//------------------------------// // Part 20: The winner takes it all. // Story: True Harmony // by Saturni_Rose //------------------------------// “Are you sure you’re up to this?” asked Sunset. As she held Luna’s shoulder, she couldn’t help looking at the bandaging still taped to her sides. And even though Luna had told her to stop blaming herself, she could help holding onto the burden or responsibility just that little bit longer.  It had been a few days—not even a full week since needle and thread had been taken to Luna’s flesh, mending and binding it taut like a torn quilt. To convince her compatriot, Luna stretched herself left, then right. She bit back the pain and lied: “See? I feel no pain. I’m as good as I need to be, and we can’t give her more time to plan her next move against us.”  Sunset took a long breath and sighed. She glanced out over the acres bleeding orange with the fading sunlight. “I suppose an equally important aspect of patience means knowing when to dispense one’s wait for a golden opportunity and simply take one already given.”   Luna nodded. “Mm, I’d say so. A balance needs be struck, between waiting and seizing.” “Are you trying to outdo me at waxing philosophical?” Turning back, Sunset raised a brow at her.  Luna looked almost surprised at that. “Here I thought I was musing with my peer.”  A little smile warmed her face a touch. Not that her coat needed help in that regard, especially not in the orange light of her namesake. “Well, I’m glad we got the opportunity to become peers. Though I wish I could share in your confidence for this new plan of yours.”  “I know it seems quite unorthodox.” Luna admitted, though in good humor even as she did so.  “To say the least of it.” Sunset’s expression was playful yet, but there was still that hint of wanting curiosity. She clearly had less faith, even as they were about to enact the plan.  “It’s like I said: she aims to cause as much mischief and drama as she can. More importantly, she needs to be in control every step of the way.” Luna thought back to Pinkie’s tantrum upon hearing about Gilda’s revelation.  Sunset pondered what was to come of the evening. “You do know if it doesn’t work, it will mean another fight.”  Luna looked her in the eyes. “But of course. No creature involved is unaware of that risk. And none of them refused to accept it.”  “Well. If nothing else, we’ll certainly have plenty of help this time if it comes to that.” Sunset tried to shrug with an air of ease. In reality, she couldn’t help remembering how vicious a fight the last one had seemed. Part of her wondered if Nightmare wasn’t upping the ante each time. That could spell disaster; one she knew Luna might never forgive herself for. For her sake, she whispered a silent prayer for the best.  Twilight appeared between them in a flash of magenta energy. “It’s almost time, girls.”  Stretching her limbs to limber up, Luna said: “This is it.”  Sunset stole one last look at the sling and the bandages. She gulped back her worst fears and rolled her neck and shoulders. “So it is. It’s finally here.”  Not wanting to be left out, Twilight also flexed and stretched her wings. With cheer in her voice, she told them: “Yeah, we’ve got this.”  Luna was more proud than she really should have been at how well she hid the pain. Not a single bead of cold sweat rolled across her brow as she donned a confident grin. “Let’s go save a very special pony.”  The sunlight was fading fast beyond the horizon. But the trees all around Sweet Apple Acres made it feel as though evening had already long since found the two mares casually strolling along one of its paths. They were a touch more layered against the now biting wind of mid fall, and leaned upon one another for warmth and comfort both.  Rarity sighed dreamily. “Isn’t this just lovely, darling?”  Applejack’s smile trembled and she hid it away with her hat. “It sure is mighty fine, dear. Why… I can’t think of a pony in the whole town I’d rather spend this time with. I mean, shucks, iffin’ you don’t mind my saying so, that is.”  “Mind? Hardly. I love when you find it in you to express yourself for me.” Rarity cooed, honey dripping off each word. Reaching up, she poked AJ’s hat aside and kissed her flushed cheek.  The farm mare’s chuckle was throaty, pleased, and nervous all at once. “Heh. Well. Gosh.”  “In fact…” began Rarity with no small amount of trepidation for what came next. She left Applejack’s shoulder and stepped ahead of her on the path. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” Applejack gulped. Much as she might well know what came next, it didn’t make her any less flustered to face it. “What’re you…”  “I have been long awaiting for the right moment, but it never seems to arrive.” Rarity propped herself down on one knee, hooves over her heart as AJ stammered and sputtered. “So I’ll make it the right moment. Applejack, sweet apple of my eye… won’t you make me the happiest mare in Ponyville and be mine, for now and always?”  All the air rushed out of Applejack. She thought herself prepared to face this, but how could she be? Gulping down her nerves, she shook in place and said: “Oh, wowzers, uh, that’s great—I don’t know what to say.”  “Oh but won’t you yes, darling?” Rarity reached out for her.  “Not so fast.” called a new voice. A pale reddish stallion entered the scene from stage left. “I’m afraid Applejack here has won the eyes of another. And I won’t stand for this union.”  “Calypso?” spat Rarity, seemingly flabbergasted.  When the love of her life shot Applejack a betrayed expression, all she had to say for herself was: “Uh. I mean. I like his singing voice?”  Rarity rose with a groan. Partially because her darling was a terrible liar. She tried to move on before it became too apparent, throwing open her shawl to reveal the handle of her blade. “The way I see it, there’s only one method by which we can be settled. The old fashioned way.”  Calypso threw one hoof to his throat, as though already wounded. “But I am unarmed. You would strike a defenseless suitor?” The blood red blade flashed out of its hilt, heeding the call of Rarity’s icy blue magic grip. The smirk shining in the growing dark suggested she was having perhaps too much fun with this. “Oh wouldn’t I?”  “Wait. Stop.” AJ tried halfheartedly as she watched Rarity begin to chase after him. She reached for the lasso she’d been keeping on her hip—just in case, clearly, as none of this was planned, obviously—but a heavy hoof weighed down upon her shoulder.  Big Mac was there when she turned, his face stony and stern. He was appalled. Something that was only expressed through a disapproving snort.  “Aw, but Big Mac.” she pleaded.  “Nope.” he said, throwing his indignant nose up.  She cleared her throat and tried to recall what she was supposed to say. He gestured for her to keep going and she spat out: “R-right, well, you can’t mean to take over the farm from me just ‘cause of one little moment of weakness.”  “Yup.” he said, marking it with a stomp of his hoof.  “Well them’s fighting words, brother. Words I’m gonna make you eat.” She threw her hat aside first, then threw herself at him. The two siblings went rolling across the dust, throwing weak jabs at one another as they bickered, seemingly forgetting about Rarity still jogging along and trying to jab Calypso.  Rarity was giggling. She really was enjoying this too much. Calypso had half a mind to say so.  Suddenly, Gilda and Fluttershy frolicked onto the scene, duly ignoring the sprawling brawls taking place. They giggled giddily, Gilda’s claw holding her hoof tenderly. Pausing, they met eye to eye, and Fluttershy tried her best to swoon. “Oh, Gilda. I think I’ve fallen madly in love with the kind and gentle griffin you’ve become. I do so hope you feel the same.”  “I do.” Gilda proudly announced with a nod. “You’ve made me into the better person I am, and I can’t thank you enough.”  “Oh Gilda.” repeated Fluttershy as they drew closer together. “I hate to do this to Rainbow Dash, but you’re just so lovely.”  Gilda cupped her cheek and went in for a kiss. “She doesn’t need to know.”  Just then, as if on cue, Rainbow flew overhead in time to see snout and beak meeting. “Whoa! My BFF from high school, and my sweetheart from… well, also from high school? Together? Behind my back? I totally did not see this coming, dudes.”  Gilda tried very hard not to snicker as Rainbow came in for a landing nearby. It was a terrible line read. “Give it up, Dash. She’s her own mare, and she’s made her choice.”  “Well,” offered Fluttershy quietly, “there is always a third option. I do have two hooves to hold.” The two of them snapped their gaze back at her and she laughed shyly, hiding her blushing face behind her long pink locks.  “Girl.” hissed Gilda in a whisper. “That wasn’t in the script.”  “I’m improvising.” Fluttershy whispered back. It was easy for her to be hushed, given how soft spoken she tended to be anyway. “I figured some genuine reactions might help sell the effect, and the looks on your faces.”  Gilda watched her try her best not to laugh at them, tears forming at the corners of her scrunched up eyes. Amused herself, she told her: “I had no idea you were so funny.”  Rainbow cleared her throat to keep things moving. Though, not before stealing a glance at the bickering ponies, quietly hoping none of them heard that over there. “Well. Uh. I’m not… I mean I don’t… That is to say it’s not that I don’t—I just never thought about…”  Glancing over at Rainbow, Gilda whispered: “I think you broke her.”  “Wait, Cherry Bomb, come back.” came new voices. A yellow and red pegasus with dwarfism entered, followed by a maroon mare, and two gray unicorns of wildly different proportions and demeanors.  “We’re not bandmates anymore, you don’t get to call my stage name.” Cherry Pit shouted back at them. She turned back around with an overly proud harrumph, dark red hair flying to one side. “Also, I’m running off with our lyricist’s girl. Send my regards to my now ex boyfriend.”  “Wait, what?” Hope stopped chasing after her and screwed her face up.  When her sister looked to her for answers, Red-Heart shrugged as far as her shoulders could manage. “Hey, I didn’t know she was into chicks. Otherwise I mighta—okay, wait, not the time.”  “You’re darn right it’s not the time.” said Onyx, face bizarrely distorted in the worst attempt at a scowl either of them had ever seen. “I love ya, Red, but I seriously can’t believe you sometimes. Maybe it’s best that Lined Lips came to an end.”  “Oh man.” bemoaned Red. She leaned on Hope as they watched Ruby run out onto the path and hug Cherry. “At least my sister and I are still cool and can totally cry on each other’s shoulders in all this. Right?”  Hope rolled her eyes and pushed Red off of her. “Actually, Red, the Heart sisters are no more. I found out our parents adopted me and kept it from us this whole time.”  “What?” cried out Red, shoving her mess of black hair up to really see the truth on her face. She found said truth lacking and thanked her lucky stars her sister was a better poet than she was an actor. Covering her mouth allowed to pass her laughter off as the beginnings of a sob fest. “Say it ain’t so, you were my favorite sister.”  Marble approached Ruby and Cherry’s embrace very stiffly. “Um.” she said. Her tone was flat and wildly unconvincing. “I don’t condone this. I’m. Not ready to let go of my… little girl?”  Ruby rolled her eyes. That much was earnest as it got, even if she couldn’t help smirking. “This is who I am, mother.”  “Yeah.” agreed Cherry, louder than her tiny body would imply. “Get used to it, mom in law.”  “Okay,” whispered Ruby, “let’s not lay it on too thick, there.”  “Sorry, chickadee, I don’t do anything halfway.” Cherry shrugged, woefully unbothered by the critique.  Minding none them, Trixie (the Great and Powerful) sauntered down the lane to where Applejack was still wrestling her brother, the two of them grunting this way and that. “Say, AJ, is this a bad time?”  Applejack pinned Mac and stared up at her, panting. “Uh. Obviously?”  “Hmm.” replied Trixie, moving right along anyway. “I did a little checking on my family tree, and it turns out we’re very decent cousins. So, seeing as how we’re family, can the Great and Powerful Trixie count on a room whenever she passes through Ponyville?” Shoulders going slack, Applejack remembered to look at Trixie’s pack, where the covering lay intentionally astray to reveal a large red lump. She cleared her throat and pointed up at it. “Say, Trix? What’s that?”  A silvery brow arched up at her. “I didn’t realize we were on shortened nickname bases. Does this mean I get to call you AJ?”  “Don’t push it.” said Applejack with the greatest sincerity of anything she’d said thus far.  The beating of massive wings set the trees to bowing and bending all about them, silencing all the nearby bickering for a moment. A dragon of gilded scales set down, shimmering in the broken shafts of golden light barely peeking through the trees onto the chaotic scene. White hot embers danced across her razor rows of teeth as Galahad set her sights on Trixie. “You would think to steal my ruby heart a second time? When our mutual compatriot saw fit to have me spare you the first? Thou welp, thou’rt truly despicable!”  Trixie created a gaggle of illusory copies of herself to all run about, dodging large sets of shiny claws. Everyone around them seemingly forgot about them in an instant, going right back to their own little pockets of conflict. Voices picked up, louder, shriller, whichever came first, all vying to be heard over the increasing, ensuing ruckus. Louder and louder the scene grew until it was nothing but shouting over one another. It all quickly became too much for the unseen watcher to bear a moment longer.  On white wings she descended, appearing from the far horizon where the moon rose in the growing darkness. This was her domain, and they were making a sick mockery of it. Landing in the middle of the ugly melodrama, Pinkie screamed at the top of her lungs, a shrill, prolonged noise like a trilling brass horn commanding attention for one’s betters.  “Stooooooooooooooooooooooop!”  They did as she commanded, many doing so purely out of curiosity. For others, it was a morbid sight, how she trembled and panted in place. One could only imagine the horrible violent energies she’d be all too happy to summon.  “What is wrong with you all?!” demanded Pinkie. Her frowning mask threw her glowering gaze in an arc around her. “Is this some sad attempt at getting back at me over that play? Well, it’s awful.”  Ruby calmly took a step back with Cherry while Marble inched forward. The burly mare stood as sturdy as she could, hopefully ready at a moment’s notice to stop the Nightmare in her tracks.  Unaware, Pinkie spun about and one could almost swear her hair was fraying at the ends. Her accusatory hoof pointed with no small amount of spite towards one set of supposed newfound lovers, then the other. “A bunch of love triangles? Really? That’s so cliche.”  Next, she looked to the magician and dragon. “And you. Trixie, we already had this exact arc with you. A-and Galahad isn’t even in this story—what’s she doing here?” She knocked her hooves against her temples with a groan. “And family revelations? Are you kidding me?”  Gilda shifted uncomfortably. She’d been nervous around this mare even before she was possessed. Now she really was a scary sight. A cough escaped her beak, and that golden mask whirled around. Her wings reflexively flared. Mayyyybe, thought Gilda briefly, I should run away. “And you.” she spat, venom and poison and toxin dripping off her words. “You liked getting into acting? Are you serious? You? Gilda the jock, Gilda the bully. Where did that even come from?” Pinkie took a deep, withering breath. “I-it doesn’t make any sense, it’s not your archetype at all!”  Rainbow bristled nearby where Gilda held Fluttershy shrinking back from Pinkie’s anger. Her mouth tightened before she decided she couldn’t let this go. “Yeah, well… guess she surprised you, huh?”  “Oh, shut up.” growled Pinkie, her hackles raised as though she’d pounce any second. Shuddering a moment later, however, her head sank. She felt at her forehead, how it ached. “Ugh, this is all so dumb. You can’t just… there’s been no build up, and…”  All stood and stared as she slumped over onto the ground, the sound rising up from her either frustration or pain; maybe even some combination. Then, a very funny thing happened: the coughs morphed and warped. One might think it the demon coming through. But no. She was laughing. Pinkie Pie, her mask smiling, clutched her aching sides as she rolled across her back and howled with bitter laughter.  “This is… so dumb!” she cackled. “Maybe you were right, Dashie—maybe I am crazy! I must have finally snapped if you guys think any of this was good drama!”  She was so busy laughing, she could do nothing about the lasso grabbing hold of her thigh. Applejack pulled on the rope, and the loop tightened. It was time to get her into position, though AJ couldn’t help but sigh, seeing her like this. And yet, just the same, it had to be done. She began to drag the manic mare along through the dirt.  “You’re joking.” said Pinkie, looking up at her, amused. “You are joking, right? I sent Luna back to you girls with a couple extra holes, and now you want to try me? Is that it, Applejack?”  Applejack quit dragging and snapped her lasso back with artful precision. She watched as Pinkie laid herself out in a playful pose and shook her head. “Nope. I just had to get you on your mark.”  “Wow, you even learned stage terms for all of this? That only makes it more insulting. You people really are the—hey what now?” Where her dragged body had disturbed the dust, she just then noticed glowing lines hidden just beneath a fresh layer of dirt. It was an arcane sigil. And she was dead center within it. By the time she turned about, accidentally rolling over in the process, several of the nearby unicorns were already tapping its edges to activate.  Nightmare and Pinkie howled two voices of distress and pain through the mouths of the pony and the mask she wore as she tried to throw herself skyward. An aural bubble sprang to life, its magical colors swirling in shades of aqua, blues, and magenta. Her head banged against the dome mere seconds after it formed, sending her crashing back into the dust. Standing, she gawked one direction, then gaped in another. Wings folding and unfolding, she brought forth all manner of melee weapons, and set to thrashing against her new prison with one after the other. Dagger, sword, axe, club, hammer—it was all to no avail.  She was trapped.  Three alicorns stepped onto the scene through the growing shadows that had hidden them away so strategically. Their faces wore looks of triumph, relief, and cold, calculated confidence. The one her gaze of raw hatred set upon, however, was Luna. Hers—so seemingly glad to see her—was the one that filled her with the most rage, all the cheers that this had worked falling away as far as she cared. It was her alone she had eyes for, as she huffed. How she hated her.  And yet, how she wanted to throw her hooves around Luna and thank her with a kiss.  Instead she said upon her arrival: “If you think this is over, you’re very sadly mistaken, my dear.”  Luna looked at her trembling form through the magic trap, eyes glinting with malice through the mask as she looked up from her slouched demeanor. She wanted to reach through and push the frayed locks to one side and tell her it was all going to be okay now. Instead, she said: “I doubt that, love. But we’ll see in just a moment.”  Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity gathered round when Luna beckoned them forth. The rest were gingerly thanked for their parts, and asked to stand back. At Luna’s command, each Element of Harmony produced her respective necklace and donned it.  With a click, Luna’s eyes lit up. Her pupils widened out, blotting out the irises with inky, new moon darkness, before a white light took her pupils’ places. She felt strangely energized; despite having been here before, it still felt oddly new and exciting. Her fur stood ever so slightly on end as she reached her hooves out, saying: “Are we ready, girls?”  Fluttershy took a steadying breath as her pupils whited out, surrounded by a pink glow to match the butterfly shape at her throat. The world somehow seemed more lively around them—more vivid and saturated despite the fading light. She took Luna’s hoof and nodded. “I’m so ready for this to be all over. I’ve missed you, Pinkie.”  “Me too.” said Rainbow, taking Fluttershy’s other hoof. She placed her free one on the magic bubble, looking at the dejected figure within, her eyes filling with light and scarlet energies. “Pinks, I’m real sorry if I don’t always come off super respectful of you. But you’re one of my best pals, and I promise you I’ll try to do better. I guess a lot of us could stand to do better by each other—have each other’s backs, you know?”  “Indeed.” Rarity stood in beside Luna, taking her other hoof. Her sapphire eyes sparkled like a geode of amethyst set alight under the stars peeking out in the encroach of evening. Mane wavering like a rolling, regal sea, she said: “We’re here for you, Pinkie. Now and alway. You know you can always come to us for any need, any day of the week. We do so love you.”  The green of Applejack’s eyes gave way to orange, her fiery, self-assured spirit burning as she took Rarity’s other hoof. “It’s the honest to goodness truth, Pinkie. I’ve been so happy since you came into my life. You’re not just a barrel of fun on your own, you know how to make friends with everyone. Why…” She pressed her hoof against the shield, reaching out for her dear, dear friend. “I probably wouldn’t have half the friends I do if it weren’t for you. I love and appreciate you so much, it hurts.”  Pinkie was shrinking back from them, each new bout of compliments seemingly punching her down like a shower of arrows. She hid her masked face away from them, groaning, desperate for it all to stop. “Cut it out. You’re all so annoying. How can you ‘love’ or ‘appreciate’ me after what I’ve done? So spineless. You make me sick.”  Luna recognized that spite. She recalled a time it was bubbling up from her to hiss through gritted teeth. Shaking her head, she replied: “You’ve stumbled, yes. As have I. Recently, I even foolishly thought I had to face my problems alone.” A warm smile spread across her face as she glanced to one side, then the other. “But I’m not alone, and neither are you.”  Pinkie finally looked up at her. Luna was so beautiful and serene, as always. The tear shaped stone set in her mask flashed. “Well… maybe I should be. Wouldn’t you be better off? You’d already have made up with your sister, probably.”  Luna winced before opening her eyes up wide. “No. Our lives are better with you in it. Our mistakes can be made up for in time, but only if you’ll come back to us. So try, Pinkie. Please, for us.” She bit her lip when she saw the stone flash again. “For me.”  One hoof held the other back as Pinkie reached out to her. Her limbs trembled. She didn’t want to stand up, except that she did. So she pushed and stumbled and wobbled, slowly rising on shaking knees. Her hooves shuffled across the sigil that held her captive, it taking every ounce of sweat inducing concentration not to falter and eat dirt all over again. With a great wickering breath, she raised upon her hind legs and slammed her hooves against the barrier where Rainbow and Applejack’s pressed back.  Their spirits lifted as her stone lit up, and her eyes washed out with a pale blue glow. Each harmonious gem then reached out for the others, trying to meet in the middle. Twilight and Sunset lowered the shield so that they might, and sighed with immense relief as the six friends embraced in a hug.  It wasn’t over yet. Five friends held the sixth as she squirmed and writhed and tried to shed her shadow. They cheered her on, telling her she could do it, as the luminescence of their gems and eyes grew and grew. As the power swelled, the lot of them began to shudder just like her, while still calling out that they were there for her. “For now and always.”  “Heh,” said Pinkie suddenly, “you girls are so gullible.”  “Hey what now?” spoke Luna before feeling her body rocked back. Their hooves still together, the six of them formed a circle, seemingly with Pinkie pulling the strings now as the light between them all erupted skyward in a gout of blazing magic energies. She looked up in abject horror as the swirling rainbow pillar of light slowly arced back down. But try as she might, she couldn’t break the chain. “No,” she cried in vain, “moon and stars above, no!”  Sunset looked to Twilight, who nodded back at her. They set their horns alight, crossed them over to join together in the spell, and projected a shield above. Marble glade quickly shoved everyone in with geomantic shoves, plates of earth pushing and sliding until all were gathered beneath. The beam struck their aural shield of swirling aqua and magenta, and it buckled. The two princesses stamped their hooves to dig in their heels and shoved back until the shield was outwardly shaped once more.  Crackling energies whirled in a grinding sizzle. When it buckled again, Marble stepped in to add her loamy energy to theirs. Inch by inch, the aural shield rose against the onslaught. But it buckled again. Before she could redouble, Trixie, Hope, and Red appeared beside her, trying to approximate the confidence needed for the task before them.  “Lucky for you, Trixie still remembers how to do this.” said Trixie. Her bluff and bluster did little to mask her weak knees and the beads of sweat beneath her silvery bangs. Yet just the same, her powder blue energies joined the mix. “It’s like riding a bike, right?” Hope asked Red nervously.  “Totally, dude. We’ve got this. Together.” Red bumped hooves with Hope before the two of them added icy blue and scarlet to the mix.  “We seriously need to talk to our agent about this gig.” said Cherry, chewing idly on her hoof as she watched the clash of magic.  “Don’t be silly.” said Onyx flatly, mussing her mane. “We don’t have a dedicated agent. You tend to handle our finances, so, in a way, you kind of are our agent.”  She fixed her hair as she watched him go add his gray energy to the shield. “Exactly. You guys need to not listen to me when I get us a gig like this. Or at least make sure I ask for more money up front.”  Gilda stared up in awe, blankly muttering: “Figures I’d finally find something I want to do with my life, and then die a week later.”  Calypso nudged her to get her attention. Laughing nervously he presented two fresh bottles and said: “I think I’ll take the red this time.”  Galahad sat hunched under the shield, hesitating on what to do. Sniffing the air, she smelled the familiar burn of ancient magics at work. Determined as these ponies were, they would not hold out forever against the artifacts Luna and her friends possessed. Or perhaps, they were being possessed by said artifacts. Looking at the circle, she couldn’t help noticing that Luna and Pinkie were the most lucid, the latter cackling and the former trying to let go of the bond that seemed to enable this font of power.  “Stop this!” cried Luna. “I beg of you, anything you want, I’ll do it, just let go!”  That clenched it. Galahad pounced forward and dug her paw into the circle set to yank Luna back. But when she tried, the circle didn’t budge. The chain went unbroken. And suddenly, she found herself woefully exposed.  Luna looked up at her, eyes full of sadness and burning holy light. “Galahad… run!”  The thrum of smiting energies grew louder. The gilded dragon turned to see the beam leaving the ponies behind and streak right for her. Massive talons dug at the earth to get away, but it was already upon her. A low, roaring howl sang out into the evening as the sun left them behind for this new dawn fire. The scorching sensation climbed along her thigh and planted squarely between her shoulders. The mighty shatterer of lances found one that would break her in time, and curled in on herself from the pain spiking through her massive body.  The searing subsided. Looking up, Galahad saw the unicorns gathered around her, others hunching in as well. The shield held for now, but the mages were draining fast. Sweat drenched their manes and their breathing became ragged.  “The sigil’s… still up…” Trixie reached up and wiped her brow as the sweat stung her eyes. “Would that…” “Too small.” groaned Twilight. “So much feedback, right on top of them, it would…” She gulped, rather than finish that observation.  Peering over her shoulder, Luna watched the shield buckle again. Time was fast running out. Turning, she begged again. “Okay. You win! You’ve won and you’re in control! Name your terms, just stop this!” “Anything at all?” Pinkie yelled to be heard over the blast. She tried to play coy, but that was a tricky thing to do when shouting.  “Anything!” Luna repeated desperately. Thunder seemed to roll across the swaying trees as all at once it simply stopped. The light faded before the blinded group, and the screeching sound of immense power faded off into the distance. Quiet at last. Nearly all the Elements of Harmony collapsed into exhausted heaps, followed shortly by the unicorns finally letting go of the shield spell. Luna shakily pushed up into a weak and awkward sitting position, her sides heaving with pained breathing. She dared not look at her bandages. All her friends were passed out. And looking behind her, the others were helping the tired unicorns onto their hooves. But it was poor Galahad who made her heart sink.  The dragon’s back was a scorched sheet of melted golden slag. It was probably also stuck in that curled-in pose, even as she tried and pushed against the newfound shell. Luna wondered if she’d be able to fly again any time soon—or perhaps at all. And how could such a gallant beast breathe at once huge and mightily, yet so tender and meekly?  A hoof dug in under Luna’s chin, jerking her face back around to see two wicked grins peering over her. “Oh, Luna. Did you really think I’d let you rile me up so easily? That you could show me goofy melodrama I had no control over, and that’s all it would take to leave me dumbstruck? Distracted for your little trap?”  “I…” Luna was about to say that yes, in fact, that had been her plan exactly. Somehow, though, her voice caught in her throat.  “What did I say about taking me seriously?” cooed Pinkie, getting uncomfortably close to her face. That giggle had once filled Luna with such joy. Now it brought only dread. “But now I’ve won. I’ve beaten you.” She giggled again, seemingly giddy, as though she could hardly believe it herself. “Wanna know what I want for my prize?”  Before Luna could think up some pathetic response, a set of claws big as her head rushed right over it; her powder blue locks swept aside in the resulting gust as she watched Pinkie go tumbling back.  Galahad lurched awkwardly forward with a meager warcry. She drew a deep breath as Pinkie righted herself. The Nightmare simply laughed at the beast before disappearing in the resulting gout of diamond white flames.  Luna felt herself being lifted, and found Sunset and Twilight hoisting her back onto her hooves. It was of little relief though.  “This isn’t over.” hissed Sunset.  “W-we can still salvage this—try again.” added Twilight.  A whirling figure rose through the sparkling blaze, tossing aside the old borrowed hoplites used to keep her safe in the fire. Pinkie gingerly set down on top of billowing boughs and casually crossed her hooves. Her blue eyes were icicles aimed right for their hearts. Luna looked down at her friends, drained and unconscious at her feet.  “No,” she said, sorry in every sense of the word, “it’s over. She’s won.”  “Ah, there it is again. I think I feel a tiny bit warmer inside every time I hear it.” She raised one hoof. “Here are my terms, Luna: meet me in the unkempt garden beyond the Everfree castle ruins tomorrow morning. Alone.”  “Okay.” said Luna weakly, gazing up at those wicked eyes.  “I haven’t decided yet if I’ll possess you or kill you.” Pinkie announced, hoof framing her chin with delight and anticipation. “It will be a surprise for both of us!”  A set of barrages aimed up at her, of white flame, and magic missiles of aqua and magenta. But it was too late. The sunlight was gone, and this was now her domain. A mere pink wisp on the shadow, she was gone with a lingering, toying laughter. Luna watched their attacks pass through the air she’d just occupied and hung her head in shame.  Some small part of the limp navy alicorn felt she’d been right from the start: involving the others had only put them in harm’s way. But hadn’t she sworn to do whatever it might take to keep them safe? She looked all around herself, at the damaged trees, the scarred dragon, the knocked out Elements, and those friends who’d only wanted to help out, now having come within an inch of their last breaths. All because of her.  Twilight and Sunset were already trying to convince her some other new plan was possible, but it faded by her ears, every detail forgotten immediately. Luna was a mare of her word, after all. And there a couple promises she might just be able to keep yet; possibly at the same unfortunate time no less.  “Okay, girls,” she said with a bitter smile and her ears folded back, “that sounds good. We’ll clean up here, and reconvene at the castle tomorrow after some rest for a new plan.”