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The Simple Life Epilogue

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Your Turn by SoulEaterSaku90


     ‘All right, an hour and a half, last one.’

     Spitfire’s eyes left the clock on the wall and traveled down to the tall glass in front of her. Filled with ice, strawberry bits, red liquid with sugar lining the rim, and a tiny green umbrella, the levitation was one she was quite familiar with. She allowed herself a grin as she leaned down and wrapped her lips around the straw. She winced, a sharp pain from her shoulder a quick reminder of what that filthy changeling had done. She looked down at right foreleg, it was wrapped in a sling and held tight against her chest. It bugged her, but she supposed it could have been worse.

     “Train will be leavin’ soon,” Soarin’ muttered in between deep swallows from a frosty mug filled with amber liquid to his own lips.

      “I know, last daiquiri,” Spitfire replied. “Promise.”

      “We could stay another day, nopony will miss us,” Soarin’ mused. “I’ll even cover the room for the extra night.”

      “No,” Spitfire sighed, “We gotta get back, just about everybody dipped out back to Equestria.”

     “They had too,” Soarin’ explained, his voice turning sad. “They had a friend to bury.”

     “All the more reason, I gotta get back, even if just for show. Equestria’s weaker than it’s been for a long time. They need the Wonderbolts more than ever. They need me more than ever.”

     Soarin’ and Spitfire sat side by side on bar stools. The evening had brought quite a few customers, which considering the events of the last week, was no surprise. It was plain to see that ponies needed a couple drinks. She had spent a day in a Crystal Empire infirmary and another in recovery. The doctors had said she needed to stay longer, but Spitfire was not about to take up valuable hospital room for ponies that needed it far more than her. Dash had come by before she left with the rest of her friends. The cyan Pegasus had filled her in, told her the bad news. Clean-up of the stadium had been quick, part of Chrysalis’ punishment was to order her drones to help with rubble removal, and that had been before she even been put on trial. During the clean-up process, they had found Fluttershy’s body. Dash left out details, Spitfire could tell, but she didn’t blame her. Dealing with the dead was hard enough… harder when you knew them. And while the Captain, hadn’t ever really formulated an opinion of the shy pegasus, she knew that she didn’t deserve what happened to her. Spitfire didn’t know what lay in store for the Changeling Queen, but anything they could inflict would be too kind. After all, it had been a long time since they illegalized public hangings. She had only read about them in books. 

      “Looks like we’re not the only ones who stayed,” Soarin’ spoke up as his eyes scanned the bar. Sure enough they landed upon the frame of Big Macintosh. The stallion was several stools away, in front of him were no less than four empty mugs and he held a fifth half consumed one in his forehoof. His eyes focused on the draft the glass still contained. It had been one of the reasons Spitfire chose this bar. She wanted to keep an on eye on him, he had been their everyday after they found her. Mercilessly killing beer after beer, but Spitfire couldn’t blame him. “But at least he’s not alone, that mare’s sticking around to make sure he’s okay.” Spitfire leaned back and spied the magenta hued mare that was almost invisible behind Mac’s large frame. If not for her forehoof on his back, Spitfire would have missed her, but it was true, she had been with him every night, that he had come. The two never spoke, she merely sat with him as he drank. At first glance, she might have been just a friend that was there for him, but after watching her, the way she swirled her hoof on his back, adjusted her multihued pink mane from time to time told Spitfire what she was trying to do. Had her shoulder not ached so much, she might have trotted over to the mare and punched her square in her muzzle.

     “Vulture,” Spitfire spat as she furrowed her brow. She sipped hard on her drink and brought it down to a third, “C’mon, finish your beer, let’s get outta here.”

     Soarin’ obliged and knocked back his beer in a quick chug as she polished off her strawberry daiquiri. However, no sooner did she finish it than another glass filled with red liquor slid from across the bar table and stopped in front of her. At first she was confused, but as she tilted her head to the side, she saw where it had come from.  She felt her heart speed up. Her skin began to crawl, her wings twitched, and as her mouth parted slightly in shock, she reflexively leaned closer to Soarin’ as she laid eyes on the stallion that passed it to her. 

     “Speaking of Vultures,” Soarin’ snorted. His eyes glaring at the red coated, black maned pegasus stallion. He had brown eyes and a mischievous grin as he looked back at the two, his cutie mark was a black spade with golden hoops around it. “Fuck that guy Captain,” Soarin’ whispered, as he wrapped a forehoof around her. It unnerved him that Spitfire basically fell into his arm, as if she was clinging to him for protection. It wasn’t everyday they ran into something that made her tremble slightly in fear, but as he felt her shudder against him, he supposed it wasn’t everyday they ran into Blitz Ace either.

      But if Spitfire could stand up to a Hive Tyrant, then he would stand up for her now. There was no force on heaven or earth that would keep Soarin’ from letting that bastard hurt her again.

     “Take care Neighbraska,” The stallion laughed as he saw Soarin’ guide Spitfire off her barstool, “Make sure the little lady makes it home okay, hate for something bad to happen to her.”

      Soarin’ dropped a hoof full of bits on the counter, grabbed the daiquiri and chugged it right in front of him puffing out his chest as he did so. He twisted a wing up towards the stallion and flexed his feathers to prominently display his middle feather high, drawing a laugh from Blitz Ace, before he turned and ushered Spitfire out of the door.

      Never again… not on his watch.

<->

     “What are you planning?” Celestia mumbled to herself, the alabaster alicorn was lost in thought as she lounged languidly on a red chaise in her bed chambers. The hour had grown late and she had retired to her room, bringing only the most recent publications from around Equestria and the Crystal Empire to peruse. Across the board the papers spoke of the pain of her ponies. The attack at the Equestria games resounded across the nation as they mourned the calamity, and while they noted that she had fought, they called into question her ability to protect them. To make matters worse, the papers all tried to end on a positive note by talking of Sombra’s actions. Of how he single hoofedly brought the queen to her knees and saved the day. As if she had not played her part in weakening the changeling queen. Most disturbingly, was that Cadence seemed to play off this emotion. Celestia felt it a mistake, though publicly popular and a great way to help bolster confidence in her own ponies, that she had not only taken him in but gave him the title of Warmaster. The headlines read, a strong stallion for a stronger empire, as it told of how she placed him in charge of her military. Worse yet, it would seem the public adored the move. How fickle ponies were, but she supposed fear could drive them to any beacon. But she would not be fooled. She didn’t trust Sombra. He had forsaken her father when he fled and took up tutelage under Grogar. She could never forgive him for such a thing. Worse yet, he was clearly playing on Candence’s kindness, and to make matters worse, he was practically a poster child for Sunset’s rebellion against her teachings.

     And Sunset… she had returned, she wasn’t sure how, but she knew deep down that the false king had played a hoof in it. It made her blood boil as she imagined the lies he must have whispered to her. She would have to watch him carefully, wait for him to slip up. She made a promise to herself, then and there, that whatever he was planning, she would stop and save Cadence and Sunset from his treachery. Perhaps she could speak with Twilight regarding her brother. Shining could be her eyes and ears for her.

     She sighed as she rose from the chaise, using her magic to neatly fold and stack the various publications, as she rose to make her way to her bed. Tomorrow was a new day, and she had much to do. The Elements were all but useless, and Fluttershy’s death, while tragic, was unfortunately quite well known. The press practically ate the story alive and spread word quickly that the elements were impotent as long as they weren’t whole. The element of Kindness was no more and Equestria was vulnerable. It had only served to infuriate Celestia further that they also moaned over Spitfire suffering injuries. As if that worthless mare mattered as much the Elements.

      She raised her covers and slid beneath the sheets before magically tucking herself in. She let out a deep sigh as she closed her eyes.

     “Quit hogging the covers!” an unmistakable voice called out to her.

     Celestia’s eyes flew open.

<->

     “Now you’re sure you’re gonna take care of them?” Twilight asked. The young alicorn was exhausted, as she had every right to be, for it wasn’t every day you help move out an ex-princess, adopt a flurry of new pets, help your baby dragon settle into a room of his own and bury a friend all in one day.

     “No sweat Twi,” Spike replied, even the little dragon was feeling the effects. When Twi had finally returned home, she found Spike a mess. She did her best to comfort him, tell him it wasn’t his fault. For the first day she came back, he was incorrigible and Twilight’s heart for the most part wasn’t in it to break him of his mood, for she herself was mourning. When she had arrived the library was spotless, and he was on his hands and knees scrubbing an already pristine floor, his knuckles rubbed raw from scrubbing, and crying his eyes out. When he heard the news about Fluttershy, it was impossible to get him to stop doing chore after chore. She had supposed he was dealing with it in his own way, but his sleep schedule was off, he barely slept at all and when he did it was of exhaustion. It was as if he had something to prove, but Twilight for the life of her didn’t know what. After the funeral, Luna had volunteered to take up residence in her house, and to help tend to the animals she had left behind. It was then Spike practically demanded to help. In fact, it had been the first time he perked up in the four days following the attack. She couldn’t bear to say no, and maybe looking after a few small animals would help him get through this. “I can take care of these little guys,” he spoke as he looked into a cage he held in his hand. In it were two small hedgehogs, currently milling about in their straw beds. “I actually thought Sonic would want them, guess it would be a little weird for a hedgehog to have pet hedgehogs.”

     “And the chickens?” Twilight asked, half skeptical, half trying to make light of the situation to raise the dreariness of the atmosphere, however it didn’t work as Spike was deathly serious in his response.

     “I’ll take care of them Twilight,” he almost whispered. “I’ll take care of all them. I will protect them. I… I have too.”

     “Spike?” Twilight asked, drawing him out of his trance. “Spike? You’re upset. We all are. But I’m worried about you. Do you wanna talk?”

     “I’m fine Twilight, really,” Spike lied. “I just want to feel like I’m useful and that someone needs me.”

     “Spike I need you!” Twilight quickly affirmed.

     “You can do all my chores without my help, without breaking a sweat with your magic,” Spike replied flatly. “And that was before you were a princess. You never needed me. And now with Foxtrot around… you need me even less than that.”

      “SPIKE!” Twilight shouted, her tone harsh and demanding Spikes full attention. “Don’t you ever say that again! Do you understand me? NEVER!”

      Spike turned away from her and stared at the two hedgehogs. “A boy and girl, I bet they like each other. Do you think they have names?”

     “SPIKE!” Twilight shouted again.

     “I’ll think I’ll name the brown one, Mr. Needlemouse and the white one Madonna.” Spike continued as he turned and headed up to his room.

     “Spike!” Twilight called after him, her frustration growing as she saw him willfully ignore her as she trotted to the foot of her stairwell after him and watched him go. “Spike! SPI-” Suddenly there was a knock at her door and Twilight sighed angrily. It was probably Foxtrot with the chickens. She trotted back across the floor and opened the door.

     “Twiley?” Shining Armor asked as he looked down at Twilight who had positively shocked look on her face to see him. “Mind if I come in?”

     “Shining?” Twilight nearly gasped, “What are you doing here? Yes! Of course, come in.” she said as she opened wide her door and watched her brother as he made his way inside. His gait was slow and shoulders were slouched. He looked despondent, worried and defeated all at the same time and Twilight could tell something was terribly wrong. “You alright? I mean, I guess not.  I don’t think any of us are? But shouldn’t you be in the Crystal Empire?”

     “I can’t be there right now,” Shining admitted as he slunk on Twilight’s couch. “Would you mind if I stayed here a few days while I sort things out?”

     “Sort things out? What do you mean? I mean, you can stay as long as you want Shining, but shouldn’t Cadence be helping sort out what’s going on over there? I sure your stallions need you to lead them an-”

     “It’s not working out.” Shining cut her off. “It hasn’t been for a while, and everyday it’s gotten worse and worse.”

     “What’s not working out? What’s been getting worse?”

     “Cadence and I.”

     “Okay…” Twilight said, running a hoof through her mane as her mind raced to try and make sense of her brother right now. “Okay, the attack threw you two for a loop. The last few days have been hard on you guys. You need a little spa-“

     “Months Twilight,” Shining corrected her. “It’s been months, and it’s just gotten worse and worse. I’m at my wits end. And with everything that just happened… I… I… she doesn’t love me anymore Twilight.”

      “Okay, wait… hang on… wait,” Twilight fretted as she trotted next to her brother and placed an understanding hoof upon his. “I’m sure that’s not true. She’s just… acting a little crazy especially with what just happened. I know Cadence. She’s the Princess of Love for Celestia’s sake! You’re one of the best stallions I know. There is NO. WAY. She doesn’t lo-‘

     “She served me papers and I signed them yesterday.” Shining cut her off again. Twilight’s mouth fell open. “We’re doing it as quietly so ponies don’t get in an uproar.” Twilight couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I’m gonna try to get a job working with the Royal Guard and probably move back to Canterlot.” This was NOT real. “But it’s over, Cadence and I are over. I’m divorced.”

     Twilight took a step back and swallowed hard, for she had no words to say.

<->

     Celestia stared with silent fury at Discord.

    She had leapt out of bed at his unexpected entrance and once he had gotten a sufficient laugh out of her fright and shock, he warped out of her bed. He reappeared in the center of her bed chamber sitting in a simple chair that sat beside a small table and another empty chair.

     “Leave this place,” was all she could muster after what felt like a lifetime.

     “Oh Celestia, relax, I mean you no harm,” the dragonequus replied with grin. “I merely wish to talk. It’s been so long since we’ve had a decent talk.”

     “I have nothing to say to you, nor do I care for anything you have to say to me. Now Leave!” Celestia ordered again.

     “Still upset about Baltimare? Or about your sister not being by your side? Oh, wait,” Discord grinned maliciously, “Don’t tell me you’re still bitter about that, I mean c’mon. What was that? Twenty-five years ago?”

     Celestia didn’t respond and Discord’s question was met with unfettered hatred behind her eyes.

     “Oh have it your way, you big baby, but seeing as you cannot make me leave, I will leave you, but only after I say what I have to say. Savvy?”

     “Then speak your piece and be gone.”

     Discord waved his lion paw over the table, and instantly a chessboard appeared. Once it was in existence, he gestured for Celestia to sit across from him.

     “I have no time for games Discord.”

     “Oh c’mon, for old times’ sake. Besides you have to play… after all,” Discord grasped a piece from the board and held it up for Celestia to see that he held a black king piece. “I just got myself a new king!”

     Celestia trotted past him, pulled out the chair and sat down. She gazed at the board, and saw that her side were all pieces of burnished gold while his were an obsidian black.

     “So I have you to thank for his return?” Celestia muttered as she focused on the board, eager to not meet Discord’s gaze as the Draconequus never took his eyes from her. “To make him to look like a savior was quite clever, but you’re playing with fire by involving the Changeling’s, Ba’lok is not to be taken lightly. None of us are.”

     “You think I’m concerned with the affairs of you primarchs? Well… two thirds of a primarch in your case. You’re all so focused and closed minded on your goals that you all fail to see the big picture. Now more than ever since that wolf skewered your father. It is a wonder this world hasn’t collapsed in on itself without a proper player to direct your pawns where to go. White goes first, my dear,” Discord commented.

     “You think this is all a game don’t you?” Celestia spoke, her horn lit up as she slid a pawn “You think you can play with pony’s lives. That we’re just pieces of some terrible chess game? Well you’re wrong.”

     “I’ve been playing since I came into existence, and you, of all creatures, have the gall to tell me now that I’m wrong?” Discord remarked as he moved his own piece. “If you’re so certain… then stop me.”

     “I have stopped you before.” Celestia moved a piece and Discord did as well. “In the past,” She moved again and so did Discord. “In Baltimare, and I can do so again Draconequus.” She said with finality as she took one of his pieces.

     “Give your opponent a false sense of hope, letting them win the small battles, when in reality you’re dictating the battle. Allowing them to win to maneuver them where you want them. It’s a solid battle tactic.” Discord moved again and Celestia saw that he had placed her in check. “But back to Sombra, didn’t expect that did you? The dreaded King of Shadows tucked away in the Crystal Empire. It’s as if history repeats itself.”

     “Things are different now, Sombra, while I haven’t been able to determine his intent, he is not in the same position as he was before. I have Cadence and Shining to keep an eye on him.”

     “Like you, Fenrir and Luna were to keep an eye on him? The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

     “Should he prove to them or I that he cannot be trusted.” Celestia took another piece. “I’ll destroy him. We’ve done that too…Twice. Perhaps he may have discovered his place after that.”

     “Oh, so you believe he can be redeemed? That his soul hasn’t been twisted completely black by Grogar? Funny, I would figure you would be afraid of him turning your allies in the Crystal Empire against you. But I guess that shouldn’t be necessary, you have a habit of doing that on your own, look at Sunset, and let us not forget your little spat with Cadence over Luna. Only time will tell before Twilight Sparkle hates you as well.”

     “Cadence and I reconciled that very day, and I will see that Sunset and I will as well. I have not made the same mistakes as I had with them with Twilight. If you are behind her return and seek to use Sunset against me, I’m pleased to say that you will be sorely mistaken.”

     “You sound so certain,”

     “I am. Because I love them as much as I do Luna! Like they were family! Like-“

     “-They were your own daughters,” Discord completed her sentence. Celestia scowled, as he grinned a toothy grin back. “I’d say that’s ironic…wouldn’t you?”

     “Move your piece Draconequus,” Celestia demanded as she struck down one of Discord’s rooks with a bishop. “I grow tired of your games.”

<->

     “C’mon Soar…” Spitfire panted as she dragged her limp friend down the streets of the Crystal Empire. Soarin’ had mid-walk gotten suspiciously drowsy before falling into a complete drug induced stupor. Spitfire cursed not having the foresight to not suspect that miserable stallion to roofie her drink. She supported him with her good shoulder, as they stumbled to their train station destination. It only drove her fears higher that she could hear the trotting of several ponies behind her and had heard the sense they left the bar. Her only saving grace was they left with plenty of time make it. “Only five blocks to go.”

     The streets were quiet, few other ponies trotted the streets, which was for the best, as the last thing she wanted getting out was a roofied Wonderbolt. Equestria had enough problems as it was. She didn’t even pay attention to the flutter of wings overhead, but the sound of landing hooves forced her to look forward and see five Pegasus stallions ahead of her. She didn’t know the others, but she immediately recognized the one. Blitz Ace had followed them, and that couldn’t be a good thing.

     “Where ya going Spitz?” The stallion called out as he slowly trotted towards her, “looks like you could use a hoof with Neighbraska there. Poor sap can’t hold his liquor can he?”

     Spitfire didn’t answer, instead she mustered every ounce of strength she had and turned Soarin’ and began dragging Soarin’ as quickly as she could down a nearby ally and as far away from Blitz Ace as she could. But the sound of hoofsteps drawing close told her it was no use. This being the case she stopped.

     She was afraid. She was terribly afraid. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding and her eyes began blur as she felt hot tears begin to run down her face.

     ‘Not him… Not now…please… please God not now…’

     “Do me a favor and thank corn-shucker for chugging your drink, that little punk can sometimes be a hoofull.” Blitz Ace spoke to her his voice cutting strait to her soul. “Means I get to save all my energy for you. How’s the shoulder?”

      Spitfire turned back around to face him, she felt her knees grow weak at the sight of him.

     “Leave us alone Blitz,” was all she could say.

     “You know as well as I do that’s not gonna happen. Take him,” at his words the other four stallions yanked Soarin’ away from her and began stomping him hard as they could. “Right after I deliver a little message.”

     “STOP IT! LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Spitfire screamed, as she watched them pummel the drugged stallion who couldn’t fight back. She lunged forward, but was stopped cold as Blitz Ace grabbed a hoofull of her tail and yanked her back, the jerk causing her to lose footing and fall flat against the ground on her chin. Spitfire fought the pain in her shoulder and twisted to her side and kicked for all she was worth, but      Blitz Ace laughed as he caught her legs, spun her to her back and forced apart her legs so she couldn’t get leverage as she struggled.

     “See what I tell ya? “ he said as he held tight as he called out to his stallions, “Spitfire, Captain of the Wonderbolts… war hero, battle hardened, cold as ice, and tough as nails. Told ya she was nothing more than a whore. Flat on her back with her legs spread!” he spun her back onto her stomach lashed a leg out and hooked on to her mane and dragged her close, “There’s nothing you can do to stop me. You never could stop me, you worthless piece of shit whore, I can do what I want when it comes to you.” he whispered into her ear. The red stallion then threw her to the ground with all his might.

     Spitfire struck the stone ground cheek first and her shoulder screamed from inside its sling. The pain then exploded as she felt Blitz Ace drop all his weight as he rose tall on two legs and planted a hind hoof on her bad shoulder. The pain forced her to scream through gritted teeth as he rested on the knee of the leg upon her back.

     “But I’ll give you credit. You ruined my career, you know that?” he spat. “That little stunt you, corn-shucker over there, and Blue Blood pulled in Zebria made me a laughing stock! Then you took my job! I can only imagine what nasty things you did to Blue Blood to get my spot as Captain!”

     If it weren’t for the blinding agony, racing through her, Spitfire probably would have informed that she got the job because she was the best qualified pony. That she succeeded where he was too afraid to tread, but all that she could respond with was a pathetic whimper. She managed to look up only to see that two of the other stallions had lifted up Soarin’ while a third was punching him as hard as he could. The fourth merely looked on. Suddenly Blitz Ace lifted his foot off of her.

     “Pick her up!” he ordered and the fourth obeyed. He dragged Spitfire up from the ground and held her up on her hind legs. As soon as she was up Blitz Ace swung hard and stuck her in the jaw with a wide haymaker. “But guess what? I’m back in the saddle, so I need you to unbury your face from a stallion’s crotch long enough for you to pick up what I’m puttin’ down.” Blitz Ace cocked a hoof back and fired it square in her abdomen, forcing all the air from her lungs to come rushing out. Leaned close and whispered into her ear, “Sheriff’s back in town, bitch.” With that said he unloaded another right cross, strong enough to knock her free from the other stallion’s grasp and send her to the ground.

     Spitfire was woozy, she struggled with her good leg to raise herself up, and managed to get a few inches off the ground. She spat blood and was just able to make out, Soarin’s body getting tossed hard against wall of one of the alley buildings.

     “Wonderbolt trash!” Blitz yelled as yanked her back up to three legs by her mane he positioned himself to her backside and leaned down next to her ear. “I had a good thing you know. I would have made admiral and I would have taken you to the top with me. But pissed it all away for what? Neighbraska? Well just look at you little farmcolt now! Look at him!” he demanded as he jerked her head and forced her to stare at her beaten friend.

      “I’ll kill you,” Spitfire wheezed as she thrashed trying to free herself, but the stallion was strong. “I swear to Celestia I’ll ki-”

      “This is gonna go down one of two ways, either you stop fighting, lay back and enjoy it.” He threatened, “Or keep fighting and then I make you enjoy it. Either way, you know what’s comin’, keep fighting, and I can’t promise Neighbraska will see another sunrise.”

      Spitfire looked around, it was getting hard to see through her quickly swelling left eye, but the situation was plain as day. She looked at the other stallions, each one of them in the eyes. “Y-you’re… you’re all cowards!” she spat. She looked back at Soarin’, he was still breathing, but they had really did a number on him. She had to get him to that train. She had to keep him safe. She grit her teeth and adjusted her body, spreading her hind legs and lifting her tail.

      “Atta girl,” Blitz Ace cooed as he kicked her hooves further apart.

<->

     “You won’t win.”

     “I still have several moves to make.”

     “I’m not talking about your foolish little game, Discord.”

     “Neither am I, Celestia.”

     The game of chess was nearing its end, most pieces had been taken and the board was almost vacant save for seven or eight pieces left between the two sides.

     “You always think you’re in control,” Discord prattled on, “when will I be able to drive it through that pretty mane of yours, you’ve never had control. Even now, the rift between your Equestrians and yourself grows. Many have already moved to the Crystal Empire. What with your unicorn elitism that your sister, and by extension yourself enforce. The Slaughter at the Gates is not yet gone from their minds.”

     “A stain on our history, and one that should be remembered so that we may learn from it. Grow stronger from it. I will earn back their trust, even now ponies are seeing the goodwill of Canterlot’s throne by way of Blue Bloods ship building. Our economy is growing stronger and ponies are beginning to grow happy again.”

     “Those that are left.”

     “You think I mind them living in the Empire. Cadence rules fairly and with a just heart of love. I can think of no better place for them to go.”

     “A place that now possess the Pony King of Shadows a power hungry despot.”

     “Former king who seeks reformation.”

    “Or so he says. And what of the Changeling Queen amongst them, sure to grow strong from the love of the Crystal heart and ponies of her empire… that would be a fearsome swarm to have to tangle with.”

     “I don’t expect she is long for this world.”

     “Perhaps, unless she proves useful to Cadence. It might only be a matter of time before she has not only the dread king and an army of changelings at her beck and call. It might set the young princesses ambitions ablaze. She might turn her eye to Equestria.”

     “She would be a fool to do so and she knows it. Equestrian ties with the Empire are strong and I would never do anything to invoke such thoughts.”

      “Your existence invokes such thoughts.”

      “You are pathetic!” She remarked as she moved another piece. “You truly think everyone is as blackhearted as you!”

      “No,” Discord admitted. “Just that they have the potential to be.”

<->

     Twilight was depressed. The evening had gone sour and now here she sat. In the far cushion of her couch opposite Shining Armor. She wanted to somehow make her brother happy or at the very least forget his problems for a little while. It was then an idea popped in her head. Foxtrot still hadn’t made his way back to the Golden Oakes Library. Upon his return, Shining might be sullen and despondent, but surely the news of her dating would spark some excitement in him. He may not be in the mood to talk about his own relationships, not with the ink still wet from him signing his divorce. But still, she had envisioned playful banter, and him giving Foxtrot the ‘I’m her big brother you better take care of her or else’ talk. It might even put a smile on his face to act like her BBBFF again. It was odd as she actually looked forward to the day that he would give it. Now she prayed for the wolf’s return as it might be the only way to salvage such a terrible couple of days.

     As if to answer her prayers, a knock came at the door.

     “Finally,” Twilight sighed happily as she got up to open the door.

     “Who would coming to see you this late?” Shining asked, “Besides you’re poor pathetic excuse of a brother.”

      “You’ll see,” Twilight said with a small grin, but the smile fell the instant she opened the door.

     Spitfire stood on two legs, Bruised, and battered, far worse than the last time she had seen her. Her left eye had swollen to the point she couldn’t see out of it, but her right eye was a burning flame. She was panting through clenched teeth as she used her good foreleg to hold tightly on Soarin’s arm. The stallion fared no better, in fact, he fared far worse as his head lolled from side to side, and dirty blotches of bruised skin could be seen through his coat all over his body. The stallion stood limp against Spitfire’s bad shoulder, his dead weight no doubt having caused her wounds that that surgeons had stitched to re-open as she bled, staining her coat and spill droplets on the Twilight’s floor.

     “My God!” Twilight shrieked. “Wha-“

      “Where’s Foxtrot?” Spitfire cut her off promptly.

     Shining Armor rose from his seat at Twilight’s cry and at once moved to help. He offloaded Soarin’ and brought him into the house with his magic, gingerly laying him on the couch before turning around. “What happened here? Who did this?!”

     “Where’s Foxtrot?” Was Spitfire replied as she slunk down to forelegs, almost collapsing if not for Twilight catching her.

     “We gotta get you inside,” Twilight said as she began to pull her in, but Spitfire batted her hooves away and with her good arm wrapped it tight around Twilight’s head, forcing the purple Alicorn to look her dead in her good eye.”

      “I know you’re not deaf and I damn sure know you aren’t stupid!” Spitfire shouted, spit flying from her mouth in her anger and striking Twilight in the face. “So I’m going to ask, one more time Twilight Sparkle. Where’s. My. Wolf.”

<->

      “You will fail!” Celestia shouted as she rose, her forelegs planted on the table as she raised a chess piece high. You will always fail! For if Sombra or Chrysalis even begin to hint what you say is to come then I have the backing of Graywing and with him Fenrir! The Black wolf of the North! Do you honestly think Sombra or Chrysalis can withstand him?! This is why you never succeed! You fail to see the big picture! NOW BEGON FROM MY CHAMBERS!! CHECK MATE!!” She roared as she slammed her piece down. Her breath thundered as she allowed a smile to cross her lips.

      Discord looked down and had a genuine look of confusion.

     Then he began to chuckle. It grew into a chortle, before his arms found their way to his waist as his laughter grew to a maniacal cackle.

      “Why do laugh Draconequus?!” Celestia asked, flustered at the God of Chaos’ reaction.

      “You!” He exclaimed in his glee. “You really are too much Celestia. All you primarchs are! You busy yourselves so deeply with what’s in front of you, and lie to yourselves that what you see is the big picture! You cannot fathom the scale of which I operate Princess! You bother yourselves with countries! I shape worlds as I see fit!” Discord slammed his claw hand on the table scattering the chess pieces. The pieces themselves quickly flew about and began to multiply and change as the chessboard transformed into a map of the world. The pieces quickly flew about and landed on the newly formed game board. “This whole time you thought we were playing chess…” Celestia’s eyes went wide as she saw little game pieces of representing armies of the world as well as ships. All moving slowly about the board. She saw ships moving busily about Equestria and believed them to be her own navy on their patrols. She saw pieces move to represent her border guards. She saw armies garrisoning in various army bases across her lands. But she also saw the armies of the Empire, which now included the changelings, she saw Greywing’s vast forces as they moved to and fro. Fenrir’s as well. She saw armies to south mustering, as well as armies of the other great races. But what frightened her, what truly frightened her, were a myriad of tiny toy ships that began to sail from Fenrir’s lands towards the eastern Seaboard of Equestria and worse yet, warships of Graywing begin to launch, circumnavigating to approach the western seaboard. “But I was always playing Risk, you hang in pesky pidgon’s graces by but a hair! How long do you think you have before he will learn of the return of Starswirl’s bastard and your foolhardy belief that you can redeem him? He already found your sister unfit to rule, he is not above thinking the same about you. He will rip this land from you and subjugate your ponies as he did the canines! And I don’t think ponies are that good at dragon hunts! No! He will send Fenrir, your baby brother will bring with him sharp teeth and swords! Your pony’s will be put to the plow and be treated less than equal. Look to the wolf’s ilk if you doubt me!  You want the big picture?! How’s that for the big picture! While you piddle away your days worrying about one of Starswirl’s bastard sons and some measly swarm queen. I’m about to bring a screamin’ eagle and his big bad wolf to your doorstep!” Discorded hissed.

    The Draconequus licked his lips in satisfaction at the look of horror and worry now presiding over Celestia’s face.

     “Fair-thee-well, Princess. Get your rest. You’ll need it. There are dark days ahead.”

Previous:The Simple Life Chapter 46
Chapter 1:The Simple Life Chapter 1

Chapter Art by the amazingly talented SoulEaterSaku90 

I wish I could write something cool for this. But I'm drawing a blank. Maybe I'll think of something later...

But for all those who clammered for Spitz to get her comeuppence... that she needed to repaid for her actions against a certain cyan pegasus, I think her debt has been levied... what lies ahead for our heroes? Will they be strong enough to weather coming storm? Whatever happens this is certain, they face dark days, were the depths of their bonds of friendships will be tested. There are Dark Days ahead for our heroes, and only together will they see them through.

Oh, I'm making a plea... yes a plea... For all those that read and enjoyed this tale, or hated it for that matter... Please. Comment. I wanna know what you think of this story. I wish to grow as writer and your input is invaluable.

I want to take a moment and thank you all for reading this. None of this would be possible if you guys didn't read and support me. I owe everything to you guys... so let's end this as we always do... you know the drill... leave your comments, questions, concerns, and complaints below! I answer them as soon as I can!
© 2015 - 2024 Gunflame345
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ChaosSonic2013's avatar
:star::star::star::star-half::star-empty: Overall
:star::star::star::star::star-empty: Vision
:star::star::star::star-empty::star-empty: Originality
:star::star::star::star-half::star-empty: Technique
:star::star::star::star::star-half: Impact

From the start, This has been quite a great story. From the beginning this story made a big impact on me when I first read it. It was exciting, unique and incredible. At first when i first starting reading the New Dawn I wasn't very interesting in reading it considering what the actual MLP show was like. I thought this fanfiction would be pretty boring at first but then when i decided to give this fanfiction a chance and read. It was just so surprising the way you took a fantasy show about ponies that was meant to be comedic show and turned it into something vicious, dark and blood-curdling. I just couldn't bring myself to stop reading with the intoxicating fights like "Spitfire vs Metal Sonic" and "Rainbow Dash and Sonic vs Metal Sonic", the fights were amazing. Until I read the New Dawn i thought that any battle between a MLP and Sonic character would just be a boring one sided fight with the Sonic character to winning so it would mind blowing when i saw that first fight between Spitfire and Metal Sonic. I felt like i could feel the determination and courage exploding off of Spitfire during that battle.

Another thing i feel you did well is the way you kept the tension increasing throughout the story.

"The Destruction of Sonic's Home and Friends"
Something I honestly didn't expect i've seen lot of Sonic Fanfictions but i think the first write i've ever seen kill off all of Sonic's friends from the beginning. It makes you feel pretty sorry for Sonic. Like Shadow so greatly described "“Or you’ll what Sonic? Give me one more chance? The guy who let Robotnik slip through his fingers more times than I can count? The guy who let all his friends down and let a raving lunatic burn down his home and take over the planet? " It actually pretty sad seeing how badly trying to be the hero can backfire.

"The arrival of Metal Sonic"
It was astonishing just how exciting this battle was. How Metal Sonic was like a all powerful dictator looking down on everyone, with his possessed army. Stress rising as everyone's trying figure out how he's so powerful, what he is and why he's doing this. The exciting cliffhangers "he spear plunged forward and Spitfire for the first time in a great while felt powerless as the blue haired stallion shoved her roughly. Her heart was crushed as she saw his armor crack and give, followed by blood spurting forth in rivers that poured freely" It just goes to show the dangers of making a reckless choice in a battle can lead to.

The Wrath of seemingly invincible "Ascended Shadow" all the way up to Sonic's Final Confrontation with Eggman to finally settle the score.
This was the most interesting part of the New Dawn to me. Not because of the battles themselves but because how the battles ended. The first battle ended with Sonic killing Shadow. A great life lesson showing that no matter what you do, you can't save everyone. The second battle ended with Sonic killing Eggman which makes you wonder what it really means to be a hero. Because Sonic kept sparing Eggman's life like Shadow said, Eggman eventually learned from his mistakes and as a result of that Eggman was able to kill all of Sonic's friends as well as defeat Sonic which made even Sonic question if he's really a hero if he let all of his friends die when he could have easily eliminated Eggman several times beforehand but when Sonic finally killed Eggman it showed Sonic is a lot darker than before as he is willing to kill people now so could he still call himself a hero, has Sonic finally gone to the Dark Side like Scourge said " All it takes is one bad day you'd be just like me".

Then there was the Simple Life. At first i thought this would be uninteresting to read as the title "Simple Life" implies no fighting but just the daily life of characters. But it was a lot more appealing than i thought. Exciting Romantic tension as Rainbow Dash and Spitfire fight over Soarin, Sonic tries to figure out which girl's right for him "Rainbow Dash or Spitfire" and Foxtrot and Big Mac fight over Fluttershy. Hilarious scenes like the Crusaders with a little help from some Wonderbolts and some dogs take the boot to Hoofington and "Foxtrot at the Vet" ROTFLMAO <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt=":)" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="391" title=":) (Smile)"/>. Even more surprising fighting scenes just when i thought there was nothing else you could do to surprise me, Fenrir not only fighting both Sonic and Metal Sonic to a standstill but dominating them both in two on one fight no less. I honestly couldn't believe someone powerful enough to take down those two phenomenally powerful fighters. The new team up i don't think anyone saw coming Sonic and Metal Sonic working together to save the world lost on their first battle as a team to this new guy Fenrir who made a huge impact on the story with that win. Guess Fenrir power wasn't just exaggerated, I guess they don't call him the Alpha of Alphas for nothing. I'm very excited to see a rematch. I wonder how Fenrir would match up against Super Sonic.

New Rivalries

The return of Scourge, One of Sonic greatest rivals returns to the fore. How will Sonic react to the return of Scourge. What does this mean for Sonic and his friends now that the King has arrived?

Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust. Its seems Rainbow Dash is getting a little karma retribution for her actions during the New Dawn chapter 2. I found hilarious how Rainbow Dash had to put up with Lightning Dust and actually learn what its like to put up with an irresponsible and reckless teammate. But that aside it looks Lightning Dust is back for payback, how will Rainbow Dash react to this?

The change in Fleet Foot. Fleet Foot is casualty of a War that now holds Spitfire responsible for his war injuries. How will Spitfire deal with an old friend turned traitor?

All questions i find myself trying figure out. Its really impressive how you keep managing to keep the tensions high.

Especially with formation of the new Evil Dream Team that all these new rivalries have been building up to which nobody saw or SHOULD i say would have seen if not for the sneak peak you gave us from Discord and Cadence's conversations. One of the many problems i have with this story. You should reveal plot points like this so early in the story because it will ruin the surprise later, its like getting spoilers for a movie that you haven't seen yet. It just takes fun out of moment because you already knew it was coming.

Lack of Explanation of important plot points:

How Metal Sonic was able convert soldiers to his side.

How Ascended Shadow was able to absorb Magic when not even Discord can do that, it would have made a lot more if Ascended Shadow could absorb Chaos Energy since both Shadow and Discord can manipulate chaos energy not magic (well Discord can use magic but you get the point).

Luna not telling her sister about the crisis, I don't think Luna would risk losing more of her sister trust so quickly considering the Nightmare Moon incident.

One thing that confuses me about your story is how you made Rainbow Dash so incredibly cynical. Rainbow Dash is element of Loyalty, I doubt she would be so incredibly selfish that she would break Sonic's Hearts by selfishly using him to get what she wants then knowingly break his heart again by outright mocking him and slandering him to make him out as a misguided fool in her web.

Which brings us to the few latest chapters which are great example of your epic storytelling for battles as i have mentioned before you have great way of drawing out the emotions in battles the clash of ideals, the motivations and epic killings of the changelings, i mean taking someone's arm and forcing through their own throat. EPIC MAN EPIC <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/s/s…" width="15" height="15" alt=":)" data-embed-type="emoticon" data-embed-id="391" title=":) (Smile)"/>.

The Simple Dawn Epilogue was bit disappointingly i mean really it was just one of Spitfire's boyfriends coming back town and Blitz Ace really just seems more like a minor annoyance than a threat so not really interested in that but the conversation between Celestia and Discord was just overwhelming. Looks like there really are "DARK DAYS" ahead.

Overall i say you're doing pretty great as a writer besides a few issues i can't really see any problems with your story. Though you could use a lot of improvement on your story in my opinion. Not trying to be rude, just being honest so please don't take offense to this. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Dark Days Arc of your story, i hope the next chapters comes out soon.