//------------------------------// // Chapter 77: The Ending of the End Part Three (Edited 10/20/22) // Story: Light and Dark: Road to Redemption // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Chapter 77: The Ending of the End Part Three Back at the Canterlot Castle, Midnight has turned her back from facing the window before turning back to face the other villains she has in the throne room whom she has gathered together as requested as she pulls out her crystal orb. “So predictable.” Midnight said to herself before addressing her followers. “Cozy Glow has joined the Equestrian allies who also have Discord on their side as well.” “And you’re okay with that?” Chrysalis questioned her boss of why she is still being calm and composed despite failing to kill them all back at Mount Aris. “Yes, because as I said before I already had a back-up plan set in place the moment I allowed Discord into our meeting.” Midnight said as she pulled up an image of Discord in his servant disguise as the changeling leader growled at the sight of him. “While Twilight does have the power deep down to defeat me, but not the way I told Discord, which will do quite the opposite. Otherwise I would have captured him no problem. If Twilight uses her most powerful blast of magic at her disposal but not the magic of enlightenment, it won’t work against us.” Midnight explained as the others wonder where she is going with this as she shows future visual images of how her new plan will work out as she does as she described. “Instead she’ll cause a surge of magic so powerful it will reawaken the Sirens magic which will give them the power to turn Equestria into a land of darkness.” “Yes.” Adiago said with pleased enthusiasm. “Sweet!” Aria said very delighted. “And then we Dazzlings can take over everything!” Sonata voiced out loud as Midnight gives her and her sisters a stern look. “Under your rule of course.” Sonata quickly said out of politeness upon seeing the glares directed at her. “Just keep in mind I can take away your power in an instant since I just gave you the power to regain your abilities before your encounter with Twilight, Sunset, and their friends from the other world.” Midnight cautiously warned her. “So I advise you to choose your words carefully going forward.” She then said with a pleased smile as they all give apologetic looks in response. “But yes, there is a world you can rule, the various parts of Equestria outside of the Crystal Empire, Changeling Kingdom, and Tirek's homeland.” The Dazzlings all give thankful and satisfied smiles to hear they will be rewarded with ruling the other world if they cooperate with Midnight. “You three can have whatever's left. Having said that I’ll need you girls for the next part of my plan.” “Name it.” Adiago said ready with listening ears as Midnight leads everyone to a machine she created in her lab. “Ever since I took over Equestria, I have been working on this device that will help give us enough power for this plan to work but aside from Queen Novo’s pearl of transformation…” She explained as she presented an image of said pearl powering the machine from her orb. “…along with Grogar’s bell…” She presented said bell in question “…we need to get Twilight to muster up the biggest blast of dark magic she has got up her hooves when she attempts to use the elements against us.” She said as she the bell inside the machine to power it up much to everyone’s amazement at her advanced creation of technology. “And we need to be sure Twilight can no longer control her magic since she still has dark magic in her heart.” She said as she presented the mare’s heart with little dark magic inside of her from her orb. “Like your glowing heart?” Aria questioned Midnight while pointing to her heart which glowed briefly. “Yes.” “Sounds like you and Twilight share a lot in common.” Adiago commented. “It’s no wonders you have plans to take the girl as your apprentice.” “That’s true.” Midnight said with a nod. “And by the end of this war she will finally come to realize her true destiny to the throne. Being the Princess of Darkness to continue my legacy for years to come.” She then said as she powers down the device for now. “Have you ever lost a war before?” Sonata felt the need to ask much to Adiago’s dismay at her idiotic questions. “You think I would be in my position if I ever lost a war?” Midnight returned as she stared down the ditzy girl who then gave a clueless shrug as Adiago face palms to herself. “No, I wouldn’t.” “Oh, you sure wouldn’t.” Sonata again replied still thinking thoughtlessly. “Oh for Scorpan’s sake.” Tirek said exasperated to Midnight. “Excuse me for saying this but why she is wasting our time with these stupid questions?!” “Come on! Let me burn her!” Daybreaker insisted finding her patience drawing thin as the flames on her hair expand as she raged in fury. “Enough!” Midnight firmly spoke to them to get them to immediately back off upon her command. “ And no you cannot!” She told Daybreaker as she immediately backed off before turning to Tirek. “Yes, she tends to ask stupid questions. No offense.” She then calmly said before turning to say that last part to Adiago as politely as possible. “None taken.” She said much to Sonata’s annoyance and Aria’s amusement. “But since the three sisters were once three powerful Sirens that nearly took over control before Star Swirl banished them to the other world, she along with her sisters are also a powerful asset to achieving victory in this crucial battle we are about to face.” “Ha.” Sonata mocked in the centaur’s face as the latter growled in response before knocking her out with a single punch in the face. “Sorry. But she was getting pretty annoying.” Tirek quickly apologized with no regret for doing so while only giving an apologetic look to his master for doing so. “No it’s all right.” Midnight didn’t care if she got knocked out as she is voicing her approval of it. “You pretty much did everyone a favor there.” “You read my mind too.” Adiago didn’t take offense to her klutzy sister getting knocked out. “She was getting on my nerves too.” Chrysalis voiced her thoughts too as Sombra nods in agreement. “May I ask how you met these girls your highness?” Sombra asked Midnight. “Shortly after burning down Twilight’s castle I came across the mirror portal that survived the fire.” She said as she worked her magic to recall the memory of her rummaging around the wreck until she came across it. “So out of curiosity I decided to explore it during my time preparing the first invasion attack by the Storm King’s side it is there I heard about Twilight’s adventures into the world of when she dealt with Sunset when she was evil and when the girls attempted to take control of the world there.” She went through the portal where she appeared with dark purple skin with a black t-shirt with a matching leather jacket, pants, knee-length boots with purple stars and linings on her clothes, black hair, with a pink streak on it just like Twilight’s hair. As she walked around wearing a pair of shades with dark purple tints in them she came around some newspapers that showed of her Twilight’s heroics during Fall Formal along with at Rainbow Rocks as she saw a picture of Twilight wearing her crown at Fall Formal along with her and the Rainbooms appearing victoriously with pictures of the Dazzling’s before and after their defeat with the latter having them appear more humiliated as they run off of the stage being booed in contrast to when they were on stage. “And that’s where I first learned about the girls and their origins of how the three ended up here from their beginnings to when they nearly took over the world before Star Swirl and his friends banished them here.” She then said as she recalled doing research at them at the school library as a visitor. “I figured under the right leadership and guidance they would be useful to our cause. The perfect allies to help carry out my endgame plan.” She said as she secretly met up with them at the café where she would treat the outcasts to smoothies. “So once I met up with them and after some talking and negotiations after bonding over our common and mutual enemies we had an agreement that when the perfect moment to strike and when the time comes I will personally summon them back here in Equestria with the mirror I obtained from the castle to this castle.” She then said as she recalled the memory she made her way back to her world back into her former base on the Mount Aris beach. Come the day Twilight, Sunset, Starlight, and Tempest all made their way to their vacation in the other world, Midnight secretly observes this as she sends some magic through the portal which created a crack in the portal which added a power boost to all of the strange magic that has been going on around their camping trip. “Unbeknownst to any of them I orchestrated the whole magic madness at the camp giving the desperate camp director the power boost she needs just keep Twilight and her friends busy so they could come back into this world undetected.” She said as she showed the memory of the Dazzling’s sneaking through the portal the night she would later meet with them. “Interesting.” Tirek commented in amazement. "Somepony's sure been doing her homework recently." “You sure know how to keep busy with plan on top of another plan.” Chrysalis voiced that she too is impressed of how well-thought Midnight plans ahead. “I sure do.” Midnight replied to the compliment in stride as she leads everyone back upstairs. “And now it is time for everyone to get their rest in preparation for the biggest day of our lives because tomorrow at dawn will be the day we finally achieve total victory in Equestria and by all extension the entire world!” She then said as her heart glowed as she deviously smirks as she leads everyone back upstairs. The next day, the sun rises as Celestia raises the sun while Luna lowers the moon before flying back down to the ground as Twilight now wearing bright purple armor with her pink cutie mark star on her chest flies over to the Equestrian borders with the Canterlot Castle in sight. “This is it.” Celestia said as she and Luna join by Twilight’s side as she put on her gold colored armor with her sun cutie mark appearing on her chest. “The day where the very and ultimate fate of Equestria hangs in the balance and is to be decided from this faithful battle.” Luna shared with the same serious expression as she put on her black armor with her white colored moon cutie mark on her chest as Twilight turns back to everyone ready to fight for the biggest battle of their lives to decide what happens next for everyone there. Everyone by her side were all wearing color-coordinated armor that matches their fur coat color along with their cutie marks on them too while the guards along with Shining Armor had their royal armor from their previous patrols in tow and to wear for this fateful battle. “We've faced enemies of Equestria before. And we've always succeeded, no matter the odds. That wouldn't be possible without all of you.” Twilight announced to everyone before her. “You're welcome!” Discord felt the need to speak as he appears on a flying pig wearing and carrying medieval weapons and armor. “Dude, seriously?” Spike said annoyed with him that now is not the time to speak during Twilight’s important speech. “So I ask for your help again today in what is our biggest battle yet. All of Equestria is at stake, and I can't do this alone. But I'm not afraid. Because with friendship as our armor and teamwork as our power, nopony can ever bring us down!” Twilight then went on to lift everyone’s fighting spirit as she looked around everyone proud of her and ready to fight. “Now today is the day we take back what’s rightfully ours, today is the day we fight for peace that will last for generations to come. Are you with me?” “Yes we are!” Everyone cheered in unison as Twilight leads the charge with the other alicorns by her side with her friends keeping up from below as everyone spreads out as part of Twilight’s plan while Star Swirl teleports himself along with his team of allies to the destroyed Castle of the Two Sisters. Out at the castle outer walls, Tirek, Sombra, and Chrysalis all watching the upcoming army approach the castle with Tirek and Chrysalis both wearing black armor for the biggest battle of their lives. “Here they come.” Sombra told the others upon first sighting of the charging army appearing before them. “And it looks like that little traitor Cozy Glow has turned against us.” Chrysalis remarked in disgust upon seeing her join the others to help them. “It doesn’t matter. Midnight knew that this would all happen.” Tirek dismissed it to state to he doesn’t care if she is no longer on their side. “She’s definitely smart. And that’s why we’re going to win.” Chrysalis voiced her confidence. “I sure hope your right.” Sombra said with a little uncertainty as he observes the sheer numbers they have on their side as Tirek scoffs this off in response. “We can take them! Midnight said so! Guards with me!” Chrysalis shrugged it off as she takes charge as Sombra gives the motion to the mind controlled guard to charge at them as unicorns, earth ponies, and Pegasus ponies all take charge at the charging ponies. “Let’s do this!” Tirek said with determination as he joins in the charge with Chrysalis. “Everyone knows the plan!” Twilight said as she kept her eyes locked on the upcoming castle. “Keep the guards off of us so we can get inside the castle!” “That’s what we’ll do!” Starlight vowed as she locked her eyes on Chrysalis. “You got it, mother!” Cozy vowed her support to the pony she truly looks up to as a mother now. “Time to crash this party!” Pinkie said with fierce determination. “And here come the bad guys!” Rainbow said ready for the fight with a smile as she is the first charge as she effortlessly dodges the oncoming guards while quickly punching the ones that tried to attack with Flash and Rarity joining by her side as the latter unleashes her karate moves as the former charges at them while plowing through the guards with his shield before the three find themselves about to be surrounded by a horde of guards to which Rarity quickly spun around with her horn lit up as she uses her magic to freeze them in place as the two ponies hoof bump each other as the two simply walk aside before the former cancels her spell leading to them accidentally dog piling each other as Prince Rutherford bowls his way through them to create an opening for the others to get inside castle grounds with Celeano and Skystar leading the charge in diverting a group of guards away from the castle entrance as they lock horns and swords together. “Yaks smash!” Rutherford yelled as Pinkie follows up the charge with a massive blast of confetti to send the guards flying into the moat of water and down to the waterfall with Applejack charging at them sending multiple boulders right at them to knock them aside with rapid back kicks of her hooves. “That’s for crashing the party, party poopers!” Pinkie yelled in their direction as she charged ahead as one of the guards tries to sneak attack the party pony from above. “Yeah take that!” Rainbow added as she followed with another charge just as one prepared to charge at the prince as the two nod at each before focusing their attention on the battle ahead of them. “Hey!” Gilda yelled in his direction. “You leave my friend alone!” She then immediately tackled the guard just before he could lay a hoof on her friends before smacking him into the castle walls leaving him knocked out. “Thanks Gilda!” Pinkie cheerfully complimented. “Don’t mention it.” Gilda replied with a brief warm smile at both Pinkie and Rainbow before quickly charging into the upcoming guards before her as Rainbow aids Pinkie with swift and quick flight movements to distract and confuse the guards as they find themselves roared at by Gilda who then immediately start retreating as the griffons charge at them with Cozy assiting the griffons as she flies around the peagsus guards with great speed to allow Gilda to tackle them down no problem before using her magic to help the Cutie Mark Crusaders evade and avoid the guards attack while helping them lands some punches and kicks on them. "Woohoo! Take that you mind controlled dummies." Scootaloo cheered with pumped arms like she was flying as Apple Bloom kicked aside one of the guards with Sweetie Belle shoving the guard down hard into the ground with a follow up with her horn. "Now this is fun I could get used to." Apple Bloom said very pleased to feel very flexible with Cozy's assist as nods at the filly to thank her for that. "Agreed." Sweetie Belle said as they work together to dive under the oncoming guards as Cozy's charges forward to blast them head-on with a single blow to scatter them across the castle grounds. "And the best part about this is I don't have to feel sorry about doing this because deep down I am truly on the right side." Cozy confidently said showing no sympathy for the defeated enemies while the trio giving her knowing looks to ease off from having too much fun to which Cozy quickly gave a quick and apologetic blush and grin as they pressed forward with their battle together. "We're definitely going to be teaching you more about the elements and especially empathy when this is all over." Apple Bloom said with a knowing look in the little alicorn's direction. "I know." Cozy acknowledged with an nod in agreement. Back outside of the castle Tirek then flexes his muscles as he prepares to unleashes slabs of rock right at Twilight’s direction as she effortlessly dodges them while running onto them as she unleashes a powerful surge of magic right into his face following it up with a magically enhanced punch to the face to knock him aside leaving him with a tooth falling out as he groaned in pain from the attack as the royal family runs by him. “Starlight Glimmer!” Chrysalis roared in her direction. “You ready for a rematch!” “Trust me, Chrysalis. It's not going to be much of match this time around.” Starlight simply cut the banter as she immediately tackled her before they broke up the tussle as they try to land blows of magic onto each other before Starlight finally lands a blow on her to knock her as she retaliates by reputably trying to fire magic back only for Starlight to effortlessly dodge her attacks even going as far as taunting her by sticking her tongue to which enraged the changeling into launching one of her more powerful attacks at her only for Starlight to again dodge the attack hitting Tirek instead which left him still staggered from the attack just when he was recovering. Starlight smugly taunted her as she struggled to get up with sarcastic clapping and a poker face much like she did during her fight with Twilight before sending magic right at her face to knock her back followed by creating a rock slide from the loose pillars from the castle ledges. Starlight then focuses her attention on the various guards around as she further presses on the fight as Spike flies around as he breathes fire at the guards trying to attack them from all angles leading them to barely getting burned by them as Skystar team ups with him by charging at them to knock them down to the ground and hard creating a small crater as they crash into the garden. “Oops. Sorry.” Skystar sweetly apologized. “Not.” Spike added as they both laughed at their plight before they both pressed forward as Applejack follows up by tying them with together as she flung them aside into another group of approaching soldiers to knock them down like dodge-ball targets. As Tirek tried to get back up, Applejack quickly lassoed him to which he responded by effortlessly cutting the rope and kicking the farm pony away but is caught by Fluttershy as Discord appears before him. “Welcome! Welcome! Old foe!” Discord greeted as he snapped his fingers as he randomly appeared around him to confuse while tries to get an attack in only to repeatably fail. “And this is for backstabbing me.” He said as he snapped his fingers to freeze him place as he sends another powerful blast right at him to knock him down again while absorbing the magic he stole from the Pillars and then sending that wave of magic away and towards the direction of the Castle of the Two Sisters. “Thanks for playing.” Discord taunted him as he tried to continue decking it out with him as he continuously tries to catch the Lord of Chaos as he effortlessly dodges his multiple fiery blasts with his teleportation as he and Trixie take turns appear as the Lord of Chaos with the magician unicorn helping trade blows with the centaur as they repeatably appear and further taunt him as he is unable to land blows on them as Chrysalis recovers from Starlight’s attack as she finds herself face to face with Queen Novo. Chrysalis quickly draws fire at her who quickly dodges the attack as Skystar sends multiple shells at her along with Pinkie as she finds herself overwhelming by the relentless pelting as she blasts them aside only to find herself having dodge charges from the queen of the hippogriffs. “Hey! No one does that to my daughter and my friends!” Novo fiercely said to the former changeling queen as she tries to work her magic against her only to have less luck landing attacks than Midnight did with her just as Cozy Glow and Tempest blast the guards guarding the doorway to inside of the castle aside as Grubber rides on the unicorn's back using his sword to slash at the metal from the guard's helmets to which the fell off after contact from the hedgehog's sword. "Yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Grubber said with valor as Tempest towards to the ponies in front of her. “You’re all clear, Twilight!” Tempest called out to her and the rest of the royal family flying towards the entrance. “Right! Members of the Royal family with me!” Twilight said as she leads them inside as Cozy presses forward with fighting the guards alongside Tempest as they both work their magic on them with the former continues assisting the Cutie Mark Crusaders evade and land some hits on the guards with her magic. “Be careful, sweetie! You too dearie” Twilight Velvet called out to her children as she took down one of the guards with her magic alongside her husband. Sombra along with one of the guards seeing this immediately retreated to the throne room where Midnight, Daybreaker, Nightmare Moon and the Dazzlings are stationed and ready for them as Midnight too is wearing her black armor while Daybreaker and Nightmare respectively wore orange and black armor. “Your highness!” One the guards reported as he bowed before her. “The Equestrian resistance is winning! The royal family is headed this way!” “Then it’s up to you and the remaining guards to stop them!” Midnight commanded of him as the other guards in the room immediately head on out of the throne room. “Right away!” The guard immediately saluted as he set off to do so alongside with the other guards. “All right girls.” Midnight then turned to the Dazzlings attention to the trio as she gives their leader their instructions. “Head on over to the secret lab. You all know what to do when I give the signal.” “Yes. Yes we do.” Adiago sinisterly replied. “You really think the guards will be able to stop the royal family?” Aria questioned with skepticism. “Of course not!” Midnight immediately shrugged it off as she replied. “But the point of that is get to them believe that we don’t want them to get here.” “Right, right.” Aria immediately and apologetically understood why as Sonata smirked at her. “Told ya.” Sonata said as Adiago pulls her by the ear. “Girls with me!” She sternly scolded her ditzy sister as she dragged her away as Sonata follows after her. “As for you three…” Midnight then said to the remaining ponies in the room. “Be ready for the biggest battles of your lives for when they arrive through those doors.” “Ready when they are.” Sombra replied as he awaits to meet his arch-rivals again. “Time to settle the score!” Daybreaker roared as her flames grew intense in anticipation of her final fight with her good counterpart. “Agreed.” Nightmare darkly commented as she awaits for her big moment too. Inside the castle hallways, Twilight flies ahead as many of the guards inside attack from all angles as she, Celestia, Luna effortlessly uses her magic and hooves to blast, punch, and kick them away as the others follow suit. Cadance and Shining Armor both managed to effortlessly plow them aside as Sunset and Flurry clears an opening for them to go through the main hallways they made their way to the doors of the throne room where Celestia and Luna use their magic to bust down the doors where the six alicorns and sole unicorn finally meet face-to-face with the four major villains waiting for them. “Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor, Cadance, Flurry Heart. Welcome.” Midnight greeted the glaring ponies ready to charge at her. “Oh and of course Sunset Shimmer.” She then deliberately added as she takes notices that she too is an alicorn with said mare not changing her expression towards her. “How could I forget the mare who took a hit to save the sun monarch, attempted to get a head start on my plan to take over the Crystal Empire!” “If you haven't forgotten about me, then I suppose you also know why we’re here don’t you?” Sunset coolly returned thinking nothing of the attempted insult. “I know why you think you’re here….” Midnight returned as everyone has their eyes still locked on their targets. “…but destiny can be full of surprises.” “Cut the horse load and tell us what do you think you’re planning, Midnight!” Cadance immediately shut down the mare and as her horn flared up with her wings spread out ready to fight as much as everyone leaving the others slightly surprised by her suddenly aggressive behavior. “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough. But for now...” Midnight simply replied shrugging off the threat from the Princess of Love before turning to the ponies beside her. “Attack!” She commanded of them as she sends a massive wave of dark magic right at the royal ponies which is countered with a massive shield by Twilight who quickly protects everyone from the continuous blast before she makes a charge at her evil counterpart to send her flying back through the wall creating a massive hole in as the two alicorns prepare to drag out their fight into the skies leaves the rest of the royal family with the others. “Sorry it has to end this way, princess!” Daybreaker remarked as she prepared to face off against Celestia. “Feelings mutual!” Celestia simply returned as she focused her attention on her evil counterpart. “Because deep down you're really not.” Daybreaker simply focused her fiery magic as she flew up into the sky while blowing the top of the castle roof as she aims at Celestia who quickly countered the attack with fiery magic of her own with hers more and tame and controlled than Daybreaker’s. The two engaged in a flame-of-war as Daybreaker and Celestia sent their orange and yellow magic right at each other before the former sends some fire whips right at Celestia in an attempt to gain an advantage. The latter however was able to block off the attacks before taking their battle outside by flying ahead with her opponent aggressively pursing her. Back in the throne room, Nightmare and Luna glare down at each other as they charge at each other as the two prepare their magic to try blast each other face’s only to miss as the two tackled each other before Luna kicked her off and into her throne chair to destroy it. Nightmare growled at Luna in response as the two continued to trade blows as Shining Armor, Cadance, and Flurry Heart face off against Sombra. “Well this should be fun.” Sombra smugly remarked as he prepares to face off against the rightful rulers of the Crystal Empire as he prepares a blast of dark magic right at Flurry Heart which is quickly with Shining Armor stepping forward and blocking the attack with Cadance following it with a blast to the face as the pink alicorn tackles him to the ground. “Hey!” Cadance yelled as she repeatedly blasted the unicorn. “Don’t! You! Dare! Try! To! Hurt! My! Baby Girl!” Cadance then followed up with a magical blast to send him crashing into the back of the wall as the latter groans as he picks himself up and regains his ground as Cadance charges at Sombra again as they both launch attacks at each other to try to land blows on each other only for the unicorn to find himself on the defense. Before her husband and daughter joined her they both sported jaw dropping shock at the sight of the Princess of Love being fierce and ready to kill if she feels like it. If looks could kill they along with Sombra would already be dead. “I am so glad I married her.” Shining Armor said to Flurry with a forced and embarrassed grin as his daughter babbled in agreement before they both adopted serious expressions before moving to stand by ready to help her when needed. Back at the Tree of Harmony the elders and young ones make their way down towards where the tree is located and it is there where they find the remains have already been gathered and destroyed. “So any of you have a plan to revive the tree so we can be ready to blast Midnight and her army away?” Rockhoof asked the others as they all are running on an hour-glass time frame here. “I don’t know.” Was all Star Swirl could say as he examined the burnt rubble. “We could build a museum?” Gallus suggested. “We could build a monument?” Smolder also suggested. “The Tree of Harmony is a huge part of Equestrian history. If we're gonna honor it, we need to do better than that.” “Yeah! Like with lots of artwork that represents the symbolism and deep emotions of the Tree!” Silverstream voiced her ideas much to Gallus’s protest. “No! It should be a museum with all the Tree's history and artifacts.” “I think we should turn this cave into a place for creatures to reflect on the Tree's true gift – the Elements of Harmony.” Ocellus voiced as she added her thoughts and joined in on the argument. “Boring.” Smolder commented as the others sighed in annoyance that they are seriously arguing at a very crucial moment to figure out the best course of action. “I like my idea better.” Silverstream voiced in protest. “What's more perfect than another tree?!” Sandbar commented as Yona and Fluttershy share uneasy glances as they don’t agree with the fighting while Star Swirl groaned in response to this bickering before proceeding to break his silence. “Enough!” He shouted to get them to stop before recomposing himself. “Now is not the time to fight and argue with each other! If we want to have any hope of saving this tree we need to figure the best way to do it and now if we want to vanquish Midnight Sparkle and the other forces of evil for good!” “Sorry.” The girls minus Yona said all together. “What about you little one? Do you have any suggestions?” Mistmane asked the young yak who still has yet to say anything. “Do you have any ideas that could help use?” “Well…” Yona started as everyone listens. “Since the tree is a symbol of friendship. What Yona thinks is we can we bring back branches so friends can rebuild!” “Rebuild what, exactly?” Rockhoof questioned as Silverstream voiced her thoughts. “Ooh-ooh-ooh, I know! Something that represents what the Tree is! The gateway to our friendship!” “Yes!” Yona said. “What ponies call it? Club... home?” “A tree-house!” Gallus suggested. “That's a great idea!” Ocellus gasped as she approved of the idea. “It could work to heal the tree.” Mage said as she smiles at the others. “Not the best option I can think of but if we are beat Midnight we’re going to need to put or hope into it.” Somnambula went along with the idea since they don’t have much time to argue about this.” “I know the Tree would've liked that!” Smolder again supported the idea. “I couldn’t agree with you more.” Flash Magnus said in agreement as everyone turns to Star Swirl. “Then we all better get started.” Star Swirl cemented his decision. “Everyone gather up whatever of the remains you can so we can get started.” Everyone set out and immediately started grabbed pieces of rubble from the destroyed Tree of Harmony as Rockhoof gets his shovel ready so they can start building a tree-house. Unbeknownst, to them the Dazzlings have been singing a chant during their little argument as they watch from Midnight’s orb as they power up Midnight’s machine. Back at the Canterlot Castle, Midnight and Twilight continue to deck it out in the skies as they both trade magic blasts at each other as neither one have been able to land a hit on each other so far during their battle while Sunset watches from a distance ready to back her up when she needs as she alternates between that and watching over the battles going on in the castle throne room. Midnight attacks again, sending another surge of magic towards Twilight to which she flies aside to avoid the attack, and then picks up a small boulder nearby with her magic to sends it back towards Midnight with precision only for her to dodge the attack by leaping over the attack. Twilight then flies around as she barely dodges the next direct attack Midnight throws at her as she forces her on the defense with multiple blasts as Midnight sends back multiple pieces of the boulder now broken up as bullets before covering herself with a magic shield to avoid the harsh torrent of rocks. Once Twilight cancels her shield as she flies around looking for another opening. She has her horn lit up as she prepares to charge at Midnight only when she lands an attack on it she effortlessly teleports and then appears right behind her, and she sends magic right at her leaving the mare very little time to defend herself as she lands hard into the ground in pain from the attack. Midnight flies down toward her prepared to finish her off. Twilight thinking quick on her hooves picks herself up and produces another magic shield around her as Midnight shoots more magic at her, pushing back before performing a kick maneuver and another blast from her horn to which Twilight flies back up after jumping away. As Twilight flies back up, Midnight then flies back up as she focuses her horn to produce lightning so she shoot it at her. Twilight alarmed by the sight quickly teleports away to avoid the attack as she appears at the top of the castle roof gaining the other’s attention from witnessing their fight as Midnight attempts to shoot a lightning bolt at him, but misses. After the failed attempt, she continues shooting blasts at Twilight as she constantly and rapidly teleports away to evade the attacks until Midnight finally sends a quick blast to knock her aside momentarily leaving her no time to teleport away, forcing her to face the attack head on much to her family’s horror upon witnessing it from close and afar. Twilight however was able to catch Midnight’s lightning this time but not without briefly straining from the massive voltage flowing through her body as she sends the attack right back at her. The redirected attack sent her flying back across the field before dropping to the nearby roof top just over the castle throne room exhausted from the heavy strain from holding onto all of that dangerous energy for too long. From afar, Midnight smiles as she senses that she has the upper hand as she takes the magic all in feeling fully charged from all of the electric energy sent right back. After absorbing it she takes in a deep breath as her heart glows once more feeling more powerful than ever as she flies back over to the castle where Celestia and Daybreaker are flying around trying to land hits on each other with orange and yellow flames blasting in each other's direction. Celestia’s magic is more fine and controlled as she elegantly redirects her villainous foe’s unstable and fiery magic aside with the tip of her horn. Daybreaker on the other hoof is growing even more determined to bring her good counterpart down before leaping forward with a blast of fire swung right at Celestia. Just as she is about to be hit, Celestia thrusts her hooves outward to create a barrier than expands and sends her attack up into the open sky before firing the magic right back at her which forced her back even when she braced herself from the redirected blast. As the flames slowly die down, Daybreaker heavily pants while Celestia remains focused yet not worn downm leaving the fiery mare gritting her teeth and narrowing her eyes in determination as she unleashes more wild and fiery magic at her to double down on her efforts to bring her down. Luna and Nightmare Moon both fighting an evenly matched battle charge at each as they engage in a beam-of-war where the two beams of blue magic collide as they continue forcing each other into a standstill in their prolonging fight before Luna forces her back as Nightmare is forced to fall back to avoid taking another hit as her good counterpart starts forcing her on the defensive. At the same time Cadance is still forcing Sombra on the defense even when the latter conjures a shield to protect himself from her attacks until he teleports aside and opposite from her so he can finally land a hit on her to force her back and onto her hunches as Sombra approaches the crystal princess as she tries to get up. “It’s time we put an end to this!” Sombra said with concentrated determination to kill her as he prepares his horn to launch a fatal blow onto her. But at the last second he got knocked aside by Shining Armor who furiously tackles him down to the ground until Sombra was able to wrestle him off as Flurry Heart came to her parents rescue as she sends a blast of magic at him right before he could make a move on either of them leaving himself cornered by the rightful crystal rulers. Sunset flies over to outside as she sees that the Equestrians are so far winning but is still overlooking the fight in the skies as Twilight is still having trouble bringing down Midnight. Furthermore she is starting to look concerned as she looks on in the Tree of Harmony’s direction wondering what’s taking so long for the past and future element bearers in getting the magic up and running. “Come on! Hurry up! Judging from how Midnight is handling Twilight we don’t have much time.” Sunset quietly said in the Pillars, Mane Five’s and Young Six’s direction before taking flight to charge at Midnight in order to slow her down from defeating Twilight who is flying on over in her direction with a teeth-sporting smile. Back at the site of the destroyed tree, the Pillars and the Young Six work as quickly as they can without rushing through things as they work together on building a tree-house per Yona’s suggestion. Silverstream starts drawing up plans while Smolder, Gallus, and Ocellus help pull out all of the rubble as Sandbar sweeps up the place. As Silverstream starts thinking of their design, Star Swirl looks over what the young hippogriff has in mind as the others help the others clean up as Somnambula, Mage, and Flash Magnus, help sweep up as the others help lift the rubble. “What do you think?” Silverstream asked the aged unicorn as Mage moved to take a peak of what she has come up. “That idea looks beautiful.” She complimented the giddy hippogriff. “It will have to work.” Star Swirl just said without compliant since time is at the essence. Silverstream clapped her claws in excitement as Flash Magnus and Somnambula fly up to hold the pieces together with Rockhoof and Star Swirl working together to hold them together. Mistmane conjured up some material to create some glue to use on the pieces with both Smolder and Gallus helping nail the pieces together. Ocellus moved to guide them while reading the blue prints while she and Silverstream piece together the broken elements with Mage carefully gluing them together. Sanbar during this time plants up another tree seed in the ground before helping the others build together the tree house as quickly as they can. Throughout all of this he made no one was cutting any corners or rushing through things from the drying glue to the drying paint they put on courtesy of Ocellus and Silverstream wanting some more color on the tree. Regardless with their excellent teamwork they were able to create a new tree house together which was able to hold fairly well under dire circumstances on the horizon although not without some awkward exchanges even when under a time frame. “Well? What do you think?” Sandbar asked the others for any opinion on their quick project. “It's, uh... kinda messy...” Ocellus lightly replied as she tries to avoid being blunt yet positively honest about it. “Yeah... like a bunch of different parts all smushed together.” Smolder added in agreement. “Yeah I can’t even deny that.” Flash Magnus could only say as Mage and Mistmane decided not to say anything. “Could be better if time wasn’t at the essence here.” Rockhoof added his input. “Oh, it's just like us!” Silverstream commended their success. “Yona think it perfect!” Yona couldn’t agree more as the others relented. “Let's give it a try.” Gallus recommended “Let’s hope this works.” Star Swirl said as he worked his magic on the tree and after working his magic on and waiting a good few seconds nothing happened as Star Swirl tries with all of his might trying to get the tree working his magic as still nothing happens no matter how hard he tries as he begins to see that hope is slipping away. Back at the castle Midnight is flying back towards Twilight as Sunset flies forward to try to protect her friend as she sends magic right at her. Midnight however was effortlessly able to absorb it and redirected it right back at Sunset thus knocking her aside before moving to charge at her once more. Sunset not backing down from being treated as someone she can just push aside immediately fires magic right at her to which nearly burned her mane and caught the taller mare’s attention by doing so. “Very well. You want a fight? Study closely!” Midnight returned complete with magic right back at her to which she dodged. At that moment, Twilight regained her ground before she and Sunset worked together to force Midnight on the defense and released a relentless barrage of magic in the villainous mare's direction. Even when double teamed, Midnight was able to fend off both ponies attacks as she managed to dodge their attacks. Just then the crystal family had managed to overpower Sombra with a combined family attack with Flurry blinding him, Shining Armor kicking him in the face, followed a magically enhanced punch from Cadance to knock him out of the fight. At the same time Celestia and Luna were also able to knock down their evil counterparts to the ground with a combined magical attack to overpower them leaving the two alicorns dropping to the ground looking up at the two sisters who float over them with the upper hoof while Twilight and Sunset were able to force Midnight to a standstill. “Give it up Midnight! It’s over!” Twilight demanded. “Quite the opposite. Things are just getting started.” Midnight calmly retorted even when backed into a corner. “What are you talking about?” Sunset suspiciously asked of her yet still refusing to back down from whatever tricks she has up her hooves. “What I’m talking about Sunset, is like Twilight I planned for everything in this battle to happen right down to the end only unlike Twilight, I have arranged for things to ultimately go my way in order to ensure my victory.” “And what is that?” Twilight asked with a equally suspicious raised eyebrow. “This…” Midnight replied as she yelled out to the other room. “Now!” As soon as she shouted the command the Dazzling’s turned on the machine as Midnight created lightning as she shot in up in the sky as the machine magical power blasted up from the destroyed roof with the electric energy further increasing the machine’s power. The girls breathed and absorbed the dark magical powers the machine was providing as their powers were reawaken. Upon being reawakened, they all transformed into the powerful dragons known as the infamous Sirens appearing in the sky catching everyone’s attention with all eyes focused on them to see them in their restored full glory. “The Dazzlings?! “The Sirens?!” Twilight and Sunset asked in horrified shock as Midnight evilly grin back then as the Sirens speak to them. “Hello Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer.” Adiago said in her dragon form as her eyes glowed red with a devilish smile. “Did you miss us?” Sonata and Aria asked together as their eyes glowed red too. “Check and mate.” Midnight said to the stunned and speechless ponies before her as the Sirens share a joint evil laugh of triumph together with everyone on the battlefield all gawking in terror at the sight of the return of an ancient foe.