Souls are the spirit and essence of a pony, the fundamental core of their nature and the kernel of life that exists beyond the biology of flesh and blood and mental synapses. - Is it going off into an entire section of ramblings about the nature of things behind the actual scenes? ... Because I absolutely love those.
 
The Black Book called out to those around it who were susceptible to its influence. - Actual first time I'm feeling so creeped out by such an artifact, honestly Kkat, you move me.
 
They were eternal, metaphysical images of the deepest, truest nature of those ponies, lit up like beacons, fueled by a shining piece of Rarity herself.  - So awe-inspiring.
 
The Black Book had sensed the Goddess.  And it had been afraid. - It was only a zebra soul after all. Standing against a Goddess is no laughing matter.
 
I had been willing to forfeit my own life. - Yeah, after all I read in the comments, Pip embodies the virtue of sacrifice, no doubt. Although I may have not got to that conclusion alone :p
 
For a few terrifying minutes, I had no idea where I was.  Then I remembered the bomb.  Remembered running for the safe room.  Bucking the emergency button. - Oh SWEET! Are we watching the actual memory of escaping the afterexplosion! You never disappoint Kkat, really I shouldn't have doubted back in chap 38 that you'd deliver ^^
 
Considering how hot it must be outside, the fact that I was still alive and the room wasn’t an unbearable oven, spoke amazing praise of Twilight and her Ministry. - Awww yeah, love when you talk well of the Mane6 ^^
 
A fleshy, grotesquely-misshaped worm floated on the surface of the water.  I screamed as I realized it was one of my own hindlegs. - D: OSHI-
 
I had lost my leg in the fall… and I had regrown it! - Oh yeah, that last perk. ...Makes one wonder just how broken a concept it was back in the game. Here, there's magic, but there...
 
I didn’t think it was possible to feel even sicker, but I did.  A deep, soul-aching horror filled me as I realized that I wasn’t even a pony anymore.  I was something else.  I wanted to cry, to scream.  - But I had no mouth? Heh, seriously, that should feel really horrible. How can one even stay true to herself if she's not even her self anymore?
 
The super-alicorn, her coat a dark purple to the point of black, stared at me with glowing eyes as she casually tossed away the safe room, performing telekinesis that would have overstrained me with effortless ease.  - Am I witnessing.... the introduction to Fawkes? Oh boy, this is GLORIOUS.
 
“Ditzy Doo?” - You're making so many people happy with this, I'm sure ^^
 
I stopped as my eyes caught the cutie mark on the super-alicorn’s flank: a large, pink star surrounded by smaller white ones. - ... I cannot believe this. It's... man, how can... I don't even...
 
When her body was destroyed, and the souls of the countless ponies who had been consumed into her were set free, some of them, the strongest ones, found their way into the bodies of her fleeing children. - Oh, you clever Kkat you.
 
The voice of Pinkie Pie, tinny and distorted, crackled through the air. “Hi Twilight.  It’s me … - Oh Celestia, could you please crush my heart to bits some more? I think there's some little pieces left :p Seriously, I don't think I'll ever shed more tears than what I've done here for any other fic.
 
spend a forever with her and my friends. - Saying you deserve it is the understatement of the century.
 
“Okay, let’s get out of here.  I don’t like being in one place too long.  Especially this close to…” - Something bad's totally gonna happen when you say that, don't ya know SH?
 
SteelHooves’ armored body fell to the broken ground with a heavy thud.  His armored head rolled a few yards away. - Oh... what... did...
 
SteelHooves was dead. - Forgive me for being in the denial phase here, and hoping I'm stuck forever in it.
 
SteelHooves was dead. - STEELHOOVES! NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-
 
I couldn’t move.  Couldn’t feel.  Couldn’t breathe.  My mind was locked up, the gears jammed. - That's exactly what I'm feeling right now.
 
“Congratulations.  We jus’ declared war on the Enclave!” - Well things just keep getting better and better, don't they? Boy am I hyped for the.. fi..nal.. *sniff* S-Steel...Hooves... *snifff* *tear*
 
Her eyes were still wet and puffy with tears.  She had been riding with SteelHooves’ body and head, keeping watch over him. - I... it's actually reasonable for the team to move on as fast as possible, but it really feels quite anticlimactic to have the first mournings cut off from the story.
 
“B’fore yer time,” Calamity said.  “Back when it was jus’ Li’lpip, Velvet an’ me.” - Heh, looks like ancient history by this point. So much road walked together.
 
“Mommy, you look like Pyrelight!” - I swear, this writer woman here gotta have stolen the keys to my heartstrings or something, she can't possibly be this good at pulling them just with some text.
 
“Stay away, love.  Mommy’s poison.” - Oh SWEET MERCIFUL CHRIST, finally someone who doesn't make her address her own filly as "muffin". Truly, it's like a pandemic out there! Thanks for existing Kkat :)
 
As we watched, the shadows took the shape of great black warships descending beneath the cloud curtain. - Holy. Pogo-jumping. Chainsaw-juggling. Raptor Jesus.
 
“Dragon killers.” - Huh, so I guess they're not joking around that much.
 
I switched it off.  I’d heard better propaganda from Red Eye. - Well, that's mostly because Red Eye's propaganda was actually good.
 
“He was real good at that,” Calamity said solemnly.  “Thinkin’ tactically.” - Is it going to be like that, shedding one tear at a time for the entire chapter? My heart screams for release.
 
“Where…”  Nope, that was it.  My legs decided that they were done with this standing thing and wanted to try something else.  How about falling over?  Yep, that sounded good. - Standing is overrated anyway. But I was thinking, don't ponies sleep while standing anyway? Must be something really fierce for her to fall over.
 
Somewhere in the distance, the cracking booms of some sort of gunfire echoed across the landscape. - The mere thought of dragon-slaying cannons firing is terrifying to me.
 
I was drowning in sorrow, but I still hadn’t managed to cry.  I felt like I was broken. - Oh, how much do I know that feeling...
 
Somepony had welded SteelHooves’ head back on.  Somehow, that was what got to me most.  My breath caught, then came out in shudders.  My whole body begin to tremble, wracked with sobs. - It almost looks... like he's alive again...
 
My mind drifted as Crossroads spoke.  I went back to when SteelHooves first began traveling with us. - We will never forget you, SH. Ever.
 
I curled up against Velvet Remedy, burying my face in her dress. - Here Pip, have my tears. I have plenty to spare, so don't mind.
 
I tried to remember the last thing I had heard him say.  A warning, urging us to move. - “FLY, YOU FOALS!!”
 
“I…  There’s nothing I can say to do him justice.  But as Applesnack is lowered, I want to play this song.  It was his and Applejack’s song.” - Luna dammit, the tears are flowing!
 
They were firing under the city! - Just what in all of Pony Hell is their Plan B??!?!?!
 
The city above shifted, white towers cracking and breaking apart as the whole of Canterlot crashed down the mountainside. - In some online dictionary, sometime in the future, if you'll search for "breaking point", they'll point you to this chapter.
 
My last promise to SteelHooves.  And now I would never be able to keep it. - Oh Goddesses have mercy, be strong Pip! Please be strong for all of us T_T
 
His little pony would watch over him forever.  The spirit of Applejack would never leave his side.  - Technically, it's Rar... oh what the hell, I'm just trying to stop the tears here n_n
 
SteelHooves’ memory orbs. - Oh man, this's gonna be one heck of a doozy to sort out.
 
“Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to be alone,” she said gravely.  “I don’t think I can travel with you anymore.” - Oh nononononono, this is bad!
 
“Deep inside, we’re all raiders.” - Oh, that's gotta sting deep for Pip.
 
But… you blew up their home to get at her, Littlepip!” - Oh man, I see where this is going. And it's going to be messy.
 
I fell out of my wheelchair and curled up on the floor, hurt beyond the telling of it. Finally, the tears came.  And they wouldn’t stop. - I just wondered when Pip would get full-out with her tears. But this, this is beyond powerful.
 
Sometimes, my pegasus friend was startlingly wise.  - Wow, I didn't think of that either.
 
I was beginning to think Ditzy Doo really did carry absolutely everything we might need. - Well, that's NPC vendor privileges to you.
 
“They’re shooting at us?” I gasped.  The two Enclave pegasi had opened fire on Ditzy Doo! - Oh COME ON, she's just pulling a wagon you...you... monsters!
 
“Oh it just keeps getting better,” I groaned as we spotted the Enclave array on the top of Tenpony Tower. - I swear, this evokes the feelings of hopelessness I have when reading the best books. They can be so much better than games in this matter.
 
I wanted to collapse again, and I couldn’t tell if it was from the sorrow threatening to overwhelm me, or the weakness that was wrecking my body.  They felt like one and the same. - Wow, sometimes I swear, you're the only one who I have seen putting down emotions with such precision, emotions that ring completely true because that's the exact way one has lived them in their own time (Unlike the useless, rubbishy drama some best-seller writers scribble about).
 
“Just that, Littlepip,” Life Bloom affirmed.  “The Enclave shut down her broadcast.  Apparently, they have the ability to override whatever any of the rest of us are doing with those towers…” - Possession of massive amounts of pre-war tech is not to be taken lightly, at all.
 
“So, it’s a visit from the great and benevolent Enclave, is it?” - It's Powerful, as well.
 
According to the unicorn, I was closer to being an alicorn than to being a pony. - Honestly, I wouldn't mind Pip becoming an alicorn for good. But, I'm a powergamer kinda guy, so don't pay attention to me on that.
 
I nodded, taking mental notes. - At this point, this is the only part of the chapter that reminds me this is supposed to be a game crossover. Which is, in its own ways, a very good thing.
 
Calamity gaped in dumbfounded surprise.  “Radar’s still alive?” he gasped.  “An’ he’s here?” - The character development, it continues! It never stops! It is wondrous!
 
“I meant Ditzy Doo,” I said crossly as the lab pony ambled away. - Yeah Calamity, think of your close friends first!
 
“We could have seen this coming.”  - Yeah, but it's not like you had a free week or so at some point to act on it, did you?
 
“Yew ever been t’ the Ministry o’ Awesome?  Before the grand an’ mighty Enclave tore all o’ Canterlot down from the mountain?”  - Oh man, this is gonna be interesting.
 
Oh Goddesses, how I did not need the images that conjured.  - It's actually impressive how, despite Pip's fervid imagination, you manage to keep the "disturbing mental images" joke to a minimum. And those few are all in the right places. Props to you for that, Kkat.
 
“I don’t know what you needed these for, or who this Littlepip you mentioned in your note is, but I hope it’s as important as you said it is,” - That's gotta have scared Radar outta his wits the first time he heard who Pip actually was.
 
I watched the rest of the recording in stunned, comprehending silence. - Ah, so no wonder the Enclave moved only now, and struck Canterlot.
 
From a radio nearby blared the sound of heavy horns, marching drums and rumbling thunder.  Enclave music. - The actual, bad-as-can-be game Enclave music. God. You'd think they could expand their song rotation ever so slightly to go easy on poor ponies' ears, but no.
 
“They call you hellmare, you know,” the guard glowered.  “The kids.” - Heh, as if Pip's not already going through at least a pair of emotional crisis right now.
 
The blast of lethal magic struck a display of steam gauge assemblies, pulverizing it. - Noooo think of all the Railway Rifles! n_n
 
“How the hell did Lantern miss that?” - What kind of lame excuse for a long thing is 'a walking stick' for a pony anyway?
 
“Besides, let’s be honest, if I wanted to kill you, I would never use so crude a method.  I’d poison your food.”  - Wow, she's good.
 
“If you can sneak a listening device into her office above the Common Room, I may be able to catch her saying something about this mess that I can take to the council.” - Oh.... OH! Fallout 1! Junktown! I remember now! Oh, the memories. That Gizmo bastard had it coming, every damn time I started the game anew.
 
I realized I was crying. - So much to take in, plus so much to get out of the system...
 
“…colluding with a monstrosity in Splendid Valley which called herself The Goddess. - ... This is going nowhere good.
 
“That is why we detonated a megaspell beneath the home of the Goddess, the Maripony facility in Splendid Valley…” - Oh, those pigs! That oughta put some fight back into LittlePip, at least.
 
“Do you really think I’m that stupid?  Did you really think you could pull the wool over my eyes that easily?” - You broke up into her place afterall, Pip. That's bad manners.
 
Oops!  I cantered, circling to see Gizmo.  My eyes widened as I took in the surgical scars and the mechanical wings.  Gizmo was a cyberpony.  Almost certainly a refugee from Stable 101. - Whoa, that's several barrelloads of cool. Pity the sticky situation we get to know another cyberpony.
 
There was no way I was going to fall to some two-bit crook’s augmented mook!  - Damn right! Show him the One Trick to rule them all!
 
This was not the demeanor of a mare who’d just had her rival floated to her on a silver platter. - Right down to the CMC filly Applejack Manehattan scene... God I love you Kkat.
 
“And almost immediately after, I got a call from Raspberry Tart, reporting your attempt to barter for my murder.” - A very smart bitch, isn't she? If this was a game, the plot would make the players' heads spin.
 
There was a snort from the unidentified stallion.  “Our Raptors are eighty minutes out.  Should give you plenty of time to fix your little problem.  Or flee the city.” - Oh Celestia's superheated periods!
 
“Well…” I grimaced.  I had no reason for my assumption other than the timing and the fact that it always seemed to be me.  “Who else would it be?” - Becoming genre savvy one chapter at a time.
 
“Sounds t’ me like they’ve decided t’ do this the hard way anyhow.” - Oh, you wanna do this the hard way Ms. Tart?
 
Inside the chamber, Ditzy Doo pranced joyfully. - In this story, Ditzy is a ghoul, and she's still being treated better (by the author, I mean) than 3/4 of the stories I see her written in. Pretty impressive if you ask me.
 
DJ Pon3’s voice burst over the airwaves. - AAAAAWWWWWWWW YEEEAHHHHHH!
 
Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  Yes! - ...Er, are you OK?
 
“We are here to take into custody a pegasus wanted for crimes against the Grand Pegasus Enclave.  His name is Radar.  You can recognize him by the following brand on his flank…” - Oh FFFUUUUUUU-
 
“Hellmare!” she screamed, scrambling up and fleeing from the sight of me. Oh, you just nailed it here Pip.
 
Calamity slapped me.  Hard across the face with his forehoof. - Beautiful. Plus, she SO had it coming.
 
“We’ll do it,” I told Radar.  Turning to Calamity, “I have a plan.” - All right! THIS is the Pip I knew and loved!
 
As I stood near the docks, watching that bobbing, severed hoof, I recalled thinking: maybe not a sword, but there is enough blood for a dagger. - ... oh boy.
 
“She’s lived two hundred years,” Calamity reminded me.  “Ah reckon she c’n take care o’ herself, li’l miss two-months-outta-the-Stable.” - The timeframe just pales by comparison.
 
“With all due respect, Commander Thundersheer: no.” - Yeah, show her just how good can still be in a pony's heart! :D
 
Everypony in the hangar froze, turning their gazes upwards, as Raptor Pyrocumulus opened fire on her sister. - And not an ounce of understanding was given that day. I just pity the madmares in charge of all this.
 
“Aw hell,” Calamity hissed as he stepped back, striking down the officer with a sting of his armored tail. - It's all going to heck! Get out before the explosion!
 
My heart lifted at her jubilation. But then sank again as I looked out at the burning Pony of Friendship, the smoke of an incinerated city and murdered ponies blackly bellowing out of glowing wounds carved by destructive magical energy. - I guess from now on, no victory will be without sacrifices, will it?
 
Her body pulsed with a flash of radiation that drove her face-planting into the broken asphalt of the street. Makes total sense, magic rads is magic energy afterall, and it can be manipulated, but only unicorns possess the finesse to properly control it. Just a little thing like this would be the premise of entire fics. And it may be repetitive, but I love you for all this Kkat.
 
“Nope,” I replied, as I caught movement in the corner of my eye.  Gazing out, I saw Calamity moving up on a high ridge of rubble.  Our cavalry had arrived. - Yeeehaw!
 
Slowly, Calamity pulled back, sliding Spitfire’s Thunder away, and disappeared. - Aw geeze. Guess you had to talk about the whole Enclave thing with him sooner Pip.
 
“Hello, Pride,” Calamity said sourly.  “Ah see they’re lettin’ just anypony inta the Enclave these days.” - Well, it's not like they just drop them to the ground if they're not good enough. Right? Right??
 
Father?  Pride was Calamity’s brother?  No wonder he wouldn’t shoot! - Oh shoot, of course he hada more than valid reason.
 
Calamity’s brother grinned maliciously, “Cuz he killed our mother comin’ out.” - So Pride is the older one? Good grief boy, your bro here has had a friggin' CAREER, and then some, before you even entered the actual Enclave! Show some respect, kid.
 
“Then again, y’all should be thankin’ me,” Pride snarked.  “Who wants a picture of a hammer on their flank anyway?” - Oh, so his cutiemark was a hammer? Hm, I wonder what that means. Hard work perhaps? Repairing maybe?
 
Or Red Eye could be setting them up somehow.  From what I saw in Friendship City, the Enclave was sowing the seeds of their own destruction just being here. - You can never know just how deep Red Eye's plans go.
 
“Somethin’ like that,” Pride said dismissively. - Oh, so it's blow up s***, genocide ponies, go back into hiding. Makes sense, scarily enough.
 
“Drill Sergeant at Neighvarro.”  - Ayup, truly a job that just brings the worst out of those around you.
 
“Come on,” I encouraged, clopping my hooves on the floor of the cage.  “Story!  Story!”  Ditzy Doo joined in. - Oh sweet, I've been waiting for this moment since... dunno, 40 chapters ago?
 
So she drew on some ancient bylaw created by Stable Two’s first Overmare which allowed her to have me temporarily apprentice under a variety of positions until something sparked my cutie mark to appear. - Did that come with a snazzy cape and two friends to get into shenanigans with?
 
Smiling softly at the memory, I concluded, “It was the first time I had ever felt I’d done something useful.  Something really… good.” - Awww, wasn't that just sweet?
 
“Uncle told me that was when I got my cutie mark.  But I was having too much fun to notice.” - So much adorable here, good way to approach the end of such a grim chapter.
 
“Monster,” Pride said darkly, “Ah’d be surprised if there’s even a crater left by now.” - ... Oh Goddesses! Xenith! Silver Bell! D: NOT YOU TOO!!
 
Before we could react, Ditzy Doo zoomed forward again, flying right into the heart of the Enclave forces.  - I definitely don't like where I think this is going.
 
PFWOOSH!  The pulse of radioactive light sent the black-armored pegasi spinning out of control as she shot ahead like a rocket. - I've seen this scene before.... Oh man, she... she's gonna pull it off.
 
PFWOOSH!  - Pleasemakeitpleasemakeitpleasemakeitpleasemakeit.....
 
Ditzy Doo exploded. - ... If this was any more of a cliffhanger, I'd be seeing Hell straight down  from over here.