Twilight layed in her bed, her blankets wrapped around her almost like a cocoon. she and Nyx slept the whole night, only having to wake up to use the bathroom or get a drink of water. however what the two didn't know was they had slept the whole morning off. the door to the bedroom opened as Fluttershy came in, checking on the two. she didn't have the heart to wake the two. but something was wrong.

"Twilight. Twilight, please wake up!" Fluttershy said softly, gently nudging her.

Twilight groaned and buried her face under her pillows, only her muzzle stuck out with a snort as she dozed off again.

"Twilight, Please! there's something wrong outside!" Fluttershy nudged the unicorn again. this time she was loosing her patience, while she had patience to fill the Canterlot Vault, the event outside demanded attention.

"TWILIGHT!" Fluttershy finally shouted and shook the unicorn from her bed like a yellow earthquake.

Twilight shouted gibberish as she got up, glaring at Fluttershy's sudden rude awakening of her.

"Yes, Fluttershy, what is it!?" Twilight seethed trying hard to calm down.

Fluttershy sighed and pointed out the window. "just look."

Twilight huffed and turned to look out the window. it was Dark outside.... that's it, it was dark. "Okay, so it's night time?"

"it's 1:40PM Twilight! it should be day time." Fluttershy said as she flew up and opened the bedroom window and pointed up at the sky.

Twilight's curiosity betrayed her annoyance and sleepiness as she got up and looked out the window, looking up and where the sun usually is, however what she saw instead was the sun, but it was also the moon in front of it. the Phenomenon was known as a Solar Eclipse

Twilight quickly looked away not wanting to damage her eyes. "How long has it been like this?"

"Since ten this morning. we figured maybe Princess Celestia and Princess Luna was doing it, but then we remembered what you told us what happened to them. then Broadsword told us it means Ryugu's fully recovered." Fluttershy stated as she flew back inside. "Which means she's going to come here, Broadsword said she'd want to pay Nyx back for hurting her."

Twilight began to remember Ryugu saying they'd pay for their actions against her. Fluttershy began to physically check her though.

"what are you doing?"

"You were hurt remember?" Fluttershy said feeling Twilight's ribs and testing her foreleg. "That sleep seemed to have helped though."

Twilight then noticed she wasn't bleeding or in pain anymore. only thing left of those injuries were barely visible scars.

"All right, please go get the others, Fluttershy. tell them to come straight here with the new Armor Rarity ordered." Twilight said as she made her way to the bathroom. "if Ryugu's coming let's give her a welcome party."

------

In the Bad Lands South of Equestria.

the dry desert land broke and cracked, the ground erupted as large spires rose from the earth made of ancient stone and glass. it rose higher then Canterlot mountain and nearly pierced the sky itself. the tower stood looking down upon Equestria like a giant upon the small ponies it terrorized. around the tower's base the land gave way as fire and lava filled the moat around it.

Inside the grand throne room Green fire erupted, surrounding an alter with a throne in the middle. it was made of marble with feathered cushions. the throne however was being occupied by a now smaller Queen Ryugu, her armor was removed, set up on a display mannequin for display. she took a deep breath and let out a sigh.

"Oh it is Good to be back in my throne room." the dark purple alicorn said as she folded her wings in. her horn was now fully recovered, but was weakened by the loss of energy.

before her was an army of Storm Atronachs. they bowed to her ready to serve their mistress.

"The time is almost here, my faithful subjects. I will now restore you to your true selves."

Ryugu's horn crackled a bit before she built up her magic. the spell extended to the elementals and reformatted them, changing their forms to a more pony like state. for it is in fact that the atronachs were indeed Ponies, forever cursed to be immortal in an almost feral aggressive state. they were still clad in the armor they had before. but now they were given back their coats of various colors their identities returned as they bowed again.

"we are ready to serve our queen." one of the stallions said.

"Please, we eagerly await your orders." a Mare stated indeed her voice betrayed the eagerness in her voice.

Queen Ryugu smiled as she chuckled. "Your loyalty pleases me." her face then turned hard, a scowl quickly forming on her muzzle. "Your orders are to go to the small town of Ponyville, Attack everyone and Everything in sight. however your primary objective is to capture a small black Alicorn Filly. the one named Nyx."

Several of the black armored ponies snarled almost anomalistically. others nodded accepting their orders.

"I see some of you are familar with this pony?" Ryugu asked, looking to one of the stallions growling. "Speak, servant."

"when awaiting your return, my pegasus squad attacked an airship, that very filly was onboard. she and her Unicorn Comrade killed many of my fellow soldiers." the stallion said, stomping his hoof.

Ryugu glared, less at the stallion and more at the information she was given. "then you have your orders. once you've returned with her you will be rewarded."

"We shall not fail you, our queen." the stallion stated with a stomp. "All forces, prepare to head out!"

like a nest of angry hornets, a swarm of black armored ponies began to fill the air and tower grounds. making their way to Ponyville. Ryugu watched as her horn glowed, it's magical energy stablizing as she moved the sun and moon both in the sky, creating the Solar Eclipse, the flames of the sun can be seen as a line of light seems to strike through the black mass of the moon's axis. Ryugu grinned with pride.

"I always loved Solar Eclispes. they're beautiful as well as dangerous. it's a shame those two usurpers only made one once in a decade." Ryugu said, her voice a touch gentler now.

Ryugu took in the view of the eclipse for a while, her eyes unable to be harmed by the solar flares now visible. she then turned away from the view and made her way to the top of the tower her horn glowing as she fired her spell to the horizon, the magic bolt hitting its mark into the ground borrowing a hole into the soil.

if one saw it from outside they would think the spell did nothing. however that was not the case. the magic bolt traveled deep underground, striking a pool of rainbow energy, the pool began to churn violently, and as it did the ground began to shake and crack as a mountain began to rise up from the earth, an opening on the top breaking open. the mouth of the mountain lead straight to the pool of rainbow light, which began to raise up to to the top.

Ryugu grinned and lipped her toothy lips. "Ah, Equestria's Life Force has become much more abundant then last I ruled. the ponies kept good care of this land. and soon I shall drink every last drop!"

Queen Ryugu began to laugh as she once more seem to disappear in thin air. she then reappeared at the mouth of the volcano, looking down at the rainbow light below and lick her lips as it began to draw closer to the mouth like magma ready to erupt. Ryugu continued to laugh as she watched the life force raise faster towards her.

And erupt the volcano did, the Life force of equestria shot up like a beam of light into the sky, Ryugu's horn glowed and a snake of her magic grabbed at the stream of life force and began to pull a smaller stream of it into her mouth and began to feast.

Ryugu's body glowed as she fed upon Equestria's life force, the land around the mountain began to loose it's color. grass, trees, and any animals not fast enough to escape fell as they wilted and died. leaving nothing but death and bones.

the wave of death spanned out from the Bad Lands to the Everfree Forest. as the plants died the animals did as well, the monsters, now in fear of their own lives began to make their way to Ponyville, but before they could Ryugu's soldiers marched through, attacking any monster that would threaten the success of their mission.

Eventually being forced back, any creature with a set of wings took to the air. Predator and Prey formed a truce as they worked to escape the wave of death that threatened their very lives. even the soldiers took pause to take in the view of three dragons carrying a Hydra out of the forest.

------

Back in Ponyville, Nyx was being helped with having her armor put back on. she was now fully healed if not a little stiff.

"Thanks, mom." Nyx said as she wiggled in her armor, putting the helmet on last.

the others watched as Nyx was surrounded in an aura of magic light as she grew to the size of Celestia, Rarity couldn't help but look in awe, the armor was even more beautiful on a full size Alicorn.

"Ooooh, Shiny-rific!" Pinkie said.

"I like her mane." Fluttershy said as she circled around. "it's not wavy like Celestia or Luna's."

Applejack chuckled. "Careful, Twilight. When Nyx gets older she'll need a club to keep the colts away."

Twilight giggled. "Yes I'm quite sure. but that won't be for a long time."

"Actually, I had some stallions try and ask me out until I told them I was a filly." Nyx said as she sheathed the Sword.

"Can't say I blame them, Nyx. you look fully grown." Rarity said. "Honestly I'd be confused as well."

"I would think the voice would give away her age." Twilight said, she didn't quite like the fact a stallion asked her daughter out. though at least they realized she was underage.

Broadsword galloped in, panting, Nightquill followed.

"Ryugu has begun to feed!" Broadsword said as he pointed to the wave of grey coming towards the small town. "the loss of color and death means she's drinking Equestria's life Force. if she isn't stopped soon the entire contenant is dead. then she'll go on to the next kingdom and the next until the world is dead!"

"It's not just that. we spotted Ponies in black and orange armor making their way here through the forest." Nightquill said as he began to put on his armor.

"they're Ryugu's Shock troopers. you'll know them for the curved blades on their forelegs." Broadsword said as he put his armor on as well.

Twilight paused, she began to remember weapons and armor like that. "Wait, there were these storm atronachs with curved foreleg blades."

Broadsword paused and looked to Twilight. "Storm Atronachs?" he sighed as he sheathed his sword, and began to help Nightquill into his armor. "when Ryugu turned on Equestria, she cursed her soldiers in becoming immortal but it turned them into elementals. I was sure the others and I got the last ones. but I guess a few survived."

"Broady, there were more then just 'a few' that 'survived'." Nightquill stated as he took his Ax. "there was hordes of them."

"Ponyville won't be able to defend the town from that many soldiers!" Applejack said as she looked outside.

"I Fought Everfree Monsters to defend Ponyville." Nyx said as she took out the sword. "I'll do the same again."

"YOU Barely Survived it!" Twilight scolded. "Not to mention you had your powers. True, the Armor grants you new powers of your own, but you can't divide yourself like before! Your not going to fight those many ponies by yourself!"

"Darn Tootin!" Applejack said stomping her hoof on the floor. "Ya'lls not fightin alone. We're Knights now, girls. time to act like it."

the girls cheered, although Fluttershy was less enthused with the idea of fighting other ponies.

"I-I don't know, girls. we can't fight these ponies! I know they're doing bad things and are serving this evil queen. but..." Fluttershy sighed and looked back up to them. "even if we do fight. we're still out numbered. I don't think I can strike another pony."

Broadsword placed a hoof on the yellow Pegasus' shoulder. "I understand your feelings. but look outside. Your friends told me how you have a connection with the animals of the land."

as fluttershy looked outside she saw the trees and plants die, any animal unable to escape also died in the wake. worry and reluctance of fighting was quickly replaced with anger and determination.

"I admire your kindness and love for your fellow pony, and equestria's wildlife. but now they need you to protect it." Broadsword said as he looked down into her eyes.

"Your right." Fluttershy said as she glared out the window at the wave of death slowly coming towards the small town.

"I think I have an idea!" Pinkie pie said as she zipped out the door, a few seconds later she returned with one of the training dummies from Night Stone Castle.

Nyx looked at the dummy she returned with, it was the dummy of Pinkie Pie she saw the children of the Night soldiers training with, she then saw the lack of a cutie Mark.

"OH! your going to use the sleeping gas trap huh?" Nyx said, behind her helmet she was grinning remembering the many Everfree Monsters sudden surprise then falling asleep when they tried to attack and eat the dummies. "think it'll fool the soldiers?"

"the lack of cutie Marks will give them away." Rainbow said as she looked at the dummy. "it's a good plan though."

Nightquill thought for a moment before his wings snapped fully erect as his face came alive with comprehension. "The Battle Of Griffin Mountain!"

Everypony just scratched their heads, looking at the Light Blue Pegasus like he took some Pegasus bird seed.

"Let me explain. during one of Equestria's few conflicts. a small battalion of Celestia's royal guards occupied an outpost just outside of the griffin territory." Nightquill explained. "they were often attacked by rogue Griffins that felt Equestria was trying to take over the griffin empire. they would attack any supply caravans that tried to assist the small group.

"after a month, the small team were then being attacked directly. their own forces were growing smaller and smaller and eventually it was three against a hundred." Nightquill paused as he looked at the dummy. "Realizing their odds, they came up with a new plan. they used training dummies and dressed them in royal guard armor. they set it up so the dummies looked to be moving around, when in reality they had a farm boy pulling a rope the dummy was attached to.

When the griffins attacked, they were completely fooled by the illusion there were more guards at the tower then they thought, figuring Celestia herself teleported them there directly. when they stormed the tower they were knocked out when the three remaining guards used sleeping spells on them. the Rogues were turned in to the Griffin Emperor and the three guards were given commendations by the Princess herself." Nightquill finished.

Twilight blinked. "Wait.... how did you know about that story?"

Nightquill grinned, holding up a book on Equestrian Military history. "you really should brush up on your history, twilight."

Nightquill was suddenly hugged then promptly kissed on the muzzle by Broadsword. "YOU GENIUS! We can do the same with these dummies as well!"

Rarity thought for a moment then a smile grew on her muzzle. "Yes! I can ask High Tech and Digit for some Guard Armor we can use."

Nightquill was swaying with a stupid grin on his face, blushing yet again as Broadsword chuckled.

"Then we have a goal, ponies." Twilight announced as she fitted her helmet on and placed the crown of magic upon it's brow.

The ponies in the room nodded and went to work, Nyx and Spike went outside to alert and garner assistance from the town ponies. it wasn't long before Rarity had Digit following her with over ten royal guard armor sets as they fit them on the numerous training dummies, Pinkie, with the help of fluttershy, Nightquill and Rainbow Dash started filling the dummies with sleeping powder with a small explosive that will cause the dust to erupt.

Any Stallions and Mares capable of fighting were given free armor by High Tech as well as swords and shields. as Broadsword gave them the nessicary training they needed to defend themselves.

"AAH! Good! well done, ponies!" Broadsword said as Nightquill flew up beside him.

"How are we doing?" Nightquill asked looking at the small defense they created.

"They're no royal guard, but they'll be enough to bolster our defenses. it be best if they weren't in the front lines." Broadsword said with a sigh. "they are going to defend their home though."

Nightquill tapped his hoof on the ground then slumped. "Ah to hay with it..." he grabs Broadsword and gives him the longest deepest kiss he could muster, with the town ponies watching. a few of them whooping and whistling.

Nightquill finally broke the kiss and returned to his idle stance as though nothing happened and tried to look innocent, but he was once again blushing to his maximum limits.

Broadsword was now the one swaying and blushing.

"Well, brother Knight, let's make sure that's not the last we'll have." Nightquill said as he flew off to assist with shoring up the defense walls.

at the town square, Nyx was helping set up the dummies with other volunteers she sat down a dummy of Twilight and settled the helmet on the stuffed pony's head making sure it was kept straight. her ears swiveled as she heard little hooves gallop up to her.

"HIYA NYX!" The cutie Mark Crusaders yelled in unison.

"Hey, you three are okay!" Nyx said as she took off her helmet shrinking down to her friend's size.

"WHOAH!" Scootaloo said in awe. "we heard the stories, but didn't know it was true."

"That armor is so Pretty on you!" Sweetie Belle said as she trotted around Nyx as she posed in the armor. "Can you put the helmet back on?"

Nyx did just that, sliding the helmet on and grew to full size before the fillies. causing them to "oooh" at the sight of their friend now in regal armor.

"She's like Princess Celestia!" Applebloom said as she looked up at Nyx. "Looks way better then that armor you had when you were queen."

"Not ath thcary too." Twist said as she gazed at her own reflection in Nyx's armor.

Applebloom pouted a moment in thought. "I don't think it was that scary. honestly I don't think it was that protective."

"What do you mean?" Nyx asked as she sat down. to her, she was just talking to her best friends. though to passers by they thought a full grown pony was talking to children. in fact some ponies thought Nyx was Princess Luna in new armor to help defend them. and any who would have wanted to pass their own punishment on her quickly reconsidered their odds when they saw Nyx grew to a full size alicorn adult when she had that armor on.

"Well ya had the helmet, Chest armor, and the hoof shoes. that's about it." Applebloom said as she pointed a hoof at each part of her body when discribing the armor.

"I thought they were foreleg spikes?" Sweetiebell said.

"Your thinking of the Blender. he had spikes on his hoof shoes." Scootaloo said as she brought up a comic book of the Adolescent Abnormal Kung fu Cows, flipping to a pony wearing armor with spikes all over himself.

Sweetie Belle looked at the picture. "well the creators of the comic did say the Blender was based on Nightmare Moon."

"So how was the armor not protective enough?" Nyx asked, she remembered wearing the armor herself. it was heavy and quite durable and did it's job to defend her against Celestia and Luna. "I mean, it was protective."

"Yeah, but it left yer hind quarters, a good bit of yer legs and even yer throat vulnerable." Applebloom Stated as she thought back to how Nightmare Moon and Nyx wore the old armor. "this Armor just about covers everything. ya even have armor on yer wings."

"Hmmm...." Nyx began to think back on that armor with the new criticism of it in mind. the more she thought about it, it really wasn't that protective of more vulnerable areas like the throat. if Celestia wanted to she could have stabbed her in the neck or stomach when they thought. the battle would have been over much quickly. she then recalled how the armor did little against the Monsters of Everfree.

"I think your right...." Nyx said as she looked at her new armor. "Atleast this is more protective."

the four fillies nodded then saw the twilight dummy done up in royal guard armor.

"what's with the dummy?" Scootaloo asked as she examined the pony decoy. "why does it look like Twilight?"

Nyx smiled under the helmet. "these are decoy ponies, we placed them in armor to make the bad soldier ponies that are invading town to think the town is better defended then they believed. and when they attack them they'll ignite the sleep dust inside that will knock them out so we can take them prisoner."

"That's so cool! they'll never expect it!" Sweetie Belle chirped in her cute squeaky voice.

Nightquill flew up and landed beside the fillies. "everything's all set, Nyx. we're ready." he sees the Cutie Mark Crusaders looking up at him with curiosity. "who are your little friends?"

"We're...." Scootaloo Started.

"THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS, YAY!" the five fillies, well four fillies and one armor clad fully grown Alicorn.

Nightquill rubbed his ears wincing. "and I think I lost hearing in my right ear." he flicks at his ear with his hoof. he was of course goofing around, sticking his tongue out at the girls. "BYAH!"

The girls giggled.

"Hey, Nightquill. your good with traps right?" Nyx asked an idea forming in her head.

"Of course. I can set them up to." Nightquill said as he had Twist climbing ontop of him, though because of his time with children at Hollow Shades, he's quite good with them.

"I was thinking if maybe you can set up some natural traps in the forest along the boarder of Everfree forest?"

Nightquill thought about this. "that wouldn't be a bad Idea. I can easily set up traps using the woods itself."

"Do you need any help?" Sweetie Belle asked, feeling his wing. "Oooh they're so soft!"

"I think I can handle it myself, But on the other hoof, I can use some help getting the tools." Nightquill said.

"in your opinion, how long will it take until they reach the boarders?" Nyx asked.

Nightquill's face turned more serious as he ran the calculations. "About a day. they have a mass force, but the forest is dense. it'll take time for them to get here."

Nyx nodded. "I don't like ordering ponies around but, the sooner you get to work on those traps---"

"No your right." Nightquill said as he extended his wings. "well how about you girls come along?"

"SURE!" the four said in unison.

"We even have the tools we used for the talent show!" Scootaloo said as she sat on the stallion's back with Twist.

"You didn't use power tools, did you?" Nightquill asked with a bit of worry.