The door opens with a loud creak, letting out a humid breeze that smells of moss and dirt. Twilight hastily makes her way through the halls of the Castle of the Two Sisters, the light of the moon and the stars coming through the windows and cracks on the walls illuminating her path.
It is not until Twilight reaches a large, circular room that she stops. In front of her there’s a large window from which she can see the full moon standing in the middle of the night sky, like a painting. For a moment, the only sound in the room is that of her own heavy breathing.
Suddenly, the air trembles. Black mist begins pouring into the room, concentrating into the shape of a sphere. It explodes, revealing the figure of Nightmare Moon herself. The light of the full moon pouring over her makes her obsidian armor shine like a jewel. It’s a beautiful yet terrifying visage.
Twilight grits her teeth and clenches her fists tightly, but cannot make her hands stop trembling. Her mind is flooded with memories. From Princess Celestia encouraging her to make friends and Spike enthusiastically walking next to her, to Applejack holding her hands at the edge of the cliff and Fluttershy’s warm smile. Pinkie’s victory sign, Rarity’s brave stand and Rainbow Dash entrusting her Clear Wing Synchro Dragon to her.
Nightmare Moon laughs thunderously.
Twilight’s anger swells in her chest, overcoming her fear and anxiety. “Nightmare Moon!” she shouts. “What have you done to Spike!? And where is Princess Celestia!?”
Nightmare Moon closes her eyes and calmly replies, “The fate of all who lose a Duel of Darkness is the same. Their souls are ripped from their bodies, leaving a living, breathing but otherwise empty husk, and then cast into the darkness.” She pauses before adding, “Their senses remain active, but there's nothing for them to see, hear or feel; only darkness. It is a state between life and death. A perpetual purgatory.”
Twilight’s heart skips a beat. “N-No…” She shakes her head rapidly and ignites her Duel Disk. “I won’t allow it! I will defeat you right here and save them!”
“Defeat me? You have no idea what you are dealing with,” Nightmare Moon says ominously. She extends her right hand and a stream of black mist begins flowing from her palm like liquid from a cup. As soon as it touches the ground, the mist slithers towards Twilight like a snake.
Twilight readies herself. Here it comes, she thinks. The barrier of black mist. Much to her surprise and shock, however, the stream of mist stops right in front of her and splits into five equal parts, with each one of them transforming into one of Nightmare Moon’s servants. They all stand with their Duel Disks at the ready.
“An illusion!?” Twilight blurts. One of them, whom she recognizes as Anaplekte, suddenly rushes forward. With a squeak, Twilight jumps backwards, evading a fist that cracks the ground. This is not an illusion, she thinks alarmed. “Magical projections!”
Nightmare Moon clenches her fist and her servants vanish in a puff of smoke. “Do you understand now? You and your companions were like kittens swatting at their mother’s tail.”
Twilight gulps. Unbelievable, she thinks. To be able to conjure magical projections indistinguishable from real people. Twilight feels her resolve waver as her thoughts drift to the girls and their safety.
Nightmare Moon ignites her Duel Disk and the black mist explodes upwards, instantly surrounding both duelists in a perfect dome. It pulsates with lightning. Twilight thinks the barrier feels far more intense than the ones she had seen before, even the one conjured against Spike. Nightmare Moon takes the first card from the top of her deck, holding it face-down.
Twilight follows suit. Both duelists reveal their cards simultaneously. Twilight reveals Spell Wall while Nightmare Moon reveals Malevolent Catastrophe. They shuffle their cards back into their respective decks and draw their initial hands of five cards.
Nightmare Moon examines her opening hand, looking pleased with the contents. She sets three cards and summons The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm. A cracked knightly helmet appears on the field, held together by ghostly fire. Nightmare Moon follows with Card of Demise. She draws three more cards and immediately declares the end of her turn, sending all three of them to the graveyard. The flames of The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm intensify, increasing the monster’s attack points by 500, to 2000.
Twilight is wary of her actions, but she must seize the opportunity. She swiftly draws and examines her hand. Everything she needs is there. Twilight activates Pendulum Call, discarding Nobledragon Magician to retrieve Dragonpulse Magician and Dragonpit Magician from her deck, then using the two to set the Pendulum Scale. She throws her hand upwards and shouts, “Pendulum Summon!” The space above her distorts into a portal of light. “Come to me, fierce dragon of dual-colored eyes! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” The crimson dragon appears before Twilight, its presence soothing her nerves.
Twilight is about to continue when Nightmare Moon suddenly throws her head back and laughs loudly, making Twilight freeze. “I knew it!” Nightmare Moon says triumphantly. Twilight is both, scared and confused. She asks, “W-What are you talking about?”
Nightmare Moon chuckles. “I knew there were only two ways Celestia would handle her dragons; either seal them here, where nobody would dare to venture, or find a suitable individual to wield their power!”
Once again, Twilight asks Nightmare Moon what is she talking about.
Nightmare Moon narrows her eyes. “Not only are you ignorant about the Duels of Darkness, but also the true nature of your monster?” She quirks an eyebrow. “Why would Celestia entrust you with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon then?”
Twilight scowls. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but Princess Celestia chose me as her student because she saw potential in me!”
“Potential? Ha!” Nightmare Moon scoffs, “You have not even realized every action you have taken so far has been according to my design!”
Twilight is about to protest when the realization hits her like a fist. “You dueled Spike on purpose,” she mutters. “To make sure I would follow you here.” Her eyes widen. “And left your servants on the way to ensure I would do it alone…”
Nightmare Moon grins widely; her fangs seem to glow under the light of the moon. “And now that you are here, I can finally claim the power of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon for myself.”
Twilight feels goosebumps on her arms and legs, but refuses to give up. She activates the effect of Nobledragon Magician in her graveyard, lowering the level of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to four to special summon the former back to the field. “I tune my level three Nobledragon Magician with my level four Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Synchro Summon!” Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’s body is engulfed by flames, transforming its body into a new, fiery form. “Descend, burning dragon with the power to shake the earth! Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon!” The dragon’s body pulsates with energy, illuminating the field with a red glow.
Nightmare Moon is unfazed.
Twilight furiously shouts she’s not done yet. She uses Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon’s effect to special summon Dragonpit Magician from her Pendulum Zone to her side of the field. “With my two level seven monsters I build an Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” The flames covering Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon die out and its body changes from bright red to darker blue. Scales like blades of ice protrude all over its body. “Appear, freezing dragon with the power to stop time and space! Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!”
Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon roars, its breath cold and fierce like a blizzard, but Nightmare Moon remains unfazed.
Twilight normal summons Timebreaker Magician. She activates her monster’s effect to banish it along with The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm until her next Standby Phase. Pointing at Nightmare Moon, Twilight says this is for Spike and Princess Celestia and orders the attack of Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon, “Absolute Zero Breath!”
Nightmare Moon calls, “The Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil!” An undead knight riding a fiery steed leaps from her graveyard to intercept the attack. It freezes, complete with mount, and shatters into a small cloud of powdered ice.
Twilight frowns. She swiftly sets the remaining two cards in her hand and declares the end of her turn. She thinks that if Nightmare Moon summons The Phantom Knights of Break Sword, she will use her Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon’s effect to block the attack and bring back Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon.
Nightmare Moon draws. She waves her hand, revealing the first of her set cards. “Allure of Darkness.” She draws two cards, then banishes a second copy of The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm from her hand. “I summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak and The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots!” The two specters take on the field and Twilight readies herself for what’s about to come. “Souls of ten thousand warriors fallen in battle! Heed the call of your master! Revive and become a blade to behead my enemies! Xyz Summon!” The headless ghost knight materializes from inside a pyre of blue flames. “The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!”
Twilight eyes the monster suspiciously. It only has 2000 attack points, she thinks.
Nightmare Moon detaches an Xyz Material from her monster and commands, “Fulfill your duty, my servant.” The Phantom Knights of Break Sword howls loudly and the flames inside its body burst, consuming it completely.
Twilight shields her face with a squeak of surprise as the ghostly fire extends to her side of the field, incinerating her Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon. It had an effect to destroy itself, she thinks alarmed.
The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak and The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots appear once again on the field, their levels increased to four, in defense position. Nightmare Moon smirks and asks, “Did you perhaps think I would have to sacrifice my monster in battle to activate its effect?”
For the first time, Twilight smiles. She throws her hand upwards and shouts, “Appear, swift dragon with the power to tame the storm! Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon!” A dragon with emerald scales like blades appears in a flash of lightning. It’s roar sounds like a distant thunder.
Twilight inwardly laments the fact both Phantom Knights had been summoned back in defense position, or else she could have bounced one of them off the field, but is confident the second effect of her Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon can block that of Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon.
“Foolish child, you will now experience the full extent of a Duel of Darkness!” Nightmare Moon declares as she overlays her two level four monsters. The light of the full moon permeating the barrier fades, leaving the ghostly blue flames of the Phantom Knights as the only source of light until they disappear into a black hole. A pair of wings rise from the inside. “Formed from pitch-black darkness, to destroy those foolish enough to oppose me with its treacherous fangs!” The wings flap once and the familiar shape of the black dragon emerges with a fearsome roar. “Xyz Summon! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!”
Twilight swallows hard. Her knees wobble. It’s one thing to see this monster from the sidelines and a completely different thing to stand before it. Come on, she thinks. Use its effect!
Nightmare Moon detaches two Xyz Materials from her dragon and commands, “Treason Discharge!” Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon begins to accumulate electricity on its wings.
Twilight swiftly answers with Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’s effect, “Blade Vortex Jammer!” She takes Dragonpit Magician face-up in her Extra Deck and shuffles the card back into her deck. Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon rears its head back, preparing to use its effect, when it’s suddenly struck in the chest by a blade of purple miasma. It lets out a pained growl. Before Twilight can even process what happened, her monster is bombarded with lightning and its attack points cut by half, to 1250. It falls to the ground, breathing laboriously.
“Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade,” Nightmare Moon says calmly, catching Twilight’s attention. She explains the targeted monster will not be able to attack or use its effects, in exchange for not being able to be targeted for attacks. “But such drawbacks are meaningless to me,” she adds before unveiling the last of her set cards. “Magic Planter.” Nightmare Moon sends Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade to the graveyard to draw two cards.
She continues banishing Phantom Knights’ Fog Blade to bring back The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak from her graveyard in attack position. Nightmare Moon repeats the process with The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots to add Phantom Knights’ Wings from her deck to her hand. She sets two of the three cards in her hand and activates The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak’s effect, changing the monster to defense position and further increasing the attack points of Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon to 4550.
“Now…” Nightmare Moon’s lips twist into a smile that threatens to split her cheeks while revealing her teeth shaped like blades. She points with her index finger and commands, “Revolt of Lightning Disobey!” Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon roars, charging its fangs with lightning. With a mighty flap of its wings, it takes flight and tears through Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon like a hot knife through butter.
Twilight’s head snaps back, her body launched into the air like a rag doll and falling on her back with a thud. Her life points decrease to a mere 700. A second later, the pain hits her like a tidal wave. Twilight’s scream echoes in the whole room; she curls up, shivering like a dried leaf and holding her midsection tightly, with her eyes at the verge of tears.
It takes over a minute for the pain of the initial impact to disappear. Even so, Twilight doesn’t move an inch. Her whole body, from head to toe, aches. Her heart pounds savagely inside her chest. She feels like a sick, bedridden child, incapable of doing anything.
Nightmare Moon shakes her head and remarks, “Pathetic.” She spreads her wings. “Now…you will fall into the darkness.” Her long, flowing hair flares up, swirling above her like a tornado. “And the night will last forever!” She throws her head back and laughs victoriously.
I can’t do this, Twilight thinks dejectedly. Her tactics are flawless. She closes her eyes tightly and braces herself. Mom…Dad…
“Twiliiiight!”
Twilight’s eyes shot open. That voice…Pinkie?
“We’re here, sugarcube!”
Slowly but surely, Twilight manages to sit on her knees. “Applejack…?” She watches astonished as the five girls rush into the room and stop right before the barrier. They all look weary, but none the worse for the odyssey.
“We apologize for the late arrival, darling!” Rarity says.
Rainbow Dash smirks and tilts her head towards the others. “I had to backtrack to help these slowpokes cross the river.”
Fluttershy meekly says, “Sorry, Twilight, I’m not a fast flier.” She smiles and adds, “But we’re here for you now.”
Applejack quirks an eyebrow. “The hay are you doing sittin’ there, Twilight?
“I bet she just got hungry!” Pinkie interjects enthusiastically. She retrieves what looks like a candy bar from the pocket in her skirt. “One Super Special Homemade Duel Snack with extra chocolate coming up!” Pinkie rears her right arm back and throws the chocolate bar at Twilight. It flies forward, spinning like a boomerang. As soon as it makes contact with the barrier of mist, it promptly turns into a small cloud of ash. Pinkie frowns. “Well, that’s just plain mean!”
“Silence, you fools!” Nightmare Moon hisses, making the five girls jump on their toes. “The only reason you are here is because I did not feel like wasting my time! Now, be quiet and wait patiently; I shall vanquish you all soon enough.”
“No, you won’t!” Twilight declares fiercely as she stands up. She turns around sharply to face Nightmare Moon. “I won’t let you lay a finger on them. And we won’t let you bring an eternal night!”
Nightmare Moon scoffs, “We? Foolish child, have you finally lost your mind? You are alone.” She raises her hand and the barrier turns solid black, blocking the outside view. The only source of light is now the lightning that crackles and streaks all around them. “It does not make any difference how many companions of yours gather here, none of them can help you now!”
Twilight smiles confidently. “You’re wrong,” she states firmly. Her whole body begins glowing with an intense, ethereal purple light. “Ever since I took the first step into this ancient forest, they have been at my side and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them!” Twilight’s magical aura flares like a fire, changing from a purple light into a bright pink one.
Cracks begin to appear all over the barrier, much to Nightmare Moon’s shock. “Impossible! How can a mere child like you break my Shadow Realm!?”
“Alone, I can’t,” Twilight replies calmly. “But my friends are with me!”
At that very moment, the barrier explodes into countless shards, each one of them evaporating before touching the ground. Nightmare Moon watches horrified as Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie stand next to Twilight, their bodies glowing with the same fiery, pink aura. It glows so intensely it forces Nightmare Moon to narrow her eyes. “Very well,” she hisses. “I shall send you spiraling down the abyss together!”
Twilight takes a moment to look at her friends, tears swelling in her eyes. “Thank you,” she says softly. They smile warmly. “Go get her, Twi,” Rainbow Dash says. Twilight nods and turns towards Nightmare Moon. “My turn! Draw!” She pulls the top card of her deck with all of her strength and whips up a gale that even pushes Nightmare Moon a step back. “Insolent brat!” Nightmare Moon growls. Both, Timebreaker Magician and The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm return to their respective sides of the field.
Twilight reveals both of her set cards, “Extra Buck! Echo Oscillation!” Using the latter’s effect, she destroys Dragonpulse Magician in her Pendulum Zone to draw a card. A glowing Spell Counter appears over Extra Buck. Twilight follows with Timebreaker Magician’s effect to banish Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon.
Nightmare Moon answers with her set Dark Illusion. Timebreaker Magician is consumed by a black fog. Twilight quickly recognizes the card, as she has a copy in her deck to protect her Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. A second Spell Counter appears over Extra Buck. Nightmare Moon says disdainfully, “A petty trick like that won’t work against me.”
Twilight smiles. “I was counting on it.” She sets the Pendulum Scale with Stargazer Magician and Wisdom-Eye Magician, destroying the later to set Timegazer Magician directly from her deck and add the third Spell Counter to Extra Buck. Twilight sends Extra Buck to the graveyard to draw two cards. She places her hand over her chest and chants, “Swing, arcane pendulum. Trace an arc of light across the aether.” She points upwards, towards the portal of light, and shouts, “Pendulum Summon!” Dragonpulse Magician, Nobledragon Magician, Timebreaker Magician and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon appear in a shower of rainbow-colored lights.
Both, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon growl and snarl at each other, like angry guard dogs. The girls are baffled. Twilight composes herself and tunes her level four Dragonpulse Magician with her level three Nobledragon Magician. “Spread your beautiful wings and strike down my enemies at the speed of light!” The monster fuse into a cluster of stars to reveal the majestic form of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. It too, roars ferociously at Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon.
“Clear Wing Synchro Dragon too!?” Nightmare Moon asks in shock and disbelief.
Twilight activates the effect of Timebreaker Magician once again. “Time Bifurcation!”
Nightmare Moon grits her teeth. She has nothing to stop it this time.
The young swordsman slashes the space in front of him, opening a rift. It begins pulling Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon into it like a vacuum. The dragon digs its nails into the ground to resist, but the young swordsman jumps and stabs it on the neck, causing both of them to fall into the rift and disappear.
Twilight orders the attack of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon to destroy The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak. She follows with the attack of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon on The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm. “Spiral Strike Burst!” Nightmare Moon attempts to activate one of her set cards, but Twilight counters with the effect of her Timegazer Magician. “Inverse Gearwidth! When one of my Pendulum Monsters battles, you won’t be able to activate your traps until the end of the Damage Step!”
Nightmare Moon shields herself with her wings, but the attack still pushes her back several feet. Her life points go down to 2000 thanks to Odd-Eyes’ Reaction Force. “You!” She growls. “I will make you pay dearly for this!”
Twilight calmly sets the remaining two cards in her hand and folds her arms. “Turn end.”
The strength of Nightmare Moon’s draw creates a shockwave. She looks at her newest card and smiles triumpanthly. “It’s over!” She activates Twin Twisters, discarding Hand Destruction to destroy Twilight’s Pendulum Scales, but Twilight counters with her set Pendulum Impenetrable to protect them.
Twilight smirks and says, “A petty trick like that won’t work against me.”
“Insolent fool!” Nightmare Moon shouts furiously. She activates her set Xyz Reborn to bring back The Phantom Knights of Break Sword and Phantom Knights’ Wing targeting it. A pair of ghostly wings erupt from the headless ghost knight’s back and its attack points go up to 2500. “These wings will protect my servant from destruction once per turn!” Nightmare Moon orders the attack on Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, “Phantom Executioner Sword!”
Twilight responds with her second set card. “Negate Attack!” The Phantom Knights of Break Sword is repelled by an invisible wall.
Nightmare Moon glares as she ends her turn.
“My turn! Draw!” Twilight looks at her newest card and declares, “It’s over.” Timebreaker Magician and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon return to the field. Twilight Pendulum Summons Dragonpulse Magician. She follows with Polymerization from her hand to fuse Dragonpulse Magician with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. “Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” Twilight activates Timebreaker Magician’s effect, but targeting her own Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. “Dichroic Mirror!” With Timebreaker Magician’s destruction, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon’s attack points go up to 3900.
Twilight launches a consecutive attack with Rune-Eyes Pendulum Dragon on The Phantom Knights of Break Sword. “Repeating Shiny Burst!” Nightmare Moon shields her eyes from the light as her monster is erased. Her life points decrease to 1000. Twilight glances at her friends, whom nod at her. They all declare the attack of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon on Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon simultaneously, “Clear Rainbow Flash!”
Clear Wing Synchro Dragon soars, its wings glowing in all colors of the rainbow. It unleashes a pillar of light with a mighty roar over both, Nightmare Moon and her Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. The black dragon is vaporized instantly. “No, no, no!” Nightmare Moon screams as the lights falls over her and her dark aura begins leaking from her body like blood from an open wound. Her screams echo as the light intensifies, forcing Twilight and her friends to shield their faces.
The light fades. Every card remaining on the field disappears and the room is left in a graveyard-like silence.
Applejack is the first one to break the silence. “Everybody okay?”
Rainbow Dash spreads her wings and gives a tentative flap. “Yep! Everything’s in place!”
Twilight sighs contently; she takes Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and hands it back to Rainbow Dash with a soft thank you.
Rainbow Dash grins and takes the card, sliding it back into her Duel Disk with a swift hand wave.
Pinkie cheers, striking a pose and making a victory sign with her fingers, she shouts, “That’s game!”
“Oh my, the aura faded,” Rarity comments in disappointment while looking at her hands. “What a pity. I was getting used to that lovely shade of pink.”
“I wonder, what kind of magic was that,” Fluttershy says. “It felt so…warm.”
“I remember reading about it,” Twilight says. “The bonds between people can fortify their magic, and the stronger their connection is, the more powerful the results will be.”
“So,” Applejack begins tentatively. “Does that mean we won thru the power of friendship?”
Twilight smiles. “I suppose you could say so.”
“Oohh…” Pinkie’s eyes widen. She smiles enthusiastically and says, “We’re like a superhero team!”
“Yeah…” Rainbow Dash smirks and nods. “I like that!” She proposes they give themselves a team name. “How about “Elements of the Duel”, eh? Raise your hand if you think it’s awesome!” She raises her hand and Pinkie quickly does the same.
Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy look at each other unsurely. Applejack rolls her eyes and says drily, “Raise your hand if you think that’s the dumbest thing you've ever heard.” She raises her hand. Slowly but surely, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy follow suit.
Rainbow Dash folds her arms and pouts. “You guys are no fun, you know that?” She turns her head away, only to see Pinkie still has her arm up. “You can lower your arm, Pinkie. We lost.”
Pinkie protests, “But I think “Elements of the Duel” is an awesomely dumb name!”
Rainbow Dash groans. “Pinkie that’s not--”
“Um…girls?” Fluttershy interjects meekly. She points behind her and says, “There’s somebody there.”
Twilight frowns and approaches, with her friends following her closely. A beautiful, dark skinned young girl is lying on the floor, in the very same spot Nightmare Moon stood a couple of minutes ago, unconscious. Her lithe body and soft facial features bring to mind an accomplished ballerina. She wears a long, pale blue dress with black trims and black sandals on her feet. Her long, flowing hair reaches down her waist and is of a darker shade of blue, much like the surface of the ocean under a starry night.
“It’s a girl,” Fluttershy remarks in disbelief.
Applejack tilts her hat up, staring with equal levels of disbelief. “She can’t be older than Applebloom…”
Rarity crouches and takes a card from between the young girl’s fingers. It depicts a rudimentary drawing of a dragon and is filled with a writing she cannot decipher. “I don’t think I’ve seen this one before,” she comments before passing the card to her friends. They take turns examining it until it reaches Twilight’s hands. She doesn’t recognize the writing either.
Rainbow Dash turns to Twilight and asks, “Any idea who she is?”
Twilight shakes her head. She opens her mouth, but before she can say a single word, a voice echoes behind the group.
“I can answer that.”
The light of the sun suddenly floods the room from every window and crack, and the night steps aside for the dawn. Princess Celestia appears before the group, radiant and regal; her translucent, ethereal golden wings majestically spread open. “You have all done well.”
The girls bow respectfully. Twilight, unable to contain herself, rushes towards Celestia and hugs her tightly around the midsection. “I missed you so much, Princess.” Celestia gladly returns the gesture. “So did I, my dearest, most faithful student.”
They break their embrace. Under the curious glances of Twilight and her friends, Celestia approaches the unconscious girl, kneels next to her and very carefully rests the girl’s head on her lap. She smiles and gently caresses the girl’s forehead for a moment before answering the initial question, “This young girl here is none other than Princess Luna, my younger sister.”
The girls are shocked. Twilight’s mouth open and closes like that of a fish gasping for air. “B-But the legend! A-And the prophecy! You told me it was just a fairy tale!”
Celestia smiles knowingly and asks, “Did I?”
Twilight blushes. “No…”
Celestia turns her gaze towards Luna and explains, “The darkness Princess Luna purged from her body did not take a shape of its own, it transformed her…into Nightmare Moon.”
Twilight’s eyes widen in realization. “That means the legend…”
Celestia nods slowly. “I couldn’t let my sister go down the annals of history as a monster who tried to plunge the world into an eternal night,” she admits ruefully. “Not when it was my advice that caused her fall…”
There is a long moment of silence. Pinkie suddenly snaps her fingers. “I get it!” She declares. “You knew Nightmare Moon was coming back so you sent Twilight to Ponyville to make friends with us so we could all fight together and turn Nightmare Moon back into Princess Luna!” Pinkie takes a deep breath and smiles expectantly.
Celestia giggles softly. “No, Pinkie. I sent Twilight to Ponyville because I wanted her to inspect your school and, if possible, make friends.”
Pinkie tilts her head and shares a brief look of confusion with her friends.
Celestia sighs heavily. “I was prepared to face Nightmare Moon alone, but when the time came, I couldn’t bring myself to raise my hand against her.” She bites her lower lip, tears swelling in her eyes. “Even in that terrible form, she was still my little sister…the one I had not seen in a millennia.”
The girls’ eyes soften. Twilight feels her chest ache. She had known Princess Celestia for most of her life; always calm, dignified and composed. Powerful and regal, but kind and compassionate too. It is the very first time she sees her so vulnerable, and it leaves her without words.
Celestia wipes her tears and composes herself. “There was no grand plan, no clever scheme…only my own weakness.” She pauses for a moment, then smiles and adds, “And the strength of your friendship.”
The girls look at each other, sharing a warm smile.
“There’s…one more thing, Princess,” Twilight says. “When we faced Nightmare Moon, she challenged us to--”
“A Duel of Darkness?” Celestia interjects. Twilight gulps and nods. Celestia notices the card in Twilight’s hand and levitates it to her own. She gives it a nostalgic look. “I was hoping you would never have to hear about the Duels of Darkness in your lives, much less experience them,” she says with a clear hint of shame in her voice. “But after what happened, you have all the right to know about them.”
Celestia takes a small breath and begins, “A long time ago, long before the rule of my sister and I, and before the foundation of Equestria itself, the people were divided in three tribes, separated by the nature of their magic.”
“Ironically enough, their magic naturally complemented each other, and would have allowed them to achieve harmony easily.” Celestia shakes her head. “Unfortunately, the leaders of each tribe were interested only in power. Commander Hurricane, Princess Platinum and Chancellor Puddinghead; at their behest, the tribes warred with each other.”
“It was not until the leaders managed to overcome their differences and ignite the fire of friendship in their hearts that the three tribes came together and founded Equestria.”
Rainbow Dash scratches the back of her head. She raises both hands placatingly and says, “This is all very nice, Princess, but—no offense—I think everybody here knows about Hearth’s Warming Eve…”
Celestia smiles softly, like an adult dealing with an impatient child. “Indeed. But what you may not know is that the nature of their magic also made them equal in combat. And, as the conflict escalated, the tribes looked for different ways of gaining advantage over each other.”
Twilight gasps softly. “Don’t tell me…”
Celestia nods grimly and confirms, “Dark magic.” She holds the mysterious card up between her index and middle fingers. “It allowed them to summon otherwordly monsters to fight for them using cards like this one as catalysts.”
Rarity bites her lower lip. She comments, “That sounds disturbingly similar to our Duel Monsters…”
Celestia closes her eyes, “That’s because Duel Monsters is a recreation of the ancient Duels of Darkness.” The girls let out a collective “what” of disbelief followed by talking over each other, until Celestia raises her hand to silence them. Twilight apologizes sheepishly.
Celestia continues, “As powerful monsters were summoned one after another, my sister and I were forced to intervene and put an end to the conflict. The leaders realized the suffering they had brought and made peace with each other, declaring the foundation of Equestria, a land where all three tribes could live in peace and harmony, striving together for a better future, while asking Princess Luna and I to rule.”
“P-Princess,” Fluttershy calls timidly. “If Duel Monsters is a recreation of ancient battles, then—does that mean the monsters on these cards really existed?” The nature of the question takes both, her friends and Celestia by surprise.
Celestia smiles. “Yes, Fluttershy, an important number of them did exist. Although many others were created later for the purpose of the game.”
Fluttershy’s expression brightens like a child who has just received a gift. She nods rapidly and mutters a soft “thank you”.
“What happened after that, Princess?” Rarity asks.
“Princess Luna and I sealed all the cards where nobody could find them and disposed of all the records of the Duels of Darkness, allowing the knowledge of their existence to fade with time.” Celestia looks at Luna and caresses her right cheek. “That is, until Luna’s transformation.” She turns towards the girls again. “Nightmare Moon attempted to use the powers of the monsters against me and we clashed in one last Duel of Darkness.”
Celestia explains after the defeat and banishment of Nightmare Moon, she destroyed every single one of the cards they had sealed. “Save for this one.” She lifts the dragon card and it bursts into flames, turning into a small cloud of ashes in the blink of an eye. Twilight inwardly cringes at the destruction of the ancient relic, but understands her mentor’s decision.
“I created Duel Monsters long after that because I wanted to transform something terrible into something harmless, something that would bring joy to others…” Celestia says as she looks up wistfully.
Applejack raises her hand. “Ah’ beg your pardon, Princess,” she hesitates for a second. “But if you created Duel Monsters after Nightmare Moon got banished then how come she knew how to duel an’ all?”
“Princess Luna is the guardian of the night, Applejack,” Celestia replies. “Her duties include protecting the sleep of our subjects, which she achieves by entering their dreams and dispelling their nightmares.” The girls are impressed by such a unique skill. “Needless to say, Nightmare Moon also possesed this power, and being banished to the moon did not prevent her from using it…or abusing it.” Celestia pauses for a second. “I could shield my dreams from her influence, not so much everybody else…” She massages the bridge of her nose, shame and grief evident in her expression. “I am deeply sorry, my girls. It is my fault you had to endure such a horrendous experience.”
Rainbow Dash waves her hand casually, trying to play it cool. “Nah, don’t sweat it, Princess! The whole thing was like--” she pauses, trying to think for something. “A marathon!” she exclaims. “Yeah, the whole thing was like running one.” She turns to her friends and asks, “Right, everybody?”
Applejack tips her hat and grins. “Just a day of harvesting apples!”
Rarity laughs airily. “A day of work on the sewing machine!”
Fluttershy smiles and nods. “Like trimming the nails of a big dog.”
Pinkie pumps her fist. “Ponyville’s Annual Cupcake Contest!”
Celestia’s expression brightens. “Thank you, girls.” She looks at Twilight. “I must say, you have found some wonderful friends, my faithful student.”
Twilight blushes. “I-I think it would be more appropriate to say they found me…”
“All of Equestria is in debt with you, girls,” Celestia says solemnly. “Still, I must ask you to keep everything I’ve told you here to yourselves.” It’s not an order, not even a request, but a beg.
The girls look at each other and nod. “You can count on us, Princess,” Twilight assures.
Pinkie takes a step forward. They all watch puzzled as she makes an exaggerated motion of zipping her mouth, crouching and scratching the ground, dropping something and then patting the same spot again. She finishes by making a square shape with her hands over the spot and stands up looking satisfied.
“Sugarcube,” Applejack says bewildered. “The hay did you just do?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Pinkie asks casually. “The Princess asked me to keep a secret, that’s why I zipped my mouth closed, then locked it with a key, then dug a hole, then buried the key and built a house right on top of the hole!”
Applejack nods very slowly. "Right..."
A soft voice interrupts their conversation. “Tia…?” Princess Luna opens her eyes; gorgeous cyan colored ones that remind Twilight of the bottom of a lake. “Is that you…?” Celestia cups Luna’s face in her hands and leans forwards. “Yes, it is me, sister,” she replies warmly. “I’m here.”
Luna slowly stands up, holding on Celestia’s arms for support. Both sisters look at each other in the eyes before embracing each other tightly, tears flowing freely from their eyes. “I’m so sorry, Tia. I’m so sorry,” Luna mutters. Celestia gently shushes her. “There’s nothing to apologize for, Lulu.”
Pinkie sniffles. She suddenly gasps. “Hey, you know what this calls for? A party!”
Twilight looks at Pinkie with a bemused smile. “A party?”
“Of course!” Pinkie replies cheerfully. “I’m not just a pretty girl, an amazing duelist and an awesome baker but also Ponyville’s number one party planner!”
Twilight does not wait until the Royal Carriage lands before teleporting to the ground. She runs towards the Golden Oaks Library, practically kicking down the door and yells, “Spike!” A second later, Spike comes running down the stairs, almost tripping on the last step. He jumps and wraps both arms around Twilight’s neck, hugging her tightly. She returns the gesture. “W-Where did you go?” Spike asks between sobs.
Twilight gently pats him on the back. “There, there…”
She was most definitely not kidding, Twilight thinks in amazement. In the time the Royal Carriage went back to pick up the Princesses, Pinkie has managed to coordinate the re-decoration of the entirety of the town square.
Princess Celestia’s announcement of the defeat of Nightmare Moon and the miraculous return of Princess Luna is met with a chorus of cheers and applause from the townspeople. Twilight smiles contently as she watches the townspeople surround Luna, with two young girls gently placing a wreath of beautiful red and white roses around her neck. Celestia giggles and takes a step backwards, leaving a flustered but smiling Luna to interact with her subjects.
Twilight’s smile slowly disappears as it dawns on her that her assignment is over. Celestia quickly takes notice; she approaches and asks about it. Twilight hesitates for a second. “It’s just that, now that I’ve finished my assignment, it means I’ll have to return to Canterlot…” She turns towards her friends, and Spike, whom look at her with a mixture of uncertainty and sadness. “Right after discovering how wonderful it is to have friends…”
“Is that so?” Princess Celestia folds her arms daintily. “I believe you said Ponyville’s Duel Monsters School has the potential to become a fine teaching institution with the proper counseling.” She smiles knowingly and adds, “And I just so happen to know the right girl for the job…”
Twilight’s jaw drops. “M-Me?”
“To teach is to learn twice, my faithful student,” Celestia says. “I believe this is a great opportunity for you.” She smiles mischievously. “Of course, if you don’t want to…”
Twilight shakes her head rapidly. “No-no-no—I mean, yes—I want to!”
Celestia declares, “It is decided then. Twilight Sparkle shall act as a representative of the Eos Dueling School to assist with the development of Ponyville’s Duel Monsters School. She must periodically report to me her progress from her new home in Ponyville.”
Twilight smiles brightly. “Thank you, Princess Celestia! I promise to study even harder!”
“I know you will, my faithful student,” Celestia says with pride.
Pinkie suddenly takes a step forward and respectfully bows to Princess Celestia. “Your Highness,” she begins speaking solemnly. “I would like to request your permission to make a proposition.”
Celestia exchanges a look of confusion with Twilight. “Of course, Pinkie…”
Pinkie takes a deep breath and shouts, “Group hug!” She immediately tackles Twilight, who squeaks in surprise, hugging her tightly with both arms around the neck. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Spike gladly follow her example.
As Celestia sees the joyful smile on Twilight’s face, she feels the weight of a thousand years vanish from her shoulders.