Original Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zKXARRfp8DxR7OgKn9swndyZgx6QkVz73wQRVrhwo4s/edit?usp=sharing

Warning: This my little pony fan fiction is very grimdark and contains influences from other very grimdark fan fictions. Read at your own risk.

Note: I will ignore several facts from the show to remain accurate to the standards I set up during the events of the previous books.

Revenge. How much is it worth? How far would one go to achieve it? Does hatred and destruction not only lead to more hatred and destruction? These questions are the ones which the whole world should be wondering these days. But the biggest question of all is: After one thousand years of war, have goals become blurry on both sides? When will it ever end and what will be necessary?

A war that has been raging for such a long time seems unending. But with King Blueblood’s rise to power, fear started to spread across the globe. Fear and rumors of everything soon coming to a change. Yet, no one seems to be capable of telling in what way.

However, where there is fear, there is also hope. Is this hope strong enough to defeat the fear? So many questions, so little answers. In the end, it comes down to two things: a severed horn held in the clutches of a demoness and a necklace worn around an alicorn's neck.

---

The arctic north of Equestria is known for being very calm. The few forests in the seemingly endless frozen planes are, like everything, nearly suffocating in the thick, flawless snow. The sound of the cold wind blowing between the pines is all that can be heard in the blue, black and white night. Silence and calmness fills the air and the whole world seems asleep.

Tonight, though, the silence is an illusion. The calmness and harmony is deceiving. In the muffling soft mass, hooves can not be heard. Hooves that are running to safety and likewise, the hooves which give chase can not be heard either.

Four ponies were running for their lives. Their goal was to reach the train before they get caught. But with skilled assassins just behind them, this is by no means an easy task. Especially when one half of the group were past their best years and the other half still had their best ahead of them.

The trees were rushing by, appearing like huge black monsters to the younger ponies. It only made them even more scared than they already were. Stopping or panicking were no options, though. They both realized that. All they could do was trying to dig their way through the deep snow as fast as they could, staying closely behind their parents.

The two foals were panting in stress and exhaustion. They could hear their parents pant in front of them as they desperately tried to shove the snow aside for their children. But also, they could hear the panting of their pursuers. It was tempting to turn around, just to see how closely behind they really were. But the two foals would not dare to do anything that might slow them down.

Suddenly, the colt fell. A frozen lake was buried beneath the snow. As he screamed, both his sister and his parents instantly stopped, even though they knew this could be fatal.

Instantly, the father saw a silhouette jump into the air. The only part that could be made out clearly was the blade, shining in the moonlight. He could not let this happen. He could not let his son die. So he ran into the aggressor, punching where he suspected would be the mouth holding the dagger.

As the mother helped her son back up in the meantime, another scream followed. The daughter was bleeding, another pony towering over her. The mother thought it was over now. The assassins had them. But then, to her great relief, she spotted something rush by in the corner of her eye.

The assassin did not have enough time to stab the filly a second time before his blood came dripping down on her and the body collapsed to her side moments later. Before she even understood what was happening, she felt how magic lifted her into the air and she got carried away. She was still in pain, but that was not as important to her as the fact that the silhouettes of her mother, father and brother were growing smaller and smaller the further she went away. But soon, another silhouette jumped down from atop a pine tree, striking down another assassin. This finally gave the family enough time to start running again.

“It’s not far anymore!” a female voice shouted.

The filly finally realized that there was a unicorn mare wearing a fully body set of shiny blue armor that sparkled brightly in the moonlight. Judging by the glowing horn, she must be the one who kept her in the air. But everything was very hectic and happening too quickly for the filly to follow. Just after she spotted the one who carried her out of danger, she was placed on her father’s back who suddenly appeared right behind the armored mare. Her mother was by his side, carrying the son.

At last, they saw their goal. The silhouette of a small train appeared as they left the woods and instantly, it started to move.

“This is going to be a close call! Get on board!” the armored mare commanded.

Even though the parents were very exhausted and could hardly catch enough air to breathe, they picked up the pace and gave it one final sprint.

“There they are!” a male voice shouted.

The mother could hear how a blade flew past her ear. She risked to look behind and saw a whole troop of ponies chase after her. Just a second later, another mare in sparkling blue armor jumped in between her and the assassins. A purple aura quickly built up around her, followed by a mighty purple lightning bolt shooting at the pursuers. The explosion launched them all over the place, partially even ripping them into pieces.

Finally, the parents and their children managed to jump on board of the rolling train. But so did a few of the aggressors. Swiftly, the father opened a door to a carriage and guided his wife and children inside. He could close and block off the door just in time, but the assassins instantly started breaking it down.

The small family reached the other end of the carriage and opened the door again. All became startled by the cloaked mare standing just in front of them. She, though, quickly pushed them through the door and started running across the carriage. Letting a scythe appear out of thin air, she used it to strike down the first pony that came charging towards her. Then a second, followed by a third. What bursted in next, though, was not a pony. It was an indefinable black mass of blades, mouths and claws with glowing red eyes.

This battle took significantly longer. The mare got bitten and cut several times, but ultimately was able to make the creature look into her eyes. It instantly stopped fighting and seemed paralyzed, allowing the mare to engulf it in a black smoke.

Finally, it was calm. The family was hiding one carriage ahead and none of the pursuers could catch the train anymore, so they soon stopped running. A bright flash filled the carriage and the two armored unicorn mares appeared, panting heavily.

Minutes passed by without any more attacks. The parents dared to leave their covers and looked around. The only ponies they could see were the two mares in crystal armor quickly entering their carriage to cast healing spells on the filly in order to stop the bleeding. Finally, they signalled their children that it was over. They did it. They managed to escape. Their next destination would soon become their new home: The Crystal Empire.

---

The sun was still down when the train approached a menacing blizzard. But just as the machine risked to get frozen over, a tunnel formed in the storm, revealing the tracks. Next to them was a light blue mare with curved horn, demonic wings and black eyes, wearing a black cloak. The cold seemed to not harm or bother her at all and she just waited for the train to pass through before she caused the tunnel to disappear again.

Finally, the family could see it. The perfectly symmetrical empire made entirely out of crystals. So far, they only heard about this place, but have never been to it themselves. Even the injured and traumatized foals started smiling and sighing in relief at the sight presented to them. They knew that they were finally safe now.

Two minutes later, the train stopped. Completely exhausted and suffering from sleep deprivation, the family left the train. Just a moment later, the three mares who saved their lives followed. Now finally being on safe grounds, the armored unicorns could risk to take off their helmets.

“Thanks you so much for everything tonight. I don’t know how we will ever be able to repay you for this,” the father started, speaking to Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Fluttershy.

“You don’t owe us a thing, Mr. Cake. It was me who wanted you to keep spying on the cult to begin with, so personally saving you and your family after your cover got blown was the least I could do,” Twilight responded.

“You shouldn’t waste any time, though! Pumpkin’s cuts are pretty bad and the healing spells won’t help much!” Rarity spoke while looking at Cup Cake and her daughter.

Both parents focused at their daughter in worry. Her expression clearly showed that she had no idea how she should be feeling right now. Should she cry because of pain? Should she scream due to all the things she had seen? Or should she smile over the fact that she finally was safe and her family alive? In the end, all she was capable of doing was staying silent.

“Let me escort you to the doctor,” Fluttershy offered, then turned to Twilight and Rarity. “I will meet you at the palace.”

The two mares nodded. As they watched the family run away, Twilight let out a sigh of satisfaction. Another mission successful. Another small victory over the BloodClaw Cult. Suddenly, she turned around to her friend.

“Rarity,” the purple mare called.

“Yes, darling?” the fashion diva replied.

“Toothless,” Twilight spoke, expecting a response.

“Alligator,” Rarity replied.

That was the correct answer. Now Twilight could safely assume that this truly was her friend, and not a skin-walker trying to infiltrate the empire. The purple mare smiled, then turned around and started walking, her crystal helmet floating right next to her.

“I’ll need to check on my parents and Owlowiscious. Do you want to come with me?” she asked.

“Sure. I never really had a lot of opportunities to talk with your parents,” Rarity agreed and began to follow while as well letting her helmet float beside her through magic.

“Neither did I with yours,” Twilight stated.

“Don’t worry about that, darling. I am their daughter and not even I could ever spend a lot of time with those two adventurers. Always traveling, always looking for something new,” the white mare responded.

Twilight smiled again. It’s strange, she thought. After all she had been through, it are these small things which still get her to smile. She just came home from an escort mission and killed at least ten cultists by violently blasting them into shreds and she just shrugged it off like it was nothing more than finishing a school day. These battles and struggles have become just too normal for her taste. Finally, she let out a sigh.

“Gee… I can’t believe it has already been six months since we got banished from Equestria. Six months of rebellion and we still don’t have the slightest clue where all of this is going,” the purple mare spoke lowly.

“Think positive. So far, we had a lot of success! The Crystal Empire is known throughout a majority of Equestria to be a safe haven for all refugees of Blueblood’s regime. Aside of them and the crystal ponies, several wandering caravans of cattle joined the rebellion as well!” Rarity stated.

“We are just barely enough to defend ourselves against a large cultist attack. Not to mention that we still don’t have enough outposts in the cities of Equestria to help guiding refugees towards us and to plan liberation missions. We might be safe for now, but it is just a matter of time before Blueblood will start taking us serious as a threat and orders demons to attack. We need to be prepared for such a case,” Twilight responded.

“What do you plan to do?” the fashion diva wanted to know.

“Let’s discuss that during the meeting. Even though all 87 reapers are here and constantly patrolling around, we can’t know for sure that we are not being spied on right now,” the purple mare suggested.

With that, it became silent again. Minutes passed by before both noticed a bright glow in the air. It was Philomena, Celestia’s pet phoenix. It seemed like she took a detour from her patrolling around the crystal palace to greet them, so the two mares waved up to her.

“I just hope it’s warm enough for her,” Twilight worried.

“I think she’ll be fine,” Rarity responded, then closed her eyes and smiled. “It is good to know our pets are all safe and doing well. Winona is with Applejack and Babs Seed. Owlowiscious is living with your parents. Gummy has grown up, finally grew some teeth and got returned to the wilds. Tank is living with the other wild animals in Fluttershy’s cottage back in Ponyville…”

“Sorry you lost your cat, though…” Twilight spoke in condolence.

“It’s… it’s fine, darling. Opalescence was old. I’m just happy she died a natural death and I was there when it happened,” Rarity explained.

Once again, the two unicorn mares became silent. After taking a turn, Rarity suddenly coughed a bit.

“Gosh, you are still coughing?” Twilight wondered.

“I don’t think I take the air around here so well,” Rarity stated with a shrug.

“This has been going for quite a while now. Does the pectoral not work at all?” the purple mare wanted to know.

“It worked just fine in the beginning. But now, it hardly makes a difference anymore. Do you think I should get a stronger medicine?” the fashion diva wondered.

“Probably. But I mostly think you should visit the doctor again,” Twilight suggested in a worried tone.

“Well, I will see to it tomorrow. It has been a long day and all I want to do now is just getting our meeting done and go to bed,” Rarity explained.

The purple mare nodded in understanding. She could not deny that she had difficulties to stay focused herself after being up for nearly twenty hours straight. But as long as there were things to do, she would not risk to just fall asleep on the spot.

After taking a turn down another street, they finally reached the small house made of crystal where her parents were residing. Just as she expected, the lights were still on and before they even reached the door, it opened by magic. Twilight Velvet came running out, embracing her daughter.

“My gosh… I was so worried. Are you hurt? Is everything alright?” she asked immediately.

“Gee, mom! Don’t worry, I’m fine! And yes, everything turned out well. One of the Cake twins got injured, though. But she has good chances to survive,” Twilight Sparkle explained, then looked over to the door where Night Light was standing with the pet owl on his back. “Hi, dad. Hi Owlowiscious.”

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle!” Rarity greeted.

“Hey, Twilight and good evening, Miss Rarity!” Night Light started. “Though, ‘evening’ might be a bit of an understatement, considering that it will be sunrise in a few hours. Anyway, since we are all awake anyway, why don’t you come in? You both look pretty tired.”

“Sorry, but I just have enough time to check on you,” Twilight explained, loosening herself from her mother again. “I’m really sorry I can’t spend so much time with you anymore, but leading a rebellion is a pretty time-consuming and stressful job.”

“Oh, sweetie. I fully understand and honestly, I could not be prouder. You help more ponies everyday than any of us could ever dream to help in a lifetime! Thank you for stopping by. Now I will be able to sleep peacefully for the rest of the night,” Twilight Velvet responded.

“I will keep that offer of getting together with the two of you over a cup of tea in mind, though,” Rarity stated a bit teasingly.

“Haha. Yes and tell the others that they are invited, too! Good night!” Night Light spoke and started waving.

The ponies said their goodbyes, then Twilight’s parents went back inside. The two friends, though, turned around and started heading towards the crystal palace.

---

Just ten minutes later, the circle of rebellion leaders met up in a well-guarded hall. Aside of Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack, the former demi-goddesses Celestia, Luna and Cadence were present as well. To their side were Shining Armor, Derpy Hooves and Crystal Blossom.

The ten placed their front hooves on the table, all focusing Twilight. She seemed to be mustering all of her friends in suspicion.

“Applejack. Is Babs Seed your friend or our friend?” she began to ask.

“Mah friend,” Applejack responded.

Another correct answer. In order to prevent any possible espionage by skin-walker demons, Twilight thought up a complex system to scan for possible infiltrators of their meetings. All of them had to answer very personal questions only they could know the answers for. While doing so, they had to keep several codes in mind. Saying somepony is only your friend means that they may be close to you and even part of your family, but they are not a pony who can be entrusted with all secrets. On the contrary, saying somepony is the friend of all members of the circle means they know all the secrets the circle knows as well. The whole group established who belongs to which side of the system long ago.

“Shining Armor. What do I usually call you?” Twilight kept asking.

“Big brother best friend forever,” Shining replied.

“Rarity. Who taught you about gemstone magic?”

“It was Obsidian Shards.”

“Crystal Blossom. What did you tell me when I was about to commit my first execution?”

“I will keep believing in you, no matter what may come.”

“Derpy. How did we defeat Despair the first time?”

“By you gaining control over your arcane magic.”

“Fluttershy. What is the name of the curse haunting Equestria?” Twilight asked next.

Every once in a while, Twilight would throw in a question like this. It does not fit into the usual system on purpose, since it is not a personal question. But this one in particular acted as a check if there might be any creature present that did not belong into the circle.

“Maledictum Insania… and I helped Rainbow Dash find a pet. Tank the tortoise,” the reaper mare replied.

Since she, like most of the members of the circle, was cursed with the curse of secrets, being able to speak out those two words loudly just proved that there was nopony nearby eavesdropping on them. The latter statement was to confirm her identity.

“Cadence. What was my favorite rhyme in my childhood?”

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake.”

“Luna. What did you learn from Fluttershy when you first visited us in Ponyville?”

“How to lower my volume and speak more gently.”

“Celestia. For what reason did you let me pass my test surrounding the return of the Crystal Empire?”

“You were willing to risk failing the test as long as it meant guaranteeing the safety of the crystal ponies.”

Everypony present proved their identities to be correct. Now it was Twilight’s turn to answer a question, then they could finally begin their meeting. This time, it was Derpy Hooves who raised her hoof first.

“Twilight. Where did you first discover that I am a reaper?”

“On top of Death Rock Mountain during my first visit of Tripudium Messōrum. You showed me your rune cutie mark and revealed that your left eye is actually a glass eye.”

Just seconds after it became clear that everyone of the leadership circle was present, the atmosphere changed and everything became a lot more comfortable and relaxed. Though Applejack could only sigh.

“This is so darn tedious. Can we at least keep the meeting short? Ah still gotta get up in the mornin’,” she complained.

“Sorry to wake you up in the middle of the night. I will try to get this over with quickly,” Twilight apologized. “So, the escort mission was a success, although Pumpkin Cake got stabbed by a cultist.”

“How bad are her wounds?” Luna wanted to know.

“She will need to wear a bandage around her leg for a while, but she will fully recover,” Fluttershy responded.

“But seeing how the cultists were ambushing you, it seems we need to change our escorting route again,” Cadence suggested.

“Yes, sadly. But we still have plenty of alternate paths to go. Anyway, what’s the latest status on Equestria?” Twilight wanted to know.

“We can confirm that the crystal caverns inside the mountain beneath Canterlot have been taken over by the demons. They turned them into a new stronghold they call Hades. This makes Canterlot the city with the tightest security in the land. Aside of that, Blueblood ordered the demons to attack Maretonia. Needless to say, they conquered the country very quickly and killed the duke and duchess,” Crystal Blossom summarized.

“I was going to ask them next to support the rebellion…shoot,” Twilight spoke in worry.

“That was the last place bordering on Equestria that hadn’t been conquered…” Rarity resumed.

“With this development, other nations should start to feel very threatened by Blueblood. The next closest nation to us is the Mule Republic. I suggest we should focus on getting them to join the rebellion next,” Celestia spoke.

“Sounds good. Anypony else agreeing to the plan?” Twilight asked back.

Unanimously, all present ponies, reapers and fallen alicorns raised their hooves.

“Alright. That settles everything for now. Thank you all for coming. Good night,” Twilight concluded.

With that, the circle members left the hall, all of them heading to their rooms in the palace or homes outside. Most would go to sleep now. Only the reapers and Luna would stay up for the rest of the night to watch over the empire and make arrangements.

---

While Twilight and her friends were getting some rest, the demons in Equestria had entirely different plans. Despair, The Guillotine of Hope and Toxica, The Cloud of Disaster were walking through a just recently destroyed settlement. The ponies there dared to raise their voice against King Blueblood. Therefore, he ordered them to kill every last of them. Blueblood did not tolerate anypony saying so much as a single bad word about him within his kingdom.

As usual, Toxica was very playful. She fluttered from one burnt down house to the other, picking up random objects and severed pony limbs to play with them. But that was not why Despair was here. She just stopped in the middle of the destruction, waiting for one more demon to arrive.

A couple of minutes later, a small troop of ponies approached, carrying a large red pillow with another demoness on top. It was Succubus, The Insatiable Lust. As they reached Despair, the group halted and gently placed the pillow on the ground. Succubus, though, remained laying on it and threw a few poses for her servants.

“Thank you so much, my sweets,” she spoke softly.

“Did they find it?” was all Despair wanted to know.

“Of course, honey. Lemon Hearts, my dear. Would you be so kind?” Succubus requested.

The unicorn mare in question had a yellow coat and cerulean mane. Like all of Succubus’ servants, she acted as if she was sleepwalking while constantly having very dreamy eyes, focusing on her mistress with a strong blush on her cheeks. Immediately after the red and black demoness spoke out her request, Lemon Hearts approached Despair and pulled an item out of her saddlebag.

Despair grinned sinisterly. In front of her was an object she had been searching for a long time now. It was a large, dark gray horn. Its tip was dyed in a strong crimson. The demoness knew precisely whom it used to belong to. In just a few short years, this horn would become an important key element to her masterplan.

Despair reached out her right front leg. The mouth inside it opened widely and grabbed the horn.