Ch. 9: The Dark of Midnight

That evening, both teams gathered at the stands in front of the school.

"Since the score is tied, this final event will determine the winner of the Friendship Games." said Cadence.

"Somewhere on campus, a pennant from each school has been hidden," said Luna, holding up two of the said pennants. "The first team to find their school's flag and bring it back wins."

"And as soon as our teams are ready, we'll begin." said Cadence.

"Silver, time for your mind-sight," said Sonic. Silver nodded and his eyes started glowing a faint cyan. Then they turned back to normal.

"It's in the lunchroom," Silver whispered to his team.

"I don't feel like playing these games anymore." said Fluttershy.

"But we have to. This is the last event!" said Rainbow.

"It's kinda hard to focus with all the stolen power and random vortexes." said Silver.

"And I feel kinda awful about what I said to Twilight." said Sunset.

"Yeah. Me too," said Shadow.

"Especially since she obviously didn't mean for any of this to happen," said Tails. "She's actually kinda nice." Sunset covered her eyes in shame. Everyone looked at Tails and Fluttershy with a disappointed look on their faces.

"Timing, dude." said Sonic.

"Look, guys, let's just get through this last event and prove we're not a bunch of stinking cheaters," said Knuckles. "Then you two can go over and apologize." Meanwhile, Sonic's acute hearing picked up on what Cinch was saying.

"I know I'm asking you to beat a team that isn't playing fair, but Canterlot High must be made to understand that even with this magic at their disposal, beating Crystal Prep is simply not an option."

"What if they grow wings again?" asked Sugarcoat.

"Fair question, though now I believe we can fight fire with fire," said Cinch walking up to Twilight. Twilight realized she was talking about her amulet. "I've seen what your device is capable of, Twilight. Containing magical energy is fine, but have you considered releasing it?" Sonic gasped at hearing this. With all the magic power from around the school in such a small container, he was worried about the effects it might have on the multiverse.

"But I don't even understand how it works." said Twilight.

"But you'd like to," said Cinch. "And since our opponents have already used it to stay competitive, I see no reason why we shouldn't do the same. Unless, of course, you have no interest in Everton." After hearing that, Sonic grew enraged.

"So that's it," he thought. "Cinch has been blackmailing her to steal the magic."

"Though honestly, I think there's more knowledge packed in that little device than any independent study program could offer."

(Play "Unleash the Magic" – Original Movie)

Cinch: I realize that you've always been an outcast
It's not everyone at school who likes to think
To find a student that's like you
I've had one or maybe two
But the good ones disappear before I blink

Shadowbolts: Oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh
Oh, wuh-oh-wuh

Cinch: Now, I understand you have your reservations (oh-wuh)
It's hard to have a brain as large as yours (oh-oh-oh-oh)
But if we don't win these games
Well, I think I've made it plain
What will happen if we have the losing scores!

Shadowbolts: Oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh
Oh, wuh-oh-wuh

Unleash the magic, unleash the magic
If we lose, then you're to blame (ah, ah-ah-ah)
They all have used it, maybe abused it (ah-ah-ah)
So then why can't we do the same?

Oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh
Oh, wuh-oh-wuh

Cinch: Call it power, call it magic
If we lose, it will be tragic
More important is the knowledge we'll have lost (oh-oh-oh-oh)
A chance like this won't come again
You'll regret not giving in
Isn't understanding magic worth the cost?

Shadowbolts: Oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh
Oh, wuh-oh-wuh

Unleash the magic, unleash the magic
We're not friends here after all
Our only interest in this business (ah-ah-ah)
Is seeing Canterlot High School fall

Oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh
Oh, wuh-oh-wuh, oh

Cinch: What I'm suggesting's very simple
And since it's win-win on all scores
You only want to learn about the
Magic that you have stored

And as for me and all the others
We only want what we deserve
That our school will clinch the win
And my...

Cinch and Shadowbolts: ...legacy will endure

Unleash the magic, unleash the magic
If we lose, then it's a crime
But we can win it if you begin it (ah-ah-ah)
It's up to you to not fail this time

Then Sunset and the others saw that Twilight was opening the amulet exposing the stored power.

Men: Unleash the magic, free the magic now [continue in background]

Women: Unleash the magic, free the magic now [continue in background]

Twilight: Imagine all I'll learn by setting it free

"If both teams are ready…" said Luna

And now winning these games depends on me
And what other doors might open if I try to use it

"…The last event of the Friendship Games begins…" continued Cadence.

But the magic's what I really want to see

Then Spike ran out of the bushes. "Twilight, no!" he shouted.

Shadowbolts: Unleash the magic, free the magic…
Unleash the magic, free the magic…

All: Now!

Then the magic in the amulet sent out a huge shockwave, knocking everyone to the ground before it formed a small orb that slowly expanded as Twilight started floating and dropped her amulet. Then the orb started growing, sucking Twilight into it, putting her in extreme pain. Cinch backed away in horror as the power pulled Twilight in. Spike and Sonic's team gasped in fear and amazement as Twilight tried to get free.

"Help… ME!" she cried reaching out, but no one came to her aid as she was consumed by the magic and shrieked in agony.

Then the orb sent out a blinding light as Twilight started transforming. Tall purple boots appeared on her feet, purple gloves appeared on her hands, large feathered wings sprouted from her back, her skin turned a shade darker, her hair billowed like flames, and a tall unicorn horn with chunks knocked out of it formed on her forehead along with large lenses around her now blue eyes.

When the light dissipated, she was wearing a purple dress and looked like a demon. She had transformed into the form of Midnight Sparkle. Cinch was terrified and slowly backed away. Spike was scared too as Midnight laughed evilly.

"You were right," she said to Sunset. "I didn't understand magic before. BUT I DO NOW!" Then she shot a blast from her palm at the Wondercolt statue, blowing it into a thousand pieces. Then the team saw a purple glow coming from where it stood and saw a familiar world through it.

"Equestria!" said Sunset.

"She's tearing rifts between worlds," said Silver. "She's going to rip the Multiverse apart!"

"Not on my watch," said Sonic before he curled up and shot at Midnight with a Spindash, but she caught him and shot him away with another beam, knocking him to the ground. "Okay, that could've gone better."

Then he saw the ground in front of the school was cracking with a purple glow coming from the crack. She shot at the crack and opened another rift. Cracks were appearing everywhere and Midnight shot them all, opening a rift with each shot. Students ran in all directions to avoid the rifts until Sunny Flare saw Cinch trying to slip away.

"Hey! Where are you going?" she asked.

"Anywhere to avoid that monster," she replied, pointing to Midnight. "And I suggest you do the same!" Then she started running.

"Oh no ya don't," said Manic as he shot stones up around her feet and turned her around, catching her hands in cuffs he made from a rock. "You caused this! So you can just watch as the universe crumbles to ash around you! Serves you right!" Sunny and her classmates were still a bit scared of what Twilight was doing as Shadow and Sunset ran up to her.

"Twilight! You can't do this!" said Sunset.

"Why not? There's a whole other world right there, and it's just filled with magic!" she said, blasting another beam at the door, opening another rift.

"But you're destroying this world to get to it!" said Shadow.

"So what? There's more magic there," said Midnight. "And I want to understand it all!" Then she shot a huge beam straight at the two of them.

"Chaos Shield!" shouted Shadow and generated a green barrier in front of him and Sunset, but they were pushed to the ground further away as an enormous rift formed in the ground. Then Sunset saw Twilight's amulet on the ground where she dropped it. Students were falling through the rift in the ground, but Applejack and the others grabbed and saved them.

"Don't let go!" Applejack said to one of them. Twilight's teammates raced to help as well as Rarity lost her footing and grabbed the edge of reality, with barely any grip.

"Hang on!" shouted Silver.

"Obviously!" said Rarity. But she started slipping and almost fell when Indigo and Lemon grabbed her.

"We've got you!" shouted Indigo. Then Sunset saw that Twilight's amulet was still working. Then they saw the girls start glowing as they helped the others.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Shadow. Sunset grew determined and nodded to him. Quickly, Shadow snapped his fingers and the Chaos Emeralds started floating around him. Then they turned to Midnight.

"This isn't the way, Twilight!" shouted Shadow.

"I know you feel powerful right now. Like you can have everything you want!" said Sunset. "I've been there before! I made the same mistake you're making! I put on a crown and, just like you, I was consumed by the magic it contained! I thought it could get me everything I wanted."

"Oh, you're wrong," said Midnight. "Unlike you, I can have everything I want."

"No, you can't!" shouted Shadow. "Even with all that power, you'll still be alone!"

"True magic comes from honesty, loyalty, laughter, generosity, kindness," said Sunset, holding up the amulet as the girls willed what little magic power they had left into it, all at once as Sunset started floating. "I understand you, Twilight! And I want to show you the most important magic of all time!" Then she slammed the amulet shut and threw it to the ground, the power forming an orb around her as she transformed.

She gained orange combat boots with her symbol on the toes, gleaming gloves, a shining orange unicorn horn, a beautiful peach dress, and flaming yellow wings. "The Magic of Friendship." Midnight backed away as the whole team smiled at her new form.

"Amazing. She's ascended," said Knuckles.

"We need a name for this. How does Daylight Shimmer sound?" asked Sonic.

"I like it." said Sonia.

"And of course, what is harmony without a bit of Chaos somewhere?" asked Shadow as his clothes and hair turned white-gold. He had gone Super Shadow. Then the two used their powers to seal all the rifts.

"First time you've used your powers like this?" asked Sunset.

"Surprisingly, no," said Shadow. Then Midnight charged at them, so Shadow took Sunset's hand and charged back at her like they were doing the tango, causing an explosion of blinding light. Then the two magic-charged ones charged and shot magic beams at each other. When they collided, Shadow took the opportunity and charged up his attack too.

"Chaos Blast!" he shouted and shot a red beam into the collision, but Midnight was more powerful and was about to destroy them as she forced their beams back. Shadow struggled to keep his super form up, but he was nearly out of rings. Midnight cackled that he might win when Spike ran out and shouted up to her. For an instant, she looked down and saw her dog's innocent face and the real Twilight took over for a second.

"Spike?" she asked. Then Sunset noticed that she wasn't trying anymore.

"Her mind is scattered! Now's our chance!" she said.

"Right!" said Shadow. "Inhibitor Rings, release!" Then the gold rings on his wrists broke off and he flashed red as his blast grew in power, knocking Midnight's back. Then Midnight took over again just in time to see a huge beam of energy hit her.

"NNOOOOOOOO!" she screamed as a large white light swallowed her whole. Then she opened her eyes to see she was in some sort of white limbo state with Sunset and Shadow.

"Take our hands, Twilight," said Sunset, hers and Shadow's hands outstretched. "Let us show you there's another way. Just like someone once did for each of us." Twilight, the evil spirit of Midnight exorcised, hesitated at first, but then started crying as she accepted, and an orange flame and green lightning bolt coursed over her body, removing all traces of Midnight Sparkle. Then they all landed back to normal if a bit shook up.

"I'm so sorry," said Twilight. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"We know," said Shadow.

"And going off my own experiences, they'll forgive you," said Sunset. Then Spike jumped up and knocked Twilight to the ground with her glasses in her mouth. Then Shadow went to a knee and grabbed his chest.

"You all right, Shadow?" asked Sonic.

"I'm fine. Just a little low on energy," he said. Then Manic saw Cinch's cuffs were destroyed in the fight and she was behind the stands then she went up to Celestia.

"Principal Celestia, on behalf of Crystal Prep, I demand that you forfeit the Friendship Games!" she said.

"What?" asked Sonia.

"Why?" asked Knuckles.

"Clearly CHS has had unfair advantage for quite some time, and it's certainly obvious that your students have been using magic for their own benefit." said Cinch.

"Are you serious? We don't even know how to control this stuff," said Sonic.

"Besides, I'd like to think that saving the world benefits us all." said Celestia.

"Kudos on a good job, by the way, you two." Silver said to Shadow and Sunset.

"At least they didn't manipulate Twilight into releasing all the stolen magic and turning into a power-crazed magical demon that tried to rip the world apart just to win a game," said Sugarcoat. Everyone stared at her dumbfounded.

"Wow. That's a lot to take in when you say it all at once," said Pinkie.

"Now you know how we feel after hearing one of your hunches." said Manic.

"That's ridiculous!" said Cinch.

"Nope," said Spike. "That's pretty much what happened."

"To the letter," said Sonic. Then he saw some of the Shadowbolts staring at Spike. "You people have no imagination."

"Actually, we're all to blame," said Sour Sweet. "But mostly it was her."

"Mostly? Pfft. More like entirely." said Tails.

"Obviously, my students have been infected by your magic," said Cinch. "But I plan on taking all of this up with the school board."

"Be my guest," said Celestia sarcastically. "I'm sure they'd be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings."

"Oh, and the portals to different dimensions." said Luna sarcastically.

"And don't forget to tell them about the talking dog." said Cadence sarcastically.

"Because that would never ruin your reputation." said Spike sarcastically.

"Yeah, people see that sort of stuff all the time in this dimension," said Sonic sarcastically. "Oh wait, no they don't. So as far as I see it, you've got two options. Either A; you tell the school board about what happened here tonight, or B; we keep this between the schools. If you go with A without proof, they'll fire you and throw you in an insane asylum. Same if you go with A with proof. They'll just think it's fake. Of course, if you go with B, if anyone asks what happened here tonight, we deny that anything happened and at the next games, no one will freak out over a few random magical pop-ups. Your choice. In your own time, make it."

Cinch looked at either side of her to see not only the Wondercolts staring at her but her own students as well. She looked like she was about to snap, but instead she just pulled sharply down on her jacket and walked away.

"Good choice." said Sonic.

"Well, I know these Friendship Games haven't been what any of us expected…" said Celestia.

"We all almost died." said Silver to no one in particular.

"But given what we've all just been through, I think it's fair to declare us all winners!" said Celestia. Everyone cheered at that proposal as Sonic walked up next to her.

"Nice put-down," she said.

"It's what I specialize in," he said.