1 MONTH LATER

Thousands of miles in Equestria, things have gone from bad to worse. A month has pass since Darkshine took over, and Equestria is now a barren dried wasteland now. And since Monster Zero became the Titan's alpha, they've been destroying the land.

All the forests in Equestria were destroyed by fire, already weaken, dinosaurs are the animals that suffered most. Few trees even still stand, and because of Monster Zero's wrath, every creature south of the Crystal Empire was force to head north away to escape the Titans. The Canterlot mountain has mainly became Monster Zero's nest, as Canterlot was nothing but ruins now.

Every creature from every kingdom were forced to the Crystal Empire were the Titans haven't attacked. But the real concern was Darkshine's army and the Tao Tei, fortunately no harm came to them as long as the Tao Tei queen doesn't give the call to her soldiers.

But sadly for them, the villains were now charge under Darkshine's leadership. As with Sombra who has reclaimed his throne and with the Crystal Heart in his possession. As Cadance was forced to give it up not wanting to risk Flurry's life.

And since everyone was already living in constant fear, Sombra saw no need to turn the Crystal ponies into his mind-enslave army.

But now, very few feral herds of dinosaurs remained in the northern region trying to scratch a living.

And as morning arrived, a flock of birds flew off from a log.

3 feral Parasaurolophus grazes on a few remaining shrubs of grass. But then they turn to something, and then quickly rushed off as well as a herd of Iguanodons fled as well.

And they ran as a pack of Tao Tei pursue them as Darkshine was among them. And nearby by a tree, Spike watched them as they ran by.

The pack continues pursuing the herd as Darkshine slows to a trot and walks.

Not far away, the Crystal Empire was still in constant fear by the other Tao Tei soldiers. And the walls of the throne room were knocked down as Hela and Smaug can land inside.

And Spike soon joins with the Mane 7 with several other ponies including Cadance and even Solar Peacekeeper.

"Spike, where have you been?" Rarity asked.

"I'm sorry, Rarity." Spike apologized. "I came as soon as I could."

And then growling was heard as a Tao Tei walks by.

"Anything, Spike?" Cadance asked.

"Cadance, things are now really bad." Spike said. "The Tao Tei are chasing off the last of the herds."

"Spike?" Hela called out. "Spike?! Where are you?! I said 6.5 minutes you little runt."

Spike tiredly shook his head because ever since the takeover, Hela turned him into her loyal servant.

"Spike, Spike, blah, blah, blah, 6.5 minutes." Spike complained.

"Where are my biscuits?!" Hela said irritated.

"Steep the tea 11 minutes, where are my biscuits and the blah, blah, blah." Spike complained.

He then went over to a cart and grabs a tray and leaves the throne room.

"Coming mistress." Spike said walking away.

And then something landed on his tail holding him as Spike looked back and saw Smaug with his claw holding him.

"Watch your tone, runt." Smaug warned.

Spike gulped and Smaug frees him and he walks off.

And soon Darkshine enters the throne room and walks by them as Chrysalis, Cozy and Tirek followed behind him as they smugly glanced at the Mane 7 as Chrysalis lightly chuckled.

And they went up to where D-Structs and D-Stroy were near Sombra and the Tao Tei queen. Along with Grogar.

And recently while they were gone, Darkshine has gain alliance with another group of creatures.

20 foot monitor lizard like creatures with only 2 legs to move around, and white skin over the top jaws. And is led by a 30 foot long individual with spikes on his elbows.

They are the Skullcrawlers, strange creatures from an unknown land, and their leader is Ramarak.

"We have to do something, Solar." Cadance said not standing this anymore and paced around. "We have to fight!"

"Cadance. Darkshine is the king." Solar said.

"But look what has happened!" Cadance said. "We should leave before it's too late!"

"We must all stay together and protect Equestria." Solar said. "This is our home. We must never abandon it."

"This isn't the home I remember." Cadance said. "And I don't want Flurry growing up in this place."

"Our time will come, Cadance." Solar said. "Be patient."

"I definitely hope you're right." Applejack said. "For everyone's sake."

"Solar Peacekeeper." The Tao Tei queen said.

And they turned to her.

"The king wishes to see you." The Tao Tei queen said.

"Don't go." Cadance begged her grandmother-in-law.

"I'm not afraid if him." Solar said.

And Solar begins to make her way to Darkshine passing a few Tao Tei. And soon nears D-Structs and D-Stroy feeding on a Parasaurolophus carcass brought back. And disgustingly, Darkshine as well ate a few bites as no one was sure how he handles a diet of meat.

"Won't you join me, Solar?" Darkshine kindly offered. "There's plenty to go around."

"You're overhunting, Darkshine." Solar said.

"I've simply perfected the kill." Darkshine said. "With the help of my army."

"You're killing everything." Solar said.

"Don't you see?" Darkshine said. "There is nobody to challenge me. We can finally take whatever we want."

"We?" Solar questioned.

"Long ago, you chose Sunray over me." Darkshine said. "But now there is a new king. So stop being so selfish."

"You are the selfish one." Solar narrowed her eyes at him.

"The other ponies look to you." Darkshine said. "As long as you resist they will reject me. Take your place by my side, and we will feast together."

"I will never be your queen!" Solar firmly protested.

Darkshine then cleans himself after swallowing a bite as D-Structs and D-Stroy walk off after eaten their fill.

"Then from now on... the ponies as well as all creatures will eat after the Tao Tei." Darkshine said walking pass Solar. "And they don't leave much behind for their queen."

And then the Tao Tei rushed up to the Parasaurolophus carcass and started eating it like mad as Solar watched in horrified disgust.

Later that night, the Mane 7 along with the Young 13 and Minuette, Twinkleshine, Lemon Hearts and Moon Dancer met up in a room. And were joined with another young Pachyrhinosaurus named Juniper and Patchi's older brother Scowler. And even Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Rex's sister Victoria and even Lightning Dust and Trixie, Sunburst and Flash.

"Yona really not like this." Yona said.

"You're telling me." Smolder agreed.

"Any ideas, guys?" Rainbow asked.

"I wish I do." Minuette said. "But... I feel like Twilight was the real idea maker."

"There's gotta be something we can do." Lemon said.

"How?" Starlight asked. "The Tao Tei got the entire city's border heavily guarded. I don't know we can sneak pass them."

"Flash? Are there any underground tunnels we can use to leave?" Twinkleshine asked.

"Sorry, no." Flash said.

"I'm afraid choices are limited." Jr said.

"Yeah." Apato said. "We might only have 1 shot at sneaking away."

"What about the Titans?" Victoria asked. "The nearest one seen was 400 miles south from us."

"Even if we do escape, where do we go?" Silverstream asked. "Every kingdom is here."

"Silverstream's right, we're trapped here." Ocellus said.

"There's gotta be something." Juniper said.

"How? I wouldn't mess with those guys." Scowler said.

"Well, not a group can't sneak away." Scar said.

"Yeah." Blaze said.

"But maybe 2 or 3 can." Buck theorized.

And then they heard Spike sadly sighed as they turned to him looking at a book.

"You okay, Spike?" Sandbar asked.

"Oh... I was just looking at some things in a picture book. "Spike said.

And they went over saw the book had some photos of them from the past.

"We sure had good time, huh?" Applejack sadly sighed.

"Ooh, here's one when we met Flurry." Pinkie said gesturing a photo shortly after Flurry's Crystalling.

"Hey, remember that one?" Rainbow gestured to a photo. "It's when I first tried a Plasma Cannon."

6 months ago, they were at the Shatterdome going over some weapon trial. And Rainbow was beaming of finally trying out the Plasma Cannon.

"Okay, ready?" Tyrant asked.

And Rainbow deploys the Plasma Cannon on her right hoof.

"I was born ready!" Rainbow smirked.

She then aims at the target as it begins to load.

"Okay, remember not to load for too long or-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I got it." Rainbow said cutting her off.

And then she fires as the blast sends her flying back into the wall.

Then she was laughing as she got up.

"Awesome!" Rainbow laughed. "Let's do it again!"

And the others laughed.

They all laughed a bit from that day.

"Hey, there's that time we tried to lift that hammer." Applejack said gestured to another.

In the Shatterdome, Tyrant showed them a hammer placed on a stand. And is called Mjolnir.

"I'm telling you it's a trick." Pinkie said.

"Please, be my guest." Tyrant offered.

They remained silent for a moment.

"Really?" Pinkie said.

"Yeah." Tyrant said.

And Pinkie approached the hammer.

"Oh, this is gonna be beautiful." Spike joked.

Pinkie then grabs the hammer, and pulls it but found it extremely hard to even budge it.

"Is it glued or something?" Pinkie laughed.

"Nope." Tyrant said.

"Smell the silent judgment?" Rainbow asked.

"Please, Dash, by all means." Pinkie offered.

And Rainbow got up.

"Okay." Rarity said.

"Uh-oh." Spike teased.

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge." Rainbow said. "It's physics." She slipped her hoof through the handle's strap. Right, so, if I lift it, I then rule Sauro?"

"Yes, of course." Tyrant said with a straight face.

"I will be reinstituting Prima Nocta Rainbow." Rainbow said.

She then begins to pull on the hammer, but like Pinkie she couldn't even move it.

"I'll be right back." Rainbow said walking off.

A moment later, both she and Spitfire were pulling on the hammer to lift it.

"Are you even pulling?" Spitfire asked.

"Are you on my team?" Rainbow asked.

"Just represent. Pull."

"All right, let's go."

Then Applejack tried with all her strength, but ends up losing this strength contest.

Spike tried as well as he pulled so hard that he slipped off and was flung back.

And then Twilight got up wanting a try.

"Go ahead, Twilight." Rainbow said. "No pressure."

Twilight got up to the hammer and cracked her neck and lit her horn with her magic over the hammer.

"Come on, Twi." Applejack said.

And then she starts pulling as she only barely made it budged. And which Tyrant noticed, and Twilight pulls to lift it but had no luck.

"Nothing." Tyrant laughed a bit.

"That was a good one." Rainbow said.

"Though, I could've sworn it budged when Twilight pulled it." Spike said.

"Twilight helped us with everything." Sunset said.

"But now... who's gonna help us since she's gone?" Trixie said.

"I honestly don't know how." Starlight said.

"That's it, then?" Applejack said. "We're doomed."

"I wish we could think of something." Spike said and closed the book.

And then something slipped out of it.

"Huh?" Spike frowned and grabs it.

"What is it?" Rarity asked.

Spike then shows it was a necklace of a Lion.

"That's pretty." Rarity said.

"Yeah, her grandfather Sunray once gave it to Twilight as a birthday gift." Spike said.

"I know it felt like Twilight was nothing without us." Pinkie said. "But, I sadly feel like we're nothing without her."

And everyone remained sadly silent.

"We have to try." Sunset said.

And then she walks off.

"Sunset, where are you going?" Pinkie asked.

"We can't just sit here and wait for help to arrive." Sunset said. "But I know Twilight would've had gone to find help, and that's what am doing."

"But... the Titans have drove everyone up here." Spike said.

"Well, I have to try somewhere." Sunset said.

"Me and Spike should tag along to help." Flash said.

"Thank you." Sunset said. "You guys stay here, we don't wanna risk everyone."

"Don't worry, we'll do what we can." Rainbow said.

Elsewhere in the castle, Darkshine was sleeping near the throne.

While nearby, Cadance quietly sneaks by after clearly having enough of this living nightmare. And begins to sneak off to try to find help.

Then growling was heard as she quickly hid in the shadows as 2 Tao Tei scouts walked by. Once they were gone, Cadance quietly begins to leave the castle.

And nearby, Darkshine lifts his head up as he woke up.

Cadance quietly sneaks by the castle as then a shadow appeared and she quickly got out of view as Darkshine stood over her by the throne room. Cadance kept dead quiet as Darkshine was soon gone.

Cadance then begins to carefully sneak as she saw 2 Tao Tei some distance away who weren't paying attention. And she walks as then Sunset, Flash and Spike appeared.

"Just what do you think you are doing, young lady?" Spike whispered.

"Go away, guys." Cadance said softly. "I'm going to find help."

"We will very much not go away." Spike said keeping his voice down. "And we can't let anything happen to you either."

"I don't need protecting anymore." Cadance said.

She begins to pass a corner as then D-Structs appeared as she quietly walks back as he lets out a growl like yawn. And then he turns the corner and slowly begins to approach it.

Cadance looked back and saw Chrysalis and Cozy appearing.

D-Structs quietly approached the corner and growled, and then he lunges from behind the corner and roars as Chrysalis and Cozy jumped back.

D-Structs lowers his guard, and then sniffs around as Cadance, Sunset and Flash were hiding over a ledge above them. D-Structs looks around, and then looked up at the ledge and slowly lifts up and Cadance quietly readies herself to fight if needed.

D-Structs quietly growls as he got higher, but then suddenly Spike appeared in front of him.

"Uh, D-Structs!" Spike quickly said. "Uh, what a surprise to see you. Uh, sorry to drop in like this!" He stammered.

And then D-Structs lunges at him roaring as Spike flew away from him. And leads them away from Cadance, Sunset and Flash.

"Have I ever told you about-" Spike said and suddenly yelped.

He quickly flew off as D-Structs, Chrysalis and Cozy chased him.

Once they were gone, Cadance, Sunset and Flash begin to move away from the castle. And ran off to find help.

And then Solar appeared and saw them leaving.

"Cadance..." Solar said.

Many miles away far to the west, on Animalia, 3 miles from Wakanda.

A Bald Eagle flies over the plain as then suddenly Twilight appeared from a hill running as if she was running him. And her hoof was now well healed as while as her wing.

And she ran across the plain with the eagle ahead of her, and the eagle screeched and flew quicker. And then Twilight picks up the pace as she ran faster and was soon running under his shadow. And then she quickly sprints and flies over a ridge and continues running as she soon skids to a stop at a hill with Wakanda in view.

And Twilight breathes heavily catching her breath.

And she begins to head down.

Hours later at night, everyone was still out as a night celebration. And even Twilight found it interesting.

They told her that this celebration is from an old legend saying about that Bast has creating the land and everything.

"Peaceful evening, isn't it?" Malik said approaching.

"Yeah. It is." Twilight said. "Sometimes I wonder if I should take on something less challenging."

"You do what you are, Twilight." Malik said.

"You mean you are what you do." Twilight remarked.

"No. I mean, you do what you are." Malik said. "You're born with a gift. If not that then you get good at something along the way. And what you're good at. You don't take for granted, you don't betray it."

Twilight was almost touched by that.

"What if you do... betray your give?" Twilight asked.

"Then you betray yourself." Malik answered. "That's a sad thing."

"The world is a fine place." T'Challa said appearing. "And also worth fighting for."

Twilight then went in deep thought of something she abandoned.

"Is something the matter?" T'Challa asked.

"No. I'm fine." Twilight assured. "I'm gonna go turn in now."

And she turns and walks off.

Shortly later, Twilight soon returns to sleeping area and lays down.

And she looks at the night sky and sadly sigh, and then she flapped her left wing to get rid a small tension. And loosens a feather off as she folds it and she lowers her down.

And the feather begins to gently be carried away by the wind.

The next day, the feather continues being floating in the air as it gently floats down to a river and flows downriver with the current.

And soon, a dragonfly appeared and rests on it for a moment.

And it soon flies as a bird appeared on a branch, and soon saw the feather. He then flew in and snatches the feather and flies off.

The bird flew pass the trees near the border of Wakanda, and lands in a tree on a branch by a nest with another bird as she tends the nest. The bird then place the feather in the nest and flies off.

However, the female bird wasn't interested with the feather. And she tossed it out the nest it gently flowed down as then a gust of wind carries off away.

2 days later, the wind currents the feather over the open sea.

The wind begins to die as it lowers to the feather floats down near the water.

As it nears the surface, suddenly emerging from the depths, a Blue Whale rose to the surface for air releasing a strong blast of air from it's blowhole as the feather was caught in the gust and floats as a Wandering Albatross flew by and the feather got caught in it's feathers as it flies off.

Many days later, the Albatross soon arrives at the southern coast of the eastern mainland.

It soon lands as it begins to grooms it's feathers, and the purple feather was blown off from the wind and is carried away.

Another day has pass, and the feather floats gently down and lands on the back a snake shedding it's skin as it caught on a peeling piece.

Not noticing it, the snake slithers towards a tree. It soon slithers up the side of the trunk and onto a branch as Busara was close by eating a fruit.

And he then noticed the feather on the snake's back and went over to the skin and grabs the feather with his other hand. And he looks at the feather and took a bite of the fruit, and he continues pondering with the feather until his eyes widen with realization.

"Twilight." Busara said.

And then he went over to the old painting and happily chuckled, and then he used his hands and paints a red ring around the lavender star.

"Twilight... is alive!" Busara said.

And then he climbs up to a high branch and calls out in Saur-Xhosa.

And then laughs.

And for the first time in over a month...

Hope has returned to Equestria.