Hour of Twilight

Chapters

A Cruel Reminder
Silent Grave
A Bad Omen
Despair. Resurrection
Into the Realm of Darkness
Mare of the World
The Burden of a Filly
The Promise of a Lifetime
For the Greater Good
Emptiness. Glitter of Hope
Approaching the Festival
Eve of the Festival. Cometh the Hour
The Light in the Darkness
Heart of the Nightmare

A Cruel Reminder

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 1: A Cruel Reminder
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Hour Of Twilight

Written by Drystan

"Sorrow makes us all children again - destroys all differences of intellect. The wisest know nothing."

Chapter One
A Cruel Reminder

It was dusk. The glowing orb of the Sun slowly descended upon its resting spot, behind the mountains of Canterlot, the light growing dimmer, until it gave away, revealing the canvas upon which Princess Luna would paint with brilliant stars and constellations. The shape of the Moon gradually rose into the skies, accompanied by streams of stars and comets that trailed gracefully upon the black canvas. The light glow of the Moon reflected upon the gargantuan towers of Canterlot Palace, and the midnight-blue figure standing at the top of the northernmost tower of the city.

A coat of darkest blue covered the body of the Alicorn of the Night, with a flowing mane of tiny stars, resembling her artwork on the skies of Equestria. An elegant and long soft glowing horn protruded from her forehead, pointed towards the heavens. Her eyes were closed in concentration, as she guided her celestial orb onto the skies, before releasing it into its own course across Equestria, drifting slowly amongst the stars. Normally, such activity was pleasant for the Princess of the Moon, but, for the past twenty years, she could not bring herself to enjoy this task anymore. For the past twenty years, her celestial orb was prison to a once great friend and ally of the kingdom. Some ponies have forgotten her, some have not. Sighing sadly, she rose her head and gazed upon the Moon, mumbling something under her breath before averting her gaze and trotting back inside the tower, to prepare for the Night Court.

The shape of a crying unicorn was carved into the surface of the Moon, a reminder to Equestria that even the greatest of ponies can be broken.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Princess of the Sun was trotting slowly through the hollow corridors of the Canterlot Palace, accompanied by her faithful guards. The past years have been merciless for her Majesty, as her usually glowing mane has lost its shining, her colors fading out, and the signs of aging were more obvious. Despite all this, she maintained composure and took care of the kingdom, alongside her younger sister, Princess Luna.

Passing beside large windows which bore depictions of the Elements of Harmony as they defeated numerous foes, such as Nightmare Moon and Discord, the latter having being dealt with a second time, for the effects of the incident weakened his prison a second time, releasing him upon Equestria once more. This time, the two Alicorns united their forces with the remaining Elements and forever silenced the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony. Yet, there was one picture she disliked, but allowed its existance in the palace. She stopped for a second, glancing uneasily at it and shuddering, memories of the incident still too fresh. Through sheer will power, she stopped tears from flowing once more and continued her trek to the dining halls.

A small gust of wind flung open several windows, revealing the night sky and the Moon slowly crossing it. Princess Celestia could not hold her tears anymore. She closed her eyes shut and her horn glowed softly as she closed the windows.

'I can't bear looking at it anymore,' she muttered under her ragged breath as she exhaled shakily. Taking a few moments to regain her composure, she motioned to the guards to leave her alone for now. They bowed respectfully and left the Sun Princess to gather her thoughts.

"Twenty years, my dear Twilight... Twenty years away from you. I wish I could have done something to prevent this," she whispered to the wind. Drawing a small breath, she looked upon the sky once again. "A strong character, with such a soft heart... Why didn't you tell me you felt so lonely, Twilight... I could have been there for you."

"Sister?"

Celestia wiped her tears and turned around to face her sister, a sad look present upon her face aswell. Without any more words, she approached her sibling and hugged her, tears still streaming from her eyes. The Princess of the Night returned the embrace and hushed her sister's soft crying, soothing her.

"There, there, 'Tia... Everything will be fine. She will return to us one day."

Finally calming down, Celestia lifted her head and looked her sister in the eyes.

"I know, dear sister. I have faith that she is strong enough to come back to us. But," she started tearing up again. "I don't know how long can I wait. A thousand years waiting for you were very exhausting, both physically and emotionally."

"I know, 'Tia," Luna gave her a weak smile. "I will be here for you. We will wait together and prepare the populace of Equestria to welcome her, in a few hundred years to come." Celestia's eyes narrowed with determination.

"No."

"W-what? What are you saying, sister?" Luna was very confused.

"Next month, on the eve of the Spring Moon Festival, I shall gather the Elements of Harmony once more, and reveal everything to the populace. She does not deserve to be called a traitor, a villain, a murderer. She was the bravest pony I have ever known, and I honor her as much as I honored our Father, Alpha-Genesis!"

Luna smiled at her sister's determination, and rushed for a hug, nuzzling her cheek.

"'Tia, did I ever tell you how proud and how much I love you?"

"Always, Lulu... always," said Celestia, returning the hug. "Say, my little sister, would you like to accompany me to the dining hall? I'd like to have diner with my little Lulu," she whispered in Luna's ears, giggling playfully, a hint of true happiness creeping into her soul.

"I'd love to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Several miles away from Canterlot lay Ponyville, home to the bearers of the Elements of Harmony and scene to the most gruesome battle ever, which almost completely removed the village from the Equestrian maps. It had been rebuilt ever since and is now thriving with life, the populace of the settlement attending probably the largest party ever held in Ponyville, dedicated to their former resident, now officially in the league of the Wonderbolts.

"Careful with that sarsaparilla Pinkie! Too much and you might end up taking mud for chocolate," snorted Rainbow Dash, proud member of the Wonderbolts, now at the peak of her career. Four years after the incident, she aced the entrance exams and rocketed through the ranks of the Wonderbolts, and was now second-in-command after Spitfire.

"Now, now darling, we cannot have limits when it comes to celebrating one of our best friend, can we?" Rarity beamed at the cyan pegasus.

"Oh oh, it's time to 'Pin the Tail' game! I'm first!" Pinkie Pie interrupted their conversation and bolted to the games square, enjoying herself as she usually did, Pinkie style! While shooting through the square, she almost knocked over an orange mare with a blonde mane, a proud Stetson hat adorning her head.

"Well, shoot Pinkie, ya almost knocked me over!" Applejack snorted as she helped the dazed pink pony to her hooves.

"Oh hiya Applejack! I'm soooo glad you could come! Have you brought Appleblitz and Applestar with you, huh huh?!"

"Whoa nelly, ya don't have to be so insistent. They are here, alright," she said with a proud smile on her face as she turned her back to gaze upon two fillies resting in specially designed saddlebags. One was a fierce sky blue with a bright blonde mane, while the other had a slightly more white-ish coat with a lavender mare. Appleblitz was a unicorn, while her sister was an earth pony. Applejack couldn't have been more proud of them.

"They are sooo cute, I could just goggle them up, nomnomnom," Pinkie said, as she mimicked her eating something delicious. Applejack could only laugh heartily at her pink friend's attics.

"Hey guys!"

Both mares turned and greeted their spiked friend, now a little taller and more muscular. Tiny wings protruded from his back, covered in purple scales. He certainly grew a bit in twenty years.

"Hey Spike, welcome to Rainbow's 'WELCOME BACK RAINBOW DASH' party! How have you been huh?! Come, let's have a round of sarsaparilla! Or some cupcakes!"

"Sure do Pinkie! Let's go--" the little purple dragon was interrupted rudely by a belch, followed by a green flame, a scroll bearing the royal seal falling on the ground. A blue magical aura enveloped the scroll and lifted it gently.

"Hello Spikey wikey! How have you been? I haven't seen you in weeks, where have you been?"

Before the small dragon could reply, he was gently nudged by a cyan pegasus.

"Hey Spike! Long time no see, old pal!"

"Hey Rainbow, it's so nice to see you again! Oh, hi Fluttershy," he waved at the pale yellow pegasus landing beside Applejack.

"Oh, hello Spike. It's so nice to have you back, how was your training in Draconis?"

Everypony gasped and glanced furiously between Fluttershy and the purple dragon, who gave a sheepish grin.

"Well, it was nice, the dragons are really cool once you get to know them. Hey Rarity, can you read that for us?" he asked the white unicorn. Rarity nodded and unfurled the scroll.

My dearest and most precious subjects,

I am sorry for not contacting you for such a long time, but my heart still aches from the incident all those years ago. I only hope you can forgive me in time. I would like to invite you all to the Palace this week end, to join me and my sister, Princess Luna, at diner, to reminiscent old times. I'd love to have you all present, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Spike. You are all very dear to us, and we would like to meet again.

As for why I would like to talk to you about, it is about your old friend, Twi--

"Stop it. Don't read any further," Rainbow snapped at Rarity, silencing her. "I don't want to hear anymore about that traitor!"

"Rainbow Dash, as much as I agree with you, it is the Princesses's will that we discuss about her," Rarity grimaced, disgusted by her old friend.

"Just keep readin', sugar cube."

"Very well..." she cleared her throat and continued.

As for why I would like to talk to you about, it is about your old friend, Twilight Sparkle. This year marks the twentieth year since her banishment to the moon, and I would like to reveal you the truth behind everything that transpired at Mount Summersun, so long ago. I wish you all to lay aside all the hatred you bear for her, for I will assure you, the truth once revealed, you will surely change your opinions of her actions.

Yours faithfully
Princess Celestia

The cyan pegasus stared intently at the ground, as if it bore gold. The others merely stared at one another. Silence ensued for a few minutes before the baby dragon broke it.

"Guys, I say we all attend to the Princess' event. Maybe we could finally learn what happened!" Rainbow suddenly raised her head and head butted the small dragon, glaring daggers at him as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I don't give a buck what the Princess has to say about her. That... that monster killed my number one fan," she sobbed openly now, pawing furiously at the ground. "She was harmless to her! Why did she have to kill a defenseless filly! WHY!?" Looking upwards, towards the Moon and the unicorn shape on it. Rage welled in her. Taking a deep breath, she screamed into the night.

"Curse you, Twilight Sparkle! Curse you, and your family!!"

Several ponies backed away from her, as she cooled down and composed herself. 'Murderer.' The rest of the group had tears in their own eyes, and the silence was broken by the soft cries of Applejack's daughters. The orange earth pony hushed their cries, before turning to the group.

"Ah'm sorry girls, but I need to lay them to bed. They are tired. Ah'll see ya all tomorrow at Sugarcube Corner."

"Alright, 'night AJ," muttered Rainbow, watching her friend leaving the town square, heading towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Despite looking unaffected by the event, Spike cried on the inside. Even now, he loved Twilight for who she was, not what she had become. Feeling his mask of composure was about to crumble, he got up to his feet and headed for Fluttershy's cottage, his adoptive mother ever since the incident. He was quickly stopped by a yellow hoof resting on his shoulder. Turning around, he met his mother's eyes, smiling weakly at him.

"Don't worry, Spike. I am on your side. Let's have some fun... that is, if you don't mind," she said, in a very soft and soothing voice, returning the young dragon's confidence.

"Sure thing, Fluttershy. What about you, Rarity?"

"I will join you shortly, I'm going to check on Sweetie Belle first. Be right baaack!" she sang.

"Let's go Spike, Pinkie Pie prepared some tough games for tonight! Right Pinkie? Pinkie?" Rainbow looked upon the sad frown on Pinkie's face, as she gazed upon the Moon. She was soon followed by all of Ponyville, gazing with mixed feeling towards the soft glowing Moon; the prison of their former friend, now just a shadow of the past.

Silent Grave

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 2: Silent Graves
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Two
Silent Graves

It was early in the morning, the Sun slowly but steadily rising from the east, sending its bright rays of sunlight across Equestria, announcing a new day. The light traveled through the skies, bathing the scenery in a brilliant warm glow, colours erupting from the land below.

It was not unusual for Applejack to wake up at such an early hour, having worked in her apple orchard since she was but a small filly. But it was different now. She was not going to work in the orchard for a few more months, until her small fillies would grow a little more. She stirred in her sleep and yawned silently, glancing towards the window, the rays of the sun slowly creeping into the room. The only noticeable sound was that of her breathing, and a pair of fillies that slept peacefully on their own mattress. A wide smile spread onto her face, gently getting up from bed and trotting over to her treasure. She dared not awake them, at least for a few more hours. Suddenly, the peace was interrupted by a loud snort and some soft snoring afterwards. Turning her head around to the source of the sound, she laid her emerald eyes on her beloved husband, a blue pegasus with a dark blue mane. He had a cheesy grin on his face and talked in his sleep, causing Applejack to snicker lightly. She got closer to his bed, and kissed him softly, intending to wake him up.

"Huh... buh... five more minutes mom... I don't have school ... today," he said through his dreams. Applejack sighed and knocked him in the head three times, not too hard, but enough to wake him up, and quick.

"Ouch! Hey, what gives!?" he was hushed by his wife, who pointed at the sleeping girls. "Oh... sorry."

"When did you arrive? I didn't hear you get in."

"Well, I lost the train and I flew all the way from Manehattan, so I got here when it was already dark. I didn't want to bother you."

She leaned in and kissed him gently, nuzzling his neck. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her on the bed, cuddling against her. Applejack did not object and returned the embrace, gently nibbling his ears. They sat like that for another ten minutes, before she had to go and prepare breakfast for the little fillies. Before she left, she took a peak in the next room, where Applebloom usually slept, sighing sadly when she realized she wasn't there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Applebloom walked slowly on the marble path, eyes on the ground, brimming with tears. She had been walking on this path for the last twenty years, almost every day before every pony woke up, at the earliest hours. She would come and spend some time with a fellow crusader. Even though she had earned her cutie mark a few years after the incident, it meant nothing for her, and chose to maintain the secret organization along with Sweetie Belle.

After a few more yards, she turned left and stopped upon reaching a rather large tombstone, but instead of bearing a cutie mark like all other stones, it held a picture of a long gone friend, an orange pegasus filly. Blinking several times to stop the flow of tears, she read the lines again and again, as she always did.

Here lies
the beloved adoptive daughter of
Rainbow Dash,
SCOOTALOO DASH
Loyal and great of heart in life, may you fly in Heaven, amongst angels.
Pure streams and green pastures, devoted friend.
...Once a Crusader, Forever a Crusader...

Applebloom knelt over the grave and placed another flower on the old grave, struggling to keep her tears, to no avail. Her shoulders heaved and she wept silently over the grave, the wound in her heart still not healed, after all these years. She fell silent as she heard gentle flapping near her. Quickly wiping her tears, she prepared to leave when she heard a soft thud behind her. Turning around cautiously, she was surprised to see a very familiar cyan pegasus, her magenta eyes glistening with tears, her cheeks bearing marks of old and fresh tears. She started to trot slowly towards the grave, laying down near Applebloom and placing a hoof on her shoulder.

"Hey, what's up?" she tried to lighten up the mood with a weak, fading smile. Applebloom shrugged and took a deep breath.

"Not too bad, Ah guess...," she sat in silence for a few minutes before she spoke again, her voice cracking with deep sorrow, a lump in her throat. "Ah still can't believe she ain't here no more... Why did Twilight do that to her, Rainbow? What did poor Scoot do to her to be killed like that?! It ain't fair!" she openly cried into Rainbow's coat, shivering slightly.

"Shh, now," she whispered softly to the sobbing mare. "Twilight had lost her mind completely, and she gave in to her own evil. Even though she was my best friend once, she is nothing more than a ... pathetic murderer! Hiding behind the innocent to cover up her doings. But no matter how long has she been imprisoned, it will never be enough to account for all the evil deeds she has done. I, for one, will never forgive her for my daughter's death!" She was now openly crying, hitting the ground with her front hooves.

"Seven months! That's all the time I could spend with her! She was so happy... oh Twilight, how could you do this to me?! TO HER!"

"Applebloom?"

Rainbow stopped crying and turned around to see Rarity's sister, Sweetie Belle, trotting up to them. Applebloom smiled weakly and went to hug her, before both of them came and sat beside the Wonderbolt.

"How long since you two started coming here?" the cyan pegasus asked with a small smile on her lips.

"Ever since she was buried here, me and Applebloom came here almost everyday, to spend some time with her. For a while, each of us had to go and pursue our dreams, but in the end, it meant nothing, because we were apart. So, we resolved around living in Ponyville and helping around town with our talents. How about you, Rainbow? You disappeared after several years, only to hear out you joined the Wonderbolts." The cyan pegasus sighed and stared at the ground.

"I left Ponyville because it was too much for me... I needed some time to come to my senses, and eventually I pursued my dream," she gave a sad chuckle, tears starting to pour once again. "But, after every show, my heart would break when I would remember, that my number one fan, my daughter, would never be able to see me, to cheer for me. Yet, something happened one day. After the show, I usually went and isolated myself in my room, to let all of my anger and sorrow out." A small smile crept on her face, as she continued her story.

"I heard a soft 'BOOM' in the air, picking my interest. I got myself up from bed, and went to the window. What I saw made my heart jump with happiness; on the sky, high above Cloudsdale, there was a brilliant rainbow trail, surrounded by a shockwave of orange and deep purple! I immediately ran to tell the others, but they denied such event happening. I ran away, to hide on a cloud above our HQ, wanting to be alone for a moment. Then, it happened again, but this time, I saw it clearly! An orange pegasus filly, soaring at very high speed towards Ponyville! I immediately shot after her, to see if I was hallucinating. Before I could tackle her, she turned her head towards me and smiled. Even though we were quite far from each other, I saw her face! It was her! My little girl! She told me to let go of the sadness, and live my life to its fullest. She said she is very proud of us, and that she loved us a lot. That's all I could hear before she completely disappeared from view, along with the trail she was leaving behind. Only then did I understand, that she is always here," she pointed at her chest proudly, " and that nopony can take her away from us!" she ended with a wide grin. The other two mares stared in silence, their jaws hanging from the skull in astonishment.

"That... was so beautiful..." the unicorn broke the silence.

"Does anypony else know this?" Applebloom asked.

"Nope, just you guys."

Applebloom snorted and held her head high. "Good, 'cause if we didn't know ye better, we would have thought ye were wrong in tha' head if ye know what Ah mean," she winked at the pegasus. They all laughed for a while before departing the scene. Before she left the gates, Rainbow could have sworn she heard a faint 'boom' in the skies above, bringing a smile on her face.

*****

Artwork by The-Proverbial-Jon.

A Bad Omen

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 3: A Bad Omen (Reworked)
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Three
A Bad Omen

Princess Celestia lay in her bed, in her quarter atop the southern Tower of Canterlot, humming to herself as she brushed her mane. Despite flowing with magic, it was not very different from regular hair. The clock on the wall ticked once loudly, followed by four consecutive bangs; it was midnight. She dropped her hair brush and sighed.

"Who would have thought being immortal is so... so boring! Pfft," she snorted.

She got up from her bed and went to remove her makeup. Sitting down on her haunches, she picked a wet tissue and gently removed her makeup, her reflection in the mirror showing just how old she really looked. Celestia closed her eyes and her horn flared for a few seconds. Upon opening her eyes, she gave a weak smile at herself, as she noticed her rainbow mane turned a soft pink, how it used to be before she ascended the throne of Equestria. A gentle knock on the door drew her attention.

"Yes?"

"Your tea, your Majesty," a soft but stern voice replied from the other side of the door. '

"Come in."

The door opened slowly, revealing a white unicorn bearing a tray with a large cup of tea and a plate of cupcakes. He trotted next to her nightstand and placed the tray carefully as to not break anything. He turned towards the Princess and bowed graciously before leaving the room.

Celestia picked the tray with her magic and brought it over to the mirror. She smiled to herself upon noticing the chocolate cupcakes. 'I will have to thank the chef for those,' she thought to herself. She picked one and started nibbling on it, while levitating the large cup of black tea, to sooth her senses.

CRACK

Celestia almost spilled the tea when she noticed that the mirror in front of her cracked, now looking like an interesting spider web of reflecting shards. However, that was the last of her concerns. In the reflection of the mirror, she could discern the Moon, the mirror facing the balcony. The shape of a bloody Moon could be seen, emanating a powerful reddish glow, the sky dark with storm clouds. Terrified of this, she turned her head to the balcony, expecting the worst. However, she was relieved to see the Moon as it is normally, glowing white and a clear sky. It is then that she noticed the difference. The Moon in the mirror bore no mark of the imprisoned unicorn. Sweat was pouring from her face.

'Something's terribly wrong... I must get Luna,' she said to herself, in an attempt to steel herself. Taking a few moments to overcome the paralysis of fear, she ventured outside her quarter to look for Luna.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Princess Luna was in the Royal Garden, trotting around the marvelous statues that decorated it. She wasn't an expert in art, but she did enjoy taking a walk in the garden at night, when everything would be peaceful. In her opinion, it made the statues more 'artistic'. She reached out the monument for the Elements of Harmony, who were depicted as defeating Nightmare Moon. Luna gave a soft chuckle, leaving it to that. She gave the statue another glance before she turned to leave.

CRACK

Luna's eyes widened in fear, turning around immediately, only to drop to her haunches when she noticed something very disturbing. The heads of the bearers of Kindness, Generosity, Loyalty, Honesty and Laughter have been crushed to dust, while the Element of Magic, depicted as Twilight, was crying blood. Luna felt her stomach turn and started panting heavily, as if something was chocking her. She cautiously stepped backwards, stumbling blindly until she tripped and fell on her back. Rolling on her side, her eyes made contact with the surface of the small lake in the garden. A bloody Moon was visible. She was paralyzed.

"Ce... Cely... Celestia *pant* sister... Celestia, where are you," the blue alicorn was whimpering in fright, an unbearable sense of horror washing over her, locking her down.

She started trashing and kicking at the ground, trying to get up, but there was a mysterious force pinning her down. When she felt a hoof touching her shoulder, she glanced at the source with such speed she could have broken her neck on the spot. Luna calmed down when she noticed Celestia, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Celestia! Look!" she pointed at the broken statue. Celestia followed her motion and looked upon the statue. Her legs buckled and she dropped to the ground with a 'thud' her lips quivering as if she wanted to scream. But she did not. Instead, she got to her feet, and motioned for Luna to follow. Luna did not question her sister and followed her towards the Library.

Upon arriving, Celestia took a parchment and began scribbling furiously, before rolling it and sending it away. Luna approached her sister slowly, herself still in shock after what she had just seen.

"What was that... the statue... the bloody moon in the reflection of the lake... WHAT'S GOING ON!?" Luna lost herself for a moment.

"Luna! Control yourself! It was just a message," Celestia sighed, rubbing her face with her front hooves. "It can only be a message..."

"Y-you mean... she's coming back? But... but! She should be imprisoned for at least a thousand years if not more! I know she is powerful, but to break a seal as powerful as the Moon?! It's beyond impossible!"

Celestia said nothing, instead she started looking around for something on the bookshelves. Several minutes of silence passed, Luna becoming more and more frightened.

"Cely... please, tell me. What are you planning to do?"

"I need you to call out a very special unicorn from the Winterhoof Academy in the north. She was your student for a while."

Luna thought for a few seconds. "You mean Silverghost? What are you planning, Celestia..." She asked her sister, her interest piqued.

"You are to assemble a task force and set out to the north, and establish a defensive force capable of handling anything, if only to buy time."

"You... you mean?"

"Yes. You must defend Dragonblight," replied Celestia with authority in her voice. "Equestria's survival might depend on it. Go now, I have to prepare our defense here, at the castle. I will also debrief the elements once they arrive. Time is of the essence sister, make haste!"

"Very well, sister," Luna turned to leave, but stopped shortly and turned towards Celestia and hugged her dearly. "No matter what happens, Celestia, now that I will always love you," she said, tears gently streaking down her cheeks. Celestia returned the gesture and nuzzled her sister affectionately.

"I love you too, Lulu... I love you too."

"Ahem. Your Majesty?"

Both Princesses looked at the massive figure standing in the door. A large grey pegasus adorned in golden armour stood tall before the Princesses.

"Captain Valiant Heart," Luna began, "we have a mission ahead of us. Prepare Squad Zero for immediate departure to Dragonblight. Nopony else is to know about this mission! Do you understand?"

The pegasus nodded and saluted the Monarchs before flying away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In a distant land, across the Frozen Sea, lay Dragonblight, a wasteland surrounded by a chain of mountains, resembling a crown made of ice and snow, its peaks littered with dragon bones and parts. It was a vast cemetery, the wind howling as it was snowing furiously. In the middle of the large island, there was a dome covered in snow, like a mound, surrounded by frozen rivers and several dragon statues, each bearing a six pointed star mark and a black frayed cloak that danced in the storm winds. The statues were standing in such way, it seemed they were defending the tower of ice that protruded from the surface of the island itself.

The colossal tower was in fact hollow on the inside, a cavern of some sort. In the center of the cavern was a dizzyingly tall spire of rock. Blanketed in snow, a set of stairs spiraled up the sides of the spire. Far above, at the top of the spire, a large chunk of crystal lay dormant. Untouched by snow, it had a faint bluish gleam. It looked like a jagged throne with hazy dark shapes inside it. There was a palpable aura of menace surrounding the strange 'sculpture'. The throne, or rather, a prison, radiated bone-chilling cold, and mist surrounded it. A prison not of crystal, but of ice. A set of plate armor was locked within the prison, rather than upon it, positioned as if there was a pony, a unicorn, wearing them, however nothing was there.

CRACK-AKOOM

The sides of the cavern cracked, the echo reverberating throughout the entire room, the walls shaking slightly. Several thick metallic chains that anchored the massive structure to the walls moved in unison. The echo faded out, only to be replaced by a hazy sound, as loud as a whisper, but clear enough. Laughter. Insane laughter.

Despair. Resurrection

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 4: Despair. Resurrection
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Four
Despair. Resurrection

######################################################################Applejack and Soarin' were laying in bed, some distance between them to allow their fillies to rest in a more comfortable position. They couldn't have been prouder, and Applejack was the happiest of them. She never knew being a mother brings such a feeling of power, of true happiness like she never had before. Soarin' noticed his wife dreaming with her eyes open again, leaning in for a quick kiss to 'wake' her up. She blinked and suppressed a giggle, a bright smile on her face. The Moon was making its descent, its current position suggesting it was somewhere around three o'clock in the morning. The tranquility of the night was broken suddenly, startling the slumbering ponies.

Deep into the night, throughout the wind the echo of blaring sirens was heard in the distance, followed shortly by the sirens of Ponyville. Something was terribly wrong. Applejack rose from the bed and looked around the room, running on spot, sweat starting to pour from her face. Eventually, she shot her frightened husband a glare.

"Soarin'! Get the girls and get to safety!" she said in a flurry, her heart beating harder by each passing second.

"W-w-what's going on?!" Soarin' was freaking out completely. Applejack said nothing, instead tucking in her fillies in their saddlebags, stirring in their sleep from all the comotion. She then lifted the bags and placed them on Soarin's back.

"Ah don't know... look, ya have ta head south, towards the edge of the forest. That's where the entrance to the safety bunkers is. Don't ever leave the girls alone. If ANYTHING happens to them, Ah will beat yer flank, understand what Ah'm saying, partner?" she said, fear evident in her voice.

"But... what about you? Aren't you coming?" Soarin' asked with genuine concern, a frown upon his face.

"Sorry sugar cube, but there is something I have to do, something we should'a done all those years ago. Take care of my angels, Soarin'. Look... if *sniff* if anything happens to me, tell them-" Soarin' interrupted her sentence, embracing her in a powerful hug, nuzzling her neck.

"Don't you talk like that, AJ, you will come back and the fillies will be happy to see you again. Don't ever forget, we are waiting for you. Me, the girls, Applebloom, Big Mac. We are all here for you," said Soarin'. "And besides, it might just be a test. Y'know, to test the civilians response?" He kissed her passionately. Applejack broke the kiss and stared into his eyes.

"Ah don't think this is a drill, sugar cube. Ah'll go search my friends, you get the girls to safety, ya hear?"

"Roger that, boss," he replied with a wink.

"One more thing..."

"What?"

"Pick Applebloom from Rarity, will you?"

"Sure thing, catch you later," he said, as he flew outside the house, towards the center of Ponyville. Only then did he notice something strange. Guards. Many Royal Guards were marching in Ponyville, directing the villagers south. "Oh boy..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash woke up to the sound of the blaring sirens, panic installing in her system. She got up from her cloud mattress and headed outside her cloud home. She could make out the lights of Ponyville far below her home, staring in confusion at the large number of flickering lights.

"What the hay," she muttered to herself, still very confused. She covered her ears, scrunching her eyes in frustration. "Will somepony turn off those things, my ears are BLEEDING!" she shouted to no pony. The sound of wings flapping caused her to open her eyes, revealing a very exhausted yellow pegasus with pink mane struggling to reach her.

"Rainbow Dash!" she tried to yell, but only a squeak came out.

"Hey Fluttershy, what's up? What's going on, everypony went crazy down below," Dash added without delay. Fluttershy landed beside her cyan friend and panted heavily, trying to catch her breath.

"S-s... Spike received a ... a *pant* a letter... earlier... *pant* Celestia needs *cough* Celestia needs us! Right now!" Fluttershy finally said. However the cyan pegasus was still not convinced.

"Can't it wait? I mean, I was sleeping perfectly fine until those bucking sirens screwed up my perfect dream!"

"RAINBOW DASH!" the yellow pegasus yelled at Rainbow, startling her. "Oh, I'm sorry, I just... What I am trying to say is that Celestia told us to gather the Elements and head straight to Canterlot right away. Apparently it has something to do with... um... ah... Twilight." Rainbow rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Fluttershy, I didn't understand anything. Again, please, and this time, with more volume?"

"PRINCESS CELESTIA THINKS TWILIGHT IS COMING BACK!" Fluttershy screamed in her friend's ears, frustration evident on her face.

"Eep!" Rainbow ducked back in her cloud home and shut the door behind. Fluttershy sighed.

"To think you consider yourself brave... scaredy cat," she giggled, knowing that any sentence containing words related to courage would bring the sturdy pegasus out.

"I am brave! I will save Equestria! Let's go, Celestia is waiting for us!" the cyan pegasus posed dramatically as she left her home. Fluttershy rolled her eyes and giggled playfully.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Applejack, wearing her necklace arrived in the center of Ponyville, searching for her friends. She quickly noticed her pink friend bouncing around a royal carriage, waiting for them. She sighed and trotted up to them. Pinkie noticed her and slammed her to the ground in a near-death embrace, squeezing the life out of her orange friend.

"Puh-puh... PINKIE! I can't breathe!" the orange pony stammered, finally released.

"Oh you silly, hugs can't kill, especially those made out of love!" Pinkie Pie beamed at the panting cowmare. "Oh oh, there's Rarity with Spike! Hey Rarity!"

"Hello Pinkie, and hello to you *yawn* Applejack. I really wonder why Celestia is summoning us at such an early hour, I haven't gotten even half of my beauty sleep! I look... HORRIBLE!"

Applejack snorted and laughed at her fashionist friend. "Oh, Rarity, you will never change!" The white unicorn growled at the orange mare, wanting to say something un-ladylike, but was interrupted by the arrival of Rainbow and Fluttershy.

"Hey guys. Whoa, what's with this cavepony here?" Rainbow pointed at Rarity, laughing.

"Why you, little, miserable-"

"Hold it guys, save your muscles for later, Princess Celestia needs us right away. Come!" said Spike, motioning at his friends to embark the carriage.

After they all got in, the pegasus guards started pulling and went skyward, flapping their wings as hard as they could, granting the carriage a very swift and bouncy ride. Rarity looked like she was about to spill her stomach's contents while Pinkie bounced along with the carriage, giggling. Applejack was worried sick, knowing she left her daughters in the care of her featherbrained husband. But for some reason, she knew she could trust him. He would protect them with his life, if it ever came to that.

As they approached the castle, the sirens slowly died out, the only sounds audible were that of flapping wings, breathing and shouts of despair from down below. Looking over the edge, the six friends looked with mixed feelings towards a horde of Royal Guards guiding Canterlot's populace to the safety bunkers, in some cases the ponies being dragged by the guards. It was shocking, to say the least.

"Excuse me, sir, but why are the guards acting so... barbaric?"

One of the pegasi did not turn to face the unicorn, but answered her question nonetheless. "Special order from the Princess. We were tasked with taking everypony in close proximity to Canterlot to safety. My squad was tasked with overseeing the evacuation of Ponyville and the recovery of the bearers, namely you folks."

"That sounds... strange," said Fluttershy. Glancing below, she gasped silently and turned to the two pegasi flying the carriage. "Excuse me, sirs, but why are we flying away from Canterlot? Shouldn't we meet the Princess?"

The same pegasus shook his head. "Negative. We are to take you to Dragonblight. And please, no further questions. You will be debriefed upon arrival. Princess Luna will be there within hours as well." Everyone in the carriage was completely confused. Rainbow growled in frustration and adressed one of the guards.

"Hey featherbrain, why exactly are we taken to the land of NOWHERE?! What's going on?! Is... is that monster really coming back?" she asked, her last words barely audible.

"I have no idea... miss. Now please, be patient," the guard replied, silently cursing the stupid cyan pegasus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Somewhere else, at the Institute of Advanced Magic and Applications, a white unicorn mare with a silver mane was about to explode in rage. Her office mate spilled his coffee all over her bright white coat, infuriating her to the point she was desperately trying not to choke that stallion to death.

"LYRIC!! Why can't you be more careful, you clumsy, stupid idiot! This is the third time this week! What the hay is wrong with you?!" Silverghost yelled at the top of her lungs, the thin walls shaking slightly from the sheer volume. Princess Luna would be proud.

"OUCH! I'm sorry, how many times do you want me to tell you I'm sorry! Just please stop punching me! I get bruised up easily, please stop!"

A wild wave of laughter followed his filly-like screams, his co-workers laughing heartily at his punishment. Nopony realised the new presence in the room towering over them.

"Ahem."

Everypony turned and yelled in surprise, finally noticing the night alicorn glaring at them. Amongst the storm of furious bowings and apologies, she sighed tiredly and dismissed everypony except the silvery unicorn.

"Silverghost, why are you molesting that stallion? You should know better than to abuse your subordinates, especially sexual abuse," the night alicorn said, successfully hiding her smirk.

"WHAT?! NO, I was just punishing him for spilling coffee over me for the third time in a week! He's so clumsy!"

Luna snorted and laughed out loud. "He is a perfect husband for you, my dear student. However, that is not why I came all the way here," her expression becoming grim. Silverghost swallowed nervously.

"Then, uh, what is the reason you honor us with your presence, your Majesty? Especially at such a late hour..."

Luna sighed and stared at the ground intently for a minute, before meeting the gaze of the white unicorn, visibly shaken, even though she had yet to deliver the news. "Follow me, we need to talk in private." The white unicorn nodded and followed her teacher, arriving outside of the institute, climbing next to her in her black carriage. She could not get this feeling that something wrong was happening at the moment.

"Silverghost, I want you to come with me to Dragonblight," the night alicorn whispered her student.

"Dragonblight?! But, that's like, a million miles away! What's going on, Princess?" the white unicorn asked in disbelief, shocked by the request.

"My sister and I have reasons to believe that The Crimson Dawn shall return soon. We must make preparations to defend Equestria, and we need a unicorn whose special talent is magic, to try and wield the Element of Magic against her. The fate of Equestria might depend on it. So, are you in, or not?"

Silverghost was stunned. 'Crimson Dawn, Magic, Equestria, what?!' She shook her head and took a deep breath, trying to put everything together. Luna was getting impatient.

"I will not take any action against you, should you refuse to aid us. But know that it might mean the end of the world..." Luna tried her best at mimicking a world-ending scenario. It seemed to work.

"Alright, Princess, you can count on me! When are we departing?"

"Right now."

"What? Wait-" she was interrupted as the carriage suddenly pulled and was airborne within seconds. Silverghost glanced uneasily at the ground below. "My, this is quite... *gulp* high. I wouldn't want to drop from here!" she silently prayed for her safety, while Luna was barely containing her laughter.

After a few minutes of flight, Princess Luna rose from her seat and faced the Moon, her horn shimmering with magic. Withing a few minutes, the Moon descended from the sky, allowing the Sun to rise from the east. She sighed internally and sat next to her student. 'I hope we are wrong... if she returns this early...'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The carriage containing the Elements of Harmony was already flying for hours, the sun already up in the sky. Rainbow and Pinkie Pie were sleeping together, keeping themselves warm, as frigid winds howled. The fact that it was heavily snowing did not help. In the distance Rarity could make out a summit, a bleak mountaintop, the sight of which gave her a sense of uneasiness, a sense of stark terror. The very peak of Dragonblight.

Eventually a glint of light drew her gaze: a stone dragon carved with magical symbols that resembled Twilight's cutie mark, with a citadel beyond it. At last! She woke her friends hurriedly. The carriage started losing altitude, as they were approaching the base camp which, to every pony's surprise, wasn't anywhere in sight. They looked at each other questioningly, until the sound of a heavy trap door opening startled them. The carriage slowed down and landed withing the compound, which was significantly warmer. Upon climbing down, the six friends were met by a large pegasus guard, bearing a golden armour. He eyed them carefully before motioning them to follow.

"Welcome to Dragonblight, heroes. I am Captain Valiant Heart. Princess Luna will arrive shortly, so let's get going. I will offer you the grand tour of the compound, so don't go too far away from me, or you might get lost in these ancient caverns," he said, a polite smile on his face. The six friends nodded and followed the huge guard down the halls.

Captain Valiant Heart led them through a number of tunnels that took them far beneath the earth. At last, the group and its guide emerged into a vast castle-like structure. From its architecture, the building was another ancient product, possibly thousands of years old. The first chambers the captain showed them were populated by ponies, ranging from chefs to gardeners, even though no plant grew anywhere near. Rarity stopped for a second.

"Um, Captain Valiant? What are these ponies doing here?"

"They are here to help us set up the base. We have everything we need, thanks to the waygate our unicorns were able to create. This is but one wing out of four. Let's get going."

The second wing was everything a bookworm such as Twilight could have hoped. Magical artifacts, laboratory equipment, and other supplies that put Canterlot's old laboratories to shame. Huge rooms that could hold a veritable army of assistants. Several unicorns were developing powerful combat and shielding spells, preparing for the worst. A chorus of 'ooh' and 'aah' filled the room, drawing the gaze of the scientific team to the group of ponies. The six friends grinned sheepishly and ran away, exiting the room.

Next up, the captain showed them an armory and an area for combat training. A large amount of ponies were training at the moment, attacking their respective targets with everything they had available, spells, kicks, bites, sword slashes. Rainbow Dash looked around, very impressed by their training. Spoting an unused training dummy, she asked the captain to allow her to practice aswell.

The captain sighed. "Very well, miss Dash. Once you're ready, ask one of the guards to bring you back. You can get lose easily in here. Have fun," Valiant gave her a smile and trotted away, followed by the rest of the group. Dash started fighting the dummy as if it were real.

"Ha! Take that, and that!" she cried out, as she was victorious over the lifeless dummy.

After some time, she eventually got tired and took a break. Her jaw dropped when she noticed she was the only pony remaining in the room. She glanced uneasily at the dummies in her vecinity.

"Uhh, guys? Guys? Where are you?" she perked her ears so she could hear an answer, but she only got her echo. Growling in frustration, she started flying around the compound. No sight of any pony. She was starting to panic, sweat pouring down her face. She flew and flew. No pony. "Where the hay are you?!" she cried out. She got an answer, one that made her blood run cold. Faint laughter. Her pupils shrinked as her eyes widened in fear.

"P-puh Pinkie? Is that you?" she asked nopony in particular, gnawing at her hooves, her body shivering. She hovered around the endless tunnels, until she heard it again. That evil laughter. "Who's there?! Come on, I can beat your sorry flank to a pulp! C'mon!"

"Over here... Dashie... tehehehe," a strange voice, resembling Pinkie's was heard from behind a large metallic door. Dash approached the door cautiously, panting heavily. It was as if some kind of invisible force was pushing down on her, forcing her to land out of exhaustion. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, trotting inside very slowly. It was empty, save for some stairs leading up a tall snow-covered spire. Rainbow gasped loudly when she noticed her necklace starting to glow a soft magenta. Glancing around furiously, she didn't see anypony, or anything for that matter. She sighed in relief, approaching the stairs leading atop the room. Glancing upwards, she noticed a faint blue glow atop the spire.

"Pinkie? Is that you? Hellooooo..."

"Yes, Dashie, come up, it's super fun!" the ghostly voice giggled.

The cyan pegasus gulped and began her ascent. Her heart pounded with excitement and dread. What if a monster came out of nowhere and ate her?! She shook her head and gave a weak chuckle. When she realized that her steps were slowing, she sped up again. Her resolve didn't last long, however. It felt as if a weight was pulling at her. She was obviously more tired than she'd thought. As she got closer to the top, the air was becoming foul and suffocating, causing her to pant heavily.

"Pinkie, come down, I'm tired..." Dash tried to plead with the strange voice. More laughter filled her ears.

"Aww, c'mon Dashie! I found something uber super duper cool up here!" a faint image of a pink pony was waving from above, causing Rainbow to redouble her efforts, despite being very tired.

After several more minutes of overexerting herself, Rainbow finally reached the top of the spire, only to discover that nopony was here, except for a large chunk of ice that emanated a misty blue aura. She noticed strange black figure within the ice, but the longer she looked, the more it seemed to devour all light, hope, and sanity. Glancing towards the ceiling of the cavern, she noticed the light growing weak as the minutes passed. 'The Sun is already setting? Wow, I spent more time than I had intended...' she gave a weak chuckle. Eventually all of the light vanished, the whole cavern now in complete darkness, the only source of light being the chunk of ice.

CRACK

Rainbow turned her gaze towards the block of ice, a significant crack in the front. She yelped in surprise when she noticed the objects trapped within. Armour. The armour of the monster. But, somepony, or rather something, was wearing it. Narrowing her eyes, she gasped when she notice the shadow of a pony looming inside the ice, grinning at her, staring at her with crimson eyes that resembled dragon eyes.

"NO! It's impossible!" Dash cried out, her heart beating so fast she could swore it would come out of her chest. She started whimpering in fright when she noticed the ice cracking in several other places. She had to warn the others. Turning around very quickly she hit something and fell backwards. Rubbing her forehead, she opened her eyes to look at whatever she hit. Her heart stopped instantly.

A dark purple unicorn towered over her, staring into her magenta eyes with its own red dragon eyes. Rainbow was paralyzed in fear. A pure evil grin formed on the unicorn's face.

"Y-y-you... y-you m-monster..." she was able to mutter under her ragged breath, struggling to breathe. She now realized. This wasn't fatigue. It was stark terror.

"Time to reunite with your daughter, my dear friend..." the dark figure spoke to the cyan pegasus in a voice that was dripping venom.

Before Rainbow could react, several black spikes impaled her from behind, crying out in pain. Blood streaked down her cyan coat, her breathing becoming erratic as she went full panic mode. Twilight approached her dying friend and sat in front of her. She grabbed Rainbow with her hooves and pulled her into a long, passionate kiss. Rainbow was shocked by this and tried to fight back, only to flinch in pain as every move she made shot up a fierce pain up her spine. Eventually the kiss broke, Twilight having a wry smile on her face, as she licked her lips, dripping with blood. Rainbow shuddered, her life fleeting.

"You know, Rainbow, you could have been a veeeery good mate. Too bad you won't live to see anypony anymore. Look at the bright side, though, you can meet your daughter in the Void!" she cried out at the pegasus, her horn litting up in a hazy black mist. "Oh, and by the way, give my regards to Luna and her student, should you come across. Good bye, Rainbow."

Rainbow felt her skin twist and burn, finally noticing that her body was transforming into a cyan mist, and was being inhaled by the demonic unicorn. She was fading away, and fast. Drawing in what was her last breath, she let out a blood curdling scream, loud enough to echo throughout the entire compound, and into the world. Eventually, she was completely consumed. Rainbow Dash was no more. Twilight's eyes were closed in pleasure. Devouring souls was something she enjoyed alot. She opened her eyes once again and glared at the figure standing in front of her.

"It is time... to complete the circle."

Twilight came closer to the icy prison, and with a mighty blow, shattered the ice completely. Everything went black for a few seconds, seconds in which more than a thousand lost souls cried out in anguish, before fading out. Twilight leaned over and donned her armour. Her body changed once more, her dark purple coat turning completely black, growing tall as the Princess of the Sun herself. Mystical wings of mist and shadow formed on her back, while her mane grew very long. As she fitted in her helmet, the world shook with vigor. She was complete.

A smile crept on her face, before breaking out in a maddening laughter, the walls of the cavern collapsing on itself, allowing the spire to emerge to the surface of the island. Far above the world, the Sun was completely covered by a red Moon, showering the world in a suffocating darkness. The Eclipse had begun.

Gazing over the frozen wastes from atop what would be her throne, far above the world, the Crimson Dawn grinned to herself. She had succeeded. Her age of darkness was beginning.

The Hour of Twilight had fallen over Equestria.
[img] http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll144/arthazs/CRIMSONDAWNFULL.png[/img]
Artwork by Giuliabeck.

Into the Realm of Darkness

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 5: Into the Realm of Darkness
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Artwork by BlackM3sh.

Chapter Five
Into the Realm of Darkness

Panic. Equestria was overrun by panic, as the shadow of the Eclipse was spreading over the land, choking the air with malice. The world was bathing in darkness, as the Crimson Dawn's own hatred was beginning to materialize into monsters, twisted shapes of ponies and other creatures. Black storm clouds were randomly forming all around Equestria, covering the already dark reddish sky, water pouring upon the land. Temperature was slowly dropping, the Sun's warmth fading away, as Equestria's doom-bringer sucked away at its mystical energies, leaving it nothing but a faint glowing orb, hidden by the crimson Moon.

Back at the Castle of Canterlot, Princess Celestia was sitting in the Library, searching for answers, for a way to undo this chaos. Several books laid scattered on the ground, some of them older than Celestia herself. However, she was concentrating on a single, large tome, bearing strange symbols that marked the Elder Royalty, her parents' own books, to be more precise. She was having quite a hard time deciphering the book, having being written in an ancient tongue, one she had yet to fully comprehend. Her powers were fading, causing her to struggle breathing, the vile air intoxicating her body. She knew she wouldn't make it if she did not find an answer within these ancient books. The heavy steps of a pony clad in armour snapped her attention.

A member of the Royal Guard came inside the Library and called out for the Princess, panting heavily. Her coat was covered in dried blood, and she bore a shallow gash across her left eye, rendering her half blind.

"P-princess Celestia! I bear grim news, your Majesty!"

Celestia sighed and closed the book, levitating it over a desk. She got up and trotted to meet up the mare guard, gazing sadly at her condition. Her people would die. Every pony depended on her success; Equestria's fate was upon her hooves.

"What is it that you wish to report, my faithful subject?"

The injured guard took a few seconds to compose herself, pain racing through her body, causing her to wince at the slightest movement. "We have received reports from Dragonblight stating that the Crimson Dawn has been spotted atop the glacier, before disappearing. We have yet to discover her whereabouts. Also, there has been no trace of Princess Luna since yesterday, when she departed for Dragonblight. The guards claim that her carriage never arrived at the base," she stopped to breathe. Sweat poured from her face, and reached out into her gauged eye, causing her to yelp in pain. Celestia rushed to her side and tried working her magic, to try and close the wound at least. "Thank you, your Majesty. That's about all, for now. I must now return to duty, your Highness," she gave a small smile and bowed before the Princess.

"Wait. What about the bearers of the Elements? Do you know anything about them?" Celestia asked, concerned at her subjects' well being.

"Oh, of course," the guard cleared her throat. "It seems they are trapped in the caverns beneath the glacier, along with the members of Squad Zero. Apparently the whole structure collapsed on them when the spire emerged from the ice, causing a powerful quake. They are being released as we speak."

Celestia sighed in relief. 'Thank goodness they're alright,' she thought. "Thank you." The guard bowed once again and left the room, leaving Celestia alone once again. Her blood was starting to boil in frustration, groaning. "Where are you, Luna?! What happened? Did Twilight... no, that is not possible, you should have been able to reach the base before the Eclipse, so why?"

"Perhaps I might be able to help you with that," a new, evil voice replied.

Celestia froze. She started panting hard, not wanting to believe that she was already here. Celestia narrowed her eyes and turned around, to look upon the figure standing behind her. Her breathing was becoming more erratic as she met two dragon eyes, painted in crimson, staring at her, a wide, world ending grin spread on its figure.

"Why are you here? Do you have anything to do with Luna's disappearance? Tell me!" she snapped at the dark unicorn, her wings opening wide as she took on a battle stance, ready to charge out. Her heart sank in her stomach when all she received was laughter. Before she could even blink, the dark unicorn flapped her mystical wings once and appeared face to face with her.

"What's the matter, my dear teacher? Afraid that I have injured your poor Woona? Well, you can relax, she's already dead," she said triumphantly, glaring fiercely at the white alicorn.

The Ruler of the Sun was stunned. Slowly, she backed away from the menacing black mare. She could feel her own heart being torn by her emotions. Anger, disbelief, sorrow. Her fury became dominant, increasing in magnitude with each passing second, until she finally snapped, giving a cry of war that reverberated throughout the palace, charging at the Crimson Dawn. Pouring whatever energy she had left, she summoned her magical blade and swung at her former student's head, attempting to decapitate her on the spot. She blinked once. Her eyes widened in shock when she realized that her enemy had just vanished into thin air, her blade slashing through the air, waves of magic flowing swirling furiously around her blade.

"My, you are a slow one, Celestia. Why don't you take a seat, you old hag!" a furious roar erupted from her side, causing her to immediately step away, but not fast enough to dodge a large chair that was swung at her, hitting her square in the muzzle, toppling her. Celestia skidded to a halt and immediately rose to her feet, shaking with anger.

"How... how did you manage to defeat her... when you weren't even released from your prison!" she yelled out.

Dawn merely laughed. "Why, it was very simple. It seems she and her student were so focused on their mission they failed to notice that the pegasi pulling their carriage were flying in circles. Eventually, I got released from the Moon, and immediately looked out for her. Apparently she found out my trickery and killed off the pegasi, crash landing on the shores on Dragonblight. However, it was too late. I found her and killed her before she could even blink. Better safe than sorry," she gave a smirk. Celestia was choking out sobs, becoming more enraged. "Don't worry, her power shall be used for a greater purpose," she pointed at her heart, "as she will aid me in consuming this world."

Celestia could not believe what she heard. Luna was killed by this... this monster! How could she have been so forgiving twenty years ago? How could she allow this to happen?! 'NO! I can't let my emotions take the better of me! I must retreat, for now.' She sighed, calming herself slightly. "The Elements shall defeat you again, Dawn. But this time, I will make sure you die."

"Ooooh, boldly stated, but there is nothing you can do. The Element of Loyalty... hmm, let's just say she went in a vacation," she pointed at a red crystal shaped as a lightning bolt, adorning her chestplate. "Rainbow was stupid enough to come straight into my lair. It was saddening. I truly loved her... I will never forget her, especially the good bye kiss..." she closed her eyes and raised her head, slightly shuddering, as she remembered the metallic taste of Rainbow's blood.

Celestia was stunned, shocked, confused. She did not linger anymore and prepared a teleportation spell, to get as far away from Equestria as possible. She needed time to sort out her feelings. Fresh tears started pouring from her eyes, as she looked towards the mare in front of her.

"I won't forgive you, Twilight. I will return, and this time, I shall kill you. No more mercy for the merciless," she sobbed out loudly, before her horn glowed brightly.

A bright light showering the room announced her departure, leaving Dawn to herself. She stared blankly at the spot where Celestia stood. She was victorious. She was... bored. "Pfff... with Celestia gone, who is going to entertain me now!? Oh, I know! I should totally hold a party and invite my old friends. Pinkie Pie would love it! But... I can't just hold a party without presents, can I?" she huffed. Her horn lit up and she vanished in a bright light.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few miles away from Canterlot, a burning Ponyville was overrun by monsters that were obliterating everything that stood in their way, be it ponies or buildings. Several injured ponies were scattered throughout the entire village, running away from death itself. Ponyville's mailmare, along with her daughter were running away from an enraged shadow wolves that were hot on their tail. Derpy could not fly, for one of her wings snapped when the post office collapsed on her and her coleagues. Dinky was running beside her, struggling not to fall over from exhaustion. Derpy, with her faulty eyesight, took a turn to the left, before stopping dead in her tracks. It was a dead end, but she could not return, for her followers were right behind. Wasting no time, Derpy stood in front of her daughter, ready to defend her at the cost of her own life..

Suddenly, a bright flash scared off the wolves, leaving the two mares safe. Derpy sighed in relief, and turned towards her daughter, to nuzzle her. She found herself unable to move, sensing an invisible force wrapping itself around her neck and lifting her up, strangling her.

"Mom no!!"

"Stay back, muffin..." she coughed and hacked, struggling to breathe.

"Touching. How does it feel... knowing you will die before your daughter's eyes?" sneered Dawn, circling the suspended mare, taunting her.

"Leave mom alone you monster!" Dinky screamed at the dark unicorn.

Dawn looked upon the pinkish mare, and then glanced back at the grey pegasus. "Very well," she said, as she dropped the grey mare and picked up her daughter, squeezing the mare in her telekinetic grasp.

"No! Please, leave her alone, I'll do anything, just *sniff* just leave my muffin alone! Please..." Derpy pleaded with the ruthless unicorn.

"On one condition," Dawn smirked at the frightened pegasus.

"Anything!"

"Tell me, Derpy, do you happen to know what my friends value most in this world? What makes them go on, what gives them a reason to live? Answer that truthfully, and I will release your daughter. But make no mistake, I know when you're lying. Dinky's life is in your hooves," she seethed.

Derpy thought for a while, and decided it's best to answer truthfully. "Well, Pinkie Pie values her friends most, umm, Fluttershy has her husband, Big Macintosh and her animals. Rarity had her career, up until now," she gave a sheepish grin, "and Applejack had her daughters and her husband. I don't know about Rainbow though..."

Crimson Dawn stared blankly at the grey pegasus in front of her eyes, her telekinetic grip still squeezing the young mare. "So... where do you think Applejack's family is?"

Derpy's ears flattened against her head, swallowing the lump in her throat. She had sold her best friends to a monster. They would not forgive her if anything happened to their families because of her. She shook her head slowly. Suddenly, she felt herself lifted from the ground and slammed hard against a wall, crying out in pain, her already broken wing sending constant waves of pain through her spine.

"I don't think I've made myself clear enough..." Dawn spoke in a harsh voice, accompanied by shrieks of pain as she applied more pressure to her magical grip, literally crushing Dinky.

"Wait! *cough* wait! They are all in the safety *cough* bunkers..." Derpy cried out. "Please, leave my daughter alone."

Dawn looked into Derpy's eyes and smiled, the sound of bones cracking, accompanied by loud cries of pain echoing throughout the village. A deadly silence ensued. The grey pegasus was stunned. She sat on her haunches, tears pouring freely from her eyes, as the corpse of her daughter was laid at her feet. She began weeping, picking up the broken mare and hugging her tightly. Crimson Dawn walked past her, silent. In a split second, Derpy grabbed a heavy rock and threw it at the dark mare with a cry of anguish. The rock was repelled by an invisible barrier, but the action did not go unpunished. Dawn glanced at the gray mare, her cold eyes bearing no emotion at all. The gray pegasus felt her body breaking in several places, as no less than five metallic spikes impaled her, effectively killing her on the spot. Dawn turned around and continued walking down the path leading to the forest edge.

"Good riddance."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Far, far away from Equestria, Celestia's teleportation spell finally faded, leaving her completely exhausted. She raised her head slightly, smiling weakly. She had reached her destination. The Sanctum of the Stars, home of hers and Luna's parents. In front of her eyes, the statue of Alpha-Genesis, the World Maker stood accompanied by the statue of her mother, Gaia, the Spirit of Harmony itself, posed as if they were locked in the dance of creation, the ultimate gift upon the world.

"Welcome home, our daughter," a deep, ghostly voice echoed in her ears.

She slowly got up, wincing in pain as blood was streaming from her muzzle. Her horn glowed briefly as she used the last of her powers to stop the bleeding. After a few minutes, the horn's glow faded, ultimately cracking up. Her magic had been consumed. Powerless, she limped past the statue into a large garden, built on the side of a mountain. She smiled at the sight before her, the garden where she and her sister would play in their foalhood. It is here that they learned about creation and harmony. It is here that they were crowned Rulers of the Celestial orbs, the very source of their power, given unto them as a gift from their Father.

"Is something troubling you, our daughter? You seem very distraught," a motherly voice spoke out to her.

Celestia sighed and continued walking down the path, not daring to raise her eyes from the ground. She arrived at a large large waterfall, crystal clear water pouring into a small lake that blossomed with life. With great care as to not disturb the animals, she gently entered the water and bowed her head under the stream. The water soothed her senses, allowing her muscles to relax. After several minutes of bathing in the purity of the water, she exited the lake and trotted towards a large tree, leaning against it. Her emotions finally caught up to her, and she began crying, lowering herself on her haunches.

With her eyes closed, she did not notice two beings landing beside her, staring at her with love. The spectral mare sat on her haunches and pulled Celestia in an embrace, nuzzling the side of her neck, while the other sat in silence and stared at the pair.

"There, there, my daughter... Let your emotions out, lest they will poison your pure soul," said Gaia, gently caressing her daughter's pink mane.

"We know about Equestria. We know about Luna aswell," the tall, spectral alicorn spoke to her. Alpha-Genesis was an alicorn stallion made completely out of stars, his eyes two nebulae of the purest white, glowing softly. "We know everything, my dear daughter."

Celestia rose her head from her mother's shoulder and used her hoof to dry out any tears. Her gaze met her father's, causing her to look away. "I-I... It's all my fault," she sobbed. "If I wasn't so merciful back then, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe Luna would have been alive! I deserve to be dead... not her. Not after she sat alone for a thousand years because I didn't want to listen to her."

The spectral alicorn mare smiled and gently nuzzled her daughter's cheek, cooing gently. "Do not burden your soul, my dear. You haven't wronged anyone. I know that, because I raised you. You and Luna are the purest souls of Equestria, and nobody can say otherwise."

"However," her father began, "I am very curious to know, how is that unicorn more powerful than you and your sister combined? What mystical power does she possess, when you yourself are bound to the center of this Universe, when you are bound by blood to me, the World Maker. Explain this, my dear daughter," he spoke softly, not a hint of anger in his voice, wisdom bearing every word.

Celestia whimpered slightly and sighed sadly. "It is my fault. My student... she was partly right. I wanted to turn her into a weapon, for Equestria. To achieve that, I taught her how to bind herself to the Sun, even for a brief moment, to increase her powers. Luna did the same, after I convinced her that it is worthwhile. However, when a tragedy struck my student, when her parents died while saving many other ponies' lives, she broke down. For weeks she had isolated herself from the others, her own sadness and grief consuming her," she paused. "One night, I received a letter from her assistant, informing me that she had gone missing in a storm, bearing high fever. We found her too late, in the Old Castle. Madness had consumed her." Celestia choke out a sob, interrupting the story.

"Continue, please," her mother cooed gently.

The white alicorn nodded and cleared her throat, wiping off any remaining tears. "I gave her some time to come to her senses, but in that time, she had found a way to bind herself to the power of the Sun and the Moon at the same time, during an artificial Eclipse, created specially by her unconscious mind. While her powers grew, ours faded into nothingness. We were defenseless against her onslaught. Her soul was so twisted by the agony of loss and betrayal that some kind of black magic devoured her, turning her into a soul-eating monster, that labels itself 'The Crimson Dawn'. Her only interest is in destroying the world. From a special mix of alloys, she forged herself an armour capable of concentrating the full power of the Sun and Moon at the same time, able to bind itself to them pemanently, while constantly sucking away at their energy, ascending to a completely new being. It was... frightening. Only because of sheer luck did her old self appear briefly, allowing us to strike down. However, I could not bring myself to finish her off. Instead, I split her in two separate entities and sealed them away," Celestia paused, before starting to cry once again. "but now, she is back, and this time, it doesn't look like we can do anything... Her power is far above anything I can imagine," she sniffed. " I swear, I would sacrifice everything to save my people... my sister! Please! You must help me!" she cried out to her parents.

Gaia looked upon her daughter with sadness, wiping her tears. "Shh, my dear. Everything will be fine. I am certain that whatever force has taken over your student is held back by remnants of her old self. She is, like yourself, a victim of its power. You must think wisely before you can take a decision. For now, my dear daughter, you must rest and recover your powers."

"But-"

"No but's, my daughter," spoke Alpha-Genesis. "For you need to be well rested. You must prepare yourself, both physically and mentally for the coming journey, in which you will learn about the power of self-sacrifice and love, as I have learned it from your mother. You will face trials that will test your capabilities, both physical and mental, in order to be sure that you deserve the right to ascend. It will not be easy, and at some points, you might even consider forfeiting. Think wisely, for once you do accept and fail, you will never be allowed in the trials again. Do you understand, my daughter?"

Celestia's eyes narrowed with determination. "Yes, I understand and accept to walk this journey. I will do whatever is in my power to save Equestria from evil. I will do whatever I must to deliver my people from evil. I will do everything I must to bring that demon to justice!"

Genesis smiled and nuzzled his daughter. "I am proud of you, Celestia. Now, go and rest. You will need it later."

"Thank you, mother, father..." she smiled at the spectral beings, which began to fade away.

"Remember, daughter, should you need comfort, should you need a word of wisdom... Should you need to talk to someone... A shoulder to cry on. We are here for you. Always... Farewell, and take care, Celestia," the fading spectral mare spoke to the white alicorn, before finally disappearing, followed shortly by the stallion.

Once again, Celestia found herself alone in the garden of the Sanctum. She stretched her legs and gave her wings a test flap, before furling them and laying beside the tree, closing her eyes, a soft smile etched on her face. She was not alone.

As she fell asleep, a soft breeze showered her sleeping form with flowers, gently cooing in the air. The breeze also carried the echo of a small, faded sound. A lullaby, sang by her mother, from far away...

Mare of the World

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 6: Mare of the World
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Six
Mare of the World

Rainbow was sitting on a cloud, lazily flying above Ponyville. She would be sleeping right now, if she wasn't waiting for something. Glancing at the Sun, she estimated the time of the day and shot off towards Ponyville Primary School. The cyan pegasus arrived earlier than she should have. She landed in front of the school, waiting patiently for the bell to ring. For a brief moment, she closed her eyes and enjoyed a gentle breeze brushing against her coat, her mane and tail dancing lightly. All around her, the flowers were in full bloom, the beauty of the Spring showing all of its colors. She listened quietly to a pair of birds, chirping happily in the afternoon.

The moment of silence was interrupted by the school bell, which rang loudly, announcing the day's end. A wide grin appeared on Rainbow's face, as she waited for her daughter, the orange pegasus filly Scootaloo, to exit the school and pick her up. The doors of the school opened wide, allowing several foals to run past them, rushing to their parents. Giggles and squeals of innocent happiness filled the air.

As the large group of foals left along with their parents, Rainbow's smile faded into a sad frown. Her daughter did not exit the school, nor did she hear anything about her at all.

"Rainbow?"

The cyan pegasus turned to face the pony that called her out. It was Applejack, her best friend. "Hey AJ, what's up?"

The orange earth pony looked sadly upon her friend and sighed. "Rainbow, what are ya doing here? Shouldn't ya be practicing for the Wonderbolts?"

Rainbow shook her head. "Nope, I came to pick up Scoots, but she hasn't come out yet. I wonder why. AJ, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" she asked her friend.

Applejack sniffed and wiped her tears off. "Rainbow... Scootaloo's been gone for two years now," said the earth pony, approaching her confused friend. "Dash, ya have to let go. She won't come back..."

Rainbow's eyes were watering, fresh tears streaming her cheeks. "W-what... but, how? Why? Why isn't she coming home AJ... Where is she?" the broken mare sobbed, her shoulders heaving with pain. Rainbow collapsed to her haunches and cried out. Applejack reached her out and pulled her in a tight hug, trying to comfort her broken friend. For the past two years, the cyan pegasus would come everyday at the school, to pick up her daughter, blindly convincing herself that Scootaloo was still there. Deep in her heart, she knew she was still alive, somewhere.

"Let it all out, girl..." Applejack nuzzled her friend. "Can you hear me, Dash. Miss Dash!"

"Huh?" Rainbow looked at her friend questioningly. She was no longer there.

"Miss Dash! Wake up!" a loud voice echoed through her head.

Rainbow jumped from her dream, glancing around, her eyes meeting two pairs of eyes staring at her. She gaped in astonishment when she realized one of the figures was Princess Luna. She looked very pale and sad, her expression betraying exhaustion. Hopelessness. The pony standing next to Luna was a tall, silvery maned unicorn mare, who was nudging her in the ribs.

"Stop that..." Rainbow said, as she wiped out her tears. 'It was all just a dream... no, worse. A memory.' She got herself up and stretched her wings. "What happened, where are we?" Her eyes took notice of the room she was in. It looked like a prisoner's cell, with grates for a door. The smell of decay quickly filled her nostrils, causing her to cough up. "What the hay!?" she snorted.

"Be quiet, or you shall attract unwanted attention," Luna spoke in a soft, soothing tone. She glanced around the room, before fixating her eyes on the rainbow maned pegasus. "It appears we are in the ruins of Twilight's consciousness. We are locked down in this place by her will."

Rainbow Dash looked stunned and confused. "B-but, how did we get here in the first place?!"

"You were killed by her, were you not?" Luna's eyes narrowed.

The pegasus gulped and nodded weakly. "Yeah... I guess. How are we going to get out?"

"Come with us. We want to show you something," she motioned outside the cell.

Rainbow nodded and followed the Moon Princess. They trotted down a dark, endless corridor, filled with cells such as her own, filled with sleeping ponies. She recognized many of these ponies. They were the first victims of the deraged unicorn, from twenty years ago. They were apparently chained down, limiting their movement.

"Why are these ponies tied up? And why are they all sleeping?"

The silvery unicorn turned to face Rainbow. "These ponies are the new source of power of the Crimson Dawn. She apparently locks souls within her own and uses their sadness and misery as fuel for her powers. As to why are they sleeping, it appears that she is ... well, crushing their hopes from within. Just like... like your dream."

Rainbow's lips quivered. "That's so... so cruel of her! It isn't enough that she kills them, she even eats their souls and tortures them emotionally!"

The unicorn nodded sadly and sighed. "We can't save them... Their souls are too weak. They would eventually fall back to sleep once we wake them. It's discouraging. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Silverghost, student of Princess Luna," she smiled at the pegasus. "Nice to make your aquintance, Miss Dash. I heard a lot about you and the other bearers. Oh, I'm losing my head here, don't mind me, let's keep moving, shall we? Miss Dash?" The unicorn glanced behind her, to search for the pegasus. She spotted her standing in front of a cell, gripping the grates with her hooves. "Miss Dash, what are you-"

Silverghost was silenced by the sound of soft snoring. Following Rainbow's gaze, she looked into the cell, her vision falling upon the form of a small, purple maned pegasus filly, sleeping. What was truly shocking was that a small, purple unicorn filly was curled up next to her, sleeping aswell. Silverghost looked uneasily between her and the distraught cyan pegasus. "Miss Dash, please. We have to move on... Wait, what are you doing?!"

Rainbow ignored the white unicorn and entered the cell. She approached slowly the two fillies sleeping. "Hey Silverghost, can you get this orange pegasus away? Please..." she whispered towards the confused unicorn. Silverghost nodded and closed her eyes, working her white magic into the orange filly, gently picking her up and levitating her out of the room. Rainbow smiled briefly and motioned for the white unicorn to continue following Luna. "I'll be right behind you, I promise," she spoke in a soft voice.

Silverghost sighed and rolled her eyes. "Very well, Miss Dash, but don't fall too behind, or else you will be found out by the demon." The unicorn picked up and left the cell, along with the orange pegasus, continuing along the corridor.

In the room, Rainbow's breathing was becoming erratic. Her heart was beating faster and faster. A small smile crept on her features, while her pupils shrank. Glancing around the cell, she found a long chain, that wasn't apparently attached to anything. Rainbow picked it up and approached the sleeping filly. The purple unicorn bore a six-pointed star cutie mark, surrounded by several other, smaller stars. There was no doubt, this was Twilight Sparkle. And she was vulnerable.

The cyan pegasus approached the filly, chains in hooves. She held her breath as she gently placed the chain around the filly's neck, so as to not wake her. Rainbow took a deep breath, and in a split second, pulled on the chains hard, waking up the purple unicorn.

The small filly placed her hooves on the chains and tried to release herself, as she was being choked to death. She whimpered and tried to scream, but only wheezes came out. Finally, with her last powers she looked into the rose eyes of her assailant, an evil grin splayed on her face. Twilight's eyes were darkening at the corners, a sign that she would soon lose consciousness and die. She closed her eyes shut, unable to look anymore, tears streaming freely on the surface of her cheeks.

Rainbow Dash was pulling even harder on the chains, her eyes watering in frustration. "Why won't you just die already!?" She suddenly felt something very hard hit the back of her head, knocking her unconscious. Rainbow lost grip of the chains and collapsed on the floor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feeling slowly returned to the cyan pegasus, groaning in pain as she opened her eyes, to reveal two ponies and an orange filly glaring sadly at her. Rainbow shook her head and got up, trotting over to Scootaloo. However, the filly pegasus backed away from her mother, while looking her straight in the eyes for a brief moment. "Scoot, what's wrong? It's me, Rainbow Dash!"

The orange filly snorted and turned her back on her adoptive mother, glancing sadly at the scene in front of her. Princess Luna was struggling to save the purple filly Rainbow had tried to kill. "How could you, Rainbow Dash? She's just a filly!" Scootaloo sobbed, refusing to look at her mother again.

Rainbow was stricken. She was angry and sad at the same time. "What do you mean?! She's a monster! She took you away from me, twenty years ago!" she screamed at the smaller pegasus, frightening her.

"You are more of a monster than she ever was. And it wasn't she that took me. It was-," a cough interrupted Scootaloo's sentence, as she glanced at the other filly. Her eyes widened when she noticed that the purple filly was waking up. "Twi-Twilight! You're awake!" she jumped over and hugged her friend, sobbing into her coat with tears of pure happiness.

The filly Twilight woke up and groaned. She felt a warm shape press against her, crying into her coat. Looking down, a smile appeared on her face and she squeaked happily. Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but only coughs came out. She wheezed, trying to form words, but her throat hurt incredibly bad. A dark blue hoof pressed on her shoulder, causing her to snap her attention at the source of it.

The alicorn of the night smiled at the filly, gasping for breath. She consumed all of her energy to bring the small unicorn back to life. "Rest easy, Twilight Sparkle. You cannot talk right now," she spoke softly, nuzzling the filly's cheek. "You're safe with us."

Twilight looked around the room and smiled at the white unicorn, which apparently had been crying the whole time. She then laid her eyes upon the cyan pegasus and tried to scream, backing away from her into a corner of the cell, curling into a ball. Scootaloo went after her and reassured her friend.

"Don't worry, Twi', she won't hurt you anymore," she threw an annoyed glance to the angry pegasus behind her. "Not when I'm here to protect you!" she returned to the filly, grinning from ear to ear.

"Why aren't you killing her?! She's the reason why we are all here in the first place! She's keeping us here, poisoning our minds with nightmares! So why!? Why are you saving her life? We can finally go home!" Rainbow screamed out angrily. Her rose eyes glared at the ponies in front of her.

"Because she is the only hope we have to restore everything. She is the key to defeat the Crimson Dawn," Luna spoke confidently. "Because, she is the true Twilight Sparkle! Am I right, young one?" she asked the purple filly, cuddled in Scootaloo's arms. Twilight, through her teared eyes, smiled and gave a nod, resting her head on the orange pegasus' shoulder.

Rainbow was speechless. She collapsed to her haunches, leaning against the back wall and cried. 'Why? Why is this happening?' She looked upon the two fillies and approached them, scooping them both in a tight embrace, nuzzling them both. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for acting like that! I was just... so furious. Can you ever forgive me, Twilight?"

The purple filly looked the cyan pegasus in the eyes and grinned. She wheezed a few times, but managed to speak. "Of *cough* course, Rainbow Dash *wheeze*, I forgive you! That's... that's what friends do," she finished, returning the embrace. Scootaloo was giggling happily and enjoying the group hug.

Luna smiled to herself and prepared to leave, when she felt a pair of hooves snuggling her. She rolled her eyes and sighed, returning her student's embrace. "We will all get out of here... I promise."

[img] http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll144/arthazs/killing_you_with_adorable_by_shelltoontv-d3ebe3e.png[/img]
Artwork by ShelltoonTV

The Burden of a Filly

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 7: The Burden of a Filly
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Seven
The Burden of a Filly

The Crimson Dawn was slowly trotting towards the edge of the forest, occasionally glancing around her to enjoy the view of the devastated Ponyville. The smoldering ruins that surrounded her caused her to giggle slightly, enjoying herself with the damage her minions have caused. Now the only thing she had to do left to this village was to murder everypony that survived the Eclipse, namely those that ran for the shelters. She was truly happy, because she wasn't the only one who would be suffering. No, she would be the one that would inflict pain and misery unto others, no exception.

Dawn suddenly stopped walking and stared blankly in front of her, starting to shiver uncontrollably. For a few minutes, she felt emotions again. Pain, regret, guilt for what she has done; they all came rushing. Her breathing became erratic and she let out a scream of frustration, wiping off her involuntary tears that streamed from her crimson eyes. She growled menacingly and stomped the ground with her hooves, fuming.

"You damned mare, what do you think you're doing?! I won't let you jeopardize my plans, not again! Now, get outta my head!!" she screamed from the top of her lungs, panting heavily, sweat dripping her forehead. The emotions had subsided, but a bit too late. She collapsed into the middle of the street and cried, covering her head with her front hooves, shoulders heaving. "Why... why didn't they care... I was their friend, why did they left me alone?" she sniffed, choking out more sobs. "Even, even the Princess didn't care. So why should I care anymore?! To hell with them all!"

Dawn wiped her tears and stood up, shaking herself of the dust. Stealing a quick glance towards the Eclipse, she gasped in shock when she realized that the Sun's power was slowly returning, lighting up more of the land. She narrowed her eyes and began running towards the edge of the forest, panic rising.

'No... That's impossible! The... the Sun is recovering. That can only mean-' she thought to herself. Her time was growing short; if she did not kill the other bearers until the next day, her own powers would start to fade, the unnatural Eclipse breaking apart, leaving her vulnerable to an attack. 'Celestia won't best me, not again!'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Within the void of the Dawn's troubled soul, the imprisoned ponies were trotting cautiously through the endless hollow corridors, looking around for anything or anypony to help in their quest to break down the deranged mare. Scootaloo and Twilight were running around, playing tag and having some fun. Silverghost glanced back at them and smiled, their innocent game relaxing the group. Princess Luna trotted forward, horn glowing, searching for a passage, a door, anything that would lead them somewhere. She sighed and slowed down, finally stopping at a crossroad, to catch their breaths.

Rainbow Dash wasn't far behind, but she kept her distance from the two fillies, eying them cautiously. Behind that mask of happiness, a colossal hatred burned her from within, inviting her to kill the purple unicorn without delay. 'They will understand. I mean, she's the real monster! They are just confused, that's all. Yeah," she thought to herself, shuddering slightly. 'And still, I can't do it... at least, not now.'

The lavender filly suddenly stopped from her game and gaped. "Hey everypony, we're here," she said, approaching a rusty old door, apparently painted in black. Several chains kept that door locked, preventing anypony to enter.

The Princess and the silver unicorn approached the door and stared at it. "What is behind this door, young one?" Luna asked the lavender filly.

"Well... um... Behind that door," she sighed, "are all of Twilight's emotions. Her memories, the most painful ones that she endured, the ones which caused her to break. If there's a way to get out of here, then this is it probably."

"You want to say that if we let her emotions out, her inner prison will be shattered. allowing us to exit?" the silver unicorn asked.

Twilight nodded. "Yes. But only two may enter. I am the only one who knows the memories, so I have to go anyway..."

The group sat and thought for a moment. Then, the cyan pegasus approached the lavender filly and nuzzled her. "I'll go. I'm her friend, and I will do whatever I can to help," she said, glancing around for approval from the ponies. Princess Luna sighed and nodded.

"You may go, Rainbow Dash, but, be warned. Should anything happen to the girl, we might never see the light of day again." Luna sighed and rolled her eyes. 'I can't believe I mentioned Tia's day,' she giggled.

"Ah, one more thing, Princess," the lavender filly added. "Once we open the door, you have to close it behind us and run. She will come."

"Very well, are you ready?" Luna asked the ponies. Rainbow Dash nodded and saluted, and picked the filly on her back. "Alright, here it goes..." she said, her horn glowing brightly, her magic enveloping the door, unlocking it and tearing down the chains. Scrunching her face in concentration, she opened the door...

A black mist came from the other side, spreading along the corridor in which the ponies sat. The lavender filly nudged the cyan pegasus to go. Before leaving, Rainbow turned to Scootaloo and nuzzled her. "Take care Scoots... I'll come back."

Scootaloo smiled. "Come home with Twilight, mommy!" Rainbow cringed internally, and, without any other words, stepped through the door, into the darkness.

The door was slammed shut by Luna's magic. She the picked the orange filly and laid her on her back, motioning to the silver unicorn to follow her. Silverghost nodded and shot after the Princess, running away from the place, as the inner prison started to shake for a few minutes. 'Emotions... They affect her. She truly is still here, with us. Don't worry, Tia', I will bring her back to you, I promise!' Luna said to herself. A ghostly, echoing sound reverberated throughout the corridors, startling the fleeing ponies. It sounded like... crying! Princess Luna listened intently, picking up more sounds.

"Why ... even the Princess ... left me alone ... to hell ..."

There was no doubting it. Twilight was suffering, the small amount of emotions that came out broke her down for a while. There was still hope for the insane unicorn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash trotted through the darkness, heading towards the outline of a door, glowing briefly. Upon reaching it, she glanced at the filly seated on her back. "Shall we?"

Twilight nodded and hopped down, working her magic to undo the lock on the door and opening it. "Rainbow Dash, welcome to my memories," she spoke, opening the door completely and stepping in the light.

Rainbow followed the filly and gaped in astonishment. Large, marble towers casted their shadows over the city of Canterlot, the Royal Palace gleaming in the sunlight, it's golden rooftops sparkling wildly. There were many ponies trotting around them, oblivious to their existence. The cyan pegasus then noticed a familiar looking yellow pegasus with orange mane, in her teens, at a table with a few other ponies. "S-s-Spitfire?! Ohmygosh!" she squealed and flew right to their table. "Hey guys! What's up?" she asked the seated ponies. None replied, or even looked at her.

"Um, Rainbow, they can't hear you, or see you. This is just a memory... I'm sorry," the lavender filly apologized. "Let's go, I'm at the kindergarten right now."

The pegasus sighed sadly and followed the filly down the streets. After a while, a large, golden building came into view. A large sign, shining in the sunlight, spelled out the name of the institution.

"Canterlot's Kindergarten for Disadvantaged Ponies," Rainbow read out loud. She looked puzzled, glancing uneasily at the lavender filly beside her. "Are you sure this is the place?"

Twilight nodded and sighed sadly. "Yes, this is it. Until I got accepted as Princess Celestia's student, my parents and I weren't that wealthy. We lived at the edge of town, in a rather unfriendly neighborhood. Since they could not afford to pay for my schooling, they sent me here. Let's go," she began trotting towards the backyard of the building, with the cyan pegasus close behind, taking in the sight.

As they proceeded inside the yard, they laid their eyes upon many colts and fillies, playing around. A single unicorn mare stood and supervised the activity, slowly pacing around the field. The lavender filly nudged the pegasus gently and motioned to follow. The Sun's warmth soothed the cyan pegasus, bringing her into a state of bliss. She missed that feeling, it was almost... almost like her mother's touch. Rainbow's eyes snapped shut and cringed internally, trying to avoid the bad memories. She sighed and continued following the filly deeper into the backyard, arriving at a large oak tree, its massive corona casting a large shadow over the surrounding area. Its leaves danced lightly in the breeze, tiny birds singing along. The filly went around the trunk and sat on her haunches, staring at something. Rainbow shrugged and approached her, following her gaze.

Behind the massive trunk of the oak, a filly identical to her guide sat on her haunches, reading a book. In her hooves, closed to her chest, the small filly held a ragged doll, a pony with a notebook and its own quill. Rainbow recognized that doll, it was Smarty Pants. The sound of a small group approaching snapped them out of their trance, glancing questioningly at a group of elder colts approaching the great oak. Rainbow grimaced. She knew what was going to happen, but held her breath. And she was right.

The group of colts rounded the trunk and laughed at the solitary unicorn filly, as she closed her book and held it close to her, along with her doll. One of the bullies addressed her.

"Hey, egghead, what'cha doing out 'ere, all by ya'rself? What's that you got there?" the colt said, as he snatched the filly's doll and held it high, so she couldn't reach it. The small unicorn started jumping around after her doll, pleading with the bullies, to no avail. Her tears did not impress them, merely causing them to laugh even harder.

"Please, give it back!" she cried at the colts.

"Alright, missy, here you go..." the grey colt holding her doll leaned over and dropped the doll, then immediately stomped on it several times.

The colts laughed at the filly's expression, a look of pure sadness on her face. Rainbow wished she could do something. This reminded her so much of the time she spent in the Cloudsdale Flight School. As the colts left, the lavender filly started sobbing, grabbing her doll and hugged her, tears dropping on its surface, soaking it. The cyan pegasus looked around for her guide, the small Twilight, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Huh, uhh, Twi'? Where are you?" she asked out loud.

"I'm right here..." the filly in front of her spoke.

"What?! But, wait, you said this was a memory, what's going on?" the cyan pegasus replied, puzzled.

"Yes, it is a memory. My memory-" she was interrupted by a soft voice calling her out.

"Twilight, sweetie, are you here?"

The lavender filly smiled and wiped her tears off, grabbing her doll and the book and turning around to face a white unicorn, bearing a purple white streaked mane, with stars for a cutie mark. Her mother, Madeline Sparkle.

"Mommy!" the small filly cried out, jumping to hug her mother who came to pick her up. The mare nuzzled her daughter and stroke her mane.

"Let's go home, sweetie. Tomorrow is a big day, it's the Summer Sun Celebration! Surely you don't want to miss seeing the Princess, do you?" her mother spoke, a bright smile on her face.

Twilight gasped and yelped. "I almost forgot! Let's go, mommy," the small filly chirped, trotting away with her mother. She glanced back to the cyan pegasus and motioned for her to follow.

Rainbow Dash was stunned. She had never seen this side of Twilight before. Before her lower jaw could hit the ground, she snapped to attention when the two mares left, and the filly motioned for her to follow. A soft voice echoed in her ears, causing her to shudder.

"This is but the beginning of my hell."

The Promise of a Lifetime

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 8: The Promise of a Lifetime
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Eight
The Promise of a Lifetime

A bright flash of light engulfed the cyan pegasus. She scrunched her eyes closed and yelped at the intensity of the light. In her ears, a cold, harsh voice echoed out.

"... this was but the beginning of my hell..."

A hollow screech, followed by deathly silence. After what felt like an eternity, the light slowly dimmed out, allowing the pegasus to open her eyes. She blinked several times to adjust to the luminosity of the room and gaped. She was in what seemed to be a room filled with tiny beds and several young foals, about the same age as Scootaloo. Amongst the playing foals, Rainbow noticed the shape of the lavender filly playing with a silver filly pegasus with a pale blue mane. They seemed to be very excited about something.

"Mommy signed me up for Princess Celestia' school for gifted unicorns! I still can't believe it," the filly grinned at her friend, who seemed to share her enthusiasm. "However, I have to pass an entrance exam, and my magic is terrible!" Twilight whined.

Silverstar tackled the lavender unicorn, giggling. Twilight fought back, and withing a few seconds, it became a joyfull game of wrestling. After a while, they both tired out and sat on their backs, panting. "You know, Twi', you can do anything! You're the best unicorn ever!" she grinned with confidence at her lavender friend. Twilight blushed and sighed happily.

The silvery pegasus rose from the carpet and motioned for Twilight to follow her. Rainbow followed closely the two fillies, a frown on her face. 'Ugh, this is getting boring...' she muttered angrily under her breath.

The two fillies arrived at a secluded place outside the orphanage, a large oak tree overseeing the whole building from a hill, the Sun's warming rays gently breaking through the leaves, bathing the ground below in a mystical dancing shadow. Rainbow flew up and laid herself in the branches of the oak, gazing at the two fillies below, curious as to what was so important about this memory.

Twilight and Silverstar were whispering each other sweet words, giggling and snorting playfully. After some time, the silvery pegasus filly leaned in, closing her eyes. Her lips met those of the lavender filly, staying a little while before breaking up, panting. Silverstar opened her eyes and blushed, averting her gaze from her friend. Twilight was quite shocked, but snapped out of the trance and smiled, blushing herself. The cyan pegasus that was watching the whole display was stunned, her eyes the size of dishes.

After an awkward silence, Twilight approached the pegasus filly and embraced her, sighing happily. "I love you, Silverstar... You're my best friend ever!"

The other filly sniffled and chuckled lightly, tightening the hug. "I love you too, Twilight Sparkle," she looked her friend in the eyes, tears glistening in her eyes. "There's something I want you to know," she became serious all of a sudden.

The lavender filly looked questioningly at her friend, not sure what to make of her sudden change. "Is something wrong?"

Silverstar smiled weakly and pointed her right hoof at Twilight's heart. "I-I just want you to know... If there ever comes a time when we cannot be together... always know, that I am here," she poked at Twilight's chest. "If you carry me in your heart, then I will always be there, together with you. Forever," she smiled, resting her head on the lavender filly's shoulder, sobbing silently.

Twilight was stunned, her own eyes watering up, threatening to spill her tears soon. She hugged her friend even harder and gave a weak chuckle. "We will be together forever, Silverstar. I promise you!"

The silver pegasus stood up and chuckled. "Whoever arrives last at the house gets no cookies!" she grinned.

Twilight gasped and growled. "We have a deal."

The two fillies grinned and set out running back to the house, unaware of a cyan pegasus that stood above them at all times. Rainbow Dash witnessed everything. She could not hold back her tears, her own heart aching. She was crying, a soft smile on her lips. Glancing towards the house, she wiped her tears and straightened herself. She took off and flew towards the house, until she felt herself collapse in a white chasm. She yelped and tried flying upwards, but found herself paralyzed. She heard that voice again.

"...sometimes, love can bring you so much happiness. But what happens when all of that is taken away?...

Panicking, she screamed out, before fading into the abyss.

Panting and sweating, her heart beating faster than ever, the cyan pegasus was blinded by a bright light, which again faded away, leaving her on a stretched out corridor, of a pale white. Rainbow's nostrils were filled with the scent of medicine, of sterility. The utter 'blankness' of the air was suffocating, startling her. Then, it hit her.

It was a hospital.

Rainbow trotted down the corridor, avoiding several doctors and nurses walking around with clipboards and carts. Suddenly she heard a familiar voice, approaching her. Glancing to her left, she took notice of the filly Twilight, now a bit older, bearing a cutie mark aswell, trotted down the corridor along with her mother, staring sadly at the ground. When they passed by, she raised her head and nodded at the pegasus, motioning her to follow.

They paced slowly along the corridor until they finally stopped at room 102. Twilight's mother nuzzled her daughter affectionately and left. The lavender unicorn exhaled shakily a few times and took a deep breath. She magicked the door open and trotted inside, followed by the cyan pegasus, who was staring confused at the scene. Twilight took a turn to the right and disappeared behind a curtain.

Rainbow followed the unicorn and pulled the curtains aside, revealing a pale silvery figure laying in a hospital bed on its left side, facing the unicorn. Her mane was nowhere to be seen, only scars visible where it should have been. Her body was weak, drained of life, a very thin skin covering the bones, looking like the resting pony had been starving for a long time. Rainbow gasped in shock when she noticed a pair of very skinny and sickly wings protruding from the body of the sleeping pony. She now recognized it. The ill pony was Silverstar.

The pale silvery pegasus was sleeping, her breathing was ragged, a respiratory machine wheezing restlessly beside her. A couple of IV drips hung from poles surrounding the bed. Next to her pillow were several other syringes, filled with a strange, colourless fluid, labelled 'adrenaline'. Rainbow did not know much medicine, but she knew enough to understand that the liquid was keeping one's heart from stopping. Realization hit her full force. Silverstar was dying.

The only sound noticeable in the room was the medical machines' regular blipping and wheezing, and the sound of soft sobbing. Rainbow glanced to the unicorn beside her and cringed. Twilight was crying into her friend's hooves, completely burying her head into the pegasus' slowly rising chest. The cyan mare swallowed the lump in her throat and exhaled shakily.

"Twi'," she cooed gently, "why is she here... What happened to her?"

The lavender unicorn raised her head from her friend and stared into Rainbow's rosey eyes. She sniffled and wiped her tears, only to be replaced by fresh ones. "Mother told me she was diagnosed with leukemia at birth. She says that was the reason why Silverstar was abandoned in a maternity, shortly after she was born. Over the time, her body started to degrade, causing her to feel very sick. My parents tried helping her with the treatment, but she did not respond well. After a few years of struggles, her body began to shut down. She was brought in two months ago, when she could no longer stand up," she paused to catch her breath, shoulders heaving with pain. "They... they called us in today... because she is going to die. This is the last time-" Twilight was interrupted by a soft moan, turning around to see her friend stirring, her eyes slowly opening. The lavender unicorn rushed to Silverstar's side and held her hooves, while stroking her coat.

Silverstar slowly opened her eyes, groaning. Her body was hurting so much, wincing in pain at any movement. Her eyes darted around, her vision blurry. She noticed a purple blur in front of her and tried focusing, blinking rapidly several times.

"Ugh... Twi', is... is that you?" she whimpered in a raspy voice, her throat hurting.

"Yes, sweetie, I'm right here. Have some water," Twilight replied gently, grabbing a glass of water from the night stand with her magic and giving her friend a few sips.

The water felt heavenly, soothing Silverstar's throat. She coughed a few times and sighed, tried to adjust her position in bed, only to yelp in pain. "Aiee, ughh, oh Celestia it hurts..." she cried out softly, her eyes scrunched shut. Twilight hushed her and kissed her gently on the forehead. With her free hoof, she caressed her neck and helped relieve her pain. Silverstar's breathing was becoming calm, taking time to relax herself. She felt safe when she was with her friend, her lover. Suddenly, she felt something wet hit her coat. She opened her eyes slightly and gazed at the lavender unicorn. Tears were streaming her cheeks, her eyes shut out of pain, choking out sobs. They carried the weight of guilt and sorrow. Silverstar smiled and poked her friend.

"Hey, Twi', remember what I told you a few years ago, under the old oak, back at the orphanage?"

Twilight sniffled and wiped her tears off, looking at her friend with a sad frown. "Y-yes... and only now," she coughed, more tears leaving her eyes, "only now do I realize what you meant." She wailed. "I don't want to lose you, Silverstar. You're my only friend! I love you too much, I can't bear the thought, please don't leave me!" she cried out.

Silverstar looked peacefully upon the lavender unicorn, shakily raising a hoof to wipe off her tears and caress her cheek. "My dearest Twilight, I will never leave your side... Never. I-" she stammered, her eyes watering. "I will always, always... be here," she pointed at Twilight's heart, again. "Never... never forget that, my dearest... Twilight Sparkle, I promise..." she spoke, her voice dropping at the end of the sentence, a painful silence followed by a constant beep sound echoing out in the room. Silverstar was gone, her face wearing a soft smile, a gleam of hope in her half closed eyes. Her friend however, was broken.

The lavender unicorn held everything inside her, refusing to cry again, although she could not deny the immense pain in her heart. It burned her so much she wanted to scream out in agony. But she did not. She sniffled and sighed, rising from her spot and turning towards Rainbow Dash. The cyan pegasus was speechless, merely staring sadly at the broken unicorn in front of her. However, she did not say anything and simply trotted out the door.

Rainbow tried to follow her, but her path was blocked by falling debris. It appeared that the entire room was falling apart, engulfed in a black mist, burning everything it touched. The cyan pegasus panicked again and started screaming for help. Her cries of despair did not go unnoticed. A very loud ringing caused Rainbow Dash to cover her ears and yell out, her eardrums hurting a lot. Then, it suddenly stopped, allowing a voice to be heard out in the darkness of the void.

"...emotional wounds can destroy a pony forever... That's why... that's why it's better to be alone..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The clouds above the Everfree Forest were swirling furiously, lightning bolts flying across the heavens, lighting up the dark atmosphere. Wind blew with speed, picking up debris, turning into twisters that ravaged the land. A small rocky structure protruded from the ground, bearing a large double gate, bearing very powerful enchantments. The path leading to the structure was paved with the remains of many ponies, trampled bones and decaying flesh littering the ground; a gruesome sight to behold.

While on the outside, chaos was at its home, on the inside, a small squad formed of four royal guards stood around a table playing poker, oblivious to the extreme weather outside. A small pegasus guard, bearing a smile, looked at his comrades and snorted.

"Pff, guys, you really need to learn to play this game! I can't play all by myself. Here, let me give you a stimulant. Those who lose have to kiss each other," he said with a sly grin. The other guards grimaced and spat. One of them, a muscular earth pony gazed at the pegasus guard and chuckled.

"Oooh, that sounds interesting, Artie," he blew a kiss towards the said pegasus.

Artie glared at the big stallion, wanting to say something, but was interrupted by a strange feeling. He glanced at his friends and frowned, the sensation becoming harder to bear by each passing second. The others seemed to share his weight.

"This ain't good... To arms! Get ready for anything!" he barked at the other ponies, rallying them quickly.

Each of the four guards picked their swords and shield and stood in a row facing the gate, ready for anything. Sweat was pouring down their faces, their expressions becoming more grim. They braced themselves as the air became suffocating, before the sensation faded out completely. They glanced uneasily at each other, shrugging.

"What the hay was that?" one of the guards asked, confused at the strange phenomenon.

"Probably one of those shadow monsters wandering around... Buck him, let's get back to our-"

*KA-BOOOOM*

The explosion reverberated throughout the entire settlement, shaking it to its foundation. The thick doors were blown open with a gargantuan force, killing half of the guards and rendering the other two immobile. Fire burned out into the room, as the air carried its foul stench deeper into the compound. Artie, the pegasus guard raised his head briefly and scanned his surroundings, gasping when he noticed his dead comrades. His eyes snapped and glanced fearfully at the entrance of the building. In the billowing smoke and black mist, a shadowy figure as tall as Celestia trotted casually inside, stopping nose in nose with the small pegasus.

"Knock knock," Dawn smiled menacingly. Using her magic, she picked up the two surviving guards and trotted further down the corridors with them, heading towards the area where the residents of Ponyville would be hiding. She hummed to herself as she approached, her body convulsing with excitement. She reached a large door resembling the one at the entrance, however this one did not bore any enchantments. Something was wrong. Placing her ear on the door, she focused on any sounds that could be heard.

Silence.

Her face contorted in anger and turned towards one of the guards. "Where are they? Answer me, and I will grant you a swift death," she hissed at the injured pony.

Artie's comrade, Hulkshield, stared blankly at the black unicorn, snorting. "Like... like hell I'll tell ya."

Dawn became infuriated and poured more magic into her grip, bending her captive's body until it snapped from the middle, spraying blood everywhere. No howls of pain. He died quickly. However, his friend, Artie, was shaking in her grip, fear clearly etched on his face, sweat and blood drenching his pristine white coat.

"And I suppose you won't tell me either, right?"

Artie shook his head and yelped. "I will tell you anything, just... just please, let me live! I-I promise to tell you everything, just please, spare me!" he cried out at the black unicorn, his body convulsing in shock.

The Crimson Dawn pondered the trade and nodded. "Very well. Tell me everything, and you may leave in one piece."

The pegasus guard was dropped on the ground. He yelped in pain, wincing at every movement. Taking a deep breath, he began. "This was just a decoy, the real shelter is under Wildermane Keep, from the Fort to the west of Equestria, into the gryphon lands. Every pony was taken there through a series of tunnels and air ships. The outlying villages have been evacuated aswell. The Royal Guard stood behind to sacrifice themselves to hold out the enemy while the others escaped. This is all I know!" he covered his head with his arms.

Dawn stared blankly at him and frowned. "So, you say this was just a waste of time?!" she snapped, gripping him with her magic and proceeded to crush him.

He cried out in pain and begged for release, as his life was fading away. Suddenly, he was released from the grip and fell on his back, wailing in anguish, his wings being crushed to splinters. He glanced angrily at the departing black unicorn. Gathering whatever strength he had left, he yelled after her.

"Hey! You daughter of a whore! Come back here, I forgot to tell you something!" he bellowed, coughing up more blood. He found himself enveloped in a black aura once again and brought face to face with an angry unicorn, staring him down, bloodlust evident in her eyes.

"How DARE you insult my mother, you-"

"Cut the crap out, missy *cough*," Artie interrupted her, a smile appearing on his face. Dawn gasped. "I almost forgot... " he leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"Checkmate."

Loud explosions roared wildly, as the whole complex crumbled, burying down the deranged unicorn along with the guard. The ground shook fiercely, towers of dust rising into the already choked skies, the particles picked by the wind and blown across the forest. The forest was set ablaze by the burning debris, as it flew in all directions in a small radius of the blast.

As the dust finally settled, the ruins of the fake shelter burned viciously, dark smoke protruding from holes in the rubble. A single, bloody black hoof was stretched out of the debris, motionless. The Crimson Dawn, gravely injured, was buried deep under the rubble. Even though unconscious, she could hear a faint, unknown voice echo in her ears.

"... Pitiful creature, unlike my daughters... you can be injured. You are not immortal, fiend... Brace yourself, for the hour of reckoning approaches, as the flame of your star dies out."

For the Greater Good

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 9: For the Greater Good
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Nine
For the Greater Good

** Fort Wildermane
**Aprox. ten minutes prior to the explosions in the Everfree Forest shelters

A red maned pegasus stallion sat lazily on a chair, eyes half closed, watching the monitors without interest. He shot a glance at the clock. It pointed five o'clock in the afternoon. The stallion sighed and closed his eyes, listening on the radio channels, as rescue teams from Equestria reported their positions and activity. However it wasn't always good news.

'...that's a negative sir. We've lost contact with Bravo extraction team. No sign of them...'

"Damn it, that's the second team this week, what the hay..."

He snapped back to reality at the sound of the door opening. Turning around, he smiled and shook hooves with his colleague, a light orange unicorn mare, bearing the same uniform as him.

"Glad you could make it, Amber," he greeted the mare, flapping his wings once.

The mare grinned and gave him a nudge in the ribs, startling him. "Don't get yerself heated up, cowboy, we ain't here to be lazy or romantic," she smiled triumphantly as the stallion squirmed a bit. "Besides, if you really want some romance," she winked, playfully swinging her tail, "we have all the time after this shift. So be patient, Brendan."

Brendan, the red maned pegasus grinned and nodded. "You think?" He got up from his chair, his wings extended, and approached the mare. "How about," he paused, licking the mare's neck, earning a gasp and a soft moan. "how about a preview, sweetie..." he kissed her, caressing her mane.

"Brendan... I don't think this IS!" she gave a yelp, "the best... huaaah... spot, or ... time!" she scrunched her eyes shut, as he reached her horn.

"Shh, it's just you and-"

BRRRRRRRT BRRRRRRRT

The room went red, as alarms set off one after another. Brendan yelped and fell backwards, landing on his rump. The mare snapped from her trance and quickly scanned the monitors, checking for any anomalies. And she found it.

"Brendan! Take a look at this! Quickly, you numbskull!" she yelled at the lazy pegasus.

Brendan got up, rubbing his rump with a hoof, silently cursing. "What... What could have possibly happened to trigger so many alarms and warnings," he looked at the monitor his co-worker was staring. "Is... is that what I think it is?"

Amber nodded and stared into his eyes, sweat rolling down her forehead. "Aye... it seems the fish has taken the bait... It's only a matter of time before she reaches us. I'm going to look for Captain Valiant Heart! You stay here and check for more anomalies," she turned to leave. "Oh, and Brendan, don't you think you're done with me, ya sly featherbrain," she winked and left through the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amber galloped through the corridors of the castle, running as fast as she could, while dodging other ponies, as she made her way towards the resting chambers on the lower levels. As she turned the corner, she crashed through the door of the bedrooms, panting and slightly hurt.

Four ponies, including a small dragon, stared at the newly arrived with questioning glances. A large, white pegasus rose from his chair and approached the mare. It was the captain.

"Private Amber, what bring you here, especially in such a hurry? Are you alright?" he asked, concerned for the safety of the young mare.

The unicorn took a moment to compose herself and took a deep breath. "Sir, the Everfree Shelters have been blown up! The trap has been set off, as the Princesses predicted," she panted, sweat rolling on her forehead.

Valiant Heart looked genuinely surprised at this. He frowned and gritted his teeth. "That may be so, but that only means she must have learned of our location, or is close to," he glanced at the ponies gathered behind him, eyeing them with fear. Turning to face the exhausted mare, he closed in. "Sound the alarm. It's only a matter of time before the Crimson Dawn is at our very doorstep! We must be prepared. Also, send a messager to the king of Gryphonia, and announce him to prepare for what's worst," he ordered the guard.

Amber saluted the captain and departed hastily, leaving him with the group. Valiant turned and looked at the ponies present in the room and sighed. "Here's the situation, Dawn has taken the bait and fell into our trap. However, she must also know of our position. Can you ladies wield the elements once more?" he asked, pawing nervously at the stone floor.

The orange mare, Applejack, stepped forward and sighed. "Unfortunately, we can't do that. Two elements are missing out, Loyalty and Magic. We can't use 'em, sorry," she apologized, avoiding his gaze.

The white unicorn stepped forward and huffed. "While we don't have all of the elements, I am sure we can at least use them to buy time for Princess Celestia," the unicorn frowned sadly. "If only Princess Luna was here... I cannot thank you enough for saving us from that death trap, in Dragonblight, captain."

Valiant Heart smiled and rubbed the back of his head. "Shucks, you don't have to thank me. It is my job to protect the citizens of Equestria after all, especially the elements," he winked at the unicorn.

Rarity giggled and blushed. She was about to reply when some pony stomped angrily and snorted.

The purple dragon puffed some smoke and growled. "Enough sweet talking you," he pointed angrily at the captain, his eyes twitching.

Valiant Heart laughed along with the other ponies in the room and sighed. "Don't you worry buddy, I ain't here to take your friend away, believe me. Besides, I'm already married," he grinned.

Spike returned the smile and offered to shake his hoof.

"SIR, you must come see this! Come quickly!" the captain was interrupted by a guard barging in the room, panting heavily, an expression of pure shock on his face.

Valiant nodded and motioned for the girls to follow him. They trotted after the frenzied guard, who led them into the yard of the castle, which was full of ponies, all staring upwards, smiles on their faces. As Valiant raised his head, his helm rolled off and fell on the ground with a thud, however he paid no heed. Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Spike followed his motion, gaping at the sight.

The Moon was being lowered, thus breaking the Eclipse.

Valiant blinked several times, seemingly unaffected by the naked Sun. "Hope. At last... some hope."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the Everfree forest, the storm calmed down, but the wind was still blowing furiously, scattering dead leaves and debris everywhere. Fire still burned, fueled by the intense wind and plenty of materials. Beneath the rubble of the still smoldering ruins, the Crimson Dawn was regaining consciousness.

She panted, coughing up dust and blood. Her back legs were broken, and she had several broken ribs, of which two pierced a lung, causing it to fill up with blood, slowly. She coughed and hacked, opening her eyes slightly, adjusting to the surrounding darkness. She winced and yelped loudly as a sharp pain shot up her spine, causing her to shudder and grit her teeth. She took a few moments to relax her mind, reeling in pain, and focused her magic to the tip of her horn. In one mighty push, she was released from the earthly prison, allowing her to raise to her feet and limp away. However, as soon as her eyes met her surroundings, she felt something was wrong.

Light.

There was too much light. Dawn raised her head, scanning the heavens for the Eclipse, only to find out the Sun hovering triumphantly in the skies, while the Moon descended, thus breaking her power links. She whimpered, apparently still in shock after what happened. That feeling was immediately replaced by anger. Hatred. Thirst for blood.

Her blood boiled, the sheer power of her emotions healing her broken body, cauterizing the cuts and fixing the bones. However, the internal damage had yet to be corrected, it needed time. The Crimson Dawn had no time to spare, and summoned her spectral black wings. She gave them a flapping test.

Satisfied with the result, she glanced at the Sun and fumed. "Fort Wildermane, huh? Clever, clever Celestia. However..." she paused, glancing at the remains of the royal guards. "You forgot that I too have tricks up my sleeve."

WIth that, a bright yellow flash and a roar of thunder, the dark demigod disappeared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in the Wildermane Fort infirmary, Fluttershy resumed her work and tended to the wounded ponies that came in waves, as fewer and fewer rescue teams reached the safety of the gryphon lands. She trotted over to a cabinet and picked up some morphine, bringing it over to a guard whose body beared deep claw marks

The injured pony's squad ran into a berserking shadowfiend, decimating the troops and the few civilians they had picked up. He was amongst the only survivors, however he had lost his eyesight, a large gash across his face. The poor earth pony cried out in pain, flailing his hooves around, desperate to grab something to hold.

Fluttershy approached the bed of the guard and hushed him, gently caressing his back, causing him to calm slightly. Picking a syringe, she injected the anesthetic in the guard's neck, pressing slightly. After he fell into a deep sleep, she picked a few bandages and carefully cleaned the open wounds on his back.

One of the nurses trotted over to the yellow pegasus and began sewing the cleaned wounds, a smile on her face. "Miss Fluttershy, do you think this nightmare will be over soon?"

The shy pegasus stopped from her work and sat for a while. "Well... I-I can't know for sure. B-but, the presence of the Sun does give us s-some good n-news, that is... What do you think, nurse?"

"I have faith in our Princess. Everything will be alright, in the end, I can feel it," the nurse smiled at the pegasus. Finishing her work, she picked up and trotted over to the next bed.

Suddenly, new alarms started ringing loudly, causing the shy pegasus to yelp and duck under a bed, shivering in fright. The nurse looked surprised at this, but continued her work. A large unicorn guard came into the infirmery, a frown on his face. "The fort is under attack by shadowfiends. Be prepared to receive more injured, there's alot of them outside!"

Fluttershy got out from under the bed and nodded weakly, still shivering. "Y-yes s-sir..."

The stallion nodded and left the room, to join his squad.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside, the situation was dire. No less than twelve spawns of evil rampaged at the front doors of the keep, battling the ponies and gryphons that arrived at the scene. Fierce battle cries and howls of pain and madness echoed through the wind, as the soldiers of Equestria clashed swords with the menacing beasts,

Captain Valiant sat atop the walls and barked out orders to the troops, sweat pouring down his face. This was no coincidence. 'She must be getting desperate if she sent so many wraiths in such a short notice. No wonder, seeing she just lost half of her power when the Eclipse broke...' he thought to himself. He continued to commandeer his troops across the bloody field, as the shadows fell one after the other, but not without causing heavy casualties to the troops.

Unknown to the ponies within the keep, several monsters slipped through the darkness of the mountain, and slipped inside the castle walls, through a secret passage that spread under the whole complex. Four unicorns prepared a catapult, aiming at the remaining attackers.

"Johny, boy, load that thing faster, they ain't gonna wait all day for us!"

"Yessir!" one of the unicorns replied hastily, pouring more magic into the boulder. "Alright, prepare to fire, on my mark! Three... Two... One...-" just as he was about to order the attack, the catapult was suddenly sent flying by six new shadowfiends that came from under the ground, through a hatch. One of the fiends lunged at the unicorns and bit down into one of them, while the others were sent flying by a tail swipe.

The ponies noticed the intruders too late, as they already spread out throughout the entire court, easily killing off the confused soldiers. The Captain witnessed everything. Taking his blade, he leaped from the walls and dived into one of the beasts, cutting it down from its waist. He allowed himself a smirk, preparing to strike at the other demons when he felt himself knocked over by something massive.

Skidding to a halt on his belly, Valiant turned around rapidly to see a large, three headed demon, flames protruding from its skeletal head. "A Cerberus, are you serious?!" Valiant yelped, taking flight to avoid the beast as it lunged at him once again. "Alright, not good..." his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain at the back of his head, causing him to free fall.

Just as he approached the ground at high speed, he felt himself slowed down and carried away by powerful magic. Rubbing his head, he noticed the color of the aura, a bright glowing white. 'This is...!' his eyes widened in surprise, glancing at the castle. In front of the main gates, a white unicorn, purple-maned, magicked him away from danger.

"Well, darling, you could say we are even now," Rarity winked at the disoriented captain. Glancing at the small purple dragon beside her, she winked and dropped the pegasus on the ground. Valiant landed with a loud thud and clattering of metal, groaning.

"Why did you do that for?" he asked, chuckling.

"Why, revenge, of course." Rarity raised her head and smiled, eying the captain. "Never fear, I did not break your rump, yet," she giggled.

"Har har, very funny, miss Rarity. Now, if you'll please excuse me, I have to-" Valiant was interrupted by a crack of thunder. Getting airborne, he gaped at the scene. The attackers were retreating, leaving through the front doors. His troops ran after them, but after a sharp whistle, they stopped in their tracks. Taking a deep breath, the captain bellowed. "Go outside and search for survivors! Get the injured inside, make haste!" Turning to the white unicorn, he fixed his helm on his head and bowed. "Miss Rarity," he said, as he flew inside the keep.

A rescue team formed out of six unicorns and one pegasus was sent outside the safety of the castle to search for ponies that survived the encounter with the fiends. The white pegasus mare scanned the area, cringing when she noticed just how many corpses of her comrades were spread over, blood pooling in massive ponds.

"See anything, Starfire?" a unicorn asked her, from below.

"Just... just bodies, sir, nothing else!" she replied. Her eyes continued scanning the surroundings, hoping for a miracle. And she found it. "Sir! There is one still alive! Over here!" she cried out, landing. Before her eyes, a unicorn mare sat on the ground, breathing heavily. She had lost her protection, leaving her wide open to the attacks of the demons. Deep claw marks were spread all over her chest, blood flowing freely from the wounds.

The unicorn squad arrived and immediately began tending to the injured pony. "She needs to get to the infirmary, now! Starfire, you keep scanning the area, there has to be more survivors. You have your orders, private!" the squad leader barked. The pegasus nodded and flew away from the group. The unicorn levitated the unconscious mare on top of his back. "Alright folks, you go ahead with Starfire, I'm taking this one to the infirmary!" he spoke, breaking into a gallop towards the keep. 'Hang on there, miss. We'll fix you in no time...'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The unicorn carrying the injured soldier galloped hurriedly through the corridors of the castle, barely dodging troops that were heading towards the war room for debriefing on a new rescue mission. Through the masses of ponies, the unicorn spotted the door leading into the infirmary and leaped, skidding on his belly right through it, stopping before a yellow pegasus that stared at him questioningly. Getting up gently, he cleared his throat.

"Miss Fluttershy, we found a survivor! She's badly injured and needs your help!"

The shy mare nodded and pointed towards an empty bed near the end of the room. "Place her over there please, I will tend to her immediately," she spoke softly, flying over to the cabinets and acquiring medication, bandages and sewing materials. The unicorn eyed her intently, before excusing herself and leaving her to tend to the patient.

Fluttershy approached the mare writhing in pain, gently hushing her. She picked the water and disinfectant and cleaned the wound on her chest first, gently following the deep gashes. Palping lightly, she could feel several cracked ribs, one of which pierced her left lung, causing it to flood with blood. "Oh dear, this isn't good..." she squeaked, picking up a plastic tube and attempted to drive it through the nostrils of the injured mare, guiding it towards the lung.

The injured pony opened her left eye slightly, focusing on the yellow shape before her. She coughed twice, each time spitting a small amount of blood on the pillow. Groaning, she turned to better see her doctor, smiling briefly.

"Oh, you're awake, how do you feel?" Fluttershy asked, who continued to work at the mare's wounds.

"Ugh... Like I've been hit by a sack of bricks... Say, Miss Fluttershy, can I ask you something?"

The shy pegasus blinked rapidly, not sure what to think. "Um, s-sure thing, miss."

The injured mare took a deep breath, wincing at the pain in her chest, exhaling shakily. "Where... where are the other elements... are they safe?" she asked, a look of genuine concern on her face, her eyes pleading.

Fluttershy fidgeted a bit, thinking carefully. "Why would you want to know that, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well... they are our only hope," she coughed, trying to get the blood out of her throat. "Both the princesses have gone missing. All we have... is you, our heroes. Tell me... please," she pleaded once more, her voice not higher than a whisper.

The yellow pegasus sighed and trotted over to a cabinet to retrieve more materials. "They are all here, in the castle, safe and sound. Don't you worry, everything will be alright, in the end, I promise you!" she replied.

"Perfect." A completely different, evil voice replied.

The door to the infirmary was slammed shut, a magical lock placing itself on it, completely isolating the room from the rest of the castle. Many of the ponies in the infirmary were startled by this, a glint of fear rising in their hearts. Fluttershy was stunned, panting heavily, sweat pouring down her face. Turning around to face the source of the voice, she heard yelps of fright and severe pain from the other patients, as they tried to lift themselves up and back away from her. Finally, her blue eyes met a black figure steadily rising from the bed, her crimson eyes glowing with power, a wry smile etched upon her face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The unicorn from the rescue team trotted lightly down the corridors, to report the events. Inside the office of the castle, he was met by the captain, who greeted him warmly.

"Brian, good job on the field. So what did you lads find?"

"Thank you, sir," he cleared his throat. "We found a severely injured unicorn mare, apparently from the seventh squad-"

"Wait wait wait, did you said 'seventh squad'?" The captain interrupted him, puzzled.

The unicorn stammered. "Well... yes, that was her inscription on the armour," he smiled sheepishly. However, the captain frowned, stunned.

"Brian... The seventh squad got killed in the Everfree Forest... and besides... there was no unicorn in the squad, especially a unicorn mare... Where is she now?"

Brian replied in a soft squeak. "Uhh, the infirmery?"

"But... Fluttershy is there... Oh no." Valiant finally realized the trickery. "Anduin, Blackhoof, gather three squads and report to the infirmary immediately! On the double sergeants!"

"Sir yer sir!" two ponies replied and galloped out of the room, leaving the unicorn to himself, as the captain left aswell.

Valiant flew through the door and sped towards the other wing of the castle which housed the injured. 'I hope I'm not too late!'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the infirmary, Dawn cackled loudly, as she slid the Royal Guard's armour off her, revealing her black coat. Her mane was still covered by the neck protectors and the helm, which radiated an ominous aura.

"Thought you could just hide away from me?" Dawn asked her terrified friend, advancing on her. "You are the only ones standing in the way of total annihilation. It's only justified that I kill you all, right here," she paused, flinching as she brought up her right hoof to cover her mouth as she coughed more blood. "Celestia's cursed plan to trap me in the Everfree has failed, as you can see... ugh..." she groaned.

Fluttershy backed into a corner, whimpering, eyeing the cabinet which held the discarded weapons of the injured housed in the room. As much as she wanted to, she could not bring herself to harm, not even her. And still...

The black insane unicorn screamed out in pain, as she noticed the silvery hilt of a sword, embedded in her chest. Raising her head, her eyes burned with intensity. Her horn glowed a dark lavender, picking up the yellow pegasus and threw her at the wall at high speed, cracking it upon impact. Fluttershy howled in pain, a shallow gash across her forehead bleeding profusely, the blood mixing with her tears. She wailed out, flailing wildly, trying to get away from her former friend.

Dawn chuckled at the display and brought her nose to nose. "You call that pain? I will show you what I have learned of pain. You will beg for death," she spoke, grinning madly at the defenseless pegasus. "Consider yourself lucky, you will die quickly, I haven't got time to spare. Good bye, Fluttershy..." she finished, summoning a dark blade at her side, ready to strike her captive. The shy pegasus closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable.

Nothing happened.

Fluttershy heard sniffing. She felt the magic shuddering. When she opened her eyes, she gaped in shock at the sight before her. The Crimson Dawn was... crying, silently, her eyes scrunched shut. Her lips moved, as if she were speaking. Deciding not to attract her attention, she listened quietly, trying to pick up any words from her. And she did.

"...I can't... I can't do this, I can't kill her... no, no... why...Silverstar..." Dawn opened her eyes and stared at the yellow pegasus, her pink mane stained with blood. Taking a deep breath, she cried out at her captive. "Why can't I kill you!? What stops me from ending your miserable life!?" With that, she dropped her on the floor, turning towards the closest wall and wailing out.

Fluttershy, still shocked by the event, rose to her hooves, but dared not to walk away. Gathering courage, she started speaking softly to the black unicorn. "Twilight... I know you're in there... please, stop this... stop hurting us. Stop hurting yourself. We are your friends... T-Twilight. Please, stop this..." she pleaded, slowly approaching the crying unicorn.

"Buck off!" the black unicorn snapped at the shy pegasus, sending her flying into a wardrobe, causing it to fall over her. She composed herself and summoned the blade once more, approaching the unconscious pegasus. "I won't hesitate..."

Rapid knocks on the door and shouting caught her attention, for a few seconds. She chuckled. "You won't be able to go through that door, you foals. Await your fate... in silence!" she howled, as she sent a wave of magic through the walls, pushing every pony behind it away from it, knocking them out cold from the sheer force of the push.

"Back to work," she grinned, raising her blade. "Give my regards to hell," she smiled victoriously, as she swung.

"You will not harm that mare..." a new voice echoed out in the room. Dawn's eyes widened in shock, and before she could react, she was sent flying by a blast of pure magic, crashing through the thick walls of the castle and straight into the back yard.

Slowly rising from the dust, coughing up more blood, she glared at the guards surrounding her, swords drawn, ready to strike. That was the least of her concerns. 'That voice... can it be?'

A bright flash of light, followed by a roar of thunder pierced the skies, as a new figure stood before her crimson eyes. Adorned in golden armour, shining brighter than a thousand stars, a white alicorn stood proudly before her, a fiercely glowing white blade hovering next to her. The Crimson Dawn gritted her teeth and spat out more blood. "You..." she blurted out, as the alicorn advanced on her, ready to strike out.

Dawn rose to her feet and summoned her own blade, clashing out with the alicorn. She narrowed her eyes and growled menacingly. "How dare you..." she spoke, infuriated by the fact that her enemy smiled victoriously.

"Wipe that grin of your face... Celestia!" her cry echoed throughout the mountains, followed by a loud crack of thunder.

The battle for Fort Wildermane had begun.

Emptiness. Glitter of Hope

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 10: Emptiness. Glitter of Hope
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Ten
Emptiness. Glitter of Hope

Back in the void of Twilight's soul, the Princess of the Night sat in thought, contemplating an escape plan. It had been more than a day since the cyan pegasus and the lavender filly entered the vault of memories. She was becoming impatient, as the more time they spent in the prison, the less chances they had to escape. A soft yawn drawed her attention, glancing to her right. Even through all of this madness, she found the strength to smile at the two ponies snoozing at her side, her former student, Silverghost and the small pegasus filly, Scootaloo.

The serenity was broken by a shift in the flow of magic, startling the alicorn. Luna got up and nudged the silvery unicorn. "Wake up Silverghost, something's happening," she whispered sternly to the sleepy unicorn.

"Huh, Princess? What, is something wron-aaaaahh w-what the h-hay?!" Silverghost shuddered, feeling her power being drained forcefully from her heart, becoming weaker with each passing second. "P-Princess... I-I can't-" she stammered, before collapsing on the cold floor.

The Princess wasn't doing any better struggling to contain her own magic. "Ugh, don't you go sleeping on me, Silverghost! Scootaloo, are you-" she gasped, noticing the filly becoming more and more thin, like something was devouring the flesh of her bones. Scootaloo groaned in pain, mumbling something through her moans.

"...no, Twilight... stop fighting...aauugh!" she cried out, before falling unconscious from the drain, her body glowing a soft purple.

Princess Luna growled in frustration and summoned the remaining of her power. "Guardian of Ancient Kings, at my side!" she howled, her horn glowing a bright white. The power drain stopped suddenly, as a large bubble surrounded her and her companions, severing off the magical links to the prison.

The silvery unicorn woke up from her unwanted nap and groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Ugh, Princess? Wha, what happened?" she glanced towards the alicorn of the night, her eyes meeting a second figure standing beside, her, glowing like the Sun itself. An alicorn, clad in golden armour, bearing a sword and a shield in its magical grip, emanating a warm, soothing aura that seemingly protected them from the dark magic surrounding them. "What... what is that?"

Luna panted, as she overexerted her powers when she summoned the guardian. "This, huu, haaa, this is an ancient servant of the Old Order of the World. It was given to us as a maturing gift from our parents, alongside the Sun and Moon respectively, over four thousand years ago. However, it uses all... all of my magic to maintain," she spoke, struggling to breathe, sweat pouring from her face, and her muzzle bleeding from the stress. "Get the small one, we have to move out, I cannot keep this up for much longer."

Silverghost complied, picking up the weakened orange filly and placing her on her back. "But, what about Rainbow Dash? What if she comes back, and gets attacked like us?"

Luna frowned, turning to face her student. "Unfortunately, we have to assume that risk. If we stay behind, I will get overwhelmed and the dark magic will break through the shield. Silverghost, I know you are loyal to your friends, even those you've just met, but we can't take that risk. Let's go, I'm sure she will be fine," she calmly spoke to the unicorn, despite having difficulties standing upright from the exertion.

Silverghost nodded and trotted beside her teacher. "Alright, Princess, let's go!"

Luna smiled and galloped away, Silverghost following close behind, while the golden alicorn spectre running in front of her, slashing at the tendrils of shadow that tried to penetrate the shield. 'I hope you're alright, Rainbow Dash... what's taking you so long!?' the night alicorn gritted her teeth, silently swearing at the situation, being forced to leave behind the element of Loyalty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside the castle, in the back yard, the Regent of the Sun clashed swords with her former pupil, unleashing magic of a potency unseen before. Each time they swung, the mountains would shake, the sound of metal crying out under the magical pressure echoing out into the heavens. The soldiers stood and gaped at the battle before their eyes. Two entities, equal in power, measured themselves, as they leaped at each others throats, the intent to kill floating in the air.

Crimson Dawn jumped out of the way of the white Alicorn's charge, spinning wildly in the air before crying out in rage, swinging madly at the seemingly distraught Princess. Her blade met the dust, trapping itself, as Celestia teleported away and charged once again, this time head forward, impaling her in the chest, drawing first blood. Dawn cried out in pain and teleported to a safe distance to compose herself, however the white alicorn gave her no pause, as she threw her blade at her with such a force that she thought it could break a mountain in half.

Dawn ducked as much as she could, avoiding the sharp edge of the sword as it flew above her head, embedding itself in the walls behind her, shattering them to dust. She rose to her feet and coughed, more blood oozing from her new wound. Her eyes were starting to lose focus, struggling to keep herself on her feet. 'How could I have come here in such a condition?! Am I that insane?!' she growled internally. She exhaled shakily and smiled. 'No need to worry, I still have that,' she smirked, narrowing her eyes.

The black unicorn rose to her hooves and levitated her blade at her side, taking on a defensive stance, as Celestia re-summoned her sword. Sweat dripped from her forehead, her heart beating faster and faster. There was a chance that she might get killed if she did not focus. However, she still had a job to do. The elements had to die. Now.

Dawn forced magic out of her, gathering it all at the tip of her horn, compressing it into a black ball of energy. Celestia took notice of this and summoned a large shield around herself, preparing for the attack. The swirling ball of magic was compressed so much, the very air around it seemed to ignite from the sheer pressure of it.

With a cry of hatred, the orb was fired at such a speed it could only be seen by the Princess. Celestia crouched and prepared to deflect it, only to gape in shock when she realized that she wasn't the target to begin with.

"No!" she cried out, teleporting instantly before the spectating bearers of the elements, who watched in shock as the world around them twisted from the powerful magic. Celestia's shield deflected the blast successfully, but at a cost. She was sent flying into the castle, skidding through the cobble stone floors. She coughed and spat blood, wincing as a sharp pain shot from her sides. 'Great, I think I broke two ribs...'

Celestia growled, pawing at the floor, before shooting off into the open once again, aiming directly at the disoriented unicorn. 'One strike! That's all I need!' she pleaded with her luck, banking left and swinging upwards, managing to cut the deranged unicorn once more, injuring her greatly.

Dawn recovered fast from the pain and flew away, positioning herself across the field, her vision blurry from tears of anger. She could barely breathe, let alone stand on her legs. She lost focus for a moment, causing her to collapse on the ground, yelping out in pain. She was exhausted.

"What happened, done already?" Celestia asked the dark unicorn, swinging her blade around. "I thought you could do more than that, or are you that weak?" she spat, chuckling.

Dawn rose from the ground, shaking the dust of herself, pouring some magic into her wounds, cauterizing it. She winced slightly at the pain, but paid no attention. "Celestia, always so full of yourself... Thinking you already won when the battle has just begun? Hah! This time I will finish the job; I have the power to do it!" she seethed, her aura shifting once more.

Celestia felt this sudden change in her aura and stepped back cautiously, eying her enemy intently. 'What's on her mind? I must act fast, before she gets her chance,' she thought strategically, bracing herself.

The magical aura enveloped the dark unicorn, her devilish features becoming more visible, fangs sprouting from her muzzle and her eyes' sclera becoming black, a white mist emanating from them. Her spectral wings vanished altogether, the energy seeping into her coat, strengthening the muscles and giving her mane a surge of power, as it shifted from being physical to becoming a dark mist, similar to Nightmare Moon and Luna's.

Celestia felt unusually scared by the display of power, but what came next made her heart skip a beat.

The Crimson Dawn, radiating a black mist, frowning, used her blade to carve a sign on the ground, on which she then spat some blood that kept flowing from her pierced lung. Completing the summoning rune, she smirked at the white alicorn.

"Carve their corpses... Abaddon, Angel of the Bottomless Pit!" she bellowed, causing the sky to darken, black clouds gathering at the peak of the heavens, shrouding the land in darkness, the Sun's bright glow dissapearing behind the black mass. Violent winds picked up, as they howled through the mountains, frightening the spectators, and the white alicorn herself.

CRACK-AKOOOM

A flash of lightning, followed by a cry of anguish pierced the darkened skies. Narrowing her eyes, Celestia gazed in disbelief at the creature standing before her. Such power, such a vile aura. She was frightened beyond recognition, her grip on the blade wavering. She bit her lower lip, swallowing the lump in her throat. "You... what have you done?! You mad mare!" she cried out at the monster. Dawn laughed. Evil, insane, laughter. Celestia froze on the spot. She could not think straight anymore. 'Wh-what is that?! That can't be the Crimson Dawn... this power is beyond our own!' Gritting her teeth, she yelled as loud as she could.

"What the hell are you!?"

Dawn started advancing, her magic swirling around her, holding in its grip a black scythe, purple runes etched along its edge, glowing in the eerie darkness that surrounded it. "Is it so surprising, 'Tia?" She teased the white alicorn, edging closer and closer. She glanced at the spectators, enjoying their frightened stares. "Let this be your final lesson," she hissed. "I have become... DEATH!" she howled, swinging at the Princess.

Celestia was paralyzed, her eyes following the motion of the weapon, as it came down upon her. Time seemed to slow down, as the blade edged closer and closer to her coat. Her eyes widened in pain and terror when the cold metal of the blade sunk into her neck, tracing down to her chest. Her magic wavered, disappearing entirely, her sword crumbling to dust before her eyes. She tried to speak, but only gurgle sounds came, as blood flooded her respiratory system. Collapsing on the bloody ground, she caught a glimpse of the demon with her left eye, grinning at her.

Dawn stomped on the alicorn's head victoriously, before turning around to face the spectators. She licked her lips and casually stepped forward, the scythe following closely, fresh blood dripping on the ground. Above her, the skies rumbled, as the clouds broke and rain began pouring heavily.

Valiant, still dizzy from the hit he received, watched hopelessly as his Princess laid in the mud, her pristine white coat stained with blood. For the first time since he became a soldier under the Princesses' command, he cried from his heart. Hope had been lost for Equestria.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna kept galloping through the shadowy corridors, panting heavily, shaking direly. Silverghost was close behind her, exhausted as well from all the running. It didn't help the fact that out of the blue, some monstrous spawns of magic formed and followed them, howling menacingly, threatening to devour them wholesomely.

The alicorn of the night stumbled and fell face first onto the ground, her eye lids heavy. Silverghost stopped by her and pulled at her solidifying mane. "Come on, Princess, we can't rest now! We are so close!"

Luna tilted her head awkwardly and chuckled. "Close, close to where?! We aren't going anywhere at all... I-I need to rest..." she lowered her head, closing her eyes. Her magic had completely faded, the guardian she had summoned vanishing in thin air.

The silvery unicorn was becoming more concerned, as she heard their followers approaching. "No time to sleep, your Highness!" she blurted out, picking up her teacher by her mane, dragging her along further down the endless corridors, hoping for an escape. She moaned in pain as she pulled, advancing slowly. With the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of her followers, causing her to yelp loudly, dropping the Princess. "P-p... Princess! Wake up, we are in trouble! Prince... Princess? Oh, damn it all..." she cursed, glancing wildly to her sides, looking for an escape. All she could see were more cages and cells housing many more sleeping ponies. They were writhing in pain, moaning in a hushed voice, as they flailed about in their sleep. Their essence was being consumed, and it wouldn't be long before she and the Princess would join them.

"Ohmygosh, what can I do?" she asked out loud. "I have to keep running, yiiiipe!" she yelped, grabbing the Princess once again my her mane and dragging her away from harm.

As she rounded a corner, she met a dead end, as a large door, enchanted, blocked her path. "Oh no no no, this is bad! Really, really bad! Some pony... some pony help us!" she cried out, hoping for an answer. And she did receive one, from the beasts, growling hungrily at them. "Ohmygosh, I think this is it... I'm sorry every pony, I'm so sorry I disappointed you!" she wept, falling to her haunches. Then, she felt it.

Before she could say anything, she felt herself levitated towards the door. "Ughh, Princess, uh oh...whooaaaa!" she squeaked as she got pulled through the door, along with the Princess and the still sleeping filly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dawn inched closer and closer to the saddened and shocked soldiers, eyeing them with glee. 'So much fun for me, now that Celestia is finally gone!' she laughed to herself. Her eyes locked onto the shape of her friends, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Spike, Soarin' and many other. Despair was etched on their faces. Her casual trot was interrupted by a whimper, which became more loud with each passing second. Turning her head around, she gaped at the scene.

Celestia, crying out loud, rose from the ground shakily, blood pouring freely from her wound. Even though it was raining, her tears were evident enough, as they shone brightly. Raising her head, she muttered out words, words that cut deep in Dawn's morale.

"... hope. I have lost hope... in saving you, Twilight," she sniffled. "You aren't here anymore... you died twenty years ago. You... You! are just a nopony. You are just a worthless, vengeance driven, ghost of her!" she cried out. "I will do what I must, and lay her to rest, as she deserves. I won't hold back anymore, demon," she hissed.

Dawn was about to reply to the injured Alicorn's claims, but gasped in shock, as the ground shook with vigor, a completely new and unknown force traversing the rifts and gathering at Celestia's position.

She was forced to cover her eyes, as her teacher became ablaze in a bright, her mane becoming a white fire, her coat shifting to match her mane. Her cutie mark resembling the sun had been changed into a red carving, blood slowly dripping from it. Her eyes became orbs of pure power. The aura she radiated had split apart the black clouds, allowing the Sun's light to pour freely unto her, further strengthening her.

The light faded out, leaving in its place the same white alicorn, bearing a magical white, misty mane, flowing upwards. Her eyes had become a soft, glowing cyan. She opened her mouth slowly, blowing in the wind, sending a greenish mist that covered her wounds and healed her fully, restoring her power.

She closed her eyes in concentration and frowned, calling upon her cosmic powers to grant her the ultimate gift of the stars.

"By the power that was granted me as Daughter of the World Maker, I summon thee Glorenzelg, Lament of the Stars!" she cried out, a bolt of light striking down at the alicorn, her appearance changing once more.

The witnesses were forced to cover their eyes for a moment, to protect themselves from the blinding light. Once the light faded, where Celestia were now stood a completely different alicorn, made of constellations. Celestia was no more, only Sol, Vengeance of the Stars.

Sol raised her head and boomed, in a ghostly voice. "Your end... is nigh!"

Dawn raised Abaddon to defend herself. The moment the two weapons made contact, the world was enveloped in a bright flash.

A single cry of pain echoed out, followed by the sound of splintering metal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They were violently spinning through the void. Silverghost closed her eyes and covered her ears, hoping to ignore the fact that she was about to empty her stomach, again. All of a sudden, she hit solid ground with a loud thud, landing on her rump. The filly and the Princess landed near her, she assumed by the sound of it. She heard gasps and loud cheering. She also felt something else.

Warmth. Pleasant warmth, and light. Gently opening her eyes, she gaped at the sight of a tall, regal alicorn, seemingly made out of stars, wielding a large blade, staring at her with wide eyes. Glancing around, she noticed that she was in the back yard of some large castle, somewhere in the mountains. The cheering became louder, and she finally noticed the massive crowds of ponies gathered around her and the majestic alicorn.

"Silverghost, you're back!" she heard a voice from her left. Before she could steer her head, she was knocked to the ground by a pony, hugging her dearly, weeping into her silvery coat.

"What... the hay!?" she managed to blurt out, struggling to breathe through the death hug. Using her magic, she pushed away the pony embracing her, revealing none other than her old office co-worker, Lyric. She smiled warmly and hugged him back.

The Alicorn's shape changed, reverting to her old self, revealing none other than Princess Celestia, as she used to be. SIlverghost waved at the Regent of the Sun and went over to greet her, but stopped, suddenly remembering that Luna came as well.

A groan caught their attention, and every pony gazed at the shape of the alicorn of the night, as she woke up from her nap, her eyes widening as realization struck her. They were free. Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack trotted over to the group, cheering loudly for their friends.

"Welcome back amongst the living, y'all!" greeted the orange cowpony, throwing her hat in the air.

Luna smiled weakly and tried to stand up. Celestia came to her side and lent her a hoof, a wide smile on her face, tears streaming down her face.

"Luna..." she spoke softly, sniffing.

"Celestia... Is it over?"

The white alicorn nodded and leaned in to hug her sister. A sudden explosion and screams of pain startled the celebrating ponies. Celestia helped her sister to her feet and stared off into the direction of the rising smoke. Using her magic, she re-summoned her blade at her side and took on a battle stance. Glancing to her sister, she motioned for her to flee inside the castle along with the other ponies.

Luna nodded briefly and called out to her subjects. "Head back to the castle! Do not stay behind! Flee!" she bellowed, panting. She was still exhausted, drained of energy. She picked up the orange filly snoozing on the ground and placed her on her back, between her wings, preparing to fly towards the castle, when another explosion caused her to fall on her knees. Turning around to see the source of the blast, she gaped in horror.

A badly injured black unicorn, with a broken hilt suspended by her wavering magic inched towards them, bleeding profusely. Her torso had been completely crushed, her right eye had been apparently destroyed. Her horn bared cracks and fissures along its length, shallow trails of blood trickling down on her forehead.

Dawn limped painfully towards the group, breathing with high difficulty, crying out in pain every step. As she neared the blue and white alicorn, she gave each a hateful glance, gritting her teeth.

"This... is not... over," she muttered, focusing her magic one more time, teleporting away from the scene.

Luna sighed sadly, glancing thoughtfully at her sister. "Celestia... I don't know how to break this down to you... but," she paused, forcing her tears back. "The element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash, is currently in the soul of that monster, helping out the true Twilight to defeat her. 'Tia," she choked out a sob, "I thought I had lost you forever..." she wailed, burying her head in her hooves, crying out loud.

The white alicorn approached her sister and picked up the still sleeping filly and levitated her over to a guard, to be sent to the infirmary, while she sat beside her sister and nuzzled her affectionately. "Hush, now, dear sister. I'm here for you... Everything will go back to normal, you'll see," she smiled, scooping the younger alicorn in a tight embrace, allowing her to cry herself out.

After a while, Luna calmed herself and broke the hug, staring into her sister's pink eyes. "Celly, where do you think she went now?"

The Regent of the Sun pondered on the idea for a while, before frowning. "Oh, I do have an idea where she might be..." she whispered in her sister's ears. The moment of peace was interrupted by the crowd bursting into joyous laughter and cheering, at the sight of the two Alicorns reunited. Celestia smiled and lifted up her sister, motioning for her to join the surprise party the element of Laughter had prepared so quickly.

Indeed, they needed to recover... to rest, for they were not ready to face what awaited them in the darkness of the Old Castle in the Everfree Forest, where nightmares come true, and hope is futile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash slowly opened her tired eyes, groaning out loudly. She rubbed her eyes and tried to stand up, quickly realizing just how dizzy she felt. Also, there was something else. She was crying tears of blood. The cyan pegasus gasped loudly and glanced around, looking for the small filly. She immediately recognized the new place she had been placed into: Ponyville's Orphanage. In front of the main door stood a lavender unicorn, silently talking to herself, occasionally giggling. Rainbow was taken aback by the display, and chose to approach her old friend with caution.

"Twi', is that you? What... what happened?" she asked, stepping forward. The lavender unicorn turned and smiled at her friend, sniffling. The sight of her friend completely horrified the pegasus, causing her to scream out in fright. Twilight, just like her, was crying tears of blood, and her right eyes was shut completely, blood oozing slowly from under the lids. She had deep cuts across her chest.

"Rainbow Dash, I'm so happy you could make it! Look, we're getting closer to my final days as a sane pony!" she grinned enthusiastically, further sickening her friend. She started limping weakly towards the cyan pegasus, laughing and crying in pain at the same time.

Rainbow made a great effort to hold her stomach's content inside, as a smell of rot entered her nostrils. Her eyes widened as realization struck. The world of memories she was in... was dying, decaying. It was crumbling to dust. Her time was running out.

Twilight approached her friend and patted her on the shoulder. "Dash, snap out of it, we have to go sign your adoption papers, remember?" she winked with her remaining eye, before limping back, towards the orphanage.

Rainbow Dash was so sick and depressed she wanted to just lay there and cry her pain away, her stomach heaving with disgust. However, a voice snapped her out of her trance.

"... make haste, Rainbow Dash. The final hour is dawning upon us... "

Approaching the Festival

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 11: Approaching the Festival
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Eleven
Approaching the Festival

It had been only a few hours since Princess Celestia came to their side and dealt a heavy blow to the insane unicorn. The sky was clear, going from a light cyan towards orange, and then finally growing a very dark blue, as the Moon rose gently, giving life to the silent heavens. Tiny speckles of stars added a shallow, soothing glow to the night sky, giving the sensation of peace and serenity.

Princess Celestia slept lightly next to her sister, her head resting on Luna's chest. After she accidentally used Glorenzelg to release her sister, Silverghost and Scootaloo she had placed the three ponies in bed to recover from the horrors that they must have experienced inside Crimson Dawns mind. Even with her vast power, the shock was getting to her. The appearance of the orange filly that had been gone for so long had scared her to say the least. Finally she managed to fall into an uneasy sleep next to her sister.

Luna laid in bed, gently caressing her sister's pink mane, staring through the open windows, enjoying the cool breeze of the night she brought forth in her sister's place. Her lips curled up in a small smile, happy that she was able to come back in the living world. Luna sighed contentedly and glanced at her sleeping sister. Her smile dropped, noticing something very strange.

Celestia's coat looked significantly older. Luna frowned, studying the snoozing alicorn, searching for any other changes. She found them. The dark blue Princess gasped silently upon seeing her sister's face more closely. Celestia... it was like she aged more than two thousand years in a week. Her pristine coat showed signs of maturity, and her mane presented grey strings of hair. Luna's mind raced, searching for answers for the changes that happened to the elder alicorn; this wasn't natural.

Celestia felt the agitation of her younger sister and woke up, stretching out and yawning silently. Apparently Luna failed to realize that. Celestia giggled and tapped her sister's belly, causing her to chuckle.

"'Tia, stop it! It tickles," she blushed, resisting the urge to laugh out loud.

"Well, it seemed you needed to lighten up a bit, so why not start with a good laugh?" the elder alicorn smiled warmly.

Luna's expression became grim, staring in the pink eyes of her sister. "'Tia, why are you aging? What did you do?"

Celestia sighed, dropping her smile. She rose from her seat and trotted to the window, gazing up at the clear sky. "I accepted the Gift of the Stars in exchange for my immortality," she said, tapping the ground lightly with her hoof.

Luna's eyes widened in disbelief. "You... you asked our parents for help?! And they convinced you to give up your immortality for... for what?!"

Celestia trotted over the bed and hushed her sister. "Luna, please... I had no other choice. Besides, it was by my own decision that I accepted the deal. Worry not sister, I still have many more years to live, and when I die of old age I will merely ascend to the heavens and take my place amongst the Makers, in the Sanctum," she whispered, nuzzling the night alicorn.

Luna sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Celestia... what should we do now? I mean, you injured her greatly. This might be our only chance to overcome the evil in Twilight's heart and revert her to her old self."

Celestia frowned and rose from the bed, glaring at her sister. "Even if we do manage to save her, I'm afraid the blow she received from Glorenzelg was too much for her mortal body. Luna," she paused, taking a deep breath. "I don't think she would make it. I'm afraid that this is the path she has chosen. Our only hope for truly saving her soul is to mercifully put an end to her misery," she continued. "Despite what you may think Luna, the split second my blade carved her flesh I felt her hidden emotions; sadness, fear, despair, loneliness... confusion. She's lost Luna. I'm sorry," Celestia finished, giving her sister a sorrowful nod.

Luna sighed and rubbed the base of her horn with her hooves. She glanced at the silvery unicorn snoring on a bed on across the room. The orange filly, Scootaloo had been taken by the elements, placing her in the care of her old friends, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. They were all safe. Luna closed her eyes and laid back in the bed.

Celestia cleared her throat and leaned in to whisper something in Luna's ear. "Sister, I know you're tired and need to rest, but there is one last thing I have to tell you. It is of utmost importance," Celestia spoke unusually serious.

Luna turned to face the white alicorn, a questioning expression on her face. "What is it 'Tia? You seem... disturbed."

Celestia narrowed her eyes and avoided her sister's gaze. "Luna, do you remember the Cult of the Hand of God?"

Luna looked at her sister awkwardly before her memory kicked in, causing her to flinch. "'Tia! You can't be serious!" she said, almost yelling.

"I'm afraid I am, Luna!" she sighed, glancing at the window. "It's just that... when she cut into me, I could feel him. Not only that, but I felt others presences too. Discord..."

"Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony..." added Luna, shuddering. "We still have no positive head count for how many of our subjects he has killed over fifteen hundred years ago. It's just... frightening. He and his cult of fanatics, pursuing just one thing; to satisfy their craving for death and chaos." Luna felt sick. "Did... did our parents tell you anything to help our cause?"

Celestia nodded. "While at the Sanctum of the Stars I was given the privilege of learning everything about the Lifestream and the cycle of life. It is there that I heard of it again... The Prophecy of the Fallen Angel. The hand of God and the threads of destiny," Celestia muttered, turning to face her sister.

Luna lowered her gaze and gritted her teeth. "I have heard it before..." she turned to face her sister. Celestia took a deep breath and began reciting.

"In this world, is the destiny of living kind controlled by some transcendental entity or law? Is it like the hand of God hovering above? At least it is true, that a being has no control, even over its own will. God is not something natural. It warps and twists the threads of destiny, and lies deep within the evil in our hearts."

Celestia circled the bed, eying her sister. "Discord knew the prophecy and acted accordingly to it. If I remember correctly, he was quite happy to die after we banished Twilight. Do you think he somehow survived? All of the sacrifices he's made, they had to have a purpose. I doubt he killed only for his pleasure."

Luna stared at the Moon shining in the sky. "Perhaps" Luna whispered, the fear in her eyes flashing for a brief second before her face hardened, and she continued. "Sister, prepare the armies. We are marching on Canterlot at dawn. Crimson Dawn must be dealt with quickly." Celestia nodded and left the room, allowing the night alicorn to continue resting. Luna sat thoughtfully on her bed, sweat slowly dripping on her forehead. 'The hand of God... Pff, ridiculous," she finished, finally closing her eyes and slowly falling asleep. However, she could not shake the feeling of dread coursing through her body.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celestia trotted thoughtfully through the empty corridors, her concern rising. 'That wasn't Abaddon. Just a portion of his strength. Abaddon is not a weapon, it is an ideal. A... transcendental being?' Celestia shuddered and instantly teleported away, in the yard where a party was held for the victory over the black unicorn. Glancing around, she laid her eyes on Captain Valiant and trotted up to him.

Valiant noticed her and bowed respectfully before the Princess, his companions following suite. "Your Highness, it is such a pleasure to have you at our celebration," he grinned at the white alicorn, not noticing her grim expression.

"Captain, have all able soldiers assembled in ten minutes. We have to discuss," Celestia finished, stomping her hooves on the dusty ground.

The captain flinched and nodded hastily. Trotting away from the alicorn, he boomed out. "Alright, all ladies capable of fight is to report immediately in the yard! Princess Celestia wishes to speak to us! On the double!"

Large masses of ponies assembled rather quickly, forming a circle around the captain and the Princess. Soft whispers and light hoof steps echoed, dust rising and carried by the soft breeze. Princess Celestia stepped forward and magically adjusted her voice so she could be heard by every pony and every gryphon present.

"My subjects, my country ponies... My friends," she boomed out loud, "today was a glorious day for the world! The Crimson Dawn has suffered its first defeat! You all fought bravely and sacrificed much to make this happen," she paused, allowing the crowds to cheer for a moment, before rising a hoof to silence them. She continued, "Even though we have won this battle, the war is far from over! We have reasons to believe she retreated to lick her wounds, back in Canterlot! That is why, at dawn we march towards our Capitol, and reclaim it for Equestria and its citizens!" she yelled out, giving life to the crowds as they stomped and cheered.

Celestia panted lightly, allowing herself to rest for a while. Taking a deep breath, she spoke again. "I suggest you brave soldiers rest for the night, and prepare yourselves for the battles ahead. I bid thee a good evening," she finished, teleporting away. She popped into a dimly lit room, in the barracks. The Princess found an empty and tidy bed, and gently laid upon it, closing her eyes. She was exhausted. Tomorrow would be a rough day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Everfree forest was silent, the Moon hovering high in the sky. The trees were motionless, the only sound audible were from owls that hunted under the cover of darkness. The beasts of the forest were frightened, staring fearfully at the single, dirt path leading through the woods, a figure limping slowly towards the ruins of the Old Castle. The scent of its blood, instead of attracting predators, repelled them.

Dawn panted and groaned in pain as she moved forward, struggling to keep herself on her feet. She had enough power left to teleport herself near the edge of the forest. From there on, she had to walk. She was getting colder and colder, as blood seeped from her wounds. Her lungs were constantly refilling themselves with blood, hindering her efforts to breathe. She was finished.

The tall spires of the Old Castle came into view, sending a wave of relief upon the injured unicorn. She started galloping, crying out in pain at every step, feeling her body collapse on itself. However, she could not rest. She still had a job to do, and some answers to receive. Dawn reached the entrance of the castle, forcing the doors to open slightly, her magic faltering.

The hollow corridors of the castle were silent, save for light hoof-steps as Dawn inched closer to the old throne room. Large spider webs decorated the corners of the massive pillars, casting spooky shadows on the stone floor. The decorations were all worn out, rotten. The stench of death and decay filled her nostrils, as she finally reached into the throne room. The middle of the room was empty, save for two stone thrones, decorated with dirty white marble and gold. Dawn stopped before the thrones and sighed. She glanced around and growled.

"Show yourself! I didn't come *cough* I didn't come here to wander around aimlessly. Come out, Discord!"

Her outburst was answered, as a new figure materialized on one of the thrones. Its body was made out of several other animal parts, bearing wings and horns. A Draconequus. The new figure grinned at the injured unicorn and chuckled.

"My, my, Twilight Sparkle! What a pleasant surprise. My, it does seem you were on the end of a brutal beating, weren't you?" he snorted, infuriating the mare.

"Shut your trap, useless maggot. I didn't come here to chat," she hissed, advancing towards the occupied throne.

"If you didn't come to keep me some company, then why? Just to clarify, you cannot injure me, because I'm not here in the first place. I am merely a spirit, my dear Twilight," he said, placing a top hat on his head, smirking. "I always was."

Dawn wanted to summon her magic but yelped out as a sharp pain hit the back of her head. "Huu, you... you lied to me! Abaddon is just a lie! That pathetic witch almost killed me! How?! Tell me!"

The draconequus sat thoughtfully, tapping his foot on the stone floor. His eyes wandered in different directions, giving him a goofy look. He bursted into laughter and wiped his eyes. "You? Wield Abaddon?! Are you insane, my little element of magic? Meh, rhetorical question. No need to get all worked up. I will tell you everything. How Celestia is so powerful... and why you are the only one capable of defeating her," he finished, sitting back on the throne.

Dawn frowned, calming herself. "I'm listening."

Discord smiled and snapped his fingers, forming an illusion on a canvas of black mist. "Alas, witness the birth of our world," he spoke, as two figures appeared on the surface of the black mist. Dawn recognized the shape of the two creatures. One was an alicorn made seemingly out of stars while the other was a greenish, ghostly alicorn.

"Let me introduce you to Alpha Genesis, the World Maker and his beloved wife, Gaia the Essence of the Lifestream."

The image showed them summoning their magic, their horns touching lightly. From it, a small orb of energy was formed. The orb was crackling with energy, its gravitational force pulling matter towards it, amassing and increasing in size. After a while, the globe of power imploded, fixing the matter together, forming the shape of the world. The surface of the new planet was covered in volcanoes, ashes and lava. The image then showed the alicorn stallion blowing hard on the young world's surface, cooling it.

Discord watched with enthusiasm at the unicorn, rubbing his hands together. "This is where it gets interesting. You see, the land was devoid of life, so Gaia used her powerful astral magic to create life from her own blood. First, there was bacteria, and from that, over twenty thousand years, more complex life was created, such as ponies. But wait, what's this?" Discord asked, blowing gently on the mist, changing the image.

This time it revealed a black mass traveling through space, spinning endlessly. A large meteor, heading towards the young planet. It crashed somewhere in the Black Sea, half way across the world from where Equestria would have been founded. The impact of the object shook the world fiercely, modifying the environment. Mountains crumbled to dust while others were formed; floods changed low ground into river beds and lakes. The face of the world had been changed to what it looked like in present, the modern realm.

"There, the shaping has been finished. Let's look into the future, four thousand years after the cataclysm," Discord added.

The image changed, revealing a land ravaged by war. Dead bodies littered the ground, their earthly remains scattered across the open plains. In the middle of the field stood three Alicorns, one of them barely breathing. Discord sighed at the scene, rubbing his face with his paws. "You might have already realized. Those two are the alicorn sisters, Celestia and Luna. The other figure was... me," he paused, noticing the skeptical look on the unicorn's face. "I too was an alicorn in the past. Celestia and Luna's brother to be more precise."

Dawn gaped in shock at Discord's statement, wanting to question him further, but she was silenced by his paw. "Shh. Listen," he said, glaring at the image. The three Alicorns seemed to be arguing.

"Quasar, for pity's sake, what has gone into you?! How could you betray us and use our father's knowledge against the world? Have you lost your mind?!" Luna seethed, sweating.

"Oh, quiet you! I know what I'm doing; after all, I am greater than you at using magic. If one can truly master it, it is me," the tan alicorn, Discord, replied. He had a large gash across his torso, drops of blood trickling down his legs.

"I'm afraid father will hear about this, brother. I only hope you will get what you deserve," Celestia added, stomping with her hoof. Quasar looked at her spitefully, before turning around and teleporting away.

The tan alicorn appeared atop the Valley of Everwinter. He sat on the cold ice and yelled out in frustration. "Why must they always ruin my studies in magic?! By the gods, I wish them dead!"

"Dead, you say?" a hollow, very loud voice replied.

Quasar rose from the snow and glanced around frantically. Nobody was there. "Leave me alone, whoever you might be," he hissed, snorting. However, the voice called out to him.

"You say you wish to kill your sisters? We can make that happen." the voice ringed in his ears, causing him to flinch.

"K-kill my own sisters? B-but... I-I don't-"

"You do want to become the master of magic, don't you? There is another way blessed one."

Quasar pawed at the snowy floor furiously. '...he's right, they stand in my way Wait, did he call me blessed?'

"It was fate that brought you here on this day, child of darkness. For you are the third blessed child of Abaddon. You are a member of the hand of God; a soon-to-be apostle," the voice echoed out, startling the alicorn.

"Hand of what? Abaddon?! Are you crazy? Child of darkness... what a thing to say. Why should I believe you! My father is Alpha Genesis, the World Maker, not that demon!" Quasar barked back.

"By blood yes, you are a whelp of the Maker. However, your tainted soul does not have its roots in their ways. It was Abaddon which forged your destiny. It was him that manipulated your birth into this world in order to prepare it for his coming. You will see, by this week's end, your life shall be taken away from you by the very alicorn that gave you life," the voice faded, leaving the sound of harsh wind in the alicorn's ears.

Quasar was frightened by the thought of his father ending his life. "What, that won't happen... Hopefully," he gave a weak chuckle. He used his power and teleported away, reaching his castle. Sweat dripped his forehead, panting. He was almost paralyzed in fear. 'What if... what if the voice is right? What if I'm going to die?! Can I trust it and accept its offer? No, that is a reckless thing to do. I will wait.'

The illusion moved forward. It showed a battered tan alicorn, laying on the ground, bleeding heavily. His horn had been cut off, and his wings ripped off his back. In front of him stood the Maker himself, Genesis, staring blankly at his injured son. His voice dripped anger and disappointment.

"You are a disgrace to us, boy. I regret having not intervened earlier and put a stop to this madness, however I had a task to fulfill. You are damned. What you have done is beyond redemption. I only hope your soul can find peace in death. Farewell, Quasar. May we never meet again," the elder alicorn finished, bringing forth a cleaver and swinging it down, severing off the tan Alicorn's head.

Dawn glanced uneasily at Discord, unsure what to say, but he noticed this and smiled. "Fear not, I didn't actually die. I was merely... trapped, in an alternate dimension, akin to death. Now, watch carefully."

The illusion twisted once again, revealing a very large room, filled with burning braziers and bones. In the middle of it, a large pond of crimson liquid boiled lightly. In the middle sat a very furious and disoriented ghost of an tan alicorn. His horn was missing, and he had a large gash on his neck, bleeding profusely. Before him stood two beings, clad in black armour. One of them was clearly a cerberus, a blackish liquid dripping slowly from its nostrils. The other was a twisted shape of a pegasus, bearing a pair of black dragon wings.

The black pegasus and the Cerberus looked up Quasar and smiled. "Welcome, blessed child. You hath been chosen by fate to become a transcendent being, like us. An apostle of Abaddon," the Cerberus spoke in a low, reverberating voice.

Quasar stopped before them and bowed. "I-I have heard the voice... one week ago. It-it warned me... Please, I want to live again! I want to take revenge on my sisters and my damned father! What must I do?!" he cried out at the two figures.

"If you wish to be reborn, you must sacrifice your heart, and pledge yourself to the cause of our God. Through his will and power, you shall be given eternal life, and a spot amongst us, the hand of God. Are you willing to sacrifice yourself? Say it and be reborn!"

The alicorn stallion pondered for a while, narrowing his eyes. 'Is it worth sacrificing my heart to kill my own family? Celestia, Luna, mother... Father." His brow furrowed as he spoke the last name. "I accept the pact."

The Cerberus grinned, showing its massive teeth. "Very well, blessed one. Now come the Rites of the Coming Lord!" he spoke out loud, summoning his power. The mare joined him and focused their unholy magic towards the alicorn.

Quasar felt a sting in his heart, before being enveloped in a cocoon of darkness. He could feel his own body decomposing, breaking apart... reforming. After roughly an hour, the cocoon cracked, blood spilling out and revealing the new creature inside it. Its body was made of several other parts of animals.

"Now rise, Discord, spirit of Chaos and Disharmony. Tread upon this world once more and wreak havoc," the pegasus mare finished, licking her lips. The image started to dissipate, as the new figure stretched out and roared, eventually fading out, ending the revelation.

Discord threw his bag of popcorn away and scratched his ears. "Now that you've learned about me, let me explain to you what 'The Hand of God' actually is. You see, that meteor that struck the planet several thousand years ago wasn't an ordinary rock. It was the seed of pure evil," Discord said as he circled the black mare. "The Fallen Angel, Abaddon. Or rather, a fragment of him. He was ultimately defeated by the conjoined forces of the Pantheon, but I won't go into meaningless details. The only thing that you need to know, is that every pony is born with this evil residing deep within their hearts, right here," he pointed at her chest. "I don't think he actually died. He merely transcended the astral plane."

Dawn rolled her eyes and groaned. "So, Abaddon is not a weapon, but some malefic influence? Then why did you lie to me twenty years ago! It was your plan to kill Luna and Celestia in the first place! This is why you even gave me such power, isn't it?!" she cried out, panting.

"Yes, but you were not prepared. You were still young and reckless, as you are now. What I gave you was merely a taste of what's to come, should you decide to become one of us some day. Everything is writhing with the flows of casualty. You were destined to reach this point, what you choose next will affect the rest of your life. Now, you must lay down and rest, to recover your powers. We have three days until Celestia arrives. Until then, my Queen," he chuckled, vanishing into thin air.

The black unicorn sat stunned for a while, before breaking out in rage. "Wait! Pff, what a thing to say, you swine!" After a while, she calmed down and laid on the stone floor, activating a rejuvenation spell on her. Eventually, she fell asleep, dreaming of better times; of her moments spent with her now-deceased parents. Small tears trickled down her cheeks and onto the stone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inside the twisted soul of the black unicorn, Rainbow Dash and the injured lavender unicorn trotted slowly through the orphanage, reaching the main office of adoptions. She noticed herself inside the office, yelling at the pony that sat at the desk. She remembered the scene all too well; her reckless past finally caught up with her as the receptionist at the orphanage told her that her attempt to adopt Scootaloo had been denied. The filly needed a responsible parent, and responsibility was the one thing that did not define Rainbow Dash.

The cyan mare inside the office groaned loudly and left the room, slamming the door behind her, almost ripping it off its hinges. Rainbow looked sadly after her past version, as her past self flew away from the institute. She knew what happened after that; she had cried all day, lamenting that she could not be a mother to the orange filly.

Suddenly she heard shouting and threats coming from inside the office. Rainbow peeked inside and gasped when she realized the screaming pony was Twilight. It appeared she was arguing fiercely with the orphanage matron. She had never seen that part of Twilight before. She was doing all this for her. A flash of light snapped her out of her trance. The unicorn had teleported away.

"What, huh?! Where did she go?" she asked out loud. "Oh yeah, the library!"

Dash ran outside the institute and flew away, heading towards Ponyville Library. She flew as fast as she could, reaching it in a matter of seconds. She landed hastily and entered the large tree, gaping at the sight.

Books littered the wooden floor, the shape of the small purple dragon buried deep beneath a mountain of books and parchments. She stifled a giggle and trotted inside, searching for the frenzied unicorn. A loud groan caught her attention, causing her to turn around in time to dodge another tome flying randomly across the room. She had found the source of the destruction; the lavender mare furiously throwing items around the room.

"Ooh, how can I help Rainbow Dash?! She loves that filly so much, I have to do something! Maybe... maybe I could," she paused, a soft smile appearing on her features, followed by a blush. "Maybe I could adopt Scootaloo, and... and... Ugh, Twilight Sparkle, you are such a selfish mare... How can you think of your own good when Dash is suffering..." Twilight facehoofed.

The lavender mare sighed and sat on her haunches, gazing at the disaster she had caused. "What can I do... They will never allow her to adopt Scootaloo. Heh, heh... Twilight, you silly pony," she paused, tears starting to stream from her eyes. "You are Celestia's student and you can't do anything... You are pitiful!" she cried out.

Then it hit her. "Wait wait wait just a minute! I am Princess Celestia's prized student, and Rainbow Dash is the element of Loyalty! That's it! I can help Dash with the adoption!" she squealed in delight. "Spike, wake up and send a letter to Princess Celestia immediately!"

The small purple dragon groaned, slowly getting out of the mountain of books. He picked a quill and an empty parchment and waited for Twilight to begin dictating.

"Dear Princess Celestia, I have dire need for your help, for you see-" she continued speaking, the purple dragon restlessly writing down everything she was saying.

Rainbow Dash stared at the lavender mare, admiring her courage and determination. "Heh, it seems you are more loyal than I'll ever be..." she sighed sadly, knowing that what came next was a tragic moment, caused by her own stupidity and huge ego.

"Dash..." a familiar voice called to her.

The cyan pegasus looked up and noticed Twilight was staring at her. She avoided her gaze and tapped her hooves together. "H-hey T-Twi', what's up?"

The lavender mare smiled warmly at her. "Are you ready to break my heart again?" she asked harshly, a few fresh tears streaming down her cheeks. Rainbow was taken aback by her outburst, stepping backwards. "What's wrong Dash, afraid to face me after you broke my heart?!" Twilight cried out as she stepped forward.

"I-I... I'm sorry, I-I don't know," Rainbow stammered, choking out words. "I don't... I-I can't tell you how sorry I am, I mean, I was-"

"Save your breath," the lavender mare huffed as the environment around them changed, revealing an open grassy plain.

Rainbow recognized this place. The meeting place. She had been called her by the unicorn to share a surprise with her and have a private picnic, just herself and Twilight. She was skeptical about this first, but agreed nonetheless. She then noticed her past self, arriving half an hour later, as usual, however the unicorn seemed unaffected by this. She cringed internally, knowing what will happen.

Twilight poured some apple juice for her friend and sat down on the blanket, blushing slightly. The brash pegasus was quite angry with the development from a few days ago, having been denied the right to adopt the filly; now one of her best friends decided to spend some time with her alone, to give her some news. The lavender mare swallowed the lump in her throat and took a deep breath.

"Look, Rainbow Dash, I called you here to share a surprise with you," she paused, sipping from her drink. "I was contacted earlier today by the matron of the orphanage." She had piqued the pegasus' interest.

"What did they want?"

"Well," Twilight shuddered inwardly; she was a horrible liar. "she told me that you have been approved to be an adoptive parent... So I thought-"

"What?! Are you serious? Ohmygosh this can't be true! Tell me, is it true, is it?!" the cyan pegasus could barely contain her excitement.

Twilight sighed and smiled. "Yes, Rainbow Dash. You can finally have Scootaloo for yourself... Um, I've been thinking... uhh, would you like to... ah, I mean," she stammered again, each word becoming harder to spell out. "Would you like to adopt Scootaloo together, so we could raise her... as a family? You know, a mother and... uh, um... mother?" she grinned sheepishly, her cheeks flushing a deep red. The cyan pegasus was confused by her request, not even sure she understood the message.

Twilight noticed the awkward look on her friend's face and decided to stop being a coward. She took a deep breath and lunged at her friend, grasping her into a tight hug and locking lips with her. The sensation... she wished it lasted for an eternity; however, the cyan pegasus thought something else. In a split second, she broke free from the hug and landed a powerful hoof in the side of the mares face, literally causing her to fall backwards. Twilight's face burned with pain. She rose groggily from the ground, rubbing her face. Then, she noticed it; the expression of the brash pegasus, full of rage.

"How dare you, Twilight Sparkle! Just because I swing that way, that doesn't mean that I am interested in you in any way!" she had wanted to continue yelling at the unicorn, but instead chose to fly away, leaving her alone.

"Rainbow Dash, please, wait! Don't leave me! Don't... don't leave me alone," her words faded out before breaking down, collapsing to the ground, sobbing. She had failed. And worse, her friend now hated her.

The spectating pegasus was forced to witness everything. Only now did she realize how foalish she was, how much she had hurt her. How could she have done such a thing? She was the element of Loyalty, she was supposed to be loyal to a friend, no matter what! And she had betrayed her element. She heard light hoofsteps and looked up, locking eyes with the still crying lavender mare.

"Does my pain make you happy? Make you Laugh? You could have simply said no, and assure me that you still loved me as a friend. I really loved you Dash, and maybe I still do, but for this I cannot just forgive you," she paused, panting with anger. "What kind of element of loyalty are you, Rainbow Dash!? You're... you're nothing."

The cyan pegasus was stunned. Her friend was right to be mad at her. She had done a terrible thing. If only she could go back in time and slap herself. "Twilight... I-I'm really sorry," she began, whimpering, tears of pure grief trickling down on her coat. She choked back her sobs and approached the unicorn, to hug her; to comfort and ease her pain. However, her arms found nothing, as the unicorn stepped backwards, distancing herself from the pegasus.

"Twilight, wait! Please! Forgive me! I-I... love you too," she broke down on the grass, letting her tears fall freely on the grass.

The lavender mare had disappeared from view, leaving the pegasus alone on the plain, as winds picked up. A storm was forming in the dream, as the world was starting to decay. She glanced around fearfully, wiping her tears. She tried flying, but found herself unable to move her wings. Again, a hollow voice echoed out in her ears.

"My final days are approaching…"

Eve of the Festival. Cometh the Hour

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 12: Eve of the Festival. Cometh the Hour
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Twelve
Eve of the Festival. Cometh the Hour

Rainbow Dash screamed out into the void, flapping her wings in a desperate attempt to stop her fall. In the moments after Twilight had left her alone on the field a giant chasm opened and swallowed her whole. Eventually she caught a speck of rapidly approaching light beneath her. The instant her body came into contact with the light the world vanished around her. She couldn't see, nor feel anything. She was trapped.

"Twi'? W-where are y-you? I need help, please..." the cyan pegasus whimpered softly, frightened.

The void around her twisted and warped, fading out into a familiar location; Ponyville's town square. Rainbow glanced around furiously, taking in the scene. Everything seemed to be normal. She could see Lyra and Bon Bon entering Sugarcube Corner, and her friend Applejack selling apple goods at her stand. Despite the seemingly normal town, the pegasus knew something was wrong. This place... it was too quiet. She got up and started pacing around the square, eying each character, looking for anomalies.

Absorbed as she was in finding flaws in the world around her, she bumped into another pony and fell on her rump. "Oof, I'm sorry, I didn't... Rarity?" Rainbow gaped at the figure standing in front of her, however the white unicorn didn't seem to notice her. She was chatting lightly with Spike and Twilight Sparkle. The pegasus cringed when she noticed the fake smile on the lavender mare's face. She looked depressed.

"I daresay Twilight, you are a bit gloomy lately, is something the matter?" Rarity asked her troubled friend.

"N-not at all, Rarity, I'm fine. I just had a lot on my head recently and didn't get much rest. Spike helped me a lot these past days," she smiled, patting the small dragon on his head.

"I sure did," he smirked. "Say Rarity, do you need any help with your orders? I'd like to, um, well... spend some more time with you!" Spike rapidly blurted out, blushing furiously.

"Oh, darling,of course I do! I have so much to do at home, it's going to take ages to do it all by myself. Can you let him come over and stay for the night? He will be safe, I promise," the white unicorn smiled at her friend, batting her eye lashes.

Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes. "Sure thing Rarity, just be sure to take care of him."

Spike was grinning and jumping with glee. "Alright, see you tomorrow! Take care, okay?"

The lavender mare nodded and patted him on the head. "Sure thing Spike," she spoke softly, frowning lightly.

"Alright then, bye Twi-*bluuurp*," the small dragon belched out a letter. "Oh look, a letter from the Princess! What does it say?"

Twilight picked the scroll and read the title, blushing slightly. "I'm sorry, but this is for me in particular. Don't worry, if it's anything worth sharing, I will. Now, I'm going home, see you later!" she waved and trotted away rapidly. Rarity glanced at Spike, who shrugged.

Rainbow Dash sensed something odd about the letter and decided to pursue her friend. She flew ahead of her and entered the library, waiting patiently for Twilight to arrive. After roughly five minutes the unicorn entered the library and dropped her saddle bags on the table, picking out the parchment.

"All right, what does the Princess want to tell me in particular..." she cleared her throat and began reading out loud. "My dearest faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. It is with a heavy heart that I bring you grim news. Earlier today, there was an incident in one of Canterlot's magical laboratories that resulted in the death of six ponies," she paused, grimacing. "Oh my, that is terrible. I deeply regret having to tell you this, but your parents were...were-" she stuttered, a lump forming in her throat. She tried to let out words, but only squeaks and hiccups came out painfully. "My...my parents. They...they cannot-NO, this is not possible, no no no! I must be reading in between lines," she tried to calm herself. However, the fact was black on white. Her parents had died in the incident.

"No...no, this is all wrong, this can't be possible," she wheezed, each breath becoming more painful. The emotional collapse she was experiencing started to affect her body as she began heaving in enormous pain, feeling as if her body would crush itself from the inside. Slowly but surely, the lavender unicorn began weeping, leaning on her side and burying her head beneath her hooves. She felt abandoned, betrayed, furious, demoralized... Empty. Deep in her heart the hole that was formed by Rainbow's brutal rejection grew, adding to the pain.

The cyan pegasus looked away from Twilight, grasping at her chest with her hooves. She knew that feeling of loss, but not in such a manner. Her train of thoughts was interrupted by loud wails and cries, as the lavender unicorn began pounding herself with her hooves.

"Why did I come here to p-Ponyville,"she hiccuped. "I'd rather have Nightmare Moon as Queen of Equestria than my family-" she paused, refraining from saying it out loud. It was too painful. Glancing around, she glared angrily at the shelves filled with books. "P-Princess... Y-your f-fault... It's only your fault!" she cried out, her horn surging with magic. Her eyes became two orbs of purest white, glowing furiously. Rainbow Dash gasped in fright and rushed to her friend's side, trying to stop her, but it was too late.

The peaceful mood of Ponyville at sunset was broken by a loud explosion and cries of pain. Ponies that were in the vicinity to the site, laying their eyes on the burning shape of the Library. Burning books and destroyed furniture were splayed everywhere, splinters and glass shards embedded into everything nearby. Several ponies that were near the library at the moment of the explosion had been injured, their bodies pierced with shrapnel.

Despite being in the middle of the conflagration, the cyan pegasus was untouched, save for being violently thrown away from the library. She slowly opened her eyes and glanced fearfully around her. Several firefighters had arrived at the scene, along with doctors and many, many other figures she couldn't recognize at the time, still being in shock. She only heard about the incident, some claiming that it was an accident, and no pony is to blame for the chaos. Now she knew the truth. The cyan pegasus rose groggily from her spot and trotted slowly towards the burning frame of the library, concerned for the safety of her friend. Twilight was probably still inside.

As she walked, she took notice of some of her friends that started to gather at the scene. Pinkie Pie had an expression of pure shock and disbelief, while the orange cowpony galloped quickly towards a reddish figure splayed on the ground. It was her big brother, Macintosh. He appeared to have been pulling a cart of apples towards the edge of Ponyville, to the new market square. She flinched when Applejack cried out in shock, staring in disbelief at the state of her brother.

On the other side of the remains of the library, a small purple dragon accompanied by a purple maned unicorn mare stared in shock at his burning home, tears forming at the edges of his small dragon eyes. Rarity motioned to him and they both started searching through the scattered debris for their friend. That snapped Rainbow out of her trance, reminding her of what she was looking for.

Just as she was about to shot into the air, she tripped on something large. She rubbed her forehead and growled in frustration. As she picked herself up off the ground she noticed something. A small piece of lavender fur was jutting out from under the piece of wood. She picked it up and rolled it on the other side, revealing a gruesome image.

A badly injured unicorn mare, lying face down on the grass, her coat was now a dull black as it had been scorched by flames. Rainbow let out a blood curdling screech, as she realized who this was. Twilight laid unconscious, barely breathing. She had a very large gash across her forehead, her horn completely shattered, only a bloody stub remaining. Blood oozed freely from the wound, coating her already disfigured face a dark crimson. Her front legs had been bent at awkward angles.

"Twilight! Wake up, come on, wake up! Please, wake up Twi'!" the cyan pegasus desperately tried to awaken the unconscious mare to no avail. She was limp in her arms, her breathing ragged and painful. No doubt she had several broken ribs as well. Rainbow stared at the injured mare in disbelief, refusing to believe she was capable of causing such a thing. She felt her salty tears starting to gently make their way down her cheeks, falling onto Twilight's face. Rainbow sobbed out loud, holding her injured friend.

Twilight opened her eyes all of a sudden, staring dead into Rainbow's shocked magenta ones. Her purple eyes were bloodshot, her sclera filled with crimson liquid, giving her a frightening look. She shifted slightly, moaning in pain and smiled briefly. "Like what you see?" she asked in a low, shaky voice. "I know you wished to see me like this..." The cyan pegasus gaped in shock, her pupils shrinking to the size of tiny dots. Something was off about her friend. There was hatred behind those sad eyes.

"I take it you noticed something..." the burnt lavender mare grinned, coughing up. "Where...where were you when I was like this!?" she screeched as the world turned black, a choking mist engulfing them. Rainbow tried to scream but found herself breathless. She started writhing and flailing around, losing grip on the unicorn. She gasped for air, feeling her consciousness slip. Just as she was about to let herself succumb to the void, the world was bathed in light. Rainbow closed her eyes slightly, slowly adjusting to the new light. She found herself able to breathe again, coughing painfully. She glanced around uneasily, taking in the new environment. A white, empty room save for a bed, a nightstand and some medical equipment.

She was in a hospital, again. The cyan pegasus approached the bed in which a figure laid seemingly unconscious. Covered in bloody gauzes, a mare slept uneasily, her chest rising slowly with each breath. A loud wheezing breathing machine was aligned to the bed, occasionally beeping loudly. Several IV drips hung empty on poles, waiting to be replaced by others. Her whole head was covered in bandages, the place where her horn should have protruded from her head was badly stained. Rainbow wanted to address the unicorn, to talk to her.

She stopped as she heard a few voices outside the room. Her ears perked up and she listened intently, trying to see if it's anything related to her unconscious friend.

'Her condition is bad; the internal bleeding won't stop, and her broken horn keeps sending weak magical impulses through her spine, aggravating her condition. Her right lung has been punctured by bone splinters from the broken ribs, and her entire body is covered in first and second degree burns. We are doing everything we can to drain it and minimize the bleeding, but the situation is grim. I am very sorry to tell you this, Princess Celestia, but... she won't make it. She will live maybe for a few more days, but we are only delaying the inevitable. I am truly sorry, your Highness,' a soft, concerned voice spoke.

'I... I understand, doctor Bright Hooves. Thank you,' the other voice replied shakily, sniffling. Soft hoof steps were heard, and the door opened, revealing a tall white alicorn, adorned in her regal attire entering the room. Her face showed traces of tears and exhaustion. She looked like she hadn't slept in a while. Her wobbly steps only further proved that statement. She slowly made her way to the side of the bed, oblivious to the cyan pegasus that was eying her with an estranged expression.

Celestia took a deep breath and exhaled shakily, running her hoof through the tangled and burnt mane of her student, gazing sadly upon her mutilated body. "Why, Twilight... Why did you do such a thing? I-I should have been there for you. It's all my fault," she sighed, glancing at the bloody gauzes. The sleeping mare twitched.

The sleeping unicorn stirred in her sleep, moaning painfully. Celestia gasped silently and tried to help the disoriented mare adjust her position in bed. Twilight tried to speak, but her throat was sore, and her voice raspy. The white alicorn immediately brought her a glass of fresh water, using her magic to gently lift the unicorn and let her have a sip, to sooth her sense. After a few more sips, she was laid back in bed, whimpering in pain. Celestia was heartbroken, seeing her student in such a deprecated state. It was painful.

The lavender mare wheezed and coughed loudly, spraying a small quantity of blood on the Princess' pristine white coat, however Celestia paid no heed. She gently rubbed the side of the small mare's neck, nuzzling her cheek gently. A shaky hoof pushed her away slowly. Celestia complied and allowed the unicorn some breathing room.

Twilight opened her right eye and stared directly at the white alicorn. "Y-you..." she muttered, her throat still aching. The white alicorn looked with concern upon her student and grasped her hoof.

"Yes, Twilight? Is there anything you need?"

The lavender unicorn winced slightly. "Alone... leave me alone," she whispered, her voice faltering. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as fresh tears started to pour down her gauze covered cheeks. "It's... your fault. Y-you...you took me away...from my family," she hiccuped, "Who do you think you are?!" she snapped.

Celestia flinched, gaping in disbelief. She backed up from the bed as the unicorn rose, crying out in pain, glaring spitefully at her mentor. Celestia was shocked, merely staring at the troubled mare. "Twilight, what are you saying?! I-I did not take you away-"

"Liar! It's only your fault. What were you hoping to accomplish, taking me away from my unimportant life?!" the lavender mare seethed, grabbing a pillow with her damaged arms and attempted to throw it at the alicorn. As the object slipped off her hooves, she slipped and fell on the cold hospital floor, eliciting a yelp of pain. Celestia rushed to her side and gently picked her up with magic, gently placing the crying mare back in bed. She never felt such emotional distress as she had now.

"Mommy, daddy... why... why did you take them away," Twilight wept softly.

"There, there... Everything will be fine, shhh," she soothed the broken mare, gently caressing her neck and mane. After about twenty minutes, Twilight finally fell back to sleep. Celestia sighed and picked up the blanket, gently tucking in her student. Before she left, she planted a soft kiss on her cheek. She couldn't have been sadder. "Good bye... Twilight Sparkle," she whispered, fresh tears streaming her regal cheeks.

The door closed behind the white alicorn, leaving Twilight to herself and her dreams. The cyan pegasus stood still the entire time, shaking. A soft moan startled her, bringing her back to reality. She blinked rapidly a few times and approached the bed. The mare laying on it writhed and flailed around in her sleep. Rainbow placed her hooves and gently shook the unicorn to snap her out of her dream.

Twilight stood upwards all of a sudden, sweating and panting. She looked like she had seen a ghost. Rainbow grasped her into a hug and buried her muzzle in the unicorn's partially singed mane, only to get pushed violently on the cold floor. She fell with a loud thud. Rubbing the back of her head, she glanced uneasily at a completely different Twilight, calm and hating.

The lavender mare shot the cyan pegasus a glare and got up from bed, trotting to the window. "I can't really remember what happened next, everything is hazy. All I can remember is that I left the hospital and went straight for the old castle ruins," she turned to face Rainbow. "I am pretty sure Discord had something to do with it. Anyway, in order to finally end all of this, head down to the old castle in the Everfree Forest. It is there that I became Crimson Dawn." The awkward silence of the room was pierced by a loud crack of thunder, the flash illuminating the dimly lit room. "Oh, you might want to hurry before this world crumbles," she finished with a grin as the room around her started to rot and burn.

Rainbow didn't need to be told twice. She trotted up to the window and opened, shooting off into the skies, heading straight towards the Everfree Forest. The Moon was completely covered by swirling storm clouds, flashes of lighting streaking across the sky, giving it an ominous aura. Dash flapped her wings faster as rain started to fall, soaking her cyan coat. She gritted her teeth and repositioned herself to boost aerodynamics. 'I'm coming Twilight! Don't lose hope, not now!'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back in the real world, a new day was starting.

The Sun's warm rays shined through the broken windows of the old throne room, illuminating the two figures that sat inside. A black unicorn mare coated in crimson snoozed peacefully on the stone floor, still under the effect of her rejuvenation spell. Another figure sat on the throne, tapping his hands lightly. He shot a quick glance towards the rising Sun and sighed. He rose from his seat and floated towards the mare. He leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"Wake up, Twilight Sparkle. It is time..." he cooed.

The dark mare stirred and groaned, opening her eyes slightly. "W-what is it...can't you see I'm busy?" she hissed, closing her eyes back.

The draconequus sighed and patted her on the neck. "Celestia is approaching Canterlot. We are running out of time. Now, wake up already!" he growled.

Dawn flinched and huffed, rising from her spot. "How much have I been out?"

"Exactly three days. You sleep like a rock when you're tired," he grinned at her, scratching her between her ears.

"Ugh, I am tired right now. Oversleeping effects," she stared at the floor and summoned her magic. Her horn shimmered lightly, picking up a nearby boulder. She then flung it rapidly at the decaying walls, completely shattering it. "Seems like I have recovered my powers. Good, I will need them when I face Celestia," she turned to leave.

"Wait."

Dawn turned and shot the Draconequus a weird look. "What is it?"

"Do you happen to know what's today, hmm?" he asked, rubbing his hands together.

Dawn pondered for a moment before replying flatly. "It's the sixth of august. Today there will be a natural eclipse. Is that what you're referring to?"

Discord nodded. "Indeed. However it is not natural. Oh no, it is magical. For you see, it is the eve of the Festival."

Dawn growled and spat out. "What bucking festival?! I keep hearing that all the time! What is it?" she snapped.

The draconequus snapped his fingers and teleported on top of the throne, laying gently on it. "It is the ceremony of appointing a new apostle of the Hand of God. It is a rare occasion; it is by destiny that things came out like this. You can become an apostle too, and earn new powers. All it takes, is for you to-"

"Drop it," Dawn said with disinterest. Discord gaped. "I am not interested in the slightest to serve anypony. I only live for myself and none other. I only have one purpose, and that is to kill Celestia and all of her subjects."

"Then why didn't you do it?" Dawn was caught off guard by this question. "You had the chance. No, you had multiple chances of killing her, yet you hesitated. Why? Is it because of her power? Your power? What is the reason behind your weakness?" Discord continued questioning the dark mare.

The Crimson Dawn sighed and grimaced. "It's because I still have a heart which keeps me from doing what I want. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. It's about to disappear... I can feel it. I can and will kill Celestia, Discord. You do well to remember that," she finished, starting to cast a teleportation spell.

"Wait, one more thing..." the Draconequus stopped her. Dawn turned to face him and approached him. Discord snapped his fingers, popping something in his hands. "Here, take this," he passed it on to the mare. It was a crimson painted replica of a pony head; a symbol of the Cult. It had its eyes closed and mouth slightly opened.

"I already told you, I don't-"

"Just keep it. You never know when you might need it. Consider it as a parting gift, my dear Twilight. For now, I must go and make preparations for the Festival. Good luck on the battlefield... You will need it," he grinned and chuckled as he slowly faded out, leaving the dark mare to herself.

Dawn stared at the amulet with interest. It had a strange, ominous feeling about it, as if the devil himself resided in it. She dismissed the thought and tied it around her right hoof and started casting the teleportation spell once again, leaving the old castle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The glorious Sun was steadily rising, sending its bright rays across the skies of Equestria, gently caressing the coats of the soldiers of the Kingdom, as they marched alongside their Princesses towards Canterlot. They had been marching for three days straight, having crossed the border between Equestria and the gryphon lands a few hours ago. Celestia trotted in front of the troops, followed by her sister Luna, who carried the sleeping form of her apprentice. Apparently she hadn't fully recovered from the ordeal of having her soul sucked out, and needed to rest.

Celestia maintained her gaze towards the horizon, making out the shining shape of the Palace of Canterlot, residing on the edge of Stormcloud Mountains. They still had quite some distance to cross, but she had to keep in mind that the troops were exhausted and needed to rest before they could engage into combat. She frowned and slowed down the pace, coming to a stop. Every pony stopped dead in their tracks, glancing questioningly at their leader.

"We rest here for now. You must gather your strength before we march on the castle. Me and Luna will help the process with a special rejuvenating spell, so please, relax and rest easy," Celestia finished, lighting up her horn. Luna followed her sister and began casting the large scale rejuvenating spell. A bright flash of light and it was done. The troops all sat down and closed their eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

Celestia glanced at Luna and smiled. "You should rest too, sister. You've been carrying your student for two days straight."

The night alicorn sighed and lowered her head. "I won't even try to argue... I am quite tired," she panted lightly. Using her magic, she picked the snoozing silvery unicorn and placed her on the soft grass. Luna then laid beside her student and nuzzled her briefly.

Celestia gave a light chuckle and sat on her haunches, rising her head towards the heavens. She closed her eyes and sighed, enjoying the light breeze and the smell of the fading summer. Even though the land suffered under the effects of the Eclipse, the reappearance of the warm Sun allowed the land to recover, slow but steady. The trees were gently bending under the soft wind, the sound of dancing leaves adding a sensation of freedom and internal peace. How long has it been since she felt like that? A thousand? Two thousand years? Even she could not tell. Her smile widened. She opened her eyes slightly and gazed into the bright cyan of the skies.

Celestia narrowed her eyes when she noticed the form of an object free falling towards them at high speed. She gasped loudly and rose to her feet. She glanced at her sister and prepared to yell at her to flee, but it was too late.

The black object crashed full force in the middle of the snoozing troops, sending them into the air. Many were gravely injured, having their bones broken from the shock of the impact. Even Celestia and Luna were sent flying by the sheer force of the landing. The white alicorn managed to stop herself from falling and flapped her wings, landing softly on the grass. She gasped in fright when she realized just how many of her troops had been killed or disabled.

Gritting her teeth she started advancing towards the crater, ready to face whatever landed there. She summoned her blade and took on a battle stance, staring intently at the rising smoke. Several coughs drew her attention, as a figure stepped out of the smoke.

The Crimson Dawn. Celestia growled menacingly and prepared to charge. The black unicorn facing her wiped the dust of her face and chuckled. "Drop it Celestia, you cannot defeat me in that form... You know that too well, don't you?" she grinned, stepping forward, her blade at her side.

"Silence, you foal! I didn't come all the way back to Equestria to listen to your blabbering. I returned to kill you, and that's what I am going to do!" Celestia spat, digging her hooves into the ground and launching herself full force at the black unicorn.

Dawn sighed and lowered herself. "Hot headed as always... You really do intend to kill me, just as my parents? Well, you can try!" she yelled, raising her blade and swinging down vertically, meeting the edge of Celestia's claymore, sending a surge of magic through it, binding the blades together. Celestia's eyes widened in shock when she realized she had been tricked. While her blade was bound together with a fake of Dawn's, the black mare summoned her real weapon and impaled her in the chest. "And now, for the finale..." Dawn smiled and closed her eyes, gathering her magic at the tip of her horn. "Let's see how well you can take a point blank magic implosion, Celestia..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luna rubbed her head and moaned painfully. She rose from the grass and glanced around. Silverghost was already awake, holding a cloth at her left arm. Luna's eyes widened when she realized her apprentice had been hurt. "Silverghost! Are you alright?" she rushed to her side.

The silvery unicorn gave a weak smile and waved her injured hoof. "It's nothing ... stings a little, but nothing that I cannot manage. How is her Majesty?" she asked, locking eyes with her mentor.

Luna sighed in relief and smiled. "I am all right, but the others are not. I can't see my sister, where can she-" Luna was interrupted by a very loud explosion and the violent shaking of the land. A bolt of darkness shot up in the sky, expanding rapidly, enshrouding the area. Luna grabbed Silverghost with her magic and shot up in the skies, running away from the void that seemingly consumed the area surrounding the explosion site.

As the darkness began to fade away, the night alicorn could make up the shape of burnt trees and corpses of the fallen ponies. In the middle of the fading dark mist, there was a large figure, the size of an alicorn, standing face to face with another figure, about the same size, suspended in the air by magic. Luna's eyes widened when realization struck: the suspended creature was none other than Celestia, her pristine white coat a mass of burnt flesh and open wounds, crimson liquid staining the ash below her. Her wings had been both ripped off, and her horn was about to break. A thick, black blade was embedded into her chest, exiting through her back. The pony standing in front of her was the black mare of darkness, the Crimson Dawn, looking as lively as ever.

Luna started panting in shock, sweating heavily. "C-Celly..." she whispered, barely able to breathe. Silverghost, still in the grasp of the flying alicorn, used her magic to close in to her mentor and embraced her tightly, trying to make her face the other way, to avoid seeing the brutal scene.

With her last breath, Luna gritted her teeth and growled, feeling a surge of pure hatred emerge from the deepest part of her heart. "Twiiiiliiiiight!" she cried out, a black mass engulfing her. She felt a surge of power rock through her body, changing her appearance. Her coat became jet black, her eyes turquoise and dragon-slitted. Silverghost gasped loudly upon noticing the new form of her mentor.

Dawn glanced questioningly at the black ball of surging power. She felt this strange aura before, in the past. She grinned in delight and dropped the white alicorn, recovering her blood soaked blade from her mentor's chest. "It's been a while ... Nightmare Moon."

The black mist dissipated, revealing the Mare of the Night floating gently in the air. Using her magic, she lowered her student on the ground and shoved her away. "Run, Silverghost... It's time I put an end to this charade," she spoke in a venomous voice. Dawn took the hilt of Celestia's blade and threw it towards the black alicorn. Nightmare Moon picked it up using her magic and stared into the cold metal for a few moments. "Tis time... of reckoning," she cooed, her horn surging with power.

Dawn readied herself and spread her spectral wings. "At long last... A worthy opponent."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deep below the ruins of the Old Castle, Discord walked down a dark grand hall, occasionally kicking rocks and old bones lingering about. His foot steps rang faintly through the vast pillars of the expanse as he approached a round stone table on which four candles burned lightly. There were several other objects present, including several bowls filled with some strange liquid, a few blood stained daggers and the skull of an alicorn, a red mark etched on its forehead. He knocked twice on the table and cleared his throat, making his presence known. He glanced left and right, taking notice of three creatures approaching him. He smiled briefly and bowed before the three figures, addressing them by their names.

"Lord Cerberus, Mistress Raaki... Lord Void," he chuckled, carefully analyzing each figure; they were all apostles, just like him, only in their released form, clad in black steel and each bearing a necklace similar to what he gave Twilight, as well as a burned mark in their coat, not unlike the one on the skull.

They nodded in acknowledgement and sighed. "Welcome back, Master Discord. I take it you managed to persuade the young unicorn to participate in the Festival?" Cerberus asked in a low, thundering voice.

The Draconequus waved him off and shook his head. "No, I can't say that I have convinced her to do such a thing... But," he paused, a wide grin spreading on his features. "She won't have a choice... After all, if she plays her cards correctly, she may end up facing the Fifth, am I right?" he chuckled, rubbing his chin.

The other apostles exchanged glances and nodded. "Aye, ultimately she will face the Fifth. It's been some time since we last heard about her... Nightmare Moon. She needs to be reminded who she is and what her purpose is. The Holy Festival is coming... Her birth draws near," spoke Void, an apostle bearing the form of a hippogriff. He took out his necklace, sinking it in a bowl, staining it with blood, a gesture soon followed by the other apostles, including Discord. The small amulet shaped like a pony's head opened its eyes, the crimson liquid now streaming from them as if it were crying, its expression changing to one of horror. Discord smirked.

"Soon, our destinies will be fulfilled. Abaddon... is returning to us!" Discord squealed in delight, barely able to contain his excitement.

As the mephistophelian followers of Abaddon cherished the approaching of their evil goddess' rebirth, above in the skies of Equestria the Sun's power flickered and waned, as the Moon rose in an instant, blotting out the bright orb and spreading darkness over the land. The Fifth apostle entered the fray, bent on exacting vengeance upon the mare who dared harm her sister.

The Light in the Darkness

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 13: The Light in the Darkness
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Thirteen
The Light in the Darkness

The darkness swept over Equestria as the crescent Moon glowed brightly in the heavens. Nightmare Moon coughed a few times and groaned in annoyance. She was feeling odd, She wasn't used to this form anymore and felt as if she was blocking something unconsciously. Glancing around, she gazed upon her injured sister, the motionless soldiers and a stunned Silverghost, staring back at her. 'I-I have to protect them...'

With that in mind, the alicorn summoned her dark magic and conjured a large sphere of magic, isolating herself and Dawn within, so that the others would be protected from their powerful magic.

"My, you have changed Nightmare Moon... I could have sworn you would have torn the whole place apart just to kill me. What happened?" the darkened unicorn asked, taking position for a charge.

The night alicorn sighed and glared down at monster below her. "I may have changed my appearance, but I am still Luna. Remember that... Crimson Dawn!" she spat, taking aim and diving towards the unicorn.

Dawn huffed and grinned. "It won't make any difference..."

Nightmare Moon cried out and charged the unicorn. Her blade clashed with Dawn's, causing the black unicorn to clench her teeth from the effort. Rolling on her left, she broke contact and retaliated, her horn channeling a fireball. The alicorn focused her eyes on the charging fireball, preparing a counter-spell to deflect it and overpower the insane mare. Dawn grinned as Luna fell for her trap, secretly swinging a second blade in an attempt to cripple the night alicorn.

Nightmare Moon dodged the blade and instantly released an orb of highly condensed magic into the air, blowing Crimson Dawn away. Taking advantage of her opponents confusion, Nightmare Moon swung her sword, embedding it into the dark unicorn's back. The attack would have severed her spine, if not for her desperate release of magic that stopped the blade in its tracks. Dawn teleported away from the night alicorn, panting. Rivulets of blood trickled down her sides from the fresh wound. Even though shallow, the cut had affected her motor skills, each movement sending a sharp pain through her spine. She glared at the night alicorn maliciously, before pulling her mouth into a smug smile. "I really did not expect you to be this skilled... Still, this is just the beginning!" she hissed, her eyes glowing wildly.

The alicorn groaned lightly, rubbing her forehead. She was starting to get dizzy and felt sick. Her breathing became erratic, and her heart rate was rapidly increasing. For a brief moment, she blacked out and nearly collapsed, righting herself immediately after. Dawn took advantage of her state and launched a counter attack, sending numerous fireballs aimed at her. Following her barrage, the deranged unicorn poured a large amount of magic into her body, becoming a blur as she raced toward the alicorn, cutting a long line down the length of her body.

"What's the matter, Luna? Can't stand against an lowly unicorn?" she spat. Nightmare Moon raised her head and glanced at her enemy, struggling to breathe. She could feel emotions pent up in her, like a raging inferno. Dawn hovered above her triumphantly, preparing to strike again. Nightmare Moon's eyes closed as she lowered her head, her body seemingly giving in to the internal pressure. Dawn gave a light chuckle and blinked once. That was her greatest mistake.

In a split second, it had been decided. Dawn's eyes shot open as she tumbled through the air, struggling to stop from spinning. Righting herself, she clung with a hoof to her chest, feeling a very deep wound, that ran up her throat up to her chin. Blood streamed in torrents, causing her to panic. She tried to say something, but only gurgled sounds came out. She glanced forward and looked upon the shivering form of the dark alicorn, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The alicorn panted heavily, shocked from what had just happened. 'It-it's her... she-she's taking over. If I didn't snap back when I did, I would have most surely decapitated Dawn on the spot. No... I can't kill her, I have to restore her! Silverghost... I need y-you- aurghh!' she groaned internally, severe pain shooting up at the back of her skull, causing her to black out once again, this time crashing on the ground with a loud thud.

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From the side, the silvery unicorn watched helplessly as her mentor lost herself to the dark powers. She needed to get inside and stop it. She was the only one who could. Despite her protests and screaming, the figures inside couldn't hear anything, or didn't pay attention.

"Silverghost!" a male voice called for her.

The mare turned and stared into the newcomer's eyes and sniffed. "Valiant I-I need your help, I need to get inside!"

The white pegasus captain approached the mare and hushed her, grabbing her into a hug to calm her. "Shh, calm down 'Ghost. She can handle it. I know she can," he cooed, shooting a glance inside the bubble, looking at the form of the alicorn lying on the ground, thrashing around. 'Or... not,' he gulped.

They were interrupted by the sound of marching troops and rapid galloping. "Hey y'all! What tha hay happened here? Looks like tha sky came down upon ye... whoa nelly," a new, familiar voice called to them.

Silverghost got up from the pegasus' embrace and rushed to meet the newcomers. "Miss Applejack! And the other elements!" she squeaked in surprise. Behind the four mares approaching her, the backup army was marching towards the bubble, surrounding it and preparing. A few unicorns went and tended to the white alicorn laying unconscious on the scorched grass.

The orange mare approached the silvery unicorn and smiled at her, before turning to gaze inside the massive globe. Her eyes wandered around, trying to find the source of the commotion, but the darkness made it very difficult.

Rarity approached the two mares and summoned her magic, lighting up her surrounding area. "There, we should be able to see more clearly... now?" her voice died in her throat, taking notice of the hovering black unicorn inside the dome, gasping for breath, as blood streamed freely from her throat.

A sudden cry of anguish and pain chilled the onlookers, causing them to stare at the thrashing figure lying on the ground, writhing in agony. Silverghost once again leaped at the magical dome and started furiously beating it, trying to break through. "No! I have to stop her, please I need your help! Princess Luna!" she gave a shriek, kicking at the dome relentlessly.

"Whoa there, sis, what has gotten into ye?" the orange mare asked, restraining the panicked unicorn. The captain joined the cowpony and helped restraining the seemingly mad unicorn.

"No! You don't understand, if I don't go in there and stop her, then-"

KRAAAAAAA-KOOOOOOOOM

A loud thunderclap followed by an overcharged magical impulse blowing away the dome, and everypony who stood nearby.

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Dawn floated gently in the air, focusing all of her magic to heal her deep wounds. She had become lightheaded from the blood loss. Just as she was finishing a loud cry followed by a severe magic burst hit her directly, sending her through the dome, smashing it to pieces and flying at such a speed that her coat almost ignited from the friction. Eventually she crashed in the ruins of Ponyville, her old home. She laid in the debris for a few moments, trying to piece together what had just happened. Slowly, her eyes closed and she fell unconscious, unaware of the monster she had awakened.

Back at the dome, the night alicorn rose from the ground heaving. She started vomiting, a feeling of great sickness washing over her. She glanced at her sword as Dawn's blood slid gently towards the tip. With a lagged motion, she shakily brought the blade up to her muzzle and opened her mouth, extending her tongue slightly. As her tongue finally made contact with the cold, metallic blade, Nightmare Moon ran it across the bloodied surface, gently stroking the crimson rivulets and inhaling shakily. After she licked her blade clean, the black alicorn started convulsing and coughing violently. What had started as a moan ended up in a howl, not unlike that of a dying animal, echoing out in the distance.

Celestia, having been protected by the powerful shock-wave by her own magic, rose groggily from the ground and shook off the dust and ash, eying the remains of her army scattered all around her. She choked back a sob and wiped her fresh tears, glancing around. A loud howl caught her attention, sending chills down her spine. She turned around slowly and eyed the creature that was huffing and growling like a famished beast. An alicorn bearing a regal black coat with turquoise eyes; Nightmare Moon.

Celestia gasped loudly and tried to rush at her sister's side, only to be grasped in her telekinetic grasp and lifted off the ground. The white alicorn could feel pressure building around her throat, causing her to enter full panic mode. "L-Luna! S-stop... I-I can't breathe!" she squeaked in horror.

The night alicorn glanced over, a few tears streaking her cheeks. In an instant, she freed her sister out of her grasp. "Celly... run. Run away Celestia," she sobbed, collapsing to her knees.

Celestia, released from her sister's grasp, rubbed her neck and got up to her feet, trotting over to her sister. "Luna, come back to your senses, you can fight it! Please, calm down. Breathe Luna, breathe!" The white alicorn tried to soothe her sister, attempting to avoid a tragedy. Nightmare Moon clenched her teeth and whimpered, as her shoulder started bleeding, in the shape of a strange mark. The white alicorn gasped and tried to wipe the blood, but it kept flowing while maintaining the shape. Thinking back, Celestia knew she had seen it before, but where?

"W-what is this, Luna? This... this mark... what-"

Nightmare Moon's eyes shot open and released a magical burst, sending her sister flying. "I said, RUN! It-it's coming...augh!" she winced, her mystical mane and tail turning into a swirling storm. "Too late..." With a sharp screech, Nightmare Moon took flight in the direction where Dawn had landed, leaving Celestia alone in the dead fields. She had only one purpose, to end the life of the unicorn in the most painful way she could think off. A smirk curled upon her lips.

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The Crimson Dawn was slowly coming back to her senses, rising from the debris. She rubbed her neck and sighed in relief, feeling the terrible wound closed. She still felt a little lightheaded, but that would pass with time. She glanced around the area, her gaze falling onto the hilt of her sword. She grasped it in her telekinetic grip and brought it over, eying it with disinterest.

Dawn's train of thoughts was interrupted by a sudden surge of magic that sent her flying, thrashing violently through the air. She caught sight of the night alicorn in time to dodge her swing, but her enemy's speed far exceeded her own; Nightmare Moon spun in the air and plunged her head straight into her lower stomach, goring her out. It's then she realized something. Nightmare Moon's expression had changed, her lips curled up into a crazed grin, her pupils shrink back into her head; She had lost her mind. A small squeak escaped the Alicorn's lips, that started picking up in intensity and frequency, eventually bursting out in maddening laughter.

"Missed me? You have something that I want," she spoke softly, licking her lips. "Your blood is mine," Nightmare Moon seethed, glaring at the shocked unicorn. She chocked back a few squeals, containing her excitement. "More... I want more!" she screamed out, her eyes lighting up. With a mighty shove, she sent the unicorn towards the ground at high speed, intending on breaking her bones.

With a loud thud, the unicorn crashed into the scorched earth and coughed up more blood, clinging to her stomach wound with a hoof to prevent her guts spilling out. The pain was excruciating and she could barely think through it. A quick burst of magic sealed the gash in her stomach. It wouldn't fix her organs, but at least she didn't have to worry about bleeding out. Glancing tiredly at her left hoof, she took notice of the amulet she was given by the Draconequus. 'The Festival... That bastard knew it would end up like this. It was his plan all along. Discord, you treacherous worm!' she cringed internally. 'I have no other chance, I have to do it, I have to sacrifice myself...'

With that in mind, Dawn opened her wings to their full span and charged a very powerful orb of magic, hoping to buy enough time to flee. She had to get away and reach the Old Castle. With a mighty cry of pain and anger, the unicorn sent the ball of magic towards the alicorn, exploding when it was in close proximity. Dawn took the opportunity and flew away, but not for long. Nightmare Moon let out a growl and shot up in pursuit, flapping her wings hard, catching up on the fleeing unicorn.

Dawn took notice of her pursuer and charged a lightning spell, attempting to slow down her pursuer and buy more time to reach the castle. As she discharged her spell, she noticed her vision was getting all blurry, and she could not wipe the mist off her eyes. Pain shot up from her front legs, causing her to wince and whimper in pain. Her powers were nearly spent, after all these battles.

She snapped to reality when she noticed the ruins of the great old castle reflecting off the moonlight. Glancing behind, she found it strange that Nightmare Moon had disappeared from view, until she heard a faint rustle, as if something was flying at extremely high speed. It was too late to dodge the hit. She only managed to glance upwards and take notice of a blueish aura crashing into her, knocking her out of the sky. Dawn crash-landed in what was once Celestia's tower, falling through the wooden floor, spinning wildly as she kept falling even deeper in the ruins until she reached the end of it, smashing her head hard against the stone floor. The situation kept getting worse for the unicorn, now having nearly crushed her horn to dust on the pavement and split open her head from the force of the impact.

Dawn groaned loudly and tried to raise herself. She gasped in shock when she realized that she had been paralyzed; apparently Nightmare Moon's dive aimed for the weak spot she created when she cut into her back bones, finishing the job. The injured unicorn started panicking, having nearly been killed by the reckless actions of the night alicorn. Whimpering in pain and shock, she crawled painfully across the stone floor, silently cursing at her damaged front legs that only made her incursion even more difficult. Fear crept into her mind and she started calling out for the Draconequus.

"DISCORD!! Help me! Discord!" she screamed out in panic. Her screams died out in her throat, hearing soft hoofsteps approaching. She winced and pulled herself up, scanning the area for a possible escape. Before she could take a step forward, Nightmare Moon appeared behind her and stabbed her through her back, piercing her lung and embedding the blade into the stone floor.

"Trying to go somewhere?" the black alicorn chuckled lightly, lying down on her belly and staring the broken mare in the eyes. Dark blood streamed in a torrent from the unicorn's nose, earning a squeal of delight from the alicorn. Nightmare Moon grabbed the unicorn's head and lapped greedily at Dawn's muzzle, despite her struggle. The alicorn traced her tongue along Dawn's features, savoring every droplet of blood that stained her dark coat. Eventually, she paused for a moment and grinned widely, pulling the unicorn in a grotesque kiss, parting her lips and gently sucking her tongue, taking in the metallic taste of the blood residing in Dawn's mouth. Nightmare Moon moaned softly as her eyes closed in pure delight.

After a few moments, the alicorn broke the kiss and rose to her feet, licking her lips greedily. "Thank you for your offering," she smiled. The broken unicorn panted, eying the alicorn with hatred. "Oh, why the long face?" Nightmare Moon grinned, placing a hoof on the unicorn's head, ready to crush it. "It's been a pleasure, Crimson Dawn. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have come back from the darkest corners of Luna's soul. Bon voyage, and give my regards to hell, once you arrive!"

"Uh uh, not yet," a new voice called out from around them.

The alicorn glanced around in surprise, taking notice of a powerful flow of magic twisting around them. "What the..." She was interrupted by a powerful surge that caused her and the unicorn to levitate in a golden flow of magic, pulling them upwards. Glancing upright, she gasped loudly upon noticing a large maelstrom of unknown dark magic. It swirled furiously and pulled in energy from the ley-lines, practically sucking out the lifeforce of the world, scorching the area around the castle in blazing infernos. 'What is this... It feels so familiar... Home.'

Before being consumed by the vortex, the alicorn caught sight of a silvery unicorn running towards them, apparently screaming at them. But she couldn't think, much less hear through this unrelenting maelstrom of magic, lost souls, emotions, and death. She finally closed her eyes, slowly falling asleep in the magical embrace.

'Welcome home, Nightmare Moon...'

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The white alicorn laid on her back on the ground, sobbing out loudly. She had failed her sister again. Luna was her best friend, and she cherished every moment spent with her. Right now, she could only remember how she banished her for a thousand years, and only because she was furious and wanted to punish Luna for attacking the monarchy.

"Why are you crying...?" a soft, female voice called out to her.

Celestia sniffed and rubbed her eyes. "I-I failed Luna again, mother. I deserve to die for the pain I've brought her throughout these years," she sobbed. "When will I learn mother?" she chocked back a sob.

A greenish spectral alicorn materialized before Celestia's eyes. "Do not fret, my daughter. She is not lost, yet; however, if you do not act now, her heart shall be entangled in evil, and she might be lost forever. Go now, daughter. Go and save your sister. Restore the balance my dear," she cooed, smiling.

Celestia wiped her tears and narrowed her eyes in determination, anger. She had lost her sister once because she did not act; she would not do so again. With a cry of anger, she rose from the ground and summoned her astral powers, entering the form of Sol once more, instantly restoring her body and gaining access to the powers of the cosmos. With a smile, she glanced to her right, where her blade had been called. "Let's go, Glorenzelg. Retribution awaits!"

She launched herself in the air, speeding towards the battle ongoing. She was going to save her sister from the darkness, no matter what.

As Celestia flew off in the distance, Gaia let out a drawn sigh and frowned.

"How long are you going to keep her in the dark, Gaia?" a male ghostly voice asked her. The alicorn mare turned towards the source of the voice as it materialized in the form of a spectral alicorn stallion eying her with sadness. "How long can we lie to our daughter?"

Gaia did not reply, choosing instead to stare at the ground. "I-I don't know, Genesis. The truth would devastate her..."

The stallion approached the mare and nuzzled her affectionately. "It's better if she learns it from us. Plus, we both know Luna is-"

"Stop. Please, just stop. I don't want to hear it. Not now," the mare scrunched her eyes shut, unsuccessful in blocking out her tears. As they streamed down her cheeks, they fell on the ground, instantly rejuvenating it and giving birth to a small reddish flower.

Genesis wiped her tears and pulled her into a kiss. After a while, they broke it and stared into each others eyes. "We must go. Yonius needs us at the Pantheon."

The mare nodded weakly and prepared to teleport when something caught her attention. "Genesis, did you feel that?" she asked, concern growing in her heart.

The stallion stopped and glanced at his consort, wanting to reply, however his words died out in his throat. "Y-yes, I did," he stammered, turning and gazing over the Everfree Forest, towards the old Castle. A large storm was forming just above the ruins, a whirlpool of magic churning endlessly. "It's the realm of death. Home of Abaddon's apostles," he spat.

"It's so... vile. It stands against all creation. I can feel so much pain, suffering and death. Galatea-"

The stallion shot his consort an annoyed glance. "Do not say that name again," he seethed, preparing a teleportation spell. "Galatea died a long time ago. Only Abaddon remains..."

During the few seconds that preceded the teleportation to the Pantheon, his mind went back to a crucial moment in his life: the final moments of Abaddon before he ended her reign. Her smirk before dying, and most of all, her last words.

'Life is weak! Fragile! Fleeting... Death is final, death is eternal. Death... is my domain. Look upon me, Genesis, and you see the bane of all life!'

Genesis cringed internally, but dismissed the thoughts and finished the incantation, teleporting himself and Gaia away from Equestria, leaving everything in the hooves of their daughter. If she failed, the world would be lost.

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Silverghost was panting and sweating, running as fast as she could towards the storm of evil that swirled furiously above the Everfree Forest. Loud cracks of lightning set the skies ablaze in the middle of the artificial night. The Elements of Harmony struggled to keep up with her fast pace, as she desperately tried to reach her mentor. Sol flew above them, heading straight towards the immense storm of chaos. Her eyes caught glimpse of the form of Nightmare Moon, being sucked into the vortex.

"Princess Luna! Wait!" Silverghost cried out, straining her legs and pouring everything she had into reaching her princess. With a great cry of pain, she leaped forward and got caught in the updraft, and just in time. As she reached cloud height, the maelstrom below imploded in a massive magical shock-wave, knocking Sol out of the sky and rendering the elements immobile.

"Damn it! Luna!" the white alicorn called out for her sister. Her cries were met with the low, rumbling thunders that lit the night sky. She summoned her magic and attempted to lower the Moon, only to have her spell backfire. 'What the?! I can't lower the Moon, even in this form?'

"Princess Celestia, are you alright?" the white unicorn, Rarity, asked her with great concern. The other ponies, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Fluttershy came at her side, helping the mystical alicorn to her hooves.

Sol groaned and got up groggily, eying the strange storm in the skies. A feeling of pure dread crept into her heart. She feared for her sister. She feared for Equestria. "I-I'm all right, my little ponies, but there is something terrible happening up there, and I have no idea what..." she spoke softly in a ghostly tone, maintaining her composure. Deciding that she could do nothing to help the situation, she reverted to her normal form.

The other ponies joined the Princess, staring with great interest at the clouded sky, as lightning crackled through the heavens. "Excuse me Princess, but, what do we do now?" Rarity looked up at the alicorn, fear written all over her face.

Celestia sighed and glanced at the white mare, giving her a reassuring smile. "We wait. We wait and hope. There is nothing we can do." Gazing upwards, Celestia felt her eyes watering. 'Equestria's fate is in your hooves, Silverghost. Please, bring back Luna safely, I beg you.'

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Inside the unconscious mare's mind, Rainbow Dash blurred through fierce storm clouds that pierced the heavens with lightning, loud crackles hurting her ear drums. Her wings ached and her body was sore, but she did not give up. Twilight needed her and she was the only one able to help her. The cyan pegasus took notice of the ruins of the Old Castle and dived, spiraling downwards. Landing with a soft thud, she entered the desolate castle and trotted down the webbed corridors, her steps echoing out hollowly.

She arrived at a rather familiar scene, the old throne room, where she and her friends defeated Nightmare Moon more than twenty years ago, on Twilight's first day in Ponyville. Rainbow stopped briefly and wondered. Did Twilight even had any friends before them? Well, she had Spike, but she didn't knew if a dragon slave counted as a friend. She chuckled lightly at her joke. The serenity of the place was broken by soft crying. Her eyes widened in realization and turned to face the source of the sound.

Trotting down towards her was a broken, lavender mare, limping painfully. She gasped loudly with each step, occasionally spitting blood and coughing loudly. Rainbow's breath quickened as starting to hyperventilate.

Coming from the shadows, a new figure emerged into the throne room and grinned, drawing the attention of the pegasus. His misshaped body gave away his identity easily. The cyan pegasus gritted her teeth and growled menacingly at the Draconequus.

Twilight was surprised as well to see her old enemy, even more so in her current state. Her body finally gave out from exhaustion and she collapsed on the old stone floor, struggling to breathe as the blood kept flowing in her lungs; she was literally drowning. "W-what? What are you...doing here?" she muttered, her voice only a whisper.

Discord approached the injured mare and sat down beside her, a blank expression etched on his face. "What ever happened to you, my little pony?" he asked, rubbing his chin. When the mare did not reply, he sighed. "Twilight Sparkle, do you want to know the reason I called you here? Do you want to know the reason you are now an orphan?" he asked, lightly tapping the floor.

Twilight gritted her teeth and lashed out at the Draconequus, only to collapse back on the floor motionless, barely breathing.

Discord chuckled lightly and approached the unicorn, sitting beside her. "Oh, you needn't do such reckless things. Beside, your life is spent. Do you want to know the truth, my dear Sparkle?" he grinned as his eyes flashed for a brief moment. The unicorn mare turned her head and spat the Draconequus, blood trailing down his forehead, earning a sigh. "Heh, rather annoying, aren't we?"

Tapping his fingers lightly, he rose to his feet and chuckled. "You made a big mistake coming here alone. Without the magic of your friendship, you are powerless to fight against me. You are mine, Sparkle!" he snickered, placing his hand upon her hornless head. Rainbow gasped as she noticed Twilight's body changing color to a dull grey.

"Hmm, it won't work... Maybe... ah yes. That should do," Discord grinned, summoning a small dagger to his side. Cutting into his palm, he let a few droplets of blood seep unto the mentally broken unicorn. Whatever the Draconequus had in mind, it worked, for his magic started to work and his blood entered Twilight's body through her wounds.

The lavender mare yelled out in pain, her horrifying wounds closing from the surge of magic. A new horn formed on her head, much longer and sharp. Her body grew and became more sleek. Her singed coat burned off completely, being replaced with a new, jet black fur.

"Oh, and by the way, I am the one who killed your parents." In a bright flash, the Draconequus disappeared, leaving the new mare alone in the room.

Rainbow stared in fright at the new creature, her mind racing. 'W-what? Discord... It's his fault. No, poor Twilight. She doesn't know-" Her train of thoughts was interrupted when the mare turned around and smiled wryly at her.

"Oh, my dearest Rainbow Dash, I'm glad you could make it. So what do you think? Like the new outfit?" she asked, grinning sadistically.

The cyan pegasus was at a loss of words. "Twi-Twilight, you have been deceived. It was Discord who killed your parents! He wanted you to become like this, to do his bidding! Twilight, fight his control, please! I love you, I forgive everything that you did to me, to Scootaloo. Just please, come back to us..." she choked a sob.

"Really? Well, I guess you don't mind if I go ahead and test out my new powers, don't you? Starting with... your little bitch of a daughter, which I fought so hard to help you adopt!" she screamed out.

Rainbow gasped in fright, her eyes narrowing in anger. She charged the unicorn demigod, hoping to stop her right there. She could not bear seeing her daughter die again; however, the unicorn had something else in mind. The reality twisted once again, and Rainbow found herself pinned to the ground, battered and injured. She glanced around and groaned, barely able to move.

"Mommy!"

The scream sent shivers down Rainbow's spine, causing her to look upwards. Scootaloo was thrashing in the air, held by the magic of Twilight. The tiny filly was crying and struggling to reach out the cyan pegasus. "Mommy, please, help me! It hurts, it hurts!" she screeched, her throat hurting from so much screaming. The mare holding her gave a light chuckle.

"Aww, come on Scootaloo, I thought we were friends? You want your mommy, hmm?" the insane mare asked, smiling awkwardly. The tiny filly could only nod weakly.

The Crimson Dawn sighed and lowered Scootaloo near Rainbow, showing her the extensive damage she had suffered. Her legs had been broken, her tiny wings had been ripped off. Several gashes oozed blood, coating the filly in a dark red. She struggled to breathe, having cried so much. Rainbow cried out openly and struggled to reach out her daughter, to hold her but found herself unable to move. She started screaming when Scootaloo was taken away from her, and lifted high into the air.

"No! Please, take me instead! Let her live, oh please Twilight don't do this to me!"

Dawn giggled and shrugged. "I'm keeping you for desert. Now, let's see what Scootaloo had for breakfast..." she spoke, applying more force to her telekinetic grip. More anguished screams and cries, then a screech of pure agony, anguish. A horrific ripping sound, accompanied by squishes and spurts.

That was the last drop. The cyan pegasus' heart stopped beating in that instant. Her mind was reeling, her body felt weak, dying. She opened her eyes slightly and let out a howl of anguish. She had done it again. Twilight had killed Scootaloo, right before her teary eyes.

One half of the filly was still in Dawn's telekinetic grasp, body fluids dripping freely. Her eyes were half closed, seemingly staring down at the cyan pegasus, as if to mock her pitiful attempt to save her. Rainbow Dash couldn't take it anymore. Her eyes closed and she succumbed to the darkness, falling into the void. She wanted to die. But there, through her closed eyes, in the darkness, where she thought her hopes had been crushed, a glimmering light popped into existence, accompanied by something else.

A soft, faint voice called out to her.

'Dash! Don't let her get to you! Rainbow Dash!'

That voice. Her voice.

In the darkness, Rainbow had found it. She had found the power to smile.

'Heh... took you long enough.'

The light materialized before her eyes into a lavender unicorn bearing a magical crown. Her eyes were full of love and compassion, and her heart pure. Dash looked up to her and let out a giggle. Twilight Sparkle smiled and offered a hoof, helping the cyan pegasus to her feet.

"Come on Dash, we have to save Equestria," she spoke softly, her eyes brimmed with tears. The cyan pegasus nodded and wiped her tears away.

"Yeah, let's go Twi'!" Dash replied, her necklace materializing around her neck. "This mare needs some harmony, and we are going to give it all!"

She had found it. Rainbow Dash had finally found the light in the darkness.

Heart of the Nightmare

//-----------------------------
// Story: Hour of Twilight
// Chapter: Chapter 14: Heart of the Nightmare
// Author: Darth Femto
//-----------------------------

Chapter Fourteen
Heart of the Nightmare

Nightmare Moon slowly woke up. She glanced around and sighed in exhaustion. Her eyes closed, ready to sink into the dream once more. She felt safe here, wherever this 'here' might be. It was so quiet. There was no rustling of leaves, no crackling of thunder. Only deathly silence. It was then she remembered.

Crimson Dawn. She was still alive.

Her eyes shot open and she jumped to her hooves. Darkness surrounded her, but she could faintly make out the shape of braziers burning. The wavering flames barely illuminating the surrounding area. The shadows danced in the flickering light of the fires. She could feel another presence, no, four entities. Four creatures sat in the same room, their evil auras easily recognized by the alicorn.

Nightmare Moon stepped forward and approached the lined up figures, their faces barely visible through the shroud of darkness. The mare glanced upwards and narrowed her eyes, barely making out what appeared to be dark gray clouds churning above this forgotten world. But there was something else beside smoke and dust filling the air around her; the pungent smell of rot and death.

The dark alicorn coughed and spat, struggling to contain the contents of her stomach. The smell stung her nostrils and burned her throat. Using a hoof, she covered her muzzle and tried to breathe through her mouth. Her attempt was met with little success as the heavy air suffocated her.

Seeing the alicorn struggle with the vile atmosphere, one of the creatures stepped towards her and gave a light chuckle.

"Welcome home, Nightmare Moon. It's been so long since you last entered this realm... what has it been, a thousand years? I'm sorry we didn't have time to tidy up the place, or even dust it. Oh well, you'll get used to it," the creature snorted.

Nightmare Moon raised her head and stared at the figure in front of her, barely able to make out its features. The fact that her eyes stung from the vile air didn't help. With a dry cough, she conjured a fireball and used its light to get a better look at the mysterious thing.

The improved light allowed the alicorn to finally learn the identity of the creature. It was hard to believe she hadn't recognized him before, considering his misshaped body composed of different animal parts easily gave him away. The Draconequus put on a goofy smirk and crossed his arms.

"Well, how do you like it here?"

The Alicorn's eyes narrowed in anger, gritting her teeth. "You! I remember now... It was you who poisoned my mind with lies and filth!" she roared.

The Cerberus stepped forward and approached the alicorn, letting out a thundering cackle. "What's wrong, Nightmare Moon? Is something bothering you? You can tell us; we are, after all, your true family," he grinned.

"Family?" she stammered. Her eyes closed as her anger materialized as a spear of darkness, impaling the Cerberus square in the chest and piercing his demon heart. "How dare you even mention such a concept?"

Black blood gushed and sprayed across the alicorn, as the beast howled and struggled to free itself. After a few moments, the Cerberus collapsed, its life ending abruptly. The alicorn rose to her feet and grinned, staring at the remains of the massive beast. She blinked in surprise as its body began decomposing before her eyes, turning into what seemed like a horde of undead crows that flew high into the darkened sky and disappeared into the darkness, leaving a trail of smoke in their wake. Nightmare Moon coughed a few times and turned towards the remaining apostles.

Lord Void, the hippogryph let out a howl of rage and charged the alicorn, bringing down his claws on her blade, striking furiously. With each swipe, he drew more blood, forcing Nightmare Moon into a corner. Mistress Raaki joined the fray, swinging a double edged spear.

Nightmare Moon howled in anger and summoned her magic, her horn lighting up violently, blasting off the apostles, allowing her room to grip her blade and retaliate, swinging left and right, carving into the flesh of her assailants. "I have no intention of fighting alongside you. I have my own plans for this world,” she gave a hearty chuckle. “I will shroud this world in darkness, and kill all who oppose me. I’m through toying with you, worms. Be gone from my sight!” she howled, bringing up her blade and swinging in a circular fashion, sending powerful gusts of wind accompanied by lighting bolts into the two apostles, seemingly incapacitating them.

With the corner of her eyes, the alicorn mare caught sight of the Draconequus, as he picked up a silver dagger, eying her with a satisfied smirk. This moment of distraction was enough for the two apostles to recover from the Alicorns seemingly fatal attacks and impale her in the chest.

Taking advantage of Nightmare Moon's weakness, Raaki and Void grabbed her by the wings and slammed her head on the pavement, pinning her down. With a quick spin of her bladed spear, the demon mare removed both of the alicorn's wings while the hippogryph grabbed her by the horn, pulling backwards, exposing her throat.

Nightmare Moon howled in pain and started writhing around as blood gushed from her wing stumps, spraying the two pinning her down.

"You bastards, you are going to pay for- AAGHH!"

Discord knocked the mare over the head brutally, repeating the motion endlessly. She cried out in pain and anger at every swing as she struggled to get back on her hooves.

"Shut up, sister, you bore me greatly..." the draconequus sighed.

"Fuck you-THWAACK!" the mare was interrupted by another violent strike from the draconequus.

The night alicorn bit off the tip of her tongue as her jaw slammed against the ground. Nightmare Moon growled in anger as her mouth started filling with blood and saliva, dripping through her teeth and onto the ground. Discord let out a chuckle and sighed.

"Did the cat bite your tongue, sister? I told you to keep your mouth shut, yet you refused to listen to reason," he grinned sadistically. Nightmare Moon let out a gurgled scream and thrashed around. Discord paid no heed to her attempts to free herself, merely circling her. "You know, there is something bugging me about you, ever since we've known each other," he shrugged. "Your magical signature was always off, different from mine. It's almost like you aren't even of my blood. Well, it doesn't matter anymore. Your life will end here and now, Nightmare Moon."

The draconequus picked up his dagger and rested it over her throat. "I'm sure you will find hell a very pleasant place,” he smirked, applying pressure to the blade, eventually piercing the alicorn’s coat, eliciting gurgled screams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time seemed to slow down as the alicorn felt her life fading away. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she prepared for the inevitable. Luna could feel her alter ego's influence fading away, along with her life. She was in control once more; awaiting her death. The pain was unbearable; she could barely hold in her sickness. She just wished it would go away. The night princess opened her eyes one last time and gasped silently. Through her blurry eyes, Luna could distinguish something unusual.

Fire. A city on fire. A purgatory.

Bodies of ponies hanging limply, impaled on pikes, lined up like a parade.

Frightening monsters the likes of which she had never seen before filled the landscape. She watched as they inflicted even more pain and misery upon the ponies that were unlucky enough to be alive. Their screams of anguish made her ears hurt.

Black, four eyed crows swarmed the corpses relentlessly, devouring their putrid flesh.

The alicorn felt her heart come to a stop as she witnessed these acts of cruelty. Was this the future? It did look like it, but something was off. The way the ponies looked, acted… No, this wasn’t the future.

This was hell.

Through her weakening powers, she noticed something strange. One of the crows was peeling off the skin of a still living stallion’s skull, revealing a mark etched on its forehead. A mark that was burned into her shoulder as well.

[img] http://decalzilla.com/images/Large%20Gifs/Berserk_Sacrifice.gif[/img]

Is this what awaited her when she died? Was she going to suffer in this hell like all the others?

Her sensitive ears picked up a strange sound in this city of death. Sobbing, different from the wails of anguish surrounding her. It was the cry of an innocent soul; the cry of an angel.

Despite not being able to move on her own, her spirit was taken to the source of the crying, into a what appeared to be a cemetery. There, amongst the cracked headstones, a brilliant white alicorn sobbed silently, her head resting on a grave. Unlike the other graves, this one was covered in beautiful flowers. Despite the atmosphere that reeked of death and decay, the smell of flowers entered Luna’s nostrils, soothing her senses despite the circumstances.

The broken mare noticed her, and rose to her hooves to approach the night princess. A soft smile curled up on her lips, her cheeks darkened by tears, both fresh and old.

“Luna? Is that you?” she whispered, barely containing her emotions.

Luna stared into the white alicorn’s eyes, but she could not recognize her. At first, she thought this was Celestia, but this mare was taller. Her mane was similar to Luna's; a dark blue, streaked by darker hues. Her eyes were different as well, a soft golden glow emanating from them.

“Who are you?” she asked, keeping her distance.

The strange mare seemed to be taken aback by this question. “Luna? Don’t you recognize me? I-I...,” she whimpered, unable to press further.

The night princess growled and stomped at the ground. “Well?! Why was I brought here? What do you want from me?”

The white mare frowned sadly and returned to the grave, resting her head on her forearms. “You don’t remember… You can’t remember. You were only three weeks old when they took you away and then killed me…”

“What are you talking about?!” Luna snapped, taken aback by this chilling revelation. Just who was this mare, and what did she had to do with all this? Why did she seem so familiar? Luna felt a slight pang of guilt for snapping out at the sad alicorn.

The white coated mare glanced at the younger one, piercing her with her gaze. “I don’t have time to explain right now. You are about to die in the real world, and I cannot have that,” she seethed, her horn glowing brightly, engulfing Luna in a black cloud of smoke.

“Save yourself Luna. Go back to Equestria,” she spoke softly, wiping her fresh tears. "We shall speak again, sometime..."

The night alicorn felt very powerful magic seeping into her body. But it was so dark… So evil. After a few moments, the cloud faded, allowing Luna to gaze into the strange mare's golden eyes.

“If you would like to learn more about whom you truly are, find the city of Ny’alotha. Deep in the black forest where the drowned Goddess' heart lies. A cross marks the spot… Seek me out, Luna,” the white alicorn gave a weak smile.

The regent of the Moon stared at the singed earth, unsure what to say. "Ny'alotha... But, where can I find such a city? There is no such settlement in Equestria!"

The alicorn closed her eyes and turned her back at Luna, muttering something under her breath. "In order to reach the black forest, you must find the Waygate of Almior. Right now, it is located deep beneath the Castle of Canterlot. However, I must warn you. Deep in the catacombs of Canterlot, the restless ghosts of the past guard the entrance to the chamber where the waygate is. Now go, your life is almost spent!"

Luna felt warm magic seep into her, pulling her away. “Wait, I don’t know your name!”

The alicorn turned and gave Luna possibly the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. “My name is Galatea. Take care, my daughter.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Discord was almost done sawing Nightmare Moon's head off, a massive pool of blood spreading underneath him. Just as he was about to commend himself for a job well done, he felt a terrible surge of power swirling furiously around him.

Something had gone horribly wrong.

With a mighty shove, the apostles pinning down the Mare in the Moon were violently flung away. Discord had been sent flying as well, into a nearby column, his dagger landing not far away. He coughed and swore under his breath. Glancing at the night alicorn, his heart skipped a few beats as his eyes peered into a whirlpool of evil magic he had never seen before.

The night princess held her gaze upwards; eyes closed in contempt as the new magic seeped into her body and healed her wounds. Her wings healed themselves, but they retained bony, sharp blades extending at the tip. She was quaking with anger.

Her body grew taller, and thinner. Sharp spikes protruded from her spinal column, conjoining with a bone linked ribcage armor. Her mystical mane had completely disappeared, leaving behind a white mane and tail, in contrast to her dark coat.

Her horn grew longer as sharp fangs protruded from her muzzle, her eyes too having transformed into two cyan orbs with a black sclera. She leaned over and started throwing up a white substance, apparently with a life of its own. The fluid started floating gently in the air, materializing itself in the form of a half broken mask covering the left side of her face.

A low growl followed by screaming pierced the air.

Discord fell to his knees and cowered before the new creature. His heart raced and his fear grew.

"What is the meaning of this, Nightmare Moon?!" He cried out, failing to hide the terror seeping through him.

Howls of torment and pain echoed in the darkness, sending chills down Discord's spine. He could not comprehend what was happening. This power was beyond anything he had imagined.

"How dare you..." she paused growling viciously, a mischievous grin appearing on her face. "We are Luna!” she howled, tendrils of darkness protruding from her ribcage and impaling the draconequus, lifting him in the air. Discord cried out and struggled to release himself, only to be flung violently towards the columns lined up.

Turning around, she eyed the demon Pegasus and the hippogryph, glaring furiously at her.

“Who's next?" she asked, licking her lips. When the two merely exchanged worried glances, she huffed and picked up her blade. "If you won't come at us, I guess we'll just have to come to you!"

With a powerful thrust of her bone wings, the alicorn shot up in the air, a massive air current bursting forth in her wake. Void and Raaki covered their eyes from the rising dust.

Luna hovered lightly in the air, power surging outwards. Bringing up the blade, she poured a large amount of magic into its edge, transforming it into a cyclone of dark magic swirling furiously around the hilt. With a strained grunt, she swung the blade downward, sending the crescent shaped wave of high condensed magic towards the two apostles.

The pegasus mare dodged out of the way and took cover behind a pillar, while the hippogryph brought out his forearms, attempting to block the massive surge of magic with his claws. He gasped in shock as the attack dispersed, revealing the blade of Nightmare Moon carving into his palms. The huge amount of energy contained in the blow sent the apostle careening into a row of pillars, crushing them to pieces.

Void stopped himself and did a quick spin mid air, positioning himself to stop the backward movement. With lightning speed he landed a powerful buck on an already ruined pillar and launched himself directly at the deranged alicorn, bringing his claws forth for a swipe attack.

Discord watched the whole fight from a safe distance, a million thought racing through his mind. 'What's with that power? That magical signature... It's almost like she-,' he paused in shock, as the alicorn let out a manical cackle and stared the speeding hippogryph dead in the eyes as he blurred towards her.

The insane alicorn brought her sword side ways, preparing for the final blow. As she poured her power into the blade, it seemingly dissolving into dark particles. "You're finished!" she cried out, sending a crescent shaped power wave straight into the charging apostle. As it made contact the wave expanded and engulfed the entire area in impenetrable darkness.

As the magic dispersed around the area of impact, Discord focused his eyes and peered into the billowing smoke, looking for any sign of life from the hippogryph. He gave a sigh of exasperation when the carved up corpse was appeared from within the smoke, black flames consuming its flesh.

The beast calling itself Luna roared in delight and picked up both the Pegasus and the draconequus with her magic and pulled them through the pillars from where they were hiding. Telekinetically applying pressure to her grasp, she attempted to crush them. Then, from within her, a voice called out to the remaining apostles.

“Let this be your final warning! Disobey us again and we will end you!” the voice seethed, eventually fading out, leaving behind a very confused transformed princess staring at the last two apostles. She dropped them to the ground and distanced herself from them, rubbing her head with a hoof.

Discord avoided the alicorn’s gaze, not daring to say a word. He nudged the Pegasus demon and prepared a teleportation spell. Before disappearing, Discord looked one more time at the alicorn that defeated him so easily, gritting his teeth. 'So you are still alive somewhere... Abaddon.'

“Please forgive our transgression. Hopefully we will be able to work together in the future…” he bowed as the teleportation spell finished and sent them away, leaving behind the monstrous alicorn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the remaining apostles disappeared, the choking air vanished, more light entering the cursed realm. A few rogue sun rays lit up the area, revealing more decorated columns, as well as some old ruins.

A series of coughs and groans caught Luna's attention. Glancing behind her, she took notice of the purple unicorn mare struggling to get up. Her horn was cracked and her coat was completely covered in blood and something else: a black sticky liquid that reminded her of tar. The strange substance seemed to attach itself to the unicorn mare, apparently trying to heal her, yet she was resisting.

The Crimson Dawn let out a fierce scream of pain as her horn finally shattered and a crown appeared on her head.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Heart! Discord!" the unicorn mare bellowed as the last of her magic expelled a gooey substance, which burned away. Her outburst of magic knocked away the night princess, and shattered the heavens to allow sunlight to pour in freely.

As the sunlight touched Luna's monstrous body, she let out a guttural howl as she was reminded of her past and the thousand years she spent on the Moon, only because her sister did little to understand her pain. She got up to her hooves and advanced towards the unicorn mare. Calling out her blade, she grasped it in her teeth and approached the... two mares? Shock was written all over the princess' demonic features.

From the dispersing smoke, instead of one figure popping out, another mare showed itself. It was the element of Loyalty, the speed demon Rainbow Dash. She looked rather confused and dizzy, as she got up to her hooves.

"Ouch... I don't think it worked Twilight. Twi'?" she called out, glancing at her friend. She gasped in horror upon noticing her horrifying condition. "Twilight! What happened?"

The injured mare gave a light chuckle and coughed, spitting some blood on the Pegasus' cyan coat. "I've fought quite a lot lately..." she forced a smile, obviously in pain. "Rainbow, help me get up, I can't move at all..." she whispered, her voice hoarse and raspy. Her head throbbed in pain as her life slowly faded away. She could barely see anything through her blurry vision.

“Heeey, anypony in here?!” another mare resounded in the otherwise empty ruins. A silvery unicorn revealed itself, galloping from the ruins towards the two bearers.

Silverghost gasped in shock at the sight of the lavender mare’s condition and attempted to heal her, even if to lengthen her life only for a bit, to help her restore the night alicorn back to her former self. "There... that's all I can do. I'm sorry, Miss Twilight Sparkle," the silvery unicorn apologized.

A growl followed by coughing caught their attention. Turning their heads, they gaped in horror at the sight of the alicorn’s new form. Silverghost let out a cry and rose to her hooves.

"Princess Luna!" Suddenly she felt a hoof on her shoulder, causing her to turn and gaze into the purple eyes of the lavender mare, smiling at her.

"Silverghost, you can’t do it alone. You need help. I will lend you what power I have left, just... do your magic!" Twilight urged the silvery unicorn. With a shaky hoof, she placed a hoof on.Silverghost's shoulder, hoping to be able to link her remaining magic to one last use. 'Please, grant me the ability to use magic one last time. Grant me the power to undo the evil I created and to save my friends... Just one last time... I beg you.'

Silverghost gasped when she felt a tingling sensation coursing through her body. Her own horn became ablaze with power, pulsing a light purple aura. She gave a squeak and lowered her head, glancing furiously to her sides. "Uhh, what's going on, I feel weiiiiiii-"

The silvery unicorn was interrupted by a surge of warm, powerful magic that raced through her horn, using it as a magnifier to increase the power of her reversal spell. Through the loud cracks of energy, Silverghost could hear the lavender mare cry out in pain as the magic was finally released, hitting the night princess directly.

The bestial alicorn screamed out like a monster, thrashing and howling. The harmonic magic surrounded her fully and pierced her from the sides, dispelling the malefic magic that had entered her body. Her mask shattered, her bony appendages turning to dust; her form shrank in size, returning to her normal self. However, her wings did not heal, two stubs remaining on her back. Her screams faded as the magic worked its course through her body.

After several moments of purging, Luna dropped to the ground unceremoniously, panting heavily. Silverghost stared into her mentor's blue eyes. A feeling of peacefulness filled her as she gazed into her mentors eyes. The feeling was short-lived, as the world started shaking violently around them; the magical realm was collapsing.

Rainbow gasped as the floor started giving away, dropping them towards the ground. In a moment of weakness, Twilight let go of Rainbow's grasp and plummeted towards the ground. The cyan pegasus let out a piercing cry and dropped through the dispersing storm, blurring at high speed towards her friend. She wasn't going to reach her in time.

"Hang on Twilight, I'm coming!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wind hissed pass Twilight's ears, her mane dancing violently in the wind. She could see the ground rapidly approaching and braced herself for the impact. A small smile curled up her injured muzzle, happy that the nightmare was finally over. That she would pay for the evil she had committed. She deserved nothing other than death for the torment she unleashed upon her friends.

'I'm sorry girls... I'm so sorry, for everything. Please forgive me...' she whimpered.

Suddenly, she could hear something else beside the hiss of the wind blowing past her. Her eyes darted across the endless blue, scanning the heavens for a sign of her friend. Rainbows cyan coat blended into the sky, and it wasn't until Rainbow Dash nearly crashed into her that she understood what was happening: the cyan pegasus pulled the lavender mare into an embrace and held her tight as the mach cone finally gave away, the sky exploding in a spectrum of colours. The bright light of the Sun only made it more beautiful, her friend's magenta eyes reflecting happiness and her new found love for the lavender mare.

'Rainbow Dash...' Twilight smiled, blushing softly. She had never been this close to the cyan pegasus before. However, the thoughts of what she did to her dearest friend made her cringe, almost pushing herself away. She was filled with stunned surprise when the cyan pegasus brought her close and locked lips with her mid air, everything else fading out around them.

Time froze as Twilight peered into the soft magenta eyes of Dash, her heart beating rapidly. Finally, the kiss broke, and the pegasus mare broke into a soft chuckle as she landed on the soft grass, putting down her stunned friend.

"Didn't expect that, did you?" she grinned, sitting beside Twilight and hugging her dearly. "I've missed you Twi'... Through all these years I couldn't help but feel that deep within that monster... you were there, trying to stop it, yet I ignored the thought all the time. Scootaloo's death broke me, and I couldn't make myself see you as anything but a monster," Dash sighed sadly. "But now, I finally know the truth, thanks to you. I'm happy to have you back. We can finally be together, you, me and Scootaloo; we can be a family, as you wanted," she smiled widely, gently nudging the injured unicorn.

Twilight sobbed silently and rested her head on Rainbow's shoulder, a happy smile spreading across her face. "Thanks Rainbow... It means so much to me," she whispered, her voice fading out. She glanced one more time at the heavens, the plethora of colors painting the sky.

"It's so beautiful... It's perfect. Just like you," Twilight cooed, her eyes closing, becoming heavier. She collapsed to the ground as the strength to sit deserted her. "Can I lay down for a while, I am so tired..."

The cyan pegasus allowed the mare to rest on the soft grass, tracing a hoof down her coat. "Rest easy Twilight. I will be here for you," Rainbow smiled, curling up beside her and covering her with a wing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Down below the collapsing maelstrom, Celestia and the other onlookers gazed in astonishment as a surge of magic destroyed the storm from the inside, releasing its prisoners. Cheering echoed throughout the woods as the bright rays of the Sun pierced through the clouds and showered the land in warmth and light.

The white alicorn was very surprised, but had no doubt that Twilight had something to do with it.

Celestia smile warmly as she thought about it. She caught a glimpse of a cyan blur, racing towards the shape of a lavender mare at an insane speed, eventually exploding out in plethora of colors, showering the sky in the colors of the rainbow. The white alicorn grinned and sighed in relief.

She had been right. Twilight Sparkle made a return.

However, she could see two more forms, free falling towards the ground. It didn’t take long to register that the two were actually her sister and her student. Her pupils shrank in her head as she let out a blood curdling scream and jumped, unfurling her wings and speeding towards the two.

As Celestia soared through the sky at a speed augmented by her powerful magic, she reached the two falling mares just in time. As the two princesses made eye contact, Celestia immediately felt that something was wrong with her sister. She was... broken, Luna’s light blue eyes betrayed her deep sorrow. It was almost like she begged to die. Celestia however wouldn’t have any of it. With a mighty flap of her wings, she grasped the younger alicorn in her hooves and conjured her magic, picking up the screaming white unicorn and placing her on her back.

“Oh, Princess Celestia, thank you so much for coming to save us! I doubt I would have enjoyed becoming a pancake…” Silverghost giggled. She was still dizzy from spinning through the air. Glancing downwards, her green eyes met those of her mentor, hanging limply in her sister’s grasp.

The younger alicorn gazed towards the horizon, making out the shape of the Canterlot castle, its towers shining brightly in the light of the setting Sun. Just as her morale, the light was fleeting. She shuddered inwardly, remembering the brief moments as the new Nightmare beast. She had never felt such power before. She was scared.

With a yelp of pain, she raised her head and stared into Celestia’s pink eyes. It was difficult to maintain contact, having to strain her back muscles that caused her broken wing bones to throb painfully. With the most sincere voice she could muster, the younger alicorn pleaded with her sister.

“Celestia… let go of me.”

"Luna, what are-"

"Let go of me!" Luna shrieked, thrashing around in Celestia's grip.

"Luna, stop this at once! Can you hear me? Damn it Luna stop! Please! Silverghost, do something!" The white alicorn pleaded with the younger sister, tightening her grip.

Seeing that Luna had no intention of stopping her struggle, the silvery unicorn let out a pained sigh and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry for this, Your Highness..."

Luna stopped briefly and glanced upwards, only to be hit square in the head with a well placed hoof, knocking her out cold.

"Why did you do that for?!" Celestia asked in fright, her sister now dangling unconsciously underneath her.

"Well, you did ask me to make her stop, right?" Silverghost gave a sheepish grin, earning a glare from the white alicorn. "Umm, Princess Celestia, can I ask something of you?"

The Regent of the Sun circled the forest beneath them, scanning the land for the place where Rainbow Dash had landed. She needed to see with her own eyes. With a small nod, she motioned for the unicorn to continue. "Go on, child."

Silverghost took a deep breath and prepared for what she was about to tell the white alicorn. Gently leaning on Celestia' neck, she grabbed her by the mane and reached out for her ears, and began telling her everything she remembered, from waking up in the demonic realm, to Luna's new found dark powers, and her fading sanity.

"So please, Princess. When she wakes up, be very gentle to her. She is very frightened and confused. She went through a lot, and needs some peace." Silverghost finished, crawling back to her spot as the white alicorn began descending upon the cyan pegasus' location.

"Luna is my sister, and I care for her a lot. I will personally make sure she will be able to recover, both physically and psychically. I promise you, Silverghost."

The silvery unicorn let out a sigh of relief and wiped her brows with a hoof. "Oh, and another thing. Since we both know Luna might send me to prison or banish me to who knows where, can I have some snacks with me? Oh, and a TV would be nice," Silverghost squeaked.

Celestia gave a hearty chuckle and rolled her eyes, landing with a silent thud on the grass, just steppes away from the cyan pegasus. She was apparently sleeping, until one clumsy unicorn mare fell of her back and started shouting profanities, making the white alicorn cringe, stirring the cyan shape.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash raised her head slightly, glancing around. Her eyes met the golden shoes of the Princess inching slowly towards her, and a silvery unicorn sitting on her haunches, rubbing her head with her hooves, apparently struggling to keep her mouth shut. The princess of the night laid on the grass, apparently unconscious.

The white alicorn gave the Pegasus a broad smile, stopping in front of her. “Welcome back, Miss Rainbow Dash.”

The speed demon grinned and stood up, flapping her wings gently. “Thank you, Princess Celestia. Ugh, if you don’t mind me asking, what happened to Princess Luna?”

The white alicorn blushed and turned her head, locking eyes with a rather angry looking unicorn, flailing her hooves wildly. “Oh, Luna was tired and she needed to rest. Oh, don’t mind Silverghost, she hit her head pretty hard…” she coughed, trying to keep herself from laughing.

“Hey, I heard that! Not that I can do anything about it though…”

Rainbow Dash snickered and sighed happily. “Oh, almost forgot!” She snapped, trotting over the lavender mare, nuzzling her. “Twilight, there is some pony here who wants to talk to you,” she smiled, nudging the unicorn.

Twilight tried pushing herself up to no avail. She grunted in pain and moaned, burying her muzzle in the grass, trying to support herself on the snout. She felt two pairs of hooves gently pressing into her sides, helping her to her hooves. Opening her purple eyes slightly, she gasped in shock and shame upon recognizing the mare that stood before her.

“P-princess Celestia… I-I’m so, so sorry, I-“

“Shh, Twilight Sparkle. Save your strength, my precious student,” Celestia cooed, sitting beside the lavender mare and gently pulling her into an embrace, tears of happiness streaming her royal pristine cheeks. “I’m so happy to see you again, Twilight.”

The lavender mare smiled briefly and tried adjusting her position, accidentally touching the heavily injured area in her back, causing her to let out a sharp cry, whimpering loudly. Celestia gasped and allowed the mare to stretch on the grass as she cried out even louder.

”Aww, it hurts so much! Make it go away, please make it go away!” she sobbed, moaning quietly, despite her back feeling like it was on fire.

Rainbow Dash could only glance nervously between the alicorn and her lover; she was starting to panic.

Celestia closed her eyes and chanted something in a strange, old language, her horn lighting up gently. She leaned over the sobbing unicorn and attempted to heal her wounds. The gashes were closing up slowly, but the mare did not seem to soften, continuing to cry out.

The white alicorn then proceeded to heal her internal wounds, including her shattered back bones, when her eyes shot open in realization and despair. Twilight had been returned to her normal self, the same as she was twenty years ago, in a critical state. With these new wounds, she couldn’t-

‘No, I can’t think of that. I need to try; I can’t give up now. Don’t you give up on me Twilight.’

Working her magic, her eyes began glowing with intensity, as she struggled to mend the broken unicorn. Twilight's battered body rejected the magic; however Celestia couldn't give up, not this soon after her student had been returned to her. With a growl of frustration, she repeated the same operation five more times, each being rejected by the mare's weakened body.

Celestia shed angry tears of despair, the truth sinking in finally: Twilight’s own magic had faded away completely, thus rendering her grave wounds unable to be healed by any magic means. This could mean only one thing, and Celestia kept trying to deny it, even in the face of reality.

Twilight was dying.

“Princess Celestia?” A concerned Pegasus called her. Turning her head, she stared into the panicked magenta eyes of the cyan mare, realization dawning on her as well.

Rainbow Dash buried her muzzle in Twilight’s coat, nuzzling her gently while sobbing. The lavender mare returned the gesture, nuzzling Rainbow’s cheek while she caressed her multicolored mane with her hoof.

Celestia’s horn lit up once more, pressing it onto Twilight’s head, spreading a warm heat through her body. When she was done, she tried talking, but no word came out, only sobs and sniffs. Twilight, however, knew what Celestia had just done. With her powerful magic, she gave her a powerful anesthetic, to take the pain away.

The lavender mare gave a weak smile, pushing the cyan mare off her and wiped her tears. “Rainbow Dash, I-I wish it wouldn’t have ended like this. I never even imagined of going away like this… Not after what I’ve done,” she cringed. “Rainbow Dash, please forgive me for all the pain I’ve caused you, forgive me for taking away Scootaloo. I know how much you loved her…” She paused, composing herself. “Take care of her, Dash. Cherish every moment with her, be happy and, above all, be proud for whom you are, and what you represent.”

Rainbow sniffed and smiled briefly. “I-I will, Twi’. You can count on me”

The lavender mare then turned to face her former teacher, the one she once used to call a second mother, the Regent of the Sun, Princess Celestia. “Princess Celestia, there are so many things I wanted to tell you… But everything revolves around that sad moment, twenty years ago in the Ponyville E.R. I acted out of rage and confusion. Please believe me Princess when I tell you that I never meant those words. You are like a second mother to me, and you cared for me as if I were your filly. I can only thank you for being so kind to me,” she paused, bringing a hoof to wipe her tears, only to get replaced by fresh ones. “I-I love you… mommy.”

At that, the white alicorn lost it and broke down completely, grasping the lavender mare into a tight hug. “I-I love you too Twilight. If there is some pony who should apologize, it is me for not having you my top priority back then. I was so foalish; I left you alone when you needed comfort most. I am a terrible mare, my precious student.”

Twilight gave a weak chuckle and smiled. “Nonsense, 'Tia" she started, her use of the princesses pet name gaining her a strange look the alicorn. You are one of the greatest ponies to ever live, and your kindness is unmatched. Thank you for being the best teacher ever.”

The lavender mare’s breathing became shallow, her heart slowing down with each passing minute. “I… I guess this is it,” she paused, struggling to breathe. “Do not worry about my element; you have the replacement over there…” She lifted a hoof and pointed at a silently crying silvery unicorn, who watched the entire scene. “She has powerful magic, and above all, very good friends, who will be by her side until the very end. Am I right, sweetie?”

The cyan Pegasus gave a weak nod and chocked back a sob. “Y-yes… I am loyal to my friends.”

Twilight smiled as she lowered her eyes for the last time. She was exactly where she wanted to be; with her best friend and lover. She was truly ready to go now.

“I love you Rainbow... Dash.” Twilight’s voice faded, her body resting in the pegasus’ embrace.

The cyan mare resisted the urge to yell out in anguish, instead putting a soft smile and giving a light chuckle. "I love you too, Twilight Sparkle. I will see you again... some day,” she finished, breaking into a quiet sob.

Celestia rose to her hooves and trotted away from the two mares, heading towards the place where her sister was waking up. Silverghost was tearing up, helping the night alicorn to her hooves. Upon noticing the grim state in which her older sister, Luna asked her older sister with concern.

"’Tia, what happened? Why are you crying?” She had put aside the struggle from earlier, placing it upon stress and fear. Glancing behind her, the night princess caught sight of the cyan pegasus crying silently into the coat of a sleeping lavender mare. "I-is that-"

"Yes, Luna. Yes it is.”

The night princess let out a sad sigh and trotted over to her sister, allowing her shoulder to cry on. Celestia, feeling herself embraced warmly by her sister, she let go of her emotional barrage, letting everything out. Silverghost joined the princesses hug and comforted both mares, nuzzling them gently.

Luna glanced at the crying pegasus and gave a soft sigh, gently pushing her sister away. The younger alicorn approached the broken mare and sat beside her, caressing her mane. "Rainbow Dash, I know you are inconsolable right now, but there is something you should know," she nuzzled her cyan cheek. Rainbow Dash gazed into Luna's blue eyes and sat silent for a few moments.

Luna smiled warmly. "Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries, it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death. Remember this, Rainbow Dash. Through your love, Twilight lives on in our memory. So I ask you this, mourn not her death; instead, cherish her life and all the good moments you had together. Be happy, Rainbow Dash."

The cyan pegasus sniffed a few times and grinned, hugging the night princess. "Thank you, Princess Luna. Thank you..."