Vynil could barely see through the pain and darkness that was shrouding her vision. With a moan, she got to her hooves and looked to Octavia. She could see Nightmare Moon standing above the the pony, laughing. She wobbled in place and collapsed to the floor. Nightmare Moon lit her horn and levitated the corpse of Octavia. She sucked the magic of Friendship out of the body and let it fall to the floor with a thud. She laughed.

"This is much more effective than going after those Elements or the Princesses."

Vynil coughed and looked dimly to the evil mare. Vynil grimaced at her and choked on blood.

"You... won't... kill... me..."

"No, I will keep you for later. That other pony, though, she is already a corpse."

"That... is where... you are... wrong. Friendship... can be... eternal."

"You cannot have friends if you are dead, foolish pony."

Vynil tried to smirk confidently, but the pain caused her face to drop into a sad grimace. Yet, in her head, she pleaded for Octavia to wake up, despite the burn damage to her body. The beautiful, smart, kind pony that had been performing just hours ago couldn't be dead beside this evil pony. As if her thoughts could be heard, the corpse moved and the voice of Octavia rang softly through the halls as she spoke.

"Nightmare, you thought you could win this one, and against mere ponies. How cruel."

There was a flash of light and the castle began to crumble around Octavia as the Magic of Friendship returned to her. The black husk that had been her body was now covered in the smooth tan coat and her purple eyes shimmered with life. Grasping the air, a cello bow appeared in her hand, while the air hummed with magic. Vynil laughed, coughed, and then fell to the floor smiling.

I knew you weren't dead, Tavi.

Octavia grimaced at Nightmare Moon as she wielded the bow like a sword in her hoof. She stabbed at the mare and to both of their surprise, the stab found flesh. Inky black smoke poured out of the small hole, but it seemed to wound Nightmare greatly. She lit her horn and formed black chains around Octavia's hooves. The cello bow clattered to the stone floor as Octavia fumbled for it. The chains pressed into her forelegs and burned her skin. Octavia cried out and screamed into the darkness. Nightmare cackled and smiled, revealing her fangs.

"You thought you could defeat Nightmare Moon with a stab! You are truly foolish."

"Nightmare, you will fail. Love cannot be destroyed, nor friendship."

With that, the aura in the air dissipated and Vynil staggered to life. With the two's great power of friendship, they struck at Nightmare Moon. The magic chains lay where Octavia had stood, useless as a shadow. They used their hooves and Vynil's magic to fight the mare's attacks. Nightmare had the upper hand, keeping them at bay as Vynil shot beams of energy at her and Octavia tried to jump at her.

"TAVI! Get back!" Vynil screamed as Nightmare shot a beam at her.

"No, Vynil! Shoot your magic at her beam! Quickly!"

The two magic beams collided and ricocheted back at Nightmare. She screamed as the full force of two magic beams hit her. There was a large boom and the dark magic was burst from the castle. With no more magic to hold the castle together, the ceiling and walls began to crumble. Octavia ran towards a door, but rubble fell in front of her hooves. Vynil grabbed her with magic and ran for the entry hall that she had come through. Octavia protested being carried, but when she saw the rubble falling fast behind them, she silently agreed that this was the best option for both of their survival. When the door was in sight, Vynil ran hard just to avoid the large stone bricks and glass shards raining down.

They both fell in the long grass outside of the castle, panting and crying. Octavia was still weak from being revived, but was strong enough to cry out in shock at the experience. Vynil cried with relief at saving her love and being alive.

"Vynil, why... why did you come for me?"

"Aw, Tavi. It's what any friend would do. Well..." Vynil gulped and blushed.

"Well...' What?" Octavia asked Vynil, both now on their hooves.

"Well, I like you more than that. I love you, Tavi. I always have!"

Octavia stepped back in shock. Vynil looked down, thinking that the sudden move by Octavia had meant rejection. But, she felt a hoof around her neck. Vynil looked up and saw Octavia hugging her.

"The secret is, me too." She smiled softly and released her hug.

They smiled at each other and started to walk twoards home.

The End

Author's Note

I'm sorry if the battle seems forced or quick. I am still unsure of how a good defeat for Nightmare Moon would be. Still, I hope you enjoy it!