They arrived in the chamber of the two alicorn statues, to see that the doors to the Chamber of the Elements of Harmony had been blown inward off their hinges. A multitude of guards were swarming through the opened doorway with Celestia nowhere in sight, presumably already in the other room. Twilight and Duskmane ran towards the doorway to follow in behind the guards.
A huge, fiery explosion erupted from the other room, thrusting the royal guards out of the doorway, leaving a large portion of Celestia's squadron of guards dead or incapacitated. Twilight stopped at the gruesome sight, subconsciously grateful to fate that she was not near the door when the explosion occurred. Many of the guards that survived were badly seared, leaving many of their wings useless as their feathers quickly burned.
“Should we help them?!” Duskmane asked.
Twilight did not want to say no, but stalling simply was not an option if Luna had indeed arrived. “We can't! Keep moving, we must help Celestia!” Twilight brought up her magic shield in front of her as they crossed into the Chamber of the Elements of Harmony. The first site they saw was that the roof had been completely ripped off, leaving most of the once-beautiful windows shattered. Two huge, dark blue drakes filled the sky, along with a small group of dark guards at their side, but no sight of Luna. Soot covered much of the walls as the carpet and tapestry burned from the dragon's attack, as well as the unfortunate souls of the royal guards caught in the blast while inside the room.
A bolt of lightning shot from Celestia horn as she streamed through the air, blasting against one of the star drakes. They both gave pursuit as Celestia weaved in and out of a hail of magical attacks from the drakes as the remainder of the royal guard assaulted the dragons and dark guards with diving attacks. Celestia spotted Duskmane and Twilight below, and glided lower while still maintaining high speeds to avoid the drakes. “Luna has taken the elements! You must stop her before she summons Nova!” She had sped away as a hail of white orbs rained down from above towards her previous position, exploding against the floor and Twilight's shield.
Twilight could feel her heart racing as she was locked into the spectacle above as Celestia fought against the two Star Drakes and Luna's elite dark guard. One of the dark guards fell out of the sky as one of Celestia's ice bolts connected with them and froze their wings.
“Twilight... can we stop Luna?” Duskmane asked shakily.
Her mind answered “No.”, but she could not answer that. “It doesn't matter,” she spoke, “if Celestia loses, we're doomed either way.” She saw a tear fall down Duskmane's cheek as he nodded apprehensively.
Twilight ran to the end of the ruined hallway, dodging the stone rubble, to where Luna had during the view of her memories moments earlier. Ahead of her were the doors that once shielded the Elements of Harmony, with the magical seal broken and the pedestal inside void of the Elements it once held. She turned to the stained glass depiction of the defeat of Nightmare Moon. The stone around it had been smashed and cracked, but the window remained unscathed. Twilight stood on her hind two hooves to press her hoof against the image of Nightmare Moon. Just as it happened in the memory, the glass rippled as if it were water. Twilight took a deep breath as she gathered her bravery, and jumped into the glass, disappearing to the other end of the portal.
Duskmane was scared at first, but willed himself to follow in after her. He jumped, and collided hard against the glass. He shook his head, hesitating. “But-- Why can I not go through?!” He stepped up and pressed his hoof on the image of Nightmare Moon. The glass did not achieve the ripple effect like it had with Twilight. He pressed his hoof against the glass, still solid and forbidding his entry. “No! Twilight!” He called in vain, defeated by the magic set within the portal. He wanted to call up to Celestia for help, but his look upward only yielded the site of bolts of lightning and fireballs flinging between the Star Drakes and Celestia with the different guards engaged in aerial combat against each other. Fearing for his life, he had no choice but to run away helplessly.
He escaped back into the previous room, the Star Drakes and Celestia out of site, but now in the company of the grievous moans of the dying and injured royal guards. He felt so scared, so helpless, so worthless. His legs gave away as he fell onto the floor, crying. “I don't know what to do... I want to help, but I can't....” His thoughts were frantic and chaotic, but came to a grinding halt when a voice he would never forget shouted from behind him.
“Duskmane? What in Celestia's mane are you doing here?!”
“M—Mother?”
~
When Twilight's head emerged through the other end of the portal, she found herself in a place unlike any she had ever seen. The entirety of large palace-like chamber she found herself in was constructed of the shining blue crystal she saw in the Royal Sister's Palace. The floor was also made of the substance, producing an extremely smooth surface that reflected Twilight's awed face back at her. There was a small cackle of energy behind her that caused her to quickly turn around. There was a tall archway formed by two pillars made of a pitch-black stone that had a glowing white door in the same shape as the glass window she had entered from. Several large sparks shot between the two pillars before the white gate disappeared. “Duskmane!” Twilight was locked in Luna's realm alone.
After a moment of silent hesitation, Twilight turned back around, swallowing the lump of fear in her throat. She slowly began to walk forward, her hooves echoing against the glass-like floor. The complete silence aside from her movement unnerved Twilight, even though the glow that spread from the crystal walls gave a comforting aura. Ahead, she could see a pair of immense black doors, adorned with the symbol of a crescent moon. She could feel a source of immense magic power... Luna and the Elements lied beyond them. Twilight was only arm's length from the giant doors. A cold feeling ran through her joints, with her instincts shouting for her to run far, far away, even with the way out being sealed. Isolated and against all odds, she stepped up and pressed her weight against the doors, which pressed open with surprisingly little effort.
Twilight's froze in terror as she locked eyes with nightmare before her. At the center of the empty, immense chamber stood Luna, Princess of the Night. Her starry blue mane flowed like a silk blanket in a light wind, as her dark-indigo coat stood in contrast to the bright blue crystals the walls and ceiling were formed from.
“I remember thou.” She spoke, her voice bold and loud, “But thou art not whom I was expecting. Twilight Sparkle... What brings thou hither, upon this brink of history's transformation?”
Her voice was not threatening, but Twilight still struggled to speak as fear weighed down on her lungs. “Luna...” She paused and took a deep breath, “I'm here on behalf of Princess Celestia to stop your traitorous plot!”
There was a moment of silence, shattered as Luna broke into laughter. “Ohohoho! You foal! My sister always spoke highly of thy mental caliber, yet thou delve into such folly hopes!” There was a light blue flash as the a golden plaque appeared above Luna, suspended by her magic.
“That's...” The Golden plaque was adorned with six large jewels, five jewels adorned the edges of the plaque. Starting from the top and going clockwise: the Ruby of Loyalty; the Citrine of Honesty; the Emerald of Generosity; the Sapphire of Laughter; and the Garnet of Kindness. In the center of the five jewels was the Amethyst of Magic, the element Twilight herself represented. It was the Elements of Harmony.
“I shall unlock the full potential of the Elements with my power, and lay waste to my pathetic sister, and claim Equestria as my own!” Luna cackled.
“No!” Twilight shouted, “I won't let you!”
“Such bold words for one who stares death in the eyes. If thou insist on defending Celestia and her schemes, then thou shall perish alongside her.” She gave a snide grin, “This shall be a grand opportunity to test the power vested within the Elements!”
Twilight yelped as the doors behind her slammed shut. Even without the Elements, Princess Luna possessed near god-like power, just like Princess Celestia. The Elements of Harmony were a very mysterious, yet extremely potent force when wielded by one strong of will.
Luna brought the Elements of Harmony closer to herself as she infused it with more of her magic, until it became a blinding blue light. When the light dimmed and Twilight was able to turn back to Luna's direction, she witnessed a foreboding sight. The golden plaque with the Elements was gone. However, Luna emerged covered in golden armor, with four of the Elements of Harmony stuck into the armor each of her shoulders and haunches. The Ruby of Loyalty stood prominently on her breastplate, with the Amethyst of Magic on her Helmet, just below her horn. Her mane, that once looked like the starry sky on a cloudless night, turned into pure-black midnight.
She spread her wings, sending sparks of lightning branching across her feathers. The raw power Twilight could feel coming from Luna was incredibly immense, there was no way she could ever defeat her in an outright duel. “If I could just take the Elements from her somehow, I could try to make an escape... somehow. I don't even know where I am....” Twilight thought.
“Why so silent? Hath the power before thou robbed thee of thy voice?!” Luna shouted. “Pray tell, where is thy resolve, now?” Luna stepped closer. Twilight stepped backwards to keep her distance, but was stopped by the closed door behind her. Luna approached the trembling Twilight until she was but an arm's length away. “Ohoho! This fear of thine, how I fancy to see it upon my sister's face.” She sneered.
“Is this... the power of Nova?” Twilight thought, avoiding eye contact with Luna out of fear.
There was a brief pause, until Luna broke the silence. “Well, thou came to fight me, did thee not? Time waits for nopony... and I'm sure thou understand I have a... very busy schedule to uphold.” She laughed as she reared onto her hind legs, towering menacingly over Twilight. Twilight seized the moment, and dashed between her legs to gain some distance from Luna. Luna's front hooves came crashing down with extreme force, shaking the floor and sending bolts of lightning branching from her hooves across the floor that sparked against the walls. Luna turned around to face her, a snide grin across her face.
“I must confess, the irony of your situation amuses me to no end.” Luna remarked.
Twilight met Luna's gaze with a face of confusion. “What do you mean?”
“It was once I who was at the mercy of thou and the Elements of Harmony, and now the tables have turned!” She drew her head back, then whipped it forward, sending a stream of frost from her horn towards Twilight. She reacted by shooting a small white beam from her horn onto the floor, summoning a wall of flame in front of her that negated Luna's frost spell. Twilight then quickly followed up with conjuring a ball of pure magic, roughly the size of her head, and propelling it through the fire towards Luna. The room shook as the spell exploded with a bright yellow flash when it collided with Luna.
Even before the smoke cleared, Twilight heard Luna's cackle echo through the room. Twilight felt Luna's radiating energy disappear from in front of her. She instinctively turned around to see Luna loomed over her. She fell backwards onto her flank as Luna lowered her head closer to Twilight's. Twilight could see her fearful expression reflecting off the surface of the Amethyst of Magic, although she could feel a warmth coming from the stone itself. “I can still feel my connection to the Element of Magic.” Twilight thought, “It hasn't abandoned me, even with Luna harnessing it's power....”
“Don't tell me that's all thou've got.” Luna sneered, “I've only just begun!” Twilight barely winked away in time as a bolt of lightning shot from Luna's horn and struck at Twilight's previous location with a loud bang. Before she could regain her bearings, another bolt was sent her way. The bolt struck Twilight firmly on her neck, searing her fur and knocking the breath out of her. She brought up her shield as a barrage of more lightning shot her way, giving her time to catch her breath. Luna slowly walked closer, continue her volley of lightning at Twilight, with each strike becoming progressively more powerful. Twilight was faced with the familiar dismay of being pinned behind her shield, although she could feel it fading very quickly as each bolt of lightning block drained considerable amounts of her magic.
“Bow down before your queen!” Luna jeered as she shot a particularly large steam of lightning from her horn that penetrated Twilight's shield and struck her. Twilight's shield absorbed most of the blow, but the sparks that rippled through her body caused her to fall onto her knees. Luna walked closer and giggled menacingly. “Good, good.” As Twilight looked up to meet Luna's stare, she felt a burst of flaming hot pain run across her as Luna cast another lightning bolt at her. The impact launched her into the crystalline wall behind her.
After a moment of gasping for air, Twilight looked up again to see Luna still had a snide grin on her face. “This is but a fraction of the power I feel coursing through the Elements. Did my sister honestly expect a lowly pony to stop me? Especially one who so zealously champions the cause of friendship, caught in a war between sisters. Tell me, Twilight...” Luna walked closer, her metal hoofboots echoing on the glassy floor. “Where are thy cherished friends now?”
She did not want to admit it, but Twilight never felt quite so isolated. She laid within the quiet halls of a deranged demigod, somewhere outside of the normal dimensions of time and space. Twilight could not answer, dropping her head in shame.
“Just as I thought.” Luna sneered, “Thy blind loyalty hast cost thou dearly.” Luna shot a wave of sparks from her horn towards Twilight, causing her to contract as she screamed from the searing pain. Luna ceased moments later, leaving Twilight gasping for breath as small streams of smoke issued from her charred coat. “Know that thou will perish here. Thy friends will never know how you fought for Celestia's cause, cut short by the cruel hooves of fate.”
Twilight could not deny the inevitability of her fate as the pain from Luna's shocks left her immobile and unable to defend herself for any longer. She bit her lip as tears dripped onto the crystal floor. “My friends....” She wanted to scream, cry out for them to come to her side, just to see them one last time before venturing to the eternal sleep.
But then she felt it. A spark, one of happiness and joy. But from where? She looked upwards towards Luna, and it struck her. The Elements of Harmony, each that one of her friends encompassed and represented. She could feel the warmth that emanated from the Elements flowing into her, as if responding to her plea. It renewed her energy and alleviated her of her pain. She stood got onto her hooves, leaving Luna with a surprised face.
“Wait, what's going on?” Luna said, stepping back. She watched in awe as the Elements of Harmony embedded in her golden armor began to release streams of light that shot into Twilight. “No, the Elements! My power! How... how art thou taking them?!
“Because, Princess Luna,” Twilight said solemnly, staring intently into her astonished eyes, “You failed to realize what power truly lies within the Elements of Harmony. It's not a power meant for destruction and betrayal. It embodies the magic that lies in the bonds between friends, which you so desperately sought to destroy.” Twilight felt incredibly bolstered by the power flowing from the Elements.
“But... this can't be.” Luna fell onto her knees as the Elements she bound herself to sapped her strength, whilst channeling it to Twilight. Luna's armor disappeared in a golden flash. The Amethyst of Magic appeared as a golden tiara on Twilight's head, with the Amethyst itself taking the shape of a star that laid atop the headpiece. The other five jewels hovered near Twilight, slowly spinning around her.
Luna was now at Twilight's mercy, although now that she had the Elements, she was not entirely sure what to do next. “Luna...” Twilight said softly, “You should return to Celestia... I am not sure what she'll do, but friendship triumphs all... I'm sure she will forgive you.”
“Twilight Sparkle... thou art a fool.” Luna spoke sternly, “Thou truly don't understand... what is at stake. I yield, but know this; you will very soon regret what thou hath done here today. Princess Celestia is not one to be trusted, and she only exploiting thy loyalty.... She wants Nova, 'tis not me!”
Twilight wanted to disregard her ramblings, but her voice was dire and serious. “I... no, you're trying to fool me!” Twilight decided, “All of the evidence points to you; the prophecy, the note, the memory; there is no denying that this is your doing!”
There was a brief pause. “Very well, foal.” Luna said somberly. She wrapped her wings around her weakened self and disappeared in a cloud of black fire, much like the star drake did only hours ago.
Twilight did it. The Elements were in her hooves and Luna was no longer a threat. She exhaled a great sigh, relieved that the fate of Equestria was preserved so that she might she her friends again. It was too soon to celebrate, however, as her memory struck her when she remembered the battle that still raged back at Canterlot Palace. “I must get back to the Princess immediately!” She turned around to face the doors that had opened upon Luna's exit. The twin pillars that stood at the end of the hallway beyond sparked between each other as the doorway back to Equestria reopened.
~
“You're telling me you came to see the Princess on your own accord?! What were you thinking?!” Madam Sapphire spouted at Duskmane, who had been explaining to his mother what he was doing here. “Do you know how much damage you could have done to my reputation? You useless child.”
“But...” Duskmane started, quivering beneath his mother's leer, “You don't understand. The Princess sent us—Me and that pony Twilight I told you about, to help stop her sister—That is, Celestia's sister, and--”
“Don't try to change the subject! The fact of the matter is that you still came here, of all places, without me to make sure you didn't screw up!” Duskmane could only shrink back from the hate-filled words. He had hoped that explaining what he had gone through would make his mother see him in different light, as more than just a useless son. He was very, very wrong. “And do you see these ponies here?” She made a sweeping motion with her hoof towards the fallen royal guards, “That could have been you! You could have died!”
“I know, but...” Duskmane started, taking in a deep breath “There are some things... that you have to fight for.”
“And this is not your battle to fight.” His mother ended.
“Then why are you here?” Duskmane asked nervously.
“I believe I know why.” Said a much more gentle and caring voice. Princess Celestia had walked in from the destroyed Chamber of the Elements. Many parts of her once pure-white coat were seared and covered with ash. Several blotches of blood were also visible, many of them from her own wounds. However, she still walked gracefully and apparently unharmed.
“Princess Celestia!” Duskmane called happily, “Is it over? I mean-- Are Luna and her forces defeated?”
The Princess nodded with a smile, “The Star Drakes and her royal guards have been defeated, but at a great cost.” She turned towards the guards that were felled by the explosive fireball that destroyed the door into the Chamber of the Elements. “There is still hope for some of them.” She closed her eyes and raised her wings. Her horn and her wings began to give off a fiery yellow aura as it shined a golden light upon the room. A moment later, the aura ceased and the light faded. To Duskmane's amazement, the guards that still grasped to a sliver of life began to stir as their burn wounds began to heal before his eyes. Within moments, about ten royal guards were on their hooves, regaining their bearings and pondering the miracle that befell them.
“Princess!” One of them shouted, sending he and the rest into a kneel. Duskmane turned to see Celestia herself was healed of her wounds as her coat was once again a pearly white sheen.
She nodded, “Thank you all for the courage you displayed here today, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. But know that their deaths were not in vane, for Luna's forces have been routed and sent back to the dark depths from which they came!”
Even the guards, almost always without any sign of emotion, gave out a collective cheer. “Excuse me, Princess.” Duskmane said quietly as he walked closer to her, “What about Luna? Did Twilight make it out okay?”
“Twilight has yet to return.” Celestia answered nonchalantly.
“But aren't you going to help her?!” Duskmane added in distress.
“I have complete confidence in her... she is the only one who can.”
This did little to calm Duskmane. “Pipe down, you!” Madam Sapphire interjected towards her son, “Don't pester the Princess! I knew you'd do this, filthy runt.” Duskmane did not have time to cower away from his abusive mother, for his ears perked upon hearing the sound of galloping behind him. He turned, and to his most joyous relief, came a lavender colored unicorn running towards them. Duskmane ran up to meet Twilight at the threshold of the doorway to the ruined hall.
He was partially entranced by the strange jewels slowly spinning around her, but focused as he voiced his very important question. “Did you do it? Is Luna defeated?”
Twilight nodded. “She's still alive, but with the Elements back in our possession, and with the Star Drakes defeated, she's no longer a threat. I couldn't have done it without you.” Twilight finished, smiling bashfully at him.
Duskmane gave out a mirthful cheer, extremely proud of his contributions (even if they were only small) towards saving Equestria. “See mother?” He said as he turned towards her, only to meet a skeptical look, “I'm not entirely useless after all!”
Madam Sapphire made no response or change in facial expression. The tense moment was broken as Princess Celestia approached Twilight. “I am very proud of you, my faithful student. I knew that your knowledge of the magic of friendship would render useless the Elements of Harmony after Luna had inevitably unlocked it's power for herself. Equestria is safe once again, when I am able to ensure the Elements are sealed in a safe location. If I may, Twilight?” Celestia said, motioning her head towards Twilight's tiara.
“Of course, your majesty.” Twilight answered, levitating the tiara from her head, causing the floating jewels to follow it. “I am honored to have been able to help you on this historic day.”
With a quick flash, the six Elements formed back into the adorned golden plaque. Celestia hovered them closer to her, staring deeply into the facets of the jewels. Madam Sapphire gained a worrisome face. “It truly is a glorious day!” Celestia said, full of vigor. “With the Elements of Harmony back in my hooves, Luna will be erased from history! Infused with the power of Night by my foolish sister, the Elements are only one step away from the ultimate power!”
“Huh?!” Twilight's eyes widened, but shut as a blinding flash emanated from the Elements.
“For now, I possess... the Elements of Order! With its divine energy, I will unlock the potential... in you!” Celestia turned to Duskmane, who jumped back from the disturbing sight. Black vines sprung from the ground and rooted all of his hooves. He struggled against them, but to no avail.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Twilight shouted. The jewels of the Elements of Harmony gave a rainbow-colored glow not previously present.
“Oh, my dear, naive student. I knew your loyalty to me would make you the perfect pony to do my dirty work. For you see, Luna is not Nova... It is none other than your dear friend Duskmane!” Dark energy sparked from the roots at Duskmane's hooves, causing him to yell in anguish. When it ceased, he slumped over, gasping for breath.
“But, no, that's impossible! The prophecy said Nova was an alicorn!” Twilight exclaimed.
Madam Sapphire, who had been completely silent with an expressionless face, stepped forward. “My son, Duskmane, was born an alicorn. Even though I kept it a secret, Princess Celestia found out, and removed the horns and wings from Duskmane, threatening me and my family with death should I resist... I came here because I knew that with the Princess calling me to Canterlot, it was to be the day she used my son for her vile purposes....”
Princess Celestia gave out a cackle that caused Twilight to shiver. “Oh, how simple it was to convince you!” She taunted, “It only took the death of your most beloved!”
“But why?! Why are you doing this?!” Twilight shouted.
“Because, my faithful student... my sister and I are the two forces of Order. Apart, we are but regular souls, destined to fade away into nothingness. Our powers are evenly matched, but since her heart is still uncorrupt, she could easily use the Elements to gain the advantage and destroy me. But with the Elements of Order and Nova, she can no longer hide as I burn Equestria to the ground in pursuit! With her death, I will gain the missing portion of Order, and become the one true, eternal queen! Omnipotent! Omniscient! Equestria will be under my eternal rule beneath the crimson solstice!” Even the royal guards stared onward in fear, completely confused as to which course of action to take.
Twilight could only stand, mouth ajar in horror as the truth revealed itself. “No, this can't be true! I... I won't let you do this!”
Celestia laughed manically in response, “You may have been able to send my sister into hiding by stealing the power of the Elements from her, but Elements of Order can only be controlled by someone as powerful as I. For your blind faith, I shall let you watch as Equestria falls to the black fires of Nova as I ascend into immortal godhood!”
Twilight swung a magic scythe at the demented Princess. With a mere flap of her wing, she deflected the magic blow. “I must prepare the Elements of Order as I unlock the insane power of Nova that lies within this young stallion. Take care of her, my minion!” Celestia called out as she trotted towards the ruined Chamber of the Elements of Harmony, carrying Duskmane in her magical grasp. Twilight began to give pursuit, but stopped as a poof of smoke appeared in front of her. Out of it came the strange blue cat that had been stalking her during her travels.
She was taken aback by the strange site, making her hesitate. Before she could return pursuit, however, the blue cat glowed a bright yellow as it began to take a familiar shape. When the entity ceased to glow, Twilight found herself in front of the cloaked pony that had saved her life within the Royal Sister's dungeon. “You! You're the one that's been following me all this time!”
“Twilight Sparkle, still stating the painfully obvious, as usual.” Said the pony.
“That voice... It can't be--”
“Oh, but it is, my little hay seed!” The Pony removed their hood to reveal a bold azure coat and a platinum colored mane. “The great and powerful Trixie stands before you!”
Twilight could initially not believe her eyes, but it was indeed the pompous and boastful unicorn that once visited Ponyville. “Trixie, what are you doing here?! I don't have time for this, I've got to stop Celestia!”
“I'm very sorry, Twilight, but I only obey Celestia now. She promised me power great enough to fulfill my dream of destroying you, so long as I helped her in her scheme.”
“Destroying me? If you don't help stop her, she's going to destroy Equestria until she finds and kills Luna!”
“It matters not, so long as I get to watch you gasp your last breath! I had not forgotten what you did during my visit to Ponyville. You humiliated me! You destroyed my career as my faults spread from town to town like wildfire!”
“Humiliated you? Had I not stopped that Ursa Minor, Ponyville would have been destroyed!” Twilight rebutted.
“And it should have been, along with everypony in it! So that nopony could witness my retreat! It's far too late of apologies, Twilight Sparkle. I want to watch you vainly beg for death as I grind you into the eternal sleep!”
“But... Trixie....” Twilight could not fathom how a pony could contain so much hatred, she almost pitied her. She did not have time to wonder much longer, however, as a magical black sphere began to form around her and her hell-bent nemesis. It shut out the light until it was nothing but a pure black abyss surrounding her, with even Trixie faded from sight.
“Princess Celestia granted me the power to bend the thoughts of those I choose.” Twilight heard Trixie's voice echo from the depths. “From the very beginning, when you almost put Prophecies and Predictions back into the bookshelf, I made sure you did as the Princess wanted. I was also forced to... ugh, help you against my will when you were in danger. But that annoyance is about to pay off... before I destroy you, Twilight Sparkle, I want you to see the fate you've brought upon your so-called friends. I want their anguish to be on your mind as you go into the eternal sleep.”
Color and light slowly began to appear as the setting around Twilight began to materialize. When everything came into focus, Twilight found herself beneath a blood-colored sky amidst a raging fire. She was in a flat field surrounded by burning trees with a large red barn ahead of her, it was Sweet Apple Acres caught in a firestorm.
“Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, you're alright!” She heard a familiar voice from behind her. She turned to see her friend Applejack running towards two other earth ponies. They did not seem to notice Twilight standing right beside them. “Have any of you seen Applebloom? We need to get the hay away from here pronto!”
Before either of them could answer, a shriek rang out from the flaming barn. “Help! Please! Anypony!” It was the terrified cry of Applejack's younger sister, Applebloom.
“Hold on, Im'a comin'!” Applejack shouted with a distressed face as she galloped into the barn, braving the fires and smoke that bellowed forth. Twilight heart's sunk as she heard the wood give away and begin to splinter. The barn collapsed in a huge plume of sparks and ash with Applejack and Applebloom still inside.
“Applejack!” Twilight cried as she galloped towards the burning rubble. Before she got close, however, the world around her began to fade away like falling grains of sand until she was once again in the black abyss. A new image began to form as Twilight found herself outside the Carrousel Boutique, home of her friend Rarity. Strange black-colored beasts made of fire, thrice as tall as a pony with long tails and claws, ravaged through the streets, viscous attacking the nearby buildings and ponies that retreated from the onslaught. Before Twilight could make a move, however, she heard a nearby door burst open. She jumped to it to see Rarity and her younger sister Sweetie Belle galloping out of it, paying no heed to Twilight just as Applejack had. “Just follow me, Sweetie Belle!” Rarity shouted. “We must retreat from these vile fiends!”
Before they could get far, two of the dragonesque monstrosities jumped in front of them. “Kill... Luna...” One muttered in a very deep and gargled hiss.
“Sweetie Belle, I will hold them off. You need to go, now!” Rarity exclaimed.
“But... sister....” Sweetie Belle responded fearfully.
“'Tis not the time to argue! Do as I say, and run! I... I'll come find you.” Rarity said tearfully. Sweetie Belle only hesitated a moment before following her sister's orders, scampering off in the other direction. “Alright, ruffians, have at you!” Rarity shouted at the aberrations, charging magic into her horn. One of the beasts quickly swiped at her, knocking her onto the ground before she could cast her spell.
Sweetie Belle turned around at the sound of her sister's yell, only to witness in horror as the other beast brought its claws down on her helpless sister. Both she and Twilight were paralyzed in fear at the gruesome sight. “This... this can't be the future....” Twilight said as the colors around her once again fell away like sand, with the grim terror on Sweetie Belle's face to be the last image that disappeared to the dark void.
The image that appeared next had her gasp as she appeared to be floating high in the air, her hooves seemingly against invisible platform. She looked down, see to most of the landscape silently shining in the light of raging fires and pillars of black smoke as Ponyville burned to the ground, the evil black beasts below quickly rummaging through the wreckage and spreading the fire further.
“Fluttershy, I know you don't want to do this, but think of the animals in the forest!” Twilight heard the voice of Rainbow Dash beside her. She turned to see her along with Fluttershy, who were stationary in the air as they flapped their wings.
“I... you're right, Rainbow Dash....” Fluttershy said quietly, obvious that she was resisting the urge to cry, “We need to stop this thing... somehow.”
“There it is!” Rainbow shouted, pointing her hoof behind Fluttershy. Twilight turned in its direction to see a black mass heading their way, roughly the same size as one of the Princesses. It was giving off a long trail of flames as it soared through the sky, raining black orbs from beneath its wings to the ground below.
“That must be... Nova.” Twilight stuttered in fear as it approached her friends and she. When it got close, it stopped and silently gazed its flaming eyes at the two pegasi in front of it. Rainbow Dash returned the gaze with a determined snarl. Fluttershy barely managed to keep her wings in motion as the sight caused her to freeze in terror.
“Let's do this!” Rainbow yelled as she quickly accelerated, leaving Fluttershy behind. Rainbow charged at Nova with her hooves extended. She collided with the black alicorn, who did not budge from the impact. Rainbow trembled in pain from the recoil as Nova merely looked onward.
“Kill... Luna....” He spoke, a voice that seemed to come from the fiery bowels of Tartarus itself, filled with hatred and malice. Large streams of Lightning shot from his horn towards Rainbow Dash. She screamed momentarily as the powerful energy coursed painfully through her limbs, and then fell unconscious, falling out of the sky to the ground below.
Fluttershy still had not moved at all when Nova hovered close to her, only a hoof away from her face as they locked eyes. Fluttershy gave out as a moan as passed out from shear fright. Nova held her with magic telepathy, bringing her still face closer to his.
“Kill... Luna....”
The magical aura surrounding Fluttershy disappeared as Nova dropped her from the sky, sending her into a deadly plummet. “No!” Twilight tried to reach out, wanting to catch her, but the invisible platform on which she stood prevented a heroic jump. “Rainbow... Fluttershy....” Twilight said as grief formed a lump in her throat. Nova made no motion towards Twilight as he continued to soar over Equestria, deploying the vile beasts of dark sorcery. The colors fell away as they did, falling in unison with Twilight's tears that splashed against the invisible plane that held her up within the spacelessness of the visions before her.
The colors reformed again as she found herself in the colorful interior of Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville's bakery and confectionery shop.
“Wow! The sky is red! Like cotton candy, except really red cotton candy.” Said the pink earth pony Pinkie Pie, who waited diligently behind the counter, apparently oblivious to the dangers that were sweeping over Ponyville. “And Oooooo, that house is on fire! And that one too! I sure hope the pegasi bring a raincloud to them soon!”
Twilight, stunned from the apparent daftness of her friend, snapped to her senses. “Pinkie! You have to leave!” She yelled. Pinkie made no response, just smiling and looking through the window in the door across the room.
“I think I see customers!” Pinkie said with glee. There was a huge cracking noise as the door was ripped from its hinges and thrown into the wall beside Pinkie. One of the lumbering beasts squeezed through the door. “Hi! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! You must be really hungry to rip the door off like that!”
“Pinkie! Now's not the time for jokes! You need to run, now!” Twilight shouted. She charged a spell with her horn before firing it towards the beast. It merely passed right through it, and through the walls of Pinkie's home, disappearing out of site.
“Can I interest you in a carrot cupcake? Or how about a lettuce pound cake?” The black creature merely raised one of its claws menacingly at Pinkie's query.
“Pinkie!” Twilight called in vane.
“Kill... Luna....” The beast hissed.
“I don't think we have any of that, but if--” Pinkie's words were cut short as the beast swiftly brought its sharp, fiery claws down on the pink pony. At the moment of impact, everything returned to blackness in an instant, leaving Twilight alone in her grief. She fell onto her knees, sobbing up tears that she could no longer suppress.
“This can't be... the future I've brought upon Equestria.”
“But it is.” Trixie's voice echoed out. “Your actions have brought the doom of all of your friends, and many, many more. You have written Equestria's epitaph with your own hooves!”
“Stop it!” Twilight cried, covering her ears with her hooves.
“Had you only the will to run your own destiny would you have averted this fate!” Twilight could still hear Trixie in her mind, even with her ears covered.
“I only wanted to save my friends....” Twilight sobbed.
“Now you know how it will feel to lose everything, just as you did to me! But don't worry, little hay seed... you don't have much longer to worry about anything.”
The infinite shame and guilt she had was too much to bear. Twilight came to the realization that she would never see her friends again, and that they will perish without knowing that she was the cause of everything that is to come. “I just... want it to end.”
“And end, it shall.” Trixie called back. She heard hoofsteps getting closer, but did not care to look up. She knew it was Trixie, ready to exact her fiery revenge. “For I, master of illusion, am here to end your plight!”
Illusion.... It rang through Twilight's mind she played back the memories she just saw. Her head jumped up as enlightenment struck her. “This is all a lie!” She shouted, standing on her hooves. “The future is never set in stone, is it up to us to shape this future!” She levitated the small glass vial of the Elixir of Verity out of her bags, hovering it between Trixie and she.
“The future you saw is the one destined to come. You greatly underestimate the forces you have set in motion, Twilight Sparkle.” Trixie finished with a sneer.
“No, you're wrong.” Twilight said. “From my travels with Duskmane, I've learned that no matter how difficult the task, there is always a way through, always a way above what you originally thought possible. That is how I know this is all a lie, and this will bring the truth!” She slammed the vial onto the invisible plane beneath them. A golden vortex began to swirl from the sparkling liquid, wrapping around both her and Trixie. It felt like standing near a lake on a beautiful day in a light breeze, blissful and serene. Trixie, however, burst into a scream.
“This can't be, Celestia's blessing is...!” The black abyss around them began to evaporate, revealing the inside of Canterlot Palace, just where Twilight was before Trixie's spell. “No! The Princess's blessing is gone!” She exclaimed in shock. She growled menacingly in anger, “Curse you! Curse you Twilight! I finally had the means to destroy you, but yank it from my grasp!”
Twilight felt triumphant as she wiped the lingering tears from her eyes. “Trixie, there is a lot more to achieve in life besides fame and wealth... a much greater reward can be found in the bonds of friendship. Please, cast your revenge aside, and help me stop Princess Celestia and write a peaceful tale into the stone of the future.”
Trixie's head was bowed. She remained quiet for several long moments, making several tearful sobs. Twilight jumped back when she looked up and shouted, “Never! Power or not, I will defeat you! I will never forget! Never forgive!”
She gritted her teeth as she channeled immense amounts of magic power into her horn. Twilight erected her magic shield, bracing for the impact of whatever spell her nemesis was preparing. Trixie shot a light-blue colored orb that flew in a spiraling pattern towards her. Twilight planted her hooves as firmly as she could as the orb hit her shield. To her surprise, she did not feel much of anything. The orb exploded in a fireworks-like shower of blue and golden sparks.
“Come on! Come on! Come on!” Trixie shouted as she waved her horn about, thrusting all sorts of colorful spells Twilight's way. Just like the first one, she barely felt the impact, but the visual display of all the sparks and showers of colorful light did look impressive.
After a few minutes are her raging onslaught, Trixie's horn merely sparked weakly as she gasped for breath. “No... this can't be all I have.” She muttered to herself, “The great and powerful Trixie never gives up.”
Twilight's lowered her magic shield. “Trixie... please, stop. You have to understand that what I did back at Ponyville was not for the sake of ruining your career or humiliating you, it was only because I needed to protect my friends and the other ponies that given me so many good memories. I think you should try making some friends, it's not so hard when you believe in yourself.”
“Curse that Twilight, always bragging about how she knows everything.” Trixie growled lowly. She then suddenly burst into a charge, horn pointed forward. “I'll get you Twilight, I'll get you!”
Although Twilight was surprised by her latest act in rage, Trixie's unimpressive running speed made it easy to sidestep her charge. Trixie, surprised by Twilight's simple defensive maneuver, stumbled over herself and fell flat onto the shiny floor. She slid a little ways, but made no attempt to get up afterward, having completely exhausted herself in her bout of rage.
“Poor girl... maybe she'll learn one day.” Twilight whispered. “But now, I must confront Princess Celestia, and bring this dark story to a close... one way, or another.” She added apprehensively, knowing very well that she stood little change against the delusional goddess. She put her faith into the bonds of friendship, which had already strained to carry her so far, and ran onwards into the Chamber of the Elements.
Ominous dark clouds swirled overhead, shadowing all around Twilight except a small hole in the clouds where the sun shot through, right down towards Princess Celestia just ahead. She stood tall on her hind legs, with her front hooves stretched to the air. Just above her was the limp body of Duskmane, suspended by magic as the six Elements of Order orbiting his body. Twilight ran up behind Celestia, and although strong of will and resolve, the gripping aura of fear that surrounded Celestia clutched at her heart.
“Celestia, your minion was no match for me!”
“I didn't think she would be.” Celestia remarked dully, still maintaining her tall stance.
“And now I'm going to bring this prophecy to end!”
“Oh, but my dear student, the prophecy has already ended... and became reality! Behold!”
Twilight could not wait, she launched her magic scythes once again towards the Princess. They collided with the Princess, but to Twilight's dismay, did not even make her flinch.
She gave out a maniacal laugh, “Oh Twilight, your naivety amuses me to no end! Watch as your treasured friend becomes what you've sought to end all this time!”
The Elements of Harmony began to spin around Duskmane very quickly as the beam of sunlight shining through the clouds above intensified. Princess Celestia stretched her enormous white wings upwards, causing her feathers to glisten in the intense light. There was a flash from above as a beam of orange energy shot from the sun and engulfed Duskmane and the Elements of Order. The fire gave out a loud roar, but Celestia's triumphant and disturbing cackle still ringed through.
“Yes! All this planning! All this time!” Celestia shouted. “Once my sister sleeps in the abyss, time will have no meaning! I will be Equestria's eternal goddess!”
When the orange beam disappeared, both the Elements of Order and Duskmane were gone. In it's place, however, she caught the horrific sight she saw from Trixie's visions. A pure-black alicorn that stood as tall as the Princess, with a mane and tail made of trailing fire stood below where Duskmane once floated. An aura surrounded him that filled Twilight with the most dire sense of despair and lose. She bowed her head, “No... I'm too late... I have doomed Equestria.”
Celestia dropped onto all-fours as she walked closer to Nova, who appeared to have his eyes closed. “Kill Luna!” She shouted.
Nova opened his fiery eyes, “Kill... Luna....” A fiery aura began to surround him as his horn shimmered a dark blue. He gave a bellowing roar, sending the condensed magic in all directions in the form of an immense shock-wave. Twilight only barely had to raise her shield as the shock-wave shot in all directions, destroying the rest of the walls that surrounded them. Twilight could hear the crack of stone behind her. She turned to see the tall ramparts and towers of Canterlot Palace tumble from the impact, falling inward on the palace itself as it sent up large plumes of dust and debris.
“Such beautiful power!” Celestia exclaimed. “And even that is thanks to you, my dear student.”
Twilight could only look on with a fearful expression, already dreading the blade of truth Celestia would strike her with next.
“The Elements of Order can easily grasp the minds of the weak willed. I sent him with you on your quest because I could see his spirit begin to grow. I knew that putting him with someone so much more powerful would leave him in constant doubt of himself, leaving his will so easy for the taking!”
Nova's horn shined once again as he turned to face towards Ponyville, visible far in the distance below the cliffs of Canterlot Mountain. He reared up before slamming down his hooves into the ruined stone, sending immense fireballs from his horn into the distance that created massive explosions as they hit the ground, with one of them exploding very close to Ponyville.
A tear rolled down Twilight's face as it seemed Trixie's dark predictions of the future began to manifest into reality. The thought that she could avert that fate is what fueled her resolve, but now her hopes began to wane like a setting sun. “Duskmane! Snap out of it, you've got to stop!” Twilight cried.
“His mind if only filled with hatred and destruction, Duskmane has ceased to exist... the bonds of friendship can only go so far until they are forgotten and left to rot.” Celestia taunted.
“Duskmane!” Both Twilight and Celestia turned to the new voice, to see Madam Sapphire galloping towards them. “Stop this right now, you monster!” She yelled at Celestia.
“Oh? You suddenly care for your child now, is that it? Self-righteous fool, you are of no more use to me!” Celestia shot a bolt of lightning from her horn to Madam Sapphire.
She screamed as the blast threw her back, “...Duskmane....” she whispered before becoming still and silent.
It felt as if being shaken from a sound nap as Duskmane snapped to, completely oblivious as to what had been happening before. A certain sound, something that reverberated in the reaches of his quiet mind. A voice, perhaps? Maybe even a call. When he found himself within the realm outside of his mind, however, he questioned if it were truly reality. Nothing moved, as if time itself had taken a brief rest, leaving him outside of its grasp.
He found himself on a stone jetty that shot from a doorway into Canterlot Palace, the floor cracked and the walls completely demolished. Beside him was Princess Celestia, frozen in a malicious and pleased grin. He could also see Twilight turned in the same direction with a look of shock and fear painted on her face. He followed both of their stairs to see a white earth pony with a blonde mane sprawled upon the stone pathway. A pony he would never forget.
“Mother?” He said, but his voice was not his own. It was deep, and sounded like the roar of one of the blacksmith's bellows back home. He did not care, however, as he ran towards the still pony. “Mother!”
Madam Sapphire seemed to be the only thing that also moved within the frozen frame of time, giving weak, shuttered breaths as small streams of smoke flowed from burnt patches on her fur. She slowly opened her eyes to witness Nova looking down on her. “Is that you... my son?” she whispered.
“Yes, mother. I'm here.” Duskmane knelt closer to her, bringing his face within reach.
“Oh, Duskmane... I'm so sorry... this had to happen. I... I had no choice.” She gave a wincing cough, grasping for breath afterwords.
“I know, mother. I know you would never hurt me on purpose.”
“You're too forgiving... all this time, I treated you like... like...” She could not answer, as a tearful lump formed in her throat.
“No, mother. I... It made me want to become a better pony. To be able to proudly carry on the family name.”
“There is so much more... I wanted for you... please... come closer.”
Duskmane pressed the side of his head against his mother's as she wrapped a hoof around him. He closed his eyes, and a vision came to him.
He could see a shambled interior of a house. It was a single room made of a dark, rotting wood, a very unkempt hovel. His attention was drawn to two ponies in the corner of the home. One laid upon a rickety bed, a grown mare that looked not unlike Madam Sapphire herself, but not quite the same. Another was a young filly, who stood at the side of the bed, looking at the other pony. It was a young Sapphire.
“That's my mother and I.” Duskmane heard his mother's voice echo in his mind.
“Mommy, I finally found the last of those bits we need for your medicine! Now you'll be alright!” Said the young filly, tossing a small brown pouch onto the bed that gave a metal jingle.
“You're so sweet, Sapphire....” The other pony said quietly, giving a string of rasp coughs.
“Come on, let's go to the doctor, and--!”
“Sapphire...” The sickly pony interjected weakly, “I love you so much. A mother could not ask for more precious daughter.” The pony slowly raised a hoof to stroke Sapphire's mane. “There's no time. Just promise me... that...” The pony gave another loud gasp for breath, “that you will make many friends... and make them as happy as you did for me.”
“But... mommy, what do you mean?”
The pony merely smiled back at her and closed her eyes. With a last, stuttered breath, the pony's hoof dropped from it's place on Sapphire's mane.
“Mommy?” Sapphire called, stepping up and putting her face close. “But... I don't have any friends except for you....” She shook the still pony, who made not a sound. “Please wake up....” Sapphire's eyes began to shimmer in the dim light as large droplets formed in them. She stepped away from the bed, rain beginning to pat against the thin roof. Sapphire's lip began to quiver, and a moment later, she stormed out the door, leaving a trail of tears as she embraced the cold rain outside.
The vision shifted to show young Sapphire running through the dark expanses of a forest as the rain poured down upon her.
“I ran, and ran. As far as I could.” Madam Sapphire's voice rang in his mind. “I didn't know where I was going, but it did not matter. It was by chance that I ran into the side of the plateau that would soon become the Saddlestone Mines.”
The vision showed that, indeed, young Sapphire ran head first into the flat stone expanse of the towering plateau in her fleeting retreat. “No! No no no!” Sapphire cried, slamming her little hooves against the stone. “Mother, why did you leave me?!”she screamed towards the sky. “Why why why?!” With a final angered slam of her hoof, the stone began to crack. She looked up in surprise, wiping the tears and rain from her eyes. She jumped back as the stone cracked more, falling off in thin chunks.
Beneath the stone revealed a spectrum of sparkling gems and diamonds that set Sapphire's wet eyes aglow. “Wow...” She gasped in awe, “I bet with these, I could buy enough medicine for everypony, so that everypony's mommy could live forever....”
“To my luck, there was already a small village on the plateau above.” said Madam Sapphire's omniscient voice. “I sold the gems to buy my own little home and some digging equipment. Whenever I needed more, I'd sneak to that spot and dig up some more diamonds to sell. Eventually I had enough to hire other ponies to mine for me. As we discovered the endless amounts of resources we had below, Saddlestone became famous for the large mines that were expanding by the day. Many ponies flocked for a chance to work there, which began the legacy of the Saddlestone mines.”
The vision sped forward in a blur to reveal a much older Sapphire, dressed in a lavish white dress and a wedding veil. “Several years later, I met the stallion of my dreams, one that moved to town like many others in search of work. It was not long after that we married and started a cozy life together managing the mines.” A stallion with a gray coat and dark gray main stepped from beyond a large doorway, dressed in a black tuxedo. The two ponies walked down the aisle as a mass of visitors threw flowers down upon them in celebration. “But that dream... was not destined to last.”
The dream shot forward once again. This time, the vision landed him in a very familiar place. It was his room at the Saddlestone Manor, already loaded with several shelves of books for him to read as he grew. The lights were dim and the sound of rain echoed outside. At the end of the room near a crib, he could see Madam Sapphire and her husband looking down into it.
“We should at least keep him a secret until he's a colt.” Said the stallion. “Nobody's ever seen another alicorn aside from the Princesses... I'd like to think he'd be perfectly safe even if we did let the town know, but I just don't feel too sure about it.” He said with concern.
“You're right.” Madam Sapphire answered, “Duskmane's safety should be our top priority. I just hope he has a normal life once he grows older.”
Both of the ponies turned as they heard the door open. Lightning briefly illuminated the room to reveal a very tall figure at the dark doorway.
“Who's there?!” Said the stallion.
The dark figure walked closer, revealing three other shadows behind it. When within range of the dim candlelight, the face of Princess Celestia became apparent, covered with a solemn look.
“P—Princess Celestia!” Madam Sapphire sputtered, “What are you doing here?”
Two of the other shadows revealed themselves as royal guards, standing at Celestia's side. “I'm here for the child.” Lightning struck again on cue with her sinister intent.
“Huh?!” Madam Sapphire gasped.
“I... but...” the stallion started, gazing up at her, “but why?!”
“It matters not. Hand over the child, or face dire consequences.” Celestia's serious voice did little to instill a trusting atmosphere.
Madam Sapphire was shaking with fear, standing in front of the crib between Celestia and the sleeping Duskmane.
Celestia began to walk closer. “I won't let you!” called the stallion, jumping into between Madam Sapphire and Celestia. “I cannot obey that command, Princess. I'm not sure why you're here, or why you want me son, but I won't allow you to take him.”
“Then you will perish.” Celestia responded.
Both of the royal guards stepped forward, the candlelight shining off their golden armor. The stallion gritted his teeth as they approached. He jumped at one of them, only to be parried by the guard's armored hooves. The guard retaliated with a quick swipe, slamming the metal boot against the stallion's face. He stumbled backwards a bit, disoriented. The other guard seized the moment to get close and release a powerful buck that slammed menacingly against the underside of the stallion's chin. There was a loud crack as he was thrown backwards, landing limp upon the floor beside Madam Sapphire.
“No!” She cried. She dropped to the floor, hugging her love. He had already stopped breathing.
Celestia walked closer, until only the mourning Madam Sapphire laid between her and Duskmane. “Do you wish to defy me as well?” Celestia said darkly. Madam Sapphire had no choice, she stepped away from the crib and sat at its side, still crying mournful tears as she could only watch in horror as her only child was at the mercy of Princess Celestia. The Princess picked up the sleeping foal, revealing a light-gray coat with a dark blue mane with a white stripe going through it.
“Yes, this is the one!” Celestia said triumphantly as she eyed the small pair of wings and his horn. “The one from the prophecy is finally here! Zecora, I trust your methods will not kill the child?”
“Of course not, your majesty.” Said a thick, female voice from the fourth figure, still in the shadows. “Off go his wings and horn, healthy as can be.”
“Good. We mustn't let news of this get to my sister. When you're done, return the foal to his pathetic mother.”
“But... what are you doing to him?” Madam Sapphire sobbed.
“This child is a part of a prophecy that will shape the history of Equestria forever.” Celestia answered. “When the time comes, I'll call for you and he. Tell anypony about what happened tonight, and I'll kill you personally. Understood?”
Madam Sapphire could only sob in her hooves as Princess and the other ponies walked out of the room with Duskmane in tow.
“I knew that whatever she had planned was something evil and wicked.” Madam Sapphire's voice spoke to Duskmane again. “I knew whatever it was she had planned, it would lead to me losing you... just as I had lost every other precious pony in my life. Knowing that... prevented me from loving you.”
There was a white vortex as Duskmane left the world in his mother's memories, and returned to the world where he stood with his face against his mother's, who struggled harder for air from her injuries.
“That is why... I'm sorry.” Madam Sapphire whispered. “I should have... made you happier... while I had the chance.”
“Mother... I love you.” Duskmane said as her grip on his neck weakened.
“And I... love you too.” She spoke as she closed her eyes, her hoof dropped from his neck, falling against the stone beside her, giving her last breath.
Time spontaneously returned to its normal course as the mountain wind began to howl in his ears.
“Nova! Cease no longer, kill Luna!” He heard Celestia shout.
Duskmane could feel a terrible urge to follow her command, as if a mind that was not his own, one full of malice and destruction, wanting to annihilate everything around him in search for Luna. He could feel his will slipping away, and knew he did not have much time.
“No....” He said in his voice. “I'm not going to let you use me like some tool!”
Celestia was taken aback by the sudden refusal. “You cur! Bow to me! DESTROY LUNA!” Her voice boomed across the cast expanse of land around them.
He could feel the Elements of Order ripping away his will as the soul of the dark god further gripped at his thoughts. “I must do this now.” He said to himself.
He broke into a charge towards the demented Princess. “What are you doing?! Cease! Halt!” She screamed.
Twilight could only watch in pure shock as the transformed Duskmane charged horn-first towards the Princess. Right as the black alicorn passed her, time snapped to a stand-still. “Huh?!” Twilight gasped in surprise. Before she could question what was happening, she heard a voice.
“Twilight...” It was Duskmane's voice, echoing in her thoughts.
“Duskmane?” Twilight said in awe.
“Before I go... I just wanted to let you know there are no words that properly show my unending thanks. You showed me what it meant to have one you could call a friend. With that, I have discovered that every pony has a place in this world.”
“But what are you going to do now?”
“I do not have much time. I can feel the soul of Nova beginning to take control again. After that, I don't think I'll ever be in control again. My place in this world... is to right the wrongs of this terrible tale by ending the demented whims of an insane goddess.”
Twilight's eyes shimmered as tears came to her eyes, she knew the only outcome that could come from this.
“Don't worry about me...” Said Duskmane's voice sorrowfully, “I must determine my own destiny.”
Time snapped back into motion, as Nova charged into Celestia, where she met his assault head-on. They locked horns, pressing their heads against each other as huge sparks of magic shots from between them. They were so powerful that they exploded huge chunks of rock out of the mountainside, and blasted large holes into the walls of Canterlot Palace.
“How... DARE YOU!” Celestia shouted as she pressed her head against Nova's. “THIS IS NOT HOW IT ENDS!!!”
The ground began to shake as the bolts became larger and more frequent. “Twilight, run!” Nova shouted.
Twilight made no objection, she scampered back towards the doorway into Canterlot Castle, watching as huge bolts of magic shot by her. She turned around though once she reached the doorway, not able to look away. A huge flare began to form at the point where Celestia's and Nova's horns crossed, engulfing them in a blinding white light.
“NOOOOOOO!” Celestia screamed at the flare gave out a massive explosion that shot Twilight backwards into the hall. The massive magical explosion destroyed the supports beneath the palace, causing half of the palace hanging over the cliff to crumble and fall into the forest below. When she recovered, she saw she was only a few steps away from having been dragged down the cliff with it.
Twilight stood up, gazing upon the wreckage that tumbled below. “Celestia?” She whispered. “Duskmane....” There was a sound of something colliding with the ground behind her. She turned to see a thin, white spiral pierced into the stone, the snapped remnant of Celestia's horn.
Twilight fell onto the floor, crying tears of grief as the realization hit her like an arrow. Nova and Celestia were no more, but at what price? Was it worth being alive to witness your own friend perish because of your actions? To see a teacher you once revered become a preacher of death? What does that make you? Are you destined to walk your teacher's path, if that's all you know?
Twilight did not want to know. She could only weep. The bonds of friendship are stronger than anything in the universe, yet to see them shattered... leaves the soul broken.