Rise of Ruinous

My Litte Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 41: The Spirit of Oblivion, Ruinous - Part 5 - The Princess of Harmony

T.Sparkle: Nightmare Moon!  Wake up!  PLEASE wake up!  You can't just go like this!  C'mon, Nightmare, get up!

Ruinous: BLAST!  *appears*  Shanked it!

Virtuna: RUINOUS!

T.Sparkle: You big ugly meanie!

R.Dash: You..... You're the meaning of "uncool"!

Ruinous: Hang on, girls!  I just did away with one of Equestria's greatest threats once and for all, aren't'cha happy?

P.Pie: NO!!!  HOW can we be happy when you just defeated another one of our friends?!

Ruinous: *blink* Huh?

The Elements of Harmony surrounded Nightmare Moon, glaring up at Ruinous.

Ruinous: Wait a.....  *begins laughing long and loud*  You can't..... You can't be SERIOUS!!  You mean... to tell me you actually LIKE her?!  That she's your FRIEND!?  *laugh*  You should be THANKING me for this!  I should have a parade in Canterlot in my honor for vanquishing the evil Mare in the Moon!

Elements of Harmony: SHE'S NOT EVIL!!!!!

Ruinous began laughing his head off, almost going to the floor!

Ruinous: You know, I was gonna put you all in a tougher maze and watch you struggle to find the exit again, but on THIS merit, I may just keep you all around!  *laugh*  Imagine: Reforming a baddie like Nightmare Moon.  That's a complete joke.  Now, if you ALL will excuse me, I need to plan a short trip.  I hear Shiftopolis is nice this time of year.....

Q.Chrysalis: You don't DARE hurt my children!  You hear me?!  Don't you DARE hurt my people more than you have!!

Queen Chrysalis was so furious, Discord had to hold her back from going one-on-one against Ruinous again.

Discord: NO, NO!  Queenie, no, don't do it.  He'll just curse you again, and then we're all screwed.  You'll get yours back, OK?  Calm down.

As Queen Chrysalis broke down and cried, Twilight Sparkle looked at her four friends..... Hold on.

T.Sparkle: *blink* *points to Rainbow Dash* One, *Applejack* two, *Rarity* three, *Pinkie Pie* four..... *looks around*  Where's Fluttershy?

Fluttershy sniffled as she walked up to Nightmare Moon, wearing her Element of Harmony.  The yellow pegasus sits by the alicorn's head and closes her eyes.

Fluttershy: Nightmare-Moon?  Nightmare-Moon?

A look in Nightmare Moon's nightmare showed she was surrounded by a dark wasteland.  Horrible screams echoed around as she saw ponies and changelings suffer nightmares in their sleep and be scared of everything when awake.  Both races also regarded her as as evil as she was before.

Ruinous: Behold, *appears* how it should be.....

N.Moon: Ruinous!  *looks around* Looks like you cooked up a real doozy.

Ruinous: But of course!  Only the best for one so powerful.

N.Moon: *eyes narrow*  You WON'T get away with this!  My friends will-!

Ruinous: You HAVE no friends!!!  Princess Luna does all YOU do, better than you ever did.  SHE raises the moon, SHE sets up the stars and SHE eliminates the nightmares, NOT YOU.  IF the princesses are restored to their past glory, I assure you, neither will find ANY use for you.  You will go back to being the evil Mare in the Moon you were, and nothing you or anypony else can do will change that.....

Ruinous disappears, leaving Nightmare Moon alone.  The black mare dipped her head and felt broken, lonely, useless.....  Just as despair and sadness were about to consume her.....

Fluttershy: Nightmare Moon?  *Nightmare Moon gasps, rising to her hooves in a flash*  Nightmare Moon, can you hear me?

N.Moon: What?  *gasps as she looks around*  Fluttershy?

Fluttershy: Nightmare Moon!  It's me, Fluttershy.  Can you hear me?

N.Moon: I can, Fluttershy.  I can hear you.

Fluttershy: Nightmare Moon.....  What happened?  Ruinous was just out here telling us you were evil.

N.Moon: Ruinous told ME no one cared about me, that no one would.

Fluttershy: That's a load of hay!  You've got LOTS who care about you, the princesses, Discord, us.

N.Moon: Fluttershy.....  Your kindness is so amazing.....  I shut off the sun, brought along the night and yet you STILL like me.

Fluttershy: Because you turned out to be so dependable and so amazing once you accepted everything.  You helped out so many ponies, including Princess Celestia.  Nightmare Moon, do you remember when you helped me achieve the impossible?

N.Moon: ........The tornado?

Fluttershy: Yes!  The tornado!  I never knew I could fly as fast, no, even faster than a Wonderbolt until YOU gave me hope by just being there.

N.Moon: Everypony was so shocked when they checked your wingpower meter.  *blink* Huh?

A butterfly similar to the one on Fluttershy's Element of Harmony flew around Nightmare Moon, then began flying around the dark landscape.  It flutters around Nightmare Moon, then a beam of light strikes it as soon as it lands.

Fluttershy: If you need further proof of how much you mean to me, look at this.

The butterfly turned into a lighted object.  Nightmare Moon walked over and picked it up.  What she saw touched her:

N.Moon: It's..... a wingpower meter..... and it's reading 33.....

Fluttershy: I thought the only one who could even approach that was Rainbow Dash.  I NEVER thought I had the strength within to do that.  You helped me realize that I can do MORE than I put my mind to doing.

N.Moon: Fluttershy.....  I'm just... so glad I could help you.

Fluttershy: You HAVE to come back!  We ALL still need you!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: FLUTTERSHY!!!!!

Fluttershy's Element of Kindness blazed brightly, sending a pink beam of light upwards, then down in an arch towards Nightmare Moon.  A similar beam flew from the wingpower meter in Nightmare Moon's nightmare and flew upwards.  As soon as the two beams collided, a pink bridge appeared, Nightmare Moon seeing Fluttershy looking at her.  Outside, the screaming caught everypony else's attention.

T.Sparkle: What's Fluttershy up to?

Queen Chrysalis saw Fluttershy's Element of Harmony and gasped.  She got the rest of the Elements on everypony and looked at the group.

Q.Chrysalis: Call to her.....  Like Fluttershy just did.

Trixie's eyes popped wider and she nodded, dashing next to Fluttershy.

Trixie: Nightmare Moon, do you hear Trixie?  Do you hear the Great and Powerful Trixie?  Nightmare Moon, can you hear Trixie?  Nightmare Moon?  Nightmare Moon!

In her nightmare, Nightmare Moon blinks as she hears Trixie's voice.

N.Moon: Trixie?

Trixie: Nightmare Moon!  'Tis I, the Great and Powerful Trixie!  Can you hear Trixie?

N.Moon: *smirk* Yes, I can, you constant self-promoter, you.

Both laugh.

Trixie: Really, in all sincerity, Trixie wouldn't have what Trixie has if not for you, Nightmare Moon.

N.Moon: All I did was lend an ear to you in the Everfree Forest.

Trixie: Exactly!  Trixie needed to find the courage to just talk to Twilight, and talking to you helped me get that.  Trixie's life would be much different if not for you.  No pet, no dragon, no Element of Harmony, no friends!  I dunno if I told you, but the life of a travelling ANYthing, it's so lonesome and depressing sometimes.  But you, you helped make at least two cities bright spots on Trixie's journey.

N.Moon: Re-Really?

Trixie: *sniff*  Yes.  Trixie never had ponies line up in droves to see my show, never performed at the Grand Galloping Gala, never performed for a dignitary and never had anyone as powerful as Princess Celestia go out of her way for me.

A beam of light struck the ground, making another object glow.  Nightmare Moon follows it - and finds a newspaper of Trixie performing for Shining Armor and Princess Cadence at the Grand Galloping Gala.

N.Moon: All that because I just..... talked to you?  Trixie.....

Trixie: All you did for me, I can't repay.....  You even helped me be friends with Twilight Sparkle.....  You helped me find courage and happiness!  I echo Fluttershy's sentiment: PLEASE COME BACK!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: TRIXIE!!!!!

Just as before, Trixie's Element of Harmony blazed brightly and shot out a similar powder-blue beam of light.  The newspaper also shot out a beam of light, colliding with the beam from the Element of Sincerity.  It made another solid beam, floating up in the air as if the two beams were trying to make a tunnel, but had quite a few parts missing.  Virtuna noticed the charms themselves seemed to burn their image into the floor and cocked her head.

Virtuna: Huh.....

Applejack nods, then heads over to Nightmare Moon.

Applejack: Nightmare Moon, can ya'll hear me?  It's me, AJ.  Nightmare Moon, can you hear me?

Nightmare Moon was looking at the two beams when she heard Applejack's voice.

N.Moon: Applejack!

Applejack: Nightmare Moon!  Ya'll hear me, sugar cube?

N.Moon: Yes, Applejack.  *giggle*  Your honesty has been so reassuring to me.

Applejack: You, too, sugar cube, AND how ya'll took care of the Flim Flams.

N.Moon: Those two should go by Cheat and Swindle in my opinion.  I just did what was right.

Applejack: And ya'll saved my farm, Nightmare!  That was MY "She's our friend now" moment.  Calmin' our sleep, watchin' over us, and just bein' there.  Ya'll're more than ya'll think to us.  Ya'll went from the hated Mare in the Moon to us loving you, almost as much as Princess Celestia.  Ya'll mean so much to me, and not just because ya'll saved my farm!

A beam of light struck the ground, making another object glow.  Nightmare Moon saw it before she lifted it up.  It was one of the cider mugs from the recent cider-making season.

N.Moon: I remember that cider, AJ.  Best thing I ever had! - until-the-Zap-Apple-Harvest.

Both laugh.

Applejack: Nightmare, ya'll helpin' us just made everything better.  I'm proud ta call ya'll my friend.  I wanna still have ya'll around, please come back!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: APPLEJACK!!!!!

An orange beam of light fired from Applejack's Element of Honesty and the cider mug, colliding in the sky in Nightmare Moon's nightmare.  the orange beam joined the pink and powder-blue beams from the other two ponies, the tunnel taking shape.  But there was still a way to go and Corinne knew it, heading over to the black alicorn.

Corinne: Ni-Ni-Nightmare Moon?  Nightm-m-mare Moon?  C-C-Can you hear me?

Nightmare Moon blinks and looks around, hearing the stuttering.

N.Moon: Corinne?

Corinne: Nightmare Moon!  Can y-y-you hear me?

N.Moon: Yes, Corinne, I can hear you!

Corinne: I remem-m-mber when I was s-s-scared of making friends.  I th-th-thought my stuttering would s-s-scare ponies.  You h-h-helped me see that my h-h-heart was m-m-more important than my voice.

N.Moon: I know, that was unexpected.  Me, sharing friendship with somepony else, I didn't think I had it in me.

Corinne: You DO have it in you, Ni-Ni-Nightmare Moon.  Y-Y-You always did.

A red beam of light hit the ground, illuminating another object.  Nightmare Moon smiles as she saw it was a large crystal.

N.Moon: Your special talent.....  First Zecora and now you.

Corinne: I've al-al-always been fascinated by crystals.....  Not j-j-just for healing, just... l-l-looking at them.  They taught me s-s-so much, like h-h-how to look for the most beautiful things in the l-l-least likely places.

N.Moon: Corinne.....

Corinne: Nightmare Moon, you are beautiful!  I want my treasure back!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: CORINNE!!!!!

A red beam of light shot from Corinne's Element of Respect and the crystal Nightmare Moon was holding, meeting in the air above the alicorn.  Four beams of light now combined to start to form a circular tunnel, but there were still bits missing.  Next up was Zecora, the zebra walking over to Nightmare Moon.  Halfway over, she turned to look at those that haven't gone yet.

Zecora:

Although I mainly speak in rhyme,

Right now, this is not the time.

Zecora sighs as she completes the journey.

Zecora: Nightmare Moon?  Nightmare Moon?  Do you hear me?  Nightmare Moon, can you hear me?

Nightmare Moon blinked at who spoke next.

N.Moon: Zecora?  Don't you usually rhyme when you speak?

Zecora: This is serious, Nightmare Moon.  This is not about me, it's about you, and getting you back to all of us.

N.Moon: *smile* Aw, Zecora.  I'm just touched everypony's thinking of me like this.

Zecora: It's not just who is assembled here.  Remember Nightmare Night?

N.Moon: *laugh*  Most fun I had in 1,000 years!

Zecora: And the tale I told about you on that night.  You helped my story come alive!

A golden-yellow beam of light made another object glow.  Nightmare Moon smiled as she saw it was a lantern with the Nightmare Night mark on it.

Zecora: I have so many more stories to tell you.  You were always a great listener and..... I'm sure you have some for me.  I want to hear them!  I want you to come back!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: ZECORA!!!!!

A golden-yellow beam shot out of Zecora's Element of Tolerance and the lantern, meeting in the sky.  As the tunnel took shape in Nightmare Moon's vision - with so much lit up, most of the scariness had dissipated - Virtuna also noticed more Elements of Harmony carved into the floor - and they surrounded Nightmare Moon.

Rarity: I don't know what it is, but it's working.....

Rainbow Dash and Pitstop nodded, then headed out towards Nightmare Moon as a pair.

R.Dash: Nightmare Moon, can you hear me?

Pitstop: Nightmare, luv, can ya hear me?

R.Dash: Nightmare Moon?

Pitstop: Nightmare Moon?

Nightmare Moon blinked more, hearing TWO voices this time, not just one.

N.Moon: Is it Rainbow Dash or Pitstop this time?

R.Dash: It's BOTH of us, Nightmare Moon.

Pitstop: We're teammates now, and it's because of ya, luv.

N.Moon: The Wonderbolts tryout.

R.Dash/Pitstop: YES!

R.Dash: We've became one of the best tandems in Wonderbolts history!

Pitstop: Even Soarin and Spitfire themselves said we're as good as they were at our point in their careers, if not better!  Everytime I think about it, I feel proud, blessed and honored, and it's all because of YOU, luv.

R.Dash: When you proposed that fly-off, it gave each of us the chance to see the other, just raw flying talent and no self-promotion.  Ever since that tryout, we were devising new ways to amaze everyone who came out to see us.  We've not only became great teammates, we've become great friends.

A swirl of cyan and dark blue light appeared, two beams shining from the next object, an air-show arena.

N.Moon: You two..... Poetry in motion.  Especially when we met the ChangeWings in Shiftopolis.

R.Dash: The venue didn't matter.....  Nor did the chance to meet such a unique team.....  All that mattered was YOU were there.

Pitstop: Nightmare, you made it possible for me to have such a friend as Rainbow Dash.  Her skills keep shining even OUT of costume.  And YOU!  When ye smacked around Queen Chrysalis, *The changeling queen smirks* Spitfire herself said ya had a shot at makin' it.  Imagine: You, a Wonderbolt.

N.Moon: Really?

Pitstop: Door's always open, luv.....

R.Dash: But you have to come back first!

R.Dash/Pitstop: NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: PITSTOP!!!!!  RAINBOW DASH!!!!!

The Elements of Loyalty and Humility burst out with a cyan and a dark blue beam of light, respectively, colliding with similar light rays from the arena.  With now seven rays, the tunnel was closing in on being finished.  With an assertive nod, Rarity walked up.

Rarity: Nightmare Moon?  Nightmare Moon, it's Rarity, can you hear me?

N.Moon: Rarity!

Rarity: Nightmare Moon!  You CAN hear me!  Oh, the fun I had making your dress for the Grand Galloping Gala!

N.Moon: That was the first time anyone's given me something like that.

Rarity: Aw.  It's my element, remember?  My generosity is the best thing about me, at least that's what many say.  Anyway, your dress!  It was so amazing and gorgeous, aw, you were the belle of the ball, Nightmare Moon.

N.Moon: I FELT like the belle of the ball, and I'd've felt the same no matter what you made me.  Just knowing YOU made it for me was enough, Rarity.

Rarity: *sniff* Nightmare.....

A purple beam of light shone another huge area.  Nightmare Moon saw the ballroom, where the Grand Galloping Gala she attended was taking place.  She saw all the fancy ponies doing her dance with her and Pinkie Pie, as well as the fancy ponies teaching her a move or two.  It all brought a big grin to the face of the former antagonist.

N.Moon: Rarity..... That night was truly magic.  And all I helped you and your friends out with, it just made me feel so good to know I helped you all.

Rarity: Nightmare Moon..... Everypony should still know your generosity!  Please return to us!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: RARITY!!!!!

A purple beam fires from Rarity's Element of Generosity and the ballroom in Nightmare Moon's vision, colliding in mid-air.  Only Pinkie Pie, Virtuna and Twilight Sparkle needed to help out.  It was the party pony who walked up next.

P.Pie: Nightmare Moon, can you hear me?  Nightmare Moon, it's me, Pinkie Pie.  Nightmare Moon?

N.Moon: *giggle* Pinkie Pie!  Oh, you amazing party planner, you!

P.Pie: Hard to believe you were once Queen Meanie!  Now you're Queen Sweetie.

N.Moon: *BLUSH!*  Aw, Pinkie!

Both ponies giggle.

N.Moon: You made sure my 1183rd birthday was my best yet!

P.Pie: That was one of my best parties, and to think one of my former foes was the pony of honor.  You really changed my mind about you, and it WAS fun dressing up like you, too!

N.Moon: You and the others looking like me, that was hilarious!  It was Flutter Moon, Rarimare, Apple Moon, Nightmare Dash, Pinkie Moon and Nightmare Sparkle.

Everypony laughs.

P.Pie: I thought I was the spirit of laughter, you seem to have that well down as well.  You sure lightened up since you started knowing us.

N.Moon: I was so honored to know all of you, and I loved how you all made me feel so special.

A pink beam of light hit the ground.  Nightmare Moon walked to it and looked.  She murrs as she finds out what it is: A party hat.

N.Moon: Aw.....  From MY party.

P.Pie: You helped me so much with everypony else's parties as well, especially Princess Luna's.  We could be having so much fun together!  Please come back!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: PINKIE PIE!!!!!

A pink beam shot out from the party hat and Pinkie Pie's Element of Laughter, colliding in mid-air.  The tunnel was almost done, just one panel left, but even so, the panels seemed to be apart, as if they were bricks in need of mortar.  Virtuna nods, dashing to Nightmare Moon's side.

Virtuna: Yo, Nightmare Moon!  Can ya hear me?  Nightmare Moon!

N.Moon: Virtuna!  The pony who helped me in the first place!  I can hear you!

Virtuna: Nightmare Moon!  Man, I remember when I first saw you, you were so shy, you didn't want to even cross a bridge into Ponyville.

N.Moon: I remember that night, taking everyone's nightmares, keeping their dreams safe.....  Just like Princess Luna.

Virtuna: If Luna were here, she'd say the same thing: We need you, Nightmare Moon.  We ALL do.

A green beam of light flew out of the ground, taking the shape of the bridge she had her summit with the Mane 6 near.

N.Moon: I was on one side with you and Twilight and her friends were on the other.  I was so scared, then..... Then you showed me how to make friends with them, and that's what led to everypony else liking me.

Virtuna: Man, Nightmare..... I was just glad I could help you so much..... And I wanna be able to help you more!  Please come back!  You told me I was one of your best friends, I feel the same about you!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

N.Moon: VIRTUNA!!!!!

The beam of light from the bridge and Virtuna's Element of Empathy completed the tunnel - in the sense that the beams were in a cylinder.  There was one thing left: Something to hold them together.  Twilight Sparkle sighed, then nodded, rushing over and calling Nightmare Moon's name.

T.Sparkle: Nightmare Moon!  Nightmare Moon!  Can you hear me?!

N.Moon: Twilight!

T.Sparkle: Nightmare Moon!  Nightmare Moon, can you hear me?!

N.Moon: Twilight Sparkle, my best friend ever!  The very first pony I even talked to!

T.Sparkle: I remember when we fought over the Elements of Harmony.....  I thought I felt something then, but THIS just goes beyond even MY expectations.  I never knew that moment would lead me to have you as a friend.

N.Moon: You helped me see the magic of friendship, even if you DID use it to whup my flank.

Both ponies laugh.  The stones that were the original six Elements of Harmony orbit the black alicorn going one way, with the stones depicting the new Elements going the other way.

N.Moon: I felt something then..... I feel it more now.

T.Sparkle: You DO?

N.Moon: You are on the cusp of a great destiny.  I want to see you fulfill it.

T.Sparkle: I can think of nothing more than for you to share my happiness, EVERYpony's happiness.  You're no "nightmare", you're an amazing friend.  We all need you back here.  *Magic swirls around Twilight Sparkle and Nightmare Moon from the Elements of Harmony*  Please come back!  WE LOVE YOU!  NIGHTMARE MOON!!!!!

A tear appears in Twilight Sparkle's eye.

N.Moon: TWILIGHT *A tear appears in her eye* SPARKLE!!!!!

A huge column of light flies up from the now-completed seal on the floor, striking Nightmare Moon.  A similar column flies from the stones, colliding with the approaching beam with a massive thunderclap!  Nightmare Moon found herself in a tunnel of light, looking up and seeing ALL her friends!

T.Sparkle: Nightmare Moon!

R.Dash: Up here!

P.Pie: C'mon back!

N.Moon: My girls!

The black alicorn races up the tunnel, encouraged by the other ponies.  As she ran up, the tunnel began spinning around her, colors blending together, faster and faster, brighter and brighter.  By the time Nightmare Moon was close to getting out, the colors were swirling around at warp speed.  The colors from the Elements of Harmony on the floor were also swirling around at the same rate, making a kaliedoscopic column of pure light that surrounded all of them.  When the Mare in the Moon finally did break out, the column gathered into a ball of light.  What emerged from the ball was astounding: Nightmare Moon, looking like Princess Luna would if she was as tall as Princess Celestia.  In place of her helmet was a crown with a moon jewel in it, and her chestplace was replaced with a full pendant with the Elements of Harmony symbol in it.  Her shoes more closely resembled Princess Celestia's, made of silver, not gold, and her whole body seemed to be outlined in silver.  She flew around a bit, leaving a trail of shimmers wherever she was, making her a truly breath-taking sight.  Everypony in the room was shocked as one of Equestria's former foes now has become one of her greatest heroes.

T.Sparkle: Oh, my.....

Nightmare Moon smiled, landing by Twilight Sparkle and laying by her.

N.Moon: And that is why you NEVER give up hope.

Twilight Sparkle nods, then hugs Nightmare Moon.  As the rest of the Elements of Harmony and then Discord hug Nightmare Moon and welcome her back, Queen Chrysalis' mind began ticking.

Q.Chrysalis: -I knew it.  Just by looking at her and her deeds, I figured she'd be a good candidate.  I thought about it for a long time.  I don't think so anymore, I KNOW so.  Nightmare Moon has become something WAY more than even that little gray pony thinks she is.  She's more than the Sentinel of the Stars.  She's the Princess of Harmony.-

The changeling murrs as she felt the energy from the Elements of Harmony.

Q.Chrysalis: Twilight Sparkle.....

Twilight Sparkle blinks as she looks at the changeling.

Q.Chrysalis: I see now what your friends mean to you.

Queen Chrysalis sighs as the leftover light floods her, bonding to her wings and turning them from green-blue moth wings to rainbow-colored butterfly wings!  Queen Chrysalis smirks a bit at Rarity.

Q.Chrysalis: Regal enough?

Rarity: Getting there.

Both laugh as they high-hoof.

N.Moon: Guess I'm not the only one to undergo a radical transformation.

Q.Chrysalis: I feel like I'm free for the first time in a long time.

T.Sparkle: Speaking of which, let's go see if we can wake the princesses up.

N.Moon: *nod* Indeed.

The group heads out of the room, the seal on the floor crackling and shimmering.  After looking in a few doors, it was Queen Chrysalis who found the princesses.

Q.Chrysalis: Twilight.....  They're here.

TO BE CONTINUED