Getting up was a pain, but getting down?

In the distance the shield failed - it was now urgent she do so as quick as possible.

Skies walked around the outer ledge until she could look down and see the balcony on which Sparkle was laying sprawled out, exhaustion having taken its toll.  The lavender princess was ringed by the kingdom guards, ready to defend her from the black mass that started to advance forward.

"... as Dawn said, go for broke..." Skies took a leap off the spire.

Her horn flared brightly, guiding her descent.  From her vantage in mid-air she could see the black crystals overtaking the city.  Riding one that was growing straight for the palace she could see a black, badly corrupted unicorn, riding atop it like a beast of burden.  His eyes were set on Sparkle and her kind.

No.  Not again.  This time my Lady won't be so easily defeated.

She used her magic to nudge herself toward a nearby black crystal that was nearly touching the palace and slid along it, holding the Diamond Crown aloft.  

"Hay, Mister McSnooty!"  She shouted, waving the Diamond  Crown before her and drawing the dark unicorn's attention.  "Come and get me!"  She leapt onto another black crystal, sliding away from him around the backside of the castle.

Honesty.

She has admitted she has a problem.

Kindness.

Her kind needed her help.

Loyalty..

She had to protect her friends.

Generosity.

She was going to place herself between Sombra and her princess.

Laughter.

... and she was going to enjoy every minute of it.

She bounced from one black crystal to the other, finally landing on the balcony, her horn glowing a brilliant white which shot out a blinding white sphere to strike the crystal Sombra was riding on.  She grinned as, as she had hoped, it snapped cleanly.  Sombra actually looked down in surprise, before shooting her a hate-filled glare, then fell.  The collapsing spire deposited the black unicorn unceremoniously onto a street a block or so from the palace.

Skies turned to Sparkle.  "I found it!  Quick, that won't delay him for long!"

Sparkle was already climbing to her hooves, smiling at the Diamond Crown as if it was her long-lost savior.  She plucked it onto her herd and her wings appeared, allowing her to fly down to the ground level in the midst of the panicking Diamond Ponies.

"The Crown of Power has returned. Use the light and love within you to ensure that the darkness does not!"  The Princess announced triumphantly, holding the Crown aloft on her head as magic slowly regrew.  All around her the Diamond Ponies stopped their panic, looking on in awe before bowing to their true ruler.  From the center of the crowd outward, a white glow spread, washing over everypony and everything, vaporizing the black crystals.

From the black cloud surrounding the city, there was a roar of pain and surprise. When the light faded out, Skies opened her eyes. Light her physical form, her heart was a reflective glow of peace. But this victory was far from being won for the Diamond Princess.