War in Equestria: The Tale of Bright Blade

by Michael_Ravencroft

Chapter 27

Trixie was being led by a Changeling drone, deep into the heart of Tikara Balak's base of operations. The showmare was definitely scared, having heard stories of how powerful and terrifying his mere presence was, but nonetheless she continued onward! If she was to get what she came for Trixie wasn't about to let some rumors, and a dark cavern, chase her away, not when she had come so close. The Changeling drone stopped as they entered the Grand Hall, a large carved out dome. There were multiple tunnels that went, Celestia knows where, and in the center were two large doors with strange writing that Trixie had never seen before.

"Tell Trixie, is this the place where Tikara Balak resides," she asked.

The Changeling drone said nothing; it only stood there with its back turned to the azure colored unicorn, waiting for something.

"Who do you think you are, I am the Great and Powerful Trixie, and Trixie demands that you answer her question!?"

The Changeling drone turned its head and hissed menacingly at Trixie, causing her to shrink back. Just then a green flash of light lit up the Grand Hall, once it faded the Changeling drone bowed down. Before them was the ruler of the Changelings, Queen Chrysalis. Chrysalis bade the Changeling drone to approach her, the drone quickly made its way to its queen. She leaned her head down so that her drone could whisper into her ear. Trixie was startled to say the least, but kept up her false bravado, not wanting to display weakness to a hideous creature like Chrysalis.

When the drone was finished Queen Chrysalis motioned for the little one to leave, and leave it did. Queen Chrysalis strode towards the showmare, circling her, examining her with those green slit eyes. "So…My drone says you wish to fight for lord Tikara, I find that hard to believe," said Chrysalis.

"Hmph, Trixie doesn't have to explain herself to you! Trixie would think you'd be happy to receive a new recruit," stated Trixie.

"Ah, is that so, and tell me unicorn what exactly can you provide that will help us," asked the Queen.

"Trixie has much to offer, but Trixie will only speak to Tikara Balak about such matters," said Trixie haughtily.

"Do you know who I am," asked Queen Chrysalis.

"You're an overgrown, parasitic insect that was swatted out of Canterlot by a Royal Guard Captain and a Princess" said Trixie.

Chrysalis's horn began to glow, a look of hate and wrath radiating from her eyes at the azure unicorn mare. Sometimes I hate how I speak aloud every thought that comes to mind, open mouth insert hoof. Boisterous laughter could be heard echoing through the Grand Hall, Trixie looked around and saw nothing, but Queen Chrysalis seemed to know exactly who it was. Trixie then felt an arm drape around her neck, she glanced to her left and saw the humored look of the draconequess, Discord. "Woo-hoo, she got you good queeny, I think she's a keeper! What do ya say," asked Discord.

"Please remove your arm from Trixie you malodorous, malevolent, mismatched, mash up, of multiple creatures," ordered Trixie with a hint of disgust in her voice.

"You had me, and then you lost me. You may fire when ready queeny," said Discord as he disappeared from Trixie's side.

Trixie still held her ground, but inside she was terrified, crying out for somepony to save her, anypony! "Hold your attack Chrysalis," ordered a dark voice. Tikara Balak appeared, trotting towards them as the doors to his Sanctuary were closing. Queen Chrysalis bowed to her lover, as well as Discord albeit with some mixed aggression. Trixie began to shake visibly, now feeling the presence of Tikara Balak's dark power. "Any creature willing to seek us out, and on top of that insult the two of you with a straight face, is deserving of some of my time." Tikara Balak was at least two feet from her before he spoke again. "You have five minutes young mare, that's five minutes you have to live and convince me that I shouldn't let you become feeding fodder for Chrysalis's drones."

Trixie gulped and looked straight into his gleaming yellow eyes. "Trixie – Trixie has heard of your powers, how you are able to give incredible power to those who fight under you! Trixie would like to fight for you, and demands that you bestow upon her power!"

Tikara Balak stamped his hoof on the ground, making the Grand Hall shake. "First of all, Trixie, you're not in a position to demand anything, and I would seriously consider you lose the condescending tone, for a more respectful one! Second tell me the real reason why you have sought me out."

Trixie, after taking a few short seconds to collect herself, reworded her "request" to the evil alicorn. "Trixie…apologizes…what Trixie really desires is power, but for a different purpose. Trixie wants to fight and defeat a certain unicorn, who humiliated Trixie, and brought shame to her for two years! So that Trixie can prove once and for all who is the greatest magician in all of Equestria! But recently this unicorn has gained power that Trixie could only dream about, that is why she has sought you out."

"And what is the name of this unicorn who has wronged you," he asked.

"Her name is Twilight Sparkle," answered Trixie.

Chrysalis and Discord gave each other sideways glances, it seemed they had a common enemy, but they weren't sure if that was enough to warrant the azure unicorn membership into their ranks. All eyes were now on Tikara Balak, his face was unreadable since he always wore his armor, and his eyes were always glowing, so trying to discern anything from them was impossible. After a minute of waiting Tikara Balak gave his answer. "I will grant your wish, at the same time I deny it." His answer seemed to baffle even his generals, how does one approve and in the same breath deny a request? "What you seek is Corruption, where I use my dark power to twist the soul and mind. But that's not what you want, you want power, enough to fell Twilight Sparkle. Within every unicorn lies a dormant magical reservoir that would put you on par with the Princesses themselves, many go for years without ever tapping into its strength, but with my help you can."

Trixie couldn't believe what she was hearing, she had magic power within her that was equal to that of Equestria's rulers, and didn't even know about it!? And hear before her was a willing teacher. "Trixie – Trixie doesn't know what to say! Thank you, thank you lord Balak! Does this mean that you are Trixie's mentor or –!?"

"Stop! I am not, nor will I ever be, someone's teacher or mentor! I will unlock your power, and in six months' time you will challenge Twilight Sparkle, and you, Trixie Lulamoon, will win," stated Tikara.

"How…how do you know Trixie's full name!?" asked Trixie surprised.

"I know many things proud one, now prepare thyself!"

"I can't believe you Trixie! I thought you were above such petty things like revenge, but your pride seems to have gotten the better of you," said Twilight with obvious disdain in her voice.

"Trixie cares not what you think Twilight Sparkle," said Trixie.

"All because of what happened in Ponyville two years ago, you joined the side of the very alicorn who's trying to destroy Equestria, how can you live with yourself," said Bright Blade.

"Trixie has not 'joined' anyone's side, Trixie got what she wanted from Tikara Balak and now she will to use it," said Trixie.

"With strength unmatched I sing this song, that might and magic be as one! Shine your light upon the land! Let evil's wrath be undone, mystic sword Excellion!" In a streak of white lightning Excellion zapped into existence before Bright Blade. He quickly took the sword and put himself between Twilight and Trixie.

Trixie seemed mildly impressed, but unfazed by what she just saw. "So that is the infamous sword Excellion, and its wielder…Bright Blade. Tikara Balak warned Trixie about you and said that you would interfere, so he taught Trixie a couple of spells to keep you in check." Trixie's horn began to glow as her magenta aura flared up, "O̱ spathí tou ti̱ dýnami̱ , ákousé me , ópo̱s diavázo̱ ! Fo̱tíste pia , afí̱ste to fo̱s sas na blokaristeí , sfragízetai makriá sti̱n aió̱nia rok!"

Excellion began to shake, then it flew out of Bright Blade's mouth and sunk into the ground a few feet away. The glow of the sword started to fade as the stone and rock grew around it, engulfing the magical sword till it became a sword shaped rock formation. Both Twilight and Bright Blade were shocked at what they saw, Trixie's spell had completely taken away Bright Blade's most powerful weapon. But as surprised as they were Bright Blade moved into attack position, his horn glowing. "So what, even without Excellion I can still take you on," proclaimed Bright Blade.

"Hmm, yes, we'll have to fix that," said Trixie.

"Trixie stop!" shouted Twilight.

"Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Októ̱ Episí̱mane Sfragída!" All of a sudden two magic circles appeared around Bright Blade's forelegs, then his hind legs, two around his midsection, one over his head, and the last around Bright's neck. The circles then zapped the young adolescent pony. His body began to shift; Bright's horn vanished, his wings shrinking down to nothing, and his body becoming smaller. Twilight could only stand there, mouth agape, as the alicorn stallion was forcibly transformed back into his earth pony form.

"Bri-Bright Blade you're…you're…!"

"I'M AN EARTH PONY!?" finished Bright Blade.

"As Trixie stated in her letter, this was a duel against Twilight only. Now be a good colt and stand over there with your sword," said Trixie.

"If you think I'm going to –!"

"Do as she says Bright Blade." BB looked to Twilight, with a stern look she motioned with her head for him to leave. Reluctantly Bright Blade galloped to his petrified magic sword, quickly examining it for any sign, anyway to return it back to normal. Twilight returned her gaze to Trixie. "So you really want to do this Trixie, there's no turning back once this has started," said Twilight.

"Trixie is fully prepared to face you Twilight Sparkle, Trixie has never been sure of this much in her whole life! In defeating you Trixie will reclaim my former status, and at the same time rise to much greater heights! Shall we?" invited Trixie.

The wind kicked up, blowing through the battlefield as Twilight's and Trixie's capes flapped violently. The two armies only stood by and watched, knowing that this was a fight that neither side wanted to get in the middle of. And Bright Blade, his powers sealed along with his sword, could now only bear witness to the battle that was about to take place. The two unicorn mare's horns ignited, Twilight waited patiently, she knew in a duel between two unicorns the first to defend was usually the one with the advantage. Twilight saw a twinkle in Trixie's eyes.

"Protegat antiquorum spiritus, Maximo AEGIS!"

"Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Léo̱n Vrychi̱thmó Flóga!"

Twilight's magical shield formed quickly. In front of Trixie a magic circle that was yellow in color with rune markings and the symbol Leo appeared before her. Yellow flames then bellowed forth from the circle slamming against Twilight's Aegis shield. The attack took Twilight by surprise, the amount of force and power behind the blast sent her skidding backward. Twilight had to will her magic to push back against the flames, gritting her teeth and furrowing her brow. This – this amount of magical power is far stronger than what Trixie should be capable of!

"As expected of you Twilight Sparkle, fast and precise, now let's see what happens when that defense fails you! – Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Kriós Aspída Diakópti̱!" Another magic circle formed red in color, in the center was the symbol of Aries, the energy swirled in the center and shot forth. It pierced through the yellow flames and struck against Twilight's Aegis shield and destroyed it, shattering it into pieces. The shockwave sent Twilight reeling back, her mind pounding with pain from the sudden collapse of her spell. "Not letting up! Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Táv̱ros Trécho̱!" The next circle was green with the symbol of Taurus, a pressurized wave of force flew in Twilight's direction.

Twilight barely had time to erect another shield, so instead she braced herself. The impact was fierce and unrelenting. Twilight felt as if she were being run over by a steel wall over and over again, she held fast and stood her ground. Next came a rapid firing of dense magic pressure blasts, it was like being assaulted by thousands of small lead metal balls. Twilight kept her head down, knowing that the onslaught would easily break her bones if she made the wrong move. Amidst the pain Twilight was able to pull off one spell to get her away from the attack. With a flash of purple light Twilight teleported away from Trixie's spell, the azure mare scowled then waited. Twilight reappeared in front of Trixie with her horn pointed straight at the showmare's throat. "It's over Trixie!"

"Actually…" Trixie then disappeared in a flash of magenta colored light, then reappeared beside Twilight, "The fun has only just begun!" Trixie released a wave of magical power that forced Twilight away from Trixie.

Twilight skidded to a halt, looking very miffed. Her body was bruised and battered, some blood was dripping from her lip, to which she wiped it off with a swipe of her left hoof. "Guess you really have gotten stronger Trixie, in that case I don't have to hold back! Invisibilis Insusurro!" Twilight wrapped herself in the blue cape, and in an instant vanished from sight. Trixie assumed a defensive stance, she couldn't sense Twilight's presence, nor feel her aura. "Rapidus Disrumpet!" At that moment thousands of magical energy spheres appeared and hovered in the air. In the next moment the spheres shot towards Trixie as she bobbed and weaved for the first few rounds, but then she started to get pummeled by Twilight's spell from every angle, explosions going off all over the place, making it hard for Trixie to get a beat on her.

"Ugh, Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Aspída Tou Karkínou!" Another magic circle appeared, this time below her hooves. The symbol of Cancer started to swirl around, spiraling and forming a barrier to protect herself. Twilight's attacks bounced off the shield or exploded on impact. "Very tricky Twilight Sparkle, but I have some tricks of my own! Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Ichtheís Apódosi̱!" This circle appeared differently, it expanded in all directions, stopping just short of the frontlines of both opposing armies. The symbol of Pisces pulsated, turning reality into a liquid state, still and unmoving. Trixie closed her eyes, breathing calmly; unfazed by the constant magical blasts hitting against her barrier.

What in Equestria is she doing!? I've never even heard of these kinds of spells! Twilight, while in her transparent state, looked over to Bright Blade, frustrated, and worried. I don't know what Trixie did to seal both his sword and his powers, but I'm not going to let her get away with this! Twilight started to move quickly and silently, at that moment Bright Blade looked in her direction as well as Trixie.

"Twilight!?" said Bright Blade.

"Bright, you can see me!?" asked Twilight confused.

"He's not the only one!" shouted Trixie. Her eyes fixated on Twilight, not exactly visible, but more like ripples outlining her. It went exactly as she planned, the spell registered distortions in the mana network, such distortions as somepony making themselves invisible. "Game, set, match! Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Skorpiós Kentrí!" A violet circle formed at the tip of Trixie's horn, the symbol of Scorpio glowed and formed a long sharp needle. The needle fired like a missile aimed straight at Twilight.

With each passing second the needle gained another five feet, Twilight tried to think of a counter spell, but anything she'd cast would be one second too late. Twilight turned away, closed her eyes, and prepared herself for the painful sting of the needle, but it never came. She turned her head and opened her eyes to see what had happened, and what she saw made Twilight wish she had taken the hit. Bright Blade was laying on the ground, still, the violet needle sticking out of his breastplate. A small stream of blood started to flow from the hole as the needle slowly started to break down and disperse into small particles. "Bright…Blade…"

"Why…why did he…!?" Trixie's voice sounded shocked, almost trembling.

Twilight reached out a shaky hoof to touch the golden earth pony, her eyes welling up with tears, pupils reduced to the size of pinpricks. "Bright Blade…why…you shouldn't have done this, that was meant for me!" Twilight finally placed her hoof on the young colts shoulder, giving him a small nudge, then another, "Please…wake up…wake up…" The tears started to fall now, Twilight didn't even try to hold them back. She levitated Bright Blade towards Excellion, placing him gently beside his favored weapon.

"Twilight Sparkle…I didn't mean to…he just," said Trixie unable to form a complete sentence.

Twilight continued to cry, her cries turned to painful screams, then into raged and sorrow filled roars. She turned towards Trixie, her amethyst colored eyes changing to a bright orange color. The ground started rumble and quake as pieces of earth began to rise. The pieces would then burst apart as they reached certain heights, Twilight let out a powerful roar, to which her body was engulfed in flames! A giant column of fire stretched far into the sky above, the extreme heat causing the nearby clouds to gather and erupt with lightning and thunder. The winds billowed in every direction carrying with it the heat. Trixie could only stand there, watch, and feel. Yes, she could definitely feel something was happening with the pillar of fire, that much she was certain of. The mana within the area as becoming erratic, excited, angry.

"What, what is happening!?"

When the flames died down – no they didn't die down – the flames receded back, forming a mane and a tail. Trixie's eyes grew wide with shock and terror at the image that was once Twilight Sparkle. Her cape had been burned off, two half-moon shaped plates stretched upwards from her foreleg shoulders. The head piece where her crystal cutie mark was had elongated, encompassing her now white horn, and angled upwards forming a forward leaning crescent, allowing her flaming mane to become a war plume. Twilight's coat had transformed from its smooth lavender to a bright alabaster white. Her golden armor seemed to shine with as much intensity as the sun; she might as well have been the sun itself, since the blood red sky was now covered in storm clouds. The black pupils of her eyes were gone, instead were two blazing orange-red eyes, and something else Trixie noticed. Her tears were illuminated, like liquid fire; they streamed down her cheeks then fell to the ground with a searing hiss.

"WHAT MANNER OF SORCERY IS THIS!?" shouted Trixie.

"Infernus Profusum!!"

Twilight's flaming mane and tail rose up and joined in the center. The two formed a sphere of mana filled fire that grew bigger and more powerful the longer she held off on launching it. Trixie poured more power into her barrier, readying herself for the blast. Twilight fired the spell, leaving a scorch mark in its wake as it tore up the ground. The deluge of flames smashed against Trixie's barrier like a tsunami, completely enveloping the azure unicorn.

Even from within the protective space of her barrier Trixie could still feel the intense heat, turning her barrier into a makeshift sauna. Then Trixie saw something that made her sweat bullets! It's cracking, my barrier's cracking! Indeed it was as tiny cracks started to spider web in across the shield. On the outside Twilight was pouring more and more power into the attack, making it bigger and stronger, not letting up for even a micro-second. Trixie knew she was dead if that blaze hit her, so she did the only thing she could do.

Twilight halted her attack. The ground hissed, a trail of molten rock created a path from where it began to a slightly less molten circular patch in the wake. In the distance a bright explosion echoed through the sky as a mountain was reduced to a pile of ash. Twilight's eyes darted to the sky, and there she was, the target of her rage, Trixie. She seemed to be levitating herself. You killed Bright Blade…!

Trixie looked back at the destruction she had just narrowly escaped, and to the mountain that once was. She had this much power this whole time!? Was she just toying with Trixie!? No, this isn't the same Twilight Sparkle, this thing before Trixie is something else! She wants blood, Trixie's blood! "I will not let this stand Twilight Sparkle, I will defeat you! Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Temachismós Anémous!" The winds howled and whirled, condensing, forming thin crescent blades of air. The blades shot out at Twilight, she didn't move, only stared up at Trixie with eyes full of anger. The air blades were only three inches away from hitting Twilight before they were cancelled out, the air currents around her being super-heated made it impossible for the cool air blades to slash through. Nevertheless Trixie continued her attack hoping that one of them would make it through.

"Coeli Ignis Pluviae!"

Twilight's horn glowed with violent orange-red light; she closed her eyes for a moment, and then opened them. The beam zoomed into the rumbling storm clouds above Trixie. The clouds groaned and roared. Then small glowing circles of orange light began to appear on the dark clouds. The glow became brighter and brighter, till the source of the light was revealed. A fireball broke through the cloud cover and started raining down. Both armies put up a barrier shield as the skies fury pelted the ground, surprisingly enough the fireballs seemed to veer off to another direction whenever they came close to either her or Bright Blade's body.

In the air Trixie did her best to avoid the fireballs, it seemed wherever she went the closest ones would aim directly at her. Trixie continued to launch air blades and magic bolts at the incoming fury filled spheres, making them explode in midair. The barrage continued for at least ten minutes before it stopped. Trixie's hat was singed along with her cape; she quickly started to use healing magic on herself where she got burned by either direct or indirect hits. The ground below was a different story; craters littered the battlefield as far as the eye could see. The armies still kept their barriers up, not trusting that the heavens had let up. "She can even create weather phenomenon, her control over the mana is beyond what Trixie could've imagined possible! Damn you Tikara Balak, damn you to Tarturus! Six months, more like six years!"

Twilight widened her stance, the ground caving under the pressure of her power, sending fissures to spread outwards. "Don't you think for a second that being in the air will save you Trixie, do you hear me!?" yelled Twilight, her voice becoming distorted from her transformation. A ring of fire started to ignite around Twilight, at the same time her body erupted into yellow flames.

"Oh no you don't! Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Ydrochóos Palirroïkó Kýma!" Another magic circle with the symbol of Aquarius appeared. The symbol swirled, manipulating the molecules in the air. Suddenly one water droplet appeared, then a second, a third, each one multiplying rapidly. The droplets were being condensed and packed tightly into a ball, growing in size.

"Flamma Gurges Iace!!"

A fire tunnel blazed to life, extending all the way into the air. The tunnel of flames surrounded Trixie; she looked behind her and saw that it kept going on indefinitely. Twilight then jumped up and took off like a rocket, horn first, her entire body transformed into a yellow fire ballista. As she ascended the yellow fire filled the tunnel behind her, making escape impossible. Trixie released her attack, a miniature oceans worth of water surged from the ball, filling the fire tunnel as it descended to meet Twilight. The tidal wave slammed against Twilight, the mana filled water and fire hissed and pushed against each other. Trixie wasn't about to give in, this wasn't how she was going out! "Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Véli̱ ti̱s Toxóti̱s!" the next circle had the symbol of Sagittarius, dozens of white orbs formed and transformed into arrows. The arrows then launched themselves through the tidal surge, adding to the power of Trixie's attack. Twilight was being forced back, she could feel it, but she didn't accept it. Twilight, with a rage filled roar, called on more power and propelled herself further up the tunnel. The arrows and water disintegrated as Twilight rose higher and higher. Trixie tried multiple times to teleport out of the tunnel, but the dense mana within the fire made it impossible for Trixie to slip between space.

Trixie only had seconds to determine how she could get out of this situation. In an act of desperation Trixie flared up her aura, expanding it till the walls of her aura grinded against the spiraling flames of the fire tunnel. Trixie poured more of her magical power into her aura, at the last second Trixie's aura burst forth and collapsed the tunnel. Trixie veered to the left allowing Twilight to shoot passed her; unfortunately Trixie was buffeted by the power and heat of Twilight's charge. Sending her crash landing to the ground below, creating a dust cloud from the impact. Trixie dragged herself out of the hole she made, coughing, and sputtering. Her body was in pain, and Trixie was certain that at least some of her bones were broken. In fact she was sure of it, especially when Trixie tried to lower her left foreleg, but winced every time she put pressure on it. Trixie's cape was shredded and full of holes, her hat, well, her hat was burned to cinders in Twilight's last attack. "All these spells *cough* can her rage really be fueling her that much? *cough* I…" A light started to shine from behind her, brightening the sky, and lighting the battlefield. "What now…!? You gotta be bucking kidding me!?"

Am I dead…? I feel like it…and my chest hurts…why is it so hot?

Bright Blade groaned and moaned as he opened his eyes. The world was a different place then he remembered, but Bright Blade could hear thunder rumbling in the skies above him. When he tried to get up his mind became dizzy and his vision blurred. Bright Blade made his way up slowly, the pain in his chest surging in waves, making sure he didn't forget it. He took a few deep breaths, placing his left hoof over the hole where the needle had pierced his armor, and doing his best to balance on three hooves. When Bright Blade's vision finally came into focus his eyes became locked onto the one who fired the needle, Trixie. Bright's blood began to boil, but it quickly cooled upon seeing the state she was in. His eyes slowly scanned the area, but couldn't find Twilight anywhere. That is until Bright Blade followed Trixie's gaze.

"What in the name of Celestia…!"

High above was a bright ball of light, like a newborn star. Twilight was hovering in the skies, no doubt being suspended by her flames and power. Her eyes were glowing white, shining with fierce rage. Bright Blade didn't recognize this mare, if anything this mare scared him, and made him want to run far away.

She's insane, with that much concentrated mana she'll – I have to get out of here, fight another day I –! Trixie's eyes fell upon Bright Blade, who was now standing and looking up at her. For once Trixie was relieved, she had thought that she'd killed the young colt, but there he was, alive. At that moment it dawned on her the consequence that Twilight's attack would have. "TWILIGHT SPARKLE, if you use that much mana you'll destroy everything, Bright Blade, and even your own allies!" shouted Trixie, trying desperately to reach the sensible and intelligent side of Twilight.

"I don't care, I'll burn everything if it means that I make you pay for what you did, betraying your homeland, and for killing Bright Blade!"

She is too far gone, lost within her rage and anger! This is not the Twilight Sparkle Trixie wanted to defeat…Fine then, I'll make you see reason, even if I have to beat it into you, thought Trixie. Trixie quickly gathered as much mana as she could, a ball of magenta light floating up from her horn. The ball grew and elongated till it became a lance with a spiral blade. Trixie's aura flared up once again, drawing on the power of the Mana Network, and feeding it into the newly made energy weapon. Bright Blade could only standby and watch, wanting desperately to help, but his power was still sealed away and his sword was still trapped in stone.

"Luciferi Descensus!!"

"Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Speíra Lónchi̱ tou Iapetoú!"

Twilight bowed her head; the ball of light grew and sprouted six, bird like, wings. The ball of light fell, the wings trailed behind it, melding into a single comet tail. Twilight's attack looked as if she had plucked a star from the heavens and thrust it down upon the land. Trixie launched her lance with the blade spinning rapidly, cutting the air as it ascended. The star and lance met each other in the air; the result was a powerful shockwave as the two attacks fought for superiority in the skies above. Trixie felt like the combined weight of the sun and moon had been dropped on her mind, and her lance was the toothpick that was supporting them. A groaning roar echoed everywhere as the wind blustered and whirled about. It was becoming increasingly obvious that Twilight's attack was forcing Trixie's lance back to her.

Bright Blade couldn't believe what he was seeing, even in his earth pony form he could sense just how much power was behind Twilight's spell. Never before had he'd seen Twilight this angry, full of rage, all because she thought he was dead. Because she thinks I'm –! Bright Blade sucked in all the air he dared, being mindful of the wound under his armor. "TWILIGHT SNAP OUT OF IT, I'M NOT DEAD, STOP THE SPELL – NOW!" shouted Bright Blade, forcing all the air out of his lungs.

For a split second Twilight's ears perked up as the wind carried the words of some pony she cared about, some pony she'd thought had died. "Bright…Blade…!?"

Trixie felt it, the spell wavered, now was her chance. With a loud and strong battle cry Trixie willed the lance to push through the star! The spiral blade spun faster as it drilled its way through the sphere's outer layer and into its center! The star sphere stopped moving; it imploded and, in a brilliant flash of white light, exploded. The blast wave carried out for many miles, flattening everything, and knocking many ponies and Daemoni alike on their rears, with the wind knocked out of them. From far away a giant mushroom cloud could be seen rising into the sky as the storm clouds began to disperse.

Bright Blade's vision was filled with white, his ears ringing loudly drowning out any other audible noise. He was lying on his stomach, that much he was certain of, coughing. After a short while his vision returned, albeit with some spots, but soon they faded away. All around him was dark; the sky raining down ash like snow, Bright noticed that Excellion wasn't near him deducing that he must've been tossed several feet from where he once was. Bright Blade started trotting forward; eventually the ringing subsided, allowing him to listen carefully for any sign of Twilight, or Trixie for that matter. He didn't have to search long as a fiery whip slashed through the smoke and ash, clearing it away, and making him hit the deck. There before him stood Twilight, in all her raging splendor, pinned underneath her was Trixie, a defiant look in her eyes, but still very much scared and a couple of feet from them was Excellion, surprisingly still standing. Bright Blade quickly rushed over, galloping with all the strength he had in him.

"Stop…!" ordered Twilight.

Bright Blade skidded to a halt beside his stone encased sword, looking at Twilight with pleading eyes. "Twilight stop, this isn't who you are, you've won it's over!"

"It's not over…not as long as she still lives," said Twilight, pointing her horn at Trixie's throat for emphasis.

"She's not worth that, Twilight don't you remember how sad you were when you destroyed the Hydra!?"

"That was different, the Hydra was corrupted, and Trixie doesn't have a trace of dark magic anywhere in her aura! She knew what she was doing Bright Blade, and I'm going to punish her for treason and attempted murder, penalty for which is death," stated Twilight.

"If you do this then you're no better than Tikara Balak himself!" shouted Bright Blade, tears running down his face as he stomped his hoof on the ground. At that moment the stone encasing Excellion's blade cracked and chipped away, revealing the shining alabaster white blade underneath.

Twilight winced at the light as she turned her head away from Trixie to see its source. Twilight then caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection of Excellion's blade, and what she saw made her heart sink. Is that…is that me!? It can't be, I'm – I look like a monster! No, I don't want to become this! Twilight backed away from Trixie, allowing the azure unicorn to rise. Twilight's armor began to change back to its original form, her coat changing from white to lavender once again. The flaming mane and tail returning to normal, and Twilight's orange-red pupil-less eyes where now the color of amethyst with dark pupils in the center. Her body shook and trembled, fresh tears streamed down her face as she cried once again. "What…What did I become, what have I done," said Twilight as she surveyed the landscape, then buried her face in her hooves.

Bright Blade slowly made his way to Twilight, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. Twilight removed her face from her hooves and looked into the smiling face of Bright Blade. Without warning she wrapped her forelegs around his neck and began to sob into his shoulder. Bright Blade was taken by surprise, but in the end he reached his left hoof around to stroke her mane and pat her pack the best he could. Trixie only hung her head and averted her gaze, allowing her rival and her friend a moment to reconcile with what had just transpired. "It's alright Twilight, we're all still here, and it's not your fault," said Bright Blade, his scrutinizing gaze falling on Trixie.

Twilight was able to stop crying after a few minutes. She raised her head up and stared into Bright Blade's eyes, after which she gently kissed him on the forehead, making the young earth pony blush up to his ears. "Thank you Bright Blade." Twilight finally got back on all four legs and turned in the direction of where Trixie was standing. "Trixie…I'm sorry for what I've done to you, and thank you…I know if it wasn't for your last spell I would've – "

"Spare me Twilight Sparkle; Trixie does not want your pity or your thanks. Trixie only did so because Trixie didn't want to defeat you in that deranged state! Believe it or not Trixie is sorry for hitting your friend, even though he was the one that jumped in front of Trixie's attack," interrupted Trixie.

Bright Blade snorted and glared at Trixie, but Twilight bade him to calm down. "Regardless, thank you anyway. Dare I ask if this is over," asked Twilight.

"We're still standing aren't we," said Trixie.

Twilight sighed, "Alright Trixie, one last spell!"

"That's all Trixie needs!"

"Twilight don't do this, I mean look at her! As beat up she is I could take her down without my powers!" said Bright Blade.

"No you can't, please Bright just trust me on this. Go wait beside Excellion, this will be over soon."

With a frustrated grunt Bright Blade did as he was told, he believed in Twilight, but he also knew that Trixie wasn't done yet. Trixie took a few hobbling paces from where she stood, then turned around to face Twilight. Equally Twilight did the same, putting some distance between herself and Bright Blade. It all came down to this, one last spell, one last chance to see who truly was the most powerful magician in all of Equestria!

Twilight tapped into the Mana Network, drawing on its power, forming a sphere of violet light above. Strands of magical energy started to flow towards the sphere as it grew; there was no malice, no rage, hate, or anger being infused into this spell. No, this was nothing but pure mana, the product of a clear and leveled headed mind. Trixie also tapped into the Mana Network allowing it to fill her, and form a sphere around herself. The sphere lifted her off the ground as it grew to match the size of Twilight's.

"Magicales forma! Titana Iugulare Framea!" The sphere transformed into a giant spear, it was similar to the lightning spear during her first battle, but this one was made entirely of mana. With a flick of Twilight's horn, she launched the spear and had it aimed right at Trixie.

"Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Orgí̱ tou Yperío̱na!" Trixie's sphere fired a stream of pure energy that roared its way towards Twilight's mana spear. The ground was being torn up as it traveled, threatening to destroy anything in its path.

The two spells clashed, both unicorns knew this was it, after this their magic reserves would be spent, so it was now or never. Twilight pushed forward, but Trixie pushed back, each one going tick for tat. Bright Blade watched, even from his viewpoint the two unicorns were evenly matched. Bright Blade looked to his right towards Twilight; she was calm, steady, releasing a quick burst of energy into her spear at different intervals, pacing herself. Bright Blade turned to the left and Trixie, struggling, panting, trying to overpower Twilight's spear spell with everything she had. And that proved to be the fatal flaw. Twilight's spear was suddenly gaining leeway, forcing Trixie's spell back. With every bit of ground lost so too was Trixie's confidence.

"After all of this, after all the training Trixie went through to master her power, this is the best Trixie can do," said Trixie, shutting her eyes tight as tears started to flow down.

If you ever think you're going to lose…

"No, I won't lose!"

It would be wise to use the third spell I taught you…

"Trixie will win this on her own!"

Do you want to win…?

"Trixie has to win!"

Then use it Trixie Lulamoon…!

With a pride filled roar Trixie unleashed the last spell that would guarantee her victory! "Archaía téchni̱ :̱ Telikí̱ Diamáchi̱!" A powerful surge of mana shot through Trixie's body, to which she funneled it all into her current spell. The beam became three times larger and three times stronger, swallowing Twilight's spear spell, and blazing its way towards Twilight. The magenta beam struck Twilight swelling to a mass, Twilight looked scared, and so was Bright Blade. In the next second the mass exploded, creating a veil of smoke where Twilight stood. Trixie gently floated down to the ground with a look of satisfaction and victory beaming from her face. "Trixie did it, Trixie finally beat Twilight Sparkle! Trixie truly is Great and Powerful, the strongest unicorn magician in EQUESTRIA!" shouted Trixie, laughing with joy. She would be jumping and bouncing if it weren't for the broken left fore hoof and other sustained injuries

Bright Blade slowly trotted to the smoke veil, trying to find any trace of Twilight. "Twilight are you alright, can you hear me?" Nothing, no response, not a sound was heard. "Twilight please answer me, this isn't funny!"

"Please Twilight Sparkle; accept your defeat with some grace! Show yourself and suffer the same humiliation I did!" said Trixie. She used a bit of the renewed magical power to cause a small gust of wind to blow the smoke away.

When the smoke cleared there was no Twilight Sparkle, there was nothing, only a burned imprint of her on the ground. Bright Blade's eyes reduced to the size of pinpricks, he lost all feeling in his legs, he cried as tears started flow down his eyes. The one pony who took him in, who treated him like he was family, the one pony who, within his heart, he truly loved, was gone nothing but a burned outline left behind.

Trixie's jaw dropped and trembled, backing away in disbelief and shaking her head back and forth. "No…This – this isn't what Trixie wanted! Trixie didn't want to kill Twilight Sparkle, she only…I'm sorry…I'm, I'm sorry…"

Bright Blade rose up and turned to face Trixie, anger seething within, burning within his eyes. "With strength unmatched I sing this song, that might and magic be as one. Shine your light upon the land. Let evil's wrath be undone, mystic sword Excellion…" chanted Bright Blade. Just then the stone trapping the magic sword began to crack; the part of Excellion's exposed blade began to shine. "With strength unmatched I sing this song, that might and magic be as one! Shine your light upon the land! Let evil's wrath be undone, mystic sword Excellion!" The magic seals around Bright Blade reappeared, sparking and surging as the young colt's body started to glow with golden light. "With strength unmatched I sing this song, that might and magic be as one! Shine your light upon the land! Let evil's wrath be undone, mystic sword Excellion!" The sword rattled and shook, as pieces of its stony prison began flake off, the ground rumbled and groaned as if trying to hold onto its prized captive. Bright Blade's emerald green eyes were soon glowing, the magic seals visibly showing signs of strain, threatening to shatter on the spot. "WITH STRENGTH UNMATCHED I SING THIS SONG, THAT MIGHT AND MAGIC BE AS ONE! SHINE YOUR LIGHT UPON THE LAND! LET EVIL'S WRATH BE UNDONE, MYSTIC SWORD EXCELLION!"

The seals shattered allowing Bright Blade's body to erupt into a column of golden light, transforming him into his fully armored alicorn form. Excellion too freed itself from its bonds, rose up, and flew towards its master. Bright Blade wasted no time, Excellion started to spin rapidly till it became a blur. The blur then changed into a magic circle with the sword's emblem in the center. Bright's horn began to shine hotter, building up magical power, so much so that most of it was spilling out in the form of ember like sparks!

Trixie only stood there; too stunned by what she had done to register what Bright Blade was doing. All she could say was "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…"

"MAGNA BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSTTTTTTTTT!" The beam roared through the circle, which only served to magnify its already formidable power. The beam traveled faster and faster, engulfing Trixie in an instant, but it didn't stop there. The beam sailed in the direction of the Daemoni army and exploded on impact, wiping away the black smoke of their demise and anything that remained thereafter.

Excellion stopped spinning, stood erect, and then disappeared, returning to whatever ethereal space it occupied whenever Bright Blade had no need for it. Bright Blade turned around and stared at the place where Twilight once stood, tears still falling. "Twilight…TWILIGHT!" roared Bright Blade as his body let loose another column of golden light, blazing its way into the heavens above, dispelling the blood red sky. His cries of anguish and sorrow rang throughout the battlefield, scaring the UEA troops almost as much as Twilight did in her fire rage form. The wind carried the young pony's wails further past the mountains and farther still…

"Applejack did you just…I don't know how to explain it, but do you feel like –!?"

"Like a piece of yer heart just shattered," finished Applejack.

"So you feel it too! I just don't – Something really bad has happened AJ, real bad!" stated Rainbow Dash.

"I know Rainbow…I know…"

"Rarity, Fluttershy, what's wrong!?" asked Spike as he watched both Rarity and Fluttershy cry uncontrollably.

"I-I don't know, but I feel as if we just lost someone, somepony close to us!" said Rarity.

"You don't think it's one of our friends, it can't be right, right!?" asked Fluttershy, desperately looking for a way to explain this.

"Make it stop!" cried out Pinkie Pie, storming in and covering her ears.

"Pinkie, what in Equestria is wrong with you – why are you covering your ears!?" asked Ballista.

"Can't you hear it!? Somepony is really hurting somewhere, I can hear it everywhere, they're in soo much pain!"

From the town of Ponyville, all eyes were glued to the sky. As they watched the pillar of light rise higher into the atmosphere they were all suddenly gripped with a feeling of sadness that none of them could explain, as if the pillar was a sign of something, or someponies heartfelt pain.