Begun…the Final Battle has
It was a far distance away from the Crystal Empire. Prince Shining Armor, Princess Cadenza Mi Amore, Princess Flurry Heart and former Emperor Grogar approached from the kingdom towards the center of the battlefield. From the other side marched Neigh Nanners with Crusader Celestia, Filthy Rich, Spoiled Rich and Silver Spoon. Immediately, Princess Cadance saw Crusader Celestia, and her jaw dropped down.
“Princess Celestia,” Princess Cadance said, staring at Crusader Celestia. “I don’t believe it. Neigh Nanners did something horrible to her.”
“We will get her back,” Grogar said. “You have my word.”
“I hope so,” Princess Cadance said. “Because I am reluctant to fight the one who cared for me these many years.”
“Celly,” Flurry Heart said as she stood by Shining Armor.
“It’s okay,” Shining Armor said. “Daddy’s gonna get her back.
It didn’t take long for the two groups to finally stare down at each other up close and personal, as the tensions of the battlefield grew with every passing second. Neigh Nanners looked calm and collective while Cadance, Shining Armor, Flurry Heart and even Grogar looked tense.
“Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and Grogar I presume,” Neigh Nanners said with a pleasant tone. “It must be an honor to meet three legends.”
“Cut the compliments, Nanners,” Shining Armor said in a harsh tone. “I heard what you did to the ponies of Canterlot, Ponyville and beyond, and we will bring you to justice.”
Immediately, Neigh Nanners let out a crazed laugh that filled the air. Flurry Heart struggled to cover her ears from the annoying hysterics.
“Don’t worry, Flurry,” Shining Armor said, hugging Flurry Heart. “I won’t let that bad pony mess with your mind.”
Neigh Nanners slowed down his laughing before he said “Oh I can assure you that you are in no position to demand my surrender or to defend your kingdom. In fact, I only came here to liberate your kind from the tyranny of Friendship.”
“Friendship is not a form of tyranny,” Princess Cadance said. “In fact, I’d say what you’re doing is a proper definition of tyranny.”
“And yet you align yourself with one of the biggest tyrants in Equestrian history?” Neigh Nanners said. “You are the walking definition of hypocrite, Princess Cadance.”
“A title that I must relinquish to you, Neigh Nanners,” Grogar said. “Besides, I don’t know how you were able to master control over what you refer to as the Emotion Amplifier.”
“Then let me give you a little secret,” Neigh Nanners said. “I know what you called it: Nihilism’s Bane. I was interested in the jewel itself, to be bathed in the magic of Nihilism. Once I got my hooves on it near the hive of the changelings, I tested it on myself to see how well I would be tormented by it. And boy oh boy, did it feel good the first time I felt its magic.”
“Then you know how dangerous it is,” Grogar said with a snort of air from his nose. “It would be wise to surrender it before you wipe out all life across the planet.”
“Do you think I would surrender this precious jewel?” Neigh Nanners said, clutching the Emotion Amplifier that’s attached to his sash. “I will not.”
“You do know that by standing in the way of my new master,” Crusader Celestia said. “Your conversion to our new ways will be slow and painful.”
“The one thing that I do know is that you used to be Princess Celestia,” Princess Cadance said. “The one who raised me when I became an Alicorn, and the one who ruled Equestria with a kind heart.”
“The Celestia you knew is gone,” Crusader Celestia said. “All those lies that I had followed have been purged from my mind. In my place is a pony dedicated towards freeing the planet from the filth called Friendship.”
“What would Starswirl the Bearded say once he finds out about what you’ve become?” Shining Armor asked.
“The only thing he’ll say,” Crusader Celestia said. “Is that friendship was a lie, all this time.”
“And it’s a shame he didn’t get taken captive back in Canterlot,” Neigh Nanners added. “A darn shame. He would have been our wisest sage to walk this planet.”
“What do you know about what Starswirl thinks?” Shining Armor said as he stomped his hoof on the ground.
“Then maybe I should ask you this,” Neigh Nanners said. “Would Twilight Sparkle be better as this fallen angel that you have guarded? Or would she be better as one of my templars in the war against the scourge of friendship?”
Shining Armor growled at Neigh Nanners before he yelled out “Keep my sister’s name…OUT OF YOUR FILTHY…MOUTH!” He tried to run towards the selfish pony, only for Princess Cadance and Grogar to hold him back with their magic while Flurry Heart pushed her father back.
“Shining,” Princess Cadance said. “Now’s not the time.”
“Save your strength,” Grogar said. “Think about your own daughter.”
Shining Armor looked down at Flurry Heart, who looked up at her own father with runny eyes. Shining Armor began to calm down, looking at his own daughter, all while Grogar and Cadance pulled him back.
“I’m sorry,” Shining Armor said. “I guess when someone tries to mock your own sister, it really gets to you.”
“Aww,” Neigh Nanners said. “A brother’s love towards a sister. How sweet. Tell you what. I’ll give you and your faithless fools one hour to do it the easy way and surrender yourselves. Afterwards, we’re not responsible for whatever you suffer through from my cult.”
“Excuse me?” Princess Cadance said with a cold tone. But Neigh Nanners, along with Crusader Celestia, Filthy Rich, Spoiled Rich and Silver Spoon turned tail and walked away from the group.
“This is more disturbing than I realized,” Grogar said. “Neigh Nanners either doesn’t seem to realize what the whole world could lose, or he is aware and he doesn’t care.”
“We have to alert everyone back at the Crystal Empire,” Princess Cadance said. “Especially Diamond Tiara over her parents and Silver Spoon taking sides with that monster.”
Flurry Heart looked at Silver Spoon walking away alongside Filthy and Spoiled Rich. She flew towards the little filly, who only turned towards the alicorn baby in disgust.
“If you see that loser Diamond Tiara,” Silver Spoon said. “Tell her that unless she gives up this foolishness known as Friendship, then she can stay with those Cutie Mark Crusader Losers.”
With that, Silver Spoon turned tail and ran off laughing, leaving Flurry Heart looking like she was on the verge of tears. Shining Armor ran up to Flurry Heart and held her tight.
“It’s okay, little one,” Shining Armor said. “Don’t let her words penetrate your skin like how Neigh Nanners did mine.”
Flurry Heart cried into her father’s chest as he carried her back to the Crystal Empire alongside Princess Cadance and Grogar.
Meanwhile, in an inner chamber inside the castle, Applejack, still buffed up with her muscles, stood in front of Granny Smith and Grand Pear. The apple pony looked eager compared to her elders.
“Are you sure you don’t want to take part in this fight, Granny and Grand Pear?” Applejack asked. “You’re going to miss out on saving the world.”
“As much as I want to look like a million bits and kick some major butt,” Granny Smith said. “I prefer leaving the fighting to you.”
“It’s too bad, actually,” Grand Pear said. “If I was any younger, I would have been willing to bring out a starship of some sort and energize that Neigh Nanners fool on board.”
Granny Smith laughed and said “You and your silly starships. What next, you gonna call it the Enterprise, you prickly ol pear?”
Grand Pear just laughed and said “Would you rather I sing our final fight towards victory?” This resulted in Applejack and Granny Smith laughing out loud.
“Oh boy,” Applejack said, wiping a tear from her eye. “If Pinkie Pie heard you sing, she would have joined in on the fun.”
“Well, that’s Pinkie PIe in a nutshell,” Granny Smith said with a chuckle.
As Applejack and Granny Smith continued to laugh, Discord walked in from outside the room, seeing the two mares letting out a chuckle.
“Seems I missed out on a joke,” Discord said. “Was there anything funny?”
“Yeah,” Grand Pear said. “You wanna hear my singing?”
“No no no,” Discord said, waving his hands. “Let’s not go there.”
Applejack caught her breath from all that laughter before she took a deep breath. She walked up to Discord and asked “I take it Princess Cadance tried to convince Neigh Nanners to stand back, and he refused to do so.”
“Well judging by Cadance, Shining Armor, Flurry Heart and Grogar walking back up to the palace with a dissatisfied look,” Discord said. “I’d say it went horrible.”
“Typical.” Applejack said. “Ever since Rarity and I tried to sway Neigh Nanners on that article, he’s been going on this stubborn crusade to end Magic and Friendship. And I ain’t gonna let that snake-in-the-grass son-of-a-submariner get the best of all of us.”
“Well they’re going to need you out in the open,” Discord said. “Looks like the final battle is about to begin.”
“Then it’s time you face your destiny, Applejack,” Granny Smith said. “Make sure there is a tomorrow to return to.”
“I will do it Granny,” Applejack said. “And Grand Pear, you take care of yourself.”
“And you better live long and prosper, Applejack,” Grand Pear said, nodding his head at his granddaughter.
Applejack tipped her hat at Grand Pear and Granny Smith before she ran out the doorway, leaving Discord next to the two elderly ponies.
“Are you two sure you don’t need a little pick-me-up?” Discord said with his fingers ready to snap.
“Nah,” Granny Smith said. “Not interested in these big squabbles.”
“Besides,” Grand Pear said. “Why would we want to have all those reality-warping powers, Q?”
“Q, huh?” Discord said with an amused chuckle. “That sounds like an interesting name.”
But further away from the Crystal Empire, Neigh Nanners walked back towards his own army with Crusader Celestia, Filthy and Spoiled Rich, and SIlver Spoon by his side. The grin on that despicable stallion’s face grew even wider.
“My lord,” Filthy Rich said. “I take it you don’t intend on giving them an hour to surrender.”
“I never intended on them surrendering at all,” Neigh Nanners said. “Their own compassion is their weakness, and I intend on exploiting it.”
“And I assume that you intend on invading right away,” Spoiled Rich asked.
“My dear,” Neigh Nanners replied with a slight laugh. “You are correct. We will begin after my speech towards the true believers.”
“But what about the traitor Twilight Sparkle?” Crusader Celestia asked. “She and her new allies have buried the hatchet with my sister and the other Guardians of Harmony.”
“That’s for you to deal with,” Neigh Nanners said. “She believes that you can be turned away from our ways. But it is us who will turn her to our side. And it is up to you to best her in combat and convert her to us. You have my magic. Make sure she is drenched with pure freedom.”
Crusader Celestia bowed down and said “As you wish, my lord.”
Neigh Nanners approached his own grand army, standing proud and ready to invade. Many of them were decorated in silver armor, shaped almost like his own gold armor. Some of them were barely clad in metal, armed with whips that are enchanted with dark magic. The stallion stood there with a smile on his face.
“It won’t be long now, my followers,” Neigh Nanners announced. “They don’t realize this, but we don’t intend on honoring our part of the bargain. They do not realize that we are going to attack them while they wait during this so-called hour. The time has come, to march forth and end the reign of Friendship in Equestria, FOREVER!”
WIth a loud boom, the army chanted “DOWN WITH TWILIGHT! DOWN WITH FRIENDSHIP! LET FREEDOM RING!” Neigh Nanners, Crusader Celestia, Silver Spoon, Filthy and Spoiled Rich just stood there, each with a stubborn smile on their faces. The Fire Nags that circled above the cult group neighed in delight.
“Yes,” Neigh Nanners said. “Let freedom ring.”
But a mile away from Neigh Nanners’ own army, Nightmare Moon watched on from behind a crystal pillar. The pupils in her eyes shrunk back down as she bared her teeth at the despicable stallion.
“Curse you Neigh Nanners,” Nightmare Moon said as she dug her hoof into the ground. “You never intended on giving us our peace. I must warn Princess Cadance about this.”
With that, Nightmare Moon extended her wings outward, turned around and flew off towards the Crystal Empire.
Meanwhile, in the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, a massive army of ponies, kirin, dragons, griffins, hippogriffs, changelings, and yaks lined up. Each of them were armed with a hint of magical powers. In front, many familiar faces stood their ground, waiting for the moment to strike. But for Starswirl the Bearded, his eyes caught the attention of Princess Cadance, Grogar and Shining Armor, the latter of which was still comforting Flurry Heart.
“Princess Cadance,” Starswirl said. “I take it the negotiations were short.”
“Negotiation?” Princess Cadance said. “That bimbo would rather we surrender.”
“Well that’s just typical,” Starswirl said. “Neigh Nanners is out of his mind to think he can get a decisive victory.”
“We actually agree on this, Starswirl,” Grogar said. “What Neigh Nanners plan on doing will be our undoing, unless we act.”
“Then it appears now is the time to strike,” Starswirl replied. “But at the same time, I fear we may be winding up into a trap.”
“That is why we wait for them to make the first mistake,” Grogar said.
“Well knowing Nanners, he’s going to strike regardless if we’re ready or not.” Starswirl turned his head to see Stygian looking towards the horizon, worrying the elder pony.
“I’m afraid you’re right, Stygian,” Starswirl said with a worrisome tone as eyed the horizon from the castle gates. “Neigh Nanners will stop at nothing to endure that we all are either obedient towards his ideology, or the day magic or our lives are gone forever.”
“At least if there is anything good to come of this,” Shining Armor said, looking at the massive army. “We’re going to put up one hell of a fight. Isn’t that right, sis?”
Shining Armor looked down to see Midnight Sparkle, whose focus was on the horizon. Next to her were Daydream Shimmer and Trixie.
“I’m more worried than prepared, big brother,” Midnight Sparkle said. “Considering that I have to fight Princess Celestia.”
“Then you should have seen what Neigh Nanners has done to her,” Princess Cadance said. “They turned her into an armor-plated champion of his cause.”
Midnight, alarmed by Cadance’s words, turned towards the pink alicorn and said “I knew Neigh Nanners was going to do something horrible. But this is beyond words.”
“Twilight,” Daydream Shimmer said, putting her arm around Midnight Sparkle. “If it makes you feel better, know that we’re going to save her, one way or another.”
“I hope you’re right, Sunset,” Midnight said.
“That reminds me,” Trixie said. “Where the hay is Starlight? She’s late.”
“I’m right over here, Trix.” Trixie turned to her left to see Starlight Glimmer walking up to the group. But her form has changed. She now had a longer horn and wings of her own.”
“Decided to join the Alicorn club?” Daydream joked. “Or was it the M.A. Larson club?”
“Well you could say either of those,” Starlight chuckled as she flapped her new wings. “But hey, better to go generic than to have some special look.”
“Oh touche,” Daydream laughed.
Trixie just let out a raspberry and said “Oh please. The Great and Powerful Trixie does not need to have the look of an Alicorn. After all, I am Great and Powerful by myself.”
“Oh really?” Midnight said before she extended her wings upwards and flapped them hard enough to create a gust of wind, knocking Trixie’s hand and cape off.
“HEY!” Trixie yelled. “THAT’S NOT FUNNY!”
As soon as the cape and hat came off, Trixie appeared to have a longer horn and a pair of her own. Daydream, Midnight and Starlight did nothing but laugh.
“Guess you do need them for this fight, Trixie,” Starlight giggled.
Trixie covered herself with her hooves before yelling “Oh hah hah. Real cute, Starlight. But no matter. The Great and Powerful Trixie will triumph over the lame and weak Neigh Nanners.”
Daydreamer was laughing so hard, she fell to the ground unable to contain herself. Trixie just looked down at Daydreamer with an odd facial expression, all while Midnight and Starlight just chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Trixie asked.
“Oh, let’s just say you remind her of someone with the same look and attitude,” Midnight replied.
Daydream Shimmer picked herself up and wiped a tear from her eye as she began to settle down. She looked up at Trixie and said “That being said, we are at our darkest hour. Neigh Nanners has amassed a giant army to fight us off, and all we have is the ability to undo the Nihilism Magic that has taken hold of various creatures across Equestria. The fact that we have so many friends willing to put their freedom on the line to drive back this evil says a whole lot. And I hope we stick it out to the end.”
“And as much as I want to be pessimistic, I do agree,” Daydream Shimmer looked to her side to see Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, Cozy Glow and Discord approach the phoenix-themed unicorn. Next to the villains were Diamond Tiara, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and even Babs Seed was present. Trixie looked down at the little fillies, taking notice that all of them have unicorn horns and pegasi wings.
“Guess there must have been a buy three, get one free sale on Alicorn forms,” Trixie laughed.
“Oh hah hah, real funny,” Babs Seed said as she extended her wings up. “Besides, when Apple Bloom encouraged me to get the alicorn treatment, I had to check that out. No way was I going to be left out.”
“And I assume you guys are ready for the final fight,” Tirek said. “There’s no going back once those cretins decide to invade.”
“We are,” Starswirl said. “The question is: Are you willing to fight by our side?”
“After what happened since attempting to fight that pest in Manehattan,” Tirek said as he slammed his right fist against his left palm. “I’m more than willing to do that.”
“You know, it’s funny how you have a distrust of us three since we used to be evil,” Queen Chrysalis said. “But you have every right not to trust us.”
“Trust isn’t the problem,” Starswirl said. “As much as I hate to say it, losing any of you to Neigh Nanners’ Nihilism Magic would be as big of a tragedy as losing Princess Celestia.”
“Wait,” Cozy Glow said. “What do you mean by that?”
“It means there’s a chance we could lose you, Starswirl, or the rest of us to that fiend’s hypnotic spell.” Starswirl, Midnight and Cadance turned their heads to see the rest of the Pillars of Old Equestria, especially Stygian, approach the entire group. Stygian looked ready, but also worried.
“Stygian,” Starswirl said. “I can tell by the look in your eyes. You fear that you may have to face me in combat again.”
“It’s something I hope I don’t have to do,” Stygian said. “That none of us has to do. I was selfish back then when I became the Pony of Shadows. The last thing we need is for the roles to be reversed, and that I would have to fight to save you from yourself.”
“And I promise you this,” Starlight said. “I won’t let that happen. We’ve done a lot to help reform you from your own sins.”
“And even if I do fall to Neigh Nanners’ hypnotic spell,” Starswirl explained. “Do not give up hope. I believe that you are capable of saving me, as Twilight and Starlight did for you.”
“I’ll try,” Stygian said.
“And know this, Stygian,” Mistmane said. “We will always be by your side, no matter what.”
“Thanks, guys,” Stygian said. “Though it doesn’t truly put me at ease, it does give me some comfort in preparing for our final battle.”
“That reminds me,” Midnight said as she looked around. “Pinkie Pie said she wanted to show me something.”
“Something, huh?” Discord said, sliding towards the darkened alicorn. “I take it Pinkie Pie decided to go with the M.A. Larson signature edition.”
Suddenly, a pink paw stretches out and taps Discord on the shoulder. The draconequus looked to his left and his face dropped down. He immediately tapped on Midnight’s head.
“Don’t look now,” Discord said. “But it appears Pinkie Pie just decided to play copycat on yours truly.”
“What do you mean by that?” Midnight said as she turned to her left.
The moment Midnight Sparkle looked at Pinkie Pie, the dark alicorn’s jaw dropped to the ground. Pinkie Pie’s torso stretched out like a snake. She now had a deer antler and a blue goat horn on her head, surrounded by her mane. Her right arm was now of a lion while her left claw was like an eagle. Her right left was a lizard and her left leg was of a goat. She also had a pegasus’ left wing and a bat’s right wing, and her tail was replaced with a dragon-like snake’s tail with a magenta tail tuft.
“Pinkie,” Midnight Sparkle said, looking like she was going to freak out. “You’ve become a Draconequus. Why would you do that?”
“Oh come on, Twilight,” Pinkie Pie giggled. “Everyone was doing the same ol Alicorn look. So I wanted to do something unique and just look like Discord.”
“Seriously?” Tirek said, tapping his front left hoof on the ground. “Why a Draconequus and not something as powerful as a centaur?”
“Well that was one of my choices,” Pinkie Pie said as she snapped her fingers, transforming into a variation of herself as a Centaur. “But where’s the fun in being one, anyway? Besides, I am a pony of chaos.”
“Touche,” Tirek said with a cold tone and crossed arms all while Discord facepalmed. Grogar looked at Pinkie Pie and just laughed.
“That kind of attitude reminds me of when I used to raise Gusty,” Grogar said. “Back when she was a filly, Gusty was about as rambunctious as you were. A filly who lived a carefree life.” Grogar’s vocal tone went from content to depressed as he added “And yet, she never knew the comfort of her real family. Poor kid.”
“Her real family?” Pinkie asked.
“It is a story I will have to tell you later,” Grogar said as he noticed something in the distance flying towards the Crystal Empire. “It appears we have a message about Neigh Nanners.”
Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, Midnight Sparkle and Daydream Shimmer waked up to the balcony as Nightmare Moon landed in front of them. The alicorn formerly known as Princess Luna looked agitated as if she wanted to cut loose.
“I take it Neigh Nanners intends on invading us right away,” Princess Cadance asked.
“I’m afraid you’re right,” Nightmare Moon said. “He never intended on honoring our so-called one hour timer to our surrender. In fact, he’s decided to send everyone towards the Crystal Empire and start the final battle, right away.”
“Then that settles it,” Princess Cadance said. “But now is not the time to make our attack.”
“I take it you have a nasty surprise for Neigh Nanners and the ponies he has under his control?” Shining Armor asked.
“I do,” Princess Cadance said. “First, we wait until they make the first mistake. Then we let them have it. Any objections, honey?”
Shining Armor reached his right arm out and pointed his hoof down. Cadance looked at her husband with a smile on her face.
“Good,” Princess Cadance said. “Give them the announcement.”
With that, Shining Armor turned towards the ponies of the Crystal Empire and announced. “Everyone. Neigh Nanners will be attacking us shortly. We now face our darkest hour in Equestrian History. But now is not the time to attack. Stand your ground and wait for the signal. As soon as I give you the order, press on the attack. Got it?”
The crowd yelled out “YEAH” as they cheered with excitement.
Latin Roma steps forward from the crowd, standing tall and proud. He breathes in before yelling out “I will lead the troops towards victory against Neigh Nanners, with the chant that unite us all.”
Immediately, the crowd yelled out “BING BONG! BING BONG!”
“Yes,” Latin Roma said as he turned around and embraced the crowd. “Chant Bing Bong. And show them the true meaning of Friendship.”
Grogar raised his hoof and said “And I will deal with Neigh Nanners myself. Should I fall to Nihilism Magic again, do not hesitate to strike me down. This is a fight that we cannot afford to lose.”
Shining Armor stood there and said “Then get ready. We’re about to give them the ride of their life.”
Flurry Heart flew up to her father with ambition in her eyes as she pouted “Bad pony going down.”
Shining Armor grabbed Flurry Heart and said to her “That’s my girl.” The little filly just giggled in delight.
Meanwhile, in the valley, the entire cult marched towards the Crystal Empire with Neigh Nanners, Crusader Celestia, Filthy and Spoiled Rich, and Silver Spoon leading the group. Up in the sky, the Fire Nags flew towards the castle, letting out a cackling neigh that sounded garbled up and staticy.
“This is our finest hour,” Neigh Nanners said with delight as he marched with anticipation. “When the day is over, Friendship will be no more, and the ponies of Equestria will soon be free.”
The entire cult group cheered in unison, excited by the events that would unravel. Neigh Nanners turned his head back towards the castle, fixating his eyes on the prize. He licked his lips in anticipation, thinking nothing of the victory he would accomplish.
“With all due respect my lord,” Crusader Celestia said. “Something is not right here.”
“And what makes you have a lack of faith, my pupil?” Neigh Nanners asked.
“I can’t seem to fully explain it,” Crusader Celestia said. “But there’s a part of me that believes we’re being lured into a trap.”
“A trap?” Neigh Nanners laughed. “My dear apprentice. You simply have a lot to learn about faith. In fact…”
But before Neigh Nanners could say anything, his ears picked something up. It was the sound of ponies chanting “Bing Bong. Bing Bong.” Though it sounded weak in the distance, it grew louder with every passing second.
“I’d say you might be right,” Neigh Nanners said.
“My lord,” Filthy Rich said, pointing to the horizon. “The opposing army is approaching.”
Neigh Nanners looked over the horizon, and his jaw dropped in surprise. A vast number of ponies, kirin, dragons, griffins, changelings, yaks and hippogriffs marched and flew towards Neigh Nanners’ army, chanting “BING BONG! BING BONG!”
“They were anticipating us,” Crusader Celestia said. “Some pony was spying on us. What should we do, my lord?”
“It appears they were,” Neigh Nanners replied. “Crusader. Take your best templars into the fray and find Twilight Sparkle. I will lead the rest of the true believers in to end this insurrection.”
“As you wish, my lord,” Crusader Celestia said before she leaped into the air and flew towards the advancing army.
Neigh Nanners was about to advance further when he immediately held up his hoof, causing his own military to stop.
“It appears faith has been kind to all of us,” Neigh Nanners said. He turned to Filthy Rich and added “Templar. Take the army and hold off the resistance. There is one individual in that crowd who wishes to duell me.”
“At once, my lord,” Filthy Rich said.
Spoiled Rich turned to Neigh Nanners’ followers and yelled out “COME! WE FIGHT FOR OUR LORD’S VICTORY!”
Neigh Nanners stepped aside as his massive number of followers cheered in unison. Filthy Rich, Spoiled Rich and Silver Spoon ran towards the advancing army of the resistance, with the followers following in pursuit.
“That’s right, Grogar,” Neigh Nanners said. “Come, and meet your one, true fate.”
On the opposite side of the valley, the vast army of the Equestrian Resistance charged right at the advancing cultists of Neight Nanners. Leading the pack was Latin Roma, who continued the chant of “BING BONG! BING BONG!” Galloping next to the brave unicorn was Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, Starlight Glimmer, Cozy Glow and Grogar. All of them looked determined as ever to bring the fight to the opposing side.
Immediately, Latin Roma stopped chanting as he turned to Starlight Glimmer and asked “So what’s the plan?”
“We’re going to gude Grogar through the entranced cult members,” Starlight explained. “Once he’s in range with Neigh Nanners, we will return and aid in any way possible.”
“And I suppose your magic will be able to knock them aside,” Latin Roma asked.
“Of course,” Queen Chrysalis said. “Observe.”
Immediately, Queen Chrysalis flew up a small bit into the air before diving right down towards the brainwashed army. WIth one slam of her hooves, Chrysalis creates a shockwave that knocks down nearly every cult member in a large radius. Chrysalis stood there with a sinister grin on her face before leaping back into the air.
“Well,” Starlight said. “What do you think?”
“It’s a start,” Latin Roma said. “But there are still too many of them.”
“He’s got a point,” Grogar said. “Begin the counter attack.”
Nightmare Moon, Discord, Lord Tirek, Starlight and Cozy Glow nodded. The five former villains advanced towards the influenced cult, charging up energy in their horns. WIth one swift blast, five beams went flying down towards the cult members before detonating on impact, knocking them aside.
“Direct hit,” Tirek said. “That will keep those fools at bay.”
“And to think,” Nightmare Moon said. “That wasn’t the spell needed to blast that magic out of their system.”
Suddenly, a fiery blast of magic hits an area in front of the army, causing snow to fly into the air and to land on Latin Roma and most of the former villains, burying them. It didn’t take long for the group to dig their way out and emerge from the top of the snow mound.
“Geez,” Cozy Glow said as she shook the snow out of her mane. “That was a cold trick.”
“You’re telling me,” Starlight said as she pointed to the sky. “We got a red hot problem above our heads.”
Cozy Glow, Grogar, Tirek, Nightmare Moon, Discord and Latin Roma looked up in the sky, seeing the Fire Nags stare right down at them. They breathed a small patch of fire from their mouths, ready to spit the flame right at their face.
“Fire Nags,” Nightmare Moon said. “They intend on ending our final stand with their magic.”
“They have been enhanced by the Nihilism Magic,” Grogar explained. “One hit, and you will fall under their spell. Someone needs to distract them.”
Discord picked himself up out of the snow and said “Leave them to me.”
Starlight shouted “Discord, wait.” But it was too late. Discord flew up towards the Fire Nags, firing off blasts of magic right at the fiery windigos. Starlight tried to fly up towards Discord, only to be pulled back by Grogar’s magic.
“Discord’s playing his part in our final battle,” Grogar said. “Right now, we must play our own and push through Neigh Nanners’ cultists.”
“But I can’t leave him to be consumed by the Fire Nags’ Nihilism magic,” Starlight said as Grogar set her on the ground.
“Princess Cadance powered up Discord to resist the Fire Nags,” Grogar said. “He’ll be alright. Besides, if he were in your place, what would he do?”
Starlight paused for a moment before she said “He would press on.”
“That’s the spirit,” Grogar said. “Now let’s show that monster that we mean business.”
Immediately, Grogar, Latin Roma, Starlight, Cozy Glow, Tirek and Nightmare Moon pressed on, pushing back on the advancing cultist army, all while Queen Chrysalis continued to slam into the ground just to knock more of the cultists to the side, Though the brainwashed minions were relentless, the resistance army held their ground.
“DO NOT HOLD BACK, BROTHERS AND SISTERS,” Latin Roma yelled as he knocked a few cult members to the side. “KEEP PRESSING ON AGAINST NEIGH NANNERS’ AGENDA AND FIGHT FOR THE TRUE MAGIC OF FRIENDSHIP!”
With that, Latin Roma the Resistance fighters chanted “BING BONG! BING BONG!” Their nerves were as hard as steel. Their eyes focused on the battlefield. Their hooves, claws, paws and feet held strong. And their wings expanded to blot out the sky.
In the far back of the valley, Neigh Nanners paced back and forth, taking notice of the advancing army. But his eyes were more focused on the former villains and Latin Roma pushing their way through his own army.
“Impressive,” Neigh Nanners said. “Perhaps I underestimated the resistance.”
Immediately, Neigh Nanners jumped out of the way as Grogar, Tirek, Nightmare Moon, Cozy Glow, Starlight Glimmer and Latin Roma slammed down near him. They all stepped forward, staring down the cult leader like eagles eying their prey.
“So the so-called Guardians of Harmony have finally shown their faces,” Neigh Nanners said. “And it appears the former Emperor of Equestria had the nerve to show his face.”
“What we stand for is to end the very madness that you have unleashed upon Equestria,” Nightmare Moon said. “And as ones who have atoned for our own sins, we will protect those that gave us a second chance, all the way to our final breath.”
Neigh Nanners laughed as he pulled the Emotion Amplifier off his sash and said “You were delusional back when you became villains, and you’re still delusional to this day. Only I can reform you from your own evil.”
With that, Neigh Nanners held the Emotion Amplifier in the air, transforming it into its warhammer form. He clenched the hammer closely before pointing it at the group.
“Stand down, Neigh Nanners,” Latin Roma said. “Your crimes against every pony dwarfs all of our sins.”
“The only ones who sin,” Neigh Nanners said, raising his hammer into the air. “Are all of you.”
Neigh Nanners immediately slammed his hammer right on the ground, creating a shockwave that knocks Latin Roma, Grogar, Nightmare Moon, Tirek, Starlight Glimmer and Cozy Glow down. Neigh then lifts the hammer back up, laughing loudly.
“You all were never that great to begin with,” Neigh Nanners said. “Only I can show you true greatness, but only if you give up this shackle known as friendship.”
Grogar immediately got up and unhooked his Bewitching Bell from his collar. With one ring of the bell, it transformed into a sword. Grogar pointed the sword at Neigh Nanners as everyone else got up.
“You got this fight?” Tirek asked as he dusted himself off and cracked his knuckles. “We’re here to back you up, just in case.”
“I’ll be able to handle Neigh Nanners on my own,” Grogar said. “Hold the other cultists back, and make sure Princess Celestia is found. And if I fall, do not hesitate to strike me down.”
“Best of luck to you, Mr Grogar,” Cozy Glow said as she, Starlight, Nightmare Moon, Tirek and Latin Roma fell back towards the two armies fighting each other.
Neigh Nanners twirled his own hammer and said “None of you are a match for me, combined. Most of your companions have chosen to retreat, knowing the inevitable that will come. How can a washed up villain be a match for me?”
“I’ve known what it was like to fall under that kind of magic,” Grogar said. “I’ve known what it was like to go mad from that kind of magic. You, on the other hand, have no regard for anyone’s life but your own. You abuse that kind of magic just for your own personal gain. And you use it to enslave anyone who you desire.”
“What I do is to free them from the shackles of Friendship and Harmony,” Neigh Nanners said, clutching his hammer closely. “And besides, none of you could take me down together. What makes you think you can take me down? You’ll need more than luck to best me.”
Grogar held the sword to his side and said “I don’t need luck to best you, punk.”
With that, Grogar and Neigh Nanners charged each other, delivering a powerful clash that echoes through the crystal valley.
Meanwhile, in the midst of the battlefield, The Cutie Mark Crusaders along with Babs Seed and Diamond Tiara fought their way through the hordes of brainwashed minions, knocking them aside with their new alicorn magic. Though the mindless-like cult members were relentless, the alicornified fillies continued to push back.
“Never thought we would go from ordinary fillies back in Ponyville to partaking a war,” Apple Bloom said, blasting her way through an invading group. “Imagine what our descendants would say about us.”
“You’re telling me,” Scootaloo said as she extended her wings to knock down more of the mind-controlled mooks. “I thought getting these new powers would be a thing and finally being able to fly. But I never thought I would be overwhelmed, even with this blessing.”
“Now’s not the time to hold back,” Babs Seed said. “We have to save all of them, like Twilight and her new companions did for me.”
“I’m afraid Babs Seed is right,” Diamond Tiara said, blasting away a cultist that tried to sneak up on her. “These powers would be worthless if we can’t hold back against them.”
“More worthless than you have become, blank flank defender.” Diamond Tiara turned around to see Silver Spoon staring down at her. Right next to the gray filly was Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich. The two older ponies scorned down at Diamond Tiara.
“Silver Spoon? Mom? Dad?” Diamond Tiara said as her eyes shrunk down in horror.
“What did they do to you?” Sweetie Belle asked in horror.
“Oh what Neigh Nanners did to us was to free us from our torment,” Silver Spoon said. “But it’s a shame that you choose to side with those former blank flanks.”
“And it’s a shame that you didn’t go with us, my daughter,” Filthy Rich said. “You could have been more than just a rich pony. You could have been a Queen.”
“But instead, you chose to side with the peasants of Equestria,” Spoiled Rich said.
“I was separated from you both,” Diamond Tiara said. “I had no other choice.”
“You had the choice to go with us back in Ponyville and you failed,” Spoiled Rich yelled with a harsh tone. Her eyes glared down at Diamond Tiara as the older mare added “I’d say you are no longer our daughter. But that would lead to juvenile delinquency. We will teach you real respect, and we will break you down in tears.”
“No,” Diamond Tiara said as she started to tear up. “I will never become that pony again. Do you hear me? I WILL NEVER BE THAT PONY AGAIN!”
“Oh please,” Silver Spoon said. “Even back then, I thought you were weak.”
Scootaloo watched in horror as Diamond Tiara just stared at Silver Spoon and her parents. She nudged at Apple Bloom and said “You better help lift her spirits.”
Apple Bloom extended her wings out before flying up to Diamond Tiara and said “Don’t let their words get under your fur. You’re better than this.”
Diamond Tiara raised her head and said “This is Neigh Nanners’ fault. Help me free them from this madness.”
“Diamond,” Sweetie Belle said as she walked up next to Diamond Tiara. “We’re with you to the very end.”
Immediately, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Babs Seed lined up next to Diamond Tiara as both Filthy and Spoiled Rich stood by Silver Spoon.
“So,” Silver Spoon said. “Anything you wish to say before you face your punishment?”
“Yeah,” Babs Seed said. “You just messed with the wrong fillies.”
Immediately, the two sides charged at each other, raring to take the opposite side down.
Back in the air, Discord held his own against the Fire Nags, swatting aside blasts of fire magic to far off places of Equestria, either with his hands, his magic, or random objects like a homerun bat, a tennis racquet, a sword, an axe, a lightsaber, a frying pan, and even a chainsaw. Discord yawned as he continued to pull objects out of thin air, warding off the magic of the beings formerly known as the Windigos.
“This is so anti-climatic,” Discord said as he used what looked like a magical rod with a star on the tip to bat off the magic. “Can’t you do better than simple repetition?”
One of the Fire Nags glared down at Discord before opening its mouth and charging up energy in its jaw. This caught Discord’s attention.
“Finally,” Discord said. “Some excitement.”
The Fire Nag fired off a blast of magic right at Discord, who only responded by pulling out a cover of a DVD with the title “The Emoji Movie,” and holding it out in front. The beam connected and consumed Discord in its fire. But when the beam disappeared, Discord appeared unscathed, only for the DVD cover to crumble in his hands.
“It was the only thing it was good for,” Discord said. “But hey, at least it wasn’t anything related to Rob Schneider or Tom Green.”
Discord stared down at the Fire Nags. His paws glowed brightly as two balls of energy form. His eyes stared down the fiery beings before he thrust his hands forwards.
“YOU HAVE BEEN FRIENDED!” Discord said before firing a blast of magic, right at the Fire Nags.
Back down below, the Pillars of Old Equestria lead Sunset Shimmer, Trixie, the Mane Six and Spike through the two armies fighting each other. They looked up in the sky to see Discord hit the Fire Nags with his magic. Midnight Sparkle turned to her left to see Big Mac and Sugar Belle clear their own path of cult members.
“In this kind of chaos,” Somnambula said. “The Windigos would have frozen the entire planet by now.”
“Well this is no ordinary chaos,” Rarity replied. “Because the Windigos are now Fire Nags, there is nothing stopping this madness from getting worse.”
“This makes me wonder,” Daydream Shimmer said. “What would happen if the amount of chaos across the world were to be unchecked.”
“That is something I do not want to imagine,” Starswirl said. “I believe the Windigos were here for a purpose. To prevent our hate and anger from consuming the planet. And now that they are under Neigh Nanners control, I fear nothing can stop what I fear will be a Great Malice from consuming us all.”
“This keeps on getting worse and worse,” Trixie said.
Pinkie Pie looked up in the air, seeing Discord continuing his fight against the Fire Nags. She fluttered her new draconequus wings and was about to fly up, only for Midnight to pull her back from her snake-like tail.
“Pinkie,” Midnight Sparkle said. “We need you to help us get Princess Celestia back.”
“But I wanna help bring down the Fire Nags,” Pinkie Pie whined.
“You’ll be able to once we extract that hateful magic from Celestia,” Midnight said. “Now come on. We got a job to do.”
The group of ponies and dragon continued their sprint down through the crystal valley, dodging the two armies going at each other. They only made it through when a blast of magic lands right in front of them and ignites, sending snow flying across the field.
“INCOMING!” Rainbow Dash yelled.
“This is no way to stay cool,” Rarity said as she covered her head.
Everyone in the group covered their heads, anticipating the snow that was going to fall on them. But the snow only landed one foot away from them. Daydream Shimmer opened her eyes and looked in front of her as she saw Crusader Celestia land in front of the group.
“Princess Celestia,” Daydream Shimmer said, causing the rest of her companions to open their eyes in horror. “What has Neigh Nanners done to you?”
Crusader Celestia landed in front of the group and said “Sunset Shimmer. I see you, Twilight and the others have come to reclaim me from my lord.”
“That is not who you are, Princess,” Starswirl said. “I’ve known you for a long time and I know you would never align with a monster like Neigh Nanners.”
“My lord is no monster,” Crusader Celestia said. “He is the chosen one who will save the planet from the scourge known as Friendship. And he will Make Equestria Great Again. “
Crusader Celestia let out a loud laughter as the Fire Nags continued to hover over her, fighting off Discord. The entire group just stood there. Their eyes shifted from the Fire Nags over towards their former ally, leader and mentor.
“She can’t be lost,” Stygian said. “Even I fell further than she did.”
“You’re right on that,” Starswirl said, placing his arm around Stygian. “And we will make sure that Princess Celestia is back to her former self.”
Midnight Sparkle, Daydream Shimmer and Spike walked up towards Crusader Celestia. The light-themed alicorn just looked down at the trio with a confident smile.
“It’s not too late, Princess,” Midnight Sparkle said. “We know that the one who raised us to be the prime example of friendship is still there. We just have to help you realize who you were.”
Crusader Celestia just laughed before she said “Oh I already realized just how wrong I was to embrace Friendship for more than a thousand years. And I also realized that I was a fool for taking any of you in with my falsehoods. But it’s not too late for all of you. Surrender, and I will make your conversion to real freedom worthwhile.”
“That’s not you, Princess,” Daydream Shimmer said. “Back then, I failed your lessons because I was a self-centered brat who wanted power. I even took the crown of magic for all that power, only to realize that it would turn me into a she-demon.”
“And the reason why you failed was because I gave you the wrong lessons,” Crusader Celestia said. “Which is why I will correct that, even if it means you never get to see your friends in the human world…AGAIN!”
Crusader Celestia pulled out a metal disc from her pauldrons and threw it into the air. She fired a blast of magic right at the disc, turning it into a war hammer. She jumped into the air and grabbed it with her teeth before landing her hooves on the ground with a powerful quake. It nearly caused everyone else to lose their footing.
“I think Celestia means business,” Spike said. “There’s no way we can break through that kind of magic with our words.”
“I know, Spike,” Midnight Sparkle said as she regained her footing. “But it was worth a shot. Now the real fight begins.”
Immediately, Rainbow Dash, Draconequus Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Buff Applejack, Fluttershy, Alicorn Trixie, Starswirl, Stygian, Rockhoof, Mistmane, Somnambula, Flash Magnus, and Mage Meadowbrook stood right behind Midnight Sparkle, Daydream Shimmer and Spike the Dragon, keeping their eyes out on Crusader Celestia as she held her war hammer in the air.
“This is it,” Daydream Shimmer thought to herself. “The final battle. And we know what our goal is. If we fail, we may lose more than the magic of Equestria. We could lose our own lives. So for the sake of everyone, we must drain the Nihilism Magic from Celestia, and save the world.”
To Be Continued