The Light of the Night

An explosion of fire ignites the atmosphere, the darkness briefly illuminated by intense heat. Fireball after fireball connects, exploding like fireworks while rapid beams pierce through the air like a club party. The demon-turned-alicorn threw fireballs while Starbeam Glitter shot a beam of magic through her fingertips. But try as they might, Midnight Sparkle not only blocked their attacks with her own power, but she was able to dodge their individual attacks with incredible ease.

“How is she this fast?!” Starbeam shouted exasperated.

“Doesn’t matter now, kid!” The mare shouted back. “Just concentrate full fire on that witch!”

The two mares kept pressing on with the assault, hurling every form of magic possible. Neither of which came close to contacting the powerful demoness. It was so relatively easy for Midnight, she practically yawned as one fireball whizzed passed her without the need to dodge.

“You know what they say, ladies?” Midnight Sparkle spoke. “What goes up… must come down!”

Catching on quick, Starbeam and the Mare’s eyes turn up as the sky began to rain fireballs conjured by Midnight’s magic aura. Thanks to quick reaction from the Mare, they both manage to evade the rain of fire like ballroom dancers swinging hoof and hoof. Midnight Sparkle merely watches, as she mentally summoned fireballs trying to destroy her foes. By the time the last fireball struck the ground, the Mare posed with Starbeam held under one hoof as the young unicorn leaned back, gasping for air.

“Thanks!” Starbeam sighed.

“Don’t thank me yet,” The mare muttered.

Just then, Midnight’s laughter made the mare turn as the creature zoomed toward them at blazing speed.

“LOOK OUT!!!”

Midnight Sparkle reeled an arm to swipe at Starbeam Glitter. But the Mare twisted Starbeam away, blocking the attack with one hoof. Starbeam shoots a barrier and shoved Midnight Sparkle back briefly. Barely phased, Midnight lunged forward as Starbeam summoned one new barrier with each hoof, all while desperately blocking Midnight’s ruthless attack.

“I… I can’t hold her much longer!” Starbeam groaned.

Just as the Mare said, the barriers disappeared as one swipe from Midnight Sparkle sent the mares back with a wave of her aura. Starbeam felt herself struggling to catch her breath, as she feel her magic thinning the longer this fight took place. She knew that if there was any hope to defeat Midnight Sparkle for good, they needed a plan.

“Giving up already?” The alicorn asked.

“No… Just need a plan,” Starbeam muttered, staring toward Midnight.

“Is this all the fight you have to offer?” Midnight Sparkle asked, mockingly. “How disappointing! I didn’t want this end at all.”

“I’ve only just begun to fight, Midnight Sparkle.”

“We’re going to need that strategy any day now.”

“Can you still use your magic?”

“Absolutely.”

“Do you trust me?”

“No… But it’s not like either one of us has any other choice.”

“Wait for my cue; I’m taking the lead.”

“As long as you know what you’re doing.”

The two mares stood by side, slowly powering up as they faced Midnight Sparkle. The demoness merely sighs seeing the two trying to act tough before her.

“Still think you can best me, little star?” Midnight asked. “Try dodging this!”

Midnight Sparkle raises her arms as a band of beams began to form behind her, waiting for her cue to fire. Starbeam Glitter holds her ground, silently studying her adversary as if analyzing the situation.

“We can’t match her offensively,” Starbeam Glitter thought. “Her magic is far stronger than both of our powers combined. But even Midnight has a weakness. Although she’s powerful…”

Midnight Sparkle waves her arm, as the lasers fire toward the group. Starbeam stomps her hoof twice and summons a huge barrier, as the beams bounced off the shield which rapidly illuminated upon contact. Midnight was so focused on trying to destroy what was in front of her…

“AAAAAHHHHH!!!” Midnight screeched.

A fire spell hits Midnight in the back, as the mysterious mare stood behind Midnight. Starbeam witnessed the event unfold as a small smirk formed on her face knowing her new ally followed her ‘cue’ as instructed.

“She’s vulnerable after casting her spells!”

“Now’s your chance, Star!” The mare shouted.

Starbeam channels her aura through her horn and fires a beam right underneath Midnight Sparkle. The demoness was sent propelling into the air, as she tried to force her way down with her wings. But the new alicorn poofs right in front of midnight, her own horn fully charged.

“Let’s end this…”

The mare fires a whirlwind of fire toward Midnight Sparkle. The power was so scorching and so intense, it pushed Midnight Sparkle against the wall as she screamed and moaned in pain. Midnight Sparkle observes fiercely as the plan was coming together.

“You see, Midnight?!” Starbeam shouted. “I may not be as strong as you, but I’ll use every last ounce of magic to defeat you once and for all!!!”

Casting another beam, Starbeam fires toward Midnight. Only this time, it wrapped around Midnight’s waist. Before she can react, the beam dragged her down leaving her little time to scream before she crashed onto the floor. Starbeam stands there for a moment, waiting for the smoke to clear. But the fatigue kicked in making her lean over her hooves, as the Mare landed beside her.

“All right, Kid… I admit it,” The Mare nodded. “That… was impressive. However did you learn to do that?”

“From… my mom…” Starbeam breathed heavily. “And… television.”

“… Television? Are you kidding me?! We’re in the middle of a life-and-death situation, and you’re telling me your best idea… came from TELEVISION?!?! What even IS television?!”

“Hey… You’d be surprise… how much I learn… from watching T.V.”

“I’ll comment on your learning skills later. Right now, let’s finish her off and—”

Before she could finish, a blast of magic strikes the Mare, who screamed in pain. The blast sent her flying toward the side and she explodes against the surface. Starbeam looks on in shock, peering through the thinning smoke only to find that her ally had disappeared in a haze. A chuckle draws her back slowly as Midnight Sparkle appears before her, dusting off a tiny flame on her shoulder.

“It’s just you and me now, little star,” Midnight Sparkle declared.

Starbeam Glitter was in disbelief, shocked beyond words. All that effort against Midnight Sparkle and she floats before her with barely a scratch. If she was suffering any form of damage at all, she was determined to make her believe she wasn’t hurt.

“Little girls like you shouldn’t be playing with this level of power,” Midnight Sparkle continued. “Power enough to hurt the millions of lives that inhabit the planet. And you still claim you’re trying to lead a normal life? That’s not how your story ends, does it?

“You see, little star? Everything that transpired, everything that has lead to this… It’s all… your… fault! You continue to exist and everyone you know gets hurt. Your family… your friends… the world… both of them!”

Adding insult to injury, Midnight Sparkle displays Starbeam Glitter with a series of illusions before her. Many of them images of her family, others consisting of several unknown faces that Starbeam has never seen or met before. They were all screaming in pain, crying out in agony, and begging for mercy. And all Starbeam Glitter is bear witness to their dying expressions, the suffering displayed through their eyes. Starbeam tried to be strong regardless, as a single tear threatened to trickle down.

<>

In the throne room of the Canterlot Castle, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle arrived at the castle and stood before the new ruler of Equestria, ‘Princess’ Twilight. It had been such a long time when all three of these women were in the same room together and now during this most desperate hour, the two wives come to Twilight seeking her help.

“We’re sorry to bust in like this,” Sunset explained. “But we wouldn’t have come if this wasn’t an emergency.”

“There’s no need for an apology, Sunset,” Princess Twilight assured. “I already know why you’re both here.”

“You do?” Sci-Twi asked confused.

“Yes, and I know it’s about Starbeam,” Princess Twilight explained. “I’m well aware of the current situation. She is currently in battle against Midnight Sparkle even as we speak. And… she’s not alone. From what I could tell, your previous form, Sunset, is fighting beside her.”

“What?!” Sunset asked surprised. “She’s there too?”

“Who is she talking about?” Sci-Twi asked.

“She doesn’t have a name, but she used to be my own dark half. But what business does she have with our Starbeam?”

“It would seem that rather than going after Starbeam’s power,” Princess Twilight observed. “It appears she’s aiding her against Midnight Sparkle. I don’t know how much help she is or what her ultimate angle. All we know is that your daughter is in great danger and needs all the help she can get.”

“Then why aren’t you helping her?!” Sci-Twi asked panicking. “Instead of just sitting here now and telling us all this!”

“Believe me Twilight, I want to help her as much as any pony,” The Princess spoke regretfully. “Unfortunately, it would see Midnight Sparkle was on to me and blocked most of the entrances to her dimension.”

“Starbeam… she’s going to get herself killed,” Sunset spoke. “I swear when I get my hands on that Midnight—”

“Sunset Shimmer,” The Princess interrupted. “I understand your frustration, but at the same time I cannot allow one of my students to make irrational decisions in the face of danger. Midnight Sparkle has grown much stronger since the last time you fought her. Apparently, she’s been using forbidden magic and to make matters worse, she can’t be harmed by normal means.”

“Forbidden magic? Sweet Celestia…”

“So please, Sunset… don’t ask rashly. You’ve tried to beat her yourself and you lost. If we are to stop Midnight Sparkle, we must work together.”

“Which is precisely why we’re here in the first place,” Sci-Twi spoke up. “We just… we only want to get our daughter back and we can’t do it by ourselves!”

“Not to worry, we’ll face her together. I will do what I possibly can to help you save Starbeam. Come, we must head there at once!”

“Thanks… Twilight,” Sunset said, as all three teleported away.

<>

Meanwhile, a figure crashed upon the ground after seemingly appearing from out of thin air. It was Sunset Shimmer’s demon persona, only now she was no longer in her alicorn form but back to her demon appearance. She laid there upon the ground, nearly transparent and not realizing what had happened. She tried to get up, but her legs were wobbling, as if she had been stripped away of a large amount of power.

“Damn it! Did NOT see that one coming.”

It was only then when the Demon looked at herself, seeing claws instead of hoofs and bat-like wings instead of the heavy feathered wings, that she threw her arms and shouts in frustration. Her eyes catch Starbeam Glitter before Midnight Sparkle, the young unicorn just standing there trembling and unable to move.

“S-Starbeam… why are you just standing there?!” The Demon shouted. “Move kid… Move!”

But whether or not Starbeam Glitter could hear her, she seemed paralyzed in fear. For a while, she had been staring toward images of folks which Midnight claimed her powers have done nothing but hurt. As of this moment, everything was going Midnight Sparkle’s way.

“It’s time to wake up and face reality, little star,” Midnight Sparkle warned. “This is what happens when nothing changes. Your regrets will forever haunt you for the remainder of your days. And you know it, don’t you?”

Starbeam Glitter did not acknowledge Midnight Sparkle’s gaze toward her. She just stared upon her hooves, which seemed to quiver and shake uncontrollably as if she was suffering a case of PTSD. No matter how much she tried to deny it, the truth was abundantly clear right before her eyes.

“Of course I regret it,” Starbeam Glitter spoke softly. “I try to find ways to save everyone so many times… And I just ‘lose’.”

Midnight Sparkle approached her, placing her right hand upon the girl’s shoulder.

“I know how hard it is; I’ve lived with it too. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can fix all of this, little star. Join forces with me and together we can work to correct all our action. Save ourselves… be happy.”

“As much as I want to fix the past… I know that’s not going to happen. I told you Midnight, I won’t do it. Everyone is already happy, and they’ll still be happy whether I play a part or not. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy too, Midnight. I want to help you see that there’s another way, but I won’t allow you to control me. I just can't, I'm sorry.”

Midnight’s grip upon her shoulder grew tight, her rage slowly boiled over.

“WRONG ANSWER!!!”

Starbeam gasped, her eyes widen and her jaw drops, as a sharp pain pierced through her chest and her body lifts off the ground. With her free hand, Midnight Sparkle had struck Starbeam Glitter while her guard was down and glares toward the girl as her body quivers and she fights to breathe.

“Seems I was wrong about you; you really are blind. I give you two chances, and you didn’t behave. You continue to disappoint me, now I’m done doing things the easy way…”

As Midnight Sparkle talked, Sci-Twi, Sunset Shimmer, and even Princess Twilight Sparkle finally arrived. But what they saw before their eyes was nothing short of horrifying.

“STARBEAM!!!” Sci-Twi and Sunset shouted.

“Now… we do things MY WAY!!!”

Starbeam’s eyes began to cloud, as the aura around her starts to fade back and forth while the magic flows around Midnight’s arm. Midnight’s eyes glows, taking heavy breathes as she draws the power from the young girl. Starbeam hung limply in Midnight’s clutches, until her mind started to blank. Just then, the Demon reappears before Midnight Sparkle, her hands boiling with fiery aura more than enough to pose a threat.

“Release the girl now, Midnight Sparkle!!!” The Demon shouted. “Or I’ll-”

“Or you’ll what?” Midnight Sparkle asked mockingly. “Look at you! You can barely even keep the flames burning; you’ve lost so much power you can’t even intimidate me. And even if you could still fight, you can’t—no, you won’t do anything. You strike me, you strike her too!”

The Demon furrowed her eyebrows deeply, clutching her fists as the aura began to glow as if she were trying to draw power. Midnight Sparkle merely stares at the Demon as calm as a cucumber as if she knew that she had the edge.

“Whether you admit it or not, you’re afraid. You’ve always feared she’d turn into me, the same as Sunset Shimmer turned into you. You’re nothing but a shell of your former self, just another one of her mistakes. Because no matter what she does, she’ll just make the same mistakes over and over. Isn’t that right… Sunset Shimmer?”

Sunset Shimmer silently gasped, as she and the others were somehow spotted by Midnight Sparkle, her smile widens without even looking at her. With a snap of her finger, violet flames encircle around the trio before they could make their move. The two wives in their pony forms desperately seek an exit, while Princess Twilight tried to use her magic to break through the loop. But Midnight had absorbed so much power, it was near impossible to break.

“You really should thank me, Sunset,” Midnight continued. “I generously allow you and your pitiful family to come here, to witness my moment of triumph! Now that I have all the magic I need, I won’t be needing your little stars anymore…”

“Stop this, Midnight!” Sunset Shimmer shouted. “Why are you doing this?!”

“To fix everything that you—no, everything SHE took from me!” Midnight shouted, pointing towards Sci-Twi. “It was never about your daughter; it was always about… you. Your mistakes created me, just as your mistake created your daughter! And I intend to remedy that, even if that makes me the bad guy!”

With all the magic she needs, Midnight Sparkle hurls Starbeam Glitter’s limp body toward the ground. Seeing her chance, The Demon charges, shouting a battle cry lifting one fiery hand toward the demoness. Anticipating the move, Midnight Sparkle quickly turns and delivers a stiff uppercut under the Demon’s chin. The Demon shouts as she’s knocked into the air, saliva escaping from her lips, and she lands painfully on the ground. Midnight Sparkle cackles maniacally before she teleports away, and her magic fire dispels around the trio of ponies.

“Damn it…” The Demon groaned, clutching her jaw. “That hurt more than last time…”

The Demon looks around for Midnight Sparkle, but it was too little, too late. Once again, the Demoness had gotten away. Just when she was about to say something, she turns to the side and the expression on her face changed when Sunset Shimmer and Sci-Twi approached. She silently looks on as the two rush toward Starbeam, gasping as her lifeless body laid upon the ground. Sunset Shimmer leaned toward her daughter, trying to shake her awake.

“Starbeam!” Sunset shouted. “Starbeam! STARBEAM!!! No… No, no, no, no, why?!”

“How did it come to this?” Sci-Twi cried, behind Sunset. “Starbeam… Please, wake up! Starbeam please!”

“It’s no use…”

The two women turn as Princess Twilight Sparkle approached the two, looming over the lifeless Starbeam Glitter.

“Midnight Sparkle has drained her of all her magic, including her very lifeforce. And now, with all the power to wipe out time itself… we just weren’t strong enough.”

“No…” Sci-Twi gasped. “No, no! That can’t be true! She can’t be gone! She just can’t!”

Sunset’s tears fell upon Starbeam Glitter’s face, but her eyes never stirred, her lip didn’t tremble, and no breath was released. The truth was perfectly clear before them all: Starbeam Glitter was gone, as the whole atmosphere of the room filled with despair.

“It’s all my fault,” Sunset Shimmer sighed. “I-I screwed up everything! I’m sorry, Star. I’m… I’m so sorry…”

Princess Twilight Sparkle looked down upon the ponies before turning toward the side, as if she were trying to feel where Midnight Sparkle has gone. Her look of sadness shifts to a gaze of fierce determination.

“Don’t wallow in despair,” Princess Twilight spoke, turning toward Sunset and Sci-Twi. “There’s still time to save your daughter and stop Midnight Sparkle for good. If we are to stop her… I’ll need your full cooperation… all of yours.”

In that moment, Sunset Shimmer and Sci-Twi fully acknowledged the presence of someone else in this dimension. Sunset Shimmer’s old demon form, now with a life of her own stood silently before them. Under any circumstances, many questions would be stirring in their minds and all desperate for answers. But right now, with the future of their daughter at stake, those questions were going to have to wait.