Carrion

by JudgmentisForbidden

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Alternate Universe, Adventure
Length: 5332

Twilight meets a mysterious visitor who forces her to question becoming an alicorn princess and ultimately what has become of her friends. Ethereal Chaos headcanon applied; read that first.

Following the events of Magical Mystery Cure, Twilight Sparkle has become an alicorn princess of Equestria, learned all there is to know about friendship, but somehow feels like something's missing. A mysterious Trossel by the name Soon informs her of the true gravity of her choice to become an alicorn, culminating in Twilight having to choose between her destiny or the one she loves who could never accept her new form–and the consequences that come with it. Fix-Fic for the series finale.

This fanfic takes place in the same universe/headcanon of Ethereal Chaos, which can be found here: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/56218/ethereal-chaos, but is not in canon with the main over-arcing plot of it; if you haven't read Ethereal Chaos, there will be an Author's Note briefly explaining everything that you need to know.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-03-13 20:00:01 UTC

The Immortal Prince! Twilight Sparkle's True Destiny?

AN: This takes place in the same headcanon as Ethereal Chaos. It's not required reading, but it's recommended to get a better understanding of characters. All you really need to know going into this is Twilight met and fell in love with Infernalo, a Trossel (Trossels are a magically "evolved" race of unicorns that haven't been integrated with non-Trossel ponies for over half a millennium and possess power over elements like Fire, Earth, Wind, and non-conventional elements like Creation, Thought, Time, and even Aether most sub-races following certain rules). Rather than return to his own home, he, his sisters, and his friends took up residence in Ponyville, Queen Paragontal stating that they would be researching the world outside their own country while Infernalo and Twilight settled down together. There is more to it, but this is just the most basic understanding needed.

Twilight wandered the castle halls, completely empty for the first time since her coronation. She felt a cold breeze through her new wings, not quite used to having them.

"Enjoying luxury, Princess?" a voice asked. It almost felt like it was right behind her but when she turned there was nopony. The halls were still empty, and the only sound was the echoing of her hoofsteps. She heard the voice again now, much farther away than before though. "I'm sure that they'll enjoy knowing what you are now. After all, your friends supported you." A figure rose up from the shadow of a column, a dark navy blue pony with bright green hair tipped with pitch black. His sunken-in eyes were glowing in an unearthly aura of orange and his tail was constantly ebbing and flowing in blue and bright green fire. The spikes on his hooves suggested he was a Trossel, but the back right one had a noticeable crack. She couldn't get a good look at his cutie mark but she could make out a mirror and inkwell, not understanding what it could mean. "I suppose that bowing is a tradition, yes? You'll forgive me; in my age, my joints aren't what they used to be."

"Where is everypony?" Twilight asked. "Who are you?" A teapot and cup appeared in front of him from nowhere, which was all Twilight needed to assume that he was a Creation Trossel. "It's been quite a while since I personally witnessed an alicorn. In answer to your question, you may simply call me Soon. They were hoping I'd be at least an Age Trossel; the short of it is I was never my father's favourite." He sipped from the cup. "Oh, where are my manners? Would you like some tea?" He glanced around. "As for everypony around, I'm afraid that I'm not the one you should be asking."

"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked, beginning to grow frustrated. Soon smirked, lifting her up without much more than a thought.

"Temper, temper, my child. What do you say that we take a look at what those around you will think, hmm?" A mirror appeared in front of them, shattering and leaving only the frame left, which conjured an image of herself. "It took a while to figure out how to do this, but I've had more time than you're aware of." She saw herself and a dark grey Trossel, a pitch-black halo hovering just above his unkempt dark red and pale yellow mane. His ice blue eyes had a look of abject betrayal upon looking back at Twilight. "Oh, this should be delightful. Let's have a listen, shall we?"

"Twilight, y-you're...you're one of them now, aren't you?" he asked bitterly. She looked back at him and tried to follow him.

"Infernalo, wait," she cried. "It's not what you think. I didn't choose this." She teleported in front of him and stopped him, but he simply brushed her away.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he spat. "I didn't think that a commoner was allowed to touch royal blood! I'll see myself out now."

"Infernalo, I love you," she said, starting to tear up. The one pony she had a true romantic bond with was treating her like she was some high-and-mighty upper-class brat. Just watching this play out was causing the real Twilight to start crying for herself.

"Why are you showing me this?" she asked through her tears. Soon ignored her.

"Yeah, I thought you did too," he snapped. "You have your power, you have your wealth, you have your magic, and I refuse to be your pathetic simpering houseboy. You don't need me in your new life. Goodbye, princess." He vanished into one of his voids that disappeared behind him.

"Why are you showing me this?" Twilight repeated. "I don't want this! If it means losing Infernalo forever, I'll do anything to stop it." Soon glanced down at her wings.

"It's already happened, Twilight. If you're asking me to simply undo it, you should know what you're agreeing to. This was inevitability, no different from the sun having to rise and set. This isn't all there is. Shall we?" They teleported to Twilight's library, Infernalo sitting in the middle of the room. His black halo was flaming and his ice blue eyes practically turned white. Five other Trossels and a filly came in as Infernalo landed back on the ground.

"Infernalo, you fell in love with Twilight," Frostburn said. "Why did you break up with her? You two--"

"We have nothing in common!" Infernalo shouted, Leafwind hiding behind Zephyroak. "I fell in love with Twilight Sparkle, a beautiful, smart, and wonderful Kwincol whom I gave up everything just be near. I don't now nor will I ever love Princess Twilight. They've hated our kind for millennia and she doesn't see an equal or a lover. All she sees is a beast, an unwashed unclean filthy peasant who's unfit to even cast a shadow in her presence."

"That's not true, Infernalo," Twilight said. "I'm still me, I still love you." Soon rested a hoof on her shoulder.

"He can't see or hear you, dear. We're here to observe and nothing more. I expect there will be no more interruptions?" Twilight turned away and stared back into the frame.

"She's nothing like that," Stonebolt said firmly.

"You'll forgive me if I find that nearly impossible to believe," Infernalo sneered. "She's nothing like the mare I fell in love with. I'm going for a walk to clear my head." He vanished through another void, but Steelmind stopped Aquashine from following him.

"Let him go," Steelmind said. "He needs this time right now to think." Soon looked down at Twilight who was fighting back her tears with great difficulty.

"None of this is your fault," he said nonchalantly. He seemed to say it more as a statement of fact than to actually try to comfort the young alicorn. "I cannot, however, say that the Darkness Trossel's statements are groundless."

"He hates me," she sobbed. "I'm still me, aren't I?"

"Alicorns aren't exactly very well protracted in our history," Soon remarked, pouring himself another cup of tea. "It took much soul searching before I could actually arrive here in the first place. The tea helps to drowned out common sense telling me I shouldn't be here with you at all." He smirked slightly and took another sip. "Are you sure you wouldn't want any?" Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes and took a small sip, her head clearing quite quickly.

"T-that did loosen me up," she said. "What kind of tea is that?"

"Old family blend," he said dismissively. "Now then, let's see about you." the frame showed Twilight sobbing, Princess Celestia standing in front of her.

"Princess Twilight, what's wrong?" she asked.

"The only pony I ever loved hates me because if what I am now." Celestia frowned, more concerned for her student than she had before."

"That can't be true. I'm sure, Twilight," she said, attempting to reassure her student. Twilight shook her head.

"Trossels can't love alicorns," she said. Celestia's expression immediately changed altogether.

"This stallion was a Trossel?" she asked. Twilight nodded. "How can you allow those filthy beasts into the castle?! As a princess, it should be your job to ensure that you're never involved with those monsters." Twilight was horrified to hear what her mentor was saying. Her expression more than demonstrated her absolute severity on the matter.

"I love him," Twilight said tearfully. Celestia's eyes narrowed; she'd never seen the princess act this way before. "He loved me, he's smart, handsome, and..."

"Twilight, I'm offering this to you once and only once," she said. Despite her level and cool tone, she seemed angrier than she'd ever been. "You can keep your coltfriend or you can keep your crown. What is your choice?" Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes. She couldn't believe that she was being given such a choice. What was even more surprising was what she ultimately chose without a second thought.

"Of course I'm not going back on being a princess," Twilight heard herself say. "Why have some abomination of magic when I can have all the power I want? I'm a princess and I'll always be a princess, plain and simple."

"I'm glad to hear it," Celestia said. Twilight threw her tiara through the frame, but it simply passed through.

"That's enough," she said. "I don't want to see any more. I don't care what you have to do, Soon. I just want to be me again and I don't want this to ever happen! Please, Soon, I want everything back the way it was." he paused before he could take another sip of tea.

"I must warn you of what you're offering me to do for you," Soon said quietly. Twilight looked at the image in the frame of Infernalo facing Trixie eye to eye, not having heard or seen the context before it and not needing any further incentive.

"Just do whatever has to be done." He shrugged, his spikes surging with green and purple energy surrounded in black lightning. His cracked spike started giving off strong red and blue sparks. Twilight was surrounded by the surging aura that turned dark green and ripped her dress to pieces. Her new wings forcefully unfurled as she began feeling an intense pain throughout her body. She screamed in pain, echoing off the walls of the completely empty castle, glancing at her back as her wings were being forcefully ripped from her back. Once they were completely removed, her wounds were instantly cauterized by the dark green aura as she dropped to the ground. Her tiara fell off her head upon her impact and shattered to pieces.

"My magic does wonders, doesn't it?" he asked. Twilight was in such intense pain that she could barely move, completely losing consciousness.

"Twilight?" Frostburn asked. "Twilight? Is she going to be okay, Steelmind?" Aquashine and Zephyroak found Twilight unconscious and exhausted just out of Ponyville, bringing her back home as quickly as they could. Infernalo had gone with Stonebolt to deal with relations between Golirath and the Crystal Empire. Steelmind searched Twilight's mind, not finding anything wrong with her.

"I'm not getting anything from her, Snowflake. Nothing negative anyway, but there's something I can't quite put my hoof on." Twilight stirred slightly, opening her eyes.

"Twilight," Leafwind asked. Twilight lifted her head slightly, Leafwind hugging her. "She's okay!" Steelmind pulled her off with his magic, telepathically telling Keafwind to give the unicorn a bit of space until she was more collected. Twilight looked around, confused by her familiar surroundings.

"I'm back home," she asked. They nodded. Twilight looked at her back, but she didn't find the cauterized stumps of where Soon had ripped off her wings, almost like she never had them at all. "Where's Infernalo? He's not with Trixie, is he?" they all shared a look, except Aquashine.

"He and Stone went with Queen Paragontal to the Crystal Empire," Frostburn said. Everypony seemed to give Frostburn a look of amazement. "What? I pay attention, I listen."

"Who's Trixie," Zephyroak asked. Aquashine jumped in as if on cue.

"I don't think that he'd be around her, given how he's been around me lately," the Water Trossel said. "She's super cute though, but doesn't exactly have very good social skills."

"Where are my wings," Twilight asked, brushing aside Aquashine's comments completely. "And my crown?"

"What wings," Steelmind asked.

"Twi, since when can you fly at all," Zephyroak asked. "I mean, sure Dash told me about that one time you gave Rarity wings; sounded kinda fun to me. What wings are you talking about?" before Twilight could say anything, she stopped and have herself a moment to think.

"Maybe you just had a bad dream," Frostburn suggested.

"No, no, her mental patterns would've suggested that," Steelmind said. "She's probably delusional. Zephyroak, did anything strange happen when you and Aquashine found her?" the two mares shook their heads.

"No," they said.

"I'm not...I'm not delusional," Twilight said quietly. She sighed, and flopped back on her bed. "You don't mind if I just have some time to rest, do you?"

"We probably should," Aquashine said, everypony following her lead but Twilight stopped Steelmind.

   "Steelmind, I need you to stay here," she said. "Maybe there's something in my head that you can find and fix."

"Twilight, I'm not sure if I can. I'll give it a shot." Infernalo and Stonebolt returned through one of his dark voids. Twilight looking up and throwing herself in him, kissing him passionately. The others heard Infernalo and Stonebolt's return, re-entering the room except for Zephyroak.

"Zephyroak left for a bit," Aquashine explained. "She said that she was getting kind of uncomfortable being on the ground for so long. Sky Trossels are kinda weird like that, I guess."

"Twilight, I was gone for a few hours," he said confused. "Is she feeling okay?"

"Steelmind, what's going on," Stonebolt asked. Steelmind telepathically told her everything that happened, not wanting Infernalo to know about what happened with his fillyfriend. "You really could've skipped some of those details."

"Infernalo, do you still love me," she asked.

"Well, of course I do," he said. "You're the smartest, prettiest, sweetest unicorn I know. Why are you asking this? By the way, your brother was very nice as was Princess Cadance; absolutely nothing like the alicorn princesses."

"And you don't think I'm a spoiled royal brat? Or leaving me for Trixie?" Infernalo was getting more and confused about what she was asking but answered her questions regardless.

"Of course not. Who's Trixie?" Twilight kissed him again. "Twilight, are you feeling okay?"

"I-I just...I don't know," she said. "I thought that...wait. Soon...my wings...that aura. I've only...seen that once before. Infernalo, you're a Darkness Trossel, right? You wouldn't happen to know anything about dark magic, would you?" Steelmind lit up instantly at the sound of the words 'dark magic.'

"I'm afraid not. Trossel magic is very complicated and mailable, but very few breeds can pull off dark magic very well; Darkness Trossels have dark powers, but that doesn't mean that we have any knowledge of dark magic." Steelmind cut in almost immediately.

"Fortunately, I do. I've studied much about dark magic, and written two thesis's on the subject. Ask away."

Twilight explained everything to Steelmind about her 'dream' and the visions that she got from Soon. She hoped the bit about Infernalo leaving her was false but his lack of response didn't help mediate her concerns. The Thought Trossel listened intently; Leafwind having left to go find Zephyroak. Frostburn had sent her off beforehoof so they could discuss 'grown-up stuff.' Leafwind usually would've objected, not liking being dismissed like that and, despite being a child, she was still a Sixth Element just like all the others, but ultimately knew that Frostburn knew what was best for her. Stonebolt, in the midst of Twilight's story couldn't help but note her big brother's concerned expression about the mentioning of Soon's magic near the end. Stonebolt had usually been the one who Infernalo would open up to if he wanted something off his chest but she could tell that this was something he didn't want to share until he was ready. Twilight finished her story and waited patiently for Steelmind to draw his conclusions.

"Wow, Twilight," Frostburn said. "That was...kinda sad and a little unsettling."

"Would Infernalo really leave me if I became a princess," Twilight asked. She knew that, out of everypony who heard her story, the Ice Trossel was the one most likely to be as honest and blunt as possible, even if she didn't realize she misspoke until it was too late. Frostburn shook her head.

"Of course he wouldn't. He loves you and always will, right big brother?" she glanced over at the Heaven Trossel, deep in thought. "Big brother?"

"Frosty, I'm thinking," he said coldly. Steelmind lit up at his own sudden revelation, but then sank back a bit.

"I just see too many variables," he said frustrated, removing his glasses. Frostburn teleported next to him to comfort her boyfriend.

"It's okay, Steelmind," she said, kissing him on the nose. "You'll figure it out because you're just one of the smartest ponies I know." she wrapped her forehooves around him and hugged him, Steelmind blushing a bit.

"Twilight," Infernalo cut in. "You said that this Soon had a cracked spike of one of his hooves, yes?" the unicorn nodded. "He couldn't possibly have been able to create such a powerful illusion. Even the Omni Trossel's power can't work without her hooves' spikes in perfect condition. Or his spikes, or whoever the Omni Trossel's current form is." a sudden realization dawned on him, Steelmind sharing his expression.

"I know I haven't been around Infernalo that much, but is that usually a good expression for him," Aquashine asked Stonebolt. She nodded simply.

"Lich," the two said simultaneously, a clap of thunder from outside punctuating their point. Everypony shared a look, Leafwind and Zephyroak returning and dripping wet. "Zeph," Steelmind proclaimed. "We just--"

"Save it," she snapped, her usually curly mane dripping and leaving a puddle at her hooves. "Did I mention how much I'm starting to hate this place? No, please, don't everypony try to help at once. I'm just soaking wet and freezing over here; I'm a Wood Trossel, I'll just sit here and deal with it." Leafwind flew around her, causing a micro-tornado she kept under control with her magic, stopping and leaving her cousin dry but her mane and tail puffed out.

   "Oops, sorry Zeph," Leafwind said blushing. Zephyroak held up a hoof, shaking her head and tail and restyling them into shape with her own magic.

"Not a problem, Leaf," she assured her, patting the filly in the head. "So, Aquashine, what'd I miss?"

"Twilight had some crazy dream or something and the boys think its a Lich," Aquashine said flatly. "Is it raining out or something?" she smirked and the Sky Trossel glared at her.

"What makes you think it's a Lich," Stonebolt asked.

"What else could it be," Steelmind asked. "Think about it: a Trossel of Thought and Creation IS powerful enough to create such things like this, and possibly implant false memories. However, only a Lich could perform the sort of advanced dark magic that Twilight described and nopony's magical aura is the hue she described; Infernalo concurs."

"I thought that Lichen were just fairy tales," Twilight interjected.

"What's a Lich," Leafwind asked.

"Simple, a Lich is the soul of a living pony, usually one of intense magical ability like a unicorn or Trossel placed into the body of a dead pony to effectively make them immortal. The soul is usually too corrupted and becomes a brainless monster with an exceeding knowledge and high tolerance of dark magic." Frostburn glared at him, much to his confusion but turned to a now much more pale and terrified Leafwind.

"Are you trying to give her nightmares," Stonebolt said crossly.

"Our parents told us the exact same stories at her age. That would explain why I'm so emotionally warped to a degree." he shook his head briefly to clear his mind of the thought. "the only question is how to find him. Lichen don't simply waltz right in. We're going to have find a way to contact Soon, wherever he is."

"I want to come with you," Twilight said firmly. "This is just as much my fight as yours."

"Twilight, why do you want to track down a Lich," Zephyroak asked.

"I have something that I need to get off my chest," she said simply. Infernalo nodded simply, creating the void he used as they vanished.

Upon arriving in Canterlot, they found the entire city completely abandoned. The streets were empty, most doors and windows were boarded up, and it seemed like most ponies had evacuated within hours. They looked around the city, seeing the castle garden wilted and dry.

"What happened," Aquashine asked.

"This is clearly the work of a Lich," Steelmind said.

"Quite observant, aren't we," a voice said. The voice seemed to have no clear origin, but as they looked around Twilight caught a glimpse of a shadow out of the corner of her eye, the Trossels following her. "You brought along a few friends. How sweet; everypony else here just doesn't seem to want to play."

"You did this," Stonebolt asked. "Where is everypony?" the voice chuckled, slowly graduating to full laughter. They finally came to—what they thought was—the source of the mysterious voice, only to find a dark void, much like Infernalo's. The Darkness Trossel simply walked through it, the other's following him. On the other side, they found Soon, sipping the same tea as usual.

"Your void construction is amateur at best," Infernalo said. "And for a supposed Creation Trossel that's flat-out pathetic." Soon smirked, his cup and teapot disappearing.

"I'd like to think that this skin is quite an accomplishment, lad," he said. "We haven't been properly introduced, have we? You may call me Soon, and I can see you already know Twilight as well as I do." Infernalo's halo burst into flames, his eyes narrowing.

"You know nothing about Twilight," he growled. "You know nothing about me or my friends." Frostburn had never seen Infernalo so dead serious before, but took a step back from him. "DROP THE ACT, YOU MONSTER!" Soon's glowing eyes and flaming tail burned away his flesh, revealing his rotting dark grey flesh and cracked hooves. His bright green mane shifted to a long bright white mane with a twisted dark crown with a single onyx gem embedded deep within it. Twilight's eyes widened, staggering back.

"I am Prince Carrion, immortal spirit, embodiment of destruction. I can see that my form doesn't please you, princess."

"Princess," Zephyroak asked. "Who?" they looked at Twilight.

"I'm not a princess, anymore," she said. "Everything is back the way it was supposed to be, the way that it was always meant to."

"Twilight," Frostburn asked. "What's going on?" Twilight sighed.

"I...I was a princess," she said finally. "I didn't want to lose Infernalo, or any of you, so Soon set everything right. It wasn’t always like this, but I thought I was ready to become Princess of Equestria but I wasn’t."

"All it took was a simple illusion created through my...loaned body, a bit of Thought power, and you saw everything that you needed to see to throw your entire crown away."

"When you actually think about it, it's really quite ingenious," Steelmind said. Infernalo glared at him out of the corner of his burning white eyes, and Steelmind shrunk back a bit. "Of course, it was still evil and all. Don't get me wrong."

"What was my real choice," Twilight asked. Soon scoffed.

"Only seems fair, I suppose." the mirror frame appeared once more, showing Twilight confronted by Celestia. Twilight shut her eyes.

        "I choose Infernalo!" Twilight screamed in defiance and angry tears, "How can you say those things about the Trossels when they're ponies too?!"

        "They are nothing but freaks; abominations not even of nature!" Celestia seethed back, "When they 'evolved' they went so far in their misguided arrogance to defy me, creating their own kingdom away from my 'tyranny' as they so colorfully put it."

"Things change, Celestia," Twilight insisted.

"Not this." Celestia narrowed her eyes angrily. "In choosing to side with the Trossel you've betrayed your kingdom, and me. Leave this castle immediately!"

"No."

"You don't have a choice."

"It's you that doesn't have a choice," the theoretical Twilight growled. Twilight was a bit shocked by what she heard.

"What am I doing? I can't fight Celestia!"

"You won't have to," Carrion told her.

"We're both princesses," Twilight reminded her former mentor, "You don't have the authority to kick me out! I may not be as strong as you, but I can make your life Tartarus!"

"You are still nothing compared to me!"

"I've been among your people a lot more than you have recently," Twilight said angrily, "Once they hear what you've told me, they'll see you for the tyrant that the Trossels once saw! How do you think that plays out for you in the end?! Huh?!"

The image ended with Celestia bowing to her in defeat, swearing to be her slave for her silence.

"No," the real Twilight whimpered, turning to Infernalo. "I don't want to lose him, but I can't do that to Celestia. She was always there for me when I needed her most; she's my oldest friend..." Infernalo didn't seem to react, his anger directed squarely at the Lich in front of him.

"Well, Infernalo," he said. "Your own mare would rather give herself to the Princess. Even when choosing to stay with you, she's still so loyal to the alicorn blood." Infernalo lunged at Carrion, his body radiating with bright glowing energy, burning the Lich at his hooves.

"Twilight would NEVER choose to leave me for power," he shouted. "I've had enough of your lies, you deceitful serpent!" Carrion swatted him away without lifting a hoof, knocking him into his comrades. Stonebolt and Frostburn held him back from charging Prince Carrion again.

"Infernalo, calm down," Stonebolt ordered, struggling to keep her brother from overpowering her.

"He's just trying to get under your skin, big brother," Frostburn added, using her magic as well to keep Infernalo restrained. His aura glowed even brighter and broke free, lunging at Carrion with all his power. The Lich, however, created a long thin dark energy blade shattering his aura.

“You’re nothing but a pathetic child,” the Prince taunted. “I could take you all on, if it meant a real challenge!” Zephyroak started glowing a golden aura, her eyes narrowing and glowing dark red as opposed to their usual salmon.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” she attempted to ensnare him in the branches of a tree, but the prince simply brushed aside the dead foliage. “What in Tartarus?!” Carrion trapped her in a black cage surrounded by blue fire.

“I’ve already prepared for such things, my dear,” he sneered. “Dead trees aren’t exactly something that a Wood Trossel would find very useful to them.” Twilight teleported over to Infernalo, tearfully gazing into his eyes; he was still radiating with anger and merely touching him burned but she held him close to her anyway.

“Infernalo,” she sobbed. “I-I love you. I’m so s-sorry.” His powerful aura diminished and the burning stopped with it. Infernalo reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Twilight, were you always like this,” he asked. She nodded, holding him as close to her as she could, the Darkness Trossel embracing her back.

“Of course I was. I was always the same unicorn you fell in love with; there never was and there never will be any Princess Twilight of Equestria—especially if it means losing you.” Aquashine attempted to put out the flames around Zephyroak’s cage, but instead the blue fire absorbed the water and grew larger and stronger, even enveloping the water and burning Aquashine.

“Why not try doing something useful for once,” Zephyroak barked. Aquashine’s purple eyes darkened deeply and she punched Zephyroak through the bars.

“Just shut up,” she retorted. “I can’t help! I’m sorry not everypony is as perfect and pretty as you!” Stonebolt’s mane and tail turned to pure white lighting as she repeatedly started ripping out chunks of the floor and hurling them at Prince Carrion, each one just phasing through him without her realizing she wasn’t tossing them at him. A stray rock grazed by Frostburn before her mane and tail burst into flames and her yellow eyes turned burning orange. The two sisters started incoherently yelling at each other, every other word growing more hurtful to the other. Carrion levitated above them all, cackling manically.

“That’s right! Fight; none of you stand worthy enough before Prince Carrion!” Leafwind teleported in, seeing Infernalo and Twilight gazing at everything around them, Twilight attempting to use her magic to get them to stop fighting but Carrion’s presence made her magic useless.

“Infernalo, what’s going on,” Leafwind asked. “Is that the Lich?” he nodded. Leafwind gazed back around at all of her friends fighting, not noticing her spikes beginning to glow. The other Trossels spikes glowed the same hue as Leafwind’s, Zephyroak’s starting to glow gold.

“What is this,” Carrion looked down at them, seeing that the Trossels were now united together, his magic fizzling out. “You’re supposed to fight! You’re supposed to be causing chaos and destruction! WHY WON’T YOU FIGHT?!?!?”

“You want a fight,” Zephyroak asked. “You got one, your majesty. As the Sixth Elements, in the name of the Omni Trossel herself, we banish you to the farthest corners of Tartarus, monster!” powerful beams of energy engulfed their bodies, combining into a singular aura and surrounding Carrion. He tried to use his magic, but the light magnified and began tearing him apart.

“THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!! I AM THE IMMORTALPRINCE CARRION!!!!! I WILL NEVER DIE!!!!!!!!” his body turned to ash and blew away in the wind. Leafwind trotted over to the pile of his ash and kicked it.

“That’s for making my friends fight, meanie!” Frostburn turned to Stonebolt on the verge of tears hugging her sister tightly.

“I’m so sorry about everything that I said, Stone,” she said crying. “I didn't mean it.”

“I know you didn’t, Frosty,” the Thunder Trossel said, stroking her twin sister’s mane. “I didn't mean the stuff I said either.” Aquashine and Zephyroak exchanged looks of forgiveness, Zephyroak punching Aquashine in the face.

“What was that for,” she snapped.

“Now we’re even,” Zephyroak said simply. Twilight looked to Infernalo, gazing down a Carrion’s ashes.

“You don’t suppose he was just really dry, do you,” Twilight asked, trying to lighten his mood.

“I know he won’t come back, but I want to be ready when he does,” Infernalo said, ignoring Twilight. “He couldn’t have meant anything that he said about you. A Lich just isn’t that honest about anything, especially not something like this.”

“Infernalo,” Twilight asked. “If I ever did become an alicorn, would you still love me?” he looked her in the eyes, and kissed her.

“I don’t think that this is any better answer.” He vanished through one of his dark portals.

Later that night, while everypony else was fast asleep, Twilight lay awake, Infernalo laying in her bed and sleeping more soundly than she’d ever seen him before.  A letter with the Princess’s royal seal on it lay next to Owlowiscious’s perch, the only one in the house other than Twilight who was still awake. She opened it and read it to herself.

“Dear Princess Twilight, the valued efforts of you and your Trossel friends against such a great threat will not go unheeded. Since you wish to remain a unicorn, the offer for you to become my successor will remain regardless when you are ready to take it. Until then, I await your rise to the throne. Your mentor, Princess Celestia.”