//------------------------------// // The Final Battle (Love Conquers All) // Story: Age of the Alicorns Book One: The Swords of Justice // by HarryBuilder //------------------------------// Twilight, Spike and princesses rush through the streets, with the greatly injured Midnight on the purple alicorn's back. Trying to ignore the sounds of battle behind her, trying to focus on Midnight, Twilight noticed they weren’t heading for the hospital. "Celestia? Where are we going? We need to get Midnight to the Hospital-!" She tried to say as Celestia made a sharp turn to the mountain. "The hospital can do nothing to help Midnight, my dear Twilight," Celestia interrupted as Twilight's face fell in horror but Celestia quickly added, "But I know something that can." "What?" Twilight asked hopefully. "Something that works miracles, but by a very slim margin." Luna explained as she and her sister led Twilight and Spike to a hidden tunnel. They walked down until they came to some overhanging leaves and vines. The royal sisters moved them, revealing to the younger alicorn and baby dragon a large alcove with a Grassley terrain and a few trees and in the center, making up most of the room was a large, mystical looking pool of greenish blue water. “Whoa! Talk about a secret spot.” Spike commented in awed. Twilight nodded in agreement while also amazed, "Whoa, what is this place?" She asked. "This is the Lagoon of Hearts Healing." Celestia explained. "A sacred place that can heal even the most gravely injured that soak in its water." "Any injury?" Spike asked in surprise. Luna nodded, "Including a broken horn," She stated. Twilight looked at the pool and furrowed her brows. She then walked into the water until she was in the center, "If this pool can heal Midnight, let's do it." She declared as she levitated Midnight into the water in front of her. As he floated, the waters glowed and then Midnight's body glowed and then before Twilight’s eyes the scraps, bruises and scratches on the stallion's body vanished. She felt relieved for a moment, until she noticed that his horn was still broken and the scar on his eye remained. "Wh-what's wrong? Why did it stop?" Twilight asked in confused concern. Celestia put a hoof to her chin in worry, "Oh dear, I'm afraid there is one thing about the lagoon I forgot to mention." She stated with a grim expression, "For the worst injuries the lagoon must draw the power of one who shares a strong bond with the victim and is willing to give up anything for them." She revealed. Twilight and Spike looked at Luna in shock. “Seriously? Why must there always be a catch?” Spike questioned in annoyance as he facepalmed himself. “That would’ve been helpful before Midnight was put into that pool.” He added in frustration. “Apologies, but we were pressed for time," Celestia apologized. Twilight however looked scared, "No, nonono. Midnight doesn't have any family, and the boys are fighting the Nightmare right now! There's no one else close enough to him to heal his horn!" She exclaimed in fear. Luna however shook her head, "No Twilight Sparkle, there is another." She said, "A mare who I know cares deeply for Midnight and all she has to do to save him, is tell him what he means to her." She continued. Twilight turned to her with a hopeful, yet slightly envious, expression, "Who is she?" She asked. Luna gave a slight smirk at Twilight as she gave a small nod as Celestia and Spike saw her expression as they turned to Twilight in surprise as Twilight gave a shock and slight blush expression. “W-wait. Are-are you talking about…” Twilight stammered embarrassedly while blushing deeply. Luna nodded and gestured to Twilight to proceed. Twilight turned to Midnight, still unconscious as she took a breath and lowered herself close to his face. "Midnight, when you and I first met, I just saw you as some dark magic using homewrecker with no respect for others," Twilight started as she placed a hoof on Midnight’s scarred cheek, frowning sadly, "But as time went on, I began to get to know who you really were, saw how much you suffered and tried to hide it while shouldering the burden of being a leader to your brothers. Willing to sacrifice your life for them and others you cared for.” She added as tears started to form in her eyes as she gave a sad frown.  “I promised you that we'd have each other's backs, that we'd always protect one another, but now, you ended up like this because you tried to protect me, and I, there's nothing I can do to help you, even being the Element of Magic may not be enough." Twilight continued with some weeps as the two Princesses and Spike gave her sympathy expressions while feeling her words hit them. “But I will not let that stop me from trying, even if, even if you never wake up, I have to tell you something I should’ve a long time ago.” She then closed her eyes for a sec before opening them again as she gave a small smile. “I-I love you, Sir Midnight Shadow Knight of Darkness and Honor, with everything my heart can give, I don't care what happens to me so please hear my voice Midnight, come back to me." With that final plea, Twilight gently planted her lips on Midnight’s lips with a tear sliding down her cheek onto Midnight’s face. A pink glow then enveloped her horn and flowed down to Midnight’s broken one as the lagoon glowed again as the pink glow enveloped the two ponies. The two Sisters and Spike covered their eyes from the bright pink glow that lit up the room as it dimmed down as they then looked and saw Twilight standing in front of something with a shock expression as they looked and saw something that made them shocked as well. Midnight moaned a bit as he slowly rose to his hooves and shook his soaked head and mane as the tip of his horn was restored with it being a lighter shade, similar to Twilight’s. He opened his eyes. “W-What happened?” He asked himself as he looked around. “Where am I?” He asked again before he turned to the shocked Twilight with the two shocked princesses and dragon a ways behind her. “Twilight?"  “Midnight!” Twilight beamed before she pounced on Midnight, "You're alive!" She cheered, hugging and nuzzling the stallion. Midnight was taken by surprise by her actions as he blushed a bit before speaking. “Tw-Twilight, what’s gotten into you?” He asked in confusion. “What happened?” He asked again, not sure what was going on. "And why does my back feel weird?" Twilight recompose herself as she looked at Midnight in confusion. “Weird? How does it feel weird?” She asked. “Well, it felt like something was on my back. But I don’t know if it’s a piece of my armor or something.” Midnight said in confusion as he then moved his hooves to his back before his eyes widened in shock at what he was feeling something, feathery. “W-wait, why am I feeling feathers?!” He asked in shock. “What? Feathers?” Twilight asked in concern. “Why would you feel…?” She asked again as she walked behind him and gasped in shock with her wings spread. “Sweet Celestia!” She screamed in shock. "What is it?" Midnight asked suddenly in reflex, he felt something pop up from his back as he saw he had purple wings with onyx tips. “M-Midnight, you’re an Alicorn!” Twilight yelled with a wide smile as she jumped in front of him. “W-what?! Me, an Alicorn!? How?!” Midnight questioned while feeling a little freaked out at seeing he now has wings as his wings’ moved around a bit. “It would seem the lagoon still has many surprises even unknown to us.” Celestia said in a slight smile while feeling surprised by what they just witnessed. “Indeed, sister.” Luna said in agreement with a that her pupil was fully healed and had an idea how this happened. "I believe that Twilight's little treatment did more than restore your horn my faithful student." She told Midnight. Midnight raised a brow, "What? How did she do that?" He asked, looking at Twilight. Twilight gave a huge blush as she looked away and rubbed her head embarrassely while giving an embarrassed chuckle. “Oh! Uh, well, I-I well…” She stammered while looking nervous on what she should tell Midnight about what she did to heal him and made him become an Alicorn.  She took a breath and looked at Midnight with a warm, loving smile and answered the only way she knew how, "I love you." She confessed. Midnight looked at Twilight in surprise as she gave a small blush and a small smile as she looked away a bit before turning to the others as they gave a smile in response, while Spike just moved his eyebrows with a smirk in a teasing manner as Midnight turned back to Twilight with a slight blush. “You-you love me?” Midnight breathed in surprise. Twilight, still blushing, smiled in embarrassment, "Mm-hmm." She nodded with a squeak. "When I told you any mare would be lucky to have her safety trusted to you, I wanted it to be me. But if you don't-" Twilight was cut off when Midnight wrapped one of his new wings around her and pulled her close, kissing her deeply as she mumbled in surprise. But then she relaxed, closing her eyes and kissing Midnight back. Spike looked away with a gag, grossed out by seeing her sister/mother-figure and the alicorn stallion kissing. Celestia and Luna however smiled proudly at they're students, seeing they were truly made for each other. In a brief moment, the two of them saw a different alicorn mare and stallion in place of Twilight and Midnight. "They're just like them, aren't they?" Luna asked her sister in a hushed tone. Celestia nodded fondly, "Yes. They truly are." She said softly while having a small tear flowing down her cheek. Twilight and Midnight break apart the kiss as they look at each other with loving smiles. "So, do you?" Twilight asked, a bit worried about finishing the question. “Yes. I love you, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Friendship." Midnight answered with a smile. Twilight smiled back at his answer as she wrapped her forelegs and wings around him in a hug as Midnight returned the gesture as they stood there for a moment before Spike gave a cough that gained their attention. “Um, I hate to ruin this mushy lovey dovey stuff, but don’t we still have big, huge, giant problems!" He stated as they felt the alcove shake, reminding them about the Nightmare.   At the surface, the rest of the Heroic 14 are fighting the Nightmare, but they were clearly outmatched by it as they were pushed back with a painful grunt. “Okay, this is really starting to bug me.” Storm commented. “If this is its real form, it’s no wonder how it overpowered Celestia and Luna that easily.” Rainbow commented.  “How can we face something that is tough?” Fluttershy asked fearfully as she hid behind Pinkie. “Let’s see if we can turn up the heat. Fire!” Blaze called out as he shot fire at the Nightmare, but it simply disappeared on contact. “What?!” He asked in shock. “It absorbed it!?” Sunset asked in shock. “Uh…” Blaze looked around in worry as he turned to Volt. “Volt, can you shock it!?” He called out. “My pleasure!” Volt answered with a smile as he jumped up and did a twirl as electricity formed around him. “Lightning!” He called out as he shot lightning at the Nightmare, but same results as it did to Blaze. “Uh?!” He called out in shock. “Uhhh…. Blaze? What else could we do, partner?” Rocky asked in great worry. “Uuuhh…” Blaze stammered nervously, not sure what to do as he spoke again. “Let’s try it all together!” He called out as he readied his fire again. The rest of the Seven Swords summoned their six elemental abilities as they then shot together at the Nightmare, but they’re simply absorbed again by the Nightmare as it wasn’t doing any effect. “Our powers appear to have no effect on it!” Hydro pointed out while Blaze then shot some magic from his horn into Nightmare, but it bounced it back and hit him as he flew back. “Blaze!” Sunset cried out as he came to him to see if he was all right. Blaze groaned as he rubbed his head. “And it looks like it is also immune to magic as well!” He added. “YOU THINK YOU CAN USE YOU SPECIAL ABILITIES TO GET RID OF ME?!” The Nightmare sneered while the others flinched at his voice. “I AM THE DARKNESS OF INSIDE EVERYPONY! THE CORRUPTED HALF, THE VERY BEING THAT CAN NEVER BE DESTROY! ONLY TRANSCENDS!” It roared. “He’s literally made of Dark Magic, we can’t even hurt him!” Storm pointed out. “You know, we could really use our Captain right now, you know the guy who’s a master of dark magic!” Volt told the others. The others all gave Volt a look as Rarity spoke. “May we remind you that Midnight is injured and has lost his horn, Volt?” She rhetorically asked. Volt widened his eyes as he gave a sheepish look. “Ooooh. Oops I forgot.” He sheepishly said. “Gah! Forget magic! Just do it hooves-to-hooves!” Rainbow called out as she charged at the Nightmare at full speed. …But she just bounces off it like she was trying to fly through rubber. Rainbow flew back as she flew over the others as she crashed into a fountain close by as she was soaking wet while feeling dizzy. “Okay, that didn’t work.” Rainbow said as she got her bearings and shook the water off. “Can’t you think of anything other than charging into a fight without a plan, Rainbow?” Arbor asked. Rainbow walked back to them and frowned, “Well what else can we do?” She asked. “Panic?” Fluttershy asked scaredly. “That’s your answer to everything, Fluttershy.” Rainbow pointed out with a look. “PERHAPS A MORE ENTERTAINING OPTION?!” The Nightmare roared as it blasted cursed magic at the group, knocking them back as they fell to the floor again with a painful groan as the Nightmare laughed. “YOU INSECTS CANNOT TOUCH ME, BUT I CAN TOUCH YOU!” Rocky groaned and pulled himself up as he looked at the Nightmare with a glare. “Maybe we can’t harm you, but let’s see if we can contain you!” He called out as his hooves glowed as he stomped his hooves to the ground as some rock pillars formed around the Nightmare as it trapped it. The Nightmare roared out as it thrashed around its stone prison, trying to break free as cracks formed while Rocky kept using his powers to seal off the cracks and formed new walls. “I can’t hold this varmint off for long!” Rocky called out as he strained to keep the rock prison stable. “That prison will break faster than a super rock candy I made for Maud!” Pinkie cried out in panic. Blaze grunted in frustration, “We need our whole team to beat this thing! We can’t use the full power of the Elements and the Swords without our leaders!” He called out. “Yeah but Twilight is who knows where with Midnight who is still-!” Sunset was interrupted when a magenta and white beam along with a dark purple and black struck the Nightmare, actually managing to harm it. “AAARRRGGGG!!!” The Nightmare roared in pain. “What in tarnation?” Applejack asked in shock. Pinkie then turned to where the shots came from as she looked up and gasped in shock at what she was seeing. “Guys, look!” She yelled out. Standing over the rubble, with fierce and determined expressions were Twilight and Midnight. “Twilight/Midnight!” They all cried out as their leaders/friends flew up to them as they landed in front of the group. The ponies are shocked when they see Midnight as an alicorn. “Midnight?” Blaze was the first to ask in shock. “Is that you, brother?” Hydro asked next. “It’s me, boys.” Midnight answered with a calming smile. “Just new and improved.” He added as he spread his wings. Storm beamed and rushed over to Midnight, “Alright, welcome to the club Cap’n!” He complimented. Midnight shot him a playful deadpan, “Would that be the ‘Bragging Showoffs’ Club?” “No smartaleck, the ‘Flying’ Club.” Storm answered.. “Why dear, you’re an Alicorn!” Rarity said in shock. “I didn’t think it was possible for a stallion to become an alicorn!” “First Alicorn Stallion Party!” Pinkie and Volt suddenly yelled out while tied to a rope while wearing wing props and party horns on their heads as they blew party horns while party streamers were released while the others just stood there in silence for a moment before they got their bearings. “But how did…?” Blaze tried to ask. “Let’s just say that the Princesses and Twilight’s treatments really did wonders on me.” Midnight simply answered while giving a warming smile to Twilight as the Alicorn gave a slight blush and a chuckle. “Really? Like what?” Fluttershy asked curiously. “Oh, it’s a secret, Fluttershy.” Twilight answered with a small blush. Pinkie raised a brow, noting Twilight’s blush, “Twilight, are you okay? Are you blushing?” She asked. Rarity saw this too and then looking at how close Twilight was standing next to Midnight, she was able to connect the dots, “Oh she’s just fine Darling.” She said coolly. “So she’s not sick?” Pinkie asked. “Love Sick, maybe.” Rarity said, giving the princess a sly look as Twilight gave a guilty smile that basically confirmed it. “Um, I think we should discuss this later, because we have a Nightmare to deal with!” Arbor called out as they all turned to the trap Nightmare in his stone prison. “I can’t keep it contained any longer!” Rocky yelled out as he started to strain while using his powers to keep the prison in condition. “We need to take it down now!” Twilight and Midnight smiled, “Actually, Midnight’s recovery gave me an idea on how we can destroy this thing once and for all!” Twilight told their friends as they looked at her, “When we defeated Nightmare Moon, it was our Friendship that ripped the Nightmare out of her, but it won't be enough to defeat its pure form.” “But that’s okay, because we already know what will...” Midnight took over, placing a wing over Twilight, “The one thing that’s more powerful than friendship. Something that could never be broken.” “It is our love for one another.” Twilight continued as she placed a hoof over Midnight’s chest. “The Elements and Swords are not just paired, they are meant to be as one. Together. In Unity.” Midnight finished with a proud smile. “What?!” Their friends all asked in confusion and shock by what the two Alicorns were saying. Midnight looked at his fellow swords, “Guys, I think it safe to say that within the short time we’ve known the girls, we’ve started seeing them more than friends.” The stallions both started blushing while stammering while the rest of the Mane 7 looked at them with sheepish laughs and blushes as they felt embarrassed at the moment. “Well, we, uh, I mean…” They all stammered embarrassedly. “Come on ponies, we have so much in common that it was pretty obvious, even to us.” Twilight pointed out with an amusing chuckle. “Trust me, I didn’t want to accept it at first but after seeing Midnight like that, I knew I couldn’t keep these feelings in me forever.” “And it’s nothing to be ashamed of, even if this love is less than a day old, this feeling will make us all stronger when we accept it. That’s how Twilight saved my life and helped me reach my full potential, through her love.” Midnight added as he looked at Twilight with a warming smile as she returned the gesture. “Our magic is stronger not because we work as one, but because we care for one another so that it can do what magic could never do before.” The Mane 7 and Seven Stallions looked at them, inspired by their words as they all look at their respective partners, while blushing and feeling embarrassed, the group gave small smiles to one another as they all walked up to each one as the stallion pulled each of their mares close, “We don’t have time for dramatic speeches so we’ll keep this brief,” Blaze said as he gave Sunset a smile, “Sunset Shimmer,” “Rainbow Dash,” Storm continued. “Rarity Belle,” Hydro spoke next. “Pinkie Pie,” Volt said after. “Fluttershy Breeze,” Arbor went on. “Applejack Smith,” Rocky finished. “I love you.” All six stallions finished. The mares blushed and smiled back and answered, “I love you too.” They said in unison as they each gave their respective stallion a kiss on the lips as they all embraced their feelings to one another. Twilight and Midnight saw their friends embracing love as they turned to one another and kissed each other passionately as well, joining in the group. But then the moment was ruined when Rocky’s stone prison shattered into tiny pebbles as they all turned and saw the Nightmare free as it gave roaring sounds. “ENOUGH  OF THESE GAMES! MY PATIENCES IS THOROUGHLY AT ITS END!!!” It roared before its eyes glow with power. “YOU MARES DO NOT HAVE YOUR ELEMENTS! YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR PRINCESSES! YOU HAVE NOTHING!!!” Twilight glared at the Nightmare before Midnight stood next to her, “No, Twilight has my Honor that’s as Eternal as Darkness.” He said firmly. “And Applejack has my Might that’s as solid as Earth.” Rocky added as he adjusted his hat. “Rainbow has my Courage that’s as unstoppable as Air.” Storm stated with his wings out, in front of Rainbow. “And Sunset has my Patience that’s agile as Fire.” Blaze declared while next to Sunset. “And Rarity has my Wisdom that’s vast as Water.” Hydro proclaimed as stood next to Rarity. “Fluttershy has my Compassion that’s as nurturing as Nature.” Arbor said in determination at Fluttershy’s side. “Pinkie has my Optimist that’s as unpredictable as Lightning.” Volt called next as he stood in front of Pinkie. The Mane 7 looked at their respective stallions with a heartfelt smile and blushing from their words. The Nightmare snarled as the Stallion drew their swords and the Guardians of Harmony stood ready. The Nightmare simply laughed at their pointless heroics, “YOU THINK YOU STALLIONS CAN BE THE ELEMENTS REPLACEMENTS WHEN YOU ARE NOT EVEN REAL KNIGHTS YET AND ONE OF THEM ISN’T EVEN AN ELEMENT OF HARMONY!?” It questioned humorously. “I may not be an Element, but there was always something inside me that’s been part of the Elements of Harmony when I first put on Twilight’s crown and during the battle of the bands!” Sunset called out with a determined smile. “When I thought I couldn’t be any use to my friends it turned out I was what they needed!” “And it also means that we’re what needs to help our girls take you down!” Midnight declared as they stood ready. The Nightmare laughed again, “HOW ADORABLE.” It commented before charging up an orb of cursed magic, “BUT SO BE IT! THESE MARES HAVE INTERFERED WITH MY PLANS ONE TOO MANY TIME ALREADY! AND IF YOU WISH TO SHARE THEIR FATE, THEN I WILL SEND YOU ALL TO THE UNDERWORLD, TOGETHER!!!” It roared before flinging the orb at the 14 heroes. The Swords quickly grabbed onto the Mane 7 and held them tightly, shielding them from the attack as the orb crashed down on them releasing a gigantic explosion, leaving a cloud of smoke. The Nightmare then gave sinister laughter at the sight. “AT LAST! MY VICTORY IS COMPLETE! WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY AND THOSE WEAK KNIGHTS, I CAN RULE EQUESTRIA AND PLUNGE IT INTO ETERNAL DARKNESS! AND NOTHING WILL-!” It stopped its rant when the smoke cleared and revealed the ponies were still alive and were coated in a magical rainbow aura as they all gave fierce determined smiles at the Nightmare. “Surprise?” Twilight asked with a taunting smirk. “IM-IMPOSSIBLE!” The Nightmare yelled out in shock as it blasted them, but its attack bounced off from the rainbow aura around them. “THIS CANNOT BE!!” “Actually it can, because we have a power that no matter how hard you try to control it you can never possess as your own.” Midnight declared.  “And that power is not only Friendship, but the Magic of Love!” Twilight finished as the Mane 7 floated upwards, “Through Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, Empathy and Magic.” She continued as each mare sent a beam of magic from they’re hearts down to their stallions. “We are the Elements of Harmony!” “And strengthened through Might, Compassion, Optimism, Wisdom, Courage, Patience and Honor,” Midnight took over as the seven stallions raised their swords which absorbed the magic from the Mane 7, “We are the Swords of Justice!” “We stand together in hooves and with heart.” Midnight and Twilight started with determined smiles. “Never from our friendship shall we part!” The others finished in unison. Then, thrusting their swords forwards, the heroes sent a powerful Rainbow beam of magic directly at the Nightmare. The evil spirit tried to blast it away but it was already too late. “NO! NOO! NOOOOOO!!!!!” The Nightmare cried out in agony as the Rainbow beam hit directly at them, causing it to evaporate entirely as it disappeared from within the beam, causing a huge flash around the area as it shined bright. The Heroic 14 then slowly descends into the ground as they all look at where the Nightmare once were as they all give wide smiles as Midnight turns to them. “Did we just do what we think we did?!” Midnight asked in great excitement. “If you mean defeating that Nightmare with a crazy power up, then yes!” Blaze answered. “We did it! We beat the Nightmare…Again!” Twilight cheered as she trotted to Midnight as she jumped on him in a surprise hug as Midnight caught as he twirled her around with a laugh. “Woooh! That’s how it feels when you girls use the elements?” Sunset asked as she rubbed her head. “How do you get past the adrenaline boost?” “Lot’s of practice, Sunset.” Rainbow answered with a small smirk. “The first time we blacked out after the first using that kind of magic.” “Well done to you all.” The Heroes turned and saw the Princesses, Spike, the CMCs, Zecora, Shining and Discord walking over to them, “You have all done Equestria a great service.” Celestia said with a proud smile. “Saved the day, again.” Shining said with a small smile. “And that was quite the show you ponies put on.” Discord commented with a pair of 3D glasses. “It was amazing!” Scootaloo called out excitedly as she leapt over to Rainbow. “Best fight I’ve ever seen!” Apple Bloom spoke next as she came up to Applejack and Rocky, running around them. “It was amazing to see you in action, Rarity!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as she jumped up and down in front of her sister. “That’s another day saved by you ponies. But this time with boys!” Spike commented while having a playful smirk as a crowd gathered around them. Midnight chuckled, “Thanks Spike, looks like Equestria will live to see the next sunrise after all.” He said before looking around the destroyed city, “But looks like we got some cleaning up to do.” Discord scoffed, “Oh nonsense, it’s an easy fix,” He assured as he snapped his fingers and in an instant, Canterlot was back together, “Volia, good as new.” “Discord, your magic is back.” Fluttershy pointed out happily. “Oh, it just came back to me after Celly here finally cooled down,” Discord said, pinching Celestia’s cheek. Celestia gave a slight chuckle as she politely waved Discord’s talons away. “Yes, I was really a hothead. It was one of the first things to do after the whole Daymare thing.” She said with a slight chuckle. Luna then cleared her throat, “For now though, we have preparations to make.” She said before smiling at her pupils, “We have seven Knights to introduce in Equestria.”  The Seven Swords looked at Luna in surprise before whooping and cheering as the Mane 7 cheered and laughed along with them. Shining gave a small smirk. “Show Offs.” He playfully taunted before Cadance nudged her husband. “Ow, I’m kidding!” He said in defense. “I know.” Cadance said with a playful smirk. The Heroic 14 celebrated their latest victory, not knowing that they were being watched from a magic pool of visions in an unknown plane of existence. And from this plane, eight mysterious figures watched the younger ponies in interest, they’re forms shrouded in the grey clouds surrounding the realm. One figure, eyes glowing red, gave a chuckle, “Well, those young warriors certainly gave that parasite what for, eh?” They asked in a young male voice. Another figure, one with glowing silver eyes, simply scoffed, “I cannot believe they would risk their lives for simple blind faith.” They asked in a female professional voice. “But haven’t we ourselves seen what Love can do?” Another figure, with green glowing eyes, asked in a young female voice. “Well personally, I applaud them for their victory.” The figure with purple eyes glowing commended in a wise female voice. “And I scoff at their sheer stupidity!” The Blue eyed figure put in, their voice both male and strict. “Scoff if you will brother, but these children have done much for Equestria already and I believe they are perfect candidates to succeed where we had failed.” A commanding male voice from an orange eyed figure spoke out. “Ah, now there’s an idea!” The red eyed figure agreed. “Especially considering our physical forms, present state.” “I would recommend you rethink that decision.” The silver eyed figure argued. “Indeed, can we really trust these new Wielders of Harmony and Justice with such a grand task?” The blue eyed figure asked. “Not to mention they have yet to know anything about the true history of Equestria and the Darkness that threatens to return.” The figure with glowing yellow eyes added with a feminine voice both prim and proper.” “Something tells me that they truly have great potential to be more.” The orange eyed figure was encouraging. “Especially the young princess and her consort.” The green eyed figure joked with a slight chuckle. “But how can we be certain?” The Yellow eyed figure questioned in skepticism. Then the purple eyed figure answered, “Here’s a thought: When the Dark One has shown signs of resurfacing, we shall test their skills and see if they are worthy of protecting Equestria.” She proposed. Then, the last figure, with glowing dark eyes and was silent throughout this whole conversation, hummed, “Hmm, yes. An excellent idea, Sister.” They said in a menacing low male tone before looking to the others, “All those in favor?” “Aye!” The others all said in unison. “Then it is decided, we shall test these ponies and see if they are worthy, and to help them discover more of their potential.” The orange eyed figure declared, “And if not, well let us ensure they do not suffer too much because of us.” The eight all laugh at his joke and look down at the Mane 7 and Seven Swords, knowing that they were in for many great trials ahead of them.