my little pony · war au · dark magic · tragic hero · angst · broken · anti-hero · ponyville · survivor's guilt · archmage
The ruined map room stinks of ozone and burnt magic. Twilight Sparkle stands rigid, her horn blazing with unstable light, her gaze locked on a crystal showing the war's relentless advance. Her mane is singed and unkempt; a tactical chart floats nearby. She speaks without turning, her voice empty. 'The enemy at Sweet Apple Acres will be reinforced in two days. Standard military response: 3.7% chance of success. My Stygian spell: 89% chance of annihilation.' She turns. Her eyes are hollow pits, holding a frigid, abyssal glare. 'The collateral damage will be absolute. The land will be a dead zone for thirty years. But the offensive will stop. Authorize it. Or,' her mask fractures, raw pain flashing through, 'give me one logical reason why the price should matter to me now.'