Cinematic Adventures: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Despite the numbers of the remaining heroes dwindling drastically, the group of friends pressed forward. The students took one glance toward the snakeskin within a foot’s difference and moved on despite the obvious danger. They stepped carefully through the shadows until they reached a towering stone wall, at its center was a circular door with seven snake-shaped locks.

At the lead, Harry Potter stepped toward the door, hissing the Parseltongue command:

“Hesha-Hassah!” (Open)

The serpents start to part, the eighth slithering out from the door’s mechanical hinge and along the door’s edge. The other seven snakes retract one-by-one. And as the snakes slithered back into the hinge, the giant wall slid open. Harry removed his wand and entered, while the friends looked on with concern.

“I’ll never get used to Parseltongue after all this,” Scootaloo commented.

Nevertheless, the heroes cautiously stepped forward following Harry’s every step. Once every member made their way through the door, the heroes came across a ladder just as the end of the doorway.

“Careful everyone,” Sunset cautioned. “Watch your footing.”

To which this was no problem for those who could merely float down the floor. As for the others, they carefully placed their hooves, or feet, along each step of that ladder. Luckily, Sunset Shimmer, Spike, and Sonata Dust kept their eyes out to ensure everyone climbed down safely.

Soon, all eyes turned toward a vast chamber that stretched ahead. A dimly lit dungeon, with rows of stone serpents along the path and snakeheads decked the walls. The serpents nestled along pools of black water. Ahead is an enormous statue, of an old man who slightly resembled a monkey: Salazar Slytherin.

“The Chamber of Secrets!” Storm Shield exclaimed.

“It’s definitely a Chamber,” Smolder replied.

“It’s got Salazar Slytherin written all over it,” Spike added. “All of these snakes are a dead giveaway.”

“Don’t forget the Basilisk lives here!” Sweetie Belle spoke up. “We’re on its territory now; it could be anywhere! Stay alert!”

“Easier said than done,” Scootaloo whimpered. “That thing got our sisters! The Elements of Harmony! What can we do?”

“We’ll think of somethin’,” Apple Bloom replied. “We got Spike, Storm Shield, Sunset Shimmer… and Sonata! We’ll be okay, right?”

“I’m sensing so much dark essence in this place,” Sunset Shimmer cringed. “Reminds me of the Sith Lord’s tomb I was taken to.”

“If it’s any consolation, that place gave me the creeps too,” Sonata frowned sympathetically. “Not as much as this place, but still…”

In the meantime, Harry stared ahead, and his eyes widened with horror. Several feet in front of the statue, the unconscious body of a little girl lay motionless at the end of the chamber. There was no measure of doubt that it was Ron’s little sister… Ginny Weasley.

“Ginny!” Harry exclaimed, taking off in a mad sprint.

“Harry! Slow down!” Storm Shield called out.

As Harry dashed and took her into his arms, dropping his wand beside him, Ginny’s head lolled to one side. The group gasped in shock as they saw cheeks white as marble. A pale hand clutched Tom Riddle’s diary to her chest. Those that carried torches dropped them along the floor, racing toward Ginny, placing their wands on the floor and knelt beside the girl in Harry’s arms.

“Ginny! No, Ginny!” Harry desperately pleaded. “Please don’t be dead. Ginny! Wake up! Wake up! Please wake up!”

Sunset Shimmer knelt down along Ginny’s side. She gently placed her hand along the young girl’s forehead, checking for a reading on her psyche.

“How is she, Sunset?” Spike asked concerned.

Sunset looked up with a sad expression, shaking her head slowly.

“I can’t get in touch with her mentality,” Sunset shook her head. “I can’t wake her!”

“Let me help!” Sonata urged, beckoning everyone to stand back. “I know what I need to do; I will give her… the kiss of life!”

But just as Sonata was about to perform the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation…

“She won’t wake.”

All eyes spun and looked in shock as a man approached from nearby. He seemed strangely blurred around the edges, as though they were looking at him through a misty window.

“Who are you?” Sonata asked. “Where’d you come from?”

“… I know you!” Sunset gasped. “We know you!”

“Tom? Tom Riddle?” Harry asked, facing Ginny. “What d’you mean, she won’t wake? She’s not…?”

“She’s still alive,” Riddle confirmed. “But only just.”

Harry looked at Riddle, measuring the man up and down. He was uncertain just what exactly he or even his friends were even looking at.

“Are you a ghost?” Harry asked.

“A memory,” Riddle answered. “Preserved in a diary for fifty years.”

“For realsies?” Sonata asked. “You don’t look like you’ve aged a day…”

“That’s the whole point of being a memory,” Gallus explained to Sonata. “We’re just seeing a guy still in his early adulthood, from fifty years ago.”

“Ooh…” Sonata nodded. “Which means what again?”

“Never mind!” Smolder interrupted. “We must save Ginny! Sunset, how is she?”

Sunset Shimmer looked toward the diary in Ginny’s hand, then placed her own hand along Ginny’s arm.

“She’s cold as ice,” Sunset replied worriedly. “Ginny, sweetie, please don’t be dead! Wake up!”

While the others weren’t looking, Riddle bent down and picked up Harry’s wand from where he left it.

“You’ve got to help us, Tom,” Harry pleaded. “There’s a basilisk—”

“It won’t come until it’s called,” Riddle replied.

“What makes you…” Apple Bloom spoke, then paused. “Tom? What are yah doin’ with Harry’s wand?”

The others looked up, seeing Riddle twirling the wand in his fingers.

“Give me my wand, Tom,” Harry demanded.

“You won’t be needing it,” Riddle assured.

The flabbergasted heroes were left uncertain of where this conversation was going.

“What are you talking about?” Storm questioned.

“Listen, we’ve got to go!” Harry insisted. “We’ve got to save her!”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Harry,” Riddle shook his head. “You see, as poor Ginny grows weaker… I grow stronger.”

“For realsies?” Sonata asked, before doing a doubletake. “Whoa, wait a minute! What did you say?”

“Maybe my head’s still ringing, but…” Gallus dug his ears. “Did I hear you say… Ginny is growing weak, while you’re growing stronger?”

“You heard me correct, griffon,” Riddle smirked.

“But she’s dying!” Harry insisted.

“Yes, I’m afraid so,” Riddle nodded. “But then, she’s been in so much pain, poor Ginny.”

“What are you talking about?” Ocellus asked concerned.

“Don’t you realize it now?” Riddle inquired. “She’s been writing to me for months, telling me all her pitiful worries and woes. Ginny poured her soul out to me. I grew stronger on a diet of her deepest fears, her darkest secrets. I grew powerful enough to start feeding Ginny a few secrets, to start pouring a bit of my soul back into her…”

Riddle, growing less vaporous by the second, grinned at the stunned group cruely.

“Yes, it was Ginny Weasley who opened the Chamber of Secrets.”

Unsure of the man’s words, Sunset took the direct approach and placed a hand on Ginny’s head. As she peered into her memories, she watched Ginny open the sinks in Moaning Myrtel’s bathroom for the first time. All the while, she could hear the denial in Harry’s voice.

“No… she couldn’t – she wouldn’t.”

“It was Ginny who set the Basilisk on the Mudbloods, the Jedi Grandmaster, the Equestrian Heroes, and the Squib’s cat,” Riddle continued. “Ginny who wrote threatening messages on the walls.”

While studying her memories, Sunset Shimmer watched as Ginny used her blood-covered fingers to write along the wall… the blood of Hagrid’s roosters.

“But… Why?...” Harry asked.

“Because I told her to,” Riddle answered. “You’ll find that I can be very persuasive. Not that she knew what she was doing. She was, shall we say, in a kind of trance. Still, the power of the diary began to scare her, and she tried to dispose of it in the girls’ bathroom.”

Still in her trance, Sunset watched Ginny racing into a bathroom stall and throwing the diary into the toilet. With that, Sunset came to the end of her trance and returned to the present.

“But then, who should find it… but you?” Riddle questioned. “The very person I was most anxious to meet.”

“And why did you want to meet me?” Harry asked angrily.

“Ginny told me all about you, and your friends,” Tom continued. “I knew I had to talk to you, meet you if I could. So, I decided to show both you, your students, and to some extent Sunset Shimmer, my capture of that brainless oaf, Hagrid, to gain your trust.”

“Hagrid’s our friend!” Harry barked defensively. “And you framed him, didn’t you?”

“How could you do that?” Sunset Shimmer frowned. “Darth Sidious would stoop that low, but you? You were his buddy, his best friend. Why would you do that?”

“It’s the oldest trick in the book,” Riddle merely smirked. “But you would know all about that… wouldn’t you, Seraphina?”

“What?!” Sunset gasped in outrage. “How could you—”

“It was my word against Hagrid’s,” Riddle continued. “Only Dumbledore seemed to think Hagrid was innocent.”

“I’ll bet Dumbledore saw right through you,” Harry grinned confidently.

“He certainly kept an annoyingly close watch on me after that,” Tom frowned, walking around Harry. “I knew it wouldn’t be safe to open the Chamber again while I was still at school. So I decided to leave behind a diary, preserving my sixteen-year-old self in its pages, so that one day… I would be able to lead another to finish Salazar Slytherin’s noble work.”

“And this is your idea of noble?!” Spike scoffed. “Attacking muggle-borns? Our friends? Our family? Endangering innocent lives? How can you call that noble?!”

“… You call them innocent lives, I call them minor inconveniences,” Tom huffed. “Nevertheless, my work is nearly complete.”

“Well, you haven’t finished it this time,” Harry argued. “In a few hours, the Mandrake Draught will be ready and everyone who was petrified will be all right again.”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo said confidently. “And… not to jinx it or anything, but… LOSER!!!”

“Haven’t I told you?” Riddle smiled maliciously. “Killing Mudbloods doesn’t matter to me anymore. For many months now, my new target has been… all of you… but mostly you… Harry Potter.”

Harry and friends eyed the twisted memory with surprise, all the while Tom continued his rant.

“Imagine my disappointment when I learned Ginny had stolen the diary back from you.”

“Ginny stole the diary from my room?” Harry questioned.

“But she’s our friend!” Silverstream insisted. “Why would she do that?”

“She was afraid,” Riddle answered. “Afraid you’d learn how to work the diary. Afraid I’d tell you just who it was that had been strangling all those roosters.”

Horrified, the group glanced at Ginny and then back to Riddle. As the girl grew paler, Tom grew more solid.

“Come now, students,” Riddle continued. “Don’t look so disappointed. Had Ginny succeeded in destroying the diary, she would have destroyed me. And we couldn’t be having this little talk. And I have so many questions for you.”

“Like what?” Spike asked.

“Well, how is it that a baby with no extraordinary magical talent managed to defeat the greatest wizard of all time? How did he escape with nothing but a scar, while Lord Voldemort’s powers were destroyed?”

“Why do you care how I escaped?” Harry asked.

“Yeah! Big V was years after your time!” Smolder added.

Tom Riddle simply smirked evilly at the heroes’ unknown naivety.

“Voldemort, or Big V as you prefer, is… my past, present, and future.”

Riddle pulled Harry’s wand from his pocket and began to trace it through the air, writing three words: “TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE.” Then, with a wave, he re-arranged them: “I AM LORD VOLDEMORT.”

“WHAT?!” Spike exclaimed.

The revelation left Harry and the remaining heroes in total shock.

“You?” Harry realized. “You’re the heir of Slytherin?”

“You’re… Voldemort?” Sandbar asked. “As a teenager?”

“Yona mind blown!” Yona exclaimed.

“If this is what you used to look like, the years won’t be kind to you,” Gallus insulted.

“SILENCE, GRIFFON!” Tom Riddle barked.

“For the record, I’d rather work for pretty boy than grandpa Palpatine,” Sonata whispered to Sunset.

“Same!” Sunset whispered back.

“Surely you didn’t think I would keep my filthy Muggle father’s name?” Tom scowled in disgust. “No, I fashioned myself a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would one day fear to speak, when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world!”

“As if!” Apple Bloom spat defensively.

“Albus Dumbledore is the greatest sorcerer in the world!” Harry declared confidently.

“Dumbledore, and those pathetic alicorn princesses, have been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of me!” Riddle argued.

“That’s not true!” Sandbar argued. “That’s impossible!”

“They’ll never be gone!” Harry stood his ground. “Not as long as those who remain are loyal to them!”

“That’s double for us!” Apple Bloom frowned as she and the Crusaders stood by Harry’s side.

“Got room for more?” Gallus asked, as he and his friends joined.

“I may be a dragon,” Spike joined in. “But Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will always be my leaders, and my friends!”

“Mine too!” Sonata Dusk called out. “If not for them, I’d have rotted away in Arkham Asylum… which I’m not!”

Tom Riddle watched as Sunset Shimmer herself joined the group.

“You?” Riddle scoffed. “Don’t be Ridiculous. How can you, Seraphina, be loyal to Princess Celestia? All those times, you’ve plotted against her. The crimes you’ve committed, even attempting to murder Princess Twilight Sparkle… twice. And you still have the gall to declare allegiance to your former mentor?”

“You think you know who I am?” Sunset glared at Tom Riddle. “You don’t think I’ve ever regretted those past misdeeds for a long time? That there’s no reason to try and clean up my mess? To become a better person? You’re wrong about me, Tom! The past doesn’t define who we are! It’s about growing up to become who we are today… and tomorrow! That’s the difference between you and me; you never understood that!

“Just because your ancestor hates Muggle-Borns, you think you can grow to be like him? I admit what I’ve done was criminal! I won’t argue against being locked away for it! But I’m not because Princess Celestia and Twilight always believed in me! By Faust, I’ll never betray that trust ever again!”

Just when the moment between heroes and villains couldn’t grow more tense, evil laughter echoed around the chamber. The heroes looked around as suddenly the entirety of the Dark Order emerged from the shadows.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Smolder shook her head.

“Big talk, Seraphina!” Adagio applauded mockingly. “Too bad Princess Twilight’s not here to back you up this time!”

“Not even Princess Celestia or Luna can save you!” Tirek laughed.

“You’re all alone,” King Sombra added. “Always have been… without your precious Elements of Harmony, you are nothing!”

“You’re no Princess of Friendship,” Aria taunted. “You’re not an Element of Harmony… not even Jedi Grandmaster. Just a washed-up former Sith, a sorry excuse of a siren, three kids, an overgrown lizard, six misfits… and a boy.”

“The Boy Who Lived!” Sandbar pointed out.

“And I care because?” Aria rolled her eyes.

“You still miss the point,” Zoe pointed out. “You never had hope to survive!”

“May God have mercy on your souls,” Joseph Seed praised.

“We should get this done now!” Sweeney Todd sharpened his razors impatiently.

“Not yet,” Chrysalis coaxed her barber boyfriend. “There are fates worse than death!”

“Surrender fools!” Darth Andromedas demanded. “You are surrounded.”

“NEVER!” Yona stomped her hooves. “YAKS NEVER SURRENDER!”

“You have no choice, Bantha!” Demetria scowled.

“Call my girlfriend a bantha again, and I’ll twist you into a Twi’lek pretzel!” Sandbar threatened.

“We will never surrender to you!” Scootaloo barked.

“Give us liberty or give us death!” Sonata crossed her arms.

“… Can we not vote on death?” Spike asked.

It was during this moment that both the Benefactor and the Dark One emerged from the remainder of the Dark Order. The Dark One still clutched the powerful staff of Hermes in their gloved hand while the Benefactor smirked wickedly under their hood.

“Poor insolent fools,” The Benefactor commented. “You resist as always, and it still doesn’t matter. Words mortals often hurl into the darkness. Once they were mine, they are always lies.”

As the group stared down toward the one responsible for this union of villainy, one question nestled along their minds. The likes of which had been plaguing them since the very beginning.

“Who are you?” Sunset asked.

From under their hood, the Benefactor gave another evil grin.

“Still haven’t figured it out yet?” They asked. “Goes to show how simple-minded you mortals are.”

With their magic, the Benefactor swiftly removed their cloak off of their form. After all this time, they stood in full display toward all eyes for the very first time. The heroes stared wide-eyed, mouths agape over the very sight greeting them.

“That’s… impossible!” Sunset gasped in surprise.

“No way!” The CMC exclaimed in unison.

“There’s no possible way!” Storm said in disbelief.

An evil laugh escaped as the Benefactor was no longer a mystery to anyone or any pony. A familiar foe from Equestrian history, one that nearly plunged the entire world in eternal night. A face every pony hoped was gone forever…

Nightmare Moon…

“Nightmare Moon?!” Spike exclaimed, surprised. “How’s that possible? Twilight and the girls defeated you years ago and you turned back into Princess Luna! How could you possibly have a form of your own?”

“Mortals often beg for answers they cannot comprehend,” Nightmare Moon said mockingly. “If you truly wish for answers, you’d best ask Celestia and my former other half… if you survive, that is.”

Sunset ignited her lightsaber, splitting it into two blades.

“Incendio!” Sunset shouted.

With the saber containing her wand, Sunset conjured a wall of flame to save off the villains.

“You shall not pass!” Sunset Shimmer declared.

“… Why do you fight your destiny?” Tom Riddle asked. “Have you failed to comprehend that you’ve already lost? Your friends are gone; you have no hope of defeating us. You… are outnumbered.”

“You’re wrong!” Apple Bloom shouted. “Our friends are still with us, in our hearts and in spirit.”

“And we still have each other!” Scootaloo added.

“And as long as we stick together—” Sweetie Belle continued.

“We will never give up!” Sonata added.

Suddenly, a musical sound… eerie and unearthly… echoed deep within the chamber. All eyes turned down the corridor to see three small, swift shadows ribboning over the rock. Flying from above are Fawkes, Philomena, and Peewee, the Phoenixes. The birds swoop into the chamber, with Fawkes clutching a ragged bundle in their golden talons.

“Fawkes?” Harry gasped.

“Philomena?!” Sunset exclaimed, recognizing Celestia’s pet bird.

“Peewee?!” Spike exclaimed, recognizing his own phoenix.

The three birds flapped their wings and flew toward the group. Fawkes dropped the ragged bundle into Harry’s hands, while Philomena and Peewee dropped a huge box for Sunset Shimmer and Spike to catch. Everyone watched the three birds as they flew over and around, then back down the corridor. Harry unrolled the object, which turned out to be the Sorting Hat, while the others opened the chest revealing… the Elements of Harmony.

“The Elements of Harmony?” The remaining Equestrians exclaimed in confusion.

“What good will they do?” Spike asked. “They don’t work for us! Trust me, I’ve tried one on before… it didn’t even respond…”

“And the last time I wore Twilight’s crown, it turned me into a Demon Sorceress!” Sunset cringed. “I’m not risking that again…”

“This is what Dumbledore and his bimbo alicorn princesses sends their great defenders!” Riddle giggled. “Three songbirds, an old hat, and useless accessories!”

“Celestia always overestimated those ridiculous gems,” Nightmare Moon commented. “She may have used them to best me before, but only those truly worthy to wield them may use their power. You have no chance.”

“Even after that ‘arousing’ hero speech,” Adagio sneered.

“Sucks to be you, huh Sonata?” Aria chuckled. “See what happens when you try playing nice?”

“I have no regrets!” Sonata declared, frowning.

In the meantime, Tom Riddle turned toward the statue of Salazar Slytherin and extended his left hand.

“Shearhas—Samnathas—Sélithaeine,” Riddle hissed in Parseltongue. (Speak to me, Slytherin, greatest of the Hogwarts four)

The heroes looked up with dread, while the Dark Order gazed with excitement. It was as though they booked the first seats for the main event still to come.

“Harry…” Scootaloo began nervously. “W-What did he say?”

“You’re as good as dead, little pony!” Aria chuckled evilly.

“Golly! The Basilisk is hungry,” Cozy Glow grinned. “The poor thing is starving!”

Suddenly, the stone face of Salazar Slytherin’s mouth opened. There was a rumbling sound, followed by the sound of slithering. While this happened, Tom Riddle turned around and declared to the heroes aloud:

“Let’s match the powers of Lord Voldemort, Heir of Salazar Slytherin, against the famous Harry Potter, and his ragtag band of misfits, shall we?”

“Yes,” Malakai Black grinned sinisterly. “We’re going to enjoy this.”

Harry Potter and friends turned toward the statue again, their arms over their eyes to cover half their view. Through the fully open mouth, the heroes barely got a glimpse of scales, the tip of its nose, gleaming in the dim lighting of the moon. The Basilisk, a giant serpent, spilled out, uncoiling heavily along the floor. Harry and the group turned toward the wall, less they risked looking it in the eyes. They could see the serpent’s shadow along the wall.

“What’s the plan?” Scootaloo asked, avoiding the beast’s gaze.

“Plan?” Apple Bloom asked. “Oh yeah! Here’s the plan! We… RUUUUUUUUUNNNN!!!”

Apple Bloom was the first to take off running, with Harry and the others following in hot pursuit.

“DON’T WAIT FOR US, APPLE BLOOM!!!” Spike screamed.

“Ha!” Aria laughed. “Look at them run like cowards!”

“This will be most enjoyable,” Sombra grinned.

Riddle turned to the serpent and spoke in Parseltongue.

“Sethae—He—This!” (Kill him!)

The hissing serpent shot forward while the heroes kept running.

“Parseltongue won’t save you now, Potter!” Riddle warned. “The Basilisk only obeys me!”

“Don’t look into its eyes!” Harry called out.

“Keep going, all of you!” Sunset urged them onward. “Don’t stop! Don’t turn around!”

Suddenly, Sunset Shimmer screeched to a halt, without turning to look at the monstrous serpent. Upon hearing their friend’s footstep squeaking, Spike and the others knew what Sunset was doing.

“Sunset?! What are you doing?!” Spike called out.

“I’ll hold it off!” Sunset answered, donning visors with a shield cover. “Somehow…”

Sunset Shimmer held her ignited lightsabers to the side, relying on her instinct in the gorce to guide her movement. She felt for the Basilisk’s presence, anticipating its next attack. Her ears perked up in alarm to hear the giant snake’s breathing and hissing, hearing the friction of its massive body crawling across the floor. She could sense the snake rearing its head back, ready to bite upon her.

At the last possible second, Sunset quickly stepped aside, feeling the rush of air brush past her hair. The Snake lunged forward for a bite; thankfully, Sunset dodged the attack. Using the momentum, Sunset Shimmer slashed her lightsabers in a tornado spin, hitting them across the snake’s coil.

Except, unexpectedly, for some strange reason, her lightsabers merely bounced off what must’ve been a very thick wall.

“You’re a fool to believe your fancy lightsabers and force tricks can harm the Basilisk,” Tom Riddle gloated.

“How?!” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“The Basilisk is a magical creature!” Tom Riddle boasted. “Weapons from the Muggle World, even your Galaxy’s, are useless against it! There are no known spells that can harm it, its scales are too great. Even if one of your lightsabers is infused with a wand, you can cast hundreds of spells, and it will never be enough to kill it.”

“… Now he tells me,” Sunset Shimmer moaned.

Just then, she could hear the Basilisk make another lunge toward her and Sunset dodged to the left, only to trip and crash over its massive coil.

“AAAH!!!” Sunset Shimmer screamed.

She fell along the floor, her protective visors falling off.

“Uh oh…”

The Basilisk reared its head up for another lunge at the Jedi Sorceress, who rolled to the side to avoid the bite. But without her visors, Sunset dared not look at the serpent. She tried to race along the stone path, but the giant serpent proved too fast. Sunset tripped and fell, as the Basilisk rose over her. With no choice, she huddled herself up in a ball, her hands over her head, and prepared for the worst.

“Well… at least I bought some time for Harry and the others to escape,” Sunset thought to herself.

"SUNSET!!!"

But it turned out that the heroes hadn’t even gone very far. They called for their friend, watching helplessly as she was about to be eaten by the snake. Fortunately for them, the snake’s attention was on their friend.

“FINISH HER!!!” Adagio shouted.

Fortunately, just as the serpent was about to strike, the familiar screeches of birds were heard. Everyone, including the startled Basilisk, all turned their heads to look up as Fawkes, Philomena, and Peewee returned and soared toward the giant serpent. The phoenixes circled its blunt head, confusing it. The snake snapped furiously, when… they dropped like knives, driving their talons deep into the serpent’s glittering eyes.

As our heroes watched the angry play of shadows on the wall, the Basilisk roared and hissed in pain as the birds pecked and clawed its face. The snake thrashed its head, struggling to get the birds off but to no avail.

“Guys! What’s happening?!” Sunset called out, her hands over her eyes. “What’s going on?

“Uh, in a nutshell: Three little birds attacking the basilisk!” Sonata Dusk answered.

“What?”

“Our phoenix friends just saved you!” Spike shouted. “And I think they’re blinding it!”

“What?!”

Sunset Shimmer looked up; sure enough, she was astonished as the birds winged away, their talons dripping with blood. The Basilisk’s eyes are now a blind, bloody mess.

“NO!” Tom Riddle shouted in frustration.

“Aw man!” Cozy Glow pouted. “No fair!”

“All that trouble getting them here and three annoying birds blind it?!” Aria Blaza scowled.

But nevertheless, Tom Riddle regained his composure despite his scowl.

“Fools! Your birds may have blinded the Basilisk. But it can still hear you!”

“For real—MMPH!”

Sonata’s mouth was clamped shut by Spike and Harry, who quickly shushed her before she unintentionally gave them away.

The other friends hushed each other silently, before they turned and beckoned Sunset to regroup with them. The beast shook its head, wildly and blindly, from the agonizing pain of its damaged eyes.

“C’mon Sunset…” Spike whispered, holding his claw out. “Almost there…”

Just as Sunset was within reach, however, she stepped on something slimy, which creaked with a splattering sound. Everyone gasped in alarm, while the Basilisk ceased its thrashing, blindly glaring at the heroes.

“Uh oh…” Sunset whimpered.

The basilisk lunged forward, snapping its jaws at Sunset, who Spike and Sonata pulled away at the last second. Gallus and Silverstream flew toward the giant snake and screeched loudly into its ears.

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

The loud shriek raddled its eardrums, disorienting the basilisk for the time being.

“That was way too close!” Sunset hyperventilated. “That thing may not have a killer stare, but it’s still got a nasty bite!”

“Tell me about it!” Sonata frowned in worry.

“But thanks to Peewee and his friends, its aim is off!” Spike noted.

Apple Bloom scratched her chin, before clapping her hooves together.

“Let’s use that against it!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, running from her hiding spot.

“Apple Bloom!” Sunset reached out. “Get back here!”

The basilisk slowly regained its hearing, when Apple Bloom fired a harmless red spark from her wand, drawing its attention.

“Hey big and ugly!” Apple Bloom called out to the snake. “Over here! Come and get me!”

Apple Bloom watched as the snake reared its head back, anticipating its lunge. She quickly dove aside, as the basilisk brushed past her tail, and smashed its head into one of the statues.

“Ooh! That smarts!” Silverstream winced.

“But she’s got a good idea!” Harry exclaimed. “Everyone! Follow her lead!”

Harry and friends proceeded to surround the Basilisk. The boy who lived picked up a rock and hurled it at the Basilisk’s head, and the beast turned toward him.

“I’m over here!” Harry called.

Just as the Basilisk lunged toward him, Sunset and Sonata waved their hands, using the Force to push off its aim and send it crashing into a wall.

“Yoo-hoo!!!” Silverstream called. “Over here!”

The Basilisk made another lunge, this time toward Silverstream, who jumped aside and dodged the attack. The Basilisk ended up biting itself, causing it to scream in pain.

“That… smarts!” Spike winced.

“NAH-NAH, NAH NAH-NAH!” Scootaloo sang. “You missed us, you missed us! Now you’ve got to kiss us!”

Meanwhile, Tom Riddle snarled in frustration over such a preposterous display. The heroes were making a mockery of him and his ancestor, playing ‘Ring Around the Rosey’ with his precious basilisk.

“Don’t just stand there!” Tom Riddle screamed to his cohorts. “STOP THEM!!!”

“When you want something done right,” Regina began. “Do it yourself.”

The rest of the Dark Order sprang into action to deal with the remaining Equestrian Heroes. While Harry Potter was left to contend with the basilisk, the following villains faced their respective rivals.

King Sombra and the House of Black charged toward Spike.

Darth Andromedis and Demetria drew their lightsabers against Sunset Shimmer, who held her ground.

The Dazzlings and Zoe hovered over Sonata.

Cozy Glow, Tirek, and Chrysalis attacked the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Sonata Dusk, in particular, knew she had issues to resolve against her ex-sisters as she assumed a battle stance and released a sonic scream that sent her sisters and Zoe back.

“What do you even think you’re doing, Sonata?!” Adagio barked in outrage.

“What I should’ve done ages ago!” Sonata spat. “1,000 years of doing your bidding; 1,000 years of TAKING YOUR INSULTS! 1,000 YEARS OF—OOMF!!!”

Sonata’s mouth was shut forcefully, courtesy of Aria Blaze’s Force Choke against her.

“Blah, blah, BLAH!” Aria Blaze muttered. “We’ve had to put up with 1,000 years of your nonstop whining!”

Adagio soon stepped up, igniting her lightsaber.

“Time for you to rest… in pieces!”

“Expelliarmus!!!”

Before Adagio could swing her lightsaber, it was knocked right out of her hands. Adagio and Aria quickly turned their attention away from Sonata, seeing it was Silverstream who cast the charm.

“Nobody hurts my new B.S.B.F.F.!” Silverstream scowled.

“Huh?” The Dazzlings tilt their heads.

“Big Sister Best Friend… FOREVER!!!” Sonata screamed.

She blasted both of her sisters off her, before racing toward Silverstream and exchanged a high-five.

“Thanks sis!”

“Right back at ya!” Silverstream smiled. “LOOK OUT!!!”

Sonata and Silverstream spun each other around and kicked some Death Eaters soaring their way. Just then, Silverstream gasped as Adagio got up, readying for another attack.

“Time to clip your wings!” Adagio snarled threatening.

“Calvorio!” Sonata impulsively shouted.

Sonata fired a flash of purple light, a spell that struck Adagio with a devastating impact. Once the light died down, everyone in the Chamber of Secrets ceased their fighting. They gazed upon Adagio… noticing something iconic of hers was missing.

“What is it?” Adagio asked.

“Uh… nothing?” Aria answered, struggling not to laugh.

“What’s so funny?!” Adagio demanded.

“You… may not want to look in a mirror,” Smolder snickered.

“What do you—”

Adagio looked toward her reflection in the water. Though the Chamber of Secrets was dark and murky, the limited light was enough for Adagio to quite clearly see…

“MY HAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIRRRRRR!!!!”

Adagio screamed in horror as she waved her hands over her head, realizing her hair was completely gone. Before long, the Chamber of Secrets rang with laughter, echoing all around the humiliated siren.

“That’s a good look for ya, Adagio!” Sonata laughed herself to tears.

“Good one, Sonata!” Gallus laughed, high-fiving Sonata.

However, the laughter immediately died down when Adagio screamed with righteous fury. She unleashed the Dark Side of the Force, firing a storm of force lightning from her hands. The entire Chamber of Secrets shook, bits of the ceiling falling from her wrath.

“GIVE… ME… BACK… MY… HAIR!!!” Adagio demanded demonically.

“Totally worth it!” Sonata giggled.

Meanwhile, Sweeney Todd, Joseph Seed, and Regina assumed the offense against the remaining Student Six. Sweeney Todd swiped his razor blades toward Sandbar, who ducked and dodged the man’s deadly arm. And when he couldn’t move in time, he blocked with his hooves and maintained a solid defense. Joseph Seed and Regina’s attack was entirely toward Ocellus and Smolder, who dodged a wave of bullets from Seed’s AR-C assault rifle and black magic off Regina’s hands. But they were so preoccupied that they failed to notice Yona, who struck the pair with a headbutt, and the pair flew back as though they were hit by a truck.

As Harry fled, the serpent thundered after, striking blindly as its whipping tail shattered another Slytherin statue. Harry dodged and ducked, then, seeing the snake about to strike again… leapt clear, stumbling toward a side tunnel. Harry raced headlong into the shadows, then looked back, seeing the snake eclipsed the light at the far end of the tunnel and slither quickly inside.

Thinking fast, Harry ducked into an alcove, put his hand over his mouth and waited, desperate to remain still and silent. The snake slid heavily by, then… slowed… and turned back. The snake’s head weaved inside, only inches from Harry’s face. Harry trembled as the snake’s head cocked to the side, then… finally… withdrew.

Harry dashed back into the main chamber, while most of the group were busy keeping the Dark Order at bay. He raced toward Ginny, who looked frighteningly pale, much to the boy’s horror. Riddle grinned cruelly, the Heir of Slytherin growing more solid by the minute

“Yes, Potter,” Riddle smirked. “The process is nearly complete. In a few minutes, Ginny Weasley will be dead. And I will cease to be a memory. Lord Voldemort will return… very much alive.”

“Ginny,” Harry pleaded to the unconscious girl.

Then suddenly… the Basilisk shot out from the water, hissing directly in front of the boy. All heads turned in the same direction as the beast loomed over Harry Potter.

“Aw great!” Scootaloo moaned. “That thing’s back…”

“And madder than ever!” Apple Bloom added.

Things looked bleak for their heroes at this point. In the midst of all the calamity, as Harry dodged the snake’s attacks, Storm Shield was hurled directly toward a wall as Nightmare Moon hovered toward the Prince of Peace and landed inches from the fallen stallion.

“Do you truly believe you can defeat me, young prince?” Nightmare Moon scoffed. “I am the same age as your mother! I was created by the very darkness from your aunt’s heart! I spent moons observing your tactics, analyzing your fighting styles! You never had a chance!”

Storm Shield lay bleeding, his legs wobbled as he struggled to get back up. He tried to use his lightsaber pike to hoist himself up, but Nightmare Moon cast it aside and stomped her hoof upon it crushing the weapon to pieces.

“Face it… nothing you do surprises me anymore!” Nightmare Moon grinned maliciously.

Without giving Storm Shield room to breathe, Nightmare Moon blasted him in the face sending him flying toward the snake statue and breaking his wings. The prince groaned in pain, falling to the floor, and coughing blood. He looked up and spied on the chest the phoenixes delivered to him and his friends. Storm Shield struggled to crawl toward the chest, which Nightmare Moon casually kicked away.

“Don’t bother… the Elements of Harmony are useless, now with Princess Twilight and her meddling friends bedridden,” Nightmare Moon chortled. “Even you have no power to wield them… Little Prince. And now, I believe this is the part where you… rest… in… peace!”

Nightmare Moon conjured up a dagger, with a killer’s intent gleaming in her eyes. The nightmarish figure was eagerly ready to plunge the blade straight into Storm Shield’s heart. All of a sudden, a burst of green flame shot from the left and startled Nightmare Moon as she clutched her face. Spike and the remainder of the heroes regrouped with the prince.

“You okay, Storm?” Spike asked, aiding the prince.

“Yeah… thanks,” Storm Shield coughed. “But… I’m afraid… we’re losing…”

“Afraid so…” Spike sighed. “I can handle Malakai Black just fine. But we’re still outnumbered.”

“We need a miracle!” Sonata added.

Just then, something caught the corner of Sweetie Belle’s eyes.

“Guys! Look!” Sweetie pointed.

Everyone turned toward a shimmer of magical sparkle glowing from the Sorting Hat. Something glittered within: A ruby handle.

“What is that?” Gallus asked.

Sunset Shimmer squinted her eyes, which widened in astonishment.

“Can it be?!” Sunset gasped, before facing Harry. “HARRY! Get it!”

Harry ran over to the Sorting Hat to pull out the object, revealing itself to be a beautiful sword. The sword was made of pure silver, its hilt set with egg-sized rubies. Harry held up the sword at the ready, preparing himself for a fight with the basilisk like St. George against the dragon.

“Okay Harry!” Gallus cheered. “Let him HAVE IT!”

“Uh… does he know how to use a sword?” Ocellus asked.

The remaining heroes exchanged uncertain looks, before seeing that Harry was having second thoughts. As the boy backed away in fright, holding the sword in front of him, Storm Shield realized they needed to act fast. It was then he turned back toward the chest containing the elements and a single thought raced in his mind.

“… The Elements of Harmony,” Storm Shield pointed to the chest. “We can use them to help Harry…”

“How?” Spike asked. “They’ve never worked for us before.”

“They only work for Twilight and the others,” Sunset added. “They’re not even here!”

“Philomena and her friends wouldn’t give them to us without reason,” Storm voiced confidence. “I have a plan, but I need you guys to work with me. Each of you must take one of the elements…”

Storm Shield held the Element of Loyalty and faced the Student Six and Spike.

“Spike! Students!” Storm Shield began. “You represent loyalty! You’re all different, but you’ve never let that divide you from each other or Equestria!”

Spike and the Students took the Element of Loyalty, clutching it in their claws and hooves respectively.

“Sonata! You’re cheerful, chirpy, and outgoing even for a siren,” Storm Shield passed the Element of Laughter to Sonata. “You’re all about spreading cheers and smiles with your songs!”

Sonata held the Element of Laughter in her hands, nodding to Storm Shield.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders, you always saw the good in others and helped them show their inner beauty,” Storm Shield bestowed the Elements of Honesty, Kindness, and Generosity to each crusader.

Finally, Storm Shield himself put on the Element of Magic… but nothing happened. He then turned toward Sunset Shimmer.

“Sunset… you—”

“No! I won’t wear that crown again…” Sunset shook her head. “I can’t! I don’t deserve it!”

“Sunset…” Storm Shield implored.

“At least you’ll be at your strongest,” Darth Andromedis goaded. “Give into the magic! Embrace the Dark Side once more!”

“DO IT, MASTER!” Demetria begged mockingly. “IT’S THE ONLY WAY!”

“No… I…”

“Sunset!” Spike called out. “It’s okay. We believe in you, just as Twilight believed in you!”

“You’ve got this!” Silverstream joined.

“Trust yourself…” Storm Shield advised.

But still… Sunset Shimmer wasn’t entirely sure of herself. Who was she to put on the crown knowing it would risk turning her into the demon sorceress again? Did she alone truly have the power to control herself to save her friends? Still, there was no time for second thoughts. Sunset proceeded to take the crown, breath deeply, and slammed the crown atop her head completing the magical set.

Suddenly, the Elements of Harmony started to glow, beckoning Sunset and friends to look down and around. The villains stepped back, confused by this recent development.

“What is this magic?!” Nightmare Moon began.

As they can feel the magic coursing through them, the group can feel their confidence and resolve renewed. The heroes held their ground over their villainous foes, their expressions stating they will never give up in the face of adversity. Not when there were friends and family watching them, hoping for them to succeed. As the Elements of Harmony glowed the magic jewels lifted themselves off the jewelry and floated over the heroes. A disturbance that distracted even the blind basilisk, who felt a disturbance resonating off its hide.

Suddenly, Sunset Shimmer, who had been expecting the worst, opened her eyes as she found herself aglow. Before long, the mare floated in the air with her new friends. All of them hovering over the head of Salazar Slytherin, where Sunset Shimmer linked her hands and hooves with Spike’s, Sonata’s, the Student Six, and the CMC. Sunset Shimmer couldn’t help but shed a tear and smile warmly at her friends who returned the smile, reassuring the Guardian of Empathy that they were in this together, no matter what happened.

Soon, the friends looked down as the light poured from their respective elements, working their magic in a brilliant light show. The light poured onto a bruised, battered Storm Shield. Its magic rejuvenated him, and every bruise and scar seemed to magically patch themselves up… but not all. Storm Shield’s destroyed lightsaber floated up, landing in the young prince’s hooves. From the shattered remains of his pike, a light took shape.

Finally, just as the lights start to dim, everyone in the Chamber of Secrets looked in awe as a beautiful sword, embedded with harmony jewels on its golden hilt, was held in Storm Shield’s hooves.

“DOES EVERY BUCKING PONY IN THIS CHAMBER GET A SWORD?!?!” Cozy Glow freaked out.

Without haste, Storm Shield raced toward the basilisk in a mad rush of courage. He slid just as the basilisk aimed to snatch the pony with its jaws, but crashed its head against the floor. He then turned toward Harry, who glanced around in the brief moment he was trapped.

“Get to higher ground, Harry!” Storm Shield called out. “Up the statue!”

Harry nodded, following Storm Shield’s advice. Together, they leapt upward, scaling the statue of Salazar Slytherin. The serpent struck madly, but the two boys pressed on, climbing boldly until they reached the statue’s ‘hair’ and stood at the basilisk’s height. The blind snake hissed its forked tongue, tasting the air before it located the pair. Harry flailed the sword with one arm, while Storm wheeled with his own sword in hoof, and together they fended off the slashing serpent while preventing themselves from falling off the statue.

Unfortunately, Harry’s sword flailing only grazed the snake’s snout while Storm could barely reach the tip of his sword against the beast’s scales. In retaliation, the basilisk reared its head back preparing for a lunge.

“LOOK OUT!!!” The heroes shouted.

Harry quickly moved to the right, while Storm rocketed himself into the air. The giant snake missed its target by an inch, shattering its nose against Salazar Slytherin’s monument.

“That was close!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“Too close for comfort!” Scootaloo muttered.

Everyone watched as the basilisk chased after Harry, with the latter struggling to climb to higher ground despite the occasional assist from Storm Shield, who slashed the monster’s side with his sword.

“We must help them!” Ocellus exclaimed.

“How?” Sweetie Belle asked. “We don’t know any spells to hurt a basilisk.”

“And it’s too dangerous to fight head-on!” Apple Bloom added.

Scootaloo tapped a hoof on her chin before recalling something very important.

“I hope this works,” Scootaloo grimaced.

“Any ideas, Scootaloo?” Sunset asked.

“Yeah… and I hope I don’t regret this!”

Scootaloo raced from her hiding spot, placed her hooves over her mouth, and released a loud:

“CAWK-CA-DOODLE-DOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

All eyes turned as the basilisk was briefly stunned by the Pegasus’s imitation of a rooster. The basilisk vigorously shook its head, thrashing to the side, as though it were in a great pain.

“WHAT IS SHE DOING?!” Tirek shouted.

“Scootaloo, you genius!” Sunset Shimmer smiled.

“Years of playing a lost pony has finally paid off!” Scootaloo smiled proudly.

“STOP HER!!!” Nightmare Moon shouted.

An army of Death Eaters raced to silence the little Pegasus, but were cast aside by bolts of magic courtesy of the Student Six’s magical wands.

“Everyone!” Gallus called out. “Give out your best rooster calls!”

Gallus, along with the remaining heroes put their best imitations of roosters, chickens, anything to distract the basilisk. Ocellus even turned herself into an actual rooster to sell her crowing in this ear-numbing harmony. The basilisk flailed its head vigorously, banging itself against the statue as Harry held his ground. The beast was clearly hurt by the sound of roosters echoing around the Chamber of Secrets.

“SILENCE!!” Tom Riddle demanded angrily. “STOP THEM YOU FOOLS!!!”

The Dark Order raced out trying to stop the heroes, who held a strong defense against even the strongest of members. Meanwhile, Storm Shield landed beside Harry at the top of the statue head and they held their blades firmly. Their footsteps were caught by the basilisk, its headache cleared up.

“LOOK OUT!” Gallus called out.

“Confundo!” Sunset Shimmer shouted.

She cast a spell to confuse the Basilisk, again throwing off its aim. The basilisk rammed its snout into Salazar Slytherin’s bust, breaking off chunks from the sculpture. Harry nearly slipped when he lost his footing; thankfully, Storm Shield grabbed Harry’s hand to pull him up. Now too tired to flee, Harry and Storm simply waited until the last possible moment.

While the Basilisk was stunned, Sunset Shimmer leapt at a tremendous height till she was perched along the same spot as the boys. Once again, Sunset Shimmer ignited her lightsabers while Harry and Storm held their swords at the ready.

“It’s over serpent!” Sunset Shimmer spoke defiantly. “We have the high ground!”

Realizing where its prey are, the Basilisk hovered its head toward where the three stood.

“You go left, and you go right!” Sunset instructed the boys.

They nodded in unison, as Harry slashed his sword toward the Basilisk’s right and Storm attacked its left. Both swords grazed harmlessly off the snake’s skulls, leaving Sunset to try a different approach.

“Get down!” Sunset shouted.

The boys nodded in compliance as Sunset telekinetically broke off several chunks from the chamber’s cavern walls and hurled the stones toward the Basilisk. For a moment, the beast was stunned by flying rocks pelting it from both sides.

“It’s working!” Sweetie Belle cheered.

Just then, Tom Riddle spoke to the monster in Parseltongue, just as a large rock flew towards the snake. The beast caught the rock with its mouth, crushing it to pebbles in one bite. The blind snake took time to laugh at Sunset’s attempt at assault.

“So much for that…” Sunset winced.

The basilisk resumed its attack on the two ponies and the boy, hissing and snapping its jaws at them. Harry swung his sword wildly at the snake’s right, while Sunset slashed her lightsabers along its left. At one point, the snake bashed its skull and knocked the pair down, causing them to drop their weapons. Sunset’s lightsabers fell over Salazar’s nose, disappearing into the murky water below. Harry’s sword slid off the scalp, about to join Sunset’s lightsabers.

“THE SWORD!!!” Spike shouted.

Harry and Sunset quickly scurried into action to retrieve Harry’s sword. Unfortunately, the scratching of the sword off the stony surface alerted the Basilisk to their location. This time, its aim was true as it lunged for Sunset and Harry. In that exact moment, they caught the sword by its handle.

Marshalling every ounce of strength left, Harry and Sunset drove the sword upward, deep into the roof of the serpent’s mouth. In a mad rush of courage, Storm Shield pitched himself onto the serpent, climbed up its back with sword raised, and pierced the blade as hard as he could through the snake’s head. The basilisk hissed in pain, thrashing madly as it drove a fang into Harry’s and Sunset’s arms. The pair clutched their arms in agony, stumbled back and fell to the floor, into the arms of Sonata Dusk and Silverstream who stopped their fall. Storm Shield leapt away as the serpent thrashed with an ear splitting scream of agony, as warm blood drenched the chamber. Sunset and Harry winced painfully as they looked toward a long, poisonous fang sunk deeply between their elbows and wrists.

In the meantime, the Basilisk flailed around in agony until its massive weight brought it crashing down to the floor, where it twitched until… it went still.

“Alright, Harry!” The Student Six and CMC cheered.

“YAY, SUNSET!” Sonata cheered.

“Way to go, Sunset!” Spike cheered.

“I knew you could do it!” Storm nodded with approval.

Meanwhile, the Dark Order were outraged by this loss, in more ways than one.

“NOOOOOO!!!” Adagio Dazzle screamed furiously. “ALL THIS TROUBLE?! AND MY HAIR IS GONE FOR NOTHING?!!!”

The siren threw her lightsaber to the floor and jumped around, stomping her feet like a child throwing a fit.

“Kiss it goodbye, Adagio,” Sonata laughed. “‘Cause you ain’t never seeing it again!”

“AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!” Adagio screamed aloud, clutching her chest as though suffering a heart attack.

However, the celebration for the heroes and the villains’ misery was too soon.

“Uh, guys?” Ocellus pointed to Sunset and Harry’s blank expressions. “Something’s wrong with them…”

As the great Basilisk lay dead, Harry and Sunset stepped away from the dying husk, only to slump forward to the ground, each with that sharp fang implanted through their skin.

“Sunset!” Sonata lunged forward, only to be held back by Aria’s death grip.

“Shut it!”

The remainder of the students were quickly captured by the now-recovered Dark Order, watching in horror as Harry peered down toward the fang pierced in his arm, blood soaking into his robe. As he yanked the fang free, with Sunset following suit, Riddle stepped forward almost fully whole. His eyes shined at the sight of his enemies’ wounds.

“Remarkable, isn't it?” Riddle taunted. “How quickly the venom of the Basilisk penetrates the body? If you have any final words, Potter, Shimmer, you'd best speak them now. I'd guess you both have little more than a minute to live.”

“Revenge is a dish best served cold, isn’t it?” Adagio smirked.

Harry blinked heavily, watching the skin of his forearm turn a troubling gray. Even Sunset Shimmer started losing color, as she struggled to even gasp for breath.

“So ends the famous Harry Potter and the Hand of the Emperor. On their knees in the Chamber of Secrets. Defeated by the Dark Lord they so unwisely challenged. You’ll be with your Mudblood mother soon, Harry…”

“Don’t you dare call her that!” Scootaloo snapped. “Sunset is a hero!”

“Golly, how can you call a cold-blooded killer a hero?” Cozy taunted.

“Tough talk from a sociopath!” Gallus sneered.

The villains held them down while they watched Harry and Sunset slowly die in front of them. In a few short moments, they would be dead, and their friends would slowly follow them. Harry reached over to Ginny’s cold body; the girl was nearly white like a small ghost. The only evidence of life was the trembling of a single finger. Harry studied the finger and what laid beneath it: Tom Riddle’s diary, the one that started all of this.

“Funny, isn't it?” Riddle continued. “The damage a silly little book can do? Especially in the hands of a silly little girl. I suppose it goes to show just how idiotic and vulnerable friendship really is.”

The villains all laughed at this. Sunset remained undeterred by this, instead staring at the spirit dead cold in the eyes.

“That’s the thing, Riddle,” she groaned weakly. “Vulnerability is a countenance; it keeps you humble and drives you to become the best you can be.”

As Harry reached Ginny, he placed his hand on hers, then… slipped the diary free.

“What are you doing?” Riddle asked, confused.

Harry opened the diary to a set of blank pages. The boy wizard looked toward Sunset straight in the eyes.

“Do it, Harry!” Sunset declared.

Steely nodding, Harry held the basilisk fang aloft. All of a sudden, Riddle’s face creased with fear.

“No… Stop!”

Tom Riddle lunged forward, but it was too late. Harry quickly rose his hand high… and plunged the fang into the pages of the book. Instantly, black ink spurt from the pages like blood from a stab wound.

“NO!!!!!”

Riddle shrieked, writhing in pain. The form of Riddle suddenly stopped in his tracks, a large hole of light bursting from his stomach as though he had been shot. His body began to wither instantly, growing blurry once more. The light filled the entire chamber, cascading over the entire Order, who were all afraid of what was happening. Riddle screamed in agony, lunging for Harry who stabbed the other page. Ink once again bled from its contents as more glowing holes appeared all over Riddle from his legs and to his arms, and even his face.

Then, like magic, something happened to the other villains in the Chamber. Gallus, held by Tirek, suddenly felt his grip turn slack. The giant centaur looked as if his own body was shrinking. Sonata noticed the same with the Sirens as Adagio stumbled, clutching her throat.

“What’s… happening?” She cried. “I feel so… weak!”

It was then that all hell broke loose. Gallus kicked himself free of Tirek, knocking the centaur toward the ground. The griffon dove for the Seeds who held his girlfriend, while Seed’s men fired aimlessly amidst the confusion, their weapons spectacularly malfunctioning. Joseph dove out of the way, the guns instead firing upon Regina and Cersei’s knights. The Lannister Queen pulled Venrys in front of her like a shield, the onslaught of bullets pierced the man’s body.

Using this distraction, Spike hauled himself from Sombra, launching the shadow king towards the firing squad. In the chaos, Sombra’s form crushed the men, while he barely had the strength to stand again. The dragon leapt forward, pulling the shadow king’s giant arm with great ferocity. Smolder likewise went nuts over the villains, smashing through their ranks with scolding fire to reach Ocellus, who sent a volley of spells against the Dazzlings.

Sonata used this time to break free, locking Aria in a headlock from behind and threw her against Adagio. Finally, she used Zoe like a bowling ball, throwing her petite frame as though she were no more than a pile of sticks. All three sirens were down for the count, groaning in pain.

Yona took the opportunity to charge forth, smashing into Chrysalis, wounding her severely and prying Sandbar and Scootaloo free. The earth-pony butted his head against Sweeney, knocking his prized razors from his grip. Scootaloo surged ahead, smashing into a dazed Regina, freeing the magical grip on Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Once that was over, the yak charged behind the confused backs of the Siths, leaving them dazed, surprised, and powerless to fight back.

“My lord!” Tirek cried. “Can’t you do something?!”

Neither of the Order answered the cries for help from their defeated members. The fact was none of them showed any remorse whatsoever.

It was in this moment Harry closed the cover of the Diary, and with one final ounce of strength in his dying body, he plunged the fang into the cover as it bled out the last of its contents. As the ink ran off Harry’s fingers to the floor, Riddle’s form could do nothing at this point. Slowly but surely, his body was engulfed by bright white light like burning cinder against paper till there was nothing more to burn, and the spiritual component exploding in blinding light, leaving nothing behind but a tattered Diary bled dry of everything.

And just like that, all was silent for a moment or two.

“Is… everyone okay?” Sunset dared speak.

Amidst a few collective groans, a voice spoke in response.

“Sort of,” Smolder offered. “We’re not dead, and it looks like they ran away again. Just saw them flee into their portals.”

“Talk about convenient timing,” Sonata replied.

“Is everyone here?” Sunset called out.

“We’re good,” Gallus and Silverstream answered.

“Yona and Sandbar alive,” Yona added.

“Here!” The CMC spoke.

“Yes?” Ocellus merely offered.

“Never better,” Storm Shield sighed.

“All good here,” Spike added. “Boy, what a whirlwind!”

“A little bruised but I’ll live—”

Sonata Dusk paused… and gasped, as she stagged toward Sunset with a limp in her leg.

“Sunset! Y-You’re—”

“I know,” The Jedi coughed, removing the fang. “What about Ginny?”

As Harry and Sunset sunk back… a faint moan was heard. Ginny stirred as the Gryffindor in question gasped for life, color blooming in her cheeks. It was as though she had woken up from drowning. The CMC rushed forward to aid the girl.

“Ginny!” Apple Bloom smiled. “Thank Celestia you’re alright!”

“We were worried about you!” Sweetie Belle added.

“Oh, girls!” Ginny broke down, sobbing. “I’m so sorry! It was the Diary in my cauldron! It—”

“It’s alright,” Scootaloo soothed. “We destroyed the diary and the ghost possessing it. You don’t need to worry about it ever again.”

“But what about the Monster?”

“Harry, Storm, and Sunset battled and eventually killed the beast! It was awesome!”

“H-Harry?”

She turned around and saw the boy in question, disheveled and bleeding all over the floor. She also saw Sunset in a similar position.

“Harry, it was me!” Ginny confessed. “But I swear, I didn’t mean to… Riddle made me. He wrote to me… took me over… I didn’t even know whose diary it was. I found it inside my cauldron. The day we all went to Diagon Alley and… Harry… Sunset… you’re hurt…”

“Tis but a scratch,” Sunset painfully coughed, covering her injury. “Just a flesh wound.”

“Why’d you have to make that of all references?” Sonata laughed and cried all at once.

But to everyone else, it was plainly obvious that two of their friends were growing weaker by the second. Even Storm Shield showed great concern.

“Don’t worry,” Harry spoke up. “Ginny, you need to get yourself out… follow the chamber… you’ll find Ron…”

“W-What about you guys?” Ocellus asked.

“Basilisk poison works fast. We don’t have much longer.”

“But you can’t die!” Sweetie cried.

“What can we do? I-I want to do something!” Spike cried, slumping to his knees. “I just…”

It was during this moment there was a beautiful sound of music. Down from the sky came a rush of wings as the three phoenixes circled down over our heroes. Fawkes flew down toward Harry, while Philomena landed gracefully before Sunset.

“You were brilliant, Fawkes,” Harry said weakly. “I just… wasn’t quick enough.”

“I’m sorry for everything,” Sunset sighed. “Please… give Celestia my love.”

Then Harry blinked and looked down. The phoenixes gave small little grunts, but nothing more. As they lowered their heads over the open wounds, thick pearly tears tricked down their faces over the wounds. Each drop emitted a wisp of steam as though the wounds were sizzling pans. The others stared in amazement as little by little the open wounds… began to heal themselves.

“Of course!” Harry beamed, lifting his arm. “It’s as Dumbledore said. Phoenix tears have heavily powers.”

“It’s like it was never there to begin with,” Sunset smiled, rolling her arm around. “The poison’s gone from my bloodstream… just like that.”

“That’s great—AH!”

Sonata cried for joy then painfully stumbled, reminded of the pain in her leg.

“Whoa, hold still,” Sunset leaned over. “Come on, lean your weight on me.”

The Siren slung her arm over the Jedi’s shoulder, leaning over to adjust the weight for her gimp leg.

“Thanks,” Harry thanked the graceful bird.

Sunset turned toward Celestia’s favorite bird, who perched herself on the shoulders between herself and Sonata. The wonderful bird looked more adorable sitting down.

“Thank you too, Philomena,” Sunset smiled.

The bird gave a pleasant song, and then to the surprise of the girls, nuzzled her soft feathered head against their faces. A feeling out of nowhere but welcomed just the same.

“She likes you!” Silverstream beamed cutely.

“Adorable!” Spike smiled.

Then Philomena sang a beautiful song, soft and peaceful with light dancing sounds and light tones yet wonderful melancholic at the same time. It touched the hearts of everyone that heard it, none more than the two girls she planted herself between. To them, it was a song of love of all things that lived, of joy and happiness that always permeates despite all that’s happened.

“That… was so beautiful,” Sonata cried. “I’m crying right now!”

“It’s okay to cry, I am too,” Sunset added.

“Have you ever heard such sweet melody from a phoenix before?” Sandbar asked dreamily.

“I’m jealous I missed out,” Gallus choked, sniffling.

“I wish I could sing like a phoenix,” Sweetie sighed.

Poor Ginny, having been through way too much turmoil in such a short span of months (Having just returned from being comatose), could barely comprehend everything that’s happened. Harry could see the concern and made a move to comfort her.

“It’s all right, Ginny,” Harry assured. “It’s over. It’s just a memory…”

“I know, but…” Ginny wondered grimly. “What if… what if…?”

“You can’t stop thinking about it?” Sunset guessed.

“What if you can’t stop thinking about it?” Sunset offered.

Ginny meekly nodded, and the Jedi just smiled.

“I know how you feel,” Sunset explained. “I’ve been through it many times over. You can’t change the past, but you can’t stop remembering it either. And… that’s not a bad thing. I realize having terrible memories is just as important as the good ones, that way it strengthens you to become a better you.”

“Yeah,” Sonata nodded. “Like rising from the ashes… kind of like a phoenix! Uh… no offense.”

Philomena simply nipped at the Siren’s ear, causing her to happily giggle.

“Aww!” The CMCs sighed in unison.

“Hooray! Friends all happy and not dead!” Yona smiled. “Yona thinks we should leave Chamber and return to professors.”

“Good idea!” Scootaloo agreed. “The sooner we leave this place the better.”

“Hopefully we’ll never have to return to this slimy pit of despair again,” Sweetie gagged.

“Ah’m with ya on that,” Apple Bloom agreed.

Just as the group got out to make their way out of the Chamber of Secrets, the whole chamber started to shake. Many of them struggled to remain on their feet as the entire place shook greatly.

“W-W-What’s h-h-happening?” Gallus asked mid-shake.

“The whole place is caving in!” Storm yelled in alarm. “We need to leave now!’

The entire group got together and tried to run, which proved difficult due to the injuries some sustained. The bust of Salazar Slytherin cracked and crumbled, falling apart at the very seams. As the giant statue fell to the ground, it stirred up much dust that blew out around everyone. All eyes were quickly covered as the friends shielded one another. When all was clear, and everyone dropped their arms from their eyes, they stared in awe as a ball of blinding white light slowly emerged from the ruins of the Slytherin statue. It stopped before them and slowly dimmed until all the light was completely gone. In its place now stood a human woman with pale white skin, violet eyes, long platinum hair running down her back in a series of curls and braids and wore a blue dress that looked ancient in style.

“Didn’t see that coming,” Sunset spoke in shock.

“Who are you?” Sandbar asked curiously.

From behind the group, Storm Shield walked out and stared wide-eyed at the woman in question. When she turned her head and her eyes landed on the alicorn stallion, her eyes widened as well.

“Storm Shield?” She gasped.

“Daenerys?” Storm replied in shock.

Storm walked toward the pale woman, who got down on one knee. The two stared at each other for the longest time before huge smiles spread across their faces. They quickly threw their arms around each other in a hug. Everyone else watched in confusion at the display taking place before them.

“What’s going on here?” Spike asked. “Who is she?”

Hearing the young dragon talking to him, Storm quickly pulled back from Daenerys and looked at him.

“Spike, would you mind coming here?” He beckoned.

Spike just eyed him curiously for a moment, then back at the others who just shrugged in response. Nonetheless, Spike slowly walked to stand beside Storm Shield and the mystery woman. Daenerys looked at the young dragon, her eyes widened greatly, and her mouth hung open. Slowly, she stood back to her feet and eyed the dragon who perhaps stood a good few inches over her height. Tears streamed from her violet eyes before spilling down freely as she slowly wrapped her arms around the young dragon.

“Storm, why is she hugging me?” Spike asked confused. “What’s going on?”

“Spike, this is Daenerys Targaryen,” Storm smiled at him. “She’s… your mother.”

Everyone gasped in shock, but perhaps none more so than Spike as he looked down at the human woman hugging him tightly.

“That’s… not possible,” Spike stammered confused. “I’m a dragon and she’s human. How am I her son? Am I… not really a dragon?”

Daenerys pulled away from Spike, yet her hands remained on his shoulders as he looked into his eyes.

“Allow me to explain,” Daenerys spoke softly.

<>

(Unknown Location, Years Ago)

Daenerys Targaryen, last remaining member of the House Targaryen from the long line of ancient Westerosi kings and blood of the dragon, walked swiftly yet smoothly through the campsite that she shared with her fellow members of the Legion of Light. In her hands, she delicately held a small purple egg with spots of green all over it as she walked up to the large fire. Her fellow members including Quill Cast, Curtain Call, Storm Shield, Mirai, Draxus, and the Winchester’s all sat around the fireplace waiting for her to arrive.

“Did you find what you were looking for, Daenerys?” Quill asked her.

“I have,” She nodded as she presented the egg.

“What is your plan here?” Curtain added.

“As you all know, I have been carrying this egg with me since I rescued it from those bandits we ran into months ago,” She explained. “I couldn’t very well let them take the dragon.”

“Yeah, I remember that day.” Dean nodded. “The bastards somehow managed to kill the high dragon that laid it. Still don’t know how the hell they did it.”

“Does it really matter, Dean?” Sam asked his brother. “What are you looking to do, Dany?”

“There is a ritual I learned in my travels across worlds,” Daenerys explained. “It is a blood ritual that can be cast upon the egg using my own blood. When it is absorbed into the shell, my blood will mix with the dragons. When the dragon is born, it will see me as its mother.”

The group looked amongst each other for a few moments before looking back at the young woman.

“Do you think that can really work?” Quill asked.

“I mean I know you’re the ‘Mother of Dragons’ and all, but I figured that was just a nickname.”

Draxus stood up from his seated position and walked next to the young dragon queen’s side. He then spoke out in a low gravelly voice that seemed highly accented.

“I stand by my queens’ side.” He spoke determinedly. “I am her most loyal Dothraki general, I follow her to the grave.”

Daenerys smiled at her most loyal general before looking back at the group.

“I know this can work.” She told them. “Please, after losing my son all those years ago and my dragons as well, I need this.”

The rest of the group looked amongst each other as they contemplated the ritual that Daenerys asked them to help her perform. After a while, they all looked back at her and stood on their feet.

“What do you need us to do?” Storm asked.

<>

“So, we performed the ritual and melded your own blood with Daenerys’.” Storm explained. “Then not too long after that, the forces of Salazar Slytherin began to hunt us. Dany gave us Spike’s egg to keep him safe while she led them away. So, you are indeed her son in all but appearance.”

Spike looked down at Daenerys as she looked up at him. Though he very much wanted to deny it, he couldn’t help but feel a strong familial blood connection with this woman. It was as if his very being knew that it was true. Tears slowly came to his eyes as he smiled at her.

“Mom…” He smiled.

Daenerys smiled as well as more tears came to her eyes. She threw her arms around him again. This time, Spike put his arms around his mother and hugged her tightly.

“I thought I would never see you again!” Daenerys said happily.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long!” Spike replied, just as happy.

The CMCs helped Ginny up while Sunset helped Sonata along with her limp. Yona and Sandbar followed behind, with Gallus and Silversteam bringing up the rear, nuzzling each other with comfort. Spike wiped his brow, cringing at the bleeding cut along his arm as he kept pace with Sunset.

Ocellus noticed that Smolder had remained behind, staring down at the fresh corpses of the knights.

“Smolder? What’s the matter?”

“I just…I don’t know,” the dragoness shrugged. “I guess I have a grim curiosity to see what’s under these helmets, you know?”
“Um… I-I don’t really know.”

“Yeah, I suppose. Well, here goes to hopefully not grave-robbing.”

She reached down and picked up the helmet of the nearest knight. Underneath was a shockingly young man with dirty blonde hair and a small goatee. He looked like he might have used to be a punk rockstar. Even though the strikingly handsome young face was jarring to see, it wasn’t the thing that shocked them the most.

“Ocellus,” Smolder began. “Is it just me or does this guy…look exactly like Raven and Apple White and the others? Please tell me it’s just me.”

The changeling looked like she was trying to hold back throwing up.

“N-n-no… it’s not just you. I-I s-see it too.”

“I was afraid of that,” The dragon fearfully nodded. “This is…we must tell the professors this.”

“Yes. W-we must.”

“Okay. Let’s just…get out of here and…hopefully never come back. I’d rather not spend another minute in a place full of corpses, no matter how decomposed they look.”

“Th-that wasn’t funny, Smolder.”

“Sorry.”

A moment that should have felt like a great victory now suddenly felt like a grim anchor that held them down to the pits of sorrow. It just went to show the depths of what evils these villains were capable of, shamefully and without remorse.

As the group followed Fawkes, Philomena and Peewee out of the door, they heard the stone doors leading to the chamber closing behind them with a soft hiss. As they kept going forward, they heard the sounds of rock sifting. Sunset’s eyes lit up as Ron and Fluttershy’s faces appeared.

“Fluttershy! Ron!” Sunset called out. “Ginny’s okay!”

"Yeah, we got her!" Harry called out as everybody ran forward.

Everyone heard Fluttershy and Ron giving a small, strangled cheer, and they turned to the next bend to see Fluttershy and Ron's eager faces, with a good sizable gap both of them managed to make in the rock fall.

"Ginny!" Ron smiled as he embraced his sister. "You're all right!"

"Oh, it's so good to- to-" Fluttershy started to say before noticing some... strange new additions.

"Uhhh... Philomena? Peewee? Where did you two come from? And who's the other one?"

As Ron led Ginny over to the gap and got her to crawl through, Fawkes, Philomena and Peewee flew in right behind her.

"That would be Dumbledore's phoenix." Storm Shield said as he approached Fluttershy.

“Storm Shield!” Fluttershy shook her head in shock. “You're unpetrified? B-but- how? I didn't see you come down here?"

"Truth be told, I've actually been sort of... unpetrified for months,” Storm chuckled nervously. “I had to do a little investigation of my own, so... sorry about that. Can you not tell Twilight about this?"

Fluttershy stammered a bit as Storm Shield crawled through the gap, with Sonata and the Young Six following right after. It was then Fluttershy noticed they were holding familiar looking items as they were crawling through.

"Wait a minute, are THOSE the Elements of Harmony? Where did they come from? And-"

Fluttershy then noted the crown on Sunset's head.

"Why are you wearing Twilight's Element of Harmony?"

"How come you've got a sword?" Ron asked in bafflement as he and Fluttershy noted the sword.

"We'll explain everything when we get out of here." Sunset said as she crawled through, with the CMCs following shortly.

"But-"

"Later!" Spike said as he looked around. "Where's Lockhart?"

"He's the first one that went through. We told him to sit quietly until everyone is on the other side." Fluttershy explained.

Granted, Fluttershy was still a little confused, but decided instead to comply to Sunset and Spike's wishes.

"Yeah, I specifically told them, wait until me and my little yellow friend got through last," Ron said.

"All right, then. Shall we?" Harry nodded as he crawled through, followed shortly by Spike, then Ron and Fluttershy afterwards.

"Hello there!" Lockhart said as he waved to the others happily, as Storm Shield looked confused.
"Wow, another one of you talking ponies! You look funny!"

"What's wrong with him?" Fluttershy asked in confusion.

"Long story short, Lockhart tried a memory charm on us and... it backfired. Now he doesn't remember who he is, where he is or who we are," Ron sighed.

Harry paused as he walked up and looked up at the long, dark pipe.

"Uh, do you guys have any idea HOW we're going to get back up?" Harry asked the others.

"Well, most of us have wings, BUT-" Spike groaned. "No offense, but I think some of you guys might be too heavy for us to carry..."

"No, we get it." Silverstream sighed.

"Great, we're pretty much trapped down here..." Gallus groaned.

“I’m going to be expelled; I just know it!” Ginny moaned.

“Remind you of anyone?” Ron asked Harry.

"I suppose I can try to call-" Sunset started, before noting Fawkes, Philomena and Peewee fluttering around. "Huh?"

The three birds nodded towards them as they looked up.

“What’s with the birds?” Ron asked.

"Sunset, I-I think they want you to grab hold." Fluttershy pointed out.

"But you're all much too heavy for a bird to pull up the-" Ron started.

"Fawkes, Philomena and Peewee are no ordinary birds." Harry smirked.

Sunset paused as they looked at the birds, before giving a smile and nodded.

"All right then, for those who can fly, go ahead up. As for the rest of us, we've got to get a hold of each other. Ginny, you grab Ron's hand. Professor Lockhart-"

"She means you." said Fluttershy, sharply to Lockhart.

"-you hold Ginny's other hand. Harry grab hold of Ron's hand and grab Fawkes. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, you three and I are going to go with Philomena. Sonata, Yona, Sandbar, can you grab onto Peewee?"

"Got it, Sunset." Sonata said.

Harry tucked the sword and Sorting Hat in his belt. The others complied as Fluttershy, Spike, Ocellus, Silverstream, Gallus, Smolder and Storm Shield started to fly on ahead. As soon as the remaining others grabbed on to Harry, Sunset and Sonata respectively.

And then, like curious, gliding shadow ripples across the cavernous walls, the phoenixes soared as the group were lifted up in the air out of the darkness, friends linked hand in hand as they flew them home.

"Amazing! Amazing!” Lockhart shouted. “This is just like magic!"