//------------------------------//
// Duel 2-The First Foe 
// Story: It's Time to Duel! 
// by thisissparta789789 
//------------------------------//

Later that day, after school, Applejack and her younger sister visited Twilight's home. "So, y'all live here by yourselves?"

"Indeed," Twilight replied. She then called, "Spike, can you come down here?"

"Sure thing," the young man replied. An eighth-grader from Ponyville Junior High, he had a much easier time adjusting to the move to Ponyville than Twilight. As he walked down the stairs, he said, "Hey there! My name's Spike." He then walked over to the two sisters. "I've met you before, Apple Bloom. I assume this other girl here is your sister."

"Yup," Apple Bloom, also an eighth-grader, replied.

"So, how's that puzzle of yours doing, Twilight?"

"Oh yeah," Twilight replied. She then grabbed the puzzle from one of the many bookshelves in the old library that was her home. "This is the Alicorn Puzzle I was talking about."

Spike said, "You know, are you sure you can solve it?"

"Of course I can!" Twilight then turned back to the Apple sisters. "As I was saying-"

Then, a knock was heard on the door. A voice said, "Twilight, are you home? I'm in town?"

Twilight gasped in joy. "It's the princess!" She then turned to the door and said, "Coming!"

As she opened the door, Apple Bloom said, "Oh my God, she really does know Celestia well."

Princess Celestia, dressed in a business suit, hugged Twilight and said, "So, how's my star student doing?"

"I've begun to make friends, as you can see." Applejack and Apple Bloom waved at the princess, nervous.

Celestia said to them, "Come on now, there's no need to be nervous."

Applejack went up to Celestia, shook her hand, and said, "My Sovereign, it is an honour to meet you. My name is Applejack."

Apple Bloom also shook her hand, saying, "Ah'm honoured to meet you as well. Ah'm Apple Bloom."

Celestia replied, "Why thank you for your politeness, girls. Say, Twilight..." She then turned to Twilight. "Have you done anything with that puzzle I gave you?"

"I'm still trying to solve it," Twilight replied. "I'm gonna finish it, trust me."

"Well, well, I admire your determination. I assume you all heard the stories behind this artefact, right?"

"Of course," Applejack replied. "Twilight told us all about it."

"Interesting. Anyways, I came into town because I need to tell Twilight something important. Spike, Applejack, Apple Bloom, can you step out for a sec? This is confidential."

All 3 nodded. Spike said, "Just call for us if you need anything." The 3 of them then walked out.

Twilight asked, "What is it?"

"It's about Nightmare Moon," Celestia worryingly said. "You know the story, right?"

"Of course. You kicked her out of Equestria because she turned on you and tried to kill you in 1015. She rallied up the other convicts of the Moon Penal Colony and helped establish the Lunar Republic in 1020. However, after that, she took a back seat and more or less became a recluse."

"And then she came back," Celestia continued. "She came back in 1985 when she took over the Luna Corporation, allegedly through coercion. Honestly, I'm extremely surprised she decided to take up video games as a business venture, especially since before her, the Luna Corporation made weapons. Our courts ruled I couldn't shut her down, so I let her do business here. She made deals with another old enemy of mine who had just created the Siren Illusions Corporation, or should I say 3 old enemies of mine, in 2000. Together, they dominated gaming of all kinds in Equestria. Since Nightmare Moon gave jobs and real economic opportunities to the very poor Lunar Republic, she became a political giant there too. She was the only person in business that gave the Moon a chance, and I guess it paid off. She's accumulated a net worth of over 700 billion bits (A/N: 87.5 Billion US Dollars) in just 30 years. Twilight, she has become the richest person on this planet, and certainly on the Moon too."

"Why are you re-telling this to me?" Twilight was confused as to what Nightmare Moon was up to.

Celestia then said, "The Summer Solstice is coming soon. It was on the Summer Solstice of 1015 that I banished Nightmare Moon. I want you to be extra vigilant on that day. The 23rd is only 2 weeks away. Intelligence confirmed that the SIC isn't doing anything important, but the LC, on the other hand, is about to finish a theme park in Manehattan called Luna Land. It's set to open on the 23rd. There's a lot of buzz on the LC's communications over a specific attraction there, as well as a special guest to be invited."

Twilight said, "What can I do? I'm a great student, but I'm still just a student."

"I want you to possess these," Celestia replied. She quickly grabbed a box she had brought with her in a bag and showed it to Twilight. When she opened it, she said, "These are the Elements of Harmony. I entrust them to you. I used these to assist me in my spiritual battle against Nightmare Moon 1000 years ago." Inside were 6 artefacts that were colour-coded.

Twilight was flabbergasted. "I... What?! The Elements of Harmony?! To me?!"

"Use these to defeat Nightmare Moon when the time comes. They are the only way."

"Well, okay then... I'm... Honestly, I'm very surprised. Thank you." Twilight then hugged Celestia again.

Celestia replied, "You are welcome, my student." She then put the Elements away, gave the box to Twilight, and said, "Hide these. Many people want their hands on them. Bring them out when the right time comes."

"You got it," Twilight replied. "I won't let you down, Celestia."



The next day at school, Twilight was tired. After yawning, she said as she walked away from school grounds, "Man, I stayed up all night trying to put together that puzzle. I barely stayed awake in class."

Then, Wild Strike's voice beckoned, "Hey Twilight, come over here."

Twilight followed the voice to a secluded area outside and saw Wild Strikes standing near something, or someone. "What's going on?"

"This is," the senior said before stepping away, revealing a badly beaten Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. "You can thank me later."

Twilight screamed, "What the hell?! What did you do to them?!"

Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight in contempt, saying, "Are... Are you happy, Twilight?"

"You think I ordered him to beat you 3 up?! No way!"

Wild Strikes said, "So, you're defending them?" He then kicked Rarity in the stomach again.

"They're my friends!" Twilight stood in front of the 3. "Stop it!"

Rainbow Dash thought, "Friends?! After all I've done, we're your friends? Twilight, please, don't get yourself hurt."

Wild Strikes replied by punching Twilight across the face. "Now," he said. "You have to pay up. As your bodyguard, I'll charge you 15,000 bits!" (A/N: 1875 US Dollars.)

Twilight said, "15,000 bits?! Are you insane?!"

"If you don't, you and your "friends" will get a worse punishment." Wild Strikes then pulled out a pocket knife. "With this, you'll know the true meaning of pain." He then walked away.

Twilight rushed to the 3 and said, "Are you 3 alright?"

Fluttershy began crying as Rainbow Dash and Rarity got up. Rarity spit in Wild Strikes direction and gave him the finger, saying, "Piece of shit!"

Twilight helped Fluttershy up as she said, "This... This is too much, Rainbow Dash. I can't do this anymore."

"Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said. "Please, don't say that."

"I can't be friends with you if I'll only get hurt," the pink-haired girl said. "I can't do this anymore."

Twilight shouted, "All of you, shut up!" She then paused for a seconds. "Listen, Fluttershy, you won't have to cut off Rainbow Dash, because I'll take care of that Wild Strike jerk. I promise you won't get hurt. I'm sick and fucking tired of being shy and weak!"

The 3 of them were taken aback by Twilight's profanity. They had never heard Twilight say anything worse than hell or the very occasional damn. Rarity said, "She's right. Twilight, we would all like to apologise for what we've done to you."

Rainbow Dash put her hand on Twilight's shoulder and said, "Agreed. Twilight, the old me that harassed you is gone. We'll all support you when you face that prick Wild Strike."

Fluttershy said, "You can count on us."

Twilight smiled and began to cry. "Guys... Thank you..." The 4 of them then all hugged.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash remembered the piece of the puzzle she had thrown in the fountain. "Oh no!" She quickly split from the group and ran to the fountain, which was a long, moat-like body of water that surrounded the school and had nozzles spraying water out of it.

Rainbow Dash dove into the fountain, which was 10 feet deep, as Twilight said, "What's going on?!"

Then, Rainbow Dash emerged from the fountain, soaking wet, carrying the missing puzzle piece. "I think you need this."

"A puzzle piece?"

"I threw it yesterday, or, should I say, the old me threw it yesterday." She then put it in Twilight's hands. "I urge you to complete the puzzle, Twilight."

Twilight nodded and said, "It shall be done."



September 23, 1015

"Stop this madness," a very angry Celestia shouted as she stood in a field. "If I have to battle you, my sister, I will!"

"Your sister is dead," Nightmare Moon shouted back. "I hated the name Luna! I am Nightmare Moon!" She then activated a gold device on her arm, known as a Spirit Summoner. "How about we settle this through the spirits that surround us one last time? After all, us Equestrians haven't battled like this for 2000 years!"

"Fine," Celestia replied as she activated her Summoner as well. As she did, the Elements of Harmony flew up before her and disappeared into her Summoner. "I have the Elements by my side."

"I don't care," Nightmare Moon replied. "I call upon the spirit of Duos!" Suddenly, a giant stone tablet emerged from the ground, and a slot on her Summoner began to glow. "Now, make your move, sister."

"I shall. I call upon the spirit of Galestorgas! Attack her Duos!"

The 2 monsters then began to battle. Before long, Galestorgas was destroyed, causing one of 5 glowing lights on Celestia's summoner to turn off. Nightmare Moon said, "Not so smart of a move, huh?"

Eventually, after several battles, the 2 of them were both down to one glowing light each. Celestia said, "Please, Luna, I don't want to hurt you, but I may have to if you don't stop this nonsense!"

"Never!" Nightmare Moon then summoned another spirit. "Attack her Helimai!"

In the ensuing battle, the Helimai Celestia summoned won, and Nightmare Moon lost. "This has gone far enough." She then held out a golden rod with a spike at one of the ends and a large red stone at the other end. "I didn't want to use the Alicorn Rod against you, but you've left me no choice." She then held the red end at Nightmare Moon and shouted, "Penalty Game!"

Nightmare Moon was suddenly surrounded by smoke. She screamed," No! This can't be happening! I should have won!" Then, she heard growling behind her and screamed. Monster surrounded her and began attacking her.

Celestia, watching the smoke, shouted, "You were a Princess of Equestria! You helped lead us to victory against Discord! It was said that you would destroy disharmony beside me, not create it! Bring balance to this world, Princess Luna!"

Nightmare Moon, filled with hatred, screamed from the smoke, "I HATE YOU!"

As Celestia looked on with tears in her eyes, she yelled, "You're my little sister, Luna! I love you!" She then broke down and got on her knees, bawling her eyes out. She then held the Alicorn Rod up as it glowed.

Then, Nightmare Moon and the illusion that surrounded her disappeared.

"Oh my God... What have I done?! I inflicted the Experience of Death upon my own sister and then banished her to the penal colony on the Moon." She then threw the Alicorn Rod to the ground in anger and screamed, "LUNA!!!"