Chapter 25:
Equestria Games
On a nice day in Equestria everypony is eagerly excited as today is the day that the Equestrian Games are being held in the Crystal Empire. Rainbow Dash is currently motivating her teammates who are currently working out in preparation for their upcoming events.
From lifting weights, doing wing push-ups, pull ups, flying practice, all of the ponies representing Ponyville are ready to give their best in this upcoming event. The Cutie Mark Crusaders are also on the train to as they won the honor of carrying Ponyville’s flag during the games. In addition, Spike is also on the train keeping track of everypony’s luggage and making sure none of it falls over.
Even Midnight herself is excited for the upcoming games as today is also the day where she plans on taking over all off Equestria on the spot there as this is something she has bidded her time for very well since day one. She too is ready for this as no pony not even the ones that know who she really is knows of what she has done to the heart when no pony was around.
Under her and Princess Cadance’s orders a couple of the crystal royal guards have brought Spike over to them giving him a royal lift from the train station to the castle to relieve him of the burden of carrying that heavy load of luggage. Spike himself hasn't forgotten about his heroic accomplishments in his role of saving the Crystal Heart as if was years ago that he made said accomplishment even though it’s was long ago when King Sombra returned.
Even with all things considered Cadance is very hopeful that her sister-in-law can fight off her inner darkness that is consuming her as she further relishes in her darker instincts even though Midnight herself still has no plans to back from what she is about to do.
When the guards bring Spike to them he was covering his eyes shut in fear as he had no idea of why they did that as he ends up falling over on his face accidentally.
“Spike! Are you all right?” Midnight asked him as he got up and helped the young dragon back onto his feet.
“A thousand pardons, O Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious.” One of the guards apologized to Spike as he bowed to him.
“Huh? Who the what now?” Spike answered as he rubbed his forehead still confused of why he was being addressed like this.
“Thanks for bringing Spike to us.” Princess Cadance thanked the guards as they backed away while still bowing before turning her attention to Spike. “It's okay, Spike. We'll have our hoofponies go back for your bags.” Cadance reassured Spike that the bags won’t get lost as she wraps a hoof under him before escorting him inside the castle.
“Uh, can they hang back a second and tell me what's going on first?” Spike asked again still not understanding what is going on and why what has happened as the princesses escort Spike to the crystal balcony where Spike finds himself sitting back on the couch being feed gems from a royal servant as both Cadance and Midnight continue their conversation with him.
“Mm! So the ponies here think I'm some kind of hero, huh?” Spike wondered as he gets comfortable on his couch before addressing the servant feeding him gems. “More of the green ones, please? I like the green ones.” Spike politely asked as her as she was about to feed him a purple gem causing her nearly drop it as she placed it back into the basket and got him a green gem with a grin.
“First time you were here, you got the Crystal Heart to Princess Cadance in time to save this entire empire from destruction!” Midnight recalled his heroics to him again.
“You are known throughout my empire as "Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious”. Cadance further added as she commended him again.
“Isn't that awesome?” Midnight asked Spike as he sucked on his green gem as she walked up to the balcony as Spike follows her. “You're a big shot here, Spike! See that? That's you!” She added as pointed towards a crystal statue of him holding up the crystal heart as a few ponies marvel at the sight of it with one taking a picture of it.
“Hello, gawgeous!” Spike said as he admired his own statue.
“This is why we all hope you do us the honor of lighting the torch at the opening ceremony. You'd be the very first dragon in the history of the Equestria Games to do so.” Cadance offered.
“Of course I'll do it! And – bonus – I can do it with my fire breath!” Spike eagerly demonstrated while accidentally burning the fanning leaf a crystal pony was about to lift over him causing him to laugh nervously at his mistake.
Just as Spike and Cadance walk off ahead with Midnight following right behind them she chuckles to herself evilly as her heart glows as she awaits to see Spike in action as she thinks of another plan to test Spike as she takes over Equestria.
Shortly afterwards, everypony was gathered in the stadium as everypony is already waiting for the games to begin.
Down below Shining Armor in his armor is walking around to make sure everything is in order.
“Places for the procession, everypony! Two minutes!” Shining Armor called out as he passes by the ponies who are about to compete.
In the upper seats there is a section for the alicorn princesses and the other important delegates and leaders from around Equestria. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack are seated in the lower seats just below the royal booth.
Midnight wearing her crown walks into the royal section where she walks up to her specially designed chair with her cutie mark engraved on the top of it. She sees Princess Celestia who sees her as well. Even with the animosity between the two Midnight respectfully bows to her which Celestia nods at the gesture as she raises a hoof in the direction of Midnight’s chair motioning her to take her seat next to hear which Midnight does with zero hesitation. She looks over to her left and sees Princess Cadance on the opposite side of chairs waving to her with a smile. Midnight kindly returns the gesture as she waves back with the same smile.
She looks down and sees her former friends sitting on the lower bleachers just as eager as everypony else for the games to start. So far everything is going according to plan. Even when Princess Celestia is wary of what she is up to she knows that even she doesn’t have the power to defeat her leaving her able to proceed with her endgame unopposed.
Seeing that the games are about to start, she sees Ms. Harshwhinny leading Spike about to light the torch in order to officially start the Equestrian Games. However, Spike has suddenly got cold feet and had to be escorted by two of the crystal guards in order to press through with his task which is something that Midnight takes notice off from down below.
“Now, please welcome the delegation from Ponyville!” Shining Armor announced the pony representing Ponyville for the Equestrian Games as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hold up a large ring with a banner with Ponyville’s flag insignia on it as they start the routine they have been working on for the games.
“Ponyville forever! Yay!” They cheered as Scootaloo rode her scooter through the banner carrying the Ponyville flag attached to the back of her scooter as all of the competitors emerge and fly through the hoop.
“Awesome!” Rainbow Dash excitably said as she flew by.
“Yay.” Fluttershy softly said as she flew by.
“Yeah!” Bulk Biceps loudly announced as Derpy trails after him.
Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all loudly cheer for their friends that are about to compete while Midnight watches from above with quiet interest to see how they do in their upcoming events.
Scootaloo rides her scooter up to where the other flags are planted in the ground lined up two facing each other down a perfectly straight row as she plants Ponyville’s flag into the ground with all the other flags before joining the other Cutie Mark Crusaders and the rest of the Ponyville team as they await for Spike to light the torch.
Now focusing her attention to Spike she sees that he is completely frozen in fear and it took Ms. Harshwhinny snapping him to attention to climb the ladder. Once he gets to the top he takes a deep breath to breath fire into the torch but to his surprise nothing came out.
Midnight along with the other princesses and representatives take notice seeing that nothing is happening.
“Is there something wrong, Spike?” Midnight thought out loud.
“What’s wrong?” Cadance asked out loud as Spike tries to breath fire again who again can’t conquer any fire.
Now seeing that Spike is having trouble everyone was wondering what is wrong as Spike sweats nervously in fear.
“Equestria, we have a problem.” Midnight said with a smirk taking pleasure at seeing this.
“Somepony go down and help him.” Cadance worriedly called out to one of the guards as Princess Luna yawns now getting a little bored of waiting seeing that Spike is still having no luck lighting the torch himself.
Midnight deciding to take action herself after making sure nopony was looking secretly lights her horn to use her magic to light the torch surprising him and the other princesses that Spike was able to accomplish that while Midnight on the other hoof smirks in satisfaction as taking advantage of his nervousness to plant an ego in his brain as part of her plan as she now thinks of the next step for what she has in mind.
“Let the games begin.” Shining Armor announced to the crows who all cheer for him for what he has seemingly done as Spike is trying to figure out himself of how he did it.
Later Midnight flies by where the Cutie Mark Crusaders are greeting their older sisters to congratulate them for their successful routine for the opening ceremony.
“Oh! There are our little superstars! You were fabulous!” Rarity said in amazement as she places a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s chin.
“Made me sit up proud like a cornstalk in August!” Applejack proudly told her as she hugged her.
“Ya done good, squirt!” Rainbow Dash said as she patted her head.
“You three really were wonderful.” Midnight congratulated the girls from above which lead to their older sister to step forward in front of them feeling like she is going to harm them even though she wasn’t going to. “But does anypony know what was going on with Spike?” She asked as she landed.
“He sure seemed to be having a tough time of it out there.” Applejack noted suspiciously at her. “And when do you still care about Spike?” He skeptically asked her.
“He put things right in time, though.” Rarity happily noted that he was able to come through in the end. “Unless of course…” Rarity quickly thought to herself. “You had something to do with it.”
“Yes I did.” Midnight bluntly answered honestly. “And say one word to Spike and I’ll share our secret to everypony in the Equestria Games.” She added in a threatening tone.
“You do know of course he is going to find out eventually if he hasn’t already.” Applejack correctly pointed out to Midnight.
“Yes I know.” Midnight acknowledged. “But you do know what pride he takes in a job well done and do you honestly think breaking the truth to him right now is the best way to go on about that?” Midnight questioned while off-handily bringing up her honesty lesson but Rainbow Dash interrupted their argument before Applejack to answer yes in response.
“Psst, here he comes now! Act casual!” Rainbow Dash alerted the others as everypony turns to Spike with his head hanging down as he approaches them.
“Sup!” Rainbow Dash told him wearing sunglasses while crossing her arms.
“Spike! Is everything okay?” Midnight asked him with pretend concern.
“I guess. I don't know. The weirdest thing happened down there.” Spike answered still confused with himself.
“Like what?” Midnight inquired acting like she doesn’t know what happened either as Applejack rolls her eyes not fooled at her effortless lying since she knows the truth.
“I mean, there I was, trying to light the torch, with all of Equestria watching, and feeling like the hugest failure ever, and then the thing just lit! It was amazing!” Spike explained as he snapped his fingers when he said lit with his expression turning into happiness with himself of what “he” did.
“Really?” Midnight questioned while still continuing the act with faux surprise. “Any idea how?”
“Because I have discovered that I can light fire... with my mind?” Spike happily answered.
“What?!” Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack ask in surprise.
“Look, look, it's the Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious!” An eager crystal pony walking with another pony said as they approached them.
“Can we get your autograph?” The mare kindly asked.
“Sure!” Spike happily replied as he wrote his signature on the piece of paper the crystal ponies gave him.
“How you saved our Empire last time you were here was really amazing!” The male crystal pony said as he continued to gush over his accomplishments.
“Aw. You know what else is amazing? Watch this!” Spike happily and proudly told them as he focuses on the paper earning confusion from the crystal ponies as he struggles and strains trying to repeat his brainpower. “Don't worry. Once it bursts into flames through brainpower, I'll sign another one for ya.” Spike reassured the crystal pony as he continues to strain his to repeat his magic. “Promise.”
He continues to struggle until Midnight secretly invisible uses her magic to light the autograph on fire.
“Aha.” Spike announced in amazement. “You see!”
“Wow! That really is amazing.” The female pony happily and excitably exclaimed.
“No wonder you are the brave and glorious.” The male pony added in the same tone.
“Like I said just takes a little bit of brainpower for me to light a fire with my mind.” Spike proudly responded while the main ponies roll their eyes knowing the truth behind it as the two walk off continuing to gush in amazement of what “he” did as Midnight reappears.
“What did I tell you girls.” Spike addressed his friends. “Brain power.”
“Oh, you sure showed us, Spike.” Midnight told him continuing to play along with the charade after quickly appearing before Spike could notice.
“You know if you keep rolling on like this by impressing these ponies throughout the games you’ll have them all finding you a very noble and impressive dragon everypony will look up to.” Midnight advised the young dragon.
“That's true!” Spike eagerly agreed with her he ran off to figure more things to during the games. “That's exavtly what I gotta do if I want to keep this up and I wouldn’t disappoint.”
“Oh, I sure you will, Spike.” Midnight said to herself with an evil smile as she watches Spike run off to potentially humiliate himself someway somehow after further inflating his ego with her manipulative words as Applejack approaches her disapproving of her former friend's approach to this.
“You know he is going to find out the truth sooner or later.” Applejack sternly repeated to Midnight. “And just what kind of game are you playing on Spike by keeping up that charade for him.” Applejack accusingly added wondering what Midnight's motive is.
“Let’s call that one more riddle to solve.” Midnight answered with a non-answer. “Something to figure out as you listen and watch throughout the games.”
With a flash of magic Midnight quickly teleported back inside the royal seating booth to take her seat next to other Princesses as Shining Armor makes the announcement for the next event. By doing so she was able to avoid having to go through a machine that disables unicorns who can perform magic as security had sensed her use of magic to light the torch.
“Our next event the aerial relay!” Shining Armor announced as the competitors line up at the starting line including Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Bulk Biceps. This was the moment they have been training for since the games were on the horizon.
The relay begins as the Wonderbolts start the race with the lead with Bulk Biceps in last place due to his small wings but was able to keep pace enough to avoid falling too far behind as he hands Fluttershy the baton. Fluttershy while not a fast flyer was able to move up to second place as she hands Rainbow Dash the baton just a couple seconds after the Wonderbolts completed their exchange. Rainbow Dash and Spitfire are both racing for the lead coming down to the finish in the final stretch only inches apart side-by-side as they approach the finish line. Spitfire crosses the line first which means Cloudsdale’s the winner with Ponyville finishing second as everypony cheers for them as the two give each other a hoof-bump to congratulate each other for their respective performances.
Even Midnight who was watching from the royal stands is too impressed with how well the Ponyville team did between Bulk Biceps ability to keep pace with small wings, Fluttershy being able to close the gap, and Rainbow Dash nearly taking home to gold for Ponyville in that event.
Shortly afterwards, the top three finishing teams were all placed on the podium with their respective medals hanging around their necks as Shining Armor walks by to address them.
“Congratulations to all our medalists. And now, the anthem of– “ Shining Armor announced before being interrupted by Spike.
“And I shall do the honor of singing!” Spike boldly announced earning cheers from the audience as Shining Armor briefly speaks to Spike about what he is doing before hesitatingly rolling with it.
“And now... um... the Cloudsdale anthem, as sung by... Spike!” Shining Armor announced still hesitant with Spike’s decision leaving Spike alarmed realizing his mistake not accounting for the fact they only play the anthem for the winner and that the Wonderbolts are from Cloudsdale.
Midnight seeing that her latest manipulation tactic causing him to waltz right into a trap smirks as she waits for Spike embarrass himself in front of everypony in Equestria.
“Sing for us, O Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious!” A pony from the crowd in the stands called out to him.
After Spike seeing that he has to wing it now clears his throat as the music for Cloudsdale’s anthem plays in the stadium and a Pegasus shines a spotlight on him as he sings.
“Oh, we're the Wonderbolts and we're super fast
And we're from Cloudsdale which-is-a-part-of-Equestria.”
He nervously sang as everyone watching is shocked and embarrassed by his poorly worded attempted singing of the Cloudsdale anthem.
“That we like best and we're proud and we're fast and we like it because it really has nice trees
Yeah, we love the town because it's so cool and, and we like to fly really fast and everything like that.
I kinda wish this was over 'cause it is... n't... yet... over... now.”
Spike continued to sing as Rarity and Applejack watch in shock as Pinkie Pie seems to be the only pony enjoying it.
Midnight watching is silently amused by this yet face-palmed in embarrassment to avoid glares from ponies nearby catching her laughing at him.
“Oh, we're the Wonderbolts and we're super fast and we're cloud– from Cloudsdale
We like it there 'cause it's really nice and the trees are cool and I hope it is over now.”
Spike sang as a mother covers her son ears and a well-dressed pony pulls down his hat over his face unable to continue watching the horrid sight.
“And... it keeps going on, la la la
And we really love the town.”
He sang as the Wonderbolts are shocked yet sympathetic for him as they could tell he didn’t know what he had just did to himself while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy watch in shock with the latter turning her head aside acknowledging how embarrassing it is for him for singing an song he doesn’t know anything about a little similar to when she gets stage fright of singing in front of other ponies.
“So I wish that this... song... was over now.
Over... now.
Over... now. “
He sang as the song finally came to an end as the music stopped playing.
Everypony was completely stunned by what they had just seen and heard as Spike awkwardly and mortified with himself walks off in embarrassment.
“Nailed it!” Pinkie happily called out as Spike leaves apparently the only pony who enjoyed his performance.
Later that evening, the Equestrian Games was about conclude with its final event ice archery. During the event Midnight decides to look for Spike while refraining from using her magic to avoid being discovered and forced to have her magic disabled as she needs it to get a head start on her endgame plan. Also as long as she keeps her magic laying low until the time comes she will manage and get through this no problem.
“And so the Games conclude as they always do, with the ice archery finals! Ice archers, take your places!” Shining Armor announced as said athletes get ready to compete and while Midnight approaches the bleachers that the Cutie Mark Crusaders as she figures that they tried to talk to Spike to get him come out but it was unsuccessful. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were happy to see Midnight again as she approached them.
“Midnight!” The girls happily exclaimed upon seeing their mentor walk by.
“Hi girls.” Midnight replied with a smile before changing her expression into a more serious one. “Have any of you seen Spike?” She asked.
“He wouldn't come.” Apple Bloom sadly replied.
“We tried to talk him into it...” Sweetie Belle added.
“But he wouldn't listen!” Scootaloo finished explaining for the other two girls.
“Then I guess he is still in his room.” Midnight concluded as she turned to get him. “Thanks, girls.” Midnight thanked them as she turned back at them for a moment before leaving.
“No problem.” Apple Bloom answered as she waved after her as Midnight makes her way to Spike’s room.
“Spike? You here?” Midnight called out from the hallway before making her way in.
“Uh, yeah! I'm super-busy! Look at all this packing left to do, heh. Crazy, right?“ Spike frantically responded by opening up his suitcase as his luggage appears on top of him so he could pretend to be doing something to avoid going back to the games.
“No more hiding out. You're coming with me. Now.” Midnight assertively told him not fooling by his obvious attempts of avoiding and hiding from everypony.
“Okay, fine. I'll come.” Spike sighed as he obeyed her command. “Can I at least wear these?” Spike asked as he put on a hat and sunglasses as part of disguise to avoid potential embarrassment.
“As you as you come with me.” Midnight allowed him to do so with a nod while still asserting that he is coming with her.
Together the two made their way back to the stadium even though Spike also wearing a trench-coat out of fear of being recognized and facing further humiliation
“Honestly, Spike, I don't see why you're being so hard on yourself.” Midnight told him as he trails her while sounding a little unsympathetic for his plight.
“I let everypony down. Twice.” Spike sadly explained. “You never let anypony down, so you don't have any idea what that's like.” Spike added as they walked up just outside of the stadium field hearing cause Midnight to turn to face him as she looked him in the eye.
“Are you kidding? Listen to yourself.” Midnight asked in disbelief. “The torch got lit, the aerial relay teams got their medals – no harm, no foul.”
“Can we at least watch from inside there? I'm not sure I'm ready to face crowds in the stands just yet.” Spike responded with his spirits still not lifted by Midnight’s tough love.
“Oh, I think you might want to reconsider that with what’s about to happen.” Midnight responded as she stopped him from leaving as she purposely shined her crown at one of the archers causing him to accidentally shoot at arrow at a cloud causing ice to emerge from it as it prepares to fall on everypony causing them all to gasp even Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
The only pony not panicking was Midnight who evilly smiles seeing that her plan is in motion.
“No!” Shining Armor shouted as everypony evacuates for nearby safety.
The Pegasus's including Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy quickly took action by trying to lift it up with their hooves in order to slow down its fall.
“Steer it towards the field, away from the crowds!” Rainbow Dash instructed all of the others trying to stop it from falling
“Somepony cut the disabling spell!” Shining Armor called out to the security guards.
“There isn't time!” One of the guards apologetically told the captain of the guard they can’t.
“What are you doing?!” Spike asked Midnight in disbelief seeing how far she is going willing to go to further her goals.
“What is best for all of Equestria.” Midnight again repeated while still smiling at the panicking crowd. “And unless you want to see everypony killed it is up to you to stop it.” Midnight added as she points a hoof at the incoming ice.
Filled with newfound and angered determination to stop Midnight from harming innocent ponies caught in crossfire Spike runs up onto the stadium field ditching his disguise to come to every ponies rescue.
“Dash, Fluttershy! Move!” Spike called out to his friends as he hopped off on Shining Armor’s back.
Every Pegasus was quick to oblige Spike’s command as jumped off of some of the Pegasus backs as he continues leaping himself up in the air. Once he is up high enough he gives a deep breath as blows a huge breath of fire to melt it all away. Once the ice is melted Spike causally grabs and lifts up an umbrella to shield himself from the ice as it rains a brief shower.
Everypony cheers for Spike for his heroic accomplishment as the Mane 5 and the other Princesses gather around Spike to congratulate him while Midnight backs away into the shadows so she can prepare herself for the next part of her plan.
“That was awesome!” Rainbow Dash as the rest of the Mane 5 praise him as Princess Cadance taps a hoof on Spike to get his attention.
“I just wanted to thank you personally for saving those ponies and the Games, O Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious.” Cadance congratulated him as he bows to him. “You must be very proud.”
“I guess.” Spike responded still sounding down with himself.
“You guess?!” Every pony asked in surprise hearing this.
“I just saw what needed to be done and reacted.” Spike explained. “Just so happens I can breathe fire and even when I can’t quite get a hang of brainpower to start fires if any of you could do that, you'd have done the same.”
“Forgive me for bein' blunt, Spike, but you're not makin' a lick of sense.” Applejack bluntly commented as she stepped forward.
“Well, it's just how I feel.” Spike replied.
“Wait a second. I think I get it.” Princess Cadance responded as she speaks up again. “You keep saying you let everypony down, but we all keep saying you didn't. You know who's disappointed in you, Spike? You. And only you can make it right with you again. What would that take, Spike?”
“Meh, I don't know. Can you turn back time?” Spike asked. “Cause I'd sure like a do-over on that anthem. “
“We can't turn back time…” Cadance answered as she tended to him. “But, would you do me the great honor of lighting fireworks in my place at the closing ceremonies tonight?”
“Come on, Spike. You saved the Crystal Empire twice! I think you can light some fireworks.” Applejack encouraged with a smile as the princess’s nod in agreement.
“Mm, I guess I have to at least give it a shot.” Spike agreed.
The Mane 5 cheers for Spike with his decision while the Princesses smile at his response.
At that moment, a pair of clapping was heard yet sounding sarcastically in the distance approaching them. Emerging from the shadows as the sound gets louder is Midnight in her Nightmare Moon-like form with an evil smirk.
“Bravo O Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious.” Midnight commented with her praise to the young heroic dragon. “That was a very impressive rescue you did just as I planned that you would come through in the end.” She added as her voice echoed through the stadium getting every pony’s attention hearing this as they all stop applauding leaving the stadium deathly silent as a result.
Seeing Midnight causes Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash to get into fighting stances as they prepare to fight her while the Princesses look a little worried of what she is doing here as if they didn’t think Twilight would have the heart not to crash the games while Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie both cower in fear of her presence.
“Wait you planned on this.” Spike asked in surprise hearing this while alarmed with her sudden appearance. “Then that’s means…” Spike added as he gasped in realization. “No wonder I can’t breathe fire with my mind. You secretly lit it while everypony was distracted and you set me up to embarrass myself at the singing of the anthem.”
“That would make sense.” Princess Luna commented with this development in light in calm realization. “That explains the increased security we’ve had to implement to every horned pony watching.”
“Yes I did.” Midnight answered not even trying to deny the truth while casting a glance at Applejack who continues to glare down at her. “Except for your singing of the anthem which I for one found very funny seeing you embarrass yourself like that because nopony encouraged you to do that. That was on your own accord.” Midnight took the time to point that she only encouraged him to do something special even though she angled his emotions into wanting to sing the anthem only set himself up for embarrassment with that surprise.
“But you still planned all of this.” Spike accusingly pointed a finger out in her direction.
“Hey, at least I’m being honest.” Midnight shrugged off his rightful accusations while echoing one of Applejack’s previous comments whenever she is brutally honest with others while Applejack frowns at hearing those words.
“Twilight, what are you doing here.” Princess Celestia bravely demanded what she wants from them despite her fear of her former student earning confused murmurs from the crowd hearing this.
“I’m here for what I want.” Midnight simply replied as she emerged out into the open field as she turned to face them with the crowd reacting in fear of her presence. Shining Armor gets into a fighting stance ready to attack her as the guards all getting into fighting positions ready to protect the innocent crowd and ready to fight her off as well.
“For complete control of Equestria.” Midnight continued to speak of her demands. “I gave you princesses the chance to earlier but you refused to give in and I've been patient with all of you and fairly warned you all that it was only a matter of time before I make good on my promise that you will surrender to me the next time we meet.”
“And as we said before we’ll never surrender to you.” Princess Celestia still defiantly told her that they are not backing off.
“I figured you’d say that.” Midnight calmly responded. “And you might want to reconsider that is if you want everypony here to make out of here alive.” She added as she used her magic to summon the Crystal Heart causing everypony to gasp in horror of what Midnight’s ultimatum is.
“The Crystal Heart!” Princess Cadance exclaimed in horror.
“Don’t worry Cadance.” Midnight politely addressed her with a dark smile. “I won’t. As long as you all cooperate with my demands then everypony will walk out of this situation unharmed.” She added as she levitated her magic around the Crystal Heart preparing to carry out her threat. “So what will it be, surrender Equestria to me, or lose the Crystal Empire to a never-ending winter storm.” She made her ultimatum as she expects them to surrender as they have no choice if they truly care for other’s well-being like her.
“Please don’t do this, you have got to fight this darkness that is consuming you.” Princess Cadance pleaded with the pony she used to foalsit for not to do it with tears forming around her eyes at what she has become. “I don’t want to fight you.”
“Either way it is something nopony here ever wants to do.” Midnight replied unfazed at the sight of her crying as she turns to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna excepting their submission. “Do you?” Midnight directed her question at Celestia moreso than Luna.
“You wouldn't dare do that, Twilight!” Celestia coldly and defiantly responded speaking for both her and Luna although her sister secretly wishes she didn’t say that given from her experience as Nightmare Moon as she just cemented everyone’s fate with those words.
“All right. You asked for it.” Midnight calmly replied with a shrug as she sported an evilly malicious smile and with a burst of magic simply shatters the Crystal Heart to everypony’s horror.
"Oh. no!" Spike exclaimed in horror as Princess Celestia snapped and charged at the tall alicorn completely enraged.
“TWILIGHT!” She yelled as she tackled the dark-furred alicorn causing the two to tumble around the field with Celestia trying to land punches on Midnight which she dodges until Midnight kicked her off causing the sun princess to be sent flying into the nearby wall just below the bleachers causing her groan when she hit the wall leaving many ponies to gasp in shock again after seeing Celestia get furious like that and take a hit like that.
“Cut off the disabling spell and get these ponies to safety!” Shining Armor ordered the security guards to which they immediately obeyed his command so before Shining Armor takes his charge at Midnight who simply slaps him away with her tail before flying in to deliver a punch to the face knocking the helmet off of his head in the process as he is sent flying a few feet back before getting back on his hooves with a bruised nose.
“Come on!” Princess Luna urgently flew over to a distressed Cadance in tears. “We need to hold off that storm for as long as we can!”
Immediately the two alicorns quickly fly up out of the stadium to face the already darken clouds as it begins to snow heavily trying to use their magic to delay the bad weather for as long as they can while the others fight Midnight.
Back down at the stadium as many ponies try to evacuate the stadium and out of the Crystal Empire as Midnight turns her attention back to Shining Armor and Princess Celestia who both glare down at her as they prepare to fight her while the Mane 5 and Spike watch from a safe distance ready to back them up when they need it.
“Stand down Twilight.” Princess Celestia boldly told her as she flew up and readied her horn to attack her with her magic now that every horned pony has access to their magic.
“Not happening.” Midnight replied with fierce determination as she readies her horn too. “The Crystal Heart is shattered, everypony’s lives are in danger, and I have become more powerful and I am ready to fulfill my destiny.” She added as she effortlessly countered a powerful magic blast from Celestia with a magic shield. “Surrender to me, there is no other choice.”
“Never.” Celestia defiantly retorted as she shoots multiple blasts with her which Midnight effortlessly dodges before sending a magic blast right a her stomach which knocked her back against the wall stunning for her a minute. There Midnight comes face to face with Shining Armor who glares at her ready to charge at her.
"Shining Armor." Midnight told him in a warning tone as she faces her brother with narrowed eyes. "If I were you I won't try to fight me like you did in the past."
"I didn't want things to come to this. But you have left me no choice for what you did to my wife." Shining Armor furiously responded. "You broke her heart. You also doomed the entire empire by shattering the Crystal Heart."
"Well maybe if Celestia had just surrendered when I gave her the chance to I wouldn't have done it but she left me no choice when she chose not surrender." Midnight coldly retorted to the stallion with no remorse for what she had just done. "So really it's kind of a moot point by now."
"You had the choice not to do this but you did it anyway." Shining Armor rightfully fired back. "And now you are going to pay for what you have just done." He added as he furiously trotted forwards towards his villainous sister ready to attack her with his horn.
"Well guess what. Too bad because I'm not sorry and never had been ever since the day you walked out on me." Midnight coldly responded as she too charged at her brother. And when both siblings faced each other with their horns pointing at each other, Shining Armor quickly fires an attack on Midnight who immediately dodges with teleportation and then teleports in front of Shining Armor with her hoof punching her brother right in her face again.
Shining Armor was able to get back up and continue fighting but was left with a left black eye from her attack and so was Celestia able to recover from the attack had also received from her former student. Shining Armor attempts to charge at her sister again as she back flips to avoid his attempted attack before retaliating with magic blasts from her horn at both Celestia and Shining Armor which blinds both Celestia and Shining Armor in the eyes briefly then they find themselves knocked a distance towards opposite sides of the stadium as they have been both kicked in the face by Midnight who quickly attacks them when they were both stunned by her magic's glare.
Shining Armor quickly gets up on his hooves again and fires a blast of magic directing at Midnight who catches it and then redirects his magic back at him who narrowly dodges it. While Celestia tries to fly in to tackle Midnight again only to be stopped just inches away before she could make contact with her and then finds herself thrown across the stadium crashing into the bleachers again. The three continue to fire magic from their horns for a good several minutes with Midnight being the only pony landing blows to her opponents as they slowly tire themselves down as the incoming snow storm gets worse as Cadance and Luna are unable to hold it off forever despite their best efforts with Midnight balancing and alternating her fight out between flying and running around while dealing with both the alicorn princess and the captain of the royal guard at the same time.
Many ponies who try to evacuate with the royal guards and security guards who are trying to ensure their safety find themselves struggling to get to the train station as the winter blizzard blazes on with heavy snows and winds as many ponies did not bring their winter gear as they all shiver and struggle to press forward through the cold.
Sensing that Shining Armor and Celestia have both run out of energy Midnight conjures another magic blast that she easily hits both ponies with leaving them both falling down onto the ground exhausted unable to continue fighting as Princess Celestia can only barely move a muscle after taking in that last heavy blow.
Seeing that both the princess and the captain of the royal guard have both been defeated the security ponies try to move in to attack Midnight only to be effortlessly defeated when Midnight simply uses her magic to send them all flying into the bleachers rendering them unconsciousness.
From the stadium entrance, Applejack narrows her eyes in determination as she turns to the others.
"Come on y'all. We gotta stop her!" Applejack ordered the Mane 5 to attack Midnight while Spike still watches on in shock at what has happened unwilling to fight Midnight seeing her go toe-to-toe with Princess Celestia and Shining Armor and take them down no problem seeing that attempting to fight her is a lost cause to him especially when it's his former friend who raised him from day one as any caring mother would do.
Applejack leads the charge with her lasso as she attempts to bring Midnight down with it. She successfully lassos her horn to try to bring her down but Midnight proves to be far stronger than Applejack as she simply lifts Applejack up in the air twirls her around while repeatedly slamming her into the ground for a solid good minute before sending her flying into the bleachers causing her to crash into the stands taking a very heavy hit in the process.
Rainbow Dash quickly flies to attack Midnight immediately after Applejack is taken out of the fight just nearly landing a hit on Midnight who just barely dodges leaving the two to glare down at each other as they both charge at each other at lightning speed with Midnight quick to literally beat Rainbow Dash to punch as she does so sending Rainbow flying across the stadium and crashing into the bleachers as well.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie both try to make a move with Rarity taking a leap at Midnight with Pinkie Pie trying to use her party cannon to blast Midnight with hard confetti to which Midnight quickly dodges. Thinking quick Rarity gets inside of the cannon so Pinkie to give her a good shot at Midnight. With another blast from the party cannon Rarity is sent flying towards Midnight ready to attack her with her magic. Midnight quickly counters by using her magic to turn the snow into hail and sends it right at Rarity's face causing her to lose control of her magic and accidentally hit Applejack who has just made it back onto the field is left staggered from the attack.
"Sorry, darling!" Rarity called out to Applejack before getting further assaulted by hail from Midnight's attack before being forced back to the ground from the relentless barrage of hail. Having enough of it, Rarity teleports away from facing Midnight to right above Midnight with a magic blast to the face sending her back a few feet.
“How’s that for some pony with petty concerns about fashion?”‘ Rarity asked Midnight who is just shaking off her attack.
“Pretty good.” Midnight calmly responded with a look of respect for her. “But not enough to get to back off.”’ She added as she turned to Pinkie. “ Hey, Pinky, party points right over here.”’ She taunted the party pony to take a shot at her who immediately does only to accidentally hit Rarity instead as Midnight easily dodges the attack who follows up the accidental attack with a blast of magic right at Rarity's head. Midnight with a smirk sarcastically claps her hooves to applaud Pinkie for her attack as she managed to stun Rarity and accidentally take her out of the fight with some bruises and confetti in her mane.
"How's that for some pony who doesn't care much about fashion?" Midnight asked Rarity just to throw her question right back at her as she effortlessly dodges Pinkie's multiple attempts to blast her with her confetti cannon until she literally runs out of confetti.
"It looks like the party is over." Midnight casually commented as she sends a blast of magic at her party cannon causing it to blow up sending Pinkie tumbling down the bleachers until she reached the bottom lying unable to get back up and can only look on in tears and defeat as parts of her party cannon came tumbling down right in front of her.
Midnight smirks at seeing the sadden party pony mourning over the loss over her party cannon as she casually tosses one of the cannon pieces right in front of Pinkie before facing the only pony left in the fight Fluttershy who struggles and hesitates as she is unwilling to fight her former friend as she looks on unable to work up the courage to face off against her and try to make a move on her as Midnight attacked the others as she backed away as Midnight landed on the ground and approached her.
"Come on, Fluttershy." Midnight encouraged and goaded the shy and terrified Pegasus to try to attack her. "You're all that's left in the fight."
"Pl-pl-pl-please d-d-don't kill me." Fluttershy stammered as she begged for mercy.
"Oh, don't worry, Fluttershy." Midnight falsely assured her as she backed her into a corner as she evilly smiled at her with malicious intentions. "As long as your sun princess comes to terms with her loss I will have no reason to hurt you." She added as she used her magic to grab her by the wings as Fluttershy feels her heart racing as she has no idea whatever Midnight is going to do her.
Once Midnight has her in her in her grasp she uses her magic to produce a vision of her as Flutterbat terrorizing her friends from when she attempted to have her nearly kill her own friends.
"NO, NO, NO!" Fluttershy screamed as tears fell from her eyes seeing the painful memory resurfacing again. "Please no more!" She cried out as she shielded her eyes from the flashback. "Make it stop!"
"Aw come on, Fluttershy." Midnight told Fluttershy as she forced her to see as she replayed her darkest memories. "It was all in the past, there's no reason to panic. Although I got to say compared to the other times you've shown assertiveness you really disappoint me because I was hoping you at least put in effort in your attempt to face me just like you did when you became Flutterbat."
Applejack and Rainbow Dash recovering from their attacks see Midnight psychologically terrorizing Fluttershy against her will as she cries in pain.
With a knowing look at each other, they both approach Midnight from opposite sides of the bleachers trying to get to her with Midnight noticing. The two both reach a small distance from her as they ready themselves to attempt a sneak attack on Midnight. Yet unbeknownst to them Midnight senses their presence from behind as she was able to hear Applejack's hoofsteps and Rainbow Dash's flapping wings as they approach her.
Acting quick both Applejack and Rainbow Dash both charge at her in an attempt to double-team her as Midnight calmly turn around and effortlessly dodges both of their attacks as she maneuvers in flight around Applejack's attempted charge at her Rainbow Dash's charging flight towards her as she maneuvers in front of them just as they accidentally crash into each other head on leaving them both dazed from the impact.
"Nice attempt of a sneak attack. I'll give both A's for effort" Midnight complimented the two ponies for attempting to try to catch her off-guard. "But not quite enough to catch me off-guard and take me down there." She tauntingly added as both ponies still feel their eyes rolling around still dazed from the hard impact from when they accidentally crashed into each other to which Midnight would then take the opportunity to immediately tie them with Applejack's lasso with magic laced into it to ensure that they can't untie themselves and attempt to try attack her to ensure that they are both neutralized from the fight for good this time.
"I will however give you both F's for your failures to live up to your promises of being good friends who will also have each others backs when they need them and for treating one's concerns to the dust even with the fate of Equestria at stake." She further admonished both ponies for their failures to point of how their actions lead to the snowball rolling as she uses the snow that has stuck to the ground to roll them, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie up in the snowball she had created using her magic before sending it straight down the center of the field to knock down all of the defeated guards with a single strike.
Seeing that she has finally won this fight as she looks around the stadium as snow heavily falls on the ground to see all of the Mane Five, Shining Armor, the security and the royal guards and Princess Celestia all beaten down and lying on the ground in defeat before she flies over to Princess Celestia with a completely paralyzed and terrified Fluttershy in tow with her magic as a couple inches of snow has ravaged down onto the ground.
"Well, Celestia." Midnight asked the sun monarch again as she presents Fluttershy in her magical grasp completely and psychologically terrified for her life as she still sees visions of her actions of Flutterbat playing through her mind while looking down at her. "You still think this was all worth fighting about?" She questioned Celestia as she placed a hoof on her chin to force her to look at her. "You were offered the opportunity to stand down peacefully when I asked of it and yet you chose to fight fire with fire by attempting to engage in a fight where you had no chance of winning whatsoever." She lectured her as she raised her other hoof to her surroundings of the other ponies that tried to fight her yet wind up bruised and defeated lying on the ground. "And look where it's got you therefore proving to everypony that you have once again proven you are longer fit to lead Equestria from threats that endanger the very lives of everypony around here even when you have been given a second chance to redeem yourself for your past mistakes."
Celestia could only feel the urge to tear up as she see's the devastation around her and what has become of her former student as she is still shaken from the beat-down she received as Midnight continues to speak to her ready to ask her again if she has finally come to accept what has happened and know when to finally admit that she has lost.
"So...Shall I continue tormenting her with her darkest memories and let this never-ending snow storm blaze through or do I need keep making example's of other ponies to prove I'm not bluffing." She further threatened as the winter storm further rages on. Seeing that Midnight has proven her point by making good on her threat and she really has no choice seeing that lowers her head as she closes her eyes and bows to her as a single tear falls from her eye.
“Stop, please.” Princess Celestia pleaded now at her mercy. “We surrender, Equestria is yours.” Celestia lowered her head in defeat now that she has truly lost this battle and Twilight herself to darkness.
“Good.” Midnight commented with a satisfied smile as she looks at her in the eye as she lets go of Fluttershy and places her back down on the ground as Fluttershy continues crying. “I knew you come to your senses in the end though I do have to admit it took a little longer than I thought as you did put up a very valiant effort. Too bad it wasn’t enough.” Celestia could only lower her head in shame and defeat seeing that darkness has consumed her and has won the day.
Using her magic, Midnight was quickly and easily able to repair the Crystal Heart and just like that the heavy winter-storm ends as all of the clouds disperse and clear up just as Princess Cadance and Princess Luna were both at the end of their rope after having done their best to fight off the storm and are relieved when the winter storm has stopped as they make their way back to the stadium to find the sun princess, the captain of the guard, the security guards and royal guards, and the Mane Five all defeated and exhausted with Midnight holding the now repaired Crystal Heart.
Everypony who has already made it outside of the stadium is relieved and smiling when they see the snow storm has finally stopped as all of the snow immediately melted as the skies cleared up. While they can tell that the Crystal Heart has been repaired what they didn't realize at the time until they all returned to stadium and saw the defeated warriors who tried to fight and take down Midnight but failed.
Once everypony witnessed their surrounding they could all tell and now know what this means as Princess Luna and Princess Cadance flew down and bowed down to her. Princess Celestia has surrendered and officially handed over full control of Equestria to her. The battle was over, Midnight had won as everypony follows suit and bows down to her in respect and fear. Darkness has triumphed as her body glows as she evilly grins again satisfied that she has finally succeeded in taking over Equestria and achieved her revenge against her former loved ones.