Chapters Overthrown Book One: The Civil War Begins
It was a beautiful day in the country of Equestria! Pegasi flew up in Cloudsdale, ready to catch a Wonderbolts show or go to Flight School. Unicorns practiced their magic at the Friendship School, with hopes that they would pass their next exam. Land ponies were off to work themselves in Ponyville, either harvesting apples at Sweet Apple Acres or baking cakes and the like at Sugar Cube Corner. Things were going smoothly and peacefully.
Today was particularly a special day. It was the day that Twilight Sparkle was going to be crowned ruler of all of Equestria. Princess Celestia knew she was getting old and couldn't rule the country forever. With Twilight being her best student, she knew no one could help keep harmony in Equestria better than she and her friends. After all, when you've fought dragons, babysat animals, solved multiple friendship problems, and even participated in a turkey call contest, you knew a thing or two about friendship and harmony. The Mane Six, as they were called, were helping prepare for the night's coronation and they knew things had to be perfect. Rarity especially felt all the pressure.
"Alright everypony," Rarity said, taking the helm as a private would do when the colonel had the day off. "Let's put the ice sculptures there, and let's put the buffet here."
Applejack used all her strength to make sure the orders of the fancy party-planning pony were met.
"How's this?!" Apple said, showing Rarity where she put the ice sculpture.
"Excellent, darling! But maybe a little farther!" Rarity said.
"Rarity! Do we really have to have a dress code for this event?!" Pinkie Pie whined as she read over the dress code.
"Yes, we do Pinkie! This is a coronation!" Rarity said. "It's meant to be a fancy dress event. But you can get creative with the music if you like."
"YAAAAAY!" Pinkie Pie said, her signature Pinkie Pie energy blasting off like a rocket going to Mars.
"Rarity, you look stressed," Fluttershy said, as she put the decorations on the wall with the help of her animals. "Breath."
"Of course, I'm stressed, Fluttershy," Rarity said. "THIS IS THE CORONATION OF OUR FRIEND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE! WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE SHE MAKES A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION! WE PROMISED EQUESTRIA!"
"Don't be hard on yourself, Rarity," Rainbow Dash said, as she finished hanging the balloons at aircraft-level speeds. "Twilight already has a great reputation in Equestria! We've saved it multiple times, probably more than I can even count. She'll be a great ruler."
"You're right," Rarity said, with a smile. "This is honestly the best work I've done yet. I haven't even gotten started on..."
Just then, a laugh was heard in the distance. It wasn't a typical happy-go-lucky laugh either. It was cold, like a cold breeze on a winter's day, and villainous. The foals stopped in their tracks after hearing that laughter, fear evident on their faces.
"What was that?!" Fluttershy asked.
"I have no idea," Rainbow said.
Just then, a mysterious pony appeared at the doorway. He was as black as Princess Luna and as tall as her as well. But his tail ended in a group of spikes, almost like he was a demon of sorts. He had wings that were just as black as his fur but had red stripes on the ends. He had three different horns on his head, one that was black, one that was white, and one that was grey. He looked like something out of a horror movie centered around a dystopian wasteland, served with a heaping helping of foreshadowing.
"Well, well, well," the mysterious foal spoke. "This is where I hear Princess Twilight is having her coronation."
"Oh! Where are my manners?!" The demonic foal said. "I'm Moondust Bloom, ruler of Darkaria, and Celestia's sister. See, I was supposed to be the one to take my big sister's throne someday. I was so close to getting everything I'd ever wanted! But what did my big sister do?!"
Moondust used his three horns to shoot at a table in a fit of rage. The table melted into a pile of wood shavings and sawdust, much to Rarity's dismay.
"SHE CHOSE SOME STUDENT OF HERS SHE BARLEY KNEW!!!" Moondust yelled. "Also, guess what she did to me, her own brother when I questioned that choice. She banished me from Equestria, usurped me from my throne, and sent me away to some wasteland. IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!!! NOW I'M STUCK RULING SOME PATHETIC WASTELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
After that little outburst, a smile drew from Moondust's face. "But now that there's about to be a new queen ruling this land, I will make sure I take everything from her, just like how my sister took everything from me."
Suddenly, a purple zap of a certain alicorn came out of nowhere and blasted Moondust into the decorations, further causing Rarity anxiety. Everyone looked over and saw Twilight Sparkle, wings glowing purple, horn blazing, and confidence on her face. Beside her was Princess Celestia, still looking youthful at her old age.
"Leave them alone, brother," Celestia said, still having her authoritarian assertion. "I know you're frustrated over everything. But especially after seeing this display of greed, I can't in good conscience let you rule. I noticed a darkness in you that was far too deep to be able to rule anything. So please: Leave now, before things escalate."
"OK sister," Moondust said. "I'll go. But this is far from over. I'm gonna start a little civil war in Equestria that not even you or Twilight can solve with the power of friendship. I'm gonna take everything from you, just like you took everything from me. So enjoy your little celebration now, because your downfall has already begun."
Just like that, Moondust let out a howl of laughter, as he slammed the door so hard that all of the party decorations toppled to the ground. Rarity fainted at the site of all her hard work turned into a hurricane's aftermath. But right now, there were more important matters at hand than a party setup.
"What just happened?" Twilight asked.
"That was my brother, Moondust Bloom," Celestia said. "He's been set on revenge on me for ages. I don't know how he got powerful enough to start a civil war with me. But we need to act fast."
"Oh no," Twilight said, in fear. "I think..."
"It's already begun," Celestia said, in sadness and fear.
The rioters continued to bang on the door with various items.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bring me Twilight!" the orange pegasus said, in a familiar raspy voice.
Twilight bravely stepped forward and looked closely at the little pegasus and gasped.
"Scootaloo?!"
Overthrown Book One: The Civil War Begins
The Mane Six couldn't believe their eyes. They've known Scootaloo and her friends since they were little. They've been there for them since the moment they met. Pinkie even threw several "Didn't Get Your Cutie Mark But Keep Pushing" parties for them and a "Sorry You Didn't Make The Wonderbolts" party for Scootaloo just to give them self-confidence. Now the young orange pegasus they knew and treated like a sister was leading a riot to overthrow the ruler of Equestria?! It just didn't seem right.
"Scootaloo? But why?" Twilight said, a tear rolling down her eye in disappointment.
"Why did I choose to do this?!" Scootaloo asked sarcastically. "Wow Twi! You ask some of the most cliche things ever! Why are you doing this?! Why, Why, Why?!"
Scootaloo and the rioters laughed as loud as hyenas at their little remark. Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy silently cried to themselves at the thought of their old friend turning dark. But Rainbow Dash wasn't having any of it. She had treated Scootaloo like a sister, taught her everything she needed to be a good flyer, and this is the thanks she got?!
"You better explain yourself, Scootaloo!" Rainbow yelled, a mix of anger and rage on her face.
"You're right," Scootaloo said, unphased at her former mentor's outburst. "I guess I'll start from the beginning."
The girls had a mix of anger and sadness on their faces as Scootaloo began her monologue.
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders," the orange pegasus began. "We would spend ages trying to get our cutie marks. No matter what we tried, it was not enough. Then one day, Moondust Bloom came to me with a proposition: Lead his army, and he'll make sure I get my cutie mark."
The pegasus turned her rear over to show her new cutie mark. The mark was a picture of a skeleton head, wearing an army hat and sitting next to it: A musket.
"Honestly, leading an army wouldn't have been my first choice," Scootaloo said. "But it was surely a creative one. So after building up this army that you see before you, we began what I like to call Scootaloo's Rebellion. It was a tough march, but I believe in our cause. We lost a lot of good ponies though. Big Macintosh, Zephyr Breeze, Gilda Griffin."
The ponies gasped even more at the revelation of how much chaos the corrupt pegasus had caused. How could such a sweet pegasus have become a monster under their watch?
"But it was worth it," Scootaloo said, with a laugh. "Now that we're in Celestia's palace, we can finish what Moondust started, starting with the rainbow-haired flyer!
That was enough for Rainbow Dash! She charged at the young pegasus and beat her senseless. She gave blow after blow as she screamed in a fit of rage.
"HOW COULD YOU?!?!?!? WE DID AS MUCH AS WE COULD FOR YOU!!!!! WHY?!?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!" Rainbow yelled, in between blows. "AFTER EVERYTHING?!?! THIS IS THE THANKS WE GET?!?! WHAT ABOUT ME?!?!?! I DID THE MOST FOR YOU!!!"
At that moment, Scootaloo grabbed Rainbow by the wing and threw her against the wall. The rainbow pegasus crashed into the ice sculpture, which smashed into the floor, further adding to the chaos. Everyone stared at Scootaloo and her army like deer in headlights. Everything was silent until those two words left the mouth of the orange army leader:
"Seize them!"
The rioters obliged the psychotic request and charged The Mane Six and Celestia, creating a chaotic environment. Celestia tried her best to use her powers to fend them off. But it was no use. The pegasi were too fast to be caught in her blasts, the unicorns counterattacked with their magic blasts, and the strong land ponies kicked at Celestia, causing a blow more powerful than that of a construction worker's wrecking ball.
"Guys! Please stop! What about friendship?! What about harmony?!" Twilight said, trying to calm the crowd down.
"Oh please! Times have changed, Twilight! A simple little song and dance doesn't work anymore" Scootaloo said. "This is the true power of friendship."
Scootaloo screamed at the top of her lungs, as she kicked Celestia in the legs, causing her to scream in pain. Twilight knew she had to get her friends out of the chaos. Then, she got an idea.
"Guys! Get beside me!" Twilight yelled as she began a teleportation spell.
The girls obliged and got beside Twilight and the severely injured Celestia. The group faded away as the rioters charged closer and closer to them. But luckily, they were able to get away from the mob. Scootaloo looked around for them, wondering where they might've gone.
"Where'd they go?!" Scootaloo yelled. "WHERE ARE THEY?!"
Everyone shrugged, perplexed and amazed by what they had just witnessed. A teleportation spell. That hadn't been used by a unicorn, much less a royal one, for millennia. In fact, the last time that was used was for a major war against the pegasi and alicorns. But that wasn't important to Scootaloo. What was important was that her victims got away.
"What matters now is that Moondust Bloom is now the ruler of Equestria," Scootaloo said, much to the delight of the crowd. "But our battle isn't finished! We won't rest until those six ponies are caught and brought to justice. They are officially wanted for treason. Per our great ruler Moondust Bloom, anyone who can bring them here to face trial shall be rewarded greatly!"
The crowd cheered at the orange pegasi's little speech. But she had one more request.
"If you see Twilight, leave her," Scootaloo said with rage. "She is mine! But for now, let's rejoice in a new age for Equestria! A new era of friendship! Who is ready for true magic?!"
The crowd went crazy with delight and jubilation. Scootaloo was happy to have had the success she had thus far. But that wasn't enough for her, not anymore. Ever since getting her cutie mark, she knew she had to have more. She would hunt Twilight and her friends down if she had to.
At least, she'd have an army to help her out while doing so as well.
Overthrown Book One: The Civil War Begins
Tensions, But A Plan (Epilogue)
Nothing but a forest.
That's all the Mane Six saw when they woke up after being teleported. Twilight looked at her friends and smiled. She was happy that she was able to get them out of there safe and sound. Just then, she saw Celestia, looking weak after being attacked by the rioters. She raced over to be by her side.
"No, no, no, no!" Twilight yelled with worry, looking at how damaged Celestia looked. "Celestia! Stay there! I'll try to find help!"
"I don't think that'll be necessary, Twi," Celestia said, with weakness in her voice. "I don't know how much longer I have. But you need to be strong, Twilight.
"I don't know if I can," Twilight said, with tears in her eyes. "Not without you."
"Listen, Twi," Celestia said. "You were the best student I've ever had, and I know how strong you are. You have the greatest group of friends in your corner and you have a love for this country in your heart. Take this."
Celestia handed Twilight her crown. It was gold and it contained six jewels, each representing the elements of Harmony.
"These jewels represent the Elements," Celestia said. "Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, and Magic. These all will be essential in your journey to stop Moondust Bloom and Scootaloo and to claim your rightful place as princess."
Celestia and Twilight embraced one last time, before Celestia's spirit left her body, ending her rule once and for all. Twilight sobbed quietly to herself at the loss of her mentor and with a head full of regrets for herself. She couldn't even save a former ruler from being assassinated. How was she going to save the entire kingdom?!
Just then, she heard some arguing from the distance. She rushed over and saw Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity arguing amongst themselves and things seemed tense. Not a friendly bickering type of tense either, no-no. This was a full-on rabid feral war type of tense.
"Where in the wide wide world of Equestria are we?!" Applejack yelled, taking her frustrations out on Pinkie mostly. "What just happened?!"
"I DON'T KNOW!" Pinkie responded. "But this place does give a mythical adventure vibe. Should we throw an "I Don't Know Which Forest I'm In, But I Like It" party?"
"You and your parties," Rainbow said, as she charged toward Pinkie, who was protected by Applejack.
"Focus guys! Didn't you hear what Moondust said?!" Rarity yelled. "Equestria will fall into chaos unless we stop him!"
"Not my problem!" Rainbow yelled as she began to leave for Cloudsdale. "I should've never gotten involved in this little group."
"Is that all you got?!" Pinkie snapped. "WAS THAT WHAT YOU SAID WHEN GILDA'S WORLD WENT TO CRAP?!!?"
At that moment, Rainbow stopped in her tracks and looked back at Pinkie, with a face more red than blue. "Come again?!" She asked, in a rage-filled voice.
"Yeah, Scootaloo got Gilda and most likely destroyed that pathetic griffin country too," Pinkie said, going off of the mouth in her signature Pinkie way. "Suits her right too. With the way she treated your friends, especially Fluttershy. You know, I'm surprised they didn't..."
In a fit of rage, Rainbow charged at Pinkie, right before she could finish her sentence! Apple and Rarity begged Rainbow to stop, while Fluttershy hid behind some bushes, not wanting to see all of the chaos. Pinkie tried to defend herself, but it was no use. All those years of Wonderbolts training had paid off for Rainbow.
At that moment, Twilight used her magic to blast Rainbow in the wings. The pegasus fell to the ground in agony, as Twilight walked over to the group.
"Are you ready to be calm now?" Twilight said, with a voice that felt more authoritarian than ever. At that moment, Rainbow broke down in tears.
"I'm sorry Pinkie," Rainbow said through her sobs. "It's just that Scootaloo was like the sweetest girl. I can't believe that someone like Moondust would corrupt her. Now, Equestria's gonna go to crap. Even worse, Scootaloo's gonna go down with it."
Pinkie pulled the sobbing Pegasus into a warm and assuring embrace, which helped calm things down a bit.
"Look Rainbow," Pinkie said. "I know you're worried about Scootaloo, and rightfully so. But taking your anger out on your friends isn't gonna solve anything."
"That's right," Twilight said. "Princess Celestia wouldn't want us to be bickering with each other, especially as tense as this. She gave me the Elements of Harmony before she died. We need to go back to the castle and stop Moondust Bloom for good. Friendship is more strong than anything in the world. If we stop him, we can also save Scootaloo too. Who's with me?"
Rainbow wiped the tears from her eyes, flew up into the air, and said with confidence, "I'm definitely in! That monster will pay for corrupting Scootaloo!"
"Count me in!" Pinkie said, with enthusiasm.
"Yessir!" Applejack said.
"I don't care much about the kingdom, to be honest," Rarity said, before realizing how wrong that sounded. "I mean, I do! But I care more about the fact that Moondust pretty much destroyed $1,000 worth of party decorations! My entire decoration lineup is ruined thanks to him! He! Will! PAY!"
The rest of the ponies cheered at that rage-filled statement for some weird reason, before Twilight turned to Fluttershy.
"Oh, well, uh, you see," Fluttershy said. "I do have the animals to take care of, and Angel has a vet appointment at 6:30 on Sunday."
"Fluttershy!" Rainbow said, facepalming as she did so. "If Moondust Bloom rules Equestria, he'll most likely harm your animals too!"
Fluttershy gasped and enraged herself so hard, that she kicked the nearest tree she saw. Well, technically, she gently tapped it. But you get the idea.
"NO ONE HURTS MY ANIMAL FRIENDS!!!!!!!" Fluttershy yelled.
"Alright! Another mission is a go!" Pinkie yelled, with enthusiasm.
Author's Note
Well, there you have it. Book One of the Overthrown series is officially done. It was a bit short, but don't worry. Book Two will be even longer. OC's, More Chapters, Deeper Lore, basically the whole nine yards. Let me know what you think in the comments.
