Empire of Flurry Heartby RobtheMorpherPonyChaptersAwakeningThe DevilThe LieThe CheatTwilight's ShowdownScootaloo's ConfessionCozy's First DayShort: Meanwhile...Awakening"Make sure she's in the bunker in one piece; if I find even a single part of her has been damaged or cracked, you three are going to be punished severely." A female voice said. "Yes Empress Flurry Heart..." Three other female voices said in near monotone voices. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for me to play interference. So make sure she's safely within the bunker and that no one finds her. Got that?" The first female voice asked. "Of course Empress Flurry Heart..." The three other female voices said. Flurry Heart was grinning evilly on the inside. Not much longer now and she'll have all of Equestria wrapped around her hoof. No more being ignored, no more being looked down upon. None of these ponies get me. But she will. Flurry Heart thought to herself. Just a few days ago, she had gotten her cutie mark, it was that of the crystal heart, but with a slightly different design then her mother's. But no one cared outside of her parents it seemed. There was no massive celebration, there were very few who even showed up for the party, and what's worse, it was the final straw for the alicorn. Flurry heart had to wonder if her being born an alicorn was a curse, a curse placed on her just to make sure she could never amount to anything. Well Flurry Heart was determined to prove everycreature wrong. Oh yes, they'll see. They'll all see~ Flurry Heart thought her evil thoughts. Soon her father showed up- Shining Armor. "Flurry Heart, there you are. You aunt wants to know if you've seen anyone whose been carrying Cozy Glow away. Twilight's guards discovered that Cozy Glow had been carefully chiseled out of the statue." Shining Armor said. "Dad, if I did ever see anyone like that, I would've told you and mom right away; not caring in the slightest bit what you were doing." Flurry Heart said. Shining Armor chuckled. "That's my girl alright. Looking out for the future of Equestria." He said. "Your mother wonders about your secret project though." He added. "If I told either of you, it wouldn't be a secret would it? Let's just say that it'll be worth the wait dad." Flurry Heart said. "Well I honestly can't wait. I bet whatever it is, it'll be so you." Shining Armor said before leaving. "...You have no idea..." Flurry Heart said with a dark look on her face. Flurry Heart returned to the bunker, where the cutie mark crusaders; plus Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon; were brainwashed and waiting for her. "We are ready for your next orders, Empress Flurry Heart." Diamond Tiara said. "You five give me some room here. I'm just about ready to start things." Flurry Heart said. "Of course Empress." Silver Spoon noted. The five young mares soon left the room. "...It's time..." Flurry Heart said before taking out Sombra's old horn. "So you call upon the dark powers of the now imprisoned Umbra once more, child. I must say, you are quite the fascinating one." A female voice said. "Yeah yeah, whatever; we had a deal: In exchange for helping you all escape your prison, you'd give me the powers of the Umbra and help me undo a magic spell. You've already given me the former, now it's time for the later. I want you to restore Cozy Glow and undo her petrification." Flurry Heart said. "Just don't forget, you promised us freedom." The voice said. A dark magic beam soon shot out and hit the petrified Cozy Glow who fainted upon her restoration. "Good...good..." Flurry Heart said, making sure Cozy Glow was fully restored. "You've defainly held up your end of the bargin." The alicorn princess said. Cozy Glow began to wake up. "And now it's time for you to...hey, what are you doing?" The voice in the horn said before the horn was tossed into a strange vortex. "Fulfilling my end of the bargain. I said I'd help you escape your prison, I just never said I'd let you loose in Equestria. Enjoy literal hell, suckers!" Flurry Heart said before freeing the umbra and sealing up the vortex. "Wh-what the..." Cozy Glow said. "Cozy Glow...we haven't met." Flurry Heart said. "The residents of this world call me Princess Flurry Heart, but given how you and I are going to be ruling Equestria together...you may simply call me Flurry Heart should you want to." She said. "What makes you think I want anything to do with you? You're a Sparkle." Cozy Glow said. "Maybe I am, but I'm also tired of being ignored as an Alicorn. I can give you everything you've ever wanted Cozy Glow: Alicornization, friends upon end. All of it yours." Flurry Heart said. "In exchange, you and I will rule Equestria together." She added. "Tch...that's a fat load of bull. As soon as you've gotten what you want, you'll just toss me aside." Cozy Glow said. "Now Cozy Glow, I didn't go through all the trouble of brainwashing the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their two friends JUST to throw you away once I've gotten what I want. After all, you have one of the most brilliant minds out there. A mind that I want to have as my fellow Empress." Flurry Heart said. "...Okay, what catch is there? What are is your scheme? You must want something in exchange for promising me all this stuff." Cozy Glow said. "What else could I want, but your hoof in marriage once all is said and done. Once we have control of all of Equestria, we shall rule it with iron hooves. Together we shall become the Empresses of Equestria!" Flurry Heart said. "There's got to be some form of catch. I refuse to believe you'd just want to do all of this on a whim." Cozy Glow said. "Don't you get it Cozy Glow? You should know all to well what it's like. No...maybe you don't. Maybe you don't know what it's like to be constantly overlooked and treated unfairly because of it." Flurry Heart said. "You? Overlooked? Your an alicorn princess for crying out loud! You getting overlooked is probably just as likely as you turning legitametly evil." Cozy Glow said. Flurry Heart suddenly changed form right in front of Cozy Glow. "Want to try testing that theory?" Flurry Heart said. "I'm overlooked all because I was born an alicorn. Meaning that ponies assumed it was a forgone conclusion I'd be the next crystal princess." The alicorn spat. "But no matter what I tried growing up, no matter what I did, Aunt Twilight and my mom both became more well respected then me. Even my own father overshadowed me simply because he was seen as the true king of the crystal ponies. Well, I'd say it's time for a change my dear Cozy Glow, it's time for a change." Flurry Heart said with an evil grin. "...I stand so corrected, and so very intrigued. Let's fuck them all up~" Cozy Glow said with an equally evil grin. Author's Note The Devil"And there..." Flurry Heart said. "Don't you just look dapper, Apple Bloom?" She asked. "I kind of dig the fake scar. Makes her look more bad-ass looking." Scootaloo said. "I do enjoy the bad-girl look~" Diamond Tiara said, looking at Apple Bloom lovingly. The look Apple Bloom had on was very western. "Ah admit, I do make this look good. Or, is that bad in this case?" Apple Bloom asked. "Heh...don't confuse yourself Apple Bloom." Cozy Glow said. "I am curious though: what's the purpose of giving her a fake scar?" She asked. "Because Apple Bloom's going to be leading my ground forces when the time comes. Which will be coming very, very soon." Flurry Heart said. "I just have to do a little more interference before the time comes for the first pieces of my plan." She added. "Which is stealing the Crystal Heart in secret of course. Empress Flurry Heart has given that task to me." Apple Bloom said. "Wait, you're making Apple Bloom steal it?" Cozy Glow asked. "Have you ever wondered why I made sure the brainwashing made her eyes glow green? This way everyone will assume she's being controlled by the magics of the Umbra, which will start a fruitless Goose Chase. Meanwhile, not wanting the Crystal Heart to be taken by them, I will act all innocent and convince my parents to let me keep the Crystal Heart close by. This will allow me to infect it, and once I do and place it in its place, well...the result should present itself." Flurry Heart said. "Huh...this is just pure genius." Cozy Glow said. "Flurry Heart." Shining Armor said to his daughter as she was flying around the castle. "Starlight called, she wants to know if you've seen the Cutie Mark Crusaders around. They haven't been seen around lately. I know that the Friendship School is currently closed for Spring Break, but Starlight is curious as to where the trio could be." The former Royal guard captain said. Before Flurry Heart could answer though, Apple Bloom came out of nowhere and stole the Crsystal heart from its place, which then prompted the Crystal Guards to seize her. "What the...Apple Bloom?" Flurry Heart acted confused. "Looks like she's been brainwashed. Looks like them Umbra are looking to come back once more, as Apple Bloom's eyes remind me of when Sombra was brainwashing ponies." Shining Armor said. "I can't get her to come out of it." He said. He noticed Flurry Heart grab the Crystal Heart. "What are you doing, Flurry?" Shining Armor asked. "If the Umbra are after the Crystal Heart...wouldn't it be safer with me for the time being? Once we find and eliminate the Umbra once and for all, we can put the Crystal Heart back in it's place. I'm sure the populace would understand that it needs to be kept in a secure location under the current Umbra threat." Flurry Heart said. Shining Armor laughed. "You must get your smarts from you Auntie Twilight sometimes. Okay Flurry Heart, me and your mother will make an announcement in fifteen minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on the crystal heart at all times." He said before leaving. "...Fifteen minutes? That long?" Flurry Heart asked when no one but the knocked out brainwashed Apple Bloom was there with her. "That's just enough time." Flurry Heart said before she used her dark magic to corrupt the Crystal Heart and then placing it in it's original place. Just in time for Apple Bloom to come to; still brainwashed. "Looks like it's proceeding as planned, Empress." Apple Bloom said. Soon the others came. "In just fifteen minutes, I can use this crystal heart to spread my brainwash spell across the entire Crystal Empire." Flurry Heart said. "Only those that I personally protect will be safe from it's corrupting spell." She added before pulling Cozy Glow to her side. "That includes you." The alicorn said. "Are you...sure you don't want to brainwash me? It'd make sure I could never turn on you." Cozy Glow said. "Trust me, it's a risk I'm willing to take. After all, I won't need to brainwash you since I'll be working my charms to get you to fall in love with me." Flurry Heart said. Suddenly, as the corruption spread in the dias, slowly from the ground, a yellow earth pony stallion slowly rose from beneath the floor. "I LIVE!" The Stallion said, his voice demonic in nature. "Finally, after five thousand years I have returned! Bow before--" The Stallion suddenly looked around at the seven ponies and when he next spoke, his voice sounded more normal. "...You are not anthro horses." He said. "What's an anthro? Also, we're ponies." Scootaloo said. "Ponies...interesting..." The stallion said. "...Hmm...yes I see..." He added. "Who exactly are you?" Flurry Heart asked. Suddenly the stallion's left eye became black and the iris was bloodshot red. "I'm the Devil." The Stallion's eye returned to normal. "Now if you'll excuse me...hmm...yes I think I'll come back to this world at some point, but this will be the last you ever see of me." The stallion said before a pentagram suddenly appeared and he hopped through it; disappearing in the process. "...Who...the hell was that..." Diamond Tiara said. "Hell is right..." Silver Spoon said. "Wh-what now? I didn't plan for some devil to show up..." Flurry Heart said. "Wait, we can use this." Cozy Glow said. "We can make it sound like, you had freed me in secret in an attempt to reform me, and while you had been making progress in secret, that obviously evil earth pony stallion showed up, did this whole thing with the Crystal Heart, and we sell the whole thing by having me carry you into Canterlot to Twilight where you'll explain everything I just said. That way, she'll believe you've reformed me and she'll never suspect a thing. This will allow us to brainwash the rest of the elements." She said. "Cozy Glow that's...that's brilliant!" Flurry Heart said, before hugging Cozy Glow. "I knew there was a reason I wanted you as my fellow empress!" Flurry Heart said. For the first time in her life, the smile that was on Cozy Glow's lips was a genuine one. Even if it was still an evil smile. Author's Note Just uh...imagine that same picture but with Apple Bloom's official cutie mark. The LieTwilight was enjoying some time to herself. While her original six friends were getting up there in years, she had their children to help guide her for the time being. Thankfully, alicorns were not truely immortal beings, and Twilight was happy for that. She was worried what would happen to her if alicorns turned out to be full in immortals. "...It's difficult to move on...isn't it?" Twilight asked. Discord was nearby. "That's easy for you to say. I've already lived longer then most ponies have been alive." Discord said. "...You say that, and yet, you can't hide it from me Discord. Even though you'll have your three daughters with you once she's gone, it won't be the same. I only removed your immortality because you begged so hard on it." Twilight noted. "...I...okay, you got me. I'm worried that, should there be nothing anchoring me, I won't be able to control myself." Discord said. "Could you at least hold yourself for long enough to see your girls grow up some?" Twilight asked. "I don't have the same luxury of only being able to stay as long as my children need a mother. Darn alicorn genes." She cursed. "Too true. It's going to suck much harder for you, then me. But, I will promise you one thing: I'll let the girls know, you still care for them." Discord said. "...That means more then you think." Twilight said. Suddenly in burst Cozy Glow holding an injured Flurry Heart. "Cozy Glow? Flurry Heart? What's going on?" The purple alicorn said. "He...he just...he just came out of the ground..." Flurry Heart said. "Flurry Heart, why is Cozy Glow free?" Twilight asked. "I...I wanted to see if I could do what no one else could is all. I wanted to make you proud of me auntie. I thought if I could redeem Cozy Glow in secret, then when I told everyone the truth...I'd be able to show that I was able to redeem who was previously thought to be unrredeemable. And then who knows what would be possible from there." Flurry Heart said. "...It just sucks...that my secret project was discovered in the worst way possible..." Flurry Heart said. "What do you mean? What happened to the crystal empire?" Twilight asked. "It was just terrible." Cozy Glow said. "While Flurry Heart had me in a disguise so no one would know I was freed yet, we were looking into the crystal heart, and while we were doing so, this strange yellow earth pony stallion came up out of the ground." She added. "Something...didn't sit right with me. I could feel something evil stirring in him just from looking at him. I tried to fight him as best I could, but..." Flurry Heart said. "That stallion; despite being an earth pony; started tossing Flurry Heart around like a rag doll. I had the thought that if he was able to overpower Flurry Heart; an alicorn; what chance did I have? So I made a tactical decision: I shed my disguise, grabbed Flurry Heart, and we hightailed it out of there. But not before noticing the stallion doing something with the crystal heart." Cozy Glow said. Twilight mused over this for a while. "Please auntie...we're telling the truth. You gotta believe us." Flurry Heart said. "I'll be honest Flurry Heart, freeing Cozy Glow was a reckless endevour and you were risking her not being redeemable. However, if her assiting in your fleeing from the empire was any indication, I'd say it was a risk that turned out for the better. So while I am upset at you for going behind my back like this, I suppose I can't argue with the results." Twilight asked. "And what would you have done if she did simply ask to try, Twilgiht? I doubt you, your brother, or even Cadence would've given the go ahead." Cozy Glow said. Twilight raised an eyebrow, which Cozy Glow noticed. "Hey, Flurry Heart said that you and Cadence hate being called Princesses by ponies that just want to be your friend. Flurry Heart's the same way." The pink pegasus said. "It seems a lot of progress was being made..." Twilight said. "I believe I was on the verge of getting her to understand that she was wrong to do the things she did, and get her fully redeemed. It's just...this had to happen." Flurry Heart said. "Well Cozy Glow did the right thing. I'm just not sure if there's something I can do without seeing what's going on for myself." Twilight said. "I'll be back. Discord, come with me." She said. "Right. Don't you go anywhere." Discord said and left with Twilight. "...So those other five are almost dead...shoot..." Cozy Glow said. "Wh-what do I tell Scootaloo? I wanted her and Rainbow Dash both." Flurry Heart said. "As...much as I'm sure that would please her, you shouldn't go about doing things like turning back the clock just because..." Cozy Glow said. "You...you don't understand...I was going to use my magic to make them become sisters for real. That requires Rainbow Dash to not be too old for the magics to work. I may be evil, but considering Scootaloo's been doing things of her own free will, she deserves some kind of reward." Flurry Heart said. "...Huh...Guess we'll have to work fast then. Who knows how much time we've got." Cozy Glow said. "We've got plenty. I made sure there would be a message delievered to Rainbow Dash specifically to tell her to grab the other five and have them come to the castle right away because some evil being had invaded the throne room. Which is where the next part of my plan comes into play." Flurry Heart said. "Are you sure you want me to tie you up?" Cozy Glow asked. "Only way to do this the right way, and to catch them all off guard." Flurry Heart said with an evil grin on her face. "Oh I'm going to enjoy this then~" Cozy Glow said. "After all, I'm a really good actor." She added with an equally evil grin on her face. The Cheat"Any idea who's taken over the castle?" Applejack asked as she, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were all heading up to Canterlot Castle. "No idea. Just that I got a message that the castle got taken over." Rainbow Dash said. "And I was all ready for practice too..." She added. "Wait, how did the Wonderbolt higher ups let you off for the day?" Fluttershy asked. "Wait...never mind, I think I can guess..." She added. "Yeah, kind of obvious: The higher ups have to take this sort of thing seriously. And if Twilight's in trouble, not only do they want her safe, but we also owe it to our friend to make sure she's safe." Rainbow Dash said as she opened the doors. "Well at least we know you got the perfect excuse." Applejack said as the group headed for the throne room where they encountered a bound-up Flurry Heart and Cozy Glow. "Oh seriously, again?!" Rainbow Dash said. "Three times...don't you think you're running out of options, Cozy?" She asked. "Not really. It was so easy to deceive Flurry Heart this whole time. Getting in here, fooling Twilight into a false alarm at the crystal empire, and even selling a clever lie was all too easy." Cozy Glow said. "Oh, you are so getting it. Wait..." Rainbow Dash looked around and noticed Pinkie Pie had already untied Flurry Heart. "...Huh..." Rainbow Dash said. "Seriously? Didn't even wait?!" Cozy Glow exclaimed. "Did you really expect me to wait? Now Flurry Heart is free." Pinkie Pie said. "Oh yes, I am free." Flurry Heart said. But something seemed strange. "Wait...somethin' ain't right." Applejack said. "Your right...this is a trap." Flurry Heart said before her magic suddenly ensnared the entire mane six and Flurry Heart took back on her evil form. "Spoiler alert, Flurry Heart here has kind of gone all evil because she felt underappreciated. Boy can I relate. You want to know why I wanted to remove all magic? So that no single species could be better than the others. You would have to get by on your own merits. Obviously, that didn't quite work out as you know. Of course, when I came here again with Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysalis, once we had the lot of you secure and no one able to stop us, my plan was to use the bewitching bell on the two of them, and take their powers for myself. I would've become the most powerful alicorn ever, with all the powers of both Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysalis at my disposal." Cozy Glow said. "But now, Flurry Heart was kind enough to let me get on, on her take over plans. I don't mind sharing with her, as I can just tell that she and I are simply too smart for our own good. She's just like me in that sense." She added. "Just like you? What the buck does that mean, you psychotic pegasus!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "You only think I'm psychotic, when in reality, I'm a super genius. It's true, I've got an IQ of three hundred. Do you know how boring that makes a game of chess when you've got the IQ of a super genius? I'll tell you: It's just as boring as Rainbow Dash would find Chess to begin with. The game just isn't fun when your mind is capable of running laps around your opponent." Cozy Glow said. "Heh...go figure. Considering how elegant your plan to take over the school of friendship was, you had almost every angle covered. In fact, if it weren't for the tree of harmony saving the student six at the last minute, this wouldn't even be happening right now." Flurry Heart said. "Yeah, not going to lie...you had a pretty big brain type of plan." Rainbow Dash said. "And see, that's the problem for someone like me: I'm just too smart for my own good. No matter what type of mental challenge I put myself against, I'm always the superior mind at the helm. Because that's just the type of person I am. Everything else is just so boring." Cozy Glow said. "Luckily for me, I've finally found someone who I believe to be my equal in intelligence. What Flurry Heart has come up with and the plans she's created...it's something that's very easy for someone like me to come up with." She added. "Wait...you mean...Flurry Heart you're..." Pinkie Pie trailed off. "Yes; I too am a super genius. Of course, I may be outcasted a different way then Cozy Glow, but her brilliant mind is what helped set this whole trap into motion. By the time Twilight gets back from the Crystal Empire, it'll be too late to stop me." Flurry Heart said. "What do you mean? What did you do?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Let's just say, we made sure Twilight was going to be super busy for a while." Cozy Glow said. "Enough talk, time to join my empire! Oh, and watch the clock on you five go back quite a bit." Flurry Heart said. Her magic suddenly made the remaining elements become much younger by about five years. What's more, however, is that the remaining elements became brainwashed. "Oh, this is so perfect. Now's your chance Flurry Heart; activate that other spell." Cozy Glow said. "Best strike while the iron is hot after all." She added. "Heh...I was thinking the same thing. But first..." Flurry Heart then suddenly conjured...the crystal heart?! "...Wait, didn't we leave that thing in the Crystal Empire?" Cozy Glow asked, confused. "Wait...unless...that's not the same heart, is it?" She asked. "Heh...quite the keen observation you've made. This is a new crystal heart that I personally crafted. I've made several of these. I have quite the knack at making them. With these, I can corrupt everyone in an entire city all at once, only exempting those I want to." Flurry Heart said. "Wow, it's just like I thought: You really are a super genius." Cozy Glow noted, an evil grin on her face. "But of course, what did you expect?" Flurry Heart asked, returning the evil grin. Author's Note I know Sweetie Belle wasn't in this chapter, but here's an evil version of her anyways. This is the only one I could find, and it's obviously based on Nightmare Rarity. Just imagine this but with her having her cutie mark. Twilight's Showdown"Things are going well. My plan is working perfectly." Flurry Heart said. "By now, the brainwashed crystal guards should've captured my auntie and imprissoned her in the Crystal Empire dungeons." She added. "So, what are you going to do with Twilight from here huh? Turn her to stone like she did to me?" Cozy Glow said. "Oh no, Twilight needs to stick around to raise the sun and lower the moon with that gizmo of hers. I'd rather not be relegated to such a task." Flurry Heart said. "...Your kidding right? Don't underestimate your aunt." Cozy Glow warned. "I've brainwashed her entire friend circle, the entire young six, and the cutie mark crusaders. I have every card in my corner." Flurry Heart said. "Card in your corner? Ah...I wondered about your cutie mark." Scootaloo said. "If I'm not mistaken, that's a card with the same picture as your mom's cutie mark." She added. "Good eye. It's quite the symbol, isn't it? I'm a master poker player. Strangely enough, the strategies at winning at Poker only differ slightly to winning at Chess." Flurry Heart said. "If nothing else, it is another big brain game. Kind of pairs well with my mastery of Chess." Cozy Glow admitted. "Yeah those sorts of games fly right over my head. The two of you can have those scenes." Scootaloo said. She then took out a certain bell. "By the way, the Shadowbolts found it." She added. "Yes! The Bewitching Bell!" Flurry Heart said. "With this, nothing can stop us!" She added before she pointed the bell at Cozy Glow before blasting her. It made Cozy Glow back into an Alicorn. "I'm an alicorn again; yes! So much yes!" Cozy Glow said. "And now you understand, I'm not worried about any last-ditch efforts by my aunt. I truly have an ace in the hole." Flurry Heart said with an evil grin. As Cozy Glow approuched Flurry Heart, suddenly the doorway was forced upon. "WHAT THE..." Flurry Heart said. Standing in the now broken doorway was none other then Twilight, but she wasn't alone: She had notable represnetive for the various races at her side. "HOW?! I DON'T UNDERSTAND, HOW DID YOU ESCAPE THE CRYSTAL GUARDS?!" Flurry Heart exclaimed. "Funny you should mention that..." Twilight said. When I got to the Crystal Empire, I recognized right away that what I was dealing with was dark magic. So I did a scan of the crystal guards themselves. Doing so revealed your lies to me right then and there. I had taken your lies at face value because of how well you sold it. After all, why would I doubt my own niece backing up Cozy Glow's statements. I knew right away that my own niece must be behind this, as it would all fit then. But I knew that you both would've expected me to go for my friends or the young six to stop the combined efforts of the two of you. It was obvious to me from the beginning that my own niece was some sort of psychopath not unlike Cozy Glow because of what I learnt. So I decided to do the one thing neither of you would expect: I recruited Ember, Gilda, the yak tribe leader, Nova, Copper, Celaeno, and even Tempest Shadow. I reached out to everyone I could. All of them were ready to help me. "Which leads me to now..." Twilight finished. "See Flurry Heart, I warned you that you should underestimate your aunt! Many a villain has underestimated her in the past. You really should've just seen this coming." Cozy Glow said. "So, you managed to pull a card out of your hat that I did not forsee. So sad that's it's for nothing." Flurry Heart said before she suddenly summoned another one of her corruption hearts. "Want to know what this is? It's a modified mini-crystal heart that allows me to brainwash the minds of any non-alicorn I so choose to. Which means your army of supporters means jack squat once I activate this." Flurry Heart said. "Tha-that's impossible? She's joking right? Please tell me she's joking!" Ember said. "How about you see the results for yourselves?" Flurry Heart asked before activating her corruption heart which did do as advertised. "Wh-wh-what?!" Twilight exclaimed. "So sad too bad Auntie. You thought you could outplay me just like that? Unless you specifically block my magical signature by either draining me of my magic or kill me; either method works; then I'm afraid you can't stop my brainwashing. And it doesn't matter if you escape now. I'm so close to perfecting a version that does work on alicorns of my choosing as well. By the time you'd grab Celestia and Luna in a vain attempt to stop me, it'd be too late." Flurry Heart said. Twilight gulped. This was it; she had lost. And there was literally nothing the purple alicorn could do about it. As such, she was promptly captured by the brainwashed representatives. A few hours later, Sweetie Belle was redecorating the throne room with Rarity in the images of Flurry Heart and Cozy Glow. "So Flurry Heart, I got to know: Was what you said about a Corruption Heart that could effect alicorns a real thing? Because I think you were bluffing." Cozy Glow said. "Actually yes, I was in fact bluffing. But my auntie couldn't have known it was a bluff. She was so ready to accept there was no way out, that she didn't even try." Flurry Heart said. "Damn, that was a smug trick you just pulled then." Cozy Glow said. "Clever girl, Flurry Heart; clever girl indeed." She added. "Did you expect anything less from the Poker Master? Making a believable bluff is a part of psychology behind Poker after all." Flurry Heart said. "Heh...I suppose that's true. And that's similar to how sometimes you make a move that looks like you're giving your opponent an opening, only to lure them into a cleverly hidden trap." Cozy Glow said. "Yes, it is indeed a similar principle. I wasn't kidding that there are certain aspects of Poker that can be found in Chess and vise versa." Flurry Heart said as she leaned her head on Cozy Glow with an evil yet seductive smile on her face. "Oh I can tell, you and I are going to have quite the rule from here on out~" Cozy Glow said, returning the very same smile. Author's Note Scootaloo's Confession"...And that is the whole story." Scootaloo said to her coltfriend Rumble. "Really? That's it?" Rumble asked. "What? Do you still have questions?" Scootaloo asked. "A couple. First off, why was I never brainwashed? I know we're special someponies, but I didn't think Empress Flurry Heart would be giving me a free pass." Rumble stated. "I actually told her that I would only continually be willing to help her with her plans if she spared you and allowed me to explain everything. That was part of my deal." Scootaloo said. "I see...but did you really have to gain flight for me? You know I never cared for that." Rumble said. "You assume that was part of my deal huh? It wasn't. Flurry Heart had done that before she even attempted a brainwashing spell on me." Scootaloo said. "So wait...if giving you flight for your willing cooperation wasn't part of your deal, yet me being not brainwashed was, then why did Empress Flurry Heart give you flight in the first place?" Rumble asked. "Guess she felt like giving me my dream on a silver platter. Every last bit of it. It's a bit of a cheat sure, but I wasn't getting in the air otherwise and you know it. Not unless I went for a technological solution of some kind." Scootaloo said. "Again, you know I never cared about that. I fell in love with you for your personality." Rumble said. "Well, the same was with me and how I felt about you. But when Empress Flurry Heart went to brainwash me and my friends, the spell had no effect on me. She would find out later like I said that I had decided to help her willingly. Hence why the initial spell didn't work." Scootaloo said. "So wait, if that's the case, then why didn't she do it again later anyways? That would've made more sense." Rumble said. "Actually, at that point she didn't need to." Scootaloo said. "I swear she almost did when I brought up the whole thing regarding you not being brainwashed though." She added. "But wouldn't she have taken away your flight instead? Making you earn it back or something by agreeing to let me be brainwashed anyways?" Rumble asked. "Maybe, but I think she found the benefit of me being a fully willing party." Scootaloo said. "...Damn...the Empress really IS a super genius then." Rumble said. "I know right? It surprised me too." Scootaloo said. "So, was that all your questions?" She asked. "...No. I just got one more..." Rumble said. "Oh great...what's left for me to explain?" Scootaloo asked. "Actually, you don't have to explain anything else." Rubmle said before taking out a ring Scootaloo recognized. "Wait...is that...?" Scootaloo asked. "Scootaloo Dash, will you marr--" Rumble didn't even get to finish before Scootaloo tackled him and gave her coltfriend the biggest kiss he's ever gotten from her. "I'm willing to assume that's a yes then?" Rumble asked. "You should stop assuming things, even if that assumption is a correct one. Now, kiss me you handsome colt!" Scootaloo said. "Heh...you don't need to tell me twice." Rumble said. The two started kissing one another. Outside, Cozy Glow and Flurry Heart were watching the now engaged pegasi doing their kissing thing. "So, how much of what she just said is true?" Cozy Glow asked. "This might surprise you, but every bit of it was true. Besides, I had a feeling Rumble would've understood given that he knew flying would've meant the world to his now wife-to-be." Flurry Heart said. "Dang, that's quite the risky move you just pulled. You should be lucky it paid off like it did." Cozy Glow said. "Eh...I had a backup plan ready just in case Scootaloo failed. But I had faith. Sometimes with Poker you have to go all in and hope your hand wins the pot." Flurry Heart said. "Heh...well I can defiantly say you did win the pot." Cozy Glow said. "All of Equestria is ours now." She added with an evil smirk. "And I personally can't wait for my auntie to be forced to marry the two of us in a couple of weeks." Flurry Heart said. "Ha! Talk about rubbing it in her face. I can't wait." Cozy Glow said. "Neither can I." Flurry Heart said, gaining her own evil smirk. Author's Note This was really the last chance I had to even post a Silver Spoon picture. Cozy's First DayCozy Glow woke up in her bed within the bunker where she was staying for the time being. Apple Bloom entered the room with a plate of breakfast. "Good morning. Empress Flurry Heart is currently running interference so, here's your breakfast." Apple Bloom said in a near monotone like voice. "What's Flurry Heart's plan anyways? Or do you and your friends even know?" Cozy Glow asked. "I'm afraid I don't know. I'm only involved with making sure you have something to eat so that none of the crystal ponies suspect food missing." Apple Bloom said. "Smart girl, that Flurry Heart. Though I'm surprised you're not correcting me." Cozy Glow said. "You are Empress Flurry Heart's special somepony prospect; meaning if things work out, that talk won't be seen as offensive to the Empress of Hearts." Apple Bloom said, though in a little more monotone in her voice. "Right..." Cozy Glow said before eating her provided breakfast and started exploring the bunker area. It was a fully functioning four bedroom living space Cozy Glow noticed. "Where does Flurry Heart sleep down here?" Cozy Glow asked. "Empress Flurry Heart; in her efforts to avoid being detected before her plans are ready; sleeps in her real bedroom within the crystal castle itself." Sweetie Belle said from nearby. "...I'm really starting to get impressed by the brains on that alicorn." Cozy Glow said. "Been a while since I've ever come across somepony who actually measures up to my level of intelligence." She said. "She may or may not have taken notes from your first takeover attempt, found what worked and what didn't, before making adjustments accordingly." Sweetie Belle said. "Right...where's your pegasus friend?" Cozy Glow said. "Scootaloo? She's in the one room only she, you, and Empress Flurry Heart are allowed to go inside. You'll notice it when you see the hoof scanner." Sweetie Belle said. Cozy Glow proceeded to find the said doorway and the said hoof scanner. Within moments of putting her hoof on it, the door opened and Cozy Glow went inside; the door closing behind her. "Is this...a strategy room?" Cozy Glow said. "Affirmative." Scootaloo said from nearby. The orange pegasus was wearing a very peculiar uniform. "Isn't that a costume Rainbow Dash wore during Nightmare Night once?" Cozy Glow asked. "Nope. This is a real deal. Go ahead and feel it if you don't believe me." Scootaloo said. Cozy Glow did so right away, and was shocked that it was indeed real. "Impressed? Empress Flurry Heart had some Crystal Ponies make it, and had them under the impression she was going to use it for Nightmare Night once she was older." The orange pegasus said. "I thought you couldn't fly?" Cozy Glow asked. "Empress Flurry Heart fixed that." Scootaloo said before taking into the air. "It's just that right now, she doesn't want me causing too many gusts of wind with my wings, lest they mess up her strategy room." Scootaloo said before grounding herself. "Wow...Flurry Heart really did wonders with you." Cozy Glow said. So the entire CMC is completely brainwashed by Flurry Heart. I really gotta hand it to her. "You may be Empress Flurry Heart's special somepony prospect, but please don't mess anything up without Flurry Heart being in the room." Scootaloo said. Cozy Glow nodded, but then, noticed what Scootaloo said. "...You...just called her Flurry Heart outright." The pink pegasus said. "...Tch...dammit, thought I did my best to make the monotone sound convincing and everything..." Scootaloo suddenly said before moving her goggles briefly up on her face, revealing her eyes. Unlike the others, Scootaloo's eyes were completely normal. "Seriously, please don't let this slip, but I only pretend to be brainwashed. Flurry Heart gave me my dream to fly on a silver platter, and is making me the second in command of her Shadowbolt Squadron once she takes over Equestria. And I never truly agreed with you being put to stone. I mean, was that whole thing of getting us into the school a shame?" Scootaloo asked. "No...I just...I thought that it would give me some actual allies..." Cozy Glow said. "Look, I'm not going to lie: Me and the other girls were miffed that you locked us in the closet. So, so long as you don't go spilling me only pretending to be brainwashed by Empress Flurry Heart, I'll forget about the closet incident. Okay?" Scootaloo asked. "It's a deal. So long as you also are okay with fighting Rainbow Dash." Cozy Glow said. "If Empress Flurry Heart's plans work out correctly, the only opposition we'll face is Twilight Sparkle. Empress Flurry Heart believes that because of Twilight's innate magical cabilities, that she'll be impossible to brainwash." Scootaloo said. "...Or she just really wants to upstage Twilight for ignoring her." Cozy Glow said. "...There's that too. I can feel Flurry Heart approaching. I better make my voice sound convincing." Scootaloo said. Soon Flurry Heart entered the room. "Good day to you, Empress Flurry Heart." Scootaloo said; her voice sounding monotone without actually being full on monotone. "Good day to you too. So, you found the Strategy Room huh?" Flurry Heart asked. "I hope that was okay..." Cozy Glow said. "It's more then okay actually. I could use some double checking of my plans." Flurry Heart said. "What better way to double check them, then having you check them? A second pair of eyes never hurts." She added with an evil smirk. "I'm liking the way you think." Cozy Glow said and returned her own evil smirk. Some time later, as time passed, soon it was nighttime, meaning it was time for bed. "I think things will be going just smoothly. I'm sure to have Equestria all mine before the month ends." Flurry Heart said. "Don't get cocky Flurry Heart; trust someone who got cocky twice and regretted it." Cozy Glow said. "Nothing could really go wrong with this. Trust me." Flurry Heart said. "...Also, while I'm thinking about it, could you tell Scootaloo that she's trying too hard for me? Thanks." She said. "Wait you can tell?" Cozy Glow asked. "She's kind of making it too obvious in hindsight. She just doesn't realize that I can tell. But so long as she's not actually taking up arms against me, I'm not going to actually brainwash her. Especially if I don't have to." Flurry Heart said. "You think that's wise?" Cozy Glow asked. "Well if not, I can always take away her ability to fly until she caves and agrees to work with me." Flurry Heart said. "...Actually, before I notice she wasn't really brainwashed, she was expressing the joys of actually being able to fly period. So, I believe so long as she has the ability to fly, she'll follow your orders." Cozy Glow said. "Good. I'm glad." Flurry Heart said. Author's Note Short: Meanwhile...Author's Note This chapter is here for those wondering where the hell Spike is in this universe. Well, here you go. Also, have a Diamond Tiara picture. I couldn't find a corrupted form of her so...you'll have to make do with a smug Diamond Tiara picture instead. Short: Meanwhile... MEANWHILE, IN THE DRAGON LANDS... "Spike, I can't believe you would just...come out of nowhere and tell the truth to Torch like that..." Smolder said. "Well, you know it's true because both Ember and your brother backed me up." Spike said. "You big dork...your lucky I find you lovable all the same." Smolder said. "Still don't know why you decided to eject me from the School of friendship as one of the teachers." She added. "Well someone has to be my mate, and I'd rather it be you then Ember." Spike said. "You're lucky I love you back, you big dork." Smolder said, smacking the purple dragon's arm. "Hey! You're lucky I let you do that." Spike said. "Because I know that's how you show your affection towards me." He said. "Geez...finally catching a clue huh?" Smolder asked. "Also, you and me, in the dragon lord cave in one hour." Spike said before going off to deal with more dragons that were fighting. "Stop that, I said no pointless fighting!" Spike shouted. "...Well then, I wonder what I'm going to witness from Spike in an hour..." Smolder said. She couldn't help but find herself very curious. Safe to say, one hour later she would get her answer, and it would leave her over-incombered afterwards.
Awakening"Make sure she's in the bunker in one piece; if I find even a single part of her has been damaged or cracked, you three are going to be punished severely." A female voice said. "Yes Empress Flurry Heart..." Three other female voices said in near monotone voices. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's time for me to play interference. So make sure she's safely within the bunker and that no one finds her. Got that?" The first female voice asked. "Of course Empress Flurry Heart..." The three other female voices said. Flurry Heart was grinning evilly on the inside. Not much longer now and she'll have all of Equestria wrapped around her hoof. No more being ignored, no more being looked down upon. None of these ponies get me. But she will. Flurry Heart thought to herself. Just a few days ago, she had gotten her cutie mark, it was that of the crystal heart, but with a slightly different design then her mother's. But no one cared outside of her parents it seemed. There was no massive celebration, there were very few who even showed up for the party, and what's worse, it was the final straw for the alicorn. Flurry heart had to wonder if her being born an alicorn was a curse, a curse placed on her just to make sure she could never amount to anything. Well Flurry Heart was determined to prove everycreature wrong. Oh yes, they'll see. They'll all see~ Flurry Heart thought her evil thoughts. Soon her father showed up- Shining Armor. "Flurry Heart, there you are. You aunt wants to know if you've seen anyone whose been carrying Cozy Glow away. Twilight's guards discovered that Cozy Glow had been carefully chiseled out of the statue." Shining Armor said. "Dad, if I did ever see anyone like that, I would've told you and mom right away; not caring in the slightest bit what you were doing." Flurry Heart said. Shining Armor chuckled. "That's my girl alright. Looking out for the future of Equestria." He said. "Your mother wonders about your secret project though." He added. "If I told either of you, it wouldn't be a secret would it? Let's just say that it'll be worth the wait dad." Flurry Heart said. "Well I honestly can't wait. I bet whatever it is, it'll be so you." Shining Armor said before leaving. "...You have no idea..." Flurry Heart said with a dark look on her face. Flurry Heart returned to the bunker, where the cutie mark crusaders; plus Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon; were brainwashed and waiting for her. "We are ready for your next orders, Empress Flurry Heart." Diamond Tiara said. "You five give me some room here. I'm just about ready to start things." Flurry Heart said. "Of course Empress." Silver Spoon noted. The five young mares soon left the room. "...It's time..." Flurry Heart said before taking out Sombra's old horn. "So you call upon the dark powers of the now imprisoned Umbra once more, child. I must say, you are quite the fascinating one." A female voice said. "Yeah yeah, whatever; we had a deal: In exchange for helping you all escape your prison, you'd give me the powers of the Umbra and help me undo a magic spell. You've already given me the former, now it's time for the later. I want you to restore Cozy Glow and undo her petrification." Flurry Heart said. "Just don't forget, you promised us freedom." The voice said. A dark magic beam soon shot out and hit the petrified Cozy Glow who fainted upon her restoration. "Good...good..." Flurry Heart said, making sure Cozy Glow was fully restored. "You've defainly held up your end of the bargin." The alicorn princess said. Cozy Glow began to wake up. "And now it's time for you to...hey, what are you doing?" The voice in the horn said before the horn was tossed into a strange vortex. "Fulfilling my end of the bargain. I said I'd help you escape your prison, I just never said I'd let you loose in Equestria. Enjoy literal hell, suckers!" Flurry Heart said before freeing the umbra and sealing up the vortex. "Wh-what the..." Cozy Glow said. "Cozy Glow...we haven't met." Flurry Heart said. "The residents of this world call me Princess Flurry Heart, but given how you and I are going to be ruling Equestria together...you may simply call me Flurry Heart should you want to." She said. "What makes you think I want anything to do with you? You're a Sparkle." Cozy Glow said. "Maybe I am, but I'm also tired of being ignored as an Alicorn. I can give you everything you've ever wanted Cozy Glow: Alicornization, friends upon end. All of it yours." Flurry Heart said. "In exchange, you and I will rule Equestria together." She added. "Tch...that's a fat load of bull. As soon as you've gotten what you want, you'll just toss me aside." Cozy Glow said. "Now Cozy Glow, I didn't go through all the trouble of brainwashing the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their two friends JUST to throw you away once I've gotten what I want. After all, you have one of the most brilliant minds out there. A mind that I want to have as my fellow Empress." Flurry Heart said. "...Okay, what catch is there? What are is your scheme? You must want something in exchange for promising me all this stuff." Cozy Glow said. "What else could I want, but your hoof in marriage once all is said and done. Once we have control of all of Equestria, we shall rule it with iron hooves. Together we shall become the Empresses of Equestria!" Flurry Heart said. "There's got to be some form of catch. I refuse to believe you'd just want to do all of this on a whim." Cozy Glow said. "Don't you get it Cozy Glow? You should know all to well what it's like. No...maybe you don't. Maybe you don't know what it's like to be constantly overlooked and treated unfairly because of it." Flurry Heart said. "You? Overlooked? Your an alicorn princess for crying out loud! You getting overlooked is probably just as likely as you turning legitametly evil." Cozy Glow said. Flurry Heart suddenly changed form right in front of Cozy Glow. "Want to try testing that theory?" Flurry Heart said. "I'm overlooked all because I was born an alicorn. Meaning that ponies assumed it was a forgone conclusion I'd be the next crystal princess." The alicorn spat. "But no matter what I tried growing up, no matter what I did, Aunt Twilight and my mom both became more well respected then me. Even my own father overshadowed me simply because he was seen as the true king of the crystal ponies. Well, I'd say it's time for a change my dear Cozy Glow, it's time for a change." Flurry Heart said with an evil grin. "...I stand so corrected, and so very intrigued. Let's fuck them all up~" Cozy Glow said with an equally evil grin. Author's Note
The Devil"And there..." Flurry Heart said. "Don't you just look dapper, Apple Bloom?" She asked. "I kind of dig the fake scar. Makes her look more bad-ass looking." Scootaloo said. "I do enjoy the bad-girl look~" Diamond Tiara said, looking at Apple Bloom lovingly. The look Apple Bloom had on was very western. "Ah admit, I do make this look good. Or, is that bad in this case?" Apple Bloom asked. "Heh...don't confuse yourself Apple Bloom." Cozy Glow said. "I am curious though: what's the purpose of giving her a fake scar?" She asked. "Because Apple Bloom's going to be leading my ground forces when the time comes. Which will be coming very, very soon." Flurry Heart said. "I just have to do a little more interference before the time comes for the first pieces of my plan." She added. "Which is stealing the Crystal Heart in secret of course. Empress Flurry Heart has given that task to me." Apple Bloom said. "Wait, you're making Apple Bloom steal it?" Cozy Glow asked. "Have you ever wondered why I made sure the brainwashing made her eyes glow green? This way everyone will assume she's being controlled by the magics of the Umbra, which will start a fruitless Goose Chase. Meanwhile, not wanting the Crystal Heart to be taken by them, I will act all innocent and convince my parents to let me keep the Crystal Heart close by. This will allow me to infect it, and once I do and place it in its place, well...the result should present itself." Flurry Heart said. "Huh...this is just pure genius." Cozy Glow said. "Flurry Heart." Shining Armor said to his daughter as she was flying around the castle. "Starlight called, she wants to know if you've seen the Cutie Mark Crusaders around. They haven't been seen around lately. I know that the Friendship School is currently closed for Spring Break, but Starlight is curious as to where the trio could be." The former Royal guard captain said. Before Flurry Heart could answer though, Apple Bloom came out of nowhere and stole the Crsystal heart from its place, which then prompted the Crystal Guards to seize her. "What the...Apple Bloom?" Flurry Heart acted confused. "Looks like she's been brainwashed. Looks like them Umbra are looking to come back once more, as Apple Bloom's eyes remind me of when Sombra was brainwashing ponies." Shining Armor said. "I can't get her to come out of it." He said. He noticed Flurry Heart grab the Crystal Heart. "What are you doing, Flurry?" Shining Armor asked. "If the Umbra are after the Crystal Heart...wouldn't it be safer with me for the time being? Once we find and eliminate the Umbra once and for all, we can put the Crystal Heart back in it's place. I'm sure the populace would understand that it needs to be kept in a secure location under the current Umbra threat." Flurry Heart said. Shining Armor laughed. "You must get your smarts from you Auntie Twilight sometimes. Okay Flurry Heart, me and your mother will make an announcement in fifteen minutes. Make sure to keep an eye on the crystal heart at all times." He said before leaving. "...Fifteen minutes? That long?" Flurry Heart asked when no one but the knocked out brainwashed Apple Bloom was there with her. "That's just enough time." Flurry Heart said before she used her dark magic to corrupt the Crystal Heart and then placing it in it's original place. Just in time for Apple Bloom to come to; still brainwashed. "Looks like it's proceeding as planned, Empress." Apple Bloom said. Soon the others came. "In just fifteen minutes, I can use this crystal heart to spread my brainwash spell across the entire Crystal Empire." Flurry Heart said. "Only those that I personally protect will be safe from it's corrupting spell." She added before pulling Cozy Glow to her side. "That includes you." The alicorn said. "Are you...sure you don't want to brainwash me? It'd make sure I could never turn on you." Cozy Glow said. "Trust me, it's a risk I'm willing to take. After all, I won't need to brainwash you since I'll be working my charms to get you to fall in love with me." Flurry Heart said. Suddenly, as the corruption spread in the dias, slowly from the ground, a yellow earth pony stallion slowly rose from beneath the floor. "I LIVE!" The Stallion said, his voice demonic in nature. "Finally, after five thousand years I have returned! Bow before--" The Stallion suddenly looked around at the seven ponies and when he next spoke, his voice sounded more normal. "...You are not anthro horses." He said. "What's an anthro? Also, we're ponies." Scootaloo said. "Ponies...interesting..." The stallion said. "...Hmm...yes I see..." He added. "Who exactly are you?" Flurry Heart asked. Suddenly the stallion's left eye became black and the iris was bloodshot red. "I'm the Devil." The Stallion's eye returned to normal. "Now if you'll excuse me...hmm...yes I think I'll come back to this world at some point, but this will be the last you ever see of me." The stallion said before a pentagram suddenly appeared and he hopped through it; disappearing in the process. "...Who...the hell was that..." Diamond Tiara said. "Hell is right..." Silver Spoon said. "Wh-what now? I didn't plan for some devil to show up..." Flurry Heart said. "Wait, we can use this." Cozy Glow said. "We can make it sound like, you had freed me in secret in an attempt to reform me, and while you had been making progress in secret, that obviously evil earth pony stallion showed up, did this whole thing with the Crystal Heart, and we sell the whole thing by having me carry you into Canterlot to Twilight where you'll explain everything I just said. That way, she'll believe you've reformed me and she'll never suspect a thing. This will allow us to brainwash the rest of the elements." She said. "Cozy Glow that's...that's brilliant!" Flurry Heart said, before hugging Cozy Glow. "I knew there was a reason I wanted you as my fellow empress!" Flurry Heart said. For the first time in her life, the smile that was on Cozy Glow's lips was a genuine one. Even if it was still an evil smile. Author's Note Just uh...imagine that same picture but with Apple Bloom's official cutie mark.
The LieTwilight was enjoying some time to herself. While her original six friends were getting up there in years, she had their children to help guide her for the time being. Thankfully, alicorns were not truely immortal beings, and Twilight was happy for that. She was worried what would happen to her if alicorns turned out to be full in immortals. "...It's difficult to move on...isn't it?" Twilight asked. Discord was nearby. "That's easy for you to say. I've already lived longer then most ponies have been alive." Discord said. "...You say that, and yet, you can't hide it from me Discord. Even though you'll have your three daughters with you once she's gone, it won't be the same. I only removed your immortality because you begged so hard on it." Twilight noted. "...I...okay, you got me. I'm worried that, should there be nothing anchoring me, I won't be able to control myself." Discord said. "Could you at least hold yourself for long enough to see your girls grow up some?" Twilight asked. "I don't have the same luxury of only being able to stay as long as my children need a mother. Darn alicorn genes." She cursed. "Too true. It's going to suck much harder for you, then me. But, I will promise you one thing: I'll let the girls know, you still care for them." Discord said. "...That means more then you think." Twilight said. Suddenly in burst Cozy Glow holding an injured Flurry Heart. "Cozy Glow? Flurry Heart? What's going on?" The purple alicorn said. "He...he just...he just came out of the ground..." Flurry Heart said. "Flurry Heart, why is Cozy Glow free?" Twilight asked. "I...I wanted to see if I could do what no one else could is all. I wanted to make you proud of me auntie. I thought if I could redeem Cozy Glow in secret, then when I told everyone the truth...I'd be able to show that I was able to redeem who was previously thought to be unrredeemable. And then who knows what would be possible from there." Flurry Heart said. "...It just sucks...that my secret project was discovered in the worst way possible..." Flurry Heart said. "What do you mean? What happened to the crystal empire?" Twilight asked. "It was just terrible." Cozy Glow said. "While Flurry Heart had me in a disguise so no one would know I was freed yet, we were looking into the crystal heart, and while we were doing so, this strange yellow earth pony stallion came up out of the ground." She added. "Something...didn't sit right with me. I could feel something evil stirring in him just from looking at him. I tried to fight him as best I could, but..." Flurry Heart said. "That stallion; despite being an earth pony; started tossing Flurry Heart around like a rag doll. I had the thought that if he was able to overpower Flurry Heart; an alicorn; what chance did I have? So I made a tactical decision: I shed my disguise, grabbed Flurry Heart, and we hightailed it out of there. But not before noticing the stallion doing something with the crystal heart." Cozy Glow said. Twilight mused over this for a while. "Please auntie...we're telling the truth. You gotta believe us." Flurry Heart said. "I'll be honest Flurry Heart, freeing Cozy Glow was a reckless endevour and you were risking her not being redeemable. However, if her assiting in your fleeing from the empire was any indication, I'd say it was a risk that turned out for the better. So while I am upset at you for going behind my back like this, I suppose I can't argue with the results." Twilight asked. "And what would you have done if she did simply ask to try, Twilgiht? I doubt you, your brother, or even Cadence would've given the go ahead." Cozy Glow said. Twilight raised an eyebrow, which Cozy Glow noticed. "Hey, Flurry Heart said that you and Cadence hate being called Princesses by ponies that just want to be your friend. Flurry Heart's the same way." The pink pegasus said. "It seems a lot of progress was being made..." Twilight said. "I believe I was on the verge of getting her to understand that she was wrong to do the things she did, and get her fully redeemed. It's just...this had to happen." Flurry Heart said. "Well Cozy Glow did the right thing. I'm just not sure if there's something I can do without seeing what's going on for myself." Twilight said. "I'll be back. Discord, come with me." She said. "Right. Don't you go anywhere." Discord said and left with Twilight. "...So those other five are almost dead...shoot..." Cozy Glow said. "Wh-what do I tell Scootaloo? I wanted her and Rainbow Dash both." Flurry Heart said. "As...much as I'm sure that would please her, you shouldn't go about doing things like turning back the clock just because..." Cozy Glow said. "You...you don't understand...I was going to use my magic to make them become sisters for real. That requires Rainbow Dash to not be too old for the magics to work. I may be evil, but considering Scootaloo's been doing things of her own free will, she deserves some kind of reward." Flurry Heart said. "...Huh...Guess we'll have to work fast then. Who knows how much time we've got." Cozy Glow said. "We've got plenty. I made sure there would be a message delievered to Rainbow Dash specifically to tell her to grab the other five and have them come to the castle right away because some evil being had invaded the throne room. Which is where the next part of my plan comes into play." Flurry Heart said. "Are you sure you want me to tie you up?" Cozy Glow asked. "Only way to do this the right way, and to catch them all off guard." Flurry Heart said with an evil grin on her face. "Oh I'm going to enjoy this then~" Cozy Glow said. "After all, I'm a really good actor." She added with an equally evil grin on her face.
The Cheat"Any idea who's taken over the castle?" Applejack asked as she, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were all heading up to Canterlot Castle. "No idea. Just that I got a message that the castle got taken over." Rainbow Dash said. "And I was all ready for practice too..." She added. "Wait, how did the Wonderbolt higher ups let you off for the day?" Fluttershy asked. "Wait...never mind, I think I can guess..." She added. "Yeah, kind of obvious: The higher ups have to take this sort of thing seriously. And if Twilight's in trouble, not only do they want her safe, but we also owe it to our friend to make sure she's safe." Rainbow Dash said as she opened the doors. "Well at least we know you got the perfect excuse." Applejack said as the group headed for the throne room where they encountered a bound-up Flurry Heart and Cozy Glow. "Oh seriously, again?!" Rainbow Dash said. "Three times...don't you think you're running out of options, Cozy?" She asked. "Not really. It was so easy to deceive Flurry Heart this whole time. Getting in here, fooling Twilight into a false alarm at the crystal empire, and even selling a clever lie was all too easy." Cozy Glow said. "Oh, you are so getting it. Wait..." Rainbow Dash looked around and noticed Pinkie Pie had already untied Flurry Heart. "...Huh..." Rainbow Dash said. "Seriously? Didn't even wait?!" Cozy Glow exclaimed. "Did you really expect me to wait? Now Flurry Heart is free." Pinkie Pie said. "Oh yes, I am free." Flurry Heart said. But something seemed strange. "Wait...somethin' ain't right." Applejack said. "Your right...this is a trap." Flurry Heart said before her magic suddenly ensnared the entire mane six and Flurry Heart took back on her evil form. "Spoiler alert, Flurry Heart here has kind of gone all evil because she felt underappreciated. Boy can I relate. You want to know why I wanted to remove all magic? So that no single species could be better than the others. You would have to get by on your own merits. Obviously, that didn't quite work out as you know. Of course, when I came here again with Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysalis, once we had the lot of you secure and no one able to stop us, my plan was to use the bewitching bell on the two of them, and take their powers for myself. I would've become the most powerful alicorn ever, with all the powers of both Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysalis at my disposal." Cozy Glow said. "But now, Flurry Heart was kind enough to let me get on, on her take over plans. I don't mind sharing with her, as I can just tell that she and I are simply too smart for our own good. She's just like me in that sense." She added. "Just like you? What the buck does that mean, you psychotic pegasus!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "You only think I'm psychotic, when in reality, I'm a super genius. It's true, I've got an IQ of three hundred. Do you know how boring that makes a game of chess when you've got the IQ of a super genius? I'll tell you: It's just as boring as Rainbow Dash would find Chess to begin with. The game just isn't fun when your mind is capable of running laps around your opponent." Cozy Glow said. "Heh...go figure. Considering how elegant your plan to take over the school of friendship was, you had almost every angle covered. In fact, if it weren't for the tree of harmony saving the student six at the last minute, this wouldn't even be happening right now." Flurry Heart said. "Yeah, not going to lie...you had a pretty big brain type of plan." Rainbow Dash said. "And see, that's the problem for someone like me: I'm just too smart for my own good. No matter what type of mental challenge I put myself against, I'm always the superior mind at the helm. Because that's just the type of person I am. Everything else is just so boring." Cozy Glow said. "Luckily for me, I've finally found someone who I believe to be my equal in intelligence. What Flurry Heart has come up with and the plans she's created...it's something that's very easy for someone like me to come up with." She added. "Wait...you mean...Flurry Heart you're..." Pinkie Pie trailed off. "Yes; I too am a super genius. Of course, I may be outcasted a different way then Cozy Glow, but her brilliant mind is what helped set this whole trap into motion. By the time Twilight gets back from the Crystal Empire, it'll be too late to stop me." Flurry Heart said. "What do you mean? What did you do?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Let's just say, we made sure Twilight was going to be super busy for a while." Cozy Glow said. "Enough talk, time to join my empire! Oh, and watch the clock on you five go back quite a bit." Flurry Heart said. Her magic suddenly made the remaining elements become much younger by about five years. What's more, however, is that the remaining elements became brainwashed. "Oh, this is so perfect. Now's your chance Flurry Heart; activate that other spell." Cozy Glow said. "Best strike while the iron is hot after all." She added. "Heh...I was thinking the same thing. But first..." Flurry Heart then suddenly conjured...the crystal heart?! "...Wait, didn't we leave that thing in the Crystal Empire?" Cozy Glow asked, confused. "Wait...unless...that's not the same heart, is it?" She asked. "Heh...quite the keen observation you've made. This is a new crystal heart that I personally crafted. I've made several of these. I have quite the knack at making them. With these, I can corrupt everyone in an entire city all at once, only exempting those I want to." Flurry Heart said. "Wow, it's just like I thought: You really are a super genius." Cozy Glow noted, an evil grin on her face. "But of course, what did you expect?" Flurry Heart asked, returning the evil grin. Author's Note I know Sweetie Belle wasn't in this chapter, but here's an evil version of her anyways. This is the only one I could find, and it's obviously based on Nightmare Rarity. Just imagine this but with her having her cutie mark.
Twilight's Showdown"Things are going well. My plan is working perfectly." Flurry Heart said. "By now, the brainwashed crystal guards should've captured my auntie and imprissoned her in the Crystal Empire dungeons." She added. "So, what are you going to do with Twilight from here huh? Turn her to stone like she did to me?" Cozy Glow said. "Oh no, Twilight needs to stick around to raise the sun and lower the moon with that gizmo of hers. I'd rather not be relegated to such a task." Flurry Heart said. "...Your kidding right? Don't underestimate your aunt." Cozy Glow warned. "I've brainwashed her entire friend circle, the entire young six, and the cutie mark crusaders. I have every card in my corner." Flurry Heart said. "Card in your corner? Ah...I wondered about your cutie mark." Scootaloo said. "If I'm not mistaken, that's a card with the same picture as your mom's cutie mark." She added. "Good eye. It's quite the symbol, isn't it? I'm a master poker player. Strangely enough, the strategies at winning at Poker only differ slightly to winning at Chess." Flurry Heart said. "If nothing else, it is another big brain game. Kind of pairs well with my mastery of Chess." Cozy Glow admitted. "Yeah those sorts of games fly right over my head. The two of you can have those scenes." Scootaloo said. She then took out a certain bell. "By the way, the Shadowbolts found it." She added. "Yes! The Bewitching Bell!" Flurry Heart said. "With this, nothing can stop us!" She added before she pointed the bell at Cozy Glow before blasting her. It made Cozy Glow back into an Alicorn. "I'm an alicorn again; yes! So much yes!" Cozy Glow said. "And now you understand, I'm not worried about any last-ditch efforts by my aunt. I truly have an ace in the hole." Flurry Heart said with an evil grin. As Cozy Glow approuched Flurry Heart, suddenly the doorway was forced upon. "WHAT THE..." Flurry Heart said. Standing in the now broken doorway was none other then Twilight, but she wasn't alone: She had notable represnetive for the various races at her side. "HOW?! I DON'T UNDERSTAND, HOW DID YOU ESCAPE THE CRYSTAL GUARDS?!" Flurry Heart exclaimed. "Funny you should mention that..." Twilight said. When I got to the Crystal Empire, I recognized right away that what I was dealing with was dark magic. So I did a scan of the crystal guards themselves. Doing so revealed your lies to me right then and there. I had taken your lies at face value because of how well you sold it. After all, why would I doubt my own niece backing up Cozy Glow's statements. I knew right away that my own niece must be behind this, as it would all fit then. But I knew that you both would've expected me to go for my friends or the young six to stop the combined efforts of the two of you. It was obvious to me from the beginning that my own niece was some sort of psychopath not unlike Cozy Glow because of what I learnt. So I decided to do the one thing neither of you would expect: I recruited Ember, Gilda, the yak tribe leader, Nova, Copper, Celaeno, and even Tempest Shadow. I reached out to everyone I could. All of them were ready to help me. "Which leads me to now..." Twilight finished. "See Flurry Heart, I warned you that you should underestimate your aunt! Many a villain has underestimated her in the past. You really should've just seen this coming." Cozy Glow said. "So, you managed to pull a card out of your hat that I did not forsee. So sad that's it's for nothing." Flurry Heart said before she suddenly summoned another one of her corruption hearts. "Want to know what this is? It's a modified mini-crystal heart that allows me to brainwash the minds of any non-alicorn I so choose to. Which means your army of supporters means jack squat once I activate this." Flurry Heart said. "Tha-that's impossible? She's joking right? Please tell me she's joking!" Ember said. "How about you see the results for yourselves?" Flurry Heart asked before activating her corruption heart which did do as advertised. "Wh-wh-what?!" Twilight exclaimed. "So sad too bad Auntie. You thought you could outplay me just like that? Unless you specifically block my magical signature by either draining me of my magic or kill me; either method works; then I'm afraid you can't stop my brainwashing. And it doesn't matter if you escape now. I'm so close to perfecting a version that does work on alicorns of my choosing as well. By the time you'd grab Celestia and Luna in a vain attempt to stop me, it'd be too late." Flurry Heart said. Twilight gulped. This was it; she had lost. And there was literally nothing the purple alicorn could do about it. As such, she was promptly captured by the brainwashed representatives. A few hours later, Sweetie Belle was redecorating the throne room with Rarity in the images of Flurry Heart and Cozy Glow. "So Flurry Heart, I got to know: Was what you said about a Corruption Heart that could effect alicorns a real thing? Because I think you were bluffing." Cozy Glow said. "Actually yes, I was in fact bluffing. But my auntie couldn't have known it was a bluff. She was so ready to accept there was no way out, that she didn't even try." Flurry Heart said. "Damn, that was a smug trick you just pulled then." Cozy Glow said. "Clever girl, Flurry Heart; clever girl indeed." She added. "Did you expect anything less from the Poker Master? Making a believable bluff is a part of psychology behind Poker after all." Flurry Heart said. "Heh...I suppose that's true. And that's similar to how sometimes you make a move that looks like you're giving your opponent an opening, only to lure them into a cleverly hidden trap." Cozy Glow said. "Yes, it is indeed a similar principle. I wasn't kidding that there are certain aspects of Poker that can be found in Chess and vise versa." Flurry Heart said as she leaned her head on Cozy Glow with an evil yet seductive smile on her face. "Oh I can tell, you and I are going to have quite the rule from here on out~" Cozy Glow said, returning the very same smile. Author's Note
Scootaloo's Confession"...And that is the whole story." Scootaloo said to her coltfriend Rumble. "Really? That's it?" Rumble asked. "What? Do you still have questions?" Scootaloo asked. "A couple. First off, why was I never brainwashed? I know we're special someponies, but I didn't think Empress Flurry Heart would be giving me a free pass." Rumble stated. "I actually told her that I would only continually be willing to help her with her plans if she spared you and allowed me to explain everything. That was part of my deal." Scootaloo said. "I see...but did you really have to gain flight for me? You know I never cared for that." Rumble said. "You assume that was part of my deal huh? It wasn't. Flurry Heart had done that before she even attempted a brainwashing spell on me." Scootaloo said. "So wait...if giving you flight for your willing cooperation wasn't part of your deal, yet me being not brainwashed was, then why did Empress Flurry Heart give you flight in the first place?" Rumble asked. "Guess she felt like giving me my dream on a silver platter. Every last bit of it. It's a bit of a cheat sure, but I wasn't getting in the air otherwise and you know it. Not unless I went for a technological solution of some kind." Scootaloo said. "Again, you know I never cared about that. I fell in love with you for your personality." Rumble said. "Well, the same was with me and how I felt about you. But when Empress Flurry Heart went to brainwash me and my friends, the spell had no effect on me. She would find out later like I said that I had decided to help her willingly. Hence why the initial spell didn't work." Scootaloo said. "So wait, if that's the case, then why didn't she do it again later anyways? That would've made more sense." Rumble said. "Actually, at that point she didn't need to." Scootaloo said. "I swear she almost did when I brought up the whole thing regarding you not being brainwashed though." She added. "But wouldn't she have taken away your flight instead? Making you earn it back or something by agreeing to let me be brainwashed anyways?" Rumble asked. "Maybe, but I think she found the benefit of me being a fully willing party." Scootaloo said. "...Damn...the Empress really IS a super genius then." Rumble said. "I know right? It surprised me too." Scootaloo said. "So, was that all your questions?" She asked. "...No. I just got one more..." Rumble said. "Oh great...what's left for me to explain?" Scootaloo asked. "Actually, you don't have to explain anything else." Rubmle said before taking out a ring Scootaloo recognized. "Wait...is that...?" Scootaloo asked. "Scootaloo Dash, will you marr--" Rumble didn't even get to finish before Scootaloo tackled him and gave her coltfriend the biggest kiss he's ever gotten from her. "I'm willing to assume that's a yes then?" Rumble asked. "You should stop assuming things, even if that assumption is a correct one. Now, kiss me you handsome colt!" Scootaloo said. "Heh...you don't need to tell me twice." Rumble said. The two started kissing one another. Outside, Cozy Glow and Flurry Heart were watching the now engaged pegasi doing their kissing thing. "So, how much of what she just said is true?" Cozy Glow asked. "This might surprise you, but every bit of it was true. Besides, I had a feeling Rumble would've understood given that he knew flying would've meant the world to his now wife-to-be." Flurry Heart said. "Dang, that's quite the risky move you just pulled. You should be lucky it paid off like it did." Cozy Glow said. "Eh...I had a backup plan ready just in case Scootaloo failed. But I had faith. Sometimes with Poker you have to go all in and hope your hand wins the pot." Flurry Heart said. "Heh...well I can defiantly say you did win the pot." Cozy Glow said. "All of Equestria is ours now." She added with an evil smirk. "And I personally can't wait for my auntie to be forced to marry the two of us in a couple of weeks." Flurry Heart said. "Ha! Talk about rubbing it in her face. I can't wait." Cozy Glow said. "Neither can I." Flurry Heart said, gaining her own evil smirk. Author's Note This was really the last chance I had to even post a Silver Spoon picture.
Cozy's First DayCozy Glow woke up in her bed within the bunker where she was staying for the time being. Apple Bloom entered the room with a plate of breakfast. "Good morning. Empress Flurry Heart is currently running interference so, here's your breakfast." Apple Bloom said in a near monotone like voice. "What's Flurry Heart's plan anyways? Or do you and your friends even know?" Cozy Glow asked. "I'm afraid I don't know. I'm only involved with making sure you have something to eat so that none of the crystal ponies suspect food missing." Apple Bloom said. "Smart girl, that Flurry Heart. Though I'm surprised you're not correcting me." Cozy Glow said. "You are Empress Flurry Heart's special somepony prospect; meaning if things work out, that talk won't be seen as offensive to the Empress of Hearts." Apple Bloom said, though in a little more monotone in her voice. "Right..." Cozy Glow said before eating her provided breakfast and started exploring the bunker area. It was a fully functioning four bedroom living space Cozy Glow noticed. "Where does Flurry Heart sleep down here?" Cozy Glow asked. "Empress Flurry Heart; in her efforts to avoid being detected before her plans are ready; sleeps in her real bedroom within the crystal castle itself." Sweetie Belle said from nearby. "...I'm really starting to get impressed by the brains on that alicorn." Cozy Glow said. "Been a while since I've ever come across somepony who actually measures up to my level of intelligence." She said. "She may or may not have taken notes from your first takeover attempt, found what worked and what didn't, before making adjustments accordingly." Sweetie Belle said. "Right...where's your pegasus friend?" Cozy Glow said. "Scootaloo? She's in the one room only she, you, and Empress Flurry Heart are allowed to go inside. You'll notice it when you see the hoof scanner." Sweetie Belle said. Cozy Glow proceeded to find the said doorway and the said hoof scanner. Within moments of putting her hoof on it, the door opened and Cozy Glow went inside; the door closing behind her. "Is this...a strategy room?" Cozy Glow said. "Affirmative." Scootaloo said from nearby. The orange pegasus was wearing a very peculiar uniform. "Isn't that a costume Rainbow Dash wore during Nightmare Night once?" Cozy Glow asked. "Nope. This is a real deal. Go ahead and feel it if you don't believe me." Scootaloo said. Cozy Glow did so right away, and was shocked that it was indeed real. "Impressed? Empress Flurry Heart had some Crystal Ponies make it, and had them under the impression she was going to use it for Nightmare Night once she was older." The orange pegasus said. "I thought you couldn't fly?" Cozy Glow asked. "Empress Flurry Heart fixed that." Scootaloo said before taking into the air. "It's just that right now, she doesn't want me causing too many gusts of wind with my wings, lest they mess up her strategy room." Scootaloo said before grounding herself. "Wow...Flurry Heart really did wonders with you." Cozy Glow said. So the entire CMC is completely brainwashed by Flurry Heart. I really gotta hand it to her. "You may be Empress Flurry Heart's special somepony prospect, but please don't mess anything up without Flurry Heart being in the room." Scootaloo said. Cozy Glow nodded, but then, noticed what Scootaloo said. "...You...just called her Flurry Heart outright." The pink pegasus said. "...Tch...dammit, thought I did my best to make the monotone sound convincing and everything..." Scootaloo suddenly said before moving her goggles briefly up on her face, revealing her eyes. Unlike the others, Scootaloo's eyes were completely normal. "Seriously, please don't let this slip, but I only pretend to be brainwashed. Flurry Heart gave me my dream to fly on a silver platter, and is making me the second in command of her Shadowbolt Squadron once she takes over Equestria. And I never truly agreed with you being put to stone. I mean, was that whole thing of getting us into the school a shame?" Scootaloo asked. "No...I just...I thought that it would give me some actual allies..." Cozy Glow said. "Look, I'm not going to lie: Me and the other girls were miffed that you locked us in the closet. So, so long as you don't go spilling me only pretending to be brainwashed by Empress Flurry Heart, I'll forget about the closet incident. Okay?" Scootaloo asked. "It's a deal. So long as you also are okay with fighting Rainbow Dash." Cozy Glow said. "If Empress Flurry Heart's plans work out correctly, the only opposition we'll face is Twilight Sparkle. Empress Flurry Heart believes that because of Twilight's innate magical cabilities, that she'll be impossible to brainwash." Scootaloo said. "...Or she just really wants to upstage Twilight for ignoring her." Cozy Glow said. "...There's that too. I can feel Flurry Heart approaching. I better make my voice sound convincing." Scootaloo said. Soon Flurry Heart entered the room. "Good day to you, Empress Flurry Heart." Scootaloo said; her voice sounding monotone without actually being full on monotone. "Good day to you too. So, you found the Strategy Room huh?" Flurry Heart asked. "I hope that was okay..." Cozy Glow said. "It's more then okay actually. I could use some double checking of my plans." Flurry Heart said. "What better way to double check them, then having you check them? A second pair of eyes never hurts." She added with an evil smirk. "I'm liking the way you think." Cozy Glow said and returned her own evil smirk. Some time later, as time passed, soon it was nighttime, meaning it was time for bed. "I think things will be going just smoothly. I'm sure to have Equestria all mine before the month ends." Flurry Heart said. "Don't get cocky Flurry Heart; trust someone who got cocky twice and regretted it." Cozy Glow said. "Nothing could really go wrong with this. Trust me." Flurry Heart said. "...Also, while I'm thinking about it, could you tell Scootaloo that she's trying too hard for me? Thanks." She said. "Wait you can tell?" Cozy Glow asked. "She's kind of making it too obvious in hindsight. She just doesn't realize that I can tell. But so long as she's not actually taking up arms against me, I'm not going to actually brainwash her. Especially if I don't have to." Flurry Heart said. "You think that's wise?" Cozy Glow asked. "Well if not, I can always take away her ability to fly until she caves and agrees to work with me." Flurry Heart said. "...Actually, before I notice she wasn't really brainwashed, she was expressing the joys of actually being able to fly period. So, I believe so long as she has the ability to fly, she'll follow your orders." Cozy Glow said. "Good. I'm glad." Flurry Heart said. Author's Note
Short: Meanwhile...Author's Note This chapter is here for those wondering where the hell Spike is in this universe. Well, here you go. Also, have a Diamond Tiara picture. I couldn't find a corrupted form of her so...you'll have to make do with a smug Diamond Tiara picture instead. Short: Meanwhile... MEANWHILE, IN THE DRAGON LANDS... "Spike, I can't believe you would just...come out of nowhere and tell the truth to Torch like that..." Smolder said. "Well, you know it's true because both Ember and your brother backed me up." Spike said. "You big dork...your lucky I find you lovable all the same." Smolder said. "Still don't know why you decided to eject me from the School of friendship as one of the teachers." She added. "Well someone has to be my mate, and I'd rather it be you then Ember." Spike said. "You're lucky I love you back, you big dork." Smolder said, smacking the purple dragon's arm. "Hey! You're lucky I let you do that." Spike said. "Because I know that's how you show your affection towards me." He said. "Geez...finally catching a clue huh?" Smolder asked. "Also, you and me, in the dragon lord cave in one hour." Spike said before going off to deal with more dragons that were fighting. "Stop that, I said no pointless fighting!" Spike shouted. "...Well then, I wonder what I'm going to witness from Spike in an hour..." Smolder said. She couldn't help but find herself very curious. Safe to say, one hour later she would get her answer, and it would leave her over-incombered afterwards.
