The New Friend Part 2

"The Element of Courage! We found it!" Twilight cried with joy. But she was also overjoyed to see that Lightning Strike was okay.

"C'mon y'all! Let's stop Midnight! We've got all the Elements now!" Applejack called to the others.

Quickly, the Mane 7 surrounded Midnight Shadow.

"NOW!" Twilight yelled.

The Elements began to glow, rainbows connecting each one. Twilight's eyes glowed white, along with her friends.

"Even with the Elements, you can't defeat me!" Midnight Shadow snarled.

Suddenly, a blast of rainbow colored magic hit Midnight Shadow right square in the chest.

"No! No!! NOOOOO!!" Midnight Shadow cried out as the blast enveloped him.

Finally, the Elements' magic stopped. Twilight Sparkle and her friends stared at the unconscious prince before them. He looked the same. It was as if nothing had happened at all.

But all of Midnight Shadow's shadow ponies dissolved into mist. The Elements of Harmony must have worked!

Shining Armor had done more than just get his armor, he informed the Princesses of the attack! Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had arrived and joined in on the battle.

The two royal sisters backed towards Twilight and her friends, their horns charged with magic. Surrounding them were the changelings and King Sombra.

But when the changelings saw the unconscious Midnight Shadow, they turned tail and fled. This left a very frustrated King Sombra standing all alone.

But the dark unicorn stood his ground, glaring defiantly at the Princesses. Without warning, he charged, immense black crystals erupting from the ground towards the Princesses. His horn glowing with a dark magic aura and his eyes glowing green.

In a flash, Midnight Shadow appeared, placing himself in front of his sisters defensively. His eyes glowed red, the red mist rippling from his eyes. His horn charged with a red aura, and his wings spread wide.

"You will not harm my sisters!" the Prince of Darkness yelled, smashing his front hooves into the ground.

Huge red crystals erupted from the ground, shattering Sombra's and thrusting the crystal king back.

King Sombra narrowed his eyes in rage, but clearly knew he was out powered. Instead of attacking, he vanished into shadow.

"Where's the Crystal Heart?" Cadence asked.

Midnight Shadow blinked. His eyes, Twilight noticed, had changed. They looked like normal eyes now.

"It's okay. It is safe." he said, placing the Crystal Heart back where it belonged.

The crystal ponies cheered, relieved that the threat was gone.

But Midnight Shadow stood gazing at the Empire with sadness. He closed his eyes and bowed his head with a sad sigh.

"Brother," Princess Celestia addressed him, slowly walking up to him.

The prince flinched, but opened his eyes to look sorrowfully at his sisters.

"I-I'm... sorry. I've failed you all. I've failed Equestria.... our parents. Everypony." he said miserably.

"It's okay, Midnight. You're back. That's all that matters."

"But I'm not changed. I can feel it. All the dark magic inside me. The Elements didn't banish the darkness within."

"But you're strong. You can fight it." Celestia said soothingly, embracing her brother. "Come, our subjects in Canterlot will be glad to know that their prince has returned at last."

Midnight Shadow nodded. Then he looked at Twilight and her friends.

"Thank you." he said.

Not knowing what to say, Twilight nodded.

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Back at Ponyville, Twilight, Lightning, their friends, and the cutie mark crusaders were walking to the park. Midnight Shadow had been given a warm welcome, and was with his sisters in Canterlot.

"Well... I'm sorry that you had to go through all that right after becoming our friend." Twilight apologized to Lightning Strike.

"Hey, it's no problem. But, if you like, there is something that could make up for it..." he said, flashing a breathtakingly charming smile.

Twilight's heart started racing. "What would that be?"

With a flap of his wings, Lightning Strike lifted himself off the ground, holding out a hoof to Twilight.

"Would you fly with me?"

"Um... Of course." Twilight said awkwardly, taking his hoof. Together, they flew through the sky.

"Aw, yeah! Flying time! C'mon, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash grinned taking off with a sonic rainboom.

Fluttershy took off more slowly.

Meanwhile, Lightning and Twilight were sitting together on a cloud, watching the sunset.

"You know... I... want to tell you something..." Twilight began slowly.

"Hmm?"

"Um.. Now this might sound crazy... but..." she took a deep breath. "I-I really, really... like.... you..."

Lightning Strike gazed at her, his bright yellow eyes warm. "Ya know... I actually really like you, too." he told her.

For the first time ever, Twilight Sparkle saw Lightning Strike blush. She giggled.

"What?" Lightning asked, a bewildered look on his face as he flicked one ear.

"You're blushing!"

"Oh," he blinked.

Slowly, Twilight leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

Lightning Strike looked at Twilight and then kissed Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle had never actually kissed another pony before. She wrapped her forelegs around his neck, losing herself in the kiss. Lightning Strike's hooves moved down her body and lingered on her flanks.

To her annoyance, Rainbow Dash landed on their cloud. Fluttershy following.

"Whoa, there!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, staring in shock.

Fluttershy gave a little squeak.

Twilight and Lightning stopped kissing. They both stared wide eyed at Rainbow and Fluttershy.

"Uhhh....." they said in unison.

"Okay... flight over." Lightning said, finally finding his voice.

They flew back to the others. Rainbow Dash wasted no time in telling Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie that she caught Twilight and Lightning Strike kissing.

"Awwwww... you kissed?" Pinkie Pie said in a sing songy voice.

"Why, darling, that's lovely! First love is always a wonderful experience." Rarity said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa.... Hold on one pony picking moment! Ya kissed!?" Applejack said in shock. "Wow.... Never saw that comin'!"

Twilight and Lightning Strike blushed.

"Now, now, darlings! Love is nothing to be ashamed about! In fact, I find it quite grand that you two have expressed your feelings for each other!" Rarity said.

"Uh.. Yeah! It's great n' all, but, i just didn't expect it!" Applejack said.

"Yeah, just don't forget that we're still friends, though. Don't leave us hanging." Rainbow Dash smiled teasingly.

The friends laughed. Meanwhile, the moon had risen high in the sky.

Their adventure was over. The Element of Courage was found, and Princess Celestia's brother was back. And, to boot, Twilight had found her special somepony.

Twilight Sparkle was glad that her life was so crazy. Otherwise, she wouldn't be the pony she was.