CHAPTER 10: DRACONEQUUS - PART 3

Eris smiled as she remained elevated before the portal to the land of draconequus. However it wasn't a smile which depicted of her usual erratic self, it was a more calmed one. She regarded Discord almost pleadingly before asking, "So does this mean you've had a change of heart Discord? You've been awfully quiet, which leads me to assume you're reconsidering helping the ponies." She spread her arms, "Please Discord, won't you join me? Chaos is where you rule, not this petty state you've been reduced to. You are a slave to nopony and nothing, by my side you are free to be yourself and rule however you please."

Discord yawned heavily, "Oh what's that!? Sorry, didn't quite hear you there. Listen Eris, I get that you think we're the greatest race in all possible existence and I couldn't agree with you more! But you see here, I just can't imagine you sharing anything with me. I do hope you understand." Discord smiled softly as he'd crossed his arms with a slightly smug expression.

Eris frowned heavily as she sighed, closing her eyes and shaking her head. "Typical, it seems anypony whose befriended by these meddlesome little ponies changes over time. Well Discord as you know I can't having you roam about getting in the way, even if you are of my own blood. You're a talented draconequus yes, but I believe you don't really understand the gravity of the situation you're in. Not even you're invincible against everything, and I'll prove that to you now." Eris snapped her claw sluggishly with disappointment, as she now glared at Discord still upset by his decision. "To think that little yellow pony would be more important than family, you've disappointed me greatly Discord. Sadly I'm preoccupied with the recovery of our race so instead I'll let you play with somepony more fitting towards your tastes, and agenda."

Eris snapped her claw, before appearing before her would be another portal, pitch black in appearance. She'd sigh heavily, before emerging from the portal would be another individual. Yet this one wasn't a draconequus, nor was it a pony. It appeared to be a hybrid of some sort, a dragon and pony mix. Her scales were a glistening white shade, as majority of her wing's scales consisted of the colors green and purple. She stood upright despite having four hooves, and a dragon's tail. She also bore a unicorn's horn.

Eris sighed heavily yet again, "Amethyst Primrose."

The dragon hybrid glanced around momentarily with a blank expression, before turning around to catch sight of Eris, to where she immediately bowed. "My lady, what is the occurrence for which I am needed? It is rare you call upon me for aid."

Eris regarded the creature with a smile, "Mhm, you see Scarlet already has quite a bit to deal with Primrose, so I need you."

The creature remained knelt, but still spoke regardless. "Forgive me my lady, but if Scarlet is here, am I really necessary?"

Eris nodded. "Mhm, I need you to handle Discord while I go clean up this mess. Primrose, this is in regards to what we spoke of long ago,  so please do not fail me, this means quite a lot to me." Eris then looked to Nightmare Moon before they both regarded one another with a nod, and proceeded into the portal which lead to the land of draconequus.

The portal soon closed afterwords, to Discord's disappointment.  

Primrose then turned to face Discord yet again, before just regarding him with a blank stare. "Hello Discord, it's nice to see you again. I apologize we have to meet under such circumstances but as you know, you've upset Lady Eris."

Discord groaned, "Oh do save me the melodramatic tone! I do say I feel more like I'm in a soap opera if anything! Besides what's a little child like you going do to me!? I must inform you, surprises aren't very effective this time around."

Primrose shook her head, "Absolutely nothing Discord."

Discord's eyes widened, and he wore a confused expression, unable to wrap his mind around what she was implying.

Primrose shook her head, "I know full well I can't do anything to you, direct confrontation isn't my forte anyhow. I am simply here to be a meddlesome distraction to be honest. There's also a reason I'm Lady Eris' personal courier." The creature flapped her wings once, before she'd disappeared. She then reappeared in Ponyville, as immediately the townsfolk just looked upon her in feint curiosity as most couldn't even depict what she was. "I'm quite fast." Most ponies were already distracted with the night sky, since the fact of the matter was it should only be nearing into the late afternoon. You misunderstand everything entirely Discord. If Scarlet is here, then I'm certain Lady Eris is quite serious about this world, whichever one this may be. She paused in her thoughts for a brief moment, momentarily glancing at the dirt beneath her hooves. For Scarlet comes from a place much different from what I'm certain you're most familiar with, especially if you're unaware of who she is. I guess that's not much of a surprise however. Suddenly with a simple glance and a spark of her horn, many houses in Ponyville would spark and be lit with a fierce and spreading green flame. Scarlet, are you there? Can you hear me? I want you to listen to my voice. How are you doing?.

Immediately the citizens of Ponyville began to disperse and run about in a panic.

Primrose looked back up towards the sky in Discord's general direction.

As Discord saw Ponyville spark with flame, his eyes widened as he to then rushed to aid the small, now familiar town.

Immediately Primrose's eyes widened as she took notice of the fact there'd been a barrage of fiery pink magical spheres of flame flying in her general direction. They were all focused on her, and she leaped from area to area with a flap of her wings, ensuring to dodge each and every one, realizing she couldn't get hit. I am here if you need me, don't lose sight of your goal. I will do everything in my power to help you, but you have to listen to my voice. I'm saddened that Lady Eris let you go alone, but if that's indeed the case then I can't imagine she's in a very healthy state of mind either. Scarlet, I need you to answer me.

Primrose then reappeared beside a small undamaged house, still wearing a concentrated expression. As she appeared there, a stack of papers scattered around her, being carried off by the winds. She blocked out all the surrounding ambiance, as if neglecting to hear or acknowledge it. Realize; we are not the monsters, Lady Eris will build us the world we're searching for. Primrose paused as she glanced about momentarily, feeling a slight hesitation in her own words and thoughts. We,...are not the monsters. But in that moment, out of the corner of her eye, Primrose saw something. She saw a young mare, and a band of three fillies hiding in an alleyway. They all wore fearful looks as they attempted to remain out of sight of the creature. For personal reasons, this petrified the hybrid creature. She couldn't take eyes of them. That is until Discord had remade his appearance swiftly, and relentlessly with a smirk. The draconequus looked upon the creature as in a split second he'd raised his claw in front of her, and forming in the palm of that claw would be another fiery pink spherical shaped spell, in which he didn't hesitate to try to press against her. The little hybrid creature's eyes widened as she'd immediately gasped, and of course, pulled back and away from Discord. We aren't monsters. We aren't murderers. That's what we've been trying to change. Isn't it,....Scarlet?

As Nightmare Moon and Eris overlooked the cities of draconequus, it had appeared as if the cover of night had already affected these lands as well. This brought a smile to Eris's face. She looked upon the city almost in a nostalgic manner, "Nightmare Moon, you know why I love children so much?" She took this moment to glance over at the now fellow draconequus.

Nightmare Moon shook her head, "No...And I don't really care. I didn't sign up for all this small-talk."

Eris continued. "Children are so easily convinced, and so easy to understand. You give them an ounce of your acceptance and love, and they will repay you in whatever way they can. Promise them reward and they will follow you, and attach themselves to you. Of course this may not be the case with all children, but, powerful ones, ones who're feared and left alone to fend for themselves. They are the ones who make the greatest difference. They are ones who understand what it means to forge a world from scratch. They are the easiest to take advantage of. Easily disposable, and easily conquerable." Then with a swipe of her hoof, a row of towers on one of the floating cities had crumbled. Being immediately crushed and torn asunder by Eris's simple swipe.

Eris chuckled and grinned, "We draconequus who can feed off chaos and negativity, have proven that if willing, we can turn our children into threats far greater than ponies and that of their gods. Twilight Sparkle could never realize it, not even in the end, that our greatest weakness is friendship itself, something so trivial yet so effective. But it matters little, Scarlet will prove to them otherwise, that even Eve's development is small in comparison. So many worlds differ greatly."

Nightmare Moon just remained elevated there with her arms crossed, glancing at Eris with another uncomfortable look.

Eris chuckled madly, as she'd continued swiping her claw, her grin spreading wider from cheek to cheek. "Only once in my life had I been thwarted by pitiful kindness, but I will correct that mistake here and now! Friendship is a lie! A manipulative tool used against us! It is status and nothing more! Friendship is an illusion craft from petty desires and noble birthrights! Greed, jealousy, looks, primal instincts, friendship doesn't come to those who lack the selfish qualities to achieve it. It only comes to those who understand the meaning of survival, the desperation of acceptance! Naive children believe otherwise! Such as those who cling themselves to me, see how they're so easily manipulated, so easily used! Have Eve for all I care! I'll finally get what I came for!" Then with another simple swipe, Eris had already decimated half of one of the cities. Her grin was crazed, and she possessed a look of intoxication, as if she were getting a rise out of the experience. She couldn't stop chuckling, nor grinning.

Almost immediately after her assault, Eris found that the draconequus were already on the move. She could hear the cries of the children, lost in their confusion, in the destruction and chaos. She could hear them already falling into their own negative feelings. The adults were scattered, already attempting to make sense of what was happening. As a few notable figures soon made their way into the sky in Eris's direction. The blinding white moonlight didn't do well to hide their location, but Eris nor Nightmare Moon was hiding, they were simply waiting. Eris remained elevated there eagerly, never losing satisfaction, and she never stopped grinning. She burst into laughter, "Hahahahahaha! It's beautiful, so beautiful! Now they know the cost of trying to establish order, of going against my wishes. And their punishment has only just begun! Trusting in Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, Princess Twilight Sparkle." She'd paused, before snapping her claw, "What a bunch of idiots."

Nightmare Moon then raised her own claw, as opening behind them in the face of the full moon would be a massive black portal, and emerging from that portal would be creatures of the nightmare realm as they'd exited absently.  

Scarlet, can you hear me Scarlet? Are you there?

Twilight Sparkle sat at a dimly lit study. However, this Twilight Sparkle appeared much different. She appeared older, more worn than before. She sat alone in a room cloaked by shadow, accompanied only by a single flickering candle light. She was an alicorn, but she also now bore wrinkles beneath her eyes and in other areas on her face. She coughed for a second, before lifting a quill and just staring down blankly at a piece of parchment. The ambiance around her was desolate with hollow winds as a window located towards the back of the room was wide open. She frowned heavily, and it looked as if her eyes were dried of all moisture, as her body already seemed frail and weak. She then began writing on that piece of parchment.

I doubt anypony will have the chance to read this, but I do enjoy the thought of reassurance. I guess all I want to leave behind now is the thought that somepony might avoid the mistakes I've made in the past, because in my world; there is no future. Time and again, I have done what I could to keep the draconequus at bay, to the point where I have exiled all of their children from my lands. As successor to both Princess Luna and Celestia, it was my heartfelt intention to protect my subjects, no matter the cost.

I see now that such worries of mine have costed me everything, and if I could take back those decisions I would. However, there's no such thing as a second chance to make a good first impression. The draconequus have proven this to me. Perhaps it was my mistake to allow one draconequus's actions to affect me so greatly. Had I accepted Discord for the fact he changed over time, perhaps things could've turned out differently. I guess there's no point in regretting any of this now.

I saw the children as monsters and nothing more, creatures that couldn't be tamed. Ironically it is that very thought process that has lead me to this point, for now here I am in my final moments, contemplating my life. I await my death at the hands of one of the very children whom I rejected out of my fear and paranoia. A child birthed from one of my closest friends. Those very fears have costed me all them as well, and I am all that remains of a once prosperous and beautiful kingdom. I am sorry, truly, I am.

Twilight Sparkle paused for a moment, as her eyes watered and she started to appear as if she were losing her composure. She then just continued writing on the piece of parchment silently, before lowering her head in contempt.

I guess it's best to start from the beginning.

I was careless, and all I could see before me was frustration, annoyance, and spite; despite the fact it was one of my friend's before me experiencing perhaps the most joyous day of her life. I recall it being a beautiful day, and the sun's vibrant rays reflecting off her face, bringing an even brighter more heartwarming glow to her already soothing yellow features. It was the birth of Fluttershy's child, a half-pony, half-draconequus hybrid. But perhaps she could've been different had I been more tolerant of her from the beginning. I however, couldn't stand it at the time. I gritted my teeth, having felt betrayed by Fluttershy. How could she go and have this mutant child with Discord behind my back? I'd felt lost, caught off guard, and ultimately as if I were put in a horribly unfair situation. I recall the words I spouted off to Fluttershy in my rage, despite her having invited me to the hospital that day.

"What have you done!? Fluttershy! She will only cause you more pain and suffering!" Twilight stomped around the room, huffing profoundly, unsure what to make of it. "This is the surprise you were keeping from me!? THIS!? F-Fluttershy....This is horrible! Do you understand what it is you've done!? I can't make exceptions! Not even for you!" She stared her in the face, so full of anger and hatred for the child she'd judged before she could even develop a personality. "The draconequus protocol needs to remain instilled, who knows how dangerous your daughter could be! I'm sorry I can't risk it, you're too kind. Give her over to me."

Fluttershy of course denied Twilight's offer to house responsibility over her child. And despite knowing her beliefs regarding the draconequus, she looked at her as if she were shocked, appalled, and confused. Her eyes teared up almost immediately in reaction, as she looked at Twilight in hesitation in anger. She gripped her wrapped child in her hooves, as half her body was buried beneath the blankets. Twilight felt as if she'd became the elephant in the room as Fluttershy shouted at her; "Twilight! Now isn't the place or time for this! H-How?....How could you even suggest such a thing!?" In Twilight's own arrogance, she'd become ignorant of what the meaning friendship truly was, and the bond she'd established with her friends so long ago. They were all present, and they all looked at her as if she'd lost her mind. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, even Pinkie Pie and Spike. Discord however didn't appeared surprised by Twilight's whirlwind of emotions in the slightest.

Feeling cornered, of course Twilight stormed out of the hospital room.

Rainbow Dash approached Fluttershy with a caring smile. Her rainbow mane was fashioned into a ponytail now, and she to appeared to have grown a bit older from her common appearance. Rainbow Dash also wore a flight uniform with the hood pulled back. As she stood at Flutteshy's bedside she chuckled, before putting on a pleased smile. "Don't worry about Twilight Fluttershy, I'm sure she'll come to accept her with time. Of course, a child from you is no different from actual family. What's her name?"

Fluttershy sniffled a bit, before smiling at Rainbow Dash, her cheeks flushing red for a moment. "I...I know. I guess I was just a little caught off guard by her outburst. I never intended for Twilight to immediately take notice of the fact my little filly is half draconequus. I'll ensure Twilight never has to worry about her though. She'll be a sweetheart." Fluttershy cradled the child more, pressing her against her body while holding her with her two front hooves. "Discord and I have talked about it, we like the name Scarlet, it's...it's nice. I-I mean...well, of course we'd like your opinions on it as well."

Rarity exhaled softly with a look of adoration. "Oh that's a lovely name darling,...." She teared up, "I'm so happy for you two."

Applejack nodded as she'd also tipped her hat, "As am I darlin, can't believe you're the first of us to actually have a kiddo."

They all soon started chuckling amongst one another, in this somewhat joyous celebration.

I sat outside the room, in the hallway with my head buried in my front hooves. I refused to accept it, or acknowledge the idea still. Little did I know, that would be the last time I would ever see Fluttershy, there before me, so full of emotion, so full of life.

Fluttershy, was found in her hospital room, no more than a week later.

Nopony was sure who was the culprit, and I believe this was the definite point in all our lives where we found that our idea of friendship would never be the same. I recall the room, looking as if it'd been painted red. It was a rainy day, no pegasi was in the mood to clear the skies. I fell into despair in my own grief, as did Discord, for he wasn't there, none of us were, to protect her. Nor could we pertain who or what had done this to our dear friend. Her corpse was twisted, drained, and I dare not describe the expression she more than likely made in her final moments. Had I stationed guards, had I considered the possibility of such a thing occurring, I would have never let down my guard. Everypony else was too lost in this moment of serene bliss to have considered Fluttershy's child being a target. I was too lost in my feelings of arrogance to have prevented anything from happening in the first place. There were heaps of flesh and putrid meat scattered about the room, they didn't not belong to Fluttershy. No, we assumed they belonged to the child. We'd all assumed as such. Fluttershy's little girl, having been the target, a child feared to receive special treatment and protection, at the risk of Equestria's well-being. Pony society was raised to be afraid of a child draconequus, it was only likely to assume somepony would take their worries too far.

We searched and searched for clues, to no avail. Day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year, nothing changed.

Scarlet Shy had disappeared from the face of Equestria.

Discord soon followed.

We'd assumed he'd departed out of guilt, and out of punishment for his own failure to protect the one he'd cared most for.

We were all fools to not have seen the bigger picture. To not understand just how short-sighted we were being.

Many years passed as my friends and I only continued to drift apart because of Fluttershy's death. Rainbow Dash blamed me, and I of course blamed myself, as I do to this day. Rarity simply wanted to forget. Applejack followed this train of thought soon afterwords as she'd realized that no matter what, she to could never get over what she saw that day. Pinkie Pie sunk into her own state of depression, realizing that she could no longer get us to truly smile. Our friendship was breaking apart with time, and with time, we'd started to lose touch. Our happy times together ended up being our burdens to carry, and became haunting memories which only reminded us of the worst time of our lives. I am ashamed to admit, that even then, I put some of the blame on Scarlet. I hated the child for having brought such a fate upon Fluttershy, for being the cause of such madness.

I told myself, had that child never been born, then perhaps all of this could've been avoided.

Maybe, had I removed the draconequus protocol in the first place, nopony would've cared to notice her potential anyhow.

But our personal feelings couldn't get in the way of our duty to the land itself.

Seven years would pass, before we'd ever actually come together again. Seven years of no contact would happen, before strife and turmoil itself would be the one thing to bring us together again. However it mattered little, for we now lacked the heart to move forward or fight for a world we all had begun to lose hope in. The enemy had dealt the final blow to us so many years ago, without us even realizing it, we were already finished. It just took the loss of one of us, to shatter our spirits. I see that now. It was all a part of the grand scheme of things. Somewhere down the line, she learned more than us. She learned what it meant to thwart friendship, and to build a sense of everlasting despair. Why couldn't I see it? I'm sure Princess Celestia would've seen it.

But once again, it's a little too late for regrets.

Twilight Sparkle sat at a meeting table, and along with her at that meeting table would be her fellow Elements of Harmony. They didn't eye one another, and they all kept their glances towards the table's surface for some time. Well all except Pinkie Pie, who glanced about worriedly at each of them, momentarily. Applejack however answered Pinkie with a simple stare and a shake of her head. Pinkie Pie frowned heavily, before tearing up and closing her eyes and burying her head in her front hooves. Twilight Sparkle rose from the table in that moment, as her guards behind her remained at each of her sides with their lances sheathed. "I thank you all for coming, it means a lot to me. It's such a pleasure to see all of you again. I'm sorry to have dragged you all out here on such short notice." Twilight wore a patient expression, waiting for a response.

Applejack was the first to answer. "I-It's...It's fine Twi, it's good to see you're still okay after all these years."

Rainbow Dash's face darkened as she kept her head lowered. "Yea, it's too bad one of us isn't here to see it."

Rarity winced in regards to Rainbow Dash, "R-Rainbow! That's highly uncalled for! It wasn't Twilight's fault!"

Rainbow immediately slammed her hooves on the table, before swiping one in Rarity's direction. "WASN'T IT!?"

Rarity immediately flinched with wide eyes and a paranoid look.

Rainbow Dash continued as her body trembled with frustration as she spoke. "Friendship? What a joke! How can she even call us here on that premise knowing full well we were called here as weapons! Not as friends! Our friendship withered away a long time ago!" Rainbow then shot a piercing glare at Twilight, "It went along with Fluttershy, and you all know it!"

Twilight kept her gaze towards the table's surface and didn't say another word for the time being.

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, looking back down at the table yet again. "If only Twilight had just been happy for Fluttershy then things would've been different! Had Fluttershy not felt the need to keep such a beautiful moment a surprise, had she not felt the hesitation, had Twilight gotten rid of the draconequus protocol the moment she became princess, Fluttershy would still be with us!" Rainbow paused, before glaring at Twilight, "Tell me Twilight, do you feel satisfied? Fluttershy was such a problem wasn't she?" Rainbow then smirked, "Killing two birds with one stone, it's progress, isn't it? Eheh."

Twilight immediately glared at Rainbow Dash with imminent killing intent. She then used her telekinesis to grab hold of the mare, before forcibly throwing her body against the back wall of this meeting room. Rainbow of course reacted with a pained gasp for air, as Twilight didn't falter in her actions. She then immediately lifted Rainbow with her magic, just staring at her plainly.

Applejack immediately rose from her seat, before shouting at the guards. "What're ya all doin!? STOP THEM!!!" She then immediately dashed for Twilight as she'd grabbed hold of the alicorn tightly, keeping her close. "C-Calm down Twi! STOP THIS! This isn't the way to do things! We're friends don't you remember!? We call came here to work together like old times!"

Rarity joined Applejack as she'd also embraced Twilight. "P-Please Twilight....Put her down, we're begging you."

Pinkie Pie just trembled as she'd had her ears covered with her hooves. "Will you all just stop it!?"

Pinkie's words seemed to strike them all into a sort of daze, even Twilight. Twilight appeared as if she'd snapped back to her senses, as she steadily let Rainbow Dash back to the ground, releasing her from her telekinesis then setting her gently upon the surface of the white marble floor. They were all silent yet again. Twilight of course was as well, before just turning away back towards her guards and then trotting off. "Fine. It was my mistake to call you all here. It's obvious we won't be able to return to using the elements with the state we're in as it is anyway. Return to your daily lives. I'll deal with these issues....alone."

With that Princess Twilight left the room, as the rest of the mane six simply kept themselves.

Rainbow Dash in particular was awfully silent, as she soon turned away as well, trotting towards a different exit sluggishly.

The rest of the mane six besides Pinkie Pie all soon departed afterwords as well. Pinkie Pie remained, with her head lowered.

Had I fought harder to restore our friendship to what it once was, then I truly believe things would've turned out different. But I couldn't ignore Rainbow's words either, I couldn't ignore them because, they hurt. They hurt, because they were true. Deep down I felt responsible for Fluttershy's death, and I couldn't deny it, I could only stand there and bite my tongue, and ultimately I made the ultimate mistake of lashing out against another of my closest friends. We were all in the darkness, slowly being guided towards our caskets by the opposing hoof. For coincidentally, only a day after that meeting took place, the sky would shatter.

Harmony became corrupted, and had I been more weary of her, then perhaps I would've been prepared.

There standing at the top of a makeshift natural staircase made of dirt and grime which lead towards the tree of harmony, was what appeared to be a draconequus. She was fairly young based on mere appearances.The sky overlooking the entire area was amass with black clouds and loud with thunder. The draconequus had pink hair with streaks of white coursing through her wild bangs, as her tiny wings were a pale yellow shade. She bore no expression at this time, and only looked up towards the sky for a moment.

She frowned to herself, as if disappointed. The demeanor of the draconequus was horribly gloomy, as were the deep black bags underlining and bordering around her eyes like that of a raccoon. It was as if that grieving expression was permanently indented on her face, and she knew not how to make any other expressions. She wore a black hooded cloak, and had a staff fastened to her back by use of a brown leather strap. She raised her paw to the sky, before curling it in. With her motions, came another loud echoing boom which reached towards the far ends of Everfree Forest. And with her heavenly motion and call to her birthright of chaotic magic, rain poured down over her head and the entire region. This brought a fierce grin to her face.

At that moment it was revealed that littered behind the draconequus would be a multitude of pony corpses. The likes of many guards, both lunar and celestial in appearance, as they were strewn across the entire area like torn rag-dolls. Their divided pools of blood began to mix in with the moist dirt and grime beneath them. Some wore horrified expressions while others appeared confused, many of their eyes were wide open as they laid there. The draconequus didn't take the time to regard the corpses, perhaps she already had. But she did pull out a small pendant of a pink butterfly, before kissing it gently. "Mommy, show them the kindness I could not, welcome them with open hooves as I escort them to your infinite paradise. Let your tears of love bless them."

As she descended down the staircase she kept her eyes focused on the pendant wrapped around her neck. She looked at it as if it gave her peace, and the whole time while she did that, that gloomy demeanor never departed from her somehow. Soon enough, the draconequus arrived at the bottom of the staircase, tucking the pendant behind her cloak once again before approaching the entrance to the cave which lead to the tree of harmony. It was like taking a long walk through an open field, everything felt slowed for some reason. It also felt too quiet, there still had to be some more resistance. She still wore that pleased smile, but the closer she came to the cave entrance, was also the moment she practically unsheathed both her claw and paw, trotting on both her hooves like an upright pony. "Daddy, guide me as I bestow your gift upon the race of heretics."

Her expression became slightly more serious but still looked pretty much the same, but her eyes widened as she paused in that next moment, seeing as appearing in front of her would be two distinct clouds. One flashed with blinding light while the other was a darker shade of blue, sort of like the evening sky. She kept her eyes focused on both of them.

"That's enough!!!" Shouted a voice fiercely, as two figures emerged from their separate clouds.

The draconequus stayed stopped in her tracks, now with a displeased frown.

Revealing themselves would be Princess Luna, accompanied by Princess Celestia. Both princesses no longer wore their crowns, and actually looked far more casual than usual. They lacked their royal adornments, and were simply bare alicorns.

Princess Celestia glared at the draconequus before her with a fierce snarl. "What do you think you're doing!? Who are you!?"

Scarlet just commented with a straightforward tone, "I am Scarlet, and I have come to bestow my blessing upon the land."

Princess Luna scowled then, obviously just as upset as her sister, "What are you planning on doing to the tree!?"

Scarlet blinked a bit before before leaning her head back with a snicker and chuckle, "I just told you didn't I?"

Princess Celestia and Luna's eyes widened as they then glanced to one another, before frowning some themselves. Princess Celestia spoke firmly as she regarded the draconequus with a heavy look of sorrow and regret. "Then you have forced our hooves, we won't let you come in here and destroy the very foundry Equestria's built upon. Why you would do something like this is beyond my understanding. Your crimes will plaque Equestria for years to come, you can't be allowed to do this. "

Princess Luna squinted and raised a brow, remaining silent for a moment before asking herself, "Are you a draconequus?"

Scarlet looked at them as if they were crazy for a moment, before frowning again. She clutched her pendant with both her paw and claw, pressing it against her chest before closing her eyes and muttering a silent prayer. "Mommy, I must place two more souls in your care, they are goddesses in their own right, please show them the respect they deserve. Show them the kindness that I could not." She paused before continuing, "Daddy, I ask you again to guide me as I bestow your gifts of chaos upon those who dare go against the righteous path that must be bestowed upon the races of Equestria." She opened her eyes before kissing her pendant, "I will open their eyes, and lead them back into the light from which they've strayed from for all these years."

Princess Celestia stomped a hoof in protest and desperation. "Stop this! Why!? Why would you make it your personal mission to go against all the good things we've established for you and the rest of your generation? There is no point to this madness, to this chaos! If you do this, the consequences will be catastrophic!" She stomped a hoof, "Where did you even learn to speak like that? To act in such a manner? From whose womb do you belong to!?"

A devilish grin spread from cheek to cheek on Scarlet's face as she rose her paw and claw. "The ponies of Equestria have strayed from the righteous path, they hide from the evils which surround them daily, they ignore them, and they are blind to the pain and suffering of the world around them. Fear, hatred, despair, they are things that must be mastered in order to prepare ones self for the future. Now I alone must be the message Equestria needs. Mommy has educated me greatly in the truth of your ways."

Princess Luna wore a saddened expression as her drenched mane covered her face somewhat. It was fitting to her, she was far from happy. "You're very opinionated for such a young little thing, I'm saddened by the fact that you must resort to even this in order to feel appeased with yourself. How you turned out so twisted and different is beyond me. Your reign of terror has gone on long enough and you have forced us into this position. You are the reason we goddesses of the past have emerged to give aid once again, because even now, there are exceptions. Even with our powers waned, the two of us together should be more than enough to put an end to you." Princess Luna paused, "It has been long since I've last seen one so confused." She frowned heavily.

Scarlet stood there, still with gloomy eyes before glancing down at the mud beneath her, then once again pulling out the pink butterfly pendant. "Mommy is a great mare. She sacrificed everything to give birth to me. All the other ponies, they have all become confused and lost. There is only one way you can make them understand the truth. Punishment is necessary."

Princess Celestia shook her head. "There's no getting through to you. Do you truly think Twilight and the others will stand idly by once they hear about what you've done!? This tree is more precious than you know! How you found out about it I don't know, but this is a sacred place, the world will not accept this! We will not accept this, so surrender now! Or pay the ultimate price."

Scarlet didn't budge, and only just took a few more trots forward.

At that point Princess Luna snarled, before reappearing high above the draconequus. She'd let off a magical blast towards the her, attempting to finish her quickly before the fight really started. And as the the blast had made contact with the child, there'd suddenly emerged a veil of yellow and pink smoke, practically absorbing Luna's spell. As Luna noticed this, she'd paused, before disappearing yet again in a flash of blue smoke, and reappearing besides Celestia.

Princess Luna and Celestia just stood there patiently, simply waiting for the smoke to clear. As it did, there eyes widened as they both suddenly appeared petrified, unable to definitely describe what it was they were seeing before them.

There standing beside the draconequus as the two were shielded by a magical pink barrier; would be an all too familiar mare. She bore a beautiful pink mane and her coat was a light yellow shade with beautiful cyan eyes. She stood there, beside the draconequus child while petting her head. The draconequus at this time had her staff unsheathed, as the mare beside her just stood there patiently and pleased, caressing the draconequus's head with loving affection, just looking upon the two alicorns with a smile. "Hmhm......."

Princess Celestia's expression sunk drastically, as it slowly became an expression of horror despair, then anger. Her eyes swelled with tears as she looked upon the figure standing before her, "What?...What's going on here? Fluttershy?"

The pale yellow mare just sighed, before bursting into laughter. "Aha...Ahahahahahahahahaha!!!!" In that moment, the mare appearing as Fluttershy, just grinned fiercely before cocking her head back and raising an amused brow.

And in that moment, Fluttershy's eyes momentarily flashed with a neon green color.

We were unaware, of just how far she'd go to ensure the ponies were knocked off their pedestal.  

Please realize what we couldn't. Draconequus could never be handled under normal circumstances. The answer has been before us all along, and we just couldn't see it in regards to all of them. Fighting alone won't work, only the power of friendship will. I only hope these words won't be wasted, whomever may have to deal with such issues ahead.

In present time, Scarlet grinned as she stood there. They were still in a realm far different from the Equestria the ponies were familiar with. Surrounding them would still be the depictions of a filly's storybook, with floating dolls, chocolate rivers and streams, strange elevated towers and a multitude of different pieces of candy. Streams of a liquid red trailed down Scarlet's body as she wore a sadistically playful expression with a raised brow. "I wonder how bad it hurts. It must hurt really bad, right, Princess Celestia?" The child draconequus's face would be decorated red, as she'd licked her lips, getting a taste of the bitter substance.

She chuckled as she just repeatedly tapped the surface of the ground with her lamp post.

Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Eve, Fluttershy, all who were present were frozen with petrified expressions. They couldn't react, and Twilight who looked as if she'd been battered suddenly appeared as a lifeless husk before the sight, as she just fell to her side and the tears absently coursed down her face. Princess Luna in particular broke down almost immediately, as she cried out to her sister, "C-Celestia!?!? CELESTIA!!"

Princess Celestia was motionless, as her face was also drenched with the crimson substance, and it dripped from the bristles of her once beautiful white coat. Her eyes had lost their color, and were half closed depicting the princess was no longer with them. Princess Celestia's crown slid from her head, before dropping to the floor beneath them, and her mane also lost it's beautiful glow soon afterwords, before becoming motionless and falling limply to her sides. Princess Celestia was impaled on a series of crystal spires, as the sharp transparent glistening spikes punctured her on all sides, protruding and exiting from many regions of her body. Beneath her motionless body would be a pool of red, sparkling in this twisty candy coated realm.

Scarlet would bare her fangs with a wicked grin. I can you hear you clearly, I'm having the time of my life!

In Equestria, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor regarded one another with approving nods. They looked upon a golden chariot from a porch overlooking the Crystal Empire, as they both then looked up towards the midnight sky and full moon.

Princess Cadence glanced to her lover worriedly, "Do you think auntie and the others are okay?"

Shining Armor sighed heavily, "That's what we're going to find out, I find it strange that night's come this early as well."

Princess Cadence chuckled somewhat hesitantly, and deliberately, "I'm, I'm sure....they're just fine hmhm."

Shining Armor flashed Cadence a weak yet hopeful smile, as his eyes saddened a bit. He muttered softly, "Yea...."