I am so sorry for the prototype images. The final products will be up and replacing these Sunday, but I just couldn't wait to get out these monster of a chapter that took me eight hours to write. I hope you guys enjoy it. Next chapter will be a breather interlude along with a what's to come for season three.

Anyway hopefully all your answers and more will be answered next chapter, whenever that is.

Equestrian Heroes

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Naruto x Rarity x Twilight x Fluttershy x Applejack x Pinkie Pie x Rainbow Dash x Ditzy x Luna x ? x ?

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For Normal Speech

Inner thoughts, Text read, Italics used to represent characters speaking in different language.

Demonic rage, Demonic characters, Kurama Speak

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Story Start

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The Elements of Harmony began making their destination towards what would be their greatest battle yet. On the forefront of their minds were many questions and thoughts, one most prevalent among them. They could not fail. "What's the plan Naruto?" Applejack asked as the blond began leading them down the streets of the city.

"Where catching a ride on an old friend." He answered in response to Applejack's inquiry. " I can sense Twilight and Midnight. They're getting further away from the city."

"Old friend?" Rainbow asked as suddenly everything darkened. The mares looked up and were alarmed by the sight of a massive dragon.

Rarity let out an alarmed cry in response to seeing the creature currently floating above them. "Not another beast!"

"HEY! I know I'm not a stallion or anything, but beast is such a harsh word. Especially for someone you all haven't seen after that nice send off and all."

"Spike!?" They all cried out in surprise. There was no mistaking that snarkiness.

"Whoa big guy! Someone had a tartarus of a growth spurt." Rainbow said as Spike landed.

"How'd you been? What was it like among the other dragons? Did you..." Pinkie was cut off before she could go into one of her usual tirades.

"We don't have much time! I can't stay like this for long! We have to hurry and bring an end to this invasion!" Spike urged them making a platform using his tail. Once everypony was on Spike took off in the direction of the energy blasts and shockwaves.

Twilight dipped and weaved under and away from Midnight's flurry of attacks. As the two of them fought Twilight was being careful to slowly lead Midnight away from Canterlot without alerting the other unicorn of her plan. Midnight began summoning debris from the ground and used her magic to alter their structure, changing them into swords and axes using transfiguration magic.

Twilight coated her hands in magic as she knocked away the first few projectiles that were launched at her. She then began to go on the offensive wrestling a few of the blades free from Midnight's control she sent them hurtling back at the element of discord only for her to shatter them by flexing her aura.

Forming a barrier Twilight launched it like a shock-wave blasting back the remaining weapons to which Midnight blocked with a barrier.

The combatants charged forward again, their spells clashing sending out blinding flashes of magic with each blast. They dropped down to the ground. As they moved through the forest, the impact of their blasts caused the area to shake with massive force causing cracks to form on the ground causing splits in the ground.

The very air itself was thinning from the massive force of magic. The forest creatures began to flee in fright from the frightening power echoing throughout the area. Midnight channeled her magic into a nearby lake summoning the water high into the air before changing them into ice javelins.

Firing off some spells of her own Twilight commanded the trees themselves to grow and twist together to form a protective barrier. Ever since her last battle with Midnight, Twilight had focused a good deal of her studies into battle magics. Particularly elemental magic and composition magic.

Midnight fired a series of cutting spells in the shape of large crescent slashes that tore apart Twilight's barrier. Teleporting out of there Twilight shot out a ball of energy which connected with Midnight. It exploded causing the Unicorn to fall back into the muddy hole where most of the lake water once was.

Getting back to her feet Midnight disappear with a dark flash before appearing in front of Twilight, her horn inches from Twilight's face. She let the devastating dark curse go, to which Twilight barely avoided by moving to the side.

Reappearing back from a rapid evasion teleport Twilight fired three electrifying bolts of magic.

The first two Midnight stopped with her barrier, but the third got through nailing her.

Screaming out in pain, Midnight dropped to her knees as she clutched at the spot where the spell hit. 'Through my armor? How?'She fired back at Twilight who deflected the blast right back at her sending her crashing through over a dozen trees, she finally came to a stop when she smacked into another gigantic tree..

Midnight levitated herself back up as she could feel her wounds mending. The sweet taste of dark essence coursing through her veins.

Having recovered she once more began charging Twilight. She let her next spell erupt from her horn as Twilight twisted out of the way. She readied a spell when she was caught off guard by being nailed by an uppercut.

For a brief few seconds Midnight was stunned and before she could retaliate she was hit in the stomach area of the armor sending her a few feet back. Pain coursed through her body. How? How the hell was she getting through the armor's defense? 'It was supposed to be able to withstand physical attacks, elemental attacks, and even magic?'

"How? How are you doing this?" The dark unicorn demanded in outrage.

Twilight didn't answer her instead aiming her horn which was blazing with magic. Midnight summoned the remaining water in the lake, hurtling it at Twilight while turning it into acid.

Once more Twilight teleported out of harms way. Midnight took a guess where the mare was going to appear, turned and fired. Once more their magic met in the form of a beam struggle soon sending out a shockwave that pushed both of them back.

The two began to gather their magical power. The power became so intense, that the magic seeping into the air caused the sky to darken. The two of them fired as the force that screamed from the clashing beams saw to it that inside out the forest they were in was disintegrated. Three miles of forest had been charred cook leaving a barren wasteland.

Midnight began to project herself higher and higher into the air. She raised her horn high into the sky as a tiny ball of black and violet energy formed. It quickly grew in size expanding at a rapid pace having already grown to the size of wheel and steadily growing bigger.

Twilight began firing a Midnight as rapidly as she could, but the Unicorn had some sort of barrier. Around her. The ball of energy soon grew to the size of a house as Midnight hurled it at Twilight.

Twilight alarmed but determined stood her ground as she prepared to take it on full force.

As it was slowly descending to her the last thing she had expected was a giant ball of flames impacted it and causing it to detonate. The explosion was so massive Twilight had no choice, but to teleport away.

Exiting the latest rift she was miles away from point zero and was still nearly hit by the encompassing blast before it died down.

"What was that?" she mumbled to herself as she could suddenly feel the feelings of her friends. She searched it out in the sky and they came from to her surprise and shock from that huge purple dragon.

Wait a second.

Huge purple dragon.

The dragon landed and getting a good look at him Twilight blinked, tears wetting her eyes. "Spike?"

The others dropped down from the massive dragon as an aura radiated from the massive dragon as he begun to shrink. The glow ended and low and behold stood Spike.

He wasn't short or looked like a baby anymore so to speak. He looked like the equivalent of a well built young teenager who was about as tall as Applejack and as built as Naruto. Of all things he was wearing a Tuxedo.

She let out a gasp? Had he been? Was he here for the wedding?

"Hey sis!?" he greeted with that big dopey grin of his.

"Oh Spike, I wish I could run up and hug you right now." Twilight remarked with a forlorn sigh, but now was not the time. Floating down below to greet them was Midnight.

One by one she looked at them. "So all the others have all failed I see. It appears Discord was right. At the end of the day they were doomed to fail."

The Bearers reacted in surprise, but realized everything was starting to make sense now.

Laughter, one that did not come up with battle strategies overcame the cold blood killer who had no respect for others.

Kindness, the none fighter who overcame the coward willing to do anything to survive including hurting others.

Generosity, the proper lady overcoming the deranged and powerful unicorn whose obsessions mocked what beauty meant.

Honesty, the farmer overcoming the powerful beast that lived to kill using his strength to oppress others.

Empathy, the skillful captain overcoming the monster who had nothing to lose with an unnatural body.

Loyalty, overcoming the child of stormy flare who was trained to be an efficient killer with no consideration of others.

And they even brought a dragon somehow getting passed the magic eater. And not to mention she was well aware of Metamorphosis failure as well.

Everyone readied themselves to attack. As Midnight looked on she saw that they were waiting and ready to make the first move.

"It looks like this battle has been decided, Midnight. You don't stand a chance against all of us."

"But Sparkle!" A manic grin formed on Midnight's face. Forming to life was the six gems of her compatriots as they materalized above her. "The battle has just gotten started." The six gems fused into her and the group jumped back to avoid the backlash of the transformation.

The next moment, Midnight's power burst high into the atmosphere, the overpowering black glow from it casting its light upon the land as the blast radius grew by almost double. Massive bolts of lightning shot out from the clouds all around the energy mass, illuminating small area of sky. Then in a flash, the magic dissipated, giving view to an unexpected site.

Midnight's armor crackled with evil energy. Floating around her were two swords. On her arms parts two slick blades stood out. Out of her back were now two wing like appendages and the armor's overall appearance looked much sleeker.

The group could feel their hearts beating rapidly in their chests. The pure power that was radiating from Midnight surpassed Moon or Radiance's putting her close to Discord's level of power.

They prepared themselves because either way this was going to be the final fight between the Nightmare and the Forces of Harmony.

They watched her intently, waiting for any indication or movement for attack.

-Pooft-

Spike's roar of pain as he collapsed to one knee clutching his shoulder was almost too fast to register.

"Spike!" The brief moment of distraction had nearly been enough to earn a deadly strike on Twilight if not for Fluttershy's shield stopping Midnight's attack.

Furious tears were in the mare's eyes. "No more! You just keep hurting others! This time we will stop you for good!"

Midnight let out an amused snort as she made her move.

Faster than most of them could register, Midnight's wings catapulted her off the ground into the air, creating a crater in her wake. She rushed past the members in the front. "Fluttershy look out!"

"Like hell you will!"

"Not on my watch!"

Instantly Naruto and Rainbow was in front of the pegasus. Raising her hand magic erupted sending the two flying back.

She was about to follow up with a second attack only to be grabbed from behind and supplex into the ground with a mighty crash by Applejack. Maneuvering Applejack attempted to drop an elbow only to be blasted back Midnight's aura. Before she could follow up she was hit full force with a concussive blast.

Hurtling a spell at laughter it was cleave right in two by Rarity's gem covered rapier.

Midnight began hurtling more spells only for Twilight to fire magic of her own.

A fire alit in Twilight's eyes as she once more began channeling her true power, only this time keeping the form instead of channeling it in short burts like before. It she used too much magic she would be indisposed for a few days, but that didn't matter right now. All that mattered was defeating the mare in front of her.

She let out a hiss of pain when an attack scarring and grazing her skin somehow slipped past her armor. She let loose a shockwave blasted her enemies back as she readied an attack.

Twilight promptly trapped her in a barrier forcing Midnight to teleport out.

Appearing back Midnight's arm was ensnared by Applejack's rope as Rarity let loose a shower of gemstones at the mare.

"You fools!" She growled angrily as she twisted her arm around the lasso and used the blade to cut herself free.

Pinkie let loose twin blasts of fireworks that were blocked by Midnight erected a shield. Midnight dropped the shield and fired back to which was blocked by Fluttershy's shield.

Rainbow Dash quickly flew over to her drawing her arm back and landing a solid punch that whipped Midnight's head back to which she responded by blasting Rainbow back with a shockwave.

Rainbow was summarily caught by Twilight as Naruto and Applejack charged Midnight. Launching a punch and kick respectively they landed solid blows against the steady armor forcing Midnight back a few inches, but they too was blasted back by the aura.

They dodged out of the way as Midnight fired another beam.

Twilight rushed over to Midnight and began charging up her horn, but before Twilight could shoot it out, Midnight opened her eyes and used her magic to throw Twilight back. She also shot out another wave of magic that sent everypony reeling back.

"You think mere ponies can defeat one on the cusp of godhood?"she was rushed once more dodging and weaving in between Naruto, Applejack, and Rainbow's attacks.

'This...this isn't working.' Twilight thought as the three elements were summarily blasted away. She then began calling down a thunderstorm forcing them all to fall back. 'As she is now she's countering us all too easily.'

'Well Twilight now would be a really good time for a plan.' Rainbow thought as they took cover under Fluttershy's barrier. Bolts of lightning kept crashing down on the barrier forcing the mare to grit her teeth and hold on as the barrier trembled with every blast.

'She has the strengths of all their armors. We won't be able to exploit the same methods we used to beat them before.' Naruto added.

'No, but we were able to beat them once before. We just have to combine our powers as well." Rarity noted.

'Fluttershy how confident are you in being able to create and dispel shields at a whim?'

'I can do it.' the pegasus said confidently.

Twilight looked to Spike who even now seemed to be in a daze. "Spike?"

"I'm fine...just a scratch. I'm ready to fight." He insured her.

"Then here's the plan!"

Midnight grew tired of raining series lightning bolts on the barrier. She cast a spell on the ground changing it into sludge slowly expanding towards the barrier, her plan to disrupt the ground they were standing on.

The barrier fell and once more she was being rushed. "Fools! Such recklessness will get you killed."She fired a stream of lightning from her hand only for the elements and dragons in front of her to disappear into puffs of smoke. "WHAT!"

Dozens upon dozens of the copies filled the air. "Get us if you can!" A canopy of voices echoed as the dozens upon dozens of copies rushed her.

With a roar Midnight outwardly extended her aura destroying hundreds of copies. "Have you become so desperate you rely on tricks?"

Like a bullet something hit her from the back sending her crashing to her side. She got to her feet as she let loose a stream of flames destroying more copies.

Out from behind her flames rushing towards her was a giant ball of fire. Using her armor's power she extinguished the flame only to see flying towards her with Timaeus and Critias drawn.

Midnight erected a barrier to stop the attack.

"NOW!" Rarity's voice echoed as she and began who were who was off to the side revealed themselves from a crater formed from the battle began pelting the barrier with the party canon and gems. The attacks caused small shockwaves, but did not cause the barrier to fall.

"Try all you wish! Your feeble power can not get passed my barrier."

"TWILIGHT! APPLEJACK! FLUTTERSHY!" Fluttershy encased Applejack in her aura as Twilight used her magic to blast Applejack forward at break neck speeds.

"RAINBOW!" She signaled as the Pegasus above was dive bombing already showing signs of the Rainboom.

"HERE YA GO!" Twilight's blast dissipated as the aura around Applejack transferred from her to Naruto and Spike. Grabbing them she spun and swung them with all her might throwing them at speeds that was causing the ground under them to split.

"Fools!" Midnight attempted to strengthen the barrier, but the moment Rainbow's Rainboom hit the barrier it caused a shockwave of immense powerful so grand it weakened the structure of the barrier.

Timaeus and Critias pierced the barrier.

So confident. So assure of her power Midnight was not ready. If she was she could have teleported.

But because she didn't.

The two blades soaked in dragon magic and harmonious chakra respectively stabbed right through the armor chestplate resulting in both blades running right through her body.

There was nothing that could ever describe the roar of outrage, anguish, and disbelief that echoed from her lips. Dark tendrils erupted from Midnight ripping out the blades as they wildly flail and slashed out at everything and anything.

The only thing protecting the two from what would have been fatal slashes were their own impressive durability. From her horn Midnight began firing out beams that were reminiscent of Bijuudamas.

One of the mountain ranges that were a few hundred miles away were hit with one of the beams vaporizing a small section of the mountain.

"Fluttershy contain her!" Twilight shouted as Fluttershy quickly formed a barrier around Midnight. The following blast shattered the barrier and created a massive explosive crater. The smoke from the devastation billowed high into the sky.

Midnight's dark power was growing out of control. Even the most powerful of unicorns of past had only showed a destructive capacity of a few city blocks.

While their were those that theorized the likes of Starswhirl would be city level Starswhirl was a thinker and theorist first and foremost and would have never done such a thing, or so history says.

Only Celestia had been confirmed to have power capable of eradicating an entire city and it was not something she did at the drop of a hat.

No. What they were witnessing was a destructive feat capable of leveling entire islands t to have reached all the way to the Crystal Mountains and vaporize a mountain of that size.

"Everypony! Together!" Twilight called as she beckon the other elements to her. There was still time to save Midnight's life if they hurried and purified her of the Nightmare.

Faster than they could react they were all knocked off their feet when hit by dark orbs.

Floating out of the barrier was Midnight. Her armor badly damaged and fractured. Crimson fluid could be seen seeping out of several parts of her body. "But the party has just gotten started." She said as she rose her hand in the air. Out of her palm was a tiny speckle of something so hard it was almost impossible to see.

"Having lost time after time again to the Elements of Harmony did you think I would not have a backup plan!?" Nightmare spoke with a chortle. The rapid switching between eldritch abomination and mare was creepy. The air began to grow stale and musky. The grass began to die and the moisture slowly evaporated. The magic of the area was being sapped up as the little speck exploded, but then reconstituted as the Alicorn Amulet. "The Alicorn Amulet is more than just an artifact that I had Luna create. My impulses. My influences. It is my...HEART. You can say its been acting as my...Limiter."

The group stared on in horror. Her limiter?

The dagger that Aegis used earlier on Celestia appeared to her hand.

"STOP HER!" Naruto roared as they all charged her.

"Now I shall invoke the power of both royal sisters and remove my limiter." Placing the amulet over Midnight's heart the Nightmare stabbed through the amulet causing an aura to shot out from the wound. Darkness washed over her causing everypony to pause from the heavy pressure.

Blinding dark energy of somber colors radiated as the form of a tall imposing silhouette was behind the smoke.

Casting a wind jutsu Naruto blasted away the smoke revealing the mare before them.

Massive thick eightheen inch curved horns stuck out from the temple of her head . Large and powerful majestic wings extended outwards far larger in size than anyset of wings seen before on a equine. Black outlined the wingspan as the inner feathers were white.

Her eyes were a golden-amber yellow and she stood tall. Taller than them, hell even taller than Nightmare Moon. Not only were her wings natural like a Pegasus, but she was built like an Earth Pony with pleasant curvature and athleticism reminiscent of the royal sisters.

"Oh my! Not what I was expecting! I must remember to thank Cold Brew. I thought adding the DNA of the other two tribes would just boost my magic, but this...this is beyond my wildest dreams."

"Y-You think just because you changed into an Alicorn we're s-scared. Newsflash we already fought you as o-one!" Rainbow said with her usual bravado, but this was different.

With Nightmare Moon she had been angry and determined. Sure she was doubtful and unnerved against facing an Alicorn, but she had other feelings she held on to.

With Radiance she had to be brave. She was holding onto her loyalty to her friend Rarity. Sure she and Rarity were probably the least common combination of their friends to hang out, but that didn't mean she wasn't a dear friend.

With Discord, she was willing admit she had been a bit afraid. Still with everything that happened afterwards nothing had compared to his sheer unpredictability and indifference.

But this was different. This was the force of the Nightmare itself, but there was something else and when she locked eyes with Nightmare she realized what it was.

Nightmare Moon had Luna holding her back.

Discord's past injuries and mental stability held him back.

Radiance was held back by Rarity.

But Midnight was willing a servant. She wanted to crush them beneath her hooves.

In other words.

'Nightmare has nothing at all to hold her back.'

And that invoked genuine fear and terror in her. Before Rainbow had finished blinking Nightmare was in front of her. Hand raised. "Goodbye Loyalty!" No speech. No grandstanding. Nothing. Just. An end. Rainbow couldn't even here the sound of her friends voices. All she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat.

Her own instinct. Desire to live and her bonds with the other had saved her as she dodged using the highest rate of speed her bdoyallowed. If she had been the fraction of a second too late she would have been dead. The blast Nightmare fired created a small chasm as far as the eye could see.

"You were able to dodge that attack! The Elements of Harmony are still an impressive power I see."

The space around Twilight began to wobble as power built up in her horn. Only one other time she felt like this. This sense of dread and despair and it was when Discord had broken her friends. She could not and would not let the Nightmare do as she pleased and fired at the dark Alicorn with all her might. The blast washed over Midnight as the damage from the path behind her blast continued on for miles. Twilight panted softly after the attack as the surge and force had taken a good deal out of her. "No!" she whispered as smoke cleared and Nightmare didn't have so much as a scratch on her.

Naruto and Spike rushed past Twilight. "Twilight get everypony out of here now!" Naruto ordered as he prepared to unleash one of his strongest attacks.

Spike unleashed his Inner Dragon and fired it at Nightmare as Naruto manifested a Truth Seeking Ball and used it conjunction with his Rasengan. The Bijuudama Rasenshuriken combined with Spike's attack.

The resulting explosion burned through the ground itself to the point where there was nothing, but a deep canyon ten miles in every direction. The ground below was a pit, a void, and even the clouds above and nearby seemed to have been vaproized by the atack.

Twilight and the others appeared out of the former's teleportation warp to the far north near the Frozen Mirth area. The temperature was a good deal lower than the area they were in before.

"Man, I know half of that was Spike's attack, but its time like this I'm glad the Nightmare never decided to possess you bro." Rainbow commented as she tried to get her breathing under control.

The others shuttered at that. A Nightmare Naruto? That was a horrible idea for more than the obvious reasons.

"Is she...do you think...?" Pinkie began to wonder. On one hand she lacked a killer's instinct and killing anypony just did not sit right with her. On the other hand that...that thing was horrifying. And Midnight. There was no telling if Midnight was even there anymore.

"We have to stop her! I cannot believe I am saying such a blasphemous thing, but she might even beyond the princesses now." Rarity added.

"Do not let your guards down. The moment she shows up we strike with our Elements." Twilight readied magic as the other Elements began to glow.

"My...that last one actually tickled, but I am afraid this is where it ends." She said as she saw that Twilight's eyes began to glow in tandem with the elements.

'No.'

Memories of defeat began to play through her mind.

"Luna...forgive me!"A tear stained Celestia said as the Elements were used against her possessed sister.

The memory of the Bearers defeating her again in the old castle. Her echo being overcome by Naruto and Luna. "I will…never…fade…"

Once more those damn elements overcame her. Even in a new form. Even in a host that was to be weaker. From both ends she was defeated in body and mind. And they had promised they would always be there to stop her. "The Nightmare will never be over!"

"NOOOO!" Dark magic erupted from the Nightmare as it expanded outwards at supersonic speeds. The shockwave had catapulted Spike far away from the battle site as the dark alicorn focused its intent on the warriors of Harmony. The heroes of harmony let out screams as they were being smothered by darkness. "You will not win! I won't let any of you go! NOT YOU!" she roared as the darkness completely and utterly encompassed the area.

Twilight began to stir and slowly stood up. She was in some sort of dark space. Floating in nothingness. "Hello? Girls? Naruto? Spike?" She began looking around and as far as she could see nothingness. She was standing on and moving on a stange mass of formless nothingness. "Anypony? Hello?"

More nothingness.

"Applejack! Rarity!"

No answer.

"Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie!"

Nothing was happening.

"Rainbow! Spike!"

No one came!

"Naruto..."

She was alone.

That was when the spark of something caught her eye. "H-Hello." White sparks popped outwards as something gleamed into existence. It was...it was her element.

It was...The Element of Magic.

"Hello Twilight Sparkle...my chosen. I have been waiting a long time to speak with you."

"Magic...you're..." Sentient? Yeah deep somewhere she always had a feeling. A feeling that she wasn't alone.

"Chosen. Not much time is left. Nightmare. Nightmare is going to destroy everything. She must be stopped."

"Magic, she's just so strong. What if...what if we're not strong enough?" Her speed and strength. It was absolutely monstrous. How do you fight against something like that.

"Even with its newfound power Nightmare is lost within itself. It...is lost. Alone. My chosen you have to save the one lost in darkness. We...the Elements are tools of peace, love, and harmony. You my chosen will make a very important decision. And while one choice will bring happiness for a time. If not the cycle will remain unbroken and this struggle will continue endlessly, but should you make the right decision you will bring happiness to everyone. It is up to you my Chosen."

The element disappeared in a blinding flash. When Twilight opened her eyes she was somewhere else.

"Magic? Magic where am I? What's this choice I am supposed to make?" Twilight called out as she found herself in a dark forest. This place. This place felt so familiar.

'W-Who's out there? H-Hello?' The voice of the frightened child drew Twilight's attention. She saw a small filly and her pupils nearly shrunk to the size of pin pricks.

That mane color. That fur. There was no mistaking it. That was...

"Midnight Eclipse..." Stepping out of the shadows of the castle ruins was Nightmare Moon. The form of Nightmare when she was possessing Luna. "We meet at last."

"W-Who are you?" the young Midnight asked.

"I go by many names. I am known as the dark alicorn or the mare on the moon. But to you little one I am Nightmare Moon."

The filly let out a frighten squeak and fell back.

"Do not be frighten. I merely wish to talk with you."

"Talk about what?"

Nightmare Moon sat down upon the ruined throne and removed her blue helmet. "You, mostly," she said. "You are a very special filly. Your potential is astounding."

"I-It is?"

"Yes. I can see why Celestia has expressed an interest in you. Another little pawn. A soldier to replace her current captain once he or she grows too old."

"That's not true!" Midnight said. "The Princess says she was going to make me her student. Y-You're trying to trick me! You want to turn me against Princess Celestia!"

"I assure you that if I were looking for recruits to turn against Celestia I would not resort to a child. I assure you that it is not your feelings Celestia cares about, but your potential. What cunning ruler would make sure that every powerful weapon of threat would not be in their arsenal?" Nightmare Moon appeared in front of the filly making her freeze in place. "...I could do it, you know," Nightmare Moon said.

"Do what?"

"Give you a home. Help you reach your full potential. I can give you everything you could ever want?"

"Y-You can?"

"I am the Princess of the Night," Nightmare Moon said simply. "My special talent is making dreams come true."

Midnight wasn't sure what to say. She was...she was frightened yet intrigued. But at the same time Nightmare Moon was supposed to be a bad guy. The stories said she would gobble of fillies. The dream began to fade, something outside was waking the filly up.

Nightmare Moon just let out a dark chuckle. There would be plenty of more chances to get the filly under her thumb.

Now Twilight understood just what magic was showing her. The origin of how Midnight became the way she was. If this held the key to the important decision Magic was telling her about then she was going to examine these memories from every possible angle until she finally got what she needed to know.

"She's a troublesome child. No matter what we tell her she can't seem to grasp how to handle her power. You sensed ti right. That dark taint. There is something wrong with that child."

"She's descended from one of those...Negasi... it only makes sense she has darkness in her."

"She should have been left with those creatures then. She's not normal. She doesn't belong with us."

Dark taint.

Darkness in her.

Not normal.

Midnight woke up from the Nightmare with tears seeping down her face. She had heard it all before. The adults of the orphanage treated her like she was unwanted. Like she was a plague.

She just didn't understand. She didn't have wings or fangs. She didn't drink blood or was only out at night.

She was a normal pony.

She was.

There was only one pony that would understand her. The Princess. The Princess had been nice to her and believed in her. She thought when she had snuck into the academy the princess was going to punish her, but the princess had simply explained the potency of Midnight's magic was unusual for a filly her age and that it cause a slight rumbling from the dragon egg where others didn't even evoke a reaction.

She remembered Celestia's words. 'I am always happy to have more students and you appear to be rather promising. I am always happy to meet ponies who have the potential to become one of my personal students. I looked forward to seeing you in the future.'

Her? Princess Celestia's personal student. She couldn't wait to make all those ponies who were mean to her eat crow.

So once more Midnight had made her way to school where gifted unicorns in Canterlot were sent.

"Princess Celestia!" Her eyes lit up as she saw the Princess being flanked by two guards, but not only that there was another pony there.

A filly much older than her with a light amber coat, red and brilliant yellow mane and tail, as well that shimmered like the sun and she wore a yellow colored dress.

"Oh, hello Midnight." she greeted gently and warmly. She had hoped to speak with the filly due to fact the child had been evasive about her guardianship last time to which she learned the child was an orphan from a nearby orphanage. Celestia of course made a suggestion that the patrons be more attentive of their charges as a filly shouldn't be running off on her throughout a city no matter how safe it was. "Where is your guardian?" Surely she didn't come alone again did she.

"I...well its just me." she said as Celestia made an expression that was mostly neutral, but faint surprise before a small frown.

"Midnight its dangerous to run away from your caretakers like that. You could get lost or hurt." She lectured to filly whose ears splayed to the sides slightly.

"I-I'm sorry Princess." she apologized before she heard the sound of an annoyed grunt. That was when she looked up to see the annoyed filly with Celestia sending her a heated glare as if to berate Midnight for being there.

Celestia turned to one of her guards and suggest they take her charge back to the castle and that she would be their momentarily.

"P-Prrincess I...want...I'm ready to be your personal student. I know I don't seem like much, but I promise I'll work real hard and make you proud."

Celestia for a moment considered the words before she sighed. Celestia sighed. "Midnight, precious little Midnight, I am sorry but that cannot happen."

"B-But why? I thought you wanted me as one of your students." Midnight didn't understand. What was happening?

"Yes. As a student of this academy."

"But you said I had potential. That you were looking for a student."

"Midnight by that I meant more students for my school."

Tears began to fill Midnight's eyes. "You said you were happy to meet ponies with the potential to become your personal students. You lied to me!" Midnight began to remember Nightmare Moon's words. About how Celestia was always looking for a tool.

"I didn't lie," Celestia said gently. "I was merely encouraging you."

"But you had a student. I never even had a hope of becoming your personal student. " Midnight's voice began to raise as the tears continued to flow. "I...I'm just another tool. A spare in case the one in use gets broken."

Celestia face contorted with pain. "My little pony..." Celestia said kindly.

"Don't call me that!" Midnight spat. "She was right...she was right." Midnight thought. "I don't want anything else to deal with you Princess. Goodbye!"Midnight shouted as she stormed out of the school.

Princess Celestia stood in place and pursed her lips.

"Um...Princess?" Her guard timidly spoke up. "Should I...go retrieve the filly?"

Celestia smiled weakly. "Let her go. I am not going to punish a child for an emotional outburst. Especially since I am the cause for it. I will give her a few days to calm down and go speak to her. " I should have been more direct. I will go find the filly and apologize to her.

But Celestia never got the chance as Midnight disappeared from the orphanage.

Twilight had been left speechless. The more she learned the more she began to see uncomfortable similarities. But instead of a loving family Midnight was alone. Instead of becoming Celestia's pupil she was rebuffed. She had no doubt Magic was showing her to not only understand Midnight and learn how to fight against her, but for her to understand herself better and to answer those what could have been questions.

With that another scene played out before her.

"Nightmare Moon?"Midnight asked, shivering slightly. "Nightmare Moon where are you?"

A small tendril of black fog turned itself into the dark alicorn. "Oh my little Midnight. What made you seek out my magnificence? Has Celestia showed her true face?"

"I've made my decision," Midnightt said. "I don't want to be alone anymore. I'm tired of being treated as a freak. I want...I want to become your student.

Nightmare Moon let out a malignant chuckle. "Trust me little one. By the time I am done with you, no one will look down on you again."

Twilight watched memory after memory with Midnight and the Nightmare. She had expected the Nightmare to be a harsh task master. Brutalizing the filly and forcing dark ritual after dark ritual on her.

What she had saw. What she witnessed was something she had not expected of the Nightmare.

Praise.

Compassion...though it was marred by manipulation and the Nightmare's expected loyalty out of her.

A closeness.

At first Twilight was about to right it off as being Luna's influence, but this Nightmare...even with Luna's form was distant.

Solitary.

Haunted.

It was detached. It wasn't bombastic like Nightmare Moon or manipulative and seductive like Radiance.

It was more of just an existence. As it described battles of past the evil was there as it drew much delight recalling other's suffering, but something else was there.

Loneliness.

There was a glimmer of something. Before Twilight could finish she was ripped out of the memory.

Twilight fell to the ground of the dark space and was looking up at the Nightmare. "Midnight...please. I know you were hurt. I know you were alone, but its not too late to stop all this. Let us help you. You and the Nightmare..."

"Midnight? Oh Sparkle I am so much more then a unicorn. I hold all the power of the Sun, Moon, Stars in my hand. The power to command the elements and earth itself. I am Princess...no Queen Eternal Eclipse. And once I get rid of you I will have dealt with the final threat in my way. You my dear magic are in for a bit of a bad time."

What did she mean? "W-What...?"

Eternal Eclipse eyes shined as something popped into existence.

"...n-no..." Twilight whispered as tears filled her eyes. Falling to the ground was the crumpled remnants of the other Elements and weapons.

Fluttershy. Spike. Pinkie Pie. Rarity. Rainbow. Applejack. Naruto.

No...this couldn't be happening.

They couldn't be...gone.

Faust's gift...Faust's gift wouldn't have allowed this to happen.

Twilight called out to the bond. She called to her friends.

But no one answered.

No one came.

"Don't despair! You will be joining them soon!" Eternal charged her eyes filled with malice. Gone was the smugness. Gone was the arrogance and disgust.

Just a sense of superiority and malice. Faster than she could blink a blast erupted from Midnight's horn.

Twilight gasped in shock as it rushed at her, teleporting just milliseconds before she was struck. Reappearing inches from Midnight she fired one of her strongest blasts at point blank range.

She needed to do enough damage to slow down the Alicorn but the blast simply parted harmlessly off her body.

"Wh-what? No."

Eclipse snagged her up like nothing and hurled her to the side of the space with such speed that Twilight casting every slowing charm, cushioning charm and barrier charm she knewwas the only thing keeping her from being turned into paste at the inevitable impact of this strange dimension's ground.

She roughly coughed as she cast a healing spell. Her windpipe had nearly been crushed and neck snapped from the grab and throw.

As Eclipse began charging her fear gripped Twilight as she let out a feeble blast of magic, her frazzled mind causing her to lose focus.

As she drew closer she tried to teleport only to feel.

Pain.

Pain that left her unable to comprehend or speak. The light momentarily left Twilight's eyes and the air from her lungs as Eclipse's fist bypassed her armor and slammed into her chest. Twilight's head whipped back as she was sent flying back, the Nakagami armor crumbling to pieces as she landed on the ground.

Twilight fought with every ounce of her strength to stand. She began hacking up blood and pains were shorting from both of her sides.

'Why...why can't I move?'

Eclipse appeared in front of her. "I waited for this for so long. The day where the Elements of Harmony were going to die." She chortled with mirth. "Oh they fought valiantly your friends. Do you want to hear how they went?" She said as she pointed a finger and began to channel her magic.

"Laughter...well she died rather quickly. Cut in two...she was too dangerous to toy with."

Eclipse showed her the image of Pinkie being cut in two. The blood from her mouth and the shock.

"PIINKIIIIE! N-OOOOO-O-O!" Twilight wailed as she was being bombared by the image of her friend's death.

"Kindness! Oh she loved her little critters. All but one."

Twilight was bombarded by the image of Fluttershy being eaten alive.

Twilight lost her stomach contents at that.

"Generosity so obsessed with her looks. She burned."

"Stop! STTOOP!" Twilight screamed as Rarity's wails of despair filled her psyche.

"Loyalty, I took her heart. The look on her face when it set in."

"No more...please..."

"Honesty...so headstrong...so tough. I caved her head in."

Twilight's head rested on the ground. She was breaking.

She went over and lifted Twilight's head up.

"Empathy...the last thing he saw. The image of his girls as they ran through him with blades." She let Twilight head dropped turned, hoisting her up with her magic.

"And with this final act the Elements are dead."

Midnight fired the beam expanded to a massive array. Pain washed over Twilight as she was blinded by the aura and pain.

It was over. She was dying and could feel herself being erased.

Once she was gone everypony was going to suffer under Eclipse.

She just wasn't strong enough.

But then.

Something happened. Her life was flashing before her eyes.

"With this magic of mind I will save everypony. I will protect the world. I will never allow anything to sever our bonds. For I am Twilight Sparkle. ..The Element of Magic!"

When things were at its darkest. She had never given up hope. And she couldn't now.

She…she couldn't die here. She couldn't let Equestria down. Her friends. Her family. Everypony. If she failed here than the Nightmare would end everything.

Their HOPES and DREAMS were all riding on her.

Something deep within Twilight Sparkle sparked to life.

Her desire to bring Laughter to the world. To be Honest about the feelings in her heart. To be Loyal to all those who had been with her for so long. To generously help those in need. To help bring Kindness to those that had suffer. To express Empathy and strengthen these bonds.

Pure determination flooded her. Her magic exploded and her conscious materialized her body back into existence. Her eyes glowed. Her full power shined through and her armor materialized.

She could not fail…quite simply…

She REFUSED!

Her aura manifested as it began to form a silhouette.

"How? This...what is this power?"Eclipse uttered.

Twilight began to remember her bonds.

As expected the town was far more lively than usual, seeing as everyone was preparing for the Summer Sun Festival. Suddenly somepony had bumped into her, startling Twilight and causing her to drop her list. "I'm sorry," he immediately apologized as he quickly scooped up the checklist the Unicorn was previously holding after a quick glance over Naruto recognized Twilight from the description that Celestia had given her.

"Its okay, no harm done." The Unicorn replied as she was handed back her list.

The stallion took a step back and took notice of her companion. Without a doubt he was a young creature of a reptilian species, most likely a dragon considering his features. "Welcome to Ponyville, my name is Naruto and it's nice to meet you. I haven't seen you around before so am I wrong to assume you're new to town?"

"Indeed I am. My name is Twilight Sparkle and this is my assistant…"

"…the name's Spike." The rather chipper dragon cut in..

"…and we've come supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Festival. I hope I'm not being rude, but we're really busy. I have to find my way to Sweet Apple Acres to check on how the food preparations are going." Twilight didn't mean to brush off the pony, but the sooner this was done the sooner she could look into stopping Nightmare Moon.

"We'll I can help you with that," Naruto eagerly volunteered. "I know most of the places in town and I'd be happy to help." He volunteered. He watched as a look of uncertainty crossed over the Unicorn's face.

"I wouldn't want to impose." The Unicorn kindly responded. While she didn't mind his offer, she really didn't want any distractions while preparing for Nightmare Moon's return. Despite Celestia rebuffing Twilight's warning the Unicorn was not willing to let her findings go.

"It would be no problem at all." He had insisted with a kind smile.

"Come on Twilight what's the harm?" Spike insisted, garnering the Unicorn's attention. "Besides, won't we get things done faster with a guide?"

Twilight realized she couldn't argue with the logic. The sooner they went to the locations and assessed that all the food and items for the festival were ready, the sooner Twilight could go and prepare for Nightmare Moon's return. "Alright Naruto looks like I'll be taking you up on your offer. The first stop on our list is Sweet Apple Acres."

Twilight stepped forward and began to formally introduce herself. She couldn't help but be a bit startled by how noticeably taller and large the other mare was. With the exception of the guards and Celestia it was uncommon for her to see other ponies of this size. Then again Canterlot was a city where the majority of the population compromised of Unicorns so she hadn't met many Earth Ponies or Pegasi to make a comparison. "Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle, and I'm-" she was suddenly cut off in the middle of her introduction.

"Howdy there, name's Applejack, proud member of the Apple family," Applejack introduced herself as she shook Twilight's hand vigorously. "Nice to meet you so, what can I do you for? "

Twilight Sparkle, having finally collected herself she cleared her throat and began speaking to Rainbow. "Excuse me, Rainbow Dash."

"The one and only." The Pegasus proudly boasted with a flap of her wings and a thump to her chest.

"I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear." She let out a sigh having remembered the condition she saw the sky in not too long ago. The unicorn promptly introduced herself. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather for the Summer Sun Festival."

"I'll get it done in a jiffy just as soon as I'm done practicing my newest trick." She said as she began to gently fly back into the air.

"Practicing for what may I pray tell?"

"The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!" The boasting was complemented with a mid-flight somersault while landing on the cloud behind her. Twilight would admit she had a little skill in the flight department.

"The Wonderbolts? The most talented fliers in Equestria," Twilight reaffirmed. She didn't have an interest in such sporting events, but she at least knew of them by reputation. It was nearly impossible not to at least know about them.

"And they're gonna perform at the Festival tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!" Rainbow gushed as her eyes glazed over as she began to daydream about the event.

In response to Rainbow's verbalized declaration Twilight let out a condescending snort. "Please, the Wonderbolts would never never accept a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day." She challenged the Pegasus.

"Hey, I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat." Rainbow proudly boasted as her eyes scrunched up.

With a smirk on her face Twilight decided to challenge her. "Prove it."

With a burst of speed that nearly left Twilight face up Rainbow took off. She zipped through the sky, her hooves obliterating cloud by cloud with ease. Her movements were near untraceable as she quickly sent the little white puffs to nonexistence. With little sounds of exertions and loops Rainbow Dash left the sky empty. "What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat." With a triumph grin and a flap of her wings Rainbow landed on the ground. "I'd never leave Ponyville hanging."

"Good afternoon-" Twilight began, introducing herself before Rarity suddenly yelped in response to seeing Twilight's mane.

"Oh my stars darling, whatever happened to your coiffure?!" Rarity asked in a shocked tone.

"Oh you mean my mane? Well it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!" Twilight countered.

"Out of my hair? What about your coiffure?!" Rarity remarked with a gasp.

Naruto whispered sorry to the Unicorn.

"Do you mind?" Twilight asked, but Rarity didn't hear her. She stepped back into Twilight's personal space, grabbing her face and staring intently at it.

"You have a marvelous complexion, but these patches of dry skin and the condition of your fur suggests you're something of a recluse." She noted.

Twilight grabbed her wrists. "Look, I'm not here for fashion advice. All I want to do is…" Rarity paid no heed to Twilight's words as she stared at Twilight's hands.

"My word, you've never had a manicure in your life, have you? Not to mention the stitching of your clothing is worn out. This sort of condition can have only been caused by frequent use. Nothing that cannot be fixed by moi."

Despite Twilight's protests Rarity began dragging her off, followed by Spike who was wearing a look of infatuation and Naruto with a look of indifference, having grown used to the seamstress antics.

"Don't fight it Twilight! Trust me, its easier to let Rarity do her work." Naruto called out to her. Moments later Twilight found herself being dressed up in a wide assortments of outfits.

"Hello, I hope we aren't interrupting you. I was sent from Canterlot to see how everything is going and the music sounds wonderful." Fluttershy didn't respond. "I'm Twilight Sparkle." She still garnered no response. "What's your name?" Twilight once more prompted her.

"Um... I'm Fluttershy." The Pegasus introduced herself in a tone so meek the other mare couldn't hear.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Twilight asked her once more.

"Um... My name is Fluttershy." Fluttershy said in an even quieter voice that was hardly audible as she shielded away.

"Didn't quite catch that." Twilight prompted once more, becoming dangerously close for the Pegai's liking. Fluttershy then made a squeaking sound as her mane covered one of her eyes.

"Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!" Pinkie Pie rambled on as dragged Twilight further into the building. "And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went", suddenly pausing for yet another deep gasp she rushed on just as quickly afterwards "I must throw this great ultra-mega super-duper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! See? And now you have lots and lots of friends!"

Twilight was overwhelmed by the fact there was easily over two hundred ponies gathered in the library. Refreshments were being enjoyed, ponies were chatting, and it was an all-around fun atmosphere. She soon found herself swamped by the four ponies that were part of the Festival, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy.

"Applejack! What do I do?" A panicked Twilight cried out as she could feel herself slipping. The chocked sob did not escape Applejacks notice did notice as she tried her best to pull Twilight up, but it felt like something was slowly draining her of her strength. What should have been Child splay for someone like Applejack to easily hoist Twilight up was proving a considerable challenge and if something wasn't done soon they were both going to tumble over. She glanced over the side and then realized what needed to be done.

As calmly as she could Applejack told the unicorn two simple words.

'Let go!'

Panicked spread in Twilight's eyes as she gave the other mare an incredulous look as she wondered if she misheard her. The determined look in Applejack's eyes assured Twilight that her hearing was functioning correctly. "Are you crazy?" Twilight cried out as she lost any semblance of her usual composure.

"No ah ain't. Ah promise you'll be safe." Applejack told her earnestly. She could see the Unicorn was filled with doubts and was scared.

"That's not true!" she didn't want to die. She had so much to live for. She couldn't let go. She was too scared. How could this Applejack ask her to let go?

"Now listen here. What ah'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe." Applejack insured her again as warmly as she could. "This ledge won't hold for long. Just trust me ah wouldn't steer you wrong."

"How did you know about the spell?" Twilight asked, in awe of whatever it was Fluttershy had done.

"I didn't at first, not until he got closer and I saw his eyes. Sometimes we all just need to be show some understanding and a little kindness." Fluttershy responded. After hearing this, Twilight smiled.

"Pinkie Pie, what are you doing?! Get away from that thing." Twilight shouted at her.

"There's nothing to be afraid of." Pinkie cheerfully remarked. "When I was a little filly and scared of darkness and shadows my Granny, Granny Pie told me that being afraid and hiding wasn't the way to deal with your fears. You gotta stand up tall and learn to face your fears. You'll see that they can't hurt you and just laugh to make them disappear." She remarked as she continued making faces and laughing.

"Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail..." Twilight softly remark in awe of her fellow Unicorn's sacrifice in the form of her tail. Of everything Twilight had witnessed of the mare she seemed practically obsessed with cleanliness, being proper, and faction. The fact she was willing to sacrifice her tail like that was one of the most generous things Twilight had ever seen.

"Oh its fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back." Despite the brave face the unicorn was putting, it was obvious it took a lot from her to do something like that.

"I appreciate the offer and all, but I had to make the choice of leaving my childhood friend behind to continue this quest. I could never forgive myself if I turned my back on her and made that sacrifice meaningless. So I'm going to have to say no." The Shadowbolts then disappeared. Indeed finding additional rope Rainbow fixed the path allowing Naruto and Rainbow to walk over the gorge as they approached the ruins.

"I'm sorry."

Naruto turned and to his surprise it was Twilight. "What are you apologizing for Twilight?"

"You were right; I should have never doubted our friends. I should have known better…I…" She was caught off guard as Naruto flashed Twilight a warm smile.

"It's okay Twilight. When you're ready to talk about it I'm here to listen. In fact I'm sure the others would be happy to learn more about you as well. We're here for you no matter what. Don't blame yourself for why this happen. The others did what they did out of a sense of pride and they could have chosen to walk away, but like I said earlier I am not excusing Trixie's actions. She is just as responsible and could have handled the situation better, but she maliciously attacked and belittled our friends for her own egocentric reasons. So don't hold yourself responsible for what happened. We wouldn't be good friends to you if we forced you to do something you weren't comfortable with. So when you're ready come to us ok?" he finished as Twilight simply nodded, feeling a great deal of pressure being lifted off her mind.

"Well considering the current temperature and humidity this is the perfect kind of climate to take in some knowledge. "

"What about for the sake of exercise? A healthy body can contribute to a healthy mind after all."

"I do plenty of Calisthenics," she argued only for Naruto to start burst out laughing, "H-Hey? What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to laugh but that's it? I mean I suppose I shouldn't knock it considering with the way you look they seemed to be doing their job." Twilight's expression made Naruto chuckle. "What? Never been complimented before?"

Considering how much of a social loner she was when it came to the concept of friends she definitely had no experience when it came to dating. With the exception of her school uniform the outfits she wore were practical and kept her covered up so she was often dismissed as bookish or unflattering with most her clothing being fit and loose. There was one exception, but Twilight didn't like to think about him.

"N-Not really. Not a compliment that was appropriate or that I care to repeat." She said as she remember some of the rather derogative catcalls she had received during her days at the academy.

"Then those colts were disgusting, you are an amazing mare who doesn't deserve to be treated to such things."

The blush on Twilight's cheeks darkened under the compliment. "T-Thank you," she replied, trying to suppress that weird fluttering feeling in her stomach.

"My my Twilight, such a nice figure have you ever thought about modeling?"

Twilight scoffed at that. "Like I would waste my time parading around like some peacock. There is no scholarly advantage in such a thing."

Naruto couldn't help but take notice there was some scorn in her voice a pretty good indication that she might not have the best experience with mares that were either models or into modeling.

"What about your cutie mark?" It looked like Twilight was going to have a coronary. "Twi, you don't have too…" He noticed she was starting to look uncomfortable and didn't want to force her to do something she didn't want to.

"It's fine, we have to complete the interview." She said as she lifted her shirt to reveal the Cutie Mark that was on her hip. After that she let her shirt fell down. "I…I think this interview went pretty well. I, I think I remember I have something I else to do." She suggested and Naruto decided to be merciful and agreed that the interview was through.

"That is…that is a lot to take in." Her eyes focused on the cup of coffee sat right in front of her. During the course of the discussion the two had moved to the kitchen, enjoying cups of coffee as Naruto talked about his past. "…but when you think about it I can see it now. I can see why Princess Celestia trusts you now. You know what its like to be a leader and to act with your subjects' best interests in heart. It also explains why you're so wise. Living as long as you have it only makes sense that you would gain years of experience."

Naruto's eyebrow quirked up in amusement at her statement. "Hey, you make me sound old. "

Twilight's face morphed into one of horror. "I-I'm sorry it was not my intention to suggest…" She began stammering and hastily apologizing only for Naruto burst out laughing.

"Kidding…kidding." He replied with a grin as Twilight's flustered face morphed into one of an annoyed mare. Her brunched up nose and narrowed eyes gave her an angry cute expression.

"Jerk…" she playfully uttered as a smile threatened to tag at her lips.

"At least you didn't ask how old I was." He furthered teased before changing the topic of discussion. "Now, you said you wanted to know about chakra right?"

Twilight's eyes lit up. "Wait right there." Moments later Twilight returned with a notepad as thick as a dictionary with a set of writing quills and a jar of ink about the size of his head. "Okay I'm ready."

Twilight spoke up, "Now Applejack; I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help any pony in need. So maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you."

During the Unicorn's little speech, Applejack gazed off into the seemingly endless throng of apple trees. After what she had put herself through over the past week, she wasn't willing to try it a second time, "Okay, Twilight."

Having been expecting another refusal, Twilight continued, "I am not taking no for an answer." Then what had been said clicked immediately, "What?"

Lying there on the ground pitifully, Applejack begged, "Yes, Twilight." She brought her front hooves together as if in prayer, "Yes, please: Ah could really use your help."

Naruto chuckled softly to himself. "Well you heard her. I think the others won't mind helping either, if only to help prevent another appearance of delirious AJ."

As Naruto made his way to what he called the "interview room" that sense of dread only grew stronger. Upon entering the room he now realized he had indeed been set up.

Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were all there. All of them looking rather devious… well except Fluttershy.

"Nope!" He turned and attempted to walk out only to run into a wall of magic courtesy of Twilight.

"Naruto, glad you could join us. Take a seat." Twilight said as Naruto simply sighed and took a seat.

"Miss Sparkle ~ has it going on." Naruto sang as Twilight's cheeks darkened. He then reached out and cupped her hand. "Well, since my plan A was a bust how about my plan B?"

A backup date plan? Twilight perked up at this. "You know, I admire a stallion that always has a backup ready." To Twilight's utter delight Naruto's backup plan was star gazing. She loved the stars. She loved the constellations. She loved charting the movement of stars. The only disappointing part was that Twilight did not have her notes to chart tonight's movement.

Twilight's breath caught at the feel of his coat against hers. It was rather chilly so he brought a blanket over the two of them.

"Oh! I should show you Sirius. It makes up the head of Canis Major, the Great Dog." She wished they were using her telescope she knew just how to adjust it to find everything.

She let out a gasp when Naruto wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. She could help the fluttering sensation in her stomach. Even with all the reading she did romance was still far from her expertise. She was going to need to go to someone who knew more about it than her. She slowly found herself growing comfortable as thoughts of protocols left her mind.

No books. No studies. No projects. Twilight's mind was calm. She was not using the logical part of her brain. All she did was stare at Luna's masterpiece. It was a serene feeling. Nothing could ruin this moment. Lying there under a blanket, feeling the warmth from the stallion left to her left.

This was a stark contrast with anything she would have expected.

The last few months of Twilight's life had been filled with emotions, stress and worry. It was nice to relax for the first time in such a long time. In this very moment, she forgot everything but the calmness. It was a wonderful night. The last time she had felt this good was when she had realized how wonderful friends she had.

Her legs buckled and she didn't feel pain. She was numbed and she felt her body slumped to the side. Not moving, she continued blinking, but her blinks were becoming slower and slower. Her vision was getting hazy and she furrowed her brows lightly.

What was that? Was there somepony else here? For a moment, she felt fear hitting her. Blinking slowly, she tried to focus her eyes. She could hear the sound of something. She tried to sit up, but a limb rested against her side.

"It's ok Twilight. I'm here."

She tried to speak, but no words would leave her lips. What was he doing? How did he find her? How did he know to come? "Naruto," she breathed out softly feeling her chest fill with pain.

"I won't let anything happen to you." His voice was so soothing and his coat was farm. Twilight then passed out, her emotions and her injuries being too much to handle in her current state.

"Sorry if this night isn't everything you wanted it to be."

Twilight looked up at the blond. "No, I, you were right but I guess I convinced myself otherwise."

"There's one thing we can do to elevate the evening."

"And what's that?" She asked, tilted her head slightly, genuinely curious.

"We can dance."

"I…I don't know." Twilight wasn't sure if she could dance in front of other ponies anymore.

"Just stay close to me." He said as he grabbed her hand. They made their way to the dance hall and saw a scene of complete chaos.

Every single memory they shared went through Twilight's mind. Together. They had saved the others together and now they were trying to save her. The tears flowed freely as the fragment of Twilight's Element began to float. Twilight's crown materialized on her head as her eyes and voice radiated power. It was time.

Discord's spell had been broken.

Twilight Sparkle was back.

"With this magic of mind I will save everypony. I will protect the world. I will never allow anything to sever our bonds. For I am Twilight Sparkle…The Element of Magic!" Power erupted from Twilight as it pierced the sky. The element of Magic restored itself as it took its rightful place in her head piece.

With that her armor began to form.

"I don't know Rarity. A Mane tail. It just seems so weird...so not me." Twilight responded as Rarity showed the image of the hair style in the mirror.

"Do not fret dearest Twilight. I will not stop until I find you a suitable style for your date." The fashionista assured her.

"And that is why Daring would never have any adventures based in a frosty wasteland." Twilight finished debating her reason to Rainbow why Daring would never have any scenes where she fought abominable snowponies.

"Uugh, you and your science and logic. You have to admit it would have been cool." Rainbow pointed out with a pout.

"I do admit it would have been interesting to see how the author would have written out the scene."

" This is just so good Fluttershy." Twilight knew she shouldn't be eating so much pie, but it was so goooood.

"Thank you Twilight. I can give you the recipe if you wish." The two of them were enjoying a pleasant afternoon together.

"Would you? I'd be forever thankful." She had to convince Spike to make this lovely treat at least once a month since she was forbidden from cooking after...the incident.

"No way...you are messing with me." Twilight insisted as Applejack was wearing a coy smile.

"Nah, ah'm the element of Honesty. Ya have to believe me."

Twilight wanted to call Applejack on it, but she was the one pony uniquely fit to have just about anything she said be believed. There was no way the library used to be haunted.

Twilight had no words. She watched as Pinkie balanced a cupcake on her nose while hopping, alternating between her left and right hooves while kicking a ball between the two hooves with whichever one wasn't on the ground.

Pinkie...Pinkie was just Pinkie.

Naruto and Twilight walked hand and hand up to their spot. The stars were high in the sky and the moon shined down upon them. It was another lovely night. Naruto cradled her cheek as they both moved forward and they kissed.

They were all outside on a night sunny day and had decided to take a picture to remember the outing.

"Hurry! Hurry up!" Pinkie squealed as everyone rushed to get in place for the picture. Naruto and Twilight were in the middle. Rarity's head resting on Naruto's shoulder as Rainbow and Pinkie were behind them with Fluttershy sitting in the front do to her height with Spike trying to strike a pose that came off more comical than anything.

Twilight opened her eyes. She felt it. It was faint, but it was there. Her friends were alive if barely. Their essence was still alive...she could still save them.

Her aura stabilized as it formed the form of an Alicorn around her. "Their Hopes...give me the power to fight on." Twilight popped in front of Eclipse faster than she could react and fired a point blank magical stream.

'Show her what you can do Twilight!'

Eclipse was shot back with a scream. She had felt pain. But that shouldn't have been possible. She was an ascended being. How could a mere Unicorn hurt her?

"Don't get cocky! This is your end Sparkle!" She began firing a series of magical orbs to which Twilight weaved around with ease.

She snarled and shot lightning at Twilight who manifested a cloud to absorb it and sent it back at Eclipse two fold causing her to hiss in pain.

Determination surged through the mare. "Their Dreams...are the reason I'm here now." Twilight began sprinting forward with her arms ready.

'We're here for you! Always!'

Eclipse hiss and began firing rapid bolts to which Twilight began to weave around with ease. Eclipse eyes widened in shock and uncertainty as the image of Naruto overlapped with Twilight. She fired a blast as Twilight teleported away.

Twilight appeared behind her. Eclipse turned, an explosive spell was charged as Twilight launched a punch, the image of Applejack overlapping her.

The fist connected sending Eclipse flying and causing damage to her cheek.

"I WILL NOT LOSE TO YOU! NOT AGAIN! NOT AGGAAAIIN!" She roared as dark magical exploded from her giving birth to two new shapes. Rising from the shadows were copies of Nightmare Moon and Radiance.

The two charged with their horns blazing as they began firing at Twilight. The image of Pinkie overlapped Twilight as she began spinning in the air. Punches, kickes, and elbow strikes were being mixed in with magical blasts as she managed to twist and maneuver around every punch and strike being sent her way.

Twisting around Radiance she fired a bolt in Nightmare Moon's face before spinning and parrying a punch from Radiance and blasting her away with a concussive blast.

"Their Hopes...mean everything to me!" She jumped back as the skyscape of the abyss was littered with vibrant stars that began to rain down and explode sending out shockwaves of energy.

"I will keep fighting you for however long it takes to save them."

Nightmare Moon began sending out tendrils of dark energy that violently lashed at Twilight as Radiance summoned a hailstorm of gems.

An image of Rainbow appeared behind Twilight as she outsped the attacks and fired waves of magical energy that incinerated the hailstorm.

The image flickered to Rarity as Twilight fired crescent beam slashes that severed the tendrils.

"But I do it for more than just them."

All three Alicorns moved at tandem and fired beams of magical energy at Twilight. The image of Fluttershy appeared behind her as Twilight created a barrier stopping the combined attacks.

"Its more than just them. The Hopes and Dreams of this world. I won't let you take it from them. I will save this world!"

Twilight found herself being bombarded by attacks from every angle. Eclipse had released every pretense of control and began pelting Twilight with everything she had.

Twilight held on and fought back, but she was starting to struggle.

"Save the world? Do not make me laugh! You can't even save yourself!" Eclipse summoned the armors of the fallen dark elements who charged Twilight. Twilight erected a barrier as the armors began attacking the barrier. Eclipse in tandem with Nightmare Moon and Radiance began firing beams at the barrier and Twilight was barely holding on.

She continued to struggle. This was too much for her alone.

But with what power she had. She could...

Save them...

'Helping others is just who I am. Its what I do.'

'Fluttershy help me!'

The fragments of Kindness came together. A stronger barrier erected itself around Twilight's. Fluttershy appeared next to Twilight.

"Fluttershy..." Happiness found it way into Twilight's heart.

"I have your back Twilight."

Grabbing Fluttershy's hand they teleported away. The Blackwing armor and Nightmare Moon shot towards them at incredible speed.

'Rainbow lend us your strength!"'

Loyalty restored itself. Rainbow popped back into existence using her wings to block the attacks and blasted them away with a mighty burst of wind.

"Back in action!" She gave with a cheer.

Radiance conjured a massive gemstone and hurled it at them.

'Applejack protect your family!'

Honesty repaired itself. Applejack appeared and with one mighty strike shattered the mountain sized gemstone.

"Ah always protect mah family."

"MAAGGICC!" The more the fight continued on the more maniac and crazed Eclipse got. Her fury devolving her into a manic animal. "Kill her! KILL HER! KILLLL HEEER!" With a wave of her arm she sent a series of misshapen dark creatures.

'Rarity your herd needs you!'

Generosity repaired itself as Rarity came back like the others. With a whip of her rapier the gemstone piece flew off and multipled into thousands of pieces raining down and shredding the creatures.

'With you all by my side I'll never stop fighting."

"Not again! I can't lose to the likes of you again!" Eclipse teleported at Twilight going in for the kill.

'Pinkie we know you'll never let your friends down!'

Laughter healed itself. Pinkie appeared and with a bolt of chaos caused a rip to appear swallowing of Eclipse's attack.

'You've overstayed your welcome Nightmare.'

Twilight began to focus. She hoped for a chance to bring this all to an end. Her dream was to be able to live peacefully with everyone.

'Naruto we need you! Come back to us!'

Empathy restored itself. Naruto appeared and the shockwave of power blasted Eclipse back.

"Its time to bring this Nightmare to an end so the world can wake up begin forgetting about you." The aura of harmony washed over them.

The seven warriors of Harmony stood together. Their aura flared together as they readied themselves.

Eclipse sent her shadow warriors at them. The harmony warriors charged forward. The shadow armors began their attack firing their attacks, but it had proved useless. Applejack launched a mighty bucking kick shattering despair.

Avarice launched its blades at them to which Fluttershy blew back with her barrier. Pinkie leaped up and aimed her party canon firing and shattering the armor.

Cruelty and Selfishness charged, but was caught off guard when Rainbow used her wings to slash them both in half following by being incinerated by Twilight's attack.

Apathy and Treachery were quickly ran through with Naruto's rasenregans causing them both to explode into dust.

Radiance charged horn casting spells which were expertly cut through by Rarity. With one perfect charge she ran the blade through her evil copy causing it to dissipate.

They turned their attention to Nightmare Moon who was readying a last ditch attack.

Twilight's eyes teemed with power as she charged a beam of her own.

The Alicorn and Unicorn both fired their beams, but despite the shadow's effort it was overwhelmed and evaporated by Twilight's beam.

The area, the space began to destablize. The group turned its attention towards Eclipse. She began to chuckle. Then chortle. Following by laughing before full blown cackling. She began forming a ball of energy from her horn.

And it grew.

The size of a canonball.

The size of a full grown pony.

Then a house.

It continued to grow and grow soon it grew to ridicules proportions as it was growing to the size of a mountain.

"Even if it kills me! I'll...I'll see to it that you're dead. I won't go back...I won't go back to that...nothingness!"

The seven auras of Harmony erupted out of the barriers and combined into the Rainbow of Light.

Eclipse fired her attack as the Rainbow of Light impacted the blast. The magical backlash erupted everything and everypony was caught up in the bright light and then nothingness.

"Where...where am I...?" Twilight began to look around and saw she was once more in nothingness.

But this felt different.

She called out to her friends, but nopony answered. She began looking around until she saw something move.

It was...darkness...a formless mass.

That was when Twilight saw...the mass go through a tear. Twilight followed and the mass seemed to be in another dimension of what it once was.

The mass watched as a frightened griffin child was being hunted by dragons.

'Do not be afraid little one.' the mass spoke as it shot forward and disrupted the images of the dragons. A dark impulse of energy occurred when that happened, going into the mass.

Twilight watched as this happen. Again.

And again. And again. This lonely and shapeless mass.

Just alone. Only able to interact and experience the outside world through dreams. But even then nothing could converse with it no matter how hard it tried.

The only thing it could do was feed off dream energy. But when it fed off positive dream energy it would hurt others. And those others would stop the dreams.

It was attracted to the dream with those who had strong mental powers. So it instead fed off the negative energies. So they kept coming back and eventually it had began to feel.

It began to experience emotions. It gain some understanding of day and night cycles realizing the energy came at night.

It grew to understand the difference of species. And with that it focused on the ponies. Ponies were a bit more sensitive than the other species.

They provided much energy. As it experienced these dreams it learned a concept of identity.

It named itself after the species it favored.

Hence the name...Nightmare...was born. And as it continued it slowly began developing things like emotions. But since it remembered how eating positive energy made the dreamers go away it continued to feed on the negative energy until slowly but surely whatever benevolence that was within this strange being began to disappear.

Twilight tried to comprehend what she had learned. Their greatest enemy...their most persistent foe. A victim of circumstance.

A force that never had any means to learn better. That had...nopony...no one.

'What will you do Twilight Sparkle? Save your greatest enemy and risk your own life or will you simply purify like before? Midnight will not survive the separation and while the Nightmare will be gone for a time but it will not disappear, but the Elements will always be around to stop it. What is your choice?'

'Banish the Darkness'

Or

'Save Eclipse'

When their attacks receded a heavily injured Eclipse laid on the ground. She was on her last legs after the result of the attacks clashing.

Twilight's feelings washed over the other bearers. Momentarily they were confused but the strength of Twilight's feelings and determination filled them with conviction and they trusted her.

"Eclipse...its time to say goodbye. Its time for the Nightmare to be no more!" Twilight strongly yet softly said.

'No…I won't let you…you can't take her from me.' Midnight's voice left the lips of the Alicorn as she fired a series of rapid bolts at the now approaching warriors. Twilight held out her hand as the blasts parted ways around them.

Tears began to fill the Alicorn's eyes.

"She's all I have. She's my everything. She's the only one whose been there for me. I'll destroy the world before you take her."

Midnight once again fire more blasts only this time they were feeble and less in number.

"Stay away! Stop it! That's enoooooough!" Her blasts were now wildly off target as she could feel her body began to break down.

'I expect you do everything I command of you child.'

'As I thought you have shown progress.'

'Midnight I do admit your presence is a...welcome change to my usual routine.'

'You're a very funny child Midnight.'

'Excellent I expected no less from my loyal servant.'

'Midnight I am pleased with your progress.'

'Midnight my most loyal and faithful servant.'

'The rest are fools just currying favor. You're the only one I can count on Midnight.'

'Midnight I shall never leave you.'

The Alicorn was in full on despair as she fired a massive beam of energy with everything she had.

The warriors of harmony braced themselves as their auras flickered to life, but the attack did not hurt them. They pressed forward through the Alicorn's devastating attack as it finally fizzled out. The Rainbow of Light shot into the air and circled around the alicorn rapidly.

Eclipse fearfully looked at the swirling colors that represented her end. The seven colors pierced through her and washed through her. Eternal Eclipse was no more.

'Midnight...goodbye..." The Nightmare's faint whispered as the Nightmare at last ended. The bright light of the Rainbow of Light pierced through the dimension and washed over everything.

Naruto got up and slowly began to stir. He looked around and noticed they were outside and near Canterlot.

"Is it...is it over?" Fluttershy faintly whispered.

"Yeah...we won..." he said as Rainbow let out a whoop and soared into the air.

"Hay yeah we did! We kicked major ass!"

"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity was about to admonish before she died and allow a smile. "I suppose it is true that we once again succeeded, but...that was close...far too close."

"No more Nightmares right?" Pinkie asked, hopeful.

"I don't think Nightmares themselves are gone, but 'The' nightmare, I don't think that's coming back.' Naruto assured her.

"Man, ah'll tell y'all one thing after somethin' like that ah'm even willing to go on one of Rarity's spa days." For Applejack who hated fru fru things that was saying something.

"Twilight?" He called out to the mare who noticed was quiet and they realized why. She was looking off to something to the side.

It was...it was Midnight. The others, alarmed got into fighting stances.

"Stand down!" Twilight confidently and gently urged them.

Surprised by the strength in her tone the others complied. Twilight conjured a blanket as upon getting a closer look the form of Midnight was no longer a grown mare, but awkward form of a young teenage filly.

Midnight was trembling with tears. She was in an utterly pitiful state. She flinched when Twilight approached her.

"I won't hurt you." Twilight said as she wrapped the magic around Midnight.

"Why? Why are you being nice to me? I'm...I'm a monster. I hurt so many ponies. I did so many horrible things. I turned my back on the princesses. I hurt your friends. So why? When you know I'm such a threat?"

"One, as you are now I highly doubt you're a threat." Twilight said as she used part of the blanket to wipe away Midnight's tears. "Two...I know what it's like to almost go the wrong way, but you were alone. The pain and betrayal you felt let you to make the wrong choice and the Nightmare fed on that. You were just a child and even after all this you still have good in your heart. You have the ability to love. Nopony evil could truly love and care for others."

"Well spoken my student."

They all turned to see the form of the three Princesses.

"Princess..." Twilight uttered as Celestia and Luna walked forward. "W-Wait...what are you..."

"I've waited a long time to do this." Celestia said as Midnight closed her eyes and waited for whatever retribution Celestia was about to unleash upon her.

"I...apologize for hurting you so..."

Midnight's eyes popped open as she gaped up at Celestia. "W-What."

"So much of this could have been avoided if I had been completely honest with you from the getgo. What I did back then to you was horrible...I was..." I was testing you along with so many others for the potential bearers. "I will not make any excuses. There was no excuse for what I did back then."

"Princess, thank you and I'm so sorry. I just...I just wanted somepony to be proud of me. That would love me and not treat me like...like I didn't matter." She was startled and gazed up at Luna who wore an understanding smile.

"Midnight...you are worthy of love. Even if I was not directly in control of myself I remember your talent back when I was still possessed. If you will allow it I wish to take you on as my protege. While we can not simply dismiss all that you done we can see to it that your power can at least be put to making amends and a better future."

Midnight nodded and beam. "I-I'd be honored Princess Luna." Never had Midnight's mind felt so clear. All the rage. The disgust. The pain. The negative emotions bogging her down had cleared up.

Suddenly a rip appeared and everypony was on guard. Out of the rip tumbled another form, collapsing to the ground before it closed up.

A canopy of gasps erupted from the group as they took in the form.

This filly was young, probably no older than seven or eight.

She had a regal black fur and possessed a long, rich purple mane with pegasus wings but a unicorn horn with same grove as Midnight. With both wings and horn along with her tall form the child was obviously an alicorn.

Yet, it was the filly's eyes that put them on edge. The turquoise orbs, were dagger-shaped pupils. The whites of her eyes were also off. Instead of white, they were a lighter color that closely resembled the color of the irises..

Nightmare.

"N-Nightmare?" Midnight softly called out to her, but was shielded behind Luna's wing.

The alicorn filly looked at the group. She let out a cry and tumbled back. Fear. Fear was in her eyes.

In a pop Luna was in front of the filly an intense look in her eyes. Celestia's mighty wing blocked the path before the others could make a move to do anything else. A look of dread and apprehension filled her face.

"Nightmare...you have caused so much harm. You stole the bodies and wills of others. Lied, cheated, stole, and murdered. Killing you here and now would be doing us all a favor."

The filly looked up at her as if shocked by the accusations. Luna's horn began to glow.

"Princess Luna! Don't! Please! I know Nightmare has done horrible things, but you can't kill her or everything would have been for nothing. You once told me you had faith in me. In us! So believe in us now! Believe my friends and I did for her what we did for you not so long ago!" Twilight urged her.

Luna for a few brief seconds looked back at Twilight and back at Nightmare as feelings of rage and sorrow filled Luna.

And she fired her spell with a mighty roar.

Nightmare tensed for pain that never came. She opened her eyes to see Luna's horn pointed to the sky.

"The Elements and bearers saw fit to save you. Do not make me regret this decision because if you hurt them there will be no force in this world or the next that will stop me from coming after you." Luna found it easier to forgive Midnight than she could the Nightmare, how could a child fight against the pull of Nightmare when she herself could not?

But she will be keeping an eye on Nightmare until further notice.

Twilight teleported past her mentor and conjured a blanket. "You do not have to be afraid anymore. You...you only did what you did to survive. You had nopony to tell you wrong from right nor did you know that the negative energy would have done what it did."

"But I am a monster. S-She said I did all those horrible things, but I can't...all I see is flashes and ponies crying. I...I did bad things I can feel it in my gut." the filly began sniffling. "B-But I remember having nopony where I came from. I'm all alone in this world...w-with...n-no pony to care about meee." The Alicorn filly was on the verge of tears.

"You're not alone." Twilight placed her hands on the alicorn's shoulder. "Because...because I'll be there for you." she said as the filly looked up to her in shock. Twilight turned to the princesses and gulped.

"Princess Celestia! Princess Luna! I...I'm going to adopt this filly and I hope I have your support."

Luna looked rather affronted. Especially since it was a statement and lacked permission. Luna was in no way going to support...it...living or being near her dearest friends and lover. Before she could speak Celestia cut her off.

"That is a big responsibility Twilight. Are you're sure you're up to this?" Celestia also had some reservations about this. A child was a big responsibility. Especially an alicorn and Twilight did not have experience in that field.

"I have to Princess. Magic...it spoke to me. This all happened for a reason and I am going to see it through." she responded firmly.

"You won't be alone." Twilight turned to Naruto in surprise.

"W-What?"

"Children can be a hand full." Naruto turned to the princesses. "Twilight's right. You can't keep doing the same thing over and over again hoping to change things. This is how you break cycle and bring peace. We'll...we'll take care of her."

"With help of course." Rarity added as she joined them.

"I guess I should get started on that welcome to our family party." Pinkie grinned.

"Kid's going to need a flying instructor."

"Good family values."

"How could anypony not want to help her?"

The others all went and joined Twilight's side. "All of you...thank you!"

Cadance walked over and pulled Twilight into an affectionate hug. "I'm so proud of you Twilight. You've grown so much." She finally spoke. When it came to the Nightmare her experience was limited, but understanding Twilight was a whole other matter.

"Let's get back to the castle!"

The royal wedding was back on. After what happened the citizens needed something positive to focus on. It would take a few weeks before Canterlot would be back to its former glory if not better than ever.

Everything was cobbled together the best it could be in a matter of hours. Cadance insisted that they have the wedding today. She didn't care for the decorations, or cake, or any of that. She was with her beloved, her friends, and family. And that was all that mattered.

Everypony was lined up at the wedding was on the way.

Fluttershy began waving her wand, beginning to direct the birds. They sang the Bridal Chorus, causing for the crowd to look over to the door. The two royal guards by it opened it, revealing Applebloom, Scootaloo, Dinky and Sweetie Belle. Then, Cadence began walking in after them. Several birds lifted the end of her dress as she headed towards the front.

"Seriously, though." Twilight bumped her shoulder playfully on Shining Armor. "I get why a changeling queen may have been after you, but how did you get someone as amazing as Cadence to marry you?" She joked.

"I told her she wouldn't just be gaining a husband; she'd be getting a pretty great sister, too." He answered, causing Twilight to return a warm smile.

Cadence now walked up the steps to meet Shining Armor. They both looked at each other and then at Princess Celestia.

"Mares and gentlecolts," She began, grabbing their attention towards her. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of the real Princess Mi Amore Cadenza..."

"Princess Cadence is fine." Cadence responded.

"Hm." Princess Celestia smiled warmly and continued. "The union of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. The strength of their commitment is clear. The power of their love, undeniable."

The ceremony continued on for some time until, "May we have the rings please?"

The one who carried the rings had been known other than Spike. His surprise arrival had made the couple ecstatic as they had fond member of the youth so of course he was incorporated into the wedding.

The Princess lifted the twin sets of rings with her magic and gently began placing them on each of their horns and fingers. "I now pronounce you mare and stallion." The wedding halls were immediately filled with joyful cheers. Cadence and Shining Armor walked out to the balcony to meet the huge crowd that was outside as well, cheering loudly for them. They both waved happily out to them.

Princess Celestia turned to the bearers. "As always I am honored and proud to call you my subjects. And you have proven yourselves. As such I wish for you all to hang onto your Elements. You are all strong. Strong enough to look after yourselves and others. I wish you all well in your efforts and future."

Suddenly, Princess Celestia lifted a wing around Rainbow Dash and whispered to her. "Rainbow Dash, that's your cue!"

Rainbow widened her eyes and then narrowed them in determination, spreading out her wings. She quickly flew out towards the balcony, ditching her dress behind which had been modified to be lose enough to conceal the flight suit she had underneath. She rose into the air at an incredible height and then quickly dove downwards. She increased her speed greatly until she performed the sonic rainboom in front of them, sending a bright colored rainbow behind her.

The party soon went out to the dance hall area. It was time to kick things up a notch. Pinkie of course found herself to the DJ machine.

"Let's get this party started!" A loud beat began playing as she threw a microphone to Twilight, who caught it with her magic and began singing.

"Love is in bloom

A beautiful bride, a handsome groom," She presented Shining Armor and Cadence.

"Two hearts, becoming one"

"A bond, that cannot be undone, because

Love is in bloom

A beautiful bride, a handsome groom

I said, love is in bloom

Starting a life and making room

For us (For us, For us...)"

As she sang, everypony was having a great time. Shining Armor and Cadence were dancing so happily and joyously. Pinkie was on the floor, munching on a huge piece of cake. Applejack was playing a violin with her relatives. Spike was dancing with Sweetie Belle. Rainbow Dash was talking with one of the members of the Wonderbolts. Rarity and Naruto were on the dance floor as well.

Luna was with Midnight encouraging the child to dance. Ditzy was being dragged onto the dance floor by the other crusaders.

Gryff was chatting up Twinkleshine who was taken by his charm.

Zecora was talking with one of the royals who seemed to be admiring her...ahem...talents.

The only one alone was...the alicorn filly jolt slightly when a comforting hand was placed on her shoulder. She looked up to see Twilight gazing down upon her. "Are you...are you going to be okay?"

"I...I guess...this is...weird. There's just so much I don't understand and everypony...everypony either ignores me or is afraid of me." She didn't understand the whole thing Naruto mentioned about a genjutsu. All she understood that no one noticed her eyes, horn, or wings.

"It'll take some time Nyx before everypony can adjust to the situation. I promise it'll all work out?"

"Nyx?" the now dubbed filly looked up at her in surprise.

"Well, I can't go around calling you Nightmare can I? Not an appropriate name for a filly." she said as Nyx began to contemplate her name.

She...she liked it.

Later the party began to wind down as Cadence and Shining Armor made way to their carriage.

"Twilight! None of this would've been possible without you and your friends. Thanks for everything...love ya, Twily."

"Love you too, B.B.B.F.F." Twilight responded warmly.

They both exchanged a warm hug.

"Ready to go?" Shining asked his wife.

"Just one thing..." she said before pulling Twilight into a hug. "Take care Twilight. Don't make us wait too long before we get an invite to your wedding." she said with a grin.

Twilight's face heated up as she sent a glance in Naruto's direction. "We'll see...I'll make sure the invite arrives there with at least more than two weeks before the set day. No promises." she joked. Cadance was about to close the door when she remembered.

"Oh! Almost forgot." She stretched her arm and threw the bouquet of flowers.

The flowers were heading to a group of girls, all reaching expectantly for it. What they did not expect was for a unicorn to shoot ten feet up into the air and snatch it before landing daintily on her hooves. Rarity let out an embarrassed giggle. She might have overdone it a bit.

Naruto began making his way back from the buffet table after getting a drink of punch.

"Captain Naruto! I have to say this wedding was more exciting than any Changeling courtship." Chrysalis remarked. "I am afraid I will have to convene peace talks with the Princesses later. I have catching up to do with my daughter." she said sending a look towards her daughter who was coyly talking to a flustered Nighwing.

"Well Queen Chrysalis I was hap..." Naruto was caught off guard as the next thing he knew Chrysalis lips were on his. It lasted a few seconds before she pulled back. He simply dumbly blinked at what happened.

"You have an exquisite taste. I suppose if I really wished to see the true depths of your popularity I would need to see your bedroom performance." Chrysalis gave a half hearted shrug as if uncaring about what she just did. "This is goodbye. Enjoy your life captain." She said as she called her daughter and was led away by an entourage of royal guards seeing as her personal guard had been killed in the invasion.

Naruto let out a chuckle as a familiar warmth filled his presence. He turned to see Celestia had changed into a magnificent red dress. She looked so beautiful and radiant."May I have this dance?" she simply asked to which Naruto nodded. The two of them went to the dance floor and began enjoying each other's company.

Harmony had won. At long last the Nightmare was over and peace was established. It would take some time before everything was back to normal, but for all they had gone through it was worth it.