King Sombra advanced towards the group, sending out wave upon wave of magical assault all the while cackling menacingly. Princess Twilight Sparkle, along with the two Sunset Shimmers, did their best to block the attacks with all the barriers they could summon. But eventually, the barriers shattered with such explosive force that it caused the girls to slide back with a grunt. King Sombra laughed maniacally, as the girls looked on.

Getting back onto their feet, the Demon and Daydream Shimmer advanced towards Sombra, as magical aura glowed upon their claws and hoofs. They swung magical bursts toward King Sombra, who merely evaded their attacks with a toothy grin. Then all at once, he vanished completely as the two Sunsets looked around. Just then, he appeared from behind the Demon and struck her as she fell forward in pain. Before Daydream Shimmer can react, King Sombra swept a hoof against her face and knocked her back.

Fallen to the ground, Daydream Shimmer brushed the bit of blood dropped from her mouth as she looked up. King Sombra loomed over her, his horn glowing as he prepared to deliver the killing blow… when a beam suddenly struck King Sombra in the chest knocking him backward. Clutching the chest plate, where he was struck, King Sombra looks up and floating before him in a glowing light, Starbeam Glitter had returned much to everyone’s astonishment.

“Starbeam!” Daydream Shimmer gasped, her eyes tearing up.

Starbeam Glitter fully emerged from the light, the little unicorn smiling before her mother as she returned from the dark abyss. Daydream Shimmer stood herself up, as the Demon looked on just as surprised.

“You’re really here…” Daydream gasped.

“I came home mom,” Starbeam replied.

They turned back toward King Sombra, as the King of Darkness himself recovered from the blind-sided attack. Turning towards one another, as the Demon rejoined them, they nod their heads and advanced toward Sombra once more. Princess Twilight looked on as her two allies, and a returning Starbeam, banded together and charging toward the evil stallion. Once more, Starbeam delivered a hit before Sombra could summon a spell.

But during this form of retaliation, Princess Twilight noticed a vital detail. For every hit successfully connected against Sombra, Starbeam seemed to grunt as if she were sharing his pain. It took a moment from the sidelines for the Princess to put it together.

“Midnight Sparkle… she’s still within her,” Princess Twilight observed. “As long as they are connected, they are sharing each other’s pain! Our options are few now, but if we don’t work our way around this quickly… I fear the worst for that poor girl!”

“All right, kid!” The Demon spoke up, cracking her knuckles. “Let’s finish that overhyped unicorn!”

“You ready Starbeam?” Daydream Shimmer asked.

“You betcha, Sun Mama!” Starlight answered, with a thumbs up.

The three girls continue pressing the assault against the Shadow Demon. Starbeam raised a barrier in front of herself and her mother, serving as the shield. This gave Daydream Shimmer to serve as the sword, swiping wave after wave of magic against Sombra, who swiped with his own hooves attempting to block her attacks. But he just kept laughing, even as his voice garbled and his body was barely in place.

“IS ThAt aLL you’ve GoT?!” King Sombra asked, his face twisting.

King Sombra was quick to dispel every attack that Daydream Shimmer hurled at him, even her strongest spells. As he did that, he was seemingly distracted as the Demon snuck up on him from behind. But Sombra, as if having vision in the back of his head, swirled around and quickly evaded the Demon’s assault. He retaliates with an attack of his own, which the Demon catches with her own power as the pair’s magic pressed against each other like two blades.

“Having fun, ‘King of Darkness’? Because this is the most fun that I’ve had in years!”

As she said that, she surprised with a beam of fire straight from the pupils of her eyes to his face. Howling in pain, King Sombra flung back from the unforeseen attack clutching his face from the blinding radiance. The Demon chuckled as her assault continued, forcing Sombra on the defensive attempting to block her attacks with his own barriers. Even using copies of his own image to disintegrate against her flame-throws. But eventually, this was becoming bothersome for Sombra as he growled in frustration.

“EnOUGH!!!!!!!”

He stomped the ground so hard with his front hooves that he knocked everyone back with an explosive wave of dark energy. Our heroes crashed upon the ground, as King Sombra stood his ground breathing heavy and his body fizzling in-and-out.

“SiNCe You’Re aLl eAgER tO SToP mE… TRy tO STOp THiS!!!”

Taking a deep breath, King Sombra raised his head as his horn slowly began to glow. Over his head, a huge ball of darkness began to form increasing in size through immense power. Power enough to destroy all of Equestria and then some. As King Sombra charges his magic, a weakened Princess Twilight and the others gather together turning toward one another before charging their own magic.

With a shout, King Sombra lunges the ball of darkness like hurling a boulder, spiraling the giant orb directly toward the heroes. Together, they used whatever magic they had to shoot out a beam against the ball, the opposing forces of magic clashing against each other so fiercely that sparks flew off into the air. A lengthy struggled insured from both sides of the field, each side determined to beat one another as the group of heroes and a lone villain pressed against each other with all their might.

Starbeam struggled with all her might, until she found herself bending on one knee as the orb slowly started to push against the beam. But then, she felt the ball push itself back as Starbeam looked up tentatively. As somehow, invisible to everyone else but her, Midnight Sparkle appeared by her side and pressed back against the darkness with whatever power she had. The demoness looked down before the startled unicorn, the pony at a loss for words as to how she somehow appeared after what happened or even what her angle was. All Midnight Sparkle did upon glancing at Starbeam was mouthing a few words toward her, inaudible to her ears, but Starbeam stood silent as she watched her mouth move.

Starbeam then turned back toward the orb, pushing herself back on all four hooves, before pressing down onto the ground with a fierce cry. Her power increasing by tenfold, a surge of power igniting through her body like electricity, aided her group to send the blast back. The increase through the beam caused the orb to glow brighter and brighter, as King Sombra’s eyes went wide realizing what was happening. But before he can react, the orb explodes as the beam pierced through and the whole region was ignited by a bright light.

<>

As the light faded following the immense blast, the whole party laid upon the ground. Knocked back after the fierce explosion through their power, the majority of the group were severely damaged. Starbeam Glitter took the worst from that explosion lying upon the ground, almost unmoving as she breathed heavily. The Demon, the first to get up, grunted and groaned as she walked toward the party, her hair frazzled, her outfit torn in shreds, and bruises around her body. She walks until she stands about a foot away from Sunset Shimmer, who had since reverted to original form following the blast.

“You awake?” The Demon asked.

“Yeah…” Sunset sighed, struggling to get up. “Don’t worry about me.”

“So PerSIStaNT, aREn'T We?”

The group slowly turns ahead, the booming voice making it clear that the King of Darkness was far from finished. Moving forward through the smoke, laughing maniacally, King Sombra reappeared before them. Only his body was so mangled, the group would hardly have recognized him if not for his garbled voice.

“HoW ArroGAnt oF yOu… NoT like theRE’s MuCH POInt… THIs World wILL be MiNE In Near moMEnTS… KiLliNG ME woN’T sTOp me… GiVE Up… And yOUr DeATHs WiLl bE… PainlESS…”

Starbeam Glitter, an intense look in her eye, slowly struggled back to her hooves. Her legs shook weakly as she forced herself to look up staring fiercely towards the evil spirit looming before her and her family.

“I won’t let that happen!” Starbeam shouted, her horn charging.

With a cry, Starbeam fired a beam directly toward King Sombra, who merely smiled. Suddenly, a black mist wrapped itself around him as the beam pierce through the misty air. The fog drifted over the young unicorn, who looked around as her horn charged for another attack. The faint chuckle of King Sombra echoed through the fog as Starbeam illuminated her horn trying to scope out the villainous shadow creature. Her footsteps echo across the plains, the cold chill sweeps over her as she looks around.

Unbeknownst to her, glowing eyes appear behind Starbeam’s line of vision. A jaw forms underneath, grinning menacingly.

“Big MistAKE!!!”

Before Starbeam can react, a scream of agony is uttered as she felt something pierce through her chest. She looks down as a hoof sprouted through a hole in her core, clutching her very lifeforce before her eyes. As the hoof pulls back violently, King Sombra emerges through the mist with fiery rage toward her. Starbeam gasps for whatever air she can breathe, clutching over the hole in her chest as Sombra tosses the lifeforce up and down like a ball.

“I MUst aDmIT… YOur MAgiCAl LifEFoRce iS VerY UnIUqE… YoUr BOdY iS GoNE… But YOur SPirIT HOldS StROnG… An UNForTUnATE WAtSe To DEstrOY SucH a PoWeRFUl THinG… BUt...”

Sombra begins to crush the very lifeforce between his hoof. All at once Starbeam starts screaming in agony, clutching her body as if very spirit can truly feel pain. Sombra smiles distortedly as the tortured soul before him cries out in anguish.

“You’RE DeATh wILl bE A PAiNFUl oNE!!!”

“LET HER GO!!!”

Just then, Sombra paused as Sunset Shimmer and the Demon appear right beside him. The two Sunsets stood at the ready, their arms aimed with a fiery aura aimed straight for him.

“I said… Let… Her… Go!” Sunset threatened, her aura glowing brighter.

King Sombra, however, was the least bit fazed by her threat. Neither was he even remotely concerned of the Demon beside him, the creature ready to strike with or without command. He merely chuckled maniacally; his laughter so loud that it echoed in the very darkness.

“yOU MaY Try… BUt knOW thIS: HiT Me… SHe dIEs…”

Sunset Shimmer’s eyes indicated her hesitance to act out, though the Demon merely glared at the malicious spirit. Sombra’s smile grew knowing he was holding the ace in the form of her daughter’s very lifeforce.

“WhAT’S tHE MAtTeR? YOu DId'NT HeSItaTe BAcK WhEN shE wAS A ThREaT tO yOU… and EvERYpONy YoU ChERIshed…. Go AhEaD… KIlL HeR… KIlL aNoTHer MIDnIGht…. KIlL mE… AdD mORe BloOD oN yoU'RE fILTHy HOVVes… I'Ll cOMe BAcK… sHE wOn’T!!!"

Sunset’s body shook, finding herself unable to act. Knowing that King Sombra was right: She lashes out again, her daughter’s spirit goes down with him… and there will be no hope to rewind the clock and take it back. Even the Demon, initially intent to strike, looked worriedly towards Sunset as if she herself was unable to act. Regardless of how tempting it was for the Demon to destroy the very enemy plaguing on her own turf, even she couldn’t risk Starbeam’s life. As if somehow she grew an attachment to the kid.

“Mom!”

Caught by surprise, Sunset Shimmer turns back as Starbeam Glitter forced herself back up. As her strength faded before her mom, she turns her gaze toward her look of concern.

“It’s alright mom,” Starbeam assured weakly. “You can do this; I believe you can. What’s one life worth compared to the lifetime of millions? I trust you…”

“Starbeam…” Sunset whimpered, tearfully. “… I love you…”

Reluctantly, Sunset Shimmer turned back and blasted the King of Darkness with all her might. But Sombra grinned and instantly teleported as the blast instead hurled straight towards The Demon. Before the Demon could react, the blast contacted her, knocking her flat on her back with a cry of agony. The Demon clutched her chest as she felt the burning sensation of the attack, while Sunset gasped in shock. The King of Darkness soon reappeared, laughing hard as his eyes glowed brighter.

"Hahahahahahahahah! DiD yOU REaLLy ThINk IT WoULd BE tHAt EasY? We'rE NoT sO DIffRENT AftER alL. BUt TiME iS RuNNinG OuT… heR MagIC IS nO MoRE… ANd SOON… YoU wILl jOin hER tOO!"

King Sombra disappeared, before reappearing behind Sunset Shimmer. With his one free hoof, he pulled Sunset back by her mane. She cried out as he threw her down, slamming her hard against the floor. The impact knocked the air out of Sunset as Sombra placed a hoof atop of the fallen pony with Starbeam’s lifeforce in his grip.

"aNd NoW… YOu gEt A FRonT seAT fOR WhaT HAPPEns nEXt… INStEAd oF KillING yOU… i'LL JuST TAkE YoUR BodY… bY BrEAkING YOu… aS I dEsTroY EveRyPony yOu KNoW… STaRTiNG wiTH HEr!"

King Sombra lifted his hoof with Starbeam’s lifeforce, preparing to smash the orb before Sunset’s eyes. Just as King Sombra was about to destroy Starbeam Glitter, who weakly clutched her eyes bracing for impact, King Sombra throws his hoof down… and nothing happened…

"wHAt?!?!?!"

Confused, King Sombra realized his hoof felt empty and looked up. All of a sudden, Starbeam’s lifeforce was gone much to his shock. He turns forward and a gasp escapes at a sight he didn’t expect. Midnight Sparkle, miraculously returned, hovering over Starbeam Glitter with her lifeforce. The little unicorn looked up towards Midnight Sparkle, stunned as her former enemy, the enemy of her family, miraculous saved her lifeforce before it was destroyed.

“You’re not getting out of this so easily… freak!” Midnight Sparkle snarled.

Before King Sombra can react, a glowing bind wrapped around his waist catching him off guard. He swiftly turns back as the Demon, fully recovered, used her magic to tie up Sombra. Then a bind wraps around his neck, as Sunset Shimmer caught him with her own magic. Sombra struggled with all his might, while Sunset was able to push herself back on her feet. But try as he might, Sombra realized he didn’t have the full strength to escape this spell. He turns back toward Midnight Sparkle, the outrage made clear on his face.

“YOu… tRAItOr…”

“Sorry Sombra…” Midnight Sparkle spoke. “But I’m NO ONE’s servant!”

Turning to the side, she looks down toward Starbeam Glitter who uttered not a word. She just stared at Midnight, helpless before her, uncertain of what she was going to do. Midnight faced her then turned back toward her lifeforce, knowing that she can just as easily finish this now. Do what she set out to do and either take Starbeam for herself… or destroy her, as Sombra was planning to. But she merely sighs before turning back toward Starbeam and holds out the lifeforce before her.

“It’s not your time to die…”

Taking a deep breath, Midnight Sparkle blows the lifeforce toward Starbeam Glitter. A gasp escapes her lips as the lifeforce is blown through her open mouth and slides down her throat. Her body glows as she can feel her strength return, the magic lifting her back onto her feet as an aura shines around her. Her eyes never leave Midnight Sparkle, who says no more words.

Instead, she turns back toward Princess Twilight Sparkle as a brief flash of Sci-Twi appeared in her place. She just looked at her, seeing how similar they are… all three of them in some way. But as if accepting defeat, Midnight Sparkle nods her head and closes her eyes. And all at once, as if she finally gave out, Midnight Sparkle vanishes into a sea of sparkles as she drew her final breath and faded into the darkness.

Starbeam stared in awe before turning back towards the bound King Sombra, as her face shifts into determination. She slowly marches her way toward the growling shadow creature as Princess Twilight teleported beside her. They joined the remainder of the team, as Starbeam turns toward Sunset Shimmer, who stares silently at her with tear-filled eyes.

“Mom… I’ve screwed up many times whether I meant it or not,” Starbeam spoke. “But I see so clearly now: That we can overcome this if we face it together. So let’s do this together… as a family!”

Sunset, tears in her eyes, nodded her head towards her daughter before turning back towards Sombra. The Princess loomed over King Sombra, who was forced to bend to his knees for the Princess of Friendship.

“I WON't Be DeFeatED agAIN!” King Sombra growled. “I'Ve DIeD TWiCe… I'Ll sTILl cOMe BAcK AgAIn!"

“You’re right…” Princess Twilight admitted. “You always come back; no matter what we do, you always find a way. However… this is where your story finally ends! We’ll make sure you never return… you never come back… EVER!!!”

With that said, Princess Twilight’s eyes glowed as her horn ignites while Starbeam Glitter does the same. Together, they fire a beam, combined with their magic, against King Sombra or at least what was left of him. His body slowly starts to disintegrate, his shadowy form soon faded as he howled into the darkness.

“I… WOn'T… dIE! I… CaN'T… dIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

As Sombra’s words faded, the combined power of the Princess and Starlight’s power obliterated King Sombra from existence. The combined effort left the two ponies physically drained, even as the last shred of his presence vanished before their eyes. Sunset Shimmer and the Demon gathered around the pair, as Starbeam reached out and hugged her mother tearfully. The princess looks on proudly, with what little strength she had, seeing the happy reunion between mother and daughter.

The Demon looked on, as mushy as the scene was in her eyes, nodding in content regardless knowing that it was over. But then, she feels lightheaded and her vision starts to lose focus, as she looks down at her body. Only then did she see that she started to fade away, as a sigh escapes her lips. She turns back toward the group, particularly towards Sunset Shimmer.

“Thank you…” Sunset Shimmer spoke softly. “For helping Starbeam…”

“Don’t get sappy on me,” The Demon replied, crossing her arms. “I only did it because I could…”

“Yea…” Sunset nodded, watching the Demon fade. “You know… you aren’t so evil after all.”

“… you’re not half bad yourself…”

“Isn’t there anything we can do for you?” Starbeam asked. “You’ve done so much to come back…”

“Kid… I never intended to fully come back…” The Demon replied to Starbeam. “My business is finally settled… Now… I can finally be free…”

“… I understand,” Starbeam nodded understandingly. “I guess… this is goodbye…”

“Take care of yourself kid… don’t waste this chance…”

Before she vanished, the Demon smiled toward the trio before completely disappearing from the world. Princess Twilight surveyed the landscape before her, noting all the destruction that had taken place. True, it was a desolate landscape from the start and fortunately no other creatures were hurt. But still… the effects of this battle would leave a permanent spot upon this landscape, one that will certainly draw questions from every creature big or small.

“Despite everything, what King Sombra said is true,” Princess Twilight spoke. “So long as even a fraction of him still remains, we can't avoid the risk that trouble can still brew. Not if Equestria can still be in danger. The same for Midnight Sparkle as well. Whatever reason for saving Starbeam and all, we want to make sure she doesn’t try to hide herself away.”

“But… that’s the one thing I still don’t understand,” Starbeam spoke up. “Midnight Sparkle could’ve destroyed me at any time like she did before. She could’ve tried to take one of us for herself… instead, she saved me. Why?”

“Who knows, Starbeam? For now, we must head back to the castle at once. Your mother’s waiting for you.”

Starbeam nodded, as she prepared to join Sunset and the Princess. But then, she felt something kick against her hoof and looks down. There on the ground, there appeared to be an orb with the same color scheme as Midnight Sparkle. She gently picks it off the ground, studying it closely. Then Sunset approaches Starbeam, takes a look at the orb, and silently gestures to have it. Nodding, Starbeam hands the orb to Sunset as they stand together, while the Princess charges her horn and they teleport back home.

<>

Slowly but surely, Starbeam’s eyes open as her vision began to adjust. Groaning, she lifts herself up and turns toward the tearful gaze of her mother, Sci-Twi, who smiles warmly. Crying, realizing that she’s alive, Starbeam hugs her mother as they silently cry into each other’s arms. They were now safe in the castle as Starbeam was fully restored back to the mortal world.

They turn as a set of hoof-steps drew their attention. Princess Twilight Sparkle, along with Sunset Shimmer, approached the pair as they sat upon the bench together. Hovering through the Princess’s aura, the same orb that Starbeam had found was displayed before her. She also noticed that Sunset was very close to the Princess, as if she were about to faint.

“It took me several hours to complete the process…” The Princess began tiredly. “But we’ve successfully extracted the remains of Midnight’s soul. We’ll make sure to keep this sealed up so not a trace of her can ever escape. As for Sombra, I’ve arranged to have every Royal Guard sent to search for him in the event he should ever return. I’ve even informed some old friends, along with some new recruits, to let me know should Equestria need heroes again.”

“We couldn’t thank you enough for what you’ve done,” Sci-Twi smiled. “You saved my daughter and protected my wife. And for that, I am forever indebted to you.”

“There’s no need for formalities,” The Princess assured. “Think of it as just a pony, doing a favor for a friend.”

Sci-Twi smiles as Princess Twilight permits Sunset Shimmer to join her family. She watches her student approach her wife, before the two embraces with Starbeam happily in the middle. Sunset then turns back towards her mentor, while keeping an arm over her family.

“As much as we’d love to stay,” Sunset spoke. “We really should be heading back home, back amongst the humans at least. I just know our friends are probably worried about us.”

“I understand,” Princess Twilight nods. “The portal back to the human world is ready for you. You and your family are free to go home anytime you’re ready.”

Getting themselves up, Sunset Shimmer leads her family out toward the front doors of the castle as the Princess herself looks on proudly.

“Oh, and Sunset?”

Curious, Sunset turns around towards the Princess.

“If you should ever need anything,” Princess Twilight began. “Feel free to send a letter anytime. I look forward to another visit, and you may bring your family.”

“I sure will,” Sunset nodded smiling. “See you around… Twilight.”

"And thanks for everything!" Starbeam added.

The Princess and her guests waved goodbye toward one another, as Starbeam held her mothers’ hooves before marching toward the castle. Out back toward the land of Equestria, on the road to the portal that would take them… home.

Author's Note

I apologize for the delay of this chapter. Unfortunately, this will be the last chapter I post for this story. There is one more but due to conflict of intrest and the lack of people intrested in this story, I have decided to hold the ending until myself and the editor can come to an nuteral conclusion. Before anyone asks, no, my editor isn't the (full) reason for this.