Chapters Chapter 1: Changeling Attack!
Lightning Strike immediately went into action.
"Crimson Shield! Go get help! Get the Royal Guard, now!" he yelled, charging into Ponyville.
"Yes, Lieutenant Lightning Strike! I'm on my way!" Crimson Shield said, taking off at full speed for Canterlot.
Twilight Sparkle and her friends followed Lightning Strike into the Ponyville town square. When they made it there, they saw complete chaos. Changelings were buzzing around, chasing ponies and ruining fruit stands. The last time Twilight had seen such chaos, the parasprites were to blame! Twilight saw that Queen Chrysalis was watching with glee as she hovered in the air above the chaos.
"You guys have fought changelings before, right?" Lightning Strike asked.
"Yeah. They attacked Canterlot when my brother was getting married." Twilight responded.
"Good. Do your best. Don't get hurt." he paused. "Oh, and by the way, Rainbow Dash,"
"Huh?"
"Chrysalis is mine!" Lightning Strike grinned, taking off in a sonic lightning boom.
Twilight watched as the brave alicorn headed straight at the changeling queen. But before Lightning Strike could reach her, a changeling rammed him from the side. The two crashed into the ground, out of sight.
"Lightning Strike! I need to help him!" Twilight cried.
"Now hold on, Twi! Ya can't go ragin' 'round here right now! You'll get yourself hurt!" Applejack said, grabbing Twilight's tail in her teeth.
Twilight struggled. She had to save him! That changeling that attacked him, she had never seen him before. She felt that Lightning Strike was in trouble.
"Twilight! Stop!" Applejack grunted through a mouthful of tail.
Twilight Sparkle's struggling grew weaker and weaker.
"L-Lightning Strike! N-no!!" she cried, starting to cry.
"Now, now, sugarcube... it's okay. He's fine. Lightning's a tough pony! I'm sure he can handle whatever's goin' on." Applejack said sympathetically, comforting Twilight who started to sob uncontrollably.
"I-I can't lose him!"
"Come on, Twilight! If you wanna help him then start kicking some changeling flank here!" Rainbow Dash said, punching a nearby changeling.
'That's right,' Twilight thought to herself. 'I can't help Lightning Strike by crying like a little filly!'
Twilight wiped the tears away with her hoof, and stood, a look of grim determination on her face.
"Let's do this!" she exclaimed, lunging into battle, her friends at her side.
"Yeeee-haw!!" Applejack cried, sending a changeling flying through the air with a good buck.
Suddenly, there was a rumble of thunder. Twilight looked in the direction the sound had come from. Almost immediately, she saw at least twenty changelings get thrown up into the air as if they were ragdolls. A streak of lightning arched up into the sky and slammed back into the ground, causing several changelings to turn tail and flee with screeches of pure terror.
It was Lightning Strike! He was okay!
Pinkie Pie had grabbed her party cannon from Celestia knows where and started blasting changelings with confetti and streamers. Changelings were buzzing around like crazy.
Then Twilight saw a squad of Royal Guards charge in, led by Crimson Shield. They had help!
With the help of the Royal Guard, Twilight and her friends managed to chase every changeling out of Ponyville. But the town was still kind of beaten up. Ponies were peering out of their houses, their movements slow and cautious.
With a flash, Discord popped up right in the middle of the town square.
"Hello, everyponyyyyyy......." He gawked at the scene in front of him. Then disappeared, just to reappear next to Twilight Sparkle.
"Well, well, well.... All this chaos and nopony invited me? Such a shame!" The draconequus grinned maliciously, snapping his fingers. A camera appeared in his hand and he started to snap pictures of their surroundings.
"But, I must say that I simply love what's been done with the place! It's quite impressive!"
"It's not funny, Discord. Changelings just attacked Ponyville!" Twilight Sparkle informed him dryly.
"Oh," Discord shrugged. "Well, they're gone, now, right?"
Twilight ignored him, trotting along until she found Lightning Strike. To her relief, he was alright.
"You okay, Twilight?" Lightning asked.
"Yeah." she replied.
The group of ponies looked around them. There were a few dead changelings lying on the ground, and some of the royal guards were disposing of them. Twilight had never seen a dead pony before. So the sight of the mangled changelings lying in pools of blood were extre mely sickening. She tore her eyes from the scene, focusing on Lightning Strike instead.
"The changelings being so close to where Midnight Shadow was is not a good sign. It seems that his plan is in motion." Lightning Strike said grimly.
Twilight nodded. They had to find the Element of Courage, and fast.
"We may have to go to him." Lightning mused. "We can't just wait to see what he does next. Ponies might lose their lives that way."
"But I don't want to lose you." Twilight blurted out. She quickly placed a hoof over her mouth, blushing. "... Or any of my friends, I mean." she added quickly.
If Lightning Strike noticed, he didn't show it. But it didn't stop Twilight's embarrassment.
"Well, maybe we should be headin' back to Canterlot. Princess Celestia might've found something out by now. Plus she should know what just happened here." Applejack said with a sigh.
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At Canterlot, Princess Celestia informed them that they might be needed at the Crystal Empire.
"There have been reported sightings of King Sombra around the Empire, and it is causing rising panic. You will be needed there. I fear that... my brother might target the Crystal Empire next."
"Yes, Princess Celestia. You can count on us!" Twilight told the princess.
Now they were on the train, heading for the Crystal Empire. Before they even came to the train station, huge black crystals were visible, protruding from the snow.
"Oh, no..." Twilight muttered.
Though Twilight wanted to believe that everything would be fine, she realized that they really were on the precipice of utter disaster.
Chapter 2: The Return of Courage
Twilight Sparkle and her friends arrived at the Crystal Empire. They found Shining Armor and Princess Cadence frantically trying to calm down their subjects.
"Twily!" Shining Armor called over.
Twilight galloped to her brother and hugged him. "I've missed you so much!" she said.
"Twilight! Thank goodness! We knew you'd come!" Princess Cadence said, the light of hope in her eyes.
"We'll do anything to help!" Twilight vowed.
"Will you, now?" a voice thundered.
A shadowy form loomed above the Empire. It was Midnight Shadow!
"It appears I've been a little predictable with my targets, since Celestia sent you here." Midnight Shadow scowled.
"You're way too predictable, anyways!" Rainbow Dash retorted.
"But, this time, I have guests..." Midnight hissed.
A huge black crystal erupted from the ground. Standing on top of it, was King Sombra. Queen Chrysalis and her changelings buzzed next to him. Then Midnight Shadow ignited his horn.
Misty shadows rose from the ground, forming legions of shadow ponies of every type. Unicorns, pegasi, earth ponies, and even a few alicorns. They were all black with glowing red eyes, and black armor.
They were surrounded!
The citizens of the Crystal Empire scattered, fleeing for their homes in utter terror.
"Shining Armor, sir." Lightning Strike said, standing tensely next to Twilight's brother.
Twilight was surprised by Lightning's respect, but then she remembered, her brother was the captain of the royal guard! Lightning Strike was a lower rank, it all made sense!
"Yes, Lightning?"
"You still have your armor?"
Shining Armor nodded.
"I think you should get it. Go! I'll hold them off until you get back!"
Shining Armor galloped off to the castle to get his armor. At the same time, Twilight heard Midnight Shadow speak.
"Today will be the day that we got what we truly deserved. ATTACK!"
King Sombra dissolved into his shadow form and surged forward. Queen Chrysalis led her changelings forward to attack. Midnight Shadow's shadow ponies advanced like a tidal wave. And Midnight Shadow turned into his pony form and dived down toward Twilight and her friends with terrifying speed.
Twilight and her friends tensed, looking at each other with wide, frightened eyes. Only Lightning Strike remained confident. Twilight Sparkle and her friends had never faced this many foes at once. It was all her and her friends could do to fight their way through the masses of changelings at Shining Armor's wedding! How could she do this?
She jolted back to reality when Midnight Shadow barreled into Lightning Strike. Before she could help, the changeling that had attacked Lightning before landed in front of her.
"Ah... Princess Twilight. My Queen will be pleased to know that I got rid of you once and for all!" he sneered.
Twilight ignited her horn, ready to fight.
"Oh... you want a fight, little princess? I'll give you one! Then you will know to fear Metamorphosis!" Metamorphosis flew forward, horn charged with magic.
Twilight tensed, but Metamorphosis stopped an inch from her face, encased in a yellow glow. She peered around the frustrated changeling to see that Lightning Strike had turned his back on Midnight Shadow to use his magic to grab Metamorphosis! The brave alicorn flung the enraged changeling, who crashed into a nearby house and crumpled to the ground. Twilight and Lightning locked eyes for a moment.
Noticing the connection, Midnight Shadow chuckled darkly. He charged up his long curved horn and fired a blast at Twilight Sparkle.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl. There she was, standing there frozen in utter shock and horror, watching the blast of magic hurtle towards her. Then she saw Lightning Strike throw himself forward. He dove in front of her.....
....and took the blast right in the side.
"NOOOOOOO!!!" Twilight screamed in horror as Lightning Strike fell to the ground and lay there.
His helmet clattered to the ground at her hooves.
An overwhelming mixture of horror, devastation, and utter rage coursed through Twilight's body, making her tremble uncontrollably. She glared at Midnight Shadow, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Midnight Shadow chuckled darkly. "Stupid, stupid soldier.... Compassion is always a great chink in the armor."
"You....." Twilight gritted her teeth in rage. "You... have.... gone... to.... FAR!!"
She sent a blast at Midnight, who dodged it easily.
"Ah.... Rage. Be careful, little one... letting your emotions overwhelm you can make you weak." the dark alicorn said, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"I am not WEAK!!" Twilight screamed, sending another blast. "You're the one who's weak! Feeding off of the fear and hatred of others! You don't deserve to be a prince in Equestria!"
Then, something amazing happened.
Light started to shine brightly from behind Twilight Sparkle. Twilight turned and gasped. Lightning Strike was being raised off the ground, encased in the light. An object that looked like a gem slowly descended from the sky, and placed itself in the shield shaped chest plate of his armor.
The light grew so bright that Twilight had to squint to see what was happening.
Lightning Strike's armor started to morph, until it was utterly majestic. Leg protectors appeared on each leg, and the armor on his flank changed so that his cutie mark, which was a navy blue shield with three lightning bolts on it, was exposed. His eyes were open wide, glowing white. Slowly, he was lowered down onto his hooves.
The light vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Bewildered, Lightning Strike stared at his armor and at Twilight.
Behind Twilight, Midnight Shadow gasped.
"No.... It's -- it's... impossible!"
The gem was yellow, and shaped like a shield.
The seventh Element of Harmony had been found!
Chapter 3: Return of a Prince
"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.
