On and on, the two fliers circled one another. Nightmare Moon, enraged over her perceived deception, hurling lightning and blasts of magic at her opponent. Rainbow Dash, quick and agile enough to dodge and weave her way past each and every one of her incoming attacks. And through it all, her friends down below watched on with fear and concern, not knowing how this was going to play out. Twilight, watching this with more sadness than any other, glanced back down to the ruins of the Elements, making sure Nightmare Moon wasn't watching her before making a break for it. Her friends saw her, but to try and keep the dark alicorn from noticing, they silently agreed that it might be better not to go en masse to them. So, Twilight went alone, soon reaching the shattered stones. Dropping to her knees, she soon placed a hoof upon them, melancholy running all the way through her. I'm sorry, Luna. I tried to help you the right way. Now...it seems I've been denied that chance. An angry snort escaped her as she dwelt on this. I sought to change history...but it looks like history is going to be difficult about it.

Calming herself, she focused once more on the Elements. Okay...I can do this. The Elements work for those who bear the traits they’re named after. That's why they gravitated to my friends in the first place. And I know they're my friends already. I haven't gained the spark in this moment, like last time, but I still feel it. Feel it from years and years of being with them, loving them. They...are...my...friends. But, as she looked at the Elements, she saw, to her dismay, that nothing was happening. Her face became one of worry as her thoughts raced on the matter. Why? Why isn't it working? What could possibly have...? But then, her eyes widened with shock and horror as a terrible realisation came to her. Could it be...the trials of the Everfree? Nightmare Moon never tried to stop us, so my friends never had the chance to display the traits that the Elements desired. Is that it? Has my interference in history done this? Have I...have I doomed us all? Looking down at the stone shards, she poked them time after time, hoping that something, anything would happen. But, to her disappointment, nothing did.

No...this isn't right! It can't end this way! Eternal night...eternal darkness and misery. Am I responsible for it now? Turning, she looked upon her friends, many of whom were looking to her, their eyes pleading with her, begging her to come up with a solution to all this. And, as she glanced up, she saw Rainbow, whose face made it clear that she was becoming exhausted from her efforts to elude Nightmare Moon. Breathing hard now, Twilight spun her head around, looking down at the elements once more. Please! You have to work! My friends...my family...my people...they're all in danger if you don't give us your power! But still, the stones remained unresponsive. Narrowing her eyes, Twilight's thoughts soon took on a more aggressive feeling. You can't refuse us because of this! My friends would never have done those things if they weren't already the kinds of ponies who embodied those traits! Applejack is already honest. Fluttershy is already kind. Rarity is already generous. Pinkie already uses laughter to help ponies out of whatever bad place they're in. And Rainbow...

She paused at that thought, thinking over what had just happened moments ago. Rainbow...made things worse just now, I know that. But even so, you and I both know that she only did that because she was loyal to me, as she's loyal to all her friends. If friendship didn't already exist between us, they'd never have trusted me, or followed me, or come to help me. They are the bearers you seek, and no amount of missing trials is going to change that! But still, Twilight looked on to see the stones remained utterly lifeless. As this seeming hopelessness began to sink in, Twilight's melancholy and fear began to give way to something new, something different. It was anger. Anger at the stones for letting her down. Anger that they were not doing what they should be doing. Anger that, in this moment of darkness, the ultimate power of light was nowhere to aid them. So, standing up on all four hooves, Twilight looked down at the broken stones with fury in her eyes.

I am Twilight Sparkle. Student of Princess Celestia. Future alicorn and Princess of Equestria. And I ask...no...I am DEMANDING that you give us the power to overcome this darkness!

For a moment, it seemed as if her rage would yield no fruit, as the broken Elements, yet again, gave no response. Tears began to well in Twilight's eyes, a sense of utter defeat seeping into her. This...this can't be the end. As she began to collapse to her knees, a strange sound caught her attention. Lifting her head up, Twilight's eyes widened to see that, to her disbelief, the stone fragments began to move, lifting off the ground as they were engulfed in a magical glow. Her mouth hanging open, Twilight stood tall again, backing away as the stones continued to rise. As their light became brighter and brighter, all of the mares, Nightmare Moon, included, began to finally notice this, with the latter gaining a look of terror upon her face. With Twilight backing up, the rest of the group soon joined her, and they looked on together as the light grew to it's apex, after which, the stone fragments shot forward, with several groups of them starting to circle each of Twilights' five friends. A smile crept onto the young unicorn's face as she considered this. It's...it's working!

Nightmare Moon, knowing full well the power of the Elements, took position at the end of the hall, striking a gesture of attack, ready for battle. But Twilight did not notice her. Instead, she watched with amazement as, just like her memories, the stones soon transformed themselves, now bearing the appearance of shining golden necklaces, each adorned with the jewelled cutie mark of their respective bearer. As for Twilight, her Element too came into view, and she looked up to see a crown, bearing her star mark, descend towards her, resting upon her head. A crown...I should have seen the signs sooner than I did. With the Elements now summoned, a great surge of power began to course through the six mares, engulfing them in a bright glow. But, as this great magic grew, Twilight began to feel just the tiniest bit uneasy. This...this is the power of the Elements, I know it. But...something feels...different. Regardless, the power reached it's inevitable conclusion, as a rainbow spiral was shot upwards, reaching all the way to the ceiling before finally shooting down at Nightmare Moon.

Within moments, the dark alicorn was surrounded by this intense power, consumed by it until she was no longer visible. For several seconds, this went on, until finally there was another near-blinding flash of light, signifying the Elements completion of their work. When the light died down, all six of the mares looked to see their new situation, each bearing their destined Elements. While most of them looked on with excitement and joy over having overcome this darkness, Twilight stood worried, levitating her crown down to get a closer look at it. It looks the same, but...I could have sworn the crystal segment was a shade or two lighter than this. However, that thought had to take a backseat, as the young unicorn looked up to see, on the other side of the chamber, was a young-looking blue alicorn, lying motionless upon he ground, with wisps of dark magic leaving her. Luna! Twilight began to charge forward to help the Princess of the night, when she was suddenly stopped by the arrival of a light to her left.

Turning, she saw, as expected, the sun had begun to rise at last. And as she and her friends watched it creep over the horizon, they also noticed a strange magical orb approaching them. Here she comes, Twilight thought. Facing the window fully now, Twilight watched as the orb passed through it, yielding a bright flash before revealing itself to be none other than Princess Celestia herself, whose wrings were spread out in a majestic manner. As expected, her friends all bowed before the great alicorn, showing great respect to their monarch. As for Twilight, she began to walk forward, a smile growing on her face as she looked upon her beloved teacher. But then, he stopped. For a moment, her mind was flooded with conflicting thoughts as she looked upon the Princess. Celestia...my teacher. Always kind, always wise, always...there for me. But...what I know now...it's not the same. Images were conjured up, new feelings she'd never had before when seeing Celestia. I...I couldn't possibly think that way about her...could I? But...when the time came...she...she couldn't...

But the lavender mare instead focused on the Princess right before her, who looked upon her student with great affection. However, Twilight's earlier smile began to fade, and instead of running towards her and embracing her, as history dictated, she instead closed her eyes and stayed where she was, giving a single bow.

"Greetings, Princess."

The words were not unkind or aggressive. And yet, there was no warmth to them. No joy, nor excitement. It was the kind of formal greeting Celestia was used to from, quite frankly, a pony who had never met her before. Celestia's face took on a note of slight confusion, and also a tint of worry, before finally speaking to her student.

"It's good to see you, Twilight. I knew you could do it."

You knew? I doubt that. But, Twilight nevertheless rose, staying silent and waiting for Celestia to continue speaking.

"Through your journey, you have accomplished a great thing. Darkness has been defeated this day, and through it all, you have gained something truly precious...friendships."

I always had that, Princess, Twilight thought to herself. Even so, she put on a smile for the Princess' benefit, which was promptly returned. However, that smile soon faded as Celestia turned, looking upon the still-unmoving form of her sister. Twilight and her friends looked on as she approached Luna, who was finally awakening. For a moment, the younger alicorn looked up in fear as Celestia drew closer. But, the elder sister merely looked upon her defeated sibling with both affection and melancholy.

"Princess Luna. It has been a long time since I've seen you this way."

As Luna looked away, Celestia fell to her knees before her.

"It is time to put our differences aside. We were meant to rule together, little sister."

The mares beside Twilight let out a gasp at that.

"Sister?!" they said in unison.

Twilight had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at her friends catching up like that, but instead looked on as the two sisters continued with each other.

"Will you accept my friendship?"

Luna kept looking away for a few moments before finally turning, looking up at her sister, who awaited her answer. Twilight too was waiting with baited breath. I know how this is supposed to go...but please...accept her offer, Luna. Nothing is more painful than when siblings stay apart, believe me. So, after many moments of silence, Luna finally broke into tears, charging forward and affectionately nuzzling her sister.

"I'm so sorry! I've missed you so much, big sister!"

Celestia too began to break down, tears flowing down her cheeks as she looked upon her younger sibling with affection.

"I've missed you too."

In spite of what she might have felt earlier, Twilight nevertheless felt more than a little touched at this display, as indeed, did everypony else, with many of them sobbing over the affectionate reunion. The road may have taken a turn for the unexpected...but at least this is moment how it should be. As usual, however, Pinkie was quite a bit more overt with her sentiment, releasing torrents of tears after seeing this. However, she quickly snapped out of that, looking to her friends with a look that made it clear that she just had a great idea.

"Hey! You know what this calls for?"

Twilight turned to her with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

"Let me guess...a party?"

Pinkie raised a hoof to her chin and pondered that for a few moments, after which she broke out into a massive smile.

"Well, I was gonna say having a great big cake-making contest, but you're idea sounds way better!"