CHAPTER 7: UNDERSTANDING

The shade of Cheerilee soon dissipated, leaving no trace that it was ever there before.

Eve believed however, she were simply seeing things, it wouldn't be surprising to her these days.

She stood before Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash with a blank stare to say the least. With her one arm at her side, she spoke in a simple, straightforward tone, in which she'd hoped they would understand almost instantly. "Twilight Sparkle, are you ready?" She lowered her head and continued, "This is all that's left, one final step." Eve raised her claw, before a candy cane appeared in her grasp, as she looked upon the two ponies with a sudden look of anticipation. Her eyes were wide with certainty of the future to come. "But I suggest you hurry."

Twilight winced at the draconequus as she'd casted a spell of her own in order to manifest transparent purple weapons at her side. They were her guardians, and she knew these spells well. Although she'd only planned to use them for self-defense, this was a moment long coming, an exception to say the least. "Looks like you're leaving me no choice again Eve." Twilight Sparkle's eyes saddened as she sighed, before closing them almost like a disappointed parent. Eve could be no more than six, yet how much her state of mind worsened was beyond disturbing. To think one so young could become so dangerous was at a time unthinkable. Twilight looked upon the draconequus with a hint of hesitation in her eyes, it seemed Eve finally accepted that her lies wouldn't get her anywhere, but instead would choose to die rather than surrender. "So, is this your last resort? Even in the end you've refused what I've been attempting to give you." Twilight's eyes were cold and dead set upon her target. "Now if I don't do what I have to, then you'll hurt everypony again." Twilight's pupils dilated. "I must save them before that happens. Isn't that right?"

Eve crouched before the mare, readying herself in a lurking position, almost as if she were planning to pounce upon the two like a wolf on its prey. The air around her began to blur creating a distorted image like steam, as she'd kept her eyes focused on them in silence. Yes, Eve was satisfied with this, and it would also enable Twilight to prove to her the gifts of friendship could overcome anything, even despair. All she'd done was bring harm to others, caused them misfortune, pain, and ruined everything, all she wanted now was to be able to do something that wouldn't bring about horrible things, that would make up for everything she'd stolen from pony society. She truly was the worst kind of individual. She gave herself a reaffirming nod. "Your words are confident, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight knew Eve was planning to strike soon, but she found herself frozen, unable to convince herself to move forward. But it wasn't a problem of conviction, it was a problem of doubt. How could she manage to best the creature that could mold and manipulate the very definition of chaos against her will? Twilight struggled to come up with  a plan she could use, but sadly as the doubt crept further in, she began to feel it yet again, that sense of despair. Until suddenly a slight nudge helped her snap back to her senses, as she'd looked over at Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash flashed her friend an amused smile, a little humored by how worried she was. Rainbow didn't appear troubled at all about the situation, her confidence was practically radiating from her, and it baffled Twilight to say the least, but it was also reassuring. Rainbow spoke with an almost smug tone, she smiled softly before placing a hoof atop Twilight's head, "Twilight! You're not alone in this alright? You'll always have us by your side." She glared at Eve somewhat, but still had some sign of sorrow, pity in her eyes. "No matter what troubles come our way, we'll always be there to help you. That's what loyalty is, a spark of friendship that will give you the confidence to find your way." Rainbow snickered a bit as she placed a hoof upon her own chest. "Hah! Never thought I could sound so poetic did ya!?"

Twilight looked at Rainbow with wide eyes, before giggling a bit and actually turning a faint shade of crimson. "Rainbow...." She fell silent for a moment, before looking back towards Eve, and then placing and grinding her hooves firmly in the dirt below her, ready for the draconequus's assault. "You're right. I guess I shouldn't be surprised hearing that from a fellow Daring Do fan huh?" Twilight was now wearing a smile, ready for whatever Eve was willing to throw at them.

Rainbow actually gasped, feeling offended. "H-Heeey! Those words were original! Hmph!" She closed her eyes before turning her head up towards the upper left. But Rainbow then mimicked Twilight's own expression before she to smirked. "You know Twilight, I never thought princesses were supposed to be on the front lines."

Eve's expression didn't change either. She still looked upon the two in a serious manner, she'd trained herself to stay true to the image she wanted to represent for when this encounter came. But inside she was certainly jealous, spiteful, and she hated it, her own feelings regarding the two mares. She wanted to blame them, to curse them, to destroy them for being able to live as they did. But she also knew that wasn't right, she also knew that it was a simple case of destiny, of them each having their own roles to play. As Twilight Sparkle had been trained and taught to follow the example of friendship and the preservation and representation of harmony, Eve knew she was no more than a creature of chaos.

As of those who're born in nobility, granted the rights to enter schools of prestige and taught the values of life while experiencing the gifts of paradise at their leisure as they matured into dependable, intellectual, moralistic mares and stallions, there were those who were far different. There were those who were born into the depths of hardship, a bottomless pit, all consuming and ultimately maddening. Those who were born into a world of struggling and survival, a world which typically resulted in hatred and spite towards everything else, a world which bred villains. Villains who bred negativity due to the hardship they experienced, villains who wanted no more than to force such hardships on others to give rise to true equality in their eyes. But perhaps they were misinformed, perhaps their idea of a fair world was simply their own selfishness. Eve had only convinced herself of her own selfishness after she'd committed atrocities. She'd denied Princess Celestia out of her own fear, not for the greater good of Equestria.

Eve's eyes saddened before she flicked her claw. She told herself, no more fears. That's the message she tried to tell herself at least, from this point forward until her end, no more fear. She couldn't be scared.

But such things were easier said than done.

With the flick of her claw, came a massive rumbling from beneath the earth as behind her up came a geyser explosion, massive and steaming, and when inspected further seemed to be actually hot chocolate. The sweet brown liquid surged up towards the very skies almost as if it were a titanic being attempting to grasp at the clouds, catching the mares off guard and confused.

Eve enjoyed the idea of giving them an opening surprise, she had to ensure she was the first one to make such a move, she had to begin the assault. To her it was all about presentation.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight remained composed, in place, trying to assess the situation together. But in that moment the long upright stream of chocolate, immediately twisted and turned as if it were actually alive, heading straight down towards them. Twilight's eyes went wide, obviously not expecting to be attacked by hot chocolate of all things. Twilight's eyes closed halfway, because she couldn't help but think about Pinkie Pie in this situation. A thought ran through her mind, Pinkie would be the absolutely perfect pony to have here under these circumstances, Eve probably wouldn't stand a chance humorously. But now wasn't the time to be thinking about what would be fortunate, it was time to act. Twilight looked up towards the coming wave of hot chocolate as she'd immediately stated, "Get closer to me Rainbow!"

Rainbow nodded to her friend before huddling up next to Twilight, as the alicorn cast a spell in that moment, her horn radiating a beautiful violet shade. Suddenly surrounding them would be a barrier, a shield against the coming scorching sugary liquid, which'd engulfed their area whole mere seconds later.

Eve looked upon the scene with a blank stare as she was simply waiting for something to happen.

Then bursting forth from the stream and splashing chocolate would be both mares, unharmed as they'd charged the draconequus side by side. Rainbow however made her way forward much quicker than Twilight.

Eve's eyes widened a bit as she felt a little nostalgic about this scene, it all felt particularly familiar to her. Oh yes that's right, this was a similar retake of what'd happened in the Ruins of Everfree. Eve lowered her head, the time that'd been the pinnacle moment of her life and perhaps her biggest regret in all the choices she'd made. But there was no going back now, there was no point in regretting it now. Well, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow would have to mature if they were planning to use such familiar stratagems. Because if this truly was going to end up being similar to last time, Eve knew what was coming next. She simply snapped her claw, as emerging from the pool of leftover chocolate behind Twilight would come a pack of hard chocolate timber-wolves, which'd growled ferociously in regards to their enemies.

Eve smiled speaking faintly. "When I was younger, before I could fly, I once ran from these puppies before." She paused for a moment before continuing, "What will you do Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight glanced back as she appeared shocked, to little surprise. "What? She shouldn't have the power to be able to create living creatures...." Twilight fell silent for a few seconds before realizing, "Ah, so they're not alive, she's simply manipulating the chocolate passively to give off that impression?...Perhaps, even so, it's far too convincing." The mare immediately turned on her hooves to face the coming timber-wolves as she'd cast another spell to manifest more weapons to aid her as they danced about the air and then surged forward towards the pack of false wolves. The weapons sliced through their hard chocolate coating like butter, with little to no effort, which'd pleased Twilight no doubt.

Twilight began to move about the area, precise accurate movements helped her maneuver through the pack of wolves. She didn't run, she wasn't afraid of such a comedic spell, despite how dangerous these false wolves may have been. Her weapons spun about, flying straight at their enemies and spinning to dismember them piece by piece. Using a manifested mace, Twilight had actually knocked one of the chocolate timber-wolves into the air and pieces to follow. Its fragments descended downward as she caught a piece of  it in her mouth before munching down heartily. "Hmph!"

Rainbow Dash however kept going forward, as with a mighty flap of her wings she shot towards her target with remarkable speed. She was at the draconequus's side in no time, before halting in the air and going about a graceful spin, attempting to give Eve a devastating roundhouse kick.

Eve's cold stare met with Rainbow's eyes and without even the slightest reaction, she'd summoned a barrier of hard candy mixed in with dirt and grime to shield her from that kick. She then flicked her claw which'd sent a sudden lasso of gum at the rainbow maned mare, which'd snatched Rainbow's leg before flinging her into one of the candy cane trees.

Rainbow coughed before slumping down against the tree "OOF!" She then glanced down at her trapped hooves.

Twilight dispatched the rest of the timber wolves with ease however, as she was covered somewhat in chocolate. She'd gritted her teeth before looking back at Rainbow Dash worriedly. "Rainbow?! Are you alright!"

Rainbow leaned up from the candy cane tree as she'd grunted. "Ugh! Y-Yea I'm good!..."

Twilight glanced around making sure there were no more wolves, but her concern was still Rainbow Dash. "Please, be careful Rainbow!"

Rainbow immediately snapped back at her friend in dismay. "Twilight!!.....EVE!"

Twilight snapped back to attention as she'd immediately looked over towards Eve's position to see the draconequus had disappeared from sight. But she wasn't gone, no she was simply now deathly close to Twilight, as the mare couldn't help but notice her now. Twilight met eyes with the enemy she'd wanted to so desperately face, and surprisingly, as she met with those eyes, her heart ran cold. What was with that look? Eve looked no different from a doll, lifeless in every aspect of the word as they looked at one another. Twilight hadn't felt this before, this sense of fear, as a chill ran down her spine in this brief moment. Why did she now suddenly feel a hesitation to react as well?

It was such a long moment coming, it was actually hard for her to recall or fathom the idea of Eve actually attempting to kill her. And deep inside, hadn't Eve always hinted at the idea of 'not' wanting her to die, so what was this? Twilight felt irked, she sounded pathetic and she knew it, no, this is how things were supposed to be! It only made the draconequus's guilt more certain, she was a manipulative liar and full of deceit, and now was only making those eyes simply because this was what she truly wanted, Twilight dead on the floor. But still, if that was the case, why did it feel so wrong?

Eve raised her claw with her candy cane still in her grasp as she swung it upward. She didn't appear afraid, hesitant, concerned, or angry, she lacked any emotion whatsoever. The cold expression she had before was now lacking and basically non-existent, she now appeared no different from a machine attempting to accomplish a final programming goal. Like a puppet moving elegantly along its strings. Her body danced with her cane with deadly grace, and with that first swing, she'd removed strands of Twilight's bangs. Eve kept telling it to herself over and over again in her head, this had to be absolutely perfect, no more hesitation or fear, she could not falter. If she did, then everything would be a waste, no, not even in the heat of a battle with Twilight, friendship would prevail for Twilight, it always would. The possibility of it failing wasn't there, Twilight Sparkle, was not allowed to fail. Eve ran the steps through her head, as she kept both eyes focused on the alicorn. Twilight was still fine, which was good. "Careful,....Princess."

Twilight Sparkle stumbled back, as she'd felt as if by some stroke of luck or perhaps premeditation, she managed to not get hit by that first swing. The mare was now at her wits end, as she was doing all she could to not be harmed by the oncoming blows one after another. By each fraction of a second she had to dodge or move her manifested weapons in such a way that they'd only save her by mere inches, guarding her sides. Twilight winced as she noticed she'd been forced to move backwards due to the draconequus's movements, and she felt as if she were being guided step by step.

Rainbow's heart ached painfully at the sight of Twilight being forced to contest with such a girl. She looked on, still forced into a stationary position from the gum which stuck to her. Rainbow began to tear at it desperately, but like quicksand, her reactions only gave off the opposite effect and made the situation progressively worsen. But she couldn't help it, her emotions were now whirling as she'd desperately wanted to get out, no she needed to. She couldn't watch any longer, as Twilight was constantly forced on the defensive, forced to repel the draconequus's blows.

Rainbow thought back on what she'd seen as they were facing off against Eve earlier. The draconequus was far more capable than this, so why was she opposing Twilight in such a way? And why did she even revert back to such a simplistic form as well? Rainbow didn't like any of it. She snarled fiercely as she started to tremble, only getting more wrapped in the gum. "COME ON!! Why won't it come off!?" She was now practically fully covered in the pink sticky substance as she'd continued to twist and turn fiercely, as if she had an infinite pool of stamina stored.

"Calm down Rainbow Dash!" And suddenly somepony flew past the rainbow mare's position at incredible speed, leaving a trail of flame in her wake as it'd made contact with the gum. Spitfire returned with confidence, but she still wore a expression far from anything playful, as she'd glared at the mare. "You're only making things worse on yourself." As her flame slowly spread about the gum and began to wrap around it, it'd actually loosened up the gum's grasp on Rainbow Dash before sliding off entirely. Spitfire then made her way over to the mare. "You think you're up for continuing?"

Rainbow Dash didn't even react, actually she felt a bit offended by Spitfire's question. "Of course! Now let's go!" Rainbow then immediately burst off into a trot, as she began to flap her wings to pick up the speed.

Spitfire smiled as she closed her eyes and smiled softly to herself in amusement, but also admiration for the aspiring trainee.

Twilight looked exhausted to say the least as her movements started to become more sluggish. Her world started to slow as she felt out of it, and her body started to heat up. Was she really that tired already? She never took her eyes off Eve, who still had those same eyes, uncaring, unmoving, unreadable, simply a lifeless stare. Was she always so relentless? Twilight knew she was older, and should've been more physically capable. So how is it Eve wasn't tired at all? Maybe it had something to do with her magic, that'd make the most sense. As Twilight continued to sidestep Eve and look upon her, many thoughts and memories began to creep into her mind. She recalled Eve once making expressions filled with such emotion, but that was all but absent now, and before she knew it, her thoughts caused her to stumble.

Eve's own eyes widened as she immediately showed a look of reluctance, her first sign of emotion since engaging the mare in this physical bout. Eve immediately retracted her blade in a swift movement, pulling it back some.

Twilight didn't fail to notice this as it'd only left her more confused.

Eve then raised her candy cane again and swung it towards Twilight as immediately appearing beneath the draconequus in a sudden flash would be Rainbow Dash who'd bucked Eve's arm upward, causing a crack to echo. With that shattering crack, Eve's candy cane flew upward as it caused the draconequus to react with a wince of discomfort before smirking softly to herself, and then immediately grabbing hold of Rainbow's head, getting a firm grasp on it before looking into the mare's rosy eyes with a sad expression. "Got you hmhm...." She said faintly as she'd sighed.

And in that moment, Rainbow felt an overwhelming swarm of confusing emotions overcome her.

As Twilight fell to her side, her vision started to blur, before she caught sight of her friend in the grasp of Eve.

Now even Twilight felt as if she'd suddenly been injected with a burst of infinite energy. She was infuriated as she'd looked upon the scene in horror. "GET YOUR HOOVES OFF HER!" Twilight moved with ferocity as her horn's color never faded as she sneered fiercely at the draconequus. With her weapons at her side she charged, and all the blades surged straight towards Eve as the alicorn let off a piercing angered cry.

But for Eve, those reactions were much slower than they appeared to be. No, for the moment she had a time of privacy.

Rainbow even felt as if she were in an entirely different world, as these feelings of enlightenment overcame her. She couldn't make sense of what she was seeing, but it caused her to feel as if her very soul was being massacred, her sense of remorse and guilt only continued to rise. What exactly was she seeing? A world entirely different from the one they lived in, but it was a world built from tragedy. A paradise built from bones? Then in the very next second, Rainbow's world had gone black, as if she'd fallen into a deep permanent sleep. Although that feeling wouldn't last long.

Rainbow awoke in a world of white, as she glanced around for a few seconds before she noticed standing not far in the distance, was the draconequus herself. Rainbow immediately reacted with anger as she'd lowered her frame, preparing to knock the girl's lights out, but restrained herself. "Hey! Where am I!? What is this!?"

Eve glanced over at the mare, before chuckling with a sad smile. "You're in a very private place right now."

Rainbow only looked more puzzled as she continued. "Well...What's the point of bringing me here?!"

Eve blinked a bit before she to appeared a little ignorant on how to answer that question. "I don't know really. I guess, without even realizing it, I just went with what I thought would be best." She lowered her head before closing her eyes with a sigh, then flashing the mare a playful smile. "I guess I'm just a little nervous is all. Maybe I'm trying to make too many decisions at once. I didn't want anypony else to see this but,...I guess I just don't know what's right and wrong anymore. I guess I don't know anything anymore eheh." She turned a bit red, before scratching her cheek.

Rainbow's caution steadily melted away, as she glanced around again before lowering her hind legs, but still looking fairly upset with the draconequus. "Well, how long is this going to last? If you don't recall, I was in the middle of stopping you from hurting Twilight. What're you trying to prove by sticking me in here?" Rainbow stomped a hoof, snapping at her. "No matter what tricks you pull now Eve, it's too late! No more tricks or head games will save you! And if you're planning to trap me in whatever this place is, Twilight and the others will stop you!"

Eve turned to the mare, looking a little surprised again. She then smiled, before that smile became a smirk which'd revealed each of her tiny fangs as she slowly began to chuckle, before laughing heartily. "Eheh...hahahahaha!"

Rainbow raised a brow, a bit offended by the girl's reaction.

Eve didn't even bother to answer the question. "Did you just realize that now?" Eve sat now to, as she wrapped her one arm around her knees before giggling a bit. "I'm more than convinced of the element's capabilities, especially you and Princess Twilight's." Eve's expression saddened, as her frown returned. "I'm sorry for being so stupid, all this time."

Rainbow blinked a bit, before she sighed, feeling a bit reluctant to go into a more heartfelt conversation with this villain, but she scratched the back of her own mane before blushing slightly, and trotting over to Eve. "L-Listen...You've done some pretty bad things...actually..you've done reeeeally bad things, but that doesn't mean it has to end here. You heard me earlier didn't you? You also heard Twilight? Why don't you just stop? If you stop, sure you'll have to face the consequences of your actions, but that's something we all have to do when we make mistakes."

Rainbow placed a hoof on Eve's head before giving her a stubborn glare. "I don't know your reasons, but there's no excuse for hurting others like this, and especially from what I heard in Canterlot. I don't know if I could ever forgive you for hurting my friends either, but you don't deserve to lose your life, that's for sure. You're so young kiddo!" Rainbow forced the draconequus to face her, before pressing her nose up against Eve's and then poking her in her chest, still having that stubborn explanatory look on her face. "Now just surrender! I can talk to Twilight, because surprisingly, as chaotic as you've been, there are a few others who like you." Rainbow paused, "Like Cheerilee...."

Eve cocked her head to the left somewhat still with a gentle smile. "I'm glad we could talk, even if for a little." Eve snapped her claw, as surrounding them would immediately be a stream of scenes, all in the form of a conjugated collage. She smiled back at Rainbow Dash, "Please, take anything you'd like to know. I don't want to stuff you with information but...it's the least I could do. I was thinking of showing Princess Twilight but..." Eve turned a bit red as she scratched her cheek a little, "I don't think she'd like being stuck alone with me for any period of time." Eve glanced back at the ground nervously as she buried her head in her shoulder a bit with a pleased look. "Hmhm, I could even put it in the form of a library if you'd like. When I showed Princess Celestia, I wasn't that good at playing around with this yet so all I could do was overwhelm her with these things. I doubt what I've learned will be of much help but I made sure to study a lot just in case." Eve closed her eyes before pointing upward with a explanatory look.

She began walking back and forth. "L-Listen! I may be gone soon, but that doesn't mean I'm going to just let you guys run and do whatever." Eve puckered her lower lip grumpily for a second. "I understand Twilight's feelings but she can sure be scary at times. But maybe that's just with me, she's strong." She paused, "Oh oh! Also please try to work things out with the changelings, they're not all mean." Eve placed her claw on her chest. "I'll have you know Rainbow Dash, I've learned quite a bit of things about ruling as well." She snapped her claw as suddenly emerging from the desolate white ground of this world would be rows of bookshelves, streams of knowledge the draconequus had collected. "Twilight has proven more than enough to me, so this would be the perfect time for you Rainbow Dash. Now, all we must do is-"

Rainbow interrupted, as the mare was more focused on the scenes around her. Eve couldn't see her expression but based on Rainbow's tone she was fairly upset with what she was seeing. She simply looked up, at this vast space filled with such vivid scenes, and the mare's voice trembled somewhat. "Shutup...."

When she took the time to actually observe what was happening around her, what all of this portrayed. "What is this?"

Eve's eyes widened as she paused mid sentence and just looked at Rainbow, a little clueless. "Huh?"

But Rainbow was far from playing some childish act, let alone in the mood for one. As she immediately grabbed hold of Eve and then slammed her small body up against one of the shelves, causing many of the books to fall and scatter across the empty floor. And it was Rainbow's expression which left the draconequus looking puzzled. Rainbow was enraged, yet tears swelled in her eyes as she swiped her hoof, pointing behind her as she kept Eve pinned up against the bookshelf angrily. "WHAT IS THIS EVE!? WHAT'S WITH ALL THIS!?"

Eve shook her head as she wanted to desperately answer the mare. "W-What're you talking about? I've told you tha-"

Rainbow's hooves started to tremble as she didn't even want to recall what she'd been shown. What she'd been seeing. "ARE YOU JUST STUPID!?" Rainbow immediately referred to all the vivid scenarios which surrounded her. "Why did you never mention any of these things!? Eve what is this!? W-Wha...." Rainbow was at a loss for words as she simply placed a hoof on her forehead. This was far too much to take in, and what puzzled her even more was the fact the draconequus simply didn't seem to get it, which hurt the mare even more. Was this simply stupid innocence?

Rainbow glanced back at one particular scene as she'd seen Cheerilee and the draconequus laying on a couch, which'd caused the mare to immediately react by throwing up. She staggered to the white floor, realizing that after so long Eve had managed to find peace in a world filled with turmoil and grief, and in some ways, they were responsible for taking that away. The tension overwhelmed her the more she thought about it, how they were a part of her descent into what she'd became. Rainbow had seen so many pictures of horrors in the dark followed by pools of crimson and streams of red mush. She saw her kind only regard the girl with sickening looks, disgusted by her very appearance. It all baffled her and hurt her to say the least. Why did some child have to experience all these things? Why did she deserve such a severe punishment? And what happened with Princess Celestia, what caused Eve to forcefully what looked like, tear her own limb from her body!? It was disgusting and horrible! The mare tried to make sense of it all, but it only caused her to feel even sicker. Rainbow now looked tired as she looked angry, confused, flustered. And why were some of these memories so bittersweet around her? Where were all the crimes that were spoken of? What were these vivid images of Eve being attacked in the forest, then of laughter, and of a family the mare had never seen. Yet she could feel it as well, which made her stomach churn with pain and her heart ache. These feelings of gratitude, of hope, of happiness and guilt. Only to be followed by feelings of despair. Rainbow felt as if her brain were about melt due to the fact she could only assume the worst. These feelings were all truly Eve's. She rose to her hooves once again as she looked at the draconequus. "Eve,.....let me out."

Eve stomped a hoof before shaking her head at Rainbow. "N-No! You still need to take what you can before-"

Rainbow snapped, getting in the draconequus's face. "NOW!!!!.....I need to speak with Twilight right away!"

Eve shuddered, before backing up further against the book case and grumpily glaring to the lower left. "Fine...." Then with a snap of her claw, the world around them shattered, in a familiar fashion she'd seen so many times before.

But before disappearing, a light smirk appeared on Eve's lips. Just what are you trying to accomplish now, Rainbow Dash?

Twilight paused as she'd froze in place, looking at Rainbow, unsure what she was doing. "Rainbow, what're you doing?"

As Eve focused on the present once again, her eyes saddened before she just glanced down towards the dirt. "Yes Rainbow, what're you doing?" Eve spoke with a hint of annoyance, "This is no time to play around."

Rainbow now stood in front of the draconequus, blocking the path to Eve, defiantly. "Quiet Eve!" Rainbow then immediately looked at Twilight. "T-Twilight there's things we need to talk about okay? I know that this'll sound crazy but just trust me okay! Eve's showed me things, things not even she understands. I just need you to see it as well Twilight!"

Spitfire arrived a few feet away from Eve's position, also looking reluctant to follow along with anything the aspiring Wonderbolt had to say. "Rainbow Dash! What do you think you're doing!? Stop this nonsense at once!"

Twilight to stomped her hoof. "Rainbow you can't trust anything Eve has to say! She's crazy, she hurt our friends! She killed innocent ponies! She's messing with your head! Now move out of the way before she hurts you to!" Twilight looked desperate as she attempted to get through to her friend. "Rainbow please! Whatever she showed you isn't true, it's simply a lie to get you to turn against us! It's what she's always done, what she's good at! She's no different from Discord before he was reformed! She's playing with your good conscience! Using it against you!"

Rainbow cried out, "TWILIGHT, JUST LISTEN!!!"

Twilight flinched as she staggered back some, muttering. "R-Rainbow Dash?......"

Eve still didn't appear amused as she just remained silent, keeping her head lowered.

Rainbow continued as she looked pained by this whole experience to say the least. "Time is short, and I NEED to do this before something ends up happening that I may end up regretting for my entire life if I don't act now. Twilight, there are things we don't know, that YOU don't know okay? I-I know it's crazy, I know it sounds weird-" Rainbow began to tremble again as she looked as if she were losing her mind, actually she was wondering if that truly was the case. She gave an obviously crooked, conflicted grin. "But....." She then looked back at Eve who simply looked at Rainbow as if she were wasting her time. "But...I saw! I saw that she's just a kid Twilight! I always knew she was just a kid! The things she did, they were stupid, immature, but...we can fix it! By the looks of it she didn't mean to do those things, there are things that she just has to show you! If we just give her a chance, I mean....-"

Rainbow was growing increasingly frustrated just by how crazy she sounded. She wanted this to make sense, wanted them to just be able to get everything as she did in mere moments. To have the same hunch she had throughout this encounter, and to be able to receive that confirmation. "We don't have to go this far Twilight!!! Let's just stop this! We only need to talk to Princess Luna and Princess Celestia and they'll understand, I'm sure of it!" She glanced back at Eve, "Eve go over to Twi-"

"Twilight Sparkle please calm down. Rainbow is right, however, that child lacks conviction."

Rainbow's eyes widened as she turned, in regards to that voice, and seeing in the distance, emerging from the shadows of the candy cane trees would be Princess Luna herself. "Princess!"

The alicorn looked fairly serious before stopping in place, simply looking upon the mare and her newfound companion by the looks of it. Then immediately landing at Princess Luna's sides would be Soarin, accompanied by the rest of the recon team who'd been sent into the castle earlier. Princess Luna raised a hoof as emerging from all around them, practically surrounding the area would be everypony else as well. This included Twilight's new personal guard of ponies, lead by their Captain. Yet, the draconequus were missing, but Princess Luna didn't seem troubled, as if she were expecting it. "Now step away from her Rainbow, we'll settle things from here on."

A wide smile appeared on Princess Twilight's face as she was more than happy to see Princess Luna had actually decided to participate rather than give orders. This mission was already all over the place, perhaps Princess Luna could see to that Eve needed to be stopped. "Princess I-"

Princess Luna winced at the fellow alicorn. "Not another word Twilight Sparkle. At least not now, your actions put you and your friends, and this entire mission in grave danger, now look at the situation we're in."

Twilight's expression sunk as she lowered her head, muttering. "I'm..I'm sorry Princess Luna I-"

Princess Luna continued. "It's fine." Princess Luna closed her eyes, regarding Eve with a smile. "Actually everything is just perfect." She paused, "Eve, you're awfully quiet, are you alright child? You seem rather distressed."

Eve scrunched up her shoulders a bit, remaining silent as she curled in her claw.

Rainbow turned, grabbing hold of Eve softly before smiling at Princess Luna hopefully. "Princess Luna, I can vouch for Eve, see, see how she doesn't attack me? Listen Princess, I think Eve just might be going through some trouble! If you can just let me talk to her, I think we'll be able to fix all of this." Rainbow lowered her frame before going in front of the draconequus and facing her, attempting to force her to look her in the eyes. "Squirt, we can deal with all of this haha! Whatever that was you showed me you have to do it again."

Eve trembled somewhat before she squinted a bit, as if becoming even more stressed due to the mare's words. She hesitantly looked at Rainbow Dash. She gave the mare a broken smile, baring her sharp fangs in the form of a childish grin. "Thank you Rainbow Dash, but sadly, there are things far more important." She fell silent, "Sorry."

Rainbow Dash couldn't stem her trembling as she shook her head, before biting her lower lip. "What're you thanking me for?......What're you apologizing for!?" Rainbow's frustration only continued to rise. "Why do you keep acting like it's over when it isn't!? It's not over!" She shook the draconequus, as Eve gave the mare no reaction. Rainbow's heart sank as she looked at Twilight, who still looked upon her friend with little recognition. "Twilight help me! Help me convince them!" Rainbow then looked back at Princess Luna. "Princess!" Then to Spitfire. "Captain Spitfire! I'm telling the truth you guys I swear it!" Rainbow looked in Eve's eyes, begging for her to say something.

Princess Luna, "Eve, playing games is pointless. Inside, you are no more than a child, despite your so called, beliefs."

There was a lengthy silence between all of them.

But as they stood there for some time, Twilight Sparkle noticed a sudden change in Eve's expression. As she saw the draconequus's expression turn cold and sadistic, and a grin steadily form from cheek to cheek, Twilight felt like her heart was about to burst as she could only presume what'd happen from then on. She cried out to her friend, before moving forward. "RAINBOW DASH!!!! GET AWAY FR-"

But the situation had already escalated before she could even fully react, as if it were over in an instant.

Princess Luna's own eyes suddenly went wide with shock, as she felt a cold chill run down her spine.

Twilight Sparkle appeared lost, as she looked upon her friend, and her eyes swelled with tears.

The surrounding ponies, all looked on, stunned by the sight, unsure what to think. Everything seemed so certain to Princess Luna, even to Rainbow Dash, yet reality struck them like a sledgehammer as they couldn't deny what they were seeing before them.

Rainbow Dash stood in place as she felt her vision starting to blur. Her world slowed as she saw in front of her, a liquid red stream, a spray of red awfully close to her. Yet where was it coming from? She irked as she'd felt a slight pain in her side which gradually started to increase with every second she continued to stand. Soon she even started to lose balance. No, but she couldn't faint yet, she had to convince them of what she'd seen, she had to make Eve show them to. She looked back to Eve as she closed her eyes halfway, only to see the draconequus covered in red, much like the red she was seeing. But why was the draconequus's claw also raised in such a manner? Rainbow then looked to her side to see a large open wound, a giant slice which tore through her side like butter. "Eve?"

For a moment, Eve looked to Rainbow with an apologetic stare, as if using subliminal messaging.

It was at that moment, Rainbow realized, just how she'd failed. She thought back to Eve's memories, why would the draconequus show her such a thing, such a convenient thing? Did Eve know she'd react like this? That she'd stand here at her defense, vulnerable, all for the purpose of claiming innocence for the enemy? But even so, even if this was Eve's plan, what was the point of Eve striking her down like this? What did she have to gain from shattering all chances of redemption and innocence in front of Twilight and Princess Luna? That's when Rainbow's eyes widened before she felt overcome with realization. That was exactly the case, there was absolutely nothing to gain from it. This sort of action would only result in one fatal consequence for the draconequus. She'd been planning to end this here the entire time. Rainbow immediately attempted to stand, to regain balance and prevent herself from fainting. "....Twilight....wa-....wait.." But Rainbow's eyes fell shut as she'd fallen to her side. She groaned in frustration somewhat as she attempted to speak more, but only producing a wheezing gasp of air, before remaining motionless on her side and closing her eyes, her rising sides rapidly falling short in length.

Rainbow's words never reached Twilight.

Twilight simply stood there, looking at Rainbow laying on the ground, her eyes wide with disbelief. She herself was stunned as tears simply rolled down each of her cheeks, and she trembled. She couldn't contain herself or her feelings, let alone her rage which rose to a boiling point. Twilight couldn't even form an expression. Her fury steadily consuming her as she then looked to the draconequus decorated in Rainbow's blood. But Twilight didn't say anything, she simply looked at Eve for some time, before gritting her teeth, slowly and surely expressing herself as best as she could at this time.

Princess Luna to, simply looked to be in shock as she regarded Rainbow Dash, still on the ground. It was at this point as well, Princess Luna regarded Eve in a different manner as well. The alicorn slowly raised her hoof, as all the guards as well as the Wonderbolts surrounding her paid close attention to that rising hoof. Princess Luna's pupils dilated as although she was attempting to remain calm and composed, her silent rage spoke for itself.

Eve on the other hand simply regarded the two angered mares with a fierce smile. She then raised her claw, before letting off a tired sigh and chuckling a bit, wiping her face off. "Whose playing games now hmhm?" She began to chuckle, letting off hushed childish laughter. "Eheheheh...." Before giggling wildly. "Eheheheheheheheh! Mooooron, mooooron, mooooron!"

Twilight let off an echoing roar!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"

SLAM!

There was a crackling shatter, as in an instant Twilight teleported using her alicorn magic, reappearing in front of the draconequus and in a second having manifested a massive transparent purple sledgehammer. Twilight could now feel it flowing through her, that conviction and determination Eve wore earlier, those cold eyes dead set on accomplishing something. Her hammer made contact with Eve's face, as the amount of force she put into her strike caused her to feel little different from that of a god. She could feel the weight of her blow in that fraction of time force the draconequus back, like forcing a cotton ball back with a brick. Eve's body felt light, weightless, as Twilight didn't even give it anymore thought besides seeing Eve get flung through the air, blown away by her attack.

Twilight disappeared again, not failing to let up on her maddening assault.

Yet as Twilight had struck Eve, Princess Luna shouted her orders as well. "RIFT, HAVOC, EVERYPONY! ATTACK!!!!!" And appearing at Princess Luna's sides with determined glares and reaffirmed nods, were both draconequus as they'd set their sights on the limp draconequus currently soaring through the air against her will. They looked to one another before nodding once again, then back towards their target and disappearing in a flash of dust and debris.

The Wonderbolts, Spitfire in particular wiped her eyes before she looked to Rainbow Dash, then turned away reluctantly and then had a fiery fierce glare in her eyes, as did her partner Soarin. The two of them let off mini shockwaves as they'd also rose towards the sky, straight towards Eve, dying to reach her just as all of them were. The grounded unicorns all dashed through the forest, before raising their horns towards the sky and then lowering their frames as they'd aimed them towards their target, preparing to let off a mighty unified blast.

As much as Princess Luna wanted to rush to their aid as well, she looked reluctantly to Rainbow Dash. Princess Luna then moved forward in a hesitant trot, as she also appeared to fall into a dramatic state of despair. She looked pained, horrified by the limp lifeless body of Rainbow Dash. If she'd only focused on eliminating Eve the moment they'd failed in capturing her, then this wouldn't have happened. Princess Luna bore the responsibility, she'd misjudged Eve, as did her sister. Her heart ached as she wept softly to herself, "What have I done?...." She still regarded Rainbow in disbelief as the state she was in.

As Eve caught balance again midair, it was revealed her face wasn't in the same condition as before. Already her right eye had been forced shut, which was surprising seeing as none of the ponies expected to be able to cause her harm, especially from such a physical attack. Eve's blood decorated her now swollen lower lip, but she kept a composed expression as she'd barely had time to react anyhow to the oncoming attacks, Eve found herself faced again with the enraged Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight Sparkle did a spin midair before hurling her hammer in an upwards motion upon going full circle, having her hammer make contact with the draconequus's jaw, sending her further up into the sky. Twilight's horn shimmered vibrantly again with purple magic as she'd yelled out another piercing cry, before many more manifested weapons circled around her and then she'd pointed her hoof straight in Eve's direction as the storm of weapons had pursued the draconequus who'd been soaring upwards like a mini rocket.

Eve then felt her body jerk in a multitude of directions as she didn't even take notice of the fact the Wonderbolts had created a formation not much different from that of ping-pong setup, knocking her back and forth in a series of bucks and kicks, not allowing her a chance to recover before Spitfire rose, fierce and fast before letting off a series of flaming kicks with her back hooves, sending the draconequus even further up.

Eve had actually found that the damage was far from small. Yet her mind was elsewhere as she was forced upward, not fighting against it this time. All she'd wanted to do was think for now. She told herself it wasn't enough. No, this still wasn't enough to make up for anything. She'd thought of the changeling she killed at that time, she'd thought of Apple Bloom and Spike, she thought of every pony she'd terrorized at the Crystal Empire. she'd thought of the Canterlot Guards. She thought of Cheerilee. Then finally, she'd thought of Rainbow Dash. No, this wasn't enough, not even close. But Eve could now feel the sharp awkward feeling of cut fur and torn flesh. This sensation steadily coursed throughout her entire body in the next few seconds as she found herself lost in a storm of magical blades. They were like small little nips and itches surprisingly, and it wasn't a whirlwind of pain.

As the storm of weapons subsided, Eve's rapid elevation came to a stop, before she naturally began to fall again. Her body now was covered in gashes and slices, her once slender brown fur torso being barely recognizable as she could finally feel it again. She was unable to smile, but she was grateful, grateful to know she could still feel such things, that she could still receive such things. Yes, she wished she could thank Nightmare Moon for helping her after this was all over. But Eve's eyes drifted, as her thoughts were cut short again as she'd noticed something she never saw before at her side. A runic circle in the middle of the sky at her side, pulsing vibrantly with a bright yellow color? She didn't recognize this type of spell, and it lacked Princess Twilight's signature magical color. Yet before she could dwell on it any more, the runic circle let off a fierce magical stream right into the draconequus's side. Eve's body now flung right as she continued to soar through the air in a downward spiral, only this time in yet another different direction.

She continued to descend, the draconequus felt a sudden clutch on her hoof foot. She glanced back at the individual doing so only to be left more puzzled. She felt as if she were hallucinating, and wasn't really surprised by that idea. Who she saw was a figure from her past, as she couldn't even form expressions. The figure clutching onto her was none other than Fluttershy. The mare spun the draconequus in a circle, before tossing her up once again. Was it really Fluttershy? No, of course not, Fluttershy wasn't here. Eve couldn't make sense of it, but she didn't really care to try to anymore at this point. She'd gone crazy a long time ago, she obviously couldn't differentiate such things anymore.

Yet Fluttershy spoke to the draconequus. "O-Oh...Do forgive me for doing this Eve. May I ask you something? Are you making up for what you've done? I guess it's expected coming from you. Now that we're finally here, I always wished to see just what you'd become. We all need to make sacrifices. Oh, I really do believe in these final moments will show your true character. Have you managed to recall all we did as your helpers? Do you fear you haven't risked enough yourself? I risked losing my friends for you, you know." Then Fluttershy bucked the draconequus up again through the air.

Eve was then held still once again, but this time by magic. Not far from her was Trixie, accompanied by a changeling, as well as a fluffy pony. Trixie scoffed, "Hah! How quaint, to make such a dramatic exit. It really is befitting of one of your capabilities and reputation Eve the Insane. Are you satisfied with your closing act? Your grand performance? Do you fear it wasn't good enough? The Great and Powerful Trixie has taught you well it seems! All that is left is to rid yourself of that troublesome doubt!" She snickered before tossing the draconequus aside with a powerful force of magic, which'd ignited and exploded soon after.

Eve's body was propelled in yet another direction as she now emitted ash and smoke, as if she were a charred corpse in some manner. Yet with all the damage she'd received she still knew it wasn't enough. But they were getting there, they just had to push further, she told herself this, and the fact she was being affected only made her more satisfied. But as much as she'd expected it all to continue and for their unrelenting attack to progress even further, she actually found herself in a moment of peace. The draconequus descended, and for that moment she could see something further in the distance, higher in the sky.

It was Twilight Sparkle.

Eve gazed upon her with tired eyes, before questioning, "Twilight Sparkle?...."

Twilight's rage didn't subside, and in a flash she'd disappeared yet again, before reappearing in Eve's face, and leaning in closer, their heads side by side. Twilight muttered in an angered tone, as her eyes became thick with tears in her fury. "No more Eve." Before the mare did a spin with her wings, and propelled herself in a sideways roundhouse kick again, knocking one of her ethereal blades straight through the draconequus's torso. Twilight moved with grace, accuracy, as if using her intellect to calculate the precise movements she needed to make in order to get the result she wanted.

Eve's eyes widened, as she instinctively clutched the mare, having felt her torso pierced. She'd actually felt shocked, overwhelmed by the sensation that ran through her, causing her to grip onto Twilight Sparkle harder and tighter for the time being. She'd actually felt pain. It pleased her, as she put on a wicked grin even though she'd whimpered in the process as well. Her grip gradually loosened, but before falling the draconequus wrapped her one arm around Twilight's neck, before wearing a tired, exhausted expression with a warm and affectionate smile. "Twilight Sparkle...."

Twilight didn't answer, as she'd only closed her eyes. Knowing Eve, of course she'd expected the draconequus would come to her own defense once again. Perhaps give some pathetic reasoning to why she'd done what she did, why she took the lives of fillies and colts, why she'd harmed Rainbow Dash. As much as the thought of it irritated Twilight to no end, she relished in the thought of Eve acknowledging this was over, and her mistakes had finally come back to bite her. Yes, Twilight would grant Eve these last few words. She'd relish in them, that sense of retribution on her part finally.

Eve's breathing was heavy, and raspy to say the least. As she hung onto Twilight, she could no longer feel her tiny wings attached to her back, and assumed she'd lost them in the assault. She coursed her sharp fingers through Twilight's mane, admiring the touch of the mare, and when Eve thought about it, this was probably the closest she'd ever come to Twilight Sparkle. She wanted to live in this moment, a moment where there was only neutral silence between them, where all her faults didn't seem to affect Twilight. Eve was able to run her claw somewhat down the side of Twilight's cheek, and she realized just how damaged her body currently was, after having seen the amount of blood which traced down Twilight's face, an imprint from her claw.

Eve's eyes were wide and she was proud of Twilight, having been able to accomplish this all through the means of defending a friend. Their friendship could break the boundaries of despair, of draconequus magic which was limitless, it could overcome anything. Eve nuzzled the side of Twilight's face, as she'd clenched onto her tighter, and what she wanted to do was praise the mare. Yet Eve held back her compliments, she knew they would only hold the opposite effect. All she'd done was hurt Twilight's friends, for her own twisted goals which she wasn't even certain would mean anything in the end. No this still wasn't enough, just a little more. She opened her mouth but found that the words were hard to produce. She struggled to use her charred throat, before putting on a smug almost insulting expression and speaking in a tone of amusement. "Is that all, Princess?..."

DISGUSTING! Twilight's mind snapped once again as she'd felt overcome by her emotions again. This was Eve's final chance to show a last sliver of consideration, of compassion, and this is how she abused that moment? Twilight grabbed hold of Eve's mane, before tearing the draconequus away from her and then spinning forward with godly momentum, and tossing Eve down towards the coast of the island. Her magic only strengthened her conviction as she'd took hold of Eve's body through the use of telekinesis, forcing her downward only more. "NO MORE! NO MORE WILL I LET YOU BLATANTLY INSULT MY FRIENDS, HURT THEM, MANIPULATE THEM, BREAK THEM, DISAPPOINT THEM! NO MORE WILL I LET PONY LIVES BE DESTROYED BY YOUR DESPAIR! NO MORE WILL I  STAND IDLY BY AND PRETEND ONE AS DESPICABLE AND HORRIFYING AS YOU DESERVES ANY MORE CHANCES!!!"

Twilight rose to the skies before spreading all four of her hooves. In that moment, her horn ignited once again as her body emitted a bright purple pulsing light. It was pounding, blinding, and radiating from her very being as her horn's light only continued to grow and grow. Twilight's body soon started to shimmer with violet lightning as she'd felt her magical capabilities reaching their peak. Her heart raced, raced for finally reaching this defining pinnacle moment. Soon Twilight's spell would separate from her horn entirely, before gathering more energy from her being only a few feet above her horn in the form of a crackling purple sphere. A mass of magic, as beautiful as it was deadly the longer it continued to be bathed with magical essence. With each passing second, the massive sphere only continued to grow as Twilight's face appeared strained to say the least, but she continued. She continued pouring her heart into one final spell.

A massive gathering of her most effective, yet destructive magic.

Spitfire looked upon Twilight's spell with a mesmerized look. She was stunned by the sheer beauty of it, the scope of power it held and the magical energies radiating from it. All Spitfire could think, that this was the capabilities of the Princess of Magic and Friendship, the Princess of Harmony, Princess Twilight Sparkle. This was the potential held by the newest princess of Equestria? Spitfire pondered the idea of just how much magical power Twilight actually had, it was no wonder Princess Celestia had chosen her as her star pupil. A filly who was able to forcefully grow a baby dragon, the unicorn who'd helped defeat Nightmare Moon and prevented the return of King Sombra. This was her. Spitfire muttered to her fellows, "She can actually pull this off." But Spitfire glared back at Soarin who was also concentrated on Twilight's spell at the moment. "But not alone. Alone is never enough for the enemy we're facing here."

Soarin smirked somewhat before saluting his Captain. "What's your plans Cap?"

Spitfire snickered as she'd lowered her frame. "You heard the princess slacker, we now stop Eve the Insane once and for all." Spitfire then lowered her frame as her hooves began to emit and swirl with a small amount of flames as she'd prepared herself for flight. "We're going to avenge Rainbow Dash, whose with me!?"

The Wonderbolt's let off unified cheers. "NOW AND FOREVER CAPTAIN!"

Spitfire snickered as she'd grinned. "That's more like it! Now let's do this!" Then in the next second they were gone, disappearing once again from their current position towards the edge of the candy cane forest.

Eve laid on her side, before feeling the cold chill of the ocean tide roll up against her body from the coast. She laid upon a bed of sand, simply looking off towards the rolling seas. She saw a distant landmass which appeared so small from where she currently resided. As insignificant as that tiny landmass appeared to be from where she was, to her, it was the entire world. It was where she was born, where she'd made her first friends, and where she discovered perfection. Despite the damage she'd received, looking upon that precious world in the distance compelled the draconequus to rise.

She struggled, as she slowly staggered to her hoof and claw feet. Her expression was pained at first, until it sparked with fierce determination and the draconequus gritted her teeth as if to force herself, to convince herself she needed to continue. She didn't have the right to give up yet and she knew that. Everything must be perfect, she told herself this. Eve let off a screeching yell as she motivated herself to finally stand firmly upon both her feet, giving herself a boost of momentum. But as Eve stood, facing the ocean, she saw how the surface reflected a vibrant purple light, beautiful and luminescent. Eve's eyes widened slowly as she realized that the source of that beautiful purple light was behind her, and she'd then only just noticed the light was followed by a sound. The sound of searing flame and crashing thunder, and as the draconequus turned to face the very source, she'd become stunned. She only stood there, looking up towards the sky. There she saw it, a spell of colossal proportion. A vibrant pulsing decimating purple sun. Twilight's figure was only a tiny speck beneath the spell she'd managed to create. Eve muttered, "Wow..."

But soon Twilight Sparkle was joined by two more figures, and as Eve took notice of them she still wasn't able to pertain if she were simply hallucinating or they were actually there. There she saw two draconequus each at Twilight's sides, perfectly resembling her birth parents. But the more she looked, the more figures which progressively appeared at Twilight's sides. Then there was Fluttershy, accompanied by Trixie. Soon to be followed by Zecora, and furthermore a changeling with a fluffy pony resting on his head. They each gave the draconequus a pitiful stare, before each raising their hooves and claws, as if influencing Twilight's spell even further. Then appearing in front of Twilight herself would be Cheerilee, who looked upon the draconequus with a soft smile, before that smile turned slowly into a frown. The mare then closed her eyes as she to raised her hooves, and along with the others, her body emitted a purple light, aiding Twilight.

Eve looked upon the scene, at first with a blank expression. But she soon grinned, fiercely.

The draconequus Rift stood beside Twilight Sparkle with a determined glare focused on the enemy. Her claw raised as she squinted a bit as she helped Twilight's spell become more balanced and effective. She indeed seemed to have her mind elsewhere. Troubles stirred within her, and she couldn't seem to get over them. After some time, the draconequus even sneered before her claw trembled a bit and she revealed emotion which she'd never shed since she'd arrived to help aid with this mission. The mental turmoil tore at the draconequus, and Havoc didn't fail to notice it.

Havoc who was at Twilight's opposite side looked at Rift with worry. "What's wrong with you? The magic's working, why do you look so troubled? We've got to concentrate on helping Princess Twilight finish this, stay focused!"

Princess Twilight continued to charge her spell but she couldn't ignore the draconequus aiding her either. She then glanced at Rift, before looking to Havoc. "What's wrong with her!? Is she hurt or something?"

Havoc shook his head before looking back towards Rift, "I've never seen her like this before, let alone make any expression far from what you'd call an emotionless husk. Perhaps she's using too much magic for this spell!"

But Rift broke her own silence, before speaking faintly in an irritated tone. "My magic.....isn't working."

This caused both Havoc and Twilight to regard Rift with wide eyes before looking at her with puzzled expressions.

Rift's nose wrinkled in annoyance, as she'd frowned angrily. "She isn't afraid, and she does not fear." The draconequus started to tremble from the frustration she was feeling. "My mirages are giving off the opposite effect!" She gritted her teeth, baring her fangs as she looked upon the enemy in annoyance. "That doesn't make any sense. For what reason would this girl willingly accept her greatest faults and weakne-..." the draconequus fell silent before her eyes hinted at realization on her part. The target of her annoyance was now the mare which stood beside her, "You idiots...."

Princess Luna ran her hoof through Rainbow's mane as she'd sobbed quietly to herself. She lowered her head in her own shame, struggling to look at the mare. "Oh sister....how I have shamed us. How will I tell you? How can I expect you to forgive me? Due to my carelessness I may have costed us a precious ally." But as Princess Luna kept her hoof on Rainbow, doing what she could with her alicorn magic, it wasn't long before Rainbow's hoof trembled, and actually rose it to Princess Luna's face, then chest, causing the Princess's eyes to widen. "Rainbow Dash!?"

Rainbow Dash looked frustrated to say the least, as she had a pained expression. She opened her mouth, struggling to speak but doing all she could to get the words out. She muttered, "Princess L-Luna....please...."

Princess Luna lowered her head, baring a relieved smile before shaking her head. "Don't worry Rainbow Dash, you'll be fine, we shall get you to safety and give you the best possible medical treatment. Just hold on a little longer."

Rainbow gritted her teeth before shaking her head slowly, and continuing, "No..NO!...stop the attack."

Princess Luna wasn't following as she'd raised a brow at the mare, confused, but remaining silent trying to understand.

Rainbow lowered her hoof, placing it over where her wound once was. "Everything's....a lie."

Princess Luna's eyes widened as she then looked back at Rainbow's wound, before running her hoof delicately over it herself, to which her body ran cold upon realization. Rainbow's wound was already healed!? But if that was the case then why didn't Rainbow say anything? Why did she simply lay here limp? Why did she look to be in such struggle simply trying to stay awake, to remain conscious? But Princess Luna's body started to tremble with both frustration and anger as she recalled key things she'd seen. Eve's familiar lunar magic which appeared no different from her own, her significantly weaker form, the fact that Eve had been struck with sleeper spells numerous times at this point. That imagination was an asset for her, her chaotic magic was practically limitless. Princess Luna's voice was faint, "Impossible, what could that girl possibly gain from this!?" But she paused again.

Rainbow was beyond frustrated at this point as she'd gripped Princess Luna again, only stating. "Twilight....."

Princess Luna gave Rainbow a blank, petrified stare. She then immediately rose to her hooves and spread her wings then disappeared, now desperately flapping her wings and teleporting to attempt reaching Twilight's current location.

Twilight obviously felt quite offended by the draconequus's words. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rift spread her arms, desperately seeking more information. "Just how much do you know about her motives?!"

Twilight looked at the draconequus in irritation, as she opened her mouth about to say something-

Eve grinned fiercely as she'd burst into wild, childish chuckles. "Yes yes yes! Perfect Twilight Sparkle! You're doing it, you're actually doing it! You're amazing Twilight Sparkle!" She wrapped her arm around herself, unable to contain her gratitude, her sense of relief at what she was seeing. Eve could feel it, she could feel the overwhelming sensation and sense of power the spell Twilight Sparkle had wrought. Eve didn't believe it at first, she didn't believe it'd be this easy for the alicorn to accomplish. But she'd actually pulled it off. Eve's eyes were wide with anticipation as she looked up at the sky, up towards the shades of those so important to her, alongside Twilight Sparkle. This was beyond anything she could've imagined, such artistic beauty, such a mesmerizing punishment laid out perfectly before her. The violet light glistened in the everlasting midnight, penetrating Luna's mist and stretching out into the far endless beyond.

A sphere capable of decimating anything in its path, such empowerment birthed from the queen of magic, from the goddess of harmony. For every life Eve took, for every individual she'd caused suffering, for her chaotic twisted existence, she'd receive the most cataclysmic finale she could ever dream of. This was enough, this was her time of reckoning. Eve wore a fierce happy grin as she even saw the spells influence infect everything around it as she looked upon it. A heavenly sun of twisting purple flame, unknowingly infused with the essence of chaos, and the horrid potential of harmonic alicorn magic, perhaps the purest form of magic in such an incredible form. Eve spread her arms as she'd stood, but the longer she stood, the more her legs trembled as did her body. Her severe wounds tore at her, yet even so, here she still stood. Eve's chuckles of satisfaction had only become something more followed by childish laughter, as she'd closed her eyes and threw her head back as her crimson blood, and wounds began to slowly fade away from her body. The wound on her chest steadily started to close, as the draconequus put effort into slowing the process. She then continued to look upon Twilight's spell, simply waiting. She had a look of adoration, "Do it Twilight Sparkle!"

Eve simply couldn't stop from expressing this form of absolute ecstasy. It was overwhelming!

"Ahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahaha!"

Nightmare Moon was silent within her realm. She only had her head lowered, wallowing in what appeared to be annoyance. A voice rung throughout her palace, and it was Eve's laughter. Throughout every corridor, every room, she could hear the childish laughter haunting her from the present world. Eve......

"Aahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaha!"

She'd winced angrily. As the laughter drew on, the alicorn started to tremble with irritation, before rising to her hooves and standing on her hind legs and letting off a bellowing cry. It shattered the ceiling of her castle revealing a tainted moon off in the infinite night sky of the nightmare realm. Nightmare Moon looked pained, frustrated by her own powerlessness. But as she sat there in thought, the alicorn soon took a moment to glance down at her own hoof as she sat again. Her eyes grew wide as she grinned fiercely with a look of relief. "I will have no part in this Eve."

Nightmare Moon sat in privacy, knowing Eve couldn't hear her, yet she still spoke to the draconequus with her being unaware.

In the present world, Eve chanted her call to Twilight once again. Doing a hop and twirl before stomping her hoof and glaring at Twilight Sparkle still with that plain grin. "DO IT TWILIGHT SPARKLE!"

Nightmare Moon's horn started to glow as she'd snarled fiercely. "I AM NIGHTMARE MOON, AND MY DECISION IS MY OWN!!! IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN SHOW ME YOUR PITIFUL KINDNESS, THEN EXPECT TO USE MY INFLUENCE TO GO THROUGH WITH SUCH A PATHETIC COURSE OF ACTION!-" She paused before continuing. "THEN YOU ARE SADLY MISTAKEN!!!!" a faint blue mist began to radiate from her body. "I am a twisted god of malevolence stupid girl. I plaque children's dreams, I am the monster in the darkest of shadows watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to gain further influence in the world, further power.  It was always meant to be this way, I shall find my own way out of here, and once I do, I shall repay you for your kindness and obedience in full. But until that day arrives-" The mare swiped her hoof with a look of anticipation, "I think I'd much rather have you alive to witness my glorious return."

Nightmare Moon closed her eyes, appearing fairly amused. "And once I am at my rightful place upon the throne. I shall never let you go my sweet conflicted little creature, my source of entertainment, my dear twisted monster." The mare then clapped her hooves, "Until then," before making contact with Eve again, allowing her voice to go through. "Farewell Eve. I thank you for the company you gave me,....I shall be taking some things on my way out." She smiled.

Eve's eyes suddenly snapped wide with confusion. "Ms.Moon what're you talking about?" But before she could make sense of Nightmare Moon's words, a sharp pain tore through Eve's head like a throbbing migraine. The draconequus immediately fell to her knees before grabbing hold of her head and letting off a echoing, deafening, screeching yell.

"EYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!"

Everypony's eyes immediately situated on the draconequus child, at the sudden unexpected cry of emotion. Their eyes wide with curiosity as Twilight Sparkle still kept her spell charged, but wasn't alone as she along with Rift and Havoc, fixated on Eve from their current position. Princess Luna even stopped to see, as she glanced back to the beach.

Memories swarmed throughout Eve's mind. As she recalled particular scenes of her time spent with Nightmare Moon melt away from her. The draconequus's eyes were wide in fear, in absolute despair as such things she didn't want to forget burned away in her mind, like pictures thrown to a flame. Scenes of the two exploring the castle, conversing in the courtyard, speaking of things more personal, unexpected bonding with the Queen of Nightmares, something neither of the two would've ever expected, something precious. It wasn't fair, why would Nightmare Moon do this!? Why would she take everything they'd forged together, everything they'd managed to create through their feelings and steal them away, escaping with them all by her lonesome. Why would she abandon their friendship? Eve couldn't lose another friend, she was furious, enraged at the alicorn as she'd cried out to the sky. "Ms.Moon!...MS.MOON!!!!!! YOU'RE RUINING EVERYTHING!!! WHAT'RE YOU DOING!?"

Nightmare Moon situated herself comically in her throne, snickering with amusement. "Adorable child, that's the point."

Eve looked up to the sky as she simply let her claw drop, appearing broken as she only looked up towards the sky. How was it possible? How was it that something could go wrong so quickly just as she was about to succeed? It wasn't fair. It was absurd! She was furious! But too confused, too stunned by disbelief in order to cry. Her memories faded against her will, and she was forcefully losing another friend. She didn't understand, and knew she wouldn't have time to find the answers. It was as if a piece of herself was dying on the inside, being torn away from her, and it was a heartless cold murder, a betrayal that she couldn't bring herself to hate the betrayer for. Eve wanted to beg, to grovel before Nightmare Moon, to have her reconsider. And the more she thought about it, the more her soul crumbled, chipping away piece by piece, as soon, her eyes were thick with tears yet again. The draconequus cared not for pride, as she mumbled, "Ms.Moon....help me...help me please."

Nightmare Moon cackled as she'd looked up, but there was a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "I......can't do that."

Eve opened her mouth as she was about to say another thing in protest. "Please! Ms-...." but now she couldn't even recall what word would've followed. She felt hollow, empty inside, disconnected from reality. A speck of drool ran down the side of Eve's mouth as she appeared brain dead for some time, before her head slumped down. And in the following few seconds, she couldn't even recall why she was crying, or why she was heartbroken. But it still hurt, beyond belief. It overrode any physical pain by a mile, leaving her feeling as if she were at the edge of torment itself. "Ms.........."

But there was no word she could recall, no word which came to mind.

Nightmare Moon sat within her realm with pained eyes but a relieved smile. "Now, just one last thing."

Eve's eyes snapped wide as she immediately threw up what appeared to be a disgusting, sickening and bubbling black substance as a faint, fiery blue mist tore itself away from her body. Eve's eyes slowly reverted back to normal as her wounds gradually healed, all except one in the middle of her abdomen. Then to her astonishment, Eve looked as she felt another wound heal, one she'd believed permanently in place, as she saw her left arm piece together from bits of shadow, forming a perfectly usable yellow furry arm and paw. But now the draconequus felt even more significantly downgraded, as she felt practically no different from a time when she'd ventured in Equestria. A time where she lacked understanding and such capabilities. a time where she were more vulnerable and helpless. It frightened her as she remained in place on the ground, her blood boiling from the utter amount of nonsense that'd just occurred. She felt it, a significant portion of her magic had gone, as well as a certain influence.

As Nightmare Moon's connection gradually faded from Eve, she appeared sad, reflective but overall satisfied with the results. She spoke faintly to herself, "Have at her Twilight Sparkle, but, you would do best not to harm her anymore than you already have. Unless you wish to incur a few more life sentences once I escape, but of course, such things come with time." She sighed heavily, "Now I have work to do. Farewell Eve, do forgive me for my sudden change of heart but, if you're to become my cherished subject, then I will need you breathing." She smirked, realizing that once again, like not so long ago, she was talking to herself, alone in her castle. "I guess its back to dreams now.....isn't it?"

Before once again, Nightmare Moon faded away, disconnected from the present world. Alone in the dark.

Well, there will always be nightmares, just do well not to ever roam in my realm again, meddlesome ponies.

Then the creatures of her realm let off bellowing miserable cries, echoing throughout the black decimated wastes.

Eve soon just tore at her mane, angrily, before letting off another cry, filled with ferocity and anger.

"ERAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!"

she, was, exposed.

It didn't take long for Twilight, as well as Rift and Havoc to take notice of the sudden change in atmosphere as well as Eve's appearance yet again. Yet it was far from a negative occurrence, despite the circumstances.

Princess Luna paused in her flight, immediately looking back at Eve.

Twilight looked down upon the draconequus child attempting to recover from whatever just happened, with wide eyes.

Rift's own eyes widened as she immediately grabbed hold of princess, before muttering, "The situation has changed..."

Twilight looked to her, almost worriedly, "The situation has changed?"

Eve stood, looking down at her own paw and claw with wheezing breaths, still in shock to say the least as she appeared angry yet stunned at the same time, taking notice of her own downgraded features still in disbelief.

Rift looked at Eve observantly, curiously as she continued. "I don't know...but things are different-"

Twilight and Havoc just continued to listen, waiting for her to reveal all she knew about the current situation.

Rift now look infatuated by the pure perplexity of it all, fascinated by Eve. "She's no longer absent of fear."

Princess Luna from afar even wondered, pondered, what being could've possibly had the power to change the situation in their favor, so suddenly and drastically. Princess Luna's curiosity was at its peak for she believed she'd be the only one capable of accomplishing such a feat if she were only to get into Eve's head, her very dreams as of this moment, but that was never a possibility given their current circumstances. Yet somehow, something, had accomplished it. Princess Luna now felt her influence completely absent from Eve, the draconequus was completely vulnerable.

Rift paused before swiping her claw and glaring at Twilight Sparkle. "I'm not sure what's just happened, but if there was any time to apprehend that girl, it would be now! Something, somepony has given us the perfect chance, we don't know if we'll ever get a chance like this again! I can feel it Princess Twilight, her angst, uncertainty, fear. Her mind is in shambles. You need to make a decision!" Rift grabbed hold of Twilight by the scruff of the neck. "Do you understand?"

Havoc sighed, due to the fact his companion lacked the courtesy that should be given to the princess.

Twilight didn't mind it however, actually she preferred such an attitude especially given the sitaution; but she cared little for Rift's request. "Decide? Decide what? This was decided the moment Eve decided to hurt all those innocents. What good would capturing her do at this point!? We've done that before, and no good came of it! Like King Sombra, there is only one way to deal with monsters such as this. We eliminate all traces of her existence, it is only logical." Twilight Sparkle raised a hoof, as her massive spherical orb of magic jerked slowly in the air, following her hoof's movement. "I told Eve I would put an end to this and I plan to do just that! This is justice, retribution, this is for the greater good!"

Eve gritted her teeth angrily due to her own ignorance of the situation. She couldn't pertain what'd just happened to her, but she felt whatever it was it had sent her entire plan into shambles, that it ruined absolutely everything that preceded before this. It was as if a fragment of her was missing, and it was needed in order to complete the puzzle. She now lacked the answers needed in order to succeed, and it tore her apart. Her desperation was now at its peak as the draconequus raised both her claw and paw, looking up towards Twilight Sparkle's spell. What was Twilight Sparkle doing? Why wasn't she attacking? Eve was right here ready in waiting! All Twilight needed to do was deal the final blow, why, why would Twilight Sparkle hesitate now!? But then as Eve looked up towards the sky finding that there were no longer figures of her past which'd assaulted her earlier, no, instead there were two anonymous draconequus beside Twilight Sparkle, a male and female, and the male's eyes were set upon her.

Eve lowered her arms before looking upon the three of them in confusion, who were they? Just what was going on!? But as Eve stood there lost in thought, she felt herself stagger and her vision blur as she immediately placed one paw over her eye with a look of fear once again. She started to feel groggy, dizzy, as her levels of exhaustion only continued to rise. "What?...." Eve staggered and fell to her knees. "No, no no no no no no no no no." She shook her head defiantly, as she felt the drowsiness coming over her, becoming more sleepy by the second. And as Eve struggled to stay awake, she found that she was soon immediately surrounded by the Wonderbolts, she gave each of them an intense glare of discern. Sneering angrily, she knew she didn't have time for this! "GO AWAY!"

The Wonderbolt's all remained stern, unmoving as they each surrounded the draconequus without any sense of fear. Vindicated and sure, they stood beneath the violet sunlight, fully ready to die together to accomplish their mission, or whatever was required of them. Spitfire in particular took a few trots forward, wincing at the draconequus before stomping a hoof and grinding it in the sand beneath her. "Looking a little under the weather there kid."

Eve placed her paw over the wound on her abdomen, as thick black bags underlined her eyes. The draconequus's irritation with them was obvious as her expression mirrored one of heightened annoyance. She spoke simply, "If you don't want to get hurt ponies, I suggest you move. That spell will erase everything in its path." Eve then put on a confident smile. "Things haven't gone exactly as planned hmhm. I don't want to have to forcibly move you out of the way."

Spitfire snarled, "TRY IT BRAT!" She fluttered her wings before pointing a hoof at Eve. "If you think we're going to fall for anymore of your little schemes after what you did to Rainbow Dash, then, you can expect us all to burn together!"

Eve remained silent, simply raising her claw, about to flick it in the direction of Spitfire.

Yet at that moment, Twilight's spell became even more stunning, vibrant and pulsing, causing all on the beach to pause.

Rift got in Twilight's face angrily. "Do you truly believe that is the wisest course of action Princess Twilight!? Did you come here to finish things, or did you come here to give your ponies justice!? Would you rob them of the right to look their harbinger of terror in the eyes, to have a say in what actions should be took?" Rift pointed a claw at Eve, realizing that the more they stood here and talked things over, the more their dire chance dwindled away. "There will never be another draconequus such as this, her fears, her conviction to disappear by your hooves, everything is only certain to me, you've only been playing right into her hooves! The question you should be asking yourself isn't how quickly you want to have the peace of mind that she'll never harm your subjects again. It's just what compelled her to commit such actions in the first place, what would compel a draconequus child to avoid capture even to the point of death? And why must it be you?"

Rift paused, wincing at the alicorn. "What secrets does she so desperately want to keep hidden from your eyes? You may be the one who resides with the final decision, but tell me, who is the one truly being judged here?"

Twilight's eyes widened a bit due to the draconequus's sudden hint at proclamation. It irritated the mare.

Rift spoke faintly, "That draconequus? Or you, who she believes isn't worthy of knowing what she does? Tell me Princess Twilight, is relieving your angst truly worth betraying Princess Celestia's trust and letting your emotions drive you to commit such actions? Of ridding yourself of the only chance at understanding?" Rift loosened her grip on Princess Twilight before backing away, and simply looking at her with a judgmental glance herself. "The choice is yours."

Twilight looked upon Rift in contemplation before lowering her head in silence for a few seconds.

Havoc regarded Rift with an irritated wince, before crossing his arms and simply keeping quiet, waiting for Twilight.

Yet coming before the group of three, would be another alicorn as she'd looked rushed, hurried as she'd immediately spread her hooves in front of Twilight. "Everypony wait, there has been a change in the situation!"

Rift glanced back at Princess Luna before smiling. "Of course you'd notice as well, Princess Luna."

But Princess Twilight raised a hoof. "It's fine Princess Luna....I feel I know what we must do know."

Princess Luna raised a brow at Twilight, as Havoc and Rift glanced back at her observantly, waiting.

Princess Twilight glanced down at Eve. "It's not my right to decide her fate."

Princess Luna's worried expression then melted away, before forming into a smile. "I see, I'm glad I wasn't needed then."

Twilight noticed the draconequus was now surrounded by the Wonderbolts. "Not mine alone."

Eve staggered yet again before seeing emerge from the forest, yet even more figures. Majority of them consisted of unicorns, and Eve recognized them as Twilight's private guard, lead by a particular unicorn. It seems once again the entire bulk of Equestria's apprehension team was before her. As Eve looked upon them, as well as Twilight seeing that she was joined now by Princess Luna, as well as those two mysterious draconequus, Eve realized that this would be the pinnacle moment for all of them. For reasons unknown to her, she was now alone, without understanding of why her current condition had worsened so drastically and everytime she thought about it, her heart hurt. But Eve curled in her claw, before gulping and giving a determined glare up towards the sky.

"EVE! ARE YOU LISTENING!?"  Twilight Sparkle shouted with a faint familiarity of the Canterlot Voice.

Eve's eyes widened as she immediately focused her attention on Twilight Sparkle.

Princess Twilight continued before raising her hooves. "I TOLD YOU I WOULDN'T LET ANY MORE PONIES LIVES BE DESTROYED BY YOUR DESPAIR. THIS CHAOS ENDS HERE, AND YOU WILL FACE THE PONIES WHOSE LIVES YOU'VE RUINED. YOU WILL FACE THEM ALL. NO MORE RUNNING, NO MORE FIGHTING, AS PRINCESS OF HARMONY, OF FRIENDSHIP, I WILL SEE THOSE SUCH AS YOURSELF BROUGHT TO JUSTICE BY NOT ONLY MY HOOVES, BUT THEIRS AS WELL." And slowly but surely, Twilight had actually begun to take in the bulk of her massive spell, as it swirled and concentrated upon the mare, breaking down into misty essence and sinking into the mare's very being. Rift and Havoc assisted with the process, allowing Twilight to adopt a magic far beyond that of both draconequus and alicorn magic, as Princess Luna did the same, pouring magical essence into the alicorn as well as helping guide Twilight's massive sphere into her.

Eve immediately shook her head, beyond frustrated, her voice steadily rising with each word. "What? No, no no no! TWILIGHT SPARKLE WHAT'RE YOU THINKING!? YOU'RE DOING IT ALL WRONG!!!" She stomped her hoof. "TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!!" Before trembling horribly, unsure what was happening, or what to do about it. Twilight Sparkle, she was doing everything wrong, why was everything going wrong all of a sudden!? She was right here, yet what was with Twilight's sudden change of heart? No, Eve didn't want to return. Yet at this point she couldn't escape.

Her plan, her perfect epilogue, crumbled into pieces before her for reasons she couldn't understand.

She could feel the walls of despair closing in around her.

Upon finishing, there would be a massive outward burst of light in the form of a violet ring.Twilight's appearance changed significantly, as she remained stationary in the sky yet her beautiful mane had become that of living purple flame. Magic radiated from her very being as the weather of the island began to spiral out of control. All the elements were present, as it rained and snowed, from the mere presence of Twilight. Twilight's eyes were now no more than two gaping holes of blinding white light, as she appeared no different from a god, overlooking her world.

Havoc, Rift, and Princess Luna immediately went into raspy gasps for air.

Rift raised her claw before looking upon Twilight, feeling exhausted simply from being near her. "Princess Twilight, what we've done is horribly dangerous, you must hurry. No sole individual creature was ever meant to be able to house the power of both draconequus and alicorn at once, this presence of yours will only last a short amount of time, and even now I'm unsure of what consequences it will have on both your body, and psyche. You must succeed here and now."

Princess Twilight nodded. "I understand." She smiled, "Thank you, for everything." Before she disappeared, charging everything she had into one final assault, one that would render Eve incapable of escape indefinitely. The mare then disappeared shooting down towards Eve's location like a missile locked onto the enemy.

Yet Eve fell to her knees, as she simply sulked. She'd lost, again. Even when attempting to lose, all she could ever do was have something go wrong. It was like a shadow, attaching itself to her and preventing her from succeeding in any plan whatsoever. She closed her eyes, and braced for impact, simply keeping her head lowered as she knew there was no hope left for her, and she might as well submit. She thought about the fact she once had somepony here with her, but now she was alone again. It was like a natural cycle for her. She belonged to the pony's now, and she smiled as she found it ironic, for she loved pony kind, and cherished them dearly. At one time the current situation was her biggest dream, to be forced to comply and go with the ponies. But this was far from acceptance, and she could only expect the worse given the current situation. She kept her eyes closed, and as she did so she let the feeling of exhaustion creep over her, as her paw slumped from her abdomen. But surprisingly there was also another unfamiliar feeling that graced her in that moment, a feeling of relaxation and warmth. She couldn't remember the last time she had a good night's sleep, one without nightmares, yet now, somehow, it felt as if she could dream.

The first thing she thought of of course was Cheerilee, recalling memories of their brief time together. Yes, she always ran to her adoptive mother when she recalled her dreams of long ago, they were always her comfort zone. She giggled, before letting her mind drift away in a matter of seconds. She wanted to forever be in this perfect world, an everlasting dream.

Then there was a rainbow stream, that had immediately reached Eve's destination in a flash.

SLAM!

And a cataclysmic explosion of debris and sand shot up towards the sky, upon impact from Twilight.

Spitfire and the rest of the Wonderbolt's, as well as the violet guard, alongside Captain Noteworthy, coughed as they covered their muzzles, looking upon the scene in wonder and waiting for the dust to settle.

As the sand came down like rain, and the dust cleared, Twilight Sparkle stood with her hoof stuck in the ground, expecting to have seen a subdued and unconscious Eve beneath her. Twilight's eyes went wide with shock and fear as she found that wasn't the case, seeing there was absolutely nothing beneath her. She muttered, "What?"

"That's enough Twilight."

Twilight's eyes widened even further due to her recognition of the voice. She turned her head to her left, to see a particular individual standing off, further in the distance. "Huh?"

Even Spitfire looked upon that individual in confusion and silence, simply watching and unsure what to say.

There stood Rainbow Dash on her hind legs, holding a sleeping Eve in her hooves as she glanced back at Twilight with a saddened expression, before shaking her head. "The whole thing was over before it even started, Twilight."

Twilight immediately became overcome with happiness however, putting on a wide smile, "RAINBOW!!!!"

As everypony protested their happiness in the fact the mare truly was alright, despite what'd happened. Twilight's guard only looked on with soft smiles however, as a feeling of relief overcame them for obvious reasons.

Rainbow Dash looked upon Eve still with sad eyes, almost as if she cared for the monster that hurt her friends.

It was over, the enemy was captured and now no more harmless than a sleeping rabbit.

Yet despite that, how come for Rainbow Dash, nothing could've felt further from a victory?

Princess Luna smiled warmly, before she to, began making her way down to the others.

But, the mission was over, finally, the ponies of Equestria had succeeded, hopefully for the final time in this matter. Next Chapter: Chapter 8: Draconequus - Part 1 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 21 Minutes