The Return of Midnight Sparkle

Chapter Five:

                                                         The plan.

Twilight leaned up against the base of the Canter lot school statue staring off into space when her mentor Celestia walked over to her. Laying a gentle hand on her shoulder Celestia said softly to her.

“my faithful student it is time to tell your friends to stop Midnight from destroying this world.”

Looking at her then over at her friends Twilight lowered her head then whispered.

“you can’t see her as Twilight can you?”

Sighing to herself Celestia took Twilight by the hand and led her silently over to her friends. Who were all standing next to the cars that they had driven earlier that day. Looking at each of them in turn before she spoke to them all.

“Alright this is the way I fully see it, you all have two main choices to make here. You can choose option one. Which is to do nothing at all, or choose option two. Which is you can each of you go to your homes and gather up anything that might help bring Twilight's mind back to her. If you chose to bring her mind back to her keep in mind that she is going to be a whirlwind of emotions. The more angry you all get with her the less likely we will be able to save her.” Princess Celestia said while looking at each of Twilight's friends.

Twilight chimed in at this point not wanting anything to be left out and always paying close attention to detail.

“Princess you forgot the third option you know the one that you and I talked about back in Equestria.” Twilight said looking at Celestia as her eyes filled with sadness.

“I don’t think they need to hear about that option my faithful student.”  Celestia said to Twilight gently.

“Y’all want to fill us in for those of not from Equestria.” Applejack asked as she quirked an eyebrow at the idea of there being a third option to consider.

Princess Celestia lowered her head. She didn’t want to say what was needed to be said and she didn’t want to give these five young people more reason to be upset. Yet she knew now that Twilight had brought it up although foolish though it was of her student to do so. Celestia had little choice in this matter they all truly deserved to know what would happen if all else failed and worse came to worse. Celestia slowly raised her head and faced each of Twilight's friends as a single tear leaked out of her eyes and trickled down her snow white cheek. Saying to them softly yet sternly at the same time.

“Option three is to…...kill her.” Celestia looked at each of them saying this as the tear on her cheek dropped off and hit the ground.

Rarity placed a hand over her mouth and let out a gasp that she hadn’t known was even there. She couldn’t or rather be it wouldn’t believe what her ears just heard. Rainbow looked as if she was about to deck the Princess for the mere thought of suggesting such a thing. Fluttershy buried her face into her hands and began to cry from hearing what Princess Celestia had wanted to do. Fluttershy had heard so many tales of how noble and kind Celestia was to all of her subjects. Yet now Fluttershy couldn’t bring herself to actually see her as anything more than a monster. Applejack look sick to her stomach from the mere thought having to actually do this to Twilight. And Pinkie Pie all but fainted on the ground then and there. Looking at each of them Celestia noticed that of all the friends gathered here on this night Twilight was the only one to actually look calm and collected.

“I need you five to fully understand that if Mid…..” Princess Celestia was cut off in mid sentence as a blue skin fist connected with her jaw.

Rainbow Dash fully punched the Princess square in the the jaw effectively causing her to stumble and fall flat on her butt. Looking up into the eyes of the one who had just dared to actually hit her and placing a hand on the tender area of her struck jaw. The princess half smiled as she said calmly yet very grimly to Rainbow Dash. As she rubbed the sore area with her hand back and forth.

“You are lucky I don’t have time to deal with you young one, for if I had the time I would, ‘how would your counterpart put this?’ oh yes, wipe the floor with you!”

Rainbow looked at her eyes fully blazing with hate as she said to her darkly.

“BRING IT!”

Celestia slowly stood up and placing a hand on her sword she glared at Rainbow. She knew that her counterpart in Equestria was brash at times and perhaps even could be a little foolish. But that Rainbow wouldn’t dare lay a hoof on Celestia as this Rainbow Dash had so brazenly did a moment ago. As Rainbow readied herself for what she thought was going to be a really bad fight Twilight ran into stop the two of them.

“Rainbow, Celestia please I beg you both stop this foolishness now before….” Twilight was fully cut off when Rainbow said angrily for all to hear.

“I can’t believe you of all people Twilight actually want to follow this plan of hers. We have already lost one good friend today and now we thanks to this BITCH….” Rainbow was suddenly silenced when Celestia drew her sword and placed it against Rainbow’s throat. Saying to her sternly.

“Say one more word young one, and your head comes off your shoulders!”

Rainbow said nothing further she slowly backed away and sat down on the grass where Sunsets body once was. Looking at her friends with fire burning in her eyes. She couldn’t believe this Princess was a kind ruler nor could she believe that Celestia was any sort of teacher to Twilight let alone friend. A true friend wouldn’t try to kill someone just because they were possessed with an evil spirit. Rainbow thought to herself.

“This Celestia is a real piece of work, what a total bitch our Celestia would never even consider let alone even suggest what she had asked of us. How can Twilight actually follow some one like this?” Rainbow thought as she sat on the cool, cold grass sulking.

“Well now that is out of the way I think we need to actually form a plan as to how to find Twi...er, I mean Midnight and get her to release Twilight.” Twilight said as she looked over at Rainbow who was still sitting on the grass.

“I agree Y’all needing a plan of some sort one that DOESN’T include KILLING our friend. I am a mighty sorry Princess Celestia I know you might not have a choice in this here matter. But Y’all need to realize we have all lost two people that we loved very much. And being asked to flat out do away with that there person is well not acceptable under any reason whatsoever.” Applejack said sternly to Princess Celestia.

Celestia looked at her then narrowed her eyes saying coldly to all that was present.

“I will do what I must to protect my home and my subjects from the monster that Midnight has become. I do not need to explain my actions to you or to any pony for that matter!”

Applejack also narrowed her eyes at Celestia and fully said to her just as coldly as Celestia had spoken to her and her friends.

“I ah fully agree with Rainbow Dash Y’all don’t want to save Twilight you just want to kill her.”

Before anything else could be said between the two of them Twilight had, had enough and yelled out at the top of her lungs.

“ENOUGH! PRINCESS CELESTIA SIT YOUR ASS DOWN NOW! AS FOR THE REST OF YOU SIT DOWN AND DON’T SAY A BUCKING WORD UNTIL THIS MATTER IS SETTLED!”

Celestia couldn’t believe her star student would actually yell at her of all ponies like that. The look of shock plastered on her face told Twilight that her message had indeed gotten across to Celestia. That Twilight and her friends were not going to put up with this plan of hers any further. Celestia was about to say something but a sharp and very loud retort from Twilight silenced her.

“SIT DOWN NOW!”

Celestia did as she was told even though she was not used to being ordered about by her student as if she was a little filly in school. Twilight clearly was shaken by having to yell at her Princess and mentor like that lowered her head in shame while trying to offer some sort of apology for her behavior.

“I...I am..so...sorry Princess...I very much...regret what I have just done...can you forgive me for my behavior towards you.” Twilight said as she lowered her head in shame.

Princess Celestia just smiled warmly to her and softly said.

“Though I may not like being yelled at by my student I fully understand why you did it. Yes I can and will forgive you for this. Alright Twilight you win we will find a way to save your friend that doesn’t include killing her.”

Hearing this Twilight raced up to her Princess and fully embraced her in a tight hug. Princess Celestia accepted the hug and then Twilight looked over to Rainbow Dash who was still sitting on the grass sulking. Looking up at her mentor's eyes Twilight asked Celestia.

“You weren’t really going to kill her if she didn’t keep her mouth shut where you Princess Celestia? Twilight asked as she stared into the eyes of her mentor.

“No my faithful student, but I couldn’t just sit by and let her talk to me like that either. I had to show her that I wasn’t willing to back down and that I was willing to defend myself if the case called for.”

“I see, alright how are we supposed to help Twilight overcome the spirit of Midnight without killing her then?”

“Well like I said earlier before my uh little show down with Rainbow Dash. I think if we all show her memories of who she used to be and the love you all have for her that might get Twilight to forgo her plans for vengeances.  Which in turn would force Midnight out of Twilight and allow me to send her back to Tartarus.” Princess Celestia replied softly to Twilight.

“Instead of sending her back to Tartarus why not send her home or better yet give her a proper burial like we are doing for Sunset?” Asked Twilight as she continued to look up into her mentor's eyes.

“It isn’t as simple as that my faithful student.” Princess Celestia replied as tears started to come down her white snow colored cheeks.

Twilight ended the embrace of her mentor and stepped back from her as Applejack said to both Twilight and Celestia.

“I don’t see why it ain't that simple your majesty I mean if y’all want to end this so that our worlds Twilight can be saved then why not offer Midnight peace. Don’t y’all think that would be better than anything else we y’all could come up with?” Applejack said as she stared into Celestia's eyes.

Celestia looked at Applejack then at Twilight and let out a sigh before speaking again.

“It is not that simple because not only am I the one that……..killed her, but I am also the one that sent her to Tartarus.”

“YOU WHAT!?!”  Exclaimed all five friends at once shocked to hear what Celestia was actually admitting to.

Celestia seeing the shocked looks on the faces of Twilight’s friends lowered her head and almost whispered saying to them.

“It’s true.”

“So what you are telling us is that you killed her and sent her to this uh Tartarus and now she wants what revenge on you is that it?” Rainbow asked as she slowly walked towards Celestia with a tint of anger in her voice.

Celestia placed a hand on the handle of her sword and readied herself for another bout with Rainbow as Rainbow walked up to her. Applejack seeing that Rainbow might actually do something both stupid and foolhardy. Jumped in between the two of them saying to Rainbow as she put both hands onto Rainbow’s shoulders in attempt to stop her friend.

“Now just simmer down there little Missy you don’t know all the details and we need to ah’learn everything that is actually going on. So come on now just come back with me and we can listen to what Celestia has to say. There ain't no reason for a fight Rainbow Dash.”

“I would highly suggest you take your friends advice young one. For I will only give you one single warning. Continue to advance on me and it WILL end badly for you.”

Rainbow seeing that Celestia was ready for any and all attacks against her chose to wisely hold her advancement. Applejack led Rainbow away from Celestia and Twilight stepped forwards saying to all of her friends.

“Look we don’t have time to blame Celestia for has happened to Midnight or for what befell my counterpart in this world. We need to find Midnight... er.... I mean Twilight.... er….whoever and changer her back. The longer we waist playing this stupid ‘who is to blame’ game the stronger Midnight will become. If we don’t act now we might not have a choice in the matter other than to kill her. I for one don’t want that I want to see my friend safely returned to normal. So stop playing games and let's go help our friend.”

“You're right Twilight we need to think this out clearly then form some sort of plan to help Twilight.” Fluttershy said as she looked up from crying her eyes were puffy and read from the initial crying she had done.

Twilight and Celestia looked at the five friends as Rarity spoke after she had gotten the shock caused by what Celestia had actually suggested earlier.

“Alright darlings it looks like we already have a plan so let me get this straight. Step one we go to our homes and get everything or anything that means the most to BOTH Sunset and ourselves. Step two we track down Twilight...er...Midnight….uh who ever and somehow some way get her to sit still long enough to show her the memories of us all being good friends. Step three Celestia sends that monster that has taken over Twilight back to from where she or it came from. Am I right so far and are you all on board with this plan so far?” Rarity said as she looked at each of her friends for any signs that this might actually work.

As the five others stared at her Rarity saw in there eyes a small glimmer of hope that this might actually work. She smiled then slowly rose to her feet and walked over to Celestia and knelt before her saying gently to her.

“If it please’s you your majesty I would like to be the one to drive you to Sunsets and Twilight’s home. However there is one more thing that I feel needs to be discussed before any of us leave here.”

“And that would be what young one?” Celestia said not sure as to what Rarity was employing.

“That is is this, what are we to do with this world's Twilight once we change her back? Her wife’s body is in Equestria and I am more than sure she would want to go there to pay her respects to Sunset. So therefor I was wondering would it …..be to much to ask that she…...be allowed to live there….so that she can be close to her wife?” Rarity spoke with an uncertainty as if she was afraid of the answer she might receive.

Celestia looked at the kneeling Rarity then up at her friends and placed a gentle hand onto her shoulder saying softly to her.

“If this world's Twilight wants to live in Equestria she may do so. I will not stand or step one hoof in her way of doing this. However this must be her choice and her choice alone none of you can make it for her. You all may offer her the choice but as I said you can not make it for her.”

“Thank you your majesty.” Rarity said as she slowly rose and walked back over to her friends.

Celestia satisfied that a plan had been formed and one that didn’t actually involve taking the life of her freind and students counterpart. Looked over at the two vehicles parked in the school's parking lot. Then back over at the five friends sitting on the steps of the school entry way before saying with a bit of a blush coming from her cheeks. She pointed to the vehicles and said to each of them.

“Umm what are we supposed to do with those?”

Rainbow Dash looking in the direction that Celestia was pointing just grinned wickedly and thought to herself after seeing what Celestia was pointing at.

“ooooh payback! This is going to be so much fun.”

Before anyone could stop her Rainbow jumped off the step she had been sitting on and ran up to Celestia saying to her excitedly.

“Follow me, follow me I’ll show you how to get into those and what they are for.”

Celestia quirked an eyebrow at this but did as she was asked. She followed the athlete up to the one of the cars and after watching Rainbow open the door for her. She then asked her.

“Um how am I supposed to get my sword into this…..thing?” Celestia said to Rainbow looking at her with an expectant look on her face.

Rainbow looked at her then down at Celestia's sword and said to her.

“If you like I can place it into the back and it can stay there until we get to our destination?”

“Very well but I warn you fully any tricks on your part and it will be met with the fullest of anger do you fully understand me?” Celestia said as she began to unbuckle her sword and sheath from her waist.

Celestia was not sure if handing over a power weapon such as her sun sword to one as brash as Rainbow was, was a good idea. But, she did at least feel that it would show she was willing to start trusting this young brash athlete. As applejack and the others came up to the car's Rainbow had already hopped into the the car that she and Celestia had been standing next to. Rainbow rubbed her hands together wickedly saying to herself as she sat in the drives side of the car.

“This is going to be so much fun, I am so going to give her the shock of her life.”

Looking up at Celestia Rainbow gestured to the open door and said.

“Get in.”

Celestia lend in and looked around then looked at Rainbow who was still grinning wickedly to her. Rainbow seeing that confusion was starting to set in rolled her eyes and pointed as she spoke to the princess.

“All you have to do is put your feet and legs down on the floor and your butt in the chair then lean back against and take that strap there and place it around your shoulder and waist.”

Before Celestia actually got into the vehicle she handed her sword to Rainbow as Rainbow pressed a button on the dashboard popping open the trunk of the car. Celestia stepped out of the car and looked at the open trunk then back at Rainbow before saying.

“I suppose I am to place my sword in the box you just magically opened right?”

Rainbow again rolled her eyes saying glumly.

“um yeaaah that is the idea I mean we can’t go driving into the city that thing sitting in the back seat. What if he get pulled over and a cop sees that that thing it would end very badly for both of us.”  Rainbow replied as if she was getting annoyed with Celestia.

Celestia said nothing as she walked behind the car and placed her sword into it. Once she returned to the passenger seat and got in. Rainbow pressed another button on the dashboard effectively closing the trunk and locking it tight. Looking over at the princess and saying to her Rainbow grinned even wider as she said.

“Get yourself comfortable I am going to start her up.”

The car roared to life and Rainbow gunned the engine which purred like a newborn kitten. Rainbow fully grinning now slammed on the gas and took off like a bad out of hell. Celestia screamed out as Rainbow’s friends were left standing next to the other car with their mouths gaping open.

“Oh no, she didn’t just I mean she didn’t just do what we all just saw right?” Asked Twilight as she stood there mouth fully open in utter shock at Rainbows antics.

“Oh yes she sure did that little fool is going to herself in big trouble” Applejack said as she to stood there in shock at what Rainbow had just done.

“Why didn’t Celestia insist that Rarity would be the one to drive? Asked Fluttershy nervously as she stood there just as shocked as the rest of her friends by Rainbows actions.

“It’s because Rainbow is well Rainbow and she didn’t give me the chance to get to the car and actually help Celestia learn about our worlds means of transportation. I swear Rainbow can so unladylike at times.” Rarity said angrily as she watched Rainbow spin the car around all while Celestia still screamed out in terror.

Twilight looked at the scene playing out before her eyes. Rainbow was driving up and down the parking lot. Turning the car left and then to the right cause the car to spin in full circles. Then she would slam the brakes on and drive backwards all without looking where she was going. Twilight looked at her friends before saying to them.

“Ok enough of this! We need to put a stop to this before the princess loses her cool with Rainbow or Rainbow does something even more…..” Twilight was cut off when the car came to a complete stop and Rainbow hopped out grinning from ear to ear.

Rainbow looked over at her friends who in turn all just glared at her, Rainbows grin very quickly faded and she sheepishly backed away from the vehicle. Rarity and the others all ran up the car opened the door and let Princess celestia fall out of the car. As soon as she was on solid ground she wretched out the contents of her stomach then fully glared at Rainbow who had a very sheepish expression on her face. Sighing Princess Celestia looked up at the others and asked firmly.

“I would so very much appreciate it if Rarity would be so kind to take over my transport to your homes and NOT Rainbow Dash. Whom I will be having words with about this later on today!” Celestia said as she slowly stood up wiping a hand across her mouth to remove any and all puke that had formed there from her retching.

Looking over at Rainbow Rarity helped the very shaken Princess to the other car. Once she wa safely inside the vehicle all of her friends glared at Rainbow. Before she could say anything Applejack yelled at her.

“GET IN THE OTHER DAMN CAR NOW!”

Rainbow tried to argue but was fully cut off by Applejack.

“But I”

“GET YOUR ASS IN THAT CAR NOW! you are so in BIG trouble for this. I mean WHAT in tar’nation has gotten into you?”

Rainbow said nothing as she circled her right foot on the ground looking down she realized then that all her hard work to become a good friend was now shot all to hell. She had only wanted to have a little fun with the Princess from Equestria and as in usual Rainbow Dash style she blew it. Without a word she walked over to the other car, opened the door and started to get in as Applejack said to her sternly.

“When we get home you are SO cleaning out Star Dusters stable I think that would be a very effective punishment for what you have just pulled here today.”

Rainbow again said nothing as she sniffed and then climbed into the car. Twilight opted to go with Rarity and Celestia while Rainbow having the decision made for her already sat in the other car. Rainbow sat in the back next to Applejack who wanted to make sure that Rainbow wasn’t going to pull any more stupid pranks while on the way to each stop that had to be made. Pinkie sat up front in the passenger seat next to Fluttershy who was sitting in the drivers seat. The friends said nothing further to each other or to Rainbow as they all drove off from the school parking lot.