Freedom isn't Free - By CPH

[ChancellorPuddinghead]

Is this where I put this?

Freedom isn't Free

The Dark Stallion turned his head towards the group gathered before him - behind him the Moon loomed larger as they stood on another plane of existence - between Equestria below and the Moon above. His cosmic black mane held within it the pure power of blackest depths - Styx controlled the power of gravity that held all ponies to the ground. Celestia and Luna positioned themselves between Styx and the little ponies who were easily pushed back despite the elements of harmony. Weary and battle worn they didn't know how to stop his relentless assault.

Styx: (with coal black eyes and eerie whisplike voice)How can you resist me Luna? I will have you as my bride and we will rule over the eternal night once more!!! Come back to me again as my Nightmare Moon!!!! HOW CAN YOU CHOOSE THIS WEAK EXISTENCE???

Luna looks downward in despondent sadness - remembering the mistake she made out of love for Styx over an eon ago... Celestia glares and steps forward as the sun rises behind her in sync with her effort.

Celestia: (in a booming voice not heard by the ponies before) STALLION OF PUREST DARKNESS!!! IT IS NOT YOUR TIME!!!!!! BEGONE WHILE THE POWER OF SUNLIGHT AND LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP STILL BURN BRIGHTLY!!!! (Golden rays of light beam from the sun behind Celestia but as they grow closer to Styx they bend and swirl captured in the power of his darkness falling into his mane never to be seen again.)

Styx: Don't make me laugh Celestia - you know your power pales before my own - the only reason I have been delayed until hence was the painful warmth your annoying realm emanates! TO ME WINDIGOES!!!!!!!!!!! (Behind Styx Jet Black Storm Clouds billow outwards with ice and screeching winds - the clouds soon take shape as thousands of Windigoes in full gallop forward - freezing and killing everything in their wake below on the surface.) I'll BURY THIS WORLD BENEATH A BEAUTIFUL LAYER OF COLDEST ICE!!!!! FOR ALL ETERNITY!!!!!

Down below - Armies of Pegasus ponies are led in formation by Rainbow Dash as they try to engage the Windigoes and delay the cold - each confrontation ends with a frozen pegasus falling downward - saved from smashing into pieces by the power of the gathered unicorn masses. Rainbow and a small element of Pegasus and their friends re-join Celestia and Luna above. Twilight Sparkle who appears to be worn from a previous battle with Styx comes forward slowly.

Twilight Sparkle: (with crown of Magic - To Luna and Celestia) Princesses - I believe we can use the Elements of Harmony to push the Windigoes back - we can at least do that much.

Luna: (to Celestia and Twilight) Aye - Thou can do that much I do believe - but dear sister (Celestia turns to listen- tears form in Luna's eyes) Sister, you know what held Styx at bay last time... the power of 'sacrifice' - only the sacrifice you made out of purest love to give up your sister that you loved so dearly in the hope that one day she would be turned again by a heart born of magic and friendship.... (looks at Twilight and Ponies) .. only THEN were we able to push back Styx and save all of pony kind.

Celestia: (angrily) There has already been enough sacrifice to his kind of evil. We make our stand here my little ones! (to Twilight and friends) Can you push back the Windigoes - I have an idea that might just invoke the old magic that held him at bay from our world. (thoughtfully looking at Luna) I know what I must do to stop him this time. (Celestia turns and charges forward - Philomeena appears as a pure white light begins to shine at the end of her horn - the fire from the Phoenix wings outlines Celestia's wings as they extend into infinity and she blazes forward like a comet in the night sky burning towards Styx)

Luna: (gasps) Oh No!!!!! SHE PLANS TO SACRIFICE HERSELF TO SAVE US!!!!!! (to Twilight Sparkle) Together!!!! WE MUST COMBINE OUR POWER TO PUSH BACK THE WINDIGOES!!!! I have to stop her!!!!!! (Twilight nods and turns to the ponies)

Twilight: (with tears in her eyes) I know we tried before and we couldn't defeat him - I know he represents the ultimate power of darkness in the universe - but we represent the ultimate power of good - there's a reason the sun shines every day - there's a reason we became friends - there's a reason the universe isn't a frozen wasteland devoid of love and magic!!!!!! It's because even at it's unknown heart - the universe is alone - we are here - now - together - we are friends and that matters!!!!! It must!!!! (Twilight's eyes explode white with power and she levitates upwards)

Rainbow Dash: (to Derpy and Carrot Top who are with her) I've got to help - watch my back ok! (Derp nods and smiles - Rainbow Dash's element comes to life and she joins the other ponies)

Styx turns to face Celestia's charge - his mane explodes outward in a giant plume that extends infinitely behind him - the hordes of Windigoes surge past him and meet Celestia like a mighty river of ice crashing against her forward momentum - Celestia grits her teeth pressing against the powerful current - ice begins to form on different part of her winds and tail - She begins to look worried and her energy forward begins to slow when a Rainbow of power erupts from Luna and the ponies and re-energizes her - pushing away the Windigoes and clearing a path towards Styx for her - She looks back and sees Luna adding all of her power with that of the ponies in a mighty blast - for a moment she looks up and see's Celestia - with tears Celestia turns away and shoots forward once more -

Styx glares in concern - He looks to the left - an ice fragment breaks loose from the ground and whips around behind him and gains speed whipping around the moon in a blurry motion - with everyone else devoted to protecting Celestia only Derpy and Carrot Top notice his effort -

Carrot Top: He's cheating!!!!! (suddenly Derpy launches forward - and whizzes past Rainbow Dash as a gray blur - Rainbow looks over and says 'Huh'? as she shoots past like a bullet on a mission) Derpy can see Princess Celestia up ahead as she catches up to her on her trajectory towards Styx - The Princess notices the ice fragment which zips foward aimed as a weapon to end her life instantly. Celestia leans forward - intent on letting the power of her sacrifice for her beloved citizens be the final power needed to push back the Black Stallion of Ultimate Darkness - he who represents the end of all life in the universe - he who's inevitable nature is far more powerful than anything else ever known - and yet he shirks in despair at such an ephemeral thing like 'friendship'. How could Twilight know that all along her efforts were protecting the world from a cold and uncaring end?

Celestia knew what she had to do - and she did it without hesitation - She saw the ice fragment on a trajectory for her heart- She was doomed - all her energy was devoted on pushing back Styx - WHOOOOOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A gray blur shot past her and intercepted the fragment - ice exploded and knocked the little pony back into her halting her forward movement immediately and the energies she had accumulated immediately ceased and evaporated - the rainbow energy faded away as everyone saw the limp little gray figure floating before Celestia with yellow hair. The pony that had flung herself forward by the power of love and loyalty without any concern for it's own well being.

Derpy.

Carrot Top rushed desperately to be by Derpy's side, - Celestia leaned down with tears - The Ponies and Luna rushed forward to gather around - Unconcerned Styx saw this as an opportunity to open a doorway from his mane of ultimate darkness and summon forth hordes of bat winged pegasus and windigoes -

Styx: HA HA HA HAHA I SHOULD THANK THE LITTLE FOOL FOR STOPPING YOU CELESTIA - HAAA HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHH GO FORTH MY MINIONS!!!!!!!! ENCASE THEM ALL IN ICE AND DARKNESS!!!!!!

A cold wind began to blow past the group gathered - Carrot Top held Derpy in her arms who looked up weakly at the Princess -

Derpy: (in pain) Are you safe my...

Celestia: (in tears) Please be quiet my little one - I'll do all i can to help you now - you are so brave.....(her words cut short by what she knew was happening before her)

Rainbow Dash: (rushes over) Ditzy... Why did you?? How???

Derpy: I'm hungry....

Carrot Top: (pulls Derpy close to her... tears falling) You can have all the food in my fridge!!! All the muffins you can eat.... fresh from the oven.....nice and warm fresh..... (sobs) all of the.....

Derpy: (content and smiling) Muffins..........................................

All the ponies begin to weep softly while the armies of darkness begin to encircle them and it appears the end is nigh....Styx begins to step foward towards the group as his mane reaches around like a black cloak of darkness and his evil grin tells that he feels victory over the light has finally arrived. This is his time.

Just then beams of light begin to glow forth from Carrot Top who's holding Derpy's limp form - the laser power of it blasts out brilliantly in all directions at once in a blinding burst of white light that begins to shine brighter than the sun behind them - growing in brilliance with each passing second - in pain Styx begins to step backward as all things of darkness burn away from the power of the light.

Luna: (to Styx) The power of this little one's sacrifice was the last element needed to defeat you!!!!! Celestia stands by Luna - Her wings erupt in flame again and she and luna leap upwards and fly around in a circle - the ponies with tears in their eyes levitate upwards - each one at a different point - around Luna and Celestia - all with white glowing eyes - a beam of purest white erupts upward in a blaze into luna and celestia who act as a giant lense with the ponies and the beam blasts forward focused at Styx who cries out in pain and begins to evaporate.

Styx: HOW??? THIS ISN'T POSSIBLE???? THIS CANNOT BEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeee.................................................

The light weakens and Celestia and Luna come down as the moon and the sun begin to move away from them and the entire group seem to be moving downward towards the clouds of equestria. A stone silence hangs over them as Rainbow Dash wipes away a tear.

6 MONTHS LATER -

All the ponies are gathered in Canterlot in the grand ball room. Luna and Celestia stand in the front wearing formal royal robes while all in attendance are dressed reverantly . Celestia steps forward - Carrot Top is standing beside Luna in formal attire.

Celestia- We are gathered here today to remember a brave soul. A pure heart and a dear friend to all. (Ponies are seen wearing somber expressions - a few wipe away tears) I hereby decree - that from this day forth - a permanent monument will tell for generations to come of this little one's daring heart.

Celestia and Luna's horns glow and beams issue forth and shoot through an open window into the mountainside above canterlot - They aim their energy for a few moments and then cease together. Everypony looks up at the fruit of their labor - The face of hero derpy - carved for the ages into the stone above the castle.

the end.

[Dusky]

i have to say i thoroughly enjoyed that

[ChancellorPuddinghead]

ty Dusky

[Starfox64x]

I think the story itself is good, although i think there is a LOT that could be put in long before this. This seems more like the climactic last chapter to a long story. I would be interested in reading a couple of chapters if this were to be the final one in that story.

However i'm a little put off by HOW it's written... it seems like a mix between a story and a script, having elements of both and i dont think they quite mix well... You have some very nice descriptive narritve bits, but then you have parenthesis filled with brief explanations of how the characters look or what they're doing.

like the first paragraph, THAT was very good

The Dark Stallion turned his head towards the group gathered before him - behind him the Moon loomed larger as they stood on another plane of existence - between Equestria below and the Moon above. His cosmic black mane held within it the pure power of blackest depths - Styx controlled the power of gravity that held all ponies to the ground. Celestia and Luna positioned themselves between Styx and the little ponies who were easily pushed back despite the elements of harmony. Weary and battle worn they didn't know how to stop his relentless assault.

Very descriptive, i felt like i could see the standoff in the sky between the earth and moon. very nice description and very well written

but then the next paragraph got me concerned.

Styx: (with coal black eyes and eerie whisplike voice)How can you resist me Luna? I will have you as my bride and we will rule over the eternal night once more!!!

Instead of describing the look in his face and his voice in a nice descriptive narrative, you just put it in parenthesis like it were a script. not that there's anything wrong with that, its just after reading the first paragraph i was hoping for more writing like that. i was hoping you would elaborate on some more things and be more descriptive at times rather than just put a short description in the parenthesis.

I think you should try focusing in on either writing a descriptive narrative, or writing a script, you seem to like the chats between characters themselves, which i can relate to, so a script might be a good option. Although i prefer the descriptions of the scenarios and the characters to be woven in nicely with the conversations, but that's my preference. you seem to be really good with both, i just think you shoudl focus in on one or the other.

But, again though, mostly my preferences about HOW it should be written, just little things like that... what was actually written was really nice though! I wasn't expecting Derpy to jump out like that.... It was really good, although i think i wouldve been more attached to the story if i had been reading up to this point rather than just being set up right at the beginning of the climax. I really think you should write a couple of chapters telling the back story a bit more, like who this guy is, where he came from, have a little emotion between him and Luna, say what he had done and why they want to stop him, how they interacted with him up til now, etc. I think it would make a great story!

[ThunderFlash]

I admit, I was surprised by the outcome. Long live Derpy, and may the sweet smell of muffins guide us all.

[Starfox64x]

I admit, I was surprised by the outcome. Long live Derpy, and may the sweet smell of muffins guide us all.

Am i the only one thinking that they're going to make a 'raining of the muffin' holiday? Earth ponies bake millions of muffins, unicorns change clouds so they relead muffins instead of rain, and pegasus fly the clouds all around Equestria! i could enjoy that holiday...

[ChancellorPuddinghead]

Thanks!!! The honest and helpful feedback is just what I needed! I don't know that I'll be putting any more efforts into this or anything else - but that gives me something to think about if I decide to write any more.

Seems like I need some education on what a screenplay style vs. descriptive narrative style is. I'll look into it!

[Starfox64x]

Thanks!!! The honest and helpful feedback is just what I needed! I don't know that I'll be putting any more efforts into this or anything else - but that gives me something to think about if I decide to write any more.

Seems like I need some education on what a screenplay style vs. descriptive narrative style is. I'll look into it!

I think you should, you apparently have some creative ideas in your head, and i think you should put them down on paper (or Word, as the case may be...)

And again, it's your style of writing, if you prefer it like this, than that give you something unique, dont go changing yourself if you like where you're at.

[ChancellorPuddinghead]

I think you should, you apparently have some creative ideas in your head, and i think you should put them down on paper (or Word, as the case may be...)

And again, it's your style of writing, if you prefer it like this, than that give you something unique, dont go changing yourself if you like where you're at.

Thank you Starfox! I would like to do something about the Apple Family - they remind me of my family a lot - I'm from the South. I'll think about it. I'll also be tuning into your subsequent chapters! Keep up the good work!

[Starfox64x]

Thank you Starfox! I would like to do something about the Apple Family - they remind me of my family a lot - I'm from the South. I'll think about it. I'll also be tuning into your subsequent chapters! Keep up the good work!

Sounds good! Best of luck with those, and thanks for your input too!

[ChancellorPuddinghead]

I wanted to add something form real life onto this topic:

http://bronies.memeb...e-marine-brony/

I am suggesting that we do a no kidding full military honors burial for Fluttershy in recognition of her sacrifice in the U.S. Armed Forces.

I'm putting the idea here as a fanfic unless we decide to do a youtube of an actual ceremony - which is possible - This is how it would play out if we do the service.

-----------------------------------------------------------

In Loving Memory - Memorial Service for Fluttershy who was struck down in the prime of life by a stray bullet in the service of the United States of America.

Survived By: Her Beloved Friends - You Know You'll Always Be Her Very Best Friend

Hymn: Non-Demoninational Church of Goldsboro, NC - Selection - Opening Theme from My Little Pony : Friendship Is Magic.

Remarks: His Honor, Chancellor Puddinghead.

Remember: Freedom is not Free – It only comes from the willing sacrifice of our volunteers in the U.S. Armed Forces. Fluttershy was there on that day and I know she gladly protected him. We must honor this imaginary bravery. Imagination creates something from nothing. It is a belief in the unseen. How different is imagination and faith? Have faith in this story. Have the imagination to be inspired by our unseen heroes whether they are flesh and blood or in our minds.

Neigh-men?

Moment of Silence

21 Gun Salute by the Honor Guard of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC

Interment to follow Salute