Canterlot Castle was brimming with ponies, all who were arriving for the special event. But there were many that weren't invited. Be it they were too irrelevant, too poor or not a pony, they were not allowed in the castle. Still, there was a few who still wanted to have a glimpse of the spectacle, so they attempted to break the system by waiting by the castle gates. Rumors had it that after the festivities were finished, the Prince would travel through Canterlot as a way of greeting his official subjects, so if they waited, they'd get to see him without the pay.

"So, when do you think it'll end?" Lyra asked, tapping her hoofs on the gravel in minor frustration.

"We need to be patient Lyra," Replied Bon Bon as kept her eye on the base of the castle, "we don't know how long it can take for a pony to transcend. It could take more time than we think."

"Uuuugh, so we could be here till midnight?" Lyra paused, taking a special watch out of her pocket. Once the time was confirmed, she nodded in approval. "So we could be here till the early morning?"

"Maybe." She sighed in responce, obviously aware of Lyras grievances. "But I think it won't get to that. From what I've heard, Prince Lucid isn't much of a party type so the parade portion should begin right after he's ascended."

"Well that's a relief." But although the minty unicorn said as such, she was still hopping onto two hooves for a better view of the gate. Bon Bon could never understand why her friend favored such an uncomfortable position but it wasn't like it was harmful to her, so the mare left it at that.

"Lyra, please get down. Everypony might stare."

"And lose the opportunity to see the Prince with a new pair of wings? Nope, sorry Bon Bon. But I think I'll... wait," Lyra squinted her eyes and raised a hoof over her forehead, despite there being no light to hinder her vision. "Ponies are leaving... but why are they running?"

"They're running?" Bon Bon questioned. "Did something happen? It could be another revolt if I had to guess."

Eventually, the mound of panicking ponies dashed through the gates and crashed into the spectators. One even bumped into Lyra, tipping her bipedal form onto her back. "Oof, hey. Watch where you're- huh? Fluttershy?" She instantly picked herself up while Bon Bon took a hold of the anxious pegasus.

"Hey, Fluttershy. What's going on in here?"

"I-Its Princess Cadance. P-Ponies are at war in the ballroom. Oh my... there so much fighting, I-I couldn't bare it." Fluttershy wailed as she attempted to wipe her tears with her left wing.

But like an infection, the panic reached the bystanders which led to a wave of terror attempting to escape the castle grounds. "A-Alright. We should probably get out of here, who knows whose winning in there." Bon Bon advised and her friend couldn't agree more if her frantic jittering told the mare anything.

"Yeah. Screw the parade, we could be killed if we stick around!" She proclaimed, though she tried to lower her tone when she noticed Fluttershy, still holding onto Bon Bons side. "Hey uh, Fluttershy. How about you come with us. It'll be alot safer with the three of us."

"B-But what about Lucid? He's still in there..."

"The Prince has been in many wars before, he can handle himself" Bon Bon spoke in comfort.

"I'm more worried about how Nightmare Moon will respond, now let's scram!" And with Lyras last words of convincing, the three followed the crowd out of the scene.

However, something felt wrong. As the ponies left for safety, most were focusing on the ground so they wouldn't up and trip on something. So it was only a matter of time until they'd realise how bright the path was becoming.

"Huh? Why is the floor so- AGGGH!" Lyra tried to crane upwards, but something blinded her vision immediately, stopping the rub her eyes. And that's when she noticed. Fluttershy and Bon Bon were gazing around the place as looked much clearer than usual.

The sky was brighter, almost clear as day.

Day... Lyra pondered. It was only a matter of time before she, everypony, every creature would realise.

The sun was back.

Lucid Storm gasped for air as he let go of the magic he was using. He had read in the royal archives that it took several powerful unicorns to raise the celestial elements which was equal to one alicorn, so was confident he could do it. Yet, he never expected how weak he'd feel afterwards.

Maybe it was because he had just ascended, but he didn't want to waste any time pondering that and stood tall against his Queen. And although the shadows that made her look so much taller was now gone, the enraged glare she exuded could never be quelled.

"Lucid... you. You traitorous scum, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" She screamed, her fury very prevalent as her ears flared and her teeth showed.

Perhaps 5 years ago, Lucid would be intimidated by that look, but after so many times on the battlefield, he got used to it. It didn't matter what enemy he had to face, they all had the same look.

Humans.

Ponies.

Creatures.

All have the hatred within to give a similar glare, but unlike those times where he could only feel remorse for their blood on his hands and hooves, for the pony- no, for the monster in front of him, he felt nothing.

"Nothing you shouldn't have seen coming. I'm just fixing all my mistakes in one go, including you."

"I... I can't belive this-" She stammered, expanding her wings before barrelling towards him. "After all I did to nurture your talents, YOU'RE STILL THE SAME CHEEKY BRAT FROM BEFORE!"

Fortunately, her path was blocked by a ray of light that beamed down from the sun, forcing her to stop in her tracks and shut her eyes. Eventually, the light disputed, leaving a singular alicorn in its place. And once Nightmare Moon opened her eyes, she froze in place for a moment, just staring at the figure like it were a toy she lost long ago.

"Pfff hahahaha!" She broke from her trance and chuckled wildly. "Oh, I see now you brat. So this was your plan all along? I must say, I expected more."

Lucid staggered to his feet as he slowly pushed his magic back through his body, the energy slowly building up after his long awaited gamble.

Meanwhile, Celestia had awoken. She calmly checked her surroundings, only to peer away once the pungent smell of death bombarded her and the pool of blood and bodies riddled the floors.

"Forgive me for my long absence, my little ponies..." She murmered, turning her back from the Queen to walk up to Lucid.

"Hey! What's with the cold shoulder sister?" Nightmare Moon barred, her eyes twitching and teeth jittering from what she presumed to be arrogance. "Look at me when I talk to you, I demand it!"

But Celestia didn't listen. She could only focus on the stallion... no, on the boy who freed her. "Lucid, thank you. I knew I could count on you," She placed a gentle hoof on his shoulder whilst the Prince focused on performing breathing exercises, "I know you had alot to put on your shoulders, but now you can rest. Let me handle everything like I should've."

She had a mix of remorse and care in her face as she talked with the boy from another world. But then she looked down. And the sight of Ravens body set the wrath of the sun back inside her.

"Now, I apologise for keeping you waiting monster." Her voice became raspy as she teleported in front of the beast in her sisters skin. "It's time I set everything into place. Once and for all."

"Oh, I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, I don't see those blasted elements to help you this time!" The Queen grinned and with the activation of their horns, they flew through the roof, leaving the stallion alone.

Slowly but steadily, he gathered himself and strolled among the destruction. It was fortunate that he had his golden regalia equipped for the occasion or his hooves would've been soaked with the blood of the fallen. Meanwhile, the room itself looked like it was set forward in time as a few of the pillars crumbled over and the furniture was all ripped and toppled.

"You know..." He whispered in a monotone voice, gazing up at the hole in the ceiling. "I really want to just lie down and sleep. But that's not an option." Steadily, he extended his wings and flew in the air and out of the castle. However, he had underestimated how much he could copy from Nightmare Moon's flight patterns as his wings refused to make the right flaps, resulting in the Prince almost crashing into a tower.

But Lucid was quick and teleported oth e other side before clasping his hooves together.

Ignis, Aer. Heed my call and join your forces to empower my soul... lighting!

The symbols on his golden hoofpads glowed a mix of red and white before a wave of electricity shot out of his hooves, allowing the Prince to hover.

"Heh. Alchemy beats typical flying anyway. Its much easier to hover with electrical magnetism than holding myself with magic." And so, he looked to the equestrian horizon, a recollection of his better moments on earth came back to him, which granted a brief smile to him. "Man, Zelus and Ira would've loved this view."

But as much as the child within wanted to look back and rest easy, the battle wasn't over. A cacophony of magical blasts ringed around Canterlot while a black and white blur zoomed around the many houses, so fast that and bright that Lucid could see it from above.

He knew it had to end. And he needed to be there. It was his duty after all.

"Sigh... let's get this over with."

And with that he raised himself a little higher with electrical power and glided to the battle.

The ponies of Canterlot had no time to revel in the light once lost as mountains of rubble and debree broke onto the ground like hail, all due to the ballistic back and forth between both deities.

Celestia held firm at the face of her twisted sister, focusing more on shielding against her savage spells so she could uncover an opening. Meanwhile, Nightmare Moon savagely dove towards her with a vast array of dark blasts and weapon constructs, the driven spite refusing to leave her gaze as it stayed locked on the mare.

Eventually, they rolled on opposite sides of a bell tower which the younger sister saw as an opportunity, generating a giant axe construct that swung clean through half of the structure And it would've swept through Celestia if the blade wasn't held in place by her telekinetic hold, leaving them in a deadlock.

"Arghh, you're as persistent as always dear sister." Nightmare Moon groaned, the sweat beading from her face. "But it'll be for naught. You could never beat me before- you KNEW you couldn't beat me before and even now, you still haven't changed!"

The dark alicorn applied more magic into the weapon, the blade inching closer and closer to Celestias neck. But despite the strain on her brows, she remained resolute and glared defiantly. "It doesnt matter how strong you've become. You're already exhausted from your previous fight so don't take me for a fool. Your defeat... is... possible!"

The mare focused deeper on her hold, hovering lower before letting go and allowing it to complete its slash that severed the tower completely from its bricks. Celestia used this opportunity to catch the falling half and swung it back at Nightmare Moon full circle.

But it surprised the sun deity when the mare charged right through it and tackled her to the floor, dragging dust and grit along the streets. The pain was bleak, but it stunned her briefly which allowed the dark alicorn to pin her with void like tendrils.

Then there was the laughter. The twisted, sick laughter that entered Celestias ears after the deathening crash of the bell tower through the city block south of them.

"HAHAHAHA! You fail to get it through your thick skull sister. I. AM. SUPERIOR!" The magic that restrained her hooves snapped tighter on her skin as the boastful mare emphasised each word. "While you were in the confines of your castle making sweet talk with everypony, I was out there fighting wars, I was embracing the legacy of our parents- I...I did all that alone. I needed nopony to make me stronger, not even you. NOW BACK TO OBLIVION WENCE YOU CAME!"

Rage had engrossed her every action as her horn glowed a heavy hue. And Celestia could almost swear she saw water in those frantic eyes.

"...Lulu?" She said under her breath. She wanted to believe it was her, that she could finally let her guard down and embrace her, but that yearning wouldn't mend a broken heart, no matter how hard she wanted it to be true.

At last, the magic blast left Nightmare Moon's horn and Celestia tried to swerve her head from a instant death.

But she didn't have to.

A strong shockwave knocked the dark alicorn off her feet and into a boutiques dressing stand. Celestia flinched from the shock of the event and shot a few spells at the dark tendrils, releasing her.

That was when Lucid Storm glided to her side and took a gave a cheeky grin to her. "Need some help?"

"I thought I told you I could handle it, young Lucid." Celestia feigned the strictness in her tone while she responded with a smile of her own.

"I spent alot of time acting on another's whim," He averted his gaze back to the busted window dresser, hardening his stance, "I'll be saving the world with my own efforts, thank you very much."

As they awaited for any movement, the building shook until a pillar of magic erupted from it, revealing the dark alicorn ready to blow a fuse. "You know, this will be fun- yeah fun indeed. By the end of this duel, IL GET RID OF 2 TRAITOROUS SCUMS IN ONE NIGHT!"

Lucid cranked his head to look at the sky, then back at the mare. "Actually, it's much past midnight. Know the time your majesty."

A good joke could never go unpunished in her eyes. So with a flash, Lucid was tackled off his feet and into to air.

Instinctually, he took his forehooves and slammed them into her back, sending her back down for Celestia to shoot a golden blast at the mare.

But she quickly erected a galactic shield to block the attack, but the opposite side was now bombarded by a stream of fire exhausting from Lucids hooves to deaccelerate his fall.

Slowly but steadily, fractures were appearing around the shield which gradually frustrated Nightmare Moon until she couldn't hold her rage and screamed powerfully, pushing back the attacks and sending the aggressors backwards.

"ARRRGH, YOU THINK I HAVENT BEEN OUTNUMBERED BEFORE? THINK AGAIN!" She roared as she rose into the air and shot towards the struggling stallion.

Drats! I need to dodge right now.

Quickly, he tried to flap his wings to swerve to the left, but once again he underestimated how tricky a par of wings can be as he incidentally rolled in mid air. Such a manoeuvre didn't help him dodge the black tendrils that wrapped around his back hoof and in consequence, he was swung around like a lasso until Nightmare Moon let go and watched gleefully as he was flung off the mountain where Canterlot was built.

"Tsk, and good riddance. All that potential just in the drain... oh well. He served his use."

Nightmare Moon's ears flicked up to the sound of cutting air and turned around to see Celestia who sent a large spear construct her way, which she countered with a magically constructed scythe.

"Oh... and don't think I forgot about you!"

Lucid was partially glad at the moment. For one, he didn't suffer nearly as much damage as he would've thanks to pushing electromagnetism underneath him seconds before meeting the mountainous landscape. But it still put a toll on him.

Alchemy as a whole felt much easier to use than magic, sure. Especially since he had spent 3/4ths of his life training that specific power system. However, the changes his body had undergone a few minutes ago was interfering with his flow.

Feeling the muscles near his horn scream for help, he obliged and let himself drop to the floor with a thump. "Man... I need to pull myself together." He mumbled, picking himself up and stretching his wings. "Still, I don't know how I'm going to change styles so soon. And with my limited alchemy... drats. I guess pure magical force is all I can gun for."

Thinking fast, he pushed through the strain and picked himself up with magic, quickly elevating him up the cliffside. As he did, many of the fleeing ponies where able to see him.

"Wait, is that Prince Storm?" Lyra asked quizzically, though nopony answered as they were more focus on watching his ascent.

Fluttershy however, could easily identify the nasty bruises that plastered his fur along with his conflicted stare. She could only imagine the pressure he was feeling at the moment and so she tried to harden her resolve and strayed away from Bonbons grasp.

"LUCID!" Fluttershy shouted and the surrounding ponies flinched in surprise as the most timid pony raised her voice. It honestly scared a few of them, but not Lucid who stopped pulling himself upwards to look back at her. "YOU CAN WIN THIS, WE ARE ALL COUNTING ON YOU. CELESTIAS COUNTING ON YOU. SO STOP WORRYING AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!"

Lucid didn't know what to think. He, of all ponies was getting lectured by Fluttershy. Fluttershy. But yet, it was more endearing that way. Like his old friend Zelus in a sense.

Flashback

"Just cut the bullshit already... Lux. You've got heart, skill and shit- you got more room for growth than I care to admit. I know you can beat him... its always in you to stubbornly shout out some cringy shit and pull off a win, no matter the opponent. Il, let you take it from here... but please, tell my sister that it was my choice. Kick ass for me...bro."

"Z-Zelus!"

End Flashback

Heh, I can never escape you. Can I bro? He smiled warmly at Fluttershy and the fleeing crowd and continued his ascent while the cheers of his name slowly died out.

At last, he reached Canterlot once more. Or it was more like a ruined city as piles of rubble riddled the land and scorch marks covered its streets. Lucid hastily followed the sound of fighting until his eyes caught a frightening sight.

Celestia was stuck in a hold, using everything she had to break the bubble but it was fruitless as Nightmare Moon's rage erupted her magic beyond its limits. "Farewell, sister... ahk!" Nightmare Moon flinched under a sweaty haze, the strain on her body evident in her movements. "I gave you a merciful end, but you leave me no choice!"

As Lucid noticed it, a hollow pit opened in his stomach as he felt the overwhelming power emanating from the spell.

Oh no... no no. Not now!

In a split second, he called on his air alchemy and guided the wind energy to his hooves as he glided towards them. Little by little, the ball of air was compacted into a tiny bead before firing it towards his foe.

But he shot it too late as the dark alicorn shot a pillar of energy to Celestia who wailed in pain before evaparating into nothing. Meanwhile, the pillar extended all the way to the sun which reacted horribly and internally combusted into a supernova.

The wind bullet did hit its target however as the mare didn't have time to boast, instantly feeling a hole through the base of her neck as a spillage of red soured her coat. Lucid didn't have enough time to notice his flight pattern as he barreled into Nightmare Moon to which they rolled around the pavement until the stallion was on top of her. Both stunned and wide eyed.

The two just stared at eachother while the shock still coursed through them, but eventually the light had caught up with the sun and vanished, leaving the moon as the last celestial body standing.

Even with the unbearable pain through her neck, she could help but gurgle a laugh as she watched the darkness take back its domain.

But Lucid responded in bad taste, shooting an attack spell at her face. "W-What the hell is so funny? Do you realise what you've done!?"

Nightmare Moon still kept her smugly grin, even when battered she maintained her royal status and lit her horn, linking her mind with Lucids too easily.

"You think Id let you sit back and shirk your responsibilities? I thought better of you than to put Celestia back into power. I wonder is that traitor of a secretary put you up to it... so cowardly."

"Enough. I'm not ready for this, I-I never was! You put me in this position, made me a weapon for senseless violence. I wanted strength, not conquest! But no more, this is the end."

"But are you sure? Do you know how to govern a country yet? How much do we have in the treasury? Whats the schedule for next months royal events? What appeals are necessary for the royal court to act on? You silly foal, I never taught you all that. A sword was all you were going to be and it wouldve been easier if you just abided by it. Yet here you are, no more royals for you to kneel to but yourself."

The wound on her neck was opening up even more, the blood flooding through her clenched teeth. "The fact is, you need me. You always needed me. Nopony was going to give you the power you yearned for except I. But because Im feeling rather merciful, now that all my threats are permanently out of the picture, Il make you a deal. You heal this wound you callously gave me and Il forget your whole transgression. You can continue living a carefree life as my royal soldier, what do you say?"

Lucid couldn't belive the thoughts that were entering his head. After everything she pulled, after all the torturous training she put him under, she expected him to just let her continue ruling? This was his only chance to set things right. She was injured, weakened, exhausted, while the Prince had much more magic in his reserves. He didn't care about the consequences nor the aftermath anymore. The only thing that mattered was erasing his mistake.

Nightmare Moon could feel the emotion radiating from his mind and for her last push, she scowled in animalistic anger, growling through the blood in her throat whilst shooting all her remaining magic at him. "YOU FOOL!"

Lucid mirrored her assault and shot out all the magic he had in his system, charged by electrical alchemy and once they clashed, the yellow immediately overpowered the blue.

And with that, Nightmare Moon was no more.

He won.

But at what cost? The Prince sat on the pavement as he stared at the moon in a n exhausted heap, tears exiting his eyes.

"I can't stop... I'm on my own now. God... Equestria. Please forgive me."

10 years had passed after what was dubbed as the Royal Assassination. Equestria worked tirelessly to move on after the reported deaths of Celestia and Nightmare Moon which Lucid felt greatly responsible for.

Although he had many slip ups along the way, he slowly got used to being on the throne with the help of Equestrias court and their experience.

At that moment, he had just finished his 27th visit from an ignorant noble arguing about the length of their land. If there was something he felt he'd never get used to, it was court sessions. Usually, court sessions would be set between day and night court. But since he's only 1 stallion, he had to keep it open, leaving him exhausted most of the time.

He could cancel the sessions if he wanted to, but again, he owed it to everypony to make their lives more comfortable after the stuff he's done.

Sluggishly, he melted on his throne and let out a heafty sigh. "Uuugh and like usual, it's past my free time. When's the last time I've sat down and read a nice book?"

"I don't know Prince Storm." A casually suited guard responded. Though he knew the pastel green stallion behind the masking spell, quite well.

"Oh, Luster Purge. So you've returned already?" A light smile entered the bored Princes muzzle. Out of all the mind numbing stuff he forced himself to bare, conversing with his guardsponies was actually relaxing, especially with his top general.

"Of course my Prince. That zebra sighting we were reported to was no threat at all despite what the Ponyville residents made it out to be. She's actually a splendid potionieer. Do I have your permission to set up a private trade route to her hut?"

"Certainly, I've always said that the best at their craft come from humble origins, but please get her approval too. Though I must ask, how is our best trade supply holding down there?"

"The Apple industry?" With an affirmative nod, Luster continued following a salute. "Well, the family are as hardworking as ever with Miss Applebloom leading the farm. Though I'll probably need to do those visits myself. Lutenent Stoneheart is...well."

Lucid remembered Stoneheart as well. She was quite the piece of work, constantly butting heads with 2nd Lutenent Dash and speaking her mind about everything. "I see. What did she do this time?"

Luster coughed to clear her throat before averting her gaze from the stallion. "As embarrassing as it is, she insulted the speed of the apple farms production."

"And she got bucked in the face for it?"

"Yes."

"..."

"She wants to press charges-"

"Overruled. That mare needs to learn to have some respect for the working class. If this won't be the last time, I rather make her learn now."

"Very well... but besides that. Prince Storm, I think it's time you take a break. You've been on that throne ever since I left in the morning."

"Ponies need my help, Luster. Believe me, I've been trying for better methods. I could try controlling Discord, but that could go wrong real fast, I could take a look in the royal archives for something else but I have no time to check..."

He rested his hoof over his chin, vacantly staring at the stoic general. "But I'm sure you can think of something. You're an alicorn for a reason-"

"Luster!" He shouted instinctually which resulted in the calm soldier to flinch. "My species does NOT make me infallible. I can't just go up and end everyponies suffering with the flick of the horn. I wish- dammit I wish I could! If there was a way to gain enough power and give everypony their happy ending, I'd do it. I owe them that much..."

"Pri- Lucid." Luster put a hoof forward in sympathy. He wished he could make things easier for the Prince, but no matter how much he worked in place of him, the workload never ceased. "How about a vacation-"

"Prince Storm!" The double doors pushed open, revealing the royal seamstress, Rarity. She had aged fairly well in 15 years as her mane was still well kept and her clothing was as elegant as some of Nightmare Moon's old dress wear he sent to charity.

"Miss Rarity? What's the meaning of this?"

"It's 1st Lutenant Stoneheart and 2nd Lutenant Dash!"

"Fighting again? How many times must I ask them to knock it off-"

"Oh no, it's not that. They found some ponies. They were situated in the Everfree near some crystal like table. And you're not gonna believe how uncanny one of them looks!"

Rairity swept to the side and let the Lutenants and their squads march inside with the captors. And once the Prince locked eyes with them, he froze.

Was this a trick? Did Nightmare Moon put a spell on me to mock me beyond the grave?

But he had no doubts. That was her. She could never forget that purple coat and studeous gaze. But she had wings for some reason which puzzled him greatly. But along with a little dragon he partly remembered and a filly he had no recollection of, the last colt put his mind for a loop.

It was like he was looking through a mirror of the past.

Like the colt he expected to become had arose to spite him. It was himself.

Not Lucid.

Darkloud.

Author's Note

Nah, lack of motivation ruined me with this one. It's been like months since I've done stuff. So sorry for that. I hope this makes up for the time taken till season 2.

[Ps. Just realised this one wasn't published on release. 😐]