It seemed, no matter where you were, what you did, or even who you are; time just seemed to have flown by. Nightmare Equality had started to reach out to the other nations. The hippogriffs took it relatively well. Many of them were converted. So, big success there. The griffins, yaks, kirin, and dragons were not joining anytime soon. The changelings might've have if Trixie, Maud, and Sunburst had not gotten there first. Still, some were wavering. The Crystal Empire had taken a big blow. The subjects were more than happy to join, But Cadence and Shining Armor were more hesitant.

The Main 6 were varying. Twilight looked as if she was going to crack, and needed to go to the asylum or something. Pinkie was trying to starve herself, so she was put under extreme care, Rainbow Dash was slowly breaking under careful and gentle nudges from Fluttershy. Spike was in a bubble to prevent his fire and rampage. His only source of comfort came from Applejack wasn't even worrying about the equality creed anymore. She at this point, was just trying to keep him calm, and reassure him. But despite not even trying, Spike also seemed to be slowly coming closer to accepting the new world of Equality.

Many were, like Spike, starting to accept the new world. Didn't meant that they supported it, but just were not putting the energy to fight it anymore. The yaks and kirin were the biggest example of this. They would make ultimate peace with the ponies, treating them like they would any of there kind. So, long story short, the yaks and kirin were still separate nations, but were still in harmony, balance, and equality with the ponies. There were also those who were like Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash.

Some seemed to be going crazy. This was only a few. They seemed to be cracking, but still had a subconscious piece of fight left in them. So, it was like they were in a war within themselves. There were also the ones who were slowly starting to come around thanks to friends and family's gentle persuasions. There were those who were surely to the end, even if it was their end. They were either the ones in rebellion, total denial, or had taken a course much like Pinkie. And then there were the ones who just wouldn't have it. They either went to the camps for others like them, left Equestria, or went to go join the dragons and griffins who would also not budge.

Trixie, Maud, Sunburst, Thorax, and Chrysalis had there plan in set and were traveling to Canterlot. Their plan was to go to Nightmare Equality, and hope that their presence would help to start jogging here memory of when she was Starlight. They would each tell her how she had effected their lives. Trixie and Sunburst even had a spell ready to flood Nightmare Equality's mind with all her happy memories to remind her who she was if it came down to it. But they had to move fast. Nightmare Equality was affecting more and more of the world and its inhabitants.

Meanwhile, Nightmare Equality herself was in multiple states of mind. She was rejoicing at her success so far. She was worried for those who were behaving like Pinkamina and for those who might never join. She was sorrowed also for those who had rejected her. She was hesitant about her next course of action, including about having that voice in the back of her head have power, well more power than it did. She knew that voice was the same one she talked to everyday and night in her mirror. Anyway, she wasn't giving in yet. She slept that night having the worrisome feeling that tonight was going to reveal a lot, as now she was in war with her self as well.

Don't you remember why you let me in?

Have you forgotten already?

"Leave me alone!" another voice cried.

The other voice just chuckled.

You know I am right. You let me in to help you. But I can't if you deny me like others deny you.

"Stop it! You only seek to bring me down. You lie. I should never have let you in! You Monster!"

Oh a monster am I? I am only what you made me! You Say I lie? How can that be. I only speak the truth. Lies is it when I say that your own friend denied you. Just brushed you off. Lies when I remind you what you did to other ponies? Lies when you tried to destroy the Universe? Or lies when I see you now? You are still that weak little pony I found over a month ago. You say you want Equality when you seek to push me out!

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop telling you the truth, Stop trying to help, Stop telling you what you are... Stary? You have made the mistake of letting me in and not letting me help you. So, I will take charge and you will never have imagined what I will do!

What even are you?!

I... I am the Tantabus!!

Trixie, Sunburst, Maud, and the 2 changelings were running to the Canterlot castle. Word had just gotten out that Cadence and Shining Armor had finally Joined the Equality creed and had finally convinced Twilight and Celestia to join as well. Rainbow dash and Spike had also given in. Pinkie, it was also unknown if she was finally starting to accept her new life, or would die a pony of Equestria of old.

Equestria it seemed would never recover to that which it once was. Was it really for the better? Well no matter, because everything was changing rapidly. The Tantabus was ever creeping closer into taking over Starlight for good. Trixie, Maud, Sunburst, Thorax and Chrysalis were feeling it. Like a part of their soul/subconscious was feeling everything Starlight did, their heartbeat matching hers, their minds thinking like her about what a mess this was. Because at this point, Nightmare Equality didn't even exist. She only existed when Starlight and the Tantabus were one. Like a production of them being in harmony. But when one or the other was fighting against, it was then Starlight vs. the Tantabus.

And Starlight was fighting. We really don't know if it was for herself, to fix another problem she had caused, or just to help save her friends. The Tantabus was wining. Slowly, but surely, as the sun will rise eventually. The 5 friends were feeling Starlight's despair. They now knew it was not about helping her to remember, but instead to help her gain the strength to win. But they knew they had to act fast, because they were running out of time. As the 5 friends which included: Trixie, Maud, Sunburst, and the 2 changelings; got of the train in Canterlot, as they had just arrived.

Now, as they raced into the castle, they joined the Mane 6, The Princesses, Spike, and Discord. But as they all reached the throne room, they gasped! For there before them was not Starlight, not Nightmare Equality; but instead a very tall unicorn made up of what appeared to be the night sky, with white light shining where the eyes and mouth would be. It spoke in a voice that can't be explained. The closest explanation or description is that it sounded like a mix between Luna, Discord, Sombra, and maybe Rarity. So it sounded female, but deeper, so much like Luna if you wish to have a close example.

"You fools!"

it boomed.

"Did you really think that you could defeat me, The Tantabus? When Luna defeated me, she only took a very large portion of me. I admit that is why I had not dared to return, until recently.

I needed to take a different approach. I have been hiding in the dream realm, and from there was able to visit the dreams of every pony, or creature in all of Equestria. Now, for me to rise again more powerful than ever, A few things were needed.

First, a absolute necessity is guilt. Now, I could have done any pony, as there is plentiful guilt. But, I wasn't about to use just any pony, but a very powerful one. I would have preferred an alicorn, but none of them were feeling guilty. So my next best choice was a very powerful unicorn that could be or even best an alicorn.

And I found the perfect one. The one who had accomplished so much. She was talented, had already affected Equestria so much, bested an alicorn, and had so much guilt.

The Tantabus sighed.

"Now, if you can recall. Last time, I could only break into the real world, I had to escape the dream realm this time as well.

I had found a way to semi-share a pony that could lead me to greatness! That pony was Starlight Glimmer. I gained her confidence and trust by instead of feeding of her guilt, I sapped and stored it away. She accepted me. I now had access to the real world through her. Even though at that point in time, she was perfectly capable to rid me of herself if she so wished, if she had risen.

For when we combined, we created an illusion of Nightmare Equality. At first, It was just Starlight taking guidance from me. Next, it was us together. Both of us there. She still herself, but I becoming more real everyday. Third, was when I had almost taken complete control, the more she gave me. And finally, I had became so real that, well, you see the results.

The Tantabus now summoned a glass of water, took a couple sips and continued. No pony else had stirred, as they were now listening, and maybe could figure out a way to save Starlight.

"Uh, pardon me here, but Trixie wonders how you did this? I mean, last time, couldn't you only work in the dream realm, and if you did escape, you didn't need to possess a pony to manifest yourself. Correct?" Trixie asked, trying to get more info.

"Ah yes, how did do it? Great magic had to be involved, but also quite a bit of cleverness too. So, I had discovered that if I gained a pony's trust, or in someway become a part of them, I could escape. Now, the way I have learned to do it is to become part of the mind. I affect the pony while they are asleep. If all goes well, if the accept me on their own free will and with good reason, when they wake, they will take me into their waking mind.

From there, I can only gain power if they grant it to me. The more they do, the more authority I weld. Until there comes a time that given to much power, or the subject is weak of mind, even if they can't fight me off; I can take over completely, as I have done here.

The Tantabus now laughed, ans Sunburst cried "You mean that there is no way to save Starlight?!"

"Well, well. What do we have here? Ah, I see. It is you, the whole reason Equestria and beyond are doomed.

"What?" cried every pony

Oh, didn't you know? He is the reason behind all this. You see, Starlight was feeling guilty for everything she had done. And that pain included losing you. If you hadn't run out on her, or done anything to prevent her from doing the Equality 1.0, I never could've gained power, as she wouldn't even have a reason to let me in. But, you did run out on her, and therefore, doomed all of Equestria.

"Don't listen to her." Maud spoke up, "She only can gain power if you let her insults weaken you. As I am guessing she did with Starlight, just before she took her over. Didn't you? You Tormented Starlight before you took her over!"

"Yes I did. But anyway. The facts are, I have Taken over Starlight, as I need her magical ability plus my own to make me the most powerful. I have weakened all of Equestria with all the equality jazz. I am here now, about to remove you from my way. You can't use the elements or the Magic of Friendship because you are actually not fit to weld its power, and other things.

And I might be able to transfer any last messages to Starlight, as she is just barely conscious and she has heard this conversation to the fullest. Yes, I can transfer the last words of you, before I deal with you, and I will keep her alive just for her to witness you total defeat before I, well, actually.

I think I will keep her in existence just to let her see the outcome of her choices. And only after she has seen all the Pain She has allowed, she will kill herself, or continue to exist in me if she so desires. I guess I will leave that to her.

Every pony gasped, and looked mortified.

You better hurry, Maybe you can say something to her that might make her last moments less, well try and numb the pain. I think she would really like to hear from you Sunburst before she dies. You know, hear all your excuses on why you left and why your here.

Every pony was now thinking. As it seemed that Starlight would never again be in any of their lives, they wished her to know how they truly felt.

And what they said would reach Starlight. But, something was going to happen, as she heard the words of one.

Author's Note

only one more chapter everybody.