The Bearer of the Apocalypse

Twilight and the others had returned to her castle for some much-needed rest. The alicorn, however, knew that she needed more information on Rogue and was already writing in a special book to Sunset Shimmer. Even if the chances were nonexistent that Sunset knew who Rogue was, she needed to take the chance to learn something about him, and perhaps Acnologia as well.

“Hey Sunset, I know it’s been a while since we’ve last written to each other, and as much as I want to catch up I really need your help. Many things have happened recently, things that are too important to summarize and a little long to explain by writing; however, I need to know if you’ve ever encountered or heard of a human named Rogue. There’s one here in Equestria, but he’s a human, not a pony! He’s the Shadow Dragon King, and he uses Shadow Dragon Slayer magic. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of that form of magic, but the name speaks for itself, and he’s worse than Sombra! If there’s a chance that I get some free time, I might head over to talk in person or you can come to Equestria, whichever you prefer or is more convenient. I know that it’ll be a while before you see this, but hopefully, the enchantment I placed on the book works like those uh…phones, you girls have, is what I think they were called anyway. It’ll release a small magic pulse, so you should sense it. Anyway, get back to me as soon as you read this, because it’s not just Equestria, but all of Earthland is in danger.

From, Twilight.”

Twilight closed her book and sighed deeply, praying that Sunset would reply soon. She set it down and made her way to the kitchen to make everyone some food when a letter manifested from her horn and landed on the ground. She blinked in confusion before seeing the seal of Celestia’s cutie mark, and promptly picked it up and opened and read its contents.

Twilight’s heart dropped at the one sentence in Celestia’s letter.

“ACNOLOGIA IS IN THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!!!!”

The Crystal Ponies didn’t know how things ended up this way. One moment, they were celebrating their hero’s visit with a grand festival, and it had gotten better when Spike empowered the Crystal Heart and made the crystal ponies' coats shine even brighter. But now, their kingdom was under attack by a strange bideal creature that made its way to the castle. Anyone who got in his way was killed, and even then, he was destroying everything around him as he continued his way to the Crystal Castle with one goal in mind.

At the same time, Twilight and her friends with the elements of harmony, along with the pillars, Sombra, Starlight, and Ember teleported directly inside Cadence’s throne room. While the princess was present, the prince wasn’t, which made Twilight even more worried as she glanced around the room and saw that Spike wasn’t present either.

“Where’s Spike and Shining!? Are they alright? Celestia sent a letter and I got everyone as soon as I could.” Twilight gave a brief explanation as Cadence managed to calm her down and explain that she had sent some guards for Spike and Shining had gone to help the citizens and deal with the threat.

“No! You have to tell them to back off! Acnologia isn’t someone the guard can fight head-on! He’s the Dragon King and he—“

“The Dragon King!? I told Celestia about this cloaked bideal creature that broke through the barrier of the empire and started attacking everyone.” Candace gave her explanation as the ponies and dragon gasped. Twilight’s only conclusion was that Celestia knew something about Acnologia before Cadence called for help.

“Celestia told us that Acnologia was here, and if you’re being attacked by this unknown bideal then they could be the same being.” Twilight tried to explain until Starswirl said that it didn’t matter as they needed to deal with whatever was attacking the empire. They all agreed just as a small group of guards came in with Spike on one of their backs, and he hopped off and ran over to Twilight.

“Thank goodness you guys are here! The guards are doing their best but they can’t hold this guy off.” Spike explained what he saw from his balcony before he was retrieved as Twilight scooped him in her hooves and gave him a tightened hug. Spike hugged back, although he tapped on her side to let her know that her strength was starting to hurt as he was brought down.

“You're safe! Oh, I feel better knowing this. But you’re right, we need to go stop him.” Twilight confidently said before running out the door as everyone followed her, leaving Cadence and Spike in the throne room as they silently prayed for their safety.

The group followed the sound of destruction and screams to take out the threat, running past scared ponies who paid no mind to Sombra as they soon stopped in their tracks by a large explosion in front of them. They all prepared for battle when a long, blue-haired bideal stood before them. The necklace of dragon claws he possessed made some of them shiver with fear and made Ember’s grip on the scepter tighten. Deep down, Twilight’s gut told her that this was him.

This was Dragon King Acnologia.

Acnologia ceased his walk as he stared down the group before him. Naturally, he was only interested in Ember and the dragon’s scent on Twilight, glaring at them both with disdain as he gave a brief glance at the Elements of Harmony and the strange power that Starlight had. Starlight’s strange energy was familiar, but he gave it no second thought just like he did with the elements. He turned back to Ember and audibly scoffed at the gold armor she wore along with the scepter she wielded.

“I knew that dragons had grown weaker, but to think that there’s one who’s so pathetically incapable of defending themself that they need to wear armor and use an enchanted weapon. Hn, I suppose it’s only befitting for such fouled creatures.” Acnologia spoke down to her as none of them could believe what they were hearing. His hatred for dragons had no limits, insulting the current dragon lord who stood before him without a care in the world. Ember growled in anger as her grip on the scepter tightened, not feeling such disrespect since her father had forbidden her from participating in the Gauntlet of Fire because she was a small dragon compared to the rest of her now-dead kin.

“Watch your mouth! Regardless that you're the first ruler of dragons, I’m the current Dragon Lord and the atrocities that you’ve committed warrant death!!” Ember declared as she slammed the spear onto the ground, summoning its magic specifically onto Acnologia in order to get him to submit and properly listen to her. Acnologia narrowed his eyes onto the scepter, sensing the familiar magic being used upon him as he did his best to remember what it could’ve been.

Everyone else was surprised when Acnologia’s body didn’t glow like it should’ve and was instead analyzing what was being used on him. The magic that Acnologia felt was very familiar, and it felt like something that had been tried against him in the past. The more he lingered on it, the more he realized what it was, before finally knowing what the scepter had been enchanted with.

“Hn, Dragon Supremecy magic. And here I thought that it had vanished long ago along with its creator.” Acnologia suddenly commented, earring a gasp from everyone at the new form of magic. “That scepter uses such a weaker version of the original magic that dragons aren’t even under the user’s control. Then again, you creatures are currently so pathetically small-willed that someone with the bare basics of mind control magic could control you with almost no effort. The number of dragons that I’ve come across that have begged for their worthless life is far higher than those who had any semblance of self-worth.” Acnologia continued to coldly speak foul of dragons, having no shred of subtlety towards his race as he spoke with unrivaled malice. Ember had no words for him, she couldn’t comprehend Acnologia’s mere existence as she and everyone else could tell that he hated dragons.

Acnologia didn’t speak any further, instead giving them a malicious grin before pulling his arm back as he gathered an absurd amount of magical power in the palm of his hand. The ground shook as his opponents found themselves staring in fear at the power he wielded, even being lifted into the air before he pulled his arm forward with his attack.

CRASH!

To everyone’s surprise, they were protected by Shining Armor’s shield. However, blood flowed from his head as he had a swollen eye and laborious breathing. His shield had multiple cracks, showing Acnologia’s power as well as the strength of Shining Armor’s shield. But Sombra could tell that it wasn’t even Acnologia’s full strength, and if it had been any stronger then Shining, along with them, would’ve been obliterated. The prince collapsed to a knee as Twilight was at his side, completely worried for his well-being.

“Shining! Are you alright!?”

“I’m-I’m fine! Just take him down!” Shining ordered as Twilight nodded, to which Starlight, Sombra, and Ember took the initiative to attack. Twilight promptly told the others to get ready with the elements once there was an opening for them while Starlight, Sombra, and Ember fought.

Starlight went first with a spread shot of magic that Acnologia dodged by jumping back. He noticed Sombra and Ember in the air as the duo rained down flamming crystal spears, forcing him to jump around with a grin on his face. He turned around when he sensed magic being gathered as Starlight once again tapped into Nightmare Moon’s magic, her horn glowed dark blue as she released a blast of darkness that sent Acnologia flying back to the girls.

“Twilight! Do it now!” Starlight shouted as Twilight nodded as she and others joined with the other half of their respective element. The twelve of them floated into the air as they and the elements themselves glowed a very bright color before they blasted the dragon king with a powerful rainbow beam that completely enveloped him.

“Hahahahaha!! Hahahaha!!” Any thought of celebrating had been dashed as Acnologia stood in the middle of the magical attack laughing like a madman before, to their complete and utter horror; started devouring the magic from the elements of harmony. Soon enough, the light died down as Acnologia fully swallowed what was thrown at him as he gave a maliciously arrogant grin.

“Wait a minute…Wha-What’s his element?” Fluttershy fearfully asked as she ignored the liquid that went down her hind legs. Her fear completely obscured her embarrassment. This wasn’t how things normally went, villains were taken down once the Elements of Harmony were used against them, they always had a happy ending to these kinds of battles, but this was completely different. And as if Acnologia had been listening, which he had considering his advanced senses, he answered.

“Element? I have no ONE KIND! I am the ultimate dragon! The Dragon of The Apocalypse and the devourer of ALL SORCERY!!!” Acnologia exploded with power as the ground ruptured and he was enveloped in a vibrant purple light. And it then vanished as everyone laid their eyes upon the Acnologia’s dragon form, scales as black as the abyss with blue markings like Garble had told them. He stared down at them, and his magical power had increased tenfold, and they all realized one thing.

They weren’t killing him, and they sure as hell weren’t beating him in a fight.

“I am the Arcane Dragon King…ACNOLOGIA!!” Acnologia roared as Twilight's pupils turned to prin picks and she unconsciously took a few steps back. Of all sorcery? It suddenly made sense as to why no one during Tirek’s time could harm him, why he was so resistant to magic, and it was because he was completely immune to it. Even Starswirl was horrified at the fact that there was a being capable of eating magic itself.

Shining saw the fear in his sister’s eyes, as well as her friends and even Sombra’s. He heard his subjects' cries for help or the cries of those in pain. He didn’t know Cadence’s situation, but it wouldn’t be long until Acnologia made his way there and killed whoever was in his way to get to Spike, including her. He knew there was a decision to make, and with a strong resolve, he got to his hooves and channeled magic to his throat as he spoke.

“EVERYONE IS TO EVACUATE THE EMPIRE AT ONCE! LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND! ALL GUARDS AND CITIZENS ARE TO FOLLOW EVACUATION PROTOCOLS!! THIS IS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY!!” Shining’s voice echoed across the entire kingdom, everyone was surprised by his orders, but the guard took action. They quickly got to work in getting the citizens to certain exit points in the empire where they would be evacuated, but the Dragon King chuckled at the actions.

“You ponies will suffer for harboring…for worshiping a dragon!” Acnologia declared as he brought one of his arms up into the air, and right after an eruption of magic exploded from the ground. Not long after, multiple eruptions took place, shaking the entire kingdom as buildings fell and the ground split open. Fires were started as many of the crystal ponies had to fight for survival, with many not getting that fighting chance.

“…Dragon of the Apocalypse certainly fits him.” Sombra was the first to speak as he watched the destruction take place in his kingdom. In normal circumstances, he would’ve fought the one that was doing this, and yet he knew that in the current moment, survival lay within doing nothing. “We should leave while we can.”

“Leave…? You want to leave!?” Surprisingly, Fluttershy was the one yelling in his face. “How can you call yourself a ruler of the Crystal Empire, regardless of your “leadership”, and want to abandon the Empire and its citizens when it’s in such chaos!? You’re nothing but a damned coward!” Fluttershy criticized, mocking him as she used air quotes around leadership. Her friends stared at her in shock, not believing that she of all ponies would yell at Sombra. Sombra growled and glared with fury, never having been disrespected in such a manner by anyone, not even Celestia or Luna.

“A damn coward!? I’m sorry, but what do you suggest I do against a being that DEVOURS MAGIC!?!? The Elements of Harmony used by twelve individuals didn’t even phase him! He literally laughed it off! And you want me to defend a nation from a being bearing the apocalypse as a part of a title!?” Sombra fired back, completely enraged as he flared his magic. Fluttershy had backed down almost instantly, her tail tucked between her legs as she cowered on the ground.

“That’s enough!” Flash Magnus stepped in between Fluttershy and Sombra with a fierce glare. “Look, we can’t stop him but we can make sure that the civilians get to safety. Aside from helping everyone, we need to secure the princess and the dragon that Acnologia seeks.” Flash gave a quick and simple plan as Sombra scoffed but figured that he could escape at some point under the guise of helping out.

“Don’t forget that he’s after me as well.” Ember reminded everyone, as Flash had taken that into account. It was a matter of which dragon he would try and kill first, and considering that Ember was beneath him she would most likely be targeted first.

“It’s certainly a suicidal idea, but if you can fly fast enough to lead him back out into the snowstorm, you could lose him. Even so…”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll do it because I’m the Dragon Lord, and this is my responsibility. He won’t get away with killing his kin and threatening me or this kingdom.” Ember accepted her role and flew off into the sky, breathing purple flames in his face. Acnologia snarled in annoyance, the flames not affecting him at all before giving chase to the dragon lord who started flying to the edge of the empire

“Quickly! We must use this time to assist the people!” Shining took control and ordered as he got to his hooves. Everyone nodded, except Sombra but did so anyway, with Twilight being the only one who remained behind. She summoned her magic and began slowly healing most of her brother’s wounds, although she now wished that she had given her healing magic more serious practice as she couldn’t heal him completely.

“Thanks Twily. Had I known that Acnologia was attacking us, I would’ve evacuated the Empire sooner.”

“You couldn’t have known that he could transform between a human and a dragon, none of us could’ve known. But what matters now is saving everyone we can.” Twilight’s words brought a small amount of comfort as the two set off for the palace. They galloped as fast as they could, instructing ponies along the way to leave and head for the empire’s emergency exits.

“Hopefully Cadence and Spike are leaving as we speak and we run into them!”

“Knowing Cadence, she’s probably helping the castle staff evacuate as well! Once we get there we can assist her and Spike!” Shining yelled back as he continued his charge forward and knocked the doors to the castle off its hinges. The decor be damned, saving everyone took priority, along with the fact that it was a warzone outside with one oppressor who was being led away by what he considered prey.

“CADENCE! SPIKE! WHERE ARE YOU!?” Twilight yelled as she zipped around the castle, needing to find her family, needing to make sure that they were safe. Soon enough, she found Cadence and Spike helping a few maids who were trapped underneath some rubble. Twilight flew over and used her magic to lift and throw the crystal beams elsewhere, freeing those who were trapped as they ran by and thanked her. Spike and Cadence enveloped her in a hug just as Shining rounded the corner and found them.

Cadence broke her hug to give Shining one before placing a kiss on his cheek. She gave a brief nuzzle before Shining quickly ordered them to follow him so that they could evacuate with the others. While she was against it, Cadence knew there was no other choice, especially when there was a personal reason as well that Shining would’ve wanted her to leave. The group ran to the front of the castle where Cadence questioned, and received no answer, as to why her doors were on the floor before they ran outside and met up with Flash Magnus, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash.

“Girls, and Flash! What’s going on? Has everyone been evacuated?” Twilight asked as Flash told her that mostly everyone, as far as he knew, was evacuated. There were still a lot of ponies that needed assistance, and the train leading out of the Crystal Empire started to fill up. However, before they could discuss anything further, a dragon roar echoed throughout the kingdom. They looked to the skies, trying to find Acnologia when Ember was seen crashing through multiple buildings before landing onto the streets.

Blood flowed from her head as Ember knew she had multiple broken bones. She thought that this was what Garble felt when Acnologia had smacked him with his tail. Her body ached, and despite her nearly broken armor, she knew that it could’ve been far worse had she not been wearing it. Even then, something told her that Acnologia had purposely held back, just so that she could suffer more when he got his claws on her. Ember gripped the scepter in her claws, readying herself for another chase when a foot slammed on her arm, breaking the bone.

“AHHH!!” Ember yelled in pain as Acnologia, who was now human again, stared at her with disdain. This was the so-called Dragon Lord? This was just a dragon believing herself to be great, that she was going to have some great legacy once she had passed the title to another. It was outrageous for this little thing to even think that she was worthy of any sort of title, let alone being a ruler. Flash had enough of this and flew over with great speed to knock the Dragon King off balance to save Ember, but stopped when he had seized her by her throat and raised her into the air.

“Release her at once!” Flash Magnus demanded, but Acnologia paid him no mind. Twilight had started to shield Spike, but the young drake watched everything. He couldn’t afford to tear his eyes away, not when his friend was being manhandled by a monster. He wanted to help her but knew that the consequences would end in his death. Ember, even though she was being choked to death, spoke.

“You’re…You’re not worthy…to be called Dragon King.” Ember managed to say as she slowly lost consciousness. Acnologia released his grip, only to allow enough airflow as she took in as much as she was allowed. Acnologia stared at her with an unreadable expression before it turned feral.

“Worthy you say? I’m more worthy than anyone. And the reason why…”Acnologia suddenly raised Ember into the air and violently swerved her to the side. Still in his grip, she was brought closer as she changed to be on her side. In slow motion, everyone watched as Ember grew closer to him, unable to defend herself as he opened his jaw. Ember’s pupils grew smaller as she realized what he was about to do, but she couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t going to do it, surely he was just–

CRUNCH!!!

SNAP!!!

Everyone watched as Acnologia snapped his jaw shut on Ember’s arm and armor. He bit right through her left arm and tore it off while also biting through her armor and into her side. The ponies that watched, plus Spike, covered their mouths in disbelief while a few citizens nearby threw up whatever they had or hadn’t eaten. Time became normal as he ripped some of her flesh before throwing her body over to the ponies, swallowing what he had eaten, armor and bone included, as he grabbed the scepter by the bloodstone.

“...Is because I’m the strongest creature in this world!” Acnologia finished as he wiped the blood from his mouth, and then crushed the gemstone in his hand as the crimson glow vanished. Ember suddenly let out a blood-curdling scream, the pain suddenly registering throughout her body before using her other arm to hold onto what was brutally taken from her. Acnologia started maniacally laughing, his laughter echoing throughout the burning streets before he ceased and turned his head over to Spike. The young drake flinched underneath his stare and found himself unable to move, much like how he had been with Kuro, but this was vastly worse.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight spoke quietly, still wrapping her mind around what she had just seen. “Rainbow Dash!!”

“HUH!?!? Wha–What is it?”

“Take Ember and fly to the station. Fly there as fast as possible. Don’t stop, and don’t look back.” Twilight ordered, but her friend found herself unable to move. There was far too much fear, the terror he had caused with his action left her and everyone unable to move. Twilight herself knew that the only way for Dash to follow that request was if she did not react to what had just occurred. Shining watched Dash quickly fly over to Ember and grab her before flying to the train station where the doctors and healers were, although he doubted that she was going to survive such wounds. He watched the Dragon King surround himself in magic as he entered his dragon form once again, flying into the air as he stared down the ponies. As the prince stared, he saw the barrier produced by the Crystal Heart with a dark pink glow, showing that the barrier was weakening, but he had an idea.

“I have a plan, but I need you all to trust me.” Shining suddenly spoke, getting everyone’s attention. “Flash Magnus, Fluttershy, I need you two to take my wife to the station and defend her with your life. He doesn’t have an army, but that doesn’t mean he might not give chase or get in the way. Spike and Twilight, I want you to go as well.” Shining suddenly gave orders as Flash nodded and saluted before he motioned to Fluttershy as the two placed themselves at Cadence’s side.

“Shiny you can’t be serious!? You want us to leave you alone with him!?” Twilight shouted, not believing what she was hearing. Spike was with him, saying how they should plan something together. The stallion shook his head, knowing he’d be met with opposition. Cadence looked to her husband who refused to look at her, or anyone, wondering what he was planning when Acnologia roared.

“Go! Now!” Shining ordered as Flash barked at Fluttershy who squeaked before throwing Cadence onto her back as the two took off. Cadence protested, demanding to be taken back even though she could fly back herself. However, she figured that Flash would drag her to the station kicking and screaming because Shining had just placed her very life in his hooves. Still, she looked back at her palace, looking over her burning kingdom as she prayed to Faust that Shining would be alright.

Twilight and Spike remained, refusing to leave him as Shining tacked them both away from Acnologia’s claws. The trio ducked into a building and ran as Acnologia destroyed it, searching for them but growled when he came up empty. He suddenly felt a blast of magic strike his back, but he wasn’t phased as he turned his neck to see a small militia of ponies with what he thought to be a magic cannon; if the condensed ethernano stored at the back of it was any indication.

Acnologia changed targets and went after the militia as they fired more rounds of magic. As they did so, Shining watched and growled in anger, knowing that he had ordered all of the guards to help the citizens. Still, he had an important self-issued mission, and he couldn’t start it until Twilight and Spike were at the station safe and sound.

“Listen you two! This isn’t up for discussion! I want both of your assess on that train, now!” Shining started yelling at them, making it known that he wasn’t in the mood for their stubbornness. Twilight and Spike’s resolve faltered, not expecting to be yelled at like foals. Twilight shook her head, refusing to show weakness at a moment like this, where her brother’s military side showed just how authoritative he could be.

“No way man! We’ve seen how ruthless this guy is and you expect us to leave you here with him!?” Spike countered as Shining rubbed his temple. They were scared for him, he knew that, and rightfully so. Acnologia wasn’t a creature that could simply be defeated, but he needed to make sure that they all got out safely, and he suddenly knew that there was one way to make sure.

“I’d be more surprised if you did leave me here without a second thought, but trust me. I Pinkie Promise that I will be with you.” Shining’s words made them gasp before an explosion shook their hiding place. A peek outside told them everything, the militia had failed, and Acnologia was starting to hunt down Spike again. He looked back at them, showing his concern, and saw Twilight deep in thought.

“...So you pinkie promise that you’ll be with us? Always and forever?”

“Yes. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Shining did the whole pinkie ritual, as he had dubbed it, while Twilight and Spike watched. The two shared a look before they nodded, sharing a weak smile. Shining hugged Twilight, feeling tears on his neck before separating and giving Spike a tighter one. They separated as Twilight flared her magic to teleport herself and Spike, giving her brother one final smile before vanishing. Shining sighed in relief, pleased they finally left as he stared at the palace.

“Yes, I’ll always be with you, forever and always…in your heart and memories.”

Pinkie Pie’s body started violently shaking. Shining had just made a Pinkie Promise, she always knew who made a Pinkie Promise, but something was wrong about this one. There was something else to it, something that she couldn’t place her hoof on since she didn’t know what the doozies could be until they happened. But what she did know was that it wouldn’t end well. The doozy had gotten worse when Twilight and Spike appeared, greeting everyone as Twilight noticed her friend shaking.

“Pinkie is something wrong?”

“My Pinkie Sense is going crazy! It happened when Shining made that Pinkie Promise and it got worse when you two showed up! I’ve only been shaking, and something horrible is going to happen!” Pinkie warned as Twilight and Spike shared a nervous look. The pinkie sense always had other twitches when a doozy was happening, but violent shaking had never happened before. Twilight looked back to the empire, wishing for her brother’s safety before returning to her friend.

“Don’t worry about it. Shining said that he’ll be with us. So maybe it means something else.” Twilight hopefully said as she started helping the ponies around her. Pinkie knew there was something else to that promise, a deeper meaning that Shining hadn’t verbally said. Even so, knowing that there wasn’t much she could do about it, she reluctantly started cheering up the foals with her party tricks and giving out sweets.

Cadence had been resting in her own cart, looking out the window of her burning home. Nothing could have ever prepared her for this, and the worst of all was her husband wasn’t here to help ease her stress. He was directly in the center of the chaos, something not caused by Discord, but by a being that was immune to magic. Someone who had caused the end of previous kingdoms as well, and was the cause of a multitude of mass genocides throughout the centuries. It made her wonder how many creatures had gone extinct because of his savagery.

She looked across from her cabin to see healers rapidly working to stabilize Ember. When the Dragon Lord had been brought to the station on death’s door Cadence had used up most of her magic to keep her alive and breathing before the unicorns that were specialized in healing magic attended to her. The amount of blood that was on the floor and Rainbow Dash had sent chills down everyone’s spine, and the pegasus that brought her had secluded herself away from everyone. Cadence didn’t know if Ember’s pride would’ve preferred death over the state she would be in if she survived the encounter with Acnologia. However, before she could process anything else, the train lurched forward.

“What the–!?”

“Let’s go, everyone! We’re leaving immediately!” Cadence heard Flash Magnus yell as the crystal ponies were forced to find seats. She got up and opened her door and went to him, wondering why he was ordering the train’s departure when they were still waiting for Shining and any more Crystal Ponies who were still inside the empire.

“Flash Magnus what is the meaning of this!? There are still ponies inside the kingdom and my husband is one of them! Stop this train immediately and go back!” Cadence ordered as Magnus didn’t meet her gaze. He sighed instead before calling over another guard, his descendent Flash Sentry, and he finally looked her in the eyes.

“Forgive me Your Highness, but I cannot do that. According to Corporal Sentry, he had encountered the prince heading to the top of the palace where the Crystal Heart is located, and he was ordered to get here and leave without him. From what I can tell, he intends to either try and defeat him with the Crystal Heart’s magic amplifying his own...or hold him off until we’ve escaped.” Magnus explained as Cadence was speechless, her mouth slightly open before turning to Sentry and demanding to know if it was true, and her heart skipped a beat when he nodded.

“Yes, he found me underneath some rubble before freeing me. Once I knew where I was he ordered me to come here and have us retreat.” Sentry explained as Cadence went to say something, but she fell forward, clenching her teeth in pain as the two guards were beside her, asking if she was alright. She nodded yes, but the unexpected cramps weakened any arguing she could’ve mustered. Sentry knew the reason for it and quickly ushered her inside her cabin. Magnus left it to him as he turned around and was greeted by the faces of the Elements of Harmony.

“What do you mean we’re retreating!? Shining is still inside, and we have to wait for him!” Twilight yelled as Magnus couldn’t help but sigh. It was almost like war times from so long ago, with certain commanders and soldiers staying behind to allow everyone else a chance at life. Although he had never heard of the leader of the nation doing so before, even so, he supposed that the concept was the same.

“I know you want to wait for him but we can’t! We have ponies who need proper medical care and Prince Shining Armor himself told us to retreat! We can’t go back for one stallion.” Magnus tried to reason with Twilight, but she didn’t want to hear it. She’d go back herself if she had to, she wasn’t going to abandon her brother. Just as she summoned her magic, someone shouted to look outside.

They all looked out the window to see the crystal barrier had dropped, allowing the harsh blizzard inside. At the top of the broken palace was Shining Armor with the Crystal Heart on his back. Channeling the magic from the Crystal Heart into himself, which was in no way shape, or form a good idea, he amplified his magical ability. Summoning all the magic he could muster, Shining stared down the Dragon King before blasting him in the chest as he unleashed the magic he had gathered. Everyone watched in awe. It looked like Acnologia was being pushed back, making Shining gain a sliver of hope. He pushed more magic into the attack, forcing the dragon back and into the ground. Buildings fell on top of him as Shining collapsed to his front knees, trying to take in as much air as he could.

Everything was still, the train wasn’t that far from the empire. The citizens looked on, hopeful that their prince had defeated the beast. Magnus had almost called for the train to stop and go back.

Almost.

BOOM!!

Acnologia came out unscathed and roared as a show of his resilience. He looked no different than before and didn’t appear weaker either. Magnus promptly ordered the train to go faster, not to stop for anything or anyone. They watched as Acnologia flew above Shining and the entire Crystal Empire. And then, Acnologia took a massive inhale, drawing upon his magic for a breath attack.

Shining gave a grim chuckle as the Crystal Heart fell to his side, the powering pink light was now dull. He rested on his stomach as he looked off to the side, seeing his kingdom burning and in ruins. He could still hear some calling for help, for him or Cadence, for Celestia or Luna, or anyone to save them. But he couldn’t, he just tried and failed, but he at least got most of the citizens, along with his family and friends on the train. That’s where he looked next, the departing train that was just about hidden by the blizzard.

Shining’s life flashed before his eyes, from when Twilight was born, which was one of the best days of his life when he became an older brother, to when he first joined the guard. Then he was promoted to captain of the day guard, that was another good day, and then he met Cadence. His parents came to his mind along with his siblings Twilight and Spike.

“Sorry Cadence, but I’m not coming back. And sorry for tricking you too, Twilight, Spike, but while it was the only way to get you to leave, I will be with you.” Shining started speaking to himself, watching the train with sorrowful eyes. “Mom, Dad, sorry for not talking or vising you all that much. And Cadence…please take care of Twilight and Spike. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. And Cadence, I’m truly sorry, for leaving you alone to take care of Flurry He–”

Shining didn’t finish his sentence, as Acnologia blasted the tower he was on. Killing him and destroying the palace, but that wasn’t the end of it. The entire kingdom started to crumble, cracks from before completely split open, and buildings were swallowed whole beneath the earth. The escaping ponies watched with horror and sadness as their kingdom was destroyed, and Twilight and Cadence took it the worst.

Twilight’s friends had to forcefully restrain her with Sombra sealing away her magic. The princess cried, kicked, and screamed for her brother; demanding to be released so that she could go after him, something that no one would allow. Rarity and Fluttershy helped her to a cabin while everyone sorrowfully watched, and Cadence had been silently crying. Sombra stared out the window at the large crater Acnologia left behind, and from the top of a mountain, a figure watched.

“So, this is how it must’ve been at Tenrou Island all those centuries ago,” Rouge muttered to himself, seeing the destruction that Acnologia caused. He took a sniff of the air and released a breath, having caught a different yet familiar scent. “And all the old players of the world before have returned, and have mixed with the new ones. Now, there’s one question that remains…” Rogue turned and left in a veil of shadows, just as Acnologia flapped his wings and vanished into the blizzard. There were still too many dragons in the world, far too many for the king’s liking. And he was going to shorten it down to none.

“…Who will remain standing?”

The train arrived in Canterlot where the equestrian army had been waiting along with Celestia. They assisted the crystal ponies into different areas based on the severity of their injuries, while others had been instructed to head to the palace where Luna and her guard would assist them further. As Celestia helped she tried finding her niece, her former pupil and her friend, and the pillars.

Applejack slowly came out and locked eyes with the princess before trotting over to her. She chose to ignore the cries of the ponies around her before sitting down in front of the princess. She took some time to gather her thoughts, and her words before speaking.

“Listen yer highness, uh…there ain’t no easy way to say it, but the Crystal Empire was destroyed. Acnologia caused destruction on a level that not even Tirek could achieve; not even after stealing the magic of ponies like a snake stealing a bird's eggs.” Applejack explained as Celestia released a slow breath. She didn’t know it was that bad, it had been worse than she expected.

“And where are the others?”

“The girls are helping the guard with the ponies. Cadence is with her own medical team to make sure she’s calm, apparently, she’s pregnant, and they don’t want her too worked up to affect the foal. Spike hasn’t left Ember’s side since what’s happened to her…but Twilight’s takin the worst of it.” Applejack explained as Celestia nodded, having an understanding as to why. Celestia made her way to the train when Applejack said one final thing.

“Oh right, uh Sombra wanted to speak with you as well.”

“Understood. I will speak with him as well.” Celestia headed into the train and walked by the crystal ponies. The pillars assisted just the same, each of them giving a slight nod to her before continuing their tasks. She moved out the way as her ponies escorted Ember into proper urgent care with Spike following them. Celestia let him be, deciding that the conversation with him would have to be postponed.

She walked past Cadence’s room and saw her sleeping, most likely put to sleep for her and the foal’s health. She continued her slow stride until stopping at Twilight’s cabin, and briefly hesitated to enter. She shook her worries away and entered to see Twilight absentmindedly staring out the window, not noticing her mentor’s presence.

“Twilight, I want to talk with you.”

“What’s there to talk about? My brother’s dead with nobody for a proper burial, his kingdom destroyed, and one of my friends is probably going to die. I…I have nothing to say.” Twilight briefly spoke with no emotion, but as she repeated everything that happened her eyes teared up. Celestia sat next to her and pulled her in for a hug and stroked her back with her wing, which was all it took to break Twilight’s facade and start crying.

“It will be alright Twilight. We’ll all get through this.”

“No, it won’t be alright! Sh-Shining’s dead and I-I need to tell my parents. Cadence is going to have a foal that won’t know who or how great her father was. Ember will be a shell of her former self if she survives, an-and Spike will be killed because I’ll be too weak to protect him!” Twilight screamed out, her tears soaking Celestia’s fur and the seats. She didn’t care, the emotional turmoil that Twilight was going through was far more important.

“Who said that Cadence’s foal won’t know their father? If anything I think Cadence will make sure that her foal knows just how great Shining was. As for your parents, I will tell them myself. Not only as a professional courtesy but as a family one. Ember has a great resilience and strong will, but I won’t sugar coat it, her chances of survival are indeed slim. And you won’t be alone to protect Spike, you’ll have all your friends and us as well, you’re more than capable of protecting everyone when you put your mind to it.” Celestia calmly spoke as Twilight’s crying ceased, her eyes red and puffy but had calmed down.

“Th-Thank you, I really needed that.”

“It’s never a problem. You should never hold in your emotions, no matter how bad they might be. And if you need someone to talk to then you can always send me a letter.” Twilight gave another tight hug that Celestia returned, thankful for the moment as Celestia stood to her hooves. Twilight followed suit as they headed for the door.

“Alright, now to see what Sombra wants.” Celestia grumbled as she left Twilight to help with the Crystal ponies. With this being her final pony to meet she wanted to make it quick and hopefully Sombra didn’t have any trivial matters during these times. When she entered his cabin, she was surprised to find him pacing back and forth.

“I never thought I’d see the day where the mighty King Sombra was pacing back and forth like a colt getting ready to ask out a filly.” Celestia’s comment made him pause, but he gave no comeback. He simply exasperated and sat down.

“As fun as it would be to have a back-and-forth, it can wait another day. There are far more pressing matters to discuss.” Sombra’s diplomacy made Celestia cautious. He was never one for idle chatter unless he benefited from it or was insulting someone, but it meant that he wanted this to be serious.

“Okay then, what do you want to discuss.”

“Tirek is the subject I wish to discuss.” Sombra got to the point as Celestia narrowed her eyes. “I can tell what you’re thinking, but there’s more to Tirek’s story than he’s revealed. He and Torch were alive during Acnologia’s reign and disappearance, and both say the same thing; Acnologia was a being that everyone feared. I’ve seen the lacrima that Torch left behind, and it’s clear that Torch was older than Tirek if he assumes Acnologia to be from before the unification. Which means one thing.” Sombra stared into Celestia’s eyes and the realization dawned on her.

“Acnologia’s existed since the days of Grogar. But it’s impossible to think that those two didn’t cross paths, the land would’ve shown a fierce battle had taken place along with remnants of their magical power. It would’ve been recorded in history had they crossed paths. Unless of course…Acnologia is far older than even those dark ages and vanished before Grogar's reign.”