Twilight’s POV

It’s just a dark surrounding. She emits a light from her horn, but it’s not enough to cover the surrounding. It’s look like an endless void. She called for her friends, her dear mentor and Raze. Nothing. There’s nothing that answer her call. She walks and walks and walks but still an endless void. Twilight never felt so much guilt in her life. But this guilt came out of nowhere. She felt like there’s no faith left. She looked around, still a silence. It was until…a strong shriek came from a distance, echoing in the darkness.

Applejack’s POV

She’s now in the Apple farm. Standing doing her own business but the twist, it happened an hour ago and she can’t move her body. She can only see what occurred during that hour. Like usual Raze and Twilight came by but suddenly when Raze approaches, her own voice echo in the room, ‘What in the hay this alicorn doing here now?’ her voice echoes in her mind.

“Wait, how did Raze knows what I’m thinking?!” said Applejack in shock.

‘Nevermind, maybe he just swing by to help Twilight,’ said Applejack in thought.

But it’s not what she’s thinking. Raze came around and asked if he can help. Of course Applejack would refuse but the look on Twilight’s face is filled with hope and determination. She wants to talk but Granny Smith refused. After Twilight able to convince Granny Smith, Applejack thought play again, ‘Oh hay nah, how can Granny Smith just accept him like that?!’

Applejack’s just exhaled, ‘It’s okay, maybe he really wanna change. Let’s see what this alicorn can do with bucking.’

During the bucking Raze accidentally buck an apple tree causing it to fly across the farm. That triggers her and Big Mac’s anger. After the problems were solved, the POV changed into Raze’s. She’s now standing and able to move but invisible through their eyes. She walks besides the colt that listening to Twilight mutters on Raze. But Raze’s was occupied with something else. Raze thought plays, ‘Do I really a good guy here? Or am I just being a faker? No…I can change. I believe I can.’

That makes Applejack’s eyes to widen. She didn’t believe that Raze’s really wanna change. She thought that he is just playing around. Suddenly, a voice of hers echoes but sounds like it mixed with other voices,

‘You will never change. I don’t believe in you liar. You won’t change. You’re just going to cause more ruckuses in Equestria. You deserve to die.’

That makes Applejack to shock, “I didn’t say any of that!”

But the last word echoes,

You deserve to die.

You deserve to die.

You deserve to die.

You deserve to die.

It echoes around Applejack in a loop. “WHAT THE HAY IS THIS?!” she shout in fear. Suddenly she saw Raze cutie mark that makes her eyes to widened, his cutie mark is an orange phoenix opened her wing, emitting a yellow light around it. The cutie mark started to turn darker. Applejack’s eyes were widened. Suddenly everything turns dark. Applejack immediately falls down. A few apple surrounds her, and start echo the same chant,

You deserve to die.

You deserve to die.

You deserve to die.

It repeats the same words while slowly rotting, emitting a very strong smell of rotten fruit. She looked around in fear, didn’t know what to do.

Rainbow Dash POV

She’s now standing on top of a cloud. She saw Raze and her other self is getting ready for race.

“What is this all about?!” Rainbow Dash shouts in anger. She just watches Raze and her other self being ready.

“Alright, Raze. If you can beat me, maybe I can reconsider about forgiving you.” Rainbow Dash said arrogantly.

“You bet, Dashie. I’ll be ready for win.” said Raze in replies.

Rainbow Dash chuckled, “Hah, if you can beat me.”

Both of the contestants getting ready as Twilight start counting. After one being said, both competitors immediately take off at a high speed. It was a pretty good race, Rainbow and Raze giving each other a tight competition.

“I’m ahead of you, better be ready to lose!” Rainbow Dash said while looking at Raze from the front. Raze looking at the situation, he try to fly as fast as he can. He flapped his wing twice as strong. Slowly, he nearly reaches Rainbow Dash, but still unable to catch up with her. He then increases the speed to flap his wing and increase the strength of the flaps. Suddenly, he was going too fast. He starts to emit a sparks around him. Rainbow Dash looked behind, her eyes were widened; she didn’t believe what she saw. After a few seconds, Raze committed a Sonic Rainboom, causing Rainbow Dash to fling aside. Raze being so fast and he reached the finish line. As he stop, he celebrates, “Let’s go I win!”

The excitement didn’t last long as he saw Rainbow Dash landed in a pond. Twilight and Raze that saw her immediately get to the scene. Rainbow was walking to get out of the pond, Raze lend a hoof to help her. But Rainbow Dash replied by pushed his hoof away in anger.

“What’s wrong with you?!” Raze asked.

“I don’t need your help! You think you pulled a Sonic Rainboom will make me impressed?!” Rainbow Dash stared Raze in anger.

Raze were shocked by Rainbow Dash refusal. “B-but why…?”

Rainbow Dash didn’t respond, she shake her body, drying herself up and responded, “You cheated with Sonic Rainboom! I didn’t pull that in any races I participated! And you used it against me to win, cheater!”

“It was accidental! I didn’t mean to-”

Rainbow Dash didn’t want to listen. She flies and took off, leaving Raze in anger.

Raze dropped a tear. He stared the grass for a minute before Twilight came by and told him to not worry.

Rainbow Dash that watching the scene suddenly felt guilty. She should listen first but she chose to go away. She was angry because Raze was able to pull a Sonic Rainboom. Thenthe whole room turn into darkness and a voice of hers suddenly came out echoing with a mixed demonic voice,

“Cheater little loser.”

“Cheater little loser.”

“Cheater little loser.”

That makes Rainbow Dash to have a chill on her spine, “WHAT THE HAY WAS THAT?!”

From far away, she saw Raze, sitting in the darkness. She tries to reach him but she was stopped when she sees three copies of her with different kind standing, surrounding Raze. Three of them have the same cutie mark as her but the thunder that resembles a rainbow turned to be black. The first one, a unicorn yelled, “EVEN WITH MAGIC, YOU’RE A SORE LOSER THAT LOVE TO CHEAT!”

The Earth version continued, “BEING AN EARTH PONY EVEN DON’T SUITS YOU! YOU WILL TRY TO USE A POTION OR ARTIFACT TO MAKE YOURSELF MORE POWERFUL!”

The last one, the Pegasus version sent the last, the harshest one, “EVEN BEING ALICORN DON’T SUITS YOU! YOU’RE JUST…”

Three of them shouted in unison, “SORE LOSER THAT NEVER DESERVE TO BE A PRINCE!”

Rainbow Dash saw something on his cutie mark. Raze’s cutie mark that resembles a phoenix with light that getting darker. The real Rainbow Dash was shocked and shouted, “Hey, don’t believe that! They’re-”

Suddenly a shadow silhouette shows up in front of her. That makes her to silence and scared. The shadow stared in hatred. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash falls into a void, staring into the silhouette that slowly getting far away. She was clueless and feel scared.

Pinkie’s POV

She was watching Raze making a bake with her other copies. It was all going well until the baking session. Raze kicked out from the store. But theres another twist, Twilight also kicked him out from the castle. Slowly, everything that surrounds them fades into darkness. Raze took a sit while looking at the void floor. Suddenly, a cake appears. It’s says happy birthday to Raze. Pinkie was happy to see the situation. But it escalated quickly when the other version of her stomped into the cake, making real her to shock. Her other version has a balloon inflated cutie mark. Raze stared her in confusion, “Why?”

When she talks, a demonic voice mixed with her voice, “No cake is deserved for someone like you. The only sweet thing you deserve death.”

Then the voice duplicated into for circling him while repeating the same word,

“The only sweet thing you deserve is death.”

“The only sweet thing you deserve is death.”

The only thing you deserve is death.”

Pinkie who sees that immediately shouted, “HEY, LEAVE HIM ALONE!”

But they didn’t respond, neither do Raze. It’s like her voice was being blocked by the other side. Raze covered his head while burst a tears. “Please, I know it’s my fault…”

Pinkie seeing that immediately starts crying. She’s trying her best to shout. When she tries to move, it’s all like her legs were glued to the floor. Suddenly, she fell into a void. She screams in fear, totally shocked by the sudden fall.

Sunset’s POV

Sunset just watch her other self that just sits in the hospital waiting for her turn. Nothing was unusual. She was reading a book about magic while having her back bandaged. Suddenly all the moment were changed to Raze and Twilight walking to Sweet Apple Acres. With that, something catches Sunset eyes; Raze cutie mark that resembles a sad phoenix that is totally in black. She stared at it for a long time and thought, ‘Why that cutie mark seems wrong?’

She then chose to ignore it and followed Twilight and Raze that walking through, slowly walking to the apple farm. She then heard Raze’s thought,

“Am I deserved to change? I…I believe I can.”

Sunset just listened to Raze thought for a few second until suddenly everything around her turn into darkness. Twilight was gone, leaving only Raze and her in the darkness. Raze didn’t saw that happened around him, like he was busy with his own mind. She stands there watching Raze walking away from her. Then a copy of her came from side rammed Raze making Raze to roll. Sunset was shocked, she tries to go near Raze but her leg was stuck in to the ground. She tries to scream, but she was unable to.

“That’s what you get for hitting me! But that’s not the end!” fake Sunset continued. She lifted Raze by his throat. Raze struggle as much as he can.

“How it felt to struggle?” Sunset says mixed with devil voice and laugh.

“You don’t deserve anything, Raze. YOU NEARLY KILLED ME!” she screams in anger. Slowly, her face start to grow a paper cut on her face. Her back also started to bruise. Slowly, her body starts to rot. The fake Sunset stared real Sunset.

“He did this to you. He wanted you dead. Do you think he deserve a place in this world? Do you think he is forgivable? Look at what he did to you. LOOK WHAT HE DID TO YOU!” The fake Sunset screamed towards the real one. Real Sunset was shocked as the fake one stared her. This is the first time ever she saw the most disgusting appearance she ever seen. She tries to reply, but she won’t able to do any talking. Suddenly, the fake Sunset tightens the grip, making Raze to feel pain. Sunset panicked. She tries to unstuck herself but it won’t work. Unfortunately, the fake one formed a magical sword and stabbed Raze. She repeated while laughing all the way she can. Raze however, he didn’t die. Every stab he was given, he screamed in pain. Sunset eyes widened. Her condition getting even worst as she sees Raze dropped so many bloods but didn’t die. The fake Sunset lifted it and aimed to Raze’s eyes. Real Sunset jaw was opened. The fake Sunset stab through his eyes, making Raze to screams in the loudest scream that would make any pony spine to have chill. However who watched it will get sick, fake Sunset didn’t pull out the sword, she twist the sword in his eyes, causing more pain on him. Still, Raze didn’t die. Real Sunset that watching felt very sick as she watching the horrors occur. She sits in disbelief, feeling that she might puke soon. Suddenly, both Raze and fake Sunset were gone in just a blink of an eye, leaving her alone in the darkness. She formed into a ball and start crying as she traumatized by the scene that she just watch. Out of the blues, she fell into a void.

Twilight’s POV

She kept walking endlessly until…a slide-like memory plays in front of her. It shows how happy was Raze that Twilight trying to help him. All the sweet moments that was playing slowly turning horrible. From showing how frustrated Twilight with Raze’s failed attempts to showing everything that she never did. A few slide shows that Raze’s turned into stone, decapitated, dismembered, tortured or worse…died.”

She was silenced with the slide previews.

‘Oh sweet Celestia, this is the worst possible thing that ever happened.’ She slowly walks back and accidentally bumped onto someone. When she turned around, she was startled as Fluttershy was next to Princess Luna.

“Thanks, Celestia, It’s you Luna. I-I…this is unbelievable! What is this place?! Where is this?!”

Fluttershy replied, “You’re in a dream, Twilight. I was in the middle of a scary scene when Luna came by and saved me.”

Luna nodded and looking at Twilight, “What happened here? Why there’s a black bubble covering the whole castle?”

“Black bubble?” Twilight asked.

A few minutes after the shadow inside Raze strikes, Luna saw from Canterlot, a black force emitted causing her to look in confusion. She decided to use her magic to run into dreams. As she entered the dream realm, she immediately examine from doors to doors until there’s a tulpa standing in front of a black door in confusion. Luna gets near her and asked what happened. The tulpa replied by explaining about the door that won’t open even with force. Luna decided that she would pass through the door. She asked the tulpa to stay away from the door and manage the other nightmares. The tulpa just agreed and told Luna to be careful. Luna entered the door just to see Fluttershy were facing one of the most disgusting no pony could ever see. It was showing that Raze was being tortured alive by a bunch of animals in the most horrible ways possible. Luna immediately put an end to the nightmare. Fluttershy was startled and relieved as she saw Luna on her side. Fluttershy was felt very grateful for the help with the darkness. Luna asks why she had this diabolical, devil dream. That makes Fluttershy’s eyes to widen.

“…and that’s how we found out that everything here is just a dream.” said Fluttershy calmly.

“So, we all are trapped in a dream?” Twilight ask in shock. Both Fluttershy and Luna just nodded.

“What are we waiting for?! Let’s wake up!” Twilight said in hurry.

“I can’t wake you up just like that. Something prevents all of you from waking up. We have to get rid of that first.” Luna explained.

Twilight looked around in the darkness, “What is that thing you called, something?”

Luna pointed something above them. When Twilight looks up, she was flabbergasted. Pulsating orbs appear above them. In fact, there’s two of it.

“WHAT IS THAT?!” Twilight ask in fear.

“It’s seems that is a dark magic that put you asleep. This magic usually last until the caster of it dies.” Luna said calmly.

“DOES THAT MEAN WE WILL BE TRAPPED HERE FOREVER?!” Twilight shout in fear.

“Yes, unless we destroy that orb.” said Luna again.

“That’s good, so what are we waiting for?” Twilight was excited; she’s excited to get out of the realm as soon as she can.

“That is going to be a problem.” said Luna in a nervous face.

After a few hours of planning they get into their position.

“Ready?” Twilight asked.

“Ready!” said Luna and Fluttershy in unison.

“Fluttershy, fly towards it!” Twilight ordered.

Fluttershy immediately fly towards the orb. When they got close, the orb start to emit a spark, getting ready to attack. Both the orb opened their shell, revealing a charging laser. As it opened, Twilight shouted, “LUNA, NOW!”

Princess Luna immediately blast two magic at once. The magic reached the core of the orb, causing it to explode. The explosion was so bright that it destroys the darkness. Slowly, it gets brighter and brighter….

Twilight and Fluttershy wake up in unison while both mares gasping for air. They look onto each other, and then both of them look onto their friends that still lie on the ground sleeping.
“Step aside. I will use my magic to wake them up whilst destroying the same orbs.” said Twilight to Fluttershy. As Fluttershy steps aside, Twilight casts a magic that connects the others that still sleeping. Slowly, she focusing and start sweating. After a few minutes, the mares wake up and each of them gasping for air. Twilight felt so exhausted that she nearly passed out.

“Twilight, are you alright? It seems you used your magic too much.” said Fluttershy in worries.

“Don’t worry, *gasp* I’m okay.” said Twilight as she gasping for air like she just nearly drowned.

“Where…where is this?” ask Applejack much to her confusion. “This is not another illusion aren’t they?”

Twilight replied, “No, it’s not.”

They sighed in relief. “You DON’T want to know what I experienced,” said Applejack while staring in fear.

“Uhh, sorry, but I don’t think it’s not just YOU who experience it,” said Rainbow Dash to her annoyance.

“That was a total nightmare! What kind of illusion is that?!” Pinkie was very scared.

“Yes darling, it’s very scary! Mine is about Raze dirty hood getting it smell all over the place!” said Rarity with a fearful face.

The other looked at her with annoyed face, Rainbow Dash replied, “Seriously?”

Suddenly, they realize there are one more mares they didn’t hear. They all looked at Sunset that curling up like a ball. She still crying and traumatized even though it already ends. The other just looks her in confusion. Twilight try to comfort Sunset. Suddenly Sunset screamed, “DON’T GET CLOSE TO ME YOU DEMON! STOP TORTURE ME WITH THAT ILLUSION OF YOURS!”

That startled the others. Twilight get closer and touched her by the shoulder. She scream in hysteria, didn’t act long, Twilight immediately hug her and give her a comforting word, “Sunset, Sunset, it’s me Sunset. Shh…it’s okay. You can stop screaming. Cry all the way you want. Don’t worry, there’s no demon in here. It’s just us.”

Slowly Sunset stop panicking, instead, she hugged back. She hugs as tight as she can. She burst a huge amount of tears. The others watching the scene was shocked. They never seen Sunset cried so much like that. What did they know, she is pretty tough mare; Sunset was known to be tough in desperate moments even it’s include a death of a loved one. But these scenes just show how the nightmare traumatized her so much.

Twilight stop hugging Sunset and asked them, “Alright, before we find Raze, how about you girls talk to me what you saw in your dreams?”

The mares stared each other.

Everyone expressed what they saw in their dream. They describe it in a great detail. Some were giving chill and the other just scary. But when it comes to Sunset, everyone’s eye widened. The description was so brutal and making one of them to watch in disbelief.

“…and that’s why I’ve been screaming like I see a demon.” said Sunset while giving another sniff.
“T-That…that was brutal. You were sayin’ that your other version tortured Raze over and over without feeling guilty?” ask Applejack in fear.

Sunset just give a weak nod. Suddenly, a strong shockwave came out of the castle. The mares immediately head outside. When they’re outside, they saw Starlight and Spike, trying to fight against a strong force that flying in front of them. They try getting closer to get a good sight. When they have the opportunity to look, they were shock that Raze was levitating with his wing wide open and his eyes were all white and his body is all black. His mouth is unable to be seen.

“Raze, you should stop! I’m sorry that I didn’t care about your feelings!” said Twilight in worries.

“Dude, this is not going to solve anything! Stop this massacre, Raze!”

“SILENCE!” the voice echo through PonyVille until it reaches Canterlot, causing Celestia to wake up from her sleep.

“Sweet me, what was that?” Celestia walk to the balcony where Princess Luna also witnessing a large typhoon struck on PonyVille.

“WHAT ON EQUESTRIA WAS THAT?!” Celestia look towards PonyVille in disbelief.

“Sister, Raze is wreaking havoc! We have to go to thy location to assist with the battle!” Luna suggested.

“You’re right. Raze has gone too far this time.” Celestia replied to Luna. Both alicorn took off and flying towards PonyVille in a fast speed.

Meanwhile, Raze is levitating while facing the Main 7, “Raze is no more. There no hope that left. There’s only despair!”

“You’re not Raze, who are you?!” Twilight shout in anger.

The shadow Raze replied, “I’m Despair, The bringer of death and eternal sadness. I destroy the hope of everycreature including…YOU!”

Despair blast a magic towards Twilight, she try to block it but the magic was strong it pierce through the magic causing her and her friends to fling.

“Girls, are you alright?! *cough*” Twilight shouted in worries.

“*cough* we’re fine, Twilight! Don’t mind us! For now, find a way to stop that monster!” Applejack replied while trying to get back on.

“He’s not a monster! He just…” Twilight paused and frowned, “lose his hope on us. That must be why he tried to kill himself.”

The other stood in silence. Twilight was right, if they believe that he can change, Raze wouldn’t try to suicide. If they gave Raze another chance, he wouldn’t lose his hope. If they…

“We got to undo what we have done,” said Sunset in determination.

“B-but how?!” said Rainbow Dash, clueless.

Suddenly, another strike was sent towards Twilight. She didn’t able to react.

“TWILIGHT!!!!!!!!” said the mares in unison.

Fortunately, a yellow aura blocked the magic. Everyone look towards the sky, Celestia and Luna arrived just in time.

“Raze, that’s enough! We’ve given you a chance and you wasted it!” said Celestia in anger.

“*chuckles* Raze is no more, Celestia. It’s just Despair!” said Raze.

Celestia blasted a magic on him. But it deflected easily. Celestia and Raze started to have a magic duel. Celestia shouted towards Luna, “Luna, evacuate the others! I will be here buying the time!”

So many amount of magic flying around them as the duel goes on. Twilight can’t think of any good plan. Then she got ideas and looked towards Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow Dash!” she called her.

Celestia blasted a few magic towards Despair. Despair either deflect or dodge it. Both of them were sending each other an attack. Unfortunately, Celestia took a wrong step, because Despair sent an attack directly to the location she was about to step. That causes Celestia to receive damage and rolled across Despair. Despair gets closer to her, “*chuckles* I guess this is a check” he loaded a magic to blast it on Celestia and continued, “…mate.”

Celestia closed her eyes, letting the fate to do the job. Suddenly a miracle happened. Rainbow Dash was flying fast, ramming into Despair, but she passes through and not pushing Despair, instead, she pushed Raze out from Despair.

“What the-?!” said Despair in shock.

“I got him, Twi!” Rainbow Dash shouted in excitement.

“Good job, Rainbow! I know he wouldn’t able to move without a vessel!” said Twilight with happiness. Rainbow Dash came toward Twilight and rested Raze next to them. It seems that Raze passed out already but there’s no sign of stab coming from his chest.

“How can you…what?!” Despair was shocked.

“Hah, as a magical being I know that something like you can’t live without a vessel! Once Raze was picked up, you will be weak!”

Slowly, the dark magical being starts to weakened.

“Nonononono…there is no way…I won’t give it away easily!” said the dark being in anger.

“What you’re going to do now?” Twilight looked towards it with a mocking smile.

“I shall take her as my vessel then.” Despair lifted up Celestia with his magic and slowly entering her body.

The Main 7 watch the scene occurred. They didn’t think that the dark being can search for another host. Celestia scream in pain as she felt a dark magic is taking over her body.

“Celestia, Don’t dare you-!” Twilight didn’t able to finish her sentences. The magical being had successfully taken over Celestia’s body. Celestia body shines brightly, blinding everyone around them. As the flash stops, they were shocked by Celestia’s appearance. She looks like Daybreaker but her entire body is black and her mane is a purple flame.

“Not a bad vessel I see. She must have enough power…to absorb all the hope and spread the despair!” she laughs demonically.

The Main 7 was clueless. They thought everything was ended but now, they’re facing even riskier enemy, Shadowbreaker. She is entirely an alicorn with a thousand of powers in her hand.

“Thanks a bunch for taking that guy. It wasn’t a bad choice after all,” said Shadow in sarcastic voice.

They all stood in silence. In Twilight plans, she wouldn’t expect that the dark being was able to take over someponies body. Since it’s using the Princess of Sun’s body, the risk of being killed is high.

“Twilight, what we’re going to do now?” whisper Applejack besides Twilight.

“I…I don’t know…” Twilight was trembling in fear. The Main 7 is officially dead. They’re facing the Queen of Sun. Suddenly, Raze wake up, “Ugh…w-what happened?”

“Raze, thanks goodness! Do you have any idea to take out that ginormous dark being?” said Pinkie.

“What being you are talking abou-” he saw an dark alicorn being with a shadowflame mane hovering in front of them, “Oh…my…Celestia. Is that because of me?”

Pinkie sillily replied, “Well, yeah. You also put us in the most hell-mfmfmfmf”

Twilight zipped Pinkie’s mouth.

“Raze, I’m sorry for not taking your feeling seriously. I should know better to help you with that condition.” said Twilight in a sad voice tone.

Raze smiled, “Thanks, Twilight. But first thing first…WATCH OUT, IT’S FIREBALL!”

The Main 7 turned around, a giant shadowflame ball flying towards them at a high speed. They didn’t have time to react but Raze casted a shield magic to prevent the impact. As impact were made, a huge amount of dust emitted.

“*cough* Everypony alright?” Raze ask with concern.

“Yeah, we’re okay. How did you cast a magic that fast?” ask Twilight with confusion.

“Before I answer your question, where is Starlight and Spike?!” Raze ask in worries.

Applejack replied, “I non’ know, I heard they’re helping Princess Luna in evacuating the whole town.”

Raze replied in worries, “Are you sure? Cuz’ I don’t think the whole town isn’t evacuation.” He pointed towards in front of them. All the ponies that live in the town walk emotionlessly. In the crowd, Princess Luna, Starlight and Spike all of them sitting in circle while staring the grass.

“What the?!” said Applejack, shocked looking at the three ponies that look hopeless.

“*Laugh* Do you think I will let the entire town evacuated just like that? Of course not! If there’s no pony around, how I can feed my despair? *laugh*”

“Bring Princess Luna back!” Twilight scream in anger.

“Sure, if you can beat me! *laugh*” said the creature boastfully.

The Main 7 starts to charge towards the dark being, leaving Raze behind. Raze however, he just stared the mares fighting the demon of his. He just felt helpless and useless.

“I…I caused all of this…” said Raze. He stands up. He looked on the on the pathway, “I’m…I’m a curse.”

He looks towards The Main 7 that is fighting against his inner demon that has taken over Celestia’s body. In a slow motion, he witnesses how his friends are fighting his demon instead of him. He cried and muttered, “It’s my entire fault…If I know I wouldn’t be appreciated like this, I wouldn’t even want to live…”

When he cried, a soft calming voice whispered in his ears, “I always love you, no matter what you are.”

That brings a light of hope to his heart. He stopped crying and stared towards the beast that attacking the mares.

“Alright, it’s enough playing around. It’s time to deal with this piece of-”

Before he could finish, Twilight already thrown perfectly towards Raze causing both of them to collide with each other. Raze rolled and jump back into his position. He looked towards Twilight, “Twilight, are you okay?”

Twilight replied with a blood coming from her nostrils, “Y-yes, I’m okay. Just a little bit *cough* hurt.”

Raze looked towards the demon with anger, “Alright, that’s enough.”

Raze immediately run towards the demon in full speed. During that run, a few mares can be seen hurt. Rarity knocked out with bruises on her left side, Fluttershy that was hurt badly with a few bruises and Pinkie that has her left eye to have a bruise. They groan in pain making Raze to be more determined to stop the monster. The only mares that were still standing are Applejack and Rainbow Dash, both mares still trying to fend Despair. Rainbow Dash dodged a few magic blasts while Applejack bucked a few apples towards it. The apple did no damage nor distraction to the dark being.

Then the dark being ring a roar, causing Applejack and Rainbow Dash to stop. The roar is actually no ordinary roar; it’s a spell with the ability to make the victim drop down into a dilemma making them occupied.

‘Is there any point trying to hit this creature?’ Rainbow Dash thought.

‘How can I stop it with just an apple?’ said Applejack’s thought.

Both they were occupied by the spell; unaware they let themselves into a very huge danger. The dark being sees the opportunity, immediately shoot a dark magic to hit both mares.

Twilight from far away yelled, “APPLEJACK! RAINBOW DASH!”

When both mares snapped out of it, they realize, they didn’t have time to dodge that attack. Both mares closed their eyes, waiting for the magic to hit them. Suddenly, a shadow just grabbed both mares from the attack in a fast speed. That makes Twilight to shock. When the shadow landed, it was Raze. He has Applejack and Rainbow Dash by his side in a magic bubble. Raze stared to the dark being that took over Celestia, “Enough.”

Despair just laughs evilly, “You think you can beat me?! Of course no! After all I’m your demon!”

“Yes, that’s mean I know your weakness.” said Raze confidently.

“Try it then, I know you can’t.” said Despair boastfully.

Raze charged his magic and start flying, “Alright…you ask for it.”

Raze move at the fastest rate that everyone think that he is teleporting. That sight of ability makes the three mares to shock. Raze keep going with the speed making Despair to annoyed, “Stop teleporting around you coward! Face me like a colt!”

Raze appear in front of it, “Alright then,”

A single kick caused Despair to fly off, cutting of the thunderstorm. Despair rolled on the ground, causing Celestia to fly off it.

“Curse you! This is why I don’t like you as a colt! This is why you failed in romance!”

I’m literally you, what you mean me?” ask Raze whilst flying, looking at the resemblance of a Shadow Pony but with Raze appearance.

“Well I’m not interested in love! Enough chatter, face me like a gentlecolt!” said Despair.

“Raze smirked, “Sure,” then he immediately teleports in front of Despair with his horn charger up. They’re now face to face, staring into each other eyes. A silence broke out between them, living only wind to whistle. Meanwhile, the other mares that fainted woke up. They look around in confusion before having their eyes on Raze that facing the demon.

“Twilight…what happened?” Sunset ask in confusion.

“Raze saved us from that creature and he’s facing it by himself. *cough*” said Rainbow Dash on behalf Twilight whilst struggling with her pain.

The mares can’t do anything as they were heavily damaged.

Back into the silence, Raze started to fly and blast various magic in just a short amount of time. That makes the mares shocked.

“Is he…? DID HE CAST MULTIPLE SPELLS IN A FEW SECONDS?!” said Twilight in disbelief.

Starlight with Spike besides her came by, “Ugh…what happened?” said Starlight, still dizzy after a spell was casted on her. As she looks towards the battle, her eyes widened, “Did he cast multiple spells in a few seconds?”

Twilight just nodded and replied, “Crystal spell, basic spell, guards spell and…is that one of StarSwirl spell?”

“Eeeyup.” Said Starlight mimicking some red stallion she knows.

Back in the battle scene, Raze and Despair gave each other a magic on magic and hooves to hooves battle. The fight was so intense that Despair had to stop his spell to recover himself. He teleports in repeat circling Raze in a far distance.

“*laugh* don’t think you can stop me! I’m the fastest teleporter in the Equestria!” said Despair, overlooking Raze.

Despite the ability of Despair to teleport in a short amount of times, that didn’t make Raze to tremble in fear. Raze closed his eyes, listening to every zaps that occurred. He listened and focused, paying attention to the sound. When Despair made another teleports, he blasts a magic towards an empty air. Then just right in time, Despair teleported just in front of the magic and blasted.

“WHAT?!” shout Twilight and Starlight in unison.

Raze smirk mockingly towards Despair, “You like that?”

Despair stands up and charge towards him, “RAAAAAAAAGRHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!”

It blasted multiple magic that powerful enough that even Celestia maybe weren’t able to beat. Raze create a shield that blocked the incoming magic. All the magic seems strong enough to destroy the barrier but Raze seems to not break a sweat. He still smiles mockingly towards his inner demon.

“I don’t think it’s an ordinary magic. How did he could handle such a strong magic like that?” Twilight ask with concern.

“ENOUGH!” Despair unleash a total waves around it. Raze didn’t feel anything but when he sees the mares, he realize, their fur color starts to get dimmer and they look like they’re sad.

Raze looks towards Despair, “What have you done, Despair?”

His inner demon just smiled mockingly, “You know I’m made out of despair and suffers, don’t you?”

Raze ran towards the mares in worries. He grabbed Twilight by the shoulder, “Twilight, can you hear me?!”

Twilight sadly replied, “If I do, does it matter?”

He ran towards Rainbow Dash because he believes she is one of the mares that have the most confidence of all, “Rainbow Dash, can you hear me? I know you believe you can be the best record breaker!”

“Record breaker? Pfft, who even want to see me do that?” said Rainbow, lacking confidence. Raze look towards Despair, he realize, it started to grow stronger.

“I don’t just steal your friend’s confidence; I stole everypony in town, INCLUDING YOUR BELOVED PRINCESSES!”

Raze look towards Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. Both alicorn were affected by the spell too. He started to lose hope, he look towards the ground, “Is…is this the end…?”

“Of course, pal! After all, you’re the one who caused this!” Despair laugh evilly. Raze just stared the ground, full of guilt. If he didn’t try to suicide, he wouldn’t release a dangerous creature to the world.

‘I guess…this is the end.’ He thought. Silence occurred, leaving a few gust of whistling wind covering the background noises.

Suddenly, a voice came from the back encouraging Raze, “Don’t matter what you are, you’re strong Raze.”

He look on the back, he saw Twilight is gaining a little conscious and smiled towards him. He smiled back. Suddenly, he felt something he never felt before; a confidence of faith. He can felt everyone around him is sad and felt guilt. He lit his horn and casted a magic towards the Main 7, causing them to snap out of the spell.

“W-What I’m thinking? I can be a record breaker! I’m Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow Dash said it confidently. All the mares suddenly gain their consciousness and look around and laid their eyes on Raze. Raze is looking towards them, giving them a warm smile.

“Thanks, Raze.” said Twilight while touching Raze on his shoulder.

Raze looked at the mares and asked, “Do you believe in me?”

They didn’t answer. It’s just a silence. Raze stared the floor, “*sigh* It’s…it’s okay. But I got a way to banish it. But first does at least one of you believe in me?”

Twilight step up and touched Raze’s shoulder, “I do, Raze.”

Raze gave her a warm smile and replied, “Thanks.”

“…Me too…at least for now…” said Rainbow Dash.

“I’m going to be honest, ah’ do for this once.” said Applejack.

“Me too…” said Rarity.

“Me too, if you…don’t mind.” said Fluttershy.

Sunset, the only one who didn’t do anything gave up, “Me too. For this time only, you understand?”

Raze smiled, suddenly, a glows emitted around him, “Thanks for believing in me, even though you’re not 100% sure.”

The mares suddenly felt they filled with hope and determination.

“Why do I feel like…I’m very happy?” ask Rainbow Dash.

“That’s my ability I guess. I can feel the determination and hope coming from you girls.” Explain Raze even though he doesn’t know what he was saying.

“Oh yeah…how do we stop it from stealing ponies emotion then?” ask Rainbow Dash in anger.

Raze look towards Despair that growing stronger, as he stared on it, there is only one possibility.

“I know how.” said Raze calmly but with a sad tone.

“What you’re going to do, Raze?” ask Twilight with concern on her face.

You know that I can give a positive emotion towards everypony’s right?” ask Raze.

They nodded still confused.

Raze asked, “If I don’t recover my memory, please…don’t try it.”

He immediately trapped the mares in a bubble.

“RAZE WHAT DOES THIS ALL ABOUT?!” Twilight ask in worries.

Raze didn’t answer, he loaded a up a huge amount of magic to the maximum. He tries to reach a higher point.

“Raze, what you think you’re doing?!” Rainbow Dash shouts in worries ad anger.

After enough amount of magic, Raze starts to levitate and his eyes are pure white.

“Twilight, what Raze is doing now?!” ask Sunset towards Twilight.

“I don’t know!” Twilight also confused.

Raze give them a sad smile, “I’m sorry for being a total trouble. Now, I have to repay and deal with it.” He dropped a tear. He turned around facing the growing monster, “HEY!”

The demon looks towards Raze, “What you want now? You already losing!” it laugh evilly.

“You think I’ll lose?” Raze chuckled, “For this whole time, I believe there’s no friendship or faith in this world. Once I met Twilight, I realize,” he looked towards Twilight that watching him with worries, “Friendship is everything. But after all I did I bet there’s no hope in me left.” He looked back. “Even though I don’t have any, I don’t need hope from pony around me.”

Despair looked at him with confused expression, “Then how you’re going to beat me, idiot?”

“How do I? It’s simple. The opposite of Despair is determination,” he looked towards Twilight and her friends, “But this amount of determination is not enough. Then, I found out that there’s one way to beat you,” he look back and charged his horn as much as he can.

“*chuckles* what are you doing? Trying to blast me with hope and determination?”

Raze grinned, “Yes I am. But I’m not the one who gonna blast you with it,” suddenly, his horn shine brightly, everyone eyes suddenly looked towards Raze including the princesses and The Main 7. They all felt warm, cozy and comfortable by its shine.

Despair eyes widened, “WHAT IS THIS?!”

Raze smiled, “If I can’t beat you with mine, I will share everything that left inside mine to the whole town. Making the despair you shared, gone.”

Slowly, Raze’s body started to turn into a stone.

“RAZE WHAT YOU ARE DOING?!” scream Twilight in fear.

“STOP IT! DON’T SACRIFICE YOURSELF!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

Raze closed his eyes and replied without turning on them, “I can’t beat him with one hope, if I banish all the despair and sadness and replace it with hope and happiness, we’ll be able to beat it. So, thanks…”

Slowly the town releasing a strong happiness magic, causing Despair to quickly evaporate,

“NONONONONOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Despair evaporates in the air, leaving only Raze’s horn shining through the town. The shine quickly turns bright, flashing everyone’s eyes to irritate. After the flash ended, everyone blinked their eyes in confusion.

“W-what just happened…?” said a cyan pony, named Lyra.

Everyone was looking around in confusion. Celestia and Luna who also confused, immediately goes towards The Main 7.

“What just happened?” Luna asked.

The Main 7 just stood in silence. They look towards Twilight that is crying while hugging someone or something. Celestia and Luna get closer, when Twilight released the hug and look down, both princesses were shocked. It was Raze, is now a statue with his wing raised while pointing his horn to the sky. He sacrificed himself to destroy the dark being. He beat it, but with a harsh price.

Both princesses closed their eyes; both of them can’t deny it. Raze did save them from the creature, but he didn’t save himself from self- petrification. Suddenly, Twilight casted a reverse petrification magic on the statue. She tried it again and again. Even though she starts to get exhausted, she kept on trying to free Raze from the statue.

Celestia get closer, “Twilight, please stop. We can’t do anything.”

“No, I want to free him at all cost.” said Twilight plainly.

“Sugarcube, I know it’s hard for you but-”

“HE IS MY PUPIL, APPLEJACK! I’M THE ONE WHO TAKE HIM AS A STUDENT! I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS!” Twilight cries can be heard by the whole town.

“Twilight, he’s petrified! I know you are on a break out after he saved us but please, at least recover yourself. You’re exhausted.” said Celestia with concern on Twilight.

Twilight just looked towards the statue in silence. That makes the others to worry.

“C-can you guys leave me for a while?” Twilight ask in a sad tone.

Seeing the state that Twilight is in, they just agreed and leave her alone with the statue of Raze. They all walk away, leaving the statue and Twilight alone. Twilight stared the statue for a while. She remembered what Raze said before sacrificing himself.

‘If I don’t recover my memory…please don’t try it.’

Twilight think to the best and widened her eyes.

“I still can save Raze! I can!” She excitedly go to the castle of friendship, can’t wait to realease Raze from the statue.

“Twilight, are you sure you want to do this?” Celestia ask with a concern in her face.

“Yes, I believe that this is just a simple spell that can be breached. The last word he gave literally shows that he can be unpetrified.” Twilight explain confidently. She continued, “If both of us gather our magic, I believe that he can be released from there!”

“But, Twilight-”

“A, a, ah,” Twilight raise her hooves, “Trust me, Celestia, I believe that it will work.”

Celestia just sighed in defeat, “Alright, Twilight.”

Twilight and Celestia stand from different direction, Twilight looked towards Celestia, “Ready?”

Celestia replied, “Ready.”

Both alicorn blast a magic that powerful enough to reverse the petrification magic. As it came to contact, it absorb the magic. Celestia and Twilight stopped casting. Both gasping for air, Twilight suddenly asked, “D…did it work?”

Silence occurred. Suddenly, the statue glows and released a strong wave sending both mares knocked to the back. Twilight stand up while feeling dizzy, “Okay, maybe it needs three princess…”

Same result once again. It sent the three alicorn even further. Twilight added more, “M-maybe it needs three?”

It took a while to convince Cadance to help, she didn’t want to but seeing that her sister-in-law need a help, she had no other choice. When they did the same spell, it result is even worse, sending each mares, causing a shockwaves that might be able to destroy the entire castle.

“I-I think it need another-”

“Twilight, there’s no use. We can’t continue this. This kind of magic is beyond our imagination. I didn’t even believe that Raze was able to pull such a strong magic on himself.”

I agree with my sister. His magic is strong enough to counter our spell Twilight. Perhaps, you should find another solution.”

Twilight frowned, but still determined, “Alright, I will go see Rainbow Dash.”

Both royal sister look onto each other in worries about Twilight.

“Woah, woah, woah, hold on a sec, you want me to perform a Sonic Rainboom on him?! Are you crazy?!” Rainbow Dash shouted in disbelief.

“I believe that your Rainboom can create a strong wave that could break the statue. Maybe he just covered himself with a pretty strong rock that was enchanted.”

Rainbow Dash just shook her head, “alright, Twilight. Don’t blame me if he broke into pieces.”

A few second later, Rainbow Dash was in her position. She shouted, “Ready?!”

“Ready!” Twilight shout in reply from inside a trench.

Rainbow Dash fly upwards as high as she can. As she reach the maximum height, she dashed down, slwoly creating a sonic Rainboom.

“RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

A rainbow explosion occurred. Twilight came out of a trench she made. She inspected the statue, Rainbow Dash was lying next to him, still dizzy from the impact she just caused. Twilight and Rainbow Dash was shocked. The statue still has no kind of crack or scratch.

“WHAT IS THIS THING?!” shout Rainbow Dash in disbelief.

It starts to turn dusk; Twilight was walking in exhaustion while pulling Raze statue to its place back. Twilight had tried everything, from asking Applejack to buck the statue which ends up making Applejack forelegs and hooves to hurt, to making the statue fall from a high place. She placed Raze exactly on the place she gets him. She stared the statue in sadness.

“Raze, I don’t know if you can hear this, but…I’m sorry for not trying to listen to what you’re feelings. I shouldn’t ignore that while teaching you about friendship and now…”

Twilight starts to cry. She continued on, “I thought…*sniff* I could save you. B-But *sniff* I can’t.” She hugged the statue while crying out loud, “Raze, if you listening. I hope…I can bring you back. But I think, It`s no use. But if I can wish *sniff*” she hugged the statue tightly and dropped a tear on the statue, “I hope you can come back,” Twilight stop hugging the statue and heading towards the castle of friendship. She turned around, “See you tomorrow, Raze.”

Twilight walks towards the castle of friendship with sadness and sorrow. She felt none other than guilt.

It’s was midnight, Luna already raised the moon and protecting everypony dreams from nightmares. In the midnight, a miracle happened. Raze’s statue start to form a crack and starts shining through the crack. As the statue broke, a flash occurred, nearly strong enough to light up the entire PonyVille.

Author's Note

I'm very sorry for the late post! It's supposed to be early than usual but I didn't have a proper time to put a steady post and I'm very bad at scheduling! Once again I say, enjoy the stories I made! I'm very pretty sorry for this! It's shouldn't be late but I guess I'm a bad time manager. Anyway, the fifth chapter is halfway through! (At least for now). Since I'm such a bad writer myself, I would really appreciate an opinion and criticism as the next chapter might be an improvement! (I mean next next chapter). Ngl, This is the worst time to delay a post, once again I'm so sorry!