Everyone in the stands and the captives looked in shock at the sudden appearance of the unicorn who was facing Sombra down.

"Who is that?" A Crystal Pony asked another.

"I think that's Radiant Hope."

"Radiant Hope? The same pony who told of the Princesses of Sombra's tyranny?"

"Hope?" Sombra gasped, "But this is impossible!"

"Actually, nothing is impossible when you have time on your side." came a voice.

Everyone saw Doc and Derpy standing before an old British Police box, before it shrunk down into a small cube size. Doc picked it up and pocketed it.

"Doc, you made it!" Stone called.

"Would've been here sooner, but we had a little delay." Doc explained.

"Better late than never, huh?" Derpy asked with a shrug.

"Why is she here?" Twilight asked.

"I thought you were only to get information from her." Rarity remembered his plan.

"That was initial plan, but she had very good reasons as to why she came with us. Girl's a very good negotiator."

Sombra ignoring them turned back to Hope, "So then you..."

"Yes. I traveled a thousand years from the past to see you again. And based off everything around me only proves Doc was right. You didn't learn a thing." Hope said with disappointment.

"On the contrary. I've learned plenty. And thanks to all the knowledge I have been collecting I succeeded in releasing my fellow Umbrum!"

"And yet you still don't look satisfied." Hope said.

"I will be once the Crystal Empire is truly mine. And I eliminate my enemies."

"I'm sorry, Sombra, but I can't let you do that."

"Let me? You talk as if you can stop me." Sombra laughed.

"I can."

"Oh, please. I defeated the two sisters two banished me, captured the elements of harmony, and have the vessel to the dragon king Bahamut at my mercy!"

Hope looked down seeing Spike still in pain from Sombra's mental torture. She smirked, "Not for long!" she shot a beam of magic from her horn at Spike, as it engulfed him and levitated him up.

In Spike's mind he floated around in a dark void of emptiness looking ready to fade into oblivion, until he heard voices call out to him.

"Spike!"

"Spikey-Wikey!"

"Can you hear us?"

'Those voice?' Spike gasped in his thoughts.

The darkness surrounding him was illuminated, and he saw his seven harem members reaching out to him.

"Girls!" He cried as he flew at the group and took their hands.

Back in reality, Hope's beam died down and there stood Spike with his armor restored, "What?!" Sombra gasped.

Spike landed on the ground, "That feels good. Sombra, I have to give you props. You almost had me with your whole mind rape. But that glow shined through and helped me remember my friends who would never abandon me."

Sombra growled, "Even if you have been healed you still cannot defeat me and my magic!"

"That's where you're wrong, Sombra," Hope interrupted, "Ever since you were banished and the Empire disappeared I've studied for other means to stop you should you ever return. And now I have something that'll give us the edge against you."

"And that would be?" Sombra asked in sarcasm.

"This." Hope reached into the bag she had with her. She pulled out what looked like a replica of the Crystal Heart.

"The Crystal Heart?" Twilight gasped.

"That can't be!" Sombra said in shock wondering how she had it when he stole it.

"It's not the real Crystal Heart. It's one of my own creations. I've studied the Crystal Heart as well as it's powers and properties.. The artifact itself is powered by the love of all the Crystal Ponies. If their love can power the real thing so it can protect the Empire, then imagine if one had a replica as a power source and their love empowers him?"

Sombra blinked, "You didn't."

"I did. And I can't think of someone more deserving for it. Spike, catch!" Hope levitated it past Sombra and it landed in Spike's hands.

"Uh, what do I do with it?"

"Concentrate! Allow the crystal to merge with you. And, girls, you can help!"

"How?" Applejack asked.

"Give Spike your love. Show him what is in your hearts and he will be stronger than ever!"

Twilight turned to her fellow elements of harmony and nodded, while concentrating. Spike also started concentrating, and thought.

'Merge with the crystal.'

"Stop him!" Sombra ordered, as some of the guards and Umbrum went to attack Spike.

Spike not breaking concentration held the crystal close, until his eyes flung open and released a repelling force that knocked his enemies back.

"What's this?" Sombra asked in shock.

The crystal merged into Spike's armor, as his purple armor started changing color. Spike was roaring as he felt his power increasing. Suddenly hovering above them was Spike in white silver armor that shined brighter than stars.

"Yeah!" Spike cheered, "Now this is what I'm talking about!"

"Pretty." Pinkie smiled.

"So hot." Rarity fanned herself.

"So awesome!" Rainbow grinned.

Twilight smiled, "We now have a shot."

Spike descended on the ground, "I think this calls for a real duel now. What do you say, Sombra?"

Sombra frowned, "I defeated you moments ago, I'll do it again!"

"Then let's get this started, shall we?" Spike did a mock bow, before seeing Sombra didn't return the gesture, "What happened to the niceties being observed?"

"I'm through with playing nice!" Sombra blasted as Spike with his dark magic.

Spike suddenly disappeared as fast as a blink, much to the dark Umbrum unicorn's confusion, "Huh?" he was suddenly met with a fist to the face courtesy of Spike.

Sombra rolled across the floor before getting back to his feet, "That really hurt!"

"That's what happens when facing someone powered by the love of those special to him. And our love will bring you down!" Spike declared, as he suddenly felt something on his back powering up. He managed to look in back seeing two thrusters powering up.

"I have rocket boosters?" he asked in surprise. His surprised expression started changing into excitement, "I have rocket boosters! I have fricken rocket boosters!" he activated them and shot off like a rocket at Sombra bashing him right from left.

"Look at him go!" Sunset Shimmer gasped.

"He's faster than a horse at the track." Applejack said.

"We might actually win this." Fluttershy gasped.

Suddenly the group was free from their shackles and chains courtesy of the Doc using a magic negating sword.

"Perhaps you'll feel better about victory while not in chains, huh?" he asked.

"Thanks, Doc," Twilight smiled before turning to everyone, "Now let's save the crystal ponies." the elements of harmony powered back up and went to free the hostages with the help of Shining Armor, Stone, and Cadence.

As the group fought the guards and Umbrum, Sombra and Spike continued to face off with Spike having the upper hand this time.

"Man, I'm loving this new armor. I think I'll call it my Shining Mode." Spike said with joy.

'Save the naming for after you win.' Bahamut thought to him.

'Right.' Spike replied, and resumed fighting Sombra. Spike's power was constantly increasing from not only the love the girls had for him, but from the support of all the crystal ponies as well.

Sombra who wasn't looking so hot was getting weaker and weaker with every blow he took. Spike delievered an attack knocking Sombra out of the stadium, and flew after him. The girls, their allies, Hope and the rest of the crystal ponies headed off after them, while Cadence, Shining Armor, and Stone were carrying the statues of the princesses and Discord. The guards and Umbrum that were still standing went after them to help their master.

Sombra landed outside the castle where the Crystal heart was meant to be, and looked defeated. Spike landed before him and spoke.

"This time you lost Sombra, and victory is not just mine but ours." he motioned to his comrades, "And now I'll finish you for good!" Spike extended his palm as blue energy was being channeled into his palm and was ready to blast at Sombra.

"Wait!" Hope shouted, as all eyes fell on her.

"What?" Spike asked.

"Before you do, I have something to tell Sombra."

Spike looked at her seeing she really needed this, and looked at Sombra seeing he was as good as defeated.

"Make it quick." Spike stood back.

Hope walked up to Sombra who was struggling to get up, "Sombra, what happened to you? We were friends. We did everything together. I gave you friendship. I even gave you my heart and you still chose this over me?"

"Hope," Sombra began, as he felt guilty seeing her like this, "When we looked into the Crystal Heart all those years ago. This is what I saw myself as. This was my destiny. Rabia told me I was meant to be the Umbrum's weapon. That I was meant to be the one who would release them. This is what I've always been."

Hope frowned at Sombra, and spoke, "Look at me, Sombra. When we looked at the Crystal Heart and you hid what you saw, but I told you what I saw. Do you remember?"

"You said you saw yourself as a princess." Sombra answered, while still feeling bitter about how she had a good vision.

"And do I look like a princess to you?" she questioned.

"Aren't you?" Sombra wondered.

"No. Ever since you were banished I left my training and went on to try and find a way to help you."

Sombra was surprised, "You mean you never became a princess because of me?"

"Exactly."

"Hope, I-I'm so sorry. I only wanted to make you suffer for turning on me. I never dreamed of trying to rob you of your destiny." Sombra pleaded with regret much to everyone's confusion.

Hope could only let out a groan of exasperation, "Sombra, you dummy! You think you robbed me of my chance to be a princess? I did it all on my own accord. I didn't care about a position like that. All I wanted was to have my best friend back!"

"Hope." Sombra gasped.

"I never believed in destiny and fate. I forged my own destiny and made my own decisions. But seeing you like this. I was doing nothing but wasting my time." she cried.

Sombra watching Hope cry in front of him caused something to stir inside him, until Rabia spoke up, "Enough of this sentimentality! Sombra, you can still win! Remember you have the weapon!"

"Weapon?" Spike asked.

Sombra snapping out of it remembered, "Yes, the Crystal Heart!" he levitated it from the one soldier who was holding onto it.

"The heart!" Twilight gasped.

"Smash it and all their hope with it!" Rabia told Sombra who was looking into the Crystal Heart deeply, "Sombra, why're you hesitating?"

"I'm just reminiscing, Rabia. The first time I ever looked into the Crystal Heart I saw the monster I am today."

"And what do you see now?" Rabia inquired.

"Nothing. All I see is my reflection." he answered, as he could only see his own face.

"Perhaps it's not working unless it's powered up." Rabia suggested.

"No. It's working just fine." Sombra replied.

"Then stop wasting time and destroy it already!" Rabia ordered.

"Yes," Sombra agreed before turning to his old friend, "Hope."

"Yes, Sombra?"

A smile formed on the king's face, "Thank you." taking everyone by surprise he levitated the Crystal Heart putting it back in it's rightful place.

Rabia and the Umbrum were in pure shock, "Sombra, what is the meaning of this!" Rabia demanded.

"For once, I'm making my own destiny." Sombra answered.

When the Crystal Heart was back in place it absorbed the love from everyone in the empire giving it power again. Its bright glow was unleashed and undid all dark magic, making all of Sombra's guards no longer brainwashed, and even the two sisters and Discord were free from stone.

The Umbrum however were starting to get absorbed back into the castle and into the chamber where they were released from.

"NO!" The Umbrum screamed, as they were pulled back into their prison with Rabia being the last one.

"Sombra!" she screamed before the door was sealed tight never to be opened again.

With hope and light restored to the Crystal Empire, the ponies were relieved. Hope turned to Sombra in confusion, "Sombra, you did it."

"Well, this took a surprising turn." Spike told his girls who were equally surprised.

Sombra turned to Hope, "Thank you, for believing in me all this time, Hope. I never believed in myself because I thought everything was set in stone. But now I see we're free to choose our own destiny."

Hope smiled with tears of joy and hugged him, "Sombra! I knew you weren't a monster. You helped save the Empire."

"After nearly conquering it." he replied.

"Oh, enough of that." Hope continued to hold Sombra close.

The two looked at the Crystal Heart rotating around, "So this is what happens at the Crystal Fair. I finally got to see it for myself. And it only took me a thousand years."

"And what do you think? Is it everything you ever dreamed of?" Hope asked.

"All that and more." Sombra said, as his own body was slowly fading away.

"What's happening to him?" Fluttershy asked.

"He is an Umbrum, so he's being extinguished by the power of the Crystal Heart." Cadence reminded them.

"No!" Hope cried, as she shot a beam of magic at Sombra's dissolving body, "I just got you back! I'm not letting you go again!"

"Hope, what're you doing?" Sombra asked in confusion.

"You always told me I could real good. And that's just what I'm doing!" she cried.

"But you alone cannot fight the power of the Crystal Heart it'll drain you dry." Sombra noted.

"Maybe not alone, but with us she can." Twilight said, as she, her friends, the two sisters, Cadence, Shining Armor, assisted Hope by channeling their own magic from their horns, or elements of harmony to Sombra.

"You're helping me?" Sombra asked the group.

"We are the rulers of the Crystal Empire." Shining Armor reminded him.

"The empire you just helped save." Cadence added.

"And it was our friendship that helped save the day. Friendship is what I'm all about." Twilight put in.

"As are we all." Rarity noted on behalf of the rest of their friends.

"I've always believed in second chances, and I'd like to give you that chance." Celestia answered.

"You weren't the only one driven by anger and hate. I was given a second chance and so should you." Luna finished.

They watched as Sombra looked like he was taking shape again, but wasn't coming into full clear, "It's not working." Hope gasped.

"What can we do?" Sunset asked.

Spike looked up at Sombra before deciding, "Take some of the love that fuels me. It may be what you need." he released a beam from his hand that mixed with the magic from the others other. With Spike transferring some of his power, his armor form powered down.

Suddenly Sombra glowed brightly and stood before them with a normal gray unicorn horn, and green eyes, while his mane looked less wild.

"Am-am I really?" he looked at himself.

"Sombra! You're you again!" Hope threw herself at Sombra.

"I'm me?" Sombra looked himself over not feeling a trace of Umbrum within him, "I'm a real unicorn!"

"You're the way I always knew you were." Hope smiled, as they embraced.

When the group approached him, Sombra had some words to say, "Thank you all. I know no amount of apology can make up for what I had done and said to all of you. Especially to you Sunset Shimmer and Spike."

"Us?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"Your old element of disharmony was one of my creations that made you into that she-demon. And Spike what I said about you having a monster inside. I was wrong. Inside you is the heart of a true friend who would give anything to protect those he loves."

Spike smiled, "Hey, thanks."

"And I've forgiven you," Sunset added, "If it weren't for you I never would've found my place along side my friends." she smiled.

"So, Sombra, now that you're a new pony this time. What's next for you?" Applejack asked.

"I thought I should start by forgiving someone myself, just as you all have forgiven me. Princess Amore." he explained.

"Princess Amore?" the elements of harmony asked.

"But you killed her." Hope said in confusion.

"Not quite," Sombra corrected her, "I merely turned her into a statue and scattered her pieces throughout the land. If we can find those pieces we can rebuild the statue and undo the curse placed upon her."

Hope was in shock, "You mean there's a chance we can really save her?"

"Precisely. Would you help me, Hope?" he offered.

Hope smiled, "I would be delighted, Sombra."

The two leaned in and kissed. The girls cooed at such a heart warming sight, as Spike smiled and thought, 'He's good.'

Pinkie suddenly spoke up, "Hey, aren't we supposed to be having a party?!"

Everyone remembered that despite the setbacks the Crystal Fair was still on. Sombra turned to Hope, "Ready to finally enjoy the Crystal Fair together?"

"I've waited for a thousand years. It's overdue." Hope answered, as the two went to enjoy the fair with all the others.

And so the Crystal Fair was back on, with Sombra and Hope enjoying the fair as if they were on a date. All of the guards brainwashed by Sombra were freed and were enjoying the Crystal Fair themselves.

That night in front of a stage everyone was gathered, including Flurry Heart who was let out of her room when the threat had passed.

"This is going to be awesome." Rainbow said with excitement.

"I can't wait." Pinkie said, while feeling giddy.

Suddenly Spike's voice came on an intercom, "Good evening Crystal Empire!" the crystal ponies cheered, "Presenting for the very first time Spike the Dragon King and Stone Edge the Kirin!"

Suddenly music started playing, as the two boys rose up from the smokey stage, "Stone and Spike, ya'll!" Spike began.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOTlMUQzJrw

So the two began singing, with Spike taking first verse. When Stone took the second verse he motioned to Octavia in the crowd who felt swooned. And so the party started hopping with every pony dancing around. Shining Armor danced around with Cadence while Discord and Celestia did disco moves.

Hope offered her hand to Sombra who looked nervous. Rather than wait for an answer she took his hand and the two began to dance, with Sombra feeling incredibly happy.

At one point in the song, Stone sat in a chair and pulled a chain above him causing water to pour on his body. The two continued to dance and sing, as Spike motioned to all members of his harem and even getting some hoots and howls from various fan girls he gained from all his heroics. Truly this was a Crystal Fair no one would ever forget.

The next morning at the Crystal Empire arch entrance, Sombra and Hope stood on one side with all their new friends to see them off.

"Well, we better head off." Sombra began.

"The best of luck to the two of you." Celestia began.

"Luck won't have too much to do with it." Hope began.

"As long as we have hope, then anything is possible. Remember that." Sombra said.

They nodded, as Spike walked up to him, "I hope you do well with your new life, Sombra." he extended his hand out.

"So do I." they shook on it, and Spike leaned in to whisper to him.

"When you restore Amore ask her if she's looking for someone. And tell her there's a young handsome dragon who's interested."

Sombra chuckled, "Sure thing."

Spike turned to Hope, "And, Hope. Thank you for this cool power up."

"It was my pleasure, Spike."

"I know this new mode's gonna be handy in our upcoming fights."

Sombra spoke, "Trust me it will for who'll have to face."

"What do you mean?"

Sombra leaned over and whispered, "Beware of Tirek."

'Tirek?' Spike thought in confusion.

Sombra turned to Hope, "Ready?"

Hope nodded, "Race?"

"You're on." Sombra smirked, and the two ran off together in a race.

"Now there goes a cute couple." Pinkie told Rainbow who replied.

"Yeah, but a couple of what?"

"There they go." Rarity said.

Spike turned to Doc, "Was it really ok to leave Hope here in our present time?"

"Yeah, wouldn't that affect the past?" Sunset Shimmer asked.

"In other cases yes," Doc began, "But because Hope has spent her life in isolation she practically faded out of existence as if she never existed. Letting her stay here shall cause no damage to the time stream."

"That's a relief." Applejack said.

"With Hope at Sombra's side, I think they're going to be just fine." Twilight said.

"Yes, well now that this is out of the way we have important matters we must discuss." Shining Armor said.

"Matters?" the teens asked.

Soon enough inside the castle's meeting room everyone sat at the table with Shining Armor and Cadence in front, "Now then in light of recent events Shining Armor and I have realized just how strong the girls love for Spike is." the princess of love began.

"As demonstrated by how powerful his Shining mode was because it was fueled by your love for him." Shining added, as the girls smiled sheepishly.

"Which is why we've made this decision to benefit all of you." Cadence continued.

"What's that?" Spike asked.

Shining Armor spoke, "Cadence and I have declared that all members of the Elements of Harmony are to move into the Drake residence ASAP!"

"Huh?!" The girls gasped.

"Say what?!" Spike gasped.

"Are you all not pleased with this?" Cadence asked, while motioning to Spike the most.

"No! I mean I'm super grateful, but what brought this on?"

"Well, you clearly are strongest when the girls are together with you, and even though you spend the day together at school it doesn't appear to be enough for you. And with that Cadence and I have decided each of you should move in with Spike." Shining Armor explained.

"But what do we tell our parents?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah. And I can't just pick up and move out. I have responsibilities at my family farm." Applejack reminded them.

"And what will my parents say about this?" Spike asked.

"Just leave everything to us, Spike." Cadence winked. Spike and Twilight did a double blink feeling what was coming next.

The very next day at the Drake residence, Rarity glomped Spike, "I'm here, my darling Spike. And I promise I'll always be by your side forever, and ever, and ever!" she giggled, while nuzzling the boys face.

Following Rarity were the rest of the girls, "This is gonna be so awesome!" Rainbow cheered, as she carried two duffel bags.

"I know! I'm already planning this super awesome moving in party tonight!" Pinkie cheered, while carrying a big bag.

"Goodness, Pinkie, what did you pack?" Fluttershy gasped, as she carried a bag.

"Cake. Candy. Mostly cake, and then some." she grinned.

Applejack approached, while carrying a suitcase, "Well, I sure can't wait to see how this works."

"I'm still glad your grandma and bro approved of you staying here." Spike said.

"They said it was a matter of time before I needed to make my own decisions and that this would be a good step. Besides I can still help out at the farm. Just have to do a bit of driving there."

Sunset Shimmer came in next, "I'm really looking forward to living together with all of you."

"It'll be like we're one big family!" Pinkie cheered.

Fluttershy spoke to Twilight who was standing next to Stone, "Sorry about this." she told Twilight.

"Well, this was an order from my brother and Cadence backed up by Celestia and Luna. So what can we do?" she asked, until a smile formed on her face as an idea came to mind, "I got it! I'm going to have my brother and Cadence remodel this whole house completely."

"Remodel?" Spike asked.

"Since there are few guest bedrooms we all deserve to live in a place that can fit all of us." Twilight said, as the girls got excited.

"Huh, sounds like a plan." Spike admitted, and turned to Stone, "Stone, I need to tell you something and I don't want you to take it the wrong way."

"You want me to move out, right?"

"Precisely. It's nothing personal. But now that I have enough to call a harem I need all the privacy I can get and that means not having you living here to mess with my funky flow."

"Funky flow?" Stone asked.

"Don't ask."

Stone answered, "Well, ok. Besides I'm graduating soon and Octavia's gonna be having me move in with her anyway."

"You're moving in with Octavia? But what about Vinyl?" Spike asked.

"She'll be moving out as well. Just like you she's gonna give the two of us all the privacy we need. Who knows maybe you'll have enough room here after the remodeling for her."

Spike thought about it and smiled, "I'll keep that in mind."

As the girls continued to move their bags and luggage, Spike thought, 'I finally have all my harem living under the same roof with me! Bahamut, we did it!'

"Hooray." Bahamut said stoically.

Meanwhile sitting on a throne was Tirek who learned of what happened to his partner, "Sombra, you pitiful fool. You failed and betrayed me. No matter. As long as I still have power and influence. My reign will be at hand."

"Lord Tirek, sir." came a voice.

Tirke got up and looked across the throne room, "What?"

Walking into the throne room were two figures. The first looked like an anthro ram wearing a bell around his neck, and had red eyes. He wore blue and gray necromancer robes. The second was an anthro cat woman with red fur and long orange hair. She was wearing a red dress with a white furred collar, and sleeve cuffs.

"You called for us, sir." the cat woman inquired.

"In light of Sombra's betrayal, it is time I step into the limelight. But I will require both your aids in the inevitable battle that lies ahead. I trust the two of you will be able to handle it? Grogar? Catrina?"

"No problem at all, Lord Tirek." Catrina answered.

"Those elements of harmony and that dragon boy won't best us." Grogar promised.

"See that they don't. Because if you fail me I will introduce you to pain greater than anything you can ever imagine," Tirek warned them, before dismissing them. When the two left, Tirek looked out a window, "Nightmare, Chrysalis, Sombra. You three left me with a mess I need to clean up. But I will not make the same mistakes as you three. Count on it." his eyes glowed for a moment.

Author's Notes:

And this concludes this season. Don't miss the next chapter bringing us into the new season my friends. Keep it real.