A head-canon or alternate universe, if you wish; a time long after Princess Twilight has been crowned the ruler of Equestria when Princess Celestia and Luna had retired, Twilight was now responsible along with her best friends to take care of the land.
Yet as time when on and her appearance never changed compared to everyone else, is it possibly that other then being a Princess and an Alicorn; maybe she was more different then she thought. Immortality made her stand out among any-pony else. And with immortality, comes great happiness and great grieve…
Twilight Sparkle, after a peaceful yet grieve filled 222 years on the throne; the trauma, pain, grief, and anger that built itself from her family and friends passing away around her manifested itself into an altered being of a darker, deeper attire.

Everlight Everlasting.

War…


War between Equestria and the Crystal Empire had begun decades after the beginning of the immortalized era of the Equestrian race. Tensions and the internal fears of the highest rulers of the land came to a head when 'Princess Cadence' officially scrolled the notion of war against 'Princess Everlight's' rulership. Difficult times were raining between the two conflicting kingdoms, one opposed to the idea of death whilst the other embraced it. Ideals, believes, and opinions poisoned every vein of their relationships to the point of agony.
'Princess Cadence' with her daughter Flurry Heart isolated their crystalized empire from the rest of 'Everlight's' laws to bring about an area where the freedom to live or die was a part of the ponies and creatures who had to the choice to do as they pleased. However, 'Princess Everlight Everlasting' born to oppose such a notion solely believed that death should become an extinct formality no matter what it takes. Whether that'll be exhausting all her energy in crafting the most powerful spell in all of existence or raging a war against her last beloved family members to protect the future of her ponies.

After 50 years of the illegally banning death as a part of life's plan, Princess Everlight and Spike the Friendship Ambassador stood together side by side to battle the complications of this pointless war of Princesses and Politics that they'd knew would end having the magic of friendship by their side. They were fighting for what they believed was right. The right for a long and endearing future with no promise of grieve and misery to stand in their way.
So, they promised to themselves that they'd make sure to do the same for others. Whether they want it or not. They will see the beauty of what life can bring and prove that death isn't the right choice.
Prove that death will NEVER be the right choice. Both knew it'll be near impossible to convince Cadence, Flurry Heart, Celestia, and Luna upright from their tainted, unforgiveable views, however, ‘Everlight’ and ‘Spike’ knew it’ll only be a matter of time before their all realised their biggest mistake in sub-coming to corrupted ideals.

However, time is not on their side. Whilst they may have time, the citizens who were brainwashed by Cadence's ideals will be the ones to suffer. 'Everlight' will not let that happen. Because if it was coming to that point…
Then desperate times.

Call for desperate measures…

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STORY

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WAR AND TORMENTATION


"Twilight… Are you sure that you wanna do this?"

The words echoed from the purple scaled dragon on 'Princess Everlight's' left like a decent voice of reason. Everlight's attention was scorned by the manifest sight and power that auraed from the atmosphere of the Crystal Empire beyond her reach. Whilst the chilly and stormy wind played with her sparkling mane, the wind couldn't reach the ringing in the alicorn's ears as Spike represented the concerning question which had finally stuck a chord. Blinking dreamily from the internal gaze that clouded her vision, Everlight gently glanced to the worried but loyal dragon aside her.

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure, Spike… I got to be here, right here, right now. I've been stalling long enough and the time to act is upon me. If we don't do something, we will begin to lose the lives we're worked so hard to maintain… You didn't have to come along if it's too much for you, Spike. I will not force you to fight…"
She muttered sadly. But the sizeable dragon expressed a brave face as those arms of his crossed fiercely.

"And leave my best friend to fight alone? I don't think so. Besides, we're a team. Always have been, always will be. And personally, I wouldn't be a good ambassador of friendship if I didn't help my own friends."

Spike nudged with a quirky smile trying to brighten up the dim, sorrowful mood. To the dragon's credit, Everlight let out a weak chuckle at the notion as her heavy jewelled hove arched itself into Spike's paw. Delicately, the dragon shared the affection as they took in the breath-taking sight before them. The Crystal Empire was on complete lockdown. No pony from the moment war was announced could get in or out without the promotion of the princesses themselves. Blanketed in a dome of blue and yellow protection, the Crystal Castle stood tall and proud surrounded by streets of dull and cloudy agate buildings and homes which have long been expanding since the early days of Equestria.
Surrounding the dome was a sky and a landscape suffering from the lack of care from the fears of invasion. Ruby red clouds and depressingly dusty brown clouds washed overhead as neither Pegasus nor unicorn have ever worked above the land in months. Inside that shield was what Everlight and Spike had come for. Inside one of those buildings. Inside of the hospital were patients, victims of Cadence's beliefs sub coming to a slow, dreading end that would soon be stopped thanks to the quick thinking of a determined alicorn.

Behind row after row on the hill that watched from where hundreds of ponies ready to pull into their princess's command. However, these weren't just regular ponies. In fact, they won't pony at all. Soldiers cased from pure magic stood strong at their commanding existence, soldiers coated in transience pink armour holding nothing but the horns on their head. There will be no weapons in this fight because they won't here to hurt. They were here for a rescue and a rescue they shall do.
Whilst many of the magically summoned soldiers held tall flags of Everlight's kingdom behind, the alicorn could spot through the slightly transparent shield the sight of crystalized ponies covered in their own armour ready to strike back against their goodness.

"Thanks, Spike. I knew I could count on you. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to do this on my own, there's so much that needs to be done and I really don't want to do this… Why does Cadence want it this way? Why couldn't she have just listened to me and leave her opinions out of this. So many ponies have already fallen to her mistake words already, I can't… I can't stand it…"
Everlight gritted harshly which in turn forced the dragon at her side to come to her aid. Spike the Ambassador came forward and held the dark purple pony's shoulder in an attention to keep the peace.

"Focus, Twilight. I know you are upset but we must do this, remember? Maybe when we get inside Cadence will rethink the entire thing. You must be strong for the ponies, there's hoping to get their families back in one piece."
Spike tried yet his encouraging tone only put a plaster on a wound the size of an underwater gulf. Struggling to hold back the emotional torment that plagued the alicorn's soul from the thought of Cadence betraying her, there was a flight over movement coming from within the protective shield. Stepping back from Everlight's shoulders, Spike with his perfectly shined golden armour counted in decorative scales watched as a silhouette of pink opened a portal through the barrier to fly towards the open Badlands in front of the regal two. Was it Cadence? Celestia perhaps to assign one last chance of surrender. As the alicorn got closer to reveal enough details, Everlight breathed a quiet sigh of relieve as someone with a kind-hearted soul stood a distance away closely waiting for a talk.

"Flurry Heart… Stay here, Spike. You could be right about this; we may be going home with a hove-full of smiles."

She grinned hopefully as her shaded black wings took a gliding start downwards towards the beautifully kept alicorn that was her youngest family member. Standing a top of the aligned hill, Spile had a look that expressed the opposite of hope as his claws creeped up to touch the ambassador medal hanging from his chest.

'Not yet.' His mind pronounced as that leaned away from their secret weapon hidden against the trident of golden and violet cloth. The Element of Magic.

.


Gliding with the lively air currency that arrived as soon as the purple alicorn took flight, she branched downwards, and flapped to a quaint stop to trot the last few metres towards Flurry Heart who caused Everlight's heart to flutter with hidden excitement. When arriving at a respectful distance, the alicorn expressed a physical greeting of a light bow before fluttering her amazed eyes towards the niece whose face resembled an emotionless record of stern magenta.
Flurry Heart looked so grown up. So elegant. So… Well. Mildly frightening whilst wearing enough metal to cover her perfectly pink coat in a defensive display like she was expecting to get hurt because of her favourite Aunt. Everlight already felt a moment of parental guardianship tugging at her heartstrings at the thought of Flurry Heart wearing such battle suited attire until a familiar branded shield decorated the side of the young lady's torso. Nearly skipping a beat, she felt her throat automatically tighten as Flurry Heart's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"You have a lot of nerve bringing yourself here, Everlight. After the last letter you sent my mother, I would have assumed you would have finally left them alone…"

"Flurry… I had to come; you know why I had to come. I couldn't just stand by when their family members at home were begging me to do something… You certainly have grown since the last I saw you. You've shortened your hair; it looks good on you."

"Yeah… I suppose I kind of had too to fit into this helmet. You know I didn't come for small talk; I came here because I want to give you one last chance to fall back. This isn't right, Everlight. And I mean that in a different manner when what you are working towards. Just… Just look after the citizens you have in Equestria already and leave the Empire be. We don't want to fight you either, but we will if we must. We'll fight for those who can't. Because they really, really can't."

Flurry's face crumbled little by little, her voice cracking towards the end as her armoured arm reached up to push away a tear that fell. Quickly, Everlight stepped forward with an embracing wing. Only to be rejected by the upset pink alicorn by them leaning their own wing out to keep the distance.

"Don't. Just don't. Sigh You're making this really, really hard… Mum, Chysalis, and Tirek are waiting inside, and they will put up a fight if you decide to make your move. "

She managed whilst glancing away from the eye contact Everlight desperately wanted to make. With their heartbeats threatening to burst from their chests, the purple alicorn's emotions burnt and roared with agonizing decision making to the point of squeezing the breath right out of her. 'Everlight'. That's what the opposite side has been beginning to call her. Or did she announce this little nickname and forgot that she did. So much time has passed already, she can barely remember the beginning of the immortalized era without the assistant of journals and books igniting her memory.

"We don't have to fight, Flurry. You don't have to fight, no one has to fight. If you could see reason and let me help" Everlight started but suddenly had a hard stub of a hove collide with her star jewelled chest from a furious, gritting teeth niece with the blazing stare of a broken child

"WE DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!
.
WHAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND?? WE ARE NOT LETTING YOU TAKE THEM WITHOUT A FIGHT! WE DO NOT CARE WHAT IT TAKES!"

Flurry cried furiously before thrusting herself closer.

"You've gone very fair with your experiments and your spellcasting that has seriously affected the lives of all those who put it in your hooves. Now we're here picking up the pieces whilst you embrace the fruits of your immoral labour. That's what my mum said and its true.
I… I once thought there was nothing wrong with what you are doing but now, I see how horrible it can get if it goes wrong. You can't just keep doing this and doing this expecting to fill the void in all our hearts. Daddy wouldn't want this, and neither would Twilight, you aren't her…I don't know what you've done with her, but I want her back. Not the empty shell that she left behind."

"B-But Flurry, I'm not"

"Lie all you want to yourself! But you're not going to get into my head twice. You've decided that your work is more important than family, so do what you want. But I'm not going to be a part of it. Don't follow me. Or we’ll all regret it…"

Flurry growled whilst salty tears escaped her twitching eyelids that shivered with rage. Leaving behind a larger mark then the scratch across Everlight's chest plate, she ruffled her shortened tail around and trotted off back towards her entrapped kingdom before spreading out her impressively colossal wings to the dirty sky. Glancing back to check she hasn't been followed, the young armoured alicorn flapped and took off back into the Crystal Empire without a second glance.
Standing there. Alone and in shock stood a stone cold Everlight whose heart was breaking bit by bit like a poorly crafted Jenga game. The words had hurt. Oh, they've hurt so much. But the worst part was that she would have to now stand against her Niece to save the elder ponies from their deathly demise. Not moving an inch, Spike the Dragon carefully ran up to the alicorn with a face filled with concern.

"Are you alright, Twilight? I heard all of that, you shouldn't have gone to her on your own… Twilight?"

Spike kindly asked with widened eyes. The purple alicorn couldn't answer as voices, thoughts, and emotions flooded every muscle of her godly being, the sound of bells and long-dead heartbeats screaming into her earlobe as impossibly frightening memories crumbled before her very eyes. She didn't know what to do next… Or did she? She did but could she, do it? Muttering something lifeless towards the strong compassionate friend at her side, she quickly repeated it as her face mellowed and dropped into a state of emotionless thermal that would push her forward.

"I'm fine, Spike… We're continuing as planned. With or without Flurry's approval. We'll break through the barrier, collect the elderly on the ground then finish up at the hospital. The Guardians of Safety behind will safely teleport the elderly back to Canterlot for the Rebirthal progress. Everything will have to be wiped to keep them alive. Proposed the element of Magic will be on our side. I'll need you to break though that shield… You ready, Spike?"

Everlight asked the ambassador of friendship lowly. Any aura of emotion being pushed down into a dark, dark pit to be sorrowed in later. The dragon thought desperately of this notion, his facial features tightening as his mind worked overtime as the dot of frightening pink glowed a mindfulness light before slowly blinking away to receive the dragon's final answer.

"Always will be, Twi. Always will be…"

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More will be produced soon, slowly illustrated for your entertainment as we continue into my ongoing head-canon series: 'My Little Pony; Friendship is Eternal'.
If you haven't read or seen the previous parts of the ongoing complicated story of what happens after the 'My Little Pony; Friendship is Magic' series, then follow the illustrations below and watch as the secrets unfold! <3