The good news is that there were no more unwelcome guests underground, the bad news was however that their unexpected delay gave royalty enough time to return to the castle and for the guards to return to their posts. Shining had rebuffed the shield and shrank it to where it was only covering palace grounds. A controversial decision to say the least but it was done.

"Well just great!" Rarity complained, "Now they will most certainly come down here and we will be captured and, who knows what else!"

"You're right." Twilight went into thinking, "They will come down but they won't come down in large numbers."

"What are you insisting we take them on?" Rarity panicked.

"You got any other ideas?" Spike barked.

"Well...I...erm....no." Rarity lowered her head. She had no choice to but to go along with this, the idea of capture was far more terrifying.

Twilight paced about to find a nook in the tunnel to which they could hide. She motioned them into a small slot that would give them both the ability to see who entered yet hide them from their predators.  Their first test came. Two guards armed with bayonets came trotting through the sewage.

"I don't gather why anypony would cower in a place of this nature." One of the guards huffed.

"I'd much rather be on hoof-patrol right now." The other complained.

Twilight moved into position, the guards heard the motion.

"Did you hear that?" The torch bearing guard mentioned.

Both were on high alert and in defensive positions. They slowly made their way down, now inspecting each slot for hidden attackers - Just what Twilight wanted.  Spike slithered to the ceiling just above their place and waited patiently for the guards to walk under him. When they did so he let out a shot of ember which startled the guards causing them to look up.

This of course would be a fatal mistake. One guard suddenly felt a horn stab through his chin and jaw. An unbearable pain shot through his head disabling him just enough for Twilight to buck him violently. Rarity then took this opportunity to magic his spear from his clutches and snap it in half,. The other guard lunged for Rarity and tackled her to the ground.

"Ew! You brute, get off me this instant!" Rarity squirmed but to no avail. Much to her appreciation, a set of claws dug briskly into the guards eyes causing him to scream in agony. Twilight grabbed the guard by the tail and dragged him to a deep point in the sewage. There his head was held down until it no longer moved.

They had thought the duo was finished, however the first guard had risen to his hooves and bucked Twilight into the wall. Spike was also tossed roughly, a sickening crack could be heard as the dragon slammed into the ground.

Rarity was cornered. She darted around to her now disabled friends. As she contemplated her demise a flash of memories blast through her conscience: Her sister had seen enough horror in her little life. Rarity could not bear to think what the filly would do if she were to be alone.

In this moment Rarity got to her forehooves and recalled watching Scootaloo's aggressive antics. She didn't think about it, her subconsciousness was directing the blows to the guards face, both accurate and damaging. Her back-hooves came into play as well as the royal guard was stumbling from the initial assault, he was bucked in his side. He did not attempt to move again.

The blood was rushing through the unicorn, a sensation she had never felt before, However, instead of scaring her, it propelled her, an inhuman burst of careless offense. The next guard her galloped to his fallen comrades was met with an equally swift hoof to the face. While in mid-air Rarity then pivoted to allow her hind hooves to kick the guard sending him back.

A spear then pierced his neck  and another set of hooves met his face as he was pinned to his back by a very angry lavender unicorn. The finishing touches came in the form of driving the other end of the broken spear through the gaurd's chest. Ending him.

The three decided they could not keep this up and made their way towards the entrance to the upper levels of the castle.

__________________________

Rainbow Dash let out a yawn, more of boredom than anything. It had been well over an hour since the explosion and as far as their mission was concerned, nothing happened.

"I do hope Twilight and the others are okay," Fluttershy sighed.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure those jerks are having way more fun than we are!" The cyan pegasus pouted.

"I just hope the crusaders made it home alright." The yellow pegasus sighed again.

"I'm sure she did." Rainbow Dash said. She caught her self and corrected it: "I mean, they did. They not she."

"Something wrong Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy looked concerned.

"No." Rainbow lied, "Other than being bored!"

"You're worried about her aren't you?"

"Well...I guess. But I can't think about that now! I have a some ass to kick."

Fluttershy was initially put off by the comment but understood when she saw that six pegasai, dawning blue and gold uniforms were soaring in defensive formation above.

"Two against six, you ready Shy?" Rainbow tensed up and prepared for attack. Fluttershy on the other hand trembled in fear and hid.

"Well fuck you then!" Rainbow hissed as she blasted into the air and went after the squadron. Initially they did not seem to notice her presence, though the certainly did when a Sonic Rainbow exploded a little too close for comfort.  Soarin' was the first to respond as the others continued to their destination. He caught Rainbow off guard and kicked her violently sending her spiraling into a nearby building. He then soared down and slammed her in the stomach the force nearly breaking the brick wall behind her.

"You piece of shit." Rainbow Dash spat as blood trickled out of her nose. "You're dead."

With that, the wonderbolt was grabbed by the mane and slammed into the wall, splitting his head open. Rainbow was sent to the ground now in the same fashion she had been pinned to the building. A crowd of ponies watched in horror as the fight continued.  Rainbow mustered up the strength she had and lead Soarin' on a obstacle course of sorts, passing between market stalls and outdoor dining tables. Her aim was to trick her attacker into slamming into something to give her some time to finish him off. She found that opportunity in the form of the statue in the Canterlot Gardens. She accelerated as much as she possibly could to get distance, she then dove under and over the statue zipping behind Soarin' just as he struggled to align himself to follow her course.

The next thing the wonderbolt felt was her hind hooves being snapped in a violent force of a irritated pegasus. She then pinned him to the ground and gave him all she was worth, Hoof after ruthless hoof pummeled the face with the hind hooves bombarding the torso. She then remembered something she wished not to. She dealt a powerful blow to disorient the pegasus and then took to dislocating his wings. She bit into them as the pulled on them in the similar way she had done to her daughter. This time though, the cries to stop were not heeded. The adrenaline and rage coursing through her being prohibited her hearing those words.

Just as she was about to fully snap the wings off she was rushed from the side and into some bushes. Spitfire then began attacking Rainbow in the same one-two manner than Rainbow had dealt on Soarin'. Spirfire was relentless and was not willing to be knocked off like Soarin' had been.

"You think you can just fuck with us like that you little whore?" The pegasus spat.

Rainbow said nothing, nor could she really considering the pummeling to her face.

Rainbow struggled to get free but it was no use. Her mind went into thinking of her new-found daughter Scootaloo. What she had been through, most of which was Rainbow's own doing. She though how the filly didn't deserve to lose her. Not after all that had been done to her.

Scootaloo was never going to be an orphan again.

Spitfire retreated some, she was preparing to send one fatal, final blow to the cyan mare who was tangled in shrubbery, blood covering her face, the only thing showing were her eyes, her angry, hating eyes. As Spitfire came charging down at an impressive speed Rainbow dodged it. As Spitfire slammed through the bushes to the ground, Rainbow grabbed her tail with her mouth and pulled. The differing forces at the speed she was going caused the tail to tear from the flank. Rainbow wasted no time and got her own clearance above the grimacing pegaus who assumed Rainbow was all but dead. She was fatally mistaken as a pair of hooves barraged into her at the speed of light. They did not stop, the punching continued until the wonderbolt was not recognizable.

Rainbow Dash lie on the ground next to the deceased wonderbolt. Beyond taxed and tired. Every breath was painful and she was wheezing and coughing sporadically. It was much relief to see Fluttershy land beside her and come to her aid.

She knew she was going to be alright.

_______________________________

Scootaloo remained in the clubhouse. She had woken up now but didn't bother leaving the small wooden treehouse. She didn't want to. It reminded her far too much of happier times. When she and her friends would laugh, play and conspire. She remembered harsh times as well. Playing and plotting here was one thing, living here was another. Hiding it from everypony who loved her, braving the cold and the damp nights to keep her reputation in check. All silly things to her now. The pegasus peered out the front window over the trees and into Sweet Apple Acres. She could see the desolate, depressing condition of the place from there. The dead trees, the shanty home, the crumbling barn, all was an opaque and glaring reminder that things were far from alright.

Apple Bloom needed her. Scootaloo pushed open the door slowly, as if expecting an attack if she charged out blindly. She made her way down to the scooter, propped up on the tree with the purple  helmet beside it. It had been too long since she had given this scooter a ride, longer still since a wagon carrying her two best friends was haphazardly barreling through Ponyville.

Soon, she was scooting, the wheels seemed stuck at first from being idle for so long but they eventually began turning as they had before. The pegasus shifted her body to increase her speed as the air around her began to whiz by and push through her mane. She left the helmet behind, as if to fulfill some kind of internal desire to be reckless, fearless, and accepting the reality that grave injury could come her way if she didn't do it right the first time. It felt good, it felt liberating to fly past the citizens of this quiet village, to see the homes and shops be but a blur and the horizon before her motivation.

She met a ramp,. Well, more of a tipped cart courtesy of a pony fleeing the oncoming filly. The scooter did as it was silently commanded and scaled the side and sent the filly into the air. She lifted her hind hooves and held on to the handlebars. The world around her slowed down and time retreated pace. The crisp breeze flowing through her mane as it was sent forwards, up, down and everywhere else. A smile crept across her face, her eyes were wide with pride and joy.

After all she had been through her friends still loved her.

Despite all the retched things done to her, she loved her mother as well. Just filling that void in her life was enough to compensate.

The ponies that cared for her the most needed her help, they were about to confront the most oppressive dictator in Equestria's history.

And by Luna's grace she was going to do whatever she could to help them, if not for the grand philosophical aim of bringing true peace to the world, to bring her mother home, to make amends, to finally have a place called home with the mare who brought her into this world, to finally be genuinely loved and wanted.

To be home.

She landed gracefully, skidding to a stop and whipping her newly produced bangs from her face. She had some things to attend to before she went back.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom left the barn and were passing the schoolhouse. They sat and looked at the red building for a moment. A collective sigh between the two as they realized they would be returning there. Their stare was cut short as they head buzzing, a plume of kicked up dirt was coming towards them. Scootaloo stopped in front of them.

"Hey girls." She saw the look on Apple Bloom's face. The pegasus dismounted her scooter and gave the filly a hug,

"Hey Scoots." Sweetie Belle replied meekly. "Sorry about what I said earlier..."

"No, you were right." Scootaloo released Apple Bloom and returned to her scooter. "I've been a wuss this whole time and if I'm going to save my mom than I need to snap out of it and be me again."

"Yeah that---what? Scootaloo! You can't go back to Canterlot!" Sweetie's mouth fell open. Her friend was clearly insane.

"To hell I can't!" Scootaloo said triumphantly, "Nopony is going to stop me. I am going to make my mother proud and I am going to come home the Scootaloo you knew and loved."

"But Scootaloo, They said-" Sweetie protested.

"Who cares what they said girls? There's no way they can take on Canterlot on their own!"

"And we three are supposed to help...how?" Apple Bloom asked.

"We'll find out when we get there." Scootaloo answered. "We never stopped trying to get our cutie marks, we never gave up when some angry mares tried to put us down, and I for one am not about to back down now!"

Scootaloo was smiling at herself, those words were brave and edgy, bold and fearless. They were Scootaloo. Though given the look on her friends faces her smile turned upside down. She soon heard why,

"You sure about that you little runt?" The hot breath of a wonderbolt brushed across her back mane. Keeping her facade in line the filly spun around and glared daggers at this unwelcome mare.

"And who the hay are you?" Scootaloo hissed. She answered her own question in her mind when she recognized the uniforms of the four ponies who were before her. The Wonderbolts.

"You got quite the potty mouth. I wouldn't expect less from the useless daughter of a wanna-be." The wonderbolt spat, The other four snickered.

"Don't you talk about my mother that way you bitch!" Scootaloo lunged at the mare only to be smacked down. Hard.

"Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were beyond scared.

Bleeding and trembling with rage the Wonderbolt towered over Scootaloo who still lie on the ground.

"You wanna say that again you little shit?" the mare heckled, "I'll end your pathetic little flank here and now!"

Scootaloo said nothing as the other three Wonderbolts cackled at the crippled filly.

Scootaloo turned to her friends and mouthed the word "run."

The two stood there, too scared to move.

"What was that you little fucker?" The Wonderbolt leaned in muzzle to muzzle with the orange pegasus.

She was met with a sharp bite to the muzzle. Scootaloo snapped her sharp teeth onto the mare. Her wincing giving Scootaloo enough time to get up and haul flank with her friends back into Sweet Apple Acres with the pissed mares in pursuit.

Apple Bloom scrambled to get the door to the homestead open slamming it behind her frantic friends. They bounded down to the cellar and hid behind some rusty cider tanks. Each not making a sound, sans Sweetie Belle who was crying softly.

"Shhhh! They'll hear us!" Apple Bloom shushed the unicorn. Scootaloo came over to where Sweetie was cowering and embraced her.

The sound of a window busting open startled the trio whose trembling became tremor. It was only a matter of time before they were found.

Apple Bloom remembered the lone window into the cellar was usually unlocked and was accesable by some crates situated nearby. Without a word she made her way to them and pushed the window open. Sweetie Belle refused to move. Fearing they were being coaxed.

"Come on Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo tugged on the filly's tail but to no use.

"No!" Sweetie Belle bawled. "I don't wanna run anymore!"

"You're being stupid!" Scootaloo hissed. "We need to go now!"

Scootaloo had not heard the mares behind her, nor did she see them until it was too late. A poweful hoof slammed into her face sending her into a wall and slid to the floor. Sweetie Belle was now hysterical as she was swooshed from her cowering spot and now in the clutches of a pissed off mare. From what Scoots could hear, Apple Bloom had suffered a similar fate.

"Now that's no way to talk to your friends." The mare said as she looked down at Scootaloo. The stubborn filly had given her more than enough trouble. "Try and bit me again and I'll knock your teeth straight from your filthy muzzle got it?" She sent a poerful kick into Scootaloo's stomach, knocking the wind out of her.

Satisfied the filly wasn't going to be trouble, Scootaloo was also snatched up and they were blaring up and over Pontville at  speeds Scootaloo had never seen before. All the more terrifying.

"What are you gonna do ta us!" Apple Bloom cried.

"Oh don't worry." The wonderbolt cooed, "The Princess has some lovely plans laid out for trators like you,."

_____________________________

The dissemblance of four guards and the death of two Wonderbolts was already a puncture in the morale of the citizens of Canterlot, even more worrying to the monarchy. Celestia sat in her throne room and had just received word the bodies of Soarin' and Spitfire were found and that they were in fact dead.

"Who do you suppose is behind this?" A worried Cadence asked.

"I cannot be sure." Celestia said, "They know our tactics, they know our defenses; here's to hopping the other four Wonderbolts have completed their mission and return soon."

"What mission? They left Canterlot?" Cadence panicked.

"As I said." Celesita sighed. "I am not sure who is behind this, but that does not mean I do not have my suspiscions."

The alicorn looked out the window over the walls of the castle where the tower of smoke from earlier was still stretching into the sky. The sun was now slowly resting, an orange and pink hue cast throughout the sky.

"This will end soon." The Princess said. "And I will not take pleasure in any of it."

Shining Armor barged into the throne room.  "Your Highness!"  

"What is it Shining?" Celestia asked.

"Bad news. Six more of my men are dead. They were apparently trapped in one of the towers in the south wing and were burned alive."

Celesita's eyes grew wide. The southern wing of the castle was where Twilight once studied.

"What do you suppose we do? My generals are demanding we engage the threat full on. We sent a diplomat to Cloudsdale for support."

Celestia paced the throne room, contemplating what to do.  She came to the realization she had to say it before it was too late.

"Shinning." Celesita sighed.

"Yes your majesty." Shining asked.

"I'm afraid I do know who is behind this horrific attack on our fair empire. I feel you may be the only pony capable of ending this before I have to commence regrettable actions to defend our kingdom..."

"Who?" Shining's eyes went wide. He had not heard of Twilight's banishment and anything leading to it.

"I am afraid it is my most faithful student." Celestia faced Shining, "Twilight Sparkle is responsible for these atrocities, she believes that my sister and I represent tyranny and oppression and will stop at nothing until I myself am gone."

"T....Twilly? No! There must be some mistake!" Shining was beyond stunned.

"I'm sorry, I should have told you before this became an issue, you could've saver her from herself."

"M-Maybe there is still a chance! I'll do whatever it takes to stop her!"

"I would much prefer that over what I would have to do. Order your men to stand down and return to the grounds, we are going to surround the city." Celestia sighed.

With that Shining was off with two guards in tow.

__________________________________

Twilight, Spike, and Rarity emerged from the wreckage of the tower. Indeed it was quite a feat. Good olf fashioned maneuvering and some occasional fire of hooves to the face resulted in the entrapment of ten gaurds. The tower was set ablaze and Rarity expelled a good sum of magic to keep the door shut as the embers overcame their adverseries.

They hurried back ti to the castle grounds to see two dead Wondebolts before them.  

"Well it looks like Rainbow and Fluttershy got their part done." Rarity panned.

"There they are!" Twilight called, Rainbow and Fluttershy glided over to them.

"Thank goodness you're all okay!" Fluttershy said, "We saw the fire and were worried!"

"We're fine...for now." Twilight answered. "We need to get into the castle."

"But how? I can't be the only one who saw a ton of guards coming out just now. She's got a billion of them!" Rainbow waved her hooves for emphasis.

"Nah, Canterlot's troop strength is roughly One hundred fifty-thousand, ninety-eight." Twilight corrected. "Still, we've run into more than I had expected. We need to hurry."

They made their way through the maze of shrubbery leading out to the street towards the city proper. Twilight and company were moving at impressive speed considering their various injuries.  That progress was stopped abruptly.

"HALT!" Barked the lone troop with his spear at the ready. "You are under arrest by order of the Princess!"

"Oh yeah?" Rainbow Dash laughed, "You want what army?"

As if to answer the whole of Canterlot's army now surrounded them. Stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Well fuck, I guess it's that one." Rainbow glared at their provocateur.

The tropps charged in, ready to kill the five of them.  Twilight and Spike held their own on one side with hooves whist Rarity had acrewd some magical prowess throughout this journey and was maintaining a shield around Herself and Fluttershy whist firing beams of magic at her approaching hostiles. Rainbow Dash was busying her hooves with hoof to hoof combat with the troops who found it impossible to spear her given her speed. It was a dicey, rapid mix of her pinning and knocking them out and them damn near ending her. Regardless, they were holding their own but they could not do it for long. As five went down, another hundred seemed to flow in from over the horizon.

"Where the hell did they come from?" Rarity panted, "Twilight dear I think your estimate is straying a bit."

"No kidding?" Spike exhaled, "We can't keep this up Twilight!"

Twilight began getting tired, they just kept coming it was as if they were somehow being re-spawned.

Then, a sign of hope. Well...first the carcass of Canterlot's diplomat to Cloudsdale went flying into the window. Then, above was a mass of armored and armed pegasus. Warriors of Cloudsdale. Some provisions were sent Dash's way from above.

"Aw fuck yeah!" Dash hollered as the armada of pegasus began dive-bombing and sending a torrent of arrows down at the dumbfounded guards who now began to flee. Mostly trampling themselves and others. All except Fluttershy and Rainbow hurried into Rarity's shield as it deflected the scattering guards. As time crept on, it became thin enough in volume for Twilight to contemplate their next move.

As the cobblestone streets exploded into granular forms and the soldier were split, squished, and sent flying and flailing into buildings and each other in a comical display of failure, Rarity and the others moved back towards the castle at Twilight;s command.

"We need to get the Elements!" Twilight hollered over the sounds of screaming and battle cries.

"Why?" Spike asked.

"If we expect to finish off Celestia, we sure as hell are going to need my magic to do it!"

They were confident with the troops distracted the remainder would be covering the Princess. Thus they went into the chamber, through the window of course, to where Spike last saw the Elements being stored. Bounding down the hall they made it to the door to which to their surprise was open, to their dismay, nothing was within.

"Shit!" Rainbow Dash grimaced. "Now we have to--"

"Twiliy!"

The five turned to see Shining and Cadence.

"What....what are you doing Twily?" Shining asked.

Twilight was unable to speak. Something about her brother's sense of fear gripped at her throat. Rainbow was somewhat impatient and answered on her behalf.

"We are here because we're tired of being Celestia's tools that's what!" The cyan pegasys proclaimed.

Shining was silent for a moment. "After all she's done for you... This is how you repay her."

Those words set off the unicorn. "After all she has done for me?! She attempted to withhold me from discovering what a horrible alicorn she is, she did not want the most powerful unicorn in Equestria to find out her filthy little scheme. Therefore she stripped me of my magic and banished me from my home!"

"You knew that literature was forbidden Twilight. You should have just handed it over." Shining insisted.

"What so we could all live in a world with false magic that that tyrant could control at will?  Do with us what she wishes? To live ina  world where we are controlled socially by some mark on a flank? To let us all live a lie?  I don't think so!  You of all ponies to attack me instead of defend me, you're my brother!"

Shining stiffened his pose. He was emotionally struck but had to do the deed if it came to it. "You have two options Twilight. The first is for you to surrender and let this all pass on, or, I will have to do the unthinkable. I don't want to do that Twilight, but I am not turning my back on the Princess who has given us peace for millennia! If ignorance is what drives Equestria than ignorance is strength!"

Twilight stood, honestly contemplating this. She was tired, tattered and sore. She knew her friends were too. She could return to Ponyville, the Princess could erase their memories with some exotic spell, in the mind's eye of the lavender unicorn, this sounded pleasant, and preferable. She turned to her friends and looked for any indication of what they wanted, they looked hat her with a hint of disbelief. But also of willingness to resign as well. They all had their scars, some fresh, they all wanted nothing more than to return to their broing, simple lives in Ponyville.

"Five seconds." Shining announced.

Twilight closed her eyes as the last few months moved by. Apple Bloom's assault, Spike's attack, The tremultuous lives of the crusaders, and their trials in the wilderness. All the pain, heartache, and the bitter taste of betrayl. She opened her eyes, the words that followed carried a tone of outright determination.

"No."

Shining let out a sigh.  "Okay Twilight, you give me no choice."

_______________________

The fillies had had about enough of their predicament. They finally saw Canterlot come into view.

"Well you little shit, you wanted to go to Canterlot?" Scootaloo's captor howled, "Here you are!"

"Fuck you." Scootaloo hissed. 

"Ooh, I figured you had learned to keep that potty mouth of yours in check the last time we spoke." He shifted the filly in one hoof and used the free one to strike the filly bluntly in the face, a squeal of pain resulted.  

"When my mom finds me, you're dead meat!"  Scootaloo shrieked. 

"Oh, Rainbow Crash?" The wonderbolt cackled, "Fat chance! We'll waste that bitch and then do you in the same way! The only reason you;re still wasting precious air is because we were instructed not to kill you. Keep running your fucking mouth and I'll have no regrets going a-wall."

Scootaloo glanced to her friends. Apple Bloom was sniffling, eyes shut and Sweetie Belle was stil hysterical though her voice was beyond gone.

"What the fuck happened?" The lead wonderbolt gasped as they came upon the Canterlot Castle grounds, seeing the demolished tower and the dead troops littering the streets.

"Looks like things got ugly." Sweetie's captor replied. 

"Doesn't matter they tower these little shits go in is still intact so let's get this job over with. This filly is just askin' to die."

They glided down into the tower and passed the guards but still did not release their captives. They went up the agonizing flight of stairs spiraling to a dark and secluded room with barred windows and a door that locked from the outside. The three were tossed inside - Scootaloo was practically body slammed - and the door was slammed shut. Slowly, the laughing and chatter faded away.

Sweetie Belle was beyond crying. It seemed that she had exhausted the abilaty to do so and could only look at her two friends who were beaten and berated. Neither of them said a thing as they slowly got up and observed their surroundings. There wasn't much here save for a lone cot and a sanitation bucket. The whole circular room was made of exposed bricks with the cone shaped roof above. 

Scootaloo made her way to the window to see what she could see. The sight was beyond encouraging: dead pegasus and Canterlot guards everywhere. The tower across from them was but rubble, fire, and smoke.

She looked down at her hooves. As the adrenaline began to subside, she began to trembled. 

"I'm sorry girls." She croaked. "I'm.....so sorry."

None of the fillies responded. Apple Bloom was asleep and Sweetie Belle was in a state of total hopelessness. Never had the crusaders felt so mortal. 

"It's not your fault," Sweetie Belle stammered. "Come here."

Scootaloo knew what she was being invited to, Sweetie Belle would cradle and embrace her. Make her feel better. But that wasn't the 'old Scootaloo'. She wasn't about to turn back now. What remaining stamana and willpower she had compelled her to resist. 

"No," Scootaloo said. 

Sweetie finally looked up and toward her friend. "Why? Why can't-"

"I said NO!" Scootaloo screamed. Her lip quivering, holding back tears. She couldn't cry, she wouldn't; That wasn't what she did.

Sweetie Belle walked up to Scootaloo and tried to put her hooves around her. Sweetie Belle wanted somepony to hold on to. 

Scootaloo pushed the filly back. "I don't want it!" She barked.

"I do!" Sweetie Belle cried. "I don't want to be alone..." The filly began sobbing.  "I...want..." The filly could not finish her sentence. She let emotion take hold.

Scootaloo galloped to the door and began bucking and hitting it with her hooves. She did not stop. Her hooves blistered and began bleeding from the sheer force she was applying. Splinters shot into her hooves though she persisted until her hooves refused to lift anymore.  

"I hate her." Scootaloo growled. 

"Who? I'm sorry okay!" Sweetie Belle sobbed.

"Not you, Twilight!" Scootaloo barked, "That stupid bookworm had to get in troube and your stupid suster had to drag us along!"  

Much to her surprise, Scootaloo was pinned to the door by a very upset unicorn.

"Don't you DARE call my sister stupid!"

"Pfft why not? Are they looking for us right now? No! They sent us back to Ponyville so they didn't have to deal with us, they don't care about us. They never have!"

"Scootaloo shut up!" Sweetie Belle hissed. "They do too care about us! Who expected us to be foalnapped by the Wonderbolts!"

Scootaloo slumped to the floor and let her composure slip. She cried. She wanted her mother, she wanted to go home, she wanted to stop yelling at her friends, she just wanted her life back. The fact that they were so close, only to be snatched up, attacked, and caged was more than she could accept. 

The once livid unicorn calmed herself down and sat beside her. Sweetie leaned onto her friends shoulder and she was met wirh a comforting hoof around her. They cried it out for some time before Scootaloo spoke up again.

"We have to do something. We can't just sit in here and rot!"

"What are we going to do Scootaloo? We're stuck! What if they're out there? You heard them, they'd kill us!"

"I don't know about you but I think we're dead either way."

Sweetie Belle looked towards Apple Bloom who was asleep.  

"How are we getting out of here?" Sweetie Belle asked aloud.

Scootaloo wiped her eyes and took initiative. She looked around the room for anything that could permit their escape.  She found it. Only problem was, it was going to take some impossible feat to get there. A piece of the roof seemed to have a weak point, nonviolently next to a beam they could walk on. Issue was, they were down low and it was high up. Scootaloo's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"I know how we're getting out of here." She proudly declared, but it's going to require some teamwork to make it happen. You with my Belle?"

Sweetie Belle smiled. She liked seeing her friend in her normal state. "Let's do this!"

_________________________________________

Shining had been procrastinating, at the charge his horn was at he could more than easily eliminate Twilight and her partners but, the all too powerful heart was screaming mad at his brain. This was his sister! His little 'Twilly'. The blie aura still glowed and shimmered.

Rainbow was tracing a plan of attack. She floated down to Rarity.

"Rare, I need you to do something with that magic of yours." The pegasus whispered.

"What?  And instigate this stallion further?"

"Nope. Distract him. Give me some time to blast out of here."

"What and leave us here? "

"Rarity. Either you help me out or we're dead." The pegasus panned.

Rarity sighed. "I suppose something is better than nothing. What did you have in mind?"

Rainbow got into position. Fluttering up to the ceiling and hovering in place, eyes set on the door. Rarity was hesitant,  perfusing much more than she would prefer. Twilight looked to her with concern as she had no idea what was going to happen next. A brilliant flash of light and a woosh of air blasted all but Rainbow as she sped to the exit and out. Nopony could see a thing. Though they could her a loud thud as a large pony had collided with the wall, a sickening stabbing sound, and then, the cries of a Princess as she and her injured husband sit alone in the room as the brilliance faded.

Blood was freely flowing from the stallion, contrasting with his white coat. The gash had come from none other than her sisters' own horn. The hooves were hers as well. Shining struggled to his hooves and gave chase down the hallway while his wife summoned a tracing spell to follow the two unicorns and a dragon who had escaped.

Twilight galloped into another chamber of the castle, this one was similar to the one earlier with the exception that this door was indeed fortified. Rarity could detect, courtesy of her natural ability that the elements or at least one, was inside.

"They're right behind us Twilight!" Spike panicked. "What do we do?"

Rarity had the answer on this occasion. She focused her magic as her horn glowed. Twilight and Spike assumed defensive positions as they could hear Shining approaching the corridor.

Spike lit the carpet before them ablaze, figuring it would stall them. Sadly, a blue aura parted the wall of fire like a certain ancient fairy tale.  As Shinning approached Rarity had done it. The elements brust through the fortified structure. Shining was not having this as he body slammed the white unicorn to the wall. He came for Twilight who dodged his advance.  Shining shot beams of magic at his sister who managed to out-maneuver all of them in a burst of speed the have never known to posses before. Spike followed her wildly trying to find a way to snatch one element in particular.

Spike hadn't noticed that Twilight was sent slamming into a wall as well with a beam of magic bombarding her being. Spike made the move to bolt over to the scattered jewelry when her was pinned down by a gaurd. Rarity was still out cold.  Shining prepared his finishing spell. The stallion was cold in heart and mind. He was devoted wholly to the Empire and was more than willing to waste his sister then and there.

The three fillies had managed to try, and fail several times at climbing atop one another to reach the elusive patch in the ceiling.  Scootaloo buzzing her wings frantically to try to get as much altitude as she could but it was a pathetic pursuit.

The three sat defeated.

"We can't!" Sweetie Belle cried. "We're doomed!"

Scootaloo didn't say anything.  She simply got atop the cot and tried again furiously to get high enough to at least reach something to aid her ascent but no luck. She came down on the matress with a thud. She lay face down. Not making a sound. She was truly at a loss.

Apple Bloom approached the bed and inspected its design and make. "Get off the bed Scoots." She said.

"Why?" The pegasus was interested.

"Ah go an' idea." Apple Bloom smiled. "Might as well try it."

Scootaloo hopped off watched the farm filly examine the distance from the floor to their destination. Sweetie Belle came over to see what was going on. Apple Bloom then put her hooves to work, using brute force to push the bed over to its side. Scootaloo joined to help and with time the two were able to tip the bed over.

"Ya sssein' mah idea?" Apple Bloom smiled.

"Kinda." Scootaloo thought, "Still, I can't even get high enough to get on this bed."

Sweetie Belle gazed up at the beam they needed to get to. An idea formed in her little mind as well.

"I got it!" Sweetie Belle bounced with anticipation. "We'll burn it!"

"What?" The two other fillies looked puzzled.

"We'll get Scootaloo on top of the bed and then we'll make the beam fall down!"

"How the hay is that gonna help?" Apple Bloom glared.

"Trust me! If we get this right we'll be out of here in no time!"

"But," Scootaloo added, "If we get this wrong, We're really screwed."

The three fillies at in deep thought.

Scootaloo cast a sly grin towards Sweetie. "Nothing to lose I guess."

Apple Bloom got to the side of the bed with Sweetie climbing on top. Scootaloo struggled to the top of Sweetie Belle and stood on her trembling back.

"Hurry up will ya!" Apple Bloom complained as her hooves wobbled from the weight.

Scootaloo took a deep breath and buzzed her wings with all her might and grabbed on and pulled up to the edged of the bed.

"Yes!" Apple Bloom cheered as Sweetie got down. "Now what were you sayin' about burnin' somethin'?"

"Stand back Apple Bloom. Scootaloo, get ready." Sweetie Belle's horn started glowing.

"For what?" Scooraloo asked puzzled.

"You'll know." Sweetie smiled.

Scootaloo watrched as smoke started to seep from the edge of the beam above her head. It began to turn black as small embers started forming along it. Scootaloo knew what to do. She readied her wings and had her eyes set on the end. As she heard the beam crack she jumped to the side and the rest moved in slow motion.  

The wooden support fell to 45 degree angle and slammed into the mattress which fell with the rest of the cot. Though Scootaloo was well into the air and landed atop the beam. In the same, state of impaired time she charged up the beam and towards the patch, lowering her head preparing for direct impact. She burst through, only to find time return to its normal speed and her flailing to grab hold of the edge of the rim of the tower. Below was a sickening and fatal drop to the ground. She managed to scramble to the top.  She was pleased to see her friends cheering from inside.  Now came the issue of getting them out. She climbed to the point of the roof and clung to the flag staff as she observed her surroundings. They were very high up either way she went, though she settled on the closest route to the ground.

The little filly prepared her little wings again as she dropped down like dead weight towards the bridge below. The final few meters she buzzed her wings to bring her to a gentle landing. Looking back she could see the height of their tower as it sat well past the cliff that the castle was situated on. Her stomach did not react well to the realization of how close she was from plummeting to the valleys below. Regardless she continued over the bridge and saw smoke coming from the tower directly in front of her. Noting this she headed to the door of the original tower which was carelessly unlocked. Muzzling it open she charged up the spiral stairs, straining her little hooves for what they were worth. She reached the door and slammed it open. Her friends galloped out to greet her.

"Ya did it Scoots!" Apple Bloom cheered as she hugged her friend.

"We...We did it." Scootaloo smiled as she was panting heavily. Her wings and hooves were beyond throbbing and aching.

Rainbow Dash and a rather reluctant Fluttershy were scanning the skies above the castle grounds. As the approached the city proper they saw some familiar colors approaching them. Four to be exact. 

"Time to finish these faggots." Rainbow teethed as she tensed up and prepared to kill.  Fluttershy hovered idly, scared for her life.  

"So it looks like we do get to murder a stubborn pony after all!" The foremost mare chirped. "Your lucky that daughter of yours knew her place or you'd have to settle for second place."

Rainbow's eyes widened. "Scootaloo!? What the fuck did you do to her?"

"Oh don't worry Rainbow Crash, she's jus-"  The mare was  cut off by a hoof to the face. Before she could react she was on the ground. The sound of her spine snapping was fairly audible.  

"She's dead you cunt." The mare smiled devilishly.  "And you're about to join her."

Rainbow was sent into a stray cart. Three wonderbolts surrounded her.

"Any last words bitch?" The wonderbolts hissed. They then pounced. Beating Rainbow relentlessly. She was pinned and could go nowhere. Her vision became blurred and bloody.

"Make it quick."  Rainbow whispered, "I miss her."

Fluttershy watched as her friend was being annihilated. She wanted to help but she was mortified. Her mind gave her a grim picture, Scootaloo sitting over a grave, clinging to the stone tightly.  'Why didn't she do something?' The filly wept, 'Why didshe let mommy die?'   She imagined the outcast, her friends would disown her for her failure. All because she stood back and let some bullies kill her friend.

Meanies.

"Nobody....hurts my friends and gets away with it!" Fluttershy suddenly was awash with a burst of anger and perserverance. She swooped down at impressive speeds and charged towards Rainbow's attackers. Tackling one to the ground.

"You little bitch!" The wonderbolt howled, Fluttershy did not listen, she wailed on the mare like her life depended on it. 

"Hey, Fleetfoot!" one of the wonderbolts hollered. "Go check on the little brats, make sure they're still there and give that orange one a little punishment for her dumb shit of a mother!"  The mentioned wonderbolt was off. Though no sooner was the hollering mare being choked. She squirmed to free herself, slamming her hooves back to try to hit the cyan pegasus that was holding her down. She felt teeth baring into the back of her mane. 

Fluttershy was holding her own against Blaze. She took some good hits and, given her fragile nature she took it worse than most but she did not accept defeat. She kept swinging at the bastard.

"You just don't quit do you?" Blaze mused,

Fluttershy said nothing as she continued keeping Blaze busy dodging her futile attempts to strike him. 

"Where is my daughter." Rainbow demanded as she continued to slowly kill the wonderbolt on top of her.

"I'm not telling you shit you trator." The wonderbolt spat. She broke free and hovered in the air triumphantly. "As I said Rainbow Crash, ain't telling you-"  She was cut off by an a large splinter being shoved into her throat. She was again pinned by a broken and bloody pegasus.  

Rainbow said nothing as the mare below her slowly faded from life to death. She turned her attention to Fluttershy who was in a similar condition, but holding up fairly well. 

Blaze had not seen what went down with her comrade, but looked on in horror as a rainbow colored streak came bounding for him. He was in the air at inexpressive speeds. 

"This ....This is for my foal."  Rainbow teethed as the wonderbolt was sent flying into a explosion of color. The sheet force of the rainboom sheered his body in half. 

______________________________

The explosion rocked the room as Shining towered over his sister whom her had just impaled. 

"You have given me no choice Twiliy." Shining said sternly.  He prepared his finishing spell, fatal to anypony, and, likely Twilight as well. Just as he was to finish her off, a pink beam of magic shot him from behind. Breaking the spell. He was startled to see Cadence.

"I can't do this Shining! I can't let you kill her!"

"Cadence now is not the time for your antics, She is a threat to the empire and must be nuetralized!"

"She is your sister!"

"She had caused reprehensible harm to our city, I will not tolerate it!"

"If you're going to kill her, you're going to have to go through me first."  The princess was stern with her words as she fired another beam towards her startled husband. Shining wasted no time charging at her. The two exchanged blows from their hooves and misfired shots of concentrated magic as the rolled around the room. Spike took this chance. He lept to the elements and tossed it to Twilight. She scrambled to her feet and placed the element of magic upon her head. A coursing heat filled her body as her horn animated with color and vibrancy. Soon, it began to glow. The feeling was back. 

The element was promptly discarded as Twilight charged her horn. 

"Shining?" Twilight crowed. 

The two royals froze as they saw a very pissed off unicorn with a glowing horn and fur that was going pale. 

"Time's up."  Twilight shot a beam of magic as she burst ito flames, spiraling towards them. Without warning they were sent through the wall of the structure. Lifeless, motionless, both the Princess and the prince plummeted to the ground thousands of meters below.  There was but silence as Twilight tended to Rarity.

Spike looked through the new hole and down to the ground seeing but trees, rivers, and clouds. No sign of their agressor.

"They're dead." Spike confirmed. 

Twilight helped Rarity to her hooves. "So they are." Twilight answered. Motioning Spike to follow the two unicorns into the hallway towards the throne room.

They were startled to see Rainbow and Fluttershy both on their hooves and trotting towards them. Their battle scars were clear as day.

"Thank goodness you're okay!" Rarity squealed as she went to hug her animal-loving friend.

"We're not." Rainbow panned. Her face and body was pale and her eyes were full of hate.

"They killed her." Rainbow spat.  "They killed my foal."

Twilight's eyes widened.  "...No...how did they?"

"What of my sister?!" Rarity panicked. 

"I don't know about the other two." Rainbow added. "But I know that bitch is going to pay for this." It came out cold, whatever life the pegasus had didn't matter anymore. It was clear any objection would be met with unthinkable force. 

It was Rarity's turn to join Rainbow in her plight.  She assumed the worst. She knew that Sweetie Belle would do anything for the orange filly and as a result she likely was gone as well. 

"I'll be right behind you." She said. Standing by Rainbow's side. "I owe Sweetie to give it my best."

The four turned to hear the sound ot three galloping fillies.

"Mommy!" Scootaloo squealed as she galloped at full speed towards Rainbow Dash who scooped her up in a tight embrace, kissing the filly on the forehead. Sweetie Belle was with Rarity. Muzzling her sister's coat whist crying tears of joy. Apple Bloom was with Twilight.

"What happened to you girls!" Rarity asked her sister.'

"We were foalnapped by them Wonderbolts." Apple Bloom answered.

"They tried to look us in a tower!" Sweetie Belle squealed.

"But, we worked together and managed to escape." Scootaloo grinned. "I knew you weren't going to give up!"

Rainbow Dash looked at her filly holding her close.

Her filly.

I'm afraid we're not out of the woods yet." Twilight said. A frown returned to her face.

"Right!" Rainbow recalled. Gently setting Scootlaoo down.

"What are we going to do with the girls?" Rarity asked. Still holding on to her sister.

The three mares looked to Fluttershy. She already knew what they asked of her.

"Of course I will girls. They will be safe with me." The cream colored pegasus said.

Scootaloo suddenly lept towards Rainbow Dash again. "You're not going anywhere without me!" The filly demanded.

"Scootaloo, no." Rainbow barked, "I already came this close to losing you, that is NOT going to happen again now stay with Fluttershy while we take care of this old hag."

Scootaloo's eyes watered. She refused to let go. "NO. You are not leaving me anymore!"

"Scootaloo, please. I promise I will come out of this alive, we will go home and we'll set things right. Okay?"

Scootaloo looked up Rainbow Dash. Trembling wildly.  "You promise?" Her voice was weak. She was tired among other things and just wanted to be with Rainbow Dash more than anything.

Rainbow pulled her filly back into an embrace and kissed her on the cheek.  "I promise."  Scootaloo finally squirmed free and went with the other fillies who were by Fluttershy.

As if on cue a large bright sphere of light flashed in the room. It took the shape of Princess Celstia who looked anything but pleased. She hovered above the four mares who stood ready to attack.

"So this is how it is going to be." Celstia boomed with a cold, chilling voice.  "My most faithful student had become my most mortal enemy. Very well then."

With that the lights of the room were extinguished and the floor below them buckled and dropped as if it were an elevator. The fillies screamed in terror. Though the ground below appeared to give way, they were still standing in mid-air. The sky outside shifted from blue to red, casint an all but terrifying shade on everyone and everything. Celestia's eyes turned to an all familiar green as her flowing mane turned a liquid-looking black with purple highlights.

"You have one final chance to surrender Twilight Sparkle" The same cold voice boomed, now echoing violently through the seemingly endless space. Twilight looked to the fillies and Fluttershy who cowered in their corned. Sobbing and wailing. She looked to Rarity and Rainbow Dash who stood beside her. Determined to end this once and for all. She looked the princes straight in the eye.

"We will not surrender." Twilight replied.

"As you wish..." Celestia began as another series of horrific displays came into view. Fluttershy screamed with terror as the fillies were levitated against their will in a red aura and swirled around the princess as if they were in orbit of a celestial body.

"PUT HER DOWN!" Rainbow cried as she charged at the princess, only to strike an invisible electric barrier sending untold voltage through her body, her fur and mane being distorted with a wave of odd black and red bubbles. She eventually was flung into the wall.

"You didn't possibly think I was going to make this easy." Celstia cackled. A sinister voice that would make Nightmare Moon tremble with fear.

With that the fillies disappeared. With a poof. It was Twilight's turn to make a mistake. She charged her horn and fired a series of magical beams at the princess only to have them deflected and strike her back. A sickening feeling came over the mares as again, they felt as if they were dropping in an elevator, through they were not moving at all, the feeling was there and it was strong.  Celestia laughed maniacally.

___________________________

Apple Bloom opened her eyes and was horrified. Her friends were gone. Worse yet she was home. In her room. Though it seemed different. The home itself seemed normal but there was but blackness outside. No acres, not sky, nothing. The filly felt very cold, on top of the same sickly feeling the others had. Her bedroom door slammed open as an all too familiat face barged in.

"Ah thought ah told ya to get out to the orchard!" Applejack barked.

Apple Bloom backed into a corner, unsure as of what to do. To her horror, Applejack evaporated into some red and black substance that shifted in front of her. It then reformed into Applejack who was not right in her face. No sooner than this did Applejack began punching the filly. Apple Bloom was not prepared nor in any condition to fight. She took hit after hit as blood began to obscure her vision. She managed to squirm from the hold she was in and made her way out of the room only to have Applejack mutate into that substance which went easily through the wall as a ghost would and tackled her to the ground.

Apple Bloom swung and kicked with all of her might but to her terror, her strikes went through Applejack, they only caused ripples as a rock in a pond. The waves were black and red in color and did not stop the mare from striking her. Apple Bloom kept running, unsure as of what to do or where to go. Every time her sister would catch up with her and send her crashing into a wall.

"Applejack, stop! Please!" Apple Bloom wailed.

"Stop? I ain't gonna stop, y'all but nothin; but a vermin', AIN'T NOTHIN; BUT A VERMIN!" Again the filly was kocked down and tossed around the room like  a rag doll. Apple Bloom shook uncontrollably as the pain was too much to handle. She struggled to get up, only to be uppercut and sent flying again. It all felt so real, it all looked so real though it was not.

"Y'all killed Ma and ah'm a do her right!" Applejack growled as she pounced the filly and began beating her again.

Apple Bloom had given up. She lay in the room as hit after hit kept dealing more and more damange and pain to her face and body. If this is how she was to go then so be it.  Her vision gave way, her breathing slowed.

Then it ceased. And it was all over.

Sweetie Belle was in her room with the same outward view as Apple Bloom. She was in her room and the other cusaders were with her.  Seemingly playing. She had a weird feeling come about her, like this had happened before.

“I am too—a fighter!” Sweetie Belle wasn't sure how to prove this but she wasn't one to be pushed around, by her niece no less. This seemed eerily familiar. One part of her brain told her to back down as this wasn't going to lead to anything positive though for some reason she continued.

“Ah think Scoot's got a point Sweetie Belle.” Applebloom stated matter of fact, “Ya ain't never been much of a brave filly, ya don't like gettin' dirty, or hurt, or anythin' that isn't fluffy an' boring.”

Sweetie Belle's heart sank, here she was being downsized by her two best friends. Her ears fell flat as she pondered a defense,

“Yeah and you're not really one to come up with any cool ideas,” Scootaloo added, “It's always me and Applebloom that have to come up with the cool stuff. We want awesome cutie marks not lame girly ones.”

Sweetie Belle again was saddened, why were her friends doing this? They teased her every now and again and she could take it but this felt different.

“I am too tough!”  Sweetie Belle thought out loud. A mistake.

“Oh yeah?” Scootaloo glared at her, “Prove it.”

Sweetie Belle darted her eyes around, she needed something to attack, something that she could take out her pent up anger on. Then she saw it. It had a purple mane, an orange coat, tiny wings, and a stupid smirk plastered on its face.

She pounced on the feathered filly, bringing her to the ground, swinging wildly, missing half the time, and hitting the other, her hooves equated to rabbit paws in Scootaloo's mind, the only hurting she endured was from fits of laughter as the whit filly giving it her all—which wasn't much.

That feeling of déjà vu flowed through Sweetie again. Though she also had a chill go down her spine as Scootaloo's eyes changed from there purple color to a full on red. They glowed like predators of the night. The filly rose in the air, she was flying. Her wings had grown to an impressive size, normal for a pegasus her age but impressive for Scootaloo.  Before she could react. Scootaloo dove from her position in perfect formation slamming into Sweetie Belle and holding her in the air by her throat.

"You shouldn't have done that Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo hissed. A smile crept on her face.

"Scootaloo stop! Okay I'm sorry I'm weak! Don't kill me!" Sweetie Belle was genuinely afraid of whatever this was. Scootaloo would not let go. The filly's vision grew hazy as she struggled to breath.

Sweetie Belle then remembered something. She had magic. Whatever this thing was seemed to be controlled by it. Her horn glowed and Scootalo began to glow too. Sweetie had a smile grow on her face as Scootaloo was sent into the wall. Unlike Apple Bloom's attacker, Scootaloo slammed into the solid wall and fell to the floor. Though she got up instantly and charged the filly sending her into a window and out into blackness.

Despite nothing being there she landed on solid space. Sweetie looked around fearfully. The boutique all but dissapeared. And then, a assembly of black and red bubbling substance emerged before here and took the shape of Scootaloo. It smacked Sweetie Belle sending her flying.  Sweetie struggled to get up and as she did, something began happening to Scootaloo. She began to grow. Her hooves, body and wings began to increase in size drastically. They were not maturing or evolving but they were becoming monstrous. A black and red bubbling substance randomly bubbled through her fur and mane as this transformation continued. Finally it ceased. Scootaloo was gargantuan. Twice the size of a normal stallion. She roared as any monster would. Ready to destroy her prey,

To say Sweetie Belle pissed herself would be fairly accurate as she fled the pursuing Scootabeast. It's thundering hooves rocked the ground as it chased her.

"GIVE UP SWEETIE BELLE!" it boomed, with the normal voice of Scootaloo oddly enough.

Sweetie Belle kept running. There was nothing to stop her but nothing to protect her either.  Her hooves became weak as she could not longer gallop, let alone trot. She pushed herself to keep going but the Scootaloo was getting closer. Licking its chops as apparently it was to devour her. It clutched her in it hooves and soared into the sky, its powerful wings flapping with all it its might.

Sweetie Belle was bawling.  "Scootaloo please!" She cried, "I thought you loved me!" The Scootaloo seemed unphased as it continued to fly to an unknown destination. It then stopped. And licked its chops again as Sweetie Belle was being moved closer to The Scootaloo's massive, sharp teeth.

"Scootaloo! I love you, you love me too. I took care of you when you were sick, you took care of me when I was weak and needed help! We're friends, we don't do this to each-other!" The filly was desperate. "Of all the ponies in the world, you have always been my best friend and always stuck by my side when things got rough."

A light-bulb lit in the unicorns mind.

"You're not real."  Sweetie panned. The monster halted, it appeared shocked.

"You're not real because Scootaloo would never do this to me!" Sweetie continued. She started to nticed the grip was loosening. "If the real Scootaloo were here she would be right on your flank and kicking it too!"  They began to fall but Sweetie Belle pressed on, "None of my friends would hurt me like this. They wouldn't want me to give up and I won't!"

Those words seemed to cause an adverse effect. In the blink of an eye the monster was back to Scootaloo's normal form. Sweetie Belle slammed into the ground as she and The Scootaloo dropped to the invisible floor, The Scootaloo did not move. It was apparently dead.  Sweetie Belle cautiously approached it as it began to squirm.

Scootaloo's eyes shot open as she saw Sweetie Belle standing before her.

"Wha...what happened?" The orange filly got up slowly with Sweetie Belle striking her.  "Ow! Sweetie Belle! What did you do that for?"

It was Scootaloo. Sweetie galloped over to her and hugged her. "I'm so sorry! I thought you were still that monster!"

"Wait...so it wasn;' a dream?  Where are we?"

"I don't know..." Sweetie Belle said. "Have you seen Apple Bloom?"

"No."  Scootaloo answered. "Just you."

"Well if Apple Bloom is in the same weird place we are then she has to be out there somewhere!" Sweetie Belle squealed.

"But where?" Scootaloo was confused. "There's nothing here."

________________________________

Twilight and company had been primarily dodging Celestia's attacks for the duration of this battle. None of them of course striking her either.  The odd thing about her sheild seemed to be the fact that it drew from a power outside the control of magic. Twilight tried several magical reclamation spells and they did not work on the sheild, Though it did work on her when it deflected back onto her.

Celestia said nothing as she grew bored of playing 'whack-a-mole' with these pests. Her horn now glowed with a silver color. With this, Scootaloo appeared. Or at least it looked like her. It was enough for Rainbow Dash.

"Scootaloo!" The pegasus cried as she charged for her.

"Rainbow NO!" Twilight cried. She knew this was but an illusion but sadly for Rainbow it was too late. The form of Scootaloo shifted into a aura that surrounded Rainbow Dash and turned her into crystal. She shattered as she fell to the ground.

Celestia laughed manically.

Twilight and Rarity both combined their magic to form a massive beam themselves. It fired and seemed to penetrate the shield, only to be caught in the same silver glow as their friend. It exploded with the shrapnel sticking both Twilight and Rarity.  Unknown to them, that shield was not supposed to have been penetrated. It appeared to have weakend somehow.

_________________________________

Apple Bloom's eyes opened again as she was now in another location. And to he surprise, she was a differnt pony. Her fur was orange and her mane was purple. Her small wings sat at her side. The feeling of having these appendages was odd and uncomfortable. It is as if she literally stepped into a new body and called it home.

She was in the playground of Ponyville Elementary. She noticed she herself was not there. She figures this was around the time she was still at the farm or with Twilight.

"Say one more thing you brat!"  A familiar voice cried. Sweetie Belle had Diamond Tiara on the ground and was swinging wildly at her. This did not last for Sweetie was herself brutally slammed into a puddle of mud and one could see, and hear that it hurt badly.

"Get off her!" Scootalbloom yelled. Now that she had DIamond's attention she needed to do something. Somehow, though she was Scootaloo, she maintained the injuries she had sustained in the previous episode, she also had some scars and marks she did not remember having.

"Okay Scootaloser." Diamond cackled. "Do your worst." Scootabloom charged for the bully but was stonewalled when she was brought to her back and on the ground. She never remembered Diamond Tiara being this strong, through she was never this weak either. The hooves began pummeling her in the face. All too familiar. Scootabloom could not move, this bully with a tiara was amazingly powerful, pinning her down and beating her simultaneously. Worse yet she did not cease. Cheerilee came to mitigate the mess.

"Girls!" She hollered. That is enou--"  She too was now on the ground as Diamond towered over her.

"I'm not done with her yet." Diamond hissed. "And you're not stopping me!"  Diamond's tiara began to glow and a wicked smile crept across her face. As this occurred, Cheerilee began to literally deflate as she screamed in pain. It appeared the literal life was being sucked out of her.  Diamond stood there, laughing with glee as the teacher was but a pile of fur and skin, flat as a deflated ball. Diamond's eyes glowed a sinister red for a few seconds as she grew slightly. Her hooves expanded and her size was nearly doubled. She turned her attention back to Scootabloom.

"Now where were we?" Diamond grinned as she charged for Scootabloom who dodged. Though it wasn't long before Scootabloom was smashed into a tether-ball pole. Diamond yanked the pole out effortlessly with her mouth and snapped it in half with her teeth, She pinned Scootabloom down, this time the pressure was unbearable. Then, the feeling came, of her life literally being drained out of her. As the bully laughed, Apple Bloom resigned, once again she was unable to prevent her worst fears from being realized.

Then it stopped. Sweetie Belle had mounted the bully and was now riding it like...well....a pony. The unicorn bit the bully in the neck and pushed her down again. Sweetie's movements were odd. It appeared as if she was but a costume being worked by two foals inside. One had no idea what the other was doing but soon enough they figured it out.

Sweetie Belle took one half of the pole and tossed the other to Scootabloom.  

Without words, Sweetie Belle took the pole and shoved it into DImaond's side. Instead of blood, an odd black and red substance emerged from the punctured area. The Diamond Tiara squirmed wildly. Scootabloom followed suit and punctured the over-sized filly it began spewing the same odd black and red substance as all the other monsters had. Within minutes everything was black again.

________________________________________

Celestia looked on as two unicorns attempted to desperately attack her. The shield had suffered one intrusion but she was swift to crystallize it. Her horn was still acrewing power. She was preparing quite the spell. Not only would it end these miserable traitors, but it would erase the memories of everypony in the Empire effectively, making the last few months never exist.   She was just about at full power when a stinging feeling pierced her coat.

She had been hit.

Her shield was rapidly deteriorating and shrinking to an odd red blob-like shape. Celestia continued firing at the uncorn's keeping them at bay. The red shape floated back towards Fluttershy and formed the shape of three fillies who came falling to the ground.

"Girls!" Rarity screamed. She went to see her sister and had forgotten she was a target. Celestia aimed precisley and struck her the same way Rainbow was. The former unicorn solidified and exploded. Sweetie Belle and the fillies lost it.

Twilight was now on her own.

Celestia smiled. "Not the way I wanted this to end but it's better than nothing!" Her beams became one large force of magic bearing down on Twilight who used all the power she had to deflect it. Though she was losing, quickly. The large ball of magic slowly pushed towards her.

Sweetie Belle looked on in horror. Twilight was alone, and nopony else could help her. Or so she initially thought. She focused her own magic to try and form a shield around her and her friends for the inevitable when something else happened. The shards of Rainbow Dash and Rarity glowed the same color as her horn. A feeling of power came over the filly as her eyes widened.

"Sweetie Belle what are you doing?" Scootaloo yelled.

"I don't know...": The filly whimpered. She saw Twilight cornered. This concentrated energy was a mere inches away, She looked to Apple Bloom.

"I'm sorry." The lavender unicorn cried. Apple Bloom began sobbing as she ran for Twilight. Sweetie Belle gave chase to try to retrain her. No luck. Apple Bloom was now holding on for dear life to her doomed guardian.

"If yer gonna die, I'm coming with you!" The filly wailed. Twilight brought her close and held her. This was the end.

Sweetie Belle concentrated her horn once more and the shards lit up. Her horn now disobeyed her commands to stop as the shards started floating in the air. She rose as well nearly to the ceiling. The crystal shards of her fallen friends begans circling around her, glowing brightly. And much to everypony's shock, Celestia's concentrated sphere of magic was stalled and brought in front of the floating filly.'

"Wha---what the hell..." Celestia muttered. "No."

The shards began spinning wildly now as they came closer, ringing around the filly whose eyes were glowing white and her body was surrounded by a green hue. The shards then formed the shape of a spear tip and moved to the front of Celestia's magical force.

Sweetie Belle grinned as she heard Scootaloo's words.

"Give her hell Sweetie Belle!"

"Okie dokie!" The filly grinned devilishly as the spear solidified into a glowing green mass, the val of magic that was once Celestia's turned green as well. It then fired. Celestia could not dodge this. As it passed into her body, a brilliant white light burst through her eyes, mouth, and....plot. Her wings turned to flames and her jewelry fell to the ground as it appeared she was being destroyed form within.

Sweetie Belle continued concentrating her magic as slowly but surely, Celestia was dying.

"NO! NO YOU FOOL!" Celestia roared.

Twilight  watched in awe as she saw the unthinkable take place.

"You hurt my friends." Sweetie Belle recited, "You killed my sister," The magic's potency seemed to increase as the tyrant now screamed in pain.  

"You're a bully Celestia." The filly continued. "And I'm not going to let you bully us anymore."

Sweetie threw up her hooves, her emerald eyes glistened with a new look of conquering nature. A series of colors then formed a beam and swirled around the princess as the final act of Sweetie's trick came into play.

With that the energy of whatever was in Celestia imploded. It was loud, violent, and bright. The vision of everypony in the room was obscured as the brightness began to fade.

Her eyes revealed a crater. A crater in the side of the throne room in the Canterlot Castle. The princess once stood there but was no more. Her headdress was the only remains of her existence. Wearily she got to her hooves. Focusing her vision enough to see what was around. She gasped and galloped to a sight she dreaded.

Her sister was unconscious, lying face first on the floor.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity cried. "Sweetie Belle please say something, anything!"

The others, including Rainbow Dash came to their senses and rushed to the motionless filly.

Scootaloo shook Sweetie Belle in an attempt to wake her but to no use.

"Sweetie Belle?" The filly chocked up.

Tweilight backed away and looked at the massive hole before them.  "She saved us..." Twilight said to herself though the others could hear. "Of all the things in the world it was her." She walked to the edged of the remaining floor and looked down to the valley below.

"She's breathing!"  

Twilight rushed back to Sweetie Belle who was now stirring. Smoke was bellowing from her horn.  

"Oh Sweetie Belle!" Rarity pleaded, "Are you alright dear?"

Sweetie stuggled to her hooves. Scootaloo muzzled her in an effort to assist her.

Sweetie's eyes shot open when she realized what had happened.

"Did I do that?" She asked. Still a little disoriented. She was instantly scooped into her sisters hooves.

"Yes Sweetie, yes you did." Rarity replied.

"Yeah it was fucking awesome!" Scootaloo buzzed happily.

Rainbow shot a glare at Scootaloo but chose to address it later. She decided to fly down the cliff and see if anything was done there. What she saw instead made her shoot back into the room. A large crack was spiraling up the mountain and towards Canterlot.

"Girls? I hate to interrupt and all but we might want to haul flank out of here!" Rainbow Dash grabbed Scootaloo and went out through the hole. Fluttershy grabbed Apple Bloom and followed suit. The crack began severing the castle as the whole structure began to quake violently.

"Come on!" Rainbow Dash hollered.

"Eep!" Sweetie Belle screamed.

"Hold on girls!" Twilight focused her horn and soon sprouted wings as did Rarity. Without haste Sweetie Belle was on Rarity's back as they too soared out of the castle and followed their friends.

As Twilight looked back she saw a horrifying scene.

The whole of Canterlot was sliding down the mountainside. Terrified ponies scrambled about but it was futile. The once prominent city slit in half like the SMS Titanic and the outermost portion fell rapidly down into the forest below with the other half sliding menacingly slowly. Some ponies jumping from the collapsing city in vein.  As Ponyville came into view they saw but a immense tower of smoke behind them.  Canterlot was gone. Whatever force Sweetie Belle had evoked, it had taken the city with it.,

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The landing in Ponyville was quiet. The group decided to land int he forest and trot into town as to not cause too much of a stir. They weren't sure what to expect all things considered. They were certain the citizens of Ponyville had seen the collapse of Canterlot, the explosion of Princess Celestia, and they damn well knew that they had something to do with it.

The fillies walked behind the mares, for protection more than anything. Despite the fillies assuring them that they had a warm reception, they weren't too certain considering what just happened that that would happen again.

They arrived to empty streets. Nopony was to be found.

"Huh." Twilight wondered aloud. "Must've hid during the collapse."

They made their way through town inspecting windows and alleyways but nopony was to be found. They decided to check Sugarcube Corner. The first landmark of sorts that was on their path. It was pitch black as they all went in.

To say that Sweetie Belle....again pissed herself would be proper.

The lights flipped on and they were nearly sacred to death.

"SURPRISE!" The mares and stallions cheered. Confetti and cake was everywhere.

"What?" Twilight was confused.

"Well DUH haven't you heard?!" The pink party pony bounced towards them.

"No?" Apple Bloom answered.

"Well it would be so wrong of me not to throw an 'We're sorry for not listening to you earlier thank you for what you did we cannot wait to go on with our new lease on life' party!"

"...Kay." Rainbow Dash was damn near confused. "So you don't want us killed?"

"Psssh No!" Pinkie said excitedly.

"I do believe a certain somepony deserves a certain treat to herself?" Ms Cake hoisted a very rare and very prestigious cupcake with a candle in it. It was given to Sweetie Belle who was about as confused as everypony else.

"How did they-" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Just go with it." Twilight smiled.

The confusion was negated as the ponies being celebrated realized that they were home. They were in their happy, peaceful, likely far too forgiving village with everypony they loved.

Scootaloo plopped to the floor. Exhausted.

"I take it somepony want's to go home?" Rainbow Dash looked down at the tuckered filly.

Scootaloo hesitated. Parties were always fun but again, she was beyond tired. And had the feeling there would be plenty to come.

"Yeah." She grinned. "I'd like that alot."

End