Celestia teleported herself and Luna to the only place that felt safe in the moment: the Crystal Kingdom. Her mind raced as the light of the teleportation spell faded. What would she even say to Cadence? How could she explain this horror that had resurfaced? For 10,000 years, Twilight had been isolated, exiled, and broken. Or so Celestia thought. She had been certain that Twilight’s time away had neutralized the threat—not by killing her, but by breaking her spirit.

That was the cruel truth Celestia didn’t want to admit. Deep down, she had hoped Twilight would be rendered powerless, incapable of further destruction. And yet, here they were. After a decamillennia, Twilight Sparkle had returned, and her fury burned hotter than ever.

Cadence was outside before they reached the gates, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Aunt Celestia, Aunt Luna! What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Luna was the first to respond, her tone grim and direct. "It’s Twilight. She’s back, and she’s not herself. She wants Celestia dead—and likely the rest of us too."

The words struck Cadence like a blow. Her pupils shrank in terror as memories of Twilight’s trial so many millennia ago flooded back—the cold, soulless smile she wore as she was sentenced. Over the years, Twilight had become nothing more than an old mare’s tale, a story whispered in fear. But now, Cadence could feel the weight of that fear return, as real and tangible as the snow beneath her hooves.

She stepped back, gesturing quickly for them to follow her inside the castle. "Come in. Quickly."

Once inside, the three alicorns gathered in the throne room. They spoke in hushed, hurried voices, trying to form a plan. Luna urged them to strike decisively, while Celestia clung to the faint hope that Twilight could still be saved.

Their deliberation was interrupted by a deafening boom that echoed through the city.

Hehehe… I found them. It wasn’t hard to figure out where they’d run to. Cowards always retreat to familiar places. I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely sure I could take on two alicorns at once—well, not yet. Celestia wouldn’t attack me; she didn’t have the confidence for that anymore. But Luna… she might. And she could be a problem.

No matter. I came prepared. The Elements of Harmony had been right where I left them, and even though they weren’t as powerful without their bearers, they still obeyed me. After all, I am the Element of Magic. The others… they were pawns. Just like Celestia.

Something deep inside me whispered doubts. A faint voice, almost unrecognizable. It told me I didn’t have to do this, that I could stop. That I didn’t have to kill my friends all those years ago.

No.

That was the old me. That was the puppet. I’m not her anymore. Regrets are for the weak. I have no regrets.

Celestia, your cowardice has bought you some time, but it won’t save you. Nothing will.

The loud explosion shook the walls of the Crystal Castle. Flurry Heart stumbled into the room, her wide eyes filled with panic. "Mom, what’s going on?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Cadence’s face went pale. "Hide," she said firmly. "Go to your room and don’t come out. Twilight… she cannot know about you. I pray she’s forgotten you."

Flurry Heart hesitated, fear etched across her features, but nodded and fled up the stairs.

“Come out, come out, Celestia!” Twilight’s voice rang through the city, amplified by magic. It was playful, mocking, and filled with malice.

Celestia’s legs nearly buckled under her. Luna stepped forward, her expression hardened. “Sister, stay here. Me and Cadence will confront her.”

“No, I should—”

Luna cut her off. “You’ll only make her angrier, and she’ll go straight for you. Stay inside.”

Reluctantly, Celestia nodded, and Luna and Cadence took to the skies.

Twilight was waiting for them in the middle of the city. Her eyes gleamed with wicked delight, and the Elements of Harmony orbited her like planets around a sun. Their light was dim, almost reluctant, but they followed her command nonetheless.

“Well, well, well,” Twilight said with a grin. “Have you come to kill me?”

“Twilight, please!” Cadence pleaded, her voice cracking. “There was a time when we were like sisters!”

Twilight’s smile faltered for a moment, but only for a moment. Her eyes narrowed, her expression twisting into a sneer. “Sisters? That’s rich. You didn’t do anything to stop this. You didn’t help me. You’re just as much a pawn as the rest of them.”

Her voice dripped with venom as she continued. “I trusted you. And you betrayed me, just like Celestia. But now… now I have the advantage!”

“Twilight—”

“Enough!” Twilight’s shout silenced Cadence. Her magic flared, and a nearby building was ripped from its foundation and flung toward the princesses. Cadence and Luna barely managed to dodge as the structure crashed into the streets, shattering into rubble.

Crystal ponies screamed and scattered, running in every direction. The city’s guards rushed to the scene, forming ranks around Twilight.

“No!” Cadence shouted. “You don’t understand! You can’t fight her!”

The guards didn’t listen. They held their ground, their spears pointed toward Twilight.

Twilight chuckled. “Oh, how noble. I’ll give you one chance. Walk away now, and I won’t have to kill you.”

The guards didn’t budge.

Twilight sighed. “Fine. Have it your way.”

With a flash of light, she unleashed a spell. The guards vanished, leaving only empty armor clattering to the ground.

Cadence screamed, her voice filled with anguish. “How could you!?”

“Easily,” Twilight replied coldly.

Luna’s patience snapped. She launched herself at Twilight, her horn blazing with magic. “You’re a monster!” she yelled.

Twilight smirked as their magic collided in a burst of energy. “Oh, please. Don’t pretend you’re any better, Luna. Didn’t you try to overthrow Celestia yourself? I’m offering you a chance to finish what you started. Join me, and we can end her reign once and for all.”

Luna gritted her teeth. “You’ve let your power consume you. You’re no better than the monster I once was.”

Twilight’s smirk faded. Her eyes darkened. “I am better. I’m free.”

She lashed out with another spell, sending Luna crashing into a nearby wall.

Cadence charged forward, firing a volley of magical blasts. Twilight blocked them with a shield, her expression one of mild annoyance. “You’re really starting to get on my nerves.”

She unleashed a surge of energy, knocking both Luna and Cadence to the ground. They struggled to rise, but Twilight was already advancing on them.

“You can’t stop me,” Twilight said, her voice eerily calm. “I’m stronger than all of you. And I will do whatever it takes to make Celestia pay.”

Luna’s vision blurred as she tried to stand. Through the haze, she thought she saw something flicker in Twilight’s eyes. Was it regret? Sadness?

Before she could be sure, darkness overtook her.

Well, that was easy.

I stood over their unconscious bodies, taking a moment to catch my breath. They fought harder than I expected, but it didn’t matter. They couldn’t stop me.

Nothing can stop me.

I looked up at the castle, where Celestia was undoubtedly hiding. She probably thought she was safe, that she could buy more time to come up with a plan.

How pathetic.

I turned away, letting my magic lift the Elements of Harmony around me. They flickered weakly, resisting my control, but I didn’t care. I didn’t need them to be at full strength. I just needed them to do what I told them.

And they would.

“Your time is running out, Celestia,” I whispered, a wicked smile spreading across my face.

Cowardice may have saved you today, but it won’t save you forever.

Author's Note

Answering some questions: How can she wield the elements? She is able to wield them kind of like how Celestia was able to wield them in her fight with Nightmare Moon, although they are severely weakened due to her friends not being there/ the cause not being good or noble.

How long could Luna last in a fight against EoH Insanity Twilight? She could hold her own for a bit, but there is a still a little part of her that wants to believe Twilight could change. (This little bit increases after Twilight spares her and Cadence after defeating them in the Crystal Kingdom)

Changes: Centuries to Millenia, Millenia to Decamillenia