The leader stops with his acolytes in front of the barracks door. He turns to the shadow creatures accompanying him.
“This door here... take it out!”
The creatures immediately begin clawing at the door. Inside the barracks the orphans huddle in a corner and begin to cry! Pipsqueak and Aquamarine hug each other, terrified!
“They're coming to get us!”
“What do we do?!”
Coco Pommel turns to the princess. “How much longer Princess Luna?”
Luna strains! “Just a couple more minutes...”
Coco Pommel steps forward. She draws her spear and calls forth her armor. Turning to the orphans and smiling.
“Don't you worry little ones. I won't let anypony lay a hoof on any one of you!”
Paladin Coco Pommel's words seem to do wonders to reassure the orphans! Saffron steps forward to stand with her! She draws her blade from its sheath.
“Let them come! I will show them how we fight back home!”
Dinky nods and steps forward to join the pair! “Let's end this quickly! I'm worried about my mom!”
Paladin Coco Pommel turns to Dinky. Stay with the others where it's safe, dear!
Dinky plants her hooves firmly and looks to the door! “There is no ‘safe’ anywhere right now!”
She nods. “Dinky, I'm so proud of your bravery! But please... be careful! Watch over the orphans and protect them from anything that gets past us!”
“You too, Miss Pommel!”
Luna mutters. “Almost there...”
The shadow creatures burst through the door! Saffron jumps quickly into the fray, slicing and dicing the creatures as if they were vegetables! In seconds a half dozen falls to her kukri! Paladin Coco Pommel easily defeats the few remaining creatures with her spear!
She turns back to Saffron and Dinky! “Get ready! I hear more of them coming!”
The next wave of creatures enters the room! Paladin Coco Pommel raises her spear and the floor beneath her feet begins to glow as it is Consecrated! Soon the entire room is under the effect! Monsters who pass over it are slowed greatly and appear to be in pain! One of the creatures lunges at Saffron from behind, but Dinky blasts it with her magic!
“Dinky! Thank you!”
Silver Hammer turns to her husband and whispers in his ear! “Dear! We have to help!”
She moves to stand, but Steel Hammer puts a hoof on her shoulder and pulls her back down
He shakes his head. “No. It's time the next generation took up this torch! Don't worry. If things get too out of control, we'll lend a hoof. Until then, we wait!”
Platinum Valve uses her magic to pull one of the Hoof Cannon modules Arc left with her out of her saddlebags. She places it on the edge of the barricade and levels it at the creatures. Suddenly a beam of light bursts forth and vaporizes a shadow creature! The inertia of the blast sends her staggering backwards!
Silver Hammer looks at her daughter, surprised! “Platinum Valve! What are you doing?!”
Platinum Valve stand and picks up the Hoof Cannon. Putting it back on the barricade, she prepares to fire again! “Carrying the torch! I told Mr. Arc I would fix these Hoof Cannons, and I did!”
Pipsqueak and Aquamarine run toward Platinum Valve.
“Let us help!”
“We can fight too!”
The pair place their hooves on the Hoof Cannon in an effort to help Platinum Valve control the recoil!
Platinum Valve continues to fire at the shadow creatures. “I wish I would have had time to adjust the output...”
With the help of the fillies the tide slowly begins to turn! But the enemy counters by bringing forth stronger creatures!
“Dinky! Look out!”
Platinum Valve fires and takes down a shadow creature that was sneaking around behind Dinky!
“Thanks!”
Steel Hammer looks to his daughter with evident pride! “That's my filly!”
“Nice shot dear!”
The invaders patience wanes as they begin to summon greater numbers of creatures! The Barracks are soon filled with over a hundred of them! Paladin Coco Pommel, Dinky and Saffron are pushed back toward Princess Luna and the frightened orphans! They soon have their backs against the barricades, as the creatures mass for a final attack! Paladin Coco Pommel looks over to her wards lying on the floor shaking in terror! Their fear fills her with determination! She charges forwards and leaps into the air in what Dinky and Saffron can only assume to be a sacrificial attack! In midair, the Spear of Devotion suddenly glows with an intense light! Wings of Light spring forth from her back as her eyes glow white as she screams!
“GET AWAY FROM THESE FOALS!!!”
She flies forward at an unfathomable speed and cuts in half any resistance that stands before her! As she flies around the room it soon becomes clear that no creature can stand against the power of her Devotion!
Luna shouts from the corner! “I'M READY!”
Princess Luna raises her head upward, her horn glows so brightly it fills the whole room! The sun immediately rises to the midday position! All the creatures vanish in a flash! Paladin Coco Pommel flies out of the room and prepares to engage what she sees to be the leader. His acolytes step forward to defend their leader! As they move to engage the furious paladin before them, an armor clad Derpy flies past them and plows into him! The two of them slam into the end of the hallway! The inertia of the sudden stop sends Derpy's helmet flying off! She continues to rain blows upon the leader with her hooves! Her eyes filled with tears or righteous fury!
Templar Derpy screams at her opponent! “YOU KEEP AWAY FROM MY LITTLE DINKY!!!”
She grabs the leader and throws him back down the hallway! He lands on his hooves and prepares to engage her! She charges at him again! When she is about halfway to him, he suddenly drops his guard and tosses back his hood!
“D-Derpy?!”
Upon seeing his face, Derpy screeches to a stop! Her jaw drops in amazement!
“M-Moonlit Dusk? Is that you?! What are you doing here?!”
“Yes, tis I! My acolytes and I have come here to liberate Princess Luna from the Hero of Light's imprisonment! Please release the Night Mother to us and end this madness!”
Paladin Coco Pommel, having dealt with the acolytes, flies toward Moonlit Dusk! “GET AWAY FROM HER!”
“Coco Pommel, STOP!”
Coco Pommel ceases her attack and glares at Moonlit Dusk!
“You have three seconds to change my mood!”
Derpy positions herself between the pair. “Coco Pommel, this was all just a big misunderstanding! He thinks Arc kidnapped Princess Luna!”
“What?! But, that's crazy! Why would Arc do such a thing?! If anything, he was PROTECTING her here!”
Moonlit Dusk nods! “We thought it strange too. But our source assured us she was in danger and requested we rescue her at once! I'm very sorry about this!”
The three walk back towards the barracks. Coco Pommel's eyes return to normal as she calms down. They pass Moonlit Dusk's unconscious acolytes.
“Sorry about your guards.”
Moonlit Dusk looks at them a moment. “Oh, don't worry! They'll be all right!”
They enter the barracks where Princess Luna is still breathing heavily from expending such a large amount of energy! Coco Pommel immediately rushes over to the orphans!
“Don't worry, little ones! He's a friend of Derpy!”
The orphans appear confused as the stallion walks to Princess Luna and kneels before her.
“Night Mother, are you all right?!”
Luna nods. “Yes, but you’re part of the Nightborn are you not? Why would you attack the Hero of Light's base like this?!”
“My sincerest apologies Night Mother! We had information that the Hero of Light was holding you here against your will and was grossly mistreating you!”
She shakes her head. “That is not true! I am a guest here and have never been more hospitably treated in my life! But at the moment, I have a job for you...”
Meanwhile, back in Canterlot, Holy Dragoon Ember is using all of her strength to hold back the onslaught of rift monsters!
“I wish I was back at Light's Hope! They're probably enjoying a nice quiet morning there while eating...”
Suddenly the sun rises to mid-morning position as the monsters scream in pain and clutch their eyes!
“Well that was certainly... unexpected.”
Meanwhile… Captain Decimus’ Royal Guards reach the Audience Chamber and rush inside. The Sergeant runs up to Princess Cadance and salutes!
“Princess Cadance! The Royal Guard was unable to stop Trixie! Even now she makes her way here!”
Cadance looks worried! “Sergeant! Where is Captain Decimus?!”
“He was... caught in Trixie's initial attack on the front gates. I'm sorry ma'am, but I don't think he made it...”
Cadance nods, hope in her eyes. “Captain Decimus has survived worse! Let's focus on the here and now.”
“Yes princess! The Royal Guard and I will make our final stand outside the Audience Chamber!”
Rainbow Dash looks over at him! “What?! But you'll be slaughtered!”
“We have sworn to defend the princesses, even at the cost of our own lives! This castle will NOT fall as long as a single Royal Guard draws breath!!
“BUT...!”
Arc steps in front of Rainbow Dash and interrupts her.
“Your loyalty to the princesses and your duty is impressive, sergeant. However, I don't believe throwing more guards at Trixie will solve anything.”
Cadance sighs. “What do you suggest we do, Arc?”
Arc turns to the sergeant. “Take command of the remaining Royal Guards and head to the Gates of Canterlot. Support Ember. See to it not a single monster is allowed to harm even one citizen of Canterlot!”
The sergeant looks over to Princess Cadance. She nods soberly
“Yes sir! But... Trixie will be here any minute! How will we get past her?! There’s only the one door!”
Arc looks up at the skylights. He aims his Hand Cannons at them and fires several shots. A section of glass shatters making a rather large hole in the ceiling.
“If life doesn't give you a door, well, let's just say sometimes you have to make one! Now go!”
The troops fly out the shattered skylight and head for the Gates of Canterlot. They quickly join Holy Dragoon Ember in repelling the monsters!
The sergeant lands hard on top of a monster as he turns to Ember. “Need a hoof?!”
Ember nods! “Thanks for the reinforcements! Let's push these guys back!”
Meanwhile, back in the Audience Chamber, Twilight looks up and sighs nervously.
“I sure hope you know what you're doing Arc! You just sent away the only other fighting force in the castle!”
“The citizens of Canterlot deserve protection too. Besides, I'm not going to throw their lives away by forcing them to fight an opponent they cannot hope to defeat!”
Applejack looks out the window. “What the hay do you suppose is up with the sun?! It's far too early in the morning for it to be that high! What do you think it means Princess?”
Cadance looks uncertain. “I don't know, but I'm sure if Luna did so she must have a good reason!”
Rarity looks nervous! ”Perhaps she is in trouble!”
Rainbow Dash shrugs. “Well, considering Trixie is here in Canterlot attacking, I would guess this is the bigger threat.”
Fluttershy cowers in fear. "Oh dear! She's coming... here!"
The doors of the Audience Chamber start to buckle under the strain of Dark Trixie's magical barrage!
Arc calls forth the Spear of Righteousness! “This is it! We make our stand here!”
Meanwhile back at the Gates of Canterlot, several dark portals open behind Ember and a number of black robed ponies emerge from them!
The sergeant calls out the alarm! “Enemy reinforcements!”
Holy Dragoon Ember turns her head to looks at the newcomers! “What the hell?! MORE?!”
She moves to engage them!
Moonlit Dusk holds his staff toward the enemy. They fall to the ground under the influence of his Gravity Magic! “Stop! We're allies!”
“Wait, what?!”
The acolytes open several other portals. Their shadow creatures come forth and engage the enemy! Templar Derpy also emerges and runs over to Ember.
“It's okay Ember. Let my friend handle this!”
Moonlit Dusk turns to Holy Dragoon Ember and Templar Derpy. We'll hold them here! You go help Princess Cadance! Night Mother watch over you!”
The sergeant nods! “We'll hold the gates! GO!”
“Um... thanks? Good luck! Come on Derpy!”
The pair fly back to the castle and enter through the hole in the wall Dark Trixie made earlier.
Holy Dragoon Ember sees Captain Decimus' helmet crushed under debris. “I guess that takes care of one problem!”
Templar Derpy shakes her head. “What an awful way to die!”
They enter the castle's Main Hall and looks around.
“Great! Which way is the Audience Chamber?!”
Templar Derpy points a hoof down a corridor. “I think it's this way. Follow me!”
Meanwhile, back in the Audience Chamber, Arc looks at the failing door!
“That won't hold her for long! Alright Twilight, you and everyone else hide behind the pillars! When I give the signal, blast her with the Elements of Harmony!”
Twilight nods! “Okay! What's the signal?”
“How about me yelling ‘now’?”
“Got it!”
Twilight and the others quickly get into position, as Arc runs up to Princess Cadance!
“Okay, here's what I want you to do, princess!”
Arc leans in close and whispers something into Cadance's ear. She looks at him with a confused look.
“What good would that do?!”
Just trust me! Can you pull it off?!”
Cadance nods. “Yes but...!”
The doors explode inward and Trixie walks in! She looks around the room for Princess Luna!
“Too late... showtime!”
Trixie turns her attention to Arc. “Where is Princess Luna?! I need to ‘discuss’ something with her!”
Arc walks toward Trixie, cautiously. “Why are you doing this?! Luna extended MERCY to you, and this is how you repay her?!”
Trixie turns up her nose at Arc’s words. “Mercy?! HA! She would have left me to rot in some stinking cell in the middle of nowhere! The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't do ‘cells’, you know!”
Trixie's horn glows with Dark Magic as she looks at Princess Cadance.
“Well, if I can't have Princess Luna, I suppose I can amuse myself with Princess Cadance in the meantime.”
Arc holds his spear at the ready. “You'll have to get through me first!”
Trixie charges her horn. “Have it your way!”
She fires a blast of dark energy at Arc! He deflects it back at her with his spear! However, instead of hurting her, she absorbs it back into her body!
Trixie laughs! “Your little tricks won't work on me! Why don't you just step aside and let me get to work?!”
Arc glares at her! “I want to talk to Trixie!”
Trixie rolls her eyes. Uh, I'm standing right here you simpleton!”
“I mean my friend Trixie! You most certainly are NOT her! The Trixie I knew was much kinder than this, and repentant of her past crimes! But you... you just want to ADD to them!”
“What's wrong with that?! They did terrible things to me! I HAVE to get even!”
Arc shakes his head! “No, you're wrong! Look, whoever you are. There are more than a few ponies in Equestria who have wronged me in the past!”
“So?! Take them out you idiot! Make the world respect you! Show them all you will not be trifled with!”
“You mean make them FEAR me?! I don't WANT to be feared, nor do I NEED to be respected! All I want is to protect those I care for, and I care for Equestria!”
Trixie sighs and shakes her head. “You're such a sad, deluded little creature. What's the point of having power if you don't use it to your advantage? What is WRONG with you?!”
“What's ‘wrong’ with me is that I have friends whom I love and cherish! And for them I will fight and gladly die!
Trixie shakes her head at Arc. “I guess there's no convincing you to see reason.”
Arc moves to a battle-ready position. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.”
Her horn glowing. “Then let me do you a favor...”
Arc takes up a defensive position as he awaits her attack! She fires a barrage of Magic Missiles which curve around Arc and hurtle toward Cadance!
Cadance covers her face with a hoof, instinctively turns away and closes her eyes! “AHHHHHHH!!!”
The Magic Missiles burst prematurely!”
“What?!”
Princess Cadance opens her eyes to see a large robed pony standing in front of her protecting her with a Large Shield!
Keeping his eyes forward and the shield raised! “Are you all right, your Highness?”
Cadance nods, wide eyed! “Y-yes, thanks to you!”
Enraged, Trixie charges up for a much more powerful attack! “ARGH!!! Try blocking THIS?!”
“TWILIGHT, NOW!!!"
The Mane 6 jump out from their hiding places and use the Elements of Harmony on Trixie! They catch her by surprise! In a few moments Trixie's eyes return to normal, as the Mane 6 continue their assault.
Trixie, being held up by the power of the Elements of Harmony, slowly comes around. “Ugh... Arc!”
“Trixie? You're back to normal! Twilight keep it up!”
Arc steps forward quickly and takes hold of the Alicorn Amulet around Trixie’s neck! Try as he might, he cannot remove it!
Twilight, straining under the intensity of maintaining a Harmony Blast, turns to Arc. “She has to do it herself!”
Arc nods! “Trixie! You have to take off the Alicorn Amulet! Only you can do this!”
Trixie shakes her head. “I... I can't move! I'm sorry!”
“Can't you ease up, Twilight?”
Twilight shakes her head. “No! If we do, she'll just turn back to a princess killing maniac! Arc, you have to end this! You can do it mercifully! End Trixie's suffering... quickly!”
The lieutenant shakes his head furiously! “No! There has to be another way! Trixie doesn't deserve this!”
Trixie looks up to the hooded stallion protecting Princess Cadance and smiles weakly at him.
“Thanks for warning Arc for me, my friend. Please don't forget about me...”
Trixie looks back to Arc with tears in her eyes.
“Arc, do what she says. Please... kill me and save everypony! This land will be safer without me around!”
Wordlessly, Arc pulls the Dagger of Eternal Slumber out of his ring and raises it over his head.
Trixie bows her head and closes her eyes, a look on her face of acceptance. “Thank you... my eternal... friend.”
The lieutenant screams! “NO!!!”
“Twilight, cease your attack!”
Twilight and the Mane 6 stop firing. Trixie's eyes immediately glow red again and she collapses to the floor. The mare appears disoriented from the power of the Elements of Harmony.
“What... was that?!”
Arc yells! “Princess, NOW!”
A very powerful bolt of lightning blazes forth from Princess Cadance's horn and strikes the Dagger of Eternal Slumber! Arc brings it down and touches it to Trixie's chest! Her body writhes in agony as she is electrocuted!
“That’s enough!”
Trixie's lifeless body lies on the floor! Arc quickly bends down and grabs the Alicorn Amulet! He rips it off her cloak and throws it to the side along with his helmet! Ember and Derpy run into the room!
Ember sees Trixie’s dead body lying on the floor. “Arc... I'm sorry.”
Derpy gasps! “Oh no! Trixie!”
Cadance lowers her head, sadly. “I'm sorry, Arc. But you did what needed to be done.”
Arc falls to his knees by Trixie's side and puts both hands on her chest. He pushes down hard and begins to count!
“1...2...3...4...5...”
He covers Trixie's nose and puts his mouth over hers! Breathing into the lifeless mare before resuming CPR!
“1...2...3...4...5. Come on Trixie! FIGHT! Come back to us!”
Arc again breathes into Trixie! She suddenly begins coughing uncontrollably and her eyes open! She looks up into Arc's concerned face and gives him a weak smile!
“Is it... over?”
Arc breathes a sigh of relief! “Trixie! Yes, it's over!”
He takes Trixie into a loving embrace and holds her tight!
Trixie winces. “Everything... hurts...”
Arc loosens his hold on the mare and pulls back. “I'm sorry Trixie! I...”
She leans forward and hugs Arc. “It's okay... it's a good kind of hurt!”
Trixie loses consciousness in Arc's embrace.
Arc whispers. “Rest now, my little pony.”
Cadance walks forward. “Bravo Arc! You truly are Equestria's greatest hero!”
She turns to the hooded stallion whom protected her earlier.
“I'm sorry. Thank you for saving me earlier! Tell me though... who are you?”
“I am a lieutenant of Captain Decimus. Or at least I was up until yesterday. My name is... Shining Armor.
He removes the hood, allowing his face to be seen.
“B-brother?!”
The Mane 6 gasp! “Brother?!”
Twilight runs forward to embrace him! “I've missed you so much! What have you been doing all this time?!”
“I have to tell you Twilight... it's a really long story. And it certainly wouldn't have happened if not for the Hero of Light here!”
Shining Armor salutes Arc!
“Thank you for believing me when no one else did, sir!”
Twilight turns to Arc with a smile on her face. “Thank you for helping my brother Arc! He's the most important pony in the world to me!”
“It was my pleasure Twilight. Now, how about we all head over to Light's Hope and have a victory breakfast?!”
The Mane 6 nod! “YEAH!
Templar Derpy sheepishly walks over to him. “Um Arc... that may not be the best idea.”
He looks to her, confused. “Why not?”
“Well... it's kinda a long story but... let's just say that Light's Hope is kinda... messy right now.”
“Derpy... what are you trying to tell me?! Are Princess Luna and the orphans all right?!”
“Yes, everypony is fine! Other than a few guards being hospitalized, things turned out okay!”
Arc’s eyes widen at this news! “HOSPITALIZED?!?!?!? What the hell is Flash Sentry DOING over there?!”
“Fighting an unending horde of shadow creatures.”
Ember shakes her head. “Derpy, how can you be so casual about that?!”
“Their leader is actually an old friend of mine!”
Arc appears confused. “You're friends with the leader of the shadow creatures?!”
“No, he's actually a pony.”
Ember puts a claw to her head. “I am so confused right now.”
Arc nods. “As am I. Derpy, you're not making any sense!”
Derpy smiles. “Look on the bright side! Most of Light's Hope was untouched in the attack!”
“Good! Wait a second... what do you mean MOST?!”
Derpy nods. “All I'm saying is we should probably have breakfast here instead."
Arc begins to say something, but stops. “Derpy, I... actually you know what? I'm not going to deal with this right now. At the moment, all I want to do is take Trixie to the hospital to get checked out. Then, and only then, will I allow myself to GREATLY OVERREACT TO THE POSSIBLE DESTRUCTION OF MY BASE!”
Derpy nods. “I'm glad you're taking this so well Arc!”