Rainbow Dash could hardly breath. She was exhausted from her flight, yes, but the sight of the Royal Castle in ruins is what really took her breath away. Canterlot was in no better shape. Through the smoke and dust she could barley see the city. Many buildings were destroyed or burning, their former inhabitants galloping through the streets. Members of the royal militia were hurrying to and fro trying to protect the ponies from being crushed or burned.

Gathering herself, she descended to a group of royal guards who were herding citizens away from the various fires and rubble scattered throughout the city.

“Hey!” she called. “What happened here?”

“You shouldn’t be here!” shouted the nearest guard. “This sector is off-limits to-“

“Hold up soldier.” Another soldier interrupted him, “That’s Rainbow Dash! The Element of Loyalty.”

“Oh. My apologies ma’am.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Dash said impatiently, “I just want to know what happened here.”

“Well, ma’am, we don’t rightly know.” answered a heavyset earth pony, his insignia denoting a higher rank.

“Captain Achilles!” The guards stepped aside and let their superior pass. He stood tall even in the face of sheer destruction, his white mane blowing in the ash-filled breeze.

“At ease. All was quite today, like normal, until Princess Celestia was attacked by some strange and powerful Alicorn. He destroyed the city, tore the castle to pieces, and has endangered the lives of every pony in Canterlot.”

“Another Alicorn? I thought the princesses were the only ones?”

“We all did. Apparently we were wrong.”

“What did she look like?”

“From what I saw, he had a fiery red mane and a dark gray coat.” Rainbow’s heart dropped. “His power was immense, raining crimson flame upon our beautiful city and throwing whole towers like you would toss a spear. Last I heard, Celestia had him pinned and-”

“They teleported to Whitetail Woods.” She finished, limbs shaking as the realization came over her.

“Yes. I assume you saw that enormous blast. Well, right after that, a trail of light led to the throne room, or what was left of it. There’s a squad headed there now to arrest the villain.”

“Arrest him? What makes you think you can arrest him? Did you see that explosion!?” She yelled in his face.

Pushing her back, he replied flatly, “Our beloved Princess is no mortal pony. She is a goddess. She wouldn’t be defeated by the likes of him.”

Rainbow Dash was speechless. The captain’s face wasn’t even fazed. He turned to the ravaged city and called out to all of the citizens, “Attention residents of Canterlot. Gather your families and follow me and my men.” His voice rang across the burning city, louder than the crackling flames that littered the leveled kingdom.

His faith astounded Dash, but it was short lived. A great tremor shook the earth as fire erupted from the castle, obliterating many of the already damaged rooms. The light from the burst was bright as the sun, lighting up the night sky. The deafening sound alone was enough to knock several ponies off of their hooves. Above it all, a dark figure rose, wings spread like that of a dragon, and a body just as intimidating. His look was more fearsome than anypony could ever imagine. His mane swam like a lake of fire, outlining his ashen form. His muscular build a mockery of the former goddesses. Power seemed to flow from his horn as it warped, becoming more of a crest. He ascended, cloaked in crimson light as enchanting as it was mortifying. His wings grew and split, and with a rush of wind he unfurled them, both pairs.

“Absolutely beautiful.”

His voice reverberated across the city. It was both great and terrible, full of confidence and uncertainty, urging those who heard it to worship its speaker, and cower before him as well. Many of the unicorns in the city fell prone, unable to stand the tremendous shift in magic. He took a step forward, his hooves and chest protected by armor even darker than himself.

“Yes, bow before your new rulers! Bow before the future of Equestria! The future that we have created!”

“It-it can’t be…” Achilles stammered, breathing rapidly. “She can’t be defeated…it’s not possible…”

Dash turned to the captain, seeing the fear in his eyes. “Achilles…”

Suddenly his eyes filled with joy. “A ruse! Of course! She let him win!”

Rainbow became fearful. His valor was admirable, but this was no time for him to do anything stupid. “I don’t think…”

Leaping upon the nearest pile of rubble, he called to Devil-Ish, “YOU THINK YOU HAVE WON?”

“Captain! Don’t!” One of the guards called out desperately.

“THAT YOU HAVE DEFEATED THE MOST POWERFUL BEING IN ALL OF EQUESTRIA?”

Rainbow knew when a pony had lost their mind. Not in any condition to confront a God-Killer, she quickly hid behind a pile of bricks. Peering out of the side, she saw Achilles was still at it… and the dark stallion was listening.

“YOU IGNORANT FOOL! I COULD KILL YOU MYSELF!”

Taking note of the captain’s ravings, Devil-Ish chuckled, “Oh? What have we here?” A small spark ignited at the alicorn’s hoof. “An insubordinate subject, so it seems.”

“I AM NO SUBJECT OF YOURS, YOU WEAKLING!”

“Weakling?” He looked amused, the flames rising up his legs, engulfing his entire body in seconds. “You would call us weak after you witness the fall of your beloved goddess? Does anyone else support your thoughts?”

He looked around, the large crowd as no one stepped up to aid. Even the other guards knew what they were up against. He let out a distorted laugh at the captain.

“Ah ha ha ha! You see? My subjects already know better than to join your suicidal rebellion.”

“ENOUGH! I’LL KILL YOU MYSELF!” Achilles screamed, charging at the Alicorn. He was a blur as he approached the burning villain, headfirst. He stopped suddenly, frozen inches away from his enemy.

Devil-Ish smirked, His yellow eyes glaring through the blazing orange mist that surrounded him. “I relieve you of your duties, Captain.”

He tapped the suspended pony with his hoof. From that spot a blinding light spread across the captain’s body, giving him just enough time to yell in rage and pain before exploding into a cloud of dust. Inhaling deeply, Devil-Ish breathed the mist, exhaling contentedly.

“My, what a delicious potential for a mere earth pony. Now,” He said, turning to the other soldiers, “anyone else?”

Those left in the street turned and fled, vacating it in seconds. At the sight of this, Devil-Ish let out a boisterous cackle. “Let it be known that on this day, there shall be a new Order! Your princess has failed. The Elements of Harmony have fallen. And all shall burn in the fires of my rage! Of our rage!”

Rainbow Dash sat terrified and motionless behind her wall: The only thing protecting her from him. At the mention of the elements, Rainbow felt her blood boil. She felt frightened, angry, and sad all at the same time. But what really caught her interest was the mention of the princesses. He hadn’t said anything about Luna. Maybe, just maybe, he hadn’t killed both of the princesses.

“Now, we still have some unfinished business back ‘home’.” Admiring his wings, he said, “Let’s enjoy these on the way back.”

He took to the air, heading towards Ponyville, a light red trail following closely behind him, and then quickly evaporating. After a few seconds, Rainbow Dash emerged from her hiding place, eyes dripping and wings lowered.

“…What now?” She whispered. She was all alone in the demolished city of Canterlot. Not even Discord brought about this level of chaos. She walked about the rubble, avoiding the flames scattered across the ground.