//------------------------------//
// Nightmare Sisters and Three Knights 
// Story: Phantom War VIII: Return of the NLR and Mephiles' Alliance 
// by Danny Eclipse 
//------------------------------//

A few minutes later...

I was standing at the window; looking towards the assault fleet. With my cybernetic implants in my mind; I could control my entire fleet since they were nothing but droids. My blockade had went into defensive positions and, with Twilight's Battle Meditation, began to fight against the assault fleet and we were winning. I kept my Centurion-class battlecruisers at standby and my secret weapon ready to repel any enemy ships. Suddenly; something caught the Dark Forge scanners. I looked at the source and see Charming's Shuttle approaching the Dark Forge.

'So they decided to board my station and think they can get the drop on me. Let's see about that...'

The Turbolaser defenses for the Dark Forge aimed at them and began to open fire. The shuttle began to take evasive action. The shuttle was doing its best to avoid the turbolaser fire but was doing a "not so good" at it. Then; I realized something; Charming thinks he can beat me with the best fighters of Equestria. But he hasn't seen my true power. I guess I could accept his challenge. I stopped the turbolaser fire and used the tractor beam on the shuttle. It landed in Docking Bay A1.

"Attention all hoofs; we have visitors from Docking Bay A1, please give them a warm welcome."

I detected three Saber Guards heading to the docking bay. About five minutes later; their life signs disappeared on the radar. I looked through the camera there and see Charming on the ground and I realize that, being inside a place of pure darkness, a being of pure light like Charming, it will be very hard and he will even more weaker in the force here. I smirked and opened communication to the docking bay; on speaker.

"I welcome you to the Dark Forge. My name is Cyber Eclipse; formally known as Danny Eclipse, and I am the ruler of the Station. I see the players have been arranged."

Geo asked "Say what?"

Phantom said "So he knows we're here... He could be lurking anywhere in the station, waiting for us."

"I'm delighted you come all this way to see me. Shall we play a round of Tartarus' Game?"

Charming shouted "I don't want to play your games!"

Sunset asked "What do you mean Cyber?"

"The rules are really quite simple. I wish to free Mephiles from his prison."

There were a few shocked faces.

Celestia shouted "No; I won't let you!"

"If I succeed; the Gates of Tartarus will open, crowning my victory. However; if you manage to find a way to stop me, you will be the winners of the game." I hear the door open and I looked; smirking as I see three figures. They were Sunburst, Clover the Clever, and Shining Armor. "To make things a little more interesting; I've enlisted three knights to battle on my behalf as well as the Nightmare Sisters."

Phantom replied "Three Knights and the Nightmare Sisters? We know who the Nightmare Sisters are but who are the Three Knights?"

"The only way to get to me is if you can defeat them. In other words; 7 to 13 Battle Royal. And there is one more surprise; Admiral Octavia is planning to use her Star Destroyers to destroy the Dark Forge stabilizer, resulting to the destruction of the Dark Forge." Charming and every one else in the Hanger Bay paled. "At this very moment; the Star Destroyers are slowly making their way to the stabilizers as we speak. And all contact outside this station is disabled. There is no telling how much time left. Should they destroy the main stabilizer; total annihilation, no players left to win... Game Over."

Starlight demanded "What kind of mess up game is this!?"

Celestia asked "That makes no sense to me; why would Octavia go to such extreme measures?"

"Now then; let the game begin."

I smirked as they began to run out of the hanger bay. My three 'knights' left the room; heading to prepare for their arrival.





30 minutes later...

Charming and his team have been running around; destroying the Dark Forge security robots and killing of Saber Guards. They eventually ran into a certain chamber and see it was a massive room. In the center of the room of a massive hologram of the Dark Forge and the visual of the assault fleet as well as the defense fleet. However; the room wasn't exactly empty...

Meditating in front of the hologram; in front of the door the team opened, was none other than Nightmare Twilight. She was meditating until she stopped and got up, turned around to them, and smirked.

N-Twilight said "Charming - I knew you'd come for me."

Charming replied "I'll never give up on you, Twilight. I know you can be saved; just like how we saved Sunset."

Suddenly; Nightmare Rarity, Rainbow, and Applejack came from behind the hologram and came to them.

N-Rarity stated "You are wasting your time. We have seen Celestia for what she is; weak and afraid. Charming; you are the true King of Equestria. You have forgotten that you are the son of King Sombra."

N-Applejack added "Now you must pay the price. Here; on the Dark Forge, the power of the Dark Side is at its strongest. This time you will not win!"

Nightmare Twilight used her force powers and put Geo, Sombra, Starswirl, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Silver, and Shadow into Stasis while the others were unaffected. The Nightmare Sisters pulled out their lightsabers. Several beams of purple lightning hit the Nightmare Sisters; fueling them with power. Charming, Phantom, and Sunset pulled out their lightsabers and they began to fight. Charming had blocked and countered Nightmare Twilight. Phantom took on Nightmare Rainbow, Celestia took on Nightmare Rarity, and Sunset took on Nightmare Applejack. Charming blocked another attack and both N-Twilight and Charming used a Lightning Spell and they were equal. But Twilight began to increase power and it pushed Charming back. Charming hit the bottom of the floor.

Phantom blocked an attack from N-Rainbow. He does a backflip and he fires Force Lightning at her. N-Rainbow blocked the attack and reflected it back at him; causing him to hit the wall. Phantom gets up and charges. He crosses blades with N-Rainbow and knocked her lightsaber away and he used Force Push on the ground; knocking N-Rainbow off the ground. Next; Phantom uses Force Push at N-Rainbow, causing her to hit the roof and fall down to the ground, unarmed.

Celestia pulled a Lightning Spell from N-Rarity. Celestia fires a Magic Bolt at N-Rarity; causing her to deflect it away. Celestia took her chance and came in the charge and knocked N-Rarity into the table of the hologram image of the Dark Forge.

Sunset was locked in N-Applejack; both were pushes at their hardest but was having a hard time winning. Finally; Sunset used a soft Force Push at N-Applejack, causing her to go off balance and she took N-Applejack’s Lightsaber and went into a killing blow position to N-Applejack; N-Applejack lightsaber behind her neck and Sunset’s Lightsaber at N-Applejack’s throat.

Charming was pushed back by N-Twilight; who was winning. Before N-Twilight could lend a knocking blow, a blaster bolt hit N-Twilight lightsaber away and Charming looked; seeing Phantom holding one of his blaster pistols. Charming took this chance and used his magic to push N-Twilight away. Then; he jumpec up to his comrades. The Nightmare Sisters (besides N-Applejack) grouped up and looked at the Heroes of the Light.

N-Rainbow said in realization “I see now why Celestia brainwashed you. Even though you are only a shell of your former self, you are still a formidable opponent. I can’t even imagine the power you must have wielded when you were back then. You were a fool to give it all up and follow the Light Side.”

Charming replied “I am as strong in the light as I ever was following the dark side.”

N-Twilight said “The dark side made us stronger than we ever was before! We have a greater command of the Force than all but you and Cyber.”

N-Rarity added “As Cyber teaches us the greatest secrets of the Sith, we will unlock more of our potential. Eventually; there will be no limit to what we can accomplish with the Force!”

Celestia replied “Cyber will never let you become that powerful. He will kill you first.”

N-Applejack replied “Have you forgotten the ways of the Sith already; Celestia? Eventually; we will challenge our master. If we are worthy, he will die by our hoof and we will become the new Sith Master.”

N-Twilight added “Then we will take on our own apprentices and the cycle will begin again. This is the way of the Sith, it is how we assure our leaders are always the strongest and most worthy!”

Charming stated “You’re dooming yourselves to an endless cycle of death and betrayal.”

N-Rarity shouted “No, Charming. It is you who are doomed!”

Once again; several beams of purple lightning shot at the Nightmare Sisters. N-Twilight force pushes Sunset away from N-Applejack. Then; all four sisters attempted to use Force Lightning against the four heroes. Charming raises a shield to block it. The Nightmare Sisters fire their united Force Lightning against the shield. The shield held the pressure. Soon; their attacked died down and Charming threw his wall at them and they fall to the ground. They slowly get up; looking clearly injured.

N-Twilight shouted “You are growing weary. I can sense it! Your strength falters; the light side is failing you while the power of the Dark Forge re-energizes us! Soon; this will all be over!”

Charming replied “I have not faltered, Twilight. You have been misled by the dark side.”

N-Rarity shouted “The Dark Side will always triumph over the light! Cyber has assured us of victory! You can’t defeat us here on the Dark Forge! YOU CAN’T!!”

Once more; several beams of purple lightning hit them. The Nightmare Sisters began to hover over the ground and they fired unleashed a mighty Force Push. Phantom gets in front of Charming.

Phantom shouted “ENOUGH!!”

Phantom manages to catch it and he threw it back at them. The Nightmare Sisters attempted to catch it but it was all failure. They fell to the ground; completely weak from that counter attack.

N-Twilight demanded “No, this is not possible! You have rejected the dark side, you are weak and pathetic servant of the light! How can you still stand against us? Why can’t we defeat you?”

Charming replied “Now you see the dark side is not stronger than the light.”

N-Applejack said “Yes, we see you speak the truth. We are no match for you…”

N-Twilight asked “Please, for the sake of what we once shared, do not make us suffer. End our life quickly. There is no other way.”

Charming shook his head “I could never kill you, Twilight. I couldn’t bear to do it.”

N-Twilight replied “What other choice do you have? I have fallen to the dark side. I am the apprentice to Cyber himself. You cannot let me live.”

Charming stated “You can reject the dark side; Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow. Return to the light.”

N-Applejack replied “No… we are not strong enough.”

N-Rainbow added “There is too much anger inside us now. Too much hatred and fear. We can no longer find peace in the Force or Magic.”

Charming replied “Use our love and friendship, then. Take your strength from me.”

N-Twilight stated “You… always had more strength than I did. I told you that. I felt so… helpless before your destiny. You were Charming Thunder; Son of Sombra and I couldn’t tell you… it was agonizing! Even worse when I began to… feel closer to you. I despised myself for it. And even now I… feel your strength. It… does help me. Thank you, I think I can face the end, now. If you are the one to end it for me.”

Charming said “I love you, Twilight. I can’t abandon you, ever.”

N-Twilight replied “I love you, too. Cyber knew how I felt. Any part of the light that was within me would be extinguished when I killed you. But what good is love? It cannot save me from the sea of blackness I am drowning in. I have betrayed everything I ever believed in! How can I atone for that?”

Charming answered “Help us defeat Cyber, Twilight. This will atone for what you have done.”

N-Twilight nodded “Yes, I… could join you in your battle against Cyber. That alone would not make up for all I have done, yet… it would be a step in the right direction. But how would you be able to trust me? How do you know I wouldn’t turn on you when you face Cyber? How do you know the dark side wouldn’t make me betray you again?”

Charming replied “I trust you enough to leave myself open to your attack, Twilight.”

N-Twilight giggled “You play a dangerous game. Are you certain you wish to take this risk? I could end your life and gain Cyber’s favor with a single stroke of my lightsaber.”

Charming replied “You won’t, Twilight. Because I love you and I believe in you.”

N-Twilight replied “You are brave… and some would say foolish. But you are also right. The dark side has not wholly consumed me. I cannot raise my blade against you. And… and you said you loved me. This may not be the best time to say it, but… I love you, too. With all my heart.”

Charming said “I know you do.”

The Nightmare Sisters began to revert to their normal form. All the stasis people began to wake up from it. Charming ran over to Twilight and Applejack and gave them a hug.

Twilight stated “We should go. Cyber awaits. This isn’t over, yet… for any of us.”

Charming nodded and everyone began to walk away but they were interrupted when they see a door open and they see the EOI along with Khem, Trixie, Sonata, and Cadence.

Brutalight stated “We lost communication with you so we came here as fast as we could.”

Charming replied “Come on; we still need to fight Cyber.”

Geo pointed out “I hate to be the bearer of bad news but aren’t you forgetting the three knights that Cyber mentioned?”

Sombra asked “He’s right; just where are they?”

Twilight shook her head “It matters not; we must keep going.”

They all nodded and everyone began to make their way to the nearby corridor.





They were about to enter another random chamber when they were ambushed. Lightning hit in front of them and that is when three figures came in front of the door. It was Shining Armor wearing his Shadow Guard uniform, Clover the Clever wearing a Dark Jedi Master Robes, and a mysterious pony wearing a hood and an outfit similar to the Dark Apprentice.

Shining shouted "If you want to get to Lord Cyber; you need to get through us first!"

Charming betted "I'm willing to bet that Danny is on the other side of that door."

Starlight asked "Who is the cloaked figure?"

Sunburst replied "Long time, no see... Starlight."

Sunburst took off his cloak; revealing himself. Starlight saw his cutie mark and gasped before slowly stepping back. This caught Charming's attention.

Charming asked "What is it; Starlight?"

Starlight said in fear "That's... Sunburst."

Charming and Twilight's eyes widen and they looked at Sunburst.

Charming replied "So... YOU are Sunburst I've heard so much about from Starlight."

Sunburst smirked "Nothing good; I hope."

Before Charming could reply; Sunburst fired a beam of heat at Charming. Starlight blocked it and she began to overcome her fear and got into a fighting position.





Meanwhile with me...

I could hear the fighting outside my door. I smirked; things are about to get real. I looked at my chair's console and pushed a button. Suddenly; I see an island de-cloaking from hiding, not far from the Temple. I smirked; now the battleground is set. My ghost sense went off and I turned; seeing not three but several ghosts. I see Darth Sidious, Starkiller, Count Dooku, Darth Revan, Darth Nox, Lord Ergast, Darth Andru, Kalatosh Zavros, Horak-mul, and finally and the most powerful amongst them; Emperor Valkorion. My entire body turned dark red and my eyes began to glow purple.

"I require your powers to defeat the Heroes of the Light. Are you willing to offer your power to me; O great Force Spirits."

They nodded and disappeared. Purple Lightning began to crackle my body and began to subside as I return to my normal look. I smirked; my power is beyond what it would normally is and I knew that playtime will be the past when they fight me. I turned back around to look outside and after about 10 minutes; I heard the door open and I looked, seeing Shining, Sunburst, and Clover back on their side. I frowned that I lost control over Clover. I sigh and began to chuckle. I looked at them and I noticed Charming with a semi-horror face at my appearance. Those who never seen my appearance before had a face of horror. I turned to them and smirked.

"Welcome and as you can see; you arrived slightly early. Oh well; I have two others to face you. LUNA!!!"

Luna teleported to my side and she noticed our 'guests' and smirked. Celestia looked at her and gasped in shock.

Luna said "Well, well, well. Looks like we have some pests who don't know when to quit."

"I want to talk with Charming before the fighting breaks out." Charming looks at me again and Luna nods. I turned to look at Charming. "I still have a hostage in my custody. If you surrender now; you won't have to fight and just allow me to win."

Charming asked "Who is your hostage?"

I had a look of surprise before chuckling then bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

"Ohhh... how could you have forgotten her so easily Charming. After all... your face is truly something only a MOTHER COULD LOVE!!"

Suddenly; a pink bubble appeared next to me. Inside it was none other than Queen Amidala in stasis. Everyone but me and Luna gasped in shock.

Charming whispered in shock "Mother..."

"Happy to see her again? I figured you would be."

I burst into evil laughter again. Then; Charming had a face of shock to a face of pure anger and fury.

Charming demanded "What did you do to her!?"

"Oh goodness; don't look at me. I'm not the one who had their fun of beating her up like a punching bag. Perhaps Sunset can provide an answer to THAT!!"

Charming looked down from me and they looked straight at nothing while Sunset had a look of panic.

Sunset said "What!? No! Charming; you don't understand-"

Charming looks at Sunset with pure anger "YOU DID THIS TO HER!?!"

Sunset began to back off nervously "Charming; just calm down for just a moment-" Charming jumped at her, pins her down to the ground and a lightsaber at her throat. Everyone had a shocked look; even me. "Please, don't do it! I wasn't in control when I was beating up Amidala!"

Charming shouted in his anger "I'm going to make you have dinner with Mephiles in Tartarus tonight Sunset!"

I tried to hold back a snicker before I burst into complete laughter.

"Oh goodness! Have my own brother kill off his own friends and allies! This was easier than I previously thought!"

Charming looked at me before getting off of Sunset.

Charming promised with venom "We are going have to talk later." He looks at me and I looked back at him. "Now you better let her go before I cut your throat and feed it down your mouth."

"Oh no! Charming is going to kill me!" I crossed my hooves "Whatever shall I do?" I made the gestures of going left and right to make it dramatic before I looked at Charming again "Are you sure you should do that Charming?" I grinned "I don't think," The bubble turned blood red "mother would be very happy about that!"

There was a blinding white light and everyone but me covered their eyes. When the light dimmed; everyone looked at me and see me standing on my high hooves with my front hooves crossed. Our environment was different now. We were in a very massive room with a simulator of being on a beach.

"Fools die... as you well know." There was a loud 'Thump' behind the heroes. Luna looked at the source with shock while I looked at it before looking at the group and an evil laugh. Everyone turned around; seeing the source to be none other than a giant form of Queen Amidala. "Give it not a second thought."

Amidala gave out an evil laughter before her horn ignites with power.

Cadence said to Charming "I think you should have kept your tantrum to yourself Charming."

Luna's horn ignited and a squad of Shadowbolts and NLR Soldiers appeared around the group.

Luna shouted "We have you surrounded; at least on this side!"

A mind controlled Night Thunder gave a small chuckle.

"Well; I guess my work here is done. I guess I should head over to the temple on the nearby floating island to prepare the ritual on reviving Mephiles the Dark. Farewell; you all."

A portal opened behind me and I laughed as I walked through it. The portal remained opened.