Chapter 8: Sombra's Last Stand

"What do you mean, the crystal ponies are the key?" Twilight asks Starlight as their chariots fly across the empty streets of the Crystal Empire.

"The prophecy that Toffee Dove talked about," Starlight explains, "I realized it after Crescent Star said there were more like them. We have to convince the crystal ponies to stand up against Sombra, once and for all!"

"I don't understand," Sunburst says, dumbfounded, "What makes you think anypony besides these four-" she gestures at the crystal rebels, who stand guard over the royal couple, "-are willing to help our cause?"

"I have to agree," Twilight adds, "You heard it yourself; Crescent Star said himself that other ponies who got the dream backed out before they could do anything about it."

"I'm telling you, it makes perfect sense," Starlight continues, "Don't you remember what happened when you six defeated me in that village? All it took was a few ponies to go against the grain to fuel the rebellion, which eventually led to you freeing them from my reign. These crystal ponies-" she too gestures towards the crystal rebels, "-are the fuel for the rebellion; everypony else just needs to see what can happen when they decide to go against Sombra themselves!"

"I guess we can try, but how will we convince the entire empire?" Fluttershy asks when they are suddenly thrown to the ground as their chariot gets flipped over by some unseen force. The other chariots stop in their tracks as their passengers disembark to inspect their friends.

"Jumpin' June bugs, what in tarnation happened here?" Applejack demands.

"I don't know," Twilight says, "Something knocked us clean off our carriage."

"It's Sombra again," Shadowluck states, "He's conjuring up more shadow ponies!" and in the distance, the group sees shadows swirling into dark, pony-sized figures.

"Alright, here's what's going to happen," Crescent Star explains, "Toffee, Walnut - you, Sunburst, and Spike take the captain, princess, and Starlight to the hospital; the rest of us will stay here and fight until every last one of Sombra's creations is history."

"We're on it!" Walnut agrees as he and the others pile onto the chariot, "Don't worry, Your Highnesses, we'll protect you al the way!" Once it pulls away, Twilight relays what Starlight told her in the chariot to Crescent Star.

"We won't be able to hold them off for long," she explains, "If there really are more of you who are part of this rebellion, you need to convince them to fight!"

"Hm, that gives me an idea!" Crescent Star exclaims, "Will you six be able to handle yourselves for a little while?"

"Depends on what you mean by a 'little while'," Applejack says, glancing over at the ever-increasing army of shadow ponies.

"Just trust us, we'll be back shortly. Here, take these," Crescent Star says reassuringly as he hands over their scepters, "Come on, Shadowluck, it's time for Operation: Sneak Attack to commence!"

"Finally!" Shadowluck exclaims with an eager grin on his face, and together they take the other chariot towards the middle of the empire. The Mane 6, meanwhile, turn to face Sombra's enormous army of shadows; they part ways to reveal King Sombra himself, standing tall amongst his shadowy creations.

"Are ya'll sure we can do this ourselves?" Applejack asks nervously, "The odds ain't in our favor."

"Are you kidding, AJ?" Rainbow asks, holding her scepter confidently, "I was practically born to do this!"

"As long as we have each other," Twilight agrees, "We'll never surrender to evil!" and with that, the Mane 6 race towards the group of shadows just as Sombra gives his creations the order to charge.

* * * *

"Just keep breathing, dear," Shining Armor says calmly to Cadence, who is anything but calm, as their chariot bounces along the streets towards the hospital.

"It's not right," Starlight thinks out loud, "I should be back there, helping the others with the fight."

"You've done all that you can," Sunburst tells her, "There's nothing else you need to help with."

"That's just it; I don't feel like I've 'done all that I can'," Starlight says, anger seeping into her voice, "Heal me quickly so I can get back there!"

"But we're almost to the hospital," Sunburst urges, "Besides, even if I tried, I might not be able to get rid off all the effects of Sombra's spell."

"It doesn't matter," Starlight says, "Anything that gets me back on my hooves will do. It's the only way I can be honest with myself and my abilities."

Sunburst hesitates a moment longer before finally giving in; once her health is fully restored, Starlight tells him to remain with the others until they arrive at the hospital, then hops off the chariot as it careens down the streets. Not long after it leaves, however, another chariot comes racing towards her and screeches to a stop a few feet away from her.

"Starlight?" Crescent Star calls out as he steps down from the chariot, "What are you doing? You're supposed to be on the way to the hospital!"

"I feel better now; at least, better enough to help you guys," Starlight explains briefly, "What are you guys up to?"

"Take a look," Shadowluck says, gesturing behind the chariot, where Starlight sees a group of ponies gathered, looking hungry for action.

"Are they willing to fight?" Starlight asks.

"And then some," Shadowluck answers excitedly.

"Come on, we've got no time to lose," Crescent Star says, hopping back into the chariot, "Starlight, come help us, we're almost done here."

"What do you have planned?" she asks again.

"You'll see," Crescent Star replies, donning a wicked grin that could give Shadowluck's a run for its money.

* * * *

After Twilight blasts another few shadow ponies away with her magic, she briefly takes in the battle scene before her. Rainbow Dash taking on three or four creatures at the same time with her scepter; Applejack whipping her lasso around, slashing shadow ponies to dust; Pinkie Pie firing off her party cannon and Rarity using the other scepter to her own advantage. Even with all of their efforts, Twilight realizes that at the rate Sombra creates his minions, they will overrun the former Element bearers soon.

"Keep it up, everypony!" she shouts in futile encouragement, "We will-" she is suddenly interrupted as King Sombra materializes directly beside her, startling her and causing her to lose her balance.

"Silly ponies!" Sombra exclaims, lighting up his horn with his dark energy, "When will you learn that you can never get rid of me so easily!" Just as he is about to lay waste to the Princess of Friendship, he is hit from behind by a beam of turquoise magic, distracting him and allowing Twilight to scramble away. She turns around and sees the chariot carrying Crescent Star, Shadowluck, and Starlight return; she sees movement behind them and sees a large group of very aggressive-looking crystal ponies gathering around them.

"That's what you think, Sombra!" Shadowluck retorts.

"What's this?" Sombra says, chuckling, "Finally come to join my side again, my crystal slaaaves?"

"Not quite," Crescent Star joins in, "We're tired of your tyranny and fear, and it's time we take back what's rightfully ours!"

"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?" Sombra laughs as he summons even more shadow ponies to the scene.

"Um, yeah," Starlight whispers, "how will we do that?"

"Just watch," Shadowluck whispers back when all the surrounding crystal ponies abruptly bow their heads down to the ground, causing it to illuminate the entire area around them. The Mane 6 watch as the pulsating magic suddenly shoots toward a more concentrated spot - right underneath Crescent Star, who gets lifted up by some unseen force as he absorbs all the crystal ponies' magic. When the transfer is complete, the crystal rebel looks the same, but changed; his body, legs, and horn all grow longer, a pale blue aura emanates from his eyes, and his entire being shimmers and sparks with fierce energy. Even King Sombra feigns a brief look of stupor as he watches the magic transfer occur.

Crescent Star smirks and looks up at the former leader, "We've grown tired of your antics, Sombra," he speaks with an echo, as if a thousand voices now fill his own, "Now, you will feel OUR wrath!" With that, Crescent Star fires a powerful beam of pure white energy at King Sombra, who counters with his own dark energy; the two are soon locked in a battle of strength as they push against each other's auras.

"Come on, everypony!" Starlight shouts to her friends as she adds her own magic to the mix, "We ALL have to fight back!" Twilight and Rarity soon follow suit and shoot their magic at Sombra while the others keep the shadow ponies at bay; even Shadowluck and Rainbow Dash join the unicorns with their scepters. With one final surge, their magic overtakes Sombra's, cloaking him in the white energy and unleashing a powerful shockwave that disintegrates the last of his shadowy minions but leaves everypony else unharmed. When the smoke clears, all the crystal ponies sigh collectively, as if a large weight had been lifted off their shoulders; in the midst of all this, King Sombra, the former leader of the Crystal Empire, lies unconscious in a deep crater in the field.

"Is he finished?" Fluttershy asks nervously.

"I'd say so," Crescent Star replies as he lets the crystal ponies' magic flow out of him and back to its owners, reverting him back to his original physical form. "We owe you all our utmost gratitude and thanks," he directs towards the Mane 6 and Starlight, "Without your help, Sombra would certainly still be a threat to us and the royal family."

Twilight suddenly gasps, remembering her brother and sister-in-law, "Cadence and Shining Armor! I hope they're okay; come on, everypony!" so the Mane 6, Starlight, and all the crystal ponies gallop away to the hospital to learn the fate of the royal couple.