Ponyville for the most part, was sorta back to normal with all the glitter and gold having been reversed and any transformations to the town’s residents having been -mostly- reversed. Mind you, there were still one or two minor odd cases, with Applejack surprisingly having refused to be changed back to her pony form, actually embracing being a Kirin saying now she had two kinds of magic to work with. Her marefriend was still getting used to it, but Applejack figured Rara would come onto the changes in time. Fluttershy had kept the butterfly wings Rarity had given her, saying that they made her feel closer to the animals. And Rainbow was back to normal… mostly, except she still now bore shark’s teeth citing them as ‘awesome’. Or 20% cooler, depending on who you asked.

Lightning sighed to herself as she watched Rainbow dart through the skies like the aerial ace she was, having sat on the edge of a fountain to watch.

“Look at you, you’re just like some sort of lovesick puppy…” Silver Spoon teased. “Seriously, what is with you? If you like her that much, just go up and ask her out!”

“...It’s slightly more complicated than that Sil,” Lightning sighed to herself shaking her head. Oh, to be young and naive again she chuckled. “Trust me, if it was so simple I would have asked her out on a date. Actually, already did once. Worked out real swell,” Lightning chuckled, and Silver’s jaw dropped.

“Wait, you and she…?”

“Yep, kiddo. That we did,” Lightning remarked, ruffling Silver’s mane affectionately. “Even almost got married once. Almost.”

“...Wait, what?” Silver nearly screeched out, Lightning shushing her at the last moment.

“You want that to get around?” Lightning hissed out. “The last thing I want is Vapor badgering me about nearly marrying Rainbow!”

“So, why didn’t you?” Silver asked.

“...I… I was sorta caught off guard when she proposed,” Lightning murmured out in an ashamed tone. “That, and a surprise visit from Spitfire didn’t exactly help matters much. Rainbow may have sorta took offense or got it in her head that I was wimping out on her and well… She and I are barely on good terms as it is. ...Look, I don’t even know why I’m talking to you about this crap, I hate mushy stuff.”

“Hey, I’m your sister aren’t I?” Silver asked sitting down next to Lightning. “You can trust me with things like this, I won’t tell!”

“Really?” Lightning asked skeptically, knowing of Silver’s rep as a gossip hound.

“Pinkie Promise. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Even I know there are some things that mum’s the word on,” Silver replied doing the sacred motions. “Besides, having something secret to keep from Diamond? Best thing ever!”

“Okay…” Lightning trailed off. “Anyways, small wonder after all of this Rainbow thinks we’re like oil and water, we don’t exactly mix. I’m amazed she still talks to me at all. I mean, pretty much seemingly shooting down a marriage proposal like I did? That’d probably sting, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, it sorta would,” Silver agreed. “God knows if the man I ever asked to marry me shot me down like you say you seemingly did to Rainbow I’d be ticked off.”

“...Gee, thanks,” Lightning deadpanned. “Real confidence booster, that.”

“Er, sorry?” Silver laughed nervously. “Anyways, what’s stopping you from just going to apologize to Rainbow and taking up her offer?”

Lightning was about to answer, before she halted. Now that was a question she’d asked herself many times over since that fateful night.

“I… I… I…” Lightning stammered out, her thoughts running wild. One part of her mind, it wanted to accept especially after Rainbow’s confession, but the other knew this was a big step and was wondering if she was really ready for this.

Rainbow took her hesitation as her answer, just looking at the ring box before putting it aside on a nearby table. Fighting back tears, she stood up, unfurled her wings and muttered: “I… I see. Just… Just when you’re ready, okay?” she asked, before going inside to change back into her normal clothes and fly away into the night.

Lightning knew the answer, she always did. It had been in the back of her mind ever since that night, and had stayed there. She was always just far too proud to admit it. Fear, that’s what it was.

“I’ve… I’ve always been too afraid of what she’ll say to me, I mean… It’s been months since that happened, and yet I haven’t said a word to her about it since!”

“Ouch…” Silver winced. “Okay, so you’re terrified. Got it.”

“Look at me, probably one of the more daring and on occasion downright foolish Wonderbolts and yet I can’t work up the fucking nerve to say to the mare of my life that I love her! ...I’m so pathetic,” Lightning sniffled, old insecurities coming to the forefront once more. “Guess dear old dad was right, I’ll probably never amount to anything anyways…”

She looked at a certain wing and sighed as it creaked upon movement. “Besides, what would Rainbow want to do with me now? I mean, I’m a freak. Hardly call this attractive, would you? A mare with a gimp!”

“I dunno,” Silver trailed off. “It looks pretty cool to me, and while I don’t know much about Rainbow I know a fair bit about her little sister, Scootaloo.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lightning asked, raising an eyebrow.

“They’re a lot alike in some ways, aren’t they?” Silver Spoon replied. “I mean, they’re both athletic types and they both love things perceived as ‘cool’ and you flying with a hindrance and still managing to be the mare you are? I don’t know about you, but I’d like to think that Rainbow would find that awesome wouldn’t you?”

“I… I suppose you’re right,” Lightning agreed as she wiped away her tears. “Thanks, Sil, for snapping me out of that funk. I needed that.”

“Hey, it’s what I’m here for isn’t it?” Silver asked as Lightning picked herself up.

“No more tears, no more hesitation,” Lightning declared. “Tonight Rainbow, you will be mine!”

Silver blushed at that particular wording as she watched Lightning run off and take flight.

“Go get her.” she thought.

Canterlot:

“So, what do you think Thrax is going to do now that he has that book?” Gilda asked, at Twilight’s side as always nowadays.

“Whatever he wants,” Twilight responded, looking down at her hooves. “He’ll do anything and everything his sick heart desires.”

“Which is a fairly disturbing thought. Gee, thanks for that Twi. Real big thank you for that. Should never have asked… If what we saw yesterday was only the tip of the iceberg… Well, we’re in for a Hell of a ride aren’t we?” she remarked. “Guess that’s why you’re here in Canterlot aren’t you? For training from that Flash Fire mare right?”

“Yeah, whether she’ll accept me as a student is another matter entirely…” Twilight sighed before Gilda slung an arm around her shoulders.

“Hey, you’ve got me now right?” Gilda remarked and gestured to herself with a claw. “I like to think myself a pretty badass hen, and I am I not right?” she commented. “Plus, you’re like some uber-powerful magic user right? So what’s the problem?”

“The problem is, neither of you are worth a damn on the battlefield.” A fist jabbed into Gilda’s back, followed by a suplex. “Never let your mind wander. Not even on a simple walk through the city.”

“Ugh, ambush…” Gilda muttered picking herself up off the ground and dusting herself off. “Not cool man. Not cool! You know, if I wasn’t allowed to pick fights unless absolutely necessary by Pai Zhuq rules I’d totally kick your ass!”

She soon changed her mind upon getting a look at the mare who could only be Flashfire and swallowed nervously. Flash Fire stood out amongst a crowd, older than someone middle-aged but retaining her muscled body. Like all members of the Flash lineage, she retained the orangish traditional coat color. Her mane was a fiery red with streaks of yellow running through it.

“And will your enemies obey those rules? Sure, it’s fine to live by a code, but when it really gets down to brass tacks, it's either you or them. Honor isn’t going to do much good when you're dead.”

“Easy Flash Fire,” Twilight replied. “She’s just being protective of me. Seems she’s elected herself as my personal bodyguard for whatever reason.”

“...Damn right I have,” Gilda muttered. “I’m your fiance, I’m allowed to be your bodyguard and kick a bit of ass to protect yours, am I right?”

“Spoken just like an arrogant bird,” Flash Fire scoffed, crossing her arms. “Save your bluster, hen, it’ll get you nowhere with me.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that one…” Gilda grumbled. “Listen here little miss hardass, if you beat up my fiance too badly then I’m coming after you next are we clear?”

Twilight face-palmed and sighed. She swore Gilda was going to be the death of her someday, her and her uber-protectiveness.

“Easy Gilda, I need this. The problem is, as you asked, is there are ponies like Neighsay and of course Thrax out there and I need all the help I can get. If it’s not Thrax, it could be someone I can’t foresee on the horizon,” Twilight reminded, the little black Cerberus familiar on her shoulder nodding in agreement. “No pain, no gain right?” she asked Flash Fire turning back to her.

“Exactly.” Flash nodded, turning away. ‘Come on, we’re going to the sparing yard. Get your fancy belt ready.”

“Already got it,” Twilight said, pulling it out and slapping it on before tossing her banana lockseed skywards catching in and then slamming it into her belt and slicing it open.

“Come on! Banana Arms: Knight of Spe~ar!” the belt sang as usual as the armor unfolded.

“Hey, how’d you even know about this anyways?” Twilight asked out of curiosity as she teleported Flash Fire to the sparring yard. Upon seeing the Princess and the legendary and rather infamous Captain, the rest of the guards in the area cleared the Hell out of there pretty damn fast. “...Wait, did my brother say anything about this? Or was it Robert?”

“I don’t need to be told anything. Who do you think makes sure the military runs smoothly? Takes care of the dirty work so ponies like you can enjoy all the peace and harmony?” Flash reached into her armor, holding up a small green crystal. “Sentry ever mention this to you? The Flash family heirloom?”

“Not really, he was rather far too interested in playing kissy-face with me, in hindsight, to ever mention a lot of details about his family,” Twilight sighed. She needed better choices in romance. First Flash, and now Gilda. Both had issues. And in Gilda’s case, there was no backing out of this one. Well, unless she wanted to be the cause of a war.

Flash Fire sighed, shaking her head. “That idiot needs to get his shit together. I can’t pass this on before he’s ready. Why they're considering him for a promotion and placing him in a certain corps when he doesn’t even have this baffles me.” Taking a stance, the jewel glowed in her hand. If Twilight didn't know better, she would have sworn that was the exact same type of crystal Drakkon's soldiers used to morph, now being reverse-engineered by Canterlot mages. “This goes all the way back to the days of Magnus. If you can hit me, I’ll tell you all about it.” It glowed brighter, engulfing her in a green light.

Flash’s armor had been replaced; black and gold armor covered her body, with her breastplate sporting a silver sigil with five branches. A black visor obscured her face, thought Twilight could feel her eyes watching her every movement. Gilda had managed to find her way to the field, and her jaw dropped upon seeing this.

“She’s… she’s a ranger?” Gilda asked.

“Your move, princess.”

Twilight, nervously charged forward spear in hand and thrusted it forwards towards Flash Fire letting out a battle cry as she did so. Flash swatted the spear away, slamming her fist into Twilight’s chest.

“No doubt, no hesitation. You do or die,” Stepping back, Flash drew a line with her foot. “You have five steps. Get across this line.”

Twilight actually managed to use a form of teleportation magic to sprint across to the line, appearing as if she was moving at super speed.

“Easy peasy,” Twilight smirked. Only to be clotheslined and thrown back an inch from the line.

“I said, cross the line,” Flash repeated, tapping her hoof. “You can do that, can’t you?”

“Okay, that...” Gilda thought. “That little bitch! She crossed the line! She passed your stupid test!”

Twilight let out a growl and ran forwards towards Flash ire her fist drawn back to punch the mare in the face. Flash caught it, easily pulling Twilight into an arm lock.

“Think! You let any emotion control you in a fight and you die. You need to control them, keep a cool head and take every situation as it comes,” Shoving Twilight back across the line, Flash resumed her position. “Again. Cross the line.”

Twilight pulled out another lockseed and slammed it into her belt practically growling as she did so.

“Come on! Mango Arms: Fight of Ham~mer!”

Trudging forwards Twilight walked up to the line. “How am I supposed to control my emotions?” Twilight asked. “How am I? I’m not you, I’m not Princess Celestia. Every day, every single damn day everyone looks to me for an answer, and every single day Thrax, Bunglay or Goddess knows whatever else wants to put Equestria on the chopping block! I’m never going to be fully in control of my emotions, not like you are!” Twilight screamed, sounding nearly close to tears.

“Not if you don’t try.” Flash stepped over the line, slamming her elbow into Twilight’s shoulder. Juking around to the left, she easily removed the lockseed from Twilight’s belt. “You’re not ready for sparring,” Flash demorphed herself, pocketing the lockseed. “Hen, get down here. We’re starting from the basics!”

“Excuse me?” Gilda shouted. “Where the hell do you get off on saying that? This isn’t training, this is just beating someone up for no point!” Gilda shouted. “You heard Twilight, she’s not you, despite how much you want her to be!”

“I don’t want her to be me, I want her to be better,” Flash responded, clasping her arms behind her back. “If a simple training exercise riles her up that badly; makes her that reckless, what happens if she loses it on the battlefield? It’ll get people killed. Is that what either of you want? You don’t need to be me, or Celestia, you need to be you. A better you. If neither of you are willing to learn, then I can’t teach you.”

“I can see why so many quit,” Twilight snapped. “They didn’t want to deal with your attitude. Gilda’s right, this isn’t training, this is just you beating someone up just because you want to vent your damn frustrations onto someone! You want to clone yourself, relive past glories!”

“If I wanted to vent my frustrations, I’d go build a boat. If I wanted to relive past glories, I’d go look in a photo album. You want to know what this was? It was seeing how much pressure and frustration you could take before you snap. You need to learn to control your emotions. You can stand there and yell at me about making you a clone but that’s just your denial to face your problems.”

“Break you down, to build you up…” Twilight whispered in recognition having heard of Shining doing this -if not to this extent- on his troops. “That’s what all this is isn’t it?”

Flash chuckled, shaking her head. “I don’t intend to break you, Twilight. I’m going to forge you, forge you into the sword to cleave our enemies and the shield to protect those who need it. We’re tabling sparring for now, we’ve both seen what’ll happen. Like I said, the basics, starting with getting that tempest you call an emotional core under wraps.”

“Fine then… Let’s do this.” Twilight said slamming a fist up against her palm.

“You too,” Flash spoke, looking at Gilda. “You need a cool head just as much as she does.”

Gilda cracked her knuckles before tossing off her jacket and flexed her muscles. “Fair enough. If I get knocked down… Well. I'll stand up... As many times as I have to… Just to defend Equestria and my wife,” she said, thumping a fist against her chest. “Much as I hate to admit it, they’re my people now as well. So even if that means giving into silly pony sensibilities like love and friendship, then I’ll do it.”

“Me,” Twilight started. “All I ever wanted to do when Thrax first reared his ugly head was help defend Equestria. Seeing that knock off of me calling herself Genm? That just pissed me off, a mare like her falling to darkness and using her intelligence for evil and working for those Dai-Shocker snakes. I vowed then and there, never to let evil get this close to my doorstep yet again, and that means enduring your form of Hell… Then so be it. Hit me with your best shot!”

Flash patted Twilight’s shoulder. “Relax, no one’s going to be hitting each other for a while. I’ll make you a deal, Princess. Every lesson you pass, you get to ask me a question. Anything you want. I’ll even give you a free one right now.”

“Fine then. I’m asking this. Me, I won’t leave anyone behind, that's my strength. What’s yours? Why did you decide to join the Royal Guard? Why?” Twilight asked.

“Because that’s the Flash family way. Equestria needs ponies, those who are willing to sacrifice in their stead. Do the dirty things that would give any normal pony nightmares. Galaxy knows this, so does the rest of his Night Guard. If I don’t do it, someone else will have to. That’s why I joined.”

“So then professor,” Twilight asked. “What’s my first lesson?”

“It’s time to learn how to breathe.” Flash replied, giving her a simple smile.

Ponyville: Sugarcube Corner

“You’re… You’re joking right?” Trixie asked in disbelief, her jaw hanging loose. “P-Please tell me you’re kidding,” she said sounding close to tears. “Twilight, my Twilight is getting married to that… that bint!?!”

“Language, please!” Rarity shouted. “But yes, Twilight is getting married to Gilda. ... Can scarcely believe it myself, but it’s happening.” she sighed wanting to comfort Trixie. She just wasn’t sure how.

“O-Oh, well isn’t this just great!” Trixie shouted, her lip quivering as she fought back tears. “The mare of my life is getting married to that brute of a griffon, and if that wasn’t enough, I just recently discovered my Rangers powers are beginning to go! Oh, woe is Trixie!”

“Are… Are you sure about this?” Trixie asked, looking Zecora dead-straight in the eyes. “P-Please tell me you’re wrong!”

“I wish I was, but I can feel it weakening,” Zecora spoke, her hand resting on the gem. “When I realized it was losing power, I went through those notes the other Twilight left. Unfortunately, your gem is just too different from her magic stones.”

“I’ve heard this thing’s power was depleted once before,” Trixie sighed. “Hundreds of years ago, to defeat this Mesogog creep. But… But Retinax managed to repower it! If he can do it, why can’t you?”

Zecora gave Trixie a deadpan look. “Trixie, my power comes from mixtures. Of alchemy and herbology. I cannot replicate whatever power a monster of pollution can produce.”

“Then… It’s finally coming to an end isn’t it?” Trixie sighed. “I guess it was just too much to hope for that Trixie could finally become a hero, wasn’t it? How many… How many morphs do you think this has left in it?”

“Three. Four if you can keep them short,” Zecora replied, handing the bracelet back to Trixie “I’m sorry, I can’t do more for you.”

“...Well, you… you did your best Zecora, thank you,” Trixie whispered fighting back tears before she wiped them away before chuckling.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing…” Trixie replied. “Okay, maybe it’s just that Retinax intended for me to be his little puppet, just for a little while gambling even on limited morphs would be enough to destroy the Rangers and show up Thrax. Almost did, but I broke free of his little strings. And now… Well, Trixie intends for her very last morphs to be even more showy than usual. I’ll show Retinax, Thrax and Mystic Mother knows whoever else wants to challenge me that Trixie Lulamoon will not be beaten so easily!”

“...Wish I saw this coming though,” Trixie sighed, Vapor rubbing her shoulder in sympathy. She knew all too well what it was like to never get your chance to confess to the one that you loved. “Funny that, Twilight’s always been my rock. Always kept me striving, always making me challenge myself, try to be better than her. The question is… what do I do now?”

“What do you think?” Rarity asked. “Be happy for her. There’s always another fish in the sea right?”

Trixie huffed.

“You’re acting like a child Trix,” Vapor sighed rubbing her temples. “As much as I hate to say it, that’s exactly how you’re acting. Like a child who’s been denied their favorite toy. Twilight’s still alive isn’t she?”

“What does that have to do anything?” Trixie mumbled.

“The love of my life… He isn’t. Killed in battle with the Orgs, trying to protect me even when I got in the way. I never had a chance to say anythin’ to him, not one word you understand?” Vapor asked.

“Oh, Vapor…” Rarity whispered, knowing exactly who the mare was referring to.

“Tell Twilight, or not. That doesn’t matter. Just let her be happy,” Vapor continued. “As long as she’s happy, you’re happy right?”

“I… I suppose,” Trixie whimpered before she picked herself up. “You’re right, I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself and that’s not what a Lulamoon does. No, they hold their heads high and live life to its fullest. As should I! I may not have had my chance with Twilight, but I will at least let her keep her happiness, protect her from the shadows!” Trixie declared.

“How… How are you going to do that?” Rarity asked, not really sure if she wanted to know. Trixie then brought out a very familiar form of Driver.

“So glad you asked!” Trixie cried, booping Rarity on the nose before placing the Driver around her waist, with a yellow belt wrapping itself around her and a white samurai-themed helm appearing on the Driver’s faceplate. “My powers may be fading, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still help not just Twilight, but you gals right?”

“T-Trixie, are you sure about this?” Rarity stammered out. “I mean, this is a big leap up from your Ranger powers. I’ve seen Twilight in action. Those Rider powers of hers, definitely a lot stronger than the powers of the Dino Gems.”

“Exactly, those were crude… While these Lockseeds? They’re more refined than the brute strength of the dinosaurs! A new me is being born today. A new Trixie! In fact… That’s what I’ll call myself! Kamen Rider Lulamoon!” Trixie declared, pointing skywards.

“Go Trixie, go Trixie!” Pinkie Pie shouted in the background. “Yeah, you show them who’s boss! Strike those monsters down from the heavens like a slaying moon!”

Vapor facepalmed while Rarity groaned to herself. “...Me thinks Trixie needs to work on her names.” Rarity muttered.

“Whatever do you mean?” Trixie asked. “Trixie’s names are brilliant!” she huffed.

“...That is a matter of opinion,” Vapor sweatdropped. “Still, nice to see you’re back on your hooves again Trix. Seeing you down… well, it’s like something just sucked all the energy out of the room. It just ain’t right, ya know?”

Trixie smirked. “So glad we’re on the same page!” she declared, throwing an arm around Vapor who could only groan.

“...Kill me now. Someone.”

Lightning, with no small amount of fear and anxiety pumping through her veins like a blazing inferno, flapped her wings heading right for Rainbow’s home. She swallowed, it looked the same as it always did, this condominium type building with a rainbow fall spilling out onto the ground below and pooling in a small lake. Lightning chuckled, she supposed being an Element of Harmony and a Wonderbolt did have its perks.

Touching down on the little pathway leading up to her sorta fiance’s home, she took in a deep breath and knocked on the door.

“R-Rainbow?” Lightning breathed out nervously. “It’s me… L-Lightning Dust. You know, your eternal rival, all around badass and former love of your life?”

Something shattered from inside the house. Sounded like a vase hitting the floor. Then hooves rapidly galloped towards the front door, before it was opened with Rainbow’s eyes wide in shock at the sight of Lightning.

“Listen, I’m sorry…” Lightning whispered. “You… You just…”

“Just what?” Rainbow growled out, and Lightning flinched at her tone and took a few steps back. “Just caught you off-guard? Yeah, I can understand that. I sorta did bring that up out of nowhere, so I can understand you being surprised and all. That’s not what I’m angry about! No, what I’m pissed off about is you not even bothering to talk to me after all this time about this!” the mare yelled looking half-tempted to slap Lightning across the face.

“I was afraid, okay?” Lightning asked her voice raising itself to a shout. “What more do you want from me? To get on my hands and knees and grovel?”

“I doubt even that would work,” a voice Lightning knew all too well sneered as she heard the sound of wings flapping behind her and two hooves hitting cloud. “Who would want to take you back?”

“D-Dad?” Lightning stammered out.

“Wait, dad?” Rainbow blinked out in shock, looking between Wind Rider and Lightning Dust and then looking back at Wind Rider. She then slapped a hand to her face in remembrance. Right, Lightning had told her who she was related to.

“What the… What are you even doing here?” Lightning asked. “Are you really that fucking serious? Are you stalking me or something?” she shouted.

“Someone in my position has to keep track of the spawn he’s sired. Especially a screw up like you. What you do reflects on me after all, Lightning.”

“Oh, well isn’t that just rich!” Lightning snapped, that fear and anxiety from before being replaced by something else. A bubbling, boiling rage. Like it was burning away at her soul. “You couldn’t give a damn about me for years, always pushing me off to the side, and only now you decide to show up in my fucking life again, just out of the blue like that? You didn’t even show up when that Org sent me into a hospital!” Lightning continued, spreading her mechanical wing for emphasis.

“Lightning, look I...” Wind Rider sighed, letting his wings droop. “You know, it’s not important. Nothing we say to each other will change anything. I shouldn’t have bothered you.”

“Damn right on both counts!” Lightning retorted back, nearly screaming now. “Nothing you say will ever change anything, that I was always a worthless failure in your eyes! That’s what you always called me after I flunked out of the Academy, and even after I got back in you still thought of me as such! But you know what, you don’t control my life anymore, I will marry this mare and nothing you can say or do will stop me!”

Wind Rider said nothing, merely spreading his wings and flying off.

“Dad… Mystic Mother, why…?” Lightning whispered before punching part of the cloud in frustration hot tears stringing her face. “Why… why now of all times?”

Suddenly, she found herself brought into a hug by Rainbow as Lightning finally let the tears flow. “Shh… Shh, it’s alright,” Rainbow whispered, rubbing Lightning’s back as the mare -No, her fiance Rainbow reminded herself then and there- sobbed into her shoulder. “It’s okay, I’m right here.”

“Thank… Thank you,” Lightning whispered.

“We’ll take things slow from here on out, okay?” Rainbow asked. “I was wrong before, we’re not like oil and water. We do mix. Just took me some time to realize that. I’ll marry you, okay?”

“R-Really?” Lightning hiccuped. “Really?

“Yeah Lightning, as long as you agree to marry me.”

Lightning smiled and wiped away her tears before kissing Rainbow on the lips wrapping her arms around her. “It’s not even a question. It never should have been…” she whispered out, after finally pulling away. “My Rainbow. My Rainbow...” she whispered.

Miles below, back in Canterlot Thrax had discovered Neighsay’s hidden greenhouse of Helheim fruits. “Huh, and to think a perfect power source for Serpentera was laying here in wait this whole time!” Thrax cackled.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of an axe slicing through the air and dodged to the left before firing lightning chains binding Retinax to the wall.

“You know, you were once my greatest general, you know that right? And you could have been had you not chose to betray me. I could have rewarded you with more power than even Goldar!” Thrax remarked with a sigh, Retinax’s eyes widening. “But now look at you, reduced to cowardly sneak attacks. You know, I almost pity you. Almost. Badussa?” he asked, as a figure with dark red skin and wearing a bony helmet stepped forwards. “Deal with him.”

Gripping his sword, which seemed to end in a sharp-toothed maw, Badussa grinned. “Gladly, milord.”

Retinax’s screams echoed all throughout Canterlot.

Author's Notes:

Welp, another huge thanks to Shagohad for pitching in and writing his(?) character Flash Fire. No relation to the one from To the Stars, thankfully. I apologize if you don't like her, but I'm not sure Shago meant to write her to be liked.

Anyways, long-standing romantic plotline resolved, and Lightning finally gives her dear old dad Hell. This isn't the last you'll see of him, rest assured, but that was a long time coming don't you agree? And Retinax is dead, only to be replaced with a new general, who I can tell you will play a important part in an upcoming tribute chapter. Not the one you might be thinking of though, won't say more on that.

Anyways... Next month, Twilight VS Neighsay!

As ever, your comments and thoughts are welcomed.