My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - The Team Light Chronicles

“Not helping Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash said annoyed.

“I wish I was small like you. I wonder what the world would like from your eyes.”

“Wish granted.” Aurachalcum said as a glow appeared from his hoof again.

“Huh?” Pinkie Pie said as she looked toward the glow.

And as soon as she did, she too was imprisoned in a Prison Crystal. Just like Rainbow Dash.

“Oohhh!” Pinkie Pie said as she looked around, “The world’s gotten bigger! Or maybe I got smaller! This is so exciting! Except for the fact that now I’m imprisoned too. So…”

“Hey now!” Applejack shouted as she got out her rope, “Quit imprisoning my friends like that! Time to dance partner!”

“Applejack, wait!” Twilight shouted, “Remember that Aura can-“

But before Twilight could finish, Applejack then spun her rope around and got ready to throw it at Aura. But once she launched it at him, he flew up and grabbed the rope with his mouth. Applejack grew sheepish about what happened now.

“Whoops.” Applejack said as she sweated a little, “Forgot about the whole aura thing.”

Suddenly, Aurachalcum yanked the rope and pulled Applejack over to him and prepared his Prison Crystal ability for her.

“Argh!” Applejack shouted as Aura yanked the rope.

The glow appeared again, and before Applejack hit the ground, she was imprisoned in a Prison Crystal just like Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

“Applejack!” Pinkie Pie welcomed, “You’ve decided to join us too. Oh! I know. We can be little dolls in a doll house and throw a super fun Shrunken Party! Doesn’t that sound fun?!”

“Pinkie Pie.” Applejack scolded.

“Too soon?”

“Aurachalcum!” Lurio shouted as he stepped forward, “Enough of this! Release the ladies now!”

“You!” Aura growled as he looked toward him, “I’ve been meaning to try this ability on you! I’ll never forgive you! You imprisoned me when I did nothing wrong! And you didn’t care at all! And you were hoping to do it again! Well, guess what. Now it’s your turn to know what it’s like!”

“Aurachalcum…” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Has the darkness taken you Aura!?” Lurio exclaimed.

The two then stood on opposite sides. Each filled with anger towards each other. However, Lurio has learned to keep himself within the light and not let his emotions call upon his darkness. The same cannot be said for Aurachalcum.

“Fighting is not right.” Lurio responded to Aura, “I hate having to fight a fellow pony such as yourself. But if you choose this dark path as you are now, then I’m afraid I have no choice. All darkness must be vanquished!”

“Lurio! No!” Twilight shouted as she tried to stop him.

But Lurio paid no attention. He instead go on his hind hooves and prepared an Aura Sphere to launch at Aura.

“Aura Sphere!” Lurio shouted as he threw the Aura Sphere towards Aurachalcum.

Aura remained where he was and floated in the air with his wings and put his hooves out to catch the Aura Sphere. He stopped the Aura Sphere in its tracks and held it for a second. Soon, he absorbed the aura that made the Aura Sphere. Causing the sphere to shrink and disappear.

“What’s this?!” Lurio exclaimed.

“He just absorbed all the aura you used to make the Aura Sphere!” Twilight pointed out.

“He can do that?!” Rarity asked.

“Oh, of course he can.” Polstow answered, “I mean, hello! He’s the Aura Pony! Why do you think he’s called that?! Lurio, here, may be a pony with aura. But Aurachalcum is THE Aura Pony. He can take the aura that you throw at him and make it his own.”

“Stand down Lurio!” Aura demanded, “Your aura is no match against mine! Accept your fate and join the others in their prison!”

“I won’t!” Lurio declined as a dark force suddenly appeared around him, “I won’t let evil go and have their fun!”

Lurio then used his aura to increase his speed and rushed towards Aurachalcum. He threw his hoof to land a hit, but Aura quickly blocked it. Lurio struggled, while Aura held his ground. Both had projected their aura into the hooves of which they’re using at the moment.

“Good heavens!” Rarity yelped, “Did Lurio just try to hurt Aura with his hoof?!”

“Woah!” Rainbow Dash said from her Prison Crystal, “And what’s that around him? That doesn’t look like aura.”

“What’s gotten into you sugar?!” Applejack asked.

“Why?!” Lurio asked Aura as they struggled, “Why are you siding with him?! You said you despised him!”

“That was before I knew he actually saw me as family unlike you!” Aurachalcum shouted as he pushed Lurio back. Ending the struggle.

As soon as Lurio stepped back, he looked at his hoof and noticed the dark force on it. He was shocked at what he saw. The force he saw was his own darkness. He tried to keep his emotions at bay, but his anger towards darkness and the betrayal of Aurachalcum called upon his own darkness. Lurio breathed heavily about the situation and quickly calmed down to keep the darkness in him from getting worse.

Aurachalcum then put his hooves together and prepared an Aura Sphere.

“Aura Sphere!” Aurachalcum shouted as he threw the Aura Sphere at Lurio.

Lurio dodged using his aura, but the Aura Sphere was then headed directly at Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy!” The three ponies in their Prison Crystal shouted as Lurio turned around.

Fluttershy covered her head as the sphere came closer. But before it could touch her, Twilight used her magic to hold the Aura Sphere before it could hit her. However, the Aura Sphere was so strong that Twilight struggled to keep her grip. Lurio sighed in relief.

“Well done, Twilight.” Lurio praised, “But hurry and get rid of it. You can’t hold it for long.”

Twilight then used her magic to throw the Aura Sphere over to one of the windows in the castle. Causing it to leave the castle and fly to the outside.

“Are you okay, Fluttershy?” Twilight asked as she comforted her.

“That was a close one darling.” Rarity commented, “You could’ve been hurt.”

“Aurachalcum…” Fluttershy said softly as she listened to Rarity’s words, “Did you just try to…”

“Aurachalcum!” Lurio shouted as he turned to him again, “Do you see what you almost done?! I sense in your aura that you feel no remorse at all! How can you feel that way?!”

“I’ve had enough of your feeble banter.” Aura said as he raised his hoof towards Lurio.

Lurio knew what was happening and quickly prepared for what was coming. Aura’s hoof then glowed brightly, but Lurio evaded his Prison Crystal ability using his aura.

“Aura!” Lurio said, “I will tell you this one more time! Stop this madness now! I won’t fight you anymore!”

Aura just scoffed and aimed for Lurio again. However, Lurio evaded once again. Leaving Aura irritated. Aura continued to chase down Lurio throughout the Throne Room, hoping to catch him and imprison him. But Lurio somehow evaded every single attempt.

“Yeah, that’s it!” Rainbow Dash cheered, “Keep dodging and then get him when he’s worn out!”

“You’ve got him on the run now!” Applejack said, “Just keep it up partner!”

Aura couldn’t take it anymore and quickly thought of a way to capture Lurio. He peeked over at Rarity and aimed his hoof at her.

“Is he aiming for me?” Rarity asked in worry as she took a step back.

Lurio saw what he was doing. And as soon as Aura’s hoof glowed again, Lurio took action. He used his aura to increase his speed once again.

“Rarity! Watch out!” Lurio shouted as he got in front of her before the glow could reach her.

“Lurio!” Rarity exclaimed as the glow caught Lurio.

When the glow disappeared, Lurio was trapped in a tiny Prison Crystal just like the other three.

“No!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “Not you too!”

“Lurio!” Pinkie Pie shouted.

“This is bad.” Applejack commented, “He was the only one who could match up to Aurachalcum. Ah think Twilight and the others are in for it now.”

“Lurio.” Rarity said as she looked at the Prison Crystal with him in it, “You saved me?”

“I couldn’t let him take another lady.” Lurio said as he looked up at her.

“That was…. That was very brave of you… You didn’t seem scared at all.”

As soon as Aurachalcum landed on the ground closer to the others, Rarity looked up at Aura with an angry face.

“Save the tears.” Aura told Rarity, “You’re joining him.”

“I just can’t believe you.” Rarity said as she huffed, “After everything we taught you. After I showed you all my ideas for my boutique. I thought you were a kind and gentlecolt! But seeing the position that you’re in, I now see I was wrong to think that of you! Now I may just seem like a marvelous mare with a fabulous mind of ideas to you, but I know how to defend myself!”

She then stood on her hind hooves and got prepared to use her martial arts against Aura.

“Lurio saved me from you putting me into a Prison Crystal!” Rarity continued, “Now, and I know it’s un-lady like of me to say, I’ll tear you to pieces!”

She then leaped at Aura to use her martial arts on him. However, as soon as she got close enough to him, Aura then used his ability to imprison her in a crystal. Once Rarity was in the Prison Crystal, she grew red about what happened.

“Oh.” Rarity said as she held her martial arts pose with a red face, “I guess I got too caught up in the moment that I forgot that he can do that.”

“Rarity!” Rainbow Dash groaned as she put her head on her right hoof.

“Gosh darn it Rarity!” Applejack shouted, “What did you think was going to happen?! Now you just made Lurio’s sacrifice go to waste!”

“Heh, heh…” Rarity chuckled in embarrassment as she rubbed the back of her head, “My mistake. Even a lady can make mistakes you know. Nopony is perfect.”

“You know,” Polstow said, “Aura told me that you were stylish, but he didn’t tell me that you were foolish too. Ha!”

“Guess that just leaves the studious one and the quiet one.” Aura said as he walked toward Twilight and Fluttershy.

“Aura, no!” Lurio shouted from his crystal.

“Come on, Aura! Have a heart!” Applejack shouted, “You’ve already got most of us. Leave those two out of this! Especially little Fluttershy!”

“Listen Aura!” Twilight said as she got ready to fight, “What you’re doing isn’t right! What about what you said?! What about friendship?!”

“What about it?!” Aura responded with his angry look.

“Fluttershy! Hide!” Twilight said as she looked at Fluttershy for a brief second.

Fluttershy nodded and quickly took off to hide behind one of the flower pots.

“I don’t want to do this Aura!” Twilight said as she turned back to him, “Please don’t make me have to!”

“The feeling isn’t mutual!” Aura yelled, “Now you’ll feel what it’s like to be in my portable prison!”

Aurachalcum then prepared to imprison Twilight into a crystal as well.

“Look out Twilight!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

But before the glow could reach her, Twilight used a teleportation spell to evade Aura’s ability. The sudden action was one that Aurachalcum did not anticipate and grew puzzled.

“W-what?!” Aura yelped.

“Where did she go!?” Polstow shouted.

Aurachalcum looked around a few times, and suddenly he heard a noise coming from behind him. He turned around fast and saw Twilight standing there preparing some magic in her horn. She then fired a beam of magic at Aurachalcum. Aura quickly blocked it by projecting his aura to make a barrier.

“Yee haa!” Applejack cheered, “That-a-girl! Confuse him with yer magic!”

“Go Twilight!” Pinkie Pie cheered as she mysteriously put some cheerleader clothes on and had pom poms on her front hooves, “Go Twilight! Fight aura with magic! Fight aura with magic!”

“Twilight, watch out!” Lurio warned as he looked at what Aura was doing.

“Think you’re a match for me?!” Aurachalcum exclaimed as he prepared an Aura Sphere, “Try to stop this then!”

“Aura Sphere!” Aurachalcum shouted as he threw his Aura Sphere at Twilight.

Twilight thought fast and quickly used her magic to try and push the Aura Sphere back.

“Grrr… Eh…” Twilight grunted as she tried to put more power to her magic, “Come on…”

She couldn’t keep it stall it for too long however. As the Aura Sphere was too powerful for her magic to rival.

“Twilight!” Rarity said, “The Aura Sphere is getting closer to you!”

“Your magic is nothing compared to my aura!” Aurachalcum told Twilight as he added a small Aura Sphere to the bigger one, “My darkness makes my aura stronger than your magic! Why don’t you quit and join your friends!”

“N-never!” Twilight shouted as she struggled, “I won’t let you and Polstow rule Equestria!”

She then used her magic to teleport again. With nothing holding back the Aura Sphere, the sphere finally flew fast to the area in which Twilight had disappeared from.

“Not again!” Aurachalcum snarled, “Now where’d you go!”

Suddenly, a beam of magic flew right by him. It nearly touched his hoof, but missed by an inch. He turned around fast and saw Twilight standing there with smoke coming from her horn from struggling against the Aura Sphere.

“I won’t give up!” Twilight shouted, “Equestria isn’t Polstow’s to rule over! You know that Aura!”

“No. You’re wrong.” Aura argued, “This world belongs to Polstow! The world is too bright! Only he, the master of darkness, can rule the world in the way in should and only he is to be respected by all the ponies! And I will stop anypony who tries to get in his way!”

Aurachalcum then threw another Aura Sphere at Twilight. However, Twilight teleported again and fired more magic beams at Aura. But Aura evaded every shot.

“That’s it Twilight!” Rainbow Dash cheered, “You’ve got him on the run now! Just keep it up!”

“This is nonsense!” Polstow shouted, “Why hasn’t she be captured yet?!”

“Keep your fur on!” Aurachalcum shouted back as he evaded more magic beams, “I’m trying!”

“I wish…” Fluttershy whispered from behind the pot, “That Aura wouldn’t do this. He’s good. I know he is. So why is he acting like this?”

Aurachalcum had enough with Twilight teleporting and then closed his eyes to tap into his aura. He then looked into Twilight’s aura real deep and picked up where she was going to teleport next.

“You’re doing marvelous darling!” Rarity praised, “make sure you give him twenty for me!”

Aura then raised his hoof up and started the glow again. Twilight teleported, hoping to evade like the last few times. However, as soon as she did, Aura then moved his hoof over to where she was going to be next. And once Twilight teleported to said location, she noticed the glow. And by then, it was too late.

“Oh no!” The ponies exclaimed from their crystal, “Twilight!”

When the glow disappeared, Twilight was imprisoned in a Prison Crystal just like her friends.

“Whew.” Polstow said as he rubbed the sweat off his head, “That’s a relief. For a second I thought you might actually beat him. But what was I thinking? Not having faith in my own servant.”

“No!” Twilight said as she looked around her and saw the see-through crystal around her.

She tried to use her magic to try and escape. But it had no effect at all.

“It’s no use.” Polstow said as he got up from his throne, “I’ve designed Aurachalcum to make Prison Crystal specifically to be immune to any and all types of magic, tricks, aura, darkness, light, and etc. There’s no escape for you. But then again, why would you want to leave? Don’t you want to join your friends for the party?”

“Party?!” Pinkie Pie yelped, “There’s a party?! Can we go?!”

“Of course you can. In fact, I’ve given you invites that you can’t return. So, I hope you enjoy it.”

“But first.” Aurachalcum said as he tapped into his aura again, “There’s one more missing member.”

Aurachalcum then turned to the flower pot that Fluttershy was hiding behind and started walking slowly towards it.

“OH!” Polstow chuckled, “This is so exciting! The very last one. Once she’s taken of then all those who would dare to try and oppose me will be out of the way and I’ll be free to execute my master plan.”

“Your master plan?” Lurio repeated.

“Aurachalcum!” Applejack shouted, “Stop right there you sour apple! Leave Fluttershy alone!”

“She’s very sensitive!” Pinkie Pie shouted, “Mostly when it comes to pranks, but still! Don’t do this Aura!”

“Stop Aura!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “Leave Fluttershy out of this!”

“Take us Aura instead!” Twilight pleaded, “Fluttershy doesn’t deserve this!”

“Please don’t do this Aura!” Rarity begged, “I can’t watch poor Fluttershy get imprisoned like us!”

“Oh, blah, blah, blah!” Polstow mocked, “Would you all can it already?! I’m getting a headache from all your yelling!”

Aurachalcum reached the flower pot and moved it to the side to find Fluttershy shivering at the face of the Aura Pony. Aura then prepared his hoof once again for Fluttershy, making her even more scared than before.

“Aura.” Fluttershy wept in fear, “It’s me. Fluttershy. Remember? I’m your friend. We’re your friends. Right?”

“Don’t you remember?” Aura asked harshly as the glow from his hoof appeared, “I don’t want any.”

As soon as the glow covered her and placed her in a Prison Crystal, the other ponies couldn’t bear to watch it happen. A tear fell from Rarity’s face and the same with Twilight. From the sight of his action, the ponies made it official that Aurachalcum was truly on Polstow’s side.

“Hahaha!” Polstow laughed as he did a little dance to mock the ponies, “Well done Aurachalcum! Well done indeed!”

Aura turned to Polstow, bowed and replied, “Thank you master.”

“Mah stars.” Applejack said quietly, “Ah can’t believe it.”

“How could he do that to poor Fluttershy?” Pinkie Pie asked in sadness.

“Aura.” Twilight said softly, “Why are you doing this?”

“Really now.” Polstow said as he walked over to Aurachalcum and patted his head, “On a scale of one to ten, you are eleven.”

“I live to please, master.” Aura responded.

“And so you shall. Bring them to their room where they shall stay while you and I celebrate our soon victory.”

“As you wish, master.” Aura said.

So after getting a cart, placing each of the Prison Crystals in it, and hooking Aurachalcum up to pull the cart, Lurio had to know exactly what he’s planning.

“You fiend!” Lurio shouted at Polstow from his Prison Crystal, “What is it that you’re planning?!”

“Now that is just rude of you.” Polstow replied, “A simple ‘hey Polstow. What’s on your schedule’ would have been a polite way to go. But like I care. I might as well tell you since none of you are coming out.”

“Just get on with it.” Rainbow Dash demanded, “I’m getting sick of looking at your furry mug!”

“Well, you see.” Polstow began, “Once Aurachalcum decided to serve me again, he told me everything that you told him. Including the one you call, Princess Celestia. Ruler of Equestria, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Celestia?” Twilight asked in fear.

“Don’t you go near her you big-furry-meanie-aura using-darkness wielding-cat!” Pinkie Pie yelled.

“Oh,” Polstow replied with an evil grin, “but how else shall I take her throne and rule all of Equestria in my own way? I’m afraid it just can’t be done if I don’t come in close proximity to her.”

“Steal her light?” Applejack asked with an angry look, “Now how do you plan on doing that?!”

“After seeing what I made Aura do to you,” Polstow said as he glared at Applejack, “I think you’re smart enough to figure out what’s going to happen cowgirl.”

He then started to circle the cart as he continued, “But I might as well tell you since not all of you seem to have well-worked brains if you catch my drift. Aurachalcum shall capture your precious princess in a Prison Crystal once we find her. And once we have her, I shall then place the crystal with said princess onto my staff. Once that’s done, I can then tap into the light within her heart and turn it into darkness and make it my power. Then, I shall become Polstow: The Dark Aura Master Ruler of Equestria! And with you seven out of the way, there won’t be a single pony that can stop me.”

“Oh no.” Fluttershy wept in worry, “Capture Princess Celestia?!”

“And use her light to feed your darkness?!” Rarity added.

“There’s no way that Celestia will let herself get captured that easily!” Twilight argued to Polstow, “She’s too powerful than you and a lot smarter too!”

“Let’s see if you’ll be saying that once I show that I have hostages and that if she doesn’t surrender herself to me, I can’t guarantee their safety.” Polstow snarled with a sneer, “I think it shall be a different story then.”

“You!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “You- You!”

“You mad creature!” Lurio yelled, “Leave the princess alone! You already have a powerful darkness as it is!”

“Yes. I do.” Polstow agreed, “But not powerful enough unfortunately. But I shall deal with that once I’ve celebrated. I have nothing more to say to you now.”

Polstow turned to Aurachalcum, who was strapped to the cart, and ordered, “Take them away!”

“Yes master.” Aura responded as he started pulling the cart and walking to the room to place each crystal.

As Aurachalcum walked the hall to the room, Twilight decided to take advantage of the time they have to get some answers from Aurachalcum.

“Aura!” Twilight said.

“Silence!” Aura demanded, “You are not to talk! I don’t want to hear any of your remorse!”

“Hey, now!” Applejack exclaimed, “No need to talk to her like that! You may be in a better position than us, but at least let us talk to you.”

“Yeah.” Pinkie Pie agreed, “Let’s at least chat before all the big bad stuff happens.”

“You do owe us an explanation darling.” Rarity added.

“A lot of explanations!” Rainbow Dash continued.

“Just listen to us for a minute!” Twilight begged, “I just want to know. Where’s the crystal we were going to use to stop Polstow? Did you take it.”

Aurachalcum answered with, “You mean the one you were planning on sealing me in too? Yes. I took it when I was coming here.”

“Where is it now?” Lurio asked.

Aura stopped walking, turned his head to them and answered with a mad face, “I destroyed it.”

The seven ponies gasped in shock over what they heard. The one thing they had to seal Polstow in was no longer in one piece.

“Destroyed it?!” Twilight exclaimed.

“But that Prison Crystal,” Lurio said, “Was the only way to stop Polstow!”

“You really don’t care!” Aurachalcum said in anger as he continued walking, “You had your heart set on sealing me in there and you didn’t think at all about how I feel about it!”

“But we did, Aura!” Applejack argued, “It was just dumb luck that you didn’t hear us!”

“We care a lot about you!” Pinkie Pie said, “Like a lot! More than how far I can stretch my hooves!”

“I don’t want to hear any more of your lies!” Aura boomed, “Besides, we’re here.”

Aura then entered a room that had shelves waiting on the other side from where the door was. Fluttershy whimpered and cowered from its dark appearance and didn’t seem particularly excited about their stay.

Aurachalcum then approached the shelves, unstrapped himself, and one by one put each Prison Crystal on the shelf. When he carried Fluttershy’s crystal, she tried to convince him to stop his current action.

“Please don’t do this Aura.” Fluttershy begged as Aura carried her crystal, “We’re really sorry about hurting you. Please forgive us.”

“Forgive you?!” Aura barked, “After what you were planning to do to me?! Keeping me from feeling the air, the breeze, fly the endless sky?! After hearing that you wanted me to stay in the prison filled with nothingness?!”

Aura then placed Fluttershy on the shelf and continued, “Not a chance.”

Aurachalcum then proceeded to leave the room with the crystals in their proper place. However…

“Wait!” Twilight shouted, “Aura! Don’t go!”

“What more do you have to say before you’re satisfied?!” Aura asked as he stopped and turned to the ponies in their prisons.

“We messed up. We get that now.” Twilight explained, “We just kept going toward Polstow and made you think that we wanted you gone too. You’re angry and you have every right to be. But let us explain, please.”

“Aura.” Lurio said, “They did treat you like there was no consequence of what would happen in the aftermath. But they only did it because they just wanted you to feel like everything would be alright.”

“That’s right.” Applejack added, “We didn’t mean to hurt you. We just wanted you to feel happy. We didn’t want you to worry.”

“We were hoping to find a way to seal Polstow in the crystal without you going in there as well.” Rarity continued, “We just didn’t tell you because we weren’t sure that there was a way. And if we told you that, then you would feel hesitate.”

“So, we wanted to distract you.” Pinkie Pie said, “Until we could find a solution.”

“Don’t you remember the awesome flying we had?!” Rainbow Dash asked, “You and I were best friends! Sure, I did it just so you’d stay happy while we were figuring things out, but didn’t that mean anything to you!”

“And you’re wrong about one thing Aura.” Lurio said, “We were hesitate. Very hesitate! We hoped that we wouldn’t get here before finding a solution to your problem with darkness!”

“We mean it when we say,” Fluttershy said with a small smile, “That we’re deeply sorry and we shouldn’t have done that to you. If you just give us another chance, I’m sure we can find a way. So that you can still be here while Polstow gets sealed in a crystal. Then you can be free. Doesn’t a world ruled by a wonderful and kind ruler sound more pleasant than an evil dark ruler?”

Aurachalcum’s face didn’t change at all. He only listened to their words and waited for when they were all done.

“Another chance is all we ask for Aurachalcum.” Twilight said as she smiled, “What do you say? Do you forgive us?”

Aura remained still as a rock after Twilight finished her question. The ponies felt their hearts beating a bit faster. Hoping that Aura would accept the offer and free them from the crystals.

“No.” Aura denied as he shook her head left and right, “Never again.”

Aura then continued walking to the door. Leaving the ponies shocked about his answer. Rainbow Dash wouldn’t take it however.

“So that’s it?!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “Everything we taught you, everything you and I did mean nothing to you?! Didn’t you hear anything we said?! We felt sorry for you and we wanted to help you in some way?! And you’re still going to side with Polstow?! Where’s your heart?!”

“You don’t understand!” Aurachalcum shouted as he once again stopped and looked at the ponies, “I tried to side with the light despite that a great darkness lurks in my heart. I hoped that I would be accepted just like you said I would. I thought that maybe… maybe I could be good. But I was wrong. Polstow opened my eyes. No matter how much I want it, even if I have a heart like you do, I’ll never be anything more than a monster of darkness! Nothing will ever change that!”

The ponies looked at his eyes and saw how sharp they were. His anger seemed like it knew no boundaries.

“You ponies,” He continued, “Are just a reminder of who I hoped I could be. Loved ones filled with light. Pure light. No matter how I look at you, all I see is an unreachable dream. One that shall remain so. Because of that, I want nothing to do with you ponies! You thought I actually enjoyed my time with any of you?! That the times I spent with each of you meant something?! You have no idea how wrong you are!”

Fluttershy’s eyes began to water from hearing what he was saying. It was too much for her to bear.

“You ponies,” He growled, “Mean nothing to me. Nopony does. And nopony ever will.”

Once he finished his speech, he left the room without another word. Not one from him, and not one from the prisoned ponies either.

“Mah stars.” Applejack said, “I guess that settles it. Aurachalcum has accepted the darkness.”

“Yeah, well let him.” Rainbow Dash pouted as she turned away and crossed her hooves, “I knew we couldn’t trust him. I can’t believe I actually thought he was cool.”

“I really did think we could help him.” Rarity commented, “If only he could give us another chance. I had so many clothing ideas for him.”

“This is the exact opposite of what I thought would happen.” Pinkie Pie commented as tears fell from her eyes, “I was hoping that Aura would be freed from the darkness that that meanie gave him, then we’d seal him in the Prison Crystal, and then we all celebrate our victory and our new friend. Who I guess was never really our friend after all.”

“I suppose I was wrong.” Lurio said as he covered his eyes with his hat.

“Wrong about what?” Twilight asked.

“About Aurachalcum. As you should know, I have despised darkness with all of my heart. Even the ponies who would dare to use its evil power. Aura, however, was a different story.”

Twilight didn’t interrupt as she wanted to hear the whole story.

“Although darkness was great in his heart and aura,” Lurio continued, “I still felt his light. I even felt it growing stronger as each of you interacted with him. I then speculated that perhaps not all ponies who side with darkness is as evil or iniquitous as I thought they were. That they could change. I thought that maybe Aurachalcum would prove to me that it was so. But I was wrong.”

Twilight couldn’t believe the way Lurio was talking. She had never seen this side of him before.

“Once one becomes one with darkness such as Polstow and Aurachalcum,” Lurio continued, “There is no way of them reforming. They are pure evil and nothing more or less.”

“Don’t talk like that about Aurachalcum!” Twilight argued, “He can change! I know he can!”

“I’m sorry, Twilight.” Lurio replied, “But the truth was right in front of us. There is no denying it. No other way to look at it. Darkness and its users cause ruin to others. Like me, for instance.”

Lurio looked as his right hoof and he continued, “My anger. My rage. My hatred towards darkness. It called upon my own. I noticed once I fought Aura. It’s because he squandered our newly made bond and completely embraced the darkness that my anger caused my darkness to flow. I felt betrayed. I felt lied to. And once I saw what was happening, I knew for sure I was right to hate the darkness. Aurachalcum was right about himself. He is evil just as he thought himself to be.”

“But Aura…” Twilight said, “He said he wanted friendship. I wanted him to know what the magic of friendship truly meant. I didn’t want him to end up like me.”

“I wish I could believe that he wanted friendship.” Lurio responded, “But it seems we were wrong.”

“Hey.” Applejack said to the group, “He said that were all pure lights. What do you think he meant by that?”

“What does it matter?!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “We’ve lost! Polstow will capture Celestia and take Canterlot and rule Equestria! There isn’t anything we can do!”

“So, you’re just going to give up?!” Twilight replied, “But I thought you never give up Rainbow Dash!”

“Look at our position Twilight! We’re stuck inside these stupid rocks with no way out! And once Polstow uses us as a way to persuade Celestia to giving herself up, it’s game over! Polstow has won and we’ve lost! It’s over!”

“I thought Aurachalcum was our friend.” Fluttershy said with a sad voice.

“Well, so did I!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “Guess we were both wrong!”

Tears began to fly from Fluttershy’s face as she thought about the horrible way that Aura looked at them. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash felt tears falling from her eyes too. But she hid herself as she didn’t want the others to see her cry.

“Why?” Fluttershy asked herself as the tears fell, “Why won’t he be the pony I know he is. The pony I see inside? Aurachalcum…”

Meanwhile, somewhere else entirely…

Aurachalcum was lying on the ground with his eyes closed. Lying in a deep dark place where it seemed like an empty dark limbo.

“Achoo!” Aura sneezed as he woke up from his trance.

Once he opened his eyes, Aura stood up on his four hooves, shook his head a few times, and looked around the area.

“W-what?” Aurachalcum said to himself, “Where am I?”

He then looked around him and found himself in an empty town. Uninhabited by ponies, animals, or any living thing of any kind. The air felt cold, and the sky was clouded in darkness. Aurachalcum felt a little frightened of the appearance of the town at first. But swallowed his fear as quickly as he felt it to focus on the task at hoof.

“What town is this?” Aura asked himself as he looked around, “Are there ponies here?”

He then looked around town as he called, “Hello? Is anypony here?”

He had hoped to seek answers from fellow ponies that possibly lived here, but as he searched every house, every store, every cottage, he found that none were in sight.

“There’s nopony here.” Aura said, “It almost feels like a ghost town.”

He felt the wind blow on his chest and mane. He shivered from its cold gustily blow.

“The air.” Aura continued as he shivered, “It’s ice cold. And the town looks dark and sad.”

As he pointed out how the scenery felt, he began to hear something familiar in what he said. He’s mentioned those descriptions before. But in a different manner. Not for a place, but for a living thing.

“Just like…. Me.” Aura finished as he began to feel sadness arise, “This town feels almost exactly like how I feel most of the time. Cold, dark, empty, sad, lonely.”

He looked around the town to see it without a single soul to be seen. He felt isolated from how empty the town was.

“Not a single pony around. An empty town like a prison.” Aura said, “It’s exactly like how I should be. Alone.” He felt the wind again as he continued, “The cold air. Cold. The opposite of warm. Which is exactly what the light must feel like.” He then looked at the dark clouds that floated above as he said, “Those dark clouds. They must be darkness. Something I can only wish to not be.”

As he thought it all through, he began to make a theory about where he was. A theory that had too much evidence to be proven wrong. There couldn’t be any denying it. He knew exactly where he was.

“This is….” Aura said as he closed his eyes, “This is my heart.”

He then opened his eyes again to look up at the sky once again.

“My heart is filled with darkness.” Aura said to himself, “Just as it always has. There’s not a single shred of light anywhere. Even if there was, it wouldn’t be strong enough to cut through all this. Might not even last a second with all this darkness around.”

Aura then remembered what happened that caused him to come here. And one villain responsible for it. Polstow.

“It’s all because of him that I’m here.” Aura growled, “I was stupid to go out on my own like that.”

He remembered everything that happened the other night without leaving out a single bit of detail.

Last night…

Once Aura returned, he had the saddle bag that Lurio wore and had the crystal inside of it.

“I’m coming.” Aurachalcum said to Polstow.

Polstow then grinned big at Aurachalcum’s answer.

“But not to serve you.” Aura continued all of a sudden.

“W-what?” Polstow yelped.

“I’m coming to stop you myself!” Aurachalcum yelled.

“You!” Polstow exclaimed, “You still oppose me?! Even after how these ponies were to you?! Can’t you see that they don’t give a Pegasus’ feather about what happens to you?!”

Aura then looked over at the sleeping group inside the tent again and looked at them with an unpleasant face.

“You’re right about one thing.” Aura replied, “They don’t seem to care at all about what happens to me.” He then turned back to Polstow with a serious face as he continued, “But I don’t care! Even if I don’t mean anything to them, they’re my friends and they mean everything to me! Even if they don’t say I’m their friends, that won’t change a thing about how I see them! Even if it means that I have to spend the rest of my life in the Prison Crystal just so the world will be safe from you, that’s fine with me! I won’t let my friends be threaten by you anymore!”

“Even when your freedom to be taken away again,” Polstow said, “You still wish to stop me?! How noble and foolish of you! Fine then. You wish to challenge me alone? Go ahead. I’ll be waiting for you to give you your rightful punishment for ever betraying me!”

The vision of Polstow vanished after giving the invitation to Aura. As soon as it disappeared, Aurachalcum looked back and saw the sleeping ponies again. He hated to have to do this. But he just couldn’t ask them to come with him any longer.

“Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Lurio,” Aurachalcum said quietly with a weak smile as he began to float in the air, “Thank you all. Thank you for accepting me for who I am. I’m sorry to do this. But I can’t let you all watch what will happen to me. It would be too sad. Goodbye my friends. I’ll never forget you.”

Aurachalcum then flew off to the sky with the saddle back on his back. He then used his aura to sense Polstow’s and hoped to finish the job for good.

“I only wish,” Aura thought as he flew and a tear fell from his eye, “That things could be different.”

He then quickly headed for Polstow’s castle using his aura to increase his speed.

He eventually found Polstow’s castle and quickly barged through the front door with complete confidence and no signs of holding back. He felt completely prepared for what was to come.

“Polstow!” Aurachalcum shouted as he came through the door.

He found Polstow waiting on his throne for Aura to arrive. From hearing his voice, Polstow knew his wait was over.

“Aurachalcum.” Polstow greeted with an evil toothy grin, “I’ve been expecting you. I would’ve prepared a cake, but I’m afraid traitors don’t deserve a warm welcome.”

“It’s over Polstow!” Aurachalcum shouted, “You’re going back into the crystal and you’re staying in there!”

“My, my, aren’t we in a rush.” Polstow commented as his minions appeared from the ground, “Why not have some fun before you seal me in there? I’ve already invited so many of my friends. I’d hate for them to feel like they came here for no entertainment. Don’t make me look like a horrible host.”

“I don’t have time for this.” Aura said as he tapped into his aura to prepare to fight.

The dark minions then came up to Aurachalcum hoping to capture him without trouble. However, they stood no match as Aurachalcum was too strong and too fast for all of them. Without struggling, Aurachalcum defeated every minion that could be seen. Each of them vanishing as soon as Aura dealt with them. Polstow didn’t seem worried however, which was a surprise to Aurachalcum.

“That all of them?” Aura asked as he floated to the ground and faced Polstow.

“Depressingly so.” Polstow said as he got up from his throne, “I suppose that just leaves me. Oh goodie.”

“Enough stalling!” Aura snarled as he floated in the air again and got out the Prison Crystal from the saddle bag, “It’s time to end this!”

He then quickly flew to Polstow and got ready to use the Prison Crystal.

“By the power of this crystal and my aura,” Aurachalcum chanted as the crystal started to glow, “Fall into this prison you accursed Aura Master of Darkness! You will never use your power to hurt Equestria again!”

Soon, a bright light appeared and started to cover both him and Polstow. As the light grew brighter, a tear fell from Aurachalcum’s eye as he thought about the one pony that showed him how he was no different from the friends he’s made.

“Fluttershy.” Aura said softly, “I’ll never forget what you taught me. That I have a heart, just like you.”

The light then filled the whole room. And once it dimmed, Polstow was nowhere to be seen. However, Aurachalcum remained outside of the crystal. Much to his surprise.

“What the?!” Aurachalcum exclaimed as he around his surroundings, “I’m…. I’m still here?! But how?”

He looked at the Prison Crystal and saw that it glowed in a bright light. Proving that the chant worked and Polstow was sealed in the crystal.

“How can I be outside while he’s inside?” Aura asked himself, “I can still feel his darkness. This doesn’t make sense.”

“Perhaps maybe…” A voice suddenly said.

Suddenly the crystal began to shake and soon it broke in to pieces. A bright light appeared then, and Polstow was free once again.

“Your little feeble attempt didn’t work.” Polstow said as the glow disappeared.

“W-what?!” Aurachalcum exclaimed as he floated back a few inches, “Impossible! You shouldn’t be able to do that!”

“Did you really think that I could be kept inside the exact same kind of prison that I’ve already been inside once?!” Polstoe asked, “Really now Aura. You can’t expect me to just go and let myself get captured so easily like that. I’m an Aura Master. And everyone knows that you can’t fool a master.”

Aurachalcum felt frightened. With the Prison Crystal destroyed and with him knowing a way to escape from it, it seemed like he lost all hope to saving Equestria.

“What’s that I feel in your aura?” Polstow said, “Ah yes. It’s fear. Look how weak you’ve grown. Just like all ponies. If you’d just stay loyal to me like you always have then we wouldn’t be here, now would we?”

Suddenly, from behind Aurachalcum, a dark bear appeared and made a loud growl.

“Huh?” Aura said as he turned around to see the dark bear.

But by the time he got a look at it, it was too late. The dark bear quickly grabbed him and held him tight so that he couldn’t escape its grip.

“N-no!” Aura grumbled as he struggled to break free, “Let me go!”

“Now that I have you right where I want you,” Polstow said as he got walked up to the captured Aurachalcum, “It’s time to fix the mistake I made when I created you.” He then raised his staff in the air and then pointed it at Aura as he continued, “To take away the one thing holding you back from being the faithful servant you were meant to be! Your free will!”

Suddenly, a glow purple glow started to appear around Aurachalcum and the glow started to flow over to Polstow’s staff. Aurachalcum felt strain on his body as the glow flowed over to the staff and he started to feel different as it did.

“No!” Aura said as he started to feel his free will fading away, “Please don’t!”

“Now whether you like it or not,” Polstow shouted, “You will accept the darkness in your heart and become the servant you were meant to be! Loyal only to me! Enemy to all except me! You will never feel the light again!”

“NOOOOOO!” Aurachalcum screamed from the top of his lungs as the glow around him soon disappeared.

As soon as the glow went away, Aurachalcum suddenly stopped moving and struggling. His head leaned down with his eyes shut.

“Release him.” Polstow ordered the dark bear.

The dark bear did as he said and released his grip on Aura. Aurachalcum then fell to the ground and didn’t make a single move. Polstow hoped that his magic worked and that Aurachalcum would serve him again.

“My faithful servant,” Polstow said at the motionless pony, “Rise up.”

Slowly, Aurachalcum did as he said and got up on each hoof with some struggle. Soon, he stood up tall and faced Polstow with a focused face.

“How may I serve you my master?” Aurachalcum asked as he bowed to Polstow.

“Hahahaha!” Polstow laughed as he did a little dance to celebrate, “It worked! It really worked! His free will is no more! Nothing to have him show weakness! Nothing that can make him betray me again! Oh, and his aura. I can feel it. The light that somehow grew stronger is now weakening back to the level where it belongs. His darkness is now even stronger than ever.”

Polstow then came up to Aura and asked, “Tell me now my faithful servant. Who are you and what is your purpose?”

“I am Aurachalcum.” Aurachalcum answered, “The Aura Pony. One with darkness. With the sole purpose of serving the greatest Aura Master and the one most powerful with darkness. You, Polstow. Anypony who dares to defy you will answer to me. Anypony who sides with light is my enemy.”

“All good answers.” Polstow replied with a smile as he patted Aurachalcum on the head, “Good job my pet.”

Polstow then remembered Lurio and the other six ponies that Aura traveled with.

“No doubt about it that those fools you traveled with will be coming here.” Polstow said, “Not that I’m worried. Because the one thing they needed to defeat me is now gone. And plus, I’ve got a secret weapon at my disposal again. With him by my side one again, they stand no chance against me. I doubt I’ll even need those idiotic dark minions anymore.”

“About those ponies.” Aurachalcum said, “They told me some things that you may want to hear. Something that could benefit us.”

“So, they did.” Polstow replied, “Well I’d love to hear it. And while you tell me everything they told you, I have a special gift to bestow upon you. Come with me.”

Aurachalcum followed Polstow to the upper floor as he said, “Yes, my master.”

Present…

“That snake.” Aurachalcum said as he thought about what happened, “He must’ve been ready for when I would deny him. He set that up just so he can have me serve him again. Now because of how foolish I was to go on my own, I’m stuck down here in my heart. With nopony to talk to.”

Aurachalcum began to feel upset about what happened and how things could’ve been different if he hadn’t let Polstow get to him the way he did. To avoid the unfortunate denouement.

“I wonder what he’s making me do on the outside.” Aura thought out loud as he looked up in the sky once again, “If only I could see.”

He looked to his right and found a thin mirror leaning on a well in the town. He flew over to the mirror to look into his reflection.

If one were to be with him at that moment, they would see an exact copy of the pony standing in front of the mirror. However, Aurachalcum saw something different. He saw a pony with a dream that seemed impossible. He saw the pony who treated others horribly just to protect them. The pony created by an evil Aura Master with the purpose of serving that master. And a pony whose heart is completely clouded in darkness. From which he hoped to be free from.

“I hoped to look in this mirror,” Aurachalcum said, “And see a pony that can fit in with the rest of the world. A pony that anypony could want to be friends with.” He closed his eyes tight as he continued, “But I guess no matter what I do or what I see, all I see in this mirror is a pony who can only wish to be anything than what he is now. A pony who can only hope for things to be different. A pony who had friends, but left them all behind all because he was afraid.”

Suddenly, the mirror started to glow and gave Aura a little startle.

“W-what’s going on?” Aura asked as he watched the mirror glow.

Once the glow vanished, Aurachalcum’s reflection was no longer in sight. Instead, something else came up. Events that seemed to be seen from a pony’s eyes. Aurachalcum noticed the scenery and knew where that even was taking place. Polstow’s castle.

“Is this what’s happening outside of my heart?” Aurachalcum asked as he looked closer at the mirror, “What’s happening right now?”

Aura then noticed that his new friends were present and that they all seemed surprised at something.

“Twilight?” Aura said as he looked at the seven ponies, “Lurio? Fluttershy? What are they all doing here?”

He continued to watch the events happening and saw that Rainbow Dash tried to tackle him once, and tried again. But failed both times.

“Rainbow Dash?” Aura perplexed as he grew worried about what he saw, “Why are we fighting? We’re supposed to be friends!”

Suddenly, a glow appeared from the mirror and caused Aura to cover his eyes as it glowed brighter.

“Geh.” Aura mumbled as he covered his eyes from the bright glow, “W-what happened? What did I do?”

He then looked at the mirror again once the glow disappeared, and much to his surprise, Rainbow Dash was trapped in a see-through Prison Crystal.

“What?!” Aurachalcum exclaimed as he looked at Rainbow Dash’s position, “Did I do that?! How did I do that?! Why did I do that?! Rainbow Dash! No!”

He continued to watch the events, and he watched as he saw Pinkie Pie get captured next.

“Pinkie Pie!” Aurachalcum yelled.

Applejack came next, and then Lurio was next to step up. Both were captured just the same as the ones before.

“No.” Aura said softly as he felt terrified about what was happening before him, “No. No. No. Please stop! Don’t do this to them! They’re my friends! Why am I doing this?!”

Soon, Rarity was to be captured next and the Twilight Sparkle. But Aurachalcum’s felt his heart break completely when he saw poor Fluttershy be saved for last. It was then Aurachalcum was completely at a loss for words and just didn’t want to believe what he saw.

“Fluttershy.” Aura choked as he felt his eyes beginning to water, “Not you too.”

Aurachalcum then grew angry at Polstow for turning him into the monster that he was outside. Seeing himself capture Fluttershy without showing any signs of sorrow or hesitation was more than Aura can bear.

“Polstow.” Aura growled softly, “What have you turned me into?! You monster!”

He continued to watch the events outside and eventually got to the point where he witnessed the ponies in their crystals being placed on the shelves. He could tell a conversation was being held and from the looks on his friends’ faces, the Aurachalcum on the outside was hurting all of them badly.

“What am I saying to them?!” Aurachalcum exclaimed as his tears finally fell, “What?! What am I saying?! Why can’t I hear them!?”

Suddenly, a voice came up from the mirro. And Aura recognized the voice as it was his own voice talking.

“You ponies,” The voice from the mirror said in anger, “Mean nothing to me. Nopony does and no pony ever will.”

“No.” Aurachalcum denied as his tears fell faster, “No! Applejack! Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy! Don’t listen to me! It’s not true! What I’m saying isn’t true! You all mean more to me than you can ever imagine! I would never say any of those things for real! You all are my friends! My best friends!” Aurachalcum then calmed down as his tears continued to fall and finished with, “My only friends…”

Aurachalcum knew then that shouting in the mirror was pointless and none of the ponies from the outside could hear him. He began to sob and choke as he leaned down from the mirror and sat down on the ground.

“I didn’t want this to happen.” Aura cried as he looked at both of his hooves, “I only wanted to be good. I only wanted to make friends. Why couldn’t I have been created differently?”

Aura then covered his face with his two hooves and cried really hard about what happened and what he’s become outside of his heart. The inside of his heart was no better and just made his sadness worse. The tears that fell from his eyes mostly landed on his hooves. However, a drop or two hit the ground instead.

“Fluttershy.” Aurachalcum cried as he sniffed in sadness, “I’m sorry. I tried. I really did try.”

Aurachalcum then remained where he was and continued to cry in what he may now seem to be in an endless sadness. As he now saw no reason to ever smile again.

“I’ll never be part of light.” Aura said as he continued to cry, “Never.”

Outside of Aurachalcum’s heart…

Polstow was in his throne room and threw a party to celebrate his soon-to-be-victory. He felt like he was on top of the world and that nothing could knock him down.

“Oh, what a joyous day!” Polstow cheered, “Eh, Aurachalcum?”

Aurachalcum stood still and straight and kept a focused look in his eyes. Polstow seemed rather disappointed about his position and hoped that he would party just as he was.

“Very soon, once I’m all partied out, you and I shall rule all of Equestria with a great and powerful darkness and nopony will be able to do anything about it. It will be paradise for both of us.”

“Of course, master.” Aura replied, “It’s all you ever wanted.”

“You know.” Polstow said, “It’s okay to be a little different. You may not have free will anymore, but you can at least act more excited for our upcoming victory. It’ll look super awkward for me if I’m the only one to celebrate. Why do you think everyone dances on the dancefloor at a dance party? Because if they didn’t, then it would just be plain weird. So, do your master a favor and just lighten up a little?”

“Yes, master.” Aura replied with his same serious voice, “Sorry, master.”

Polstow then grew disappointed face from Aurachalcum’s tone as it was not the reaction he hoped for.

“Eh, oh well.” Polstow settled as he shrugged his shoulders, “Be as you may. Besides, you know what they say: if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Of course, you were broken before, but not anymore since I fixed that about you. No more meddling and acting all treacherous like before. Am I right?”

“I would not dream of it master.” Aurachalcum replied.

The hours ticked away and Polstow continued to dance the daylight away for his victory. And as soon as the sun started to set, he knew it was time to execute his plan.

“I believe that’ll do for the victory party.” Polstow commented as he looked outside to see the shining moon, “Now is the best time for us to awaken our moment of triumph. Why don’t you go fetch the prisoners so we can go capture the princess?”

“Yes, master.” Aurachalcum replied as he walked to the room where he left Twilight and the others.

“Just hearing you say that puts butterflies in my stomach.” Polstow replied, “You’re far cry from how you originally were. You deserve a special kind of hay tonight.”

The room with Twilight and the others…

“Woo wee.” Applejack said as she rubbed her stomach, “Anypony else starting feel a little hungry? We’ve been in these darn crystals for so long and we haven’t had a bite to eat.”

“I’m more worried about my mane.” Rarity replied, “I didn’t bother to bring a brush and now I don’t have anything to keep my mane from looking horrible.”

“I admit.” Lurio said, “I too am bother about being imprisoned as we are for too long.”

“This is definitely not like how I thought it would be when I imagined myself shrinking.” Pinkie Pie said, “I thought that I’d get accidently shrunken by one of Twilight’s spells and I’d go on this crazy adventure with tall grass, meet giant bugs who look more menacing up close and then when I thought I was about to be eaten by a pony whose eating cereal, I finally get noticed and everything gets set right.”

“I don’t know where you got that kind of idea,” Applejack responded, “But being small twice isn’t my cup of tea.”

Suddenly, the door opened and Aurachalcum came through it. The ponies grew nervous about what was about to come from him.

“It’s time.” Aurachalcum said to the imprisoned ponies, “I hope you’ve prepared yourself for when the princess loses her throne.”

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked in worry, “Is it time already?”

“There’s no way she’ll surrender to you or your ugly cat pet!” Applejack yelled, “She’s not afraid of anypony!”

“How brazen can you be?” Aura asked as he shut his eyes, “Once we show her that we have all of you captured, she’ll have no choice. So why don’t you just accept that?”

Aurachalcum proceeded to obtain all the Prison Crystals and placed them on the cart once again. He then strapped himself to the cart and walked out the door with the cart.

“I hate to censure you.” Lurio said as Aura pulled the cart, “But you are a most foul pony! I didn’t want to believe that you’ve embraced the darkness! But I can see now it is plain and simple! There is no sign of you turning your back on the darkness now, is there?!”

“See?” Aura asked the six other ponies, “He seems to get it. Why don’t all of you?”

The ponies didn’t respond as they were all hurt from Aurachalcum’s harsh words. They wished to not be hurt by his words any longer.

“Aura.” Applejack said, “All ah can say at this point is: ah hope you’re happy with yer choice.”

“Yeah.” Pinkie Pie agreed, “I sure hope you are. After all, all I want is for everypony to be happy. And it seems like you are.”

The silence grew again. The ponies didn’t feel like talking anymore. All seemed quiet, until…

“Woah!” Pinkie Pie yelped as she shook up and down all of a sudden.

The other ponies noticed her shaking and quickly knew what was happening.

“Huh?” Twilight said as she looked over at Pinkie, “Pinkie? Wasn’t that you’re doozy sense?”

“It sure was.” Pinkie Pie answered, “But if I’m still getting that, then that means the doozy hasn’t happened yet.”

“The doozy hasn’t happened yet?” Fluttershy asked.

“Who cares about the doozy?!” Rainbow Dash yelled, “Nothing can help us now!”

“But Rainbow Dash.” Applejack said, “Aurachalcum betrayed us and is siding with Polstow. And yet Pinkie Pie’s doozy sense isn’t gone yet. Ain’ that weird that something as doozy as this isn’t the doozy that Pinkie Pie is picking up?”

“Perhaps maybe,” Rarity thought aloud, “Maybe this doozy is one that’ll help us. Maybe we still have a chance to save Equestria.”

“Don’t bet on it.” Aurachalcum argued, “There’s no hope left for any of you.”

“Pinkie Pie.” Lurio said, “I’m afraid he’s right. What good will this doozy do for any of us?”

“I do know one thing Lurio.” Pinkie Pie replied, “My doozy sense doesn’t stop sensing until the doozy happens.”

“Let’s just hope that whatever the doozy is,” Twilight hoped, “That it’s one that’ll turn things around for us.”

Aurachalcum arrived to his master, Polstow. Who seemed in a happy mood. This happy mood, however, was not one that Pinkie Pie liked.

“What a happy day indeed!” Polstow cheered as he looked over at the Prison Crystals, “Oh I just can’t wait to see your faces once all the light in your land and possibly the world disappears!”

“You look happy.” Pinkie Pie said with an angry look, “But it’s not the kind of happy I want to make!”

“Well that’s just too bad. Because we don’t always get what we want! But I do!”

He then turned to Aurachalcum and asked, “Shall we take off?”

“Indeed, master.” Aura replied, “Shall I use my aura to guide us?”

“No need.” Polstow denied, “I shall take the lead. For I want to be the one who feels the aura of my soon-to-be servants.”

“As you wish, master.”

Polstow then tapped into his aura and began walking outside the castle. Aurachalcum followed soon afterward. Carrying the cart with him.

“Very soon, my little ponies,” Polstow said as they started making distance from the castle, “You will find not a single touch of light in your world anymore. For in every inch, every quarter, every hole for a rat to hide in, you will only find darkness. I sure do hope you’ve had a pleasant time for the last for moments you felt the light. Because if not, too bad.”

The ponies didn’t say anything as they didn’t feel like talking at the moment. Polstow didn’t approve of that and decided to encourage them to start a conversation.

“Now don’t be like that.” Polstow said, “Why keep things so quiet? This won’t make for an interesting story for when my servants ask me how I came to be the ruler I shall soon be. It was a long and quiet journey, where none of the travelers said anything at all. Almost as if they couldn’t talk. No, no. This just won’t do.”

“Maybe we don’t want to talk to you.” Rainbow Dash growled, “Haven’t you thought of that?”

“Now that’s just rude.” Polstow replied in a fake offended voice, “A simple, no thank you I’d rather not talk, would’ve sufficed. No need to treat me so rashly.”

“Ah think we’ve got all the reason to talk to you like that.” Applejack argued, “Considering you’re as about as sweet as a bull going on a rampage in the middle of a wedding!”

“I, too, have nothing more to say to you.” Lurio added.

“Well at least say something to my faithful servant here.” Polstow said, “He’s a pony like you are. Surely there’s something else you’d like to know from him.”

“There is one thing actually.” Twilight said as something came up in her head.

“What is it?!” Aura asked in an annoyed tone.

“You called us pure lights back at the castle. What did you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.” Aura answered, “You and your five friends are pure of light just like Princess Celestia. Not a single touch of darkness in your hearts. I felt it in your aura.”

“We’re all pure light?” Rarity asked, “Hmph. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say your trying to dazzle me. Well, I’m flattered since that’s the first nice thing you’ve said since you’ve stabbed us in the back.”

“Lurio?” Twilight said as she turned towards Lurio, “Did you feel that in our aura?”

“I did.” Lurio answered with a nod, “What he’s saying is correct. You and your friends are six pure lights. Completely void of darkness. Supposedly it’s because you six are to represent the six elements of friendship.”

“While you six are indeed pure,” Polstow explained, “I’m afraid your light isn’t what I’m looking for. Princess Celestia, on the other hoof, has exactly what I’m looking for. Since she has a great magic. Her light is incomparable.”

“Ah wish ah could be happy that we don’t have darkness in our hearts.” Applejack said, “But since we can’t celebrate while we’re in these see-through crystal-clear rocks, there ain’ anything to be happy about right now.”

“I’ll say.” Pinkie Pie agreed, “I don’t do well in small places like this. There’s not enough room for decorations for a swell party!”

“Lurio.” Polstow said, “Don’t feel too disappointed. There was never any chance for you to be pure like your friends anyway. You’re more of a moderate light in a sense. Though, I did sense darkness growing strong inside you for a brief moment. Care to embrace that? You can join us if you accept.”

“Not on your life!” Lurio denied harshly.

“Hmm…” Polstow hummed, “I was afraid you’d say that. Aurachalcum has embraced the true darkness. I just thought maybe your darkness could be something greater. But of course, you choose to be weak like all ponies.”

“I wish to not discuss with you anymore.” Lurio replied as he turned away.

“Suit yourself.” Polstow responded, “But that just means your retreating.”

So, the group stayed quiet for some part of the journey to Ponyville. By the time they got about halfway there, the night rolled by. And Polstow grew excited about when they’ll arrive in the town.

“Halfway there my little ponies.” Polstow told the captured group, “Enjoying the light this world has? Good. Because soon, that’ll be against the law.”

Nearby, a blue bird in a nest with its parents saw the group pass by. The blue bird saw Aurachalcum and recognized him immediately. The bird felt happy to see him again, and thought to fly towards him. However, as soon as it got close enough to get a better view, it noticed Polstow traveling with him and that the other ponies were captured in crystals.

The blue bird didn’t know what to make of the situation, but thought that it had to try and do something. Leaving its parents behind, the bird quickly flew over to the group. The parents seemed worried, but they stayed strong as they believed in their child.

“I wonder if I should redesign the castle that Celestia lives in when I rule Equestria.” Polstow said out loud as they walked, “Perhaps give it a feeling like oblivion is on the horizon. That once you enter, you won’t come out the same? What do you think Aura?”

Aurachalcum replied with, “Whatever you wish for is-“

Suddenly, before he could finish, the blue bird that he met before came flying down and started flying around Aurachalcum.

“Huh? Hey! What?!” Aurachalcum exclaimed as the bird flew around him, “What’s going on?!”

Aura then tried to lock on to the bird, but the bird was too fast and he couldn’t keep it in view. As Aura tried to get a good look at it, he was shaking the cart. Causing the prisoners to feel the rumbling.

“Woah!” Rainbow Dash shouted as her crystal bounced, “Feels like an earthquake!”

“Weeee!” Pinkie Pie cheered as her crystal bounced, “This feels like a bouncy house!”

“Goodness me!” Rarity said as her crystal bounced, “What in Celestia’s name is he doing?!”

“This is unexpecting behavior!” Lurio responded as his crystal bounced.

Fluttershy looked up and saw what Aurachalcum was doing. As soon as she took a good look, she noticed the blue bird flying around.

“It’s the blue bird.” Fluttershy said, “The one Aurachalcum and I met at the lake.”

“Huh?” Applejack replied, “What’s it doing here?”

Polstow noticed Aurachalcum moving his head around trying to look at the bird and felt embarrassed by his sudden action.

“What are you doing?!” Polstow demanded, “You’re acting like a fool!”

“S-sorry, master.” Aura apologized as the bird finally stopped and floated in front of his face, “This bird is just giving me a hard….”

Aurachalcum looked at the bird with an aggravated look at first. But as soon as he got a better look at the feathered creature, his expression then changed. He felt something suddenly. He then found himself and the bird looking eye to eye for a moment.

“What’re they doing now?” Applejack asked as she watched the current event.

“Are they having a staring contest?” Pinkie Pie asked, “Oh! I wanna play!”

“The bird.” Fluttershy said, “I think it’s trying to remind Aurachalcum about who it is and what a nice pony Aura truly is.”

“Aura looks hypnotized.” Twilight said, “Is that the same bird you told us about?”

“Yes. That’s the bird whose mother was hurt really bad.”

“This looks so corny.” Rainbow Dash commented, “How’s that bird going to help us?”

“Though this does seem a bit childish,” Lurio replied, “You must remember that help can come from unexpected places and creatures.”

Aurachalcum continued looking into the bird’s eyes and remained perfectly still as he did.

Inside Aurachalcum’s heart…

Aura continued to cry about what has happened and how he may never be one with light. He just felt like nothing could break him from his sadness. Suddenly, something came up in the mirror and Aura took a peek.

The blue bird from the lake was in front of the Aurachalcum from the outside. And for some strange reason, the Aura from the outside world didn’t move at all once the bird came in view. Aurachalcum, with tear trails on his face, smiled weakly at the face of the bird.

“That bird.” Aura said with a sad tone, “It wanted me to try and be like them. If only that were possible.”

Aura’s smile disappeared as he looked down again and continued, “That bird’s probably not so happy to see me now anymore. I don’t blame it. Nopony would ever be happy to see me now.”

Aura then started to cry again. Though not as hard as before since he has calmed down a bit.

Aurachalcum felt completely alone. No creature in sight and the mirror being the only window to the outside. Though not a good one since Polstow is forcing his outside self to do his bidding. The bird made Aura feel happy, but only for a second.

“Hey.” A voice from the distance suddenly said.

Aura heard the voice and quickly raised his head and turned it to the direction the voice came from.

“What?” Aura said as he got up on his four hooves and looked around, “Who’s there?! Show yourself!”

The voice didn’t respond. Aura felt sadden by its silence. He felt like somepony was here after all.

“Please answer!” Aura begged, “Please! It’s lonely here. I want to talk to somepony.”

“Here I am.” The voice said finally.

Aurachalcum looked up in the sky and saw a strange orb of light floating down. The orb of light then came to him up close.

“There you are.” The orb of light said, “I’ve been looking all over for you. Pretty dark. Don’t you think?”

Aurachalcum was marveled at the sight of this strange orb that appeared from the sky. The voice sounded like it belong to a mare. He wondered what it was and why it was here.

“Who… who are you?” Aura asked.

“I’m,” The voice replied, “The answer to your prayers. Got it memorized?”

Aura didn’t know exactly what it meant by that. But all he could think about was that he finally had somepony to talk to.

“It’s good to see that I can talk to somepony finally.” Aura said, “This town is just completely empty. It looks like nopony has lived here in years.”

“Yeah.” The voice said, “Talk about a fixer-upper. This town sure has seen better days.” The voice then went to ask, “So, is this your heart or something?”

“Yes.” Aura answered as he looked at the town, “This is my heart. It’s dark, lonely, and cold just like me.” He then looked back at the voice and asked, “How did you get here?”

“Well,” The voice began, “I felt that you were hurting, and my friend suggested that I should come see you and find out what’s up.”

“You felt me hurting?” Aura asked.

“Apparently.” The voice answered, “It kind of made it look like I was crying when I wasn’t feeling sad. It just kept happening constantly and then I finally asked my friend why this was happening. She suggested that somepony needed a friend, and now here I am.”

“This friend you have…” Aura said, “She must be really smart.”

“Yeah. Though a bit nit-picky at times. When she told me about what I should do, I thought that she was crazy. But I guess if six ponies can use six great elemental items of friendship, then this is perfectly normal.”

“Heh, heh.” Aura chuckled.

“But enough about that.” The voice said, “What’s bothering you?”

Aurachalcum took a deep breath and prepared to tell the mysterious voice about the story.

“I thought I could be good.” Aura explained, “I thought I could be part of the light. But both dreams turned out to be impossible in the end.”

“Impossible?” The voice asked.

“No matter how hard I tried,” Aura continued, “I always felt the darkness in my heart. And now I’m stuck all the way down here in my heart while the me outside does whatever his master says.”

“The you outside?” The voice said.

“This villain named Polstow took my free will away and now I’m down here.”

“Oh.” The voice replied, “So basically, you’re the free will the you outside had before, but now since he doesn’t have any free will anymore your trapped down here while the you outside takes orders against his will?”

“Exactly.” Aurachalcum responded, “And it’s all because I can’t let go of darkness. And now there’s no way for me to stop whatever I’m going to do outside.”

“Well,” The voice said, “It would seem like you’re in quite a pickle.”

“Tell me about it.” Aurachalcum said as he looked away, “I can’t imagine anypony less lucky than me.”

“Yeah. There’s no way anypony can be unluckier than you.” The voice agreed without haste.

Aurachalcum felt surprised at the response of the voice. He felt like the voice was no longer here to help and instead was here to insult.

“But that doesn’t mean,” The voice continued, “That other ponies don’t feel your pain.”

Aura then pondered those words and wondered what the voice meant by that.

“I’m sure there are times where we all feel like we’re lost in darkness.” The voice explained, “But maybe it’s those kinds of ponies that are really special. The greater our darkness, the more ponies will notice and want to help us all escape from that darkness. There were times where I felt like I couldn’t be happy after a bad day. But my friend is always there for me. And somehow, she always manages to get me back to feeling bright as day. Got it memorized?”

Aurachalcum didn’t respond. He just listened to the voice’s words and didn’t bother to interrupt. The words had spoken to him in a special manner. However, he knew that the way the voice described the darkness in her explanation is in figurative speech and not the literal darkness.

“Maybe that’s why I felt your hurting and why I’m here now.” The voice thought out loud, “I guess I’m here to make sure you have somepony to talk to. Like how my friend is always there to talk to me. I don’t know exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, but at least it’s nice I’m not here alone.”

“There isn’t anything you can do.” Aurachalcum replied as he closed his eyes, “There isn’t anything anypony can do.”

He then turned away and leaned his head down.

“Well then isn’t there something you can do?” The voice asked.

“I did try to something about this!” Aura shouted, “But look where that got me!” He continued as he looked back at the voice for a second and then looked away again, “I just can’t take it anymore! I’m done pretending to be the pony I want to be!”

“Then don’t pretend.” The voice said as she flew over to look at Aura’s face, “Be the pony you want to be. You want to be one with light? Then go ahead and be one with light.”

“How!?” Aura asked in frustration, “There’s no inch of light in my heart. Only darkness.”

“You sure?” The voice asked, “Because that’s now what I saw on my way here.”

“Huh?” Aura said as he looked up at the voice with a confused look.

“Last I checked,” The voice continued, “I did spot some pretty bright places outside of this town.”

“Y-you did?!” Aura asked as he stood up on all four hooves, “You saw some light?!”

“You don’t get out much, do ya?” The voice asked, “Well, you’re not going to find the light by staying here in this empty town feeling sorry for yourself. Come on.”

The orb of light then flew over to the southern direction and said, “This way.”

Aurachalcum followed the voice and the two headed outside of the dark town. Surrounding the town was a dark grassland and a dark forest. Aurachalcum felt uncomfortable to be roaming around in these dark lands. But the motivation of seeing the light that the orb saw before gave Aura the courage to brave through these dark lands and see what lies beyond them.

Soon, the orb of light stopped and Aurachalcum soon halted as well. Aura looked at the orb and panted a little over all the running to get where they are.

“Here we are.” The voice said, “There it is.”

Aura looked ahead, and couldn’t believe his eyes. In the center of all the darkness, there was a beautiful waterfall with gorgeous bright and clear water flowing in it. The grass was greener than a green apple, the flowers bloomed as if it were spring time, and the trees look healthy.

The sight of this beautiful scenery made Aura feel like jumping for joy. For the voice was telling the truth after all. He took some small steps forward and kept his eyes on the waterfall and the beauty that surrounded it.

“It can’t be.” Aura said quietly, “Light. This is actually light. Light in my heart.”

“What’d I tell ya?” The voice asked as it followed Aura, “I guess it’s true what some ponies say. If you don’t get out and see what’s out there, you’ll miss the true beauties of the world.”

“But how is this possible?” Aura asked, “How can I have light? I thought Polstow took away all the light in my heart when he took my free will.”

“Beats me.” The voice responded.

The voice stopped for a moment as she saw something that made her feel like Aura should know about.

“Look.” The voice said, “There’s somepony over there.”

“Really?” Aura asked as he stopped and looked over at the orb, “Where?”

“In front of the lake where the waterfall is.”

Aura quickly turned to the stop where the voice described. And it was just as she said. There was a pony standing there. Facing the water fall while not moving an inch of her hoof. Aurachalcum then noticed something familiar about the pony standing there. The pony was a Pegasus, with a yellow coat, and a pink mane. He knew the pony that stood before the gorgeous area. He could never forget her.

“Fluttershy!” Aura cheered as he started to run to her.

“H-hey!” The voice exclaimed as she quickly followed him, “Wait for me! I know I’m the one that should be cheering you up, but I don’t want to be left alone here!”

Aurachalcum approached the beautiful scene of the light and came up to Fluttershy. He felt so relieved to finally see a pony to talk to in physical form and happier to see that it was somepony he knew and cared about so much despite not knowing her for too long.

“Fluttershy.” Aura said as he came to her, “It’s you! It’s really you. I’m so glad to see you. You wouldn’t believe what a nightmare this has been. I’ve felt so lonely and I didn’t think I’d find any light in this dark place. But I found that thanks to my new friend and I also found you. And I just…”

Aura then stopped talking as he noticed that Fluttershy didn’t respond nor make a move from her position. He grew worried and began to feel like that it was too good to be true.

“Fluttershy?” Aura said as he hoped for a response, “Fluttershy? Are you alright? Can you please say something?”

“What a beautiful grassland here.” Fluttershy finally said, “The cute critters just love places like this. It’s perfect for all of them to get together, share an acorn, have a family reunion, or to make new friends. I adore places like this. If only I wasn’t so scared to go off on my own.”

“This is a really nice place.” Aura replied, “And I never thought I’d find a place like this in my heart. Since I can’t let go of darkness. But why does this place exist? Polstow got rid of my light.”

Fluttershy then turned around to face Aura eye to eye, smiled and replied, “No Aurachalcum. You’re wrong. And so is Polstow.”

“What do you mean?” Aura asked.

“Polstow can’t get rid of your light. Your light is too strong. No matter how deep the darkness, you’ll always find a bit of light to warm you with. It’s the same with all pones. Though they’re light may be weak, they’ll never be gone. They’ll just be somewhere waiting for us to find them. Just like how you found yours. Polstow is too blinded by the darkness that he’s grown to believe that no amount of light can ever shine in the deepest darkness. It’s just sad to think that he’s so intent on having darkness at his side. He probably doesn’t miss the light like you do.”

“There will always be light? Even in the strongest darkness?”

“The light is just like the stars at night.” Fluttershy explained, “They’ll always be shining. No matter how dark the night is. We may not reach the stars, but we know they’re there. Because we can see them. It’s the same with light. Sometimes we may not feel it, but it’s there. We just need to find them.”

“How are you here?” Aurachalcum asked, “How did you get into my heart?”

“Aura.” Fluttershy asked, “Can you see me?”

“Of course I can. You’re right in front of me.”

“If you can see me,” Fluttershy replied, “Then I’m not actually Fluttershy. I’m not the real one.”

“What?” Aura asked as he worried about her answer.

“I’m not the Fluttershy that represents the Element of Kindness.” Fluttershy explained, “Rather, I’m her light. The light in her heart.”

“Her light?”

“Aurachalcum.” Fluttershy said, “You don’t know how special you truly are. I’ve seen the light in your heart and you share very special connections with so many ponies. Even ones you haven’t even met yet. Like the new friend you’ve made here.”

“I share a connection with so many ponies?” Aura asked, “Really?”

“Just like how I share a strong connection with Twilight and the others. I didn’t actually feel it before I met them, but I knew it was there once I met them all. Aura, these ponies probably don’t feel the connection they share with you like you don’t. But once they meet you and find out what a good friend you are, I’m sure they’ll realize you’ve been with them all along.”

“Wait.” The orb of light said as she came closer to the two ponies, “You mean he and I share some special connection? Is that why I’m here?”

“I believe that’s exactly why you’re here.” Fluttershy answered, “And if you’re here now, then you must share a strong connection with Aura. Out of all the ponies that Aura is connected too, you’re the one that was chosen to be here.”

“But you’re here too.” Aura said, “That means you share a strong connection with me too.”

“I’m sorry, Aura.” Fluttershy apologized.

“What for?”

“I can’t be here for long.” Fluttershy explained as she closed her eyes.

“What do you mean?” Aura asked.

He then looked down at her hooves and noticed that she was slowly fading away for some strange reason.

“Hey!” Aura blurted, “What’s happening to you?!”

“I’m leaving this place.” Fluttershy answered, “I can’t stay here for long.”

“Don’t go.” Aura begged, “Please don’t. I don’t want you to leave.”

“Don’t worry.” Fluttershy said as she smiled, “I will leave. But your light won’t. There’s nothing that can defeat the light you have. No darkness can blacken it. No power can overcome it.”

“Why Fluttershy?!” Aura lamented, “Why can’t you stay?!”

“Because you’ve forgotten what you’ve learned before you were sent down here.” Fluttershy answered as more of her started to fade away, “And if you can’t remember it, then I can’t be here for long. Neither can the rest of my friends.”

“Forgotten what I’ve learned?” Aura asked, “What’re you talking about?”

“The fact you can’t remember what it is proves you’ve forgotten it.” Fluttershy replied, “But it’s nothing to worry about. Just feel the light this waterfall and the grassland can give you. Let it glimmer around you. Perhaps then you’ll remember.”

All that could be seen of Fluttershy by then is her face. But it didn’t stay for long as it soon started to fade away too fast.

“Fluttershy!” Aurachalcum exclaimed as he tried to reach for her with his hoof.

But he was too late. Fluttershy had vanished. No longer could be seen. Aura felt his eye water as soon as she disappeared.

“Just like that.” The orb of light said, “She’s gone like the wind.” The orb then came up to Aura’s face and asked, “What do you think she meant by remembering what you learned?”

“What difference does it make if he remembers or not?!” A voice from the waterfall suddenly shouted.

Aura was startled by the voice and the orb jumped from its sound. Aurachalcum soon recognized the voice and knew who was behind the wall of water.

“Polstow!” Aura called out, “Show yourself! I know you’re there!”

And as quickly as he called to him, Polstow walked through the waterfall and stood on the water with a big grin on his face.

“So, you’re Polstow?” The orb of light asked, “You’re not at all what I imagined you to be. But I can’t say I’m not impressed.”

“What do you possibly hope to gain from remembering something that can’t help you now?!” Polstow boomed, “Can’t you see that this is a lost cause?! This bit of light in your heart! This is all you’ll ever get! And you know why?! Because I don’t want you to feel the light!”

He then took some steps forward as he continued, “You call me Polstow. But I’m not actually him. No. I’m actually his darkness that has taken his form. Similarly, to you. You are the bit of light in Aurachalcum’s heart that has taken his form. And now here you are actually believing that whatever it is you’ve forgotten will change everything.”

“Everything could change if he tries!” The voice argued.

“A meaningless effort.” Polstow countered, “There’s nothing he can do to let go of darkness because this darkness he feels is my own. I control it. And if I say that it should be superior to his light, then it shall be. Nothing can stop it. There’s no point in trying anymore. Give in to the darkness. You’ve already lost free will. There’s no reason to keep fighting.”

Aurachalcum’s angry face then turned sad again. He didn’t want to admit it. But what Polstow words said actually made him think that maybe remembering what he forgotten was not worth it. As soon as he sat down and closed his eyes, the orb noticed Aura’s actions and wondered why he was performing them.

“What’re you doing?” The orb asked.

“He’s right.” Aura responded, “There’s no point anymore. Maybe I should just give in to darkness here.”

“What?!” The voice yelped, “You can’t do that!”

“What other choice do I have?” Aura asked, “Everything he says is true. I’ll never let go of darkness. So why bother trying anymore? A spawn of darkness is what I am and all I’ll ever be.”

The orb of light didn’t say a word. She felt too broken by Aura’s words.

“But at least,” Aura continued, “That I got to feel my light grow stronger finally. Even if it did turn out to be pointless in the end.”

“So, you finally surrender?” Polstow asked.

Aurachalcum nodded yes and remained in his position.

“Well,” Polstow said, “I’m glad to see that you’ve finally accepted your fate. In that case…”

Polstow then raised his staff and a dark force appeared on its top.

“Time for you to sink into the abyss!” Polstow shouted as he threw the darkness from his staff at Aurachalcum.

Aura flinched at what was to happen to him. He believed that this was the last moment he’d ever have with light. But suddenly, right before the darkness could touch him…

“I don’t think so!” The orb of light shouted as she got in front of Aurachalcum.

She then blocked the darkness before it could get to Aura. Creating a buff of smoke form impact. But once it cleared, the orb of light still glowed brightly. Unaffected by the darkness that Polstow launched.

“Aurachalcum ain’t going nowhere!” The orb of light shouted at Polstow.

“W-what?!” Polstow exclaimed, “How dare you!”

“Huh?” Aura said as he opened his eyes, “What… what’re you doing?”

“Protecting you, of course!” The orb of light answered, “Got it memorized?”

“Why?”

“What do you mean ‘why’?” The orb asked, “Because we’re friends.”

Aurachalcum grew silent from what she said. He was amazed of how she said it without having to think twice. He felt so touched of how she said that despite only just meeting him.

“We’re friends?” Aura asked as his eyes quivered slightly, “Really?”

“Really.” The voice replied.

“But why? We only just met.”

“Well,” The voice began, “You want to be one with light and forget about the darkness. Right?”

“Y-yeah.” Aura answered.

“That’s good enough for me.” The voice said cheerfully, “Anypony who wants to side with light is cool in my book. And I’m not going to let some kitten like that plunge you to darkness without a fight. Got it memorized?”

Aura then smiled as his eyes continued to quiver. As soon as he smiled, he felt something. And not just that, he remembered something as well. Something that he had forgotten when he came to this dark place.

“It’s useless!” Polstow shouted, “One way or another, you will lose your light forever!”

Suddenly, dark minions appeared and surrounded Aura and the orb of light. Aura was shocked from their sudden appearance and grew worried.

“Seize them!” Polstow ordered.

With the ordered given, each minion jumped and aimed for the two targets sitting where they were.

“This may be too much for me to handle!” The voice said.

Aura cowered from the minions and believed that this was where it all ends. However, before the minions could touch them, a light appeared and blocked each minion.

“But not too much for us to handle!” A voice exclaimed.

Aura heard the voice and knew who it belonged to. He looked up and couldn’t believe what he saw.

“Hey!” The voice bleated, “It’s you!”

The light emanated from six ponies. Each floating around both Aura and the orb of light. Protecting them from being plunged to Polstow’s darkness. Aura noticed that they were not just six ponies, but ones that he remembered. The six ponies that taught him about friendship and the ones who helped him on his journey. Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. Each glowing with a bright light.

“You six again?!” Polstow yelled, “Must you meddle again at this time?!”

“We’re doing more than just meddling!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Yeah!” Pinkie Pie added, “We’re not letting you lay a hoof on Aurachalcum you big dark using-flea bitten-aura wielding-light stealing-meanie pants!”

“Aurachalcum doesn’t belong to you!” Rarity shouted.

Applejack then went up to Aura and said, “Come on now Aura! Quit sitting here like a duck keeping her eggs warm! You’ve got to fight him! Don’t let him win!”

“How?!” Aura asked, “How are you all here?!”

“Because you remembered the true meaning of friendship.” Twilight explained, “When you came to this place, you had forgotten some things. Including everything we taught you. It’s because of that we couldn’t be here before.”

“But thanks to your new friend here,” Rarity continued as she pointed to the orb of light, “And the way she saved you, you remembered what it truly means to have a friend. And now here we are.”

“I forgot what friendship was about?” Aurachalcum asked.

“Good thing you remembered.” The voice said, “Otherwise we’d be done for.”

“Aura!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, “What do you think you’re doing just sitting here and letting him try and consume you like that?! You’re more awesome than this! I saw you! You’re the Aura Pony! Don’t you remember what I told you?! When you’re feeling down, fly up!”

“But what can I do?” Aura asked as he looked down, “I can’t beat him on my own.”

“Then don’t.” Applejack replied as she reached her hoof to him, “Let us help you.”

“A party’s no fun if you’re the only one there.” Pinkie Pie said, “And the same for when you’re wanting to defeat an Aura Master of Darkness. We’ll help you beat him. Know why?”

“Because we’re your friends Aurachalcum.” Fluttershy finished as she got closer to him, “And we always will be.”

Aura smiled big when he saw Fluttershy again. He hoped to see her again and here she was. Like she never left.

“Aura,” Fluttershy continued, “Please don’t give up. We believe in you. Just like you believe in us. And we’re in trouble outside of your heart. We need your help. So, let’s strengthen your light together and get you free.”

Aura closed his eyes again and leaned his head down. He was thinking about his answer.

“Fools!” Polstow shouted as the six ponies looked towards him, “Why can’t you just see what’s right around you?! This bit of light you see is all he’ll ever get! There’s nothing you can do about that! He’ll never be anything more than what he is now! A spawn of the darkness! My servant! The Aura Pony of Darkness! No number of friends will ever make him different! You’re just delusional!”

Aura couldn’t bear to hear those words anymore. He finally decided that it was time to stop treating himself like a spawn of darkness. And it was time he became what he wants to be.

“You’re wrong!” Aura argued as he stood up tall and stared at Polstow with determination, “I. Am. Not. Part. Of. Darkness! You are! This darkness in my heart is not mine! It’s yours! And even if it was my own, I won’t let darkness take over me anymore! Darkness doesn’t decide who I am! I do!”

“What’s this?!” Polstow asked, “Where did this little proud bold motivation come from?! You’ve never believed that before!”

“That was before,” Aura replied, “I had friends to be my side.”

Aura then started to float in the air with his wings, and the orb of light along with the six ponies followed him.

“You see Polstow?” Twilight asked, “Aurachalcum has learned the true meaning of friendship. He now knows that he should never have to face the darkness alone. That he should always of friends by his side to help him through it.”

“Not that you’d understand!” Applejack added, “Cause yer always spending time in the dark with nopony other than those lifeless minions you’ve always got!”

“When he faces the darkness alone,” Rarity followed up, “He didn’t stand a chance. But when we join together as one, there’s nothing that we can’t do!”

“It’s better to do things together!” Pinkie Pie said, “Than spending time alone like you have no friends!”

“Aurachalcum is stronger than you think he is.” Fluttershy said with more courage, “And you know it, don’t you Polstow?”

“Looks like you’ve lost a servant kitty cat!” Rainbow Dash mocked.

The six ponies then moved closer to Aura and they each began to glow brighter than before.

“What’re you doing?!” Polstow demanded, “Stop this now!”

“You’ve made a great mistake Polstow!” Twilight scolded, “The darkness that you gave him was only made to overcome one light. But let’s see if you’ve accounted for a light joined together by the light of his friends! It’s time for you to see the true magic and light of friendship!”

“Get ready to feel the sunshine!” Rainbow Dash told Polstow in a cocky manner, “Because it’s about to brighten the day!”

Soon, the six ponies started to turn into sparkles and light and joined in with Aurachalcum. Aura then began to glow brightly and his crossed all four hooves together. He felt a warm power growing inside him. Polstow grew worried about what was happening and tried to think of how to stop it.

“Aha!” The orb of light exclaimed, “Now I know why I’m here!” The light then came up to Aura and continued, “I’m supposed to do what they did and share my light with you. Well, Aura, here you go!”

The orb of light then traveled through Aura’s chest, and as soon as she did, something incredible happened. Something that would change Aurachalcum forever.

He then spread his hooves out and his wings too as a big bright light sprouted from him. Causing it to travel far and wide. Faster than the naked eye, the dark lands from outside of the beautiful waterfall grew beautiful and bright. The dark skies from above cleared and showed the blue sky with white clouds. And the sun shining bright. Meanwhile, from afar, the town that was covered in darkness and ruin soon became a brighter town bathed in light. The houses and stores looked brand new, the rooves no longer had cracks, and the skies were clear as day. It was at this moment that the darkness that Polstow gave Aura had disappeared and was replaced with light. And not just a light, a pure light. Soon, not a single bit of darkness could be seen.

“No!” Polstow screamed as all the darkness disappeared, “The darkness…. Is gone?! But how?! I don’t understand! I didn’t take it all back! He can’t let go of darkness! Why?!”

He looked up and saw Aurachalcum float back down to the ground with his eyes closed. Suddenly, his dark blue aura appeared around him. But it didn’t stay that color for long. Because, right before Polstow’s eyes, the dark shade of blue turned into a lighter shade of blue. Polstow couldn’t believe what he just saw.

Aurachalcum opened his eyes and looked at his right hoof. As soon as he did, he gasped at what he saw. His aura was no longer dark blue. It was light blue instead.

“My… my aura!” Aurachalcum marveled as his eyes began to quiver again, “It’s not the dark side of aura anymore.”

He then looked around him and saw that the beauty of light was no longer kept to this area anymore. Everywhere he looked, the lands were bright and beautiful just as the waterfall area was. It was no longer a dark and sad place. It was bright and happy. Just like what he was feeling right now.

“Light.” Aura said with a smile and a tear dropping from his eye, “My heart is filled with light.” He then closed his eyes, placed his hoof on his chest and said, “Fluttershy, everpony. Thank you so much.”

“How did you do that?!” Polstow shouted.

“Don’t you get it by now?” Aura asked with his smile still intact, “It was the magic of friendship that made the darkness disappear. And now I’ll never be a part of the darkness like you again! It’s over Polstow! I’m one with light now!”

Polstow then looked down at his feet and noticed that he was beginning to disappear. He remembered that since his darkness was no longer in Aura’s heart, he could not remain in his heart.

“Ridiculous!” Polstow said as he continued to fade away, “My darkness can’t be defeated by something as insignificant as friendship!”

“Believe what you want!” Aura replied as he floated in the air, “While you leave my heart for good, I’ve got friends to save!”

He then used his aura to increase his speed and quickly flew over to the town.

“No…” Polstow said quietly as his rage increased, “No! I won’t lose like this! I can’t lose! I can still stop him! I can still make him part of darkness!”

With Aurachalcum, he flew as fast as he could back to the town. He was still so happy to see his aura was in the light shade of blue. But not wanting to get to distracted, he focused on the mission and saw the town ahead. The town looked more cheerful and brand new. The mirror even looked like it was just made. And from the mirror, a glow appeared. But no reflection. Aura speculated that it could be a way for him to make it to the real world and have him regain free will again.

“Fluttershy, everypony.” Aura said with confidence, “I’m coming!”

He then quickly ran over to the mirror getting ready for what was to come. Suddenly…

A dark bear jumped from behind the mirror and shouted, “Roar!”

Aurachalcum quickly tried to stop running as soon as he saw the dark bear. The bear then moved its paw in the air and launched it at Aurachalcum. Causing him to flinch and making everything go white.

Outside of Aurachalcum’s heart…

Aura stood there staring at the bird with a distracted look. Almost as if he was hypnotized. Polstow couldn’t bear to watch this anymore and had to snap him out of it.

“What are you doing?!” Polstow demanded, “Snap out of it and let’s go!”

Aura snapped out of his trance and looked at Polstow with a confused look and said, “Huh?”

He then turned around to the trapped ponies with the exact same look. Some of the ponies smiled with signs of radiance and hope. Hope that perhaps that bird helped Aura realize that what he was doing was wrong. But their hoping was not to last as Aura’s face quickly turned serious.

“Yes master.” Aura said as he faced forward again, “Sorry master.”

The ponies hope went away and they grew sad about how Aura had not changed.

“What was that about?!” Polstow asked, “Did I ask you to just play around with a bird?!”

“No you didn’t.” Aura answered, “My mistake.”

“As long as my plan goes well, nothing matters.” Polstow replied, “Now let’s go.”

The two began to walk again, leaving the bird behind. And the trapped ponies couldn’t help but think about how things could’ve been different if Aura had woken up and realized the error of his ways.

“Ah thought for sure that Aura would’ve decided to help us.” Applejack said.

“I guess,” Fluttershy said, “That bird just wasn’t enough.”

“Did you really think that bird was actually going to help us?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, “Get real!”

“Why does Aurachalcum have to be as big as a meanie as Polstow?” Pinkie Pie asked, “It just doesn’t make-“

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie shook again. Signaling the doozy sense again.

“My Pinkie Senses are telling me that the doozy is coming real soon.” Pinkie Pie said, “I know we’re in a tight stop, but I can’t wait to find out what the doozy is! Even if it’s a bad one, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?!”

“It would seem that we’re approaching Ponyville.” Lurio said as Ponyville started to come to view, “Pinkie Pie, I hope with all my heart that whatever this doozy that you’re sensing is, it will be something to turn this around.”

“Heh, heh.” Polstow chuckled evilly as Ponyville grew closer.

In the Library where Twilight lives…

Spike was inside tiding up the library for when Twilight were to return. His thoughts were more on the pony that she and her friends were tracking down more than cleaning the dust in some shelves.

“I sure hope Twilight and others are okay.” Spike said to himself, “I don’t exactly trust that pony with the aura or whatever it’s called. He came out of the same Prison Crystal as that other aura-using guy.”

After finishing one shelf, Spike slid down the ladder and headed over to the next one that seemed dusty.

“They’ve been gone a while.” Spike continued as he started dusting another shelf, “That didn’t take this long with Nightmare Moon. What if that the Aura Pony and that cat thing got them?! What if they’re doing something so horrible to them that they’d be in no state to save Equestria anymore!?”

As these thoughts went through his head, he began to sweat and worried that the thoughts could be true.

“What if Rarity got caught and I’m the only one who can save her?!” Spike continued.

Suddenly, he felt his worry disappear as soon as he thought of Rarity getting captured. He’s always had feelings for the stylish pony. And the thought that he could be the only one to save her actually made him think about the situation differently.

“You know.” Spike thought out loud with glee, “That actually doesn’t sound too bad. I’ve always dreamt that I’d get at least one moment to save my precious Rarity. And if they’re taking this long to catch those two, then maybe they have been captured. In that case…”

Spike then started running to the door and got excited over he was about to do. As if he believed he was in the right.

“I’ve got to go save them! And my Rarity!” Spike exclaimed as he grabbed the knob for the door.

But before he exited, an obstacle came to his head.

“Oh, but wait.” Spike said as he let go of the knob, “I don’t know where they are or even where to start. It’s not like I can just sense where they are anywhere like that pony with the aura can. There’s got to be something I can do.”

He thought it over and reached an idea.

“I know.” Spike said as he smiled brightly, “I’ll just write a letter to the princess and see if she can help me find them. After all, it is for the good of Equestria.”

So then Spike got some paper and a feather pen and sat on the desk where Twilight writes her letters. Before he could start writing, he felt nervous.

“Oh…” Spike moaned as he sweated, “But writing to a princess is almost like writing to a pony with lots of buttons that shouldn’t be pressed. What do I say to sound professional? What would Twilight say?”

“Ahhh!” A voice from outside screamed.

“No, not that.” Spike replied unware of what he heard, “She’d say something to make it sound urgent. She’d use really complicated words like-“

Spike quickly stopped talking as soon as he thought about what he heard and where it came from.

“Wait.” Spike said as he looked out the window, “What was that?”

When he looked out the window, he saw ponies gather together somewhere near some trees in a forest. He scratched his head as he wondered about this sudden gathering.

“What’s going on over there?” Spike asked, “Can’t be a party cause Pinkie Pie’s out.”

It didn’t take long before he decided to investigate the situation. He quickly left the library and went to see the commotion. When he arrived, the ponies looked terrified about what was happening in the area. Spike went up to a pony with grayish amber coat to find out what’s going on.

“Hey Doc.” Spike said, “What’s going on? What’s everypony all scared about?”

“It’s horrible!” The Doctor answered, “The monster from Town Hall is back! And the pony that came afterward is with him!”

“What?!” Spike exclaimed.

He rushed through the crowed and headed for the front to the see with his own eyes. And once he got there, Polstow and Aurachalcum had arrived in Ponyville with the seven ponies captured in seven Prison Crystals in the cart that Aura carried. But Spike was too short to notice them in the cart. Aura stood tall with a focused look in his eyes.

“Citizens of Ponyville!” Polstow shouted, “Lend me your ears! I am Polstow! The Aura Master of Darkness! Accompanied by my faithful servant, Aurachalcum! The Aura Pony!”

“So,” Spike said as he clinched his hands, “He is a bad guy after all! I knew something was wrong with that aura-using jerk! But where are Twilight and the others?!”

“If you’re wondering where your little saviors are, don’t.” Polstow ordered, “We have them in perfect condition.” He then turned to Aura and said, “If you don’t mind. Show them the ponies who tried to defy us.”

“Yes master.” Aura replied as Polstow unstripped him from the cart.

One by one, Aurachalcum got out each pony imprisoned in the Prison Crystals. Starting with Lurio, and finishing with Applejack. Twilight saw Spike and felt some joy to see him.

“Spike!” Twilight called out from the crystal.

“Twilight!” Spike called back as he tried to run over to them.

“Stand back!” Aurachalcum demanded as he got in Spike’s way, “No pony or dragon touches them except me!”

“You…” Spike replied with an angry tone, “You let them go now! Don’t make me make you feel sorry!”

“The only one who shall feel sorry is you my little scaly friend.” Polstow said as he looked over at Spike, “Stand back now or join your little pony friends.”

Aura then raised his hoof and a glow started to appear. Causing Spike to flinch from its brightness.

“Stay back Spike!” Twilight said, “Or you’ll end up like us!”

“But-“ Spike tried to say.

“Go!” Lurio ordered, “Do as they say! Don’t be foolish to rile him or Aurachalcum!”

“Spikey-wikey please.” Rarity begged, “Just stay back.”

“Rarity…” Spike said softly as he closed his eyes. He opened them back up, looked at Aurachalcum and said, “You won’t get away with whatever you’re wanting to do.”

He then stepped back to the group behind him as he felt embarrassed to have to follow orders from them without trying to save his friends.

“Good dragon.” Polstow praised sarcastically, “Now if you want to make sure your friends stay safe, you will do something for me.”

“And why would I do anything for you?!” Spike hissed.

Polstow sighed and answered, “I just told you why you spike spine! For your friends’ sake!”

“Oh, I know.” Spike said as he rubbed the back of his head, “I’ve just always wanted to say that at least once. Heh, heh. Now felt like a good time.”

“Weak Spike.” Rainbow Dash commented from her crystal, “Weak.”

“Anyway,” Spike said as he got serious again, “What do you want me to do?!”

“You can send letters to the one called Princess Celestia. Can you not?” Polstow asked, “My servant here said you’re capable of such a thing.”

“Yeah.” Spike answered, “What of it?”

“Write to her to come here now.” Polstow explained, “Tell her that I have her subjects captured and that if she doesn’t come here to surrender herself to me, then I shall have my servant here turn them into beautiful sculptures for my decorations. Just another dose of his little crystallizing ability and they’ll be fit for royalty.”

The ponies gasped at his threat and wondered if he was able to actually pull that off.

“Woah.” The cross-eyed pony commented, “Turning them into sculptures?”

“Can he do that?” The Mayor asked.

“You’re bluffing!” Spike accused as he pointed right at Polstow, “That pony can’t do that! You’re just trying to scare me!”

“Am I?” Polstow challenged as he signaled Aura with his eyes.

Aura then looked over at the crystals, lifted his hoof, and made the glow appear again.

“Perhaps I am.” Polstow continued, “But do you really want to take that risk? Do your friends not matter? How ironic that the pony who cares about friendship so much has kept a dragon who only cares about his well-being as a pet.”

“Spike!” Lurio shouted, “Do not call the princess! Whatever you do!”

“He’ll do terrible things to her!” Pinkie Pie added.

“Don’t you go and write that letter now, ye hear?!” Applejack asked.

“Don’t worry about us Spike!” Twilight said, “We’ll be fine.”

“Twilight.” Spike said quietly as he thought it over.

“What shall it be dragon?” Polstow asked, “The letter to the princess? Or new decorations?”

Spike clinched his hands together again as he hated what he was about to do. But he had no other options.

“Alright!” Spike agreed, “I’ll call her down here.”

“No!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Spike, don’t!” Fluttershy begged.

Aura then stopped his glowing hoof and turned back to the face the crowd of ponies.

“Just don’t hurt them.” Spike pleaded.

“Only if you get started on the letter right now!” Polstow responded harshly, “No go!”

Spike then ran to the library without stopping. Leaving the others behind and making the imprisoned ponies believe that hope was completely lost.

“And for the rest of you!” Polstow said as he summoned his dark minions, “None of you get any ideas!”

The minions then started to approach the citizens of Ponyville. Causing them to get frighten by the dark minions. Each citizen stayed where they were as they got surrounded by dark minions.

“I hope you all enjoyed the light!” Polstow said as he stepped forward leaving Aura with the Prison Crystals, “Because tonight, the light shall expire and only darkness shall rule! For I shall have sovereignty over Equestria now! And with your only hope now in my possession, there’s no hope for any of you! Soon, you will all call me your master and will spend the rest of your lives worshiping me as the dark ruler of Equestria! Hahahahahaha!”

Suddenly, as he laughed evilly, a purple magic beam flew right past Polstow and destroyed one of the dark minions that were summoned.

“W-what?!” Polstow yelped as he noticed the beam that hit his minion.

Then afterwards, a light blue Aura Sphere came flying by and defeated another minion. As soon that that even passed, the ponies surrounded by minions began to smile and feel cheerful again. Polstow was confused about all this and wondered why they suddenly felt unafraid now.

“What’re are you all doing?!” Polstow shouted, “Why are you all not fearing me?!”

“Maybe cause,” Applejack said from behind him, “their only hope ain’ in yer possession anymore!”

“What did you say!?” Polstow said as he looked behind him.

Polstow’s jaw nearly dropped from what he saw. The seven ponies that were captured were suddenly free from the Prison Crystals. Each of them staring at Polstow with a serious look. Polstow then figured out that the purple beam was Twilight’s magic and the Aura Sphere came from Lurio.

“Good to finally be out of there!” Rainbow Dash commented.

“This has gone long enough Polstow!” Lurio exclaimed, “Equestria will never be yours!”

“You’re… you’re out of your crystals?!” Polstow questioned as he stepped back from being surprised, “How?! How did you get out?!”

“I let them out!” Aurachalcum answered as he walked up to stand with Twilight and the others.

“You freed them?!” Polstow shouted, “How dare you do that! I never ordered you to do that! Now put them back!”

“No!” Aura denied as he stepped forward once.

“N-no?!” Polstow sputtered, “How can you say that?! You shouldn’t be able to deny me!”

He then thought about what happened and realized what has come over Aura.

“Free will?!” Polstow deduced, “How can you have free fill again?! I took that away from you!” He then raised his staff up and aimed it at Aura as he finished with, “Well then, I suppose I’ll just have to take it again!”

A purple glow then appeared around Aura as the glow flowed over to Polstow’s staff.

“Ahhhh!” Aura screamed as the glow around him got absorbed to Polstow’s staff.

“Aura!” Rarity exclaimed.

“No!” Fluttershy exclaimed.

Aura then laid on the ground motionless as the glow around him disappeared. The seven ponies around him worried that Aura would be under Polstow’s control again.

“There.” Polstow said with a smile, “That should take care of it. Now get up and put those ponies back in their crystals!”

Aura struggled to stand up. He put on hoof up and the next one. His head leaned down as he continued regaining balance. The ponies grew anxious about what was going to happen next. Lurio prepared himself for the worst.

“No.” Aura denied as he raised his head up.

“Huh?” Polstow yelped in confusion.

The ponies behind Aurachalcum felt relieved that he was not under Polstow’s control again. Especially Fluttershy.

“It didn’t work.” Fluttershy said in relief, “He’s still not under his crontol.”

“What’s going on?!” Polstow puzzled, “Why didn’t it work?! It’s not possible!”

“Give it up Polstow!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “He’s not your puppet anymore! Right Aura?”

“Grrr!” Polstow growled as he raised his staff again, “You insolent cur!”

He then pointed his staff at Aurachalcum. The purple glow around Aurachalcum appeared again and started to flow over to Polstow’s staff.

“Argh!” Aura screamed as he kneeled down as the purple glow around him flew.

“Not again!” Twilight worried.

“Aura!” Lurio shouted.

“I’ll tell you once more!” Polstow exclaimed as the purple glow continued to fly over to the staff, “Put them back!”

Aura struggled as he stood on two hooves and put his front hooves together to prepare an Aura Sphere. As he fought the magic of Polstow’s staff, an Aura Sphere began to forge in his front hooves.

“I. Said. NO!” Aurachalcum exclaimed proudly as he threw the Aura Sphere at Polstow.

“Agh!” Polstow scoffed as he used his staff to deflect the Aura Sphere to the sky.

As soon as he used his staff to protect himself from the impact of the Aura Sphere, the purple glow around Aura disappeared and Aura stood tall.

“How dare you try to-“ Polstow said before he looked over at Aura once again, “W-what?!”

When he looked at Aura, he couldn’t believe what he saw. The other ponies looked at Aura too and also couldn’t believe their eyes. Twilight and her friends as well as Lurio seemed the most surprised of what has happened to Aura. At that moment, Spike came running back with all his speed.

“Okay.” Spike said as he returned to the scene, “I sent the letter to the Princess. Now whatever you do, just don’t…”

Spike stopped talking as soon as he saw Aurachalcum. His eyes widened as he was amazed at what he saw.

“No way!” Spike said as he smiled big.

“Look at that fellas!” Applejack said as she pointed towards Aura, “His aura looks different.”

“Yeah.” Rainbow Dash replied, “I don’t remember it being that color.”

“It looks so pretty.” Pinkie Pie commented.

Right before their eyes, Aurachalcum’s aura was glowing in a bright light shade of blue. No longer was it in the darker shade representing the darkness in his heart. But now represents the renewed light that shines within him. Aura stood tall as he stared at Polstow with a serious expression.

“Why… his aura is a lovely shade of blue!” Rarity said as her eyes sparkled, “Just like Lurio’s!”

“His aura is a light blue color?” Twilight marveled as she remembered what Lurio explained to them, “Lurio. Does that mean Aura is part of the light now?”

Lurio tapped into his aura to sense Aurachalcum’s aura and gasped in amazement at what he felt.

“Incredible!” Lurio exclaimed, “Not only is Aurachalcum part of the light now, he’s a pure light!”

“A pure light?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes.” Lurio answered as he smiled big and bright, “I can’t sense a single bit of darkness in his aura. Therefore, there’s no inch of darkness in his heart. Only light dwells within him.”

“Yee haw!” Applejack cheered, “Now that’s more like it! Way to go Aurachalcum!”

“That’s so awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, “His aura looks so cool!”

“Twilight!” Spike said as he ran over to her.

“Spike.” Twilight said back as the two hugged each other.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Spike said with a smile.

Spike then looked over at Aurachalcum and said, “I don’t get it. Is he on our side now?”

“Looks like it.” Twilight answered, “And now look at his aura.”

“It looks different.” Spike replied, “Wasn’t it dark blue when we first saw him use it?”

“It’s like that now Spike,” Twilight explained, “Because Aura no longer has Polstow’s darkness. He’s part of the light now.”

“L-light?!” Polstow stuttered as he stepped back, “The light in your heart as grown stronger?! But why?! My darkness was made to be superior to the light in your heart! You can’t let go of my darkness!”

“I didn’t have to.” Aura replied as his light blue aura continued to flow around him, “I didn’t need to let go of the darkness you have me. It turns out the answer to my problem was in front of me and I was avoiding it the whole time I was trying to stop you.”

Aura then looked back at Twilight and her friends with a smile as he continued, “All I needed to do was surround myself with light. Pure light. The light of friendship.”

He then looked back towards Polstow as he continued, “It’s true that your darkness was able to weaken my light. But that was only because my light was fighting alone then. I finally know why the Princess wanted them to help me. It’s because she wanted me to make some friends. Friends that care. Friends that can share their light with me. Now I’ve joined my light and heart with the new friends I’ve made. My heart and my light has found a new home inside of each and every one of them. I’ve become a part of their heart just as they’ve become a part of mine. And as long as we stick together, then our light will always be strong in our hearts. There’s no power, no darkness that’ll ever cut through the light we all share.”

The aura around him then glowed brighter as he continued his speech. Twilight and her friends were touched about what Aura was saying. They now see that Aura has learned the true meaning of friendship and has accepted them all as his friends for good. And seeing his new aura made them all proud of him.

“My friends are my power!” Aurachalcum shouted to Polstow proudly as his aura grew brighter, “And I’m theirs!”

“It’s over Polstow!” Lurio shouted as he stepped forward to stand next to Aura, “He’s no longer your puppet!”

“He’s learned the true magic of friendship!” Twilight shouted as she joined in, “And now it’s time to show you how powerful friendship can be!”

The other ponies then stepped forward proud and strong. Prepared to finally defeat the villain they stand before. Polstow grew tense. He didn’t want to believe that Aura no longer had his darkness inside him. But the truth was standing right in front of him. And now there’s no way for him to fix that.

“Grrr….” Polstow growled angrily, “You ingrate! I created you! And this is how you repay me?!”

“You may have created me.” Aura replied, “But you’ve also lied to me! You lied to me about light and darkness! You lied to me about the Art of Aura! And you lied about me! And now, I won’t let you get away with this! Equestria’s light will stay!”

“Fine then!” Polstow boomed, “But what do you plan to do?! You no longer have a Prison Crystal to imprison me in! And don’t think I’m just going to let you go and synthesize another one!”

“Did you already forget?” Aura asked with a smirk as he raised his hoof, “This ability that YOU gave me?”

“He can create Prison Crystals with his aura now.” Lurio explained.

“Don’t you remember?” Pinkie Pie asked, “Mr. Forgetful-Dark Aura Using-Dark Monster Making-Meanie Pants?”

Polstow froze for a second as soon as he remembered that ability Aurachalcum had. All he could feel was sheepish.

“Oh.” Polstow said softly as he grew red under his fur, “He does have that. Umm…. It would seem I’ve made a miscalculation.”

But Polstow didn’t wish to be imprisoned alone. He knew from there that he had to protect himself really hard since Aura wasn’t going to go with him this time.

“But just because you can create Prison Crystals,” Polstow shouted, “Doesn’t mean I’ll let you put me in one! I’ll destroy you all and steal Princess Celestia’s light myself! Equestria will still be mine!”

“Twilight!” Lurio said as he looked over to her, “Aurachalcum and I will deal with the mad novice! You and your friends protect the citizens from his monsters!”

“Right!” Twilight replied with a nod, “Be careful!”

“Same to you!” Aura said back.

“Oh yeah!” Rainbow Dash said with a cocky smile as she bumped her front hooves together, “Time to have some more fun!”

“Ah’ve had enough of these fellers!” Applejack said, “Time to knock them all out till they see stars!”

“I hope they like cake patter!” Pinkie Pie said as she got out her Party Cannon, “Because I’ve got a whole Wearhouse full of them! Or at least a cannon full of them.”

“Come on girls!” Twilight ordered as she started running toward the dark minions, “Let’s protect Ponyville!”

Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie followed. But Fluttershy stayed behind as she didn’t like the thought of fighting.

“I’m sure there’s a nicer way to handle this.” Fluttershy said as she walked slowly toward the horde of dark minions, “Perhaps just talking to them will show them that they’re good.”

“As for you two!” Polstow exclaimed as he looked towards Lurio and Aurachalcum, “I’ve got some friends that would like to meet you! Why don’t you get acquainted?”

He then summoned some dark bears and dark manticores using his darkness. And they all aimed for the two aura using ponies.

“Get them!” Polstow ordered.

The horde of dark bears and manticores then charged right at the two ponies. Aura got ready to fight. But before he began, Lurio spoke up.

“Aura.” Lurio said suddenly as Aura turned to him, “Whatever happens, I am proud to be fighting alongside another aura user such as yourself. You have a remarkable aura emanating in you.”

Aura smiled and gave a single nod to Lurio. Lurio then smiled back and even gave a wink to Aurachalcum.

“Now then.” Lurio said as he looked to the horde and got serious again, “Let’s finally put an end to Polstow’s plan!”

“Right!” Aura replied.

The two ponies then tapped into their aura and charged toward the larger group of dark minions.

“With my aura finally restored!” Lurio said as he approached a dark bear, “I shall no longer have trouble!”

He then used his aura to jump high in the air, put his front hooves together to form an Aura Sphere.

“Aura Sphere!” Lurio shouted as he launched the sphere at the dark bear.

The dark bear then vanished into thin air as the Aura Sphere hit it. Lurio then landed on the ground and prepared for me.

“I won’t,” Aura said as he approached a dark manticore, “Let Polstow rule Equestria with his darkness!”

He then began to float in the air with his wings and projected his aura to his front hooves punched the dark manticore hard enough to cause it to disappear.

More dark bears came up to Lurio. Who was feeling unimpressed with the amount of the charging at him and Aura.

“I pity you Polstow.” Lurio mocked with a smile, “Couldn’t come up with something original? I’m afraid these just are of no use to you any longer!”

He then used his aura to increase his speed and beat every dark bear that came up. Each of them disappeared as he moved on to the next one.

“Aura Sphere!” Aurachalcum shouted as he launched his sphere at a dark manticore and caused it to disappear.

Meanwhile, five of the ponies that represented the Elements of Harmony fought off the smaller dark minions that surrounded the citizens of Ponyville. The sixth one, however, tried talking to some of them about their problems and why they were acting mean. Truth be told, some of the dark minions actually felt unproud of what they were doing and cried over it.

“Seriously?” Rainbow Dash commented as she fought off the dark minions, “That’s how Fluttershy’s going to do it?”

“You know how Fluttershy is.” Applejack replied as she kicked some dark minions with her hind hooves, “Always listens to one’s problems.”

The eight ponies fought the dark minions with everything they had. Six of them protected the citizens, while the remaining two fought to get to Polstow.

“Polstow!” Aura shouted as he and Lurio finally approached him close enough, “It ends here!”

“Not quite I’m afraid.” Polstow denied as some more dark minions appeared around him, “I’ve got a few more friends who are dying to get to know you.”

“Enough procrastinating!” Lurio exclaimed, “It’s time for you to give up!”

“I’ll give up.” Polstow responded with an evil toothy grin, “Once Equestria kneels before me.”

Suddenly a bigger dark minion appeared and charged at Lurio. Lurio was forced to move away from the scene and get closer to the other six ponies. Leaving Aurachalcum alone to face his creator.

“You really enjoy standing on the sidelines, do you?!” Aura mocked.

“I enjoy watching my foes and my former faithful servant continue hopelessly delay the inevitable.” Polstow corrected, “You attempt of stopping me will be for not.”

The smaller dark minions then charged at Aurachalcum all at once. However, each one was beaten down by the Aura Pony with his incredible aura.

“I’m getting tired of fighting these same monsters over and over again!” Aura shouted to Polstow, “When are you going to stop relying on your little toys and get what’s coming to you?!”

“Get what’s coming to me?” Polstow questioned, “That’s not right.”

Suddenly from behind Aura, some dark minions that are the size of him appeared from behind him.

“Huh?” Aura gasped as he looked behind him.

But before he could react, the new dark minions piled on him and pinned him down to the ground so he couldn’t break free.

“Erk!” Aura growled as he tried to break free from their grip, “Let me go!”

Polstow then walked up to Aurachalcum and said, “It’s your choice Aurachalcum! You can continue to oppose me like you are now, or you can be my faithful servant again like I created you to be! Because I’m warning you! If I created you, I can erase you just as easily! So, what’s it going to be?!”

“I will never serve you again!” Aura denied as he looked up at Polstow in the best way he could.

“Last chance!” Polstow warned through his teeth, “Get those ponies back in their crystals now!”

“Never!” Aura denied again.

Polstow could no longer take him denying him any longer. He knew what he had to do since Aura has made his decision.

“Fine!” Polstow shouted as he raised his staff up.

The top of the staff started to glow and Aura knew what he was planning to do.

“Ah.” Aura whimpered as he lowered his head and shut his eyes tightly.

As Lurio fought the dark minion that targeted him, he looked over at Polstow and Aurachalcum, and saw Polstow’s staff glowing. He didn’t know what was about to happen. But he did know that it couldn’t be good.

“Oh no! Aurachalcum!” Lurio shouted as he tried to get over there to help, but was interrupted by the minion he was currently fighting.

The other six ponies then noticed as well as they struggled with the dark minions. They wanted to help, but sadly were too crowded with dark minions to make it in time.

“No! Aura!” The six ponies shouted.

“Aura!” Spike shouted as some dark minions began to surround him.

Polstow then began to throw the glow of his staff right at Aura. But before he could…

“Argh!” Polstow hissed as something hit him on the back of his head and caused him to lose focus of his magic.

“Hey!” A voice shouted from behind him.

“Huh?” Polstow said as he looked behind him and looked around to find who said that, “Who said that?! Show yourself!”

“Over here!” The voice shouted.

The voice belonged to the little filly Pegasus, Scootaloo. She and her friends, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom had a slingshot patted to the ground and some water balloons to shoot with.

“You leave that pony alone! You big bully!” Apple Bloom demanded.

“Another water balloon!” Scootaloo ordered to Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle saluted and gave Scootaloo another water balloon and got ready to fire.

“Cutie Mark Crusader Water Balloon Launching!” The three fillies exclaimed as Scootaloo launched the next water balloon right at Polstow.

The water balloon quickly flew over to Polstow and hit him right in the face. Causing some water to get in his eyes.

“Dah!” Polstow screamed in pain as the water got in his eyes, “My eyes! My eyes! Argh!”

“Bullseye!” Scootaloo cheered.

“If we don’t get our Cutie Marks for water balloon launching,” Sweetie Belle said, “Then we’re sure to get them for saving that one pony’s life.”

“Ah think we have more important things to worry about besides that.” Apple Bloom said as she pointed to Polstow, “Like the fact that that cat thing is coming toward us now!”

“Why you little!” Polstow grumbled as he slowly marched over to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, “How dare you assault the Aura Master of Darkness! You shall pay for such insolence!”

“Hey!” Applejack said as she tried to get past the dark minions, “Don’t you touch my sister now! Trust me, it ain’ gonna be pretty if ya do!”

“Sweetie Belle!” Rarity shouted as she struggled as well, “Polstow! Get away from her or I’ll tear you to pieces!”

“No.” Aura said softly as he watched Polstow approach them.

As he continued getting closer to her and saw how the other ponies couldn’t get close enough to him or the Crusaders due to them being surrounded by the countless dark minions, Aura knew he couldn’t just let him get to them. He couldn’t give up.

“Get.” Aura said as he started to tap into his aura and began increasing his strength to a new level, “Away. From. THEM!”

Aurachalcum then opened his wings and pushed away the dark minions that pinned him down. He then flew up from the ground and his aura grew bigger and brighter.

Polstow heard Aura’s cry and looked over to him to notice the new power he has gained in his aura. He was shocked how he was able to break free from those dark minions that had been able to pin him down. The other ponies, not just the Crusaders or the seven ponies that fought the dark minions, also were amazed at this sudden power up that Aurachalcum had gotten. As though his aura had reached new heights. By witnessing the Crusaders in danger was enough to push him to the new level.

“Polstow!” Aura screamed as he flew over to him really fast.

As soon as he got close enough to Polstow, he projected his aura to his hoof, increasing his strength, and threw his hoof at Polstow. Polstow, however, guarded the attack with his staff. But the force of Aura’s attack did cause Polstow to be pushed back.

“Eh.” Polstow stammered as he got pushed back by Aura.

“I’m getting tired of this now!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as some dark minions came up to her, “Aura needs our help! Let’s go!”

“Ah’m with ya there partner!” Applejack agreed, “After all, Polstow just tried to get Apple Bloom and her friends. Ah ain’ gonna take that sitting down!”

“Hang on girls!” Twilight encouraged, “I’ve got an idea!”

She then used her horn to tap into her magic. She created a big field and purple magic that grew bigger and began to spread across Ponyville. As the magic field spread, the dark minions each began to vanish one by one. And soon, Ponyville was completely void of the monsters that Polstow created.

“Outstanding!” Lurio commented, “How did you do that?”

“I thought about what would happen if I tap into my light and my magic.” Twilight explained, “And sure enough, it did the trick.”

“Come on!” Rainbow Dash said, “Let’s go!”

“Polstow!” Rarity screamed in anger as she charged towards him.

She then used her martial arts skill and gave him a hard punch with her hoof. Causing him to groan in pain.

“Not done yet!” Rainbow Dash said as she flew over to Polstow with incredible speed.

Before Polstow could hit the ground, Rainbow Dash then gave another strong punch to bounce Polstow back. He once again, groaned in pain.

“The light isn’t yours to take!” Twilight shouted as she fired some magic beams from her horn.

“Argh!” Polstow groaned as the beams landed on him.

“Your evil is not welcome here!” Lurio shouted as he gave Polstow another punch with his aura increasing his strength.

“Time to show you how ah buck those apples!” Applejack shouted as she kicked Polstow with her hind hooves.

“Surprise!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she fired confetti from her Party Cannon at Polstow.

“Auugh.” Polstow moaned in pain as he felt dizzy, “Why? Why is this happening to me?”

“Why?” Aura asked as he prepared an Aura Sphere, “Cause I’ve got a team by my side! Not that you’d understand! Aura Sphere!”

Polstow blocked the Aura Sphere with his staff. However, it was so strong that the force caused him to lose balance and fall back.

“Woah! Woah!” Polstow yelped as he stumbled backwards.

From behind him, Fluttershy saw Polstow stumbling backwards and grew frightened. She cowered from his approached. And as soon as she did, Polstow tripped over her and began falling.

“Woah!” Polstow exclaimed as he fell on the ground hard.

Polstow then grew dizzier once he landed on the ground. The other ponies cheered for the teamwork the eight ponies showed.

“Yeah!” Spike cheered, “Way to go everypony!”

“Twilight!” Lurio said as he quickly rushed over to Polstow.

“Right!” Twilight said back as she followed.

Lurio ran over to the right side of the fainted Polstow while Twilight approached the opposite side. Lurio then raised his right hoof and projected his aura to create a barrier. Twilight then tapped into her magic to help Lurio expand the barrier with her magic barrier. Soon, the combination of the aura and magic barrier surrounded Polstow. Trapping him.

“Ohhh…” Polstow moaned as he sat up and rubbed his head, “W-what…”

“Aurachalcum! Now!” Lurio shouted as he held his aura hard.

“Hurry!” Twilight begged as she struggled to keep the barrier up, “We can’t hold this barrier for long!”

Aura quickly flew over to the barrier carrying Polstow and lifted his hoof up and aimed it right at the tyrant.

“Huh?” Polstow perplexed as he woke up from dizziness.

He saw as Aura’s hoof began to glow brightly. He knew what the glow meant and tried to escape using his aura and darkness. But Twilight used all her light within her magic to keep him from using darkness to escape, and Lurio’s aura was far too great for him to overcome.

“By the way Polstow.” Aura said with a smirk, “Thanks for this ability. It really came in handy.”

The glow then grew brighter and covered Polstow with its glow.

“NOOOO!!!!” Polstow exclaimed as he covered his eyes from the glow.

The other ponies covered their eyes from the glow as well. And as soon as the glow disappeared, they looked over at the scene to find out what happened. When Lurio and Twilight opened their eyes, Polstow was nowhere to be seen inside the barrier. Only a crystal made out of see-through material.

“It’s done.” Aura said to the two barrier-holders as he landed on the ground.

Twilight and Lurio then rested their magic and aura respectively and saw the Prison Crystal fall to the ground softly. It was then that they could get a good look at who was inside the portable prison.

“What the?!” Polstow sputtered as he looked at his surrounding, “What just happened?!”

“I think you just lost.” Rainbow Dash mocked as she came closer to the Prison Crystal.

“By you getting yerself trapped in the Prison Crystal which you gave Aura the ability to create.” Applejack continued.

“Ironic. Isn’t it?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“How does it feel in there Polly?” Spike mocked.

“Ha. Ha.” Polstow mocked back from inside the Prison Crystal, “Good try. But it’ll take more than this pitiful jewel to stop me from ruling all of Equestria!”

He then used his staff to blast some magic at the crystal in hopes of escaping. However, the blast bounced off the side of the crystal and then bounced off another and another.

“Woah! Woah!” Polstow yelped as he kept dodging the blast from his staff.

Soon the blast disappeared and Polstow sighed in relief.

“If I recall correctly.” Lurio said with a smile, “You were the one who said that you made it so that nothing can penetrate that little prison which you now are forced to live in. Including aura, magic, light, and darkness.”

“But it seems you made a little mistake of not making an exception for yourself.” Twilight continued, “Looks like you were too overconfident that you would succeed in ruling Equestria as the Aura Master of Darkness. And that ultimately was your biggest mistake.”

“It’s over Polstow.” Aurachalcum said with a proud expression, “You’ve lost. And this time, you’re spending some quality time in there by yourself. And for the whole world to see too.”

“Aurachalcum!” Polstow shouted in rage, “Don’t think that this is over! I will escape somehow! And when I do, I’ll make you rue the day you ever gone against me! I created you and you repay me like this! You’re no longer my faithful servant! You rotten little-“

“I’ll take care of him.” A voice said as the Prison Crystal suddenly floated in the air by a unicorn’s magic.

The other ponies and Spike looked at who said that and who was taking the Prison Crystal. They all had gasped at the sight of not a unicorn, but an Alicorn. The Princess of the Sun herself, Princess Celestia.

“I’ll be sure to find a nice place to put him in Canterlot.” Princess Celestia said as she placed the Prison Crystal in her saddle bag.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight exclaimed.

“You’re here!” Lurio added.

“P-P-Princess?” Aurachalcum stuttered as he started to sweat.

The ponies in Ponyville began to bow at the sight of their princess. Each showing respect of her presence.

“I came here as soon as I got the letter from Spike.” Princess Celestia explained, “I was expecting all of you to be in danger just as he said. But it looks like everything turned out alright in the end.”

“It sure did Princess.” Twilight replied, “It’s all thanks to our new friend, Aurachalcum. Oh, and Lurio too.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Princess Celestia said with a chuckle.

She then came up to Lurio and greeted, “Hello, Lurio. It’s been about a year since we’ve met. Hasn’t it?”

“It has.” Lurio answered as he bowed to her, “It’s a pleasure to be in your presence again.”

“I’m happy to see you again too.” Princess Celestia replied.

“Forgive me for ever doubting you dear Princess. But it seems like I was wrong to ever take your plan with a grain of salt as I did. And now I can fully see why you told me to do so.”

“No need for apology.” Princess Celestia said with a bright smile, “Everything is fine now and that’s all that matters.”

Lurio nodded once as the princess walked over to Aurachalcum. Aura felt nervous to be talking to the princess. He’s always been afraid that he would say the wrong thing to a royal pony.

“Aurachalcum, was it?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Y-yes!” Aura replied as he stood up straight and looked her in the eyes, “That is my name! Aurachalcum!”

“Somepony is sweating more than Bulk Biceps after taking laps around Cloudsdale.” Applejack commented.

“I’ve heard some things about you. Young pony.” Princess Celestia said, “About how you were imprisoned in the Prison Crystal with Polstow for a year. How you’ve felt anger and sadness as the moons went by.”

“Lurio told you about that?” Aura asked.

“He did.” Celestia answered, “And it looks to me like you’re no longer feeling sad.”

“That’s because I’m not sad anymore.” Aura responded as he looked down and closed his eyes, “I’m…. happy. Really happy. I’ve never felt this happy in years.”

“That’s good to hear.” Princess Celestia commented with a smile, “And I hope you’ve learned a very important lesson on your journey to stop Polstow.”

“I have Princess.” Aura replied, “Actually. I’ve learned two lessons.”

“Two? Well, that’s a surprise. I only had planned for you to learn one lesson. But two is even better. Tell me what you have learned.”

“Oh boy!” Twilight said as she leaped for joy, “Two friendship lessons learned! I can’t wait to hear what he has to say!”

“Well pipe down then sugarcube.” Applejack replied, “You’ll miss it if ya don’t.”

“I’ve learned,” Aurachalcum began, “That I don’t need to let go of darkness all by myself. I’ve always thought that I could do that on my own. But I was only fooling myself to think that. Really, all I needed to do was surround myself with light. The light of friends. I’ve learned that one light isn’t enough to defeat the darkness. If we all pull together and share our light to create a brighter stronger light, then no darkness can overcome it. The darkness Polstow gave me was great, but the light I now share with my friends is mightier. It’s thanks to these six ponies that my heart is filled with light. Just like I’ve always wanted it to be.”

Aura then walked over to the six ponies and finished with, “And I can’t ask for better friends than that.”

“And we couldn’t ask for a more awesome Aura Pony than you.” Rainbow Dash said as she came closer to Aura.

“We’re so happy for you Aurachalcum.” Fluttershy said.

“Group hug!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

Then Twilight and her friends gave Aurachalcum a tight, warm, group hug. In which Aura enjoyed and joined in the group hug.

Twilight then looked over at Lurio, who was smiling at the sight of the group hug, and said, “Come on in Lurio.”

“Me?” Lurio puzzled.

“You were a part of this too. You should join us.”

“Well,” Lurio replied as he smiled, “If I must.”

Lurio then went over and joined in the group hug. He had quite a lot of fun joining in. He felt his heart leap for joy by the warm, fuzzy, feeling he got from the big hug.

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie started to shake again. Causing the group hug to break. But this time, she shook harder than all the other times. And soon, she started to bounce around, make some strange expressions, and even blow up like a balloon for a brief second. And then in the end, she stood still with nothing else to happen to her.

“Was that the doozy sense?” Lurio asked in confusion.

“Aha!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, “That’s it! That’s the doozy!”

“What was it?” Applejack asked.

“When Lurio told us about Aurachalcum and how he had darkness that he couldn’t let go,” Pinkie Pie explained, “I never would’ve guessed that we would be the ones to help him overcome the darkness. Here, we were all hoping that there would be some way for us to get rid of Polstow’s darkness with some magic or something like that, but all we had to do was just be his friends! It’s the perfect surprise!”

“You know.” Rainbow Dash said with a surprised look, “I never would’ve guessed that either. That is the perfect surprise.”

“Thank goodness that doozy is finally out.” Twilight said with a sigh of relief, “Whenever that doozy sense comes up, I’m always having to keep on my hooves.”

“I too grew anxious to find what the doozy would be.” Lurio added, “I’m glad to see that the doozy sensing is over.”

“Me too.” Pinkie Pie replied, “But now, it’s back to the group hug!”

The group of eight ponies then got back into the group hug and hugged each other even tighter than before. Aurachalcum felt happy to be feeling the warmth of a hug like this. It was exactly like he hoped it to be.

Once the group hug ended, Aurachalcum looked up at Celestia again and asked, “This is why you asked them to help me defeat Polstow, isn’t it? You knew that their light would make mine stronger if they became my friends.”

“That’s right.” Celestia answered, “As soon as Lurio told me that you were feeling sadness, I looked into the light in your heart and immediately knew what to do to help you end your sadness. I’ve felt something similar to the light you had. I felt the light in Twilight’s heart and, while she is a pure light like you are, it still felt incomplete. As though something was missing. And once I had her make some friends to stop my sister from bringing an eternal night, I felt her light again. And it no longer felt incomplete. Her light found the missing piece it was looking for. Friendship. That’s how I knew how to help you. You needed something to help your light outshine the darkness that was never yours. You needed to feel the magic of friendship. And who better to send to help you see the magic of friendship than the ponies who represent the six Elements of Harmony?”

“Your cleverness has been a big help for this young aura user.” Lurio said, “As soon as Twilight offered to help, I put all my hope into what you planned for me and Aura. And I’m proud to have done so.”

“So, what you mumbled at the Library.” Twilight said.

Flashback...

“Lurio,” Twilight said, “Let us help you defeat Polstow. You may not know us all that much, but the princess would want us to help you. We represent the six Elements of Harmony. And therefore, it’s up to us to make sure Equestria is safe.”

“You six are the ones who represent the Elements of Harmony?” Lurio asked with a fascinated voice.

“Yes. Magic, Loyalty, Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, and Laughter. We worked together to defeat Nightmare Moon, so we can handle this one together too.”

Lurio turned away from Twilight again and entered his thought for a moment.

“I trust you know what you’re doing Princess.” Lurio said quietly.

“Huh?” Twilight asked.

“I said,” Lurio began as he turned his eyesight back to the six ponies, “You’re right. The princess would want you to do this. So, I will allow you to help me.”

Present…

“Yeah.” Aura added, “Thank you Princess for having them help me. I really am grateful.”

“No thanks are necessary.” Celestia denied, “As long as you’re happy and you see the true meaning of friendship, that’s reward enough for me.”

“Aura.” Twilight said as Aura turned toward her, “You said that you learned something else other than that you needed friends to surround you with light. What else did you learn?”

“I also learned,” Aura began, “That I can’t blame Polstow for the walls that were put around my heart.”

“What?” The six ponies yelped.

“Walls around your heart?” Spike asked, “What’s that mean?”

“I’ve always thought,” Aura explained, “That it was Polstow’s darkness and Polstow himself that was holding me back from making friends. All I ever really wanted more than being an Aura Master was friends. And I always just isolated myself from others because I let my darkness scare me like nopony would ever accept me. But really, the one who put those walls and chains around my heart was me. It was because I was afraid of how other ponies would think of me that I was holding back. It wasn’t Polstow. It was me all along.”

He then paused for a minute before smiling at the group.

“But now,” Aura continued, “Even if I did have a strong darkness like before, I wouldn’t let that stop me anymore. Because now I know that darkness itself doesn’t make you evil. It’s how you use it that defines you. And if I did have my own darkness that strong, I’d never use it the way Polstow did. I’d use it to protect the friends I’ve made and the light that shines down on them. I’ve also learned that a true friend doesn’t judge you from what face you wear or how strong your darkness is. A true friend sees you for who you are. No matter how strong the darkness. I now know that I should never let myself be alone like that. Because I still have a heart just like you all do. And it beats the same way. As long as I have that, then there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Super cheesy.” Rainbow Dash commented, “But heart warming.”

“That’s a wonderful lesson Aurachalcum.” Twilight commented, “You’ve changed in a short time.”

“We’re glad to see this new you.” Applejack added, “Glad to see that you ain’ letting anything stop you from making friends anymore.”

“Seeing you like this just makes me so happy.” Fluttershy said with a smile, “I just want to cheer.”

“Not if I cheer first!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed in happiness, “Hurray for Aurachalcum!”

“We’re so happy for you darling.” Rarity added, “It’s good to see that you’ve learned so much.”

“From what I’ve seen now,” Lurio said, “You will make a spectacular Aura Master.”

“Princess.” Twilight said as she looked over at Princess Celestia, “Do you want me to write those two lessons that Aura has learned to you.”

“That’s okay.” Celestia responded, “I think I’ll remember them well. They’re especially great lessons to learn. Lessons that nopony should ever forget.”

“What Aura has learned is great and all.” Applejack said as something came to mind, “But there’s something ah’m wondering.”

“What’s that Applejack?” Rarity asked.

“That thing where Polstow was trying to steal something from inside you Aura.” Applejack said, “What was the deal with that now?”

“He was trying to take away my free will.” Aurachalcum answered.

“Your free will?” Twilight asked.

“Please explain.” Lurio asked politely.

“It happened last night.” Aura explained, “Polstow sent a shadow of himself to come and convince me that none of you cared about what would happen to me once we sealed Polstow. I admit, I was surprised of what he told me. But I didn’t listen to him when he told me to come work for him again. Because… I don’t care what other ponies think of me. Even if one pony says that he or she hates me, I’ll always see them as my friend no matter what. Because I’ll always care for that friend and always be there for that friend too.”

“Aurachalcum.” Twilight praised, “That’s such a touching thing to say. I’m so happy to hear you say that.”

“So, if you didn’t go back to serve Polstow,” Lurio said, “Why did you leave us?”

“Because,” Aura answered, “I didn’t want any of you to see what would happen to me. It’s because you’ve all grown to be such good friends to me, I thought it would be too sad for you all to say goodbye to me. That’s why I went off to finish things alone. So, none of you would have to watch. But when I got there, it turns out the whole Prison Crystal we made wasn’t such help in the end. And before I could get out of there, he took my free will away.”

“So that’s why you were siding with him.” Applejack said with a smile, “He took the one thing that could make you turn against him.”

“So, you were just brain washed?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Aura nodded yes and explained, “The me on the outside was doing Polstow’s bidding. Meanwhile, I was trapped in my heart. It was cold and lonely in there. It was a horrible time for me. I thought the light in my heart was gone. Until… until a light came out of nowhere and showed me the light somewhere far deep in my heart. It was just a small piece of it, but we found it. And you too Fluttershy.”

“Me?” Fluttershy asked in a confused tone.

“Soon,” Aura continued, “The rest of you came. And, along with the orb of light that came, you all helped me make my light stronger. You helped me defeat the darkness and restore to what my heart is supposed to be. It’s all thanks to you that I’m free from the darkness. And now I have a free will that not even Polstow can take away.”

“So that’s what that purple force was.” Twilight said, “He was trying to take away you free will like last time.”

“Yeah. But he couldn’t, because this free will I have now is one he didn’t give me. This free will I now have is one created by the light in my heart. You all have done so much for me. Thank you all.”

“No problem!” Pinkie Pie replied, “Saving ponies from the darkness is what we do best!”

“Since when?” Rainbow Dash asked with a chuckle.

“Since now!” Pinkie Pie answered, “When else?!”

The ponies then started to laugh at Pinkie Pie’s answer. It was Pinkie Pie being at her silliest.

“Oh.” Aura said as something came to his head, “And something else happened too.”

“What’s that?” Spike asked.

“Before he disappeared, Polstow’s darkness tried one more time to make me a spawn of darkness like before. But then…”

A short while ago, inside Aurachalcum’s heart…

With Aurachalcum, he flew as fast as he could back to the town. He was still so happy to see his aura was in the light shade of blue. But not wanting to get to distracted, he focused on the mission and saw the town ahead. The town looked more cheerful and brand new. The mirror even looked like it was just made. And from the mirror, a glow appeared. But no reflection. Aura speculated that it could be a way for him to make it to the real world and have him regain free will again.

“Fluttershy, everypony.” Aura said with confidence, “I’m coming!”

He then quickly ran over to the mirror getting ready for what was to come. Suddenly…

A dark bear jumped from behind the mirror and shouted, “Roar!”

Aurachalcum quickly tried to stop running as soon as he saw the dark bear. The bear then moved its paw in the air and launched it at Aurachalcum. Causing him to flinch and making everything go white.

Once the light dimmed, Aura moved his hooves away and looked around him. He was afraid that his newly found light was to drift away. But to his surprise, nothing has changed. The town was still rebuilt, the skies were still bright, and the flowers around the well bloomed.

With Polstow’s darkness from far away, he was surprised to see that his attempt of filling Aura’s heart with darkness again had failed and light still remained without a single touch of its opposite.

“No!” Polstow exclaimed in anger, “What happened?! Why is there still light?! My dark bear should’ve caught him by now!”

Suddenly, from a distance, Polstow saw a strange beam of light fly up to the sky. That beam is in the direction where Aurachalcum was headed to.

“What in the good name of me is that?!” Polstow asked.

Back in the town, the beam of light stood in between Aurachalcum and the dark bear that tried to ambush him. The dark bear couldn’t stand the brightness of the beam, and Aurachalcum wondered where this strange light came from.

“What? What is that?” Aura asked as he gazed at the beam.

Soon, the beam disappeared. And was replaced with silhouettes of two ponies. Aura saw those two ponies and was amazed by how they came to save him. What he noticed, however, was that these two mysterious ponies were not of ones that he knew at all. They were ponies that he has yet to meet.

“Who are they?” Aura asked himself as he got a closer look at the silhouettes, “They don’t look like any ponies I’ve met so far.”

Suddenly, the two silhouettes raised their hooves up and caused a bright light to shine on the dark bear.

“Roar!” The dark bear roared before it disappeared from the bright light.

With Polstow again, he noticed that he was starting to fade fast. He knew that once he was gone, there was nothing he could do to bring Aura back to darkness again.

“No!” Polstow denied as he witnessed his legs and then his arms fading away, “No! This can’t be! How can this happen?! Aurachalcum! You need me!”

And as soon as he made that declare, he faded away from Aurachalcum’s heart. Never to ever be a part of it again. With that bit of Polstow’s darkness disappeared from Aura’s heart, Aurachalcum now officially had a heart of pure light. With no darkness of any kind to exist.

Back with Aura, he was frozen from the sight of the two mysterious strange ponies that was right in front of them. He was grateful for saving them, but at the same time, wondered why they saved him.

“Thank you both.” Aura thanked the two silhouettes, “But why did you do that? Who are you two?”

The silhouettes then turned to face Aurachalcum. They didn’t speak a word, but still smiled. Even with them facing him eye to eye, Aura could still not make out who they were as he couldn’t see their faces from the dark shading of them. Soon, the two silhouettes gave a single nod to Aura at the same time and then faded away into the light. Leaving Aura behind in front of the mirror and surrounded by his new heart of pure light.

“That was bizarre.” Aura commented as he looked up at the sky, “I didn’t recognize them. Why did they just help me?”

As soon as Aurachalcum said the word ‘help’, he remembered why he came to the mirror. It was the escape back to the real world and regain his free will.

“Help!” Aurachalcum yelped as he looked at the mirror, “That’s right! My friends need help!”

Aura then ran towards the mirror and went through the light that emanated from it. He was prepared for what was ahead and knew that he wasn’t going to do it alone. For he had friends to be there for him. And those friends are the ones who gave him the gift of light.

“Everypony!” Aura said as he flew through the light in the mirror, “I’m coming!”

Present…

“Two ponies came to help you?!” The entire group, including Spike, but excluding Celestia, exclaimed.

“And you say that you don’t know them?!” Twilight asked.

“Yep.” Aura answered, “Didn’t know either of them. They just came out of nowhere and saved me before Polstow could take me again.”

“Well whoever they were,” Rarity commented, “Thank goodness they came to save you. Otherwise, I don’t think we’d ever beat Polstow the way we did.”

“I could’ve saved you all.” Spike mumbled as he softly kicked the ground.

“So,” Rainbow Dash said, “You’ve had free will from when we saw that bird?”

“Yeah.” Aura answered.

“So then why didn’t you free us then?!” Rainbow Dash yelled as she floated in the air and threw her hooves around in anger, “You could’ve saved us the risk of all these other ponies getting hurt you know!”

“Because,” Aura explained, “I wanted everypony to see this new me. I wanted them all to know that I’m now what they all thought I was. I felt it in their aura when I got released. They were afraid that I was working for Polstow. They thought I was evil. But I wanted them to see that I’m nothing like that. That Aurachalcum is one with light now. And what better way than to surprise Polsotw in the process?”

“So, it wasn’t because you wanted to show off?” Applejack asked with a sassy look.

“Heh, heh.” Aura chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head, “Maybe just a little.”

“Hey Aura. It wasn’t all that fun to go off on your own, was it?” Pinkie Pie asked with a suspicious look in her eyes.

“It wasn’t.” Aura answered as his smile went away, “It didn’t feel the same. Doing things alone wasn’t fun. But I still did it. Just to avoid sadness.”

“You’re such a caring pony Aura.” Fluttershy said with a smile, “I’m so proud to call you our friend.”

“Same here.” Rainbow Dash added, “Anypony who’s that caring to their friends and that pure is cool in my book.”

“Speaking of friends.” Lurio said as he approached Aura, “Aurachalcum. I owe you a deep apology.”

“What for?” Aura asked.

“I let terrible thoughts of you roam in my mind.” Lurio explained as he closed his eyes and looked ashamed, “After the way Polstow convinced us that you’ve sided with him and the darkness, I let my emotions get the better of me. I’ve opened up a side of me that laid dormant in my heart. I called you evil. A spawn of darkness. I talked about you the way you talked about yourself before. And now I regret ever saying any of those awful things about you. And it was because of those negative emotions I felt against you that my own darkness arose.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” Aura said with a smile.

“But I do.” Lurio argued, “It wasn’t right of me to say all that.”

“It also wasn’t right of me to just leave all of you like I did. So, neither of us made the right choice. So, don’t worry about it. We’re still friends.”

Lurio was surprised to hear what Aura had said. Despite the harsh words that he said during Aura’s time of being forced to work for Polstow and how he imprisoned him in a Prison Crystal, Aurachalcum referred to him as a friend. Something of which Lurio was amazed by.

“Friend?” Lurio asked as he titled his head, “You and I are friends?”

“Don’t you want to be?” Aura asked as he lifted a hoof and reached it towards Lurio and hoped for a hoofshake

Lurio then smiled, grabbed Aura’s hoof with his opposite hoof and said as the two shook hooves, “Yes Aura. I’d like for us to be friends. After all, you’ve taught me something important today.”

“I did?” Aura asked as the hoofshake stopped.

Lurio then looked at his right hoof and explained, “Because I felt angry and betrayed, my darkness caught on to those feelings and was able to present itself unexpectedly. I was convinced that darkness was something that should never exist. Something that should be destroyed.”

“He was pretty riled up back there.” Applejack commented, “Ah hate to admit it, but ah was mighty frightened when ah saw Lurio like that.”

“He did almost seem like a completely different pony.” Rarity added, “I hated to see that gentlecolt turn into an angry, uncivilized, pony.”

Lurio soon raised his head up and continued with a smile, “But it’s thanks to you that I now know that the hate I carried with me was wrong. Because it was my hatred towards darkness that fed the dark flame inside me. Not only that, but you’re also a reason why my hatred for the darkness is no more.”

“What did I do?” Aura asked.

“Before I met you,” Lurio explained, “I always thought that ponies who follow the darkness are pure evil and that all their intentions are for their own self-gain. Like Polstow, for example. I always thought that ponies like that were all alike. But then I saw how you were using darkness and changed my mind.”

He took a moment to pause. The other ponies, including Celestia, were interested in why he’s made this change in his life. Aurachalcum especially.

“Even though the darkness you had wasn’t truly yours,” Lurio continued, “You still were using that darkness to save all of Equestria from the villainy of Polstow. You opened my eyes and showed me that just because a pony sides with the dark, doesn’t mean that they have evil intentions. Rather, it’s how they use that darkness that determines what their true alignment is. I don’t think I would’ve ever realized that without you. Thank you Aurachalcum. It’s because of you that now I feel like I don’t truly deserve to be an Aura Master.”

“Huh?” Aura blurted as he grew shocked at what he said, “What’re you talking about?! Of course, you deserve to be a master! You more than deserve it!”

“Aura is right.” Celestia concurred, “You’re a wise pony with a strong heart.”

“But I’ve still yet to learn everything about the light and darkness.” Lurio replied, “It’s because of that that I believe I hold a faulty title.”

“Don’t say that!” Aura exclaimed.

The ponies were surprised about the way Aura was behaving. They haven’t seen this side of him before.

“You’ve got the hat and cape of an Aura Master!” Aura said in encouragement, “If you really weren’t fit to be a master, then you wouldn’t be wearing those right now! So, you didn’t know something about light and darkness. So, what? That doesn’t mean anything. You’re perfectly fit to be an Aura Master. After all, who was it that knew to ask for help from other ponies first while the other one just pretended to be mean just because he didn’t know how true friends see each other?”

“Woah.” Rainbow Dash said, “Who’s this Aurachalcum?”

“Huh?” Aura said as he turned to her.

“Where’d this guy come from?” Applejack joked, “Are we sure this is the right Aurachalcum?”

“He sure looks like Aura.” Pinkie Pie replied as she examined Aurachalcum close up, “But he’s sure not the same Aurachalcum from before.”

“Ha, ha.” Aura faked laughed with a smile, “Very funny. Go on and laugh it up.”

“We’re just surprised to see you like this Aura.” Twilight chuckled, “I guess since you don’t have to serve Polstow anymore, the real you is starting to come back.”

“Yeah. I guess so.” Aura replied, “Better get used to the new me.”

“Aura.” Lurio said as Aura turned to him again, “Thank you. You are a fine pony. I suppose you’re right. Just because I’m a master, doesn’t mean I’ve learned everything there is to learn. In fact, perhaps I haven’t even scratched the surface.”

“Are we done with all this talking and standing around now?” Rainbow Dash asked impatiently, “We’ve won after all! And I think Aurachalcum should show off his famous Aura Sphere to celebrate!”

“Ah’m with ya there sugar!” Applejack agreed, “Ah’m just diggin’ to see how high he can throw that ball!”

“I’d love to see those glorious glimmering sparkles as it pops.” Rarity added, “They’re just stylish.”

“Yay!” Pinkie Pie cheered, “Aura Sphere of victory! Come on Aura! Give us the most mane raising-star piercing-super-duper-funtatstic-Aura Sphere yet!”

“I’d like to see it too now that you’re part of light again.” Fluttershy said softly.

“You heard them Aura.” Twilight said, “Let’s see that Aura Sphere one more time! I want a really good look at it.”

“He’s gonna do an Aura Sphere?!” Spike asked excitedly, “Oh boy! I can’t wait to see it! Come on! Come on! Do it!”

“Come on Aura.” Celestia encouraged, “Give us you’re strongest Aura Sphere. I’m sure the other citizens here would like you to show it off to them.”

Aura nearly grew red from all the requests he was getting. But he understood the commotion. He was the Aura Pony after all. Seeing that everypony was watching, he just couldn’t back down.

“Alright then.” Aura said finally.

He then flew up to the air with his wings. And once he got high enough, he put his hooves together and prepared an Aura Sphere. Once he placed it to his right side ready to launch it, he got a good look at the Aura Sphere and was overjoyed to see his aura now glowing light blue. Showing that he now had the Aura of Light. He smiled big at the sight of the sphere.

However, his smile was to fade too quickly. As something else came to mind when he looked at the Aura Sphere. He remembered who taught him that ability. And that teacher of his also taught him the way of using aura for when one sides with the darkness. Polstow. Aura knew for a fact that he was part of the light now and was even a pure light. However, he couldn’t help but feel that he still learned the Art of Aura the improper way. It was from those thoughts that the energy he had drifted away. He turned away from the Aura Sphere and used his hooves to shrink it and cause it to vanish in his hooves. He then slowly floated back down to the ground with his head leaning down and his eyes closed. The ponies noticed his strange expression and wondered why he stopped.

“Hey.” Applejack said as she noticed Aura’s face, “What’s wrong sugah?”

“Don’t leave us hanging dude!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, “Show us that Aura Sphere!”

“Are you okay?” Fluttershy asked.

“I can’t.” Aura said softly with his head still leaning and his eyes still shut, “I can’t do an Aura Sphere.”

“What do you mean?” Spike asked, “We just saw you make one. How come you didn’t throw it in the sky.”

“I can’t use my aura the way I learned it.” Aura explained, “Polstow was my teacher. And he taught me how to use aura the way he did. The dark side of aura.”

“But you’re part of the light now Aura.” Twilight said, “You can use aura the way Lurio does now.”

“Even so, I can’t use my aura like this.”

“Huh?!” The ponies and Spike exclaimed.

“Wait.” Lurio said, “Are you saying that you’re giving up on the Art of Aura?! But from how your aura is, you’re close to becoming an Aura Master! You can’t give up now!”

“No way!” Rainbow Dash shouted, “You can’t just quit like that! So, what if you learned the Art of Aura differently?! Don’t let that stop you from doing what you love!”

“So, if he’s quitting the Art of Aura,” Pinkie Pie said as she scratched her head, “Does that mean we’re just going to call him Chalcum? He can’t be AURAchalcum if he doesn’t do aura. Oh! Maybe I can come up with a new name for him. If he likes to make cupcakes, he can be Cupcakechalcum! Or maybe Mailchalcum! If he’s into delivering mail.”

Aura then raised his up again, gave a smile and said, “No way.”

“Okay then. How about Cloudchalcum? I bet you’re really good with the clouds like Rainbow Dash.”

“No, not that.” Aura replied, “I mean I’m not giving up the Art of Aura. I’d never do anything like that. I mean come on.” He then showed his aura on his right hoof and continued, “This. This is me. This is who I am. I’m the Aura Pony. Aura is what I do.” He placed his hoof down and finished with, “And I still want to be an Aura Master one day like I’ve always dreamed to be.”

“So then,” Twilight asked, “What’s with this sudden behavior?”

“Because,” Aura began, “If I am going to be an Aura Master, I want to feel like I really deserve it. I don’t care if my aura is the Aura of Light now. I still remember learning the Art of Aura from a master blinded by his own wants and desires. A master who believed that darkness was the only way to go. And I spent most of my years feeling the darkness whenever I tapped into my aura. That’s why, if I’m going to become an Aura Master, I want to learn the Art of Aura from a REAL master.”

Aura then turned to Lurio, who was anxious to hear what Aura was trying to say. As soon as Aura turned to him, Lurio started to figure out what he was talking about. Soon, Twilight caught on and didn’t expect something like this to happen.

“Lurio,” Aura said as he stepped closer to Lurio, “Please. Make me your student!”

“My-my-my student?!” Lurio spluttered as he grew astonished by Aura’s sudden request, “You wish for me to teach you the Art of Aura?! You ask me to be your master?!”

“I do.” Aura answered with a nod, “You learned the Art of Aura the way it should be learned. Please show me the right path. Show me how to control the power of aura the right and proper way. I want to start my training again with a clean slate.”

“Wow!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she jumped, “Didn’t see that coming.”

“Me neither.” Spike replied.

“Well,” Lurio said as he rubbed the back of his neck, “Aura. I’m flattered to hear that you want to learn the Art of Aura from me. But your aura is already skilled and experienced from those years from when you first learned how to control the energy within. There’s not much I can teach you.”

“Y-you mean,” Aura asked with a worried voice, “I can’t start over? I’ll have to be a master from learning aura from Polstow?”

“You mean you’d actually start all over again just so you can feel like you’re really ready to be a master?” Twilight asked Aura, “You sound really dedicated. I wish there was a way to do that.”

“Well,” Lurio said as he remembered something, “Actually. There is one way that we can make it all possible for me to teach you. But-“

“There is?!” Aura asked as he grew excited, “What is it?! Tell me what it is and I’ll do it!”

Convinced with Aura’s decision, Lurio proceeded to explain the method of starting again.

“There was a spell that unicorn aura users made back in the Age of Aura.” Lurio explained, “It was a spell made for wiping out the pony’s memory of everything they have learned about aura. And their aura reverts back to how it was before they started training.”

“A spell that makes them forget everything they learned?” Twilight asked in amusement.

“Everything. However, they still remember that it’s called aura and what it can do.” Lurio replied, “It was a spell they invented for many purposes.”

“Was it used to stop ponies from using aura the way Polstow did if they steered to close to darkness?” Twilight asked.

“In part,” Lurio answered, “But it was also used for those who either shame the Art of Aura and no longer are fit to be aura users at all. The spell is also used for scenarios such as this. If one believes they are not ready of being a master and feel like they did a fresh start.”

“Looks like Aura can be yer student after all if that’s the case.” Applejack commented, “Just give a little flick and twist and ya’ll can get started.”

“Yeah!” Aura cheered, “Let’s do it!”

“Sadly, there is a problem.” Lurio pointed out, “The spell was in a book I had and that book was in my saddle bag.”

Aura then froze as soon as Lurio said that. He then remembered where the saddle bag was and who sent it there.

“Oh…” Aura said as some sweat fell down from the back as his head, “That’s right… I took it to Polstow’s castle and now it’s still there…”

“That’s a long way from here.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Looks like we’ve got a little doozy.” Applejack said.

“No, we don’t.” Pinkie Pie replied with a smile, “If we did, I would’ve sensed it. And besides…”

Pinkie Pie then put her hoof in the fluffs of her tail and tried to reach something deep within it.

“Where is it?” Pinkie Pie whispered as she dug through the pit in her tail, “I know it’s here somewhere…”

“What is she doing?” Aura asked as he felt uncomfortable.

“What Pinkie Pies do best.” Applejack answered, “Be a Pinkie Pie.”

“Goodness darling.” Rarity said to Pinkie, “What is it you’re looking for?”

“Aha!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she found something deep in her tail, “Found it!”

She then pulled her hoof out and much to the surprise of the other ponies, she was holding Lurio’s saddle bag. Lurio nearly couldn’t breath after what he saw. That his big saddle bag fitted deep inside Pinkie Pie’s tail as if her tail was a bottomless pit.

“My saddle bag!” Lurio exclaimed, “Pinkie Pie! Where in Equestria did you find it?!”

“My Pinkie Senses that told me about other ponies belongings being nearby kicked in.” Pinkie Pie answered, “Aren’t you all lucky to have me around?”

“Very lucky.” Fluttershy replied, “Nopony has better Pinkie Senses than you.”

“Especially since you’re the only one with Pinkie Senses.” Rarity added.

“Thank you very much Pinkie Pie.” Lurio thanked, “I’m very grateful.”

“No worries.” Pinkie Pie replied, “That’s what friends do after all.”

After getting out the book inside of the saddle bag, Twilight took a look at the pages that were in it. She got stuck on some pages that held some parts of the Age of Aura that Lurio’s ancestor passed down to the family, but she regained focus and found the spell that Lurio mentioned.

“Here it is.” Twilight said as she found the page, “And it’s just as Lurio says. It can make a pony forget everything they’ve learned about the Art of Aura other than that it’s aura.”

Aurachalcum smiled big with excitement. So big that all of his teeth could be seen. He felt like he was at the top of the world after hearing what Twilight said.

“You think you can cast that spell Twilight?” Aura asked.

“You kidding?” Spike asked in a cocky manner, “You’re talking to Twilight Sparkle. The Magic Pony. She can cast any spell just by looking at them. This is no chore for her.”

“Just let me take a good look first and then I’ll see.” Twilight told Aura before looking back at the spell.

Aura’s excitement just kept growing. Soon, he began to feel jumpy and felt a burst of cheer coming up. He tried to hold it in as much as he could, but struggled to keep the burst from coming. He was ready to have the spell be chanted and casted so he can started his journey to be an Aura Master for real.

“Come on!” Aura exclaimed as he started to grow impatient, “Let’s just do it!”

“Alright.” Twilight said as she finished studying the spell, “I think I can do it now.”

“Wait.” Lurio intruded, “I must let you know something now Aura.”

“Make it fast, please.” Aura asked as he grew more impatient.

“This is an irreversible spell.” Lurio explained, “Once the spell is casted upon you, there won’t be any way to return to the way you are now. You’ll have to start from the beginning again. I know that you’re eager about the idea of starting your training again, but I want you to give this some more thought. Is this really what you want to do? I advise you to call this off if you’re not so sure anymore. Because learning the Art of Aura the proper way will take a long time. After all, learning how to control aura must be done at a steady and slow pace.”

“It doesn’t matter to me if I can’t go back.” Aura replied, “I want to do this because I to correct my mistake. I can’t change the past, but I can still learn from that. By learning the Art of Aura the way it should be learned. Even if it takes years to do, it’ll be worth it. So long as I feel ready.”

“Aura.” Fluttershy commented, “You’re so brave to do this.”

“This alone shows the passion you have about aura.” Celestia commented.

“You heard him.” Applejack said, “He’s made up his mind.”

“So be it.” Lurio said as he closed his eyes, “We all have our own paths. And we must follow them. Twilight, if you please.”

Twilight then aimed her horn for Aurachalcum and began to tap into her magic and got ready to cast the spell. But before she did, she had to make sure that Aura’s mind was made up.

“Last warning Aura.” Twilight said as the aura of her magic glowed in her horn, “As Lurio just said: once I cast this spell on you, there’s no going back. You’ll have to start over. Are you sure you’re not gonna back down on this?”

Aurachalcum smiled at Twilight, stood tall, and replied proudly, “Twilight Sparkle! Cast away!”

Accepting his choice, Twilight then casted the spell on Aurachalcum. Causing a small light to flash. Once the light vanished, Aurachalcum’s aura glowed around him for a second, and then quickly faded away. He had forgotten everything he learned about the Art of Aura. Even forgot all the abilities he gained from aura. Including the new Prison Crystal making ability Polstow gave him. Aura’s path was officially set.

“So,” Applejack said as she looked at Aura, “Did it work?”

Lurio then checked Aura’s aura by tapping into his own.

“Yes.” Lurio answered, “Aurachalcum’s aura is back to how it was before he started training. And therefore.”

Lurio then walked up to Aura and said to him as he looked him in the eyes, “Aurachalcum. You shall now be my student.”

Aura gave a much bigger smile that time. So big, that his mouth had widened. His eyes sparkled as much as the stars in the sky. He couldn’t believe what he just heard.

“And I,” Lurio continued with a smile, “Shall teach you everything I know about the Art of Aura. It will be a long journey. But with hard work, training, passion, and plenty of determination, you might just become one of the finest Aura Masters in all of Equestria.”

“YEAH!” Aurachalcum cheered loudly as a sudden glow appeared around him, “I’m going to become an Aura Master! And this time, I’m going to learn how from a TRUE master!”

Rainbow Dash knew what the glow was and was confused at the sight of the glow.

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash said as she pointed at Aura, “Your aura. How come you can still tap into it even though you can’t remember anything that you learned?”

“The Orichalcum Gem he was made from. Remember?” Twilight whispered to Rainbow Dash, “It has a strong aura.”

“Oh….” Rainbow Dash replied, “Right…”

“In that case.” Celestia said with a cheery tone, “I hope you enjoy becoming an Aura Master here in Ponyville.”

Aura stopped dancing and cheering as soon as he heard what Celestia said and wondered what she meant.

“Huh?” Aura said as he turned to her with a surprised look, “What did you say?”

“Wait.” Spike said, “Aura’s going to live in Ponyville?”

“Oh my gosh!” Pinkie Pie cheered, “You’re going to live here?! With us?!”

“Why that sounds like a splendid idea.” Rarity commented, “Ponyville is such a wonderful place to live in. Why I can’t think of a better home for you than here. Other than Canterlot of course. But let’s not go into too much detail.”

“A new partner here in Ponyville?” Applejack said as she liked the idea, “That’d be just super. You can meet my family at the Sweet Apple Acres.”

“You can join in some of my tea parties with my little furry friends.” Fluttershy commented.

“And you and I can race each other.” Rainbow Dash said, “And that also means a new pony to prank from time to time.”

“Aura!” Twilight said with a smile, “You should totally live here. You’d make so many friends here.”

“Now, now. Girls.” Celestia said as she got serious for a second, “I was only making a suggestion for Aurachalcum. It’s up to him if he wants to live here or not.” She then turned to Aura and continued, “But I do think this would be the best place for you Aura. Because as Twilight just said, you’d make many friends here. And have such a wonderful time too.”

Aura was at a loss for words at that point. He looked around and saw the faces of the ponies that was excited and enthusiastic about the idea. He didn’t know how to respond.

“You all,” Aura began, “Really want me to live here?”

“We sure do.” Applejack answered, “Yer our new friend after all.”

“But whatever you like to do is fine with us.” Rarity added, “After all, you’re free now. You can now be anypony you want to be now that Polstow is defeated.”

“We’re good with any decision you make,” Rainbow Dash said, “But we’d prefer one of those answers.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight scolded.

Noticing her message, Rainbow Dash made a save by saying, “But it’s totally up to you buddy.”

Aura thought about the question and wondered if he really should live in Ponyville. He couldn’t think of any cons to the idea. And the atmosphere around him made him think that Ponyville is undeniable the best place for a pony like him to live in.

“I too,” Lurio said while Aura thought it over, “That this would be a lovely place for you to live in. Of course, if you do decide to live here, I’ll have to put my little journey on hold for a while. But I’m perfectly keen with that.”

Aura thought it over once more and at last he reached a decision. He saw no reason why he shouldn’t live there.

He then looked at the ponies around him with a bright smile and answered, “Sure. Why not?”

“You’re going to live here?!” Pinkie Pie asked as she got excited again.

“Yep. This place looks like a nice place to live in.”

“In that case,” Lurio replied, “I shall live here too. At least until you become an Aura Master.”

“Hurray!” Pinkie Pie cheered, “We’ve got a new citizen of Ponyville!”

“Two new citizens.” Applejack corrected, “Lurio’s staying too.”

“This is great!” Twilight exclaimed, “Two ponies who can use aura in a special way living here in Ponyville! I’ve got so many questions to ask!”

“As I mentioned just now,” Lurio corrected, “I shall stay here until Aura becomes an Aura Master. So I’m more of a visitor rather than a full-fledged citizen.”

“Either way,” Pinkie Pie said, “You know what this calls for.”

“Oh boy.” Aura said with a sigh, “I know where this is going.”

“I saw this coming a mile away.” Rainbow Dash said as she rolled her eyes with a smile.

Pinkie Pie then got out her Party Cannon, aimed it at Ponyville, pulled the string at the bottom and shouted in excitement, “A PARTY!!!!!”

Right from the Party Cannon she fired, the entire town of Ponyville was immediately decorated for a Welcome to Ponyville Party for both Aurachalcum and Lurio. The ponies that lived there then started to dance and welcoming both Aura and Lurio to Ponyville. Aura couldn’t express how he was feeling right now. All these ponies wanting to get to know him and smiling at him like he was a part of them. Aside from being an Aura Master, this is what he wanted the most.

“This is great.” Aura said as he looked around the jumping town of his new home, “Everypony here is happy.”

“You should be too.” Lurio replied, “After all, this is your new home. And something tells me you will be invited to gatherings such as this many times.”

“I got that same feeling too, master.” Aura said back with a smile.

Celestia smiled at the sight of Ponyville’s party that welcomed the two new ponies. She was happy to see that the pony who was once a slave to an evil Aura Master is now surrounded by so many ponies who wanted to be his friend. He’s now free to be who he wants to be. She then remembered that she had to go back to Canterlot as it was time for her to tuck in for the night. But before she decided to leave, she had one more thing to deal with involving Aurachalcum.

“Aura.” Celestia called out as she walked to him.

The ponies of Ponyville made room for her to approach him and bowed to her as she walked by. Aura turned to her as she came up. He felt a little nervous, but not as much as before.

“Since you’re going to live here now,” Celestia said, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Oh,” Aura said as he jumped a bit from what she said, “T-that’s okay Princess. You don’t have to give me anything. I ask for no gift.”

“What’re you doing?!” Rainbow Dash whispered as she came up to him fast, “Why would you reject a gift from the Princess?! Don’t be so modest and blow this one!”

“I insist.” Celestia replied to Aura, “Because…”

Suddenly, using the magic with her horn, she made a golden piece of paper appear in front of her and showed it to Aurachalcum.

“You’d like to join your friends in this fun little event coming up.” Celestia finished as she showed him the golden paper.

Aura noticed some words on the paper and read them as Celestia continued holding it with her magic. After reading it once, he couldn’t believe what she was giving him.

“An invitation?!” Aura asked loudly, “To the Grand Galloping Gala?!”

“That’s right~.” Celestia replied with a cheery tone, “Aurachalcum. You are hereby invited to partake in this year’s Grand Galloping Gala. Since you’re a new citizen of Ponyville, this is will be a wonderful place for you to make tons of new friends. As ponies from all over are going to be there. And the best part is that this invitation is good enough for both you..”

Celestia then flipped the ticket to show that there were two more tickets along with the one she showed before.

“And two friends.” Celestia finished.

“Me and two friends.” Aura repeated as Celestia placed the three tickets on Aura raised hoof, “To the Grand Galloping Gala.”

Aura then looked at his new friends and hoped to ask them to accept one of his invitations.

“Before you ask,” Spike said before Aura could speak, “I’ve already got one.”

“So, do I.” Twilight added.

“Me too.” Rainbow Dash said, “And so do Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie.”

A bit disappointed, Aura then turned to his new master, Lurio. In hopes that the outcome would be different.

“I apologize my new student.” Lurio apologized, “But I too have already received one. The Princess presented me with one when I came to Canterlot.”

Aura’s smile disappeared for a second as he felt saddened that all of his new friends already had tickets.

“Oh well.” Aura said as he grew cheerful again, “I guess that means I’ll have to find some new friends to take.”

“That’s the spirit Aura.” Applejack praised, “And besides, we’ll all still meet up there.”

“Absolutely.” Rarity added, “And I look forward to seeing you there.”

“Well then.” Celestia said as she got ready to hop into her carriage, “Aurachalcum. I’ll be expecting big things from you since you’re wanting to be an Aura Master one day.”

“Well Princess.” Aura replied, “You won’t be disappointed. At least I hope you won’t.”

“Heh, heh.” Celestia chuckled as she sat in her carriage, “I know I will be.” She then looked at the ponies of Ponyville and said to them, “Farewell for now my little ponies. Have a nice party and sweet dreams afterwards.”

The ponies then bowed to her as the two Pegasi that carried her carriage began to fly.

“Oh. And one more thing Aurachalcum and Lurio.” Celestia said as she turned to them with a smile that could make anypony happy, “Welcome to Ponyville.”

“Thank you Princess.” Lurio thanked as he bowed to her, “Good night to you.”

“Bye Princess Celestia!” Aura said as he waved to her.

She waved back as the Pegasi flew away for Canterlot. Carrying the princess in the carriage.

Aura then looked at the tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala and wondered what the two friends he would make. The two friends that would come with him to the special event.

“Two friends.” Aura said to himself as he looked at the tickets.

“I’m just so excited!” Pinkie exclaimed as she startled Aurachalcum, “I can’t believe you and Lurio are living here now! I can tell this is the start of something just spectacular!”

“Yeah!” Spike added, “I can’t wait to see you become an Aura Master one day.”

“And we all hope you enjoy the journey there here in Ponyville Aura.” Twilight said with a smile.

Aura smiled back as he said, “Trust me. I know I will Twilight. I know I will.”

Aura then got together with Twilight and the rest of her friends and talked about how excited they all were that Aura has decided to live in Ponyville. They laughed and chuckled and Rainbow Dash showed off some of her new moves she came up with to impress the Wonderbolts. Meanwhile, Lurio watched from a distance and thought about his new student and what a strong aura he has.

“So, I now have a student to pass my teachings to.” Lurio thought as he smiled, “Aurachalcum holds much potential. He wishes to be an Aura Master one day. Well, I dedicate myself to helping him achieve that dream. With proper training and good focus, I believe he’ll become an Aura Master that surpasses even me. After all, he is the Aura Pony. A pony strong with aura and pure of light.”

And so, Ponyville partied the night away with the arrival of two new citizens. Aurachalcum and Lurio. Aura may have decided to start his training all over again, but perhaps it’s better that way. Because doing so now opens the door to a new path and a new journey. Though many questions do remain unanswered. What will become of the bird that Aurachalcum has befriended? Why does Aura feel happy whenever he feels Fluttershy’s aura? Who were those two mysterious ponies that helped Aura? Who was that strange orb of light? And the most important question of all: What lies ahead of Aurachalcum’s journey to become an Aura Master? All these questions shall be answered in the future episodes of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – The Team Light Chronicles.

After the party. Somewhere in a house in Ponyville…

The mare known as Octavia Melody was playing her cello before tucking in for the night. While she played, she noticed something odd about her roommate that she lived with and wondered what was on her mind.

“You’ve been acting strange lately.” Octavia said in her accent*, “I can’t help but feel like you’ve got something on your mind. Care to share your thoughts with me.”

(*upper-class British accent.)

“That one pony.” Her roommate replied, “The one who just became a new citizen here.”

“Ah yes.” Octavia replied, “The one pony that Pinkie Pie threw a party for. It feels nice to have somepony new to talk to and maybe even share my music talent with. What was his name again?”

“I don’t know.” The roommate replied as she smirked, “But I plan to get his name memorized tomorrow. And I’ll be sure he memorizes mine too.”

The roommate of Octavia is the one that they call DJ Pon-3. A mare who loved music with a passion. And loved being a DJ even more. And Octavia could tell from the sound of her voice that she was dedicated to getting to know the new citizen of Ponyville.

“Got it memorized?” DJ Pon-3 asked with a cool tone in her voice.

Next time: The First Day