Back in Canterlot, many ponies are currently either chained up and muzzled or either caged up while feeling very sad and depressed as Songbird Serenade is currently in one of the cages.

“I am here and I see your pain

Through the storms, through the clouds, the rain

I'm telling you you can not escape.”

She sang until one of the storm creatures who hated the singing came off and growled at her while banging on her cage to knock if off.

She sadly sighs as she then sees Twilight being wheeled across the streets in her cage but to her surprise she isn’t looking depressed or sad that she has been captured as she is taking this so far in stride so far as if she has planned on this. Twilight seeing her give her an assuring nod that she’s got this as she is wheeled inside the Canterlot throne room under Tempest’s orders. She then looks around the throne room as her cage is placed on the flower tiles in position with the other petrified princesses as she analyzes her plan while secretly observing the lock to her cage.

“Tempest, don't do this. Don't give the Storm King…” Twilight pleaded Tempest not to go through with his and Midnight’s orders to give her one last chance to back out before fate can decide her end.

“Your magic?” She finished as she approached her Did you think you'd keep it all to yourself? Time to share.” She still refused to listen to her. “I'd love for everybody out there to know what I can really do.” She then said with a confident and pleased smile that everything went exactly as planned thanks to Midnight as she and the Storm King arrive on the scene.

“Ooh, fascinating! What can you really do?” The Storm King wondered the same thing having heard the last bit of the conversation.

“Your bidding, of courth, Your Mighty One.” Grubber answered the question as Tempest got herself into her obeying position in the presence of her boss before the former decided to awkwardly leave.

“Bidding's good. I like bidding!” The Storm King nonchalantly responded as she eyed Twilight. “Um, what are you supposed to be?””

“I'm the Princess of Friendship!” She bravely answered while glaring at him and Midnight.

“Oh. That's nice.“ He laughed it off while turning to Midnight and Tempest. “Why is this one still moving?”

“She and her friends put up a bit of a fight, but she's alone now. She won't be a problem.” Tempest reported to him.

“And trust us we tell that she is a pony you do not want to underestimate even when she is a damsel in distress.” Midnight added as Twilight glares at her angrily for corrupting Tempest. “And while I don’t deny my methods are harsh, winning tends to settle any arguments.” She then evilly smirked at Twilight.

“Yeah. So, speaking of problems, this place, it seems a little too…oh, I don't know…cute!!!” The Storm King off handily mentioned while shouting at the last part while all three ponies don’t flinch in response. “I don't like cute! I never did like cute! Doesn't really go with my whole "big bad powerful magic guy" thing, does it?! Deliver the punchline, Tempest, because this has gotta be a joke!” He then told his second-in-command as she and Midnight both raise a single eyebrow unamused with his antics while shifting a single eye towards each other in agreement as the Storm King then shoves the staff into the center of the room ready to take the princesses magic.

But just he did so Twilight already broke out of her cage after picking the lock figuring out that Midnight had used her magic to set the lock on it and then the second her inserted his staff she then quickly used her magic force all three leaders backwards into the nearby walls while using the staff’s powers to quickly turn the other princesses back from being stone as the three all gasp in relief once they have been freed from their brief imprisonment as they witness Twilight breathe fire furiously in the into the ceiling to burst a hole into it before facing off against Midnight herself.

“All right, I’m impressed.” Midnight complimented unfazed by that. “No pony has ever gotten the best of me like that.” She then said as she spread her wings ready to face off against her. “And it’s almost a shame to have to force said ponies destiny onto herself. Almost!”

“Bring it!” Twilight defiantly challenged her evil counterpart as she flapped her wings with her horn glowing as she conjured up a massive fireball right at Midnight who effortlessly dodged the attack as Twilight fires a few more fireballs right at her before propelling herself with fire to charge at her to tackle her through the nearby wall to outside the balcony while firing another magic blast right at her to slam her down to the ground below the castle.

The princesses are amazed at this scene while it seemed clear that Twilight is so focused on her fight with Midnight she didn’t see them but didn’t have time to worry about it as they nearly dodge an attack from the Storm King who used the staff to nearly blast them while Cadance quickly used her magic to stop the attack before countering with an attack on her own to force the Storm King back as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna prepare to face off against him and Tempest.

“Go!” She commanded Princess Cadance. “Help Twilight and the others! We’ll take care of the Storm King himself along with Tempest.” She then eyed both them along with her sister as they spread her wings and lit up her flaring horns ready to face off against them as they both charge at each other while Twilight and Midnight continue to fire attacks off at each other as Twilight furiously tries to further assault Midnight with her and tries to force her on the defense as Twilight roars as she charges at Midnight.

Back outside the castle Capper wearing a chef’s apron and hat with the Mane 5 and Starlight as the sad deliver ponies carrying a cake with Spike breathing fire continuously on top of the cake while Shining Armor, Thorax, and Ember sneak their way through the nearby bushes getting themselves into position besides the castle gates waiting for Capper’s signal.

“Uh, yeah, I got a delivery here for a Mister "The Storm King" and Miss Midnight Sparkle. I was given explicit instructions to bring this here cake to this here castle's throne room.” Capper pretended to read from the paper with the Storm King and Midnight’s symbol on it as the guards take a brief look at each other before brandishing their weapons at him. “All right, then. Look here. Could one o' y'all go be a pal, go tell your bosses he and she's not gettin' their "congratulations on subduing defenseless pastel ponies" cake? 'Cause I don't wanna be the one responsible for the big guy missin' his special dessert. You know what I'm sayin'?“ He further warned them calmly of the consequences before turning to leave as he counts his fingers to three with his fingers as the guards grant his request while smiling and winking at Pinkie Pie. “Thank you kindly, fellas. I'mma be sure and put in a good word for the botha y'all.”

As Capper, Starlight, Spike and the Mane Five make their inside castle grounds the two guards secretly find themselves quickly knocked unconsciousness to a kick to the head by Shining Armor while currently invisible courtesy of a spell he cast on himself while Thorax disguises himself as one of the Storm King’s guards while Ember secretly hides in Thorax’s armor.

Outside of the castle grounds are the other armies waiting for Shining Armor’s signal when the battle commences.

“Mmm! Pie!” Grubber said while currently enjoying the cart of pies nearby until he spots the even more interesting dessert with his eyes. “Oh, hello, cake! Ooh! Don't mind if I do!” He then sample tasted the cake while exposing one of the hidden eyes inside. “Mmm! That's some, like, gourmet ithing!” He enjoyed the taste while noticing the eye inside of the cake. “Who putth eyeballth in filling?“ He then realizes what is really happening as he called out. “Guards!”

The storm creatures alerted to this growl and glare at them as they surround them

“Uh-oh. Plan B?” Capper spoke realizing they are busted.

“The jig is up!” Rainbow Dash said in alert as she quickly back-hoofed the cart to alert those inside the cake.

“NOW!” Shining Armor called out as he dropped his invisibility spell while quickly taking out four guards at once by grabbing one of the guards holding the spears while circling around the cart to knock them all out with on swift circular motion as Thorax and Ember emerge from their disguises as the pirates all emerge from the cake.

Prince Rutherford leading the backup charge yells as he and the other yaks charge their way through to plow through the approaching storm guards that tried to attack them with the griffons following by picking them up and tossing them into the stream of water nearby.

“Come on!” Captain Celaeno lead her crew into battle as she and the other pirates quickly disarm the soldiers as Shining Armor quickly charges to buck each and every one them with his hooves and horn alone while using a spell to quickly freeze them as they were all ready to dog-pile on him. He then calmly walked aside and used his horn to cancel to spell to cause them to accidentally beat themselves up while dog-piling each other as the stallion then used his magic to hurl them into the nearby walls to knock them all out.

Starlight then charges at one of the storm guards to blast magic right at his face to hurl right across town.

“Oof! Gotcha!” Princess Skystar told one of the guards as she lifted him up into the air to bowl down a group of soldiers Spike and Ember both breathed fire at the same time to knock them out.

Applejack then with the combination of her lasso was able to tie up one of the creatures and then bucked him right in the face to send him flying over the horizon.

Together both Capper and Rarity with the latter’s magic was able to tie up one of the guard with a purple bow holding up one of the banners above.

“Lovely!” Rarity commented in delight of their work.

“Surprise!” Pinkie cheerfully offered a gift to one of the storm creatures who accepted the gift only to find Pinkie already inside of the gift with a cupcake on her hoof. “Double surprise!!” She exclaimed as she punched the creature right in the face with it to knock him out before assaulting many storm guards with multiple cupcakes while manically laughing.

Fluttershy herself trying to avoid conflict as much as she can finds herself face to face with one of the guards who glares at her.

“You seem tense. Do you wanna talk about it?” Fluttershy offered to which the storm creature reacted with confusion at this proposal as Starlight faces off against more of the guards herself.

“Hello!” Starlight told the guards who tried to corner before charging ahead and sliding under their feet before quickly turning around and using her magic to summon a ball of magic for her to throw from her horn to take them down in one move. “And good-bye!” She then smiled confidently.

Thorax then pretending to be one of the storm guards quickly tackles one of the other guards before grabbing him by the throat and then throwing him aside to one of the guards before finding himself surrounding by the other guards as Princess Cadance quickly intervenes by using her magic to scatter them around while firing magic blasts to the face in retaliation for the last time they fought.

As Shining Armor finds himself cornered by the three of the guard ready to close in on him with their spears a voice calls out to them.

“Oh boys!” Princess Cadance called out to them as she hopped over to the wall to face them before using three of her hooves to knock them all down to the ground. “That was for crashing my sister-in-law's party!” Princess Cadance firmly told them before smiling at her husband.

“Princess Cadance!” The Mane Five exclaimed in happy surprise.

“Cadance!” Shining Armor exclaimed in happy tears as he hugs his wife. “You’re okay!”

“All thanks to Twilight!” Princess Cadance happily returned the hug while tearing up too. “Speaking of which!” She then seriously spoke to them along with Spike and the Mane Five. “We have to help her along with Celestia and Luna!” She told pointing up to the sky where Twilight is currently fighting Midnight as the two alicorns continue trading blows trying land hits on each other as they all use clouds for cover to try to gain the surprise advantage over each other while magical blasts with struggling grunts of both the sun and moon princesses are being heard from the throne room.

“Head for the castle!” The pirate captain instructed them.

“We'll hold them off!” Ember added as she breathed fire at one of the soldiers.

“Come on girls!” Princess Cadance commanded the Mane Five, Starlight and Spike as they, Shining Armor, Princess Skystar, and Capper all made their way towards the castle as the dragon, changeling, and pony armies all come in to invade Canterlot to fight off the storm creatures while their leaders face off against the more dangerous and powerful foes.

“Let it all out.” Fluttershy comforting the solider who is now crying.

“Fluttershy!” Everyone called out to her.

“Oh! Sorry, our time is up. Buh-bye!” Fluttershy quickly but politely said farewell to her as she ran off.

“Goodbye!” The storm creature sadly returned the favor.

Back out on the skies both Twilight and Midnight were both flying around trying to land blows on each other as they all fly around the skies around the castle grounds and all around Canterlot as Midnight finally managed to send three blasts in retaliation at her with two of them from her fists while twirling into a somersault to deliver one magical blast from her horn to which the last one really knocked her down to the ground just in front of the castle before following it up with a charge right at her with her horn making contact with her left eye to where she managed to knock Twilight down the stairs right in front of the heroes making their charge to the castle.

As Twilight briefly groaned as part of her mane got in her face to cover her scratched left eye, the others gasped when they saw what Midnight did to her as she got back and then used quickly flew herself with while giving herself a boost with using fiery magic before sending a massive magical blast right at her chest in retaliation to send her flying up into the air before charging at Midnight and tackling her with the intent to slam her into the nearby mountain to which she did after using her magic to twirl her around before slamming her into the massive pile of rocks from the broken mountain.

Before any of them could try to fly over to help her they find themselves surrounded by approaching storm creatures.

“Uh-oh!” Applejack spoke realizing they are outnumbered again.

“Keep going!“ Princess Skystar ordered the other to press forward she stays behind to fight the approaching storm creatures. “Shelly? Sheldon?” the hippogriff princess told her shells as she tossed them to one of the storm guards who clammed their mouths onto his behind leading to the guard to grunt in pain while holding his behind in pain while lifting one of the guards up to hurl him over the river.

“Hey, ain't you a fire-breathin' dragon?” Capper pointed out to Spike who then confidently smiles when he sees what he is pointing out as the cat grabs him and squeezes him like a blow-torch to breathe fire at the guards who all scream in pain after they all got burned.

“All right, Cadance with me!” Shining Armor lead his wife inside the castle so they can help Princess Celestia and Princess Luna who are currently fighting off against both the Storm King and Tempest where they both face off against more storm guards who all charged at them to which the couple easily plowing their way through with their magic and hooves. Princess Cadance flies over the guards to do so while Shining Armor runs across the way while taking out guards along the way as they both make their way to the throne room.

The Storm King is currently facing off against Princess Celestia while Tempest is currently facing off against Princess Luna.

Celestia shoots magic right at the Storm King only for some of the magic she sent to be absorbed by the staff who then redirected the attack with his staff back at her who tumbled across the throne room before retaliating with a deliberate miss at the wall so she can slam him into the wall with her horn. The Storm King quickly recovered as he and the sun princess both locked their horn and staff together as they then engaged in a sword fight with the two leaders both fending themselves off as Celestia flies around trying to find an opening against him until she tried to make a move against him only to find her out-muscled by the Storm King and then pinned down to the ground as he prepares to deliver the killing blow.

“Any last words, pampered princess?” The Storm King taunted as he raised his staff.

“Say hello?” Princess Celestia merely replied while smirking.

“Say hello to who?” The Storm King asked confused.

“Say hello to this!” Celestia answered by sending a magical blast to the face before kicking him square in the chest to which Celestia uses the opportunity to get up, spin around to kick up right into the wall.

Just before Celestia could deliver the finishing blow she finds herself quickly forced back by an attack by Tempest defending her boss before quickly defending herself against Princess Luna who attempts to tackle her down to the ground as they tumbled across the room as Tempest managed to kick the night monarch off of her before she quickly sent two magic blasts right back at her to which Tempest quickly back flipped to dodge them.

“What are you smiling about?!” Luna asked in confusion at the smirking unicorn.

“I was just remembering the last time we fought.” Tempest replied as she sent her unstable magic right at her to which Luna quickly produced a magic shield to defend herself against the attack and to which Tempest then suddenly found herself blasted square in the chest back against the wall.

“Well, a lot has changed since then now that you don’t have those orbs that turned us into stone.” Luna remarked as she sends another blast to knock her down as she pinned the unicorn down on the ground. “Give up!”

“Never!” Tempest defiantly retorted as she kicked Luna square in the chest to force her back as they two glare at each other down from a fair distance before they charge at each other and clash with each other with their magic for a good few minutes while the Storm King and Princess Celestia continued to clash with their horn and staff respectively as Princess Celestia started to gain the edge against the struggling Storm King as Princess Celestia then locks her horn with his staff before ducking and blasting magic right at his chest to which quickly forced him back before sending after blast at him to deny him the chance to recover at the same time Luna lands the defeating blow to Tempest with her magic leaving the two sisters looking over the defeated opponents just as Shining Armor and Princess Cadance arrived as Princess Celestia confiscates the staff from the Storm King.

“Well done, Aunt Celestia, Aunt Luna!” Cadance complimented them with an impressed tone.

“Well your fighting skills did have to come from somewhere in your family.” Celestia chuckled as she thought nothing of it.

“Um, I hate to break up the celebration but there’s still a major concern in the skies.” Shining Armor pointed out to the fight between Twilight and Midnight as they both continue to deck it out in the skies as Midnight is starting to gain the edge in the aerial duel as Twilight is finding herself struggling to hold off Midnight’s attacks as Midnight quickly electrocutes Twilight with her magic to send her crashing down into the ground below the balcony.

“TWILIGHT!” Both Shining Armor and Princess Cadance said in horror as the attack did a number on Twilight’s energy as the Mane Five all react in shock seeing Twilight struck down like that.

"And now it's time we put an end to this." Midnight said as she used her magic to conjure up a tornado to finish her off to which lead to many nearby storm guards having the misfortune of being sucked inside the tornado including Tempest who herself being sucked into the tornado’s grasp as she finds herself clinging to the railing for her life.

“You’re excellency!” She called out to the Storm King who managed to recover. “Please help me!”

“I have a better idea!” The Storm King proposed as he didn’t set out to do so. “How about not”!

“But... we... we had an agreement!” Tempest reacted in shock.

“Get with the program! You failed to get me the princess’s magic so no deal! And besides even if I did I still couldn’t and wouldn’t because I used you! It's kind of what I do!” The Storm King taunted the pony as he shoved his foot at her hoof to throw her off the balcony and into the tornado towards her impending doom as Midnight sadistically smiles at seeing both Twilight and Tempest being sucked up by the tornado to which Tempest also took notice that Midnight isn’t going to help her as she just watches the scene while doing nothing about it as the Storm King also finds himself sucked into the tornado too late after laughing and taunting for a good few seconds to many as the heroes all hang onto to the something to keep themselves from being pulled in the tornado.

“TWILIGHT! NO!” Pinkie cried out in horror seeing her friend sucked into the tornado as Midnight watches from a close safe distance while seeing every victim getting pulled up the tornado and towards the skies while personally circling around and ensuring that Twilight, Tempest, and the Storm King are all finished off for good.

“Quick, hang on to something!” Applejack quickly advised every pony as they clinged on to the nearby railings as Princess Celestia casts a force field around herself, her sister, niece, and nephew-in–law to keep them from getting sucked in.

Inside the tornado Twilight sees Tempest inside and quickly moves over to grab on to her hoof.

“Hang on!” She told Tempest.

“Why are you saving me?” Tempest asked in astonishment.

“Because that’s what friends do.” Twilight warmly replied to which after a good few seconds of shock she warmly smiles for the first time in a while before quickly sending Tempest out of the tornado by throwing her out of the tornado and into the magic bubble Celestia had conjured up for her safety.

The battered and weakened Twilight then used her magic to manipulate the tornado as she controls it then slowly disperses it as she quickly emerges from the tornado as she charges at Midnight and punches her right in the face much to her surprise along with being blasted right in the chest with a load of energy invested in her attack to force her back before being blasted away with another magical blast as she then brings Midnight herself into the tornado herself as Twilight takes control of the tornado by using her magic to leap up and wrap it around Midnight's left back hoof like a lasso before pulling her down to the ground with her onto the balcony slamming Midnight hard into the ground as Twilight then uses all of her magic to trap her into a ball of magic before blasting her straight across the sky all the way into Tartarus leaving the defeated alicorn trapped in there as the tornado dissipated.

As Twilight’s horn stops glowing, the young alicorn herself completely drained and exhausted from her wounds collapses onto the ground lying motionlessly despite having won the battle.

Once the tornado disperses Princess Celestia cancels her spell as she, Shining Armor, Luna, and Cadance all run over to her as Shining Armor cradles her as she is on the verge of dying just as the Mane Five, Starlight, and Spike all arrive on the scene just as shocked at what had just happened as they quickly run over to her.

“Twily, please, it’s me Shining, your B.B.B.F.F.” Shining Armor pleaded as he moved her head towards him. “Please hang on.”

Twilight seeing her brother is still alive and came all the way out here for her reached out to him only to lose consciousness and faint leaving him to tear up as if she died right on the spot. Princess Celestia watching over the two was also tears up seeing this.

“Twilight...?” Applejack said distraught at their seemingly lifeless friend as Pinkie buries her head into the farm’s pony’s arm as she wept at the sight that their friend has just died. Even Tempest, was shocked and saddened by this sight since she was the only pony who so far ever cared for her well-being to the point she didn’t see to it that she died from being sucked into the tornado.

Remembering the last time she was on the verge of death Princess Cadance as she approached Twilight and placed her hooves on her forehead and heart acted quick and did the only thing she could do by focusing her magic to heal her heart as Shining Armor held on to his sister as the others watch on pleading she survives.

Fluttershy silently wept, Rarity clasped her hooves while too tearing up, Pinkie is still sobbing into Applejack’s arm unable to witness her potential demise, Celestia also watches over kneeling down to Twilight’s eye level as she places a wing onto her back while tearing up, while Spike cries into Starlight’s chest as she too tears up thinking the worst has happened to the most important pony of their lives, even Luna and Tempest look like they are about to cry seeing this heartbreaking sight as Cadance works her magic to keep Twilight as she ends up carefully removing a heavy load of dark magic with electric elements inside to which Twilight winced in pain from having every ounce and every bit of painful bit of magic removed from her as Luna takes control of it and quickly evaporates it into nothing.

Twilight then slowly opens up her eyes as she groans in pain before looking up at her brother.

“Shining Armor. You came all the way out here for me.” Twilight weakly smiled at him.

“I’m here for you.” Shining Armor happily teared up as he hugged her. “I’m never going to let you go.”

Everypony else smiled in relief seeing that Twilight is alive.

“You’re okay.” Princess Cadance then joined in to hug both her and Shining Armor along with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna who both happily teared up as they embraced Twilight.

“Yay! Group hug!” Pinkie cheered as everypony joins in to embrace Twilight for defeating Midnight and surviving the fight.

“Girls! You came back!” Twilight weakly replied in surprise to see them after their fight. “I’m sorry so I was wrong to…” She tried to apologize only for Pinkie to cut her off with a hug.

“I’m sorry too!” Pinkie quickly apologized. “Friends mess up sometimes, but we never should’ve jumped to conclusions like that!”

Tempest watching the scene from a distance warmly smiled as she watched the reconciliation scene but then noticed something clinging onto the ledge of the balcony. The Storm King himself with the last Obsidian Orb in one of his claws ready to fire at all of them.

“NO!” Tempest quickly reacted and charged at him just as he threw at them taking the blast when Applejack and Rainbow Dash briefly took defensive stances thinking she was going to attack them until they saw take the blast of the orb which turned her into stone as she continued charging at the Storm King so that he gets turned to stone to as they both fall down to the ground.

The Storm King landed onto the ground and then crumbled into pieces upon being turned to stone while Tempest after being turned to stone has been saved from doing the same by Twilight after she quickly gained ahold of the staff and used it stop her from falling and then gently placed her onto the balcony.

“Whoa! I can’t believe she did that!” Rainbow Dash said in amazement.

“I can!” Twilight warmly replied as she used the staff to undo the orb’s transformation on her.

Tempest then gasped upon being returned to normal as Twilight and the other princesses warmly smile at her as thanks for that.

Twilight then groaned as she rubbed her left eye which was covered by her mane in pain from being scratched by Midnight.

“You okay Twily?” Shining Armor asked her in concern.

“I’m fine.” Twilight assured him as she moved aside the hair covering her eye. “Just a little bruised and scratched from the fight is all.”

As soon as she pushed aside her hair her friends gasped upon seeing her eye.

“Twilight. Your face.” Cadance gasped as she told her and placed a hoof on her chin.

“What about it?” Twilight asked in confusion as she winced in pain from her injuries. “I’m seeing perfectly fine from both eyes.”

“Um, actually, darling it’s…” Rarity started while using her magic to present a mirror for her to look at herself with.

“What’s on your eye is why.” Princess Celestia finished as Rarity presented her the mirror for her to look at herself in to which she does and widens her eyes in surprise at seeing her left eye. It’s intact but there’s a scar over her left eye just like Tempest’s scar on her right eye.

“Whoa, the mark!” Twilight reacted in surprise seeing herself in the mirror as she places a hoof over her scarred eye. “Just like Tempest!”

“What’s just like me?” Tempest questioned as Twilight turns to face her to which she reacts in surprise seeing her scarred left eye. “Oh, I see.”

“I’m must have gotten it when Midnight scratched my face during our fight.” Twilight thought back to the moment Midnight attacked her to send her tumbling down the stairs.

“At least she didn’t chip your horn along with it.” Rainbow Dash pointed out before seeing the raised eyebrow Tempest was giving her. “Sorry. Didn't know that really happened however it did.” She quickly apologized with a shrug.

“I just don’t get it.” Princess Celestia spoke up bringing Twilight in for a comforting embrace with her wing. “Why would she do that do you? What was she seeking to gain out of attacking you like that?”

“I don’t know.” Twilight could only reply not able to understand why she attacked her like that and scarred her eye.

“So now what?” Fluttershy asked.

“For now we fix everything.” Tempest immediately voiced up as she and Twilight walk over to the center of the throne room to create a wave of world healing magic that would spread all over Equestria which quickly restored the color and beauty it originally had before Midnight and the Storm King had invaded Canterlot including freeing Flash Sentry from being turned to stone.

Upon being freed from being turned to stone he quickly ran around the castle looking for Twilight.

“Twilight! Twilight! Where are you!” He called out to her until he came across everybody in the throne room “There you are!” He exclaimed in relief as he embraced her in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re safe!”

“Flash, I love you too!” Twilight warmly told her as she and Flash shared their first kiss together to which everyone smiled at the heartwarming sight.

“Atta girl!” Spike yelled out to her.

“Oh my!” Rarity put her hooves to her face squeeing in delight. “I called it! She absolutely loves him!”

“Okay that’s enough!” Shining Armor said as he stepped forward to try to break it apart only for his wife to stop him with a raised hoof.

“Ah, ah, ah Shining!” Cadance waved a hoof not to do that with a knowing smile. “You can’t mess with true love!”

“Well, it just a little too soon to my liking.” Shining Armor said with a defeated shrug knowing her wife the Princess of Love is right.

“Come here you!” Cadance giggled at her husband as they share a kiss as they embrace each other.

At that moment Sunset and Discord both appeared the former having appeared through the portal in the library as Discord appeared right in the throne room wearing beach clothes with suitcases in tow.

“Wow that was some vacation, I really should go out to the beach more often.” Discord recalled his relaxation.

“Okay, sorry I couldn’t make it but you would not believe the most craziest thing I went through these last few days I mean…” Sunset began to speak her mind as she and Discord as the latter pulls off his shades both see the sights of the Canterlot throne room trashed along with the two couples hugging and kissing each other with everyone else in the throne room too.

“What did I miss?” Sunset and Discord both said in unison and in surprise.

“Oh you wouldn’t believe us if we told you!” Applejack replied with a chuckle before somewhat seriously adding as they focus on the scenes of young love in front of them. “But for now let’s wait until after they enjoy their moment together before we explain what happened.”

Two weeks following Midnight’s attack, the Friendship Festival is set to go on as planned.

In her room, Twilight was just tidying up her mane while pulling out some paint as she debates covering her scar.

“If it’s any consolation from past experience the mark doesn’t define the pony but rather the personality behind the pony herself.” Tempest reconciled her having appeared from her doorway.

“Ok, thanks, then I guess I won’t.” Twilight obliged while sounding downcast as she looks at her face in the mirror.

“I’m not trying to tell you how to live your life, I'm just giving you advice is all.” Tempest quickly clarified taking note of her tone. “Just trying to tell you that nobody will look you differently just for having a scar over your eye.”

Ever since Midnight’s attack she hasn’t been quite the same. Sure she is smiles while in public and around her friends and family but when she’s alone she’s deep down depressed, sad, and filled with doubt as Midnight’s previous words along with what she said to her friends in the heat of the moment really took a toll on her self-esteem and deep down her friends and family know it deep down despite what she claims.

“Other than that I just wanted to come by and tell you, thanks for saving my life.” Tempest added as she approached her and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “And that I’ll be around working for Shining Armor and Princess Cadance as their new commander of the guard if you want to talk to me and know where to visit if you do decide to see me.”

“You’re welcome.” Twilight replied as she turned to face her while still not smiling. “Considering my brother and sister-in-law were very impressed with your abilities and what you did to save us in return. It was the least they could do.”

“Hopefully by the time I return to Canterlot I’ll be back a very changed pony. But I definitely stick around for the Friendship Festival thrown in your honor.” Tempest warmly told her with a smile. “One thing that never changes around here. Alas... my horn.” She lamented that she’ll never be able to regain her horn now and that everything she worked her way up for under Midnight and the Storm King’s leadership was all for nothing.

“You know, your horn is pretty powerful, just like the pony it belongs to.” Twilight decided to reconcile her with a small smile.

“I did tell you I wanted to show everypony in Equestria what I could do, right?” Tempest asked as Twilight nodded in response. “Shall we go together to meet up with the others?”

“Let’s go!” Twilight answered as she took a deep breath before walking out of her room and Tempest walking beside her.

The two ponies head to the throne room where they meet up the rest of the Mane Five, Starlight, Sunset, Discord, Twilight’s parents, the royal family, Queen Novo, Princess Skystar, along with Capper, and the pirates.

Twilight’s mother quickly ran up to her daughter to hug her as her father walks up to her.

“You look beautiful, sweetie.” Night Light told her daughter as he kissed her on the forehead to which earned him a small smile from her.

“You’re looking stronger everyday Twilight!” Princess Celestia complimented her student as Queen Novo approached Twilight.

“It’s so good to see you Twilight.” She said with a bow to her. “I know the last time we saw each other it ended on bad terms. But it wasn’t until your friends told me what really happened did I realize my mistake and for that I’m sorry Twilight. For it was wrong for me to let my past cloud my judgement and automatically assume that you were trying to steal my pearl from behind my back.”

“It’s okay.” Twilight replied while looking aside feeling drained. “The day has been saved even without your help and both Midnight and the Storm King have been defeated and that’s all what really matters.”

“Well, I just want to let you know that you are welcome to come to Mount Aris and Seaequestria anytime you choose as thanks for you and your friends efforts defeating both Midnight and the Storm King.” Queen Novo then placed her hoof on her chin to get her to look up at her.

“Thanks even though defeating Midnight herself was something I did on my own.” Twilight politely said with a forced smile. “If you don’t mind I’d like to head off to make sure everything is ready for today. Even though friendship really didn’t come through in the end since I failed at it.” She then said with a bitter expression and narrowed eyes just like Tempest as she slowly walked off ahead to do so.

Everyone even Novo and Tempest were taken aback seeing Twilight like this, as this was not the Twilight Sparkle everyone knew and loved from two weeks ago.

“Would you like some help?” Sunset offered. “Me and your friends can help you.”

“Yeah, Wait up there Twi.” Applejack called out. “Let us help you out.”

“Okay.” Twilight reluctantly agreed as the rest of the Mane Six, Starlight, Spike, Sunset, and Tempest all joined her to which Twilight couldn’t resist smiling even if it was small.

“Don’t worry, Twilight.” Pinkie assured her as they all walked off together. “This party will help turn that frown upside down.”

“She’s not looking good is she?” Queen Novo remarked sounding very concerned for her.

“Neither would you if you gone through what she’s had.” Shining Armor responded while sounding bitter towards the queen for hurting her sister like that.

“And because of what happened Twilight now feels she failed at friendship.” Luna added in a disgruntled tone while agreeing with her brother.

“She’ll be fine.” Princess Celestia assured her she can only solemnly watch on at seeing her heartbroken pupil walk off with her friends trying to cheer her up. “She just needs time to heal deep down. The whole ordeal Midnight put her through took a great toll on her faith on friendship.”

“If only I had taken the time to completely hear her out that whole fight would have never have happened.” Queen Novo then said with regret.

“It will be okay.” Cadance spoke up. “It wasn’t the first time that had happened. And even when she slipped into darkness she came around to forgive them.”

“And unlike when Tempest came by she only came with good intentions seeking to help save her home.” Princess Skystar brought up. “It will be fine, Mom. You’ll see.”

“I just hope so and before I forget you’re not grounded for disobeying me.” Queen Novo hopefully said while sounding unsure while taking a moment to bring up to her daughter who gratefully smiled hearing that. “Especially with Midnight Sparkle still around even she is locked up. She could be pulling whatever strings it takes to be able to one day return.”

“That is true!” Discord agreed as he spoke up. “That is possible considering I’ve managed to return even after being turned to stone for a thousand years. “Though at least none of you ladies had the misfortune of sharing the fate thanks to Twilight with her impressive trick against Midnight especially considering how dangerously cunning she is.”

“True.” Luna reluctantly agreed hearing Discord. “At least you were kind enough not to mention the “thanks to us” bit.”

“Pleasure’s all mine your majesty!” Discord replied with a bow to which every pony glared at him in response.

“What? I’m capable of showing genuine kindness every now and then.” Discord said in his defense.

Throughout the afternoon, everyone was able to get everything all set up and ready for the celebration to kick off by the time it was sunset after Princess Celestia lowered the sun and Princess Luna raised the moon.

“Ahem!” Spike cleared his throat as he prepares to speak into the microphone while wearing special shades over his eyes. “Fillies and gentlecolts, get ready for a little...Songbird Serenade!” He announced as the spotlight shined on the big movie star herself as she spread her wings as everyone cheered for her while the Mane Six, Starlight, Princess Skystar, Capper, Captain Celeano all stood in the center of the area.

“And now, to celebrate the fact that we're all still here in one piece, give it up for Princess Twilight and her friends!” Songbird Serenade announced as the spot shined on them as everyone including their most recent new friends applaud and cheer for them too as Princess Celestia flies up onto the stage to say a few words.

“Especially for the fact that this very day marks the one year anniversary since Twilight became the Princess of Friendship who has saved Equestria multiple times since her reformation spreading the joy and magic of friendship all around while continuously proving herself to be a stronger and greater princess with every passing day.“ Princess Celestia announced to every pony. “And for that we also have another reason to celebrate today, as along with commemorating her reformation we will also commemorate this day as the day Twilight defeated Midnight Sparkle, the Princess of Darkness herself.” Princess Celestia further announced as she eyed Twilight who is taken aback by this gesture. “She really earned this to make all this happen for all of us since she braved through the face of danger even during our darkest hour when Midnight and the Storm King invaded. And she was even willing to lay down her own life in order to protect ours, and that’s why she has redeemed herself and proven herself to be the Princess of Friendship we all know and love. So let’s give another round of applause for Princess Twilight Sparkle!”

“Wow!” Twilight spoke while tearing up while producing happy tears. “I don’t even know what to say.”

Everypony all loudly applauded for her to which Twilight even with what she is truly feeling deep down couldn’t resist smiling as she flew up to wave to everypony praising her as she flies over and hugs Princess Celestia to thank her which really helped out with her depression enough to brighten her spirit for the day before the two flew off of the stage to let Songbird Serenade do her performance.

“I know you, you're a special one

Some see crazy where I see love

You fall so low but shoot so high

Big dreamers shoot for open sky.”

Songbird slowly sang at first as the Main Six including Twilight smile as six back-up dancers join onto the stage to dance alongside Songbird as she sings.

“So much life in those open eyes

“So much depth, you look for the light.”

She sang as the dancers all danced in perfect sync while Rainbow Dash and Captain Celeano share a fist-bump, while Rarity puts together a black cape with purple outlines on the collar for Capper as he bonds with Discord who is currently wearing the same outfit as Capper.

“Ooh!” Capper said impressed with Rarity’s work.

“And perfection!” She concluded as she placed a black top hat with a purple stripe and feather on it to place on his head as Discord pulls his hat up to reveal a bunny under it to which both Capper and Discord chuckled in amusement together.

Pinkie and Skystar both giggle and hug each other while Spike and Grubber having become friends engage in a pie eating contest, as Sunset is currently dancing to the beat while dancing in perfect sync with Twilight's dance moves back at the Fall Formal.

"Not bad." Twilight complimented.

"Eh, I never was a natural a dancing as much as magic." Sunset simply shrugged it off as she continued to dance with Twilight.

“First one to ten pies wins!” Spike challenged.

“You’re on!” Grubber accepted the challenge as they both shoveled down the pies as fast as they can.

“But when your wounds open, you will cry

You'll cry out now and you'll question why

I can see a rainbow

In your tears as they fall on down

I can see your soul grow

Through the pain as they hit the ground

I can see a rainbow

In your tears as the sun comes out

As the sun comes out.”

Songbird sang as a large podium the size of a giant cake appeared onto the stage as Songbird leaped up into the air and then flew over to Twilight who then warmly smiles at her upon seeing the movie star flying over her to remind her she’s earned this as she sees Tempest looking just as depressed as she watches from the back.

Twilight walks over to her to nod at her as she silently reminds her of what she had just told her earlier as Tempest focusing her magic released a big controlled spark of magic into the sky which burst into a dazzling display of fireworks.

“I can see a rainbow

In your tears as they fall on down

I can see your soul grow

Through the pain as they hit the ground.”

Songbird sang as both Twilight and Tempest both couldn’t resist smiling at each other as they both watch the latter’s firework display.

“Nice touch, Tempest!” Pinkie complimented as she and the rest of the Mane Six, Starlight, and Sunset all join up with her.

“Actually, that's not my real name.” Tempest honestly confessed with a grin.

“Oooh! What is it?!” Pinkie eagerly asked.

“It's "Fizzlepop Berrytwist".” Tempest quietly whispered into Pinkie’s ear who gasped as her eyes sparkled with stars in them.

“Okay! That is the most awesome name ever!” Pinkie exclaimed in excitement as Grubber and Spike join up with them.

“It sure was the second I found that out.” Grubber spoke up as he and Spike joined up with them with full bellies. “Oh, excuse me.” Grubber said as he hiccuped.

“Grubber…” Tempest somewhat knowingly asked.

“Spike…” Twilight asked in the same tone.

“Did you engage in another pie eating contest again.” Both scarred ponies asked their short-sized companions.

“Yes.” Both Spike and Grubber said in unison.

“Needless to say it ended in a tie.” Spike added as he resisted the urge not to throw up as Grubber fell backwards on his back feeling sick from eating all of those pies.

“But it thas worth it.” Grubber added as he lied down on the ground as everyone around them chuckle at this amusing scene.

“It’s no wonder you two managed to become friends.” Twilight chuckled. "You two are just so much alike." She said as everyone further laughed knowing how true it is. As Twilight briefly turning away while her friends were busy laughing she secretly shedded a single tear of depression when no pony was looking while briefly frowning which dropped and formed a heart-shape drop on the ground and gazing upon her reflection before she quickly turned around to resume smiling and laughing with her friends.

Back in Tartarus, Midnight herself is trapped in the same magic bubble that Twilight had imprisoned her in having watch the entire scene at the Friendship Festival from her orb. But instead of freaking out or lose it, she instead calmly smiles as two shadows appear inside of Tartartus appearing to hand her the keys to unlock the lock that’s keeping her trapped inside. Once she frees herself from her prison she then flies over to the two shadows that set her free.

“Thank you, Daybreaker, Nightmare Moon!” Midnight evilly smiled as her heart glowed neon purple as she faces the two villainous alicorns. “It’s a good thing I created you two when I did. Otherwise I’d still be stuck in here waiting for somebody else to try to free me.”

“Well of course!” Nightmare smirked. “After all you brought me and my sister to life!”

“I have waited over a thousand years to feel this warm!” Daybreaker said in very pleased to be free and on her own as she evilly laughs.

“Hey!” A guard called out from outside. “Keep it down hyena!”

Angered by that Daybreaker set out to teach that guard a thing or two for talking to her like that only to be restrained by Midnight and Nightmare Moon.

“Not yet, Daybreaker!” Midnight calmed her down as she restrained her. “Not yet!”

“Easy sister, we’ll get our revenge!” Nightmare Moon assured her sister. “We just need to be more patient before we decide on the right moment to strike the heart of Equestria.”

“And thanks to what happened back in Canterlot, it should only be a matter of time before Twilight comes to her senses and accepts the destiny I have set in store for her.” Midnight also said as she created a duplicate of herself to leave behind in her magic bubble prison before teleporting herself and the other two alicorns away and out of Tartarus as Midnight evilly chuckles to herself.

Author's Notes:

After three parts of this special we have now reached the battle against the forces of Midnight and the Storm King with many alterations down to my liking to fit this story.

For starters, Twilight not a Damsel in Distress reacts to her escape at the precise moment before the Storm King can take her magic before engaging in the first long-awaited duel against Midnight which turned out evenly-matched before Twilight eventually pulled out all of the stops she could in order to take her down and send her to Tartarus.

Next up I had the princesses thank to Twilight get their moments to shine as while the sun and moon monarchs take on the Storm King and Tempest respectively and successfully, Princess Cadance gets to join her husband and Twilight's friends in the battle against the storm guards while making sure everyone who participated got a chance to shine in this part in order to correct some of the issues the movie had when it came out.

As for Tempest's redemption, well like in canon Tempest finds out that the Storm King doesn't care for her nor does Midnight when the latter just cruelly smiles at the intended tornado doom she created for her, Twilight, along with the other storm guards caught by the strong winds. But like in canon she is saved by Twilight who also returns the favor when the Storm King had one last trick up his sleeve. What's new is that Tempest then gets to become the new captain of the guard in the Crystal Empire following Midnight and the Storm King's defeat so like with Twilight's redemption she earned it.

With all said and done it leaves Act 2 ending on a bittersweet note. Midnight and the Storm King are defeated, the surviving soldiers reform along with Tempest, the Friendship Festival is now the day celebrating Twilight's victory over Midnight, but the emotional damage Midnight put Twilight through is done along with her gaining a scar over her left eye similar to Tempest's. Not to mention, the fact that thanks to Midnight's experiment earlier in the season she manages to escape prison and can use this continue tricking every pony into thinking she is locked away.

When you think about it, Twilight has been out-gambitted by Midnight who nearly took over Equestria, the ensuing stress of being the last princess along with her friends not taking the mission seriously as they should have, led to Midnight taking advantage of it by setting the plot up for the Mane Six's biggest falling out to date while failing at friendship, then decides to drop everything to solely take down Midnight even if that means risking her own life to do so while getting emotionally and physically scarred by the dark alicorn.

Friendship didn't come through to defeat Midnight as Twilight did it on her own and now Twilight is deep down feeling wondering if Midnight and Tempest (pre Heel-Face Turn) is right about friendship. So it would make sense that Twilight feels devastated deep down with herself at the end of this chapter.

Next up to start off Act Three will be a rewritten version of "The Beginning of the End as the story begins the final arc of Twilight completely coming to terms with her redemption as Midnight still lurks around to get herself into power while wondering if Midnight is correct about her stance towards friendship.