Things were really bad. Shadow Claw had succeeded in taking Princess Celestia and Rarity and had also managed to turn a good part of the Royal Guard into pony-wolves. On top of that, without Celestia, the Sun wouldn’t rise. They were stuck in the night, in a full moon night.
Twilight rose and went to Luna and Cadance. Upon reaching the edge of them, asked them:
"Are you all right?"
"I think so" Cadance replied, rising up.
"I'm fine" Luna said. "But it seems that this only applies to our physical condition, because things are not well at all. That bastard took my sister."
"I know" Twilight said. "And he also took Rarity."
"But what does he want with her?" Cadance asked.
Twilight shrugged and then asked:
"But who is this Shadow Claw?"
"My sister told me about this creature who by day is a pony and by full moon night is a monster" Luna replied. "But I don't know much more about it."
"I think we can add any more information" a voice said.
They turned and then saw Golden Paladin and Mirror Coat.
"Golden Paladin!" Twilight exclaimed, glad to see them. "Mirror Coat! I'm glad you came."
"A little late, I'm afraid" Mirror Coat said, looking around. "We can see that our old pony-wolf friend regained the power he had."
"Pony-wolf?" Twilight repeated.
"A kind of pony that now lives in mythology" Golden Paladin explained. "On full moon nights, they become in what you could see and become quite aggressive. In this pony and wolf mixed form, their physical abilities are tremendously increased. It is quite difficult to defeat a pony-wolf in combat. Even for me."
"Typically, they are organized in packs, where there's an alpha, namely the stronger pony-wolf, a leader" Mirror Coat continued.
"Like Shadow Claw" Cadance realized.
"Precisely" Mirror Coat said. "The alpha is the one who controls all the others. He holds the loyalty of all his soldiers, so it will be practically impossible trying to divide his army."
"But, why he took Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked.
"Because without her we would not be able to rise de Sun" Luna realized.
"Yes" Golden Paladin said. "The Sun is the only thing able to revert a pony-wolf to its pony form. Typically, an alpha has the unique ability to transform in any time of the day or night, with or without a full moon. But since Celestia defeated Shadow Claw, he lost this ability."
"Besides, an eternal night will unbalance the world and plunge it into chaos" Mirror Coat added. "What it is undoubtedly what the Lord of Chaos wants."
Twilight thought for a while and then said:
"Wait, you said the ponie-wolves take their powers from the full moon, right?"
The two generals waved and their princess continued:
"Well, Princess Luna could change the face of the moon. Thus they would be normal ponies."
"But that's a great idea, Twilight!" Cadance exclaimed.
"It's not something I like to do, but considering the situation…" Luna said.
The princess of the night turned to the Moon and then charged her horn with magic and fired a magic beam against it. But then nothing happened.
"What's wrong?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know" Luna answered, so dumbfounded like everypony else. "The Moon should have changed."
"This is bad" Mirror Coat said. "The Sun is the only thing that can revert them to their pony form. Without it, the only way to defeat Shadow Claw and his pony-wolves is…"
"Through physical combat" Golden Paladin completed. "Something that would be very dangerous, because the risk of biting is quite high and it’s needed just a nibble for the transformation."
"This probably has something to do with that strange crystal he used" Cadance said.
That caught Golden Paladin and Mirror Coat’s attention who asked at the same time:
"What crystal?"
"He used a weird moon-shaped crystal to defeat us" Cadance said. "It emanated an immense power. I've never seen anything like it."
The two generals looked at each other.
"What's wrong?" Twilight asked. "Do you know that crystal?"
"Unfortunately, yes, princess" Golden Paladin replied. "Actually, it wasn't called Moon Crystal, was it?"
"Yes, that was the crystal’s name" said Twilight. "Do you know what it is?"
"It's a jewel created by one of the most feared Lord of Chaos’ followers" Mirror Coat explained. "An object imbued with the power of darkness. It is able to control the Moon and create an eternal eclipse. But of course Shadow Claw just wants to prevent the Moon from change its face. And without the Princess of the Sun to lift the star of the day…"
Twilight didn't even need that Mirror Coat finish the sentence.
"But taking into account that Shadow Claw used the Lunar Crystal to create all this, maybe there's a way to put an end to this eternal full moon night" Golden Paladin said.
The princesses looked at him.
"Yes, I think I know what you mean, brother" Mirror Coat said. "Under the Light Kingdom, specifically under our dungeons, there is an underground world covered in bright diamonds. There, there's a giant diamond which is responsible for sustaining the entire Light Kingdom."
"I didn't know that," said Twilight. "You never told me that."
"It is a secret that is preferable to forget, Princess" Golden Paladin replied. "This underground world, which we call Diamond Domain, works as a pillar for our Kingdom. Under the Diamond Heart’s sustenance, it prevents the Light Kingdom from sinking in its own foundations."
"And what does that have to do with what can counteract the Crystal Moon’s power?" Luna asked.
"There, it’s hidden the Lunar Crystal’s counterpart, that contains within itself the power of light, able to lift the Sun once again" Mirror Coat said. "The Solar Crystal."
"What are we waiting for?" Twilight asked. "We need to get this Solar Crystal immediately."
"As you wish, Princess" Golden Paladin replied, while he and Mirror Coat made her a bow.
"We're staying here" Luna said to Twilight, referring to herself and Cadance.
"We have to calm down all citizens" Cadance said. "The panic is spreading because they didn’t see the sun rising."
Twilight waved and then went to Blue, telling him:
"I, Golden Paladin and Mirror Coat will go back to the Light Kingdom. There’s something that can combat this threat."
"I'd like to go with you" Blue said.
"But you can't" Twilight said. "Our son needs you. Besides I need you to gather up all the guards as you can in case of more pony-wolves appear."
Blue, despite wanting to go with Twilight, thought she was right and waved to her.
"Don't worry, Twily" he told her. "I take care of it."
"And I will help Prince Blue Sword, Your Highness" Thunder Night said. "I will speak with Princess Luna and then I will gather the entire Lunar Royal Guard."
"Thank you, Thunder Night" Twilight thanked.
She then gave a kiss on Blue’s cheek and told him:
"I love you."
"I love you too" he replied.
Twilight returned to the edge of the two Generals of Order that charged their horns with magic and so the three teleport themselves.
The Lord of Chaos had been listening all the conversation and he got a little worried.
"The Crystal Solar is the only thing able to overpower the Lunar Crystal’s magic" he said. "If they can get the hooves on it, they will be able to stop Shadow Claw and ruin my plan."
"So you have to find a way to stop them, master" said Fire Punch. "If you want, I can stop them."
"Don't be ridiculous, Fire Punch" the Lord of chaos said. "You wouldn’t last two seconds against Golden Paladin and Mirror Coat. And with them within the Light Kingdom’s borders, I can't send another villain or dark creature against them. I only have one choice. I have to warn Shadow Claw and hope he can somehow win the Solar Crystal."
In the abandoned castle that once belonged to the two alicorn sisters, situated deep of Everfree Forest, a lot of pony-wolves were watching the surrounding area. Inside of the castle, Rarity was sleeping in a bed with silk blankets, still using the dress she was wearing in the celebration. She began to wake up and then noticed where she was.
"I'm glad you woke up" a voice said.
Rarity startled and turned and saw that, in a dark corner, was Shadow Claw, that let the moonlight illuminate him.
"You look so pretty sleeping" he said.
"You never heard that it's rude to view other ponies sleeping?" Rarity asked, moving in bed in order to move away the more possible from Shadow Claw.
But he came to her with his abnormal speed, to what made her shudder. The alpha smelled her mane and said:
"You're the most beautiful mare that I ever saw. You will be my muse of the night."
"If you love me so much as you say, why did you kidnap me?" Rarity asked. "To keep me hostage, you better turn me on what you are."
"Why would I ruin your perfect beauty with fangs and claws?" Shadow Claw asked, wanting to pass his paw through Rarity’s beautiful face, but she kept herself away.
Shadow Claw retreat his paw, getting a serious look. It seemed that Rarity had lost all the fascination she had for him after discovering his true identity. But he wasn't going to give up. He wanted that mare and she was going to be his no matter what.
"Shadow Claw" a voice called.
He turned and the image of the Lord of Chaos appeared on the other side of the room. When she saw him, Rarity got back the more she could.
"My lord" Shadow Claw said, standing up and making a bow to his master.
"Sorry if I'm bothering your fun" the Lord of Chaos said, looking in a fun way to Rarity, something that gave her a lot of chills. "But I have to warn you that Princess Twilight, along with that stupid peacemaker and that mirrored brain, is about to reclaim the Solar Crystal. Has a lot of caution. I don't want my brilliant plan to bring the eternal night fall apart."
"Don't worry, master" Shadow Claw answered. "The Lunar Crystal is using its magic to hide our presence from our enemies and, even if they find us and dare to attack us, my pony-wolves will surely kick their ass and at the same time increase my army."
"I hope so, Shadow Claw" the Lord of Chaos replied. "Don't make me regret from give you this opportunity. For failures, I already have Fire Punch and Krylock."
And, having said that, he disappeared.
Rarity looked carefully to Shadow Claw, after the Lord of Chaos have disappeared, and noticed that he seemed quite nervous. Feeling certain empathy for him, she approached, hesitating in put the hoof on his shoulder. She said:
"I don't know why you serve him if you don't like to do it."
"It doesn't matter if I like it" Shadow Claw answered. "I'm a creature of the shadows and it is my duty to serve the Lord of Chaos. All my power comes from him. Without him I am nothing."
"You're wrong" said Rarity, putting her hoof gently on Shadow Claw’s shoulder. "You're something. At least, for me."
Shadow Claw looked to Rarity and she could see through the evil that had those canine eyes injected with blood. She could see the alpha’s good side, prisoner of all darkness that plagued his heart. It was then that this good side disappear again and Shadow Claw moved away her hoof and coldly said, rising up:
"You don't like me. At least, not the real me. You like the fake Shadow Claw, the one that I pretended to be to win you trust."
"That's not true" Rarity up, standing up too. "I know there's still goodness within you, Shadow Claw. I can feel it."
"You're wrong" he replied. "I'm bad to the last fraction of my being. I don't need love, care or anything else that the Order side can give me. I already have what I want. The Lunar Crystal will give me the eternal full moon night that I so wished."
"No, you're wrong" the white unicorn said.
"I don't care about your opinion" Shadow Claw answered. "I don't care if you like me or not. Now, you're my and you’ll be it forever."
And having said that, Shadow Claw went out the window with a great speed. Rarity went to there and saw she was on top of one of the towers of the castle. The alpha must have used his abilities to get out safely. Rarity went to the door, but saw that it was locked. She was stuck there.
Princess Twilight and her two generals appeared at the entrance of the Light Kingdom and advanced towards the castle. Upon arriving there, Twilight followed Golden Paladin and Mirror Coat to the engraving of Princess Aurora and the six Generals of Order.
The General of Peace launched a magic beam that hit Princess Aurora’s horn and her eyes began to shine. The three were traversed by magic and then they were teleported. When Twilight gave for her, she was in a long tunnel.
"We are now under the Light Kingdom and its dungeons" Golden Paladin explained to Twilight. "Follow us, princess."
Twilight did so. They went through the long tunnel that led down increasingly. It was then that they arrived to a door which, despite not having the same beauty that those that existed in the Light Kingdom, was strong and sturdy. There was only one round groove in the center, big enough for a unicorn horn. Golden Paladin then entered there his horn and rode it like a key. The door was covered by a yellow glow and then opened up and Twilight, accompanied by two generals, came in and became amazed by what she saw.
It seemed to be an immense cavern, but all of it was covered by beautiful and radiant diamonds. It had them in different sizes and shapes, some forming up columns, while others hung from the roof like stalactites or decorate the walls. Twilight was fascinating with everything. If Rarity was there, the princess was sure she was going to faint for being surrounded with such beauty. The diamonds shone so much that illuminated the cave completely.
"Welcome to the Diamond Domain, Princess" Golden Paladin said.
"It's really beautiful" Twilight commented, looking around. "I never thought there was something like this underneath of our kingdom."
"But there is" Mirror Coat said. "And this is what keeps our kingdom stable. The shine that they radiate interacts with the light existing in the star seeds at the top level and this creates a force that prevents the Light Kingdom from sink, even when there is the worst of earthquakes."
Twilight was still fascinated with that place and was only brought back to reality when Golden Paladin said:
"Princess, follow us. The Solar Crystal is more inward."
The three then advanced through the cave and it was then that they have reached what appeared to be its center. Twilight couldn't believe when she saw that, even in the center, there was a gigantic diamond, with immense hooves of height. He was suspended in the air, with more diamonds long in length coming from the roof. This diamond was the brightest and seemed to be reacting with Twilight’s presence, intensifying its shine as she approached.
"This is the largest and most brilliant diamond that I've ever seen" Twilight said, stopping right in front of him.
"This is the Diamond Heart" Golden Paladin said. "It's the one that gives all the power to the existing diamonds from here. He ensures the stability of this place and, consequently, the Light Kingdom’s."
"And it is it who holds the Solar Crystal" Mirror Coat said. "And you, princess, are the only pony that can recover it."
Twilight advanced to the Diamond Heart, fascinated and attracted to its brightness. She rose then her hoof and touched it. The diamond shone with more intensity and it was then that this glow formed what appeared to be a crystal. When the light waned, she could see an orange rrystal with a spherical shape and with several spikes that wafted into the air in front of Twilight. It was the Solar Crystal.
Using her magic, Twilight picked it up and soon could feel its magic. There was so much light in a vast amount that the young princess had ever seen.
"Very well, Princess" Golden Paladin said to Twilight. "It's time for us to defeat Shadow Claw and save Princess Celestia and your friend."
Twilight, still somewhat distracted by the Solar Crystal, waved and then Mirror Coat invoked his magic, created a portal and he, Golden Paladin and Twilight crossed it.
In Ponyville, Blue Sword and Thunder Night had managed to gather so many royal guards as possible, ponies and thestrals. All of them were watching Ponyville and ensured that there was no pony-Wolves over there. Luna and Cadance were nearby and, when Thunder Night and Blue Sword arrived at their edge, the older princess asked:
"Anything?"
"No, Princess" Thunder Night said. "We didn't find any pony-wolf that might still be around. It seems that Shadow Claw took them all when their disappeared."
"Balls" Luna said. "If we could at least catch one, we could try to understand where he got my sister and Rarity."
"At least we don't have to worry about the fact that there are more transformations" Cadance said. "At least here."
"Our only hope is that Twilight appear with the Solar Crystal" Blue said.
"I'm excited that Twilight arrives and we go save our friend Rarity and kick that Shadow Claw’s ass" Rainbow said, who had come along with Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.
"Even if we have the Solar Crystal, our victory is not guaranteed, Rainbow Dash" Princess Luna said. "Don't forget that Shadow Claw has the Lunar Crystal, whose shadow power equates to the Solar Crystal’s light power."
"Tha princess is right, Rainbow" Applejack said. "Ya saw what that thing was able tah do. In addition tah havin’ stucked tha Moon, it also defeat’d all tha alicorn princesses."
"Oh, my goodness" Fluttershy said. "The idea of being in an eternal night controlled by pony-wolves is still worse than the idea of being in an eternal night controlled by Nightmare Moon. Ah... no offense, Princess Luna."
"Don't worry, dear Fluttershy" Luna said. "I'm not offended. I confess I have an eternal night was always a wish I had in the deepest and darkest part of my heart, but now I just wish undo it."
"And don't worry, my dear" Thunder Night said to Fluttershy, going to the edge of his marefriend and putting one of his wings on her shoulders. "I'll be here to protect you."
That made Fluttershy smile to him.
"Besides, we won't have to worry about the Solar Crystal, because Twilight must be appearing... Now!" Pinkie Pie said.
And a mirror portal appeared and from it came Mirror Coat, Golden Paladin and Twilight, carrying the Solar Crystal.
"How did you do that?" Rainbow Dash asked to Pinkie Pie, completely aghast.
"Oh, I had a combo earlier saying that Twilight was coming with the Solar Crystal and then I just had to time the time" Pinkie Pie replied.
"And you didn't tell us anything?!" Rainbow asked.
"You don't ask me" Pinkie said, doing then a big smile.
That made Rainbow Dash take her hoof to her own face.
"Twilight!" Blue Sword exclaimed, going to hug his wife. "I’m so glad you're back."
"I am also glad to be back" Twilight answered, returning her husband’s hug, finishing it a few seconds later. "And Star?"
"Don't worry about him" Blue said. "He's safe. So is this? The Solar Crystal?"
"Yes" Twilight replied, looking to the Crystal. "And the power that is contained here is immense. I'm sure this is enough to defeat Shadow Claw and his Lunar Crystal."
"Indeed, I can feel its power even at a distance" Luna said.
"Yes, it's like being surrounded by an immense wave of sunlight after waking up" Cadance added.
"Well, I'm glad we have the Solar Crystal and all that, but now we have a Princess, a friend and all a world to save" Rainbow Dash said.
"Rainbow is right" Twilight said. "We must act quickly."
"But we don't know where Shadow Claw is, princess," Thunder Night said.
"You know, as the darkness always find the light, the opposite can also happen" Golden Paladin said. "After all, they are the opposite sides of the same coin."
Twilight realized what Golden Paladin meant. She could make the Solar Crystal led them to the place where the Lunar Crystal was. Twilight focused and so she was able to access the immense magic contained in the Solar Crystal and asked it to take her to the Lunar Crystal. The crystal flashed and then began to move rapidly.
"Follow the crystal!" she said to everypont.
So Twilight started following the Solar Crystal, followed by the two Generals of Order, Blue, the other two alicorn princesses, her friends, Thunder Night and a handful of guards. It was then that the crystal stopped, which made the group also stop. They saw that they were in front of...
"The Everfree Forest?" Rainbow Dash said, upon seeing the dense and dark woods surrounding Ponyville. "He was always here?!"
"Apparently" Applejack replied.
"I don’t like this" Fluttershy said, hugely nervous. “I don’t like this at all."
"He must have used the Lunar Crystal to protect him and his pony-wolves from our eyes" Mirror Coat said.
"There's only one place in the forest where Shadow Claw may have gone" Luna said. "The castle that was once my home and my sister’s."
"If you’re right, Princess, so he must have pony-wolves surrounding the castle and within it" Blue said, turning then to a pair of guards. "You go back to the village and organize the remaining guards to protect the inhabitants of Ponyville in the case of some pony-wolf appear."
"Yes, Sir" their said, returning back.
"The rest of you fight with us" Blue said to other guards. "We hope to be successful."
"Don't worry, Your Highness" Thunder Night told him. "We, thestrals, are also creatures of the night, just like those creatures and we will ensure that they do no harm."
The group then entered into the Everfree forest, already prepared for any attack that might happen by the pony-wolves, following the Solar Crystal. It was then that it stopped in the vicinity of the Castle of the Two Sisters.
"I was right" Luna said. "He's at the castle."
"In fact, I feel a lot of negative energy in this place" Mirror Coat said. "I'm sure there's some protective magic."
"Princess, use Solar Crystal to destroy this protective magic and when you do that, stay close to me" Golden Paladin said to Twilight. "We will pass by the pony-wolves so that we can confront and defeat Shadow Claw and save Princess Celestia and your friend."
"But then..." Twilight said, worried about the others who would face Shadow Claw’s pony-wolves.
Knowing what his wife was thinking, Blue approached her, took one of her hooves and told her:
"Don't worry, my love. Go. Defeat Shadow Claw and ends the Lord of Chaos’ evil plan."
"Yes, Twilight, we take care of Shadow Claw’s slaves" Rainbow Dash said.
Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy waved (although Fluttershy was more hesitant). Twilight smiled. She really had great friends.
"I'd like to go with you, Twilight Sparkle" Luna said. "I would like to help save my sister, besides I know quite well the castle."
Twilight looked to Golden Paladin who told her:
"Princesa Luna's right."
He turned to Luna and told her:
"Very well, Princess, you can go with Mirror Coat. He will protect you."
Luna nodded and then Golden Paladin gestured to Twilight.
"Okay, here we go" she said.
She focused again on the Solar Crystal and accessed to its magic. The crystal began to shine and then it unleashed huge waves of intense light that advanced forward. It was then that a shield made of dark power appeared in front of them and he started to crack and then fell apart into pieces that disappeared. In front of them there was an army of pony-wolves, ready to attack their attackers in the name of their alpha and the Lord of Chaos.
At the top of one of the tallest towers of the castle, Shadow Claw was quietly meditating with the Lunar Crystal levitating at his side. It was then that he felt an immense light energy with a power that rivaled with his Lunar Crystal’s and that destroyed the barrier that he had created. His crystal started blinking, feeling that something powerful was approaching. Shadow Claw knew what it was.
"It's time for combat" he said.