With the war now started, both squadrons started their respective battle strategies. We start off with the home front in Canterlot. The changeling were coming in moderately high numbers over the Canterlot Mountains; naturally causing a panic with the Canterlot locals. Despite the number of enemies, the three teams stood strong and didn't falter. The first team to get in on the action was the Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie team as they were stationed closest to the mountains. The team launched the first strike as Rainbow ordered Pinkie to fire her cannon at the encroaching enemy. Pinkie happily obliged and fired what seemed to be broomsticks.
Dash just looked at her as if to say, “What was that?”, but the chunks of wood seemed to be effective so it didn't really matter she supposed. Then it was Rainbow's turn! As Pinkie and the guards stationed with them were distracting the main horde, Rainbow flew high up into the air and came down at blinding speeds taking out half of the changelings attacking their group with a sonic rainboom. This shocked the changelings s they weren't expecting such a big attack right off the bat. While, Rainbow and Pinkie's group were dealing their own changeling problem, some of the horde reached Rarity's and Fluttershy's group.
Being the leader of the group, Rarity took it upon herself to get Fluttershy into the correct mindset. Rarity then, using her magic picked up some tables near her and hurled them at the approaching changelings. And while they were staggered, she told Fluttershy to let her animals out. Fluttershy nodded and whistled, causing two bears and a whole swarm of hawks and eagles to come down on their enemy. This tactic seemed to be working quite well until the changelings starting fighting back, causing some of the birds to flee as well Fluttershy herself cowering in fear for herself and her precious animals. Rarity saw what was happening and decided to sacrifice some of her beloved gemstones in order to gain the favor in the fight once again. She used some magic she had learned recently in the past week of preparing and with a flash, the gemstones she had brought along with her had become as sharp as razor blades! She then used her magic to propel them towards her attackers with devastating effectiveness. The stones shredded through the changelings like a diamond blade through butter. Seeing how Rarity was sacrificing what she held most dear in this fight, Fluttershy got up off the ground and ordered her remaining animal friends to help her fight off these “ big meanie heads” as she called them. Rarity saw that her shy friend had come back to her senses and smiled gently before ravaging the horde once again with her gems.
And the last group was holding up just fine as one would expect of a group made up the royal guards and Princess Celestia herself. Everytime the changeling horde would get close to her group she would whisk them away using a very strong reflector magic while the three unicorn guards in her squad were constantly giving her magical energy to keep her reserves in tip-top shape.
She thought to herself, “This is quite easy for my squad, but I wonder how the other two are faring? Maybe I should use the convergence signal to bring us closer together.”
And with that thought in mind Celestia quickly ascended into the sky and let out a bright purple magic blast shaped like three arrows converging at one central point. Dash and Rarity both saw the blast and knew immediately what it meant. So they ordered their respective groups to fall back and meeting near the center of Canterlot for the final attack on their Changeling invaders, since their numbers were less than expected.
Meanwhile while the battle of Canterlot was going down, Ice's group was getting ready for the battle of their lives. Ice had just finished calming the terrain with his Earth magic, when the changelings started pouring out of the fortress.
“Chrysalis must of sensed my magic. Not that it matters, I WILL SAVE LUNA NO MATTER WHAT!!” Ice yelled. The others in the group, after hearing their leaders resolve tightened up their stances and prepared for their minds and bodies for the fight. But deep inside the fortress, a certain alicorn felt a deep sorrow and was sure that nopony was coming to her rescue.
“Nopony cares enough to come save me. Sister probably can't do anything because it would leave Canterlot defenseless and the only other pony that might come would be Ice Breeze. But he probably thinks I've ignored him after the first time we spoke so he probably doesn't care that much either. And why should they? I've been nothing, but a letdown for everypony. I only come out during the night so the public barely ever sees me. I became Nightmare Moon because I was jealous of my sister's popularity. That put everypony in danger and must have weighed heavily on sister's mind. I wasn't even able to save my parents or my best friend Snowdrop! My life's been a complete failure and everypony knows it.” Luna said crying in her cell.
“Now now, don't be so hard on yourself dearie. Your absence did allow me to gain entrance into Canterlot and you yourself have given me quite the bargaining chip. You should proud that you are of such assistance to me!” Chrysalis said while walking past the cell after hearing Luna reprimanding herself. As Chrysalis continued to walk down the corridor,
Luna felt even more despaired than ever now and contemplated whether it all was worth it or not and if anypony would really miss her; then she heard a voice.
“Don't worry Lulu, he's on his way.” the voice said.
“Mom! Is that you? Where are you?” Luna desperately asked.
“Why dear, I'm here with your father and this sweet white pegasus. Just close your eyes and you'll see us.” the voice said once more.
Luna quickly shut her eyes and sure enough, Dawn, Dusk and Snowdrop were standing in a pitch black room with only one light above them and one above Luna. “Mom, dad and you too Snowdrop! Why are you all here?”
“We're here because you needed some hope my dear Luna.” Dawn said.
“That's right honey, I know it's been difficult for you since mom and I died and Celestia hasn't always been the best sister, but she tries.” Dusk added.
“And didn't I say I'd always be there when you needed me? I meant that, you are my best friend after all!” Snowdrop explained.
Luna just sat there on the pitch black room's floor as more tears began to stream down her face. “Y-yes you did Snowdrop and I'm grateful for that. And yes mother and father I know sister has many duties to perform and she doesn't always have time for me and my personal self-esteem issues. What you said earlier though, about don't worry he's coming what did you mean by that?” Luna asked feeling seriously confused.
All three just looked at each and formed three huge smiles and simultaneously said, “The one you've been waiting for Luna. Your soul-mate is coming to rescue you! So please don't worry anymore, for he won't fail, we know this to be true. So just wait a little longer!” they said as all three faded away into the darkness of the room. Luna then opened her eyes and though she was still unsure of who they were speaking of, a new found hope had entered her mind and she waited patiently for her prince to come.
Now back outside of the fortress, the battle has commenced and Shining Armor and Applejack were busy with their herding job while Trixie, Cadence and Twilight were trying to create an opening for Ice to break through. The battle about as intense as they expected it to be, but Ice finally managed to find a hole in the changeling army. And as soon as he did, he quickly amped up his wings with his Wind element and flew towards the fortress with great haste. With their primary objective completed, the others could now completely focus on fighting the army that was in front of them. Applejack and Shining were successfully herding most of the changelings right into Cadence's magic beams, which in turn basically knocked out everyone it hit. And Trixie and Twilight were on opposite sides of them, taking out any stragglers. That was until a group of five changelings had snuck up behind Twilight and shot her down with an energy blast of their own. Trixie heard Twilight's body hit the ground with a thud and turned to see that they were going in for the kill. Shining Armor hurriedly ran over, but it was clear that he wouldn't make it in time to save his sister and Cadence and Applejack could only watch as one of their best friends was going to be done in right before their eyes.
“STOP!!!” Trixie yelled as her horn gleamed a brilliant lavender color and then she vanished and appeared in front of Twilight with a force field that even Shining Armor himself was impressed with. “YOU WILL NOT HARM HER FURTHER, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!” Trixie yelled as her force field grew larger pushing back the five changelings as Cadence took them out. Twilight just stared at Trixie and how hard she tried to protect her. Right then and there she felt something she had never felt before and she was sure that Trixie had felt it as well: a sudden warmth in her chest region that seemed to ease all worry and pain in her body and mind. Cadence and Trixie then switched spots so that Cadence could use some healing magic to bring Twilight back up to speed. Then after taking the necessary precautions they went back to their strategy.
Meanwhile, Ice had just found an open window to get into the fortress. The place was almost completely empty though, he thought it was to be expected though seeing as most of them would be out there in the battlefield. So he began to sneak around the fortress in order to find the dungeons, which unbeknown to him, Chrysalis herself was guarding! Even if all the changelings were out on the battlefield,
“This all seemed a little bit too easy.” he thought to himself. And right when that thought was finished he saw two changelings walking around the corner! He quickly backed up into the room he was in and waited for them to pass before using Wind magic to pull the oxygen from their lungs causing them to pass out temporarily.
“Now how do I get to the dungeons from here?” he thought. He continued walking around until he found a staircase leading down for he did come in at a relatively high point in the fortress. It would only make sense that the dungeon would be below him somewhere. So, he continued to dodge random encounters with changelings and a few minor security feeds until he reached a rather disturbing staircase!
This particular staircase was a deep rusted blood looking red instead of the usual black ones he came across. Also, there were spikes on both sides of the stairwell and long chains with hooks on the ends of them hanging from the ceiling above. He was officially creeped out by the staircase, but at least he knew now that he was on the right track to the dungeons. And that much closer to saving Luna and keeping her from being sad anymore. He had barely know her yet he felt as if he had known her for centuries, he couldn't really explain it. So he cast his nervousness aside and carefully walked down the bloodied staircase in order to find and save his lunar princess.
As he made his way down the eerie stairwell, he grew increasingly nervous for Luna's safety as he began to see bones on the sides of the steps.
“What in the wide world of Equestria is down here?” he thought to himself. He continued to walk for another minute or two and he finally reached the bottom of the stairwell. Once he exited it, he could clearly tell what this was: a quite big torture floor!
“Man, I've got to find Luna fast! I shudder to think what might happen to her if I don't. I'm sure she's thinking nopony's coming to save her, but hopefully I'll be pleasant surprise.” he thought to himself grinning slightly. He then shook his head and refocused on the task at hand, for this floor surely had its share of traps in store for any unwarranted visitors. And as soon as he stepped forward, sure enough a trap triggered. A moderate sized pendulum came swinging from the left side of the ceiling. He quickly ducked, though it did manage to slice some of his mane off.
“That was way too close! I'll have to be extra careful from now on!” he thought while still getting over the sudden near-death experience. “Now let's see what else this floor has to throw at me!” he said with a slight confidence in his voice as he began to walk forward.
As he began to walk through the floor, he moved more and more cautiously seeing as the first trap almost did him in. He noticed all the different torture devices spread throughout the floor as he traversed it. All the way from the classics like the Iron Maiden and stretch rack to new ones that he didn't even know what they were. The next trap he encounter was somewhat obvious as he saw all of the holes in the walls around him, meaning that most likely either arrows or spears would shoot out at him if he triggered it. That was the problem however! Nothing looked out of the ordinary, so he didn't know where the trigger was set at. So in light of this, he decided to fly through without touching anything, but just as he was about halfway through the hallway his body hit a tripwire suspended in the air! Immediately arrows began shooting out of the holes straight at him. He quickly used his wind magic to accelerate past the hallway, but one of the arrows did manage to graze his back leaving a small cut on it.
“Another close call, these traps are very well placed and executed.” he said to himself. He continued on and began to smell a most unpleasant scent.
“What is that awful smell? It's just plain disgusting!” he complained. He didn't let it bother him though as he walked forward to a room with what looked to be acid around a narrow winding stone bridge. “
So that's what that smell was! Some type of dark green acid that looks quite dangerous.” As a test he ripped one of his feathers off and tossed it into the green substance. As soon as the feather hit the green stuff it dissolved instantly! He knew right then and there that he did NOT want to touch the acid. Besides that though, there was nothing else peculiar with the room, so he tried to fly again, but as soon as he did, a steel net that was invisible before hit his head, meaning that he had to walk across the narrow bridge. So he began to walk across in an orderly manner, once he reached about a quarter of the way to the door though the acid started rising! He then quickly running not wanting to get touched by the deadly green liquid. He nearly fell in a couple times, but was able to keep his footing and get through without a scratch this time. The next stair case was now in his sight, only one more room on this floor separated him and the next floor!
He made his way to the next room where he saw what looked to be giant changeling sleeping in the right side of the room. It was nearly as big as Sugarcube Corner itself! He entered the door and as he did he felt a strange sensation and all of a sudden a bell started ringing over the giant's head waking him up. Ice instantly looked above himself to see an scanner in the top of the doorway. He knew that's what triggered the bell. He watched as the giant slowly arose from his slumber, intently staring at his potential next meal! The door then slammed behind him trapping him inside with the beast!
“Great! Well I guess this is the last trap on this floor. And what a trap it is! The beast yawned once then charged straight at Ice Breeze. Though he easily dodged it, he knew that if ever hit it would do quite a bit of damage to him. He knew he didn't have much time so Ice decided for once in his life to be ruthless. His began to glow a bright blue as ice began to form around the changelings legs and before it realized it, it had been frozen to ground! Struggle as it might, the changeling couldn't break free. And then, Ice's horn glow changed from light blue to dark blue. After this change occurred, a water orb formed around the giant changeling's head! Ice just watched as the giant gasped for every breath, but could never find one as the water began to fill up its lungs. And after about a minute, it collapsed, dead from lack of air.
“I'm sorry I had to do that, but I'm in a bit of a rush here. May you find peace in the afterlife.” Ice said as he walked down the next staircase.
As he exited this staircase, he felt as small sigh of relief as he saw cells lining the walls. “I've finally made it too the dungeon!” he thought to himself.
He then noticed that one of the cells was more heavily reinforced than the others, so he decided to head to that particular one first. He walked toward the cell and heard a voice from down the hallway,
“Congratulations! Somepony actually made it here!” He watched as he saw a female changeling walk out from the shadows. “Hello dearie, I am Queen Chrysalis, the queen and leader of the changelings!” she said.
“Well, I knew there was something different about you. So you're the leader eh? Where's Luna at?” Ice demanded
“Oh I think you already know, that's why you headed to this cell. You'll have to go through me first though if you want to save her. Ice just grinned and quickly used Earth magic to trap Chrysalis using the clay and mud from the wall around her.
“Sorry, but I have to get going.” he said as he broke the cell open. Chrysalis struggled mightily, but couldn't get out of the hardened clay.
As he broke through the door, his eyes met Luna's. “I-Ice Breeze? Is that really you?!” Luna stammered.
“Of course it's me, you didn't think I'd let you stay in harm’s way did you?” he asked while running over to her.
“I-I don't know what to say. I thought nopony would care enough to come for me!” she said starting to cry on Ice's shoulder.
“Of course I would come for you, always without a doubt. Now's not the time for this though, we have to get out of here!” he said while the two ran out of the cell. Chrysalis slowly began to use her magic to break the clay around her and before they knew it the chase had begun!
Now back in Canterlot, the fight there was nearly over. The group had pushed many of the changelings back over the mountain, but they were beginning to get a little bit relaxed.
“Aww yeah we've got this in the bag! These guys never knew what hit them!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. The remaining changelings weren't about to go down without a fight though! They continued shooting their magic while some charged to do melee attacks, but almost none of them worked. That was until an errant blast shot down and killed one of Fluttershy's birds. Shocked and dismayed, the yellow pegasus quickly flew over to catch the bird. She then began crying on the ground holding it tightly to her chest.
“I-I'm so sorry little birdie. I should have never gotten you involved with this. Now your family is going to be without its father and it's all my fault!” she said still sobbing immensely. The changelings noticed the pegasus laying on the ground crying and decided to take full advantage by aiming their magic blasts at her!
“Hey! Where are you looking, you changeling scum?” Dash yelled as she turned her head to where they were pointing their heads. Her eyes widened as she saw what they were about to do. “FLUTTERSHY!! GET UP, HURRY!!'” she yelled, but to no avail as Fluttershy was too traumatized by her dead bird friend. “Dammit!” Rainbow exclaimed as she took off towards Fluttershy. The changelings shot their magic together with deadly precision. At that moment Fluttershy turned around to see the blasts and what seemed to be her end! At the very last moment, however, she saw a shadow fly in front of her and take the blasts straight on! Her eyes then followed the figured through the air as it landed on the ground behind her.
“No, NO, NO, NOOO!!” she shouted as she saw a bloodied Rainbow Dash lying behind her. She quickly rushed over to Dash's side, “Why? Why would do that?” Fluttershy said with tears rolling like a river.
“G-good, you're not hurt. I t-told you I'd always look after you didn't I?” Dash quietly said. Fluttershy sadly nodded trying to wipe the tears away, but they kept coming no matter what she did. Celestia, seeing this decided that this needed to end or more injuries might occur. So her and a troop of four unicorn guards combined their magic into a powerful circular blast that disintegrate every changeling it touched. The four guards then collapsed do to the immense output of magic they had just used, but alas the battle for Canterlot was over with Celestia and her group as the victor. And while Rainbow Dash was badly injured, the doctors said that she would make a full recovery within two months. Fluttershy stayed by her bedside the entire time while the others anxiously waited to hear good news from the other group.
Back in the fortress, Luna and Ice Breeze were rushing to find an open window to escape. At this point, Chrysalis had broken free and was chasing them relentlessly.
“Do you really think I'll just let you get away?” Chrysalis yelled as her horn began to glow a dark green. As this happened the hallways started shifting and now Luna and Ice were heading right towards her!
“Luna, get ready this might hurt a little bit.” Ice said.
Luna, not knowing what he was talking about got right up next to him and said, “Don't worry, whatever plan you have, I trust you completely.”
Ice nodded as his horn began to glow a mixture of red and brown, then what seemed to be a bomb just appeared out of nowhere. He tossed the bomb at the wall to their right causing debris to fly everywhere, but Ice shielded Luna from it with one of his wings. There was now, to Chrysalis' dismay, a hole leading to the outside. The two quickly jumped out and began to fly towards their friends when Chrysalis reached the hole and used a spell to stop Ice's wings from flapping! The green alicorn started falling from the sky at an alarming rate, but as he hoped she would be, Luna caught him and continued to fly to the platoon.
Chrysalis, enraged at this escape quickly jolted out of the hole in the wall and followed them.
“GET THEM!!! DON”T LET THEM REUNITE WITH THE OTHERS!!!” Chrysalis ordered commandingly. All the changelings then changed their attention to the two alicorns flying to their comrades. Luna dodged and weaved through the blasts as Ice tried to shoot as many changelings as he could in the hectic flying. After what seemed like an eternity of flying, they finally managed to reach Twilight and the others.
“I'm so glad you're safe!” Cadence exclaimed when she saw Luna and Ice.
“Thanks for the sentiment, but we're not out of this yet. We still have to escape from the horde.” Ice explained as Chrysalis and the rest of the changelings grew ever closer!
“FIRE, MY MINIONS KILL THEM ALL!!” Chrysalis yelled. At that moment, every changeling including Chrysalis herself, shot the strongest beam of energy that they could. Trying to block it, Shining Armor put up a giant force field, but it was quickly shattered. Then, quickly Trixie and Twilight joined him and still the barrier started to crack! As a last ditch effort, Cadence and Luna also joined in the force field, but the might of the changeling's combined beams still proved too much!
“Ice, please hurry up and think of something!” Luna asked in a sweet yet stern voice as the shield started cracking again. “I- I'm drawing a blank here!” He said adding his force field to the ranks now.
And while it was seeming to hold after a couple of minutes the worst thing possible happened! The beams shattered the shield, knocking down the magic users as well as Applejack and leaving Twilight and Cadence unconscious! As Trixie looked after Twilight and Shining Armor rushed to Cadence's side, the changelings were almost upon them! Ice looked around desperately and saw that all his comrades were either too injured or too worn out to help fight anymore, even Luna hadn't fully regained her power after being locked up in a non-magic cell for a couple of weeks.
“Dammit! What am I supposed to do? We were so close to rescuing her, now we all might die!” he said frantically while trying to think of a plan, but all he could think of was Luna and how he couldn't let her or any of the others come into harm's way.
“Well, well, are you all finally ready to die?” Chrysalis said as she and her changelings had reached the group. Ice could feel something in his chest, like a sort of power welling up, but he had never experienced it before. And then suddenly, he remembered what Zecora said to him in the Everfree Forest.
“T-t-the lost art of elemental magic? I had always thought its disappearance was tragic. But you, you possess the special art. You should be honored to wield its heart. The heart of the elements my dear. Only the holder of all six qualities may hold this form of magic near. Magic, laughter, kindness, generosity, honesty and loyalty. These are the qualities of true harmony. The soul of a hero lies within you. For nature itself is your tool. Only one with an absolute pure heart may wield this power. Your pure heart will shine in your loved ones most dire hour. You shall find her my son. Sooner than later she may come.” And as those words ran through his head, the Elements of Harmony that the mane six had begun to glow!
“Rarity! What's going on?” Rainbow Dash asked still lying in her hospital bed as the Generosity, Laughter, Kindness and Loyalty amulets started glowing back in Canterlot as well.
“I don't know Rainbow dear, but let's hope its good.” she replied. Applejack stared as her Honesty amulet and Twilight's Magic crown lifted into the air as did the other four back in Canterlot. Ice then began to rise as well, not of his volition, but it felt as if the Elements were dragging him to them! As he reached the height of the two Elements, four beam of light shot at him from the direction of Canterlot and once they were close, the other two shot at him as well. “What's going on? What is he doing?!” Chrysalis demanded as she tried to shoot him down. Despite her efforts though, all her magic was easily deflected.
“You have to protect Luna at all costs, she the one you've been destined to be with your entire life! Now's your chance dude, let it out!” Ice heard Cerulean say in the back of his mind. And at that moment, the beams intensified and formed what seemed to a giant crystalline heart made of all the colors of the rainbow!
Not knowing what this new development meant, Chrysalis ordered her soldiers to retreat, but it was too late as the heart exploded into millions of vibrant, rainbow-colored shards each one of which, decimated whichever changeling it touched! Even Chrysalis fell victim to this brilliant display of power, but for her it had a different effect! Instead of disintegrating her on the spot, it seemed to wrap her up in what seemed to be a crystal linen cloth. And there looked like there was magic going to work on the inside of it. As the glimmering light faded, Ice: who was in the middle of the explosion, fell from the sky and landed with a big thud. Luna and the others starred at him and thought he was dead until one of his ears twitched, but even then they knew that he needed serious medical attention if he was to survive a fall and blast like that. So without checking on Chrysalis or if there were any more changelings around Luna and the others hurried back to Canterlot, with the day won, but at what cost?
About four hours later, they arrived back at the Canterlot castle.
“SISTER, SISTER PLEASE COME QUICK!” Luna shouted. Celestia and the others heard her voice and rushed down to the ground floor.
“Luna! Thank god you're sa... What happened to Ice?” Celestia asked breaking apart her loving sentiment.
“I don't know! There was a huge blast of all different colors and he just collapsed and now he won't wake up.! Please help him!” Luna said with tears rolling down her face. Celestia quickly used her magic to take him to the infirmary and once there immediately took him the emergency medical room. After about half an hour, Celestia and the doctor came out and said that he wasn't going to make it unfortunately.
Luna fell to ground, tears streaming like a flooded river, “NO, NO, NO!! FIRST MOM AND DAD, THEN SNOWDROP AND NOW THE STALLION I LOVED? WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?!” Celestia looked absolutely shocked that Luna used the word love. For that was the first time she had said it since they saw their parents alive! She then walked over to her.
“Lulu, there is a way to save him.” Celestia said.
Luna's ears perked up, “WHAT? REALLY? HOW?” she asked very impatiently.
Celestia showed her a spell and said, “Well this ancient magic spell could be used to restore his life force,but in turn somepony would have to give their own life force to save him!” Celestia explained.
Luna knew what that meant, that somepony had to sacrifice their own life to save his! She then got up and rushed to his room. “LUNA WAIT! DON'T!” Celestia screamed as she chased after her younger sister.
“I'm sorry Tia, but I can't let him die too. It would kill me on the inside to watch another of the people I care most about die right in front of my eyes!” she as she turned to Ice's near dead body. “Don't worry my love, I'll save you, just as you saved me. So please don't fret over my passing, know that it was what I wanted; goodbye Ice.” she whispered to him as she turned her head back over to Celestia. “I'm sorry Tia, I love you sister, goodbye!” Luna said as her horn began to glow brighter than it had ever glowed before....