Applejack sighed as she looked out over her farm, seeing the snow covered trees and land gave it all a quiet look before her. While she was appreciating the sight, a little sigh escaped her lips as she began to think, “Celestia, Ah wish the snow could clear up soon. Ah really want to get back to work.” the thought ran through her head as she leaned against the now dead tree. A small chuckle left her lips as she said out loud, “Maybe Ah should ask Rainbow to open up the clouds a bit and let in the sun so Ah can get an early start.”

She laughed at this, but still felt a little down. The snow tended to hinder her running while there wasn’t much need to plow or till the soil in the middle of the snow. So for her, her workout changed a lot over the past three months. Putting her hands behind her and into her pockets, she calmly breathed in the cold air and walked slowly, letting the soft crunching of snow accompany her as she made her way home.

For a quick moment, she stopped and held up her fist, letting out slow breaths as she began to practice her breathing. Softly, her body began to connect with the earth around her, allowing the magic to flow like a small river. For the briefest of moments, she could feel the harmon rise up within her and make her glow. Then just as soon as her body began to glow, she lost the magic. Growling, she punched her fist into her palm and growled, “Still nothing. Ah’ve been working on this harmon thing for months and Ah still can’t get it.”

“Hey, what are you doing out here?” Caramel asked, stepping out with a scarf around his neck. “ I thought you told me you were going to take it easy before your big day.”

Applejack shrugged, “This is easy for me. Ah’m just looking around the fields and planning on my harvest.”

“No, easy is resting back with your family. Easy is not walking around here in the cold weather thinking that it’s ok to embrace the snow,” Caramel turned his head to the house with the warm smell of coca wafting through the air, “Resting is not leaving you family.”

Applejack walked up to Caramel, glaring him down. Then she lightly tapped his nose and smiled warmly, “Not abandoning the family, and don’t worry. Ah really am resting up. We have something big coming in two days, but this is also important. It’s my farm and Ah want to be sure it’s working fine for the upcoming Winter Wrap Up.”

“Yeah, but-”

“But what?” Applejack asked, looking curious.

Caramel blushed at the look she had in her eyes, “Can I help? Ease the work a little?”

“You know, you have been helping me for a year now. You never had to, but you did. Now why go out of your way for this mare?” Applejack asked, putting her hands on her hips.

Caramel backed up and then put his fingers together, “Well, you see...I’ve seen you work so hard lately, and I wanted to, help you. I know I can be clumsy, and a little bit silly but I-”

“Shhhh,” Applejack smiled warmly as she put a finger to his lips and then took his hand, “Let’s check out the farm, together.”

This made Caramel blushed harder and nod, walking into the woods next to Applejack.

As the two began to kindle something more in their lives, Pinkie Pie was happily bouncing down the stairs when she was stopped by a loud squeak of denial. Looking down, she saw Pound and Pumpkin standing side by side, blocking her, “No,” Pound said.

“Un uh,” squeaked Pumpkin.

Pinkie looked at her two siblings with curiosity, “Ok, guys why are you stopping me?”

“Surprise!” said Pound, fluttering his little wings in an attempt to get lift.

Pumpkin nodded and said, “Sissy surprise.”

“Ohhhhh, well, you two are doing a great job at stopping me. Don’t wanna spoil it, right?” Pinkie asked with a wink and this made the twin nod eagerly.

A yelp and a scream made the twins gasp and run away from the stairs, “Budder!” Pound said, running to the table.

Curiously, Pinkie walked down the stairs, helping Pumpkin into her arms and put her onto her shoulder. Looking at the baking table, she saw Artie leaning over a long metallic object with a cylinder at the end of the staff, “Are you ok, Artie?”

“Yeah, I’m fine Pinkie,” Artie moaned, using his wrist to rub the bruise on his forehead. When he felt a warm pair of lips on his forehead, he smiled at Pinkie’s sign of affection, “I was just using my horn to make this gift that Brain sent to me.”

“A gift?” Pinkie asked, looking down at the pink hammer, “A new hammer! Oh, it’ll go great with my other ones!”

Artie chuckled as he used his magic to lift the hammer and handed it to Pinkie, “Actually, it’s not just a hammer. I asked Brain back on El to mix your Party Cannon with one of your hammers. Now it’s a fun little hammer that can also fire out your party bombs. Cool huh?”

Pinkie let out a gasp as she took the hammer in hand and smiled widely, “Wow!!! But, what were you doing to it?”

“Well, I was using my magic to put it together and give it a name,” Artie said, pointing to a name on the handle with his wrist, “I was thinking of “Artistic Hope’ myself. Mainly because the handle is made from my old staff.”

“What,” Pinkie shrieked when she looked at the handle, and then looked up worriedly at Artie, “But what about coming back?”

“I will,” Artie said, “But I also want to leave the past behind me. This, removing my staff, is just my first step. When I come back into the fight, I want to start clean and that means a new weapon. But I wanted to make something special for you, to show that I’m out there with you. Always.”

“T-t-thanks, Artie,” Pinkie said, giving Artie a big hug. Then she sniffled, “Hey, about about after all of this we go and see your folks like you wanted.”

“Sure,” Artie said, smiling back at Pinkie.

For the longest time, the two held each other close. A warm smile gleaned across each of their their faces as they let their eyes rest upon each other, looking and reading their emotions. As the quiet sounds of the bakery filled the space between them, they looked and leaned in a little closer, “Pinkie Pie!” Mrs. Cake called, snapping the two out of their reverie. “Could you help at the register for me? I need to make a new batch of cookies to put onto the display.”

“Um, sure,” Pinkie said with a blush as she broke the embrace and walked away. Turning over she shoulder, she winked at Artie and said, “Thanks for the gift.”

“Yeah, welcome,” Artie smiled back.

In the middle of the park, was a peculiar sight. Rainbow Dash was sitting perfectly still, not sleeping on a cloud or helping with weather duties, but sitting down on a small pillow. Across from her, was Fluttershy, who was also sitting across from her with her eyes closed and also sitting down. Softly Fluttershy’s breath came out in slow wisps of air that condense in the air, allowing her to feel the air. Her chest rose and fell with each breath that she had taken, letting her feel the air around her.

Occasionally, she would open her eyes to look at Rainbow Dash. Each time she did, she looked to make sure that her friend was still concentrating. At one point, she asked, “Rainbow, did you fall asleep?”

No response.

“Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked, getting up and walking closer, waving her hand in front of her marefriend’s face.

No response.

Curious, Fluttershy leaned in and put a ear close to Rainbow’s lips, and got what she wanted to hear when she heard Rainbow’s loud snore break out. This made her back up and let out a squeak in shock. Letting out a soft chuckle, she leaned in and kissed Rainbow Dash softly on the lips, “Wake up, sleepy head.”

“Huh, what?” Dash asked as she snorted awake and shook her head. “I wasn’t sleeping. Really.”

Fluttershy scooted herself to sit with Rainbow Dash and smiled, “I know what you sound like when you fall asleep. You snore like, um, you snore like...”

“Like what?” Dash asked, giving Fluttershy a narrow look.

“A bear in labor,” Fluttershy said, looking away in embarrassment.

Rainbow Dash let out a depressed sigh and lightly punched the snow, “Darn it. I wasn’t trying to nap this time, I really wanted to see if I could do that whole badass and awesome calm mind thing you do.”

“It isn’t all that impressive, I don’t get to use it that often,” Fluttershy said, hiding behind her mane for a moment.

“What? Of course it’s that awesome,” Dash said, throwing her hands in the air, “I’ve seen you dodge a whole slew of attacks from somepony with that and then there was that thing you did at Rhymey’s home! You always seem to have this cool trick you can do with your mind and I thought I might learn a thing or two.”

“Why though?” Fluttershy asked sitting up closer to Rainbow Dash.

Taking a deep breath, Rainbow Dash looked up at the sky and sighed, “I was thinking that maybe it might help me, you know.” Looking at Fluttershy’s confused look, she continued. “I thought maybe if I could pull off that trick of yours, I might be able to sense where you guys are when you need me and race over there. Or maybe even get me connected to the speed force, that kind of thing.”

“Rainbow, you don’t need to do that,” Fluttershy said soothingly, her fingers entwining with Rainbow’s, “You are one of the fastest ponies I know, the loyalist pony I have ever met, and one of the bravest mares in existence. I know there is nothing you can’t accomplish, you don’t need my skill to help you. You can find your own way, and besides...you’ll always be there right?”

For the briefest of instances, an image flashed through Rainbow’s mind of the death of her friend. Her worst failure. Ears drooping a little, Rainbow Dash nodded and said, “Yeah.”

“No, definitely,” Fluttershy said, kissing her on the lips. Then Fluttershy looked over Rainbow’s shoulder and gasped, seeing a small family of foxes, “Snow foxes! Rainbow, let’s go see them!” and with a little skip, she got up and began to run to the family. With a coy look, she giggled, “Race you?”

“Flutters, you know I’ll win. I don’t like to-”

“Shame, guess I’ll win because of a head start!” Fluttershy said with a laugh as she ran ahead.

Rainbow dash felt her wings perk up in excitement, her racing urge kicking in as she flew off towards her. However, she held back a little, just to give Fluttershy an edge and to spend time enjoying the view of Fluttershy running ahead.

Fluttershy, for her part, would occasionally look back over her shoulder to Dash and smile at her. A small thought came to her head as she watched her marefriend follow her, and she began to make a plan while she approached the foxes. After another quick step she neared the family, sat down and whispered, “It’s ok, I’m just here to see you Mr. and Mrs. McCloud.”

Dash looked at her weirdly, “You named them already?”

“Well, they look like a Mr. and Mrs. McCloud. And this one seems feisty already,” Fluttershy said, petting the baby of the family who was yipping up a storm.

“Oh, I get it,” Rainbow Dash remarked, watching Fluttershy play with the foxes.

As she held one in her arms, Fluttershy asked, “Are you upset you lost our little race?”

“Nah,” Dash replied, putting her hands behind her head and lightly kicking the snow, “Watching your cute little rump bounce up and down was all the reward I needed.”

This made Fluttershy blush heavily.

Rarity sighed as she looked over the designs of her latest pieces and then back to the armor she had made for Twilight. Then back to armors of her friends and gave a small groan of frustration while leaning back in her chair, pushing up her glasses, “Oh Twilight, this is so frustrating! These armors that they gave us is supposed to be infused with stardust and cosmic-whatevers, but look!” she said, holding up the cloth that was Applejack’s armor, still broken, “This might as well be spandex for all of the good protecting it does! And whoever heard of armor that sparks upon impact?! I swear, it’s like this armor was designed for a tv show where you need sparks for the hit detection.”

Sighing, she got up from the chair and looked at the outfits, laying there before her, “I just wish I had something more concrete than something that sounds as odd as cosmic dust. With this war turning out the way it is, I know we need something stronger than what sounds like armor from a child’s fantasy. Though, I wonder if this is just cloth. Oh, if only you were-”

The sound of the door opening and the sound of a baby crying alerted Rarity and in an instant, she was out of the chair, into the next room, and into the main room of her shop with her bow and arrow at the ready, “Lay your hands off my daughter you beast!” she growled with her eyes narrowed.

Rover held up his paws with a nervous yelp, “OH, I am sorry, Lady Rarity, I did not mean to scare your little one. I was just here to pick up the gem delivery and was distracted by the little cub.”

Sighing Rarity put away her bow and arrow, walking over to her daughter in the crib, and picked her up. Gently she soothed the baby, “There there, little gem. This is not a monster from your nightmares, but a diamond dog that Mommy befriended. See?” she said, happily turning the two-week old krinin around to look at the strange beast. The baby let out a giggle and lightly patted his cold nose.

“Um, thanks for the apology. I really just wanted to see her, never saw a pony-dragon hybrid before,” Rover said, smiling, “You must be proud of your pup.”

“Indeed I am,” Rarity said, holding onto the little girl and smiling. With a quick nudge she said, “Your gems are over there in the box as usual.”

The diamond dog nodded happily, before throwing down a large bag that he had carried on his back, “Oh, and this is for you. A gift from our queen.”

“Rover, as I told you, I am not expecting anything for my help or-”

“No, you do not understand, we found something precious you might like,” Rover said, opening the bag, “Two days ago, while digging, we struck a vein of worthless metal that we had ignored. But, one of our metal smiths looked into it and said it was something that ponies would be interested in. Especially dressmakers, and maybe you as well, Lady Rarity. Perhaps you have heard of Mithril?”

Rarity let out a gasp as she gently laid Crystal into her crib and then put her hand into the bag to pull out a stone, “M-M-Mithril? Of course I have heard of it, I have heard that Luna’s sword was made from it. And you are giving it to me?”

“Well, yes,” Rover said, “We Diamond Dogs have no need of it, we work with diamonds and gems. But, you might be able to fashion something from it, and you have ever been so generous to us by giving us gems and the time to help make our armor. We figured that you might value it more.”

“Oh, why thank you, Rover,” Rarity said, patting Rover on his little head. Smiling, she opened the bag while Rover went to pick up the box of gems. After giving him time to leave, Rarity reached down into her shirt, pulled out her glasses and twirled them around in her hand to open them, “Well, Clarity, time for you to watch Mommy at work!”

There was a squeal of delight from the kirin as Rarity levitated each stone, some cloth, and a ton of gems, “See, Mithril is hard to work into fabric, only the most talented of designers are able to do it. But, luckily for your mother,” she added, smiling at her daughter, “I have some training in making fabric and suits from mithril. Oh, this is so exciting!!!”

Applejack and the others sat in the boutique the next day, all sitting around a stage curtain. Looking over to see Spike play with little Crystal, she asked, “Got any idea what this big surprise is, Spike?”

Spike shook his head, “No, Rarity only said it was going to be amazing and you were going to love it.”

“Ah hope it’s going to be worth it and quick. The train to Neighpon is supposed to be leaving at noon and we gotta be on it,” Applejack remarks as Rarity stepped out from behind the curtain.

With a glow of her horn, she pulled back the curtain hiding the outfits, “Thank you all for waiting. May I present to you all...your new Armor!” she said with glee as she pulled back the curtain to reveal five brightly colored outfits. Looking back at the looks of her friends, she smiled, “You like?”

“Uh, Rares? This is just clothes,” Applejack said, walking up to her outfit and rubbing the brown vest in between her fingers and looking at the light orange sleeves.

Rarity held in a giggle, “Not just any clothes my dear Applejack, but clothes made from Mithril.”

“What’s Mithril?” Fluttershy asked looking at her long green cloak with white stripes on it.

“Mithril, that’s like this super awesome type of metal that’s found deep in the earth. It’s stronger than steel, but it’’s really super light so you don’t get held down!” Pinkie said excitedly, bouncing to her suit, “Maude sometimes finds it when she’s rock hunting! My family sometimes pulls it out back home.”

“Indeed,” Rarity said, “If you will all try yours on I can talk about the improvements I made.”

Each girl nodded in turn and grabbed the outfits off the rack. After running into the dressing rooms, it was not long before Applejack was the first to step out, adjusting her hat, “First of all, I had to remove the so called ‘increased strength, defense, and speed,’ from the old armors. But in return, these new suits are a lot more durable than anything Starfleet could ever come up with.”

“Fine with me, to tell y’all the truth,” Applejack said, running her hand along the sleeves and then looking down at her jeans, “Ah never really felt all that stronger anyway, just stupider for wearing it. Heck, that armor seemed to get damaged a lot.”

“Yes, that is why this is more powerful defensively,” Rarity said, “You will still feel pain, but projectiles are a thing of the past. What’s more, I customized Applejack’s with emeralds to enhance her more earth pony capabilities. Now, the magic will make it easier to perform her usual feats with ease.”

“Wait, emeralds?” Rainbow Dash asked, her blue track suit shining in the lights, rainbow streaks running down the arms, legs and chest.

Rarity nodded, “Another benefit of mithril is that it has a high potential for enchantments. I can use my magic to select a gem, imbued it with a spell, and place it onto the outfit. For instance, Rainbow Dash, I no longer have to modify your armor whenever you increase your speed. The rubies I used in that suit will match the durability with your speed, creating a shield that will protect you when you hit high speeds.”

“Awesome!” Dash said, putting on a set of goggles. Looking over at Applejack, she asked, “Why are you still wearing that neckerchief?”

“Oh this?” Applejack asked, adjusting it around her neck, “After the fight with Rhymey, Ah ended up kind of liking it. Ah felt like it added to my look.”

Pinkie smiled and bounced wildly, her bright pink frilly blouse contrasting with her long blue skirt, “Yeah, like that apple on the back of your jacket.”

“I’ve found unique ways to put your cutie marks into each design,” Rarity said with a smile from behind her own curtain, while Applejack looked behind her at her mark, “Pinkie, I’ve kept your usual pouches for your various pieces of equipment and tools. However, ‘ve also added a strap for your hammer onto the back of the suit.”

“Thankee!” Pinkie giggled, putting in her stuff such as streamers, bombs, balls, and various other nicknacks.

“Um, Rarity,my suit doesn’t seem much for fighting,” Fluttershy said, looking at her robes and taking note of the two gems on the sleeves.

Rarity popped her head and shoulders out from her dressing room, “Well dear, you don’t usually fight. That is for the rest of us to handle. I specifically designed your outfit with gems that can produce a shield that can change size according to the wielder’s will. It also offers some healing magic as well.”

Fluttershy pressed a gem and backed away in surprised when it formed a shield. Applejack looked at the fashionista as she stepped out of her dressing room, “Uh, Rares, what is that?”

“Oh, this,” Rarity said, fastening her greeves onto her arms tightly, “Is my armor.” She said showing off her dark purple shirt that was hidden under a tighter vest and tight indigo pants. Around each thigh was a small pouch.

“You mean, Glarity’s armor right?” Applejack asked.

Rarity looked shocked at this remark, “ No, mine. I am going to be joining you on this fight, Applejack.”

“No, ya ain’t!” Applejack said with a growl as she glared into Rarity’s eyes.

“Last I remember Applejack, I had planned on re-joining this team after my daughter was born,” taking a quick look over her shoulder at the little filly in her boyfriend’s arms, she sighed and looked back at Applejack, “Now that she is here, I have all the more reason to rejoin this team and stand with my friends on this, the eve of our greatest battles.”

“That little filly is exactly why you shouldn’t be out there,” Applejack said, frowning, “If you die, then that little darling loses her mother. Ah have already seen one girl grow up without her mother, Ah won’t do it again! Ya hear me, Ah won’t!”

“Applejack, that isn’t fair!” Rainbow Dash argued.

Rarity held up a finger and sighed before looking down, “I...see. You know, I had never thought about what I did as a mistake. Just a small, very welcome hiccup on the long road of life. Two ponies, give into the throws of passion, it happens. But, I had always thought about what happens after she was born, and how I would go about living my dreams and achieving my goals as a business mare. One of these was how I was going to come back into this group and help you as much as I can, now no longer encumbered by my precious gem.”

Rarity sighed, “Every time Glarity was out there, I felt horrible because I couldn't stand with you, fighting the good fight. Each time I had gotten mad at my condition, I felt so horrible because I believed I was blaming Clarity for my own mistakes and something she couldn’t help. But, I held tough, even though I couldn’t do much and I was hidden in the shadows, because I told myself that I could fight once more, be helpful again once she was born.”

“And now,” Rarity sniffled, feeling tears coming to her eyes, “You are saying that I still can’t fight, even though she is born! You tell me that I risk a lot by going out there, but what about you?! You die and Applebloom loses the closest thing she has to a mother. Rainbow Dash, sacrifices the only sister Scootaloo has. Pinkie, Fluttershy, The Umbra circle? They all risk so much during this war of ours, ready to give everything they have for the sake of others. And you wish to take it away from me?” Rarity began to whimper as she looked up to Applejack, “Please, I want a chance to fight alongside you once more. For my daughter’s sake, my boyfriend’s, and my friends! Please, I beg you, let me fight by your side once more and give me a chance to help you!”

“It is kind of unfair,” Fluttershy said quietly, “That we leave Rarity behind now that she can help us again.”

“But Ah-” Applejack began but was interrupted by Glarity.

“I have already made my plans to stay here, and let Rarity fight again,” Glarity said, “Rarity’s place is by your side, not me.”

“But-”

Pinkie interrupted next, “And besides, we really need her back. You cant just keep her here.”

Applejack growled and slammed her hat over her eyes, “FINE! She can come back to join us! Just stop hounding me.”

“Oh, thank you, darling,” Rarity said, hugging her friend tightly.

Applejack sighed, “Sorry Rarity, Ah was just looking out for ya.”

“I know, but you need to know that some of us can stand on our own two feet,” Rarity smiled at her friend, warmly. “I know it will be dangerous, but I have five ponies that will make sure Clarity won’t grow up motherless.”

Applejack smiled and nodded, giving Rarity a hug back. They quickly broke the hug and turned to the sound of a door opening, “Girls!” Belle said, “Oh thank Celestia I had caught you before you boarded the train.”

“Belle? What brings you here?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I have a plan for fighting Titan,” Belle said, walking to bring out a small writing pad and began to write down the plan, “See, I have been analyzing all of the battles with Titan in the past.”

“But, can we even trust anything we’ve been told about those fights?” Rainbow Dash asked, putting the fighting outfit into a small suitcase while putting on some civilian clothes. “Grand Kook has been lying so much and controls so much info, how can we tell what is the truth?”

“I know,” Belle said, looking down as the others began to dress in warm civilian wear, “ But, there is still correlations and I did notice the trend in that all of his fights were one on one. It’s like he lives to battle an opponent alone so he can see what he is up against. He would rather have an opponent fight him alone than a group.”

“What does this have to do with us?” Applejack asked.

Belle brought out a paper with arrows from all of their cutie marks, bearing down on Titan, “In all of your previous battles, you have been broken into single ponies. You fight by yourselves until the big threat is over, but what you need to do in order to beat Titan is to stand together and fight as one. There is no way he can cope with a changing strategy like this. It’s how Starfleet’s been wanting us to play it, fight separately and then let one of us handle it or transfer our power to Lightning. I think it’s time for a surprise.”

“Yeah, I’m all for that,” Dash said with a smirk, walking out the door with her bag over her shoulder, “It’s about time the big guys see what a real team is like.”

“Good luck to all of you,” Belle said, waving bye before she whispered to herself, “Wish I could be there.”

Then she felt a pair of warm arms wrap themselves around her midsection and hold her close, “You will be, Belle. You will be.”

Belle sighed and leaned into Pinkie’s hug, “Thanks. I just trying my best to be useful and make sure that you girls will remember me.”

“We will,” Pinkie said, hugging her friend close. “You helped with that big hole in our hearts that we needed to fill. You helped bring us back together, and brought a smile to my face again. Nothing can ever take that away or will it ever.”

“Pinkie I...” Belle smiled, turning around in Pinkie’s arms and hugging her close, tears in her eyes, “Thank you, for making me smile.”

“Hey,” Pinkie chuckled, “Just you wait. I have over a billion, million, thousand more smiles to give you!”

“If we join them, your friend will die!” Trixie’s voice echoed.

“Because you are one of my besties, Belle. Always,” Pinkie said, ignoring the voice in her head.

Belle smiled warmly, wiped a tear from her eyes and said, “ Get going or you will miss your train!”

“Right!” Pinkie said with a nod as she bounced out of the house.

Spike smiled at them and ran a claw over his daughter’s fuzz of a mane, “They’ll be fine, girls. Just you wait, they’ve faced gods before.”

“Yeah.” Belle sighed, looking at the path that led away from the boutique. Under her breath, she whispered, “With Twilight.”

Lightning stood at the train station, a hood over his head to hide his face and horn. Keeping his eye on the train as it came in with a loud whistle, he turned his head one last time to the ticket. A harsh frown crossed his face as he turned his head over his shoulder and looked around. His heart hurt as he saw the lack of hs team by his side, “I miss them.” Krysta whispered from under his coat.

“Yeah, I know,” Lightning said, sighing, “It’s weird, I was always the one who ran headlong into danger, risking life and limb just to prove myself. Then I moved onto just fighting alone because I was the leader, the strongest and the best. Now...standing here alone? I realize just how much better it would be if I had a team by my side. Maybe have Buddy make a quip about his cousin or something silly like that.”

“It wasn’t all that silly,” Krysta said, looking down, “I remember how we sometime just had long talks with each other in bed, especially trying to get over the pain from your training.”

“Yeah, I think we should’ve had those more,” Lightning said, rubbing his friend’s head.

“Hey Lightning,” whispered Pinkie in his ear, making him jump a little.

“Pinkie!” Lightning gasped when he heard the pink pony’s voice. Turning around, he saw the other members of the elements in front of him in their casual wear. With a whisper he asked, “What are you guys doing here?”

“Why, my dear friend,” Rarity said, holding out her hand daintily, “We are all just on a trip to Neighpon as a way to relax and have a friendship get away. Nothing more.”

“Yeah, nothing Titanic here at all,” Rainbow Dash said with a wink as she boarded the train followed by the others.

Lightning chuckled a little at this, nodding in understanding as he boarded the train next. Once it took off, the group had all found their seats and began to relax while the train gently rode along the track. Applejack let out a sigh as she gotten a little more comfortable, “It’s going to take a while to get there, so might as well just relax.”

“Why does it take so long?” Rainbow Dash asked, annoyed and crossing her arms over her chest.

Rarity leaned back, pulling out her notepad, “Well, normally you take an airship or a boat to Neighpon. But this is a new train line created by Grand Ruler to help spur the economy. He did it to give some of the jobs to earth ponies and Unicornicopians.”

“I see,” Lightning said.

Fluttershy let out a gasp, looking at a map, and then blushed as everyone looked to her, “Oh, sorry, it’s just that the town we’ll be landing in is the hometown of some of my favorite Neighponese comic artists, like Chio. I was thinking we could see her and get her autograph.”

“I can’t believe that you are a giant fan of that Utena thing. I mean, seriously, a girl attends an academy, duels for an innocent soft spoken mare, and then spends the rest battling morons?” Dash let out a chuckle, “I think the whole thing is kind of silly.”

“I don’t know, you seemed to really get into it when you were reading it to me last night,” Fluttershy said, blushing a little as she leaned in to Dash.

“Wait, she reads magna to you?” Pinkie asked with a big smile.

Fluttershy nodded, much to Dash’s increasing embarrassment, “Oh yes, she reads and really gets into it. She’ll act it out, do voices, and even play out the fight scenes.”

“I don’t do it...that often,” Rainbow Dash said, sinking into her chair, much to the laughter of Applejack.

“Well, while you girls look at your magna and such,” Rarity said, writing down in her notepad, “I will be looking at the fashion centers at some of the lovely kimonos.”

“We ain’t going to be spending our time shopping, Rares,” Applejack frowned.

“Oh I know,” Rarity said, “I am also going to look at the cherry blossoms for some inspiration for my spring line. I was thinking of incorporating them later.”

“Are you girls really doing this,” Lightning asked, a tinge of shock in his voice. Then he gave out a chuckle, “You know we are going to be attacked and you five are acting like this is fun little trip. If you guys were my old team, we would be too-”

“Hung up on the bad stuff happening to have any fun?” Pinkie interrupted.

Applejack sighed, leaning back and tipping her hat over her eyes, “It’s like Ah told ya during the holidays. Ya can’t spend time worrying about this stuff, it just ruins the trip and the time you could be spending with your friends.”

Lightning sighed, “Yeah, maybe I should’ve taken that kind of advice earlier. It might have given me more friends to talk to and not feel so alone.”

Pinkie leaned over the back of her seat, her head hanging down so she would look at Lightning Dawn, “Hey, you have a collection of friends right now. And that is a great start if you ask me.”

Lightning said nothing to this, and just looked out the window of the train at the passing landscape. For the next few hours, the train was filled with talk about Neighpon and it’s culture and what each mare planned to do once they had arrived. Lightning’s heart, on the other hand, was heavy with regret as he dreamt about the talks that he and his friends could’ve had.

Soon, Celestia’s day gave way to the night, and most of the group had fallen asleep with the exception of Rarity, Lightning, and Krysta. Krysta silently floated over to Rarity and calmly watched the fashionista work. Lighting, on the other hand, lightly tapped Applejack on the shoulder, “Hey, AJ, are you asleep?”

“Yes, Lightning. Ah’m asleep, in the embrace of wonderful Luna’s arms, and now I am being kidnapped by an evil mad stallion who is asking if Ah’m awake,” Applejack growled as she looked at Lightning from under her hat.

Lightning let out a sheepish chuckle as he said, “Sorry. I was just curious, about your dad and how he trained you.”

“My pa?” Applejack smiled warmly, “Well, he was kind of hard when he trained me, pushing me to my limits. Every time he put me to work, it was grueling and tough, but Ah managed through it. Mainly because he kept encouraging me, cheering me on, and telling me how much Ah had improved.”

“I wish I had your life,” Lighting scoffed as he looked at the stars.

“What do you mean?” Applejack asked.

Lightning looked over at Applejack and asked, “Tell me, what do you think of a mentor who constantly berates you in the name of tough love. Where, even when you are too tired to pick up utensils and have to eat with your mouth, he calls you a dog and bashes you. Or how much of a disappointment you really are.”

“Lightning,” Applejack said calmly, “If Ah had heard of what that guy was doing to ya, Ah would’ve called child protective services on his ass. How old were you when you started training with him?”

“It was two years after my parents died so, about seven years old,” Lightning said.

“You didn’t need that abuse so soon after your parents died,” Applejack said, looking down, “Be a little rough, sure. But temper it with kindness and telling ya what ya did right once in awhile. You know, be an actual caregiver instead of a monster.”

“Yet another mistake from our great leader,” Lightning growled as he lightly kicked the back of the seat. Sighing, he looked across from him at the three sleeping mares. Pinkie was curled up like a dog while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were asleep on each others shoulders, with Dash’s wings wrapped around Fluttershy protectively. Sighing, Lightning looked to Applejack and asked, “How do you do it?”

“Do what?” Applejack asked, looking up at Lighting.

“Do what you do? Stick to your guns even though you have everything you have ever believed in, everything you have been told, spat back on and shat on by somepony else?” Lighting asked.

“You mean like Ah lived everyday for the past five years?” Applejack asked with a smile on her face. “Need Ah remind you, you guys kept telling us how wrong we were for believing in friendship and that everything will be ok and to stop thinking positively?”

“Yeah, and I’m sorry for all of that,” Lightning said.

Applejack nodded, “Yeah, and we forgive ya. As for how Ah kept on fighting? Well, you see,it’s easy to say ‘Ah believe in myself’, it’s completely another to actually mean it. You see them,” she asked, pointing her fingers to the others, “They’re what drives me, my family is what drives me, and my own will is what drives me. Now Rhymey made me forget that Ah was the one who made my own decisions in life, not fate or destiny or anything else. And you know what gave the power for that? Courage to move on and become stronger. That is all Ah needed.”

“Courage, huh. And ideals,” Lighting said.

“Kindness, Loyalty, Generosity, Laughter, Honesty, and a little Magic thrown in,” Applejack said, “Ah had once thought Twilight was throwing around a bunch of hooey, but Ah think she was right. Those are the Elements of Harmony, being a good friend, and a good person.”

“Think I could become a good friend?” Lightning asked, to which Applejack smiled warmly and nodded.

Krysta turned away from the conversation and looked back at Rarity, letting her inner magic glow and provide a nightlight, “Can’t sleep?” she asked fluttering down to sit next to Rarity.

“Hmmm?” Rarity asked, before shaking her head, “Oh no, I sometimes stay up late working on a late night project or finishing some last minute bills I need to pay. It’s the cross you bear when you run a business, am a creative, and as a mother.”

“Wow, and I thought being a queen was tough,” Krysta laughed a little, and then sat down, “You know, I am so sorry for what some of the members of Starfleet called you.”

“Was it a pompous idiotic diva who would take first prize in a stupidity contest?” Rarity chuckled lightly at that, “Or was it that I was a moron who completely forgot the lessons I had learned?”

“Pretty much yeah,” Krysta said, nodding. “I mean you act so melodramatic at time and silly and over the top. It’s a wonder that your other friends don't agree.”

“That’s because they know the real me dear,” Rarity said, “They know how much I will help them no matter what or what I do when I am not having to put on airs of ladyship.”

“Airs?” Krysta asked.

“Well, of course,”Rarity said, “While I know I can be over the top at times, I also know when to hold it in for clients or potential partners. Being able to hold it in, being classy, all the while, seeing behind the mask is what being noble is all about.”

Krysta nodded and slightly kicked her foot against the seat, “Um, Rarity, I want to apologize for what I had said before to Twilight.”

“Hmmm?” Rarity asked.

“During the Chrysalis incident, I told her to stop kidding herself when she tried to offer peaceful means of attack,” Krysta sighed, “And now, after everything that has happened, I feel like a total fool and a louse.”

Rarity smiled warmly, “All water under the bridge, at least you apologized.”

“How do you do that?” Krysta asked, looking up at Rarity, “How do you just forgive me and Lightning for all of the jerkish things we done?”

“Remember what I said about being noble?” Rarity asked, smiling warmly, “See, my uncle helped to raise me like the early knights of old. Be respectful and kind, keep true to yourself and let your inner beauty shine through, and never to hold a grudge. I believe in offering as much help as I can because I believe we all need it and that deep down inside of us, is a lovely gem waiting to be released.”

“Well,” Krysta said, looking back at the sleeping Lighting before fluttering back down, “Thanks, for...seeing the inner beauty in Lightning. I mean, I know when you met him, he was a jerk. But he isn’t. You guys were never there for when we would talk together, or when he would take care of me when I was sick, or all of the good things he’s done for me. He can be nice, really! He’s just-”

“Been corrupted by a mad stallion who wants him to play by his rules?” Rarity asked. Shaking her head, she said, “We are getting too depressing here my dear. Now let’s see,” opening her purse, Rarity pulled out two little outfits: One was a lovely green nightgown and the other a little yellow dress, “Fairy sized outfits, courtesy of Lady Rarity, my queen.”

“Oh wow!” Krysta gasped and flew to the nightgown, “You didn’t really have to do this. I mean, when did you get my size?”

“Oh, a fashionista knows dear,” Rarity said with a wink. Using her magic, she pulled out a washcloth and spun it around to make a makeshift dressing room, “Here we are, privacy. You know, Krysta,” Rarity said, “I would’ve made outfits for your entire kingdom, if I could. You just never invited me. I had an entire line in my head for you.”

“I’m sorry for that. I promise, when I restore my kingdom, I’ll invite you in,” Krysta said, slipping off her pink dress and putting on the nightgown.

“You’ll think we’ll restore your kingdom and bring it back to life?” Rarity asked.

“I know if might sound like it’ll take a miracle, but,” Krysta looked over her shoulder and smiled, “You and your friends seem fond of making miracles happen.” Once Rarity dropped the dressing cloth, Krysta stepped in her nightgown, “Well, how do I look?”

“Adorable,” Rarity said, laying flat on her stomach and smiling. “Well, it’s late at night, we aren’t sleepy...let’s gossip?”

“You mean, gossip and just talk about weird things. Like, a girls night out? With you?!” gasped Krysta, “Oh, I always wanted to do this with Starla.”

“If you two don't mind, could you keep your gossip down to a minimum? Some of us actually sleep you know!” Rainbow Dash mumbled a little.

Rarity giggled and nodded, putting a blanket over the two girls, “Ok. so, spill.”

“Well, if you want to know a secret,” Krysta whispered, “Sometimes...I dream about just abandoning my duties and just travel the world with Lightning.”

“Oh really?!” Rarity gasped, “Tell me more.”

“Well...”

The group was awoken the next day by a call of, “Now arriving in Neighpon, now arriving in Neighpon!” from the conductor.

“Look!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed happily as she looked out the window and pointed to the large city looming in the distance, surrounded by all sides of rice fields.

“Rice fields?” Applejack asked as the city approached them.

“Yes,” a light purple earth pony said with a warm smile, “Apple trees are rare here on Neighpon, so most of the farms here are low to the ground like rice and pineapples.”

“I see, and are you from around here. Miss-” Rarity asked her.

The mare happily extended her hand out, making her messy and unkempt brunette mane bounce, “Cherry Lei! And, I’m not really from around the country, I just like to visit occasionally to take in the culture and style, see?” she then showed off her cutie mark of a star with wings on it, “I love learning about art and writing, it helps with my creativity.”

“A pleasure, I am Rarity and these are-”

“The Knights Of Harmony! I have been reading about some of your adventures in the news and saw some of the theater shows,” Cherry said with a smile, “I don’t really believe them when they said that Starfleet did most of the saving though. I think it might have been you guys.”

This comment made Lightning sink a little in his seat, trying his best to hide from the group. Rainbow Dash looked to the sides of the train, “Hey, where do those other tracks go to?”

“Oh, well, you see, Neighpon is split into three areas: Impa, Canto, Troto. Troto is the main area with the biggest city, then Canto is where the samurai live while Impa is home to ninjas,” Cherry said as the train slowly rolled into the station.

“Ninjas!? Awesome! Ok, we are so going there,” Rainbow Dash said excitedly, and then looked to Fluttershy. Fluttershy was quiet but had a crestfallen look, “After, we check out the comics.”

“Yay,” Fluttershy cheered excitedly as she walked out and flew with Rainbow Dash. The others, as they disembarked, got a good look at the towering city. The many skyscrapers seemed to pop up and grow around a central large tower.

Gone was the sounds of the small city, with many ponies hawking wares and food. Now it was replaced with open doors, hers of Unicornicopians and ponies alike flew and walked down the streets forming a small sea of different ponies.

Pinkie squealed with delight as she smelled the scent of baking, looked at a map and ran out the train as the others began to dismbark, “Sorrylovetostayandchatbutthismapsaysthereisacakestorenearybywithmynameonibyeloveya!”

Rarity and Applejack stood there in shock as the Pink blur left their side, “Well, Ah suppose we should start looking around too. You’ll be fine, Lightning?”

“Yeah, it’s just a town I never seen before, explored before, never even touched before, while I am searching for a stallion I never met before,” Lighting said, rolling his eyes, “I’ll be fine!”

“Who are you looking for?” Cherry asked.

Lightning held up a piece of paper and read the name aloud, “Osamu Ishinomori?”

“Oh, OZ?” Cherry said with a smile, “He lives on the outskirts of town. I can take you to him!”

The house of the old scientist was place just outside of the city, away from the large metal buildings and towers. It was situated near a small collection of houses that were small with shingled roofs and thin doors for an old look. With Krysta resting on his shoulder, Lightning followed with the young mare until he reached the door, “This is it,” Cherry said, opening the door, “He is a little weird but he is very smart.”

“Thank you,” Lightning said calmly, stepping in. As his footsteps entered the small house, he found the room to be littered with tech, papers, and a motorcycle in the corner with a scarf wrapped around a handle. Walking and tying his best to keep balance, he saw that many of the papers were sketches for comics or even robotics.

“Please don’t touch those, they are not ready for publication.” the green earth pony stallion with a red afro mane said before stepping out of the shadows. Happily straightening his white overcoat and thumbing his rather large and round nose, he held out his hand, “Osamu Ishinomori! Friends call me OZ and you are?”

“Lightning Dawn,” Lightning said, shaking the doctor’s hand. “I heard Twilight visited you once.”

“As a matter of fact she did,” Oz said, his low pitched voice thick with an accent. “When she ascended to alicorness, she came to me for a better understanding of what had happened. And seeing that I am a premiere study on Alicorn lore and history.”

Lightning looked at his cutie mark, a paper and black pen, he watched as OZ began to shuffle papers, “Alicorn lore?”

“Yes, there is so much to learn about them. About why in ancient times there was a whole race of them, but they have since have vanished off the face of the earth. Why, until recently, there have been no natural births of an alicorn in Equestrian history not until the family. Or even why it is now a gift to be given to those who perform a great magical feat. So what brings you here?”

“The truth about this,” Lightning said, flicking his golden horn, “and my Enticorn form. I just know Grand Ruler is lying to me about both my past and this horn. Maybe I should’ve figure it out before, especially since he said I was descended from this ancient tribe of powerful beings. How could that be, when I am a space alicorn, born from his blood and mud and clay. Shouldn’t that mean he is an Enticorn too?”

“I see, and have you transformed into this Enticorn form since the war began?” OZ asked, getting out a strange device.

Lighting shook his head, “No, not since Conquest attacked. When I lost my wife, think it broke something within me. I had lost all confidence and couldn’t bring out the power to wield it. Since then, nothing.”

Oz nodded, “I see, I see. Think you can summon the power now?”

“I can try,” Lightning said, closing his eyes for the briefest of moments. After breathing in, he let out a small roar of rage that made his entire body flare up with magic and then quiet down.

“Hmmmm,” OZ said, rubbing his big nose, “Interesting. Tell me Lighting, what do you know of alicorn ascension?”

“Like you said, usually when a pony does something of great worth,” Lightning said, “Right?”

“Or does something that signifies the purest part of their cutie mark, like how Cadence was able to turn back the love stealing amulet’s power. Or, how Twilight had her friends changer back their cutie marks, not through spell or word, but through their own inner magic.” Oz said, lifting up a sheet of paper, “But did you know of a darker side to it all?”

“A darker side?” asked Lighting.

“When a pony begins to drift away from their talent, or begins to abandon the element that they represent. When they start to become corrupted, a darker half comes forth,” unfurling the sheet, he showed the image of the pony of legend, the mare in the moon, “A Nightmare! I am sure you know of the story of Nightmare Moon and the Nightmare Rarity incident, correct?”

“Yes, shadows possessed them, didn’t they?” asked :Lighting.

OZ shook his head, “They only allowed for the darkness that was already there to corrupt and possess them. They only opened the door, it was up to Rarity and Luna to make the move. See, because they drifted away from their elements and cutie marks, they became corrupted, allowing the darker emotions to enter their hearts and corrupt them. Your Enticorn form...is similar to that corrupted magic that comes with being a nightmare.”

“What?!” Lighting shook his head, as if he was still trying to come to terms with this revelation, “But Grand Ruler, I mean, he-”

“Told you a lot of things,” Oz sighed, “Didn’t he? Your Enticorn form, it’s born of rage, anger, and hatred correct?” when Lightning nodded, Oz continued, “Those are the same feelings that went through Nightmare Moon. Much like the Uniforce, and Valkyrie Mode, it is based on corruption of your own magic and inner harmony.”

Lighting shook his head, “Wait, the Uniforce is a corruption too?”

“Twilight spent a long time looking it up and studying it remember?” Oz asked.

Sighing, Lightning nodded, “She did, once. I thought she was trying to learn and use it, even though Celestia said no and-”

“But why would she? She is a researcher, a scientist, and a student. She would not need to cast the spell, just simply study it and learn about it. She would leave it to you to cast it, she would just care more about how it works,” Oz said.

“Yeah, I know that now,” Lightning shook his head, “But, if the Uniforce it a corrupted form of a spell, then what is it the corrupted form of? And how did it get corrupted.”

“Twilight told me, and she was going to tell the princesses about this, that she found out that the Uniforce is nothing more than a darker version of the most powerful unicorn spell of all. The one spell that combines the five mana pools into one god-like blast. A spell only five unicorns know about it, and only four of them are alive right now. The spell, Ultima,” Oz then looked at Lightning’s horn, “For the how? She suspected that!”

“Whoowee, those are some huge apples,” Applejack said, looking at the large fuji apples before her, “Ah didn’t think you guys could grow such huge apples!”

“Don’t be fooled by the island’s size, dear cousin,” smirked Fuji Apple, a light red mare with her mane in a bowl cut and a fuji apple cutie mark, “Never underestimate the power of Earth pony ingenuity and magic. There is a small prefecture in Canto that is perfect for growing these babies. Here, have one on the house, cousin.” she said throwing an apple to Applejack.

Applejack smiled as she caught it with one hand and tipped her hat, “No prob, cousin.” As she walked away, biting into the apple, she said to herself, “Never know where you’ll find family.” Before she could take a bite out of the apple, it was taken away by a figure in a cloak. Growling, she turned to face the figure, only to smile when she saw the jasmine coat from within.

“It’s time, Titan is making his move,” Raindrops said, “Trixie wants us all to gather on the outskirts of the city. Says she has something big to show off to Titan.”

“Wait, how do you know?” Applejack asked.

Raindrops shrugged, “Spark is using some sort of spell to detect high levels of magic or something. I don’t understand this magic crap well, I just know she said that the ‘ambivalent magic is being disturbed, showing that a mass teleportation spell is activating.’ Or something.”

“Ah got it,” Applejack said, turning to look at the edge of the city. As she began to walk with Raindrops at her side, she asked, “Your friends getting the others?”

“Now do be careful dear, I want not a bit of that silk or my other purchases dropped,” Rarity said to Carrot Top as she walked through the streets and stood by Applejack, “I suppose you were told too?”

“Rarity, what is all of that?” Applejack asked.

“Souvenirs, items I can use for my shop, and some gifts,” Rarity said, pulling out a very large bear, “Oh, Crystal will love this, it will go so well with her other bears and plushies.”

Applejack lightly chuckled at this, walked to Carrot Top, and patted her black cloak affectionately, “If it’s any consolation, Ah appreciate the sacrifice.”

“S-sacrifice?” whimpered Carrot Top.

“Yeah, she normally has me carry the heavy stuff,” laughed Applejack.

“Valuable stuff, after all... if I did not bring the dear gifts, then Crystal might not think I love her enough,” Rarity said, straightening her coat. Her face then turned to a frown as she asked, “Are you ready for this?”

“Battling a god without Twilight on our side? Protecting a city with a team Ah’ve only fought alongside once? And risking it all so we change the minds of an entire population?” Applejack said, frowning. Then she looked up at the sun as it began to sail past noon. “Yeah, Ah’m ready. You just be-”

“Do not worry about me, Applejack,” Rarity said, “I have no plans on dying and leaving my daughter motherless.”

Ditzy landed next to Carrot Top, smiling, “Neither do I! So, let’s make sure that this works perfectly.”

Fluttershy flittered from the sky with Rainbow Dash at her side, she said nothing, but took her place by Dash’s side as they walked together while Applejack led the team out. Rainbow Dash looked to Applejack and smirked, “Hey, if you had any doubts about yourself, I could always lead them.”

“Ain’t happening,” Applejack said, looking over to Lyra as she strummed along her lyre.

“Hmmm, hymn for the dawn or journey of the stars,” Lyra said, walking along with her friends.

Pinkie Pie bounced to join her team, walking just next to Rarity, “What are you writing?” she asked Lyra.

“What to call the ballad of this battle,” Lyra said, noticing that Cheerilee had joined them.

Cheerilee, now standing next to Carrot Top, the two groups making two v shapes, with the umbra circle trailing just behind the bearers of the elements. Cheerilee looked to Lyra and said, “How about, the Rise of Harmony?”

Lyra could only shake her head no as the two groups made it to the outskirts of the city where Trixie stood waiting. Once there, Trixie pointed to the large tower in the middle of the city, “If Spark is right, Titan should be showing up right there. Everypony, get ready for the big show!”

“Big show,” Applejack asked with a pause, “Trixie this ain’t no time for a-”

Trixie interrupted with a raised finger, “If the reports are true, Titan is a sucker for the dramatics. We need to beat him, now, you girls put on your suits and get ready for a big,” a deafening explosion interrupted Trixie, “Boom.”

In an instant, the tower of Neighpon was destroyed. The point as well as the roof of the observation tower was demolished and left only a round circular platform behind. Standing in the middle of the platform, was Titan, with his robe billowing around him as he slowly floated towards the edge of the tower, “Behold, the city of Neighpon, ours for the taking.”

Behind him, slipping out of the teleportation portal were the trio. Rep-Stallion was the first, spinning out of the portal with a quick landing. Mysterious followed with a soft landing, while Dementia landed with one hand on the ground as she knelt down, armm behind her. Rep walked to stand by Titan’s side as he looked down, “Time for the dramatics, Boss?”

“My dear friend, Rep,” Titan said, smiling widely under his hood, “Would you think anything less from me? After all... what is the point of being evil if you are not dramatic once in awhile.” and with that, he generated magic to make his voice heard, portals howling up across the city, “Ponies of Neighpon, listen well. On this day forward, the freedom that you once enjoyed will be forever destroyed by me!”

Minutes before the explosion, Lightning stood there in shock as he took in what Osamu had said. Thousands of thoughts ran through his head as did his emotions. Krysta looked up at her only friend worriedly and rubbed his arm, “Lightning? Are you, ok?”

“Corrupted,” Lighting said shakily, feeling his body tremble. Tears began to flow down his cheek, “That man, he abused me, killed my parents, took away my home, and then corrupted my magic just so I could be his sword. He turned me into his weapon just so I can fulfill his little story about his greatness?” With a low growl, he asked, “How do I purify myself?”

“Well, normally one could ditch the power with the elements, but seeing as how they are a non issue right now,” Osamu said, “I would suggest finding a way to break that link forever, and get rid of it.”

“But how,” Lightning said, “The moment I break this, he will know something is up and brand me a traitor. The hard work that the six have been doing will be for nothing!”

“Then, you might have to think of a different way, my friend,” Osamu said, just as the explosion was heard.

Turing around, Lighting ran to the door and saw the destruction of the tower. Within minutes, he began to hear Titan’s voice, “I offer you all a choice, bow down to me or watch everything be destroyed. I will give you a chance to live in a paradise of my choosing, or you can all choose hell as your home.”

Lightning shook his head, “Titan...what should I do?”

“That is up to you,” Osamu said, “Fly to him or stay here. You have a choice.”

As Titan finished his speech, he lowered his arms and looked to the trio, “Attack with the soldiers, no casualties. I don’t want anypony harmed in this,” he said.

“Will they listen to us?” Mysterious asked.

Titan nodded, “All of them came here because they had something to protect or to serve for the greater good. None are here to kill.”

“So,” Rep said with a sneer, “The usual fun and games then? Got it boss. And might I say,” with a nod, he leapt off the building, “It has been an honor.”

Mysterious nodded and walked to the edge, “Master,” he said, putting his fist to his palm and bowing before jumping off.

Dementia was the last and she stepped to the ledge of the platform. She sighed while feeling the wind blow through her hair, “So, this is where we ended up? Back in the fire with my old master telling me to fight and destroy. Life’s funny isn’t it?”

“Yes, the game we play, this little immortal game has many interesting moves and paths to reach the end. And for what it’s worth, I was proud to have you as my general,” Titan said, holding out his fist.

“Thanks,” Dementia said, fist pumping Titan back, “It was honor to serve you. See you on the other side.”

“Will do,” Titan then winked to her, “Don’t worry, you’ll meet her again one day.”

“I know,” Dementia said, jumping off the tower.

Titan sighed and looked out at the city. Down below, her could hear screams, ponies running afraid, and building being attacked as guards and members of the lower ranks of Starfleet try their best to attack and defend the city. A small smile crossed his face as he would tell that his side was winning against the members of Starfleet, the lower ranks and grunts being no match for his forces. Taking his hood, he brushed back a lock of silver mane to put it behind his hood. Then he turned to the sound of fluttering wings, “Lightning Dawn, come to fight our destined battle? Wage a struggle with me for the ages while spouting a speech about justice, believing in yourself, and all that nonsense?”

Lightning stepped forward, took his badge, and threw it onto the ground in front of Titan, “No, not this time. This isn’t my fight, it never was. I am just here to watch the real heroes save the day.”

“Are you not a hero?” asked Titan, looking at Lightning curiously.

“I’m no hero,” Lightning said with a chuckle.

“Lightning,” whispered Krysta, looking up and rubbing his arm, “You are my hero.”

A smile graced his face as he looked down at her, “Thanks, Kyrsta. But it’s true, I’m not. I’m just a character in some man’s sick story, a sword to be used and then forgotten about when he is done with me. I used to think that I was a hero, fighting for the right thing, now,” he paused and sighed, “I see I’m just someone that was made out to be a big hero just to make him look good. The only reason why I was trained and chosen was just so I could fulfill my master’s ego and to show why he was so superior. I wasn’t allowed to think for myself, have friends, or to even feel real emotions.”

“Why do you think Starfleet has been losing so much?” asked Titan as he walked along the platform, “It’s because they were never that strong. Sure, they have been told that they are super strong and fast, that their bodies are durable, but they are just grunts, nameless soldiers that no one cares about, no one thinks about, and definitely does not get the chance to be the big hero when the time comes. No, their main goal in life is to lose while the big heroes get to take out the monster of the week. Does that seem right to you?”

Lightning shook his head no, “I was told that me and my friends were the front lines, the ones that were meant to fight the monsters while others were meant to protect the civilians or were just sentries. I never even saw another team, like we were meant to be the only fighters to protect the entire empire.”

“And that is what they were told to be, just sentries while the big hero and his brave team fight the big bad monster! And what better hero than you, a man from an exploded world, his wife who lost her mother, a friend who wants to be a hero for his own sake, a lancer, and a man who fights for the sake of his daughter,” Titan said, looking down. “That is why Grand Ruler set up those rules, why he never bothered to make some other team a hero. It was all so you and your friends can seem like the big hero.”

“This is why they don’t win,” Titan continued stepping to the edge of the platform, “Because they have been told to lose just for you. This is why I will win today and why no one will come to save this city!” he shouted, and almost as if on cue, a giant explosion of smoke and light struck the outskirts of the city.

Emerging from the smoke, were eleven shadows, and as the smoke cleared, the shadows revealed themselves to be Umbra Circle and the Knights of Harmony. Applejack cracked her knuckles while shifting her head side to side, Rainbow Dash smirked and crouched down, ready to fly. Rarity knocked back an arrow in time with Pinkie Pie bringing out her twin hammers and spinning them into a ready position. Fluttershy simply nodded while fixing her gems for her shields.

Trixie tipped her hat, while Raindrops flexed her biceps. Cheerilee giggled, before looking over to Ditzy as she nodded reassuringly. Carrot top spun her little bomb while Lyra strummed up her lyra. Each girl glared down at the soldiers who all looked at the display with shock, awe, and fear. Without a word, Applejack tipped her hat to signal the charge, and the battle was joined.

Rushing in with a fury in her eyes, Applejack clotheslined two earth ponies with her arms.Turning around, she kneed a griffon in the gut before picking him up by the head and punching him out hard in the face. Slamming her fist into an unicorn’s face, she uppercutted another earth pony in the jaw.

Letting out a grunt from an attack from a minotaur, she smiled at how much of her mithril shirt took the impact, “Thanks, Rarity.” she whispered under her breath as she grabbed the club from behind her back with one arm, and swung him in front of the charging boar.

The boar, being forced to slow down when he impacted the large bull, was unaware of how Applejack used the minotaur's body as a ramp to run up, launch into the air and then slam her fist hard into the now vulnerable boar’s back, cracking it.

“What are you doing?” asked Raindrops as she blocked a fist from an earth pony, “Applejack, Titan is up there. Get him now or you won’t get another chance.”

Applejack nodded, before asking concerned, “Are you going to be all right?”

“Yeah, just fine,” Raindrops said, “That is if Trixie’s plan goes off without a hitch.”

“Plan?” Applejack asked.

Raindrops ducked under a punch, “She said, just have faith in her, she knows what she’s doing.”

Not answering back, Applejack ran off into the streets, leaving Raindrops to fight the horde alone.

Up in the air, Rainbow Dash was hearing a similar piece of advice from Lyra, “But there is no way you guys can-”

“We’ll be fine. Beat Titan and this battle will stop, now go. Be a hero!” Lyra said.

“But we need to make sure that you are-” Rarity began.

Carrot Top shook her head, “This isn’t our fight alone. We are only going to bring back Equestria and beat Conquest if we all do our part. You have to do your part!”

Rarity could only sigh as she reached into the pouch that was on her leg and pull out a small arrow head with a rope and pulley. Fastening the head to the shaft of the arrow, she knocked back the arrow and fired the shot, “Where did you get that?” asked Carrot Top.

Rarity smiled, “Belle took the time to make me a collection of arrowheads to use for this fight. Now, you don’t die on us. I want us all to see the big party at the end.”

Carrot Top nodded, and whispered, “Good luck, all of you.”

“We don’t need luck, we just need to work together,” Pinkie giggled as she ran off and then turned to look at Cheerilee. Smiling warmly, she said, “Oh, and Big Mac misses you!!!!! He says he loves you!”

“He does?!” Cheerilee squeed in happiness while punching out a pony.

“But they-” Fluttershy began, only for Ditzy to stop her from talking by putting a finger to her lips.

“They don’t need a thing, I can help them,” Ditzy said, smiling warmly, “They just aren’t the Elements of Harmony without a nit of Kindness to keep them in line.”

“But what about you?” Fluttershy asked, “What about-”

“Don’t worry, Trixie says that her plan was already in motion when she gave the signal. Now go, save the day and we’ll handle the rest,” Ditzy said, winking her eye to Fluttershy as she flew off.

Trixie jumped back from a blow caused by a reindeer, using her illusion magic to make another image. Panting from the work, she began to look around for the signs of her team, and then smiled when she saw the other five running towards her. As they neared her, Trixie looked back at the army as they growled and readied for the attack, “Wait! Trixie has one thing to say.”

“And that is what?” growled a boar, unaware of the Ponies that began to surround them and smirk.

“Just that she hopes you really enjoy the surprise that she has planned for all of you!” Trixie said with a smile as she raised up her hand and snapped her fingers together, “NOW!!!!!”

Somewhere in the city, in a building, a white hoof put down a record. Red eyes looked at her friend and partner with a smile as she said, “There’s the signal!”

With a series of bright flashes along side the throwing away of costumes, everypony that was not an Equestrian was replaced by a ninja or a samurai. The opposing army stepped back in utter shock at this, “See, with the help of a good friend of Trixie’s, she had time to go to the different cultures and ask them to help us fight against you. She then applied each of them with a teleportation talisman to switch out with the civilians.”

“But that’s-”

“Oh, and we are not done,” Trixie said, pointing behind them.

As they turned around, they saw Cerise Wonder with an entire army at her side, “Men... CHARGE!”

“Well all you cats and kittens, dolls, and whatever is listening, You are now listening to K-KOLT live from Neighpon!” Vinyl Scratch said, fist pumping in the air.

Grand Ruler looked at the radio in shock, “What on earth? Turn that newsfeed off. I want to know where Lighting Dawn is!”

“And in case you are wondering where Lightning Dawn is in the middle of this all out brawl, he is right now facing down the biggest and baddest foe of Conquests army,” Vinyl said.

Octavia chirped in, “She is talking about Titan.”

“T-T-Titan,” gasped Grand Ruler, shaking his head. “No, that is not true!” he shouted, smashing the radio.

“Now,” Octavia continued, much to Grand Ruler’s horror, “You might be wondering how we are bringing this fight to you live. Well, thanks to a spell from the Umbra Circle’s Spark, we are providing both footage and the report to you everywhere.”

“Yeah, so no little cover ups this time, Ceelessto!” shouted Vinyl as she smirked.

Grand Ruler saw this, growled and slammed his fist into the table.

Elsewhere, Spark sat down and panted, her horn burning with magic as the glow faded. Discord popped up next to her, his fingers also glowing red from overuse, “You and your plans, genius!” Discord grumbled.

“It...will...be worth it,” Spark said, panting, feeling exhausted.

Discord turned himself into a giant fan, “Here you go, mage girl, you got this, this plan is working perfectly!”

“Thank you Discord,” Spark said.

Luna stepped in and looked at them both, “Is everything set up? Did you do it?”

“Everypony in Equestria who is in the free towns should have a front row seat, Lulu old gal,” Discord said, smirking.

“Good, I wish I could see Grand Ruler’s face right now,” Luna said. Spark thought to herself as she levitated a small go piece and put it on the board.

“Now, let’s rock this joint!” Vinyl shouted as she turned on her record player.

In the streets below the city and in the skies above, the battle was joined. Blade clashed against blade while in some cases, hoof met flesh as the two opposing armies gave it their all for dominance. Unicorns, trained by Titan, were using the weakest spells that they knew under orders of Titan while those of the Umbra circle used their most powerful paralyzing spells to hold their opponents down. The griffons who had become a mainstay in the way, were finding themselves opposed by trained pegasi who were prepared for their tactics as many used agility to bob and weave out of the way of the attacks, but used teamwork to overcome their foes by luring them into ambushes.

Titan watched the battle for Neighpon from above on his platform, putting his finger to his chin, “Interesting, they have yet to make a single kill. Did Spark know I would be lenient towards my foes. Of course, this means she has a backup plan, should the Elements fall in defeating me, then Horn Kong is vulnerable to attack as well as me,” a low, earthy chuckle escaped his lips, “Well played Spark...well played.”

Cerise blocked a magic bolt from one of the soldiers with her sword before slashing him down. Then she spun around, kicking an earth pony into a minotaur. Before the bull could strike, he found himself downed by a sword slash from Esteem. Esteem looked at Cerise, “I have to say, I was not expecting Luna to order us to go into this without taking life.”

“You heard her,” Cerise said, blocking a staff before cutting it in half, using the back of her blade to take him out. “We kill, then Titan will see it as time to escalate the battle. From what Spark said, these guys don’t have a killing instinct like the rest.”

Esteem nodded, blocking the blades of two others, and then in an instant, slashed them both down, “Kind of interesting that these soldiers are trying to fight for the same things that Conquest is, they lack that killing intent. The warrior’s edge.”

“I wonder why, maybe it’s what Conquest is doing. Fueling their rage,” Cerise said, standing back to back with Esteem.

“Perhaps we can discuss this, over dinner?” asked Esteem with a smile.

Cerise looked over her shoulder with shock, and a little blush, “Did you just ask me out on the battlefield? Did you-”

“Why not, a lovely warrior like you, and I do believe that love can blossom on the battlefield,” chuckled Esteem.

Cerise couldn’t help but roll her eyes, then with a light smile said, “Tell you what, meet me on Saturday in your best outfit and then we can talk about time and place for romance!”

Esteem let out a loud laugh of victory as he and Cerise began to slash down foe after foe. So fast did their bodies move, that they became like blurs. Every opponent that came at them was quickly squashed and taken down by the two ponies working together.

Above, on a nearby skyscraper, a lone yellow pegasus saw Dusk shine watching from above. Narrowing his eyes, he flew down and landed right behind him, “Freeze. I’m taking you in.”

“Flash Sentry,” said Dusk Shine calmly said, “Former of Cadence’s royal guard, wanted for treason because of a crime you did not commit, and now a fighter for the rebels. Quite interesting as things go. I was a former member of the royal guard and was betrayed by my friend.”

“They said I used Twilight,” Flash shook his head, “That is not even true. I only met her twice when we bumped into each other. Yeah, I had a crush on her, for years even, but I would never use her!”

Dusk sighed, “Yet another soul taken away because Grand Ruler has a grand story he wants to tell, and a far as he is concerned, you are just a casualty in all of this. This is why Titan told me to give you this.”

Flash watched as a sword flew into his hands, “A sword?”

“The Sword of Instant, one of the eight items to be found,” smiled Dusk. “Capable of cutting through spells of any kind. It’s meant to work with this armor as its power is capable of destroying its user.”

“Why?” Flash asked, “How?”

“Titan says that there is a dark force coming closer to Equestria, one more powerful than Conquest and Grand Ruler. Even after this is all over, we both have our parts to play in the final acts,” Dusk said, walking away from Flash, teleporting away.

Down below, the trio found themselves in a pitch battle with the main members of the Umbra circle. To any outside observer, it looked like the trio was in pitch battle and was struggling for their lives. The truth was, they were busy having a talk with the six, “Ok, so Starla’s trapped in some other dimension. There are more slaves back at HQ and we have no idea how to locate the pocket dimension.” Rep said, slamming his scythe into the arms of Raindrops.

Mysterious ducked under the bomb thrown by Carrot Top, “We have a few more soldiers and our tech is made by a scientist named Kudos.”

“Once we disappear, we plan on finding out who we really are and help you guys out in any way we can,” Dementia said, ducking under a kick made by Cheerilee.

“Thank you, and now, for Trixie to make you three disappear,” Trixie said, pulling back her hands and smirking, “And this is going to shock everypony out there in the world.”

And it was true, as every Unicornicopian in the world let out a gasp as they saw the golden aura flow around Trixie’s hands. They shook when they heard Trixie mouth out a small incantation, though they could not hear the words, and then gasped as they heard Trixie shout, “UNIFORCE!”

A large blast of golden energy shout out from Trixie’s hands and blasted the trio into dust. This made the Unicornicopians that had seen the sight begin to speak and mumble about the sight to themselves.

“I thought only those with a golden horn could use the Uniforce.”

“How did a weak unicorn like Trixie use it?”

“Maybe it’s not really special.”

“Do you guys feel weird, like a veil has been lifted.”

Back at the battle, Trixie collapsed to her knees, panting, “Ok, Trixie is done now. She is ready to just go back and handle things from the sidelines.”

“Wait, what did you do?” asked Lyra, looking at the dust.

“Mixed a bit of illusion magic, plus a golden color spray and an invisibility spell so it looks like Trixie fried them. They are probably miles away from the city by now. ” Trixie said, panting and then falling back to lay on her back. “Now it looks like Trixie just fired them alive.”

Cheerilee looked over her shoulder, “Looks like the rest of the battle is clearing up too. All that is left is for the elements to do their job.”

“The battle is over, my three generals have fallen,” Titan said, smiling a little, “Which means that the Knights should arrive right about now.”

“Titan!” Applejack bellowed as she stepped out from the elevator, adjusting her hat, “Ah’m bringing you in.”

Titan smiled as he turned to Applejack, looking down at her as his cloak flowed in the wind while he stood on the opposite end of the platform, “You face me alone? You are very brave.”

“Nah, Ah’m not alone, not for long,” Applejack said, cracking her neck side to side with her hands on her hips, “Ah’m just here to warm you up for the slaughter.”

“Confident,” Titan chuckled lowly, “I like that.”

Applejack looked over her shoulder at Lightning and said, “Stay out of this.”

“I will. This is between you and him,” Lightning said, stepping into the safety of the elevator and watching.

Applejack quickly got into a fighting stance, holding both hands up to block the next hit. Titan smiled cruelly, and lowered his head. In an instant, he had vanished from sight, hitting Applejack hard with a right hook that knocked her to the ground.

Shaking her head, Applejack took a few seconds to get up. Once she was on her feet, she was struck hard in the stomach by Titan’s fist. Titan then followed it up with an uppercut that laid Applejack flat to her feet, “Mithril, interesting.” he said, looking at his metal hand calmly. “Perfectly for absorbing damage from an attack; however, if you apply enough strength, then you are easily able to break through the armor and hurt the wielder.”

Applejack did not hear him through the ringing in her ears. Pushing herself back up to her feet, she struck out with a right cross, only to miss as Titan disappeared and then appear behind her. With three hard strikes, he hit her back and then ducked under Applejack’s backfist. Thrusting his hand down, he struck Applejack’s thighs, bringer to her knees. Before she could recover, Titan uppercutted her chin and then delivered a hook into her side with a very loud crack. This hit knocked her across the platform and near the edge.

Breathing hard and gasping for breath, Applejack moved to get up on shaky legs, “Damn! This would be easy if he wasn’t teleporting all the time!” she said to herself, getting ready for the next blow.

In an instant, Titan disappeared from sight and reappeared behind her. With a hard strike, he drovee his forearm into the back of Applejack’s legs, forcing her to her knees. Then he delivered two punches into Applejack’s chest that sent her flying back.

As she got up, she spat out some blood and narrowed her eyes. Looking down at the ground, she noticed scuff marks on the ground when titan moved, “He ain’t teleporting, he’s just moving so fast Ah can’t see him move.”

Before Applejack could mount a defense, Titan was upon her with another quick set of blows that staggered her. Breathing ragged, she could feel the pain in her legs and arms as stood on the ground. As she looked at titan, she thought to herself, “Oh Celestia, Ah’m really gonna die alone. Girls, Ah;m so sorry Ah broke my promise. Ma, Pa, Twilight, Ah’ll being seeing ya soon.”

Titan pulled back his lips into a sneer as he disappeared once more, his fist ready for a deathblow, “Never again!” Shouted Rainbow Dash as she flew down with a right kick into Titan’s side, sending him flying off the ledge of the platform. Landing next to Applejack, she asked, “You ok?”

“Yeah, give me a second to recover,” Applejack said as she stood to her full height. When she saw Titan float back up onto the platform, she asked, “You can see him?”

“Yeah, it’s just superspeed,” Dash said, “He looked like he was moving normally to me.”

Applejack smirked, “ Good, you watch for me.”

Without a word, Rainbow Dash nodded and turned to look at Titan as he disappeared once more. Looking to her left, she shouted, “To the left.” Nodding, Applejack blocked the punch and delivered a fist into Titan’s face. Not to be outdone, Rainbow Dash delivered three fast punches into Titan’s stomach.

Stepping back, Titan shook his head and vanished again, trying for an uppercut to Dash’s jaw. With ease, she pulled back and dodge the attack. This let Applejack to deliver a hook into Titan’s stomach and followed it up with an uppercut.

Stumbling, he glared at the two and held up his palm. Hand glowing bright with red magic, he sent out a stream of lightning at the two. They screamed in pain as the lightning flowed through their bodies. With a satisfied smirk, he readied an ice spell to throw at the two ponies.

Before he could complete the spell, his vision was blocked by a thick white goo, “Pie dough?” he asked, using fire magic to burn it off. Once his vision was clear, he saw a discarded piezooka and a very excited Pinkie wielding a bat. With a bit of glee, Pinkie spun her bat in a circle and slammed ‘Pinkie’s little nutcracker’ right in between Titan’s legs. As the pain shot through him, he let out a very ungodly scream of pain.

Pinkie swung her bat at Titan’s head, ready for another hit. Managing to recover quickly, Titan stepped back from the blow and formed a fire blade in his hand. Stepping forward, he swung his blade at her midsection. Turning her bat around like a sword, Pinkie blocked the fire blade from hitting her. For a moment the two engaged in a blade lock, staring each other down. Smiling as she stared at Titan, she stuck her tongue out at him. This made Titan blink in confusion, “Made you blink.” she said with a smile as she pulled out a super bouncing ball, threw it into the ground, and made it hit him in the chin. This distraction was all she needed to score three hits with her bat.

Shaking his head and unable to understand the silliness of his opponent, he stepped forward with his flame sword. Bat and sword met several times as the two struck and parried each other’s blows. Then, in a quick motion, Titan managed to slash his flame blade into Pinkie’s left thigh, burning her. Open to an attack, he slashed Pinkie’s stomach and arm. Lifting up her bat, she swung it at his head.

Catching the bat in his right hand, he made it glow bright blue before freezing it solid. Then he looked at her with a smile before shattering her bat. Then he opened his palm and fired a fire bolt into Pinkie’s stomach that sent her flying into her two friends. Rainbow and Applejack quickly went to Pinkie’s side and helped her up.

His hand glowing blue once more, Titan prepared for a large ice lance and pulled it back for a throw. He then let out a large scream of pain as an arrow shot through his wrist. Looking down at it, he was blinded when the arrow exploded in a flash of bright lights. Looking up from where the arrow was launched, Applejack saw a faint white shape from one of the buildings, “Rarity?”

“Tally-ho!” Rarity shouted, firing a rope arrow into the ground of the platform. Smiling, she used the bow as a tool to slide down the rope and land on top of the platform. Turning around, she knocked back another arrow, and fired three arrows in a row at him.

Unimpressed, Titan waved his hand to create a small wall of wind meant to send the arrows flying away. As the arrows landed, he was taken by surprise as the three arrows detonated and blew him back. Panting and dusting himself off, he summoned a barrage of acid arrows and sent them flying at Rarity and the others. All striking hard and cutting deeply into their arms and legs.

Stretching out his arms, he summoned three orbs of black magic and threw them at the weakened quartet. Seconds before the blast could connect, a large pink shield protected the group. When the dust cleared, they all shouted the name of their savior, “Fluttershy!”

“Oh, I hope I wasn’t too late, was I?” Fluttershy asked, looking at her friends as they got back to their feet.

Applejack shook her head, “Nope, right on time, Sugarcube!” she said, before racing right at Titan. Now catching her second wind, she ran to Titan and delivered three strong snap kicks into his stomach. When she tried for a roundhouse kick, Titan blocked it by grabbing the leg and electrocuting her. Then he backfisted her in the face, knockng her back.

When he was open, Rainbow Dash flew in right after with a loud boom following he while she drove her fist into his face with an audible crack. Not letting up for a moment, she delivered a series of rapid punches into Titan’s body, leaving small dents in his frame. Struggling through the flurry of blows, Titan summoned a rock fist that punched Rainbow Dash into the air and sent her spiraling into the air.

Before Titan could add another spell, he felt the sting of an arrow being struck into his shoulder. Looking to his arm, he saw an arrow covered in a stranger glue. Looking up, he saw Rarity smile as she flicked a switch and created an explosion that knocked him back. Before he could recover, two buzzsaw arrows flew through the air and cut into his side. Growling, he threw three fire arrows at Rarity. Though she blocked one with her bow, two others struck her in the legs.

Looking up, he noted that Fluttershy was tending to Rainbow Dash in the air. Narrowing his eyes, he snapped his fingers to summon a lightning bolt that struck Fluttershy’s back, frying her and sending her flying to the platform.

Feeling three hard strike to his side, he turned to see Pinkie holding a gun with a boxing glove inside of it. Confused by the sight, he was struck in the face by the blow, feeling the pain of sharp brass knuckles stabbing him in the face. When Pinkie fired another shot, Titan punched the boxing glove, breaking it. As their fists collided, Titan concentrated and sent a spiral of flame and lighting down the glove and into Pinkie, burning her arm and electrocuting her.

As Pinke recovered from the blast, Titan looked over his shoulder at Fluttershy. Summoning a set of vines, he used them to wrap around Fluttershy’s neck, and swung her around, striking her into an unsuspecting Rarity. This caused the two to fall on top of one another next to a panting Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie. While Pinkie helped her two friends up, Applejack said, “Ok, Ah admit. This son of a bitch is good.”

Rarity held her arm and winced, closing her eye as she remarked, “I hate to say it dears, but I wish Twilight were here. She would have made this fight easier.”

Titan frowned, a bit of disappointment in his voice as he spoke, “So, you are just like Starfleet. You are unable to win your battles without the aid of your leader. I am disappointed.”

“Oh, dear. I am sorry, but I did not mean it like that,” Rarity said, waving her hand in embarrassment, “What I meant was that she would make it easier, not that she was the only thing we needed to win.”

“He doesn’t get it, they never do,” Applejack said, straightening her hat, “He doesn’t know the true strength of Twilight Sparkle. See, she wasn’t powerful because she was the most powerful mage on the planet: She was strong because of us!”

“Yeah,” Pinkie said smiling as she looked from left to right, “The reason why she could go into a fight so easily, was because she knew that no matter where she was or who she was fighting, we were right there behind her and giving our strength to her. That why she could smile.”

“Discord, Nightmare Moon, Sombra, Sunset Shimmer,” Fluttershy said looking down as she named the villains.

Rarity nodded as she continued, “The truth is, she was only able to be that strong, because we were there with her. She knew, if she were to ever fall, we would back her up and help her to stand tall once more.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash boasted, looking back and forth between her friends, smiling. “Alone, we are pretty badass, but when we are together, we are invincible!”

“Well then,” Titan said, stepping back and holding out his arms to the side. As he did, he thought he saw a vision of Twilight Sparkle floating over the five of them, watching them and protecting them. Smiling, he taunted “Come at me! Show me the true power of your friendship.”

Applejack adjusted her hat in response, narrowing her eyes as she put her hat over her eyes while Rainbow Dash crouched down and spread her wings. Adjusting her goggles over her eyes, Rainbow felt lighting crackle and spark along her irises. Fluttershy adjusted her gems, making the forcefield around them while Pinkie reached behind her and pulled out her new hammer. Rarity pulled her bow string in readiness as she looked right at Titan.

Wasting no time in making the first move, Rainbow Dash flew headfirst towards Titan. Striking with the power of a sonic boom, she uppercutted Titan in the jaw with a loud crack. Spinning around in a twister, she delivered a series of spinning kicks into Titan’s chest and stomach. Once she landed onto the ground, Titan shot a lightning ball into Rainbow Dash’s stomach.

While his arm was still extended from firing the shot, Applejack slammed her forearm into his and knocked it down. Before he could recover, Applejack delivered a hook into his chest, followed by another into his stomach and then an uppercut. Titan tried to throw some punches at Applejack, but each one that he threw was easily dodged by Applejack. On the next punch, Applejack grabbed the fist, pulled it back and drove an elbow into the arm, cracking the bone. Then she delivered a side kick into his stomach, but had her spinning back kick countered by having it grabbed by Titan.

Lifting his elbow, he prepared to break the leg, but was blinded by the light of Fluttershy’s shield. Using a tornado spell, he blew the two mares away. With his palm open, he left it ready for Rarity to hit the palm with another explosive arrow. Screaming pain, he barely had enough time to move to the side and dodge the next arrow. Looking at Rarity, he was shocked by her confidence, and then screamed as the boomerang arrow spun around in mid-air and stuck his back with a hidden buzzsaw.

Driving him to the ground, he growled as he froze the ground beneath Rarity’s feet. Paralyzed, she was unable to get out of the way of the two piercing stone slabs rising up from the ground and cutting into her legs. Reading an acid arrow, he fired at her, only to watch it as it got blocked by Fluttershy.

Hearing the sounds of charging footsteps, he turned around to see Rainbow Dash and Applejack charging at him and ready to throw two straight punches right at him. Eyes open in shock at their speed and power, he barely had the time to grab both fists as they struck him. Holding Rainbow Dash and Applejack’s hands, he began to squeeze, trying to gain the strength to crush their hands. His attempts were foiled as Pinkie ran in-between them and struck him with a vertical strike from her hammer. As he let go of Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s hands, Pinke swung her hammer three times, striking him hard in the chest and stomach, pushing him back. As a final touch, Pinkie fired three rounds of explosive confetti into his eyes, blinding him for a brief second. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Rarity standing there with a single arrow drawn. Letting the arrow fly from her bow, the small projectile split into a dozen arrows at once and flew straight at him. Unable to react in time, the arrows struck him fast and hard. Two of these arrows struck and pierced his wrists.

As he screamed in pain, he watched as Pinkie threw a gas bomb right right at him. This bomb created a large dust cloud that blinded him. The next thing he knew, the dust cloud began to form a large tornado around him. Looking up, he saw that Rainbow Dash was flying around in circles, creating a large obscuring tornado around him. This tornado was enclosed and captured around him by Fluttershy’s shield as she used it to keep him trapped.

Looking through the dust, he saw Applejack walk out slowly from the dust tornado, her hat over her emerald eyes to block out the dust while her bandanna kept her mouth covered. Realizing his disadvantage, he tried to move from there, but he struggled. Looking down at the ground, he saw to his shock and horror, that the arrows had pinned his robe to the ground.

Pulling back her fist, Applejack struck hard into Titan’s stomach, and then did it again with an uppercut. She followed this up with a hook into his ribs, and then a roundhouse into his arm. Then she began to throw a cross, a jab, and another uppercut into his face. Each blow that she threw, each time she struck, resounded with a bone shattering crack. The faster that she struck the more powerful her blows had become. For a few precious seconds, her body began to glow with harmon and in one final blow, she delivered a powerful uppercut that took down the massive god.

When the tornado dispersed along with the shield, one figure stood still. Lightning looked on with shock and awe at the sight as he saw Applejack stand alone, panting and tired. His mouth could barely form words as he watched the four other mares land next to Applejack to offer their support and help her up. Then he whispered to himself, “Impossible. It took the power of the grand Celestial Ruler to beat Titan. It took our combined powers to destroy him but they...they beat him. Alone. No super powers, no armor, just...them.”

Applejack summed it up as she looked down at the beaten god, “Titan, you’re under arrest.”

“Applejack, your one-liners suck,” Rainbow Dash joked, wincing at the pain in her ribs.

“Oh shut up,” Applejack teased as she lightly punched Rainbow’s shoulder.

After taking the time to tie him up and fix any wounds they may have had, the five ponies went down the elevator of the tower. After a few moments, they reached the bottom of the tower and walked out, facing down a crowd of Unicornicopians. All of them looked on the wounded ponies and the downed god with awe, unable to speak for moments. Rainbow Dash sighed, “Great, do you think we’ll get any respect with this?”

That was when they heard the sound of slow loud claps. Looking around for a few moments, they found the source of the clapping, coming from Lightning as he leaned against the door frame. It wasn’t long until the clapping began to speed up, faster and faster. Soon Lighting’s clapping was joined in by another Unicornicopian, followed by another, and then another. Then the clapping was joined by the entire crowd cheering and clapping at the sight of the knights.

“Praise be to the Knights of Harmony!”

“Long live the Elements!”

Vinyl smiled and hugged Octavia, kissing her deeply, “You saw it here first, everypony! Those brave mares just kicked Titan’s ass without the power of Starfleet! Those five wonderful mares of justice, of friendship, and everything else! Let’s hear it for them!’

Grand Ruler shook his head at the news and screamed up into the heavens, “NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“So,” Applejack said, looking to Rainbow Dash, “Respect enough for ya?”

“Well,” Dash shrugged, “Could’ve used a little bowing too.” this earned her a light punch from Applejack, followed by her mane being messed by Pinkie. Rarity and Fluttershy looked at each other and sighed.

Celestia walked slowly through the deepest part of the dungeon, watching as the cells pass her by with each step. As she walked, she began to think about he earlier conversation that she had with her husband not too long ago.

“I killed him...”Grand Ruler said in shock. “How is he alive? I killed him. I watched him die, he should be dead!”

“And now he is resting in our dungeon,” Celestia said, walking towards the doors of her throne room.

Grand Ruler growled lowly, “You should kill him before he-”

“You kllled him twice if I recall. It didn’t take now did it,” Celestia said. “What was it that I heard somepony say once? That to try the same thing multiple times expecting the same result madness.”

“No, you don’t understand, he needs to die!” Grand Ruler said.

Celestia smirked, “Flash Sentry of the Umbra Circle has a message from Dusk Shine. He says, we know the truth, and it will be exposed soon.” Celestia smiled as she saw the look of fear grace his face.

Once she reached the lowest dungeon of the castle and past the Staff of Null, “You are currently under lock and key, you have so much anti magic fields around you that you won’t be able to perform so much as a card trick, and even then we can stop you in your tracks with a freezing spell before you even leave. So, why are you smiling?”

“Why shouldn’t I smile?” Titan asked, his wide grin showing beneath his hood, “Grand Ruler’s power is weakening, Conquest has lost one of his best generals, and two princesses have won in the face of adversity. I say that is a reason to smile.”

“But, you lost,” Celestia said plainly.

“Did I? Or was I just another well-placed piece in your game,” Titan said, leaning back on his cot with his hands behind his head.

“What do you mean, my game?” Celestia said, shaking her head, “I did nothing, it was all the Umbra Circle.”

“Funded by Fancy Pants and led by your sister. I wonder who was it that told the K-COLT girls to head to Neighpon for the live feed. Who was it that asked for Discord’s help in that little newsflash and made sure that my battle took place in the day. Are you telling me that you had nothing to do with this, or the loss of Twilight Sparkle did not spur you into anger into changing things?” Titan said smiling warmly.

Celestia said nothing, but choose to turn around, only to look over her shoulder and ask, “Why do you have his name?”

“Coincidence, I assure you,” Titan said. Then he held up a finger, “One last thing, my princess. You have done a father proud this day. In spite of everything stacked against you, you have persevered through the bad times and good. You have done well.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said solemnly walking away.

“Oh, and next time you come back, bring your son,” Titan said with a smile, “I want to see him.” As the door closed behind her, Titan smiled and said to the shadows, “Hello, Princess Luna.”

“How did you know??” Luna asked, walking out into the light.

“I have ways,” Titan chuckled, “Do not worry, I will help you in whatever way possible. I just want one question answered, if you would please.”

“What is it?” Luna asked.

“How was your life?” Titan asked solemnly.

Luna sighed and kicked the ground, “Before or after my incident?”

“Both,” Titan said calmly.

“Well, in both cases, I say my life was good. Celestia tried her best to help protect me, raise me, and watch over me,” Luna said, feeling a tear roll down her cheek.

“I see, must have been tough, ruling alone for so long. No one at night to tell you what you did was worth it and your sister was so busy with her duties that you felt left out,” Titan said, frowning.

Luna nodded, “Afterwards, it’s gotten better. Ponies stay out more and they do appreciate my work now. And me and Celestia have improved our relationship immensely! We have our arguments, sure, but she listens to me more and tries to spend as much time as she can with me. Though sometimes, I think she is a little too overprotective. I one time screamed in bed and she broke down the door thinking I was being attacked by an assassin.” she laughed, being joined by Titan as he laughed with her.

Titan smiled and rested, “Thank you. Luna, do me a favor next time you come to me, please?”

“What?” Luna asked.

“Tell me a story. I have been so stuck hearing tales of Celestia and Luna: Conquerors of Sombra, Defeaters of Discord, and Sovereigns of the lands, that I never heard tales of Celestia, the lonely princess or of Luna, the missing sister. I would like to know more about them.”

“I,” Luna paused and said, “see. Very well, I shall give you stories when next we meet.”

Titan nodded and waited until Luna was out the door before he floated onto the ground. Closing his eyes, he began to slowly break through the anti-magic fields that surrounded him. For any lesser pony, it would’ve been impossible to break through these barriers. But, he is Titan, he has been there since these were first made. It was no hard feat to break through the spells and activate his own magic.

Using his own magic, he discarded the cloak that had covered his body to reveal his equine features. His long silvery mane now draped over his shoulders and his armor. With a grunt, he discarded his fake hands, quickly replacing them with hooves and in an instant, he revealed his hind legs along with a cutie mark of a blank white circle. With a quick flick of his horn, the armor that once adorned his body was now replaced with magnificent silvery barding. For a moment, he looked at his cutie mark, the white circle meaning perfect order and harmony. He also looked at the back pocket of his barding and pulled out a small locket. Opening it up, he looked at two photos within. One was of a beautiful green alicorn with long brown mane and the other was of two alicorns, white and midnight blue. The white one had a frown on her face while the midnight blue one looked like she was giggling a storm. Titan smiled, remembering the day the photo was taken.

“Luna, what you doing? This is a photo of the two of us, you can’t being eating ice cream. You need to look majestic,” Celestia frowned, holding the ice cream cone away from the picture.

“You can too look maj-maces-that thing you said,” Luna said, looking to Celestia with a frown. “Besides, I don’t see you throwing away your ice cream!”

“Because I know how to hlde mine correctly,” Celestia said with a slight smug smile.

“Well, I know how to do...this!” Luna squealed, shoving the ice cream cone onto Celestia’s forehead.

Titan let out a small laugh as he ran his hoof along the faces of his daughters and smiled. A tear rolled down his cheek as he whispered, “You have done well, my daughters. I am proud of you both.”

“Did you get anything from him, Luna?” Celestia asked, walking down the hallways of the castle. Her formal dress was on now, pure white full bodied gown with red and yellow stripes running along it.

Luna, now wearing a midnight blue evening gown, shook her head, “Nothing. Titan was a open book. He paid me compliments, asked me how I was, and what my life was like. Strangely he was very... amicable.”

“And it ticks me off,” Celestia growled, “He had my number, seemed to know everything about me. He acted just like, just like...”

“Father?” asked Luna, smiling warmly. “Do you remember how he always fought us?”

“He never really fought us, he taught us. He would hold back just enough for us to gain an edge and then began to point out our strategies while we fought, making us think about our own moves,” Celestia said, “And he would always answer our questions with questions. It was annoying.”

“You liked it and you know it,” Luna said with a chuckle. Then she frowned, “Titan is right though, this was all your plan, I was just the delivery girl.”

“Luna,” Celestia said, tucking her sister’s chin and smiling while looking into her eyes, “Don’t say that. While I may have given you the idea to lead this rebellion, the rest was all you.”

“But, Tia! Those were your student’s friends that won the day! It was all because of the inspiration that she gave them that made them who they are,” Luna said, shuddering and looking away. “I just did this from the shadows.”

Celestia smiled warmly with her traditional ‘you are better than you think you are’ smile, “Luna, you were the one who trained Trixie, and you were the one who hired this Spark girl. Everything that has happened has been because of you and the work of your rebels.”

“I still should’ve been out there on the front lines,” Luna said, sighing, “I’m just not used to letting others fight for me. I should’ve been-”

“You did perfectly,” Celestia said, “You gave them the power and the knowledge they needed to unite and fight together, and it was because of you that Trixie found her true companions. We did our part by becoming the guiding light for the ponies to seek out their own destinies. We are meant to be observers and the guardians of their stories. Our destiny is always to be there when they need us and to let them have the will to achieve greatness on their own. And you have done that greatly. Today is not just the victory of my ponies, but yours.”

“I suppose so,” Luna said, smiling warmly. “And besides, when it is time to really let loose, let them beware.”

Celestia smiled and hugged her sister tightly, “And I wouldn’t have anypony else by my side.”

“Aww, sisterly love!” Discord said, “Shame I can’t-”

“Come here you miserable mishmash!” Luna said, grabbing Discord and hugging him as well.

Celestia broke the embrace and looked to the entrance to the grand ballroom, “Come, we have some partying to get done. Shall we?” she asked, watching as Discord assumed his Goldwin form.

“Ready when you are, my princess,” Discord said with a smile, putting on his fake voice.

“And where is your husband?” Luna asked.

“I don’t know,” Celestia said, “He didn’t even show up when I gave the medals to the elements.”

“Oh, I bet he is just steaming mad!” Discord said, bringing out an effigy of Grand Ruler and putting the doll into a small tea kettle.

“Have you made your decision?” asked Grand Ruler ass he watched from a distant balcony.

Shaina nodded, “Five hundred Unicornicopians have been picked and are ready to be teleported when you give the word. Plus one hundred Equestrians.”

“Good,” Grand Ruler said looking over his shoulder, “When Lightning falls, begin operation ‘Board Wipe.’”

Rarity stood with Clarity resting comfortably in her arms. She sighed as she straightened her purple and green ballgown with a low cut neckline, “Thinking about something, Rare?” Applejack asked, tipping her hat. Her dress was brown and green with no shoulders, while there were apple lapels on the sides of the dress.

“Oh, just thinking of how a year ago, this was all different,” Rarity said with a smile, “This wee one was on the way and our victory was just a small one compared to the many losses we suffered. Now, we are on the verge of changing the world for the better, I have a daughter and you have become a great leader.”

“Fluttershy is no longer with a jerk,” Rainbow Dash said, straightening up her suit, her wonderbolt uniform now having a few medals on it.

Fluttershy, dressed in a skyblue gown with an open back and nodded happily, “And now I am free to dance with my marefriend.”

“And most importantly,” Pinkie said, bouncing in with her bouncing pink ballgown with orange candy slices on it following, “We are all still together.”

“Well,” Belle said softly, fixing her modest grey one piece dress, “Shall we go and enjoy our victory.”

The girls all smiled happily and went onto the dance floor, finding positions to take. As the party began, Celestia took the stage, “Fillies and Gentlecolts! Our victory today is a truly great one. Today, we have defeated the villain Titan and destroyed one of Conquest’s most powerful generals. Thanks to the brave ponies that battle in Neighpon alongside the brave elements of harmony,” she said, holding out her hand so the spotlights could shine on the elements, much to the cheers of the crows,” We are now one step closer to ending this war and defeating Dark Conquest. While we can be certain that Dark Conquest will become stronger from this, thus we remain vigilant, today we have been victorious. Today, we are here to party and to celebrate our future! To honor this, Sapphire Shores and the Countess Coloratura wish to perform a duet.”

Sapphire Shores and Coloratura smiled at each other as they stepped onto the stage, behind them their rock band began to play, starting off with a slow drum beat while the guitars began to strum ever faster. Coloratura quickly began to sing followed by Sapphire Shores.

Hello
Hello
Hello

Woke up just at the start of then of the world,
Feeling as if everything was just like the day before,
Now I wonder what our life would mean if it’s gone,

Applejack leaned against the concession table, listening to the voices of some of the children that came to the ball, “I want to be like Applejack!” said one little unicornicopian filly.

An Unicornicopian colt smiled, “I want to be Rainbow Dash!”

“I know what I want to roleplay as,” said another little filly, “Rarity.” when she looked at the confused looks, she smiled and said, “What? Rarity is feminine, but still awesome. She likes makeup and shopping, but isn’t a weak DID for the others!”

“I don’t know what’s worse,” Caramel joked as he walked up to Applejack and smiled, “That those Unicornicopians want to become a second set of you or that almost every family in Equestria wants to name a baby after you.”

“Caramel?” Applejack asked, “What are you-”

“I heard you didn’t have a date tonight so I was wondering,” Caramel said putting his hand behind his orange suit, which matched Applejack’s coat color. “Could you honor me with a dance?”

Applejack gave a small chuckle as she saw the outfit, admiring the double breasted chest and the long pants. Holing out her hand, she said, “Ah would love to dance.”

Caramel smiled widely as he took her to the dance floor.

carriages are moving a half a mile a minute
And I stare at the ponies who started to wave goodbye to e
Can you tell us what was ever really special about us all this time?

Spike happily guided some of the mares to the bathroom and walked back to the ballroom. The music made him skip and dance for a bit, letting his dark purple tux flur around him as he skipped. Then he was interrupted by a pair of baby green eyes, “Excuse me, Mr. Sparkle. Can I pwease have this dance?” Rarity asked, holding up her daughter in front of her boyfriend.

Spike laughed at this and took her little paw, “Sure thing, Lady Crystal. If my fiancee, who I love with every fiber of my being, doesn’t mind me dancing with a beautiful woman.”

“Well,” Rarity said, taking Spike’s hand in hers and winking, “I wouldn’t mind sharing, just this once.”

As the two danced, Spike looked at Rarity, “Are you still worried if the rest of the planet, you know...I mean she’s a little.-”

“Gem,” Rarity said, looking at the baby in her arms. “Yes, I am still a little worried, after all, they may change their minds about us but there is still racism and I will worry about her.” then she smiled as she looked in the ballroom to see five mares dancing, “But, I won’t be alone. Ever.” and with that, she kissed Spike on the lips softly.

I believe our world is burning to the ground
Oh well I guess it’s time to find out
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Well I believe it will begin again

Pinkie felt a tiny tap from a horn on her back and when she turned, she saw Artie wearing a lavish Pink tuxedo, “Lady Pinkie,” bowed Artie as he smiled at her.

“ARTIE!” Pinkie said, hugging him tightly, “What are you doing here?”

“Well, besides to celebrate the heroine of the piece. I was looking for a place to show off my new feet art,” chuckled Artie.

“Well, to show it all would be a mean feet,” Pinkie giggled as she put her hands onto his shoulders.

Artie smirked and said, “Cute.” and kissed her nose, wich made her squeak.

As Pinkie began to swat back and forth with the sway of her partner’s footsteps, she asked, “A slow dance for a fast song?”

“Why not? Don’t we like to dance to our own beats and not follow the path of others,” chuckled Artie as he swirled in a circle before shifting along with her along the floor.

Pinkie nodded and said, “You know it.”

As Artie looked into Pinkie’s eyes, he smiled at her, “And that is getting better too.”

“What?” Pinkie asked, cocking her head to the side.

“Your true smile. I haven’t seen it in a while. It’s nice.” Artie said with a wink at her.

This made Pinkie blush a little and then smile warmly at the stallion in her arms.

Oh well, I guess, we're gonna show my friend
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

Fluttershy smiled as she felt herself being rose up above the rest of the dancers, joining the other pegasi. Holding her hand at arm’s length was Rainbow dash, who quickly pulled her in close before extending her out and then spinning her in a circle. With a giggle, Fluttershy spun back to Rainbow Dash, rubbing her back against Dash and swaying her hips against Rainbow Dash’s hips gently.

Chuckling, Rainbow Dash put her arms around fluttershy’s waist, holding her close as she danced, “A year ago, I would’ve been afraid to hold you like this.”

“Why?” Fluttershy asked as she danced with her.

“Well, I thought that I was making you chose between Jerkbait and me. I couldn’t have hurt yo-”

Fluttershy kissed Rainbow Dash’s lips softly, “You, every time. I wouldn’t have resisted if you broke down my cottage, picked me up in your arms and flew me home.”

“Oh, you mean like this?” Rainbow Dash laughed, picking Fluttershy up bridal style, flying her up to the ceiling and then spinning her around to tip her down.

Fluttershy smiled from where she was tipped, put her finger over Dash’s heart and made a symbol of a little heart, smiling warmly at her.

I think it started at 10 but I don’t really know.
Can’t remember caring about it or so
Started to cry and couldn’t stop myself
I wanted to leave but there was nowhere to go to

Belle sighed as she watched her friends dance, looking at her little journal. Keeping the page open, she wrote down in it about the day. After closing it, she stood up and smiled when she saw Lightning Dawn walk out, “Lightning?”

“You know, last time, I wanted to skip this because it wasn’t my victory. It was theirs,” he sighed. “I should’ve been smarter than that, so I could’ve spent time with my...teammates.”

Belle walked over to Lighting and put her hand onto his shoulder, “None of us really know how long we have. Sometimes it’s better to just enjoy what we got and live for the moment. Especially when there are friends involved.”

“Speaking from experience?” Lightning asked.

Belle sighed, “I came into this world without memories, and sometimes I am a little scared about what I will find or who I will become when I get those back. But they,” she said, pointing to the mares on the dance floor, “Have made each day worth it. Memories or not, they made me feel complete as a pony. Because, each memory I have of them, have helped to shape me and make me feel like a whole pony now. My own pony.”

Lightning smiled warmly, “I think I am starting to understand why you guys love this whole friendship thing now.”

“And,” Belle smiled as she looked at a little light, “I think somefairy wants a dance.”

“Krysta?” Lightning asked, seeing the little fairy decked out in a little white ball gown.

“Rarity made me this dress,” Krysta said, smiling warmly, “I was hoping you could dance with me?”

Lighting laughed as he held out his hand, “Sure thing, lady Krysta.”

Belle smiled warmly and stood behind at the table, watching the dancers before her.

I sat down and looked in the mirror at myself
Said where did I think I was going to when the world was going to end
Stop before you say your goodbyes and move on ahead!

“Vive le cercle de l'ombre!!” Trixie shouted from the top of the mansion as she pour the last of her bourbon/vodka mix into her glass, “Und down with whoever made booze limited.”

Carrot Top laughed, before hiccuping as the drink got to her, “Oh, this is why I only drink to celebrate.”

“Will she quiet down!” Raindrops shouted, “We are supposed to be in hiding!”

Cheerilee laughed as she patted Raindrops on the back, “We are, most everypony is in New Canterlot right now. This is just for us. Hey, Berry! Give Raindrops another round, she is still sober!”

A light purple earth pony mare with a grape cutie mark nodded, “Sure thing sis! One Raindrops smasher coming up. Plus a elemental fizz for the coolest little sister ever!” smiling Berry made the two drinks by shaking them up in a little mixer and then poured out the glass. Smiling, she put it on a table and shouted, “Two drink order up. Come and bring them, little pinchy!”

“Yes momma!” said a little unicorn filly as she carried her mom’s drinks to the girls. The outside of the mansion was littered with tables, a dance floor, and a radio that played the music from Canterlot.

“Seesh? That little fill’s cute, but nothing’s cuter than Dinky. My little muffins,” Ditzy said, swaying back and forth, pulling out a photo album and putting it next to Lyra.

Lyra sighed, “I know Ditz you have shown me those photos twice now. You are so drunk.”

“Nope, pixelated,” Ditzy said.

Spark sat at the table across from the two, “Girls, what should I do? Every colt and stallion has asked me to dance and I cannot logically think of who to dance with.”

“Trixie’s advice,” Trixie said, jumping down to the floor, “Mademoiselle should dance with moi!”

I believe our world is burning to the ground
Oh well I guess it’s time to find out

Titan looked over from across his cell as the sleeping Crystal Hope who began to have her memories return to her. On top of her was Sombra who also was fast asleep. Hearing the music above and the celebrating ponies, he found himself singing along with some of the lyrics.

Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Well I believe it will begin again

Celestia and Goldwin began to dance along the floor, causing the ground to almost burn from their furious dancing, with Discord smirking beneath the mask. Silently he whispered, “So, who’s ready to see the kingdom free again?”

“I think we all are, and once that is done and my husband is overthrown... let’s talk marriage,” Celestia said with a smirk. This caused Discord to blush.

Shaking his head, Discord nodded his head to a lonely bat pony guard, “Hey, somepony is not enjoying themselves.”

Celestia looked and saw Luna sitting in the shadows, watching the party, “And neither is my sister. Are you thinking of what I am thinking?”

“I get the girl, you get the boy,” Discord laughed as he slinked over to Luna while Celestia walked to the stallion. Chuckling, Discord whispered, “Lulu, you should be dancing.

“I will dance only if somepony requests me of it. For now, someone has to be watching over this party to make sure that all goes-”

“Mam!” the bat-pony guard said, saluting, “Supernova of your third battalion. I have been ordered to request that you come with me to the dance floor. Mainly because-”

“Because what?” Luna asked.

“I have...been too scared to ask you myself, milady,” Supernova said, blushing.

This made Luna smile warmly and took his hand into hers, “Very well, you may escort me to the floor.”

Oh well, I guess, we're gonna show my friend

Kudos sighed, walking to Conquest and looking out at the party below, “I cannot believe that we are celebrating Titan’s fall.”

“We aren’t celebrating that, silly,” Conquest said with a shout as he held up a kitten’s skull filled with kool-aid, “We are celebrating the fact that the fun is about to begin!”

“The fun?” Kudos asked.

The figure in the cloak sighed, “For him, this is fun.”

“Not just for me, but for all of them,” Conquest said with a wink, “For we all know that now is where we really amp up the war! More kills, more death, and now I can finally attack Lightning Dawn. It is the climax of this long story! A hero’s final battle, a champion’s last struggle! You know how it goes. The big bad, that’s me, goes off to fight the champion now that his generals are dead.”

“I see,” Kudos said, looking down, “Perhaps it’s time I reintroduce myself to Applejack.”

Conquest smiled, “You do that. Me, I am just waiting to see Lightning’s face when I really let him have it. So come on, let’s rock!!!”

Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

During the musical break in between songs, Rara ran off the stage and grabbed Applejack by the arm, “Come on! The hero needs to sing this!”

“Well, Ah, Ah mean,” Applejack stuttered, and then sighed, “Let’s do this.”

Up above, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy watched as Applejack was led to the stage, “Hey, we can’t let her sing alone, right?”

“Never,” Fluttershy said, putting her hand out for Rainbow to take, “Lead the way, Knight of the Wind.”

“Sure thing, Lady of the Animals,” Dash winked.

Rarity saw Applejack and nodded, “Please, hold Clarity, Spike? Mother is about to show how well she can belt out those chords.”

Glarity took Clarity in her arms and smiled, “Go get them Rare!”

Pinkie Pie looked to Artie and then to the stage and then back to Artie. With a smiled, she said, “Got to go, they need me!” she said, kissing his lips quickly before running off.

Belle saw the five and nodded, putting her drink down and racing off to join her friends.

Applejack walked up to the stage, put her face to the mike and began to sing.

It's gone, gone, pony, it's all gone
There is no one at your corner and there is no one home

Rarity was quick to join her, smiling as she sang along, matching her beat to Applejack’s.

It is cool, cool, it was all cool
Now it's over for me and it's over for you

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash joined up with two microphones, each taking a lyric.

It is cool, cool, it was all cool
Now it's over for me and it's over for you

Pinkie happily jumped in grabbing the stand

We’re here at your corner when there is no one home
It is cool, cool, it was all cool

Belle then jumped in with the last lyric, belting it out as hard as she could

Now it's over for me and it's over for you

Then as one the girls began to sing in perfect harmony, each one looking to each other as they sang. Smiles began to cross their faces as they began to feel an inner harmony that they hadn’t felt in a long time. A power began to erupt from them as they sang with their voices loud and clear.

I believe our world is burning to the ground
Oh well I guess it’s time to find out
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Well I believe it will begin again
Oh well, I guess, we're gonna show my friend

Somewhere in the ballroom, sat a dark blue pegasus. Draped around his shoulders was a long black cape, the same color as his glasses. Furiously, he typed along the keyboard on the typewriter that beared his cutie mark, a book with a pair of lips on it. Pausing, he looked up at you, the reader and smiled, “Oh, hello! Thanks for joining us for this wild ride so far! Been loving it too? Good, kind of makes me feel glad.” Pausing, he looked at the singing mares, “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll still have plenty of challenges for those six to face. Trust me, the next seven chapters are gonna be a blast! Till then though-” Storyteller said with a smile as he began to sing.

Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come
Let's see how far we've come

“OH, wait,” Storyteller said, “Let’s check up on the trio, shall we?”

Dementia walked out into the middle of the Whitetail woods, looking up at the two other members of her team, “Titan said that this is it.” she said, her mind going back a few hours ago.

Dementia walked into the dungeon, looking back at Titan, “Ok, I’m here. You are beaten. Now, my memories!”

“Here,” Titan said calmly, handing her a small glowing orb.

“What is this?” asked Dementia.

“A memory orb. It’s like what I gave to hope there. This one contains your memories. I should warn you, you made not like the answers you find. Just put all three of your hands onto it.”

“Guys,” Rep said, looking down at the orb. “I am a little worried. What if... what if we’re wrong? What if we really are just mud and clay or a bunch of assholes.”

“Then we are that,” Mysterious said, walking forward. “Our past will not define us, but who we are now. What’s more,” he placed his hand onto the orb, “I will not lose my friendship with the you guys.”

Rep-Stallion smiled, “Me neither. So, see you on the other side?”

Dementia smiled and nodded holding out the orb for the two to touch. When they placed their hands onto the orb, their eyes became filled with white light, while blue magic began to flow over their bodies and into their heads. After a few moments of power flowing through them, Dementia let go of the orb and collapsed to her knees, putting her hand to her mouth while her eyes widened in utter horror. She could barely hear Rep-Stallion speak, “Oh, goddesses. I remember. My name is Swift Blade, I was going to be married soon. Then, just because I refused an order to kill civilians, that bastard took my wife away. Oh, Inquirious...”

“I couldn’t let them take my brother’s prize invention and pervert it,” Mysterious, now known as Blackened Myst said, frowning, “So I tried to hide it and steal it away. But, they found out and tried to kill me.”

Dementia, however, shook her head. The being once known as Galaxia began to whisper as tears began to flow from her eyes, “No, it can’t be, please don’t be true.”

A little white filly who looked so much like her mother ran up, her purple mane bouncing up and down, “Mommy, pick me up, I want to see the elephants.”

“See mommy?” asked the little filly as she showed off her little drawing, “I made a star chart, it’s my first one.”

“Mommy, I’m scared of the dark, can I sleep with you?” asked the little filly.

“Mommy you found me! You always know how to find me right?” asked the filly.

Galaxia nodded, “Yes, little one, even in the dark.”

“It can’t be, It... no,” cried Dementia as she gripped the grass beneath her.

“Starlight, is the message, I’m sending from beyond,” sang Galaxia as she laid her baby girl into the bed, “Sleep well, my little Starla Shine.”

“He raped her,” whispered Dementia as she tore the grass. “That son of a bitch raped my daughter!!!!!!!! He raped her, and he laughed! The bastard laughed, which means he knew. He knew she was my daughter and he raped her!” Dementia growled, got to her feet and began to run, only to be stopped by Rep and Mysterious, “LET ME GO! What kind of mother am I if I can’t save her! I WILL KILL HIM!”

“Don’t!” Rep said, holding her back. “If you go out like this you’ll be playing into Dark Conquest’s hands and get yourself killed. Then what good will you be?!”

Dementia was about to argue, but then saw the look in his eyes. She could see the tears flowing from his eyes, showing how much pain he was in. With a whimper, she cried into his chest, “I want him dead. I want Dak Conquest dead for doing this to her and I want Grand Ruler dead for letting her get into this. I want them both dead.”

“Titan, he told us the risk, and we took his offer. We couldn’t fight our families without memories, so we sacrificed them with power,” Mysterious said, looking down. “Explains why we never went all out.”

“So, what do we do now?” Rep-stallion asked.

“We have faith,” Dementia said standing up and sniffling as she began to feel her strength and drive returning. “Those six... they can provide the miracle we need to save our families.” Pausing, she looked at Mysterious, “Myst, you can go to Brain and stay with him.”

“I’ll visit Brain one day, but I won’t abandon my friends. I’m staying with you until the end,” Myst said.

Rep-Stallion looked to Dementia and smiled at his friend, “So, do we still call each other by code names or real names?”

“I am kind of partial to Myst myself, but Rep-Stallion is interesting,” said Myst.

Rep-stallion smirked and looked at Dementia, “And what about you?”

“Personally, you can call me Dementia still, but I rather be called by the name my daughter will say when I see her again,” Dementia said, “Galaxia Shine.”

Author's Note

Thanks to Wyvern and Zolt...these guys put into a lot of effort.

This chapter...Did not exist originally. See, the thing is, Titan was meant to be the final boss, as kind of a way to match up with season 1 and a shout out to thee immortal game. I even had Celestia look on as Titan arrived and whisper "Daddy's home." He would then fight and wage a bloody battle with the heroes and then, ok I'll admit the rough draft kind of ended there.

Heck, the once crowned king was even a refenerence to that idea. But, something changed through the story. Time went on and I was enjoying having Titan become this balancing force, this guy who kept everthing in order. Still evil, but was mainly there to make sure the sides were even. But, as time wore on, I just enjoyed writing this guy who was csalled evil by Grand Ruler but was in fact, a hero because of who he is.

So thus, the final fight was changed and Titan was moved to be a boss to be fought on the rooftop. Before the character devlopment, he was even going to lay the smackdown on Lightin; however, after developing this guy for so long...I kind of gotten tired of kicking his ass.

Dimentia's releationship with Starla had been one of the first real changes to the story from the rough draft. See, the trio never were really there for the most part in the rough draft. They just killled the starfleet team and dissappeared near the end. But, after a few talks with a certain person on heartless characters, I began to think about how if they were really born without hearts, then how come Rep gets a craving for food and has a love for it. Why did they bicker and argue amongst themselves, why did they get jelous and everything else in between? If they didn't have hearts, then why did they act like they did (Hello Kingdom Hearts)

So, I began to toy around with the idea. However, I read something in the original version of the fic that gave me pause.

Out walked a woman that looked excatly like Starla

Hmmmm, now, the author told me the reason why she does look like Starla is-because that is the only way he can come up with villians. However, you can't write something like that and not think I am going to look into it. Why would a villian look excatly like Starla and not be related? It didn't help that in the remake, we find out that her mother 'died in the battles with the bulls', off screen. Ok, if she died like that, then how? What happened to the body?

So, I took the idea and ran with it. This is why Dimentia had a lot more development in the opening chapters than the other two, because she was the one I had thought out the most by the time. And I also decided to leave clue for my eagle eyed viewers.

-She was kind to kids

-Her attention to Starla was more motherly

-Her lullaby was from Jem's mother.

-She owned a copy of "MRs. Brisby and the Rats from Nimh" a book all about a mother saving her kids.

-Her room was set up to house a girl

-She listened and was supportive of her daughter's dreams.

As for Rep and Mysterious, I originally planned for Rep to have the brother and Mysteirous to be married, but they just got switched around. I was also planning Mysterious's brother be Abra, but Abra was far too gone by this point.

Some additional notes

-I love fun wiht Acronyms and tried to put them in much as possible. Thank goodness Starfleet has an easily to mess with code system. AV6N: Avngry Video Game Nerd, RW3Y: RWBY, and AM2R: Another Metroid 2 Remake.

-that isn't the only Metroid mention. Last chapter, Lighting has a doll that is actually Samus. Yes, she exsists in this world

-Clarity is actually from Kiala's work, I love the second generation that much and try to link up to it as much as I can.

-Yes, I know we are about to see Mage Meadowbrook in the comics. This is why I had to get it out now! They have been old friends fo years by this point.

-Yes, this is the Casca from Berserk. In this particular world, her battles with Conquest took over the God Hand. Griffith was her best friend and Guts was her lover. She had to watch both die.

-I love the idea that Fluttershy has a nurse for a mother.

-We have guests in this story: Cherry-Lei is one. Then we have Night Nurse, who is based on my mom!

-Twilight has been the pony I relate to the most and the mare I connect to. So, her comments about Raven...are my own. They are excatly the same questions I have.

-About Twilight's fight, this is why she is not in the present at the moment. She would break the fic so bad!

-The Titan scen was one of those I have never tried before. I have never written a scene of two characters just playing a game like that and tried to make it interesting.

-Ozumu Ishimori is a call out to two very influental people: Osamu Tesuzka (Creator of Magna) and Shotoro Ishimori (Creator of Kamen Rider and Super sentai. Without him no Power rangers)

-Yes, that blue pony with glasses is my ponysona. He owns the treebary memorial bookstore in Ponyville, down the street from Sugar Cube Corner. Story Teller has heard all manner of stories, legends, and other tales. Come visit and he might tell you a story about the mane six.

-Believe it or not, I had three songs planned for the finale to sing: How far we come, Unstoppable, and Now that we've come so Far. This one had what I wanted, a place for the six to sing together

Thanks for reading, next time...Lighting's biggest battle