9.1
I never expected any of this. Never could have dreamed to see this happen. In all my years as a princess, I could never be prepared to experience this. All the horrors I have seen. The deaths that I never wanted to see again. The terror I’ve seen in the eyes of innocents. The most horrific beasts to ever step foot in my land. I never wanted to see anything worse than those days. To feel anything worse. Yet Celestia could not shake it. This deep and dark pit in her stomach. An icy chill over her. With that damning thing itching in the back of her head. That pain. It never lifted. Never could stop. Only to get worse when seeing all this.

Never-ending sadness.

She didn’t even look when the leaves blew past her nose. Could not take her eyes off this sight. The grass blowing around her hooves, and the entire world shining brightly around her in that dense sheen of red. I came here wanting to find Twilight and the others. Not knowing what to expect. “Rainbow Dash!” she heard Luna shout. Her ears twitched. Listening to the subtle breaths the Pegasus made next to them. Slow. She really is knocked out. Such a fine trickle of blood coming down her head. One of the Elements hurt. And seeing Soul Serenity…

After all these years.

I never could protect her. I feel like such a failure. So helpless. She’s gone now and I don’t know where. Gone in a flash like the red lightning booming across the sky. These terrors no pony should ever have to experience in my land. How I wanted it all to end. And now I stand here under a sky I no longer control and watching my innocent ponies be harmed. And I can’t take my eyes off her…

Celestia looked across the flowing fields of grass. Where the lightning lit the sky over the land. Over the pony that stared at her. Never taking those eyes off, Celestia lost herself inside those eyes. I don’t know what it is. Looking at her. Such emptiness in those eyes. Split black between fiery suns. No matter how bright those eyes shone, only darkness was all she could see. An endless sea of dread that… it’s like I can feel it. Yet I can’t look away. I never thought I’d see a pony like this. Whoever she is. Such long, silver hair over a coat… just like Soul’s. How she looks so much like her. It’s terrifying. But she had it…

That horn. Four wings. I’ve never seen wings like this. Such a small pony, but that pony unfolded all four wings to stand like titans over her. Dripping in flesh. She scares me, and she is looking right at me. Staring into me. I feel so violated. So afraid. It made Celestia shake her head slowly.

“You’re no alicorn” Celestia whispered.

9.2
An alicorn would not make me feel this way. This is not correct. A pony I’ve never heard of who feels like this, are you even real? Like a shade in the red light. Shimmering in black coursing around her before a bolt of lightning quickly scattered around her wings, making Celestia flinch. I could feel that. That power. So brief.

Celestia shivered.

This is unnatural. We can’t run away. Not when so much… fear is in me. Fear for everything.

“Luna, please… check over Rainbow Dash for me” Celestia whispered. No turning to her sister though she felt Luna look to her. “I need you to help me with that. While I deal with this…”

We’re alone with this pony. Luna just ran off to where Dash lay. My sister and I with this pony. Nopony else is left. And I can’t leave her. I can’t leave this pony. Something is drawing me and I don’t know what. Like looking into her eyes is… alluring. No matter how long she stares.

“I removed Soul from this. Do me a favor and send Rainbow Dash somewhere safe” the pony hissed from over there, never taking her eyes off of Celestia. But the pony smiled. “I don’t want her getting hurt.” So you did do something with Soul. It made Celestia loose a ragged breath. She even heard Luna over there, the princess growled. Only briefly. Like Luna must have seen it too when that pony’s smile grew wider. Don’t want her getting hurt? You just injured her… how dare you? Celestia didn’t even raise a hoof. Not when looking into that unblinking stare.

“Luna, how is she?” “She’s only knocked out. I think she’ll be okay” Luna called out from the side. One weight off her shoulders. So many more and I have no idea where this is heading. To see one of my most beloved ponies get hurt right in front of me, I can’t stand it. I’m supposed to ensure their safety. Like I was supposed to do with Soul. Now she’s gone. Celestia had to look away. Glancing over in time to see Luna’s horn shining so bright in blue light, that was all it took to gently send that poor looking body of Rainbow Dash to float away. Set down in the grass away from this all; Luna shot a glare at the pony Celestia looked away from. “How dare you harm her!” the princess said. “We won’t let you hurt any other pony.”

Celestia looked back to find the most chilling face looking back at her. Such a callous glare. I know you’re upset, sister… but I don’t think we should be saying stuff like that to this pony. Even if my own blood is starting to boil. Not just yet. I want to know something first. Celestia nodded to Luna right when she came back to stand by Celestia’s side. As if the young princess understood just from that, she nodded too. She must feel it too. It leaves me with so many questions. Something about this pony…

Why is this feeling familiar?

9.3
“Who are you? Why did you do all this?” Celestia asked of her. She could feel the air splitting between where she and that pony stood. This ominous chill. This was all supposed to be just a normal day. I was looking forward to eating with my sister this morning and all the ponies of this land should have gotten a peaceful night’s sleep. Not waking up to this. Not gripping me in this fear. First Soul comes back and teared at my heart, now this pony. “You must have a reason for all this madness.”

She heard the pony sigh over there. Hissing air between her shining teeth. Even her wings lowered a little. Relaxed. “You want to ask questions now?” she said. “Now if only Soul had been given such opportunity. Is it because you can feel it? I know you can. You, Princess Celestia, no longer have any choice. Not when you see just what I’ll do to make Soul happy again.”

“Make Soul happy again?” Celestia whispered.

“We don’t need any drama” the pony said. “You can simply give Soul her life back now and we can all go on our happy ways. No need for me to do anything more… doesn’t that sound nice?” the pony grinned.

This is that same pony I saw who protected Soul. I felt something from her, and I feel it again with this pony. So much stronger now. Like she can sense my fear. How cocky she is. And I no longer know if I can be strong against this. I’ve been strong for twelve years now, dealing with the pain of what I did. To send another pony away from her home. I could barely take it. And now I can barely handle this. I did it to protect Soul. I did because I did not want to see her die. And you claim to be the same way? “What did you do with Soul Serenity?”

“She’s safe now. I’m keeping her away from this place until this is all over. After all, who am I to know if you or your sister would try and harm her once more.”

“I would never harm her” Celestia hissed. Only to hear that pony laugh. She laughs at me? After what I had to deal with. Does she know what it’s like to take a child from her world? “I am serious!” “Not so much…” the pony spoke.

“My name… is Soulblight. I am a pony who knows how much of a lie you speak now. Who knows just how heartless you can be, thinking you do the right thing to protect ponies. Yet you forsake Soul.” Forsake her? But I… “You will never know what it is she went through. Such flaws in your idea to protect her. To this day, I’ve done a better job protecting her than you ever will. All those years that she went through and I finally get to see her dreams be realized. All I need… is for two naïve little princesses to drop their bullshit game and accept an innocent pony back into this world.”

“I did not do it lightly!” Celestia yelled. How dare her. As if it was hard enough with Soul, now I have to hear this Soulblight ridicule me for all the pain I had to go through. “How would you know? You don’t know the pain. I sat there with a child’s life in my hooves. I was thrown into a terrible position I could not get out of. I had to make the decision… if only to let her live. Do not ever tell me my decision was a game. You never will know…” Celestia felt tears come down her face. “The horrible pain I had to deal with. Like it was all over again. A thousand years of this. I hate to do it.”

“I think you do know how I would know” Soulblight said. “I can tell you feel it. Ever since this red night fell, I’ve seen it in your eyes that you know it to be true. So… go ahead and look into my eyes again. You know the truth. If you’re so sure of yourself, you shouldn’t be afraid to face that truth.”

9.4
All I see… is undying emptiness. Like a heartless hole that I don’t want to know. Looking into her eyes, they make me feel like ice is on my heart. Like all those days I spent crying. Nothing to be happy about anymore. I’ve felt it. My sister felt it. You are the one who made us feel this way, and your eyes are the pain that I fear. I feel it in my sleep, I feel it when I remember that terrible day. I still see that fear when I had to look Soul in the eyes and banish her. Take her entire life from her.

I wanted to get rid of that feeling.

Your eyes… are that feeling. You are that pain. The same pain I’ve always felt. How much I want to get rid of you, never deal with you again. Get that terrible sight out of my head. An empty, black hole. Two of them. Ripped to shreds in a flash of light.

Celestia gasped. Looking out of those eyes. Right as lightning shook the sky. I can see that day when I banished her. The same light that I made, to take a child away. Forever. There is a fear. A pain. Such sadness I’ve never wanted to feel again. It is oh so familiar. Something I know from back then. The same pain in the eyes… of the filly. And the same pain she must have seen in my eyes. This pony is that pain. This pony…

“You were there.”

Soulblight smiled. “I watched you take my beloved Soul from her life. All over a mistake. Her entire life was torn to shreds and you did not care. If you wanted to punish a pony, I don’t know why you went with a child. Such foolish and blind grief, giving in to the others around you just to satisfy what little sanity you had left. I know it all. Such horrible madness… so familiar to me, as if it’s my own. You see, Celestia. You and I aren’t so different. We both are stricken in the grief of our mistakes. I think even Luna can stand with us in that grief.” You talk like you know us. Like you think you are one of us. You will never know the pain. Never!

“Since I am the one who bares the pain of ruining Soul’s life” Soulblight whispered. The entire sky went quiet. What is this? Something in her voice. I can hear it. I can see it. Even if Soulblight is staring at me, I saw it. A tiny flicker dancing in the void of her eyes. As if it breathed. A glow in the night. Solemn and… alone. Her lonesome voice.

“If you wanted to punish a pony for killing Nimbus and Starry, it should have been me. If only to protect Soul. My only regret… is not taking the blame. Even if Soul hated me for it for so long. Even when I can still feel… all…” Soulblight lowered her head, placing a hoof to her chest. Never to imagine a pony like this actually look so sad. “The pain in my heart. To know what I did to her. To all these ponies! I can’t stand it anymore. I will not stop until Soul’s life is back.” Celestia shivered when that pony looked up to her. Wrapped in darkness.

“And I have all the power to make it happen!”

I knew it. Soul could never be a pony to kill. I knew it all along. And I still had to banish her just because nopony else believed it. I gave in to the pressure. I gave in to the fear. And I let Soul’s silence control me. When I should have done more to figure it out. To see that it takes a pony like this to do that. I was such an idiot. Such a stupid foal. Maybe I really am a failed princess for Soul. I was never a good enough pony to love her. But I can be good enough to save her.

9.5
“Then… you should be the one who I should have gotten rid of. You are the one who has no place here” Celestia whispered. Celestia looked to Luna, meeting her eyes. Already having that look in her eyes. Luna knows too. She knows the right thing to do. She knows just what it is I had to go through. And now, now I want to make it right. “Soul…” Celestia glared upon Soulblight. “Was a sweet and innocent filly who lost her guardians. She had so much to look forward to and such promise and I took it all from her because of a lie. None of it needed to happen if you had not been there. Maybe back then, I could have made a difference. It’s too late now. But I can still keep her safe.”

Soulblight bore such a heinous smile. One that made Celestia silent. All the fire swimming in her eyes. “You may be right. I do have no place here. But you are wrong about something… hehehe. I will not let anypony take Soul away from my life. I am here to keep her safe and that shall always be the case. Nopony, not Rainbow Dash, not you will ever take her.” What is with her? Something about her… she’s so much more… cold. Celestia could feel her fur standing up. As if the world began to slow. Why do I want to run away? Celestia saw it. Such a short motion behind that pony. Soulblight’s hind legs twitched. Her tail waving so gently along the grass, and such a terrifying smile. “I can give you one chance” Soulblight said. “Allow me to show you the truth and you will see that nopony should ever take Soul from me. I am here to protect her just like I did long ago. I can prove it, if you want.”

“You don’t have other ponies to save you this time” Soulblight said. “No Harmony here to fight your battles. And you know just how powerful I am. You can sense it. I’m not even trying to hide it. No way I can hide it. So much and it feels so good that there’s no way you’d be stupid enough to even try and stand against what I want. I seek what is best for Soul, and none shall take it.”

You make a fool of me in front of everypony. You murdered Soul’s guardians and made me think she did it. I banished her instead. I had to go through years of misery and had to remind myself every day that I’m not a horrible pony, all the while I feared for how Soul could be doing. Living with all the regret. And now you threaten me when all I want to do is the right thing. I don’t want pain anymore. I want all ponies to be happy from now on. That includes Soul. That means… I can’t let her be in danger anymore. I will take her back.

Soul will come home!

“I don’t need the others to stop you” Celestia said. Standing next to Luna. With my sister at my side, we can end all the pain. End all of my mistakes.

“So you forfeit your chance to know the truth?” Soulblight giggled. The wind howled over the trees. Sending endless leaves in the sky, rippling the grass all around where she stood. “Very well…” Celestia looked right into the eyes of the sky. Burning red in flames. Glimmering for just a moment… before it all went dark around her.

“But you won’t take her.”

9.6
Celestia’s eyes widened. She felt it. Feel it before even seeing it. All the fur on her side warmed, such incredible heat and that sound of whishing air that sent her ears up in time to notice it, right before it happened.

Her heart stopped. The entire sky lit bright in orange and that echoing boom ringing in her ears. The sight of orange cinders and a blast of air smacking her so hard from behind, sending all the leaves scattering. Leaves picked up from the ground and many more that floated away, burning bright in flames. Turning to ash in the air. It even felt like her tail was burning. Celestia looked to Luna. She was standing there, looking just like Celestia. Eyes so wide, staring in deafened silence. Even her wings twitched, because she knew it too. Just like me. Luna looked back with Celestia. Where the entire treeline was burning.

Such a huge hole blasted right into all those trees, curled and morphed into such a hideous sight of burning leaves falling asunder where the trees once stood. Only for it all to be aflame. The whole forest burned. Right before where the grass had a whole path charred through it. What… was… Celestia looked back to Soulblight. That pony grinning so widely at her, her horn bled that darkness around it. No way. I didn’t even feel it. “Luna…?”

“Sister…?”

I am too afraid to tell her. But… I fear we are in trouble. I couldn’t even see that attack. Couldn’t even… “That was a warning” Soulblight whispered over there. “I don’t need to miss.”

What kind of pony is this? I’ve never seen anything like this. Never felt such fear. Something like this… I can’t let it be in my land. This is the power that killed Soul’s guardians? No wonder… no wonder they were both torn apart back then. How terrible. If only Twilight and the others could be here… but, I don’t know if they can do anything now. This pony… it’s unreal and it’s here in my land. “I don’t think we have a choice” Celestia said. “Agreed…” Luna muttered. So she knows too. “Such a thing…” Celestia’s ears flicked up, hearing that whirling sound to her side. Already feeling the power, not needing to look to see that Luna’s magic swirled all around her. That rustling noise of her feathers flowing in that power. Celestia heard her own as well. I have to do what’s right, after all this time. Even if I’m afraid. There is no other choice. I’m just glad I have my sister with me this time.

Hope I don’t regret this.

Celestia let it all loose. The sight of that incredible beam of white light rushing from her. Burning the grass at her hooves, rippling the air around her. Joined with that flash of blue light at her side, and both beams came at the pony. Joined together, we fight together again. Luna, let’s do this for our land. That Soulblight won’t be able to handle this. Celestia looked up, spotting the pony in one last moment before the light of day and night came over where she stood. Rumbling and burning the red night away. Then it all disappeared.

Celestia’s heart sank. What is this? The spells vanished. Celestia watched in horror as all that magic from her own horn died out like some pitiful flame. Cast away forever from her horn, turned to white dust that was left to sprinkle the dirt. Float away in the breeze like dying stars. Joined with the blue cinders that fell away from where Luna stood. Left to face the truth. Soulblight still stood there, surrounded in what was left of those dying spells. Impossible!

She nullified our spells?!

“What is she?” Celestia whispered. I was so afraid, but now… she blinked… and looked right into the flaming eyes right in front of her. “Sister!” she heard Luna shout. No. Where Soulblight had been, was now empty. She’s here with me. Right in front of me. Looking down upon the vast wings laid out in front of her and the smiling pony who looked up to her. “Wh…” Soulblight’s wings flapped, that was all she could see before the world went flying.

What is going on? Celestia looked up to the sky and felt all the air fly through her mane. It’s like I’m flying but… then came the pain.

She screamed out. Feeling it all along her back, something so hard striking her. Where chips of bark flew past her and drops of blood saturated the air. Mocking her. Joining with that huge pain all along her back.

9.7
“Sister!” Luna turned just in time to see Celestia slam right into the tree, falling from it. She had to watch her sister land with such a horrible crunch to the ground, her mane swaying in what was left of that huge wind she had felt. She just sent my sister flying. All she did was… Luna looked to find Soulblight standing where Celestia had been at her side, glancing over to her. Smiling like you’re proud of yourself?! Luna growled. “I’ll destroy you!” Luna sent her horn forward, only for the entire earth before her to explode in a blast of blue fire. Pelting her in rocks sent flying. I don’t know if that got her. She looked back to where Celestia lay. “Sister! Wake up. Please, are you okay?” Oh, no… is she knocked out? She isn’t moving. I can’t believe that…

She spotted the movement to her side. A rush of wings splitting the air, sending all those blue flames flying. No! Soulblight’s wings flapped. The pony spiraled up into the sky above that crater Luna left before her. All the way up into the red sky. Such a tantalizing sight, seeing those four wings flapping atop one another before they all spread wide and the pony hung up there. I can even feel all that power in her wings. Like it’s making me afraid. Chills running all along her. There is no way a pony like this is real. And Celestia is out… I have to do this. But nothing stopped Luna’s legs from shaking. She took my sister down in one blow. Just using those damn wings of hers. What if she hits me with a spell? I’m terrified.

A glint of black.

Holy Equestria! Luna kicked her legs just in time, pushing herself away for her wings to take to the air and get her out right when that ground she had stood on exploded in such a violent pillar of blackened flames. Sent flying from what was left of the spell that cut through the air. Luna kicked her wings hard, almost losing control of them in the gust of wind that hit her from that explosion. So close to being sent crashing down to the ground but she took flight. Shooting right up into the sky, into that heavy air that weighed down on her entire body. An echo of fear. The chill in the wind. She’s really trying to take me down. I can’t believe I got out of that. I don’t want to risk that again. Luna looked up to that pony. I can’t even look away from her. Such grace, such power. A pony like this, if I don’t pay attention, I might regret it. Even if she’s so fast. “Looks like I’m on my own for right now” Luna smiled. Catching Soulblight smiling as well. “Trust me, you won’t last long” that pony said. “A pony like you will never take me from Soul. She is mine to protect!” “After what you did to Soul, you don’t deserve her” Luna said. “And I won’t let you stay in my land!”

Luna let her wings free. The entire air blew away, ridden in the light of blue fire echoing from her horn. You may have taken my Moon, but I’m not entirely helpless. She eyed the clouds. Right as they began to roil in shimmering blue light. Burning through the red. All the clouds rumbling in that power. You’re not the only one who can do this. Let’s see how you take it. I’ll smite you!

Luna’s eyes lit up, so quick. The lightning shot down. As if it shocked Luna’s heart as well. That thrilling power and magic that coursed through her bones. Bring it all down on Soulblight. And now… Luna sent all the energy lashing out from her horn. Her wings almost gave just from it. Try and dodge this! Lightning came down. Rushing right for the spell that split the skies. Rumbling in thunder, the world shook as both spells came together upon the pony above. Luna sat in the air, floating before that huge explosion that rocked the skies when all that lightning struck with the magic right into where Soulblight flew. The clouds ripped apart. All the air shimmered in glistening blue heat that Luna could feel all along her. Covering all the skies in churning smoke where fire fell to the forest below. That won’t be enough. Luna let all her magic come back to her horn. Fire again. This will finish you. I don’t need my sister to protect…

A pony popped into the air before her. All that magenta fur. Coming out of nowhere. “What!?” Did she just tele…

Soulblight smiled. “Nice try.” This can’t be. Luna could only watch and see that razor-sharp horn point to her. Couldn’t even move. I’m stuck here, so afraid. Like all the magic seeped out from her, left to be helpless before all the blazing black magic that rushed her. All she could feel was the heat. That terrible heat that made Luna scream. A flash of darkness coming over her and she saw all the air rush by her. She just hit me. I just know it. And it hurts so much! It’s like I’m on fire. Something burning. And I can’t… even control myself. Damn it!

“Luna!”

9.8
Celestia rushed in. Carried on those huge white wings flapping at her sides. They almost burned with how hard she made them hit the air. Even worse with all that power that came from that attack she had seen hit her sister. The entire sky was hot. But that won’t stop me. I got you!

She held her hooves out. Rushing in at the blue alicorn falling from the sky with smoke trailing from her limp body. She could still hear that cry Luna made in her ears. Please be okay. She couldn’t even fly anymore. Plummeting right down into Celestia’s hooves with such a hard thump; it took so much just to keep aloft holding the pony in her legs. Choking on the harsh smell of smoke pluming from Luna’s wings. Such a horrible thing that caught Celestia’s eyes and made her gasp. So many of her feathers were burnt away. Many more seeping smoke. Even Luna coughed from it all. Thank goodness, she’s alright. Luna just reeled up, yelling out in agony. Such terrible pain on her face… so much blood dripping from the cuts all over her face.

“Luna, please tell me you’re alright” Celestia begged. I’ve never seen her hurt before. This is all unreal. A pony actually just attacked my sister. Did this to her. This should never happen to somepony like you, Luna. Not after all you’ve been through. And I can’t stand to see this. All of it just made her heart pound. “I’m… fine” Luna opened her eyes, glaring. Pushing a hoof against Celestia’s chest and letting her smoking wings rise to the sky once more. “I can fly, let go.” Truly angry now. Oh, such a relief. She is alright. Celestia couldn’t keep the alicorn from pushing off from her and hitting the air once more with her huge, blue wings to float next to her. Luna shaking her head and grunting, still glaring over at that pony. That damn pony who looks too proud of herself. Such horrible power. “Luna, are you sure you’re fine? That looked like it hurt. I can help you if you need it.”

Luna wiped a hoof over her face, dragging off the blood to smear over her face and soak her fur. Only able to look down on her hoof and see it. The same blood Celestia stared at. My family’s blood. Somepony dares to do that to one I love. It almost sent shockwaves through Celestia. Trembling. I’m not even scared anymore. “That beast…” was all Luna muttered. I won’t stand for this. Celestia looked away from that blood. Still knowing Luna bled, that was all she needed to course brilliant gold around her horn. “You won’t get away with that.” “Bring it on…” Soulblight smiled.

Celestia growled. Splitting the sky in a flash of light.

It was gone before she knew it, though she still felt all that power in her horn. Swelling through her body. The last trickles of piercing, burning light echoing in the air. Blinking before turning to nothing. Fading into existence. So much magic, can’t believe I put all that into it. But if you hurt my sister, I’ll take your…

Celestia blinked. Soulblight sat there, her head was tilted. Like nothing even happened. Such a spell, did it even hit her? It was too fast for even Celestia to see it. All I can do is feel the magic and yet… all that happened… a few strands of silver hair fell from Soulblight’s mane. Cut so perfectly, left to drift away in the wind.

I’ll take your head…?

Celestia shivered. That attack… nopony can dodge that. There’s no way. It should have got her. Taken this monster down. I haven’t used a spell like that in ages… I can still feel my anger. I can still feel that want to punish her. For all she’s done. But I can’t…

“You know…” Soulblight’s voice broke her from the shock. Spotting the magenta pony straighten herself back up, actually looking angry now. The pony ran a hoof through her mane. “Now that I have my lovely mane… I really do prefer it to not be damaged. Much less by my own prey. How about you both realize your place and just give up so I can end this show quickly? It’d be a lot less painful for us all.”

“Your prey!?” Luna screamed. Blinding the world in her light. Almost making Celestia close her eyes. Feeling the heat from such a powerful spell. …Then it all died off.

9.9
“Luna?” Celestia looked, finding the alicorn no longer burned in the blue light of her rage. Only fear in her eyes. What is… it took her a moment… to see that darkness wrapped around Luna’s wings. Like some huge, black cloud had swallowed them, pulling the princess back with such a hard yank that made her yelp. What is this? Luna was pulled up, held aloft by her wings like some puppet. Left screaming with all that black mist rippling around her wings. “Sister, help!” By Equestria…

“I didn’t want it to be so painful” Soulblight laughed over there with her horn glowing black. “But looks like I gotta treat you like children.”

She knows… telekinesis spells? On my own sister?! Luna… the princess struggled up there. Like she was trying to point her horn at the pony who did this. Only to flop over like a limp doll from the pull of the magic around her. Kicking and fighting against it. Nothing changed. I don’t even know how to stop that. Only way… Celestia turned her horn at Soulblight. The only way to to blow you out of the sky. “Let my sister go!” I won’t let anypony do this to her. Ever since she came back, I will never let any harm come to her. Not even from a demon like this.

Something tugged at her wings. So gentle and then… blistering pain that made Celestia wince and kept her still. My wings, I can’t move them. Then Soulblight fell from her sight. Pulled away and she found herself looking down upon the forest below. It’s like my wings are going to be ripped off. Such a terrible yank that made her scream out. Right when I wanted to save Luna. Celestia grunted. Almost yelping when the pain flared so much along her spans. She had to grind her teeth just to stop it. Shaking her hooves in a horrible spasm. I can’t even save myself now. She didn’t have to look to know that… Soulblight had her too. Held there with Luna dangling at her side. Yelling with her horn flaring.

“You see, if you girls had just left my Soul alone this whole time, none of this would be happening. But no… I gotta teach you both the hard way. But that’s fine. I’ll do anything for Soul” Soulblight said.

“Let go of us now! Give us back our wings” Celestia glared over to Soulblight. Trying so hard to turn her head enough to point her horn to the pony. Do it before I make you. Agh! Can’t even concentrate, it hurts so bad. No wonder Luna is still screaming. Kicking her hooves so violently. That poor pony, her wings are sensitive. I’ve got to save her. Somehow. “I’ll let you go, if you insist” Soulblight said. Really?

“Sister!” Luna screamed. “Look out!” Right as Celestia was able to flap her wings again. She turned just to see it coming at her.

9.10
Just when it felt good to fly again, it was cut so short. She heard it in the wind. A split second scream and Luna slammed right into her. Celestia cried out. That horrible stinging pain and she knew Luna’s heard hit right into her own before her wings gave out and the entire world spun around her. Caught in the flurry of blue feathers and black wisps of air that died into the wind, only to plummet down to the trees below. The trees that came in so fast. Celestia shook her head. It pounded so badly. Didn’t help that Luna screamed in agony, much like she also did. Her own voice echoing in her ears. She could only spot the trees for a moment and closed her eyes. Crying in agony at the horrific sting running all along her body. I gotta… get control again. But there was no telling how hard Luna had been thrown into her. She couldn’t even hear Luna’s wings. Just the wind rushing by them and that horrible laugh from above.

My wings aren’t moving. Aghhhhh! Can’t even think straight. Like my wings are on fire. And… she opened her eyes again. The trees came right in at her. No! Have to… damn! Move, wings! Nothing happened. Nothing stopped her from careening right down into the branches and leaves. That searing pain of a branch slicing right along her side, for just a moment and then it died away much like the pain in her wings. Knocked right away by that impact against her back, and she couldn’t breathe.

Celestia spat, trying to cry out though no sound came. Only the bone-shattering strike against her entire back. Leaving her just looking up to the sky, gasping for air. None of it came, and left her to just lay there. Broken, helpless. Staring up to the branches that fell upon her. Torn asunder through the hole she left in the leaves above. Up there, in that darkened sky of blood, where she could see those four wings flapping. Lit in the rush of lightning… and that red light that blazed on her horn. Swirling cinders of molten light flowing all around that pony up there. Around her dead smile. Even from all the way down here, not able to move or breathe, she could still see that horrible smile. How wide it grew. How bright it was in that blinding red spell.

Dear Equestria. What has happened. I can feel that power from here. Struggling to breathe. Struggling to move. All I can feel is that… thing… like ants all over my body. I can’t believe how powerful she is. Who is this pony? Why does she have to do this to us? Make me ruin Soul’s life… and now…; Celestia felt a tear flow. Let loose just like her breath that finally came. Taking in the deepest breath. Finally! And I still can barely move. She looked up to that pony. Crying… feeling all that heat rushing over her, like a star burning bright from that pony’s horn. Oh, no… if she attacks us…

“Please… don’t…” Celestia whispered.

Such horrible power. Such a monster. I just can’t. I just can’t let you ruin Soul anymore. I can’t let a threat like you exist in my land. And yet, I can’t do anything. She felt her wing move under her. Gotta… try. I can’t let her do this. I can’t!

“Hahahahaha! Look at the royal princess reduced to mere children! How I’d love to see you both try and take Soul from me now” Soulblight grinned wider. “Much less… when you are nothing more than ash.” That star rippled the sky.

She… she wants to kill us?!

9.11
I want to kill them? Soulblight took a breath. There they are. The two ponies who want to take Soul from me. Celestia and Luna. Celestia… you were the one who wanted to hurt me. No better than all the other ponies who tried to hurt me. Take the things I love most from me. The only thing I love. I’ve reduced you to nothing. You… laying there with your sister. Both princesses sprawled in a crawling mess with there trembling wings, laying side by side down there. In my own shadow. They can’t even fight me. Now that I have all I need again.

…But… that’s not what I want.

Why do I want to kill them? Nothing can stop me from it. Nothing. Blight looked up. This light. She could even feel the heat above her head. This isn’t right. I don’t want to kill them. This is not the power I should be using.

Blight glanced back down to the princesses. Both of them struggling just to get on their hooves. Like limp children now. To think I can get rid of them right now. I shouldn’t. What is wrong with me? Blight shook her head. Just let it go. It disappeared just like that. The sky dimmed a little more. Fleeting red light falling away from her horn until it was no more. Just silent wind brushing her ears. Such a shame. All I need to do is make them see the truth. I don’t need to get rid of them. Besides, they see now… that they can’t stop me from saving Soul. Never. I feel like such a fool. Such a monster.

Those thoughts shouldn’t go through my head anymore.

Blight lightened her wings. Gently floating down. Spotting branches dangling from trees right where the princesses had struck them. I didn’t need to be that rough. No more. I just need to get them to stop. I need to stop… before things get bad. Her eyes caught that one stray blue feather stuck in the trees. Torn and smoldering. Slowly simmering into ash. It only made her shudder. I did that to her? I… I hope she will at least listen to me.

Blight set hoof upon the ground. Standing beneath the vast treeline, her hooves crunched upon a blanket of leaves. Leaves sent scattering with a final flap of her wings before all four of them folded upon her back. A leaf blew far, flying past Princess Celestia. The alicorn stumbling up onto her own hooves, and she spotted Blight. Tears in her eyes. Should I even feel grief about doing this to her? Celestia had so many cuts and scrapes all over her. Bent feathers. And Luna… I don’t know what to say. She looked angry. The young sister stood behind Celestia, like some vicious dog or something. Her wings were almost blown out. Blackened feathers all over her. Bleeding along her legs. I didn’t even think I was that rough with them. Maybe… I do need to end this now. Before anything happens.

Starting to feel afraid?

This is not what I want to do. I am not here to hurt them. I’m sure they will see reason now. “I don’t wish to continue this. You both see I am serious about protecting Soul, so can we just drop all of this? I promise I can show you both the truth of what happened.” Should be easy now. I have all the power. I just need you both to settle down a little. She lifted her hoof. Offering it to the ponies standing across from her. As long as they just leave Soul be, I’ll be happy. We all should want the same thing now.

Except they don’t want us in the picture.

That’s… that’s not true. They will see I had nothing to do with anything. That I am as innocent as Soul is. I know I am. I am meant to be Soul’s protector. Ever since I met her, I knew I wanted to be that pony she can rely on, and they all know it. None of them will take her from me. So, come on now. Blight waved her hoof a little at the princesses. Why aren’t you coming over? I don’t want to fight anymore. Not when I’ve made my point. Come over and see that I mean no harm. I really am a pony that Soul can rely on forever. Please.

“I… I can’t believe you” Celestia said. “After all you’ve done, how can we know you won’t do it again? Please… we only want you to leave. Just go and leave our land in peace. A land that Soul is more than welcome to live in again.”

“But… I need to live with her too” Blight said. “She is the most important pony to me and I can’t leave her side. You don’t understand why I want to be with her.” It doesn’t matter. They’d all rather take her from us. Shut up! “Shut up!”

She looked back up to find the princesses in stunned silence. No, I can’t let them take her from me. I can convince them. Nothing will ever change. “Please. Soul is the world to me. So much that I had to do this for her. I had to show her what it is I really am and… I can’t bring myself to imagine life without her. Not after we spent so long together. I can’t let her be taken from me. Give me a chance.”

“I think you were the one who said you couldn’t be a part of her life anymore” Celestia said. No, I didn’t mean that. None of them will accept us. Now that they know the truth, we will be like back then. Stop it! I am… it’s not like that anymore. Soul is different. The world is different. I… I want them to love me too. I want to be a part of this life. Can I? “And after all you’ve done, you’re too dangerous” Celestia continued. Soulblight felt her hoof shake. Almost becoming too hard to keep it held out. Too hard to hold it, too hard to ignore the shivers running up her spine and coursing to her horn. Hearing herself hiss.

We have seen… Soul no longer needs us. They all know it. They will do what those ponies did before. I can’t let it happen. Soul is mine. All mine. Not Rainbow Dash or Celestia or any swine in this world will change that. They are all just prey to me. Like it was back then, make it so again. For my beloved Soul Serenity. A world for us. No more threat of her ever being hurt again. She can be with me forever.

That hoof came reeling up, slamming hard into Blight’s own face. Punching herself to send spittle flying and her wings jolted as she yelped. Shut up! This is not the way! I can’t do it. I can’t… no. Soul loves Rainbow Dash. She loves this land. It wouldn’t be right to take it all away. No matter how afraid I am of her being hurt again. And I don’t want to be hurt. She’s my only friend. “Please let me stay with her” Blight begged down to her hoof. I never want to feel like I’ve lost her. But a pony like me… I can’t. What are these thoughts? What am I seeing in my head? They made her eyes tremble.

I can see myself… killing them all. Just like before.

We can do it all again.

“No!” I’d rather abandon Soul before I destroy all the things she loves!

I’d rather have her all to myself.

9.12
Princess Luna slammed her hooves right into Soulblight. Even Luna was surprised when she felt her hooves strike against the pony’s chest. Falling to the ground with her, Soulblight pushed down into the grass. I can’t believe it worked. Even now, Soulblight looked stunned. As stunned as she had been. Such a wide-open pony. I’m so glad I pulled it off. Luna stomped her forehooves down onto Soulblight’s chest, pinning her down into the dirt. Laying atop the magenta pony with her hind legs clamped down onto her. She felt Soulblight’s own hind legs stop moving under all her weight, sitting on top of her. Staring down into the eyes of this pony who had hurt them so much. Reduced to nothing but a silent and wide-eyed mare laying on her back under Luna.

I can’t believe this pony caused us so much trouble. Being so close, Luna couldn’t help but notice just how much smaller the pony was. Only her huge wings that lay flat at her sides made her any larger. Such a scrawny thing, I can even see her ribs. Her thin legs and small neck. Like a helpless child now. She looks so weak but I know differently. And I can’t let this go on any further. I could feel that magic she almost used on us. I’ve never felt anypony gather that much into one spell. She can kill us. Luna pushed her hooves down even further. Never wanting to let this pony get free. You can’t run now. Can’t escape this. Luna pointed her horn down towards the pony’s face. Looking up, finding Soulblight stared right into the point of the horn that sat before her eyes. One spell is all I need. She’d be wise to give up.

I hope she does.

“Just… give up this game” Luna said to the shocked pony. “It’s over. Leave Soul and everypony alone and get out of here while I am feeling generous. You are not allowed here.”

Luna felt a small motion under her hind legs, Soulblight’s own hind legs trying to squirm underneath to no avail. Only a waft of air from what had to be Soulblight’s tail waving wildly. Even the pony’s four massive wings rose high over both of them, as if they wanted to cradle them both. Casting a vast shadow over Luna. A shadow that terrified her. I have her right where I want her but I’m still afraid. I can still feel so much magic in her. Such horrible fear, and Soulblight’s silence did not help. Do not do this to me. Give up. I don’t want us to keep fighting because I am afraid of what can happen. Though Luna tried so hard to hide how afraid she was. It was harder when she saw Soulblight had calmed down under her, looking up to Luna like she just didn’t care anymore. Such stillness in her eyes. Soulblight only licked her lips. Frowning at Luna.

“Isn’t it classier for a mare to get to know another pony before she starts riding them like this?” Soulblight muttered.

What the hell? Luna froze. Almost feeling a little lost hearing that come from a pony’s mouth. Especially in this situation. She’s going to make a joke like that? This freakish bitch. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Luna whispered. Getting a smile in response. Deathly darkness in Soulblight’s eyes and such a chill coming from the pony’s very skin. Like all the heat in the world started to drift away. Leaving Luna there feeling that sensation again. Such magic coursing in the wind. Flowing into her horn, and it all came from the pony she sat atop. Now I know a freak like this can’t stay in my land! Luna put all her weight down. At least I got her where I want her. This lecherous beast.

Soulblight’s magenta fur lit up in blue light.

Luna almost blinded herself with all the magic swirling around her horn. This will shut you up! She let it all go. Piercing the world in that light to drown out the sight of the pony she sat on. All she could see left was that smile. Feeling the cool chill of the pony’s magic before it disappeared. All of it vanished, and Luna felt herself falling right into the blue flames that burst out from her spell. Ending it all in a snap. She stopped the spell.

Luna fell on her rear over empty grass. Looking down at the imprint left behind in the grass. Nopony to be seen. What the…?

9.13
Something made the fur on the back of Luna’s neck stand up. She didn’t even need to look to know that I was right there… behind her. No way. She heard the little giggle cursing her ears. The pressure of so much magic along her back. Lightning shot across the sky once more. Nothing changed. The sky as red as ever and the wind howling in the night. I’ve got to stop her.

Luna flipped her head around, casting the spell. Watching all the ground behind her explode into burning chunks of grass and ashen dirt. Falling into the wall of blue flames she left behind. A desperate attack to get that pony away from her. Finding Soulblight was there. Popping out of nowhere in a hail of black light just short of the blue flames. Completely unharmed. Still smiling as she had been before. What is this monster? I’ve never seen a pony able to use magic like this. It’s like she knows what we’re going to do. I can’t even hit her. “Sorry, I will never leave my Soul Serenity in your hooves. She may have seen you as somepony to look up to, but I don’t” Soulblight said. Darkness coursing all along her long horn. All the magic flaring from her.

Burning yellow light lashed forth right at the pony who stood before Luna. So quick, Luna barely saw it coming. All of it happened so fast. A rush of magic and a giant, magenta wing rising up over Soulblight. That spell slammed right into the wing. Luna back away from all the heat that spell had in it. Sizzling the ground under it. Rippling the air like a river. My sister is so quick. Luna saw Celestia standing over in the trees, a brilliant beam of light running from her horn. Not quick enough. Like nothing could work.

That spell fell to pieces against the wide wing Soulblight held up at her side. Not even a single cut along the span of that wing. Nothing done to the flesh that draped from it. She blocked it with her wing. Can anything even hurt her? Such gnawing dread, even Soulblight glanced over to where Celestia stood. Unimpressed. Bringing her wing back down to her back. That attack didn’t even get rid of all the magic flowing around Soulblight’s own horn. The pony stood there, tall over the pillars of fire. Laughing to herself.

This pony protected Soul? No wonder Soul escaped her banishment. And now we have to face her. This mad murderer. A killer can’t live in our land. She’s a monster.

Luna shot out another beam of blue flame at the pony, screaming loudly. Letting it all rush out and explode in a flash of light. She saw it even before all the fire billowed upon the earth. Soulblight disappeared in a flash of black light. Swallowed up in it, leaving nothing behind but a twinkling silver light blown away in Luna’s spell.

That feeling was gone… for a second. “Disgusting fiend!” Luna got up on all fours, staring up into the sky. Deep in the dark red veil of clouds where the Moon barely shone through. My own Moon taken by her. Burning red behind the pony flapping all four her wings high above.

Dirt went flying around her black adorned hoof. “There has to be some way to stop her” Luna whispered. I don’t know why Soulblight didn’t even do anything when I jumped on her. It’s like she didn’t even see me coming. But why? What happened to make her do that? Because it is damn impossible to hit her otherwise. “Luna! With me” Celestia called out, flapping her huge wings and taking to the sky. I guess there’s no other choice. Something happened earlier. I can only hope it happens again. If not…

I hate to admit we may be in trouble.

9.14
Luna took off after her sister. Flapping her wings so hard and catching up to fly at Celestia’s side. Shooting up to the sky. Up to that pony whose wings blotted out the Moon. Wrapped in the red sky, leaving her just a dark figure high above. But her horn was darker. She’s going to attack. Luna looked to her sister. Celestia already had a spell ready at her horn. So much magic in just that one spell. I only hope we can do something. She couldn’t help but shiver looking back up at the pony they closed in on. Almost able to see the billowing red in her split eyes up there. Two eyes in the darkness and a wide smile of glistening fangs. We got to make this count.

Luna let the magic flow to her horn. We’ll attack together. We rarely get to fight alongside one another, sister. That’s the only comfort I have. Knowing you are there by my…

A twinkle of light. Her eyes went wide. It didn’t even come at her. That light burned right past her. Luna’s feathers singed. Seared in the heat of a ray of dark light that split the two sisters apart. Celestia flapped her wings, barreling over that spell she must have narrowly avoided. Rushing right past them. No matter how far it was, it didn’t stop Luna from jumping when the roar of an explosion ripped the skies. Lightning the world behind her. Soulblight’s spell tearing the forest to shreds down below. She didn’t need to look. Seeing black fires rise to the sky they flew in. The clouds retreating from the force of that spell. I am so glad that didn’t hit us. I can’t let anything like that hit…

Another flash. Too fast. Luna gasped, listening to a cry of pain. The howls of such a terrible impact. Turning her head. Celestia was still for just a second, gone in an instant. Trailing so much smoke behind her and blackened cinders falling with her. Nothing but the remains of a dying spell that had hit her. Leaving her falling, frantically flapping her wings. Sister! Luna looked back to Soulblight. By Equestria. She was hit! I can’t take my eyes of this pony. But she listened. Celestia’s wings were moving down there. The pony grunting but the wind almost echoed with her wings. Celestia’s okay. I should go back and… she had no time. Not before she spotted that flash of darkness blot the sky before her. Coming right at her. Faster than she could blink. No time to think!

Luna let her spell go.

It all happened so fast. Like an instant. When the entire sky became washed in the light of two spells that thundered across the night. Churning the clouds with their ferocity and even the shockwaves could be heard everywhere. Luna listened to all the trees rustling below her. A chorus of howls that rang out over the unbelievable sight she witnessed. All that magic and power, how it rushed from her body. So hot that she feared she may burn her own mane away. Tearing the sky apart and slamming right into that vast beam of darkness. Boiling together, both spells beckoned to one another and Luna felt her entire body almost go limp with how much she let go. Almost drained. Feeling so tired when she saw her spell rush over the darkness. A plume of blue light slowly overtaking it and then it all turned. The dark flames of such a massive spell swallowing up the spell Luna had sent out. Both of them eating away at one another between the two ponies. All in an instant.

Before it exploded.

Luna flew back, sent rocketing away by the winds. Crying out. She had to close her eyes. Such a blinding light of blue and red fires pulsating in the night. She could still see it through her lids. Barely able to keep her wings flapping against the gale all this violence unleashed. The roars of the forest below. An echo of incredible thunder booming across the skies and beyond.

She did her best to keep her wings in control. The wind fought so hard. Flying through a tempest. As if she may fall from the sky at any moment. I’m exhausted. I’m hungry. And I can’t give up. All of this is almost too much. I’ve never had to fight like this. Deal with magic like this. Such incredible power. I had to send out everything just to stop it. Now my wings hurt. My legs are aching. All I can smell is that choking smoke. Is that smoke from my own fur? The ring of such an explosion droning on in her ears. Even if it died down where she could finally open her eyes back up and see the plumes of smoke falling to the land below. Flames and smoldering ash littering the world like rain. All from our spells. A sphere of smoke that stood between the two ponies. Yet Luna still saw her and she felt her heart sink.

Those fours massive wings flapping beyond the smoke. Darker than anything else, and two red eyes gleaming from it. Not even an exhausted flap of her wings. Nothing. As the smoke cleared, Soulblight flew there. Like nothing happened to her. How much power does she have? Luna let out a strong breath. All she had left to give out. I feel so helpless. Looking up to a pony who stared down at her. Vicious hate in that pony’s eyes. And there’s nothing I can do. A pony like this killed Soul’s guardians. She is a murderer in my land. And I can’t stop her. I want to bring justice for poor Soul. I want to keep all the ponies safe. It’s the least I can do after what I did. But I feel like such a failure now. There’s no opponent like this. Completely unharmed. Soulblight only frowned at her. Raising all four of her wings so high. Casting their shadows down on Luna. In the light of the red Moon. “No…” Luna whispered.

“A whelp like you can not keep me from what I want” Soulblight spoke softly. “You are powerless. All of you are. And I will make it clear.”

Her wings stood tall. Those four spans of flesh glimmering of starlight along their flesh in the reddened night. Burning as bright as the Moon. Soulblight grinned, and Luna felt it. Before it even happened.

The sky erupted in flames. Fire bursting before Luna’s very eyes. Billowing red and golden flames blasting from the starlight along Soulblight’s wings. So many fireballs. Those alone were bright enough to turn the sky gold. Light up Luna’s eyes. All of them came right at her. Dozens of them let loose from those wings and careening down upon the princess.

I can’t believe it. The way those are moving. They made Luna shiver. Backing away in fear for seeing what it really was. The way Soulblight smiled. She knew it too. The fireballs spiraling down from the heavens and rushing right at her. Their movements… like they went right for where Luna backed away too. I’m so tired. My entire body hurts. And now this… if those hit me… I’m finished. Such a fear of them hitting. Knowing what this spell was. Homing fireballs. She really does want to get me out of the picture.

I have to try. No other choice. Luna flapped her wings so hard. Sending her off and away from those spells coming for her. She turned and fled. To the forest. I have to lose them. I’m sorry, sister. I can’t help you.

9.15
They wish to take her from me yet they are so weak. Like all who have ever tried to harm me. Turning to mere cowards when they see the truth. I will never let anypony hurt me. Soulblight smiled. The powerful Princess Luna reduced to running from me. Exhausted and worthless. Not even a threat to a pony like me. She never will be, not when she tries to hurt me. It’s all right! I won’t let them take her from me! Luna still was able to fly off at such speeds. Down to the sea of trees below. Lighting up the entire forest in the golden light of those many fireballs that scorched the sky. Chasing after the pony. That will hold you off for a long time, long enough for me to do what I want. As it should be. Kill them like they deserve. Or maybe not. I can still force them to see the truth. Then nopony will be taken from me! None of them! Even Rainbow Dash will see how dangerous it will be to steal Soul from me. For any of them to treat me like I’m any less than them. Like I’m not worthy of love and acceptance!?

If they want to split us apart, they will pay. Starting… with you. Blight’s ears flicked up. I can hear you. Wings hitting air. Two large wings. Such magic in the air. I know it’s you. Celestia. Blight’s smile grew wider. She’s behind me. I knew you’d be fine. You’re the only one I need intact. You will be the one to see the truth.

“Still wanting to take Soul from me?” Blight asked. She slowly turned her head around.

There you are. Princess Celestia floated there. Like she was trying to look angry at Blight. But I can see your fear. Those wings and all their whitened feathers tainted in huge splits where feathers had been burned away. Her fur a total mess. It was as if her aurora mane struggled just to light up the pony anymore. Celestia looked so grim. Blood splattered in such small spots across her chest. The mighty princess… looking like this. I really am back to my old self. Never would’ve imagined the day when I’d be stronger than this land. Strong enough to save my beloved friend. First you, princess, and then anypony else who dares. “You can keep trying all night long but you won’t get anywhere.” Soulblight faced herself to the princess.

“After all, I am still holding back” Blight giggled.

The grief in Celestia’s eyes. How somber she held herself there. But the slightest hint of some defiance. That foolish idea that she will get rid of me. It never will go away, will it? But the princess was sincere. Not even doing anything. Only asking “Why are you doing this? Why did you do the things you’ve done? What even are you?”

What even am I anymore? It’s like I have returned to myself. Magic is nothing now. The ponies of this world are nothing but play-things now. Now that I am this again. Whatever Soul wants, I can make so. What I want, can be made so. I have all the desires to make things right and all the power I need, coursing through my bones. Yet she’d never understand. A mere alicorn. None of this is even subject to her. For how would she know what it’s like to destroy yourself for the one you love? She banished Soul so easily. Ruined her life. Is that why I can’t forgive her? But what is this truly… because I feel that it’s all wrong.

This is not the way I used to feel when I was just a dark pony who played with Soul. So much has changed. Except for one truth.

“I am simply the one who remains on this earth to protect the only friend I’ve ever had. She is my only purpose for going on. I care not for anything else besides her own happiness.” Her happiness is all that matters.

“She was happy!” Celestia yelled. “She had friends and ponies who loved her deeply. They all wanted her to be successful. And you took them from her. You are the one who killed her guardians. And you hid away while she was framed for it all. You are no friend to her. No friend would do that.”

Blight bit her lip. Burning pain as her fang dug deep into her flesh. Such foolish arrogance. You dare to pretend to know what happened. “And that is what happens when you refuse to listen. I killed the beasts who killed Soul’s guardians. Creatures that take the shape of others, and they wanted to kill my Soul Serenity. I would not sit idly by and do nothing. It was all I could do. And you are the one who destroyed her life as a result. So do not try to know what it is I have done, do not try to offend me. Or else… your past mistakes will come to HAUNT YOU!”

Blight swung her horn, already seeing the flood of darkness that screamed forth through the air before her. A wave of magic, destructive and powerful. To suck the air itself out of the sky. Burning all of it away. The princess could only float back before she brought up… her own shield. Such a huge sphere of the Sun itself burning around her and she disappeared in that black fire. I am here to protect Soul and that means from you as well! Blight clapped her wings so hard, bringing herself to bear upon where Celestia flew within the flames. But Blight could still hear her. I’ll take you down. One flap of her wings, rushing away from where the princess was and where Blight brought her gaze upon. Already seeing the glimmer in her own eyes. A beam of light willed upon the sky. Burning the clouds away. Punching a hole through the red haze upon the land, lightning shot down. A flash of red that burned Blight’s own eyes. Ruffling her fur from the force. Almost splitting her ears with that loud crack it made. Right where it came down upon the princess. Blowing away the flames. Blight’s wings felt it. A rush of pure thrill by the remains of that bolt of magic that left a hole through the sky. She could feel her own magic in the air. What was left of the spell which turned the entire land below alight in such a horrific red light. Fading and finally dying like all the smoke that hung in the air.

I will force you to see. Nothing will stop me. All of this is mere foal’s play to me. So come now, princess. Try your hardest to fight me. Send anything you wish at me. Your sister, your ponies of Harmony, your entire land. I don’t fear anything if it can lead to Soul’s happiness. I will do anything!

Blight felt it. Wings flapping. Still flying. Soulblight smiled, casting the spell to rid the world from her sight. In an instant. Then the sight of a white mare filled her entire vision, staring right into her eyes of surprise to see Blight teleport right before her. Blasting all the smoke away, all the magic from the shield away with just one flap of her four wings. It all died around her. Sapping the magic away. “I will not give up!” Blight screamed. “You damn fiend” Celestia brought her horn up. Slicing the air with its sharp point, coming right for Blight’s face. You are so persistent in getting rid of me. So damn lost in your own delusions. But I am just as persistent to get what I want.

Blight struck down with her horn. Slamming her long horn right against Celestia’s. Pushing it aside with such force, before she was stopped, looking down at Celestia’s horn that pointed right for Blight’s eye. Holding it right there, Blight did not give in. Putting all her strength into pushing her horn against Celestia’s. Anything to keep it away. To force Celestia to struggle right in front of her. Growling and pushing. Such stress in her face as the small pony completely stopped her. You may be larger than me, but I am still more powerful. You are nothing but an unbelievable fool. “Such a fool who is stuck in the past and blinded by what she thinks is right for Soul” Blight said.

“And you think you are the right thing?” Celestia struggled to speak. Ferociously putting so much strength into trying to push Blight’s horn away. “She doesn’t need you. You are too dangerous and all you did was ruin her life. You are the one who took it all from her.” “Then that makes two of us!” Blight yelled. Silencing the alicorn. You damn mare. All these years, I lived with the regret of what I did and you pretend to be better. “You took out all the anger of the land upon Soul, who was a child. A child! You took her away from the only home she ever knew and she never got a chance to make amends with her friend. She got no chance to make anything right all because of you. Stupid alicorn trash! You don’t even care. Blinded by your own grief. I made a mistake and thrust Soul into that horrible situation but at least I had the stomach to own up to my sin! Where were you, princess? You never came to protect her. Instead you threw her into an icy tomb. I did everything I could to try and earn her forgiveness for what I did. I protected her out there, kept her warm and alive. Made it so she never starved to death. Without me, she would not have made it. And you think you did the right thing?”

“I did the only thing I could have done” Celestia said. “There was nothing else.”

“Yet you could have protected her. You decided not to. Why not? Was it because you saw so much of your sister in her that you didn’t want to even try and face the challenge? Not want to go through it all again? You talk like you care, but you never made it clear. At least I did my best to be the family she never had!”

“Shut up!” Celestia cried twin streams of tears down her cheeks. Lighting them up with the magic swelling atop her horn. Right in Blight’s eye.

You know I am right. Neither of us are innocent.

Blight let her own magic go. Watching the darkness grab hold of Celestia’s horn. Like that alone was enough to pull the alicorn’s head back, almost able to hear her horn crack from the force of such a vicious yank as the magic ripped Celestia away from Blight. Wide open.

“Everypony abandoned her. Even I hurt her and I’m the one who saved her life. She deserves all the love in the world after that, but not from ponies who harmed her. Be it you… or I. Everypony will pay.” Blight felt the heat come over her. Such a rush of power. Blinding bright over her head as such magic swirled around her horn. Watching the princess struggle just to free herself from the magic that held her in place. To no avail. You are all mine. That darkened light burned bright red. As red as Blight’s eyes. As red as the sky. Turning the princess’ white fur red in its light. And the first to go… will be you.

9.16
Princess Luna could barely even see the trees she shot past. No matter how hard she breathed, nothing slowed her down. Just pure fire pushing her to go faster and faster. Turning all the trees she flew by into nothing more than shapes that disappeared as fast as she saw them. Skimming her way through the thickets or branches and leaves that she could hear smoldering right behind her. Swallowed up in the heat that bared down on her. Like none of this could keep it away from her. Another explosion rocked the entire world around her, casting the light of fire upon the trees before her. Another one just struck one of the trees. She dodged more and more of the forest, anything to shake them all off. But nothing worked. There had to be dozens of them. Those huge fireballs that warmed her butt. Wherever she went, they went.

It’s been so long since I’ve seen anypony use a spell even close to this. They’re following me perfectly. The control that pony has over her magic, it’s not even pony anymore. I knew she was powerful… Luna eyed the flames coming down on her. The intense heat that built up more and more. Shining bright behind her. I didn’t know this powerful! Luna went right in at one of the oncoming trees. Every time she had to do this, she immediately regretted it. But there was nothing better. It didn’t matter how tired she was getting. There was no telling what would happen if those spells hit. The tree grew before her in an instant. Filling her sight until it nearly made her spine tingle just from the fear of coming so close into ramming it. This was the only way. Luna felt the tip of her hoof graze the bark. Skidding over it in a heartbeat, such a neck-jerking turn she had to make just to get around it. Dodging the tree perfectly. Though her wings screamed in agony. Such a horrible maneuver. I’m not meant for flying like this. Yet that painful move was proven right.

Such a massive explosion pierced through her head. Sending countless splinters flying around her, landing on her and bouncing off. Seeing the smoke trails left behind from it all. So much of it. She didn’t look back. That tree was likely ash now; and still so many more of these things left. Sweat beaded over her forehead.

I feel so useless in this battle. I left my sister to deal with that monster on her own! And I can’t even help. I can tell now, Soulblight wanted to get rid of me. Such a spell. So many of them. So she wants to keep me running. Not that I was much help anyway. And I hate that. I hate it so much. I felt I could find a way to take my Moon back. Then it all leads to this? Take it back from a beast who… I’m afraid is too powerful. Such a threat to the land. But there’s nothing I can do about it. “Damn her.”

Luna flipped over. Kicking her wings back, not even losing her speed. Don’t have long to do this. Leaving herself flying backwards, facing such a hellish sight. So many fireballs. They consumed the entire land behind her. Burning it away. Searing such a blackened path over the land she flew above, and they all came in at her. Spinning and spiraling around one another. Almost reacting to the slightest move she made. But they can’t dodge. I still have something left. Beams of blue light blasted out at them. Going right into many of the fireballs. Going through their centers. They buckled and ruptured. Spewing flames everywhere in a violent blast. So bright that Luna had to turn around, seeing spots in her eyes. Leaving behind so many explosions. Not enough.

Luna kept flying. Eyes forward. In time to dodge through a thick treeline. She came close to running right into them with that stunt she pulled. A couple more seconds of flying backwards, wouldn’t have ended well. Another fireball must have struck those trees. Just one. She could still feel many more. It’s like more just keep coming. I can’t keep this up forever. Sister needs me. Even if I’m weak, she can’t fight that pony alone. I won’t let her. I waited so many years just to be with her again, I’ll not let her down here. I need to keep them away from me. Somehow.

Her eyes widened.

She had to fly up, narrowly missing the walls of vines. All their shining spines that came so close to cutting her. Sending out a shockwave and jets of leaves. Luna flew out over the canopy. Free into the open air. Then the rustle of thousands of leaves behind her that burned to ash. Lighting up the red sky once more. The fireballs followed her. This is preposterous! Can’t even concentrate. So much happening. I can’t fly around in the forest forever. Especially when she winced. Her wings stung. These things will follow me everywhere. But I got to lose them. I don’t even have much magic left. I’m afraid… she tried so hard, focused so hard on it. Only searing pain rippling across her wings. I can’t even teleport. She screamed out. Pushing her wings further and forcing herself through all the wind.

I should be better than this. So many opponents in the past yet none pushed me this much. She’s playing with me. And there’s nothing I can do. I’m almost drained. How much I’d love to just lay in bed and just lock myself away for hours with mountains of food. Such petty fantasies. A nice way to try and get my mind of this. But that’s not the case. I can’t let my sister down. I can’t…

“Celestia!” She screamed out. Already seeing it. That horrible sight in the skies. A flash of white fur shining bright under a bolt of red lightning shocking the world above where Celestia was with that pony. Even if the lightning was gone, it was something else that cast the princess in red. Something that made Luna’s heart skip a beat. Because she felt it. A jolt that made her stare up there. Not even paying attention to where she flew. Captivated by that spell. The magic boiling in the skies. Far above her, above the forest. Soulblight’s horn glowed as red as the sky. Burning of such intense light. It truly was a star that shone upon the land. A deadly spell. And Celestia was right in front of her. In just a blink of an eye, that’s all Luna had to look. Look and see her sister held there. Not even able to move anywhere. Panicking. Kicking her legs. But nothing worked. Held there like some puppet. She really did want to get rid of me.

She’s going to kill my sister!

I can’t. I can’t let her down. Luna glanced back at the fireballs. Damn her to hell! Soulblight, you won’t get away with all of this. I’ll find a way to stop you.

The fireballs were so close. Getting closer. There has to be something I can do. Any magic I have left.

Through all my life, all I did was resent you, sister. All I did was harm you and yell at you. Treated you like you were supposed to be lesser than I. When I should have been your loving sister. That’s what… what mom would have wanted.

But it’s like I’m no different than Soulblight is. I was no different. I saw you in front of me, broken and bloody. I stamped my hoof down on you. Laughing over it. Just a desire to… to kill you. So long ago. I never want to repeat that. But it’s like I am. I see what it was like. Again. You’re so helpless and hurt. All alone against a monster. And I left you alone for a thousand years. I can’t let that happen again. I won’t take it. I will never see you be hurt again. Not from me… not from anypony. Even if it kills me.

“But I’d rather take that monster with me.” Somehow… I’ll stop her. But first…

If Soulblight will use telekinesis, so will I. That’s how. Just a little magic left. This should buy me some time. Plenty of trees to work with down there. All it took was a simple spell. Her horn glowed once more. Such a frail and fragile light. Flickering. Not a lot left. Just enough to spot what she wanted. As her magic took grip of the world around her. Like a weight over her head. Such weight and power. But her magic still burned. Nothing will stop me from helping my sister.

The canopy ahead ripped open. Trees and leaves giving way. Torn open when two trees flew high above them all, gripped in the light of the Moon. Their roots still showering the land below in soil. Leaves scattering from them both, and both of them crashed together. Held tight to one another. A wall of bark. Floating in the air ahead of her. I’ll only need to dodge a tree one last time. She could sense all the flames right on her tail. Burning bright across the sky. Almost casting a deep shadow upon her and such horrible heat that warmed her fur. Feeling her tail singe a little. Two huge trees. Should be able to buy me some time. And then I’ll make Soulblight pay. I’m not going to fail my sister again. The flames were right on her. Roaring over her ears. So close, she could taste ash in the air. That’s right, stay right on me. All the way to the end. I can make these things hit… Luna gasped.

I can make them hit whatever I want…

She dodged around the trees.

9.17
Explosions rocked the world around Celestia. Shocking her. To see flames bursting out all across the forest. Smoldering ashes and raging fireballs careening down upon the land that was hers. Such a devastating thing to see. Fires burning across the sky. Raining down on the world. It didn’t help. None of it helped her to stop crying. The tears only kept coming. The true pain of knowing just how much she had failed. I failed so many. And now I fail my own land. Left there, not able to move. Looking out upon a horizon set ablaze. As if the Sun was setting.

Oh, Luna…

I’m sorry I can’t be there to help you. But I can’t even help myself. I can’t help anypony.

So this is my punishment? That terrible sin I made years ago. This is what happens. I never could have known just how terrible a mistake that was. But there’s nothing I can do. There was nothing I could have done. Nothing… except regret. As I watch upon this land that I love, watch it all burn. Knowing that nothing can be done. I’m just not a pony who can do it.

I couldn’t keep Soul happy. I couldn’t protect her. I failed. Again! Another pony that I think I save… only to hurt her. If I had known back then, would things be different now? I don’t know. Nopony knows. I always sought to protect my land and my ponies. I always wanted them to be happy. That’s my only goal. To see them smile. Such a terrible thing… that all that happiness can be so fleeting. Even worse when I know that I caused it. Now this is what happens. This is my punishment.

Celestia looked up to the pony who flew across from her. That sickening smile she wore, so proud to see me defeated. Stuck here, pinned down. Imprisoned… just like Soul was. Left here all by myself to face such horror. This is what I did to Soul. I know this now. But I’m still so afraid. Even if… Soulblight speaks truth. I’m still afraid. I’m not dumb enough to not know just what I’m facing. All the magic burning around Soulblight’s horn. Circling her horn like some ring of flames burning of bright crimson. Shining gold light upon the world. A billowing sun bursting and lashing out around her. And Soulblight just held it there. Such horrible power right at her horntip.

Maybe I was a fool. Maybe I was so lost in the past that I couldn’t make the right decision. But does that mean I should… die? I know… this power that she has can kill me. Even if she kills me, what then? Will Luna be next? Twilight? All of Equestria. We can’t even touch her. Our magic is worthless. This pony is right, nothing can stop her. She really could… hurt my entire land. All because of what I did. A mistake that can’t be righted. I want Soul back in the world. I want her to know that I love her. She is as much a pony to me as all others. But my mistakes… created a monster. Did I let this pony loose upon the land? Was it all me? All the hate in her eyes. How angry she is with me. Such hate and power.

I’m so afraid… if she were to stay in Equestria. But now, I don’t think there’s anything I can do. I’m sorry, Soul.

“Yes, …I did hurt her” Celestia whispered. Soulblight even cocked a brow. “I truly know this now, just how much of a mistake I made. All that time, I thought I was doing justice for both my land and for her. Just like I did so long ago. I thought if I had done it once, then the pain might be less. But it only hurt just as much to do it. What a waste. And now… I don’t care about how much it hurt me. Not when I know just how bad it was for Soul. If only I could go back and change what I did. I was blinded by my fear and what I did to my sister. It made me make the wrong decision and I guess now is the time I own up to it.”

“And in your last moments upon this land, you finally realize that? Such a saintly pony you must have become” Soulblight said. Like nothing could get rid of that empty darkness in her burning eyes. That venom in her voice. Like it had grown darker. Even if the pony burned bright in the glow of her horn. “Should I pity you?”

“No. Never. I don’t even pity myself. The only pony I pity is the one I cast out twelve years ago. One failure to lead to another. And now… I can’t even do anything to help her regain her happiness again.” Celestia looked out at the land beyond Soulblight. Where the flames raged across the entire forest. Glowing bright. The sky turned red. Over all this, the land I love. A land that should be Soul’s again. It always should have been Soul’s. I never should have taken her from it. And now… it may be gone. Because of you… Celestia looked back down to Soulblight. Just looking upon her, it made her fur stand up. Lightning coursing all around the pony. Staring deep into the eyes of hatred. “I don’t… care about myself anymore. I was already selfish before and it led to this. But I still care for my land… and for Soul, who deserves to live in that land.”

“She doesn’t need you to regain her happiness. I am all she needs” Soulblight smiled. “From all my time with her, watching her grow from such a pitiful filly to such a strong mare. When I felt her touch and heard her kind words, I knew she was the one. The one I’ve seeked. And none will take her from me.”

It makes my skin crawl listening to something like that. I don’t understand this pony. I thought she wanted Soul’s happiness. I hate hearing this. This talk… like she wants to take it all from Soul. I saw it with my own eyes. Heard it all. Soul wants to be a flyer again. She wants to live among the land she loved. Perform for my sister and I. Be the best she can possibly be. All the not be the pony she used to be. And now… even after all she went through, she still found love. I never thought I’d see the day. Never thought of it. For her to come back and fall in love with her old friend. Such a charm that only a pure pony of this land can have. And I can see that she can have such a beautiful life to live. One she was always meant to have. Yet it could all be taken? That doesn’t sound like something a pony who claims to love her would do, and this pony is serious. I see it in her eyes, and she has the power to do it.

“Please tell me something. Why do you love Soul?” Celestia asked.

“Why? She was the only pony who ever cared for me. Who ever considered my feelings. She was there when I only knew loneliness through my whole life. Like a little ray of hope that I needed. She gave it to me and became my first friend. If you had only been there to see what she did for me and hear what she said to me. She gave me confidence in myself, gave me a desire to be more. I truly do see her… as my own family. Unlike any I’ve ever known. The one pony in the world who treated me like I mattered. I will do the same for her.”

I can tell she is serious. She really does see Soul as her family. If any pony could warm a beast’s heart, it would be Soul. “But is this the way to repay her?”

“Repay her? I am saving her happiness. Her and I can finally have happiness together. That is what she wanted. But she can’t do it the way she wants. The only way is through power as I make this world see what is right.”

“Soulblight… I don’t think that is what she wanted. Not this way” Celestia said. “And I can’t believe you. Not after what you said. I know that Soul went through a lot. I know how much she means to you. But doing this is not going to help her.” “And you will never truly know if what you speak is the case” Soulblight said.

“I do… because I did the same.” It’s all still clear to me. “I ruined a child’s life thinking it was going to be the right thing for both me and her. But in the end, it only destroyed us both.” Soulblight… was silent. “Nopony knows this because it was never told before. They only saw me give over the official declaration that Soul had been dealt with… and then I locked myself in my room… and didn’t leave for days. Because I couldn’t let anypony see just what it did to me. I felt I did the right thing. It only turned me into a bitter pony. One who laid in bed… crying. Hating myself for it. It was just like when I made the same decision with my sister. I banished Luna because I thought it would be best for both of us. I never could’ve guessed what it would do to me. So many lonely days. Haunted by my decision.”

“I’ve ruled Equestria for countless millenia. I’ve seen the worst in ponies and the worst of the world. Nothing could have prepared me for the worst of myself. Getting rid of my sister… there’s no way to describe it, Soulblight. I did it to protect us both! Until I realized it was all because my own stupidity. My own blindness to her suffering. I never even gave her a hug. Everything was my fault. And I lived with that regret for my entire life. All the moments when I cried alone, ate alone, had nopony to talk with, hating myself… to the point where… I almost wanted to end it. Even a princess like me… can fall. And it was all due to my own selfishness. I ruined Luna’s life. I ruined mine. And then I did it all over again with Soul. Couldn’t even wear my regalia or call myself a princess for so long after I banished her. What kind of princess ruins the life of one of her subjects? All because I was a coward. I thought I did the right thing, but it only destroyed everypony involved.”

“And now I can’t stand to hear it from a pony like you. Soulblight, do you have any idea what can happen if you go through with this? You said you would make everypony pay! Why? That’s not what Soul would want. She has a life to live. She has a home. She has the chance to make friends. She even has love. Why take it from her?”

“Because… I need her.”

“I don’t know what happened long ago. I don’t know what happened between you and her. All I can say is don’t take away from her the things she loves. You’ve only expressed callousness and hatred towards the world and all of us ponies ever since I first laid eyes on you. But that is the world and the ponies that Soul loves. All you’re doing is making yourself a danger to her and to the world.”

9.18
Could eyes like those truly have remorse in them? Could they show emotion? Nothing but a dead and empty void where no starlight could shine. She only made me feel fear. See that there is true hatred in this world. Just how powerful that hate can be. Soulless eyes that burned like suns. Ravaging any sense of a pony that she could be. If any one moment could change it, it was this moment that left Celestia silent. Seeing a pony’s two burning, black eyes actually twinkle of life. Just from the tears that she shed. Soulblight’s eyes were wide. Shaking, and crying.

You are terrifying. You are unlike any enemy I’ve ever faced. You are so troubled yet so dangerous. Even after all that, I see a trace… of a pony in you. Something is different about you. You’re a threat, yet you are more pony than any other threat I’ve known. I know you have the power to do horrible things, you are fear unlike any other. But for this moment, she leaves me speechless.

“I want to destroy everything. I want to get rid of the past. I want a world for her and I… but not like this. I’ll do anything to be with her only if it makes her happy in the end. But I can’t shake the thoughts. The fear. Because I know a pony like me can’t live in this world. I want to so badly.” Soulblight’s horn dimmed.

Celestia almost gasped when she came close to falling over when her wings could take over once more, such a sudden move all because the magic that took her horn was gone. Leaving her able to fly again. Free at last. She looked over to the pony. She actually let me go. That pony who hung there, ears down. Her eyes looking down from Celestia where only tears fell to the earth below. Blinding red magic still swirled all around her. Lightning shocking her own fur. All that horrible magic still there. That same fear that seeped off her like a plague upon the world. She is hatred and fear. Except for this one moment… of sadness from a pony like this.

“Can a pony like me even truly be a part of this world? I’m always so doubtful. After all, I’m the one who put Soul in that terrible situation in the first place. My true shame. A pony like me is too… wild, too stupid to even try and live here. I can never get these angry thoughts out of my head. All of them making me want to hurt others. Anything just so I can feel good about myself. It’s all a pleasure I should not be happy about. Wanting to hurt others and do any wrong thing just so I don’t need to feel sad anymore. I thought I’d finally find happiness with Soul, but I only ruined it all. I can never forgive myself. I tell myself… I should just leave her! I should be alone! I should suffer! But I don’t want to. Ahhh!” Soulblight put her hooves to her head. Holding her own ears down. Gritting her fangs together.

“I ruined her life. I want to ruin the lives of others. If only to help her. But it’s not helping her! I’m only doing it for myself! I can’t do that.” Soulblight opened her eyes. It was chilling. Her eyes as red as ever. Churning in tears. Completely blind anger flaring in them. “I’m so confused. So angry and I don’t know what to do! Princess, I want what’s best for her but I also want what’s best for me, and it’s like two voices are telling me two different ways on how to do it.” Her long mane fell right in front of her eyes, sent flying back up with a wave of her hoof. She screamed out “I want to be with her!”

“Soulblight…”

“I ruined her life. Now you think I killed her guardians. Twilight and her friends would never love me. This entire world would not want me. How can I even know if the world would want Soul? She made mistakes too. Will she also be seen as a monster?”

It’s like she’s spiraling out of control. It stunned Celestia who sat in fear, watching those needle thin pupils burning even brighter. Such violent magic flowing all around Soulblight. Magic swirling in black and red, reflecting like stars around her. As bright as the stars in her mane. It made Celestia fly back a little. I feel so much pity for her. Should I cry for her? Seeing a pony break down before me. A pony like this. I don’t know why she is like this. Being able to talk with her, she comes off more pony now than beast. But that fear still haunts me. Everything she says… it’s scary.

I don’t know if she can let it all go.

She killed Soul’s guardians. She said horrible things that she wanted to do, and at the root of it all… protecting Soul. Soul, if only you were here right now. This pony loves you. I feel you’re the only one who can get through to her. I’m not the one and can only do what is possible for me. And that starts with protecting the land Soul loves.

9.19
“I can’t let it happen!” Soulblight screamed. Fire in her eyes. Split in an instant…

By a flash of white.

Celestia shook. Shivering. It all echoed inside her body. Such a sharp pain in her mind for just a moment. As quick as it happened. It all died off. The rush of magic. A thunderous shock across the world. The Sun itself cut through the heavens. A blinding light, taking her sight.

I have to do what is right. I can’t be that pony anymore. I can’t just let myself be controlled by doubt and by the past. I need to do what it takes to be strong for my ponies. Give them all the happiness they deserve. The happiness I lost… at least they can live it. My only hope now… is for a world that Soul can be happy in.

I hate having to push myself to make these decisions. Is it wrong like the past ones? In the past, I did such unspeakable things to protect the ponies I care for. Doing it all in the name of peace. Anything to maintain the fragile tranquility of Equestria. First with my sister… then with Soul. And to do it again, is it right? Light shattered the sky. A beam of brilliant sunlight bursting out. As if time slowed. She couldn’t blink. Her wings held in place. Frozen in time. The world frozen in time. Where only one spell could live within this fraction of time. Shot forth from her horn. Too late to wish for something else. Only to hope that the right thing, which was always so fleeting, could be done here and now. This pony, Soulblight, she is in pain. I see it. Monstrous and horrifying. Yet there is life in her. There is innocence in her. But something has made her lost. I am not one to know what it is. If I could ever know what it is. Something has happened… long ago…

To make her fear being alone.

I can’t cry for her. I can’t be sad for her. Only true pity to know that I can’t do anything for her. All I can do is the right thing to save my ponies. I made mistakes in the past. I can’t do it again. For now, I do this to save the world. Time disappeared, torn away by the blinding spell. How it split the world in two. Burning from her horn, carrying out the only truth left for Celestia. That this needed to be done to protect Equestria.

This pony is far too gone. And all I can see of her is her eyes. Opening wide, but Soulblight could do nothing to prevent it.

I’m sorry.

9.20
Blood flew. Red upon a red night. Sprinkling in the rays of the Moon. Like rain from the storm above. Hailing down to the land below. A sight to never be sought. To draw blood from another. I never wanted to see it in my land again. And I never imagined I’d be the pony to strike such a blow again. It’s been so long. I didn’t want to be that pony again. Celestia blinked. But I must be. I could be called cruel. I could be called a killer. But, in my heart, I must be a protector once more. After twelve years, I need to be. My only regret is that it had to be like this.

Silver hairs drifted in the air. Running slick in blood dripping from their roots. Torn away into the wind with tufts of magenta. Splatters of blood. Flesh ripped away. Burning away into ashes. Carried away in the wake of that spell that rushed into the horizon, never to be seen again. Having done what it needed to do. Leaving the four-winged pony behind.

Soulblight, I’m so sorry. You really do want to protect Soul. Your ways of doing it, I can’t let it happen. How I want to know what it is you were thinking this entire time. How you felt. I’d want to be one you could rely on to look towards for help. There was good in you. Deep in your eyes. If it had just been different.

Soulblight fell before her. Falling so slowly. Her four wings held still, not able to flap. Only able to flutter in the wind. They always did look so strong. Reduced to nothing more. Weak and lost wings whose starlight slowly faded. Falling with the pony who they belonged to. No longer able to embrace the wind. To see her fall, it was almost gut-wrenching. Such a powerful pony. Such fear and sadness in her own eyes. All gone now.

Soulblight fell to earth.

Celestia could only see the trail of blood left behind. Shimmering away. All that magic that coursed around Soulblight died off. Her fur fell still. She… fell silent, and Celestia’ could no longer see… that sad face.

It pains me so much to do this. Celestia closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

Forgive me, Soul.

The wind strummed over her mane.

9.21
Roaring wind!

Celestia opened her eyes, greeted by a painful blast of wind into her face. Pounding and mind shattering howls. Chilling her fur; she let her breath go, seeing her breath become mist before her eyes. Burned away in a blast of red flames. Making her fly back. Screaming. What is happening… Celestia’s eyes widened.

Four wings flapped in the wind. Rising up once more, casting a great shadown upon her. A shadow that rose above her. The dark figure who blocked out the Moon above. Impossible… I saw you get hit. I did hit you! The black silhouette whose magenta fur glowed red in the light. Lighting the pony up in the hail of flames circling around her. Red magic. Shaking the skies. Running all along the pony it belonged to. Glowing bright under the star churning at the tip of her horn. It burned so bright. A massive spell. The chill of the air died. All that was left, the horrible heat, and through that was the gaze of a pony upon Celestia.

Soulblight, not possible. Soulblight’s eyes swirled in billowing red. A sea of fire around her pupils now rid of anything. Any emotion. Just a callous grin lit up in the light of her spell. Red dripped down across her own teeth. I’ve never seen true horror before. Fear unlike any other. Celestia slowly floated back. This pony… isn’t real.

Blood flowed down Soulblight’s face. Redder than even the hottest spell she wielded. Snaking down around her eyes. Dripping off her own nose. Blood spattering on her chest. A solitary silver hair fell before her lost eyes. Caught in the wind and taken away. Celestia felt her own tears beading in her eyes. Looking upon a sight that could not be real. But it was, and that is what scared her more than any horrid nightmare. More than any fear or regret. To feel for this pony, no longer a pony. No pony can be like this.

“And so the coward shows her fangs. If only to harm a pony when she is at her weakest. Such a shame, Celestia. You have not changed much. Still stamping your hoof down on those who show weakness. Well… I promise that I shall not show it again. But I must commend you…” Soulblight clapped her forehooves together. Blood fell upon her hooves. “Very few weaklings ever manage to get a hit in on me. Such a thing, it’s almost… exciting. To feel pain. Oh, how I’d much rather feel it upon my own body instead of on my feelings.”

“You’re… not a pony” Celestia whispered.

Soulblight puckered her lips, blowing up at her mane. Freeing the shredded strands off from over her eyes. Displaying it like she was proud. A smoldering hole bored above her eyes.

Celestia kept backing away. Not able to take her eyes off the hole cut deep through Soulblight’s mane. Out to see… the red sky at the other end of it. Blood pooling out from the wound. Cinders burning small tufts of her fur away. Blackening her mane.

“I am a pony. A simple and sweet pony who only wants what’s best for the ones she loves. And a cruel princess and an unforgiving land is not what my loved one needs. No… all she needs… is me. I won’t let her leave my side.”

I hit you in the head. It went right through! How is she still alive?! So much blood draining from her head. Until it even stopped flowing. All of it disappearing. Torn away in a wash of black magic. She’s… she’s immortal. Impossible. Celestia shook her head. All her efforts for nothing when that hole faded away. Soulblight’s silver mane fell back down over the fresh tufts of magenta fur where that hole had been. No more blood flowed. Her entire face covered in it. Shining, white fangs gleaming out underneath it all. I haven’t used that spell in so long. I don’t put that much power into my spells. Not until now… and it did nothing to her. I… I can’t stop her. I can’t stop this.

The spell on Soulblight’s horn pulsed. Red hot flames. Like it could melt Soulblight’s horn away.

“You are just another one of those hateful ponies who thinks she knows best. Bringing your resentful rage upon innocents. Soul painted such a lovely picture of this world to me, yet I see the truth. This world would harm one at the slightest mishap. Simply for being different, right?”

“No…” Celestia muttered.

“I thought you and I may come to an understanding. Too bad. You only remind me…” Soulblight glared into Celestia’s eyes. “Of them…”

Lightning rippled along Soulblight’s body. A chorus with the vast bolts of red that rocked the sky beyond. Swirling clouds over that incredible spell. It screamed and burned. Shockwaves running over Celestia. Nothing got rid of Soulblight’s smile. “I won’t let ponies take anything from me again. I refuse to allow it! First you and then everypony else. Left as nothing but prey to satiate me. Never to harm me again. Hahahaha! Such delight!”

Who… who took something from you? Again? The words didn’t escape Celestia’s mouth. She couldn’t speak. Is this why I still feel sadness in you? It’s all I feel anymore. The fear is gone. The pain is gone. Nothing left. Only that sadness that isn’t mine. You are the one who is truly sad.

“Sleep my sweet pony!” Celestia came face to face with Soulblight’s horn.

No…

9.22
They are all meant to die.

…But that’s not what I want.

Blight opened her eyes. What is this feeling. My whole body is numb. Like everything is moving so slowly. My legs… like they’re not there. Can’t even feel my wings. All I know… is the power atop my horn. How much I want to use it. But it’s wrong.

My magic. This is my true magic. The red flames swirling around her. Dancing before her, she could only see the frightened alicorn. The blazing light baring down on her. I want to kill her. I don’t want to kill her. And my magic is so powerful.

Lethal.

This isn’t something I can do. I can’t. Even as such incredible release came over her entire body. It all rushed out from her horn. Burning white hot at the tip of her horn. Burning away the air itself. The spell that shot forth. She can’t dodge it. I see. Nopony is fast enough to avoid this. Celestia didn’t even move. That desire, I can’t believe I wanted it. Not after my promise.

No!

Soulblight turned her head. All she could do before she shed a tear, seeing that spell come lose from her. A spell I should never use. Because it’s only meant for one thing. I can only hope for one thing. …Celestia screamed. Blight could only watch.

That ray of light shot right past Celestia. It all happened so fast. Blight saw it. Celestia’s fur evaporating at her side. The princess cried out in pain, disappearing in red flames. Slowly swallowing the world in its light. Even Soulblight cried out. Forced to watch… this horror. To know I did this. I almost… did this.

The spell plummeted to the forest below. Shooting forth, straight and true. Engulfing the trees below in the light of its flames. Blight braced herself.

9.23
Twilight opened her eyes. Just a blink and she found her hooves back down on solid ground. Crunching the grass beneath her. Another set of hooves stepping forth right next to her as Fluttershy let her hoof fall from where it had sat on Twilight’s back. Teleporting them both back… with no good news. It looked like nopony had any good news when she saw neither Rarity or Pinkie had even a smile on their faces. Both of them turning just in time to face Twilight. Such worry on their faces, and no Rainbow Dash with them. So they must have had no luck either. Yet Applejack wasn’t even here. Twilight didn’t even bother to say anything to them. Not when she saw it. What the two had been looking at over the hills outside of Ponyville.

All of Everfree was aflame. All those trees. They made Twilight forget to breathe. Seeing the shadows of trees dancing and dwindling away in the flames. I had seen the light. All the way from Rainbow’s house. I didn’t know it was like this. As if the world was burning away, shrouded under the bloodlit sky turned dark in the clouds of smoke hanging high over the land. And I still don’t know what’s going on. All I have… is an idea.

“Well?” she heard Rarity speak out. “Do tell me you found her. Because Pinkie and I couldn’t find her anywhere in town. …Or at least know where she might have gone.”

If only I had good news for her. This entire night, nothing but misery. I still feel the fear creeping along my back. An endless ping that pricked into her skin, burrowing deep inside. Never to leave. “She wasn’t at home. No sign of her” Twilight whispered. How is it she was the only one who was nowhere to be found? I have a hunch. “And Soul is gone too.”

“Well at least that means she has a friend with her right now. Right…?” Pinkie grinned. She tried her best but there was no way to hide the worry. “They have to be together. And something tells me that Soul is behind all of this. Somehow” Twilight said. And I’m afraid to think of where they may be. Whatever is going on, I don’t think they’d go out on their own to… whatever the hell this madness is. All I want right now is for all of us to be together. We’re the only ones who can fix this. Ponyville is counting on us. And we can’t let this go on any longer. Not with the forest burning down now. Fluttershy looked so very shaken by all of it. I am too. I’ve never seen destruction like this before. I don’t even know why it’s happening. All under this freakish sky.

We are all friends. Even Soul is. I can’t just let us all be apart during this. I need to know everypony is safe. Where are you two?

“Soul is our friend. And she is Dash’s oldest friend. Do you suggest she is the one doing this? I don’t believe she would be one to do this” Rarity pointed a hoof to Twilight. She is our friend. And I believe she would do nothing to put Dash in harm’s way. But… “All I know is they are both gone and all this is happening now” Twilgiht raised her voice. “I’m just suspicious especially after what Soul told us. I can’t help but think she caused this… and I’m really worried they both may be caught up in whatever is happening.” “Okay… Twilight” Rarity stepped back. “No need to get upset. I’m just really worried as well.”

This damn feeling I keep getting. Ugh, like it just makes me want to fly off. She had to shake her head over it. “I’m sorry. I want to find her. I don’t know what it is but there’s something that is really getting to me. Some sort of magic that I’ve never felt before. It’s almost making me wonder if it even is magic anymore…”

Is this something else?

“I also haven’t been able to sense either Princesses Celestia or Luna. No sign of them, Rainbow Dash, or Soul. And I can’t stand the idea of Dash being out there without us in all this. This feeling is terrifying me.” They all know what I’m talking about. They still do. All of them looked to her with such care. Because the feeling never left. Not since I told them earlier, when this all started. How I just want it to stop. I keep getting so paranoid. So afraid. And Rainbow is still nowhere to be found! Would it even be wise for us to see… what is causing all this?

Would it be? Twilight already saw her. The orange Earth pony rushing towards them. Please have good news. Didn’t seem likely. Applejack was alone. She galloped right in between all of them. Such fire in her eyes. Her hooves bouncing up and down. All the energy in her. She had been galloping for a while. Breathing hard, sweat all over her fur, and she even had that look of fear in her. She must have seen all this too. “We didn’t find her…” Twilight told her. “Please, tell me you found something.” Anything to ease my worry. But the look on Applejack’s face, it didn’t help at all. Everypony noticed it. Even Fluttershy set her hoof back against Twilight’s. She felt the Pegasus shaking. “I didn’t find Rainbow Dash” Applejack said.

Oh, no.

“But somepony saw a certain other Pegasus that we know” Applejack continued. “Soul?” Twilight whispered. Answered with a nod. “They saw her flyin’ earlier this morning. Whelp… I guess ya’ll may know where she was going” Applejack gulped. Then she shook. They all shook. Frightened by the boom that tore across the sky. Turning their heads in time to see… the massive explosion rip the forest apart beyond. Fire rising high over the trees. Sending smoldering fireballs into the sky over the vast plume of smoke and boiling red flames. Lit bright in the glow of the lightning striking down across the sky. It made them all take a step back. Twilight could feel it, her wings shivered. A tingle struck her mind. That was magic. What kind of spell does that? A tower of smoke rose high above the forest. As if it burned away from the raging flames themselves. Making the entire world fall silent. Silent like the streaks of silvery light flying away from the explosion. “By… Celestia…” Fluttershy squeaked. Such a horrible spell. Whatever it was… was deadly. Somepony is out there. There’s no other explanation, and Twilight already knew what this now meant.

“She went… over there…” Applejack said. A pit fell in Twilight’s stomach. The horrible truth and the reality. “If Soul went over there… then Rainbow must be with her” Twilight said. Dash would never let Soul go alone. She had to have gone with her. Soul… you really are behind this, aren’t you? Please don’t say that I was a fool for trusting you. It looked like everypony felt the same way. Like their spirits dropped. Thrusted into this impossibly terrible reality, and the result that it would lead to. Twilight was well aware of it. Because we can’t leave Dash. Whatever that Pegasus decided to do, we just can’t let her do it alone. “We need to find Dash” Twilight said what they all knew to be the case.

“And there’s only one place I think she can be.”

9.24
Ash fell from the sky. Littering down over Blight’s fur. Blackening her gorgeous magenta colors, blotting out the stars that faded away along her slowly flapping wings. A smoldering cinder struck against her chest, bouncing off with a puff of smoke and falling away to the darkness below. Lost forever in the trees. Joined with the countless burning debris that rained from the sky. All of it made Soulblight shiver. True terror when she saw just what it was she had done. I did that. This… this really is my magic. Just as I remember it and I almost used it on her. I’m so scared. I don’t know what came over me. Even when I know this is wrong.

The world got to see her magic now.

The forest was ripped to shreds, blown away by a simmering crater where no trees could hope to exist. Left behind under the remains of smoke rising to the sky. All of it was burned away. No trees, no grass. Not even soil was left. The only thing that stared back at her from down there was a massive patch of gleaming white glass scorched across the land. A scar in the forest. The air evaporated over it. How hot it must be, burn my own flesh off if I stood on it. All from my magic. And I almost did that… to her. Blight looked back to Celestia. As ashamed as ever to see, once more, the horrible thing she did to another pony. I didn’t want it to get this bad. I told myself not to do this, not to give in. I made a promise. I came so close to breaking it and now this is the proof as to how I really am. Celestia’s entire side was scorched.

That one wing with barely anything left on it and struggling to keep flapping with the other one. Feathers burned away. Blackened, singed all the way down across her entire side. Burned. There wasn’t even… skin left. I mutilated her. What is wrong with me? Celestia didn’t even bleed. Didn’t even flinch. Just a scar of charred flesh along her side. Seared into her body, a mark that kept Celestia staring over at it, her entire side burned away. The horror of seeing it, it was etched in her face. Her legs shook. Wings almost failed. Whimpering like a baby. Reduced to nothing. For she also knew how close she had come to death. How close I almost made it happen.

Celestia wasn’t even crying. Tears fell. But they fell from Blight. Still feeling the rush of energy across her horn. Such intense magic going wild throughout her. What was left of the horrible truth she knew. I really am going back to my old self.

So… this is why it’s been happening.

Blight put her face into her hooves. Crying into them. I only did all this to make sure Soul can have her life back. Why is my mind so cloudy now? Like I forgot why I am doing this. All I can think about is wanting her. I want Soul for myself. No! That’s not right. Stop thinking that. I wanted to kill the princess. I… I almost wanted to kill everypony. Anything to keep her but that’s not what Soul wants. She wants a life for us all. All of us to be happy and I’m up here trying to take that from her?! Idiot. Idiot! Blight smacked a hoof so hard into her own face. Can’t even feel the pain. I’m losing myself! The desires are too intense.

And I had no idea it would get this bad.

It’s almost like from before. I can still hear the cries of those wolves. I can still feel the rage. Thinking that Soul is going to be taken from me. Doing horrible things until I’m nothing more than a beast. But that’s not me. Not me!

I am Soulblight. I am a pony. I am Soul’s best friend and the one she wants to spend her life with. I am kind to the ones I care about and support them. Like I vowed to do for her. I make promises, I keep them. I promised myself to see her happy again. But she would be devastated if I did the horrible things I was thinking about. It’s like I really haven’t changed. I don’t want to be that pony again. Never again. I want this to end. It needs to end. Now!

The voices. The thoughts. Keep telling me to not lose her. But maybe it would be best if I did leave her. If she forgets about me. I don’t want to be that pony again. Not in front of Soul! She stared down into her hooves. Seeing her own glimmering fangs in the sheen of her hooves. Breathing hard into them. Licking her lips, still tasting blood on them. I don’t want to be this. I’m not a killer.

Not again.

Blight did something so hard to do, she looked right into the eyes of a pony she almost killed. There’s no excuse. I’m horrible. “I’m… I’m so sorry. So very sorry” Blight cried. Whiping tears from her eyes. “I didn’t mean it.”

I just want this over. Before it’s too late.

9.25
Celestia, it was like she was completely broken in front of Blight. The mare couldn’t look away from that terrible devastation along her body. I must be the first pony to ever do something so terrible to her. I didn’t want to do this. But how can I explain it? All I want is to be with Soul. I’m so afraid of not being allowed to live in her life. Ah! All the damn thoughts. I can’t get rid of them no matter how hard I try. They made me do this. …I did this. Blight stared at that wound. Like she could see something hard protruding through the charred remains. Blackened. A blackened bone? I don’t even know if all that is her flesh or muscle. Just that her entire side was almost burned off. I came so close to killing her.

“What…” Celestia’s voice broke Soul’s stare. Frightened. Looking at the princess. The terror in her voice.

“What… kind of monster… are you?” Celestia looked to her. Her eyes so wide now.

A monster?

“You’re… insane” Celestia stuttered. “I don’t even… want to imagine what horror you did to Soul’s guardians. You… you did this. Only you could have killed them. You’re outright crazy… crazy to think you can live in my land. Not when you are like this. Not when you have this kind of terrible power.”

“Please… don’t” Blight whispered. A monster. She’s just like the rest. Shut up! I made a mistake. I made a mistake long ago and this is how they treated me too. She is the same! They are all the same. Blight could feel her entire body tremble in such immense magic. All of it boiling to the surface. I almost killed her. I can’t do that! I made a promise!

Do not be weak. It will happen to me again.

Nopony will take another from me. But not this way. “I swear… I did not kill them. I only want to protect Soul.” “She needs protection from you” Celestia said. “All ponies do. You’re a beast unlike any other. Leave my land…”

“No!” Blight screamed. Don’t make me relive it. Please. I came so far. I truly do feel Soul is the pony I have been searching for my whole life. I only want to be accepted too. Don’t take it from me. “Soul means the entire world to me. She is the only pony who ever treated me like I matter. She made me feel like a pony. This is something I’ve never known before. Please don’t take it away from me. Please…” She will take her from me. Don’t be weak. Be the master of these swine. That’s not… me. “Before I can’t take it… anymore.”

“You… aghhhh!” Celestia screamed out, clutching her side for only a moment. Whatever stinging pain must be setting in forced her to keep her hooves off that massive wound. “I’m pretty sure I can heal that. Just let me…” Blight gently flapped her four wings. Coming a little closer, hoof reached out. Offering it to Celestia. Greeted by a vicious glare. “Get away from me, freak!” Celestia flew back.

Blight’s heart jumped.

“You tried to kill my sister. You tried to kill me. You threatened my entire land and all the ponies I love. I will never believe you. I will never let you get away with any of this” Celestia said.

Blight let her hoof fall. Do not test me. She curled her lips. Knowing her fangs were there for all to see. Do not test me. Leave Soul behind. She will be gone forever. I can’t lose my only friend. No other pony will love me. I made a promise to Soul to not kill. I told myself to not give in. I know it will be right for me to just leave. Let it all end. Give up all I cherish. Lose the only thing I have left. But I can’t. I can feel this magic inside me, an ocean of anger just wanting to be released. They all want me gone. Rainbow Dash would never dance with me. She would hate me for what I am. The others are such cowards, once they know I’m like this, they’ll get rid of me. Even the princesses tried to kill me. They would all rather see me dead instead of being with the only pony I love. My only family left. I can’t… no more!

Don’t let them take her… I can’t lose another family!

Blight felt the touch against her side. A brush of feathers, running along her fur. Looking in time to see right into the turquoise eyes peering into her, before they flew past. Princess Luna rushed by her in a flash of dark feathers. Lit bright in the oncoming fire. Already sensing it before she saw it. Blight glanced over her shoulder. Fireballs coming right at her. Filling her whole vision. She only grinned.

You think you’re clever?

It all disappeared. Washed away in a sea of blinding blue light and shimmering starlight twinkling in the red night. A blink of Blight’s eyes. One simple will. The fireballs vanished. Turned to nothing more than streaks of dying starlight rushing past her like a sea. Harmless. Dead. Only brushing her mane in the wind. Pelting her fur and becoming no more. The air fell silent. Still. The spells turned to dust falling into her fur. Forgotten. Breaking the silence with a rush of lightning roaring from the heavens. As red as the flames burning around the hoof that Blight held before her face. The magic seeping out. Dancing among her fur, coiled in the lightning coursing her body. Only one thing is left. Blight looked to the princesses.

I will make them see the truth. It’s my last chance.

9.26
Twilight was surprised to see this when she stepped down onto the ground. Everypony with her, letting go of her, dizzy for a moment from the teleport. But they all saw it too. All of them standing on it. Here I was thinking we’d find the nice fields outside of Ponyville. No. Twilight’s hooves, they crunched down on the blackened ashes. Littering the hilltop. This isn’t what I remember it to look. Not at all. Because it was different. All this ash, they way it was shaped. Grass. She stared out at it all.

All the hills rolling along these fields, covered in it. As far as she could see. This all used to be so beautiful. Now, the grass all stood still. Frozen in time, reduced to ashen figures. Some of them disappearing into the wind. Something happened here. No way to tell what. Just a chill in the air. She felt it tingling in her ears and across her fur. Something left here. Whatever it was… it had drawn her to this spot. This dead landscape. Sitting before where trees filled the horizon. Covered in the light of a burning world beyond it. Didn’t even feel like they travelled that far. So much has changed out here. So much closer, the heat washed her face.

Twilight flinched. Shocked when ash fell right onto her muzzle. By Equestria! She swiped it off, immediately seeing it was smoldering. Still feeling a slight ping of heat where it had landed on her nose. Watching it fall to the ground, burning. More fell upon the hills around them. No question where it came from. This close, they all looked out at the cloud of burning smoke rising into the sky. How vast it was. Such a terrible sight, what was left of that explosion from earlier. Had to be.

“What in Celestia’s name?” Rarity whispered. I don’t know. Twilight had no words. Something drew me here. That’s all I know. Such dense magic in the air. I can almost smell it.

“Guys!” Fluttershy screamed out. I was right to bring us here. Fluttershy showed them what it was. Behind us the whole time. Something horrible happened here. Horrible enough to make this happen. Rainbow Dash.

The Pegasus lay there… atop a hill. All alone. Her rainbow mane swaying. Her feathers dancing.

“Rainbow!” Twilight took to the air. Leaving the others behind. Hearing them galloping towards it as well, Twilight didn’t waste any time. She isn’t moving! First all of this madness, Rainbow disappearing, and now here she is. What if she’s hurt? Soul wasn’t anywhere to be found. Soul… did you lead her here and get her hurt? I just hope she’s okay. Everything around her, it only made her worry more. Even worse when she saw… the blood along Dash’s face. Oh, no!

Twilight set down next to her. Almost stumbling. About to lose control of her wings. Just seeing it. A stream of blood caking the fur between Dash’s closed eyes. Little drips falling to the ground. Rainbow lay there, on her side, completely still. Wings stretched out over her. But she breathed.

That little rise of her chest, Twilight felt a huge weight come off her. Thank goodness. Everypony else made it over just in time to see it too. It almost looked like Rainbow was just sleeping if not for that gash on her forehead. Whatever hit her, did it pretty hard. Hard enough to knock her out. “Oh, Dashie. Who did this to her?” Rarity said. “I swear, somepony is up to no good around here. And I got a feelin’ that it has something to do with that Soul” Applejack said. Not at all looking happy. Like all of them believed it. Even I think something may be up with Soul as well. Dash followed her out here, had to. I can’t imagine what Dash went through. I can’t dwell on it. I need to wake her up.

Please, may Soul not be the one who did this. After I believed I saw something in her.

“Give me some room” Twilight asked of all of them. She stepped up, standing over Dash. Looking down at how gentle she was in this moment. Like she was at peace. But that wasn’t the case. There was no way of telling just what she went through. All I want is for her to be okay. Twilight set a hoof on her. Running it along Dash’s side. She really is knocked out. Oh man, she doesn’t look so good. I’m gonna need to do a little something to get her up. I know just the spell. I just hope it’s not too hard. Whatever did this really didn’t hold back. Even if magic was saturating the air, Twilight could still sense her own magic. Smooth and gentle. Focus on just Dash. Not on the magic that made it almost too hard to breathe in it. Such fearful magic. The entire forest drenched in it. The hills blasted in the wind that carried it. As terrible as when this red night first fell. Through it all, at least get one moment of comfort. To know Rainbow is okay. To know what is happening.

“Rainbow, wake up” Twilight watched her spell flow. A gust of blazing purple light swarming over the pony. Rushing across Dash’s wings, her legs, her face. A flash of light that lit her rainbow hairs into the color of starlight. For just a moment. Dash took a deep breath, her eyes closed, and Twilight let out her breath when she saw the blood seep away. Drifting into the wind, nothing more than dust. You’re gonna be okay. I’m glad. Even if I want the town safe, I want you safe even more. Whatever Soul did, I won’t let it keep hold.

Twilight blinked. Running a hoof over Dash’s forehead. Her own hoof glowed from the light along Dash’s body. For just a moment. It faded. As did the light. The entire world turned red once more. Twilight looked up to her. Looking into the magenta eyes staring back at her.

Rainbow Dash blinked… and she whispered… a name that made Twilight’s ears perk up.

“Soulblight…”

9.27
I’ve had enough.

Soulblight didn’t blink, not when lightning erupted before her very eyes. Shocking the air between her and the princesses. I’ve had enough of these games. I am finding it too hard to hold back so… “forgive me.” But I need to end this now. Before something terrible happens. That air which crackled from the lightning… simmered. Blight smiled.

The entire world around the princesses exploded before her. Wrapped in black flames eating away the entire sky around them. Drowning out their screams. Disappearing in that flash of darkness. I will whittle you both down. Blight felt the weight on her mind. Her horn glowing above her. Fast and easy. That will not stop both of them… only shut them up. Stop calling me names! Silence your worthless tongues before you both get yourselves killed. Bloody and broken. Bones shattered. Wings bent. Anything is fine… as long as they don’t die. Anything can be reversed after… I know I can do it. But I can’t let them get to me. I can’t let the thoughts get to me or else… there won’t be an after. Even if I hate you both… I can’t do it. Blight glanced to her sides. Like the forest had come to join her. Leaves falling around her. Branches coming close to encase her. It was not to be.

Two trees floated beside her, gripped in the flow of darkness as black as her own horn. Right when she spotted the wings shooting out from the explosion.

Celestia burst out to the sky. Carried by what was left of her wings. Shining like the Sun itself. “Begone, you monster!” the alicorn screamed. Then the world itself warped from the flashes of beams, vast and bright, consuming the sky and closing on Blight. The spells were so hot. So powerful. Celestia is quite powerful. Blight stared at the spells while they completely filled her sight. Shaking the world around her. The trees even lost their own branches from the winds. Just one thing mattered in Blight’s mind.

“I am not a monster.”

The spells fell apart. Bursting to countless shards of glassy light. Torn to nothingness by Blight’s own stare. The fires splitting before her, where Celestia could be seen, stunned. Frozen, watching just how useless her efforts are. An insect compared to me. All of them are. Somepony so small has no right to insult me again and again! Not after what she did and what she wants to do to me. “You will not take her from me.” The trees circled, pointing towards the alicorn. Coming at her in an instant.

“I am not a monster!” Blight lit her horn bright. Even before the trees rumbled through the skies. Sent flying when one flew past Celestia, only a last-minute dodge could save her. It didn’t last and Blight smiled. Smiled when the second tree shattered. A storm of bark and leaves exploding, making a little cry of pain. A whimper. All the remains of that tree fell to earth. Falling alongside the alicorn, bleeding all over. Frantically trying to get her wings to work. You’re mine now! The spell coiled all around Blight. Howling over her head. Ready to shoot out and end this. But…

Blight widened her eyes. That’s too much magic! Damn it! She smacked a hoof to her face. Sending blood flying. Already sensing that deadly spell she had ready slip away and fade. I didn’t even try to do that! This is unbelievable. She shook her head. It all felt so bad. My body feels so light right now. Like I might throw up. Ah! I can’t get rid of all this. My magic… she gasped.

It’s too powerful. This is what I’ve always wanted. All the power to get what I want in life. Finally!

It’s not right! I can not do this to these ponies. There is another way. …There has to be.

Some way I can make them see.

She caught the glimpse of black fur in the corner of her eyes. Missing it… for a moment. Princess… Luna? A spell of dark light came right at her. Casting Blight in a shadow. She could see it in her eyes. Right before her. Almost missed it.

Blight swung one of her wings. Flinching from the force of it. That spell slamming right into her wing. Such a murderous screech that spell made, bouncing right off her wing with a strong smack Blight gave it. Blasting if off to the ground below. Going right for my head. Just like your sister. Blight bared her fangs. You all really do intend to try and take everything from me. I won’t let it happen. I won’t…

Her fur stood up. All along the back of her neck. Running along her mane, her hairs flowing gently. From the force of the magic she still sensed behind her. Luna’s spell. Something… else. There is something else. Who is… Blight turned back. Staring down to the land below. Her heart sank.

…That?

Another strong magic. I thought it was Luna’s spell. Blight didn’t care if she had her back to the princess. She must see it too. Just like Blight did, fear coming over her. Luna’s spell careened down on that magic… another pony down in the hills. Ponies… and Blight saw the rainbow mane. Twilight Sparkle? Dashie! Soul’s friends. All of them down there, and a split second before that billowing bolt of darkness came down on them!

Blight’s pupils narrowed. “No!”

9.28
Blight set her hooves to the ground. In a flash of light, all she could see before she looked up to the bolt of magic coming down at where she now stood in what was left of her own spell. Didn’t even need to think about it. She had no time to. Just do it. Before that spell hits them.

One spell and it all went away.

Luna’s attack shattered. Turned to dust. Sprinkling down to the ground. Rain to the dying grass. Blackening it just like the rest of the hillsides. Such a deadly spell reduced to nothing more. Wind flowing through Blight’s hair, that all it could do. Fading away. She was still stunned. Listening to the dying whispers of her own magic whirring around her horn and dimming. All was silent. As if nopony knew what it was that had just happened. It had all been so fast, even Blight took a moment to realize it. I did it. That was way too close. Then she heard the rustle of grass behind her. Hooves sifting over the same land she stood on.

So this is how we all first meet. Face to face.

Blight glanced back, back to see all six mares close to one another behind her. All six of Soul’s new friends. These are all the ponies she wants to spend her new life with. It was so quiet. So still. Like the night when I first met Rainbow Dash. All of us here, under the blood sky. They all look just like Dash did. I understand. Blight looked over her own vast and starlit wings. Glowing red. That glow followed wherever she looked towards. They all get to see me in my full shame. That left Blight frozen.

I never wanted to show them who I was. I never thought them to get involved in any of this. After everything I did before… at the party. I didn’t want this. Why are they here? Why is Dash awake? This was only supposed to be between the princesses and I, and nopony was supposed to see this. They’d all hate me. I just can’t shake this fear. She could sense their eyes going all over her. It made her want to curl in on herself. Her own wings even started to fold, wanting to cover herself up. Like I’m being violated. It was a sicknening feeling. A deep pit in her stomach. Stop looking at me.

I just saved you all so stop judging me! Her lips curled as if they wanted to speak those words. Wanted to scream… and her magic felt red hot along her horn.

No! Stop it! Don’t think that!

“What are you all doing here?” Blight actually spoke to them. “This is only between the princesses and I. Get out of here!”

Leave! I need to finish this soon. Something was stinging along her forehead. She winced. Trying so hard to ignore it. I wanted no audience. Nopony here to get in my way. Especially when… Blight growled to herself, looking away from the ponies. She held her hoof to her head. I need to get rid of them. They’re here to stop me. Take Soul from me.

They are her friends! I can’t do such a thing. Shut your damn mouth. I will finish all of this and nopony will be hurt. Not even them. And they are still there!? “What are you waiting for?” Blight flexed all four wings out. “Get out of here!” She spoke it with such anger yet… she could still hear herself whimpering in her words. Please. Please leave. I beg you all. “Nopony is supposed to get hurt. I can’t stomach the idea of you all being here where you could be harmed” she whispered. They mustn’t know the thoughts I am having. But anything to get them to go. “I barely was able to save you all. I don’t want that luck to run out.”

“Why did you save us?” she heard a voice ask behind her. Hoofsteps. Somepony came closer. Looming over her. She could feel it. A shadow upon her. “Who are you?” Twilight was the one who was asking. The same alicorn from the party. Meeting her in my own body. I feel so small compared to her. She could hear it. Twilight’s fur rustling. She’s taller than me. Much taller. But the magic in the air, that power that singed the grass under Blight’s hooves, it was so strong against that pony’s figure. Yet she didn’t back off. You fool. I know you can sense it. You’re an alicorn like them. You can sense my power. Why do you dare to approach me? Blight’s eyes widened.

“Back off!”

Blight turned to face her, swinging her wings. The alicorn leapt back from that swipe. Struck by the wind. All of them reeling back from it. Don’t get close to me. None of you dare to even approach me. “I am not here to play games or shoot the breeze with you ponies. I am here to do whatever it takes to make another pony happy.” Blight eyed the rainbow-maned pony who stared at her. Dash even looked… confident. She sees a pony like me. Why act so tough? You think you can intimidate me? Such foolish ponies. Her eyes locked with Twilight’s. “You have Rainbow up and about again. Take your friend and leave while you still can. I am only here for the one pony who means the world to me. I’d rather not have you all in my way.”

“You’re Soulblight.”

Blight’s ears twitched. She looked to the very pony who had said that. So shocked that her of all ponies knew. It was that very pony who looked so confident. No wonder she had been. Rainbow Dash. She even took a step forward. Making Blight’s heart sink. When she saw all the ponies stare at her. Knowing who she was. The look on Dash’s face, she still remembers my face.

“This is Soulblight?” Applejack whispered. “Sweet Celestia…”

Blight glared upon her. Then shot a look to Dash. Damn it! This is wasting my time. Do not interfere with me, Dash. Not if… not if you want your beloved Soul. The same pony I want. But I… she shook her head. So now they know who I am. What a waste. They all get to see what I am. Too bad… I don’t have Soul to hide behind this time.

“Soulblight. You’re the one who is doing this” Twilight said. Not even a question. She knew. “This is your magic. I can feel it all around you. No wonder… you’re an alicorn?”

How dare you. Liken me to such a pathetic creature. Hahahaha simple ponies do not know true power when they see it. I am not like them. Never! Not like you at all! …I can not fault her. I just can’t. But I need to get rid of these thoughts. Please. They are only Soul’s friends. They can’t be harmed. No matter from whom. “I’m not an alicorn. I am…” there has to be some way for them to trust me. “I am only Soul’s sister and I will do anything to protect her. And… that includes the ponies closest to her. So please… please just leave. I can’t stomach the idea of any of you getting hurt.”

Yes, I am the same Soulblight you have all come to falsely know. Even if I live off a lie, I only want you all to trust me. “Trust in me, like you did the night we met” she said to none other than Rainbow Dash. The Pegasus who stood face to face with her. In front of everypony else. The one who looked the most familiar. Because we both know one another. “You of all ponies should know the depths I would go to protect Soul. Do the same and just trust in me, it’s all for her sake.”

“You knocked me out. You attacked me. I thought I could trust you” Rainbow said. It was starting to get hard to calm the feeling. Blight was so close to the Pegasus that stood over her. So foolish, like she isn’t afraid of me. I guess it is true, she really is strong when it comes to wanting to stick around for Soul. That stubbornness is why I had to knock her out. “You can trust me. I had to make sure you and Soul were not in the way. I did it only to protect you both. She means the world to me, …I can’t let you be harmed.” I can’t. None of that was enough to make Dash back away. Blight started to shiver. The Pegasus did not look happy. How can she be? So few ponies would be happy with the things I’ve done.

“What did you do with Soul? Where is she!?”

Rainbow… she’s angry. The Pegasus even showed her teeth. She’s not afraid of me at all. Such determination. No wonder Soul likes her so much. It’s something I lack. First the princesses and now Rainbow Dash. So many ponies I need to fight with just to see Soul happy. Well… Blight cocked her head to listen. At least the princesses are stuck up there like dumbstruck deer. Must be too afraid to do anything. And I’m getting afraid too. Blight’s own hind legs shook. I don’t often get confronted like this. But I understand. I’d be just like you, Dash. “She is safe. I only sent her somewhere to wait this out until I’m done. She will be back, I promise. Soon.”

A place that… none of you would understand.

“You’re an idiot” Dash whispered. Idiot? Blight stepped back. Already… she felt her wings twitch. W-what was that? I’m… I’m scared? I actually thought she might hit me. I don’t get it. A pony like Dash… mad at me. I don’t want ponies mad at me.

“We could have all handled this on our own! We are all here for Soul. We believed her and all want her to have her life back. I want her life back. So I was prepared to do anything for her. You didn’t need to go out on your own and do all of this!”

All of this?

9.29
Such demanding ponies. Like handling foals or something. “Look…” Blight toned herself down. Just want them to understand. “You all did enough for Soul. Friends, that is what she wanted. And you gave her more… Dash.” Blight smiled. Smiling because Rainbow almost blushed right there. Guess your friends don’t know yet. Don’t worry, they don’t need to know yet. Not the point, though. “But there is something that none of you could have gave her and that is her freedom from the past. As much as you think it possible, I simply didn’t believe the world would believe her in the end.”

“And how could you have known?” Twilight actually spoke up. “We could have handled it. Besides, we believed Soul. Why would nopony else?” Blight sighed. I really do understand what they’re saying. Not a moment went by when I didn’t think about what needed to be done. But one truth remained. The truth I believed.

“It was guaranteed if I just showed them what really happened. Just like I did with Dash. I made my choice. There is no going back.”

Blight looked to the sky. Up towards that bloody night that fell across this world. Tormented in such thick clouds of smoke. All because of me. I turned this world into some sort of hell all for the one thing that I can’t give up. No matter how much I think it be right if I do as is asked of me and just leave. It’s too hard. That is why there is no going back. “That is why I am fighting. They know what truly happened. Soul is finally free… but that’s not enough. They know what I’ve done. And I’ll do anything to make them see that I, as much as anypony else, deserve to stay with the only pony I love. This world will not take another from me.”

Blight stepped close. Just short of her own muzzle pushing into Dash’s. Looking into the stunned pony’s eyes. “Do not take that chance away from me. I don’t need help. It’s too late for that.”

What I’ve started can’t be brought back. I’m a monster. A horrible pony to this world. But I don’t want to be that. I have to be the one to finish this regardless of anything. And in the end, Soul will be mine again. Nopony can take her. I can be happy with her in this land too. It’s what I really want. Something I am always wanting. And, like always, I have to do it alone. Even more so now. Now that I feel this inside me. I know what it is that is happening to me. I have to end it quick. Before it all happens again.

“Why can’t you let us help?” Dash finally asked. That was all she could say. None of them said anymore. None of them could know what to say.

Simple. “I made a promise to Soul that nopony… will die.” It was like that word made them all flinch. It’s the truth. “I can’t risk it. Not when there is so little time left. I can’t risk any of you getting hurt. If you want to try, I won’t hesitate to make you all get out of my way.” She said that as harsh as she could. Having to scold them. Forgive me in the end. Please. I only want what’s best for us all. “I didn’t want any other pony involved. None of you. I can handle this on my own. It’s the only way that I feel I can keep my promise to Soul. Please, …none of you know how dangerous it would be… so I’m serious. Back off.”

Nopony can be hurt. Nopony can be hurt. Get it through your thick head! None of you can get hurt. I can’t hurt them. They came so close to getting hurt. And… I’m so afraid it could happen again. I made a promise. Well? …Why are they still standing here? Can they not understand me? I can handle this alone just like I’ve always had to do. Having you mares in the way…

What’s the point of a promise if I fail?

In the way? Soul cares so much about them. The princesses… care so much.

Blight smiled. The princesses care, but should I care? It can be a way… to end this quick. Maybe… I can use these ponies. I can use them! And in the end, Soul will be all mine!

Get that horrible thought out of my head! Blight stepped away from the ponies. No. It was the other way around. They all stepped away from her. Because she saw why. Right when lightning crackled along the ground around her. Such horrendous heat. Where the ashen remains of the grass atop the hill fell to pieces all around her. Just dust blanketing the ground. Vile and repulsive. Just like those thoughts. They made her shake. I can still hear the ideas. I can’t get rid of this. It’s like I’m going wild.

I’ve done it before.

I am not that pony anymore!

…I’m… I’m a good pony.

9.30
I can’t let this go on any longer. The thoughts, I can’t handle it. I have no idea what will happen. Just that… I will end this now.

Whatever it takes.

“Princess Twilight” Blight whispered to the pony standing behind Dash. You haven’t been so talkative. I can sense the fear inside you. I understand it. I can feel it in all of you. Such is the shame of me having to do all this. Correct the mistake of my past and you all get to watch it. “This may not have been the way I wanted to actually meet you. All of you. Face to face. How I wish we had more time… but I’m running out of time. I have to finish what I started.” Blight took a step back. Her wings raising. Ready to take flight. For them all to know that I am going to do this. I will be the one to make Soul happy in the end. “You may all try to stop me.”

Blight waited. Looking across all of them. How they all glanced to one another. Confused, scared. Not even Rainbow Dash. The Pegasus actually did something Blight didn’t expect. She bowed her head away. Such anger in her eyes. Not enough to do anything more. But that is okay. I’m glad none of them want to stop me. That’s fine. Because they have done enough. No need for Dash to feel upset. There will be no more need for anypony to feel upset after this. I will do what I set out to do, and Blight turned away from them all. One thing stopped her.

“I can’t stop you. I still need to ask you one thing. Do one thing. Bring Soul back to me… she deserves her home. No matter what happens, promise me that she can have that.”

Rainbow Dash spoke that.

Such a chilling breath seeped out from Blight’s mouth. One promise to Soul, now another pony to ask of me. Ask me that, yet it’s such a stupid request. She should know that it will be guaranteed. Trust me, Dashie. In the end… she will know happiness. With my own hooves. These hooves she looked down upon whose very steps burned the world in black mist. The power to do it all. And in the end, she will…

Be mine.

Yet Blight spoke. She heard herself speak softly. A calm, little voice to grace the wind. One that even surprised herself. Yet it had to be because the truth needed to be heard. Everything that has happened, I owe it to Dash. To at least calm her mind and thank her… for all she did for me. I don’t expect that of ponies.

“Dashie, …Soul is very lucky to have a marefriend such as you. …Really lucky to have friends like all of you. None of you may ever know just how much it meant to her. Then again, maybe you will. You all gave her hope. Something she has not had in years. I am so glad she can smile again… and I want that to last forever. I promise you… she will have her home again.”

The dust went flying. The world scattered when all four of those wings took flight. Shooting back up to the sky once more. To finish this.

I promise you… she will have a home with me.

9.31
I don’t care what has happened. I don’t care what I feel. Even if everypony else is against it, there is one thing I believe in. Rainbow stepped forward. Watching that pony fly off. A pony I never thought to be like this. I still trust her with one thing. You and I want the same thing. I did my best. All I can do is step aside and let you do your best too. Because, truth be told, I wouldn’t mind it if you are there with Soul and I.

There’s so much I want to find out about you. You may be different, but you are also… a friend. I can admit that.

“So… did she happen to say marefriend?” Pinkie muttered back there.

And you couldn’t keep that under wraps, Blight? “Yeah. She did” Rainbow said, speaking up to the skies. Up to a red night. Soon, Soul and I will fly in the beautiful sky again. Forget the past, only the happiness we had will remain. We came this far. So I look forward to what our future is. I trust Blight. I have no problem with flying with her as well. And all of this will be over.

Finally.

9.32
Funny. Neither of the princesses did a thing. They easily could have. Sent some sort of attack at Blight. Try to run away. Instead of just sitting there in the air letting her actually approach them. Maybe they are still worried about the others. Frozen in fear? Neither of them even know what it is I want to do. These terrible thoughts and this pain inside me. My entire flesh is burning. I still can’t let it consume me. I know I am angry. I am afraid. And as easy as it would be to just let it go, I still need to stick with my promise. Regardless of who I made that promise to. I just don’t want to be that pony anymore. Even if this desire is so strong. It could burst out of my veins. Rip the world apart. After I saw what it is that I wanted to do. I can’t.

So let me end it.

She could actually come up to the princesses. Floating there across from both of them. All of us together again. No more distractions. No more worry. It is just you two and me again. Neither of them looked ready for this. Luna had to be exhausted. She looks like she hasn’t had any sleep in days. Running out of steam. Injured and tired. Still letting out a terribly pained breath. But not as bad as her sister. With my own shame on her, like some sort of mark. Burned across her entire flesh. Bloodied fur and this look on her like she could just pass out. They can’t last much longer. One push, and it’s all over. They both know this. Is that why they hesitate to do anything? Not wanting to fight. Blight expected something to come but her ears only flicked when she heard it instead.

“You… you saved them?” Luna whispered. “I can’t believe how close I came to hurting them. I… I didn’t expect that.

“They are Soul’s friends. I would not let them be harmed. And they all know not get involved” Blight said. Making her think for a moment. Is that a sense of relief that I’m getting from the princesses? Maybe…

“Thank you” Luna said.

Maybe so. It actually did make Blight smile. “Will you perhaps hear me out now? See that I did not kill anypony and let me live here with Soul?” I know I’ve done terrible things. Even worse when this all started. I never intended for this confrontation to go about like this. I never imagined it could be like this. Even if I think terrible things, …I’m still happy that those ponies survived. If just for one brief moment of comfort where the thoughts can die off. For ponies to thank me. It makes me feel… proud. Can ponies really trust me?

Rainbow Dash does.

The princesses… Blight listened. Waited. Seemed to be waiting too long. Because she could only see them just look to one another, not a word to be said. Etched into their faces. Is that worry? Is that fear? Fear that you two could give me a chance? After… I tried to kill you both. They didn’t say a word. Not saying anything hurt so much more. Very well.

“Seems not” Blight muttered. The hard way it is. End it now!

Her wings struck the wind. Such a powerful gust of wind. Like it carried her forward. Before the princesses could even turn away from one another to look. Not even Luna could see it coming. Blight saw her magic do its work. Take them down. Fast! Luna couldn’t scream in time before a blast of that black light struck her so hard. Nothing to hurt her, I only want you out of the way. Luna was sent flying and… Celestia was right in Blight’s sights. Just about to flap her own wings. Wanting to fly out of the way as Blight came at her. It won’t be so. Those white wings held still. For just a moment and then… both of them were yanked back behind the princess. Making her yelp. You won’t be hurt. No more pain. Both of the princesses were so easy to overcome. They really must be tired. Luna couldn’t stop it and Celestia could not escape. Her wings held in place by a grip of darkness, her horn was pulled. Mine to do with as I please. Blight pulled her head back so that horn could do nothing more. Forcing the princess to only be able to do one thing: stare into Blight’s eyes.

Blight hovered in front of her.

I’m so close now. So close and we don’t fight. No. Celestia could do nothing. Kicking her legs. Not able to reach Blight. Not able to do anything at all when all four of them were grabbed in darkness. Yanked down and no longer moved. So Blight could fly closer. Looking deep into those eyes, finally. No more anger to come from them. Only fear. Desperation. Defeat. Because she knows that she can do nothing to me. I am in control now. Not her, not the thoughts. Just what I want, and what I want is for her to see the truth.

“You will see” Blight told her.

Now that I have you, nowhere to run… you are as vulnerable as Dash was. Delicious.

What is the point of a promise?

It was like something just struck her all of a sudden, right when a blast of blue light exploded against her. A wash of wind and heat. It actually made Blight tilt her head from the impact. Was that a bug bite? Or perhaps… Blight frowned, glancing over. Luna sat there, her horn burning bright. Panting so hard. Blight noticed the little bits of ash falling from the side of her own cheek, where Luna had just hit her. My… she really is running out of steam. I barely even felt that. She did feel something else. Something hot… right next to her. Then she realized it.

She looked, spotting it. Celestia’s horn burned white hot in her eyes. I let go of her!? It was too close. Much too close. So much that Blight could almost shake when the power of Celestia’s spell mixed with Blight’s own magic, her darkness consuming her horn again. Such insolent children! Even when they have nothing left, they still want to do anything to take Soul from me. Luna had another spell readied. Celestia couldn’t struggle to free herself. She had nothing left in her. She isn’t going anywhere. But… Blight turned to Luna. You will be!

9.33
There is no point in a promise.

Blight opened her eyes to look into those of Luna, the pony pushed down. Losing all control when Blight teleported onto her. Her magenta hooves slammed down into the pony. Her dark fur glowing bright in red light that was coming from… Blight’s own horn. Fiery red magic burning in a maelstrom along her horn. Those thoughts hit her.

Destroy her. Luna is right in front of me, stunned. The princess couldn’t fly. Couldn’t move for just a brief moment. Not under all of Blight’s weight. Where she could do nothing to avoid a spell right into her face. I could kill her. I could get rid of her and leave Celestia to my mercy. I want to kill her. I can easily do it. A thousand years of loneliness and torment. I know that it still haunts you. I can ease your suffering. Because Celestia betrayed you as well. Just like she did to my precious Soul. Now she has you here to defend her. I don’t see why you can still be her friend. Be her loving sister. I’d imagine you wanting to be just like me. Such a shame… you are not.

I can’t kill her!

The light faded away. It all faded away. Because I can’t kill her. No. All I need to do is show her as well. Nopony can die. I am not that pony anymore.

I will lose everything again.

Shut up!

“Listen, Luna. We don’t need to fight anymore. All I ask is for you to hear me…”

Blight gagged, seeing her own spit splatter. Drenching Luna’s fur. Right when something hard struck her right into the stomach. So hard. Her vision blurred. I will kill you! Luna actually fell away from Blight. Her black wings taking flight once more. Blight’s hooves releasing from her, and she saw Luna’s hind legs… jabbed right into her stomach. The princess kicking her away until both of them were freed from one another. Leaving Blight there to clutch her stomach. It hurts so much. She struck me so hard. So… this is how much they hate me. Won’t even listen to me. I did this to myself. I put myself in this mess. After all my mistakes. Yet this pain is nothing compared to it; the thoughts. That I really can’t do this. I am trying so hard to hold back. So hard to stop myself.

She looked up. Already feeling it. Her heart fell when she saw it. A spell burning before her. Such a bright Sun of billowing light. Where Celestia glared at her. No wonder. I can’t even feel my own magic anymore. I can’t control myself. I can’t… it hurts too much.

I can’t stop myself.

She couldn’t stop it. The spell struck her. Watching it fill her sight. Consuming the entire world. So much power. So much… she couldn’t even fly. Couldn’t even cast a spell. As her flesh burned. And I still can’t stop it. I still can’t. I don’t want to.

What is the point in a promise? …Not even mom kept her promise.

9.34
It was like Soulblight had truly disappeared. Taken away in a wash of light. Nothing left but to see that pony disappear into the clouds, blasted away by that spell. Lighting up the clouds in that intense, golden light. Such a powerful spell. The Sun itself coming to life. Even if it granted a brief moment of calm. A small glimpse into a more peaceful world even if the horizon burned. If the forest below was flooded in a sea of flames. It didn’t matter right now. For now, Luna could at least breathe. Like all her strength left her. Made her dizzy. She had to finally set down. Taking a place to land right among the hills. Clear of the flames which danced before her. Then all those flames flickered in the wind.

Light exploded across the sky. Seeping through the breaks in the red clouds. Torn apart with a rumbling explosion beyond it all. I can feel it. She stared up at the glowing sky. The Sun trying its best to peek through the cover. Such amazing magic. My sister’s. The pony who set down right next to her. Exhausted. Celestia could hardly breathe right. How much power she must have put into that. No wonder. Light trickling across the land. A thunderclap that broke the silence. Celestia’s spell destroying anything it touched. What relief it must be because Celestia actually fell to the ground. Terrifying to watch it. But all the blood dripping from her. The horrible burn. Luna had to look away. Seeing it again. I can’t believe that pony was able to do that.

I don’t get it. Even as the rippling explosion died down across the sky. The thought of it still hung on. I just don’t understand. A pony like Soulblight. I saw so much hate. So much power. The things that she said. So many times… I’m surprised we got out of it alive. Such a terrifying and powerful pony. Sometimes I even wonder if she is a pony. Until… I look into her eyes.

There is something in there. In those dead, dark eyes. I saw it. Something, and I couldn’t look away. Took me too long just to think to kick her away. And that is what is scaring me. I don’t know what is wrong with her. Because I looked into those eyes and I didn’t see hate. I didn’t see anything like what she has been. I saw something that I’ve seen before. So… I’m sad. I’m sad over this. I’m sad that that pony has been through so much only for it to end here. That she is so desperate for her friend. Longs for something out of it.

What have you been through?

I saw sadness in you. The same sadness I felt from you. A sadness so deep, it’s like there was no end. Will I ever find out what it is? …For now, Luna sighed. I’m so relieved. “Please… may this be over.”

“Luna…” Celestia whispered. Met with a gaze that was less than happy. No, Celestia was afraid. The worry never left. It all came back. “We don’t have much time.” “What do you mean?” She can’t possibly mean that…

“Soulblight is immortal! We can blast her all we want and nothing will happen. We need to figure something out now! And what are you girls doing here, still?” Celestia asked the six ponies. All of them startled from their hilltop. Well away from all of this.

She’s immortal? There’s no possible way. We can’t hurt her? So… what does that mean? Nothing more could have destroyed that hope. Nothing. Luna could barely even move. Even if Soulblight wasn’t here, that feeling of dread was upon her. Stabbing deep into her. She felt it in her bones. Stronger than ever. True terror. I saw sadness in her. I saw pain. I never knew a pony like her could even feel that way. Because I’m not even sure if she is a pony anymore. What are you?

I want to run away. Yet she could not take her frozen eyes off the sky. Somewhere up there. She’s there. She’s there and I don’t even know what to do. “Sister…” Luna muttered. “At this point, we may need Twilight and her friends. Anything. Because I don’t think we can handle this anymore.”

“There’s something we can do. I don’t want to risk anypony else against a monster like this. I can’t lose any other pony!” Celestia yelled. “She took Soul’s parents from her. No! I can’t lose anymore. I will destroy her my…” she stopped. Luna stopped.

I feel it.

9.35
The Moon was bright. So bright, Luna turned away. That red orb burned into her eyes. She could see it under her closed lids. The brief glimpse she got of it. That light that seared her eyes. From the Moon which hung in the sky. A red circle of the night. And all she could feel was the breeze dancing through her mane. A cold breeze. Howling over the crackle of the fires raging across the forest. She opened her eyes. The flames danced. Flickering and fading. Every way she turned, like the flames all died off. Trickling down to nothing under the heavy breeze that almost made Luna fall. She couldn’t fall. No way, not when she looked up to see it once more. The sight that haunted her.

Her Moon burned like a star in the sky. It bled. Bleeding onto the land below. So bright. Nothing was left to hide that horrific thing done to it. The clouds disappeared. Cast away in the winds. The Moon that I love so much. My beloved. I never want to see you this way. Educed to nothing more than an empty hole of darkness that no longer lit the night in its warm light. Nothing more than a chill. I can feel it. True fear. The Moon glowed like the Sun but this sight made it so cold. The pony that flew before it so high in the sky. A dark shadow in the wake of that red orb. She really is alive. And this…

Luna gasped. Something slithered across her hoof. Finding the ashes of grass floating upon her. Caught in the wind. Hot ash… before it cooled to dust. So cold to the touch. Chilled under Luna’s own icy breath. The cold chill across her. It made her shiver. Going right through her. It made the air so thick. The entire world felt like it held still. The air couldn’t even move.

This magic. This power.

Lightning cracked across the sky. Streaking across the pony up there. Where the wind left the sky cloudless. Not a single star could shine up there.

What is she doing?

9.36
Should I care anymore? Looking down upon this world. All the trees reduced to ash. A sea of black amidst an endless landscape drenched in red. The vast town of Ponyville sprawled out across the horizon. So many ponies in that town who don’t know my turmoil. Nor could these ponies before me care. High in this sky, Soulblight only could call the chilling touch along her skin her true companion now. The icy air. The lightning that struck down from around her. This was all that was left, the only comfort left. My stomach hurts. She didn’t even bother to tend to it. Right where Luna had kicked so hard into it. Because the pain is nothing compared to what I feel in my heart. It’s exactly like I’ve always remembered it. Like I really wanted to forget. But no, of course it torments me again. And I am so sick and tired of always feeling this way. Sick and tired of being alone!

Soul wanted to leave me. I convinced her to stay. Now you all truly want to take her from me. I knew it from the start. A pony like me! I could never be a part of your world. None of you would care. So why keep a promise? Soulblight laughed out into the sky. Lightning shocked the world above her. Seeing it trickle through the air. The entire heavens splitting apart before me. Hahaha! Oh… so pleasant. Enough to make her run her hooves over her sides. All the power that I love. The one thing that always gave me comfort. Even after I failed so long ago.

“I may have lost everything before, but not again. This world knows the pain that it inflicted on me. And it knows that I will never take it again.”

I left that scar upon the world.

What is the point in keeping a promise? Why should I give for ponies who never give for me? All my life, all I’ve ever known was that I don’t belong. I never had a purpose. I don’t even have a cutie mark to show for a purpose. All these ponies and their petty little lives and being so content. Never knowing true suffering. But so quick to put down one who does. Just like before. Celestia and Luna are no different.

Every pony is no different.

“The world only got such a nice Soulblight from me. And what did it get me?” Nothing. Nothing but the void. Left with the memories of the pain. The only thing that I ever knew. It all just led to the one thing that gave me a sense of belonging. The only pony who would ever love me. I do not care anymore! No!

“It will not happen again.”

Blight took to the skies. Flying so high over this terrible place. It will all end, one way or another. They will take her from me. All of them! Hahahaha! Rainbow Dash’s feigned love. What a joke! She cast you out, Soul. Just like I was. We are the only ponies for one another. You were the one I searched for all my life. And when the dust settles, we can be the family you always wanted. I will give you everything. All I ask for… is you. No more pain. No more longing. No more chances at rejection again. This world cast you out. It cast me out. The hate that it has, raging. Just like the sky around her that glowed brighter. Under the red Moon. Over a world that doesn’t deserve. No. “And the entire world will see just what I will do for you. I’ll do it again. Show you, Soul. Show you just like I once showed her.”

She watched the lightning run wild around her. The darkness burning across her own fur. As the world brightened. A glow of starlight. It even felt so much hotter now. Watch me, Soul. Watch what I’ll do to be rid of all the pain. Aren’t you proud of me?! Aren’t you proud of all I’ve done for us? I’ll end it! I’ll end all the misery!

“Hahahahahaha!”

9.37
A new star lit the night.

9.38
Never in my life… have I felt anything like this before. It kept the world still. Just as still as it kept Luna. There was no way to blame it. I’ve never been so terrified. The wind went quiet. Not a single tree dared to stir. Ashen smoke rising from a dead forest and the smoke even seemed to melt away. Nothing could exist in the sky above where the lightning criss-crossed and burned holes to blacken the red night. It’s getting hard to breathe. Why? Is it because I am afraid or from the skies and the world almost suffering under the tormentful sight above? Soulblight was nowhere to be seen up there. Not even the Moon was left. Nothing could exist up there under that burning gaze that grew across horizon. Redder than the Moon itself. All from the power that she witnessed. A power that finally made Luna take a step back. She saw her sister do the same. Both of them facing this together. Their hooves softly crunching onto the ground where the soil seemed to melt. Dust shaken from the ground, clouding everything around them. Only to be burned away.

All that… is a spell?

The largest spell I’ve ever seen. One that rose tall over the Moon until it was completely shrouded in fire. Red flames burning. An entire sea of fire looming down on them all. Was that a fireball or… is the sky actually on fire?

How can one pony have so much magic? What even is she? Luna looked to her sister. Celestia didn’t take her eyes off the sight above. She had no answer. Just fear in her wide eyes. She knows just as much as I do that that spell is meant for us. This pony is really going to do it. Can we even stop her? “Sister, …maybe we should just let her stay. I don’t know what else we can do to stop her” Luna said, though she wasn’t sure if she believed herself. What can I say? I don’t know what to do anymore. I’m tired. I’m hungry. I’m in pain and no longer know if we can keep up with a pony like this. I don’t think any of us can. Not when facing this.

Lightning crackled all across that spell. Rushing down upon the forest, she heard the bolts tear apart the land. Spiderwebbing and burning the forest and everything in their paths. She could feel the heat from it. A spell that powerful… by Equestria! Luna glanced back. Back to Ponyville.

That can destroy the entire town!

“Soulblight! No! Don’t do this, you have to stop!” Luna screamed out. Hearing her own voice echo. That was her only response. That star only burned brighter. “We can’t stop her” she heard Celestia whisper. “There has to be a way. I… I can’t allow anymore harm. I don’t know anymore.” That made Luna stare at her. Met with tears in Celestia’s eyes. “I just don’t know what to do, sister.” That’s the first time I’ve ever seen my sister at a loss. I don’t even know. What can I say?

It should have never gone this far.

“Twilight Sparkle!” Luna called out to the ponies standing over hills. I don’t care anymore. No matter what risk there is. “We need you and your friends. We can all stop this together!”

We have to stop her.

9.39
Rainbow Dash looked to Twilight and then to the princesses. The entire land glowed red hot now. She saw the dust floating before her. The fire in the air. All from Soulblight. She wouldn’t do this. Blight helped me with Soul. I thought she… she had the same idea as me. We could all be friends. I want to trust her. I really want to. Dash could only see the true fear in Luna’s eyes over there. Like all the blue in those beautiful eyes had been ripped away. The princess’ wings even shivered. Just like Dash’s. Then she saw it. Celestia turned to face them all. The princess was actually crying.

No way.

What kind of spell is this? What kind of magic? I can’t stop shivering. Rainbow’s legs shook everytime lightning so violently ripped through the sky. Flames tearing out from the sea of red above. Like fire that would fall upon the world. It’s like the Sun itself was up there. Burning the clouds away. Sending the trees in a flurry now. Rainbow’s mane flew wildly. All of their manes did, making them all cry out. Such a powerful spell. I don’t think this is something that is meant to make the princesses listen anymore.

This is not about Soul anymore. I wish you were here with me now, Soul. I wish. Because I need something to give me hope. Right now, because I’m about to start freaking out. I don’t want to believe it. Soulblight wouldn’t do this. We…

We have to do something. “Twilight?” Dash whispered. Looking at the back of the alicorn’s head. “Maybe we can talk to her. She helped me so… I think we can still find a way to just stop all this. There has to be something we can do. …Twilight?”

I don’t want to believe it. I won’t. Blight showed me everything. She brought Soul and I back together. She loves Soul. I know she does. She would not have done all those things for Soul if she didn’t. She’s… she’s a friend. So what is it that is holding me back? Why can’t I shake this fear? I try to flap my wings and nothing is happening. I’d go up there and stop her. There has to be some way. I won’t accept this. Anypony who helps Soul is a good pony in my eyes. We can do something. “Twilight?”

The pony slowly turned back to Dash. Looking at her from under her purple mane. Where her tears shimmered in the red light. Her mouth was still. Twilight said not a single word.

9.40
“Such nostalgia to see the world like this” Blight listened to herself hiss. “I could even call it beautiful. What else could be more gorgeous?” An entire land, as far as she could see, with its rolling hills and titanic mountains. Once green grasslands and the quiet of a lovely town beneath the gaze of a castle beyond. All turned to red. Where no light could shine except for that blinding glow above her very horn. To cover the sky. Blot out the Moon. I can’t be stopped. My own power has gotten rid of the very sights that all this land loves. Now… now all they can see is what I would do, my true desire. And how I would love to make it real.

Even if it is beautiful, …it only hurt. Something about it, looking up to the spell; the star that she held atop her horn. Which was the only thing left to exist over this land. Where no sky could remain. Such a mighty power like this, it only brings it all back. To know just why I have to do this. “Oh, how I wish it could have been different. How I wish I could be different.”

Celestia. Luna. Rainbow Dash. Everypony else. I see them all as such charmingly unique ponies. Such creatures I’d never expect to encounter in my life. Ambitions, talents, loves, and knowledge as much as any other that I once knew. Days long past, yet it’s like they have returned. Is that why I feel this way? Because… it’s like everything is being repeated. No matter how different they may look… “You all are no different from them.”

“You would choose to hate and fear me. To shun something like me. Not even listen or care. Just focusing only on the small things that your own deluded minds have devised about me. You focus on the mistakes I’ve made in the past. Never wanting to see what I am now. Well… what I am now, I can be the same as I used to be.” Blight laughed. “For all of you! If you treat me like this, how can I trust you all to treat Soul any better?”

“No! I can’t trust them. I can never trust anypony. It’s like an endless spiral… ahhhh!” Blight clutched her head, closing her eyes. Only seeing the red burning through her lids. “It never will leave. It will never change. I am who I am. A pony to be feared. A monster. Like everypony has ever called me. When all I wish to do is protect those I love.”

She could see the air chill in front of her. Lightning rippled all along the blazing fireball. Tearing apart the landscape wherever those bolts struck. Leaving nothing in their wakes. I have the power to protect the one I love. I couldn’t do it before, but I can do it now.

Blight smiled.

“Hahahaha! Yes! I have all the power in the world. All of it for her!” She held her head up high. Watching that massive spell almost rise higher over the land. It roared and echoed across the mountains beyond where the trees toppled under such horrible winds. Even the rooftops of the town shook free of debris. All she heard afterwards were the cries of countless ponies. Pathetic creatures who cower only after they make their mistake. They choose weakness now. I will not. Never again. The power, the strength to change things. To finally be happy. “Oh… it’s almost like ecstasy!” Blight licked her lips. Saliva trickling down her chin. “I’m so happy to know that I will finally do something right! This is who I am!”

Soul Serenity made a wish. She wanted a pony to be there for her, to protect her and love her, to never turn their back on her. A pony who can give her the sense that she never had before. Lost forever and trampled on. The idea destroyed for her. All the hardships I’ve seen her go through and all the pain. I never want her to feel alone or frightened again. Frightened of a world that would hurt her. “But I can give it to you. Soul Serenity…” Blight flapped all her wings, holding her hooves out to the world. Almost bathing in the light of such unimaginable magic. Yet she wouldn’t close her eyes. Even as she stared into the blinding light of a sun that she held, gripped by her horn. “I will be your family. We can be a family together. And when it’s all over, …no more pain.”

“I failed to do it long ago. I can do it now.”

“And now…” Blight curled her hooves. Holding her wings high above her. All the magic howled in a chorus with her. Wind churning the entire sky around her. Seas of ash sent flying across the land below. Celestia, Luna, all those ponies. They all stood there. Helpless animals. All that was left of this sadness. I will rid it forever.

The entire world around her lit up.

“I shall end this sad chapter of our lives!”

9.41
It was as if everything just stopped. A deafening roar, ringing endlessly. A light that made the world hold still before Luna. It all stopped. For just a second. Though it felt like ages. To watch the heavens split and run from that immense blast of light unlike anything before. Where no sun or star could hope to outshine it, making Luna turn away. That didn’t help. She could still see the sunspots burned into her sight. Clutching her ears. The sound never went away. All she could do was nearly collapse upon what was left of the ashen grass. Grass that scattered into the wind. Making even her own wings and fur go wild. Her mane flipped over her face.

She couldn’t scream. Or am I? Can I just not hear myself anymore?

I don’t even know what’s going on anymore. She looked up, spotting the six young ponies over the hill. They looked like they were screaming. I can’t hear them. Can only watch them all almost be blown away in the wind. Tears flying from none other than Twilight. Can she feel it too? Does she know what I know?

This magic… I don’t think we can stop it.

No matter what she did, that gnawing dread still simmered along her back. Such power. Such frightening power. And it’s coming for us. I saw it. That spell. …She’s sending it at us. Soulblight wants… to kill us. So much power to stop us. We have to… Luna shivered. Watching her own breath turn to ice before her. Shining specks that flew into the air. She couldn’t take her eyes off them. They flew before her and on to the many homes past the hills.

Ponyville.

She’s going to destroy everything.

This power isn’t meant for us. It’s meant for everything. And we… we can’t leave it. “She has us trapped.” She couldn’t hear herself speak, only reading the words in her head. I get it now. Even as she looked to her sister, Celestia looked towards her with her eyes wide open, I see we both know this. Celestia’s mouth moved. I can’t hear you. But I know.

We have to stop this.

We have to stop…

Luna found the courage to turn back around. To look up once more to the sky that no longer existed. Swallowed whole in the inferno of a mighty sun. I hurt to look at, yet so hard to take her eyes off it. The air opened up before it. Red fire that burned away the sky. Making wind slam into her face, the trees bent and collapsed under it all. So much power that pushed down on her and it all came for her. Whatever this spell was, this immense ball of fire that covered the skies, it was moving. Moving towards us all. I never wanted to dream of facing something like this, and now that I am, I can’t even stop crying. But the tears turned to vapor before her eyes. I’m not in pain. I’m not sad or afraid.

I hate to admit… I don’t know what to do.

There’s nothing left we can do except for one final act. I can still feel my legs shaking and my stomach hurting. I am so tired, so exhausted, but I can’t back down. One last thing I need to do. I never got the chance to apologize to Equestria for all I’ve done. May this be enough. Watch me… stand for all of you. Her horn glowed. White hot light burned the land next to her. Celestia followed her lead. All we can do. And when it’s over…

I hope I can sleep.

9.42
It’s too hard to watch this. Never did I imagine waking up today to see any of this. I should be able to see all my friends happy. Instead, all Twilight could do was shake her head. To accept the horrible reality before her. There was no way to hide it. And I think the princesses know just as much as I do. Yet they aren’t stopping. Because they want to see us all happy too. So much so that both of the alicorns, standing tall atop the hills, let loose twin rays of light. Blue and white. Arcing through the sky. Burning brilliant light across the land. Such a ferocity she rarely saw from either princess. Right for the sea of fire that came down upon them all.

They aren’t afraid to try. Twilight dug her hoof deep into the dirt. Clenching her teeth. She held both her wings up at her sides. Because those wings knew what needed to be done.

I can’t trust anything that Soulblight told me. I never expected it to lead to this. Maybe… I was a fool to trust Soul.

It all led to this.

She had to find the courage to wipe the tears away and accept the feeling deep inside. The feeling to do something right. Something only I can try. For my friends and for everypony else. She looked back at all five of them. Rainbow Dash. Flutteshy. Applejack. Pinkie. Rarity. They all stared up at the same thing. Like none of them could believe any of this. And none of them could tell what was coming. “Twilight… I reckon we grab the princesses and teleport on out of here” Applejack said, she really didn’t know.

We can’t run. Twilight felt her magic coursing through her veins. Such a warm feeling that ran along her horn. I was a fool to trust her. I have to help correct this. Do anything to stop it. Because… if I don’t try…

“There’s nowhere we can go where we will be safe” Twilight whispered the harsh truth. Peering out from under her ruined mane. To look up to that monstrosity in the sky. How it roared and tore the world apart around it. Right when those twin beams struck into it. Echoing a deathly howl. It pierced her ears. Only to see both princesses almost collapse. Barely able to keep their spells up. Nothing changed. I need to step in.

“All our time here, you girls did so much to help me. I need to ask you all right now, don’t try and help this time. Guess this can be a chance for me to pay you all back, huh?” None of them could get a word out. I won’t let them try and stop me. This is my fault for not stopping Soul. Twilight flapped her wings. Shooting off from the hill. Only hearing the cry of Dash behind her. “Twilight!”

Her hooves struck the dirt. Raising her horn to the sky. She peered up at that sky of flames. To see it come closer. Right down at her. Under it’s gaze. I can almost feel my own fur burning. Yet her breath came out as ice. Such horrible magic. Everything lit in the glow of her own magic. Purple light swirling around her. Her wings fluttered. Wind in a cyclone before her very eyes. Tearing what remained of the grass away. Turned to dust inside her own magic. Everything I have. I do this for everypony in my life. As long as I still stand, I will fight. “No more being the nice pony. I’ll stop you, Soulblight.”

She raised her wings high. Glaring up at the spell that came down at her. Like it all turned purple in the light of her own magic. Where leaves and dust filled the air. Striking her so hard. Such power she brought to bear, it’s almost too hard to stand now. But all three of us! She glanced. To see Celestia standing at her side. The other side. Luna right next to her. Standing with my own teacher once more and her sister. Fighting side by side. I’ve always dreamed of a chance like this. The magic of both sisters still holding strong at her sides. I’ll join you both with my own. She buried her hooves deep into the dirt. Such a huge weight upon her head. Butterflies in her stomach.

Let it all go.

9.43
Rainbow Dash stepped forward. Looking out from the hill. Down upon the sight of her friend below, alongside the princesses. Intense light of the starry night itself bursting out from Twilight. Her horn lit the land. Such a powerful beam of magic. Rainbow felt the force from here. Made her mane fly. What was left of the trees buckled. Sending a fierce wind across the hillside. That magic joined with those of the princesses. Striking home. That strike alone, it almost destroyed the magic from the princesses. Ripples coursing along the sea of flames above. It hit so hard… Dash flinched from the explosive sight.

Seeing Twilight go against that. Two mighty spells hitting one another.

Twilight is so powerful. She really is going to put her all into this. If only she didn’t need to. It only made Dash feel such sadness in her. I never wanted any of us to fight. When Soul came back, all I dreamed about was for the past to be gone forever. I wanted us all to have happy lives. After everything she and I went through, can’t we have that? I just don’t know what to feel anymore. Everything had been turned upside down. Soul is gone. Soulblight made it like I shouldn’t worry. She is the pony I trusted after what she did for Soul. And I can tell… “It was all a lie.” Wasn’t it?

She could tell the others were looking at her now. Heard her? Not even asking what it was she said. They wouldn’t understand. Because I felt I knew Blight a little better. She protected Soul. She did everything to bring her back to me. She even helped me find a way to make Soul smile again. And then she took her away.

A scream cried out in the air. She looked to see it. Twilight fell back on her legs. That’s not good. Her magic held firm. As strong as what the princesses tried to do. But…

They’re not gonna be able to do it. All their magic… none of it stopped the thing that came down upon them all. Whatever it was that Soulblight had done, that spell that roared over them all, it kept coming.

Soulblight really is this powerful? A pony like this is the one who was with Soul all this time. No wonder Soul came out of that. No wonder I got to see her again. All because of a pony who wants to kill us all. And that’s not the same pony that I know. Not from when I met her the other night. I know she didn’t want us to get in her way, but… I’ve never been one to listen. Especially now. Time to pull a Twilight.

“Sorry guys.”

Thunder cracked behind her. Her wings struck the air. Leaving them behind. Twilight can do all she wants down there trying to stop this. They all can do whatever they want, I don’t care anymore. But it’s time I stop sitting around and do something. Soul is my best friend and the pony I love. I won’t let it all disappear. Blight will give her back to me and she will stop. She has to. Because she would not have done anything like this on the day I met her. I think she would want us all to be friends. I wanted to be her friend.

Rainbow took to the sky. Flying up at none other… than that massive fireball. Never thought I’d fly at a bunch of fire like this before. Things sure have gotten crazy. That’s how it always was when you were around, Soul. Flying into crazy skies and weather that many pegasi like us wouldn’t fly in. We’d still do it… for each other. I only wish I could fly like this with you right now. Instead, she flew alone. High into the sky where the air became so hot under the light of that spell. Leaving behind a powerful thundercrack from her own wings that rang in her head. Somewhere above this is the pony who is doing this. And I’ll do this for a chance for me to fly with Soul again. I think I have to do this. No matter what happens. It’s better than standing around and waiting. I did that for twelve years.

It was starting to actually get really hot. Getting even harder to keep her eyes open. They began to burn, staring up at that sun that came in. She stared down with it. Glaring at it. The winds got worse. I can barely hear anything. Popping and crackling in her ears. Her fur burned. None of that could stop her wings. Flying high into a cloudless sky. Zipping in and then she turned.

Dash flew under that spell. Far below it, couldn’t even get any closer. It was getting too hard to stand the heat. Just gotta keep going. Not many ponies would do this. Though not many would be in this situation. Put myself in it for letting Blight try and do this all on her own. I’m tired of doing that. I need to be just like I was as a kid. I need to stand with the ponies who need me. Even if it is a pony like Blight. That drove her to keep flying. Faster and faster. Till her ears popped so hard that it hurt. Farther and farther. How far to fly? Until she couldn’t even see Ponyville anymore under her. All the ashen grasslands were gone. Flying over the coursing rivers that simmered under the fireball above.

I think I see what Twilight meant. Blight, how can you do this? I need to stop you. Somewhere up there, I’ll come to you. She didn’t need to look up. Only waiting until the heat died off a little, which felt like forever. That was when she soared up… right into the open skies. Where no flames were left. Flying high. As fast as when I raced Soul. Up into the clouds. Over the blazing sphere that she looked down upon… to see it burning through the sky. Covering the land below her. Till she couldn’t see anything else but fire. Like it grew. Thundering so loudly. Lightning dancing all along it. I don’t think fighting can make a difference. Not against this. Please… try to keep going as long as you can, Twilight.

Rainbow spun over what was left of the clouds. Coming back down and looking out upon Equestria below her. The horror that it showed. The rumbling spell tearing down across the sky and upon the land far below. Ponyville. Canterlot. All of the land as far as she could see… lit in the light of fire. Up here, the red Moon could no longer shine down on it all. Buried under the power of that spell. “Wow… I never thought I’d see something like this.” I trained for high-flying all my life. To look down on the entire world. And now, all I can see is something truly horrible. The land I love, all of Equestria, under the power of a magic unlike anything else. I should be up here, racing and having fun with ponies that I love. Feeling the thrill and joy I always get when I do. Not feeling fear.

The fur on the back of Rainbow’s neck stood up under her mane. She let out a sigh. Gently flapping her wings, floating back into the clouds just a little. She didn’t need to see to know what it was. Up here in the sky that I love. Alone with… her. Dash spun around.

9.44
Four huge wings flapped before her. The flesh hanging from them all swayed so gently in the breeze. They made Dash flinch. Seeing such sharp spans slice the air in front of her. Razor edges. They could cut her in half, it looked like. Menacing wings all attacked to such a frail body. Where Dash found herself face to face with such a slender magenta-furred back where even the pony’s spine stuck out along it. She felt the wind run over her every time those wings flapped. Can even sense the air almost turn to shreds under how much force those wings beat them with. A violent thing from such a gentle looking pony. Soulblight’s tail flicked. Her ears seemed to fold back, like they faced towards Dash herself. Every move she made, so soft. An elegant pony who was able to do all of the horrors that both of them flew over. It’s like flying with Soul. Side by side with her. Even has her fur. Her mane. But none of her charm.

Dash gulped when she saw the mare turn. A small and slight turn of her head, just for Soulblight to peer back at her under her mane with one fiery eye. As wide as could be. Going right through Dash with that cold and empty stare. A red eye, burning brighter than before, but so dead. An endless hole. One you would get lost in. Almost go mad looking into it because it sure was hard to lock eyes with her. So hard to not want to fly away. Being up here alone with such a monstrous gaze upon you, one that makes you afraid. It tells just how stupid you’d be to try and confront it. I can’t believe the princesses actually fought against her. That Soul was able to be friends with this pony.

Soul, I don’t know how you do it. But you’re brave. Am I brave… or just stupid to try and fly with this pony? In the end, not like I have any other choice. I won’t back down. I wonder if she can tell that I’m afraid.

Blight didn’t even make a move. She just floated there, looking back with that one eye. Not even blinking. She didn’t have to do anything. She made it clear. “Have you come to stop me? Be the hero?” she hissed in such a hushed voice. So dark and deep. Not even like I remember it. It’s like a whole different pony. “Try and beat me? You aren’t the first… but perhaps you could be the last.” Blight smiled. Her eye blazed brighter. “Wouldn’t that be so fun? Ending up the same as any other who has tried to take my happiness. It must be with how many fools try to do it. Hehe, it’s funny. I expected you to be smarter than them.”

What a chilling pony. Just what kind of terrible thing is she saying? I don’t get it. This is not how she was before. Was it all a lie? It was…

“I want to know why you lied to me” Dash said. I am here to stop her. She’s right. Ha! But I can’t fight her and I know it. I’m so lost and confused. So desperate to just know why. Why has she done this? She took Soul away from me. She tried to kill my friends. She’s making us fight so hard just to stop her when… we shouldn’t even be fighting. “Soul is my friend. Just as much as she is yours. Why? Why are you going to take her from me? All she wants is for us all to be friends. She only wants all the pain from the past to just go away! Do you really think she wants this?”

“If you believe this pathetic pity party you are doing will work, save your breath” Blight turned away. Giving the back of her head to Dash. “I care not for what you all think about it. All I want is for Soul and I to be together. And what I am doing is getting rid of the past. She trusts me to be there for her, so I am. Ah… it feels so wonderful to actually have a pony rely on me. It’s been so long. Hahahahaha!”

“You lied to me” Dash said.

“Isn’t it right though?” Blight said. “You judge me for lying. Please, how else can I deliver on the thing I vowed to do for Soul? I am so tired of failing and failing over and over again. Failing the ponies that I need in my life. All I want is to make them happy… because then I can finally be happy. If I can just keep them, never lose them again. Of course I’d lie to you, I’d do anything… to keep ponies from taking the ones I love from me.”

Dash blinked. She fell back with a start. In that instant, looking right into the eyes of Soulblight. The pony floated in front of her. Face to face. She suddenly found herself almost touching noses with the pony who was so close. Looking right into her dead eyes. Feeling her icy breath chilling her face. “I don’t care what you want. Because you wouldn’t care about me. None of you would. Why else would you all want to take her from me?” Blight didn’t back away. Neither did Dash. Both of them didn’t give an inch away from one another. Dash staring into her eyes, Blight into hers. The way this pony is. The way she is talking. It’s like staring into death. Fear itself. Nopony should ever be put into this position. But I am. Here I am, all alone with this pony. I decided to do this. Not knowing what would happen. Not this.

I can’t believe the things I’m hearing.

What kind of terrible thoughts does this pony have? Is she insane? I’ve never heard a pony believe such hurtful things. Take Soul from her? I thought we were both trying to be there for Soul. It’s what I wanted. And Blight believes something else. She truly does. She’s even smiling about it. What pony smiles about horrible ideas like this?

“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” Blight chuckled. “Out of my mind? Broken?” Dash didn’t say a word. Truth is, I do. But I don’t know if this is all truth. There’s something about this pony that just doesn’t add up. There’s something that is keeping me holding onto not giving up on her. Then again, …I kinda can’t give up on her. I don’t know how much longer Twilight can hold out down there.

9.45
“I’m confused” Dash actually said to her. That made Blight raise a brow. Even looking interested. She kept on smiling. So eager to hear. “I want to know… if it was all a lie. Back when you came to me the other night. I got the feeling that you and I wanted the same thing. Didn’t you want us all to get along after all these years? Twelve years after that terrible moment we all had to go through, can’t we leave it behind? Can’t we all be friends?”

“So easy for you to leave it behind.” The pain struck so hard. Almost stunning. Dash could barely even think not before her sight almost went black, only for it all come back. Still looking straight into the pony’s eyes. With so much pain exploding across her own wings. Making her yelp. Grinding her teeth at how bad it was. Seeing that darkness come over both of her wings. Neither of them could move, no matter how hard she tried. Nothing. Only forced to look at this pony. Nowhere to go. “Because you never have to worry about jackshit, huh?” Blight said. “Oh… my name is Rainbow Dash and I’m so lonely just because Soul isn’t with me right now. Even if I have all the friends and family I want. Woe is me for not having my beloved.”

What the hell? Dash may have heard that wrong but…

She sounds just like me. She has… my voice. How did she do that? But that’s not what I say. It stopped right there when Blight came back with that fierce voice right into her face. “Try living with that feeling for millenia! Before this land even was a thing! Forced to be alone with nothing left, only the most painful memories and knowing you failed yourself all that time. Only to find a pony you can actually respect and want to comfort because you can feel how she feels. I came to Soul to be the pony for her… but most importantly, I wanted her to be there for me. A pony like her, I only trust her to make me smile. And time and time again I was so weak to let her down! I almost lost her so many times!”

Dash wanted to scream. It was starting to get too hard to handle just how much her wings were hurting. Like they were both being squeezed. Twisted and pulled. Almost about to pop. Yet nothing that was being said escaped her. To feel alone for so long…

“I failed… so long ago. I failed a pony who was dear to me. And it ruined me. I refuse to ever let it happen again. No. I’d sooner rend you to pieces and annihilate your land than seeing it happen again. I will not lose her. You will not take her from me!”

Blight’s eyes… shimmered. “Like I lost mommy.” For just a brief moment… she spoke so softly. Just like her eyes, shining like sunlight. Fading away once more. For her to smile once more.

“Shall I rip your wings away? Leave you to fall to your death? Crying and screaming for your life. As I watch your land burn, every pony in it turned to ash before me. Hehehehe… none of you can stop me. No magic you have can hurt me. And as long as I go on, I will overpower anything you can hope to throw at me… as I did long ago. Long ago when I knew not to hold my feelings back. I shall never make that mistake again. Never be held back by useless promises that only take what I love from me. Because…”

Dash held her breath. Shaken. Watching Blight lean in close and brush her cheek against her own. Icy breath whispering into her ear. “Not even mom kept her promise to me.”

9.46
What horrible things have I just heard? Can ponies even say stuff like this? Such a terrible way to think. Such pain… she must be in.

“You really think we want to take Soul from you” Dash muttered to the pony next to her. Getting Blight to reel back to face her once more. “You think you can’t have a life with her. All this time… you wanted somepony there with you. You must have been so afraid when she started liking things here more and more. That you might not be accepted.”

“What is fear anymore?” Blight asked her. “I have no need of it. I take any fear that I am given and crush it. That is how I have survived even when so many ponies tried to get rid of me. I am normally so weak and just take it. Not anymore. I am not like that. And I can see that you are the one afraid.” “I am not afraid” Dash said.

I can’t be. Not when I remember the other day. “I am sad for you. To see you get so pathetic.”

“Bold of you to say. Hahaha! I see why Soul likes you. She never was one for cowardly ponies. Nopony seems to be. Perhaps that’s why I was rejected. I was weak before. Not anymore.”

I don’t regret saying this. “You are weak.” Rainbow looked deep into her eyes. How they didn’t move. Blight didn’t even move. Maybe not even breathing. She heard me right. “So damn weak to try and pull this stunt just to get Soul to stay with you. Even when she showed you that she would never abandon you. But you’re gonna let what happened to you long ago make you do this? Make you toss away the friendship you have? Because I will say one thing. I don’t think you are a pony who should be alone. Even after everything you’ve done… because I know this isn’t you.”

Fire laced across the sky. Flares of flames, bursting across the sea of death that came down upon the land below. Thunderous. Powerful. You could hear the trees and buildings and grasslands shredded away in the winds. All brought about by this pony. This pony who would not do this. She wouldn’t if she would just get it. “You’re not alone.”

You are Soulblight. A pony that I know is better than this. I’ve looked into your eyes before and saw something other than this. I saw love. I saw desire. I saw a joy that you really want to know. And, even looking in your eyes now, …I see it. Her eyes that burned bright in bloody flames. Webbing all along her eyes. A galaxy of fiery stars that roared and burst across space, trying to consume the shining darkness deep within. A red flame that clasped around the blackened suns of her eyes. Growing and burning. Eating away at it. But it was still there. I looked into eyes just like these.

When you hid behind another pony’s eyes. I wondered what it was that I felt when I did. But I see. I was never looking into Soul’s eyes. Those were your own. Her beautiful eyes still lingered. Not taken away by the flames around them.

“I will never be alone. Not when Soul is with me. I’d prefer it to only be her and I. Rid of the ponies who would split us apart. Take the life away that we wish for. I’ve waited so long. There will never be another moment when a pony that I love will abandon me” Soulblight whispered.

“You think she might abandon you? Soulblight, …how can you worry about that? Why would Soul ever abandon you, especially when… I’ve not abandoned you?” Dash wanted to reach out and touch her. Let her know for sure that everything will be alright. She needs to know. I understand it. I understand why she is saying all this. “I can never abandon you, not because you helped Soul. Let’s just forget about that right now. It’s just me and you. No Soul. Nothing for you to hide behind. I won’t abandon you because of the things you said and the stuff you did back at the party. …Not just the dance.”

Blight cocked her head. Her smile vanished. Are you in shock? Well it doesn’t take a genius.

“It wasn’t just the dance you and I shared at that party. You… that was you the entire party, wasn’t it?” Dash asked her. Though she knew the answer. Don’t say a word. “Every word that Soul spoke was your own. That was all your feelings. That was all the pain you went through and everything you wanted. You were the pony who played with us and had fun with us. Even the dance… was lovely. You told us all how hurt you were and you still had the courage to dance with me and be with me. How could I ever turn away a pony like you? I’d never want you to be left behind.”

“That was foolish of me to do. When I was so weak. Desperately clawing for affection and love from you ponies. It only showed me that you all just care for Soul. You’d never care for me!”

Rainbow shook her head. “Not true. Even if you were using Soul’s body, it was still you who said and did everything. It wasn’t that it was Soul that made me enjoy that night, it was the fun and feeling like we were friends that made it for me. You gave me that.” Believe what I say. I don’t want to abandon you, Soulblight. You’ve done too much. I’ve learned so much about you. The feelings I had for Soul at that party, they were meant for you. I love Soul, I do. But I can’t help but want you in my life as well. “I will still be your friend.”

“I do not need friends!” Blight flew back from her. “What have they ever done for me?! Nopony wanted to be my friend. They see how I am and learn the truth. I’m a mere monster to them all. A freak! After all I have done, your friends, your land, this world will do anything to get rid of me. I will not repeat it. I learned from my past to never let it get to that point. Because that is what took everything from me! Ahahahahahahaha!” Blight struck herself so hard with her own hoof. It made Dash flinch. Seeing her own blood go flying yet Blight never got rid of her smile. “Ahhh… Soulblight is such a stupid pony. Hahaha! Letting herself be taken advantage of.” Then she looked to Dash. …Tears.

A tear rolled down Blight’s cheek.

“I won’t let it. Never again!” What? Blight whispered. Such a soft and gentle voice. As if it made the air… warm. Soothing. She didn’t smile anymore. Not at all. She looked… afraid. “Please don’t take her from me. Please. I don’t want to remember the pain. I spent years forgetting it.” Right as her eyes burned bright. “I have crushed countless ponies who tried to hurt me. Destroyed ponies whose powers you all can only dream of. Ended all the suffering. Do not… ever… try me. I won’t give you that chance.”

Red light erupted before her. Where Dash stared into the blazing flames of a spell Blight brought to bare… upon Dash.

I am not afraid. I’m just sad. Sad that I failed. Failed to give us all a happy life. “All I wanted… was for you, Soul, all of us to be happy together” Rainbow whispered. “After the mistake I made twelve years ago, maybe I just wanted to do something right for us all. To be a friend for others. A good friend. I wanted… to be your friend.”

It’s all gone now. Lost in the light of blood that turned the world to an inferno. I’ll die here. Never see Soul again. And Equestria… Rainbow closed her eyes… and cried. Our dreams. They’re all gone.

“Forgive me, Soul. I couldn’t bring us all together. I really am the worst friend ever.”

Maybe… I’ll see you again. Someday. This is all… because of what I did to you long ago.

…Dash’s wings flapped. They didn’t hurt. How could they when they were free?

That soft voice spoke into her ear. The world dimmed once more. Everything was still.

“I’m so sorry.”

9.47
“Princess Luna!” Twilight could do nothing. Just watch the young princess collapse to the dirt. All that was left of her spell drifted away as nothing more than mist. She didn’t move. Her eyes closed. She fainted! And now… Twilight looked back up to the wall of flames. For just a moment. She screamed. Closing her eyes. It hurts. Her eyes burned. Just like her entire flesh felt like it was burning. No! No! Damn it! I was such a fool. What could I have done?

I can’t teleport us out of here. Nowhere is safe. I can’t stop it. She heard Celestia cry out. The last she saw her; the princess was being pushed back. So close to ending up like her sister. She can’t hold out much longer. No. I can’t do this on my own. Twilight’s ears split. Torn by the horrendous roar booming across the sky above. The wind slammed down into her. Trying its best to stop her. Taking all she had just to keep the spell up. It’s no good. I can’t stop it! “Twilight!”

She opened an eye, glancing over to Celestia. Doing all she could to keep herself from looking to the star above them. The princess looked to her. Her tears were all gone. Nothing but steam. She looked like… she was in horrible pain. All the blood had stopped dripping from that deep burn across her side. Those sad and destroyed wings, shadows of the beauty they had once been, lay limp at her sides. Defeated and broken. The princess could not last long. She looks so tired. So finished. The most pathetic look Twilight had ever seen on her. Red eyes that begged to cry tears, no longer able to shed them. Her spell flickered. Her legs buckling. Speaking such sorrowful words. “I’m so sorry.”

“This is all my fault!” Twilight screamed. “If only I had just come to you earlier about all this, we could have stopped this before it happened. I was stupid. I just thought… all she needed was a friend. But Soul brought all this. I just didn’t know.” I can’t even cry. My tears are gone. My legs feel so weak. Like so much weight was on her. Can’t even flap my wings. Can’t even think. All I know… is the fear. I failed them all. “I never wanted this to happen. Forgive me, my beloved friends!”

And Rainbow Dash fell before her.

Twilight almost lost control of her spell. Looking down upon the Pegasus, rubbing her own head from the fall she just had onto the dirt before Twilight. She didn’t say a word. Looked so lost. Just as lost as Twilight to see her here all of a sudden. Dash? Rainbow looked to her. As if she would say something. An empty gaze was all that came and such tiny specks that floated about the Pegasus. Twinkling of black starlight. They looked just like stars, lost in the haze of a dark mist. Dark mist?

“The only pony who failed them… is me” she heard the voice say next to her. Taking the chance to make one last look over to where Celestia was, finding the pony standing between her… and the princess. Stepping forth upon her magenta hooves. Like she joined both of them to stand before the fire. Celestia looked to her as well. Both of them stared at the figure between them. Soulblight.

She’s here with us. The pony who did all of this. Yet she did nothing more than slowly walk forth. Even under this incredible heat, the pony didn’t care. It did nothing to slow her gentle stride. Not even stopping her from staring up into the sky. Unharmed. Unstoppable. She can kill us all right here… and there’s nothing I can do to stop her. Twilight gritted her teeth. All this magic I have and I can’t… can’t even focus. All I can do is keep up the spell. But so what?

I can’t stop this spell. Even if I try and take Soulblight down… I’m sorry, my friends. I’ve never felt so defeated before. All the threats we have faced. All the desperate situations we had to fight. I always held on to hope. Is this… is this the first time I have lost my hope? Rainbow Dash. Twilight looked down to her. She even looked ashamed. Unsure of what was to happen. I don’t want to think of what will happen. Yet Twilight listened to the crackle in her ears. A droning echo. Where such black magic flowed across the ground. Seeping into it. Turning the dirt to deep night, and the sense of what it was. Such magical power. Soulblight. The pony stood tall, wrapped in that darkness. Staring at Twilight, her long horn coursing in sizzling lightning as red as her eyes. Can I even put up a shield? Would it stop her? I just…

“Twilight! We’re coming!” She heard Applejack call out. Are they charging her?! “No! Don’t get close to her!” Do not try and fight her. Somewhere behind me, my friends are coming right at us. They’ll be killed. I can’t! I can’t let this happen!

What’s the harm in letting go? Twilight saw her magic dim. Fade out till it disappeared. Leaving her horn free once more. Nothing left to stop the incoming star. But she turned to Soulblight. Her vision blurring. But she would not give in. I’ll stop her! I won’t let you kill my friends! Soulblight only turned away from her, looking back to the stars above.

“I’ll protect your world, Soul” she heard the pony whisper. “Even from myself.”

Twilight watched her world spin. Her legs turned to jelly. I’ll stop you…

And the sky became black.

9.48
I don’t know. I can’t understand why. Why is it that I feel this way? It’s endless. Even if I try so hard, I can’t shake it. I try so hard to fight back against it all. To keep the fears and the doubts away. But they never leave me. I am Soulblight. I vowed to protect Soul and give her back a life she will be happy with. What does that mean though? Is it a life that includes me? Can it include me? After what I have done and what I now see myself as, I don’t know anymore. Ever since… I saw them kiss, I just can’t escape this. All the happiness I felt with Soul, it’s fleeting. Running from me. Dying out all around me. Watching out at the sky above her. Watching the stars fall across the land. A brilliantly blue sky covered in a sea of twinkling stars. The dust that blossomed all across the night.

Where red once covered this land, all that remained was the blue of this starry sky. All that was left of that spell which died before her.

It faded and fled. Scattering across the horizon. Shooting stars bursting apart, never to be seen again. Leaving Blight able to finally relax the magic atop her horn. Now that the spell… was gone.

A spell I should have never used. So much power. I don’t know what is wrong with me. Why I do this. All it does is make them hate me. Is that why all of Soul’s friends are coming for me? She didn’t need to turn and look to know the others were running at her. An effort to save Twilight from me? I understand. Blight slowly blinked. Lowering her head. It took only one moment, then she heard their hoofsteps stop. A surprised yelp and those ponies were stopped behind her. Looking over her shoulder, past her long ponytail, finding Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy held there… not able to move at all in the darkness that kept their legs still. No more need for fighting. None at all.

Celestia collapsed next to her. Her eyes closed. Knocked out. Even Twilight; Blight heard the pony fall to the ground. Then she found herself surrounded by all three princesses. They’re all down. I stopped them. It even went quiet for once.

I stopped them. If only I had done it better. I should have never ever tried to do it this way. If I had known that my actions would cause this. All this. The forest lay in ruins before her. Charred spires. What was supposed to be trees. As far as she could see. Smoldering. Burned down. No tree could be seen. Nothing was out there in that landscape of smoke and ash under the cloudless sky. Everything burned away around what was left of these poor and innocent ponies that now lay broken and hurt around me. These ponies who came so close… to death. And I even threw away the promise I made. I was willing to turn my back on what Soul asked of me.

I can’t forgive myself.

I don’t know why it is I am remembering all this pain. Why I have done all this. And why I can’t shake it. My heart aches. And I can’t stop crying. There are no tears. Nothing is left in me. I know I want to cry, I can feel it. I hate feeling so sad and hurt. I hate myself. For taking it this far and for ignoring my beloved friend. The only pony who ever was there for me. I betrayed her.

I do… need to leave Soul behind.

9.49
What is the point in pursuing my desires? They only brought ruin. They almost made me destroy everything. I’m not even a pony anymore. No. I really am a monster. And that is what they will all think of me now. Even Soul. And that is what hurts the most. I ruined myself. For what? To be with Soul? I was willing to kill all her friends for it. Take her for myself?!

Of course, they’d never accept me.

She found herself looking to Rainbow Dash. The Pegasus that lay next to her. Dirt all over her, or was it ash? Soiling her lovely mane. Bloodshot in her eyes. The one pony left who truly looked to Blight, not with hate or fear. She was the pony here who gave me a chance. And I never even knew it. She gave me, of all ponies, a chance. Maybe she is meant to be the one for Soul. In every way. Ha! I should thank her. I really should.

She needs to be the one to take my place.

That was what she was meant to be. Because… “I have no place here anymore.”

“Soulblight?”

Oh Dash. You remind me a lot of Soul. So kind and caring. Strong. Talented and devoted. You are loyalty. More loyal than I can be. A pony like you is what Soul needs. Even if it hurts so much to admit that. “Soul deserves better.”

She ignored Dash. Turning her tail to her. Staring out across the ponies around her. None of them can fight. None of them can stop me. Yet they should have no reason to fear anymore. I’ll remove any fear and doubt the remains while I still can. There is one last spell I can do. One final thing. I strayed from what I intended to do. I can still feel the pain clawing at me. To go through loneliness again. It hurts. It hurts so much, but I need to do this because I am running out of time. I need to end it. You all should be happy. All I ask is one favor.

“I wanted to prove to all of you just what happened twelve years ago. May it bring you all peace in the end. And I hope for one thing out of it. Please… remember me as a pony… not a monster. That’s all I ask.”

Her horn glowed black. I will show you all what Soul and I did long ago. Don’t remember me as a killer. That’s not what I want to be.

Remember me as Soul’s friend.

Next Chapter: Part 3 Solace - Act 10 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 23 Minutes