Chapter 26 Too Broken To Forgive, Too Painful To Relive
Twilight entered the dim lighted office, with the only sign of illumination shining in from the window. The strong smell of smoke filled the air from the dangerous hydrogen blaze that still burned strong. She shut the door behind her and held the E-Sword at her side, just in case. She looked around the room and noticed the office was in a mess. Broken glass, a smashed computer, papers tossed, etc. Glancing over at Nova's desk, Twilight could only see an arm chair facing the wall behind the desk. She lowered one eye very curiously and flicked the light switch on the wall. The room then brightened and the chair turned around. Facing Twilight, was Nova with his silver blaster concealed underneath the desk. Sparks had a smile upon his face but spoke a serious tone, "You have a nasty habit, of surviving."
"Nova." Twilight leered.
The sinister stallion's smirk grew, "It appears that I have heavily under-estimated you...I should've killed you long ago."
Twilight scoffed proudly, "Well it's too late for that. Your finished Nova. Your plans, your army, your dreams. All foiled. It's time we brought back harmony to Equestria."
"Ah Yes, harmony." He contemplated with a clever laugh.
"Also relevant to the elements of harmony I presume?"
Twilight cocked a brow and felt a little uneasy, "How do you know about them?"
Nova snickered vindictively, "Oh Be serious. I know just as much about them as you do. I know you've come to use them against me. But I am in no way threatened by the likes of you."
"Oh You will be." She assured with conviction.
Sparks huffed arrogantly, "Sure I will. By the way..."
He grinded his teeth angrily, "Congratulations on the dismantling of my rocket...Thank you very much for ruining my day once again."
Twilight was relieved with the news, but still played along as if she knew the whole time, "For everypony you've ever hurt, it's about time you've met your match."
He nodded. Accepting his lost with a cunning grin, "Yes, yes. I certainly have lost this battle...But the war still goes on."
She was puzzled, "What are you talking about?"
He sipped from a new glass, "Don't you remember? Aboard my ship, are kilo-tonnes of explosives that I will use to eradicate Ponyville, and Canterlot."
Twilight froze, with a sickening feeling in her gut, "But thousands of innocent ponies will die...You can't..."
"I certainly can." He laughed.
"But I won't drop all the bombs...After I've destroyed your civilization, I'll have more than enough to persue project: singularity. You see, you've only made it worse for yourself. You can't defeat me."
She glared of hatred then activated her beam sword and got ready to charge, "Don't be so sure..."
But before she could act on it, Nova revealed the gun under his desk and pointed it straight at Twilight. He held it in his hooves and put his elbows on the desk, "I could've shot you when you came in but that would've been ridiculously easy..."
Twilight slowly stepped back and found it difficult to swallow, "So why didn't you?" She asked.
With a cold look, Nova smiled again, "I'm from Manechester my dear. There, we kill our enemies with honor."
"What are you trying to say?" She asked curiously.
He placed his gun back in his coat pocket reached for his drawer then hauled out another E-Sword. Although this one was plated with platinum. He laid it on his desk and looked back up at Twilight. The tone in his voice sounded cocky, "I've seen you fight with that energy sword...You seem familiar with it. I want to face you in a duel. With the winner left to live, and the other to let die."
She balanced the decisions but knew if she didn't accept, she would be shot. She figured she may be able to stretch out the time before the girls got there, "I accept Nova..."
He clopped his hooves together, "Wonderful...You know, me and you could've had everything. Equestria would've been yours."
Twilight thought about Princess Celestia then proudly spoke, "...Equestria is not enough."
"Really?" He grinned with a shocked expression that exerted some sarcasm, "Have it your way my dear. But you have interfered with my plans for the last time Twilight Sparkle...Now shall we begin?"
Nova stood up and levitated the sword into his other pocket. Then turned around to a portrait of himself in a white suit with gold cuff-links. He pressed on one of the cuff-links which was disguised as a button and activated a secret door that opened in the side of the office. He lead Twilight through and they came into a long, open room with another mechanical door at the end. Nova trotted ahead and turned around to face her. He pointed to the door and smiled deviously, "Right there, is my exit Miss Sparkle. After I am through with you once and for all, I shall take my leave."
He took the sword from his pocket and switched it on, levitating it. He stared into her eyes and winked, "Farewell Twilight Sparkle. It has been...an interesting experience."
With that he lunged forward and brought down the beam sword. Twilight didn't expect the attack so soon but managed to jump out of the way. She quickly got to her hooves and activated her sword as well. Just in time to block a slash from Nova. They then went back and forth, slashing at each other and each time their swords clashed and deflected off one another. Sparks finally broke the cycle and swung at her legs, forcing Sparkle to jump. The swords clashed once again and this time they pushed away from each other. Nova wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed, "I must say, you are holding your ground. Your good...for an amateur."
Nova Sparks then used his magic to fight with the sword and galloped ahead intending to stab Twilight through the heart. She too used her magic and slashed his sword away then tackled Nova, both of them dropped their weapons. They tumbled about on the ground and tried to injure one another. When she was on top, Twilight attempted to smash Nova's head against the ground while he would choke her. Eventually they rolled off and got back to their hooves. At the same time, rushing back to their swords. The fight was far from over.
-----
"Cmon girls, up this way!" Applejack shouted as she trotted up the stairs.
Followed by Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Spike, AJ still struggled to climb up due to her badly injured leg. Once they arrived at the top of the stairs, smoke was everywhere and the smell was strong. At this point the hydrogen fire was catching other fires inside the mine. Applejack was about to step forward until she heard an explosion and was quickly pulled back by Pinkie Pie. Before they could identify what had happened, a massive container of oil toppled over and crashed across the doorway going down to the dungeon. Blocking them from entering the next room. Simultaneously, they were sent flying back by the momentum and fell down the steep stairs. Fluttershy was in the very back and managed to slow the fall with her wings. Spike didn't delay and got back up then swiftly climbed back up to examine the obstacle. He checked all over but could see no sign of escape. There was a crack between the door and the tank above, but not even Spike or anypony could fit through, "Were trapped!" he panicked.
Applejack, despite the pain, ran up and tried to help. But she too, could find no way of exit. She and Spike tried to push the large tank but it was too heavy. Spike was hyperventilating and shouting, "Oh Boy...What do we do?"
AJ shouted him down, "Will you cool it? Yer shoutin ain't gonna help us! Were jus gonna have to wait fer somepony to come by...It's all we can do."
Fluttershy flew up worried, "But...what if nopony shows up?"
The thought ran through their minds and for a second they felt like it was the end. Spike comforted Rarity while Pinkie Pie hugged Fluttershy. Applejack leaned against the wall and thought about her family. Then she looked over the tank and managed to see through the skylight in the ceiling where meteor fired off. Suddenly her hope was restored to a limit, but it would remain as their last hope. She looked at everypony and smiled a hopeful and confident smile, "Somepony will show up...I jus know it."
-----
Meanwhile Twilight swung the E-Sword at Sparks with her magic but ducked out of the way and then came back up with an uppercut and swung at the dazed pony. She clashed swords for the multiple time then kicked Nova in the stomach. He knelt down in pain and Twilight bashed him in the head with the hilt, knocking him completely to the ground. He looked up pitifully and seen Twilight with the sword at his throat. With a sarcastic voice he muttered, "Why can't you just be a good little filly and die?"
Twilight stared down at him with a straight look of animosity, "You first..."
He whispered to himself, "No...You first."
He looked at Twilight and shot her with a lightning bolt from his horn, blasting her back 10 feet against the rocky walls of the cavern. With a vengeful grin he sprang up and hauled the gun from his jacket and pointed it at Twilight. She froze with a shocked frown while the evil stallion laughed, "You can't possibly out smart me Twilight Sparkle. But enough with these silly games. It's time I ended this..."
"What happened to honor?" She asked shakily.
"To the damn Moon with honor! I've had enough of this." Nova replied impatiently.
He cocked the blaster and readied himself to fire, "One more thing." Twilight cut in.
"Hmm? What's that?" He asked.
With hesitation, she looked down momentarily then back up with a grin, "Did it hurt? The transfusion for your horn."
Nova grinned dauntlessly, "Oh More than you can imagine my dear. But the prize was what made it all the while...The horn...and the life of that miserable excuse for a leader, Celestia."
Twilight took that insult like a kick in the guts then rushed forward to tackle Sparks but he raised the gun, threatening her to stay back, "Ah, ah...Don't be so naive Twilight Sparkle, your time is up."
She frowned fiercely as he shook his head gradually, "I must say you've lasted a long time...You've collapsed my empire, destroyed my mine, defeated my army, put an end to the missile...Then on top of all that, you've eliminated my number 2 and number 3 stallion...I'm astonished, but also annoyed. Therefore it's about time we've said our farewells...at last"
He aimed the gun at her head, and Twilight put her head down in defeat. Finally Nova smiled victoriously, "So this is how it all ends? Kiss the world, and everything you know good-bye...Imagine that, I never thought I'd finally get you..."
*click*
*click*
The blaster never fired and Sparks was bewildered with a scared look in his eyes. Twilight then looked up with a shrewd smile and levitated three cartridges from her saddlebag, "Looking for these?"
"...Your clever...Very clever...Give em to me." Nova demanded with an agitated expression.
Twilight Sparkle used her magic and crushed the lithium ammunition in front of Nova, eliminating the option of his energy blaster. She went to retrieve her E-Sword, "Let's finish this Nova."
His devious smile returned, making Twilight feel somewhat uneasy, "Twilight my dear, enough with this barbarrack nature of sword fighting, let's finish this with a test of true magic."
Twilight shifted her eyes curiously, "What are you talking about?"
Nova trotted to the center of the long, tall tunnel with sunlight that beamed down through the cracks of the rocky ceiling and shined on his glasses that created the haunting glare over the glass as he grinned, "I'm talking about a classic, traditional Canterlotian Unicorn battle. A duel between titans. My Manarite horn versus your regular Equestrian horn. The price of course being our rights as Unicorns, just like the gentlecolts back in the old days when a mare KNEW her rightful place in a stallion's world..."
"I've read about those duels." She replied.
Sparks explained, "Two beams of magical essence coming together with a massive cosmic ball of energy being pushed against each Unicorn. Who ever had the least powerful horn would have the thunderball shoved towards them and suffer life without a horn or most of the time, simply perish from the blast...and to this day it remains the only true test between Unicorns and their magic."
Twilight thought about it then wondered why the girls were taking so long, she was unaware of their situation. But with a positive motive, she accepted, "Alright Nova, your on!"
She centered herself in the room and threw her saddlebag aside, then planted her hooves. Although something inside her told her that she was missing something, almost as if it was telling her she was about to trot into a knife fight unarmed. She levitated her bag back over and looked through it, then realized the serum she took a while back. Twilight didn't want to succumb to taking the enhancer but it would be her only way to stand chance against Sparks in this duel. While Nova was readying himself, Twilight took a deep breath and injected the dose of biologic matter into the base of her horn and then felt a sudden rush of potency flood her horn. It felt so right yet still entirely wrong and unnatural. She tossed the bag and the empty syringe to the side once again and stood across from Nova, her hooves shaking nervously. He other the other hoof, felt exuberant and confident that he would win. He too, planted his hooves and called over to Twilight, "So...This is how it will REALLY end? Then so be it...You should be glad. Your about to meet with your darling Celestia in the afterlife."
"I'm not going to let myself lose to you, Nova...I've got the spirit of my friends with me, and they're going to help me put an end to your madness once and for all!" she exclaimed passionately.
Sparks mocked her conceitedly, "Oh That's pathetic...You really believe your power of friendship will stand it's ground against my advanced magic? Your very idiotic to think so my dear."
"Brute mind power isn't everything, Nova." She boldly grinned.
He laughed down her, "If you say so Miss Sparkle."
They illuminated their horns and focused their magic. The phenomena created gales in the room which swirled around the Unicorns. Their manes flowed in the wind ominously and they felt the power begin to collect in their horns. Twilight was amazed with abundance of power she was feeling in her horn thanks to the serum. Nova was unaware but his confidence wasn't shook in the slightest. He wore a grin with a cocky attitude and praised himself to Twilight, "You have just accepted a fight my dear...you CANNOT win! En garde!"
At last he shot a long, deep purple beam of powerful energy directly at Twilight and she retaliated with a blue beam, although not as powerful. The lights fused in the middle and created a ball with an aura of light building. Twilight and Nova were shoved back with their hooves still planted to the ground. To his surprise, she lasted longer than he predicted ,"Well done Twilight! Your pretty good for a novice. I think it's time to step up my game!"
He groaned and began to push the magical ball towards Twilight. She pushed back and balanced it in the middle. Nova laughed, "You ARE powerful. Enough fooling around."
"I'll never let you win!" Twilight exclaimed.
She concentrated even harder and pushed the mystical thunderball down Nova's way. He scoffed and let it get close to him then shoved back with strong force. The winds created were nearly hurricane-like. Sweat poured from Twilight where as Nova wasn't shaken. The force was tremendous and she could feel the energetic rush flow through her veins, but she noticed Sparks wasn't going to let her win so easily. She knew she was in for the fight of her life, her last stand with Nova.
-----
In the meantime, Applejack and the others waited. Time was thinning and smoke was spreading throughout the air as the flames of the fire appeared closer. AJ looked up through the opening between the door and the oil container once again. There was still nothing. Spike sat up and checked the tank, then felt his pulse quicken as he soon realized something terrible, "What's wrong Spike?" Pinkie Pie asked.
He poked Applejack for her attention, "This is an oil tank right?"
She looked at him curiously and nodded, "Yeah? Why do ya ask?"
"Aaannnd that's a fire out there that's getting closer?" He laughed uneasily.
Everypony ran those questions through, then they all felt their hearts sink and rushed up against the tank, trying to shove it out of the way out of panic. Spike and the girls pushed and pushed as hard as they could but it would not budge. Applejack panted angrily, "Why in tarnation is it so hard fer the five of us move this thing?"
Suddenly they quieted down and heard somepony calling out, "Applejack...Twilight!...Rarity, girls where are you?!"
"Rainbow Dash!" they all shouted happily.
Dash had flown back through and was soon accompanied by the Wonderbolts. She flew around and didn't take long to notice the massive container knocked over, blocking AJ and the girls from reaching Twilight. She flew over and peeked through the crevice, "Applejack, Fluttershy, Spike, Pinkie and Rarity. You guys alright?"
Applejack cracked up and slapped her knee, "Are we alright? Hey girls did ya'll hear that? She asked if were alright..."
She reached up and stuck her head out, shouting furiously, "Of course were not alright! That fire's gonna blast us to the moon if ya don't get us outta here!"
Rainbow pushed her head back in, "Chillax AJ, we'll have you guys out in a flash."
Applejack peeked back out once again. This time she with a puzzled frown, "We? What do ya mean, we?"
Dash looked over her shoulder and shouted out, "Over here guys!"
AJ turned her head slightly and seen Spitfire, Fleetfoot and Soarin fly up behind Rainbow, "Boy howdy, the Wonderbolts?"
"Oh my gosh what happened?" A worried Spitfire asked.
Rarity pushed Applejack aside and smiled, "I ruined my hooficure. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED?! Now get us out of here!"
Without a response, Rainbow and the Wonderbolts grabbed ahold of the tank and got ready to pull. She called to the girls on the inside, "Alright guys, on 3, I want you guys to push...1...2...3!"
They forced but still struggled and tried to budge the tank but nothing continued to happened. They tried again but still the massive oil container stood solid. Rainbow Dash noticed the fire was getting closer and time was running out. They tried over and over again but got the same result. They were soon all exhausted and had to rest. Fluttershy was getting emotional, "I hope Twilight is ok..."
"I hope so too sugar cube." Applejack acknowledged.
Rainbow assured, "Don't worry ladies, we'll get you out of here."
She then glanced over at the hot, white flames beginning to seep further in struggled to swallow, "...Eventually."
-----
"Have you accepted defeat my dear?" Nova shouted across the tunnel.
The magical ball was now extraordinarily large and the gales swirled dust around it like a cyclone. Twilight was struggling to match Nova's strength and the ball leaned more towards her. Although she still had enough power to withstand the force and with a straining tone, Twilight called him out, "I will never give up!"
He laughed deviously, "I've already won, Twilight! You'll fall victim to me just as the others have fallen!"
Again, his words struck her heart viciously like a smack across the mouth. Suddenly she was reminded of Berry Punch, the stallion being dragged by the guards in Canterlot, all of the imprisoned ponies...and Princess Celestia's horrific end. Twilight soon lost concentration and the cosmic sphere began to loom closer but she was unaware as she continued to drift into the past and remembered the state of the Princess on the cold floor of the laboratory. Witnessing the death in her very hooves, and then the cocky smirk glued to the face of Sparks, that filled Twilight with brute hatred. Nova realized she was lost in her mind and took advantage. Another flash in his glasses illuminated as he pushed the ball at a faster rate. Twilight was still oblivious and went further into the dreadful thoughts. She recalled the gruesome natures of Bradshaw Buckingham and Comet. She smiled to know they were both dead but it didn't remain for long as the Princess re-entered her mind. The last words that she said to Twilight, "He must be stopped at all costs! No matter what, he cannot succeed. Or else he'll surely bring the end of the world as we know it."
With not a moment too soon, Twilight brought herself back into focus and her horn exploded with a beckoning of surging light, sending the thunderball back towards Nova at an incredible rate. His grin was quickly washed away with a stressed look of surprise then for a second struggled to get the enchanted sphere away from him. Twilight was angered to the brink and was determined more than ever to send Sparks flying sky high. He was fascinated yet still dauntless, "Excellent push Twilight Sparkle. But I suggest stop fooling around and show me your true power. Your an embarrassment."
Again his bold smile appeared and with much force, he used an abundance of power in his horn to force the magical essence to travel Twilight's way slowly. This time, she was having trouble to resist. Nova was using a high capacity of power and she felt she wasn't strong enough. She soon realized as it got closer that if the girls didn't arrive soon, she'd be finished. Twilight comprehended the consequences and started to discourage her magic. With one last effort she managed to halt the clairvoyant propelled orb another time. But time was not on her side and soon her magic would start to dwindle.
-----
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash lead the team, who were still trying to moved the oil tank that blocked their way, "Push!...Push!...Push!......Push!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed forcefully.
"This ain't workin, Rainbow!" Applejack clarified, panting rapidly.
Spike pondered a moment then leaped up on AJ to call out to Dash through the small crack, "Is there anything in the way of it?"
She flew around the tank and shook her head, "Not as far as I can te......Oh for the love of Celestia..."
"What is it?" Asked Applejack nervously.
After a brief facehoof, Dash flew down and removed a large cable running across the floor out of the way, "This electrical cord was acting as some sort of wedge. It must've fallen from the ceiling."
Everypony groaned of irritation and stupidity. Rarity couldn't believe it and was the most bothered, "Your telling me that it was only a simple solution of just pushing that cable out of the way the entire time?"
"...Yeah." Rainbow laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head.
"Never mind that!" AJ cut in, "We gotta hurry up and help Twilight. Now push!"
With the strength of Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and all three Wonderbolts, they had more than enough power and easily slid the container from the doorway after they had removed the thick cable that sat in their way. Before any other pony could, Spike leaped out and began to kiss the ground then jumped up and wrapped his arms around Rainbow. She was happy for him but found his affection a little too thankful, "Ok Spike calm down, this is embarrassing..."
"Sorry." He laughed.
Rainbow Dash turned to the Wonderbolts, "Guys?"
"What is it?" Soarin answered.
She turned around and pointed out into the other room that lead to the outdoors, but still had a raging inferno, "There's a few of our ponies outside the cave. You guys want to go check on them? We'll be along shortly."
"Sure thing." Soarin nodded.
Like a flash, the Wonderbolts flew off while everypony else ran ahead and galloped towards the stairs...except Applejack. They all looked back and found she was limping very slowly and moaning with every step, "You ok AJ?" Rainbow wondered with fearful concern.
She found herself stumbling all over, leaned against the wall a couple times, then tried to trot. Eventually she became very tired and had to lay down, "It's my leg...I think I put too much pressure on it when we were pushin the tank out...It hurts, I can't move."
Rarity moved everypony aside and tended to her fallen friend, "You all go on ahead. I'll assist Applejack up."
Dash gave an understanding nod, "Alright. Don't take too long though, That fire's spreading and there's a lot of oil in that container."
"Got it." Rarity confirmed as she helped AJ to her hooves.
"Were comin Twilight!" Rainbow shouted as she lead the team upstairs, on their way to Nova's office.
Spike looked back once and winked at Rarity, wishing her luck. She smiled warmly and put Applejack's hoof around her, "Alright, now one step at a time Applejack, we'll get there..."
AJ groaned in slight discomfort, "Mmm...Yes M'am."
-----
Twilight was beginning to run out of steam. The mystic ball of magic started to move down towards Twilight again, this time she could not halt it, only slow it down. But Nova Sparks was fueled by his vindictiveness and forced himself to focus harder, pushing it faster. Twilight was scared, she had hardly anymore strength left in her magic to counter the stallion's effort. She was losing the battle and the ball was only a single meter away from ending it all. She felt the wind at her face and she was forced to keep one eye closed. With a domineering smirk of satisfaction, Nova waved, "Say hello to Celestia for me! It's been...a pleasure to see you off!"
"Twilight!" Pinkie Pie shouted from behind.
"Pinkie?" Twilight gasped.
Her eyes opened and she turned her head slightly, enough to see the pink dot in the corner of her eye. Then a yellow dot, small purple dot, and a blue dot. She soon realized her friends had arrived at last and she filled with happiness and relief. Still she knew she would have to hold off a little longer for she noticed Applejack and Rarity had not arrived yet. But Nova was still persistent and flaunted, "Your too late my friends! She's finished! When this attack reaches her side, you will all be engulfed!"
Her friends lined up along side Twilight. She could feel her confidence grow, and the energy in her magic began to revive. Sparks could feel it as she stopped the mystical ball again and pushed it away once more. Now a new found strength, Twilight was no longer worried among her friends, but Nova had had enough with it all, "You all think you can defeat me? I am Nova Sparks! Emperor of Equestria, scientific genius! I've waited FAR too long for this moment. Project: singularity WILL thrive! Then I shall obtain limitless power and have the world at the tips of my hooves...If you think your pathetic little friendship is so powerful, then just try to stop me!"
Nova used a vast amount of energy he could muster and blasted another orb from his horn and traveled it down his violet illuminated beam which met up with the much larger spellbound sphere, accelerating it at Twilight again. This time with the presence of her friends, she felt reinvigorated and matched Nova's capabilities. Now frustrated with impatience, he finally forced all his energy into complete concentration and blasted yet another magical ball down his beam, again meeting with the larger one. This time Twilight was struggling. Sparks put all his effort into the fight, and she couldn't take the advantage. Everypony began to coil back as the ball moved closer towards them, making Nova's sinister smile to appear once more. Spike tried to charge Sparks but he was quickly foiled as he was struck with a bolt of lightning provoked by the cosmic thunderball, "Spike!" Twilight fearfully hollered.
She lost focus for a second and nearly caused the massive star-like figure to smack into her but caught it in time, although she only slowed it as the ball was still closing in on her. It was no use, she knew she was going to lose and closed her eyes, then shed one tear, "I'm sorry Princess...I've failed you..."
Less than two meters away, the thunderball roared like a hurricane, but that sound was suddenly dulled out over by the sound of a calling voice, "Twilight!...Twilight!"
She opened her eyes quickly and turned as far as she could towards the familiar noise. In the corner of her eye she could find Rarity with Applejack at her side, and a healing smile about her face. Conclusively...All her friends were together once again, and another tear rolled down her eye. This time not of sorrow, but of utter happiness, then it was at that moment, when she knew, Nova Sparks was defeated. Without delay, the six destined comrades knew what had to be done and they all got into formation. Spike crawled to the wall and sat down leaning against it, and watched the spectacle. Nova Sparks versus the elements of harmony. Sparks was puzzled and curious when he noticed the five other mares positioned around Twilight and to his complete shock, he felt his powers weaken as Twilight Sparkle slowed the spiritual sphere to another halt as he failed to get it passed any further. He finally broke a sweat and got a quaking feeling in his hooves. With everything now in preparation, it was time.
Standing valiantly at the sides of Twilight were Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack. Then above her, flying were Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Each of them with a cold, threatening, and victorious look staring directly at the corrupted Nova Sparks. The mystical globe-like figure was now centered and Sparks couldn't counter it anymore. He was outraged and lost his intimidation factor, "This...this cannot be! My manarite...All my technology...My advanced studies. This is ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE!"
Finally with a conquering glare, Twilight concluded, "You fought for yourself and only yourself. We fought for a much greater purpose...For Equestria!"
Nova fearfully retracted back as Twilight's eyes flashed white and her friends closed their eyes to concentrate. One by one, each of their cutie marks let off light and the power of the elements were flowing through their bodies. Then in the blink of an eye a bright flash of light exploded around each of the six mares and the magic was targeted at Twilight's horn, then onto the starlit road leading towards the magical ball that still remained. Twilight let off a second beam, this one, multi-colored with the power of the elements within. The spectrum twisted around her other blue beam and pressed against the sphere, and soon covered it over. It compressed and Sparks lost complete authority. Twilight was in full control and prepared herself to blast Nova Sparks into oblivian. His violet stream of light disappeared as it could do nothing and he began to stumble back out of shear intimidation. Then with one last wave, Twilight let the ball fly and a shock wave was left in it's place. Nova turned around to take off but was no near fast enough in the slightest as the cosmic sphere accelerated and caught him in the back with a violent roar followed by an agonizing outcry.
The girls retreated back as they watched Nova Sparks be consumed into the magical aura as he screamed of distress. Then soon after, the illuminated ball of energy exploded and shot upward, broke the ceiling of the cave and shot into the sky. It peaked and another shock wave was heard as the spectrum filled globe exploded once more and spread over the sky, miles for miles across Equestria, eradicating the effects of Sparks' vindictive spells all at once. What the Princess had hoped, came true and she, and many others were avenged. When the light disappeared and the room went silent, Twilight and the girls looked down the tunnel to the defeated Nova Sparks with the shattered remains of a horn on his forehead, and laying dead on the ground...
Twilight trotted up to him, followed by her five other friends, including a dizzy Spike. Sparks had no movement. A broken horn, burn wounds, scorched parts of his mane, a heavily charred tail, tattered clothing, and a pair of broken glasses. Looking up at the light of the day, Twilight began to nod, then cry while she embraced her friends. They all crowded in for a group hug among the skylight, symbolizing a new era of peace for Equestria. Rainbow Dash looked over at Fluttershy and got her attention. Without saying a word, she stared at her with an interesting look then pointed her head towards the sky. Fluttershy thought for a moment, then knew what she meant. Rainbow flew up and let her tail sag down. She smiled proudly, "Come on guys...Let's get out of here..."
They all agreed and instead of trotting back through the cave, Twilight and Applejack clenched on to Dash's tail while Pinkie, Rarity and Spike took Fluttershy's. Together they lifted up in the air and flew out of the cavern, and into the living daylights that felt so relieving as Rainbow and Fluttershy flew their friends around, admiring their lives for the first time in a while. The era of Sparks' holocaust was over at last and new era of harmony had begun.
They peered down into Suffolk Valley and seen the remainder of their group who traveled the road and waved up at them. They waved back down smiling and Pinkie shouted down at them with excitement as she usually did. The girls descended towards the canyon grounds to meet with them and they could see more of them survived the assault than they had thought. They approached the ground and landed with the crowd of ponies surrounding them, raising them back up in the air and chanting their names. Whistles and hooves pumping filled Spike and the girls with admiration and they looked back at the mine as they seen the front of it suddenly explode a massive fireball then collapse, sealing the manarite away once and for all.
Finally they were all let down and Applejack limped a few steps, facing the mine. She remembered Big Macintosh was in that inferno, and expressed a look of depression. She sat down for a moment and scrapped her hoof around the ground. Twilight and her other friends came up behind her and sat down next her. She wrapped her hoof around AJ and leaned into her with a sympathetic tone, "I'm so sorry Applejack..."
Applejack sniffled a few times before she stood up and fixed her hat, then tipped it at the destroyed cave, paying tribute to her brother, "It's ok Twi...If this is what was goin to happen, he would've wanted it this way. As long as he knew the Apple family was safe, he knew the sacrifice was worth it...I'll miss you Big Macintosh....Forever."
They all stood up and turned away from the carnage, then trotted towards home. Home to Equestira, home...to Ponyville. But then Rainbow had an epiphany. She turned around for a moment and pondered. Twilight asked with curiosity, "What is it Rainbow?"
"The missile." She answered, "I don't think it's a good idea to leave it in the middle of the canyon. Anything could happen..."
Twilight pondered and quickly agreed, "Your right...We may have to go walk out and get it."
Dash nodded and looked back at the girls, "You guys want to tag along?"
"Sure, we'll go!" Pinkie bounced excitedly.
The others nodded as well and Twilight notified the group that they were heading off to take care of it. Dash informed the Wonderbolts to make sure that they made it back to Ponyville safely and Spike was to act as team leader until they returned. But before they left, Rarity stepped up to Spike and kissed him, "Be safe Spiky."
"I will Rarity." Spike smiled devotedly.
With Rainbow Dash leading the way, they took off in a different direction, following the still visible rocket exhaust in the sky. Questions still remained. Was it still active? Was there anypony to set it off? Or was it completely deactivated? These questions needed answers and the girls were on their way to clear their minds. Nova Sparks may be defeated, but meteor was a mystery. Although they knew now that no matter what, the Sparks era had come to an abrupt end and they could move on, rebuilding their lives and begin a new chapter over one of the darkest eras in Equestrian history.
[...To be continued]