Chapter 31.

Ar^gur general to Galanthus’s army stepped back as he was generally shocked at Twilight’s new found power. Twilight shot a lightning bolt at him striking him in his chest causing the monster to fall to his knees. As Luna and Celestia tried again to get to Twilight’s aid, she again knocked them both back with her power. As Luna slid backwards she looked at Twilight and saw a red aura forming around her sister’s pupil Luna called out to Celestia, saying to her as she tried again to run to Twilight.

“We have to calm Twilight down Celestia, she is becoming corrupted by her hate for Ar^gur.” Luna said as she got knocked back again.

Twilight launched another lightning bolt towards Ar^gur hitting him in his shoulder as the monster tried in vain to get back up Twilight screamed at him.

“You foul beast of the black pit what makes you think you can stand before me after what you took from me?” Twilight screamed out as her horn glowed bright red and her eyes flashed to black.

Luna was able to get back to her feet at this time and came rushing in full force trying desperately to get Twilight before she killed the general. Twilight screamed out in anger as she used her magic to let loose another lightning bolt this time striking the monster in the left arm causing him to scream in pain. Luna got within six feet of Twilight before Twilight noticed Luna coming up to her left. In horror Celestia watched as Twilight turned to face Luna and shot her in the chest with the lightning bolt that was meant for Ar^gur. As Luna’s eyes went wide from shock and pain Twilight screamed out to her in anger.

“STAY BACK LUNA, HE IS MINE!” Twilight screamed as she turned back towards Ar^gur.  

Ar^gur again tried to stand saying as he placed his left hand onto the ground and his right onto his right knee.

“I will show you no mercy Twilight, I will do more than take a marefriend of yours I will take your entire civilization from you.” Ar^gur said as Twilight’s horn glowed bright red.

Luna ran to Twilight's side, just as Twilight launched one last final attack on the beast sending his foul body to the ground in flames. As Ar^gur hit the ground with a thunderous boom he screamed out in pain as Twilight watched laughing coldly. Luna yelled to Twilight as she got within six feet of her.

“Twilight you have to stop this madness you are becoming corrupted by hate, don’t let the darkness win.” Luna yelled as Twilight unfurled her wings and took off.

Amora was flying over head and saw what Twilight had done smiling to herself she turned her gaze towards a dark spot approaching from the east. Hovering in mid air Amora was able to see it was the dragon Arighith. Drawing her sword Amora flew towards the dragon yelling as she flew faster and faster towards him.

“ARIGHITH YOU’RE MINE!” Amora yelled out as she flew towards the beast.

Twilight had left her current position on the battlefield with Luna in pursuit. Twilight looked down as she flew away from her last position. As she looked back downwards she spotted three of the four riders watching the battle from high on a cliff not far from Canterlot Castle. Landing in front of them she screamed out to them while they all sneered at her.

“This war ends now!” Twilight screamed as her horn glowed blue then red shoot lightning at all three riders.

As this was happening Celestial Sparkle had gone into the library during most of the battle that was raging outside Sunset Shimmer had followed her. But, chose to wait for her outside of the library.  As Sunset sat outside of the library she called out to the queen saying to her as she waited for her reemerge from the library.

“Your majesty I don’t see why you wanted to come in here we should be at Rainbows side not up here going through these dusty old tomes.” Sunset called out as the watched the queen pick up a book then toss it to the ground.

The queen said nothing to Sunset as she picked up another book then like the last one tossed it to the ground. This she repeated six times until she found the book she was looking for. Once she had the book wrapped in her magic she emerged from the library with a smile on her face saying to Sunset as she walked by her.

“With this book it will be only a matter of hours before Rainbow will be able to fly again.” The queen said as a servant came up to both of them.

Looking from the servant then to Sunset the Queen said to her gently.

“Go to the battle Sunset I will bring Rainbow and her sister out back and place them both into a wagon then send them both to Appleloosa where they will be kept safe.” The Queen said as Sunset nodded then turned to leave.

Looking back at the servant the queen nodded to her then motioned her to follow her back to Rainbows room. The young servant did so without any questions. As the Sunset left the queen and the servant her thoughts dwelt on Pinkie and on the battle itself. Getting to the main gate she looked around then charged out of the gate with her horn glowing bright green. Getting to the battlefield an hour later Sunset found Applejacks lifeless body as tears came to her eyes Celestia came up behind her saying to her.

“Sunset I know you more than likely don’t want to see me right now but, we need to work together otherwise more of your friends will suffer the same as Applejack.” Celestia said as Sunset looked on wards towards the cliff that Twilight and Luna had gone to.

Saying nothing to her former mentor Sunset wiped a hoof over her eyes as she dried her tears. Celestia nodded to her then spread her wings and knelt down so that Sunset could hop onto her back. Once Sunset was safely on her back Celestia said as she lept into the air.

“If we as a team kill the four riders and release Snowdrop from her prison we will end this war too many of our ponies have already fallen in battle. We need to end this now!” Celestia said as she flew towards the cliffs that Twilight and her sister were battling on.

Queen Celestial Sparkle, took Rainbow and Scootaloo to a wagon wait for them outside of the castle loaded them into it. Then said to the servant as she looked at her with love in her eyes as she said to her.

“You know what to do with this book right?” Celestial Sparkle said as she looked at the servant who in turn got into the front of the wagon then looked back at her saying to her.

“Yes your majesty I am to wait one hour then read the spell inside the book which will in turn take your wings and replace them with Rainbows. Although I do not understand why this will happen I will do as you have asked of me.” The servant said as she cracked the reins of the harness attached to two guards signaling to the two guards it was time to leave.  

“You don’t need to understand this nor do you need to know why this will happen. Just cast the spell in one hour then I will do the rest. Hopefully my bone will be transferred into Rainbows wings and thus she will be healed fully. Now go quickly I must enter the battle now.” The queen replied as she turned to leave headed for the battle.

The servant headed out of the castle away from the ensuing battle and the queen rushed through the castle towards the battlefield. Getting to the battle itself the queen felt her wings wither and disappear as they were replaced with Rainbows broken ones. Looking down to her right then to her left the queen smiled as she said to herself.

“Good now Rainbow will live and my mistake will be forgiven in a few days…..I hope.” The queen said as she looked around then saw Galanthus coming to the battlefield on the back of a manticore.

Twilight meanwhile had engaged war, famine, and pestilence in battle as each of them tried to overpower the other Luna had also thrown herself into the battle with the three as well. Twilight ducked as pestilence tried to kick Twilight hoping to knock her off the cliff and to her death. War shot an arrow at Luna who managed to dive to the ground just as the arrow flew towards her. Getting back up Luna used her magic to break War’s bow causing war to scream out at her in rage as War charged Luna. Luna looked behind her seeing that the edge of the cliff was just a few feet from her. Luna smiled as War got in close to her to reach out to grab onto her War was shocked as Luna stepped back causing both herself and War to tumble over the cliff. Twilight seeing this yet having to deal with both famine and pestilence at the same time was unable to aid Luna as she watched Luna disappear over the cliff. A loud sickening scream and thud were heard as Twilight battle both Pestilence and Famine. Laughing coldly Pestilence said to Twilight.

“Now that your little friend is dead we will send you to join her.” Pestilence said as Pestilence failed to see Luna flying back up to the cliff.

“No you will not. Twilight go left I’ll go right take them down at the same time.” Luna yelled to Twilight who smiled as she cast an energy bolt towards Famine hitting Famine in the chest.

Famine fell to the ground holding her chest as Twilight moved in for the kill Luna also cast a energy bolt at Pestilence. With the energy bolt hitting the monster in face causing Pestilence to cover up his face Luna ran forward and impaled the monster with her horn screaming out to Twilight.

“NOW TWILIGHT USE YOUR MAGIC KILL THEM BOTH!”

Twilight used her magic encasing both Famine and Pestilence in crystal then shattered it like glass causing both to die screaming. Luna looked to Twilight as she saw that her young friends eyes slowly returned to normal. All the hate in her was being drained and all the anger she had felt over Applejacks death was leaving her body. Twilight fell to her stomach with her legs spread outwards in front of her crying out for Applejack to be with her Luna walked over to her breathing heavily as she gently embraced Twilight with her wings scooping her off the ground and into her hooves. As Luna held Twilight in her hooves she looked out past the cliff that she and Twilight were on and saw that most of the skeletal army was beginning to turn to dust. Galanthus arrived shortly after Luna and Twilight's victory over the three and screamed out her sister to appear before her. Celestial Sparkle heard the screams of her sister and did indeed appear just as Amora could also be heard screaming out in anger towards the dragon Arighith.

“Sister you can either end this pointless war now or you can go back from whence you came from the choice is thine.” Celestial Sparkle said to her sister who in turn sneered at her with anger in her eyes.

“Death is still alive sister and soon she will return my army to me then I will overpower you and kill all that you love.” Galanthus replied as her horn glowed blue.

Galanthus charged her sister and Celestial Sparkle jumped out of the way just in time saying to her sister as her sisters horn missed her by scant inches.

“You have the power within you to heal the land and to set right what was taken from these ponies sister please do this. End this war and let us return to the nether-realm were we two be long.”  

Galanthus smiled wickedly to her sister as she again charged her only to miss and receive a hoof to the jaw knocking her back several feet. Amora was deeply in battle with Airghith as she slammed into the side of his neck she screamed out to him while trying to stab the beast with her sword.

“Your foul soul shall be mine at last Arighith I shall use your powers to end the one that stole my throne.” Amora screamed out in anger.

Arighith laughed as he pushed her back towards the ground causing her to back-flip as she fell towards the earth below her. Spreading her wings wind Amora was able to stop herself from hitting the ground as she flew back up to meet the dragon head on. Screeching out like a pagrin hawk she flew straight towards his mouth saying as the dragon swallowed her whole.

“I’ve got you now foul beast of the pit.” Amora said coldly to herself as she allowed herself to be consumed by the dragon.

Arighith thinking that Amora didn’t have time to draw her sword began to fly towards death to bring her to the battlefield only to stop in mid flight. Amora while inside the dragon's throat had plunged her sword deeply into Arighiths gullet and smiled as she watched his foul body from the inside out turn green. The dragon laid a claw over his chest and coughed out Amora who was without her sword looking down at his chest as he watched in horror as a giant sized hole began to form in the center of his chest he said to her.

“What….what have you done to me?!?!”  

Amora smiled and took off her sheath to her sword showing it to the dragon as Pinkie and several griffins came up behind her. The dragon sneered saying as he thrust a clawed foot forwards right into Amoras chest impaling her from the chest to the back.

“If I am to do die today you foul harpy then I am taking you with me!” Arighith said as he felt his bones break and shrink as they were sucked into the gem in Amora’s sword.

Pinkie seeing Amora impaled on the dragon's foot kicked her griffin in the ribs and ordered him to fly in close which he did without question. Getting to Amora’s body Pinkie reached out and grabbed onto her removing her from the claw that she was impaled on. Saying as she held Amora in her arms while the griffin landed safely on the ground several feet from where her sword fell after the foul beast was completely sucked into it.

“Hold on Amora please don’t leave us, your still needed I will get you help.” Pinkie said as she picked Amora up and placed her onto the back of her griffin.

The griffin nodded to Pinkie as she was about to mount him again he said to her.

“I will take you both to the queen maybe she can save this one's life.” The griffin said as he knelt down allowing Pinkie to mount him again.

Amora was just barely able to cough out one word as Pinkie pressed her body against hers trying to hold both her and onto the griffin at the same time.

“S...sword.”

Pinkie looked over to where Amora’s sword had landed dismounted the griffin and walked over to it. Taking a hold of the foul looking sword by the handle of it she raised it above her head then heard a loud wicked laughter coming from her right. Turning to the right Pinkie saw death appear out of nowhere. Pinkie looked at Death trying to say something to her only to receive a bony fist to the jaw for her trouble. Pinkie was knocked back several feet dropping the sword in the process as Death laughed wickedly while turning her attention to Amora saying to her as she walked over to the fallen halfling demon vampire queen.

“With your death I shall open a new portal to Tarartus and thus rule all that is there and here as well. I shall return my army then kill all that you and this little pink skinned girl once loved.”

“NOOOOOO” Pinkie yelled as she ran back towards death raising the sword above her head so that the blade was pointed down towards the ground.

Death turned around just in time for Pinkie to plunge the sword through her rotted chest causing her body to crumble into dust. As death reached out to choke Pinkie, Pinkie twisted the blade to the right then to the left saying to her as she watched death fade to dust.

“Your foul deeds end here and now die you party pooper.” Pinkie yelled out as she withdrew the sword dropping it to the ground.

Amora fell off of the griffin as Pinkie ran over to her catching her just as her body was about to hit the ground itself. Looking up into the sky as tears came to her eyes Pinkie said to Amora as she saw the sky open up and yellow halo appear in a circular formation around the two of them.

“Look Amora there is still goodness up there, there is still light and love and beauty. I forgive you Amora. Amora please I beg you don’t leave us. We need you, you may be evil but, you are still my friend.” Pinkie said as she held Amora tightly against her chest.

Amora coughed out blood as Pinkie lightened up on her hold on Amora’s body allowing Amora to look into her eyes as Amora said to her while coughing up more blood.

“Friend?....(coughing)..You.....Forgive me?....Long…..(coughing).....I have….(coughing) sought these…..(coughing) for over…..(coughing) eighty millenia. I am…..(coughing) grateful….to….(coughing) finally have……(coughing) a friend. To….(coughing) be forgiven.” Amora said as her eyes closed and her body began to slowly disappear causing Pinkie to scream in anger and pain at losing her friend.

“NO AMORA DON’T GO, PLEASE DON’T LEAVE US YOUR STILL NEEDED!”Pinkie screamed out in anger as the pain of losing a friend hit her like a tidal wave.  

The blacksmith appeared before Pinkie just as Amora’s body vanished into thin air and Pinkie clutched her chest falling into a fetal position crying from losing her friend. Crying out in sadness Pinkie said as she sniffed hard when she saw the blacksmith standing there with a grin on his face.

“She may have been evil but, I did count her as a friend secretly as one I wanted to change her evil ways and help her to be good. Now she is gone. Please whoever you are can you bring her back?”

The blacksmith grinned even wider as he walked up to Pinkie placing both hooves onto her shoulders then head butting her as hard as he could knocking her out cold. The griffin seeing this attack on his young charge, charged the blacksmith only to receive a sword through his chest ending his life instantaneously. Laughing coldly the blacksmith said as he put away his sword then looked to where Amora had disappeared from.

“I will see you back in Tartarus, Amora. I have played these fools in this land rather well. Princess Celestia will soon be punished for her crimes against her ponies. Sunset will return to the mirror world with this pink skinned fool of a harpy loving titted goat and Luna will take rulership of all of Equestria. Yes I have done my job nicely all is going according to plan all will be as it should be. Equestria will be ruled by those that should have ruled it long ago. Twilight, yes Twilight will pay for what she took from me, my daughters will be avenged. Their failure at the battle of the bands to conquer a new world for me will not go unabated there will be vengeance. There will be more blood spilt and Twilight will come to know pain like she has never known it before. As for my student I think I will teach her how to do what I have done which is no less than manipulate those around her.” The blacksmith said as he disappeared and reappeared in front of Applejacks fallen lifeless body.

Looking down at her broken corps the blacksmiths horn glowed brightly as he shot a red and purple energy bolt at Applejacks lifeless body. Applejacks body glowed red then purple as he said while he looked at her lifeless form lying in front of him.

“You will awaken, but not yet. There is work for you to do in a land that needs you to be more than what you are right now.” The blacksmith said as he looked at her then disappeared again.

Applejacks body ceased glowing and slowly returned to normal. Meanwhile on the cliff that Twilight was on with Luna. Twilight with Luna’s help was able to climb back to her hooves as Luna said to her gently.

“Come Twilight look for yourself see that the battle is over that we have won this day.” Luna said as she helped Twilight up then turned her to face the battle field.

Twilight looked out towards the battlefield seeing what was left of the skeletal warriors as they all disappeared and faded into dust. Twilight smiled to herself. Meanwhile as Pinkie woke up she looked around seeing that her griffin was dead she found Amora’s sword and picked it up. While holding it in her hands she looked into the gem on the hilt of the blade and saw a dragon appear on it then disappear. Smiling to herself she said as she started to walk back towards the castle.

“At least some good has come of this that monster won’t be able to hurt anyone else again not so long as he is within Amora’s sword.” Pinkie said as she walked away from the lifeless griffin stopping only to look up at the blue sky above her.

While looking up she failed to see the sword start to glow green as it too disappeared and an ominous laughter was clearly heard. Pinkie looked around then looked down seeing that the sword was gone she fell to her knees and closed her eyes as she screamed out in anger. Amora’s spirit appeared in front her saying to her as she smiled at Pinkie who had fallen over to her side and was curled up in a fetal position.

“Pinkie thank you for being my friend and for forgiving me. Now you must go back to your world live your life and marry the one you love most of all. I will see you again someday. There is no need for you to be angry I am happy that I can call you friend and that you are able to see the good in me.” Amora’s spirit said to Pinkie as Pinkie slowly rose to her feet then started to walk towards the castle.

Amora disappeared again leaving Pinkie alone to walk towards the castle in sadness. Meanwhile Celestial Sparkle had been able to dodge another attack from her sister and countered with one of her own. Galanthus tried to get out of the way but, was too slow as her sister impaled her on her horn then slowly withdrew her horn saying to Galanthus as she fell to the ground.

“I have no choice my sister, you are hear by cast into Tartarus for your crimes against these ponies and against Equestria.”  

Galanthus laughed as she spat out blood saying to her sister as lay on the ground bleeding badly from being impaled by her sister.

“You send me to Tartarus and you will kill Snowdrop, Luna’s marefriend will die with me!” Galanthus said as she slowly bleed outwards.

Luna landed a few feet away from the queen and from Galanthus saying to her as she looked at Galanthus then at the queen.

“No Galanthus, Snowdrop is innocent in all of this you and you alone will be sent to Tartarus for your crimes against us and against Equestria. I will remove your crown and thus cast your worthless spirit into the black pits of Tartarus forever.” Luna said as she started to approach Galanthus who just laughed wickedly at her.

As Galanthus laughed she suddenly felt a warmth she had never felt before embrace her. As she began to rise off the ground her wound healed and Snowdrops voice could be heard coming from her mouth.

“Galanthus you have caused nothing more than pain and anger and destruction to the very land and ponies that I loved so very much. You killed my mother and you took me away from Luna now I will remove the crown and send you back from whence you came.” Snowdrops voice was heard saying as Galanthus was seen raising her hooves to her head to remove the crown that adorned her head.

As the crown came off Galanthus screamed out and a portal opened behind Snowdrop who in turn turned around to face it then tossed the cursed crown into it. When the portal slammed shut she collapsed into Luna’s hooves saying to her as she slowly passed out in Luna’s hooves.

“It’s over Lulu I can now rest…..I want to go home back to the castle and then someday marry you.” Snowdrop said as a glowing disc could be seen appearing on her chest.

Luna looked down at her own chest and saw that she too had a disc on her chest as she remembered all the good times she had spent with Snowdrop. Using her magic she gently placed Snowdrop onto her back then looked at the queen and nodded to her then turned around and began to head towards the castle. Twilight landed a few feet away from the queen as she watched Luna and Snowdrop disappear she turned around when she heard a soft voice say to her.

“Twilight can you send me and Sunset back home now please I think I have had my fill of this place.” The voice said to her as Twilight turned around seeing Pinkie standing behind her covered in dirt and mud.

“Where is the griffin that you were on when you went into battle Pinkie?” Twilight asked as she looked at her friend.  

Pinkie sniffled then said to her as she looked at Twilight with tears running down her cheeks.

“He is dead and Amora is gone I think she might have died as well. The blacksmith knocked me out I came to then saw Amora’s spirit in front of me telling me to go home and live my life with Sunset so that is what i want to do now…..that is if you don’t mind me and her leaving here. Speaking of Sunset where is she I have not seen her since I left with the griffin to go to war.” Pinkie said as she started to look around.

“Hmmm I think she might be on the battlefield somewhere although I am not sure as to where Pinkie” Twilight said as she looked at her friend then over at the queen who was sitting down on her flank with her front hooves crossed over her chest and her eyes tightly closed.

“Uh your majesty what are you doing?” Pinkie asked with a raised eyebrow at seeing the queen's body beginning to glow bright purple.

The Queen said nothing as she, Twilight and Pinkie were all teleported to Sunset’s current location. As they all three appeared in front of Sunset who was lying underneath a pile of broken bones and bent armor Pinkie stepped forward then wretched emptying her entire stomach contents all over the ground. The queen smiled saying to her gently as she used her magic to get Sunset free of the predicament she was in.

“Not to worry little one you will get use to teleportation sooner or latter.” The queen said as she helped Sunset up then used her magic again to dust her off.

Sunset looked at the three of them with a very sheepish grin on her face as she said to the three of them.

“I was trying to find you Pinkie when  saw the lightning display I figured Twilight got her magic back and I foolishly dove into battle without thinking. So I got a bit overwhelmed by the numbers that I chose to take on and I…..” Sunset was interrupted when Pinkie ran forwards and embraced her girlfriend hugging her so tightly that it caused her to gasp out for breath.

Pinkie while hugging Sunset said to her as she squeezed her nearly to death.  

“Don’t you ever do that to me again.” Pinkie said as she held onto Sunset tightly in her arms while Sunset flailed her hooves around trying to get Pinkie off of her.

Twilight used her magic gently to separate the two of them allowing Sunset to catch a gasp of air and Pinkie grinned widely as she was set back down on the ground. As Twilight ceased her magic she heard Pinkie say as she looked at her then over to Sunset who was gasping in and out for breath.

“I can’t wait to have Applejack at our wedding Sunny. I bet you she is going to flip when I tell her my idea as to where the wedding should take place…..uh that is if you will let me take care of this part of it that is honey.” Pinkie said as she looked from Twilight then to Sunset who had stopped gasping for breath and smiled happily to Pinkie saying to her while grinning widely to her.

“Let me guess honey you want us to marry at Applejack's farm.” Sunset said as she grinned at Pinkie not noticing Twilight looking down at the ground as tears fell from her cheeks.

“Yeah I bet when Twilight sends the three of us home Applejack is going to flip when she find out about that huh honey.” Pinkie said as she too failed to see Twilight looking down at the ground while she cried.

“Applejack won’t be going with you two I can take you both to what is left of my castle and send you both back home. But, Applejack won’t be going home she has…..died on the battlefield.” Twilight said as she fell to the ground burying her face into her hooves.

Both Sunset and Pinkie lost all the color in their skin or be it in Sunset’s case furr as they both looked at Twilight each of them in unison said to her with shock on their faces.

“What do you mean Applejack has died on the battlefield Twilight.” Both Pinkie and Sunset said as they both stared at her with complete shock on their faces.

Crying Twilight was unable to answer them so the queen closed her eyes and teleported them to Applejack's location. As they appeared in front of Applejack's lifeless body Sunset screamed out in anger as she rushed to Applejack's side. Pinkie fell to her knees crying hard as she felt Twilight place her right hoof over her shoulder saying to her as she tried to comfort her friend.

“We will honor her as best as we can Pinkie I will see to it that a statute is erected in her honor and placed in Ponyville and at Canterlot castle.” Twilight said gently to Pinkie who embraced her tightly in her arms while she cried in Twilight's shoulders.

“I will also see to it that this happens and that she is fully placed into tomb of honor for her sacrifice to our land and to all ponies everywhere.” The queen said as she too laid a gentle hoof over Pinkie's shoulder.

Sunset used her magic once she got to Applejack’s side to gently lift her fallen friend up off the ground. Due to her small size and because she was already worn out from her battle with the dead army. Sunset was only able to lift Applejack a few scant inches off the ground before she dropped her unceremoniously back to the ground. Trying again and again to lift her friend off the ground she said as tears flowed down her cheeks.

“I failed, I failed, I……” Sunset was unable to finish her sentence before she let her magic dye out and fell to her the ground next to Applejack’s body burying her face into her hooves as she too cried.

Twilight ended her embrace with Pinkie and went over to Sunset saying to her softly and gently.

“Sunset it is going to be alright I know you feel responsible for this. But, you didn’t make her come here she chose to fight for our ponies and for Equestria. It was her choice not yours to come here and fight she knew the risk she died with honor I don’t see how you failed at anything.” Twilight said as she Sunset cried out in anger towards her.

“I promised her little sister that I would bring Applejack back home in one piece now I have to tell her that her sister won’t be coming home. That is how I failed Twilight, just like everything in life that I take on. I will somehow find a way to fail at it. I failed at the Fall Formal, I failed to defeat you I failed to kill myself, and now I have failed to save Applejack and bring her home safely to her family. I am nothing but a failure. You were right to banish me to the mirror world Twilight I don’t belong here not when I fail at everything that I try to do.” Sunset cried out as Twilight looked down at the ground crying just as hard as both Pinkie and Sunset where.

Celestial Sparkle used her magic to levitate Applejacks fallen body up off the ground and placed her gently onto her back then walked over to Sunset who slowly climbed to her hooves. Saying to her softly as she looked at her with kindness in her eyes.

“Sunset my dear you are not a failure. Applejack chose to come here and to die with the highest of all honor to show us that there is a better way of doing things than going to war. Now dry your tears we need to leave here and prepare to send word to Appleloosa letting them know that it is time to come home. The war for Equestria is over.” Celestial Sparkle said as she watched Sunset dry her tears then walk beside her as the four of them made their way back to the castle.

Sunset looked at the queen's wings for a quick second then looked down as she began to chew on her lower lip not sure what to say to the queen about what she had seen. Celestial Sparkle noticed this then said to her as they made their way closer to the castle.

“I suppose you want to know what happened to me huh Sunset?”Celestial Sparkle said as she looked over at Sunset who was looking both embarrassed and down at the ground.

Sunset just nodded her head and Celestial Sparkle smiled warmly as she said to her while still walking towards the castle.

“I traded my wings for Rainbows wings so that Rainbow will heal and become stronger and better than what she is already. Besides I much prefer to walk than fly I never really liked flying and if giving up my wings can help save a pegasi life then so be it that is something I am willing to do.” Celestial Sparkle said as they started to enter the castle grounds stopping when Celestia appeared before them saying to all of them.

“With the war being over it is now time for me to accept my punishment for what I have done to both Sunset and to our land if you all will please follow me.” Celestia said as the queen, Pinkie and Sunset all looked at her with puzzled looks on their faces.

Twilight was the only one out of the four that didn’t have a puzzled look on her face as she slowly made her way up the castle main steps and towards the courtyard. Luna was in the courtyard along with the blacksmith and several royal guards from both Luna’s personal guards and Celestia's personal guards. Before Celestia could say anything to any of them the queen called out to the guards saying to them.

“Guards please take Applejacks body to the hospital and place her VERY gently into bed after which come back here.” Celestial Sparkle said as Celestia nodded to the guards who had looked from her then to the queen and back to Celestia.

The guards did as they were told using their magic to gently lift Applejack's body off the queens back and carry her into the castle down to the hospital. Twilight followed them inside the castle and once Applejack was placed onto an awaiting bed. Twilight said to them as they all looked at her then at each other.

“Go back upstairs leave me be with her here. I do not want or wish to be apart of what must happen next. I would rather stay here with Applejack now please leave me.” Twilight said as she walked up to Applejack's body then laid her head onto Applejack's right shoulder and cried softly to herself.

The guards all bowed to Twilight as they each in turn left her down stairs in the hospital then returned up stairs and headed to the court yard. Celestia looked at the queen saying to her as her guards retook their positions.

“What I have done to Sunset in order for Equestria to have a golden dawn again was and is unforgivable. Therefore I leave my punishment in the hooves of the one that I hurt most of all. I leave my fate in your hands Sunset Shimmer.” Celestia said as she looked at Sunset then to the queen as the queen was about to step forwards stopping when Sunset said.

“I hate you Celestia. I hate what you did to me. You took me from my mother,used me for your own selfish reasons. You wanted to forge me into a weapon so that you could have this supposed golden dawn of yours. I hate how you used Twilight as well as you used her to defeat me during the Fall Formal. I will give you that Equestria had its faults and its monsters but, that was no reason to do to me what you did. I am not sure what you want of me Celestia but, know this I am no longer going to be apart of this world. When I place that ring on Pinkies finger I will forever live with her in the mirror world never again to set hoof onto the soil of my birth again. You want to be punished for what you have done and I while I do agree with you that you should be punished for what you did. I can not and will not be the one to do this. If I have learned anything while I was in exile from Equestria it is that you don’t use people or ponies like you have done. And you don’t hand out punishment like you are now asking of me to do to you.” Sunset said through grit teeth as the queen stepped forward saying to Celestia.

“If what you say is true Celestia there is only one punishment that can suit what you have done. While I agree with Sunset I also feel that you should be made to face what you have done. Therefore I here henceforth strip you of your title of princess of the sun and ask that you transfer your power to raise and lower the sun to me until a new princess can be found to take your place.” The queen said as Celestia lowered her head then slowly raised her head and nodded to the queen in agreement to her request.

“I will do this however there is one thing that also needs to happen I need to die in order to become the new death. It was apart of a deal that I made with the goddesses life and birth that I should die and become their new sister. This way Hecate can not come back and destroy all that we now have. I will entrust my power to you Celestial Sparkle. Once I am dead please see to it that my body is taken from here and buried deep within the Everfree forest. Away from prying eyes and or hooves that would seek to use what little power would remain within me to conquer this world.” Celestia said as she stepped forward ready to die where she stood.

Sunset chimed in just as the queen lowered her head to kill Celestia.

“I will do you better than that Celestia if you think your body will have power left in it then I will take your lifeless body back with me and bury you in the mirror world. That way we….er...every pony can be sure that no pony will be able to use you like that. You do of course know that if you are to become the new death then you will be giving up the means to be in this world for good don’t you?”  Sunset said as her words stopped the queen in her tracks.

Looking from Sunset then to Celestia queen Celestial Sparkle said to Celestia as the goddess Life and the goddess Birth both appeared next Celestia.

“Are you nuts? I can’t not condemn you to such a fate as this. No pony should be punished like that no matter what they have done.”  Celestial Sparkle said as Life and Birth both stepped forward saying in unison to Celestia.

“It is time for you to honor your deal with us become the new death and leave this realm for ever.” Both life and birth said as they looked at Celestia who in turn looked at each of her friends standing in front of her before saying to them softly.

“This must happen Hecate is too powerful she can not come back. Besides this is my punishment I will not be able to take part in any thing that happens here in Equestria again and the only time I will be able to be seen or heard is on nightmare night at midnight. The only ponies that will ever see me or hear me before that day is Twilight, Luna, Sunset and of course the queen herself. Please don’t make this any harder than it already is just kill me and do with my body as Sunset has said. Let me face this with what little honor I have left my little ponies please don’t make me beg you any of you for this.” Celestia said as she looked from Sunset to Celestial Sparkle then to Pinkie who all looked at her with sadness in their eyes.

Sunset walked past Celestia saying to her as she climbed the steps leading into the castle.

“Goodbye Celestia. I will take your body back with me and make sure you are given a proper funeral.” Sunset said as she walked past her former mentor.

Pinkie also walked up the steps towards the castle interior saying to Celestia as she walked past her.

“I may not have known you very well and I really do like your counterpart Celestia. Please take care of yourself on this new journey of yours.” Pinkie said as she stopped briefly to look into Celestia's eyes then continued to walk inside the castle.  

Luna lowered her head as she said to her sister.

“What about your promise to Rainbow Dash you told her you would not leave her again as you also said to her you would not leave any pony again. Sister must you do this I am sure we can find some other punishment for you.” Luna said as she heard the goddess Life say to Celestia.

“Wait you told one of your ponies that you would not leave them behind again?” Life said as she looked at Celestia who bowed her head and cast her gaze to the ground.

“Yes I did but, I did it to help keep Rainbow calm and not give her reason to worry about me nor about any pony. I didn’t really know what else to do other than hold her in my hooves and wings and let her cry into my shoulders. If you are going to be angry with Rainbow then punish me instead of her for she has done nothing wrong.”  Celestia said as she stood there waiting for Life to say something to her.

The goddess birth smiled as she said to Celestia.

“We will do this for you Celestia so that you can keep your word to Rainbow Dash and not risk losing the element of loyalty. Who will become very important in the search of one that has fallen in battle. This is what I am going to do for you I will kill you yes but, you will die in your sleep then awaken in the morning as the new death. You will be able to be seen by all that are around you and heard by all. However only the main six here and Sunset in the mirror world will be able to physically touch you.” Brith said as she reached out and touched Celestia’s horn causing it to glow brightly.

Celestia nodded to her then said as she looked at the queen.

“I am ready to transfer my power to you now.”

Celestial Sparkle looked from birth then to life as she said to Celestia when she returned her gaze back to her.

“No actually you will keep your powers. If what Birth and Life say is true that Rainbow is to help in this search for one that has fallen in battle then I believe your powers to Raise and lower the sun will come in rather handy. However you are fully stripped of all titles and means to rule the land do you fully agree to this Celestia?” Celestial Sparkle said as she looked at her descendant with a slight amount of anger showing in her eyes.

“I do agree this.” Celestia said as she turned to head inside the castle stopping to look back at her sister saying to her.

“Do not fear sister dear everything will be alright. I assure you of this I will still be here only now I will have other duties to attend to although I am not sure what those will be yet.” Celestia said as she headed inside the castle then made her way down to the hospital to visit with Twilight.

Twilight calmly looked at Applejack’s body as she said to Celestia who had just entered the room that she and Applejack where in.

“I miss her Celestia I want her by my side again to feel her soft hands on my face. To hear her angelic voice and to her watch her use her bow again. I have to set things right for her I have to see to it that the Applejack of this world is given back her family's honor.” Twilight said as she slowly stood up then turned to leave the room that she was in.

Celestia sighed lightly then said to Twilight as she watched Twilight leave the room.

“I know Twilight I know you miss her. My faithful student I am sure that the Applejack of this world will gladly take her rightful place in the royal guards.”

Twilight left the castle headed for Appleloosa. When she got there Applejack from Equestria greeted her with a hug and brought her to a saloon as she and Twilight talked Rainbow Dash came in with a grin on her face. When Rainbow saw Twilight she excitedly said to her while prancing up and down the saloon showing off her new wings.

“Hey Twilight check me out aren’t I just the most awesome pegasus you have ever seen. Even my little sister can’t stop gawking at me.” Rainbow said as she completely failed to see the hurt expression on Twilight's face.

Applejack tossed a metal cup at Rainbow hitting her right in the head causing her blue skinned Pegasus to yelp in pain and rub her head tenderly. As Rainbow turned to yell at Applejack she saw how upset Twilight was and came over to her laying a gentle wing on her friend's shoulder as Twilight told them all that happened Rainbow swallowed hard then said to her friend gently.

“Don’t worry Twilight we will make sure that Applejack of the mirror world is given a proper send off. I will make sure the wonderbolts fly over Applejacks tomb and give her a send off worthy of any pegasi.” Rainbow said as Twilight wiped a few tears from her eyes.

Twilight got up from the table that she and Applejack where at looked at both of them then teleported back to Canterlot castle to begin getting ready for Applejacks funeral. Getting back to Canterlot castle she looked around then closed her eyes as she sat next to a open window. A soft breeze blew up from the north and Luna and Snowdrop both came in to Twilight's room. The breeze blew Twilight's mane back and she sighed as she heard Snowdrop say to her.

“Twilight I am so sorry for all that I took from you while I was under the control of that monster Galanthus if there is anything that I can do to make it better for you please let me know.”

Twilight said nothing to her as Luna walked over to her and laid a gentle wing on her shoulder saying to her softly.

“We will both do whatever it takes to help you through this Twilight.” Luna said as Twilight said to her.

“Why did the blacksmith knock out Pinkie Pie, Luna it doesn’t make sense to me I thought he was on our side. Yet to knock her out like that makes it sound more like he was just playing us for fools so why did he do it Luna?” Twilight said as she raised her head into the breeze letting the air blow more of her mane away from her face.

“I don’t know Twilight that is something you must ask of him not of me. I do not know where he is also I have not seen him since my sister went to her chamber to rest and transform into the new death.” Luna said as she looked at Twilight and Twilight opened her eyes looking into Luna's eyes.

“I see very well I find him after Applejack’s funeral. Please have Pinkie from the mirror world meat me in the courtyard I need to know what happened to Amora after she killed the dragon Arighith.”

Ten hours latter Twilight stood in front of a stone slab that held the body of Applejack from the mirror world. As each torch was lit and the wonder bolts flew over head in a perfect V formation Twilight looked down at her fallen friend saying to her softly as Applejacks body was lowered into her coffin.

“I will see you again someday my friend I would have loved to become your marefriend and thus live with you in your home in the mirror world.” Twilight said as she stepped back then nodded to the royal guards as they placed Applejacks coffin into her tomb.

Sunset, Pinkie and the rest of Twilight's friends all let their tears for the fallen hero fall as the door to Applejack of the mirror worlds tomb was closed. Twilight sniffed then turned to face the human Pinkie saying to her.

“Let's get you and Sunset home then you can tell me what happened to Amora after she killed the dragon Arigith.” Next Chapter: Chapter 32. The final chapter. Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 27 Minutes