“Oh you are just the sweetest little angel. That's what I'll call you, Angel.”

“Ok, Angel time for bed.”

“Eat your carrots, Angel.”

“Happy birthday, Angel.”

“Who's mommy's little Angel Bunny.”

“Mommy has to go now, Angel, I love you.”

Memories of her beloved Angel came flooding into Fluttershy's grief stricken mind. Her best friend, the one she could tell anything, her little Angel Bunny.

Never again will she hear the impatient patter of his foot while waiting for dinner. Never again will she take him to play with the others on their pet play dates. Never again will she be able to confide in him her deepest fears and desires. Never again will she wake up and see the smiling face of her precious Angel.

Something in her snapped.

It was like time slowed to a crawl as the terrible lightning streaked across the battlefield toward her. She raised her hoof in defiance of the unnatural bolt... and caught it.

With her shield over her vital organs to protect them, the electricity coursed through her body. She welcomed it and it accepted her. She stood unharmed with a fire in her eyes.

Glaring up at the horrible, murdering aliens, Fluttershy said coldly, “I am going to kill you all.” and threw herself into the chaos.

The normally shy, timid pegasus was an electrical torrent of death. Kicking and punching, throwing and breaking, lightning arcing to all who got too close. Like a juggernaut through a field of roses, she waded through the enemy leaving charred bodies in her wake.

Her target was clear. The man at the back, leading. The one Midnight called General Titus. The one responsible for everything.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

The Sky Cutter flew high above the cloud cover toward the battle. Her crew of three fillies were ready to drop their payload and do what Zecora had secretly trained them to do... fight.

Why the mysterious zebra took it upon herself to teach them about warfare, they did not know. It didn't matter, they would use what they knew to help.

“We're almost there.” Sweetie Bell called from the cockpit, “open the door.”

Applebloom opened the rear hatch and looked out at the chaos below as they passed over it. Their target was not on the battlefield.

Scootaloo watched through Applebloom's eyes for her target, ready to push the barrel out to its destination.

There. The glowing blue disk. More humans were coming out of the portal, but not for long. The blind, flightless pegasus shoved the container out of the plane and watched it's decent.

It fell with practiced accuracy, slamming right in front of the gateway, bursting in a red cloud.

The cloud swirled around the portal and was sucked into it. A second latter an earth shaking shockwave tore through the air.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

An enraged goddess of lightning and death, Fluttershy paved a path of blood towards the storm canon.

That abomination will go first, then I kill Titus. she thought to herself.

The death-machine tried and tried again to stop the pink and yellow incarnation of Wrath, but missed every time.

With a mighty trust, Fluttershy launched into the air and flew high above the super weapon. She flew to just above the clouds and flung herself strait down.

Faster, I have to go faster, she thought as she could feel the shield keeping the electricity from her vital organs weakening.

Faster, she was struggling now. It felt like she was trying to fly through a wall, and world took on a distorted appearance.

FASTER it was like what ever had been slowing her down finally gave up and her speed doubled instantaneously.

Fluttershy used all her willpower to force the lightning into one place, her fore hooves. The canon was pointing at her again ready to fire, but it was too slow.

“HYYYAAAAAAAAA!!!”

The yellow meteor struck like the wrath of God. She gave a smile as her shield shattered and the storm canon bloomed into a fiery rose.

I guess somepony else will have get Titus she thought as the darkness took her

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Applebloom and Scootaloo gasped as the butter color pegasus broke through the clouds just behind them. She was wreathed in electricity and her face was unlike the Element of Kindness they knew.

“Sweetie Bell, turn around and drop below the clouds.” Scootaloo said.

“What's wrong?” she asked as she complied with her friend.

“It's Fluttershy.” Applebloom answered for her.

They watched as she pulled the electricity into her hooves.

Scootaloo noticed the massive canon aiming right at her.

“Oh no.” she realized what was going to happen. Without a second thought she severed the connection with Applebloom and dove out the back towards the falling form.

Too late, Scootaloo realized she can't tell where Fluttershy is with the wind deafening her.

No I have to find her she strained her ears for anything but wind, but heard nothing, except a loud 'boom'.

All pegasi have a sixth sense for electricity. It comes with being able to manipulate lightning. Typically it's just a feeling that electricity is present, but at that moment Scootaloo's world lit up. She could 'see' the ebb and flow of electricity all around her, including the bio-electricity in living things. She could 'see' Applebloom diving after her and 'see' Sweetie turning the plane and shuffling with something.

There, she didn't have time to question what happened she just flew towards the bright glow of the falling pegasus.

Another glow on the ground became blindingly bright. Scootaloo knew it was that canon. She had to hurry.

Another explosion wracked the world as pony and steel collided. Fluttershy was thrown into the air by the blast and right into Scootaloo's waiting hooves. She never noticed the form of a flaming circle appear on her flank.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Midnight had found it frighteningly easy to fall back into the roll of a killer. He struck out with practiced indifference, they were, after all, just a few more added to the long list of men he's killed. This time though, he fights to protect what he loves, not because he was ordered to.

These soldiers were nothing. Half trained grunts. He could probably take most of the army himself.

It was General Titus that worried him. The General was still full fledged Mage Guard, demon blood and all. His power was far greater than Midnight's was. If Midnight still had demon blood of his own it would be no problem, but he gave that up.

Midnight saw a light in the distance. Fluttershy was flying high into the air, her body surrounded in electrical energy before plummeting down as an aircraft descended from the clouds.

He recognized the plane instantly. It was the Sky Cutter, Applebloom's pride and joy, the thing that earned her cutie mark. From the back he saw a figure fall. Scootaloo, he could recognize her even from that distance. She was followed a few seconds latter by Applebloom.

As he watched, the sky erupted in a yellow and pink shock-wave. Fearing the worst, Midnight wasted no time. Drawing from Twilight's necklace, he formed mage form wings and thrust himself towards the falling figures and was met with a terrifying blast.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

“SCOOTALOO!” Sweetie Bell heard Applebloom scream.

When she looked back she saw her farming friend grab one of her Jump Jelly devices and jump out the back.

“Oh crap.” she thought fast about what to do. She decided on a course of action.

She turned the craft away from the battlefield and set the controls. Hoping it wouldn't take too much damage in the crash.

She heard a loud 'boom'. What the hey was that?

Jumping to the back, she grabbed three saddlebags and a few other things.

She dashed towards the open hatch and threw herself out just as a massive fireball bloomed beneath her accompanied by a thunderous noise.

Angling her body to gain speed, she closed the distance between her and her friends.

Applebloom had reached Scootaloo, who was holding an unconscious Fluttershy. The yellow filly took the device she brought and pointed it at the point the three would land and activated the thing.

It fired out a small sphere that struck the dirt a few seconds ahead and erupted in a orb of thick gel. The three landed in the goo, unharmed, moments before it dissolved. A few seconds later Sweetie Bell landed in a similar way.

“What the buck were yah thinking, Scootaloo!?” Applebloom asked her friend.

“Saving Fluttershy's life, what do you think.” Scootaloo replied.

“How did you even catch her? You couldn't have heard her while falling.” Sweetie asked.

“I can't explain it, but while I was falling I heard a 'boom' and suddenly... I think can see electrical currents.” she explained, “Questions can wait. We have company.”

several soldiers were converging on them.

“I've got this.” Sweetie said. She trotted up to meet the oblivious soldiers. The filly opened her bag and pulled out a bottle of liquid, “Excuse me, kind sirs.” they were stunned as much by her manners as by the fact that she could talk, “this is for you.” she tossed the bottle.

It burst in a cloud of light purple gas, enveloping the humans. After a brief confusion they began attacking each other.

Rage gas, gotta love it.. Sweetie looked back at her friends with a smug grin that quickly faded, “Applebloom!”

Bloom turned to see what worried her friend so much. It was a tank barreling down on them.

The machine tried running them over only to be meet with a pair of yellow hooves. Applebloom had gotten much stronger under Zecora's tutelage, more so than her sister. Even then, though, it was not easy to stop.

It continued to try to push through, but the super strength of the little pony was greater.

With a grunt she lifted the machine and threw it over her head.

Midnight had been just close enough to see Sweetie Bell and Applebloom work, and he was dumbstruck.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

“Sir,” a messenger approached the General, “Three more creatures have joined the battle. Our losses are heavy and we've reason to believe the gate is destroyed. Sir I believe this may be a lost cause.”

Titus didn't hear him. He was too focused on the dark blue equine creature that had taken to the air. It was somehow familiar.

“I'll return soon.” he said. He took to the sky on crimson mage form wings.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

“What are you girls doing here, this isn't some adventure playground. This is a battlefield. Hide now and stay until tomorrow.” Midnight said when he landed. Though he was impressed with them, they didn't need to be here.

“We know what it is. We're here ta help.” Applebloom said.

“I don't ca...” he was cut short as he felt an dark power behind him. Reluctantly, he turned and found himself staring down his old mentor.

They stared into each others eyes for what seemed like hours.

“It really is you, David.” the General said, “Everyone was convinced you were dead.”

Midnight smiled, “Sorry to tell you, Edward, but David Corbin died seven years ago. I buried him and his dark past. My name is Midnight Star, guardian of Equestria, and Commander of the Dawn Shield.”

“You say you buried your dark past. Ha ha ha.” he indicated the carnage behind them, “Then explain how seven equine creatures and a traitor can fight over five thousand Kordan soldiers?

“You haven't buried your darkness, you just stuck a flower on called it new. Then you shared it with others, tainting them. Come back to us, David.” he offered, “we can reverse what ever made you into this... thing.

“You can't win, and you know that. I can easily kill you and all your allies, but we were once comrades. I don't want to have to kill you.”

Midnight knew he was right.

He turned to look at the three fillies behind him and noticed something. They were terrified of the man in front of them, and yet they were standing they're ground, ready to fight.

Midnight felt something pull at the edge of his mind, a spark of recognition. Suddenly he knew what to do. He knew why they were here, Zecora, you really do know more than you should.

“You're right General, you are far stronger than any of us. Yes you could destroy us all, except one problem.

“These ponies have displayed the qualities of true warriors. Scootaloo jumped out of a plane to save a dear friend, not even knowing how she would help, showing great courage. Applebloom threw a tank like it was a toy. That's an amazing feat of strength. Sweetie Bell showed wisdom beyond her years by making up for her lack of physical strength by using tools and gadgets she made herself.” he looked back at the three beaming fillies.

Midnight glared at the general, “Do you know what happens when those three qualities come together under a guardian?”

“I'll humor you, what?” the general asked.

“Simple,” Midnight, Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Bell were enveloped in a white light as they were lifted off the ground, “Order is born!”

The light around the four ponies condensed into silver armor each adorned with gems in the shape of their cutie marks.

Midnight's eyes shot open glowing bright white. Each of the stones light merged into a great orb of energy above their heads.

The orb burst into dozens of beams that shot away from the General, piercing one soldier then another. After every one of the humans were  hit by the rays they curved up and converged into one great beam before racing towards Titus, piercing his heart.

A moment later the world was bathed in white.

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Twilight ran as fast as she could to where the rays of light originated. She was running on pure adrenalin by this time.

When she got there she saw Rainbow Dash, AJ, and Pinkie around an unconscious Fluttershy. Jacob was with Midnight, who had his Armor of the Guardian, but what caught her eye was the three fillies next to him wearing similar armor, without the head gear.

She looked at her husband and friends and smiled. Against all odds they won. They won and they all survived.

Thank Celestia. she thought.

“Come on, Babe, you ready to go home?” Midnight sat beside her, “I'm sure the princesses would like to hear about what happened here.”

Rarity finally caught up and immediately pulled Sweetie Bell into a hug, “I thought I would never see you again.”

After finally releasing her sister Rarity looked at her, “Oh, my, that armor is gorgeous! Where did you get it?”

“The same place I got mine.” Midnight said.

“But yours is one of the Elements... of... order.” Rarity looked at him then back to Sweetie, “Well, just like your big sister.”

“Come on, let's go home, Scoots.” Dash said, “I need a nap.”

“Ah'll carry Fluttershy.” said AJ

“Yea,” Midnight said, “that's a good idea. Jacob could you be a pal and get the hauler. We don't have thumbs.”

They shared a laugh, but Midnight's was cut short.

A feeling that he had almost forgot about came back in a rush. Something dark and very familiar was there.

In a burst of fire a creature appeared before them. It stood at eight feet, was red and black, with cat-like legs, and dragon's hands.

It's voice was like the rumble of an earthquake, “It's been a while... father.”

Midnight's worst fear has come true. Nag-Ta has found his way to Equestria. Next Chapter: Chapter 12: A Light in the Dark Estimated time remaining: 17 Minutes