//------------------------------//
// Chapter 17: Finale? 
// Story: Twilight's Love Story: Part Three 
// by Derpyforever 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 17: Finale?
The sky of the Crystal Empire was clear as Twilight, her friends, Spike, and Flash were walking down the Crystal streets while Spike boasted about both times he saved the Crystal Empire.
“You guys remember that,” Spike said as her leaned on a statue of him holding a Crystal Heart.
“You only mention it about fifteen times on the train ride here,” Rainbow Dash sighed.
“Yes and we never hear a peep out of you about your exploits,” Rarity smirked.
“Heh, point taken.”
“Well, I’m glad you all wanted to come,” Twilight interjected, “but I don’t think it will be all that great. I pretty much just have to smile and wave as the dignitaries arrive.”
“Yes, but you get to smile and wave like a princess,” Rarity tried to assure.
“And, how exactly is that different then smiling and waving like not a princess,” Applejack asked.
“It isn’t,” Twilight sadly replied.
The other traded quick glances of worry for their dear friend before Fluttershy asked, “What’s wrong Twilight?”
“Why the loooooong face,” Pinkie joked as she pulled on Twilight’s face for emphasis.
“It’s just, I thought being a princess would mean I would have more of a role in Equestria,” Twilight replied, “but all I ever seem to do is smile and wave.”
“Twilight,” Flash smiled, “don’t talk like that. You’ve done many great things before and after you became a princess. Now is no different.”
“Easy for you to say,” Twilight said, “at least you get to speak.”
“Flash is right,” Rarity added, “You do have a very important role in Equestria.”
“Yeah,” Twilight sighed, “I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right, dearie. Now go, you don’t want that very important role to be diminished because you were tardy.
Flash had to stay on the ground as Twilight and her friends headed into the Crystal Castle were they met Princess Celestia, Luna, Black, and Cadence with her two month foal on her back.
“You made it Twilight,” Cadence smiled as she gave her a hug.
“Just in time to,” Celestia added, “Hurry up to the balcony. The dignitaries should arrive any moment now.”
Racing up the stairs, Twilight and her friends made it to the top just as the horns signaled the dignitaries’ arrival.
“The Dukes and Dutch of Maretonia,” Flash declared as high class and well-dressed ponies walked down the street to the Crystal Castle. The Prince and Princesses down below went to greet them as Twilight lowered the banner for the ceremony.
After Twilight waved and the dignitaries were inside, Spike broke the silence when he exclaimed, “That was it?! Princess Celestia called you all the way down here to do that?”
Twilight’s face sadden as Spike tried to take back his thoughtless words.
“I mean, Wow, how regal and important,” Spike assured only to get thumped in the back of the head by Applejack and turning around to see the glares of four mares, plus the worried look for Twilight by Fluttershy.
###
“I still think Twilight doesn’t truly believe she is very important to the kingdom,” Celestia told Luna as they walked the hallways of the castle.
Early that evening, Twilight confronted the other princesses about her feeling she played to small of a role to satisfy her wanting to help out more. However, they simply assured Twilight of the complete opposite, saying her time will come soon.
“We’re sure Twilight is just feeling a little down,” Luna replied, “She’ll get better. We are sure.”
“When will you stop doing that,” Celestia said.
“What?”
“All that ‘we’ stuff. Who are you even talking about?”
“We… I mean, I have been working on it,” Luna replied, as Celestia entered her room, “Goodnight, Tia.”
“Goodnight, Luna,” Celestia chuckled as she closed the door.
Celestia walked over and slipped into bed. She looked over and saw that on her side table was a bag full of letters.
“Ugh, more questions,” Celestia groaned, “Doesn’t everypony know I stopped doing that already?”
Celestia couldn’t help but smile as she lay down and turned out the lights.

Meanwhile, in an alley way, miles away, a brown unicorn stallion was walking home with a barrel of oranges. He was already on edge as he walked down the foggy street, and jumped when he heard a sound. He let out a sigh of relief, for it was can, and turned around only to be surprised by a hooded figure.
“I’m so sorry sir,” the unicorn nervously smiled, “I didn’t see you there.”
“Is he friend, or is he foe the pony wonders,” a raspy voice came from behind the hood, “I assure you I am no friend… I am Lord Tirek; and I will take what should have been mine long ago!”
The pony was left in a trance as the figure somehow stole the unicorn’s magic right out of his horn and his cutie mark vanished. When the figure was done, the now blank flank unicorn was left helpless as he watched in horror when the figure grew in size while it’s glowing yellow eyes’ menacing laugh struck even more fear into the unicorn.

About the same time, Celestia suddenly shot up as her breathing quickened.
“Sister,” Luna exclaimed barging in, “are you alright?”
“I just had a terrible dream,” Celestia replied as she calmed down.
“Why do you think I am here? You know as well as I that it was not a dream, but a vision.”
“Then we don’t have much time,” Celestia declared getting out of bed, “the stronger he becomes, the more we are all in danger.”
###
Twilight was called by Celestia that very same evening. Flash tagged along just in case they needed help. When they, Cadence, and Luna arrived at a meeting room, Celestia revealed who Tirek was and what his main goal is.
“Unless we stop him, Equestria will fall and what will rise is a new era of darkness that none of our former foes could have brought.”
“And I know the one who can stop him,”
“Yes,” Twilight declared, “I will lo-“
“I’m sorry Twilight,” Celestia interrupted, “I’m afraid I must call in another to help… Discord.”
“As in Discord, Discord,” Applejack asked. The day after the meeting, Twilight told her friends back in Ponyville about Celestia’s plan.
“Yes,” Twilight replied.
“Well it doesn’t surprise me. He can be very helpful,” Fluttershy said only to get looks from the others.
“He can sense when there is a magical imbalance,” Twilight explained, “The next time Tirek tries to steal magic, Discord can track him down.”
“What are you suppose to do in the meantime,” Rainbow asked.
“Nothing,” Twilight sighed, “unless one of you needs me to smile and wave.”
“Where are you going,” Spike asked.
“To the castle of the two sisters,” Twilight replied, “I might as well catch up on some of my reading.”
“Do you want some company,” Rainbow asked. 
“It has been a while since we visited the castle,” Applejack added. 
“I guess that could be alright,” Twilight smiled, “you coming Flash?”
“Of course,” Flash nodded.
As they neared the castle, they could see the Tree of Harmony that now holds the Elements of Harmony. 
“I still can’t believe we had to give up the Elements,” Rainbow said.
“It had to be done or the Tree of Harmony wouldn’t have survived,” Rarity said.
“But Twilight was right. Even though we had to give them up, our friendship is as strong as ever,” Fluttershy declared.
“I just hope another ‘friend’ of ours ever makes us sorry we had to give them up,” Applejack added.
“Oh, you’re talking about me, I presume,” Discord declared as he floated down with an umbrella, suitcase, and a hat.
“How’d you guess,” Applejack sarcastically asked.
“My ears were burning,” Discord replied as he splashed some water on them.
“What do you want Discord,” Rainbow asked.
“Well, as you all know, I have been tasked with a very important mission,” Discord said as he pulled down the Equestrian flag.
“So why aren’t you doing it,” Applejack asked.
“Because,” Discord snapped and the mane six disappeared. Leaving Flash and Discord by themselves.
“Hey,” Flash demanded, “where did they go?!”
“WE went over there,” Discord replied, pointing down to the Tree of Harmony.
Flash looked down and saw another Discord talking to the others.
“Bu-How,” Flash stuttered as he looked back and forward between the Discords. 
“I’m Discord,” he explained, “I can do whatever I want… and I want to talk to you.”
“What could you possibly want from...,” Flash paused as realized something, “Oh no Discord, I gave up that life long ago.”
“Oh, you know the saying,” Discord said, “Once a Tempmare, always a Tempmare.”
“Not me,” Flash glared, “I gave it up. I am no longer with them!”
“Whatever,” Discord, said rolling his eyes, “but that’s not exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to ask if you are ever going to tell her.”
“Twilight doesn’t need to know what I once was,” Flash replied, “NOPONY needs to know what I once was.”
“How do you know that one of her friends didn’t tell her,” Discord grinned.
“Rainbow and Fluttershy are fine. If they wanted to expose the monster I was, they could have done it long ago.”
“But can you really trust Assassins?”
“Yes! It was us you couldn’t trust,” Flash exclaimed, “And one of our biggest mistakes is standing right in front of me.”
“Watch it,” Discord smirked, “or I might have to tell her myself.”
Discord snapped as a strange cloak and hat appeared on Flash. Flash immediately took them off.
“Alright, I know where this is going,” Flash said as Discord made the clothes disappear, “what do I have to do to buy your silence?”
“Get rid of Comet,” Discord replied.
“I’m sorry, what?!”
“You see, I have a secret crush on Fluttershy. But I certainly can’t be with her if she is already with her so called ‘coltfriend’… I bet he doesn’t even buy her flowers… I need you to get them to break up.”
“Why can’t you do it,” Flash questioned.
“Because, Cadence’s magic won’t allow mine to mess with love.”
“I’m not going to do it.”
“Alright then,” Discord sighed, “I guess you’re alright having Twilight hate you for the rest of your life.”
“No,” Flash exclaimed as Discord’s grin came back, “…I’ll do it.”
“Excellent, well then, if you’ll excuse me, I am leaving through a door right now and I must catch up with myself,” Discord smiled as his double ganger left the mares at the tree, “bye.”
Flash watched him disappear as he thought about what he has to do.
‘Am I really going to do this,” Flash thought, ‘is it really worth…’
“Flash,” Twilight called as they were looking around for him. 
“Up here,” Flash replied as he looked down at them.
“There you are,” Twilight smiled, “We’re going inside the castle to try and find out how to open this chest.”
“Wait for me,” Flash replied as he followed them.
When they made it inside, the mane six looked hard for any clues to what can help them open the chest… Flash on the other hoof, was worried about what Discord told him… he couldn’t take it no more.
“Hey Rainbow,” he whispered off to the side.
“What,” Rainbow replied.
“I need to talk to you and Fluttershy.”
“Alright.”
Rainbow grabbed Fluttershy, and, making sure the others couldn’t hear, Flash told them.
“He wants us to do what,” Fluttershy silently exclaimed, “you didn’t agree to it, did you?”
“Well… I sort of panicked when he threaten to tell Twilight.”
“See, this is exactly why you can’t trust a Tempmare,” Rainbow hissed. 
“Hey,” Flash replied, “Like I told him, I quit that life.”
“Once a Temp-“
“Oh, shut up.”
“Well, it’s true…”
“Just listen. I don’t want you and Comet to break up,” Flash said, “But I don’t want to lose Twilight either.”
“Well, I’m not breaking up with Comet,” Fluttershy replied, “Discord’s a friend and he will stay in that zone.”
Rainbow stared at Fluttershy for a second.
“What?”
“That was a harsh thing to say, especially for the Element of Kindness,” Rainbow smirked.
“You know I’m a completely different pony when that hood goes on,” Fluttershy sighed.
“I do,” Flash replied, rubbing his shoulder.
“Yeah, sorry about that. Does it still bleed?”
“Not anymore. What kind of knife was that anyways?”
“Alright, that’s a little too far,” Pinkie interrupted, “This story is rated Everyone. If you’re going to talk about that, go to Pony’s Creed.”
“What the… this is a private conversation, Pinkie,” Rainbow said.
“And it can stay that way if you try to be a little more family friendly,” Pinkie replied, “Alright, now that that’s cleared up, you may continue.”
Pinkie bounced back to her table and went back to reading books.
“There is something seriously wrong with that mare,” Flash said.
“And I thought that Fluffy pony was crazy,” Rainbow added.
“Back to this,” Fluttershy interrupted, “What are we going to do?”
“What if…”
“Hey girls,” Twilight called, “I think I found something.”
“We’ll talk later,” Flash whispered as they approached Twilight.
Twilight explained to everypony that the journal that they’ve been writing in was bookmarked by Discord, and each bookmark was connected by each pony’s respective element. 
“You each received an item after inspiring somepony with your element. Maybe those can help us find the keys to open the chest… I’d hate to admit it, but maybe Discord was actually being a good friend.”
Flash and Fluttershy looked at each other for a split second, then back at Twilight as she said they need to head home to get those items and then come back to the tree.
Flash and Twilight headed down to the tree as the others went to go get those items. Twilight stared at the chest as her mind tried to figure out how their items would work while Flash was still thinking about Discord.
Twilight looked up and happen to see Flash in his deep thought and was worried for him.
“Something wrong, Flash” she asked.
“Nothing,” Flash replied. 
“Flash,” Twilight smiled, “I know you. Something is bothering you and I’d like to know what it is.”
“It’s something you wouldn’t understand,” Flash replied, “I just need some time to think.”
Twilight continue to watch Flash. He’d never keep a secret from her unless it was important, like his siblings. Twilight approached Flash and nuzzled him under his chin.
“I hate it when you’re like this,” Twilight said, “You were like this when your family was fighting. I know something heavy is on your conscious, and you need to let it go.”
“You’d hate me if I told you.”
“I can never hate you.”
“You just wouldn’t understand Twilight,” Flash repeated, slightly pushing her away.
“Flash,” Twilight said sternly, “Tell me what it is right now.”
Flash stared at Twilight then shook his head.
“Seriously?! You’re acting like a foal.”
“I’m sorry, Twilight, I just can’t talk about it.” 
“What is so important you can’t tell me? Don’t tell me you’re some kind of… I don’t know, a Tempmare?”
Flash just stared at Twilight in shock, “How do you know about that?”
“Celestia told me about the war a few weeks after Cadence’s foal was born. She explained that is why she had a cutie ma-… wait… you’re a Tempmare!”
“I wa…”
“You were a Tempmare all this time and you never told me,” Twilight yelled, “My brother is an Assassin… that’s it! You don’t like me. You just want to get close to my brother!”
“No Twilight, I do like you, and I’m not a Tempmare anymore,” Flash replied. 
“Once a Tempmare, always…”
“Enough with that,” Flash yelled, slightly scaring Twilight. Flash saw that and shook his head.
“I’m sorry. It’s just been a long day… Listen, I stopped being a Tempmare after I saw you at the Gala at the one before the last one. I had enough of the Tempmares. You’re ‘friend’, Discord, is different though. He wants me to get Fluttershy and Comet to break up.”
Twilight stared at Flash for a second, then looked at him at anger, “That’s it isn’t it. You never got over Fluttershy and now you’re trying to pin it on Discord.”
“No,” Flash replied, slightly offended, “You know I love you, Twilight.”
“Do you really,” Twilight rhetorically asked, “because you have lately seemed to keep a lot of things from me.”
“How can you say that,” Flash exclaimed. 
“How can I not,” Twilight shot back.
Flash was about to say something back before stopping, then said, “Do you love me?”
Twilight was taken by surprise by the question, but replied by saying, “Yes.”
“Then how come you can’t trust me?”
“Because you keep things like this from me.”
“Alright, then answer me this, if I stayed a Tempmare, would you still love me?”
“I don’t know, are you still one?”
“Just a yes or no will do.”
“… No.”
“That is why I kept it from you. I was a different pony back then, a lost pony, and you helped me find my way back. I knew I wanted to be with you. I wanted to be different.”
Twilight stared at Flash and sighed, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too,” Flash smiled and kissed her on her cheek, “I should have told you long ago… are you ok with it?”
“Yeah,” Twilight smiled.
“Good, and now that you know Discord has nothing he can use against me.”
“Did he really want you to do that?”
“Yeah,” Flash sighed, “He apparently has a secret crush on Fluttershy.”
“We’re back,” Rainbow called as the others followed down to the tree. 
“Yes, and we brought the items,” Rarity declared as she and the others set them down. 
“Good, now all we need to do is… Actually, I have no idea what we’re suppose to do. There just, ordinary ever day objects,” Twilight said.
“Come on Boneless,” Pinkie yelled while shaking the rubber chicken Cheese Sandwich gave her, “give us that key!”
“I don’t think it works like that.”
Pinkie had enough with integrating the novelty toy and threw it at the chest, but to the amazement of the others, it stayed suspended into the air before turning into a key with Pinkie’s element as the handle.
The others just looked at each other than each grabbed their object and placed it on the chest. They each did the same thing, turning into the owner’s element, until there was only one keyhole left.
“My key,” Twilight sighed. 
“Come on Twilight,” Rarity encouraged, “Think about it. When have you inspired somepony to do something that involved your element?”
Twilight thought for a second, and then reluctantly shook her head while Spike began to make sounds.
They watched him as he burped up a letter. Twilight used her magic to grab the scroll and read.
“What’s it say,” Flash asked.
“I’m need in Canterlot at once,” she exclaimed.
###
Twilight and Flash flew as fast as they could to the castle, where Celestia, Luna, Black, and Cadence were waiting. 
“We’re here,” Twilight said as they approached the four, “What is the problem?”
“I’m afraid I have put too much trust in Discord and the effects of friendship would have on him,” Celestia explained, “Discord and Tirek have joined forces and stealing magic all over Equestria. Tirek is strong enough to take flight from the pegasus and word has it he is taking the strength from earth ponies as well… Now we fear he will come after alicorn magic.”
“But I don’t understand, what does this have to do with me?”
“Tirek will come, but we must make sure there is nothing to take,” Celestia declared, “We must get rid of our magic, by transferring all of it into you.”
“But, I can barely handle my own alicorn magic, how am I going to control even more?!”
“I know you can do it,” Celestia assured.
“If you say so,” Twilight replied, “Alright then, my friends and I will…”
“No Twilight,” Celestia said,” you must not tell your friends, or it will endanger them even more.”
“I can’t tell my friends,” Twilight asked shocked.
“He shouldn’t even know,” Luna said, gesturing to Flash, “but it’s too late for that.”
“I’m here guard/coltfriend,” Flash replied, “I’m pretty sure I should know about this.”
“True, but Tirek will come after you,” Cadence added.
“And Twilight,” Flash replied, “and it’s my job to protect her.”
Cadence couldn’t help but smile at Flash’s determination and passion for Twilight, for it reminded her of Shining.
“What about Solar,” Twilight realized, “She’s an alicorn too.”
“She’s taking refuge in her cave,” Celestia replied, “If Tirek tries to get her she can trap him there. Although, I don’t think Tirek will take that risk.”
“So… we’re really going through with this aren’t we,” Twilight asked.
“Yes, but you have nothing to fear,” Celestia assured.
“I’ll be by your side too,” Flash kindly smiled, but then looked at Celestia, “Hey, why aren’t you calling your Assassins for this?”
“Fluttershy and Rainbow are the only ones who isn’t left helpless, and not even an army of Assassins can stop Tirek.”
“Sheesh,” Flash said, “add more pressure to us why don’t you… what about Edward…,” Celestia only shook her head, “… Oh… I see.”
“We must not waste any more time,” Celestia declared after wiping a tear from her eye, “you ready?”
Twilight nodded while Flash stepped aside as the three princesses surrounded Twilight. Twilight closed her eyes as she felt each princess give up their powers to her. She felt her horn overloading with the magic, almost to the point where she couldn’t take it anymore… then it was over as Twilight open her eyes to see the three laying on the ground. 
“Go,” Celestia weakly told Twilight, “Go before Tirek comes.”
“Don’t worry about them,” Black Hole said, “I’ll protect them.”
Twilight nodded before she and Flash headed back to Ponyville…
Black Hole was lying next to Luna as he waited. 
“You need to run, Black,” Luna told him.
“I’m not going to leave you,” Black smiled, holding her hoof, “I told you I would be by your side no matter what.”
“You’re so sweet,” Luna weakly smiled as Black kissed her on her cheek.
“Show offs,” Celestia groaned.
“I’m sure you’ll be able to join the married club soon, Auntie,” Cadence smiled.
“Yeah right,” Celestia rolled her eyes, “like my prince charming is going to bust through that door…”
As Celestia finished, a bang came from outside the door. Black Hole immediately shot up as the bang continued, until finally, the doors gave away and Tirek, almost at full power, came in. 
“Oh buck me,” Celestia sighed while Cadence tried not to laugh.
“So, princesses,” Tirek grinned as Discord followed inside, “We finally meet and you are already bowing down to me.”
“You’re not getting any closer,” Black Hole barked as Tirek took notice of him.
“Who’s this fool who dares challenge me,” Tirek demanded.
“Hey,” Luna shouted, “don’t you dare talk to my husband like that.”
“Husband? Well, where are my manners,” Tirek grinned, and bowed, “What a pleasure to meet the Prince of the Night.”
Black just glared at Tirek and said, “Get up.”
Tirek’s grin stayed on his face as he stood tall again, towering over Black… but he was not intimidated as he said, “I am a gentlestallion, so first I’m going to ask you to leave. If not, then I am taking matter into my own hoof.”
“You think your powers can stand a chance against me,” Tirek laughed, “Not even my brother could stand against me… but if you would like to try. You are welcome to a free shot.”
Black Hole’s horn started to glow dark blue as he took a few steps towards Tirek. He braced himself as he focused and fired a beam at Tirek. Tirek chuckled as the beam just bounced off his chest and back at Black Hole, who moved out of the way before he was hit.
“My turn,” Tirek laughed as he tried to steal Black’s magic, but Black kept jumping from side to side, not allowing Tirek to get him.
“Hold still you pony pest,” Tirek yelled, starting to get frustrated as Black continued to dodge him, “I said STOP!”
Tirek raised his fist and tried to squish Black but failed as Black teleported out of the way and on top of Tirek’s hand. Taking advantage Tirek’s hesitation, Black fired a beam at Tirek’s face, not giving Tirek enough time to block as it hit him in the eye.
Tirek let out a yell as he held his eye. Black fired another one, hitting Tirek in his other eye as he grabbed both of them… but, even though Black knew his weak spot, it was doing little damage as his eyes were left unmarked.
“ENOUGH,” Tirek yelled as he swung his arm at Black. It sent Black across the room as he hit one of the columns holding the ceiling.
“Black,” Luna exclaimed as he slumped down with a grunt.
“Discord,” Tirek ordered, “hold him.”
Discord snapped his fingers as the floor came up and held Black by the hooves. Black struggled to get free as Tirek walked towards him.
“Let him go,” Luna begged, helpless as she and the other two watched in horror, “Please Discord, let him go.”
Discord looked at Luna then at Black who was trying to fire any magic at Tirek, but failed as Tirek just deflected it.
“Please Discord,” Luna began to cry.
“I’m sorry Lulu,” Discord shamefully replied.
Tirek grabbed Black’s last beam attempt from the air, then flicked it at a window, completely shattering it. Tirek smirked as he took Black’s magic from him and his mark disappeared. Luna watched as her husband fell to the ground as Tirek finished and grew in size. He picked up Black like some kind of rag doll and laughed.
“I told you, you are no match,” Tirek laughed, then turned to the other three, “As for you three.”
He picked up Celestia and tried to steal her magic only to get nothing in response.
“What,” Tirek exclaimed, shocked. He tried to steal the others only to get the same reaction. 
“Where is the alicorn magic,” he yelled.
“You will never get our magic,” Celestia replied.
“So, you think getting rid of your magic will stop me? Ha! You’re a bigger fool than I thought; now nopony can stand a chance… but just to make sure.”
He opened a portal to Tartarus and threw all four ponies in as chains latched around there hooves.
“You will now feel the pain I have felt and stay in there forever!”
He closed the portal, leaving the four in Tartarus.
“I’m sorry Luna,” Black coughed.
“Don’t be sorry,” Luna smiled, “You did your best and that is what you promised you would do.”
“Plus,” Celestia added, “Twilight’s still can stop Tirek, and I am sure she’ll know exactly what to do.”
(To Be Continued…)