Queenslayer: The Endless Night

by KozLeMage

Rating: mature
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Death, Alternate Universe, Nightmare Moon, Original Character, Mystery, Spike, Tragedy, Profanity, Adventure, Violence, Sex, Human
Length: 20967

Equuis. A prosperous kingdom where joy, order and prosperity reigns. But all good things come to an end, and when darkness comes, the light has no choice but to fade.

Princess Twilight and Prince Spike, daughter and son of Queen Celestia, must leave their home and find help to take out the despot Queen Nightmare Moon who killed their mother and took the throne of Equuis. They'll have to find and get the help of a sorceress named Sunset Shimmer, an 'old friend' of their mother.

Published 2021-02-04 12:30:00 UTC
Last updated 2021-02-22 17:52:47 UTC

Prologue: Tale of a Queen, a Knight and a Goblin

Author's Note

Hi guys!
Welcome to my new fanfiction!
This story has nothing to do with T.A.S.S or Ghostrider! This is a whole new universe i've been working on for the past months and I really hope you'll like it!
Before you start reading this, I need you to know that my main story remains T.A.S.S so I might not be regular for the release of the chapters.
But i'll at least try to give you guys a chapter monthly.

I took my inspirations for this story from the Elder Scrolls games, The Witcher books and games and a bit of the Lord of the Rings, three franchises I love from all my heart.

This being said, i really hope you'll like it guys!

Here is an opening (it is actually this song that gave me the idea for this story):
Bring Me The Horizon ft. BABYMETAL - Kingslayer

Prologue: Tale of a Queen, a Knight and a Goblin

Twenty years ago...

Traveling by horse drawn wagon wasn’t the most comfortable thing, but it sure was the cheapest -and the stealthiest- way to get past the border between Draquuis and the Shadowlands. As time went by and the wagon continued its endless journey, the woman sat on a leather seat rested her head on her hand, her arm resting on the window surround. She dragged her sleepy gaze across the desolate plains filling the landscape, and she sighed.

“It’s my fault if I was sent here.” A tear rolled on her cheek but couldn’t reach her chin as the tear evaporated on her heated skin. She grabbed the hood covering her horrible face with a hand and brought it down, biting her lips, fighting her urge to cry.

She felt a cold hand slowly and gently resting on top of hers. She raised her gaze and looked at the armored man sitting next to her, she couldn’t see his face due to his helmet, but she could see concern in his gaze. “My lady,” The man stated, “Is everything alright?”

The woman tightened the grip on the man’s hand, and she said in a sob, “This is all my fault Red… I…”

She couldn’t keep it to herself much longer and another tear ran down her cheeks, quickly followed by another, and another, before she could understand she was crying, she threw herself on her guard chest and cried from all her soul.

“I shouldn’t have done that!” She cried, punching against the man’s armor, “She forbidden me to do it, and I did it anyway!”

As she exclaimed herself, she rose her head up to look at the man in his eyes. He had red eyes, and she also could see hers reflating in the iron helmet the man was wearing. She could see the cyan of her eyes, the only thing that hasn’t changed about the way she looks.

“And look where it got me!” She said, pointing at the window from which could be seen desolate land as far as the eye can see. She then rose her hands up and watched them with disgust, “And… Look what happened to me…”

Her hands, if it could still be called in this way, were looking more like claws now. Large red blood claws, from which could be felt an evil magic emanating from the fingertips. She brought them to her distorted face and grabbed her cheeks as if it was an attempt to rip them off. “I’m a monster…” She said between two sobs.

“All I see is the lady to whom I have sworn to give my life for.” The knight replied with a neutral voice.

The woman gritted her teeth at his statement and, in an outburst of fury, she ripped her hood off with her claws and looked right in the man’s eyes. She could see, in his helmet’s reflection, her horrible face. Her face red as blood, her big and sharp teeth, her hair moving like it was an actual fire that couldn’t burn. “Am I?” She screamed at his face. She saw the reflection of her horrible face distorted by the pain showed on her face, pain caused by sadness, sorrow and remorse. “Look at me Red! I’m a demon! A heartless monster!”

The man didn’t reply right away, instead he grabbed one of her hand and slowly, he put her own hand on her chest. “Wh-What are you doing?” She asked, incredulous.

“Shh.” He said in a hushed tone, “Feel it.”

She listened to him, and gently, she felt something beating under her chest, something that proves that she was alive.

“Please my lady,” He continued, “You are indeed a lot of things, but a heartless monster isn’t one of them.”

He was too good for her and she knew it, it was like that since her childhood. From as far as she could remember, Red always used to be here to help her, protect her or even listen to her. He had never judged her, and she knew he never will.
His real age was a total enigma for the woman since he didn't aged a bit in all those years but she remembered the day of her tenth anniversary, when he vowed to be her sword and her shield. He promised her that, whatever happens, he'll always be here to support her, even if it cost his own life.

Now, she was banished from her homeland, and therefore, he was too. She said to him that he didn't have to follow her, but he didn't wanted to hear otherwise.

A part of her was glad that he had decided to come with her, at least, she wasn't alone.

She avoided his glare by turning her head and said, “Even if that’s the case, I’m still hideous.”

“You are…” He agreed, the woman felt pain from where her hand used to be a second ago. She felt the tears coming back, “Only for those who are blind enough to not see the fabulous woman you are.”

He pointed at her heart as she slowly rose up her glare, “True beauty resides here.” Then he pointed at her face. “Not here.”

She was surprised at the view of her reflection cracking a smile. Even if she wasn't a child anymore, he was still here to brighten up her mood.

She then, lets out a chuckle and then it transformed itself into laughter. It was the first time she laughed since she left home.

“You know, Red,” She said in a much-relaxed voice than before, “I already told you, when no one’s here besides us, call me by my name.”

“And I already told you, my lady,” He said, slowly shaking his head from right to left, “That I’ll never disrespect you in this manner.”

The woman sighed, “Red, I-”

But her sentence was cut short by the abrupt stop of the wagon, the woman would have fallen if her knight wouldn’t have catch her. She frowned and knocked on the wagon’s wall vehemently. “Hey! What was that?!” She almost yelled towards the driver.

“We arrived at our destination milady, ye?!” He called from outside.

The woman and the knight both looked at each other before the knight gets up and opened the door. He pulled out his head to see if the path was cleared, and then he pushed himself aside, “After you my lady.”

The woman walked past him, and gets off the wagon. She stretched her arms and yawned, but not in a lady-like way.

"Well, that was quite da ride don' ya think, ye?" The rider said, joining them, his accent showing that he came from the crystal empire. He was a small man, bald with a long brown beard. The weirdest part about him was that every sentence he made sounded like a question. "Now, ah don't usually go in those weirdo places reeking dark magic, ah sure don't like it, ye?" He lets out a hand in front of the knight, expenctantly, "But mah wife, love of mah life, she always say, if ya keep rindin' ya keep feedin', ye?"

The knight gave him a few coins, it seemed not much, but the rider smiled nonetheless as he put them in his pocket.

The three of them turned around to face their destination.

The woman looked in front of her and sighed at what she saw, “So, this is our new home I guess?”

Infront of them was a massive, gothic castle, the kind of castle you only hear about in spooky stories. He was bult in dark stones, and something sinister was emanating from it. It could easily be guessed that no one came here in years.
It was surrounded by a massive garden that must've been beautiful, a long time ago. Now it was filled with dead trees and no flower could ever bloom again on this dead ground.

“It is my lady,” The knight replied, “Or should I say,” He kneeled next to her. “My Queen.”

"A queen?" The other man said in surprise, "Well, ah'll be, ye?! I knew you weren't a usual woman, with that weird face of yours. But to guess ye're a queen?"

The woman rolled her eyes, ignoring him. She quickly grabbed Red by the arm to help him get up, “I’m not Queen yet, Red.” She added, “My coronation is in five days, until then I’m just… me.”

She walked towards the huge entrance door leading to the garden, built in a dark wood, followed closely by Red.

"Stay here." Red said to the driver.

"Sure do, ye?" He replied with his joyful tone.

They walked quietly in the dead garden, the knight looking straight forward but the woman took her time, examinating every dead plant on her way, wondering if she could ever revive this garden.
She kneeled in front of a dead flower that was in her way. She took it in the palm of her hand, but just from her touch, the flower turned to ashes. In a suspire, she slowly let the ashes fall from her hand, and she watched it as the dust gradually fell to the ground.

The fiery haired woman rose up her gaze and scrutinized the castle, “Who could’ve guessed that the thing I wanted the most in my life… Was the thing I would've hate the most.” She said with a sigh as she gets up and resumed her walk, closely followed by her knight.

As they arrived in front of the door, Red stoped her as she was going to push the door open. She gave him a weird look and she rolled her eyes when he opened it himself. The door opened slowly with a cracking sound. He let his head in and, when he saw no danger, he opened the door completely and let her lady walk through.

As they both passed the entrance door, they arrived in a sinister hall, the only source of light was provided by the small windows, the red carpet on the ground was dusty and the woman swore she saw something move in the shadows when they entered, must've been a wild animal. The walls were pure black rock but the floor was in a feverish dark wood, it made Red wonder how long it has been for this floor the last time someone has step on it.

It was silent, the only sounds were coming from the woman footsteps and the noises coming from the knight’s armor.

“I already told you that you didn’t have to come with me, right?” The monstruous lady asked him, looking at the ceiling filled with spider webs, a cold chill in her spine remembering her that she was scared of those little creatures.

“Yes, you did, my lady.” He replied, looking around him.

“Okay, just to be sure.”

The woman walked slwowly and quietly towards the stairs of the castle as they both heard a strange sound behind them that made her flinch. Quickly, the demonish lady turned around and cast a fireball spell in her hand, but sighed in relief when she saw nothing. She felt a hand on her shoulder and glare at her knight who was standing next to her.
"My lady, it's better if you don't... Use any firespell here."

She nodded in a chuckle, "Anyway, what was that strange noise?" She asked him.

He put his hand on the handle of his sword tied on his waist. It was a magnificent sword, the handle was in a nice and refined wood. It was actually an enchanted wood coming from the Everfree forest in Equuis, giving the sword magic properties. There was also a big ruby on the edge of it. "I'll take a look, just wait here."

She nodded in agreement when he said that. He quietky walked down the stairs, in the direction of the left corridor, where the sound came from.

She watched him slowly disappear in the darkness of the castle, the sound of his footspeps becoming more and more complicated for her to hear. She wasn't scared for him, she knew he could take care of himself, but this was a totally new land for both of them, and she didn't know what kind of strange creatures lived here.

As she waited a few minutes, she got tired of it and started to follow her knight, slowly. "Red?" She called, "Are you okay?"
No response. She walked towards the long and dark corridor hopping for the best, "Red? I'm coming, okay?"

But just as she said that sentence, the wall to her left exploded in a deafening noise. She raised her arms, protecting herself from whatever was coming, and preventing the dust from coming in her eyes. When she opened them, she saw Red standing above a small creature, that creature was trapped on the ground with a sword planted on the left of the creature shirt and another sword planted on his pants. Red's magical sword was on top of the creature's throat, threatening him and warning him to not make any moves.

"Please!" The creature begged him.

"What are you doing here?" Red asked him, "I didn't know there was goblins in the Shadowlands."

In fact, this creature was a goblin. A small trappy creature with green skin, big nose, small eyes and sharp teeth. They were very dangerous when they were in groups. But a goblin alone wasn't as dangerous as a puppy.

"There isn't!" The goblin quickly said, "I'm f-from Draquuis! Please i'm begging you!"

Red wasn't going to move an inch but the woman put her hand on his arm handing his sword. "Let him go, Red."

He frowned but did as he was told and slowly lowered his sword, the two other swords preventing the goblin from standing up disappeared like they never existed.
The goblin sighed from relief and sat on the ground as the woman kneeled before him, looking at him in the eyes. Surprise could be seen in his eyes, but no fear.

"Aren't you afraid?" She asked him.

The goblin chuckled and pointed in Red's direction, "Yeah, afraid of him! But you..." He slowly rose his hand, wanting to touch her face but Red quickly make a step forward.

"Let him." She ordered her knight, he growled but didn't do anything.

The goblin put his hand on her face, she was hot but it wasn't burning him. "You're... cursed." He stated.

The woman sighed and nodded, "Indeed."

"And not just any curse... A powerful one."
She nodded again.

"Who did that?" He asked.

The woman slowly gets up and helps the little creature to get up too, "What is your name?" She asked, ignoring his question.

"I'm..." He finished his sentence in a hushed tone, preventing his two interlocutors to hear him clearly.

The knight stomped loudly on the ground, "Louder!"

"I'm Sigil!" He yelped in fear.

The woman gave him a weak smile, "And what are you doing here Sigil?"

"You mean... here in this castle?" The goblin now known as Sigil asked.

"Here in the Shadowlands. It is known by everyone that no magic creatures lives in this land."

Sigil avoided her look and said, "The truth is... I ran away."

She raised up an eyebrow, "Ran away from what?"

He chuckled, "From what? From the war of course!"

She turned around facing her knight with an interogating glare, he responded with a shrug from his shoulders. "W-What war?" The woman asked. "There is no war here."

He looked around him and make a sign to the woman to come closer, as she did he said in a whisper, "Not yet."

"What do you mean?"

He gulped and slowly said in a hushed tone, "The... The shaman, he showed me what'll hapen in a near future..."

The woman saw he was starting to sweat vehemently, his green skin slowly turning to white.

"I-I can't say more!" He quickly said, jumping to his feets. "I'm sorry milady, but if i say another word, bad things are going to happen to me."

"Bad things are going to happen to you if-" Started the knight, slowly raising up his sword again.

"Red!" The woman yelled at him giving him a warning look. She then turned to the goblin and nodded, "I understand. It's not that you don't want to tell me, but you can't, right?"

When she saw the goblin nodded she gave him a sympathethic smile.

"Something is preventing you to tell me more about that, am I right?"

He nodded again.

"Do you have a home, or anywhere you could rest?" She asked him.

"No milady, I do not." Sigil admitted.

She chuckled and turned to her guard, "We're keeping him, I like him."

"What?" Red and Sigil asked in unisson.

"C'mon, it'll be fun! Besides, it's going to be sad here with just two person. I don't mind if there is another one."

The goblin laughed, "Well, milady, it'll be an honor."

"I'm against." Red said. "But I guess it doesn't matter."

The demonish woman laughed, "Come on Red, stop being like that."

She took a deep breath and watched her castle once again. She didn't know what the future holds for her, but her curse was made to make her miserable. She wasn't going to let it do that, she was going to fight it, and she was going to win.
And she wasn't alone for that, she had her body guard, her knight and her best friend, Red, by her side. And she didn't knew why, but this goblin seemed like he could be useful in the future.

"Why are you smiling my lady?" Red asked her with an interrogating glare.

"Oh..." She held up a hand on her face, realizing that she was wearing a smile. "For nothing Red, for nothing..."

Present days

Walking among the dark corridor of the castle, every step making echoes through the empty halls, the woman stopped in front of a wooden door. She took a key from one of her pockets and opened it quietly before entering the dark room. The room in question was an attic, shelves filled with scrolls were fulfilling the stone walls, on some of them stood relics, trinkets or some knick-knacks that a person not affiliated with magic couldn’t understand their usefulness. She quickly glanced at theses trinkets and ignored them.

The thing that interested her was that sword, standing on the altar on the other end of the room. She frowned as her demonic hand took it, she felt the light magic emanating from it. She also felt that this sword wasn't belonging to her, but she didn't care, it wasn't like its master was going to come back for it anyway. She gets it out from its sheath and growled at the view of her face in its reflection.

She turned around and leaved the room as quick as she came, she quickly crossed the corridor and walked down the stairs, looking through the windows she saw the moon had rose up in the sky... The thing was, it was actually noon.
It only meant one thing, and she was prepared.
Just as she arrived in the main room, the front door of the castle opened itself.

The woman stayed on her guard, handing the sword with both of her hands. The opening lets in the moon light, lightening the normally dark room.

Another woman entered, she wore a black armor, a dark iron crown resting upon her head with a red horn that was standing in the middle of it. She had a dark cape, and red fur on her left shoulder. Her long blue hair were floating in the hair even if there was no wind inside of the castle.

"Well, well, well," The woman started, walking inside, spotting the other woman on the stairs, glaring at her. "If it isn't my dear Daybreaker."

The demonish woman hardened her grip on the sword as she said, "It's Queen Daybreaker, for you."

The other woman snickered, "Lovely."

She continued her walk and stopped at the first stair steps, a cocky grin on her face. Every step she made, the temperature dropped a bit and the atmosphere became heavy, darkness could be felt from this lady. Pure darkness and evil.

"What do you want?" Daybreaker asked her harshly.

The armored woman took her time, watching her surroundings, "Last time I came to your... home, there was more people here. Where are this little goblin of yours? Or this brave Red, who thought he could handle me in one on one combat? It was cute now that I remember it." She finished in a chuckle.

In fact, a few years ago this woman came here to talk to Daybreaker. Red thought she was going to attack them, and to quote him 'best defense is more offense'. It resulted in a violent fight were the dark woman almost lost an eye, and Red almost lost his life.

"It is none of your business!" Daybreaker yelled, scattering her memories away.

"Oh, I see. I take that they leaved you then." She laughed, "How surprising."

Daybreaker greeted her teeth and took a step forward.

"Don't do something you might regret, dear." She slowly made her way up the stairs and stood infront of Daybreaker, "I have something for you, actually."

"And I probably don't want it." Daybreaker said, lowering her sword, if this woman wanted to attack her, she would have done it already.

"Don't you want to, at least, hear what i've got for you?" The other woman asked, walking right past her up the stairs.

She was now standing on the second floor, looking down at Daybreaker. She wore a dark smile when she saw the demonic Queen watching her with an interogating glare.

"I'm here to give to you," She then took a dramatic pose, opening her arms, "Equuis!"

Daybreaker watched her and frowned, glaring daggers, "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that, I'm going to take Equuis, by the force! And if you want to, I don't know, give me a hand with that, I might be able to give it to you..." She walked down the stairs, towards the other woman, "Just imagine, two of the four most powerful beings this world has ever known, joining forces together. We will be unstopable!" She stated. "And I know how much you must hate her, for what she did to you."

She then lets out her hand to Daybreaker, sign for a handshake.

"So, Queen Daybreaker, what do you say?" She finally asked, insisting on the 'Queen'.

Daybreaker looked at the hand in front of her, then at the woman, and then at the hand again. "I say..." She then rose up her sword, just an inch away from the armored woman's throat. "Get the hell out of my castle, and don't ever, EVER, dare to do anything to Equuis!"

Within one second the woman frowned, but her smile reappeared again like it never leaved her face. "Your loss." She said platly, walking down the stairs, Daybreaker watching her closely, scrutinizing every steps she make.

"I'm really disappointed," The woman said, finally arriving at the end of the stairs. "Anyway, it's not like you can actually stop me..." She turned around and then Daybreaker saw her real face. A wide dark smile and black eyes showing her dark powers. "Soon, Equuis will fall to Nightmare Moon! And I guess, the Shadowlands are next! Behold... The endless Night!"

She finished with a sinister laugh, in pure wrath, Darkbreaker jumped at her with her sword but just as she was going to hit her, Nightmare Moon disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke.
She looked around her but knew it was pointless, Nightmare Moon was gone.

Reality hit her as she finally realized what Nightmare Moon told her, she slowly let the sword drop from her hands, falling on the ground with a loud 'clang'.

She glared at the void in front of her for a second and frowned as she stomped on the ground, her strength making a big hole on the ground.

"The endless night..." She whispered. She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip as the night disappeared through the windows, letting the sun take back its rightful place, "Red... Sigil... Where are you?"

I - The Summer Sun Celebration

Equiis,
Land of harmony, friendship and magic. Flowery fields as far as the eye could see, magical forest housing magical, strange and esoteric beasts and creatures. A mystical, but yet, sweet energy could be felt in all the realm, and all that thanks to Queen Celestia. The noble, the kind, the beautiful Queen Celestia.

But Equuis was only one kingdom amongst the six countries constituting the continent of Ponytaria. There was also the Crystal Empire, Draquuis, Stoneheart, Moonis and the Shadowlands.

The Crystal Empire was the longest ally of Equuis, it's a peaceful country but aware of their rich land, they've got a powerful army nonetheless to protect them. It is still actually the second most powerful army of the continent. They have helped Equuis countless times before not asking for anything in return as if they were their own. They're part of the triple agreement between Equuis, them and Draquuis. Actually ruled by the Empress Mi Amore Cadenza, the bringer of love.
The Crystal Empire is directly linked by the north to Moonis, but the cold of the Icy Rocks separating the two countries made the land impassable to anyone.

Draquuis, a prosperous land thanks to its flourishing commerce and its numerous guilds, like the Mercenary Guild called the Company of the Golden Lion, the academy of advanced magic founded by Starswirl the Bearded two hundreds years ago, and the Marchants Guild.
But everything as its own parts of darkness like the sadly famous Guild of Thieves and the Black Banner, the guild of assassins. Draquuis also owns Dragon's Island known to be the land where dragons used to live a long time ago. Now, it was a penitantiary island were the prisonners worked hard all days to extract the magical ore buried deep down the earth of this land. Separated from Equuis by the Everfree Forest, Draquuis is actually ruled by the king, Discord Draquuis himself, known to be as old as the country, even if only a few people have already saw him.

Even if Stoneheart isn't actually on the same continent, it is still considered as such because according to ancient texts, Stoneheart and Draquuis were actually the same country a long, long time ago but something, we don't know what, separated them. Stoneheart is a warrior land, powerful and full of pride. Honor is the main word there, and the country is ruled by a stern-faced but a fair King who belives in justice.
The island of Wolf's Creek, even if not directly attached to Stoneheart, belongs to the kingdom. This is a cold, snowy island where the strongest warriors of the country are training.
Even if the country isn't part of the triple agreement between Equuis, the Crystal Empire and Draquuis, it isn't considered as a threat.
Story tolds that the noble family as the power to turn people into stones.

Moonis...
A dictatorial kingdom, ruled by an iron fist and fear bringed by the despot Nightmare Moon, once known as Luna, Celestia's stister who succombed to hatred and darkness a long time ago. Moonis is an isolated country, it is impossible to cross the north border due to the Icy Rocks, and it is also impossible to pass the south border because of the Magical Gate, built by all the might and magic of Queen Celestia.

And last but not least, the Shadowlands.
Once a part of Equuis, a huge magical war between Celestia's and Nightmare Moon's army once stood there. Now it was only desolated lands, only a few, poor people lived there, and if they were, it wasn't by choice.
The country is directly linked to Draquuis but the controls at the border made it praticaly impossible for anyone to pass.
The Queen, Daybreaker, is known to be a heartless demon who once used to be a beautiful woman, but she succombed to hatred similarly as Nightmare Moon. However, she never attacked or declared war to any other countries of Ponytaria.

Many reported that magical anomaly can often be felt toward the Shadowlands, but no one dares to go there and check out what it is... You hear that Spike?" The girl sat on a desk asked to the little boy, lazily lying on a huge bed beside her. "Magical anomaly! Isn't that interesting?" She was beautifuly dressed, and her face showing pure innocence made her irresistible for all men. A crown was laying on the desk next to her.

The boy, growled as he sat on the bed, glaring at her sister, "Twilight..." He pleaded, "Can you put your old books aside for just a minute and come with me outside? It's the Summer Sun Celebretion's preparation! I want to see that!"

"Come on Spike," She replied to him, sweeping his thoughts by a movement of her hand, "We don't need to waste our time like that. I rather prefer stay here and study, don't you?"

Spike as for him, was casually dressed with a brown shirt and a green pants. However, the small crown uppon his head showed that he was a part of royalty.

"Ugh, no..." He said, lying back on the bed in defeat. He glared at her back as she continue her readings, "You know, I think that maybe it's your fault that I don't have any friends."

Twilight chuckled, "Come on Spike, we both know that aren't true, i'm not keeping you here against your will after all."

Spike lets out a 'humpf' sound as a reply, and turned his sleepy glare around the room. It was a big chamber, a noble one like the ones you see in fairy tales, were the princess is imprisoned in the last floor of a huge tower. A funny thought because, it was a princess room, and they actually were on the last floor of a huge tower.

Indeed, Twilight Sparkle was the princess of Equuis, daughter of the Queen Celestia. Spike as for him, was Twilight's little brother, the prince of Equuis. But even if he was the prince, Spike wasn't that comfortable around people, only going outside the castle when her sister accompanied him.

A knock came from the door of the room, getting Twilight out from her studying, "Come on in." She said.

The door opened and a young woman made her appearance. She was a bit taller than the princess, she wore a big armor made of steel, under her helmet long rainbow hair were falling down to her shoulders. She wore a smile at the view of the princess, "Still reading those dusty books, Princess?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight exclaimed, getting up from her chair walking towards her.

Rainbow Dash was a knight of the royal guard, and she also was Twilight's best and, Spike aside, only friend. Twilight took her in a warm hug.

"What are you doing here? What about your escort mission in Draquuis?" Twilight asked, surprised her friend was back already.

"Just got home a few minutes ago, I wanted to rest a bit but i Thought I'll check on you both first." She ended the hug and then turned her gaze toward the prince, "Sup' Spike?"

Spike rolled his eyes, smiling nonetheless, "Why are you adressing to Twilight by her title and you just call me Spike?"

"Believe me," Rainbow Dash started, "I saw you grow up and shit on your pants more than once, no way I'm calling you 'Prince'." She said, half-joking, making Twilight repress a laugh. "Anyway," She continued, taking her attention back to the princess, "Why are you still here, I would've thought you'd be outside, checking on the preparations."

"That's what I told her!" Spike exclaimed.

"I don't have time to waste in such trivial things." Twilight stated.

"Well too bad for you," The knight said, showing her a scroll she had in her hand the whole time, "'Cause I got a missive here, given by the queen herself, telling that you were now the head planner of the Summer Sun Celebration! Isn't that awesome?"

The princess sighed, "Ugh."

"C'mon egghead," Rainbow Dash took the princess by the arm and dragged her out of her room, "Let's go, the sooner this is done, the sooner you can get back to whatever you were doing."

Twilight get herself free from the knight's grip but followed her, closely followed by Spike who was closing the door of the princess room behind him, "I guess your right."

As they leaved the room, both of the royal childs followed Rainbow Dash, walking down the stairs of the tower, arriving in the white and clean halls of the castle, crossing path with other guards saluting them.

"Tell me," Twilight started, "How was Draquuis?"

"Have you seen a dragon?" Spike quickly asked, stars in his eyes.

"Ahah, no Spike, dragons are really rare since the purge," The purge she was talking about took place almost a hundred years ago, resulting in the slaughter of many dragons in the continent, Draquuis once was full of them, but the Company of the Golden Lion was engaged by the king himself to take care of that business. "Draquuis was fine I guess, their guards are assholes though."

"And were did you go?" Twilight asked.

"I escorted Baron Blueblood to a town named Blancherive." She then sighed at the memory of her little adventure, "Believe me, traveling with him is hell. Not figuratively, actual hell."

Twilight and Spike both chuckled, "I believe you." The princess said.

"And you? What have you done since I was gone?" The knight asked them.

"You know her!" Spike said, "She studied all day long!"

Twilight rolled her eyes at Rainbow Dash's laughter, "Ahah, that's the Twily I know."

"As for me, Soarin taught me a few tricks with a sword!" Soarin was another member of the royal guard.

"Oh yeah?" Rainbow asked, a smirk on her face, "You'll have to show me that when we have the time for that."

The three of them arrived in the main hall of the castle, stained glass filled the walls, showing some stories and adventures the queen once lived. The glass on the left showed her and another woman dressed in blue, the queen's sister, defeating a magical beast close to a minotaur, the one next to it showed the queen defeating her sister who had succombed to hatred, the Queen was surrounded by six colored stones that were shooting a rainbow toward Nightmare Moon, of course the story was embellished, the Queen didn't defeated her sister with an actual rainbow, that would be ridiculous. Then the next one was showing her standing next to a knight and a fiery woman, defeating the King Sombra, Twilight knew about him from the story her mother told her. Next was showing the Queen banishing Daybreaker from Equuis, and then the final one showed her with both her child in her arms.
The main room was pure white with banners hanging from the walls with Equuis blazon on it, a white sun on a golden background.

"Rainbow Dash!" They heard someone called the knight behind them, they turned to see who it was and there stood another womand, with the same armor Rainbow and the other guards were wearing but hers was golden instead of grey steel. She had a blade attached to her waist coming from a country far away, if Twilight remembered correctly, the right term was 'Katana'. "Princess, prince." She greeted them.

"Captain Spitfire!" Rainbow exclaimed in surprise, making a salute.

Captain Spitfire was the captain of the royal guard of Equuis, she was known to be a fierce swordswoman. She was tall, a scar planted across her face but it didn't hinder in any way her natural beauty. She had mid-length fiery hair, a bit shorter than Rainbow's.

"Good morning captain!" Twilight greeted.

The captain of the guard took a quick glance at Twilight hairs and asked her, "Princess, still not wearing your crown?"

Twilight blushed and turned her gaze away, playing with her hairs, "Y-you know I'm not comfortable with it..."

The captain smirked but didn't pushed it, it was well known for everybody here that the princess was an humble girl.

"Rainbow," Spitfire said, turning her attention to the princess guard, "How was your little trip to Blancherive?" She then saw the look on Rainbow's face and laughed, "That bad?"

"Please, don't make me escort him again." Rainbow pleaded as Spitfire, Twilight and Spike laughed. "Don't laugh! He was a pain in the ass all long! Especially when we travelled through the Everfree Forest. The good thing is that the return was far more bearable since he stayed in Draquuis."

"It maybe was a pain in the ass like you said," Spitfire replied, "But it was an important mission, and I'm glad that you did it. I can always count on you."

"Yeah, Rainbow Dash is the best!" Spike exclaimed.

Rainbow Dash blushed and scratched the back of her head with a nervous chuckle. "Just doin' my job you know..."

"Well, since you did a remarkable job, how about you take your day off? Spend the day with the princess, not as her guard, but as her friend." Spitfire said, smiling at her.

"R-Really?" Rainbow Dash and Twilight asked in unisson.

"Yes really, I think we can manage without you for a day."

Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle both looked at each other, the later beaming at her friend. "Well okay then, you don't have to tell me twice!" The rainbow haired knight replied to her captain, already taking of her helmet. She took the princess by the arm and dragged her away, "Let's go Twi', before she changes her mind!"

Twilight, as for her grabbed Spike's arm, the poor boy's legs trying to match Rainbow's speed.

"See' ya captain!" He said waving at Spitfire as they disappeared through another hallway.

Spitfire smiled at them, waving, but her smile dropped when they disappeared from her sight, her face becoming more serious. "I'm counting on you, Rainbow."

She turned around and walked toward the entrance gate. Spitfire nodded at the guards posted at the gate and they returned her nod, she walked through the flowery lawns around the castle, walking in the guard's quarters direction. It was a beautiful day outside, birds are singing, flowers are blooming, on days like these, kids like the princess or the prince shouldn't be inside a castle, but they should be outside and have some fun. And even if something happened, Rainbow was with them.

Spitfire had complete confidence in Rainbow Dash, even if she wasn't the best sword in hand, or even if she sometimes get a little too hot headed, she would protect the prince and the princess no matter what. Not because she had to, but because she wanted to. She wasn't just protecting nobles, she was protecting her friends.

"Captain!" She heard someone calling her from behind, she turned around and snickered at who it was.

It was Soarin, a member of the royal guard. It was strange though, he was supposed to be posted at the border between Equuis and the Crystal Empire. He was given orders to wait for the messengers of the Empress of Love.

"Soarin! What are you-" Her smile dropped when Soarin, stopped in front of her, concerned could be read on all his face.

"Cap... Captain!" He said, taking back his breath, it seemed he just ran a marathon. "It's... Bad... Really bad... We... You-"

"Soarin!" Spitfire yelled at him, straightening him up, and she put her hand on his shoulder. "Take your breath." She ordered him.

He did as he was told, slowly retrieving his breath.

"Now, what's all that about?"

"It's bad." Soarin said, "The messengers from the Crystal Empire... Their horses arrived safely and uninjured... But without them."

Spitfire frowned, "What's the meaning of this? Were they attacked?"

"We don't know, we've just sent a few scouts scanning the area."

The captain of the royal guard slowly nodded, "Okay, keep me posted." When Soarin nodded, she stopped him, "Go drink some water and eat some food, you diserved it."

She watched him heading toward the guard's quarters, and she gritted her teeth, irritated.

"Fuck." Was all she said before she walked angrily toward where she just came from.

She needed to report this to the Queen, maybe it was nothing, but in those times, ones never know.

"So? What'ya think?" Rainbow Dash asked, turning herself towards her friends. She dropped the armor off and put on more casual clothes, a brown shirt and a regular pants, she almost looked like a peasant but the fact that she was clean and smelled actually good betrayed her. A chainmail was hidden under her clothes, if something went wrong, we're never too careful. She had her hair in a ponytail and a sword around her waist.

Rainbow, Twilight and Spike were in one of the castle's changing room, the one closer to the back exit.

Twilight was also wearing more casual clothes, even if her face was known in all the country, she didn't wanted to draw unnecessary attention on them. Spike as for him just took off his crown, still wearing the same clothes as before.

"You look... mundane?" Twilight tried.

"Perfect, I'm not actually used to wear this kind of clothes." Rainbow said, sitting down on a chair, putting on her boots.

"Yeah, now that you mention it, I think that's maybe the first time I'm seeing you without you armor." Spike stated, trying to lift up the heavy armor lying on the table next to them. Not having enough strength in his little eleven years old arms, the armor dropped on the ground in a deafening noise.

Rainbow Dash stoop up to retrieve it and put it back in place as Spike blushed, embarrassing himself infront of he coolest girl he knew.

"That's my choice you know," The knight said, "I'm not... that comfortable without it."

"Why?" Twilight asked, "Is that because you feel... Unprotected?"

Rainbow snickered at her, "Yep, something like that. Well, i think we should get going." She gave her arm to the princess who beamed at her and took it.

The three friends leaved the room and exited the castle by the staff back door, taking a path leading to the west exit of the courtyard. They arrived in a bonded street, filled with shops and merchants, they walked through the market taking a look at some interesting things they saw. Even if the Summer Sun Celebration, the longest day of the year, was tomorrow, the citizens were already in a festive mood.

The terrace of the taverns could already be seen filled with people, drinking, chanting and laughing. It made the princess smile, all this hapinness and joy the people were feeling was something beautiful to see. Twilight wasn't aware of how things were in other kingdoms or countries, but in Equuis and in the Crystal Empire, the happiness of the citizens was the most crucial thing for the Queen and the Empress, both of them working hand in hand for that to happen.

"Well if it isn't our sweet lil' princess over there!" She heard someone calling, when she turned around she saw an old woman at a market stall. The woman then noticed the other two who accompagnied her, "And she's with our handsome prince and also with the prettiest knight in the kingdom."

The three of them approached her, Rainbow blushed vehemently as she repeated, "P-p-prettiest?"

Twilight smiled at her when they arrived in front of the market stall, "Hello Granny Smith." She greeted, "How is business today?"

"You should know it! Every year Ah get raid mah stall and Ah find mahself without an apple at the end of the day but mah pockets full of coins!"

"That's good to hear Granny." Rainbow Dash stated, slapping the hand of Spike who was trying to take an apple when nobody was watching.

"Ouch!"

"It's okay Rainbow, let him take it would'ya." Granny said, giving Spike an apple.

"You shouldn't spoil him because he's your prince." Twilight said crossing her arms, glaring at her brother who was fully taking advantage of the situation.

"Meh, he's maybe a prince, but he'll forever be mah lil' Spikey." She said, pinching his cheek, ignoring his look of pain.

"Well Granny, was good seein' you but we've got some things to take care of." Rainbow stated.

"How stingy Ahm I!" Granny exclaimed herself, "Keepin' ya here like ya got all the time in the world." She took a basket full of apples and gave it to Twilight, "Take this, now shush! Got a business to run here."

Spike, Rainbow and Twilight happily gave her farewell before continuing their little gateaway.

"I'm glad, she looks good." Twilight said, "Mother said that her son and his wife got killed when they were delivering apples in Draquuis..."

"Yeah I heard that story, some bandit group ambushed them, killed them and their kids, before taking all their foods and golds. They've found the bodies of the man and his wife, but they never found the kids." Rainbow said in a sad tone.

"She don't deserves that." Spike stated. "She's the kindest woman I know! And I'm not forgeting mother, just sayin'."

"It was a long time ago..." Twilight smiled and brushed her hand in her borther's hair, "But mother would agree with you, I'm certain." She turned her attention to Rainbow and, now that they were in the middle of the town, she asked, "So, where are we going?"

"To the flower shop, they're in charge of the decoration this year, the Queen said that this year's theme was 'Flowery fields in the sunset.'" Rainbow said, reading the notes the Queen gave her.

"What does that even means?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Who knows." Rainbow said in a shrug of her shoulders.

Spitfire silently made a nod of her head toward the guards who where watching the throne room's gate. They nodded in return and they both opened the gate.

In front of Spitfire was a huge room, more golden banners and more tainted glass with the Queen's achievements were filling the walls. A long red carpet making a straight line from the door to the throne.

The throne was a ten feet golden throne standing between two smaller one. On top of the throne was a sun engraved on it. And sat on the magnificent throne, was a beautiful woman. Her flawless skin and her perfect face made her, as all men said, the most beautiful woman in the world. Her celestial colored hair waving down her shoulders in a beautiful waterfall of colours. She wore a golden crown on top of her head, and was dressed with a simple white dress.

She stayed silent as Spitfire marched towards her and kneeled when she came close enough to be heard, "My Queen." Spitfire greeted, her voice full of repect for the woman in front of her.

"Please, my friend," Queen Celestia said, a small smille on her face, "None of that today." She said, speaking of Spitfire's manners.

Spitfire got up, when Celestia saw the look on her face, her smile dropped and a motherly concerned look appeared on her face. "Oh no, what is it?"

Spitfire chuckled but didn't smiled, "I'm that easy to read? Anyway, I got a message, from Soarin."

"Soarin?" Celestia asked, scratching her chin, trying to remember, "Isn't he the guard you've sent at the border of the Crystal Empire?"

"Yes, he told me... That the messengers from the Crystal Empire were nowhere to be found."

Celestia frowned, but seeing that Spitfire wasn't finished, she didn't say a word.

"They've sent a few scouts a couple of hours ago but... We still haven't heard from them." She finished in a dark tone.

Celestia closed her eyes, a humming sound escaping from her, lost in her thoughts. Spitfire knew that when she was like that, it meant that she was thinking seriously.

"What if..." Spitfire stated. "What if, they were attacked?"

Celestia slowly opened her eyes, "By who?" She asked, sincerely, "Who could've attack harmless messengers?"

Spitfire gritted her teeth. "I know who-"

Just as she said that, the sound of an explosion could be heard, the walls and the ground started trembling. A look of horror appeared on Spitfire's face when she realized what was happening, she glared at the Queen and said. "Stay here!" Before turning away, heading to the gate of the room.

"Wait Spitfire!" The Queen, now standing up, called her, "I can help y-"

Spitfire turned around ans yelled at her, "STAY HERE!" Celestia looked at her in shock, she never saw Spitfire that panicked. "That's an order, my Queen." She said before walking through the gate.

"You two!" She barked at the nearest guards, they both shivered when they heard her voice, "Get in there and stay with the Queen, No. Matter. WHAT!"

They both gave her a salute and did as they were told, explosions could still be heard, this time coming from the city, it didn't take long before she heard the city alarm.

She ran through the main hall and screamed, "To arms! We're under attack!"

Just a few moments ago,

Twilight took a step out of the flower shop and sighed, "How can you work in that place all day? I mean, one or two flowers, it smells good, but a bunch of them in the same room?" She then made a disgusted face.

"That's why I stayed here." Spike said, sat on the ground next to the entrance door, drawing in the dirt with a stick, eating the last apple of the basket.

"Spike c'mon, you're a prince for god's sake." Rainbow took him by the arm, forcing him to get up.

"It's okay," He started, "Now one saw me."

"Yes, but what if they had?" Twilight started, "You think it gives a good image of our family if they saw you, the prince, playing in the dirt?"

"Oh come on!" Spike retorted crossly, "It seems I'm the prince only when it suits you!"

They both started arguing and Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, it seemed she was going to be the one to separate them... again. But something bothered her, she was hearing something, like a whistle, getting closer, and closer, and closer...

"Well," Twilight started turning herself towards her knight, "Now wh-"

She couldn't finish her sentence when Rainbow Dash took Spiker under her arm and tackled the princess to the ground. Not a second after that, something landed in the flower shop behind them and exploded.
People started to scream in horror and fear, many explosions could be heard and seen in all the city.

Rainbow gets up quickly, and firmly grabbed Twilight who had her little brother in her arms, trembling in fear. "Are you both okay?!"

Twilight slowly nodded, in shock, Spike starting to cry in her arms.

"We have to go!" Rainbow yelled when another axplosion could be heard not to far away from where they were, she took Spike in her own arms, being stronger than Twilight. "Now!"

The princess didn't said anything and followed her knight, firmly gripped to her hand. They made their way through a panicked crowd, and when she turned at the corner of a street, thats when Rainbow and Twilight saw them.

Soldiers, wearing dark black armors, all armed with swords, spears, axes... And all wore devilish grins as they attacked the citizens. Twilight watched in shock when a farmer got struck in the back by one of the soldiers. The farmer looked, at the blade piercing through his chest. The soldier laughed as he sliced the man up, blood spilled everywhere as man's guts fell on the ground. If Twilight's survival instinct wasn't telling her to get the hell out of here, she would've throw up, and that image would never leave her mind.

"C'mon!" Rainbow Dash ordered, resuming their run.

They turned at another street, but when they did, they saw more black soldiers tanding in their way. Killing, stealing... even raping.

"R-Rainbow!" Twilight cried, tears starting to roll down her cheeks, "W-What is happening?"

She didn't replied as she continue her course through the explosions and the flames engulfing the city. Rainbow stopped herself and stopped the princess with her arm, in front of them was the market stall were Granny Smith was getting beaten up by two soldiers laughing at her.
Rainbow watched, and gritted her teeth in pure wrath.

"What are you waiting for?" Twilight yelled, "Help her!"

Rainbow watched the princess and then at Granny. She had to make a choice, now. She looked at Twilight again, and then she looked at the poor old woman. A tear made her way out of her left eye as she closed them and turned around, gripping Twilight hand firmly, Spike seeking protection on the knight chest.

"I'm so sorry..." Rainbow Dash said before running again.

"Rainbow! What are you-" Twilight started.

"I have to protect you and your brother!" Rainbow Dash yelled, she turned her face toward Twilight and the princess saw, for the first time, Rainbow Dash crying. "Both of you are the only thing that matters for now!"

Twilight cried from all her soul because she knew, she knew that Rainbow Dash wanted to help Granny, but if she did she'll put them in more danger. She was doing that, and took the guilt upon her, just for Twilight and her brother to be safe.

Twilight felt something weird and rose up her glare toward the sky. "Uh, Rainbow?" She called.

"What?" The rainbow haired knight yelled.

"Why is it night?"

"The hell are you talk-" Then, Rainbow Dash looked at the sky and saw that it was the middle of the night, the moon high up in the dark sky. "What the..."

"Watch out!" Twilight called, jumping and tackling her friend to the ground, avoiding a black soldier who tried to strike her with his sword.

Rainbow quickly got aware of what was happening and got her blade out of its sheath and strike the man on his chest, but he saw the blow coming and strike on Rainbow's blade with his own. Twilight ran toward Spike, Rainbow quickly made a sweep of her leg, taking the man by surprise when he got distracted by Twilight, and he fell down and Rainbow strike him on his throat as he was on the ground. She watched him spilling blood, his body convulsing before he stopped. She took her blade out of the dead man's throat and grabbed the princess by the hand who was holding her little brother by his hand too.

"Let's go." Was all Rainbow said before they started running again. "Look!" Rainbow called, Twilight rose up her head and saw they were not too far away from the castle.

Spitfire dodged on the left and, with a swing of her katana, sliced her enemy's arm without difficulty. He screamed in pain as Spitfire turned around and cuts his heads off, taking advantage of her momentum to counter an attack from another soldier who was going to strike her in the back, she sidestep him, and cut the man in half.

She wiped off the blood that splashed on her face, and watched in front of her. Soarin was trying his best to repel the invaders at the front gate with other guards. "Soarin!" She called.

The royal guard killed his opponent, striking him in the chest with his sword as he rose up his glare towards his captain.

"I'll go protect the Queen! You're in charge here!" She yelled, in hope to be heard.

It seemed it worked because the man nodded and returned to the fight with a war cry.

Spitfire turned around and ran through the hallway toward the throne room, she dodged an attack coming from a black soldier on the left and, with a swing of her blade, cut the man in half. Spitfire wasn't just strong but her blade wasn't an ordinary blade, it was a legendary blade coming from another country, she had learned that this blade's name was 'Masamune'. The blade that could slice everything.

She arrived in the throne room, and saw the Queen and the two guards protecting her, the three of them unharmed.

"My Queen!" Spitfire yelled, "It's bad! They've reached the main gate!"

Queen Celestia ran toward her faithful guard, concern in her eyes. She took Spitfire's hand in her owns and Spitfire felt the Queen's hands shaking upon hers. "Where are Twilight and Spike?"

"I-I don't know!" Spitfire admitted. "But Rainbow Dash is with them, I'm sure they're okay."

Even if she wasn't trully sure, Rainbow Dash would rather give her life rather than letting Twilight or Spike get hurt. Then, they heard noises coming from the doors and a bunch of black soldiers made their way in the throne room. They all stopped, and devilish smile appeared on some of their faces when they saw Celestia.

"It's her!" One of them said.

"She truly his a beauty, eh?" Another one said.

"Dude, I'll kill another hundred of these peasant for just a night with her."

"Hey, maybe after we killed her, the Queen will let us mess around with her body?"

It was too much for Spitfire. She breathed slowly and then, unstrapped her armor, letting it fell on the ground. She did the same with the pieces of armor she had on her legs. She also took of her shirt, the leather bra she was wearing being the only thing that left her with any dignity. Some of the black soldiers whistles, thinking they'll get a free show.

"W-What are you doing captain?" One of the two royal guards protecting Celestia asked.

"This shit's heavy, it bothers me." She turned around and glared at both of them, "Protect her, with your lives if you have to."

When they both nodded, Spitfire took Masamune in both of her hands, and glared at the black soldiers in front of them.

"Heat up."

When she said that, a pillar of fire appeared around her for a few seconds, taking all the black soldiers aback, when it disappeared, it showed Spitfire with small dragon wings made with fire in her back, not big enough to fly, but it sure was enough to help her getting speed on the ground. Fire was also making its way out of her now golden eyes. Her teeth got sharper and her fingers were now more looking like claws. Her skin now covered with orange scales.

One of the black soldiers, felled on the ground as he pointed her with his finger, "Oh shit!" He screamed, "It's her! Spitfire, the Dragon-slayer!"

It made several of them shivers when they heard that name.

"I heard she killed a hundred men in one night, burning all of them to ashes!"

"A hundred?" Another one said, "I've heard they were a thousand!"

"A thousand? No they were a million!"

"You're taking this shit a little too far boys." She said, rolling her eyes, all of theses rumors were, of course, fake. Not that she didn't killed a hundred people in one night, but she didn't burned them all to ashes.
She also didn't liked the nickname she got some times ago, 'The Dragon-slayer'. Hell, she never saw a dragon in her whole life, and now she was slaying them? That was dumb.
"Now," She continued, "Who wants to die?"

She rushed in front of her, she was so quick that the black soldiers thought she just disappeared and reappeared infront of them. She sliced in front of her, it didn't touched anyone but as she sliced through the air, a trail of fire escaped her blade. The trail cut through the first row of black soldiers, killing at least a dozen of them.

The two guards protecting the Queen sighed in relief, "We're saved." Said one of them.

"Not yet," The Queen said, "She's the stronger fighter of the kingdom but... She can't maintain this transformation very long."

"She's distracting them!" The other guard said, "We should leave your highness! There's a secret door behind the throne, you just-"

"No!" The Queen screamed at him, "I won't leave! Not without my childs!"

She then turned her gaze toward Spitfire who was killing more and more of the black soldiers. Celestia then turned her gaze through the windows and saw it was full moon outside. She frowned.

"Even if I wanted to, I can't escape anyway."

"Quick!" Rainbow shouted to Twilight as they finally made their way to the front door of the castle.

A violent battle was taking place here, but they managed to made their way through the soldiers, ally and ennemy, and entered the castle.

"Rainbow Dash!" When she heard her name, she turned around and sighed of relief when she saw Soarin running towards them. "Princess Twilight! Prince Spike! Thanks all the gods, you're safe!"

"What the hell is happenning here?!" Rainbow asked him.

"It's Moonis, they-" He stopped when he saw a black soldier attacking Rainbow behind, he pushed her aside and stroke his sword in the man's chest, but what he didn't saw was that Rainbow did the exact same thing, cutting the head's off a black soldier who wanted to attack Soarin cowardly.

Rainbow and Soarin smiled at each other, "Listen," Soarin said, not just to Rainbow, but to the princess and the prince too, "Spitfire and your mother are in the throne room! I hate to say this but... We're loosing! And we know how your mother is, she won't leave without both of you!"

Rainbow nodded and grabbed the princess by her left hand again, and took Spike in her free arm.

"Go! I'll cover you!" Soarin said.

The rainbow haired swordswoman quietly thanks him and the knight and her two friends headed toward the throne room.

As they arrived, they got speechless at the view in front of them, Spitfire, coated in flames, around her fifty-ish dead corpses all wearing a blach armor. Spitfire was uninjured but her breathing was heavy. She easily killed the five black soldiers remaining and sighed of relief when she saw Rainbow Dash and both of the royal childs.

"Twilight! Spike!" Spike head quickly rose up at the voice of his mother calling him, he gets free of Rainbow's arm and ran toward his mother, in tears.

"Moooooom!" He cried as he jumped in her warm and loving embrace, "I was so scared!"

"Shhhhh-" Celestia said, her hand slowly making her way through her boy's hair, "I'm here now, I'm here now..."

Twilight joined them and felt relieved at the view of her mother, "Mother... I'm glad you're okay."

"And I'm relieved that you are too, Twilight." Celestia looked at Rainbow Dash who followed the princess closely and said, "Many thanks to you, Rainbow Dash."

"Yeah, don't thank me yet, we still need to get your three royal asses out of here." Rainbow stated.

"Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire yelled, taking back her true form.

"It's okay," Celestia chuckled, but her glare quickly became serious, "But she's right we should leave n-"

"Leave? But I just got here." A voice said.

The atmosphere in the room got heavy, and the room got darker as all the sounds of the war outside became silent. The only sounds was coming though the gate, the sounds of three, maybe four person coming in.

Then, four shape appeared in the dark and as they get closer Twilight could clearly saw who they was.

On the left was a man, mesuring at least 7 maybe 8 feet tall, wearing a big black armor with spikes on his shoulders, helmet and gloves. His helmet was covering all of his face, only his red glowing glare could be seen. He was holding in one hand a black steel two-handed Hammer also covered in spikes.

To his right was a woman wearing a long brown coat covering all her body, her glare was hidden with the hood on her face but she had long gray hair falling down her shoulders. She also had cocky smile on her face.

On the right was a woman Twilight knew. She already saw her picture in many books, she used to be the head of the army of the Crystal Empire. She wore a white uniform with a white cap completing the ensemble, she had long pale blue hair reaching her feet, a rapier in her hand. Esdeath was her name.

An then finally, the one standing in the middle of them was a tall woman from which black magic was reeking through the room.

"Luna." Celestia said, frowning at her sister, putting her son behind her.

"Hello, sister." 'Luna' replied, walking towards them, followed by her strange allies. "It's been a while, I would've said that I missed you, but you taught me not to lie."

"How did you get past the magical gate?" Celestia asked.

"We didn't actually," The Queen of Moonis replied, "We just walked through the Crystal Empire like it was nothing." She finished in a devilish grin.

Spitfire stepped forward, "You should get back to whatever rathole you came from and stay there, or-"

"Or what?" Nightmare Moon asked, "Tell me Spitfire, what are you gonna do?" She sincerely asked, "Because, from where I'm standing, you seem pretty patethic."

Spitfire gritted her teeth in anger, but Nightmare Moon was right, Spitfire wasn't injured, but she just fought a lot of black soldiers and she wasn't used to maintain this form very long now, since she became the captain of the royal guard, her work was more paperwork than anything.

"The Crystal Empire was defeated?" Celestia asked in a tiny voice, with big eyes.

But yet, Spitfire wasn't going to let her Queen get harm by these bunch of woodlice. She was going to transform herself again but someone put a hand on her shoulder she turned her head to face them, "Queen Celestia..."

Celestia had her eyes closed the whole time, she walked past Spitfire, Nightmare Moon grinning intensifies as Celestia approached them.

"You seemed to have forgotten something dear sister." Celestia said, when she opened her eyes, they were bright gold. "I'm more powerful than you'll ever be."

A sinister smile was on Nightmare Moon's face, she took her sword out of its sheath, the sword's blade was blue as night. "Oooooooh, I'm scared."

Celestia held her hand infront of her and said, "Gae Bolga."

Then, golden particules appeared from nowhere and assembled themself to made a golden spear appearing in Celestia's hand.

But the woman next to Nightmare Moon, Esdeath, was quicker than her and threw her hand at the ground. In an instant the ground of the room was covered in ice, covering totally both the royal guards still there, now frozen. It also trapped Rainbow Dash's legs and an ice spike coming from the ground launching at Celestia.

"Fuck!" Rainbow yelled, now trapped.

But a trail of fire appeared and destroyed the spike of ice before it could even get close to the Queen.

Esdeath glanced at Spitfire and smiled, "Is that really reasonnable?"

"Shut the fuck up, you whore." Spitfire said before coating herself in her fire attire like before. She used her fire powers to melt down the ice trapping Rainbow Dash's legs, "Rainbow, you're with me, can't take her on my own."

Rainbow, now free to move, took her sword and frowned at the grinning blue haired woman in front of her, "Yes, captain!"

Nightmare Moon laughed and turned toward the other two of her allies, "You two, don't get involved."

The man in armor just growled in response, and the other woman nodded silently.

Esdeath was the first one to make a move, she launched herself at Spitfire and striked her with a rapier. Spitfire took the hit with her own blade, heat and cold waves emanating from both woman. Rainbow Dash tried to attack her on the back, but Esdeath repelled Spitfire and round kicked Rainbow in the guts, sending her a few feet away.

In the meantime, Nightmare Moon and Celestia were still gauging themselves, "You think you can came here, threaten and kill my people, and I won't do ANYTHING about it, Luna?"

"Dear sister, don't act like this... You had this coming!"

With her blue magical sword, she sliced in the air, and it looked like the air was cut in half resulting in a huge impact to where Celestia was standing.

"H-How did she do that?" Spike asked.

"This... This sword..." Twilight said, between amazed and frightened, "It's the slicer of world... Ragnarok."

"Ragna-what now?" Spike raised an eyebrow.

"A legendary sword, saying that whoever wields it, has the power to conquer any world they want... or destroy them."

Nightmare Moon chuckled as the cloud of dust resulting from the impact disappeared, showing Celestia who didn't moved an inch. "You thought a little trick like this would be enough, that is why you bring this sword?"

"No actually, this sword serves another purpose..." Nightmare Moon explained, "For you, I bringed her."

No one saw that the hooded woman who was standing behind Nightmare Moon has quietly made her way behind Celestia. Her hand just about to reach her, "What-"

"Only loosers plays fair." The woman said.

And just by her touch, Celestia turned into stone.

"No!" Spitfire yelled avoiding a strike from Esdeath, landing next to Rainbow Dash who was getting up from the blow she took earlier.

"Impossible..." Rainbow stated.

The princess couldn't believe it. "H-How... How did she..."

"M-Mom?" Spike asked.

Celestia was now a stone statue standing in the middle of the throne room, the expression on her face was showing surprise.

"Ahahahah!" Nightmare Moon exploded in laughter, quickly followed by Esdeath who was now standing next to her, "Look!" She said pointing in Celestia's face, "This face! Ahahah!"

"It... It wasn't supposed to end this way." Spitfire said, in loss for words.

Spike started to cry again, and Twilight just couldn't believe it, her mother, the strongest magician in all of Ponytaria... beaten just like that?

"W-Why..." Twilight started looking at the ground.

"Hum?" Nightmare Moon ended her laughter and looked at her.

"WHY? AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE SISTERS? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" Twilight screamed.

It resulted in more laughters coming from Nightmare Moon, she wiped a tear of laughter coming down her cheek, "Listen my lovely niece," She started, "It's her fault, really." She pointed in Celestia's direction, "She started all this, I'm the victim here!"

"You're dead!" Rainbow said, she was going to run towards her but got stopped from Spitfire.

"Can I kill them?" Esdeath asked.

Nightmare Moon shrugged, "Sure, just don't kill the girl, I need her."

"Listen Rainbow," Spitfire said quickly, in a hushing tone that only Rainbow could hear, "There's a hidden door, behind the throne, take it, with both of them, go to the Shadowlands and search for Sunset Shimmer, she will help us."

"Sunset who-"

Then Spitfire pushed Rainbow behind her and put both her hands on the ground, a huge wall of fire appeared, separating Nightmare Moon's group and them.

"Take that!" Spitfire launched Masamune to Rainbow who catched it with her right hand, "I wanted to give it you the day you'd be Captain, but it seems we can't wait till then!" She managed to finish her sentence, gritting her teeth as she tried to held the fire wall as long as she could.

"What about you?" Rainbow asked, tears making their appearance.

Spitfire chuckled and turned around smiling at her protege, "I'll be right behind you."

Rainbow knew it wasn't true. "You better be." She said, turning around and grabbing Spike's hand, Twilight following her closely.

Spitfire managed to hold it for a whole minute before she rans out of magic and felled to her knees on the ground, the wall disappearing. Just in front of her stood the four of them.

"Hum, they're gone." The hooded woman stated.

Nightmare Moon squats in front of Spitfire, took her face in her hand and asked, "Where did they go?"

"Uh, dunno, search in you ass, I heard there's a lot of space down there." Spitfire taunted, half-awake, too tired from her display of magic.

Nightmare Moon snickered before letting her go and stood up, she walked towards the mountain of muscles in black armor, "Lancelot," She asked him, "Make her talk."

The man growled and walked towards Spitfire, every steps he make, Spitfire could feel the ground shaking, and the last thing she remembered was a spiked hammer landing right in her face.

II - When The Night Comes

Spike progressively woke up, slowly opening his eyes, his head was hurting him a bit. He passed his hand behind his head and felt a small lump under his spiky hairs. He finally became aware of his situation and panic started to rise in his little mind. He looked around him and saw that he was sat against the trunk of a tree. As he looked around him, nothing but trees and darkness filled his field of view.

“T-Twilight?” He called in panic, “R-Rainbow?”

Then, a noise came from behind him, making him jump in fear.

“Woah, easy there, buddy.” Rainbow Dash said, kneeling in front of him, “You took a bad hit, just rest here.”

“R-Rainbow!” He said, jumping in the knight’s chest for comfort and safeness, “What happened? Where are we? Is Twilight okay? Do-”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Rainbow said, stroking him in the back, “Keep calm, champ, I’ll explain everything to ya’.” She said, getting up, “Before that, I’ll grab you sister- Yes, she’s safe.” She reassured him.

Rainbow Dash disappeared for a few seconds behind a bush and reappeared with the princess of Equuis. “Spike!” Twilight exclaimed in relief, taking her little brother in a warm hug.

“Twilight!” Spike cried, glad that his older sister was okay. “W-What happened, I remember getting out of the castle but-”

“You passed out,” She explained calmly to him, “You took a bad hit when you fell, Rainbow had to carry you out through the tunnels under the city…”

“Glad that none of those assholes was aware of that passage,” Rainbow said, taking a sit next to them, “I don’t want to imagine what would’ve happened if they knew.”

The three of them fell silent, Rainbow gritted her teeth in irritation, and punched the tree next to her. “If only I was stronger!” She said.

“Rainbow…” Twilight started, “It’s not your fault…”

“One hit! I went down with only one hit! And I thought I was strong…” She said, not daring to look the princess in her eyes.

“You are strong.” Twilight said, putting her hand on her friend’s shoulder, “We just weren’t prepared…”

“Is…” Spike started, both of the girls looked at him, “Is mom going to be okay?”

Twilight looked at Rainbow who sighed and took the little boy’s hand in her own, “Spike,” Rainbow Dash said, “Your mother is the strongest magician in all of Equuis, hell, the strongest in the world! I’m sure she’s still alive…”

Rainbow Dash wasn’t really sure about that statement, but for now, she needed to put the little boy at ease.

“I’m with Rainbow, I don’t think Nightmare Moon wanted to kill her and…” Then she looked at the ground, “She said she wanted me, but for what?”

“I don’t know.” Rainbow said starting to get up, “Spike, are you feeling better?”

“Y-yeah, I think so.” The prince replied.

“Okay, we need to move, we can’t stay here.” The knight said while helping the princess and the prince to get up.

“Where are we?” Spike asked.

“In the Everfree Forest,” The princess explains to him, “We’re not far away from Draquuis.”

“Draquuis?” He asked, “Why are we heading there?”

“We can’t stay here, look,” Rainbow said pointing at the sky, showing the full moon. Spike gave her a questioning look and she sighed, “It’s ten in the morning Spike.”

“W-What? How-”

“It’s her.” Twilight said, “It’s her magic. We can’t stay in Equuis…”

“We have to go to the Shadowlands.” Rainbow said, now taking the lead of their little group.

They walked amongst the trees of the magical forest, “The Shadowlands?” The prince asked, “Why?”

The princess, walking next to her brother, walked slowly watching where she was walking, “Spitfire said to Rainbow that someone was able to help us there.”

“Yeah, a certain Sunset Shimmer gal’.” Rainbow said, “Ever heard of her?”

“Her name isn’t unfamiliar but… I have no idea who she is.” Twilight admitted.

Spike didn’t understand as he shrugged his shoulders, “So, if we don’t know her, why are we even bothering to seek for her help?”

“Because Spitfire said so,” Rainbow said, closing her eyes, putting her hand on the handle of the katana around her waist, “And it’s our only lead.”

She then turned around and looked at them, “As of now, you’re not a prince anymore, same for you princess. Even if Draquuis is supposed to be our ally, I don’t want to take any risks.” She crossed her arms against her chest, “From now on, you’re Twilight, not Twilight Sparkle, just Twilight.”

“But,” Twilight started, “I don’t think Spike will be bothered about that but, people knows what I look like. We won’t be able to hide for long…”

“Yeah, that’s true,” Rainbow said, walking toward the princess, she then took her hair and, with the help of her new weapon, cut them straight above her shoulders.

“W-What are you doing?” Spike asked.

Then, the knight took off her cloak and gave it to the princess, “Put that, with the hood on.”

The princess did as she was told and Rainbow looked at her and then nodded, “It should do it for now.”

They resumed their walk amongst the sea of trees, Spike hoping they won’t cross any strange creatures. “D-Do you know where we going?”

“Don’t worry, it’s not the first time I pass through this forest, if we don’t make too much noise, we won’t be bothered until we cross the border of Draquuis. I know where there’s a passage we can use, Draquuis guards aren’t really watching this place.” She explained as she made her way through the bushes.

“And, when we finally arrive in Draquuis, what are-” Spike started.

“Spike,” Rainbow said, cutting him in the middle of his sentence, “Listen, to be honest with you, I have no idea what’ll happen next. But I only need you to trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you or your sister, okay?”

“O-okay.” He said, a bit reassured now.

They walked silently for the next hours, making their way around the trees and bushes, sometimes making detour to avoid places where they heard disturbing noises. After four hours of walk, Rainbow finally called a break, the princess and the prince didn’t have Rainbow’s stamina and they weren’t used to walk for this long.

“I’m hungry…” Spike said, putting a hand on his belly from where strange noises came from.

“I know Spike, I know…” Twilight said, taking him in her arms, “I promise you we’ll eat something when we get out of this forest.” She then turned to face Rainbow who was using the water of a river next to them to refresh her face a bit. “H-How long until we arrive in Draquuis?”

“Hmm, I don’t know, half an hour? Maybe an entire hour if we have to make another detour.” She explained.

“You hear that Spike, we-” She was cut by the hellish noise coming from her own stomach, “M-Maybe I’m a little hungry too.”

Rainbow sighed as she gets up and walked towards them, “Okay, I get it. You two stay here. I’ll look for something to eat.”

“Thanks Rainbow.” Twilight said to her knight, as she was walking away.

“You STAY here!” She repeated before disappearing amongst the trees.

“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Spike asked.

Twilight chuckled, “Spike, that’s Rainbow Dash we’re talking about, I pity the poor beast who’ll dare to attack her.”

Both of them waited the return of the knight, sat on the trunk of a tree, the only source of light was the light of the moon piercing through the leaves of the trees of the forest.

“Are…” Spike started, getting the attention of his sister who turned her look to face him, “Are we going to be okay, Twilight?” He asked, in a sob.

“Of course we…” She stopped herself. She looked at her feet and sighed, “To be totally transparent with you Spike, I don’t know …”

The boy bit his lower lip, pulling out of the dirt the grass blades next to him, “I want to go home.” He stated.

Twilight took the boy head and let him lay on her thighs, “I know Spike, but we should focus on the positive.”

“The positive?” The prince asked, “What’s positive here?”

Twilight hummed, scratching her chin, “I don’t know… Oh yeah, look, maybe we can’t go home now but at least, you don’t have to clean up your room anymore.”

The boy straightened himself and looked curiously at her sister, and before they realized it, they both started to chuckle and that chuckle transformed quickly into a laughter.

“See?” Twilight said, “It feels good to laugh a bit.”

“Yeah.” Spike approved, getting back on the comfortable position on his sister’s legs, looking up, Twilight could clearly see his eyes still red from all the crying.

“Do you remember last summer,” The princess started, “When Rainbow Dash couldn’t come for your birthday because she was in training camp,” A smirk appeared on her face, “You were so pissed that you ran off and lost yourself in the woods behind the castle.”

“I remember.” Spike said, rolling his eyes.

“We all started to look for you, and after hours of searching you, Spitfire finally found you, crying behind a tree. Do you remember what she told you?”

“She said…” Spike started, searching in his thoughts the exact thing Spitfire told him, “Oh yeah, she told me that it was okay to be scared in an unknown location, but she also told me that I should use this as a strength to survive, she said that crying was for…” He then stopped and chuckled when he remembered what was her exacts words, “Crying was for wimps.”

Twilight laughed, stroking the boy’s hair, “Not the word that I would’ve choose, but she’s right, don’t cry Spike, because you’re the man here and soon, it’ll be you who’ll protect me and Rainbow.”

He raised his head up, looking at his sister, “Y-You really think so?

“I’m sure.” Twilight said, smiling at her brother.

The moment would be heartwarming only if a strange noise didn’t come from the bushes in front of them. They both jumped to their feet, looking at the bush. “Humm, what was that?” Spike asked.

Twilight gulped, “O-Okay, don’t be scared, it’s p-probably nothing…” She tried to reassure him.

Then coming out of the bushes was a huge and frightening beast, all covered in brown fur, sharp fangs and long claws about the same size as a dagger, a long brown mane making its way from his head to his long tail.

“I-Is nothing a Lion-bear?” The boy asked in fear.

The princess grabbed her little brother by his hand, “Spike run!” She ordered him.

They started running as the Lion-bear released a menacing growl. It started to chase after them, slowed down by all the trees around it, but it easily started to get closer to them. Twilight turned abruptly to her left, her hand holding on firmly on her brother’s, her heart beating at an unacceptable rate.

“Crap!” Spike said.

Twilight saw a tree with a hole on the trunk, not enough to hide her but… “Quick Spike! Get in there!”

The boy listened to his sister as he hides himself, “What about you?” He asked, concerned.

“Don’t worry about me! I’ll come back for you!” And just like that she disappeared through the darkness of the forest.

Spike heard heavy steps not for away from him coming from behind. He puts his hand on his mouth, wanting to make less sound possible. The steps stopped and Spike waited a few seconds before sighing in relief. Just then, the beast appeared just in front of him, growling at him, Spike now realizing that a tooth of this monster was around the same size as the boy’s head.

The frightened prince screamed in fear when the beast tried to grab him with one of his claws, the monstrous beast managed to scratched the poor boy on his arm but something hit him in the back. The beast didn’t appreciate that as he turned slowly facing the princess who just hit it with a long heavy stick she grabbed on the ground.

Seeing that it didn’t do anything to the monster, Twilight yelped as she slowly walked backwards, “M-Maybe we can just… Talk this out?” She tried.

The beast howled at her and dashed forward in her direction. Twilight held her arms up, waiting for the beast to land on her an eat her alive, but she felt someone pushing her on the side of the beast’s trajectory, “Twilight move!”

Rainbow Dash, coming from nowhere just saved the princess from an imminent death. The Lion-bear growled at her, not appreciating having his bread out of the mouth.

The knight stood in front of it, holding firmly on her katana. “Come at me.”

The beast launched itself forward, trying to hit the girl with his left paw full of claws, but Rainbow Dash’s flexibility enabled her to dodged it and slice the monster’s arm. A wound opened in the beast’s arm as it lets out a scream in fury. Although the injury was not very serious, it should dissuade it from making the same mistake.

In a fighting stance, Rainbow Dash drew circle in the air with the point of her sword, patiently waiting for the beast to make a move.

Twilight ran to her brother’s side, the poor boy was crying and bleeding from his arm. The princess ripped off a piece of her clock and made him makeshift bandage.

The beast and Rainbow Dash were in the middle of a stare-off, waiting to see who’ll make the first move. It was Rainbow Dash who tried to hit it on his side, but the Lion-bear saw it coming and dodged it before running toward her and gave her a head-butt in her stomach. Rainbow Dash landed a few feet behind, managing to get up quickly. She rubbed her stomach and gritted her teeth from the pain. She spat blood out from her mouth and frowned, “Not bad.” She stated.

The monster wasn’t in a hurry go back on the attack. This time, it gets closer to the knight slowly, long and filthy dribble of saliva escaped from his gaping mouth, closing it in a snap making a noise close to a slamming door. Rainbow waited for it, not leaving it from her sight, describing a half circle with her feet carefully moving forward.

It wasn’t her first rodeo with a beast like this one. When you were a knight in the royal guard, you have to be prepared against any mortal enemies, so Rainbow trained many years in the edges of the Everfree Forest, fighting against all kind of beasts living here, and she always won.

Sometimes slowing down, sometimes speeding up her movements, Rainbow deconcentrated the Lion-bear. The beast leaped forward, the knight turned gracefully on herself, dodging it as the blood lusted beast lacerated the air with its claws.

The beast wasn’t over and ran toward her, she waited and when it was very close to her. Rainbow stopped abruptly, closed her eyes, and froze, the sword in the air. When the beast was on his two back feet getting ready to strike her, she released a war cry and, being faithful to her name, dashed towards it, she slipped between the beast’s legs and held her katana up high, cutting through the beast crotch and belly.

The beast didn’t fully understood what just happened and felled on the ground, guts and organs pulling out of it in a pool of blood. Rainbow, releasing a sigh of relief, fell on one knee and grabbed her stomach with her free arm, having trouble to breathe, thankfully, the chainmail she wore under her shirt took most of the blow. She didn’t waste any more time and managed to get up to head toward the prince, putting her blade back in its scabbard around her waist, “Spike! Are you okay?”

The poor little boy had already passed out, from fear and exhaustion. “He’s fine,” Twilight said, passing her hand on the boy’s forehead, “The wound isn’t that bad, I managed to stop the bleeding.”

The princess then turned toward her knight and yelped in horror seeing Rainbow’s face covered in blood, “Oh my god Rain-”

“Don’t worry princess,” The knight said, taking a sit next to her, “It’s not my blood.” She finished, pointing toward the beast’s direction.

“You… You saved us…”

“Again.” The knight added.

The princess rolled her eyes and allowed herself a chuckle, “At least, now we’ve got something to eat.”

Their rest didn’t last when Rainbow Dash jumped to her feet, hearing footsteps surrounding them.

“What now?” She growled in frustration, protecting the princess and the prince.

Then, at least about twenty people appeared from the bushes, all of them pointing towards Rainbow’s direction with their swords or their bows.

“Tell ya’ Ah heard something.” The biggest man of them said with a deep voice.

He was tall, ginger hair and was carrying a huge two-handed sword. Rainbow realized who or what they were and cursed herself, “Bandits, just what we needed.”

Now that they were closer, Twilight could take a better look at them and saw that most of them weren’t in the greatest shape. Some of them were badly hurt, and their equipment was poor quality. The biggest of them, the ginger one, took notice of the dead body of the Lion-bear next to them and stared it in shock. “How-” He turned around and looked at the rainbow haired knight who had already her hand on the handle of her blade, “Did ya’ kill it?”

“I did,” She replied, scowling him, “Look at it closer, now, imagine what I can do to you.”

He didn’t answer her remark as if he didn’t hear it, frowning and glaring at her with his big green eyes, “Who are ya’, and what are ya’ doin’ in our forest?”

Twilight, outraged, took a step forward, “Your forest?” She asked, “Excuse me sir but, this isn’t your forest, we’re in Equuis here and-”

“Sorry to disappoint ya’ missy but,” The man stopped her, “The three of ya’ aren’t in Equuis anymore.”

“Yeah!” Said a high pitched voice coming from behind the man, then, coming from behind him, a little girl around the same age as Spike came next to him. She had long red hair and the sword she was holding on was in wood but she held it like it was a devastating weapon. “Ya’ are in the border between Equuis and Draquuis and it’s our territory!” She stated.

Rainbow Dash chuckled at the sight of the little girl, “And what are you, a dwarf?”

The little girl growled and stepped forward, “You-”

“Applebloom!” The big man reprimanded her, she stopped and let out a ‘humpf‘. He then took notice of Spike’s state and asked a bit of concern in his voice, “What’s up with him?”

Twilight hold her brother closer to her, “He was attacked by this beast.” She said, showing him Spike’s arm.

The man walked closer to them but Rainbow Dash prevented him, taking out her sword from its sheath, “You’re a little overconfident.” She said, frowning.

“I just want to take a look.” He then dropped his weapon on the ground and made a nod of his head to his fellow companions making them all lowered their weapons.

Rainbow looked at Twilight for an approval and the princess sighed before nodding to her.

“Fine.” Rainbow said, “But I got an eye on you.”

He nodded and resumed his walk. He finally arrived next to the boy and kneeled at his side, taking a closer look at his wound, “Oh, not looking good,” He said, “He must be treated soon before the wound gets infected.” He explained.

“Oh no.” Twilight lamented.

“We should get him to the boss.” The little girl who had come closer said, “She’ll know what to do.”

Rainbow Dash leaned closer to Twilight and whispered, “I don’t trust them.”

“Me neither,” Twilight replied with a sigh, “But what choice do we have?”

The beautiful city Canterlot used to be was now in a poor condition, most of the habitations were destroyed and burned down to ashes, a bunch of corpses were filling the empty and dark streets, the few of the citizens who survived the assault were now hiding in their homes, too afraid to step outside. The scary Moonis soldiers who were patrolling in the streets were ruthless, not hesitating to kill any person who just glanced at them.

The night had taken possession of the sky, and all the magic of love and friendship that used to filled the air was now long gone, replaced by a dark and dirty magic that made your skin crawl.

Canterlot’s Castle, usually bright white was now covered in a black substance dripping on the walls in a certain rhythm, making the persons looking at it think that the castle was breathing, almost alive. Equuis guards were now, for those who survived the assault, all locked up in the castle’s dungeon, at the mercy of their tormentors. Those who weren’t breathing anymore, were tossed without mercy in the mass grave not far away from the castle.

Spitfire slowly opened her eyes, her head hurting like hell. She felt something cold on her back and realized she was laying against a cold floor. When her eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, she noticed she was locked up in a cell of Canterlot’s dungeon, and adding insult to injury, she was handcuffed to the wall with a long iron chain. She managed to get up to her feet, stumbling, still dizzy from the blow she took on her head the day before.

She concentrated and tried to summon her magic, but quickly gave up when she realized she was trapped with anti-magic handcuff. “Fuck.”

She turned her head toward the cell’s bars when she heard footsteps in the dark hallways of the castle’s dungeon, seeing a light coming from a torch heading toward her direction.

She frowned when she saw Esdeath, accompanied with two guards, stopping in front of her cell.

Spitfire chuckled when she saw Esdeath giving her a bright smile, “What?” The now imprisoned captain asked her, “Missing me already?”

Esdeath quietly made a sign to one of the guard next to her who opened the cell. The current Moonis army chief slowly made her way and stood silently in front of Spitfire, confronting the glare the imprisoned woman gave her. Then, still wearing an innocent smile, she violently punched her in her stomach, making Spitfire fell on her knees and spat blood on the ground. The hit was quickly followed by a kick to the head, making Spitfire completely fell on the ground.

Esdeath, pushed her boot’s heel on Spitfire stomach, making her growl in pain. When Esdeath was finally getting bored of it, she squats next to Spitfire, raising up her head by pulling her hair.

“Woaw, you’re uglier than I thought you were, now that I can see you clear-” Spitfire was stopped by a head-butt of Esdeath, breaking her nose, blood started to drool on her face. But Spitfire ignored the pain and smirked at her, “Aren’t you supposed to ask question before hitting me?”

“Oh don’t get me wrong.” Esdeath said, taking Spitfire’s head between her hands. “I’m not here to ask you anything. That’s Lancelot’s job. Me?” She said, shrugging, “I’m just here to have some fun.”

She then grabbed Spitfire’s hair and made her violently hit the ground.

Spitfire yelled in pain, but glared furiously at Esdeath, who’s smile grew wider and sinister, “Oh yes, give me that look! It drives me wild!” She held out her fist and hit Spitfire in face, one, two, three times. “And don’t worry, I don’t want to kill you,” She explained, “I’m just here to break you.”

She then gets up and started to kick in the stomach of a helpless Spitfire, laughing while she was repeatedly doing it. She then pushed her heel against Spitfire’s face, making her bleed from her cheek. Esdeath kneeled next to her and licked the blood on Spitfire’s face, with a sound of ecstasy and pure delight. “I don’t know about you, but I think we’re going to be the best friends ever!” She said in Spitfire’s ear, her hand wandering around the captain’s chest, Spitfire gritting her teeth while she was suffering. “The best of friends.” The blue haired woman added, with a chuckle like one of a little girl who just fall in love.

Author's Note

It seems Celestia has to die in every stories of mine.. meh

For a more detailed map of Ponytaria, just click here: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/936718/queenslayer-map-and-cities

III - An Apple To The Core

“Wait here.” The man said.

The brigands led them to the edge of the forest on Draquuis side. There, a small lake on which reflected two different skies. On the left side, a full moon could be seen, the sky as dark as the night could be. However, on the right side, a bright sun stood high above the clouds. This panorama, to say the least, incongruous, amazed the bandits but would’ve terrorized the poor prince if he wasn’t already sleeping in Rainbow Dash’s arms.

Of course the bandits would found that wonderful, but Spike, Twilight and Rainbow Dash knew what was the cause of that. And the truth is often darker than one could think.

Next to the lake stood a small wood cottage, greenery on the walls showed that this little house was older that it might seems. In front of the house, two men were standing. One was tall, yellow of hair, eating an apple and talking casually to the other. He had a sword attached to his waist and a shield rested on the cottage wall next to him, next to the front door.

The other man him was bald, and wore a strict look, attached on his back was a bow with a quiver filled with arrows.

The big man who presented himself to Twilight and the others as Big Macintosh walked in their direction, casually waving with his right hand. The yellow haired one smiled at him but the other one didn’t even gave him a glare.

“Sup’ fellas?” Big Mac said, now standing in front of them.

“Heya there Big Mac’” The friendly one replied, “Already home?” Then he looked at the sky, “Did ya’ find any reason why the sky looks like this?” Then he noticed the two girls and the little boy resting in the knight’s arms, who stayed in the background.

“Maybe.” Big Macintosh replied with a smirk. “Is boss here?”

“Sure, she’s still resting, her wound hasn’t totally healed yet.” He said, moving to the side to let Big Mac access to the front door. He made a sign of his hand, miming Twilight and her group to follow him.

“Thanks Braeburn.” Big Mac said, opening the door and letting Twilight pass.

As the four of them entered the house, Big Mac closed the door behind them. The house was small, there was only a small kitchen, with a table and three chairs, a leather chair that seemed in a relatively good shape, and far in the back was a bed on which lay a feminine figure.

Rainbow didn’t waste any time and put Spike on the leather chair.

“Sorry to bother you while your resting sis’,” Big Mac said, an apologetic look on his face, walking toward the bed, “But these fellas can really use our help.”

There was a growl coming from under the blankets, and slowly, a woman emerged from it. She was beautiful, long blond hair with freckles on her cheeks, jade eyes, and a muscular shape that showed that this woman wasn’t someone to mess with. A bandage hid her generous breast, and despites the small pants she was wearing, she wasn’t wearing anything. She stretched her arms and yawned before getting up and smile at them.

“Howdy y’all.” She cheered.

Rainbow Dash, quick as lightning, pushed Twilight behind her and drew her sword, frowning deeply.

“R-Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelped, “What’s the matter?!”

“I know this woman.” Rainbow Dash said, glaring daggers at the bandits chief, “Her name is… Applejack.”

Applejack wasn’t surprised a bit by that, she just stood there and smiled at the display of loyalty from the knight to the woman she was protecting. Big Macintosh drew his long sword and stood between them, but his sister put a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay Big Mac,” She said, before looking at Rainbow, “Ah see that mah reputation precedes me.” She said, putting her hands on her waist, still smiling.

“Rainbow Dash, care to explain?” Twilight whispered.

“She’s well known in Draquuis, she has a bounty on her head.” Rainbow Dash explained, “Two thousand bits if I remember.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide, “T-Two thousand?!”

Applejack chuckled, “Well that was before our little run-in with the guards a few days ago. Now it’s three grand.”

Rainbow Dash held her sword firmly, “Not improving your case.”

“W-Wait!” Twilight jumped in front of Rainbow Dash, “She’s maybe an outlaw, but we need her help Rainbow!”

Rainbow didn’t reply.

“Please?” Twilight asked, a crack in her voice that made Rainbow flinched.

Rainbow finally sighed in defeat and lowered her blade, “Fine.”

“Wise choice.” Applejack approved, then she walked toward them and held her hand out to Twilight. “Let’s make this official, Ah’m Applejack, nice meetin’ ya.’”

“I’m Twilight.” Twilight said, presenting herself, she then pointed to Rainbow Dash who scowled Applejack, “This is my friend, Rainbow Dash.” And finally she pointed to Spike, “And my little brother, Spike.”

Concern covered Applejack’s face when she saw the state of the little boy. “What happened to him?” She asked.

“He was attacked by a Lion-bear.” Twilight explained.

“Damn,” She replied kneeling, taking off Spike’s bandages and frowned at the wound. “Doesn’t look good to me.” She sighed and looked at Twilight, “Glad you could outrun it.”

“Hum,” Twilight started, “The fact is…”

“I killed it.” Rainbow Dash said, walking forward to stood next to them, her arms crossed on her chest.

Applejack whistled and gave her a look of respect, “You killed a Lion-bear? Atta’ girl.” She stood up and walked toward a cabinet. “Well we should change his bandages, and disinfect the wound…” The she looked at the ground. “However…”

“What?” Rainbow asked.

“It’s really, really, not looking good, Ah can’t heal him, Ah don’t have the resources and the expertise.” She explained.

“What?!” Twilight yelled, “B-But… How can…” Tears started to appear on her eyes.

“Ah’m sorry.” Applejack stated, still looking at the ground.

“Hum…” This time it was Big Macintosh who talked, “Maybe… she can?”

Rainbow Dash and Twilight both wore interrogative glares, “Who are you talking about?” Rainbow asked.

Applejack returned with a new bandage and started to apply it on Spike’s arm. “There’s a… Druid. Deep inside the forest.” She explained, “But we don’t go over there, it’s filled with magical beasts and last time Ah tried to go there…” She then showed the now healed wound on her stomach.

“Why would she live there if the beasts are that threatening?” Twilight asked.

“They don’t attack her, don’t know why though.” Applejack said, finishing her work and standing next to them. “But even if you decide to go there… Ah’m not sure she would agree to help you, Ah already meet her but she hates humans,” The she pointed Spike, “And Ah doubt he can make the travel.”

Twilight greeted her teeth and stomped on the ground. Watching this, Rainbow sighed and put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “I’ll go see her and bring her here, you two wait here.”

“What?!” Twilight, Applejack, Big Macintosh and Applebloom, who was hiding behind a furniture, all yelled at the same time.

Applejack turned herself around and frowned, “Applebloom! What did Ah tell you about spyin’ on people?”

The girl just wore a childish smile, earning a sigh from both of her siblings.

“Rainbow…” Twilight said, “You don’t have to do that.”

“I do in fact.” Rainbow said, “I promised I would protect you. Both of you, and here we are…” She avoided Twilight’s look, “Let me, at least, try to make this right.”

It was a surprising display of loyalty that Applejack never saw before. She could see, in that woman’s glare, that she was willing to give her life to protect both of the childs. Applejack smiled at that, “I’ll go with you.”

“What?!” This time, it was Twilight, Big Mac, Applebloom and Rainbow Dash.

“Why?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Ah like ya. And going there alone would be suicide.” She stated.

“AJ!” Applebloom yelped, “Don’t do that! Do you remember what happened last time?”

“Ah do. And Ah won’t make the same mistake, if Ah run into that thing again, Ah’ll run in the opposite way.” She said, scratching her sister’s hair. She then turned to Rainbow Dash, “If that’s okay with ya, of course.”

Rainbow scowled her with a ‘humpf’, but she had to admit, Applejack looked strong. And she had a bounty of three thousand bits on her head. Rainbow Dash knew it wasn’t just for show.

“Okay.” She stated, “But you’ll do everything I say.”

Applejack nodded, “Sounds good to me.”

Nightmare Moon was there, standing and facing her opponent, both her hands holding firmly on her sword, ignoring the torrent of flames surrounding them. She knew fighting on the volcano wasn’t a great idea, but it was the only place where she wasn’t able to come.

Her opponent was a knight, he wore a heavy armor bust most of it was destroyed, showing a part of his chest and his helmet was laying on the ground. He had red eyes, mid-length black hair, and a murderous look. He too, was gripping firmly on his sword, but there also was at least fifteen swords flying in the air behind him, all pointing in Nightmare Moon’s direction.

He was in a rough state, bleeding from his mouth and his left ear. Nightmare Moon her, was bleeding from below her right eye, he almost put her eye out with his last move, but she managed to dodged it at the last second. She knew she wasn’t supposed to underestimate him, but she was cocky by nature.

With a war cry, he launched himself at her, she waited patiently pointed her sword blue as night in his direction. This blow, will be the last.

Nightmare Moon was slowly woken up when she heard footsteps resonating against the floor in the wide room.

She saw the hooded woman entering Equuis throne room, Celestia’s statue still standing in the middle of it, and back in the room, on the throne, stood Nightmare Moon, a wide smile on her face.

“Limestone!” She greeted.

The hooded woman spat on the ground, “What did I tell you about my name?!”

“Yes, yes, sorry.” Nightmare Moon said, with a glib wave of her hand, earning a sigh from Limestone.

She lowered her hood, her skin was darker than the peoples of Equuis, it was a pigmentation specific to Stoneheart. She had mid-long white hair and a cocky grin on her face.

“So, what’s the news?” She asked.

Nightmare Moon sighed, and lowered her head on her hand. “We haven’t found them yet…” She explained, pouting. “And our dear Spitfire still won’t talk.”

“Not very surprising… She was trained by… him.” Limestone stated.

“Yes I know, I know.” The despot replied, “But I’m confident. I’m certain Lancelot will squeeze the truth out of her.” She said glaring at the girl, closing her fist to support her words. “And I already told you not to talk about him.”

Limestone rolled her eyes, “Yeah sorry.” She said sighing. “Just hope that Esdeath won’t break her before.” She finally said with a chuckle, quickly followed by Nightmare Moon.

“She won’t, she’s having too much fun with her to break a toy like that.” Nightmare mood said, her good mood back in an instant. They both stopped talking when they heard footsteps behind Limestone. “Ah, speaking of the devil.”

Esdeath walked towards them, her usually white uniform was coated in blood, but Limestone quickly guessed that it wasn’t hers. She glared at her and smirked, “Guess you had fun, eh?”

“I did.” Esdeath said, “Alas, I had to leave it to Lancelot,” She explained before glaring at Nightmare Moon, “I wouldn’t want to interfere with his… work.”

“Good.” Nightmare Moon nodded.

“C’mon don’t make that face.” Limestone said to Esdeath, “Don’t you have puppies to torture or something?”

Esdeath glared at her and put her hand on the handle of her rapier, “Maybe, but right now my sights are on a white haired witch.” She said, “I wonder if what we say about your people it’s true, that your blood is blue.”

“Why you don’t come and find out?” Limestone replied, a murderous glow on her eyes.

“Enough. Both of you.” Nightmare Moon stated authoritatively.

Limestone looked a bit scared but Esdeath just shrugged.

“You know that Spitfire won’t say anything, whatever we do to her right?” Esdeath asked after a sigh.

“Of course I’m very aware of that.” Nightmare Moon nodded.

“So…” Limestone started, “What’s the point of that?”

Esdeath repressed a laugh and Nightmare Moon chuckled, “You’ll see.” She said, “Now, Esdeath, what are the news from Draquuis?”

“No one saw them crossing the borders, so I have two suggestions,” Esdeath explained, “One, they’re still in the forest but on Draquuis side, or two, they’ve managed to cross the border without the guards seeing them.”

“That would be unfortunate.” Nightmare Moon said with a smirk.

She earned an interrogative glare from Limestone, “Wait why are you smiling?”

Esdeath chuckled, “You didn’t get it yet? You really are dumb.” She said getting another dark glare from the stone witch, “We want her to go in Draquuis.”

“W-Why?” Limestone asked, “I thought we wanted to capture her?”

“Yes we do.” The despot stated, “But in the right time, her powers hasn’t awakened yet.”

“Her powers?” Now, Limestone was totally lost.

Nightmare Moon chuckled, “Do you know how Twilight and her stupid little brother came into this world?”

Limestone blushed, “Well... You know… When two peoples love each other very much…”

Esdeath rolled her eyes and Nightmare Moon exploded in laughter, “No, not like that.” She explained after her burst of laughter. “Twilight doesn’t have a father. My sister never got married.”

Limestone frowned, “Then how?”

“Magic.” Nightmare Moon said, in a whisper. “She was born by magic. You see, Celestia managed, somehow… To create life inside her, with her magic… She did it twice actually but it seemed the second time, it failed.”

“But this Twilight girl,” Esdeath continued, “She has a great magical potential, I could feel it just by crossing her glare.”

“Me too.” Nightmare Moon nodded, “She has the potential to be a very powerful and strong mage.”

“So…” Limestone said, “You want her for what? Get her magic?”

Nightmare Moon slowly shook her head, “No dear… It’s much more… So much more.”

Screams of pain could be heard through the dark corridors of Canterlot’s dungeon. All of the screams were feminine, and all came from one person.

Spitfire was held up from the roof by metallic chains, totally naked, her body covered in her own blood. She spat blood on the ground and glared at her tormentor.

“Where are they?” Lancelot, the big dark knight, asked calmly, standing in front of her. Even if she was a few inches above the ground, he still was three, maybe four heads taller than her.

Spitfire slowly smirked and shrugged, earning a powerful punch right in her face.

“Where are they?” He asked again, with the same voice.

“Ev… Even if I knew…” Spitfire managed to say, “I rather die to betray them.” She finished frowning deeply at him.

Lancelot didn’t waste any more time and violently punch her on the stomach, before punching her again in the face. Spitfire never faced someone as strong physically as Lancelot. Each punch he gave her was like a punch of a giant. His spiky gauntlets weren’t helping either.

She spat more blood on the ground with a few of her teeth, feeling like her life was slowly leaving her body. She wasn’t dupe, she knew she would die here. But she will never, ever, say a word.

“Where are they?” He tried again.

“Are… Are you deaf dickhead?” She yelled at him, “I said I don’t know! Is that so complicated for you to understand? You dumb piece of-”

She got cut off by another powerful punch right into her face. Her nose was already broken but it didn’t prevent it to make more cracked sounds.

“You…” She said, breathing loudly, “You better kill me here you know…” She said, “Because, if I ever get out of here.” She raised her head up, looking right into his eyes, “I’ll kill you.”

Lancelot stood there quietly for a few seconds before asking, “Where are they?” earning a chuckle from Spitfire.

“I don’t know.” She replied.

“Be careful… Please?” Applebloom pleaded to her big sister.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were now ready to leave. Applejack gave to Rainbow a better protection than she already had, she was now wearing a leather armor from the bandit’s hideout.

Applejack too was wearing a leather armor, she also had a small dagger on her waist and a bow with a quiver in her back. They were standing not far away from the cottage where Spike was resting in Applejack’s bed. Some bandits, Twilight and Applebloom came to wish them good luck. Big Mac him, was watching over Spike.

“You too Rainbow.” Twilight said, taking her knight’s in her arms, in a tight hug, “I... I don’t know what I’m going to do if I ever lose you.”

“Don’t worry Twi’.” Rainbow said, a cocky grin on her face, “No one can kill this chick.” She said pointing toward herself.

“We should go.” Applejack said.

Thanks to the Apple’s hospitality, they’ve rested a few hours in the cottage, eating some food and sleeping a bit, the sun was now almost gone, the left side of the sky slowly taking place on the right side.

“I still think it’s a bad idea going there by night.” Twilight stated.

“I know, but we can’t waste any more time.” Rainbow replied.

Applejack nodded, “And don’t worry, most of the beasts are sleeping when it’s night time. If we don’t make too much noises, the only threat will be the timberwolves.”

Twilight sighed, “Okay then.” She said, ending the hug, giving Rainbow Dash a small kiss on the cheek.

This being said, Rainbow looked at Applejack who nodded at her and they both headed in the dark forest, Twilight watching them until they totally disappeared from her sight.

Both women walked calmly in the forest, not wanting to make too much noises. But a question burned Applejack’s lips.

“Sooo,” She started, “What’s the deal?”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”

“You three are unusual people you know,” She stated, “And from what Ah could tell, her way to talk, move and walk, Ah can easily say this little Twilight of yours is not a common peasant.”

Rainbow didn’t reply.

“And you,” She continued, “You seem like a strong woman, and Ah didn’t say anything back there but, Ah don’t think a sword like the one you have here ended up in your hands by accident.”

Once again, Rainbow didn’t reply, listening quietly.

“So mah guess is, you three are some important people, and you’re running away from something… From what?” She then looked at the sky, “You three are from Equuis, and just looking at the state of the sky, something bad happened there. And Ah remembered an old tale, about two sisters, one ruling the day, the other the night. But one of the two sisters succumbed to hatred and attacked the eldest. The little sister said that when she’ll come back, she will unleash the endless night on all of Ponytaria…”

Rainbow growled, walking past the blond girl, taking the lead. “You talk too much.”

“Now, Ah’m maybe just a dumb brigand but only a fool wouldn’t understand that both sisters are Queen Celestia and Queen Nightmare Moon. So, when you and your friends slept at the cottage, Ah searched in some old books we have. And then it hit me, Ah knew Twilight’s name, Ah just didn’t thought it would be that Twilight…”

Rainbow turned around and took her sword out from its sheath, holding it a few inches from Applejack’s throat. “And you’re too smart for your own good.”

Applejack smirked, “Now, we can be civilized now don’t we. After all, Ah just want to help ya.”

Rainbow Dash frowned, “And what tells me that you’re not leading us into a trap?”

This time Applejack frowned, “Believe me or not, but Ah never lie.”

“Uh, difficult to believe when you’re facing one of the most famous outlaws of Draquuis.” Rainbow replied, rolling her eyes.

“Ah swear Ah’m telling you the truth, and quite frankly, Ah really want to help you guys.” Applejack said.

“Why?”

Applejack resumed her walk, ignoring Rainbow’s sword following her. “Do you know why we’re doing this?”

“Do what?”

“This.” Applejack said, showing herself, “The thefts, the kidnappings, the… murders…”

Rainbow frowned, “Why?”

“It’s because Draquuis let us down!” She said angrily, “This isn’t Equuis! In this country, it’s kill or be killed, the ones with gold and powers can do whatever they want! But us, the poor people, we have to survive in this hostile environment. I have a family to take care of!”

Rainbow nodded, she wasn’t approving Applejack’s doings, but at least, she understood why.

“So Ah thought that,” Applejack continued, “That if we help ya… Twilight could help us too.”

Rainbow nodded slowly, “I can’t speak for her but, Twilight is the kindest and the most compassionate person this world ever had.” She said, “So I’m pretty sure she’ll agree to help you.”

Applejack started to smile.

“But for that,” Rainbow quickly added, “We have to save her little brother, the prince.”

With a nod, they both resumed their walk through the darkness of the forest.

Rainbow frowned, she still felt Applejack’s glare on her back, and growled. “What now?”

“Uhm, just wanted to know but…” Applejack’s started, Rainbow still looking forward couldn’t see Applejack’s blush, “What’s between you and Twilight?”

Rainbow stopped abruptly. Applejack who didn’t anticipated that collided with Rainbow’s back.

“Ouch.” She let out, rubbing her nose.

“W-What do you mean by, what’s between me and Twilight?” Rainbow said, resuming her walk, this time it was Applejack who couldn’t see her blushing.

“Ah saw how… Determined you were at the thought of protecting her. So Ah thought that-”

“Stop right there.” Rainbow said, “I’m her knight, I vowed to protect her, on my life. That’s all.”

Applejack chuckled. She knew it wasn’t all. “Okay.” She said nonetheless.

“What’s the sudden urge to know about what’s going on between me and Twi’?” Rainbow asked.

“Nothing, I just-” Then Applejack stopped. Rainbow turned around and looked at her quizzically.

“What’s going on?” She asked when she saw the look on Applejack’s face.

“Listen.” The blond girl said.

Rainbow did as she was told and listened. Now, she could clearly hear something following them, something big, at least four legs.

“What is that?” Rainbow asked in a whisper.

Applejack gritted her teeth, “The exact same thing that did that to me.” She said pointing to her wound. “Okay, we’ll walk slowly towards…”

A growl could be heard not far away from them and Applejack and Rainbow now stood back to back, one gripping to her bow, the other one to her sword.

Then, in front of Rainbow, trees began to fall under the footsteps of a huge beast she never saw before. It had four legs with paws, similar to a tiger. It had two bat wings on his back and a scorpion’s tail. His lion’s head glared furiously at both women, his open mouth showing its three rows of pointy and sharp teeth.

Rainbow watched it in horror and asked, “The hell is that?”

“Oh fudge…” Was all Applejack said when the beast jumped towards them, Rainbow rolled on the left and Applejack on the right, both avoiding its attack. “It’s a manticore.” She explained to Rainbow, “Be careful, the poison coming out from its tail is highly lethal.”

Rainbow was glaring at his three rows of teeth, “Yeah, that’s not what I’m the most afraid of.”

“Don’t worry,” Applejack called, “That thing doesn’t like living preys. So it’ll kill you before chew you out.”

“And it’s supposed to make me feel better?” Rainbow asked, annoyed.

The manticore decided to rush towards Rainbow who waited for it, both of her hands holding firmly her sword raised upon her head, pointing it in the manticore’s direction. The beast tried to hit her on her face with one on its paws, but she managed to dodge it graciously like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Unlike the Lion-bear, the manticore wasn’t a very fast beast, so the knight had plenty of time to see the attack coming. With dexterity, she planted her feet in the ground and quickly turned around, slashing the beast’s tail. Her sword shining, the moon light reflecting on its blade, slightly soiled by the dark scarlet blood of the monster.

The beast howled in pain, and with a dark glare of a murderous monster, it gave a head butt on Rainbow’s side, wanting to put the rainbow haired threat away from it. Rainbow saw it coming and not having enough time to dodged it, prepared herself to block it. But the knight heard a quick whistling noise next to her left ear before hearing the beast scream once again, bleeding from its eye, an arrow coming out from it. Rainbow looked behind her and saw Applejack holding her bow, smirking at her.

“Its tail is harder than a graphorn’s horn. And you managed to slice it like it was nothin’.” Applejack stated, “It would be lying to say that Ah’m not impressed.”

“I got some help.” Rainbow replied, holding her sword.

Rainbow turned her attention back to the beast who was starting to run away though the trees. She was going to run after it but Applejack stopped her. “Wait!” She called, “It’s heading for its lair, we managed to defend ourselves against one, but we won’t against several of them.”

Rainbow sighed, “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Her sword back on her waist, she walked toward Applejack, “Nice shot, by the way.”

Applejack shrugged while smirking, and put her bow on her back.

“Let’s get goin’ partner.” She said while looking at the sky, “It’ll be best for us if we managed to be there before midnight.”

“Why?” Rainbow asked, “What’s going on at midnight?”

With a shiver, Applejack didn’t look at her directly so Rainbow couldn’t really understand what she meant when she said, “It’s better if you don’t found out.”

Then Applejack resumed her walk and with a shrug of her shoulders, Rainbow followed her quietly.