Author's note
In tribute of the film 'Maleficent' coming out on DVD, I am now working on the story that introduces her, 'Sleeping Beauty'. So read and enjoy!

Chapter 1: Gifts and Curse

As our story begins, a book on a desk opens up, showing what's happening. The narrator, me, spoke, "A long time ago, in the kingdom known as Ponyville far away, there lived a king and queen. They wanted a daughter for many years...and soon, after long waiting, their wished is granted. They had a filly, with a mane and tail that were both moderate sapphire blue with moderate violet and brilliant Rose streaks. They named her Twilight Sparkle for she was born in the twilight of the day and that she sparkles in her live with great joy. A holiday was soon declared throughout all over so that any pony, no matter the statue, will come and pay respect for the newborn princess. And thus, our story begins on this great day."

We now see a crowd heading to the palace to pay their respects to the newborn princess. They begin to sing joyfully while doing so.

Crowd: Joyfully now to our princess we come,
Bringing gifts and all good wishes too.
We pledge our loyalty anew.
Hail to the princess Twilight!
All of her subjects adore her!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the princess Twilight!
Health to the princess,
Wealth to the princess,
Long live the princess Twilight
Hail Twilight! Hail Twilight!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the princess Twilight!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the princess Twilight!

The crowd went inside the castle where the party is getting underway. The crowd gathers around the crib proudly as the couple in royal clothing watches on. One of them is a unicorn with a blue coat, a slate blue mane, and green yellow eyes. The unicorn himself has a yellow waxing crescent moon with a smaller waning crescent moon inside. His name is Night Light, the king.

The queen is another unicorn with light azure eyes, a moderate purple and light gray mane, a light gray coat and has three purple stars as a cutie mark. Her name is Twilight Velvet.

"Today on this great day, everyone all over celebrate the great birth. Night Light and Twilight Velvet even welcome their lifelong friend."

"From the kingdom of Canterlot, his royal highness, Lord Jack Silver and his son Benjamin Maregillian," An announcer said as two more ponies arrive on the scene. One of them is a Brown earth pony with a crown and a robe with yellow hair. His Cutie mark is a pirate sword. His name is Jack Silver, the husband of Princess Celestia and the lord of Canterlot.

The other pony is a brown coated colt with a spiky like brown mane, green eyes, a long tail and a red collar. His name is Benjamin Maregillian, AKA Ben Mare, Jack and Celestia's son.

"Great to see you again, old friend," Night Light said, shaking hooves with Jack Silver. "A great day, isn't it?"

"That it is, Night Light." Jack Silver said with a chuckle as Ben, holding out a gift for Twilight, looks at the filly in confusion. "Shame Tia can't make it. But she is busy with her own kingdom. My wife gives her regards."

"As I know she is."

Ben looks at baby Twilight who giggles at the stallion happily, blushing for some reason. It's like...the two were destined to be together even when the princess is still a baby filly!

"One day, Lord Silver and King Night Life, along with Princess Celestia, dreamt of the day when their dreams will be reunited. And thus as of today, they would announce that Benjamin Maregillian, AKA Ben Mare, Jack and Celestia's son and Twilight Sparkle herself will be betrothed. And so, the young colt brought his gift to her as he look unknowingly at his future bride."

"Huh. For a little filly, she looks cute." Ben said to himself quietly.

The announcer continues, "And now, from the Mystic Realm, the guests of honor, Rarity, Spike the Dragon, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash!"

Soon three ponies, with something on one of their backs, flew into the room using magic from the Mystic Realm, a land of Mystic Ponies. One of them is a purple mane light azure grey female unicorn with light blue eyes and three diamonds on her flank. Her name is Rarity.

On her back is a baby light purple Dragon with moderate sap green scales, a greenish gray underbelly, light lime ears and chartreuse green eyes. His name is Spike, the trio's friend. He likes riding on Rarity as it is no secret in the Mystic Realm that Spike has a crush on the mare.

The second pony is a pale yellow female Pegasus with a long pink mane and tail, cyan eyes. Her cutie mark is three butterflies. Her name is Fluttershy.

The last of the trio to come from the Mystic Realm is a light blue female Pegasus pony with a rainbow mane and tail, pink eyes and a marking of a cloud and a rainbow shaped lightning bolt on her flank.. Her name is Rainbow Dash.

"Hey folks! What's up?" Rainbow asks, doing a pose as if doing so for fans. Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy chuckles while rolling their eyes. That mare is just a showoff!

The Mystic Realm ponies go over to the crib where Twilight is at. As she smiles at them, Fluttershy smiles, "Awww, look at her."

"Yes, yes, indeed. She is cute." Rarity remarks with a light chuckle, smiling at little Twilight.

"You know, I feel like I would've been her assistant, brother, son, whatever in another lifetime." Spike comments, making the ponies look at him, "Oh; Not that I'm saying that I ain't happy with this one, though!"

"Yeah, she's awesome." Rainbow remarks with a shrug while looking at Twilight. "If she has wings though, Twilight would be one awesome flying buddy."

Rarity shushes Rainbow. Then her group turns to the royal couple, doing curtesy (though Rainbow did so in annoyance). The white unicorn said, "Your majesties. Rarity: Each of us shall give the filly a magical gift. No more…no less. "

"Three shall the number thou shalt count…and the number of the counting shall be…three." Spike said, doing some sort of weird voice thingies.

Rainbow gave Spike a weird look as she asks, "Huh? Spike…what are you getting at?"

"Four…shalt thou not count. Neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five…is right out!"

"Uh, Spike?" Fluttershy ask Spike, getting an uneasy by what the Dragon is saying,

Spike didn't respond as he kept on doing, speaking oddly, "Once the number three, being the third number be reached…then--."

Rarity interrupts Spike, "Spike, darling….we were about to give the baby our gifts."

"Oh…sorry. Got carried away, I guess."

Rarity turns to the crib gently, getting out her necklace with has one of the Elements of Harmony, in this case Generosity. She activates it, waving magic around Twilight while saying, "Little princess, darling. For my gift, it shall be the gift of beauty." As magic appears over the little unicorn, a crowd behind Twilight sings.

One gift, beauty rare
Full of sunshine in her hair
Lips that shame the red red rose
She'll walk with springtime
Wherever she goes

Once Rarity's gift was given, Fluttershy smiles as she put on her own element, the Element of Kindness, as she spoke, "Tiny princess, for my gift, it shall be the gift of song." Soon the necklace glows brightly as magic was waved onto Twilight.

One gift, the gift of song
Melody her whole life long
The nightingale's her troubadour
Bringing her sweet serenade
to her door

Now it's Rainbow's turn. The mare put on her Element of Loyalty, grinning as she flew over. The Pegasus said, "Hey, princess. For my gift, it shall be..."

But before Rainbow could finish, the castle doors blew open by a gust of wind. Everyone gasps in alarm as thunder and lightning appears in the room followed by a huge smoke cloud. What is going on? Two figures appear in the room, standing menacingly at everyone. One of them is an Alicorn, a Winged Unicorn but her wings are missing. She had one purple eye shadow, something to accent her otherwise utterly black appearance. In addition, she was clad in her regal armor: elegant horse shoes, a chest plate with a crescent moon, her neck plate, and the sleek helmet. Her name is Nightmare Moon.

Now, here's some history involving Nightmare Moon. She was once known as Princess Luna, Celestia's sister, which also makes the mare Jack's sister-in-law. Of course, Luna's heart soon became full of darkness and hatred. 1, because she felt jealous towards Celestia when the ponies loved her more (in Nightmare Moon's POV) as well as finding true love. With makes the second reason worst as Luna was betrayed by her former lover King Sombra, who also cut off her wings, and thus, the Alicorn was unable to fly since.

Princess Luna turned into Nightmare Moon and tried to take the Mystic Realm, where she and Celestia were originally found, over but was stopped and banished.

Now the second figure is a griffin with golden eyes with a gray light purple around them eyes, a coat of moderate orange amber with darker wings and a white head. Her name is Gilda, Rainbow Dash's former friend until she shown what a bully she is.

"Hey lame-os," Gilda remarked with a chuckle to the shocked ponies.

"Why it's...it's Nightmare Moon!" Fluttershy gasp in shock and fear at the dark sister of Celestia.

"What does that old bat want here?!" Rainbow demands angrily at Nightmare Moon.

"Shush, Rainbow Dash. She'll hear you." Rarity said quietly to Rainbow in concern. If Nightmare Moon were to hear her, who knows what that wicked Alicorn would do?

"Well let her hear me!"

Spike nods in agreement as he said, "Yeah, she's not welcome here."

"Ugh...save me from the stubbornness of both Pegasi and Dragons!" Rarity groans, slapping her head with her own hoof. "Your loose tongues will get you both into trouble someday."

"We'll see about that, Rarity."

"Fine."

"Well, well, well; this is quite the royal occasion, King Night Light. And I can see that every pony has come. Royalty, nobility, the gentry and...ha ha ha ha...how quaint." Nightmare Moon said. She notices her former Mystic Realm friends watching from nearby, making her grin wickedly and in amusement. "Even the rabble had arrived along with their pipsqueak assistant."

"Pipsqueak," Spike yells out angrily. He would've charged her if Fluttershy haven't grabbed his tail, keeping him back in time.

"I feel a little bit insulted that neither Gilda nor I were given an invitation."

"You're not welcome here, Nightmare Moon." Night Light said sternly to Nightmare Moon. No one would dare invite a monster who tried to take over the Mystic Realm, out of jealosity towards her sister and anger towards her ex-lover Sombra.

"That's what I was gonna say, too." Rainbow remarks in agreement.

"Yeah...you're not wanted here!" Spike yells out to Nightmare Moon angrily.

"Spike," Rarity and Fluttershy exclaims in alarm by Spike's outburst.

"Bah! I'm surprised they invited you lame-os here!" Gilda exclaims to the trio with a nasty sneer. "They would invite any loser nowadays!"

"I wasn't inv..." Nightmare Moon said, acting in pretend surprise at first. Then, as if feeling a bit embarrassed and awkward, she chuckles. "Well, well, this is awkward...for a moment, I thought our invite was an oversight of such. Well, in that case, Gilda and I must be on our way."

"Then you're not offended, Nightmare Moon?" Twilight Velvet ask Nightmare Moon hopefully. The others doesn't feel her hope as they suspect that there's something else going on here than apologizing for coming uninvited before leaving.

"Why no, dear Queen Twilight Velvet; in fact...to show you what a good Alicorn I am, I will also give a gift to your foal." Nightmare Moon said. She steps forward, causing Rarity's group to block the crib. That nasty Alicorn is up to something! Nightmare Moon stood in the center of the room, speaking to everyone else, "Listen well, all of you! The mare will grow up to have beauty and grace...but..."

Nightmare Moon then uses her magic to show am image of a book with wires on it, saying, "But before the sun would set on her 16th birthday...she will prick her hoof on a wire from a black book..." Then the Alicorn shows an image that horrified everyone, even the royal couple: an image of Twilight, grown-up, lying still in a bed, "...and die!"

"No!" Twilight Velvet gasps in horror as she gallops over to the crib and pick up her crying filly. Nightmare Moon laughs wickedly: her gift is that of a curse!

Jack, having had enough of Nightmare Moon's gloating, drew his sword at the crazed corrupted form of his 'so-called' sister-in-law, silencing her laughter as she gasped in shock and surprise.

"How dare thou?! How dare thou draw thy blade upon me, Jack Silver," Nightmare Moon hiss angrily at her brother-in-law. She is still anger by how her sister married this former pirate!

"'I, too….shall bestow a gift…on the filly'? Well, how about I show ye how I bestow gifts to my enemies, Nightmare Moon!" Jack snaps at Nightmare Moon angrily.

Jack slashes at Nightmare Moon who moves to dodge his attack. Rainbow cheers him on, "Oh yeah! You teach her a thing or two, Jack!"

"Rainbow," Rarity, Spike and Fluttershy exclaims to Rainbow in alarm. Now their friend is making things worst!

"Nopony…pirate or not, nopony dares threaten me and gets away with it!" Nightmare Moon snaps, dodging the next blade. This is the second time any Equestrian pony would dare raise a blade on her, since her former lover Sombra!

"Ye break into the house of me closest friends without an invitation, ye insult their guests, you threaten their filly with dark magic and death! Oh…I have chosen my words carefully, Nightmare Moon." Jack snaps at Nightmare Moon sternly. "Perhaps ye should have done the same when ye came here."

"You're making a very big mistake, Jack Silver. You're gonna throw your life away for this. This is madness!" Gilda exclaims to Jack, getting alarmed by this.

"Madness; Madness; OH…I'll show you…MADNESS!"

Then Jack used his hind legs to buck Nightmare Moon and Gilda away, as the two villains were sent flying towards the doors of the castle. Then Nightmare Moon got up and shook her head, regaining her senses before she glared at Jack in vengeance.

"Thou shalt pay dearly for this humiliation, Jack Silver. A curse upon thee and a curse upon thy colt," Nightmare Moon promises furiously to the one who dared attack her. "I swear that before the day of the Princess's sixteenth birthday is over, thou shalt suffer, Jack Silver…thou and all thine descendants. Starting with thy precious son, Benjamin..."

Ben, gulping in fear, spoke, "Uh-oh."

"Guards…seize her. Seize that foul monster!" Night Light exclaims furiously while pointing to Nightmare Moon.

"This is far from over, Night Light. Soon…the whole kingdom shall pay for neglecting to invite me to this occasion." Nightmare Moon exclaims furiously. The Royal Guards prepare to attack her but she uses lightning to knock them away. "Stand back, fools!"

Soon an explosion occurs, causing most of everyone to cover their eyes. As all is clear, Nightmare Moon and Gilda are now gone, the wicked laughter of the Alicorn echoes all over. Everyone was in shock and fear while the royal couple looks at their daughter. Knowing Nightmare Moon, she won't rest until her curse and vengeance is complete!

Rainbow on the other hoof grins to Jack, saying, "You sure showed her a thing or two, Jack!"

"Rainbow, I think that Jack's interference only made it worse." Fluttershy said seriously to Jack. What he did made her sister-in-law outraged, enough that she will make sure that Jack and Ben will pay.

"I'm afraid that Fluttershy is right, Jack Silver. You've made quite the enemy out of Nightmare Moon, and she will never rest until you have paid the price for humiliating her like that." Rarity said to Jack seriously.

"If that be the price I pay for punishing her for her trespassing and her insults, then so be it, Miss Rarity. I don't fear her and I will pay any price for defending my friends." Jack said sternly to Rarity. He doesn't fear Nightmare Moon and will welcome death if the wicked Alicorn does come back.

"Even if that price is more than you could bear?"

"Aye...except if that cost were my only son, Ben."

Rarity clears her throat, walking to the couple while saying, "King Night Light, Queen Twilight Velvet, it's okay. Rainbow Dash didn't give her gift just yet."

"Then the curse can be undone?" Night Light ask Rarity, hoping that maybe Rainbow could undo Nightmare Moon's wicked curse.

"Hey, wish that can be easy." Rainbow groans, shaking her head sadly.

Rarity sadly nods as she said, "We got great powers, but Nightmare Moon's are greater than ours. There's nothing we could do to stop the curse or defeat her."

"But, no worries; It can still be change, right Rainbow?" Fluttershy ask Rainbow with a smile.

"What, but..." Rainbow begins to protest in concern. She doesn't know if she herself could change the curse. What if the Pegasus pony mess the attempt up?

"Rainbow, darling, not to worry," Rarity said, patting her friend on the back in assuration.

"Right, do your best. I believe in you." Fluttershy said to Rainbow lightly.

Rainbow sighs in concern then trots up to Twilight. The mare rose her pendant up, hoping for the best. The Pegasus pony said, "Sweet princess, if through this wicked Alicorn's trick by chance your prick your finger on a wire of a black book like Nightmare Moon predicts, there is still hope in this, the gift I give you. With this gift, you won't die, but be put into a deep sleep. One way, and the only way you shall awaken is when true love's kiss break the spell."

Spike pulls on Rainbow's tail, getting her attention. She said, "And Rainbow..."

"Yes, Spike?"

Spike begins whispering, "Maybe you can throw in something extra special so that will really be enough to break the spell."

"Thanks, Spike." Rainbow said in agreement. She threw in something extra special, though said the last part under her breathe so that no one could hear her.

For true love conquers all.

Author's note
And thus, the curse and gifts are in place. In the next chapter, in hopes to save Twilight from the curse, Rarity makes a plan that would result in the unicorn's disappearance for a few years, though Nightmare Moon is a bit upset and frustrated at that. Read, review and suggest.

Some bits of the new 'Maleficent' film are referenced.

Chapter 2: A Princess's Disappearance

"Although despite this well-assured promise, King Night Light, still fearful for his daughter's life, thereby ordered that every black books with wires, or separated, be destroyed on that day."

Outside, folks threw books with wires, or separated, into the fire. The king doesn't want any risk be taken to his little filly.

"And thus, it was done."

Up in a tower, Rarity and Spike watch the stuff being destroyed. The two sighs in concern. They doubt that the black books and wires' destruction will slow down the curse. Once Nightmare Moon is determined to get her revenge, nothing will stop her.

As the two leaves the window, they pass Fluttershy who is drinking tea while eating daisies. She said, "Calm down, Rarity, Spike. Have some tea." Rarity came over and gets some tea to calm herself down. "I'm sure it would work out somehow."

"Ha! I doubt a bonfire will stop Nightmare Moon." Rainbow remarks bitterly while drinking tea. She's right. No matter what, Nightmare Moon is going to be stopped that easily if any black books with wires are destroyed.

"Yeah, knowing the former Goddess of the Night, she will make sure that Twilight will prick her hoof no matter what." Spike remarks in agreement.

"Yes, but if no fire can stop her, what will?" Rarity asks with a sigh of concern.

As Fluttershy eats a sandwich, she pauses and then begins to speak, "Well...perhaps if we could talk to Nightmare Moon. Try to reason with her somehow."

"Reason," Rarity and Spike yelps in shock as if Fluttershy has made the most suicidal idea ever in the history of Equestria!

"You kidding right? Please tell me you're kidding." Rainbow said to Fluttershy with a frown. "No one could reason with her! If her sister Princess Celestia couldn't talk to her with reason, I doubt any of us would!"

"Come on, Rarity, Rainbow, Spike. Nightmare Moon wasn't always evil." Fluttershy explains calmly to her friends. "Princess Luna only became that meanie because Sombra betrayed her."

It's true. Princess Luna AKA Nightmare Moon isn't all that bad. She used to be the Goddess of the Night, after all, nice and helpful to the subjects of the Mystic Realm. But when Sombra betrayed her, the once kind Luna turned into a monster that tried to get her home out of vengeance and jealously. That drove her banishment and for her to live on Mount Thunderflame where she ruled since. And it's all because of that wicked unicorn king Sombra!

"Well, at least Nightmare Moon didn't curse Twilight to become a centaurette at night and a princess by day like what happened before, though Sombra still hates me for robbing his chance to take over the Crystal Empire and all good Dragons." Spike remarks with a sigh. "Good thing Taiku's still the Alpha Dragon."

"And unless I'm mistaken, Sombra is still out there…and he has Nightmare Moon's wings." Rarity said deeply. Princess Celestia has ordered her Royal Guards and best subjects to find Sombra, to capture and make that unicorn paid for his treachery towards Luna and everyone else in the Mystic Realm. So far, he is yet to be found. The Goddess of the Sun was hoping to recover her sister's wings and return them to her, thus hopefully bring Luna back somehow.

"Yeah; and I still remember how mad and revenge driven Crydius was when Drago Bludvist took his mom's wings."

Fluttershy shudders a bit, “Ooh…I’d hate to encounter him, if indeed he is still out there.”

Most of the Mystic Realm trio looks at Spike oddly, not understanding what he meant. Still, Rainbow sat down, frowning while scowling, "Man! Wouldn't I love to turn Sombra into a Parasprite and crush him!"

"Rainbow Dash! That isn't nice!" Fluttershy gasps at Rainbow's suggestion. Even if the yellow Pegasus pony doesn't like Sombra for what he did to Luna, there's no reason to make a threat like that.

"I agree, darling. We use our powers for good, remember?" Rarity reminds Rainbow of one fact: the trio only uses their powers to help others, bring happiness to others.

"Yes, and we don't do dark magic. We do the good kind to bring joy, happiness, and kindness."

"Well, that would make me happy and all that stuff." Rainbow remarks with a frown while crossing her upper forearms. Turning Sombra into a Parasprite and crush him would make the mare happy.

"Yeah...or at least bring Nightmare Moon back to her senses and let her crush him!" Spike remarks with an anger hiss. Boy, wouldn't it awesome if that day were to come?

"We still got Nightmare Moon to deal with. There has got to be a way...somehow..." Rarity said, trying to think of an idea of how to keep Twilight safe from Nightmare Moon until the day of the curse has passed. The white unicorn gasps while brightening up, "An idea!"

"Idea," Rainbow asks as she, Fluttershy and Spike looks up hopefully. Rarity must've come up with something to help Twilight!

"What? What is it?" Fluttershy ask Rarity anxiously.

"It's..." Rarity stops for a moment as she looks around in concern, "Best not to speak here. Even walls have ears."

"Huh?" Fluttershy and Rainbow ask puzzled, not sure what their friend is referring to at first.

"I get what Rarity means. Follow me." Spike said with a nod as he leads the mares. There's a possibility that Nightmare Moon and/or one of her forces will be spying on the Mystic Realm group right now, trying to see if they're up to something.

Spike led the group to a small cabinet as he got onto Rarity's back. The mares use their magic to shrink themselves to fly themselves inside. Once they're in there, Spike closes the door tightly to keep the conversion as peaceful and private as possible.

Rarity grins as she said, "Yes. I will turn her into a flower!"

"What, Nightmare Moon?" Fluttershy ask Rarity in surprise. "Isn't that a bit harsh?"

"No, no, darling! Not Nightmare Moon; Twilight Sparkle!"

"Gasp! Yes, oh, Twilight would be a nice flower."

"Wait, a flower?" Spike asks Rarity, blinking curiously at his love's idea.

"Of course; Flowers can't prick a hoof if it doesn't any." Rarity giggles happily while nodding. It's true. If Twilight's a flower, she won't prick her hoof onto a wire on a black book! It's perfect, "Oh, yes; A wonderful idea!"

"Yeah, wow." Rainbow said with a nod, understanding the idea.

"Oh yes, Rarity. What a good idea!" Fluttershy exclaims, making a cute little squee.

"Oh, Twilight Sparkle will be completely safe by then." Rarity said with a satisfied smile. Once the time of the curse has passed, Twilight will be changed back by then and Nightmare Moon's curse will be foiled!

"Wait, hang on. What if Nightmare Moon send in a fire to burn all the flowers in the kingdom?" Rainbow asks in concern, realizing something that Nightmare Moon could do.

This causes Rarity to gasps, looking concerned as she just came to that conclusion yourself. Spike groans while saying, "Oh man! Not cool. If Rarity turns Twilight into a flower, Nightmare Moon would turn the princess into ashes."

"Oh dear. She always ruins Rarity's nicest flowers." Fluttershy said sadly in agreement.

"Right and she will be expecting us to do something like that." Rarity said gloomy as she came over to sit down on a metal thing. Nightmare Moon would expect that her former friends would try to counter her curse with something like that, and would counter back with something terrible!

"Right; If we try to transform Twilight Sparkle or try to teleport out of Equestria, Nightmare Moon will know what we did and...man, it won't be pretty!" Spike exclaims with a frown, crossing his arms while pouting.

"Well, is there something that Nightmare Moon cannot expect?" Rainbow asks in frustration while flying around a bit. "She knows everything!"

"Oh, not everything, Rainbow. Why, Nightmare Moon hadn't known anything about love, kindness, joy, or helping people, not since Sombra betrayed her." Fluttershy explains to Rainbow clearly. Rarity, hearing this, looks up in thought. "Sadly, I don't think she will ever be happy again."

"Idea!!!! Yes, yes! It's an idea that Nightmare will never expect, ruin or understand!" Rarity exclaims eagerly as she got up. The mare begins pacing around; the idea continues forming in her head, "Now, got to make sure that nothing will go wrong. Okay...yes, that old abandoned cottage in the Everfree Forest is still there. The king and queen wouldn't like the idea at first and would protest. Of course, once we tell the two that it's for the best for their daughter."

"What the hay are you on about now?" Rainbow asks puzzled. What idea is Rarity coming up with next?

"Simple, Rainbow. My idea involves 3 common ponies who raise a foundling filly deep in the forest, just for them."

"Oh...that's nice of them." Fluttershy said puzzled, wondering what ponies that Rarity is referring to.

"So who are they, do we know them?" Rainbow asks, nodding though wondering where Rarity’s going with this.

"Well, my friends; turn around and see for yourselves." Rarity said with a smile to Fluttershy and Rainbow, motioning them both to turn around to find out their answers.

The two ponies look puzzled but turn around, about to face a mirror that is behind them. Suddenly Rainbow shot a blast of magic onto Fluttershy and Rainbow, causing them to now be wearing peasant clothing. This causes them both to jump, gasping at their reflections in surprise.

"Whoa!" Spike exclaims in surprise as well. "You mean..."

"It's us?" Fluttershy ask Rarity in surprise. She, Rainbow and Rarity are going to be the ones who will take care of Twilight?

"As in all of us," Rainbow asks Rarity in amazement.

"And not just us but little Spikey Wikey too," Rarity exclaims happily, patting Spike on the head, making him grin widely, "And why not?"

"Yeah, that sounds good!" Spike exclaims with a smile. Taking care of Twilight until it's time for her to come back home safely: sounds good.

"Oh yes, that's wonderful!" Fluttershy exclaims with a happy squee.

Rainbow notes that her clothes are pink, making her use her magic to change the color into a rainbow like color. Once that's done, the Pegasus pony ask curiously, "Wait, hang on, you mean, we have to feed it?"

"Oh, and wash it, dress it, rock her to sleep. Oh, I would love that nicely. Squee! It's like taking care of animals, only with a baby."

"Yeah, and I would be a teacher of sorts." Spike exclaims, rubbing his claws together. "I always wanted a sister."

"So you think we can do this, Rarity?" Rainbow asks Rarity who uses her own magic to get herself some peasant clothes of her own.

"Well, if Princess Celestia can have a colt to take of and she's from the Mystic Realm, we can too." Rarity said to her friends with a smile.

"Yeah; wouldn't it be great?" Spike asks eagerly as he stood on his tail to balance himself somehow, making the girls giggle.

"Plus, with our magic, this job will be easy." Rainbow brags eagerly.

Upon hearing that, Rarity gasps in concern, "Oh dear! No, we mustn't use magic! Out of the question! Girls, give me your necklaces, please! Oh, and we better get rid of the horn and wings too."

"Wait, hang on." Spike said in concern. Fluttershy removes her own necklace to give to Rarity who uses her magic to remove the yellow Pegasus's wings. "Why can't they use magic?"

"Because, Everfree Forest is close to the Mystic Realm as well as Mount Thunderflame! If we used magic, Nightmare Moon will figure out and our plan will be ruined!"

"Huh. That does make sense."

Rainbow tries her best to hide her necklace, still upset over the idea. Not use magic or even fly?! The Pegasus pony protests, "What, you're saying that we should live like peasant ponies forever?!"

"It will only be for 16 years, Rainbow." Rarity insists to Rainbow. The Pegasus pony tries to fly off, but the unicorn uses her magic to take Rainbow's wings away from her, causing her to fall to the bottom. As she struggles with Rainbow for her necklace, Rarity adds, "And once that's done, we will be ourselves again."

"Aww, come on! We never gone very far without magic before!"

"Precisely, and that's why this idea is something that Nightmare Moon will never think to expect!"

"But...who will do the chores, as well that wash, cook and all that cook stuff?" Rainbow asks her friends frantically while trying to keep her own necklace away from Rarity.

"Seriously; I have to do them back home, remember?" Spike points out to Rainbow bitterly while crossing his arms with a pouty look. It's true; he usually does all the chores at the Mystic Ponies' home all the time.

"Well, we will pitch in and help you, Spike darling." Rarity said to Spike. This made the Dragon to give himself a wide mile. Seriously; His love and his friends are going to help out? "How hard can it be?"

"Oh, I want to care for the baby." Fluttershy said gently and happily. It will be wonderful to take care of a little filly.

"Rainbow, enough, I will take that!" Spike exclaims in annoyance as he swipes the necklace from Rainbow, making her sigh in defeat. He gives the necklace to Rarity while continuing, "Here you go, Rare."

"Thank you. Now come. We must inform the king and queen." Rarity said with a smile; Time to inform Night Light and Twilight Velvet of the plan.

Spike didn't hesitate to get onto Rarity as she flew out of the cabinet before she uses her magic to change them back to normal sizes. The unicorn prepares to head off with the baby Dragon to inform the royal couple of the plan.

"Rarity," Two familiar voice squeaks out from the small cabinet.

Rarity yelps, realizing that she forgot that Rainbow and Fluttershy are still in the cabinet. And without their magic, they can't leave there.

Rarity quickly uses the magic of her necklace to not only get Rainbow and Fluttershy out of the cabinet, but to change them back to normal as well.

"Sorry." Rarity said sheepishly to her friends. As the four gallops out of the room, the unicorn made sure to use her necklace to get rid of her own horn. She will make sure to use her necklace to get it back later.

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

As Rarity predicted, Night Light and Twilight Velvet didn't approve of the idea and protest it. But they knew that there's no choice, it's for Twilight's safety. And thus, the couple, with Ben, watches in sadness from a balcony. Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike and Rainbow looks out through a door to outside, making sure that no one, but the trio, is watching. As Fluttershy held baby Twilight, the group, sure of the safety, quickly rushes off into the night towards the direction of the Everfree Forest.

"And so King Night Light and Queen Twilight Velvet watched with heavy hearts as their beloved daughter, their only child disappear into the night. But the most heartbroken of them all was Ben, for he knew that he would never see her again for sixteen years...and she wouldn't even remember him."

Ben, crying as he sees Twilight leave, spoke in sadness, "Good-bye, Twilight."

"Years had passed since that day for King Night Light and his ponies, sadness hit the kingdom since."

But soon, as the years passed, the kingdom appears to be rejoicing once more as the ponies are preparing for something, brightening up.

"But soon, the time for the princess's 16th birthday draws near, making the whole kingdom rejoiced happily."

In another part of Equestria is a dark mountain place known as Mount Thunderflame, a place of evil and darkness. No pony or animal dare to go there as Nightmare Moon holds rule there since her banishment. Lightning and thunder flash around the dark castle of the once Alicorn known as Princess Luna to show the anger and frustration that she is going through all these 16 years.

"For everyone and everypony knew that as long as Nightmare Moon's foul volcanic fortress, Mount Thunderflame, roared and erupted with her fiery wrath and vengeance against Jack Silver...her evil prophecy nor her revenge had been fulfilled."

Nightmare Moon paces back and forth in her throne room, much to the concern of her subjects the Diamond Dogs. 16 years has passed since Twilight's disappearance. She suspected that her former Mystic Realm friends are responsible and so, send her minions to look for them and for Twilight. But so far, there wasn't any trace of them all over! It's like they up and vanished! But the ponies couldn't have teleported out of Equestria. Nightmare Moon would've known about it instantly!

"It's incredible! Sixteen years…and there is still no trace of her?! She couldn't have possibly vanished into thin air." Nightmare Moon snaps in frustration. She turns to one of the leaders of the Diamond Dogs known as Rover. "Rover..."

Rover salutes the Alicorn of Darkness, responding, "Uh…yes, Nightmare Moon?"

"Are you positively sure that you searched everywhere for her?"

"Yes, we…did, Your Wickedness. We searched everywhere…me and the boys. Right, boys?"

"Yes, yes, I can see that, Rover." Nightmare Mare groans as she sits in her throne, rolling her eyes as her minions nod in agreement with Rover. The mare couldn't stand these mutts' stupidity. At least the subjects back in the Mystic Realm are more brighter and smarter than them. "But did you search the town; the forest; The mountains…well, excluding Mount Thunderflame that is?"

Spot, another leader of the Diamond Dogs, nodded as he explained, "Well…yeah, we did; we searched each and every last mountain, looked in every tree and cave in the forest, we even burst through all the houses…and all the cradles, too." The Diamond Dog holds his arms out as if motioning a cradle, much to the surprise and disbelief of the Alicorn.

"Wait. What was that word again, Spot? Cradles?"

Fido, the last leader, nods as he confirms what his colleague just said, "Yep. That's right, Nightmare Moon. Every last cradle."

"Cradle!"" Nightmare Moon exclaims in more disbelief. Then with a smirk the corrupted Alicorn then towards Gilda and spoke, "Gilda…did you hear that?"

"Yeah, I sure did, Nightmare Moon." Gilda remarks, shaking her head in amusement by this.

"You mean to tell me, boys…that for the last sixteen years, you've been looking for a baby?"

"Uh….yep. That's right, Nightmare Moon." Spot said with a nod. All these years, the Diamond Dogs were looking for a baby, still no trace.

Nightmare Moon begins to chuckle, giving out a very cruel laugh. The Diamond Dogs join in, laughing along with their ruler. However, the Alicorn stood up furiously, flashing in darkness with anger in her eyes.

"IDIOTS; MORONS, FOOLS," Nightmare Moon roars in fury as she fires lightning and magic at the Diamond Dogs, they all run off in fear and terror. All these years, those morons should've been looking for a foal or a grown up mare at least! While some of the mutts remain to cover as the rest run off in fear. Nightmare Moon sighs as she sits back down, "Oh, hopeless, every one of them. They are a big disgrace to the forces of evil...."

Gilda, who managed to hide during her boss's rampage, flew out of hiding. She spoke, "Yo, Nightmare Moon. You okay?"

"Gilda…my loyal, unyielding Gilda…you are my only hope now."

"So…uh…what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to circle far and wide throughout the kingdom. I need you to search for a filly of sixteen…with a violet mulberry coat, a moderate sapphire blue mane and tail with a hint of brilliant rose streaks, deep violet eyes…and lips just as red as a rose." Nightmare Moon gives out the order to Gilda. Twilight must be grown up by now. And with the description, it won't be hard for Gilda to locate her. "Now go, Gilda…and do not return until you've found her."

"You can count on me, Nightmare Moon." The griffin said as she salutes her boss. The griffin then flew out a nearby window, flying out of the castle as she begins her mission to locate the missing Twilight Sparkle.

And once Gilda left, Nightmare Moon grinned and stood up once more as she spoke to her cowering Diamond Dog minions, "My friends…my loyal, yet slow-minded friends…we are about to embark on the most odious…the most evil…the most diabolical scheme of my illustrious career. This shall be a crime to top all other crimes. It'll be a crime that will live in infamy!" Then the Diamond Dogs cheered for Nightmare Moon as she summoned a silhouetted image of Twilight Sparkle. "Tomorrow evening, dear sweet Princess Twilight Sparkle shall return to Ponyville for her sixteenth birthday. And…with a little insurance policy that everything goes according to plan…it promises to be a night that she and her beloved family will never forget; Their last night…and my first…as Supreme Ruler…of all…PONYDOM!"

The Diamond Dogs cheers on wildly as they get some rotten Apple Cider from a barrel, singing a song to their boss called 'Equestria's Greatest Alicorn'. Nightmare Moon smiles in approval as she stood there. Soon, her vengeance on those who wrong her will be fulfilled....

Nemo hiccups from his Apple Cider, saying, "To Princess Luna, the world's greatest cad!"

The Diamond Dogs gasps in horror as Nightmare Moon's eyes widen in shock and anger. The mare turns to Nemo, growling, "What…was THAT?! What did you call me?"

"Uh…uh…Nemo didn't mean it, Your Evilness." Rover said nervously to Nightmare Moon. Hoo boy, if there's one thing that Nightmare Moon hated than being betrayed, attacked and anything else, it's being called by her real name.

Spot nods in agreement, saying, "Yeah…it was…well…just a slip of the tongue."

"My name…IS NOT PRINCESS LUNA!" Nightmare Moon roars to Nemo in fury. She hadn't been called Princess Luna since her transformation and the corrupt Alicorn refused to let anyone call her that since.

"Of course it's not. It's Nightmare Moon." Fido said quickly to Nightmare Moon, fearing the worst for poor Nemo.

"Yeah, that's right. It's just Nightmare Moon." Spot said nervously while nodding.

"Yeah, plain old Nightmare Moon," Rover grunts a bit in agreement.

"Silence," Nightmare Moon roared, sending out more lightning and magic at the Diamond Dogs. They scream in fear and rush out of the room in terror. Once every Diamond Dog is gone, the Alicorn groans while sitting back down. "A disgrace to the forces of evil...every last one of them..."

Unknown to Nightmare Moon, someone or something is spying on her...chuckling cruelly while saying, "Excellent...everything is going according to plan."

Author's note
Twilight has disappeared and Nightmare Moon is looking for her. In the next chapter, we see the girls celebrating the 16th birthday of Twilight, who is called 'Iris Crystal', while trying to keep the party a secret from her. As the mare hangs out with her animal friends while singing, she attracts the attention of a grown-up Ben Mare who is journeying with his friends Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Read, review and suggest.

The last part of this is a reference to 'The Great Mouse Detective'.

Chapter 3: Living in Everfree

"For the past 16 years, Twilight Sparkle's whereabouts remained a mystery. Meanwhile, deep in the Everfree Forest, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Spike carried out their plan which involves them living like commoners for 16 years. The forest was well guarded by Flower Dog, who able to shape-shift and roam around, protecting those animals who are innocent as well as knowing of the secret behind of Twilight's fate, agreeing to allow them into her forest. Twilight Sparkle may see Flower Dog and Shadow Cat, who stay in the shadow and took the form of a cat to keep an eye on Twilight Sparkle so in case someone who tried to appear to kidnap her, she would transformed into big cat. As for Flare Tiger, another friend, she along with Princess Celestia knew of Princess Luna as well traveling in hopes to find Sombra, determined to fight back until they succeed to reveal Luna's wings and are able to bring back. Now as for the Mystic Realm Ponies themselves, they raised the little filly as their own, naming her Iris Crystal."

In the Everfree Forest, there is a cottage in the glen where Rarity's group lived at in secret for 16 years. To keep Iris Crystal safe, they forbid her from leaving the forest and talking to any stranger. Now on a top floor, a window opens as a beautiful mare is singing. She is an unicorn with a pale, light grayish mulberry coat, moderate violet eyes, a mane and tail that were both moderate sapphire blue with moderate violet and brilliant Rose streaks and a magenta colored star Cutie Mark. Her name is Twilight Sparkle, or for now Iris Crystal.

"Today is her 16th birthday. Rarity and her friends are planning a special with something extra special as a surprise."

Indeed, downstairs are right now is Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow and Spike looking at a book with beautiful dress designs in it. They want this final day with Iris Crystal to be perfect. For long as she could remember, the mare believes the other mares to be her aunt while Spike is her little brother. Iris Crystal has no idea or clue to her true identify, yet.

"So how about this one," Rainbow suggest, pointing at a dress on one page.

"Oh, I think this one will be dashing!" Rarity exclaims eagerly while looking at a gorgeous dress.

"My, she looks beautiful in this necklace." Fluttershy said while pointing to a necklace in a page. Yes, that could work.

"Yes, well, Darling, we need to make some changes here as well."

"Whatever you decided is okay!" Spike exclaims while giving a thumbs up to the three mares.

"We could make it rainbow colored!" Rainbow exclaims with a smirk, getting an idea on what color that the dress should be in. "That would make her 100% awesome!"

"Now, now, Rainbow, we decided on pink." Rarity reminds Rainbow with a sigh. "After all, she looks wonderful in pink."

"Oh, give me a break!"

"Okay, okay, calm down, calm down." Spike said with a chuckle to Rainbow. "So what shall we do next?"

"Well, we do know what Twilight needs...but it's best to keep her out of the house for a while." Fluttershy explains gently to Spike. Iris must be out of the house so that the party will be made without her knowing about it.

"Well, I believe I can think of something." Rarity said, putting a hoof on her chin as she tries to think up an idea on how to get Iris out of the house.

As if on cue, there's Iris right now, coming down the stairs, smiling as she said, "Morning, Spike and everypony! So what are you all up to?"

"Up to," The four yelps as they hid the book from sight. Iris must not be allowed to see this until the party! No way!

"Well, you see..." Rarity said nervously, trying to come up with an excuse. Iris arches an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Well, gee, good thing you're here because we need..." Spike said quickly, trying to come up with an idea, but what to say without giving the party away?

Rainbow then spots a basket nearby and grabs it, pouring the berries inside it. The Pegasus pony spoke up, "We need ya to pick some berries!"

"Yes, yes, right! Berries," Rarity exclaims with a smile. "And Spike? Be a dear and help her get some."

"Right, no problem! I don't mind helping Iris get some berries." Spike said eagerly as he grabs Iris's hoof, preparing to pull her out of the house.

"Berries," Iris Crystal ask confused and concerned. She picked berries the day before and now they want her to pick some more!

"Oh yes, right; Lots of berries," Fluttershy said with a quick nod.

"But didn't I pick them yesterday? Look, they are on the floor that Auntie Dashie just poured out!"

Thinking quickly, Rarity grabs the berries that Rainbow poured put and swallows them whole. Once she's done eating, the white unicorn spoke with a berry mess on her mouse, "What a shame. We need more."

"Yes, lots more." Fluttershy said as she quickly pushes Iris and Spike right out of the house. "It's hard to get berries nowadays."

"Now then, make sure that Spike is with you and don't worry about hurrying back."

"And try not to go too far, okay?" Rainbow reminds Iris Crystal of the rules: never leave the forest no matter what!

"And no speaking to strangers," Fluttershy said quietly and hopefully.

"Bye!" The three Mystic Ponies mares said quickly as they close the door, leaving Iris and Spike outside of the house.

"Bye." Iris Crystal said quietly, pondering a bit. What is with those three "aunts" of hers today anyway?

Oh yes, now Iris remembers. Today is her birthday, so her aunts must want her out of the house so they could make a surprise party for her! So is she to ruin things for the trio of fussy mares, right? Iris will take all the time that she needs to "pick berries" before coming back with Spike for the party.

"Come on, Iris. Let's go." Spike said, motioning Iris to come along. The mare smiles as she follows her little brother, on the way to pick up some berries.

Inside the house, the girls sigh in relief. That was a close one, Rainbow spoke up, "Does she suspects anything?"

"Relax, Rainbow. Even if she does, our little Iris Crystal will be so surprised when she gets home." Rarity said with glee while clapping her hooves together. Even if Iris does know what her "aunts" are up to, she will love the surprise that they set up for her!

"Right, a real birthday party."

"As well as a real cake as well." Fluttershy said with a happy smile. The mare would love to make a great cake for her foster niece.

"Right and just the right pretty dress to make for her as well." Rarity said with a happy smile. Oh, the design in the book that the three mares were reading would be perfect for Iris!

"Right, I will get the Elements of Harmony." Rainbow said eagerly as she prepares to head upstairs with plans of getting the necklaces out from the chest where Rarity has kept them ever since the group's arrival here 16 years ago.

"Yes, you go...wait, what?!"

"Oh my goodness! Rainbow," Fluttershy exclaims in alarm as she and Rarity rush over and block Rainbow from the stairs.

"We cannot use them, remember?" Rarity points out the condition of keeping Twilight safe from Nightmare Moon during the 16 years: no using magic or even flying!

"Oh come on, Rarity, 16 years is about over!" Rainbow protests to Rarity in annoyance. "We can risk using magic again!"

"Well, true, but Nightmare Moon, Sombra, or any of the evil monsters would most likely still be looking for us! We can't take any chances until the time is right!"

"Come on! I can't bake anything! I don't cook well!"

"Oh, no worries, Fluttershy can do the cooking." Rarity said to Rainbow with a hoof wave of dismissal. She is obviously giving the task of making the cake to Fluttershy.

"Yes, I can make food for my animals back home." Fluttershy said with a gentle smile to the skeptic Rainbow. "Why, I could make a cake for Iris too."

"Yeah, no offense, Fluttershy, but you often makes messes when making food for anything other than your animals." Rainbow said awkwardly to Fluttershy, reminding her of the limits of her cooking. "That's normally why we let Spike do the cooking back home."

"Now, now, Rainbow Dash; Fluttershy's cooking has improved...a bit during the years." Rarity assures Rainbow that Fluttershy has improved on her cooking a bit. "Why not give her a chance?"

"Yes, I will make a 15 layer cake with pretty ribbons and roses!" Fluttershy exclaims with a happy squee as she prepares to get to work on making the cake itself.

"And while I do so, I will make the dress."

Rarity takes some thread, giving out an approving smile. Rainbow frowns while saying, "Hang on, Rarity. Yeah, you can make clothes, but you don't do so within a whole day! Normally you take time in doing so! And Fluttershy? She doesn't cook very well!"

"Oh come now, it's simple." Rarity said to Rainbow with a giggle.

"Yes, all you gotta do is followed the books." Fluttershy said, taking a cookbook out to help her out in making a cake. Rarity meanwhile pushes Rainbow right onto a stool nearby.

"Rainbow, you will be the dummy."

"Excuse me?!" Rainbow snaps furiously, thinking that Rarity is insulting her by calling her a 'dummy'.

Rarity roll her eyes as she explains, "I mean pose for me so I can make the dress."

"Ugh! Still say magic is way more better."

Rarity chose to ignore Rainbow's complain as she threw a pink cloth over her head, then the mare begins cutting with scissors, doing her best not to cut Rainbow's mane by mistake. She gets so sensitive by that.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy took the ingredients to make a cake out and put them onto the table. The mare looks at the cups as she reads, "'Flours, 3 cups'. Hmmm, now where are they?" She then found 3 different size cups before pouring flour into the bowl with each cup. "1, 2, 3. There."

Rainbow kept still as Rarity works on making a hole in the cloth. The Pegasus mare ask, "So what's the hole for?"

"Well, we must have a hole for the bottom, Darling." Rarity explains clearly to Rainbow.

"Yes, so the legs can go through it, Rainbow." Fluttershy giggles in agreement as she kept on making the cake.

Rarity then pushed the cloth up onto Rainbow, much to her annoyance. The mare notices the color then frowns. She complains, "Hey! What gives?! It's pink!"

"Yes, a lovely color, right?" Rarity asks Rainbow happily.

"Aww, man; I wanted rainbow colored!"

"We've chosen pink, remember?"

"Don't you mean you decided?" Rainbow scowls at Rarity in irritation. Her friend is the one who chose the color, not the Pegasus pony. Oh great, this outfit is going to look so terrible on Rainbow.

"Hmmm…"2 eggs, fold in gently"." Fluttershy said, trying to hold two eggs while reading from the book, "Fold? Oh well." The mare will have to make do so she put the eggs in the bowl then fold them into the mix. A cracking noise is heard, "Oh my."

Rainbow finds herself covered in the pink cloth. She isn't happy at all big time. The Pegasus hates the color and this cloth is almost making it hard for Rainbow to even breathe out of the hard thing!

"Can't breathe..." Rainbow is heard mumbling. Rarity manages to use some scissors to cut a top opened to allow her friend's head to come through. She looks at the dress from the inside, "Awww, man! This looks terrible."

"Only because it's on you, Rainbow," Rarity explains to Rainbow with a giggle.

"'Yeast, 1 tsp'," Fluttershy said, reading the next part of the recipe. The yellow mare looks a bit puzzled however, "Tsp?"

"That means 1 teaspoon, Fluttershy." Rainbow explains to Fluttershy with a sigh.

"Oh, right. I knew that. Yes."

Rarity got to work on measuring the dress that Rainbow is wearing, while the Pegasus pony does her best to keep still. The unicorn smiles gently while saying, "My! Have Twilight grown since we first raised her."

"Yeah, tell me about it. Why, it was only yeste4rday that we first brought here so that Nightmare Moon or Sombra wouldn't get her." Rainbow admits to Rarity with a sigh. Has 16 years truly went by already?

"Oh my; Twilight was very sweet when she was a foal. And now...look at her." Fluttershy said with a gentle smile of happiness. Oh, if only the mare can reverse time and take care of the child all over again.

Rarity then notice something odd: Rainbow is sniffing in sadness, much to the mare's surprise. The leader spoke, "Oh my! Rainbow; Are you crying?"

"What's wrong?"

"Just think. Once today is over, she will be a princess and we won't have Iris Crystal anymore." Rainbow said with a glum look. It's true. Soon Twilight will be returned to her rightful family, and the Iris Crystal that the three Mystic Ponies had raised over the years will be gone forever.

"Oh girls," Fluttershy said, feeling saddened as well.

"Right; Girls, we knew this day would come." Rarity said with a sad sigh. She hates to give Twilight/Iris Crystal up but it's for the best, right? The unicorn belongs to her parents, not them. "No matter what, we cannot stop."

"Yes, but...did it have to come so soon?"

"16 wonderful years we share with her." Rainbow said gloomily. At first, the Pegasus pony felt like taking care of the princess was a pest...but as the years goes by, she got used to her, like...Twilight was indeed her little niece.

"Right, but remember girls: even when Twilight is back home, we can still treat her like she's family." Rarity said as she looks down. The trio felt saddened and lonely already. Then the unicorn quickly snaps out of it. "Wait, what am I saying? We're acting like a bunch of silly ponies! We better get back to work or she will be back before we're done!"

The girls nodded as they got back to work. The trio must get the party done before Iris Crystal gets back...and then they will break the truth to her gently of where Iris Crystal, AKA Twilight Sparkle, really came from.

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

Iris and Spike walks through the forest, picking berries and going out on a walk. The mare decided to do what she loves to do: sing wonderfully and beautifully.

"You sang beautiful, Iris." Spike said to Iris with a smile.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Also as she sings such high notes, living in the forest are her animal friends as she continues to sing, "Ah-AHhhhhhhhh! Ahhhahhaahhaaaahhhhhhhhh," Soon a blue bird hears Iris's singing while waving its feathers, getting water out of them.

"Prhhhhhhhhh," The blue bird too joins in to sing while flying down from its branch, "Prhhh-Prrrhhhhh! Prrrhprrrhhprrrrhhhhhhprrrrhh-prrrrrrrprrhhhh!" It soars down just as the young filly continues to sing her cords.

"Ahhhhhhhhh; ah-Aahhhhhhh; Ahhhhaahhaaahaaaaahhhhh," Soon the blue bird comes to an opening, just as it spots the one singing, Iris.

"Prhhhhhhh; Prrhhh-Prrrhhhhh; Prrrrhprrrrhhhprrrrhprrrhhprrrhhhh," The blue bird now fly down lower near another branch after finding the girl as she continues to sing out her lovely voice.

"Aaaaaahhhhh-Ahhhhhauughhhhhh, Aaaahaaahhaaauughhh," Iris lightly sings out as she comes closer to the blue bird as she sang her part differently this time.

Now came a red robin that join in with them as it was on top of a branch just above the blue bird was at. And now the two were going to sing together as they wanted to join in the singing with their friend.

"Prrrrhhhh-Prrrrhh-Prrrhhh," Just as they sang, the red robin drop down near the blue bird to sing, but the vibration cause the blue bird to wobbly during that moment, "Prrhhprrhhprhhh-Prrrhaurrrgghhh!" The blue bird fell off, but flew right onto Iris's right hoof to give it a spot to land after finishing it's singing while giving a quick peck to the girl on the cheeks which she smiled at his kindness.

"Ahhhhhhhhh," Soon she sang again, letting the blue bird fly while the red robin joins him, "Ah-Ahhhhhhh! Ahhhaaahhaahaaaaaaahhhhhh," The girl's angelic voice was sounding beautiful with each song sung.

Soon the two birds flew around pass Iris and came across a log base on the ground and seem to be trying to get something or someone's attention from inside!

"Ahhhhhh; Ah-Ahhhhhh! Ahhhaaahhhaaahhaaaaaahhhh," Soon the two birds used their beaks to pull out a gator named Gummy and a dog named Winona from a log, they seemed asleep, but soon awake from the commotion of Iris's singing, "Ahhhhhhhh! Aaaah-Ahhhh! Ahhhhahhhahhaaaaaahhhh!" The mare sang a little longer while the two birds go up to a branch and tried to awake a sleeping bunny named Angel.

Soon the bunny awoke to his surprise of what's going on around him.

"Ahhhhhhhh; Aaahh-Ahhhh! Ahhhhahhhahhaaaaaahhhh," Angel move quickly down the branch into a hole and soon pushed out a tired owl named Owlowiscious while Iris's singing voice is still heard.

"Howhhh; Howhhh; Hoooowhh," Owlowiscious made it's call sounds while slowly waking up, but then Angel pushed him off the branch, but lucky, he opened his wings and slowly floated down.

"Aaaahhhh; Aaaaahhhh; Aaaahhhhhh; AAaaaahhhh…..Aaaahhhh…..Aaahhhh," The mare's voice mix with the owl's "howhs" were slowly mix in as the owl slowly landed in the basket Iris carried as they sang together with harmony. Soon the animals were together with her as Iris and them began to walk out some more, nothing to distract them. But none aware after passing over a log, would something or someone spot them or at least hear the girl's singing for that matter!

Indeed, right now travelling is a stallion riding on some sort of long neck of a black Demonic serpent of a black body with spiky mane-like and a long tail which is called a Hydragoon. The stallion in question is known over than Ben Mare, all grown up since years ago and is now having a Triforce symbols on his flank, as well as a hat, a cloak and a pair of boots.

The Hydragoon in general is known as Dragoking, a pet given to him by his brother in law Dragon Hope long before the Mystic Pony's passing as a mortal. It was sad, but at least the pet stood by his new owner, being loyal to Ben all these years.

Two ponies are accompanying are two mares. One of them is a orange female Earth pony with green eyes, blonde mane and tail, both in a ponytail, wears only a cowboy hat and has three apples marking on her flank. Her name is Applejack, a friend of the family.

The other mare is a female pink Earth pony with dark pink curly mane and tail, bright blue eyes and two blue and one yellow balloons marking on her flank. Her name is Pinkie Pie, the other friend of the family.

"Today is the today, ponies!" Pinkie giggles as she bounces up and down. "We're going to have a big "Return of Princess Twilight Sparkle and Wedding Party"." She stood up and threw confetti from...from who knows where.

"Calm down, sugar cube; we ain't seen 'de princess yet." Applejack said to Pinkie with a giggle. Suddenly Ben stops as he hears some singing, "Uh, Ben?"

"Wait, did you all hear that?" Ben asks his friends and Dragoking curiously.

"Uh, what; that singing that seem to come from out of nowhere?"

"Yeah, what amazing singing," Ben said with a smile as he tries to turn Dragoking around. "Come on, we gotta find out who's singing like that."

"Okie dokie lokie," Pinkie exclaims with a smile as she prepares to head off, but Applejack frowns while holding her back.

"Hold it, everypony! Settle down! We gotta git our flanks back home!" Applejack exclaims with a frown. "Yew, Benjamin, got a bride 'ta meet later on."

Even Dragoking agrees as he prepares to turn to the direction of the castle. Ben said to his pet, "Awww, come on Dragoking. I will give you some dead meat." The Hydragoon's eyes widen upon hearing, "And maybe some nice...fish?" The pet smiles as he eagerly nods. "All right, let's find it!"

Dragoking turns and stomps off, with Ben holding onto him fast. Applejack yelps as she does her best to catch up though the usually happy Pinkie have no problem in doing so. The four stops in the center of the woods, looking around to find the voice itself. Then Dragoking heads into a direction quickly. Ben held on in determination. He's going to find that voice and figure out who is doing all that beautiful singing!

"Benny…slow down. My hooves are killing me and I have to babysit the Cake's's foals tomorrow." Pinkie said to Ben in concern. Even the pink pony is having trouble trying to keep herself from getting tired.

"Pinkie's right, Benny; Not 'ta mention, Big Mac's waiting fer me 'ta come home an' help him wit' 'de apple orchard…an' yew gotta be back in time fer Princess Twilight Sparkle's return." Applejack calls out to Ben in concern. She notices something up ahead, making her yelp. "Ben! Look out!"

Too late; Dragoking wasn't looking, causing Ben to get hit by an approaching branch, causing him to fall off while yelling, "Whoa!"

The girls and Dragoking stop upon hearing a splash. The trio turns to see that the prince had fallen into a nearby pool of water nearby. As they approach Ben slowly, he stood up, glaring at Dragoking in annoyance.

"You okay, Benny?" Pinkie asks Ben with a smile.

With a scowl, Ben tosses some water right onto Dragoking, then he snaps, "You can forget the fish, Dragoking!"

Author's note
And thus, we meet the prince known as Ben Mare. In the next chapter, Iris Crystal tells her dreams to her animal friends about meeting a prince. To cheer her up, the animal stole Ben's clothes and pretend to be a prince to dance with her. But then when the real Ben shows up, will it be love? Also, the Mystic Ponies decided to use magic after all, but Rarity and Rainbow got into a magic duel that caught the attention of both Gilda and a mysterious force. And what happens when the girls spill the truth to Twilight at last? Not pretty. Read, review and suggest.

The name Iris Crystal, Mystic Ponies, as well as Dragoking itself belongs to nigel.

The bit with Iris singing was borrowed from VISION-KING's own fanmake of 'Sleeping Beauty'.

Chapter 4: True Love At Last

Twilight and Spike, along with their animal friends continue walking through the other side of the woods. Not one of them realize of any new visitors to these woods as of yet.

As the animals were away, Spike was picking some berries but a hoof reaches and grabs him. The Dragonyelps and backs away as Iris turn to look to see Spike getting behind her. She sees what looks like Pinkie Pie (ok you ALL already might know what she looks like so moving on) and she looks like she was in pain. Iris slowly walks to her but Spike pulls her away

"Iris, it might harm you." Spike said to Iris in concern.

"it's hurt, Spike; besides I think it won't." Iris insist otherwise. She slowly walks closer as she says, "Hello there."

It looks at her and growls but looks in her eyes and slightly calms down as she says, "You are innocent but hello to you."

"Are you hurt?"

The creature nods slowly as Iris looks to see her back right hoof caught. She says, "I would break out myself but I am really weak from lack of food and water."

Iris then gives her some berries. The mare said gently, "Spike and I have gathered many already, you can have some if you like."

The pink pony reaches her hoof out and grabs the berries carefully and gently. She eats them. After the mare is done, she then turns as Iris and spike back up and with a grunt the prisoner kicked what caught her back right hoof flying. She pants and slowly gets up on her hooves as the newcomer looks at Iris and smiles.

"Friends and my brothers call me Pinkamena." The one known as Pinkamena said. "I do know your name but you’re called Iris Crystal right?"

Iris nods as she says, "Um asking who is your brother?"

Pinkamena's ears fold as her head lowers and she sighs as she says, "He was captured by an evil being. I barely made it out alive; my brother kept them busy so I could get away."

They heard her little tale and felt sorry, mostly Spike because he felt a little guilty because he thought that she was going to harm Iris. The unicorn nuzzles her cheek and says, "Don't worry, I am sure your brother is alright and maybe you can join me and my aunts and brother if you like."

"I am a stranger, why would you let somepony like me?"

"Well after all you been through, I think you deserve time to rest up and regain your strength."

Pinkamena smiles and hugs her. Iris was lightly surprised but hugs back as they break the hug and lays on a log. Pinkamena lays down on the grass standing guard and she says in mind, 'I am surprised. 16 years and Twilight's been closer than anypony knows. The Mystic Ponies are caring for her but my senses are going off. I have a feeling that there's more than just Gilda on the search, it is the very one who took Luna's wings. I better be ready for anything."

Twilight got up and resumes singing as Spike, Pinkamena and the animal follow her. The birds sing along during this time.

Iris: I wonder,
I wonder,
I wonder why each little bird
Has a someone to sing to,
Sweet things to
A gay little love melody.
I wonder,
I wonder,
If my heart keeps singing
will my song go winging
To someone
Who'll find me
And bring back a love song to me!

Once the song is over, the group came to the meadow that is at the edge of the Everfree Forest. They saw a castle that is far away, Iris nor the animals didn't realize that it was King Night Light's castle and where Iris, AKA Twilight Sparkle, truly belongs to.

"Yeah, what a lovely view," Pinkamena said with a grin.

"I know, very lovely." Spike said awkwardly. He wonders what would happen once Iris finds out that the castle in the distance is her own; And that her "aunts" will have to take her back there today after the party is over?

"Oh dear," Iris said sadly as she goes back into the forest. Everyone follows her as she continues, "Not fair. Why must they always do this to me?"

"Hoo," Owlowiscious ask as if asking who Iris was referring to.

"Oh, now don't do that again!" Spike groans, thinking that Owlowisicous is trying to confuse them all.

"Relax, Spike. I mean Aunt Rarity, Aunt Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash." Iris explains with an annoyed sigh while sitting down. "Why, they never want me to meet anyone besides you all."

The birds chirp in sadness at this. Pinkamena said, "How awful! It isn't right for them to do that."

"Oh, I'm sure that they got a reason to do so." Spike said nervously while rubbing the back of his scales. He got to keep the true reason as to why Iris isn't allowed to meet anyone at all.

"But you want to know a secret? I fooled them. I did meet someone." Iris said to the others with a smirk, making Spike yelp in concern. Did she met someone and didn't let him in on it?

"Err, really?"

"Hoo," Owlowiscious ask Iris curiously as if wanting to ask who she did meet.

"Yeah, who is it? Come on!" Pinkamena exclaims anxiously as the Animals nods and make noises. They want to know who it is that Iris had met in secret.

"I have found somepony...he's a Prince, a handsome, sweet, wonderful....dashing Prince. His eyes are the most handsome shade of green, his coat as dark as chocolates...his mane and tail...are so perfect, and his voice is so gentle and kind..." Iris said with a lovely sigh. "Oh, it was so romantic.

"Err, so what happened" Spike ask Iris, hiding his fear. Not good. What if she met Ben already? Then the whole fuse will be blown big time!

"The usual things; we talked together and walked together. Shared secrets and all that...then, right before my prince leaves he takes me into his upper forearms and then..."

"And?!" Pinkamena ask excitedly as the animals made some more noises. Spike looks like he's going to faint at any given moment now.

"I wake up." Iris admits with a sad sigh, making the animals make noises in sadness with Pinkamena frowning. "Yes, I was dreaming."

"Oh...sorry to hear that," Spike said though he secretly wipes his brow in relief. Iris was only dreaming, she didn't meet someone in secret. That's good.

"Of course, you know what they say: when you dream more than once, it's sure to come true. But I have seen him in my dreams so many times so far."

Pinkamane and the animals look down in sadness as Spike came over to comfort Iris. If only there's some way to make her feel better. Angel turns then saw something hanging nearby: wet clothes that consist of a hat, a cloak and pair of boots, that has a size to put two ponies in. Perfect!

The bunny grabs a walnut and throws it at Owlowiscious, Winona and Gummy's head, making them yelp to get their attention. Angel comes over and motion to the clothes while explaining his idea to his animal friends as well as the red robin and the blue bird. They all love the idea; maybe Iris can be cheer up from that!

The six animals heads off, unknown to Iris, Spike, Pinkamena and the other animals, to the area behind the bushes where the wet clothes are. Now unknown to them, the owner of the clothes, Ben Mare, is nearby the same lake where he fell in earlier, trying to dry off.

Dragoking was near the lake. He lowered his head in underwater as he was searching for food. Dragoking came out, having his mouth filled with lots of fishes. He chewed on them slowly for a few times before swallowing them up.

Applejack came over to Ben, asking, "Hey, Ben. How're yew doing now?"

"Fine; the clothes were a little wet. But with some sun, they should be dried off sooner." Ben said to Applejack with a sigh. The prince then glances at his Hydragoon while shaking his head. "Somehow, Dragoking you really need to work on your brakes. I never knew how Dragon Hope handled him."

"No one knows. But Dragon Hope did rescued him when he was attacked by," Pinkie gulped while finishing, "King Sombra!"

Applejack shushed angrily, "Pinkie Pie! Don't mention 'dat name! Yew know how angry an' upset Dragoking can git." The cowpony turned to Ben while speaking to him now, glancing at what Dragoking is now doing," Are yew serious about not giving him some fishes? He's already having them now."

Ben shrugged as he admits to his friend, "I'm just giving a chance to taste them before he could starve from not having them again. Boy, was he annoying."

"Grr...." The Hydragoon growls a bit upon hearing that. Dragoking swung his tail on a pebble right at Ben's head, making him yelp a bit.

"Dragoking!" Ben scowls. Dragoking stuck his tongue at him before turning away from him. "What? You want an apology for making fun of you, you big pouty baby-poo?"

Dragoking had his eyes rolled up as he somehow said, "Wha-e-ver..."

Applejack whistled while chuckling at this scene, "Sure he loved to make fun of you."

"Okay, then... Try this pal!" The prince said with a slight smirk, having some way to get back at his pal. Ben grabbed Dragoking's neck as he wrestled with him. "You're one hard and stubborn Hydragoon I had to deal with! If it weren't for Dragon Hope, you would be lonely and lost! You feel me?!"

"Whoa! Looks like an intense fight!" Pinkie exclaims happily while keeping her focus on the sight. Not anyone spotted some animals appearing, preparing to make their move.

"Eeyup; An' Dragoking always win." Applejack admits to Pinkie in agreement,

Dragoking's neck raised up to the top of the trees while Ben continued wrestling with him.

"Come on! You wouldn't want to hurt your own owner's brother-in-?!" Ben looked down then yelped in shock, "What the?! DRAGOKING," Dragoking chuckled happily and in amusement. "Okay! Okay! Okay! You win! Put me down!"

Dragoking lowered to the ground and let Ben land. The prince took a deep breath before turning to Dragoking. Ben got licked on his face by the Hydragoon for a few times, much to his disgust. He groaned and grunted in annoyance while Applejack and Pinkie giggled happily and in amusement. That was definitely one funny sight to see!

Dragoking stopped licking Ben before he shook his body hard in getting rid of the wetness. Ben groaned, "You know that doesn't wash out!"

Dragoking chuckled in amusement. Ben smirked slyly as he threw his hoof in front of him while doing the same watery spit threw right on the Hydragoon's face. Dragoking grew in annoyance as he shook his head off. Ben, managing to wash the stuff off with the lake, begins to remember the voice. During this time, the animals make their move, taking his wet clothes.

"Hmmm, I wonder who was singing before? Could be a Siren...no, they would've absorb hatred during their singing." Ben said thoughtfully, trying to figure out what was the source of the singing. "That voice sounded too real to be in my head..."

Applejack's eyes widen in surprise as she spots the animals, causing her to call out, "Ben! Don't look now but some vermints are taking off wit' her yer clothes!" Ben then turns and looks surprised as his clothes are being taken off by the animals.

"Hey, wait! Stop, give those back! Pinkie! Why didn't your Pinkie Senses alerted me to them?"

"Goes against the script, duh," Pinkie reminds her friend while rolling her eyes. Ben groans in disbelief, his friend's randomness is still hard to get used to.

Once the animals are far away from Ben's group, they got to work. Winona and Gummy got into the boots while Owlowiscious flew off, allowing the birds to put the cloak onto him. Angel got onto the owl's hat wearing the hat. With a grin, the Animals heads off, with Gummy and Winona doing some hopping in the boots, to where Iris Crystal's at. Boy, would she be happy to see this.

Iris was still feeling sad and lonely, even with the rest of her friends trying to comfort her. Suddenly the group hears a familiar owl making noises, turning to see what it was.

"Hey, what's this?" Pinkamena ask in surprise. Iris gasps then giggles as Owlowiscious came over in the cloak that the birds are holding, with Angel on his head in the hat, with Gummy and Winona in the boots.

"Well, well, my dream prince." Iris said with an amusing giggle.

"Oh brother," Spike said while rolling his eyes a bit. He can tell that his animal pals somehow stole someone else's clothes and are using them to help cheer iris up. Of course, it worked as the mare came over, approaching while bowing.

"Your highness," Iris giggles a bit. The princess begins to hum while walking around her disguised friends. She is feeling better already! "You know, I am not supposed to talk to strangers...but we did met before."

And thus, Iris begins to dance with the 'dream prince'. Everyone watches as she begins to sing another song.

Iris: I know you
I walked with you
Once upon a dream
I know you
The gleam in your eyes
Is so familiar a-gleam

Unknown to everyone however, Ben's group arrive on the scene to recover the clothes. What they saw was Iris dancing with her "dream prince". And upon seeing her, Ben looks surprised then smiles lovingly at this filly. It's like...seeing her for the first time has enchanted her better than that of a Siren.

And I know it's true
That visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did
Once upon a dream

As the song resumes, Iris "la-la-ed" a bit as the disguised animals kept on flying/moving to keep up with her.

But if I know you
I know what you'll do

However when Iris Crystal turn away, she fails to see Ben grabbing Owlowiscious's group out of the way. The stallion came over and replaces them with himself, dancing with Iris, unknown to her still.

You'll love me at once

Both: The way you did once

Iris stops singing and is confused. Since when does Owlowisicious sing? The mare looks alarmed as she saw the owl and the animals with him tangled in the bushed with Owlowisicious shrugging while hooing sheepishly.

Ben: Upon a dream

Iris turns and saw Ben for the first time ever, making her gasps, "Oh my!" She backs away a bit, startled. Iris now met a real stranger...and yet, for some reason, although her aunts told her not to speak to any, she felt...attracted to this newcomer for some reason.

"Oh sorry, didn't mean to scare you." Ben said calmly as he takes Iris by the hoof gently.

"Oh, it isn't that. To be honest...it's just that...well, you're..."

"A stranger?"

"Yeah, of course," Iris said nervously as she tries to leave. However, Ben held her by the hoof. He isn't going to let her get away that easily...not when the stallion has finally found her: his special somepony.

"Ah, but I am not a stranger now, am I?" Ben points out to Iris, much to her confusion. "We did meet before, remember?"

"Wait, we have; When?"

"You said so yourself: once upon a dream!"

"Huh?" Pinkie asks confused. Of course, Applejack silences her as Ben goes back to singing a familiar song to Iris.

I know you,
I walked with you
Once upon a dream.
I know you,
The gleam in your eyes
Is so familiar a gleam

Iris then smiles lovingly to Ben. She has finally found him: the stallion from her dreams. They have come true at lake. The two then dance together as the others follow.

Chorus: And I know it's true
That visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you
I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did
Once upon a dream

Once the song is over, the two lovers stop dancing and goes over to the meadow view, looking at the castle happily. The others enjoy the view, wanting a great time...all but one certain cowpony who looks worried.

"Uh-oh; 'Dis is not good." Applejack said with a gulp. Ben is putting his upper forearm around Iris's neck...as if the two are truly in love. And worst yet, to the Earth Pony, she is!

"What do you mean, Applejack?" Pinkie asks Pinkamena, not understanding. "Ben and that pretty Unicorn are so…cute together! Isn't love so beautiful?"

"Pinkie…unless yew've really lost your memory 'dis time, Ben's already betrothed 'ta somepony else; Princess Twilight Sparkle; Remember?"

"I know that, but still that Unicorn's ten times more beautiful than any stinking Princess--."

"Pinkie, watch what yer're saying. We don't wanna offend King Night Light or his family." Applejack interrupts Pinkie sternly. Last thing she wants is to get Twilight's family upset. "Besides…if Jack or 'de royal found out about 'dis…we can kiss our flanks goodbye an' we'll probably dance 'e Gallows Jig."

"Gallows Jig? Sounds like a really fun dance!" Pinkie exclaims, bouncing up and down, comically missing the point.

"Pinkie, what Ah meant was…is 'dat they'll hang us, or worse…behead us."

"Oh…but why would they do that to us?"

"They'd hang us because they'll most likely think 'dat we've been a bad influence on Ben's life, when in truth Ben's always been 'dis way." Applejack explains seriously to Pinkie. Sounds like exaggeration but it appears to be that way. "Or they'd behead us…because they'll think that we've been 'putting ideas into his head', when Ben's always been curious an' always had an independent mind."

"Oh…that." Pinkie said nervously. She doesn't like the sound of that at all!

"Captain Jack will even make us walk 'de plank when he finds out."

"You mean…IF…he finds out."

"Of course he's gonna--." Applejack stops, thinking as to what her friend just said, "Oh….if. If is good."

"Yeah…as long as we Pinkie Promise to keep this to ourselves; you won't tell him or Night Light and Velvet, and I won't tell them either. We will be as quiet as mice, Applejack." Pinkie said to Applejack happily. As long as no one else outside this group knows, Applejack and Pinkie's heads will be spared along with their bodies.

"Aww...what the heck; they look so cute together...though something about that colt looks very familiar. I swear that I've seen him before but where?" Spike asks puzzled. He is accepting the fact that Iris and the new guy are cute together. But who is the colt? "Hmm...."

Iris smiles as she put her head on Ben's shoulder...Twilight yelped in shock as a familiar creature appear from out of nowhere, "What- What is that thing?! Is that a Hydra?!"

Pinkie giggled happily, "Actually that's a Hydragoon. But no worry, he's friendly."

Dragoking lowered his head before Iris as he gave her a lick for three times while she giggled happily. He gave a nuzzle. Perhaps Pinkie is right. This Hydragoon is friendly.

"He likes ya." Applejack said in surprise. Although the Earth Pony was against this, she is amazed that Dragoking would warm up to this peasant pony.

Iris giggled happily, "He's friendly."

Ben smiled as he spoke to the strange pony, "Yeah, he is. And trust me, that guy can be playful and annoying, but he's a loyal and friendly to us and everyone he knows of. And as long those creeps don't mess with us, he won't take a bite on them."

"How did you find him?"

Ben sighed in sadness, not wanting to go into this story at first, "It belonged to my brother-in-law Dragon Hope. He was his pet. When I was about 17, he gave me his pet because he was on a mission."

"Yeah, he was on 'de search fer Sombra by Lord Azure Phoenix's order, but never returned." Applejack said seriously. Azure Phoenix, the Lord of Ma who was once one of Celestia's colt-friends, gave the order to his allies to find Sombra, to bring him to justice for what he did to Luna.

Pinkie sighed in sadness, "We only suspect that he died from finding him."

Ben sighed as he adds, "That's one of the reasons why my sister died in illness. She didn't believed he died. She never eats, sleeps or rests. She just stood there and wait for him. I really wonder what had happened to him when he left for Lord Azure's mission."

Pinkie shrugged while adding, "No one knows, Ben... No one knows..."

"I'm sorry." Iris said in pity and sadness. She felt upset that her new lover has love some of his family. The mare never knew her own parents either to be honest.

Ben smiles, hugging Iris while saying, "Tell me. What is your name?"

"Hmmm; oh yes, it's..."

"Ixnay, ixnay," Spike exclaims, motioning a 'stop it' sign to his friend. "Besides, we gotta go."

Iris's eyes widen in shock upon remembering something. She isn't supposed to speak to strangers! The unicorn exclaims, "No! I can't! I gotta go!"

"Sorry I didn't do much but I gotta go too!" Pinkamena exclaims with a shrug as she, Spike and Iris quickly rush off to get away from Ben's group.

"Wait, hang on!" Ben calls after Iris in alarm and worry. "When will I see you again?"

"Never...I don't think so." Iris said in hesitation. The truth is, the unicorn wants to meet her love again...but she can't! Not against her aunts' orders! They will be upset when they themselves find out about this!

"What?"

"Well...maybe someday."

"Tomorrow," Ben asks Iris hopefully. He wants so much to see this filly again, even if he himself is betrothed to one that he hasn't seen in years.

"No, how about tonight," Iris suggests hopefully to Ben. She knew that her aunts would be sleeping by then, so the mare can meet him then.

"All right. So where can I find you?"

"In the cottage in the glen."

Ben, winking at her with a smirk, spoke eagerly, "It's a date then, baby. See you there."

Iris tries her best not to blush or giggle as she, Spike and Pinkamena rush off from sight. Applejack slaps her own forehead, groaning in worry, "If Jack finds out about 'dis, we'll probably get forty lashes."

"Oh no!" Pinkie exclaims frantically. Of course, she was thinking that she'd get forty extra eyelashes on her eyes.

"What are we gonna do, y'all!”

"Oh, come on, Applejack. I was just six years old when Twilight disappeared. Besides, even if we are betrothed to each other, I doubt that she'll even remember me or worse..." Ben points out to Applejack with a deep frown. To him, Twilight probably has forgotten him after she disappeared 16 years old. Perhaps it's best to move on.

"What would be worse than Twilight not remembering you, Ben?" Pinkie asks Ben in concern.

"That she'll hate me at first glance and not want to have anything to do with me."

"But yew miss her...don't yew, Ben?" Applejack ask Ben seriously. Doesn't this prince even miss his betrothed at all?

Ben pauses to think about this, then he sighs, "You're right, Applejack. I've missed Twilight every day for the past sixteen years...but still, she'll probably hate me once we meet for real."

"And just how do you know that, Ben?" Pinkie asks Ben, wondering how her friend would even know that.

"It's common sense, Pinkie. I'll bet that she's disgusted by the idea of having marry a total stranger like me."

"Oh…that does make a bit of sense. But still, Ben…you at least got a chance to impress Twilight, once you get to know her."

"Oh, yeah right. More like she'll tell me to get lost and find some colt-hogger to spend the rest of my life with," Ben remarks with a grunt, believing the worst. "Then I'll really be the laughingstock of the family and a disgrace to my mom's name."

"Ben…Ah know 'dat yew haven't seen Twilight since she was newly born an' 'dat you barely want anything 'ta do wit' marrying her, but…'dis betrothal is the same thing as making a Pinkie Promise." Applejack explains seriously to Ben, putting an arm on his back to explain what's what. "It can't be broken, or yew will suffer 'de consequences. Besides, it's a matter of honor an' honesty, Ben."

"That's right." Pinkie said with a nod of agreement.

Ben groans a bit in disbelief and annoyance. All those ancient stuff gives him one major headache!

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

Fluttershy grins as she is finishing the final touches of the cake: lighting the candles on it. Of course, to call it a cake would be lying: it looks like one huge melting mess! The Pegasus pony tries her best to keep it up with a broom, trying to keep the cake itself from falling.

"I'm done. So what do you girls think?" Fluttershy ask her friends happily.

Rarity is almost done with the dress...and so is Rainbow who is looked annoyed. The dress that she's wearing looks like something out of kindergarten! No filly or mare in their right mind would wanna wear it! Rarity does better when she uses magic and so on...but if one would even look at this, one would think that the unicorn has no idea what she's doing.

Rarity turns to look at the cake, giving an awkward look. Trying not to hurt her friend's feelings, she said, "Well...got to admit. It is...well...unusual."

"Thanks. It should be straight once it's done baking." Fluttershy said with a smile, making Rainbow groans a bit. This won't work. This party will end up failing!

"And what do you think of Twilight's wonderful dress?"

"Hmm; oh yes. It's...well, not like in the book..."

"Well, I improved it a little." Rarity said with an awkward giggle. Deep in her mind, the Mystic Pony felt like she is kidding herself. This isn't like the dresses that she herself had made in the past. This is a disaster! "Perhaps I could do a few more ruffolds. What do you think, Fluttershy?"

"Well, I think so too." Fluttershy said with a meek nod, "Rainbow Dash? How about you do?"

"Oh, you want to know what I think; you really want to know?" Rainbow ask her friends dryly at first, making them nod. The mare growls then struggles like mad, ripping the dress into pieces. "I SAY ENOUGH ALREADY!"

"Rainbow," Rarity exclaims in shock. "I worked hard on that!"

"Not hard enough! Look, we all should think of Twilight and what she will say once she sees this stupid mess! Admit it, it's time we do what should've been done in the first place! I'm getting the Elements of Harmony!"

And thus, Rainbow gallops back upstairs to get the stuff. Fluttershy turns just in time to see the broom failing in keeping the cake up, causing it to melt away from the table. The yellow pony then sighs, "Oh dear. Well, I hate to be rude...but Rainbow is right."

Rarity sighs in agreement. Fluttershy is right about Rainbow being right. Who is the trio kidding? They do work better with magic. And with Twilight coming home at any given moment, perhaps it's for the best to use magic after all. This is for her 16th birthday party after all!

"Got them," Rainbow exclaims, coming down with the necklaces while smirking, "Still good as the day when we hid them away!"

"Please, be careful!" Rarity exclaims as she quickly grabs her Element of Generosity from Rainbow. The white unicorn then quickly put the Element of Kindness onto Fluttershy while speaking, "Quick, lock the doors!" Rainbow didn't waste time in using the pendant to return her own wings to herself then zip over to lock all the doors to the house. "Fluttershy, close all the windows."

Fluttershy, using her own magic to get her own wings back, flew over to the windows, closing them while shutting the curtains. Rarity, recovering her horn, continues, "Make sure every cranny is plugged. We cannot take any more chances than we are already!"

The girls quickly work on plugging every cranny to secure the house. They can't risk Nightmare Moon or any of the minions finding out what's going. Once the place is secured, Rarity sighs a bit. That should keep anyone from finding them.

"All right; Fluttershy, take care of the cake," Rarity orders Fluttershy with a nod.

"Right, and I will..." Rainbow begins to say excitedly, preparing to what she wanted. But Rarity then passes the broom to the Pegasus pony, much to her annoyance.

"You are going to clean up this mess while I make a new dress to replace the one you ruined. Well, get to work!"

"Ugh. Fine. All right, broom, bucket, mop; come on!" Rainbow exclaims as she uses her magic to bring the mentioned stuff to life. "Fussy Rarity told us to clean the mess up. Now get to it!"

The objects obey as they got to work, sweeping and mopping the place up. Rainbow wants this mess to be clean up, nice and tidy by the time that Twilight gets back.

"Now then...yes, something that will really fit a princess," Rarity said happily as she begins work on the new dress. The mare uses her magic to make a pink cloth twirl around until it looks like a sleeveless gown. Rarity smiles happily, it's good to be doing this again.

Fluttershy make the ingredients come to life with magic. She motions the book while saying, "Eggs, flour, milk. Now do what the books say. I will finish things off with candles and ribbons."

The ingredients didn't waste time as they got to work on making the cake, much successfully than Fluttershy trying to do so without magic. For the next few seconds or so, the trio were doing better than the previous attempt: making the dress, cleaning up the mess, making the cake, etc. Yeah, it looks like for a moment, it looks like nothing can ruin this.

That is until Rainbow, who is leading a broom, saw the dress, making her almost gag while groaning, "Oh man, pink?! Make it rainbow!"

Rainbow fires her magic at the dress, changing it into a rainbow color, much to Rarity's irritation. The unicorn yells out, "Rainbow! Make it pink!"

Rarity uses her magic to change the dress back to pink before going back to work. Rainbow dances a bit, having some fun then points her pendant at a piece of cloth heading to the dress while saying, "Rainbow."

The pink cloth changes into rainbow along with the dress. Rarity in annoyance once more uses her magic to change the dress back, snapping, "Pink!"

"Rainbow!"

Rainbow fires a blast in hopes to change the dress bad to rainbow, only for her to miss and hit Rairty, changing her clothes purple. This causes the Pegasus pony to snort and laughs her head off. To be honest, this is much better than changing clothes into different colors!

"Oh...it is...on." Rarity growls furiously while glaring at Rainbow. "Take this, you ruffian!"

Rarity fires a magic blast at Rainbow, changing her clothes pink. The mare yelps and yells out, "Hey! All right, you wanna fight? You got one!"

The two ponies plus goes to work: firing blasts at each other while changing colors like mad. Fluttershy of course was making the ribbons without magic while not even paying attention to the carnage at hoof here. After all, she is making the cake, not getting in the way of the duel.

Of course, the duel became a big problem, unknown to them. While the girls thought that they had secure the whole house to keep people from peeking in and finding out the truth, there's one spot in the house that they had forgotten to secure: the fireplace itself! The blazes of colors goes through it, the Mystic Ponies didn't even notice as Rarity and Rainbow kept on fighting, while Fluttershy kept on making the cake.

Now, at this moment, Gilda was flying over the Everfree Forest, looking around while frowning. She has been searching for a few minutes but there is still no sign of Twilight or those Mystic Ponies and their Dragon assistant!

"Where could that stupid Princess be?" Gilda growls in irritation while looking down to the forest, "Why did this stupid forest have to be covered with too many accursed trees?!"

A voice came from out of nowhere, startling Gilda, "Calm yourself, Gilda."

"Who's there? Who's there?"

"It's me...King Sombra."

Something appears in the sky, making some sort of form to Gilda. It is a dark gray unicorn with a black spiky mane and tail. Unlike regular unicorn horns, which match the pony's coat color and are straight and segmented, his horn is curved, smooth, sharp at the tip and it gradients from dark gray to red. He has sharp teeth with two visible fangs unlike other ponies and red irises, but most often his otherwise white eyes appear green and have a purple mist emanating from them, which disappears both times he is attacked. He wears silver armor on his legs and neck, a crown with horn-like points on his head, and a red cape that covers his flank. He is known as King Sombra, the same wicked unicorn who was responsible for Luna's turn to darkness.

"My King, it's good to see you again." Gilda said, bowing to Sombra as if in loyalty.

"So Nightmare Moon doesn't suspect your disloyalty to her and your loyalty to me, Gilda?" Sombra ask Gilda with a cruel grin. While the griffin is Nightmare Moon's spell, in reality, she is loyal only to Sombra.

"That's right, King Sombra. She doesn't...and everything is going according to plan, Your Majesty."

"Good...now...I suspect that you are looking for Princess Twilight Sparkle?"

"That's right. But this forest is so thick...I can't seem to find her." Gilda remarks with an annoyed grunt.

"Don't worry, Gilda. You shall find her...and when you do...you must report to me first. Then you can report to Nightmare Moon." Sombra said to Gilda sinisterly.

"Yes, sir."

"And make sure that Nightmare Moon doesn't disappoint me."

"You got it, boss!" The evil bird exclaims sinisterly. Sombra then began to sing along with Gilda.

Sombra: It's so so stirring
I feel like purring

Gilda: It's deeply pleasing

To be the reason

Sombra and Gilda: So many will be so sad!

Then as Gilda flew off Sombra finish the song.

Sombra: Three cheers for treachery
It feels so good to be bad!
Ha ha!

Gilda didn't go far as she notices something odd: fireworks coming out into the sky. The griffin flew down and found the cottage. As she got to the ceiling, the bird yelps as some blaze of colors almost hit her.

"Whoa! Almost blew my head off!" Gilda exclaims in surprise, yet smirks eagerly. "But I found them."

Inside, the colors wars kept on going, with magic hitting off stuff and hitting the two mares. Soon both Rarity and Rainbow fires at the same time...and hit the dress, turning it into a combination of pink and purple!

"Ugh! Now look what you did!" Rarity growls at Rainbow furiously.

"Whoa, what do you mean what I've done?!" Rainbow protests to Rainbow, even though she was the one who made the mess in the first place, "What about you?!"

"Shhh, girls, listen!" Fluttershy exclaims in alarm. The girls stop talking as they hear something: a familiar singing heading to the cottage. It didn't take long before they figure out who was singing.

"Oh man! It's Iris Crystal!"

"No more of this nonsense! Come on, we must be ready!" Rarity urges her friends. She's right, time to get ready. As Fluttershy finish lighting the candles, the white unicorn pauses then zaps her magic at the dress. "Make it pink."

Rarity rushes off quickly to hide. Rainbow frowns at the new dress color, changes it while saying, "Rainbow."

Once the color is changed, Rainbow nods as she goes into hiding while causing the utensils to stop moving. Fluttershy looks at the dress, then uses her necklace while saying, "Oh dear. This won't do. This will be better."

Fluttershy zaps the dress, changing it without the other Mystic Ponies knowing. It is now purple with some light purple and light blue hooves with blue shoulderish pads and star decorations.

"Auntie Rarity," Iris calls out from outside, while Fluttershy rush to hide with her friends. This is perfect, not a detail out of place!

Except for one that made Rarity gasped, "Ugh! Who left the mop running?!" Sure enough, there's the mop, still working with magic. Rainbow has forgotten to stop it!

"Stop, mop!" Rainbow exclaims, using her magic to cause the mop to come to a stop before falling to the ground. Phew, that was a close one!

During this time, Iris hums as she, Spike and Pinkamena came into the house, looking around. Unknown to them, Gilda was also looking in through a crack in the window. There's Twilight, the grown up mare that Nightmare Moon has been looking for all these 16 years!

"Auntie Rarity; Fluttershy; Rainbow Dash," Iris calls as she looks around the seemingly empty cottage. "Where could those three be?"

"My! This cottage is empty!" Spike exclaims, pretending not to know. "Wow, it would be weird if..."

"Hey, look!" Pinkamena exclaims, pointing at something. Iris gasps in surprise upon seeing the new dress and cake. Although the mare knew what's going on, this is a big surprise ever that's happening to her today!

"Wow!" Iris exclaims eagerly.

"Surprise," The three mares exclaims happily as they came from out of nowhere, surprising the happy mare.

"Happy Birthday, Iris," Fluttershy giggles happily. She notices Pinkamena before asking, "Who is this?"

"Oh, this is my new friend, Pinkamena!" Iris explains, smiling as she introduces her new friend who waves meekly to the "aunts". "I found her trapped in the forest and free her. Her big brother is missing so I hope you don't mind if she stays with us."

"Well, I guess so." Rainbow remarks with a shrug. Won't matter after today anyway, right?

"Hi. You must be Iris's aunts." Pinkamena said to the trio with a smile, trying not to be creepy. "Glad to meet ya!"

"Oh, everyone," Iris giggles happily as she begins hugging her "aunts" and "brother". "This day has been the best ever! Oh, wait until you meet him!"

"Wait, what?" Rarity asks startled upon hearing the last part. "Meet him"?

"Hang on. Iris Crystal!" Rainbow gasps in surprise and disbelief upon hearing that.

"Did...did you meet any strangers besides Pinkamena?! Spike, I told you to make sure she doesn't do that!"

"It isn't my fault...it just happened." Spike said to his love nervously while rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh, he is no stranger, Auntie Rarity." Iris giggles while smiling lovingly. "We met before!"

"Really," Rarity asks Iris puzzled. The mare doesn't understand about that part.

"Where did you meet him?" Rainbow asks, giving a puzzled look to her adopted niece.

"Once upon a dream," Iris said, giving out a happy sigh. She then begins singing a familiar song while dancing with Fluttershy, "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream..."

"She's in love!" Fluttershy exclaims to her friends in surprise and amazement. She saw that look on the purple unicorn's face before: Iris is indeed in love.

"Totally awesome," Rainbow exclaims with a smile upon hearing that.

"Rainbow; It's terrible!" Rarity exclaims to Rainbow in horror. This isn't good.

"Oh, sorry."

Spike nods in agreement, looking worried as he explains, "When the King finds out about this we'll hang for treason and for 'putting ideas into her head'."

"Spike!" Rarity exclaims, making Spike yelp a bit. He just went and said that right in front of Iris!

Iris stops dancing with Fluttershy, giving the others but Pinkamena a confused look as she asks, "Why? After all, I am sixteen now."

"Right; let her marry who she wants." Pinkamena said in agreement, yet yelps upon remembering something. "Oooooh. That."

"Well, it's not that we are against you falling in love." Rarity said in hesitation, feeling guilty. Now is the time to tell the truth, though she knew that Iris would be heartbroken once it gets out.

"Oh dear; the thing is...you are already engaged." Fluttershy said meekly to Iris.

"Wait, engaged," Iris ask puzzled and confused. She wasn't aware of being engaged until now.

"Since you were born," Rainbow explains to a sigh while concerned.

"Right, to Prince Benjamin Maregilligan," Fluttershy said seriously to Iris, much to her shock and disbelief.

"Engaged?! What do you mean?! I can't be engaged! That only happens if it involves royalty and..." Iris begins to say, until Spike was forced to interrupt her.

"Iris...we aren't really your brother and aunts." Spike said sadly to Iris, much to her surprise and shock. "We're from the Mystic Realm, did you even notice the wings and horn that they now got?" Iris turns and looks surprise as she now saw the additions on her "aunts" that the mare failed to notice until now.

"That's right...and you are really a princess." Rainbow said sadly to Iris, much to her shock.

"Right, it's sad but true." Fluttershy said gloomy.

"Oh no..." Iris said as she looks stunned and disbelief upon hearing that. The unicorn is really a princess...and the Mystic Ponies didn't tell her until now?

"It's true, darling. Your real name is Twilight Sparkle, daughter of King Night Light and Queen Twilight Velvet." Rarity said with a sad sigh. "Tonight, we are taking you back home."

Gilda smirks eagerly upon hearing that. She then flew off quickly and quietly, heading back. Sombra and Nightmare Moon would love to hear this!

""No, I can't go back!" Iris, now Twilight, protests in shocked and sadness. "He's coming tonight! I promise that I would meet him and his friends here...tonight!'

"Twilight Sparkle, I'm sorry, I really am." Rarity said with a sad sigh. "But I'm afraid that you will never see that colt again."

"No! I cannot believe it! I won't!"

Twilight sobs as she gallops upstairs to her room. The Mystic Ponies look at each other sadly. This party has turned into a bad one...all because they were forced to tell the princess the truth. Twilight wanted to see that mysterious colt again and yet, the trio hasn't even seen him yet! Pinkamena sighs sadly while looking down, feeling sad for her depressed friend,

"Oh man, I thought she would be happy." Rainbow said sadly while shaking her head in regret. Perhaps the girls should've told Twilight the truth sooner.

"Now look what you've done, Rarity!" Spike exclaims furiously to Rarity, much to her shock. "You broke Twilight's heart and ruined her dreams and her birthday."

"But...but...Spike--." Rarity begins to protest. Sadly, Spike held one of his claws up in her front, not wanting to hear it.

"Talk to the claws, Rarity...because the face doesn't want to listen anymore."

"But we don't know how to speak in claw, Spike." Fluttershy said in concern and confusion at this.

"Ugh. It's a figure of speech, Fluttershy." Rainbow groans a bit while slapping her own forehead in disbelief.

"Oh dear; what a worst birthday party this turned out to be."

Twilight lies on her bed, sobbing in sadness and despair. She will soon be heading home...and will never see her true love again! Oh, what a terrible day this turned out to be!

Author's note
Poor Twilight; She found out the truth and now, the mare may never see Ben again, unaware of who he truly is. In the next chapter, Jack Silver begins making plans for the soon to be wedded couple's future with King Night Light, but when his son tells him of his determination to marry the peasant pony that he met, what will happen? Read, review and suggest.

The scene and fun fight that Ben had with Dragoking before the animals stole his clothes are a reference to 'How to Train Your Dragon 2'.

This chapter also has references to 'Hercules', 'SpongeBob SquarePants', 'All Dogs Go to Heaven 2', and the second Austin Powers film.

Chapter 5: Plans Come To Waste

Night Light sighs in concern as he looks out the window in his castle. Although the kingdom is celebrating the soon to be return of Twilight, the king is still concerned for his daughter. He wonders if she will be brought home safely and hopes that Nightmare Moon hasn't got to her yet.

Night Light sighs as he turns to Jack who is eating a sandwich, "Jack, I'm worried. My daughter hasn't returned yet."

"Oh, don't worry about that, lad. It isn't even after sunset yet." Jack assures the king as he bites into his sandwich. "Calm down, the battle is over and Twilight is good as here."

"Sorry, but I have spent 16 years of worrying, not seeing Twilight since she was taken into the night. I'm worried that Nightmare Moon may have gotten her already. I'm relieved she didn't even get you yet."

"Ha! Nightmare Moon tried to but she hasn't got to me yet, lad! Relax. My sister-in-law didn't make her move yet. Your daughter is safe and will remain that way."

"Yes, but...how is your wife doing, Jack?" Night Light asks Jack, concerning Celestia.

"She and her allies are still looking for Sombra. That son of a bilge rat was responsible for what happened since the beginning." Jack remarks with a smirk. He waves a hoof as Derpy, her court jester, flew into the scene with a plate with certain drinks on it, doing her best not to fall.

"Would you like some wine, Captain Jack? Or the usual drab of rum?" Derpy ask the captain, motioning to the drinks that she is offering.

"I prefer rum, Miss Derpy. Rum is good."

"Okay."

Jack grabs a bottle of wine and a bottle of rum for himself. He adds seriously, "But…don't tell Tia I've been drinking again." Celestia gets upset whenever she finds out that her beloved has been drinking, enough that she forbids from doing so again.

"My lips are sealed, Captain Jack." Derpy said with a salute. Jack chuckles as he pours the wine into a glass for Night Light for him to take.

"All right, lad, time for us to make a toast to the future which Tia and I was looking for to for 16 years!"

"To the future!" Night Light exclaims as he takes his wine glass. The two raises glasses to make a toast. Derpy, grinning, took out a sitar and begins playing as the two begins singing.

Jack: Skumps!

Night Light: Skumps

Jack: A toast to this night

Night Light: The outlook is rosey

Jack: The future is bright

Both: Our children will marry
Our kingdoms unite
Skumps, Skumps, Skumps!

The two laughs happily while Jack drinks some of his rum. He spoke eagerly while pouring some of his own drink into the glass, "Yes, good rum. Now then, let's talk about the new home."

"Wait, new home?" Night Light ask spuzzled, caught off guard by this. As Jack spoke, he unknowingly pours wine into Derpy's mouth; the goofy Pegasus pony drinks it happily.

"Well, why not? Our kids should have a home and raise their own kids, correct?"

"Well, in time, yes."

"To the home then," Jack exclaims as the two friends raise glasses once more. Derpy, a little drunk, plays as the two friends sang once more.

Jack: Skumps!

Night Light: Skumps!

Jack: A toast to the home.

Night Light: One grander by far than
a palace to roam.

Jack: (pouring wine) Let me fill up your glass, that last was all foam.

Both: Skumps! Skumps! Skumps!

The two laughs eagerly. Jack calms down while calling out, "Hey, the plans; the plans!" A Royal Guard for Celestia came in with the plans in his mouth then put it on a wall to unroll, showing the plans to the home, looking like some sort of crystal like tree. "So whatcha think, lad; nothing hard to handle. With a lot of bedrooms, a dining hall, honeymoon cottage. Hay, we even put in the children's room too!"

Derpy meanwhile pours more wine into the sitar, smirking drunkingly. Night Light confused ask, "So wait, you're making it now?"

"Making nothing! It's finished yet! Yes, it was difficult, considering how Tia was away on her mission most of the time, but it's done. By tomorrow, Benjamin and Twilight will move right in."

"Wait, hang on! They aren't even married yet!"

"Well, good thing tonight will solve that problem, eh lad?" Jack asks his friend with a chuckle. He pours the last of the wine into his friend's glass, "All right, now; to the wedding!"

"Jack, hang on! Now I am not against the idea of the home, but I haven't seen Twilight in 16 years! And now, you wanna take her away from me already?" Night Light asks Jack, who gave a look of frown. He doesn't like the tone that his friend is having at all.

"Come on. You want Benjamin to marry your daughter, right?"

"Yes, right, but..."

"And don't you want to see your own grand-foals as well?" Jack asks Night Light waving a hoof at him in frustration. The king should've at least wants to see his own grand-foals so what is his problem?

"Yes, of course, I do...but..." Night Light begins to say, but Jack interrupts him once more.

"What? What's wrong? You must be getting on in years, Night Light; now to the wedding!"

"Jack, try to listen to reason. Twilight doesn't even know anything about this yet."

"So?" Jack asks as he begins to drink his rum from his glass.

"Well, uh...it would be a bit of a shock to her and..." Night Light begins to explain...but Jack, upon hearing that, ends up spitting his rum right out, getting upset than ever.

"Shock ye say, Night Light; Yer saying that me Ben is a shock? And just what be wrong with me Ben? Well, answer me, ye land lubber!"

"Well, nothing, Jack. I only meant--."

"Why does yer daughter nae like me son?!" Jack roars furiously to Night Light. This pirate isn't taking offense to what his friend is saying about the situation lightly.

"Jack…calm down now." Night Light said, trying to calm down the outraged pirate.

"I be not so sure that me son likes yer daughter!"

"Now, see here, Jack Silver--!"

"That's Captain Jack Silver, if ye please, sir. And I'm not so sure that me grandchildren will ever like a land lubber like ye fer a grandpappy!" Jack growls as he pushes Night Light furiously.

"Why, you pompous pillaging, drunken windbag," Night Light yells out angrily at Jack. This pirate is taking this too far!

"Pompous? Drunken? I'm not drunk…and en guarde, ye scurvy land lubber!" The former pirate roars in fury. Jack then grabs a fish and uses it like a sword.

"I'm warning you, Jack…this means war!"

Night Light grabs a plate and uses it as a shield to block Jack's mad attacks, the two fights for a long period of time. Derpy wasn't paying attention or trying to interfere. She continues drinking the rum while lying down underneath the table cloth, sleeping. The two kept on fighting...until both came to their senses, realizing their own weapons. Jack and Night Light laughs embarrassedly at this as well as their argument.

"Now, lad; what are we doing? We're fighting like griffins." Jack said to Night Light with a chuckle.

"Well, yes. You're right. A wedding can fix this up." Night Light said to Jack. Imagine his embarrassment in using a plate to defend against a friend.

"Aye; Anyway, I know that our kids will fall in love with each other. Benjamin has been pining for the filly since her disappearance so that's a big hint right there!"

"Yes, yes. As for the grand-foals, I will make sure that the woodcarvers will make the cradles tomorrow."

"Good to hear that." Jack said with a pleased look. It's great that Night Light is on the same page as he is now.

"Right, to the woodcarver's guild," Night Light exclaims while raising his wine glass.

The two were about to make another toast when they hear a weird noise coming from underneath the table. Jack opens the cloth to reveal Derpy, drunk and asleep in her sitar. The Pegasus pony has too much to drink obviously.

Jack looks up to Night Light, asking, "Should I tell Miss Derpy that that really isn't rum at all?"

"No, Jack…it's better that she sleeps." Night Light said with a sigh. It's best that Derpy just sleeps off her drunken state for now.

Just then, the duo heard a trumpet sound as a voice exclaims, "Now approaching, his royal majesty, Prince Benjamin Maregilligan!"

"Benjamin?" Jack asks in surprise as he quickly leaves the room. His son has already arrived!

Ben, smiling lovingly still, got off of Dragoking as Applejack and Pinkie arrives, catching up with him. Jack shows up, eager that his son has shown up. Of course, the lord didn't realize as to what had happened in the Everfree Forest.

"Hey, Jackie," Pinkie said nervously to Jack. She wonders how Ben's dad will take finding out that his son has met and fallen with a peasant pony of all things.

"Ben, son; Thank goodness you're back!" Jack exclaims, galloping up to Ben before stopping. "Okay, hurry and change into something more suitable. Your future bride is waiting for you soon."

"I've already met her, Dad." Ben said to Jack, much to his surprise upon hearing that.

"Yer have, Benny? Where; When?"

"Once upon a dream, Dad," Then Ben grabbed his father and sang. "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream--!"

"Benjamin! Ben!" Jack exclaims, surprised and confused by Ben's newest behavior.

"I know you, the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam--!"

"Now, put me down, yer land lubber!" Jack snaps in irritation to Ben. The Earth pony stops his singing and dancing while putting his dad down. "Now…what be all this dream nonsense, eh?"

"It wasn't a dream, Dad. I really did find and meet her. Me, Applejack, Pinkie and Dragoking."

"Yer mean…ye've found Princess Twilight Sparkle? Mistress Applejack and Mistress Pinkie, ye've really found her?"

Pinkie confused, but is pretending to for her own sake, ask, "Uh, found who, Captain Jack?"

"Yew've gotta be joking!" Applejack exclaims nervously to Jack.

"Ben, this be wonderful news." Jack said anxiously, apparently not hearing what Pinkie and Applejack just said. "We must tell Night Light. He'll be really happy to--."

Ben however stops Jack, smiling as he said, "Now wait just a minute, Dad. I never said that it was Twilight Sparkle."

"Yes, yer did say that, Ben. Ye said--."

"I said that I met the filly I was going to marry. Well, to be honest I didn't who she was. She could have been a peasant pony or something."

"What? A peasant girl; ye kidding, right," Jack ask in shock of what Ben's hearing. The whole kingdom is preparing for Twilight's return as well as the wedding. And now Ben is deciding to marry a filly that he just met! The former pirates turn to the others. "Please tell me he's kidding!"

Dragoking shakes his head, meaning no. Pinkie asks awkwardly, "If we say 'no', would you not punish us?"

"Ah...Ah can't lie!" Applejack groans in frustration. She can't tell a lie, no matter how much the mare tries to. "Yer son did met a filly in 'de Everfree Forest an' now he wanna git hitched 'ta her!"

Jack looks more shocked. This cannot be happening! The pirate refuses to hear it! Jack turns back to Ben while protesting frantically, "Yer can't do this tae me, Ben; Yer going to give up yer mother's throne, the Kingdom of Canterlot fer some….some no pony?"

"I guess so, but you'll really like her, Dad." Ben insists to his dad with a smirk.

"Not if I were to sink deep into the darkest depths of Davy Jones's Locker would I prefer some peasant pony over the bride ye've been promised, Benjamin Maregillian! Yer a Prince…and yer gonna marry a Princess, boy; whether ye like it or not."

"Dad, it's just Ben Mare…and you know how much I hate being called by my full name all the time. Besides, you're living in the past…didn't you and Mom marry outside of the tradition?"

"Oh, aye. Yer right, son. We did…we married out of love instead of by the tradition."

"See…it's like I said, you're living in the past, Dad. This is a brand new century nowadays." Ben said to his father with a smile of satisfaction and victory.

"Nowadays, I still be Captain Jack Silver and still husband to Princess Celestia…and I command ye to come to yer senses." Jack orders Ben sternly. He isn't going to let his son pulled the biggest mistake of his life now!

"And marry the filly I love."

"Aye, that, too."

Applejack and Pinkie notice that their friend is getting back onto Dragoking. Obviously he's going out once more to find the cottage in the glen.

"So you approve of this, Captain Jack?" Pinkie asks Jack as she and Applejack prepares to make their own getaway, not wanting to be around when the "fireworks" goes off.

"Well..." Jack said, not realizing what's going on or that Ben and Dragoking are already making their leave.

"Come on, we gotta catch up wit' Ben." Applejack said as she and Pinkie quickly gallops off after Ben and Dragoking.

"I'll see you later, Dad." Ben calls out to Jack as the four quickly leaves the castle gates.

"Aye, I will..." Jack then yelps in shock, realizing what he just said and what's going on now. "Wait, what?! Benjamin!"

As the group makes their getaway, Applejack groans, "Man, am Ah glad we got out o' there in time. Ah wouldn't have wanted 'ta hear Jack scream an' say all thirteen bad words in front of us like the time when we were caught saying one of the thirteen bad words--."

Pinkie groans a bit, remarking, "That was vulgar, but it was fun! Although it almost got me in trouble with the Cakes's when I was unintentionally speaking sailor talk in front of them and the babies, as well as scaring all the customers away. "

"An' yer lucky, Pinkie, 'dat yew Pinkie Promised never 'ta use 'dat kind o' talk in front o' 'de babies or 'de Cakes again…an' 'dat they let you off the hook 'dat time."

"Yeah."

"Come on, guys. My true love await for me." Ben said with a smile. "Just hand me cuff links."

"Okay." Pinkie said, giving a pair of cuff links to the stallion who begins to sing.

Ben: And straighten my tie!

Applejack put a tie around Ben's neck and straightens it up.

Just drench me in rich cologne
And don't ask me why

"Okay." Applejack comments as she threw cologne, though this caught everyone, even Dragoking, to coughs a bit.

Go on and pluck me a boutonniere

Applejack takes a flower, giving to Ben as she sings.

Applejack: Yer're moving up an' walking on air

Applejack gives the flower to Ben who eats it.

Ben: Steppin' out with a star and feeling high
Come polish my wing tips
And call for the car

"Okie-dokie!" Pinkie said. She whistles to Dragoking who grunts in amusement.

I'll sweep her right off her hooves
Wherever we are!

With a giggle, Pinkie gives out clothes to Ben as she sings.

Pinkie: A satin collar and velvet vest!

Ben: I never settled for second best
Steppin' out with a star
Sad times, bye-bye!

Applejack took out a banjo and plays a tune on it. Once she's done, Ben continues the song.

Have I got style?

Ben didn't waste time in putting on some pants, one leg at a time.

Have I got taste?

Pinkie giggles, covering her eyes to give her pal privacy.

On some pony else I swear
This savoir faire
Would be such a waste

Ben finally got his pants on as Applejack kept on playing. The pony kept on singing, putting on some shoes while dancing on Dragoking's back.

So toss my crown now

"Y'all got it, Benny!" Applejack exclaims as she tosses a crown to Ben who caught it and put the thing on.

Ben: I'm ready to fly
Bustin' into the upper crust
As easy as pie!
Just watch my dreams come true
This was somethin' I was born to do
Steppin' out with a star
That star is you!

As the prince put a jacket on, the group stops nearby a lake. Ben grins as he saw what appears to be Iris in the reflection smiling back to him, though it's obviously his imagination. Ben now got off of Dragoking, grabbing a log and dances with it, humming while pretending that it's his true love.

Ben then dances in front of a tree with his shadow. Once he's done however, the group is surprised that the shadow begins dancing by itself!

Pinkie giggles while shaking her head at this, "It's really official, Applejack. He's determined to be with this filly, no matter what."

"Well, as long as Ben's happy, Pinkie…so should we be happy fer him." Applejack remarks with a shrug.

Applejack: Have y'all got class?

Ben: Have I got class!

Applejack: Have y'all got chic?

Ben: Have I got chic!

Applejack: 'Ta think 'dat we poor three
Were no pony
Why only last week!

"Hey, guys!" Pinkie exclaims as she holds up a camera. The ponies and Dragoking poses as the pink pony took a picture. "Ha."

Ben grins, twirling and getting back onto Dragoking's back as he sings once more.

Ben: I'm ready to fly--!

Dragoking with a smirk, bucks up and sending Ben flying right off his back, causing him to hit the ground.

"Ben!" Applejack exclaims as she rushes over to help Ben up.

"You okay, Ben?" Pinkie asks Ben in concern.

"Well at least I could try." Ben said sheepishly. Regardless, he got back up and prepares to finish the song off.

Just watch my dreams come true!
This was something I was born to do!

The ponies smiles as they soon begins dancing, finishing the song off.

Ben, Applejack and Pinkie: Steppin' out with a star
Bye bad times
Steppin' out with a star
Hey good times
Steppin' out with a star
And feelin' high

Once the song over, the trio did a pose with Pinkie cheering, "Yeah!" They all laugh as Ben got back onto Dragoking then heads off to the Everfree Forest, preparing for a meeting that could change things.

Jack, meanwhile, kept on shouting frantically to the departing Ben, "Ben, come back! Ben." The lord sighs in sadness as he came over to the steps, sitting down while groaning, "Oh no. Once Celestia hears about this…I'll never forgive meself…and Night Light will be heartbroken. Oh, how can I ever tell Night Light about this?:

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

Nightmare Moon sat on her throne back in Mount Thunderflame. She is still waiting for Gilda's report. Soon the griffin came in, having reported to Sombra in secret before coming back.

"Good news, Nightmare Moon. I found her." Gilda said to Nightmare Moon with a smirk.

"You saw her, Gilda? You really found the Princess Twilight?" Nightmare Moon asks Gilda curiously and hopefully. Had all her 16 years of searching is paying off?

"That's right, Nightmare Moon. I saw her with my own two eyes…and as an added bonus..."

"Yes?"

"She's found true love, but unfortunately…she won't be able to meet him at the cottage tonight. And Rainbow Crash and her friends are taking the Princess back to the castle tonight." Gilda said to Nightmare Moon with a cruel chuckle.

Nightmare Moon nods in satisfaction, petting Gilda as she said, "Excellent work, Gilda. I knew that I could rely on you."

"Anything for you, Nightmare Moon…and anything to see that loser Rainbow Crash and that pompous pirate Jack Silver brought down."

"Indeed…" Then the wicked Queen of Darkness gave a fake sympathetic look as she spoke. "Poor Twilight…Oh she is in for a little surprise. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

Unknown to Nightmare Moon however, a familiar presence is peeking in through the window. With a smirk, he said quietly, "Very soon...all of Equestria will be mine, once I've made Twilight Sparkle my queen."

Author's note
Oh no. Jack is upset that Ben is going to marry a peasant pony, though neither of them realize that it's really Twilight! And Nightmare Moon as well as Sombra is plotting! In the next chapter, Twilight is returned home but she isn't happy at all. Things got worse when Nightmare Moon makes her move to make the curse happen, while Sombra reveals himself to the Mystic Ponies. Read, review and suggest!

The extra bit as Ben's group was leaving is a reference to an episode of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' where SpongeBob and Patrick cursed, as well as the movie 'The Great Muppet Caper.

Author's note
3 chapters left. This story is almost done so enjoy!

Chapter 6: Curse's Arrival

It was almost sunset as the kingdom is close to finish preparations for Twilight's return. But what no one knows is that the Mystic Ponies is leaving the Everfree Forest cautiously with Spike and Pinkamena trailing. Twilight is behind the group in her new dress, as well as a cloak and hood, not saying a word. She is sad over what happened especially of the truth that was kept from her for so long.

The Mystic Ponies decided that it's best to play it safe in returning Twilight home, going in through the back. They are concerned that Nightmare Moon or Sombra will be waiting tonight for the curse to happen. As long as they keep quiet, no one will ever know. The group goes into the castle through a door in the back of the castle, entering while making sure that no one saw them arriving.

The group enters a room in the castle where they will prepare Twilight for her big arrival. Rarity said, "All right, dear, in here." The princess enters, still not entering as she goes over to a table with a mirror on it. "Rainbow, lock the door."

Rainbow nods as she goes over to the door and lock it. Rarity turns to Fluttershy saying, "Fluttershy, close the curtains." The meek yellow pony nods and closes the curtains. The girls want to take extra precautions to make sure that Twilight's arrival isn't noticed just yet. "Twilight, sit down."

Twilight sat down without saying a word, removing her hood from her cloak. Pinkamena sighs sadly, "Poor Twiley."

"We got one more gift for you, Darling." Rarity said as she uses her necklace to make a crown appears on her head. "Your very own Element of Harmony. This is a symbol of royalty, a crown to wear in grace and beauty, as well as your right and royal duty. It is also the Element of Magic."

"So whatcha think?"

Twilight couldn't take any more. She broke into tears once more then put her head onto her upper forelegs onto the table. The mare can't bear living life without...him.

"Twilight, we--" Spike begins to say in concern while gentle-like.

Twilight softly spoke, "Just go away."

"Oh...okay. Come on, girls. Let's leave her alone now.:

The girls nods as they and Spike leaves the room to leave Twilight to her sadness. Pinkamena stays behind to make sure that she's okay, feeling sad and concerned for her good friend than ever.

As Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike left Twilight alone to weep; the Princess felt like her world had been turned upside down.

She had finally found the colt of her dreams, only to find out from her guardians that she was a Princess; that she was already betrothed to some Prince that she didn't even know at all, not realizing that the colt she loved was said-Prince, and now she would never see her true love again.

And she had her 'guardians' to blame for it. Twilight then glared at the door that they barely closed as she sang.

Twilight: Yes, I made the choice
For your sakes I will stay
But I don't deserve to lose
My freedom in this way

Twilight angrily yells at the door, "You ingrates!"

Rarity, hearing Twilight's words, gasp in surprise, "Ingrates?!"

Fluttershy was really hurt by those words, like it was a stinging blow to her heart. She whimpers, "What?"

"I guess that we deserved that, girls." Rainbow said to her friends gloomy.

"We all had it coming, Rainbow.” Spike remarks in agreement. Twilight ignore their words as she kept on singing.

If you think that what you've done is right
Well then
You're all fools
Think again!

Then Twilight cried as she sang.

Is this home?
Is this where I should learn to be happy?
Never dreamed that a home could be dark and cold
I was told everyday in my childhood
Even when we grow old
Home will be where the heart is
Never a word so true

My heart's far, far away
Home is, too!
Is this home?
Is this what I should learn to believe in?
Try to find something good in this tragic place
Just in case, I should stay here forever
Held in this empty space
Oh, but that won't be easy
I know the reason why
My heart's far, far away
Home's a lie!

What I'd give to return
To the life that I knew lately
And to think, I complained
Of those vast, majestic woods
Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever?
Shut away from the world until who knows when
Ah, but then
As my life has been altered once, it can change again
Build higher walls around me
Change every lock and key

Nothing lasts, nothing holds all of me
My heart's far, far away
Home and free!

Then Twilight cried once again. Outside the room, Rainbow looks down, mumbling, "Yeah, it's because of that colt she met."

"What do we do now?" Fluttershy ask in sadness. At this point, Twilight's former guardians have no clue as to what to do for her now.

Back inside, Twilight came on crying in sadness. Unknown to her, the fire in fireplace nearby begins to go out as something appears from the shadow, becoming a small shimmer of light. Twilight looks up to saw it...then without warning, the mare got up as if in some sort of spell, causing her cloak to fell behind her, following the light which appears to be calling her.

In the other room, the girls and Spike continue their conversion, not what of them realizes what's going on right now that could changes things for the worst.

"Poor Twilight," Rarity said, shaking her head in sadness.

"It's not fair." Rainbow remarks in disgust while sitting down in her seat, upset over this whole thing. "I don't see any reason as to why Twilight should marry some….stupid Prince!"

"Rainbow, that's not for us to decide." Fluttershy explains to Rainbow calmly.

"Yes, it is, Fluttershy. We raised her, not the King and Queen! We're the ones who took care of Twilight all these years, not her parents."

"But she's still the Princess, and this betrothal is the same thing as a promise. And a promise is a promise. Not to mention that it's tradition." Rarity points out to Rainbow of royal traditions.

Back in the other room, Twilight kept on following the light as a wall opens behind the fireplace, revealing a secret passageway behind. The mare, still in a trance, continues following it silently, doing what the thing is telling her to do.

Pinkamena was lying beside Twilight's bed as her ears flick and she sees a green flash and room is revealed. She growls and slowly follows Twilight and in her mind, 'Nightmare Moon, you’re going to pay and that goes extra to the evil Sombra'. She keeps following.

"Tradition my flank," Rainbow in the other room exclaims angrily at the said word as if it's an insult.

"Rainbow," Fluttershy gasps in shock by what her friend just said. That's a terrible thing to say!

"Well, it's true. It's a stupid tradition…one that Princess Celestia and Jack actually ignored unless you've forgotten."

"That's a very good point, Rainbow. Maybe we should tell King Night Light and Queen Twilight Velvet about the young colt."

"And risk having to be hanged or beheaded? Not a chance." Rarity protests to Rainbow in concern by that.

"Rarity, we have to tell them the truth and explain why Twilight is crying." Spike said to Rarity, agreeing with the idea. The king and queen must know as to why their daughter is crying.

"Well, maybe Twilight wouldn't be crying if Spike here…had kept his big mouth shut instead of blurting out about us being hanged for treason by the King!"

"So it's my fault, huh? Well, whose idea was it to hide Twilight in the first place?! Oh wait, let me guess. It was you, Rarity!"

"What? Me?! Uh…Fluttershy was the one who suggested it. Blame her!" Rarity protests, pointing a hoof at Fluttershy while blaming her for her giving the unicorn the idea 16 years old!

"I didn't suggest anything, Rarity. I was merely speaking my mind when I said that Nightmare Moon didn't know anything about love, kindness, the joy of helping others anymore." Fluttershy said in protest. She glares at Rainbow while adding, "Rainbow should be to blame."

"What?! You're pinning the blame on me now?!" Rainbow protests in alarm by this.

"You were the one who cheered Jack Silver on when he humiliated Nightmare Moon, Rainbow." Rarity said as she scolds Rainbow for cheering Jack on 16 years ago. "Your involvement only made the situation worse and--."

A faint sound is heard, making Spike gasps, "Wait…something's wrong. I can feel it both in my gut and scales."

Rarity gasps as she looks inside the room, "You're right, Spike. It's either Nightmare Moon or Sombra!"

"Iris! Iris!" The group exclaims as they saw that Twilight is no longer in room.

"Oh dear, why did we even leave her alone???"

"There she is!" Spike exclaims as she spoke Twilight walking through the fireplace, with Pinkamena following secretly unknown to her and everyone else.

"Iris! Iris!" The group yells out as they try to go after her. Sadly, before the four could get closer, a wall appears, blocking them off.

Inside the passageway, the still entranced Twilight continues following the enchanted light, walking up a staircase. She must follow it no matter what.

The girls and Spike does their best to get through the wall in the fireplace, but to no success. Rarity quickly uses her magic to open the wall up, allowing the four into the passageway. If Nightmare Moon is involved likely, they gotta stop Twilight before she unknowingly allowed the corrupt Alicorn's curse to happen!

"Iris! Where are you?!" The four yells out frantically. Sadly, whoever is responsible has turn the passageway in four hallways. The four was forced to split up to go down the different ones, but no matter what, none of them are the right way. "Iris!"

Twilight continues following the light, unaware of her friends trying to help her. Soon, she reaches some sort of tower where the light stops, then it transforms into a black book with wire on it. The thing appears to be calling out to the unicorn who goes towards in it in curiosity. Twilight pauses then begins to reach out with a hoof.

The group finally reaches the stairs, rushing up them, calling out echoing, "Iris! Don't touch anything!"

As if the words had reached her, Twilight stops and held her hoof out, hesitating at first. But then a familiar voice spoke out eerily, "Touch the book...touch it I say!" Twilight is back under the spell as she reaches out...and touches the wire, causing a flash of light to appear.

Meanwhile, the four rush upstairs. They got to get to Twilight before it's too late. Sadly, by the time that they reached the tower, the heroines and Dragon gasps in shock as right in front of them is a chuckling Nightmare Moon who is smirking wickedly.

"Nightmare Moon," The four gasps in shock and horror. No, it can't be!

"Well, well, well...if isn't my old friends, the Mystic Ponies." Nightmare Moon said with a cruel grin, "You poor simple fools. Did you really that you could defeat me; Nightmare Moon, the Queen of all Darkness? Well...here's your precious little Princess!"

Nightmare Moon moves aside to show her former friends a shocking and horrifying sight: there's Twilight on the floor in a deep sleep, the same one that they themselves tried to stop before! The corrupt Alicorn laughs wickedly as she disappears into the shadows, her curse has been fulfilled.

"Iris!" Rainbow exclaims in sadness and despair over seeing Twilight like this.

"Twilight," Fluttershy whimpered as the group came up to Twilight. They try to wake her up, but to no prevail. She is out, maybe for good!

Suddenly familiar laughter is heard as a familiar cloud appears. To the four's horror, it's Sombra who appears in the room, laughing wickedly.

"Sombra," The Mystic Ponies and Spike exclaims in shock. Somehow, they fear that he would show up sooner or later!

Sombra laughs evilly, "Now my dark treacherous purpose to betray Luna, turn her into Nightmare Moon and have her curse that poor little filly has now been fulfilled! And both Night Light and Twilight Velvet's kingdom will be...MINE!!!!" Thunder claps as Spike, Rarity, Rainbow and Rarity tremble in fear. "And I will silent and dispose of anypony and any good Dragon who would dare oppose me who will get in my way! Even that lunatic, idiotic and jabbering oaf you, Spike, call the Alpha Dragon, Taiku will cower before me!"

Before Sombra could get to Twilight, he roars in pain as some blades cut though. The Mystics look and see Pinkamena wielding her Blades of Pinkie Pie and the sword of Pinkie Pie as she says, "Back the buck away from Twilight or I will make you into dark flavor cupcakes."

"Doesn't matter; I still won."

A song begins to play as Sombra begins to sing.

Sombra: In the Dark of the Night I was tossing and turning!

Soon some changelings appear and surround the Mystic Ponies and Spike.

And the nightmare I had was as bad as can be!
Well, Only one way to find out.

The monsters growled fiercely at Rarity and her group as Sombra continued.

It scared me out of my wits
A corpse falling to bits!
Then I opened my eyes
And the nightmare was...me!!

I was once...
the most mystical pony king in all of in the Mystic Realm!

Bert, Tom and William Mountain Troll: Oooh ahooo!

Sombra: When the royals betrayed me they made a mistake!

Bert, Tom and William Mountain Troll: Oooh ahooo!

Sombra: My curse and betrayal of Luna
Made all of them pay
But one certain Sun Goddess is still in my way!

Princess Celestia Beware
King Sombra awakes!

Soon, a vast army of orcs, trolls, evil giants, minotaurs, harpies, chamiras, manticores, dark ponies, centaurs and elves, black dwarves, goblins and even monsters made out of crystals began to sing with the Unicorn king wickedly!

Army: In the dark of the night
Evil will find her

In the dark of the night just before dawn!
Aah...

Sombra laughs as some of his minions bring forth...Luna's Wings as the villain continues singing.

Sombra: Revenge will be sweet!

Both: When My/his Plan is complete!

Army: In the dark of the night

Sombra: They'll be gone!

Soon some vampire ladies began vocalizing while Rarity and her group were nervous.

"This song is way too frightening!" Fluttershy whimpers as the song continues.

Sombra: I can feel that my powers are slowly returning!
Shine my armor and a dash of cologne for that smell!
AS the pieces fall into place
I'll see them crawl into place!
Sayonara Night Light and Velvet your graces, farewell!

Army: In the dark of the night
Terror will strike them!

Sombra: Terror's the least I can do!
In the dark of the night evil will brew.

Army: Ooh!

Sombra: Soon they will feel
That their nightmares are real
In the dark of the night
They'll be through

Army: In the Dark of the Night
Evil will smite them!

Sombra: Smite them!

Evil Creatures: In the Dark of the Night
Terror Comes True

Sombra: Doom them!
My Friends, here's a sign;
It's the end of the line!

Army: In the dark of the night
In the dark of the night

Soon the monsters then left to attack Canterlot as the wicked unicorn king jumped on the back of a Fell-Beast as the sinister song came to it's end.

Sombra: Come my warriors
Rise for your master
Let your evil shine!
In the dark of the night...

Army: In the dark of the night...

Sombra: To Canterlot now yes
Ride ever faster!

Evil Creatures: In the dark of the night...
In the dark of the night...
In the dark of the night...

Sombra: This world is now mine!

Soon the wicked unicorn king, now laughing sinisterly like the power-mad traitorous villain that he is combine with that of the devil and his forces flew off to take Canterlot by force to fore fill his treacherous purpose, leaving Rarity, the Mystic Ponies and Spike in horror at what they have just unleashed thanks to them allowing Nightmare Moon's curse to happen by spilling the truth to Twilight, allowing the villains the opportunity they have been waiting for to make their move and returning the now cursed princess back to her real home whist the villains are still around.

"Oh Spike, darlings...What have we done?!" Rarity sobs in sadness. "Oh, it's all my fault."

"We're all to blame, Rarity." Fluttershy said meekly as the Mystic Ponies cries over Twilight's emotionless Body. Spike and Pinkamena looks down in sadness. What will happen now?

Author's note
Not good. The curse is complete and Sombra is making his move. In the next chapter, in hopes to spare the pain of the truth, Rarity's group put the whole castle under the same sleeping spell. And when they find out the identify of the colt that Twilight met, they head back to the cottage. But evil awaits Ben there! Read, review and suggest!

Spike trying to speak to Twilight only to be asked to leave is a reference to 'The Little Mermaid' when Sebastian tried to do the same time after he told Triton about Ariel's love for Eric by accident.

Twilight's song is from the musical version of 'Beauty and the Beast'.

The extra song at the end is from 'Anastasia'.

Author's note
Two chapters left and I am done with this fanmake at last. Hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 7: Sleeping Castle

The sun will soon set as folks are preparing for hopefully the rescue of Twilight Sparkle. The king and queen sat on their own throne, waiting anxiously for their daughter. Jack came up, looking worried and concerned. He has to tell his friend that his son Ben wanted to marry a peasant pony, not Twilight, but Night Light will be upset! And may have Jack's head!

Still, Jack, doing his best not to panic, goes up to Night Light as he spoke, "Errr, Night Light, lad? I got something important that I must tell ye."

"Not now, Jack. Can't it wait?" Night Light asks Jack with a groan. He isn’t in the mood to hear what his former pirate friend wants to tell him right now!

"But it's about Ben!"

"Oh yes, that reminds me. Where is your son? He should be ready with his new bridge right now."

"That's what I'm trying to tell you about him." Jack said in concern. It's now or never. The former pirate must tell Night Light before it's too late. "He's..."

"Just go get him. It's completely important." Night Light insists, waving Jack off to go get his son.

"Arrr, but..."

But before Jack coud continue, fanfare is heard, interrupting Jack. Outside, the sun sets much to everyone's notice. The announcer spoke to the waiting crowd, "Mares and gentle-colt! The sun has set on the 16th birthday! Please welcome back your princess, Twilight Sparkle!"

The crowd cheers excitedly as fireworks exploded into the night. Nightmare Moon's curse has been foiled. Twilight is finally back after 16 years of disappearance! Looks like a good day, right?

Sadly, not everyone is celebrating. Up in the tower, the girls, Spike and Pinkamena are looking sad or sobbing as they look at Twilight, sleeping with a flower in her hooves. If only most of them haven't left her alone...but it's too late. Twilight is in a deep sleep, maybe forever, unless true love can wake her up.

The group looks outside the window at the folks celebrating in sadness. Once everyone, especially the king and queen, finds out what had happened, this celebration will turn into a sad one indeed.

"Oh, poor King Night Light and Queen Twilight Velvet," Fluttershy said in sadness while looking down. Fireworks would've cheered her up...but not this time. "They'll be heartbroken when they find out."

Pinkamena nods slowly as she adds, "Yeah…they really will be."

"Yeah…especially since we failed to protect Twilight when she needed us the most. We'll be lucky if the King and Queen just…banish us from Ponyville forever, or turn Spike into..." Rainbow said with a big gulp, fearing the worst for what could happen to Spike.

"Turn me into what? Gloves," Spike ask Rainbow nervously.

"Uh-uh."

"Boots?"

"Nah," Rainbow said, shaking her head 'no' to that.

Spike gulps nervously as he then guesses, "A jacket?"

"Not even close."

"A belt?"

Rainbow smirks while saying to Spike devilishly, "A purse."

Spike scream in horror at that thought, "Ah…nooooo!"

"Rainbow!" Fluttershy scolds Rainbow. She should've known better than to put that thought into his head!

"Rainbow Dash," Rarity scolds Rainbow in the same meaning.

"Ooh, Queen Twilight Velvet's new purse." Rainbow remarks with a slight chuckle. Imagine Spike as a purse. Wouldn't that be cute?

"That's a terrible idea!" Pinkamena exclaims frantically, getting terrified by the idea of a friend being skinned alive to be used as a purse.

"I don't wanna go as somepony's purse!" Spike exclaims frantically.

"No worries, Spike...we just find Twilight's true love, have him kiss her and things will be set right...right?" Fluttershy ask Spike meekly. Maybe if that's the case...

Rainbow gave Fluttershy a worried look. Now time to tell the others what she kept secret for 16 years, "Uh…Fluttershy, Rarity…I added another detail to the counter-curse. It'll take more than just true love's first kiss to break the spell…"

"What; how could you?!" Rarity ask, shocked to hear that.

"I wasn't finished, Rarity."

"Oh..."

Rainbow clears her throat before continuing, "I also whispered under my breath that the one who does break the spell must also make a vow of everlasting love and prove it to…well…us."

"You could have mentioned that in front of the King and Queen, Rainbow." Fluttershy said to Rainbow in disappointment. Her friend would've at least told Night Light and Twilight Velvet that before.

"I wanted to, Fluttershy…really, I did. But I couldn't risk letting Nightmare Moon hear that detail."

"But…why a vow of everlasting love, Rainbow?" Rarity ask Rainbow curiously.

"Because…it takes more than just a kiss to show true love and if I know Nightmare Moon, it'll take more than just true love's kiss to break her spell." Rainbow explains. She's right. Nightmare Moon wouldn't let anything like a kiss just simply ruin her spell.

"Still, back to the kingie and queenie," Pinkamena said, looking out the window. "What will they say when we tell them this once they find out?"

"Oh, they won't find out." Rarity said in determination. Her friends look at the white unicorn in surprise. She isn't going to tell Twilight's parents that their little filly is under the curse that the Mystic Ponies were supposed to keep from happening?! "We will put everyone in the castle in the same deep sleep. They will not wake up until Twilight is freed from the spell."

"Oh, that makes sense." Fluttershy said with a nod. If everyone wakes up after Twilight, it would be like what happened to her never happened at all!

"All right, time for us to put the castle to sleep...figure of speech." Rainbow said with a slight chuckle.

"You go handle things. I will keep guard of Twilight; do not forget your gift, Rainbow Dash." Pinkamena said. She walks and lay beside Twilight's bed as she keeps watch as they leave. The mare says, "And if you see my brother, let him know I am ok. I am sure Golden heart might be worried about me."

The four nod and head off as she then looks at Twilight, saying, "Do not worry, your Prince will come."

Pinkamena nuzzles her forehead and then lay beside Twilight's bed again. The three Mystic Ponies made themselves small so to avoid being detection then put an anti-magic spell around Spike so he won't fall to the spell himself. The plan was simple; cast a sleeping spell to make the residents fall into a deep sleep. That way, when Twilight wakes up, everyone else will act like nothing has happened. They'll need to fly around the palace, casting a sleeping spell which soon started a chorus melody to play in the background, don't ask!

Chorus: WhoooowooohhhhWHhoohh! WhooowwhhooWhooohh!

As the three Mystic Ponies and Dragon descend down as little glowing lights to the naked eye, they soon begin to put their plan into action.

Slee……ping……Pon…y thing…..

They go in separate directions, as the entire palace changes to a shade of green and it's surroundings while one of the trio lets down magic of some sorts, it must be the sleeping magic that they discuss.

All…the suuuuuch….I neeeeeed….your hooof.

Soon this glowing figure is Rainbow as she comes down to some Royal Guards wielding axes, uses her magic from her necklace onto them as one begins to feel sleepy before continuing onward to the next.

Liiips that shaaaaadeful, reeeeed, red rooooose!

One of the Royal Guards begins to feel drossy before his figure becomes green like the castle's surroundings and he begins to slip down to the ground where he lays on the cement of the palace's walls. All while Rainbow does so forth with the rest of those guards before moving onto the next batch.

Dreaming of Truuue Love,

In the palace court yard, it's surroundings are changing green as well as the spell has spread to here too, as another one of the trio is glowing and floating by, sprinkling sleeping magic dust to the residents below.

Iiiin some wheeere, re-poooooours!

The residents below begin to slowly lean while others begin to yawn, like their getting tired and are even turning a shade of green with the others.

Ooooone Daaaay, Heeee'll will coooommmme.

So another one of the trio glows by as she floats over the other courtyard district, using her magic as that happens, most folks holding flag poles begin to lean them from becoming so tired and unable to hold them right.

Riiiiding a Hope for thooooouuuuuhhh!!!

Now the next person to enter the throne room was Rarity and Spike as the mare uses her magic down below to the royals and everyone else awaiting for the princess. Soon the places walls turn green and even those inside the place are beginning to change from their outer colors and even begin to feel sleepy.

Aaaand you'll aaaawaken,

Everyone soon changes to a green color and now sleeps within the throne room.

Truuue Looooove's First Kiiiiiiiss!

Then outside, near a fountain, another one of the trio of glowing lights passes through, about to use magic onto the folks down below.

Tiiill theeeen,

As she begins her work, the scenery changes to a green color like all the others.

Sleeping Ponnnnnny,

The figure in question is non-other than Fluttershy as she does her job of using her Element of Kindness on the ponies down by the fountain.

Sleeeeps foooorrrth!

Two ponies sitting by the fountain get hit by the magic, begin to yawn and change to a green coloring.

Oooone Daaay, you'll awaaaken,

As Fluttershy wraps up casting everyone to fall asleep, she circles around the fountain and surprisingly starts to slowly stop producing water as everything now becomes a green coloring around the place and it's ponies.

True Looooove's Fiiiirst Kiss!

Fluttershy now begins to bounce around on lit torches, putting them out, one by one.

Tiiill theeeen,

Now we return back in the castle, at the royal banquet hall as Rainbow is now finishing his wrap up of putting everyone to sleep as the scenery of the place is now turning green as well, like the others and the folks are completely asleep.

Sleeping Ponnnnnny,…..

Rainbow now waves herself around some candles still lit before putting them out, and just as she was about to go, something caught her attention!

Sleeeeps foooorrrth!

What Rainbow had notice was Derpy who was knocked out earlier was awakening herself, a little bit after being drunken and is confused by what's going on around here.

"Sorry pal, but in this case, you gotta sleep on the job!" Rainbow remarked off to say ass he uses her Element of Loyalty to put magic onto the mare, just as the chorus song ends.

"Gaahhhhuuh-Huumpphhhh," Derpy yawns as the spell lands on her, turning her green like the others as she fell back under the table, now fast asleep like the others are.

Rarity is putting on the finishing touches, putting Night Light, Twilight Velvet and Jack under the same spell. Spike knew that it's hard to do this, but it's the only way. As they prepare to leave, Jack is trying his best to keep awake as he is mumbling to Night Light...who is already out like a light.

"Listen, Night Light, promise me ye won't be angry...but I spoke to Benjamin." Jack mumbles to Night Light while trying to keep up. "He told me some shocking news. He has fallen for...a peasant pony."

"Huh," Spike asks in shock as he and Rarity overheard what Jack just said.

"Peasant pony," Rarity gasps in shock and alarm. Could it be? The unicorn flew back to Jack as she spoke anxiously, "Peasant pony. Tell me, who is she?! Where did they meet?"

"Just some peasant pony," Jack mumbles a bit as he doesn't seem to notice Rarity but is hearing her the same.

"Where; Tell us where...."

"Once upon a...dream..."

Soon Jack fell asleep at last. Spike looks shocked as he spoke, "Once upon a..."

"IRIS!" Rarity gasps in shock and in realization. Of course! That colt that Twilight has met in the Everfree Forest and fell in love with: that was Ben! "That means…Prince Ben Mare is the one who Twilight fell in love with; oh, how could I have been so stupid?!"

"Same with me! I thought he looked familiar but I didn't realize who he was until now; Ugh; why didn't I realize this before?!"

Spike held onto Rarity as the mare flew back to outside the castle where her friends are waiting, having completed their task. Fluttershy spoke, "Well, besides us and Pinkamena, everyone in the castle is now asleep."

"Girls, we gotta get back to the cottage at once!" Rarity exclaims to her friends quickly.

"Huh? Why? Did we forget something?" Rainbow asks Rarity puzzled as to why her friend wanted to get back to the cottage so badly.

"No! That colt that Twilight fell in love with, that we told her never to see again? That was Prince Ben Mare!'

"What," The other two Mystic Ponies gasps in shock and surprise. The colt was Ben all along?!

"Come on, we gotta get going!" Spike exclaims quickly to the girls.

The four quickly left the castle, heading off to the Everfree Forest. If they get there and meet Ben, the four will explain what's going on and bring him back to the castle to help lift the spell! The heroes can only hope that they get to him before Nightmare Moon or Sombra does!

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

Ben's group arrives at the cottage with flowers in one hoof. The stallion happily whistles 'once upon dream'. He and the others are unaware that the cottage is now abandoned, as well as what had happened at the castle, especially to the filly that he loves.

As Ben climbs off Dragoking, he exclaims to the two mares, "Bangerang, girls. We made it!"

"'Dis is 'de cottage in 'de glen?" Applejack asks, looking the cottage over. "It looks…modest enough."

"Hmm. It's quiet. Maybe a little too quiet; But my Pinkie Sense is telling me something's a little bit off here." Pinkie said suspiciously at the cottage. Something is off here.

"Oh, Pinkie…don't you worry." Ben said to Pinkie with a chuckle while going up to the door, knocking on it. "Besides, I needed to look my best for that filly…so what's there to worry about? And I've got the ring and everything for my proposal."

"Well, at least Ben's not so much o' a showoff like 'dat creep, Boris 'de Animal." Applejack commented, referring to her friend's nasty rival Boris.

"Okay…here I go. Ahem..."

"Come in." A voice spoke. Odd, Iris sure sounds odd; Still the door opens, allowing the stallion to come in.

And once Ben was about to enter the house, Pinkie began twitching, which meant that her Pinkie Sense was telling her something. The pink pony gasps, "Wait a minute. My Pinkie Sense is picking up something. Do you smell it Applejack?"

"Smell what?" Applejack asks Pinkie in concern.

"That smell…that kind of smelly smell. A smelly smell that smells smelly." Then Pinkie's eyes grew to enormous size as she spoke strangely. "Diamond Dogs."

"Huh? What are yew talking about, Pinkie Pie?"

Pinkie begins yelling at the top of her lungs, "DIAMOND DOGS!"

And no sooner had Pinkie screamed those words when inside the house, Ben felt something or someone jump on him. Rover yells out, "Dog pile!"

Ben yelps as more Diamond Dogs jumps onto the stallion, keeping him down while tearing his good clothes up in the madness. The two mares outside prepares to jump in to help, but more Diamond Dogs appear, grabbing the two ponies and holding them down. Soon, all trio are tied down with Benjamin inside being held by the enemies. He looks confused. What's going on?

Suddenly, Ben gasps as he saw a familiar Alicorn coming forth with Gilda. Nightmare Moon looks at her nephew wickedly then spoke, "Well, well, well. What a pleasant surprise. I had this trap set up for a mere peasant colt, but lo and behold, I caught a Prince and it's my dear sweet nephew, Benjamin, too. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. All right, boys...take him away. But be gentle with my nephew. He is family after all."

"Yeah, and make sure to do the same thing to the other two lame-os." Gilda comments as Ben is carried over to the tied up Applejack and Pinkie. "I want something to put my frustrations on."

"Don't worry, Benjamin. You and your friends won't be alone; a friend of Dragon Hope’s will be there for you."

"Who," Ben demand to his corrupted aunt in anger.

Glida smirked while answering the question, "Starts with 'B' but has fire on his hooves."

"Blazefist," Applejack gasps in shock upon hearing that name.

"He's alive?! What have you done to him?!" Pinkie demands to Nightmare Moon, trying to get free. But even the villains' rope kept the poor random pink pony at bay.

Nightmare Moon shrugs as she explains, "Nothing personal; Giving hospitality; a very special treatment."

"Aunt Luna!" Ben exclaims in shock. He can't believe his aunt would go this far.

"Take them away."

The trio is taken away by the Diamond Dogs. Dragoking meanwhile would've help but he's tied up at the moment, literally! One of the Diamond Dogs had hit the Hydragoon in the face, knocking him down then allows his colleagues to use chains to hold him down. Dragoking struggled but he couldn't escape.

Looks Ben's group is now hostages of a mad Alicorn!

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

Rarity's group returns to the cottage, hoping to find Ben there. But when they open the door, the four gasps in shock as they find the remains of Ben's date clothes on the floor, torn up. There are also evidence of Diamond Dogs tracks in the cottage itself!

Rarity picks up the clothes as the group gasps, "Nightmare Moon!"

"Oh no, we're too late." Spike said in worry.

"Oh man! She got to Ben before we did!" Spike exclaims in concern. If Nightmare Moon knew that the Mystic Ponies would bring Twilight home tonight, that means she had known as to where the cottage was all along, waiting to capture Twilight's true love!

"That means…she's taken Ben to Mount Thunderflame." Rarity said seriously to her friends. It's the only place where Nightmare Moon would take her captives.

Fluttershy gasps, looking terrified by that, "But we can't go there, Rarity!"

"Oh yes, we can…and we must!" Spike exclaims seriously to the others.

The group knew that anyone who isn't a resident of Mount Thunderflame would never get out alive or uncaptured. But the four knew that they must risk going there to rescue Ben and save Twilight!

Author's note
Ben has been captured. Things just took a huge turn. In the next and final chapter, the Mystic Ponies risk their lives, saving Ben and helping him get back to the castle. But Nightmare Moon isn't about to let them win so easily. And even then, it's time for the final battle...but is it with Nightmare Moon or Sombra?! Read, review and suggest!

Rainbow's suggestion that Spike would be turned into a purse is a reference to 'The Rescuers Down Under' sort of.

Once again, I borrowed a bit of VISION-KING's fanmake to help in the song sequence.

Bangerang is slang from 'Hook'.

Pinkie made a reference to the pilot episode of 'SpongeBob SquarePants'.

Dragonking's capture is a reference to what happened to Toothless in 'How to Train Your Dragon'.

Author's note
Here we go, the final chapter of this fanmake. Enjoy!

Chapter 8: True Love's Kiss

Mount Thunderflame is a kingdom mountain of darkness, full with dangers and Diamond Dogs at almost every time. If you wanna survive, stay away! But Rarity and her friends knew that they must trespass to rescue Ben from Nightmare Moon and free Twilight from her spell.

Rainbow, sweating like crazy due to the heat of Thunderflame's lava, ask while wiping her mane, "Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?"

"No time for jokes, we got a rescue." Spike said seriously to Rainbow.

The Mystic Ponies then uses their magic to make themselves small and begins flying through. The Diamond Dogs are at the gates but they were able to get by them swiftly. More guards are patrolling the halls, but luckily, they kept missing the Mystic Ponies at every turn.

Eventually, the group peeks over a railing of a staircase and saw a gruesome sight: the Diamond Dogs are dancing around a fire pit, having some sort of party to celebrate Nightmare Moon's victory. The Alicorn herself is in a throne watching with Gilda. If this is a party, this is one that not even Pinkie would want to go to!

"Man, this party is getting lame and boring." Gilda said, sitting on her butt with a bored look.

"Indeed...shame that my dear nephew would miss all this." Nightmare Moon said thoughtfully to Gilda. "Why don't we go downstairs and...cheer him up a bit?"

"Yeah, better that than stay here."

"He's in the dungeon." Spike whispers as the good guys saw Nightmare Moon and Gilda heading out of the room, most likely to the dungeon. "Come on."

The Mystic Ponies' group follows Nightmare Moon and Gilda, making sure not to be seen by them or the Diamond Dog guards standing in attention. They arrive in the dungeon as the two villains reach a door to a certain cell. Nightmare Moon begins using her magic to open it up. Inside are three certain prisoners who are chained up, unable to move further than the bench.

"Oh dear sweet Celestia, I gotta get outta here!" Pinkie Pie snapped in having had enough of being cooped in this dungeon. "You can't lock us up like this! Lemme go; and what about my Maranda rights? You’re supposed to say, I had the right to remain silent! Nopony said I had the right to remain silent!" She came up to the bars of the door in snapping off her protest of her rights and other random stuff.

"Pinkie, you HAD the right to remain silent." Ben rolled his eyes to quote the fact, that the girl has the right to remain silent.

"Oh, never mind." Pinkie Pie suddenly had a second thought of learning that before settling down.

"Well unless somethin' happens, Ah don't imagine we'll be outta here anytime soon." Applejack sadly mopes in knowing that in all honesty, it takes a miracle for them to be busted out of here.

The prisoners then spot a familiar pony. Blazefist was upside down, with his back leg chained to the ceiling. Ben spoke up, "Blazefist... How did you end up here?"

Blazefist sighed in defeat, "While your brother-in-law, me and the rest of troops were looking for Sombra, we were ambushed by Gilda and an army of monsters. We tried to fight back but they got us outnumbered and outmatched. I was the only one who got out alive."

“How did you get captured, Blazefist,” Ben asked off in wondering how this one got caught.

“I had the unfortunate run in with King Sombra when I went searching for the evil that started this mess.” Blazefist issued to state in what he was doing at the time. “We dueled, but he used trickery to gain help from outside forces to take me down from behind.” He sighed in regret that he was unable to see King Sombra pulled a fast one that caught him off guard, and the villain dealt much damage to him.

Soon the scene shifts a bit to see what happened in the past with Blazefist. He was seen walking through a thick mist, he used his sword as a supporter, but felt like the wounds he suffered were slowing him down, making it harder for him to stay awake.

“I was tired and hungry; my vision was blurry that I didn’t even know what area I have ventured into.” Blazefist narrates in what was going on with him in the past.

“Dear courageous warrior, you seem very tired and weak. Please, rest easy, you have maintained a place where we can give hospitality.” Spoke someone’s voice, a female from behind the mist as if sounding very kind and generous.

“Hugh? Who….who are…?” Blazefist spoke in having a hard time focusing in not knowing who was out there.

“Come closer, we can give you what may ease your suffering.” The gentle female’s voice spoke in wanting the pony to come to her where she can help.

“Gee, that is very kind of you. After being injured, tired and dying of thirst & hunger, I could need it if any threat comes my way.” Blazefist smiled off to say as he began to approach where the voice came from. “Thanks for the hospitality, but…who are you?” He was asking the question as he approaches the shadow of some pony.

“I am….an old…friend.” Soon the mist clears away as Blazefist soon found himself in the presence of….a snickering Nightmare Moon.

“Hugh….Luna….no….Nightmare Moon,” Blazefist yelps in seeing who had tricked him, not good.

Then without warning, Nightmare Moon casted a spell within the skies, and soon lightning began to strike down the helpless and tired warrior that was too weak to dodge, and soon suffered inflicted damage. Soon Blazefist fell to the ground, out cold and now with the mercy of Equestria’s known villain of Mount Thunderflame.

“Take this one in, give him little to eat & drink to be half-alive, but not at full strength.” Nightmare Moon commanded her Diamond Dog minions in what to do, as they slowly take the guy away.

The scene returns to the present in where those who have heard Blazefist’s story now know how he became captured.

"The last thing I remembered. I got caught here." Blazefist said with a sigh. "I guess your sister passed away after hearing no word about us?"

Ben nods as he answers, "Yeah. Dragoking was pain and sad to hear about it."

"Well, on 'de bright side; Aqua is still alive." Applejack said to Blazefist thoughtfully. "She never stop an' continued 'ta work fer Azure Phoenix. In fact, she's at 'de castle."

"Glad to hear that. How's everything?" Blazefist begins to ask as to how everything's been lately.

The group then hears the door opening, looking up to see their captor, Nightmare Moon, coming in with Gilda. Ben frowns in upset and disbelief. He can't believe his own aunt would lock him and his friends up like this! Unknown to them, the Mystic Ponies are hiding in a crack above the cell door, watching in secrecy.

Nightmare Moon gave some sort of welcoming grin to her nephew as she spoke, "Hello, Benjamin. Surprised to see me? I can't imagine why."

Ben asks his corrupted aunt, "Why are you holding me prisoner here, Aunt Luna? Is this your idea of treating your family members well?"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I'm afraid to disappoint you, Ben…but your Aunt Luna is dead. There is only Nightmare Moon now. And as to why I'm holding you captive…I shall explain. You see…your father humiliated me when Twilight was born, and your mother exiled me when I sought to take back what was rightfully mine. You didn't think I would just let them get away with that without paying a price, did you?"

"Well, guess what, 'Nightmare Moon'; you won't win this time. My mom and dad have no weaknesses. They're gonna--."

Nightmare Moon smirking evilly interrupts her nephew, taunting what he's saying, "'No weaknesses?' 'No weaknesses?' On the contrary, Ben…I think…they do. And that weakness happens to be you, their precious son and heir. With you as my bargaining tool, I will bring them both down and I will get both my revenge on your father and the Kingdom of Canterlot, my birthright."

"Ah suspect yew also captured Ben fer another reason, huh Nightmare Moon?" Applejack ask Nightmare Moon in suspicion. The mare suspects that cursing Twilight 16 years ago has something to do with this.

"Well, whatever that reason is…you'll never get away with it, Nightmare Moon. You'll--." Pinkie exclaims, speaking yelping and yapping like mad at the villainess.

"Be quiet….both of you!" Then Nightmare Moon used her horn's magic to close both Applejack and Pinkie's mouths so as to stop them from talking. "There, that's better. And yes…to answer your questions, my dears…I did capture Ben for another reason."

"If it's about the curse you put on Twilight, forget it. I don't even have anything to do with it, Nightmare Moon." Ben said sternly to his aunt. After all, she was the one who put the curse on his future bride 16 years ago.

"On the contrary, you do Ben, my dear nephew…more than you could ever possibly know."

"What do you mean?"

"Now, now, why so angry, Ben," Nightmare Moon ask her nephew as she lift his head up tauntingly. "Why, a wonderful future is awaiting you. You are going to be the hero of a fairy tale coming true."

Nightmare Moon then shows some sort of image to Ben's group. They watch as the mare spoke on, "Here lies Night Light's Castle. And in the highest tower, dreaming of her true love right now is Princess Twilight Sparkle." Ben's eyes widen in shock and disbelief as Nightmare Moon reveals the princess...AKA the same unicorn whom he fell for back in the Everfree Forest! "My! What a gracious turn of fate! It's nothing more than the peasant maid who won the heart of our noble prince, but yesterday. Yes, she is wonderful, purple with a pink stripe in her mane, lips that shame even the reddest of roses. In ageless sleep, she finds repose."

Ben looks more shocked and disbelief. Twilight was the peasant pony that he felt for?! Oh, what a shock that turned out to be!

The hologram fades as Nightmare Moon continues on with a smirk, "Years roll by...or in this case, 100 years to be precise!" Soon the hologram shows a hologram of Ben...only he is now old age while riding Dragonking who is olden as well. Pinkie and Applejack gasps in shock as they see themselves trotting along, only old and gray mares! "Yes, the gates of the castle open, allowing the hero to ride off on his noble Hydragoon. A valiant figure, straight and tall, to wake up his love with true love's first kiss...and prove that true love conquers all; Ha ha ha ha!"

Ben looks outraged as he tries to jump up and lunge at Nightmare Moon. The Alicorn is intending on letting him out when he's old and weak! That monster!

"Why that..." Rainbow exclaims furiously. She was about to fly at Nightmare Moon but Rarity and Spike pulls her back into hiding in time.

"Huh?" Gilda ask, startled as she turns around. The griffin looks suspicious. Did she hear something just now?

"Come, Gilda. We shall leave my dear nephew with these "happy thoughts." Nightmare Moon said to Gilda calmly as, after the Alicorn remove the silence spell on Applejack and Pinkie, the two then took their leave, closing the cell door on their way out. "And now, Gilda my dear, for the first time in sixteen years I shall sleep well...and you know why, don't you?"

"Why, Nightmare Moon?"

Nightmare Moon smirking evilly continues, "Because..." Then she began to sing evilly with delight.

Nightmare Moon: This day has been just perfect
The kind of day of which I dreamed since I was small
Everypony I'll soon control
Every stallion, mare and foal
Who says a girl can't really have it all?

Once the song is over, Gilda nods as she said, "I...Uh...yeah, you're right, Nightmare Moon. You're absolutely right."

Nightmare Moon smirking evilly adds, "Indeed I am." As the two leaves, Gilda turns, giving a suspicious look at the door. The griffin could've sworn that she heard something.

Unknown to the two, Rarity and the group heard everything. Spike yelps, "Uh-oh I don't like the sound of this, girls!"

Back in his cell, Ben groans in despair much to the worry of his friends, "How could I have been so blind all this time? It was Twilight the whole time and I didn't even know it. I missed her every day for the past sixteen years, only to have just met her today. Why didn't I realize it before? I guess Nightmare Moon is right. I'm no real hero, nor a real Prince…or even worthy of Twilight's love. I'm just a poor simple-minded Earth Pony who's not even worthy of being the son of Celestia and not even worthy for the love of a beautiful Princess."

"He's just giving up?!" Rarity gasps in shock and worry upon hearing that.

"Poor Ben." Fluttershy said in sadness. To Ben, it's hopeless.

"Nightmare Moon's really gotten to him, girls. I think he really has lost all hope." Spike said with a sad sigh.

Ben begins crying to himself, "I'm so sorry, Twilight. I failed you….when you needed me the most. I…failed you. I'm nothing…but a hopeless, foolish failure." Then Ben began to sing, accepting his fate and knowing that he would never see Twilight again, kiss her or break the spell.

Ben: No spell has been broken
No kiss as a token
No point anymore, if she can't love me
No hope she would do so
No dream to pursue so
I finally see…that I will always be
In this hopeless state
And condemned to wait
Wait for death…to set…me free!

While Spike, Rarity and Fluttershy had tears in their eyes, watching Ben lose all hope and condemn himself to his fate, Rainbow groaned in annoyance, "I can't take this anymore. We gotta slap some sense into him!"

"Rainbow, stop," Spike exclaims as he pulls Rainbow's tail. "Something is happening right now."

"Oh, poor Benjamin. Left all alone with his pathetic friends to rot in this dungeon for the next hundred years," A familiar unicorn mocks as he appears from out of nowhere. Ben and his friends, especially Blazefist yelps upon seeing him.

"Sombra," Ben exclaims. He recognize the monster whose crimes has turn Luna to the dark side not too long ago.

"That's King…Sombra to you, boy. It seems my perfect plan has finally come to fruition and near completion. And to think…all this time you did not realize that the filly you fell in love with was the one that you were betrothed to. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Isn't it ironic, Ben? You wanted nothing to do with marrying your betrothed…yet you fell in love with her without realizing it! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

"Just you wait, King Sombra! Once I get out of here…I'll see you pay for nearly destroying Equestria and turning my Aunt Luna into Nightmare Moon."

Sombra just laughs as if what Ben just said is nothing more than a joke to him, "Ha ha ha ha ha, you poor, unfortunate fool. By the time you will have gotten out of here, I will have made Twilight Sparkle my Queen, then killed her along with your mother, father and your precious Aunt Luna, conquered both Canterlot and Ponyville and reclaimed my birthright as King of all Equestria. And to think…you could have prevented all of that, if only you were not so…blind to the truth as you always have been."

Ben growls, trying to escape but his chains held him back, "If you dare so much as touch Twilight, Sombra…then I'll make you regret that!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha. As much fun as that would be, Ben…unless you've forgotten, you're trapped here for all eternity and you won't be able to stop me. You are no hero, Benjamin Maregillian…and you never were. You are a fool, a disgrace to your mother's name and a disgrace to your pathetic family's legacy, which will die with you once this is all over."

Ben felt like losing hope again. Applejack worries spoke up, "Don't listen 'ta him, Ben! Yew can escape fro' 'dis place."

Pinkie spoke up in agreement once more, "Yeah and you will be able to--."

"Silence," Then again, Applejack and Pinkie were silenced, but this time by Sombra's magic. "There, that's better. You are no match for me, Benjamin Maregillian…and you never were. You were destined to fail, just like your family line was destined to fail. Soon all of Equestria will be mine and you will only have yourself to blame for this terrible catastrophe, Ben. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. I hope that you spend the rest of your life…contemplating on your failure to protect Twilight when you had the chance; Farewell, Ben; Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Then Sombra un-silenced Applejack and Pinkie as he disappeared with an evil cackle.

Ben sighs but looks and sees a Alicorn with a Gold Heart as his Cutie mark. As he looks at him, the Alicorn said, "Do not lose hope Ben, we will make it out alive."

"Who are you?" Ben asks the Alicorn in concern.

"Well I am called Golden Heart, I have a sister. I fended off the enemy so she could get away and find help but it's been years; I hope she's alright."

"I am sure she's ok; we just have to find a way to get out of here and defeat Nightmare Moon."

Golden Heart said seriously to Ben, "It's evil Sombra who is the true enemy; it was he who betrayed Luna, cutting off her wings; we must be ready for anything when we get out."

Just then the Mystic Ponies' group came out of hiding, unshrinking themselves quickly. Blazefist gasps in surprise, "Rarity, Fluttershy; Pinkie; Spike!"

"We come to bust you all out." Spike said with a grin. Ben looks surprised. He recognized these four from when he first met Twilight when the mare was a foal years ago. But why are they here now?

"No time to explain!" Rarity exclaims seriously. She and her pony friends use their magic to break the chains on all of the prisoners in the cell. Spike meanwhile is using his fire breath to break the lock.

"Much better," Golden Heart said as he got up freed. "Time we escape."

"Yes. We got a world to save." Blazefist said in agreement.

Ben nods. Despite what Nightmare Moon and Sombra said, Twilight needs him more than ever. However Rarity stops him, giving a concerned look as she said, "Ben, hang on. The road to true love is still full with a lot of dangers, that only you and you alone must face, with friends' help if need be. So we shall give you the items to help you, like the Mirror Shield." Ben looks surprised as Rarity uses her magic to give some sort of mirror like shield to him, "And the Master Sword."

Ben grins as a sword now appears in his possession. Rarity nods as she continues, "These items are the only things that can triumph over the forces of evil."

Eventually, Spike finally got the door open. With a nod, he adds, "Okay, got it unlocked. Come on."

"Oh, one more thing before we get out of Mount Thunderflame." Rainbow said with a deep frown as she bucks Ben in the head with her hind legs.

"Ow!" Ben exclaims in pain and alarm; Why did Rainbow do that for?!

"That…was for simply giving up when Twilight needs you now more than ever, Ben."

"But--."

Rainbow interrupts Ben, adding, "Ben…look; I know that you made a few mistakes. Sure, you fell in love with some pony even if you didn't really know that it was Twilight, and sure, you also fell into Nightmare Moon's trap…but that's no reason to put yourself down like that. We all make mistakes, Ben. Nopony's perfect…heh…not even me."

"Oh, really Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asks Rainbow skeptically. She finds it hard to believe that her friend would admit a mistake like that.

"Even I can admit when I'm wrong, Rarity. And the point is, Ben…you can't simply give up…just because you made a terrible mistake. Believe me, I'd know because me, Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike had made the terrible mistake of leaving Twilight alone when Nightmare Moon tricked her into pricking herself on that book."

"Yeah…and when we thought that Twilight had fallen in love with somepony else, when in truth it was you, Ben." Fluttershy said to Ben in regret.

"And what fools we were not to have realized the truth until it was almost too late, Ben." Rarity said with a groan, feeling like fainting like the drama queen like she is.

"And when I accidentally let it slip about Twilight's true name and lineage. But you get the idea…right, Benny?" Spike asks Ben with a slight chuckle, knowing that Ben has gotten the point by now.

"I suppose so." Ben said, thinking as to what the four has said. "I guess you're all right…and I shouldn't let a mistake keep me down my whole life. I should learn from it. Lead the way, girls and Spike. I can't let either Nightmare Moon or Sombra win. Twilight needs me now…more than ever. Onward."

"Right, let's go." Blazefist said as the group leaves the cell, heading down a hallway; So far, no guard in sight.

Deep in the maze of the castle, Ben and Golden Heart, along with Mystic Ponies, Spike, and Blazefist, bump into Flare Tiger, who trotted in a hurry. One thing they're noticed are her scars and that she's covered in blood.

Spike surprised spoke, "Oh my gosh, it's you, Flare Tiger!"

Rarity gasped, "Oh my; what happened to you!?!"

Flare Tiger groaned in pain, "Man... That'a one heck pain of a bump... However, Ah tried 'ta get away from Sombra!"

Ben Mare in wonder ask, "Why you trying to get away for?"

Flare Tiger grinned as she explains, "Luna's Wings."

Golden Heart gasped, "Did you have them!?!"

Flare Tiger nodded as they heard clashing noises; they knew that sound may closed in and they rushed to the gate.

As the group turns a corner, they run into Gilda who yells out, "Jail break, jail break! Yo, idiots, we got a jail break!"

"Ugh, I knew it was too good to be true!" Golden Heart exclaims in alarm.

Blazefist fires fire blasts at Gilda, sending her packing. He exclaims, "Time for us to leave!"

The group quickly runs up, heading up the stairs. But they stop upon seeing Diamond Dogs arriving, charging at the group. Ben, Golden Heart, and Blazefist attacked swiftly while Spike uses his flames to attack them, yelling, "Take that!"

"Move, move," Flare Tiger exclaims, firing a spell from her horn to knock away most of the enemies. The group continues fighting their way out of the castle, rushing out to escape the attacking Diamond Dogs.

The group found Dragoking, chained up to the ground. He roars upon seeing his friends as Rarity and Fluttershy flew over, using their magic to break the chains, freeing the Hydragoon who growls and swipes at the Diamond Dogs, knocking them away from his master and his friends.

"This way," Pinkie exclaims as the group quickly makes an escape to the gate, with Ben and Blazefist getting on Dragoking, riding off.

The group saw the Diamond Dog on arches above, dropping rocks towards the enemies. Rarity exclaims, "Look out!"

The white unicorn uses her magic to quickly turn the rocks into bubbles, allowing the heroes to move by unharmed. More of the Diamond Dogs fires arrows at the gang. Golden Heart fires blasts to get rid of them while Fluttershy uses her magic to turn the remaining arrows into harmless flowers. The gang goes towards the escape as the Diamond Dogs are dumping a cauldron full of lava on them. Rarity didn't waste time in using her magic to turn the lava into a rainbow, allowing the gang to rush under it unharmed.

As the gang rushes towards the gate, Gilda flew towards the tower where Nightmare Moon's sleeping, yelling out, "Yo, Nightmare Moon! Hey!"

Rainbow turns and saw Gilda flying towards Nightmare Moon's tower. She has had enough of her former friend, so the Pegasus pony flies after the griffin, firing magic blasts that she kept dodging. The chase continues as they get near Nightmare Moon's room. It won't be long before the corrupted Alicorn comes out and finds out what's going on!

"I wonder...well...I better try it out." Rainbow said as she flew the other direction, stopping to wait.

Sure enough, Gilda arrive from the first direction, calling, "Nightmare Moon--!"

Rainbow, shaking her flank to Gilda's face, exclaims eagerly, "Feast your eyes!"

Gilda disgusted by what she just saw stops to groan, "Ugh!" That very move gave Rainbow enough time to turn Gilda to stone.

"Take that!"

Rainbow grins as Gilda is now a statue on a railing. She smiles in victory then flies after her friends. Unfortunately, the commotion was so loud that Nightmare Moon came out of her room, looking furious by all of the commotion.

"What's going on out here; Gilda, tell them to..." Nightmare Moon stops as she saw that Gilda is now a stone. The Alicorn in horror looks down to see her nephew and his friends making their escape. "No, NOOOO! Close that gate!"

"Everyone, look out!" Rarity gasps. Sure enough, the Diamond Dogs work on closing the gate in hopes to stop them from escaping.

"Hang on!" Blazefist exclaims as he quickly uses a blast to stop the gate from closing, allowing the group to quickly go through them just in time.

'Dis way everyone!" Applejack exclaims quickly as everyone leaves the castle as far as they could.

Nightmare Moon appears on the mountainside, scowling furiously as she fires attack after each attack after the group. They cannot be allowed to make it to the castle.

At the same time, Sombra smirks wickedly as he appears in the tower of Night Light's castle. With Ben out of the way, Twilight will be his. As he climbs up, the villain begins to sing.

Sombra: This day is going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I dreamed since I was small
Everypony will gather 'round, say I look handsome with my crown
What they don't know is that I have fooled them all!

As Ben continues dodging Nightmare Moon's attacks, he's singing as well.

Ben: This day was going to be perfect
The kind of day of which I dreamed since I was small
But because of one mistake, Twilight's life will be stake
And if I fail, then it is the doom of us all!

Sombra laughs wickedly as he is almost to the room where Twilight's at.

Sombra: I care no thing about the ring
I won't partake in any cake
Vows…well I'll be lying when I say
That through any kind of weather
I'll want us to be together

The truth is I don't care for her at all!
No, I do not love the bride
Cause my heart is dead inside
But I still want to make her mine!

Ben: Must escape before it's too late
Find a way to save the day
Hope I'll be lying if I say
I don't fear that I may lose her
To one who wants to use her

Not care for, love and cherish her each day
'Cause I oh so love the bride
Oh in my heart she does reside
Oh my sweet Twilight, I'll soon be by your side!

Sombra enters the castle. Pinkamena hides as the evil unicorn smirks wickedly at the sleeping Twilight.

Sombra: Finally the moment has arrived
For me to take a very lucky bride!

Ben: If the castle I don't make
She'll end up marrying a fake
Twilight Sparkle will be--!

Sombra: Mine…all mine.

Sombra grins as he leans down...and kisses Twilight, much to Pinkamena's disgust. But then...nothing happened. Twilight is still sleeping. The villain looks confused then kisses her a few times; Still nothing.

"What? It didn't work. Twilight should be awake." Sombra said shocked and anger, "Grr. It seems that the only way to break the spell now is to kill Ben."

Sombra vanishes from the room, making Pinkamena grins. Twilight didn't wake up because 1, he isn't her true love and 2, he didn't do the vow of everlasting love. Good thing Rainbow threw that part of the counter spell in.

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

Out in the battle, Nightmare Moon frowns as the heroes are close to the castle. She then fires a spell into the air, speaking in rhyme, "A forest of thorns shall be his tomb; Born through the skies on a fog of doom. Now go with the curse and serve me well, Round Night Light's castle, cast thy spell!"

A black cloud appears over the castle, lighting appears as bushes of thorns appears, blocking the whole castle. This causes the gang to stop.

"Yikes!" Spike exclaims in alarm. Nightmare Moon is pulling out all the stops!

"We got to get through here!" Blazefist exclaims. Ben nods in determination as he cut through the thorns with his sword while Blazefist, Flare Tiger and Golden Heart use their magic to blast their way through. Ben was caught at one point but luckily Rainbow and Fluttershy uses their magic to free him.

Ben stops to glance at the tower where his love is at, then continues on. He exclaims, "We're almost there!"

"NO! THIS CANNOT BE!" Nightmare Moon exclaims in fury. She will not allow her victory to be ruined!

And so, she turns into a wisp of smoke and shots right at the castle. Before the gang could get closer, the wisp appears, exploding, threatening Dragoking and Fluttershy a bit as Nightmare Moon appears.

"Nightmare Moon," Most of the group exclaims.

"And now, thou shall deal with me, young prince...and all the powers of TARTARUS!!!" Nightmare Moon exclaims furiously.

Nightmare Moon then explodes with thunder, laughing wickedly. The group watches as she transforms into a huge green Dragon, much to their shock.

"Oh come on! What's up with villains turning into Dragons," Spike yells, feeling a bit insulted by this. "Does folks fear Dragons that much?!"

Ben frowns as he prepares himself and Dragoking. Both of them charge valiantly as the Dragon who send out flames at them, knocking Ben off. Golden Heart quickly uses his magic to pull the stallion out of the way in time before the corrupted Dragon Alicorn would stomp on him. The heroes quickly fight off the monster, rushing as she sent out a huge flame, putting the remaining thorns on fire.

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

Inside the tower, Pinkamena was still lying beside the bed but hears noises and gets up, readies for anything. She trots to a window and looks outside to see a battle and notices a brown Alicorn. The pink pony gasp and tears lightly form.

"Goldie." Pinkamena said. She looks at Twilight and says, "I have to go; don't go anywhere."

Pinkamena then lets out a small sentry drone to guard and she leaps out of the window, sliding down ready to fight."

"I am coming, big brother and others." Pinkamena said in determination.

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

Back in the battle, the Dragon lunges at Ben who slashes at her with the Master Sword, making the monster roars in pain. Pinkie, as a cheerleader, cheers on, "Rick 'em, rack 'em, rock 'em, rake! Stick that sword into that Drake!"

Nightmare Moon turns to Pinkie as she hisses, "You sssstay out of this!"

Pinkie dryly waves a flag with the 'NM' symbol on it, saying, "Nightmare Moon, Nightmare Moon she's our mare; if she can't do it…GREAT!"

The fight resumes a bit. Flare Tiger dodges one of the flames, exclaiming, "We are sitting ducks on this level!"

"Benjamin, this way," Rarity exclaims, pointing to a wall nearby.

The group climbs up a wall, dodging Nightmare Moon's attacks and fighting her like mad. Soon they reach the top as the fight kept on resuming to the point that they reach a cliff. Ben defends himself with a shield but then a blast from Nightmare Moon knocks it away from him. The Dragon laughs cruelly. This is it.

"Now Master Sword, fly swift and sure," Rarity said as she casts a spell onto the Master Sword, glaring at Nightmare Moon, "that evil die and good endure!"

"Finish her!" Flare Tiger exclaims in determination.

Ben nods as he quickly threw his Master Sword...right at her chest. Nightmare Moon screams in pain as she got impaled by the weapon. Soon the Dragon fell towards the group but they move out of the way in time as her fall causes the cliff to collapse, sending her at the bottom where she turns to dust. Everyone looks down, showing the remains of Nightmare Moon: black dust.

"Looks like it’s over." Blazefist said with a sigh. "Nightmare Moon...is finished."

"Poor Luna," Flare Tiger said sadly as she held out Luna's wings. "She is gone forever..."

"Not quite!" Pinkamena exclaims with a grin as she appears from out of nowhere. To the group's surprise, there's an Alicorn lying unconscious, making them gasp. She has moderate cyan eyes, a moderate cobalt blue mane, a light dark sapphire blue coat, a magic aura of moderate cobalt blue and a crescent moon on a dark purple background.

"Aunt Luna!" Ben exclaims, trotting over to his aunt who is no longer corrupted, "But how?"

"Oh. I used a little spell during the fighting to separate her from the bad Dragon. Sounds like a neat trick, huh?"

"Yeah, a very neat trick."

"Pinkamena," Golden Heart said with a grin. Pinkamena smiles as she gallops to her big brother, hugging him.

"You're alive...and things are gotta be okay!" Pinkamena exclaims with a happy smile.

Luna groans, waking up while asking, "Where am I?"

"Aunt...Luna?" Ben asks his aunt hopefully.

"Ben? What happened? Where am I? And where are my wings? Why can't I feel my wings?"

"Yeah, about that...they got ripped off...but it's okay. Flare Tiger has them and will give them back to you."

"Here ye..." Flare Tiger was about to trot over to help put the wings back on Luna's back...but then a magic blast hits them, taking them out of Flare Tiger's possession. "Yikes!"

The wings comes over to a waiting Sombra who smirks wickedly as he said, "Sorry, they're mine now!"

Now Luna remembers. She groans and got up, saying, "Ben, go...now. Kiss Twilight and break the spell. I'll handle Sombra from here."

"But...Aunt Luna, I can't--." Ben begins to protest. He doesn't want to leave his aunt behind, just when Luna is back to her rightful self now!"

"Please, Ben. You must trust me...go!"

"But Aunt Luna--."

Luna spoke gently to Ben, something that is not common in Nightmare Moon, "I'll be all right...just go, Ben; Now!"

Ben hesitates but nods in agreement. He is about to head off, but Sombra blocks his way, booming, "Benjamin is not going anywhere, Luna my dear. He and I have…some unfinished business with each other concerning Princess Twilight Sparkle."

"What?!"

"Not to worry, Luna…once I've killed your precious nephew…then you will be next." Sombra chuckle evilly and giving a smirk as he drew his sword. "This sword brings back memories, doesn't it, Luna?"

Luna narrows her eyes as she asks, "What? Did you use it to decapitate an entire royal family?"

"Nah. It separated you from your wings, though...cleanly like a knife through butter."

Ben narrows his eyes as the Master Sword appears back in his possession. He said, "Stay back, everypony; 'Cause it's Sombra or me this time."

Sombra with his sword drawn, ready to fight taunts, "Prepare to die, Benny."

"To die would be a great adventure."

"Death is the only adventure you have left."

Then the two combatants swung their swords at each other, each weapon blocked and parried the other weapon's blows. Ben smirks he taunts his enemy, "I remember my mom telling me that you were a lot bigger."

Sombra scoffs at this idea of a taunt, "To any cowering pony, I am huge."

The two kept fighting with swords, trying to hit one another. The others stood on the sideline, cheering wildly for Ben to defeat Sombra and end his wickedness once and for all.

"Yew can do it, Benny." Applejack cheers on Ben with a grin.

Pinkie bounces up and down, cheering, "You can beat him, Benny!"

"Go knock Sombra's block off, Benny!" Rainbow laughs while throwing hoof punches into the air.

"Teach that ruffian a lesson, Benny." Rarity calls out to Ben, cheering him on.

"Be careful, Benny." Fluttershy yelps meekly before turning away. "I can't watch."

Rainbow roll her eyes, remarking to Fluttershy, "Ugh…Fluttershy, you big baby."

"You can beat old Sombra, Benny!" Spike calls out to Ben, cheering and encouraging the hero on.

Soon Ben knocks Sombra's weapon aside, making him gulp in concern. He points at Sombra while saying, "For the blatant crime of betraying my Aunt Luna and turning her into Nightmare Moon, the theft of her wings, trying to take over Canterlot and making my one true love your queen, Sombra...It is time that you faced justice for what you have done…and that justice is death!"

"Benjamin! Benjamin, please! Please have mercy! I beg you!" Sombra exclaims frantically to the prince to spare him.

"You’re the one who caused what happened in the beginning, so you deserve to die!"

Sombra frantically, trying to say something to save his own flank, does just that, "Poolalalala!"

"What?" Rainbow asks confused at what Sombra is trying to do here.

"Poolaboolaboola."

"What is he talking about?" Pinkie asks the others cluelessly. They have no idea what's going on here.

"Excuse me?" Spike asks a bit bewilderment.

"Is he trying to talk his way out of his punishment?" Luna asks with a deep frown, suspecting that her former love is trying to do here.

Sombra slaps himself, groaning, "Do'h! I got those wrong too! Is it...package, parsley, pourage, pants, parking, porter, parcel..."

"Parley," Applejack ask Sombra dryly.

"You coulda let him finish guessing with 'Pork chop; Pork loin; Pork Pie; Poultry; Pizza; Parsnip; Platypus? Peking duck; P.F. Changs; Poland; Palace; Parmesan and Paris', Applejack," Pinkie said with a smile, being random as usual. "But that's the word he's looking for."

"That's the one, Miss Pinkie. Parley. Parley," Sombra exclaims with a smile, thinking that he is successful.

Ben frowns, keeping his sword at Sombra's throat, while saying, "Forget it! You're not getting any 'parley' from me at all! Not after what you put me, my aunt Luna and my friends through."

"And you will be getting get no 'parley' from me, Jack, Night Light and Velvet as well once you are punished for your evil crimes against Equestria and the Mystic Realm, Sombra." A familiar voice exclaims. Everyone turns to see a familiar white Alicorn arriving with a small figure on her back. It's Celestia, she had arrived at last! "Your time has finally come!"

Sombra frowns, snarling at this, "There will be more villains and stallions like me, Benjamin and Celestia! You both cannot kill and rid this world of the future!"

"But my Mother and I can still rid Equestria and the Mystic Realm of the past, Sombra." Ben declares to Sombra sternly. "You took Aunt Luna's wings from her…you nearly destroyed all of Equestria, and threatened to make Twilight Sparkle your Queen, you deserve to die."

"Strike, Benjamin Maregillian. Strike true."

Ben prepares to throw his sword through Sombra...but Luna puts a hoof on his shoulder, stopping her nephew. She said calmly, "No, Ben. Killing him would not break the spell. Sombra has been beaten and he can do no more harm to this land."

"I'm afraid Princess Luna is right, Ben." Rarity said in agreement with the former villainess, "As much as we hate Sombra, killing him won't solve anything."

"Rarity's right, Ben; Sombra's been beaten." Fluttershy said meekly to Ben. She hates the sight of blood.

"Yeah…he'll face justice for his crimes soon enough, Ben. I promise." Rainbow said. Even though she wants Sombra to pay, killing him won't solve anything.

"I totally agree with them here, Ben." Spike remarks, though he agrees on the thought of Sombra dying too.

Sombra sighs as he backs away, "Bless you, Luna. Good form, Rarity, Spike and ladies. After all, what would the world be like without…King Sombra?"

Ben grinds his teeth a bit then he spoke sternly to the one who messed with every pony long enough, "I want you to take your minions, each and every last one of them, and go. And I never want to see your face in Equestria ever again. Come on, every pony and Spike…Twilight's waiting for me."

Ben put his sword out, preparing to head to the castle. They're done here. However, Sombra narrows his eyes and quickly made a spike appears. Luna, noticing, gasps in alarm, "Ben, look out!"

Ben turns, yelping as he uses his Master Sword to block the attack in time. Sombra roars out in fury, "Fool, King Sombra IS Equestria!" The villain proceeds in knocking the Master Sword away from Ben. "And soon, whenever fillies and foals read it will say, 'Thus perished Prince Ben Mare'."

"Oh no you don't!"

Luna used her horn to magically levitate Sombra into the air to prevent him from escaping.

"What's happening? What is happening," Sombra exclaims frantically as he waves his hooves uselessly in the air.

Then the girls use the Elements of Harmony to hold Sombra in place so that Ben could land the final blow. Rarity exclaims sternly, "Hold him, girls; Sombra can't be allowed to escape."

"On it!" Rainbow exclaims as she uses her element to hold Sombra in place.

Fluttershy, using her Element of Kindness, said happily, "All right."

"Got it!" Applejack exclaims, using her, surprise, own Element which is the Element of Honesty to hold Sombra. Turns out she and Pinkie are Element holders as well!

Pinkie smiled, using the Element of Laughter to keep Sombra in place. She laughs, "Okie-dokie-lokie-chokie!"

"Grab the Master Sword, Ben. It's the only way to destroy him now!" Luna exclaims to her nephew quickly.

Ben rushes over and grabs the Master Sword, calling out, "Got it, Aunt Luna."

Ben came over to Sombra, preparing to finish the villain off. The monster's eyes widen in horror as he protests, "Ben, no. Please! I beg of you. Show mercy."

"It's too late for that, Sombra. You had your chance and blew it. Now you will face justice for your crimes against Equestria within the depths of Tartarus for all eternity."

Then as Ben aimed the Master Sword towards Sombra's heart, the evil King of Darkness felt fear for the first and very last time as Ben let loose the sword.

"I want my….MOMMY!" Sombra exclaims for the last time.

And they would be the last words Sombra would speak as the Master Sword hit its target and caused Sombra to roar in pain as he exploded and disappeared…never to be seen again as the Master Sword fell into the ground.

"It's a terrible shame that it had to end like that." Fluttershy said with a sigh of pity. Sombra had his chance to leave, but fail to do so.

Rarity nods in agreement, remarking, "I agree, though Sombra did deserve it."

"Sombra's….dead." Rainbow said with a smile. At last, the nightmare is over.

Soon a pair of familiar wings appears from out of nowhere from where Sombra used to be, flying over and landing right onto Luna's back. The Goddess of the Night yelp as she flashes...then smiles as her own wings are reattached to her, after all this time!

"My wings; my wings; I have my wings again." Luna said happily. She has her wings back, along with her true self. The Alicorn of the Night has indeed return.

Applejack spoke to Luna with a proud smile on her face, "Welcome back, Princess Luna."

"I feel like celebrating right now…but for what?" Pinkie asks excitedly while bouncing up and down. This calls for a celebration right about now!

Ben grins as he holds up a hoof into the air, cheering onward, "Bangerang!"

Spike cheers on as well with the prince for the victory over evil, "Yeah, bangerang!"

All cheers on with Ben and Spike, "Bangerang!"

"Luna, it's good to have you back." Celestia said, trotting over to her sister and nuzzle her gently.

"Mom, how did you know what was going on?" Ben ask Celestia curiously.

"The little guy on my back told me of what's going on with his own magic. I just happened to be nearby when I heard of Sombra's involvement."

The figure removes his helmet, revealing himself to be a small Dragon that looks like Spike only with a scar. He comments, "Hey, sorry we didn't show up early. It's hard getting here."

"Lorcan," Spike ask Lorcan, surprised to see his own brother.

"Yeah, it's me; your brother, here and well; Blah, blah, blah."

"Great, shortie failed to show up in time." Rainbow remarks, rolling her eyes that Lorcan failed to show with Celestia to make the battles more easier this time.

Needless to say Lorcan snorts angrily, preparing to charge at Rainbow while yelling, "I'm not short! I'll rip off your feet and shove em down your throat!!!"

"Enough already," Flare Tiger exclaims in annoyance. "We have stalled long enough."

"Right; your princess awaits you, Benjamin." Blazefist said, bowing to the prince in respect. He's right. It's time to wake Twilight up.

The group heads to King Night Light's castle just as the thorns and everyone else related to the darkness disappears from sight. With Nightmare Moon back to her normal self and Sombra now gone, the darkness around the area is disappearing.

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

The group heads into the castle, noting how everyone is sleeping.

"Lazy bums." Lorcan remarks dryly to the sleeping ponies.

"Sorry, it's the only way we can keep people finding out about Twilight in a deep sleep." Spike explains to his brother with a shrug.

"Yeah, I know...but they're still lazy."

The group heads up the tower, climbing up the stairs until they reach the floor where Twilight is still sleeping in her bed. Pinkamena grins, nodding as she said, "Go for it, Benny."

Ben looked at Twilight, who slept peacefully in her bed though she was under the spell, despite Nightmare Moon's end. The brown coated Earth Pony Prince gulped nervously as he trotted towards the beautiful Unicorn who had won his heart and who he had been betrothed to all this time.

Ben clears his throat as he spoke, "Twilight? It's me…its Ben. I…uh..."

Applejack motions Ben as she spoke, "Go on, Ben. Kiss her…an' break 'de spell."

"Shush, Applejack. She's sleeping and let him talk." Pinkie whispers quietly to Applejack. No reason to ruin this wonderful moment, right?

"Okay…fine."

Ben sighs, nuzzling Twilight as he continues speaking, "Twilight…I know this has been a very strange series of events, and although I know we've only just really met this very afternoon..."

"Go on, Ben; Say what you have to say. Make the vow." Rarity said to Ben with a smile.

Fluttershy nods as she explains what Rarity is talking about to Ben, "That's right, Ben. It's not just the kiss of true love that will break the spell…but also the vow of everlasting love."

"You can do it, Benny. Make the vow…then you can kiss her." Rainbow said to Ben in encouragement. Even the Royal Sisters, Golden Heart, Blazefist and Flare Tiger are urging him to do the same thing.

Ben nods, turning back to Twilight; Time to give out his vow...from the heart. He spoke, "Okay…I got it. Twilight…please forgive me…for not realizing who you were all this time. Forgive me for being so blind to the truth. I did want to break the spell, but I also wanted to prove my love for you. I love you for your kindness, your beauty, your brains and your courage. I realize now that I always have loved you and missed you every day. I love you, Twilight Sparkle. I love you."

Then Ben brought his face towards Twilight's own and kissed her lips gently and lovingly, hoping that the spell would indeed be broken after this was over.

And then, like a miracle, Twilight's beautiful violet eyes opened at last and the Unicorn Princess smiled at Ben, who smiled back.

Twilight spoke up to Ben, "Ben? You're the--?"

Ben grins as he said, "Yes, Twiley."

Rarity grins, motioning to the others as she suggests, "Maybe we should leave these two alone for a bit."

"Rarity…is your head in the gutter?" Rainbow asks, giving a devilish smile to Rarity.

"Rainbow!"

"I was just asking is all."

"Come on, everypony. Let's give them some privacy." Fluttershy suggests with a smile. It's true, best to give the couple some privacy.

"Indeed." Luna said as she and Celestia usher everyone out of the room. Her nephew and her new niece in law need to be alone.

And once Twilight and Ben are alone, the prince sighs, "Twilight…I wish to apologize."

"For what, Ben?" Twilight ask Ben, puzzled as to what he's saying. Her true love, the same colt whom she met in the Everfree Forest, is apologizing; For what?

"For not realizing who you really were and for being so blind all this time. I was afraid that you wouldn't like me once you found out that we were engaged to each other. That you'd want nothing to do with me."

"If I had been raised in the castle…that probably would have been the case, yes."

"So…is it okay if we start all over again, well…where we left off in the woods?" Ben ask Twilight, pondering as to where the lovers left off in the Everfree Forest.

Twilight giggles while nodding at the idea, "Absolutely. I'd like that."

"Okay, then. Hi…I'm Prince Benjamin Maregillian, but my friends call me Ben Mare or Benny."

"Well…I would have said Iris Crystal, but to be honest…I never really liked that name. I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle…but if you'd like, you can call me Twiley."

Meanwhile, the others wait at the door, watching the scene happening. Rainbow anxiously watches, saying, "It seems they're getting to know each other, starting all over as friends right now."

Ben smiles to Twilight, blushing as he continues, "Twilight Sparkle, huh. Very beautiful name…and far more fitting for a beauty like you."

Twilight blushing back said, "Benny."

"Well, it's true. Um…Twilight…I know that you and I are practically engaged already by the wishes of our parents, but I'd like to do this properly…although it is probably too soon or too late…but..." Ben then knelt on one hind leg and pulled out the ring that he kept hidden from Nightmare Moon's goons. "Princess Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville…will you marry me?"

Twilight touched by Ben's proposal pauses as she pretends to think, "Well…I'll have to think about it..."

"Okay, I understand and--."

But before Ben could finish what he was about to say, Twilight kissed him lovingly and Ben kissed her back. The others gasp but grins. They already knew what the answer would be.

Twilight finish kissing as she said lovingly, "Yes…yes. I would be honored to marry you."

The others cheers wildly. Rainbow laughs as she throws a hoof into the air, "Bangerang. He did it!"

"Are we done?" Lorcan asks the others impatiently. "Can we get this over with?"

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

With Twilight now freed from the spell, the one spell that the Mystic Ponies casted on everyone begins to wear off, everyone woke up, having no idea as to what happened. In the throne room, even Twilight's parents and Jack are waking up, unaware of the events that occurred.

"Huh? What?" Night Light asks confused as he yawns. "Huh. The Apple Cider must've knocked me out. Anyway, you were saying, Jack?"

"What?" Jack asks confused right back. Then he remembers what he himself was going to say. "Oh yes. Well, ahem! This be the brand new century after all..."

"I think you already said that."

"Oh right, right. Getting to the point, it's about Benjamin. he said that he's going to marry..."

Suddenly, before Jack could explain, the fanfare interrupts him. Everyone looks at the staircase as something appears to be arriving at the top of it. Even the Mystic Ponies, Spike, Pinkamena, Golden Heart, Blazefist, Flare Tiger and Lorcan arrive from the balcony to watch. Soon everyone saw an amazing yet surprising sight: there's Ben and Twilight holding hooves as they head down the stairs together.

Night Light gasped in happiness, pointing a hoof while saying, "Velvet…look."

"Twilight? No. It can't be!" Twilight Velvet gasps, tears came out of her eyes, that of happiness. She is finally seeing her daughter after, after 16 years!

"Yes…it is Twilight. She's here!"

"And…and…and Ben?" Jack asks in shock and disbelief. Ben is with Twilight? But he said that he was going to marry a peasant pony!

"Yes, that's our boy." Celestia giggles as she arrives on the scene, much to Jack's surprise.

"Tia? What are you doing here; What about Sombra; Huh?!"

Once the couple is at the bottom floor, they came over to the parents, bowing and giving a curtesy. Twilight smiles happily as she hugs her parents, happy to be reunited with them for the first time in 16 years.

"Ben, what...what's going on? I thought..." Jack begins to stutter, still having no clue as to what's going on. Twilight hugs the former pirate while going over to Ben. "I don't understand!"

"I will explain it to you later, Jack." Celestia said to Jack with a happy giggle. "So, Ben…it seems that your adventures are over."

Ben smiling, shakes his head as he spoke, "Oh no, Mom. They're not over yet. Because to live..." As he spoke he smiled at Twilight. "To live would be an awfully big adventure."

Then Ben and Twilight began to dance to a familiar song playing. Jack shrugs it off and smiles at his son and Twilight dancing. The parents are enjoying watching the two dancing.

Celestia sniffs a bit, giving out a suspicious look to Jack as she spoke, "Wait a minute. Why do I smell alcohol in this room?"

Jack gulp nervously, "Oh no..." The Earth Pony is holding a bottle...of rum; Hoo boy.

"Jack Silver…have you been drinking again?"

"Uh…yes? This was a special occasion, Tia."

Celestia pauses, then shrugs it off while saying, "Well, good. Because I never said you could not drink…on special occasions."

"Oh, shiver me timbers." Jack said in relief, kissing his wife on the cheek. "That be why I love ye, Tia. Ye've always been so lenient."

The gang in the balcony smiles, watching Ben and Twilight dance a bit. Lorcan roll his eyes while remarking, "Ugh, mushy stuff."

"Oh, Lorcan. Don't be a scar head." Luna giggles as she kisses Lorcan on the cheek. He sighs happily and faints, making the Alicorn giggle.

Fluttershy sniff a bit, shedding a tear. Rarity, noticing, spoke, "Fluttershy! Why, what's wrong?"

Fluttershy sniffs happily as she said with a smile, "Oh...I just love happy endings."

"Yeah, isn't that sweet?" Spike asks with a grin while watching the dance.

"Yes, I adore them too and..." Suddenly, Rarity gasps in alarm as she notices something: the color of the dress that Twilight's wearing, "What?! Fluttershy, did you change her dress?"

"Oh, I felt like purple is a better color for her." Fluttershy explains to Rarity with a sheepish look.

"Not to me! Pink!"

Rarity fires a blast of magic at Twilight's dress, changing it pink. The couple didn't notice or care as they kept on dancing while the chorus sings.

Chorus: I know you,
I walked with you
Once upon a dream

Rainbow, seeing the dress, frowns and fires her own magic, saying, "Rainbow!"

The dress is change into a rainbow color. The two Mystic Ponies once again goes back to color fighting like mad, making their friends sigh. Spike groans while slapping his head, "Here we go again."

I know you,
The gleam in your eyes
Is so familiar a gleam

The scene dissolved as Twilight and Ben kept on dancing as if doing so on clouds in a dream. Of course, the unicorn's dress kept on changing thanks to Rarity and Rainbow's repeatedly changing it from pink to rainbow and back again like fools.

And I know it's true
That visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you I know what you'll do

The lovers smiles as they kiss as the storybook fades in, showing the same scenes with the words 'And they all lived happily ever after' under the picture...while the dress kept changing colors.

You'll love me at once,
The way you did
Once upon a dream

The End

Cast list
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle/Iris Crystal
Tabitha St. Germain: Princess Luna/Nightmare Moon, Rarity, Derpy Hooves
Andrea Libman: Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Pinkamena Diane Pie
Ashleigh Ball: Rainbow Dash, Applejack
Cathy Weseluck: Spike the Dragon
Jason Marsden: Ben Mare
Colin Firth : Night Light
Helena Bonham Carter : Twilight Velvet
Brian O'Murray: Jack Silver
JusSonic: Narrator
Scott McNeil: Rover
Lee Tockbar: Spot
Richard Ian Cox: Fido
Maryke Hendrikse: Gilda the Griffin
Jim Miller: King Sombra
Peter New: Announcer, Various Creatures
Rebecca Shoichet: Twilight Sparkle (Singing Voice)
Shannon Chan-Kent: Pinkie Pie (Singing Voice)
Mark Hadlow: Bert the Mountain Troll
William Kircher: Tom the Mountain Troll
Peter Hambleton: William the Mountain Troll
Dee Bradley Baker: Dragoking
Kazumi Evans: Various Creatures
David Faustino: Blazefist
Orlando Bloom: Golden Heart
Emma Watson: Flare Tiger
Nicole Oliver: Princess Celestia
Vic Mignogna: Lorcan

Author's note
Wow, took a long time but it's done. I hope you folks like it. Coming up next is a time travelling episode starring Hoagie and Stitch in a fanmake of 'Road to El Dorado' which I called 'The Road to Toon Icrado'. Here are the cast...

Miguel-Po Panda (Kung Fu Panda; ancestor with the same name)
Tulio-Hiccup (How to Train Your Dragon)
Chel-Astrid (How to Train Your Dragon)
Tzekel-Slade (Teen Titans)
Chief Tannabok-Homer Simpson (The Simpsons; ancestor with the same name)
Zaragoza-Dark Dragon (American Dragon: Jake Long)
Hernan Cortes-Van Rook (Secret Saturdays)
Altivo-Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)

Hope you like it. Read, review and suggest!

This story has references to "Shrek 2", the second season of Digimon in a episode where Biyomon gets captured by a controlled Starmon, the Season 2 finale "A Canterlot Wedding" (song), the musical version of "Beauty and the Beast", "Transformers: Age of Extinction", "Aladdin", "Maleficent", the movie version of "Mortal Kombat", "Hook", "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl", and "The Swan Princess".

Yes, I know Maleficent was killed in the animated version, but I got away with differences here.