At The End

The 21.45hr train at Canterlot was the last evening train to Ponyville. Despite the destination being Ponyville, the trains took long detours to serve other surrounding stations around Canterlot. Only military trains went straight through to the front lines. That meant there was a shortage of trains.

While Twilight could have called upon her friends and travelled via royal cart. She decided to go with the train. It would allow her friends to rest up after their long day’s work. They were all tired. Even Apple Jack, despite no longer having to buck apples, she was was exhausted from having to deal with all the production quotas she had to ensure were being respected to the minimum. Gone were the days of a small role as an Apple bucker, now came the days of office work. No fun with her family, just paper work and snobby nobles.

The rest of her friends were no better. Poor Pinkie trying to boost morale when you were being forced to work non stop. And with a war on. None of them had ever been alive during a war. Those were things of the past. Ancient times. Now, the war was for peace. At least that was what Pinkie had to put on all the posters. Her coat was losing its colouring, and her mane had never seemed more flat.

Rarity was also tired of overseeing the production of clothing for a cause that was not fashion. Had it been for some sort of great parade, she would have slaved over it without hesitation. But now… She was a slave to a job she didn’t want. She was seriously starting to hate her ‘special talent’ as the Shadow had put it.

Rainbow had to use her speed for high altitude scouting missions. On several occasions, she had defected to the other nations. But when she was caught... Rainbow had not been the same since. It was only thanks to her friends that she was allowed to live here instead of Tartarus. The Shadow had known that the Elements of Harmony Bearers were the image that most ponies saw and looked to as heroes. To have them serve him as tools of propaganda was the best way to not have a revolt. But ponies were peaceful creatures, not the Shadow...

Fluttershy was the one who suffered from the ‘special talent’ exploitation the most. Using her to get to ferocious animals was something that the Shadow had come up with the moment she had introduced herself to him. Using magical, chaotic beasts was a perfect way to not have to send out the unicorns to the front. All magical resources weekly from unicorns was a necessity to the Shadow, if only they knew why.

Twilight never found out why no one had been able to stop the Shadow during her absence. Celestia and Luna’s power should have been able to help. But the magic surrounding the Shadow had been the key to his success. It was ancient magic, seemingly impervious to all attacks. Even when she had returned, Twilight had tried her best to reunite with her friends. But using their families as leverage, her friends had surrendered rather than letting their families suffer.

It was cruel. Never before in the history of their nation had any form of evil used such methods of persuasion. Ponies were peaceful, kind, caring and loving. Whatever the Shadow was, he was not kind, not caring.

It was heartbreaking. And there was nothing they could do about it.

One may ask why not use the elements on such a foe ?

If they could, they would have tried long ago. The elements had disappeared, lost from their places of safe keeping. They had vanished the moment that Twilight disappeared to Earth. Why the elements had gone, no one knew.The fact that the tree of harmony had also disappeared, was an even greater cause for concern. Without it, the Everfree became all the more wild and chaotic.

What did it all mean? There had to be a reason for the elements and the tree to have just... vanished. Harmony was more than just an idea, long had it been known that the species residing on Equus were creatures of harmony. Moulded by the magic of friendship. Had the elements sensed this danger and maybe, gone for help? If that were possible, it had been years now... Harmony had not returned.

The Shadow had been intrigued by how easily Equestria had fallen, but despite this, he hardly ever bragged about it. His control over Equestria was swift and met very little resistance. The partisan elements that remained within the borders worked out of charity to their fellow ponies. Ambushing and stealing frontline supplies of food and medecine to give to the poor.

The magic of harmony was lost. Or maybe transformed into a world where everyone suffered as equals compared to the old Equestrian system. Maybe the elements had abandoned them. Maybe this was the future…

Despite a ruinous tyranny, the Shadow had shown a form of compassion. He had never killed anyone… yet. The forms of torture that he allowed was nowhere near as physical as the jungle environment that she had suffered with her human allies. The ponies of Equestria had been made to think that the world was soon in harmony. And all we needed now was a war. A war to bring the other creatures to their knees. If they surrendered, the better.

None of them did. And for good reason.

Despite facing off a huge force of ponies and changelings. The Griffons and the Yaks had quickly understood their advantage. There were very few Unicorns on the front. Those there were weak from magic drainage. There was nothing they could do to oppose the will of the allied nations. All they had to do now was wait for the Shadow to show a weakness.

The shadow… such a strange creature. Its voice deep and gravely. Slow and threatening. Covered in a mist of black magic, none had seen its true form. But daily its shape would more and more ponylike. As if it was able to create itself a body closer resembling that of the occupants of the land it now controlled. Its red eyes were the thing that frightened Twilight the most. She shivered at the thought of having to stare into those lights of pure hatred.

It reminded her of Discord in a way. Only difference was that Discord had been helping fight the Shadow. Even after she surrendered, Twilight knew that Discord was not going to surrender. He knew something, but never got a chance to say what before he and The Doctor had disappeared.

She could only hope that they would find a way to help rid them of this blight. Maybe they were traveling in time? Chasing leads or maybe trying to find the elements. If only the tiny amount of chaos magic residing within her could allow her to comunicate somehow. To try and find answers.

She dared not, unlike her own magic, chaos magic was not natural for her. It did not replenish properly like her own harmonious magic. Discord probably had no intention of giving it to her permenantly. He had only sent it to help her survival on Earth.

XXXXX

The mountain side of Canterlot rushed pass as the train swerved though the tunnels heading down towards Whitetail. The train would have to stop at Whitetail to allow access to the military trains that circulated primarily at night for obvious reasons. That was why Twilight had reserved the sleeping carriage. The horizon was obscured by black storm clouds. The Everfree was lost in a mist of pouring rain.

“It’s raining over the Everfree.” She said absent-mindedly. Her friends moved to look out the same window. Spike was resting beside her, sleeping.

“Yep, without the weather team the forest is generating its own weather patterns.” Rainbow pointed out, looking to the other, she noticed that Fluttershy was crying. “Are you alright Shy ?” Her friends all turned to look at the tearful pegasus.

Wiping her tears, Fluttershy sniffed and put on a brave smile.

“I’m sorry, I’m just thinking about going home. To see my animal friends.” They all gave her reassuring smiles.

“I would like to return to the carousel.” Rarity said aloud, staring off into space. Her mane dishevelled and dark bags under her eyes.

“And I would like to go back to Sugar Cube Corner.” Said Pinkie.

“Ah wouldn’t mind goin’ back to the Acres !” AJ added. They all wanted to go home. And so did Twilight. She just wanted to lie down in her bed and sleep. The smell of books reminiscent of nostalgia and bringing her dream to life. But before that could happen, she was awoken by the sound of Spike snoring. Smiling down at him, she gave him a nuzzle before looking back at her friends.

“I know we all want to go home…”

“What are we doing here Twilight ?” Twilight turned to Rarity who was awaiting her reply. “If its for a break I would be delighted, but Spike made it seem more like an emergency.” Twilight sighed and pulled a map from her bags.

“I know that you are all aware of the Yaks advancing though the Crystal Empire, the deployment of more of our forces towards the south has left us short on ponies to send.” She explained, drawing out the lines of movement to both fronts that were opening.

“Rainbow saw something ominous emanating from the Everfree.” She turned to the once prismatic mare, who nodded. “I then received a message from Chrysalis who had been informed by the mages that a strange Magic had been detected also within the Everfree area.”

Twilight circled the Everfree with her quill and turned to look at the rest of her friends. They all look baffled. Though Rainbow had seemed the most interested in the oinformation. She was the first to actually deliver the news, now they had to find whatever it was.

“I understand that part darling, but why send us ?” Asked Rarity.

“Because the only guards left in Ponyville are peacekeepers. They are only five of them. Too few to deal with whatever is in the forest.”

“But why us sugar cube ?” Twilight sighed and looked at her friends. Apple Jack asked another question. “Surely the Shadow won’t allow us to even get near that thin’. Whatever it is.” Twilight sighed. Apple Jack was right in one regard. They were not allowed to approach whatever was in there with Friendship, but she hoped that she could maybe not find whatever was so worried about. Despite her inquisitive nature telling her otherwise.

“You’re right AJ, seeing as I am the only one here who can still use magic freely. It is my duty to contain it and bring it to the Shadow. Or destroy it.”

“But the signature only appeared for a moment according to these reports.” Pinkie pointed out, placing Twilight’s notes back on the map.

“I know Pinkie, but I felt the magic too. There was something about it.” She paused. Thinking about she was about to say. Twilight leaned forward to whisper to her friends. They all leaned in too.

“It felt good, like hope, something so tangible.” Her friends shared glances, confused. "Maybe there is hope."

“Hope ?” Asked Rarity.

“I can’t explain it, but the signature felt old and hopeful. The Shadow seemed worried, more worried than the whole Griffon situation.”

“But what does that mean ? Hope ?” Rainbow huffed in annoyance. Twilight spared her a glance but continued her explanation to the rest.

“I don’t know what it is and I don't know how we're going to handle this until we get there.”

“… And destroy it ?” AJ asked, Twilight shot her an alarmed look. “You said you were to destroy it or take it to our highness.” She clarified.

“No AJ, we’re going to help it if we can.”

“WHAT !” Spike jumped awake as all the mares screamed out in unison and the seemingly foolish action that Twilight seemed ready to take. Fluttershy had even begun to hide behind her mane as if wanting to bailout of this quest.

“Twilight darling.” Rarity began, obviously trying to think of what to say. “What you’re suggesting would get us all hurt.” She looked to the other who nodded in support of her argument. “And our families !”.

Twilight had expected this response, but she knew that she had no choice.

“It does not have to be known.” She defended, her friends giving her incredulous looks. “If it cannot help us but we can help it get back to where it came from, maybe we can help it escape.”

“Twilight… you’re not making any sense.” Rainbow said, she looked a bit worried. Worried for Twilight.

Twilight knew what she was trying to say. She remembered all too well her experiences in the other world. Terrifying it was. The sounds of the explosions, the rattle of their guns. The blinding lights from their fireworks. Lou and his friends had been there to help her, a strange magical being in his eyes, to get home. They had been ready to sacrifice themselves for her, to die for her. If there was a chance of this being an interdimensional creature lost in her world. She may not be prepared for the consequences, but the violent actions that her master would take was all that she needed to clear her mind of doubt. Even if she was to be executed like in the stories of old, she would take in that comforting thought of having died trying her best. And maybe saving a life.

'Tomy… oh Tomy'.

She could remember his smile, his laugh. The spark in his eyes as he listened to her tales of far away Equestria. He would have loved it here if the Shadow was not in control. If he had still been alive.

Tomy had given his life for her while they were carrying supplies up to the front. Ambushed on the way back through the paths, in the pitch black, he had fought off so many enemies that Twilight had never seen coming. Had she been more attentive… had she gone more slowly, maybe she would have been able to use her powers to save Tomy and herself.

Twilight sighed as tears began to creep into the corner of her eyes. They had all sacrificed themselves to save her. Deciding to fight on, instead of fleeing to a different world for safety. They could have lived. But now… What kind of world would she have brought them into? She didn't want to think.

She felt her tears beginning to soak the fur on her cheeks. She was depressed and she was now ready to do anything to stop the shadow. No matter the cost. And if this strange source of the magic she had felt was not the key to stopping him and it was trying to flee. She would help it, just like how the brave Humans from Earth had helped her.

“I know what you girls are saying.” She looked at her friends, giving them a hopeful smile. “When those creatures saved me from their world. I had hoped to repay them in kind.” She had already told her story to her friends. She even had to explain to the shadow… while she was being held for interrogation. “I want to help anyway I can. To stop all this pain we have suffered.”

Looking down to where Spike was sitting she saw her saddlebags. Inside, with all her documents, was a book. Weathered and damaged, yet she had cherished it. The book was about a seemingly unending force bent on world domination. Yet it was foiled by the humblest things upon the world.

“He was afraid of this magic.” She continued. “He was worried, and that means that we may have just found our ‘Bacteria’.” Her friends looked at each other once more, their eyes full of wonder has Pinkie asked the question that was on everypony’s mind.

“Bacteria ?”

Twilight smiled, levitating the book from her bag to the table they were sitting at, she laid it out for all to see.

“A gift from a friend.” She sniffed. “There is hope girls. If the world of Humans could produce something stop the invaders from Mars, then ours must be able to do the same.” It may have been a book, a story from another world. But she hoped. She prayed that Equus would do something. A form of Magic or a warrior of ancient times to help the ponies of Equestria live in peace.

“But the elements are gone Twilight. What hope can there be ?” Rainbow sighed as she dragged her hooves over her face. She gave Twilight an exasperated look. “We don’t even know what we’re looking for…”

Rainbow had a point. How could they find something that only appeared for a few moments ? It may have been a fluke. No… No it wasn’t. She knew it. Otherwise, she would not have been sent to investigate. There was point to all this. She just hoped that she could do what had to be done.

“No Dash… I know what you are all feeling. I know how lost you all are on this subject. But I was sent here by the Shadow himself. If he fears it then we have to assume that the Magic is a threat to him.” There was a brief silence before Twilight continued. “I want something better. I want to make Lou proud.”

“Was that the name of your special somepony, darling ?” Rarity asked. Twilight’s cheeks lit up. She had of course told her friends about the other world and the friends she had made. And accidentally let slip that she had become attracted to one of them.

She loved Lou, she just wished she knew where he was. And if he was alright. He, Mark and Jack. Maybe they were alive…

Lighting up her horn, for a moment, she scanned the air. No sign of chaos magic. She sighed, hoping that the Doctor and Discord might have tried to contact her. She just wish she knew where they were hiding.

The train continued to roll down the hill. The landscape hidden by cover of night. Using her chaos magic, Twilight extinguished the lights within the carriage. With the light dimming, her friends began to move to their seats for their sleep.

“I know that you are all scared.” They all stopped, each one turning to look at her. “But I would not have brought you with me if I believed that there was nothing for us.” Giving her friends a last comforting smile, she extinguished the last lamp.

As they all fell fast asleep, a light buzzing was drowned out by the rumbling of the train on the tracks.