Rainbow Dash felt her fury burn in her chest as she dived.
Her own guilt, the taunts and lies of Discord and Chrysalis, and Twilight's misery had been circling Rainbow Dash's mind like vultures until finally the pegasus could take no more. Behind her, she could hear galloping hooves and angry shouts but they were lost in the wind blasting past her ears as she flew at her top speed, spinning round the two antagonists like a rainbow coloured tornado, trying to distract them from Twilight.
“What are you doing!?” Chrysalis reared up as the vortex of rainbow wrath surrounded her, feeling dizzy.
Discord merely looked bored. “Oh please...” With a click of the Draconequus' paw a brick wall materialized in Rainbow Dash's path, who saw it at the last possible moment. In desperation the weather mare stuck out her hooves in front of her and accelerated towards the obstruction with a yell of defiance, trying to break through. The magical brickwork crumbled but the impact was too great for Rainbow Dash, and she was sent spinning into the cavern wall beyond to end up in a dazed heap.
Discord had no time to gloat however, the Chaos creature turning at the sound of nearby hooves to find Applejack's hindmost quarters already aimed towards him, and one apple-shaking buck later stars were spinning around Discord's head.
Applejack wheeled round to face Chrysalis, only to find the Changeling's horn already glowing with magic.
“NO!”
A wall of Luna's magic suddenly appeared around Applejack, deflecting the blast of evil power from the Changeling queen's horn with ease. The cowpony vanished in a flash of bluish-white magic and reappeared behind the Night Princess as Luna stepped forward, pawing at the ground with one hoof.
“YOU SHALL NOT HARM THESE PONIES!”
The Royal Canterlot Voice shook the walls as both Changeling and Alicorn horns flared, issuing powerful beams of magic which leapt across the cavern and slammed into each other with tremendous force. Great bolts of lightning crackled from the centre of the collision as the two spells clashed against each other, before the force building up between them became too great to contain and exploded like a bomb – both spells immediately winking out.
Chrysalis snarled with frustration and readied another spell, but an ominous rumbling reached her ears.
“Fire in the hole!”
Glancing to one side the Queen of the Changelings found herself looking down into the black muzzle of Pinkie's infamous party cannon - just as it unleashed it's deadly barrage of confetti, candy and cake mixture with the squeakiest boom she'd ever heard.
Luna stared at Pinkie Pie
“Where...did you get that?”
“Oh this? I just nipped backstage and asked a couple of Bronies reading about all this to get it for me. They're really nice, even though SuperBrony really-really-REALLY needs to get rhyming lessons from Zecora and Nebula Nyx's really impatient to see what happens in the end, and then Pylons...”
The stream-of-conciousness narrative was simply washing over Luna's mind as she regarded the pink party pony with a puzzled expression. Just what exactly did this Earth pony know?
“...and then I said to Iron Nebula 'What? Are you crazy?' and then Neo-Exodus arrived and then I had to get back because you were going to be in trouble if I didn't get back soon and then...”
“Pinkie! We have to help Twilight!”
“Oakie-lokie-dokie Luna! But don't worry about Queen Mean-Meanie-Pants - she's gonna be...”
A snarling Chrysalis rose up from the floor where she'd landed, spitting out congealed lumps of confetti and dripping with candy and cake mix slime. Luna scowled and flared her wings but before either could move a cyan coloured missile homed in on the Changeling Queen and delivered a flying buck. Rainbow Dash had recovered.
“Ooooh, good one Dashie! Now where's Discord? Cotton candy rain clouds filled with yummy-delicious chocolate milk rain and not a single dollop of whipped cream...I'll show him!” The party cannon trundled off in search of fresh targets, as Pinkie marched towards where Applejack was trying to lasso Discord - who kept disappearing and turning into things like fog or water fountains and laughing.
“Ohohohohohoho! Missed me! And again! Oh, this is just too entertaining!”
“Discord! Thou shall pay dearly for the misery thou and the Changeling wretch hath brought upon these ponies!”
Luna's spell surrounded the Spirit of Chaos, but Discord simply conjured up a door from nowhere and stepped through, reappearing outside the barrier. He snapped his claws impatiently and a giant birdcage appeared round the Princess.
“Oh Luna, I forget how boring you can be...when will you learn? I'm the Master of Chaos and I can do whatever I like...”
Discord rubbed his claws and gave the trapped Alicorn an evil smile, but whatever nasty trick that had entered the Draconequus' mind was put on hold by another roar from the Hootenanny Howitzer, covering him in showers of whipped cream. Applejack galloped over and bucked open the cage, while Discord gave Pinkie Pie a dirty look as the party pony squealed in triumph. The Master of Chaos scowled and plucked out his tongue to towel dry himself off.
“Ugh...I hate whipped cream...”
Rainbow Dash's assault on Chrysalis had left the evil Queen sprawled on the floor, half glued in place by the gooey, Gak-like substance that was plastered all over her from Pinkie's artillery. Chrysalis peeled herself up off the floor with an angry growl, looking about for her opponent - and stared right into Fluttershy's eyes. The Pegasus was standing guard in front of her - with Twilight lying just behind - and was glaring back, unleashing the full force of The Stare on the Changeling. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes at the normally shy pony, quite failing to notice Rarity standing next to her friend – until the alabaster unicorn reminded her of her presence with a series of karate kicks.
“I do so despise imitations! Take that you cheap, tacky beast!”
Chrysalis, caught off-guard retreated a few steps and hissed menacingly - her horn charging up and batting the unicorn back to Twilight's side with a wave of magic, with Rainbow Dash joining her a few moments later. The cyan pegasus looked tired as she picked herself up off the floor but her determination was unwavering as she stood facing down Chrysalis, who had also broken off the fight to regroup. Applejack, Luna and Pinkie Pie backed towards Twilight once more as Discord finished polishing off the onslaught of dairy produce from Pinkie's cannon.
“Oh man...these guys just don't quit!” Rainbow Dash.
“We throw everythin' at 'em and they keep comin' back!” grated Applejack.
Spike was kneeling by Twilight's head, his short arms as far round the mare's neck he could reach.
“Twilight...please, hold on. You've got to fight it Twilight, everypony needs you...and I do too...” the young dragons eyes were brimming with tears.
“I do not think we can overpower our foes, and we may not be able to protect Twilight for much longer.” Luna's expression was serious. “We must find a way to get through to her...”
“Er...ah...excuse me? But...doesn't anypony else think that something's strange here? It seems to me that...well, Discord and...and her...don't seem to be well...acting quite themselves...” Fluttershy's meek voice broke in.
“Whatever do you mean dear?” asked Rarity.
“She's right Rare, somethin's been buggin' me ever since this whole mess started. How'd they know so much 'bout what happened ta Twilight? Discord maybe but her too? And how'd she know what happened at the Crystal Empire?”
“That is indeed strange Applejack...” mused Luna.
“And if they're working together, then...why aren't they...well...talking to each other?” asked Rainbow Dash.
Luna glanced towards Rainbow Dash suddenly with an odd expression on her face. “What...?”
A duet of evil chuckling echoed towards them, and the ponies looked into two sets of hungry, malicious eyes framed by dark silhouettes against the moon.
“There is no hope any more...you have failed, as Twilight Sparkle has failed before you...” hissed Chrysalis.
“Twilight doesn't need the 'Magic of Friendship' any more...Her friends are gone, they all abandoned her...and now she's all mine...” Discord's voice had dropped a low, mocking purr.
But neither of the villains were even looking at the other...
Moonlight glinted in the depths of Luna's eyes as they widened in recognition, The princess letting out a gasp which grabbed the attention of all the other ponies.
“Of course...why did I not see it before?...”
“Princess? You OK? What's wrong?” ventured Applejack.
Luna gestured to the two antagonists with one hoof. “I believe we have all have been blind Applejack... for Discord and the Queen are not who they appear to be.”
“Huh???”
“Then... who are they?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“...It is they who we have come to defeat, Rainbow Dash...They are Twilight's greatest fears - given life by the magic that was mistakenly imbued into her nightmares.”
“THOSE are Twilight's fears?? Discord and her? But we beat them! Twilight beat them both!” argued Rainbow Dash.
“Discord and the Changeling Queen are merely Twilight's greatest enemies Rainbow Dash, it is not who they appear to be, but what they represent.” Luna pointed with a hoof
“Discord, who once broke the friendship between the six of you - is the personification of Twilight's fear of losing her friends' trust in her...and of losing her own trust in friendship.”
Luna's hoof switched to Chrysalis.
“And she represents Twilight's fear of losing Princess Celestia's faith in her, and of her failing in her studies...”
“'Cause when Twilight realised at tha' weddin' the pony we all thought was Cadence was really a fake, none of us woul' believe her...not even the Princess...” Applejack slowly finished.
Cruel laughs broke out from the two nightmare fears, the sound seemed deeper and even more disturbing with the secret behind them revealed.
Spike jumped up suddenly in alarm, pulling out the tiara that housed the Element of Magic.
“We gotta use the Elements of Harmony!”
The purple dragon spun and began nuzzling at Twilight's cheek and tugging frantically at her mane.
“C'mon Twilight! We're here! We brought you your Element! Please Twilight, you gotta snap out of it!
Twilight moaned weakly, hiding herself away.
“...n-nooo...alone...just...Please...just...leave me...alone...” The stricken mare's words were broken and distant.
“Nooooo! No Twilight! Don't go! I'm not leaving you! Ever!” The baby dragon hugged his guardian tightly, tears welling in his eyes. “Please don't go Twilight!”
Applejack gulped. “C'mon Sugarcube...we ain't quittin' now ya hear?”
“Please Twilight! You can't leave Spike! And...if it's alright...I don't want you to leave either...” Fluttershy whispered
“There's no way we're gonna let you go now! C'mon Twilight! Please?” Rainbow Dash hovered just above Twilight, pushing at her shoulder gently with one hoof.
“Please darling...if not for me...for little spikey-wikey? pleaded Rarity.
“Princess...w-wha' do we do now?” Applejack looked up in desperation at the Moon Princess.
“I...I do not know Applejack...” Luna looked down at Twilight with the same desperate look.
“We have to keep protecting Twilight, we just gotta keep trying.” Rainbow Dash spoke as firmly as she could. “I'm not giving up! Not EVER!”
--------------------------------------
Celestia's study was littered with the various bags, jars, bottles and other tools that frequently adorned Zecora's hut when she was brewing her potions. Even some glass test tubes and vials from Celestia's own alchemy set were lying around. The three Cutie Mark Crusaders galloped back and forth, carrying various ingredients and bits of firewood to where Zecora was working near her cauldron. Celestia and Cadence watched anxiously from their positions beside Twilight as the Zebra made the final preparations for her spell with the Crusaders' help. Shining Armour stood by them, going over occasionally to check on the fire and the bubbling cauldron that sat on it.
Zecora finally moved over to Twilight, calling everyone together. The three crusaders dropped whatever they were doing and took their places at Twilight's side near Celestia, and Shining Armour settled himself down beside his love Cadence once more.
The Zebra looked round at each of the ponies. In her hoof was a sheet of parchment with a small mound of freshly prepared green powder lying on it, which seemed to glitter in the light.
“The spell is now ready to be cast, you know what to do..." Zecora gave one concerned glance down at Twilight's body. "...and we must do it fast...”
Taking a deep breath, the Shamare sorceress blew the glowing green dust over Twilight and the little circle around her.
--------------------------------------
Everything around Twilight was in confusion.
Twilight's heart felt like it was being ripped apart, her eyes burned – she had no more tears to cry with. Out of the darkness around her came half-heard, familiar voices which tore mercilessly at her soul as she thought of the ponies she loved more than anything and what she had done to them. Twilight clapped her hooves tighter over her ears - even as the two loudest voices drilled themselves directly into her mind. She screamed silently for mercy, as she sought to find shelter, any shelter which would protect her from the sounds, unable to bear hearing the angry words again.
“Twilight...”
“Nooo...!”
“Twilight!”
“Leave me alone...I can't bear to hear anymore!”
“Twilight Sparkle!”
Twilight's eyes cautiously opened as the distant voice calling her name probed deeper into her mind, the sound suddenly became clearer, drowning out the nightmarish voices that filled her head. Before her, the face of the moon became dimmer, revealing more of the starscape beyond. Far below, the shadowy, moonlight drenched world of Equestria floated in space.
“Twilight Sparkle!” Again came the familiar voice, and a faint spark glinted deep in Twilight's eyes.
“...Zecora?”
Twilight gasped as she stared down at Equestria, the ghost of the zebra's face had suddenly appeared within, looking up at her with concern and pity.
“Twilight Sparkle, you do not hear? Your friends are all so very near...”
Twilight weakly stretched out a hoof.
“Zecora! Help! Please help me!”
Zecora's image faded away but the Zebra's presence seemed to linger, and before Twilight could say any more an new voice whispered to her - from some of the stars in the blackness beyond the globe that her friend had appeared in.
“Twilight...”
The stars suddenly shifted, forming a new constellation. A moment later the faint image of Cadence appeared in it's outline.
“C-Cadence...!”
“Twilight...Please hear us. Your friends are all with you, and we all still love you Twilight. Please come back to us...Please come back to me...”
The Alicorn of Love's face was filled with worry, tears still drying on her cheeks. As she spoke a bright comet passed by her, trailing it's magnificent tail. Twilight watched as the comet transformed itself into the form of Shining Armour.
“Twily - Hang on in there kid...you've gotta hold on!”
“Shining...” Twilight's eyes misted over.
Three little shooting stars appeared in the sky above the darkened earth, trailing bright tails of fire behind them as they fell - and then the faces of the three Cutie Mark Crusaders were gazing at her.
“Twilight!” called Applebloom
“We want you back Twilight!” cried Scootaloo
“So do all your other friends!” piped Sweetie Bell
“Please come back Twilight!” cried Applebloom
“You've gotta..!”
Twilight could only stare at the place where the three meteors had faded, her heart pounding in her ears.
“Twilight...”
The lavender mare cowered as the voice she had both dreaded and wanted to hear the most finally echoed out to her from the void beyond the face of the moon. From behind the Equestrian world, Celestia's sun began to rise above the curve of the horizon - casting an ever expanding line of colour and light upon the darkened earth below. As the orb rose clear, the regal head of Princess Celestia began to take shape within it's face, her mane flowing out from the sun as a curtain of fire.
“You are, and will always be my most faithful and trusted student Twilight. My faith in you will never change.”
“Princess...” Tears welled in Twilight's eyes and ran down her cheeks, as the image of her mentor faded - her heart thudding in her chest feeling ready to burst. She suddenly blinked and looked about her, feeling a new presence all around her for the first time. Twilight gasped as saw her friends crowded round her.
“You...you're all here...”
“Darn tootin' we are sugar-cube...” Applejack replied, her voice trembling with relief. “An' we ain't ever going away neither ya hear?”
A second later Twilight found herself virtually buried in a pile of ponies all hugging her tightly. She shut her eyes, feeling tired and stressed - but as the warmth of her friends poured into her Twilight's coat began to regain it's colour.
“Twilight Sparkle!”
Twilight opened her eyes in surprise.
“Princess Luna?!”
Twilight stared at the regal figure of Luna, who's streaming mane and tail looked more terrible and beautiful than Twilight had ever seen before.
“It is time to face your fears, Twilight Sparkle. Only then will the nightmares end.”
“My...my fears?” Twilight looked uncertainly towards the two grotesque figures staring back at her. “ I...I don't know if I can...”
Five hooves rested on Twilight's back.
“You can Sugarcube...” said Applejack.
“...'Cause you're gonna have us right with you.” finished Rainbow Dash. Spike tugged at Twilight's mane.
“Here Twilight...”
Twilight gasped in astonishment as she stared at the object in Spike's claws.
“The Elements of Harmony!”
“I think you're gonna be needing this...” Spike grinned at Twilight and held up the tiara, only for Twilight's magic to envelope him as well and hoist the dragon up to Twilight's head.
“Thanks Spike...” Twilight hugged her assistant tightly, before using her magic to levitate him gently to the ground and place her jewelled tiara on her head. Nodding to her friends, the sixth Element of Harmony stood and faced Discord and Chrysalis, her friends automatically forming up into their positions as Twilight glared sternly at her two nemesis. Even Luna stood by them, flaring her wings, while Spike was breathing angry green fire from his nostrils.
“What!!...No...What is this?!” The smug look on the fake Chrysalis' face rapidly turned to shock and anger at the sight of Twilight standing with her friends.
“Oh...no...” 'Discord' scowled as he eyed the gleaming Elements of Harmony, mentally counting them all the way up to six. The Draconequus' expression soured.
“...this isn't going to end well.” he finished dryly.
The six jewels glowed brightly as Twilight's friends all begin to activate their elements, their powers flowing out in ribbons of energy and combining into the star at the top of Twilight's tiara. A bright rainbow light radiated out, filling the cavern like sunlight.
“No! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Chrysalis and Discord cried out in defeat, vainly attempting to shield themselves as Twilight's eyes sprang open, releasing blinding white light which blossomed out from her, the cavern, the ponies and the two villains vanishing as they were swallowed up in the expanding glare.
-----------------------------
Applejack blinked as she fought to clear her vision. As the white-out faded away the cowpony found herself standing in Princess Celestia's chambers, back where they had started. She glanced round at her friends standing beside her.
“Twilight...wha' happened to Twilight?”
Applejack's heart momentarily seized with panic, but then she turned to look at four ponies lying on the bed nearby. Twilight still lay beside Princess Celestia, but now the mare slept peacefully - the Element of Magic gleaming in the firelight as it rested on her head.