The Search for Celestia

Twilight anxiously paced across the wide hall nervously as Luna sat in front of a large window, her horn glowing and her eyes shut tightly. Her other PFFs stood by, nervous themselves at what was happening. Nopony was too worried about Applejack, who rubbed her bandaged side as it began to sting again. Thankfully the doctor told her that she was fine and would recover by the end of the day. Nor was anypony worried about Rainbow, although she was shaken by the electrical shock she had received, nothing was damaged. Pinkie was completely silent ever since the battle, which was worrying. Twilight guessed she was feeling guilty about having given their position away and losing the element of surprise... Was it just her, or did Pinkie's mane seem a little... straighter?

She shook her head, although Pinkie's silence was worrying, it was not what was stressing her out. She stopped mid-stride when she heard a familiar voice.

"Twilight!"

The Unicorn turned and saw her Number One Assistant on the back of a Night Guard flying in. The Pegasus landed and Spike jumped off. After thanking the guard, who bowed and then flew off, he began walking toward Twilight. Somehow, upon seeing Spike, who hadn't gone through what she had hours ago, something came over her. Without thinking, she galloped at full speed and grabbed the surprised dragon in a tight hug, holding him close as her face scrunched up from the rush of memories of the terrifying experience she had went through.

"Gah! Twilight!" The baby dragon protested, but Twilight ignored them, holding her assistant tightly. Her eyes opened up when Spike's struggles snapped her out of it. She let the small dragon go with a hasty apology, Spike grumbled.

"Yeah, that's not all you should be sorry about..."

The unicorn tilted her head in confusion and opened her mouth to inquire what he meant when Rarity walked with a hoof to her mouth in a 'shush' manner. Twilight nodded apologetically and returned the gesture to Spike, throwing her head in Luna's direction.

"What's going on?" Spike asked in as quiet a whisper as he could.

"Luna's trying to lower the sun..." Twilight answered in a whisper, the worry heavy in her tone and eyes.

Spike's eyes widened and his mind exploded with questions, 'what on earth happened here' was among the most prominent. He stared wide-eyed, his heart pounding when he saw the strained look in the night princess' face and the sweat starting to pour down. Suddenly, he completely forgot about his anger at being left behind in Ponyville.

For Luna, it was an intense battle of domination of the unfamiliar force that was the sun. Come on... she silently pleaded. So much depends on this... She slowly opened her eyes to peek at the sun through the window... Celestia's sun, the bright orb that she raised for 1000 years ever since the Unicorns gave her the power to control it. Now she was gone, now nothing was controlling the sun and it remained where it was, high over Equestria. With Celestia gone, Luna now had no choice but to take control of the very thing that provided life to flourish.

But the sun was far larger and more powerful then the moon was. So much so that the night princess could barely comprehend the power of what she was trying to control. She grunted and her horn flared as she made another powerful push to make the sun obey her. She strained, pouring all of her power into making the sun move, to recognize her. But she felt no movement or a hint of recognition. The sun stubbornly remained where it was. The dark alicorn's horn stopped glowing and she slumped down in defeat. The six ponies and dragon behind her glanced at one another worriedly, if Luna couldn't move the sun, and if Celestia wasn't found soon, what was to become of their home?

Luna sighed and looked up at the sun again, anger at her powerlessness, she was Celestia's sister! Why couldn't she control her elder sister's sun even for just a little while? Then, she remembered what Celestia had told her when she had taken control of the moon for 1000 years. Although the moon was reluctant to move at the command of an unfamiliar force, Celestia used her sheer power to force the moon to move. Luna was nowhere near as powerful as Celestia, at least, not in the direct way. It was obvious Luna couldn't use the same tactic as her sister used with the moon, she just wasn't strong enough.

There has to be a way! She thought angrily. I am Luna, the Princess of the night, guardian of Equestria during the time of dreams! If I can't even control the sun during my sister's absence, what gives me the right to control the moon or the stars!?

Her eyes popped open when a thought crossed her mind. Wait... the stars...

Tentatively, Luna's horn began glowing as she cautiously felt the power of the sun, which ignored her completely. Then, she felt the light of her distant stars and quietly gasped. Though far fainter in their intensity, they felt almost exactly like Celestia's sun. Luna's intrigue quickly dropped when she began wondering how this could help her in controlling the sun. Then, she realized something. Individually, a star's power was nothing to the sun, but with every star in the sky put together... Maybe... She directed her callings from the unresponsive sun to her more familiar stars. Immediately, they responded as she felt their magical energies touching with hers, wondering what their master and dear friend needed. It brought a smile to Luna's lips.

My loyal, quiet friends... You are loyal to nopony but me, no matter what I become, you will always be with me, always their to help me... Now, I call on your aid... With that message, she gathered all of the energies of the stars together, which they willingly and unquestioningly gave. Slowly, the powers of the stars began flowing throughout her body, their power strengthening her as she felt a new sort of energy building within her, a new energy that may be able to challenge the sun and force it to move to her commands.

The others saw only Luna's horn glowing brightly again, but this time there was something different around her, they didn't see anything major, only subtle differences in Luna's body, her feathers were bristling, her ethereal mane began to look more translucent yet seemed to be glowing slightly. Twilight felt some new form of power surge through Luna and wondered with wide eyes what she was doing.

What may have been minutes or hours, Luna did not know, but eventually the stars stopped giving their power to Luna, because they had none left to give. Even though they were without any power, she felt them all looking at her with curiosity, for she had never asked for their power before. The only time they did anything for her was when they helped shatter her imprisonment on the moon, and that was of their own free will. She slowly breathed out a breath she did not know she was holding, basking in the sheer power she was given. She felt like she would be overwhelmed and burst open but she did not. Now, she directed the energies onto the sun. The past few times, the sun swatted her power aside like an annoying insect. Now though, it saw an actual threat, a competitor trying to establish itself as the dominate power, but it was the power of the stars combined, and Luna could feel the sun hesitating, knowing what it was up against. But she felt the sun bristle its powet, hoping to intimidate the Stars but the stars and Luna were unimpressed.

With Luna's command, the night princess sent the full power of the stars smashing against the sun, which was caught off guard by this sudden assault and was pushed back.

"Hey!" Applejack called out to her friends. "The sun's moving! The sun's moving!"

The six mares and dragon rushed to the window next to Luna, who remained still and quiet but no longer strained, and looked out, gasping as they saw the sun moving. Or rather, the shadows on the ground showing the sun's movement as no one but the Royal Pony Sisters could look directly at the sun. Then, the shadows stopped moving, they looked concerned at the dark alicorn, whose face scrunched a bit.

The sun recovered and halted, trying to push back at the star's power that dared strike at it. The stars held strong against the counter-assault, but Luna knew that the sun would prevail if she didn't think of something quick. That was when she felt an odd magical nudge. Risking to feel what it is, she immediately recognized it as the moon, who observed the whole situation, both what Luna was doing and what was happening on Equestria, and then, without warning, Luna felt a sudden boost as the moon lent its power, or rather the power of the sun reflected back at it in a neverending loop. Luna then felt the sun's surprise at the sudden turn of events, not only were the stars trying to move it, but now the moon itself was aiding them. Reluctantly, it relented, dropping its assault on the power of the stars and allowing itself to be pushed, this was a fight it could not win.

Luna sighed with relief as she opened her eyes to see dusk outside and the six mares cheering. Thank you, my quiet friends...

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"How long is he gonna keep gawking like that?" Applejack asked as she looked at Spike, who had his jaw wide open and stared blankly ahead. "He's been like that ever since you told him what happened."

Twilight simply shook her head, not knowing the answer to the cowpony's question and continued idly observing the walls of the throne room, completely empty of a certain alicorn who used to always sit in the large seat, governing the kingdom.

Fluttershy glided overhead and almost silently landed next to the baby dragon. "Well, it is very shocking to hear what had happened." She carefully patted the baby dragon on the head, his expression still as it was. "The poor thing."

Pinkie bounced up and giggled as she waved her hoof in front of the dragon's still face. "Wow, I don't think he's even conscious..." She said in a very amused tone.

The sight of Pinkie making a whole bunch of goofy faces and gestures trying to get some kind of reaction from Spike and giggling caused smiles to appear on the other mares faces, Pinkie had been too quiet since the battle beneath Canterlot.

Then, Pinkie poked the dragon in the chest and suddenly, he jumped into the air, screaming at the top of his lungs. "WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE! IF CELESTIA'S GONE, ALL OF EQUESTRIA - NO - THE WORLD IS DONE FOR!" He grabbed Pinkie's face and brought her down to his eye level. "We're doomed..."

"Doomed?" Pinkie asked, not looking particularly worried.

"Doomed!" Spike assured.

Then, both the baby dragon and the pink mare then screamed at the top of their lungs, one panicky, the other smiling like nothing was wrong. "DOOOOOOOMMMMEEEED!"

"SILENCE!" A voice shook the walls of the throne room and brought all heads to see Princess Luna, Shining Armour, whose helmet was tilted slightly on his head but his face expressionless as he quickly righted it. Immediately Luna's face turned apologetic.

"My apologies," she said. "I have been rather stressed of late."

"Ah think we all have, Princess." Applejack said.

It was then that a Unicorn mare with a bright silver mane and blue coat, her Cutie Mark that of some sort of twirl, walked up from behind the night princess.

"Oh, who is this?" Twilight asked.

The mare smiled and nodded as Luna cleared her throat.

"This is Whirlpool, a resident of the Crystal Empire, I called her here as well as several other scientists from across Equestria to examine the strange..." She paused, trying to find the right word. "...Thing that we discovered in the caves. Shining Armour has also had several of the prisoners we captured interrogated."

At this, the Captain sighed. "For all the good that did us..." He muttered.

"Did any of them tell you anything?" Rarity asked with a hopeful expression, but it disappeared when the stallion shook his head.

"None of them gave us any information. Despite our best techniques, they just laughed and insulted us."

"Surely you've got spells to help with this, though, right?" Twilight asked. "I've read that the Royal Guard had magical spells to force ponies to speak nothing but the truth and-"

"None of them worked, Twilight..." Shining interrupted. "Our spells had no effect on them. They just laughed and insulted us some more... if you could call them insults, that is..."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"Well, they were very odd. They kept calling us primitives, and sons of breaches..."

"Sons of what?"

But Shining simply shrugged. "No idea what they mean, and frankly, I don't think I want to know."

Luna shook her head. "These are the strangest ponies I have ever seen, but that does not hide the fact that they destroyed parts of the castle and captured my sister." She sighed and walked over to the window overlooking the city. "Nopony knows about Celestia's capture yet, but as more of Equestria learns of what has happened here, ponies will want answers and it will only be a matter of time before it is revealed Celestia has been captured. When that happens..."

Luna did not speak further, but shuddered. It didn't need to be said, Equestria would be in a panic, and Luna was all too aware of how some ponies may treat this as her making another claim to bring about eternal night as Nightmare Moon. Fear has always inspired the most drastic of actions were the words of one pony philosopher who had bore witnessed to the Gryphon Revolution over 300 years ago.

The dark alicorn turned to face the six bearers. "Whirlpool here believes that what we have found may be a portal of some kind, a portal that was created by those ponies."

Twilight glanced at Whirlpool, shocked. "But I've studied portals and the theories surrounding them, is this some kind of new portal we've never seen before?"

Luna nodded. "It would appear so. Though over the course of our lives, my sister and I have seen many different types of portals, many of them we never recorded down, for the better of everypony, but I have never in my life seen or heard of something like this..."

"So, if it's a portal,"  Twilight said. "Where does it go to?".

Whirlpool nodded and made a gesture with her hoof, Luna nodded in response. "Ah, yes, right..." She cleared her throat before continuing. "Whirlpool would like me to say that, though she is not at all sure, she believes that this portal may connect to somewhere... beyond our world."

Twilight gasped and blinked. "Beyond our- I- Wha- but how is tha- I mean- aah!" She paused and took a deep breath, but her eyes remained wide. "How did she come to that conclusion?"

"Whirlpool realized that the portal was not created through magical means, but it was powerful enough that even my sister and I, and of course you Twilight Sparkle, could sense it. And it is clear that these ponies have far more advanced technology then anything I have ever seen on Equestria. Whatever created that portal had to have been powerful, and Whirlpool's special talent is energy manipulation, she was able to figure out that whatever created is was using a massive amount of energy. But there is no link to anywhere on our planet. Therefore, it is only logical to assume that they are beyond our world."

Twilight stared slack-jawed at Whirlpool and Luna, completely shocked and more then a little giddy (though the shock was more prevalent at the moment) at what she was hearing.

"Hold on..." Rainbow said. "If their from another world, then they're aliens!?"

"Aliens, Rainbow Dash, means foreign and outside, you could call anything from outside our country an alien." The princess replied.

Rainbow glared and stopped when she realized she was glaring at the princess of the night. "I-I mean extraterrestrials! Creatures from beyond our planet! Like in those sci-fi books and the latest Daring Doo book!" She gasped. "Oh my gosh, could this be the beginning of a massive invasion!?"

"It's... possible." Luna admitted.

"Wait a sec, if they're bein's from another planet," Applejack asked. "How come they look exactly like ponies?"

"They weren't using any illusion spells or anything like that." Shining Armour stated. "They were ponies, just like the rest of us."

"Perhaps..." Luna said. "But these ponies have technology far beyond anything on our world... I don't think we've even scratched the surface of what they have nor can we comprehend what they're capable of..."

For a moment, everyone was silent until Luna cleared her throat once more. "If everypony but Shining Armour and Twilight Sparkle could please leave, we must discuss what should be our next course of action."

The other ponies and baby dragon hesitated but obeyed and left the throne room, the large doors closed behind them. Luna sat down with Shining Armour and Twilight looking at each other concerned.

"Are you alright, your highness?" The captain asked.

"After all that has happened today, I would be very surprised if I was... My sister captured by ponies that may be from beyond our world with technology we have thought of possible only in fictional novels. And now, Equestria will be in an uproar as to what is happening and I am more then certain that many will think of this as another ploy on my part to bring about eternal night, which may lead to the ponies bringing... Revolution..."

"How can you even think that?" Twilight asked, shocked at what she was hearing.

"Think about it, Twilight Sparkle, I know I don't have to tell you about my Fall, Celestia suddenly goes missing, I can now control the sun giving me ultimate power. And Ponyville wasn't the first town I visited on Nightmare Night and... let's just say the inhabitants of Ponyville showed the least hostility towards me."

"Princess..." Twilight spoke but couldn't find any words to help her in this situation. She did not know that Luna had visited other towns in Equestria and shuddered to think what had happened there. Shining Armour stood upright and saluted.

"Princess Luna, I can assure you that as Captain of the Royal Guard, you have our full support. We know you have done everything in your power to help get Celestia back, and we know you mean no harm on any of Equestria. And I promise you we will be as loyal and devoted to you as we are to Celestia."

Luna smiled. "I thank you, Captain Armour, you and the rest of the guard have preformed beyond all expectations on this day, and I am so sorry about what has happened to those who were killed below the castle."

Shining's face hardened slightly. "We all knew the risks when we joined, your highness."

The mention of the battle earlier also reminded Twilight of another thing. "Pinkie probably feels guilty about giving us away and starting the battle." The Unicorn said.

"I'll talk to her later," Shining replied. "It wasn't her fault."

Luna nodded in agreement. "Indeed, ponies would've been killed whether we had the element of surprise or not, it was unavoidable. But now we must discuss our next course of action... There is a portal that my sister has been brought through that may possibly lead to another world, which would explain how I lost complete contact with her, the distances would be so vast I can hardly comprehend it."

The dark alicorn looked at Twilight and Shining Armour. "What do you think should be done?"

Shining Armour spoke first. "I think it's obvious, Princess. We send a group in to go rescue her."

Twilight nodded in agreement. "I agree, whatever reason those ponies captured Celestia for, it can't be good. We have to move as quickly as possible before they do something to her."

Luna nodded slowly but the Unicorns could see the doubt in her eyes. "Do you think we could do that successfully? Those ponies are probably prepared for us coming through to their end. Anypony going through would likely be walking into a trap..."

"Princess, I can rally more guardsponies," Shining said. "And there are some scientists examining their weapons, it might be possible that in a few hours we can learn how to use their weapons and equip some of our guards with them. They can take point and fend off any attack that might be waiting for us."

"We should also have some Unicorn guards take point as well." Twilight commented. "They can cast spells to aid in the fight."

Luna was silent as she listened to them, nodding at their suggestions. "It would also help if I came too, I can help push any threat that could be waiting on the other side."

But both Shining and Twilight shook their heads.

"Your highness," the Captain of the Royal Guard said. "With Celestia gone, Equestria and your subjects need you. Some of them may not like it and may think you're responsible for this, but I'm sure after a few days, they'll believe in you."

"And you're the only one who can control the Sun now, nopony alive has the capability to control night and day." Twilight added, but upon seeing Luna's distressed look, she continued. "I'm sorry Princess, but you are needed here... You can count on Shining and the Guards to rescue Celestia, and you can count on me and my friends..."

Shining glanced at his sister, he was hoping she wouldn't say that. "...So you are coming, then..."

Twilight looked back. "Of course I am, Equestria's in danger... Celestia's in danger and I'm willing to go into the deepest pits of Tartarus for her. I won't fail her."

Shining nodded, smiling at his sister's resolve. You've grown up so fast, sis...

Luna cleared her throat. "You are right, Twilight Sparkle, and you as well Captain Armour. With both of you leading the rescue, I can rest easy now and remain here."

"You can count on us, Princess."

Luna smiled kindly. "I just have one personal request, aside from rescuing my sister..."

The two siblings raised their eyebrows and waited for Luna to continue. They were caught off guard when Luna moved in a flash and grabbed them both in a hug. "...Be careful, both of you... It would be an unbearable blow to us if we lost either of you."

Twilight returned the hug immediately, followed by Shining Armour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours had passed as the citizens of Canterlot helped rebuild their once pristine city. Ponies picked up pieces or rubble or recovered items that mattered to them personally. A few were calling out for loved ones that went missing, some of them ending in happy, tearful reunions, others that kept searching, calling and calling even as their voices became sore and broken. Dawn was nearly approaching, at least, it was supposed to. A few guards looked from clocks and the sky expectantly as they searched the horizon for the sun's light.

As the minutes approached, some ponies lost hope, fearing the worst, while others began feeling desperate, for the more ponies that lost hope, the more at-risk other ponies were of losing theirs. Then, some ponies noticed the edge of the sky change in colour ever so slightly, brightening in colour. They also noticed an approaching mass of ponies, armed in golden suits of armour with strange equipment on their hooves. They marched in perfect sync, their hooves clopping on the ground at the same time. Some of them flew tall banners flying the Royal Colours of Equestria.

At the forefront of the march was Princess Luna, her face emotionless as she stared straight ahead, but her eyes alight with a hope that spread to all those who watched, standing tall among those that were charged with protecting Princess Celestia, following her loyally. But that was not the only inspiring thing, for those ponies who had stood in front of her, seeing her horn glowing, they would've seen the Sun raising just behind her, briefly shadowing their silhouettes as the sun shone in all of it's glory, their silhouettes completely black save for a line in Luna's mane, which somehow glowed pure white, standing apart from the sun's light, the sun continued raising, making them completely visible and symbolizing that hope was not lost. Nopony cheered, but not out of dislike or anger or fear, but out of sheer shock and awe.

Beside Luna was Twilight Sparkle, flanked by her best friends and assistant, the Elements wrapped around their necks, ready for use. The march continued on, past all the ponies who stared, shocked but hopeful at the sight. They didn't know what was going on, but they were assured that, whatever was going on, it was in good hooves. Soon, Luna and the march of guards and the Element Bearers arrived at the tunnel entrance, which had two Night Guard watching it, they bowed as their Princess passed, in some ways more inspired and proud, for this was one of Luna's finest moments.

The old camp where the battle had taken place looked almost the same, except for the extra Night Guards and the Equestrian banner placed at the camp's center, a reminder that a battle was fought and won. The guards soon broke ranks when Luna gave the signal, and they relaxed as best they could. Whirlpool and some Unicorn scientists approached the guards armed with the alien weapons, who were code-named the Star Lancers.

"We will make our final preparations before you are all sent." Luna stated as she looked at the six mares and dragon. "If you'll excuse me, I must see to the Lancers."

Twilight and her friends nodded, then turning to her friends when Luna left. "Alright girls, I have no idea how long we'll be gone or what we'll find. There's a..." She hesitated, before changing her mind and altering what she was going to say. "...a large chance that we'll be gone for a while. So, if you have any messages you want to tell to Spike for him to deliver to, like family and other friends, now's our last chance."

"Huh? I'm not coming?" The baby dragon asked, his voice quivering slightly.

Twilight nodded in confirmation. "I'm sorry, but it'll be too dangerous for you, and I'll need someone to watch the library and Owlowliscious."

Spike opened his mouth to protest but closed it. She was right, as usual. He wanted so badly to come, but a part wanted to stay, too afraid for what could be waiting past the portal. The other mares' faces turned sad when they it finally hit them that they were leaving not just their country, but their world and that they could be gone for a long time. Applejack bit her lower lip and tugged her hat down as she approached Spike.

"Spike? Ah... Ah just want ya to tell mah family about what's goin' on an' where Ah am... and tell 'em Ah love 'em all, kay?"

Spike nodded. "Sure, AJ..."

"Thanks, sugarcube."

The cowpony backed off when Rarity walked up. "Spike, darling? Could you also tell my family? and tell them that nothing is more important to me then they are?"

"Of course, Rarity and... please be careful..." Spike looked away, blushing slightly, it was absolutely adorable to Rarity.

"And, for what it's worth..." She leaned her head down and gave the baby dragon a light peck on the cheek, causing his eyes to widen and his blush to grow dramatically. "...Take care while we're gone, Spikey-Wikey..."

Spike couldn't say anything from his love-struck shock, so he quickly nodded.

"um...Spike?" Came a very quiet voice behind him, he turned and saw Fluttershy standing behind him, shaking slightly, she cleared her throat quickly before speaking louder. "I... If you don't mind, can you take care of the animals in my house while I'm away? All you have to do is feed them, and... and maybe tell them that I'll be gone for a while...?"

Spike nodded. "Don't worry, Fluttershy, I'll take care of it."

"...thanks..." Then, the shy pegasus glided closer and gave Spike the softest hug she could give, which Spike returned just as lightly. When she let go and flew to her friends, Pinkie bounced up, still holding her cheerful smile. In fact she seemed a lot better after Shining Armour had talked to her.

"Hey Spike! Just tell the Cakes to take care and tell them that we'll throw a big 'Homecoming' party when we come back, okay?"

Spike chuckled. "Okie-dokie-lokie, Pinkie..."

Twilight looked around but didn't see Rainbow Dash anywhere. "Dash? Where are you?"

"In a minute!" Dash's voice yelled out. Twilight and her friends turned to see the cyan pegasus near the Equestrian banner, scribbling as quickly as she could on a piece of paper. After a few more seconds, she breathed a sigh.

"phew, done!" She said, folding the paper up and putting it into an envelope, before tossing the pen to a nearby Unicorn. "Thanks for the pen!"

The pegasus then flew and landed next to Spike. Handing the letter to him, she cleared her throat, as if holding something back.

"Just mail that normally through the post, don't you dare read it... got it?"

Spike nodded with a perplexed look on his face. "Sure, Dash, whatever you say."

Content, Rainbow walked up and sat down next to her friends, who eyed her curiously.

"Who's that to, RD?" Applejack asked.

"None of your business..." The mare replied.

Before anyone could ask her further, they heard running hoofsteps and turned to see Shining Armour running up to them.

"Sorry I'm late." He said, panting. "I had to say my goodbyes to Cadance and my parents, don't worry Twiley, I said goodbye for you as well."

Twilight nodded as she blinked. Was it her or was something in her eye? She shook her head, now was not the time to get emotional.

"EVERYPONY, MAY WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!" A loud voice boomed. All eyes and ears turned toward Luna, who stood before the warping portal, Luna cleared her throat and spoke in a normal voice. "The time has come for you to enter the portal and rescue our beloved princess, Celestia. For over 1000 years she was watched over you and protected you from any and all threats, now it is your turn to help return the favour, by saving her in her time of need. I do not need to tell you how important this is and how important you all are in this rescue, and I promise you, that no matter what happens; you will all be remembered as heroes.

"Heroes that will go into the unknown, braving whatever may be facing you, heroes who are willing to give up everything for the one being who has protected them all these centuries, heroes who will be remembered for all time. No matter what happens, I wish to say thank you, all of you, and my the light my sister's sun and the stars and moon guide you back home."

With that, the guards all immediately saluted their Princess, who returned the salute and nodded to Shining Armour, who lowered his salute and returned the nod, now was the time for him to take command.

"Alright, everypony, let's move in, Star Lancers will take point, followed by Silver Squad and Razor Squad, when it is safe to enter, we'll give the signal for the rest of the guards, led by the Element Bearers, to come in. Then, it all rests on us... so let's move!"

The Guards of the said squads formed up into as tight a square formation as they could, then on Shining Armour's signal, he and the Star Lancers marched towards the portal, upon touching it, the guard's immediately vanished, a shadow of light remaining in their places before disintegrating. Several minutes later, Silver squad marched in, followed by Razor Squad. Then, the rest of the Guards and Princess and Bearers watched the portal intently, their hearts all pounding as they waited for the signal.

After what might have been an hour or ten minutes, a Guard flashed through the portal. He stumbled, then quickly gained his composure.

"Clear!"

"Alright, go now, my little ponies..." Luna said to the Element Bearers. "The fate of Celestia is in your hooves."

"Come back safe, okay?" Spike asked.

Twilight nodded, before turning around and walking toward the portal, it's energies swirling around. When she came face-to-face with it, she hesitated only to take a deep breath, and stepped through the portal, leaving behind her home, and family, everything she knew and into the unknown.