Intro:

How can one stand tall upon crumbling ground?

Track 11: Alicorn Tears

Princess Twilight Sparkle sat alone in the study of Princess Celestia, going over the journals and logs that the former, great ruler of Equestria had stored away her. She had kept a rather impressive record of many ponies who lived in Equestria, such as the forgotten Crimson Thunder. She was a champion of the First Royal Age, who had abandoned Equestria shortly after the defeat of Nightmare Moon, only to return again to once more put her life for the country she had given up on. Even during the years she was gone, the princess had followed the wayward hero. Reading on these ancient heroes gave the young princess some inspiration and hope, she had also discovered that Crimson Thunder was once apart of what would become Rainbow Dash’s family. Interestingly, her partner, Sir Light Bringer, also had ties in the Apple family. There were a number of heroes of the old age that had links to some of Twilight’s lost friends. Fluttershy’s family went back to some Bat ponies clans, even one of Twilight’s own ancestors had connections to the Bat ponies, in the same way they were loyal to Princess Luna during the brief battle. Twilight was relieved that they did not continue to revolt after the battles were lost.

“That makes sense” Twilight though to herself. “Several of my family have night-themed names, and it was my uncle who had given me the book that lead me to learn about the Royal Pony Sisters that I would later learn was Princess Celestia and Luna. What was it he said when he gave it to me? ‘Old stores contain truths, but not always those upon the surface’” So much was connecting in her mind now, and things seemed to fall into place. “Dad was a bit distant with his brother, apart from Uncle Librations, and even they seemed at odds. Strange how fate can work just inside your understanding”

She was about to go into more records, when a knock came at the door. The interruption was one of the castle guards reporting in on the affairs out in Equestria. “The Pinkie Pie copies have been dealt with, and the pool was sealed off… for now…” This hesitance prompted a questioning look from Princess Twilight, and without being asked, the guard explained. “With Nightmare M- Rarity growing in power, and her demonic hordes matching, we cannot risk a detail to watch over the location. We lost a few getting there. It was under orders by Prince Shining Armor that we not spread so thin over minor issues… since we lost nearly ever Pegasi to whatever is going on in Cloudsdale”

“He should have spoken to me first… However I do agree in his choice to keep our resources from being diluted. Please relay this, to my brother, and Sister-in-Law: I would like to be consulted before any more decisions are made like this, especially when they undermine orders I have given’” She trusted his judgement, but it did not lessen the feeling of being disrespected. “Princess Cadence and I were given rule, but where their power is the Crystal Empire, my charge is Equestria. Even if demons claim Everfree, and radicals draw a fourth of our numbers into the clouds, these are in my domain and jurisdiction”

The guard nodded, and added something he felt relevant. “The princess has expressed that we share intel; I have heard that since the attack by the Shadow Cult, the Bat ponies have returned to Hallow Shade. They do not seem interested in whatever plans the Pegasus nation has planned, sadly, they seem to have no interest in aiding us either”

“Shadow Colt…” Another name in the old records. “Who would have guessed that name would resurface?”

-Several nights ago-

The Night was cold, colder than it should be for the season, and the moon almost was ablaze in the sky above, shunning the stars that attempted to give their own light. Those who could read the signs knew that there was trouble, but not many knew or cared to understand these signs. To them, the night was just a problem that did not need their concern, with all else going on. One, however, did understand, and knew that if not fixed the threat here would change all to come.

As the Sun chases the Moon, the trap is set.

After speaking to the two Bat ponies that had sought out her aid, Princess Celestia tracked down here sister Luna, only to find her in the ranks of her Lunar Guard. The night princess was standing before the assembly, with the mare Celestia had long believed to be a demon, Redmare.

“What is all this?” Celestia demanded, as she marched through the collective toward her sister. She did not see this as an innocent gathering, but one of an army before battle. “Why do you gather like this?”

Princess Luna did not seem herself, as she shot back. “Just who are you to question the actions of the night? Do I judge how you conduct the day?”

Baffled by the return, the elder sister was becoming stricken by a much deeper fear of what this now meant. “I would hope you would challenge me, if I was assembling my entire forces for no clear reason?”

Laughing at her, both Luna and Redmare. “’Entire’? Hardly, these are my most elite and loyal” This did nothing to sooth the solar ruler. “Now, return home, this does not yet concern you”

Looking around, knowing that these were not normal members of a royal guard, not finding a single Bat pony in the ranks, she knew these were truly the worst of those Luna had taken in, ponies who did not reform. When she spotted a criminal she was well familiar with, she was confirmed by their inclusion. A deep black Unicorn stallion, with deep red eyes “Black Knight?! You’ve collected the worst and most wicked ponies in Equestria, and gave them power and privilege?”

Moving toward her now, Princess Luna responded. “I released them, gave forgiveness, for I know how harsh you can be toward those in the night”

Another stallion appeared, looking much like Black Knight, only he was just as white as he was black, with the same piercing red gaze. “Even those in the day”

The choices of Luna were staggering, and adding the equally wicked brothers together was beyond insanity. “Radiant Dawn? How can you find anything if these ponies, but their depravity?”

“You rejected me, in favor of that foal Shining Armor” He spoke with a seething resentment. “All because he is the brother to your little precious puppet”

Adding delusion to his record, Princess Celestia was astounded by his words. “Shining Armor is a pure hearted pony, who would put the needs of others far before his own, and gives everything to keep Equestria safe. You are none of these things, in fact, you are polar opposites!” She was not given to restrain herself. “You are selfish, cruel, greedy and corrupt, just the same as your brother. I imprisoned him for his crimes, and hoped that expulsion would have taught you a lesson in being decent. Clearly you have learned only to be more depraved”

Returning her attention to Luna, Celestia went back to reaching for her decency. “You are not a fool, nor are consumed by the desired the polluted those two, and very likely Redmare as well. Come to your senses sister! You will not do them any favors by showing them your kindness, they’ve long abandoned hope of being anything but wicked”

Princess Luna was not being reached, and aimed her horn at her sister. “You know nothing about me, sister” She spoke dangerously. “Equestria is dying, only the wicked will survive”

“Then slay me!” Princess Celestia stop back, catching all of them in shock. “Pierce my breaking heart, end my suffering. I lost you once, and was forced to do the hardest thing I have ever done in my long life. I blamed myself for a thousand years, for all the neglect in your needs, and the sorrow it brought you as we grew apart. I will not sentence myself again, this time it is you who will choose this fall, as a pawn to that demon you entertain” She had started out with a few tears, but they now flowed freely in streams. “I’ve lost my sister… more times than anypony should be forced too, and I cannot bare it again… So end me, and finish the process of my shattering heart, snuff out a miserable life…”

Listening to her, the words reaching a distant mind, Princess Luna was able to think clearly again. “S-sister… forgive me… I was manipulated and now I see the truth and hope still remains. Together, as Sisters, we shall be the ones to turn back the tide of this war for Equestria” She smiled at her sister, and received one in return, as the two were no longer at odds and ready to be a combined force.

As they spoke, the brothers were growing concerned over their future. It may have been desperate, but they made their move. As Princess Luna turned to face them, she saw that they were no longer flanking her. They moved in unison, going at different directions toward their target. Luna turned again to try and suggest a strategy, only to find that they had done their attack. Their magick imbued horns were driven into Celestia’s sides before any could react, delivering two fatal blows at once.

“CELESTIA!!!” Princess Luna cried out, charging at her collapsing sister, while the two murderers stepped back to admire their work. The damage was done, and even with her own power, Luna could not save Celestia from this. All there could be, was a younger sister clinging to her elder, as the life slipped from her.

“I feared death… When it w-was a chance… to be y-you, but I know y-you are still… still the sister I have loved for s-so long…” Celestia could barely move, the magick working like poison to destroy her. She gave all her effort to look at her sister, with joy in her eyes. “My beloved… Luna… All I can think of… is all t-the good m-moments of our… lives… N-no bad memories… o-only my s-sweet little… moon…”

Luna struggled to smile, to give her sister that bright face she wanted to remember in her dying moments, but it was nearly impossible. The flood from her burning eyes, betrayed any illusion she could muster. Desperately, she wished that she could change time, but she knew it could not be so. Even if the spell that Twilight had uncovered, she knew that fate could not be altered in the brief time she would have to explain or even attempt to stop the brothers. “I love you sister! Even as a foal, when I wanted my way, and you got yours. Every time I said I hated you, it was a lie! Even when I was so stupid and became Nightmare Moon! As we fought, I was trapped inside, trying to stop what I had become… I always kept love in my heart for you…”

Gasping, trying to get enough breath to speak, Celestia fought her last moment to say “I… l-love… y-y-… you… L-” Her last breath was too brief, and ended before should could say the name one last time. The light in her eyes was gone, the final sign that the sun was gone, survived by the moon.

Redmare, clearly thinking that without the solar mare, Luna was her’s, made a mistake. “Finally, free of her oppression my, Equestria’s true and only Princess” She grinned, then made another mistake. Black magick swirled around her, and with a brief eclipse, Redmare was gone, and his true self was there. A stallion of pure shadows, save for piercing white eyes, and a void-like mouth twisted with the lingering grin. “I no longer have to hide behind that mare. Shadow Colt is free again!”

As he spoke, Princess Luna was miles away in her mind. She used her magick to pull the gem from Celestia’s crown, and it drew out the energies of the fallen mare. Another gem from Luna’s own crown was plucked and brought to the first. They danced, as energy flared from them, until the two became one. This unified gem was affixed to Luna’s crown, and a change took over her as well. A vortex of magick, both Day and Night, swallowed the mare, changing her. Her body grew taller, even more so than Celestia’s impressive stature. Her wings too grew, but they were much bigger than needed for her added height. The starry mane and tail, now became a galactic night sky, with the shimmering of northern lights through the magickal hair as it flowed from her. The blue alicorn atop her royal brow, twisted with a new white one, and together they stretched farther out to outdo any Unicorn or Alicorn pony. She kept her eyes closed through the change, but when all else was done, they flashed open. Her right eye had now become pink like Celestia’s.

Shadow Colt was impressed by the change, and moved closer to her. “Amazing, I had no idea you could achieve such a form!”

Now, the being that once was Luna, took notice of the stallion. Her voice was a fusion of both princesses, but spoke in a monotone. “WE had planned this, long ago. Should one fall, the other claim the enchanted gem. Together, the gem and sisters would be one. Unified, WE would protect Equestria”

“This is advantageous! Now, we can truly rule Equestria!”

“Yes, WE could” She turned from him, looking at the two brothers. “It is owed to these two, if not for their actions, WE would not be as WE are now” Radiant Dawn and Black Night looked at one another, not feeling to good in her words.

With no warning, not even the flash of magick off a horn, the ground under the brothers erupted. Two spires, one of black, one of white, impaled the two and drove them high into the air. The weapons were horns, atop matching Unicorn heard that symbolized Celestia and Luna respectively. The white, solar magick alicorn was through Radiant, and the black, night magick alicorn was through Black.

“What’s going on now?!” He looked about frantically, not knowing just where the spell came from. He had a feeling, but given that the being that was Luna had no aura off her twisted horn, made him question many things, most of all his safety.

Just as sudden as they came, the heads were gone, leaving the brothers to fall to a hard ground. The unified mare trotted slowly toward them, standing between as she spoke. “Say that you love your brother” Her monotone was now dark, and cold, like the hurried howl of the wind on a stormy night. “Go on, say your brothers name…” She was sounding crazed, driven by her suffering. “Before death steals you, and you can never again hear your sibling speak it again”

They looked at one another, not near the point Celestia had been, but their pain and fear were great. “At the same time!” She demanded. They struggled a bit, but they followed her orders, they started to say the names of their respective other.

“Bla-”

“Rai-”

As they started, the unified being smashed their heads in with her hooves, with a sound that shook the ground and every pony near. The forces of the Lunar Army scattered, as their ruler looked insane, with pure hate and fury upon her. She stood in their gore, breathing heavily as her anger seemed to simmer off her like real heat. Shadow Colt, feeling fear that he had not since the moment Princess Celestia beat him near a thousand years ago, knew he was next. He attempted to escape, but a wall of pure light surrounded him.

“Just where…” The unified being turned to him, back into the monotone voice, sounding even more frightening than before. “do you think you can go? WE have magick beyond near any being, WE would find you instantly” She closed her left eye. “I can see the future” Her voice was now just Celestia. “With this eye, no matter where you go I will finish what my leniency had perverted me”

The light gripped at him, stopping him from moving, but he did still try. “Luna, stop this. Redmare is your friend, and helped form that band of discarded ponies into an army, your army!”

“Army? Where?” The being mockingly looked around. “I see nothing but empty fields” She closed her right eye and opened the left, now with the voice of Luna. “I can see the past, with this eye I see that you manipulated me. Those ponies who had a chance to change their lot in life, used it to only become worse. Some, yes, will be spared for they were true, but most will also be subject to my vengeance, especially your followers in the Shadow Cult” She scoffed. “Such a terrible name”

The entity mused over the stallion’s words. “It is funny, how friendship becomes betrayal, sisters turned to corpses, as well as brothers. You were key in so much of the suffering in the past, claiming so many lives for your wicked desires” Her eyes shifted again, and Celestia now spoke. “Dark days are ahead, so much torment and suffering”

“What can I do against you now? You have a great power that I pale in comparison too. Why seek revenge, when it won’t bring her back, it won’t change the course of history, it won’t soothe any pain” He was hoping to escape this situation, thinking that logic may win out. “They killed her, not me, and you brought them justice. You still hurt, so what will my death give you?”

“I spoke of Equestria, not you” Now bot eyes were open, and her voice shifted to the pair. “You are right, as WE searched all the possible futures, none saw anything that your death solved anything. Nothing WE can do to you, will take away OUR pain. It will have to be waited out” He gave a sigh of relief, only for the grip about him to tighten. “That does not mean WE won’t try every single thing we can, finding the most wretched acts to inflict upon you as WE wait to heal. When you have long gone past being able to bare OUR punishment, you will endure it even longer. WE have not looked far enough to see when WE choose to end your suffering”

“W-why?..” He asked, finding the breath to do so hard to take.

“It is the last joy WE will get, it will be OUR gift to all those who suffered by you. Not the least of which will be Crimson Thunder. You have stolen everything else from US, you will not take this away by dying. WE will keep you alive, but not well”

Back in Canterlot

“... Cosmatia dealt with those of the Shadow Cult, but what of the rest of the Lunar Army? Do we have any of the Soldiers of the Night who will still fight for Equestria?” Princess Twilight wondered.

The guard was growing nervous about continuing to deliver bad news. “We cannot track them, they are shadows in dark times. None have come forward either to offer any aid”

She did not like this answer, but it was not something she could do anything about. “Perhaps we can request some small assistance from the Bat ponies who were apart of the Lunar Republic” Twilight could read the guard, and he had more on his mind. “Share your thoughts, do you have anything to add?”

“It is not my place,” He attempted to hold it back, but she insisted that he speak. “We could reach out to our neighbors, even if our relations with the Dragons and Gryphons are tentative they might be persuaded into seeing that our plight will likely spread to them as well”

Princess Twilight took this in, and began to trot about the room in her thoughts. She processed all the pros and cons of the action suggested, if it would be better or worse for Equestria to reach out to dangerous borders. “The idea has merit, but I fear what might come if we reach out and like the Dragons or Gryphons know that we are in a weakened state. The Gryphons have no love for ponies, and the Dragons are better known to crush those who are weak. If only Spike was more like them, we might have a chance to make a meeting work. The kingdom of Mer have shown us that they are friendly, but they are restricted to the water. The yaks of Yakyakistan is too far away, and our relations to them are practically nonexistent. We haven’t even reached a common ground… Pinkie was our best effort in those relations”

Feeling less restricted, the guard offered more options. “What about the Harpies, Arachi, Stonefolk or… the Centaurs?” He was hesitant to offer the last, given bitter history between the two.

“Perhaps, Harpies keep to themselves, but they have never given us any trouble before. Maybe we can find something to offer them for their assistance. The Spiderkin of the Arach dessert get a bad image because of some radicals, but they are kind and caring people who may listen to our pleas. The Stonefolk are hard to know just where they might stand, if asked to assist us. As for the Centaurs, we have had a long peace since the incident with Tirek. They seem to have condemned him, but they might not be willing to aid us either” She turned from him, drawing scrolls and a quill from the desk. She set to work in writing out carefully worded letters to each recipient, using what knowledge she had to make them respectful and clear. “I want you to take these to our best translators for these four species, make sure they clean them as needed, and be ready to go out to with an ambassador to each of the different lands they reside in. If there are any questions, I want the translators there to aid the ambassadors in smoothing and relations” She passed the scrolls to him, and sent him off.

“As you wish, princess” He bowed, and hurried to carry out her order.

Twilight was feeling a bit better about their chances, and hopeful that at least one of them would aid them. If they could not steam the tides, they may offer asylum in the most drastic need for fleeing Equestria. “Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, I will end all of this and save you all. Cosmatia put Equestria in my care, and its ponies, one way or another, I will save them”

Years ago

“I think back to when I first met her, when she stood there oh so proud and tall…”

Standing in the kind of room where you would find a professor giving a lecture to their students, it was Twilight Sparkle at the front of the room with the heads of the School for Gifted Unicorn sitting in attendance. She was a filly, not even with a cutie mark, and looking as nervous as one with their future hinging upon their performance. Her mother and father stood off to the side, trying to give their encouragement. They held pride in their eyes, knowing that no matter what, they would always be proud of her. The filly felt differently.

Twilight had studied, and practiced, but as the final exam was before her, she was unable to do anything. Try as she might, the little egg would not hatch. She accepted her failure, and turned to apologize to the assembly, when an explosion rocked the air outside. She did not know why, she felt something inside her erupt from where it had been hiding. The surge of magickal energies were untamed, and consumed her. Twilight was unleashing wild spells, ones she did not even know, and was showing skill greater than even some of the most learned Unicorns.

The egg hatched, in the flung spells, and the Dragon grew much greater than it should be for a newborn, ripping a hole in the roof. From this opening, the sun shone down in a radiant beam. From the pillar of light, a white mare flew in, glowing greater than the lumination she rode. She was calm and collected, as she moved to the uncontrolled pony, and with a gentle touch, brought Twilight back. She quickly undid all the wild magick, and regained order. The only thing she did not reverse, was the hatchling, she restored his baby size, but left him free of the egg.

It was clear that the professors were stunned by such a show of power, at a loss as much as the little filly had been. Of those assembled, the only one not looking shocked was the mare who fixed the damage. Princess Celestia, who quickly informed the filly that she wished her to be her personal student.

For the next few years, the young Twilight grew into a mare, driven by her own natural desire to learn and become better, but now she was pushed to impress the one who believed in her more than any other. Princess Celestia stood behind her faithful student, looking upon her with the pride of a loved one. Behind her shimmering eyes, there always seemed to be a sense of knowing Twilight had a greater future. Perhaps she had always known that the little filly with the uncontrolled magick, would one day become an Alicorn and rise to such a level that would match Celestia and Luna.

Flashes of two wicked twins began to overtake the visions of the past, as they grinned with dark desire, just before driving their horns into Princess Celestia. She lay dead between them, with their horns glistening in her fresh blood as they laughed.

Back in Canterlot

“...I became her most faithful student, but how could my royal teacher fall?”

Twilight found herself muttering alone at the meeting table in Canterlot’s great hall. She was lost in thoughts of her past, as she awaited any news of her delegations. She had not been alone long, and was joined before she took notice, by Princess Cadence, who was wondering just what she meant.

“Fall? What about fall?” Cadence was confused by this, given that it was still summer. She assumed she meant the next season.

Looking over, now aware of her sister-in-law, Twilight was a bit embarrassed by talking to herself. “Oh, nothing. I miss the simpler events I was dealing with, like the Running of the Leaves” She redirected from her true thoughts, and luckily Cadence had no way of knowing.

Attempting to ease her longtime friend’s mind, the older mare offered. “We will get to enjoy them again, and I’m going to personally gallop in the next one we get too. I hope you will join me, and we can show Shine just how formidable we sisters are” Her words reached Twilight, and brought a smile to the mare. It was nice to think of a future with such happy events being possible.

The distraction was brought to an end, as the present demanded attention. The first group of the delegation returned, entering the room to bring the news of their journey. Twilight stood from her seat in anticipation of what they had to say, too blinded by her hope to notice the state of the two. They were haggard, and beaten. Looking defeated, with scars and bruises to match their state of mind.

Princess Cadence was not so lost in hope of the past few weeks of waiting to ignore their status, and was the first to speak. “Need I ask?” She started. “Just why did they attack you, we came in peace? Between a skilled ambassador and Twilight’s careful words, how could they react to violently?”

“I-I don’t know… what happened…” The white coated translator began, looking like she was standing before the hangmare. She brushed a frazzled strand of her seafoam mane from in front of sad green eyes. “We presented ourselves, and they seemed to accept us with no hostilities… I spoke very well for our intentions, and gave them the scroll... that is when things turned” She sniffled a this point, looking hard into the floor. “They r-read the message… and then they attacked” Frantic, she looked up again with a great need of clarity. “I swear I translated the scroll into proper Screech, double checking it to make sure not one word was wrong!” Twilight took the scroll, looking it over with the notes the mare had given after. “I retranslated it, and there is no possible way that this was the same scroll I had made from them!”

“You are within our borders, and we demand your service in our armies. Harpies shall serve the superior Ponies, and by glad for it. Resist this order and be punished. Princess Twilight Sparkle” Growling, putting more fear into the pair, Twilight crumpled the scroll in destroyed it. As the translator feared the worst, the princess said to them. “You did well, and I trust you had done your job. I am glad that you managed to return safely, for the most part, after this sabotage” She motioned for a couple of her guards. “Go rest, recover, and enjoy the full hospitality of my court can offer. This was not your doing, or failing”

She trotted away from them, leaving them to wonder where she was going, when she shouted out. “DISCORD!” She was furious, more so than she had even been. “You conniving interloper, how dare you play your games with my ponies!”

A twisted laugh filled the room, and in a flash the accused appeared. “Have you met me? I love to play games, especially with you foalish ponies. Did I use your terminology correctly? No matter” He held up his arms, which were bound in words. “My varied hands are tied, I cannot directly do harm to you. Indirectly, I still have the freedom to cause you trouble”

“Your interference, no matter how ‘indirect’ you claim, threatened not only my ponies, but war with another species! You directly changed what I wrote, so they would not aid us. I see this as a violation of that contract you claim you are held too, so what does this say of your honour?!”

“Funny, you look unharmed by my actions” He popped in and out of existence, as he inspected her from every angle. She nearly kicked him, when he was looking under her. “Your ‘plot’ is so much nicer than Celestia’s” He was gone again, now between the two ponies who had returned. “As for these two, Fluttershy didn’t name them, or any of the others for that matter. I would worry about them more, especially those who went to the Centaurs. I may have written ‘Free Tirek’ or ‘execute’, not too god with their language”

“Why are you so devoted to causing us harm, in any way you can?” Princess Cadence stepped in, hoping to let Twilight calm down a bit, she seemed ready to explode. She was hoping to end the fight with diplomacy. “I can understand games, my husband is fond of some I find rather silly, still I indulge him and let him have fun. Surely there is some way for us to end these squabbles, find a compromise that allows us to be friends and stop the suffering?”

Discord was digging around in his ear, acting like he wasn’t paying attention. “Indulge huh? Is that why you allow him to fool around with the stallions?” Cadence was struck by this, not sure how to react to his claims. “He did seem close to Big Mac, how did he take the news of his death? I heard he sure loved to-” Not allowing the slander to go on, Cadence fired at him, but it missed.

“Do not talk that way of my husband! He is no whore, and I will not hear anything of the sort. He is a devoted, and loving stallion, and has been nothing but true!”

Reforming, laughing sinisterly, Discord danced around the air. “I suppose a magickal cock is just as good as the real thing, if only Celestia and Luna were here, they would be able to tell us”

“You vile, hateful monster!” Twilight cut in. “Have you no shame, or respect?!” She summoned the power she was given, and cast a spell that entrapped the draconequus. “I will not allow you a moment more of your wickedness to be unchecked. I will deconstructed you like an experiment, and then leave you in pieces across Equestria!” Cadence stood close by, her own horn aglow as she was ready to aid in this. “Maybe, before I end this, you will redeem yourself and show us that there is some good in there. Undo your lies, and fix the scrolls!”

Tisking at them, he pulled off one leg. “Such weak name calling, and challenges will not get my goat” The leg was now formed into the animal. “I will, however, change those scrolls. Don’t think it is because I actually feel any kind of threat, but I want to watch as more of your hard efforts fall to pieces before you. I have journeyed all over this ponyland, watched as each of your fickle plans fall apart. Funny how little rumours and whispers can do so much damage, and raising your anger to blistering levels” He turned to you, and gave a wink. “See what I did?” Looking back at the princesses, he went on. “Why would I give up absolute freedom, for a confined existence where all my power is hindered and makes everything so great for you?” He finally responded to Cadence’s question.

“Power is nothing, at the end of the day. Friendship is far more rewarding, and gets you things you just can’t achieve on your own” She was far more of an expert, and understood now what she had lost. “I use to want nothing but to study and impress Princess Celestia, but making time for friends has taught me more than books could have ever given me”

“Huh?” He looked around, ignoring her. “Sorry, I was too busy not caring” Discord laughed more, until the magickal cage drew in on him. “Friendship is boring. Dragons and Gryphons do fine without it, and their rejection of it is why those delegations don’t need my meddling to fail all on their own. Ponies waste so much time and energy on friendship, while the rest of the world goes on. You think that you are so advanced and learned, but really you are all just so small minded and selfish. You cannot see past your limited, narrow views and understandings of the greater reality of existence. You struggle to grow, but ultimately fail to change or even accept another way. I had such high hopes for your kind, that one day you might actually be worthy of my respect, but even as you are pushed to grow beyond limitations, you cling to these pretentious, backwards concepts that barely changed since the days you crawled from the goop of your cesspool. How could I possibly find any friendship in such primitive beings? You are so far below me, just as far as you are from an ameba” He toss the goat at them, and it clamered around and darted off. “Make friends with my leg, but don’t think you can ever reach my level” He snapped, and the cage was gone, and soon after so we he.

A few moons ago, during the battle with Nightmare Moon

"I think back to when I first saw her, with her coat and armor black as night..."

Within the ruins of the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters, as the unnatural night dug its claws deep into the land, and the wicked moon illuminated the terror of Nightmare Moon as she played against the six ponies working their way to undo her revenge. With one move after another, she worked to stop the ponies, only strengthening their forming bonds. They were quickly through the forest, and now stood in challenge of her. She felt something was poetic that here as her first reign was to begin, her second one was again threatened, only this time she did not find concern in the six ponies who did little but annoy her. With Celestia trapped, and the Elements of Harmony lying as so much dust and shards of broken times long past.

With all the time she had spend pouring over the prophecy of the Mare in the Moon, Twilight Sparkle had not understood the final piece of the puzzle, the missing element. When Nightmare Moon broke the orbs that were supposed to be the Elements of Harmony, she was feeling all hope to be lost. She did not even have the sixth, but as the voices carried from the halls, she finally understood the value of friendship. She was so happy to hear these strangers turned friends, coming to aid her in this dark hour, then the missing spark was there. Friendship is Magick, and it was the missing part of the collection. The other five elements could be understood by just their meaning, but the hidden one would have lost its true value if just spelled out. She needed to experience it, and now as she was joined by Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter, and Kindness, she could awake as Magick, and again bring Harmony to the land.

Twilight had not know a feeling of joy like this, since the day she was taken in by Princess Celestia. She had found something she did not know was missing, she saved her beloved teacher, and earned another friendship in Princess Luna that together the six mares had freed from the holds of Nightmare Moon. She had gained so much in that night.

Again, these sweet memories were twisted into the same scene of horror of Princess Celestia’s death, only now she saw from Princess Luna’s eyes, and could feel what she felt. The frail heart, shattering, and blame in being unable to save her sister setting in. She fought the feelings, to not be again claimed by darkness, thought it had found another host. Twilight was now forced to travel with the demonic force, as it tormented Rarity, and she was trapped in witnessing the brutal and cruel attack and rape of her friends. The beautiful, proud mare, broken into nothing, and weakened to be twisted and turned into the horror of Nightmare Rarity.

Back in Canterlot Castle

"...with the help of all my friends, we brought long lost Luna to the light"

The last of the delegations had returned with the very news that Discord had predicted, with not any one of the species deciding to lend aid to the ponies. Twilight went over the scrolls, and spoke to the translators, and the draconequus had not meddled in them. Equestria was on its own, and the hope was fleeting.

“Cadence,” Twilight called to the other princess, as they traveled down the hall. “A moment?” She requested, and so they went to a room where they could have privacy. “My time as princess has been filled with turmoil and strife, and where the ponies of Ponyville once looked at me with the established trust and confidence, the rest of Equestria has no really knowledge of my past deeds and do not see me as anything but a failure. Every corner of the land has become corrupted, and broken. I don’t even have those I once held dear, all save for you, my brother, and Spike. The ponies know you and Shining though, and they see you as a true princess. I think it is time that you make preparations in making the Crystal Empire a safe haven, and evacuate Equestria”

Princess Cadence did not like to see her sister-in-law so low, and as much as she wished to argue her, the important details were far too true. Equestria did not take to Twilight, and with everything going wrong, she had not changed their opinions. It was not her fault, but the rest did not see it like this. They had discussed this plan before, but Cadence did not like the idea. “Why the empire? Why not fortify Canterlot, where Equestria has turned to for a millennium as its pillar of hope?”

“As symbolic as it is, Canterlot does not have the Crystal Heart, and the devotion of the Crystal Ponies. Their devotion and love for you and my brother alone has powered the heart and stopped Sombra, and with the increase of ponies from all over Equestria to see you and him as their savior, it will make the heart even greater and no threat will breach those shields. We need to unify as a nation, and our strongest defense is in the north”

“Why do I sense a prelude to a goodbye? What are you planning?” Cadence knew the younger mare too well, and read between her words.

Twilight did not answer at once, instead she waited for a few moments, the last she would have with her old friend. “I did not ask, or even seek this power and title. Some would call this a blessing, or even that I’m lucky to be an Alicorn. I have achieved a level of power few can imagine, yet against all my planning and efforts, I fail time and again. On lonely nights, I would imagine what all of my friends were up too, but I can’t even have that now. All my effort and research to be a better friend and safe Equestria has been left in vain.

“I use to look up to Princess Celestia, and you, then after defeating Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna. Your uniqueness, and power was something truly to behold. It seemed limitless, unbeatable. Now, as the fourth, I wonder why this has happened at all, and I was so bold as to think I could have stopped fate. Each new day dawns, bringing a start to the cycle all over again, and I know I must do as those I have looked up to have already done. I must give all of myself to save Equestria, and likely be destroyed in the process. Please tell my brother and Spike, I love them, so much. I love you too, Cadence. Try to get the ponies to remember me, not as the failure I was, but the friend I had been. With my last act as princess of Equestria, I will sacrifice myself to save it. Draw in as many of the ponies you can, for I will soon unleash the extent of my power, and much of Equestria will burn, as will those villains who destroyed it before me. Do not stop me, do not come for me, just leave. I’ve lost too much, all I have left to live for, is what I must die to safe”

Princess Cadence just stared at her, wanting so much to change the mare’s mind, but she could tell that no words would sway her. All she could do, was honour this request, and save all she could before whatever scheme was enacted.

The Day Princess Celestia Died

Princess Luna stood silently in a room with only a few candles to light it, when the door was opened by a guard, letting the Princesses Twilight and Cadence in. The former was first to speak, as Luna faced away. “I… I’m so sorry…” She could find little else to say, as she tried to relate, thinking of how she would feel losing her brother. “If we can do anything, just let us know” Cadence echoed this sentiment.

Looking into the mirror that stood before her, with her right eye focused on the reflection. She closed her right, and opened the left and she spoke, it was Luna’s voice alone. She spoke like she was alone. “So many moons have come and gone, so much time wasted and lost” She made the first reference to the fact she addressed the other two mares. “Do you know how light travels?” Twilight wanted to answer, but she could tell this was not the time. “There is a delay between the point the light is emitted, and when it reaches somepony. A star’s light from far away can travel for ages, and by the time it reaches an eye to see it, the star could be long gone” She closed her eye, leaving both shut. “The sun illuminates the Moon, and it reflects that when the world turns from the Sun”

Twilight and Cadence looked at one another, not sure what this was all about. “The mirror is reflecting the candle but the flame has died, and it is only a matter of time before the remnants of its memory are lost to the dark” She turned to them, both eyes still closed. “I am waning, eclipsed for the last time to never again shine” She opened her right eye, with the voice of Celestia coming through. “Equestria has a dark future ahead, full of trouble and turmoil, and I cannot lead it through… it needs two whose heart are bound but can bring different views. That is why I called you here, for you both are like WE were; sisters, but very distinct”

It was hard to hear the voice, and Twilight could not restrain her tears. Cadence stepped closer, better able to resist her pain. She was not sure of this idea being laid out, and questioned it. “I do not think this is the right course” She protested. “With all the chaos plaguing Equestria, the losses suffered, it needs all the stability it can keep. Losing both the princesses that have guided us for all these years…” the unified being stopped her.

Speaking with both voices, the one who had taken to being called Cosmatia explained. “WE have pierced through the vale of time, and seen all options. What is to come for Equestria from this path, is going to be difficult, however, it will be a better road than if WE remain. All futures that WE attempt to aid, end in ruin, but a hope remains out there, only if WE leave” with both eyes opened, she looked at each of them. “Equestria is now in your hooves. Take this as a last request of a friend, or the last order of a princess” Spreading her wings out, she did not give them any further choice.

“It… pains me to succeed Princess Celestia and yourself, under these conditions…” Twilight began, lowering her head slightly. “However, I have come to trust your decisions. So with a heavy heart… I a-accept”

Princess Cadence looked at her sister-in-law then to Cosmatia, giving a sigh of begrudging acceptance. “I do not like this, but… if you believe this to be the right choice, then I too accept…”

“Then it is done, and the old era has eclipsed and in its darkness is born a new era” She swept her wings, and the candles around were blown out. “I may return, depending upon which path the future goes down. Follow your heart, and do what you feel is best. WE believe in you”

Outro:

“W-w-w-well, that’s all folks!” Discord popped out of a multicolored circle, and waved his claw before him. “What? You want more?! Questions unanswered, and what the hell is Rainbow Dash doing in the clouds? Fine, I guess there are a couple more tracks to this story to go. Friendship, nothing but needed ponies. Give an inch, they want more chapters.

Author's Note

If she had known beforehand that this was her fate, could she have tried to stop it or is it now too late?