Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 34: The Spirit of Shadow Magic, DarkSparkle

The time: One month after the Zap Apple harvest.

Applejack is all smiles as she continues storing Zap Apples in various forms.

Applejack: Best harvest ever!  Those changelings are great harvesters!

G.Smith: I'll say!  And that Prince Shiftshape, so quick to do what was needed.

Applejack: *nod*  VERY wise use of the hive mind.

The matriarch nods as she helps store the rest of the Zap Apple jam.

*INTRO SEQUENCE*

Princess Celestia was writing out some scrolls when she sensed a dark prescence.  Princess Luna walks in and the two sisters locked eyes.

P.Celestia and P.Luna: DarkSparkle.

The sun goddess writes a letter to Twilight Sparkle.  The purple unicorn was facing Trixie in a magic duel, each sharpening the other's skills.  The duel was eventually won by Twilight Sparkle when she wrapped Trixie in her own cape!

Trixie: GAH! *pops her head out* *laugh* Nice one!

T.Sparkle: *giggle* Aw, thanks, Trixie.

The two high-hoof after Twilight Sparkle gets Trixie unwrapped, then Spike belches up a scroll.

T.Sparkle: ???

Spike hands over the scroll and Twilight Sparkle reads it.

T.Sparkle: .........DarkSparkle's arrived.

Everypony nods, heading to the castle to get the Elements of Harmony.  They didn't have to go far to find DarkSparkle, as the shadowy version of Twilight Sparkle was waiting for them right by the Starswirl the Bearded wing.  Her first move was to put a shield around herself and Twilight Sparkle.  The two unicorns glared at each other.

DarkSparkle: Shall we begin?

T.Sparkle: We shall.....

The two unicorns start having a magic duel.  Each made something random appear on or around the other, only for the other to use a counter-spell.  The two unicorns' spells increased in complexity until Twilight Sparkle conjured up a tornado that spun DarkSparkle way up in the air.  As the dark unicorn plummeted to the ground, Twilight Sparkle made a trampoline appear that sent DarkSparkle flying up through the shield!  Twilight Sparkle won!

T.Sparkle: !!! GIRLS!

With a nod, all the ponies used the Elements of Harmony on the plummeting pony, a massive screech echoing across the sky.  The power of the Elements was enough to finally defeat the evil mare.  The ponies celebrate, knowing there's one more obstacle left: Ruinous.  As the ponies head back to the castle, Virtuna stays back and looks up.  Without knowing it, she looked up at Queen Chrysalis as the changeling was in her cell.

Virtuna: *smiles*

(singing): It doesn't matter what your past,

I'll help you just the same.

Your problems, I will always hear,

and that's the object of my game!

T.Sparkle: Virtuna!

Virtuna turns her head towards Twilight Sparkle's voice.

Virtuna: *runs towards Twilight Sparkle* Coming, Twilight!

As Virtuna dashes off towards her friends, Queen Chrysalis watches her go.  The changeling smiles slowly, knowing she's got at least one supporter.  When the Bearers of Harmony reported their success against DarkSparkle to Princess Celestia, the sun goddess was equal parts happy and apprehensive.

N.Moon: *bites her lip* Ruinous' next, right?

P.Celestia: *nod* I'm not sure if these ponies can do it without the Master Elements.

T.Sparkle: Then we'll find them.

P.Luna: *blink* I hope you're successful.

T.Sparkle: We will be.

The ponies and Nightmare Moon exit the castle, heading to Ponyville to celebrate their win over DarkSparkle.  In his swirling vortex of nothingness, Ruinous growls and opens his dark red eyes.

Ruinous: So..... the time for my intervention is at hand.....  Equestria... will... FALL!!!

Ruinous rises out of the darkness and takes flight, making Queen Chrysalis shiver in her cell.

Q.Chrysalis (repeating): This can't happen again.....

TO BE CONTINUED