The Castle in the Sky

Chapters

The Departure
Infiltration
Seperation
Depradation Pt. 1
Depradation Pt. 2
Operation: Twilight Effect

The Departure

Chapter 1

Sunlight shines down on Ponyville on a clear day like any other; Twilight studying in her home, Fluttershy tending to an injured bird, Rarity shopping with Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash sleeping on a cloud, Applejack eating with family, and Pinkie watching the twins. A rhythmic pattern had developed within the town of Ponyville, one of peace and harmony amongst its citizens. Even in Canterlot, Princesses Celestia and Luna were in the grand hall merely enjoying each other’s company. In the Crystal Kingdom, the citizens were moving like a synchronized swimming team; uniform and yet graceful. Cadence and Shining Armor were lying together, asleep. Manehatten, Saddle Arabia, Filly-delphia, and all the other lands were in perfect harmony, free of conflict and strife. Peace was a universal theme in this beautiful land. It almost seemed as if a miracle day.

Upon the twilight hour, when the sun and moon fall and rise accordingly, Luna looked towards the sky to fulfill her celestial duty. She brought the moon to its zenith and it sat in the sky as if it was resting on a cloud. After she moved the moon into place, she saw a small, black cloud in the sky however; she ignored it and returned to her quarters to oversee the dreams of the ponies of Equestria. She lied down and looked towards the moon, seeing the dreams of everypony.

She was, however, interrupted and saw a premonition. She was in a bubble of magic energy that prevented her movement. She looked down and saw Celestia guarding Twilight from an array of attacking ponies. They were circling her with blades in their mouths like sharks that have surrounded their hopeless prey. They run across Celestia cutting her deep and shallow as she protects Twilight. The cuts are smearing Celestia in her own blood, making her unable to maintain focus. Luna fights against her imprisoning bubble and is finding herself unsuccessful. She looks down again and sees her sister down and near death. Her blood is beginning to cover the floor and taint it crimson. Twilight is against the wall, with cuts on her hooves to prevent her from walking. The six who have surrounded Celestia bear long blades in their mouths, ready to strike the weakened Celestia. The mysterious figure directly in front Celestia says aloud, “Remember this day. The day the sun falls!” “Noooooo!!!” Luna screams as the six assailants dash towards Celestia.

The moment before her death, Luna awakens, crying a river tears and feeling an unending sadness. Her tears were bitter and filled with what could be predetermined sorrow. Celestia barges into her room and asks with urgency in her voice, “Dear sister, has something happened?!” Luna burst into more tears when she saw Celestia and ran into her hooves saying, “Tis’… but a bad dream.”

The day had begun once again, everything once again at peace. Luna sat on the balcony still in distress over what she had witnessed in her dream. Celestia came from behind and said, “Is something still the matter, Luna?” Luna replied, “Yes. I cannot begin to describe the events I had witnessed. It was a devastating to be forced to watch your death and not do a-“. “Do not worry little sister. I promise that nothing as such will ever happen.” She pets her sister’s head while she reassures her that her fears are unreal. Luna bears a smile on her face on her head once again and looks towards the night sky in the early morning.

“Ready Luna?” Celestia says as they prepare to change the sky from night to day. “Let us begin.” Magic radiated from both of their horns, causing the moon to shift from the center of the night sky to the far west and the sun to rise from east. Once the job was done, Luna notices the black cloud once again, only this time, bigger than before: It was nearly the size of Canterlot. Luna speaks with concern, “Was there a forecast for a storm sister?” Celestia looks out and takes note of the large black, cumulus cloud in the sky above the plains. She says, “Let me check in with Twilight. She may have some insight on this matter.” Almost immediately, a green fireball appears in front of her face. The fire turned into a letter from her ever so faithful student Twilight. It was regarding the cloud in the sky…

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am seeing a rather large black cloud hovering near Ponyville. Even though, clouds are not supposed to be an issue, the Pegasus cannot move the cloud, even with everyone working. There is also a magical aura around it that prevents magic from coming into contact with it. I cannot even teleport to it and it may be a threat to other Equestrians. Could you please provide some information on this mystery cloud?

Your faithful Student,

Twilight Sparkle

“Unbelievable,” Celestia says, “My student does not know either. We may need to-" “Sister, Look!”

The cloud begins to take a shape. Its form solidifies into a massive castle, floating in the sky. A large scale was built on top of its highest tower and it was completely off balance. The castle was a-symmetrical and reflected opposite designs of black and white. It was a sight to behold for every pony for nopony had ever seen a flying castle.

From the streets and homes of Ponyville, there was a gathering of unrest. Animals were panicking and running away from the floating castle, fearing something no other pony could see. Even angel, Fluttershy’s pet rabbit fled in fear of what hell may come. Fluttershy, catching up to Angel asked nearly in tears, “Why are you leaving?!” Angel stopped for a moment and hastily spoke in rabbit tongue. Fluttershy, hearing out Angel was found in shock and as soon as Angel finished, he scurried away. Twilight walked over to Fluttershy with the rest of the Mane Six following and said, “What happened? What did Angel say?” “He… was actually afraid of something. That’s never happened before. He is always brave and defiant but this time was different. He talked about how animals have a sense of knowing when danger is near. He said this was something they have never seen before and recommended that we run too.” Twilight thought about what Fluttershy said and replied, “What could this mystery cloud be?”

Suddenly a wide door opens from the right side of the castle and a mysterious figure walked out the balcony. By its shape, it was fair to say that it was a pony. It was shrouded by a black cloak and had its wings covered as well. And indent in the cowl of its hood shows signs of it being a unicorn. With the visual signs of wings and a horn, it was assumed that the figure was an Alicorn.

The Alicorn flew off of the castle balcony and ascended into the skies above. Within moments of it taking flight, what looked like an explosion occurred. A lightning bolt streaked across the sky and appeared to end at Canterlot. The lightning bolt appeared again and slowed halfway. It had a larger pony on its back and was being chased by three Pegasus and a flurry of magical blasts from the castle. It dodged the other Pegasus and blasts with ease and made it to the castle. The Pegasi that followed were stopped by a magical force field the magical blasts had ceased. Applejack exclaimed, “What the hay was all of that?” Spike replied, “I wish I knew.” As soon as he finished his statement, he belched a letter from flames from Princess Luna. With the letter in hand, Spike jokingly said, “What do ya know, wish granted.” Twilight grabbed the letter from Spike slightly annoyed by how lightly Spike is taking things. She reads the letter aloud…

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Princess Celestia has been filly-napped by an unknown assailant. I’m afraid there is more to this than meets the eye. I need you and your friends to report to Canterlot post-haste. There is more information I must brief you on.

Sincerely,

Princess Luna

“Of all the worst possible things that could happen, this is the WORST POSSIBLE THING!” Rarity exclaimed. “Everypony, pack your things. We’re going to Canterlot.” Twilight said with angst in her voice. All ponies agreed without hesitation and went to their individual homes.

Fluttershy packed a bag and when she went to say goodbye to her animal friends, she realized they had already left. She felt sad at first as there was no one to see her off. Suddenly, Angel barged into the door and hopped towards her. Angel handed her favorite carrot to Fluttershy and said (in her rabbit tongue), “That’s insurance. If you have that, you have to come back and return it to me. Okay?!” She knew that Angel was worried about her and let Angel act tough. She left with determination to make Ponyville a safe place for her animal friends to return to.

Rainbow Dash reported to Spitfire and requested an extended leave from the Wonderbolt Academy to participate in the assigned mission. “Ma’am, I need to help my friend Twilight-" Rainbow Dash said before being interrupted by Spitfire. “That cloud out there is causing a disturbance for anything that flies in the skies of Equestria. As far as things go, I’m assigning you to this mission as a Wonderbolt.” Spitfire said. “Wait, as a Wonderbolt, Spitfire?” “I will not repeat myself. Take these and make the Wonderbolts proud.” Spitfire said, inspiring confidence in Rainbow Dash. She slid a folded wonderbolts outfit to Rainbow Dash and a pair of goggles. Rainbow Dash was on the verge or geeking out and fainting when a blatant stare from Spitfire prevented her from doing so. Instead, she saluted Spitfire in silence and received a salute in return. Rainbow Dash left with an unmatchable confidence and flew off to Ponyville one more time.

Rarity contacted all of her clients to notify them of her hiatus. She gathered a light bag (for once), and started walking to the door. She was tackled in the leg by Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle had hugged her legged with tears in her eyes saying, “Promise me you’ll come back safe, sis. Please, promise me that.” The sadness that streaked across her face was heart wrenching and could turn the hardest of hearts soft. Rarity, with a single tear dripping from her right eye said, “I’ll be back before you know it.” They hugged one last time before she walked out of the door.

Pinkie Pie packed a bag full of snacks and her world-famous party cannon. She saw Mr. and Ms. Cakes waiting near the door with the Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake. “We made something special for you, Pinkie. It’s something to remember us by.” Mr. Cakes said. He handed Pinkie a small box. Pinkie opened it and it had six red velvet cupcakes with strawberry frosting and a cherry on top. On the inner-lid of the box, there was a picture of the Cake family and Pinkie. “You’ll always have a place in our family Pinkie.” Mrs. Cakes said. Pinkie Pie cried happy tears and hugged everypony tightly. She packed the cupcakes in her bag and left Sugar Cube Corner, humming a tune to herself.

Apple Jack had an Apple family photo in her bag along with some extra horse shoes for the road. She walked over to the barn and saw Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom with a banner hanging above their heads. It read, “GOOD LUCK APPLEJACK!” “We’ll miss ya’ sis. Things ain’t gonna be da same without cha while yer gone.” Apple Bloom said. “Eeeyup. Naw you come back ‘ere Apple Jack safe n’ sound, alright?” Big Mac said. “You know it, Big Mac!” Apple Jack replied. She bucked a tree lightly and one single apple dropped. She packed the apple into her bag and trotted to Ponyville Station.

Twilight grabbed a variety of books from her own library with advanced spells that she feared she may need. As she was searching, Spike jumped from upstairs with a backpack ready and said, “Twilight, I found this.” It was the box with the remains of the elements of harmony. Twilight says, “Good idea, who knows what we will encounter at the sky castle.” “Let’s go Spike.” The two left their home and headed for the train station.

The Mane Six arrived at the Train Station, awaiting its arrival for Canterlot departure. Twilight had looked off in the distance to see if the train was coming. She saw a pony running towards them causing a small dust cloud to shroud their appearance. The pony stopped within inches of the train platform and the dust settles. A blue unicorn with a cape of stars and moons and a magician's hat appeared before the mane six. It was Patricia Lulamoon a.k.a. The Great and Apologetic Trixie. “Trixie?! What are you doing here?” Twilight said astonished. “I, the Great and Apologetic Trixie, have heard about this cloud kingdom business and I want to help.” Trixie said. “This cloud is destroying land near my current home and I would like to take care of it as well.” “We will need all the help we can get. Come along Trixie.” said Twilight. The train had arrived and was calling for all ponies leaving to Canterlot. The Mane Six plus Trixie were now en route to Canterlot and were ready for the mission to save Princess Celestia.

Nearing their destination, Rarity looked ahead and saw a white stallion with blue hair and a red coat. “Is that your brother, Twilight?” Twilight looked outside and saw Shining Armor waiting at the station, with anger written all over his face.

The train came to a halt and Twilight went to see her brother waiting. “Shining Armor! Did Princess Luna summon you here to help us rescue Princess Celestia?” Shining armor, with rage broiling in his veins said, “No, I came here of my own accord.” Twilight was dumbfounded and intrigued as to why her brother would come all the way to Canterlot from the Crystal Kingdom.” Whatever or whoever is in that castle filly-napped Cadence too.” Twilight was shocked and now more determined than ever to go to the Castle in the Sky for as of now, the danger has been doubled.

Infiltration

Chapter 2

The Mane Six had learned of Celestia and Cadence’s filly-napping and were distressed, none more than Twilight. Her teacher and even her old sitter were both imprisoned by an unknown enemy. As she glares at the Sky Castle, She fears what fate falls upon them. “Twily, I’m as mad as you are but there is no way can save them without a plan.” Shining Armor said as he placed a hoof of Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight looked down in sadness. She rose her head back up, faced Shining Armor and said, “Alright Shining Armor. Let’s go to the castle.

The Mane Six, Spike, Trixie, and Shining Armor walked amongst the Castle Grounds, seeing the citizens in a panic. Ponies all around were running about, barricading their homes, or yelling at the main gates to Canterlot Castle. Even Lyra Heartstrings could be seen in the background, sitting normally. Take note, when Lyra sits normally, trouble is ahoof.

Luna, standing at the lookout point of Canterlot Castle, saw Twilight and her friends approaching the main gate. She jumped down and flew towards the group. She landed abruptly and stood as if she never hit the floor in the first place. Her visual appearance was intimidating and dark. Her fur was jet black, mane was a dark shade of navy blue with an intense sparkling effect, and her crown was cracked on the side. With her angered facial expression and booming steps, you would not know if you were looking at Princess Luna or Nightmare Moon. For a mare with nothing left to lose, it was just.

“I’m glad you have arrived Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said. “You’re glad?” Spike sarcastically said. Twilight bucked him in the back of the head and said, “Ignore that Princess Luna.” “I’ll take the bad for the good. If you lost some precious to you, wouldn’t you look a little dark, Spike?” Luna asked. “Ye-yeah… ow.” Spike said, rubbing the back of his bucked head. “There may be more to this event beyond filly-napping. Come I’ll describe the details inside.

Everypony is now inside the throne room. Stained Glass murals covered the walls depicting stories of old. The creation of Canterlot, the rise and fall of Nightmare, Discord’s dilemma, and many other stories showed what could be entire lifetimes in about 20 feet of design. Luna sat at the steps to Celestia’s throne and the others gathered around.

She described her dream of last night and how it could be a location within the walls of the Sky Castle. The others listened in disbelief that Luna’s dream held so much pain and anguish in what seemed like 5 minutes of suffering. With Luna’s story in mind, Twilight said, “Is this premonition set in stone? Can we change the future?” “I believe we can, Twilight. My premonitions could simply have been one of the assailants dreaming of how the plan will go perfectly. It could be real and we will not know the truth until the time comes.” Luna explained. The group fell deafly silent, pondering the possible end to this journey. Breaking the silence, Trixie exclaimed, “Well that hasn’t stopped you before!” The group was caught off guard. “Even when I had the Alicorn Amulet and trapped everypony in Ponyville, you persevered and discovered a way to use my greed against me. We now have an inside view of the castle, do we not? Let’s use all the information we have and sneak inside. Going in undetected will give us the upper hand. We may even be able to rescue the princess without confronting the enemy.” Trixie declared. Luna and Twilight’s jaws dropped, dumbfounded by Trixie’s simple yet brilliant scheme. “Then it’s settled, we will infiltrate the Castle.” Twilight Declared.

The plan was set in motion. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with Spike on her back were dressed in sky based camouflage, circling the castle, looking for entrances. Rarity, Twilight, and Shining Armor gathered an assortment of magical amulets; among them were the Elements of Harmony. Pinkie and Apple Jack left to stock up on food. Trixie and Luna were in the War room, looking over the outer details of the castle.

After a long period of silence, Luna looked over at Trixie who had a troubled look on her face. “What is wrong, young mare?” Luna asked. Trixie looked up at Luna and said, “It’s… nothing, Princess Luna.” “I have seen what lies in your dreams, Patricia. You cannot hide such emotions of grief and sadness from me.” Luna declared. “Then I will be honest with you. My plan may be the one that saves Celestia and Cadence but…” She hesitated. “What if this fails? I have ruined the lives of those six twice already. I’m only here because of a silly plan. I’m not strong enough to take on whatever horrors lie in wait for us. I’m not strong like Twi-" Trixie was immediately embraced by Luna, completely unready for what she felt. As Luna held her close, she softly spoke to her saying, “I know what it’s like to be labeled as a villain, banished, and even called second rate. I was banished to the moon, everypony feared me my return, and I’ll forever be second best to my sister.” Luna shed a few tears all while explaining her own dilemma. “I know exactly what you are going through.” “How can you live with it?!” Trixie exclaimed. “I’ve lived in misery nearly everday or my life. I am always rejected by the townspeople I visit. The last time I tried to perform in Fillydelphia, I was chased by its citizens and nearly beaten to death.” Trixie showed Luna the scars on her back from the various beatings. Luna was filled with awe and horrified all at once, something that can only be filled by those who share similar pains. The pony whom had stood before her did not suffer like she had imagined. She was not welcomed in by a royal sister, spoken for by a bookworm on nightmare night, nor was she even feared for that matter. She was hated by everypony that at one point adored her and abused by the masses. She only knew of one pony that could ever accept her as a friend and it was the one whom she was second to, Twilight Sparkle. Luna’s awe had come from seeing her standing, alive. Anypony who would choose to live after that had a stronger will than most. Trixie walked towards the door and said, “My past will follow me but I’m actually hoping this will suffice for the horrors that I’ve brought upon Ponyville.” She left the room and went to her quarters in the upper floors of the castle.

Luna looked upon the maps, remembering Trixie’s story. She had not paid attention to it before but the scale that stood atop the Sky Castle was slowly evening out. It was as if there was something in this world that was unbalanced before the castle arrived. She looked outside at the homes below and even at the floating castle. There was mass hysteria and fear spread throughout the city of Canterlot. Luna looked up and realized that ever since the Sky Castle arrived in Equestria, the harmony that had once flowed through the lands was falling to pieces.

Later that evening, the team had gathered in the War room, a small room filled to the brim with maps of the Equestrian lands. Everypony and everything in the room was showered in a glaze of candle-lit lighting, a gleaming spectacle for the eyes to behold. Luna stood at the end of a long table that displayed a map of the exterior of the Sky castle. It was hand drawn but neatly arranged so that even the simplest of minds, in other words Derpy, could understand its layout. Rarity, Twilight, and Shining Armor had returned with the Elements of Harmony, Luna’s repaired crown, and a few amulets and books from Zecora. Pinkie and Apple Jack provided snack foods to keep up everypony’s strength up. Dash and Fluttershy wrote notes on the map of everything they discovered about the Sky Castle. Luna and Trixie awaited their arrival and began describing the plan to sneak into the castle.

Luna began, “Everypony, listen up! I am only going through this once as time is of the essence. Thanks to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash’s findings, we now know that there is an air vent at the top of the Castle, a possible way to sneak in.” “Why do you say possible, Princess Luna?” Twilight asked. “There is a very strong air current that blows from the vent that makes it hard for anypony to enter. There is a 30 second gap to when the vent stops blowing air every hour. That means that we have thirty seconds or less to find our way out of the vent and not get blown away.” Once inside, Trixie, Twilight, and Shining Armor will lead three separate groups to search the castle for the Cadence and my sister.” Luna described while pointing at various sections of the map. “Why is Trixie leading a squad? “ Dash asked while giving a heinous looks to Trixie. “She-” Interrupted by Luna, Dash held her tongue. “She, along with Twilight and Shining Armor, has strong magical abilities. The three will keep constant telepathic communication between all of the groups.”

“Telepathy? I thought those spells were forgotten a long time ago.” Shining Armor brought up. “They were not forgotten, they are forbidden. Unicorns, who learned of it, used it to read people’s minds. Princess Celestia and a committee of the strongest unicorns and Alicorns in existence banned it from Equestria. However, Luna bringing it up means that this is not entirely true, isn’t it?” Everypony now looked towards Luna, the current center of attention. Holding her composure, “Indeed, Twilight. However, the spell is worse than you described.” Luna said. “The spell does not only read someone’s mind, it can peer into their entire life. At any given time, someone could invade your memories and find out anything they wish to know. Private life, dark memories, and anything you have ever seen or experienced is theirs for the taking.” The group was shocked. A power such as Luna described could be revolutionary but would end in chaos. Luna continued, “The spell was kept between a select group of Alicorns and Unicorns and one… other.” “Who was the other one to know the spell? Rarity asked. “Discord. The treacherous fiend at one point used to be the one Pegasus with magical abilities. He read my sister’s memories and discovered a vast archive of forbidden spells. He used them to bend reality around him, cause chaos. In exchange, he became the beast of nine animals that you have met before.”

Twilight, after absorbing all the previous information, asked Luna, “Why would you entrust us with such a heinous spell?” “Don’t you mean her?” Dash said, pointing flagrantly at Trixie. “This is a threat against all of Equestria, Rainbow Dash!” Trixie said, angrily responding to Dash’s rude comment. “I wouldn’t have the nerve to even think of misusing a power that was graciously given to me! I’m not here for revenge. I’m here to save Princess Celestia and Cadence.” Trixie slammed her hoof down as she stood her ground against Dash. “Then let’s go to Sky Castle!” Dash exclaimed as she rose into the air. The group was fired up and ready to start the rescue.

The night was young and the sky was covered with big, cumulus clouds. The night air was icy and the wind would make your skin frost over. The skies above were filled with what could be trillions of stars gleaming down on the lands below, illuminating the Sky Castle for everyone to see. On a large cloud that raised higher than the Castle, the teams were preparing to enter the air vent at the top of the Castle.

Rainbow Dash took point and watched the vent gushing air as the moment of infiltration was to soon arrive. Dash whispered to everypony, “Alright, we’re going now.” Dash carried Trixie and Apple Jack, Princess Luna carried Shining Armor and Rarity, Fluttershy had Spike on her back, and Twilight magically lifted herself and Pinkie up to the air vent. Its winds were fiercely blowing as the team hovered above. Dash, who was keeping track of time, started the countdown. “5… 4… 3… 2… 1… NOW!” Dash roared. The air vent ceased its winds and started to close. “Everypony, Move it!” Dash commanded. All flew deep into the vents and stopped in pitch black darkness. Rarity, Twilight, Shining Armor, Trixie, and Luna had provided light for the rest and they briskly searched for an exit. 15 second had gone by with no luck and their window of opportunity was coming to a close. “Hurry up, we don’t have much time left!” Luna exclaimed. 10 seconds left before the air vents would resume their obstruction, Rarity yelled, “I found it over here!” It was a small hatch that led to the inside of the castle. Shining armor bucked the hatch open and jumped down. He sat there to cushion the fall for the rest who were coming through. Twilight and the rest followed, escaping the furious winds. Everypony was exhausted and with a last breath before nearly fainting, Spike said, “Made it…” They landed in a white hallway with a door at the end of it. The other direction seemed to lead to a locked window that led outside. They opened the door and discovered the foyer of the Sky Castle.

Seperation

Chapter 3

The Castle in the Sky was intimidating, yet gorgeous. The interior of the foyer could leave one breathless. The walls, floors, even its immaculate staircase were stainless, ivory white. The marble pillars were gleaming as if the sunlight was hitting it at an angle that would easily blind you. Above the group was a chandelier that shined bright lights from black flames. A lounge sofa was seen on the right side of the room that looked untouched. It was white with a hint of platinum that made it sparkle. On the left, a display table was shown. There was exquisite pottery, a blank picture, and a lavish vase. The one thing in that room that wasn’t white was the black rose in the vase. It was artistic beauty in whitest form.

Rarity was on the verge of a fainting from what she saw and fell backwards. Spike raced to catch Rarity’s fall and was subsequently crushed. Twilight said as they walked into the room, “The room is great, Rarity, but-” Twilight was abruptly quieted by Rarity as she exclaimed, “OH IT IS! The furniture, the columns, it is all so beautiful!” She randomly raced from one section of the room to another, viewing the various fixtures. The black rose caught her attention and she gazed upon it closely. “This rose and those black flames do throw me off a bit. And we don’t appear to be showing any shadows…” Rarity complained. “This ain’t tha time ta be sight-seein’, Rarity.” Applejack said as she pulled her away from the furniture. “The fashionista does have a point. Why use a sign of graceful death to plague a beautiful room?” Trixie asked. “Because… some things in the world… are black and white.” A mysterious voice said.

The voice echoed throughout the room as it was softly spoken. Everypony looked around for the pony whose voice they heard. They looked towards the doors, the couch, and the stairs but saw no one in sight. “Up… here.” Everypony looked up and saw the chandelier swaying back and forth. The black flames left their post on the chandelier candles and descended. The flames collectively fell in one spot and grew into a large fireball. “Life and death… are black and white. One… cannot exist… without the other.” The voice said, coming from the depths of the fireball. “Yeah, so what?” Dash said. As the fireball began to take shape, the voice said “Life is the… white of this room… it shines brightly… and people love it. Those who notice death… are the vase… they remember it… and hold their lives dear. Those… who think they won’t die… are like the sofa…” “You’re taking a little long for my taste.” Rarity said. The fireball took shape of an Alicorn but it still blazed like the flame before. “When death takes a life… it won’t give it back.” The pony said as she forcefully stomped the ground below. The flames dissipated and a pony appeared before the group.

The pony was a monochrome mare. Her forward left, both back legs and flank were a gleaming, egg-shell white. Her front right leg, head and torso were pitch-black. She had no pupils in her eyes, nor a face that bared details; ironically, a blank face as hers was unique to any other pony. Her stare was empty and yet no matter what you thought before, you always thought that she was looking into your soul.

She stepped down and the white floors she stood upon radiated black energy. If one had never seen a demon before, the 10 in the room had seen one now. “Welcome… to my home.” The mare said. “I… am Queen Silhouette… a shadow walking mare. This castle… has been my home for centuries.” She continued using her telepathic abilities. “But that’s impossible.” Twilight added. “Queen Silhouette was a tyrannical queen. She died after 300 years of old age. And on top of it all, she was in folklore, not history. How can you exist?” Twilight asked. Queen Silhouette replied, “The stories… you have read of me are… inaccurate. I was not the queen… of any land or kingdom. I was… the equinox queen. My dominion… was over life… and death. And my death… was exaggerated.” She walked towards the black rose in the vase and picked it up with her magic. “Life and Death… but the mare that ever controlled that was…” a frightened Fluttershy mumbled. “Yes. I am…” She declared, raising the rose into the air. The rose extended and a long blade came from the side. It was a scythe that dripped black ink from its steel blade and she wielded it with her magic. As the blade rose to strike down her enemies, she screamed, “I AM THE REAPER!” and struck the floor below her. The floor’s white tile began to burn with a black flame and started to spread to the rest of the floor. “Everypony, remember you’re teams and take the other doors. Move it!” Twilight said, giving orders to everyone in the room. They ran in four groups towards the four doors in the room and escaped the flame. Trixie, Dash, and AJ ran into one door. Armor, Rarity, and Spike ran down the main hallway. Luna grabbed Pinkie and flew above the flames to a vent above. Twilight headed up the staircase with fluttershy and escaped what could have been a horrible fate. Without warning, a magical barrier sealed off each of the four exits, preventing flame and pony from breaching it. Everyone knew about the task at hand and carried on down their individual paths.

As they ran in different directions, the flames ceased and Silhouette had stood with the scythe still plunged in the floor. She then flew into one of the adjacent walls and phased through it as if she was a ghost. Her appearance was intimidating and her departure was eerie, fitting for the reaper of Equestria.

Twilight, accompanied by Fluttershy, walked on the floors of the upstairs hallways. They were a greyed white now and it looked like wet cement. The walls were still decorated nicely like any kingdom but the radiating feeling of death loomed the halls. The walls had various paintings of what looked like ancient Equestria. There were depictions of the Smith family arriving in Canter Lot with the zap apples, the Crystal Empire’s disappearance, and even the night Nightmare Moon was banished to the moon. Twilight and Fluttershy had reached the end of the hall and was forced to go right. Upon going their predetermined path, they had noticed one picture of Queen Silhouette, beheading countless stallions, mares, fillies, and colts with her scythe. Fluttershy saw this picture and was horrified at the gory detail in the picture. She puked on the floors until her stomach was empty. Twilight, worried for Fluttershy, asked, “Fluttershy?! Are you alright?” “I’m fine Twilight. It’s just…” Fluttershy said, trembling with fear. “Queen Silhouette is a cold-hearted murderer. She would kill anyone who ever crossed her path even… young ones.” Fluttershy cried over the meaningless bloodshed caused by Silhouette. Twilight picked up Fluttershy, wiped her tears, and said, “She really was a cruel, heartless beast. I promise, as soon we rescue Princess Celestia, we can leave this place for good.” Fluttershy felt reassured by Twilight’s words and moved on.

Trixie, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash left the hall and walked into a dining room with a glistening, long table. The walls had artwork that none of the three could make out from afar. Apple Jack asked Trixie, “Trixie, What do ya know about Queen Silhouette? She sounds like a bad apple.” Trixie replied, “I wish I knew more about her but my knowledge is fairly limited. She was the reaper of Equestria, and a she didn’t work alone from what I can recall.” “She didn’t work alone?! Who in tarnation would work wit’ her?!” Apple Jack exclaimed. Trixie walked up to the picture she couldn’t make out and stood disgusted. Dash and AJ walked up, about to ask her what she saw but too a look for themselves. They saw a painting of a rainbow maned pony’s head on a platter with various condiments on the side and the eyes of the pony were gouged out and served on a saucer next to it. Rainbow Dash was mortified and stepped back slowly as she looked at the title of the picture. It read, “The taste of the Rainbow” Dash had her back against the wall behind her, cringing from what she saw. Apple Jack went over to console Dash. Trixie said, “Her accomplice was a cannibalistic dracony named Crossfire. He cleaned up her killing sprees for a living. He called it his ‘payment’ for covering her tracks.” Trixie started to tremble at the thought of it. “We have to get moving and report any findings, alright you…” Trixie was stopped looking at Dash. She had never seen her, this afraid of anything. Trixie said, “This may be worse than I imagined.”

Shining Armor, Rarity, and spike walked into a circular room with a cylindrical, tall room with a revolving staircase. The staircase had a spider web design on the railing that gave it an uncertainty in age discernment. As they looked up, they saw a door at the top that measured a minimum of five floors up. Rarity foresaw the strenuous ordeal in front of her and said, “My word! A height as such is too much for a lady-mare like myself. Shining Armor, could you please…” Rarity stopped as she noticed Shining Armor was already a floor above them walking with a determined look on his face. Spike walked up to Rarity and she complained, “What is with him? How could he ignore a mare’s plead and just move on?” Spike said, to correct Rarity’s view on the matter, “His wife is in this castle somewhere, held against her will. Every second he would’ve wasted listening would be another second Princess Cadence would be in danger. If I lost you I’d be the same way.” Rarity looked down and then back at Spike, saying “You’re right Spike. He is fighting another war, more personal than our own. Thanks for bringing that to my perspective.” Spike, feeling proud of himself, started to head for the stairs. Rarity then said, “Spike, what was that last thing you said?” Before she could finish her sentence, Spike was running up the stairs yelling, “Wait for me, Shining Armor!” Rarity had begun her ascent up the stairs to catch up with them.

Princess Luna and Pinkie were in the air vents, once again in pitch darkness. “I’ll shed some light for us.” Luna said. She radiated magic from her horn, illuminating the dark vents. She was shocked by seeing Pinkie in a full black body suit with night vision goggles. “How… where… nevermind.” Luna was dumbfounded by Pinkie’s acquisition of so much equipment. “Okie Dokie Lokie!” Pinkie responded. “Would you look at that, the vent stopped breaking wind!” Pinkie noted as she looked down both ends of the vent. Luna noticed it too and said, “You’re right. The vents should be blowing for at least another fifteen minutes. This is too coincidental. We must get out of this area and find somewhere to communicate with the others.” “FOUND IT!” Pinkie yelled, echoing down the vents. Luna, feeling the ringing in her ears from Pinkie’s yell walked over to the opening and they found themselves in a square room with one door on their right, and three flat walls. Luna found the room oddly designed and said they should leave the room. As soon as she did, the two walls adjacent to the door begin to close in quickly. Luna tried to open the door and it walked locked. Pinkie shows up from behind and yells, “Out of the way, your highness!” Luna turned around and saw Pinkie’s party cannon, armed and ready to fire. Instead of questioning Pinkie’s abilities, Luna jumped out of the way and Pinkie fired the cannon. The cannon fired a rather large amount of confetti that hit the door like a giant rock, smashing it down and the two escapes by a hair. Luna was scared half to death. Her suspicion of everyone being watched was proving to be real and started the telepathic connection.

Shining Armor, Trixie and Luna were signaled and they connected to one another. “Is everyone on?” Luna asked. “Yes, your highness. Have there been any changes or suspicious things in the castle so far?” Twilight asked. Trixie started, “Queen Silhouette sounded familiar to me and I do remember that she worked with a cannibalistic dracony named Crossfire. He is extremely dangerous and if he is here in this castle too, we won’t last very long.” “A cannibalistic dracony?! What about Cadence?!” Shining armor said, worried like no stallion ever has. Trixie responded, “Crossfire painted a picture of his meal, a rainbow maned pony, and Dash saw it. She’s taking it hard… Speed up your search for Cadence so you won’t have to see her for dinner!” Shining Armor started running up the stairs and lost connection within seconds. “Wait, this connection is supposed to stay until I break it.” Luna brought up. Luna gasped and said, “Everyone! Be on your guard, they are watching and maybe even listening to us. I fear there may be more than Silhouette and Crossfire in this castle. There may be two other ali-” The connections simultaneously cut off.

Twilight, losing contact with the others yelled “Hello? Hello?! Can anyone hear me?! Dammit!” Fluttershy, looking scared, asked, “What happened? Is everyone safe?” Twilight replied, “I’m not sure, but I think something is coming!” They hallway around the two of them turned black completely, as if by a large shadow. Then, Queen Silhouette appeared from above and grabbed Fluttershy. Twilight flashed a light spell to dispel Silhouette’s darkness but was no effect. Her darkness was like a black hole, absorbing anything that comes in its path, even light. Fluttershy, as she was being pulled into the darkness, screamed, “Help me!!! I don’t like the dark!!!” Silhouette responded, “By the end… of this… You’ll wish…you were in… the dark.” Fluttershy disappeared and the shadows forced Twilight to move ahead and avoid capture.

Trixie Lost connection and said to AJ and Dash, “We’re leaving now! I'm afraid that things just got real.” The three ran out of the dining room and into a long hallway. They stopped and saw an alicorn of light-green skin, powerful wings, and shades that would reflect your own fears into your eyes. His hair and mane were spiky, sky blue, and a light yellow that could resemble the look of lightning striking across the sky. The alicorn ascended into the air and stared down the trio. Rainbow Dash Flew up into the air as well and looked at the unknown adversary. “Bring it on!” She yelled. Dash had flown at the alicorn with all of her might. The alicorn had flown at her at the same speed but in less time. The alicorn’s speed accelerated and Dash’s was about to reach Sonic Rainboom speeds. Within the blink of an eye, Dash had broken the sound barrier and preformed the sonic rainboom. The alicorn did not hesitate but its speed increased greatly. The alicorn then dashed forward and before Dash could react, had tackled her, head-on. Dash fell back hard, in disbelief of a pony who bested her in speed and strength. “Who are you?! We know that there are others in this castle!” Dash yelled, as her head began to spurt blood. “I’m the king of the Sky.” The alicorn responded with a smirk across his face. Dash’s eye were full of fear and disbelief. Trixie saw Dash and asked, “Who is this guy?!” “I read about him in the files at the Wonderbolt’s academy. He was a tyrant king who had direct control of the weather and was all powerful. However, he caused natural disasters left and right for ten years straight. He was destroyed by Celestia and the job was delegated to the rest of the Pegasus in Equestria. His name was… King Aero, also known as Light.” “Well done young Pegasus.” Aero said, giving a sarcastic clop[clap] to Dash. “I must commend you for being one of three pegasus so far to read the great history of the Equestrian Skies. Now, enough with the formalities, I’m looking forward to this. We have plans for the ten of you.” Trixie used her magic to blast Aero but he deflected it and pulled her to him with magic of his own. “We have bigger plans for you, now go and wait little a good little filly.” Aero said to Trixie. He chucked her down to the other end of the hallway into a locked room. She was trapped inside with no visible way out. King Aero was in a ready stance to take on Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack. They charged towards one another.

Shining Armor, moments before he was disconnected first, started running up to the door at the top of the staircase. Rarity and Spike had trouble keeping up and were, at least, a 5 meters from him even at a galloping pace. He made it to the door way before they did. He turned around and said, “Guys, come on! Something might happen to-” Then he was struck in the back of the head and fell unconscious. Rarity and Spike caught up with him and were confused by his falling to the floor. They were on high alert and looked around. Rarity threw her gold dust infront of her and a dracony was enveloped in the gold powder. “You’re Crossfire!” Spike yelled. “Damn right!” Crossfire screamed. He blew a firball at his feet and the gold dust disappeared. His camouflage disappeared and showed himself. His scaly skin was colored like army camouflage; green, brown and grey. It seemed to change into more than those colors when he hid himself. He had horns, spiky teeth, a lizard’s tail, and claws like any reptile.He had dragon like wings on his equestrian body. Rarity was staring at the epitome of ugliness in her eyes. Before going on her rants about the fashion disaster that she laid eyes on, she yelled, “What have you done to Shining Armor?!” “The same thing I’m about to do to you two.” Crossfire jumped above them and landed directly behind Spike and Rarity. He put Rarity in a sleeper hold. Spike, about to let loose a fireball, was smashed by a chandelier that Crossfire hit before landing down behind them. Spike was struck in the head and was unconscious like Shining armor. Crossfire then dragged their bodies to a bedroom where Cadence was tied up, asleep on the bed.

Princess Luna was in a panic. All of her subordinates were now missing in action right when new information had surfaced. Then she looked down the hall and saw a dark blue pony with a sparkling body, walking down the hall slowly. She had walked very slowly but when Luna blinked, she was much closer than before. Luna was caught off guard and backed up. She blinked again and the unicorn, now visibly seeing her horn, appeared closer. Luna blinked one more time, and she was a foot away from her. Luna was terrified of who she saw before her. Pinkie looked at the mare and was astonished. The mare turned slightly to look at Pinkie and turned back to Luna. “Silhouette, take this pony, she is of no use to us.” Then, the shadow that laid upon the wall behind Pinkie became a portal. Silhouette came through and pulled Pinkie inside without Pinkie having time to react. “I’ll put her with Fluttershy.” Silhouette said. She left and Luna realized she was all alone. “Why…?” Luna asked, with a tear in her eye. “Why would you do this to your own blood? Why, Chronos?” “That’s Princess Chronos.” Chronos, the blue mare declared. “And ‘What have I done?’ Oh, we have only begun.” Chronos placed a hoof on Luna’s forehead and said, “Sleep.” Luna fell and Chronos let Silhouette take her. Chronos then said, “Everyone, move to phase two of Broken Harmony.”

Depradation Pt. 1

Chapter 4 Pt. 1

The Castle in the sky was always inhabited by six ponies. The princess time master, the queen reaper, the tyrant king of the skies, and a cannibalistic, dragon-pony abomination were the known inhabitants to the rescue team. The other two were somewhere in the castle watching the disaster unfold. Shining Armor’s team was knocked unconscious, Twilight lost Fluttershy and ran into a secluded room, Trixie was thrown and locked in another room, Dash and AJ are fighting King Aero, Pinkie was taken and Luna was forced to sleep…

The halls of the castle were silent, emptied of the voices from the rescue team. The night was still upon the residents of Ponyville and all of Equestria as they awoke. They saw the left in the sky exactly as Princess Luna had left it. Ponies all around became frightened by this and wondered what had happened over the night the slept. “Where has the sun gone? Why has Princess Celestia forgotten us? Did Nightmare Moon take over?” These were some of the questions that plagued Equestrians all over.

In the depths of the castle, Princess Celestia was lying on the floor of a circular room. She was chained to the walls; each hoof to a different section of wall, her wings chained to the floor, a ring around her horn that restricted all her magic, and a muzzle to silence her voice. She was afraid herself of being in the position she was in. She knew all the members of the castle, their lives, and even her relationship with each of them. To put it short, the bonds between her and the six members of the castle were not friendly.

The door opened and Princess Chronos walked in with a cheerful trot around Princess Celestia. She almost reminded Celestia of Pinkie Pie. Chronos then walked up to Celestia from behind and stomped the back of her hoof. She snapped the tendon and caused Celestia to fall to her knees and scream to the best of her ability with a muzzle. Chronos giggled as she looked at Celestia in pain and walked up to her face. “Hi Tia! I’m so glad you are here with us today! Now, do your royal duty and raise the sun.” Chronos commanded. She loosened the ring just enough to allow Celestia to use her powers. Celestia used her power to raise the sun and lift it high into the sky. One issue was that due to Luna’s current status, the moon had not lowered. The result was a perfect eclipse. Celestia looked out and tried to resolve it but Chronos retightened the ring and bucked Celestia in the head, knocking off her crown and cracking it on the floor. She fell to the floor with blood dripping from her mane and mouth. She had an emotionless look on her face of lost hope. “No Tia. This is perfect for today.” Chronos said with a maddening facial expression. She looked out the window and smiled down on the residents of Ponyville. She turned around and yelled orders to every member of the castle. “BEGIN PHASE TWO!!!”

Queen Silhouette was carrying Pinkie in her shadow and phased through a multitude of walls to reach a room with five screens. Silhouette placed Pinkie in a chair and tied her tight. “Now… please enjoy the show.” Queen Silhouette said as she left the room. She signaled Chronos to tell her that phase three was ready. Pinkie woke up and saw Fluttershy asleep next to her, tied up like she was. “Shy! Wake up, Fluttershy!” Pinkie yelled. Fluttershy awoke to see the Pinkie and the room she sat in. Fluttershy looked ahead and saw the screens ahead and shrieked. “These… These are hers!” Fluttershy said, frightened as she always looked. “Pinkie asked, “Who’s? The reaper mare?” “Yes… These screens are what she would show to the weak hearted targets. It shows her killing ponies and it would break the viewers until they would kill themselves.” Fluttershy explained. As soon as she finished, the screens flipped on and it showed the other groups divided and trying to evade capture, “This is only the beginning… now watch your friends suffer.” Echoed Queen Silhouette.

King Aero, Rainbow Dash, and Apple Jack heard Chronos’ yell echo through the halls. “I see. Now the fun really begins.” Aero said, staring at Dash with malicious intent. “What’s phase two?!” Dash yelled. Aero grinned then stepped forward. Dash about to take flight and ram at him again, prepare to jump into the air. Before she ever took flight, Aero flash-stepped in front of Dash. She was shocked by the speed he had displayed and was astonished that she missed it. He lifted a single hoof and back-hoofed her across the face. She saw the hoof move through her face and she did not feel anything. Then, an inward tug on the check grew to immense pain and sent her flying through the wall next to them. Dash flew through the wall with chucks of it following her. She could not feel anything in her body in that second and she closed her eyes, almost at peace. Not a care in the world. She was imagining sleeping on the clouds above Ponyville, not worrying about the breeze coming in. Then she opened her eyes and saw herself mid-air, surrounded by debris and King Aero with two hooves on her stomach. He kicked down and she felt everything at once, a pain unlike anything she ever felt. She hit the floor and it didn’t break beneath her. Her spine took the entire impact and her wings contracted at the feeling. The sense of pain made her body tingle and flinch in pain induced agony. As Dash looked down at her body, it was badly damaged already and she realized only three seconds had passed in the process of her takedown.

After assessing her own damage, she saw AJ being chocked mid-air by Aero’s magic. “S-Stop… please.” Dash pleaded. Aero noticed Dash and replied, “You’re still alive?” He threw AJ over next to Dash who had suffered choking and various beatings to the ribs and her back legs. Dash knew AJ couldn’t take that bad of a beating, regardless of her farming lifestyle. Aero walked towards them and chained Dash to the ceiling so she was hanging above the ground, her wings were stabbed through with rings and chained to the floor, and each chain was taut so she wouldn’t try to fly away. AJ was left on the floor as she was already immobile. “Ready to move to Phase three.” King Aero reported to Chronos through telepathy.

Crossfire had Spike and Shining Armor tied to stone chairs. Shining Armor had a muzzle and a ring around his horn to prevent magic use or random outbursts. Spike had a flame resistant muzzle and metallic chains to keep him in check. Crossfire had Rarity and Princess Cadence tied up on the bed enough to not walk away. Spike and Shining Armor had awoken to find their two loves tied up on the bed in front of them and were unable to move or speak. Crossfire came up to them and said, “Wake up lover boys, I’m about to rip your dreams from you and fuck it dead.” Shining Armor looked at Crossfire as he knew of his true intentions. Unable to say a word, he thrashed about and tried to call Cadence’s name to stop Crossfire. Spike was unsure of what was going to happen but saw Shining Armor’s expression. He was furious and yet sad at the same time, crying his soul to pieces. Spike saw Rarity and looked up, hoping for a miracle. “Yeah, Celestia isn’t gonna help ya, dipshit.” Crossfire arrogantly said. He then head-butted Spike and caused him to become dizzy. Crossfire yelled, “Phase Three is ready!” His voice echoed to the chamber of Celestia, where Chronos was waiting.

Twilight, alone and shuttering, walked in the quiet, empty room. It was a silence only matched by the dead. The ringing in Twilight’s ear was the only sound that let her know she was alive, and not in purgatory. There were only two doors in the room. One that led to Fluttershy’s captor and another that led to the unknown. Her mind and heart were racing with thoughts of what would happen to her friends, brother, and the princesses at the rate things were going. Things looked grim and she didn’t know what to do.

A rather loud thud came from the door she had not been through. Twilight contemplated what it could be that made the noises. Her heat began to beat faster as her fears grew. Then, she heard “Let me out you savage brute!” It was Trixie’s voice; Twilight was overjoyed and busted through the door. “Trixie!” Twilight said as she ran towards her. Trixie was very surprised and said, “Don’t be oblivious to the rest of us, Twilight Sparkle!” Twilight stopped in front of Trixie, slightly saddened. Trixie continued, “Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack are out there fighting an Alicorn king that I didn’t even know existed! He’s much stronger and faster than both of them. Since the door is locked, I can’t get out there to help them.” An explosive sound came from behind the locked door that surprised the both of them. They ran towards the door and a magical aura began to radiate from the door. Twilight stopped and said, “I’ve seen this spell before! The door is switching!” Trixie opened the door and it opened to a wide hall with a glass window that had a view over all of Ponyville. The center of the room was the white goddess mare, Celestia. Twilight gasped, seeing her teacher and idol defeated and chained to the floor was something she never thought she would see. Her leg was busted from before and her body already covered in scratches and bruises. Twilight ran to her princess’ aid and was blocked by a magical force field. Twilight used shield breaking spells and found them useless. “Princess Celestia! Please, wake up!” Twilight said, to no avail from the sleeping princess. She was sound asleep and the force field around her was sound-proof. Before Twilight could even begin to wallow in her own despair, she felt something tap the back of her head and she blacked out.

Twilight awoken to find herself sitting in a corner, tied down and restricted from movement. From the ring around her horn to the shackles on her back hooves, she was completely immobile. She looked up and saw Trixie on the floor lying in front of her, beaten and in a small pool of her own blood. “Why? You saved my life… to end it here?” Trixie said as she was sobbing. Twilight looked ahead and saw a pony with wings as broad as Celestia’s, red and black dreadlocked mane, and leather brown skin. He wore a green, militia coat like that of the royal Pegasus army and had a broad guillotine blade on his side. He was a Pegasus whose stance alone could bring someone to their knees in fear of his next move. “Wait, you know who this pony is?!” Twilight explicitly asked. Coughing up blood in-between her stanzas, Trixie replied, “Yes… Before I ever came to you, he saved my life in Manehattan. He even…” “That’s enough, Trixie. We both know what happened.” The Pegasus aggressively said. He turned his head to Twilight whom had given him a fierce look of disgust, unbeknownst of the events in Manehattan. He flapped his wings and ascended into the air, bringing forth a powerful gust across the room. He then declared, “I am Rolling Thunder, second in command of this operation.”

“Wait, second? Then who-” Twilight asked but was cut off by a magical surge through her horn. Streams of magic flowed into her horn and her eyes glowed brilliantly. She was seeing a flow of memories from the magic entering her horn and she experienced every emotion and pain that came with it.

She fell to the floor, nauseas from the memories forced into her mind. She stayed on the floor shuttering from what she saw flew through her mind. She looked up at Rolling Thunder and said, “What the hell… did I just see? There was a bird’s eye view of Manehattan, watching down on Trixie running. Then I saw, someone walk into Luna’s room and disrupt her dreams. I even saw the lightning fast filly-napping of Princess Celestia.” At that moment, a grin grew on Rolling Thunder’s face. Twilight looked down at the ground and continued, “After that, I saw Ponyville in despair. Dash was walking away from a crying Scootaloo, Rarity was screaming for Sweetie Belle… All of my friends were suffering and I was seeing it firsthand. Then I saw Luna…” Twilight stopped and began to shed tears herself. She tried to lift her body but she was stunned by what she was seeing. “Who did it to her? And why isn’t Celestia…” Chronos appeared before Twilight in the blink of an eye and bucked her in the abdomen, knocking the wind out her. Twilight began wheezing, and then vomited on the floor from the impact to her stomach.

“That’s enough, Miss Twilight.” Chronos said. She smiled as she watched Twilight in a small puddle of her bowels. As Chronos walked around the room, she continued, “You saw the past, how we started this madness. Influencing Luna’s dreams is not that easy since she watches dreams normally. And Celestia’s abduction was a team effort and it was fun how quickly it went. As for Trixie, we needed to tie up a loose end.”

Chronos looked behind her at Rolling Thunder throwing Trixie at the wall. Trixie was lying on the floor against the wall. She was cut and beaten all over. Blood gushed from her mouth like a fountain as she begged for mercy. Her cries fell upon deaf ears as she was dragged up the wall and was held in place by Chronos’ magic. Her head was lower to the ground and flesh against the wall. Rolling Thunder jumped slightly in the air and curb stomped Trixie’s horn, breaking it in half and causing a tremendous amount of pain to her skull. Trixie screamed in agony as the piercing pain of her horn removal left her without the words to describe her pain.

Twilight was horrified of the sight and turned her head away; Chronos came from behind Twilight and cupped her chin. She pulled upwards on Twilight’s chin and pushed the head against her stomach. Chronos began punching downwards on Twilight’s face and beat her senseless. Chronos’ smile brew bigger with each punch brought down on Twilight’s face. Twilight’s snout had been badly beaten, some of her teeth cracked, and bled profusely from the mouth. Twilight was losing the feeling in her face when she began to fall out of consciousness when Chronos slapped her, grabbed her by the mane and said, “I can’t have you falling asleep on us…especially now that we can finish Trixie. See?” Chronos pointed Twilight’s face toward Trixie being beaten to death. Trixie screamed and cried as she took a brutal battering and various throws towards walls. Her blood had stained some of the walls she was thrown against along with a small indent from her body. Chronos used her magic to pin Trixie to a wall, chest exposed. Rolling Thunder, looking at Trixie’s body, said, “Now for the coup de grace.” He pulled out the blade from his side and slowly drew an invisible line up Trixie’s chest. Trixie cried and pleaded, “Please Thunder… Don’t do this.” He ignored her cries and stabbed her through the stomach and began to raise the blade up through her sternum. The blood spilt from her body covered the floor below, tainted it crimson. Rolling Thunder pulled the blade from her stomach and watched her bleed. Trixie held on as along as she possibly could and looked towards the ceiling above, counting the mere seconds to her death. He then threw his blade high into the air, spinning vicariously. He picked up Trixie’s nearly dead body and threw her on top of Celestia’s magical barrier. The blood from Trixie’s wound trickled down the sides of the small dome and she saw the flying blade. “Goodbye, Patricia.” Rolling Thunder said. The blade fell and struck Trixie’s chest, above the heart. Trixie, still alive, felt the sting of the blade as its tip was only an inch deep into her chest. Trixie, losing her sight slowly looked above and saw an angel, gracefully flying above her. She raised her hand for the angel to release her from this pain. Then, the angel descended rapidly and plunged the blade deeper into her chest, through her heart, out her back, and past the barrier. Trixie coughed up a mouthful of blood and her sight began to return. She looked at the angel again and it was Rolling Thunder ending her properly.

Trixie felt nothing; She no longer felt the blade pierce her heart; only the coldness of death. The memories of her magic career, her life on the road, her struggle back to power, and her days with the mane six flashed before her eyes. As she exhaled a cold breath from her lungs, she found herself unable to inhale from the blood filling her left lung. She could hear the faint sound of Twilight calling her name but didn’t turn to find out. Instead, she closed her eyes and slept.

Elsewhere in the castle, Pinkie and Fluttershy watched what had transpired on the screens before them. Fluttershy was horrified of the sight and tried to turn away. Pinkie found herself unable to feel any emotion outside of sadness. The color began to slowly fade from her body and her mane straightened itself. She said to herself, “Those bastards…They’re torturing my friends. I will make sure they feel their pain.” With every word she spoke, her skin became darker, she developed more malicious thoughts, and her cutie mark began to fade from her body. Fluttershy looked towards Pinkie and saw a beast growing. Fluttershy, afraid of the pony sitting next to her called her name, “Pinkie?” She turned her head and said, “Who the fuck is Pinkie?”

Fluttershy tried to hop away from her while tied up in the chair and fell over instead, knocking her head on the floor. It caused a small gash in the side of her head the bled out onto the floor. Pinkie saw that she was tied to the chair and began to wrench her arm. She removed her arm from the ropes tied around her and untied herself with ease. She slowly walked over to Fluttershy on the floor. Fluttershy tried to scurry away and saw Pinkie’s hooves close to her face within seconds. She kneeled down to her face and said to her, “My name is Pinkamena, got it?” Fluttershy fearfully nodded with saying a word. Pinkamena untied Fluttershy and then looked around the room. She saw no door in sight and only the screens depicting her friends’ suffering. She stared intently at the screens while Fluttershy wept in the corner saying to herself that none of it was real. Pinkamena stared at the screen of Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash chained and furiously grinded her teeth. She said to herself, “Dashie...”

Rainbow Dash was chained to the floor tightly and Apple Jack hanging from the ceiling by shackles on her forward hooves. King Aero stood by and heard the cries of Twilight echo through the vents. Silhouette had risen from Aero’s shadow and whispered in his ear. He responded, “Phase three is ready now? Finally, let’s get to work on these two then.” Dash and Aj looked at Aero and Silhouette with angst. He walked over to the two restrained ponies and a devilish grin streamed across his face.

He began, “Everypony, this is Queen Silhouette. She is an expert magic user like your friend Twilight and she has a plan for you two.” Silhouette walked up to the two of them and started up a spell. Dash and Aj were dazed by the spell and were in a form of stasis, unable to move. “Now what she’s doing is simple. She is looking for who you value most in all of Equestria. It could be a lover, family member, or a family lover if you’re into that type of shit…” Aero rambled on and noticed Silhouette’s spell stop. “Wow that was quick. So, who was it? Who do they love most?” Aero asked. Silhouette looked at the two of them silently. Aero looked and said, “Oh, it’s like that huh?” Dash and Aj looked away from each other, realizing that secret was out in the open.

Silhouette teased Aj saying, “Imagine how the family… would react to hearing… you have a girlfriend. Big Mac… might say ‘Eenope’… Apple Bloom and Granny Smith would… be in shock.” Silhouette giggled as she messed with Aj.

Aj harshly responded, “Ah won’t be havin’ my family know about this until Ah’m ready to tell’em! And for one, how do ya'll know about tha family?!” Silhouette stopped laughing and said, “I read your mind… simple as that. Now… Here comes… the fun part.”

She used another spell the placed a seal on Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack’s necks. Aero walked over to Aj and bucked her in the back legs. Dash and Aj both flinched in pain. Dash realized that she felt Aj’s pain the second it happened. “You’re very observant Rainbow Dash.” Aero said. “Any physical pain inflicted on either of you will be felt by the other person.” Dash looked at her wings and panicked. Aero smiled and said, “Yes Dash, those will go.”

Dash screamed at the top of her lungs, yelling and swearing off Aero. She went on, “…No way in fucking hell is that going to happen you king-sized piece of shit! I'll shove my hoof so far up your ass, you’ll be shitting rainbows for weeks. I’ll…!” She kept going on while Aero was building up his own magic. He opened a portal on the wall behind him. It was a black void that was used as a limitless, subspace storage. “I got this little thing from one of the worlds I visited.” He pulled out a heavy chainsaw. Using his magic to carry it, he crept over to Dash and said, “I can’t imagine what it was originally made for… but I know one way to use it.” He pulled the cord and the engine inside started. It roared to life as its spikes revolved on its chain axis. He was near Dash and said, “Drop dead, Rainbow Crash.”

He revved the chainsaw and began to cut through Dash’s left wing near the base of it. As Dash screamed in excruciating pain, Aero glided through her wing with the chainsaw like a knife through warm butter. Blood splattered on Aero’s face and body as he cut deeper into the flesh of the wing. Aj, who felt the same pain as Dash, had no wings in the first place so she felt pain on a whole other level. They both cried in agony. Aero was careful to not cut the bone completely and left it out in the open. He pulled the chainsaw away for a moment and kicked the wing repeatedly. Eventually, it broke off and Dash let out one final scream before throwing up a mouthful of blood and puke. Aj was mentally drained from feeling pain and not bearing a scar. She looked over at Dash and saw her bleeding from the base of her wing. Dash kept an angry expression on her face as she stared at Aero, even when she cried.

Aero, ready to start cutting the other wing, was stopped by Silhouette. “You want to take the other one? Fine by me.” Aero stepped back from the two captives and Silhouette walked forward. She, once again, pulled her scythe from her body and hooked the blade around Dash’s right wing. She pulled the scythe back slowly as it slowly phased through Dash’s wing. Dash felt no pain when the blade went through the wing and looked at her wing. She saw a black line where the blade had passed. Then, at the tip of the wing, it ignited with a black flame. Dash felt the burning and tried to blow out the small flame. The flame did not wither and grew all across her wing. It enveloped the entire wing up until the cut in black flames. Dash’s wing was burning to a crisp and the flame was unforgiving. Dash thrashed her body from the pain she was feeling. Aj felt the burning sensation and yelled, “This feels like Ah’m getting’ branded!”

Five minutes of continuous burning caused the wing to deteriorate and eventually reach the bone. Then, silhouette walked behind the exasperated Dash and raised her scythe. She slashed in the exact same spot as when she first cut Dash. The wing fell to the ground and burned to ashes. The fire cauterized the wing and made it a burnt black wound. The other wing base was slowly bleeding and Dash did not have the energy to keep a facial expression, let alone speak. Silhouette and Aero walked to both sides of Aj. Aj, after experiencing Rainbow Dash’s pain, was drained. She did not have a single scar on her body but felt ten small deaths happening in her body.

“The prized legs of Apple Acre’s number one bucker…” Aero said, starting up his chainsaw once again. Silhouette readied her scythe simultaneously. The put their weapons behind her legs and counted. “1… 2… 3!” They cut the tendons on Aj’s back legs and she screamed. Blood dripped from her legs and before knew it, she stopped feeling the pain. Aj knew what that meant; she had just lost her legs and they were now useless. Aero released the shackles from Aj and she hit the ground hard. She was unable to get up properly and looked up at Rainbow Dash. Dash was staring forward with a depressed expression and tears running on her face. Apple Jack knew it was over for both of them. Apple Jack could not work on the farm and Rainbow Dash would be forced to leave the Wonderbolt Academy. “I think we’re done here, let’s go Silhouette.” Aero suggested. He and the Queen walked out of the small room and locked the door behind them.

Depradation Pt. 2

Chapter 5

In the upper story bedroom, Spike, still suffering from the severe blow to the head, finally regained consciousness and his vision was coming back to him. He looked ahead and saw crossfire standing upright, exhaling a puff of smoke from his lungs. Spike looked towards the floor and saw Cadence, lying in a downward dog position with her butt up in the air, facing towards Shining Armor. Her body was covered in sweat and she was breathing heavily. Her eyes were rolling up to the back of her head, tongue sticking out, and her cheeks were blushing. Calling her expression orgasmic would be an understatement. Spike found himself caught in Cadence’s blank stare and then looked slightly behind her. Her ass was as red as her blushing cheeks if not redder and a small white puddle formed right between her knees. Spike, in disbelief of what he was seeing, looked at Shining Armor. He saw the stallion wore out, crying, and turning his sight away from Cadence. Spike put his common sense to use and found out what just happened while he was out. Crossfire had raped Cadence in front of Shining Armor and he was forced to watch as she began to enjoy it more and more. Spike was unaware of how much time had passed but knew that it was long enough to break Cadence. There was nothing left but a cock sleeve on the floor and Shining Armor knew that.

Crossfire walked over towards Cadence on the floor. “No wonder you’re the princess of love. You had one nice ass to pound.” He said as he smacked her ass right where her cutie mark was. She let out a moan of pleasure as she laid on the floor.

Shining Armor became furious and tried to break free from the chair, only to just cause some unwanted noise for Crossfire. Crossfire come close to Shining Armor and clawed the side of his face. He then looked at Spike and noticed he was awake.

“So you finally woke up? About time, I don’t like to play with my food when the guest is asleep.” Crossfire said as he walked over to the bed, towards Rarity. He blew a sky blue flame on Rarity that quickly dissipated. She woke up immediately after. Her bindings were released from a majority of her body except around her front hooves. Crossfire resumed cracking his neck and said, “Ugh… pounding the shit out of that princess took most of my sex drive. Almost didn’t leave any for you.” Rarity stared down Crossfire as his lust filled eyes were stuck on her body.

“I guess I can still fill one sexual quota…a harmless fetish perhaps.” Crossfire said looking around for something in a nearby drawer. “Ah, here they are!” He exclaimed as he found the items he was looking for; long rope, a whip, two unused candles, and a medium length chain. Crossfire proceeded towards Rarity with a child-like happiness on his face. He then tied her ankles to her thighs and her thigh to one another around her back so she couldn’t close her legs. Crossfire used the rest of the rope to tie Rarity in a tortoise binding that constricted her chest and her front hooves while keeping a beautiful diamond-shaped knot in the front of her chest. Rarity, disgusted and amazed by the creativity put into the bindings on her body, found herself almost liking the position she was in. There were six longer strands of rope coming from her two legs and front hooves that Crossfire had grabbed ahold of. He then flew above to the ceiling of the room and placed the rope through the six pulleys He flew down with speed and it pulled down on the rope through the pulley. Rarity was lifted into the air and the ropes around her body tightened. The rope was tightening around her skin by her own weight and she was beginning to like it. Her eyes began to roll back and her tongue was sticking out, just like Cadence but upon seeing Spike tied to a chair in front of her, she snapped out of it.

Crossfire, seeing her resilience knew that she wouldn’t fall easily. He then walked in front of her and blew a violet flame. It completely enveloped Rarity and then disappeared into thin air. She was completely fine, not burnt by the fires. “What is the meaning of this?!” Rarity groaningly said to Crossfire. He said to words to respond to Rarity and walked over to one of Rarity’s chords and plucked it like a chord on an instrument. The vibrations hit Rarity in an instant and she was in a world of pleasure. The simple pluck tightened the rope on her right leg and it dug into her skin a little deeper than before. This time however, she did not stop the expression from coming to her face and stayed in “sex face”. Spike, even with a muzzle around his mouth began muttering words to Crossfire. He looked at the squirming Spike and knew that some of his plan was figured out.

“So, you think you figured something out, pipsqueak? I’ll just be out with it.” Crossfire arrogantly said. He brought his hand in front of Spike face and four fireballs came up, revolving around one another. There were dark green, violet, sky blue, and black fireballs. Crossfire continued, “Dark green is much like yours, a messenger fire but this type can send larger packages. The sky blue flame can put someone to sleep and they can only wakeup by this same type of flame. The black flame is a true flame that never ceases except by the user. And finally, the violet flame you just saw breaks a person’s inhibitions like her.” He pointed to Cadence who was on the floor, her body going into convulsions. “I’d like to say that she is a full blown slut at this point and I personally cannot wait to play wither again. Hahaha!” Crossfire laughed devilishly as he returned to Rarity.

“Now, delve deep into your own hellish desire!” He yelled as he raised his whip. He struck Rarity at the inside of her thigh. She screamed with pleasure at the first strike, in pure ecstasy. She was completely unable to control her facial expression and bared the face of a slut. Crossfire continues whipping her on various parts of her body and she loved each hit more than the last. Her torso, legs, arms, and flank were all being whipped and she loved it. After 25 continuous whips, he stopped. Rarity was looking up, her eyes rolling back, tongue out on the side, and trying to say, “I’m… I’m cu- AHHH!” She came and her juices spilled out onto the floor below. Spike, watching things happen before his, became furious. He started to grow in size by his greed for Rarity growing in his body. Crossfire took notice and dug into the drawer once again. Before Spike even grew big enough to break free, Crossfire attached a collar around his neck and walked away. Spike shrunk back down to his normal size and was no longer growing.

“That collar will prevent your greed from making you grow any bigger. It’s pretty easy to take off…” Crossfire said. Spike was squirming about angrily but to no avail. Crossfire then took the metal chain and lit the mid-section on fire with the black flame. Even though it was fire on metal, it stayed burning for a good minute. He wiped his hand along the chain and the fire ceased. It was hot to the touch, scolding even. He walked up to Rarity and lashed the chain. It wrapped around her leg and burned deep into her skin. He grabbed the other side while it was wrapped and tightened it himself. She was completely losing her mind as the burn marks were branding her leg. Crossfire pulled the chain off and observed the chain burn on Rarity’s leg now. It was like a garter that was permanently stuck to her skin. Rarity, already out of her character from the purple flame’s effect said, “It looks… beautiful darling.” She was overjoyed and even had begun to tear up. She looked at Crossfire walking towards the drawer for the two unused candles. He placed them at the base of Shining Armor’s feet, still unlit.

He then burnt the ropes that suspended Rarity midair and she fell on the bed. She spread her legs and beckoned Crossfire in a lady-like fashion, “Fuck me! Ram your rod and destroy me like you did Cadence!” Crossfire, too happy to keep still, jumped into the air towards Rarity to plow her out of existence. Then, Aero had opened the bedroom’s one door and yelled, “Crossfire, we’re moving upstairs for the final phase. Crossfire hit the floor face-first and looked up at Aero. “You’re a royal cock block you know that?” Crossfire said, feeling his sex drive completely diminished. “Let me at least ‘set the mood’ for this place, then I’ll join you in a sec.” Crossfire said. Aero stood there with no response. Crossfire said to Rarity, “I won’t be the one plowing you today sadly…but there is some royal material for use right over there.” He was pointing to the tied up Shining Armor. Shining Armor and Spike were both surprised by the suggestion and Spike was outraged.

“Now go have with fun your toy.” He commanded. Rarity stood up and looked at Shining Armor. With juices from her pussy still running down her leg from her, she inched her way to Shining Armor and got down on her knees at his feet. Crossfire shot two black flames at the candles near Shining Armor’s feet and then quickly evacuated the room. Crossfire and Aero were gone from the room in an instant.

Shining Armor and Spike were both intrigued by Crossfire’s sudden leaving but suddenly found themselves light-headed. An erection slowly built from Shining Armor and his stallion hood was completely visible to Rarity. She was elated and grabbed it with her hooved. She began to stroke it and lick the tip madly. Shining Armor, growing stiffer by the moment, looked at Spike as if he was trying to say sorry. Shining Armor was fully erect and Rarity looked at it. She licked her lips and said, “Now be a dear and stay thick for me~” She wrapped her mouth around the tip of the dick and she proceeded to force it down the rest of the throat. She had 5 inches of it down her throat and more than half to go. She began to feel the gag reflex from the dick penetrating her throat but she continued with restraint. She had 8 inches down her throat and another 6 to go. Before Shining Armor could even begin to resist, she had taken all 14 inches down her throat and she was in love with it. Shining Armor felt his dick deep inside Rarity’s throat and said, “Rarity… you have to stop… I can’t hold it in any longer.” She pulled her mouth completely off of his dick and said, “You can’t keep going? Well that’s too bad now isn’t it?” She forced the entire dick back down her throat in a heart-beat. Shining Armor couldn’t hold back and came down her throat. She felt a rush of semen go directly down her throat. She slowly began to pull off of his dick as he continued coming. Eventually, the tip was the only thing in her mouth and Shining Armor shot his last load which gave her a mouthful. She pulled off completely and her mouth was full of jizz. She could taste all of Shining Armor in her mouth and swallowed it all. After a few gulps, she opened her mouth and showed it to Shining Armor. It was completely empty of cum and she was ready for more.

She straddled herself on Shining Armor’s lap and hot-dogged his dick with her ass. He began to grow erect again and she said, “I think you’re ready for round two darling, wouldn’t you say?” She raised her ass and positioned his dick on the lips of her pussy. She began to sit down on his lap and she was feeling his monster cock penetrating her. She forced it down and only got 7 inches of it into her body.

“That’s not enough… I need more!” She drove down even harder and Shining Armor’s dick began to fuck her all the way to her womb. His dick was so deep inside of Rarity that her belly stated protruding. She was in heaven: The amount of pain on her body which would be unbearable to most was pleasurable to her. She had 10 inches inside of her and realized no more would fit without completely ripping her in two. She started riding Shining Armor and she loved every time she dropped her hips. “Sweet Celestia, I love this cock! You’re fucking me so deep!” She kept riding him endlessly. Shining Armor, under the influence of the aphrodisiac from the candles was too light headed to even try to stop her. All the while, Spike was sitting, unaffected by the candle. He was immune to its effects but it served to help to his case at all. He was tied up, watching Shining Armor having sex with the Rarity; the mare Spike loved all of his life. Her ecstasy was Spike’s misery. Spike, realizing the he could think of no way to break out of his holding, he simply sat there and looked at the floor below him. Rarity, riding Shining Armor like mad, was oblivious to Spike who was less than two feet from her. She felt Shining Armor throbbing inside her and yelled, “Yes! Cover my insides a beautiful shade of white!” She dropped her ass like an anvil and Shining Armor clenched his teeth. He came with all of his might into her womb and she was filling up. Her womb was stretching out from Shining Armor’s load and she started to pull his dick out slowly. He was still coming and she loved every drop. He finally stopped. She pulled his dick out completely and he was flaccid now. Rarity tried to stand but fell on her back and was lost in a trance. Semen flowed out of her pussy and onto the floor in front of her. Spike, seeing Rarity laid out before him in a puddle of Shining Armors cum made a silent rage grow within him. He had no words to say, muzzle or not. His right arm ignited and formed a large, burning claw. He used the length of the claw to reach above the chains and cut downward, releasing him from imprisonment. He stood on the floor finally and looked at his newfound power. The claw extended and he reached over to Shining Armor and cut him loose as well.

“Get the fuck up…” Spike said in a deep, growling voice. Shining Armor woke up and stood out of the chair. He looked at Spike and did not see the loveable dragon that worked with his sister. He saw an entirely different dragon in front of him, bent on vengeance. Spikes right arm was shrouded in the green flames and roared all by itself. His eyes were glowing green and his face had a permanent scowl. The spikes of his head and back had grown sharply and his height was doubled from before.

“Spike, is that you?” Shining Armor asked as he looked at the evolved Spike in front of him. “Yeah, what?” Spike angrily responded. Shining Armor never let fear get the better of him but Spike appeared to be an exception. Shining Armor stood still in silence. “Good, then we’re moving out.” Spike said and he walked out the door. Shining Armor inhaled, wanting to speak about his wife and Rarity that Spike was leaving behind. Before saying a word, he looked at the two on the floor and realized that they were lost. He walked out shedding a few tears.

Elsewhere, Pinkamena and Fluttershy were watching from the room once again, unable to find a way out. “Dammit!” Pinkamena exclaimed as she banged her hoof against the wall. She continued, “Our friends are falling like flies out there! We need to get out now!” Fluttershy sat in the corner, depressed by the visuals she was shown on screen. Watching Dash and Aj lose what they prize most, Rarity and Cadence lose their minds, Spike become a monster, and Shining Armor losing his wife put Fluttershy in an emotionally fragile state. She sat down and looked down at the floor, unresponsive to Pinkamena’s outburst. Pinkamena realized Fluttershy’s dilemma but did not proceed to console her. She instead started putting her ear against the wall and knocking lightly.

As she knocked her hoof against the walls, she heard “Tap, tap, tap” on one wall, “Tap, tap, tap” on another wall, and “Tap, tap, top” on the third. She found the last sound suspicious and moved on to the fourth wall. She knocked; “Top, top, top” came from the fourth wall. It was the sound of wood, as if it was a door. She rammed into the wall and flew through to the other side, discovering it was the door they were brought through. Fluttershy saw the opening and got up. She walked slowly towards to the door and saw Pinkamena getting up off of the floor. Pinkamena commanded Fluttershy, “Haul Ass! If we’re going to help out Dashie and Aj, we need to pick up the pace!” She trotted forward towards a spiral staircase. Fluttershy, silent as a mouse, followed her up the staircase.

They walked down a series of hallways that were barren of life, light, and even hoof prints. Then, after 20 minutes of searching, they found the large hole in the wall that Dash was thrown through. Pinkamena rushed towards the gaping hole and looked inside. She saw Dash chained down to the floor and Aj hanging from the ceiling, both of whom were knocked out. She walked towards Dash and picked her head up off the ground. Dash’s eyes were dazed and nearly blank. The extreme amount of blood lost accompanied by the excruciating pain would have been enough to take out any other pony but Dash seemed to still have some fight left in her.

“Dashie… wake up~” Pinkamena softly said to Dash. Dash was unresponsive. “Please get up; we have to get you two out of here.” Pinkamena said. She looked at the chains and saw that Dash’s blood staining them. She even looked up and saw the severed and burned wings of dash on the ground ahead of her. Pinkamena grew angrier by the second and even begun to shed tears. Then, she felt a hoof touch her face and wipe away a tear. She looked down and saw Dash, still affected by her wounds but awake.

“Dashie!” Pinkamena was overjoyed to see her friend alive. “I’m going to make sure you get out of this hell-hole safely… After which, I will personally rip off Aero’s wings.”

Dash, as glad as she was to see her friend care for her, was frightened by her response. “Well, let’s find the others first, maybe we can still escape here.” Dash said to Pinkamena who was breaking her chain. “There isn’t much of a chance of that. Trixie is dead, Twilight is captured and held upstairs, Shining Armor and Spike are heading towards her now, and Rarity and Cadence are… lost. I haven’t seen Luna yet but I’m guessing that she is in the same room as Twilight.” Pinkamena explained.

“Wait, lost? What happened to Rarity and Princess Cadence?” Dash said, concerned for the two. Pinkamena averted her eyes from Dash’s and said, “They’ve both lost their minds and become sexual slaves to whatever moves. Even Spike gave up on Rarity and we both know how much he loved her. As for Princess Cadence… she was raped in front of Shining Armor and he could do nothing but watch.” Rainbow Dash gasped and felt a cold chill run down her spine at the news she had just heard. To hear what happened to the two mares is awful but for their lovers to give up on them was too extreme even just to hear.

Pinkamena saw Dash’s response and said, “Get over it. Those two did the right thing leaving them behind. There is nothing we can do to help them now.” Dash saw only truth in her words and got up. Dash looked at her back and saw her de-winged body. She still felt the sting of the open wound being hit by a slight breeze. She thought that Apple Jack was the only one suffering besides her but there were wounds deeper than a blade’s reach.

Fluttershy released Apple jack from captivity and Apple Jack was completely unconscious, unaffected by touch or response to her body being moved. Rainbow Dash walked over and picked up Apple Jack. She placed Apple Jack on her back and headed for the hole in the wall. “We’re not going to get anywhere at this rate. We’ll all die if we confront the members of this castle.” Dash, with Apple jack on her back walked out down the hallway. Fluttershy, still silent, followed along with Pinkamena.

In the uppermost room of the Castle, Twilight was still being held against her will. The dead body of Trixie was lying on the floor in front of her in a crimson pool of blood. Her cold corpse was still, leaving an eerie vibe for all those who were around it and yet, she almost seemed peaceful. The silence that roamed the room would still echo in your ears. Twilight looked up at the ceiling, hoping to find a silver lining and instead saw a violet bubble. This was the first time she had noticed it and she was intrigued.

Then, Princess Chronos walked forth and saw Twilight looking up at the bubble. She said aloud, “The barrier up above catch your eye, Miss Sparkle?” Twilight looked at Chronos and did not say a word. She gave her a look of pure anger and rage in utter silence. “Oh boo yourself. If you really must know, it’s a prison made for overpowering Alicorns like her.” Princes Chronos shined a light from her horn at the ‘barrier’. The light revealed that it was a dormant Luna, asleep inside. Twilight was surprised to see that Luna was in the room with her and had begun to think on her odds. She looked back at Chronos with an unforgiving look.

Chronos took note of Twilight’s reaction and said, “Oh my, you really are a bookworm? You’ve already figured out your odds for this ‘mission’ haven’t you?” Twilight was shocked at Chonos’s observation. She continued, “You just saw your ally die in front of you, your princesses are trapped in the same room and unconscious, and you’re tied up here. Now, you’re thinking of your friends. ‘Where are they? Are they alright, captured like me, dead?’ Those are probably some of the questions roaming your mind.” With each declaration coming from Chronos’s voice, Twilight felt the madness consuming her every thought. She could hear her friends’ cries in her head as they suffered fates she couldn’t imagine. She thrashed about violently trying to break free only to fall to her side. She was stuck, like a turtle on its back.

Chronos walked up to her and whispered, “Would you like to see your friends now?” Twilight was confused by her offer and nodded lightly. Chorons then lifted Twilight with her magic and she floated before her. Chronos’s eyes lit up and she looked deep into Twilight’s. She chanted, “Let the magic flow through you with what another has saw. Hang your head, drown in pain, and watch in awe!” A surge of magic emanated from Chronos and converged on Twilight’s eyes. Twilight was blinded by the magic’s light and screamed in agony from its blinding and burning. Then, the pain stopped and an image came through to her.

She saw herself walking down a hallway with Aero beside her. Twilight was confused as she could only see but not feel nor control her body. Then, she saw black hooves, a white mane, and a height adjustment on what she thought was her body. She assumed wrong. She was seeing through the eyes of Queen Silhouette.

Silhouette was notoriously quiet, so Aero did not naturally talk to her much. They walked down the hallway together after leaving Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash to their own devices. As they walked, a wave of magic came from the end of the hallway and passed them by. Within that wave were instructions from Chronos. Twilight understood the directions completely through Silhouette’s mind and she was distraught. The instructions were Fluttershy, Pinkamena, Apple Jack, and Rainbow Dash’s current position. They nodded at one another and began running towards the end of the hallway. Then, King Aero wrapped a hoof around Silhouette’s back. She moved his hoof more up her back, away from her flank. “Oh, you’re no fun Silhouette.” Aero said, unhappy about the Queen’s unwillingness to be playful. She began moving into the wall and was in a pitch black void, inside the wall. Aero was hanging on while she traversed the walls. Twilight was amazed by the sights she had seen through Silhouette’s eyes. She saw a whole other world in between the walls that was spacious and dark. Then, she saw her friends off in the distance and feared the worse.

Pinkamena and company were walking on an outer balcony of the castle. They looked up and saw eclipse in the sky. There had never been a time when the sun and moon were in the sky at the same time. It was a terrifying sight to them but no where near as bad as what they had experienced.

As they walked, a shadow appeared on the ground before them. Pinkamena noticed it and stopped the group with a silent gesture. Silhouette slowly rose from the ground and drew her scythe from the very beginning. Fluttershy was in shock from fear of the reaper mare. Dash and AJ were unable to move just from weakness in their own bodies. Pinkamena, alert and enraged, looked behind and saw King Aero. The group was trapped by the two ponies who caused them pain originally. Pinkamena got into a ready stance, willing to charge into either assailant who comes at them first. Silhouette stuck the ground behind her with the scythe and a wall of flames sat behind her. Pinkamena dashed towards Silhouette with murderous intent. She didn’t care what happened to her own body as long as Silhouette went down with her. Pinkamena then felt her body slow down. She was moving but only at a quarter of the speed she was just moving. Then, she felt a nudge in her side. The nudge grew into a full jab and before she knew it, a full-body tackle. She looked to the side and saw it was King Aero tackling her at full speed. The distance he traveled and the speed at which he struck was all thanks to his flash step. Pinkie could not react in any way to his attack and flew to the wall. She hit the wall hard and was stuck against the wall in a daze. Fluttershy flew slightly into the air, scared of Aero’s speed and all she could think of was getting away. Then, Silhouette’s black scythe extended and she swiped it across the air. The outer-most blade hit Fluttershy’s hoof and stabbed straight through. The force of Silhouette’s swing forced Fluttershy to be slammed against the wall and have the blade completely pierce her hoof. She was in an unbelievable amount of pain and could feel the blade inside her hoof. She could do nothing but cry in agony.

Silhouette nodded at Aero, signaling him to act. He walked over slowly towards Rainbow Dash with Apple Jack on her back. Dash was in no position to fight carrying AJ or not and each step only sealed her fate.

“You’re done Dash. Nothing much else left for you...” King Aero said, crushing Dash’s last hope for escape. He raised his wings and spread them like a bird ready to take off. Rainbow Dash was pushed back against the railing, where the rail was the only thing keeping her and AJ from falling. Aero rammed Dash through the railing and she broke through. Then, Aero did a downward kick and sent the two of them falling rapidly, down to the ground below.

Dash was panicking as she fell. With no wings to keep her afloat, it was the first time she had ever truly fallen. She was out of control and helpless. As she fell faster and faster, she looked at Apple Jack, who still had her eyes closed. Apple Jack’s expression was calm, a state of peace that contradicted her own fate. Dash was saddened by not being able to fight off the King and not being able to protect Apple Jack from harm. As she felt the cold winds stream across her face, she cried looking at the ground. She cried harder with every second that went by. As she closed her eyes, she felt warmth on her face. She felt a warm embrace and almost felt happy about it.She opened her eyes and saw orange. She looked up and saw it was AJ, holding her head close to her chest. AJ looked back at her, crying as well but with a smile on her face. Dash was overjoyed to see Apple Jack awake and buried her face in AJ chest.

Through the winds, Dash could barely hear AJ speak but one final message got through, “Goodbye, sugar cube. I’ll always love you…” Dash was mortified at Apple Jack’s last word and looked up at her. Apple Jack pushed Dash back, slowing her down temporarily. Then Dash felt the arms of another carry her and stop her from falling. It was Spitfire holding her up now. Dash realized that she and AJ had been followed the entire drop but have been falling too fast for the Wonderbolts to catch up. Dash looked down at the descending AJ and cried screaming, “Apple Jack!!!” She continuously screamed her name as Apple Jack fell. AJ had pushed Rainbow Dash to slow her down at the cost of speeding herself up. Soarin’, who had followed Aj as fast as he possibly could, failed to raise his speed. AJ knew her fate once she pushed Dash and she was ready to die for it. She flew towards the ground head first, looking towards the horizon. As the ground came closer, she counted the seconds remembering her life up until then…

1… the day she got her cutie mark

2… Moving back into Apple Acres

3… being with the mane six

4… Meeting Rainbow Dash

5… The rivalry they shared

Every number she counted, another sweet memory came to mind…

15… The Apple Family Reunion

16… remembering-

…

Before she could finish, she had hit the floor. Her head hit the base branch of an apple tree. The back of her head exploded and she died on impact. Her eyes went blank, her stare was forever, and she was stone cold dead. Blood gushed from the back of her crushed head and her brain matter was all over the base of the tree. The blood gushed down its trunk and into the dirt below. Soarin’ landed within seconds of Apple Jack landing and stomped his hoof at the floor in anger. “Dammit…” he said to himself. Spitfire, still holding Dash landed softly. Dash’s jaw dropped and eyes watered. She saw AJ on the floor unmoving and far from alive. Dash walked slowly forward, unwilling to accept the reality in front of her. “Apple Jack… No… Please, you can’t be…” Dash fell to her knees besides AJ’s corpse but did not touch her body. Her uncontrollable crying kept her from saying anything else. Spitfire and Soarin’ remained in silence as they saw Dash sob over the loss of her friend.

Up above at the balcony, Aero was looking down at the scene and then laughed aloud saying, “Did you guys see that?! Haha! Her head was all like, BAM and then SPLAT, and now it’s all over the floor! Ahahaha!” Pinkamena was on the floor listening to his arrogant words and his sick laughing. Her anger came to a broil as she got back up. She grinded her teeth and stared down Aero. “You arrogant bastard… I’ll never forgive you for laughing at AJ’s death! AUUGH!” Pinkamena jumped high into the air with a driving hoof towards Aero. Aero turned around, surprised by her attack. “Oh, shit! Silhouette, get down NOW!” Aero yelled. Silhouette pulled the blade from Fluttershy’s hoof and backed away. Pinkamena roared as she flew towards Aero. He dashed out of the way and Pinkamena’s hoof hit the floor and the floor below exploded. Debris of rocks and dust flew into the air and sent King Aero on a run for his money. Pinkamena’s raw and destructive power decimated the floor in the blink of an eye. The entire balcony was turned to falling rubble. Aero looked around and did not see Pinkamena or Fluttershy.

“Fuck!” Aero exclaimed. He placed his head on his temple and telepathically called Crossfire. “Crossfire, we have a situation!”

“What kind, king numb nuts?” Crossfire jokingly replied.

“Pinkamena has gained her powers again. She just turned the floor to rubble in mere seconds and disappeared with Fluttershy. We both know what happens when Pinkamena loses control like this…” King Aero said.

Crossfire stopped and thought about it and lined his sights ahead of him. He replied, “Right, reality starts to give way. Her friends may be affected by her new status now too… Who have I pissed off recently?”

“Wait, you dealt with Rarity correct?” Aero asked. “Yes, she’s in a pool of Shining Armor’s semen, why?” Crossfire replied. “That’s gross…but what about Spike, did you secure him properly?” Aero asked. There was no reply for a long period of time. “Hello?”

“Oh, fuck me! Spike is PISSED!” Crossfire said being slammed against a wall. Spike’s body was slightly matured like an adolescent dragon. His spikes had grown on his back and his right arm blazed with green fire. It had morphed into a giant hand grabbing Crossfire and banging his body against a nearby wall. He dropped him on the floor and Crossfire was still trying to catch his breath. Spike exhaled through his nostrils to let out a small green fireball. His cold stared was accompanied by the burning in his eyes. Crossfire saw Spike walking slowly towards him and tried to crawl away. Spike lifted him by his tail with the burning arm and spun him around in the air. Crossfire grew dizzy from the revolving. Spike chucked Crossfire at the wall and his body was ingrained on the wall. He fell down and his back was up against the wall. He was afraid now.

Shining Armor placed a hand on Spike’s shoulder and said, “I think he’s had enough…” He walked over to the beaten down Crossfire and said, “Where is everopny? Answer me!” He said, bashing Crossfire’s head against the wall behind him. “Okay Okay! I’ll talk! Twilight and the princesses are up in the top floor room, Applejack is dead at the ground and Rainbow dash is with her, Fluttershy and Pinkamena’s postions are unknown, and you know damn well where your two lovers are… Ha!” Shining Armor’s eyes grew dark. He backed away and said, “Spike, finish him.” Spike said no words and clenched his fist. The flames on his arm grew brighter and his eyes burned as well.

Crossfire, staring at the beast before him said, “Fuck… You…” Spike pulled his fist backwards and punched forward with all of his might. Then, Crossfire was pulled into the shadows by Silhouette and was phased through. Spike’s punch missed Crossfire but dealt a devastating blow. His punch destroyed all the walls infront of him and let out a large explosive fire in its wake. The blast went all the way through the building to the outside and blew all of the debris into the air. Aero, now with Silhouette and Crossfire, heard the explosion from the balcony and flew around to inspect the damage. He saw a large hole gaping from the side of the building in the shape of a fist. He was awe-struck. He had never seen anyone do that much damage in such a short amount of time.

He contacted everyone, “This is a CODE PINK. I repeat, CODE PINK. The Pinkamena effect is in play now. We have to accelerate Operation Twilight Effect now or risk losing our progress.”

All members of the castle heard the message and were in full alert. Rolling Thunder and Princess Chronos were stationed in the Main Room with Celestia, Luna, Twilight in custody, awaiting the rest of the team’s arrival. Crossfire, Queen Silhouette, and King Aero were racing to the room. Spike and Shining Armor were blazing a trail through the upper floors. Pinkamena and Fluttershy were running around the lower floors looking for stair cases. Everyone in the castle was running towards the same room.

Finally, Twilight was released from Chronos’s spell. She’s seen everything that transpired and was fully aware of the situation. Twilight looked at Chronos with angst but was still unable to move. Then she heard hoofsteps coming from the door. The other three members busted through and said in unison, “Ready for the Final Phase!” Chronos smiled and said, “Prepare the final Phase!”

Operation: Twilight Effect

Chapter 6

The room was lit like the Grand Galloping Gala’s dance hall. The radiant light came from the eclipse outside that hovered in the sky for all to see. The inside of the room was a circular room with a high ceiling. It had 5 lower pillars that reached half-way to the ceiling, almost as if they were columns that were cut in half. The ceiling had a dome-like shape that had a small barrier built in its fixture. Inside the barrier was Princess Luna, finally beginning to awaken from her long slumber. On the floor, Twilight was sitting, tied down in the corner of the room and Celestia was asleep in the center of the room in a dome barrier much like Luna’s. The white room was silent for the time being until all the members of the castle arrived, awaiting the final phase of Operation Twilight Effect.

Princess Chronos, Rolling Thunder, King Aero, Queen Silhouette, and Crossfire finally gathered in the main hall, most of whom were escaping the fury of Pinkamena or Spike. As Aero, Silhouette, and Crossfire were catching their breath, Rolling Thunder looked up at Luna, trapped in the barrier above. He looked at her as if she was the moon on a clear night. Much like he would do with the real moon, he would gaze and think about his life thus far; his actions, his good and bad decisions, and what he has contributed to this operation. He felt little remorse over his own life choices but felt disgusted with the other lives he’s ruined.

He looked towards Chronos and asked, “The purpose of this mission… is it really for us to find out? Couldn’t there have been another way to gather this ‘data’?” Chronos was generally surprised by his response. She then grinned and said, “There is always another way Rolling Thunder. We are simply finding out the hard way.” She trotted about with a smile on her face when she finished. Rolling Thunder was dissatisfied with the answer and continued, “The hard way is when we suffer to find it out. This operation is only making them suffer for your personal interest in…” Chronos glared at Rolling Thunder and nodded her head upwards. He looked up and saw Luna fully awake, trying to listen in on the conversation. He held his tongue on the matter and finally said, “Fair enough. We’ll get this over with and once you have what you want, you’d better fill your end of the bargain.” He walked over to one of the pillars and flew up to the top. He sat there patiently. Chronos smiled and declared to everyone in the room, “Let us begin!”

The other three members flew to a different pillar and stood on top of it awaiting further orders. Chronos lifted herself with her magic to the top of the pillar and looked down at Celestia. “It’s time for a rude awakening…” She said with a devilish grin on her face. She charged the magic in her horn and fired a magical blast at Celestia’s barrier, cracking it. The small crack grew around the barrier. It looked like a 3d jigsaw puzzle of broken glass. The cracks surrounded the barrier and finally, the barrier exploded. The spell broke and from the inside of the barrier, an unbelievably painfully explosive noise rang in Celestia’s ears. She immediately woke up to bleeding ears and an insatiable ringing. Celestia’s body was already covered in bruises and cuts from Chronos having fun with her but now she was nearly deafened.

Chronos smiled at Celestia’s suffering and said, “Hey sleepyhead… Did you have a bad dream?” Celestia picked her head up slowly and glared at her with anger in her eyes. Chronos frowned and continued, “Oh boo… you’re mad at me. Then I guess you’re no longer little miss sunshine huh?” Celestia was pissed and yelled, “You ignorant brat! Release me from this infuriating imprisonment before I bring the pain of 1000 suns upon your skull!” Everyone in the room was silent and in shock of Celestia’s response. They never knew her to raise her voice at anyone, let alone make a threat that she can deliver.

King Aero, realizing the situation happening around them said, “Chronos, this is part of CODE PINK. All the members of their group each experience a character shift upon Pinkamena’s arrival in this reality. We need to finish this before Celestia becomes her other self…” Celestia looked towards King Aero out of curiosity of his words. She thought to herself, “What in the world does my anger have to do with Pinkie Pie? And who is my other self?” Then Chronos replied, “You’re right… Then let’s end her.”

All five of the ponies drew their individual weapons. Chronos covered her horn in a magical aura that shaped into a blade on her head. Rolling Thunder drew his blade and held it in his mouth. Silhouette pulled her scythe from her back and raised it high. Aero shrouded his wings in magic and sharpened it to razor like proportions. Crossfire blew his black flame on his claws and they ignited to make burning claws. They each jumped from their pillar and hit the floor running. They circled Celestia like a pack of hungry sharks... Luna, from up above, saw Celestia being surrounded and was mortified: she was reliving her dream from the night before her sister’s kidnapping.

Luna thrashed about in the barrier, trying to escape from her captivity and help her sister. Her premonition of this very event drove her to the edge. She wasn’t willing to lose the one sister she had in this world and the very first person to ever welcome her back to Equestria after. She yelled and screamed, “NOOO! I WON’T ALLOW THIS! SISTER!”

Her cries were heard by Twilight, who was knocked senseless earlier by Chronos. Twilight looked ahead and saw Crossfire circling about her. She hopped forward and landed in Crossfire’s path. His claw sliced straight through her chain and she finally had her chance to escape. Twilight stood up abruptly and rushed to her Princess’s side. The magic ring was not removable from her horn and she wasn’t able to free Princess Celestia from her chains. With reassurance in her voice, Twilight said, “I promise Your Highness, I will stay by your side until the end.” Celestia saw Twilight defending her in a last stand and found a slim hope if there ever was any. She and Twilight watched the five assailants circle them, waiting for the first strike.

Luna rested from thrashing and now looked down at Twilight and Celestia on their last stand. She cried, knowing what their fates would be if no one intervened. With tears running down her face, she said, “Twilight Sparkle! Whatever happens, you must stay with my sister! Please!” She stopped, crying from what she had seen before. Twilight nodded and kept a vigilant eye. The circling enemies were fierce but Twilight Sparkle was not going to fall easily.

Crossfire made a sharp right, heading straight for Celestia. He jumped into the air with his burning claws at the ready. Twilight jumped in the way and Crossfire slashed across her snout. The fire surrounding his claws cauterized the wound instantly, leaving a burn mark along with the scar. Crossfire, realizing that Twilight’s defense was wide ranged, pulled back and began circling around them again.

Silhouette and Aero rushed in from both sides, each with their weapons at the armed. Celestia saw Aero coming and lowered her head. His wing blade attacked her at the base of her horn. At the cost of a slight cut below the horn, Celestia’s seal on her horn was broken. She used a blast of light to blow Aero into the air. Silhouette simultaneously attacked Twilight. She attacked with her scythe in a downward slice. Twilight side stepped and dodged the blades. She then rammed Silhouette in her rib cage, causing her to flinch in pain. While Silhouette was down, Twilight bucked her in the side of her head and sent her flying back. Silhouette was slowly getting back up and Aero did an aerial recovery and stayed mid-air, above the fearsome duo of Twilight and Celestia.

Rolling Thunder jumped towards Twilight. With his blade in his mouth, he performed a mid-air barrel roll to make his blade spin viciously around him. Twilight could not defend herself from the impending blow. Then, a yellow barrier surrounded Twilight and stopped Rolling Thunder’s attack. He struck the barrier intensely, digging the ends or the barrier into the ground. He pulled back, realizing the shield wouldn’t break easily. Celestia dropped the barrier and began to breathe heavily.

“Princess! Are you alright?” Twilight said with concern in her voice. Celestia caught her breathe and said, “I’m alright Twilight Sparkle. It’s just that his attack was stronger than I had anticipated. We will need to use all of our strength if we are to escape.” Celestia used her magic to break the seal on Twilight’s horn. Both of them were now at full power.

Their eyes began to glow bright with the energy from the magic within each of them. “Are you ready, my most faithful student?” Celestia said, restoring her student’s hope. “Ready, your Highness!” Twilight responded. They both raised their horns high into the air and let out a magical blast that enveloped the room. The blast sent the five flying back. Aero, due to his high position, hit the ceiling and fell down to the floor below.

Celestia looked down at Chronos on the floor and said, “Whatever your plan may be; we shall end it here and now!” As Celestia charged her horn full of magic, it surged with yellow energies. Her eyes and horn glowed brightly. She stomped her forward hooves into the ground and pointed her horn at Chronos. Chronos, slowly arising from the combined blast from Twilight and Celestia said, “You can’t… be serious. You’re not going to…” “Yes, I will send you back to the world where time does not flow. You and your cohorts will be banished from Equestria for all eternity.” Celestia said in an intimidating voice.

Chronos had begun to back up, hoping to escape Celestia’s wrath but found herself against the wall. For the first time in her eternal life, Chronos was actually afraid. As she turned her head away, Celestia fired a wave of energy at her. Rolling Thunder jumped in the way with his blade in mouth and blocked the wave. The blade absorbed the magical energy whole. He placed the weapon on his back and said, “This blade was specially made to defend against unicorn and alicorn magic. It completely absorbs it and leaves your effort to nothing.” Chronos, trying to act as if she wasn’t afraid said, “Well d-done Thunder…” He turned to her with an angered expression and responded, “Get your shit together. And remember this, you owe me one.” She shook her head and returned to her hoity-toity self. She said, “We need results from this operation. Everypony, let us end this now!”

Twilight fired a magical blast once again and Thunder blocked it with his blade. Then, Aero tackled Twilight from the side and slammed her into the wall. Celestia, trying to help her was stopped by Silhouette. Silhouette used a flare spell and blinded Celestia. She was dazed and could not focus. Aero stabbed a smaller blade into Twilight’s hoof and stuck her to the wall. He jumped up into the air above the blinded Celestia. Silhouette joined him and armed her blade. Thunder and Crossfire surrounded Celestia and prepared their respective claws and blades. Chronos commanded, “Execute her!” The four rushed inward towards Celestia. Luna looked down and knew it was Déjà vu: She was seeing her sister die the same way as her dream. She roared and cried, “Nooo! I cannot allow this! Augh!!!” She stomped her hooves down and rapidly fired magical blasts to break her barrier. It was finally showing signs of cracking and she pounded harder. As Luna was finally seeing the cracks, she refocused her sights and stopped in complete disbelief. She saw her sister, on her last breaths.

Thunder had his blade driven through Celestia’s chest and lung, Crossfire had his claws deep in her side, Silhouette’s scythe penetrated her back and pierced her other lung, and Aero stomped down on her back, breaking her spine. Celestia was bleeding profusely from her chest, sides, and mouth. Her eyes were beginning to fade and her breaths became shorter. She could feel her lungs filling with blood with every second that passed. As her heart beat grew slower, Silhouette drew her scythe from her back and placed its blade under her neck, picking her head up slowly. Celestia was blankly looking up, saw Chronos walking towards her. Chronos stopped within hoof’s reach of her head and raised her hoof above Celestia’s neck. She stomped down, forcing Celestia’s neck to be cut by Silhouette’s scythe. Chronos pushed her hoof all the way down to the scythe and completely decapitated Celestia. Blood spewed from Celestia’ neck and covered the floor with a crimson red. Her head was now on the floor, unmoving and drenched in more blood.

Luna saw her sister’s fall and cried. Her tears were bitter, her sadness was bottomless, and her hopes crushed. The sister who brought her back into the world, that was willing to reteach her of all of the world’s customs, the only sister she ever had was now gone. Not even the millennia she spent alone should amount to the pain she felt now. As she wept, she heard voices echo in her mind. “Why do you fell so weak and helpless?” the voice said. It continued, “Why can you not use me? We can erase them…” Luna knew the voice all too well, the voice of Nightmare Moon. She replied with no words, but with a tremendous roar. “URAAAAAAAAAGH!!!” The barrier began to fill with a black smoke coming from her flowing mane. The cracks in the barrier began to grow larger and eventually shattered to pieces. The black smoke dissipated and floating in its place was an enraged Nightmare Moon. She looked down at the murders of her sister and screamed once again, “AAAAAUUUUGH!!!” Thunder looked up and said, “Shit! Everypony move out NOW!” The five pulled back from Celestia’s dead body, and evacuated the room. Nightmare followed them furiously, ramming through any walls in her path.

Twilight, with her hoof still stabbed through to the wall, looked at her dead teacher. Tears ran down her face, but she made little to no sound at all. She didn’t scream, thrash about, or even cry aloud. She just sat there, almost like a lifeless doll. The blade came loose from the wall and her hoof fell with the blade still in it. She used her three good hooves to walk over to Celestia. She saw her cold corpse and felt an unending sadness come over her. She finally said softly, “I’m so sorry, princess… I couldn’t save you, my friends, no pony…” As she sobbed she looked up and saw the sun grow dimmer. The sun completely went dark and fell from the sky. Only the moon stayed floating above the land. Twilight sat down in the pool of blood, right next to Celestia and could not stop crying.

In the halls of the castle, Thunder and company were on the run from a storming Nightmare Moon. “Keep going! We have to reach the foyer to get out of this hell hole!” Rolling Thunder yelled. Nightmare opened her mouth wide and roared, letting out an overpowering blast of magic. Aero saw it was aimed at Chronos and he jumped in the air to block it. Not only did he get hit, but the blast vaporized him, turning him into dust. Silhouette saw his demise, and stopped immediately. She drew her scythe and jumped towards Nightmare Moon. She swung at Nightmare’s neck and it was stopped right at her skin. Silhouette realized that the scythe could not cut her skin. Nightmare grabbed the scythe from Silhouette and drove the blade into her stomach. She ripped it upwards and cut her up the middle. Both halves of Silhouette fell to the floor and covered the hall in crimson. Her body faded into the ground. The remaining three looked back and realized that Nightmare was out for blood.

Crossfire exclaimed, “AAAH! I’m so fucked! I already have a dragon and a prince out for my head!” As he finished that line, the floor broke under all three and a large, green, flaming arm grabbed Crossfire. It was Spike, now teenage looking dragon, and Shining Armor. Spike brought Crossfire down and said, “No, we want all of you…in pieces.” Shining Armor used his magic to wrap the floor around Crossfire. Crossfire was trapped in the floor and they both looked at him. “Hit ‘em hard Spike.” Shining Armor said. Spike grew wings from his back and flew down the hall and stopped about 100ft away. Crossfire, cowering in fear said, “NOO!!! I didn’t mean to fuck your lovers! That bitch Chronos told us to do it or we-” “I… Don’t… CARE!” Spike yelled, rushing towards Crossfire. Spike charged his right arm and its flames grew brighter. He dashed towards the screaming Crossfire and punched just an inch away from his face. Even though it had not hit him, Crossfire could feel the force of the punch. It was slow at first, but then grew with power. Crossfire felt his face being ripped apart from the forces to the point where he felt his skin tear. When he was about to finally scream from the pain, it went full force and obliterated the top half of his body. The walls around him, flooring beneath and generally everything behind him was sent flying back. From the outside, the bottom quarter of the building was flying off, falling to the empty ground below.

Chronos and Thunder saw the destructive power and could not believe their eyes. Aero was dust, Silhouette was sliced in half, and the top half of Crossfire’s body was gone from existence. “This entire mission is a bust! We need to cut our losses and get out of here!” Rolling Thunder exclaimed at Chronos. She yelled back, “No! We haven’t seen the true result of the Twilight Effect! We need to-”Just then, Pinkamena and Fluttershy show up below them as well, now with Shining Armor and Spike. All five of them stared down Chronos and Thunder. Chronos continued, “Escape! We need to escape!” They both ran for their lives down the corridor. The four ponies and the dragon chased after them. Finally, the door was in their sights and Chronos and Thunder rushed through it, to end up in the first hall that the mane six, Shining Armor, Spike, and Trixie ended up in when they first arrived. Chronos quickly used her magic and opened a portal in the room. Before they jumped out, Nightmare and company busted into the room and quickly surrounded them.

Chronos said in fear, “You have no power over us! We will not bow down to you insignific-” She stopped feeling a blade pierce her back. She turned slowly, to see Rolling Thunder, back stabbing her literally and metaphorically. She yelled, “You Traitor! What about the deal? It’s not like I can perform spells when I’m dead!” Rolling Thunder replied, “You were never planning on keeping your word. We all knew that and were going to do this once it was all over. Even though the others are gone, I can still get what I want and cut the loose ends at the same time.” His blade drained the magic from Chronos’s body and she feel to her knees. When he drained nearly all of her magic, he pulled the blade from her back and placed it on his back. He said to the five that surrounded them, “She still has enough energy to take a savage beating. Have fun with her.” He jumped into the portal and disappeared.

Chronos, whimpering in fear and pain, looked at the five that surrounded her. Nightmare flew directly above her and looked down at her. “YOU SHALL PAY FOR THE CRIMES YOU HAVE COMMITED AGAINST EQUESTRIA! AND WE SHALL DELIVER YOUR JUDGEMENT!” She charged her entire body with magic and crashed down on Chronos.

An enormous blue, magical explosion split the building in two, sending it crashing to the ground below. The building fell to pieces; chunks of rocks fell all around the group who was still in the air. The castle in the sky fell, decimating the open plains below. The explosion was seen for miles in the night sky, illuminating the ground below. The explosion even sent the clouds flying back and left them encircling the explosion’s blast radius. The group was seen floating right where the hall used to be.

Fluttershy was carrying Pinkamena, the Winged Spike held up Shining Armor, and Nightmare Moon floated by herself, looking for Chronos’s remains. She looked and saw Twilight, sobbing as she fell to the ground. Nightmare flew and caught Twilight mid-air. Nightmare looked down and saw Celestia’s body on the floor now. As Twilight laid on Nightmare’s back, crying into her mane, Nightmare could feel her own sadness envelop her.

The group flew down to the floor and landed. Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, and Soarin’ joined the group and saw Celestia’s dead corpse. “T-that can’t be… no…” Dash said, already crying from the loss of AJ. Now she sat on the floor and sobbed more. Spitfire and Soarin’ did not even know where to begin and simply hung their head. Nightmare Moon’s form changed and she was Luna once again.

“Everypony, listen closely.” Princess Luna said, wiping the tears from her ears. “Today has been a grave day for us all. In 3 days, I will hold a funeral in Canterlot to remember all of those who were lost today. If you wish to grieve alone, you are more than welcome to. Otherwise, everypony is welcome to attend.” Princess Luna walked over to Celestia’s body and placed a hoof on it. The same black smoke covered her and Celestia and they disappeared into thin air.

When she left, Twilight looked back at everyone with sadness streaked across her face. Pinkamena was slightly sadden but still pissed. Shining Armor had a stern look on his face, even in spite of losing Cadence. Spike was simply angry; no other emotion could have been more blatantly put on his face. Fluttershy was depressed, showing no energy in her expression as if she was dead herself. Twilight realized that it was over for all of them and said, “Everypony… just go home.” The other three walked back to town and Spike stood by Twilight. He walked up to her and sat next to her. She lied down and put her head on his lap, sobbing silently. Spike slowly stroked her mane and said softly, “You have to let it out Twilight…” She inhaled deeply and wailed out loud, crying her heart out.