Spellbound Existence

Twilight Sparkle lay in her cell, but not in her bed. Rather, she was lying in the corner on the concrete floor. She had almost lost her sanity, which the guard outside found surprising, considering she had only been there for a day.

As he watched her, another guard came down the stone steps to the cell.

"Uh, is she alright?" he asked when he saw Twilight stroking her tail, constantly mumbling nonsense.

"She's lost it." the other guard replied, shaking his head.

"Anyway, I bring a message from the princess. Twilight Sparkle?" he said, looking at her. She looked up, notifying him that she still had some sanity left in her head. "Your banishment will be at sundown, which is in three hours."

Twilight looked back down sadly. "Please, hurry." she whispered, as if her friends could actually hear her.

The guard looked at the other one and shrugged his shoulders.

Meanwhile,
at Sweet Apple Acres
~~~~~~~~~~

The five ponies watched in confusion as Twilight glowed bright purple, they were still unsure of what the spell was actually doing.

Suddenly, Twilight opened her eyes, which were now glowing with a bright white. Her horn continued glow hypnotically, radiating a vortex around her.

Then, to the ponies confusion, Twilight shot up, her legs becoming bigger, along with the rest of her body. The five ponies watched as she grew and grew, before smashing through the roof of the barn, shattering the structure.

Once she had stopped growing, she gazed down at the ant-like ponies who still stood in the shattered remains of the barn, in shock. At this point, she was massive, big enough to crush a pony in one stomp.

She lowered her head down towards the five little ponies and grinned. "See? How do you expect to stop me?" she asked.

"But, you're a fifty foot unicorn. Isn't that a bit obvious?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight shrugged her shoulders, before swatting the five ponies out through the remains of the doorway.

"Oh no, how do we turn her in now?" Rarity said, getting up off the ground. "We don't stand a chance!"

"Uh, I don't know." Rainbow Dash began. "There's not much we can do."

"Hang on a second," Pinkie Pie said, looking back into where Twilight was standing. "That book, I bet that if we got it, we could find some spell to reverse it."

"But don't we need Twilight to cast the spell?"

"Yeah, but if we have it, then the evil Twilight can't use it."

Rainbow Dash flew up to Twilight's face, attempting to create a distraction so Pinkie Pie could grab the book.

"Hey, Twilight!" she yelled. "Hey, uh, over here!"

Twilight directed her attention to Rainbow Dash, giving Pinkie a chance to go get the book.

"Are you trying to get killed?" she asked, swatting at the pegasus.

Rainbow Dash continuously tried to dodge the giant hooves which swung at her, which proved more difficult than she had expected. As it turned out, giant things didn't move in slow-motion, as movies had lead her to believe.

In one final swing, Twilight batted Rainbow Dash to the ground, causing her to fall face-first into some mud. She looked up, spitting out the mouthful of dirt, and saw Pinkie Pie, holding the spellbook.

Twilight looked down and saw the book in Pinkie's hoof. "Hey, give me that book!" she yelled.

"Run!" ordered Applejack.

~~~~~~~~~~

The five ponies galloped away from the Apple Farm, Twilight quite far behind, but approaching quickly. They were heading towards Ponyville.

"Wait, stop!" Applejack exclaimed, coming to a halt. "We can't lead Twilight into town, what about the townsponies?"

"We have to." Rainbow Dash said. "It's the best chance we have."

Applejack looked back at Twilight, who was now beginning to catch up, which she was doing effortlessly. Each one of Twilight's strides amounted to several of their own.

All too soon, Twilight had caught up to them, and began trying to get Pinkie Pie, who was holding the spellbook in her mouth.

"Stop moving!" Twilight demanded as her legs began to get tied up in her effort to stomp on the pink pony. After failing several times, her tangled legs caused her to fall flat onto her face.

She lifted her head back up, slightly embarrassed from her failure, and saw the five ponies once again galloping away.

Once they had arrived in Ponyville, they looked around, and saw the ponies as they had always been, unaware of the monstrous unicorn which was about to attack their usually calm town.

As much as she didn't want to disrupt the peaceful day, Rainbow Dash had to warn them of the giant Twilight.

"Uh, attention everyone!" she said, attempting to get their attention. "You all have to get out of town, now!"

All of the ponies looked around in confusion. "But why?" one of the ponies asked.

"Because there's a giant unicorn that's about to destroy half the town!"

The townsponies were all still confused. "What unicorn?" another pony said out of the crowd.

"That one!" Applejack said, pointing her hoof down the dirt road.

Everypony turned there heads and looked down the path, to which they were quite surprised to find a giant Twilight.

"But, why would Twilight want to destroy Ponyville?" Mayor Mare asked.

"Because she's evil!" Rarity said, stomping her hoof.

"Evil?"

Before Rarity could respond, Twilight arrived in the town. She looked around at the crowd which was staring up at her in confusion.

"Uh, Twilight?" Applebloom asked, who was standing at her right forehoof, along with the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. "Are you really evil?"

Twilight looked down at the three fillies, and grinned. Then, with almost no warning, she kicked out a back hoof into the building beside her, smashing it to pieces.

The townsponies all gasped at Twilight's unexpected act, especially Berry Punch, as it was her house.

"Twilight, don't do this!" Applejack yelled. "Leave 'em out of this!"

"If they get in the way, it's not my fault." Twilight replied.

"Attention, everypony!" Rainbow Dash ordered. "Evacuate to the park, we'll handle this!"

Everypony swarmed out of town, flooding the street in the opposite direction of Twilight.

"Okay, split up, and meet back at the library." Rainbow Dash said in the commotion. The five ponies joined the herd of ponies rushing out of town, each turning off to the side and going behind a building.

When the disturbance cleared, Twilight looked around, and saw the town, empty.

Rarity stood with her back against a wall. She breathed heavily as she looked across the street and saw her friends all doing the same thing. They were hiding behind buildings, all in different places except for Applejack, who was hiding with Pinkie Pie.

"Oh, you're hiding from me?" Twilight yelled, her voice loud enough to cover the whole of Ponyville. "I will find you, and I'll tear this town apart if I have to!"

"She really wants that book." Applejack whispered to Pinkie Pie, who was still tightly grasping the spellbook.

"Yeah, she's going to destroy Ponyville if she doesn't get it!" Pinkie agreed.

"Come on, let's start headin' around to the library."

They started creeping around the streets of Ponyville, weaving in and out of the buildings, and steering clear of the main street of which Twilight wandered on. They watched in distress as the giant unicorn smashed apart building after building, looking for the group.

Once they arrived at the library, the other three were already there. Applejack bucked down the door, and they all went inside without Twilight noticing them.

"So, what do we do?" Applejack asked as they all sat on the floor, the books still scattered around the room.

"We attack." Rainbow Dash said, taking the book from Pinkie Pie and opening it. "We'll use this spell to bring her in."

"But we don't have anypony to cast the spell."

"We have one pony..." Rainbow Dash said, looking at Rarity.

Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash, her expression clearly showing her disapproval of the idea. "Are you joking?" she asked. "I can't do that, you might as well ask Fluttershy to do it."

"Uh, I would try, but I'm not a unicorn." Fluttershy replied to Rarity's sarcastic comment.

"Well maybe one of the townsponies can help?" Applejack asked.

"So, we'll have to get through town without Twilight noticing, find a pony who can do magic spells, and bring Twilight to Canterlot before sundown?" Rarity asked.

"Yeah?"

"No, it's impossible. We'd have to go through the main street to get to the park, Twilight would see us in an instant."

"Well, I have a idea." Rainbow Dash said, looking at the stack of books that she was sitting on.

The four ponies watched as Rainbow Dash examined the pile, and then pulled a book out from the middle. "I'll use this as a distraction."

Rainbow Dash held the book up for them to see, and they quickly understood what she meant. The book was purple with a gold binding, just the same as the spellbook.

"I'll distract Twilight with this, while you go to the park and find a unicorn. Get them to cast the spell on Twilight, then we'll get her to Canterlot. We still have a few hours before sundown."

"But Twilight has magic, you know you're putting your own life at risk?"

"Yeah, I know."

"Hey, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash yelled, getting the unicorn's attention. She held the decoy book up. "Looking for this?"

Twilight looked down at her, and slowly started approaching her, notifying Rainbow Dash that the decoy was working. She slyly waved to Applejack who then lead the other three towards the park.

Rainbow Dash flew away from Twilight, who was now galloping towards her at full speed. Although Twilight was fast, Rainbow Dash's wings were able to keep her ahead.

By now, they were on the outskirts of Ponyville, just outside of the Everfree Forest. Rainbow Dash flew up as high as she could, but was stopped when she was caught in Twilight's magic.

"Oh no!" Rainbow Dash grunted as she squirmed in the purple aura, rapidly beating her wings to try and escape, which she knew was impossible.

"Are you going to give me that book, or am I going to have to take it from you?" she said as she pulled her closer.

"Never! I have to turn you in to save my friend!"

"Oh, really?" Twilight stopped pulling her closer, and began charging her horn up for an attack.

Rainbow Dash's pupils dilated in fear when she saw Twilight's horn glowing. Whatever spell she was casting, she could tell it was going to hurt.

"I'll give you one last chance." Twilight said, her horn now glowing intensely. "Give me the book, and I won't harm you."

Rainbow Dash looked at the Twilight, then the book, and then back to the unicorn. "Never."

"Huh. You really are loyal. Oh well, it doesn't matter to me. I've got another Rainbow Dash. She's way cooler than you, anyway."

Rainbow Dash watched Twilight, and half a second passed before she saw a bright beam of orange light blast into her. She screamed as the magic surrounded her, causing her extreme pain.

She writhed around in Twilight's magic as she tried to escape the pain. Eventually, she dropped the book onto the ground far below her.

Twilight grinned as the book hit the ground, and stopped torturing the poor pegasus. She let her go, and smiled at the sight of her singed feathers. She gasped in the air as she lost her consciousness, and fell to the ground.

~~~~~~~~~~

Applejack looked over at Rainbow Dash, who was waving to her.

"Alright, that's the signal. Let's get to the park." she said to her friends

"Attention everypony!" she announed. "We need help in defeatin' the evil Twilight!"

"Is anyone here good at magic?" Rarity asked the crowd. "Anyone at all?"

The crowd was silent, apart from the occasional comment between each other.

"Please, anypony?"

This was followed by more silence, not even a whisper. Applejack looked back, and saw Rainbow Dash still diverting Twilight's attention away from them and the real book.

"Um, I'll do it."

Applejack quickly jolted her head back towards the crowd, and looked down at a single azure hoof which was raised. The four ponies looked at the one who was volunteering, and were each equally as surprised.

"Trixie?"

The blue unicorn then began walking through the swarm of ponies towards the front where the four stood.

"Trixie? Why do you want to help us?" Rarity asked.

"Look, do you want my help or not?" Trixie said.

"Yeah, sure, but..." Applejack said. "What are you doin' back in Ponyville?"

"That's none of your business!" she snapped back.

"Geez," Applejack whispered to Rarity. "Somethin's up with her."

Fluttershy looked back and saw Rainbow Dash, who was now being held in Twilight's magic, yelling back and forth between each other.

"Twilight's got Rainbow Dash!" she said. "I don't think she can hold her off for much longer."

"Rarity, take this." Applejack said, passing the book to her. "I'm gonna go help Rainbow Dash."

She galloped down the main street toward the giant unicorn, who was still holding Rainbow Dash and the decoy book.

She continued galloping, but stopped for a moment in shock as Twilight fired her magic beam at the pegasus, who began screaming.

"Oh no, Rainbow Dash!"

She continued along her path at full speed, and watched as Rainbow Dash hung in the air, before falling. She watched as the lifeless pony fell from the sky alongside the book.

A mere meter before hitting the ground, Rainbow Dash was caught by Applejack who leapt through the air.

With the unconscious pegasus strung over her back, Applejack watched Twilight levitate the book up to her face, which quickly changed to an angry frown.

"Hey, this is just the fourth Daring Do book!" she yelled, quickly shredding it to pieces. "Where's the spellbook?!"

"Uh oh..."

Applejack, without hesitation, turned back around and galloped back to the park, Rainbow Dash still on her back.

"Trixie, get ready!"

"Okay, Trixie. This is it." Rarity said to her. "Are you sure you're up for it?"

"Yeah, I can do this. Easy." she replied, reading through the spell.

"Remember, Trixie, we're all counting on you." Fluttershy said.

"Yes, I know. I can do this."

"Well you better do it soon," Pinkie Pie said. "Because Twilight's coming."

"Trixie!" Applejack yelled as she galloped closer to them, Twilight close behind, and Rainbow Dash beginning to wake up.

"Hmm..." Trixie looked at the spell one final time, before closing the book. "Okay, let's get this over with."

She pointed her horn towards the giant unicorn, who was charging at them, and lowered her stance. She began casting the spell, her horn glowing a light magenta.

Applejack tried to gallop faster as Twilight got closer to her. She could feel the ground shake with every step.

"Trixie!" she yelled. "What are ya waitin' for?!"

"A closer target!" she yelled back. "If I miss, you and Rainbow Dash are dead!"

Applejack looked back at Twilight, whose hooves were getting closer and closer to crushing her.

"Hurry up!" she screamed in fear.

"Applejack," Trixie yelled. "Duck!"

Applejack leapt to the ground, she and Rainbow Dash rolled along the street. Trixie's beam of magic fired over their heads and into Twilight.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and watched as Twilight shrieked under the pain of the spell.

Twilight stumbled forward as Trixie finished the spell. She stopped right as she was in front of the townsponies, and fell to her side, crushing yet another two houses.

She then began shrinking back to her normal size, much to everyone's relief.

"Thanks a lot, Trixie." Applejack said as she and her friends walked over to the now regular-sized unicorn.

"Yeah, don't mention it." she replied conceitedly.

"Twilight," Rainbow Dash said, trying to ignore her scorched wings. "We're going to take you to Canterlot."

She limply lifted up her head and titled it towards Rainbow Dash, and forced a slight yet notable nod.

Suddenly, Twilight began groaning as she began writhing in pain. She wrapped her forelegs around her stomach as she coughed.

"What?" Rarity asked confusedly. "Twilight, what's wrong?"

"I'm... dying..." she groaned.

"Dying? Why?"

"Well, I probably should have told you." She looked back up at them. "We clones weren't going to last more than a few days in the first place. The others are probably gone by now."

"Come on, Twilight. Hang in there." Rainbow Dash said, placing her on her back. "We're going to get you to Canterlot. You're gonna be fine." She turned to the other four. "Come on, girls. We're running out of time. Pinkie, let's take the book with us."

"Twilight Sparkle?" the royal guard said.

Twilight looked up at him, her eyes dour and woeful. "Y- Yes?" she stammered.

"I'm afraid your time is up. The princess has summoned you to the throne room."

"No!" Twilight cried as she backed up against the wall. "I didn't do it, I'm innocent!"

"I'm sorry, Miss Sparkle, but the princess has requested you."

"Uh, alright... I'll go..."

Twilight marched down the hallway, the guard by her side, every step bringing her closer and closer to her horrible fate.

They came to large double doors of the throne room, where Princess Celestia was waiting.

Twilight and the guard walked in, and found the princess silently moping on her throne.

"Excuse me, your majesty?" the guard said.

"Yes, yes." she said, walking towards them. "You can leave now."

Once the guard had left the room, the princess lowered her head sadly.

"I'm sorry, Twilight." she said. "I don't want to do this, but I must."

"No!" Twilight cried. "I'm innocent! My friends will be here soon, they'll prove it wasn't me."

"I'm so very sorry, Twilight, but I mustn't wait any longer. It's sunset."

Twilight fell to the ground and began sobbing.

"Twilight, please don't cry." Celestia said. "You're making this even harder for me."

"But I don't want to go." she sobbed.

"Yes, I know, but there's nothing I can do."

"But what about my friends?" she sniffled. "I didn't even get to say goodbye..."

"Twilight, please. This is just as difficult for me as it is for you."

"But how can you do this to me?"

"I told you, it's my duty as princess. There's nothing I can do. But I will remember you, as I do all my students."

Princess Celestia turned and looked out the window, just as her bright sun was lowering. Normally, she saw this as a beautiful sight; the orange and pink horizon merging beautifully with the darkening sky, but not today. This sunset only filled her with sorrow and remorse, even though it wasn't her fault, but she felt it was.

"Twilight... It's time."

"No..." Twilight took a few steps backwards as the princess approached her, trying to hold off her inevitable punishment.

"Goodbye, Twilight."

"No, please!"

Once she was in front of her, princess kneeled down towards Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle." she said, a tear in her eye. "You are hereby banished from Eque-"

"Stop!!"

The princess stopped and she and Twilight turned to the source of the noise, and were quite relieved to find Twilight's friends, all standing in the doorway.

"Twilight's innocent!" Rainbow Dash declared, lowering her head, allowing the dying clone to roll off onto the floor in front of her hooves.

"You- You did it..." Twilight let out a short, nervous chuckle, before collapsing with relief.

"Thank you." Princess Celestia said, walking over to them. "Another second and Twilight would have been banished forever." She looked down at the unicorn who was quietly groaning at her hooves. "Would you care to explain what she's doing here?"

"Uh, yeah..." Rainbow Dash said nervously. "It was kinda my fault... We found this old spellbook in Twilight's library while spring cleaning," Pinkie Pie passed the book to her. "And well... I made Twilight try out a spell."

"Oh..." Celestia said, examining the book. "I haven't seen this in centuries. How in Equestria did you find it?"

"I dunno." she said, shrugging her shoulders. "Applejack found it while cleaning."

"Well, you had best leave it with me then..."

The princess returned her attention to the dying unicorn. "What's wrong with her?"

"She's dyin'." Applejack said.

"Dying? Why?"

"Apparently these clones only live a few days."

The evil Twilight limply lifted up her head and looked at the princess. "It's funny. The only reason I framed Twilight was so she couldn't kill us, but I wasn't even going to make it to the end of the week anyway-" She grunted in pain again. "I'm... sorry. Especially to you Twilight." She looked over towards Twilight, who had joined her friends.

"But why are you being nice now?" she asked. "You're dying, why do you care?"

"Well..." she started. "Why not?"

Once again, Twilight's duplicate writhed in agony on the floor, groaning uncontrollably.

"No, don't die." Twilight said, starting to feel sorrow for her once evil counterpart.

"No, it's fine. I was made to die." she replied with a slight smile. "And don't worry, I'm not technically dying anyway. My existence is being reversed, that's all."

And with one final breath, a lifeless body lay on the throne room floor.

"That's was horrible." Futtershy said. "I can't believe I just saw somepony die..."

Suddenly, the body began to glow, and then slowly disappear.

"Huh?" Rainbow Dash asked once it had completely vanished. "What happened, where'd she go?"

"She never existed." Twilight said with a sigh. "Her existence was reversed."

"Hey, what happened to Ponyville?" Twilight said as they got off the train. "Some of the houses are smashed."

"Oh, yeah... Long story." Rainbow Dash said nervously. "Some of the townsponies might not like you very much anymore..."