“Blood?!” Celestia gasped in surprise at the coldness in Twilight's voice. “Twilight please…” She took a step forward. “...listen to us.”

“Celestia is right Twilight.” Luna interjected, stepping forward as well. “We meant no ill intentions, this is not how we intended for things to turn out-”

“DO NOT CALL ME TWILIGHT!” Midnight Sparkle boomed as she flew up in the air in her fit of rage. “I will not listen to anymore of this blabber.” She snarled before slightly turning her head to address her subjects. “My Dearest friends and subjects, I'm grateful that you stood by my side until now.However, you must go back through the Gate of Silent Eyes and seal it. Whatever happens, do not reopen it. I will not be held accountable for the damage I will cause.”

“Twilight-” Flash called, flying into the air to be by her side. “Don't do this sweetie… I know they've hurt us, but this isn't like you.” He extended a hoof, only for her to recoil immediately as if his touch was venomous.

“Twilight slumbers within the same dark place she locked me away to.” Midnight replied in a cold and distant voice. “She is too weak to handle all of this, especially with the fact that we now carry a life within our womb. Just like she submitted to me fifteen years ago due to her near death experience at the hooves of the sisters, she has once again reached out to me.”

“N-no! I don't believe you! Deep down my wife is in there.” Flash plead, with hopeful eyes. “You have to fight the Midnight.” He whispered the last bit, trying to reach for her hoof again, only for her to slap it away.

“Are you deaf?” She seethed. “Twilight is tired of them.” She pointed at the three alicorns. “They are here to destroy everything that we've worked so hard to create. Are you too blind to realise this? Anyhow, they will be punished and I will not have any of you stand in my way…again ”

“Honey, this is madness-”

His cries fell upon deaf ears. With a powerful flare of white magic, her horn glowed brightly, enveloping all of her subjects, friends and husband, sending them within the gates before sealing it with a strong gleam of magic.

“Twilight...No!-” Was all Flash Sentry could utter before he and the rest were sent away.

“Now…” Midnight snarled as she turned around to face her enemies. “Which one of you dies first?”

“None of us!” Cadance stepped forward, her eyes still brimming with tears. “Twilight, please listen to me! We never meant for this to happen...I already lost my daughter and empire today… I can't bare to lose anypony else.”

“Hahahahaha!” Midnight laughed maniacally, before she landed with a heavy thump. “My dearest niece Flurry Heart is safely tucked away behind the gates of my Empire. I’ve watched over that filly for years, helping her in every way that I could. Though I must admit, it looks like I should've taken her away from you years ago.” She then glared at Cadance, sneering as she did. “As for the fall of your empire, that was your own undoing.”

“Twilight...H-How could you say something like that-I-Flurry means the world to me.” Cadance recoiled, stumbling over her own hooves. “I merely left to investigate what was happening in Equestria and-”

“LIES!” Midnight boomed, stomping the ground in anger, causing a small crater to form in the ice. “You and that traitorous brother of mine left to plot with these two scheming witches…” She jabbed a hoof at Celestia and Luna, who openly gasped in shock. “...to attack me.”

“I'd never do something like that! Neither would Shining Armor!” Cadance defended, finally finding the voice to shoot back, “It was all Celestia’s idea to attack you in the first place! Shining and I fiercely repelled the idea!”

“Oh, is that so…” Midnight raised a brow in curiosity. “So it was you.” She glared over Cadance’s shoulder at Celestia, slowly stalking towards her with eyes of stone. Celestia only stood silently with a solemn expression.

“That's not entirely what I meant!” Cadance panicked upon realising what she has just said. “Celestia isn't the sole bearer of this blame!” She exclaimed, shaking her forehooves wildly to retract her statement.

“But it's true.” Celestia hung her head with closed eyes.

“You can't honestly take all the blame sister, we both were at the meeting and I could've stopped you, yet I allowed this to play out.” Luna said, placing a comforting hoof on her shoulders. “Iron Hoof did this, not you.”

“But I was wrong to even think of such a horrid idea.” Celestia countered. “Iron Hoof left before I could call it off, but this still was orchestrated by me.”

“So you admit to your crime.” Midnight replied, drawing their attention back to her, her expression as cold as steel . “You shall pay for what you've done.” she flared her wings, rearing up on her hind legs and unleashing a deadly beam of magic at Celestia.

“I’m sorry…” Celestia whispered, her pupils dilated at the impending blast. She could clearly feel the intensity of the spell and how powerful it was. With not a second to spare, she teleported from the spot, narrowly escaping death.

“Sister!” Luna screamed, shielding her eyes from the blast. “Are you alright?!”

“I am.” Celestia panted as she materialized in the air, opposite of her former student,looking at her with sorrowful eyes.

“Ok isn't good enough! I want you wiped from the face of this earth!” Midnight growled, flying into the air after her. “Your scheming days are over Celestia!” She bark as she sent waves of magic at the Princess, forcing her to quickly evade the incoming blasts.

“Twilight, stop this madness now!” Cadance begged, taking to the air after her. “You will not prove to be any better than Celestia and Luna if you resort to violence!”

“Stay out of my way Cadance.” Midnight growled, keeping her eyes on her target. “It's time to end this.” She snorted, before sending tendrils of white energy at Celestia, which ultimately wrapped it's way around her, pulling her out of the sky and slamming her into the ground.

“Celestia!” Luna gasped, quickly closing the distance to be at her sister’s side.

“This is it.” Midnight grinned victoriously, charging her horn again to deliver her final blow. “Goodbye Celestia.”

With that said, Midnight closed her eyes in concentration, allowing a mixture of golden, silver and blue light to swirl around her horn. In that instant the descending sun and the rising moon and stars stood still as they gave their energy to the Empress, forcing a purple hue to bask the horizon.

“No…” Luna's posture dropped. “She's harnessing the power of the cosmos!”

“That spell...It's the same one she used last time!” Cadance gasped in shock, quickly turning around to cast a questioning gaze at Luna, who wore a similar look on her face.

“Celestia! The spell is more powerful than the one she used before. We must flee! I fear I don't have the power to reflect or deflect this one!” Luna begged in horror as she witnessed what Midnight was about to do.

“I'm tired of this.” Celestia sighed as she laid motionless on the snowy plain. “If this is how I should repay my sins then so be it.”

“Celestia-” Luna begged, her eyes darting from Midnight to Celestia.

“Do not interfere sister.” Celestia spat harshly. “Leave me be. Let her have her revenge.” She whispered, watching patiently as Midnight continued to harness more power.

“Aunt Celestia! Please listen to reason!-” Cadance begged teleporting to be by her side as well.

“I will not run and neither will I fight her.” Celestia choked a sob. “I deserve this-”

“-Aunt Celestia!”

“Sister please!”

“My mind is set.” Celestia whimpered, lighting her horn as Midnight neared the climax of her spell.

“Celestia what are you doing?!” Luna begged with pleading eyes, watching intently as her sister lit her horn.

“I’m sorry I couldn't have been a better Sister, Ruler, Aunt...or Mentor.” Celestia choked on that last bit.

“Aunt Celesia!-”

“Goodbye…” Celestia whispered as she released her spell the same time Midnight released hers, sending her sister and niece to safety.

“Sister!-”

“I’m sorry.” She whispered laying on the snow as she awaited her fate. “Farewell Equestria…”

The words had barely left her lips when the blast impacted, obliterating the spot and causing a large sphere of swirling multicolored energy to form, rocketing into the skies. The impact was so strong that the Forcefield immediately crumbled, releasing Flash Sentry and the others to bask in the powerful beam of light that now shone where Celestia and Midnight collided.
______________________
Meanwhile...

“I can't believe she would do something like this!” Flash bit his bottom lip in anger as he banged his forehooves repeatedly against the Forcefield, hopeful that it would crack and he’d be able to stop Midnight from making a mistake that Twilight would have to fix. “This is all my fault.”

“How is it?” Rainbow breathed, herself banging on the shield. “Because the last...I...heard...Iron...Hoof...did...this.”

“Yeah.” Applejack chimed as she bucked the shield with everything she had. “What in tarnation are you talking about? There is nothing you could've done to stop this.”

“I’m her husband-” He tried to reason, his eyes glued on his wife and the other alicorns.

“But she doesn't always want to be protected.” Pinkie interjected. “Our Twilight can handle this.”

“But that's not Twilight.” Flash shivered. “That's a darker more Twisted version of the mare we know.”

“Twilight banished Midnight Sparkle before and she can do so again-Oh I give up!” Rainbow threw her hooves in the air. “This shield is way too thick, we can't break through.”

“Nopony escapes the Empress’ wrath...you of all ponies know this, Flash.” Sunset chimed from behind them, sitting calmly on the snowy ground, her head hung low. “Nopony except her can break this Forcefield.”

“She doesn't want any of us to interfere.” Trixie added opposite of Sunset, her posture nearly mirroring her comrade. “All we can do is wait-”

“But she's outnumbered-” Flash banged harder against the shield.

“-But they are clearly outmatched.” A new voice retorted.

“Flutters!” Rainbow, Pinkie and AJ gasped when they realised the voice, rushing over to envelop their friend in a bone crushing hug. “It's been ages.”

“It has.” Fluttershy giggled, hugging her much smaller friends. “It's so good to see you again girls.” She smiled, parting from the embrace. “Though I'm sorry it had to be in such a dire situation.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow’s grin dropped. “Midnight is back.”

“And she's more powerful than ever.” Applejack shuddered. “You should've seen what she did to Iron Hoof.”

“I know.” Fluttershy replied, looking up at the battle unfolding on the other side of the Forcefield. “But there is nothing much we can do now.”

“Do you also know that all of Tartarus will break lose out there?!” Flash snapped at Fluttershy, who merely took a step back. “Twilight could get hurt!”

“Flash I-”

“Do you dare to stand there telling me we should let Midnight Sparkle wreak havoc in the name of my wife?!” Flash Sentry boomed, his voice filling with rage.

“That's not what I meant-”

“Then pray tell Fluttershy!” Flash barked his frustration. “What the buck-”

“Flash Sentry!” A stern Fluttershy scolded, her head held high, with narrowed eyes. “Be calmed, are you too blinded by hurt to realize your anger is getting the best of you?! This was destined to happen whether we endorsed it or not. I get why you're angry.” She took a shallow breath to calm herself before continuing. “I know how hurt you are over this whole ordeal, but so is the rest of us,” She paused gesturing to the others who nodded in agreement.

Sighing, Flash Sentry gave up his banging against the shield, slowly sliding to his haunches in defeat. “I'm sorry.” He muttered in defeat, his eyes watering in sorrow. “I-I don't know what came over me.”

“Tell me about it.” Rainbow giggled, earning a cautioned look from Fluttershy and a smack from AppleJack.

“No need to rub it in Rainbow.” AppleJack glared.

“Right, sorry.” She smiled sheepishly rubbing her head. “It wasn't that bad.”

“It's alright Flash,” Fluttershy soothed as she slowly approached the saddened stallion, ignoring Rainbow’s outburst. “I know how you feel, but Twilight has this covered as she told me specifically not to get involved, this is why I came here, to keep you all from interfering.”

“What?” Sunset rose from her hunched posture upon hearing what Fluttershy had mentioned. “You mean she spoke to you?”

“Yeah.” Rainbow cocked her head casting a questioning gaze at her friend. “What are you saying?”

“I had a brief audience with her before she came here,” Fluttershy sighed, releasing Flash Sentry from her embrace. “She made me promise not to interfere as she would end this battle on her terms.”

“What?” Flash’s voice cracked, his left eye twitching. “Are you even listening to yourself? Can't you see Midnight Sparkle has taken over her body?!”

“Yeah sugarcube.” Applejack chimed. “Twilight needs our help.”

“No.” Fluttershy replied sternly. “She doesn't. She told me not interfere and I will respect her wishes.”

“Princess Fluttershy,” Trixie interjected, slowly walking over. “As much as I hate to go against the Empress’ wishes, the Emperor and your friends are right. We can't leave her like this.”

“Exactly my point.” Flash Sentry added. “Midnight is in control and we can't-”

“-You’re mistaken.” Fluttershy cut him off by returning her gaze towards the fight. “Twilight is the one controlling Midnight, they are one.”

“But how?” Applejack spoke in a worried tone. “Don't you see what's happening out there?” She jabbed a hoof at the fight, just in time to see Celestia dragged from the skies by what looked like white tentacles.

“Oh dear.” Pinkie spoke for the first time, her cheery attitude dropping when she saw the act. “Are you sure about this Fluttershy?”

“I know what it looks like,” Fluttershy sighed. “But I will respect my Friend’s wish and so should the rest of you.”

“I can't watch this.” Flash bit his bottom lips, clenching his eyes shut in an effort to evade his rising anger.

“Empress Twilight Sparkle has proven herself to us time and time again.” Sunset Shimmer slowly strolled to the center of the discussion. “But you need to remember that this is Midnight Sparkle. The very pony who nearly destroyed us all fifteen years ago.”

“I know.” Fluttershy closed her eyes, ignoring their gazes.

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Rainbow sighed. “How are you sure this is gonna end well?”

“I didn't say that it would.” Fluttershy replied dryly, slowly sitting on her haunches. “Gather round.” She motioned to her friends. “Let me tell you what happened...”

Flashback…
The Royal Infirmary, Aurora Australis, New Edenia

Twilight laid still in the royal infirmary in a wing secluded for royals only, her chest rising and falling slowly. She had been like ever since Starlight and Garble had brought her back to the Capital. Healers in the form of powerful deers, zebras and unicorns all scurried to and from her bed, using whichever spells and potions they could, trying desperately to revive her. Despite this she slumbered still, untouched by their actions.

To a corner in the crowded room, Fluttershy stood quietly watching all their movements with a somber expression. Every now and then her hopes would be risen by a spell being cast, forcing to revive her but then the caster would then give up after the attempts failed, leaving the mare to silently weep.

Finally after moments of trying all they could, the healers huddled together whispering their diagnosis. Stepping away from their huddle, after what seemed like an eternity, the chief healer, Muera, a slender brown doe slowly walked over to Fluttershy, who was anxious to hear what she had to say.

“Is she going to be alright?” Fluttershy blurted, the moment Muera was in earshot, cantering to meet her halfway.

“That much we aren't sure of, Your Grace.” The Doe sighed, glancing back to the bed. “The poison isn't what's bothering her, though that was what caused her to fall into the coma at first.”

“Oh?” Fluttershy edged on with worried eyes. “Then what is it?”

“We've reason to believe that she's trapped within her deepest darkest thoughts.” Muera said hanging her head, with closed eyes.

“Could this mean that Midnight Sparkle is behind this?” Fluttershy gasped, bringing her hoof to her gaping mouth.

“We aren't sure about that either.” She sighed. “Midnight Sparkle is the part of Empress Twilight that was spawned from the betrayal she felt from her friends, but remember that once she forgave Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and AppleJack she was able to harness enough power to banish Midnight to her deepest thoughts.”

“I remember, Muera.” Fluttershy whispered. “It pains my heart that this could even be a possibility. Midnight Sparkle is the most ruthless part of my friend, to ever come into play. When she took over Twilight’s body, she acted as a defense mechanism to protect Twilight from her emotions and nearly killed Rainbow and the others. She can't escape again.”

“But there is a possibility that she might roam free again.” Muera rested a cloven hoof on the princess, in sadness. “With all the new emotions running around in the Empress’ head, she can take over her again. But we know our Empress is strong, she will pull through this.”

“I hope.” Fluttershy sighed deeply. “What can I do until she awakens?”

“The only thing to do now is just to give her time to heal.” Muera replied, sparing a small comforting smile, before turning away to leave.

“Wait…” Fluttershy raised a hoof after her.

“Yes Princess?” Muera turned around with concerned eyes.

“Are you sure this is Midnight Sparkle?” Fluttershy asked with furrowed brows. “I mean Twilight was darted by the dark crystal, couldn't that be the reason she hasn't awaken? What if it has weakened her!”

“Calm down Your Majesty.” Muera soothed, placing both hooves on the frantic mare’s cheeks. “We have reasons to believe that the Empress has come to an impasse with her inner self. Surely the dark obsidia took her off guard, but she is powerful enough to have expelled it from her body by now.”

“So what does this mean?”

“It means that whatever she does in the Dream realm will decide whether she awakens or not.” Muera sighed. “This isn't the type of news I personally want to accept, as the Empress has shown me kindness on a personal level. My mother Dianys told me she was great friends with my father, formerly Prince Thorn. It pains me to see her like this...”

“So you mean she may never wake up?” Fluttershy whimpered, her royal regalia faltering from her sadness.

“Yes.” Muera looked away in grief. “I'm sorry.”

“As am I.” Fluttershy’s voice cracked, choking a sob. “What of the fetus if she d-dies?”

“We'll try our best to preserve her body until it comes to term if it does come to that.” Muera choked as well, failing to hold back a sob herself.

“Oh.” Fluttershy sighed sadly, drying her tears. “I see.”

“We'll do everything we can, Princess. But I suggest we leave her, this is out of our hooves now.” Muera sighed again. “In the meantime the fate of our Empire rests on your shoulders. Prince Orion and Princess Nova Shine aren't old enough to take over and Emperor Flash Sentry may not return from war, so I suggest you assemble the Imperial Council and-”

“-I know.” Fluttershy sighed, closing her eyes and straightening her posture, wiping a stray tear from her delicate cheek. “I know what must be done.”

“Good, then we'll leave you to it then.” Muera gave a small smile, signalling the other doctors to follow her out. “In times like these, we can't hold our heads down, Grand Princess. We must Rise above all ” She said softly, before closing the door to grant the princess space.

Fluttershy watched silently, nodding in agreement, as the last of the healers filed out of the room, before slowly dragging her slender frame towards the bed in which her friend laid. Silently whimpering, she sat at the bedside on her haunches staring at the Empress, hoping that she would at least flutter her eyelids.

“Twilight…” Fluttershy began softly, her voice hoarse from her crying. “Please...you can't die.” She allowed her eyes to brim once more with tears of grief. “Even with the help of the Imperial Council, I can't rule alone...You are our true ruler! How can you think of leaving us!” Fluttershy plead, weeping over her friend’s sleeping form. Hoping that the mare would wake up. “Thorn entrusted you to lead us…”

Drawing a shaky breath, she withdrew her hooves from Twilight’s chest, turning her face away. “I'm so s-sorry...Twilight.” She bit her bottom lip, standing to her hooves slowly but shakily. “I'll do my best to take care of our home...with my life.” She whimpered, taking one last look at her best friend before slowly walking out before she was halted by soft whisper.

“Fluttershy…”

“Twilight!” Fluttershy gasped teary eyed, quickly galloping back to the bedside. “You're ok!”

“Yes.” She whispered hoarsely. “But I can't say the same about our subjects and family.”

“What do you mean Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, fear quickly taking hold of her. “I thought you were in trouble.”

“I was, but for now, Look.” She replied in a somber tone, slightly raising from her sleeping position to better talk to her friend. She then began lighting her elongated horn with her familiar magenta aura summoning a medium sized gold mirror. “Look deeply.” Twilight instructed to the puzzled mare.

“Okay…” Fluttershy replied unsurely but nevertheless following Twilight's instructions until she saw it. “How.” She whispered in disbelief, bringing her hoof to her mouth after a few minutes of gazing into the mirror. “Is-is this true?” Fluttershy turned back to look at her friend, who only nodded her answer.

“I fear it is.” Twilight replied shallowly, slowly standing on her hooves. “Celestia and Iron Hoof have brought a war to our domain and I will punish them for that.”

“Twilight,” Fluttershy called softly as she placed a comforting hoof on her friend's shoulder.

“I know you will not agree with this because of your peaceful nature.” Twilight sighed, averting Fluttershy’s eyes. “But this must be done.”

“I agree.” Fluttershy gave a small smile as she took a deep breath, shocking Twilight. “This must be done.”

“What?” Twilight cocked her head in confusion. “Did I hear you correctly?”

“You did Twi.” Fluttershy openly giggled at her expression. “Just because I'm benevolent doesn't mean i'll let the Equestrians destroy our home.”

“I suppose not.” Twilight muttered in disbelief, removing her hoof from Fluttershy’s shoulders so as to better steady herself. “Are you sure about this ‘Shy?” Twilight asked still unconvinced. “I mean, this goes against everything you stand for.”

“I am,” Fluttershy gave another small smile. “It grieves my being to see our innocent subjects hurt, and it further hardened my heart the see you in the state you were in.”

“Fluttershy…” Twilight gasped, upon hearing these words.

“I thought I'd lost you Twilight,” Fluttershy admitted teary eyed. “Of all my friends you and Rarity have stuck by me the most, helping me to become a better mare and overcoming my fears.” She confessed, allowing her previous sadness to fall freely. “Today I thought you died Twilight and that awakened something inside me. Vengeance.”

“Fluttershy,” Twilight tried to speak again but finding her voice barely audible. “I don't know what to say.” Her voice broke. “I..I…”

“It's ok Twi.” Fluttershy rushed forward pulling her into an teary embrace. “You're alive and well now and that's all that matters.” She pulled away shortly after, wiping her eyes.

“It's time I finished this.” Twilight wiped her tears, pulling on her regalia. “It's time I dealt with Celestia.”

“Yes, then you will bring her here and she will finally be tried for treason.” Fluttershy smiled satisfied. “And sentenced.”

“And so will Luna.” Twilight added in a low growl. “Once I return to the battle and subdue them, they will answer for their crimes.”

“Good.” Fluttershy smiled. “But then that would leave the question of who would rule Equestria.”

“Don't worry about that,” Twilight replied in deep thought. “I already have someone in mind. Somepony with experience and dedication. Somepony we can trust to uphold the piece.”

“You mean Rarity, don't you?” Fluttershy grinned.

“Precisely.” Twilight grinned, slowly waltzing towards an open window, one overlooking south of the empire. “The sisters have only orchestrated their own demise.”

“We're one step closer now.” Fluttershy chimed, walking towards the window beside Twilight as well.

“Indeed we are.” Twilight smiled. “With Rarity as queen regnant, we will be able to unify New Edenia and Equestria’s Armies to take down Blueblood and Valdes.”

“We will.” Fluttershy nodded. “I'll send a letter to Rarity then, so she'll know what to do.”

“Very well.” Twilight spread her wings. “Let her know it's time she joined our ranks, very soon Rainbow, Applejack and Pinkie will too.”

“I must admit,” Fluttershy began shyly, staring out over the horizon. “When we stumbled across those tattered scrolls in Windera’s Library all those years ago, I was a bit scared of all the prophecy and power that I saw.” Fluttershy admit, looking down. “But today I realized that the scrolls were right, sometimes you really have to be bad to be good.”

“Exactly Fluttershy.” Twilight nodded. “Today I've completely changed my views on the sister’s and it is why I'm removing them and installing ponies we can trust.”

“I hope history doesn't remember us as villains.” Fluttershy sighed, continuing her gaze out the window.

“We will be here after history has concluded.” Twilight chuckled, pulling her into another embrace. “It is us that will remember history.”

“But what of Cadance and Shining Armor?” Fluttershy countered once again. “Will they not challenge Rarity’s rule? What if the Canterlotion nobles rebell?”

“Fear not Fluttershy,” Twilight smiled, placing a hoof on her right shoulder. “Fancy Pants is of high status, have you forgotten that it was because of him that Rarity rose so far into power?”

“Yes, I remember.” Fluttershy furrowed her brows. “But they may still see her unfit.”

“All of Rarity’s action lead up to this moment from the moment we left Equestria.” Twilight sighed. “The nobles will bow and adore her, the same way Dragon Lord Torch bowed to Spike after we saved him from Tyrana. If they however try to usurp her, then she will have to assume her true form and demonstrate that she is in fact their undisputed queen.”

“The form she hates so much.” Fluttershy giggled. “I guess it is time she emerged.”

“Indeed.” Twilight took a deep breath, summoning the mirror again. “It's time we began writing the future.”

“Go end this.” Fluttershy smiled proudly at her friend. “But please remember to be careful though. We all need you to be safe and so does the life you carry within your womb.”

“I will,” She returned the smile. “I've mastered the magic of the Dark obsidia, it will not affect me now-by the Gods!” Twilight nearly screamed as she stared wide eyes at the mirror.

“What is it!” Fluttershy nearly screamed immediately, peering over at the mirror only for her features to contort to a similar expression as the alicorn. “Oh no.” The words fell from her lips as she further inspect a certain Pegasi emperor. “Is he?”

“Flash…” Was all the empress muttered as she watched her beloved husband lay motionless on the snowy plain while her friends defended his body. “They've killed him.” The words left her mouth with unsurety.

“But this can't be, this isn't what legend put in place!” Fluttershy growled at the mirror, her anger getting the best of her. “They've ruined everything!”

“And they shall pay dearly.” Twilight replied in a dead tone. “It's time I unleashed the Midnight…”