"He captured my vessel and spared my life for one reason: so I would know his pain. He beamed me here so I could observe his vengeance. As he was helpless to save his planet, I would be helpless to save mine."
-Spock, Star Trek
Awkward. Stifled. Stilted. Uneasy.
All of these words could have been used to describe the first meeting between Twilight and Celestia since the alicorn of the star's departure from Equestria. Each described the situation the two found themselves in... yet they were all poorly chosen as none of them conveyed the full ramifications of this reunion.
The past, the present and the future all collided together in that moment and left the two blind, deaf and dumb. Time lost all meaning and the world dropped away as the two looked upon each other and remembered.
There was the giddy foal, so excited to learn magic that her normally reserved emotions bubbled forth and she bounced in the air in utter glee, squealing and giggling.
There was the mentor who had not trained a student in a hundred years, looking upon her new student and remembering another dark-coated filly who showed such joy at learning beside the solar princess. Celestia had sworn not to make the same mistakes with Twilight as she had with Luna. She would be both stern and kind, not letting the little one weasel her way out of obeying the rules... and then offering a hug even when the filly assured her she was fine. She would watch and she would teach... and she would never let her control become lax.
The same mistakes were not repeated but the same results came all the same. A student, a friend and a mare Celestia saw as more of a daughter than a student; Twilight was all of these. And yet as she grew the pressure that Celestia placed upon her became too great. The tests and the hidden agendas became to taxing for her soul to bear. Not that Twilight was innocent in this; her hero worship and her fear of disappointing those she cared about prevented her from fully being honest with her teacher. Where others might have lashed out and thus worked through their anger, Twilight bottled it up, letting it condense into raw hate.
And then Doubt had come.
Doubt. Celestia's failure. Twilight's salvation. The black alicorn, who had led so many ponies to move against her and her rule... it had been him that had exposed it all. It was Doubt, just as much a chessmaster as her, who had set his sights on Twilight. But while Celestia used tests and secret examinations and white lights to mold Twilight, Doubt was honest: he would give her power and strength in exchange for her aid.
Twilight had fallen, descending into dark magic and later becoming the dark alicorn, and with that all of Celestia's moves and decisions had been cast into the cold light of day. Her actions took on a sinister tone and she appeared to be a ruler who cared little for her 'pawns' and used Twilight purely to aid herself and her final goals.
As Celestia stared at the strong alicorn mare that stood across the street from her she wondered if she should hate Doubt for stealing her student away or thank him for taking her place in Twilight's life.
Things had changed. What they had been before was gone. The Twilight Celestia had known was lost to her forever and it would only be in vain to hope that the little filly who had hung on her every word would ever return. And yet Celestia could not find it within herself to mourn this loss; was it not the wish of every teacher to have their student move on, to grow enough that they could leave the classroom and succeed? Wasn't that the greatest success? As Celestia looked upon Twilight she wanted to smile, for she saw that within the lavender mare there was the potential to match, if not go beyond, all that Celestia had once been.
The former solar princess merely wished that Twilight would let her take on a new role, any role, in the life she was carving out for herself. That would be the worst of it... to have to see Twilight journey past her and be unable to join her in the sunshine, to be stuck in the shadows and be merely a watcher...
"Twilight Sparkle?" Luna whispered, finally noticing the new arrival and cutting off Celestia's inner thoughts. "Can... can this be real?" Luna slowly made a move to cross the road but Shining Armor was already shoving his sister towards the house, shaking his head.
"Not here... too many eyes."
Celestia managed to nod. "Yes... yes you are right. Come in... with have much to discuss, I suppose."
Twilight didn't say a word.
~MC~MC~MC~
"Sleeping well?"
Trixie grimaced as she attempted to open her eyes. There was gunk clinging to her lashes and her mane felt greasy to the touch. She felt dirty and disgusting and she wanted to do nothing more than to soak in a tub for the next 15 hours until her limbs turned to jelly.
"You know, you might sleep better if you actually used the bed," her 'alarm clock' said with a gentle smile. "That's why it is there."
"Queen Buttershy."
"Fluttershy," the mare said softly.
"Whatever." Trixie got to her feet and stretched. Though she acted like a pampered pony princess Trixie had long grown used to sleeping in strange places and making do with less. The road was not an easy one and without her wagon she had been forced to sleep out in the wild under the stars. Thought she would never admit it, part of the reason she had slept on the floor was because the bed was simply too soft; her body had become use to the hard dirt.
It was mostly for that... and not because she wanted to be closer to the gray alicorn with the funny accent that laid in the cell next to hers.
"Aren't you interested in why I am here?" Fluttershy asked as Trixie leaned back, craning her neck until the bones in her spine popped back into place.
Trixie let out a dainty snort. "If it were any other pony Trixie would assume torture was on the menu, but since it is you Trixie figures you just want to talk."
The yellow alicorn frowned. "Yes... the torture. I see Sweetie Belle and her guards were very giving when it came to beatings." To Trixie's surprise Fluttershy's horn glowed and the door to her cell opening, letting the blue unicorn step out of her confinement for the first time in 3 weeks. "I wish they hadn't done that."
Trixie let out a gasp as she laid eyes on Faith's prone form. She had briefly seen him when he had been marched into the dungeon but that had been a fleeting glance. Now she could see him in full detail and she couldn't help but wonder how any pony to go through what he had and have the strength to comfort her. The magician knew that he had been healing since the attack but it still looked as if his body were a wreck; he was covered in bruises and silver ichor stained his dark mane.
"He can't hear you," Fluttershy said as she opened the door to Faith's cell. "No pony can. I am shielding us both. Everypony is asleep and will remain so when I leave. I wanted to talk to you alone, without interference."
Trixie walked over to Faith and ran her hoof along his barrel. The silver alicorn winced in his sleep but remained still, his one foreleg still extended in an attempt to remain in contact with her.
"Why are you doing this to us?" Trixie whispered.
"Because you won't work with us," Fluttershy said simply. "We just want to make Equestria better and all of you keep fighting us."
"You don't want to make it better," Trixie said darkly. "You want to make us all your slaves."
"Only because you won't accept harmony into your heart." Fluttershy looked down at the magician, her eyes weary and tired. "I don't want to do any of this. I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to hurt Doubt."
"Faith," Trixie reminded the yellow alicorn. "His name is Faith."
Fluttershy blinked before shaking her head. "Yes, of course... I don't know why I said that." She walked over to join Trixie and, to the stagepony's utter amazement, the once bashful mare leaned down and kissed Faith's forehead. His body glowed for a moment and then he was still, his wounds all healed. "It breaks my heart to see what is happening to Equestria. If I could have things the way they have always been then I would but that will never happened."
"Why not?" Trixie said, refusing to drop the issue. "You want to rule, fine! I don't care if you are in charge or Celestia or Iron Will! Just keep things the way they were!"
"But they weren't good the way they were," Fluttershy reminded her. "There was pain and suffering and ponies were sad... they lied and they were cruel and selfish-"
"That is life! Life isn't always peaceful and wonderful! Sometimes things get messy but it is our job to make things better!"
"Even when you don't have the desire to do so?" Fluttershy said boldly. "I've seen so many mean ponies in my life... so many of them have abused me and taunted me and made me cry... none of them wanted to change. They just wanted to make the world a worse place." She shook her head sadly. "We are working to make life better for every pony. Are there growing pains? Of course. When are there not pains in life? But the end result will be so wonderful that all will be forgiven."
"So the ends justify the means?" Trixie countered. There was something about seeing the broken for of the silver alicorn that gave Trixie the strength to speak her mind. "It is ok to hurt others... to have Trixie locked up like this and to beat Faith as long as it makes things better!" She paused, giving Fluttershy a dirty look. "Oh, Trixie apologizes... you don't want the pain to happen but if it does, oh well!"
"No pony complained when Discord was turned to stone," Fluttershy said. "No pony minds it when things grow dark and bad things happen when it isn't them. Yes, I have locked you in a cell... but I could have killed you. I showed you mercy and I think you should show me a bit of thanks!" Fluttershy glared at Trixie and the magician found herself turning away, unable to meet her gaze.
"What... what do you want from me?" Trixie stammered.
Fluttershy let out a sigh, her shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders. "I want you to help get Faith to see that our way is better and he needs submit himself to our will."
"What?" Trizie said, puzzlement written all over her features.
"Faith's mind is too twisted for us to bless him with the grace of harmony. He would fight us and in the end he would be destroyed... we can't allow that. He is Twilight's element and he has to be cleansed if we have any hope of elevating her properly and making her a queen. The only way to get Faith to do this is if he is willing. Right now, he is stubborn and clings to the silly idea that he is fighting the good fight. So... that is why we need you."
"You... you want me to betray him like that? You want me to be some double agent that tricks him into becoming your puppet?"
"I want you to help save his life," Fluttershy stated. "My friends aren't going to be as kind as I am... their elements can allow more cruelty than mine. I balance them but I can't do so forever. Soon they will decide to treat Faith like Discord and he will fall... and I don't want that." She flashed Trixie a delighted smile. "And, of course, when you do what I ask... you will have proven that you are willing to embrace harmony... I will see you freed and you may go wherever you want. Every pony wins."
Trixie glared at the queen. "You are threatening him."
"O-of course not! I would never-"
"You are," Trixie told her. "Not directly, but via your friends. You... you could stop them. You could fight for him! But instead you just let them do your dirty work and hide behind the guise of being a kind ruler." She sneered. "You're the worst of them all."
Fluttershy's face darkened. "I do what I do for the greater good... and sometimes to be kind to many you must be cruel to one. As long as Doubt is around others will suffer, such as yourself. I am trying to save him too... but soon the needs of the many will outweigh him and... and my kindness will have to be to save him from a slow death." She turned, flipping her mane behind her. "Maybe you should decide if you want to be part of this world... or the sole pony that stands against all of existence." Fluttershy's horn glowed and she lifted Trixie up and deposited her back into her cell, slamming the door shut. "Please choose soon... before the other queens get tired of waiting."
~MC~MC~MC~
"It's been horrible," Celestia said softly. The group was gathered around her dining room table, sipping glasses of water and trying to pretend that this was nothing more than a casual get together.
"I can only imagine," Spitfire said, her wings flapping slightly in agitation.
"No offense, but you really can't."
"I can," Twilight said softly. "Discord took away my horn... he made me like you are right now. I never felt so scared in all my life. it felt like a piece of me was gone... it must be torture for you."
Luna glared at the star alicorn. "You think that is all we care about? You believe us so petty and spoiled that it is our POWER that we mourn?"
Shining was shocked by the venom in the princess' words and quickly spoke in defense of his sister. "Princess Luna, I don't-"
"They make us watch," Luna hissed. "Your friends, the queens. They could have easily killed us or exiled us or turned us into their puppets. We could have handled such a fate... sometimes we dream of such a destiny." Tears stuck Luna's eyes as she spoke, struggling to contain herself. She kept fluctuating between the ancient Canterlot dialect and modern Equestrian. "Does thou not understand? They placed us here in this pretty little cage like two song birds, forced to watch the world and be unable to turn away."
Celestia reached over and in a display of kindness that was so rare for her to give in public, she held her baby sister in a tight hug and allowed her to sob. "We've had to watch all they have done to our subjects. We have been powerless as they convert the innocent and enforce their laws. Every day we are forced to sit and observe the perversion of harmony by five that we trusted and loved. What is the use of magic or a pair of wings or the strength to move the moon and sun when it comes to combating such horrors? Even if we held all our old powers and remained trapped we would cry... we would cry for Equestria."
"I... I never thought..." Twilight stammered.
Celestia sighed, stroking her sister's mane. "It is not your fault my faithful student. I do not know if even the queens realize what they have done."
Spike shook his head. "None of that matters, though! We are here to spring you!"
The Doctor nodded. "Quite right. We will get you back to our hideout and...well, I honestly don't know what we will do next."
"Faith," Shining said firmly. "He said he has the power to elevate a pony into an alicorn, remember? I bet he can turn you back to normal."
"I bet he would," a new voice called out, laughter tickling every letter. The team and the sisters turned, falling into defensive positions at the sight of the intruder.
"Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, trying to keep the tremble out of her voice. It was one thing to see her transformed friends in a dream or hear about their crimes from her brother; to see one of them floating above her was another thing entirely.
Rainbow was the least changed of the queens. her hair was a bit longer, though no more longer than Twilight's had been before her ascension. The tomboy's body had always been lean so her transformation into a long-legged alicorn did little to alter her overall form. Her wings were longer and the horn that jutted out of her head was new, but for the most part it was the same old cocky Rainbow Dash Twilight has always known.
That made the situation all the worst.
"Hey Twilight!" Rainbow Dash said, warping beside her friend. Twilight shivered, remembering how Discord had moved about in much the same way. "Wow, kinda weird to see you smaller than me. I mean, I just have this image in my head of you being as big as I am and now you look like a filly!" Rainbow Dash ruffled Twilight's mane playfully. "And whoa, look at you, Spike! You went through a growth spurt!"
"Well, I-Hey!" Spike's scrunched his face up in anger, his eyes flashing as he took a step forward. "You aren't going to trick me!"
"Why would I trick ya?" Rainbow Dash said, warping over to stand by the Doctor. She leaned on him, using his back to support her right foreleg while she pressed her hoof to her chin in an utterly thoughtful manner. "Unless you are talking about pranks... I'll tell ya, this horn makes pranks so much more fun!"
"Like the 'pranks' you pulled on the Wonderbolts, you sick monster!" Spitfire shouted.
"Whoa, calm down there!" Rainbow laughed, warping over to Spitfire and tugging on her wings, making the flyer yelp. Before she could retaliate Rainbow was already back in front of Twilight. "Man, you rebellion ponies are so lame! Maybe I should open your eyes-"
Twilight's horn flared and she took a step forward. "Rainbow Dash... you might be bigger than me but I doubt you are as skilled as I am with magic." Her eyes went monochrome and the stars that dotted her mane began to streak down her locks. "Don't make me test my theory."
"Ok, ok, geez!" Rainbow Dash held up her hooves in protest. "No need to freak out, dark magic mare! I just came to tell you two things: first, Faith is kinda tied up at the moment, so i don't think he will be able to give Celestia and Luna a shot of vitamin alicorn."
"What do you-" Shining began, only for Twilight to cut him off.
"And what else did you want to tell me?"
Rainbow began to float about their heads lazily. "You are totally trapped here now, so you should forget about breaking Celestia and Luna out." Rainbow smirked. "The girls will be here in a day or two and then we are going to combined our magic and free you from whatever dark magic corruption ya got going on, Twi. Then, once you are thinking clearly and get on the bandwagon, you can help us totally get every pony on the harmony-"
Rainbow was fast. Very fast.
But in that moment, Twilight's magic was faster.
The cyan mare cried out as white and black magic raced along her skin, sizzling her nerves and sending her crashing.
"Stay here," Twilight said, flaring out her wings as she walked towards the hole she'd made in the wall by slamming Rainbow Dash through it.
The blue alicorn slowly got out, a pissed off look gracing her features. "Twi... I haven't forgotten our last dance in that night club. I love you... but I think I owe you a few knocks."
"Rainbow Dash? Let me say this in a way you'll understand." Twilight smirked. "Princess Celestia...put on a good beat for me to kick my friend’s ass to."
The part about the bed is true. There are explorers and travelers that have said that they tossed and turned in soft beds and had to lay on hard floors since they were use to the ground.
This chapter was originally called 'Troy is Burning' in reference to the Trojans that were forced to watch their kingdom burn but I changed it to The Gilded Cage because it is what all the characters find themselves in: Winniepeg is one for the princesses, the dungeons are one for Trixie and Faith, and Equestria as a whole is one for all of them. It is beautiful and wonderful... but it is still a cage and they are the prisoners.
I know alot of people have wondered how I would make Fluttershy dark. How do you twist kindness into something horrible? This is how... but using kindness as an excuse for your actions and by concerning yourself with the needs of the many and sacrificing the needs of the few... for the greater good. The WORST crimes in this world have come because a madman wanted to serve the greater good.
It was very fun to design Rainbow Dash and figure out how she would act. If Fluttershy is the tempting devil, Rainbow Dash is the teasing devil.
And yes kids... a fight is coming... and it is going to be a full on, friend vs. friend battle.
Another sweet chapter.
Oh Liberty, what crimes are committed in thy name!
You know, Hitler claimed what he was doing was for the greater good.
Congratulations, you just turned Fluttershy into Hitler.
Haha! Rainbow vs twilight rematch! Lets see if the initial results repeat themselves.
1744198
Faith DOES know Trixie but he isn't ready to reveal that part... kinda hard to explain that for the last 20 odd years he was inside Twilight's head.
1744287 and the rest are some of the other dictators, like Stalin
NIceee i can't wait for the fight
i never saw that kind of view from Celestia. great Work!
Deja Vu
The Elements besides Twilight are like most madponies. Somewhat accurate view of the problem, really insane view of the solution.
Dat Iron Man Reference.
I'll be honest, I'm hoping twilight gets knocked down a peg without Faith's clairvoyance to back her up. A fight that ends without a decisive winner would be welcome.
1744355
I will only say that this will be a long fight and Rainbow Dash will be able to hold her own just fine now that she has Alicorn magic too.
And now it's Twilight vs. the weakest link of the five queens. Honestly, all you would have to do to put a huge chink in her armor of self-righteousness is point out how massively she betrayed everyone and everything she once believed in by enslaving their minds. Loyalty my ass.
1744365
Hypocrisy rots Equestria... I so wanna see Faith berate Fluttershy and show her what she is doing really... would laugh if the animals join the rebellion and Angel slaps Shy around
Round two, Alicorn edition! FIGHT!
Somehow I get the feeling there may be just a wee bit more collateral damage this time around.
Methinks Shining is going to have a little bit of work to do as well, shielding innocents and/or former alicorns...
awesome chapter!
oh, i so want twi to kick RD's ass so hard that she won't be able to get up for quite a while, but im pretty sure it's going to be a very even fight...
on another note: fluttershy is evil...
1744365
she believes she's loyal to the right cause though, she thinks that there's something wrong with equestria and twi.
1744250
Definitely agree with the comfy beds thing. Always preferred a sleeping bag on the floor to a normal bed, especially after a trip.
Can't wait for the next chapter, I'm kinda hoping the rainbow vs twilight rematch is similar to the previous though a bit longer.
This is going to be a fun fight to watch, RD is going to hold her own with magic but what Twi said is true. She has way more experience with using magic. RD has what..a month of solid magical use. Now I needs to find a good beat as Twi is gonna drop the Bass on RD. Lovely chapter as usual defender. My day is always brighter after reading something good.
You know... I can't wait to see Fluttershy cry her lungs out when she realizes what she and others have done
However, Kindness is the weakest link when it comes to being perverted. The "How Dare You" stare line that Fluttershy has used in the past can easily be turned against her here and it is very hard for (kindness) to stand in the face of truth in that light.
I liked the ending — outside of faith's direct influence Twilight is letting her hair down a bit more and is going to knock some heads — or at least one very dull head. Put aside the tongue lashing and start with the head bashing.
so...
faith is basicly kinda a starter alicorn?
Sigh, just destroy Rainbow Dash already. I can't take their perversion of their elements much longer. God you make it tough to read in an emotionless way.
Got a funny feeling Spike will play a role in defeating Rainbow
Kinda feels the story is moving too slow, repeating the same philosofical ramblings that has been discussed since ancient times.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood
“I must be cruel only to be kind;
Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.”
― William Shakespeare, Hamlet|
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
― William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
"MMAAAAAARESSS AND GENTLECOLTS! LET'S GET READY TO RUMMMMMMBLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEE!"
You want some battle music Twilight? How bout this.
Well, a slightly more active chapter, even though wasn't as emotional as could've been, given last chapter with Twilight and Celestia. Even if guess I understand, being awestruck and whatnot by role reversals, and Twilight not thinking much about Celestia. *sighs*
Trixie definitely poked holes in Queen Fluttershy's logic, can't believe what she's become. media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdt4ismMm51qzq3lr.gif It's such a wrongful perversion of Kindness, that I feel even if she's the most understanding, the corruption she and the others are going through by the abstract Elements won't allow them to see what they've done until they've all been defeated at once, I imagine. At least I assume so, at this time. And I honestly hope Trixie tells Fluttershy or whomever to 'buck it' cause I would like them to fall (not to mention see where things go between them, if still going in direction I maybe thought in my last review, over their interactions together), even if at this time, I'm finding myself oddly rooting for the Queens. As I've maybe lost focus of the story and forgotten all the twisted things queens have done so far that've been mentioned and more to come probably. Cause they stupidly overthrew the government and corrupted ponies so much that they beat anyone (at least, the "generous" ones, I believe) who doesn't agree with them and make them do other such things.
I feel that Celestia and Luna's bitterness was a bit misplaced, just because Twilight didn't understand that they were upset over (somehow, despite them being locked up) seeing what their kingdom's become. And then, unexpected appearance of Rainbow Dash! I almost thought would be Pinkie again from mention of laughter, even if we had yet to see Rainbow Dash or Applejack make an appearance in their new forms (up until now, anyways, still got Applejack left). I felt Rainbow Dash and/or Loyalty was bit arrogant and stupid here: even if Rainbow's become an alicorn like Twilight and dwarves her in size, feel she was stupid in showing herself when Twilight's no doubt looking for one of her former (at this time) friends' flanks to kick. Even though know rest of the queens are probably just as stupid and whatnot, considering what Faith said last time about only looking to today, not the past or future as well, or realizing what they've done to their so-called 'subjects'. Not to mention, think Rainbow would be most eager to kick Twilight's flank thanks to her corruption, since she was the only one Twilight attacked in Faith and Doubt (well, did with Shining Armor as well, but they forgave each other even if almost did fight each other near the end). And yeah, I wonder so much about how Dash can be loyal to the effort, while NOT being loyal to one of her so-called 'friends' as Twilight pointed out her faults from the series, pre-Season 3, but I suppose that's due to the corruption of misguided abstracts. Even if it still seems like at times, they're NOT corrupted fully, but instead guided to act outside of how they would normally. Hope we can get some clarification on that soon and the flashbacks you promised would be happening, of how they went from being ponies we all know/knew and love, to these dark mares. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Twilight_crazy.png
Never thought about it before, but why do they all consider Twilight to be corrupted by dark magic? Is Faith the only abstract to have white and dark magic, compared to the rest of his siblings and the bearers now? And not sure if already explained or will, but can we get some on how Faith/Doubt got dark magic, if it wasn't a result of like Celestia forgetting him and the bitterness that entered his heart and him turning evil? And the ending... I question how that makes sense, assuming they're out of the house as I envisioned it (if not a callback to their fight in Faith and Doubt, before both became alicorns), or if Celestia doesn't even have any such music devices.
Anyway, looking forward to the upcoming fight that'll probably last at least a chapter (hopefully, won't be any interruptions, but shall find out when a new chapter is released, defender), I suppose. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/shrug_Rainbow_Dash.png And hope Twilight wins, even without backup (I assume, if the others won't try to jump in) and probably won't be able to sway Rainbow Dash back over, I'm guessing. Though question how she'll escape if so, depending on what happens, but merely thinking out loud at this time, sorry.
Will submit review/note with corrections on this chapter as well, later on. As already long enough as it is, my apologies. Got a bit winded in making descriptions of feelings and etc, even if wasn't my intent. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/sillyfilly_Scootaloo.png
1744358
Aw, could've gone without knowing that. I mean, expect it to be somewhat more of a challenge now that Rainbow has magic of her own, but hoped it'd still be not at the level Twilight is, since she's been an alicorn a little longer than any of the others and considering that they only know forbidden types of magic, think you've pointed out. Though was probably only at the beginning and have since gotten better and learned more.
1744432
For some reason, wouldn't hold your breath on that anytime soon, as I highly doubt any of the other Elements would betray their siblings if defeated one-on-one (said in my own above, that imagine won't be until all are defeated in one gigantic battle, I assume), if they're all convinced Faith and Twillight are the bad ponies, when they're being hypocritical as you said to someone else.
Also, Y U REVIEW SO MUCH?
1744433
Your review here made me think of and FEAR what would happen if Fluttershy bucking decided to use her STARE, as an Alicorn while as evil as she is now. That'd be scary... e.deviantart.com/emoticons/moods/fear.gif
Hopefully, defender doesn't do that in any such chapter with Fluttershy as she is now.
1744250 - Though I can see where your going with the 5 Elements, it seems very odd that they can be anything BUT their element. The very idea of Fluttershy being cruel, even for the greater good, is anathema to her element, and specifically, should be impossible for her Abstract.
I don't know... it just seems like the abstracts have turned the 5 into corrupted alicorn versions of themselves rather than actually forcing them to BE their virtues. It just seems to go against the theory that the 5 abstracts aren't corrupted themselves and believe they are doing the right thing.
Twilight vs RainbowDash ...... ROUND 2 ...... FIGHT !!!!
RainbowDash as Alicorn probably will still focus on speed and flying when Twilight will use magic most, as last time, Twilight still have more experiecne with magic and are realy good strategis, she sure will win with RainbowDash as she won in Night Club, unless RainbowDash learned her lesson and got some ace in her wings, this would add the odds.
As for Flutthershy, the way she keep saying Doubt and than change it to Faith, I get fellings that she is trying to fight her own element, her own character, nature and kindness vs abstract of Kindness ( what is a bit rushed out of reality since abstract of kindness never expereinced the world ).
And part where Twilight refered of her lossing horn when Discord showed up, well, even without horn, Twilight and Rarity are strong as Earth ponys, I mean, Rarity for a lady is using her strenght more often than magic, and she literaly mined in solid rock with nothink but her hooves alown, and carried 2 tons boulder TOM all over the place, and Twilight did no less, helping her carry that bounder around was not a small think for a Unicorn who never do sports ( or it is element of charmony buff, or all the adventures in ponyvile, but it sure made tham strong ), and there is still endurance part, in episode with Discord Twilight realy get alot of beating , and episode with PinkiePie sense was massacre, Twilight had realy bad and painful day, and she was literaly crushed by extremaly heavy cargo what Derpy accidently droped, and yet got right back up like it was nothink, so yea, for a Unicorn or even normal pony ( when Discord took her horn ), Twilight strenght and durability would make Applejack proud.
1744358 ill be looking forward to it.
This is a song to kick a queens flank too
1744428
Even thought RainbowDash and Twilight are both Alicorns, Twilight still perfear magic when RainbowDash agility and speed, so I bet RainbowDash will focus to be airbone, like fighter jet, flying around realy fast and shoting missiles and salves of ammo.
Twilight will play role of more stabile and stronger but less mobile AA altilery, or meaby a flying cruizer, more fire power and more time to develop strategy again enemy but less mobility and experience in airbone combat.
another dash beating from twi!
did you mean broken form? other than that one typo, I quite enjoyed the chapter. And the callback to 'a beat to kick my friend's ass to' was a nice touch.
A little OP, I feel it came out of nowhere. Didn't it take all five of the Queens to take away Celestia and Luna's powers? Also, couldn't... whoa, wait...
He did it with Twilight in the first story. Disregard this post. But the Trixie X OC is moving so fast it's making the little Train Wreck Explorer inside me cringe.
1744358 True, but this age old queston will have to beg the differ how much power do you need to match expirance?
I gotta say the all the elements are devils in their own right even Twilight she is hopful and ever changing she is the undesided factor, will she be the bringer of justice, or will she be the devil of revenge? Though their are more paths she and other can take, but this one is more then likly the msot pressing.
Blinded eyes see the as clear, but the clear eyes see the world in a tear. (trying a deffrent one for once.)
Gentle breeze guide you home, and a warm smile to see your return. (but the orginal's never truly die.)
Perfect fight music imo
1744250
You know what they say: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"
Twlight Sparkle vs. Rainbow Dash
Round 2
FIGHT!
Fluttershy has an interesting characterization so far but mostly looking forward to the fight between Rainbow Dash and Twilight.
1744278 look up the french revolution and you'll get a clear idea.
O and Twilight just kill rainbow dash. Or even better corrupt her with dark magic, destroy her balance with the other elements.dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Twilight_crazy.png
1744588
Nope.
[youtube=btPJPFnesV4]
1744687 The 5 abstracts ARE corrupted, just like Doubt used to be. In the last story, at the very end, a being was talking to the 5 and told them that Doubt was evil, and that they needed to go 'protect' their charge by bonding with them. That being, whoever it is, most likely discord, is the true evil corrupting the elements and controlling them from the sidelines. I mean just look at this:
Does that look nice and friendly?
1745087
Eye of the Tiger get used a lot. Let's give it a rest before any sort of hype it brings becomes dilute.
1744470
Thanks... I think
1744602
We will see much more of the queens but the idea is that their elements have caused them to become the extreme of their element to the point that it is an utter corruption of said element. In other words, Fluttershy is so concerned about kindness she is willing to overlook the guards beating Faith because she doesn't, in her own heart, want to fight with Rarity. And she wants to take away free will because it is better because no free will means no fighting.
Rainbow Dash is now so loyal that she is blind to other points of view and the world is completely black or white: you are my friend or my enemy. There is no gray, which is what Doubt/Faith taught Twilight: there is only gray.
Rarity we will see more of but genoristy doesn't just mean material goods... it means emotions and thoughts and feelings. Rarity expresses these all and holds nothing back... which explains why her guards feel no problem with 'giving' beatings.
Pinkie... well, we'll see plenty of her and lets say The Joker and The Mad Hatter would be in good company with her.
Applejack I refuse to comment on at this moment, for spoiler reasons.
Also, without spelling it out too much, we do have the groundwork for such events in Faith and Doubt... Doubt did the same thing to Twilight, making her so doubt her friends that she lashes out at them and mistrusts all of them. it is only when Doubt became a physical pony (and thus had other emotions) that he pulled back and twilight was able to snap out of it. Still, Doubt wasn't bond to Twilight, so it wasn't as extreme.
As for why her friends keep thinking Twilight is corrupted... it ties into why they keep forgetting Faith is no longer Doubt... there is a major plot point there.
And as for the stare... she did do a weak version of it on Trixie in this chapter... not enough to break her, but that is why Trixie went all meek for a moment.
1745329
Trust me when I say that that is my form of great praise. Usually I can read through almost anything without investing any emotion into a story. For example, I loved Kkat's FoE and still think it is the best story I have ever read but even then it was an...odd occurance to feel myself investing emotion. This story on the other hand, I can't stop investing emotion into it!
I just wanted to read an awesome story but now you have me almost dreading each chapter because I know it will pull some hard strings in me! So in the best way possible, fuck your awesome story telling!
The issue with the queens that I have is that they don't realize that what went wrong in their lives (being taunted etc.) is what made them, well them.
We all have heard the saying "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Think of it this way, both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were made fun of during their time in school. They both reacted in different ways, Rainbow Dash fights, and Fluttershy flees. Thanks to somthing like that Rainbow Dash is able to stay strong for those that need her, and Fluttershy even after everything like that is still able to remain kind to almost everyone she meets (when she could have just became cruel from everything that happened). Basicly you take away the trials that people have in life (most often caused by others) you take away what would help define them.
1745329
Wow, lot more than I expected you to say. Granted, may have forgotten about the other stuff with possibly being mislead by that mysterious figure at the end of Faith and Doubt didn't get much info on, which we have yet to see in this story, if will be a major plot point as well. Along with other stuff possibly, like whatever presence is in the Everfree Forest and possible others am not recalling at this time. But I also am thinking for some reason, it has something to do with Faith/Doubt having dark magic and giving Twilight the same capability, even before her turning into an alicorn. If Faith's former (as referenced a few chapters back) siblings are all white-magic only users, and not a mix like him and now Twilight. But I suppose will find out next chapter or in future ones, when we see the queens do some fighting about Twilight or the rebellion.
And ah, I see. About the version she gave of the Stare, though I'd worry still if she does a more powerful one as she is now, even if she's still kinda meek as is.