A True "Rarity"

"Tell me Heatstroke. How do you feel?" I couldn't help but stare at Luna as she said that. Every time I speak with her I just seem to get lost in that mane, filled with the stars of the universe. The bright sun that peeked through the trees provided quite a contrast compared to her night time mane.

I don't experience this phenomena out of physical attraction, personally I blame my natural curiosity. Even I did consider a relation with her she's far too old for me. Billions and billions of years older in fact, just like her sister. At their ages they both should be bubbling over with wisdom, but that isn't true. If it was true it would be a damned miracle. From all that I've seen, and all that I have been taught by Luna in my five years (and counting) as an alicorn; she is far beyond the wise. Omniscient even. Although I still possess doubts. Her decision to let the mane six (that's what she calls them) die....it's something I still don't understand.

Then stop complaining and ask. Is that too hard?

Fair enough mind, I agree with you.

"I feel confused Luna. Quite confused in fact." I said, hoping she would pick up on my intent of asking her some questions.

"You have a question I presume?" So she did understand. One of the few things I appreciated from these face to face meetings is not only asking questions, but receiving answers.

"Why did you let me kill them?" I was blunt about it. Perhaps a bit more blunt then I should have been but that didn't really matter. One thing I've learned from Luna besides her distraught filled past, is that she isn't emotionally sensitive over little things.

"What do you think Heatstroke? Before I give you my answer....I want to know you assume was my cause for letting them perish; as well as participating in their deaths." I searched for a trace of conceit in her tone but there wasn't one to be found. The way she acted sometimes....if I didn't know her better I would think she was angry. It's a wonder how she manages to stay calm at every waking moment.

Or it could be a continuous lack of interest.

She does care about many other things that's a fact, but the reasons behind her actions are not as visible. What she is doing not is an active example of her mysterious actions.

"I don't know. I haven't bothered to think of why you let them die specifically, I just presumed you would have a valid reason." My exact thoughts flowed out, and I wasn't entirely sure if I had even spoken at first.

I noticed she was letting my statement sink in before answering. I knew it wasn't a ploy to have more time for compiling a developed response, because right then my own intuition was advising me she did that for my sake. I don't see any purpose in that, and again it seemed like my intuition has failed me. After all I was the one waiting for an answer not her. The deafening silence between us was gently shaken when Luna turned to look up at the sun.

"I let them perish because their formerly strong sense of friendship had disappeared. I had noticed it from an earlier time and I told Celestia about it. She ignored me of course and either way it's safe to assume that was part of her plan. I may seem sadistic saying this and forgive me if I do but quite honestly we were doing them a favor. Celly would have killed them in much more imaginative ways then you and I...."

That last sentence made perfect sense to me.

"I understand." I said this with slight satisfaction.

"I want them back more then anything believe me. I would gladly trade my sister back for them." She smiled at that last remark and her.....interesting sense of humor earned a smirk from me. It still didn't give me a full feeling of complacency. I didn't have a fucking clue as to why Celestia killed those alicorns after persuading them to follow her. Stranger still, she left the bearer of logic alive. Discord himself had fled when she butchered the remaining members of her...our kind. That considered, why couldn't they escape?

Maybe they didn't want to escape. Luna herself said there were times when she just wanted to die after billions of years.

And remember, Luna can't explain everything. Especially not the erratic and occasionally ingenious actions of her sister.

That is of little importance now. Nopony can go back and change things, we can only make the changes from now. And my my...things sure have changed. Besides that lovely transformation into an alicorn and the magic training and flight lessons that came with it (courtesy of Luna), there's still so much more. Both my lifestyle as well as Luna's has changed. Neither Luna nor myself can be seen in open spaces in the daylight, henceforth why we hide in the forest. Celestia's Solar Patrol is to cowardly to venture into Everfree, which does have some advantages. Normally I would have qualms about being in a secluded forest 24/7 but the neighboring areas and Equestria in general aren't exactly spiffy. Most of the towns have been turned into "Equestrian Enhanced Living Centres" while others are in mid transformation. The EELCs may sound like paradise but they really serve as prison and extermination camps. All part of the empire's (Celestia's) plan for an eternal rule. Their strategy of promising hope and instilling fear is not only effective, but genius in my eyes. The lack of any resistance towards the government is pathetic. From the occasional situations were I've seen these ponies act, they seem to be very sober compared to that mindless collection that I encountered at my "execution". And if it wasn't for Luna and her everlasting goal to make Equestria a better place, I would have attacked Celestia myself.

The main difference between Luna and I....I see Celestia as the real problem; instead of seeing a goal like Luna. Of course if I just attacked horn blazing I wouldn't get anywhere.

"Heatstroke, how confident are you in your abilities?" She asked me regally. In my five years with alicornian magic, Luna has helped me become even stronger then I ever dreamed of. It was nothing compared to her skill and her billions of years of practice. But I was very confident in my abilities nonetheless. Especially considering they could only improve, not degrade.

"Yes. I am satisfied with my magical skill set." I was trying my best not to sound pompous.

"And what about your abilities in flight?" Luna's tone was starting to remind me of the hapless interviewers the average pony would deal with when searching for a job.

Flying is always an interesting experience in my opinion, as it contains many things magic does not. After I was able to pull off a sonic rainboom two years ago I became much more proficient in flight. But all those years ago when I was engulfed in that pillar of flame, it still took a considerable amount of time before I got any better at magic. However the time that I have put into practice since that fateful day has greatly helped my magical talents. In short, flight takes skill; while magic takes both skill and time.

"Yes Luna. I also believe my flying abilities are satisfactory as well." Now I was the monotone sounding one.

Why is Luna asking me these questions now?

As that subconscious conundrum snuck into my mind, all I could do was probe in the darkness; I had no answer to that question. Then I heard a slight giggle from Luna.

"No need to be so modest. You and I both know you are exceptionally talented in magic and flight. I'm not surprised honestly...considering how hard you train and having me as a mentor."

"So your'e eliminating modesty all together now?" We both smiled at that.

"Continuing my thoughts....it's been sometime since either of us had a decent meal correct?" She was certainly right about that.

I nodded my head gently in agreement.

"Well then, I'm going got get us one. Don't worry about me, I'll be just fine. That's why I asked you about your abilities in the first place."

That explains her question earlier.

"If everything goes smoothly I should return by nightfall." She spread her wings as she said this, and a small gust of wind tickled the blades of grass beneath her. It will be nice to have a "normal" meal for once. Even though I honestly have no need to eat (as I am an alicorn) I would be delighted to get my hooves on a delicacy.

I started to picture cakes, croissants, tea....they all seemed so delicious. I got so caught up in my food fantasy that I hadn't realized she flew off. Now it's time to wait. I looked up at the sky and saw a tiny blue dot. I forgot just how fast she can fly. After the dot that was Luna finally disappeared, I looked at the position of the sun. It was three quarters into it's east to west path, and in another three or so hours it would be dusk. Telling time just from the position of the sun was another thing my mentor taught me. An hour after dusk and it would be nightfall.

Hopefully Luna is back by then.

I laid down in the grass and felt nature's cool embrace. I let my eyelids drop and felt myself drift off to sleep.

I opened my eyes after a "few" minutes, and the darkened sky and forest gave me the presumption that I had sleep through dusk; and into the night. I guess Luna let me sleep in. I looked around for my teacher but she was nowhere to be found. My meal wasn't anywhere in my range of sight either.

"Luna? Luuuuuuuna?" As my call echoed through the forest there was still no sign of her. I used an illumination spell, and it's light couldn't find her either. I was truly perplexed now. She hadn't tried to contact me telepathically, nor did she say what to do if she didn't return by night. Luna can certainly defend herself (all my losses in our combative magic training prove that) so she couldn't have been captured. Or killed for that matter.....so where was she? Maybe I should look for her. I did just sleep for five hours, plenty of rest. And it's night; much more freedom now. I prepped my wings, and shot up high in the air. My mane was unperturbed by the intense speed and after a few seconds of flight, I stopped and looked down at the forest. Still no sign of her. Absolutely nothing. I began my descent back to the forest grounds and hoped for her return.

Now what? I have no where else to go, no friends or family nearby. Fuck! I need to rest.

I sighed as I laid on my back and managed to lower my heart-rate. My eyelids shut again, but it would be sometime before I fell asleep. Miraculously I did fall asleep and when I woke up, the sun was nearing it's peak position in the sky. Luna still hadn't arrived yet which didn't startle me, it just worried me. I stood up filled with energy, and realized it was time to do a real search. It also occurred to me I had no plan, or any idea of where to search. The only "plan" to my knowledge, was Luna's plan to find four others so we could use the elements of harmony.

The elements....

Something...inside told me to see if they were still in their hiding place on the outskirts of the forest. I heard a rustle of leaves behind me, but I dismissed it as the wind. It would be getting stronger as there were less trees to block the breeze. I continued walking past the trees and as the forest became less dense, I found the hiding spot for the elements. They were buried underneath a large, diamond like boulder; and when Luna was looking for a place to hide the relics, she felt one of the elements was drawn to that particular rock. I wasn't sure if she was joking or not when she said that, but it was an excellent hiding place. I levitated the stone and placed down upon the nearby ground very gently. To my astonishment, nothing was there but a patch of dug up earth. Something was definitely wrong, very wrong indeed. I heard another rustle of leaves, and the snapping of a twig. I wasn't alone. Turning around, I saw the greatest betrayal I had experienced in ages.

"Hello Heatstroke." It was Luna. And 10 guards, as well as three other prisoners. Looks like she still gave in to Celestia.

"Yes that's right. I have given in. The plan my sister has for Ponyville is much better then yours ever could be." She turned back to the guards.

"Take them all to the nearest EELC. If he tries anything, execute the prisoners." The three ponies looked at me. Their fate was in my hooves now. "The last thing we need is him escaping and if you fail this, the Princess will talk to you personally. Understand?" The guards nodded with nervousness.

The squad was composed of white guards, all of them being unicorns. I suppose Celestia was stepping up her defenses. Luna disappeared into a puff of smoke, and three of the guards walked towards me. I gave them a deviant smile as they attached the chains to my hooves. The one of the unicornian guards attached the chain to the other three ponies who were with me. One of them was a unicorn herself, and had a blue coat with a wand and half moon as her cutie mark. She also had a striking white mane. The pony in front of me was a pegasus, and she surprisingly had no cutie mark. She did have an orange coat, and a purple mane that had some resemblance to Rainbow Dash when she was still alive. At the very front of the chain was an earth pony. His coat was yellow, and he had an orange mane that was mostly concealed by a hat. The hat looked very much like the one I saw on Applejack's head. The blue pony didn't have any noticeable relation to Twilight Sparkle.

Most of the guards in the squad seemed young, and some were quaking in their hooves just from seeing me. It was good to know I still instilled fear. What I didn't know was why they had these prisoners in the first place. I hadn't heard of any resistance movement; maybe they were just trying to flee but were captured? That was feasible. As I was contemplating all the different reasons why they were in custody, I didn't notice we were already out of the forest. The EELC that once was Ponyville was right in front of us. It was fenced and caged, and the town buildings had been turned into checkpoints and recruitment centers. It was a very gray site compared to once colorful town I had left behind.

"Hard to imagine they built this in five years." I said to the orange pegasus.

"Hey! Shut up." I looked at the guard who interrupted me.

"Yeah, try anything and we kill these three." Another guard chimed in.

Just to get on their nerves, I asked the pegasus why she didn't have a cutie mark. She was going to answer me, but another chorus of shut ups and fucks followed.

"You say one more thing and you'll be sorry punk! Just cause you're an.....alicorn doesn't mean you scare us. Six of us could beat the shit out of you without trying." He said with a smug grin. I would love to see them try.

I turned to the blue unicorn, and she was looking very grim.

"Don't be sad." I told her. "The only unicorns who should be sad are those guards. Afterall, they haven't flank fucked each other in quite some time." My inflammatory comment set them off, and the orange pegasus in front of me let out a giggle.

"Oh you think that's funny huh?" He said to her.

He walked over to her and unchained her from the rest of the group. Using his magic, he attached her chains to a tree and she was bound up with her flank facing the rest of us.

"I'll show you flank fucking! Any of you guys want to join me?" Two other guards subsequently joined him.

The unicorn and earth pony in front of me looked at me with hatred. I just gave a friendly smile. The first guard started to caress the pegasus, and she was clearly shaking.

"See what you got me into!? Stupid alicorn." She said to me. That's not the only thing going in.

The colthood of the guards was visible, and they started to rub it on her. The poor pegasus was trying to ignore it all.

"Who wants to go first?" One of them asked. The looked at each other and two stepped aside. At least they were friendly about it.

As the guard stood up on his hind legs, his phallus ignited and burst into flame. The other guards couldn't help but stare. He was screaming and rolling in the grass trying to put it out. I knew it wouldn't be extinguished that easily as there was no source of water nearby.

"Fuck it, kill them all! Especially that filthy earth pony!" He cried. The scent of his melting flesh was intoxicating.

Using my magic once again, the chains around myself and the other three ponies rusted away.

"I suggest we fight back." I calmly told them.

They looked at me with confusion, then each other, and to my delight; they looked at the nine guards around us. The pegasus flew at the two guards who were about to take advantage of her, and knocked them both to the ground. She grabbed one by his tightly fitting helmet and flew up above the forest. He was screaming like a foal and begging for his life. She released her grip, and he fell (still screaming) to the ground. His body burst and his organs were five feet from where he landed. As she flew down to grab the second guard, the earth pony started kicking one of the unicorns. His hoof immediately crushed the colt's skull, and he fell to the ground. The female unicorn's horn illuminated, and a bolt of energy pierced through two of the guards chests with notable accuracy. All the while I just stood there and watched the my former captors waste away.

After it was all done, and there were several carcasses laying on the floor, I decided to ask them their names. The earth pony turned to me, and proclaimed his name is Braeburn. The unicorn looked at me and said, "The great and powerful Trixie.". Braeburn turned to her and cocked an eyebrow.

"Fine....Trixie will suffice." She said with a disgruntled tone.

Braeburn adjusted his hat and the orange pegasus walked towards me.

"My name is Scootaloo. Thanks for uh, saving me and everything." She was still trembling from her experience. Although it could have been much worse.

Scootaloo....where have I heard that before?

I'm sure I'll recall it later. But now what to do.... Consider your options. Now The Solar Empire is going to be desperately looking for you. They found you in forest, time to move on to somewhere else. If it wasn't for Luna things would be fine. It's no longer about what Celestia does to change her, because Luna has changed. Well at least now I have something to do. But before I could, there would be other things that need to be done. Like find out why those three were captured in the first place.

"Why were you in chains earlier?" I questioned. All I wanted was some answers, no life story that I couldn't care less about.

"Trixie has been chained for being a member of the resistance, along with Scootaloo and Braeburn."

So there was a resistance after all. I wonder if Luna knew that. Not that I should really care.

"We were captured along with the rest of our members. Somehow they found our meeting place. Now we are the last ones left." Trixie looked down as she said that, as did the other "group" members.

"Do you know what happened to them?" I asked. I was curious about this "new" movement and it's members.

"Their imprisoned in an EELC." Scootaloo said flatly. "Specifically the one we were going to."

Braeburn adjusted his hat and spoke. "Now I hope ya don't mind us asking partner, but why do you wanna know so much about us now?"

I suppose his hat fixing was one of his various mannerisms.

"We just met ya, and you're already asking questions. Bit suspicious if yah don't mind ma sayin'."

He did have a valid point. I had no business with them or their resistance movement. But I wanted to have business with them. I'm no foal. I know a group is the only way I'll take down the Solar Empire and Luna. And reshape Equestria.....I paused, and fled from my thoughts. Don't want arouse any more suspicion.

"Why am I asking you this? I thought you would have gotten it by now." I said with a smirk.

"I want to help you, help me. Our goals aren't so different." I said coolly. I was doing my damn best to sound like a trusting, reliable pony. An idol even.

"Trixie would like to know what those goals are-"

"Heatstroke." I said as I interrupted her. "You can call me Heatstroke. As for my goals.....I just want to make Equestria a better place for ponykind." I gazed at Scootaloo before continuing.

"What about you and this...movement? I would love to hear about your goals, and what you're trying to achieve."

I was very curious. I can say that honestly. Honesty, was also being used to my advantage. It would be very helpful to know their real agenda ahead of time. Braeburn glanced at Trixie, and shifted the position of his hat again.

"We wanna free all them ponyfolk from the camps and such. And get Celly out of power too. Haven't had much luck with either though." He said with a fake laugh. Scootaloo's tone was much more serious.

"What's going on in the camps....it's terrible. All those ponies suffering in there too.....and Rainbow Dash is with them..."

So nopony has told you what happened to your idol eh? I'll have to tell her later at some point.

Hopefully she won't do anything foolish after finding out her real fate. And whats so bad about these camps? I asked Braeburn that question, and his answer was highly predictable.

"They send ponies to the camps to work. Make 'em mine for materials, grow food and experimentation...." He sounded a little worried after that sentence.

"A've heard if you're not good enough for work, then ya get sent to be experimented on or killed. Just glad Big Mac's a hard worker. Most of the ponies who get experimented on or killed are earth ponies. Don't do enough work and you're "useless". Be an earth pony and yer halfway there. They hate us for some reason I reckon."

So he didn't know the fate of his family either? How?

Celestia could easily falsify they were imprisoned and were alive and "well".

Although that lie is probably what started the movement in the first place. That hope of being reunited someday.

I can only imagine how crushed they'll be after they learn the truth.

"Trixie would like to know what you can do for the others in the camps. If you can help free them, Trixie and her friends will help you."

It seems like a fair deal. I free some ponies, and gain an army. I just hope those foals know how to fight like Trixie and the others. Then again...an army of ponies is nothing compared to three alicorns. Let alone the whole Solar Union Army. Isn't to my advantage that they have the elements of harmony either. But they can't use it can they? I need something more. The other alicorns are dead and making more would be far too risky. But perhaps its not an alicorn that I need.....

"Trixie, or any of you honestly, do you have any knowledge of what happened to Discord?" I tried to be as subtle as possible in my question. And in response to that question, they all said no.

I started to comb my thoughts for a possible clue on how to find him.

Lets see....billions of years old....in hiding....spirit of chaos....

Thats me! Your friendly neighborhood...Discord!!!

I was appauled at what I heard. I could only assume that's Discord's voice.

What you didn't recognize my voice? And to think I was famous....

Infamous is more like it.

I wouldn't back talk if I were you Mr. kill joy. After all, you're the one looking for me. Not the other way around.

He was right. I needed his help. All he had to do was hide, and he'd be set for life.

Hide? I don't really see it so much as hiding but more like....running. Sounds much healthier don't you think?

Why did I even need his help in the first place? All he's done is distract me from my goals and now my thoughts.

Well then! In case you need a refresher, you NEED me. To help YOU with your issues. Like the terrible twins and their reign of evil.

Twins? I thought there were three leaders. And aren't you the evil one?

Hah! I'm not sure if you understand my fourlegged friend but I'm a spirit of chaos, not a spirit of death like you. And yes there are three leaders, but only two are the terrible ones. Sr Logos is smart enough to not get killed.

What do you mean by that? Smart enough to not be killed?

You know, I thought you would get it by now. But then again you weren't there were you? See, back when you freed me and my former friends from our stony lonesomes we still wanted revenge. And by we I mean those alicorns. As I said I am but a peaceful draconequus, who is subjected to the horrors of this cruel, cruel land. Now, we had our plan to strike back at Celestia but shes gotten much stronger in her magical abilities. Needless to say we were no match for her. I managed to escape unscathed, while Logos knew it was in his best interest to stay alive. But don't worry, he didn't become brainwashed or anything; and he's still on our side. Well we don't really have a side at this point but more of...a general philisophy. That general philisophy being a Celestia and Luna free environment. Safe for ponies ages three and up! Unless that goes against your terms of leadership. If you know what I mean.

I didn't. All I could make out was that Celestia and Luna were the true enemies, and Discord is smarter then he looks.

Well, since you've flattered me sooo and you did free me in the first place, I'll tell you what I mean.

I'm sure he was miles and miles away from me, but I could tell he had a smile on his face.

If, and only if, Celestia and Luna and their whole Solar Union are taken out, who do you think goes next in line? Aahhh.... You're starting to get it now aren't you? The only "powerhouses" in the magical community will be you, Logos, and of course me. Trouble is, who takes control? Now before you think I want the power I'm a spirit of disorder and chaos. I want nothing to do with leading an orderly society. I do however want to roam and do as I please. That aside, it leaves you and the grand old spirit of logic as the suitors to the throne.

And only one of us can be the true leader.....

So you do understand! Excelent. With my help you can become Equestria's great ruler and bring us into a prosperous age once again. Besides, you'll have the ponies on your side too. Even though you killed a few mares and one dragon, everypony will remember what Logos has contributed to.

Discord, if Logos is your friend....why do you want me to usurp the throne instead of him?

Oh Heatstroke, just as I think you're brillant, you fail me once again. Can you imagine the chaos that would occur from a battle between two alicorns? Continents would shift! Skies would darken and the universe itself would look down, and gaze upon the events that would unfold. Even the stars would be interested.

The stars? A chaotic battle? Sounds more like a prophecy then a skirmish for power.

You are too funny my alicornian friend. Now come, there is much I have to teach you.

And at that, Trixie, Braeburn, and Scootaloo all started to melt and meld into the background of the forest. Their figures becoming distorted caricatures of their former, kinder moulds. As quickly as I realized it was Discord dragging me off somewhere against my will; I wondered how long I had just stood there, looking like a foal in front of them.

I also wondered if they think I'm insane.