The Villains I've seen in MLP have hardly done ANY of that at all... which is why I deem them pathetic, and weak, especially considering they only last two eps anyway.

Rainbow Dash found herself on a grassy plane, dressed in her Wonderbolts dress uniform. Looking across from her, was Fluttershy,dressed in a long, flowing wedding gown. There was a smile growing across her face as her marefriend glided across the ground and held out her hand, ready to touch hers.

Just as their hands began to touch, the ground shook and cracked beneath them, causing a large crack to form between them and separate them. Rainbow Dash gasped as she reached out for Fluttershy, trying to fly, but she looked around in horror as she found weights holding down her wings. Looking back to Fluttershy, she shook her head as she was forced to watch as Dark Conquest step behind Fluttershy, and then stabbed her through the chest, holding her still beating heart in hand, "Fluttershy!"

"Failed again, did we?" whispered Rarity's voice. When Rainbow Dash turned around, she saw Rarity crucified against a rock cross. Her breasts were cut open, revealing the fatty tissue and milk glands within. Stomach was sliced opened in such a way that her intestines were slowly falling out of her and onto the ground, "Look at the failure, can't even save a mother from dying. She will fail, like always."

Pinkie's decapitated head rolled along the ground, half of her face flayed open and bearing her skull. With a low, haunting whisper, she said, "Always fail."

Applejack laughed behind Rainbow Dash, cackling with a voice that came from Tartarus itself. Rainbow Dash looked and gasped when she saw Applejack chained to the ground with her own veins, "You really think your speed means a damn in the real world? Honey," the farm mare said, raising her head to show that her eyeball was hanging loose from it's socket, "It doesn't. Saving us all? Protecting us? It's impossible. You will fail, fail, and fail!"

"No," Rainbow dash whispered, backing away in fear as she began to tremble, "No, I won't fail. I won't!"

"Yes, you will," whispered a voice as she shambled closer. When Rainbow Dash turned around, she saw Twilight walking closer, her wounds still bleeding from the battle, "Just like you failed me!"

Rainbow Dash shot up with a gasp of horror. Looking around, she found herself still on the couch she had fallen asleep on. Next to her, head on her lap and snoring softly, was Fluttershy. She smiled warmly as she looked at the sleeping figure next to her and brushed the lock of hair away from Fluttershy's forehead, leaned in, and kissed the yellow head softly.

Getting up, she laid Fluttershy's head down on the soft couch cushion gently. After laying down the magna that she was reading to her, Dash then tucked Fluttershy with a blanket and made way to the door. Looking to her left, she saw Angel frowning at her, "Just stepping out for a bit. I'll be back, Mr. Grumpy."

Angel crossed his paws over his chest, and nodded. Signaling to Dash that she better return. This elicited an eyeroll from Rainbow Dash before she took off from the cottage and onto a nearby cloud. Resting her legs over the edge of the cloud, Rainbow began to speak as she played with a tuff of cloud, "Hey Twilight. It's me...Rainbow Dash. I know I don't talk to you alone much. Guess, I just don't feel like talking to the dead unless I'm with a group you know. I just felt more comfortable because then I can think of something to say. But, right now..." she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. Looking back up, she said, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry for leaving you alone to die at the hands of that monster," Rainbow Dash said, balling her hands into fists and grabbing the tuffs of cloud. Ripping up the little cloud she yelled, "I should've been there, I should've been with you, and you... should be alive. But you aren't, because I was stupid enough to follow his orders instead of doing what I do best and run right in half cocked."

"So, I guess you are probably wondering why I am having this little talk right now," Dash said, "It's just that, everything is doing so well you know. We have Grand Ruler on the ropes, Conquest is next, my dreams are in my grasp, and I'm with Fluttershy. It's just so good that I am, a little nervous that it's all going to come crashing over my head."

Getting up, Rainbow Dash walked around in a little circle on her cloud, "Now, I know what you would say. If I'm nervous, why not talk to the others and clear your head. Then I would roll my eyes and snark at you."

Using her speed, she created a speed mirage of herself, now with Twilight's mane, "Yes, you should. It's best to talk it out and work through your problems rather than keeping it building up inside. Remember the Best Young Fliers competition?"

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said to herself, "I was awesome!"

"You are missing the point," Twi-Dash said, tapping her foot, "You are having severe emotional issues and you need to talk it out with us. We are your friends, you should know we are here for you, always."

Dash sighed, "Yeah, I guess you're right. So I will, thanks egghead." she then chuckled as she looked at her after image, "Heh, guess that's the way it works with us. The athlete and the egghead, one to keep the other in check. You and Fluttershy, always know how to keep my hooves grounded. I suppose I never thank you enough for that." Looking up, she frowned as the image of her friend disappeared, "Thanks, Twily."

Extending her arms to the sides, she stood up straight, leaned back, and began to free fall off the cloud. After free falling for a few moments, she pulled up from the ground, did a corkscrew, and touched the water with her hand. After making a wave, she landed on the ground of the cottage and walked in. Looking to the sleeping form of her marefriend, Dash smiled warmly, snuggled into the couch with her, and placed the pegasus's head on her shoulder. Then she lightly kissed Fluttershy's forehead and smiled, "I'll protect you, Flutters."

"So will I," whispered Fluttershy as she fell asleep, snuggling up.

---

As the sun rose over New Canterlot, the morning calm was broken with the sounds loud cheering and celebration. At the air force compound of the Knights of the Wind, there was a huge party being held, "You know," Dash said to the crowd, apple cider in hand, "When I saw these two together, I knew they would be together. Although, knowing Gilda like I did, I thought she would have him for dinner sooner or later."

"Ha! Very funny Dashie!" laughed Gilda as she looked to her fiance, "Can you believe that, Ace? thinking I would eat ya."

"Well, sometimes at night," blushed Ace Ray, making Gilda turn her head away and blush as well.

"Well, I think I am embracing the newly engaged couple too much," laughed Rainbow Dash as she held up her drink, "Here is to having a wonderful bash come the big day. Congratulations on your engagement you two!"

As the cheers died down, Spitfire landed next to Dash, panting while her face looked a little green, "S-s-sorry I'm late, Commander."

"Yeah," Soarin said, rubbing the back of his head, "Spitfire was a little sick this morning and I had to hold her head."

Rainbow Dash looked at little shocked at this as she began to remember, "Hey, uh Spitfire, as your commanding officer, I am ordering you to head to medical for a check up. Ask for a pregnancy test."

"What?" asked Spitfire.

Dash smirked as she flew off, "Trust me, and congratulations!"

"What do you think she meant by that?" asked Soarin as he watched the captain fly away.

As Rainbow Dash flew through the air, her mind began to think back to just a few weeks ago, when her and her friends were discussing the Dark King.

"To think, Dark King was Shining Armor, and Bad Horse was-" Applejack began only to be interrupted by Rarity.

"Soarin," Rarity sighed, before looking in the direction of Spike and Clarity. "I can't imagine what it would be like, to watch helplessly as your love is taken away. The feeling must have been horrible."

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes as she took the thought to heart, the nightmare still burning in her mind. Looking forward, she flew straight into Ponyville, and after a few quick turns, landed in front of Carousel Boutique with a small flip. With a quick step, she slid into the shop, "Anypony here?"

There was a high pitched growling coming from a small crib. This made Dash chuckle as she walked over to the newborn, "Hey Clarity, how is my favorite little kirin." In response, the little newborn began to wave her claws around and trying to attack her. In response, Dash held up two fingers and began to lightly tap her goddaughter's paws, "So, want to be a fighter?! Ha, there isn't a mare alive that can beat Rainbow Miriam Dash!"

"Training my daughter to be a fighter when she is only a few weeks old are we?" Rarity asked, stepping out from her creation room, tape measure hanging around her neck. Pushing up her glasses she said, "or are you just trying to corrupt her with your tall tales with high adventure?"

Rainbow Dash frowned and turned away from the Kirin, "Hey, she's my goddaughter, I can corrupt her any way I please!"

"Sure, if I let you," Rarity said, walking over to Clarity and began to play with her, "So, what brings you here this early. Surely it isn't just to see my little gem."

Dash put her hand behind her head and said, "I wanted to talk to you about, my fears."

"You mean your claustrophobia, or what you really fear?" Rarity asked. When Rainbow Dash looked at her curiously, she continued, "Oh, don't look surprised my dear. It doesn't take a genius to realize that your claustrophobia is another form of your fear of not being here for us. Am I right?"

"What are you, a mind reader?" Rainbow Dash smirked as she leaned against a wall with her arms folded.

Rarity chuckled at this, "I am a dressmaker, my dear. It is my job to read emotions and into ponies in order to find out what they need the most. It helps me out a lot in my line of work and I can tell right away that your fear isn't being enclosed places, but being unable to reach us in time to save us."

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash sighed and looked away, "You're right. And that is what I wanted to talk to you about. I've been having, nightmares lately. They usually revolve around me and Fluttershy getting married, then I watch as she is taken away from me. Before I can fly to her and save her, my wings get trapped and I watch her die horribly! And I can't do anything about it!"

"My word," Rarity said, a finger to her lips, "How often has this nightmare been happening?"

"Well, it used to be simple. I was alone and standing still while everypony began to drift away from me, but ever since Applejack told me about the fight with Twilight," Dash shuddered, "The nightmare got worse and I've been waking up in a cold sweat."

"I see, and what do you think about this," Rarity asked, taking Clarity from her crib.

Rainbow Dash sighed and shook her head, "I don't know, a part of me think it's stupid. I mean, I'm Rainbow Dash, best pegasus around. I shouldn't be letting a little thing like a nightmare be getting to me, but, I am. And it's ticking me off!"

"Dear," Rarity said in a comforting tone, "It's ok to be nervous, especially when it comes to things like this. We all get nervous about the things we can't control, it's the way things are."

"Do you?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Rarity sighed as she looked to the babe in her arms, "Yes. While things have gotten easier since the Neighpon battle, I still worry that some of the Unicornicopians will fear her or even hate her when she gets out of my house and into the real world. But, that is just something that I will have to deal with when it comes. I just need to be prepared and handle it."

Rainbow Dash looked down and rubbed her arm, sighing and frowning, "But what if tomorrow is that one time I fail to live up to my skills. What if tomorrow, I am one second too slow, or one second too late and I lose someone close to me again?"

Rarity rubbed her friend's arm, along with Clarity who mimicked her movements, "You won't, dear. I know you for years, and I know what you will do. You will see this little fear of yours and conquer it. It will be just another hurdle for you to surpass and I will be looking forward to when you do. Just remember, we all trust that you will be here for us, no matter what."

"Thanks Rares," Rainbow Dash said, giving Rarity a hug and then Clarity one as well, "I'm heading to Sugar Cube Corner, see you later. And you," she added, booping Clarity's nose, "Keep annoying your mother."

"She's not annoying!" Rarity said as she cradled the cooing cub, "Are you? No, you are mommy's little alarm clock. Yes you are."

---

It took Rainbow Dash only a few short minutes to walk her way to the Corner. Once inside, she could hear a loud cheer from within, "Wha-"

"Behold, the masterpiece of Clan Bristles!" shouted Artie as he looked at a mural that circled the top of the corner. Each picture, done in gel, was an image of the history of the family that had lived in the house. "It took a few days, but it was worth it."

Happily, Pinkie squealed and wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck and nuzzled him, "Wow, it looks fantastic! You are getting so good with your telekinesis!"

"Thanks," Artie said, a little blush creeping onto his face, "Belle has been a big help to me so far. Do you really think it looks good?"

"It looks fine," grumbled Rainbow dash from behind the counter. "But, can I get some service or am I going to watch you two finally make out?"

This made the two blush and pull away from each other. Smiling happily, Pinkie Pie bounced over to the coffee machine and asked, "Let me guess, you want a Lightning Bomb Express, an Applejack Muffin, and a shoulder to lean on?"

As Rainbow Dash watched Pinkie make the warm beverage and pull out the apple covered delight from the tray, she asked with a surprised look, "How did you know?"

"Pinkie sense, magic, and," Pinkie leaned over and pressed her finger to her friend's nose, "I know from experience what my friends need."

"Thanks," Dash said, wiping down her nose before putting down the bits, "Where did you get that coffee machine anyway?"

Pinkie Pie pronked alongside her friend towards the tables, "Oh, when Rhymey was arrested, the government had to seize and sell off a lot of his stuff to support the war effort. Mr. Cake saw the espresso machine at the auction and bought it right from them. So, now we make coffee as well as serve yummy treats!"

"Oh,' Rainbow Dash said as he sat down at the table, Pinkie sitting across the table from her.

Pinkie put her chin into her hands and smiled widely, "So, what's up?"

"I was wondering," Dash asked, running a circle around her cup as she looked up at Pinkie, "Think you could teach me that whole entire 'no fear' thing ya did back in Manehattan? I was thinking of maybe it can help me conquer my little claustrophobia."

"Oh Dashie," Pinkie Pie said, shaking her head at the idea, "That kind of trick comes from practice and years of skill. Unless, this isn't just about your little fear."

Rainbow Dash groaned, "Ugh, what is with you and Rarity!? Do I wear my emotions on my sleeve that well?"

Pinkie Pie nodded, and responded with a giggle"Yep! And besides, you can't really hide anything from me. I know everything." she said with a trill and a wave of her arms to show she was kidding.

This made Dash chuckle a little to herself as she took another sip of her coffee, letting the warm liquid hit the back of her throat, "It's just that, ever since Applejack told us about Twilight's death, I'm just so...scared you know. What if I'm not as good as I think I am, what if I am not fast enough or skilled enough. I'm the Element of Loyalty, that means I should be there for everypony and save everypony."

" Dashie," Pinkie Pie said, taking her friend's hand and patting it, her blue eyes showing a comforting look, "Blocking out your fear isn't the answer at all. What you need to do is use it as a weapon! Make it something that tells you, 'Nope, not today, not gonna lose anymore friends. No way!" You need to make it so that you can use your fear to help us all."

"Like you did with your fear?" Rainbow Dash asked. "I mean, I think we all wish we were there that day, right?"

"Yeah," Pinkie sighed, "Make her smile, or tell her it was going to be ok. Or even just say goodbye."

"Instead I hung back, like an idiot!" Dash grumbled, "I still can't wait for us to finally wrap our fingers around Grand Ruler's neck for making us act like morons."

"I think we all do," Artie said, putting his forearms on Pinkie's shoulders, "We just got to wait for the Umbra Circle and whatever Lightning is planning on doing to happen." He then looked down at Pinkie "Ready to go?"

"Go?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Where?"

"Oh, Artie is taking me to see his parents," Pinkie Pie said, standing up. "He kind of wants to clear the air between them and settle things. Where are you going now?"

Rainbow Dash smirked as she got up, "Think I'll check up on Belle and see how she's handling things."

---

"Isn't this great?" Belle asked excitedly, sliding from her bookshelf down to Rainbow Dash, "We are soon going to restore Equestria back to the way it should be!"

"I know right, and I hate to brag but it is mostly thanks to me," Dash said, dusting her knuckles. Then she smiled a little, "Ok, it was also thanks to you Belle. A lot of it!"

"Speaking of which," Belle said with a smile as she slid down from her ladder. With a bright smile she said, "Thank you, for everything."

"Thank me, for what?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking at her curiously.

Belle lightly patted down on her skirt, "For, being the first one to tell me that I'm not just a replacement Twilight. It really helped a lot, because you made me feel like a real pony. Because of you, and our friends, I felt like I became my own pony."

"Hey, it's what we do," Rainbow Dash smiled warmly and shrugged. "As far as I was concerned, you are you and that's all I needed."

"Thanks," Belle smiled, "And I can't wait to explore more when we are done."

Rainbow Dash smirked at this, "Got that much confidence us, huh?"

"You five took down a living god," smiled Belle, "You are about to do so much more together... saving my life is probably no small feat for the five of you."

"Yeah, I guess you are right," Dash smirked as she felt herself hugged by Belle and she returned it.

---

Applejack let out a deep breath that she had been holding as she moved one last log onto the pile. Looking at the series of large trees that she had been clearing, she began to spin kick each one off the pile and made it roll down the hill and onto a cart. Taking off her hat, she wiped the sweat from her brow and began to relax.

For a few brief moments, she began to sway back and forth, almost causing her to fall over. Quickly recovering her sense of balance, she looked up to the sound of flapping overhead, "Rainbow Dash, what are ya doing here? Looking for a place to nap?"

"Nah," Rainbow Dash said, landing next to Applejack, "I was kind of hoping that maybe you and I can have a little bit of a spar."

"A tussle, between me and you?" Applejack asked, a little bit of excitement in her voice.

"Well, yeah," Rainbow Dash said, "I mean, in all of our competitions, our attempts to one up each other, and all of that, we never really had a chance to have an all out brawl. I mean, the last time was when you were evil but everyone kicked me out of that."

"Because they knew that you would lose," Applejack smirked at this.

Rainbow Dash chuckled and laughed at this, "Please, earth girl, I have the high ground and the speed. What do y'all have," she asked, mocking Applejack's voice.

Calmly, Applejack flexed her bicep and then began to make a circle around them both, "Ok, you want a tussle? You'll get a tussle. Been meaning to take you out for a while."

"Hey, I have a girlfriend," Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "The only 'taking out' will be you to the cleaners."

"Un huh, sure, Dashie," Applejack teased as she got into a fighting stance, her hands in front of her face with her leg forward.

Rainbow Dash began to bounce around a little on her feet, thumbing her nose, "So, you going to ring a bell?"

"Ding, ding,"Applejack said with a grin. Rainbow Dash nodded in response and flew straight at Applejack, ascending quickly into the air to deliver an airborne bicycle kick at her. Not missing a beat, Applejack began to block each kick that was sent her way with a forearm.

Quickly breaking from her rapid fire kicks, Dash flew in a quarter circle to deliver a roundhouse to Applejack's side, "Face it, earth girl. I have the superiority here in the air. You ain't got no chance!"

"Don't make," Applejack said, crossing her arms to catch Rainbow's leg in a lock. Then she twisted her arms to spin Rainbow Dash horizontally in the air in place, "Assumptions, Sky Gal!" with a smirk, she pulled back her arm and slammed a cross right into Dash's stomach, sending her flying through the air and rolling onto the ground.

Getting up to a crouching position, she saw Applejack walking slowly towards her. Thinking fast, she went for a sweep to trip her earth pony opponent up. This made Applejack step back, leaving her open for Dash to send a gut punch into Applejack's mid-section. As Dash got back up, she delivered an uppercut into the chin and followed it up with a rapid volley of five punches.

Getting the time to recover, Applejack moved to the side to dodge Dash's side-kick and then began to block her next series of punches with her forearms and open palms. Not letting up for a moment, Rainbow Dash spun around and delivered three roundhouse snap kicks at Applejack.

In a flash, Applejack intercepted them by rising her knee and arm to block them and then swatted away Dash's spinning back kick. When Rainbow Dash took to the air to strike down with four jabs, Applejack moved her head side to side to dodge. Making sure to not leave herself open to another grab, Dash flew with a straight kick into AJ's gut and then landed to sweep her off her feet.

Applejack looked at her airborn opponent and took her down with a buck into the chest. When Dash got up, her rising uppercut was blocked by Applejack's knee. A smile crossed her lips as she sent a straight punch at Applejack, which the farmer blocked easily by lifting her forearm and holding the fist in the air, "Ok, out with it, what's this really about?"

Dash looked at Applejack curiously, "What do ya mean?"

"You don't usually ask me to spar with ya and you don't make these many mistake when tussling with a pony. So, what's on your mind?" Applejack asked, breaking the lock and doing a spinning back Dash.

Using her own leg to block the kick, she stepped in with three quick jabs. Applejack blocked the three punches with her hand and then delivered a roundhouse. Dash blocked the kick with one of her own and then frowned, "I'm scared."

"Scared?" Applejack asked, looking at Dash worriedly, "Of what?"

Dash broke the lock with her leg and then stepped in with a side kick, which Applejack blocked with her knee, "Ever since you told me about Twilight, I've been scared. It's just been worse since then, I've had nightmares where I can't save you guys because something holds me back." Frowning, she looked down and barely flew out of the way of Applejack's next attack. "I mean, we're at the final lap, AJ. We're about to overthrow GR, beat Conquest, and save all of Equestria."

Applejack shrugged, getting hit in the face by Rainbow Dash, "Yeah, so?"

"This is the perfect time for Conquest to come in and kill someone we care about just because he can! What's stopping him from breaking in, getting his claws around Fluttershy's neck and-" Swiping the roundhouse back, she then blocked Applejack's hook with her forearm and sighed, "Ending it."

Applejack frowned, "And that's what's eating at you?"

"I've got everything now, AJ. My girl, my job, and the best friends ever," Dash gave out a small shudder and shook her head, "I don't want to lose it all because I'm not good enough, not fast enough, or worthy enough. I know you will tell me that you believe in me, but it's-"

"You've been talking to the others, haven't ya?" Applejack asked, breaking the lock and doing a snap kick before doing a crescent kick, which was blocked by Rainbow, "Ah ain't gonna tell you that. It is scary and you have every right to be afraid."

"Then what should I do to get rid of it?" Dash asked, holding the kick in place. "Pinkie says I should use it to fuel me, but I don't know how!"

Applejack smiled warmly, "That's something ya going to figure out yourself. But, let me tell ya something," she said, back the kick and then did a back fist followed by another, before following it up with an uppercut, "Do you know why we work well together?"

"Because we're best friends?" Rainbow Dash asked, dodging Applejack next series of punches.

"Well, there's that, but there's a little more," Applejack said, grabbing one of Dash's punches and looked into her magenta eyes. Smirking, she began to lift up one finger after the other as she counted each of their friends, "Pinkie Pie keeps us smiling and looking ahead to the future, Rarity keeps us looking at our true selves, Fluttershy reminds us to be kind, and then there's me and you."

"What about us?" Dash asked.

"Ah'm the mountain and you're the wind," Applejack said, much to Rainbow's confusion. "Ah'm sturdy and strong, keeping everything back while you rush forward, dashing in without thinking."

"Yeah, which is what I should've done when Raven attacked!" Rainbow Dash growled as she began to deliver a series of hard blows at Applejack, her rage evident. With each blow, she punctuated with a growl, "I should've been there with her, fought with her. DID SOMETHING!"

Applejack blocked each blow, looking at Dash with understanding and compassion, "And what would ya have done then?"

"I don't know," Rainbow Dash said, finding her and Applejack engaged in a hand lock, "Kick her from behind, punch her in the vag, SOMETHING! The important thing is, she should've died with one of us by her side and not some stranger," she said, tears in her eyes.

Applejack sighed and then nodded, "AH know. Grand Ruler, he and Rhymey messed with both of us, making us think that staying behind was a good idea, having us act different, making us dumber.. But, that's my point," Applejack said, headbutting Dash and then doing a sidekick that sent her flying back.

Slowly, Applejack stood up and dusted herself panting, "You and Ah, we support each other. Ah keep ya'll grounded by thinking with common sense and being prepared. You just rush in like your tail is on fire, and that is dangerous..."

"For who?" Dash asked, standing up and dusting herself off.

"The bad guys," Applejack said, chuckling, "Because that makes you unpredictable, hard headed, and just too tough to quit. And you know what that tells me. The real Rainbow Dash would be told that she couldn't do something, then she would try to do it just to prove she can. And then Ah have to be there to pull ya out by your tail when you fail."

"So you're saying..." Rainbow Dash asked smirking.

"That Ah am too stubborn to quit," Applejack smirked, breathing slowly, feeling her body begin to glow, "You just don't know the meaning the word. Which means, no matter what happens, you won't let anything happen to us. Ah should know, because Ah don't trust anypony else."

Rainbow Dash smirked, Lightning flowing from her eyes as she could feel the power of the speed force flowing through her, "Thanks... though, I'm still kicking you ass now."

As she watched Rainbow Dash charge at her, Applejack raced forward with arm drawn back ready for a punch, "You can try!" she shouted, slamming her fist into a collision with Rainbow's. The striking of their two fists together created a powerful explosion of energy that left a crater beneath them and below the two of them back.

Being the first one to get up, Dash shook her head and asked, "What was that?!"

"Harmon, an ancient earth pony power," Applejack said, "Ah used it against Titan, but Ah've haven't really managed to control it. What about you?"

"Speed force," Rainbow Dash said, walking over to Applejack to offer a hand, "It's something I've been trying to unlock for a while now."

"So, we've both been working on some tricks, huh?" Applejack asked with a chuckle as she took her friend's hand and stood up. "So, did that help."

Rainbow Dash let out a sigh and then smiled up at Applejack, "Yeah, it did a lot actually. I'm going to head home... thanks for the spar." and with that, she flew off.

---

Little did the Knights of Harmony know, at that moment, a new stage in their battle was about to begin. Deep within the recesses of Conquest's headquarters, Emil Kudos' lab sat in the darkness. Lights buzzed with electricity and hummed with power as the newly painted walls hid the blood stains from the previous test subjects. At the end of the room, laid Kudos' testing area, and inside the room, an Unicornicopian began to wake up to the sound of screaming, "Uh, what-" the green space alicorn gasped as he looked at the surroundings, "Where am i-OH MY GODS!" he screamed as he saw the sight of the space alicorn next to him.

Another alicorn was strapped to the bed, his chest cut open to reveal the lack of ribs. The sternum had obvious signs of the ribs having been pulled out by pliers, and his heart and lungs were being kept in jars. The two organs were being forced to work by machines, as if they were trying to keep him alive. The green alicorn shook in utter horror as his friend looked at him with wide, sunken eyes, "Brave Soul... heeeeelp me."

"Oh... my god, what," Brave whispered, seeing the grotusque show before him, "What happened to you."

"Oh look, your screaming woke up Subject Four," Kudos said, slapping the mare before him. Her head just hung loosely as he slapped her.

Brave looked around him, seeing another female with her coat sheared off by fire while her limbs hung in chains around her, "Who, what-"

"Please halt the questions," Kudos said, taking off his gloves and throwing them away. "It grows tiring answering the questions of inferior races after a while." He added while picking a jelly bean from a cup and eat it by throwing it into the air and catching with his teeth.

"Please, whatever you are thinking of doing to me, don't," trembled Brave. "You have a heart right? Just like me?"

"Yes, it beats at thirty-six beats per minute, sending blood along the veins and arteries just like a normal pony," he waved his hand, "Though, interestingly enough, Unicorns beat a little slower while Pegasi beat faster."

"No, I mean you have mercy, compassion, anything!" screamed Brave, his id code once read GT4S.

Kudos shook his head, washing his hands before putting on gloves and a mask, "Morals are useless in a lab." Kudos said, picking up a scalpel, "Always hold you back by telling you if something is right or wrong. I prefer to think in terms of objective studies instead of things you cannot measure."

Brave shook his head, whimpering, "P-P-Please, don't come any closer. D-d-don't-"

Ignoring the pleas, Kudos pushed the table so the alicorn laid on his belly with his back exposed to the air, "Now, the average time for an average earth pony to stay conscious through the procedure is five minutes."

"S-Shouldn't you use anesthetic?" whimpered Brave.

"Now," Kudos said, putting the scalpel to the bottom of the back, near the kidney, "How can I test pain tolerance if I put you to sleep?"

Brave shook his head, pleading, "No, Wa-A"

Conquest smiled as he heard the screaming of Brave from his office. Leaning back, he began to bop his head up and down with a toothy grin. He sighed as he looked to the door, "Ah... sweet music, that's what I hear when you appear!"

Looking to his left, he saw dolls made of flesh that were crafted to look like Starfleet and the Elements of Harmony. Starla's doll had a hole in her heart, Dyno was covered in ashes, Buddy was broken in half, and Artie was without hands. Smiling, he looked at the Elements of Harmony dolls, and chuckled, "Don't worry you six, I am going to remind you soon."

Down in the lab, Brave weakly opened his eyes, panting as he heard the sounds of walking, "four point five minutes before fainting. Typical of your species, but I have seen earth ponies take this procedure for ten minutes before fainting. Yet another reason why we are the superior breed."

"Wha-Wha-" Brave shivered as he looked at a jar in front of him, where two little red triangle pieces of meat laid, "What's that?"

Kudos smiled, "Adrenal glands. And I must say they were just what I needed to solve the greatest mystery of your race." he said, sitting on a table and pushing up his glasses.

"W-w-what mystery?" moaned Brave.

"Why, your inner magic of course," chuckled Kudos as he cleaned his glasses, "Every species in our universe has their own particular brand of inner magic. Sometimes it is like the Elks and their psychic abilities, Pegasi and their power over air, or Unicorns with their abilities to bend the mana of the world to their will through emotion and thought. Of course, we Earth Ponies have the best power in our strength and endurance. This left me to ponder you."

Brave shook his head, "Our magic comes from Grand Ruler and his blood."

"Blood like that would become diluted over time and inbreeding," Kudo said calmly, "There has to be something more. Have you ever wondered why you say that you are super strong, fast, and durable but never really show it unless it was time to prove your superiority or facing an opponent?"

Brave took a shuddering breath before he continued, "B-b-because, we have trained our bodies so hard and we face super powerful opponents. That's why."

"Wrong," Kudos said, "Your training is worthless. Look," he pressed a button on his gauntlet to show a video of an earth pony pushing a tree and an Unicornicopian doing the same. "Note the similarity."

"B-B-B-But we're different, we-"

"Do nothing but brag about your power when it is actually just your unique magic," Kudos interrupted and smiled, "I looked at your adrenal gland and I discovered a powerful magical signature. After some tests I realized that your magic is responsive."

"Responsive?" asked Brave.

Kudos nodded, "When you need to be super strong, the magic kicks in and you have the strength of the earth, speed and the magic gives it to you, and when you are in trouble gives you the endurance. It activates for about thirty minutes or so and then deactivates. It takes about twelve hours for it to recharge and..." Kudos chuckled, "Clever bastard, he knew it."

"Who?" asked Brave.

Kudos slipped off the table and began to walk around, "Conquest. He knew that your magic can only operate one trait at a time: Speed, strength, and , he picked forces that ended up challenging you on all three levels. If you tried to use speed, then the minotaurs would be outclassing you in strength and the boars would beat you in speed when strength was needed. His strategies are remarkable."

"He's a monster," moaned Brave.

"Monsters, killers, demons," Kudos smiled, "All just titles. The real demon, is time."

"Time?" whispered the alicorn.

Kudos smiled and nodded, "Yes, time. You see-"

"Will:Emil Kudos, Rhymey Asshole-

"Wordsmith!" shouted Rhymey.

"Whatever," chuckled Dark Conquest over the intercom. "And Raven Darkwing please report to my office, I need you."

"Well," Kudos chuckled, "I guess that will have to wait. Right now, I'm needed."

As Kudos walked to the door, Brave let out an anguished grunt, "W-w-wait, what happens to me?"

Kudo then held up his hand with four digits, "Four days. The last unicorn I kept here lasted four days before begging me to kill him. When he refused, he selfishly bit off his tongue. I wonder how long you will last."

Once he closed the door, there was no sign of emotion on Kudos' face as the screams and pleas came from the trapped Unicornicopian. Taking a jelly bean out from his pocket, he ate the little blue candy and walked down the halls. With each step, his ears were bombarded by the screams and moans of the slaves and his experiments that surrounded him.

Each soul begged for release or a return to the way of life that they once knew. There was a low chuckle from his throat as he muttered, "Amazing, even though he has lost his generals, slaves, and his top fighter, our strength shows no sign of faltering. Those, poor Starfleet members have no idea just how far reaching Dark Conquest's war against them have reached."

"What does he want," grumbled Rhymey as he walked through the halls, his eyes focused on the ground.

"Ah, Rhymey, I trust you find your stay to your liking," Kudos asked, chuckling a little as he walked with Rhymey.

Rhymey rolled his eyes, "Between Karaoke Fridays, Roleplay every two weeks, and the ball last night, I am half surprised that our army has been winning so many battles."

"Hmmm, doing things that seem childish and immature. Why does that sound familiar?" asked Kudos.

"My former master has the mind of a child and acts like one," Rhymey said dismissively, "He sets things up like this for his own fun and games, nothing more. I sadly had to play along as the shield for his army."

"Former? My, how quick you are to throw away allegiances," Kudos said.

"I do not care for any allegiance, all I care for is who can give me what I want the quickest," Rhymey said, "And Conquest just offers the best way. In that way, we are equal."

"Do not compare you to me, Rhymey," Kudos said walking through the stairs as they led up to the top floor.

"Why not?" Rhymey said, shrugging, "You believe in the superiority of your race and I know about my race's superiority."

"The problem is," Kudos said calmly, "I know my race is superior, yours can only be saved by luck and a deus ex machina."

Rhymey frowned at this and shook his head, "That luck was all Lightning, if it was me then I-"

"Would've been beaten easily, now can we move on?" growled Raven as she stood on the landing. With a grunt, she muttered, "Then we can get this meeting over with."

"What is with her?" Rhymey asked, frowning.

"She hates the idea of working with you," Kudos said calmly as he followed Raven through the door.

Conquest's office was large enough to encompass the entire top of the building, where several guards sat along in two rows on cushions that led to where the leader sat at his large desk with the figure in the cloak standing by his side. When his eyes caught sight of his three generals, he smiled as he pet the stuffed squirrel by his side, "Ah, hello boys, welcome to the finals."

"What is this about?" asked Kudos, looking to his companions and then back to Conquest, "Why have you summoned us?"

"Well, you see, it's like this," Conquest said, getting off his chair and walking over to his plushies, running his hand along the ones of the elements of harmony, "Since this war started, we have been utterly demolishing the wimps of Starfleet. Massacring them and taking out their top brass like they were nothing."

Rhymey rolled his eyes, "Do not remind me of those fools and their weakness."

"Why? Makes you think too much of yourself?" asked Raven with a smirk.

Before Rhymey could argue Conquest raised his hand, "Hey, if anyone is going to mock Sir Rhymes-a-Lot, it's going to be done outside and not while I'm monologuing!"

"Yes sir," said the duo, but still growling at one another.

"Now, as I was saying," Conquest reached up and took down the Lightning doll and crushed it, "I think it's going to surprise nobody here that we are all gonna kill Lightning next. He's the only one left and after that...there are then only the Elements of Harmony to play with."

"Yees, I was wondering about them," Kudos said, "In all our battles you seemed determined to leave them behind. I was wondering if you find them beneath our notice or considered them to be weaklings that will fall to you."

Conquest laughed, "Oh no, no, no. Please, as I told you before, I am not an idiot, and I have been planning for those five little mares."

"Six, you forget Belle," Rhymey said, his memories flashing back to the party for Fillydelphia.

"Please, she is nothing more than a throwaway character that is mean to make you feel something," Conquest laughed, "She will be useless in the final battle. You see, while the Unicornicopians have been getting their spirits shattered by the constant losses of their heroes, the Equestrians have been given something special thank to the Elements, something that Kudos brought to my attention not too long ago."

"What is it?" Raven asked, looking to Kudos.

Kudos nodded calmly, "Hope. One of those things that you insist is there when you are suffering depression."

"Yep, and the Unicornicopians are experiencing it now too," Conquest said with a sneer, his sharp teeth becoming fully exposed, "Perfect."

"Perfect?" Raven asked, shaking her head in confusion, "Why is it perfect? Won't that make them stronger and ready to fight?"

There was a throaty chuckle coming from Conquest's lips as he said, "Yes, it would. But, you are missing the big picture here. Now, the true heroes of the piece, the dark horses are beginning to shine. Now they are becoming content in thinking that this is in the bag. They have become confident in their heroism and friendship... won't it be funny if, when I strike, they all watch each other die?"

"You mean, you want to break them, now that they are at their peak," Kudos said, putting his finger to his chin, "If you do that, then-"

"Then the Equestrians will really hate me, now that their hope has been stolen at the last minute! The princesses will despise me, when I take away their swords and leave them with nothing left," Conquest began to chuckle which then broke into a full on laugh as he slashed the dolls of Starfleet with his claws, a manic look in his eyes, "Starfleet has fallen, now it's time to make the Elements realize that they are next!"

"And what does this have to do with us?" asked Raven, cocking her head to the side.

Conquest smiled calmly, "You three, get to be my emissaries. You will open the stage and remind those five... they're only mortal. And mortals die."

---

The next morning, Rainbow Dash was flying high in the sky, letting the wind billow through her wings and through her mane. Her breathing was slow and steady as she performed her loops and dives with expert timing, the exhilarating feeling making her feel alive as she flew. With Feburary ending and March rolling in, she could taste the approaching spring on her lips.

With each turn that she took in the air, she felt like she was in the arms of an old friend. The feeling of cold mixed with the warm air currents gave her a point of zen that she rarely gave herself. With one last loop, she flew through Rose's flower stand and left behind some bits for purchase. She smiled as she looked at the pink butterfly shaped petals, "She'll love these." Dash whispered to herself as she flew through the streets and towards Fluttershy's cottage.

As she neared it, she began to slow down as she saw that the door was open ajar. With a curious look, Dash landed on the ground and pushed it open slowly, her eyes looking back and forth with curiosity and worry. With each step she took, the creaking floorboards beneath her began to sound ominous. Hearing a set of footsteps up the stairs, she walked up them quickly.

Once she reached the confines of Fluttershy's room, she saw a figure standing over her and brushing his hand through her pink mane, "Beautiful, isn't she? But you would know all about that, wouldn't you... Dashie?"

When Dash saw the face, she growled, "Rhymey! So, you finally showed your pathetic face. You're coming with me assw-"

"I think not," chuckled Rhymey as he opened the window and raced outside.

Dash pulled back, a little impressed, "Whoa, where did he get that speed?" shaking her head, she followed quickly watching the path he took. After several minutes of following him, she saw a picture laying on the ground.

Landing near the photo, she picked it up and gasped at what she saw. A photo of a naked Fluttershy in the shower with blood red letters written on it that said, 'You can't protect her."

She shook her head, feeling a cold shiver roll along her spine.

---

Applejack pulled back from punching one of the larger trees, watching it fall over and clearing some of the farmland. Panting, she wiped the swept some of the sweat from her forehead. She winced a little, feeling a little pain in her left arm and holding it. Taking a deep breath, she recovered her strength and turned away, "Working a little extra hard for Winter Wrap Up are we? Admirable."

"Thanks," Applejack said, catching her breath, "Ah think Ah might have overdone it today though. Ah feel a little extra tired." Looking at the dark orange stallion with a weird look, she adjusted her hat a little and asked, "Who are you, pardner?"

"Oh, please forgive me," Kudos said, running his hand through his blonde hair and shaking his head. "I forgot that it would be easy enough to forget me since I was just a small footnote in your war against Dark King. All I did was to bring out your Valkyrie modes and raise a fake Tirek to fight you. Allow me to reintroduce myself," he bowed, "I am Positive Eugenic but you may know me by my alias, Emil Kudos." on his flank under his coat was his cutie mark, a very large tree with a large sheet of paper on it.

"Kudos!" Applejack gasped as memories began to flood her mind.

"Someplace where things go to disappear," Kudos said walking away into a portal.

"He chose to kill himself instead of-"

Applejack angrily interrupted Starla, "We're just going to let him die!? How could we?"

"That's his decision, we can't change it," Lightning said calmly.

Applejack growled, "That's not what good guys do! We don't let someone commit suicide like that! We're supposed to help someone! We're not supposed to let-" A glow from Rhymey's horn mixed with a small word play made her back off, "No, you're right...we can't change it. It's his decision."

Shaking her head, Applejack said, "But...you're dead."

"It didn't take," shrugged Kudos.

"Story of the hour. Is there anypony that Starfleet killed that actually stayed dead?" Applejack asked, arching an eyebrow.

"To be fair, the trio, Sombra, and Raven were actually dead before being brought back. Myself and Titan were never dead," Kudos said, eating a jelly bean and leaning against a tree. "Now, as for why I am here. I am mainly here to remind myself of my hatred of you."

"Hatred of me?" Applejack asked, a little taken aback.

Kudos nodded, "Born of Pear Butter and Bright Mac Apple, two of the most prodigious clans in Equestria. Two of the strongest Earth pony breeds in all of Equestria, you and your two siblings are bred to be some of the most perfect earth ponies in existence. And you squander that ability."

"Squander?!" Applejack asked, taken aback, "What do ya mean about that?"

With a frown, Kudos continued, "Yes, squander. You are an earth pony, possessing powerful strength and endurance plus you are an element. You should be lording that power over your 'friends' and yet you desire nothing more than to stand by them as equals."

"Ah am not superior than my friends," Applejack said, shaking her head, "Ah would be dead without them!"

"Oh no?" Kudos said, walking slowly in front of Applejack, "Think any of them would've survived without your strength? You said it yourself that you are a mountain compared to Dash's boldness. Rarity, Fluttershy, Belle? All of them have something that makes them weaker compared to you, that is why they needed a leader such as you. And yet, you don't take it."

"No one pony is above the rest," Applejack said calmly, "We all have to hold each other up and-" she was interrupted by Kudos holding up a hand with five digits extended.

" Five minutes," Kudo said, "That was the record I have seen an earth pony last under stress before their bones were broken. A pegasus has naturally hollow bones, so theirs is easier to break while an unicorn can be broken if you apply enough force."

"How did you know this?" Applejack asked, a feeling of horror coming to her face.

With a machine's coldness, he continued, "An earth pony filly is strong enough to move a large boulder off it's leg, while an unicorn will die screaming for help. The fear overrides the magic you see." Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a jelly bean and ate it, "In a nursery full of foals, if you were to gas them, it is usually the earth ones that survive the longest."

Applejack began to quickly change her look from horror to anger, "How...did...you...know?"

Kudos shrugged, "I studied at an hospital. It was quite easy to get test subjects there, granted though, somepony told on me and I was forced to hide. Tragedy that, and right when I was going to experiment on a pregnant mare."

"You monster," Applejack growled.

"Time is the monster," Kudos calmly said, eating another jelly bean. "It turns kind men into monsters, and heroes into villains. And it makes one forgotten, but not me. I will never be forgotten. Oh sure, many call me a monster now, but think... in a hundred years or more, ponies will look back on my work and deem it genius. Medical experiments will advance in years thanks to my tests and the world will remember who I am. Think the world will look down positively on you when this is all done?"

"We're freeing Equestria from a tyrant," Applejack growled.

"And removing it from the safety net of the army and taking away the peace that these Unicornicopians have about themselves," Kudos said, putting his finger to his chin. "I wonder, will history look down upon these days as a beginning of a utopia or the day when it all fell down thanks to a bunch of mares who couldn't get over the death of a worthless princess."

Applejack growled and took a few thunderous steps forward, "If you insult Twilight like that again-"

"Hold," Kudos held up his hand, "I am not done with my reasons for hating you. The other reason, is that you ruined my greatest experiment, one that would've put me down on the map."

"What, experiment?" Applejack asked.

Kudos then began to speak in a higher pitched tone of voice, "Excuse me, Buttercup and Bright Mac, would you so kindly come over here and give me some of your delicious pies? We are ever so hungry over here and we would love to see baby Applebloom. Could you come over please?"

Applejack opened her eyes in shock, shaking her head as she could feel the mix of rage and sadness coming over her, "That's the letter that Ma and Pa got."

"I had a question for myself when you were born," Kudo said, "What would happen if a twelve year old fill had lost everything? Her mother, father, brother, and sister all in one day. How would she survive and could she do better than an unicorn or pegasus. How would the world react if they saw her surpass her beginnings and become the most superior mare in the world."

"You-"

"That Manticore should've killed your baby sister and then the rest of your family, but you stepped in and ruined the whole experiment," Kudos frowned and squeezed his hand in rage, "By that time, I was already on the run and couldn't try again with a different set of variables. For that, I am sorry."

"You're sorry? You're sorry! You ruined MAH LIFE!" Applejack roared.

Kudos sighed, "Yes, and I am sorry that it didn't make you into the mare you should've become. I am sorry that the experiment failed and that you turned out weaker than you should be. That's life I suppose, one failed experiment after another."

Applejack growled and ran to him, pulling back her fist as she roared, "We ain't your experiments!"

A force field surrounded Kudos, blocking the fist and making Applejack wince in pain. He could only smile when he saw her panting with sweat beading down her face, "Life's an experiment, Abbigail. Perhaps I should prove it to you by recreating my previous experiment by taking away everything from a fourteen year old girl who has gotten her cutie mark not six months ago."

"Apple Bloom," Applejack gasped, and began to repeatedly punch the field.

"Or perhaps test that newborn kirin. I heard stories about their hides, might have to do something about the mother though," Kudos shook his head, pressing a few buttons on his forearm console to make a floating chair appear.

"You stay away from my family!" Applejack bellowed, panting as she could feel her heart began to race with each punch.

"Temper, Abbigail. You are the only thing keeping those vagabonds and worthless pieces of DNA safe," Kudos said, "But I've said my peace, and you are reaching your limit as I can see."

Applejack began to waver, panting from exhaustion as her punches began to become weak, "No, you...g...get back here and stop waving around."

"No, I think not. I only came here to deliver a message," Kudos said, tucking Applejack's chin and smiling cruelly, "You will never be strong enough to keep them safe." and with that he walked onto his chair and waved goodbye, "If you wake up... I'll see you again."

After he disappeared, Applejack fell to the ground with a loud thump. She could not hear the sound of beating wings or the sound of a sonic boom as a raspy voice called out, "Applejack? AJ?! Oh Celestia...no."

---

Artie looked at the large house, his body shaking as he reached up with his wrist and prepared to knock. Looking to his right, he saw Pinkie Pie who had a reassuring smile on her face. Narrowing his eyes, he could feel Pinkie's warmth helping to burden his resolve, and slowly he knocked on the door. When the massive doors began to open, out stepped an orange-yellow alicorn, "S-son?" asked Dune.

Artie looked down, "Father, I know we haven't gotten along in the past. And I know you see me as a disappointment, but I needed to do this. For all of the things we have said, and all of the anger that has been between us, I do not hate you. After everything I have been through, I realize that living with hatred is not the right way and I should try to make amends. I will always try to be a bett-"

Any words that were on his mouth were quickly drowned out as he was quickly hugged by his father, "My son... welcome home."

"Dune, what's going on-" Marigold gasped when she saw Artie standing in the doorway. Sniffling a little, Marigold smiled and said, "Why didn't you call?"

Artie shook his head in disbelief as he was led in by Pinkie, "Come on! The butler has cake." Pinkie giggled as she took him by the arm.

Still shocked, Artie followed his parents and Pinkie into the foyer and sat down. It took until the cake and tea was served that he finally regained his ability to talk, "Y-You're happy to see me, but I thought I was a disappointment to you!."

Marigold frowned and put down her drink, "I... was more disappointed in your choice of teammates, especially Rhymey. I have never really trusted him or his family all that much." she sighed as she took a drink of her tea, "But, I have always been proud of you, albeit a little scared."

"Scared?" Artie asked.

"I never liked the idea of fighting, never," Marigold said while looking down at her drink, frowning at her reflection. "Father was always the fighter and when he retired, I thought we could relax in luxury and never have to fight again. I lacked his warrior's edge, so I never had a will to fight or to do what he did. So, I figured there was no reason to fight. When we had you... I had hoped that maybe you would become more like me and avoid battle."

"I couldn't, not after Gramp's stories," Artie said shaking his head, "Ever since,I heard them I knew I had to be a hero."

"Maybe that's why he always seemed to fav you and saw me as... a disappointment," Marigold said, looking away.

"Mom, Gramps never thought you were a disappointment," Artie said, walking over to give his mother a hug.

"I felt like it sometimes with the way he always bragged about you to his friends while I was just 'the daughter," Marigold gave a little sniffle.

Dune took his place by his wife's side and hugged her, before looking to his son, "The truth is, Son, while we never wanted you to be a part of a soldier's life, we were always proud of you."

"You... were?" asked Artie.

Marigold smiled, taking Artie's hand and pulled him to his feet. With a warm smile she led Pinkie and Artie into a back room where she turned on the light, that quickly revealed itself to be full of newspaper clippings of the various battles of Artie and his team, "Wow!" Pinkie gasped, "This is all-"

"Our personal album," Dune said, smiling. "I know that these focused a lot on Lightning, but I have seen plenty that showed what great things you have done."

"Lightning, I am sorry that we pushed you away all of this time," Marigold said, looking down. "After we heard about what happened in Manehatten, we were so scared for you that we would never have the chance to-"

Artie cut her off, embracing her tightly. Tears streamed down his face as he whispered, "I forgive you mom. I love you."

"By the way," whispered Marigold, "That Pinkie Pie... I like her."

"Mom!"

---

"So, why are we visiting the rock farm?" asked Artie, looking back at Pinkie as the two began to walk around the barren rocky land to the small farm house next to the silo.

Pinkie smiled warmly to herself as she walked with her friend, "After seeing what you went through with your parents, it's kind of made me think about my own mom and pop. I don't think they know how grateful I am for them, for letting me... be me."

"Oh, I get it," Artie said, "You want to thank your parents at least once."

Pinkie nodded as she knocked on the door, revealing a light brown earth pony and his grey mare, "Pinkie?" asked Clyde.

"Mom, Dad," Pinkie said, lightly kicking the ground, "I know that I am not exactly the perfect daughter or the one you want me to be. But, I still want to thank you for not being mean to me and letting me be me."

Sue smiled warmly and hugged Pinkie, "Pinkamena, ever since you were born, you have always been special to us. While we may not have been used to your ways, we have always found them to be a special bright point in our lives. You are my bright little sunshine and we are proud to know you have found a way to shine through."

"Thank Mom," Pinkie giggled a little.

"That is something a friend wanted to talk to you about," Sue said, moving to the side.

"A friend-" Pinkie asked, before letting out a loud gasp as she saw a dark grey bat pony sitting down at the table, drinking from a bowl of soup, "Raven!"

"Hello," Raven smiled as she stood up and put away the bowl, "Thanks for the meal Mrs. Pie."

"You are welcome," nodded Sue, not seeing Artie getting into a fighting stance.

Pinkie held out her arm and looked to Artie with a smile on her face, "I got this, trust me."

"Pinkie," said Artie, a little shake in his voice.

Pinkie winked at Artie, "Trust me, this will be handled Pinkie style."

"All right," Artie said with a nod.

Looking back into the house while Raven made her way to the door, Pinkie smiled, "So, want to talk on the front lawn or out next to Holder's Boulder."

"That rock," Raven said, pointing to the large boulder in the distance.

Pinkie nodded as she walked to the boulder, Raven flapping her wings and landing on top of it, sitting with her legs one the top of the rock, "You seem rather calm seeing me. Not afraid that I will kill your family?"

"No," Pinkie said, shaking her head, "If you were going to... you would've done it right?" Pinkie said, before tumbling a little to sit on her rump and pulled her knees up to her chest, "Why are you here?"

"I'm giving you a warning," Raven said, looking out at the setting sun, "The final battles are coming, and we are going to be gunning for you and your friends soon."

"I see," Pinki said, looking down a little, "Why? You don't really need to do this, you know."

"Twilight tried the same speech," Raven said, frowning, "Didn't work then. I am doing this as a way to get revenge, to prove that all of this.. .killing and rage was worth a damn. I've spent so much time hating Celestia that I can't see my world being anything else."

"But what if you're wrong? You know, hatred isn't-"

Raven interrupted, "Don't tell me that my hatred isn't worth it, because it is! It's what keeps me living and me moving ahead!"

"I don't think it is," Pinkie said, "Hatred is a silly emotion to live on."

"And you think you can win on just love and happiness?" Raven asked.

Pinkie smiled, "Yep, as a matter of fact... I'll beat you one day with only four words. No, three words."

"And what would those be?" Raven asked.

Pinkie giggled as she leaned back, "It's a secret."

"Ok, Rae-Rae, now's the time you go and make your move. Go and ask Berry out," Pinkie told the young Raven as she nodded.

Raven shook her head, trying to ignore the memory of another life. Instead, she gave out a chuckle and nodded, "I look forward to the battle then. Maybe we'll see if you were right in the end and I was wrong."

"Oh, trust me," Pinkie said with a wink, "I'm right."

After disappearing, Pinkie stood up and left the boulder. As she walked towards the farmhouse, she could hear the voices of her family, "Listen here, jerk. That is my baby sister, you hurt her and you will face the wrath of Limestone Pie!" the eldest pie sister said with a growl.

"Mmmm, hmmm," said a quiet voice as she glared at Artie.

Maude stepped forward and looked up at him calmly, "We are all watching you and are ready to kill you if need be."

Pinkie watched all of this, and let out a giggle to herself before running towards her sisters, giving them all a giant hug from behind.

---

During the afternoon, Pinkie and Artie were getting off the train into Ponyville. Pinkie had a big smile on her face as she skipped out onto the platform, "Man, meeting our parents was fun. Could've done without the scary meanie Raven showing up though."

"Pinkie," Artie said, looking to her with a worried expression, "Aren't you a little worried? That mare showed up in your own home and-"

"Nope!" Pinkie interrupted with a big grin. Skipping a little to the end of the platform, she looked over her shoulder at Artie, "She wants me, and only me. If she really wanted to kill my family then she would've done it. It was just her trying to scare me."

"Are you sure?" asked Artie, "Or are you mad? This is the woman who killed Twilight."

For a moment, Pinkie stopped, and rubbed her arm, ignoring the bit of fear traveling up her spine, "I'm not really scared, not at all. I know that my friends can really handle anything she and that meanie Conquest throw-"

"Pinkie," Rarity said, seeing Pinkie walk off the platform, "Thank Celestia, you are here. Applejack just collapsed from exhaustion."

"What?" Pinkie asked, gasping. Looking back at Artie, she yelled out, "Got to go. See you later!"

Artie calmly nodded and waved goodbye, and turned around. As he did, he bumped into Lightning, still covered in his hood, "Lightning?"

"Hey Artie, could you tell me the truth?," Lightning asked, looking down at the ground.

Artie shrugged a little, "Shoot."

"Do you think, I've improved over this past year?" Lighting asked.

Artie put his head on the side and nodded, "Well, when we first met, you were kind of a self-important asshole. Thinking your own tragedy was more important than anyone else's, always showing off, and quite frankly being a jerk. But, over the last few months, I have noticed something better about you. Maybe it's kindness or just being friendly, but there is something."

Lightning sighed, "I've been doing a lot thinking, about my own past sins and how I've been trying to make sure I've atoned for them all. I've even tried to send a letter to Sunset in the other world, but the portal was closed. I don't even know if the letter got through or not."

---

Somewhere, in the human world where Sunset lived, a young woman took one last look in her locker as she began to clean it out. There was a forlorn look as she looked through each item that had collected within the large hold. Sighing, she took out her book that had her cutie mark on it. She pulled back when she saw it shook, "What?!" she asked herself as she opened the book, and read the name from the person who was sending her the message, "Lightning Dawn? What the heck does he want?" she asked herself before reading the message.

Rainbow Dash's raspy voice shouted to her, "Sunset! Put down the book! We think we found where Sci-Twi is!"

"Right, be right there!" Sunset said, running off towards her friends.

---

Artie chuckled, "You even apologized for your little adventure there too? You have changed."

"Hey, I was a moronic jerk who acted like he was better than everyone else. I needed to apologize for what happened," Lightning frowned, "Before, you know... anything happens."

"Anything," Artie looked curiously at Lightning, "What do you mean by that?"

Lightning sighed and lightly kicked the ground before walking away, "You know, anything... Just, take care of yourself all right."

"Lightning, wait," Artie said, trying to call Lightning back, "Don't plan on dying anytime soon... not after we just became friends."

---

Nurse Redheart stepped out from Applejack's room and sighed. Right next to her was Applejack's family and two of her friends. Shaking her head, she looked to the small group of ponies and said, "She will be fine, just needs some rest for right now. How long has she been overworking herself like this?"

Caramel raised a hand and then looked away, shame creeping along his face as he whispered, "Eleven months."

"Eleven months? She's lucky that her heart hasn't given out!" Redheart said, slightly frowning, "I hate how Grand Ruler seems to keep wanting all of his soldiers constantly train and exercise. Ponies cannot keep up with that kind of training day in and out, there needs to be days where you can rest. Doing what they do... I'm surprised more haven't wound up in the hospital with the way he pushes them."

"But, she'll be ok right?" Apple Bloom asked worriedly.

Redheart smiled warmly, "A week's worth of rest, no training and work. Then she should be fine and back on her feet. Until then, you make sure she doesn't get out of bed."

"Eeyup," Big Mac said with a nod as Redheart walked out of the house. Then he looked to Caramel with a frown, and stepped forward.

"Big Mac, I'm sorry," Caramel said, shaking, "It's all my fault. I should've done more to make sure she didn't overwork herself and tire herself out. But I did all I could, honest. I reminded her time to eat and when to sleep, but she-"

Big Mac placed a hand onto Caramel's shoulder and looked down at him into his blue eyes, "My sister is a hard headed woman, and is impossible to get through. The fact that you managed to keep her fed was a miracle in itself. Thank ya kindly for watching her."

Caramel chuckled and nodded his head in thanks. Behind him, Rarity Looked to Pinkie and remarked, "Ohhh, that mare. Of course she kept all of this to herself, she is just so... so... hard headed!"

Pinkie Pie nodded and sighed, smiling a little warmly, "Well, at least she's napping now. When she wakes up we can get her a big breakfast!"

"Yes, and imagine how much she is going to want to get right back into the grind when she finds out that she has to miss a whole week of work," Rarity said.

"Well, we'll just have to stop her, won't we?!" Pinkie Pie winked.

This made Rarity chuckle a little and nod warmly, "Yes, we ill. Now, where is Rainbow Dash?"

---

Softly, Fluttershy's hand came into contact with the door to Rainbow's home. After getting no answer, she lightly knocked on it again and again, "Rainbow Dash, are you there? If you're not, then that's ok, but we are all worried about you."

After a few more moments of silence, Fluttershy looked down and began to walk away. Then she looked at the despondent Tank, and smiled warmly before patting his little head. Steeling her resolve, she stood back up and knocked on the door again, "Rainbow Dash, it's been three days since anypony saw you. We are all really worried about you. Could you come out?"

"Go away, I'm busy," Dash said, her voice muffled. There was a bit of tiredness in her voice and a bit of a growl.

Fluttershy nodded and put her hand onto the doorknob, "Rainbow Dash, I know that Rhymey came to my house a few days ago, and I am scared too. But you shouldn't be trying to close out people in your life."

Dash growled, "Go away."

Fluttershy sighed and looked around the home. Looking up at the top window sill, she gasped and flew to the top to grab at a small key. Putting the key into her palm, she landed back on the ground and said, "Rainbow Dash, I am respecting your privacy by knocking, but asserting my authority as your marefriend by using the key!" Using the key, she unlocked the door and stepped in quietly.

It was both a relief and a little scary for Fluttershy to see that Rainbow's home was not in too much disarray or was it destroyed; however, she still was a little nervous that not much seemed to have changed as she walked in. Taking a note of some of the unopened letters on the floor, she looked up the stairs and flew up them.

At the top of the stairs, Fluttershy quickly found the door to Dash's room and lightly knocked on it. After hearing a faint mumbling and growl, she opened the door and saw Rainbow Dash laying on the bed, back turned away from her, "Dashie?"

"Celestia, you can be determined," Dash muttered under her breath as she looked away.

Softly, Fluttershy sat on the bed, and put her hand onto Rainbow's, looking down at the faded wound that they had made their pact not too long ago. Looking back up at Rainbow Dash's head, she asked, "Dashie I know you're scared of what happened. I know Rhymey showed what he could do, but that's no reason to hide."

"You don't know anything Flutters," Dash said dismissively, trying not to look at her. "You didn't find Applejack collapsed on the ground, barely breathing. You weren't the one who was just reminded of how small she really is and how little she can actually do."

"Rainbow, you know that's not true," Fluttershy said, looking down, entwining her fingers with Rainbow's. "You are the fastest pony I know, and one who never gives up no matter what is thrown at her. If somepony tells you that there is a limit, you break it to make others follow you."

Dash could only grumble, "Yeah, a pony who was just a few seconds too slow to help AJ. What am I going to do if I'm too busy to come and save Scootaloo, or Rarity, or... you."

"Then you let me worry about it," Fluttershy said, looking down. "Or don't you trust me to be strong?"

"Fluttershy I-" Dash began to speak, and looked over her shoulder at the sad look Fluttershy was giving her. Rainbow Dash looked down and shook her head, "I'm sorry. I forgot, that's exactly what Rhymey did to you and here I am just acting the same way."

Fluttershy nodded and said, "You were."

"Look Flutters," Dash paused, turning around and then sitting with Fluttershy, putting her hand in hers, fingers entwining, " You didn't see it. The picture, covered on somepony blood, and then AJ just laying on the snow. I just got scared and when I get scared about ponies I care about... I freeze up."

Fluttershy nodded, "Like that time at the young flyers competition?"

"Yeah," Dash chuckled and leaned back her head, "Or when I thought you could die by the dragon? I just," she let out a breath and shook her head, "I'm scared of failure, of losing something important."

"I know," Fluttershy said, leaning her head on Dash's shoulder, rubbing the blue arm comfortingly, "But hiding away isn't the answer. I get scared of everything, but I learn to face all the same to help others."

Dash nodded, using her wings to hug Fluttershy and tightened her grip, "But... what if Rhymey or some Conquest jerk comes for you and holds you in his dungeon?"

"Then, I know my Rainbow Knight will come for me, saving me in my torn clothes," Fluttershy giggled softly, but then blushed a little, "Oh, but not too torn... I don't want to reveal anything private."

Dash rolled her eyes at this, her mind too focused to think of Fluttershy nearly naked, "And what if I can't?"

Looking up into the magenta eyes of her lover, Fluttershy nuzzled Dash's nose and then kissed her lips softly, "I don't see that happening. Because, the Rainbow Dash I love, the Rainbow Dash I know.. .doesn't let limits and rules stop her from helping somepony. She can just be a little, um, a little."

"Hardheaded?" Dash laughed.

Fluttershy nodded, and then squeaked, "Oh, that wasn't too harsh was it?"

"Nah, you're right," Dash said, smiling. "Sometimes I do let the little fears get to me when I shouldn't. That's why I need you and the girls, you keep my head on the ground where I belong. And, I'm sorry for locking you out."

"It's ok," Fluttershy said, smiling warmly.

Dash nodded, "And don't worry, I promise not to do anything this stupid or get into a fi-"

"No, don't promise me that," Fluttershy said, shaking her head. "If we don't fight once in awhile, then how do we know if something is wrong? Remember when you said that you were going to be the perfect marefriend?"

"Yeah," Dash said.

"Well, forget it," Fluttershy said, shaking her head, "I don't want a perfect marefriend, a perfect date, or a perfect anything. I want you, flaws and all. I want a Rainbow that's hard headed, egotistical, and makes mistakes...that's what makes you, Rainbow Dash. It's why I..."

"Love you?" Dash asked, smiling warmly.

Fluttershy nodded and said, "Yes."

"I love you too, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said, smiling. "Besides, when we fight, we can make up and get to the fun part."

"Fun, part?" Fluttershy asked, watching as Rainbow Dash leaned in, and kissed her deeply. She moaned into the kiss in understanding, slipping her hand behind Rainbow's back and running her fingers along the cloth of dash's shirt slowly.

Rainbow soon broke the kiss, and said, "Yeah...the fun part." with a smile, she pulled Fluttershy down onto the bed and softly nuzzled her neck, This made her blush, and then promptly kiss Dash on the nose before returning the nuzzle. Keeping her arms around Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy snuggled up close and sighed.

---

The first thing Applejack saw when she opened her eyes, were a pair of magenta eyes and a blue snout, "Hey, sleepy head is awake!" Dash remarked before flying back to the wall and crossing her forearms.

"Wha-Rainbow Dash? How," Applejack paused for a second, hearing Rainbow Dash call out down the hall, "How long was Ah asleep?"

"Three days," Dash said, holding up three digits for emphasis.

"Three days?!" Applejack exclaimed. Shaking her head, she said, "That's way too long, Ah've got to get out of bed and-"

"If you are thinking of exercising or putting those muscles of yours to work on that hamon thing, forget it," Dash said frowning, "No workouts or getting out of that bed for a week."

"Look, this ain't about training, Ah've got to go and prune the-"

"Big Mac and Apple Bloom are doing that," Dash said, smirking, "Scootaloo is helping too. Told her it was good flight training."

"Ok, then the swiss chard, spinach, and lettuce fields have to be harvested and taken to market," Applejack argued, trying to beat Dash to the punch.

"Pinkie Pie has been going to town on them, while Rares has been helping make sure that they are all looking great," Dash laughed, "She even takes Clarity out with her in this adorable little basket."

Applejack frowned, "Breakfast and meals?"

"Fluttershy is a dang good cook," Dash smirked.

"Selling at the market?" Applejack asked.

"Belle has that covered," Dash laughed.

"Then what am Ah here for?" Applejack asked, grumbling as she crossed her forearms.

Rainbow Dash threw her hands in the air in celebration, "Congrats, you just received a week vacation!"

"Har har," mumbled Applejack as she leaned back, "And Ah suppose you are here to keep an eye on me?"

"As probably the only one out of a group consisting of your brother, friends, and sister who can hold you down...yeah, pretty much," Dash said laughing a little. Then with a frown she said, "You should've told us about how much you were pushing yourself."

"It wasn't your concern, it was my own," Applejack said looking away. "Ah had a responsibility as a leader to watch over you and to be at my best. Also, had to watch the farm, help you guys out with your problems, and make sure we all survived."

"He, we could've helped, you know we would," Dash said.

Applejack looked up and remarked, "Yeah, Ah know and that's the problem! If Ah said, 'Hey Ah think Ah need help' and then you asked if you could help.. .Ah would've said yes."

"Then why didn't you?" Rarity asked, stepping in, followed by Pinkie, Belle, and Fluttershy.

"Because, you all had too much on your plate as it is," Applejack said, looking at the group. "Pinkie had her issues, Rarity had a foal on the way, Fluttershy was in hell, and then we have Belle's amnesia! Each one of you girls had way too much to be worrying about me or trying to help me out. It was my duty to shoulder your burdens and offer help whenever Ah could."

Rarity shook her head, and walked to Applejack's side, "No, we shoulder each other's burdens, whatever those maybe. Applejack, you are our pillar, our strength, the thing that holds us up no matter what. But, a single pillar cannot hold a house alone, it needs more."

"Yeah," Pinkie said, looking back to her friends, "Your problems are our problems, and if one of us is suffering then we all need to stand together and help out."

"It's what we should've been doing since Twilight died," Dash said looking down.

Fluttershy nodded, "Maybe if we stayed closer together, I could've left Rhymey a lot sooner, figured out Grand Ruler, and maybe even stopped Conquest."

"No, we needed Twilight for that," Dash said, smirking, "If she was here, we could've beaten Conquest in two days!"

"Now, that is over-selling her," Applejack said, "Give her six at least." This made the group chuckle.

"So, Applejack, no more overworking yourself?" Belle asked, looking at her friend with a warm smile.

"No more." Applejack said shaking her head, "Ah'll train, but it won't be to the extremes Ah've been doing. Also, from now on...we share the pain."

This received a nod from the entire group, and Dash was the first to speak, "Speaking of which, I think we should talk about our little meetings."

"You mean you got one too?" Applejack asked, watching her nod.

"And me," Pinkie said, and then looked to the other three ponie, "But Rare Bear, Belle, and Flutters didn't."

"It's a scare tactic," Belle said calmly and looking down with a sigh. "Conquest thinks of this like a story, right? And who are the three biggest 'characters' this story. Applejack has been winning the most ground fights, Dash is the air, and then Pinkie ruined his plans back in Manehattan."

"But you outsmarted him," Dash remarked.

"Yes, but beyond the empire, I haven't done any fighting," Belle said, "And Rarity has only recently returned to the team while Fluttershy is only the medic. Conquest has so far been all about hate and destroying the hopes of the Unicornicopians by hurting them. Isn't it a little weird he has let us win so often?"

"Now that I think about it," Rarity said, putting a finger to her chin. "The only one who has attacked us directly was Grand Ruler. Conquest has been after Starfleet."

Applejack grabbed her sheets and balled them up in her hands, "Yeah, because Starfleet is Grand Ruler's big hero, the main force of his little tale while we're just cannon fodder."

"Meant to look like fools for the play while the heroes win," Belle said calmly, "And Conquest knows this. He isn't an idiot, and now that Starfleet is just Lightning... it's time for him to come after you."

"So what do we do?" Dash asked, "Just hang around and be scared."

Pinkie smiled and began to hum a little tune for a bit. Then she bounced a little on one foot as she began to sing, "Not to long ago when I was feeling down!"

"Pinkie, you're not really," Rarity paused and smiled, shaking her her head.

"A lot of bad things had been getting me down."

Rarity laughed and Belle nodded, "Oh, she is... she is."

I hid in my bedroom,

trying to get away from it all

But you guys reminded me that it wasn't the way

To deal with out problems at all!

"What did we do?" Rainbow Dash asked, the tune bringing her back in time.

You told me Pinkie, we're going to stand up tall

And deal with all of our fears.

Together, they won't hurt

If we laugh, they'll disappear.

Hahaha.

Unable to help themselves, four of the mares began to quickly sing along. Belle smiled and nodded, feeling the connection between her nad her friends helping with the music.

So, giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Whoop it up with the weepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky

With a smile, Pinkie brought out a small Conquest hand puppet and looked at him, glaring down his eyes.

And tell that big dumb scary jerk to take a hike and leave us alone and if he thinks he can scare us then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes me wanna... hahahaha... heh...

"LAUUUUUUUUUGGGGH!" Pinkie said, getting the entire room to burst out into giggles.

Being the first one to break from her laughter, Fluttershy asked, "What are you saying Pinkie?"

"I'm saying this," Pinkie said with a nod, "Living in fear, always worrying about the next attack, that's Starfleet way of thinking. Not ours. What we are going to do, is what we're the best at."

"What?" Applejack asked, looking at Pinkie from her bed.

Pinkie sighed and looked out the window at the setting sun, "We smile and enjoy the rest of our lives to the fullest, and being with each other. Conquest has been trying to break the Unicornicopians and everypony else by hurting them, breaking their hope. But he can't break us, no pony can."

Pinkie then held up her left hand, and though the wound from their pact had long since healed, the emotions that day carried with it still radiated from it, "Remember what we agreed on with this? That we would always be together? This is what we should've been all along. I remember what we've been through these past few years: we lost our homes, our freedom, our ideals, and Twilight." This last one made the room look down, "And for the longest time after that, I thought it was it, that we were all going to split up and I was going to alone."

There was a sigh and a shake of her head, "I even had a silly thought in my head about, ending it. But, I refused, because of you girls. I could never hurt you like that, not in a million years. And that's why, no matter what scare tactic he throws at us, no matter what Conquest does to any one of us, he won't break us down."

Belle smiled and nodded, "Grand Ruler, for all of his tricks, can't really stop us... so neither can Conquest."

"Because, we have hope, love, and friendship on our side," Pinkie said with a big grin, "And that is more powerful than believing."

"Right," Applejack said, smirking, "So... can Ah get out of bed now?"

This brought out a chorus of laughs from the group.

---

The world of the Blood Moon (Such as the inhabitants and former slaves have come to call it.) has seen better times. Much of the universe had been destroyed and the only signs of life had been moved to the only planet left. Even here, it had been hard to survive. That is, until the arrival of the former slaves of Conquest. Since then, the small city where they had made their home has has some local fauna begin to grow and thrive. With effort and a little magic, the small little colony has grown somewhat to a place where a thousand and fifty people could live with a little comfort.

Inquirious watched the sight from above as some of the pegasi helped some of the civilians, while four young girls trained together. For her, it was a pleasant sight and it made her smile. Turning around, she stepped into the large building that has since become their base of operations and her own little home. Stepping quietly, she made her way to a small training room where the two commanders were sparring, "Strike again! I could barely feel that hit!" Casca shouted, dodging the bow before thrusting with her sword.

"HA! I wasn't aiming for you, but instead," smirked Starla as she twirled her bow to spin the sword down and force into the ground. Then she laughed, "I was trying to capture your blade."

"Clever-" Casca never had a chance to finish before Starla uppercutted her and knocked her flat on her back. Slowly, she pushed herself to a sitting position and smiled up at her opponent when Starla offered her hand. Taking it in hers, she pulled herself up and walked to towels to wipe off the sweat. Looking over her shoulder, she remarked, "You fight well. Must have had one hell of a teacher."

"Yeah, Dementia taught me well," Starla smiled, thinking of her friend.

Casca looked curious, "Dementia, was she your-" she paused for a moment, holding up a curled pinkie.

This made Starla blush and pull back, "What? No, she was more like my big sister."

"Oh, I understand," Casca said, and smiled, "And she trained you to be a fighter."

"And, saved me," Starla sighed as she and Casca began to walk down the halls of the building, "See, when Conquest raped me and brought me to his hell, he showed me things that were meant to break my spirit. He called me useless, a trophy for my husband, and a toy to be used."

"And you believed him?" asked Casca.

"Yeah, for a little while," Starla said, and then smiled, "But then Dementia began to treat me like a person. She made me feel like a real pony and that I wasn't just some stock female to be used for someone's sick idea of romance. It was probably the only thing that kept me from going insane."

"Sounds like my husband and what happened to me," Casca said, leaning on a ledge. "Conquest, he... kidnapped me as well. Showed me horrible images of a past life where I was mentally scarred to the point where I was an idiot. Probably the only thing that kept me going was the thought of Guts saving me."

"And did he?" asked Starla.

"Yeah, but at the cost of his arm and his best friend," Casca sighed. And then she smiled warmly, "We managed to live on our own for a little while, until he found me and murdered Guts and my babies in front of me. He's a monster, and will do everything to just get a little bit of hate from you."

Starla could only look down and lightly kick a piece of rubble in the building, knocking it down some stairs, "I wish me and Lightning had that kind of relationship."

"You didn't love him?" Casca asked.

"I don't know if love was the right word for us," Starla said, looking at the ring on her finger and twisting it slightly, "I thought we were, but we went on playdates. I barely remember any real dates we went on, and even after we got married... he was just so focused on his job that we barely got to spend time together. The more I think about it, the more his love more me was just because I was pretty and her was pretty. Like it was just made up for someone's weird idea of what love is."

"That bad?" asked Casca.

"Let me put it this way," Starla said, "Your husband did everything to save you...mine wass so stopped by his pride that he didn't. And now..." slowly, she pulled on the ring, "I don't even know if I want to be with him anymore."

"It makes sense," Inquirious said, walking to Starla, "Since arriving here, you have not really thought about it is time to move on."

Starla nodded and then looked out the window, "Yeah..."

---

In the town of Ponyville, a small house sat near the home of Bon Bon. It was big enough for a few ponies to live within and was quite unnoticable to anyone that was not looking hard enough. So it was that no one paid attention when an earth pony stepped in with a bag of fruit inside. After stepping in, he grabbed his medallion and removed the item from his neck, revealing Rep-Stallion in his place, "Guess who brought some groceries! Oh, and tell Trixie when you see her that her gem is working great."

"Mmmm,hmm," Mysterious said, looking in his book.

Rep sighed as he crawled onto the table, crouching while taking out a sandwich, "And I got some of your favorites!"

"Mmmhmmm," Mysterious said, nodding while flipping a page.

Frowning, Rep growled, "I am also going to become a transvestite."

"Funny," Mysterious said plainly, looking up his friend as he magicked the apple to his hand. "I was not ignoring you, by the way, I was trying to do research on our former boss."

"What's to look up? He's a multidimensional conqueror who loves to make everyone hate his guts and right now," Rep said, eating a sandwich, taking a large bite, "He's doing a damn good job."

"And that is what is making searching for the other slaves and Starla a problem," Mysterious said, bringing out a ball, " Think of this ball as a single multiverse, one with billions upon billions of probabilities. Now, imagine that there are a billion balls surrounding this one ball, each with a billion more probabilities, and then remember Conquest has access to all of them at once."

"In other words," Dementia said, grabbing the ball and throwing it at the nearby wall, "It is impossible to find her until we have something solid!"

Rep sighed and got off the table, walking over to her and patting her on the back, "No luck?"

"Spark said unless she had something to link her location with a portal spell, finding her would be too risky of a gamble," Dementia sighed as she sat down on the couch, "I also couldn't find him."

"Him, who?" Rep asked, looking curious.

Mysterious saw her frown and asked, "Your husband?"

"I guess it was just a pipe dream," Dementia said, looking down, opening and closing her hands, "I mean, if my death was all a lie just to get Starla in on his little story, then why not my husband? Why didn't he survive too. I was hoping to see him and then, when I get to Starla again...we could be a family."

Rep nodded and patted her shoulder, "I know the feeling. I would give anything for Inquirious and my child to be in my arms."

"Tell me, Dementia, what is the other reason you have for looking for your husband?" Myst asked closing his book.

Dementia looked to the ceiling and watched the light softly hum, "I just wanted Starla to see that me and him... we weren't always at each other's throats. That if we fought, it was mainly because he was scared for me. And in the end, we're proud of her."

"Hey," Rep reassured, "you'll get that chance, I promise. We just have to wait for whatever the circle has planned."

---

Applejack looked happily at the calendar, smiling at the fact that her week vacation had finally come to an end. Moving over to her dresser, she quickly slipped on her coat and pants, determined to walk for a moment.

After getting dressed in warm clothes and purring on her stenson, she walked to her door and opened it. Standing in the doorway was Caramel, wearing a light orange sweater, "Hey, Applejack."

"Caramel? What are ya doing here?" Applejack asked, leaning against the doorframe. "If ya are trying to make sure Ah don't do any work, don't worry. Ah'm just going for a walk."

Caramel blushed a little, putting his hand behind his head as he said, "I know, and I was kind of hoping to...join too?"

Applejack smiled warmly, walking up to him and "Sure, come along. Ah could use the company."

As she walked away, Caramel blushed a little at the idea and sighed. Looking back at the departing Applejack, he got a good look at her swaying hips and toned rump. Swallowing hard and moving his eye to her head, he followed quickly out the door.

With the approaching spring, and subsequently the Winter Wrap-Up, the pegasi had warmed the area up a little while allowing for the snow to lay on the ground. This made for perfect walking weather for the two earth ponies. Each footstep they took was followed by the crunch of snow as they stepped through the fields. Applejack took a deep breath and let it out, watching as her air came out in a little white cloud. Caramel would occasionally look at her and smile warmly.

Sadly, one of these looks distracted him from a log and he ended up tripping over uy. Before he could hit the snow, Applejack grabbed his arm and pulled him to her. This ended up pulling him close enough to her so their noses pressed together, lips just close enough for a kiss.

Immediately, the two pulled away and blushed a little. Caramel gave a chuckle and said,"Thanks."

Applejack shrugged, " It's nothing. So mind answering me a question?"

"Um, sure," Smiled Caramel.

"Why have you stayed? Big Mac is home, so Ah really don't need the help," Applejack said.

Caramel then pointed a finger at her and said, "You."

Applejack looked confused, "Me?"

Caramel nodded as lightly kicked some of the snow,"I've never really been the pinnacle of earth pony strength. I'm clumsy, bit of a softy, and not really brave. I was a disappointment to everypony who knew me. Then, I met you."

Caramel smiled as he felt a little warmer, "You were everything I wasn't and I began to admire you so much for it. There was a part of me that hoped that your strength would flow into me too. That's why I'm sorry."

"For what?" Applejack asked, looking at him curiously.

"For letting you get so tired," Caramel said, looking down and putting his hands into his pockets. "I should've done more to stop you, done more to help you rest and not get over exhausted."

Applejack smiled warmly and rubbed her hand against his face, "Caramel, there ain't a thing to apologize for. If anything, you helped me a lot."

"I did?" Caramel asked shocked, feeling warm at Applejack's touch.

"Why sure," Applejack said, pulling her hand away and then walking ahead a few steps, "If you hadn't massaged me, made sure Ah ate, or made sure Ah slept then Ah am positive Ah would've been in worst shape. You found a way to keep me going when Ah would've probably died already."

Caramel watched Applejack's tail sway back and forth as she walked away, blushing at the attention he was paying to her rump, "Yeah, I guess. But, I still feel like I should've done more to stop you."

"Hun, nopony can stop me when Ah get going, that's just who Ah am," Applejack said with a sense of pride. Then she looking into his blue eyes, "Just like being a good partner is who you are. You don't need to be the strong pony in a relationship or the most powerful, just the partner in it. My ma wasn't stronger than pa, but they worked well together. She helped him by being his pillar and he did his best to keep her safe. That's the way the best relationships work."

"I see," Caramel said, before running in front of applejack, "Umm...Applejack. There is something I really want to say to you. I've been trying to think of the best way to say it, and I am trying my best to do it without fainting."

"What is it?" Applejack asked, watching as Caramel take her hands into his.

As he held her hands in his, Caramel began to feel a song in his heart to play. Without the use of instruments, he felt a lively beat in his heart that began to play. The sounds of drums and guitars played in his head that offered the right music for him.

I heard your song

Like a brand new story

I'm your heart,

Please don't worry

You are strong

You'll make it through

You know that

I am here for you.

Applejack smiled at the song, hearing the beat in her head. Taking one of his hands above her head, she twirled around before snuggling up close to him with her back to his chest.

I never believed
That I needed the help too
Standing by myself
How did I end up with you?
You're here and now I see
That being alone
Was not meant for me

Caramel smiled at this, running a hand through Applejack's mane. Taking a deep breath, he continued his song, trying to resist the urge to kiss her.

There's something I want to say
But deep inside I am so afraid
Then all you do is
Is say my name, it melts away
So let's stay

Pulling away from his touch for a moment, Applejack spun him around in a circler. Then she pulled him close, lifting one leg to wrap around his waist. Looking into his eyes, she began to sing with him at the same time.

One to one, it's the sweetest music
Standing here, let's never lose it

Stronger with you by my side
It's always better in harmony
It's you and me baby

"Applejack, I-" before he could say another word, Applejack grabbed the back of Caramel's head and pulled him in for a deep and passionate kiss. Filled with both shock and surprise at his dream coming true, he slipped his hands behind Applejack's back, rubbing it gently and through her long golden mane.

After a few moments, Applejack broke the kiss and smiled, "About time. Thought you would never get around to saying it!"

"You..." Caramel stuttered, shocked as he looked into her eyes, "Knew?!"

"You weren't exactly subtle about your attraction to me," Applejack chuckled and then smiled, "Ah was just waiting for you to make the first move." Putting her hand to the side of his face, she began to sing with Caramel adding his vocals.

One to one, our singing is like magic
Feels so right, our love is automatic
This is coming down
With the sound of our melody-dy
I know I belong with you
Your music sets me free

"Now, how about you kiss me again," Applejack smiled at Caramel.

Blushing bright red, Caramel did just that. Their long kiss was quickly broken by the sound of a raspy cheer from the top of a tree, "Whoooooo! Go AJ! I was waiting for this!" Rainbow Dash cheered as she flew off from the top of the tree.

"Wha-Rainbow Dash!?" Applejack growled as she saw Dash laneed, being followed by the rest of her friends, "Girls! When did y'all get here?"

"Um, right around when the date started," Fluttershy said, before hiding behind her mane, "I'm sorry!"

"Hey, we did it to Dashie, so we needed to do it to you!" Pinkie said with a giggle.

Rarity ran a hand through her indigo mane, "Oh, the lovely song between you two! Oh, Spike will have to write me a love song now!"

"You," Applejack began to growl as Dash walked up to her and patted her on the shoulder.

"Though, AJ, if you want my advice," Dash joked, "You need to learn to kiss better. My god, that was like the lamest kissing action I had ever seen."

Letting go of Caramel for a moment, Applejack pulled her hat down her eyes and growled fiercely, "Fluttershy," she spoke slowly, each word dripping with venom and hate, "My condolences for the loss of your marefriend!"

"Remember, no exerting yourself," Belle warned.

"I won't need too much work to kill her!" Applejack said, throwing a punch at Rainbow Dash, who playfully blocked it with one hand. With a cunning smirk, Rainbow Dash began to deliver a jumping roundhouse kick to the side of Applejack's head.

And so it went, amongst the small crowd of onlookers and friends, that Applejack and Rainbow Dash sparred. For a brief moment of time, the groups worries and fears were forgotten. In that moment, things had felt like they had before the days of Starfleet, before the days of Dark Conquest. It had felt... like home.

---

The next day, Pinkie skipped happily into the library, her eyes darting back and forth amongst the shelves while looking for a certain tome. Smiling, she gasped as she walked towards the biggest shelf, "Hey, Belle, I'm going to be taking 'Ultimate Spells For The Ultimate Unicorns. I just need to-"

"She's in New Canterlot," said a small voice.

Turning around, Pinkie smiled when she saw Krysta sitting in the middle of a book looking at the pages. With her own book in hand, Pinkie sat down and looked at her, "Hey Krysta, what are you doing here?"

"Reading," she said calmly, before letting out a small sigh as she looked at the words. "And being miserable."

"Miserable? Why?" Pinkie asked, opening her book and looking through it with a few flips.

Krysta stood in the middle of the book and walked along the pages, "How do you deal with the fact that you still read in the newspaper how the zombies that have devoured some of the soldiers are your people. Not just your people, but their desecrated corpses! And it feels like no one really cares... not even me."

"What do you mean?" Pinkie asked, looking down at the little fairy.

Krysta sighed and sat at the edge of the book, "Ever felt like you didn't really belong somewhere, even with your own people. That is my life back when I was Queen. Just sitting around, listening to subjects and talking about tax problems and crap like that. While out here, me and my people have just been, ignored."

"Ignored?" Pinkie asked, curious.

"Well, not just ignored, more like turned into slave labor!" Krysta said with a frown. "We don't participate in the fights, we just go in and make portals to save the civilians. And when I'm busy making portals for ponies to walk through, I'm just hanging out in the background, hoping to make a comment or something like that. I just feel so, insignificant to the team and it hurts. I almost wish I never found my home, at least that way I can still have adventures with my best friend."

Krysta gave a little sniffle and sighed, "I just feel like I don't matter to anyone."

"Hey," Pinkie said, using her pinkie finger to wipe a tear from her eyes, "You are alive right? That means you are important to somepony, you touched somepony once in your life."

"I envy Spike sometimes. It feels he gets more respect than me," Krysta said, sighing, "He saved an empire and helped the girls more than once. Me, I'm the butt monkey, and my people are just a bunch of losers. Am I even important to anyone?"

"To Lightning," Pinkie said, rubbing her back. "And to a lot of other people. You just need to remember, we all made somepony happy once at one point in our lives."

Krysta giggled as she thought about it, and leaned back to look up at Pinkie, "How do you do it? Be so happy in the face of sadness and death?"

"Practice," Pinkie said, giggling. "I mean, it's not easy, and things can make it hard, but I just remember. Somewhere, out there, I am making a person happy just by being me! You just need to learn to keep you chin up and sooner or later, something big will happen for you."

Krysta nodded, "I guess."

"It will," Pinkie reassured Krysta said with a big smile. Then she looked at a photo in the book, of a fairy-like pony with a red mane. "Ohhh, what's that?"

"Rosedust, a Flutterpony," Krysta said. "From what it says, they're supposed to be like the pony versions of fairies. I was just reading how powerful she was and wonderful she was back when she ruled."

"I never heard of them," Pinkie said, "But I did hear of Breezies! Fluttershy said she wants her and Rainbow to go watch them one day, and Dash asked if saying no is the appropriate marefriend thing to do."

"Well, these flutter ponies are supposed to be strong and fast," Krysta said, "But a few years ago, they disappeared from the face of Equestria. No one knows what happened to them." the little fairy let out a sigh and ran a hand through her hair, "I wish I could be like them."

Krysta looked to the photo again and asked, "Do you find it weird that I am hairless and very unlike an ungulate?"

"Well, we all look a little weird," Pinkie added, "I mean didn't you meet elves and those crystal beings?"

"Those crystal beings looked very equine and those elves were just ponies with very pointed ears," remark Krysta. "I just feel so... weird sometimes. I wish I looked more like you-"

"Krysta?" Lightning asked, stepping in, followed by Belle. Looking at the fairy, he said, "Oh, there you are. Come on, I am ready to head home."

"Sure Lightning," Krysta said pulling out the book and flying away. As she did she read a small entry on the last page.

'It is said, that Flutter Ponies have a mystical power that comes forth when they make a brave sacrifice. One only a true hearted soul can achieve."

Sighing, Krysta flew and landed on Lightning's shoulder under his cloak. As the two left the library, Lightning looked to his little companion, "Enjoyed the reading?"

"Yeah," Krysta said, looking down. Then she looked to Lightning, "Finished your business back in New Canterlot?"

"Yeah, everything should be ready," Lightning said.

Krysta frowned, "I just wish you would share your plan with me. Maybe I could help."

"Trust me, it's better you don't know," Lightning said. "Just know, don't worry about what happens to me. The Umbra Circle will keep me safe in the end."

"Ok, I'll trust them, but you better just make sure that you make it out alive," Krysta said, nudging his cheek.

Lightning chuckled, "I will, Krysta, I promise." Then he smiled a little, "Hey, Krysta, how about we go adventuring. You know, when the war is over, and Grand Ruler is gone."

"You mean, like we used to, before all of this?" asked Krysta. With a smile she nodded quickly, "YES! You know I would love too!"

Belle, who had finished watching the two walk off, turned around to walk back inside. Looking at Pinkie as she looked deeply into her book, Belle asked, "What are you studying."

"Oh, nothing special," Pinkie said, smiling, "Just wanted to see if there are any earth pony alchemy spells I could use for a party. You know, to make it even better!"

"Pinkie, I don't think that's," Belle paused, noting a piece of writing in the book, "Pinkie...what's that?"

Pinkie looked down at the page, "What, that?" she asked, looking down to see a mark on a page with a starburst mark with a little three digit date, "Oh, that's Twilight's old book mark spell. She would make the rune in her book to remind her what to study when she came back from whatever big thing she had to do that day. Especially when Dashie pulled her away from a heavy session."

"So, what's this one saying?" Belle asked.

Pinkie shrugged, "Oh, this one is from April. LEt's see, this was April of two years ago, about a few days before Lightning's wedding."

"A few days before she-"

"Yeah," Pinkie sighed. Looking up the spell, she added, "Basically, she was reading up on 'Clover's Split Body Spell' something that had to do with transplants," she then paused as she looked at the spell again, "Oh my Celestia!"

"What is it?" Belle asked, curious.

This made Pinkie break out into a sweat as she closed the book, "Um, nothing. It's just something I need for the best prank I can come up with!"

"Ok," Belle said disbelieving.

Pinkie quickly got up and ran to the door, "I just need to talk with somepony important! And..." with a warm smile, she looked back at Belle, "Belle, thanks."

"You are welcome," Belle said sighing as she sat on the chair and picked up a small book. As Pinkie closed the door, Belle swayed a little, shaking her head.

---

Trixie frowned as she looked at the page of the spellbook, her eyes scanning over every word. Behind her, Pinkie was bouncing for joy, "Isn't this great Trixie? Twilight was looking at that spell earlier, which means that she somehow found a way to fix her magic and split her soul apart. She could be alive, Trixie! She could be alive!"

"No, this is bad, Pinkie, and has us right back where we started," Trixie said, closing the book and growling as she slammed her hoof onto the bok.

Pinkie froze in mid air and landed onto the ground, her mane slightly deflating, "What do you mean? This spell just shows that Twilight might have put her soul into either Spark or Belle just before she died. Now we can just bring those two together and revive Twilight!"

"And lose the other two in the process," Trixie said with a sigh. When she saw Pinkie's confused look, Trixie began to explain, "Look, let's say that you are right, and Twilight used this spell to split her soul away from her body. This means that either Belle or Spark has the soul, but this also means that whoever isn't the soul is the body. When you put a new soul into the body, you're rewriting the old soul. If it's Spark...then Belle would rewrite Spark, and vice versa. Either way-"

Pinkie looked a little shocked before whispering, "If we want Twilight back...we would have to kill one of them?"

"Exactly," Trixie sighed, "So let's call this plan in case of emergency."

"It's not fair," Pinkie whispered, looking down. "In order to bring Twilight back, we have to sacrifice a friend? Why?! Why can't we get through this without a sacrifice?! Why do we have to lose anypony else? Why?"

Trixie sighed and looked away, "I wish I knew, Pinkie. I wish I knew. But I will still try to find a way we can save both of them without killing them. And... maybe."

"Maybe what?" Pinkie asked.

"Maybe This spell might have a way to save all three of them," Trixie said, smiling at Pinkie. "We just need to figure it out, just don't lose hope."

"Never do," Pinkie smiled.

---

"It's time to remove some hope!" Conquest said, putting on some metal vambraces that had the words 'I love to rock' written on them both. Placing his hands behind his back and flapping his wings, he cheered, "Which also means it's time for a big assault by yours truly!"

"New Canterlot, I assume," the figure in the cloak said, walking alongside Conquest as he made his way down the hallway, "Or is this more teasing from you?"

Conquest put his arm over the shoulder of his comrade, "Hey, we've killed and taken out the big boys of Starfleet, and only Lightning is left. So, that means it's time for the big climax! So, it's party time, get your fairies ready."

The necromancer rubbed a cloven hoof along his foreleg, "Am I to take it you will need your army?"

"Nah," Conquest said, waving a hand, "This time, it will be just me and the zombies. After all, Raven has had the fun of killing and delivering pain to the other members of Starfleet. I think it's only fair if I deliver the killing blow to the big man himself. Now, I got to go and check up on the party favors for the big match, tootles!"

As Conquest ran off down the hall, Kudos stepped out from the shadows and stood next to the necromancer, "Mind if I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead," the figure said, smiling underneath his hood, red eyes glaring into Kudos' heart.

"Why, if he is the spirit of hate and rage, do you hang around him. Why does he call you, friend? Isn't that an antithesis to who he is?" Kudos asked, stepping with him.

"Have you ever heard of the idea that evil cannot comprehend good?" Necromancer asked. "How many villains have fought the hero and said how the virtues they extol will fail to defeat them. This is in spite of the fact that the heroes have defeated numerous foes with those virtues at the forefront."

"Yes, so I have seen. Friendship is failure, and all that," Kudos said calmly. "Point?"

"The point is," Conquest said with a smile as he put his hands onto Kudos' shoulders and smirked, "While all of the other villains say cliche and trite dialogue like that, I go the different route. I don't hate friendship and love, and I sure as heck don't see love as weak. Nah, I know all of those are pretty strong weapons in the right hands, and that if you underestimate those who use them... you die. It's why I've been letting Lightning simmer in his hatred of me and been ignoring those elements for a while now."

"Because you want to break their friendship?" asked Kudos asked.

"Well, that and think of how hated I am going to be, now that Lightning has his entire arc set up. He has come so far on his little journey and now, now that he has embraced friendship in spite of everything, I will kill him. Just imagine how pissed off everyone is for killing the guy." Conquest laughed, "See, that is the name of the game. Don't underestimate your opponent's virtues and learn to embrace them. It's why I have a best friend, and care for my men. Because, I understand the power of friendship, and it makes it easier for me to beat it when the time comes."

Kudos could only chuckle, "Impressive. And thus, you can manipulate the emotions to their fullest."

"Right." Conquest said, skipping along and out of the hallway. "The name of the game my friends, is to always have a control of your opponent!"

---

Luna's moon had just begun to rise on the city of New Canterlot, and already the city had begun to change from its daytime to nighttime activities. The stores around the area were beginning to close and some of the more active night clubs were beginning to go into operation. Somewhere in the city, near the center, Rainbow Dash began to fly low around the area, scanning a particular shop. With a smirk, she flew by it, grabbing some flowers and leaving behind three bits before the shop owner could see her, Errand done, Dash turned and flew back to a small nighttime cafe where Fluttershy and Rarity waited.

Landing with a small flip, Dash put the flower in Fluttershy's hair and smiled, "Thank you Dashie."

"No prob, Flutters," Dash said, winking to Fluttershy.

Rarity sighed, "You know, some days it is nice to enjoy Canterlot once in awhile, without having to deal with military business or war."

"Oh, I know," Fluttershy nodded quickly. Then she looked at Rarity curious, "Why did you call us both here, by the way?"

"Well, for one, I wanted to take you both to this wonderful cafe," Rarity said with a smile, "And second, I wanted you to both look behind you."

"What," Dash asked, looking at a large building behind her.

Rarity smiled, "That building, I was thinking of using it to create my second business when this war is over."

"Oh, are you sure you should be doing that? I mean, you have a child right now and-:"

"Tut tut, Fluttershy," Rarity said, waving her hand "I know what I am doing. You see, I was thinking of letting Glarity take over that, while I remain in charge of the Boutique back home."

"That sounds great Rarity," Dash said with a smirk, "She kind of needs the work now that she isn't your stand in."

Rarity sighed, "Yes, I know. From what I've heard, the poor thing has been trying to figure out where she belongs now that she is no longer needed. She wants to know more about who she is and where she is going. I want to help in some way."

"Hey guys!" Pinkie shouted with a wave, running over to them. "How's it going."

"Pinkie Pie," Rarity said, smiling, "What brings you to Canterlot?"

"Oh, looking up some fun stuff and some little spells here and there," Pinkie giggled, looking at her little bag with scrolls. "I even brought along a sheet about Golems."

"Golems?" Dash asked, "What, you interested in making another one of you?"

"No," Pinkie said, "I just thought golems might be a great way for Artie to get some hands back, and they might be fun to carry around."

Rarity looked at Pinkie with a wary look as she took a sip from her tea, "I should warn you Pinkie, using a golem is not easy. You are eternally connected to it while it is on and some of the magical feedback is never pleasant."

"Yeah, I know," Pinkie said with her ever present smile, "Rarity, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course Pinkie," Rarity said.

Pinkie tapped her fingers together, "If you had to sacrifice Spike to save the life of Crystal or Sweetie Belle, would you?"

"What?" Rarity asked, a little surprised.

Fluttershy gasped, "Pinkie why would you ask something like that?"

"Well," Pinkie looked down, trying her best to keep her promise, "I was thinking of Belle, and what if we find her memories but they're locked in some other pony and the only way we can get them back is if we killed that person with the memories."

Lightly, Rarity began to swirl her spoon in her tea, "Well, I hate to think there would ever come a time where I would make such a horrible choice. However, I would like to think that at that point, I would try to find a way to save both without killing one or the other."

"But, what if you can't?" Pinkie asked, looking down.

Dash laughed, "Never happens. There is always a way to beat it, no matter what."

"You sound overconfident," Rarity said.

"Nah," Dash shrugged, "I just know how to beat anything. See Pinks, I never listen to anyone when they tell me that something is impossible, because I know that the impossible is just another limit for me to climb. Sonic Rainboom? Mastered it!" then she pulled out a little napkin, "Starfleet tells me that I could never match them in speed? HA!" she punched the paper and tore it in mid-air, "I can outpace them in any race."

"But, that isn't the same thing," Rarity commented, only for Dash to shrug

"So, the idea is the same," Dash commented and smiled back at Pinkie. "I don't believe in losing, and I don't believe in the idea that there isn't a third way. There is always another way, and the word impossible is just a way to keep a pony down."

Pinkie smiled at her friend's enthusiasm and cheered, "You're right. We'll find a way to save Belle without any sacrifice."

Fluttershy nodded and got out of the chair, "Can, we please go for a walk. Luna has such a nice night out and I want to relax."

"Sure," Rainbow Dash said, taking Fluttershy's hand and walking away from the cafe.

As Pinkie began to leave with Rarity, she asked, "So, when is the wedding? I have been waiting to give you the best bachelorette party ever for months!"

"Well, me and Spike are still planning on waiting until the war is finally over," Rarity said looking down, "That way we can be sure that no ugly business comes about while we are saying our vows."

"Ohh, then I can bring out the biggest bachelorette party in the world. I have many ideas..." Pinkie excitedly bragged, quickly listing each one off.

In another part of the city, near the mane square, Applejack sat with a figure in a cloak, "Awfully quiet these past few weeks, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Lightning said, keeping his cloak close to him. " It's like Conquest is taking a long break or something. Way too long."

"You want to start the killing?" Applejack asked, a little concern.

Lightning sighed and shook his head, a sense of disappointment in his throat, "Look, my plan needs him to be here. If not, then I can't really help take down Grand Ruler."

Applejack looked confused, "What kind of plan requires the madman here?"

"You'll see," Lightning said, winking. "I have a plan-"

"Hello New Canterlot, are you ready to rock?!" Conquest shouted, walking out from behind a dark portal that appeared in the center of town, his long black trench coat billowing behind him. With a devilish smirk, he gave a flap of his left wing that generated a large black cloud of zombie fairies.

Looking to the crowd as they trembled in fear and terror, he began, "Now, I know what you're thinking. It isn't the climax yet, he shouldn't be attacking the capital. Why is he here! Did I get my brown pants and why am I getting wet looking at him." Narrowing his eyes he said, "Well, to answer your last question first, it's because you know you don't want the DC, but your pussy is right now afraid of me getting in, whether you want it or not."

"Now, as for why I am here right now," Conquest said, grabbing the neck of a flying pegasus guard. As he began to speak, he slowly tore the wing from the guard's body, "Well, I know it isn't the climax, but I always like to make mine big, powerful, and unexpected! See, I think it's about time for Lightning to die, and I want to kill him personally."

"Now, I know you are hiding him, and you are all very afraid," Conquest said, tearing the other wing off, "But don't worry, I'll make your deaths as painful and long as possible."

"How is that supposed to make us feel better?" asked a Unicornicopian, shuddering in fear as he killed the guard by ripping his heart out and then stuffing it down his throat.

Conquest bared his teeth, and narrowed his red eyes, "It's not, it was to make me feel better. Now I know I won't end the show too early." Looking to his right, he grabbed a stallion and pulled him close. Levitating him into the air, he quickly began to rip his clothes off, leaving him naked in front of the people.

"Know this," Conquest said, looking around, "I know Lightning Dawn is out there, waiting. Let him know that for every ten seconds that he doesn't stop me-" taking a pause as he counted the seconds in his head, he held out his hand and forming five little fire balls on his hand. With a smirk, he fired all five shots, burning the stallions four legs into a skeleton. The fifth ball fired into his testies and made them explode. Looking to a small boy, he threw the corpse to the frightened child.

"Father!"

"Happy birthday, kid," Conquest winked, "For Christmas I'll give you the corpse of your mother." Then he looked at the rest of the crowd, mentally counting the seconds in his head, "I'll kill another one of you targets." when he hit ten seconds he fired a Lightning bolt that electrocuted the next pony, "And I wouldn't try to run, I am a very good-" an acid shot burnt a stallion alive, "Shot!"

"That was five seconds!" screamed a mare.

Conquest paused for a moment, and then looked at his watch. After a moment, he frowned and said, "Damn, watch must be slow. Oh well, I'll make up for it!" he cheered, bringing out two blades of darkness and slashed two unicorns.

Hearing this, Lightning and Applejack shot to their feat, "And there he is! Applejack, stay here!"

"Are you nuts!" shouted Applejack, "That guy is gunning for you! He wants you dead and is ready to do whatever it takes to kill you! Let me get the girls and we will stand with you to take him down." there was a smirk on her face as she said, "and we will always stand by our friends!"

Lightning smiled warmly at Applejack, "AJ? If...if we met before any of this, do you think we could've become friends sooner?"

"Why sure we could've," Applejack said, smiling back, "You weren't always a piece of shit, that was all Grand Ruler. But, Ah can see that under all of that, you are a stand up guy."

"Right, I needed to hear that," Lightning said, walking up to Applejack, "Which is why I am sorry for this!"

"For wha-" Applejack asked, before Lightning delivered a hard right into Applejack's stomach, making her double over in pain.

"That. And for what's it worth," Lightning said, frowning, "Thank you for giving me a reason to live." Looking away, he ran off towards the center of the town by going through an alleyway

---

Krysta looked up from the discarded remains of Lightning cloak as he ran off towards Conquest. Raising a hand, she tried to shout out his name, but was stopped when she heard the screams of an equine family. Frowning and narrowing her eyes in rage, she whispered, "Sorry, Lightning. But I need to do this. If I die... then I'm sorry."

Looking at the small dust cloud, she took off as fast as she could. In her hand, she created a small sparkling bolt of magic and flashed it right behind the zombies. This caused them to turn away from their prey. "Hey, uglies! You want to kill something? How about me? I'm the last of my kind now, your former queen, and the last fairy! How about you sent me to my final resting place."

The zombies for a moment paused, snarling and growling in their mindless tones. Sniffing they turned back to the mother and her two children, watching as they trembled. Smacking lips, they turned away from Kyrsta and flew towards the family. Seeing this, the fairy pulled back, letting out a gasp and then she flew straight to the zombie horde.

"Do you know what is special about Flutter Pony magic?" A mare's voice in Krysta's head rung out. "Our magic, comes from a need to help others. When a Flutter Pony is ready to make a great sacrifice for another, then their true magic appears."

Krysta closed her eyes as she flew straight into the fairy horde. Instantly, they began to turn and attack her. One quickly bit into the leg, while another tore off a chunk of her arm, leaving behind exposed tissue. As she could feel her body become torn, revealing the inner muscle and bone as they fed, she could see out of the corner of her eye the family escaping, "G-good...I'm glad I finally amounted to something." she whispered as she felt her adopted son bite into her throat. Her eyes began to feel heavy as she started to close them for the last time.

A shining light then erupted from her body as her heart beat began to pick up the pace. Slowly, but surely, the light began to cover her entire body as it flowed out from her heart. The now pure light body of Krysta bent over in a fetal position as it began to grow larger. Skin was quickly covered with a thin coat of coarse pink hair while her hair began to tie itself into a bow. Her little fairy wings began to grow in tandem with her own body as it grew in size. Her body bent backward as it released the magic, tearing the remains of her dress that had already begun to tear and rip as her body grew.

The figure that was once a small fairy opened up a pair of light blue eyes and glared at the shaken fairies. Lifting up her right hand, that now resembled the more pony like hands of her Starfleet comrades, she fired a beam of white light that fried four of the zombie fairies. One fairy tried to fly close to Krysta, but was quickly burned into cinders as he neared her. The other zombies, afraid of the new figure flew off.

Rarity and Fluttershy ran down the alley as they heard the screams. Turning her head to Krysta, Rarity was the first to pull back, "What word, what a lovely fairy. Though, I think she is missing something." she commented, noticing the lack of clothes on the fairy, showing off her rather large bust tipped with pink nipples and unshaved pubic area.

"Um, Rarity think you can give her some clothes?"

"Clothes?" Krysta asked, her voice a little deeper. "Why would I need-" looking down, Krysta noticed her nakedness and covered herself.

With a chuckle, Rarity pulled out some cloth and made a dress for the naked fairy, "It's ok, miss. I never understood the Unicornicopia's taboo about nudity myself. But, we have to make do with what we can."

"Why are you calling me a miss?" asked Krysta as the dress came on. "Rarity, it's me...Krysta."

"But, Krysta had a flat face, you're an equine," Fluttershy commented.

"E...equine?" asked Krysta, turning to look into a reflective mirror. As she did, she noted that all of her more human features were gone, now replaced by those of an equine. Her body was a lot taller now, matching the size of Fluttershy and she now had a tail to match her mane. "This...this is a Flutter Pony. But, how."

"You're a Flutter Pony?" Rarity asked. "What on earth is that?"

Pinkie ran in, "Rarity, Fluttershy,"she paused and looked at Krysta, "Krysta. Come on! Lightning is fighting Conquest in the center of town!"

"Well, that settles that. You are definitely Krysta!" Rarity said as she took off.

Krysta looked confused, "Wait, how can you tell?"

"Pinkie knows everypony and it's hard to trick her," Fluttershy said calmly.

---

As Conquest began to burn another helpless civilian, he turned his head to the sound of footsteps. There was a cold smile on his lips as he looked behind him at the white Unicornicopian walking towards him, "And here is the man of the hour now. Welcome, Lightning Dawn."

"Starfleet magic," Lightning said coldly, tapping his insignia and transforming, never stopping in his walk.

As Lightning neared Conquest. The elements raced to the fight, only to be blocked by a barrier, "No!" screamed Rainbow as she punched the wall.

Conquest smiled as he kept the barrier up, "Patience, brave knights. First we deal with Lightning Dork, then Grand Witling, and then you five sexy mommas." he said with a throaty chuckle before looking back to Lightning as he walked closer.

"Your fight is with me, no one else," Lightning said.

"Oh," Conquest said, putting his clawed hands together, and opening his eyes wide before blinking daintily, "Is this the part of the story where you come in at the last minute, after facing down so many trials and tribulations, grow up as a character, and defeat the big bad now that your friends are at your side?"

"Shut up," Lightning snarled.

Conquest then chuckled, "But, where are your comrades? Oh yeah: Dead, Dead, Retired, Wish he was dead, Working for me, and of course raped."

"I told you to shut up!" Lightning said, his hatred and rage practically flowing off his body.

Dark Conquest sneered, his razor sharp teeth showing as he spoke, "Why not? Or maybe you want to know more about Starla? How I had raped her almost every week, how she was my second favorite of every girl I had raped in the years had done this? Or how I have made her endure every one of my favorite kinks, including some I thought she would've gone mad from. She is stronger than I give her credit for," he then shrugged, "But, guess you wouldn't know, would you?"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Lightning shouted, taking off towards Conquest with a look of pure hate in his eyes. Pulling back his hand, he delivered a straight punch towards Conquest's chest.

Nimbly, Conquest pulled back and arched his back away from the attack, "Oh baby! That's what I like. Give me all of that hatred and rage, it feels better than anything in the world." he said, driving an elbow into Lightning's back. Then he delivered a hook into Lightning's face that sent him flying back.

While soaring in the air, Lightning did a somersault and landed on his hands. Using the momentum to perform a handspring to return him to his feet, he raced right back at Conquest. When he neared the mad alicorn, he began to punch in a series of hooks, uppercuts, crosses and jabs, which he followed up with a triple roundhouse finishing with a straight. Each one of these blows, Conquest nimbly blocked and dodged, making it look like he was moving extremely fast in opposition to Lightning attacks. When Lightning tried again with his bows, his punches coming in as a blur, Conquest quickly began to speak as he dodged and blocked Lightning's attacks, "Knick-knack-paddy-wack-doggy-wanna-bone. My-momma-told-me-to-pick-the-very-best-one-and-you-are-not-it!"

On the word it, Conquest slammed his forearm against Lightning's face, drawing a line of blood across his face. Extending his claws, he then slashed deep red bloody gashed across Lightning's chest, making a huge red x in his flesh, breaking the armor. Using the x as a target, he rammed his knee into Lightning's chest and pushed him back, following it up with a back kick. As Lightning tried in vain to recover, Conquest held out his palm and fired a lightning ball into Lightning's chest, sending him flying into the air and through the top floor of a building.

Lightning's breathing became harder and shorter as he tried to get up from the attack, blood running down from the wounds on his forehead and into his eyes. Spitting out the blood that was in his mouth, he turned to the sound of cracking glass. Looking up in the shadows from the broken lights, he could see Conquest standing there in front of him, "Still waiting for the big moment? For when your friend's spirits will come to you and offer aid, or to lend you power?"

"N-n-no," Lightning said, looking down.

"Good," Conquest said, walking slowly towards Lightning as he got up, "Because they are not coming, ever. Why? Because you have no friends. You were always 'Me, me, and me.' to Starla, by staying away from her and treating her like garbage. To buddy, by treating your own tragedy like it was better than everyone else, and to Artie by treating yourself as the only hero in the group."

Seeing a little statue of Twilight, he picked it up and crushed it, "Say what you will about Twilight Sparkle, but she never once thought that she was the only hero in the group. She knew that she was nothing without the others. Hell, even during her moment in the sun, she gave the praise to her friends. You, just take the glory all on your own."

"Twilight was," Lightning panted, getting up, panting as he felt blood run down his arm.

"Flawed, unlike you," Conquest said simply. "Look at you, alone and without friends. You abandoned all of them and treated them like dirt. Especially...Krysta. How you treated her like slime. Maybe I should pay her a visit

"YOU DON'T TOUCH HER!" Lightning roared as he ran to Conquest with a flying kick. Grabbing his leg in mid-air, Conques spun Lightning around like a toy and slammed him into a pillar. As Lightning laid there in the rubble, Conquest stepped onto his back with a loud crack. Looking down, he laughed maniacally as he reached down, grabbed one of the wings, and tore it off slowly. As Lightning screamed in pure agony, Conquest generated a salt water bubble and ran the salt along the exposed wound.

After stepping off of Lightning, Conquest watched as Lightning got back to his feet, trembling. Racing towards Conquest, Lightning managed to deliver three hooks into Conquest's stomach and chest. This pushed Conquest back before he grabbed Lightning's arm, pulled it back and began to punch him in the back several times, "Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself?"

"You..." Lightning said, coughing out the blood that had been pooling in his lungs from the broken rib that was puncturing his lung, "Are punching me."

"Oh no," Conquest said with a chuckle, "You brought this on yourself."

Lightning had no words as Conquest let go of his arm and then sidekicked him out of the building and into the side of another building. From the crater that his body made in the wall, he slid down and left a trail of blood behind him from the crater.

Struggling to get up, he looked at Conquest as he flapped down from the building, "So, how does it feel having only one wing? It's not that bad, really." he laughed, running a hand through his red hair and giving it a girly flip, "I had one wing once, it was awesome. I even dropped a comet onto a planet, well... I tried."

"W-what?" Lightning weakly asked.

"Or was it when I was a scary clown thing and wiped a planet of it's magic," Conquest laughed and shook his head, "I've been so many things in the multiverse that I've lost track."

Lightning held his broken arm to his side, glaring daggers at Conquest, "You-You are just a-"

"Nice guy?" Conquest asked with a curt smile. Conquest laughed, "Well, I am being nice in that I am giving you one chance to show off that Enticorn form of yours. Come on big boy, whip it out and give us the show of a lifetime!"

Lightning's eyes opened wide in pure rage as he could feel the anger and hate pumping through his blood. The power that coursed through him felt familiar and welcoming, like an old friend returning. Throwing his head back and slamming his good arm to his side, he let out an animalistic yell into the heavens as a blinding light began to surround him. Such was the power that exploded out from him that it created a crater beneath his feet as rocks began to rise up around him.

Now standing in the middle of the crater, Lightning was in his Enticorn form. Body all black except for the eyes which were now pure white, opposite his golden hair that rose up above his head. Slowly he narrowed his eyes at Conquest, who was on the ground laughing his ass off, "HAHAHAHA! You mean that is your big ultimate form? You..you look like the worst alien in all of Ben 10! You know, the one that can't do anything at all? The Celestialsapien?! Man, he was a laugh riot!"

Lightning said nothing as he turned his hand into a claw shape and pulled it back, slowly speaking" I summon forth a mystic power
to aid me in this darkest hour
casting now upon my foe
I now unleash… this magical glow!"

"OHHHHH! Now it's time for some fun! Should I stand here for the blast?" Conquest asked, standing in front of a bunch of shaking scared civilians. Then with a smirk, he stepped in front of the castle, "Or here, and let your shot kill one or two of the royals who have been stuck behind their own barrier, trying in vain to get out!" he laughed, looking back at the pink barrier that was holding Celestia and Luna at bay.

Luna shouted at her guards, "Find the switch and get that barrier down!"

"We need to get down there and fight!" Celestia said, putting on armor.

Grand Ruler could only chuckle as he said, "No worry, my love. Lightning is in his enticorn form now. The story will play out as it always does, my sword will find his inner strength and kill the demon, as always."

Back in Conquest's shield he stepped to a line of buildings, "Or over here for max collateral damage."

Eyes blazing with pure hate, Lightning finally shouted, "UNIFORCE!" he said, throwing his arm out in front of him and unleashing a large beam of golden light at him. He held out his arm, firing the magical energy until finally his form faded back to normal and his hair fell down over his eyes.

"See?" smirked Grand Ruler. "Lightning always wins, that is how the world works. Believing will always triumph over friendship."

Celestia frowned and stated, "Don't be so overconfident in your power."

Down below, Lightning stood up and was about to say a word, when he heard a slow claping sound. Turning around, he had a look of utter terror as Dark Conquest stood in the center of the blast, now a bloody skeleton. Smiling, he narrowed his eyes as he spoke with a reverberating, demonic tone, "Bravo, bravo. You managed to destroy my organs, skin, and muscles. If I were one of your cheap bad guys, it would've been over. But me? You just fed me a big old feast of hatred. Which means, you have powered me beyond my wildest dreams!"

Lightning could barely utter a word as he felt beams of black energy strike every part of his body, cutting open bloody wounds in the holes. Screaming in pain, he was unprepared for the slash across his neck and stomach. Grabbing him by the golden horn, Conquest pulled Lightning's head back while grabbing his neck with his free hand, "Now, I know Starla is in some other world right now. Don't know where but I'll find her. But, just for you, I'll open a telepathic link to her."

"What are you-"

"Sending a message to her, one that will make me squee," Conquest said, smiling. "Starla, babe? It's Conquest, I have your hubby here and he has a secret for you. You remember the greatest day of my life? The time we met? Well, when you were raped, Lightning felt something. Now what was it?"

Lightning began to cry, tears running down his face, "Please, oh please god don't make me say it."

"I am making you say it, and I don't answer prayers, Lightning old bean," Conquest said, smirking, "Now, tell her. Who do you think is responsible for that night? Who is responsible for letting her get herself raped, and why you feel shamed about her."

Crying, Lightning shouted, "I blamed Starla for letting herself get raped. It was all her fault for being so weak!"

"Lightning you asshole!" Applejack shouted. Shaking her head, she said, "That is something you should never do."

Conquest smirked as he turned off the telekinetic link, "And it's gone."

"No, let me finish!" Lightning pleaded, "I did blame her at first. But after everything I've been through, everything I've done, I realize it's my fault. I wasn't there for her enough, I wasn't there when I needed to be. I realize that maybe...I don't love her as much as I thought."

"Awe, how sweet, and so very too late," Conquest laughed as he tore the horn from Lightning's forehead, causing him to scream in pain. With a smirk, Conquest said, "Heh, broke your horn, and now time to say goodbye to you. For what's it worth, you are the best meal ever." and with that, he pulled back the dismembered horn and rammed it through Lightning's stomach, his hand and the horn sticking out of his stomach and covered in blood and gore.

His life fading from his eyes, Lightning looked at the impaled horn in his body and back at Conquest. The last thing he could hear was Conquest's laughter and him whispering something his ear.

Laughter subsiding, Conquest threw Lightning's corpse onto the ground in front of the castle. After slowly licking the blood from his claws, he triumphantly shouted, "OH that felt so damn good! WHOOOOOOOO!" he then leaned back, extending his hands to his sides and breathed in deeply, "Aw, feel that, pure hatred from everypony who is watching this. I took the guy who has grown into his own man and killed him in front of me and country!"

"You mean god and country," said a stallion.

Conquest winked, "Like I said, me and country. Now, while I am hyped up on hate energy right now, I think I will leave you all with a little present." holding out his hand, he held a ball of black fire. Smirking, he encouraged the ball of black flame to grow larger and larger, until it was the size of the castle, "You might remember this, it's black fire, the same stuff that was responsible for taking away Artie's hand."

Celestia gasped as she looked on in horror, "Oh, by my father no."

"Blackfire?" asked Grand Ruler.

"It's an eternal flame used by black sorcerers," Luna said, "It is said that whoever gets hit with it, will burn eternally. And any land that is struck with it will remain forever fallow."

Conquest smirked as he walked around, "Now, the question is, where should I chuck this? Here? Nah, that would be too easy. A large population center? Nope, too obvious! Oh, I know." he then chuckled lowly as he looked away from the castle and down towards a little town in the valley. "Ponyville."

"NO!" Rarity shouted, looking on with horror.

"You wouldn't!" Pinkie exclaimed, shaking in fear for her friends.

"Let's see, if I throw this fireball now, it will take two minutes to get there. Not enough time to evacuate all nine hundred lives that live there. Especially all of those sick and injured in the hospital," with a laugh he asked, "Oh, who will be able to escape in time? Rarity's love and her little girl? The injured Artie? The cakes and their little twins? The helpless and worthless Belle, trapped in her tree? Applejack's only family left?"

With a demonic laugh, his body regenerated all of the damage that Lightning laid upon him and returned to normal. Then he said, "Let's find out, shall we? After all, as I always say, kill em all and let me sort em out!"

"You mean god...oh," a random civilian said, the statement dawning on him.

"Exactly!" Pulling his arm back, he threw the fireball towards the small town and waved goodbye before teleporting away.

"We got to do something!" Rarity shouted, looking to Applejack.

"What can we do? Nopony is fast enough to make it there or to catch up with that-" applejack looked around, noting the absence of one of their team, "Where's Rainbow?"

Gasping, Fluttershy took off towards the leaving rainbow contrail.

---

In the sky, Rainbow Dash was well ahead of the fireball, pumping her wings faster than she ever had before. In her eyes, a look of fiery determination matched the scowl that she had as she kept the pressure on her body. She then let out a gasp as she felt a pair of arms wrapped around her belly. Looking back at her and turning around in the grip, she looked into the eyes of Fluttershy, "Fluttershy? Wha-"

"Never again, remember?" she said, holding up her hand where the mark once was, "We made a promise to each other to never die alone! I am not going to let you go and do this alone. Not if it means you might die. Not if it means I am going to lose you. Not like this, not after everything we have been through. I just got you!" she said through her tears, "And I don't want to lose you! I love you too much! I want to spend these moments with you, I want to-"

Rainbow Dash silenced her with a passionate kiss, holding her close as the fireball flew behind them. Breaking the kiss, she smirked, "I get it, you want to be with me forever. Look, you fly down into the center of the city, make a shield, and protect it. IF I can't stop this, I'll need you."

"Well, then," Fluttershy smiled as she gave Dash a kiss, "Guess I won't need that barrier then. Because you won't fail."

Rainbow Dash gave her a wink and another kiss on the nose, before letting her go to the little town. Turning back to look at the oncoming fireball, she cocked her head side to side and began to think, "Ok, Dash, how are ya going to stop this thing? I could punch this sucker at mach speed, but my hand will burn up." She then looked down at her legs and shook her head, "And kicking it is out. My legs can't handle those flames either. Grrr...so what am I going to do?"

For a few moments she began to think to herself, "Wait...what was it that Twilight said once...

"You know I love tornado day," Twilight said, resting on the ground in front of her tree. In front of her is a book. "Do you know what happens when you form a tornado? It's quite interesting."

Rainbow Dash sighed and waved her hoof in the air while resting on top of a tree branch, "No, but go ahead and tell me. I need to nap."

This response made Twilight roll her eyes, but she still began to lecture with a smile, "See, the speed you are making is creating an area of low pressure that is making a vacuum, this vacuum is what is causing the water to rise up through the funnel and make it's way to Cloudsdale." after pausing, she asked, "Are you listening or are you dozing?"

"Both," Rainbow Dash joked.

Rainbow Dash smirked as she put her goggles over her eyes, "Thank you, Twilight!" and without another word, she flew around the side the fireball and then to the top of it. Maintaining her position above the large object, she began to fly around in a large circle above it. She began to repeat this motion again, and again, until she began to make one long continuous circle above the flaming sphere.

It wasn't long until her speed began to pick up so much that a tornado began to form from the gusts of her rapid laps. The large blue tornado began to rise higher and higher until it touched the cloud barrier and beyond it into space.

Inside the massive wind funnel, Rainbow Dash kept pushing her body to it's utmost limit, flying harder than ever. Beads of sweat began to roll down the sides of her face as she flapped her wings harder than she had ever done before. Her wings beat at such a pace, they became nearly invisible. Along her coat, the wind began to brush along it, creating small ripples along the fur. Feeling her mane and tail become straight from the speed that she was putting onto herself, she lowered her head for an additional boost.

Around her, she could feel an all too familiar mach cone began to form around her. Grinning like a maniac, she pushed herself right through her usual barrier and created a loud explosion of light and sound. Her once blue tornado had now become a large funnel of prismatic light. From an airship, Pinkie Pie looked ahead and exclaimed, "Girls, look! It's Rainbow Dash! She's doing it, she's making a tornado!

"My word! Go Rainbow, Go!" Rarity cheered.

Applejack smirked as she tipped her hat, "That's why they call her Loyalty."

All across Ponyville, the civilians all turned their yells of fear and terror into cheers, "Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!"

Belle smiled warmly from her tree as she watched her friend, "Do it Rainbow."

Fluttershy could only smile warmly as her marefriend began to pull off her feat, "It's what she does best, the impossible."

The only evidence that rainbow and her tornado were still one was the little blue dot that flew around in circles. For Rainbow Dash, he mind was focused on keeping the tornado steady and sucking up the eternal fireball beneath her. Lightning began to crackle along her body, sparking and zapping along her limbs. Magenta eyes began to surge with electricity as she flew faster and faster. At one point, she could see hundreds of ghostly images flying beside her, "The speed force," she whispered to herself as she pushed her body past every barrier she could. Feeling the power of the speed force flow through her, she began to fly even faster.

Looking down below, she smirked as she watched the giant fireball become ever smaller. The flames began to snake its way along the funnel and into the air. Keeping an eye on the flames as they rose up into the sky, she made sure to maintain the tornado until the fire had all but vanished. When the fireball dissipated, Dash flew up through her own tornado, following it.

Reaching the top of the tornado, she smirked as she looked at the flames up in space, "Oh no, I'm not done yet ya mook." thrusting out her arms at length, she began to twirl her arms in twin circles making a giant horizontal tornado. This tornado pushed all of the black flames into the vastness of space.

Tired with a look of satisfaction, Rainbow Dash let out a breath and snarked, "Beat ya, you miserable fireball. You know why? Cause I always, beat the impossible."

Her eyes closing from exhaustion, Rainbow Dash fell out of sky. Soon a familiar set of yellow arms grabbed her in the air and used her shield to help her back down to the ground.

Back down on the ground, Applejack began to shout as she and the other disembarked from the airship, "Rainbow! Where are you? Rainbow!"

"Oh my, please, don't tell me-" Rarity sniffled in fear. "We can't lose another one, not after all this time?"

"She'll be fine!" Pinkie said with confidence, "It's Rainbow Dash! She'll handle this." then she looked to her left to see Belle wandering with Scootaloo, "Belle! Scootaloo! Are you alright?"

Scootaloo nodded, "Yeah, but where's Rainbow Dash?"

"We all saw her tornado and her fall out of the sky," Belle said, panting, "But, we didn't see where she fell."

"She's going to be ok, right?" whimpered Scootaloo, looking down.

"Yes, she'll be fine dear," Rarity reassured.

"Heh, she's more than fine," Applejack joked as she looked at a nearby tree, "As a matter of fact, Ah think she is in no safer place in the world."

Curious, the girls walked over to where Applejack looked and smiled at the sight. There, under the tree, was Fluttershy, humming a soft little tune to the pony on her lap. Rainbow Dash slept soundly, her head on Fluttershy's thighs, while Fluttershy ran her her fingers through Dash's mane, making little circles, "Shhhh, girls. Rainbow is a little tired. The poor thing has had a busy day and needs to sleep."

"Sure, let the girl rest all she wants," Applejack chuckled.

Rarity smiled warmly and nodded, "Don't worry, we'll let you two rest."

"Ewww, why did something so awesome get followed up by something so sweet," Scootaloo complained as she and the others left.

Softly, Rainbow let out a little purr and hugged Fluttershy's waist, "My Flutters."

---

Krysta flew into the mansion that night at full burst, her wings pumping even harder than before. Her equine eyes were blazing with fury as she flew straight at Trixie and began beating her hands against Trixie's chest, "You promised! You promised you would protect him! That no one else was going to die!"

Trixie looked down at the crying Krysta, and began to say, "Krysta-"

"Now, he's dead!" Krysta continued to cry, "And all because you failed in protecting him! The only stallion I cared a shit about and he's dead because of you!" sniffling, she pressed her face into Trixie's chest and sobbed, "And I never told him how much he means to me."

"Wow," a familiar voice said with a chuckle, "Maybe I should die more often."

Kyrsta lifted up her head and smiled wide, her face a mix of disbelief and pure joy," Lightning?" when she looked to her left at the source of the voice, her face broke out into a smile as she saw a familiar white stallion with short cut black mane standing in the hallway. Gone was his Starfleet uniform, now he wore a simple t-shirt with a Lightning bolt on it and red sweatpants.

"Hey, Krysta," Lightning Dawn smiled warmly.

Krysta pushed Trixie to the floor and flew straight into Lightning's chest, giving him the biggest hug she could, "Lightning, you're alive!" she cried, and soon began to look up at Lightning's face, "Your... your horn." she whispered, seeing the bandages that wrapped around Lightning's forehead. "What in Equestria happened to your horn!"

"Well, that was part of the big plan," Lightning said, beginning his tale...

---

Shortly after I had punched Applejack in the gut, I ran down an alley where the Umbra Circle waited for me.

Lightning panted as he looked back at Applejack, who gave him a thumbs up, "Ok, Applejack's part of the plan is all set. Is it ready?"

Carrot Top slowly walked out with a golem that looked exactly like Lightning Dawn, "Yes, me and Zecora worked for a few days on the subject, but it's finally done."

"All we need now is an infusion of your magic and the golden horn," Trixie said, looking to Lightning. "You sure you are ready for this?"

"Yeah," Lightning frowned, grabbing the golden horn. Frowning, he began to tug and pull on the horn, "This blasted thing has been a thorn in my side for way too long." after tugging for a few moments, he torn the horn off his head with a loud scream and flash of light.

---

Lightning rubbed the spot where the golden horn once was, "Then I placed the horn onto the golem and sent it off to fight Conquest. Since all of my magic was in that horn, it was all that I needed to remove the corruption from my body. I placed it onto its forehead and all of the magic transferred to it. All I needed to do was mentally control it."

"Trixie added her illusion magic to make the blood seem red," Trixie said with a bow.

Raindrops nodded, "And since it was just made, it didn't have time to bond with us and become alive like Glarity. Seems like that is a problem with golems, if they hang around living beings and are treated like living creatures, they'll start to become alive."

"The only thing is," Lightning said with a frown, "I think Conquest realized it when he killed it."

Conquest smiled, leaning in close to Lightning's ear and whispered, "You've got a bit of green in you."

Trixie shrugged and waved her hand, "Who cares, as long as it fooled Grand Ruler into pulling out his big plan or whatever he has waiting in the wings for this "Board wipe."'

"Shame I won't be seeing it," Lightning said, getting up and pulling out his wedding ring.

"Is that..."Krysta asked, seeing the ring.

Lightning nodded slowly, "My wedding ring. Their mage told me that it's the best way to find Starla's dimension. By linking this object to hers, it will create a tunnel that will lead me to her."

"Good," Dementia said, stepping out from the shadows, with Rep and Mysterious following her. "We're coming too."

"What?!" Lightning said, looking to the trio.

Rep-Stallion held up his hand and said, "Hold it, Lightning-dunce. We're allies now. We're here to help with Starla and the slaves just the same as you."

"Y-You are," asked Lightning Dawn, a little shocked.

Reps-stallion nodded, "Yep, and besides, my wife's there."

"Your wife?" asked Krysta.

Rep smiled with pride, "Yeah, you know her... Inquirious."

"What?" deadpanned Lightning, shock coming over his face.

"And Brain is my little brother," Myst said.

"WHAT?!" gasped Krysta.

Then Dementia stepped up to Lightning, frowning, "And before we do anything else..." she said, pulling back and slamming her fist into Lightning's face, knocking him to the floor. "That was for insulting my daughter!"

"Daughter, who is you..." Lightning trailed off as he got a good look at Dementia's face. He began to see familiar dimples, cheek structures, and a smile. With exception of the red hair, he was looking at his wife and slowly, his mind began to connect the dots, "HOLY CELESTIA ON HIGH! You-You-You're her mother!"

"Yeah. Hi, Mr. Dawn, meet your mother-in-law," Dementia said with a frown. "And you and I are gonna have a LONG talk later."

"Y-Y-yes, we will," Lightning said with a frown.

Trixie shook her head, "Time for that later, just use the ring and the incantation that Spark told you."

"Why isn't she here?" Lightning asked, "I would like to see her."

Raindrops frowned, "She's... busy with research. She hasn't come out for a while now."

Lightning nodded in response, "Hope it works out. Well, come on guys, let's go save a friend," and with that he held up his wedding ring, chanting an ancient spell. Within moments, a portal opened up that suck the five beings in.

---

Grand Ruler sat on his throne, his golden horns glowing a bright yellow. In his hand, sat the Orb of Reality, the last of the eight items and the most powerful. There was a frown on his face as he held one of the star stones over the orb, "My sword is broken, my shield is gone, and my wife had betrayed me." there was a frown on his face as he narrowed his eyes.

"Sire, the ponies have been picked and are ready for transport," Shaina said, saluting. "Shall I prepare the evac?"

"Yes," Grand Ruler said, making the orb glow brightly, "Begin Operation: Board Wipe."

Thanks to Wyvern and Zolt!

Oh, this chapter...this chapter has a long history of being rewritten and changed since the rough draft so long ago. Originally, before Lighting's duel there was a battle with Applejack. I was going to have him go in, insult Applejack, and then insult Twilight. The to then get into a rumble with each other and ends with Applejack kicking Lighting's ass. She is carried off and saying "You maybe stronger, but you aint better." As kind of a take that to the original's way of saying "Stronger means better."

However, problem here. Over the course of the story, I had begun to develop the characters, make them shine brighter and better than their originals. This, led to a problem. Around chapter 8, I had already had the develpment in mind, but I still had Lighting's death planned. Only this time, Grand Ruler would use his power to brainwash him into trying to get applejack to fight and kill Applejack.

But, over time, that continued to change. Lighting Dawn began to become more of a character to me. This was thanks to Scorpio Smith and Nemesis. See, I had never given much thought to Lighting Dawn as a character, but Nemesis began to make me think...maybe I could do something with him. So, even with his death in mind, I had begun to develp and change him until...about three chapters ago, I had a thought.

After everything that Lighting has gone through, every battle he has suffered, what would killing him do? What, was I sayig that, you get developed enough and change you will still die? That in spite of everything you do, it doesn't matter because you will die anyway? Kind of depressing and goes against the theme I have been working on for the past 18 chapters.

So, I decided, save Lighting Dawn. And I did.

Rainbow Dash's moment of awesome was something else that had been building up this whole time too. See, I hate the Uniforce! I hate it so much and it's not just because I have this thing against op attacks that leave you tired afterwards. Oh no, I hate the fact that it' s a racist move. Think about it, Unicorns get this badass move and pegasi/ earth ponies get nothing? How fair is that? At least Alicornism has a history of being applied to pegasi too, so you can at least assume that earth ponies get it too. But the Uniforce? Nope, it's cannon that 'only unicorns with special golden horns can use it' So I decided to fix that.

Originally, this was going to be shown with Dash and Fluttershy holding each other close as they kick the giant fireball, giant holy wings sprouting from the back. However, I began to think better of it and decided to ditch the idea. Over time though, I began to change it to Fluttershy and Dash pushing it, and then just Dash alone. That was when the Flash influence began to kick in and I wanted to do a scene of Rainbow Spinning so fast that she sucked up the fireball like a funnel.

On Kyrsta's transformation: Again this is something I hate in the orignal! Krysta always ticked me off and annoyed me. And it wasnt' until I played Breath of the wild that I realied why. She is only there because the author is almost as a big of a Zelda as I am and wants to put in Zelda refences as much as possible. However, the problem here is-Shes human. Maybe one day I'll give out a blog stating the problems with this, but trust me, there are a lot. So...I decided to fix it and change her up a little.

Other notes:

-The stallion Kudos is torturing. His code is GT4S: short for Go Team Four Star!

-There was a nice sex scene with Fluttershy and Dash here, but one of my editors thought it would make more sense for Fluttershy to wait until marriage.

...

I swear if he cuts one more sex scene out I am going to go Ape.

-This is probably the most musical chapter of the whole lot.