[center]A Falling Star

"You're Earth ponies, what do you know about space..."[/center]

[i] This is an imaginary story, isn't it always.

No...wait, this is also a story based on someone's life, and how friendship was brought back into a world of hatred. This story is filled with bad times, good times, and love.

Maybe I should start at the beginning...[/i]

Once upon a time, there were two worlds: Unicornia and Equestria. These two worlds were ruled by kind and just rulers. The rulers of these two worlds loved one another dearly, but they forever we seperated by space and time, unable to touch each other. Tragedy struck when darkness came over the rulers kingdoms and destroyed them completely. However, where there is destruction, also must come creation. Or so goes the saying.

The two rulers banded together and fought back against the darkness and in turn, created United Equestria, which was protected by the brave ponies of Starfleet and the ponies that were the bearers of the elements. Through loss and victory, they have won many battles and protected their world.

Yet, their greatest battles are soon to begin. For so it is written in the prophecy of Conquest

[b]"When stars fall and friendship dies, conquest will rise. The once crowned king will reclaim his title to kill the chosen one. Then darkness will envelop the five lights-"[/b]

Rainbow Dash let out an annoyed grunt as she woke up from her nap, Celestia's sun beginning to shine through her window, "Uggh, stupid dream! Five lights? What is all that about?" She grumbled to herself as she sat up and stretched with the rising sun. Though she had been working with Starfleet for a while and had to get used to a military-esque time-frame, she was not a morning person. Getting herself out of bed, she looked at her naked body in the full length mirror and smirked, "Messy bed-mane, tired look in the eyes, and my body looks like hell," then she spun and did a pose with her fist up in the air, "but still looks awesome!"

With her ego properly boosted, the cyan lady walked to her dresser to pick out her clothes for the morning. She stopped for a moment when she saw a picture on the top, a picture of six mares gathered in a group hug, "Hey girls," Dash said, a depressed sigh escaping her as she looked at the photo. A feeling of sad nostalgia always arose when she looked at it," The last time we were ever...normal. It was just after Twilight's coronation and before we got these stupid things!" she growled, looking at her five digits. While it was true that three years had gotten her used to having five fingers instead of a hoof, she still missed having them. "We were fine being ponies, why can't Grand Ruler and Princess Celestia see that?" Dash asked out loud.

"Not that there isn't some benefits to having fingers, it certainly made some activities easier," she chuckled to herself, taking a quick look at the bed where she had performed said acts on it. Shaking her head to clear the dirty thoughts out, she went into her drawer and began to pull out her clothes to wear under her armor. "I guess having hands is just one of the benefits of living in United Equestria, for a better tomorrow. Better tomorrow, what a load of MANURE!" She angrily growled as she put her appropriate clothing on. Turning to walk down the stairs, she noticed a photo of her and the starfleet ponies.

Except one.

"If this is supposed to be a better tomorrow then why isn't Twilight alive? Where is she? Why is Flutter-" she stopped herself, looking at a photo of Fluttershy on her wedding day, noticing the happy look on all of them, except the blue lady in the back.

"Why is Fluttershy with such a chump like Rhymey?" Dash asked, turning to the stand that held her armor and put it on. The armor was magically enchanted to meld into the clothes underneath. The end result was, essentially, an invisible suit of armor. With a quick turn, she walked out the front entrance of her home.

With a few quick stretches, she took a deep breath of air and flew out into the bright blue sky, letting the air flow over her feathers and wings. As she flew through the sky and around the clouds, she let out a big blast of laughter as she continued to pick up speed. The air moving through the fur on her arms and wings just continued to make the freedom of flight all the more beautiful for her. Another deep breath and a joyous shout gave her some motivation to speed up. Looking down, she thought she saw Applejack below her working on the farm, "Been a while since she did that. Then again, when was the last time any of us actually did something for fun."

Down below, Applejack gave a tree another roundhouse kick. As the fruit began to fall, the orange female began to pant. "Just two more and then I'm finished. Just two more...And I can do something to help me forget that dream."

[u][center]-[/center][/u]

[b] The darkness will consume the five heroes and will bring a downfall to the-[/b]

Her eyes opened wide in horror at the reminiscence of the 'dream' hit her again and she punched the tree hard. It very nearly fell over from the blow.

"Woah," Applebloom said as she used her exceedingly impressive sneaking skills to come up behind Applejack, just in time to see the tree rattling. "big sis', you okay?"

"Ya," Applejack said, turning to the younger girl. "I'm fine, Applebloom. I'm' uhh, just...letting off some steam."

Applebloom smiled meakly and nodded once. "Oh, so you ate breakfast already?"

The bigger sister nodded. "Ya," She began, turning back to the unfinished tree. "Now get back inside, sugarcube."

"Okay..." Applebloom sighed, walking back to the house. With a skip and a jump, she got to the porch quickly, but stopped when she noticed a mulberry mare walk out. "Miss Cheerilee? What are you doing here?"

"Ummm...just talking about grades with your brother," the mare said, a blush on her cheeks as she ran off to the school, leaving a dumbfounded Applebloom.

Rainbow Dash, watching the scene from above, let out a chuckle. She was one of the few in town who knew of the school teacher's affair with the eldest apple. She was sworn to secrecy on the whole affair, which didn't bode well for her goosop-inclined ways . "As many times as those two go at it, I think it's only a matter of time!" she laughed as she flew away from the home of her orange friend and to a very familiar cottage.

Hovering above, Rainbow Dash let out a sigh as thoughts of Fluttershy and her jerk-husband filled her mind. She wanted so badly to fly into that house and slap some sense into her, but for the sake of her friendship, the cyan mare just shrugged. "You can't help who you fall in love with," she said to no one in particular before taking flight, aiming for anywhere else.

[center][u]-[/u][/center]

[b]Weakness will cause Darkness to eclipse the five lights, and all will fall...[/b]

Fluttershy shot up in the bed, a cold sweat covering her face. Next to her, her husband sat up and rubbed her arm. "Fluttershy my dear, have no fear," He gave a concerned look into her gentle eyes. "Please tell me my dear, was it the nightmare?"

Fluttershy sighed as Rhymey rolled out of bed, trying her best to recollect the images she received while asleep. "It was about this...darkness. I couldn't make out all of the details," she said before trying to get out of the bed.

"Tut tut, dear Fluttershy. No need to trouble yourself for I," the yellow pegaus said, rolling off the bed. "I will make you breakfast with some cereal, no need to do something so trivial."

"Okay, maybe then I could look after my animals. They do nee-"

"No, my lady love, you stay in bed remember? You should be in there to get better," Rhymey said, walking away.

"I'm not sick, and I need to do my job and be with my friends," Fluttershy tried to argue, but only met the wall. A depressed sigh escaped her lips, and she looked to a photo on the desk. "I miss you girls."

[center][u]-[/u][/center]

"And add a bit of crystal here for flair and voila!" Rarity cheered, looking over her blueprints. "These designs are going to be perfect! Don't you think Spike? Spike?"

"I'm not coming out," Spike said, his voice deeper.

"Oh Spikey," Rarity tsked. "It isn't [i]that[/i] bad."

"It [i]is![/i] I look like a muscle bound freak," Spike moaned.

"I think it looks fetching, now come out."

Rarity smiled as she watched her drake step into the work room. An even bigger smile came to be as she walked up to the drake, who now stood a head above her, and ran her hand along his scaly abs. "After all, your little growth spurt seems to have given you some...benefits."

"Yeah, I guess," Spike said, looking at his pecs and biceps. "I just didn't think they would be that huge. I mean, what else abo-" he blushed as he caught Rarity looking at his pants.

"Well, I never saw the original, so I can't tell you. As for now," she began walking away from him and swaying her hips side to side suggestively, "I guess we'll have to try that theory later."

"R-R-Rarity! I uh," Spike stammered as he watched his lady get to her seat.

"Awww," Rarity pouted, "My big dragon is flustered. How adorable. I'll have to remember to work on my teasing later."

Spike nodded, walking quickly to the shower to cool himself off.

And, outside Rarity's establishment, a very distinct chuckle could be heard from any person listening- which Spike and Rarity were not.

Rainbow Dash let out a chuckle as she left them to their flirtatious ways and flew to her last destination, but stopped when she looked at the library. She sighed sadly as she landed in front of the door, the memories quickly flooding in.

[i]"Are you a spy?"

"Ah, that was a long time ago,"

"Please spare her!"

"Twilight- about the wedding-"

"You are the best, Twilight."[/i]

"Dashie?" Pinkie Pie asked, coming up behind the rainbow-haired female and, quite literally, plastered her with a hug.

Dash's eyes, needless to say, bulged. "Hi Pinkie."

"Hi Dashie!" She said happily and frilly.

"What's with the hug?" Rainbow Dash asked, just before mentally face hoofing- or palming. Pinkie doesn't need a reason to hug.

"You looked sad," Pinkie smiled, and then looked back at the library. "I miss her, too."

"Stupid Starfleet," Rainbow mumbled, staring at the tree house. As though it was a deliberate response by nature, the wind blew.

Pinkie frowned, if only for a moment. She looked at Dash with a recurring smile. "The past is the past," She said. "We can't change that."

Rainbow bit her bottom lip furiously. "Twilight died, yet the Starfleet claim to be all sorts of badass. Always right, always winning."

"Bu-"

"It's bullshit! We're serving under, "I am so great because I suck The Grand Ruler's dick," Lighting Dawn."

"Rai-"

"What makes them better than us? Nothing...Just...Ugh..." Rainbow turned away and looked to the ground.

Pinkie decided to hold her tongue, less another quick outburst came up. They usually hap-

"Who the fuck is Lighting Dawn anyway!? Nopony! Why can't Twilight have some fucking holiday or something, huh!?"

Pinkie put her hands together and patiently waited.

"Her anniversary is in three days, and you know what?" She turned to Pinkie, who gave a bemused stare. "Celestia and Luna are the only ones that give a shit-"

"-And us," Pinkie chimed.

"Right," Rainbow continued with significantly less drive. "I just...miss her. A lot."

Pinkie stepped forward and pulled Dash in for another hug, this one with more affection than the last. "I know, Dashie. It's good to let out these kinds of things."

Rainbow huffed, giving the library one last longing stare before fulling immersing herself in the hug. Then, they released and looked at each other. "Thanks,"

Pinkie grinned and said, "I don't like sad friends. Or sad people. Or onions. Or burnt toast. Or-"

"So," Rainbow started. "Want to fly a bit?"

Pinkie's mouth went agape. "They found a way to make earth ponies fly!?"

Rainbow gave a very confused stare before shaking her head. "No. Your armor- it gives you wings."

"Oooooooooooh!" Pinkie giggled and shook her head. "I gave them away!"

And then the confusion left, was replaced by shock, then more confusion, and finally a groan. "Why did you do that?"

"They were [i]itchy[/i]."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised." She then gestured for the pink female to get in her arms. "Come on. Let's go to Head Quarters."

"You mean grumpyville?" Pinkie asked cheerfully as she got into Dash's arms.

"Yep, same thing." Dash chuckled as she picked the pink mare up and flew off towards New Canterlot.

[u][center]-[/center][/u]

After a few minutes of flight, they had landed in front of the giant castle, the flags of the new kingdom flying high. Rainbow Dash let out a sigh as she looked to them. "I really miss the old flag."

"Me too, sugarcube," Applejack stated as she walked next to Rainbow Dash. "But sometimes we gotta deal with it."

"That seems all we have been doing for the past few years! Deal! We had to deal with our home getting blown up, being turned into these...things, and dealing with-"

"We all know, Rainbow Dash," Rarity said, walking up with Spike at her side. A sad sigh escaped her lips as she walked to them. "Grand Ruler doesn't even give us the time to mourn our losses, calling it 'weak' he says. If I didn't have you girls, I don't know what I would've done with myself after the d-"

" It's what friends do for each other," Applejack said, smiling at both her and Spike. "Looks like a certain drake got a little something today."

"Yeah, when did little Spikey get all beefy!?" Pinkie asked.

"Well, I woke up this morning and I guess I hit my growth spurt," the now larger purple dragon said.

"Oh," Rainbow Dash said, not really impressed by his muscular status. She then began to look around as they walked into the throne room, "Where's Fluttershy?"

"If there is an emergency with health or need, I will bring her here with great speed," Rhymey said as he looked to the approaching bearers as he stood with his team.

"Fluttershy is one of us, whatever the Grand ruler needs to say, he can say it in front of all Sev-six of us," Dash looked to where Twilight would often stand- right in the middle. The center, pivotal piece of their friendship.

"I am her husband, I kn-" his argument was short lived as Celestia and Grand Ruler arrived, their children in tow.

The grand ruler, a magnificent white alicorn with three golden horns and a black mane, walked in front of the two teams. "As you may know, last week we had won a great battle against a dark foe thanks to the brave Starfleet."

[i]A team consisting of a lapdog, a whimp, two dweebs, and a rhyming freak who doesn't deserve toilet paper.[/i] Dash grumbled to herself in her head. She then turned to the Grand Ruler.[i] You aren't much better, freak. You are an utter monster, you practically make us all your slaves and Celestia just sits back and watches![/i]

"And since we seem to have entered an era of relative peace, I have given you all a week vacation. You are free to do what you want," the Grand Ruler said, smiling down on the two teams.

"Yes sir!" the teams said in unison before running out of the throne room.

"WHOOOHOO! Party!" Pinkie Pie squealed as she ran along side Rainbow Dash. "So what are you planning on doing today? Anything exciting? Maybe we could go and-"

"I was just thinking about relaxing and chilling for most of the day," Dash replied, then noticed her friend deflating. "But then again...maybe we could go and prank some ponies tomorrow or mess around at the corner."

"Yay!" Pinkie Pie squealed.

"So, where's lighting?" Applejack asked.

"Probably partying with Starla in his own way, "Dash shrugged. "Surprised he wasn't here, kissing and bathing on the ground Grand Ruler walked on."

Some distance away, in a small house, was the home of Lighting Dawn and his wife. Said wife, a white unicorn with dark purple hair and shining eyes, was busy tidying up the kitchen. "Oh, it has been too long since we had an actual break," Starla Shine smiled to her self. "I can't wait for him to get back from his morning exercise routine."

She turned her head to a knock on the door. "Lighting, is that you? You know the door is unlocked."

"A bad idea," a deep baritone came from behind the door before it slowly creaked open.

A black alicorn humanoid with a flying red mane strode his way into the room and, with a quick glance around, claimed it, put taxes on it, turned it into an orphanage, sold it, then burned it to the ground- or so it seemed with his horrid red eyes.

He smiled a sharp toothy grin as he looked at the curvaceous white unicorn. "So sorry my dear, but it seems that your beloved is running a little late. Allow me to entertain you."

Trembling, the white unicorn backed up against the kitchen wall, feeling the black magic radiating off of the intruder, "W-who are you, and what do you want?"

"Ah, my favorite part; the introduction," He then stood up proper and took a single, unnecessary breath.

"My name is Dark Conquest, although I much prefer the name given by the public, "Oh god, please stop." A little long, but i like it," Conquest chuckled as he walked closer towards the unicorn. "As for what I want, well...its my job to conquer worlds and universes that have proven themselves too weak to continue. Either they are too filled with hatred or fear to go on, or they are just plain rotten. Yours is one such world. Oh, the hate I feel from this place is exquisite![i] It's a literal banquet here![/i]"

"Not this world!" Shouted Starla Shine. "Starfleet will stop you! STARFLEET magic!" she screamed as her body became engulfed in pink armor.

Dark Conquest had himself a deep laugh again. "My dearest Starla...it's what I pray for."

"Starlight Arrow!" Starla shouted, firing a golden arrow at Conquest, only to watch in shock as it did nothing. Again and again she fired shot after shot at the slowly walking beast, only to witness it fizzle against his armor.

As she was preparing another spell, the black alicorn grabbed Starla by the neck and slammed her against the wall, "You know what my favorite conquest is? Besides the murder and devastation of all living beings, of course."

"W-what?" Starla asked, trembling as she felt Conquest's hand slide up her leg and to her breast plate.

"Sexual," he smirked, grabbing her right breast through the platemail and deactived the armor.

The unicorn's eyes opened wide in horror as she looked into the dragon-like eyes of Conquest. "N-no, you can't- I mean...! No, please, not that! Oh god, please no!"

"Ah the magic words, I love it!" Conquest laughed as threw Starla over his shoulder and ran up the stairs. As he ran, he mused more or less to himself. "I do enjoy taking these sort of events as though they are a typical game- or n adventure story! The villain, dark and mischevious, steals the bride away to his lair. Your room in this case, but none the less!"

Before Starla could even fight back as he rambled, she was thrown against a bed and found conquest hovering over her. As the horror of what was about to happen washed over her, she tried to let out a scream but was silenced by a very unweclomed kiss

For a few hours, Starla dealt with the horror of her rape, trying to push her mind out of her body and try to ignore the horror. When suddently

"Starfleet magic!" Yelled a white unicorn stallion with wings sprouted from his armor as he charged into the room.

"LIghting," Starla whimpered through a sob of happiness.

Dark Conquest shrugged and growled at the incoming sight. "Oh, I know where this is going! Lighting will see his bride being raped viciously by the main villian. Heroically he'll try his attack and stop me," and with that, he waved his hand. "The problem is, I am the director, producer, writer, and founder of this porno. Lighting old bean, you..." Dark magic enveloped around Lighting and bound him to the wall, tightening against his throat. "Are not a knight in shining armor."

"Staaa-hrruughkkk!" The yellow unicorn was unable to speak as the chains pinned him by the throat.

For a few minuets, Dark Conquest rested on top of his victim. With a small chuckle, he rolled off of the white unicorn, but not before punching her hard in the stomach and teleporting her away.

Putting his pants back on, he walked to Lighting and tucked his chin. "When you wake tomorrow, tell Grand Moron that this world has seen one of its last sun rises and soon, there will be nothing." Without a single ounce of remorse, hesitation, or stitch of cautiousness, Lighting was slammed against the wall and became unconscious as a result.

Having his fill of fun, Dark Conquest then left the house.

[u][center]-[/center][/u]

That night at a humble little cottage, a buttery yellow pegasus sat down with her best friend. "Thanks for coming to visit me while Rymey is with his sister."

"Hey, no prob Flutters," Dash smiled as she took a quick drink of her cider. "Damn fast metabolism, I'm not feeling anything from this."

"No, really, thank you so much," Fluttershy smiled softly. "I haven't had much of a chance to see the girls lately. I kind of miss you."

"Us too, Flutters," Dash said, looking into her friend's blue eyes. "So, how is the married life? Cause the idea scares the shit out of me."

"Oh, um...its great, really," Fluttershy said.

Rainbow Dash looked at her oldest friend with a concerned stare, noticing an all too familiar vibe in Fluttershy's blue eyes. "Really, Fluttershy?" Really?"

One look into Rainbow Dash's magenta eyes quickly reminded her that she could not hide anything from her best friend. Eyes watering she pushed her head into her friend's shoulder and began to whimper. "No, it isn't! It's been horrible," the yellow girl racked a sob. "He keeps me here like I'm some sort of fragile doll that has to be protected. He barely lets me out anymore or to see any of you!"

"But Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said, draping her arms around the shoulders of her friend. Slowly, she began to run her hands along Fluttershy's back and to the edges of her wings. "You did say you were weak and helpless..."

"Yes," the pink haired woman said, whimpering. "But I want him to remember that's there more to me! Like what you girls do. He-he acts like I can't do anything for myself, he won't let me even tend to my animals! I love going to my animals and taking care of them, but I haven't done it in weeks!"

"Oh, Fluttershy," Dash said, pulling her closer and holding her friend tight.

Fluttershy, in response, wrapped her arms around her best friend and cried a little more into Dash's shoulder. "He wasn't like this before we got married. I-I-I actually thought he loved me, that he loved me for me. Then when we got married...he started to treat me like I would break if he breathed wrong on me! I feel like he doesn't love me, just sees me as a trophy to show off because I'm pretty." She then looked to Rainbow Dash with fragile eyes. "I'm not just a trophy!"

"Of course you're not," Dash said, holding Fluttershy's head in her hands. "Flutters, you are stronger than anyone gives you credit for! I've seen you do awesome things; The dragon, Discord, that hurricane. When you put your heart into it, you are the second most awesome pony out there!"

"Second?" Fluttershy asked.

"Next to me," Dash grinned stupidly as she let her friend rest her head on her shoulder. "Hey, how about we watch the fire together and then head to bed. Maybe tomorrow I could help you with the animals?"

"But, you and my animals don't always get-"

"Hey, we all have the week off, and I want to spend all of it with my friends. I don't care what it is! I'll be there, even if I have to go through some...horrible things. Like shopping for fabrics with Rarity." She shivered at the thought.

Fluttershy giggled and replied, "Going to the spa and looking nice for Rarity? Oh, I'm sorry was that-"

Dash immediately turned to rub her nose against Fluttershy's and giggled back. "Even that." With another laugh, Dash sat back onto the couch and let her friend rest up against her. Gently, the cyan girl took Fluttershy's hand and put it onto her lap and began to run her fingers through Fluttershy's hair lovingly.

As time wore on, Rainbow Dash began to notice her friend falling asleep, "Want to move to your bed?"

"Nu-uh," Fluttershy said, fighting a small yawn.

Rainbow Dash smiled softly and let out a sigh of content. "Fluttershy, Rhymey doesn't deserve somepony like you. You need somepony who will understand what a great and strong mare you are, what a powerful heart you have. You need somepony like...me."

Rainbow Dash gulped. "Fluttershy, I know you are with Rymey and I won't do anything to ruin that, but I-...I-..." And now that Rainbow got to spend time with her longtime friend after such a brutal wait, her words became stuck in her throat.

Until, of course, she blurted out, "I want to be that mare."

She waited patiently, stoically for a response.

Still waited.

Waiting...

Waiting...

Fluttershy snored.

Rainbow Dash giggled and stroked Fluttershy's mane. "I...Another time, I guess." She said, defeated by exhaustion. "Good night, Flutters."

Added from my fimfic account, because I want more to see my little mykan tribute.