Chapters What you've done is unforgivable.
Those words couldn't leave her mind. Done what? She hadn't done anything worth a Canterlot visit in weeks. Her studies were up to quality and on time. What could she of done that made Celestia of all ponies so mad?
"What have I done? All my studies are up to date! I-"
"You don't know, Twilight?" Celestia's tone was sarcastic, yet aggressive, which was unusual for her. "Time travel. Breaking and entering to steal an ancient artifact, then letting said artifact stolen. We've ran the name "Starlight Glimmer" through the Equestrian Database more times than I can count, and it's evident she doesn't exist and was a cheap and quick back up plan."
"BUT SHE DOES EXIST!" Twilight yelled back, holding back tears of anger and frustration. "How else do you explain the scroll being taken? And why would I steal it? I could just ask and avoid all this stupid trouble!"
This is when Luna stepped in. "We honestly don't know, details are a bit confusing at this point. If this mare does indeed exist like you say, your punishment will be revoked. But for now, banishment is the only option."
Everypony in the room gasped, asides from the two princesses. Luna just carried on." What this means is as followed: No contact at all with Equestrians, ponies or other. You will have until tomorrow to pack what you see fit."
This is where Celestia chimed in, letting her younger sister step back.
"We have a policy. You are allowed one trip back a year. It must be written to me on a scroll beforehoof and approved."
"No."
Everypoby looked at her in shock, as if she had just spoken in crazy talk or something else.
"I either stay here or I leave. Forever. Until the day that I die, Equestria will or will not be my home. Your choice, I suppose."
Celestia shrugged. "Eternal exile it is. Equestria will no longer be your home. Now get our of my throne room before I send you now ." The decision was like a piece of cake you wanted, or ice cream flavour. "I'd guess your friends would like to say one thing before you leave, If I'm correct?"
Twilight was already halfway down the throne room's massive interior. She paused to look back at her friends who all were worried and once again shook her head. "They're no longer my friends." And without another word, opened the door and slammed it as hard as she could. She didn't even bother walking home. Instead, she just flew, knowing that her hours were limited.
Cadence was probably disappointed in her, Shining Armour too, so the Crystal Empire was a no-go. Her parents would just disown her and right now she wasn't in the mood to be yelled at more. Her castle was the last place she'd be staying.
As she landed on the front entrance the flapping of wings followed behind her. It was Cadence. Instead of greeting her like a normal pony, she quickly opened the main doors and slammed them behind her.
The next day came by faster than Twilight had liked it to. She took a shower and had breakfast. Her saddlebag was just full of bottled water and granola bars since they were cheap and light to carry.
Her exile was set North of town, so that's where she headed. As she walked, there was nopony at all in the streets. They were either hiding out of fear or still in bed. The more she walked, the more reality hit her in the face. A pony hadn't been exiled in hundreds of years. And here she was, an Alicorn, walking to an exile. Her exile.
When she got there, if was barren, asides from a machine and a note.
You can always come back when you want. Just don't start a war.
-Luna
Twilight laughed to herself. The image of the Princesses bowing down to her was satasfying, yet unrealistic. She was going to start a war. And she would love every second of it. There was a quill and a scroll next to the one Luna had wrote, presumably for anything else she had on her mind.
Dear, everypony.
I helped fight villain after villain, even peacefully resolve and reform some of them. Now you want to throw me out like trash? The princesses sent me and my friends out so many times to defeat bad guys. The ironic thing is, they don't even know how to fight and without my element, they won't work.
Consider me another villain from now on.
She stepped on the machine without another word and got teleported to the barren desert. Her former friends didn't even stand up for her. She guessed that not even they knew what to do.
As the heat of the desert hit the alicorn, the more she realised how much she messed up. Permanent exile. Sweet Celestia, that was a a bad move on her part. On the off chance that she did encounter a town, it was either a town that didn't accept bits or a pony civilization. Sometimes, she saw her friends solving a friendship problem. All she wanted to do was get as far away from Equestria. But she also wanted to just run to them and hug them until the pain went away. But that wasn't going to happen.
Up ahead, she saw a sign. When she read it, a part of her soul disappeared.
You are now leaving Equestria. Where it be exile, or other, we applaud you for making it this far and we wish you good luck.
Twilight slumped against the sign to open her saddlebag. One energy bar left. Seeing as she was going to die anyways, Twilight ate the last part. No more food left, no more water. This is how the Princess of Friendship dies. Not surrounded by friends and family, but dehydrated in a desert. Cold an afraid.
As Twilight watched the sun set, she thought of what she'd be doing if this had never happened. Tucking Spike into his warm bed, getting into bed herself of even studying some ancient pony artifact. Whatever it was, she'd take that over exile.
Finally, the sun melted and Luna's moon rose. The desert was warm in the day and cold at night. As she lay down on the half baked sand, a group of figures emerged from the horizon. They look to be animals. Looking closer, they looked to be a pack of Timberwolves. Normally, a pony in Twilight's situation would run for the high hills. But she was ready for the release of death. She was tired, hungry and sick of it all.
But her fatigue got to her first and she passed out, unable to feel anything, they most likely mauled her to death. Whatever would get her out of this game would be the best.
When Twilight woke up, she wasn't dead. Instead, she woke up in a tent of some sorts. Her saddlebag had been removed off her and placed to the side. The tent itself looked neat, it was clear it'd been here for years. There were 3 shadows outside of the tent itself. The two smaller ones looked like timberwolves and the other one looked to be about double their height.
The 'timberwolves' nodded to the figure and in he walked. Twilight could of fainted as to who walked in. He should be dead, taking a fall from the Canterlot balcony while also being frozen in solid stone should killed him.
The Storm King laughed. "Welcome, Princess Twilight." she was still lost for words. "You thought you'd killed me? I was alive for every second. You did shatter my body, but you didn't shatter my mind." he tapped a claw to his skull.
Twilight was still at a loss for words. "We buried you remains in the Everfree! Guards patrolled that area for weeks before-"
The Storm King rolled his eyes. "Timberwolves may be big, but they can be silent if need be. They smelt out my 'remains' and brought me back. But, enough of that. I'd like to make a deal with you."
Twilight was confused, yet willing. Sighing, she looked up at him. "What's the deal?"
"If you help us get supplies for this civilization, you will get revenge on the ponies that lied to you. Together we can be the rightful rulers of Canterlot, and then Equestria!"
Twilight thought for a good minute. She wanted revenge, correct. But to hurt her friends? Granted, they were all under a mind spell. If she hadn't retaliated..
She nodded slowly. "I'll do it. Is there anything you need to know, or need me to know?"
Storm King laughed. "Just one thing. What happened?" Twilight groaned at the recent memory.
"I apparently stole a Time Traveling scroll and got it stolen off me by Starlight Glimmer. Celestia thought it was a damn 'excuse'."
Storm King chuckled. "Ol' Celestia, she never changes, does she? When we take over, whats the first thing you'll do with her?" he was genuinely intrigued as to what she would say. A punch, a stab or something else?
Twilight smirked. "I'll watch her die. What else would you expect me to do? Give her flowers and ask politely to give me a second chance? No more second chance from this mare. Those days are long behind me now."
Storm King smirked. "I like this new Twilight, that's for sure. Anyways, are you combat trained with magic?" Twilight nodded in confusion.
"Why, am I going to need it?"
Storm King nodded his head. "In 5 minutes you're going to go up against some of my generals. If you successfully kill all of them, you're my new mare in charge. And that's a lot for such a newcomer. If they win, you'll be dead."
Twilight nodded in agreement. "What are the rules for this arena?"
Storm King smirked. "There are no rules. Anything goes. Petty insults, violence, murder . If you leave, my friends are allowed to eat you alive. Even if you survive them, you'll be mocked until the end of your days, got it?"
Twilight processed the information. "I'll kill every last stallion and mare that comes in contact with me."
He nodded his head in agreement. "You have 5 minutes to get suited up. Meet me outside when you're ready." Twilight smirked.
10 minutes went past and she was just entering the area. The crowd cheered for the Alicorn's victory.
Mares and Gentlecolts, we have a new mare in the arena! She looks powerful sure, but can she defeat ARTHUR?
The opposite gate opened before her and out walked a giant stallion. He was a pegusas and his cutie mark was a faded cloud with a giant metal beam running through it.
"Storm King said no rules, so this dude's probably gonna kill me unless I do it before him."
The announcer came blaring again.
"What are the rules of the arena just incase the new one's forgotten?
"THERE ARE NO RULES!" The crowd chanted back, followed by a much louder uproar of cheering.
Arthur almost caught Twilight by surprise, but she flew up in the air just before being caught. Activating her horn, she channeled all of her built up anger and sent a powerful blast of magic to his direction. When the smoke cleared, he was dead. If he'd miraculously survived, he'd be crippled definitely. No, he was dead. The unmoving body and silent crowd said it all.
They all bursted into a massive applause. When the next pony was due to come out, she didn't. They were all too scared. All the ponies in the stands bursted into laughter, mocking the scared gladiators.
Storm King nodded to his assistant Timberwolves, just one of the 4 that were patrolling the huge arena at any one time, and he lept into action. There was a camera, accompanied by a huge monitor. The stadium watched as the Timberwolf latched onto the back leg of the runaway and bit down hard. He then dug a hole in the sand and put the mare in it, who was still alive and bleeding.
She tried to beg for mercy, but the animal didn't listen and put the sand back where it resided. 2 more accompanied him with capturing the rest of the cowards.
Storm King looked pleased. He bent forward until he was level with Twilight head and nodded in approval. He quickly rose to his feet and chuckled. "Those generals were never meant to be. But this one that we saved, is. She defeated Stanley in less than a minute. And that's why I'm proud to promote her to my assistant. From now on you take orders from us ."
The crowd cheered in approval. Just as they stopped, the gates to the outside opened and in stepped 3 bloody Timberwolves. They all nodded in unison and walked back out.
"You're all dismissed. Night guards, on patrol. Everyone else resume your duties."
Twilight hadn't grinned that much in years. As she made her way back to her tent, there was an image on her bed of her friends. She picked it up in her aura and ripped it up into a million pieces. She activated a fire spell and burnt the past into just specs of dust.
Starlight had never been so.. Full of anger and hatrid before. Ever since Sunburst left for Princess Celestia's School, she was only filled with anger...hatred towards others and their cutie marks.
But as she entered the Canterlot castle, all she could feel was her outburst and increasing temper.
She knocked on the door, hesitantly.
"Come in!" the voice yelled. It was Princess Luna. She paused for a few seconds. Starlight could still run. But to where? Her village wouldn't even accept her back. She pushed the door forward with a hoof.
"Ah, pleasant to see you here! And what is your name, little one?" Luna asked, looking down from her throne.
Starlight laughed. "My name? It should be familiar to you. I'll give you some clues. I'm not in the Equestrian database, I'm powerful, I had a village before that puny Alicorn of yours took all my work away, and I'm the reason that Princess Twilight is now called the most feared warrior in the desert, also the Storm King's general and the leader of more timberwolves Equestria can even comprehend. "
She paused, giving a small, but satisfying smirk." So, please tell me, Luna. Does that sound familiar to you?"
She paused. "Y-you're Starlight Glimmer?"
Starlight nodded. The one and only."
Luna grimaced. "What in Equestria are you doing here? I take pity on you, which is the reason no guards are sticking spears through your cold heart right now."
"Spare me the petty insult, Luna," Starlight pulled out a map out of her saddlebag. "I'm simply here to make a deal that will benifit Canterlot, if not Equestria, and me at the same time."
Luna through for a second. "Let me get my sister."
Starlight nodded. "Don't be too long now, the offer is one in a
When Luna emerged, she had her angry sister. They both sat on their thrones, keeping an eye on Starlight.
"What's your plan, Starlight Glimmer?" Celestia was angry, Starlight found it relieving that she hadn't actually been murdered yet.
"Simple. An ambush. I know where the main base is. The Storm King-" This is where Celestia cut her off.
"He's shattered to pieces in the Everfree Forest. He's dead."
Starlight chuckled. She levitated some pictures of him, which were very recent, over to the two sisters. They gained back interest fast.
"How do you know where the base is, anyways?" Luna asked.
"I worked there for a while when I was exiled from my town. I just wiped my data and went off the radar. Twilight's gonna do that too, if she hasn't already."
"Princess Luna, what does she dream about?" Starlight asked. Luna stayed silent, fiddling with her hooves. Starlight was never one to wait around for an answer. "Give me an answer otherwise I'll join Twilight in burning this city to the ground. Right now I am the only inside look on the camp. Tempest is dead, so she's no help unless you use dark magic. So give me a loud and clear answer otherwise the deal is off."
Luna couldn't risk it. "She dreams about murdering her own kind. She saves the best for last, however. Once she killed all of us, she would walk up to Celestia and torture her for hours until she died.. The ones that were spared were her friends and family, who were used as slaves."
She smiled. "Good. Now, will you help me?"
Celestia looked at her sister and then the Mare in front of her throne. "Not in a million years. I'd rather die than help then help the mare that caused me to send my student away."
Starlight smirked. "Bad choice, Princesses." She tried to teleport away, but couldn't. "My magic.. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY MAGIC?"
Luna smirked. "Every second you've been in the room, your magic has been draining away. You couldn't even tell if you wanted to."
She laughed like maniac. "What can you do without the elements? Exile takes a damn lot of power, and so does managing the element of magic! You're too weak to fight me!"
Celestia laughed. "You're going to be used as a peace offering. But for now, Tartarus is where you belong."
She growled."I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU BOTH, IN FRONT OF EACHOTHER! YOU WILL SUFFER AT MY HOOVES, MARK MY WORDS!"
And with that, she was sent to Tartarus with a flash of light. Her remains stated behind, however. A map of the desert was there, with 17 small circles and 3 massive ones. Luna smiled. "This is where the Storm King has been hiding out?"
Princess Celestia took out a pencil an pointed it towards nowhere in particular. "Most certainly saving up power. We can try and offer a peace sacrifice?"
Luna shrugged. "It might not work, but it may be worth a shot."
Celestia nodded. "Well, after that nightmare, it is time to return to my chambers to lower the sun, as I was about to do before you rudely interrupted me."
Luna smiled in victory. "So am I. I just have to inform the guards to double down on security and close down the castle for the rest of the week as safety precautions."
Celestia nodded. "Thank you sister. It's so good to have shoulder to lean on sometimes."
She saw what she'd never want to see again. The final scroll of her prized student. Up until now, she thought that she had lied to her, betrayed her, even. But, now, after all this she was innocent. She banned an innocent pony over something minor. Now, if she didn't accept this offer, Equestria would suffer as it once did. Hell, maybe even old enemies like Tirek or the changeling army would come back.
But hey, this might be Celestia over thinking as usual, right? She stepped out to her balcony and lowered the sun and hoped, prayed even..
That her student would come back...
Interrupted During A Deal.
Twilight's first order of business was to make sure the changing army was ready. She was with 10 or so Timberwolves. The journey was long and hard, but it needs to be worth it. After all, she wasn't going to back off. When they arrived, the changelings at the front of the hive didn't like her, but as she was with an army, they let her in.
Inside the hive was actually nice. Even though the tunnels were confusing, you got used to navigating them. When they reached the meeting room, there was a lot of shocked faces, to say the least. And who could blame them? There stood Queen Chrysalis, jaw agape and in shock.
"Fool!" She yelled. "How dare you even step a single pathetic hoof into my domain! Please, Storm King, say she's on our side for once!"
He nodded. "Yep. She killed my general, so she's mine now, Twilight's on our side."
Chrysalis chuckled. "What's the plan, general? "
"Simple. Give them once chance to surrender supplied on demand. If they comply? They live and we go home with food and supplies. If they say no? We prepare for war and burn Canterlot to the ground." Twilight said, leaving Chrysalis is shock.
When she regained her ability to comprehend what the princess had just said, she was smiling. "Now," Princess Twilight started. "You may be asking yourself 'what do I get out of this? Will this even work?' And to that, I answer yes. It will work."
Chrysalis scoffed. "How?"
Twilight chuckled. "A banishment spell drains a pony's magic. It takes a lot of magic to also use the elements of harmony. Celestia banished me, so she's out of the question. Tempest's dead, I know my way around a good plan and Canterlot, since I did grow up there."
The Storm King laughed, placing his paw opposite Chrysalis. "So, do we have a deal or not? We will benefit from this and you will get revenge, I promise you that."
Chrysalis smiled and shook his paw. "What time do you want to meet up?"
They were interrupted by a loud banging at the door. No, not the door to the room. The main kingdom's door. "Open up, or we blast our way in!" The voice called out. It sounded like Celestia. "You have 1 minute!"
They all looked at each other and nodded. "No troops, yet Chrysalis. Tempting to blow them to pieces, but we need to lay on an illusion, like a cake. There's multiple layers."
Chrysalis growled. "Fine. But when we attack, I get control of the troops!"
Twilight shook her head. "When you attacked us before, it was sloppy. Your 'troops' are going to train with out Timberwolves before we attack."
Chrysalis nooded and they opened the door, Twilight staying behind the corner, so only The Storm King was visible, along with Chrysalis. There was the Mane 6, Celestia, and Cadence.
Chrysalis smiled. "Back again so soon?"
Rainbow growled. "I've had enough of this!" She flew a bit closer, still keeping her distance. "WHERE IS TWILIGHT?" The Storm King laughed.
"Oh, General!" He called out from behind him. "Come and meet our friends and tell them about the deal they're going to make!"
Twilight emerged from the dark, angry.
Celestia felt remorse. "Twilight, I-"
Twilight snapped. "SHUT UP, CELESTIA! I'VE HAD IT WITH YOUR NONSENCE! FOR ONCE, YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN TO ME!"
Celestia sighed. "What are your commands, general?"
Twilight smiled. "Well, first of all I want you to bow to us. If you mess up, we will be the new rulers."
Twilight watches them bow down to her and the others. It was satasfying to say the least.
She smiled. "Good, now get up and listen hard, I'm only gonna say this once. The outskirts of Ponyville. 2 months. I want 5 crates of food and supplies outside the boarder."
AJ was confused. "What if we don't get you the stuff in 2 months?"
Twilight laughed. "War. You girls will get to watch every single second of it too. Well, asides Celestia. If you don't abide, she will be tortured mentally and physically until she dies."
Celestia shuttered at the thought. "Twilight, you can come back and help us-"
She shook her head. "No. I've helped you with your dirty work and planning for years now! What do I get in return? A crummy statue, that's why I get! I don't even get a kingdom to rule over!"
"What if by some miracle, we win and you lose, Twilight?" Celestia suggested.
Chrysalis grinned. "That won't happen. Not this time. Sure, you have other creatures this time, but we have an Alicorn and more Timberwolves than you can even begin to comprehend!"
"Twilight..." Celestia started. "You can come back, you do know that, right?"
"To what? You're starving these changelings, Celestia! They can eat the love off other ponies, but they also eat pony food that doesn't grow around here for miles!"
She sighed. "Look, I'm being genorous here. You have 2 months to get your flanks into order and get the food and supplies ready. I need wood, nails, paint and medical supplies. Now get out of here now before I make it 2 days."
Celestia nodded. "You should write to me before you you're coming."
Twilight shook her head with a sarcastic smile, almost like Celestia's. "No need."
Twilight, Chrysalis and The Storm King watched them walk into the distance and teleport away.
The Storm King looked at his small arm, and then back at Twilight. "We have this under control."
"You, and you!" He pointed to two random Timberwolves. "Stay here and train these bugs to fight. I'll collect you when the time is right."
They nodded. By the time Chrysalis turned around, they were gone. The other Timberwolves had gone as well. Only the 2 that he had ordered to stay behind were left.
She stepped outside the castle doors and looked at the sunset. She nodded and it felt like she got something back.
Twilight and the Storm King landed in the middle of their camp.
Twilight huffed. "Time to create a game plan."
The Storm King laughed. "I have to make sure everybody's in bed and then I'll get some shut eye. Don't be up all night this time."
Twilight smiled. "I won't."
The Storm King smiled and walked off down the torn Street. This left Twilight alone with her thoughts. She began singing.
Oh, how I used to wonder what friendship could be..
