After The Snap

by Duke of Canterlot

Rating: mature
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Spike, Avengers, Bon-Bon, Starlight Glimmer, Thriller, Sex, Science Fiction, Profanity, Maud Pie, Violence, Crossover, Death, Alternate Universe, Human
Length: 7744

Half of Equestria has been turned into dust thanks to the cunning sociopath Tirek. Who can save Equestria?

Spoiler Warning: Some spoilers from Avengers : Endgame in this story.

With a snap from an all-powerful gauntlet, Tirek turned half of Equestria to dust with the six Harmonic Stones.

The survivors are left distraught by Tirek's actions and now have two goals in mind:

1.) To return those who were dusted by Tirek's snap
and
2.) To get their revenge on Tirek for his unconscionable act

With only three of the Mane Six surviving the snap (Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash) - these goals will be much harder to achieve than ever before.

NOTE: Except for minor appearances, no one from the MCU is showing up. That would be too easy - wouldn't it? Except for a little bit in Chapter 1 - I'm not planning on a full crossover.

Published 2019-05-20 05:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-05-31 00:50:00 UTC

The Snap

POV: Lyra Heartstrings

The mint-green unicorn had never felt so distraught in her life. Lyra Heartstrings was shaking all over. She knew that everypony found her to be odd – but she felt such a strong certainty about what was to come. Equestria would soon face tragedy beyond what had ever been seen. She remembered what the man in the red and yellow iron suit told her in her dreams.

“Lyra, my universe was almost obliterated by a mad titan named Thanos. He wiped out half of my universe. I am here to warn you that your universe is destined to meet the same fate. We were able to restore those who have fallen but with great sacrifice and heartbreak. There is a being on your planet with the same desires and abilities as Thanos. Please do what you can to stop him before it is too late.”

“Oh, thank you for telling me all of this, good sir. Er- what’s your name?”

“You may call me Iron Man.”

“Iron Man. I know some bright minds that can help us stop .. do you know who this being is?”

“Yes, it is Tirek. One who attempted to conquer your world once before.”

“Of course, it’s Tirek! Certainly, I will build up a whole army of my fellow ponies to destroy that creep.”

“I believe in you, Lyra Heartstrings. I must go, but good luck. And by the way, we humans are very much real. I come from a planet full of them”, said Iron Man giving Lyra a thumbs-up.

Lyra smiled at Iron Man. She knew she was right about that. After that conversation, Lyra woke up. It felt much too real to be a dream.

The next morning, Lyra told her marefriend, Bon-Bon, all that Iron Man had told her.
The cream-colored earth pony looked at Lyra with concern. Lyra knew that Bon-Bon would have a hard time believing everything but she would understand.

“This is so bizarre”, said Bon-Bon while sipping on her coffee, “but, I have never seen you this anxious ever.”

“I am telling you”, said Lyra, “this all felt so real! I know Tirek is in Tartarus right now but I am certain he is plotting something.”

“But really – Iron Man”, said Bon-Bon, “this sounds like something straight from your imagination – to be honest.”
Lyra grimaced but she loved Bon-Bon for her honesty. Bon-Bon couldn’t tell a lie even if she tried.

“I know, I know”, said Lyra with a sigh, “but if I’m right – wouldn’t we want to do something?”

“Yes”, said Bon-Bon, “I will do whatever I can to help – but I don’t have any special powers or anything like that…”

“You are all-powerful to me”, said Lyra with a smirk, “maybe you can take a sick day at work and we can – you know..”
“I can’t”, said Bon-Bon, “somepony needs to pay the bills around here.”

“Who else in Ponyville is going to believe me?”

“Maybe talk with Twilight Sparkle”, suggested Bon-Bon, “she is the smartest pony around.”

“No, you’re the smartest pony around! I will go see if Twilight can help us out though. Have a great day at work, honey!” The two mares kissed each other goodbye.

Lyra was feeling optimistic. She appreciated the irony that Twilight Sparkle’s castle could be the place where they figured out how to destroy Tirek – after Tirek destroyed Twilight’s old home. The only problem was that Twilight wasn’t around much anymore. Twilight had many princess duties on her plate. The odds of Twilight even being home were minimal.
Lyra approached the castle and knocked on the door. Lyra waited. She didn’t want to be a nuisance. A minute had passed. Lyra decided to knock again.

The door opened. Lyra’s mind was buzzing – what would she tell Twilight or maybe she could pass the message on to Spike – Twilight’s dragon assistant?

Instead, Lyra saw a lilac unicorn – Starlight Glimmer. Lyra never met Starlight in her life. However, Lyra knew that Starlight was Twilight’s protégé and used to be evil until she discovered the magic of friendship. Lyra had no clue how Starlight would react to Lyra’s ramblings about Tirek and humans and wiping out half the world.

“Er..”, said Starlight with confusion, “may I help you?”

“Oh, um”, said Lyra, “is Twilight Sparkle around?”

“No, Twilight is in Canterlot meeting with all the other princesses. She won’t be back for three days – but I can give Twilight a message for you.”

“I think all of Equestria is in grave danger.”

“Are the humans going to invade us?”, asked Starlight with a chuckle.

Lyra felt a tinge of sadness – is this what ponies really assumed about her including this unicorn who she never even met?

“Umm”, said Lyra, “I received a dark premonition from my dreams last night. I got a warning. Half of Equestria is to be wiped out by Tirek if we don’t do something as soon as possible.”

“Who told you this? Luna?”

Lyra briefly thought about lying but she knew that Luna could easily debunk her story.

“No, it was some other creature. He called himself Iron Man. Iron Man told me the same thing happened in his universe and…”

“Iron Man?”, interrupted Starlight, “I knew this was one of your human things. Oh no – the humans are trying to warn us of Tirek. I will go get my human suit and we can go and fight this thing together.”

“Really? Bon-Bon and I..”

“No. What do you think I am? Stupid? How is Tirek going to wipe out half of Equestria anyway? Did Idiot Man tell you that?”

“Oops, I didn’t ask. He couldn’t stay that long.”

“I see why so many ponies refer to you as Loony Lyra.”

“Please tell Twilight next time you see her.”

“Yeah yeah, I’ll tell Twilight when humans actually show up in Equestria. I’m way too busy for this – especially given Twilight’s absence. Have a good day.”

With that, Starlight shut the door in Lyra’s face.

Lyra sighed. She knew there was no sense in trying to convince Starlight about her story. She felt dejected and needed to talk to Bon-Bon.
Lyra ran over to Barnyard Bargains – Bon-Bon’s place of work. She rushed inside before security could stop her and reached Bon-Bon’s cubicle where Bon-Bon was focused on some boring number-crunching stuff.

“Bon-bon-bon-bon”

“Lyra”, sighed Bon-Bon with frustration, “I need to close Barnyard’s books for the month – can we talk about this tonight?”

“I went to Twilight’s castle and Twilight is at a Princess convention. I talked to Starlight but she didn’t believe me and doesn’t want to help and..”

“I don’t trust Starlight one bit”, said Bon-Bon, “she was that pony who enslaved a whole village with those equal cutie marks. You shouldn’t have..”

“This is why I need you, Bon-Bon. You always know the right thing to do. I act too quickly. Starlight laughed in my face as soon as I brought up Iron Man.”

“When does Twilight come back? I’m sure Twilight would listen to you.”

“Three days – but I don’t think we have that much time.”

“You’re making me nervous – Lyra.”

“You should be nervous. Half of us are going to be gone if we don’t do something.”

“I can’t talk about this till tonight. You know I am hoping to get a promotion.”

“Your promotion won’t matter if half the world is gone.”

“Besides your dream – what else would..”

All of a sudden – Bon-Bon’s eyes widened.

Lyra was confused for a split second but she started to feel odd. Lyra’s behind appeared to be splitting apart. Was this it? Lyra felt like she was crumbling.

“Oh my god – Lyra!! Somepony do something!!!”, shouted Bon-Bon.

“I love you, Bon-Bon”, said Lyra.

“I love you too, Lyra”, bawled Bon-Bon, “I promise that I will do whatever it takes to fix this.”

Lyra could tell everything had dissolved except for her head and then...

Author's Note

Hope everypony is enjoying this so far - a lot more to come now that the snap has occurred.

Sweet Apple Acres

POV: Apple Bloom
Apple Bloom was looking at the mirror to fix the bow on her head. Not that it mattered much anymore but she liked a semblance of normalcy. This big ol’ farm was now all hers.

“Winona”, Apple Bloom called, “c’mon, it is time to go outside.”
Winona ran over to Apple Bloom who was rewarded with a pat on the head. Her dog couldn’t do much with regards to apple bucking but Apple Bloom was happy for the company.
The two walked outside. Fifty days had passed, and Apple Bloom was still at unease whenever the sun and moon were left awkwardly moving amongst one another in the sky. This occurred four hours a day. However, everypony knew that Luna was doing her best with the sun and the moon. Everypony had to chip in given the losses.

Apple Bloom was determined to ensure that the remaining half of Ponyville still got delicious apples from Sweet Apple Acres. She diligently looked amongst the trees. At least it seemed the apples were growing faster than Apple Bloom could handle them. But the filly grew stronger day by day. She would someday be strong as Applejack and Big Mac. Granny would have been so proud of her. Too bad they would never be able to see it.

“Eeyup”, said Apple Bloom sadly to herself.

Winona nuzzled her nose onto Apple Bloom and made a soft whine.

“I know, I know, I miss them too – Winona. We want to make our family proud for when they come back.”
Winona barked happily at the thought that they could come back.

Apple Bloom bucked tree after tree trying to get the apples to fall. She wasn’t so good at kicking the trees. However, Apple Bloom got better thanks to some old steel boots she found in the attic. They belonged to her father – a stallion who died shortly after she was born. Apple Bloom certainly had faced far too much tragedy for a foal – but the filly was strong and determined.

She kicked the trees aggressively with the boots and apples would fall from the sky. Winona would try to catch as many apples as she could. Apple Bloom smiled to herself. They were both getting better at this job every day. Ponyville would get its apples.

Suddenly, Apple Bloom heard somepony shouting – “Apple Bloom, Apple Bloom! We know how Tirek did it.”

She turned towards the source of the voice. Apple Bloom saw Spike, Bon-Bon, and Rarity were approaching her.

Spike was a small purple dragon who had suffered great loss when his best friend – Twilight Sparkle - had turned into dust right at Canterlot with most of the princesses. Spike organized a fervent and focused library session. Apple Bloom helped a couple of times and was the fastest and best reader of them all, but her duty was to her farm.

Rarity was a gorgeous and fashionable white unicorn with a purple mane. Like many other ponies, Rarity was most distraught by the tragedy. The two of them shared a deep and thoughtful night discussing good memories of Sweetie Belle – one of Apple Bloom’s best friends and Rarity’s younger sister. However, Apple Bloom was impressed that Rarity seemed to look put-together even though she knew the mare was still grieving on the inside.

Bon-Bon had lost her marefriend, Lyra, to Tirek. Bon-Bon had told everypony the story of the Iron Man who spoke to Lyra. Bon-Bon held a massive amount of guilt, but Apple Bloom knew there was little Bon-Bon could have done to stop things. Apple Bloom felt a tinge of hope though when she saw that Bon-Bon smiled at Apple Bloom. Bon-Bon must have not smiled once in the past fifty days.

“Bloom”, said Rarity, “I think we have discovered the apparatus Tirek used to wipe out half of Equestria.”

“In a book or in real life”, asked Apple Bloom.

“It’s only in a book for now but at least we have an answer”, said Bon-Bon. She took the book out of her saddlebag and opened to a page which showed a massive gold gauntlet with six circles on the top.

“This is the Infinity Gauntlet”, said Spike, “once a pony collects all six stones – that pony can use it for one wish with a snap. Anything…including….”

“It’s all right, my dear”, said Rarity, “you don’t need to speak of it.”

“This must have been what caused havoc in Iron Man’s world”, said Bon-Bon, “too bad we don’t have any idea where it is. But Tirek must have it!”

“If he can use it again – who knows what other havoc he can do? We need to do something”, said Apple Bloom, “but….”

“But what”, asked Bon-Bon nervously.

“The Apple farm”, said Apple Bloom, “that’s why ah couldn’t help y’all much with your research.”

“No but you did”, said Spike, “remember all that reading you did on the stones.”

“I’m glad it helped”, said Apple Bloom, “seems like an awfully perverted way to use such noble stones.”

“The stones are only as good as the one who handles them”, said Rarity.

“Wait a minute”, said Apple Bloom, “what if we can get our hooves on the gauntlet and the stones? Couldn’t we bring every pony back?”

“Theoretically, I think so”, said Bon-Bon with a bright smile, “looks like we are going to have to kick Tirek’s ass and get them.”

Bon-Bon’s smile shortly faded, “Too bad most of the powerful magical ponies have been dusted – Twilight Sparkle, Celestia, Cadence. And it’s far too important for Luna to make sure we have a semblance of normal days or we will die that way.”

“I can get in touch with Shining Armor and ask him to rally up the Royal Guard”, said Rarity, “admittedly, it would be awfully nice to get back to Canterlot.”

“We will need all the help we can get”, said Spike.

“Spike, have you heard from Starlight at all?”, asked Apple Bloom.

“No”, said Spike despondently, “after half of Equestria was wiped out – Starlight just kind of disappeared. I think she went back to her hometown but I’m not sure.”

“Good”, said Bon-Bon, “Starlight failed us all. She should have listened to Lyra.”

Apple Bloom didn’t want to argue with Bon-Bon on the matter – but she knew she would have reacted similarly to Starlight. Perhaps with a little more politeness and finesse, but Apple Bloom wouldn’t have believed Lyra until it happened.

“There is hardly any pony alive who is more powerful in the magic realm as Starlight Glimmer”, said Rarity, “I know many of us are upset with her – but we should try to see if she will help.”

“She’s probably out there trying to find Tirek to join him”, said Bon-Bon.

“Bon-Bon”, said Spike, “we have been through this a million times. Starlight has changed for the better. She has helped us and saved Equestria more than once after her redemption. She has learned a lot from Twilight.”

“I don’t know”, said Bon-Bon, “I guess we can just agree to disagree.”

“Sounds good to me”, said Apple Bloom, “we need to gather as many living ponies as we can. Ah will meet y’all at the castle once Winona and I are done bucking apples.”

“Shoot”, said Bon-Bon, “that reminds me. Rich wanted me to do an inventory count of the farm. I think I’ll stay with you for now.”

“Ah appreciate the company”, said Apple Bloom with a smile.

Apple Bloom saw Rarity giddily whisper something in Spike’s ear and the two of them ran off.
Oh my, thought Apple Bloom, ah suppose the rumors are true.

Author's Note

Can they pull this off? To be continued..

The Rocks Were Saved

POV: Maud Pie

Maud Pie had many losses which caused the normally stoic mare to cry herself to sleep every other night. Maud had lost two of her sisters, her mother, and her coltfriend to what has been called The Dusting.

However, perhaps the saddest sight that Maud saw was how her sister Pinkie had changed. This was fifteen days after the tragedy. Pinkie survived the snap but her pink color had almost completely sapped out. With half the world gone, Pinkie was almost as grey as Maud only having a light shade of pink.

“Don’t worry about me, Maud”, said Pinkie solemnly, “I have a new purpose in life now.”

“What is your purpose?”

“I am now a mother. The Cake twins had lost their parents thanks to Tirek. I now must consider them my own children. Mr. and Mrs. Cake have been so good to me – this is the least I can do for them now.”

“I understand, Pinkie”, said Maud. Maud noticed the lack of emotion showing from Pinkie. Pinkie now knows what it is like to feel dead inside. Maud planned to ask her sister to go with her to the rock farm. However, Maud knew that Pinkie’s new responsibility would be the only thing to bring Pinkie back to her normal self.

“I love you, Pinkie”, said Maud in a monotone voice.

“I love you too, Maud”, said Pinkie in an equally monotone voice.
The two sisters hugged.

“I will be back at the rock farm helping our father with his work.”

Neither one wanted to discuss the losses of Limestone, Marble, or their mother. Normally, it would have made Maud comfortable not to discuss things – but the normally unfiltered Pinkie would have brought them up. Her sister was damaged.

“Farewell, Maud”, said Pinkie, “I am scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Scared I cannot be a good mother to Pound and Pumpkin.”

“Pinkie”, said Maud, “I have seen them with you – they adore you. You will be an excellent caretaker admittedly much better than…”

Maud didn’t want to openly criticize her own parents. But the nod that Pinkie gave signified that Maud did not need to say anymore. Maud felt her parents did right by her - but they never understood Pinkie.

“Thank you, Maud”, said Pinkie with a slight smile, “I am glad that Tirek chose to spare you.”

“And I am glad that you are still here with us”, said Maud, “I must go – but you know how to reach me.”

“Okie.”

Maud arrived at the rock farm. The rock pile was unacceptably high – as her father would have scolded. She knew her father seriously needed help.

“At least I still have you, Boulder”, said the grey earth pony to her pet rock. She knew that Boulder appreciated the sentiment.

Maud entered the house and she saw her father, Igneous Rock. He sat in his rocking chair with his hat and longer-than-usual sideburns. Igenous looked at Maud and smiled.

“Maudileena Daisy Pie, it is about time”, said her father.

“Sorry father, I have been so busy with my research. All the rocks survived the dusting.”

“We would have all been better off if we were rocks – but we need to farm these rocks. Thankfully, only half now.”

The two of them chuckled. Maud and her father always shared a dark and dry sense of humor the other Pies had trouble understanding.

“I am grateful for that, Dad. So can I have supper if the pile is an itsy bitsy high?”

“You’re probably a better cook than me”, responded her father.

“I learned some new recipes from my coltfriend who..”

Maud felt tears forming in her eyes.

“It is alright my Maud”, said her father holding Maud into a tight hug, “we all have lost ponies important to us. I miss your mother, and Marble, and Limestone – Holder’s Boulder rolled off somewhere but honestly I can’t give a shit.”

“Boulder is still with me.”

“Good”, said her father, “remember when I gifted Boulder to you?”

“Yes”, said Maud, “twas the happiest day in my life.”

“How’s Pinkie? I haven’t heard from her at all.”

“She’s alive in Ponyville but she looks more like us.”

“I think she’s ready to be a damn good rock farmer!”

“No, father. Pinkie has taken on a duty more solemn than that of rock farming. You and mother have taught me that.”

“I am a grandfather?”

“Not exactly”, said Maud, “but she is taking care of two infants whose parents were dusted.”

“I have never been so proud of Pinkie in my entire life.”

“Me too, me too.”

The two Pies went out to the rock farm and began their duties. Maud quietly wondered if there was a way to bring every pony back. Was it in the rocks themselves?

Author's Note

This chapter is a little shorter than some of the others. As I have prepared an outline - the chapters will probably typically be this short going forward. I hope everyone is enjoying the story! A lot more to come.

Sire's Hollow

POV: Starlight Glimmer

Starlight Glimmer had no idea how much time had passed. She did not care. She was now an orphan and it was her fault. Starlight’s mother had died when she was a foal, but she had lost her father to the Dusting too. So many ponies had died in the Dusting.

Starlight had shut herself from the world. She knew her mentor, Twilight Sparkle, had been dusted away into nothing. Starlight was given a warning and she chose to ignore it. She played the scenario in her head many times over. Why did she feel so compelled to tell Lyra to buzz off? Lyra’s prediction turned out to be correct a mere hour after. Would that have been enough time to tell Twilight of what had happened?

Starlight sighed. Twilight knew everything. An hour could have been enough to save Equestria from this. Twilight probably had the answer to stop Tirek and every pony knew it.

Starlight could never show her face in Ponyville again.
The only ones in Ponyville who openly vouched for Starlight were Spike, Rarity, Maud, and Trixie.

Bon-Bon, Lyra’s marefriend, made certain that most of Ponyville wouldn’t want to associate with Starlight. In this case, her past had really hurt her too. Most of the ponies did not believe that Starlight had truly changed despite all the good she had done for Equestria. The thought made Starlight angry. Perhaps there was still a little bit of cruelty inside of her. Starlight gasped to herself. Was she capable of bringing pain to the masses of Ponyville? Starlight hoped that part of her was gone for good.
It was painful to even think about it.

Rainbow Dash had revealed that now Twilight was gone that she had no reason to trust or like Starlight.

Pinkie had become too depressed to take a stance one way or another.

Apple Bloom just shook her head at Starlight and said, “Help me with ma farm or you’re not useful.”

A donkey snarled at her for the loss of his Matilda.

Many others who she had never heard of referred to her as a “monster”, a “bitch”, “Tirek’s little helper”. Starlight was gone within two days. She didn’t bother to say goodbye.

Ponyville was now without a mayor. The way all these ponies were – they would probably vote Bon-Bon as mayor and devote their days to punish the unicorn.

When she left Ponyville, Starlight Glimmer decided to return to her hometown, Sire’s Hollow. When she returned to her father's house, she didn’t see her father. Starlight gulped - she knew what must have happened. Starlight was shocked to see Stellar Flare, Sunburst’s mother, rummaging through his stuff.

“What are you doing in my father’s house?”

“I am so sorry”, said Stellar Flare, “but your father – he…”

“You don’t need to say anymore and – oh – what about...”

“My little colt is alive. Hopefully, he will visit his dear mother soon though. Sunburst was insistent on staying at the Crystal Empire despite my continuous pleadings for him to return. I will let him know you’re back.”

“No”, said Starlight, “you don’t have to do that. I doubt he will want to see me anyway.”

“What happened in Ponyville? I know it must have not been good – why else would you be back in Sire’s Hollow?”
“Sunburst doesn’t need to know and you certainly don’t need to know either.”

“I will still tell my Sunburst that you are home. If he still doesn’t want to come back – maybe we can visit him at the Crystal Empire! I think you two would make a…”

“Please..enough”, said Starlight with annoyance, “what are you doing in my father’s house anyway?”

“Oh – I was just”, said Stellar Flare nervously, “welcome back to Sire’s Hollow! You know where I am if you need anything. These are tough times for us all.” With that, Stellar Flare left the house.

Starlight sighed. She knew that her father and Sunburst’s mother had fought constantly over modernizing Sire’s Hollow or preserving its historical significance. Stellar Flare certainly had the reins now to completely change Sire’s Hollow. The only one who cared so deeply about keeping the past intact was her father. Starlight didn’t care either way, she doubted that Stellar Flare had anything nefarious going on anyway – she was harmless. Starlight was happy as long as no pony disturbed her. She closed the windows and turned off all the lights.

This was how Starlight liked it – darkness. She would do the bare minimum for her own self preservation, but she caused more trouble than it was worth. It cost half of Equestria. Starlight had a purpose now. She would punish herself through self-exile. It wasn’t like any pony was going to miss her anyway.

Author's Note

Let me know what you think!

Rallying the Troops

POV: Spike

Spike was fervently writing letter after letter. He needed to rally all of the troops to join him for the battle against Tirek. He was indiscriminate in whom he needed to ask. Not just the ponies, but the griffons, the yaks, the sea ponies, the changelings, and even his fellow dragons.

Spike couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the emptiness of the castle. No Twilight Sparkle. No Owlicious. No Star.. Spike sighed, he wished that Starlight Glimmer found some courage. He needed her more than ever in this battle. He thought carefully about what to write to Starlight. Spike saved that letter for last.

Hey Starlight,

Spike here. We have figured out some important things to how Tirek did the Dusting. It involves a gauntlet and six Equestrian stones. We found it right in Twilight’s books! You are the most talented at magic of any pony I know who hasn’t been dusted..

Spike stopped writing. He didn’t think a single word in the letter would convince Starlight to return to Ponyville to help. What kind of bullshit was that? “most talented of any pony I know who hasn’t been dusted”. Starlight took the Dusting on such a personal level. He needed some help on writing the letter. What pony would be better at it than Rarity?

Suddenly, Spike felt the need to belch. Out came a response from Shining Armor.

Dear Spike,

These are certainly troubling times for us all. I hope every pony who survived is doing well. I have been trying to rebuild the Royal Guard. As you can guess, we lost about half of our soldiers. I have also not been well given the loss of my wife, my sister, and my daughter in what appears to be a snap from an ancient gauntlet. I simply do not think we are ready yet to take on Tirek. Canterlot and the Crystal Empire have both been hit very hard by the Dusting as I am sure is the case with Ponyville.
Given the state of the Royal Army, any attempt to fight Tirek would be met with disaster. Tirek is as brilliant as his level of sociopathy. I do not think it will be as simple to defeat Tirek as your letter seems to indicate. We are training very hard every day to be ready to take on Tirek. We long deeply to see the dusted return to life. However, we need to do what it takes to preserve those who have survived as well. We are all in grave danger. I will write to you again when I think the Royal Army is up to the task – however, if you choose to take Tirek on now, all I can do is wish you the best of luck. If any pony has the drive and heart to achieve this – it is you, Spike.
Sincerely,

Shining Armor

Spike looked at the letter with sadness. Without the Royal Army, their chances of fighting through the obstacles Tirek would certainly have in place were minimal. Spike understood Shining’s concerns and grief. Every pony has had their losses. Spike felt another letter pop up.

Yo Spike, I am sooooooo down to take on Tirek! We are going to kick some centaur ass – I’m leaving Cloudsdale now and will see you soon, buddy!

Rainbow Dash

Spike smiled. At least Rainbow was up for a fight.

Spike walked over to Carousel Boutique. It was after hours, so he figured he would be able to speak with his marefriend. He knocked on the door which quickly opened.

“Spikey Wikey”, said Rarity with glee, “how are the letters going?”

“Rainbow is returning to Ponyville to help us – besides that, no pony yet.”

“Oh, remember Spike, you are doing the best you can.” Spike and Rarity then held their lips together for a deep and passionate kiss. Spike never thought he would ever have a chance with Rarity. Admittedly, the Dusting had given the young dragon a chance to shine and impress her.

“There is one letter I’ve been having trouble writing.”

“Starlight Glimmer?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“Most of Ponyville hates her – unwarranted hate in my opinion, but still I could understand why she would never want to come back.”

“I don’t get it. Honestly, if Lyra articulated herself like she used to when talking about the humans in magic school, I don’t think I would have believed her either.”

“Bon-Bon keeps saying it is more than not believing. She said that..”

“I know. I heard “Loony Lyra” far more than I care to count. But whatever, ponies should forget about that and I wish there was a way we could bring Starlight back.”

“My advice would be just to give Starlight the facts of what we discovered. Don’t beg her to return to Ponyville. If she wants to help out, she knows where to find us.”

“True. But I barely know where she is. I am taking my chances on her residence at Sire’s Hollow though.”

“Try that and the Crystal Empire. I heard that Sunburst had survived – maybe she is with him.”

“I’ll also try that weird village she put together that one time.”

“Oh, heavens. Now that is something I am sure Starlight is sick of hearing about!”

The two of them laughed.

Spike felt another belch.

“Another letter”, shouted Spike, “hopefully, something good.”

Dear Spike,

Boulder and I are coming to Ponyville to help. The rocks will survive without me being there all the time.”

From,

Maud

“Sweet”, said Spike, “we got Maud going in for the battle too.”

“At least we will make a stand”, said Rarity, “we will show Tirek that we are not just going to lie down and take in this shit.”

“So, it is you, me, Apple Bloom, Bon Bon, Rainbow Dash, and Maud Pie.”

“I guess we are now the Mane Six.”

“What about Pinkie?”

“Spike, you know that Pinkie hasn’t been quite the same.”

“I know – but I want to try anyway.”

“Good luck, Spikey Wikey.” Rarity kissed Spike on the cheek giving him the motivation.

Spike went to Sugarcube Corner. The building still had lights on but he knew that there have been no sweets for sale since The Dusting. Spike knocked on the door.

“Door’s unlocked.”

Spike opened the door and saw that Pinkie was playing hide and seek with the Cake Twins. He was glad to see that Pinkie’s pink hue was beginning to return to its full glory.

“Hey Spike”, said Pinkie, “how’s everything been?”

“As good as things could be.”

“You can say that again.”

“How are the twins?”

“They still miss their parents as do I – but we have been making the best of things, right! Wherever those two rascals are!” Pinkie and Spike could hear giggles in the cupboard.

“Oh my”, said Pinkie, “I think I have lost them forever – what will I ever do? Maybe I will eat all of this ice cream by myself.”

Suddenly the cupboard door opened with Pound chanting, “Me want ice cream! Me want ice cream”. Pumpkin rolled her eyes at her brother.

“There actually is ice cream, Spike, if you want some”, said Pinkie with a smile.

“Maybe another time”, said Spike, “I have been very busy – we think we have found a way to defeat Tirek and potentially undo the damage.”

“Really? Hold on a sec.” Pinkie rushed to the freezer and got a carton of chocolate vanilla swirl ice cream and prepared two bowls for the twins. “Ice cream’s ready!” Pound and Pumpkin happily enjoyed the ice cream.

“Yeah – Tirek used the Equestrian Stones. The stones of harmony – believe it or not. They are different than the ones in the Tree of Harmony but same concept. Tirek found an old gauntlet which fit the stones and wished half of Equestria wiped out.”

“That’s awful but..how do we?”

“Undo the damage. We are going to find Tirek and kill him. Then maybe we can take the gauntlet and fix it all up.”

“I know what you’re asking of me”, said Pinkie, “but I can’t leave the twins alone. Besides, I know that Maud is visiting to help.”

“She told you already.”

“Not yet? But my Pinkie Sense told me that I would be seeing Maud soon which made me super duper happy.” Pinkie lightly bounced once.

“We only have a team of six right now”, said Spike with a hint of sadness.

“I hope things work out”, said Pinkie, “but Pound and Pumpkin need more than ever. I can’t be going on adventures.”

Spike couldn’t help but smile. This was the most mature Spike had ever seen Pinkie Pie. He couldn’t help but think this was a good thing.

Now, they just needed a little luck and perhaps a little starlight.

Ponyville's Bargain

POV: Bon-Bon

Bon-Bon sat in her new office with her new title. She was now Barnyard Bargains’ controller and interim CFO – after both the controller and CFO were dusted. She never wanted the promotion this way but Filthy Rich wanted her to take the new position.

The Dusting had taken a hit in Barnyard Bargains’ profits. She didn’t have so much to work with anymore. But it had only been fifty days, perhaps things will take a turn around thanks to her. Bon-Bon was eager to prove that she was up to the task. Rich was counting on her.
But Lyra’s words still haunted her about all of this - “Your promotion won’t matter if half the world is gone.” She did miss Lyra so much. Lyra was the pony Bon-Bon always wanted to impress. The money was nice but with half of Equestria gone, there wasn’t much to share.

Bon-Bon needed to focus on work. She noticed the area where Barnyard Bargains had taken the biggest hit. In most areas, it seemed that revenue and expenses both decreased at a similar rate – but it was the apples. Sweet Apple Acres hadn’t been able to produce nearly as much apple products for Barnyard, much less than demand actually.
Now, she needed to think of solutions. Bon-Bon made her way to Rich’s office. Rich was the CEO of Barnyard Bargains – but much nicer and more down-to-earth than what one would expect from a corporate bigwig. It was one of the reasons why Bon-Bon liked working there.

She saw that Rich was poring over some reports on his own.
“Hello, Rich”, said Bon-Bon, “is now a good time to stop in?”

“Certainly, Bon-Bon. How have you been?”

“As good as I can be, sir, given you know..”

“I know. Lyra was an angel. We all lost some ponies in our lives. You’re doing a mighty good job filling those big shoes though.”

“Thank you, Rich. I appreciate the kind words.”

“It’s the truth, Bonnie. So have you figured out what Barnyard could be doing better?”

“I have, sir, it looks like that our biggest losses are coming from our apple products.”

“Sweet Apple Acres – my, that farm was massacred. It’s just the little filly left, right?”

“Yes. I am sure she is trying as hard as she can – but she can’t get enough apples to us to satisfy the remaining half of Ponyville.”

“I have to remind my daughter to go visit Sweet Apple Acres at some point. Not that my little princess could help out much with the farm work but it must have been awfully lonely.”

“How’s Diamond?”

“She’s lost a lot of her friends – so that’s not good. And her mother... but Diamond’s a strong filly and is holding her own.”

Bon-Bon knew that Rich and his wife were in the process of getting divorced. The two were miserable together. Perhaps Rich could find a special somepony who actually loved him for who he was rather than how much money he made.

“I think I might have a solution to help out the Apple farm.”

“Great”, said Rich with a grin, “any catch?”

“Only catch is that I think Apple Bloom is going to hate it. Reports are in that both Flim and Flam had survived the Dusting. If we could bring them in – we could produce more apple products.”

“Interesting idea – but shouldn’t we also be concerned about quality?”

“I think we will be fine if Apple Bloom is there to supervise and besides, last time their technology proved to be effective – it was just their cheating got the best of them..”

“I say it’s worth a try. I will call these two up and we can set up a meeting.”

Bon-Bon hoped that Flim and Flam would be on their best behavior. Rich told her to compensate them well. She asked them to meet her at Ponyville Café. At least, Bon-Bon would get an iced latte out of all of this.

A minute or two after, Flim and Flam entered. They looked the same as ever. Flim and Flam were two unicorns with their striped shirts and straw hats. The brothers brought their Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000.

“Hello, Flim and Flam, thank you for taking the time to meet with me.”

“Our pleasure”, said Flim.

“I see that our contraption is very much in need”, said Flam.

“What a horrible tragedy had fallen upon all of Equestria”, said Flim dramatically, “we have heard that most of the Apple family had been wiped out.”

Bon-Bon wanted to slap both of them. It was like neither one gave a shit about the Dusting.
“We do wish to turn over a new leaf”, said Flam, “and I have heard our compensation will be top notch.”

“Things are awfully busy at Las Pegasus”, said Flim, “still booming as ever – many ponies visit us to get over their troubles. However, we can certainly split our time between the two.”

“The Dusting was oh so tragic”, said Flim, “but you certainly have benefitted greatly from it.”

Bon-Bon was pissed by the comment but she kept her cool.

“We need your help”, said Bon-Bon, “there is a great demand for apples and apple products. Ponyville needs your Speedy Squeezy thing and admittedly more, for the apple pies, the apple cobblers, the apple tarts – so many uses for apples.”

“Ms. Bon-Bon”, said Flam, “no need to worry. We will be glad to help you out with our services. One thing though. We would be much better off and more efficient with our work if Apple Bloom was only on the farm part-time.”

“Huh? We need you to help Apple Bloom.”

“This is how we are going to help”, said Flim.

“Those Apples are far too stuck in their old-fashioned traditional ways”, said Flam, “certainly, Apple Bloom would be a…”
Bon-Bon heard a low snarl. She turned around and saw Apple Bloom was there with gritted teeth.

“What is the meaning of this, Bon-Bon”, growled Apple Bloom, “what is all of this cockamamie chit chat about Flim and Flam taking over my goddamn farm?”

Flim and Flam looked rightfully nervous at the angry filly.

“Apple Bloom”, said Bon-Bon, “you know as well as I do that Ponyville has been mighty low on apples lately.”

“I think we have more to worry about than Barnyard Bargain’s profits right now”, said Apple Bloom with a huff, “otherwise, you wouldn’t have given a shit about me, my family, or my farm.”

“I am sorry, but please I encourage you.. you’re a smart filly, think through this rationally.”

“Flim and Flam are just going to muck up the farm and make things worse. We can’t trust them.”

“Oh Apple Bloom”, said Flim, “we are terribly sorry about the loss of your family.”

“But the tragedy has helped us turn over a new leaf”, said Flam, “we promise that we are only here to help Ponyville and its apple situation.”

“There is only one thing we ask for you in return”, said Flim.
“What in tarnation is that?”, asked Apple Bloom.

“We ask that when we bring apples back to the shops of Ponyville – that you publicly make a statement that Flim and Flam helped save Sweet Apple Acres”, said Flam.

“Time to make way for the future”, said Flim, “we are terribly sorry for your losses.”

“Ugh”, groaned Apple Bloom, “Bon-Bon, I wish you told me about this in advance and I wouldn’t have to find out through Diamond Tiara.”

“I’m sorry, Apple Bloom, I guess I was just..”

“You can tell me anything, sugarcube”, said Apple Bloom, “ah know that my family is going to be rolling in their graves that I am even going to agree to this deal.”

“Splendid”, said Flim.

“We always knew you were the smart one of the family”, said Flam.

“So, we have a deal”, asked Bon-Bon.

“Yes, we shall sign that contract you have”, said Flim.

“Oh my, this compensation looks a little low – maybe we should..”

Bon-Bon glared.

“Oh, just kidding”, said Flam with a chuckle, “this is perfect.”

It better be. 150,000 bits a year for these two charlatans.

“Good”, said Bon-Bon, “now, I have set a production schedule for you both which must be followed to the T at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“You said you don’t want me there”, asked Apple Bloom.

“No – no not that”, said Flim, “but…”

“You can be our quality control”, said Flam, “to make sure we are doing an honest job but we don’t need you out there bucking apples.”

“This is freedom”, said Flim, “you have so many talents beyond just being an apple farmer!”

“Ah think being an apple farmer is fantastic”, said Apple Bloom, “but I accept your terms.”

“Thank you”, said Flim.

“You won’t regret this”, said Flam, “may you take us over to Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Might as well”, said Apple Bloom. She walked out with Flim and Flam along with that bizarre contraption.

Times were changing in Ponyville. Bon-Bon found it weird, but she trusted Flim and Flam to do the right thing. Anyway, if they didn’t – Apple Bloom would make sure those two wish they were dusted. If Bon-Bon’s projections were right, this would help Barnyard Bargains significantly.

Author's Note

I hope everyone is liking the story - a lot more to come!

Any Tips on Possible Re-Write?

I am considering re-writing this story altogether - especially now that I am taking the time to watch Season 8 and 9 of MLP.

Here's what I was thinking.

1.) Rather than putting Tirek as the main villain - I am going to have it that Tirek, Queen Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow successfully defeat Grogar on their own and find an old artifact which will wipe out half of Equestria.

I'll also have a couple chapters starting off with that plot point and ponies trying to stop their evil plan. This story will now incorporate Seasons 8/9 fully.

2.) With the exceptions of the three main villains (who all survive)- I am going to randomly determine whether MLP characters survived the Snap or not. There are a few others I might peg as definite survivals (e.g., Bon-Bon, Spike) but most will be random. The story I ultimately write will be based on that random generator.

3.) With that said - three of the Main Six (and only three) will survive. Once I have three randomly picked for survival - the others can no longer survive. Conversely, if three are randomly picked to be dusted - the others must survive.

4.) This part I haven't decided yet - but I might incorporate the EQG universe into the story as well. At the very least, Sunset Shimmer will have an important role if she survives with knowledge/experience from the EQG world. I might just do something where Sunset Shimmer returns to Equestria to help save both the ponies and humanized ponies (who would be half wiped out as well).

5.) At least one of Twilight, Starlight, and Sunset must survive. The rationale behind this is that at least one super-smart unicorn with incredible magic should survive in order to defeat the villains and bring half of Equestria back. If two of them are determined to have "dusted", the remaining one must survive.

Wanted to know your thoughts on these changes and let me know of any other suggestions!