Chapters It was a sunny day in the land of Equestria. The residents at Ponyville were happily walking around, shopping, having lunch, all the while birds chirped to the glorious weather. Just outside the village was a grass land, perfect for relaxation spots. By a large tree is where the Mane 6, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash had their usual picnics, today was one of their outings. They had a large red and white quilt with food and apple treats made by Applejack herself. It was peaceful as the ponies talked among themselves.
Then they heard a noise.
"What was that?" Rarity popped up.
By this time all the Ponies were up and were staring at the lone bush in front of them. Being a pony of curiosity and bravery, Twilight was the first to say,
"I'll go check it out."
Fluttershy flew by Twilight's side.
"Oh dear, don't you think we should go better prepared? It could be a monster."
After two years of many dangerous threats, the Ponies knew not to take any monstrous noise lightly. They started to walk toward the unusually large bush with Twilight in the lead. Once they got there, Twilight removed the bush with her magic. What they saw was something they had never seen before. It was green and and kept circulating.
"What is that thing?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Before she could finish, she was starting to get sucked in! Twilight yelled as she was lifted off the ground. The Ponies were only in shock for but a moment.
"Rainbow!" Applejack shouted.
The Pegasus zoomed toward Twilight and the closing portal. But it was too late. The portal closed right before Rainbow could get to Twilight and she crashed to the ground. That's when the Ponies started to panic.
"Oh dear! What do we do?" Fluttershy wanted to know.
Pinkie Pie jumped in front of them.
"I have an idea! Maybe we can go to Twilight's house and find the book on portals, we might be able to create our own portal!"
And with that, the Ponies raced back to Ponyville in hopes of finding a way to bring back their friend.
Twilight awoke.
She had been unconscious for an indefinite amount of time. She stood up and looked around. It was the same area, but something seemed different.
"Looks like that portal didn't bring me too far, I'm still in the same spot, I could see Ponyvil-" She stopped talking when she noticed the tree. It looked dead. That was odd she thought, in fact, she started to notice how dark red the sky was.
"Something that doesn't seem right here, why does everything look so....dead?"
She noticed the trees in the distance looked withered. There was a dead silence in the atmosphere, no birds chirped and there was no sign of any animals. Twilight decided to head into Ponyville in hopes of seeing something, well, normal. It was a short walking distance, in less than 20 seconds, she had entered the village. It was a ghostown.
"Where is everypony?" She thought.
But then she saw why it was deserted. Buildings were crumbled, glass shattered. It looked like no one had been there in awhile.
"What could have done all this? It looks like some sort of hurricane had struck." Twilight said.
And then she saw it. She saw the thing that changed everything.
"No, it can't be." She said as her wide eyes widened.
Standing in front of her was a large stone statue of Queen Chrysalis. Twilight took a few steps back to gaze at it, the Queen was on her two back hoofs in a triumph pose. And then all around Twilight Changelings flew in. There were at least twenty of them in the air looking down on her.
"HALT, TWILIGHT SPARKLE! IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN YOU WILL COME TO SERVE HER!" They all shouted in sync voice.
Twilight looked around, she knew she couldn't beat so many of them all by herself, yet she wasn't one to surrender so easily. She lowered her head and got her horn ready to shoot. But before all heck broke loose, a couple of Changelings were disintegrated by a blast. Twilight and the other Changelings looked. Something was flying full speed toward them. It was a blur of blue when it grabbed Twilight onto its back.
"AFTER THEM!" One of the Changelings shouted.
Once Twilight got her senses back together, she saw who she was riding on.
"Princess Luna!"
There were Changelings following them at high speed. And then in front some appeared. Princess Luna shot a beam from her horn, disintegrating them. But out of nowhere a Changeling was coming from the side. Twilight back-hoofed it then disintegrated it with a blast. Luna smiled at the fact of what a fighter Twilight was. The Princess then turned around to face the oncoming onslaught of Changelings.
"Hold on tight." She said as she charged up.
The Princess shot a shockwave which eradicated the charging Changelings. With Twilight holding on tight, Luna charged into the ground. They went deep underground...
Canterlot Castle was once a beautiful building, but now it was red and purple, with large spikes on the roofs. It no longer looked like a castle for a princess...it looked like a demon's castle. Entering the front door was a Changeling. It flew into the throne room of Queen Chrysalis. It lowered to the ground and bowed.
"My Queen, I bring news." The Changeling said.
"The one called Twilight Sparkle has returned, my Queen. We attempted to capture her, but the one called Luna manged to grab her and escape."
Queen Chrysalis was caught off guard, she was still thinking about that first line. She stood up.
"Twilight Sparkle has returned? Impossible! She hasn't been seen in over ten years, why would she decide to appear now?"
The Queen then started to walk down the stairs from her throne. She spoke in an especially cold voice.
"I want Twilight Sparkle disposed of. Send all available Changelings and find her."
With that, the dark creature zoomed back outside. Queen Chrysalis sat back on her throne.
"So the so-called most powerful of the Ponies has returned. It doesn't matter, nothing can stop me."
She peered to her right to see a familiar looking statue.
"If Twilight thinks friendship is magic and that it can stop me, she's in for a surprise. I, Queen Chrysalis, rule Equestria. Those rebels and her will not matter in the slightest, bwhahahahaha!"
Twilight had never been in the underground caverns of Ponyville. She kept asking Luna what was happening, but the Princess said it'll be explained once they reach the others. So Twilight followed her in a narrow, dimly lit tunnel. Finally, they reached a slightly brighter area. There were a few tunnels leading elsewhere.
"Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, I brought someone special!" Luna shouted. Soon a sound of running hooves were heard coming. Out of the front tunnel came out Applejack. She stopped running as her eyes widened.
"What in tarnation? Twilight!"
"I'm so happy to see you Applejack! Ponyville's deserted, there are Changelings and a statue of..."
"Twilight!" Two voices shouted.
Those two voices belonged to Rarity and Fluttershy. They were both already hugging Twilight. After the greetings, Rarity was the first to speak.
"Twilight, darling, why do you look so young?"
And then Twilight began to notice. Her friends looked older, and injured. Applejack had an eye-patch around her left eye, Rarity's horn was bandaged, as was both of Fluttershy's wings.
"What happen to you girls? What happened to all of Ponyville?!" Twilight shouted.
The Princess looked at Twilight rather strangely.
"2027."
Twilight took a few steps back.
"I see now! Girls, that portal, it sent me to the future! Now it all makes sense."
The three ponies looked at each other.
"Now the question is what happened to this place and everypony? Where's Rainbow and Pinkie?"
Applejack was about to explain, but Luna intervened.
"No need to explain Applejack, I will. As you saw Twilight, there's a giant statue of Queen Chrysalis in the center of Ponyville. She returned from wherever she came from eight years ago. With you gone, the Elements of Harmony were useless. Her first targets were Cadence and Shining Armor.
Twilight began to understand what was happening as she held back tears.
"Soon after, the Changelings invaded Ponyville. None of the residents were prepared. Soon my sister, myself, and the rest of your friends met at Canterlot Castle to discuss what to do. But then Chrysalis barged into the room. Me and my sister fought bravely, but somehow the witch had gotten stronger. She was overpowering us. Rainbow Dash was the first to attack once we were down. It was in vain. But instead of destroying her, Chrysalis turned her into a statue. And then out of nowhere she shot a beam at Pinkie Pie, instantly making her a mindless slave. When me and my sister got up, she asked me to go. I told her I would fight by her side, but she made me promise to keep your friends safe from Queen Chrysalis's wrath. So reluctantly I led the three remaining ponies out to this underground cavern as my sister sacrificed her life to make sure we had enough time to escape and find shelter."
"We tried to go back and fight, several times, but each time we were forced to retreat." Applejack said glumly.
Twilight turned around and walked a few steps. She had never thought what a world without Princess Celestia would be like.
"Uh, Twi..." Fluttershy began.
"Now that I'm here," Twilight turned around, "We'll go to Canterlot Castle and use the Elements of Harmony on Queen Chrysalis!"
The ponies and Luna looked each at each other.
"Not to sound like a pessimist dear, but how can we use the Elements without Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie?"
"That's precisely it Rarity, we need them. We're going to storm the castle and rescue them. We need the Elements."
Princess Luna then flew to a tunnel on top and came back moments later holding a book. She gave it to Twilight who then opened it. The Elements shined brightly. Twilight put her's on. She gave the others their's.
"With that settled, now it's about getting into the castle."
Twilight looked up.
"Maybe the portal dropped me here for a reason. It's time to take the fight to Queen Chrysalis, for Princess Celestia, for Cadence, for my bother, for all of Equestria!"
And for the first time in eight years, the ponies had a glint of hope in their eyes. The time was set, Twilight and Applejack flew on Princess Luna while Fluttershy carried Rarity. They were on their way to Canterlot Castle.
Lightning struck Equestria, but no rain came. Inside the dark castle sat Queen Chrysalis. Suddenly a Changeling burst into the room.
"My queen! Twilight Spark-"
Before it could finish, a blast disintegrated it. Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Princess Luna walked into the room. Queen Chrysalis laughed.
"Twilight Sparkle, it's been many years. Tell me, what made you decide to come back?"
The Queen laughed as lightning struck.
"My dear Twilight, you think mere necklaces can stop me? You can't even use them since you're missing Loyalty and Laughter."
She looked to her right. Rainbow Dash stood there, in a flying pose, as a stone statue. Then the Queen looked to her right. Out of the shadows emerged Pinkie Pie. She looked normal except for one thing, inside her eyes were rainbows going round and round instead of pupils.
"I'm surprised at you Luna, bringing in the last of your kind to their doom, bwhahaha."
"Go Fluttershy!" Twilight shouted.
There was a blur of yellow and pink. Fluttershy reached Rainbow Dash and dropped her Element onto her neck. She then flew back to stand with the others.
"What's this?" Queen Chrysalis said.
The statue started to crack, crack, and crack some more. And then it cracked all the way, revealing Rainbow Dash in all her blue glory. She turned to Queen Chrysalis.
"This is for Princess Celestia!" She shouted.
She flew and gave the Queen a solid right cross to the jaw, knocking her over. Rainbow Dash went to stand with the others.
"Twilight, how are you-"
A horde of Changelings were swarming through the windows. Queen Chrysalis stood back up.
"Hahaha, fools! Don't think victory is within your grasp. My Changelings will be enough to shred you all to pieces! And I'll even make the pink one help."
After that was said, Pinkie started to walk toward the heroes with the Changelings.
"As planned, I will hold off Queen Chrysalis as you and others beat the Changelings and free Pinkie." Princess Luna said with her head lowered to Twilight. Twilight nodded, and Luna flew toward the Queen, who was laughing it up. Now Twilight and others turned to face the Changelings and Pinkie Pie, who was still walking toward them like a zombie.
"Alright everypony, we have to get Pinkie's element on her while also taking care of the Changelings."
The Changelings were approaching with Pinkie Pie walking in front. Twilight shot a few beams from her horn, disintegrating some of them. Rainbow Dash then zoomed and tackled Pinkie to the ground.
"Alright Pinkie, time to turn you back to normal!" She said as she was about to put Pinkie's Element on her.
But Pinkie then headbutted Rainbow, making the later dizzy. She then round-kicked her away.
"Oh dear." Fluttershy said as she watched the whole thing. Applejack was next on the scene, grabbing Pinkie's element and cornering her.
"Pinkie, would you stand still? We're trying to help you!"
Pinkie didn't answer nor could she. Applejack ran toward her. Pinkie stood there, then upper-cutted Applejack away. Meanwhile Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy were taking care of the few remaining Changelings.
"Fluttershy! You and Rainbow Dash hold Pinkie down as Applejack puts her Element on her!" Twilight ordered.
"Got it!" Fluttershy responded.
Fluttershy was once very shy, but over the years she has gained a great confidence, being one of the only Pegasus left. She zoomed and tackled Pinkie from behind. Rainbow Dash joined in on holding her down.
"Please forgive us Pinkie."
She put Pinkie's Element on, all the while with the latter struggling to break free. Once it was on, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stepped back. The rainbow circles in Pinkie's eyes ceased. But instead of actinng like her cheerful self, she had an expression of great anger. She jumped and started pulverizing the few remaining Changelings. The other Ponies just stood and watched as an enraged Pinkie Pie let the Changelings have it. After a few moments, they were on the ground defeated. Pinkie Pie breathed with steam.
"Uh, Pinkie?"
She gave Twilight a big hug. All the other Ponies smiled. But then they saw Luna get thrown to the ground.
"Hahahahaha, after all these years, was that truly the best you could do Luna?" Queen Chrysalis laughed as thunder struck.
Twilight turned to her friends.
"Alright, it's been some time, but concentrate. Let the Elements of Harmony do their work."
The rest of the Mane 6 nodded and closed their eyes. They started to float as a barrier went around them.
"What's this?" Queen Chrysalis said.
Twilight opened her eyes, it was filled with nothing but light. From the barrier a large beam was fired.
"No, no!" Queen Chrysalis shouted.
She then fired her own beam. The two blasts struck. The Queen was actually managing to hold her own against it. But then Princess Luna got up and joined in with her own beam. Now it was easily approaching the Queen.
"This, this can't be happening! I'm Queen of the Changelings, I'm..."
Before she could finish being in denial, the beams struck, wiping out Queen Chrysalis for good. The Ponies levitated to the ground. They all breathed heavily and looked at each other. They nodded, as did Princess Luna.
It was a cool dark night in Canterlot Gardens. The Ponies and Luna were enjoying the breeze.
"So what now Princess Luna?" Twilight asked.
Twilight looked behind herself.
"I'm not sure, I belong in the past, not here. But you all need me here to rebuild. Besides, there's no way for me to get back."
All of sudden a noise was heard.
"That's a similar noise of when the portal appeared. Could it be..."
And then in front of everyone a portal opened. Twilight peered inside, it showed her friends standing at the same picnic spot.
"Go, Twilight Sparkle. You belong in your own time." Princess Luna said.
Twilight turned to her friends, all of them were trying to hold back tears. She went and hugged every one of them.
"Even though we only got to see you for today after so many years, it will be a day we'll never forget. Right y'all?"
The other Ponies nodded with enthusiasm. Twilight walked into the portal. It started to slowly close. She turned around to say one more goodbye, then remembered something.
"What happened to Spike!" She shouted.
"It worked! My portal idea worked!" Pinkie Pie shouted with enthusiasm.
Later that day in the spa, Twilight told her story for the third time.
"But I do have one question, where did that portal come from in the first place?" Rainbow Dash asked.
And in the distance at that very moment, somewhere unknown, the laugh of Discord was heard.
Epilogue
"Wake up Spike!" Twilight said as she entered her room.
"Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that a friend could bring hope to what looks like an impossible situation. When you're down, a friend can make the difference. No one can change the future, but with friends, the present can be more fun."
The End
Author's note: Inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles episode 'Same as it Never Was .'
