Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters. The elder was the queen, ruling her ponies with a iron hoof. The ponies had no choice to refuse her though, for she raised the sun to make day, therefore, kept them alive. The younger of the two was the young and kind princess, a heir to the throne if anything should happen to the other. She was in charge of raising the moon and bringing on the cool night. However, the queen decided that if the ponies ever knew her little sister could also raise the sun, they would most certainly raise them and have the princess dethrone her. So, the queen used her dark powers, coming from relics called the Elements of Disharmony to transform the younger alicorn to resemble a frightening villain. The princess tried to assure her subjects it was alright but they were so scared, they wouldn't respond. The queen then banished the poor alicorn to the moon, so she could never come back and take the throne. The elder remained the sole ruler for generations. Her subjects lost hope for a new ruler, they fell into despair, some even joining her wicked ways…
Twilight Sparkle gave a sigh. “The elements of disharmony… I hope the Queen won't catch me reading up on this or...” She shuddered slightly.
A few minutes later, Twilight was walking down the streets of Canterlot when she heard familiar hoof steps running up.
“There you are, Twilight!” Called a mare.
The other turned to the white pony with a pink mane, a yellow pony with a blue mane and another, aqua pony with a white and blue mane.
“Twinkleshine! Lemony Heart! Minutee! Good morning!” Twilight laughed.
They ran to each other.
“Twilight, we're going to Moondancer’s party today!” Lemony Heart chimed in.
“We are?!” Twilight squealed, practically jumping with her best friends.
The others stopped abruptly and stared at Twilight in confusion.
The mare slowly stopped jumping and blushed. “What? I'm excited to meet this Moondancer! Isn't she really popular or something?”
The other girls started to laugh so hard, they snorted.
Twilight smiled nervously. “D-do I have something in my teeth?”
“No!” Twinkleshine giggled, gasping for air. “It's just, you weren't even invited!”
Twilight felt her smile break.
“Yeah, sorry Twi, and also, we can't really hang out anymore.” Minutee added.
Twilight gave out a weak, “What?”
“You really think we want to be seen with you at that party? Afterwards, we'll be of some importance, finally!” Lemony Heart snarked.
“But we're best friends! We always have been!” Twilight cried, feeling tears come on.
“Yeah… This is awkward….” Lemony Heart sighed.
Twilight gave a tiny hiccup, feeling her heart break. “Well, fine! I'll just go and study at home, alone!” She growled through tears.
“We had to, Twinkle.” Lemony Heart sighed. “The Queen…”
“I know.”
Twilight gave a huff in her sadness. She threw off her saddle bag.
The unicorn’s ears perked up when they heard a loud thump from it.
She took out the book she had been reading.
“The elements of disharmony… Where have I heard that?”
“Well, well, look who's home.” Said a familiar voice.
Twilight turned. A little purple and green dragon clawed himself from the ground.
“How did you kno-”
“Because you slammed the door right into me when you ran in.” Spike grumbled.
Twilight wiped away her tears.
“What's wrong with you?” The dragon groaned, knowing she would tell him sooner or later.
“My friends… They don't want me to hang out with them anymore.”
Spike frowned. “Why would they do that?”
Twilight shook her head. “I don't know… Oh! Er, can you get out Predictions and Prophecies? Please?”
Spike rolled his eyes. “Can't you get it?”
The unicorn looked hurt.
“I'll get it!” The thing moaned.
The dragon got it easily and gave it to Twilight who nodded in thanks.
“Elements, elements…” Twilight whispered, flipping through. “Ah ha! Elements of disharmony!”
Spike couldn't help but notice Twilight gave a smirk. “See… Mare in the moon?”
“Never heard of that one.” Spike said.
“Yeah, me either.” Twilight muttered. She flipped and read, “The Mare in The Moon: Nightmare Moon. She used to be powerful alicorn princess that once betrayed the Queen! She was defeated by the elements of disharmony, and imprisoned in the moon for her unthinkable crimes. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!” The mare gasped.
“Spike! Do you know what this means?!”
“I'm guessing you're about to tell me.”
“Later. Now, we need to send a letter to the Queen!” Twilight cried.
“Right now?”
Twilight gave a growl. “Yes. The Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow! It's the thousandth one, mind you!”
The dragon picked up a scroll and quill that was nearby and put the quill near the parchment. “Go.”
Twilight cleared her throat. “My dear, and beloved Queen Celestia, my studies on the dark magic you told me to read has led me to discover a threat to your excellent title.”
“I would expect you to say magnificent.” Spike snorted.
“Do you know how to spell magnificent?!” Twilight hissed.
Spike shook his head.
“Now let me continue,” Twilight coughed. “As before stated, the threat is a powerful villain by the name of Nightmare Moon. You always do the right thing and I know you can stop this, please proceed with caution… your loyal pupil, Twilight Sparkle.”
Spike breathed fire on it and the letter disappeared. Twilight smiled.
She heard a belch and turned. Spike gripped his stomach and Twilight eventually had to stomp over and snatch the reply away.
She didn't read it before hoof, so read it aloud, “My dearest pupil, Twilight Sparkle, I am pleased you continue to study the magic books I sent you, however, I feel no threat from this Nightmare Moon that you so foolishly thought could even stand a chance against me,”
Twilight gasped. “Oh no! She's gonna-”
“If she was, she'd already be here.” Spike moaned, annoyed.
The unicorn continued to read. “Being the kind ruler I am, I'm sending you to a place called Ponyville, to look over preparations and make some new friends.”
Twilight gave a sigh in the sky chariot. “I don't need new friends. My old ones were perfect before…” She didn't finish.
“I'm wondering how she knew about how you needed new friends.” Spike whispered.
Twilight gave a shrug.
“You're staying at a library, so… stop being so grumpy and go back to your irritatingly annoying happy self.” The baby dragon groaned.
Twilight didn't smile. “I might be in a library but I just need my friends…”
They suddenly landed. Twilight leapt down and went past the guards without thanks.
Spike raced after her. “Twilight! Wait!”
The unicorn paused.
He panted and caught up.
“Remember we also have to check on the Summer Sun Celebration preparations so don't get too-”
He looked up and saw Twilight had trotted up to a pink mare with a straight pink mane.
“Hi there!” Twilight laughed nervously, trying to make friends.
The other raised her eyebrows.
Twilight gave a shy smile. “Sorry, nevermind…” She backed away.
The pink pony narrowed her eyes, studying the mare, then raced off.
“Well, that was interesting…” Twilight sighed.
“Our first stop, Sweet Apple Acres!” Spike said.
Twilight looked around at a sadly failing apple orchard.
Then she turned at a yell. “What are ya’ doin’ here?!”
The two turned to a orange pony with a loose blond mane. Twilight was surprised to see a farm pony like her didn't have a hat or something.
“To check on the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration!” Twilight said quickly.
“I'm Applejack and ah’ have no idea what you're talkin’ about.” The pony suddenly bit her lip and looked around nervously.
“Um… You should…” Spike whispered.
Applejack walked up and looked at Twilight. “What you lookin’ at?”
Twilight blushed. “Er, it’s just-”
“I don't care.” She made the same odd face.
“The Summer Sun Celebration food, you're in charge of it?” Twilight asked.
Applejack grunted. “Yep.”
The unicorn smiled nervously. “So, um, what now?”
“I'm guessing you leave?” The earth pony snarled.
“Huh?! But I need to-”
“Get out of here, there's nothin’ you need to see.” That lying face said.
“These ponies… They aren't very nice, are they?” Twilight whispered.
“Guess not.” Spike yawned.
He checked the list then gave a groan. “Weather’s next.”
“Oh no…” Twilight groaned.
The pegasi weren't very agreeable to unicorns or earth ponies. Come to think, unicorns and earth ponies didn't get along either.
“Well, they're probably not clearing the sky, whoever they are.” Twilight muttered.
“I'd like to think otherwise!” Laughed a voice.
Twilight looked up but only saw a cloud. Rain fell from it suddenly and Twilight sat there, sopping wet.
“That should teach you!”
Twilight still had her mouth open in shock and slowly looked up to see a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane.
“I'm Rainbow Dash, unicorn. The best flyer around, so I suggest you keep your snarky little comments in your head!” She laughed.
“I-I'm sorry…” Twilight shivered, freezing.
“Apology not accepted!” Rainbow growled.
Twilight watched Rainbow fly past her.
“Where are you going?! You haven't even asked my name!”
“Why would I want to ask your name? It's not like we're gonna hang out!”
Twilight felt her spirits sink. “Right…”
Twilight opened the door to the boutique and gasped. “Where in Equestria is all the decorations?!”
“They're all mine! They're staying with me!”
Twilight looked up from the trashed floor, covered in useless junk, to see a beautiful white unicorn with a slightly messy, curled purple mane. She had stunning blue eyes but they didn't shine with the least bit of joy. She had a crazed look in her eyes. “You're trying to steal from me!”
“Huh?!” Twilight gasped.
“You little fool! You can't! The decorations are mine!” She hissed, making the other flinch.
Spike seemed to be lost in a trance in her beauty then shook his head and took out his list. “But it says here-”
The unicorn suddenly teleported in front of him and snatched the scroll away.
“Hey! That's ours!” Twilight growled.
“It's mine now!” The pony chuckled.
“Rarity, that's your name, right?” Twilight asked.
“Why, of course.”
“Rarity, we need that list! I'm a messenger from Canterlot-”
The unicorn dropped the list. “CANTERLOT?!”
Spike saw his chance and snatched the list back.
“I've always wanted to go there! This pigsty of a town has such boring things! Canterlot is the complete opposite! We shall be friends, but you take must me to Canterlot and never speak to me.” Rarity snarled.
“I don't think that'll work…”
Rarity gave a forced smile. “Oh! Okay! How about I give you a makeover, then we'll go?”
Rarity skipped off to a different room and Twilight motioned for Spike to follow her out.
Twilight peeked out a bush and saw a yellow pegasus with a pink mane flying near a tree.
She was directing a bird choir.
“You little things are worthless!” She hissed. The bird fell back a little and she smirked.
“T-that's not very nice…”
The mare jolted in surprise then whipped around. “And just who are you?”
She landed in front of the mare and Twilight gasped as she walked closer.
“Um, I’m Twilight Sparkle? W-who are you?”
“Who am I?” The pegasus laughed. “Wouldn't you like to know!”
She blew a piece of her pink mane out of her face and spotted Spike. “A baby dragon?!” She gasped.
“Oh! Wait!” Twilight cried, trying to stop her from flying up to him.
“Hm, I think all dragons should be locked up in cages.” The pegasus growled.
“I beg to differ.” Spike snapped.
Twilight levitated him on her back and started to trot away, but the pegasus was still fighting.
“My, my! It speaks! Well, I'm Fluttershy and you don't belong here! Neither of you do!”
“I don't care what you think!” Spike growled.
Twilight whimpered slightly and started to walk.
Several minutes later, with Fluttershy taunting them the whole time, they had finally made it.
“Okay! We're here!” Twilight moaned.
Fluttershy glanced at the library and smirked. “Oh, this is where you're staying? Some prized pupil you are!”
Twilight frowned. “I didn't tell you I was the princess’s pupil…”
The mare looked frightened for the first time and for only split second but soon gained back her confidence. “Your dragon told me.”
Spike shook his head. “I didn't-”
“Don't babies like you need a nap or something?” The pegasus laughed.
The dragon growled but Twilight basically shoved Fluttershy away. “We're going now! Bye!”
The unicorn sighed softly. “So much for friends…” She looked up at her empty home.
A few hours later, Twilight looked out the window and saw the moon gleam at her and the pony remembered the prophecy of the moon.
“I need to warn the Queen…”
The door suddenly opened. “Twilight? The sun's about to rise, the Queen demands all subjects to watch, come on!”
Twilight watched the mayor from where she stood in the crowd. The pony felt someone staring at her. She turned to see the strange pink pony who had backed away from her before.
“Oh! Um, hi there… again.” Twilight laughed nervously.
The pony glanced at her. “Oh… Are you talking to me?”
Twilight nodded. “I just wanted to say we got off in the wrong hoof, I’m Twilight Sparkle.” She smiled.
“I'm… Pinkamena, but most call me Pinkie, to annoy me, no doubt. Are you excited?” Pinkie asked.
“Very! I'm glad somepony is being kind to me.” Twilight giggled.
“I'm not being kind, Twilight.” The pony whispered. “And don't ever laugh at me again.”
The unicorn bit her lip. “I-I'm sorry…”
There was a voice suddenly booming from the balcony. “Ponies of Ponyville! It is my great… pleasure to announce the start of the Summer Sun Celebration!”
The ponies looked at the balcony with fear. The Queen was here…
“Don't mess up.” Fluttershy growled to the bird choir.
“Now,” The Mayor coughed, “it is time to marvel at the glory of the sun rising! I present our powerful and magnificent Queen, Queen Celestia!”
The ponies forced cheering and Rarity pulled back the curtain to reveal the tyrant but she wasn't there. The ponies gasped in surprise. Rarity saw what was going on and frowned. “Where is she?”
“Oh no!” Twilight gasped.
“There m-must be a delay, or something…” The mayor whispered.
“She must've been kidnapped.” Pinkie assumed. “She'd always take a chance to strike fear in us.” There was a sudden boom and the pony gave a growl in annoyance.
Suddenly in blue smoke, a dark alicorn appeared.
“Nightmare Moon!” Twilight cried in horror.
The alicorn didn't seem to want to scare them though. “My ponies? I-It is I… I've returned…”
The ponies had no idea what she was talking about.
“Where's the Queen? What have you done to her, beast?!” Rainbow growled.
The pony seemed hurt. “T-The Queen? I haven't done anything to her! You must believe me! Doesn't anypony know who I am?”
“I do!” Twilight cried.
“Really?!”
“The mare in the moon… Nightmare Moon.”
The rest gasped while the alicorn frowned. “W-what?”
“You betrayed the Queen! Give her back!” Twilight yelled.
“Never!” The alicorn suddenly boomed, tears coming. “You don't know what you're talking about, little pony! You don't know what that monster did to me! Just stay away from me! This night, I won't control it! Because of what she did, it will last forever!” They didn't see her whisper, “I'm sorry, but you did this to yourselves.”
Twilight had ran, she had just ran away, so frightened by Nightmare Moon. She slammed her suitcase down on the bed, throwing her books brought from home into it.
“Calm down, Twilight.” Spike muttered.
“Calm down?! I can't calm down! Nightmare Moon is going to make the night last forever!” Twilight growled. The mare nearly hit Spike in the face with the bag and he caught it. “We have to hide, we have to hide now! If we can catch the train to Manehatten, maybe we can-”
“Hey! Would you be quiet already?” Rainbow Dash snarled, practically knocking her over. Twilight had no idea how she had gotten in. “Tell me, Twinklight-”
“Twilight.” Twilight corrected.
“Whatever! Tell me, why are you running away, hm? If you haven't noticed, the Queen is missing!” Rainbow growled.
“Yeah, why are you in such a hurry, miss Sparkle? A question we all want to know.” There was no lying face on Applejack this time.
“I… I'm scared.” Twilight admitted, backing away from the two. She heard a cruel giggle behind her and turned to see Fluttershy smirking.
“Oh, poor little baby.” She said in a mocking voice, pouting her lip.
Pinkie was rummaging through Twilight’s books with Rarity, who was stuffing them all in her saddle bag. The earth pony grabbed a certain book and frowned. “Hm, this looks interesting…”
Twilight walked over, much to the pony’s annoyance, and peered at the book. “The Elements of Disharmony…”
Everypony glanced up as she read: “There are six elements, but only five are known. They are cruelty, betrayal, negativity, greed, and deceit. The sixth is unknown. The last known location of the elements was in the ancient castle of the pony sisters, which is in...”
“The Everfree Forest!” They all gasped later. They stood in front of the forest, the most peaceful forest in Equstria, to be honest, but all still had never gone in it, for the Queen had proclaim all whom entered would be put to death.
Twilight could feel her heart race, she had never disobeyed the Queen before…
Even Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy seemed tense about going in, but were quick to shove it off.
“Are we going or what, idiots?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight merely stared until Pinkie pushed her closer to the forest.
“Come on, let's get this over with already…” The pink one sighed.
“But-” Twilight protested.
“We all know we want to get our Queen back.” Applejack said, that face dawning her features. “Let's go.” The others gave firm nods and went off into the forest, leaving Twilight with Pinkie.
“You know,” Pinkamena said. “that you have to do this, right?”
“The Queen, she would never allow it.” Twilight said.
“The Queen is missing, night’s going to last forever if we don't fix this, she will destroy us if we don't save her. So come on.” Pinkie walked off and Twilight followed regretfully.
Later, they all walked silently in the forest, Twilight shaking. The mare then stopped, for she heard a voice: “Twilight Sparkle, please, listen to me!”
She looked around at the others who walked ahead, they must not have heard…
“W-Who's there?” Twilight whispered back.
“A friend.” Said a familiar voice. Twilight couldn't put her hoof on where she had heard it through. “Listen to me, you need to get away from these mares, they are dangerous! They will only lead to your-”
“HEY!” Twilight turned to see Applejack. “Who are ya’ talkin’ to?”
“Hm, whoever it is, she isn't important.” Applejack muttered. “What did she say?”
“Um… well, that I shouldn't trust you all…” Twilight replied hesitantly. Applejack gave a sudden laugh, “Trust us? Of course you can trust us! Well, you can trust me, you are safe with us.” The pony said, giving a mock bow that concealed her face in shadow.
“Right…” Twilight muttered. She walked back to the others, whom all looked annoyed.
Later, the group had walked deeper into the forest. Fluttershy paused suddenly and smirked. Twilight turned to her. “Fluttershy?”
“Do you hear that?” Fluttershy asked. They listened but heard nothing. The pegasus suddenly zipped around them, and shoved Twilight forward. The unicorn gave a cry, rolling off until she only held onto the ridge of the cliff.
“H-Help me!” The pony cried out. They all looked at her solomly. They soon turned and Twilight stared in horror. “G-Girls?! Applejack! Applejack, you said I would be safe, that I could trust you!”
“I know I said that, but did you really think I would save you? I lied right to your face.” Applejack said smoothly. They walked away. Twilight gave a grunt, trying to heave herself up, but no one came to help. Her hooves were slipping… She couldn't hold on much longer, and she fell.
A hoof grabbed hers suddenly and pulled her up. They tripped though and they both nearly fell until a dark blue glow lit the dark, revealing Pinkie was the one holding her, who straight tail was held with magic so she wouldn't fall. Twilight breathed for air and glanced up at her savior. The magic pulled them up and the unicorn looked around, for it must've been Rarity… but she wasn't in sight. Then… who?
“Pinki- Pinkamena, thank you.” Twilight breathed. Pinkie only nodded briefly before turning her back.
“Why did you save me?”
The pony froze, then gave a surprising dark chuckle. “Let's just say… I know the special ones when I see them.” She walked on and motioned for Twilight to follow. “You know better than anypony but I'll tell you again, we can't exsactly be friendly in this world.”
Twilight followed her, relezing maybe there was a method to these ponies’ madness.
Twilight had stuck close to Pinkie the whole walk later on. Sure, she wasn’t that nice of a pony, but at least she wasn’t rude like the rest. She was just… sad and quiet most of the time.
At one point though, a giant manticore sprang out of the bushes! They all gasped in surprise. Fluttershy was quick to rush to it, before anypony could say anything.
“Ah! You poor thing!” Fluttershy gasped, seeing a thorn in its paw. They all looked up, suprised to see this mare was safe from the manticore. The beast let her look at his paw and she looked at it with worry.
Twilight shook her head in disbelief.
“Aw, don’t worry…” Fluttershy cooed, stroke his paw gently. She looked up at the thing and then gave a little dark chuckle and said in a sing-song voice. “I’ll take you out of your misery!”
Twilight gave a cry as Fluttershy flew off and around the beast. The pegasus was quick to kick it to the ground, the others hearing a deafening crack. The pegasus then walked to the heaving manticore’s head and looked into it’s eyes. “You know… I’m doing you a favor…” The mare whispered, barely audible. Only Twilight heard it, and it sounded sincere. Fluttershy suddenly grabbed the thorn from it’s paw and… Twilight had closed her eyes, not to see it be slammed into the thing’s head.
Fluttershy landed gracefully next to them and they all looked disgusted. “... What? I’m doing my part.” She then flew in front of them, ignoring Twilight's gag.
Hours later, Twilight soon heard that voice once more, this time more urgent. “Twilight Sparkle, please! Listen! You must come to the Castle of the Two Sisters, alone!”
“Who are you?” Twilight asked softly, sneaking into the bushes, out of the sight of the rest.
“If I told you, you would be frightened…”
Twilight then realized who it was. “N-Nightmare Moon!”
“Please, don’t be scared, little pony! I-I promise you no harm!”
“And how can I trust you?” Twilight narrowed her eyes.
“You just have to, please.” The voice faded out when Twilight heard a branch snap. She gasped in fear.
“Are you scared?” Asked a light voice. Twilight gave a sigh.
“Pinkie, you startled me…” The mare answered. Pinkemena walked out and offered a hoof. Twilight took it and whispered. “Um… did you hear somepony talking before?”
Pinkie blew a straight piece of mane from her eyes and shook her head. “No, I didn’t. You must be going mad.”
“I… guess so.” Twilight mumbled, hanging her head in sadness. Pinkie stopped and looked at the mare’s face. She gave a small nod. “Good. I was afraid you were feeling hope around me…”
They soon came to the others.
“Ugh, don’t scare us like that, Twi.” Rainbow whispered.
Twilight raised a eyebrow. “You were worried about me?”
“We were scared when things got so quiet!” Fluttershy laughed, making the other chuckle as well, except for Twilight and Pinkie.
“Stop laughing at me!” Pinkie yelled. She practically shoved the rest aside and walked in front. Fluttershy kept laughing and making various and cruel jokes about the mare the rest of the walk to a river.
What a wide river it was! The earth ponies certainly couldn’t cross, and the Pegasi didn’t really care about that. Rainbow and Fluttershy flew over easily, and started to walk away on their own when they heard a sudden voice. Rarity perked up her ears and listened. She soon smiled.
“Fluttershy, darling, come back here!” Rarity called to the mare.
Fluttershy smirked with a cruel cackle. “And why would I listen to you?”
“Trust me, you’ll like what I ask of you!” Rarity said with a smile. Fluttershy rolled her eyes and flew over.
“What?” She growled. Rarity yanked her soft pink tail roughly, making her get pulled down to where the unicorn could whisper something. The pegasus smiled suddenly and landed next to the rest.
“What’d she say to ya’?” Applejack demanded.
“As if I’d tell you!” Fluttershy snickered.
“Stop. Laughing.” Pinkie growled.
Twilight watched the mist around the river, and suddenly saw the shape of a humongous serpent swimming their way.
“Oh, hello there!” The serpent called, waving. “Who are you little ladies?”
“Hello, Sir Serpent!” Rarity called out in a kind voice. “It is a pleasure to meet you! I am Rarity, and this is…”
As Rarity introduced them all, Twilight noticed Fluttershy had snuck around to the serpent’s back. They suddenly heard a sharp kick and the serpent gave a cry before he fell over, collapsed. Fluttershy rolled her eyes as Rarity used her magic to pluck every single scale off the creature’s body. She transported them all away, most likely to her home. The unicorn smiled a little. “Ah, those shall do nicely… So perfect!”
“Rarity! How could you?!” Twilight gasped. The others had either no emotion or one of gleeful cruelty.
“I could because I wanted to!” Rarity replied. “His beautiful scales are all mine! And none of you wrecks can have them!” The unicorn admired herself in the water’s reflection.
“But… you hurt him.” Twilight said softly.
Rarity paused and glanced up. “And why would that concern me?”
“I… I guess it doesn’t…” Twilight sighed, bowing her head. Rarity suddenly lifted up the mare’s chin in her hoof. “Twilight, the sooner you let your hope go, you’ll be better off. Despite what you want to believe, we aren’t going to start to care for you, and we never will. Do you understand that?”
“Yes…” Twilight whispered, broken.
Rarity let her go and smiled. “Good!”
They continued on, Twilight far less hopeful than before. She couldn’t help but feel broken inside. Why were they like this? What had she ever done to them? Why…
A tear slipped off her cheek, landing in a broken heart. They all leapt over the knocked out serpent, not seeing the moon silhouette a mare flying past them.
They crossed and Twilight saw the ruins in the distance. She gasped in happiness and ran to it. “We’re here! We made it! We-!” Twilight gave a shout of surprise when she nearly slipped off the edge. Rainbow held her tail, and pulled her back.
Jeez, you’re gonna get yourself killed, Twinkie.”
“It’s Twilight!” The mare snapped, pulling away from her.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Rainbow rolled her eyes, then looked across to see that the bridge that once lead to the castle was broken.
“How do we get across?” Twilight asked.
“You don’t.” Rainbow smirked. She and Fluttershy suddenly flew over to the other side, leaving them to the mist and fog, Fluttershy sticking her tongue out.
The moment they touched the ground, and saw they couldn’t be seen by the others, Fluttershy fell to the ground, breathing hard. “That…manticore, was strong.”
Rainbow looked worried and helped her old friend up. “You okay, Flutters?”
“Yeah, fine. This is harder than I imagined, that’s all.” The other said with a small huff. They looked at each other, giving genuine sad smiles.
“What are they doing over there?” Twilight asked.
“Probably nothin’ too important.” Applejack answered. Twilight looked at her with untrusting eyes. How could she believe anything this pony said? She had promised to keep her safe and then left her to die!
“Nothing you need to worry about.” Pinkie added simply. She then went silent once more, putting down her head in sorrow of nothing.
“But I…” Twilight trailed off once she looked at the ground. She saw slight red and orange sparks coming from the ground. She must’ve been imagining…
“Come on, you creepy mare.” Rainbow sighed to Fluttershy. “We gotta save the Queen…”
“Ugh, whatever.” Fluttershy rolled her eyes. She flew up after Rainbow and landed by the others.
“Done chattin’?” Applejack grumbled menicincally.
“Why do you earth ponies feel the need to stick your dirty muzzles into everypony’s bussniess?” Fluttershy retorted with a sharpness.
Twilight was watching the ground, not paying attention to them, but the brighter, and bigger sparks then before. “Girls?”
“What do you want?” Rarity asked sharply.
Twilight pointed at the sparks. “Er.. do you see those too?”
The others looked and they nodded, all rather disoriented by the sight. Applejack gave a quick glance at Rainbow and the sparks suddenly turned to flames!
The ponies fell back, a ring of fire incircling them all. Twilight gave a cry of fear, the rest either growling or grunting in suprise. They bumped all into each other, making the mares turn and glare at one another.
Then, the smoke came. Twilight gasped and attempted to teleport, but she felt her whole body suddenly jolt back, making her heart pound. There was no escape? But… how?
“Hold your hoof over your mouth!” Twilight called, resorting to keep them all safe as she started to hack on inhaling the smog.
The rest did as they were told, except Rainbow. She worriedly glanced up and saw her only chance, the sky. The beautiful night sky! She could tell Fluttershy, and they could fly out! She turned to her friend, her only friend, but then paused. She narrowed her eyes.
Fluttershy heard a rush of air behind her and turned to see a single blue feather on the ground. The others soon saw it too, and looked up.
“Rainbow?” Twilight whispered, meeting the mare’s violet eyes.
“Ya’ can’t leave us here!” Applejack called. “You no-good pegasus!”
“A no-good pegasus can’t fly! I’m a great pegasus!” Rainbow laughed.
Fluttershy merely lowered her head, nearly matching Pinkamena’s normal stance. However, the pegasus's teeth were gritted in a angry scowl, while Pinkie was only expressionless.
“Oh, stop your whining, guys!” Rainbow chuckled darkly, them coughing from the smoke. “Do you think I’d let myself get killed just to save you?!” She started laughing harder, wiping a tear away.
Twilight bit back her yell of, “You traitor!” instead, whispering. “Please, don’t leave us here!”
“Sorry to disappoint.” Rainbow smirked. She flew away, leaving the others with soot on their fur.
Twilight let a tear slip out and suddenly yelled, “TRATIOR!”
The others glanced at her with suprise and though they didn’t see it, Rainbow froze. The pegasus glanced back, at the flames. They would die… They would die if they stayed, if the flames didn’t stop, like they needed to! Rainbow gave a sigh. “I’m gonna regret this…”
The mare landed on the ground, beating her powerful wings. Strong air currents put the flames out, and Twilight opened her eyes in suprise, a magic shield was around them all. The unicorn exhaled, letting it drop, and watched her purple aura fade from her horn.
“So, you came back.” Applejack whispered, eyes narrowed.
“Aw, shut it.” Rainbow hissed. They all eyed her suspiciously.
“Thank you.” Twilight faintly said while trotting pass. Rainbow nodded briefly in acknowledgment. Fluttershy was the only one left. She said no words, but gave the mare a cold look. “Idiot.” She snarled, before skulking after the others.
They had finally made it to the castle. Twilight walked to stone balls and felt her head pang by getting near them. This magic, she had felt it before, she had learned it.
“There they are…” Rainbow whispered.
Fluttershy glanced at Twilight. “What are you waiting for? Get them already!”
“I… It doesn’t feel right.” Twilight exsplained. “This werid force around them, it’s making me feel sick.”
“They’re rocks, they aren’t dangerous, Twi.” Applejack said, wiping sweat off her brow.
“Mine!” Rarity screeched, lunging at the stones.
Pinkie held her back. “Stupid… There’s only five stones, there are supposed to be six, rember?”
Twilight nodded. “Yes… The sixth will be revealed after the rest are, that sounds right, right?”
“If you want to sound like a egghead!” Fluttershy snickered. Rainbow high-hoofed her.
“Okay…” Twilight growled, rolling her eyes. “Let’s do this.” She bent down, allowing herself to concentrate.
Rainbow bit her lip and whispered. “Don’t…”
Twilight turned. “What? We’re so close to saving the Queen…” The unicorn turned back and lit her horn.
Rainbow couldn’t help herself, she couldn’t do this anymore! She gave a yell but only air came out. She couldn’t speak… She looked down from her flapping at the others, and saw they either had their eyes narrowed in anger or put up in sympathy.
Twilight’s aura surrounded the elements and they suddenly poofed away. “No!”
“The elements!” They all but Rainbow gasped.
Twilight disappeared after them.
“She’s gone…” Rarity whispered.
Pinkie glared up at Rainbow. “You never had a chance, you should’ve known that by now.”
Twilight opened her eyes to find the stones in front of her. She gasped and found Nightmare Moon looking at her, checking to see if she was hurt.
“Ghaa!” Twilight squealed in panic, jumping back. Nightmare Moon looked surprised as well, giving a surprisingly gentle gasp with the sudden shout.
“You!” Twilight growled, lighting her horn. “Well, you finally got me here alone, without my friends-”
“Friends? You should allow yourself better ponies then them to be your friends, Twilight.” The mare sighed softly. “I wanted you here to get away from them, before you got hurt! I couldn’t bear if another innocent got hurt because of me.”
“You hurt them on purpose!”
“No, I didn’t…” The alicorn whispered sharply.
“You don’t care about me, you don’t care about anypony!” Twilight yelled.
“Stop, please! I’ve done nothing to you, why-”
“You kidnapped our amazing, merciful and kind queen! You’re horrible! You’re a villain!”
“I AM NOT!” The alicorn sobbed in a booming voice, knocking the unicorn away. Twilight shook her head and then saw the stones, the elements, they were shattered. Nightmare Moon took a breath, calming herself. “We need to leave, if I can get you out of this place, to where the rest can’t find us, you’ll be safe….”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Nightmare Moon!”
“My name is-” The alicorn was interupted. They turned to see shadows of ponies walking up the stairs. The others had found her!
Twilight turned to Nightmare Moon. “These ponies may not be friends, but they are useful to me, and the land I was taught to love. I have no other choice! I must save Queen Celestia, and defeat you!”
The ponies behind her cheered and the alicorn shook her head in disbelief. “No… Please, listen to me!” The mare flew to Twilight and took the unicorn’s head in her hooves, as if looking past the mare’s plum eyes, and into her soul. “Twilight Sparkle, please, please try to understand, you can’t choose this path, not with them! You musten’t, for all that is good in this world!”
“Stop trying to trick me!” Twilight yelled, tearing away from her and to the assumed safety of her friends. Suddenly, a spark alit her eye. And with that, she gave a scream of pain as magic penetrated her heart. The mares around her screamed and cried out, all forgetting the focus of the elements. Twilight fell, clutching her heart, tears involtarly slipping out as she yelled out.
“Twilight?!” The supposed villain gasped. She ran to the mare, who was now shaking, her eyes were wide and pupils small. The alicorn bent down to Twilight, gently shoving away the ponies trying to protect. “Are you okay?! Let me heal you, please!”
Twilight suddenly gave a cough, and then a laugh, a small, almost evil sounding giggle that made Nightmare Moon back away. Suddenly, a blast of magic shot the alicorn back. “Oh, did that hurt?”
Nightmare Moon gave a whimper as Twilight smirked, shadowy eyes were filled with horrible glee.
“You see, despite your efforts, foal, you didn’t destroy the elements… You merely brought us right to you. Why have friends when you can have pawns?”
“W-What?” The former royal asked, the shards of stones lifting up and glowing.
Suddenly, Applejack lifted into the air.
“Applejack may have lied to me, but that only showed me that this is the only way to survive in this world. She represents the element of deceit!”
Shards of stones glowed orange and incircled Applejack.
Next, Fluttershy lifted up.
“Fluttershy, with her trickery and brutality showed us all she represents the element of cruelty!”
The mare looked almost ashamed as the shards surrounded her.
“Pinkie Pie, with her sad way of thinking and lack of joy represents the spirit of negativity!”
Pinkamena was lifted and showed no pride in what she had done, what she was the key to doing…
“Rarity, who used her selfish wishes to betray the foolish serpent represents the spirit of greed!”
Rarity tried to grab the shards that floated around her but couldn’t.
“And Rainbow Dash, who showed that she had to leave us in order to save what she thought was more important, is the spirit of betrayal!”
Rainbow floated up.
“The spirits of these five showed me what potiencal I had locked away, what I was holding back in that shy and stupid little foal!”
“Twilight, no!” Nightmare Moon cried.
Twilight turned to the rest and smirked. “You all are very useful to me, and your devotion is appreciated. Now then… let’s get rid of this pest, shall we?”
The others looked almost frightened. Where was the real Twilight?!
“No…” Nightmare Moon whispered.
Twilight lit her horn and looked up at the ponies, the protectors of the elements. “I am the element of hopeless, the leader of you all. Together, we created the elements of disharmony!” The element shone and formed, making a crown that weighed heavy on Twilight’s head.
“You…” Rarity choked with tears in her eyes looking up at the celleing, speaking to nopony in the room that she could see. She gave a small laugh, tears streaming down her cheeks. “You really made us think we weren’t going to hurt anypony… You lied.”
Twilight lit her horn, lifting up and the elements glowed dark with her precence. Suddenly, her eyes turned black and a sharp single red beam was made with the elements.
They took their aim… and fired.
A heart wrenching screech filled the room and the elements fell with their holders. They all checked to see they were safe, and then saw the dying mare, Nightmare Moon in front of them, the magic had pierced her heart...
Twilight suddenly gave a groan, the black magic leaving as soon as it had came. “That felt like me… but at the same time it didn’t…” She opened her eyes and gasped in surprise. “Huh?! When did this… The last thing I remember is step to you girls! What…” She trailed off seeing their faces of mistrust.
“Good job.” Rainbow whispered giving a small clap with her wings. “You did it, egghead.”
“I… I killed her…” Twilight said with tears in her eyes.
They all looked at a heaving Princess Luna.
“Breathtaking performance, little ponies.”
Twilight froze and the others immediately bowed to the voice. Queen Celestia was behind Twilight and gently touched the mare’s shoulder.
Twilight turned and bowed. “Your Highness!”
The unicorn hugged her mentor, who held her close.
“I see you’ve made some new friends, my Twilight.” The Queen smiled at the ponies. They smiled back and Twilight gave a nervous laugh.
“Yeah… friends.” The others frowned slightly.
“Let’s go home.” Rarity smiled. She let her friends gather around, and then transported them all away. Celestia stared at the empty space
Celestia heard a sudden large gasp of air and turned to her sister. She bent down to the mare’s ear, to where only Luna could hear. “Long time no see, princess.”
“S-Sister…” Luna croaked. “Why? Why kill me?”
“You know why, Lulu.” Celestia teased her mockingly.
“Before I die, at least let me know what happened to my followers, the ponies who were brave enough to disobey...” The princess whispered through tears.
Celestia gave a soft laugh. “Ah, yes. I was wondering when you’d ask. After I banished you away, not many ponies believed you to be good anymore, and that you had attempted to murder me, but there was some who still did. And so I rounded them up, and each one of them looked me in the eye and said you would stop me before I…”
Luna gave a choked sob. “You… killed them?”
“I did.” The Queen smirked. She watched her sister cry out in despair.
“You’re a monster!” Luna cried.
“No, you are the real monster here, sister.”
“W-What?”
“Think, if wasn’t for you putting hope in them, and bravery as you like to call it, they wouldn’t be dead. You killed them. This is all your fault.”
Luna clenched her teeth, trying not to show the Queen her weakness. She couldn’t hold it for long and realeased a cry. Celestia watched the mare cry for a while, smiling in glee until she got bored and gave a small cough.
Luna brushed away tears and looked up at her sister. “I know you want to kill me, so here I am. You already have those poor ponies under your spell, I am dying now. Why not deliver the final blow?” She spat.
Celestia shushed her little sister, taking the princess’ head in her hooves. “Oh sweet little Luna, I can’t kill you.”
“Please…” The princess begged. “Please, end my suffering here!”
The Queen shook her head. “No. Death is too good for you, my dear. I have a much better plan for you… You’re finally at my mercy.” The Queen laughed. “And once I’m done with you, sister, I will have a talk with those perfect little pawns of mine.”
What the Queen didn’t see however, was a single firefly that glowed in the darkness behind them. The bug flew away, to safety in the bushes.
Twilight sat in the Golden Oak Libary, surrounded by her new allies.
“I killed her…” Twilight whispered again, still in utter shock.
“Nah, she’s useful, she’ll be fine.” Rainbow smirked.
Pinkie immediately leapt away, looking irritated by her closeness to them.
Twilight stood, taking off her tiara and tilted it to see the element of hopelessness shimmer back. “These are the elements of disharmony?”
“Yes.” Rarity replied, admiring hers. “Now, since no pony else wants them, quietly give them to me.”
Twilight looked surprised. “Why would we-?”
The others practically threw the elements at her, all looking distrustful of them.
“Why would you not want them? They are precious and powerful relics, intrusted to us!” Twilight insisted.
“Um, hello? Do you even have a brain in there?” Fluttershy laughed. “They’re called the elements of disharmony for a reason. They bring evil to this world.”
“Then why did the Queen use them on her sister?” Twilight asked. They were all silent.
“You don’t need to know that, Twilight.” Pinkie finally said softly.
Twilight frowned.
Later that day, all her allies had gone home, to rest after the long journey, and prepare for a ceremony that was to be held in thier honor the next day.
Twilight took the opportunity to practice her dark magic. It was one thing to learn normal magic, but a complete other to learn dark.
Spike sat silent on her bed, watching her.
Twilight gave a grunt in concentration, a black aura coming out of her horn. She nearly felt sick, this magic always made her feel light-headed. She was currently trying to turn her vase of flowers to stone, but she soon fell over in tiredness.
“I’ll never get this, it’s hopeless.” Twilight sighed, closing her burning eyes.
Spike hopped off the bed and ran down to help Twilight up.
“Thank you, Spike.” Twilight whispered, still shaky.
“Whatever. You need to try harder, Twilight, you’re failing, and Celestia doesn’t accept failures.”
“You act as if I don’t know that.” Rarity was sorting through her gems once more, not paying any mind to the servent who was working vigorously behind her, sewing a new dress.
The unicorn turned to it and scoffed. “You call that fashion? I’ve seen dirty Earth ponies wear things better than that.”
The servant whispered a apology and then levatited a letter over to Rarity. “This arrived about a hour ago, mistress…. I was wondering-”
“Ah!” Rarity covered her slave’s mouth and gave a coy smile. “I don’t keep you here to talk about your thoughts. Now, get back to work, and after you finish the dress, you’ll polish the silver, make the beds, mop the floors, clean Opal’s litter box, and then clean Opal herself, understand?”
“Understood.” The servent whispered. The slave quietly walked off as Rarity opened the letter.
She read though it, then once more. She then dropped the paper and called out to the only other pony in her home. “I’m leaving now! Lock the doors, and the windows, and don’t open the door to anypony, alright?”
“What’s wrong?” The other pony gasped, running in the room shaken.
“Do as I tell you to!”
Applejack sat stubbornly on her bed, she had thrown that damned letter away. She couldn’t do this anymore.
She suddenly heard a knock on her window and turned to see Rainbow Dash peering in.
The Earth pony walked up with a sigh and opened the rusty window. “What do you want?”
“I want you to get on that train, you know it won’t leave until we’re all on.” Rainbow growled.
“If I don’t get on the train? I don’t know what will happen then.” Applejack lied.
Rainbow gave a moan. “Listen, we all don’t want to go, but you know we don’t have a choice… unless you want to be dragged out by the guards.”
Applejack narrowed her eyes, and then blew a blond strand out of her face. “Let’s go.”
They were all silent on the train to Canterlot in the beginning… They had made this trip so many times before, it seemed pointless to stay in Ponyvile. But the Queen demanded they stay there, and so there they stayed.
“... This is all your fault.”
Rainbow glanced up to see Fluttershy glaring at her from across the aisle.
“You don’t know that.”
Pinkie rolled her eyes and gave a huff. “Yes, we do. You’re the one who saved us.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome for that.” Rainbow growled.
“Don’t you get it?” Applejack snarled, snapping her head to the mare. “You could’ve made Twilight think you’re loyal to her! And you know where that would lead us.”
“It just felt wrong to leave you all… I know that deep down, you all felt something when you did your part, and that wasn’t joy.”
The others couldn’t look at her, they didn’t want to let her think she was right.
“Personally, I don’t care if it feels wrong, I still get things out of greed.” Rarity sighed softly with a tiny grin as she admired herself in her mirror. “Look on the bright side darlings, our families are safe, our town is safe, and most importantly, we’re safe, as long as we obey her, we’ve known that since we were children.”
“When we were children, we had ponies who loved us.” Pinkie whispered sadly.
They all looked surprised at the mare’s sudden words and turned to her.
“After all, how can they love the ponies that bring this on them?” Pinkmenia smirked in deranged sadness.
Suddenly, the train screeched to a hault and they all didn’t care to look at the guards that were waiting to escort them to her.