A droplet of water pools between the cracks of stone forming a ceiling. Gravity yanks at the swelling orb until it breaks free of the granite. Falling through the stale air, it crashes onto the soft violet nose belonging to Twilight Sparkle. The frosted water sends a shiver down the alicorn’s spine, making her mane stand on end. She lowers her head, but her eyes remain fixated on the flowing tails of her fellow princesses. Just a few hooves ahead are Luna and Celestia. The eldest of the sisters has her horn lit in a yellowing light to fight the darkness that follows them closely.
“Princess Celestia,” Twilight Sparkle speaks, “Where did you say this is leading to again?”
“The catacomb,” Luna answers for her sister.
“And what are they? I have never read any mention of such a place.”
“We would not expect you to,” Celestia turns her head to speak to her student. “The catacomb is a secret vault that only Luna and I are aware of. Not even Starswirl knew about this place.”
Twilight’s eyes swell as she struggles to hide her smile, “R-Really?”
“Yes,” Luna answers.
“Is there some sort of spell that can help protect Equestria from Spike?” the Princess of Friendship asks.
“In a sense, yes,” Celestia answers with a smile, “But to use it, we need to bring you to there.”
“Me? Why?”
“Everything will be explained soon, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna answers. “Please be patient.”
Twilight lowers her head and looks away. The rest of the journey is a silent one as the three make turns down a seemingly endless corridor. With the black veil of shadows swarming around them, Twilight is unable to see how far the path is or how they have journeyed. It is only when she sees the sisters abruptly stop does she, though she nearly stumbles on the damp stone floor. Twilight peers between the two princesses, but finds only darkness greeting them at the borders to Celestia’s light.
“Are we in the catacomb?” Twilight asks, looking around.
Her attention is drawn to the glow of Luna’s horn, as it fights the yellow magic of her sister with a haunting blue aura. The two princesses turn to one another and touch their horns. Suddenly the area is lit by thousands of crystals hanging from the ceiling. It nearly blinds Twilight from the sudden burst of light. The blue shards are larger than a pony, held in place by a network of vines protruding from what appears to be a dirt ceiling. Roots gnarl from above, creating a rustic-like chandelier.
Twilight Sparkle notices there is nothing in this chamber, “Is this really the catacomb?”
“It is, Twilight,” Celestia says, turning to her protégé. “You see, the catacomb is not a place we frequent for books or artifacts.”
“In fact, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna joins in, “It is a place that has a great concentration of magical energy. Here our magic is at its peak, allowing us to utilize spells we could otherwise be unable.”
“Then, is there a spell that you know of that can save Equestria?” Twilight asks.
Celestia shakes her head, “No, there is no magic spell that can thwart the Eclipse Dragon. He is a creature beyond anything that we can muster.”
“So, in order to contend with something of that magnitude,” Luna steps in, “We must have a pony that can match it. That is where you come in, Twilight Sparkle.”
“Me?” Twilight looks dumbfounded. “No, you must be wrong. I couldn’t hold a candle to Spike when I tried to stop him last time.”
“Yes, as you are now, you have no chance of stopping the Eclipse Dragon,” Celestia steps forward.
Luna says, “However, you have something that no other pony in Equestria has that makes you unique. A deep connection to the Elements of Harmony.”
“But,” Twilight pauses, “The elements were returned to the Tree of Harmony to stop the Everfree Forest.”
“Yes,” Princess Celestia, “The elements have been returned, but that is precisely why we are here.”
At that moment, Twilight looks up. A twinkle goes across her eyes as she stares at the roots that seem to spider web all across the ceiling.
“The Tree of Harmony,” she says. “We are standing under the Tree of Harmony.”
Both princesses nod.
Celestia steps forward, “In this space the Tree of Harmony excretes tremendous magic power that we may draw from. It is our hope to transfer this magic into you, you who has demonstrated an unrivaled affinity to the elements.”
“What about my friends?” Twilight asks, “I would never have been able to connect to the Elements of Harmony without them.”
“This is something only you can do,” Luna says. “Rather than have the power of the elements divided among the six of you, it will be concentrated into one pony.”
“I understand,” Twilight says, uneasy of the idea. “Is this the only way.”
“With the Eclipse Dragon wreaking havoc in Equestria, we must act fast,” Celestia says. “I would not ask this of you if we did not have any other way.”
Taking a moment to think, Twilight then turns to the princesses, “Alright, I’ll do it.”
Celestia smiles, “Then please take your place beneath the tree.”
Stepping slowly into place, Twilight Sparkle keeps her eyes up at the roots. They strangely start to pulse like a beating heart. But her attention is pulled away when the ground gives off a pink light. The stone floor becomes encompassed by the pink six-pointed star of her Cutie Mark. On either side of the princess, Luna and Celestia have their horns lit with magic as they concentrate on the spell they cast. It is Twilight alone that watches the spectacle.
The roots above swell, ceasing the pulsations. And then, one by one, the crystal elements phase through the bark, floating gracefully downwards like falling leaves. Each finds a place on one of the points before a pillar of stone erupts from the ground to catch them. The last to fall is the crystal star that once belonged to Twilight alone. All around the room, the crystals that emit the light grow faint, leaving only the elements to light the chamber.
The elements glow brightly as their light only seems to be cast inwards toward Twilight. It is so bright that she must shield her eyes. The chamber grows dark as the light begins to fade. Blackness covers everything. Even the light from Luna and Celestia’s horn is extinguished, and the veil swallows them whole.
But then, a strange white light appears, no bigger than a dot. It grows quickly though, spreading across the ground. Where the pillars held the Elements of Harmony, there are nothing but stones. The rocks are the crystals void of the magic. As the light expands, Celestia and Luna gaze upon Twilight Sparkle.
The Princess of Friendship appears older, grown up to be a pony of equal stature to Celestia. Her mane and tail have grown, dancing to an invisible breeze. In with the colors of blue, violet, and pink, there appear to be images of miniature galaxies dancing in the length of her hair. Even her horn has grown.
Twilight takes a step forward, failing to observe the change in her appearance. When she does, the sisters suddenly bow before the young princess. There is a tinge of fright that comes from both of them.
Celestia and Luna both speak. “Twilight Sparkle, Empress of Harmony, we beseech thee. Please save Equestria from he who dares harm us. Save us from the Eclipse Dragon!”
Atop the cliff overlooking Ponyville, the Eclipse Dragon is joined by a chaotic draconequus. Discord appears to shiver abruptly, as his entire body wiggles like a noodle. Spike merely turns to the Lord of Disharmony.
“You felt it too, then?” he asks.
“Yes,” Discord stretches himself out to stop the waves in his form. “It felt just like the time when the princesses transferred their magic to Twilight. But, only bigger.”
“It means the princesses are making a final stand,” Spike gets to his feet, “And it looks like they are going to be hiding behind Twilight again.”
“Will that mean you’ll be taking up the mantle of villain?” Discord asks as he climbs on thin air and reclines.
“What you have been telling me is true, I am doomed,” Spike says, looking a bit agitated. “But I will not everything I have done be in vain.”
Discord begins to rock back and forth as if in a hammock, “It almost sounds like you have some sort of plan.”
“I do,” Spike smiles, looking to the draconequus, “But for it to work, I need you to do something for me…”