//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12: Lost Again 
// Story: The Ending of the End Revised, or Be Careful with what you wish for. 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


Lost again



“Princess, you have to be kidding me.  I don’t want you to bear that burden.”
Those words came from Midnight Sparkle, who stood by Princess Luna as they struggled to catch Princess Celestia’s attention.  The elder alicorn held the Bewitching Bell by her side and stared down Neigh Nanners and his so-called cult of freedom.  Tension flowed from her eyes as she kept an eye on the extremist.
“So, Princess Celestia,” Neigh Nanners said.  “Have you come to face your judgment for a millennium of crimes against the ponies of Equestria?”
“Oh I’m not here to face any judgment,” Princess Celestia said as she held the bell up.  “I’m here to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”
With a simple flick, the Bewitching Bell took on the shape of a sword.  Celestia took a few swipes with the blade before pointing it towards Neigh Nanners.
“And compared to the dangers that I have faced,” Princess Celestia continued.  “You’re the worst.”
Neigh Nanners just yawned before he held the Emotion Amplifier in the air.  With a flash of light, the Amplifier took on the shape of a war hammer, falling straight into Neigh Nanners’ hoof before he swung it violently on the floor, creating a huge dent.
“Two can play at that game, Princess,” Neigh Nanners replied.
With a swing of the Emotion Amplifier Hammer, Neigh Nanners lunges at Princess Celestia, who blocked the strike with the Blade of the Bell.  Neigh Nanners pushed as hard as he could, all while Celestia held her ground.
“Do you feel it, Princess Celestia?” Neigh Nanners said with a smirk on his face.  “The end of your time as Princess, the end of this foolish thing known as Friendship, and the rise of true freedom in Equestria?”
“What I see is a maniac who’s extremism puts everyone in danger,” Princess Celestia replied as she held back with the sword.  “In fact, I think you’re worse than any foe I have ever encountered.”
“Tough luck, Princess Celestia,” Neigh Nanners replied, pushing harder with the hammer.  “I’m here to Make Equestria Great Again.”
“We’ll see about that,” Celestia said as she shoved Neigh Nanners and the Emotion Amplifier Hammer back.
But as Celestia and Nanners continued to clash at each other, Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, The Apple Family, Midnight Sparkle, the rest of the Mane Six and Cutie Mark Crusaders, Princess Luna, the Pillars of Equestria, Trixie, Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek and Queen Novo just watched on, barely making a move at all.  Queen Chrysalis was the one whose eyes were fixated on Celestia and Nanners’ fight, as the blows they deliver towards each other caused the whole room to quake.
“Is she out of her mind?” Queen Chrysalis said as she stomped her hooves on the palace floor.  “We already know what Neigh Nanners is capable of.  Even the Bewitching Bell of Grogar is no match for the Emotion Amplifier.”
“For once, I agree with you,” Rainbow Dash said as she scraped her hoof on the floor.  “I’m about ready to give that Neigh Nanners a black eye.”
Suddenly, Pinkie Pie jumped right on top of Rainbow Dash, pinning her down to the ground.
“No Rainbow,” Pinkie Pie said.  “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
Rainbow Dash glared at Pinkie Pie and said “Are you kidding me, Pinkie?  That jerk caused far more problems than any of the other villains did in our lifetime.”
“I’m afraid Pinkie’s right,” Sunset said as Pinkie PIe jumped off of Rainbow Dash.  “I knew what it was like to put a number of individuals under a spell.  But not on this level.  If we try to do so, he’ll put us under the influence of the Emotion Amplifier.  It’s not worth it.”
Rainbow Dash got up, brushed herself off and said “So what can we do if we can’t show him the door?”
“What matters is that we have to get everyone out,” Sunset said.  “I know what Princess Celestia is doing.  She’s putting herself on the line so that we can figure out a weakness for the Emotion Amplifier.  Besides, we’ve got some major problems.”
Sunset pointed down to Apple Bloom, who sat there holding an unconscious Diamond Tiara in her arms.  Applejack laid there nearby, looking helplessly at her younger sister.
“Dagnabit,”  Applejack said in silence.  “It’s one thing to be right.  But this is the one case where I wish I wasn’t right.  Some honest pony I turned out to be.”
“Don’t say that,” Granny Smith said as Big Mac helped Applejack get on her hooves.  “Sometimes we have to expect the unexpected, and learn how to stand up against it.”
“You’re telling me,” Applejack said as Big Mac held her up by her left side and led her down.  “I feel like it’s my fault that I let Diamond Tiara end up like that.
“It’s not,” Granny Smith said.  “None of us expected those hooligans to show up out of nowhere just to launch that cowardly attack.  Now let’s go.”
Applejack held tightly onto Big Macintosh as Granny Smith led him down towards the secret entrance.  But the moment they arrived, Cozy Glow  popped her head out, looking a little distressed.
“I heard what sounded like someone getting blasted,” Cozy Glow said.  “What happened?”
“I’m afraid you’re right on that mark,” Babs Seed replied as she ran up to Cozy Glow.  “Take a look over there.”
Babs Seed immediately pointed to Apple Bloom, who just stood there holding an unconscious Diamond Tiara.  Cozy Glow looked at the duo and her eyes shrunk down in fear.
“Wha……what just….”  Cozy Glow said, completely stunned.
“If you want the honest truth, Cozy Glow,” Applejack said as she held her hoof to her side, holding onto Big Mac.  “Neigh Nanners decided to blast Diamond Tiara and me.  I don’t think the little one will make it.”
Cozy Glow squinted her eyes in disgust.  She leaped out of the secret passage and landed right next to the apple family, catching their attention.
“If you’re thinking about attacking Neigh Nanners,” Applejack said.  “Don’t bother.  The last thing we need is another filly on life support.”
“I know,” Cozy Glow replied as she marched towards Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara.  “You don’t have to remind me.  I know not to mess with that monster, and I happen to be a villain.”
Cozy Glow immediately flew out of the secret entrance and zipped all the way towards Apple Bloom, who struggled to pick up the unconscious Diamond Tiara.  Cozy immediately dug her hooves under Diamond Tiara and picked her up.
“Go, no,” Cozy Glow said, holding Diamond Tiara in her arms.  “I got this.”
“Cozy,” Apple Bloom said in a weak voice.  But before she could say anything else, Babs Seed placed her arm around her cousin and began to walk her towards the secret entrance.
“Come on, cousin,” Babs Seed said.  “We gotta get out of here and worry about the details later.”
Cozy Glow flew up towards the secret entrance, looking ready to jump right in.  She turned around and saw Queen Chrysalis and Lord Tirek making their way towards the entrance.  Tirek held Trixie by the tail, who was screaming in agony.
“Let me go you big palooka,:” Trixie yelled.  “I want to get my hooves around that jerk’s neck.”
Tirek held Trixie up and said  “Don’t be a fool.  You’ll get pulverized by Neigh Nanner’s magic if you go up against him.”
“Why you cowardly cheap-skate,” Trixie yelled as she swung back and forth from her tail.  “If I get myself out of this mess, I’ll…”
But before Trixie could finish ranting, Tirek dropped her down into the secret entrance.  The magic pony screamed loudly as she fell for a good moment until one could hear her bouncing off the steps with each loud groan, until she came to a stop with one huge howl.
“CURSE YOU TIREK,” Trixie yelled from down below.  “YOU’LL HEAR FROM MY LAWYER FOR THIS!”
Tirek looked up at Chrysalis and Cozy Glow, the latter who was holding the unconscious Diamond Tiara in her arms.
“At least that moron can be pretty amusing,” Chrysalis said with a chuckle.
Cozy Glow directed her attention towards Princess Celestia, who held back Neigh Nanners and his Emotion Amplifier Hammer with the Blade of the Bell.  One look in Neigh Nanner’s eyes caused Cozy Glow some discomfort.
“At this rate,” Cozy Glow said before she turned her head back to Chrysalis and Tirek.  “I’m beginning to have some second thoughts about being a villain.  Especially with what that monster is going through.”
“I’d say that would be a better path for you,” Tirek replied.  “But at this point, you just took the words out of my own mouth.”
With that, Cozy Glow held onto Diamond Tiara and dove right into the secret passage with Queen Chrysalis flying in after her.  Tirek watched as the Apple Family walked on up with Applejack looking up at Tirek.
“Call me crazy,” Applejack said with a stubborn tone.  “But did I just hear you wanting to give up being a villain?”
“As much as I enjoy being a villain,” Tirek said as he picked up Applejack.  “This Neigh Nanners creep makes my own father look pleasant.”
Tirek looked down inside the secret entrance.  He tried to take one step, only to take that step back as he observed the size of the entrance.
“Too big,” Tirek replied.  “I can’t fit down that gap.”
“What do you plan on doing about it?”  Applejack asked.
Tirek looked at Applejack and said “I’m gonna let you borrow my magic.”
“Say what?”  Applejack said before Tirek opened his mouth and allowed a stream of magic to flow out of his gaping maw and into Applejack’s mouth.  
As the magic flowed out, Tirek shrunk down in size as his beard and horns retracted.  Applejack started to bulk up a bit, all until she and Tirek were about Big Mac’s size.   Applejack looked down and squealed at what she saw with herself.
“Sufferin Steroids,” Applejack said in horror.  “I’m ripped.”
“Well look on the bright side,” Granny Smith said.  “You’ve got your strength back and then some.”
“Granny’s got a point there, Applejack,” Grand Pear added.  “You’re already back on your hooves and better than ever for the time.”
“Well that is true,” Applejack said with an awkward tone.  “But the last thing I need is some pony to obsess over this new look.”
With that, Applejack jumped down into the secret entrance with the rest of the Apple Family following from behind.  Tirek just looked down with an awkward look on his face with Chrysalis standing right beside him.
“Just when I thought I’ve seen everything,” Queen Chrysalis said. 
“Now’s not the time to talk,” Tirek said.  “We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
With that, Tirek jumped down into the secret entrance, fitting right through the hole in the floor.  Chrysalis jumped in afterwards just as Midnight Sparkle, the rest of the Mane Six and Cutie Mark Crusaders, the Pillars, Queen Novo, Princess Luna, Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer ran up to the entrance.
“Quickly,” Luna said.  “While my sister is holding back Neigh Nanners.”
Midnight Sparkle looked down into the secret entrance.  She immediately turned her head towards Princess Celestia, who is continuing to hold Neigh Nanners back with the Blade of the Bell.  Midnight turned to Princess Luna and said “I don’t know if I can.  It’s my fault that we’re all in this mess.”
“Now is not the time to blame yourself,” Queen Novo said.  “This is all on Neigh Nanners for his selfish desire to destroy magic in Equestria.”
“No,” Midnight Sparkle said.  “It is on me.  My foolishness only made things worse, like what happened in Seaquestria.”
But before Midnight could say another word, Queen Novo placed her finger on the corrupted alicorn’s lip, causing her mouth to shut.  The Hippogriff Queen looked down at her and said “It’s alright.  That was because I was too foolish to not give you that chance.  Now come.  We better get you out and set things straight.”
Midnight Sparkle nodded as Queen Novo pulled her finger back.  Midnight then jumped down into the secret entrance with Queen Novo following from behind.  Princess Luna looked behind and saw her older sister fight it out as the rest of the Mane Six, the Pillars of Old Equestria, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders jumped down into the secret entrance.
“Come on,” Sunset said.  “Your sister is giving you a chance to escape.”
“I know,” Luna said.  “But to lose her in this madness, is unthinkable.”
“If she does fall,” Starlight said.  “We can get her back.  Promise.  Now let’s go.”
Starlight and Sunburst run down into the secret entrance as Princess Luna followed them from behind.   But as Princess Celestia continued to hold Neigh Nanners back, the radical extremist took notice of Luna running down into the secret entrance.
“You were holding me back,” Neigh Nanners said.  “You distracted me so the others could escape.”
Princess Celestia let out a big grin as she pushed Neigh Nanners back and said “Surprise.”
“And you did it even despite the fact that I would be taking control of your mind,” Neigh Nanners said, holding the Emotion Amplifier Hammer in his hooves.  
“Better for me to fall than for you to get your hooves on my friends and family,” Celestia replied.  “You can corrupt me all you want.  But there will always be hope in the end.”

Meanwhile in the underground secret passage, ponies were loading onto the trolley as fast as possible, with Discord standing outside getting them in.  
“Inside, all aboard, hurry it up,” Discord said frantically as he got the ponies into the trolley.  “We don’t have all day.”
Suddenly, Discord looked to his left and saw Cozy Glow carrying the unconscious Diamond Tiara in her arms with Apple Bloom by her side.  Immediately, he blinked out from the entrance of the railcar all the way to the alicorn filly.
“What happened?” Discord said. 
“It’s worse than you can imagine,” Cozy Glow said as she held Diamond Tiara up.  “Neigh Nanners got to her.”
“Yeah,” Apple Bloom said.  “Can’t you do something to save her life?”
Discord looked down at Diamond Tiara’s unconscious body.  He reached down and snapped his finger, creating a flash of some sort.
“Discord,” Apple Bloom said.  “What did you do?”
“Ensured that she doesn’t die,” Discord replied.  “Even my chaos magic can only do so much.  But observe.”
Cozy Glow flew down near Apple Bloom as she looked down at Diamond Tiara.  The pink earth pony filly slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the two opposite fillies.
“Wha,” Diamond Tiara said.  “What happened?”
Apple Bloom cracked a smile on her face as Cozy Glow slowly sat Diamond Tiara up.  The apple filly ran up to Diamond Tiara and gave her a big hug, who winced a bit.
“Oww,” Diamond Tiara said.  “Apple Bloom.  Careful.  I'm hurting a bit.”
“Sorry,” Apple Bloom said as she loosened her grip on Diamond Tiara.  “But I was worried that Neigh Nanners killed you.”
“He…he did?” Diamond Tiara said in shock.
“But what matters now is that you’re alive and well,” Apple Bloom said as tears flowed from her eyes.  “And I hope nothing bad happens to you again.”
Diamond Tiara said nothing as she hugged Apple Bloom back.  But as she turned her head, Diamond Tiara noticed Cozy Glow right next to Discord.
“Wait,” Diamond Tiara said as she pulled away from Apple Bloom.  “I know you.  You’re that infamous filly villain Cozy Glow.”
“The one and only,” Cozy Glow said.  “Although I am having second thoughts about being a villain, considering what Neigh Nanners said.”
Diamond Tiara attempted to get up on her four hooves, only to slip and fall on her belly.  Cozy Glow picked up Diamond Tiara and held her close.
“Is that better?” Cozy Glow asked.
“Yeah,” Diamond Tiara replied.  She turned to face Cozy Glow and added “By the way, you should consider quitting being a villain.  The last thing you need is to be hated by every pony in Equestria, and to be all alone.  I used to be almost like you.”
“Really?” Cozy Glow said.  “I never heard about your escapades as a villain.”
“That’s because I wasn’t on the level of you, or even Tirek,” Diamond Tiara said.  “But I was still considered a mean-spirited villain when I used to give other fillies a hard time.”
“You know,” Cozy Glow said.  “Something about you does remind me of myself in a different way.”
With that, Cozy Glow and Diamond Tiara looked at each other with a big smile before giving each other a hug, all while Cozy Glow was careful to keep her grip tight.
“Does that hurt?” Cozy Glow asked.
“No,” Diamond Tiara replied.  “But I do feel achy on the inside.”
Apple Bloom looked at the two fillies with a smile on her face and wiped a tear from her cheek.  She looked to her left and saw a buffed Applejack approach her, causing her smile to turn to confusion.
“If I had known Cozy Glow and Diamond Tiara would be good friends,” Applejack said.  “I would have considered this as opposed to having her stay in Tartarus.  At least Diamond’s starting to recover.”
“Applejack?” Apple Bloom said.  “What happened to you?”
“You can thank Tirek for lending me his magic,” Applejack replied as Lord Tirek and Queen Chrysalis appeared right behind her.  Apple Bloom got up and glared at Tirek.
“Seriously?” Apple Bloom said in a cold tone.  “Turning my older sister into a buff pony?  She looks almost like Big Mac.”
“It was so I could get into this place,” Tirek said, scratching the back of his head.  “Besides, we also got your sister back up and running.”
“Though I do admit that this style does look intriguing,” Queen Chrysalis said with an amusing chuckle.  “I can only imagine the fanfiction that comes out of a Buff Applejack.”
Apple Bloom let out a disturbed huff before she turned tail and marched towards the trolley.  She looked at both Diamond Tiara and Cozy Glow as she made her way to the car.
“I can understand sympathy towards friends like those,” Apple Bloom said to Cozy Glow as she made her way towards the cart.  “But a buff mare like that crosses the line.”
Apple Bloom marched up to the trolley entrance in a hurry, giving a confused look on Cozy Glow and Diamond Tiara.  The two fillies turned to see Applejack walk up with Big Mac, Granny Smith, Sugar Belle and Grand Pear right behind her.
“Cozy, I know what you’re going to say,” Applejack said.  “But for once, I don’t blame Tirek on this.  He was at least trying to get me back on my hooves for the time being.”
As the rest of the Apple Family walked past Cozy Glow and Diamond Tiara, the former bully to the Cutie Mark Crusaders attempted to get down on her four hooves, only to barely move from Cozy Glow.  Diamond’s legs were shaking a bit.
“What’s going on?” Diamond Tiara said.  “I can barely move.”
Discord walked up to her and said “I’m afraid you’re still a bit worn out from what that Neigh Nanners did to you.  If I were you, I would take it easy.  Lay off those hooves for a bit.”
Cozy Glow smirked and said “Allow me.”  She immediately picked up Diamond Tiara by the legs and lifted her up, flying in the air once more.  The diamond filly laughed in amusement.
“I didn’t know you had that kind of strength,” Diamond Tiara said as Cozy Glow flew towards the trolley.
“You can thank Grogar’s Bewitching Bell,” Cozy Glow replied.  “If Celestia does bring it down here.”
Diamond Tiara let out a slight giggle as Cozy Glow flew her into the entrance of the trolley.  Discord turned his head towards Chrysalis and Tirek, who was immediately accompanied by the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Midnight Sparkle, the rest of the Mane Six, the seven pillars of Old Equestria, Trixie, Starlight, Sunburst, Queen Novo and Princess Luna.
“I hope Princess Celestia knows what she’s doing,” Discord said.  “Especially considering the racket going upstairs.”
“As much as I agree with you Discord,” Luna replied.  “I do have faith in my sister.  Besides, it’s the only way we can all escape.”
“Well you better be right,” Discord said.  “In the meantime, we better get going.”
But just as everyone was about to move towards the trolley, a loud explosion from the throne room went off, shaking the entire foundation and causing everyone within the trolley to scream.  
“What in the world?” Starswirl the Bearded said as he nearly lost his footing.
Starswirl looked up to see Princess Celestia tumble down the staircase helplessly, screaming with each hit on the steps, until she hit the bottom of the floor.  Next to her, the Bewitching Bell landed nearby, sliding across the floor until it bumped next to Princess Luna.
“SISTER!”  Luna cried.
Celestia slowly got up and said “Go….now.”
Luna looked up and saw Neigh Nanners walk down the staircase with the Emotion Amplifier hovering next to him.  He bore a devilish grin on his face, keeping his focus on Princess Luna’s horrified visage.
“How does it feel to watch your sister suffer, Princess Luna?” Neigh Nanners said with delight.  “How does it feel to know that she got what she deserved, after you were originally banished to the moon?”
Princess Luna’s horn glowed brightly and violently.  She pointed it at Neigh Nanners and yelled “Don’t you dare speak ill of my sister.”
Neigh Nanners just laughed and said “I thought you hated her after she banished you to the moon.  Guess it goes to show what a big, fat hypocrite you really are.”
Glaring up at Neigh Nanners, Luna said to herself “There is a part of me that wants to blast my magic right at your face for that comment.  I may have had sister problems, but no one tells me that I should hate my sister.”  
Neigh Nanners continued to stare at Luna with a delightful smile on his face.  He looked up and saw a trolley full of ponies.  He also noticed Midnight Sparkle, Discord, Chrysalis, Tirek, Queen Novo, Starlight, Trixie, Sunset, the rest of the Mane Six and Crusaders and even the Pillars making their way to the trolley.
“You know what?”  Neigh Nanners said.  “I take that back.  You’re not a hypocrite.”
The glow on Luna’s horn disappeared as Luna looked up to Neigh Nanners in confusion and said “Say what?”
“You heard what I said,” Neigh Nanners replied.  “You’re not a hypocrite.  You’re an ABSOLUTE COWARD!”
With that, Neigh Nanners aimed the Emotion Amplifier at the trolley and fired a blast of magic right at it.  Everyone outside jumped away as the blast hit the trolley in a powerful explosion.  Nearly everyone outside the trolley just looked at the impact of the blast in sheer horror.
“YOU MONSTER,” Fluttershy cried.  “HOW COULD YOU?  THOSE WERE CIVILIANS ON THAT TRAIN!”
“A horrible price to pay for not following the truth path,” Neigh Nanners said as the ponies behind him cheered in unison.
But Neigh Nanners’ smile turned to surprise, for when the dust cleared, the trolley was completely intact, and everyone inside just stood there in total shock.  Princess Celestia slowly got up and stared up at Neigh Nanners.
“That metal that was used to forge that train wasn’t just for physical protection,” Princess Celestia said with a smirk on her face.  “It was also used to nullify any magic that would hit it.  Courtesy of Magic’s End.  You can thank the Storm King for allowing this to happen.”
“Clever,” Neigh Nanners said.  “Quite clever.  But it won’t save you from my people.  My chosen ones.”
Neigh Nanners got on his two hind legs and clapped his two front hooves together.  He stepped aside as a number of his own brainwashed cult marched down the steps, chanting “Down with Twilight.  Down with Celestia.  Down with Luna.   Let freedom ring.”
Princess Luna turned her attention towards the Bewitching Bell on the floor.  But as she reached over to pick it up, she was hit by a blast, causing the bell to slide from her to Midnight Sparkle.
“Ah ah ahhh,” Neigh Nanners said as he blew the smoke from the Emotion Amplifier.  “There will be no heroics this time, Princess Luna.”
Midnight Sparkle looked down at the Bewitching Bell that was now near her.  She looked up at Princess Celestia, who stood in front of the marching protesters.
“Twilight,” Princess Celestia said.  “Use the bell’s magic on me.  I’ll hold them off so you all can escape.”
“Princess,” Midnight Sparkle said as she got up on her four hooves.  “I can’t.  Not after all I’ve done.  And besides, I don’t want to lose you.”
“Twilight’s right, Princess Celestia,” Sunset Shimmer said, walking next to Midnight Sparkle.  “What are you thinking?  I don’t want you to fall to that cretin.”
“I know I said I don’t want to lose Twilight again,” Princess Celestia said as a tear fell down her cheek. “But given the choice, I would rather be the one to fall than to let Twilight fall to evil again.  And Sunset, I know you’ve come a long way since your fall to evil.  It’s time to see how far your former mentor has fallen.”
“Princess,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “It’s not necessary.”
“No Sunset,” Midnight Sparkle said as she picked up the bell.  “I think I know why she’s doing this.  It’s not just for the two of us.  It’s also for everyone else.”
Midnight Sparkle closed her eyes and pointed the bell at Princess Celestia.  She fired a blast of magic into the bell, causing it to ring loud enough, and for its magic to pour out and hit the Princess of the Sun.
“Thank you….Twilight,” Princess Celestia said as the glow of the bell wrapped around her.
The entire room shook violently as Princess Celestia was wrapped in a cocoon full of magic.  Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Spike, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, Queen Novo, Rockhoof, Mistmane, Somnambula, Flash Magnus, Mage Meadowbrook, Stygian, Starswirl, Sunset Shimmer, Midnight Sparkle and especially Princess Luna all looked up to see Daybreaker emerge from the cocoon with a burst of magic.
“Now go,” Daybreaker yelled.  “I’ll hold them off.  Live to fight another day, My Little Ponies.”
“SISTER!” Princess Luna yelled as she reached out crying.
Immediately, Queen Novo grabbed Princess Luna with a tight bear hug and said “Come, Princess.  Your sister has given us the opportunity to escape.”
“She’s right,” Starswirl the Bearded said.  “We must not let this go to waste.”
Immediately, Starswirl and Novo picked up Luna and carried her straight into the trolley, all while the princess of the moon just looked there helplessly.  Immediately, the rest of the Pillars of old Equestria, followed by Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo ran into the trolley, all while looking up at Daybreaker.
“When I say this is the worst possible thing,” Rarity said as she jumped into the trolley.  “I really mean it.”
“Tell me about it,” Spike said as he saw Daybreaker stare down the crowd.  “But it does mean that we will escape.”
“He’s right,” Mistmane said.  “We will find a way to beat back that Emotion Amplifier, no matter what.”
Outside, Starlight, Trixie, Queen Chrysalis and Lord Tirek were making their way into the trolley.  Trixie looked up at Daybreaker, and shivered a bit.
“Remember what I said about suing you earlier?” Trixie asked.
“As a matter of fact,” Tirek said as he got inside.  “Yes.”
“I take it back,” Trixie said.  “This is far worse than I imagined.”
“Now is not the time to be reflecting back,” Starlight said as she shoved Trixie into the trolley.  “We gotta move and fast.”
But as Starlight Glimmer, Queen Chrysalis and Lord Tirek got into the trolley, Discord, Midnight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer stood out there, watching as Daybreaker created a barrier to block out the brainwashed minions.
“Princess Celestia,” Midnight Sparkle said, catching Daybreakers attention.
“Yes Twilight?” Daybreaker asked.
Midnight Sparkle shed a tear from her eye and said “Thank you for still believing in me.”
Midnight Sparkle bowed down to the one formerly known as Princess Celestia as she takes the Bewitching Bell into the trolley.  Sunset looked up at Daybreaker, also with a tear in her eye.
“Princess,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “Back in the past, I’ve been a big disappointment to you because of my lust for power.  But know this. I’m glad to have changed for the better, not just for you, but for everyone.”
Daybreaker smiled as she said “And I’m glad of it.  Thank you for seeing the error of your own ways.”
With that, Sunset Shimmer turned her head and ran into the trolley.  Discord looked up at Daybreaker, who slammed her hooves onto the floor and sent the brainwashed citizens back.
“I know we both have our own problems, Princess,” Discord said.  “But at least we all know where your heart is in this plan.”
Daybreaker just chuckled and said “And had I known you pretended to be Grogar, I would have gone along with the plan.  Just with a different outcome.  Now go.  I want to see you live another day, Discord.”
Discord cracked a smile as he shaped his talon-like hand in a v-shape and said “Live long…and prosper.”
WIth that, Discord ran towards the trolley and jumped through the doorway.  Once he was in, the doors slammed shut and the trolley began to operate.  Outside, the only ones on the trolley platform were Daybreaker and the brainwashed protesters while Neigh Nanners stood on the stairs.
“If I can’t directly get to them,” Neigh Nanners said as he charged up the Emotion Amplifier.  “Then I’ll indirectly block them.”
Neigh Nanners fired off a blast of magic from the Emotion Amplifier right at the arch of the tunnel.  But before it could hit the arch, Daybreaker flew up and batted it aside with her magic.
“Not in my house, Nanners,” Daybreaker said before she landed on the ground with a powerful slam.  “You want my family?  You gotta get past me.”
Neigh Nanners laughed as he said “With pleasure.”  He immediately jumped from the stairwell and landed in front of his own cult, turning the Emotion Amplifier into a hammer.
Behind Daybreaker, the Trolley hummed loudly.  It’s engines were at full power.  Inside, everyone held on, expecting the worst.
“This is it,” Sunset Shimmer said as Starlight held onto her.  “BRACE FOR IGNITION!”
With a loud blast, the Trolley took off from the station, leaving Daybreaker, Neigh Nanners and the brainwashed cult behind.  Daybreaker looked at Neigh Nanners with a smirk on her face.
“Till all are one,” Daybreaker said as her horn glowed brightly.

Down the train tracks, the Trolley propelled forward as fast as possible, slowing slightly to make the sudden turns and not seeming to tire.  Inside, everyone seemed relaxed by the lack of motion within the cart.  But at the same time, there was a sense of sadness.
“I can’t believe it,” Midnight Sparkle said as she looked out from the back of the trolley.  “That should have been me in there.”
“She did what she had to do,” Sunset Shimmer said as Starlight Glimmer held onto her.  “It was for all of us.”
“That was like the biggest party crash of the century,” Pinkie Pie said.  “Maybe even the whole history of Equestria.  What a bummer.”
“That may be true, considering my student’s heroic sacrifice,” Starswirl said, stroking his beard.  “But what matters is that we all got out safely, and we are on our way to the Crystal Empire.  That will be our last stand.”
Sunset’s ears perked up to the sound of crying.  She turned to see Princess Luna crying in Queen Novo’s arms.  Sunset and Starlight released their own grip from each other and walked up to Queen Novo and Princess Luna.
“Princess,” Sunset said.  “Are you alright?”
“No,” Princess Luna cried.  “Now I know what it feels like to have my sister truly separated from me.”
As Luna cried into Novo’s arms, Midnight Sparkle walked up to Sunset and Starlight, looking on at the rest of the passengers in this trolley.
“This is far worse than any of us could imagine,” Midnight Sparkle said. “I thought choosing to be evil was the lowest I’ve been down.  But this takes the cake.”
The moment Midnight Sparkle stopped talking, the trolley had emerged from a tunnel underneath Canterlot City, heading due north.  Midnight Sparkle looked up at Canterlot, now set ablaze, with Sunset and Starlight looking from below.
“You’re right,” Starlight said.  “This is truly worse.  We had to escape from Ponyville to Canterlot, and now we had no choice, but to leave Canterlot.”
Midnight Sparkle shifted her head down as she dropped the Bewitching Bell from her hooves and said “Right now, I don’t feel like doing anything, even though what I did was necessary.”
“What matters now is that we have to keep fighting in the name of friendship,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “We shouldn’t let Celestia’s sacrifice be for nothing.  There is far more at stake than we’ve ever imagined.  And I’m willing to take up that task to my dying breath.”
Midnight Sparkle looked at Sunset Shimmer before reaching over and giving her a hug.
“Thanks Sunset,” Midnight replied.  “I’m glad to have helped give you that second chance.  I don’t know what I would have been without it.”
“Anytime, Twilight,” Sunset said.
The trolley continued its journey away from the now ruined Canterlot, all the way up north to the Crystal Empire.  But unknown to our heroes, the Windigos began to hover in the sky, bringing forth a cold winter to the land.


	To Be Continued