Twilight was back to Sombra’s castle. She kneeled before him, looking ashamed.
“I must assume you killed the two sisters like i ordered you to do, asked Sombra, with a cold stare. But seeing the look on your face, you weren’t able to. What’s your excuse!!”
“The both of them were at my mercy, answered Twilight. My sword was about to pierce Celestia’s heart...But then, somepony interfered. It was a stallion, and he grabbed, then snapped my sword in half with his bare hands, like it was made of glass. I was low on energy and magic, so i retreated.”
“That’s impossible!! Said Sombra. That sword was made by me personally, with my strongest crystals and spells. And he snapped it in half...Bare handed?!”
Twilight showed her the broken sword.
“I can repair it no problem, he said. In fact, i have another mission for you, something you should handle well...”
Twilight smiled devilishly. Meanwhile, in the throne room, Sunlight, Sunset, Celestia and Luna were sitting around a table. Earlier, Celestia told Sunset and Sunlight that Twilight was captured by Sombra, and brainwashed. With her, the Elements of Harmony couldn’t be used to defeat him. As for the Elements themselves, she hid them in the Everfree forest, where the Tree of Harmony was located, Since they weren’t safe in the castle nor ponyville anymore.
“Let’s get this meeting started! Said Celestia. Sunlight, you begin!”
“Let it be clear, said Sunlight. I’m not from this universe...In fact, where i came from, Sombra has been defeated, twice, as i can remember.”
“Really?! Said Celestia. What happened exactly?!”
“Well, said Sunlight. From the diary of our universe’s Twilight, she passed the crystal heart to Spike, who thanks to Cadance, was able to put it back to it’s place, destroying Sombra”
“I see, said Celestia. Your Twilight acted wisely, unlike mine...She refused to let go of the Crystal Heart. And it allowed Sombra to capture her, along with the Heart itself.”
“What about the rest? Asked Sunset. You know, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash?”
The doors opened violently and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie passed through.
“You’re late!!” said Luna.
“So, like i said, what about the 3 others?” asked Sunset.
“Applejack’s at Sweet Apples Acre, answered Rainbow Dash. Feeding the troops is a lot of work. Fluttershy and Rarity work both as Nurses. They are also keeping the soldiers spirit up. Me and Pinkie Pie fight on the battlefield.”
“Still, said Celestia. Without Twilight, the Elements of Harmony can’t be used. There is no one else that can use the Element of Magic.”
“Actually, there is somepony who can use it, said Sunlight. She’s right next to me...”
They all looked at Sunset Shimmer. This one looked away.
“Back in our universe, said Sunlight, she was able to use the Element of Magic and connect with it. She’ll be the replacement for Twilight Sparkle...”
“So, she is really compatible with it after all, said Celestia. I knew i was not mistaken by choosing her, Despite her lack of empathy and her selfish heart”
“Unironically, said Sunset, Twilight Sparkle was the one that changed me for the best...”
“I’m not surprised, said Celestia. It’s Twilight we’re talking off!”
Celestia summoned Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity in the room. She explained them the situation quickly.
“For real? Asked Rarity. Can we really put an end to the reign of King Sombra? Without Twilight?”
“Yes, said Sunset. We can, me and you, girls, will go in the Everfree Forest and find the Elements of Harmony. That will be a long and dangerous expedition, but we can pull it off.”
“We will also need to keep Sombra occupied, said Luna. Cause some trouble in his territory...But our troops are injured and i have to heal them, As for my sister, she’s still too weak to fight him and his Elite Trio, the Shadow Trinity”
“I’ve got this one in the bag, said Sunlight. I imagine Twilight is one of his Shadow Trinity. Who are the two others?”
“Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, answered Luna. To get to Sombra, you’ll have to defeat them first. Their teamwork is undeniably impressive. Shining specialize in defensive spells, while Cadence wear down the target with her love magic. Twilight is a magic powerhouse, both skilled in offensive and defensive magic. Those are the opponents you’ll have to face before reaching the King himself. Can you really handle it, brave warrior?”
“Sunlight’s going to be fine, said Sunset. He’s on par with Twilight, and far superior to both Cadence and Shining Armor in term of power and skills. And i’m talking about Alicorn Twilight...”
“So, she became an Alicorn in your universe?” said Celestia.
“She even succeeded to you, said Sunlight. After bringing together all the races in Equestria.”
“I’m glad to hear it, said Celestia. I hope my Twilight can do the same, eventually!”
“Well, i’m out!! Said Sunlight. I’m heading for the Crystal Empire!!”
Sunlight jumped of the window. The others were horrified, until he reappeared, standing in the air. Thrusters on his back under his feet were the reason.
“I’m an android, by the way” he said, before heading for the Crystal Empire.
“Let’s get preparted, girls, said Sunset. We’re leaving as soon as you’re all ready.”
“We’re ready, said Rainbow Dash. It’s payback time!!”
“It’s time to get our lands back!!” said Rarity
“It’s time to get our friend back!!!” shouted Pinkie Pie.
“Let’s do this, said Fluttershy. For our land”
“Our families!! Said Applejack. For Twilight...”
“FOR TWILIGHT!!” They all shouted together.
“Then it’s settled, said Sunset. Let’s do this, today, were freeing Equestria from it’s evil King!!!”
“I’ve lost all hope, said Celestia to her sister. All hope to get my student back...But then fate sent them to help us save our kingdom...”
“You think they will succeed? Asked Luna. That Sunlight seem strong, but can he really deal with Shining Armor, Cadance, Twilight Sparkle and King Sombra, all at once?”
“I put my faith in him and her, said Celestia. I know they will succeed, i just know!! Have faith in them to, sister!”
Sunlight was headed straight for the Crystal Empire, flying at sonic speed in the sky. Sunset and the others were heading for the Everfree forest using a hot balloon. A few hours later, Sunlight arrived at the Crystal Empire. He turned himself invisible to land safely and approach the entrance.
“Once i cross that portal, thought Sunlight. Sombra will know i’m here and everypony will be heading straight for me. I’ll make a run for it, and punch everyone getting in the way. Okay, let’s do this!!”
Sunlight crossed the gates and immediately, Sombra-fied soldiers headed straight for him. Sunlight punched them out of his way, while graciously dodging incoming horn blasts. Two minutes later, all the soldiers were down, unconscious.
“Apologies” he said.
He rushed to the entrance of the castle.
“Who does he think he is!!? Shouted Sombra. Breaking in my base like that, taking out of commission my troops like they were training dummies. Commander Shining!! Stop him!!”
“Yes, my King” said Shining Armor.
“As for you, Commander Cadence! Said Sombra. Go assist him!! Take him out!!”
“As you wish, my King!! Said Cadence. The intruder shall be dealt with!!”
The two headed for the lower part of the castle, to welcome Sunlight.
“Do you want me to assist them? Asked Twilight. I doubt they can defeat him...”
“No, Supreme Commander Sparkle, said Sombra. You have your own mission, so head for the Everfree Forest, where the Elements of Harmony are sealed. And destroy anyone who tries to enter the cave. I have a bad feeling about the girl that was with this fool earlier.”
Twilight left the castle, spreading her Shadow wings majestically. Sunlight arrived inside the castle, and was welcomed by Shining Armor and Cadence.
“Your path ends here!! Said Cadence. You won’t get past us, hero!!”
“No one can beat our teamwork! Said Shining Armor. You’ll soon see why.”
Shining rushed at Sunlight, a magic shield and a magic sword in his hands. The hero punched the shield violently with his fist, fissuring it and pushing Shining back. Cadance fired 3 magic love arrows at Sunlight, who grabbed, then redirected them back at her. The couple didn’t stop and continued attacking Sunlight, who kept on parrying, dodging or blocking incoming attacks.
“Well played, said Sunlight. Getting me on the defensive is something few people can do. But stalling me ain’t gonna give the win there. How long can you keep attacking me before running out of energy, because i can do this all day!”
“Don’t underestimate us, said Shining. You’re the one who’s going to run out of magic first!”
“Sorry, not happening” said Sunlight.
Meanwhile, the girls were making their way inside Everfree, lead by Sunset Shimmer. With her psychic abilities, she was able to guide the group safely through the deadly forest. Eventually, half an hour later, they were almost arrived at the cave. Sunset felt an omnious presence near the entrance of the cave.
“Someone is waiting for us there, said Sunset. I bet Sombra must have sent one of his generals guard the entrance of the cave. And the psychic signature is the same i picked earlier on, the one of Twilight Sparkle...”
“Twilight? Asked Rainbow Dash. Our Twilight? Oh great, i don’t want to fight a friend...”
Sunset walked down the stairs leading to the entrance of the cave. She saw Twilight waiting for them down there, with a smug smile.
”So, i was right, she thought. Sombra knew what we were up to, and he sent Twilight to stop me. And that’s exactly what will cause his downfall...Because i have a plan”
The girls followed Sunset down the stair, crushed by overwhelming dread. She arrived face to face with Twilight and took a battle stance.
“It was about time, said Twilight. I was starting to get bored, waiting for you to arrive. And you brought along my old friends...So i can destroy them and make sure my King’s reing last forever!!”
”Nothing will get through her, said Sunset to the girls, by telepathy. That evil bastard totally rewrote her memories, so don’t waste your time talking her out of it. There is only one way to get your friend back, and it’s to have her reconnect with the Element of Magic. But she won’t go down without a fight, i’m handling this, girl, you get the Elements.”
Sunset lauched Twilight away with a telekinetic wave, starting the hostilities. Back at Sombra’s castle, Sunlight was still facing the duo of lovers. When he received a telepathic signal from Sunset, he stopped playing around. He rushed at Shining at lightspeed, punching him so hard and so fast in the guts that the Prince lost consciousness.
“Shining!! Said Cadence, You will pay, you jerk!! Take Th...”
Cadence got the same treatment that her husband.
“I hope you can forgive me, said Sunlight, without any emotions. I promise to put an end to Sombra’s reign and free your kingdom. Now lay down, Princess...”
“You better beat him” said Cadence, before losing consciousness at her turn.
With the two out of commission, Sunlight headed for the throne room, where he found King Sombra, accompanied of dozen of Umbrums.
“For a moment, i really thought those two could beat you!! He said. But turns out you were playing with them...How petty and cruel of you!”
“Where is your third general? Asked Sunlight. You know, Twilight Sparke?”
“Oh, she’s not here! Answered Sombra. At the moment we speak, she must be fighting that red and yellow haired girl.”
“So, you knew, said Sunlight. Oh well, i’m still gonna beat your ass anyway and then deal with Twilight Sparkle after, should not take me more than 3 minutes to bring you down.”
“You...Cocky...Bastard!!! He shouted. Umbrums, kill him!!”
The Umbrums looked at each other and ran away.
“They’re smart, said Sunlight. They know they won’t stand a chance against me”
“I’ll deal with you myself, then!! Said Sombra. With this!!!”
He merged with the Crystal Heart that he was keeping under control nearby. A diabolical aura of extreme intensity came out from Sombra’s body. On his torso, a smaller version of the Crystal Heart was glowing. Wings appeared on his back, made of pure magic energy. His sword was way more terrifying, as well as his armor. He laughed devilishly and looked at Sunlight with a grin. Sombra rushed at Sunlight and grabbed him by the neck to then smash him against the floor. Sunlight smiled, not even injured. His right arm turned into a cannon and he fired a concentrated magic beam of light that blew the tyrant back.
“What are you!!? Asked Sombra. Some kind of machine?”
“I’m an android actually” answered Sunlight.
He looked at the Fourth Wall.
“Oh yeah, one more thing, said Sunlight. Depending if the world i’m in has magic or not, my attacks will gain different properties. In a world full of magic, my attacks become magic-based. In a world with no magic, my attacks become energy-based.”
Sombra made an horizontal swing with his longsword. Sunlight immediately laid himself on the floor and saw the section behind him sliced in half. Sombra did more swings with his magic sword, that Sunlight was trying to dodge. He turned his arms into magic infused Light blades and neutralized the projectiles. Back at Everfree, Sunset and Twilight were duking it out, and the former was having the edge over the latter.
“Twilight is actually losing!! Said Rarity. I can’t believe it!!”
Sunset was able to pin Twilight to the ground with her psychic power. Both were exhausted from the fight, one physically and the other, mentally. It was a short, but extremely intense fight, that Sunset won.
“Get the Elements girl!! Said Sunset. I’ve got her immobilized!!”
The group entered the cave and arrived in front of the tree of Harmony. The Tree recognized their magic aura and opened her 6 slots, with the Elements inside. The crystals of Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity merged with their necklaces.
“It’s useless!! Said Twilight. Without me, those are vulgar gems!!”
Sunset pulled the Element of Magic toward her and this one resonated with her.
“Impossible!! Said Twilight. I’m the only one who can use it!! How can you wield it!! How?!!”
“It’s actually thanks to you, Twilight Sparkle, said Sunset. Now, it’s time for you to remember who you really are!!”
She combined her psychic magic to the Element of Harmony to erase her false memories and replace them with her original ones.
“I remember who i am!! She said. I’m Twilight Sparkle...I’m the Princess of Friendship!!”
The Element of Magic turned into a tiara and installed itself on Twilight’s head. Sunset released her from her magic and the other girls went to hug Twilight.
“It’s good to have you back, girls, said Twilight, crying of joy. Thank you, You...You saved me...”
“Now, it’s time we finish this, said Applejack. Let’s defeat the King!!”