"Foolish mortals! How could my sister ever expect you six foals could defeat Nightmare Moon!"

Nightmare Moon stood triumphantly over Twilight and her five friends. They only just met hours ago, just realizing their deep connection to each other through the elements of harmony. But sadly, it will be short lived as the Princess of the Night has already begun her preparations for a final attack. The dark alicorn raised her horn in the night sky, conjuring up a ball of dark energy with mystical lightning slithering across the sphere of dark-matter.

"The elements... no... we have to..." Twilight moaned, barely holding on to consciousness. The unicorn looked back to her friends, face stricken with grief. Applejack, Posey, Surprise, Sparkler, and Firefly were spread out along the castle floor, battered, beaten and lifeless. They accomplished so much, but it was still not enough to put an end to the evil alicorn's return to Equestria. The pink Mare's eyes brimmed up with tears as she knew this was the end.

"I'm so... sorry... everypony..."

Nightmare moon's maniacal laughter echoed throughout the ruin's walls as she ascended above the six ponies. The dark sphere stabilized, reflecting the moonlit sky as the evil princess unleashed it upon the six would be heroines.

"This castle shall be my throne to a new kingdom, but it will be your final resting place!"

The black orb drifted down stirring up debris and dust all around the ruins. Twilight clenched her jaw shut and closed her misty eyes, accepting her fate. Suddenly, a mysterious voice called out.

"This ends... now!"

The arcane sphere stopped instantly as a strange unicorn, completely covered head to hooves with golden armor stepped in front of Twilight. Reciting a strange incantation, the armored unicorn summoned a portal, banishing the orb instantly. Nightmare Moon landed gracefully to the ground and turned her attention to the stranger.

"How did you do that?!"

The armored unicorn took a step forward and snorted out a small cloud of steam from behind his rune encrusted mask. His emissive glowing eyes narrowed at the alicorn goddess. The two pones stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, as if they were sizing each other up. With a loud battle cry, Nightmare Moon and the unicorn charged at each other, horns glowing with ethereal energy. In a blinding flash, the pair stood opposite from each other. Nightmare Moon's eyes widened in terror as the sound of metal clanged down against the ground. The alicorn looked back at the stranger, her dark regalia damaged and her horn cracking at the base.

"What are you... such... such... power..."

"Drop the charade imposter! The real Princess Luna died centuries ago. Sacrificing herself to put an end to the dark power that possessed her. Your further existence only taints her noble act."

"Lies! All... lies! I'm the... real P-Princess... ARRRGHHHHH!!"    

Nightmare Moon let out a cry of anguish that pierced the night air. As she crumpled to the ground, the alicorn burst into green embers, leaving behind the remains of a tall, dark equine like creature with a long green mane and strange insectoid wings. The queen's crown that the abstract beast was wearing rolled across the floor before coming to a complete stop. The armored unicorn looked up at the moon before approaching the flaming carcass. The stranger stared at the dark remains, pent up fury behind his eyes as he stomped on the creature's crown, shattering it to pieces

"It appears that the longer they maintain their guise, the more they believe it's who they are. Such foul monstrosities these changelings..."

The stranger let out a sigh and walked toward the ruin's archway. A brilliant cluster of energy formed at the unicorns horn, distorting his appearance, slowly blinking out of existence.

"W-Wait... please... help us..."

The unicorn stopped his spell and looked back at the half unconscious Twilight. She had managed to drag herself across the floor and reached out to him. The stranger closed his eyes looking away from the pink unicorn.

"I sent for help before coming here. You will survive this. Equestria ... your Equestria needs the elements of harmony."

"W-Who ... are you?"

The armored unicorn closed his eyes. Taking a few more steps for the archway, he continued casting his spell while giving his parting words.

"I don't have a name... not anymore. I am... an external..."

With a flash of blinding light, the unicorn vanished, only leaving behind charred markings from where he once stood. Twilight rolled over on her back looking at the full moon. As her vision blurred, she barely had enough strength to say one word before losing consciousness.

"...External..."