The hulking red and black minotaur, Lord Tirek, towers above Twilight brimming with magical energy. “You’re going to give me what I want.” His gravelly voice echoes with power. It is not a question or a request. It is a demand. Twilight backs away on instinct, fear and awe fighting for the forefront of her mind.

Tirek's horns glow as he opens his maw wide, posed to take from her the magic she had been trusted to protect. Twilight, in a split second decision, teleports to the top of the Golden Oaks Library. Using the telescope once dedicated to stargazing, she tries to find him again. But as she spots him she realizes all too late that he already knows where she went. As Tirek stares her down from the edge of Ponyville, the stolen magic between his black, sparking horns grows and pulses, releasing a spear of arcane energy directly at her.

Twilight barely manages to escape with Owlowicious in her hooves before the tree that had been her home explodes into a shower of flaming wood and charred books. Releasing her feathered assistant, Twilight stands. The fear and awe were gone, and in their place grew something new. Righteous fury, backed by the might of all Equestia’s alicorn magic. Taking to the skies, Twilight charges her horn with more energy than she had ever used for any spell, and brought its full strength to bare as a beam of multicolored light aimed at the beast that had already taken so much from her home, from her friends.

Manehattan Times front page story today continues the tale of rebuilding and recovering efforts of Ponyville in the wake of the battle between Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle and Ex-Lord Tirek. The official report of damages has finally been released to the public nearly two weeks after Equestria’s latest crisis. The report, written by the mayor of the small town, claims that although most of the destruction took place outside the town’s borders, the extraordinary amount of magic sent shockwaves strong enough to shatter windows and topple shelves. In addition to the general damage, two buildings were completely demolished during the first few minutes before Princess Twilight was able to move the battle away from the town. The report goes on to list the number of casualties, twelve minor injuries, one major injury, and one death. Although the ponies affected have not yet been named to respect their anonymity, we at the ManeTimes assure our loyal readers that our staff will be sure to forward whatever information that becomes available to you all as soon as possible. (more details on the Ponyville mayor’s report on page 3)

Vinyl stared blankly at the newspaper in her lap, sight blurred from countless tears, having already re-read it at least a dozen times, willing the words to change. But they staunchly refused, remaining just where they have been since she worked up the courage to read it the first time nearly an hour ago.

Why? Why did it have to be us?

Vinyl looked back to the stark white ceiling held up by equally white walls, the same ones she’s been held hostage by for what felt like months. In truth she had only woken up in the small hospital room two days ago, but as anypony who’s needed surgery would tell you, time bound to a hospital bed is always painfully slow.

Please... Please be a nightmare...

The thought repeats like a broken record in her mind as she closes her uncovered eye, and slowly lowers her head. But when she opens her eye and gazes at those still unchanged words, another thought breaks through her silent pleas.

Princess Luna should have appeared by now if it was a nightmare.

The realization causes something to snap, and in an instant, the fear, hope, and despair are replaced by blind rage. The newspaper and its damn words hit the only window in the room, launched by a white hoof, a shriek of pained anger eclipsing the thud of the impact.

Moments later, the sound of hoofsteps can be barely heard over the ragged sobs as they approach the door. Then a gentle knocking and a cautious question in a young mare’s voice “Miss Scratch? Are you alright in there?”

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK!?” came the enraged yet hoarse response.

Silence, then a reluctant “Alright.. If you need any assis-” “JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” though shaky and cracked, the yell gave no room for question or argument. As the hoofsteps retreated once more, and the sobbing returned.

As the horizon through the window shifted to a dark orange, the white mare lay motionless beneath the sheets. Awake yet completely exhausted, Vinyl stared at nothing. She had no more tears, no more energy to cry or scream.

This is real... How can this be real? I can feel them but they aren't there...

Shifting as well as she could, she looked to her hooves.. Or rather to where they should be, where she could feel them, and saw... Bandages far too small, covering stumps that shouldn't be. Her left legs, both rear and front; gone, down to her shoulder and flank. Her right hind leg cut off at the knee. Only her right foreleg remained intact, raising to the bandages wrapped around her head, to where her left eye should be, then up to the lump in the center of her forehead, jerking away at the stab of pain running along what is left of her horn.

Why.. why am I still alive? The last thought as a dreamless sleep claims her.

Author's Note

Howdy howdy everypony, and welcome to my shitshow.

Hope its not too obvious that this is my first attempt writing anything more than a hasty concept, but this has been bumping around in my head for a long while now so I figured I'd give it a solid try for once. If you saw any errors or have any constructive criticism, please leave a comment. Thanks and buckle up chuckle fucks, cause its gonna be a bumpy ride.