Update 8/17/13: I've decided to go back through this chapter and refine it. Changes include a few added details, a brief 'fight' scene, and much improved grammar.


Chapter 2: Under an Imperial Moon

Epsilon Eridani System

Planet Reach

Gamma Station

June 21st, 2551

The communications officers settled down for what seemed to be yet another boring day.

"So, remind me again Simmons, why are we stuck with watchdog duty again?" One officer asked, yawning.

"There's been no word of any inbound arrivals to Reach in several days, and this late in the war it's necessary to know of every inbound and outbound vessel in the system. Reach is just too damn important, and if even a single Covenant vessel stumbling upon the system means we can kiss our sorry asses good bye, Miller." Officer Simmons replied.

The younger officer scoffed. "Those Covies wouldn't stand a chance if they tried to gain up on Reach. The defense grid would turn them to space scrap lickety-split!" Simmons scowled at him.

"Say that to the colonists on Actium, Harvest and countless other worlds they've glassed." Miller looked towards the floor, ashamed at how much he took his safety for granted.

Suddenly the monitors in front of them began flashing an alert, bringing the officers back to the attention of their duties. "It's a high priority transmission from ONI." Miller said. "Well, don't just sit there! Patch em' through you nitwit!" Simmons was losing his patience with the boy.

A com-line buzzed open, emitting static, before someone finally spoke. "This is ONI Recon Prowler Apocalypso to Gamma Control. Do you copy Gamma Actual?"

Simmons responded. "We read you Apocalypso, what do you have to report, over?"

"We've detected multiple unidentified vessels emerging from slip-space at the system's edge. Vessels emitting slip-space signatures that don't match any UNSC or known Covenant vessels on record. Recommend HIGHCOM be notified immediately! Sending probe data."

"Solid Copy, Apocalypso. You can rest easy, were relaying the intelligence Control out."

The comm officers look at each other in exasperation. Looks like it was going to be an interesting day after all.


Edge of the Epsilon Eridani System

Imperial Expeditionary Fleet

Bridge, EIN Flagship, Spirit of Fire

"Serina, situation update, please." Commander Cutter said as he took his seat in the Captain's chair.

"Slip-space jump successful, all Imperial ships present and accounted for, Sir." The AI replied.

"Excellent, are we within comm range of Reach yet?" Cutter asked. "Affirmative, the communications systems are fully operational and ready for use. If I may ask, how does it feel to be back in UNSC space again, sir?"

"I couldn't tell you Serina. It's been over twenty years, everyone is probably going to think were ghosts." Cutter replied.

Serina raised an eyebrow at him. "What with the new fleet and all, I beg to differ. How do you suppose they are going to receive us? What will they think of us for forming an alliance with a previously unknown species, or then joining said species as a new political entity, all of this without UNSC knowledge or approval?"

James shook his head. "Lets not get carried away with this. We'll cross that bridge when we get into contact."

Before Serina could offer her response, a Unicorn communications officer interrupted her. "Commander, a UNSC battle group has detected us and is moving towards the Fleet's position." She said.

"What's the info on the lead ship?"

"It's a UNSC Supercarrier, sir. Sensors indicate her designation is the UNSC Trafalgar."

"Understood. Helmsman, get us in closer so we can hail them." Cutter said. "Aye Commander."

"Attention UNSC Trafalgar and all ship's company, this is the former UNSC vessel Spirit of Fire, now of the Equestrian Imperial Expeditionary Fleet. We mean no threat, and wish to open communication with Admiral Terrence Hood. as soon as possible." Cutter waited patiently for the vessel's response.

"Apologies, say again. Did you just designate as, Spirit of Fire?" The officer on the other end was clearly surprised at their identity.

"Affirmative Trafalgar, may we speak with your commander?"

"Roger, patching them through now... This is Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb of the Epsilon Eridani fleet. Am I speaking to the Captain Cutter, of the Spirit of Fire? We assumed you lost with all hands two decades ago!"

"Affirmative Vice Admiral. We were left adrift after an engagement with the Covenant. We crash landed, marooned on a previously unknown world. There is an intelligent species living on that world that made it possible for us to not only survive, but regain our space legs." Cutter finished, smiling at all of the crew who were Ponies. They returned his smile with grins and friendly nods.

"I see. But where in the name of the UNSC did you acquire that fleet? Our records show the Spirit as the only ship Admiral Cole gave permission to pursue the Covenant from Arcadia." Whitcomb said through the radio.

"All built with the resources our friends generously granted us. We have a lot we need to discuss with you and Admiral Hood, Vice Admiral Whitcomb." Cutter said.

There was a brief pause before Whitcomb responded. "We're in agreement on that Captain. We'll escort you and your fleet back to base to see Admiral Hood. Welcome to Reach, Captain Cutter. Its good to have you back."


Meanwhile...

Gliese 411 System

Planet Equis, approx. 10 ly from Reach

Ponyville, Empire of Equestria

June 21st, 2551

Everypony was gathered in town hall to celebrate the sunrise, a rather unique sunrise.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts. As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" The crowd of Ponies and Humans cheered. "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our empire, the very pony who gives us the Sun and the Moon each and everyday, the good, the wise, the bringer of Harmony to all Equestria, Empress Celestia!"

Up on the balcony, Rarity pulled the curtains open, and the imperial royal trumpets played. As the curtains opened, nopony was on the other side. "Huh?!" Rarity exclaimed.

"This cant be good..." Twilight said, worried.

Murmurs of confusion issued from the crowd. "Remain calm everypony. There must be a reasonable explanation." The Mayor assured her citizens.

"Oooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing excitedly.

"She's gone!" Rarity said. Everypony in the room gasped.

"Oooh, she's good...Ahh!" Pinkie, along with eveypony else gasped as a purple mist gathered on the balcony.

"Oh no..." Twilight said. As the mist cleared, a tall, black Alicorn-shaped figure in silver armor appeared. It stared at all with piercing blue eyes.

"Legend has it that in the longest day of the thousandth year the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night." The quote played itself over and over again in Twilight's mind.

"...Nightmare Moon." Spike fainted and fell off of Twilight's back.

"Oh, my beloved Subjects..." She finally said, "It's been so long since I've seen your precious little Sun-loving faces."

Rainbow Dash glared at Nightmare Moon. "What did you do with our Empress? " The rainbow Pegasus attempted to fly at Nightmare. Applejack held her back by her tail. "Hold on there.."

Nightmare Moon laughed. "What, Am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am? "

Pinkie Pie ignited with excitement."Oooh! Oooh! More guessing games! Umm.. Pokey Smoke...how about Queen Meanie? No, Black Snooty, Black snooo.." Applejack quieted her up by jamming an apple in her mouth.

"Does my crown not count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?" Nightmare said, getting in Fluttershy's precious personal space.

Next she was in Rarity's face. "Do you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did! And I know who you are! You're the Mare in the Moon...Nightmare Moon!" Twilight declared. The crowd gasped again.

"Well, well, well. Somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here!"

"You're here to..to.." Twilight tried to speak, but her voice was held fast with fear.

Nightmare Moon laughed once more. "Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last! From this moment forth, the Night, will last forever!" The mist, now the color of the night sky, doubled in size. Lightning issued from it as Nightmare's laugh increased in intensity.

Twilight looked at her in fear. The Mayor however, was only one part fear, and three parts anger.

"Seize her! Only she knows where the Empress is! Three pegasi Guards flew towards Nightmare, while three Human guards and two unicorns drew and raised their pistols, ready to support their winged brethren.

"Stand back you fools!" Nightmare Moon's eyes lit up. Laughing again, she swatted the guards away with ease.

Quickly recovering, the Royal Guards furiously fired rounds in the alicorn's direction, careful to avoid civilians. The pegasi swooped back in, energy-based wing blades poised to strike. Still laughing, Nightmare deflected them like mosquitoes with her horn's powerful magic. "It will take more than mere pests like you to stop Nightmare Moon!"

The guards responded with more bullets, and the pegasi hacked at Nightmare's force field. The dark-armored mare charged her spell to its maximum, causing the shield's matrix to collapse, sending the guards flying.

All eight of them crashed into a nearby wall like sacks of apples, or a Covenant grunt caught in an explosion. They were knocked unconscious by the impact.

Nightmare Moon then gathered together in a cloud of mist and flew out of Town Hall's front door. The crowd went into a panic from the gunfire. In the midst of the chaos, Rainbow Dash attempted to chase the alicorn out.

"Come back here!" She stopped, panting. Concern dominated her face. "Nighttime...forever?"

Then Dash saw Twilight, with Spike in tow, running. "Where's she going?" The mare wondered.


Golden Oak Library

"Wha, ugh, we gotta stop Nightmare...!" Spike shouted, just as he passed out.

Twilight put a blanket over him. "You've been up all night Spike!" She whispered, "You are a baby dragon afterall..."

There was a crash as the lavender-colored Unicorn started throwing books around. "Elements? Elements? Elements? Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?"

Suddenly Rainbow Dash materialized out of nowhere.

"Just what are the Elements of Harmony? And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you some kind of secret IBI super spy?!...Woah!" She was suddenly dragged away from Twilight by Applejack.

"Huh, simmer down, Sally! She ain't no spy! But she sure knows what's going on... don'tcha Twilight?" AJ, Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie were now all closing in on her with curiosity

"I read all about the predictions on Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her. I don't know what they are, where to find them, I don't even know what they do!"

"The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide" Pinkie read the cover a book she had found on a shelf. Twilight quickly shoved her out of the way to see it.

"How did you find that?" Pinkie started bouncing around the room. "It was under 'E'!"

"Oh.."

Twilight pulled the book open with her magic. "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known. Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth, is a complete mystery. It is said that the last know location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal Pony Sisters. It is located in what is now... The Everfree Forest!" They all said at once in astonishment and trepidation.

A cloud of starry mist fluttered unnoticed outside a window, before it was gone.


Everfree Forest Outskirts

Mustering their courage, the six mares gathered at the edge of the dark, verdant forest. The wooded expanse resembled more of jungle than forest, oddly enough.

"Weee! Let's go!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

"Not so fast!" Twilight ordered. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own." She said with an arrogant expression.

"No can do, Sugarcube. We sure aren't letting any friend of ours go in their alone." Applejack said. "We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple."

"Especially if there's candy apples in there!" Twilight just stared at her. "What? Those things are good!" Pinkie then ran in after the other four, leaving only Twilight. She entered the forest, sighing.

"So, none of you have been in here before?" Twilight asked.

"Ugh..heavens, no! Just look at it, just dreadful!" Rarity said. "And it ain't natural." AJ added. "Folks say it don't work the same way as Equestria."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked. "Nopony knows!" Dash said in a spooky-story voice. "Ya know why?"

Applejack glared at her. "Rainbow, quit it!" She scolded.

"Cause everypony who comes in, " Dash continued, "Has never, come, OUT!"

Suddenly, the cliff beneath them gave out mysteriously. Fluttershy and Dash hovered above as the others began to fall, screaming. "Fluttershy, quick!" Dash said urgently.

"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!" The pegasi rushed to help their friends.

Dash saved Pinkie while Fluttershy helped Rarity. Applejack stopped herself by biting on to a random root. Unfortunately for Twilight however, she continued to slide downwards.

"Hold on, I'mma comin'!" AJ said, grabbing Twilight's hooves tightly.

"Applejack, what do I do?" Twilight asked desperately. AJ paused for a few moments, then gave Twilight a funny look. "Let go."

The unicorn looked at her like she had just turned into a manticore. "Are you crazy?"

"No, Ah ain't. I promise you'll be safe."

"That's not true!"

"Listen here, what I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth! Let go, and you'll be safe."

Twilight looked at her, uncertainty in her eyes, which was then quickly replaced by acceptance. She let go of the orange mare's hooves.

She fell through the air screaming...only to be caught, safe and sound in mid-air by Dash and Fluttershy. "Pheww."

As they decended, Fluttershy caused them to jolt a bit, startling them. "Sorry girls, I'm not used to holding more than a bunny or two." AJ made her way down to them, skillfully jumping from crag to crag.

Without warning, a mist appeared again, wisping towards a sleeping Maniticore. Nopony saw it, however.

"And once Pinkie and Rarity were safe, me and Fluttershy looped and looped around and...Wham! Caught ya in the nick of time!"

"Yes Rainbow, I was there. And I'm very grateful, but we gotta..." A thud made them all gasp.

"A manticore!"

The beast raised it's paws and roared at them.

"We gotta get past him." Twilight said.

The Manticore lunged at Rarity, swiping its paw and missing. She swiftly bucked the beast with her hind legs. "Take that you ruffian!"

In response, the beast roared in her face with great volume, ruining her well kept mane. "My hair!" She ran past the Mantcore, as it chased after her.

"Wait!" Fluttershy said, her quiet voice not being heard.

The beast stopped when it felt a wait on its head.

"Yeehaw!" AJ had climbed on the Manticore's head, riding like a cowboy in a rodeo. "Get along, little doggy!" "Wait!' Fluttershy tried again. The beast finally managed to throw the farm pony off.

"All yours pardner!" She said as she soared past Rainbow. "I'm on it!" Dash gave a salute and rushed at the Manticore. "Wait!"

Dash formed a whirlwind of color as she circled around the beast at extreme speeds. The Manticore was able to shake her off as well.

"Rainbow!" Twilight exclaimed as her friend crashed to the ground. She glared at the Manticore.

The ponies reared themselves to charge, the Manticore doing so as well.

Fluttershy, however put herself between them.

"WAIT!" They all stopped in their tracks. Fluttershy then approached the wild animal. "Shhhhh...It's okay." She said soothingly.

It was about to prepare itself for another attack, but it stopped, seeing that Fluttershy meant no harm. When she nuzzled the Manticore's paw, it held it out for her to inspect. He had a massive thorn imbedded in it.

"Awww, you poor, poor little baby!"

"Little?" Dash said incredulously.

"Now this might hurt for just a second." Fluttershy pulled the thorn out abruptly.

The Manticore roared for a second in Fluttershy's face. Her friends shouted her name, thinking he was going to eat her. But he only licked her face affectionately, purring.

"Ohh, your just a cute little baby kitty aren't you? Yes you are!"

Relieved, the friends smiled, moving past the Manticore.

"How did you know about the thorn?" Twilight asked.

"I didn't" Fluttershy replied, her mane ruffled, "Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness." The normally timid mare's smile was now so radiant, it rivaled the Empress' herself.

The six friends continued their trek through the forest, the prolonged night still hanging unnaturally over them.

"Ohh! My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck!" Rarity groaned. The six friends walked under a particularly thick canopy of trees, casting them in deep darkness.

"...I didn't mean that literally." She finished quietly.

"That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it!" Twilight said. A small cloud of mist passed by their legs, again, unnoticed. Twilight caught it out of the periphery of her vision, but assumed it to be just swamp gas or the like.

In the confusing blackness, everyone started talking at once, trying not to trip over each other. "Oh, wait. I think I stepped in somethin'." Applejack said.

Fluttershy screamed at something she saw. "It's just mud.." AJ said.

Applejack bumped into a tree, whose trunk had a bizarre, mouth like appearance. All the trees around them seemed to have grotesque, frightening faces on them. They were so random and unexpected, everypony screamed.

Pinkie Pie, however, was giggling her head off. Energized by her laughter, he pink-coated party pony began singing about how she managed to conquer her fears. Unsurprisingly, Pinkie did it by laughing at them.

When she finished, everpony was also laughing and in good spirits, until they came across a raging creek bed. "How are we gonna cross this?" Pinkie wondered.

They heard crying behind some bushes. Investigating the sound, the group discovered it was a large purple sea serpent.

"What a world! What a world!" He cried

"Excuse me sir, why are you crying?" Twilight asked.

"Well I don't know. I was just sitting here and minding my own business, when this terrible little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore a piece of my beloved mustache clean off!" He leaned down to show them. "And now I look simply horrid! "

"Oh gimme a break!" Dash said.

"That's what all the fuss is about? " AJ questioned.

"Why of course it is! How can you be so insensitive?! Oh just look at him! Such lovely luminescent scales!" Rarity declared.

"Oh, I know!" The serpent agreed.

"And that excellent quality mane!"

The Serpent began to cheer up under the barrage of compliments. "I know, I know!"

"Your fabulous manicure!" Rarity continued.

"It's so true!"

"All ruined without your beautiful mustache!"

"It's true, I'm hideous!"

"I simply can't let this crime to fabulousness go uncorrected!" She took off one of the serpent's scales with her teeth, alarming the serpent and her friends to no end.

"Oww! What did you do that for?"

She suddenly raised it, and cut a large portion of her styled tail off. Using her horn's telekinetic magic, she put the tail hair onto the Serpent's vandalized mustache, restoring it to it's former fashionable glory.

The Serpent giggled in appreciation. "My mustache, how wonderful!"

"You look smashing!" Rarity said.

"Oh Rarity! Your beautiful tale..!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Oh, its no big deal dear. Short tails are in style this season." She said dismissively. "Besides, it will grow back."

"We can cross now! Lets go!" Twilight said.

Suddenly the Serpent appeared again. He arched his back, turning it into a bridge. "Allow me." He declared boldly. Gratefully crossing the good-hearted serpent's back, the friends continued into the forest.

"There it is! The ruin that holds the Elements of Harmony! We made it." Twilight said, rushing forward.

"Twilight! Wait for us!" AJ called out. "Were almost there...ugh!" Twilight stopped abruptly, realizing that the bridge had long since collapsed.

Rainbow Dash pulled her away from the edge. "What's with you and falling off cliffs lately?"

"Now what?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Duh." Dash shook her wings.

"Oh yeah."

Dash moved to grabbed the other end of the bridge and pull it back up. When she got to the other side, the seemingly sentient purple mist appeared, and a voice called out, "Rainbowww..."

The rainbow-maned pegasus stood her ground, unafraid of spirits that may or may not lurk in the fog. "Huh? I ain't scared of you! Show yourself!"

"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flier in all Equestria!" The voice declared.

"Who?"

"Why, you of course!" The voice answered, appealing to Dash's ego.

"Really, I mean, oh yeah! Me. Hey, uhh, you wouldn't mind telling the Imperial Wonderbolts that, would ya? Cause, I've been trying to get into that group for like ever!"

"No Rainbow Dash, we want you to join us. The Shadowbolts!" Three ponies appeared form the mist. They resembled the Wonderbolts, the Empire's premiere airborne warriors, only their uniforms were black. Dash looked at them in confusion.

"We are the greatest fliers in all the Everfree Forest" The leading Mare declared.

"Soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria! But first, we need a captain." She leaned in Dash's face as she spoke.

Rainbow's eyes lit up with glee.

"The most magnificent.."

"Yep."

"...swiftest.."

"Yes."

"..bravest fliers in all the land!" Dash's ego was monstrous now. It rivaled even an Ursa Major in sheer size. "Yes, it's all true!"

"We need... you!"

"Woohoo!" Dash shouted, leaping into the air. "Sign me up! Just let me tie this bridge up real quick, and then we have a deal!"

"NO! Choose..them, or us!" Dash was take aback.

"Rainbow! What's taking so long? Oh no," Twilight was getting worried. "Rainbow!" She called out. One of the Shadowbolts thickened the mist, blocking the girls' view of Rainbow Dash.

"Well..?" The head Shadowbolt inquired.

"You."

The dark-suited fliers grinned in smug triumph.

"Thank you, for the offer I mean." Dash darted back towards the bridge. "But, I'm afraid I'm going to have to say no." The shadowy soldiers' grins fell away sharply.

"We're not taking no for an answer!" The leader whispered angrily. Suddenly all the Shadowbolts unfurled their wings, revealing wicked looking scythe-like blades made of almost liquid-looking obsidian.

Rainbow cringed, intimidated by the violent, war-like show. Then an image of the girls appeared in her mind. Standing firmer than ever, the pegasus glared at them with her most fiercest expression she could muster.

Surprisingly, the shadowy pegasi specters actually backed away in fear. Dash triumphantly turned her back to them as they faded into nothingness. She reappeared on the other side of the now repaired bridge, her friends cheering her on. "Good job Rainbow!"

"I'd never leave my friends hanging!" She replied with a warm smile. At last, the friends approached the ruined Castle.


Ancient Ruins

The ruin itself was a rather depressing, ominous affair, much like the forest around it. While its architecture greatly resembled that of the Imperial Palace in Canterlot, the splendor and grandeur of the Castle had long since faded away with the passage of the centuries.

As they entered the main chamber, they saw them, the Elements gleamed on their dais in the center of the room. The Mane Six looked on in astonishment at their beauty.

"Why! Well come on Twilight, isn't this what you've been waitin' for?" AJ urged.

"The Elements of Harmony!" We found them!" Twilight said in wonder.

The two Pegasi moved to grab the artifacts off of their stone resting places. "Careful, Careful!" Twilight cautioned. Heeding her words, they cautiously set them on the ground.

Pinkie Pie counted them. "...There's only five!"

"Where's the sixth?" Rainbow inquired.

"The book said, when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth element to be revealed!"

"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked, confused.

"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back... I don't' know what will happen." Twilight channeled magic through her horn to one of the stone-encased elements.

"Come on now y'all. She needs to concentrate." AJ said quietly. They trotted a distance away. That was when the strange sentient smoke decided it would pay them a visit once more.

As Twilight concentrated, the five Elements began to revolve in a circle. Eventually, they became a powerful vortex. Twilight gasped, drawing her friends' attention.

"The Elements!"

In a flash, the vortex disappeared, taking the Elements and Twilight with it. Everypony ran around and yelled out in confusion.

"Twilight, where are you?" AJ called out. "Look Rarity shouted. A light was flashing from the windows of another wing of the castle.

"Come on!"

Twilight appeared in a flash of smoke. Standing on the other side of the room from her, was none other than Nightmare Moon herself. Twilight gasped, then readied herself to charge at the dark Alicorn who was not at all intimidated.

"You're kidding? You're kidding right?" Twilight wasn't. As she rushed forward, her eyes were focused dead center on the villain, her horn pulsating with magical power.

Nightmare rushed towards her opponent as well, rearing her own horn towards her.

As the alicorn neared Twilight, she teleported, right up to where Nightmare had been standing moments ago,

Twilight began to feel woozy. "Just one spark" She said. "Come on!" She focused her magic on the elements. Nightmare Moon rushed forward once more to stop her. Doing so, she zapped Twilight away from the Elements, sending the Unicorn sprawling on her back.

Nightmare looked back down at the Elements, and realized she was too late. "No, NO!"

Triumph glowed across Twilight's face. Suddenly, heartbreakingly, the spark in them died again.

Twilight gasped. "But, where's the sixth element?" Nightmare laughed in relief and triumph. She brought her forehooves to the ground with force, cracking the stone shells open. Crystals fell uselessly to the ground.

Twilight stood there, looking at it unbelievingly.

"You little foal! Thinking you could defeat me! Now you will never see your Princess, or your Sun! The Night, will last, FOREVER!" Nightmare laughed with increasing vigor.

Then, Twilight heard her friends coming up the stairs. Her eyes widened in realization.

"That's Empress to you! And you think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony, just like that? Well you're wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right HERE!" She stood with her friends, defying the corrupted alicorn.

The element crystals levitated back into the air. "What?"

"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of, Honesty! Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of, Kindness! Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by laughing in the face of danger, represents the spirt of, Laughter! Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of, Generosity! And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the spirit of, Loyalty! The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!"

"You still don't have the sixth element!" Nightmare countered. "The spark didn't work!"

"But it did. A different kind of spark! I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, see you, how much I cared about you. And the spark ignited inside me, when I realized that you all... are my friends!" Twilight now stood by her friends once again.

Then, the sixth stone shell gleamed, lowering itself towards Twilight.

"You see Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the...the spark that resides in the hearts of us all, it creates the sixth element. The Element of, Magic!"

The sixth Element gleamed as bright as the Sun. The crystals each gathered in levitating circles around the others. The crystals converged, creating an Element amulet on each of the friend's necks. Twilight's formed into a crown upon her head.

Together, the friends channeled their power together, creating a rainbow-colored stream of light which gunned straight for Nightmare Moon.

"Nooooo!" The evil mare bellowed as the light encircled her. Eventually, the light became so bright, it blinded all vision in the room. Several seconds past.

It was quiet as everyone started to stir from their places on the ground.

"Ohhh, my head." Rainbow Dash moaned.

"Everypony okay?" AJ asked.

"Oh thank goodness!" Rarity exclaimed."

"Why Rarity, its so lovely." Fluttershy declared.

"I know, I'll never part with it again!" The white unicorn nuzzled her tale affectionately.

"No, your necklace! It looks just like your cutie mark!"

"What, oh! So does yours!"

"Look at mine! Look at mine!" Pinkie said, bouncing.

"Ah, yeah!" Dash said, looking at her own amulet.

Everypony then looked up at Twilight's element, a gleaming crown fit for the highest Imperial elite.

"Gee Twilight, I though you were just spoutin' a lot o' hooey! But I reckon, we really do represent the Elements of Friendship!"

"Indeed you do." A familiar voice agreed.

Suddenly, glorious sunlight filled the room as the star finally rose, ending the unnatural night. At the center of the beam of luminance, Empress Celestia appeared before them.

The five mares bowed before her. Twilight smiled gleefully and approached that whom the Human Equestrians hailed as the Sun Goddess.

"Empress Celestia!" She gasped.

"Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student! I knew you could do it!" The monarch's face was aglow with delight and pride in her pupil.

"But, you told me it was all an old ponytale!"

"I told you that you needed to make some friends! Nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you had the magic inside to defeat her. But you could not have unleashed it until you let true friendship into your heart! Now if only another will as well...Princess Luna! It has been a thousand years since I've seen you like this." The tall alicorn knelt down to face her younger sister. Luna gazed up at her with anguish.

"It's time to put our differences behind us! We were meant to rule together little sister!"

"Sister?!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Will you accept my friendship?"

Luna ran to embrace her elder sister. "I'm so sorry! I missed you so much big sister!"

"I missed you too!" The alicorn sisters both had tears in their eyes.

Pinkie Pie began crying fountains. Then she suddenly stopped. "Hey! You know what this calls for? A party!"


Ponyville

Later that day, all of Ponyville celebrated the return of their long lost royalty, Princess Luna.

Everypony greeted her warmly with a necklace of roses. The humans present looked at the younger Alicorn with curiosity; some were already regarding her with the same reverence they gave the Empress. Twilight, however, frowned.

"Why so glum, my faithful student?" Celestia asked softly. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete, and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?"

"That's just it. Just when I learn how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them." The unicorn said sadly.

"Spike, take a note please. I, Empress Celestia, hereby decree, that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle, shall take on a new mission for Equestria! She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings, from her new home in Ponyville!" Twilight's friends cheered, hugging her.

"Thank you Empress Celestia, I'll study harder than ever before!"

A human guard sounded a trumpet, then shouted, "All hail Her Majesty, Empress Celestia! All hail her sister, Crown Princess Luna!"

Vibrant banners depicting the Sun in a red background unfurled behind the assembled royalty and their sworn guardians.

Everypony then cheered again, as confetti and streamers fell all around them. Two GA-TL1 Longswords streaked by the town quietly, leaving rainbow colored contrails in the sky, adding to the festive atmosphere.

As the celebrations ended, the Alicorn sisters departed for Canterlot on their chariot.

On there way, they shared a few brief words.

"There is much I need to inform you about, little sister. Much has changed since you last ruled with me."

"Indeed my sister, I noticed the...Humans, as they're called? And now you are referred to as 'empress'. I am most curious about all of this." Luna said.

Celestia smiled. "In due time, dear Luna."

As the royals approached the Palace, Celestia's sun began its descent, painting a beautiful evening glow across the Equestrian sky. Soon, it would be night.

And, for the first time in at least a thousand years, Luna would raise the Moon herself, gracing the sleeping young Empire with its brilliant silver gleam.


A/N: The Royal sisters, especially Celestia, will play a critical role in the events to follow in the next few years, if you haven't already guessed that yet. With Luna back, there will also be changes in the Imperial command structure as time passes.

As always, thanks for reading, and, if you like what you read, or have ideas for anything that needs improving, leave me a review!

Until next time: For the Empire, and for Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress!

-The Elder Dragon