The year AN 1003. With the advancement of science, the citizens of Equestria are able to create more advanced technology. A purple unicorn named Twilight Sparkle lived peacefully in the town of Ponyville, overseen by her mentor, Princess Celestia. But, one day…
It was a bright sunny day in the royal town of Canterlot, where a purple unicorn named Twilight Sparkle was on a solo trip, her objective being to report to Princess Celestia in person. She had wondered why Celestia couldn’t just come to her new hometown of Ponyville, but she was never one to question the alicorn’s decisions anyway.
Before Twilight could reach the royal castle, however, a city-wide alarm rang out, causing Celestia’s faithful student to make a mad dash for the castle. A white unicorn with blue hair spotted her and cut her off.
“I’ve been looking all over for you, Twily! We’ve got a big problem!” The stallion hurriedly told her.
“What’s going on, Shining Armor!?” Twilight asked of her brother before a laugh filled the skies. “H-how is this possible!?” She said as she looked up; the black and light blue alicorn announcing herself to the world.
“Wahahah! Ladies and gentlecolts, your attention please! The name’s Nightmare Moon! Yes, the true princess of the night herself has returned! It may seem rather sudden to you, but I’ve decided to shed my pathetic Luna self and cover all of Equestria in eternal darkness! Ahem…anyway, to begin…my dear sister, Celestia! I’ll be taking your precious new recruits!” Nightmare Moon yelled in a manner that would make even those used to the ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE cringe. She flew down as she spotted Twilight and Shining. “Hahahaha! That is to say…hmm? What’s this? Twilight Sparkle and her dear big brother? I’m afraid your pitiful Elements of Harmony are of no use to you now!” She told the two as she flew off towards the castle.
“Those special recruits for the Royal Guard are in trouble, Twily! Let’s hurry to the castle!” Shining said to her as Twilight’s horn glowed.
“Shining, hold on to me!” Twilight said as Shining put a hoof on her back. She focused as much magic as she could to use her teleporting spell for two.
The two arrived in Celestia’s throne room, where Nightmare Moon had already captured a bunch of other ponies inside a giant bag. Twilight had looked pretty tired from using the spell on more than herself, but she trudged on to the white alicorn’s side.
“Hahahahah! Just like I promised, Princess Celestia, I’ll be taking them with me!” Nightmare Moon declared.
“Stop, Luna! Stop, I say!” Celestia said, trying to get through to her little sister.
“Farewell! Hahahaha!” Nightmare Moon said as she flew off, creating a shield to prevent any of their magic from stopping her escape.
“Wait, stop! LUNA!” Celestia yelled, a rarity for the normally elegant princess. “What insanity…using my loyal subjects to conquer the world…”
“Princess, please! You have to let the others and I go after her!” Twilight asked of her beloved mentor.
“Twilight…I believe she is right about the Elements. She is brimming with power beyond anything you’ve ever faced.” Celestia warned her. “I’m afraid if you plan to go after her, there is no time to bring your friends.”
“Princess, I really want to help everyone! But, without my friends…I don’t know if I’m strong enough…” Twilight looked down, afraid of the thought that the magic of friendship might not be enough to stop Nightmare Moon this time.
“Twily…” Shining Armor said, wishing there was some way to console her.
“Hmm…alright, I understand.” Celestia softly said as Twilight looked up at her, confused as to what she meant. “The old Elements may not be enough…but, that doesn’t mean that friendship cannot prevail. As dangerous as this may be, sometimes such things must be done. Stand still, my student, and I will make the necessary preparations.” The princess told her.
Shining Armor took a step back, unsure of what Celestia could possibly do. The alicorn’s horn glowed a bright yellow before a white flashed bathed Twilight in light. When the blinding light subsided, her body had become surrounded by a dark purple armor, with openings for her face, horn, mane and tail.
“I’ve given you two new spells, Twilight. One is a rather basic forward blast of pure magic, while the other is a more unique power. Nightmare Moon will likely force the eight recruits against you in battle, so I’ve given you an ability to copy the attacks of each of them when they are defeated. They will then become your own and you’ll be free to use them.” The princess explained.
“I have to…fight all of them? Alone?” Twilight asked, unsure if such a plan could work over straight-forward friendship.
“I’m afraid so, Twilight. You will have to fight until each of them are free of Nightmare Moon’s grasp. Once they have recovered, order them to return to me.” Celestia replied, sighing that such violent measures must be taken.
“Alright…I’ll be on my way, Princess.” Twilight said, knowing there was no reason to delay any further. She’d have to make do without her friends for the time being.
After the power up process, a large mechanical being with a single eye appeared in the throne room, presumably a robot left to distract the three.
“Twily, go! I’ll defend the Princess!” Shining Armor commanded, his horn glowing blue.
“Shiny, let me test out my new spells!” Twilight replied, using her horn to shoot at the robot’s eye. The robot recoiled, though it immediately became angry, stomping around using its spring-like bottom. The unicorns dodged out of the way as it attempted to come down on top of them. It then went after Shining Armor, who tripped it up by creating a shield around himself. On its back, the eye robot seemingly ceased to be a threat.
“Now, Twily!” Shining told his sister as she pummeled it with many blasts to the eye. After enough punishment, the robot exploded, leaving behind a small scroll. “What in the-“
“It looks like a map…each of recruits has a location marked for them.” Twilight said as she levitated the scroll in front of her. She committed each of them to memory and gave the scroll to Celestia.
“Twilight…my subjects…potentially your new friends, you must stop them and Nightmare Moon! For the sake of Equestria, we’re counting on you!” Celestia told her student as Twilight prepare to teleport. The process seemed to allow her plenty of magic power to use to without tiring quickly, but only if used for long-distance travel.
Twilight nodded, disappearing from the room.
“Are you entirely sure she can do it by herself without her friends?” Shining Armor asked.
“She won’t be without friends, Shining Armor.” Celestia said, managing to smile despite the previous events.