over hugging her “Twilight!”

Twilight smiled “Spike come with me to Canterlot, I could use my trusty assistant help .”

Spike hugged tear flowing out “I missed you so much, I’m so sorry I should have helped convince them.”

Twilight smiled “It’s okay Spike, I would love it if you would come with me back to my new home, there is someone I want you to meet.” Twilight’s horn glowed as she disappeared in a flash leaving her friends and a group of stunned doctors behind behind.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter, next chapter you will get an idea of why Celestia is acting like such a bitch to everyone.

Chapter 27: Discussion

Twilight and Spike appeared in the meeting room, Celestia sighed “It’s a bit late for diplomacy but would join me for dinner.”

Twilight glared “I would like to discuss some personal things with you, so yes.”

Spike frowned “Should I be here?”

Twilight smiled as she lifted him up “You don’t have to be, you could go to the kitchen.”

Spike shook his head “I will stay, I want to prevent you two form murdering each other.”

Twilight’s smile became slightly more forced “Very well.”

Celestia frowned “How does feel to be running a Kingdom?”

Twilight forced a smile “Quite well, I think you’d like to know I found Sunset and she succeeded, it was a very impressive feat if I do say so myself.”

Celestia gritted her teeth “She didn’t, she couldn’t have…”

Twilight nodded as she extended her wings “Unlike me she wasn’t chosen to ascend instead she managed to break into the realm of ascension and ascend that way, quite a remarkable feat one I thought previously to be impossible.”

Celestia growled “The realm of ascension is sacred, to break into it is a…”

Twilight’s voice boomed “You have no right to judge her, how many times have you abandoned those who needed you, three times and how many more times will it be before you learn!”

Before Twilight could say another word, Blueblood walked in with a grin “Hello Twilight.”

Twilight gritted her teeth “Now he’s here.” She spat “What do you want Blueblood?!”

Blueblood grinned as he took a seat “Now now Twilight there is no need for violence, we can handle this peacefully.”

Twilight burst into laughter before she grinned at him “I am not the same merciful pony I was before and I suggest you get out of here before I decide to make you a mare.”

Blueblood paled his white coat growing even whiter “You wouldn’t dare, I am a Prince of Equestria. You have no right to…

Twilight’s horn glowed as she quipped “Well from now on you’re a Princess of Equestria, enjoy your day.”

Blueblood shrieked as she felt her body changing ran out of the room, Celestia frowned “That was uncalled for.”

Twilight screamed “Are you kidding me, your brat of a nephew has been treating mares like shit since he was old enough to sleep with them! You act like you’re so high and mighty but while you sit on your throne ponies like him are treating other ponies like dirt!”

Spike grimaced “Enough fighting you two, it’s getting late I’m going to take a nap in the corner.” Twilight nodded at him with a smile as he fell asleep.

Before Celestia could say anything Luna flew in “I could hear your arguing from the roof. Sister I believe you are not handling this with properly, I’ll take care of this.”

Celestia huffed as she left room, Luna frowned “Sorry about my sister, she’s been under a lot of pressure of late.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow “What do you mean pressure?”

Luna frowned “To put it bluntly Equestria has lost faith in her ability to protect them, in truth they have even considered removing her, appointing me as sole ruler of Equestria.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped in shock “You’re joking right!”

Luna shook her head “Hardly, the only reason the counsel didn’t go through with it was because I forbade it. There is even a new group of Moonlight Empire Supremists going around attacking statues of my sister, and burning efficacies of her on pyres, I have my night guard trying to bring them down but their numbers are increasing.”

Twilight frowned “I will gladly provide some of my forces to help take down these cultists, that is unacceptable.”

Luna nodded “I agree but enough of that “ Luna smiled “I’m glad your safe Twilight, I was so worried when you left.”

Twilight sighed “I am not the same mare I was, I have a lot of blood on my hooves.”

Luna frowned “I understand completely, I have fought countless battles. It gets easier to cope with, you start to enjoy after a while.”

Twilight nodded looking away “I got that feeling once, I haven’t honestly had a fight like that thought since before Stature died.”

Luna frowned “You cared for him, you loved him too I imagine.”

Twilight nodded grimly “I imagined we would get married one day until died at the hands of Storm King possessed by Sombra.”

Luna frowned “Cadence told us you spared him, why?”

Twilight frowned “He wasn’t evil, he just lost control of his dark magic and I had to free him from the curse.”

Luna smiled “You’re a good mare, maybe a scarred one but a good one. Now come on there’s a guest room prepared for you.” Twilight nodded levitating Spike onto her back, she then headed to a spare room they had for her to rest her head for the matters of diplomacy they would have to handle the following day.

Author's Note

Yeah Celestia's been dealing with some shit. Also Princess Blueblood LOL.

Chapter 28: Diplomacy

Twilight yawned as she woke up “Morning Spike.”

Spike smiled wheeling a tray of breakfast into the room “Morning Twilight, you’re going to need your strength today.”

Twilight groaned as he pushed herself up off the green bed. “I need to ask you something Spike?”

Spike nodded “What is it?”

Twilight sighed “I want to know why you left me back there, I’m not angry but I do need to know, I know why the girls did they thought I was overreacting.”

Spike nodded “I was kind of caught up in the wedding, I honestly thought you were just making a massive scene, I should paid more attention.”

Twilight smiled “That’s alright Spike, you’re still a young dragon it’s easy to get caught up in things.”

After their conversation she quickly ate, then she left her axe and armour in the room as she headed into the bathroom, and hopped into the shower turning it on with her magic. She began to hum as the water poured over her fur, in truth with all the work she had been doing over the last few days she hadn’t had time to shower, she then began to shampoo her fur, mane, wings and tail before stepping out with a smile, she then levitated a towel over dying herself off.

She then brushed her mane, preened her wings and left with a smile as she grabbed Stature’s axe and her saddlebags“Come on Spike we have work to do.”

Spike saluted as he hoped onto her back with a smile. The two headed to the meeting room where both Luna and Celestia sat opposite them, Luna gave Twilight a serious look “I already know you will provide a small force to help us track down the Lunar Empire Supremists but what is it you want?”

Twilight nodded “I want three things, one I wish to have access to Discord’s Statue, two I want you to provide me with the remaining shards of Princess Amore and three I wish for changelings to be allowed to live in Equestria undisguised.”

Celestia frowned “What makes you think we have the remaining shards of Princess Amore, her pieces were scattered to the winds they could be any..”

Luna nodded “We do have some, as for Changelings that will take time but I will do my best to push for it, we can also provide you with Discord’s statue.”

Celestia scowled “Wait, don’t I get a…”

Luna scowled “I knew your plans for Twilight, how you planned for her to defeat Nightmare Moon and Discord, to help out in the Crystal Empire and to finish one of Starswirl’s spells! The fact that were two variants of it one for a Sunset Shimmer and one for Twilight here worried me, you used a flawed faulty plan that relied on so much dumb luck to work it’s beyond laughable, the fact that a nerdy bookworm like Twilight managed to bond with five friends quick enough to power the elements in less than a day is a miracle in itself and then the fact you thought they could overcome Discord’s machinations!”

Luna took a deep breath “Sister you have been a fool and here I am trying to rectify a bad situation you by helping her. Twilight is a dear friend to me and she has been put in so much danger because of your foolishness, so shut up and let me start fixing your mistakes!”

Celestia slumped over silently, Twilight smiled “Thanks Luna.”

Luna shook her head “Don’t worry about it Twilight, now let’s go get Discord’s statue.” The pair headed over to the statue in the garden, leaving Celestia alone in the room.

Luna frowned “What do want the statue for?”

Twilight frowned “I have to keep a promise to your mother.”

Luna blinked “You met mum?!”

Twilight nodded “I told her I’d try to forgive Celestia but boy she isn’t making it easy. She also wants me to free Discord and bring him back into balance.”

Luna frowned “What do you mean back into balance?”

Twilight frowned “I’m not sure exactly but if I free him I will get some answers.”

Luna sighed “Very well, I’m not sure how you are going to do this.” Twilight smiled as they approached the statue outside, her horn glowed full of four different types of magic which she poured into Discord’s statue.

Luna raised an eyebrow ‘You can use dark magic without being corrupted by it, quite interesting.”

Twilight didn’t comment as the statue began to crack before bursting open in a flash of rainbow light. Discord stood up stretching “Time for a dose of…” Discord stopped as she closed his eyes “It’s been so long.” His form begun to shift his arms bulking up powerful muscles rippling through in his eagle talon and lion’s paw, his legs also showing massive increase in muscle.

His long snake like body also began showing as significant increase in muscle, his coat turning from the mismatched colours to the uniform black of chaos. His goatee being replaced by a huge black beard, he turned around and bowed to Twilight “My Queen I live to serve.”

He laughed as he clicked his claws turning Luna’s horn into a Candy Cane “Luna lift you jaw up please.”

Luna growled “Discord!”

Discord burst into deep laughter as he clicked his claws retuning Luna’s horn to normal “I was just messing with you.”

Twilight laughed “It’s been a while Discord, must admit that was funny.”

Discord grinned as he offered her chocolate milk“I’m glad you’re not much of a stick in the mud as you used to be, Chocolate milk.”

Twilight shrugged as she summoned her own “I can do that myself.”

Discord grinned “We are going to throw such marvellous parties together, within reason of course.”

Twilight smiled “To Harmony and to Chaos.” They bumped their glasses before drinking the glasses and throwing the milk backwards which exploded.

Spike blinked “This is really weird.”

Twilight frowned “You have been awfully quiet.”

Spike smiled ‘I’m smart enough to know when I’m in over my head.”

Luna shook her head from the absurdity of what happened in front of her “Right let’s go and get those shards, I’ll teleport us it will be quicker.”

Twilight nodded “Let’s go, I do want to say goodbye to the girls before I leave.”

Luna smiled “I’m glad you made up.” She then glowed her horn teleporting Twilight, Discord and Spike sitting on her back.

Discord blinked at the massive magical seal on the door“She certainly upped the security after I stole the elements, wow.”

Luna nodded “Celestia got really panicky after that, I honestly blame her for not considering the obvious fact that you were far more powerful than she is into account when making the seal. In fact much of the crafting of this is mine, my sister was never really that good at seals.”

Discord nodded as the seal dissapeared letting the four in, Luna gathered four shards and handed it to Twilight, Twilight nodded “I believe if we combine them with the ones the Storm King collected we will have all of them.”

Luna blinked “You can restore Princess Amore.”

Twilight nodded “Yes I believe so.”

Twilight frowned as she put the shards in her saddlebags “Changelings will be part of the forces hunting those supremists down, that’s why I want you to be able to accept them.”

Luna blinked “Of course.”

Twilight smiled “I’ll visit Ponyville before heading home, maybe one day you can all visit my Kingdom.”

Twilight’s horn glowed as she teleported the group away to Ponyville so she could say goodbye to her friends and then finally get down to business back home.

Author's Note

Luna is there to placate her sister and keep her from doing something stupid like causing a war.

Chapter 29: Amore

Twilight, Discord and Spike returned to Ponyville in a flash, Twilight frowned “No causing chaos Discord, you caused quite a stir last time you were here.”

Discord nodded “Very well Twilight, it’s time for serious business.”

Spike rolled his eyes “I didn’t know you knew what that word means.”

Discord frowned “I am in Harmony now thanks to Twilight so yes I do know what it means.”

Twilight frowned “Let’s go to the Hospital, I need to say goodbye.” The trio headed towards the Hospital, Twilight entered the Hospital to see the girls outside with Rainbow Dash who smiled weakly at them. Twilight approached “I just came to say my goodbyes.”

Pinkie jumped at her wrapping her in a hug crying “Why are you leaving so soon, you just got back.”

Twilight frowned “I got to take Discord and Spike back with me to Klugetown the capital of my Kingdom. I would love to stay but duty calls.”

Applejack shouted “Why is Discord free and going with you?!”

Twilight rubbed the back of her head “Celestia and Luna’s mum wanted him freed, only the Alicorn of Harmony could stabilise his chaos, fortunately I am the new Alicorn of Harmony” Twilight then frowned “I have to go, I hope to see you in my kingdom sometime.”

Twilight, Discord and Spike dissapeared in a flash of light leaving her friends stunned. Discord looked as they appeared in the throne room around, he grinned as he began to fiddle with some pipes on the wall “Steam-punk I like it.”

Spike blinked as he looked around in awe “This is your throne room, it is awesome!”

Twilight smiled as she sent a message (Crystal I want you in the throne room, I have someone you should meet.)

Crystal nodded (I’m on my way) she then shouted “Queen Twilight has summoned me, everyone to the training room if I find even one of you slacking off you all will have to do ten laps around the city!”

Crystal then burst into the air and flew towards the castle. She quickly made her way to the throne room, she bowed “Twilight, may I inquire as to why I was summoned?”

Spike tapped his claws nervously, she lightly tapped him with her wing “Spike this is Crystal your mother.”

Crystal’s and Spike’s eyes widened in shock, Crystal broke the stupor first picking up Spike with tears in her eyes “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to leave you behind but I wanted you to have a better life than I did.” Twilight trotted out of the room as she went to locate Sombra and Radiant Hope.

Spike growled “Why did you leave me behind then?!”

Crystal slumped over “Because me and your father were escaped slaves from Dragonia, we hid in Klugetown before the Storm King took over believing we would be safe but a few days after I laid your egg the Storm King too over Klugetown and began hunting down escaped slaves hoping to gain increased funds to secure his conquest. Your father died so I could escape with your egg, I headed to Equestria and left you under the Canterlot Castle hoping you’d be safe as very few would have access to the underground portion of the castle or would want to go down there, I didn’t come back because as long as the Storm King was around you would be in danger out here.”

Spike smiled giving her a small hug “How about we go and make up for lost time.”

Crystal nodded drying her tears “I know a nice cafe in the city that sells ruby ice-cream.”

Spike bounced up and down “Woohoo ruby ice-cream!” Crystal chuckled as she left with her son hoping to make up for lost time.

Meanwhile Twilight was walking back with Sombra and Radiant Hope, Sombra frowned “Are you sure it’s all of them?”

Twilight smiled “Confident, but you can double check if you like.”

Hope nodded “Well first we’ll have to put her together correctly first or else it won’t work anyway.”

They entered the throne room, Twilight smiled “Looks like Spike and Crystal have gone out to have some mother-son time, good I didn’t want to disturb them.”

Sombra smiled “It’s good they’ve been reunited” he then sighed “I don’t even know who my parents were.”

Hope hugged him “It will be okay, you’re family to me.” Twilight lead them into the room behind the throne, Hope nodded “Right urghh the Storm King put these pieces together poorly.”

Sombra‘s horn glowed a dark purple “I can piece it back together, give me a few moments.”

Twilight smiled “You need these as well,” she levitated the extra shards over to him and he then took them in his magic.

He nodded “Thanks now let’s see if this works.” His horn glowed as the shards began to piece themselves together, he felt the statue with his magic as all the shards were together after double and triple checking he turned to them “They are all in place, this should only take a moment.”

His horn lit up the statue being turned shifted, the black shards turning into a very pale almost white vermilion coat with a brilliant raspberry manes that started to turn to a moderate cobalt blue, the mare’s eyes opened as she took a deep breath, she spoke in a comforting voice “I missed the smell of fresh air.”

Twilight smiled “I assume your Princess Amore.”

The mare turned around before turning yes “Yes I am and who are you?”

Twilight smiled “I am Queen Twilight Sparkle of the Friendship Kingdom, I rule with a kind but firm hoof believing all races should be treated as equals. The Umbrum are most recent additions to my kingdom’s subjects.”

Amore frowned “The Umbrum were sealed away under the Crystal Empire, I assume you freed them.”

Twilight nodded “Yes, I needed there help to stabilise Sombra. This is their home now, I believe a few ponies and changelings are dating Umbrum.”

Sombra rubbed the back of her head “Hello Princess Amore, sorry for turning you into a Statue , scattering you to the winds and then becoming an evil tyrant.”

Amore giggled “It’s fine,” she then sighed “I should have told you about the Crystal Faire earlier, it’s my fault as much as yours. Still I’m glad someone was on you side.”

Hope blushed as Amore turned to her “It was nothing.”

Amore smiled “Modest too, she is a keeper Sombra.” Twilight laughed and Amore giggled as Sombra and Hope faces turned red like a tomato., Amore smiled “I would like a look around you kingdom before you return me home.”

Twilit nodded “Of course, it will be my pleasure.” Twilight showed Amore around before returning her to the Crystal Empire where the Crystal Ponies smothered her before she headed into the castle to speak with new rulers of the Crystal Empire.

Author's Note

Princess Amore's back woohoo.

Chapter 30: Fluttershy's Fury

Cadence was sitting in Canterlot Castle alongside her husband, Celestia, Luna and Amore, Cadence frowned “I do believe we should visit Klugetown the capital of Twilight’s Kingdom.”

Amore nodded “It’s not a bad idea, if you are going through diplomatic relations it is a good idea to visit their capital at least once.”

Celestia frowned “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Luna grimaced “Stop being petty about the fact that your plans for Twilight derailed, we need her help.”

Shining Armour frowned “I also have some misgivings, what if she decided to kill us when we arrive, we don’t have anywhere near enough forces to protect ourselves.”

Luna frowned turning to her sister “I unlike somepony was paying attention to her power, is she wanted she could have simply erased all of Equestria of the face of the map. Even if there was an army of Alicorns as strong as me and my sister it would make no difference she would destroy them all.”

There was a moment of silence, Luna frowned “We are going, all of us as it does concern both the Crystal Empire and Equestria.” Luna then began writing a letter “There are a few others who I want to come with us.”

Meanwhile in Ponyville Fluttershy was patching up Pinkie’s front legs “You really did a number on them, I suggest being careful don’t pout too much weight on them, so no bouncing.”

Pinkie nodded with a smile “Yeah, I’ll let them heal, thanks Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy smiled “Well then I’ll see you later, I’m sure have a few parties to plan.” Pinkie nodded as she slowly trotted out of the door back to Ponyville, Fluttershy then had recently begun an exercise regiment to help her body recover from her severe case of Undernutrition. She had begun her daily exercises of wing ups, sit-ups and then a lap of Ponyville both on the ground and in the air.

Fluttershy after her exercises had a shower and then headed into town. As she trotted towards Rarity's place she heard a familiar voice “So Rainbow Dash here you are, I think it’s time to make you scream.”

Fluttershy took to the air and looked around before her eyes narrowed on the three stallions, as she growled “Hoops, Dumb-Bell and Score!”

Fluttershy a fearsome screech like that of a griffon before diving down smashing Hoops skull into the ground then bursting off at lightning speed slamming into Dumb-Bell, she then caught Score’s hoof before throwing him into Hoops, Fluttershy then flew in front of Rainbow Dash “You will not dare hurt any of my friends again!” The three galloped off at as fast as their hooves could carry them.

Rainbow smiled weakly “Thanks Fluttershy, those three ambushed me.”

Fluttershy smiled “Come on, I have a Spa Day with Rarity and I believe you could us some relaxation.”

Rainbow frowned “But it’s not cool…”

Fluttershy smiled “Come on Rainbow, you need to relax a little.”

Rainbow slumped over “I can’t fly quite as fast as I used to, I keep trying to push it but I just hit the same level.” She cried “I just want to be able to fly like I used too!”

Fluttershy shook her head giving her friend a hug “It will come back but you body needs to recover, while the wounds may have closed it doesn’t mean your muscles are up to what they were before. Your body needs to rebuild those slowly so tone down your training a bit, now come on let’s go and relax.”

Rainbow smiled weakly “I’ll try.”

Fluttershy smiled “Come on let’s fly over to Rarity’s she’s likely sowing something now she’s got her groove back.”

Rainbow Nodded “Okay.” The two took to the air flying towards Carousel Boutique, they landed outside and Fluttershy knocked on the door.

Rarity called out “Give me a second let me just finish this seam.” Rarity then smiled “Sweetie Belle can you finish while I’m out?”

Sweetie Belle smiled “Sure I can, go on.”

Rarity smiled “Thanks sis, there’s some bits on the table if you want to get something from Sugarcube Corner for you and your friends.” Rarity the opened the door “Fluttershy, you ready to head to the spa.”

Fluttershy smiled “Is it okay if I bring a guest.”

Rainbow Dash smiled “Fluttershy convinced me to come, said I needed to relax.”

Rarity smiled “Great we can give you a…”

Fluttershy shook her head “Let’s start with the basic massage, a simple mane styling and a basic spa treatment, we want her to come with us again.”

Rarity blushed “Right, well let’s go don’t want to be late.” Rainbow let a small chuckle at Rarity’s behaviour, Rarity huffed as the trio trotted to the spa. They entered the Spa, Rarity smiled “Aloe, Lotus we want our usual plus one basic treatment for Rainbow Dash here.”

Aloe smiled “The rooms already prepared our cousin, Lavender Essence is here to help us out.”

Fluttershy smiled at Rainbow as they entered the massage room “Rainbow, you’ll enjoy this trust me.”

Rainbow nervously got up on a board and laid out, her concerns soon vanished as Lavender Essence slowly began to massage her back with her hooves “Dear your muscles are quite tight, I feel you need to come here more often.”

Rainbow had a dopey smile one her face, Rarity looked with a smile at Fluttershy “She really needed this.”

Fluttershy nodded “Yep.”

After the massage Fluttershy smiled “Now it’s time for hairstyling.”

Rainbow shouted “What?!”

Fluttershy shook her head “Don’t worry Rainbow, that just means they’ll brush your mane, they also may preen you wings if you need it. I must admit my wings get quite messy sometimes and it helps to have done professionally.”

Rainbow smiled sheepishly “Oh.”

Rarity smiled “Come on, hurry up you two.”

Lavender carefully brushed Rainbow’s mane as she sat there, Fluttershy smiled as she felt her wings being preened. Soon they were all revealing in the Spa. Rainbow smiled “Thanks girls, I really needed that, I may come here again with you.”

Fluttershy grinned at Rarity “Mission accomplished.”

Rarity grinned back “Indeed.”

After about twenty minutes of relaxing in the pool they got out and dried off, as soon as they exited the building with a smile to see a carriage with Pinkie and Applejack in it, Applejack called out “We have go to Canterlot, the Princesses have summoned us!” The trio got in two of their other friends unaware of they of where they would be going next.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter, Flutershy gave them the what for.

Chapter 31: Meeting In Klugetown

Twilight was sitting next Luna, Twilight frowned “They are taking a while.”

Pinkie Pie slowly trotted in, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash behind, Applejack frowned as she looked at Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy “Sorry we’re late but three of us were at the the spa.”

Twilight grinned “Rainbow, Spa huh?”

Rainbow groaned “No this is not happening.”

Twilight smiled “I’ m just joking with you, now I’m teleporting us Klugetown.”

Celestia frowned “I hope to meet some of your advisors, especially considering you have changeling in your kingdom.”

Cadence and Amore glared at her in unison “Be civil!”

Twilight whispered to Luna “They are definitely related, it is simply impossible for it to be any other way.”

Luna smiled as she whispered back “I know.”

Twilight nodded before turning “Everyone get close, I’m teleporting us into the castle.” Everyone huddled together and with a flash of light they all ended up in the throne room.

Rainbow grinned as she poked the walls “This place is awesome.”

Rarity smiled “It does have quite an interesting style to it”

Twilight smiled “Come on everyone, I want you to meet my advisors.” The group followed awed at the intricate bronze machines covering the walls, Twilight smiled “Those machines run everything within the city and are powered by the massive steam engine under the castle, the steam engine has five Dragons, ten Ursa Majors and a contingent of one thousand other smaller warriors guarding it.”

Twilight lead them into the meeting room where Sunset and Tempest were discussing the military aspects of magic, Twilight smiled “I brought our guests from Equestria, I wanted them to meet you.”

Celestia glared “Sunset I see you have…”

Luna smacked her sister with a wing as she saw Sunset cowering “We are guest in this kingdom, and the first thing you do is begin verbally assaulting one of Twilight’s advisors. I’d rather not have war” Luna then smiled “I’m Luna Moonbeam at your service.”

Rainbow did a flip in the air “I’m Rainbow Dash I need put some work in to regain my title of fastest flier but I’ll get there.”

Fluttershy smiled “I’m Fluttershy, an animal caretaker in Ponyville.”

Rarity smiled “I’m Rarity Gleam, an aspiring designer from Ponyville.”

Applejack took of her hat as she gave a light bow “Applejack of the Apple Family at your service.”

Pinkie Pie grabbed them in a hug “I’m Pinkie Pie, Equestria’s Premier Party Pony.”

Cadence smiled as levitated Pinkie off them “Hello Sunset, I’m glad to see your alright.”

Amore bowed “I don’t believe I met either of you when I was last here “I’m Lady Amore, One of the Guardians of the Crystal Empire.”

Sunset smiled “Well it’s a pleasure to meet all of you, I’m Sunset Shimmer the Archmage of the Friendship Kingdom.”

Tempest saluted “I am Commander Tempest, I command the armies of the Friendship Kingdom in service of Queen Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight sent a message (Crystal, Lionheart, Bladewing and Chrysalis I need you in the meeting room and yes Spike can come Crystal.)

Crystal and Spike entered with Spike on her back, with Bladewing and Lionheart thirty minutes later, Crystal smiled “I’m Crystal, I train the armies here and Spike’s my son.”

That caused everyone’s jaws to drop save Twilight’s, Bladewing and Lionheart grinned after everyone regained their sense “We are the heads of the Speedwings, the scouting force of the Friendship Empire.”

Twilight frowned “Where is she, she should be here by now…”

Chrysalis then trotted in with her face looking over some reports “I just got some info that some…”

The guest from both the Crystal Empire and Equestria except for Princess Amore shouted “Queen Chrysalis, what is she doing here?!”

Chrysalis looked up and screamed as she hid behind Twilight “Protect me, they’re going to try and kill meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Twilight facehooved “They’re not going to kill you, now stop hiding behind me please.” Twilight looked up and saw all the guests except Amore glaring bloody murder at Chrysalis “Okay maybe you should stay there.”

Celestia shouted “Why is Chrysalis here?!She should have been burned the moment you saw her, you know what she did at the wedding!”

Twilight frowned “The reason I didn’t kill her is because Changelings make excellent spies, she was asset that could help me protect my kingdom. Eventually she proved herself to me becoming a loyal advisor and later friend.”

Rainbow nodded “I can understand that.” Most of them offered their support of Chrysalis.

Cadence sighed “You tried to ruin my wedding, so I can’t forgive you immediately but I will be amicable for Twilight’s sake.”

Chrysalis smiled “That’s all I ask.”

Twilight smiled “I believe we should spend some time at the Cloud City of Starry Storms.” Twilight teleported the group up there, Fluttershy looked around as she saw Pegasi and other creatures walking on the clouds. Twilight laughed as Rarity and Applejack were confused as too why they weren’t falling through the floor “The clouds here are designed to support creatures a large as Ursa Major, believe or not building clouds that can support their weight is easier than using a cloud-walking spell on them.”

Rainbow Dash dragged Fluttershy went to the Stormy Track, Pinkie Pie and Applejack went over to the Cloud Cafe to try out the local baked goods while Rarity headed to the Fluffy Fabrics to see if she could acquire some unique fabrics. Luna dragged Celestia away from any food places while visiting a few arcades, Cadence and Amore meanwhile dragged Shining Armour through clothes stores trying on different outfits, Twilight smiled hoping this peace would be long lasting unaware that in a year it will mean little.

Author's Note

This is the last chapter of Act I and the next chapter will send Act II into full swing.

Chapter 32: Dissapearance

It had been one year since Equestria and Friendship Empire had formed an alliance, Luna woke when she felt a huge magical disturbance, she looked around to see she was laying on an empty field. She blinked “Where am I?!”

Luna flapped her wings flying up to the top of Mount Canterhorn and looked around Ponyville was gone as was Manehatten and Los Pegasus, in fact as she realised all of Equestria had vanished save her, she looked around in bewilderment “What happened here?!”

A group of griffons flew up the mountain “You are in griffon airspace, I suggest you explain yourself!”

Luna frowned “I awoke in that field and needed to get a view of where I was, so I flew up to the mountain top and found the entire kingdom I called home was gone.”

The lead griffon flew up, she had light grey fur and crimson red feathers with dark green talons grimaced “We are going to escort you to the Friendship Kingdom, it is the only place we can escort you to.”

Luna nodded “Very well.” (I just need to speak to Twilight)

A few hours later she was escorted to the border, Luna flew over the border to see Tempest there. Tempest frowned “Why are you being escorted her by griffons to our border?”

Luna sighed “Equestria dissapeared, all of it without a trace.”

Tempest blinked “What could have caused that, I mean Twilight could but if she did she would shared it with one of us and why leave you behind.”

Luna shook her head “It was not her and I have no idea why I am still here.”

Tempest nodded “We’ll take you back to the capital, I’m sure Twilight will be happy to house you until we figure out what caused this.”

Luna smiled “Thanks Tempest.”

Tempest smiled as a small ship landed “We have managed to make smaller warp ships a couple of months ago, this one will take us to Klugetown just remember keep your mouth shut during the trip. You don’t want to have to reconnect you organs, we have fixed that on the big ship but the smaller ones aren’t quite there yet.”

Luna nodded as she boarded the ship and it warped to Klugetown landing in the commander landing of the Castle, Tempest smiled “That’s my private warp ship for transport.”

Twilight blinked as she galloped in “What was the.. oh why is Luna here?”

Luna frowned “Equestria has vanished, I was escorted here by Griffons. I have no idea why this happened.”

Twilight frowned “Well that just adds to the weird things, I’ll fill you in, rather than Equestria there is Griffon Kingdom where Griffonstone is supposed to be called Griffonia ruled by their Queen Solaire, she has a personal student named Moonstar Burst and they are preparing for the thousandth Solar Cycle Celebration.”

Sombra frowned as he entered “The Crystal Empire is still there, we checked everywhere only Equestria has dissapeared.”

Sunset followed “We have deduced it to have been some sort of temporal disturbance, as for who has the power to cause such a thing to happen we don’t know.”

Twilight groaned “Let’s continue this in the meeting room so I have a table to bang my head on.” She teleported them into the meeting room, took a seat at the table and banged her head on the table “Bloody time travel!”

Luna grimaced “So what’s the plan, we have to figure out how this happened?”

Twilight groaned “I have been meaning to invite Solaire over to our Kingdom for a diplomatic discussion between us and the fact that some things that are she doesn’t know about.”

Sunset nodded “We may want to to be with us during the event and…”

A pegasus messenger flew in “There a massive giant red centaur outside the gates, he is demanding answers about something.”

Luna internally grimaced (I hope that’s not who I think it is, but he should be in Tartarus!)

Twilight frowned “We better meet him, come on.”

Tempest frowned “Agreed, this could be an issue.”

Discord materialised “I’ll take us there it will be quicker.”

Twilight smiled “Go on Discord.”

Discord smiled back as he clicked his claws and the group was standing on the walls,
a huge red centaur towered over the walls frowned “Can someone explain to me why Equestria has dissapeared?”

Luna screamed her horn glowing fiercely “Tirek, the Dread Centaur!”

Tirek grimaced “Yes Luna it’s me, now can someone answer my question?”

Twilight frowned “Some time related change erased Equestria from existence leaving Luna behind.”

Tirek scowled “Well that’s great!”

Discord frowned “How did you get your power back?”

Tirek chuckled “I discovered that are just wells of magic everywhere, Celestia held their locations in a book that she left in her old castle. If I knew they existed I wouldn’t have gone after pony magic.”

Luna blinked “Wait did the sun just go down.” She looked up to see the moon rising, it had a horned griffon on it.

Twilight grimaced “Well that just confirms my suspicions, there is someone on that moon and that Griffonia is parallel version of Equestria but replacing Ponies with Griffons.”

Twilight commanded “Open the gates!” Twilight frowned “Luna I know you don’t like him but maybe he has some information that can help us.”

Tirek nodded “Thank you, so we going to talk?”

Twilight nodded “Yes.”

Sunset smiled “So you’re Tirek right, what are your hobbies?”

Tirek shrugged as they headed to the castle “I like playing chess, it is a thinking game.”

Sunset smiled “I would like to play you some time.”

Tirek laughed “Maybe after this is over.” They headed out to the castle planning out a meeting unaware of what was going in the Everfree Forest one of the few places untouched by the strange events plaguing the world.

Author's Note

Well I did tell you it will all mean little in a year, also Tirek's here.

Chapter 34: Our Town

Fluttershy enters the strange town in the middle of nowhere, she frowned as a white earth pony with a white mane a black equal sign where for a cutie mark wearing massive smile that would rival Pinkie Pie’s galloped over “Hello, I’m Double Diamond and this is Our Town.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow “That’s a unique Cutie Mark you have there?”

Double Diamond shook his head “That’s not my Cutie Mark, we are devoted to a life without Cutie Marks thanks to our illustrious leader, Starlight Glimmer who has shown us this new way of life.”

Fluttershy frowned “I see.”

A unicorn with a light grey coat and azure grey mane with the same equal signs in place of a Cutie Mark, he was wearing the same ridiculously huge grin “I’m Party Favour, come on we’ll introduce to Starlight Glimmer our marvellous leader.”

Fluttershy frowned as she cast a glance ponies taking note of their strange smiles, she felt a sickening feeling in her gut as she followed the pair. She frowned as she saw she was lead up to a mare with a light heliotrope coat and a tricoloured mane made up of two shades of purple and a shade of aquamarine carrying a strange staff. The mare smiled “I am Starlight Glimmer, leader of this town as you can see we devoted ourselves to living a life without Cutie Marks.”

Starlight smiled “I believe you’ll be a fine addition to our village, join us.”

Fluttershy shook her head “No thanks I’ll be fine.”

Starlight shook her head “That wasn’t a question, that was a statement! Someone get me a jar.” Starlight waved her staff firing a beam of magic at Fluttershy but as soon a it touched her it exploded.

Fluttershy growled her eyes glowing a fierce green “Oh you piece of shit, now your going to pay!” She slammed her hooves onto the ground as they glowed with green magic and a huge creature made of dirt leapt up roaring, Fluttershy growled “Get her?”

Fluttershy shook her head as she head the sound of something large stomping on the ground, she turned around to see a massive red centaur. Fluttershy flew over as soon as Luna, Sunset, Tempest, Discord and Twilight jumped off the centaur’s back, Luna turned to Tirek “Tirek I never thought I’d say this but thanks for the ride.”

Tirek chuckled “No problem, Luna I never thought I would be doing this either.”

Fluttershy smiled “Hey Twilight” she then looked back as Starlight kept trying to fire magic at the huge dirt golem chased her “Maybe I over did it.”

Sunset frowned “Let me guess, they tried to steal your Cutie Mark.”

Fluttershy pointed to Starlight “She did, turns out her magic and my wild magic don’t get along.”

Twiley facehooved “Normal magic doesn’t work on wild magic, the only magic that you can use on wild magic is chaos magic. Wild magic is incompatible with other types of magic and thus I saw little reason to learn it.”

Luna frowned “Well let’s interrogate that crazy mare.”

Discord growled “Indeed interrogate!”

Tempest shrugged “Let’s get her, call off your Golem.” Fluttershy nodded to her pulling her golem back to her.

Twilight frowned as her group trotted over to Starlight, Starlight shook her head and stood up “Who are you, are you with her?”

Twilight frowned “I want to talk and you better give me some answers after all you tired to steal my friend’s Cutie Mark. Also Discord here is the inventor of Cutie Marks and the fact you are messing with Cutie Marks has put on his I’m going fuck you up list, I am the only thing stopping him from turning you into whatever he wants, he might turn you into a mouse, a rat or even a stick used to clean his toilet so tell me what do you know about time magic?!”

Starlight shuddered “Um well I know that you need to be an incredibly powerful unicorn or at the level of an Alicorn. It also allows you to manipulate space as well to a degree but I don’t actually know any of those spells.”

Twilight frowned “Thanks now you're coming with me while Discord fixes whatever you’ve done here?”

Starlight shouted “What?!”

Twilight shook her head “Either you come with me or Discord will do something really bad to you. You having angered one of two creators of life on this world and the other one isn’t here right now so as long as your with me he won’t kill you or do something else untoward to you.” Starlight gulped as she realised just how much she had fucked up.

Tirek joined them, he raised an eyebrow “Are you all coming back with me?”

Twilight nodded “Except Discord, he’ll meet us in Klugetown Castle.”

Tirek nodded “Very well.”

As Starlight got on Tirek’s back, Fluttershy placed a wing over her. Starlight blinked “Why are you being so nice to me, I tried to steal you Cutie Mark?”

Fluttershy frowned “I lost my temper, I didn’t mean too it just happened. Look it happened let’s move on.”

Starlight smiled slightly “Thanks, um I didn’t catch your name.”

Fluttershy smiled “Fluttershy.”

Starlight smiled “Thanks Fluttershy.” Fluttershy simply smiled as she wrapped Starlight in her wings as the group returned to Klugetown unaware the receive an invitation to a very important event.

Author's Note

Yeah Discord doesn't like Starlight at all, also wild magic.

Chapter 35: Arrival in Griffonsville

Twilight was sitting in the throne room listening to petitions, Twilight frowned “Yes Solid Station I will grant you an extra fifty five thousand bitcoins to expand the Aqueduct but I expect progress within the next month understood!”

A messenger pegasi flew in “Queen Twilight we have received a message from Queen Solaire, you have been given three tickets to attend the Solar Cycle Celebration tomorrow with one guest with each.”

Twilight nodded “Very well, I need get myself ready as to give the two tickets to two others and pick who I want as a guest.”

Twilight turned to the line “I’m sorry I have diplomatic matters to attend to, it would be rude to refuse their invitation so I have to cut this short I’m afraid.” Twilight trotted out of the court room with a smile, she trotted over to a room and knocked on it.

Fluttershy opened the door with a smile “Twilight what are you here for?”

Twilight pulled out a ticket “We have guest tickets to attend the Solar Cycle Celebration, you get to bring one friend. This one is for you.”

Fluttershy smiled “I’d love to come, I even have an idea for my guest already.”

Twilight smiled “Good, I have someone who’d I’d like to give the ticket too.”

Twilight teleported to the barracks, she opened the door to the guard barracks “Crystal are you here?”

Crystal smiled “Twilight what do I owe the visit.”

Spike smiled “Twilight!”

Twilight smiled “I was wondering if you two wanted to go to the Solar Cycle Celebration, I got a ticket for one of you and a guest.”

Crystal rubbed the back of her head “Actually the dragon migration starts on that day and I was hoping we could go, we would be gone for a few months at least.”

Twilight smiled “I’m sure Tempest can take over training, I’m glad you’re taking good care of Spike.”

Crystal nodded “I want to reconnect after being absent for so long.”

Twilight teleported back to the castle, she knocked on a rose coloured door. Tempest opened the door various exotic weapons were all of the room, Twilight smiled “Quite a collection you have here?”

Tempest blushed “I like collecting weapons, it’s a hobby.”

Twilight smiled “Tempest would you like to attend the Solar Cycle celebration, I have one spare ticket.”

Tempest smiled “It would be an honour to join you, thanks Twilight.” Twilight smiled “No problem, also you may want to find a plus one.”

Tempest blushed slightly “Well I do have a date in mind, we have been doing good work together.”

Twilight laughed “That’s great, Tempest. Well I need to meet with my plus one, you’ll see them tomorrow.”

Tempest nodded “Thanks I’ll see you then.”

Twilight flew up to the top of a tower on one side of the castle, she knocked on the door with a smile.

Sunset raised an eyebrow “Twilight why are you here?”

Twilight smiled “Um would mind being my plus one, I’m going to visit Griffonville for the Solar Cycle Celebration.”

Sunset smiled “Sure, I wouldn’t mind that.”

Twilight smiled “Well we better pack, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Twilight and Sunset spent the rest of the day packing before heading to bed.

The next morning Twilight and Sunset were standing next to a shuttle their luggage already in the undercarriage waiting for their friends to turn up, Tempest trotted over to the shuttle with Discord in his finest purple suit with orange polka dots all over it. Twilight smiled “So this is you plus one.”

Tempest smiled “I like a little chaos in my life what can I say.”

Twilight laughed “Fair enough, now where’s Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy smiled as trotted up her wing over Starlight with a couple of small suitcases, Fluttershy smiled “I’m here.”

Discord growled “I see you brought her!”

Fluttershy sent him a chilling glare as Starlight shivered “Don’t test me Discord, I am not going to let you hurt her.”

Discord froze from her glare as waves of hatred flowed out of her, he nodded quietly, Twilight frowned “Discord behave we are here to have fun, not have a spat.” Twilight then frowned “Warp rule, keep your mouth shut at all time unless you want to have your insides on the floor.”

Everyone nodded as they boarded the shuttle, with a flash they saw a massive castle surrounded by a large city on the Griffonia Mountains, they landed in a small town just a short train ride down form the large city. Twilight got out with Sunset, Twilight sighed a she thatched roofed buildings all around her as Griffons walked past not noticing he group at all “This reminds me of Ponyville wherever it is.”

Fluttershy smiled as she got out “By the way our other friends are safe, the Tree of Harmony is protecting them.”

Twilight let out a relieved breath “I’m glad their safe, thanks Fluttershy for informing me.”

Just as Tempest and Discord just got out of the shuttle they heard a warm voice “Welcome to Griffonia.” They turned around to see to see a Griffon about Twilight’s height with a long horn sticking out of their forehead, her white coat almost glowed as her aurora feathers flowed backwards “I am Queen Solaire, I’m glad to welcome you as guests to the Solar Cycle Celebration.”

Solaire then nudged a fairly small looking purple Griffon with a tricoloured feathers similar to Twilight’s mane colours “Come on Moonstar, Queen Twilight Sparkle is here.”

Moonstar looked up “You’re Queen Twilight, can I inspect you wings so I determine the difference between yours and Solaire’s?”

Solaire frowned “Moonstar that is rude, you don’t ask a guest questions like that. Life isn’t all about research.”

Twilight laughed “It’s fine” she then turned to Solaire “actually do you mind if I speak to Moonstar for a little bit while you show the others were they will be staying.”

Solaire nodded with a smile “Okay just don’t let her ask you too many questions.”

Twilight nodded “Come on Moonstar, I need to talk to you.” The two found a quiet bench to sit on, before Moonstar could start firing out questions Twilight asked with a frown “Do you have any friends?”

Moonstar shook her head “I don’t need them, I study a lot and that suits me fine, I have no idea why Queen Solaire wants me to make friends.”

Twilight smiled “I was once like you, I didn’t have these wings. I was a nerdy little unicorn who loved her books…”

Moonstar blinked “That sounds a lot like me.”

Twilight nodded with a smile “Yes, anyway I focused on my studies under my teacher High Princess Celestia she taught me everything I knew about magic, one day she told me I should keep my nose out of my dusty old books and make some friends.”

Moonstar’s eyes widened “You sound like a me if I was a pony.”

Twilight smiled “I thought something similar when I heard about you. Anyway I did make friends and they changed my life for the better, they made me happy, they made understand things I never could have understood without them. Your mentor has a reason for telling you these things, trust in her.”

Moonstar smiled “I’ll try then.”

Twilight nodded “That’s all anyone can ask of you, now let’s get you back to your mentor.” Twilight and Moonstar trotted over to Solaire.

Moonstar smiled “Do you mind if I go off on my own and try to make some friends?”

Solaire nodded “Of course you can, go right ahead” then once Moonstar ran off she turned to Twilight “What did you tell her?”

Twilight sighed “I had a mentor, one like you one who taught me magic, one who told me to make friends. I told Moonstar about all the good she did and how that making friends changed me for the better” Twilight turned her voice low “I didn’t tell her that my friends and mentor turned on me, my friends when we met up years later were sorry so I forgave them but my mentor wasn’t or if she was she didn’t show it, it was worse because she was the one who up until that point I thought was infallible.”

Twilight took a deep breath “So there is one thing you need to do is no matter what happens support her, she sees you as the shining star that never fades. She needs you to be in her corner when the world turns dark and she is at her lowest to be the shining beacon that will protect her from the darkness, because losing that can turn the kindest purest individual in a killer one who is willing to spill the blood of millions to protect those she cares about.”

Solaire nodded “I understand, thanks for helping her, I promise on my life that I will never turn my back on her.”

Twilight asked“So when’s the celebration going to begin?”

Solaire smiled “At dawn when the sun rises in the town hall, now let’s take you to were you will be staying.” Twilight nodded as she looked up worried of what might happen at dawn.

Author's Note

Yes she has received an invite to this event. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter is one with Spike and his mother.

Chapter 36: Mother and Son

Just as Twilight left Spike pulled a book off the shelves “Mum why don’t we have many books around here?”

Crystal sighed “This is the Barracks and we don’t have a lot of room.”

Spike blinked “Sorry I must admit I miss the smell of books sometimes, when Twilight left I was the unofficial Librarian of Golden Oaks Library.”

Crystal smiled “Well I can take you to the Klugetown Library.”

Spike bounced up and down excitedly “Thank you mum.” The two walked along the bronze streets as bronze pipes pumped out steam into the air, they arrived at a large wooden building.

They entered the Library and took a seat, Spike frowned as he reached out to a book and flew over to him with a purple glow. Crystal raised an eyebrow “You can do magic?”

Spike smiled “Well it wasn’t that hard, all creatures can do magic if they really try just some species can do it easier than others.”

Crystal smiled “You are really well learned.”

Spike nodded “When you have lived with Twilight for a long time you will be, she loved to lecture others at least she used to.”

Crystal frowned “What do you mean?”

Spike sighed “Twilight is not the same pony I knew all those years ago, she feels like a stranger, someone wearing her shell. I try to put on a brave face for her but she and I are on different paths now. I accepted it when she left, if she wanted me to stay then she would have taken me with her.”

Crystal sighed “You could try to get to know the new Twilight, she is still a good pony.”

Spike turned away “Twilight is more now, sometimes one must seek out a new path for themselves. Twilight is an immortal Alicorn as well, we will all fade from her life as time claims us. I am will not bridge our faded connection.”

Crystal nodded “You remind of your father he always was wise. He was the one who came up with plans, I always the one who just followed his lead.”

Spike frowned “You didn’t tell me much about him.”

Crystal sighed “You father was brave and bold he always believed that one day we would be freed from the slavery of the Saddle Arabians, he would never have sought vengeance for it. I wish we had burned their city to the ground, made them pay for what they had done to us yet Twilight spared their city.”

Spike nodded “He is right, we don’t seek vengeance because in doing so we become the monsters we hate, hatred is the source of so much despair and cruelty it leave us blind to the darkness within ourselves until we destroy all we love.”

Crystal frowned “Darkness is not bad, Twilit uses it as do the Umbrum.”

Spike shook his head “Not that kind of darkness, it is the force of cruelty within that makes us want to hurt each other. Twilight uses the darkness is service of good things the light within us hope, joy, laughter.”

Crystal sighed “You’re right Spike.”

Spike smiled “Come on let’s get some ice-cream.”

Crystal laughed “Of course come on.” Spike levitated the book up to the shelf before they left.

Crystal asked “Spike I’m just curious who do you think would cause Equestria to dissapear?”

Spike frowned “I don’t know out of everyone who could actually do that and out of everyone who is here now…” he took a deep breath “Celestia.”

Crystal blinked “Why would she do that?”

Spike grimaced “You weren’t there, I took some days off to spend with her and even went to a few visits to cities with her. I paid attention, there were hate signs everywhere, a few ponies even tried to assault her in the streets. One even stabbed her in the foreleg, I burnt a few ponies who got too close.”

Crystal’s eyes widened “What happened to the land of Friendship and Harmony that Twilight regaled with me so fondly. How could they do such a thing.”

Spike sighed “Ponies talk a big game but more often then not they allow bigotry and arrogance blind them. It took Twilight’s influence to allow Ponyville to see Zecora as more than freaky Voodoo Witch Doctor that lived in the Everfree, without her light and with the anger they felt at Princess Celestia for her failures I fear Equestria began to lose what made it such a precious place.”

Crystal sighed “I don’t think Twilight or Luna would be happy to hear this. It will bring a dark day in the history of our world if even the Alicorn of the Sun fell to the hatred and despair.”

Spike frowned “Dark days are upon us, I just hope the world can weather them” little did the know of the events that would happen that night.

Author's Note

I know this a filler chapter but I think it is a nice break from all the big stuff that is happening. I'm not very good at filler so I hope you like this chapter.

Chapter 37: Feral Nighttalon

Twilight entered the small but lavish Griffonville Inn, Sunset smiled a set of keys hovering in her magic “I was waiting for you.”

Twilight smiled “I know, thanks for that.”

Sunset blushed “Why did you invite me here, I mean no-one ever really cared for me, my parents dumped me at orphanage when I was five when they got a promotion and I was in the way. Even Celestia only took me in because of my talent so why are you helping me.”

Twilight smiled “You remind me of myself and where I could have been on a different path. We have followed different paths one that have lead us to our goals in different ways, we are similar ponies at the end of the day.”

Sunset smiled “So what do you want to do?”

Twilight smiled “I want to get something to eat.”

Sunset smiled “How about we go to our room and unpack.” Twilight nodded and after they quickly packed their stuff in their Hotel Room they left, Twilight felt tear in her eyes as she saw a familiar looking carousel and then felt them began flow even more as they saw a bakery that looked like it was made of treats, Sunset put a wing over her in concern “What’s wrong.”

Twilight began to cry “I miss Ponyville, I miss my friends. I miss the days when I could just enjoy myself, when I didn’t have to kill.”

Sunset hugged her as they entered the building and took a seat at a round table “Cry it out come on you don’t have to hold onto all of it.”

Two griffons flew over “Is she okay?”

Sunset looked up to see a light amber male griffon with light orange fathers who was standing next to a female griffon with a very light cerulean coat and two different shades of light crimson feathers. Sunset sighed “She misses home..” she then looked at them “Can I get your names.”

They gasped “Oh sorry…”the orange griffon smiled “I’m Mr Swirl and this is my wife Mrs Swirl, one of our bakers will be back soon her name is Stormy Surprise but everyone just calls her Surprise.”

Twilight began to dry her tears “Thanks Sunset for everything.”

Sunset shook her head “There’s so much that you’ve done for me, now there is something I need to do for you.” Sunset gave Twilight a kiss on the muzzle not a short one either, Twilight melted into the kiss, soon they pulled away almost too soon for the both of them.

Twilight smiled “Wow that was something.”

Sunset smiled “You have given me so much, I feel happy being around you.”

Twilight asked “Are you sure we should do this, I’m not exactly the kind of pony you should make a decision about so soon.”

Sunset hugged “You’re the only one who I can turn too when I need help and advice, you were the one who save me from an immortal lonely existence in a tower, you’re the only one I feel comfortable being myself around.”

Twilight smiled “Well I’m glad you found something special in me.”

Meanwhile Tempest and Discord were sitting on a park bench, Tempest rested her head on his side. Tempest sighed “Discord how do you handle being so different from all of those around you?’

Discord smiled “By trying to be funny.”

Tempest turned away “Yeah but I’m not like that, I struggle to connect with others. I was hoping for something more, I just struggle making friends because I’m sacred of being betrayed.”

Discord hugged her “It isn’t ever easy to make friends for those who have been turned on but you must learnt to trust again.”

Tempest smiled weakly as she leaned on him“I’ll try.”

Elsewhere Fluttershy and Starlight were feeding ducks in the park, Starlight sighed “I feel like I shouldn’t be here. Why did you bring me here?”

Fluttershy frowned “Because I wanted to spend some time with you, now answer me this why do you have problems with Cutie Marks, I want to know?”

Starlight sighed “When I was a foal my friend Sunburst when he got his Cutie Mark her left me alone as he went to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, I followed him but he didn’t want to be my friend anymore. I tried to make other friends but I couldn't, they treated me like dirt and said I didn’t deserve to be there. My life became horrible after he got his Cutie Mark and I started blaming them for all my problems to the point I thought they were a horrible thing and needed to be abolished.”

Fluttershy frowned “I understand that, look you don’t have to worry about that anymore. I must admit it was a slight shock when I found out you were hiding your mark but I’m going to support you, help you because you need it.”

Starlight smiled “Thanks Fluttershy.” The three couples enjoyed themselves for hours even as night fell.

Twilight and Sunset trotted over to Solaire with a smile “So you;’re going to raise the sun in front of everyone aren’t you.”

Solaire smiled “Yes, now I believe we should go out there to see our precious griffons and grant them the sunrise they deserve.”

Just as the two of them were following Solaire a dark shadow appeared turning into a horned Griffon with a very dark almost black blue coat with a darkish blue coloured feathers with stars floating in it, Solaire growled “Feral Nighttalon!”

Nighttalon mocked “Dear sister it’s been one thousand years since you sealed me away on the moon, well now it’s you turn.”

Before Nighttalon could do anything Twilight smashed her hoof into the Griffon’s jaw sending her flying out of the room, Twilight turned to Solaire “Don’t worry I won’t kill her but I certainly will rough her up.”

Twilight flew out into the crowd “So Nighttalon how does feel to be outmatched.” Nighttalon screeched as if insulted punching Twilight in the jaw, Twilight rolled her eyes “Nice try.”

Twilight frowned as she knocked Nighttalon away, Twilight growled “I suggest you leave before I have to hurt you more.”

Nighttalon grimaced before glaring at her “I’ll be back!” Nighttalon then turned into smoke and vanished through the window, Twilight then turned to see Moonstar running out of the building before five other griffons who looked similar to Twilight’s friends followed her. Twilight was yet unaware that am unknown threat would return soon to turn everything on it’s head.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Chapter 38: Family Reunited and Attack Imminent

Twilight grimaced as she sat in the Town Hall with Sunset, Fluttershy, Discord, Starlight, Tempest and Solaire. Twilight growled “Why didn’t you tell us your sister was coming back, I had my suspicions but I thought I might have been wrong because we were invited!”

Solaire sighed “I didn’t want to tell you because I was worried you’d kill her, it was my fault I banished her with the Emblems of Harmony exactly one thousand years ago on this very day.”

Sunset nodded “I guess that does make sense.”

Discord frowned “Do you have a Discord around per chance?”

Solaire blinked “How do you know about Discord?”

Tempest smiled “This is Discord, a version of him anyway.”

Solaire froze, Fluttershy grimaced “He’s good, he just annoys me because he’s always glaring at Starlight when he thinks I’m not watching.”

Twilight frowned “I’m the Alicorn of Harmony, my existence keeps him from going crazy and destroying the universe so yes I have an important job. Now I have a tale for you, one that you may find similar to one you know.”

Solaire frowned “Go on?”

Twilight began as she conjured up images with her magic

Once upon a time in the magical land of Equestria, two regal sisters ruled with a wisdom and strength to establish a grand harmony that shone throughout the world like a beacon of light. The eldest sister used her mighty power to move the magnificent sun while the younger used her equally mighty power to move the marvellous moon. The twin sisters maintained peace and harmony the older handling the politics of the nation while the younger alongside her night guard brought the evils that threatened their precious ponies to an end.

However as the years past on ponies began to disrespect the younger sister, believing her to be a monster of the night. Despite her urging the older sister disregarded the younger sister’s words as a need for attention, the younger mare slowly grew resentful until one night she refused to lower the moon. Thus a dreadful battle ensued between the two and the elder sister in order to protect ponies utilised the most powerful magic, the Elements of Harmony to banish her to the moon.

The elder sister for one thousand years was trapped within her sorrow, mourned her sister until six ponies her personal student and her five friends wielded the Elements of Harmony to free the younger sister and return her to her elder sister.

The six mares then defeated a mighty chaos spirit retuning him to stone using the elements of Harmony.

Solaire’s eyes widened as he began to put the pieces together, Twilight continued

Then not long after her brother’s wedding was held, she only received the message from her mentor rather than from her brother. She noticed something was off when the pony he was marrying was her and did not know her name, it only got worse as the bride behaved oddly but when she confronted everyone about it all them even her five friend and mentor didn’t see it, her brother told her she should not turn up at the wedding so in her sorrow she ran away from Equestria far south to across the desert to Klugetown.

On the way a kind merchant taught her the way of combat and she became a mercenary eventually leading a successful band of mercenaries and with the help of a unicorn who she befriended she was to free many lands from tyranny forming a kingdom larger than any other larger than any other.

However the kingdom she called home vanished completely replaced with another that was almost a mirror image.

Solaire blinked in a mix of shock and confusion “That story was yours.”

Twilight nodded “Yes and yours replaced Equestria. I intend to find out who caused this.” They heard the flapping of wings, she looked out to see a very light azure horned griffon with greyish blue feathers, in addition to Moonstar, a pink Griffon, a blue Griffon with rainbow feathers, yellow Griffon with light pink feathers, a white Griffon with purple feathers and a orange Griffon with blonde feathers were there each wearing an emblem similar to the elements that Twilight knew so well.

Twilight was interrupted as an exhausted Pegasi landed “There was an attack on Klugetown by an Equestrian Force, they were bright orange armour as they were commanded by their new leader, Queen Daybreaker. We repelled them fairly easily but there is no idea of when they will attack again.”

Solaire turned to Twilight “I’m coming with you, this Daybreaker must be stopped she is an enemy of the peace that we all strive to live under.”

Twilight sighed “That sounds like something the Celestia I used to know before I left would say.” Twilight then turned to those around her, Fluttershy, Discord, Tempest, Sunset Shimmer and Starlight “Then we will go now, our main ship will be here soon with an army at a ready. War has come and we will fight!”

Twilight smiled as her allies roared she turned to see the Starblade appeared out of warp Twilight grinned as the huge stairs extended and they boarded the massive ship as it reclaimed the small ship they warped here on. Twilight was going to bring Daybreaker down, that was a promise.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Chapter 39: Truth

Twilight boarded the ship only to see Sombra,Chrysalis, Luna, Tirek,Crystal, Amore and Cadence on board. Cadence frowned “We tried to get in contact with you but the only way was through the Equestrian borders and with the train lines gone we had no way of getting through. This whole situation is fucked up.”

Luna nodded “I can’t agree more.”

Crystal frowned “From what Spike told me ponies were increasingly vicious towards her, even trying to attack her, she was going to snap.”

Twilight grimaced “Great so this is my former mentor’s fault.”

Discord eyes widened “This is horrible, I can’t believe she could ever do this, she was such a pleasant filly.”

Solaire sighed “So this is how far my counterpart has fallen” she then spoke in a firm tone “I need to make sure I don’t ever do the same.”

Luna frowned “I’m already coming up with a fitting punishment for my sister.”

Sunset frowned “I’d definitely want to speak with her after this shit!”

Twilight nodded “Everyone take your seats and prepare for warp.” They strapped , Twilight looked around to count her forces as she activated the warp several Ursa Majors. ten large Dragons and one hundred smaller troops ready for combat.

She then activated warp and in an instant they were flying over Ponyville’s airspace, Solaire blinked “I feel like we‘re still home, that looks like Griffonville but it has fortifications around it.”

Twilight frowned “I want to investigate, I’m taking us lower.” Soon they got to the proper altitude to exit the Starblade, Fluttershy, Starlight, Sunset and Twilight exited, they approached the town only to hear a voice shout out “Queen Twilight’s here?!”

They looked up to see a tall well muscled unicorn mare with a dusty white coat and blonde mane standing next to Big Mac who was wearing full armour. They opened the massive wooden gate letting the four ponies in, the unicorn mare jumped down with a smile Big Mac following her“I must thank you Twilight, being a mare suits me quite well.”

Twilight frowned for a few moments before her eyes widened “Blueblood!”

Blueblood? laughed “Not anymore, Princess Bluebelle at your service.”

Sunset laughed “I must admit you are a lot more amicable than you used to be.”

Bluebelle rubbed the back of her head “Well part of is being a mare and the fact Princess Celestia turned evil and has enslaved all of Equestria save here. I have brushed up on my magic and using it I alongside Big Mac and Lighting Dust have been able to keep Daybreaker away from here.”

Starlight blinked “I’m a little confused on what has been happening over the years I’m kind of out of the loop on Equestrian politics.”

Fluttershy frowned “Basically Luna, Celestia’s sister returned and all was well until the wedding when ponies lost faith in Celestia’s ability to protect them and they turned on her, she seems to have gone mad.”

Starlight grimaced “Well that’s fucking fantastic.”

Twilight frowned “Anyway would you like to join us for the attack on Canterlot?”

Bluebelle shook her head as she placed a hoof on Big Mac’s wither “My place is here now, alongside Big Mac.”

Fluttershy frowned as Bluebelle kissed Big Mac on the cheek “Applejack is not going to be happy about this.”

Big Mac frowned as Bluebelle grimaced “We have been dating for three years so I don’t think it matters.”

Fluttershy eyes widened “How?”

Twilight answered “Time dilation spell, she made time move faster here so she would be ready to attack us.”

Fluttershy shook her head “I would like to stay here, it is my home.”

Starlight nodded “I will stay with her.”

Twilight smiled “Very well, Starlight I’m glad you have made a friend.”

Twilight and Sunset boarded the ship, Twilight turned to them “Fluttershy and Starlight decided to stay in Ponyville.”

Discord scowled “You let her stay there, what if she…”

Twilight growled “I trust Fluttershy’s judgement, I feel there is something between them a small fire that can into a spark>”

Sunset gave err a small peck on the cheek “Like what we have?”

Twilight blushed “Yes” she then turned to Solaire “this land belonged to the griffons didn’t it.”

Solaire shrugged “We owned it but we hadn’t planned anything yet, it was a recent acquisition. Getting the stubborn nobles to agree on anything is difficult.”

Luna grimaced “Tell me about it.”

Tirek frowned “Are we going to get going?”

Twilight nodded “Yes, let’s head up to Canterlot. No need for warp we will be there in a few minutes at top speed.”

The ship approached Canterlot, Twilight saw as they rose up above the city Royal guard with fire in their eyes as they pushing long lines of ponies chained together. Sombra growled “This reminds of what I used to be like, it is sickening.”

Twilight grimaced “Everyone grab your weapons and prepare for landing.”

Tempest tossed Twilight’s axe, Twilight smiled as she looked at the axe “Come on, let’s bring down another Tyrant together.” Twilight then opened the launch bays and lowered the stairs then roared “Everyone let’s show them what we got, for freedom! Remember Non-lethal if possible!”

Twilight flew out of the launch bays knocking out guards on all sides, Sunset, Luna , Cadence, Solaire and Discord joined her. She heard the commotion as Tirek humongous form drew the guard’s attention, meanwhile a small group of changelings were escorting chained ponies away from the fighting while keeping any guards from getting close.

Twilight’s small group busted into the castle which unlike the outside was devoid of guards. They entered the throne room to see a empty throne room, the singular throne was bright orange as a white Alicorn with a fiery mane smiled evily at them “Ah I see the band of traitors, outcasts and replacements have returned.”

Twilight growled “So you were behind all of this?!”

Daybreaker maniacally laughed “It was quite simple, I cast a temporal alteration spell to create a land similar to Equestria, then I sealed Equestria away then used a spell to extend the time here in relation to yours so I would be in charge when Equestria returned. Now it’s time for you all to surrender.”

Sunset growled “I won’t surrender to you.”

Luna growled “What is the meaning of this sister?”

Discord shook his head “You have disappointed me Celestia.”

Cadence grimaced “So this is where we fight Auntie, so be it.”

Twilight growled “Why should we surrender.”

Daybreaker laughed otherwise “I will send the sun hurtling into the planet.”

Everyone froze save Solaire, Solaire growled “Do you think I will let you.”

Daybreaker laughed “You are just some cheap knock off, begone with you.” Before Daybreaker could fire a beam, Twilight smashed her hoof into her muzzle sending her reeling.

Daybreaker roared “So be it, your world will burn.”

Daybreaker’s horn lit up only for nothing to happen, Daybreaker turned to see Solaire’s horn glowing “I am the sun not you, you lost that right!”

Twilight slammed Daybreaker out of the building sending hurtling into the air, Daybreaker growled “You turned you back on me, you all refused to treat with the respect that I deserved!”

Twilight roared as sent Daybreaker into the ground “You told me, told Sunset, told so many to show humility, to not seek recognition, to be humble and now I find out you are just a massive hypocrite!”

Twilight then took a deep breath as she towered over her injured mentor “Harmony will judge you.” All Daybreaker knew was pain as a flash of rainbow light engulfed her, she was blissfully unaware of what awaited her next.

Author's Note

This story is going to change perspectives soon.

Chapter 40: Punishment

Celestia’s eyes opened as she awoke in a small cell, two night guards standing on both sides she growled as she tried to move but realised massive chains glowing with runes had pinned her to a wooden cart just small enough to leave the cell.

Celestia growled “Let me out, I am a Princess of Equestria I should not be in chains!”

One of the guards growled “Silence, you are lucky Princess Luna didn’t hand you over to Queen Twilight for punishment or you probably wouldn’t have woke up!”

The other grimaced “The fact you could do that to those who you were supposed to serve, it sickens me to think we once respected you.”

Before Celestia could say anything a tall thestral trotted in “Her fate has been decided, bring her to the throne room where her punishment can be served.”

They saluted “Yes Captain Dark Wind!” Celestia slumped as the cell door opened and she was wheeled out of the room. She winced as the bright light of the castle blinded her eyes that had adjusted to the dark, she felt sick to the stomach as ponies who once showed her with praise glared at her as though she was a demon of Tartarus.

Ponies then began to throw things at her “Demon, Tyrant, Monster!” Celestia began to weep as they threw things at her, just when Celestia thought things couldn’t any worse she entered the throne room. It was not the glares of either of her former students, the fury of Tirek, Sombra and Discord nor the Scorn of Amore, Cadence but the sorrowful look of her mother’s eyes.

Luna sighed “Bring forth Celestia, the Tyrant who sought to enslave Equestria under her reign” she then turned to the guards “Wait outside.” After the guards left she cast a soundproofing spell.

Celestia was amongst those who she had wronged in the past for good or ill, Tirek growled “Why did you do it, even at my worst I was no slaver. I sought power but I didn’t chain ponies together, I wasn’t like that, it was not my way…”

Celestia scowled “They didn’t respect me, after all the years I devoted myself to Equestria they turned on me!”

Luna grimaced “I know how tempting it is to turn to your own darkness for comfort…” Luna’s grimace turned to a scowl “The difference between you and me is that it wasn’t just me, that I could tolerate but then thestral hunts began. To the point I sent them away from Equestria so they would not be persecuted by ponies, you did nothing to stop it. What happened to you here thought was to you alone and would have passed as some knew threat turned up, however what you have done here is unforgivable.”

Luna took a deep breath “My plan one thousand years ago was to remove you an become sole ruler to bring our nations to peace and prosperity as you did maybe I would be stricter but not to this extent.”

Luna sighed “I am not the one who decided your punishment, in truth I would have stripped of leadership but no more than that. Another however had decided a stricter punishment…” Luna paused as she began to cry.

As Tirek gently picked her up as she cried in his massive arms, Mystica approached her daugther “You have brought great harm to those you have sworn to protect, I will miss your smile my precious sun but you have brought his upon yourself.”

Tear began to well in Mystica’s eyes as her horn glowed with white magic, Celestia watched as the world got bigger she felt her sides and forehead get lighter. Celestia was no longer bound by the chains as they were too large to hold her, she looked around to see her wings were gone, she then touched her forehead and no horn sat there.

Celestia looked up in tears “Mother… why?”

Mystica shook her head as she faded away in front of her, As Celestia now a simple plain white Earth Pony with a pink mane and Cutie Mark of a few clouds cried on the floor, Luna flew out of Tirek’s arms her tears drying on her fur as she levitated a pair of saddlebags with meager amount of bits as well as a candle I and a note “You are no longer Princess Celestia, you are now Cloudy Days and you are the new Ponyville Librarian.” She then lifted the soundproofing spell “I wish you luck in your new life” she then shouted “guards escort this mare out of the castle!”

Cloudy Days after being forced out of the castle trotted to the Canterlot train station miserably no-one knowing who she was or what she had done.

Author's Note

Now Celestia's been punished, soon this story will come to a close thanks for joining me on this ride, there are less then ten chapters left now.

Chapter 41: New Beginning

Cloudy Days approached the train station her withers slumped over, she turned to the ticket booth pony, he was an older stallion with gray coat and white mane “One ticket to Ponyville please?”

The pony smiled “Of course ma'am that will be two bits.” Cloudy Days grabbed two bits out of her saddlebag and put them on the table, she felt tears in her eyes as she took the ticket.

The stallion asked concern in his voice “Are you alright?”

Cloudy Days smiled weakly “Don’t worry about me, I’m just another pony moving out of Canterlot.”

The stallion frowned “If you’re sure just stay safe, plenty of Unicorns and Pegasi who want to take advantage of an Earth Pony like you.” She nodded as she boarded the train, she had neglected her Earth Pony side quite a bit, she focused mainly on her magic and flight which had been taken from her.

She took a seat and watched as the city which had lived in for years vanished from sight, she slowly sobbed on the empty train car as she left everything she knew behind.

The train arrived in Ponyville, as she got out she saw a pink pony jump at her. She ducked and ran at the sight of her, the calls of “I just wanted to throw you a party” feel on deaf ears.

She bolted into the Golden Oaks Library and galloped up the stairs locking the door behind her, she sat on the bed tears flowing out of her “What have I done?!”

She heard knocking on the door, she trotted over to the door and opened it. Cloudy Dasys blinked as she looked at the mare “Who are you?”

The are smiled “I’m Starlight Glimmer and you’re Cloudy Days or should I say Celestia.”

Cloudy Days slumped over “So you know?”

Starlight nodded “Yes I do and that’s why I’m going to help you, it was only a few days ago that Twilight came to my village, I stole pony’s Cutie Marks trying to create a world free of them not realising how important they were. Then one pony with a yellow coat and pink mane showed me kindness for the first time in my life, she gave me a second chance when I didn’t deserve it.”

Cloudy Days was stunned, she thought she was alone and hated “Why are you doing so much for me?”

Starlight smiled “Because we are two ponies haunted by our mistakes, I have dreams that one day Fluttershy will die protecting me from my past. Take it one day at a time, learn, grow, be better and maybe one day you will become what you once were.”

Cloudy Days smiled weakly “Maybe you’re right.”

Starlight pulled her “Come on, there’s a party for you in Sugarcube Corner, all it needs is the guest of honour.” Cloudy Days blinked in confusion as she was dragged towards a weird cake looking shop, she then recognised it (Sugarcube Corner…, oh no)

The door opened as she saw pushed in by Starlight only to see Starlight in front with the rest of them “Welcome to Ponyville Cloudy Days.”

Cloudy Days collapsed to the floor as she began to sob, the last few of her tears dropping onto the ground onto the ground “Thank you so much, all of you.”

A Pink Pony held out a hoof with a warm smile “Come on this is a party, we have a cake all set up for you.”

Cloudy took her hoof with a smile “Thanks Pinkie Pie.”

Pinkie Pie smiled “You’re welcome, Cloudy Days, come over here and play pin the tail on the pony before we eat the cake, don’t want anyone to be sick.”

Cloudy smiled as Pinkie put a blind fold on her. Pinkie then gave her the tail,she held the tail in one hoof as she wandered around as soon felt around tripping over a few times before putting the tail somewhere. When Pinkie took off her blindfold she turned around and blushed from embarrassment as she pinned the tail on the opposite wall.

Everyone laughed before Pinkie smiled as she passed a knife to Cloudy Days, she cut into the cake with a smile before putting on her plate. She took a bit with a smile as the other ponies, Bluebelle smiled as she held out a hoof “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Cloudy Days smiled as she shook the mare’s hoof “Thanks, I am here to start again, my past wasn’t all that great.”

Bluebelle smiled “Well I better go and see what my coltfriend is doing.”

Applejack grimaced “Ah’m still unsure about her, last time we met it was under quite unfortunate circumstances. Still if they have been dating for three years Ah should give them the chance, the fact that she does good work on the farm is a good thing at least and she does have a real mind for numbers.”

Cloudy Days nodded, the party went on and Cloudy Days enjoyed herself thoroughly. She went to bed that night with a smile ready to open the Library the next morning as she planned to begin her new life unaware of the shadowy secrets Equestria has been hiding under everypony’s muzzles.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this as soon you will learn how ponies make rainbows in Equestria and more importantly why they do it that way.

Chapter 42: Horrors Begin

Cloudy Days woke in the morning with a smile as she got up, she brushed her teeth. She smiled as she headed downstairs, she was going to grab this second chance with both hooves.

She trotted over to Sugarcube Corner, as she entered the lovely clean bakery she was greeted by Mrs Cake “Cloudy Days, you're here.”

Cloudy asked “Um can I have a strawberry cupcake to go please?”

Mrs Cake smiled “It will be out quickly, that will be a couple bits please.”

Cloudy nodded with a smile as she pulled a few bits out of her saddlebags and placed it on the counter, Mr Cake then brought her cupcake with a smile “Here freshly baked.”

Cloudy moaned lightly as she took a bite, she left the bakery with a smile as she continued to eat her breakfast finishing as she re-entered the Library turning the sign on the door to open, she frowned as she grabbed a paper written by Twilight Sparkle about how to order the books in a Library “Right.”

She grimaced as she began reorganising books, putting them in place. She grabbed the ladder and moving to a shelf as she climbed up with some books, she took a deep breath “I now understand why some ponies say that library work is best suited to Pegasi and Unicorns.”

Then a pale yellow earth pony mare with a duel tone raspberry mane smiled “Are you the Librarian?”

Cloudy smiled “Yes I am, my name is Cloudy Days this is my first day. How can I help you?”

The mare smiled pulling a book out of her saddlebags “My name is Roseluck, I am here to return the book Rare Flowers and Their Uses as well as seeing if you have a book on exotic medicine.”

Cloudy smiled “I believe I just put that book back actually” she climbed back up the ladder, she frowned as she looked through a few books before finding it, she smiled “Exotic Medicines and How to Use Them.”

Roseluck nodded “Yes that’s exactly what I needed, I’ll bring it back in a couple of weeks.”

Cloudy smiled warmly “I’m sure you will, enjoy your book.”

Roseluck smiled “I will, I got to go.”

Cloudy got back to work reorganising the Library sorting the books, after she had the Library sorted she realised that no-one entered the Library. She decided to ask a certain pony about something, she trotted to Sweet Apple Acres with a smile. She saw Applejack sitting there on the front porch humming to herself.

Applejack smiled “Hey Cloudy, do you want something from me?”

Cloudy rubbed the back of her head “Well I have gotten soft over the years, I spent much more time around books and studying. Can you help me get my edge back?”

Applejack grinned “Ah, Ah see you want me to improve your stamina and strength don’t you. Well Ah got the perfect thing come with me.”

Applejack lead Cloudy to some wooden boards and thick wooden posts, this is where we practice Applebucking before we Apples actually start bucking trees. Applejack smiled “There’s no reason why we can’t start now, this is a wooden board the most basic traning exercise just don’t put too much force into it.”

Cloudy didn’t listen as she primed her hooves and slammed them as hard as she could, she screamed out in pain. Applejack grimaced as she trotted over “You really messed that up, try to put your back legs on the ground.” One of her legs was fine but she winced as the other touched the ground. Applejack frowned “We need to take you to a hospital, I'll help.”

Applejack hefted Cloudy Skies onto her back and carried her to the Ponyville Hospital. Applejack frowned “Somepony hurt herself, can you look at her leg.”

Nurse Redheart gave her a sympathetic smile as she saw tho two of them “Oh dear did you hurt your leg trying to practice Applebucking.”

Cloudy was escorting inst a medical room and after a white pony with a blue mane Dr X-ray did a few X-rays on her leg he sighed “I’m afraid you broke your leg…”

Cloudy was close to tears “But I’m an Earth Pony Librarian, I need my legs to work.”

Applejack smiled “I can help you, with Blue Belle and Big Mac I am barely needed on the farm so I can help you out for a few days.” After they gave the clear to Cloudy Days she left the Hospital only to much to their shock a dead unicorn fell from the sky slamming into the ground leaving a bloody mess, they looked up to see Cloudsdale flying overhead unaware this was just the beginning of something far darker.

Author's Note

Within a few chapters this story will come to it's end.

Chapter 43: The Essence Machine

Twilight was with Sunset, they frowned as they looked at the rainbow pools “These rainbows aren’t quite as impressive as the one in Equestria?”

A Pegasus frowned “They never heard the rumours did they.”

Another frowned “You mean about the Essence Machine and the Rainbow Factory.”

Twilight grimaced “I heard about something called the Pegasus Device but nothing about an Essence Machine explain!”

The tallest Pegasus there frowned “Some of us heard rumours that a machine was used in the Rainbow Factory, most of us who worked in the industry knew Pegasi would never send their foals to die so we all suspected that a machine used to steal the magic of Unicorns to created rainbows known as the Essence Machine it stole the magic from Unicorns when they died to create beautiful rainbows. Rumour had it that it was created by Starswirl the Bearded the only Unicorn that was respected by all pony races, it was deemed suspicious that Clover the Clever and Princess Platinum were murdered not long after they began an investigation into the matter. In fact all who oppose it end up dead, as the rumours state that even the Alicorns are not safe apparently as using essence they could make their own Alicorns as puppet rulers.”

Twilight laughed “Me and Sunset are safe because of a little secret ascended Alicorns are actually tougher than born ones as born Alicorns as they are born from the the blood of life are bound to a physical form while those who have ascended are like that of the original Alicorn Mystica as when we ascend we shed our physical forms becoming embodiments of an aspect mine is Harmony, Sunset’s was tricky to figure out but I did it’s Determination the unbreakable will to achieve in face of all odds.”

Twilight frowned “This begs the question who is responsible for this?”

Sunset frowned “Never mind that, we have to head to Equestria soon, the signing of the Harmony Accord between Equestria, Griffonia and our Friendship Kingdom is going to happen soon.” The two teleported back to Klugetown castle to prepare for the meeting.

Meanwhile in Ponyville Cloudy Days was in the hospital as ponies were doing an autopsy on the body, the doctor frowned “From what we have found someone killed this mare by stealing their magic out of them.”

Cloudy Days grimaced “Who could be behind this?”

The doctor, a pale white pegasi mare named Dr Mort sighed “This reminds of the tale of Rainbow Factory, if you intend to find out that should be were you should start?”

Little did she know that as she left to the Library a few Pegasi were watching her, Cloudy Days lead by Applejack who w as outside, she frowned “Are you sure this is a good idea, what if they come after you.”

Cloudy Days frowned as they entered the Library “So be it.” She smiled “Good thing about Libraries they keep lots of old newspaper clippings.”

Applejack and Cloudy Days began looking through newspaper clippings for hours and had gathered all the important ones on a board. Cloudy Day grimaced “So seventy years ago when Cloudsdale was hovering over Ponyville they reported that over twenty five dead unicorns fell from the sky for no apparent reason.”

Applejack frowned “Why wouldn't anypony launch an investigation on the matter if that was the case.”

Cloudy frowned as she grabbed a few other clippings “All who did ended up dead, in fact a few of the unicorns that fell were the investigators of the first killings.”

Applejack froze “What if they come after us, we are doing the same thing aren’t we.”

Cloudy sighed “Maybe but we must do something.”

Before either could speak a pony jumped through a closed window, Cloudy blinked as a Roseluck bleeding from her leg looked up at her with look of complete horror “Some strange ponies attacked me, they are coming for you as well!”

Cloudy grimaced “What do you…”

The door was knocked down as three ponies carrying swords wearing dark blue stealth suits grinned “I’m afraid we can’t let you investigate our efforts any further, it’s time to …”

All of sudden a loud maniacal laughter echoed through the room “So you Rainbow Factory Pegasi have decided to grace little old Ponyville with your presence, thanks to you I can roam free again even if it’s just for the moment.” The turned around to see a pink pony with a flat mane licking a bloodied knife “You’ll make some delicious cupcakes.”

Before the first one could even blink the knife pierced his neck, the second used this as an opportunity cleaving the pink’s mare’s head in half, much to everypony’s shock she pulled her head off the blade and turned around with her maddening smile as her head slowly stitched itself back together “Nice try.” She then headbutted the pony before sticking her knife between the ponies eyes, she then turned to the other pony throwing a spare knife into his throat.

Applejack whispered “Pinkie are you okay?”

Cloudy gasped not believing the mare in front of her to be the same party mare she knew, Pinkie? grinning maniacally “I’m not Pinkie I’m Pinkamena, Pinkie is watching. I have only one rule I’m only allowed to kill and eat really bad ponies like these guys. They breed and raise unicorns for the slaughter I mean how fucked up is that?”

She blinked as few Earth Ponies and one Unicorn picked up Roseluck, Pinkamena turned to their with her signature grin “Don’t worry they are taking her to the Hospital, in the meantime you two should take you research and come with me, it will be better than waiting for more of them to show up and kill you.” Applejack and Cloudy Days followed the crazy mare dragging two bodies behind her. They closed and locked the door behind them, as they wondered just what they had gotten themselves into.

Author's Note

I hope enjoyed this chapter, also guess what my idea with Pinkamena was inspired by.

Chapter 44: Diplomacy

Luna was sitting next to Solaire and Moonclaw, Luna smiled “How have things been going in your Kingdom?”

Solaire smiled “All good, especially since my little sister is back isn’t that right Moony.”

Moonclaw pouted “I don’t like it when you call me that.”

Luna sighed “You will miss it if ever leaves.”

Her mind drifted off for a moment as she thought back to long ago “Hey Lulu.”

Luna pouted “Don’t call me that.”

Luna felt tears in her eyes, Solaire looked at Luna “Are you okay?”

Luna dried her tears “Just thinking about my sister, I miss her so much. She screwed up and now we are both suffering for it, maybe I am hurting more than she is. She at least gets a fresh start while I have to deal with politics and shit in addition to her absence.”

Solaire frowned “She got off light in my opinion, if I did that to the Griffons I would expect Moonclaw to kill me for my actions. We griffons as quite as peaceful as you ponies because of our history and nature the death penalty still exists in our kingdom for heinous crimes.”

Twilight nodded as she entered alongside Sunset Twilight having her axe strapped to her back and Sunset having a sword on her “Glad we agree on something, we don’t have many law but the ones we do have are strictly enforced and the punishments are severe.”

Luna frowned “True, honestly I have been considering removing the Council of Canterlot. All they do is bicker endlessly about nothing!”

Solaire frowned “I have advisors, not a council. They give me advice but in the end it’s up to me to listen to what they say or to ignore them.”

Sunset sighed “Even now we are dealing with Celestia’s problems, what didn’t she screw up?”

Twilight frowned “That brings me to something important have any of you heard of the the Essence Machine?”

Luna frowned ‘”No, I haven’t had much use for rumours why do you ask?”

Twilight shook her head “Well from what I can tell those rumours are true, someone is killing unicorns to make Rainbows in Equestria. Even you and your sister were on their potential kill list, they have been running Equestria from behind the scenes and anyone who opposed them would be killed.”

Luna shouted “What that’s impossible!”

Solaire frowned ‘That would explain why you rainbows look better than the one we make in the rainbow pools.”

Before another they could say anything further a messenger flew in “We have confirmation of a dead unicorn that fell from Cloudsdale, we wish for your assistance?”

Twilight grimaced “Well let’s sign this paper saying we will help each other and then figure out who is responsible for before it gets any worse.” After a quick discussion of a few rules between them they all signed the paper and headed to Ponyville on the double.

Meanwhile in Ponyville Cloudy Skies and Applejack followed Pinkamena , Applejack frowned “What are you?”

Pinkamena giggled evily “I am Pinkie’s madness you could say, I am kept in check by Pinkie only.”

They arrived at Sugarcube Corner, they were lead into Pinkie’s room where Pinkamena pressed a button next to a bookshelf which sunk into the floor revealing an elevator. The three of them entered the elevator, Cloudy Days grimaced as she looked at the two bodies “Where are we going?”

Pinkamena smiled “You’ll see.”

The door opened, as they got out they saw a high tech facility with tons of computers with ponies operating them, they saw a rainbow maned mare with a lab coat on standing there with a frown. The mare turned around “Go and make your cupcakes somewhere else Pinkamena, I need speak to them.”

Pinkamena nodded as she dragged the bodies away into a small kitchen, Applejack grimaced “Rainbow Dash why are you down here?”

Rainbow sighed “There is a legacy of rainbow pegasi, we have an ancient titan sealed within us known as Tartaran, the Rainbow Factory has been stealing magic to fuel his release and bring our world to it’s end.”

Cloudy Skies frowned “How can we help you stop them?”

Rainbow frowned “I don’t know but here you are safe from them. No-one knows you were here.”

Cloudy Skies looked at the floor for a few moments “Maybe my sister and former student can help?”

Rainbow blinked “Sister, student… oh I see now you’re Celestia aren’t you?”

Applejack eyes widened before she scowled “Get away from me you monster!”

Cloudy began to sob on the floor, Rainbow put a wing over her “It will be alright you made mistake but with time it will be forgiven.”

Cloudy dried her tears “If there is anyway I can help you then I will.”

Rainbow smiled “Welcome to the Rainbow Warriors, Equestria’s greatest guardians and those who have been doing their best to end the Rainbow Factory.” Cloudy smiled not realising that the final battle for Equestria’s peace would end with her actions.

Author's Note

The end is near.

Chapter 45: Attack

Twilight, Sunset, Luna and Solaire landed in the centre of Ponyville. Twilight frowned fiddling with her axe “Well we just need to…”

She watched as hoards of Alicorns swooped down , they roared “You will not stop us the world will be judged by Tartaran’s might!”

Twilight growled as she cleaved several of the Alicorns in half “Is that the best you got!”

Sunset grinned pulling out a sword “How about we have some fun, let’s see how many of these bastards we can kill.”

Twilight laughed “You’re on, I already have seven.”

Sunset grinned as she swooped in taking ten heads “Ten.”

Solaire laughed “Come on Luna, we can’t let these young one get the upper hand.”

Luna sighed “We have to bring as end to this.”

Solaire smiled “Loosen up a bit and start killing.” Luna rolled her eyes as she followed Solaire into the fray burning through the newly created Alicorns out of the sky with righteous fury.

Twilight grinned as she shouted someone where in the distance “One thousand.”

Sunset grinned back at her “One thousand and one.” Meanwhile ponies in the town were huddling inside at the sound of battles happening outside their homes, well except for a few. Fluttershy flew around firing wild bolts of thunder out of hooves scorching the new Alicorns left and right, Lightning Dust having recently moved into the town was creating mighty storms destroying hordes of the attacking Alicorns.

Bluebelle was firing beam after beam at them providing ground support, Big Mac was throwing smoke bombs at them bringing them to the ground so he could pummel them up close.

Meanwhile a small group of ponies, the no-pegasi under the influence of a cloud walking spell snuck up to Cloudsdale. Rainbow frowned as she looked at Cloudy Days and Applejack as well as few other Pegasi and Earth Ponies “We must be quiet, this is a stealth mission.”

Cloudy Days nodded, they entered the Rainbow Factory and saw a keep out sign to a certain room. As soon as they entered the scent of blood assaulted them, they looked around to see pony’s insides on hooks, others on walls Rainbow grimaced “We must find the main reactor and shut it down, my family has planned for this for over seventy years the fall of the factory.”

Cloudy Days and Applejack nodded “We will do our best.”

Rainbow grimaced “We must sabotage the main reactor, as soon as they took a step hundreds of armed Alicorns stepped out. Rainbow growled as brown scarred Pegasus flew above the ground “Wild Winds, the Master of the Factory!”

Wild Winds grinned “It’s over prepare to be sacrificed to the Factory, our grand master will be…”

Twilight smashed in the wall as a body cushioned her fall “Three thousand and five!”

Sunset shouted “Damn I’m only at three thousand, shit!” She then grinned “Looks like there are more of them.”

Solaire smiled “Four thousand girls keep up will you.”

Luna frowned as she flew in “This is not a game.”

Solaire laughed “Stop being such a stick in the mud.” The battle began as she crushed three of the new Alicorns into the ground, “Charge! For glory!”

Twilight and Sunset rejoined, Wild Winds shouted “Push it up to eleven we need more soldiers out here to fight!”

A few pegasi pushed the machine up to eleven causing hundreds of Alicorns to be being pumped out of the machine attacking the three Alicorns and Griffon Queen as well as the small group tyring to destroy the machine, the smell of blood grew thicker.

Rainbow punched an Alicorn in the jaw, Pinkamena burst in “Carving time!”

The room was piling up as Alicorn corpses littered the room, the smell of blood growing thicker and stronger with each passing minute.

Wild Winds decided he had enough and began pressing towards Rainbow’s group, Rainbow swung her hoof at him only to be grabbed “It’s time for our god to be freed, all we need is you!”

Rainbow flailed wildly “Let go of me!”

Applejack rushed at him, bucking him with her hooves he slammed Applejack into the ground. Twilight scowled as but even as strong as she was couldn’t kill the Alicorns fast enough and she couldn’t erase them without killing everyone in the room, Cloudy Days turned to her sister who was looking at her with fear (Don’t do this).

Cloudy Days mouthed (I have to,I’m sorry sister for all of this, for being ignorant, for being weak and for being cruel I may burn in Tartarus for all I’ve done but I will save this world anyway.)

Cloudy Days rushed forward in a three legged gallop, she ran past Wild Winds jumping into the huge amount of magic. She closed her eyes as her body was disintegrated by the magic inside the factories core. The factory began to shake and erupt violently, the new Alicorns began to scream as the source of their power began to fade Twilight shouted “Everyone to me!”

Rainbow’s group plus the others Alicorns and the Griffon Queen, Rainbow kicked Wild Winds as he screamed in pain she galloped over to the group and Twilight teleported out of there leaving the Alicorns alone in the factory, the group appeared on some clouds far from the factory, Luna burst into tears as the factory exploded “My dear sister why why?!”

Author's Note

Next chapter is the last one before the choice of Epilogue

Chapter 46: Funeral

Luna was standing in a small field at the edge of Sweet Apple Acres, she was wearing a pitch black dress. Twilight stood up at the podium, she looked at the group of ponies in front of her “I know Celestia has brought great harm to you all, she made a lot of mistakes but in the end she gave her life for our world knowing that she may reside in Tartarus for all eternity, for that we all mus be grateful.”

Sunset stood up and took Twilight’s place “Like Twilight I was Celestia’s personal student, she told me I was smart, that I was destined for greatness. For better or for worse she made the mare I am today, I just hope she finds peace in death.”

Bluebelle trotted onto the stage “My Auntie wasn’t always the Tyrant she was once the best pony anyone could have known, she put up with me even at my worst. When I was rude and bigoted she took a deep breath and smiled on anyway, I was such a lucky pony to have someone who cared about me at my worst and the world is colder because of her loss.”

Luna at last trotted up onto the stage “Me and my sister didn’t always but as long as we were together we were unbeatable, we both have let jealously and envy blind us to the truth. I have lost my sister today and …” she began to cry as ponies put flowers onto the coffins with a cloud and sun mark on it.

Solaire held Luna tightly with a wing as she sobbed in the griffons claws, after the funeral much had changed in the following years. Equestria was freed of the darkness of the Rainbow Factory, within a few years Fluttershy and Starlight got married.

Meanwhile the Friendship Kingdom shared the technology of Warp-ships with their closest allies Equestria and Griffonia allowing them to quickly trade between each other with ease.

Twilight and Sunset’s relationship bloomed although their wedding would not come for centuries afterwards. On the other hoof Discord and Tempest’s relationship took off and a great wedding was held for the two of them, Twilight even took to crafting a magical artefact that would grant Tempest an immortal life so Discord would never lose her.

Luna proved to be a just ruler and kind ruler but he loss of her sister always weighed on her for centuries afterwards. She often snuck over to Griffonia to talk to Solaire for guidance and advice.

Solaire lead her nation with conviction and kindness, Solaire never gave up on Moonstar her personal student, even when she ascended Solaire was always supporting her. Cloudy Day left the world with a simple message, it is not the strongest or smartest or bravest that can save the world form evil but sometime all it takes is one that’s willing to give up everything to do what is right .

Meanwhile at the gates of the dead Cloudy Days trotted forward wondering where fate would take her.

Author's Note

Now you get to choose where Celestia goes to Tartarus or the Elysian Fields

Epilogue 1 Tartarus https://www.fimfiction.net/story/427440/47/friendships-kingdom/epilogue-1-tartarus

Epilogue 2 Elysian Fields https://www.fimfiction.net/story/427440/48/friendships-kingdom/epilogue-2-elysian-field

Epilogue 2: Elysian Field

Cloudy Days trotted towards the a glowing figure, he turned towards her and with a flash she was in beautiful fields with ponies smiling and playing happily. Cloudy slumped “I don’t deserve to be here.”

A voice spoke “Hello child, what makes you say that?”

Cloudy turned to see a glowing pony made of light “Guardian Embrace I harmed others, I caused so much pain for three long years why do I deserve to be here.”

Embrace smiled “It’s because you were willing to give your life for the good of all. You did something great , now come on there’s some old friends waiting for you.”

Cloudy smiled as she entered a large house in front of a lake, Embrace smiled “Celestia is here to join you.”

Six voices shouted “Celestia’s here!”

Cloudy smiled as Commander Hurricane, Private Pansy, Clover the Clever, Princess Platinum, Chancellor Puddinghead and Smart Cookie barrelled into her, Cloudy smiled “My friends I’m so glad to join you again.”

Hurricane smiled “Earth Pony huh, it suits you come over joins us for a swim.”

Embrace smiled “Enjoy your final rest Cloudy Days.” Embrace flew off to tend to the other ponies of the realm as Cloudy smiled as she threw splashed in the water with her friends.” She smiled as she enjoyed the rest of eternity with her friends of old.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy your ending.

Chapter 22: Fall of Saddle Arabia

Twilight’s group approached the Klugetown only to see a group of two thousand Saddle Arabian War Destriers standing outside the walls of the city. Twilight growled “What are you doing here?!”

The Destriers growled “We demand you return Dragonia to our control and swear subservience to Saddle Arabia or else there will be war!”

Twilight turned to Sunset “Looks like you get to see a small fraction of my capabilities today.” Before Sunset could respond Twilight rushed forward pulling Stature’s axe from her back and swinging at them within an instant leaving a a huge splatter of blood she then turned to Tempest (Prepare the Starblade!)

Tempest nodded as she galloped off to the docks, Twilight smiled “Sunset follow me to barracks, I’m going to rally the troops” she then turned to her the troops behind them, she commanded “Head to the Starblade and wait my orders.”

Twilight marched with Sunset in tow towards a massive bronze coloured barrack with two swords on the front. Twilight pushed open the doors revealing a massive bronze room with wooden table and chairs as well as a massive traning room, Twilight’s voice boomed “Get out here Now!” Sunset’s jaw dropped as everyone in the building ran out onto the training ground immediately, Twilight stormed up to them, she commanded “You have twenty minutes to get ready and be out at the Starblade!”

Sunset’s jaw dropped in absolute shock “You really have this place under control, you even command Ursa Majors!”

Twilight nodded “Now let’s head out to the Starblade” She then growled “I have to make those stupid Saddle Arabians understand that you don’t mess with my Kingdom!”

Sunset said nothing as the two headed to the Starblade, Sunset gasped not just at the massive dock several times Klugetown’s size but at the giant ship with a massive purple star with a bloody blade in front of it on the side of a massive ship larger than Klugetown in the dock. Sunset blinked “Why is that ship so big!”

Twilight rolled her eyes “The Starblade has to be that big. How do you think I can get Ursa Majors on board? Come on we have to get on.”

Sunset nodded as she followed Twilight onto the large ship via a massive set of stairs, Sunset blinked looking at the ship “What is the material the ship is made out of?”

Twilight smiled “Starsteel, it is a unique and extremely durable material that can only be made in the Starforges of Astrum.

Sunset blinked “You conquered Astrum.”

Twilight nodded “I killed Fellstar with this axe, I am not one for showing mercy, not anymore.” Twilight grinned as her troops boarded the ship the stairway closing behind them, Twilight shouted “Today we show that we are not to be messed with and that we will give our all to bring down those who wish to harm our kin, are you with me!”

Sunset smiled as everyone roared “We are with you to the end!” Twilight grinned “Get ready to warp, everyone strap in.” Within a second everyone was strapped into a seat including Sunset, she unlike a certain character from a spoof movie she saw due her foalhood was not dumb enough to disobey a safety warning.

Sunset blinked in her seat “What is a ..” Twilight clamped her muzzled with her magic then within a second the whole ship burst forward. As soon as Sunset regained her bearing she groaned “What was that?”

Twilight unbuckled herself, the only one no worse for ware form the warp “That was warp, you have to keep your mouth shut or your insides will end up on flying out of your body.”

Sunset blinked “How do you know that?”

Twilight grimaced “Experience, reattaching your lungs, heart and stomach in order to prevent yourself from dying is not fun.” Sunset gulped glad that Twilight had closed her mouth, Twilight countermanded it’s time to disembark, the ship opened unfolding Twilight lead her force out of the ship. Sunset gasped as she saw the capital city of Saddle Arabia from the safety of the ship.

Twilight growled as her forces approached the walls of Saddle Arabia, the guards shouted as Twilight approached drawing arrows “Stand back from the wall or we’ll shoot.” Twilight before shattering the wall with her hoof , the defenders being crushed under the rubble, Twilight roared as she galloped into the city “Charge!” The city was quickly overrun by her forces.

Meanwhile

Princess Celestia tired and exhausted after doing another day of dealing with ponies questioning her ability to protect them after her loss to Queen Chrysalis grimaced as an orb in her room lit up, the Sultan of Saddle Arabia a massively obese stallion growled “I need your support, Saddle Arabia is at war with the Friendship Empire!”

Celestia grimaced “Luna refuses to send troops, and much of the nobility agrees. I can’t do anything as my authority is being overwritten.”

Just as the Sultan was about to speak a massive wave of sound echoed through the city, he shouted “They’re here, they just appeared in a massive ship as large as my city.”

Celestia’s eyes widened “No way.” The sultan lifted up the orb and Celestia saw the huge ship, she then saw Ursa Majors , Wyverns, Dragons, and a large assortment of other creatures she couldn’t recognise from the distance armed to the teeth heading toward the city, she then watched as the wall collapsed revealing a tiny purple figure. The tiny purple figure then headed toward the palace with her army following tearing through any the Saddle Arabian War Destriers in the way.

The Sultan placed the orb on the table as the sound of hooves coming up the stairs, Celestia’s blinked as she saw a purple Alicorn on her hinds legs carrying a massive axe in one hoof, Celestia’s eyes widened as she saw the pony “Twilight”

Twilight grabbed the Sultan by the neck as she lifted her axe “You have threatened the Friendship Kingdom, you were going to harm my people and I will not tolerate that!”

The Sultan begged “Please spare me, I won’t do it again.”

Twilight growled “Of course you won’t, because it’s the last mistake you’ll ever make.” Twilight swung her axe removing the Sultan’s head from his body, Celestia gasped in shock. Twilight not noticing grabbed his head and carried it out with her, Celestia gulped as the orb finally stopped working turning black she had found out her student was now a warrior.

Twilight meanwhile stepped out with the head of the Sultan much to the shock of every Saddle Arabian present including the large contingent of War Destriers, Twilight grimaced “Your Sultan declared war on the Friendship Kingdom, and I now have his head here. I am giving you the option to either a join my kingdom or pick a new Sultan who is not such a pig the choice is yours!”

The War Destriers bowed “We thank you for your mercy, we are willing to serve.” soon everyone else bowed to her as well, Twilight grinned “Well then there will be more plenty of changes made here.”

Twilight had to return to the capital, leaving Tempest there to co-ordinate the changes she was going to bring the kingdom not realising that she was going to get some dire news when she returned.

Author's Note

Celestia just got to witness how brutal Twilight can be.

Chapter 33: Harmony

In depths of the Everfree Forest Fluttershy was mediating in front of the Tree of Harmony. She had left her cottage for days at a time to be truly one with the forest, Big Mac often took care of her cottage while she was away, a voice spoke to her (Open you eyes, you must open your eyes.)

Fluttershy opened her eyes which were glowing green with wild magic (Who’s speaking to me?)

The voice spoke it’s again it’s tone less urgent, it was soothing almost like a mother speaking to it’s child (Turn around, I am speaking to you.)

Fluttershy turned around to see Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie were floating around the tree, it sighed (I managed to save your friends from the dissapearance but Equestria is gone, I have no idea of why but it has.)

Fluttershy frowned (What will you have me do.)

The Tree of Harmony frowned (Head to this town, you will meet a friend and a potential friend in need of help.) Fluttershy frowned as she saw the town amidst the empty dusty plains in the middle of nowhere, Fluttershy nodded (Very well.) She burst into the air far above forest and began flying to the isolated town.

Meanwhile Twilight was sitting in the council room “Tirek do you have anything to add?”

Tirek frowned “I did find a village with a powerful unicorn in it, she has devoted her life to removing Cutie Marks of any pony she meets.”

Discord growled “How dare she, I grant Ponies a gift and this one seeks to destroy the gift I gave them.”

Twilight frowned “What do you mean gift you gave us, explain?”

Discords frowned “Well it was like this…”

Many Eons Ago

Discord and Mystica bowed before a giant yellow glowing dragon like serpent “King Storm Shadow what is your wish?”

Storm laughed “Relax, I want you to watch over this world.” He showed the a flaming ball of rock “It possesses a unique core made of pure mana, it has locked it’s star and moon in place because of it.”

Discord nodded “We will not disappoint you?”

Storm smiled “I know you won’t.”

Discord and Mystica flew away from him, Mystica grimaced “I don’t think this is such a good idea, it is a lot of responsibility.”

Discord nodded “Yes but someone needs to do it, you and I are the only ones available for the next million years.”

Mystica sighed “You’re right, fine let’s begin.”

Discord nodded, the two flew to the planet. Mystica frowned “It is the only planet here and it has an average yellow dwarf star, hmm.”

Discord frowned “Well to start let’s cool off the surface so we can then plan things out.” He conjured an enormous ocean of water dropping onto the planet, both cooling it and covering seventy percent of it in water.

Mystica growled “What the fuck, that is way too much water for a planet of this size?”

Discord facepalmed “Do you not know how much water it takes to create life, a whole bunch?”

Mystica frowned “Why do we have to create life, it a chaotic mess that cause incredibly damage to our pure perfect planets.”

Discord grimaced “We exist to bring life to worlds. it’s our function in the universe what is the point of all the perfect orbs sitting around doing nothing until they are destroyed by their suns. No they are here to fuel life so that one day that life may outlast them.”

Mystica frowned “Fine then let’s begin making life.” They created themselves a floating castle at which they could watch the world, Mystica spent billions of years trying to create the perfect harmonic organism while Discord began creating creatures willy nilly leaving the world covered in hordes of strange creatures. Dragons, Griffons, Minotaurs and Zebra just to name a few species that rose to prominence out of the chaotic mess Discord created.

Meanwhile Mystica had just created her perfect species, an incredibly intelligent Equine species and in complete harmony with themselves. She ran over to Discord “I did it, I created my perfect species the ponies they are in complete Harmony look.”

Discord grimaced “They also weak and incapable of protecting themselves, look.”

Harmony watched in horror as her little ponies were hunted by the predators of the world being slaughtered in the thousands, she scowled “Your chaotic creatures are destroying my creations.”

Discord growled “I didn’t make them that way, they earned their right through centuries of change. I simply planted the base of life and let them slowly grow and change to suit the world as it changed and grew as well, you created something that can’t adapt and now it is dying because of it, that is your fault so fix it!”

Mystica spent years watching as her ponies huddled in caves barely surviving, she came up with a solution as she blessed them with magic but she failed to account for the fact they had no outlet of such power and some even exploded from magic build up. Mystica watched as centuries past her ponies dwindling in numbers as she created more and more to try to make up for the losses, she looked at Discord “How do fix this, how do I save them.”

Discord shook his head “You refuse to change them, to modify them yet they are dying.”

Mystica shouted “They are perfect, this shouldn’t be happening.”

Discord shook his head “They are perfectly harmonic and that is exactly the problem life is a naturally chaotic thing, I’m going to save them and change them because you aren’t willing to.”

Discord’s voice boomed across the world, everything stopped “Ponies, I grant you two gifts, first that of variance” he sent out three glowing orbs full of magic, one headed to the ponies of the fields that gave them the power of the earth, it granted them superior strength and stamina as well as a natural connection to the land, to the warrior mountain ponies who tried to fight against their fate he gave the power of the skies which granted them the ability fly as they grew wings as well as the ability to command the weather and finally to those who sought knowledge he gave them the power of fire, that allowed stem to harness magic to create powerful spells.

He took a deep breath before smiling “Second, that of purpose.” On every adult pony a different mark appeared on their flank which would strengthen certain aspects of themselves.”

Present Day

Discord smiled “So that’s the story.”

Tirek frowned “So you are the one who made ponies the way they are, that changes a lot of what I thought.”

Twilight frowned “As interesting as that is I believe we should find this village, if this unicorn can remove Cutie Marks maybe she can use time magic as well.”

Discord nodded “Well let’s go, I believe Tirek can get us all there within the day.”

Sunset frowned “Right well let’s go I’d rather not take too long to get there.”

Luna turned around “Well then we better get ready and then go to this village.” The group began preparing not knowing what they would find in the village.

Author's Note

Soon Starlight will be part of this story.

Epilogue 1: Tartarus

Cloudy Days trotted towards the a glowing figure, he turned towards her and with a flash she was a place of fire and brimstone. Her jailers were fearsome creatures created to punish sinners dragger her over to a massive bench, they put on her the bench and locked her hooves down to massive machine, she then watched as they pulled long chain machine.

She screamed as she felt her legs being pulled away from her body, she felt a huge surge of pain as her legs flew off but the pain didn’t stop it stayed, her screams grew louder as her torn off legs were chucked into a pot and cooked.

She was then branded with a red hot poker and whipped repeatedly as her screams grew louder and louder. Then her head was chopped off as she was forced to watch as they slowly skinned her body inch by inch her screamed echoing throughout Tartarus.

She woke her body restored only to be put on a spit and slowly roasted, she cried as she felt her insides turning to jelly from the intense heat. Those cries turned to screams as her belly was cut open her intestines falling to the floor, she began to wail as the creatures started to slowly carve them apart with a knife.

She was then locked in a cage full of other ponies, one of them pushed her down his large dick slamming into her as she screamed “Stop stop leave me alone please.” The stallion laughed as another stuck his dick into her mouth slamming into with a evil wicked grin on his muzzle, one however had enough stallion grabbed the two of them and tore them in half leaving her lying there in tears. She laid there crying until she once again brought to the torture chambers outside of the cage, her screams would never stop for very long.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed your ending.