The seven ponies had strode valiantly into the tomb of the original Horsadrim. Even Fluttershy managed to keep her composure together. They could hear a strange language being chanted, the echoes of which sent chills down the spines. Whatever tongue it was in it did not sound natural.  As they navigated through the darkness, guided by Celestia's radiant magic, they had suddenly found themselves transported into Baphomeena's realm of terror.

Baphomeena did not know why she had spared these ponies at the tomb of the Unliving Queen and again at Travincolt, nor why she was continuing to do so now. Her instincts told her to ravage them, but something else within her negated those urges. Her thoughts had begun to wander to Trixie and all the new, infernal magic spells she would teach her, now that her true nature had been exposed. She could sense Trixie out there, taste her fear. It made her feel happy that Trixie was nearby. She hoped Trixie would be impressed by her true form and the magic she could teach her.

Baphomeena shook her head to clear her thoughts. She focused on the seven ponies she had trapped in her realm of terror. She shivered in delight as she let their fear wash over her. There was something else there, however. Daring. She thought, These ponies have a plan, and they seem sure of it. I wonder what they discovered...

Baphomeena looked closer and noticed that six of them were wearing saddlebags. What would they have brought? she wondered.

Against her better judgment, Baphomeena decided to pause her ritual and investigate just what it was they had in their bags. It was meaningless really, but it interested her and she just had to know. Were they gifts? Offerings? Their last wills and testaments?

Within the realm of terror, Celestia found herself drowning in pitch-black waters. She tried to use her magic, but her horn was gone. She tried to fly, her wings were clipped. She fought against the urge to breath, trying to find a way out, swimming towards what she thought may be the surface. The urge to survive took over and she clenched her eyes shut as her body tried to breathe and gulped in mouthfuls of water. She felt a heat on her body and as she opened her eyes to look, she found herself lying next to a fireplace. She began to cough and spit up water as she was magically lifted into the air.

Baphomeena lay on a davenport and she smiled as she placed Celestia next to her. Baphomeena grabbed Celestia's mane and wrung water out of it, then gently brushed her hoof along the princess' coat. "Drowning, eh? Pretty justifiable fear, I would imagine. Certainly seems to be a horrible way to die, but don't worry, Celestia. You won't be dying... yet," Baphomeena laughed.

Celestia coughed up the remaining water and took in a few deep breaths. She glanced around at her surroundings and frowned - Baphomeena had brought her to a replica of her own quarters at Canterlot Castle. "Wh-where are the girls?"

"Right now they are all within my realm of terror, awaiting my arrival," Baphomeena said. "I'm not sure what you foals intended, but I am pleased to say that you are too late. The ritual is nearly completed, my sisters are eliminating whatever you concocted in the canyon, and soon I may just kill all of you, lest you continue to try and stop us."

Celestia shook her head. "We weren't trying to stop you, Fizzle Hooves. We came to give you something."

Baphomeena laughed. So, the items in the bags were intended for her. "How wonderfully mad of you. And just what did you bring me?"

Celestia leaned in and whispered in her ear. "It's a surprise, but I can tell you this, it's something you've always desired."

Baphomeena grinned. "My, my. I am definitely intrigued to see what you have brought. And I am to believe this is not a trick of some kind? I can sense if you are lying, you know."

Celestia wrapped her wing around Baphomeena and pulled her closer. She batted her eyelashes at her and pursed her lips. "You're the mistress of deceit, why would we try to trick you?"

Baphomeena grabbed Celestia and looked deep into her eyes. She was intrigued by the flirtatious display. "Why would you try to trick me? You annoyingly rescued the Valkyr. I know she told you what we truly are and what our goal is here. The seal is almost broken. Soon, my sisters will destroy the Horsadrim you have foalishly raised as well as all the other ponies that are out there with Trixie. Yes, I know she's here. I can feel her fear. Once we finish here I will reclaim that unholy crystal and impale the Valkyr with it again. Everything you've done has been... inconsequential."

Celestia stared back defiantly. "There is no trick. All I ask is that you receive the gifts each of the girls brought for you. Then, should you graciously permit it, we shall leave and you can have the throne of Equestria or whatever it is you desire."

Baphomeena laughed. "I care nothing for ruling your miserable land, Celestia! The scope of my desire is far beyond your comprehension, I'm afraid. You see, for me, this world is nothing but a fertile field, a vast crop of temptable souls. My sisters and I have been long been waiting for a certain curse to end, one that shall provide us with an endless battery of power. An endless supply of fear, hatred, pain, lies, destruction, agony, and sins to feed upon."

Celestia tried to pull away but Baphomeena held her fast.  "Then what is it you desire if you don't care about Equestria?" Celestia asked.

Baphomeena nuzzled Celestia. "You will see soon enough. Now, I shall go see these so-called 'gifts' you claim I am getting."

* * *

Twilight Sparkle found herself within a treasure vault. Mountains of gems and golden coins reached to the ceiling. Shelves overflowed with magical items along the walls. One item in particular, an ornate scroll case, caught her attention and she made her way towards it. She pulled the gem-encrusted scroll case off the shelf and eagerly unrolled it.

Twilight gasped as she saw pictographs of herself from a foal to a mare. Every major moment in her life was documented. The Summer Sun Celebration where she first got her zeal for magic. Her near-disastrous interview at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Her meetings with the other Elements of Harmony in Ponyville. As she read through the scroll and approached future events, a golden magic aura surrounded it and it disintegrated into dust.

Princess Celestia hastily walked over and scowled down at her. "Twilight Sparkle, you dare break into my treasure vault and steal the sacred scroll? You have failed me for the last time."

Twilight shook her head in disbelief. "Please, Princess! I don't understand! Why was my life chronicled on some sacred scroll?"

Celestia stomped, sending a shower of gold and gems into the air. "Enough. You are hereby banished from Equestria. Get out of my sight."

Tears began to run down Twilight's cheeks. This could not be happening! "B-but, Princess Celestia! That scroll..."

Celestia grabbed Twilight's tail with her magic and threw her against a shelf. A cascade of ruined trinkets fell like hailstones on poor Twilight's bruised body. "It is worthless now. Just like yourself. Begone."

Twilight whimpered, Celestia threw the contents of another shelf at her. "Now!"

Twilight limped to the door, she hung her head as her tears formed broken-hearts as they splashed to the ground. "I'm sorry..."

Twilight gasped as a magical force pulled her by the tail. She found herself sitting on Baphomeena's lap. Baphomeena smiled at her. "Hello, little one. Afraid of upsetting Princess Celestia are we? I wouldn't worry about that, she's really not like that. You should see her in my hooves, like a little filly she is. All cuddly and nice."

Baphomeena gently stroked Twilight's mane. "Now, little one, I was told you brought a gift for me."

Twilight stood and smoothed out her coat. "Yes, I did. I was told to get you something related to my element of friendship - magic. So, I immediately ran towards the Canterlot Archives to research the most powerful spells I could find."

Baphomeena smirked. She knew Twilight Sparkle was potentially a powerful mage, but Twilight paled in comparison to herself. "Ooh. So your gift is a magical duel with me then? This might be good for a laugh."

Twilight smiled. "Nope. After I got to the Archives, I realized that that wasn't the kind of magic I was supposed to get."

Baphomeena leaned in, interested. "Oh?"

Twilight opened her saddlebags and pulled out photo albums. "You see, when I first met my friends, I learned that the Element of Magic was something more than just magic." She opened the photo albums and set them on Baphomeena's lap. "My gift to you is to share some of that magic that I've had with my friends."

Baphomeena studied the pictures. She felt something - something strange - within her. She wasn't sure what it was, but she liked it. She started laughing at a picture involving Pinkie Pie and a twenty-pound cupcake. She glanced up at Twilight. "I see what you mean, there is certainly a magical quality to these experiences. How in the world did this pink one devour such a cupcake?"

Twilight grinned. "That's my Pinkie Pie for you!"

* * *

Applejack was fleeing through the groves of Sweet Apple Acres as they burst into flames all around her. She cried out as the searing innards of an exploding apple stung at her face. She reached the farmhouse and tried in vain to peer through the smoke. "Apple Bloom!? Big Mac!? Granny Smith!?"

The house collapsed and standing in the rubble were the three shadow foals. They pointed at her and started to laugh. Azazandra taunted her, "It's a good thing you can't see Ponyville now. It would probably break you to see how easy it is to crush houses and cause buildings to explode. There's nothing left of Ponyville but ghosts and ashes. Everything you've done is pointless."

Applejack reared back and ran towards the barn, continuing to call out for her family. There was a horrible squealing sound as the pigs rampaged around their burning pen. Applejack raced inside and opened the gate for them, then followed them out as the building imploded. The shadow foals walked through the carnage towards her.

Applejack continued running, her heart racing. "Somepony?! Anypony!?"

She came upon the Cutie Mark Crusaders' club house and saw Apple Bloom waving desperately from the window. "Applejack! Help! They're in here!"

Applejack cried, "No!"

She galloped towards the clubhouse, she could see the shadow foals moving inside.

"Apple Bloom! You have to jump! I'll catch you!" Applejack yelled.

Apple Bloom shook her head, shaking with fear. "I can't! It's too high!"

Applejack could see the shadow foals closing in on her baby sister. "You can do it, trust me!"

Apple Bloom began to climb out the window and yelped as the shadow foals pushed her. Applejack dove and caught her just before she struck the ground. She sighed and when she opened her eyes she saw Fizzle Hooves resting in her hooves. Baphomeena winked. "Greetings."

Applejack stood and dropped her to the ground. The images of an apocalyptic Sweet Apple Acres faded and she found herself in an empty field. "'Greetings' my hoof, that wasn't very nice," Applejack said.

Baphomeena stood and dusted herself off. "Well, neither was dropping me, to be honest with you. So, what has the Element of Honesty got for me?"

Applejack motioned around the area with her hoof. "Can you give us some chairs or somethin'?"

Baphomeena shrugged and two rocking chairs appeared. Applejack sat down and motioned Baphomeena to join her. "Thanky. Now, what I got for you is somethin' I reckon you ain't ever had in your entire gol-darn life."

Baphomeena tilted her head. "Interesting. And you, of all ponies, can provide this?"

Applejack nodded and pulled a tub out of her saddlebag along with two spoons. "Yup. I'm gonna give you an honest, heart-felt, conversation. You ever had one of 'em?"

Baphomeena shrugged. "I enjoy manipulation and deception far more than honesty." She pointed towards the tub. "And what is this?"

Applejack smiled and pulled the lid off then handed Baphomeena a spoon. "This is how some gal pals talk about stuff that matters. This here is some cinnamon apple ice cream, lovingly made at Sweet Apple Acres. Go ahead, dig in."

Baphomeena took a small scoop of the ice cream and gingerly tasted it, she smiled and grabbed more. "So, what is it you wish to talk to me about? Hoping to find some last minute detail that will let you ruin my plans?"

Applejack shook her head. "Nope. I just wanna know more about you. Like for instance, why the hay you were tryin' to ruin Twilight's brother's weddin'?"

Fizzle Hooves laughed. "What can I say? I'm a demon."

"Nah, that ain't gonna fly, missy. I know you musta had a reason," Applejack said.

"My sister, Azazandra, abhors love," Baphomeena said. "Hatred is what gives her her strength, so love is a blight upon her. That would be reason enough for me; to try and bring a small amount of happiness to my little sister. I did enjoy seeing the bride-to-be duke it out with Twilight Sparkle, that was even more rewarding than we had hoped. When Twilight Sparkle started trying to kill her, and then was torturing her in front of her own aunts... oh, goodness. That really made everything worth while."

Applejack let the ice cream melt on her tongue, absorbing the flavor and the words of Baphomeena. "I have a little sister myself and I reckon I'd do just 'bout anythin' to try and make her happy. It doesn't sound like that was the reason you did it though." She paused for a moment, thinking upon what Baphomeena said about Twilight. "Boy, howdy. It was all about gettin' that other Twilight to go evil, wasn't it? That way you could steal her powers later on and torture Taraiel. You're a real somethin' alright."

Baphomeena smirked. "What the Valkyr did to us, it was horrible. Imagine everything that you are just being ripped away from you, like you were nothing. At first, I wished they had just destroyed us, it was an awful sensation, feeling utterly helpless. We found we could still use our powers, even disembodied, and thus we knew we would one day be able to reclaim what was rightfully ours. Then, Taraiel sent those mortals, these Horsadrim, after us. It was perfect. A few suggestions, some whispers in the wind, and my sisters and I acquired their precious little foals for our own usage."

"You say you have sisters, so that must mean you have parents, right?" Applejack asked.

Baphomeena paused, then slowly ate another scoop of ice cream. "If we had parents, I can't remember them. When we were very little, we all lived alone in the most beautiful little dell. There was plentiful food for us to hunt, and this spring with the most fantastic water I have ever tasted in my life. It was wonderful."

Baphomeena sighed and looked towards the sky. "And then they came. They were clad in this beautiful gleaming armor and cloth of pure white. My younger sister, Azazandra, had the most beautiful smile back then. She was always curious, too. So when these strangers called us 'grotesque abominations' and began channeling magic, my little sister watched their casting in amazement..."

Baphomeena ate three big spoonfuls of ice cream before continuing her story. "She was only a child. I will never forget that look on her face, that look of betrayal as their magic struck her. My sister never smiled again. Her form was distorted into a mockery, a visage of the hatred our attackers bore for us. As I watched in shock as my little sister was forever altered before my eyes, one of these so called 'crusaders of the light' tackled me to the ground and began strangling me. As I was trying to understand why this was happening, I heard terrible screams and looked to the side and saw my baby sister, Lucifiona, surrounded by bodies writhing in pain on the ground, a rope around her neck! They had tried to hang her, but her powers saved her. When I looked at our attackers, I could sense their deepest fears. I shut my eyes and pictured those fears in my mind. I felt the pressure on my throat cease and as I opened my eyes, I saw the so-called heroes of the light fleeing in terror.

"They came back, in force. We had no choice but to flee from our own home. They pursued us relentlessly, but eventually we found others who took us in. Others who were like us. It turned out there was a war on, and we had been drafted. We rose through the ranks and learned to better control our powers. When I felt I was ready, I hunted down those bastards that took our home from us, took our sister from us. One by one, I destroyed them... but the joy their deaths provided was fleeting. There was only one left, the coward that had led the attack against us at the dell. I taunted him for months, eroding his sanity. I would sneak in at night and rip out the throats of his personal guards, leaving them for him to find. Even in sleep he had no respite, I haunted his nightmares. His terror was delicious."

Baphomeena leaned back in the chair and smiled. "Finally, I had had my fill of fun from this vermin. I gathered my sisters and had them wait outside the rat's castle. I began our assassination by shimmering atop one of his winged guards that was patrolling the skies. I slew it, and rode the corpse down through a skylight into the throne room in a shower of stained glass. The coward's bodyguard was a silver dragon. As it moved to attack me, I shimmered on top of it and gouged out its eye. As it roared in pain, I impaled my talons into its chest, ripping through its scales and shredding its heart. It involuntarily breathed a stream of flames as it died and I rode them across the throne room. The guards that were stupid enough to stay were destroyed, then I signaled my sisters."

"The coward actually fought us! It was useless, yet he tried anyway. My sisters and I slashed his body in hundreds of places. We then forced him to dance while begging Azazandra for forgiveness. He died of exsanguination," Baphomeena looked at the look of disgust on Applejack's face and smirked. She leaned forward and grabbed more ice cream. "It was a hollow victory. It didn't bring my smiling sister back, didn't bring our lives back... We've been fighting in this damn eternal conflict ever since."

Applejack concentrated on Baphomeena's face. She could see the grief in her eyes, and Applejack believed Baphomeena had told her the truth. She almost felt bad for the sisters. As Applejack was thinking to herself about how things might be different had someponies befriended the sisters early on in their lives, she had a realization. She turned to Baphomeena. "You don't want to go back, do you?"

Baphomeena replied without hesitation. "No." A look of shock appeared on her features for an instant, and was quickly replaced with an expression of indifference. Wasn't this what she wanted? What she had been planning for centuries to achieve? It used to be all she would think of. She relentlessly planned her elaborate revenge schemes. For years she had dreamed of this day, and yet, on the precipice of reclaiming their bodies, their old lives, she found herself dreading what would come next. Did she really want to go back to it all, back into the endless war?

"Then why are you doing all this?" Applejack asked.

"My powers - fear, sins, lies - these can all be used without conflict. I can sustain my strength with ease by merely appearing as a living shadow in a filly's room, or luring the corruptible to temptations. My sisters are not so fortunate," Baphomeena said. "I used to want nothing more than to return to our old way of life. Now... I do not know if I truly want that. It has been called an 'eternal' conflict, and that is just what it is. If you had escaped such a thing, would you go back to it?"

Applejack shook her head.

Baphomeena smiled, then sighed. "I can't say I would, either. However, I am the elder sister, and my sisters need me. So, I do this for them. For their happiness and well-being."

Baphomeena shoved another scoop into her mouth. "I don't know why I am talking about this. I never talk about this."

Applejack put her hoof on Baphomeena's knee. "Everypony needs to talk things over sometimes."

Baphomeena raised her hoof to her eye and looked in shock at the tears she had wiped away. "I believe you are right."

* * *

Fluttershy found herself in a swirling vortex of scenes. All of her greatest fears flashed by in rapid succession. She jumped as Baphomeena put her hoof on her back and chuckled. "My, you've got some issues, don't you? I think you actually broke my realm of terror. It should have produced a scenario for you representing something you're afraid of. I guess it just couldn't decide, but it would seem you are terrified nonetheless so it all worked out."

Fluttershy shut her eyes and laid down. "P-please make it stop."

Baphomeena ran her hoof through the pegasus' mane. "Aww. Open your eyes, little one."

Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes and stood as she found herself in a sunny meadow. Fluttershy looked at Baphomeena and frowned. "Oh, my. What happened to your face?"

Baphomeena looked down and scowled, her wounds from the fight with the Valkyr had re-opened. Fluttershy reached into her saddlebags and pulled out a first aid kit. "Here, let me help you."

Baphomeena laughed, saw Fluttershy was serious, and sat down in the grass. "You would help me, even knowing what I am and what I have done?"

Fluttershy cleaned the wound and spread a compound of herbs onto it. "Of course."

Baphomeena raised her eyebrow, then smiled. "Oh, right. You're Kindness. So, what is this gift you brought for me, little one?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "Not yet, take off your robe, please."

Baphomeena disrobed, revealing wounds all over her body from the Valkyrs' earlier assault.

Fluttershy's eyes went wide. "Oh, dear..."

Baphomeena watched the pegasus tend to her wounds. "How did you know I was injured?"

Fluttershy shrugged. "I could just.. tell. Something in your voice, just like how I know when my animals need me."

Baphomeena watched in silence as Fluttershy finished dressing her wounds. Baphomeena stroked her chin, "I was wrong about you, little one. You are perhaps the bravest soul I know. I'm actually not quite sure what to say, besides 'thank you.'"

Fluttershy smiled and put away the medical supplies. "You're welcome, Fizzle Hooves. I have something else for you, too. You've never experienced the wonders of an animal that loves you, have you?"

Baphomeena laughed. "Can't say that I have."

Fluttershy pulled a crate from her saddlebags and opened the latch. A puppy with jet-black fur, glowing red eyes, and

large fangs walked out. Fluttershy gently picked him up and placed him in Baphomeena's lap.

The dog licked at the unicorn's face and she gently stroked his fur. Fluttershy smiled happily. "He's a Barghest. Someponies think they're evil, but they're just misunderstood."

Baphomeena grinned as she clutched the Barghest to her chest. "What's his name?"

Fluttershy giggled. "I got him just for you, you get to name him."

Baphomeena looked at the puppy and smiled. "I will have to think about it. Thank you, again.."

* * *

Rarity found herself in the middle of a giant walk-in closet. All around her were the most exquisite clothes she had ever seen. She eagerly used her magic to pull garments from their hangars and carried the collection towards a large mirror. As she began holding the various dresses and gowns in front of herself, the floor gave way and she found herself falling into an inky blackness.

After what felt like hours, she finally began to see a light below her. She screamed even more as she saw a sea of mud and filth awaiting her. Rarity flailed futilely while lamenting her predicament. As she was about to hit the liquid, it vanished and she found herself lying on a blanket next to Baphomeena. Baphomeena raised her eyebrow as she sipped at a glass of a ruby liquid. "Interesting fear you have there."

Rarity flipped herself over and sat up. "Well, thank you for sparing me the indignity that awaited me at the bottom."

Baphomeena nodded. "I wouldn't want to see such a beautiful mane get tarnished."

Rarity smiled at the compliment. "Why, thank you. You know, Fizzle Hooves, I've been quite stricken with your appearance since I first saw you."

Baphomeena laughed. "Really?"

Rarity nodded. "Oh, yes. You are quite beautiful, but you wear such awful clothing. And that mane style? It works, but... eh. You really must try something different, dear."

A large mirror materialized before them and Baphomeena looked at her unicorn's body and mane and shrugged. "Soon, this will not matter. They have served me well over the years, though. I am almost sad to know they will be gone."

Rarity pouted and opened her saddlebags. "Well, you can enjoy what time you left in that body, then. When I saw you, I just knew the perfect thing."

Rarity pulled out a dress she had made with the Sun's Tears gems and held it in front of Baphomeena.

Baphomeena admired herself in the mirror. "This is for me? It's lovely."

Rarity smiled and thought, Another satisfied customer! "Try it on."

Baphomeena discarded the robe and eagerly slipped on the dress. She nodded appreciatively. "Once we get our bodies back, I might have to commission something from you, little one."

Rarity grinned and pulled out mane styling tools. "Now, let me do a little something with that mane of yours."

Baphomeena waited anxiously as Rarity worked on her mane. Rarity stepped back. "There we go. Why, you look simply marvelous, dear. You'd be simply smashing at the Canterlot social events."

Baphomeena giggled and twirled about, admiring the glint of the gems in the light. "You really know fashion, Rarity. Thanks for the makeover."

Rarity laughed. "Well, us beautiful ponies have to stick together, you know."

* * *

The crowd stomped and shouted with glee as Rainbow Dash prepared for her grand finale - the sonic rainboom. Rainbow rolled into an Immelmann and began accelerating, relishing the adulation of the crowd below. Her lips drew back into a smile as she approached that magic speed that made her aerobatics routine the best in Equestria. The rainboom exploded behind her and she giggled. The sensation the rainboom provided was like nothing else she had ever experienced. The sheer power, the joy, the excitement, and most importantly, the speed.

Soaring high in the clear blue skies, Rainbow finished her act by writing her name in the sky with the rainbow trail that followed her. She admired her work and paused to catch her breath, then frowned. The crowd was silent. Rainbow descended, irritated that her work had gone unappreciated. The grand stands were completely empty.

Rainbow hovered over the empty seats. "Where did everypony go?"

Concerned, Rainbow flew into the streets of Canterlot. It was a ghost town. Rainbow put her hooves on her hips. "This isn't funny! If this is some kind of lame-o prank, Pinkie Pie, well looks like the joke was on me and you can come out now!"

The faint whisperings of the wind were the only response.

Ponyville, Las Pegasus, Baltimare, Fillydelphia, Manehattan, Dodge Junction... every city in Equestria was deserted. Rainbow sat down in the empty streets of Appleloosa and began to cry. She slammed her hooves on the ground. "I'm all alone..."

A tumbleweed rolled down the street and as it approached it morphed into Baphomeena. She sat next to Rainbow Dash and smirked. "Don't worry, little one. I am here with you."

Rainbow scowled and stood. "I hate being alone."

Baphomeena laughed. "A fitting fear for Loyalty, it would appear. So, Miss Loyalty, what gift have you brought me?"

Rainbow reached into her saddlebags and pulled out a grey pony doll and handed it to Baphomeena.

Baphomeena looked the doll over and turned to Rainbow. "What is this?"

"That's Smarty Pants," Rainbow explained. "She belongs to Twilight Sparkle and is one of her most cherished possessions. This one belonged to the Twilight that became the Unliving Queen. Even after everything that you did to her, she still kept that doll close to her. You could never break her."

Baphomeena slowly spun the doll around with her magic, watching Smarty Pants' mane and tail flop around. She glanced at Rainbow. "Rainbow Dash, don't let your loyalty to your friend overcome you. You think my sisters and I are evil? This Smarty Pants was transformed into the Unliving Queen's crown. Everything she did since she obtained the Nether Crystal, it has seen. Would you like to see? I can show you."

Rainbow shook her head. "No, that wasn't her. That wasn't Twilight that did those things."

Baphomeena sighed. She should have expected as much from the Element of Loyalty. "It was her. She may look like your little friend, have some of the same memories, but the moment she became the Unliving Queen, she ceased to be Twilight Sparkle. That aspect of her died and her inner dark side came to life."

Baphomeena's horn began to glow as she cast a spell on the doll and the scenery changed to an auditorium in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Princess Celestia stood on stage as unicorns began to take their seats. Baphomeena touched Rainbow's shoulder and pointed towards Celestia. "Look upon your friend and see her for what she truly is."

Rainbow shut her eyes and turned her head as the Unliving Queen's slaughter of the Gifted Unicorn School began. Baphomeena used her magic to force Rainbow to look. "Watch."

The massacre finished and Rainbow glared at Baphomeena. "That was the Unliving Queen, not Twilight, that did this. If she even did. You know, seeing how you're the master of lies and love manipulating ponies and all."

Baphomeena looked at the Smarty Pants doll then tucked it into Rainbow's saddlebag.

"Your loyalty to your friend is admirable, Rainbow Dash," Baphomeena said. "Even though you see her handiwork before us, you refuse to believe that this is who she really is?"

Rainbow looked at the slain unicorns and shook her head. "I know my friend, and she would never do this."

Baphomeena nodded thoughtfully. The stubborn little pegasus may be misguided, but she had great trust in her friend. "I pray you are correct, Rainbow Dash. For your sake."

* * *

Pinkie Pie strained against the magic that was binding her to the ground. She snarled and watched helplessly as her friends were herded aboard an airship. Fluttershy took one last look out a porthole and pressed her hoof against the window as the airship took off, leaving Pinkie Pie all by herself in a clearing in Everfree Forest.

As the sun began to set, Pinkie continued to struggle against her magical bonds before giving up. She sighed and looked up as the moon began to rise. "What was that song Granny Pie used to sing? Um.."

Pinkie shivered as a cold wind swept through the glade. She began to sing, "At Ponyville Hall a full dress ball took place one night last week. The mules had dressed their very best, their style was hard to beat. To see those airs those mules put on was certainly a treat! One big swell mule in the anteroom, his face was all a smile, to his friends he'd tell, 'Those folks are swell, made up in London style.' 'Those mules,' said he, 'will envy me, when I walk across that floor!' I thought that mule would have a fit as soon as he looked through that door, 'cause in that room there was a hundred mules, and every mule had a raglan on!"

Pinkie laughed, looked down at her hooves and sighed. From all around her she heard terrible growling as the denizens of the forest began to close in on her. She hung her head and sadly began to mumble, "I'm gonna get right up and put on my clothes.. Gonna go right out and take in all the shows... Gonna drive around in an open carriage... If I meet my groom there's gonna be a marriage... Gonna borrow from everypony on my staff... Gonna eat and drink and drive and laugh... Looks like my days are done, but if I'm a goin' to die I'm gonna have some fun..."

An onyx panther lunged at her throat and Pinkie screamed and held her eyes shut, struggling one last time against her bonds. She cautiously opened her eyes as she heard the slow clapping of hooves. Baphomeena stood in front of her with a smirk. Baphomeena held Pinkie's chin up. "Can't laugh and sing your way out of my realm of terror, little one."

Pinkie laughed defiantly. "I wasn't afraid."

Baphomeena chuckled. "Oh, really. Then what was that scream about?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes. "I didn't want to die before I got a chance to give you your gifts!"

"Gifts?" Baphomeena asked, intrigued by the pluralization.

Pinkie smiled. "Of course! Although I didn't know how old you are. You don't look that old, but you sound ancient from what Taraiel said about you."

Baphomeena winked. "This body is perhaps a few thousand years old. I can shape it into a form that pleases me, however. As for how old I am myself, I do not know. Time lost all meaning for me long ago."

Pinkie's eyes lit up. "I guessed six-thousand and thirty-three!"

Baphomeena gasped as a cannon materialized in Pinkie's grasp. The cannon went off and the glade in the Everfree Forest was replaced with a festively decorated ball room.

Baphomeena looked around in wonder and furrowed her brow. "How did you do that, only I have the power to rearrange this realm..."

Pinkie darted about the room, setting the needle on a phonograph and pushing a cart with a gigantic cake over to Baphomeena. Six-thousand and thirty-three candles burned on the cake. Pinkie winked. "Make your wish and blow them out quick before you get wax all over your birthdays cake!"

Baphomeena struggled to put out the candles as Pinkie vanished, reappearing with an enormous mountain of wrapped presents. Baphomeena put her hoof over her mouth and squealed with glee. "These are all for me?"

Pinkie nodded. "I figured you've probably never even had a birthday party. Then I was thinking you've probably missed all the holidays like Hearts and Hooves Day, so I had to get you something for those too."

Baphomeena giggled and began unwrapping presents. Pinkie watched her for a moment then turned to the cake. She bit off an enormous chunk and swallowed it whole then frowned. Pinkie spit out a bunch of candles and shrugged. "It's a little waxy, but it's still good!"

* * *

Celestia smiled as Baphomeena's realm of terror began to fade away and she found Twilight and her friends standing behind her. Celestia turned to them, "Good work, girls. Now, finish her, Twilight."

Baphomeena looked at Celestia and the Element bearers in shock. She could feel something within. Something foreign. She felt her heart racing. She thought, Is this what fear feels like? No, impossible!

"What did you knaves do to me?" Baphomeena demanded.

Twilight's horn began to glow fiercely as she began to cast a powerful spell.

Celestia grinned triumphantly. "Loyalty. Generosity. Kindness. Honesty. Laughter. Magic." As she spoke each name, a beam of energy lanced out from the respective Element of Harmony and struck at Baphomeena. "These six aspects are the Elements of Harmony, the most powerful force known to ponydom. Even you were not beyond their power, Baphomeena."

Twilight looked at her friends and smiled as she completed her spell. A great flaming heart appeared in the air above them. Baphomeena looked up at it and her jaw dropped.  She gasped, "What is this..."

Twilight smirked. "I told you I had gone to the Canterlot Archives before going to my parents' house to grab my photo albums. Well, I did research one spell while I was there. Clover the Clever's Friendship spell. This spell not only saved the lives of Clover and what would soon be five of her closest friends, it led to the foundation of our home, Equestria."

Baphomeena clutched at her chest and staggered back from Clover's spell. Baphomeena felt her consciousness being pulled away - Fizzle Hooves was reclaiming her body. The two fought a brief battle of wills for control, but Clover's spell combined with the Elements of Harmony attack had severely weakened Baphomeena and she found herself screaming as she was pushed back into the recesses of Fizzle Hooves' mind. Fizzle Hooves' eyes rolled back in her head and she fell to the ground. Celestia and the others gathered around her as Fizzle Hooves blinked and looked up at the heart, then said to Celestia, "I knew you could save me..."

Celestia glanced up at her horn. "Taraiel?"

The Valkyr of Justice appeared in a flash of light and immediately placed her hoof on Fizzle Hooves' forehead. Taraiel held a spirit stone in her other hoof and began to speak the ritual to exorcize the demon. "Exorcizo te, omnis spiritus immunde, in nomine lux et in virtute justitia, ut descedas ab hoc plasmate lux, Fizzle Hooves, quod lux noster ad templum sanctum suum vocare dignatus est, ut fiat templum lux vivi, et spiritus lux habitet in eo! Per eumdem lux nostrum, qui venturus est judicare vivos et mortuous, et saeculum per ignem!"

Taraiel licked her hoof then touched Fizzle Hooves' right ear then the left while saying, "Ephpheta, quod est, Adaperire!"

Taraiel brushed her hoof against Fizzle Hooves' nostrils. "In odorem suavitatis. Tu autem effugare, diabole! Appropinquabit enim judicium lux!"

A brilliant white light enveloped Fizzle Hooves and the spirit stone. The ponies except Taraiel shielded their eyes until it faded. As they looked back, they saw the Valkyr standing triumphantly over a little pink unicorn foal. The mark of the Horsadrim was no more - her flank was blank. All eyes focused on the spirit stone, where a dark red energy could be seen swirling around inside.

Pinkie Pie grabbed Fluttershy and spun her around the room. "We did it!"

Taraiel picked up Fizzle Hooves and held her to her chest. The Valkyr looked up at the fiery heart and smiled as a tear fell down her cheek. She gently ran her wing through Fizzle Hooves' mane. "In the end, it was an innocent heart that saved our world from ruin, and helped cast down the sister of terror, imprisoning her spirit forever."

Celestia hugged Twilight then turned to the Valkyr, "How goes the battle outside?"

Taraiel flapped her wings and hovered in the air. "Justice has been met upon this day. Come."

The ponies followed the Valkyr out of the tomb and into the canyon. Trixie sat upon a rock, surrounded by a few Horsadric mummies. She stared into the two spirit stones that rested on her hooves. Spike and Star Swirl the Bearded were playing with the two foals - Ravenmane and Storm Watcher - as the Unliving Queen and Winny collected the Horsadric remains for proper burial.

The demonic doppelganger of Azazandra, now having switched its form to match the foal Ravenmane's, had been successful in fooling the Valkyr. It had even managed to escape detection during the exorcism, and it was confident it would remain undetected, buying precious time for Azazandra to make her next move, whatever it may be.

Rainbow Dash looked at the ravaged landscape and whistled appreciatively. "Looks like we missed one wicked battle."

Spike ran over and hugged Twilight. "Boy, did you! Things were looking bad out here for us. Those Horsadrim were putting up a good fight, but they were crumbling like crackers! Taraiel flew out to fight them as they got close to us, but she went down hard. Then, I saw it. Her sword was within my reach. I dashed forwards and picked it up and went claw-to-hoof with those baddies!"

Rarity gasped. "My little Spikey-wikey! You stood up against two of these great evils?"

Star Swirl walked over, the two foals on his back. "I told you I wanted Spike's sword arm with us."

Spike flexed his muscles. "Oh, yeah! No sweat! So Star Swirl blasts one and traps her in this cage of energy, but she breaks loose and charges at me for some reason. I jump back and, uh... fall in one of those pits those Horsadrim had dug earlier. Things weren't lookin' good for ol' Spike. But then Trixie appears behind them and casts these crazy spells. Magical chains tangled them up and this insanely intense light blinded them. Then this huge cyclone of magic bursts up out of the ground and engulfs them, and they both just dropped like rocks."

Taraiel pointed to the skies. The fiery orange was fading and was replaced by a beautiful, cloudless dawn sky. Some of them had seen this sight thousands of times, but today, it was the most beautiful they had ever seen.

Taraiel smiled. "A new day breaks, for ponydom's greatest champions rose up to confront the darkness that had long plagued our lands. Forevermore, we shall stand together in the light of this glorious new dawn. May the eternal light shine upon you and your descendants for what you've done this day."

Fluttershy looked at her friends and smiled happily. "The day is won. The sisters are vanquished, and all evil with them."

Taraiel chuckled at her naiveté, then sighed.  "As long as a single demon exists, there will still be evil, my friend."

Celestia basked in the light of the sun and smiled contentedly. "Time will tell."

Rarity eyed the Valkyr's wings, a glint in her eye. "So, what's going to happen with these Valkyr now? What will you do, Taraiel?"

Taraiel winked. "You wish to join me, my young friend? I'm afraid whatever granted us these powers is as much a mystery to me as it is you. As for myself... for my sisters, my family, all those who have perished at the hands of demons... I will fight to my last breath. Power is always shifting, order against chaos and chaos against order. I have pledged my life to this battle. I will continue to fight it with a heart that is both empty and full, with sadness for what has been lost and joy for what is to come."

Winny nervously walked over to Trixie, carrying a heavy tome in her magic. She sat down on the rock and set the tome on her lap. "Uh, Trixie, my mum says the spirits want me to give this to you."

Trixie picked up the book with her magic and examined it. The cover bore the marking of the Horsadrim. She flipped it open and began to read. "Take heed and bear witness to the truths that lie herein, for they are the last legacy of the Horsadrim. Nearly five-thousand years ago, it came to be known that the three great evils had mysteriously come to our world, banished in spirit form. The Three Sisters ravaged the lands for decades, while ponydom was left trembling in their wake. Many demons traveled to our realm in search of the Three Sisters. These demons were followed to our world by the Valkyr - a band of pegasi maidens with wings of light - who hunted the demons throughout the vast cities and wilderness. The Valkyr allied themselves with a secretive order of mortal ponies named the Horsadrim, who quickly became adept at hunting demons. They also made many dark enemies in the underworlds. Our order - the Horsadrim - was founded to hunt down and capture the three Evils once and for all. The original Horsadrim were forced to capture the Three within the bodies of their own foals, which they entombed under the..."

Trixie looked up and saw Taraiel hovering before her. The Valkyr handed Trixie the third spirit stone. "Trixie, you are no longer the last of the Horsadrim. You are the first of a new era. This is your destiny, Trixie, what you've always dreamed of. You will be grandmaster of an order of heroes, tasked to guard the three spirit stones so that justice may be served."

Trixie smiled. "Awesome! But wait a second, if founding a new Horsadrim was just that easy, why didn't you do it earlier? Why wait until I was the only one left? How does that work, anyhow, I still have lots of relatives alive and kickin'."

Taraiel pouted and rubbed her hoof in the dirt. "If there is one thing I have learned as of late, my sisters and I did not in fact know everything. We made mistakes like everypony else. The powers of the Horsadrim always passed down to the firstborn foal. Why, I do not know. Perhaps it was a curse considering the original Horsadrim sacrificed their own foals to try and imprison the demons. Perhaps it was a power that was destined to lie only with you in this time of troubles."

Taraiel glanced at Winny and had a thought: Victory on this day had been secured in part by the Horsadric dead. Winny's mother, the Unliving Queen, had been crucial in that regard. The princess had told Taraiel that her sister Shariel had claimed to be the Valkyr of Death. If that was the case, than Shariel's hooves may have been stirring the pot of recent events. Taraiel wondered if the Queen had been damned to undeath by her sister's actions in order to provide the necromancy required for this battle; as Wisdom, Shariel could have easily foreseen what was to come.

Winny put her hoof on Trixie's shoulder. "I want to join. The monks back home will, too. We can protect one in the labyrinth underneath our monastery."

Star Swirl teleported in front of them, Fizzle Hooves in his arms. "As you can see, the archmage is in no position to finish your training, Trixie. So, I shall have to teach you myself."

Trixie looked down at the spirit stones, then stood. "Star Swirl, Winny, thank you. Taraiel, we will not fail you. I know firsthoof what these evils are capable of. The things they did to me," she nodded at Fizzle Hooves, "what they did to her; we can not let it happen again."

Taraiel smiled and flew back towards Celestia, keeping her insights about her long-lost sister to herself. Star Swirl looked at the tome Trixie had been reading and stroked his beard while watching Fizzle Hooves. "I believe we owe our little friend here a heap of gratitude. If she had not been able to intervene, I fear what would have come of us."

Trixie patted Fizzle Hooves on the head. "She certainly helped save my hide from Baphomeena. Saved all of us, really."

"Unicorns have access to truly astounding levels of magic for a period after they are born," Star Swirl said as he gingerly tickled Fizzle Hooves under the chin. "I am very intrigued to see what becomes of this one."

The remaining Horsadric mummies waved and headed back to their tombs. A Horsadric unicorn cast a spell, summoning the symbol of the Horsadrim over the three new members of the order. He looked back over his shoulder as he left. "Farewell, Grandmaster Trixie. May the light shine over you all, always."

"What do we do now, Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked.

Celestia winked at Pinkie Pie. "Why, Twilight, we celebrate, of course! Think you can throw something together, Pinkie?"

Pinkie laughed and leaned on her party cannon. "Just say the word, Princess!"