The Return of Dawn Breaker

by Lucius64

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure
Length: 8058

A great evil has returned from his banishment, and is ready to exact his revenge on Canterlot

Two years after Twilight Sparkle had become an Allicorn
and took her place among the princesses of Equestria,
she returns to Ponyville and reunites with her old friends.
However, Their happy reunion is short lived, as they find
out there is a new evil in Equestria. One that even the
powerful Princess Celestia cannot defeat.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-06-14 19:50:02 UTC

Chapter 1: Pinkie the Party Pony

Pinkie Pie, the most famous party  pony in Ponyville, continued hopping down the streets  of Buck Avenue, hoping the directions she received from Applejack were correct. Manehattan was a strange place to maneuver, especially if you were  pitit pink pony. The address read '784 Mane Street'. The saddle bag tied around her waste did slow her down slightly, but not enough to bother her.

"After all," she said, "this is a very special occasion."

about ten minutes later, Pinkie Pie had noticed the time on an overlooking street clock. Her happy-go-lucky attitude changed to that of an expression of anxiety.

"Oh no," Pinkie gasped, "it's 12:30 already!"

The pink party pony dashed down the street, avoiding bumping into unsuspecting citizens.

"I'm going to be late for Babs's birthday! I've never been late for a party before in my life!" Pinkie continued to dart around corners and dodge commoners. "Especially one of my own parties!"

She continued to sprint down the streets of Manehatten, with speeds that would even make Rainbow Dash proud. However, this was no time to worry about speed records. She had a party to get to! Pinkie darted and dashed down the streets of Manehatten until Mane Street was merely visible. She was almost there, and with ten minutes still to spare. She was only a few trots away from Babs Seeds home, when she crashed into somepony. Pinkie hit the ground, but instead of a thud, she let a little squeak. Her saddle bag had fallen off of her as well. Dozens of apple fritters spilled out of the bag and tattered the street with their golden-crisp texture. Pinkie rose from the ground and started to scoop the apple fritters back into her saddle bag.

"Oh no!" yelled Pinkie as she continued to return the delicious apple fritters back to their home. "Applejack had worked so hard on these too!"

" perhaps I could be of assistance?"

Pinkies ears shot up at the sound of that voice, because as of yesterday, the only person she has been talking to is herself. She turned her head to see where those words originated. Sure enough, it was the pony she had recently ran into.

"After all," he continued, "it is my fault that you spilled those delicous lookin pastry treats."

This pony seemed a little off, and when you can make even Pinkie Pie question your normality, you must be really strange. He was a tall stallion, but that was all Pinkie could make of him, for he wore a large brown cloak, with a hood that covered his head. His voice was very regal and loud, kind of like the Royal Canterlot voice.

Pinkie had finished scooping the last remaining apple fritters into her saddle bag. "No need," she said "I've already finished picking them all up, but thank you for asking, that was very kind of you."

Pinkie strapped the saddle bag onto her waist.

"Well, I am dreadfully sorry," the large stallion said " I am sure Applejack worked really hard on those."

Pinkie started to giggle. This ponies voice reminded her of Rarity if she were a colt. The thought of that made her burst into laughter.

"Was it something I said?" the stallion asked.

Pinkie snorted and chuckled, "no, it's just that your voice reminds me of a friend of mine." She said, wiping a tear off of her face.

"Oh," said the stallion, "well I guess I should take my leave then, It was a great plessure to meet you Pinkie Pie, proceed to your party."

"Okey-dokey-lokey!" said Pinkie as she proceeded towards Babs's house.

Suddenly she stopped in her tracks. "Wait just a cotten-picken minute," the pink pony said, "how did he know I was going to a party, and about Applejack?"

Her train of thought was lost, however, as she caught a glimpse of another street clock that read '12:50'. Pinkie gasped again, "I almost forgot! I have to hurry my flank over to Babs's house for her super special birthday party!"

Pinkie galloped down Mane Street towards the birthday girls house, all but forgetting about her strange incounter with that strange colt.

"Indeed Pinkie," said the stallion underneath his own breath, " for it shall be the last party you, or your pathetic friends will have!" He let out a sinister chuckle as he trotted down the street. " Next stop, Canterlot!" His sinister chuckle transformed into a demonic laugh.

Chapter 2: Babs Seed's Birthday Bonanza!

Everypony was there at Bab's special birthday party. Even Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon went! It seems everypony there was having a good time, all except for Twilight Sparkle. In fact, she seemed rather sad. tear trickled down her Lavender coat down her muzzle. I still can't believe she would just come and take him like that! she thought. As she poured herself another cup of grape punch from the porcelain container, she remembered that dreadful day as if it were yesterday.

                           ONE YEAR EARLIER

"Spike!" yelled Twilight.

She had just recently returned from another adventure with her friends. Although Twilight was an alicorn, she still hung out with her friends in ponyville. She also still had to write letters to Princess Celestia, for she still needed to learn about friendship.

"I'm comin', I'm comin'."

Twilight looked upwards at the circulating stairs in her library home as Spike, a purple and green baby dragon, walked down them, paper in hand.

"Did you enjoy your little break today?" asked Twilight jokingly.

Spike stretched as he said, "Yeah, had a three hour nap and some ice cream," Spike smirked, "almost was wishin' that I could have a break day like this all of the time."

Twilight smiled back at her little helper. "Oh well, break time is over," Twilight said, walking towards her work desk to get some ink for Spike to write the letter, "we still need to report to Princess Celestia. There is still a lot more I could still learn about friendship."

Spike prepared the quil, dabbing it in the ink that Twilight had provided, when suddenly the library door swong open. It hit the wall with a loud crash, and there behind the door stood Zecora, a zebra from Everfree forest. Twilight gasped at the sight of her. Zecora barely ever left her hut in Everfree forest, let alone visit anypony. Before anypony could say anything,

Zecora pointed a hoove at Spike a began to speak, "Kuja na mimi!"

She made a beckoning motion with her hoove towards her.

Spike shrugged as he said, "you're going to have to speak right if you expect me to understand you."

Zecora shook her head, and whiped some sweat from her muzzle. She was breathing heavily.

"come with me, for the sake of Equestria, for I fear danger for our sweet Celestia."

Twilight gasped. Celestia is in danger! thought the allicorn, but thats impossible, she is the most powerful pony in Equestria!

Spike too was puzzled. "are you sure," questioned Spike, "I mean, she rules all of Equestria! What is it that is so dangerous anyway!"

Zecora was still panting heavily, sucking in air as if there was only a limited supply of it.

"The danger has not yet arrived, but I have a fear that a great evil will rise." Zecora replied.

Spike was still confused, "so why are you here?"

Twilight gasped at the answer Zecora gave.

"To combat this evil, a hero must be born, but from Twilight little dragon you must be torn."

Spike had begun to understand what Zecora was talking about, and he didn't like it.

"Are you saying that I have to leave Twilight to go with you!" yelled the baby dragon angrily.

Zecora nodded. Spike looked back at Twilight, then back to Zecora, and back to Twilight. Spike then ran to Twilight and hugged her leg. He began to sob. Spike still couldn't beleive what was happening. Twilight also began to cry, as she crossed her neck around Spike. There they sat, crying. Embrassing each other as if they were the last living things in Equestria.

"Please Twilight, don't let her do this to me!" cried the green spotted dragon, "you can't let her take me away!"

Twilights tears began burning her eyes. " I won't little Spikey, no one is going to take you away from me!" Spikes claws were digging into Twilights skin, but that didn't matter to her. She only wanted Spike to stay here with her. Zecora trotted slowly towards them. Her eyes were also red with salty tears.

"I am sorry little one, but it is the only way," Zecora whipped a tear from her face, "you must be trained to fight this evil, starting today."

Spike was then picked up by Zecora with her teeth. She tried to be gentle as to not hurt the dragon, but Spike continued kicking and screaming. He even began clawing at Zecora's face.

"Let me go now!" He screamed. Unfortunatly, he could not deny the inevitable and gave up clawing at the zebras face. Zecora walked out the door with Spike. Twilight Sparkle, the once regal princess, was left a sobbing, bloody mess of a mare.

That was the last time her or her friends ever saw Spike. Since then, Twilight had become an emotional mess. Her elegant robes, throughout that year, had become nothing more than tattered rags. She sat in a in the corner of the room, away form everypony else. She isolated herself, sipping her grape punch from the tiny paper cup. Nopony dare approached her, for they knew that the once majestic Allicorn princess Twilight Sparkle, was now a shell of her former self.

"Can I see it now?" pleaded the tiny red-headed filly from outside the door.

She sat in a slump, leaning against the wall as if she were exhausted.

"I've been sittin' here for hours!"

She had a slight southern accent, just like the rest of the Apple family. Applebloom began to adjust her pretty, pink bow, for no other reason aside from her sheer boredom.

"Now, sweetheart, you know I want this dress to be a surprise," A voice said from inside the room.

Rarity was working on Babs' birthday dress, and she had been working for hours on it. This dress, She thought,will be my finest creation. Applebloom couldn't stand waiting. Rarity had made many ensembles, both for her friends and for royalty, but she had never made a dress of such complexity. She wanted this dress to be the best dress she has ever made, and she was determined to make it no matter what. her elegant hooves worked rapidly and without fail, stitching and sewing her creation, being as careful as she possibly can to make sure that Babs' dress would be as spectacular as she invisioned it to be. Not only were her hooves put up for the ultimate challenge, but her horn as well. She used her horn to levitate things, move cloth, and even use some of her utensils.

"I'm going to go get some of that grape punch. You want any?" asked Applebloom.

Rarity had been so focused on finishing her dress, that she had completely forgotten about her little occupant. She had also forgotten about how thirsty she was, for her throat was as dry as sand-paper.

"please do, sweetheart." Rarity replied as she had finished one of the seems on the dress.

Fluttershy was not one for loud gatherings like this one. In fact, the only parties she has ever been invited to, were the ones her friend Pinkie Pie had thrown. Fluttershy knew that Pinkie would be head of this party, but she was afraid that the other pegasus ponies would make fun of her. She had always been made fun of in flight camp for being the slowest pegasi, and she did not want to have that happen again. In the midst of her thinking, Fluttershy felt a hoof fall on her shoulder.

"Hey Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy shrieked and jumped in the air. Anything and everything startled Fluttershy.

"whoa, whoa, calm down Fluttershy, it's only me."

Fluttershy recognized that voice and instantly breathed a sigh of relief. The voice belonged to one of Fluttershy's closest friends, Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash is the only pegasus who never made fun of Fluttershy in flight school. In fact, Dash would stick-up for Fluttershy, and wasn't afraid to throw down if it was necassary. Ever since then, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash have been P.F.F's ( pony friends for life) and have never left each others side.

"Nice to see you haven't changed, Fluttershy." said Dash with a slight giggle.

Fluttershy was overcome with joy. Seeing her long time friend was a huge relief for her.

" I... I'm glad you could come Dash," she studdered, " be... because now I... I have somepony to talk to."

Dash scanned the room.

"Where is everypony?" She asked impatiently.

Rainbow Dash loved an audience.

"They ain't here yet," replied an all too familiar voice from the background.

Applejack had just recently finished setting up all the decorations for her little cousin's party. Red and orange balloons were scattered all around the room, along with some streamers.

"You fellers showed up a little early, everypony will be here in about a half-hour."Rainbow Dash continued looking around the room, as if searching for something.

"Where is Pinkie Pie, she's always the first one to a party, especially one of her own."

Just as Rainbow Dash had finished her last sentence, the door to the house swung open and from it came a blur of pink. Pinkie Pie tackled Dash to the ground and commenced squeezing the living daylights out of her.

"Hi, Rainbow Dash," She squeeled, " I'm so glad you could make. In fact, I'm super-duper-ooper-schmooper happy to see you."

Pinkie released her vice grip around Dash and began to look around the room. Pinkie giggled randomly,

"I'm glad to see I'm not late for anything. That gives me more than enough time to give this drab, old party a little bit of my Pinkie touch."

From what seems like generally nowhere, Pinkie Pie pulled out her 'Party Canon'.

"One blast from this big boy, and this place will be Pinkie-fied faster than you can say chocolate fudge."

Applejack let out a quick gasp.

"No wait, Pinkie," but it was too late.

Pinkie had already pulled the string to her party canon, activating it, and sending a huge confetti blast throughout the room. The blast was so massive, that it sent Applejack flying towards a wall. Luckily, before she could make contact, Rainbow Dash had flown and caught her from the air and brought her safely to the surface. "Sooooooo," said Pinkie, "what do you think?"

the room was changed from Applejacks simple decorations, to an array of beautifully colered streamers and sparkles. Everypony was in awe of the amazing assortment of colors. All except Applejack.

"you... you want my honest opinion?" panted Applejack, who was still shacken from her last near death experience, "you are a lunatic Pinkie."

this did not phase Pinkie, for she just laughed and laughed. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy too were laughing. Everypony was laughing at Applejack's expense, and Applejack could not help but laugh as well.

This would be last time they would laugh together like this again.

Chapter 3: Welcome Home

There it stood before him. Wave upon wave of nostalgia filled the stallions body, from head to hoof.

"Canterlot," he whispered, "how I have missed you."

He continued his trot down the paved streets. A couple of feet away was the entrance to Canterlot. The entrance, however, was not alone. It was guarded by two stallions with gold incrusted armor, each holding a 4 foot-long spear within their hooves. The stallion approached the two guards. He was smiling from ear to ear, but the guards would not have noticed, for his face was covered by the hood of a brown, tattered cloak. The two guard ponies lowered their spears, preventing the newcomer from approaching any further.

"Halt!" one of them commanded, "You may not enter Canterlot without a signed certificate of entry!"

The cloaked pony did not stop his trot. In fact he kept on the same pace before he reached the two guards.

"Halt!" one of them repeated, "If you do not stop, we will be forced to strike you down!"

The cloaked one stopped. He starred deeply at the two guards, as if he were looking, not at them, but through them. Even the guards could not stop the tingling sensation coming from up their own spines.

Finally, the cloaked stallion replied, "I can assure you that I come here strictly on business." He removed his hood. "After all, I did live here once upon a time."

The guards had never seen a pony like him before. He had brandished a horn that was just as tattered and torn as his cloak. He also wore a mask, and in one of its eye sockets, was a ruby that was as red as flames. Upon further expections of this mysterious stallion, the guards had a feeling that he was up to no good.

"Even if you do live here," one of the guards said, "you still need a certificate of entry to enter Canterlot."

This stallion would not take no for an answer.

"Please," he began, "I implore you to reconsider your decision, or else I will have to do something I will regret."

The original feel of fear among the two guards had now become pure rage, and the tingling in their spines were flooded out by the thoughts of their unrelenting anger. They charged the masked colt, spears in hoof, yelling a war cry as they charged. However, the stallion would not be struck down so easily. He quickly and gracefully disarmed the two guards, not as if he were fighting, but as if he were dancing. He also apprehended them as quickly as he disarmed them, throwing the two Canterlot guards to the ground. The stallion hovered over both of the horrified guards. They had been trained for their whole lives to fight off evil and protect the princess, but now, it seems as if all of that training was for nothing. Before they could let out a cry of fear, the colt's front fore hooves came crashing down on their necks, breaking both of them as if they were just a couple of twigs. Blood gurgled from out of both of the former warrior's mouths like a river of red. This did not effect the stallion. Instead, he brushed off his cloak, covered his face again with his hood, and proceeded down his original path. He even began whistling a happy tune.

Canterlot was just as beutiful as he remembered, if not more. He knew he would get some strange looks from the other ponies, but he didn't care. He was too far gone into his memories to ever care about such insignificant life forms such as them. Instead, he found himself singing and laughing down the streets of his old home city. Twirling and dancing as if he were some sort of escaped lunatic. The patrons at a lavish diner could not help to stare out of their windows to watch this newcomer.

"Oh my," one of the patrons began, "the nerve of some ponies! They believe they can just come here and begin dancing around like a mad mare! Someone ought to show him some manners."

The masked stallion did not hear, nor care, about the looks he was getting from everypony around. That is, until he was stopped by an angered commoner.

"Well somepony seems in a good mood this morning," began the posh looking pony. He adjusted his monocle as he began to speak again, "perhaps, you could take your ridiculous dancing somewhere a little more private."

The cloaked colt removed his hood, revealing his masked face to the denizens of Canterlot.

"I am terribly sorry, I just could not control myself! Canterlot is just as lavish as I remember from when I was a child. You should consider yourself lucky to live in a place such as this."

He began to casually trot down the street, trying to keep the pure nostalgia from exploding out of him. During his first few hoof-steps, however, he noticed that everypony in the area was starring at him flack-jawed.

"Oh my goodness, what is that thing!" one of the members of the newly swarmed crowd yelled. Another one yelled as well, "Look at his face, it's hideous!"

The ponies were still flabbergasted by the mask that was being worn by this mysterious newcomer. Though after all of this, the stallion cracked a smile and began to chuckle maniacally.

"Oh come now," He began, "I know I look fabulous, but there is now need to drop your jaws to the ground."

His chuckle quickly escalated to a high pitched cackle. It was clear that this pony was not right in the head, and all the citizens were wondering how he got into Canterlot in the first place. Before one of the on-lookers could call for assistance from one of the guard towers in the area, An army of gold plated ponies landed from the sky with a ruby encrusted carriage. On that carriage, was the Princess of the Night, Luna. All of the residents of Canterlot had never seen Luna in the brightness of the day, and they all couldn't help but stare at the glorious mare in all of her granger. She wore a look of disgust on her face as she stepped from here pedestal. She did not release her gaze from the stallion as she stepped on each step. When Princess Luna reached the ground, she stomped the concrete so hard that the concrete cracked underneath all of the pressure.

"Oh my word," began the cloaked pony as he began towards the illustrious princess. "I must admit, it has been a long time since I last saw you Luna.

"You were only a filly when we last met and now here you are, ruler of the night and its eternal darkness. I am very proud of you!" He was stopped by one of the gold studded guards, who began to speak

"you shall not come any further!" the guard lowered his spear until it was nearly a couple of inches away from his masked face. "Nopony gets near the Princess under any circumstances!"

"I can assure you that I am here to only say 'Hello' to a couple of friends of mine, Princess Luna being one of those friends." Replied the masked one as he backed away willingly from the sharpened steel blade of the spear.

Everypony was in awe at the arrogance being provided by this cloaked lunatic. Nopony ever adressed to Princess Luna in such manner, for she was royalty. One of the guards began to speak, but he was no ordinary guard pony. He was the captain of the Royal Guard himself, Shining Armour. He had been called to duty by Princess Celestia herself and he was not going to let her down now.

Princess Celestia had also given him a scroll, which inside held the accusation towards the Cloaked one. Shining Armour pulled the scroll from his saddle bag, cleared his throat, and began to read.

"You are under arrest for the act of treason against the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia. I, as Captain of the Guard, will escort you to the Canterlot Capital immediatly so that you may recieve a proper trial."

After reading the scroll, the masked pony burst out into laughter, "HA HA HA, Princess Celestia wrote that loud of garbage to try and intimidate me, didn't she? Does she not know who she is trifling with?"

He stopped his laughter as quickly as he began it. Silence filled the streets of Canterlot, the first time in decades. It was an awkward silence and one could cut the tension with a knife.

The masked one was the one to brake the silence, "Fine, I will give you the honer of escorting me to Canterlot Castle," he grinned a sickening grin, "After all, it would not hurt to see my old friend Celestia after all of these years."

There the three ponies stood, staring at the twin doors of Canterlot Castle. However, the masked pony's stare was more of a gaze.

"Wow, you ponies really spruced up the place didn't you?"

"Silence, you are under arrest by the Princess of Equestria herself and you will behave as such!" yelled Shining Armour at his prisoner.

Shining Armour was not one for being so mean, but in the case provided for him, he had no other choice. Before the masked one was able to come up with a witty rebutle, the doors to the castle opened, revealing the intricate design of the lovely castle. Everything seemed as if they were made of marble. From the columns that held the castle steady, to the floor panels that graced the walk-way. The prisoner was in awe of the amazing grandure of the castle.

"Unbelievable," he said "I knew you ponies changed the scenery of this old dump, but I didn't know you did a complete remodling of the place!"

Shining Armour was agitated by the acts of his prisoner. The same place that once represented peace and harmony, was now being looked at as if it were some amusement park.

"Silence, prisoner!" yelled Shining Armour.

The prisoner did not comply to his capturer's orders, instead he replied with, "Oh please, call me Dawn Breaker. In fact, just call me Dawn. I seem to like that name alot better."

Shining Armour was about to smash his hoof upside the head of his prisoner. I can't beleive the arrogance of this guy! he thought, he is trotting around here as if he were staying in a motel or something! Shining Armour's train of thought was lost, however, as he noticed Luna lagging behind the rest of the group. She hadn't talked all day, and now it just seemed as if something was bothering her.

"Are you okay princess?" He asked, trying to confirm his original thoughts.

"Of course I am," she snapped at the captain, "why would I not be?"

Shining Armour was puzzled by this strange behavior coming from the princess. Ever since her ascent back to power, she had always been so level-headed.She was not one to just snap at ponies for no explainable reason.

They had reached the throne room a couple of minutes after the incident with Luna. The doors leading to the room were just as beatiful as the ones that lead to the castle. Shining Armour opened the door to the room, a blaze of light caming ripping through the door as if it had been trapped inside of it. After the room became visible from the flash of light, the two Alicorn Princesses sat on thrones. One was Princess Cadence and the other was the ruler of Equestria herself, Princess Celestia. Alongside the two Alicorns, was a little filly with a pink coat and and a blue mane. The little filly was also wearing a dress that was encrusted with rubies and emeralds.

Shining Armour bowed towards the three ponies, a sign of respect. Instead of bowing, however, Dawn waved one hoof in the air and began to speak, "Hello Celestia! Long time no see!"

Celestia was disgusted at the utter disrespect that was on display before her. Shining Armour too, was disgusted. Celestia began to speak, but not in reply to the scum before her.

"Cadence and Shining Armour. I would truly appreciate it if you took your daughter out of here. Me and Princess Luna would like to speak with this one alone."

Shining Armour nodded and began beckoning towards the little pony that was seated next to her mother. "Come on now Kiki. Aunt Cellie has to take care of some royal duties."

Kiki accepted the beckoning hoof of her father, holding it with a hoof of her own.

"We should get out of here to, sweetheart. We have to leave Celestia to her business with the prisoner." Shining Armour continued.

Cadence also accepted the offer being provided to her by her husband. She rose from her throne and began marching out the door alongside her husband and daughter.

The door slammed shut behind the prisoner, leaving no way for escape. However, Dawn did not show any signs of wanting to escape. Instead, he sat there and began chuckling.

"Why have you returned!" asked Celestia impatiently.

Dawn kept chuckling as he replied, "So you do remember after all. I must admit that I am flattered that you haven't forgoten about me after all of these years."

Celestia stomped a hoof on the ground and began to speak again.

"I thought me and Luna banished you forever!"

"Seems to me that you tend to do that alot." replied Dawn Breaker smugly, "but you must remember what mother always told us. Even forever doesn't last forever."

Celestia was now even more frustrated by this horrific display of disobediance.

"Luna!" she yelled, "get the guards to take this heathen out of my sight!"

Luna did not respond. Her head was slumped down low, and her beutifully flowing man now slumped over her face, making the situation even more worrying.

"Luna, are you alright?"

Luna began to slowly look up at her sister, revealing her face from the array of her blue mane that once covered her muzzle. Celestia was shocked to see what was behind her fabulouse mane. Luna seemed to have lost all emotion from her face, revealing a horribly inanimate expression of nothingness. Luna's eyes too, had changed to a red, blazing coler. The same coler as the eye on Dawn Breakers mask. Before Celestia could ask if her sister was alright, Luna lunged at Celestia with enough force to break through stone walls. In a feeble attempt to protect herself, Celestia had locked horns with the person she loves most.

"Luna, why are you doing this!" asked Celestia as tears started rolling down her cheeks.

In the background, a horrible laugh was heard.

"HA HA HA! My plan is coming into fruition at last!" The horrible screeching laughter continued from this insane pony. "Equestria will finally witness the dawning of a new era, and you, my dear sister, will not be there to witness it!"

Chapter 4: Fall of the Celestial Sisters.

"Welp," said Applejack taking a sip of the grape punch that had been graciously given to her by Pinkie Pie, "I've got to admit, that you sure do know how to throw one hoot of a party."

"Thanks alot Applejack," replied Pinkie, "I'm very glad that you like it!"

Indeed the party was a riviteng success. Almost everypony they knew was there, including some of the kids from both Babs and Applebloom's schools. Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were there. There was, of course, some entertainment for the grown ponies as well. Berry Punch was enjoying herself with the cider (as usual), Rainbow Dash had been telling stories about her times in the Thunderbolt boot-camp, Rarity had come down from her dress-making to enjoy a little break with her friends, and Vinyl Scratch had been trying to fix her "Wubs" machine so there can be some music for this party. All of the ponies had been enjoying themselves at Babs' wonderful birthday party.

All except one. "The Great and Powerful" Trixie had been doing some minor magic tricks for the fillies that had shown up early. The children were in awe at her spectacular magical prowess, but Trixie felt as if her powers were being slandered. How dare they! she thought to herself as she made her hat disappear and then reappear once again. I am not a childrens performer, I am a great and powerful unicorn that has magical abilities far beyond that of all other ponies in Equestria! She was so angry at the fact that she was performing tricks to mere school fillies, that she had to end her show early so she could rest her thoughts.

I swear, if Pinkie Pie had not have given me the offer of free Apple cider, I wouldn't even be here right now. Trixie had been doing jobs like this one, ever since she gave her half-hearted apology to Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight Sparkle! she thought angrily. Ever since Trixie left Ponyville with her tail between her legs, she had sworn revenge against the one she blamed for all of this. And to think, she truly thought I was sorry after what she did to me!? She should have been the one apologizing to me! Trixie had been so preoccupied with her thoughts, that she didn't even realized that she had pounded a hoof on the countertop that she was sitting in front of. Nor did she even remember ever taking a seat. She looked aroung the saloon-like room. Nopony was with her except for Berry Punch, who had been knocked unconcious by the flood of apple cider she had just consumed. Trixie was disgusted, but did not show it. Instead, she swallowed her pride (and a couple pints of apple cider) and continued towards the children for her next trick.

Elsewhere, Rarity was talking and introducing herself to some of Applejack's relatives. After they had left, the only ones next to the punch bowl were her and Octavia. Octavia had recently come here with Vinyl Scratch, helping her unload Vinyl's huge "Wub" machine. Over the past couple of years, Rarity had become very comfortable talking to Octavia, who had moved to Ponyville just recently along with Vinyl Scratch. Octavia was the first to notice that Rarity was with her and began to start up a conversation.

"Oh, hello Rarity!" she began, "How are things with your boutique?"

Rarity did not respond. Octavia tried once again too communicate with her unicorn friend,

"How is your sister doing? I haven't seen her since the last party that Pinkie threw."

Rarity did speak, but not in response to Octavia's question.

"Octavia, I can tell you anything right?"

Octavia was brought aback by Rarity's question. Not that it was a very shocking question, but because it truly caught her off guard. Usually, all Rarity and Octavia talked about were their lives in Canterlot, and of course stories about when they moved to Ponyville. After collecting her mind for a little bit, Octavia spoke,

"Of course you can dear, it is why we became friends in the first place."

Rarity had only known Octavia for a short while, but she needed to share her feelings with somepony.

"I don't know how I can go on like this anymore."

Octavia was even more confused, "What do you mean, Rarity?"

"Spike has been gone for more than a year now, and I had no idea how much I had taken him for granted until now. I was not even able to say good-bye!"

After that last sentence, tears started flowing down her muzzle. That later transformed into an uncontrollable wale.

"Spike was so good to me, and all I have ever done is use him for my own selfish gains!"

This began to make Octavia uncomfortable. She did not know who this "Spike" was, but she quickly asumed that it was somepony very special to her. Octavia tried to consol Rarity, but Rarity just kept crying.

"Spike is gone and I didn't even get to tell him how much I love him!"

Suddenly, all of the tears that had been flowing from her eyes had stopped. She covered her mouth with both of her hooves. She had never said she loved anyone other than her family before, let alone Spike. She had finally gotten back to her senses and realized what she was doing to Octavia.

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry Octavia! I know this must have made you very uncomfortable."

Octavia just grinned and said, "hey, what else are friends for."

Rarity suddenly remembered, "Oh my gosh!" she said, "That reminds me. I have to go put the final seems on Babs's very special birthday dress."

She waved a hoof to Octavia and Octavia waved back as Rarity presumed her masterpiece in the upstairs bedroom.

Unfortunatly, in Canterlot; a fight between the two princesses of the celestial bodies was under way. Celestia tried desperately to snap her sister back to her senses. The battle was so epic, that the walls and foundation of the room began to crumble with every blow made by each of the sisters. Celestia did not want to harm her sister, but Luna wanted the complete opposite. Dawn Breaker, who had been watching this great battle unfold, had gotten a little bored of watching these two quarrel, that he decided to take a rest. He proceeded towards the throne of Celestia and took a seat on the Luscius fabric that adorned the golden seat.

"What better place to take a seat," Dawn began, continuing to watch the fight from his comfy new seat, "then my lovely new throne."

Dawn began to remove his tattered rags, revealing his wings for the first time in weeks. He began to massage his wings with his front fore-hooves to try and get the stiffness out of his amazing wings. His wings were a bit smaller than Celestia and Luna's but still larger than that of a normal pegasi.

Celestia had been receiving a thorough beating from her sister. She had been punched by her hooves, tossed like a rag doll, and even stabbed by the horn of her own dearest sister. Celestia tried to defend herself, but with no avail as she was thrown to a nearby wall. The once great and illustrious princess, was nothing more than a bloody mess, as she lay on the wall. Celestia began to speak, but barely as blood from her nose had begun spilling into her mouth.

"Lu... Luna. Why are you doing this?" Begged Celestia.

Luna, once again, did not answer her fallen sister. Instead, she gave her the same blank stare she gave her before the fighting began. Luna began to slowly creep towards her sister, ready to strike. Celestia knew her sisters intentions and this brought her to the brink of tears.

"please Luna, don't do this! I am sorry for whatever it is I did! Please speak to me!"

Luna stopped suddenly, and stared down upon her sister. Luna still wore the same blank expression on her face and Celestia began to believe that she had finally reached through to her sister. In reality, however, Luna had stopped her furious rampage only at the will of Dawn Breaker.

"I'm afraid she can't hear you, big sis," He began.

His jeweled eye had begun to glow an even darker red, indicating that he had been using some sort of magic.

"Luna is fully under my control, and there is nothing you can do about it." Dawn Breaker began to cackle wildly as he approached his sister. "You see, she is under my control. Bending only to my wim and nopony else's."

Celestia's sadness was now replaced by unbridled hatred towards her brother.

"You," she began. Her voice was muffled as she tried to hold in her screams of pure rage. "Why? Why have you done this? What is it that you want?!"

Dawn had stopped his maniacal laughter to answer his fallen sisters question. He now wore a look of disgust and he directed it down towards Celestia.

"To take back what is rightfully mine, of course." He replied. "You have been safe-guarding everypony for far to long now. It is time for a change."

Celestia had begun to understand what her younger brother had been speaking about.

"You don't mean," Celestia gasped. "No! You can't. It is not their time yet! Everypony still has time to mature and grow. You cannot just come here and destroy thousands of years worth of progress,"

Celestia had begun panting urgently. Although all of this information was unspoken, Celestia had finally begun to understand her brothers true intentions. Dawn found joy in watching her sister hyperventilate before him. He began to speak again.

"I'm glad to know we are on the same page!"

Celestia knew that her brothers intentions were not to rule the world, but instead to rid it of all life.

Back at the party, everypony who was invited had finally showed up and then some. Applebloom had gotten bored of sitting and waiting for Rarity to finish the dress she was preparing for Babs. She also knew that, even if it were finished, She surely would not have gotten to take a peek. Instead, Applebloom had begun to go and look for the birthday girl herself. She searched and searched but could not find her favorite cousin. During this search, Applebloom had run into her two best friends in the whole world. One was a sunset orange pegasi with purple hair growing on both her head and her tail. The other, was the very well dressed, but not very well mannered sister of Rarity. She had snow-white fur growing from her body which was accompanied elegantly with her light purple mane and tale.

"Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo!" squeeled Applebloom as she ran to hug her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders who had returned the hug with ones of their own. "I knew you fellers were gonna make it."

"Of course," said Scootaloo very matter-of-factly, "we weren't gonna miss this party for the world."

Scootaloo had always been a very brash little girl, just like her idol Rainbow Dash.

"So, where is the birthday mare anyway?" asked Sweetie Bell.

"She's with Rarity right now, gettin' fitted for her birthday dress." answered Applebloom.

Sweetie Bell knew her sister had been working incredibly hard on something but she was afraid to ask what it was, fearing she would break her sisters concentration.

"Is there anything to do here?" asked Scootaloo. She had been very bored ever since she arrived.

"Well," replied Sweetie Bell. "There is pin the tale on the pony! Or we can play some jump rope outside!"

Scootaloo let out an exasperated huff.

"Those are baby games! I want to do something really fun!"

Applebloom was very bored as well, and she also beleived that the games that Sweetie Bell suggested were very childish, but was not so up front about it as Scootaloo was. Scootaloo began thinking about what it is they could do that would be fun and fit their age range. Scootaloo liked to beleive she was very mature for her age and that she is a grown-up that would do everything without fear. The only pony that she had ever confided her fears to was Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo began scoping the room for an activity when her eyes caught a glimpse of the Cider Room.

The Cider room is the storage facility where Babs' parents kept all of the cider. Their were usually ponies that would guard the door to the room during large get togethers such as this, but it appeared the ponies were gone enjoying themselves in the festivities leaving the door unprotected.

Scootaloo let out a slight grin as she turned to the other girls, "I think I have an idea!"

Pinkie Pie too, had been enjoying her own party. After all, she went through so much trouble preparing it, she should at least try to enjoy herself. And enjoy herself she did. She went around both rooms partying with both the children and the adults. She played hop-scotch with the fillies outside, she hammered down some Ciders with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, she even helped Vinyl Scratch with her "Wubs" machine (Which she suprisingly knew alot about.) Pinkie was truly the "hostess with the mostest".

During all of this fun, she noticed something was outside. It was hard to tell who it was, but that didn't stop Pinkie from going outside and seeing who it was. It was Iron Will, a largely built, muscular minotaur. He had been passing out brochures to his next class at the plaza in Manehatten. Iron Will knew he all about Pinkies party and he thought he could fly by and see if he can make a quick buck off of the party-goers. Pinkie was unaware of Iron Wills little scheme. She was more worried about why he was not inside at the party. Iron Will was had recently finished handing out the rest of his brochures when Pinkie approached him.

"Hi there!" she said with her normal care-free tone.

Iron Will jumped when he heard the voice for it had caught him by surprise.

"no need to be so scared of me, tough guy," said Pinkie, "why are you not in at the party?"

The minotaur adjusted his tie, which was strange seeing as that is all he was wearing at the time.

"Pinkie," he began with his harsh raspy voice. "I already told you, I am a business professional first. I'm not in the mood for your parties."

Pinkie Pie began to get excited. She wanted to convince Iron Will to come to the party, for she is the Element of Laughter.

"Come on Iron Will," she said tugging at his tail, "we have alot of fun things here, like games and food and apple cider..." Pinkie was cut off mid sentence by the big, blue minotaur as he continued to make his leave.

"Sorry Pinkie, but I can't stop by. I have fliers to hand out and money to make."

Iron Will turned to grab his suitcase filled with brochures, but what met him instead was a sad faced Pinkie Pie. Her eyes had gotten wide, and she extended her lower lip as if she were a begging dog. In the most adorable voice Iron Will had ever heard, Pinkie Pie begged

"will you pweeeeese stay for the party? Onwy fow a wittle?"

she had replaced all the L's from her little plea and replaced them with W's. This was enough to break the bulking businessman as he replied,

"I guess I can stay for a little while." Pinkie gasped with exitement and began to escort Iron Will into the house.

Celestia had begun gasping for air as she took a crushing blow from her sisters hoof to the back of her neck. Luna had, once again, begun her mindless onslaught against her sister. Shining Armour could hear crashing and banging from the throne room. Cadence looked at her husband with utter fear and their little daughter, Kiki, was holding on to her mothers cape. Kiki was to the brink of tears as she hid her face inside of Cadence's cape.

"Mommy," she began, her voice muffled by the cape of her mother. "Will Aunt Cellie be all right?"

Cadence began to comb her daughters hair back with her softly touching hoof.

"Of course, my darling." Soothed Cadence. She felt her daughters trembles as she now began to cry, staining the pink robe of her princess mother. Cadence also felt uneasy and began to tremble. Celestia, she thought,Please don't let us down.

Shining Armour was also terrified, but he did not show it.

Instead, he looked towards his wife and said "You know what I have to do."

Cadence nodded only barely, for she was stricken with too much fear. The captain put on his purple helmet and kissed his wife. When he lowered his head to kiss his daughter, Kiki had wrapped her hooves around him with as much force as her little legs could exert.

"Please," she whispered softly into the ear of her father, "promise me that Aunt Cellie will be all right!"

Shining Armour stood still for a moment. He did not know what this new feeling was. Was it fear? He could not tell for he had never felt this way before in his whole life. After snapping back to reality, Shining Armour only knodded towards her daughters plea. Kiki was slightly reassured, but Shining Armour was not. Shining Armour did not want to promise that Celestia would be okay, for he feared that was a promise he could not keep.