The Lord of the Ponies: The Search for Harmony

Twilight Sparkle stopped on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, standing in the middle of the span, and impeded the advance of the pursuer as the other members of the Fellowship fled. Twilight turned. From the fire she faced erupted an earth-quaking roar. The inferno flared, and from its fiery womb burst forth the Balrog: a bipedal beast coated in shadow with a mane of flame erupting from between its massive ram's horns. The monster stared down at Twilight, scanning the minuscule Unicorn. The Balrog roared again, the shadows about it reaching out like two vast wings. Twilight remained steadfast before the demon; she would not waver against this being of darkness and shadow.

"You cannot pass!" yelled Twilight.

The Balrog rose to its full height, flaring its wings. A wave of fire rolled from the demon, and Twilight felt flames lick past her cheeks.

"I am Princess Celestia's protege, the most powerful Unicorn in Equestria." Twilight's horn flashed, and a purple shield surrounded her. The Balrog channeled its dark flame into a blade, and it raised the sword above its head.

"YOU CANNOT PASS!" screamed Twilight before the Balrog brought its sword down on her.

With a ringing clash, the Balrog's sword shattered into molten fragments. Unabated, the demon conjured another weapon, a flaming whip of many thongs which snapped viciously beside Twilight. The Balrog raised its whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire erupted from the demon's nostrils, and it placed a massive foot on the Bridge. But Twilight stood firm.

"YOU! SHALL NOT! PASS!" Twilight cried. She summoned her last reserve of strength and struck the Bridge with her hoof. A blinding sheet of purple flame briefly sprang up. Her hoof cracked.

The Balrog stepped back, sniffing the air. With a snort, the fiery beast charged Twilight. Cracks spiderwebbed out from beneath the demon's feet, and the Bridge collapsed beneath it. The Balrog's wings flailed, and the beast toppled into the bottomless pit of Moria, slowly becoming little more than a smoldering glow in the lightless chasm.

Twilight heaved a great sigh and turned back to face her companions. Holding her broken hoof to her chest, she took a step towards her companions. It's over.

Not yet.

A sharp crack rang through the cavern, and one of Twilight's hind hooves met only air. Balancing precariously on two legs, Twilight jerked her leg back up, searching for solid rock. When she placed it down, a grinding sound made her look down. Cracks spread beneath her. Twilight slowly hobbled towards her companions. With each step, a stone dislodged from the underside of the Bridge. Shining approached her, careful to remain off the crumbling section. The stone under Twilight trembled violently. The siblings locked eyes with each other.

The broken section collapsed.

Twilight leapt and disappeared.

"No!" Shining Armor galloped towards the edge of the Bridge and found his sister dangling over the edge by a single hoof. Strain knotted her brow, but her horn only flickered weakly. The bridled air in his lungs escaped. He reached out and grabbed ahold of his sister's good hoof.

Twilight was ripped from the bridge, dragging Shining Armor along with her. They tumbled into the endless black.

Rainbow Dash followed the falling pair. "Fluttershy, grab Twilight!" she yelled. Rainbow intercepted Shining and watched as Twilight followed the Balrog into the endless abyss of Moria, a tendril of fire encircling her ankle.

There was no Fluttershy.

Apple Bloom rushed to the brink, only to be intercepted by Rarity.

"TWILIGHT!" screamed Apple Bloom as she was pulled away. Not again. Not like Applejack.

"NO! TWILIGHT!" were the last words Twilight heard before her death.

Past immeasurable miles of rock, Twilight plummeted after the Balrog. Twilight streamlined herself, plunging towards the flailing demon.  Alighting on the shadowy beast's neck, Twilight stabbed her horn deep into it. Violet light and scorching gouts of fire exploded from its wounds. The demon swiped at Twilight, battering her until she lost her grip.

The two foes rained blows upon each other before the Balrog snatched Twilight in its grasp. It bellowed at her, singing her coat and eyes. An impact jarred its frame, and Twilight broke from the Balrog's grip. Before the beast could recover, Twilight grabbed ahold of the demon’s horn as they continued their plunge into Moria’s depths. The Balrog again crashed against the walls of the pit as Twilight prepared to drive her horn into its head.

At the uttermost foundations beneath the deepest delving of the Diamond Dogs, Twilight and the Balrog emerged, like a ball of fire, high above an enormous lake in a cavern without measure. The dueling pair approached the water at an astounding speed. Twilight plunged her horn into the Balrog's head.

They smashed into the water.

Darkness.

***

"Twilight!" called Apple Bloom. The filly sprung from the stone floor, hyperventilating. Silver fog swirled around her. Spike jerked awake, head whipping around to look at Apple Bloom.

"What's wrong?" asked Spike.

"Nothing," responded Apple Bloom. The filly lay back down, nestling her head into the uneven stone. "It was just a dream."