The Heart Of Avarus
Chapter 6

By Daniel Bennett

Hooves pounded the forest floor like rolling thunder as the trio of ponies chased after Spike. "C'mon y'all if we don't keep goin' we'll lose him," shouted Applejack with exhaustion creeping into her voice. Rarity was keeping up to the other two ponies but it wasn't easy to match AJ's athleticism or Pinkie Pie's endless energy.

The sun had already set but the moon filtering it's way through the branches overhead was just enough for them to see their way. Their dear friend was heading to the west, his destination was likely as the mountain was giant and surrounded by not much else.

Howl's split the night causing distress in the ponies hearts. They continued at a full gallop hoping that they hadn't drawn the attention of the timberwolves. Those hopes were dashed as the wolves called out again from a short distance behind them.

"Oh dear I don't think we'll be able to outrun them for much longer," cautioned the unicorn barely keeping pace. "You'd be right about that sugarcube, but I don't think we got much of a choice here. The edge of the forest ain't far but im sure they'll catch up 'fore then," contemplated the farm pony.

"I think we're going to have to throw them a party!" shouted the hyped up pony. Usually it isn't scary when Pinkie Pie says something like that but this time it definitely sent a shiver down Rarity's spine. Pinkie was a happy-go-lucky pony that always made people laugh and smile, that wasn't the pony that she was running through the forest with. Maybe what happened back in Ponyville shook her harder than the unicorn thought.

"That's a bit of a problem there Pinkie, we don't know fer sure if Spike's headin' to that there mountain and if we stop were gonna lose 'im. But if we keep movin' them timberwolves are gonna catch up to us anyhow." Applejack took a moment to consider the best course of action. "You ain't gonna like this one bit rarity but I need you to keep after Spike-"

"You can't be serious darling! Do you really think i'd leave you two behind to face those brutes?" huffed Rarity. "You're just gonna have to trust me when I say we're gonna be alright sugarcube. I know you can shake that silly dragon outta whatever's goin' on with him. But me and Pinkie might not be able to make a difference, but what we CAN do is make sure that none of these twig eatin' varmints lays a paw on you," convinced Applejack.

"I'm going to be holding a welcome back party tomorrow for Spike and I need my dearest friends there tomorrow. I'll need you to help me setup for the party Pinkie, and some of your delicious treats Applejack. I shan't accept no for an answer and I will be terribly dissapointed if any of you dont make it- to my party I mean." Rarity's meaning was obvious, nobody doubted the dangers that everyone was facing. Regardless they could only try their best and hope everything works out.

"We'd better get going then, lot's to do before the party," grinned Pinkie. "Darn right, but first we got some business to take care of with them timberwolves, so we'll see ya soon there Rarity," added Applejack to the goodbye. Smiles were exchanged as Rarity kept galloping to the edge of the forest while her friends slowed down and stopped. As she left them behind the unicorn soon was no longer able to see them because of the dim moonlight.

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"N-no... this can't be happening." Twilight stared in disbelief as her mentor transformed into Queen Chrysalis. "Oh it very much can and is, you stupid little pony. I have now completed my revenge against you and for that I must give you my thanks." The queen gave a grin that enfuriated twilight but even so it was a mere spark under the ocean of sadness that flooded into her heart.

Tears flooded the young pony's eyes as she wept for what may have just happened. "what did you do... TELL me what you did... and what I did," her voice trembled and quieted as she went on. The bug-like queen gave a mischievious laugh as she revelled in her victory. "I would be delighted to regail you with how I setup the pieces for you to knock down. Your dragon friend is about to meet his demise at the hands of an ancient dragon to the west at a mountain larger than comprehension. It was earlier that I stole a powerful gem from that dragon which I would use to corrupt your friend, causing him to destroy Ponyville-"

"NO! Don't tell me you were behind it from the very start... that means that Trixie was innocent- oh Celestia what have I done? I didn't even give her a chance to explain," wailed Twilight in misery. "Oh but I was, Trixie had nothing to do with this, I masqueraded as her when I gave spike the gem. Just as I disguised myself as Celestia just now and got you to murder an innocent pony. I spread lies among the people to incriminate her beyond any doubt and then I sent her an invitation to come to the castle. Unbenownst to her it was for her own execution." She smiled with a sick sense of satisfaction.

For the first time in a while Twilight was still, she was horror stricken. Failing was the only thing she managed to do in all of this. She was a stupid failure that couldn't see through a trick that she had seen through the last time Chrysalis had used it. Rage had blinded her usually calm mind and it was all her fault.

"Now if you don't mind I must be off, I'm sure that the real Princess Celestia will be along any time now," and with that she dissappeared in a dark flash of magic. Twilght didn't object, she didn't even try to stop her. The guilt ridden unicorn stayed there alone, crying for a while longer. Finally she could bear it no more, she decided to leave without a trace. She didn't want to make anything worse than she already did, and with her shame she could never face Celestia again. All of her work to learn, improve and make her family, friends and mentor proud had been undone in a single day. Like a dam she finally burst, light grew from her eyes and horn as she floated into the air. Suddenly the light was gone and so was Twilight.