Celestia felt her body becoming weak and cold. She had to keep going for Twilight's sake, she couldn't stop. She pushed her magic beyond her limit, but it was working. Twilight's magical flow was speeding up, and her gash was about closed. She couldn't think of what Pinkie Pie was doing to keep her sister busy, but whatever she was doing it was working. Celestia took a bit of comfort knowing that she now had a working plan to get Twilight and Pinkie away from Canterlot. Shining Armor was on his way to the royal gardens, and she would teleport Pinkie and Twilight to the garden to meet him there, and he would ensure that they get somewhere safe. Twilight would have the medical attention she needed, and she would stay behind to deal with her sister Luna.

Luna...what would she do about her deranged sister? Celelstia loved her sister, and to learn that she had killed Twilight's and Pinkie's friends, on top of slaughtering her guard, was heartbreaking. She had thought that they have resolved the bad blood between them. Luna spoke of having all of the elements and saving Equestria. She wanted the elements to harness their power and amplify her own. Celestia didn't know where she had gotten these idea's from, but they had to be stopped from becoming a reality. She would do her duty as the ruler of Equestria....

"P...Princess?"

Celestia's heart skipped a beat hearing Twilight's voice. It was weak, but it was more than she hoped for. It seems her magic was taking more of an effect than she thought.

"It's okay Twilight, just rest. You'll be safe here soon. Just relax."

Celestia finally closed the gash in Twilight's body. She opened her eyes to look at her work. Twilight's gash was completely closed but there was a faint scar that ran down her underbelly. It would have to do. She felt her body going numb now, but her work had ended. Twilight would survive, at least long enough for her to get medical help. She knew she had drained much of her magic, but it was well worth it to her.

"I..I'm sorry." Twilight whispered. "I should have killed her..."

Celestia did not want to hear these words. She knew now that Twilight had definitly changed...to be sorry that she couldn't kill some pony? She could only imagine what would happen to her in the future, but she would make it her mission to help curve Twilight's anger and hatred, and hopefully bring out the old Twilight, who was loving and caring. Either way, she couldn't dwell on that now. She had completed her task, now she only hoped that Pinkie was still okay so she could get them out of this living hell.

The black void that blocked the outside world to Celestia in her mind started to fade away, and slowly the once beautiful hall appeared before her once again. She staggered up to her hooves, while Twilight still laid on the ground covered in dried blood. Celestia took in the completely destroyed hall, with the walls completly lost of its once beautiful marble, the floors were ripped open, and there was even what looked like a crater in the ceiling. There were a pile of Lunar guards laying on the ground in their own blood. She quickly realized that Luna must be using her guard to take Canterlot and only hoped that General Blaze had evacuated all the citizens out of Canterlot before they came. She didn't know why Luna's guard would help her carry out her deranged dreams of power, but she didn't have time to find out.

"You have been selfish Luna..."

Celestia knew that voice, but it sounded much more darker and almost joyful. She quickly took notice of a dark pink mare standing over Luna. She held a red spectral blade to Luna's throat, and a dark red and pink aura radiated from her body. She quickly realized that this was Pinkie Pie, but she had changed so much. Her mane and tail that used to be so bouncy and poofy were now flat and her bright pink color was only a dark shade of itself. She noticed that one of her eyes were blood red while the other was blue. Celestia looked over the dark pink mare and saw that Pinkie was using magic. Celestia studied it carefully for a moment, knowing that Pinkie was an earth pony, and she couldn't utilize magic, but here she was doing it. She noticed that there were actaully two flows within her. There was a pink one that moved slowly, so she wasn't using that, but there was also another set of magical veins, to say, within her. They glowed a dark red, and it was rushing through her body. If any other pony had this ability as her, they might have thought they were seeing blood, but Celestia knew that this was a kind of dark magic that ran through her.

"You got to share..."

Celestia quickly brought her focus back to Pinkie Pie. She saw anger and fear in her sister's eyes and knew that Pinkie was going to kill her. She couldn't let that happen. Luna was her sister and responsibility and if anyone had to to do it, Celestia swore it would be her.

She had to stop Pinkie....

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

Shining Armor's heart pumped furiously within him. He was almost to the castle gates and with every step he was closer to getting to his sister.

I won't let you die..

He kept repeating the same slogan in his head, forcing his body to keep moving. He couldn't lose Twilight. He felt the hard ground underneath his hooves as they moved, and the wind speeding through his mane as he ran. The castle came into his sight and his heart leaped knowing that he was getting close, though it would be short lived. He kept running but noticed that the sun's light was fading away. He looked up and his eyes opened in sudden shock. There were Lunar pegasi flying over him, but it wasn't just a few or even a small group. It seemed to be a whole armada of them flying over him! His mind raced with thoughts of Blaze and his fellow guards. He could only hope that they were already gone. He looked back in front of him and saw that there were more Luna guards and they were surrounding the castle. About ten or fifteen of them stood at the front of the castle watching the door to make sure no one got in. He wondered why they weren't going into the castle, just standing and guarding it. Maybe they were also making sure that no got out also...like Twilight. He noticed that they didn't seem normal, seeing their eyes engulfed in a black color. The few Lunar guards he had seen being on the guard usually had different eye colors, but now they were all black. He had never seen them like this, but it wasn't going to stop him form going in and getting to the gardens. He slowly backed up, wanting to get a better understanding and a plan of how he was going to get in there....

"Solar Guard!"

Shit....

"There's a Solar guard here! Kill him!," one of the guards yelled.

The group of Lunar guards looked straight at him. The unicorns in the groups summoned blades that had Luna's cutie mark engraved on their handles and the earth ponies unsheathed their blades with their mouths, positioning their swords to kill the lone Captain. Shining quickly looked up to the sky hoping that the flying pegasi hadn't heard the warning, but they only kept flying. They were starting to cover the sky and completely surround Canterlot, but he couldn't worry about it. He had a more immediate problem to deal with.

"Kill him!" The group guarding the entrance to the castle charged at him. The earth ponies ran toward him with their deadly blades ready to kill him, and the unicorns kept their blades in front of them with their magic, wanting to plunge them into his white flesh.

Shining Armor quickly summoned his blade. A white steel blade appeared before him with the familar handle before him. It was gold with streaks of blue within it, and in the center it had a blue shield. A blade fit for the Captian of Celestia's guard. He had trained many times through his career with the blade, and became almost masterful in his technique, but this would be the first it would taste blood.He had hoped it never would.

He readied his blade to defend himself, but his heart raced seeing the group coming towards him. Could he really fend off all of them? He knew how to fight multiple enemies, or more like sparring buddies, but never with an intention to kill. He knew that there was something wrong with the guards that came towards him, the black color swirling in their eyes, but was he willing to kill them? He thought about Twilight, and resolved quickly he that he really had no choice. If he had to take lives for his sister, then he would. He felt a fire light in his heart as he thought about Twilight....

"It seems your going to need some help."

Shining quickly turned to an orange pegasus that stood next to him with a sword in hoof.

"What are you doing here Blaze?! Your supposed to be gone with the others!"

Blaze turned to meet his gaze and smiled.

"Silver has that taken care of, he was pretty efficient getting everyone out of here quickly. Might have to promote him when we get back, and then deal with you for that swing of yours."

Shining smirked remembering his hoof going across Blaze's face earlier...

"Besides, I simply couldn't let you go by yourself to get your sister now can I? If you get killed, I'll never hear the end of it," Blaze looked over to the ever closer of charging Lunar guards," Now, how about we deal wit these guys so you can get your sister." Blaze stood on his hind legs and shouldered his sword.

"Alright then General. Let's see who gets to the entrance first then." Blaze beamed, loving himself a challenge.

"I will. See you there!" Blaze spread his wings and flew towards the charging Lunar guards. Shining Armor floolwed suit. He charged blade first, and felt the fire in his heart burn.

He quickly found out that battle could be very exhilirating...

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

Pinkamena's heart was as loud as a drum in her chest. She loved how she had so much power and now held the defeated Luna's fate in her hoof. Her body trembled with such excitement.

"You have to share..."

She wanted all of it. She no longer just wanted her blood, she wanted everything that made Luna. She just wanted to rip open her body and just climb into it and feel Luna's slick organs covered in blood against her body. She wanted to feel her pain surround her. It was like a drug that she had to have, and she was going through withdrawals from going so long without it.

"Do it!" Luna yelled. If she was going to die by this pink pony, then she didn't want it dragged out.

"So eager Luna! I love it! Alright then!" Pinkamena knew this was the moment. The moment she had wanted for so long. She pressed her knife firmly against sapphire blue coat. Pinkamena eyes grew wide. She couldn't contain it anymore.

"This is so exciting! I'm so excited! Are you excited Luna, because I am!" Pinkamena squealed in her delight.

"Just do it you insane pony!" Luna yelled, wanting this mental torture to end. She couldn't believe she was so easily beaten by some maniac, and just wanted an end to it if she was going to die.

Pinkamena pressed it harder against her neck. She took her arm and was about to slice open her neck to watch her choke on her own blood. She moved her arm...but it didn't budge. Her excitement instantly dissapeared and filled with confusion. She tried to move her arm to slice the waiting Luna, but it wasn't budging. Pinkamena was growing angry. What was keeping her from having her fun? She looked at her bloodied arm and noticed a yellow aura holding her arm in place.

Luna didn't dare look. She didn't know what Pinkamena was doing, but she would not let her have the satisfaction of her seeing the life leave her eyes.

Pinkamena was now growing furious. This yellowish aura was actually holding her body in place. She couldn't move at all! What was happening?....something clicked in her insane mind. She had completely forgotten about Celestia and Twilight again since she was caught up with her obsession of finally being able to kill Luna. She darted her eyes to the side of her head, as she couldn't even move it, and saw a standing Celestia using her magic on her.

"What are you doing?! I was just about to have my fun!" Pinkamena yelled to her. She was furious that Celestia had stopped her. She was so close to having her blood spill....

"I cannot let you kill her Pinkie. She is my sister, and it is my responsibility to deal with her. You have done enough," Celestia stated firmly. Celestia would not let Pinkie Pie do this. This was not her burden, but hearing Pinkie's words, it seemed to be more of a pleasure than a burden.

Luna heard Celestia speak to Pinkamena. She slowly turned her head while still feeling Pinakmena's knife still pressed against her neck. She now saw that the pink mare was frozen in fornt of her by Celestia's magic. Luna didn't understand why Celestia just wouldn't let Pinkamena kill her. Why did Celestia have to 'deal' with her as she put it? It didn't matter, she was going to to take advantage of this moment and end Pinkamena once and for all. Her horn lit up with what looked like a black fire that surrounded it. She was going to burn the hell out of her until she was nothing but ashes. She saw Pinkamena's eyes move back to her seeing her horn. Luna smiled but just as she was about to release deadly flames, her head was slammed to the wall and was kept there. She winced as she knew what was keeping her from moving now, just as the hated Pinkamena couldn't move.

Celestia was not surprised that Luna would try to take an opportunity to kill Pinkie. She had actually expected it to happen, and already planndd for if she did. Luna and Pinkie were now held within her magical grasp, but she knew she wouldn't be able to hold it for long. She had lost of her magic to sustain Twilight, and though she did not look it to the two bound by her, inside she felt weak, and even standing was now only fueled by pure willpower.

"Don't even try Luna. You and I will speak momentarily. As for you Pinkie, you have given me enough time to sustain Twilight but she will need to find medical attention very soon. If not, she will still die."

Pinkamena didn't want to hear it. She was so close to having her fun and now Celestia was here to ruin it for her.

"Stop calling me Pinkie! I'm Pinkamena! And I don't care! I want to have fun with Luna!"

Celestia was shocked to hear her. So this was Pinkamena? Celestia quickly came to a realization that this must be the Element of Laughter's essence. It was sick, twisted, and dark, and had completly changed Pinkie Pie into what was now Pinkamena. She figured that Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie must be split personalities of each other and Pinkamena was the very opposite of Pinkie Pie.

Pinkamena's anger was boiling over. She had to have her fun. She hated any pony that was a party pooper.

Twilight will die...

"Shut up!" Pinkamena could hear Pinkie Pie's voice in her head reminding her over and over again about Twilight. She knew Twilight needed help, but Pinkamena needed to help herself first.

Celestia and Luna now looked over to the frozen pink pony that was now supposedly talking to herself. Celestia knew that this must be Pinkie Pie that was inside now trying to come back out.

Pinkamena could feel Pinkie rising within her, trying to take Pinkamena away from the party.

"Stop it! Just let me finish this party and you can come for the after party!"

You're being mean now. Twilight needs help. I thought you were supposed to help me protect her and save her?

"No! Your being mean! It was her fault that she got hurt! We have to hurt Luna! Isn't that what you want?! I got the necklace for you and I was just about to make a new party decoration out of her! She killed your friends! She has to die! Just let me do it!" Pinkamena was starting to sound desperate before Celestia and Luna.

Celestia completely forgot about the necklace! She looked at Pinkamena's neck and there it was hanging around it. She had to get them out of here more than ever now, but Celestia could not release Pinkamena, becasue she needed Pinkie Pie. She only watched Pinkamena talk to herself, but she knew that she was trying to fight Pinkie inside of her. Pinkie wanted control back. She could feel her magic waning away by keeping them in her grasp. She would have to help Pinkie gain control, though she would have to employ a method she rather not use, but if she didn't, she would lose them both, and one of them would die, and she didn't want that.

No! I have to save Twilight! I don't care about Luna!

"I do! It's what I want, not you!

Your being a giant meanie! It's time for you to leave and I don't want to see you ever again!

Pinkamena felt shocks in her, and she felt Pinkie Pie trying to regain control. If Pinkie wouldn't let her have her fun, then hell with Twilight. Pinkie wasn't being fair. She had just delivered Luna to her, but yet she wanted save some pony? She knew her purpose was to help Pinkie, but not when she was so close to her prize. Pinkie didn't understand how much she needed it!

"No! Stop! Pinkie Pie! Stop it!!!" Pinkamena yelled out in pain, not the pain that excited her earlier, but this was the pain of her leaving. She fought against Pinkie Pie. Her red aura was fading, and she could feel herself waning away.

Celestia, along with Luna, watched as Pinkamena fought within herself. Pinakemena's coat was slowly turning back to it's bright pink as before. Her tail poofed up once again to it's bouncy former self. Celestia couldn't wait any longer. Her magic was going to fade out. She would help Pinkie Pie regain control of the Element of Laughter that was Pinkamena. Sparks of bright electricity danced around Celestia's horn, and she flung it towards Pinkamena.

Let me out! I have to see Twilight! She needs me!

"No! Luna has to die first!" Pinkamena felt her tail poof out and she turned her eyes towards her arm that was still frozen by Celestia's magic, and watched as her dark shade of pink was now returning to it's bright form once again. She contnued to fight Pinkie within her, but suddenly, she felt something hit her. Pure electricity hit her, and shocked Pinkamena, making her lose her concentration and will to fight Pinkie Pie in her, now giving Pinkie easy access to regain herself. Her entire body was now completly bright pink once again, and now her mane poofed out to its curly and bouncy self. Only thing that remained of Pinkamena was one blood red eye with Pinkie's blue eye.

"Pinkie! Please, just let me kill her. I'll save Twilight! I just need to see her blood!" Pinkamena's final attempt to convince Pinkie Pie was futile.

No, I am saving Twilight, and you are never coming back!

With that, Pinkamena vanished and the one red eye turned to blue.

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Pinkie Pie was finally back. She looked around and knew she had control again. She remained frozen and looked at Luna who was now just staring at her after witnessing the madness that went on before her.

Luna couldn't say anything. She had never seen such madness happen, and now it wasn't Pinkamena that stood before her, but now Pinkie Pie. How was she beaten by her?

Celestia felt her body going even colder. She had to execute her plan now if she hoped for a chance to get Pinkie and Twilight out safely. She would have to do it quickly, quick enough before her grip lost Luna. She could release Pinkie now, knowing that Pinkie, not Pinkamena, was now back in control, and wanted to see Twilight.

"Pinkie Pie, listen to me quickly," Celestia took a deep breath. Her breathing was becoming shallow, "I need you to to pick up Twilight and support her. I will be transporting you both somewhere to meet her brother. He will take you away from here."

Pinkie Pie nodded. She could hear the desperation in Celestia's voice. The yellow aura dissapeared and Pinkie was able to move once again.. She ran towards Twilight who only laid on the ground beside the panting Celestia.

"Twilight? Can you hear me?" Pinkie rubbed her hoof on Twilight's shoulder, trying to get some type of response from her.

"I..I can hear you...your Pinkie,"Twilight quietly said. Her body was weak, but the pain had vanished. Pinkie cracked a small smile, haeraing her at least speak. She quickly looked over her lavender marefriend and saw that the gash that poured blood earlier was completely gone, and only a faint scar remained.

"Okay Twilight. The princess is going to send us somewhere to meet your brother, and he is going to take you somewhere where can you get some nurse ponies to help you. Your gonna be okay and once your all better I'm gonna throw a giant party for you."

Twilight kept her eyes closed. She was too weak to open them, but she heard Pinkie's words of encouragement. It comforted her to hear her bright fun loving voice. She knew she had given up earlier, but hearing her voice made her want to live. She wanted to live and see Pinkie again and her bouncy and cotton candy smelling mane. Twilight let out a small cough, and smiled weakly, her eyes still closed.

"P..Pinkie Promise?"

Pinkie started to hoist Twilight onto her back until the unicorn was laying across it with her front legs on one side of Pinkie and her back legs on the other.

"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a cupcake in my eye," Pinkie said, but without sticking her hoof into her eye. She had to get Twilight out of here.

Luna watched as her head was held to the wall by her sister. It sickened to see Pinkie helping Twilight, but what ate at her the most was that she was going to lose her precious stone. She hated them..she hated them all...she had to save Equestria...she had to have more power...Luna's eyes glowed a burning white as her hate turned into fury.

Celestia staggered. She looked over to Luna to see that Luna was breaking her magic that bound her. There was not much time left.

"Pinkie! Do you have Twilight?!"

Pinkie adjusted Twilight on her back so the unicorn would be more comfortable.

"I got her Princess."

Luna's coat started changing to a dark black color, her horn became longer, and her mane and tail became bigger.

"Good. I am teleporting you two to Shining Armor and he knows what to do from there. You have to get Twilight to a hospital immediately once your out of Canterlot." Celestia felt a shock through her head, and staggered once again. Luna was breaking her concentration. "You have to go now!

"But what about you?!"

Luna's small black crown was transformed into a light blue helmet, and her black chest plate engraved with the moon changed. Her wings grew much larger, and her pupils turned into slits.

Celestia staggered once more. Luna was getting stronger and she was barely holding on to Luna as it was.

"Do not worry about me. I will handle Luna. You must go." Celestia didn't wait for a response. She released her grip from the now changing Luna, and used the last of her magic on Pinkie. Pinkie opened her mouth to inquire about Celestia's safety, but she wouldn't hear it. Her white horn flashed and Pinkie and Twilight were gone. Celestia dropped to the ground as her laegs failed to support her anymore from using so much magic.She had done it, and now the rest was up to Shining Armor.

Luna was released and free. Her long black wings shot out, and she became bigger and taller. Pinkie and Twilight were gone with her prize. Now only Celestia was before her on the ground, and if she couldn't induce pain into the other two, then her sister was the one who had to suffer. She may have lost her necklace but she would still rule Equestria.

Celestia's breathing became very hard. She could feel her heart working to keep her blood pumping through, trying to keep her alive. She was cold and numb, and she could barely move. She looked over to Luna, and saw the transformation of her sister take place. She saw the black coat and changed armor and the slits in her sister's eyes that replaced her once round pupils. She knew exactly what she was, but she didn't understand how. The Elements of Harmony had removed her and destroyed her. She didn't know if this was Luna in a different form, or was it what she feared.

Nightmare Moon...