//------------------------------// // Chapter 62: School Raze Part Two (Edited 9/23/22) // Story: Light and Dark: Road to Redemption // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Chapter 62: School Raze Part Two: As soon as Midnight made her declaration she then quickly flashed the reflection of her amulet up at the entrance where Tirek appears before the ten spies and then quickly blocks off their escape route before they could even try to turn and leave and warn Twilight by tossing them all down in front of Midnight, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow. “Welcome, bearers of the Elements of Harmony, well most of the bearers, and of course Spike and the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Midnight said with a smirk as she held up her orb leaving the young ones growling irritated by her deliberately throwing that remark in just to taunt them. “I hoped you all would try to observe me with more stealth…” She added as she put her orb away. “…disappointing.” “Midnight Sparkle!” Sandbar and the Cutie Mark Crusaders exclaimed in shock to see her as the Mane Five and Spike all glare at her. “Yes, Sandbar, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. You all guessed correctly. Bravo.” Midnight commended the young ones as she chuckled. “And you all along with your friends have managed to figure out my little scheme.” "How did you even manage to get those artifacts? I thought Twilight kept them in a secure room in the school?" Sweetie Belle questioned. “Well maybe if all hadn’t left them scattered around the school grounds in your rush to deal with your friendship missions then maybe they wouldn’t have been easy for Chrysalis to obtain them.” Midnight simply replied. “Which reminds me, Scootaloo, I see Rainbow Dash managed to talk you out of joining the Washouts, didn’t she?” “What?” Scootaloo questioned in surprise. “How do you know that?” Rainbow Dash questioned with suspicion. “Who do you think told her about them.” Midnight simply hinted them. “Along with all of friendship missions you girls had at the same time, all part of my plan to overthrow Twilight, Celestia, and Luna once and for all!” “You orchestrated all of these friendship problems?!” Applejack questioned her with a look of realization. “But that means you knew it would keep us all busy and away from the school.” “It was you who bribed the chancellor and gave Flim and Flam a copy of Twilight’s lesson plans.” Rarity also came to deduce her involvement. “Along with creating all of those fake photos!” “And managed to get Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow working together…” Spike added. “For Midnight Sparkle!” Fluttershy finished in shock as everything that had happened before was all coming together. “All of the above are true! Well except for hiring the Flim Flam brothers into trying to sabotage Twilight's school that was Neighsay's doing.” Midnight said unfazed to their reactions as she trots up to the fillies. “For some ponies so slow in the fast lane, you are all pretty smart aren’t you?” She said as she placed a hoof on all three fillies chins to which Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity all came to their defense and swatted the dark mare's hoof away. “Not a step closer!” Rarity stood in her younger sister’s defense as Rainbow Dash held her hooves up in the air with her wings flapping hard ready to tussle with the alicorn along with Applejack being ready to charge at her. “And since the magic drain is affecting you too then it shouldn’t be a problem taking you down!” Applejack declared as she moved to attack her which is met with a back flip over the prisoners as they turned to face her again as Applejack and Rainbow Dash nearly flying Applejack away from the glowing vortex imprisoning Starlight. “Once again you disappoint me by underestimating me.” Midnight simply responded as she faced off against the Mane Five, Spike, and four of the students. “And I though Rainbow Dash would be the first one jumping the gun here.” She gestured to the angered Pegasus who attempted to charge at her who simply grabs her by the neck again before slamming her back down into the ground. “Just because I’m without magic for the time being doesn’t mean I’m powerless.” She then noticed the Cutie Mark Crusaders trying to see how can free Starlight. “Uh, uh, uh,…” She raised her hoof up as pulls them away from the vortex. “I wouldn’t touch that if I you were you. Unless you and the rest of Equestrian magic want to join Starlight in another dimension forever.” “Girls, listen to her!” Starlight desperately cried out for them to listen to her. “It’s not worth it! She’s telling the truth about this!” “Even still…” Applejack defiantly spoke to the alicorn. “You’ll never get away with this, Midnight Sparkle!” “Why?” Midnight asked them undeterred. “Because of you meddling foals.” “Excuse us?!” The Cutie Mark Crusaders asked sounding offended by the taunt. “I was referring to your sisters and their friends.” Midnight quickly told the young trio. “You have to be crazy to think this will ever work and that you would actually think sucking up all of your magic will work you beastly beast!” Rarity yelled in anger at Midnight as she tried charge at her with her horn to which the latter simply turned around and slapped her away her long tail and into the nearby wall with Pinkie trying to also charge at the alicorn while her cohorts all watch from the sidelines eager to watch the show as things go their way. Meanwhile back at her office, everyone is currently watching Midnight fight and take down the Mane Five unfold as Neighsay is looking completely stunned at what he is seeing. “So still think I’m up to something?” Twilight questioned the stallion who slumped his head down in shame for his bold and false accusations. “Because I’m pretty sure she won’t be here if that was an evil duplicate.” “But how is that even possible?!” Neighsay said sounding very stunned by this revelation. “How can you be here and she is over there?!” “Because that’s not me! That’s Midnight Sparkle!” Twilight responded as she showed her the mare in the flesh and fur in her own form. “Now let them go!” Neighsay obliged to her demands as he then sheepishly released the students from his magical grasp and could only look away in shame upon realizing his huge mistake. “I-I don’t know what to say other than how much I was wrong!” Neighsay could only say as Twilight raises a hoof to stop him from further apologizing. “We’ll discuss this later!” Twilight said as she instructed everyone to follow her while paying no attention to Neighsay's reaction and thoughts. “Right now we got to get over there and stop her before it’s too late!” “But how?” Silverstream questioned with quaking fear. “How are we going to able defeat all four villains without magic?” “By wielding and removing those artifacts!” Twilight replied as she gestured them to said artifacts responsible for causing the magic drain. “But aren’t they only able to be touched by someone worthy of the elements like you and your friends?” Gallus pointed out. “Yes, and from what I’ve seen from my classes, all of you represent the next group who will bear the elements after me and my friends are gone and together with all of us working together we’ll be able to stop Midnight and her followers once and for all!” Twilight explained to them as approached to each and every one of her students. “Silverstream like Pinkie you represent laughter always seeking to cheer everyone up even when the others were feeling down.” Twilight told the giddy hippogriff. “Smolder no matter what the dragon’s past beliefs are you never gave in to greed and proven to be one of the most generous dragons I know aside from Ember.” “Well, Ember has taught me a lot since she took over.” Smolder said in agreement. “Sandbar only said what he said so he could trick Neighsay into freeing him so he can go get help and deep down he represents undying loyalty to his friends no matter what.” Twilight then continued as he turned to Yona. “Yona, no matter what like Fluttershy you have always be kind to everyone even when you had reason not to.” “Well Yona would be mad at Professor Dash and Applejack had they let me drown.” Yona thought nothing of it. “But Yona still care about friends no matter what!” “And that’s why you represent kindness.” Twilight told the young yak who clapped her hooves in excitement as the alicorn turns to Ocellus. “Ocellus, even when you had reason to you didn’t give into temptation and did with Thorax taught you about staying true to who you are deep down and staying honest with your friends. Which is why you represent Honesty.” She told the changeling who blushed in response as Twilight turns to Gallus. “And last but not least Gallus even though you don’t show it much or have the abilities of a unicorn, you have proven that deep down that like me you have the ability to spread the magic of friendship no matter what happens even during the toughest times. Which is why you represent the element of magic. The most powerful element of harmony.” “Eh.” Gallus said without denying anything but still smiled ready for a fight. “True, but with time at the essence, let’s do this!” “Everyone ready?” Twilight asked her students who all nod in agreement before turning to the Chancellor. “One more thing Chancellor, if you care about the greater good of Equestria then I’m going to need the help of whatever magic you have left in your medallion.” “Yes of course.” Neighsay immediately complied by handing her his medallion. “Anything to save Equestria from the real monster.” “Then let’s do this!” Twilight lead the others to where her friends along with many of the villains are with Sombra watching from the shadows. “Midnight. The remaining element bearers are headed your way!” Sombra's voice reported with what little magic he has left. “Good. Make sure Daybreaker doesn’t start the fire until I give the command.” Midnight instructed her with her voice as she is constantly fighting and fending off the combined non-magical abilities of the Mane Five along with Smolder. “And when the magic returns get in position so that Twilight doesn’t see you. You know what to do from there?” “Crystal clear.” Sombra replied as he set out to carry out his task. Back at the catacombs, Midnight was constantly and effortlessly fending off the Mane Five’s effort’s to overpower being able to easily dodge Applejack and Pinkie’s numerous attempts to charge at her from every angle, to easily intimidating Fluttershy into flying away, with the only one’s closed to trying to possess a challenge was when Rainbow and Rarity work together as they try to engage in hoof-to-hoof combat while alternating and taking turns trying to fight her which managed to keep them from being struck in the face for a little while before Midnight put an end to it by turning herself around and wrapping her tail around Rainbow Dash before using her as a bat to swat Rarity away before slamming Rainbow right in her causing the two ponies to groan in pain. “Rarity!” Sweetie Belle ran up to her big sister as Scootaloo did the same. “Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo cried out in horror as they step in front of their guardians in a futile attempt to fend of Midnight. “How very cute and noble of you to try to defend them.” Midnight said in an amused tone as she approached them. “But I think as you can see there is no help coming for you this time around. Not even Twilight can save you now.” “Guess again Midnight!” Twilight called out as she lead the charge against her to which Tirek first charged trying to throw two punches at her to which she effortlessly dodged before she grabbed Tirek by his arm and then flipped him over to slam him into the ground. The Young Five come in Smolder flies over and breaths fire at Chrysalis who effortlessly blocks the attack only to be knocked back by Yona and Gallus with Silverstream and Ocellus quickly spinning around Cozy Glow to tie her up from borrowing one of Yona’s hair ribbons before disguising herself as Midnight to try to throw her off her game to no avail as Midnight saw through it as she charged at Ocellus and then slapped her away with her arm who is then caught by Neighsay before she could hit the ground as the villainous mare finds herself face to face with all of the teachers and students before her. "Give it up, Midnight! It’s over!" She declared in her face. "I will now let you destroy my school!" "And how?” Midnight scoffed before counter responding in the face of her good counterpart... “By using the Elements of Harmony to save the day?” “Yes.” Twilight bravely answered. “And just how do you think you’re going to that?!” Midnight tempted her while still unconvinced as Tirek and Chrysalis secretly make their leave. “The elements are gone and you’re powerless without them!” “Like this…! Now!” Twilight yelled out as she and the students rushed over as Twilight used the little magic from Neighsay’s medallion to throw up a shield and motioned to her friends and her students to take action as they students did so, and one by one as they grabbed the artifacts from their tribe as they began to glow in different colors. Gallus glowed pink, Silverstream glowed blue, Sandbar glowed red, Smolder glowed purple, Ocellus glowed orange, and Yona glowed yellow as Twilight, Pinkie, Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy in that order team with the students as they control the magic to create a surge to cancel out the magic draining spell as Midnight using the remaining magic from her amulet to protect herself and Cozy Glow from a huge explosion that took the entire school roof with it. With all of magic released it was then all fully restored to every pony all over Equestria as they all felt it being re-absorbed into their horns as the princesses who had just gotten the troops ready used this opportunity to teleport to Ponyville. With everything returned to normal aside from the blown school roof, Starlight was freed from her bubble as the glow surrounding the element bearers had disappeared. “Counselor…” Yona happily cheered as she attempted to hug the unicorn. “Yona so glad Starlight is safe.” Starlight quickly used her magic to halt Yona in her tracks before she could crush her with another yak-strength sized hug. "I am sure glad I am thanks to you and my friends." Starlight replied as she faced her saviors along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. “You ruined everything!” Cozy Glow angrily yelled out as she emerged from the rubble in the student’s direction. “Now all the princesses will be able to convict me for helping out in trying to suck up all of the magic!” She then further ranted as she marched up to them before realizing what she just said in front of the angrily glaring Twilight Sparkle and her friends. “I mean... Yay! All my friends are safe!” She then nervously then quickly tried to save face to no avail. “You can drop the act, Cozy Glow!” Applejack told off the young filly that they are not buying it. “We’ve been fully aware from the start of how Midnight had you helping in on her plan of sucking up all that magic!” “But I still don't understand why.” Twilight asked trying to comprehend why she would help her arch-enemy. “Why?!” Cozy growled right in her face in anger. “Because friendship is power! You might be the Princess of Friendship, but with Midnight in charge and me as a princess under her wing, I can collect even more friends than you!” She then with a deranged face. “You're the one who doesn't get it, Cozy.” Twilight corrected with a disappointed tone of voice. “Friendship is powerful, but power isn't why you make friends. I'm sorry I couldn't teach you that.” “Well, you taught us.” Gallus reassured her. “You can't let one bad apple make you think you failed.” Silverstream cheerfully added. “And we never could've stopped her if we hadn't learned what you taught us about friendship.” Sandbar also complimented as they all hear more rubble from the ground as a fist appears after punching an opening as Midnight emerges after climbing her way out. “Indeed she has taught you all well.” Midnight said in agreement as she casually dusts herself off as everyone glares at her appearance. “How in tarnation are you still alive?” Applejack questioned the mare as she directed her glare at her along with her friends. “The little magic from my amulet which I got from the royal vault back in Canterlot while you were all distracted with your friendship missions and my strong endurance and strength allowed me to withstand the blast. I mean seriously did you honestly believe that a mere five-story school building comprised of bricks, magic, wood, and metal would crush me?” Midnight simply explained and shrugged it off as Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining Armor, Tempest, the royal guards, and the pillars all appear inside of the school ready to cut off her escape. “Good.” She then said as she showed an unfazed reaction to many of glaring daggers in her direction. “The entire family is here. And I do have to say it is pleasure to finally meet my former second-in-command once again.” “Says the pony who tried to have me killed after everything we’ve been through together!” Tempest angrily retorted with a seething growl feeling very betrayed from what happened from the last time they saw each other. “Well to be fair, the Storm King was planning to backstab you and I felt my intervention wasn’t necessary in order for you see to see his true colors.” Midnight casually showed no remorse for doing so. “I mean it’s not like he would have fulfilled his promise if he could.” Tempest was still unconvinced with her narrowed eyes by Midnight’s words as Twilight steps forward. “It’s over! Your plan and your trap failed, Midnight!” Twilight again told her evil counterpart. “All of the magic has returned! You’re outnumbered and you are now heading back on over to Tartarus for good this time!” “Oh, no, no, no, no, no, Twilight.” Midnight still smiled as she shook her head amused that everything has still fallen into place despite their claims. “None of you all understand.” “What you saying?” Twilight demanded where she is going with this. “Did you actually think I planned for all of this to happen only for it got up in smoke in the last second? You all didn’t think thing through enough to see through the obvious set-up?” She questioned the confused ponies before her as Cozy stands by her side. “This was all part of my plan for you see… I was actually counting on you, your friends, and your students to stop the magic drain to set up the real plan for which I haven’t even sprung my actual trap… until now.” She then flew up in the air with dark flames appearing on her mane and tail as she used her Canterlot voice. “Followers of Midnight Sparkle…Attack!” “Followers of Midnight Sparkle?” Fluttershy questioned of what she talking about in fright as guards and the princesses all find themselves blasted down to the ground with a single fiery blast. “You can’t escape, princesses.” Daybreaker revealed herself as she used her magic to start setting the school on fire before charging at her good counterpart to which she barely managed to use her magic to block the attack as she sends multiple fire blasts with great ferocity right at her much to everypony's surprise upon her appearance. “Sister?!” Luna tried to rush over to help her only to be cut off by a narrow avoided blast a blast from Nightmare Moon. “What the…?!” She then exclaimed in sudden shock as Midnight however shows no reaction to what everyone is suddenly facing. “Remember your most recent fight and what you thought was your conscience.” Midnight recalled to jog their memories as Luna finds herself having to barely dodge attacks from her as Tirek and Chrysalis emerge from the rubble ready for a fight. “This time we get to take over!” Tirek said with determination as he pounded his fists together. “Sure, bring it, I dare you!” Chrysalis challenged every pony as they all face off against each other while all very alarmed by their sudden appearance. “Oh, she’s got a whole army from each direction.” Fluttershy said in worry realizing how much trouble they are all really in now. “Yes!” Midnight laughed. “She does indeed!” She added before turning to Twilight. “So you all still want to try doing this the hard way? Because this is your last chance to back out while you still can.” “I think we all know the answer, Midnight!” Twilight refused to give in as she sent a magic blast right at her to which she easily dodged before the two prepared to deck it out again around the school. At the same time Tirek leaps up from the rubble as he jumps up and stomps on the ground in front of Star Swirl and the pillars. Star Swirl tries to blast magic at him but the centaur laughed it off in respond when it doesn’t do anything to him. Just as he approached Star Swirl, he stomped on the ground just as the pillars ran up to the unicorn’s defense as he blasted them out of the schoolyard to which Tirek leaped up over the fire after them. Chrysalis appearing then locks her eyes on Starlight as she growls at the unicorn . “Ah just the pony I wanted to see.” Chrysalis grinned viciously at her foe. “You didn’t make an appointment!” Starlight retorted as she leaped out and tackled the evil changeling as she teleports them away from the area. Back in the skies at the School of Friendship, Twilight and Midnight are out in the sky both flying around trying to hit each other with magic while dodging each other’s attacks as Princess Cadance comes to her aid by shooting a strong blast of magic right at her chest sending her straight down into the ground with Shining Armor following up by charging at her with magic from his horn sending her back a few feet. “That was for nearly killing our baby!” Cadance calmly said with brewing fury at the villainous mare. “Well played you two!” Midnight gave them their dues as she managed to quickly stand back up she charged her horn and had her heart glow neon purple to recover from the attack before sending a blast right at the couple before firing multiple blasts to force them on the defensive while fighting off and dodging Twilight’s attacks when she tried to take advantage of this leaving Midnight fighting off against the three siblings as the royal sisters both face off against Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon where all four alicorns charge at each other with magic blasts from their horns which resulted in all four ponies being blasted back from the explosion that took out the center fountain. Midnight then thinking quick managed to activate Grogar’s bell as she sends a blast of it right at Cozy’s direction who is then transformed into an alicorn to which she takes action to fight off the royal guards while sporting up the cute pony act while conquering a magic bubble to defend herself from the guard’s efforts to bring her down as she ready’s her new horn to use her magic before summoning a portal when the guards all charge at her to which Sombra appears from the portal and blasts them away and into the wall with one powerful blast as both ponies laugh evilly an high hoof each other. “For a young filly who’s just become an alicorn, your talents are admittedly admirable.” Sombra complimented the young filly. “Aww, thanks.” Cozy gushed in response. “I’m just glad to see that my mommy was right that I’m now having fun now that I’m an alicorn.” She then said evilly as she faced the Young Six. “Thanks to her I learn the problem with magic-types like you. You're so reliant on all your special power, you forget to use your brains!.” “Keeping telling yourself that Cozy Glow!” Sandbar defiantly retorted as he called out. “Now!” Rainbow Dash immediately flew from her hiding spot as she flew around the filly at great speed to twirl Cozy around before finding herself face to face with Pinkie and her party cannon. “Surprise attack!” Pinkie exclaimed as she blasted her with confetti as Rarity levitated her with her magic. “Fly my pretties!” Fluttershy commanded the nearby birds to attack her as she nearly gets burned in the face by Spike who flies after her as Cozy finds herself constantly and barely dodging him, the birds, and Pinkie before finding herself lassoed and tackled down to the ground. Back outside of the castle, Tirek is facing off against the Pillars as he approaches Star Swirl trying and failing to bring him down with magic as the others come to his defense to no avail as he easily grabs Flash Magnus in flight before tossing them towards the other pillars to knock them down to the ground while swatting away Somnambula before sucking up four of the six pillars magic with his mouth leaving them drained of energy. “Magic seasoned with age. Delicious.” Tirek said in delight as he smacks his lips together. “No!” Rockhoof cried out as he attempted to charge at him only for his shovel to break itself instead of harming Tirek who then quickly drains him of his magic causing him to shrink and turn into a younger looking earth pony. “Oh, run along. The big stallions are playing.” Tirek taunted the earth pony’s futile efforts right in his face like he is an innocent young school pony like a big bully. “Somnambula...! Warn... the princesses...!” Rockhoof said in a younger and weak tone as said mare struggles to get up and fly away onto to be quickly intercepted by Tirek by one huge leap causing her to crash into his chest. Tirek then absorbed her magic as well after picking her up. “Ahhhh.” Tirek said in delight before walking off in triumphant with the defeated ancient team of heroes in tow with his magic. “The perfect dessert to a legendary meal.” In the arctic portions of Equestria, Starlight and Chrysalis have tumbled into the snowy summit of the Equestrian borders. “What is this place?” Chrysalis demanded of her foe. “Somewhere you can't hurt anypony!” Starlight simply replied. “Wrong. I can hurt you!” Chrysalis retorted as she blasted magic right at Starlight who just barely dodged the attack before teleporting opposite of Chrysalis as she tries to blast her again only to miss again and again as they scaled the nearby mountains. “Argh!” Chrysalis groaned in frustration. “Stay still so I can blast you!” She scowled as she looked around for her as she appeared on the opposite hill. “Oh, yeah, real motivating!” Starlight sarcastically taunted as Chrysalis fired a blast at her causing her to wince in pain before teleporting right under a cliff and then successfully landing a hit on Chrysalis. “Ugh! You'll pay for that!” Chrysalis snarled at Starlight. “Put it on my tab!” Starlight smirked as she used her magic to teleport away and send a beam of magic at the nearby cliff to cause an avalanche to consume Chrysalis. Feeling she has successfully defeated Chrysalis she then calmly walked away only to be immediately proven wrong as Chrysalis emerged from the pile of snow and sends a blast right at Starlight's back causing her to be knocked out from the impact leaving her vulnerable to being cocooned by the former queen. “Now I'll have all eternity to take my revenge on you!” Chrysalis grinned at the unicorn’s face as she flew back with a captured Starlight in tow. Back at the school Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon continue to deck it out with the princesses as Sombra easily knocks down the Mane Five and Young Six just after the former group managed to detain Cozy Glow before quickly taking his position upon Midnight's orders back in the shadows as Daybreaker attempts to fire fiery magic at the sun monarch who is barely dodging the attacks while managing to set various areas of the school on fire as Nightmare Moon tries to strike down at the night monarch with her dark magic to no avail. Daybreaker sent multiple blasts of magic right at Celestia who dodges every one of her attacks before sending a controlled blast of magic right at her to knock her back. Celestia then charges at Daybreaker with another blast ready to take her down only for the flaming alicorn to barely dodge and send a fire kick from her back hooves to force her back before sending more fire blasts right at her as she moves up to one of the nearby roofs as Daybreaker sends a massive fire ball right at her to which she barely dodged leaving one of the school wing’s totally burned and trashed. Meanwhile, Midnight is currently trading blows with Twilight, Shining Armor, and Cadance as she finds herself in an evenly matched battle with them as no pony is able to gain the upper hoof in their duel as she attempts to muster up a huge magic blast right at the trio only for Twilight to protect with her massively conjured up magic shield to deflect the blast away and onto one of the other wings of the school building setting that ablaze. Nightmare is currently dodging attacks from Luna who is forcing her on the defense as she relentlessly fires magic from her horn before charging at her to give her a good buck in the head and send her flying into one the broken fountain and shattering it into even smaller pieces. As Luna prepares to finish her off, Daybreaker quickly comes to her defense to force the night monarch back with a fiery blast of magic to the chest burning her allowing the villainous night alicorn to help with Daybreaker in taking down Celestia as they both quickly overwhelm the sun princess as she finds herself being knocked aside before quickly teleporting herself away and to her sister who just managed to regain consciousness yet is still feeling the burning pain from Daybreaker’s attack as Celestia helps up as she lifts up Luna before forcing their evil counterparts back with a massive cloud of dust a hidden charge at the two to knock them back. Tempest currently facing off against Sombra before he can make his way back into the shadows charges at her with her controlled magic before flipping over Sombra as he tries to strike her with dark magic only to miss as he just kick Tempest away before using a dark crystal platform to rise and then send dark crystals right at the unicorn to which she quickly dodged but while getting scratched by few crystals as the scarred unicorn briefly screams in pain as they slice her skin a little before quickly turning and kicking Sombra away before picking him up and slamming him into the ground. Midnight continues to draw and dodge blasts at Twilight, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadance as they try to strike her down from Shining Armor’s charging to Twilight and Cadance each try to fire magic blasts as the former tries to charge at the villainous mare only for her dodge to make her nearly crash into something by accident until Twilight and Cadance force her back on the defensive by teaming up to completely barge her with a series of relentless blasts at her as Shining Armor charges for the finishing blow to send her crashing into one of nearby walls causing a pile rubble to fall onto her. Their victory is short lived when Midnight easily emerges from the rubble by sending a massive wave of magic take out all of her remaining opponents while smacking Shining Armor and Cadance hard into the ground leaving them with some sore bruises from the impact of the attack and their manes messy with some strands of hair out of place leaving Tempest and the Royal Family left in the fight just all six villains all face off against the remaining and overpowered heroes as Tirek and Chrysalis return with their defeated opponents for them join the rest of the badly beaten young warriors as Midnight chuckles in triumph while Sombra sneaks around the school yard as he positions himself behind Twilight from across the field. “As you can see Twilight…” Midnight presented the remaining worn down heroes the burning school along with gesturing a hoof in the defeated warriors directions as they all moan in pain unable to open their eyes and get up “…There is no winning this fight.” “You seriously think whatever you can conjure can stop us?” Chrysalis further taunted the young alicorn. “The Pillars have been defeated. Your precious school is doomed and abandoned. Face it Twilight. Friendship has failed you. You’ve lost!” “So give up! It’s over!” Tirek told Twilight that this is a lost cause. “Never!” Twilight defiantly refused as the royal sisters tried one more time to take them down. “Ready sister?” Celestia asked Luna who was ready despite her wounds as they flew into the air to fire a combined blast at the villains only for Midnight to calmly present the bell as she uses it to absorb their magic causing the two sisters to scream in pain as they both fall down completely drained of energy. “NO!” Twilight screamed in horror as she ran up to them. “Oh, you’ll get over it.” Midnight callously remarked. “You’ll be ascending to the throne either way and I seem to recall this is something they would have wanted too. Too bad, they can’t tell to your face of how much of a failure you are in their eyes.” Twilight enraged by that comment has her eyes glow white as she flies up into the conjures up the nearby rubble and shoots them all as small and multiple bullets relentlessly at Tirek before sending a massive punch to his face to send him crashing into the wall before ensnaring Chrysalis with her magic before sending her flying into one of the empty classrooms before facing off against Nightmare and Daybreaker who both try to shoot dark magic and fire from their horns only for Twilight to manipulate their attacks and redirect right back at them as she flies up into the air twirling them like a rope with multiple sticks of dynamite before sending them right at them causing them to be blasted away into separate classrooms as a result. Cozy Glow terrified of Twilight’s enraged state starts to feel some silent remorse as Twilight shoots a very terrifying glare at the young peagsus for betraying her before focusing on Midnight as Shining Armor and Cadance proudly watch her dominate their foes as she focuses her wrath on Midnight who takes a fighting stance as she shoots lightning from her horn as she prepares to conjure up a magic shield to protect herself only to find herself blasted in the heart by dark magic courtesy of King Sombra from behind with his horn leaving her vulnerable to Midnight’s attack leaving her falling fast to the ground in defeat as smoke falls from her. “TWILIGHT!” Shining Armor and Cadance both said in horror as tears fall from their eyes seeing their sister mortally wounded as they both charge over as Shining Armor leading the charge has Cadance climb onto his hooves as he flings her up in the falling alicorn’s direction to which she flies at great speed so she can catch Twilight as Shining Armor sends a massive wave of magic to send Midnight flying away before quickly turning around and mustering up a massive magic beam at King Sombra to send him tumbling back across the schoolyard. Cadance lands on the ground as her husband regroups with her as they both tear up seeing their sister seemingly dead unlike the last two times and more so when Midnight nearly killed their infant daughter. Midnight and Sombra regaining their ground face off against the vulnerable couple as Tempest conjures up a magic shield to protect themselves as Neighsay appears and sends a blast of magic at Midnight and Sombra to force them back as he leaps front to stand in front of four ponies. “Go!” Neighsay commanded of them. “You got to get out of here! I’ll hold them off as long as I can!” Neighsay doing whatever he can sends multiple magic blasts from his horn and medallion at Midnight and Sombra to which the two easily managed to dodge before they returned the favor by effortlessly launching a combined attack to blast them away to send them flying back into the wall as Neighsay the only pony left in the fight breaths heavily still refusing to give up as Midnight silently smirks in admiration seeing his valor and the hopelessness of the situation as Neighsay musters up his strength to teleport himself out of the corner before sending another blast at them to which Midnight easily flings him back into the corner as she and Sombra prepare to beat him down brutally with a series of relentless and harsh attacks of dark magic as Shining Armor, Cadance, and Tempest use the distraction to teleport away from the school with an unconscious Twilight in tow. Back at the Crystal Empire, Cadance, Shining Armor, and Tempest have all teleported together back inside the palace where the three ponies look on devastated at Twilight’s condition as Cadance desperately summons magic from the Crystal Heart so she can heal Twilight right where Midnight and Sombra fatally struck her as both Tempest and Shining Armor watch on as Flurry arrives looking just as horrified and devastated as she whimpers at her aunt’s critical condition. Once Cadance did the best she could with the Crystal Heart’s healing powers she waited a second where nothing happens leaving the love princess tearing up again feeling that Midnight and Sombra really killed her this time around until a bright purple glow appears on Twilight who then gasps in pain earning Cadance’s gasp of hope as Twilight shows her eyes open briefly with a small smile as both Cadance and Shining Armor happily hug their sister as happy and relieved tears flow from their eyes as Flurry Heart and Tempest join in on the hug. Back at the Canterlot Castle, Midnight approaches the Canterlot Throne Room where she has managed to hold up Celestia and Luna’s crowns where she used her magic to cause the two crowns to form into one large crown and necklace both colored black and purple with matching slippers as she uses her magic to toss aside Celestia and Luna’s throne chairs before having Tirek and Sombra bring in a large matching and extravagant and eloquent throne chair to be put in place. “We have done it!” Midnight said in satisfaction as sits on her throne chair as the rest of her cohorts arrive in the throne room. “After months of a carefully calculated plan executed over the course of the last three days, Equestria is now ours for the taking under my leadership at last. Uh, Tirek, Sombra...” She then said as she quickly turned to them. "A little more to the left please." She asked them with a gesture of her wing. "Seriously?" Tirek felt the need to ask. "Yes, seriously." Midnight bluntly responded. "For everything that had happened these last three days happened perfectly and exactly as I had planned and needs to be just how I envisioned it and I envisioned it a little to the left." She commanded them to do so to which they did so begrudgingly. "Was that so hard?" She asked in annoyance at them for feeling the need to question her over one small thing she asked of them. Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon come with their throne chairs as they levitate their personally customized throne chairs as they bring them up beside Midnight’s throne with Nightmare’s on Midnight’s right with Daybreaker’s on her left. “This is definitely darkness’s finest hour!” Nightmare said in agreement. “I have waited since day one to feel this warm!” Daybreaker said as she surrounded the throne area in flames as she hangs a chandelier of Twilight’s, Celestia’s, and Luna’s cutie marks, darker versions of them on the roof with matching banners hung on the back of the walls behind their throne’s. “Just remember that this is only the beginning so don’t get too comfortable, Daybreaker.” Midnight cautioned her not to get ahead of herself and be so sure they have won completely. “Even though Twilight is injured and weak we still need to make sure those who managed to escape don’t serve as a threat to my plan.” “So what about the rest of our kingdoms now that we helped you get what you wanted?” Chrysalis questioned her boss. “Not to worry, Chrysalis.” Midnight assured her. “Something that will come in due time once we figure the best course of action now that we have Equestria under my domain.” “So when we attack again what will be our next move?” Tirek wondered what’s next. “In order to ensure that my rule is permanent we will take over the other lands and kingdoms outside of Equestria piece by piece so that in the end there will be nothing left for Twilight to defend so that she will have to accept her destiny that I have set in stone for. “ Midnight explained to the centaur. “Now that she has the heart of darkness deep down inside of her, she come to realize she truly has no other choice.” “So does that mean…” Sombra hopefully asked. “Yes, Sombra…” Midnight said with a nod. “Our next move involves us taking the Crystal Empire.” “Excellent.” Sombra said pleased as he turns to go prepare himself for that battle. “The royal family ruling that place wouldn’t know what hit them as I finally take back what’s rightfully mine.” As Sombra left, Cozy Glow entered inside of the throne room while looking deep down conflicted. “All of the prisoners are all locked, Mother.” Cozy reported. “Very good.” Midnight said as she flew down to her to hug her. “You have done well.” “Thanks.” Cozy thought nothing of it as she doesn’t feel deep down satisfied with their victory as much her allies. “Everything okay, Cozy?” Midnight took note of her expression. “Yes.” Cozy simply replied. “Expect…” Midnight figured there’s more to it than that. “Expect that in the process of doing all of this… I betrayed Twilight.” Cozy glumly answered with sincere honesty. “It’s okay, Cozy.” Midnight assured her it's no big deal. “Because what really happened was she was trying to stray you away from your true destiny, the destiny to desire power and control. I offered you something she couldn’t and that something is what allowed you to see it.” “But what if friendship really is about how you make new friends?” Cozy still said not feeling satisfied with what she has done. “You don’t really need to make new friends to get what you want in life.” Midnight replied as she uses her hoof to lift Cozy by her chin to get her to look at her in the eye. “By doing what you did today, you have successfully earned your privilege as a young and talented member of the royal family who deserves to rule Equestria under my wing, Princess Cozy Glow.” She said as she placed a light pink crown with a red jewel on it before hugging her again. “You are like family to me and you deserve this honor.” Even with Midnight’s assurances, Cozy Glow still isn’t feeling satisfied with what she did as she still looks aside as she returns the hug. "Just out of curiosity..." Chrysalis politely spoke and brought up. "Since Discord was really the Grogar we saw and de-powered, where's the real Grogar?" "Currently still banished to the moon." Midnight replied as she pulled up her orb to reveal the true Grogar on top of said moon as he looks on the world from above. "Still bidding his time so he can be ready for his actual takeover." "Should we take care of him?" Tirek wondered. "No, Tirek." Midnight shook her head. "That won't be necessary since he has potential for our cause. To which if we can get him on our side we'll definitely be golden and in a lock for securing Equestria." She then said with a sinister smirk as she eyed the real deal awaiting for the day he shall return from the moon from her orb courtesy of her own magic. "In the meantime..." She turned back to the centuar. "...have Sombra meet me in the basement. I'm going to need his help in preparing things for our endgame..." "Absolutely, your majesty." He respectfully bowed and obliged to her wishes before setting off to do so, while Midnight moves to loom over the balcony with a proud and devious smirk with her biggest accomplishment to date while her heart glowed neon purple again. Back at the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor looks out to the direction of the nearest Equestrian borders with a view of the Canterlot Castle and the burning School of Friendship in sight of his telescope. “Equestria…has fallen…” Shining Armor said in solemn despair as he turns to his wife, daughter, and top ranking officer watch over a badly wounded Twilight on her bed who is still unconsciousness and in a coma as unbeknownst to any pony her heart deep down is glowing neon purple for a brief second while being cradled by her sister-in-law as she looks on in the now fallen Equestria on what to do now as at that very moment Discord is currently just outside of Tartarus having just managed to escape his imprisonment as he runs on all fours back in Equestria's direction.