Rise of Ruinous

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: RISE OF RUINOUS

Chapter 43: The Spirit of Oblivion, Ruinous - Part 7 - True Harmony Attained

Ruinous: YOU..... WILL..... ALL..... EXPIRE!!!!!

Just as the black fog approaches the ponies, Nightmare Moon's shield gets stronger!  The Mare in the Moon smiles as she sees Princess Luna land by her.

T.Sparkle: Princess Luna?

P.Luna (TRCV): RUINOUS!!!!!  ART THOU SURE THOU CAN VANQUISH US ALL!?!?  You, of all ponies, should know that one of the driving forces of the spirit of all is the faith that burns in everyone's soul!  I symbolize that faith with my ability to help ponies with their dreams, at night and in life.  On another note, Ruinous, Nightmare Moon and I share the same heart.  Anything you do to her affects me as well, and your crimes against us BOTH will now be punished.  I AM PRINCESS LUNA AND I..... AM..... FAITH!!!!!

If the Bearers of Harmony had magnificent armor from their elements, Princess Luna's was on another level.  It looked as if someone made a regal dress, crown, shoes and a pendant out of the same alloy as the other Bearers' armor, the moon princess having the power of the cosmos more so than Trixie.  Several comets of light smack into Ruinous, Princess Luna glaring at the dark pony.  On the seal in the throne room's floor, a moon appeared on an outer ring.

Ruinous: ONE of you will NOT make a difference!

P.Cadence: *lands* Then how about TWO!?

T.Sparkle: Cadence.....

P.Cadence: RUINOUS!!!!!  You are facing more than you think!  You think you can conquer a kingdom like Equestria using sheer hatred?!  LOVE is the best weapon against hate, and all my friends have proven it time and again!  Tolerance, acceptance, or even just being willing to talk, many a friendship has been forged with the power of love.  And love is my special power!  And while the changelings MAY have fed on love, I now know the truth about that - You tried to corrupt one of my oldest and best friends!  I am Princess Cadence, and I..... AM..... LOVE!!!!!

Princess Cadence gains an amazingly beautiful set of armor, her Master Element of Love shimmering all over.  Her love grants power to the shield used by the two moon goddesses and a heart appears on the seal in the throne room.  Ruinous growled as his attacks did less and less to the shield, his eyes burning with more hatred upon the arrival of.....

T.Sparkle: Queen Chrysalis?

Q.Chrysalis: I still haven't forgotten what happened 2,000 years ago, Ruinous..... When you tried to enslave my people with that curse..... When you cheated when you faced me.....  I was stronger than you before, and I'm MUCH STRONGER NOW!!!  My Master Element of Strength is a symbol of my devotion to do whatever it takes for others, a trait you can NEVER take from me!  And my strength now comes from my friends, and they helped me have the chance to do something I never got a *The symbol of her Master Element of Strength appears under her, a changeling wing* fair chance to do the last time we met: I can protect my country..... I can protect my people..... *Twilight Sparkle seems touched by Queen Chrysalis' motivation* I CAN PROTECT MY CHILDREN FROM (holds): YOU!

As Queen Chrysalis screams out, in Shiftopolis Castle, Prince Shiftshape and Princess Morphina looked at Ruinous' castle hovering over their own.  The two of them had one thought on their minds:

P.Shiftshape/P.Morphina: Mother.....

The two changelings nod at each other, cross horns and concentrate.  Power flowed between the two siblings as they used the hive mind to give it to their mother.  Queen Chrysalis murrs as she senses the power from her two children, screaming out as she gained a suit of armor as well!  Hers was a bit more insect-like taking into account her purified state.  Despite being black, rainbows criss-crossed it, her wings seemingly made of light.  Her crown was also the same as her armor, her wing as the charm on the tiara.  Even Rarity was impressed with Queen Chrysalis' armor.  But Twilight Sparkle was impressed with what Queen Chrysalis said.

Ruinous: *growl* I don't know where you got that power, but it WILL NOT... MAKE... A DIFFERENCE!

Discord: *lands* I see things differently, "Boss"!

Ruinous: YOU!!??  I should've destroyed you with the others!

Discord: But you didn't, you black hole with hooves!  Fryght, however, DID make a mess of Nightmare Moon's party.

Ruinous: And WHY should I care about that?!

Discord: *smirks as he makes a white box wrapped up with red ribbon appear*  I didn't give her MY present!

Discord smirks at Nightmare Moon, throwing the box at her!  The present snaps around Nightmare Moon like the quick-biting jaws of an alligator!  When Nightmare Moon got up, she was in Canterlot Castle's royal ballroom.  It looked like a coronation was about to take place, dignitaries from all over Equestria present.

N.Moon: What is this.....

Nightmare Moon slowly walks across the floor, seeing the dignitaries look up and smile at her, then bow as they step backwards, making a lane for her.  But what was on the other end made Nightmare Moon stop: A silvery-grey alicorness about halfway between Princess Cadence and Princess Celestia height-wise wearing a very pretty dress.  The dress seemed to be shimmering all over.  The alicorn wore silver shoes that left shimmery stardust wherever she stepped and silvery wings that made a trail of stars appear whenever they moved.  The alicorness looked at Nightmare Moon and smiled, giggling a bit.

N.Moon: *GASP*  Who are you?

The alicorness slowly stepped over to Nightmare Moon.  Her mane and tail looked like what would happen if Princess Luna copied Princess Celestia's hairstyle with her own mane and tail.  There was also a crown on the approaching princess' head - a crown with a star-shaped jewel in it.

N.Moon: What the..... Is that.....?

The alicorness walked around Nightmare Moon, as if looking her over.  When she was next face-to-face with Nightmare Moon, she nodded, smiling and giggling again.  Suddenly a dark hole opened up.  The two alicorns nodded and bolted towards the hole.  The two lifted off, their trails of silver light braiding around each other.  The closer they got, the tighter the spiral until they were about to go through the hole or collide.  As they went through, the two hit with a loud clap.  When Nightmare Moon emerged, Ruinous started going nuts!

Ruinous: WHAT?!?!  NO!!!  IMPOSSIBLE!!! I DESTROYED YOU 2,000 YEARS AGO!!!  HOW DID YOU RETURN!?!?

To her friends, it was Nightmare Moon, but to Ruinous, it looked exactly like the silvery alicorness from Nightmare Moon's vision.  The alicorn glared at Ruinous.

N.Moon/P.Shimmer: Ruinous.....  You of all ponies should realize that while you may have been able to destroy my BODY, my SPIRIT would NOT be as easily extinguished!  It lives in every pegasus who yearns to soar through the skies..... It lives in every unicorn who yearns to cast the strongest magic..... It lives in every earth pony that yearns to ascend to the greatest heights, and it lives inside every creature in this kingdom and others who yearn to unite as friends.  And that is what MY Master Element represents!  *turns completely into Princess Shimmer, making Twilight Sparkle gasp*  I am Princess Shimmer!  *turns into Nightmare Moon* And I am Nightmare Moon!  And I..... AM..... HOPE!!!!!

If Nightmare Moon wasn't a beautiful sight to behold before, she certainly was now!  Stars flew from her mane, tail and hooves and her armor had stars all over it.  She got a crown and a pendant with a star charm on them, and her wings sent out stars and shimmers, just like the princess whose Master Element she now possesses.  Ruinous had to block the incredible brightness with a wing, so he didn't see the gathering cloud of cotton candy over his head until it slammed down on him!  The dark alicorn growled as he was stuck!

Discord: HAHA!  Gotcha, bub!  And THAT is MY power, bringing happiness from the darndest things.  I now feel no happier than the moment I give somepony a nice present they never expected to get, OR playing a funny prank with my partner in mirth here.  My name is Discord, and I..... AM..... SURPRISE!

As Discord murrs, getting a full suit of armor that makes him look like a battle jester, over the fight, Star Chaser glares and dives down, Jalapeno on her back.  The pegasus lands right by Corinne, the earth pony jumping off and landing by Virtuna.  Applejack didn't see her cousin get in formation.  Likewise, Virtuna, Rainbow Dash and Pitstop had no idea Star Chaser was in their midst.  Ruinous glared and hissed at the side now opposing him, seeing Jalapeno and Star Chaser armored up.  In fact, he saw everypony armored up - all but one.....

Ruinous: So..... Twilight Sparkle, is it?  ALL your friends have such amazing power, all but you.....  Doesn't all this make you even the slightest bit jealous?  Would you be better off without them?

T.Sparkle: After all I went through to wake them up from your spell, AND Nightmare Moon, AND the princesses, you already know the answer to that question.  There is NO WAY I would EVER abandon ANY friends I have, had or will have in my life, and not a thing you say or do will change that.

Ruinous: We'll see about THAT!  I don't even see.....

P.Celestia: Sorry to be late to the *appears with a bright flash and a huge clap!* PARTY!

Princess Celestia was the most amazingly beautiful thing yet, sporting golden armor with a sun pattern on the chestplate and a huge elaborate crown with a sun charm.  Sunlight seemed to radiate from her body as the monarch descended next to her student and sister.  Despite radiating so brightly, Nightmare Moon wasn't harmed by Princess Celestia's power at all!

P.Celestia: You almost won, Ruinous, almost, but you neglected to factor one thing: You can NEVER shut out the light I stand for!  My sun warms, protects and assures, your sun chills, scares and harms.  Your corruption can NEVER win over the purity I stand for, that WE stand for.  I am Princess Celestia, and I..... AM..... THE LIGHT!!!!!

Princess Celestia's power made everypony else's armor brighter, making Ruinous growl and stagger.

Ruinous: Call yourselves what you will, I call your precious student vulnerable!  She is the only one without any protection from my powers!  And once she falls, all the rest of you will fall before me!!

Ruinous growled as he re-summoned his henchponies.

Ruinous: *points at Twilight Sparkle* GET HER TO ME, NOW!!!!!

But not one pony moved!

Ruinous: What is the meaning of..... WHAT?!

Ruinous' henchponies look back at their master, or should I say, their FORMER master.  The six shook off their old coats, cutie marks and identities, effectively breaking out of Ruinous' grip on their minds.  That done, "Toxion" looked and smiled at Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy's Element of Kindness on the seal on the throne room floor glowing brighter and firing a beam through the ceiling of the castle, through the floor of Ruinous' castle and directly under the dark pony.  The same happened with "Fryght" - Pinkie Pie, "Fyb" - Applejack, "Styngee" - Rarity and "Hatetrol" - Rainbow Dash.  The unicorn that used to be DarkSparkle looked right at Twilight Sparkle - and bowed!

"DarkSparkle" (in Twilight Sparkle's mind): Time to get ready, princess.

T.Sparkle: Princess?

"DarkSparkle" nodded, then, down below, the gatherings started glowing.  Power flowed from those below to Canterlot Castle, the townspeople standing as one and giving their own power.  A view from above showed that everyone - pony, changeling, dragon, critter - was standing in the shape of Twilight Sparkle's Element of Magic!  All around the two sides, holograms of Equestrians and Transformians appeared - ponies, changelings and others!

T.Sparkle: You see, Ruinous, there's one OTHER thing you forgot to take into consideration: You're not just facing us, you're facing everyone who's ever liked us, depended on us or we've depended on, our friends, our families, even our pets!  *Winona's hologram barks twice, then Opal's hologram yowls and swipes its claw*  We also get our power from our memories.  *Screens showing everything that happened to and with all the Bearers of Harmony appear all around!*  All the times we shared, good, bad, terrific and terrible, all we've known, all we've fought, everything we've seen and done, all gives us power.....  *Ruinous' former henchponies turn into beams of light, flying into Twilight Sparkle's Element of Harmony!* .....POWER ENOUGH TO DEFEAT (holds): YOU!!!!!

Twilight Sparkle glowed brightly, gaining a suit of armor that made her look like a wizard.  Her Element of Harmony appeared on her hat, and a set of wings appeared.  Her magic power was increased to Equestrian princess levels, and her armor shimmered and shone super-brightly.  Twilight Sparkle flew up and glared at Ruinous, the dark pony held in place by the symbols of the Elements of Harmony erupting from the floor.  All the Elements of Harmony below Twilight Sparkle sent their power to her, turning her into a bright light.  When she flew down at Ruinous, she more resembled a kaleidoscopic column of light as she zoomed through the dark pony!  Ruinous screamed out as the sheer power made his body dissolve!

Ruinous: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Elements of Harmony's collective power smashed down on Ruinous, making him scream out as he slowly melted away.  As that happened, his castle dissolved, the black-red swirling "sun" and skies gave way to a nightscape and South Transforma was restored, all the ponies floating down with their winged armor until they landed in Canterlot Castle's throne room.  As the non-Master Elements landed, they powered down their armor, Twilight Sparkle landing last.  Trixie was the first to notice something - While Twilight Sparkle's armor did recede into her tiara, she still remained an alicorn.  Virtuna gasped as she began walking around, noticing something else:

Virtuna: We're here..... and Ruinous isn't.....  We're here..... and Ruinous... ISN'T here.....  WE'RE HERE AND RUINOUS ISN'T!  Do ya know what this means?!  It means we won!  (repeating while running around the room and doing occassional tricks): WE BEAT HIM!!!!!

Virtuna's antics have all the rest of the group laughing, especially those she hugged up.  The only thing that stopped her was locking eyes on Twilight Sparkle.

T.Sparkle: *cocks her head* What?  Is it my mane?

Everypony else shakes their head.

T.Sparkle: Did my cutie mark change?

Another round of head-shaking, then Discord gets a mirror and shows her.  Twilight Sparkle gasps in shock, a smile across her face.

R.Dash: WHOA!

Fluttershy: We all did THAT?

Q.Chrysalis: Now THAT is amazing!

T.Sparkle: Does this mean.....?

P.Celestia: Apparently.

Trixie: When Twilight absorbed all that power for her attack, it must've made her an alicorn.

T.Sparkle: Well, this is amazing!  We saved the world and I wind up becoming a princess.

N.Moon: I could say the same thing!  Only one question: That silver pony in the box Discord threw at me, who was she?

Discord, Queen Chrysalis and the princesses got fidgetty as they looked at Nightmare Moon.

P.Celestia: That..... was Princess Shimmer.

R.Dash: Shimmer?  You, Luna, Cadence, Twi and Shimmer?

Pitstop: Gosh, luv, how many princesses do ya have here?

Princess Celestia and the two Wonderbolts laugh.

P.Celestia: Princess Shimmer was the Princess of Harmony.  She was also the Bearer of Hope.

Fluttershy: When was THIS, Princess?

P.Celestia: This was long ago.  Back then, there was no border between us and the changelings.  I was a princess as well as Chrysalis.

Q.Chrysalis: Back then, we were united under one ruler.  It was only recently that Equestria and Transforma established a border - in the geographic sense.  We were still friends - until 2,000 years ago.

T.Sparkle: *nod* When Ruinous destroyed South Transforma.

Q.Chrysalis: Now, back when we were younger and the two of us were one country, we only needed four princesses, one to raise the sun in Celestia, one to raise the moon in Luna, one for the power of love in Cadence and one to protect and empower the Elements of Harmony.  Princess Shimmer was that fourth princess.

Discord: *nod* Princess Shimmer was incredibly powerful, able to handle the power of ALL the Elements of Harmony at once.  As such, she was entrusted with a very special Element of Harmony: Hope.

P.Luna: But she was VERY friendly.

P.Cadence: And super-smart.

N.Moon: She sure sounds like a blast!  Where is she?

Q.Chrysalis: Uh, Nightmare, see.....

Discord: Where-is-Princess-Shimmer? Uh, well.....

Virtuna: I dunno if ya saw it, but we did.  When you came down during the fight, Ruinous went nutso.  *clears throat*  "AH! NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING BACK!? I DESTROYED YOU!!"

N.Moon: *rears up and neighs*  Ruinous..... DESTROYED Princess Shimmer?  *Discord, Queen Chrysalis and the princesses nod*  HOW?!

P.Celestia: Princess Shimmer gets her power from the stars she puts up every night.  When Ruinous shut the stars off - and you saw his ability to alter the skies in that fashion - Princess Shimmer's power decreased to the point where it was almost non-existant by comparison.

Applejack: Ya'll mean when he made us run through his maze of cruelty until he picked us off one-by-one?

P.Celestia: *nod* Indeed.  Princess Shimmer was overwhelmed by Ruinous' power, and then he corrupted Discord and cursed Queen Chrysalis.  2,000 years ago, it was just me, my sister and my niece wielding six Master Elements against the Spirit of Oblivion.  Cadence was able to wield Love and Surprise and Luna was able to use Faith and Strength just fine.  It was MY mistake in thinking that I could wield Light and Hope at once that helped Ruinous re-emerge.

Virtuna: Ya did what ya had to, Princess.  We crushed him now, when it counted most.

P.Celestia: I only wish Princess Shimmer was here to see it.

N.Moon: Wait, wait.  If Princess Shimmer was destroyed by Ruinous, and she was the Element of Hope, why do I have it now?

Q.Chrysalis: When Twilight and the other Elements of Harmony revived you after Ruinous destroyed you, you were decked out in Princess Shimmer's regalia.  It was MY idea to have the Element of Hope passed to you.

N.Moon: This..... is a lot to take in.....  I-need-a-moment.

Nightmare Moon gallops off to the observation deck, giving Princess Celestia the tiara of the Element of Hope as she does.

Fluttershy: Oh, my.....

Q.Chrysalis: Better give her space.  This would be overwhelming for ANYpony.

Corinne: Of c-c-course.  It's n-n-not everyday you w-w-wind up being made into a p-p-princess.

Discord: *nod* Well, TWILIGHT I could understand, but NIGHTMARE? No offense, Luna, but no way.

Virtuna blinks and looks outside.

P.Luna: No offense taken, Discord.  Nightmare Moon did NOT have the best entrance into this world.

Virtuna: Girls?

P.Luna: She may be as loved as my sister NOW, but-

Virtuna: Girls?

P.Luna: -it did not begin in similar fashion.  It took hard work and Virtuna to-

Virtuna: HEY!

Everypony turns to look at the little earth pony.

Virtuna: *points with her artificial hoof* One of the stars is going nuts.

Everypony looks up at the sky.  One of the stars was glowing in all the colors of the rainbow..... and it was getting closer and closer.

P.Celestia: Oh, my.....

P.Luna: Sister, is that.....

Q.Chrysalis: HAS to be.

Discord, Queen Chrysalis and the princesses bow down.  Virtuna blinks as she sees them.

Virtuna: Uh, girls, if THEY'RE bowing.....

T.Sparkle: *nod* Yeah.

Everypony bows down as they're swallowed up by a rainbow-colored flash of light.  What emerged from the light was magnificent: A huge four-winged alicorn stallion that looked like he was made from the very light he emerged from.  He wore full armor and a helmet that had the seal of the Elements of Harmony.  He retracted his armor, showing his cutie mark was of the mark of the Elements of Harmony.  Pony after pony looked up at the new stallion in awe.  Princess Celestia beamed happily at the new arrival.

???: Ah, Princess Celestia, my faithful student.

P.Celestia: *smiles and nuzzles* Equinous, it's nice to see you again.

Virtuna: WHAT?!?!  *points to Equinous* THIS is your TEACHER, Princess?!  *Princess Celestia nods* WOWOW!!!!!

Equinous: *laugh* And who is THIS?  A new student?

Virtuna: *blush*  My name's Virtuna, sir, video arcade owner and Element of Empathy at your service.

Equinous chuckles, then looks at the other Master Elements assembled.  He smiled widest at Queen Chrysalis and Discord.

Equinous: Aw, Chrysalis.

Q.Chrysalis: *bow* Equinous.

The two nuzzle up and smile.

Equinous: I remember how you and Discord would keep EVERYpony on their hooves.

Discord: NO ONE knew what came next with the two of us!

Equinous: *laugh*  I remember all your antics, Discord.  You and Chrysalis had everyone smiling all day long.

P.Pie: Really?

Equinous: Yes.  *chuckle* I sense that in YOU as well, Pinkie Pie.

T.Sparkle: You know us?

Pitstop: ALL of us?

Equinous: *nod* Indeed.  I have watched you all do everything in your collective power to halt the corruption of Ruinous.  Rainbow Dash, Spirit of Loyalty.  Applejack, Spirit of Honesty.  Pinkie Pie, Spirit of Laughter.  Fluttershy, Spirit of Kindness.  And Twilight Sparkle, Spirit of Magic.  All you have done today will be written down in history.  And your friends shall also not go ignored.  Trixie, Spirit of Sincerity.  Virtuna, Spirit of Empathy.  Pitstop, Spirit of Humility.  Zecora, Spirit of Tolerance.  Corinne, Spirit of Respect.  And you two as well.

Everypony turns, Applejack and the Wonderbolts gasping.  Standing behind them, wearing their Element of Harmony necklaces, were Jalapeno and Star Chaser!

Jalapeno: So, lemme see if I got this right, mi prima.  You buck apples, you make the most delicious cider I ever tasted, you're the best athlete in Ponyville *Rainbow Dash clears her throat* - without wings *Rainbow Dash smiles and blushes as Applejack smirks* - and you do that.  That was nothing short of magnifico (magnificent).

Applejack: Aw, shucks, cuz.

Discord: Remember when she FIRST came over?

Applejack: Yeah.

Discord: Remember when I wouldn't let go of her hoof?

Applejack: Yeeeeeah.....

Discord's smile told Applejack everything.

Applejack: Ya'll're an Element of Harmony?

Jalapeno: *nod* Si.

Applejack: What is it?

Jalapeno: I'm Reliability.

R.Dash: Awesome, Jala.  *The two high-hoof, then Rainbow Dash turns to Star Chaser*  And you.  What's YOUR Element, Star Chaser?

S.Chaser: Heart.

R.Dash: Daw.

The two pegasi hug up, Rainbow Dash not caring at this point if she cried or not.  Equinous murrs a bit, then spots Princess Luna.

Equinous: Luna.  How has life been?

P.Luna: Kinda up-and-down.

Equinous: I heard you went through a 1,000 year stretch that was not entirely pleasant.

P.Luna: Yes, sir.  I... let my jealousy overtake me and.....

Equinous: We all make mistakes.  You learned well from them.

P.Luna: *smile* Thanks, sir.

P.Cadence: Equinous.

Equinous: *murr* Cadence.  The one who loves all she sees, spreading it around.  I find it incredible that you are so generous with it.  *She nods, giving Queen Chrysalis a small blast with her love beam to use as fuel*  Feel better?

Q.Chrysalis: MUCH better than just forcing others, sir.

Corinne: Ya know, I know of a c-c-crystal that can hold that beam and c-c-constantly recharge.

Q.Chrysalis: *blink*  Really?  You can do that?

Corinne: Of COURSE!  I l-l-LOVE working with crystals.  *She murrs as she hugs Queen Chrysalis*  Daw, you.

Equinous: I see that MY students have passed their lessons well.  Equestria and Transforma are in good hooves.  But..... Where's my beacon of hope?  I have my pillar of light, my leap of faith, my column of strength, my constant surprise and my everlasting love.  Where is Princess Shimmer?

T.Sparkle: Uh, sir?

Equinous looks at Twilight Sparkle.

T.Sparkle: Ruinous defeated her.

Equinous: Oh?

T.Sparkle: He wiped the stars out from the sky, destroying Princess Shimmer's source of power.  He then made Discord and Queen Chrysalis evil and set them loose on Equestria, hoping they'd weaken the princesses enough for him to take over.  But he forgot to factor one thing in: Me.  But..... I almost didn't fight.  The lynchpin of our victory can be chalked up to one pony: *sigh* Nightmare Moon.

Equinous: Nightmare Moon?  Princess Luna's alter-ego?

Virtuna: *heads to Twilight Sparkle and taps her side with her tail* Tag.  *looks at Equinous* See, sir, I may have something to do with her conversion from bad ta good.

Equinous: Oh?

Virtuna: See, once she realized she can stop nightmares from invading ponies' sleep - and this even applies to the princesses - she started doing everything to make sure everypony got their hopes fulfilled.  Rainbow Dash AND Pitstop got inta the Wonderbolts, Rarity got some respect from Photo Finish, Pinkie Pie won her first-ever Prank-Off, Applejack was finally rid of the Flim Flams, Twilight Sparkle won a magic duel with that Troyka, and by Celestia!  Look at what she did for Fluttershy!!  Just by lookin' at her, how much Wingpower d'ya think she can generate, just gimme a number.

Equinous: Maybe..... 9.

Virtuna: Try 33.  Fluttershy flew faster during this tornado than she ever could imagine possible for her.  And all Nightmare did was just stand there.  Not only that, Nightmare watched as Fluttershy got her Wingpower ta 10.2 the night before.

Equinous: Sounds like what Princess Shimmer would do.  *magilifts the Element of Hope tiara*  I now know what I must do.  This Nightmare Moon has inspired hope in others.  I must do the same..... for her.

Virtuna: Just love her..... like we do.

Equinous: *smile* I love ALL my subjects.

Virtuna smiles as Equinous heads to the observation deck.  Nightmare Moon was looking up at the stars, so caught up with wondering how she'd be able to measure up, she didn't see Equinous walking up behind her, holding the Element of Hope tiara aloft.

N.Moon: *sigh*  Can I do it?  The Princess of Harmony AND the Bearer of Hope?  Me?  All I wanted was to be loved, to know that ponies sleeping through my nights was not a sign of disrespect, but of reverance.  *sigh*  I just hope I can.....

Nightmare Moon sighs, closing her eyes.  Equinous walks softly up behind her and places the Element of Hope tiara on her head.

N.Moon: *smirks and rises* Princess, I appreciate the gesture, I just need to.....

Nightmare Moon turns around and gasps in utter shock, coming face-to-face with Equinous!

Equinous: Expecting somepony else?

N.Moon: Um, uh.....

Equinous: So, YOU are now the holder of Hope, Nightmare Moon.  I must say, you make an amazing princess.

N.Moon: This exceeded my expectations.  I never suspected my destiny would include this.

Equinous: Few who acquire such power are prepared for it.  Even fewer know how to wield it correctly.  Your friends seem to have the utmost confidence in you.  They have given me six examples of your willingness to give others hope.

N.Moon: Twilight and her friends.....

Equinous: *nod*  Yes, but.....  Your actions have touched more than just six, well, EIGHT lives.....

Equinous spread his four wings and glowed.  Screens of when Nightmare Moon helped out Twilight Sparkle and her friends appeared all around.  The screen of Nightmare Moon suggesting a fly-off between Rainbow Dash and Pitstop at the Wonderbolts tryout expanded.

Equinous: Now, Nightmare, what do you see?

N.Moon: I see the Wonderbolts tryout.  Rainbow Dash and Pitstop put everything into that fly-off they had.

Equinous: Those two aren't the ONLY ones you've inspired.  Look.....

The scene seemed to pan to the two ponies' left, Nightmare Moon cocking her head curiously.  The scene soon stopped on a small pegasus stallion who was watching the fly-off.

N.Moon: Who's he?

Equinous: That is Swoosh.  He's trying to be a Wonderbolt, too, but he was rejected for being too small.  When he saw the fly-off you suggested.....

Nightmare Moon saw Swoosh lift off and fly around, trying to mimic Rainbow Dash and Pitstop.  Fleet Foot noticed and walked over, Swoosh still flying around.  Fleet Foot looked at Swoosh eye-to-eye and smiled, Swoosh smiled back and nodded, then the two pegasi walked off to a training area.  Nightmare Moon was shocked.

N.Moon: My fly-off helped him, too?

Equinous nods, then expands the scene with Fluttershy.  As Fluttershy zoomed back into the tornado, a Rainbow-Dash-sized pegasus with Scootaloo-sized wings watched.  The violet female glares, then takes off, flying around as fast as she could.  Equinous slowed down the tornado long enough for Nightmare Moon to see a white pegasus stallion wave the violet mare into the funnel.  Her added Wingpower may not have been much, but the smile on her face after the job was done was worth it.

N.Moon: *blink* OK?

Equinous: The violet pegasus was named Violet Blossom.  The white stallion is named Snowbank.  Those two wanted to be a team in the tornado, but due to Violet Blossom's bad wings, she was only able to generate, at most, 3 Wingpower.  Her brother picked up the slack and she wanted to be in the tornado for a long time.  That tornado..... was her first chance, and YOU helped her make the most of it.

Nightmare Moon smiled, touched by all she's being showed.  The other scenes showed other ponies her actions helped inspire.

Equinous: You see, Nightmare Moon, hope just isn't directed at one, it's felt by all.  It isn't focused, it spreads out, like a glow.  Each thing you did inspired someone else in a way you cannot measure.  Princess Shimmer was the same way, and you match her perfectly.  THAT is why you were such a good pick for the Element of Hope.

Nightmare Moon ducked her head down as she mulled over what she heard and saw.  She saw how the other ponies' efforts inspired others, like links in a chain.  It clicked with her in that moment, and she knew what to do next:

N.Moon: *raises her head..... and smiles*  I won't let you OR Princess Shimmer down, Equinous.

Nightmare Moon heads to and nuzzles Equinous.

Equinous: Glad to hear it, Nightmare Moon.  *nod*  Let's rejoin your friends.

Back in the throne room, Virtuna was pacing back and forth, worried.

Virtuna: I hope Equinous was able to talk to her.

Q.Chrysalis: I hope Nightmare Moon didn't reject the element.

P.Celestia: If she does, there is no pony else we can transfer it to.

Virtuna paces a bit more, then a light glowed from near her.  Virtuna looked and gasped, smiling widely.  Equinous and Nightmare Moon came down the stairs, the black alicorn wearing the Element of Hope and smiling.

Virtuna: NIGHTMARE MOON!

T.Sparkle: You mean, you're ready?!

N.Moon: I am, Twilight Sparkle.  I just needed someone to show me.

P.Celestia: Glad to hear it, Nightmare Moon.

The two alicorns cross horns, smiling at each other.

N.Moon: I dunno who was that pony who helped me, but he sure gave me a lift.

T.Sparkle: You won't believe me if I told you.

Nightmare Moon blinked at Twilight Sparkle.  Teacher and student chuckled as the black alicorn looked at the sun goddess.

N.Moon: Principal?

P.Celestia: Nope.  MY teacher.

N.Moon: *POINK!*  I see where you get your wisdom.

P.Celestia: *nod* Indeed.

Applejack looks behind her, trotting from one throne room to another.

Applejack: Uh, Your Majesty?

Queen Chrysalis cocks her head, walking to the farm pony.  She gasped as she realized something: The two castles were somehow fused into one!

P.Celestia: I guess we DON'T need the tunnel anymore.

Q.Chrysalis: *looks at Princess Celestia with a sneer* Tunnel?  You tried to do something withOUT my input?

P.Celestia: *blush* Uh, yeah.

R.Dash: Input?

Q.Chrysalis: She tells me what she's gonna do, I tell her how best to do it.

R.Dash: Whoa.  Nice to know you two had such a strong friendship before Ruinous ruined it.

P.Celestia: Well, not completely.  I'll admit, it hurt seeing her turn evil, but she's back to her normal self.

Q.Chrysalis: Hurting you hurt me worse.  The day I was defeated at the wedding, I cried my heart out.....  I thought I ruined our relationship forever!

P.Celestia: *smirk* If you DID, I wouldn't've wished so much to have the chance to help you.

Virtuna: Just a question: How long were ya friends?

The two monarchs blush at each other.

Virtuna: How old?

Queen Chrysalis whispers something in Virtuna's ear that makes her eye pop.  The gamer pony looks at the snickering duo in disbelief.

Virtuna: You-two..... were-friends..... for 10,000 YEARS?!

Other Bearers of Harmony: 10,000 YEARS?!?!

Q.Chrysalis: Give or take a bit.

Everypony laughs, then.....

???: MOTHER?!

Everypony looks at who spoke.  Queen Chrysalis gasped, her bottom lip quivering.  Standing on the other end of the footbridge - hoofbridge? - were Prince Shiftshape and Princess Morphina.

P.Shiftshape: Are my eyes deceiving me?

T.Sparkle: Nope, Your Majesty.  Apparently, I've been turned into an alicorn.

Rarity: I'll have to make an ensemble fit for a princess while I make your mother some proper.....

P.Morphina: For once, not Twilight!  I'm talking about *points to Queen Chrysalis* HER!

P.Shiftshape: How did you purify her like that?!

The ponies explain what happened.

P.Shiftshape: Wow.....  This-is.....

P.Morphina: I KNEW we'd have a good group with YOU, but this just exceeds everything I ever thought could happen!

Q.Chrysalis: Can I be straight with you?  Ruinous was the root of most of the bad things I did to Equestria.  I HAD to face him by myself to save you from his influence, but then Hatetrol got involved and cursed me with that "suck all the love and positive emotions" thing.

P.Shiftshape: You did that for US?

Q.Chrysalis: I'd face all the evils of Tartarus if it meant keeping you safe.

The trio hug up, bringing happy tears to the ponies.  Twilight Sparkle walks up to the changelings.

T.Sparkle: Queen Chrysalis?  *The trio look at her*  I think... I speak for all of us when-I-say..... that if I EVER have foals of my own, I hope I'm half the mother YOU are.

Everypony behind the new princess nods as the queen hugs Twilight Sparkle.

Q.Chrysalis: Trust me, when you DO have kids of your own, you'll know the strength I have.

T.Sparkle: *nod* You have strength I don't think even Princess Celestia has - and not just beating her in a beam fight.  I mean the strength that comes from protecting something truly valuable to you, that you brought in yourself.

Q.Chrysalis: That's the strength Equinous saw in me, when he personally gave me my Element.  From now on, I will NEVER betray that strength, nor will I use it as an excuse to put myself in such a dangerous situation again.

T.Sparkle: *nod* Good.

Queen Chrysalis and Twilight Sparkle bow to each other, then both heard a buzzing.  Everypony looked around, then a changeling lands on the railing by Fluttershy.

Fluttershy: oh.

The changeling takes off and flies to the changeling royals.

T.Sparkle: *cocks her head*  Who's that?

Changeling M: *lands in front of and bows to the royals, then looks at Twilight Sparkle* My name's Xylo.

T.Sparkle: Xylo?  That's a cute name.  I wonder how come-?!

Xylo smiles as he spread his wings to full instantly, making Twilight Sparkle gasp.  He then plays the "My Little Pony" theme by flicking his wings, the tones resembling a xylophone.  Rainbow Dash laughs.

R.Dash: That is AWESOME!

Xylo: Thanks.

The two high-hoof, then Queen Chrysalis cocks her head.

Q.Chrysalis: What's your ID number?

P.Celestia: ID number?

P.Shiftshape: *nod* So many of us are born at once, so we found a way to tell who's who with the hive mind.

P.Morphina: Here it is.  6-18493.

Q.Chrysalis: *POINK!*  What?

P.Morphina: It's 6.....

Queen Chrysalis' incredulous look stopped Princess Morphina from going any further.

P.Morphina: Mother?

Q.Chrysalis: Can everypony excuse me for a second?

The changeling queen flies off like a supersonic jet, dead south, leaving everyone blinking in shock.

T.Sparkle: What's with her?

P.Shiftshape: Transforma's divided into 12 sections, like a clock.

P.Morphina: It's so we can get status reports via the hive mind easily.

T.Sparkle: That's smart, Your Highness.

R.Dash: So, what's zone 6, where's that?

P.Shiftshape: Zone 6 is the southern area.

T.Sparkle: Your Highness?

Before either changeling could answer.....

Q.Chrysalis: HEY!  *She magilifts them all!*  C'MON!!!

The changeling queen hauls the entire group south, Xylo blinking and swinging his head back-and-forth.  Princess Celestia blinks and looks at the smiling changeling.

T.Sparkle: -The south..... Oh, my, that must mean-!-

When the group gets pulled over South Transforma, they gasp in surprised shock.  Every changeling Twilight Sparkle had seen lying on the ground when she walked through the area was now back up, cheering their queen!  Trixie and the others that went with her also were amazed.

Q.Chrysalis: My people, I have returned!  *Every changeling in South Transforma buzz their collective approval*  And these are my new friends, they helped me get back to where I SHOULD be.

T.Sparkle: Uh, hello?

Xylo: It's OK, they're real nice.

Applejack: There sure are a lot of 'em.

P.Shiftshape: This was Transforma's most-populated region.  It was why Ruinous popped out here.

T.Sparkle: I remember seeing them when I came through here.  Every one of them was laying on the ground, motionless.

Q.Chrysalis: It's because Ruinous did the same thing he did to your friends to them.  He knew me calling to them the way you did would've taken too long, and he thought nothing could beat him.

Virtuna: Well, he sure got the SECOND part wrong!

Virtuna blushes as the changelings below buzz out in cheering.

Q.Chrysalis: *signals for quiet*  I have something to say to all of you: I'm so sorry for how I acted.  For 2,000 years, I acted as if Equestria was our enemy.  The sad fact is WAY before Ruinous attcked my kingdom and defeated all of you, *floats Princess Celestia to her* the two of us were inseperable friends.  We knew each other as fillies, if you can believe that, way back so far, all the princesses flanks were blank.  *Giggles and blushing all around*  When we each received our crowns, we made a promise to each other: If one's in trouble, the other one helps.  Ruinous threw more than one monkey wrench into that, and I shouldn't've let him.  But I thought of mainly my own people, particularly my son and daughter - I know that's not an excuse - and I didn't tell Princess Celestia exactly WHY I needed to face Ruinous alone.  My power was just barely enough to surpass that of Ruinous, and he knew it.  Hatetrol got involved just when I was about to send him back where he came from, and he cursed me with the hunger for love I had at the wedding.  He did this in hopes that the two of us would take each other out, leaving BOTH kingdoms open for him to take over.  He wanted nothing more than to conquer, destroy and enslave.  But we stood together for the first time since we made that pledge to each other: A pledge I will now no longer ignore.  *With her magic, she makes the castles glow, everyone can clearly see that although Canterlot Castle and Shiftopolis Castle are still discernable, a footbridge connects the two!*  Like our castles, our countries and their people are forever united.  Celestia and I will never again see each other as enemies.  From now on, our kingdoms - like our castles - are unified!

Cheering erupts from the changelings as Princess Celestia and Queen Chrysalis cross horns, a burst of light flying from them.  Pony and changeling alike felt the power of the new union and cheered as well.  The two rulers soon go for a fly-around, the rest of the Bearers of Harmony suiting up and joining them.  Equinous watches from above as the two soar around and smiles.  Below, everypony and every changeling waved and cheered as they watched their heroes soar through the sky.

TO BE CONTINUED