She didn't know how she got there, but Twilight Sparkle soon discover herself floating through an endless void. She wasn't feeling scared or anything, but is willing to admit that the vast empty blackness was chipping away at her nerves.
"Where am I?" she thought out loud.
The last thing she could recall was keeping the crown away from Sunset and explaining stuff about Equestria to her friends. But as Twilight flout there with confusion, she suddenly began hearing her friends call out to her.
"Don't Worry Twilight, Were Here!" yells out a voice that sounded like Pinkie Pie
"We'll Be There!" yells a voice that sounds like Applejack.
As soon as Twilight heard their voices, her hope skyrocketed. But when she try to find the voices, the blackness slowly dissipate and colour began to come in. Soon, Twilight found herself in an old, worn-down castle. Before she question why she is in a castle, she hear loud clopping coming from a nearby stair case. But then, as she was expecting to see her friends coming for her, rainbow colour ponies appeared that looked like her friends. As Twilight became startled and confused, she saw her Equestrian counterpart facing against a tall, black winged unicorn with a vaporous mane with a blue mane. It took her a bit, but Twilight soon realizes that this is another vision from the crown and it wants to show her something.
As she watches on with intrigues, Twilight saw her pony counterpart standing up to the dark alicorn. Without any fear, the purple unicorn loftily proclaims: "You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that? Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here!"
As human Twilight wonders what she meant, little broken shards began floating up from the ground and then start swirling around her ponified friends.
"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of honesty! Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of kindness!"
Twilight was sort of left in amazement as she watch her pony self list of the rest of her friends as the elements of harmony. She knew about the other elements and now believes how important friendship, but she never realizes they could go hand in hand.
Once pony Twilight reveals that Pinkie Pie represents laughter, Rarity represents Generosity and Rainbow Dash is loyalty, the evil alicorn yells to her: "You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!"
"But it did! A different kind of spark" pony Twilight retorted as she turn towards her friends. "I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!"
At that moment, human Twilight suddenly felt a connection as they were the exact same words that she would use to describe her feelings towards her own friends. She was so moved; she accidently let a tear escape from her eye.
"You see Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... Magic!"
And just then, Twilight spotted a bright glowing light coming down from the ceiling. The shards that were orbiting around her friends suddenly became magical necklaces and the light slowly transforms into the crown that she recognizes. Twilight was witnessing how the Elements of Harmony came into being.
And then, once she see her pony self and friends butting on the elements, a rainbow beam shot out upwards from them and then curve down towards the villain. As soon as Nightmare Moon shouts: "NOOOOO!", the magic hits her and it made a massive explosion. The explosion was so bright; it was the last thing the Twilight could see before the vision ended.
_ _ _ _ _
Twilight wanted to stay longer and see what would happen next. However, she begin to feel the dream was ending and sense that somebody was trying to wake her up. As she was on the verge on being awake, Twilight could faintly hear cries that she could make out that was her name. However, the thing that really woke Twilight up was the sound of a dog moaning at her and paws climbing on top of her. When she finally opens her eyes, the first thing that she saw was Spike who was looking worried for her.
"Spike?" Twilight mumble curiously, still trying to wake up.
"Twilight!" cheerfully bark the little dog who became excited to see her awake. He then began to lick his master's face, causing her to chuckle and wash her drowsiness away.
And then suddenly, once Twilight got him to stop, she suddenly heard everybody cry out: "TWILIGHT!" When Twilight looked up, she saw AJ, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy standing above her and was also looking relieved to see awake. One other thing that Twilight take notice of was that they were on the other side of the statue, the side that was facing the road and blocking the view to the main building.
"Oh it's so good to see that you're ok Twilight" complimented Fluttershy.
"Thanks Fluttershy" Twilight replied. But then, as she was getting her bearings, Twilight suddenly heard a loud "BOOM!" coming from the school. "What Was That!?" she ask out loud.
When she looks towards her friends, they all look too nervous or too terrified to tell her. She got up and tries to take a peak on what was going on. However, when she looks around the corner, she saw a flying red she-demon up in the air and attacking the school. The demon has a flame pattern hair and a fire motif dress and was shooting dark energy beams at the building. Meanwhile, in inside the building, students were left in horror as they see a monster attacking their school.
Twilight turns to her friends and asks them: "What Is That!?"
However, Applejack says to her: "That's Sunset!"
"WHAT!" yells Twilight in disbelief.
"It's true" AJ explains. "When Sunset manage to put on the crown, dark energy stuff began surging out of her and she became into That!" One Twilight look at the demon again, she could spot the crown sitting atop of her head. So regrettably, that thing is really Sunset.
As she was left to witness the chaos and destruction that was left before her, Twilight felt the urge to stop her. But when she looks towards her friends, she could see that they are all scared and confused. She is very tempted to get them all to run away so she can let hand this mess by herself. However, with her resent vision still fresh in her mind, Twilight knows what she had to do.
While everybody was still hiding behind the statue, Twilight got her friends attention and then told them: "Listen, I got a plan!"
Without letting her finish, Pinkie became excited and exclaims: "You Do!"
"Yes, but I don't like it because it would mean putting you all in danger" Twilight finish explaining.
"Oh" Pinkie responded, slowly losing her eagerness.
Twilight says to all of them: "I might need you, but I also don't want to see any of you getting hurt. If you want to leave then I'll totally understand."
Everyone looked at each other for a moment, but that moment wasn't long as all of them turn back to Twilight and Rainbow Dash told her: "Don't worry Twilight. We totally got your back."
Left somewhat surprised, Twilight asks them: "Are you sure? This could be really dangerous."
Rarity says back to her: "And you would think we would let you handle this alone. No Way!"
"Here, here!" Applejack added.
"Really... Even you Fluttershy?"
"Well... I am scared with all of this, but I'm even more terrified if something bad happen to you."
As she could see that all of her friends are in agreement, Twilight could help herself but to smile. Once everyone was psyched up, Applejack enquires: "So what's your plan Twi'?"
After take a deep breath, Twilight told them: "Follow my lead."
But as Twilight began briefing her friends about her plan, Demon-Shimmer managed to blew a massive hole onto the building. The students were now defences to Sunset's assault and most were petrified in fear. Some, including Flash Sentry, were bright enough to try and flea, but Sunset then shot out a strange beam that beginning hitting all of the students. Once they were hit by this beam, they suddenly became under Sunset's control and began acting like zombies. However, some of the students miraculously avoided being hit by the beam because Flash accidently tripped and caused some of them to fall. But even though they were spared from being mind controlled, they were still surrounded by possessed who all fall under Demon-Shimmer orders.
But as Sunset happily looked over her new minion army, a voice shouted out and ruin her mood. "Stop Right There Sunset!" the voice cried out. When she turn around, she saw Twilight and her friends standing before her and trying to look brave.
"Oh look! It's Twilight and her annoying little friends. Come To Ruin My Moment Yet Again!" Sunset remarks as she don't see any of them as a threat.
In a moment of doubt, Applejack whispered to Twilight: "Are you sure about this Twilight?"
However, Twilight replied: "It's the best I got." Once the focus went back to Demon-Sunset, Twilight yells to her: "You Need To Stop This! Don't You See What You're Doing!?"
"I know exactly what I'm doing" she menacingly replied. "Once I have enough brainless student's under my control, I will use them to invade Equestria and finally get the respect and acknowledgement that I so rightfully deserve. And with the Element of Harmony by my side, Nobody Can Stop Me!"
But then, as Sunset began to laugh evilly because of her slow decent into madness, Twilight yells to her: "No! You're Wrong!" She says to her: "You may think the crown is giving everything you want, but it's not showing you It's Real Magic!"
"What!?" Demon-Shimmer yelled
Twilight explains to her: "The magic that made the crown was born out of friendship and trust, something that you haven't yet understand!"
"Friendship?" laughed Demon-Sunset. "I have the whole school under my control while you only have 5! If victory based on friendship, then I already won."
"That Isn't Real Friendship!" Twilight retorted as she became slightly aggravated. "Friendship isn't about using other people to get what you want! It's so much more then that! It's about the enjoyment you get from being with other people and letting them be a part of you life!"
And then, as Twilight's passion began to grow, so did a light that appear within the star-shaped jewel that was on the Element of Harmony. At first, nobody seem to notice the glowing gem. But as Twilight continued on with her speech, the light was slowly becoming more noticeable.
"Friendship is about Kindness and Loyalty! Laughter and joy! Honestly and Generosity! All of those help lit up a spark, and that spark help fuel the Elements of Harmony!"
And then, as soon as Demon-Shimmer notice that the crown was reacting to Twilight, a rainbow beam of light shot out from the element and headed towards Twilight and her friends. Before anybody knew what was happening, the rainbow light exploded onto the girls and a strange and magical transformation was happening.
All of the girl's hairs grew slightly longer and form pony-tails at the ends. Everyone's ears also grew and became into a shape that resemble pony ears. Both Rainbow and Fluttershy then flout higher above the others and sprouted wings upon their backs. Rarity and Twilight had a mystical glow surrounding their bodies. Twilight's were purple and Rarity's were blue. For Pinkie Pie and Applejack, they felt a surging power going through their bodies and feeling more energized then they ever had before. Once the transformation had finished, the glowing light exploded and then vanish and leaving 6 magically transformed girls hovering in mid-air.
Everyone watches on in bewilderment to what had just happened. Spike from below barely knew what has just happened, but he was somehow excited for them and was thinking that they are gunna win. In side the school building, Flash managed to push back a zombied-students and catch a glimpse outside. When he saw Twilight "Ponied-UP", he became star struck for a moment and Flash's feeling for her started all over again. However, this caused Flash to became distracted and swiftly get's tackled by a brainwashed student. Demon-Shimmer on the other hand was left in utter confusion. She couldn't understand why the crown bestow them it's power and not her or how Twilight was able to access it at all. But while Demon-Shimmer was speechless, Twilight begin to speak again.
"You see Sunset Shimmer, that crown my site on top of your head, but you do not know how to truly wield it. That is because you don't possess the true magic that I have with me: The Magic Of Friendship!"
In a fit of rage, Sunset began yelling: "No! NO!"
Twilight turn to her friends and ask loudly to them: "Are You Ready Guys!?"
"Yes!" screamed Pinkie Pie who was very excited.
"Right Behind You!" yelled Rainbow Dash.
"Uh-Huh!" replied Applejack very enthusiastically.
"I'm With You!" said Fluttershy who was summoning her courage.
"Me Too!" voiced Rarity.
Even though they don't know what was going on themselves, they all know they can do this. They believe they can do this! And with their hearts and minds in unison, Rainbow, AJ, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy and Twilight formed a heart shaped formation in the air and all wished for a single thing... to shoot out a rainbow beam of magic and blast it at Sunset Shimmer.
As the rainbow beam was heading her way, Demon-Sunset gathered up all the magic that she has use it to push the friendship beam back. Both sides were giving it everything they had to win this beam struggle. Unfortunately, the struggle was shot lived as Sunset's power was quickly diminished. As soon as the beam hit Sunset Shimmer, the area was covered in blinding light and magical energy.
For moment, everyone wasn't sure if they one or not. But as the light slowly dies down, Twilight and her friends was able to see again and saw a large crater where Demon-Sunset was flying over. Once they realized that they had caused it, the girls slowly began to drift back down to the ground. Some managed to land on the feet while others feel onto their butt's. The only one who wasn't on the ground was Rainbow Dash who was using her wings to remain in the air.
When Flash and the other resisting students open their eyes, they saw everybody else was lying on the floor. They figured that since Sunset was defeated and no longer under her control, they must have lost consciousness and fall over. When they saw some people waking up, Flash and the others went over and assist them.
Back with the girls, everything was finally sinking in and they couldn't believe it. They look at each other and saw that they had transformed. They have magic powers and had just fired a magical beam of friendship. They didn't know what to think until they heard Rainbow Dash saying to herself:
"That was... THE MOST AMESOME THING THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN!"
Rainbow then decided to test out her new wings by flying around the area. Slowly, everyone else began linking their new magical bodies. Once Pinkie was on her feet, she began doing cartwheel and yell to everyone: "WOO-HOO! I Feel Like I Can Make A Million Cupcakes!"
Applejack look at Twilight, she saw that she was mumbled to herself: "This is impossible. Impossible!" It was looking like the scientist part of her was falling apart
"Twilight?" AJ asked worryingly.
But then, as Applejack was about to become concerned, Twilight wave up her arms and yell at the top of her longs: "BUT THAT WAS AMAZING!" AJ was surprised, but can see that Twilight was ok. Twilight mumbled to herself: "We got to do tests! Make Notes! Is this permanent or only temporally!? Can we do other things with these magic powers? Can We..."
"Woah Nelly! Slow down girl!" interrupted Applejack. "We can sort all of those thing out later." When she pat Twilight on the back, Twilight smiled back.
Meanwhile, Rarity was looking over her new features with a small compact mirror. Looking over her pony ears and extended hair, she was deciding if she like it or not. "Hm... Not too pointy and don't clash with my colours... Give me ten minutes and I can come up with something to make it work!" However, Rarity is completely unaware that she isn't holding her mirror. The mirror is being suspended in mid-air with a magical blue aura while Rarity is posing in front of it. And as soon as she became distracted by Pinkie's cartwheeling, she lost focus on the mirror and it fall down to the ground.
And off by the side, Fluttershy and Spike were quietly watching their friends getting accustomed to their new magical states. Fluttershy wasn't being as excited as her friends, but she still do think that her wings look nice and pretty. She feel that she can be a little bit more closer to her birds. Spike was just happy that everyone was ok.
But then, just as Spike was about to excitingly run over to Twilight, his doggy ears suddenly picked up something. It sounded like it's someone is crying and was coming from the crater. Spike could see that he is the only one who can hear the crying and as everybody else were more focus on their new transformed states. With nobody noticing him walking away, the curious dog went and examine the noise by himself. When he went over and checked, Spike instantly became surprised and run back and tell Twilight and the others.
"Twilight, Come Quick! Somebody Is Crying In The Hole!" Spike barked
Unfortunately, Spike's barks fall on deaf ears as nobody was listening to him. He tried to bark louder but the girls was also making noise of their own. But fortunately, Fluttershy notice him and saw that he is trying to get everybody's attention. Wanting to help, she yell out: "GIRLS!"
Somehow, Fluttershy managed to get their attention and stop what they were doing. With everybody's eyes on her, she told everyone:
"Spike is telling us to look into the hole!"
Everybody was confused at first to what Fluttershy said. Even Spike as he was questioning if she could understand him. However, with everyone now quiet, they were finally able to hear the crying. They wonder how it is until Twilight remembers and yell out: "Sunset!" With everybody finally remembering her, they all ran towards the crater.
When they all reached the crater, they all became surprised when they saw Sunset curled up and crying in the centre of it. She was no longer a demon and was back to being a human again. Aside from some scuffs, marks and dirt, looked surprisingly well for somebody who have been hit by a magic beam.
However, even though she didn't look too bad physically, they all could tell that Sunset was emotionally devastated. They all spotted the crown a few inches away from her, but Sunset wasn't even trying to get it. She was just curling up into a fetal position and making streams of tears and sobbing. Even though they still hate her for everything that she did, it is still painful for them to watch Sunset be so broken like this
Curious and oddly sympathetic, Twilight ask her: "Why are you crying Sunset Shimmer?"
When she heard somebody talking to her, Sunset head shot up in surprise. But when she saw the girls that foiled her plans, her head fall back in defeat and shame. It didn't matter to her if they come to gloat or pity her, both were very painful for her. However, Sunset didn't care about anything anymore and see no point in hiding away her shame. She yell to them: "It's Because I Turned Into A Monster!"
Everyone became surprised when they heard Sunset say that. It takes genuine courage to admit to your mistake or that you might be a horrible person.
Sunset said to them: "I never really wanted power or to manipulate people. I just... wanted people to notice me and think I'm special."
"Notice You!" yell out Rainbow Dash.
Before Rainbow could say anything else, Fluttershy ask Sunset: "But... don't you have friends who pay attention to you?"
"No..." Sunset replied. "I never had any pony helping me and had to did everything by myself. I was alone for so long, I thought I never needed friends."
When she said that, Twilight's eyes widened. Nobody caring or wanting to be your friend. Being alone for so long that you think you have to take on the world by yourself just so you get recognition. It's sounded exactly what she had to went through before coming to Canterlot. But while Twilight found true friends at the end, Sunset didn't.
Bursting down farther into tears, Sunset told them: "And I thought... if I would get the crown... and got all the power... some-pony might look at me and think "Hey! That pony seems really cool and important." But I wanted it so much, I thought I had to do some really, really mean things to get it. And I... I..."
She stop speaking for a second. Sunset was crying so hard, it hampered her breathing and make it difficult for her to speak. However, with all of her remaining strength, Sunset yell out to Twilight and her friends in the most heartfelt and regretful tone:
"...I'M SO SORRY!!"
Everyone wasn't sure on what to think. They know that her actions are inexcusable and they are finding it really hard to forgive her too. However, they can clearly see that she is genuinely regretfull and realize that actions were bad. But while they were being confused, they all suddenly heard Twilight speak out.
"... I think I understand."
When she said it, both her friends and Sunset became surprised.
"When I came to this school, I never planned on making any friends. Like you, I thought I never needed anyone and could get by just by myself. Turns out I did made some friends here and realized that they aren't so bad. But then there was that video and I yelled and blame them for it. I felt so terrible after that. I thought I ruined my chance for ever making friends again."
Twilight pause for a moment as she was remebering that bad memory, but she then quickly turn around and says: "However, I soon discover that I wasn't too late. After I calmed down and learn a few things, I went back to them and apologized. I know it's too late for the actions that we did, but it's not too late for making friends."
Everyone around her was touched by her speech. Her friends behind her were so moved, they all gave her a group hug of affection. Down in the pit, even Sunset was moved by her words. Her tears of sorrow slowly become tears of joy and happiness. Sunset says to Twilight: "Thank you."
But then, after the heart-warming moment was over, everything went into an awkward silence. Twilight and everyone was sort of waiting for Sunset to get up from the pit or at least. However, she did not. Sunset wasn't getting up from the ground and the girls were slowly getting worried. Eventually, Sunset ask out to them: "Um... Can somebody help me?"
Everyone soon realize that Sunset couldn't move. Maybe after the magic blast, all of her energy also went away along with her demon form. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack quickly went down and give Sunset a hand. When they were helping her up, Sunset appreciated their help, especially after everything that she did for them.
Once everyone was out of the crater, the moment finally felt like a win for Twilight and her friends. Most of the student body had finally woken up and saw Sunset being carried. They felt like being angry at her, but couldn't since she might possibly be seriously injured. Everyone felt like celebrating and want to head back into the gym to finish the party, but Twilight still felt like that things aren't over yet. She spot the crown, the element of harmony, was still down in the ditch and still in their world. And when she look back at the mirror on the statue, Twilight realized that she still need to do one more thing: she must return the crown back to Equestria.