Chapter 23.

Celestial Sparkle had made her way from Ponyville to the waste lands of the frozen northern lands that stretched up to the Crystal Empire. With each step she had taken her anger grew more and more intense until it was just barely boiling at the service. Her eyes blazed red with from her need to stop her sister and her acts of violence against the ponies of Equestria. Like Celestial Sparkle her sister Lady Galanthus also made her way towards the Crystal Empire. And just Like Celestial Sparkle so too did Galanthus feel a deep seeded anger towards her sister an anger that stemmed from being imprisoned within her own crown. Now trapped within the body of Snowdrop, Galanthus wanted nothing more than vengeance on all that stood in her way. As Celestial Sparkle made her way across the frozen wastelands that outstretched and outcropped the borders of the Crystal Empire she thought to herself.

“Sister this needs to end you to need stop this insanity.” Celestial Sparkle thought to herself as she failed to notice a blue energy bolt flying at her.

As Celestial Sparkle thought about her past and her situation with her sister she completely failed to notice a the blue energy bolt that had been fired at her feet causing her to stop in her tracks. As she heard a voice coming from the left of her she looked to the west towards the direction of which the energy bolt came from. Celestial Sparkle saw her sister Galanthus slowly walking towards her. Galanthus said to her as she came in closer to see if her energy shot had hit its mark.

“Hello sister I was wondering how long it would take you to show up.” Galanthus said as she watched her sister lowering her head.

Celestial Sparkle Lowered her head and fired a white energy bolt  of her own at Galanthus’s feet as a warning shot as she said to her sister.

“Sister I offer you one single chance to cease this madness and return to your prison.” Celestial Sparkle said as Galanthus stood there looking at her sister with sheepish grin on her face as she said to her.

“Why do you stand in my way sister you know I just want to is rightfully mine!” Galanthus said to Celestial Sparkle as she stopped in her tracks with a look of confusion on her face.

“You know I can not allow you to enter the Crystal Empire sister. Please will you cease this madness and return to your prison?” Galanthus said as she watched her sisters horn glow a bright blue dove out of the way as a blue bolt of energy flew at her while her sister said to her.

“No sister I shall not cease my supposed madness for I am not mad. I simply want to rule what is rightfully mine to rule.” Galanthus said as she fired another energy bolt at her sister missing her head by a few scant inches.

“Sister please I do not wish to fight you. Why are you doing this?” Celestial Sparkle said as she shot back an energy bolt of her own missing her sister by a half foot as her energy bolt struck the ground half a foot in front of Galanthus.

“Because you stole my birthright from me! I was suppose to rule this land and the outer borders of it. Yet you stole everything from me When you went and imprisoned me without a trial no less.”Galanthus shot back as she fired another energy bolt at her sister hitting her in the chest knocking her back several feet.

“You killed our mother, father and brother and my newly born colt, and for what a silly crown and the mere right to rule a civilization of ponies that would not have you as their ruler then or now?” Celestial Sparkle asked as she slid back several feet from her sister.

“I killed them because they betrayed me!” Galanthus shot back as she fired another energy bolt at her sister missing her by a few feet.  

“And how did our mother and father betray you sister? What did our brother do to cause you to kill him or my new born colt for that matter?” Celestial Sparkle asked she fired a white energy bolt at her sister trying to knock her off balance only to wind up missing her target by six feet.  

“They gave you what should always have been mine! Our brother stole the book of magic from me and your bastard colt would have taken my place in the royal court from me. That is why they had to die! Why all of them had to die!!” Galanthus yelled back as she fired another energy bolt at Celestial Sparkles chest then charged as she lowered her horn trying to impale her sister on it.  

Seeing her sister charging in Celestial Sparkle jumped to the right allowing her sister to pass by her as she fired another energy bolt at Galanthus striking her in the side. Galanthus fell to the ground and slid six feet from her sister. As Celestial Sparkle walked up to her sister she said to her.

“I didn’t give you a trial because you proved to be too dangerous for it. To be put you on trial would have given you a chance to escape. Besides I wanted my own justice for what you did to our family and to my colt!” Celestial Sparkle said as she watched her sister get back up then jumped to left as a blue energy bolt flew past her.

“What did I do to make you break our laws? Kill a few useless family members? Ha! I will gladly kill another family, and another, and another; if it were but, only to mean getting rid of you once and for all.” Galanthus shot back as she fired another energy bolt at her sister causing her to jump to the right as she heard her sister yell back to her.

“You didn’t just kill our family or my colt you also forged an alliance with the demons and then one with Chrysalis to overthrow me and rule the land as you saw fit. That is why I never gave you a trial once you were defeated in combat.” Celestial Sparkle yelled back at her sister as she fired another energy bolt at her sister striking her in the stomach sending her backwards another six feet.  

Galanthus hit the ground hard then slowly began to rise up as she started to laugh causing her sister to stop in her tracks as Celestial Sparkle advanced on her position. When her sister while laughing said to her.

“That was not the only alliance I made that day when I killed our family.” Galanthus said as she laughed while she charged her sister.

Celestial Sparkle tried to get out of her sisters way but, was struck in the chest and knocked back twelve feet as she came crashing to the ground she heard her sister say to her.

“You never really did pay much attention in combat class did you sister?” Galanthus cooed as she slowly trotted up to her sister with a wicked grin on her face.

“I….(coughing) paid enough….(coughing)....to know how…..(coughing)....to do this Galanthus!” Celestial Sparkle spat back.

Celestial Sparkles horn glowed bright yellow as she fired several lighting bolts at her sister all of which missed Galanthus by three feet each. Galanthus smiled as she walked through the field of lighting bolts then up to her sister as she said to her.

“Not much of an attack sister you didn’t even hit me” Galanthus said as she got within four feet of her sister.

Breathing in heavily Celestial Sparkle said to her sister as she tried to fire another round of lightning bolts towards her sister.

“I wasn’t trying to hit you.” Celestial Sparkle said as her sister kicked her in the ribs sending Celestial Sparkle up and into the air.

As Celestial Sparkle came crashing back down to the cold hard ground she heard her sister say to her.

“You are weak sister you should have paid better attention in combat practice. But, then again you always were to busy chasing after butterflies and weaker life forms than yourself to be of much of a threat to me.” Galanthus said as she narrowed her eyes on her sister unaware of the what her sister was really trying to aim at with her lightning bolts.  

Celestial Sparkle lay on the ground her front hooves covered her ribs as she felt them break from impacting the ground. Coughing out blood and wheezing in pain Celestial sparkle said to her sister as Galanthus came in for another attack.

“You never….bothered to…..pay attention…..to your….surroundings sister.” Celestial Sparkle said as she felt her sister kick her repeatedly in the stomach and ribs.  

Feeling part of her ribcage break Celestial sparkle cast a teleportation spell sending her twenty feet back and away from her sister. Galanthus smiled as she started to charge towards her sister only to stop in her tracks when she saw her sister slowly start to stand up. As Galanthus said to her sister while watching her sister stand back up she heard a loud crack coming from behind her.

“What do you mean I never bothered to pay attention to my surroundings sister?” Galanthus said a she looked behind her seeing the ground shattered where the lightning bolts had struck the ground.

As Celestial Sparkle slowly rose to her hooves she spat out a small amount of blood then smiled to her sister as she said to her.

“You clearly have forgotten who it is that is buried under this icy wasteland sister.” Celestial Sparkle said as she too heard the cracking of the ice and rocks behind her sister.

Celestial Sparkle seeing that her sister was momentarily distracted began to charge her sister. Trying again to impale Galanthus on it. Only to miss when Galanthus managed to notice the oncoming attack and jumped to the left just barely missing her sisters horn. Saying to her sister as she came in for another attack.

“I will not fall for your tricks this time sister.” Galanthus said she fired an energy bolt at her sister missing her by a few feet.

As Celestial Sparkle turned around and charged at her sister Celestial Sparkle asked Galanthus.

“What makes you think I was trying to trick you sister?” Celestial Sparkle said as her sister dove out of the way of her attack.  

“You tricked me once before sister I will not fall for your tricks again sister.” Galanthus said she got back up then looked around the battlefield trying to figure out what her sister was talking about.

Galanthus not able to figure out what her sister was talking about fired a blue shot of lightning at her sister trying to knock her backwards. The lightning bolt missed its target as both combatants heard a loud screech coming from overhead. When the two combatants stopped their fighting for a few seconds Lady Galanthus smiled as she heard a dark voice call out to her.

“Did I not warn you that I WOULD come for you if the crown was put in danger Lady Galanthus?” The voice said from above there postion.

Both combatants looked up and saw Arighith the destroyer flying over head. Looking down Arighith said to Galanthus as he flapped his wings in the air causing large amounts of snow to fly through the air blinding Celestial Sparkle.

“Get out of the way Lady Galanthus this battle needs to end before Naramek gets free and ends our plans for Equestria.” Arighith said as he reared his head back letting loose a giant crystal blue fireball right at Celestial Sparkles.

Seeing the fire ball coming in Galanthus jumped out of the way as she heard the boom of the explosion when the fireball struck its mark. Galanthus picked herself up then looked behind her to see her sister was effectively knocked out cold. The icy ground shattered around her sister's body as Galanthus watched while the dragon Naramek started to free himself from his icy prison. Just as he was about to free himself another fireball flew down hitting the dragon in the back of the head causing him to remain still from the pain he was in. Again Galanthus smiled as she watched the dragon close his eyes then go back to sleep. Saying to Arighith as she returned her gaze up to him.

“Take me to the Crystal Empire I know now why my sister was trying to stop me from going there.” Galanthus said to Arighith as he landed in front of her then lowered his head to allow Galanthus to get on him.

Galanthus sat on Arighith’s head as he flew her to the Crystal Empire as they saw their target in sight she asked him.

“Tell me Arighith did you fully destroy Ponyville like I ordered you to do so?” Lady Galanthus said to Arighith as she felt him bank low to the ground then swoop up high over the Crystal Empire.

“Yes my lady I did fully destroy ponyville and yes I left none alive. I will leave you here and then return to the mountain to await the coming of the ones you wish to free from their prison underneath the Crystal Empire’s city.”

“Good I am glad to see that you you had fun while I was attending to this matter.We will have little problems if any in fully conquering all of Equestria once I free the two that are laid to rest here.” Galanthus said as she looked down at the Crystal Empire as the dragon flew with her on his head over the city of the Crystal Empire.

“What about Luna and Celestia are you not at all worried about them?” Arighith asked as he spotted a safe place to land so they were out of sight.

“No I am not at all worried about them. If my sister was as weak as she was foolish then so too would her descendants be weak and foolish. Those that sit on my throne are of no concern to me.” Lady Galanthus said as she hopped off Airighiths headthen started to head towards the Crystal city.

“There is one other that might be able to stand in our way my Lady Galanthus. One that would try to stop you from seeing all that you wish to see come to fruition.” Arighith said as his words stopped Galanthus in her tracks.  

“To whom are your referring to Arighith? Who would be stupid enough to challenge me?” Galanthus said as she spun around to face her ally.

The dragon laughed as he looked at Galanthus in the eyes then said to her while smiling an evil toothy grin at her.

“I believe her name is Twilight Sparkle. She is a descendent of Celestial Sparkle.” Arighith said as he smiled wickedly at his ally in evil.

“How can there be another sparkle I thought my sister was the only one left?” Galanthus said with a absolute look of pure confusion on her face.

“It is simply my lady Galanthus,  When you killed your sisters colt you fail to realize she might have had other colts and or fillies to bare her name.” Arighith said as he laughed wickedly at the foolishness of his allies mistake.

“But that can’t be I mean I know my sister had that mule of colt of hers but, I killed her mule of a colt did I not. I  even gave you his heart to feast on as per our arrangement that you made with me those many years ago.” Lady Galanthus said as she looked at her allie then off towards the Crystal city.

“You killed only one offspring of Celestial Sparkle my lady Galanthus, your horse of a sister had TWO offspring not just one as you were lead to believe. One of which she sent away three days before your attack on your family.” Arighith said as he continued to smile wickedly at his ally.

“I see and  and you know this how?” Asked Lady Galanthus as she watched her ally smile wickedly at her.

“I know of this because although I am indeed a crystal dragon I am also able to shape shift myself into a unicorn thus I was able to gain the trust of the servants in the castle and learned of your sisters deceit to you.” Arighith said as he grinned evilly at Galanthus.

“And you failed to me this WHY!?” Lady Galanthus shouted out her last word to her ally as he just smiled back at her saying coldly her in reply to her outburst.

“I didn’t tell you about this because I wanted to make sure the game we are in was played to its fullest.”

“THUS ALLOWING THIS OFFSPRING TO HAVE OFFSPRING OF IT’S OWN I TAKE IT?!?” Lady Galanthus said as she turned her attention away from the bustling Crystal city of the Crystal Empire.

Laughing coldly to his ally the dragon Arighith said to Lady Galanthus as she stared angrily at him with her eyes burning with hate towards him.

“Yes the offspring fell in love with a unicorn and you thus low and behold have the sparkle family bloodline.”

“Then tell me Arighith how is it possible for Celestia and luna to come into this world then?” Lady Galanthus said as she seethed with anger towards the dragons foolishness.

That is so simply my lady Galanthus for you see. While before your sister died she have had another offspring born to her through a alicorn. So you see Celestia, Luna and Twilight are related although there bloodlines are removed many times over she is still related to the princesses. Thus she could have the power to stop me.” Arighith said as he looked at Galanthus who in turn quirked an eyebrow at him saying to him.

“Me?” Lady Galanthus said as she looked at him with a frown on her face.

“Uh, I mean you of course my lady Galanthus. Besides my lady Galanthus what fun would there have been in it for me to have let you destroy all of Equestria. Without at least one or more of your family members here to witness your triumph over all that is good and decent in this land.”

“You stupid fool do you not know what you have done!?!” Lady Galanthus shouted at the top of her lungs.

Oh, no my lady I am not stupid or foolish at all in this regard. I needed some way of making sure that I had at least some sort of fun in this war and your family will have provided that fun for me nicely too, I might add.”

“GET OUT OF MY SIGHT YOU USELESS WYRM BEFORE I SEND YOU BACK TO YOUR PRISON FROM WHENCE YOU CAME!!!!” Galanthus shouted in anger.

“Before I go you should know that while you may free the two inside the crystal caverns underneath the Crystal city. You will still  need the book of magic to complete the spell so that they don’t turn on you. Which is what I believe happened to you last time you tried to conquer all of Equestria.”

“I would already have that book if it were not removed from its resting place in my decedents old castle. I think the one called Spike took it then gave it to the one called Rarity. Before you ask how I know of this transgression imprisoned though I may have been. Once that book left the crypt where the stupid little baby dragon found it the act of taking it awoke death from her prison. Thus allowing us to be freed. Although death was able to feed on the life force in this world. She couldn’t take physical form until that book was taken from its crypt within my decedents old castle.”

“You know what that book could do if it falls into the hooves of the descendant of the first royal guard?!?” Shouted Arighith in anger once he learned of this treachery.

“I know all too well of the spell that is located within the pages of that book. I know that Amora needs that spell to summon the brak’lu the army of demons that in sheer numbers will out number our army at least twenty to one. Yet she will need to regain her honor and I thus have seen to it that her honor was stolen from her.” Lady Galanthus said as she cooed evilly while rubbing her front hooves together.  

“One more thing before I go my lady Galanthus.” Arighith said as he looked at her then over at the Crystal city that lay before him and his mistress.

“Yes what is it!?!” Lady Galanthus snarled out in anger.

“You needn’t bother trying to find conquest for she will soon be here to ride or rather run by your side. All you need to do is unlock the prison that her two brothers are in.” Arighith said as he looked at his ally then began to slowly fly up into the air stopping only when he heard Galanthus say to him.

“You remember what their marks look like don’t you?” Galanthus said as she looked up at him then towards the Crystal city as she heard Arighith reply to her.

“Of course I remember what each of their marks looks like my lady Galanthus.” Arighith said wickedly as he landed back on the ground next to Lady Galanthus as she said to him.

“Conquest being female a white mare will have a bow on her flank. War being male will be red and shall have a sword on his flank. The third famine being male will be black with scales on his flank and of course we both know that death is here now. Her scythe will be her mark and it shall be carried on her back as she joins the other three and we all five run into battle and the complete conquest of Equestria.” Galanthus said as she looked out towards the unsuspecting Crystal city and the ponies that lived there.

“Tell me something why trust them again when they betrayed you once before why take the risk of it happening again?” Arighith asked as he started to fly up into the air again.

“Only if you tell me how you knew that Conquest is on her way her as we speak I thought she was imprisoned with her brothers within the crystal labyrinth beneath the Crystal city.” Lady Galanthus said as she continued to look towards the unsuspecting Crystal city and all the unsuspecting lives that lived there in.  

“No she was not imprisoned with her brothers she was sent to another world. Conquest is like you and I immortal but, unlike us she can still grow old and die.” Arighith said as he flew over his allies head.

“THEN SHE ISN’T IMMORTAL! WHICH MEANS SHE IS WORTHLESS TO ME IN THIS WAR!” Lady Galanthus shouted out as she snarled in anger.

“Oh, that is where you are very wrong my dear Lady Galanthus. While true she can still age and die.However while she was in the world that both her and Silver Apple where in she was sent to a farm and was able to mate with others of the kind of creature she was imprisoned as. Thus as her body grew old and died of old age a new body would grow inside the belly of one of the creatures she is forced to be. I can not wait to see the look on the face when that world's Applejack comes to realize what horrors she has brought from her word to this one.” Arighith said as he flapped his wings and grinned wildly at Lady Galanthus.

“I see so Conquest is trapped as a creature from another world. Serves her right for being so stupid. Now to answer your question. I will trust them only this time and only so long as I am able to control them. That book is more than just a spellbook that can cause things to appear as you see fit for them to appear. The rings that connect the pages together will act as binding tools thus I will be able to bind all four horsemen to my will and force them to do my bidding. Once they are no longer useful to me I will simply put them back where they came from until I have further use for them.” Galanthus said as she started to walk away from her ally.

“WAIT!!” Arighith shouted to her stopping Galanthus in her tracks as she spun around seething daggers at him for being commanded like a common house servant.  

“WHAT?” Galanthus spat back in anger.

“I will instead of going to the mountains as I said I would do so. I will instead try to find Applejack from the other world and kill her. I suspect she shouldn’t be too hard find seeing as how the spell that was cast on her ancestors armor. Will fully prohibit her from becoming a pony when she enters this world.” Arighith said as he looked at Lady Galanthus who in turn smiled wickedly to him.

“No you like to play games so much then I will play games thus if you go near her you will suffer for it. Let us see why she is so important to this world and thus if she proves to be well shall we say a nuisance then you may kill her. If her armor is as powerful as you claim it is then you shall not be the one to kill her. I leave that task to Ar^gur our general of the bow and arrows. Besides he has wanted to kill since he got back and it would be wrong to let you have all the fun now wouldn’t it?” Galanthus said as she looked at her friend and ally in evil as the two of them laughed coldly together.

“Yes you are right my lady why should I have all the fun when Ar^gur has been just itching to kill something for so long that his whining is as bad as nails on a blackboard.” Arighith said as he laughed wickedly.

“Very well it is fully settled then. Your orders are to find this Applejack from another world, DO NOT engage her in combat bring me Conquest and return here. Bring me the book of magic as well. Speaking of the book of magic where is the book of magic now?” Lady Galanthus said as she stopped laughing then stared at her ally coldly.

“It stands to reason that Silver Apple should have found the book by now but, more than likely didn’t return it or didn’t want to return it. So thus I would think she somehow found a way to return it to this land using her descendant to do it for her.” Arighith said as he looked back at Lady Galanthus just as coldly as she stared at him.

“I see, alright then. Once you have the book bring both the book and Conquest to me. I should have both brothers freed by the time you get back. And Arighith!”

“Yes my lady?” Arighith said as he continued to stare coldly at Lady Galanthus.

“Should you engage Applejack from the other world in combat you will fully answer for it with your husk of a hide hanging from my throne room walls do you fully understand me?” Lady Galanthus replied as she turned away from Arighith’s cold stare then headed towards the Crystal city.

“Yes my lady I fully understand, I will not engage in combat with Applejack from the other world.” Arighith said as he watched Lady Galanthus slowly disappear as she headed towards the Crystal city.

“Good! now GO!” Arighith heard Lady Galanthus say as she finally disappeared from view.

Arighith laughed loudly as he flew into the air then headed back towards Ponyville although much of the town was completely reduced to broken boards and smashed pieces of glass. Twilights castle remained largely intact. The Crystal Castle had suffered much damage from Arighiths first attack on the town. The crystal mirror it self was completely unscaved though. And as Applejack emerged from the mirror world into Twilight's bedroom on the back of Alcippe. She looked around then saw her reflection in the mirror she had just stepped through. The mirror showed she was still in human form and her armor was glowing a brilliant silver in color. Applejack smiled as she slowly lead her horse to a broken wall off to her left and out into the broken town. Looking around Applejack said to herself as she took in the horrors of what she saw.

“It looks like I might have been too late this town is all but, destroyed there ain't nothing left.” Applejack said as she slowly led the horse out of Twilight's destroyed castle and past burning building after burning building.

As Applejack led her horse past Twilight's castle she heard a soft moaning coming from behind her. Stopping in her tracks she tilted her head ever slightly to the right to hear better. The moaning continued as Applejack started to look around what was left of Twilight's castle. Slowly walking through the rubble and sifting through piles of broken boards and crystal bricks. Applejack found Spike lying in a small pile of broken crystal bricks and boards. His face was badly cut and burned from the attack that Arighith had displayed earlier that night. Bringing her horse in close Applejack tied the reins of the horse off on a protruding board not more than three feet from her and Spike. Then set about freeing the baby dragon. Once she got him freed she reached out and touched his face with her gloved hand healing his wounds. Then she looked at him while keeping one hand on one of her daggers and placing her other hand just over her throwing axe when she saw her healing work was done.

Applejack thought to herself after she healed him.

“So my armor really does heal those that are wounded from a battle.” Applejack thought to herself.

As Applejack looked at Spike unsure if he was going to attack or not when and after he woke up. Applejack’s line of vision fell to a set of tracks leading just past the castle that caught her eye. As she stood up the baby dragon woke up took one look at Applejack and tried to bolt. Spike tried to hide behind a large pile of crystal bricks and broken wood only to be stopped in his tracks when Applejack looked down and noticed Spike trying to run. Smiling to herself Applejack took out her throwing axe then threw it at Spike. Applejack missing him on purpose as she watched her axe sail through the air and fall just a few feet in front of him. When the axe landed right in front of him Spike skidded to a halt and slowly turn around and faced Applejack. Spike shaking with fear as he heard her say to him while he watched in terror as Applejack drew out her bow and nocked an arrow to it then pointed it at his chest.

“If you attempt to run away again I will fire this arrow at you and believe me dragon this time I will not miss my target! Sit down and do what I tell you to do, NOW!” Applejack said as she narrowed her eyes at Spike and pulled further back on her bow’s string.

Spike seeing that Applejack wasn’t playing around fell to his knees put his little purple clawed hands together as he could feel sweat pouring steadily down his head. Seeing that she had gotten her message through to the little dragon Applejack lighted up just a bit on her bow’s string then asked Spike grimly.

“You will shake your head once for yes and twice for no do you understand me?” Applejack asked as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Spike not wanting to get shot with one of the strangers arrows shook his head up and down once. Seeing that the dragon seemed to understand her Applejack slowly lightened up a bit more on her bow string keeping it just taut enough to where if she had to pull it back quickly she would be able to do so. But, not so taut to where the weight of her bow and the pulling of the string caused her to feel any pain in her arms and shoulders. Applejack slowly pushed a large Crystal brick over towards the purple dragon then said to him sternly.

“Sit.”

Spike climbed up the crystal brick then sat down and looked at Applejack who in turn stared back at him with cold dead eyes. Spike swallowed hard when Applejack asked him.

“Is this Equestria that I am in?” Applejack asked as she looked at him and he at her.

Spike once again shook his head up and down. Applejack slowly sat down on a nearby heap of rubble saying to him as she looked at him cautiously.

“Did a battle take place here?” Applejack said as she looked at Spike.

Spike shook his head again up and down then swallowed hard again Applejack noticed this and looked at him then said to him softly as she slowly lowered her bow.

“If I tell you who I am you promise not to hurt me?”

Spike smiled and shook his head again up and down as he heard Applejack say to him.

“My name is Applejack.” Applejack said as she saw Spike quirk an inquisitive eyebrow at her.

Seeing this Applejack smirked at Spike then said to him.

“I know it sounds ridiculous but, I assure y’all that is really my honest to goodness name I really am Applejack.”

Spike sat on his crystal brick staring wide eyed at Applejack who rotated her head in a circular motion cracking her neck and spine. Hearing the popping noise of her bones Spike winced a bit then heard her say to him.

“Do you have a Applejack that lives around here by any chance?” Applejack said and she slowly thumbed her bow string and tilted her head slightly to the right.

Spike could see if he didn’t answer Applejacks question she was more than likely going to put a arrow through his eyes. Gathering his courage Spike nodded then grinned at bit. Applejack noticed the grin then raised her bow and fired her arrow at him.The arrow flew through the air then froze a few inches from Spike's head. Fruhling his eyes upwards Spike could see the arrow was not more than one inch from his skull bathed in blue and purple light. A  female voice called out to Applejack as she spun around and took aim at the one coming up behind her.

“Darling I will answer your questions if you agree to leave Spike alone in return.” The voice said as Applejack took aim at her with her bow.

“Who are you?” Applejack snapped angrily as she looked at a hurt unicorn who was limping up towards her.

“If you swear to me you will not fire another arrow at my little friend darling I will in turn promise to let you have your arrow back without hurting you.” Rarity said as she looked at Applejack who in turn still took careful aim at her with her bow and arrow.

“Sorry unicorn ain't going to happen for all I know you could be trying to trick me into lowering my defences and thus taking away my weapon.”

“Spike why don’t you slowly very slowly I might add slide off your brick there and come over to me I am not going to let her hurt you.” Rarity said to Spike who in turn looked from her to Applejack then back to Rarity before Applejack said to Rarity.

“Unicorn I am warning y’all right now he stays put. As for you if you really want me to lower my bow then you can come and stand by your friend where I can see you both. However if you try anything else I will kill you both.”

“I can see you and I darling are at an impasse right now. So how about we do this. How about you lower your weapon I in turn will cancel out my magic then we both will sit and talk for a bit. If you shoot me then I will not be able to save my little friend behind you. If I let go of the arrow then it will surely kill him this I can not allow. So I agree to this. I will lower the arrow in return you lower your bow I will Pinkie Pie swear to you that I will not hurt you.” Rarity said to Applejack who still kept her bow trained on her as she looked Rarity over with her eyes trying to judge if Rarity was telling the truth.

Applejack unsure as to what to do smiled a bit then said to Rarity as she slowly rose up from her pile of rubble that she had been sitting on.

“I have a much better idea than the one you just gave me unicorn.” Applejack said as she got off her pile of rubble she had been sitting on.

“Really Darling and what would that be?” Rarity asked as she looked at Applejack then moved her eyes to look over at Spike.

Spike was starting to sweat bullets as he and Rarity both heard Applejack say only one word.

“This.”

Applejack lunged forward catching Rarity completely off guard as she grabbed Rarity by her horn. With all her strength Applejack picked up Rarity then threw Rarity over her shoulder causing Rarity to come crashing  back down right into Spike. The blow of Rarity hitting his body caused both of them to land several feet away from Applejack. As Applejack lunged in again this time reaching out to grab her ax the magic that surrounded the arrow that Rarity had stopped  with her magic. Ceased and fully caused the arrow to fly into a nearby pile of rubble. As Applejack lunged and grabbed her ax she spun on her heels while raising the ax above her head. Then brought it back down towards Rarity’s skull only to stop a few centimeters away from Rarity's head. Causing the unicorn to scream out in terror as Applejack said to Rarity with Spike lying underneath Rarity's body.

“Now looky here unicorn I don’t have time for these here games you either tell me what is going on here or you can get this here ax in your skull.” Applejack said as she very slowly backed away from Rarity who slowly stood up then replied to her.

“Darling my name is Rarity and if you are Applejack as I heard you say your name was when I came up from behind you as you tried to shoot my friend Spike here. Then you and I are on the same side I think we both need to take a few minutes to calm down. I know this land must seem strange to you. But, I assure you I won’t try to get in your way please I beg you let my little friend go and I will stay with you in return for this. Spike is only a baby he doesn’t deserve this.” Rarity said as she looked at Applejack then down at Spike who was cowering behind her left back hoof.

“You keep calling him Spike. Yet the Spike that I have seen is a dog not a…...dragon nor is he a baby. So to prove to me that this is indeed Spike and you are indeed telling me the truth I will ask Spike this and he will answer otherwise you both die here and now.” Applejack said as she readied her ax in her hand to strike at Rarity and Spike.

“Very well Spike I think you better do as this uh, creature says I for one want to go back to the Everfree Forest and find my little sister Sweetie Bell with my head on my shoulders.” Rarity said as she looked down at Spike who in turn looked at Applejack and shook with fear.

Applejack backed away giving Spike just enough room to come out from behind Rarity's left leg. but, kept her ax at the ready just in case the purple dragon was foolish enough to try something else. As Spike came out from behind Rarity's left leg he heard Applejack say to him.

“Alright Spike if that is really your name. You will show me with your hands what was it that you did when you told me and my friends what Twilight was when we last saw her before the battle of the bands.”

Spike smiled greatly at Applejack then motioned with his hands as if he was playing a horn or trumpet. Applejack saw this and put away her ax saying to Rarity.

“Alright I am satisfied that he really is Spike. Which in turn really makes you Rarity and this really is Equestria. I am sorry I attacked you both. Can either of you forgive me for this?” Applejack asked as she looked from Rarity to Spike back to Rarity.

Rarity sat down on her haunches then nodded to Applejack as Applejack also sat down after she picked up her arrow then placed it back into her quiver. Sighing deeply Applejack held her ax in her hands then bent over and picked up a stone in front of her and started to sharpen her ax as she heard Rarity say to her.

“Darling if you really want to know what happened here I can you that is if you still want to know.”

“Thank you Rarity and again I am very sorry for my behavior towards you both.” Applejack replied to Rarity as she slid the rock up and down on her ax sharpening it.

“Oh, think nothing of it darling, you were just scared and you more than likely had no idea where you where.” Rarity replied kindly to Applejack who continued to sharpen her ax.

“No Rarity I had some idea that I was in Equestria yet I saw all the death and destruction here. I could smell the burning wood and burnt bodies of those that died here. So not sure if I was in friendly territory or not. I relied on what my mother and father taught me when I was little.” Applejack said as she slowly began to finish sharpening her ax.

Rarity looked at her then at Applejack’s ax then back at Applejack before saying to her.

“Darling would you uh, mind putting that thing away you're making me a bit nervous?” Rarity said to her as she looked at Applejack with a small amount of concern showing in her eyes.

“I think a better question from you Rarity would have been ‘why do you look like you do’? Or better yet instead of that one how about this one ‘how can there be two applejacks’?” Applejack said with a bit of smirk on her face as she looked at Rarity who in turn looked back at her then again down at her ax.

“Alright darling tell me how can there be two of you and how do you look like this when our Applejack is a earth pony and not well whatever is that you are?” Rarity said as she continued to stare at Applejack's ax.

“I am a human I am not sure what you call this planet that your land is on but, the one I come from we call earth. There are two of us because my ancestor Silver Apple is also your Applejack’s ancestor. Silver Apple had children here they likewise had children of their own. She was sent my world hundreds of years ago and was banished there when she refused to return here. Some one called Star swirl the bearded did that to her. He also got Silver Apples children here kicked out of the royal guard thus they became farmers and have been farmers ever since. I am here to set things right and to help fight in your war. My friend and I assume your friend as well Twilight is at this moment back in my home trying to help Sunset Shimmer rid herself of a demon called Amora. I wasn’t about to sit around and watch as your home and hers was torn apart by the riders.” Applejack said as she slowly set down her rock then put her ax back into its holster and slowly stood up and walked over to her horse.

Rarity looked at her then at Applejack's horse saying to her.

“Uh darling what manner of creature is that, there you are standing next to?”

Applejack looked from Rarity then at her horse as she started to mount her horse she said to Rarity while pulling herself up to onto her saddle.

“This creature is called a horse Rarity think of Alcippe as a really large version of you but, uh without the horn.” Applejack said as she looked down at Rarity then held out a gloved hand to her.

Rarity saw this and smiled saying to Applejack as she slowly approached the giant horse looking at it from head to tail and back again.

“Uh Darling I am not sure I would be able to fit on your uh, friend. Besides I can run and I would rather not cause your, ummm horse any problems. Besides it wouldn’t be ladylike to be seen riding a beautiful animal such as this. When running if far much better and more fun too.” Rarity said as she looked at Applejack then back down at spike who stood next to her.

“Your hurt Rarity I don’t have the time I need to heal your wounds and I have a mission to complete so stop complaining at hop on. Alcippe won’t hurt you. And as for your friends seeing you riding a horse I am sure they will understand.” Applejack said as she continued to hold out her hand to Rarity.

Rarity sighed then stood on her hind legs placing a hoof in, Applejacks outstretched gloved hand saying to her a she felt Applejack lift her up and onto Alcippe’s saddle.

“Well if you insist darling.” Rarity said as she was picked up then placed in front of Applejack so that Applejack had to reach around Rarity's waist to take a hold of the reins.

As Applejack held both Rarity and the reins to control her horse she said to Rarity.

“Now you said something about your sister being in the Everfree forest I will take you there but, I don’t know which way to go.” Applejack said as she was about to crack the reins singling Alcippe it was time to move.

“Yes darling my sister is in the Everfree forest if you head uh, let's see oh, yes if you head south from here you will find the forest then we can all talk about what is going on.”  Rarity said as she watched Applejack crack the reins on Alcippe’s neck then felt the powerful horse rear up and kick as it took off.

“Ok so tell me that place I was in back there was that Canterlot?” Applejack yelled out to Rarity as she and Rarity both road Alcippe towards the Everfree forest with little spike huffing and puffing as he fell further and further behind them.

“Goodness no darling that place was ponyville my home, well it was my home before a giant crystal dragon did what you saw with your own eyes to it.” Rarity replied as she hugged Alcippe by her large powerful neck trying desperately not to fall off.

“Alright once we get to the forest I will sit down with you and say what needs to be said. But, bare in mind that I am here because I fully intend to fight the four horsemen.”

“What are these four horsemen that you keep talking about darling they sound just dreadful.” Rarity replied as she felt herself bounce up and down while Applejack steered the horse towards the south ever closer to the Everfree forest.

“Evil Rarity they are pure absolute evil. My ancestor according to her journal was able to fight them and was able to imprison two of them before the book of magic was stolen. The theft of the book of magic caused my ancestor to be sent to my world. Where she eventually fell in love with Angus McApple who gave her a home and children. Someone called Star swirl the bearded came to my world looking for Silver Apple. When he found her heavy with child he told her she needed to leave her husband she refused to do. That act of defiance got her kicked and her family shunned from the royal guards. Her family here left the guards then became farmers I am not surprised at all that you don’t know this about your worlds Applejack, Rarity this isn’t something one just talks about while having a mug of cider there kin or friends.”

As Rarity was was about to reply both Applejack and Rarity heard a loud screech from above them. Applejack looked up and saw the crystal dragon flying over head her eyes went wide as she saw how big and massive he was. Applejack yelled as she returned her gaze to the area that the horse was running towards.  

“HOLD ON RARITY.”

Applejack cracked the reins of her horse hard causing the horse to gallop even faster towards the approaching forest. As Applejack was trying to pull out her bow she and Rarity both heard a vicious voice say to them both.

“I don’t think so little girl.” The voice said as Applejack’s horse came to sudden stop then reared up throwing both Rarity and Applejack off and causing them both to land hard on the ground.

Applejack hit the back of her head on a rock and was knocked out cold. Rarity rolled to the side of her then slowly stood as she looked at Alcippe as she watched Alcippe change shape. Applejack’s saddle fell to the ground landing with a loud thump next to the demonic form that was shaping itself in front of Rarity. Arighith landed a few hundred feet away from the three of them yelling out to Conquest.

“Conquest hurry up and finish releasing yourself from your prison we have work to do.” Arighith said as he began to stomp towards the three.

Rarity looked back at Arighith then looked at Conquest as she said to her.

“Darling I can see you're really busy so I will just…..” Rarity was cut off when Conquest finished her changing and fired a large black bolt of energy at her knocking Rarity out cold in one hit.

Conquest’s new form was that of a white mare that had large black horns and blood red eyes wings coming out of her sides and fire jetting from her nose. As she was about to move in for the kill she heard Arighith yell to her.

“Now is not the time for foolish feats of horror, Conquest for you and I have work that must be done. Beside Lady Galanthus wants that one to live.” Arighith said as he pointed his right front foot at Applejack and Rarity causing Conquest to stop in her tracks and look at Arighith as if he had two heads instead of one.

Snarling and breathing out more fire Conquest said to Arighith snarled out to her.

“Why should I care about what that harpy Lady Galanthus wants when I want to kill and conquer all within my sight?” Conquest said grimly to the dragon Arighith.

“Because my friend if you let them live you will be able to do more than just conquer them Conquest you will be able to break them and then rule them forever.” Arighith said with a wicked smile on his face.

Looking down at the two that lay completely unconscious in front of her Conquest smiled wickedly as well as she said to Arighith.  Arighith began to poke through Applejacks saddle bag’s looking for the book of magic. When he didn’t find it he let out a loud roar then threw the saddle bags back down the ground and snarled at Conquest saying to her.

“LET'S GO! WHAT I SEEK IS NOT HERE AND IS NOT WITH EITHER OF THEM!” Arighith said as he reached out to pick up Conquest in order to carry her to Lady Galanthus.

“Very well Arighith I will let these two live for now. But, when we see them on the battlefield I will KILL them both.” Conquest said as she walked over to the dragon who picked her up in his powerful clawed feet then flew towards the Crystal city and Galanthus.

Looking down Conquest saw the baby dragon making his way toward Applejack and Rarity and said to Arighith.

“What about the one called Spike should we not take him out as well?” Conquest said as she looked up into Arighiths eyes.

Arighith simply snarled as he said in reply to his friends request.

“No he is nothing more than a mere insect leave him there is nothing he can do to stop us or Lady Galanthus’s plans to conquer all of Equestria.” Arighith said as he continued to fly towards the Crystal Empire.  

Spike was just coming up the path when he saw Rarity and Applejack both lying on the ground out cold from Arighith and Conquest’s attacks. Running up to them he tripped over Applejacks saddle and landed face first right on Applejacks saddle bag that contained the book of magic hidden within it. Slowly getting up he ran over to Rarity who was just starting to wake up when she looked up as she shook herself from the pain she was in. She saw Spikes emerald green eyes staring back at her. She said to him gently.

“Spike help me drag Applejack into the Everfree forest where we can get out of the open.” Rarity said as she saw Spike give her a tiny salute then run off towards Applejack.

Applejack was lying on her side blood slowly coming out of her head from where she had hit her head on the rock that she had been knocked out with. As Spike came up to her he gently rolled her onto her back then took a hold of her hood and began to pull. Because Applejack was so much bigger than he was and her armor was made out of glowing metal Spike was unable to move her. Rarity came up behind him and looked around then saw some nearby trees. Rarity used her magic to break the trees in two then used her magic to gently left Applejack up into the air and placed her onto a makeshift stretcher. Spike and Rarity where just about to pull Applejack into the forest when Spike ran over to Applejack’s saddle and saddlebags. Taking ahold of the saddle Spike dragged it over to Applejack and laid it on her stomach then did the same with the two bags. Rarity nodded to him then he and Rarity continued to drag Applejack into the forest.Getting back to camp Rarity heard her little sister tell Fluttershy as she and Spike both pulled Applejack towards the fire to keep her warm..

“I killed a demonic scouting hound Fluttershy I am….am so sorry for taking its life I just didn’t see any other way to save my sister or my friends from it’s attack.” Sweetie Belle said as she cried into Fluttershy’s shoulders.

“There, there little one it will be alright.” Fluttershy replied gently to Sweetie Belle.

“How will it be alright?” Sweetie Belle wailed out while sobbing fully into Fluttershy’s shoulders.

“I don't know Sweetie belle. Although I am not happy with you for killing an innocent creature I am sure everything will be ok I just don’t know how though.” Fluttershy said as she tried to comfort the crying filly on her shoulder.

Looking at Rarity and then at Spike Fluttershy said to Sweetie Belle as she hugged her warmly in her hooves.

“Sweetie Belle your sister and Spike are here and it looks like they brought with them a friend.”

Sweetie Belle slowly turned around then saw her sister and Spike both sitting next to Applejack who lay in the stretcher still unconscious. As Sweetie Belle looked at Applejack then at her sister and finally back at Applejack Sweetie Belle said to her sister Rarity.

“Who is she? She is beautiful.”  

Sighing hard Rarity looked at her sister then down at Applejack who was starting to slowly regain consciousness Rarity said to Sweetie Belle.

“Before I tell you her name you need to in turn promise me you won’t jump around and get excited our friend here needs rest understand Sweetie Belle.” Rarity said as she looked at her sister then at Applejack as Applejack slowly started to open her eyes.

“I understand Rarity I fully promise not to jump around or get excited when you tell me her name.” Sweetie Belle said as she looked back down at Applejack.

“Her name Sweetie Belle is Applejack.” Rarity said. Next Chapter: chapter 24. Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 42 Minutes