It was just another day in Ponyville on the day before the Summer Sun Celebration when Rainbow Dash collided with a unicorn mare with a rather sour attitude by the name of Twilight Sparkle. Sure Dash knocked her into a muddy puddle but she cleaned her up and dried her off with not even a thank you. Then Twilight had the nerve to say that Dash wasn’t Wonderbolt martial and tricked her into clearing the sky of clouds lickety split. Rainbow tried to shrug it off as Twilight left.
What the hell was her problem!
I’m not sure, but I know of her.
You do?
Yes, years ago when you preformed your sonic rainboom I felt a second surge of magic coming from Canterlot, and her.
So why didn’t you go visit her instead?
Because it was your rainboom the triggered her surge. Without it nothing would have happened. Besides with the kind of magical talent she possesses she would be more of a rival then a friend, and well you see the kind of pony she is.
True.
As the evening came Pinkie Pie told everypony about a party at the library and Rainbow thought it would be a nice way to kill time until the celebration started, Pinkie throws a mean party after all. Only it was a party for that new girl Twilight but luckily she didn’t stick around very long and Rainbow just hung out for a while. Finally the time had come and everypony headed to see the princess raise the sun. The mayor started her speech when Sombra piped up.
I can feel it, it’s happening.
Wait what’s happening?
Remember what I told you a week ago that something important was going to happen?
Yeah.
She’s returning.
“And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria...Princess Celestia!”
When the curtains were pulled back the princess wasn’t there. Ponies were starting to panic while the mayor was trying to calm them down. Then Rarity came out and said Celestia was gone. A purple and blue mist appeared on the balcony where Celestia was supposed to be. It soon took the form of an alicorn mare who started talking to everypony, but Rainbow was too busy listening Sombra.
So Nightmare Moon has broken free from her imprisonment.
That’s Nightmare Moon?
Yes it is. With her escape it means that my own imprisonment is not forever as well.
Dash snapped back to what was happening and heard Twilight speak up.
“I did. And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon!”
Everypony gasped. Twilight and Nightmare Moon had a brief exchange before she declared the night would last forever. Guards tried to seize Nightmare Moon but she turned to mist and escaped. Twilight headed back to the library and Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy followed. They made it there and confronted Twilight about what she knew. They learned about the Elements of Harmony and found out that they are located in an old castle in the Everfree Forest. Although she wasn’t that enthusiastic about it Sombra advised Rainbow to go with them. The group journeyed in and faced a few obstacles along the away. Like falling off a cliff, a manticore, some scary trees, and a raging river with a sea serpent. Then they came to a downed bridge and Rainbow flew across to fix it when she heard somepony calling her name.
“Rainbow…”
“Who’s there?”
“Rainbow…”
“I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!”
“We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria.”
“Then you’ve come to the right pony. Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'cause I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever.”
Then three ponies in fight suits similar to that of the Wonderbolts appeared. “No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us, the Shadowbolts. We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain. The most magnificent-”
“Yep.”
“Swiftest-”
“Yes.”
“Bravest flyer in all the land.”
“Yes, it’s all true.”
“We need…you.”
“WOOHOO!”
Rainbow listen, do not be swayed by their words. They are mere illusions conjured up by Nightmare Moon to try to keep you from completing your task.
Really! Man I knew this sounded too good to be true.
“Well?”
“Thanks for the offer but it’s a no.”
She finished tying off the bridge and returned to the others. They crossed, reached the castle, and found the elements, well most of them anyway. One was missing. The others left while Twilight concentrated on a spell, they heard Twilight and they ran back into the room in time to see her and the elements disappear. They saw lights coming from another part of the castle and ran that way. When they entered Twilight started talking.
“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.”
“What?”
“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! Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of...laughter! Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of...generosity! And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of...loyalty!”
The shattered elements floated around the five mares.
“You still don't have the sixth element! The spark didn't work!”
“But it did! A different kind of spark.” Twilight turned to look at the others. “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!” Just then the sixth element appeared. “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!”
The elements turned to necklaces except for magic which became a crown and was placed on each mare. Then their power combined and shot a rainbow into the air redirecting at Nightmare Moon who cried out one last time before it consumed her. Twilight and the others briefly passed out but woke up in time to see Princess Celestia return and after a brief exchange between the princess and Twilight they turned their attention to the now transformed Luna. Celestia and Luna made up and they all returned to Ponyville to celebrate. There Celestia tasked Twilight to study the magic of friendship in Ponyville. Later Rainbow returned to her cloud house, crawled into bed, and fell asleep.
“Congratulations Element of Loyalty. Did I not say you would go on to do great things?”
“Yeah, this is pretty awesome.”
“This is a fortuitous turn of events indeed.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because the elements can only be used as a set and now that they have passed ownership from the celestial sisters to you six…well my eventual return should go a lot smoother. After all you wouldn’t use your element against me would you?”
“No! Of course not!”
Sombra walked over and kissed Rainbow passionately. Sombra pulled away after a few seconds much to Dash’s disappointment.
“Then there is only one other item that can pose a serious threat to me. The Crystal Heart.”
“The Crystal Heart?”
“It’s an ancient relic that was used to protect the empire before my takeover. I hid it away where no pony would find it but that could change.”
“So what now?”
“You are an element bearer and must play the part.”
“I’m not sure how keen I am on being friends with those other ponies. Fluttershy is alright but I feel we’ve been drifting apart lately and the others are more like acquaintances.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to bare and grin it for the time being. Equestria had many enemies in its early years and I doubt that Nightmare Moon will be the last threat you face. So for now you’ll just have to play nice and pretend to be friends with them.”