Equestria Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Nightmare

Chapters

Chapter 1: Ancient Artifacts
Chapter 2: Charming Thunder's Nightmare
Chapter 3: Trixie's Return
Chapter 4: The Haunt at the Castle of the Two Sisters
Chapter 5: The Nightmare
Chapter 6: Out Into Hiding
Chapter 7: Memories
Chapter 8: The Rescue
Chapter 9: Rancor and Duel of the Fates
Prologue

Chapter 1: Ancient Artifacts

A Lambda-class shuttle flew over the Everfree forest as it arrived at the castle of the two sisters. It landed next to the entrance of the ancient castle and the ramp lowered. Charming Thunder along with Flash Sentry walked out of the shuttle and entered the castle. As they walked through the hallway, the two soldiers at the door noticed them and opened the door to the throne room for them. When they entered, the doors closed behind them and Flash said, "I have a bad feeling about this."

"I don't sense anything wrong," Charming Thunder said.

"Its just about the shard Celestia mentioned. I just wonder what the shard is connected to."

"My aunts just wants us to investigate Nightmare Moon's armor and the shard before our troops take the castle as a base for the empire."

"I understand." They then walked up to a glass cylinder which displayed a glove. Next to it was a mannequin displaying the armor of Nightmare Moon.

"How did Nightmare Moon's armor even survive?" Charming Thunder asked himself. He then turned to Flash and said, "Contact Celestia and tell her what we found and ask her to send in some troops to guard the armor and the shard. I don't want anything to happen to them."

"Right away, Charming Thunder." Flash then walked out of the room as Charming Thunder walked up the stairs to the damaged thrones. He stared at the symbol of Princess Luna's cutie mark over one of the thrones. He then sat on the throne and placed a hoof on his chin and thought of something. He suddenly started to hear whispers and got up to look around. He then looked at the armor and slowly walked up to it as the whispers grew louder and louder. When the whispers went silent, a thunder clash was heard and he jumped back. He then heard an evil laugh as he stepped away from Nightmare Moon's armor. He then ran out of the room and headed back to his shuttle.

Luna was standing at the balcony watching the citizens of Canterlot walking in the streets as some were also preparing for Nightmare Night now that it is only two days away. She then noticed a Star Destroyer approaching Canterlot. Under it popped out a shuttle escorted by two TIE Fighters. The shuttle then arrived at the landing platform close to the doorway to the throne room. Luna walked out to the shuttle and stood in front of it as the ramp lowered. Charming Thunder walked down the ramp a little bit shocked as Luna walked up to him. "What's wrong, nephew?" Luna asked.

"The troops found the remains of your armor at the castle of the two sisters," Charming Thunder explained as he walked with Luna inside. "And this...strange shard that somehow fell from a meteor shower. When I told Flash to contact your sister and left the room, I began to hear whispers coming from the armor. I then got scared and ran back to the shuttle and...well here I am."

"What were the whispers saying?"

"It was your voice of Nightmare Moon saying that the night will last forever and then she laughed. I thought it was a memory and--"

"It was. It was the words I said after I returned from a thousand years."

"I wanted more troops to guard it so that it would not get stolen."

"I understand. Go back to Twilight. You deserve it. I'll take care of everything myself. Try to meditate to get it out of your head." Charming Thunder nodded and walked to the hangar to his interceptor. His astromech companion was repairing it as the red unicorn walked to it. It then noticed him and beeped.

"No, R4. I'm fine. I just had a rough night thats all." R4 beeped as he got in the port of the interceptor and he entered the cockpit and started up the engines. The interceptor then lifted off the ground and flew back to Ponyvile to go back to Twilight's castle.

Twilight was sitting on her throne reading a letter from Cadence as Spike swept the floor with the broom. A ship was heard as Twilight rolled the letter and placed it on the arm of the chair. She then got up and walked out to see Charming Thunder's ship landing. R4 popped out of the ship as Charming Thunder exited his ship. He noticed Twilight and rushed to hug her. "How was your trip to the castle of the two sisters?" Twilight asked with a kiss on the cheek.

"It was fine," Charming Thunder replied. "I just had a rough day too."

"Whys that? Did something happen?"

"They found the armor of Nightmare Moon." Twilight gasped as he explained. "You may think that is was destroyed by the Elements of Harmony and redeemed her, but the armor isn't. I just witnessed something from that armor and I need to clear my head from it." Charming Thunder then walked past her until he stopped as he realized something. "You alright, honey? You're trembling. What's going on?"

"Something wonderful has happened. Charming, I'm pregnant." Charming Thunder was stunned. He thinks through all of the ramifications of this as he takes her in his arms.

"That's...that's wonderful. This will be a happiest moment. A happiest moment of my life." Charming Thunder then hugged her tightly as R4 rolled past them. He is finally going to be a father for the very first time. Pinkie Pie was in the corner listening to the conversation. She then bounced off to tell her friends the news about Twilight.

Chapter 2: Charming Thunder's Nightmare

Charming Thunder sat next to Twilight as she read a book on the couch. She turned to him as she said, "Charming, I can wake up early tomorrow and fix the baby's room if you want." Charming Thunder smiled as she continued. "I know the perfect spot, right by the gardens."

"You look so beautiful," Charming Thunder said.

"Its because I'm so in love with you."

"No. Its because I'm so in love with you."

Twilight tilted her head as she asked, "So love has blinded you?"

Charming Thunder laughed. "That is not exactly what I mean."

"But its probably true." Pinkie jumped out of nowhere in front of Charming Thunder and he jump in the air and landed on the ground behind the couch.

"Pinkie, you just startled me."

"Sorry," Pinkie said. "Its that I'm so so so so happy for you two love birds."

"Whatever do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"You are going to have a baby, silly." The others walked in as Pinkie talked to Charming Thunder and Twilight.

"We also heard as well because Pinkie told us," Rainbow said.

"Pinkie also planned once the child is born, she is going to throw a party for you two," Rarity said.

"Thanks, girls," Charming Thunder said. Everyone then came together in a group hug.

Charming Thunder stood in a room at the castle of the two sisters when she heard a scream. He bursts through the doors and rushed to find the source of the scream. He then entered the throne room and saw Nightmare Moon levitating Twilight in the air. "LET HER GO!!" Charming Thunder shouted.

"If you insist," Moon said. She then threw Twilight out of the window as Charming Thunder rushed to her. It was too late. He watched as she fell to her death as Nightmare Moon laughed.

"NOOOOOO!!" As he screamed, darkness surrounded him as the environment faded away.

Charming Thunder woke up with a shock. He began to sweat as he turned to check if he woke Twilight up. She was silently asleep as he got out of the bed sheets and puts on his robe. Twilight then woke up to see Charming Thunder leaving the bedroom. She got up to follow him.

Charming Thunder stood at the balcony as he stared at the starry sky. A tear fell down his cheek 'til Twilight placed her hoof on his shoulder. "What is it?" she asked.

Charming Thunder wiped the tear off of his face as he replied, "Nothing. It was only a dream. I just needed some air."

"Tell me."

Charming Thunder walked a few steps away from Twilight to the other end of the balcony as he explained, "Nightmare Moon returned and you were in danger. She then threw you out of the window and somehow...killed you."

"And the baby?"

"I don't know. All I know is that I was at the castle of the two sisters. Thats where my dream took place. I won't let it become real."

"I'm not going to die. I promise you."

"No. I promise you."

The Crystal Knight temple was rebuilt at the Crystal Empire ever since the defeat of Malgus and his empire. Charming Thunder sat with Starswirl the Bearded as he discussed with him the dream you had. "Hmmm," Starswirl thought. "Premonitions."

"They are of pain, suffering, and death," Charming Thunder explained.

"Do you speak of yourself or some pony you know?"

"Somepony..."

"Close to you?"

"Yes."

"You must be careful, Charming Thunder. A fear of loss leads to the path of the dark side."

"What must I do, Master Starswirl?"

"Meditate on this in order to let go of everything you fear to lose."

"Thank you for the advice." Charming Thunder then got up from his seat and exited Starswirl's room.

At Canterlot, Princess Luna walked through the halls until a guard rushed to her with a letter. She turned to him and asked, "Who is that letter from?"

"Your nephew, your highness," the guard replied. He handed the letter to her and returned to his royal duties. Luna unrolled the letter and read it. Her eyes widened after she read the word "Nightmare Moon" in the letter.

"I must head to him right away." She then ran through the hallway and flew out of the balcony to head to Ponyville to see what is troubling Charming Thunder.

Charming Thunder was in the castle library reading a book about the tale of Nightmare Moon and the Crystal Nights. A red cloaked guard entered the room and said to him, "Princess Luna is here."

"Send her in," Charming Thunder said as he puts the book down on the table. The guard left as Luna entered the room.

"I got your letter," she said. "Tell me more about your dream."

"At the start, I was standing in the room of the castle of the two sisters until I heard a scream which was similar to Twilights. When I arrived to where it came from, I saw Nightmare Moon levitating her. I told her to let her go and..."

"Then what?"

"Then she threw her out of the castle. And then I woke up."

"That is more than a nightmare if you ask me. I believe when you came across my armor, you began to see the evil me in your dreams."

"What do you suggest I should do?"

"Nothing at the moment. I must attend to my duties back at the castle. Nightmare Night is tomorrow and I need to look professional tomorrow night. Till then, I'll see you later." Luna then left the room as Charming Thunder walked back to the table and continued to read the book.

Chapter 3: Trixie's Return

At Canterlot, a meeting was held and Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and four grand moffs sat at the round table. "Until we find information about this mysterious glove, we will let you know, your highness," one of the moffs said. "I advice that I let the scientists study it further."

"Very well," Celestia said. "Once your research on it is done, inform either me or my sister about it."

"The glove may be dangerous even for the Crystal Knights and--" The moff was interrupted when Charming Thunder and Twilight Sparkle entered the room.

"They already know about the glove so there is no need to remind them about it," he said as he sat in his chair next to Twilight. "I've just received word that the empire has claimed the ancient castle as a base of operations."

"That is good news," Cadence said. "And what will the empire do next, brother."

"The regional governors will now send their fleet to the corners of Equestria for protection."

"And what of Nightmare Moon's armor?" the pegasus moff asked. "If anypony wears that armor, who knows what left over magic is left on it."

"The armor you refer to will be guarded by imperial forces," Luna said.

"Charming Thunder said so himself ever since he encountered the armor he heard whispers," the earth pony moff said. "I fear that it is a dangerous artifact."

"Don't be to proud of this terror that was constructed a thousand years ago," Charming Thunder said. "The ability to bring eternal darkness is gone. Nothing more."

"Don't try to scare me, Charming Thunder. Your sad devotion to ancient religion has not help you clear your head." Charming Thunder got up from his chair as the moff continued. "Or giving you a privilege to even--" He was interrupted when he was chocked my Charming Thunder's unicorn magic. Nobody in the room hesitated to stop him but watch.

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."

"Enough of this," Twilight said. "Charming, release him."

"As you wish." The glow on his horn faded away as he walked back to his chair and sat back down.

"Now that is out of the way," Celestia said. "Let us now discuss the locations of the fleets are going to be at this time."

A few hours later after the meeting, Luna walked to her chambers and sat down on her chair. She then closed her eyes and started to meditate.

Luna opened her eyes and ended up in the fields in front of Ponyville. She then turned to see an army of troops that looked similar to the white armored forces. A hooded pony with a clawed arm pointed to the direction of Ponyville and the troops began to run to the town. Some troops ran past her as the hooded figure followed them. She then flew to the town and saw the troops shooting the citizens of Ponyville. Some marched into their homes and burned them to the ground. She then noticed the hooded figure walking to Twilight's castle along with two guards that look similar to the red royal guards. "Twilight!" Luna said as she flew to the castle. When she got there, she saw the corpses of Twilight's friends lying on the floor as the hooded figure stood behind Twilight. A tear went down Luna's cheek when all of the sudden, the door blew up and dozens of troopers entered the room and dragged Twilight out of the room. The hooded figure then turned to Luna as he took off his hood to reveal himself to her. She recognized his face as her eyes widened. "Charming Thunder?"

Luna opened her eyes and screamed. She gasped for air and walked to her bed to lay down. A knock was heard at the door and Luna said, "Enter."

Celestia entered her chambers in a rush as she said, "I heard screaming. Are you alright, sister?"

"Yeah. I just had a vision. Ponyville was being destroyed and Twilight's friends died at the castle. I believe that the hooded figure I saw was our nephew. It was horrible." She then began to cry as Celestia walked up to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder and used her left wing to cradled her.

Charming Thunder looked at the blueprints of a new ship on his data pad as Twilight entered the room with a stack of books. He then turned off the data pad and placed it on the table and turned to Twilight. "Hey, honey," Charming Thunder said.

"Yes," Twilight said as she read a book.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have an apprentice like you were once a student to my aunt?"

"If I had a student? Well I would teach that student all about friendship and tell him or her about the adventures I had."

"Exactly. But this student could learn the ways of the Crystal Knights as well. I was thinking of having an apprentice of my own so I can teach my light saber skills."

"That's a splendid idea."

A guard entered the room and bowed to the presence of the princess as he said, "Charming Thunder, there is somepony who is expecting to see you."

Charming Thunder walked up to the guard as he said, "Lead the way."

"Yes, sir." Charming Thunder then followed the guard to the entrance of the castle and sees a blue unicorn with a wand and moon cutie mark. It was none other than Trixie.

"State your business of why you need to see me."

"Trixie just wanted to ask you about something," she said.

"And what might your question be." Charming Thunder then gestured the guard to leave the room for a private chat.

"Ever since the Crystal Knights returned, Trixie wants to learn the ways to become one."

"You mean like an...apprentice?"

"Exactly."

Charming Thunder thought for a moment and said, "I think I know just the master."

"Really? Who?"

"You are looking at him. Soon I will teach you everything I know. Especially learning how to make a lightsaber like mine." He then grabbed his lightsaber from his belt and showed it to her. She was amazed when she took a first glimpse at the hilt. He then puts it back on his belt. "Come. I must introduce you to my wife."

"You mean Princess Twilight?"

"Yes. Do you know her?"

"Its a long story." Trixie then followed Charming Thunder to the princess' chambers to be reunited once again with Twilight.

Chapter 4: The Haunt at the Castle of the Two Sisters

Trixie meditated as the pieces of her lightsaber levitated in front of her. All the pieces came together and the blue crystal floated inside the hilt and the final piece was placed over the crystal hatch. She then opened her eyes and grabbed her lightsaber. She then turned it on to see if it worked. She activated the saber and a blue beam popped out of the hilt. She then deactivated it and turned to Charming Thunder and showed it to him. charming Thunder levitated the horn with his unicorn magic and rotated it around to check it out. "You have done well, my apprentice," he said as he gave the weapon back to her.

"Thank you," Trixie said as she placed the lightsaber on her belt.

"Remember, Trixie: this weapon is your life keep it close to you and don't lose it."

"I understand, master."

"You training begins at the temple of the Crystal Knights of the Crystal Empire." He then levitated a scroll that was rolled up and gave it to Trixie. "Give this letter to Star Swirl the Bearded and he will teach you some magic and how to fight with the lightsaber. Show your lightsaber as proof that you have one. Once your training is done, come back here and you will become an official apprentice of the order."

"As you wish. I shall leave at once." Trixie left the room as Twilight entered.

"Can you believe it, dear. My very own apprentice. And I didn't have to ask anypony to be one. Instead, one came forth."

"I know," Twilight said. "I just received a call from the castle of the two sisters and they request you to be there."

"Something serious?"

"I don't know. But whatever is going on over there, just be careful."

"Thanks for the tip. I'll be back by sundown. If Trixie returns, tell her that I am on an errand." Twilight nodded as Charming Thunder exited the room.

The shuttle carrying Trixie landed in the Crystal Empire docking bay. As the ramp lowered, the other passengers on the shuttle exited along with her. She then looked around the town to find the temple. She then saw the temple and walked to the entrance. When she entered, she saw members of the order walking around the temple hall. "Charming Thunder said to find Star Swirl," Trixie said to herself. "But where is he?" She then walked up to a pony and asked, "Pardon me but do you know where I can find Master Star Swirl? Charming Thunder sent me."

"He is in the training room with the others," she said as she pointed to the direction of where to go.

"Thanks." She then walked to the direction to the training room and saw Star Swirl watching ponies, griffons, a dragon, and a minotaur practicing their lightsaber skills. Star Swirl turned to see Trixie at the door and tapped his hoof to the floor to get the everyones attention. Everyone in the room deactivated their lightsabers and turned to the master.

"We have a visitor," Star Swirl said.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Trixie said.

"Nonsense. What brings you here?"

"Charming Thunder has sent me. I have letter to prove it." She then levitated the rolled up letter from her saddle bag and gave it to Star Swirl. He then unrolled the letter and read through it.

"Ah. Charming Thunder was wise enough to send you here. And if I may, could you show me your lightsaber?" Trixie then grabbed her lightsaber from her belt and gave it to Star Swirl to look at it. He then opened the crystal chamber to look at the crystal Trixie chose. "Ah. Blue, the color of a crystal guardian. And this lightsaber is well made. It appears that Charming Thunder has given you the components so soon. Lets see if he taught you everything about this order. Come. Your training is about to begin." Trixie bowed to him and followed him out of the room.

A few hours passed as Trixie practice her lightsaber skills with Star Swirl. Trixie blocked Star Swirl's strike to the leg and locked their blades. "Very good," Star Swirl said as he unlocked his blade away. He then deactivated his lightsaber and placed it on his belt. "Your skills must be complete."

"All it took was a little bit of practice, master," Trixie said.

"Yes. Now we must begin your trials. Come."

Charming Thunder's shuttle landed at the castle of the two sisters and the shuttle's ramp lowered as Charming Thunder walked down. A soldier was present waiting for him. "Welcome, sir," the trooper said.

"Thank you," Charming Thunder replied. "I trust that something is going on?"

"Indeed. My men keep on hearing voices and have gone insane."

"What is the source of this insanity?"

"They keep on saying Nightmare moon will return over and over again."

"It must be the armor you and your men found in the castle. Is the room now empty?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I must go in there and face the spirit to end this nightmare. You and your men stay here. If anything happens to me, guard this place with your lives." Charming Thunder then entered the castle and walked through the hallway of the castle. He looked around as he moved forward to the door to the throne room. As he stepped, he heard a voice calling out to him. "Show yourself." A blue mist then appeared and flew around him and landed at the old thrones. It then transformed into a tall figure that Charming Thunder recognized as Nightmare Moon herself. "Nightmare Moon!!" He then tried to blast the spirit with his unicorn magic but the figure turned into mist and flew the end where Charming Thunder stood.

"Lets not be too violent," the spirit said. "I see that you know who I am."

"You are just a spirit trying to haunt this castle to scare my soldiers away."

"Yours? Or Celestia's?"

"What?"

"You care for Celestia do you?" The spirit then began to walk up to him as she continued. "Luna must be worried about what is going to happen in the future."

"What future? Did my aunt see a vision?"

"Of course. You were in it but...not what she expected. You led an army to Ponyville."

"No."

"Your men slaughtered innocent lives in that puny town you call home."

"No!"

"And finally, you killed Twilight's friends in front of Twilight and your forces took her away."

"NOO!!" Charming Thunder then got to his knees as the spirit came close to him.

"You are strong, Charming. But only your hatred will give you the power to save your friends. Give in to the dark side." Charming Thunder got angry and shot some lightning at her but she turned into mist and flew behind him. She then hit him from behind and Charming Thunder got launched across the room to a wall. She then entered his body as she said, "Very good...my apprentice." Charming Thunder's eyes opened to reveal that his eyes turned orange and his pupil transformed to look like Nightmare Moon's.

Chapter 5: The Nightmare

That night, the guards stood watch at Ponyville as Princess Luna visited to see how the preparations for Nightmare Night were coming along. The guards then noticed a hooded figure heading their way. The figure had three sharp claws for his right hoof as he walked. The guard recognized the coat coloring on his other hoof as he said, "Charming Thunder?" The figure then levitated the guard and threw him sideways over the houses. The other guard got nervous and started to run away from him as the hooded figure walked along.

Luna observed as the citizens of Ponyville set up decorations alongside Star Swirl and Trixie. "This year might turn out better this time," Luna said to herself. "Without ponies thinking that I'm going to eat them." She then noticed a guard running towards her. "What's wrong?"

The guard took a few breaths and then started to explain, "Its your nephew. He's---ack." The guard was being chocked as he levitated in the air. He was then thrown backwards towards the figure and got stabbed by the beam of the lightsaber. The lightsaber deactivated as the citizens turned to notice what was going on and the stabbed guard fell to the ground. The crowd screamed for their lives as they rushed to their homes. Star Swirl and Trixie just stood as the figure walked towards Luna and stopped to turn to them and back at Luna. Some armored troopers arrived at the scene and pointed their blasters at him. The ground suddenly turned black as some figures rose from the ground. The figures looked similar to the soldiers but their armor is black. They then pointed their weapons at the white armored soldiers and blasted them.

"What the hey is goin' on here?" Applejack shouted as she and the rest of her friends arrived at the scene. They were shocked as they came face to face to the figure that has started to cause trouble. "And who in the hey are you?"

"Probably somepony who is looking for trouble," Rainbow Dash said as she flew fast towards the figure.

"No wait," Fluttershy said. But it was too late Rainbow Dash got grabbed by the throat by the clawed arm and got thrown back to the group.

"How did--?" The figure then used his clawed arm to lower his hood and revealed himself. Everyone gasped as they all recognized his face.

"Charming?" Twilight asked. Charming Thunder then turned to face Twilight and grinned.

"Charming?" the figure said. "My name is Nightmare. It is good to see you again, Luna."

"I see that you found a new host, Nightmare Moon," Luna said.

"You are correct. I must say, your nephew was a powerful host."

"What are you going to do now?" Fluttershy asked. "If you don't mind asking."

"For now, I am going to form an army of shadow troopers and have my revenge."

"That won't happen," Celestia's voice said from behind.

"Ah. Princess Celestia I presume. And how is the sun treating you?"

"Save your flattery. Release my nephew and I promise a painless death."

Charming Thunder laughed at the statement and said, "Don't you remember? Your nephew can't die." He then slowly began to turn into red mist as he continued. "Don't even bother trying to save him. He is mine." He then flew back to the Everfree forest and the shadow troopers vanished along with it.

"I'll try to stop him," Star Swirl said.

"But what about my training?" Trixie asked.

"It'll have to wait." Star Swirl then ran into the forest to chase after Charming Thunder and confront him.

Charming Thunder walked through the forest and stopped to hear hoof steps heading his way. He smiled and hid behind a tree trunk to wait for the follower. Star Swirl stopped in the middle of the forest and heard evil laughter as he looked around for Charming Thunder. Charming Thunder stood in front of the tree in the darkness holding his lightsaber as Star Swirl activated his yellow blade. Charming Thunder laughed as he slowly walked up to him and activated his crimson blade. "I've been waiting for you, Star Swirl. We meet again at last. The circle is now complete. It is foolish to face me alone. Now I am the master."

"Only the master of evil, Nightmare," Star Swirl said. The two warriors stood perfectly still. Sweat formed on Star Swirl's brow. He made a sudden lunge at Charming Thunder but he stepped aside, swinging his blade. Star Swirl brought up his own weapon, blocking the strike. They circled each other, swinging and blocking with their weapons as they danced about the hallway. They stopped, motionless as their swords connected in the air, creating a cackling buzz.

"Your powers are weak."

"You can't win, Nightmare. If you strike me down I shall become than you can possibly imagine.” The two blades pulled apart as the warriors continued their battle. Charming Thunder attempted to cut his head but chopped down a tree instead.

"You should not have come back, old stallion." Charming Thunder pressed his lightsaber to Star Swirls as the battle raged on.

Celestia, Luna, Trixie, and the Mane 6 walked through the forest until they heard clashing sounds. "We must be getting close," Celestia said.

"You seven stay here," Luna said. "We'll go check on Starswirl." Luna and Celestia continued to walk through the forest as the others stayed behind.

Starswirl and Charming Thunder continued their duel. Lightning flashed as the lightsabers crashed together. Celestia and Luna arrived to watch the duel. As the duel continued, Star Swirl realized that the princesses are watching. Charming Thunder took the advantage of his momentary distraction and swung his blade hard. Star Swirl was barely able to deflect the blow. He turned to the princesses and back to his opponent with a serene look on his face. Charming Thunder brought down his sword and pierced the stallion's flesh. Charming Thunder lowered his blade triumphantly with a grin on his face. Tears began to fall on Celestia's face as she watched the old stallion fall.

"NO!!!" Celestia shouted in disbelief. Shadow troopers popped out of the ground and began to fire at the princesses. Transfixed by anger, Celestia fired magic at the troopers as Charming Thunder grabbed Star Swirl's lightsaber. He then turned to the princesses and turned into red mist and flew away from the action. "Come back here you coward." She then tried to shoot at the red mist but Luna stopped her.

"Its too late," Luna said as she pulled her sister away. Celestia then stared blankly at the sky then to the ground as she sheds tears as Twilight and the rest of her friends arrived.

Chapter 6: Out Into Hiding

At the Crystal Knight Temple, everyone gathered around as they watched the corpse of Star Swirl burn on the pyre. As silence filled the air, Cadence turned to Celestia as she watched the pyre. "I'm sorry, auntie," she said. "He was a great teacher and will be remembered in the temple's archive." A tear fell off of Celestia's cheek as she continued to watch the fire burn Star Swirl.

Later that night at Canterlot, Celestia stood at the balcony alongside Luna, Cadence, and Twilight as she prepared a speech for the citizens. "Citizens of Equestria," she started. "It has come to my attention that an old foe has returned from the shadows and took possession of my nephew Charming Thunder." The crowd gasped as they listened to her. "Further more I hereby decree that we all go into hiding so that we remain safe from his wrath and his army.

"The caves beneath Canterlot will be safe," Cadence added. "Everypony, return to your homes and gather what you need and go there for the time being." The crowd then began to run back to their homes to do as the princesses request and gather at the cave and remain safe before anything happens.

"You sure that it is wise?" Luna asked.

"Of course. I've been there before. Remember?" Twilight starred in the distance where the Everfree forest is located.

"Oh, my sweet Charming," Twilight said to herself. "There must be good in you. I know there is." She then felt Luna's hoof placed on her shoulder and turned to face her.

"I know, Twilight. I worry for him too."

The misty form of Charming Thunder flew to an abandoned factory and landed in front of the entrance. He then used his magic to open the door and entered the factory. The door closed behind him as he proceeded through the hallway. He then came across a deactivated rolled up droideka and thought, "If this is a factory, then there must be a power switch somewhere." He then entered a room where all the droids were created. He then came across a door which led to the power room. He then opened the door and walked up to the power switch. He used his clawed arm to flip the switch and the factory came to life. Lights turned on and machinery sounded as the factory made droids. He then looked out the window as he watched the droidikas being created. He closed his eyes and opened them back up as he said, "I have been expecting you, Trixie." He then turned to face her with an evil grin. "Have you come to finish what your master started?"

"No," she replied. "I have come to talk to you."

"Oh. Now you want to negotiate your surrender. Too late, Trixie."

"Charming, please. Come back to the light. Face up to what you have done. Let me help you."

Charming Thunder laughed as he said, "Its too late for that. You are too late. You only want to help yourself."

"You know that is not true."

"We shall see." Charming Thunder pressed a button on the droid factory controls and the droidekas rolled up into a ball and rolled to the room where he is. They then unfolded and surrounded Trixie and pointed their ion blasters at her with their shields surrounding themselves. A magic field surrounded her and she bursts out a powerful magic that destroyed her surroundings. She then began to run away as Charming Thunder threw a tracking beacon on her. She then entered her ship and flew back to the crystal caves beneath Canterlot. Charming Thunder stepped outside of the factory and watched the ship fly away. He then transformed into mist and flew back to the castle of the two sisters.

Once he arrived in the throne room, he walked up to Nightmare Moon's armor and glanced at it. "Soon the bearers of the Elements of Harmony will bow before my will," he said to himself as he levitated the helmet and placed it on his head. An explosion emitted and began to transform. The helmet now covered his whole face with a glowing horn on it. His body then suspended with a ball of pure energy between his torso and legs surrounded by sharp teeth. The armor color turned purple, red, and gold. He then looked at himself and began to laugh loudly in the room as his eyes began to glow.

Luna opened her eyes and glanced outside of the cave as she saw a magical blast in the distance. "So it begins," she said. She then saw Trixie's ship fly inside the cave and land. Trixie exited the cockpit and ran to her.

"He has found a factory and is making a powerful army of droids." Luna gasped as Trixie asked, "What are we going to do now, your highness?"

"Nothing for now."

"Nothing?"

"He has become more powerful and he will try to find us. Come. We must deliver this report to the others. They will know what to do." Trixie nodded in agreement as she followed Luna to go to Celestia and the others to tell them the news.

"I see," Celestia said. "So he has began his march to Canterlot and is looking for us. He also found a droid factory from the Lunar Wars. Droidekas are fast and dangerous we must be cautious."

"And what of my husband, Trixie," Twilight asked. "Did you try to convince him to come back to us?"

"I'm...sorry, princess," Trixie said. "I did my best."

"I know how to bring him back to the light but it won't be easy," Celestia said.

"What's it going to take?" Applejack asked. "I'm sure Twilight and the rest of our friends can take him and--"

"No. Only one of you. Somepony who is brave enough to face him. Let me explain."

Chapter 7: Memories

Trixie practiced her saber skills with a training remote and deflected some shots. She then got hit by one of them and jumped back. As Twilight watched, she then began to remember the good times he had with Charming Thunder.

The purple mare walked with Charming Thunder as they laughed together. "Oh, Charming Thunder," Twilight said. "I'm so glad that I have you as a coltfriend."

"Me too, Twilight," Charming Thunder said as he found a comfy spot on the hill. They then lay down on the hill and watch the beautiful sunset in the sky. Twilight wrapped her wing around him as she lays her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes. "There's something I wanted to ask you."

"Yes, Charming?"

"Will you marry me." Twilight opened her eyes to see a ring in the box. Tears began to fill her eyes as she smiled.

"Oh, Charming. Yes. Yes! Of course I will marry you." She then pressed her lips to Charming Thunder's as the sun continued to set.

"Twilight?" Trixie asked. She then shook her head out of distraction and turned to face Trixie. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing," Twilight said. "I'm fine. Just had a flashback that's all." She then walked away as a tear rolled down her cheek from a painful memory.

Celestia and Luna glanced over the baby crib of a red baby unicorn. He was sound asleep as the princesses watched him sleep peacefully. They then left the room and walked through the hallway of the castle to the throne room. "Sister?" Luna asked.

"Yes, Luna?" Celestia replied.

"Can you promise me something?"

"Anything for my sister."

"Whatever happens to me, if I go bad, please protect him from me."

"Its a promise."

"Thank you, Tia." Luna then nudged Celestia until they heard the baby crying.

Celestia opened her eyes as tears fell on her cheeks. She then ran into her tent and began to sob on her bed. "Tia, what's wrong?" Luna asked.

"I'm just...glad that I didn't break your promise ever since we had to take care of our nephew," Celestia replied. Luna then wrapped her wing to comfort her and laid down with her.

Charming Thunder walked into a room where a cradle stood. He placed his clawed arm on it and moved it back and forth. "Like so many things in life, something is missing," Charming Thunder thought to himself. "But what? I've got an army of shadow minions and droids, this new form and--" His brain then remembered something as he smiled in his helmet. "The tracking beacon I placed on that foolish unicorn." He then took out his comlink and turned it on to reveal the map of Equestria. The red beep reveals where Trixie hides as he noticed the location. "The crystal caves beneath Canterlot." He turned off his comlink and puts it away. As he exited the room, he noticed the shadow trooper commander and said, "Prepare your forces."

"Yes, my lord," the trooper said and runs off through the hallway. Charming Thunder looked out of the window and stared at Canterlot castle as he chuckled.

The mane six along with Trixie gathered as they discussed what Celestia told them. "Let me," Rainbow Dash said. "Charming Thunder's father was a friend of my ancestor and Nightmare Moon must pay."

"I have to agree with Rainbow," Applejack said. "Nightmare Moon killed my ancestor too."

"No," Twilight protested. "Its too risky for you two. You heard what the princess said. Only one must face him."

"No," Luna interrupted. "Nightmare Moon was my creation. I am the one who is responsible for all of this to happen."

"Yes," Rainbow said. "But without you, who will fight Charming Thunder's army? Besides he doesn't know where we are."

"Think again, pathetic pegasus," Charming Thunder's voice shouted as a swarm of shadow troopers ran past him and droidekas rolled down and surrounded the group. Celestia and Cadence came out of their tent to notice everyone panicing as the soldiers blocked their path in every corner. The troops and the droids aimed their weapons at them as Charming Thunder walked towards them. "After all this time, this is the only place you hide." He then turned to Trixie and smiled inside his helmet. "Dear Trixie, I always knew that you would be some of use to me." Trixie gasped as the others tried to resist the grasp of the shadow troopers.

"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked.

"Why she lead me right to you, princess."

"You are a liar."

"And look what else I caught in my net. Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence. Another miracle no doubt. I shall remedy that." He then turned to the other ponies as he announced, "There will be a celebration in Ponyville tomorrow at dawn and YOU are all invited to intend to see five of Twilight's friends including her faithful assistant die." He turned his attention to a trooper and gestured. "Lock them up."

The soldiers began to drag everyone away as Trixie grabbed his cape and begged, "Please don't do this." Charming Thunder turned to Trixie with a grin in his helmet. She then lets go and looks down to the ground as she sobs.

"Take her and the princesses to the mayor's office. And make sure that they stay there." The soldiers nodded and dragged Trixie out of the cave.

Chapter 8: The Rescue

Twilight laid on the office floor in chains along with Trixie and the princesses as she wanted to know something about Charming Thunder's arm. "Princess?" she asked to Celestia. "What is with Charming's arm? It looks different somehow."

"I think I can answer that," Luna said. "A thousand years ago after I became Nightmare Moon, I used my magic to create a glove that will give me unlimited power. When it was done, I was about to destroy my sister with its power, but I was too late to put it on my hoof. The glove teleported along with me to the moon to be banished. When I was up there, I vowed that whoever wear the glove and has taken my powers, I would vow revenge if I was defeated once the stars freed me. And now here we are as my vow came true. Its my fault that all of this happened." Her ears then drooped and laid down on the floor.

"I don't blame you, sister," Celestia said.

Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Pinkie, and Spike were tied up to a wooden pole as they struggled to break free. The mob was blocked by Charming Thunder's shadow forces as they shoved them back. Charming Thunder stood on stage next to the tied up ponies and dragon. He turned to face them as he said, "You six are standing upon the brink of the abyss." He then walked to where Flutershy was and continued. "Yet only now it is not to late. I could spare your lives in on condition; join me or die." Fluttershy head-butts his face and he took a few steps back with his hoof on his face. He then laughed to himself and turned to the audience. "These weaklings have refused to join me and made their decision to die in the hands by my power."

Back in the mayor's office, the princesses struggled to get out of their chains except for Trixie who felt ashamed for what she has done. Twilight turned to her and shouted, "Come on, Trixie. Snap out of it. My friends are down there."

"Its all my fault," Trixie said.

"You got to break these chains," Cadence said.

"I can't. I tried. What difference does it make."

"But you can't let Nightmare win," Celestia said.

"He already has."

"So you're just giving up?" Twilight asked.

"Just leave me alone," Trixie shouted.

A moment of silence broke down in the room until Luna said, "Okay. Okay, Trixie. We'll leave you alone." Silence then came in the room again as the group heard an echo from outside.

"And now it is my sworn duty," Charming Thunder announced. "I will send these six back where they belong." He then raised his clawed hand and aura got sucked of the tied up ponies and dragon.

"NOOO!!" Trixie shouted as she began to use her strength to break free from the chains. The chains began to break as the princesses did the same. Once her chains broke from the floor, she levitated her lightsaber and teleported out of the mayor's office. The princesses flew out of the window to join her to help free the others.

Charming Thunder laughed as he drained the life of the victims. He suddenly got tackled out of nowhere and landed on the ground off of the stage. Trixie lifted her lightsaber and began to strike but it was too late. Charming Thunder turned into mist and flew away from the town to the direction of the castle of the two sisters. The crowd cheered as the princesses arrived on stage. Trixie walked up on stage and began to announce, "Citizens of Ponyville, Charming Thunder has persecuted our people, ransacked our great town. And now help me and the princesses free him from his dark torment. Will we allow him to take over Equestria?" The crowd then cheered and began to march to the castle as a herd of cows.

Charming Thunder landed at the castle walls next to the shadow soldiers and ordered, "Nopony gets in or out. They are after me and you must guard me with your life. I will be in the throne room if things go wrong."

"Yes, sir," the soldier said as he and the others took positions at the wall. They aimed their rifles at the bridge in case they try to cross. As Charming Thunder walked down the stairs, he looked at his wrist gear and pressed a button on it.

The mob of ponies along with Trixie approached the bridge to the castle when all of the sudden, a shot hit the ground in front of them. Trixie looked up and saw the snipers at the wall. "Let us handle this," Celestia said as she and the other three princesses spread their wings and flew to the castle walls. They dodged the laser bolts as they flew to the walls. They fired their magic at the shadow troops as they approached. When they landed, the rest of the ponies crossed the bridge and arrived at the front gate.

Charming Thunder saw the army approaching and shouted, "BRACE THE GATE!!!" The troops held the gate as the mob tried to break through the castle doors. The doors then shut behind Charming Thunder as he heard the banging from the doors outside. "The Elements of Harmony and I have unfinished business to attend to and this time, the princesses won't stop me." He then used his magic to teleport to the controls to a trap door. "And I know just how to do it." He then chuckled to himself as a roar was heard underground.

Chapter 9: Rancor and Duel of the Fates

The door was breached and a group led by Rainbow Dash made sure that the room was clear of enemy forces. Shadows formed in front of them and the shadow troopers began to fire at the group. Rainbow flew to one of them and grabbed its blaster and shot it. The others grabbed the other blasters and took cover behind some rocks. Charming Thunder observed as more shadow troopers arrived. Twilight shot the others with her magic as the last of the troops faded away. "Extraordinary performance," Charming Thunder laughed.

"Last chance, Nightmare," Celestia said. "Release my nephew or there will be serious consequences." Everyone in the room stood on top of the trap door as Charming Thunder laughed.

"You have no idea what you have gotten yourselves into. Even you, Spike." Spike growled as Charming Thunder walked up to the controls. "Thanks to your empire, they have found a monster that was not from around here. There are more of them out there you know. And I hope that they are..." He then turned to Fluttershy as he finished. "...eating cute and cuddly animals." Fluttershy then gasped and got angry.

"Now you listen here, buster," Fluttershy said angrily. "If you ever EVER send that pet of yours out there, I am going to give you the stare."

"Oh no. Not the stare," he said sarcastically. "Oh please what exactly is that going to do? I am going to enjoy watching you all die." As he began to laugh Fluttershy grabbed the blaster out of Rainbow's hooves and aimed at him. He noticed and pressed the button to open the trap door. Twilight, the princesses, her friends, and one pony fell down into a dungeon like room. Charming Thunder laughed as he pressed another button on the panel as he said, "Lets see if you can handle a beast like this." Twilight glanced calmly around, taking in her surroundings. As the large door slid open, a massive fanged beast rushed into the room, the pony ran for his life trying to climb out of the pit. The massive rancor noticed the pony and grabbed him. He screamed as he was being lifted off of the ground. In one quick gulp, the beast swallowed him whole, then turned to find its next prey. Applejack galloped away and grabbed a bone from a rancor's victim and swung it around like a sword.

"What are you doing, Applejack?" Twilight shouted.

"Luring it away," Applejack said. "All of you hide." Everyone in the room except for Applejack hid in a pile of bones. The monster reached down and grabbed Applejack in its hand, bringing her closer and closer to its gaping maw. Fluttershy covered her eyes to not look at what is going to happen next. Applejack quickly wedged her makeshift weapon into the roof of the creature's mouth, and it dropped her as it howled in pain, smashing into the side of the cave. The beast then broke the bone and sniffed to look around for its prey. "Everypony, run towards that gate. I'll meet you over there." The group then started to gallop to the gate in the back of the den as Applejack threw a rock at the beast as a distraction. She then slid under the beast and galloped to the others. She began to pull on the bars of the door as the rancor roared and Charming Thunder laughed as the beast came closer and closer. Applejack then noticed a control panel to the gate over the rancor and hatched an idea. She crouched against the wall as the monster approached, then reached down and picked up a nearby skull. She hurled it at the gate's control panel, and the heavy iron gate came crashing down right on the head of the beast. They looked up to see that Charming Thunder was not at the control panel.

"Nice job, Applejack," Pinkie Pie said. "Now there's pressing matters to attend to with the main villain."

"But the question is: who will face him alone?" Twilight asked.

"I'll do it," Trixie said.

"You can't be serious," Rainbow said.

"I know that it was my fault that I lured him here but it is my responsibility to get him back."

"I'll go too," Celestia said. "You may need alicorn magic to bring him back to the light."

"And what of the rest of us?" Spike asked.

"All of you will get to safety."

"Be careful, you two." Luna blasted the bared door with her magic and the others ran out of the room.

Two guards stood at both sides of the door as Charming Thunder glanced at the window seeing everyone leaving. Trixie stepped in the room and levitated the two guards and bashed them to the wall next to the door. He then turned his attention to her and walked to the edge of the ramp. "Trixie, you survived," he said.

"Surprised?" Trixie said.

Charming Thunder chuckled and said, "Your arrogance blinds you, Trixie. Now you will experience the full power of the dark side." He then fired lightning and knocked Trixie to the wall. He then walked down the stairs to confront her as he laughed. "I have waited a long time for this moment, my little blue pony." He then chuckled as Trixie slowly got up. "At last I will have revenge."

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Trixie then fired magic at Charming Thunder and knocked him back to the wall behind him. "Your reign of darkness ends here." Charming Thunder got up slowly as she continued. "And this fight will be quick." Charming Thunder then jumped to meet her face to face. Trixie then took a few steps back as she said, "Why leave if you are so powerful." She activated her lightsaber and readied herself for combat.

"You will not stop me. I will become more powerful than you." He activated his ligtsaber and pointed his crimson blade at her. The battle then became extremely fast and furious. They locked their blades as he used his strength to push Trixie back and walked towards the stairs and blocked her strikes as they go up. They then locked their blades at the edge of the ramp and Trixie broke the lock to make Charming Thunder drop his lightsaber. He then tried to kick her but she jumped away and landed below him. Charming Thunder uses his magic to levitate giant rocks and hurled one towards her. Trixie leaped away from the rock and deactivated her lightsaber and placed it on her belt. As Charming Thunder hurled another rock, she used her magic to hold it in the air. She then began to spin it and threw it back to him like a frisbee Charming Thunder leapt after the last moment and noticed that Trixie disappeared. A lightsaber was heard from behind him and began to fire lightning at the unicorn.

"You fight well," she said as she deflected the lightning. "But that was just the beginning." Celestia landed behind him out of nowhere and fired a beam of magic at him. The blast made him hit towards the edge of the window as he grasped on to the edge. Trixie rushed to help him up but when she arrived, the rock he was holding on to collapsed and he began to fall into midair. Luna suddenly flew out of nowhere and caught him. She then slowly landed on the ground next to the end of the bridge. Charming Thunder was knocked out cold as Twilight rushed to him. Celestia and Trixie arrived to the scene as the others arrived to see Charming Thunder lying on the ground with Luna.

"Is it over?" Twilight asked as she cradled Charming Thunder.

"I think so," Celestia said. Charming Thunder rolled his head a little as his eyes slowly opened. His eye color was back the way it was before as Twilight sighed in relief.

"What happened?" Charming Thunder said as he rubbed his head. "And what is this thing on my arm? And what am I wearing?"

"Its a long story," Applejack said as she helped him up and walked back to Ponyville.

"So my aunt's vision was so close for coming true after all?" Charming Thunder asked while he was seated on his chair in the tower at the castle.

"Yes," Twilight said. "And thankfully you didn't hurt me."

"Twilight, I... I'm truly..." He then sighed as he continued. "Forgive me for all the trouble I caused you."

"I already have," Twilight then kissed Charming Thunder on the cheek. "Lets take care of the armor and the glove and--"

"Actually, dear. I already had an idea in mind for this years Nightmare Night since it is starting soon. Can you send a letter to Luna and tell her to come here while I get ready?"

"Of course." Charming Thunder then walked to the elevator with Twilight as they were going on separate tasks to prepare for an event that is starting soon.

Charming Thunder began to put on the armor as he heard chatter outside of the castle. He then heard footsteps then turned to face the ghost of his father. "Hello, son," Sombra said happily.

"Father," Charming Thunder said. "I miss you so much."

"I know. You have done well with your life with Twilight Sparkle. Now listen to my words before I take my leave. My son...the day you were born, the very forests of the Empire whispered the name...Charming. My child...I watched with pride as you grew into a weapon...of righteousness. Remember, our line has always ruled with wisdom and strength, and I know you will show restraint when exercising your great power. But the truest victory, my son, is stirring the hearts of your people. I tell you this, for when my days have come to an end...you shall be King."

"I won't fail you. I'm not afraid."

"That's my boy. Good luck with Nightmare Night and your family." Sombra faded away as Charming Thunder smiled with tears falling down his face.

THE END

Prologue

Once upon a time in a magical land of Equestria....

EQUESTRIA WARS

Episode VI
The Return of the Nightmare

Peace has once again returned to Equestria and in commemoration Star Swirl, having come out to the world, has reformed the order of the Crystal Knights with the help of Charming Thunder.

Little do they know that an investigation team at the Castle of the Two Sisters has discovered the remains of Nightmare Moon's Armor and a strange glove from a crater that was made from a meteor shower.

With Nightmare Night a couple days away, Charming Thunder along with Flash Sentry were sent to investigate the items that were found in the ancient castle....