The Soundblaster Files 2: The Next Level

“C'mon, Twilight, it's time to watch the sunrise!” Barb exclaimed as she went into Twilight's room, as she stared out the window at the moon, then both they and the entire town gathered at town hall to wait for the princess to arrive.

“Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited— well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went [deep gasp] but I mean really, who can top that?” Pinkie said to Twilight, and the birds started to sing as Mayor Mare walked under the balcony and on the stage.

As she looked down at the crowd she started to speak. “Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” The ponies cheered as she spoke, and she waited for them to become silent and spoke again.

“In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria, Princess Celestia!” Mayor Mare said as rarity pulled the rope that opened the curtains on the balcony. And once opened everypony saw that there was nothing behind them.

“Huh?” Rarity said as the rest of the ponies chattered and murmured nervously.

“This can't be good.” Twilight said with worry.

“Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!” Mayor Mare tried to reassure everypony.

“Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?” Pinkie said, looking around as Rarity checked behind the curtains, and came back.

“She's gone!” She told everypony and they gasped.

“Ooh, she's good.” Pinkie said and she screamed as she saw a blue mist rising on the balcony, which took the form of the black alicorn known as Nightmare Moon.

“Oh no... Nightmare Moon!” Twilight whispered as she looked up at the alicorn, as Barb fainted on the ground.

“Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.” Nightmare said as she looked down at the crowd.

“What did you do with our Princess?!” Rainbow yelled as she tried to fly up closer to Nightmare but Applejack bit her tail holding her in place

“Whoa there, Nelly…” She said muffled.

Nightmare chuckled before she spoke. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?” She asked.

“Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty.” Pinkie said before Applejack shoved a cupcake in her mouth.

“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?” Asked Nightmare as she looked at Fluttershy and Rarity, then Twilight stepped forward.

“I did. And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon – Nightmare Moon!” She said and the ponies around her gasped.

Nightmare grinned before she spoke.”Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.”

“You're here to... to…” Twilight gupled.

Nightmare Moon burst into laughter and said. “Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” She said as thunder roared outside the building.

“Seize her! Only she knows where the Princess is!” Mayor mare shouted, and the pegasus guards flew towards the black Alicorn.

“Stand back, you foals!” SHe said as she blasted the guards with magic sending them to the ground as she laughed, then disappeared as she turned into a mass of blue mist and flew away.

Applejack grunted before she lost her grip on Rainbow, and she flew after Nightmare, stopping high in the air as she saw her flee. “Come back here!” She shouted. “Nighttime? Forever?” Rainbow said as she saw the mist disappear, then looked back to town hall to see Twilight running towards the library with Barb on her back. “Where's she going?”

When Twilight and Barb got back to the Library, Twilight noticed a large white lump in the corner, and she realized that it was the same stallion Barb thought was attractive. Twilight walked over to where he was and saw he was sleeping soundly in a fetal position. “Uh… Barb….. Who is this?” Twilight asked, looking back at Barb.

Barb hopped off Twilight’s back and walked over to him. “Oh! This is Rob, he’s my new coltfriend. He had a lot to drink at the party and he passed out, Nopony could move him, so we just left him here. I hope it’s ok if he stays?” Barb explained.

“You only just met.” Twilight said.

“Yeah? Well we went all the way.” Said Barb with a small blush.

“You only just met!” Twilight yelled.

“He’s nice and sweet and I like him.” She said as she stroked his mane as he slept. “Look how cute he looks when he sleeps!” She giggled.

“Also how did you do it, he’s massive, and you're…small?” Twilight asked.

“He knew a spell to temporarily make me bigger so I could take most of it.” She said as she continued to stroke his mane.

“Most of it?... How big was he?” Twilight asked, blushing.

“Huge.” Barb said.

“We should probably get you to bed.” Twilight said, picking up Barb with her magic and bringing her upstairs.

“You've been up all night, Barb. You are a baby dragon after all, even if you have a coltfriend now.” She said as she put her in her bed then closed the door, then she went down to the library to find a certain book. “Elements, elements, elements... Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?”

“And just what are the Elements of Harmony? And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a spy? Whoa!” Rainbow questioned before Applejack got between the two.

“Simmer down, Sally. She ain't no spy. But she sure knows what's going on. Don't you, Twilight?” Asked Applejack, looking at 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!” Twilight panicked.

"The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide." Pinkie said reading the title of a book aloud, and Twilight too it with her magic

“How did you find that?!” Twilight asked.

“It was under "E"! She said in a singsong voice as she hopped around.

“Oh. There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters. It is located in what is now--” Twilight said.

“The Everfree forest!” Said a voice, causing all heads to turn to the corner and see Rob sitting up and glaring at them.

“Rob, you're awake.” Twilight said.

“No thanks to you, I was trying to sleep and now…. Aaaaahh!! Damn hangover!” He groaned as he put his hooves to his head.

“Wait, how did you-” She tried to say before he interrupted.

“That’s not important! Ah!” He said before he began groaning and holding his head again. “Somepony get me something for this hangover!” He moaned before flopping down on his side on the ground, and Fluttershy gave him a mug of coffee. “Thank you sweetheart, Pinkie! Sweet me!” He said, and Pinkie put a large cube of caramel in his coffee. “Thank you.” He said then took a sip. “Aaaah. That’s the stuff.” He sighed happily.

Then Rainbow got in his face. “Are you a spy?” She asked.

“Are you high?” He asked.

“No!” She yelled.

“Are you sure?” He asked, moving his head back and forth in her face.

“Stop that.” She told him.

“Whatever, aaaaaanyway, the elements are hidden within a castle in the Everfree.” He said as he took another sip of his coffee.

“We can't go in there.” Said Rarity.

“Quit your whining, you wanted to find the elements, I told you where they were.” He snapped.

“Is there anything else we should know?” Twilight asked.

“No….. oh wait yes, the elements are being guarded by Lord Soundblaster, Master of Sound, Science, and Technology, and his Mate, Princess Jasmine, the two of them stand as sentinels over the elements.” Explained Rob.

“I've heard of them before. Lord Soundblaster was mentioned in multiple cultures across equestria!” Said Twilight.

“Yes, he was a powerful ruler of a small kingdom, that kingdom was the pinnacle of science, music, art, engineering, and technology. Lord Soundblaster was known as a giant that wielded a magic sword that could cut through anything, and a magic hammer that could make any tool he wished. He was known throughout as a great and powerful Warrior, then when Nightmare Moon was sent to the moon, he put himself and his mate in a deep slumber so they would be ready for her return.” Rob explained.

“But why wasnt that in the prophecy.” She asked.

“That wasn’t a prophecy, that was Celestia saying when the spell would wear off.” Rob deadpanned. “Nightmare Moon was originally Princess Luna, Luna got upset and became corrupted, thus she became Nightmare Moon. Celestia has been withholding information from everypony.”

“What?!” Asked everypony.

“That’s not all. The sins of the past will continue to wreak vengeance on the present and future. Lord Soundblaster knew this would happen, some cultures referred to him as a type of prophet, some referred to him as a god, some said he could see the future. If you have any chance to save Equestria, you have to find the elements, if you find the elements you will awaken Lord Soundblaster and Princess Jasmine.” Rob explained. “They will help you.”

“Whee! Let's go!” Pinkie said as she tried to run out the door but was stopped by Twilights magic.

“Not so fast. Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own.” She told the group.

“No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.” Applejack said stepping toward her with a smile and the rest agreed.

“Especially if there's candy apples in there. What? Those things are good.” Pinkie said, and Twilight sighed.

“So, none of you have been in there before?” Twilight asked the 5 mares.

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

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

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

“Nopony knows. You know why?” Rainbow said spookily.

“Rainbow, quit it.” APplejack told her.

“Cause everypony who's ever come in has never come out!” She said and they left the library to head towards the forest.

—Later—

“Whoa.” Twilight said as she walked into the room.

“Come on, Twilight. Isn't this what you've been waitin' for?” applejack said as Twilight walked up to where the elements were placed

“The Elements of Harmony, we've found them. Careful, careful!” Twilight said as rainbow dash and Fluttershy lifted them up and placed them on the ground

“One, two, three, four... There's only five!” Pinkie told Twilight.

“Where's the sixth?” asked rainbow

“The book said: when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed.” Twilight said as she rubbed her head worried.

“What in the hay is that supposed to mean?” Applejack asked as she looked at the elements then back to Twilight.

“I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen.” Twilight said them as she got closer to the elements

“Come on now, y'all. She needs to concentrate.” Applejack told the other 4 and they left the room to let Twilight do her thing.

[soundblaster and Jasmine]

“Hello Twilight.” Came a voice, startling Twilight.

“W-who’s there?!” Twilight asked. Then out of the shadows walked Rob. “Rob? What are you doing here?” She asked.

“Probably something stupid.” He said.

“I don’t understand. What do you mean?” Said Twilight.

“I’m going to trust you with my secret.” He said as he sat on his haunches.

“What secret?” Twilight asked, starting to get scared.

“My secret.” He began then went over to one of the wall sconces and pulled it down. “I’m lord Soundblaster.” He said as walls on each side of the room turned over, revealing large containers, on the left was container with a dark purple alicorn with a pink mane inside it, the container on the right was almost as big as a house, inside it contained a faceless giant with a crest on the forehead. At the foot of the container were a gigantic sword and hammer. Just then Twilight looked at Rob as he became a spark. That spark flew up and into the container and into the chest of the giant. Suddenly the giant began lighting up and the container opened up with a loud hiss.

The Giant slowly got up and stepped out of the container, he bent over and picked up the sword and hammer and put them onto his back. He took a few gigantic steps over to the other side of the room and pulled a lever next to the other container. The container opened with a hiss and he reached in and pulled out the alicorn with care, cradling her in his arm. The giant walked over to twilight and knelt down.

“W-what's going on?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight Sparkle, I am Lord Soundblaster, and this is Jasmine.” Came the booming monotone voice of the giant revealed to be Lord Soundblaster. “I’m trusting you with my secret, you mustn’t let anyone know that Rob and Soundblaster are one and the same. You must swear that you won’t tell anypony, not the princess, not anyone.” He told her.

“A-Alright, I swear.” She said.

“Good.” He responded with a nod. He put Jasmine down and miraculously changed shape into a boombox. The spark from before left the boombox and became Rob again. He picked up the boombox with his magic and put it on his back. “Twilight, right now we are frozen in time, this is the only way I could talk to you.” He explained.

“But why hide yourself?” She asked.

“There are things that I would like to avoid, but I will tell you my tale when we get back to the library later.” He told her. “But right now, you need to do something for me, don’t destroy Nightmare, instead separate her from Luna, do that and I can handle the rest.”

“I'll try.” She told him.

Rob nodded and took Jasmine and put her on his back. “I’m trusting you twilight. Don’t make me regret it.” He said.

“I won't.” She said.

“Good, I’ll go take Jasmine and hide.” He said, and they vanished as time resumed, and Twilight went to the elements and tried to work her magic on them as blue mist creeped into the room.

“Aah!” Twilight screamed as a blue tornado lifted the elements.

“Twilight!” Twilights friends yelled as they ran back into the room.

“The Elements!” Yelled Twilight as she jumped into the tornado before they vanished, and the 5 stood there talking over each other, then Rarity spoke over the rest

“Look!: She said pointing at a tower that had bright lights flashing inside

“Come on! “ said Applejack as she lead the charge towards the tower, and inside the said Tower Twilight coughed and gasped as she appeared in a puff of smoke as Nightmare moon Laughed.

“Hmph!” Twilight huffed as she stomped the ground preparing to charge Nightmare.

“You're kidding. You're kidding, right?” Nightmare asked as Twilight charged her horn, lighting up with magic, then so did Nightmare, but before they collided Twilight teleported to the elements a light headed but fine.

“Just one spark. Come on, come on. Aah!” Twilight said, lighting up her horn and using her magic on the elements, before Nightmare appeared in front of her and just as she appeared her magic backfired sending her flying.

“No, no!” Nightmare said as the stones glowed, but then dimmed.

“But... where's the sixth Element?!” Twilight asked confused as to why it didn't appear.

Nightmare Moon laughed as she said. “You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!.” She said as she destroyed the elements, and laughed once more. Then as Twilight started to lose all hope the heard the voices of Applejack and Pinkie pie.

“Don’t worry we’re here.” Said Pinkie

“Don’t worry we’ll be there.” Applejack shouted as they ran up the stairs and Twilight came to a realization that changed everything.

“You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that?” Asked Twilight as she stood up on her feet. “ Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are right here.” Twilight said as the others stood at her side.

“What?” Nightmare moon asked as the shards of the elements started to levitate.

“Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of... honesty! 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 got us through every challenge you threw at us.” Twilight listed off and as she spoke the elements transformed into necklaces for the 5 of them each taking the shape of their cutie mark.

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

“But it did! 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! 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!” She said as the final element appeared taking the form of a crown upon her head and as it centerpiece a gem in the shape of her cutie mark.