The Everfree forest was not a place most ponies traveled through willingly, sure there were a few oddballs like Zecora but for the most part everypony gave the forest a wide berth. Which made the fact that five mares were nervously trotting through the woods in the dead of night that much stranger.

In the front was Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, Pinkie eagerly bounced along without a care in the world, a tune on her lips and not a single worry in her heart. Rainbow Dash however was a bundle of nerves and she glared at every shadow, her head and ears constantly turning this way and that as she ensured her little merry band made it through the woods.

Behind them was Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity, one of whom stood tall and firm, while the other two clung to her on either side.

Fluttershy shivered, her wings suddenly shooting out as she ducked behind Applejack, using the farmer like a shield. “W-what was that!” She cried, pointing into the darkness.

Applejack stopped, taking a low stance and glaring into the darkness. “What did you see Fluttershy?”

Everyone else stood stock still, eyes wide as they scanned the darkness, waiting for whatever the pegasus had seen to pop out and attack them. Well, everypony but Pinkie Pie, who promptly rolled her eyes and hopped up to the treeline.

“Pinkie, get back here.” Rainbow Dash hissed.

The party pony rolled her eyes again and continued on. “Oh come on Rainbow Dash, it's just a squirrel, see?” She lifted a large leaf, revealing that there was indeed a small family of squirrels huddled underneath.

Fluttershy sighed, waving at the squirrel family, who all waved back before turning and disappearing into the woods. “Maybe I’m a little jumpy.” She whispered.

“A little?” Applejack added.

“Okay maybe a lot.” Fluttershy admitted.

Rarity placed a reassuring hoof on her timid friend. “It's nothing to be ashamed of Fluttershy, the Everfree forest is a scary place after all.”

“Pffft.” Pinkie Pie blew a raspberry. “This ain't scary, I mean, there isn't even a gore tag on this story.”

Rainbow Dash stopped and blinked. “Err, what?”

Applejack sighed, running a hoof down her face. “Ignore her and keep moving.”

“Riiight.” Rainbow Dash muttered before taking point once more with Pinkie Pie.

The rest fell in behind them, the only sound being Pinkie Pie’s humming and the strange sounds of the forest. Together they trotted deeper, and deeper into the forest, until even the slim light of the moon finally faded from sight, leaving them in a near total darkness, the only thing saving them from tripping being the light of Rarity’s horn.

“S-s-s-s-so. D-did any of you figure out what Twilight wanted us fer?” Applejack stuttered, breaking the oppressive silence that had hung over them.

Rarity gulped, her eyes scanning the darkness. “N-n-n-n-no.”

Everypony else shook their head as well, as metaphorically in the dark as they were literally in the dark.

Pinkie Pie merely shrugged mid bounce. “Nah, but I’m pretty sure it's gonna be a doozy.”

“A doozy?” Rainbow Dash asked nervously. “Like a good doozy or a bad doozy?”

The party pony shrugged again. “Not sure, feels like a little of both.”

Rarity gulped. “No offence Pinkie but I hope your wrong.”

“None taken.”

“M-maybe it's all a joke?” Fluttershy offered weakly. “It is nightmare night after all. What if Twilight is just trying to scare us?”

Applejack’s shoulders slacked and she laughed. “Well she's already scared the bajesus outta me so if that's the plan then she's doing a darn good job.”

“Ha! That would be awesome, it's like a haunted corn maze!” Rainbow Dash added, laughing nervously.

“Hmm, now that I think about it this is exactly the plot of that horror movie I watched the other week.” Pinkie Pie remarked, not noticing the rest of her friends tense and begin to scan the darkness with renewed intensity. “Or was it a porno…”

Rainbow Dash blinked. “What kind of porno do you watch?”

“Only the good stuff!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed,

The rest of her friends exchanged a weary glance the pink mare’s strange enthusiasm.

“Are we almost there yet? I’m too bored to even be scared anymore.” Rainbow Dash whined, lazily hovering above Rarity’s head.

Applejack frowned. “Fer the hundredth time, we ain't there yet. And fer that matter your flying, so you'd see this tower thing first!” The earth pony huffed indignantly.

“Well I don't know what this tower looks like! Everything is green brown or black around here! Twilight didn't even give us a map or nothing, just told us to follow this path.” Rainbow Dash shot back.

“I think we can trust Twilight to give us all the necessary information, she is good for that at least.” Rarity pointed out.

“Exacta mundo!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed happily.

“So what do you think this fancy tower of hers would look like anway?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Pinkie Pie hummed. “Like a giant clawed hand reaching up into the sky.”

“Oh how horrid.” Rarity remarked.

“Probably just grey stone. Not much else out here other then shale after all.” Applejack added.

“Giant red stones that make up an enormous tower, roughly the width of a house, standing several stories tall and standing in the middle of a small clearing.” Fluttershy whispered, her eyes going wide.

“That is quite descriptive.” Rarity added, glancing at her awestruck friend.

Following her gaze, the rest of the mares turned forwards, only noticing now that there was something red just beyond the next wall of trees, something that easily towered over the treetops. As they made their way deeper, each mare took a turn to gasp as the full view of the monstrous structure loomed into view. Fluttershy’s description was apt, but didn't quite do the imposing structure justice. The red was a deep crimson color, reminding everyone of the color of blood, and though it was only six or so stories tall it was hard to tell the exact height of it as there were no windows in the entire structure.

The top was a simple flat top, and save for the large iron wrought oak door that stood at the centre there was no discernable features. The entire was so flat and featureless that it struck the group as strange, each pony wondering what an odd building could be possibly used for. It wasn't a domicile, as everypony doubted the builder would choose to go without windows, and there were no parapets at the top, and no manner of looking out meant it likely wasn't a guard or look out tower. Rarity was the first to realize the tower’s true purpose, but it quickly dawned on the others.

This was a prison, but a prison for what? Or whom?

Fluttershy gulped, slinking behind Applejack and using the farm pony like a shield once more as she hid from the dark and terrible tower. Rarity reacted similarly, her horn brightening as if she was trying to drive away the darkness that seemed to creep in. Rainbow Dash seemed to wither at the sight, a shiver running up her back, and causing her to look around with newfound worry. Applejack acted similarly, only she rose a little taller, stood a little straighter, her muscles tightening as she waited for something to happen. Pinkie Pie was the only one who didn't seem afraid of the strange structure, rather she felt an odd compulsion to come closer, her mind fixated on the sheer strangeness the tower seemed to exude.

“Pinkie Pie, what are you doing? Do not go up to the giant creepy blood tower!” Rainbow Dash whispered harshly.

“But it's so pretty.” She mumbled, stumbling forward, her forehoof outstretched.

“Come on girls, this could be serious.” Applejack commanded.

The rest of the mares all gulped, following close behind as Applejack trotted up to their pink friend who was now standing motionless, her hoof against the red stone. “Psst, Pinkie Pie, what's going on?” Rainbow Dash hissed.

“It feels all funny, something’s not right here girls.” Pinkie Pie whispered back, her hair having fallen straight.

“What do you mean darling?” Rarity asked nervously, casting a glance to the door.

“I don't know, but if Twilight is here she might need help.” The pink mare shook her head, her mane jumping back up into it's usual position. “I’m coming Twi Twi!” She cried, bounding over to the door and kicking it in.

Rainbow Dash was quick on the party pony’s heels, following her inside.

“Are you s-s-sure you need me in there.” Fluttershy whispered.

“You know how these adventures work darling, we need to be together.” Rarity grabbed the mare’s hoof and squeezed it tightly. “Trust me, we will be fine.”

The butter pegasus nodded, clinging to the white unicorn’s side as the trotted in behind the others, nearly running into Applejack’s backside.

“Ahh so glad of you to join me, at last.” A confident voice proclaimed.

The group fanned out, giving them an unobstructed view of the room. Like the exterior of the structure, the interior was just as plain, with the walls being the same color stone. And like the exterior, the interior was almost completely devoid of detail, with only a small red velvet sitting chair sitting at the center of the room, and a large four poster bed sitting behind it. Twilight Sparkle reclined in said chair, grinning seductively at her friends.

“Cat got your tongue?” She asked impishly, grinning at the confusion on her friend’s faces.

“What in Equestria are you wearing?” Rarity asked, pointing a hoof at the other unicorn’s body.

Twilight got out of her chair and smiled, striking a pose that showed off her surprisingly shapely legs, and the finely made black and red silk dress that was daintily draped over her form. It was loose, see through, yet seemed to hug all the right curves, drawing the watcher’s eye down her form and ending at her hooves, where the silk dress split, accentuating her hips.

“Do you like it?” Twilight asked.

“It certainly is revealing.” Rarity remarked.

“And hot!” Pinkie Pie added.

Rarity rolled her eyes, ready to berate her pink friend for the sudden outburst, only to be beaten by Rainbow Dash. “Yeah, like really hot.” She added.

Twilight giggled behind her hoof, flipping her long, stylized mane back and flashing the two ponies a wink. “Why thank you, girls.”

The strange unicorn retreived a golden cane from beside her chair before tapping it on the ground, causing the door to slam shut behind them and prompting Fluttershy to leap in the air with a shriek. Applejack glanced over her shoulder, noticing a heavy bar had fallen over the door, sealing them in. “Why is the door locked?” She asked.

Twilight shrugged. “You wouldn't want to catch a cold, right?” She smiled. “I’m merely looking out for you girls, as always.”

“What is this place Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice.

Twilight shrugged. “It was a prison, but that has changed.”

“What do you mean changed?” Applejack asked, staring a little closer at the mare’s strange outfit.

“It was, now it isn't.” The unicorn said dismissively, waving her scepter in the air before bringing hard against the floor.

“What's the bed for Twilight?” PInkie Pie’s eyes went wide. “Are we having a slumber party?”

“I don't think it's a slumber party sugar cube.” Applejack remarked dryly.

“But that bed is big enough for all of us.” Rainbow Dash pointed out, earning her a glare from Rarity and Applejack. “What? It is.”

Twilight Sparkle smirked. “Your close, but no. I did not call you hear for a slumber party.”

“Then what did you call us here for?” Fluttershy asked, peeking over Applejack’s side.

“It's a long story, but I know how Rainbow Dash gets with long stories so I’ll make it short.” The unicorn frowned, her brow creasing with hate. “I found out that Celestia has done me a grave disservice, and I am simply…” She rolled her hoof in the air. “Correcting that.”

“What do you mean darling?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, it's not like the princess to give anyone the short end of the stick.” Applejack added.

Twilight’s grip on her cane tightened and she snarled visciously, slamming her cane into the ground. “She thought my curiosity would be a hindrance and chose not to make me a princess.” The unicorn’s expression fell away suddenly, leaving behind a faint smile. “But I have found another way to become the princess I was meant to be, I just need your help.”

Fluttershy subtly shifted away, sneaking over to the door, and trying to pull it open. The massive wooden portal didn't budge, the locking bar seemingly welded into it's holder. The pegasus whimpered, pounding her hooves on the wood. “Help!”

“We are nearly a mile into the Everfree, no one is going to hear you.” Twilight said simply, she raised an eyebrow, noticing Rainbow Dash beginning to pump her wings, ready to charge her. “I wouldn't do that if I were you.”

“If your not gonna let us out, then I’ll make you!” The prismatic pegasus yelled, her wings pumping hard as she flew directly at the sighing unicorn.

Rainbow Dash flew across the room in the blink of an eye and promptly ran face first into a wall of force, which bent and warped around her. “What the-” Was all she could mutter before finding herself launched across the room and slamming into Fluttershy, sending them into a pile of tangled limbs and pain.

“I told you…” Twilight said with a sigh, placing a hoof against her face.

“What the hay are you planning Twilight?” Applejack asked, slamming her hoof into the ground.

“I told you, your helping me with my ascension.” Twilight shrugged. “Unfortunately you need to be changed a little to make that possible. Nothing a little magic and a little help can't fix though.”

“What exactly do you mean by changing?” Rarity asked nervously, stepping up to the forcefield and pressing her hoof against it. “What have you don't Twilight?”

“Done?” Twilight asked incredulously. “I haven't even begun.” She smirked. “But to answer your question there exists a way to become a princess, just not an alicorn princess, a way that requires some assistance from those that dwell beneath.”

Rainbow Dash shook her head, pulling herself from the tangle of limbs and stomping up to the forcefield. “Enough games! Tell us what's going on, or I’m going to-”

“What? Break through a barrier designed by Starswirl for the purpose of holding back several thousand tons of water?” She smirked. “Not likely, but I do suppose I owe you an explanation.” She rose to her back legs and extended her hooves wide, waving her cane. “Hell, Rainbow Dash. The beings I spoke of are demons, and they will help me achieve my destiny.”

“Your crazy, Twi.” Pinkie Pie said sadly.

“I am not CRAZY!” The unicorn boomed, huffing angrily. She stopped, placing a hoof over her heart before sighing and landing on all four hooves. “I am not crazy.” She repeated, quieter.

“Oookay your not crazy, but you still haven't told us what your going to.” Applejack pointed out.

“If I am going to rule as I was born to, I’m going to need to ascend, and I’m going to need an army.” She smirked. “Which is where you girls come in.”

“What do-” Rarity started.

“Enough questions!” Twilight boomed, slamming her cane into the ground and causing a wave of purple energy to roll outwards across the floor. “My new friends eagerly await the arrival of my old friends and I won't let them wait a moment longer.”

Lifting her cane above her head, the unicorn’s horn lit with a great surge of energy and before anyone could say or do anything she slammed it into the ground, sending a second wave of purple to spread across the ground. The five mare’s eyes went wide for one terrible second, before the world went dark and they vanished without a sound.

“And so, it begins.” Twilight remarked to the empty room, a wide smile crossing her lips. “Finally, I will get what I am due.”

Want to see stories like this before anyone else and get access to secret patron only stories, early releases for patreon supporters aaand other goodies? Drop just three bucks on my patreon and join the early release club!

Join me over on patreon and get instant access to exclusive content and early looks at new stories, patreon only stories and other great stuff! Check it out!
Or just join the discord to ensure that you dont miss an update.
This update was made possible by the wonderful support of:
Kali, Craig, Ozzy, Robert, Quill, JPMK, Tommy, Ivar, Mikhaila, Pacsik, Matt, Brendan, Peter, Nicky, Princess Pudding, Nofreedom, T Sparkle, Apollyon, Luckyfanisaac, Azin, Zairvin, Random_Reader, Iamunkown, Facinus, M, Nfreak, Doomgooey, Michael, Ceepert, Diokyo, Starless.