Chapter 4: Nightmare Moon's return

A/N: Enjoy!

Summary: In the last chapter, a new rider has appeared. But is he friend or foe?

Disclaimer: I do not own Kamen rider or My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. But I own the riders's Alicorn forms and their new names, I also own Midnight and also this version of the show.

"Come on Twilight! It's time to watch the sun rise!" Spike called out as he opened the door to Twilight's room.

"I'll be there in a minute, Spike! You just wait for me downstairs." Twilight spoke, earning a nod from the baby dragon as he walked down the stairs. She quickly turned back to the book she had been reading and bit onto her hoof,"Oh...I hope Prince Spells will be there. Then I can finally tell him about Nightmare Moon being real." Twilight then placed the book down and looked at the moon to see a head of an Alicorn being formed at the corner of the moon.

She shivered at the thought of Nightmare Moon and she started making her way down from her room to join Spike.

"So, what took you so long?" Spike asked.

Twilight replied,"I...I was just making sure the room was all cleaned up before we go. Yeah, that's it."

Unconvinced, Spike eyed the lavender Unicorn carefully as he rubbed his chin before saying,"Whatever. Let's get going. I want to see the Princess raise the sun for myself. This is going to be the best Summer Sun Celebration ever!" As he climbed onto Twilight's back, he happily bounced up and down and he was given a glare from Twilight."What? It's my first Summer Sun Celebration, remember?"

She rolled her eyes as they exited the library and proceeded to make their way towards the Town Hall where they had met Rarity and is also the location where Celestia will raise the sun.

"DURIAN SQUASH!"

"Ugh...when am I going to catch a break?!"

As the rider kicked a Fangire aside, he tossed his Durisaws aside and swung his head as energy started emitting from his helmet and he destroyed one of the monsters that had ambushed him.

He quickly picked up his Durisaws and stabbed them into the downed Fangire's chest, causing it to shatter into shards of glass. He looked back at the crack behind him and sighed,"You're really a troublesome fella. Just go away already so I don't have to worry about monsters going to the other side." Just as he lowered his guard, a hand grabbed him from behind and flung him back.

The rider look up to see an Undead jumping through the crack.

"You really are troublesome..." He looked around to see if any other monster was approaching him and then jumped through the crack.

Once he was on the other side, he turned to see that the crack had closed and he groaned,"Great...just my dumb luck again."

Back in Ponyville, Twilight and Spike had just reached the Town Hall when ponies of all different sizes started piling into the place with them.

When they were in, the two were met up with Pinkie Pie again."Isn't this exciting? Are you excited? Because I'm excited and I've never been this excited. Well, except the time when I saw you walking into town but I mean really? Who can top that?"

Just then, music started playing as well as Fluttershy's birds started chirping along.

A light grayish amber-colored mare walked up onto the stage and spoke,"Fillies and gentlecolts, as Mayor of Ponyville, it is my greatest pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!" The ponies started cheering and she continued,"In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sun rise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year..."

Twilight looked up at the window and saw that the shadow on the moon had vanished and she worriedly looked back as the Mayor continued her speech,"And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and everyday, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria, Princess Celestia!"

As they looked up at the balcony where Rarity was standing on, she pulled the curtains as the music returned but instead of seeing Celestia, they were greeted by nothing.

"This can't be good..." Twilight muttered as she looked around to see if Spells was around.

"Remain calm, everypony. There must be a reason or explanation." The Mayor said.

Pinkie bounced,"Oh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?"

"She's gone!" Rarity cried.

Hearing this, everypony gasped as Pinkie, still thinking that she was playing hide and seek, said,"She's good..." But she screamed when a purple mist appeared on the balcony.

"Oh no." Twilight spoke as the mist materialized into a black Alicorn mare with mane and tail matching the mist and with armor covering her body and head appeared."Nightmare Moon..."

As Spike fainted, Nightmare Moon spoke,"Oh my beloved subjects! It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sunlight faces."

"What did you do to our princess?!" Rainbow Dash demanded as she tried to fly up to Nightmare Moon but wasn't able to since Applejack was holding her by the tail.

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

As Pinkie started shouting out random names, Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes,"Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years. Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?"

"I did!" Twilight cried."And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Moon!"

Again, everypony gasped and Nightmare Moon smiled,"Well, well, well, somepony who remembers me. Then you must also know why I am here."

"You'e here to...to..."

Nightmare Moon laughed,"Remember this day, little ponies. For it is your last. From this moment forth, the night...will last...forever!" As her mist surrounded the entire room, she started laughing maniacally.

"Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!" The Mayor cried as the Royal Guards flew up to Nightmare Moon. However, she knocked them back with a few lightning bolts that erupted from her mist and she quickly turned into the same purple mist and flew out of the Town Hall.

"Come back here!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she tried to chase Nightmare Moon, only to stop when she realized that she wasn't fast enough to catch up with the Alicorn. She looked down and saw Twilight galloping back to the library with Spike on her back and she followed the lavender Unicorn.

Once Twilight and Spike got back to the library, she quickly got up to her room and placed Spike in a basket.

"We've got to stop Nightmare..." Before he could complete his sentence, Spike fell asleep.

Twilight placed a blanket on top of him and smiled,"You've been up all night, Spike. You are a baby dragon after all." As she turned off the lights, she looked back at him for a second before dashing back downstairs and rummaging through the books."Elements...Elements...Elements...ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?"

"And just what are the Elements of Harmony?!" Rainbow Dash demanded as she charged into the library and glared directly at Twilight."And how did you know about Nightmare Moon?! Are you a spy?"

Rainbow Dash was then pulled back by Applejack, who sighed,"Simmer down, Rainbow. She ain't no spy. But she sure knows what's going on. Don't ya Twilight?"

As Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity joined in seconds later, Twilight explained,"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her. But I don't even know what they are. I don't know anything about them at all."

Just then, Pinkie Pie showed her a book and Twilight gasped,"Where did you find the book about the Elements of Harmony?!"

"It was under the 'E'!" Pinkie sang as she bounced around the room.

As Twilight opened the book with her magic, she read it out loud,"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 known location of the five Elements was in the ancient castle of the Royal Pony sisters. It is located in what is known now as...the Everfree Forest..."

The mares shivered at the mention of the dreaded forest and Rarity asked,"Is..is there another way to stop Nightmare Moon?"

Shaking her head, Twilight said,"No. The book doesn't say anything about an alternative way of stopping Nightmare Moon."

As the six mares made their way to the edge of Ponyville, they stopped in front of the Everfree Forest.

Pinkie Pie stepped out,"Come on! Let's go!"

As she took a step forward, Twilight stopped her,"Not so fast. Look, I really appreciate that you girls are offering to help but I rather do this on my own."

"No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're sticking to you like caramel on a candy apple." Applejack said.

"Especially if there's candy apples in there." Pinkie Pie added, earning a few looks from her friends."What? Those things are good."

Twilight sighed,"Alright. You girls can come with me. Now let's go get those Elements of Harmony."

As they took a step, a rumbling noise was soon heard and they turned to the direction of the noise. At a distance, something fast was approaching them as dust clouds were scattered into the air as it moved closer to them.

Then, it stopped as the dust cloud engulfed it.

When the dust cloud was gone, the six mares gasped at who they were looking at. In front of them, was a two-legged creature dressed in an all black suit with a trench coat. At the being's wrists and ankles were red braces with silver outlines on them. Resting on the being's fingers were a pair of rings while at his right waist hung a bunch of rings. Around his chest and stomach were red-colored armor and his helmet was also red. He is known to us as Spells in his Flame style.

As Spells got off his Machine Winger, it disappeared when a red magic circle went through it. He approached the girls and gave Twilight a nod.

"Who's this creep?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight smiled delightfully,"I can't believe it! Prince Spells's spirit came to help us!"

"Spirit?" The others repeated.

Nodding back, Twilight replied,"You see, whenever the princes and their phoenix are in trouble, their spirits turned into bipedal warriors who had also appeared before in the past when Equestria was invaded by strange creatures that had killed many ponies."

Rarity walked up to Spells and spoke,"My...the fashion sense of Prince Spells's spirit is...astounding! I mean just look at the red armor he has. They really look like real rubies carved together into what I'm seeing right now!"

Spells nodded in agreement as Rarity smiled.

"Okay, okay. Can we get going now? I'm pretty sure Nightmare Moon meant it that her eternal night means forever and not a day." Twilight said.

Nodding, Spells walked in front of the six mares and turned his head. He gestured them to follow and walked on as Rainbow Dash asked,"What did he say?"

"I think he was telling us to follow him. I'm sure Prince Spells knows the way to the ancient castle." Twilight said as she followed Spells while the others trailed behind her.

As they got deeper into the forest, the mares were starting to feel scared of the place.

"So, have any of you been here before?" Twilight asked.

Rarity shook her head,"Heavens no! Just look at it, it's dreadful!"

"And it ain't natural. Folk say it don't work the same way as Equestria does." Applejack added.

Twilight shivered,"What's that suppose to mean?"

Rainbow Dash jumped out from the shadows and started talking in a spooky tone,"Nopony knows. You know why? Cause everypony who's ever come in, has never come...out!" As she screamed the last part, the ground beneath them broke and they all fell off of it and were soon falling off of a cliff.

Seeing this, Spells quickly replaced one of his rings with another and placed his hand near his buckle,"EXTEND...PLEASE!" As his arm stretched out, he managed to save Rarity from plummeting any further down and he gently placed her on the ground safely while both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash helped Pinkie Pie.

While that was happening, Applejack reached out her muzzle and bit onto a twig hanging out of the cliff's wall as Twilight slid down further and stopped near the edge. Seeing this, Applejack let go of the twig,"Hold on! I'm coming, Twilight!"

As Applejack made her way to Twilight, she grabbed the Unicorn's hooves and Twilight asked,"Applejack, what do I do?"

The Earth Pony looked up and saw that the two Pegasus were flying above them, ready to catch Twilight if she falls."Let go."

Hearing what she said, Twilight cried,"Are you crazy?!"

Applejack shook her head,"No I ain't. I promise you'll be safe."

"That's not true!" Twilight protested.

"Now listen here, Twilight, what I'm saying to you is the honest truth. Let go and you'll be safe." Applejack reassured her.

Seeing that she meant her words, Twilight hesitantly let go of her hooves and fell off the edge, screaming at the top of her lungs until she was caught by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. She sighed in relief for a moment but yelped when Fluttershy dropped down a few inches,"Sorry girls. I'm not use to carry anything heavier than a bunny or two."

As Twilight looked ahead, she saw Applejack hoping down the ledges hanging out of the cliff and hopping her way down to the bottom where Rarity and Pinkie Pie were at.

Once they were down, Rarity asked,"Twilight? Are you alright, darling?"

Twilight nodded as she looked around,"Where's Prince Spells's spirit? I thought he was with us."

Rarity nodded as she pointed to the edge of the cliff,"He's still up there. We were lucky to have him too. He saved me when we were falling using a spell that made his arm extend its length. I wonder what kind of magic was that."

On top of the cliff, Spells was observing the surroundings as he searched for a explanation of the cliff's sudden collapse. His answer was soon found when spotted a purple mist making its way towards a sleeping Manticore."Nightmare Moon." Spells muttered. As he was about to jump off the cliff, he felt a hand grabbing his arm and he turned to see someone he had not expected to see,"Phoenix?!"

"Surprise, Wizard!" Phoenix cried as his fist caught on fire before he punched him off of the cliff.

As Spells crashed into the ground, the mares quickly ran over to him as Twilight cried,"Prince Spells! Are you alright?"

The ring-bearing Kamen rider slowly got up and pushed the girls away when Phoenix crashed beside him. Spells quickly stretched his arm out to block Phoenix's view of the mares and turned his face towards them, hoping that they will get away.

Twilight, knowing her teacher the best, knew that something was wrong and she said,"Girls, I think we should get going. Prince Spells shielding us from something and I think it's something dangerous."

"But we can't just leave him here either!" Applejack said.

Spells gave them a reassuring nod and lifted Twilight's hoof up before placing one of his ring on her hoof. She eyed it carefully,"Are you entrusting this to me?" Spells nodded and Twilight continued,"Why? I don't even know how to use it." Spells simply pointed at her horn,"You mean my horn will allow me to use it?" Spells nodded again as Phoenix was getting up.

He quickly shooed them off and they ran away as Spells turned back to face Phoenix.

"Wizard! It's been a while since we last met. I hope you're ready. Because I have saved quite a lot of energy during the afterlife!" Phoenix cried as he took out his sword.

Spells retaliated by placing his hand on his buckle,"CONNECT...PLEASE!" As he pulled out his WizarSwordGun from a magic circle and lifted its hilt, causing a blade to flip out of the weapon."What a coincidence, Phoenix. I too, was saving a lot of energy for today but I can spare some mana for you."

"Are you taunting me?!" Phoenix demanded as he stomped on the ground.

Chuckling, Spells replied,"Perhaps I am. Shall we start?" He swung his WizarSwordGun around in a circular motion and then rested its blade on his shoulder.

Phoenix growled,"This world shall be your grave!" As Phoenix raised his sword, he charged at the Kamen rider.

As their blades collided, sparks flew off and they continued the same thing over a course of ten seconds before Phoenix was able to land a blow on Spells's shoulder. He tumbled back and looked up, only to see Phoenix swing his sword again. Spells rolled away as the blade hit the ground.

Spells quickly turned the WizarSwordGun back into a gun and fired five bullets at Phoenix, who blocked the silver bullets with his arm. Spells took this moment to back away as he switched his rings and placed his hand on his buckle,"BIND...PLEASE!"

A magic circle appeared below Phoenix as five chains shot out and chained Phoenix. He laughed,"Do you really think pulling the same trick will save you?" Phoenix clutched his fists and his entire body shook as flame erupted from his body, melting the chains.

Spells quickly replaced his Flame Ring with a Water Ring and placed his hand on his buckle,"WATER...PLEASE!" As he changed into his Water Style."Alright then, let's try this new spell." As Spells replaced his Bind Ring, he put on his new ring on and placed it close to his buckle,"SPLASH...PLEASE!" Spells held his hands together and he released a water sprout from his hand and the water hit Phoenix, cooling him off.

"Why you..." Phoenix growled as smoke covered his body. He grabbed his sword and tossed it at Spells, who was hit by the weapon and was sent tumbling back."How's it feel to be down again, huh?" Phoenix asked as he started stomping on Spells's back. Phoenix laughed,"Ha! Ha! I knew you were getting weaker. Maybe I can finally defeat you and bring you to despair."

Hearing that, Spells struggled as Phoenix lifted him up. He knocked Spells's WizarSwordGun out of his hand and removed his rings,"You won't need these when you go into despair."

As Spells reverted back into his Flame Style, Phoenix slammed him against a tree and raised his sword,"Any last words, Wizard?"

"JUSTICE SONIC!"

Phoenix turned around and he was assaulted by several golden beams that caused him to release his grip of Spells.

The two looked up as Phoenix demanded,"You bastard! Who are you?!"

"Oh? Did I interrupt your fun? So sorry about that." The being showed himself to the two and he was none other than the new rider.

"Who are you?!" Phoenix cried.

The rider smirked as he wiped his horn and his cloak spread open into a pair of golden beetle wings. As his mouth plate split open, he hissed at Phoenix and a belt materialized on his waist."You want to know who I am? I am the monster who spreads justice to lands I travel to. I...I am Kamen rider Crusader!" As his belt buckle shone brightly, the rider took a deep breath before he said,"Henshin!"

Soon, a white suit materialized on him as golden armor parts appeared from thin air and attached themselves onto his wrists, legs and chest. Then, a shield-shaped silver armor was attached to his chest and a blue cross appeared. His helmet appeared next in a color of gold as his visors were blue and the cross attached in between his visors split open as flame erupted out, burning the ground.

The wind blew strongly against Crusader as rainbow sparkles gathered at his back, forming a golden cape. The gun he was holding changed remarkably as it got bigger and turned from brownish-yellow to golden-white with a blade attached to its top.

He pointed his gun sideways at Phoenix and announced,"Now, prepare to face justice, evil doer!"

Phoenix growled,"You dare mock me?! I'll tear you apart!" As he charged at Crusader, flames engulfed his sword as he swung it at him.

Seeing this, Crusader lifted his hand and the sword clashed with his wrist armor. Crusader then pointed his gun at Phoenix's chest and pulled the trigger, releasing several bullets that wounded Phoenix. Crusader then kicked him aside and ran over to Spells."Wizard, are you alright?"

"You're a new rider." Spells coughed out as he retrieved his rings.

Crusader nodded,"Yes, I am. But let's talk after we defeat him."

Spells nodded as he picked up his WizarSwordGun and changed into his Flame Dragon Style,"FLAME...DRAGON!"

Phoenix got up and roared,"I won't lose to the likes of you!" His entire body was engulfed in flame and he charged at the two riders.

Before Spells could do anything, Crusader stepped forward,"Element Technique: Fire Absorption!" As he stretched out his hand, the flame on Phoenix's body was absorbed into Crusader's hand.

Phoenix immediately stopped and looked at his arms,"Wh-what did you do?!"

Crusader replied,"I took away your fire. The elements are to be used wisely and not for evil purposes."

"Since when do you call the shots?!" Phoenix yelled as he leaped up. While he was in the air, flames appeared on his back to form wings.

Crusader placed his hand on his gun,"Element Finisher: Fire Bomber!" As his hand rested on a sapphire gem on his gun, it started glowing as the flame that Crusader absorbed was absorbed into the gem and it flashed a few times before he aimed it at Phoenix. Once he pulled the trigger, three spheres made out of flames were shot out of the gun, leaving behind a trail of an orange glow.

As Phoenix turned his head, he saw the spheres, it was too late for him to evade them as they collided with him. Phoenix started plummeting back to the ground.

"Crusader, careful about him. He'll probably regenerate." Spells warned.

Crusader simply smiled under his helmet as the flames vanished, revealing Phoenix in perfect shape."Ha! Did you think I'll get defeated that easily?" Phoenix asked.

"I don't have to." Crusader stated as he rubbed the sapphire gem five times and the gun announced,"LIBERATION AT EASE!" As he aimed the gun at Phoenix, the Phantom and pulled the trigger,"LIBERATOR, FIRE!" As the cross-shaped beam was fired at Phoenix's chest, golden cracks started appearing all around Phoenix's body and Phoenix was soon glowing brightly as he screamed in pain.

Spells shielded his eyes and asked,"Crusader, what did you do?"

Crusader skillfully span his gun on his finger and slid it into his belt's gun holster before he said,"I liberated Phoenix. He won't be causing you any trouble from now on."

As they looked back at Phoenix, they saw that his entire body had turned from red to gold. Phoenix, himself, stared at his body with a surprised look as Crusader spoke,"Phoenix, how are you feeling?"

Phoenix looked up at Crusader and stuttered,"I-I-I don't know w-w-what to say. Y-y-y-you liberated me. I don't feel like I used to."

Crusader explained,"That's because my Liberation Shot eliminates all evil essence in a creature without harming the creature itself. So, Phoenix, care to join justice's side?"

The liberated Phantom stared at Crusader's hand for a brief moment before reaching out to shake his hand,"You got a deal, Crusader. I would like to have a shot of being a good guy for once."

A/N: That's it! I appreciate any review or PM you leave behind.