Nightfall had come upon the desert once more. Twilight and her friends had gladly taken refuge under Trixie's roof and all they had to do was kill the time until they reached their destination. All had found something to occupy themselves, say for Applejack who was raiding Trixie's pantry for a meal she didn't have to dig out of the ground herself. Trixie was trying to master her new spell in her room, Zecora and Aaron were sleeping soundly with each other, and Twilight was doing something she had wanted to do for a long time now.

In Trixie's bathroom, Twilight felt herself relax for the first time in a long time. The room filled with steam from the hot water filled the room as Twilight relaxed in the tub filled with steaming water. A sense of calmness washing over her. She was in her own little world now and she was taking her sweet time to wash off her grime that had built up for Celestia knows when. The time seemed to pass her by as she enjoyed herself. To her, the outside world was dead and all she had to do was care for herself now.

Twilight felt happier for the first time in a long time, but unfortunately that bliss would have to come to an end. Twilight had soaked in the water for so long, she had no idea where or who she was for the moment, but as she dried herself off from the water it all came back to her. With a sigh, she wrapped her towel around her body and left the bathroom where she found Trixie where she left her. By her bedside, still trying to do the spell Twilight had taught her.

Trixie paid Twilight no mind, absorbed in her personal mission to learn a new spell, downing a special reserve of her synthetic magic. Since she was technically alone, she began to dig through her bag and found some clothes that fit her. More or less. She pulled out for a pair of shorts and a simple black shirt. Dressed and dried, Twilight made her way out where she found Applejack talking with Zecora. Applejack sees Twilight and waves at her.

"Hey Twilight. How was the bath?" Twilight smiled at her, holding on to the feeling of the water.

"Amazing. I really needed that."

"Oh yeah? Think I could get in on that?"

"Well... sure, but you'll have to replace the water."

"No problem. I still know how to work a tub." Applejack got up and stretched. "Zecora, we'll talk later, okay." Zecora nodded as Applejack disappeared into Trixie's room. Twilight sat down in AJ's seat and began to relax, trying to catch the sensation from the tub or at the very least something close to it.

"Hello again, Twilight my dear. How are you enjoying your stay here?" Twilight brought out of her trance and turned her attention to Zecora, trying to register her question.

"To be honest, I'm having the time of my life. No worries of something trying to kill me, I'm with my friends, and somepony is actually listening to me for a change." Twilight said with a giggle. "Where's Aaron?"

"He is in my room, resting after our time together. Though from the way he was panting, he sounded like he was under the weather." Twilight blushed as she looked about.

"I-I see... um... just out of curiosity. How was he exactly?" Zecora raised a brow in a questioning way.

"Well, he said it was his first time, and judging from his movements it was obvious. After the first few minutes, it was clear he was a novice." Twilight paid attention closely. "However, there was one thing that was noticeable. His stamina lasted longer than any other first time stallion had gone than I thought possible." Twilight tried her best to hide a smile. "Now, may I ask what has possessed you to ask about your friends sexual ability? I assure you he has the virility."

"W-Well... I just thought that... maybe he and I could... go around for... scientific implications?" Zecora had the same questioning look on her face, not believing a word that left Twilight's mouth. Twilight sighed defeated and came clean. "Fine, I have an itch okay. I'm, built up from stress of this whole ordeal and... I was thinking some release would help."

Zecora chuckled at her, giving Twilight a questioning look of her own. "It is fine, you aren't the only one who wanted to know. There is no need for such woe."

"Then... why the look then?"

"Applejack asked me the same question. It would seem that she had wanted some time for her own session." Twilight could understand that. No interaction with anypony for three years had to give a mare some build up. "But I'll tell you what I told Applejack. Don't do it for pleasure alone, show him affection and he will show it back. And if over time there is a spark, act on your emotions. Don't just go through the motions."

Twilight understood and brought Zecora in for a hug. "Thanks. I'll take your advice to heart." Zecora returned her affections until it was interrupted by a disgruntled Trixie, finally coming out of her room and going right for the fridge for some cider. "Something wrong Trixie?"

"You're damn right something's wrong!" She snapped. "This spell is absolutely impossible! I'm starting to think you tricked me so you could get a free ride."

"What?! I would never do that to you." Trixie was about to answer back until she took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, with a bit of help from her cider.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I'm just... frustrated is all."

"You're telling me. I didn't think it would be that hard."

"Well it is." Trixie said in a bitter tone, downing more cider. "Ohhh, that's the stuff. So, what are you all talking about?"

"We're talking about..." Twilight paused for a moment to think. "What we've done since last we saw each other?" Trixie was skeptical but shrugged it off. "Um... so, what have you been up to lately? Still... performing?" Trixie sighed and sat down in a dining chair.

"I have, though, the limitations are now more difficult. I struggle to make ends meet and ponies are far more clingy to their bits in these dark times. Though, we always find ways to make a living. Zecora has even been a big help with that as my stage assistant or as," Trixie took a big gulp, launching out of her seat to get into a more dazzling pose. "Zecora, the All Seeing!" She said in a loud informative tone. "My house is big and she filled the space quite well. Plus, she can cook. You have no idea how grateful I am for that."

"I do," Zecora added. "She praised me for so time until I asked her to cease. I only knew the words would soon increase."

"Hey, at least somepony was thanking you for what you were doing." Twilight added. "When I was in a resistance safe house and Raindbow's troops, no pony listened to a word I said. You'd think that since you were one of the last princesses, somepony out there would listen to a word that you say but apparently that all went out the door when... Nightmare Moon came back." Things got quiet all of a sudden.

"Ah yes. The siege of the Crystal Empire. I've only heard stories of what happened. Always different every time." Trixie said in a somber tone.

"I have as well, but I don't need stories. I was there."

"Y-You were?" Trixie said in amazement, dropping her cider on the ground and moving the chair closer. "Wh-What happened there? Is everypony okay?" Twilight shook her head, laying back on to the couch.

"I don't know Trixie. That was a long time ago and it's kind of long story."

"I do not wish to interrupt, but this subject is something we'd like to know, regardless of how abrupt." Twilight sighed as she thought it over. She never told anypony the story. No pony even knew she was there, at least nopony alive. She might as well try telling it at least once.

"Fine... I'll tell the story. If... Trixie passes me a cider." Trixie obliged, eager to learn what happened the day the Crystal Empire was destroyed. Trixie grabbed the closest bottle and tossed it to Twilight, who caught it with ease. She opened the bottle and took a long swig of the liquid inside, unknowingly stalling for time. "Okay, let me see here. It wa-" She was interrupted by Applejack coming out of the room, mane a mess and fully nude.

"Boy oh boy did I need that." She said, looking at everypony one by one. "Hey, why's everypony so down?"

"Twilight was about to tell us a story."

"Oh? Mind if I join in for a listen?" Twilight turned to Trixie and Zecora.

"Fine." Trixie said. "Just put some clothes on. Nopony wants to look at your tits through a dramatic story."

"Meh, I wouldn't say that. Aaron's not awake yet." Applejack said as she went in to put some clothes on. It wasn't a long wait, Applejack just tossed whatever she could find that would fit her and came back out with Twilight to listen to her story. "Alright Twilight, what's the story."

Twilight took a deep breath and began to recollect the days. "Well, it was a day like any other..."

~~~~~

The crystal halls gleamed in the sun as the ponies went about their daily lives. Ever since Tirek came to power, the population had grown exponentially due to the protective nature the city held. Supplies were spread thin, but enough to where everypony didn't go hungry. Even the royals cut back for the good of the ponies they protected, even stop eating all together much to the other ponies distress.

Cadence and Shining made sure that their ponies were as happy as possible. Doing all they could to make sure the defenses were at their strongest, Dash trained her soldiers to be at their physical peak at all times, and that every escape plan was always at the ready for when things go downhill. The snow on the outside provided a clear view to anything or anypony coming upon the city and Rainbow always made absolutely sure somepony was watching out for any danger.

Twilight was spending her time in the Crystal Empire Royal Library, looking for something to find her friends and set things right. Yet her efforts have turned up nothing. In fact less than nothing. She had gone through every book in the library at least twice. Dissecting every book at her disposal and looking through the contents thoroughly. Yet, she found nothing that would help her or anypony else, Twilight felt defeated as she laid in her her pile of books. A strong sense of dread looming over her as she wallowed in her failure. She had spent months trying to find a way to save her friends and she wouldn't dare say those months, she hoped she didn't spend all that time for nothing.

She heard a pony clear his throat, bringing Twilight out of her self loathing. Standing a few feet from her pile was a young stallion, one of Rainbow's troops. He was a pegasus, a young one at that. Probably a new recruit. Twilight stood up and patted herself down. "Can I help you?" Twilight asked. The stallion came forward, giving Twilight a better look at him. He was a lean like most pegasi with a blonde mane and a dark reddish-brown coat. His silver eyes scanned the clip board.

"I'm here to relay a message, your highness. Princess Celestia has asked for your presence in the throne room. I don't know why, but it sounded rather urgent."

"I see. Very well then, I'll head there immediately. You are dismissed." The stallion saluted and left Twilight, going off to his other duties. With a sigh, Twilight got up to her hooves, stretching out her limbs and left the library to see what her former mentor wanted. Though, a part of her was glad to hear from the solar princess. She had left the Crystal Empire a few weeks before on a secret mission and Twilight was glad to hear she had returned.

Leaving the library, Twilight made her way for the castle. The sound of ponies talking among themselves filled the streets. The crowds did their best to keep morale up. Rainbow and the Princesses could do oh so much, and at times that wasn't even enough. Though, they ponies always managed to find something to keep their spirits high. It was the only way they could power the Crystal Heart, the city's main and most powerful defense against the evil forces. At the moment, things were relatively tame compared to how wild things could get. They may not be Pinkie level parties, but when they wanted to celebrate, the city became a beacon in the frozen north.

Opening the doors to the castle, Twilight began her long walk up the castle. It was much quieter inside than in the streets and that was how she liked it. She could hear her hooves echo along the crystal floors as she made her way up further to meet the princess. Twilight had spent most of her time in the library than the castle and each time she went to meet with her remaining family, she was always surprised by how many stairs there were.

Finally reaching the top, her legs slightly burning after the work out from her way up, she had a clear shot to the throne room. Sighing in relief, Twilight wasted little time in getting across the long hallway to see her the Princess. Slowly opening the large doors, Twilight arrived at the throne room where she could see Princess Celestia at the other end, looking through a window. Twilight approached her former mentor, trying to contain her sheer glee to see her after the princess had gone for some time and unharmed at that. "Princess." Twilight made her presence known to the Celestia.

Slowly turning around, Twilight was greeted by the Celestia's radiant smile. It was merely a smirk, but it many it felt like the warmth of the sun on a cool spring afternoon. Her etherial hair no longer flowed with magic, but it still looked other worldly. "Hello Twilight. It's nice to see you again."

"Likewise, Princess." Twilight said, failing to contain her happiness and brought her former mentor in for a hug. Celestia gladly returned the sign of affection with her own hug. The tall pony was happy to see her former student as much as she was to see her. "Where did you go? We were all worried you would not return." Said with a few tears forming in her eyes.

"Well, this war has gone on longer than I had thought. With Tirek with all magic in the land at his disposal, I admit that I got rather desperate to see our home free." Celestia sighed and brought out something that peaked Twilight's curiosity. It was a book. "Do you know what this is?" Twilight was about to point out the obvious when she saw what was stamped on the cover. It was that of a pony with a long white beard, curling into a spiral.

"It's... Starswirl's journal."

"One of many. Unlike the one that turned you into an alicorn, this one is untranslated." Celestia opened the book to show Twilight to show Twilight the contents. She would say she knew what it was about, but in all honesty, it looked like absolute gibberish. Any other pony would dismiss it as such, but if she knew Starswirl, it was coded to hide the secrets within. "This book contains some of Starswirl's most dangerous creations." Celestia closed the book and presented it to Twilight. "I want you to unlock its secrets and help me find a way to bring peace to our land once more."

Twilight was feeling rather overwhelmed, but she would do what she could. She had studied Starswirl for years and knew he was a brilliant unicorn. If this book contained the secrets to winning against Tirek, she would spend every waking minute to learn the ins and outs this book would contain. "Thank you Princess. I-I'll see to it that a solution is found."

"Thank you Twilight. I knew I could count on you. Now, where is my sister? I've missed her so."

"Oh. Luna is in her quarters. She grew a little ill in the past week and a half."

"Oh?"

"Yes. She says it's the feather flu."

"Ah, I see. That's awful. But, I'll pay her a visit none the less. Maybe with some cabbage stew like mother used to ma-" They were cut off by the crack of thunder. It startled the two ponies greatly due to the fact that it was always sunny in the Crystal Empire. The two looked out the window as the sound of panic filled the streets as the ponies pointed at the issue. The magic barrier that kept evil at bay rippled as something powerful had struck it. There was another crash as Twilight and Celestia could see what it was. Something exploded along the barrier and caused it to ripple once more. "YOUR MAJESTY!!!" A guard cried out. It was the messenger from before. "W-We have a situation!" Twilight and Celestia looked to each other worriedly.

"Twilight, go see what is wrong. I'll gather the ponies to safety." Twilight nodded and left with the pony to see what the situation was. She didn't want to leave the princess just as she had returned, but this demanded her attention more. The two raced out of the throne room and back down the stairs, running through the streets of panicking ponies as more explosions could be heard atop of the barrier, causing more and more ripples.

Mass confusion was abound as the two ponies maneuvered through the crowd to get to their destination. They moved from the city to the camps that had been built for the soldiers to train and keep watch as to keep the civilians safe from harm. Though, as Twilight and the messenger came into the camp, they saw that pandemonium had spread to them as well. The soldiers were scrambling about, trying to get what they needed to go and fast. Only to look more like a crowd of frightened chickens in their efforts. But in the center of things was one mare barking orders as she tried her best to pull in her troops.

"Ma'am!" the messenger called out. "I've brought Twilight as you've asked." the pony saluted his commanding officer as she turned to greet them. Standing in her custom-made armor, Rainbow turned to meet Twilight with a sigh of relief that her orders were being met.

"At ease Draco." She said, walking towards them. "I need you to head to the heavy artillery, tell them to prep the trebuchets, A.S.A.P."

"Yes ma'am."

"Also, see if you can get us more spears and arrows for the long-range battalion."

"Yes ma'am."

"Very good. Now go, I need to debrief Twilight." The pony nodded and left at break-neck speeds. "Twilight." Rainbow said with a sigh. "Nice to see ya again. Thought you wouldn't come out of that library for anything."

"Yeah, well. Loud explosions can get a mare's attention."

"I hear that." Rainbow said with a chuckle as another explosion sounded. "Literally. Now, pleasantries aside, we got a serious issue." Twilight was handed a pair of binoculars and she looked out to the south. Past the barrier, Twilight could see a terrible sight. The cause of the explosions was due to enemy catapults firing magically charged boulders to explode upon contact. Backing the heavy artillery was an army of enemy soldiers, marching in formation to their home.

"Oh sweet Celestia."

"My thoughts exactly." Rainbow remarked.

"What do we do?"

"Whatever we can do to keep them at bay. That force field is the only thing keeping them out at the moment and the ponies have been over charging the crystal heart for so long. I figure we got a couple weeks before it depleted entirely. That should give us all enough time to starve to death."

"I see." Twilight said in a somber tone.

"Yep. But, you know me and I think that plan is fucking stupid. But we don't have the horse-power to take them head on, so that's even more fucking stupid."

"So, what do we do then?"

"Well, what do ya think. We get the hell out of dodge, but not right away. We send the ponies out little by little so they don't get suspicious and go looking for them. The tunnels are still clear and we should be able to send them out before things get to bad." There was another explosion but this time it was met with a sharp crackle. Looking up as everypony froze in terror, they could all see the barrier failing. Soon enough, it was gone entirely. Letting the cold and the enemy troops in. Rainbow looked on in disbelief and called out to her soldiers. "Hey, what the hell's going on!?"

The soldiers were scrambling about the camp to get themselves ready. They knew what was coming and to some, this was their first battle. While Rainbow tried to get her troops together, Twilight left to investigate what was wrong. Though, she had a good idea what it could be. If her thoughts proved correct, she would know that this was only the beginning.

~~~~~

As the barriers fell, several magically charged boulders finally made their way to the city, sending the populace into a panic as homes, stores, and restaurants were decimated by the attack. Twilight was doing her best to move through the crowds but it was like working against a powerful current of water, except the crowd pushed her several different directions but the way she wanted to go. Yet, she managed to push her way past the terrified ponies and make her way to the base of the castle as much of her suspicions were finally answered.

The crystal heart was gone, removed from its center by some outside force. Though, who could have done so was raising more questions. Only those will ill intent can not pass through its barrier, meaning somepony had to have already been inside. But that could wait for another time. Twilight had a city to save and unlike last time, she had a direct means of finding the Crystal Heart. Taking out a bottle of synthetic magic, Twilight downed the substance, feeling the magic course through her once more. Twilight and Cadence feared what would happen if somepony would take it, so with Cadence's permission, Twilight cast a tracking spell on the heart without any other pony knowing about it.

Twilight looked around in all directions until she stopped upon feeling her horn vibrate and glow. She found the heart, only it was coming from inside the castle. She had a bad feeling in her gut as she started running up the stairs, keeping track of where the signal came from and managing her magic as to not waste her limited supply. She could hear the screaming ponies outside as the attack continued on. She was worried for her friends, her family.

Then it hit her. What if the thief was also an assassin. Come to kill the royals and see to it that nopony would stand against Tirek or his followers. The thought of seeing her family and friends lying dead in their own blood and a knife in their backs made Twilight double time it up the stairs to the floor where the signal was coming from.

Once at the right level, Twilight ran through the halls. "Halt!" A voice came. She had no time for this, but then again a guard at her side did sound quite logical. Twilight came to a stop but continued running in place. "Who goes ther- oh. It's just you Twilight." She looked back to see a yellow-orange pegasus.

"Flash, I need your help! Somepony has stolen the Crystal Heart and they're on this level!" The young guard's eyes went wide as he understood the situation. "I need you to come with me so we can find who did it and bring them to justice."

"Y-Yeah." He said, brandishing his sword and shied, ready for battle. "Lead the way your highness." Twilight didn't have time to argue about titles and ran off down the maze of hallways with Flash Sentry. Twilight growing more and more anxious as the glow grew brighter and brighter as they got closer and closer. Then, they found it. The room that held the artifact and the pony who stole it. Though there was just one issue. They were standing in front of Princess Luna's room. Not only that, but she could hear faint sounds of a struggle inside.

Worried that the assassin had come to kill the princess, Twilight burst through the door with a mild spell, depleting the last of her magic for the moment. Though what she saw shocked her and flash greatly. The room was dark with the only light coming in from the cracks of a window on the opposite side of a room, but it was enough to see inside.

Standing tall before them was Princess Luna, but not as they knew her before. She stood tall and imposing as her coat was now black and her mane running wild with dark magics. Her armor glowed in the faint light and as an explosion outside illuminated the room, they could see her eyes. The ocean blue and unnatural eyes filled with malice had returned to them as the feared entity of Nightmare Moon.

Twilight looked down as she felt her her heart sink and a chill run through her. At her hooves was a bloodied and beaten Celestia, whether she was dead or unconscious was unknown to Twilight. Hearing a war cry, Flash Sentry rushed in, charging the dark princess with all his might. But it was for not.

Nightmare Moon lifted the soldier as if he were a doll, holding him by his neck and running several thousand volts of magical electricity through his body, his body began to spasm and twitch uncontrollably as he felt Nightmare Moon's magic run through his entire figure.

When she was done, he dropped him as if he were a plaything she immediately grew tired of. Then, her sights were set on Twilight. Twilight could feel the fear building up in her like the first time she saw her, and just like last time, she pushed past it to face her. "L-Luna." Twilight said, trying to mask her crackling voice. "I ask that you don't do this. give me the crystal heart and we can both wa-" She was interrupted as the wall suddenly exploded without warning. Twilight blocked the debris from her eyes, but looked back to Nightmare once more.

"Luna!" Twilight shouts as she sees the dark mare lift up the unconscious Celestia. "Please! Don't do this!" Twilight readying another bottle of synthetic magic, forcing her hand to fight a close friend.

"I'm sorry Twilight." Came a soft voice. "I had no choice." Her wings extended out and propelled her out of the large hole. Carrying the princess and the Crystal Heart outside. Though before she left, she spoke once more. "Your family is getting ready to leave with the civilians. I suggest you make your way there." With that said, she flew off into the distance with their only hopes of survival.

Twilight was frozen, unmoving as she failed to comprehend what had happened. The sound of terror and agony became abundant in the cities as they all raced for the tunnels that had been built under the city. Twilight was about to head there, only to stop and look to Flash. She ran to his side to look for a pulse and with a sigh of relief, she found it. Lifting the stallion up, she began to take the pony with her after downing the bottle of magic she had planned on using on Nightmare before she got away. Her hands glowed with a healing spell as she ran, trying her best to stay upright when she felt the grounds shake. The troops had invaded the city and were making their way closer to the castle, she had to hurry and see if her loved ones were still okay.

The pony in her arms let out a small grunt of pain as they walked down the stairs. "Ugh, sorry Flash. Mmf. Kinda have to concentrate on three things at once... i-its really difficult." She made her way down as fast but carefully as possible.

"HEY!!!" Until she heard a strangers voice. Looking up, she could see a few griffon soldiers. Soldiers that weren't one of Rainbows. Throwing safety out the window, Twilight hurried herself down the stairs only for the Griffon to fly down and hover in the air before them, spears ready to kill. "Holy shit, I think we got one of the Princesses!" The same Griffon said in amazement.

"Well, make sure to bring her in alive. She's no good to us dead."

"What about the other guy?"

"I guess we could eat him." Twilight didn't like that idea one bit. Slowly backing away with Flash on her shoulders in a protective way. She couldn't let her distraction fall for a second, and luckily she wouldn't have to. Leaping from the upper floor and taking the two by surprise was a gift from the heavens in the form of a white stallion in royal armor. Taking the two griffins with ease as his spear took the other soldier before he could get near Twilight and Flash.

The two soldiers fell dead on the steps as the knight came forth. "There you are Twily. I've looked everywhere for you."

"Shining. Flash is hurt."

"Yeah. I can see that. Come on, we need to get to the underneath. Cadence is waiting for us down below. We can get him patched up down there and then we can get everypony to safety." Twilight nodded as Shining took Flash over his shoulder, Twilight ceasing her healing spell so they could get out sooner and make it to the escape route. Some of the enemy soldiers had found their way into the castle and yet with a wounded pony on his shoulder, Shining still managed to protect the two with utter ease. He would make sure that the two got to safety, lest he face the wrath of his wife if Twilight is harmed.

~~~~~

Down below the city, the remaining populace huddled together in main hub for a series of tunnels built for escape. They were all terrified, but some had other things on their mind. Some ponies wandered the crowd looking for loved ones, fearful that somepony they loved became a casualty of war. Their cries echoed through, only to be silenced by the quaking from up above.

Rainbow was willing to fight out in the city with her soldiers, but she knew that the lives of the ponies they protected were more important. A battalion had remained topside to give them as much time to escape as possible, content with the fact that they would surely die or be imprisoned. It was there that Cadence and Rainbow were sending out ponies little by little as to make sure that they got out safely and not trample over each other.

Walking down the steps, Twilight could see that a lot of ponies got out of the city safely, though she knew for a fact that this wasn't the entire populace of the city. But in the distance, she could see the crystal princess and here dear friend trying to sort out the chaos. "Shining. Do you think you can take care of Flash?"

"I'll get him to medic. We'll see to it he gets out of here alive."

Twilight smiled and brought her brother in for a hug. "Thank you Shining. I knew I could count on you." Shining could see tears forming in her eyes, her worry for Shining was apparent to him. Reaching under his armor, he brought out a green cloth neatly folded out of his chest plate.

"Twilight, I want you to have this." He unfolded it to show it was a dark green cloak. "It's my cadet's cloak, I kept this since basic training and it's kept me safe ever since. I want you to keep it until we meet again." Twilight took the cloak and wrapped it around herself, holding it close to her. It was surprisingly warm to her.

"Thank you Shining. I'll see you later. Promise." Twilight departed from Shining and Flash Sentry, pushing and shoving her way through the tightly packed group to get to the stage where Cadence and Rainbow were, finding the act easier said than done. Twilight wasn't the only one moving through the crowds. Finally after moving through a sea of pony sweat and fear, Twilight managed to climb up to meet her friends. "Rainbow." Twilight called out, gasping for air. The cyan pegasus looked to Twilight, soon rushing to her aid.

"There you are! I was worried sick."

"Sorry. S-Somepony stole the Crystal heart."

"What!? Who did?"

"Lu-... N-Nightmare Moon." Rainbow's eyes shrunk as the gravity of the situation hit her.

"How could she do this? To us all?"

"I don't know, and frankly I don't care at the moment. Right now, I want to get out of here." Rainbow nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I can do that. Where's Celestia." Twilight looked down, a sorrowful look on her face.

"Oh... Ohhhhhh."Rainbow understood, gaining a look similar to that of Twilight.

"Yeah. But... Before she was taken, Celestia gave me something." Twilight brought out the journal and presented it to Rainbow. "It's one of Starswirl's old journals. She thought it would be able to help us."

"Well then, I suggest we get you out of here then." They all froze as they heard the ground shake above them, the enemy was getting closer. Cadence turned to Dash and Twilight.

Twilight, if Celestia thought that this would help us, then I need to get you out of here. You're the only pony who knows more about Starswirl than Celestia or Luna did. If that book has an ace in the hole, then you need to get to safety."

"She's right Twilight. You gotta get moving." Twilight looked to the two worriedly. She wanted to go, but not if it meant leaving her friends and family.

"W-What about you guys?" Cadence sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I need to stay here, to guide them out to safety."

"I'll go with you." Rainbow said, stepping forward. "We can head to a safe house, spend the time we need to translating that book of yours. Once we do, we go take down Tirek and Nightmare Moon." Twilight smiled with tears in her eye at the two.

"Thank you. Both of you." Rainbow and Cadence returned her smile with their own, only to look up at the ceiling as the fighting had gotten rather too close for comfort.

"You need to go. Now!" Cadence commanded. Understanding the situation, Twilight brought Cadence in for one last hug before she and Rainbow started their way down a tunnel. Twilight held on to her book tightly as they ran through the tunnel, the sound of the other ponies getting fainter and fainter as things suddenly grew dark in the tunnel. Rainbow held on to Twilight's arm so she wouldn't lose her.

Twilight looked back and only saw a faint speck of light in the distance as the darkness of the tunnel soon took over. "Rainbow." She asked, her fear showing through.

"Yeah Twilight?"

"How much further is it?" She asked, a little anxious to get out of the confined space.

"Just a little further. These tunnels were built so that the ponies will be far from the city and away from danger." As promised, Twilight could see a faint light in the distance, as well as the sound of rushing winds. Twilight and Rainbow picked up their pace, running closer to the glimmer of light.

Only for the two to stop as the tunnel began to rock and shake. They could hear the ceiling crack and soon began to give way. Twilight and Rainbow began to rush for the end of the tunnel, the sound of rubble falling to the ground behind them and ceiling the tunnel behind them. There was no going back now, there was only forward.

The two stopped upon coming to a white wall of snow, the last barrier out of the city. The two tried to recover their breath from the long distance of running. The only sound they could hear was the rushing winds and snow of the north. rainbow began to dig through, eager to get to the outside.

Once the wall of ice was broken, Rainbow took a deep breath of cold air. Clawing her way through to the outside world. She hated confined spaces, especially where she can't spread her wings. Upon crawling out, Rainbow reached into the snow to pull Twilight through, the princess doing the same and gasping for air. They stood up, patting themselves down of snow. The protective layer the cloak provided from Shining would shield her from the blizzard. Rainbow wouldn't need it. She was naturally able to survive in cold winds as all pegasi could.

They looked off into the distance, the Crystal Empire ablaze as the soldiers ransacked the city, now glowing red like a beacon in the snowy tundra. "Come on Twi. Lets get going." Twilight held on to her brothers cloak, wrapping it around herself to keep warm as she remembered his promise to her.

"Yeah. I'm coming Rainbow." She turned away from the city, following close to Rainbow to leave the city behind them. They didn't know what to expect from here on out. They were on their own and only had each other to rely on. Now that Luna had betrayed them, who they could and could not trust was now in question as the two disappeared into the frozen waste, the blizzard covering their tracks as well as the rest of those that had escaped.

~~~~~

"After that, Rainbow and I traveled Equestria, looking for resources to translate the journal." The three ponies sat and listened to every word that left Twilight's mouth, taking in her story like a group of foals being told a bedtime story.

"So, What happened next?" Trixie asked.

"Well, Rainbow and I traveled Equestria. Eventually we were separated at the New Crystal Empire. That was the last I saw of her."

"And the journal? Did you ever translate it?" They heard a door open, turning to find a yawning Aaron in his pants alone, walking into the kitchen for water.

"I translated it, though i never did expect the outcome." They all looked at Aaron, Trixie and Zecora were stunned to believe that Aaron was the end product of the journal. Once he was done, he turned around to find the four ponies looking his way. He was frozen in place as he was wondering what was going on. He met their gazes, a look of amazement on Trixie and Zecora and a look of amusement on Twilight and Applejack. He had no idea what to make of the situation and merely shrugged it off. Zecora turned to Twilight and spoke.

"A tale of great woe you have told us this day. But I am compel to ask if you are okay?"

"I'm fine Zecora. Though, I must admit, recalling the memory has taken a bit out of me." Twilight sighed and stood up from the couch. "I'm going to bed. We have a lot coming up in the next two days. I want to be ready for it." Applejack nodded in agree as the others stood up, all tired and ready to rest.

Trixie left and soon returned with blankets and pillows for Applejack and Twilight to lay on. "G'night Twi. Sleep tight." Applejack said as she claimed the couch.

"Twilight." Zecora said, catching her attention. "If you wish rest, I think my bed would serve the best."

"Oh. Well, thanks Zecora but I couldn't intrude."

"You will not intrude, I assure you as much. But I have enough rest and would like to perfect some of my potions and such."

"Well, if it's no trouble." Zecora nodded as she opened the door to her room. Immediately yawning and slowly drifting off to sleep. The story lingered in her mind as she began to dream. So many unanswered questions bounced through her mind. Some she dared not face yet. But there was one that bugged her to no end, be if she were awake or asleep and it had remained for the last two years. Where was Shining Armor?

Author's Notes:

I thought this fic was getting too happy... so I decided to fix that. Also, thank you to my friend for letting me use his OC.