Night looked on in horror. Never before had he even considered the possibility of a Keyblade breaking yet Twilight’s broke after only two hard blows. Night recalled how many times he had carelessly chucked his at opposing enemies, never considering what could happen to his weapon had it been damaged or destroyed. Night shivered, as he counted himself lucky. Still though, Twilight’s Keyblade breaking so easily, it just didn’t make any sense…
“Hey, focus Night!”
Night's eyes grew wide as he jumped back in surprise, just in time to dodge a bolt of pure dark energy coming towards him. Night realized then that he was holding his breath and let it out. He then glanced over at Littlepip who was watching him, looking worried.
“Thanks for the heads up,” Night said as he breathed a sigh of relief. Glad he had someone to watch his back.
Littlepip titled her head slightly and quickly made her way over to him, glancing at the alicorn as she did so to make sure she wasn’t a target. Luckily, it's focus had now shifted to Calamity who was in the midst of taking pot shots at it. The bullets only simply hitting a shield and bouncing off every time they hit. Every time Calamity would go to reload, the alicorn would take the advantage and begin to fire back with its horn. Once Calamity had managed to dodge the shots, the shield went back up and it was rinse and repeat.
To anypony else, it may have seemed like a stupid plan, but Littlepip knew what he was actually doing. He was trying to be a distraction to buy time for a plan. Littlepip hoped he had lots of ammo on him, because right now, she was coming up with nothing. Soon she reached Night and asked, “Hey are you alright? What has you so shaken up? I mean, besides the fact that this thing appears to be nearly invincible.”
Night flinched, “Sorry, but when I saw Twilight’s Keyblade break, it made me hesitate. Never has my Keyblade ever shown signs of it taking damage nor has it ever appeared to be anything else than unbreakable up till this point. The fact that Twilight’s broke just really sent me for a loop for a moment there.”
Littlepip nodded, “Yeah, I was really putting a lot of faith into her being able to do at least some damage to that thing; because right now, I am currently all out of plans. Nothing seems to be able to break that shield and that alicorn shows no sign of slowing down or running out of magic anytime soon. It seems we are at loss…”
Littlepip paused as she glanced back and watched the alicorn fire a big ball of dark energy at Calamity. Velvet stepped in and put up a strong barrier to protect him. Unfortunately, the barrier barely held. The magic ball pushed against the barrier only for the barrier to break. There was a small push of outward magic. All ponies that had been watching looked on in surprise as the magic actually pushed the ball back right at the alicorn. The Shadow Alicorn seemed to flinch for a moment before quickly putting up its shield. The ball of dark energy hit the shield dead on, actually causing the shield to flicker and die for a moment. The alicorn appeared surprised though it was hard to tell with its yellow eyes being the only way of it showing any emotion.
Nevertheless, the alicorn quickly put up its hoof as a new shield formed up around it. Littlepip felt a smile appear on her face and turned back to Night, “Alright, it appears a plan has just shown itself to us.” Littlepip glanced around Night, before looking him in the eye, “Hey, where did your Keyblade go?”
Night raised an eyebrow, “I dismissed it. Since I have to hold it in my mouth, it makes it difficult to talk.”
Littlepip nodded, “Ok, makes sense. Anyways, I don’t suppose you have that reflective ability Twilight had?”
Night grimaced, “Sorry, but I don’t.” He glanced back at the alicorn, “I know what you are thinking and I may have another idea. I got it while fighting a long range magical Shadow once.” Night glanced back at Littlepip determinedly, “I may not be able to reflect that spell like Twilight can…Could have…” Night shook his head, feeling sorry for Twilight but trying to stay focused, “But I may be able to hit right back with my Keyblade. Kinda like hitting a baseball with a bat.”
“Sounds like it might be a bit dangerous.”
Night rubbed the back of his head with his hoof, “It is if I miss but it might just be our best shot.”
Littlepip nodded her head slowly, “Alright, I’ll relay this back to Calamity and Velvet. I'll make sure they are ready when the shield goes down.” Littlepip turned and took a few stepped towards her friends before pausing for a moment. She quickly turned her head and looked back at Night, “Good luck.”
Night grinned back before summoning his Keyblade. He waited for a full minute as a Littlepip quickly ran over, while dodging shots in between, and quickly began to explain to her gang what was going on. When he finally saw her turn and wave, Night knew it was time.
He began shouting insults at the alicorn like there was no tomorrow. The alicorn ignored him at first, choosing instead to take several shots at Littlepip and her gang. But soon either by luck or some other force, the alicorn began to take notice. And after another shout about how ugly it was, the alicorn finally had enough. It quickly turned towards him. Its eyes shining yellow, as Night could actually feel some of its annoyance and anger rolling off of what was left the alicorn’s mind. Its horn began to glow a dark purple, signifying that it was about to launch a ball of dark energy. This is exactly what Night was looking for. Taking a stance and a deep breath, he readied himself for the attack.
There was a loud blasting noise as Night watched the ball of magic leave the alicorn. Every fiber in Night’s being told him to move, but his mind managed to win out as he instead swung his head back and quickly to the left just as the ball was about to hit him. To his surprise and relief, the Keyblade made contact and sent the ball right back to its sender. Surprised, the alicorn quickly put up its shield to block the oncoming attack. The ball hit dead on and exploded on impact. The shield flickered and quickly died just as the explosion ended.
Littlepip grinned and unleashed everything she and her friends had against it. The alicorn flinched and tried to cover its head best it could with its hoof as bullets and magic made contact against it. Had it been any other creature it would have been dead. Unfortunately, the alicorn was still strong and soon the shield returned to protect it. But the damage had been done. As apparent by its many cuts and places where it was practically smoking darkness off its body. The alicorn looked down at its now ruined body. Its eyes seemed to change from yellow to red for a moment before changing back to a bright yellow. It horn began to charge again, as its readied for another attack.
Littlepip ran up alongside Night, “That was amazing. Just one more barrage like that and I think we got it.” Night nodded his head. He would have grinned had his Keyblade not been in his mouth.
The alicorn pointed its horn at Night as it readied its attack; Night and Littlepip took a stance as well. The alicorn was about to fire when something caught its eye. A lone unicorn was just a few yards away from them. It appeared to not be paying any attention to the battle at hand. Whether it was revenge or an easy target was anypony’s guess. But one thing was for sure, the target was about to be switched.
The alicorn turned its head at the last second towards Twilight and fired. Night and Littlepip’s faces changed to horror as they watched orb launch towards Twilight. Time seemed to slow down as Night threw off his cloak, extended his wings and took off at break neck speeds towards Twilight. He screamed Twilight’s name as the orb got closer and closer. Twilight glanced up when she heard her name just in time to see the orb quickly advancing towards her.
Twilight felt her whole body freeze. Twilight wanted to scream but she knew she had no time. It was going to hit her. Just as she could just feel the energy off the orb, she felt somepony slam into her like a train. Twilight winced and looked to her left just in time to see Night take the full impact of the orb. Time seemed to then quickly return to normal as both Night and orb traveled little ways before coming to rest just a little ways behind her.
Night stood up, now engulfed in dark flames. His hooves were literally dissolving before his very eyes. Twilight cried out and quickly tried to get to him. She moved as quickly as she could put just before her hooves could touch the fire, she felt herself being held back by another pony.
“Let go of me!” Twilight screamed.
Littlepip struggled to keep ahold of Twilight. “I can’t do that Twilight. You could end up getting engulfed by that stuff to!” Twilight growled as she continued to fight her.
Until Night cried out, “Stop!”
Twilight felt her body freeze at the word and her eyes fell on Night’s quickly disappearing form. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Twilight shook her head quickly, “Why are you sorry?! That should be me in there not you!”
“Because, I was supposed to be your guardian. It looks like I won’t be able to fulfill that anymore.” Night sighed, he looked up at Twilight with defeat.
“What are you talking about? Night, we are friends! You’re not here to protect me. Your here because we help each other out! That’s what friends do.”
Night smiled at Twilight. “Thanks, I’m glad you saw me as a true friend.”
Twilight didn’t want to admit it, but just recently she started to feel more than that. Instead, she bowed her head in remorse. “None of this would have happened had my Keyblade broke.” Twilight shook her head, “Why… Why did it have to break?”
Night was at loss himself for a moment, until an idea quickly managed to spring into his mind. Looking down at himself, he knew he didn’t have much time. But he also knew that this was important.
“Twilight,” Night calmly looked into Twilight's eyes, “What was the name of your Keyblade?”
Twilight looked at him with curiosity and sadness. But she answered him anyways, “I think I remember hearing Oathkeeper at some point.”
Night nodded, “I think I understand. You made a promise to your friends that you would find them and protect them as well as the ones you have now. But you can’t do that with just a promise. It’s going to take more than that.”
“Wait, what do you mean?”
Night glanced down and saw that there was hardly anything left of him. “Sorry Twilight, but only you can find that answer. Find it, and you will be able to use your real Keyblade.”
“My… My REAL Keyblade?” Twilight wanted to ask more but only now she noticed that his head was the only thing left.
Night smiled, “Goodbye Twilight, the rest is up to you.” Twilight felt her world crumble as another one of her friends disappeared right before her eyes.
“No… Please don’t go…”
Twilight watched as the last bit of Night faded into nothingness. The flames quickly died as soon as he was gone. Twilight soon went limp in Littlepip’s arms. No longer was she being held back at this point. Littlepip let go of Twilight and took a step back. She wanted to say something but no words really came. Instead she simply muttered, “I’m sorry.”
Twilight nodded her head without even thinking about it. He eyes drifted over to were Night had been just a few moments ago. She closed her eyes for a moment. “No… Not again,” Twilight thought, “How could I let this happen again? I promised myself I would not let this happen again. I promised…”
Night’s words echoed in her mind. “You can’t protect your friends on a promise alone.”
Twilight shook her head, “What I am supposed to do?”
Images of Twilight’s friends flashed into her mind. “My friends.”
Twilight clinched her teeth, “No… I can’t let them down. I…"
Twilight opened her eyes and stared off into the distance. “If I don’t do something, my old friends,” Twilight glanced back at Littlepip who was looking at her with worry, “my new friends. I could lose them all. I can’t just sit here. I need to do something! Whatever the cost, I am ready to pay it. ”
Twilight looked deep within herself. Remembering what it was like to summon her Keyblade for the first time. To Twilight’s surprise, it felt warmer than before. Twilight could hear one of her new friends call out in distress. Twilight opened her eyes in time to see Littlepip nearly get hit with a bolt of magic as she tried to run back to help her friends. She staggered a bit, the bolt of magic only grazing her. But as Twilight looked at Littlepip, the pain in her eyes, something finally snapped. “Damn it…No, I won't lose another friend. Not now, not ever again!”
Then Twilight felt it, a strange burning sensation. It felt like cool yet hot at the same time. It was indescribable. Twilight glanced back within herself, the light within growing brighter and brighter. Memories of her friends came flooding from the light. Twilight reached out towards it. It felt powerful. More powerful than Twilight had ever felt before. But it was risk she was willing to make, for everypony! Twilight reached out with everything she had, and her mind went blank.
*
Littlepip did her best to rub her aching back. The blast of magic had done a surprising number on her. Littlepip was about to call out to Velvet for some help when the air around her seemed to change.
The sky seemed to grow darker. Littlepip glanced back at Twilight and to her surprise, she could see sparks swirling around her. A strong wind seemed to have kicked up and was surrounding her, causing her mane and tail to whip around almost as if they were made of fire. Twilight opened her eyes and Littlepip felt herself inhale in surprise. Her once lavender eyes were now crimson colored.
Her fur began to change from purple to a yellowish white. Her mane and tail, which moments earlier were flickering as though if they were made of fire, had actually become fire. Wings made of fire, similar to that of a phoenix, sprouted out from Twilight’s back.
Twilight stared at the alicorn. Her expression of sadness changed to that of furry; pure rage. Two pillars of fires grew alongside Twilight then combined into one. Twilight simply flicked her horn at it and out came a far different looking Keyblade then the one she had before. This Keyblade was long and black. It had a firey look on the end of it. The guard was rather plain but the Keychain appeared to be a black wing.
One-Winged Angel
One-Winged Angel
One-Winged Angel
Twilight swung with it once, its blade producing fire as it did so.
Twilight then put of hoof to her chest and closed her eyes. Lighting flashed in the sky's above her. A beam of pure light appeared in front of her, crackling energy. Twilight reached out with her magic and pulled at that light. The light seemed to tug against her at first. Almost as though if it were fighting her. Twilight grunted and yanked hard against the light. Soon, a Keyblade was finally yanked out. This one was purple and gold. Its end and blade reminded Littlepip of Twilight’s cutie mark. The guard was a purple wing on one side with a simple looking one on the other. The Keychain was a gold star surrounded by smaller purple stars.
Aigam
Aigam
Aigam
“Two Keyblades?” Littlepip wondered out loud.
Twilight swung with both her blades once, and then glanced back at the alicorn who seemed to have taken notice to her as well. Twilight extended her Keyblades outwards, then charged at lightning speeds.
The alicorn barely had time to put of its shield as Twilight seemed to rapidly appear in front of it. She brought down both Keyblade's at the same time. They hit the shield hard, shattering it. It was like the sound of several windows breaking all at once. The alicorn seemed to flinch and began to lower its horn ready for an attack. But Twilight gave it little time to do so. As soon as the alicorn’s head lowered, Twilight swung Aigam upwards, knocking the alicorn into the air. She then jumped up, using her wings to gain some air. Twilight swung One-Winged Angel from the side, hitting the alicorn so hard that it flew almost half a mile, landing with a loud thud in the dirt. So hard in fact, it formed a small crater around itself.
Littlepip realized that her mouth was hanging open and closed it. Velvet and Calamity slowly walked up and stood next to her. Both were silent for moment. But eventually, Velvet found her voice, “Littlepip, what just happened?”
Littlepip sighed, “Twilight just lost a friend. She isn’t taking it very well.”
[For those wondering what Aigam looks like]
Aigam