The six ponies made their slow, cautious way up the street. Since reuniting they hadn't exchanged a single word, instead they merely hugged each other and gave a gentle nuzzle before continuing on their journey. The entire way they kept an eye out for potential ambush sites and attackers, but ever since killing the Zodiacs, nothing came after them. Despite having the Element of Magic with them, there was no endless wave of black shapes to cut through and that merely made them all the more nervous. Either Nightmare Moon was busy with Celestia, or she was planning an ambush. Pray for the first and hope it's not the second.

Moving to the front, Applejack lazily kicked the locked gate with a single hoof and the metal doors were thrown clean off their hinges. In the past, Rainbow Dash might have been awed by such a display of raw power, but considering everything she had done in the last fight, she merely shrugged it off as though it was nothing. Stepping through, she reached up into the sky to touch the storm clouds gathered there. Though it had stopped raining mere minutes ago, there was still enough electricity within them to be deadly. Back to back and with cautious steps, the group slowly advanced, ears twitching at the slightest sound and eyes darting everywhere.

When nothing jumped out at them, Dash gripped the lightning even tighter. Hooves touching the first step, a bolt of purple light slammed into the ground just in front of the double doors. Almost immediately, a barrage of lightning, arrows, fireballs, earthen spikes and a cake (from Pinkie) slammed into the spot. Completely tense and body trembling, Dash brushed the dust away with gentle breeze to reveal a purple dome. There, before them, stood a purple mare in gold and silver armor with four healthy limbs.

Six jaws hit the ground.

“Twilight?” whispered Fluttershy.

“Wait.” Trixie held out a hoof, stopping the yellow Pegasus from running up the steps. “There is no telling what she’s up to.”

“But-“

“I hate to say this, but I agree with Trixie.” Rarity readied a bow. “Twilight was not the most… sane… of mares in the end remember and this could simply be an illusion cast by Nightmare Moon.”

Chuckling softly, Twilight looked straight at Applejack. “I promise to tell the whole truth, only the truth and nothing, but the truth as I understand it. I am the same Twilight Sparkle you all know and I am here to help you defeat Nightmare Moon.”

“Truth,” replied the farm pony without a single bit of hesitation.

“Twilight!” Like a bolt of lightning, Fluttershy zipped over to give the purple mare a hug, but Pinks was faster. Within the blink of an eye, the earthpony was there and with a solid punch, sent Twilight through the door and into the wall. Everypony stared at the party pony in shock.

Coughing and spluttering, Twilight picked herself out of the rubble and rubbed her cheek. “Okay, I deserved that one.” Eyes drifting over those before her, a tired smile appeared. “But it’s good to see you again, even if you all look a bit rough. Especially you, Rar-”

AJ’s eyes widened. “Don’t say it!”

“-ity.”

Flattening her ears against her head, Applejack immediately made a pair earthen ear muffs. Lower lip pouting out, the white unicorn’s scrunched up and tears dotted the corners of her eyes. A second later, the whining began.

“I look ugly. Just look at my tail, my beautiful, precious tail! It’s ruined! Ruined I say. And my coat, ju-“ Dash shoved her hoof into Rarity’s mouth and everypony breathed a sigh of relief. That was, until the unicorn’s eyes narrowed dangerously and the pegasus’ life suddenly flashed before her eyes. With a sheepish smile, she withdrew the offending limb. “-st horrible. Don’t look at me, avert your eyes before the hideousness burns your eyes and makes you go blind. Don’t look at me I say, don’t look!”

“Ya done sugarcube?”

There was a pause as Rarity looked up from her couch. “I need to hide, to lock myself away so the world will not have to gaze at this monstrosity!”

Pause.

“Okay, I’m done.” Getting off the couch, it vanished in a flash of white light. “And Twilight darling, wherever did you manage to get that armor? It’s so… so… dare I say it? It’s so fashionable. Why, it hugs your curves just so and manages to accentuate your figure without looking bulky and revealing much of the body underneath.”

“Um…” Backing up nervously, Twilight bumped into the wall. “Don’t we have a mad alicorn to defeat?”

With a smirk, Trixie trotted past. “Aren’t you glad to be back?” Reaching out with her magic, she began dragging the fashionetta away.

“Pinkie want’s to throw you a part and Pinkamina wants to know if you’re a sadist or a masochist – she’s fine with either,” added Pinks as pushed past. “And don’t think I’ll forgive you as easily as those two.”

“Don’t worry about her.” Dash placed a foreleg on Twilight’s shoulder. “Pinkie always says she’s a party pooper. It’s good to have you back Twi and can I just say, you really know how to go out with a bang, but I am the coolest pony ever and when I go out, it’ll be at least twenty percent cooler.”

“Twilight…” A pair of yellow limbs wrapped themselves tight around the mare. “It’s good to have you back. Princess Celestia was so distraught after you died.”

“Yeah… Princess…” whispered Twilight in return, gazing up at the twilight sky with a distant look in her eyes. “That reminds me.” Conjuring up a crystal much like the one that contained her memories, she passed it over to Fluttershy. “Give this to Luna will you?”

“Luna?”

Chuckling, Twilight merely shook her head. “You’ll understand.”

“Twilight.”

The farmpony and unicorn stared at each other in silence.

“Applejack.”

The two began walking side by side through the empty halls.

“Can you ever forgive me?”

“Ah don’t know sugarcube. On one hoof, you freed me from Truth, on the other hoof, if I don’t figure everything out, my soul will tear itself in half and Ah’ll never get an afterlife.”

Wincing, Twilight sighed sadly. “I wish I could say I’m sorry, but the truth is I’m not. It needed to be done.”

“And that’s what makes it so hard to forgive you.”

With a shrug in reply, they lapsed into silence.

“How did you escape from Tartarus anyways?” asked Dash as she drifted back. “Please tell me you fought your way out. That’d be so awesome!”

Laughing, Twilight winked at her friend. “There might have been some fighting involved.”

“Awesome!” squealed Dash. “I bet you kicked their collective flanks into next week right?”

“What I really want to know is how you managed to escape at all. As far as I know ghosts do not exist in Equestria at all,” remarked Applejack.

“Girls, can we please focus on the task at hand?” asked Twilight. “I will explain everything once this night… er… day…? Is o-“

“Twilight!”

Before any of them could react, a black and red blur tackled Twilight into a wall. Though her horn lit up, the earthpony was faster. Blade descending, it easily lodged itself in Twilight’s throat as a permanent resident. Stepping back, Silent Spell regarded them coolly and readied his blade, waiting for them to make the first move. All the group could do though, was stare at the scene in a stunned silence. She was back. For a minute, Twilight had been back with them and together, they were going to defeat Nightmare Moon. And now… now… she was dead. Again. Body trembling with barely contained fury, Dash took a single step forward, sending sparks cascading out from where her hoof hit the ground. She was going to obliterate that pony.

Before she could figure out the most gruesome way to kill him though, a blade suddenly appeared through his throat. Blood sprayed every and with a twist, the blade came free, letting the body hit the ground. Behind him stood Twilight and with the light shining in their eyes, it almost looked as though her body was flickering.

“Stupid. You can’t kill someone who’s already dead.” Stepping over the body, she wiped off her sword and returned it to its sheath. “Come on, let’s go.”

“You- You- You just killed him?” whispered Fluttershy. “Why? I thought he was a friend.”

“If he was a friend, he wouldn’t have tried to kill me to begin with.” Shoving past Trixie, Twilight took the lead. “We’ve wasted enough time as is. I don’t know how long Princess Celestia will be able to hold out so we have to move quickly.”

“But…”

“But nothing. What? You thought that just because I got some fancy armor and came back from the dead I’d somehow be purified?” Twilight stopped with her back to them, voice brimming with barely contained fury. “Please, stop being so naïve. I have not changed from the pony you all fought at Los Pegasus and to think otherwise is pure stupidity. I am here to save my friend, nothing more and nothing less. Get in my way and I will not hesitate to attack. It just so happens I need to defeat Nightmare Moon to achieve my goals and as long as you don’t object to my actions, we can stay allies.”

Shifting the blade on either side of her body, she began trotted forward once more towards the great double doors of the courtroom. “Here’s the plan, all of you stay back and charge up the Elements while I distract Nightmare Moon and keep you all safe. I estimate I can give you thirty seconds. Maybe forty if I’m really lucky. Got that?”

Still stunned from her previous speech, the group could only stare at her in shock.

“Good.” Spinning around, she bucked the door open and trotted through. “Honey, I’m hooooooome!”

The moons circled the sun, constructing and pulsing waves of white light. Again and again it slammed against the celestial sun, but each time a wave of transparent gold repelled it. On her knees and trembling, it took all of Celestia's willpower to keep up her defenses. Even now, she could feel the darkness wrapping around her sun, sucking away the power and sending chills through her body. The sky rippled like the surface of a pond as the battle took place.

Beside her, Gaia still managed to stand, though her legs were shaking uncontrollably and her breaths came out in hard pants. The endless ocean above them rose and fell as she fought against the moon for control. More than once Celestia felt her sister's subtle power carefully directing and deflecting their magics. All around them, the plants grew and wilted, and though Celestia wished to help out Gaia, she had no power to spare. Each pulse was like a hammer slamming into her unprotected head.

Before them, Nightmare Moon stood with her head held high and wings open. Not a bead of sweat decorated her body let alone any sign of desperate panting. Instead, she gazed at them with an amused expression on her face as though it was all a game to her. It would have worked if it wasn't for the fact that the four stars were barely visible anymore.

No. Twilight's sacrifice would not be in vain. All she had given up, all she had done – Celestia would not let that go to waste. She was going to win and she was going to defeat the Nightmare. For Equestria... For Twilight...

Pushing herself back onto her hooves, she threw wings wide open. The sun flared to life, throwing light onto the entire world and beside her, Gaia seemed to draw strength from the sunlight. Flowers bloomed and trees sprouted. With her magic filling the sky, Celestia could feel her sister's gentle hoof, guiding her spells to where they'd do the most damage and deflecting the worst of Nightmare Moon's blows.

A single star shattered.

Then another.

Then another.

Then another.

Devoid of stars, Nightmare Moon stumbled back as though she had been bucked in the face. Dropping onto one knee, she slowly pushed herself back onto her feet, but Celestia did not let her recover. Channeling more magic than she thought possible, the white alicorn split the sun into three – one for dawn, one for midday and one for dusk. They swirled and spun in the sky, circling the moons as waves of golden light burst forth. Under the assault, Luna had no choice, but to withdraw her moons to a safe distance. In that split second, Gaia took control of the flow of magic to create an echo chamber. Every spell that missed or was deflected bounced back towards the moons, slamming into them from all sides. Soon, the Nightmare was on her knees before the two sisters.

"It is over Nightmare, you cannot win."

"Oh Celly, Celly, Celly, always an optimist." Eyes glowing navy blue, Nightmare regarded the two with an amused expression on her face. "Let me show you the truth."

The plants around her feet wilted and died. The darkness came back, pressing down on the suns. The moons stabilized and began converging directly above them. Tendrils of white light began snaking out and wrapping themselves around the three suns, Celestia was bought to her knees once more. Struggling against the bonds, she could feel her divine powers being sucked away, drained to fill the hideous monster before her.

Why did Twilight have to die? Why couldn't it have been some other pony? Why must they all treat her like a goddess? All she ever wanted, all she ever needed was to be loved and cherished like family. There was no pony to confide in until just a few years ago when Twilight stumbled into her life. All she ever wanted to be was normal. So why? Why did they have to treat her so differently? And now, the only pony she could ever call friend was gone. Just like Starswirl. Just like Sunny Days. Just like every pony who had ever meant anything to her. She was alone in the world and she'd always be alone in the world.

What did it matter?

Let the world go the ruin. Who cares? There was nothing left for her there. In fact, if the world was gone, there'd be less pain in the long run. No more friends, no more students, no more attachments. It'd be perfect.

A still world...

A world with no sadness...

A perfect world...

"Twilight Sparkle, I should have known you'd betray me."

Smirking, the purple mare took a single step forward and readied her horn. "So tell me, how does it feel to be outplayed by a mortal? Must burn pretty badly I bet."

"A single battle is of no consequence. What happens now though, will determine the course of this little war." Throwing her wings open, the air began crackling as the Nightmare charged up her horn.

"Well then-"

Both ponies suddenly vanished in a flash of light only to reappear in the centre of the room, two swords clashing and straining against each other. A second, then third, then forth, then fifth blade appeared. After a flurry of slices and thrusts, the two vanished. The marble floor exploded at their re-entry, sending shards of razor sharp stone in all direction. Reaching out with her magic, Twilight gripped each one and sent them rocketing back to Nightmare Moon.

A hum filled the room as the Elements began charging up.

A simple flare of her wings deflected the missiles and threw up over three dozen orbs around Twilight and the Bearers. Throwing up a shield, the purple mare was forced to layer barrier after barrier on top of itself to keep everypony safe. Even then, she was barely keeping up with the destructive powers of Nightmare Moon.

With a feral snarl, Twilight threw up six magical shields layered on top of each other and teleported out using the blinding flashes of light to mask her move. Appearing beside the throne, she located her enemy as her eyes shone with an inner light. Almost immediately a pillar of golden light slammed into Nightmare Moon. It cut through the roof, it cut through the sky, it cut through the very ground itself.

Electricity crackled through the room and the hum intensified until it was a dull ache that rocked Twilight's very core.

But it wasn't enough and Twilight knew that. Crystalline magenta blades appeared in the air, each one skewering the spot the alicorn stood. Wrapping a barrier around the Nightmare, Twilight detonated all the swords. The explosion of sound pushed her back and deep fractures ran out from the epicenter. Sending her magic into the ground, Twilight was forced to hold the very ground they were standing on together least the entire castle slide off the cliff it was on.

A single beam of pure black shot out from the dust. Striking Twilight dead center of the chest, she was flung back, narrowing missing Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Hitting the wall, claws reached out of the wall, drawing blood as they gripped her. Under the light of the Elements, her body seemed to flicker as she tried to blast the claws holding her.

With a smirk, the Nightmare turned her attention to the defenseless Bearers.

"Sister?" Gaia's eyes flicked to the side as Celestia's screaming was suddenly cut off. "Celly? You alright?"

"My name is not Celestia." The great alicorn swept her head to the side and Gaia's eyes widened. Instead of a pair of magenta eyes, she came face to face with a draconic ones – ones that looked exactly like the Nightmare's. "My name is Nightmare Solarus. And the world shall be basked in an eternal stillness where suffering does not exist."

Gaia could only watch helplessly as golden armor came into existence around Celestia's body. Then, from the tip of her snout, color began rippling out, turning it into a pale yellow even as Nightmare Moon slowly approached from behind with a sadistic smile on her face.

"She's my sister now," purred the dark alicorn, while nuzzling Nightmare Solarus. "Isn't she just so lovely? Now my pet, would you like the honor of finishing off your former sister?"

The newly corrupt alicorn nodded jerkily and shifting the sun so that it rested right above Gaia. Crumpling to the ground with a startled cry, the heat seared her to the bone. Writhing on the ground, she tried to bring up trees to protect her body, but those simply burst into flames. With the power of two alicorns bearing down on her, she was soon reduced to groveling on the floor, tears staining her cheeks.

"Why?" she choked out. "Why?"

"You don't get it do you?" The pink alicorn jerked away from Nightmare Moon's caress. "She just lost Twilight. She gambled everything and lost everything. No sister, no student, no friend – all caused by her. All that suffering, all that pain. It was easier than corrupting Luna."

Looking up, Gaia's eyes narrowed at the crystal Celestia wore around her neck. It glowed a faint magenta, almost pulsating in time with a heartbeat, but more importantly, the fur beside it was still pure white. It was small, microscopic even, and if Nightmare Solarus was not standing so close, she would have missed it entirely. Licking her dry lips, the two locked eyes and Gaia said a single name.

"Twilight Sparkle."

For a split second, the glow intensified.

"Is this what Twilight would have wanted? Is thi-"

"Silence!" screamed Nightmare Moon. Shifting her moons into a new array, they reflected the sunlight onto Gaia's unprotected body. Screaming out in pain, the world around her was torn asunder.

"Twi...light..." whispered Gaia as her eyes closed.

High above her, a beam of pure sunlight was fired from the sun. Amplified by the matrix created by the moon, it pierced the sky with such force, the very air was set on fire.

"Fight back!" screamed Twilight. "Why won't you fucking fight back!?"

"Silly Twilight, they can't hear you." Conjuring her torture sword, a grin spread over Nightmare Moon's face. "Did you truly believe you could take on a goddess?"

"I know you can hear me. Damn it! I know you're in there somewhere! Fight. Fucking. Back!" Struggling against the bonds, she sent beam after beam of magic at them to no avail. "We've come too far, sacrificed too much to lose now. Damn it Lu-"

Eyes wide, Nightmare Moon sent out a bolt of pure magic at the Element Bearer's, but she was already too late.

"-na, fight back!"

The explosion rocked the entire Spiritual Realm. The very ground they stood on was vaporized, leaving behind the churning ocean of magic below them. Above them, the sky still ripped and boiled from the amount of magic behind the blast and the echo could still be heard reverberating around the empty space.

There was no dust for this was not the physical realm. Instead, the two Nightmare's were forced to wait in silence as the light faded. Then, as it faded enough for them to see through the haze, Nightmare Moon's eyes narrowed. Before them lay a blue sphere, crackling with very familiar magic.

Depositing Gaia gently onto the ocean, Luna turned to face the two. She stood with her head held high, black and blue armor adorned her figure and her starry mane wafted easily in the breeze. Though not as tall as her sisters and though she was translucent, she still stood before them radiating the same sense of power that they held. With eyes glowing brightly, electricity sparked all over her body as she hovered there, gazing at them coldly.

Immediately Nightmare Moon delved into her own mind, searching for the breach that allowed Luna to escape. Blocking out all sounds and sights, she let Nightmare Solarus deal with the annoying mare.

"Whatever happened to you sister? What could possibly drive you to accept the Nightmare so willingly?" With a sad sigh, she shook her head and the stars flared into life once more, except this time, it was all around them. "No matter, I shall free you just as your student has freed me."

"My student? She's dead," spat Nightmare Solarus. "And why must you fight me? I just want the suffering to end. Think about it! A world without sadness and pain!"

"All you want is a place without emotions. Without happiness and joy and hope and laughter and I cannot allow that." Powers flaring to new heights, the alicorn shifted the stars to form a complex power matrix. "Twilight Sparkle is out there right now fighting for Equestria and I will not let you down. I will not let all her sacrifices be for nothing."

With a burst of light, the white tendrils around the sun were shattered like glass. Stumbling back, Nightmar Solarus blinked as though seeing the world for the first time, but otherwise nothing happened.

"Did you really think it'd be that simple?" whispered a slimy voice by Luna's ear. "You may have broken free temporarily, but it's meaningless in the long run. Three more seconds and the Bearers will be dead."

The sky shattered as though it was a plane of glass. All around them, down rained the shards of starry sky leaving behind the sun and moon. In the empty void, the sisters slowly circled each other.

"I will not give up, I cannot give up. Twilight is out there fighting with everything she has and it would be wrong of me to not do the same. I am disappointed in you Celly, you were the one who carried us through the fight against Discord. You were the one who gave us hope in the darkest of times."

"Twilight is dead!" Lunging forward, Luna effortlessly tossed the charging Solarus to one side.

"She is not dead! She's right there, fighting Nightmare Moon with everything she has right this instant. She didn't give up, she never gave up! How dare you insult her memory by giving in to the Nightmare!" Star after star winked out of existence as Luna tried to keep her tenuous hold on her free will. "SHE DESERVES BETTER THAN YOU!"

Blasted back by the force of her Royal Canterlot Voice, Luna stood there panting heavily even as her body faded into and out of existence. She could feel Nightmare Moon on the edges of her conscious, shackling her once more. Even now, the mental prison that had been constructed was already returning – she could see a phantom moon beneath her feet and off in the distance, Equestria hung like a tapestry.

"Forgive me Twilight... my friend... I hope I bought you enough time..." With a sad smile at her former sister, Luna glided close and kissed Solarus on the snout. All the while, her body slowly faded into nothing, leaving behind the ghost of whisper. "Come back to us sister, we miss you. Twilight misses you."

"Come back to us Princess. We love you."

"Twilight?"

"You taught me to never give up, that even in the greatest darkness, there's always a light... A spark. Princess, please open your heart and let me be that spark. You need not lock yourself away from the joy, the happiness for life. Please, let me help you."

"This... this is a trick. You're dead."

"I never said I was alive, but is not my memory enough? Do they not give you joy and happiness when you gaze upon them? I once asked you about how you managed to live with your immortality... And do you remember what you told me?"

"That though it hurt to remember those who had passed away, their memories brighten even the darkest of days. That they made me who I am and without them, I would not be the wise mare I am today. They learnt much from me, but in the end, I was the student. But most importantly, no matter how much it hurts, I would not change the past."

A loving muzzle was suddenly pressed against hers and eyes snapping open, there was Twilight standing before her. Translucent and completely magenta, but she was there – an image created by the memory crystal Solarus had around her neck. Reaching out cautiously, the alicorn returned the nuzzle tenderly and as she did so, the magenta glow intensified. The glow crawled over her fur, causing a shiver ran down Celestia's body as her face returned to the original coloration.

Slowly, phantom Twilight stood back and gave her mentor a tender smile before vanishing in a flash of light. So caught up in repairing the breach in Luna's prison, the Nightmare did not even register Celestia's return to normal. Looking down, Celestia nuzzled the memory gem lovingly and felt a jolt of magic flow from the crystal into her, brushing aside her weariness as though it did not exist at all. Eyeing it curiously, the white alicorn chuckled softly.

"Just what secrets have you hidden in here?"

Closing her eyes, Celestia drew on the magic trapped within the gem. It filled her very essence, invigorating her and filling her with renewed purpose. Above them, the sun flared to life, and rays of pure sunlight wrapped around each of the moons. Screaming in pain, the Nightmare dropped onto her knees and though her horn sprung to life, Celestia clamped down. The tentacles tightened and cracks appeared across the moons.

"Luna, please forgive me for causing you such pain, but it is necessary."

Drawing on all her considerable might, Celestia crushed the moons into fine powder and Nightmare Moon collapsed. Then slowly, like dust in the wind, the corrupt alicorn disintegrated.

"Now it's all up to you, my little ponies."

A blue shield wrapped around the Bearer's of Harmony, deflecting the black bolt. There standing between them was a translucent blue alicorn. A sweep of her horn and Twilight was freed. A flash of light and the purple mare stood beside her friend with her legs spread and horn lowered. A second then third then fourth barrier was layered behind Luna's followed by a series of magical traps.

"It's good to see you again," said Twilight. "And thank you."

Luna merely smiled and nodded before fading out of existence.

Turning her attention to Nightmare Moon, Twilight summoned her swords. "How about round two?"

"How about you die?" whispered a silky voice from behind Twilight as a sword plunged into her unprotected back.

Instead of kneeling over and dying though, the image exploded. Thrown back, the alicorn twisted in midair, to come face to face with a molten orb. Creating a magical sword, she sliced it to shreds. With a smirk, Twilight channeled a bit more magic and the bits of flames collapsed inwards, bombarding the Nightmare from behind.

The hum of the Element's reached a fevered pitch. Rubble raised off the ground and sparks of electricity zipped through the air. Hair floating up, it felt as though an unseen force was being applied to her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Teleporting over, a short range telekinetic wave threw Nightmare Moon back into a trap. The explosion collapsed the southern wall, bringing down a quarter of the roof with it, but Twilight still was not done. Firing out a single beam of pure magic, the ground below the spell ruptured and the space around it warped. Half way across the room, the beam suddenly split into two dozen individual bolts that showered Nightmare Moon's location.

Drawing as much magic as she could spare, Twilight increased the gravity at the kill zone to unbearable levels. Though she could feel the alicorn fighting against her, Twilight set her stance and gritted her teeth. Behind her, an intense heat beat down against her back, causing pain to flare through her entire body. Eyes closed, she blocked it out and focused on the task before her. High above, the rainbow reached its peak and began descending.

Bathing the alicorn in its chromatic light, a blood curling scream echoed through the room. Dropping onto one knee, Twilight began panting heavily as she finally released her spell. Body trembling and flickering uncontrollably, she began crawling towards the fallen pony even as the light blinded her. Each step brought her closer to agony as the waves pure harmony set her veins alight.

Eventually though, the light faded and Twilight stood before an alicorn no larger than her. Nuzzling the blue pony, Luna stirred and looked up with a mixture of amazement and tenderness. With just a bit of assistance, she managed to get onto her hooves, the two friends leaned against each other in an attempt to stay upright.

"Thank you , Twilight Sparkle."

"No, thank you Princess. Without your help, we couldn't have won." A blue bolt slammed against an invisible barrier and Twilight glared at Trixie. "But I'm afraid I have a unicorn to stomp."

"No." A hoof was placed on the unicorn's shoulder. "Please, no more fighting. And... And I deserve to be punished for what I've done."

"You deserve no such thing." Three more bolts slammed into the barrier and Twilight gathered her magic. "Equestria was meant to be ruled by three alicorns. A perfect harmony and I will not let all my work be for nothing."

Magic cackled through the air as Trixie drew all her power into one final blast.

"No!" All of a sudden, Fluttershy was there between the two parties. "What do you think you're doing Trixie? Nightmare Moon is dead."

"Are you blind!? Nightmare Moon is right there!" Throwing the pegasus out of the way, Trixie let loose a blast of magic that ripped the marble right off the floor.

A wall of earth appeared out of the ground, blocking the blast.

"Ah don't think so. We need to know the honest truth of what is going on," said AJ and the others nodded in agreement.

"Well, Princess Luna here was taken over by an evil spirit and became Nightmare Moon. We've freed her of the spirit so she's perfectly fine and normal and definitely not evil," finished Twilight with a pointed look at the showmare.

"Don't tell Trixie you believe her! Did you say that your powers of truth only work if they believe what they're saying is the truth regardless of whether they are or not?" demanded Trixie. "For all we know, Nightmare Moon brainwashed Twilight before hand as a backup plan or something!"

"I agree with Trixie on this one," said Rarity as she readied her bow. "There cannot be a single shred of doubt as to her identity; or would you rather be remembered as the ponies who let Nightmare Moon get away and restart her campaign ten years down the road?"

"No." Fluttershy faced her friends from her position beside Twilight. "There has been enough fighting and death over this past year. I will not stand to one side as you murder a potentially innocent mare. The generous thing to do would be to give her the benefit of the doubt. The loyal thing to do would be to side with us."

"Hey, don't drag me into this." Dash set herself next to AJ. "The Princess make up Equestria as much as the ponies do and until Princess Celestia says one way or another, I am not getting involved."

"That's right," snapped Twilight, "Princess Celestia is back which means the decision belongs to her and her alone."

"Well the Princess isn't here right now and as soon as we turn our backs, Nightmare Moon sta-"

"Her name's Luna!" roared Twilight, body trembling from barely controlled anger.

"Well darling's it looks like we're at an impasse," commented Rarity.

All eyes snapped to Pinkamina who merely gave them a shrug. "Pinkie wants to throw a 'Welcome back Princess Luna' party whereas Pinks thinks it's too dangerous to let her live. I don't really care either way."

"Please... just... just let me die. I don't deserve to live," whispered Luna.

"Everypony deserves to live," chuckled Twilight. "Especially you."

The cool Canterlot winds breezed through the ruined courtroom. Dust was stirred up, and rubbles tumbled, but all else was still as the two opposing groups stared at each other. Neither wanted to make the first move, and so they waited for the other. Muscles tense and magic primed, the slightest trigger would have set them off.

And then, a voice shattered the frozen world.

"Lulu? T-Twilight?"

"Hey Princess, can you please tell these silly unicorns that Luna is a Princess and is free from the Nightmare? I can barely stand right now and I'd really appreciate it the help," commented Twilight.

"Er... I mean, yes of course. Princess Luna is not dangerous and I command you all to stand down."

Before she had even finished speaking, Rainbow and Applejack were beside Luna. With a sigh, Rarity lowered her bow and after a second, Trixie followed with a sigh.

"Luna! Twilight!" The two mares suddenly found themselves being tackled by a very happy and very teary Princess Celestia. "Oh, I've missed you two so much. I'm so glad you're home – both of you. Can you forgive me? Will either of you every be able to forgive me?"

"Of course Princess."

"Of course dear sister."

"Sister!?" gasped the Element Bearers, though they were promptly ignored.

"But Twilight, how are you still here? You... you died... we buried your body..." whispered Celestia.

"You did what!?" Luna's gaze snapped to Twilight. "Twilight, please don't tell me you..."

The purple mare looked away, unable to meet their gaze.

"No... Please, no..." Hugging her most faithful, tears leaked freely and Luna quickly joined in.

"Don't cry. Please. I knew what I was doing. I've... I've done too much. Plus, there was no other way we could have won."

"We've still got time! Come on, if we hurry we can-"

"Stop. Please Princess, just... just stop." Reaching up, Twilight brushed the tears from her mentor's eyes. "You know as well as I that when a pony leaves they can no longer return."

"You're my friend though... I never... if this is what it takes for me to be here, you shouldn't-"

"Hush Luna. I did this for you because you deserve so much more. Please." Holding the two alicorn's close, Twilight closed her eyes.

"What are they talking about?" whispered RD.

"A soul cannot exist without a body in the physical realm. In fact, the soul is meant to immediately disintegrate upon leaving," explained Trixie. "The mere fact Twilight is still existing speaks volumes of her willpower, but make no mistake, she will not exist for long. Even now, if you look carefully, you can see specks of magenta floating off from her. Twilight Sparkle's soul is finally breaking up. She will get no afterlife, no reincarnation. For all intents and purposes, Twilight Sparkle will cease to exist."

"Oh Twilight..." whispered Fluttershy as she gazed at the trio.

The sound of somepony munching on popcorn filled the air.

"Pinkie! This is no time for-" Rarity came face to face with a just as stunned Pinkie.

Nine pairs of eyes slowly turned towards the throne and there, atop the ruined seat, sat a creature. With a body of a pony, and a body comprised of all sorts of animals, he casually lounged on the seat while tossing multicolored popcorn into his mouth.

"Oh don't mind me. Please, I'm just enjoying the show. I didn't mean to interrupt, but the grief and sadness was just so... so... intoxicating I just had to drop in." Picking up a glass of chocolate milk, he drank the container before tossing the chocolate milk behind him. "Celly! Lulu! How long has it been? I've missed you. Come, give your old friend a hug will you?"