Nightmare Moon cackled as she stood triumphantly. The crowd of ponies dispersed and everyone ran for the exits. Mayor Mare was the one of the only few who stood their ground.

"Seize her!" Mayor Mare shouted. "Only she knows where the Princess is!"

A group of Celestia's royal pegasus guards flew towards Nightmare Moon, preventing her from escaping.

"Stand back, you foals!" The evil alicorn generated a charge of thunderbolts that blasted every guard out of the air and sent them flying in multiple directions, making them crash into various objects. "Look at you, serving Celestia has made you weak! If you were under my rule, you would be the strongest army in all of Equestria!"

"Ha! If they were under your rule, they'd be dying without a righteous cause." Damian boldly stepped through the sea of ponies still scrambling to escape the town hall.

"Oh? And who might you be?" asked Nightmare Moon, taking a certain interest in Damian. She can't read energy, but she can tell from the thick atmosphere around him, he has a lot of power.

"We are the ones who are gonna take you down and get the Princess back!"

"We?" Nightmare Moon looked around to see all of Damian's clones surrounding her. They had blades made of pure energy enveloping their right hands.
They all charged at her at the same time, but she shifted back into a dark mist evading their attack completely, causing Damian and his clones to crash into the balcony. Each clone turned back into smoke and returned as black points on Damian's right hand.

Rainbow Dash broke free of Applejack's hold on her tail and charged after the mist, but even it was too fast for the self-proclaimed "fastest flyer in Equestria" and it disappeared into the night.

"Hey! Get back here!" she called out, but it was no use now, as the escaped Mare in the Moon was nowhere to be found. "Nighttime... forever?" It was then that Rainbow Dash noticed Twilight running from the town hall and towards the Golden Oak Library.

She then noticed Fluttershy, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Damian running out of the town hall and rushed towards them.

"Hey guys, I think that Twilight pony knows a little somethin' about this whole Nightmare Moon thing that we don't. Wadda ya say we go pay her a visit?" she asked.

Everyone nodded in unison and ran towards the library in pursuit of the purple unicorn. As they neared the building, Damian could hear Twilight rambling on about something. "Elements, elements, elements! How can I defeat Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?" Just as she asked herself this question, the group burst through the door, but Rainbow Dash was the only one to get in her face, forcing Twilight to back away nervously.

"And just what are the Elements of Harmony, huh?" Rainbow demanded, "and how do you know about this 'Nightmare Moon' huh? Are you a spy? Woah!" Applejack pulled her by the tail, keeping her a safe distance away from the frightened unicorn.

"Calm down, Dash," Damian said nonchalantly, "she's not a spy. I can tell by reading her, she's safe." He noticed Twilight staring at him bewildered. "I'll explain what that means later. More importantly, I think you have some explaining to do, don't you think?"

Twilight sighed and gave in. As much as she didn't want anyone to interfere with her mission, she probably needed these ponies and this human to help her.

"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!"

""The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide," Pinkie Pie read the title off of one of the books. Twilight shoved her aside causing Pinkie to crash into the next shelf over.

"How did you find that?" Twilight asked, dumbfounded that someone other than her could have found the book so easily.

"It was under E!"

"Oh." Twilight picked the book off the shelf and flipped through the pages until she landed on the one she needed. "There are seven Elements of Harmony, but only six are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Equality, and Loyalty. The seventh is a complete mystery." Damian felt a presence watching them. He looked back towards the window on the second floor, but there was nothing there. "It is said, the last known location of the six elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now-"

"The Everfree Forest!" everyone shouted in unison. Damian doesn't know much about this place, but he was told by he local residents of the town that this forest contains some of the wildest creatures in the land. It even has a strange magical aura about it that ponies just stay away from.

“Whee! Let's go!” Pinkie Pie squealed, bouncing towards the forest.

“Not so fast,” Twilight reprimanded, causing Pinkie to freeze in mid-jump to everyone’s amazement. “Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own.”

“No can do, sugarcube.“ Applejack trotted past Twilight and disregarded her demand. “We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone.” Twilight cringed at the word “friend”. “We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.”

Everyone gave a unified, agreed hmph and ventured into the forest.

“Especially if there's candy apples in there.” Pinkie said. Everyone just looked at her awkwardly. “What? Those things are good.”

Damian and the ponies forged through the dark, dense forest. The moonlight could barely make its way through the canopy, making it rather difficult to see.

“So, none of you have been in here before?” Twilight asked, looking around at the dark shapes that surrounded the group.

“Ugh, heavens no!” Rarity exclaimed. “ Just look at it - it's dreadful.”

“It actually looks nice.” Damian didn’t even seem to care about the darkness or the murkiness of the forest. “Almost reminds me of home.” The other ponies just stared at him awkwardly. “What?”

Suddenly, Damian straightened up. He felt the same dark presence that was watching them back at the library. But no matter where he looked, he couldn’t see it.

“And it ain't natural,” claimed Applejack. “Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Twilight asked.

“Nopony knows,” Rainbow Dash spoke in an ominous, creepy tone, sending shivers down the ponies’ spines. “You know why?”

“Rainbow, quit it.” Applejack’s demands were in vain. Rainbow just kept creeping towards Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy, who were all scared out of their wits.

“'cause everypony who's ever come in has never. Come. OUT!”

Immediately, the cliffside gave in, sending the two unicorns and earth-ponies falling to their doom. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, being the only two pegasi in the group, were able to safely fly over the collapsed cliff. Damian harnessed his power and sprouted black, leathery wings from his back, flying safely over the rubble.

The three fliers rushed towards the others to prevent them from falling into a ravine up ahead. Rainbow Dash grabbed Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Damian helped grab Rarity. Applejack grabbed onto a root protruding, but Twilight was still heading towards the gaping mouth of the ravine.

Applejack let go of the root and slips over to Twilight, grabbing her hooves just in time before she fell overboard.

“Applejack! What do I do?” Twilight asked, holding on for dear life.

Applejack took a moment to think, and she finally came to a conclusion. “Let go.”

That was not the answer Twilight was hoping for. “Are you crazy?”

“No I ain't. I promise you'll be safe.”

“That's not true!”

“Now listen here. What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe.”

Twilight thought about it for a moment. She took a deep breath and let go, falling towards the ravine and screaming bloody murder until she landed safely in Damian’s arms.

“You can always trust Applejack with telling you he truth,” Damian commented. He set Twilight down just as the rest of the group joined them.

"And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, whoosh... Damian loop-de-looped around and WHAM! Caught you right in the nick of time!" Rainbow Dash recapped the events that just happened not even five minutes ago.

"Speaking of which, how did you do that, Damian?" Twilight asked. She had a hint of curiosity in her voice, of course, being a studious pony and all.

"If I told you, you probably wouldn't-" but Damian wasn't able to finish his response, as a black figure came charging out of the woods from the right.

"DIE YOU BASTARD!" the creature screamed with a voice that could shatter glass. Before it could lay a finger on anyone, Damian's fist made contact with it's callous cheek, sending it flying six feet in front of the group. "You little shit!" it croaked.

The creature had grey scales covering its body. Red spiraling horns protruded from the front of its temple and curved upward to a point. Its teeth were jagged and misshapen, its eyes glowed red in its blue irises. It had claws that measured over half a foot and it's feet were cloven hooves like a goat's.

"You traitor..." the creature grumbled. Everyone backed away except for Damian, who stood his ground, scowling at the beast.

"It's good to see you too Bylek*," Damian said.

"You know this thing?!" Twilight asked.

"Unfortunately, I do. His name is Bylek, a prisoner from my home-world."

"I may be a prisoner, but you and the rest of demon kind are traitors!" Bylek stated.

"Hold up. Damian, you're a demon?" Applejack asked. Her tone was fearful, coming to realize this "human" was actually a demon.

Damian sighed. "Indeed, I am a demon. Though, we aren't as evil and vile as most would make us out to be. We actually try to live peacefully, turning away from our evil paths and starting anew. However..." he turned toward Bylek, who was rubbing the swollen cheek Damian punched earlier. "There are those who would try to disrupt that peace by trying to instill chaos and misconduct back into our lives, and those are the prisoners, like Bylek over here."

"Raagh! So now you're living with a bunch of prissy ponies? You have truly brought yourself so low, Son of Satan. You are a disgrace to all demon kind!"

"I don't care what others think about me. I only care that I'm able to protect them. They may see me as a demon, but they will also see me as their shield. Now, I suggest you stand down before you embarrass yourself." Damian smirked, which set him off.

"You're dead!" He proceeded to charge at Damain, but he wasn't in front of him. Bylek turned around to see Damian standing with his back towards him. Suddenly, he felt three strikes hit his chest, causing him to crumple down onto the ground, coughing up crimson blood.

"I told you. Stand down or make a fool of yourself. Your call."

"Mother..." Bylek groaned, but suddenly, he had an idea, and Damian knew what he was thinking. "Let's see if you're fast enough to protect your friends, prince!" He fired a red energy blast towards the group of ponies. They screamed in terror as they blast approached them.

Damian ran between the group and the blast, but it seemed as if he teleported, and grasped the red energy ball in his hands, crushing it like an empty beer can until there was nothing left but smoke. "How dare you..." Damian's voice wasn't as cool and collective as before. It was deep, menacing, and filled with murderous intent. "How dare you!" A dark aura surrounded Damian, forcing everyone in the area to step back in shock and awe.

A black horn grew from the right side of his temple, half of his face was covered in black marks and his eye was a pool of black with a red pupil in the center; like a burning laser piercing into the opposing demon's soul, his right arm was covered in thick, black, leathery skin and his fingers extended into razor sharp claws.

"You know," Damian began, speaking in a hair-raising tone, "I may not always fit in with these ponies or this world, I may be different than everyone here, but anyone who dares harm the ones I care about. I. Will not. Forgive."

The sheer pressure of Damian's energy was enough weaken Bylek and cause him to fall to the ground, trembling in fear. Damian walked towards him, but he couldn't move due to fear gripping his heart.

"Oh, Don't worry. I'm not going to kill you, I'm not a monster. However..." Damian snapped his fingers and a portal opened up beneath Bylek, transporting him to a royal prison. "Take good care of him boys," Damian called out to the guards below. After the portal closed he reverted back to his base form and looked back at everyone, whose jaws are agape with shock. He waited for some sort of remark or comment, but everyone just stayed frozen in place. Finally, Rainbow Dash was the one to break the awkward silence.

"That. Was. AWESOME!" she squealed. The rest of the group charged at Damain, nearly knocking him off balance as they surrounded him- he is only two feet taller than the average pony, but still. "I thought I was fast, but damn, you were fast when you landed those punches and when you grabbed that energy blast, and that transformation!"

Damian just chuckled and blushed. I knew I'd get some sort of praise, but this is just a bit much. "Thanks, Dash. We should probably keep heading on." As they ventured on, Damian glanced at Rainbow Dash. Now that I'm spending a little time with her, Rainbow Dash is actually kind of... cute, despite her tomboyish attitude.

"Aw man, was he cool or what?" Rainbow Dash just couldn't stop talking about Damian and what he does. "I mean, I thought I was cool, but now I know that there's no way I can compete against someone like Damian. I mean this guy is so cool. Hey, after all this, wanna race sometime? Maybe-"

"Alright Rainbow, I think that's enough," Twilight groaned. She couldn't take anymore praise and worship about Damian anymore. All of this nonstop rambling is just giving her a headache.

"Aw come on, Twilight," Damian complained, "I was actually enjoying some good praise for once. I may not be from the House of Lucifer, but still."

"You know, I'd love to learn more about your kingdom and your kind after-" but before Twilight could say another word, as a giant manticore - a beast with the body and head of a lion, the tail of a scorpion, and the wings ofa bat, jumped out from behind the foliage up ahead, releasing a ferocious roar, causing most of the ponies to step back in fear. "We have to get past it!"

The manticore swung a paw at Rarity who managed to dodge it and strike a buck kick to the creature's jaw. "Take that, you ruffian!" she said triumphantly. However that victory was short-lived as the manticore roared in her face, frazzling Rarity's mane in the process. "My hair! Aaaahhh!"

The beast reared up on its hind legs, rearing its paw back for another strike. A high pitched shot rang through the air and the manticore stumbled and fell on its back in pain. It looked back to see Damian, his fingertip leaving a trail of red tinged smoke.

"Hey, over here you big bastard." Damian's taunt seemed to get through to the wild beast. Or maybe it just didn't like getting shot in the back. It charged at Damian, gaining speed as it got closer and closer to its target, it readied its claws for an attack but it only phased through him and crashed into the trees behind Damian. The manticore furiously turned around, only to be met with multiple Damains, but these weren't his clones. He was moving faster than the speed light, creating up to three afterimages, confusing the manticore. "Applejack!" Damian shouted, signaling for Applejack to jump onto the manticore's back and ride it like a raging bull.

'YEE-HAW! Git along, little dogie," AJ shouted. The manticore bucked and bucked, trying to get the cow-pony off of it, but Applejack's grip on its mane was too tight. Finally, with one last buck, the manticore sent AJ flying through the air and past Rainbow Dash. "All yours pardner."

Rainbow Dash flew around the manticore, entrapping it within a rainbow tornado and preventing it from escaping. However, it moved its tail into Rainbow's path, knocking her away. Luckily Damian was able to catch her before she hit the ground.

The group came back together and began to charge at the manticore, but Fluttershy jumped in the way.

"WAIT!" Fluttershy yelled, stopping everyone in their tracks. She walked towards the manticore slowly and carefully. The beast raised its claws to strike, but nothing happened. Fluttershy just gently nuzzled its paw affectionately. “Shhh... It's okay. Oh, you poor, poor little baby.” Fluttershy consoled the manticore as if it were just a cub.

“Little?” Rainbow Dash asked in bewilderment. That thing is a huge killing machine. Little my ass!

The beast proceeded to reveal its paw, showing a large thorn piercing the delicate skin.

“Now this might hurt for just a second.” Fluttershy plucked the thorn out, causing the manticore to lash out and roar in pain. Everyone got ready to attack, but it only started licking Fluttershy, slobbering her mane and face with its sticky saliva.

“Aw you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you? Yes you are, yes you are.” the rest of the group sneaked past the manticore as it wandered off into the forest.

“How did you know about the thorn?” Twilight asked.

“I didn't,” Fluttershy replied. “Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness.”

“My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck,” Rarity complained. Luckily her request was answered, because the canopy began to thicken, not letting any moonlight in to guid their path. “Well, I didn't mean that literally.”

“That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it,” Twilight said.

“Well, I could,” Damian said. “I can see perfectly through the dark.”

“I didn't see you there, my apologies,” Rarity apologized to whoever she bumped into.

“That was me,” Damian grunted.

“Right here... guh...” Rainbow Dash groaned as she felt someone bump into her.

“Damnit, sorry, Dash. Don’t know why I didn’t see you there. Aw damnit, I think I stepped in something.”

Fluttershy let out a bloodcurdling scream that echoed through the night.

“It's just mud, nothing to be scared about.” But Damian wasn’t watching where he was going and bumped into the thing Fluttershy was screaming at. A horrifying figure stood before them with gaping mouths full of sharp teeth, it’s features were so grotesque, and its claw like appendages seemed to want to strangle each and every one of them. “Shit!” Damian slashed a the figure, letting it fall to the ground with a crashing thud.

But that was only one of many horrifying figures, as the group was surrounded by multiple terrifying faces. However, only one pony wasn’t terrified.

Pinkie Pie was just laughing and giggling at the faces, disregarding the terrors that surrounded her.

“Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!” Twilight commanded, fearing for her safety.

“Oh girls, don't you see?” A random tune seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

Pinkie Pie began to sing:

When I was a little filly and the sun was going down...

“Oh dear Baphomet, no...” Damian mumbled.

“Tell me she's not...” Twilight muttered.

The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown...

“She is,” Rarity reluctantly answered.

I'd hide under my pillow
From what I thought I saw
But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way
To deal with fears at all

“Then what is?” Rainbow Dash asked.

She said, ‘Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall
Learn to face your fears
You'll see that they can't hurt you
Just laugh to make them disappear.’
Ha! Ha! Ha!

Magically, one of the creatures turned into a regular tree. Most likely what they were to begin with.

So, giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Whoop it up with the weepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh...
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!

One by one the faces disappeared and reverted back to trees. Regular, non-scary, trees.

“Hey Damian, how come you were scared?” Rainbow Dash asked teasingly. “I thought demons would be used to something like this. What happened to all that bravado from last time?”

Damian just looked at her with grimace that soon turned into a smirk. “You’re one to talk. I thought you were supposed to be number one? 'Rainbow Dash is never scared.' I guess that’s just all talk?”

“Ha, ha. Whatever, let’s just keep going.”

The group came across a raging river that was to wild and too deep to cross on foot. "How are we supposed to cross this?" Twilight asked, hope leaving her heart as she pondered how in the world she was going to get to the elements now. But her thoughts were put on hold as she heard someone wailing from somewhere. She looked around and saw a violet sea serpent with a glamorous golden hairdo and mustache weeping in the river.

"What a world, what a world!" the serpent wailed, splashing water around like a child throwing a tantrum.

"Excuse me, sir. Why are you crying?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I don't know. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid!"

The serpent splashed another wave of water at the group, but luckily Damian was able to put up a magic shield before anyone got wet.

"Oh, give me a break," Rainbow Dash groaned.

"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack said.

"Why, of course it is!" Rarity was the only one who didn't seem to be annoyed by the serpent's situation, but rather felt pity. "How can you be so insensitive? Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales."

The serpent wiped his tears and sniffled. "Oh, I know."
"And your expertly coiffed mane."

"Oh, I know, I know."

"Your fabulous manicure."

"Oh, It's so true!"

"All ruined without your beautiful mustache."

"It's true, I'm hideous!"

Damian just rolled his eyes at all of this. You've got to be fucking kidding me. Well, if whatever Rarity plans on doing will help us get over this river, I'm all for it.

"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected." Rarity plucked one of the sea serpent's shining purple scales with here teeth, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Ow! What did you do that for?"

"Rarity, what are you-" Twilight didn't get to finish her question as she watched Rarity proceeded to cut off her own tail with a single slice of the scale. Everyone shocked at her actions, and even the serpent fainted at the thought of someone so beautiful losing something so glamorous. Rarity used her magic to tie the cut tail onto the remaining end of the serpent's mustache - completing it, but leaving it... uncorrelated.

"Oh-hohohoho! My mustache. How wonderful!

"You look smashing."

"Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail..." Twilight gestured to what remained of Rarity's once gorgeous tail.

"Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back."

"So would the mustache," Rainbow Dash whispered.

"I know right?" Damian asked, "I mean, look at that! They don't even compliment each other."

Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes and chuckled. "What, are you a fashionista now?"

Damian shrugged. "I'm just sayin'."

"Hey, we can cross now," Twilight said, gathering everyone's attention. "Let's go. Ah!"

"Allow me." The sea serpent created a bridge with his massive body to allow everyone to cross easily.

"There it is," Twilight exclaimed with joy, "the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony. We made it!" A set of ruins hidden by the foliage laid before them. It's hard to believe this is where the royal pony sisters once lived. Twilight ran straight for the ruins, not waiting for anyone else.

"Twilight, wait for us!" Applejack called out.

"We're almost there. Whoa!" Twilight almost fell down another cliff, but luckily Rainbow Dash was able to grab her and pull her back to safety just in time.

"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" Rainbow asked.

"Aw, now what?" Pinkie Pie asked, sounding rather upset for someone who's always cheery.

"Duh." Rainbow Dash fluttered her wings and dove down the ravine to grab the broken end of the bridge.

"I mean, anyone who could fly could do it, but sure, go ahead," Damian stated.

Rainbow Dash was able to get the broken end to the other side and began to tie it to the post, until she heard a voice call out to her.

"Rainbow..." The voice was ominous and chilling, but that didn't deter Rainbow.

"Who's there?" she asked, looking around for the source of the voice.

"Rainbow..." The voice called again, sounding even closer this time.

"I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!" Rainbow Dash started kicking and punching with her hooves, hoping to scare off whatever's calling her.

"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria."

"Who?"

"Why, you, of course."

"Really?! I mean... Oh yeah, me. Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? 'cause I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever."

"No, Rainbow Dash. We want you to join us, The Shadowbolts!" A group of pegasi wearing dark uniforms emerged from the thick fog covering the forest. "We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain. The most magnificent-"

"Yep."

"Swiftest-"

"Yes."

"Bravest flyer in all the land."

"Yes, it's all true."

"We need... you."

Rainbow Dashed looped through the air at these words. "WOOHOO! Sign me up. Just let me tie this bridge real quick and then we have a deal."

"No! It's them or us." The Shadowbolt leader's voice turned from sweet and delectable to sour and serious.

"Rainbow, what's taking so long?" Twilight shouted. She could see Rainbow Dash conversating with the strange group of ponies. "Oh no. Rainbow!" The Shadowbolt's eyes glowed a bright yellow, forcing the fog to thicken, preventing the group from interfering . "Don't listen to them." But her words were unable to get to Rainbow before the fog absorbed her warning.

"Don't worry," Damian said, wearing a confident grin. "I may not be able to see her from here, but I can read what she's thinking right now."

"Well?" asked the Shadowbolts.

"You..." Rainbow gave her final verdict. "Thank you! For the offer, I mean, but I'm afraid I have to say no." Rainbow managed to tie the rope to the final post and the fog cleared up, allowing the group to walk safely across the repaired bridge. "See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'."

The group approached the magnificent ruins, taking in its splendor and beauty. As they entered, they saw a pedestal with six stone orbs sitting on six stands.

"Whoa." Twilight marveled at the elements, finally relieved that she was able to make it to her goal. "The Elements of Harmony! We found them!" Damian, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash grabbed each of the orbs and set them down on the ground gently.

"One, two, three, four, five... there's only six!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Where's the seventh?"

"The book said: when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed." Twilight stated.

"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked frustratingly.

"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen." Twilight laid down with the orbs and began to cast a spell, hoping to create the spark that will reveal the final element.

"Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate."

Everyone left the castle, but Damian couldn’t help but feel a dark presence within this space.

“Damian!” Applejack called out, making Damian lose his train of thought.

“Yeah, yeah. Coming.”

As Twilight concentrated on generating the right spell to create the spark, a dark mist arrived and encircled the elements, lifting them from the ground. Soon, she opened her eyes and witnessed the huge blue cyclone before her. Twilight gasped in horror as she saw the elements being taken.

"Aah!" Her screams attracted the attention of her allies waiting outside.

“Twilight!” The rest of the group ran back into the ruins, only to see the blue cyclone with the elements inside it, and Twilight gazing in horror.

Damian ran towards Twilight, but it was too late. She jumped into the cyclone along with the elements and disappeared without a trace.

“Twilight! Twilight, where are you?!”” Everyone called out for Twilight, but she didn’t respond.

“Look!” Rarity pointed to a light coming from a tower in the east section of the castle.

“What are we waiting for?” Damian asked, “let’s go!” They ran towards the tower, praying and hoping Twilight is safe and sound. They leapt over stones, fallen pillars, and crevices in the foundations until they finally made it to the base of the tower. “Stay behind me girls.” Damian generated an energy blade and kept up his guard as the group hastily but carefully ascended up the stairs.

[Twilight’s Perspective]

Twilight landed on the cold, hard, stone floor. As the dust settled, she saw the nefarious Nightmare Moon standing before her, the Elements of Harmony floating around her.

Twilight’s fear soon turned to anger and determination. She pawed the ground with her hoof, getting ready to charge at the villain.

“You’re kidding. You’re kidding right?” Nightmare Moon asked. Does this little filly really think she could take me on all by herself?

Twilight began her charge. She ran straight towards Nightmare Moon, charging up a spell at the same time. Nightmare Moon did likewise, she charged at the young unicorn, ready to strike her down.

But there was no clash, no fight. Twilight instead teleported to where the Elements were, catching Nightmare Moon by surprise.

Twilight was slightly dazed due to the effects of teleporting, but she shook it off and focused on the Elements. “Just one spark. Come on! Come on!” Twilight continued her spell, straining as she tried to focus and get this spell right given the little time she had left.

Nightmare Moon stood before the Elements just as Twilight’s spell was complete. Twilight was shot back due the the recoil, but watched in triumph as the elements shone with a brilliant light–and Nightmare Moon stand in the center of them with a horrified expression.

“No! No!” The villain’s voice was full of fear. Her heart was filled with terror and unbelief that this pony was able to make the elements work. But soon the Elements lost their glow and didn’t do a thing.

“Wait, where’s the spark? Where’s the seventh element?” Twilight asked herself in horror.

Nightmare Moon just laughed maniacally at this sudden turn of events. She slammed her hooves down, causing the shockwave to destroy the Elements right in front of Twilight’s face, filling her with more dread than she has ever felt in her entire lifetime.

“You little foal!” Nightmare Moon roared. “Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!” She continued to laugh and laugh at her undeniable victory.

Twilight’s Hope was crushed. The hope of Equestria was gone. The Elements are no more, and now darkness will consume the land.

“Twilight! We’re coming for you!” In the midst of her suffering, a voice called out from behind her.

“Just hold on Twilight!” the voices of her allies. Of her friends. Suddenly, a spark appeared in Twilight’s eyes, giving her a sudden realization.

“You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that?” Twilight asked the villain, her hope and strength returning to her. “Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here!” The ponies and Damian stood defiantly towards Nightmare Moon, causing her to step back in fear.

“What?!” she asked.

“Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty! Damian who didn’t let his identity or his heritage deter him from accepting others, no matter their differences, represents the spirit of... equality! Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of... kindness! Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of... laughter! Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of... generosity! And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire represents the spirit of... loyalty! The spirits of these five ponies and... er, demon, got us through every challenge you threw at us.” One by one, each pony and Damian were surrounded by shards of the broken Elements, which glowed with a different light for each character.

“You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!”

“But it did!” Twilight corrected her. “A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you. The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all... are my friends!” From this realization a shone from above, revealing the sixth Element resting over Twilight’s head. “You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... magic!”

One by one, each of the friends were lifted into the air by a magical force. The shards of the elements formed golden necklaces that bore the symbols of their respective Element. Twilight’s was different from all of them. Her Element took the form of a golden tiara.

Together, with the combined power of the elements, a rainbow helix appeared from the midst of the group of friends and headed towards Nightmare Moon, surrounding her and entrapping her in a bright multicolored tornado.

TASTE THE RAINBOW, MOTHERFUCKER! Damian thought to himself.

“Nooo!” Nightmare Moon screamed in horror. “Noooo!”

As the rainbow’s power consumed the Mare in the Moon, the elements glowed brighter and brighter. The brightness consumed them all, filling the entire room with a blinding radiance. Eventually, the bright light faded, leaving everyone laying on the ground, exhausted and dazed from the sudden surge of power.

"Ugh, my head," Rainbow Dash groaned. Everyone slowly got back on their hooves and feet, still dizzy from what just happened.

"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked, looking around at everyone.

"Yeah, I think so," Damian replied.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Rarity exclaimed with joy. Everyone looked at the fashionista pony as she swung around a brand new tail. It would seem that the power of the Elements not only defeated the Mare in the Moon, but also repaired Rarity's tail.

"Why Rarity, it's so lovely," Fluttershy complimented. But it wasn't the tail she was referring to.

"I know! I'll never part with it again." Rarity hugged her tail tightly as if it were a long lost object she'd never hope to see again - which everyone knew she would in the next month.

"No. Your necklace. It looks just like your cutie mark."

"What?" Rarity looked at the golden necklace that hung around her neck. It had a purple diamond, similar to the three blue diamonds on her flank. "Ooh. So does yours."

Everyone's necklaces had the symbols of their cutie marks on them in various colors. Pinkie's was a blue balloon, Fluttershy's was a pink butterfly, Applejack's was an orange apple, Rainbow Dash's was a red lightning bolt, Twilight's was a magenta star, and Damian's was in the shape of the four points located on the back of his right hand.

"Gee, Twilight!" Applejack chimed, "I thought you were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship."

"Indeed you do." An angelic voice rang through the ruins of the castle and a bright, holy ball of light Made its way into the ruins before the group of friends. As the light dispersed, a majestic white alicorn with a mane that shimmered like an aurora was standing before everyone. She wore pieces of royal golden armor, similar to what Nightmare Moon was wearing. Everyone, including Damian - despite being royalty himself - bowed and kneeled before the Princess of the Sun.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight said in surprise, seeing her mentor standing before her safe and sound. She ran into her beloved teacher's wings, embracing her in a loving hug.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student." Her voice was as smooth as silk and sweet as honey to the ears. Every word she spoke filled everyone with a never ending peace. “I knew you could do it.”

“But... you told me it was all an old pony tale,” Twilight stated.

“I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart.” Celestia’s face became serious as she looked past everyone and to where Nightmare Moon previously was. “Now, if only another will as well. Princess Luna!”

In the place of the horrendous fiend, laid a small pony. Her coat and mane we’re similar to that of dusk and she wore royal armor just like Celestia.

The young alicorn gasped and cowered in fear as Celestia approached her.

“It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.”

“Sister?” Everyone chimed in unison. They have heard of Celestial having a sister, but they would have never guessed it to be the Mare in the Moon.

“Will you accept my friendship?” Celestial stretched out her hoof to her sister. Everyone waited in suspense, wondering what the you g alicorn will do. Luna hesitated a bit before she ran, crying into her sister’s open wings.

“I'm so sorry!” Luna sobbed. “I missed you so much, big sister!”

“I've missed you, too.”

Everyone smiled as they watched in silence, the once parted sisters, finally reunited. However, the peaceful moment was obnoxiously interrupted by Pinkie blowing her nose. Everyone looked at her with mixed feelings of annoyance and happiness.

“Hey, you know what this calls for?” Pinkie asked.

“A party!” Suddenly everyone was back in Ponyville where a huge celebration was taking place. Streamers lined buildings, ponies cheered for the return of their heroes, even the Princesses joined in on the festivities as Princess Luna was welcomed back to the kingdom with open hooves.

Though, despite the cheering, music, and delicious food, there was one pony who didn’t feel like being in the partying mood.

“Why so glum, my faithful student?” Celestia asked, laying a wing over a gloomy Twilight Sparkle. “Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?”

“That's just it,” she responded. “Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them.” Twilight looked to each of her friends that helped her through her journey in finding the Elements of Harmony. They all felt the same way.

Celestial simple smiled. “Spike, take a note, please,” the Princess commanded. “I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville.”

Ponies began to cheer throughout the entire town. All of Twilight’s friends came together for a massive group hug as they celebrated her stay in Ponyville.

“Oh thank you, Princess Celestia! I'll study harder than ever before.”

Whatever may come, May they be dangerous villains, cataclysmic catastrophes, or even world ending events, these seven friends would always be together forever to face them.

Author's Note

The end to the first two parter in MLP FiM – With A Twist. Criticism and feedback is greatly appreciated. More chapters are on the way!