//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 pt 1: Enter the Heart of Darkness // Story: MLP FiM x Fairy Tail: Wizards in Equestria // by SonnL //------------------------------// Previously, Dread Lord gave Fairy Tail and the Council of Friendship the location of Scarlet Night’s fortress and an invitation to face the Order of Scarlet Night in an all-out battle. With Scarlet Night’s return approaching and Flurry Heart’s life hanging in the balance, the Mane 7 and Fairy Tail planned to attack the enemy stronghold to rescue the little alicorn and end the war with the dark unicorns once and for all. Canterlot As the Canterlot army prepared for battle, Twilight spoke with Celestia and Luna inside the royal castle throne room. “Celestia, Luna, thank you for coming on such short notice and thank you for agreeing to watch over Canterlot in my absence.” Twilight said gratefully to the alicorn sisters. “It’s no problem, Twilight. We are happy to help you in any way.” Celestia said. “How is the one known as Gildarts?” Luna asked. “He’s… still in a coma, and his daughter, Cana, is staying here with him.” Twilight answered sadly. “It’s unfortunate that he won’t be able to help us right now.” Celestia then walked up to her former student. “Twilight, this will no doubt be the most dangerous battle you’ll ever face.” She then hugged Twilight. “I’ll pray for your success, both in rescuing Flurry Heart and winning this war.” Twilight then exited the throne room along with Spike, who will also be joining her. “Us two back in this castle. Just like how it used to be.” Luna was feeling nostalgic. “Yes, this does take me back. So many fond memories.” Celestia also began reminiscing. Outside of Canterlot castle, Twilight gave a speech to the royal army after she donned her magical armor. “For too long, the dark unicorns and their monsters have threatened our way of life and everything we hold dear! But no more! TONIGHT! WE’RE GOING TO END THEIR REIGN OF TERROR!” Twilight spoke with her Canterlot voice. The soldiers immediately let out a roaring cheer. Crystal Empire At the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor was preparing to depart with the empire’s army. “Cadance, I’ll be going now. There’s going to be a fierce battle ahead.” Shining Armor spoke to his wife. “Please… please bring Flurry Heart back home safely. I don’t know what I’ll do if… if…” Cadance started sobbing. Shining Armor quickly gave Cadance a comforting hug. “We’ll get her back. I swear.” Shining Armor assured. Ponyville Back in Ponyville, the rest of the Mane 7 and many Fairy Tail members were also getting ready for the attack on Scarlet Night’s fortress. All of Ponyville had gathered to see them off and wished them luck. “It’s finally happening, the moment that we have been brought to this world for. Tonight is when we complete our mission to annihilate the Order of Scarlet Night.” Natsu could barely contain his excitement. “Aye!” Happy cheered. “Asuka, we’ll be going to Scarlet Night’s fortress soon. This is going to be our biggest battle yet, and hopefully, it will be the last. If all goes well, then this war will be over.” Bisca said to her daughter. “After this war ends, let’s go sightseeing in this world together.” Alzack added. “Good luck, Mommy and Daddy.” Asuka said. Other Fairy Tail wizards were also discussing on what they want to do after the war is over. In the headmare’s office in the School of Friendship, Starlight was having an important discussion with Trixie and Sunburst. “As you know, we finally have the location of Scarlet Night’s fortress.” Starlight explained. “The final battle has come at last. I’ll be participating in this fight and in the meantime, I’m leaving you two to watch over the school and the castle.” “You can count on the Great and Powerful Trixie!” The school’s guidance counselor assured. “Best of luck, Starlight.” Sunburst said. Starlight then hugged both of them. “I will be back. I promise. Soon, this awful war will be put behind us.” At the same time, the CMCs took the chance to speak to their older sisters (or sister-like figure in Scootaloo’s case) before they leave for the enemy’s stronghold. “Rarity, please be careful.” Sweetie Belle said. “Don’t worry darling. I will.” Rarity gave her sister a hug. “Go get them Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo cheered. “You got it! I’ll be kicking flank in Scarlet Night’s fortress!” Rainbow Dash did a hoof bump with Scootaloo. “Applejack, promise that you’ll come back home.” Apple Bloom pleaded. “I promise Sugar Cube. After we win, let’s have a big celebration.” Applejack gave Apple Bloom a hug. After she finished talking to her little sister, Applejack put on Granny Smith’s scarf for good luck. Star Swirl also assembled his five fellow Pillars and they volunteered to join this battle. “Are you really sure about joining us in the battle at Scarlet Night’s fortress?” Fluttershy asked the Pillars. “Equestria is our home. We will fight to defend it.” Rockhoof answered. “Please beware of the Red Moon Generals.” Fluttershy warned. “They are nothing like you ever faced before. Not only are they powerful, they are ruthless cold-hearted murderers that killed thousands.” “Yeah, they are super-duper nasty times a thousand.” Pinkie added. “If you fight one of them, there’s no telling if you’ll survive.” Fluttershy continued. “We understand the risks, and we are willing to lay down our lives to ensure peace returns to Equestria.” Flash Magnus declared. Meanwhile, Bright Flower sat alone outside of the Town Hall still distraught after hearing the truth about Soni. She held up his photo with tears in her eyes. “Soni… this can’t be true. Are you really one of those terrible dark unicorns?” Bright Flower sniffled. The revelation was a lot for her to take in. She wondered if her time together with him was all a lie, but she was still certain that the kindness he showed to her was genuine and she remembered seeing sadness in his eyes when he declined her marriage proposal. The one important thing currently on Bright Flower’s mind was that she needed to speak to Soni again. Somehow. Inside Scarlet Night’s fortress As they waited for their foes to arrive, the five upper members of the Red Moon Generals were having one last conversation together. “Our enemies are coming. This time, all of us Red Moon Generals will be fighting them. Tonight, we’re going to settle this.” Dread Lord said. “Fairy Tail has been our greatest complication.” Sapphire Butterfly chimed in. “Prior to this war, we were prepared to raze all of Equestria and the lands of their allies with our legions of monsters. None of us expected Aura Light to summon foes that can oppose us. There were 842 of us dark unicorns that made it to the present era, but now, only 135 of us remain.” “Scarlet Night is coming back. Let tonight be the final chapter of this war.” Shadow Mayhem spoke. “See you again soon, Erza.” Blade Dancer uttered. “You really have a crush on that red-haired wizard, don’t you?” Roaring Blaze teased. “If you consider my desire to collect her head with my own hooves as a crush, then you would be correct.” The Upper 4 responded. “Can’t you take a joke?” Roaring Blaze deadpanned. The forces of light soon arrived at the location of Scarlet Night’s fortress, which is inside a mountain west of Equestria. Twilight’s friends had donned their magic robes, and Twilight used a gateway spell to transport the armies of Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. The pony soldiers are equipped with new weapons such as spears that can fire energy blasts and spherical bombs that explode on impact. They also underwent rigorous combat training with Fairy Tail members assisting. The wizards made sure not to go easy on them during their training. After all, the dark unicorns and the monsters sure won’t. Shining Armor, the Pillars, and every soldier were also given earring communication lacrimas and Spike received a communication lacrima contained in a small wristband fit for his size. These communication lacrimas can be used to communicate with those wearing Aura bracelets, the Mane 7 and the Fairy Tail wizards. For Fairy Tail, those joining in on the attack include Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, Gajeel, Juvia, Wendy, Levy, Laxus, Alzack, Bisca, the three Exceeds, the Strauss siblings, and the Thunder Legion. Before leaving for Scarlet Night’s fortress, Natsu, Wendy, Gajeel, and Laxus got Flurry Heart’s scent from her favorite stuffed snail toy, so they could determine if Flurry Heart is inside the fortress. “Is Flurry Heart in there?” Twilight asked. “Her scent is coming from there. That I can say for sure.” Gajeel answered. Natsu, Wendy, and Laxus nodded in confirmation. Some pegasi scouted the mountain fortress and they did not see any enemies stationed outside. The only visible entrance they discovered is a giant tunnel, big enough for an army to go through. “I wonder. Wouldn’t it be better for the dark unicorns to wait for Scarlet Night to awaken before challenging us to an all-out battle?” Happy questioned. “I guess they want us to be hasty in coming here, and they must be confident that the dark alicorn will awaken before we reach her.” Erza answered. “Anyway, since there are no visible enemies outside, it’s clear they’re waiting for us to approach the fortress before ambushing us.” “Come on! Let’s go in there already!” Natsu exclaimed. “We should come up with some sort of battle plan. We don’t know the layout of the fortress and we don’t know what monsters they’ll throw at us.” Twilight replied. “There is no need for complicating plans. We find and rescue Flurry Heart and we eliminate every enemy in our way until all of the Red Moon Generals and Scarlet Night are defeated.” Erza told Twilight. “I hope we’re not too late to save her.” Twilight expressed her concerns. “Um, pardon me.” Happy got their attention. “Natsu just went ahead.” Everyone then saw Natsu running towards the entrance of the fortress. Twilight’s jaw dropped and Erza facepalmed. “That idiot just can’t stand still, can he?” Gray groaned. “We then, LET’S COMMENCE THE ATTACK!!!” Twilight bellowed. The forces of light then charged towards the tunnel leading to inside the fortress. However, before any of them reached the tunnel, all of them suddenly became engulfed in a purple light. “W-what’s this?!” Twilight reacted in shock. Everyone’s eyes widened as they were then covered by a bright flash. A moment later, the Mane 7 found themselves inside a wide corridor. They were briefly disoriented. “W-where are we? Where is everyone else?” Fluttershy asked. “Are we inside the fortress?” Rarity pondered. “I think we are in Scarlet Night’s stronghold.” Twilight answered. “Apparently, the dark unicorns used some kind of transport spell to bring us in here and separated us from the others in the process.” “What about Fairy Tail? Shining Armor? The Pillars? And the Canterlot and Crystal Empire guards? Where are they?” Rainbow Dash inquired. “They are probably all scattered in this place.” Pinkie answered. Twilight then noticed that Spike was not with them. “Wait a minute. Where’s Spike?!” “Twilight, are you there?” Spike’s voice is heard from Twilight’s Aura bracelet. “Spike, where are you?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know exactly, but I’m not alone. I’m with Happy and Carla right now.” “Spike, we’re now in enemy territory. Exercise caution.” “You too, Twilight. Take care.” “So, how are we going to find Flurry Heart?” Starlight questioned. “I’m not sure how we’ll find her, but the four dragon wizards can track Flurry Heart’s scent, so they would have better luck.” Twilight explained. “We need to get moving. We’re not going to achieve anything by standing around here.” Applejack spoke. A door suddenly appeared on a nearby wall and a group of amorphous slime monsters emerged out of it. “Monsters incoming!” Pinkie bellowed. “This is it girls! Our greatest battle has just begun! If we fall here, Equestria will fall with us!” Twilight’s horn glowed as she and her friends prepared to fight.