Rainbow Dash collapsed to the ground as the sword along with the pain disappeared. Her friends rushed to her side. There was no apparent injury. Twilight checked with her magic for any internal bleeding, but came up negative. Rainbow opened her eyes and turned to look at her back.

"I don't understand..."

The Overlord's evil laugh seemed to come from everywhere at once. It turned their blood to ice, and not even Pinkie dared to laugh along.

Celestia was in a battle-ready stance, her wings spread wide and her eyes darting around trying to locate the source of the maniacal laughter. She inhaled sharply and shut her eyes tight. She could feel the sword now in her. The pain threatening to overwhelm her. Celestia stiffened and fought against the burning sensation now spreading through her body. She knew The Overlord was trying to expose her as weak, to show that a life of luxury had soften her over the years. But Celestia will deny him that chance. The blade and the pain was fake, just as it was with Rainbow Dash.

Correction, the weapon in your back is very real, and I'm not trying to "expose" you I actually intend to kill you. And I believe I've succeeded.

Celestia then felt a thick, warm liquid forming at her hooves. She dared to open her eyes, and the last thing she ever saw before falling over dead was the puddle of crimson blood spilling out of her underbelly.

Then the Element bearers, along with Spike, changed. They all stiffened up and their pupils dialed to slits. They all blankly stared into nothing, caught in some trance by the Overlord. The true event was occurring in their minds. Each one was mentally living a complete alternate reality. They didn't live their normal happy lives, but an evil twisted nightmare.

Twilight, always trying to help some pony in need, but only hurting them in the process.

Rainbow Dash, in a failed attempt to rescue Scootaloo from a crusade gone wrong, permanently paralyzed her wings and leaving her grounded for the rest of her fake life.

Applejack, who lived with her relatives in Manehatten after a devastating fire destroyed the farm and claimed her family.

Rarity, living on the streets with Sweetiebelle, who had a severe lung disease but Rarity couldn't afford treatment since she was run out of business by a competitor.

Fluttershy, finally became brave enough and found love, only to have it ripped away in a construction accident.

Pinkie Pie was simply held in stasis, as there were no scenarios that The Overlord could think of that would break the cheery party pony's spirit.

The only pony left now was Luna. She backed up in fear, her mind was racing and she was hyperventilating. The Overlord manifested in front of her with his sword in hand. He took slow steps towards her, and she was moving away with his every step, frantically looking for something to use against him. The Overlord raised his sword above his head, ready to deal one swift blow, but was suddenly intercepted by another blade, this one belonging to Discord. The Overlord turned to look at the mixed creature.

"So, the Spirit of Chaos finally makes an appearance. I believe your just a tad bit late to save Celestia now."

Discord didn't pay him any mind, his attention was on Luna, who was feverishly looking from The Overlord to Discord.

"Luna!"

Discord desperately tried to get the panicked princess to snap out of the fear that had so viciously gripped her. But Luna wasn't responding. Discord moved over to where he was in front of Luna, still locking blades with The Overlord. It was then that Luna finally refocused back into the real world.

"Luna! The tree, get the others and yourself to the tree!"

Luna ran to the Element bearers and engulfed them in a blue bubble.

"If you leave this town, it will be the biggest mistake you'll ever make!" Anger was clear in the Overlord's voice.
But Luna didn't have a choice. In a flash of light, she and everyone else was gone

Author's Notes:

And so it begins. The next few chapters are not for the faint of heart, as they will contain some very graphic content. But if you think you can take it than be sure to stick around.