"Ya what now?" Applejack exclaimed. "Ah tell ya, King Sombra, Ah don't care whatever truth ya made Twi see. All we want is our old Twi back, and yer goin' to make sure that happens."

King Sombra snorted. "Do you really expect me to surrender that easily by relinquishing control on my most powerful subject yet? You might take this as nonsense and not believe me, my little ponies, but your Twilight is gone. She's been replaced by a better her: her dark side that she's managed to imprison inside the depths of her soul for so long. I've done it a great favor, and that is granting it freedom from its soul prison. Now, it shall serve only me, and me only."

"Slow down now, big guy," Rainbow Dash told him. "You're telling us that Twilight's got this evil side that she managed to imprison in her soul for a long time? And now it took over her body and made her this... this monster?"

King Sombra gave the rainbow-maned pegasus a dark smile. "Indeed... Rainbow Dash, I believe? The best flyer in Ponyville who's wanted to get into the Wonderbolts since fillyhood?"

Rainbow Dash, although suspicious of his sudden curiousity in her fillyhood dream, slowly nodded in response.

"I can make that dream come true, Rainbow Dash. But why should I stop at just making you a plain old Wonderbolt? How would you like to be the captain instead of an aerial team even more elite than the Wonderbolts?" King Sombra's smile grew as he saw the struggle on the pegasus's face.

"A team even more e-elite than the W-Wonderbolts?" Rainbow Dash finally managed to choke out. "Equestria's n-never had one!"

"That's because the Wonderbolts were afraid of this team so much that they convinced historians to erase every trace of its existence from the history books," King Sombra responded simply.

"A-Afraid? Why?" Rainbow Dash asked, confused.

"At that time, the Wonderbolts were just a brand new team slowly rising in popularity. They never expected the day that the Shadowbolts, their lone competitor during the Equestria Aerobatics Competition, bravely volunteered to be their opponent. Every other aerial team was too afraid to challenge the Wonderbolts, but the Shadowbolts weren't. In fact, they actually managed to win against the Wonderbolts, whose captain thought the defeat to be so humiliating that he convinced historians of that time to erase the Shadowbolts from any history record."

"They beat the Wonderbolts? Where are they now? How come the Shadowbolts haven't been so hot in the news lately then?" Rainbow Dash gasped, finally able to speak normally again without stuttering.

"After the Equestria Aerobatics Competition, they were never seen again, and that's because the Wonderbolts ponynapped their members and murdered them in secret. This is a true fact because a few days later after their strange disappearance, one of the Wonderbolts was seen leaving the Everfree Forest with a bloodstained coat. When the police finally managed to get an answer out of that particular Wonderbolt - and it wasn't a decent one either - they traveled to the cabin that the Wonderbolt mentioned, which was hidden deep within the Everfree Forest, and was met with bodies confirmed to be those of the Shadowbolts later on."

"That can't be! If they're actually dead now, then why'd you want me to be the captain of a nonexistent team?"

"It's because I've managed to find replacements for the Shadowbolts in order to revive their legacy, and they're all waiting eagerly for you to accept the role of being their respectful captain," King Sombra told her as suddenly three ponies dressed in a blacker version of the Wonderbolts' attire appeared next to him, their wings folded.

"We've been waiting for you, Captain Rainbow Dash," the tallest one said, bowing slightly.

"We know that you can lead us all to glory," the other two said in unison.

"This... this is the hardest decision I've ever got to make in my entire life," Rainbow Dash gulped, torn between one decision and another. She really wanted to become the captain of this elite team that was even more better than the Wonderbolt, but her Element of Loyalty was holding her back, constantly reminding her of her friends and how helpless they'd be without her.

"Rainbow Dash, you can't!" The rainbow-maned mare's eyes widened as she turned around to look at the one who'd spoke.

Fluttershy.

Her expression was now one of raw determination, which was extremely rare for the meek pegasus. Usually, she was a doormat, constantly being bullied by others until one of her friends saw her and had to intervene in order to protect her. Of course she hated being one, but it wasn't easy to change one's personality that fast. Besides, the first and last time she actually tried to stop being a doormat, she'd turned into a cold, heartless monster and mistreated her friends. Thankfully, Rarity and Pinkie Pie managed to talk some sense into her in the end, and that's how she got back to being the Fluttershy everyone liked and knew. Her current expression though, didn't make it seem like she had all of that history... that meekness.

"You can't, Rainbow," Fluttershy repeated forcefully, "we can't trust King Sombra... ever."

"Oh, but of course you can," a familiar, cold voice cut in. It was Twilight this time, smiling darkly. "He helped me to see the truth of what you all truly are, so why shouldn't he be trusted? Give in, girls; there's no point in fighting anymore. Just give in and you won't have to suffer intensely for being on the wrong side. Surrender, and you'll live a life full of peace for the rest of your days... once we conquer Equestria, of course."

"No!" Spike suddenly shouted, surprising all the others. "We'll never surrender, and we'll bring our true friend back as well!"

"My, my... how interesting. You still don't see a bit of sense after all this apparent trouble. Very well then, my little ponies. Since we've got more important affairs to attend to at the moment, I'm afraid Twilight and I can't lengthen our stay here any longer. Rest assured, however, that we shall meet again soon." King Sombra faked a sad sigh, his curved red horn glowing as he began to cast a teleportation spell.

"And then... I will make you see sense, the way I made your friend Twilight see it!" Evil laughter filled the decimated room as a dark black mist completely enveloped the two ponies and then vanished, quickly teleporting them to another place.

"This is bad, really bad," Applejack was saying, concern on her face. "We've learned that our Twi got corrupted by that evil monster, an' he almost got Rainbow if not for Fluttershy. But that's not what worries me the most, y'know... what worries me the most is what he meant by tellin' us that he'll make us see sense like he did to Twi."

"We need to get help, and fast," Rainbow Dash cut in. "Who knows what that tyrant Sombra's planning? The problem is, however... who's got a wide expanse of knowledge on magic and isn't on King Sombra's side?"

Suddenly, the six friends' eyes lit up as the answer came to their heads at the same time.

"Princess Celestia!"

The Mane Five, including Spike, were escorted inside the Canterlot castle and to the royal hall by two Equestrian guards. As the doors to the hall opened, they were startled to see Princess Celestia standing there as if she'd known ahead of time that they'd be there soon.

"Ah, welcome," Princess Celestia greeted, giving them a sad smile. "I was just about to be on my way to find you. If you don't mind, my little ponies, we have a lot to discuss about. Follow me then, please."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

The Princess led the friends to her own personal chambers, opening the door to her bedroom as they all settled down on wooden throne-like chairs that she had just conjured, trying to be comfortable.

"Now then, shall we begin?" Princess Celestia asked, turning around just as the others got comfortable enough on their chairs.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"No need to be so formal, my little ponies. Just Princess Celestia is fine. Anyways, I've caught news from the Crystal Empire that King Sombra's escaped once again. I'm certain we all know how dangerous King Sombra is after the events at the Crystal Empire, correct?"

"Well, yes, Princess Celestia," Rarity said, noticing that all of the others were too shaken still to even speak.

"Very well. I've also been informed that my own personal protégé, Twilight Sparkle, is missing from Ponyville. Do you happen to know anything about this, or is this simply a coincidence as ponies would say?" Celestia narrowed her eyes, placing a lot of emphasis on the word "coincidence".

"Ma'am," Applejack began, anxiously shifting in her seat. "'Ah know this might be a great shocker, so sorry if it really is, but... King Sombra escaped because Twi helped him to."

"Perhaps I don't really understand you, Applejack, because I do know that my most gifted student would never do such a thing," Princess Celestia replied matter-of-factly.

"Ma'am, Ah apologize for soundin' rude, but Ah'm not finished yet. Anyways, Twi got corrupted by that monster Sombra, an' she helped him escape in return. We met her at the Golden Oak Library, an' that's where everythin' turned upside down when we realized what he'd done."

"If that's so," Princess Celestia mused after Applejack finished speaking, "if what you say is really true, Applejack, then Equestria is in grave danger. We must try to get to Twilight as soon as possible in case she loses herself to the darkness forever. Come with me now, my little ponies. I'm certain I know just the magic we need in order to do so."

The group slowly filed into the royal Canterlot library, eyeing the shelves upon shelves of books surrounding them sadly as memories of their book-loving friend were brought to the surface of their minds. "Twi woulda loved this," Applejack sighed, bowing her head.

"My dear sister, I came as soon as you called. What do you need of me?" Princess Luna's voice sounded from behind them as they turned around to see the other Royal Sister, her flowing mane sparkling.

"Ah, Luna," Celestia smiled sadly before explaining to her the current situation in order to keep her up-to-date as well.

"Oh, my... what a terrible thing," Luna whispered as soon as Celestia finished. Although she'd tried to seal her memories of being Nightmare Moon far in the back of her mind and just forget about them, her method apparently didn't work as the memories came back, clear as ever. Twilight's corruption reminded her too much of them; it drew tears from her eyes as she began to sob.

"Do not cry, sister, for that cursed time is over. You are no longer Nightmare Moon, but instead Princess Luna," Celestia's voice broke through Luna's muddled thoughts like she'd known that she was thinking about her time as Nightmare Moon all along; slowly, the black mare stifled her crying, regaining her composure.

"Luna, do you happen to remember where the Book of Divinity is hidden? Only the Book has the information that we need in order to defeat King Sombra once and for all."

Luna nodded in response, leading the group to the far end of the library where six shelves littered with ancient books stood. Placing her hoof upon the spine of one particular one, the bookshelves swung back to reveal by a dark staircase crumbling from age. "Be careful and put your hooves only where I put them. These stairs are bound to crumble away at even a light touch," Luna warned, slowly guiding them to the very bottom of the staircase. Thankfully, there weren't any accidents, and they all managed to leap off the very last step onto solid ground as they stared at the oakwood table in front of them. A book sat upon it, its cover littered with strange runes and symbols; the Princesses opened it, carefully trying to avoid tearing the book's pages as they were very fragile from age.

The two Royal Sisters studied the book for what seemed like a long while. Starting to get bored, Rainbow Dash was just about to explore the damp room they were in when finally, the Princesses gestured for them to gather around the table.

"According to the Book of Divinity, a legendary book written by Starswirl the Bearded, there is a seventh element - the Element of Divinity - that we can harness in order to purify darkness itself," Celestia began to explain.

"The Element of Divinity? But how could there be a seventh element? It was hard enough already trying to find the sixth element back then!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, her curiosity about the room forgotten as she tried to process this new piece of information.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash, but the six elements apart are not as powerful as when they're combined. To simplify, the Element of Divinity is the result when all six elements are combined. Imagine how powerful the Element of Divinity would be if only one element was that powerful enough already."

"It'd be... divine," Pinkie whispered.

"Exactly, Pinkie Pie," Celestia nodded. "The Element of Divinity is made up of all six elements: Magic, Kindness, Loyalty, Generosity, Honesty, and Laughter. If you still don't get how powerful the seventh element would be, take your friendship for example. Your friendship, as of right now, is already quite powerful. But when all the elements are combined, the strength of your friendship would seem like a tiny pinprick compared to the Element of Divinity's power."

"Has there ever been a Bearer of Divinity?" Rarity piped up.

"An excellent question, Rarity. There are many ancient legends that have rumored so, but we can't be specific on whether the legends are true or not," Luna replied, her eyes glittering.

"But aren't the six elements themselves enough to defeat King Sombra? He doesn't even know we have them yet!" Rainbow Dash pointed out desperately, unable to believe that there was a seventh element after all that hard work on finding the sixth one back then.

"You forgot one thing, Rainbow Dash. King Sombra has already corrupted Twilight's mind and body, but not her memories, so there's a fair chance that he's already learned all he could from her memories." It was Celestia answering this time, tilting her head slightly.

"Look, gals, Ah don't know why yer all wastin' time on askin' questions, but we've got a friend to save. Princess Luna, Princess Celestia... is there a spell for combinin' all the elements together to get this Element of Divinity?" Applejack said.

Celestia smiled. "Of course, Applejack. However, this spell is a very complex one to weave and would take all of Luna and I's energy to cast. Therefore, we would be in no condition to ensure Equestria's safety, and we have yet to figure out a temporary replacement."

"Ah think Princess Cadance's fit for rulin' in the meantime, don't ya agree?" Applejack looked at the others, who nodded.

Luna tilted her head. "Very well then. There is but one last question though."

"An' what would that be, Princess Luna?"

"When the elements are successfully merged together and the Element of Divinity is called forth, a Bearer must be chosen that is strong enough to harness the seventh element's immense power. In addition, by merging the elements, your connections to them will be severed and you'll no longer be under your element's protection. Basically, you'll feel very tired. Are you willing to take these risks, my little ponies?"

"Yes!" the Element Bearers shouted.

"Who's going to be the Bearer of Divinity though?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"If only Twi was here," Applejack sighed in response, "she's one to take risks like this."

"I will," Fluttershy volunteered, her voice barely audible over the others as she stepped forward bravely.

"But Fluttershy, you've never shouldered this kind of responsibility before!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, shocked to the core by Fluttershy's unexpected decision.

"You might get hurt! The Element of Divinity is really powerful!" Pinkie Pie gasped.

"She's right!" Applejack agreed, concerned about her friend's safety.

"Girls, look. Somepony's got to do this no matter what, and even if somepony else volunteered that was a better choice than me, the seventh element's too powerful anyway for any of us to control properly," Fluttershy said, her expression determined just like back at the Golden Oak Library. "I'm good at taming wild animals, so I'm sure that I can tame some energy too. It's really the same thing... I hope."