TIE Hunters trailed behind the YT-2400 as it raced across the surface of the Death Star to its unfinished section. "I'm going in," Soarin announced as he dove his TIE Hunter inside the superstructure.
"Here goes nothing," Spitfire added as the ship dove into the superstructure along with TIE Fighters. They then were followed by droid starfighters as they flew in the structure. "Lock onto the strongest power source. It should be the power generator. Careful, Soarin, we could run out of room real fast.” The droid starfighters started firing at the TIE Fighters, sending one of them to crash on the side of the shaft. "Split up and head back to the surface. And see if you can get a few of these droids to follow you." A group of fighters broke off as they were pursued by droid starfighters. Two droid tri starfighters stayed behind to follow the freighter and the TIE Hunter. Outside, several Star Destroyers concentrated their fire on the massive Lucrehulk battleship.
"We've got to give those fighters more time," Octavia commanded. "Concentrate all fire to the Lucrehulk battleship." Inside of the ship, the young Changeling admiral stood on the bridge alongside a commander as they watched the battle unfold.
"Sir, we lost our bridge deflector shields," the commander reported.
“Intensify the forward batteries,” the Changeling ordered. "I do not want anything to get through." The commander didn't respond, but stood petrified as he stared out the window. “Intensify forward firepower!”
"Too late," the commander said as he ran for his life. The admiral turned to the window to see a TIE Interceptor flying straight towards the bridge. The collision made the battleship explode with a massive fireball. The giant ship lurched back from the impact and spiraled into the side of the Death Star, exploding and sending giant pieces of shrapnel across the sky.
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Charming Thunder was carrying the unconscious Sombra to the shuttle a the crew ran through the corridors in panic, trying to reach escape. No one seemed to notice the two colts as panic spread throughout the station. When he finally reached the shuttle, he collapsed the strain becoming too much. The explosions on the station grew louder as Sombra beckoned his son closer. "Charming Thunder, help me take this crown off and destroy it," Sombra whispered.
"But you'll die," Charming Thunder said.
"Nothing can stop that now. Just for once. I don't deserve to be king. Destroy the crown." Sombra began to cough weakly as Charming Thunder levitated his crown off of his head to reveal Sombra's real horn that was broken. He then used his magic to break the crown to pieces. He then looked back at Sombra as the pieces fell to the ground. "Now go, my son. Leave me."
"No. You're coming with me. I can't just leave you here. I need to save you."
"You already have, Charming Thunder." Tears began to form in the eyes of the once-powerful unicorn king as he gazzed at his son. "You were right about me. Tell Twilight that you were right." Charming Thunder's eyes began to water as he craddled his father in his arms.
"I won't leave you, father."
"I am proud of you, son." Tears began to roll down on Sombra's face as Charming Thunder leaned in closer, muzzling his father's cheek. Sombra coughed and whispered to his son's ear, "I love you. Your mother would be proud of...you." As Sombra's eyes closed, Charming Thunder hugged his dead father tight and began to cry.
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The freighter led a swerving bomb run through the violently shaking superstructure as the Star Destroyers outside bombarded the station with their weapons, each hit setting off a chain reaction. As Spitfire reached the main reactor shaft, a single TIE Hunter remained beside her. "There it is," Soarin called as he and Spitfire came acros the reactor core of the Death Star.
"Alright, Soarin, go for the power regulator on the west tower," Spitfire ordered.
"Copy that. I'm already on my way out." The TIE Hunter zipped up to the top of the huge reactor and fired several proton torpedoes, causing a series of small explosions. The dove toward the main reactor, blasting it with torpedoes as well. Outside, Octavia, Thunderlane, and Blueblood watched from the bridge of their destroyer as the Death Star began to erupt with explosions.
"Move the fleet away from here," Octavia ordered.
A small shuttle rocketed out of the docking bay just before the station erupted in a huge fireball. Moments afterward, a TIE Hunter sped from the exploding station, followed by the freighter. Spitfire piloted the ship toward the swamp as the Death Star exploded in one final fireball. Inside, Spitfire and the crew cheered with relief.
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Twilight, the others, and the Ewoks looked to the sky as the massive structure died with an awesome display over the Badlands. Cheers abounded as soldiers and Ewoks danced about. Cadence looked down from the sky to Twilight, who continued to stare at the sky. "I'm sure that Charming Thunder wasn't up there when it blew," Cadence said.
"He wasn't," Twilight said. "I can feel it."
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At Canterlot, Celestia and Luna were boarding their shuttle to the swamp as they saw the explosion over the Badlands. "They did it," Luna said.
"Yes," Celestia said. "But wherever Charming Thunder is, I hope that he is okay." The ramp of the shuttle lifted off the ground as the shuttle was ready to take off and fly to the swamp to join the victory celebration.
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Charming Thunder set a torch to the logs stacked under the funeral pyre. He stepped back and watched solemnly as the flames rose up and consumed the body of Sombra, his father. Twilight and Cadence watched alongside with the rest of the group. Octavia, Blueblood, Thunderlane, Spitfire, Soarin, and the princesses stood with them, watching as well. As he watched the fire burn bright into the night, Twilight placed a hoof on his shoulder as Charming Thunder quietly sobbed.
"I'm sorry," Twilight said. "We all are."
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A huge bonfire danced in the midst of a huge celebration. The Ewoks played drums and sang as everyone danced around the village. The armored troops danced merrily and some danced together. Even Shining Armor and Cadence danced together as the music played. Fluttershy danced with an Ewok as Rainbow and Pinkie played a game of chess. Celestia and Luna shook the hands of the Ewok chief. Twilight sat on a log with Charming Thunder as they looked up in the night sky. Charming Thunder placed a hoof around her shoulder and shared a kiss to her. At last, they stood and began to make their way to the celebration. Charming Thunder stopped as Twilight turned back, confused. "Aren't you coming to the party?" Twilight asked.
"I will just...give me a minute," Charming Thunder replied. He stared up at the stars as his memories of his journeys flashed in his mind. As he stared, a shimmering, ghostly figure began to take form in the sky. The image of Sombra smiled down at him as he floated gently in the night sky. As Sombra smiled down at him, Charming Thunder felt a tear run down his cheek. He smiled and waved at him as he walked to the group where Twilight and the rest of his friends. He then sat next to Twilight as her wing wrapped around him and enjoyed the rest of the party in the village as a flag began to rise behind them with a symbol of hope.