It was nearly sun up when the group got back to the train to Canterlot with Twilight in tow. She had been in and out of consciousness the entire way back. She never remained conscious for long.
"Is she really going to be okay?" Fluttershy asks.
"I am sure she'll be fine." Rarity says. "She's just tired."
"I am worried… Say Rage is this normal?" Applejack asks, looking at the crimson Alicorn.
"…Hmmm." Rage tapped his chin "I want to say she is just exhausted…I've helped purge darkness out of a lot of people and I know it can result in exhaustion but I've never seen it wipe someone out as much as Twilight…"
Rainbow looks at him with a glare of distrust "Oh? Is it because you've been lying to us this whole time?" She scoffs.
"What?" Rage asks "What do you mean?"
"I bet you're in with Sombra you-!" Rainbow Dash barks.
"Enough Dash!" Applejack shouts "Why are you so keen on distrusting him?! He's done nothing but help us since we met him!"
"He's been shifty and dodgy with us since we met!" Rainbow Dash scoffs. "You're the honest one here Applejack you can't say I don't have a point!"
"That's not-" Applejack objects
"It's alright Applejack." Rage sighs "I understand where she is coming from...and she's right. I haven't been up front with you all..."
"I knew it!" Rainbow proclaims closing in on him in an aggressive manner.
"However." he says standing firmly "I am not some cronie of Sombra's or anything. When we get back I can try to explain." He says "Please understand I have my reasons."
"You better have a good explanation..." Rainbow Dash says scornfully.
With a "Humph" she walked off and Rage let out a frustrated sigh.
"Don't let her get to ya…she's worried about Twi just like the rest of us." Applejack says
"How much longer?" Rarity asks.
"Not too much." The conductor calls back.
Some hours went by and the group was back in Canterlot making their way up the steps to Canterlot Castle. Applejack, Rage and Rainbow Dash all carrying Twilight. Starlight and Sunset both see them coming up the stairs and come running down.
"You're back!" Starlight exclaims
"Twilight!" Sunset says as they both assist in carrying her.
"Thank you." Applejack says.
"Celestia has been worried half to death we should go see her immediately." Starlight says leading them to the Audience Chamber of the Castle where Celestia was looking out of the balcony into the Royal Garden.
"How is it that she is still asleep?" Rainbow Dash complains.
"I have no idea." Rage says with a grunt as they let her down gently. Hearing them Celestia turns and her face lightens up. "Maybe she is just that exhausted?"
"Hoo I am about to be the same after that..." Applejack pants.
"You've returned." Celestia says "That means Sombra is...?" she asks and Applejack shakes her head. "But..."
"After Rage managed to save Twi he made the call to return here with her. We agreed." Applejack answers.
"I'm sorry Princess but it was the best decision at the time." Rage says "We couldn't leave Twilight to just lie unconscious in the snow while we tried to fight Sombra."
"She is back to her old self?" Celestia asks as she walks up and sees the sleeping Twilight.
"Yes." Rage nods "I haven't sensed any Darkness since I cast Absolute Purge on her. However at the same time she's been like this ever since...I do not know why..."
"H...huh...?" Twilight's eyes open slowly "Where...am I?" She raises her head to see everyone and the castle's architect around her. "Princess...?"
"Twilight?" her friends exclaim as they get closer surrounding her. Rage took a few steps back.
"Are you going to stay awake this time?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"What do you mean...?" she yawns.
"You were in and out of sleep the entire way back here." Rainbow Dash says. "We've been worried."
"Huh...?" She sees Celestia and shakes off the groggy feeling and the memories come rushing back. "Oh no!" she gasps "I am so sorry!" she panics "I failed you Celestia...I...I..."
"Shhh." Celestia shushes her. "I know...I am just glad you're safe..."
"But...but how did you guys...?" she asks "How did you save me...? Did you find some magic spell or something...?"
"Celestia brought in some help." Applejack says as she, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy move so Twilight could see Rage.
"Who…?" She asks cocking her head in confusion.
"I hope you're feeling better...Twilight..." Rage says with a soft and relieved smile.
"That voice..." she says as her eyes light up "Rage? Is that you?!" she exclaims as she leaps to her feet and runs over hugging him. "It's been so long!"
"I'll take that as a yes." he chuckles as she hugs her back for a bit before she lets him go.
"What are you doing in Equestria?" she asks excitedly.
"You can blame the Princesses." He says motioning to Celestia "They came and got me from CHS in order to help you."
"You didn't have to..." Twilight says to Celestia.
"We did." Celestia answers "We exhausted every other option and turned to seeking your friends out from CHS…we thought just maybe they could help…turns out, we were right."
"Celestia." Rage speaks as he walks up front between the girls and Celestia "With your permission...I'd like to tell the others the truth." he requests. "No more lies."
"Very well." she agrees. "You may tell them."
Rage then turns back around and looks at the girls. "First off, I want to apologize for not being up front and honest." he says "It was a condition we made for your safety and Equestria's." he bows his head apologetically "Truth is, I come from the world Twilight visited a while ago. We were pretty close friends in fact."
"My sister and I came to his world looking for him because we knew he could help Twilight." Celestia confirms.
"So I was telling the truth when I said I was here because of Twilight." Rage admits "This also isn't what I...really look like..."
"So what do you look like...ya know...normally...?" Applejack asks.
"Could you show us...?" Rarity asks.
"Uh..." Rage rubs the back of his head. "I...kinda don't know how to change out of this form..." he admits "I just sorta turned into an Alicorn when I crossed over to this world..."
"So you just went with it?" Rainbow Dash asks. "Just like that?"
"What do you expect me to do?! It's not like jumping through portals to other worlds is commonplace! Especially one where everyone is a pony!" Rage replies. Sure it was a slight lie…he's jumped to different worlds before after all he isn't native to CHS' world. However they don't need to know that.
"What if you go back and are stuck like this?" Fluttershy asks.
Rage's heart sank. He never considered that was even a possibility! Is that really something that could happen?! He didn't know nor did he want to find out… "I…I don't know." He answers "I never really considered that…Though I guess…if it did…I'd have to figure it out from there…?"
"Surely it's not a permanent thing." Rairty says "I bet when you back home you'll be back to normal."
Rage smiled, "Thank you." He says to her "I'll tell you what. I will try and if I figure it out I'll show you what I look like normally if I do."
"So what's next?" Applejack asks.
"Going back to stop Sombra." Rainbow Dash states "All of us."
"I don't know if I want Twilight going back against him…" Celestia says. "If she is-"
"I'll be fine Princess Celestia." Twilight says sternly. "Besides, I'll have my friends with me."
"Still…" Celestia argues.
"I'll be there too Princess." Rage says "I am not leaving with unfinished business. I can protect all of us from their tricks. Fighting the Darkness is somewhat a specialty of mine."
Celestia looks at them with a hesitant stare before she sighs. "Very well…I wish you all luck…Equestria is in your hooves."
They all give a bow of respect and walk out of the castle. They stop at the base of the stairs marking the entrance of the large structure.
"So what do you think of Equestria, Rage?" Twilight asks.
"Well it sounds like it's a great place." He answers "However given the current events it's got a fair share of issues."
"Yeah things like this happen from time to time." Rainbow Dash says "Nothing we can't handle…usually."
"Besides that it takes some getting used to…especially this whole alicorn form." Rage says, flapping his left wing.
"You should stay a while." Rarity suggests "I am sure after this Celestia will be more than happy to welcome you back any time as long as you're not a problem."
Rage froze for a second "I…don't know." He answers, "I'll have to think about it. There's some more to get used to…"
"Like what?" Twilight asks.
"Well…" he chuckles nervously, "We wore clothing almost always back in my world. You remember that right Twi?"
"Of course, though I never understood why." She answers "It was kinda weird…"
"The culture there…with humans was different. It was seen as unpleasant to be er…nude among others to put it simply. Especially among the adolescent population…hormones are a wild thing in humans…"
"Is…that why so many guys would stare at me…?" Twilight asks.
"Yeah." Rage nods rubbing the back of his head "They were basically imagining you…well…you get it…"
"Yeah…" Twilight says with a blush "Sunset sort of explained it to me once."
"So you're not used nust seeing everypony's parts huh?" Rainbow Dash snickers.
"Don't be rude, Dash." Rarity says "That's his culture."
"It's alright Rarity…" Rage sighs "She's right it was a bit…unnerving at first."
"It's not like you're insecure about anything?" Rainbow chuckles.
"No." Rage states firmly. "I am not. It was just something I had to take a minute to take in."
The group reached the train station and the conductor looked at them. "If yer' wanting to head back it's going to have to wait till' tomorrow." He says.
"Why's that?" Twilight asks.
"With all due respect Princess Twilight, the weather's too adverse up North right now. Until it subsides the train won't make it." The pony says, bowing his head.
"That's weird, it didn't seem stormy when we left. A storm that bad would have been felt." Rainbow Dash says.
"You don't think Sombra is trying to keep us from going back do you?" Rarity asks.
"If that's the case he's up to something." Twilight says. "There has to be a way…"
"I don't see any other way Twi." Applejack says.
"If we wait though we may end up having to fight Sombra here…on top of his army of those creatures…" Rarity objects.
"Numbers will overwhelm the Guard and quickly…" Twilight states. "They're not trained for war…"
"We can travel at dawn. It's been a rough day and it's best we rest while we can." Rage suggests.
"I like that idea." Rarity says "If we have to then I'd rather fight after getting some well needed beauty sleep."
"We'll meet here at first light then." Twilight says. She then turns to see Rage was already walking back to the castle. "Rage!" She shouts.
The crimson alicorn didn't even bother looking back. Twilight frowned. She knew he heard her. His hearing was exceptional. He was simply ignoring her.
"What's gotten into him?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"No idea…he gets like that sometimes." Twilight sighs. "Probably best somepony goes to check on him…"
"You know him better than we do sugar cube." Applejack says to Twilight "Probably best it comes from you."
The violet alicorn let out a sigh and nodded. "Yeah…I'll see you girls tomorrow…" she says walking up the stairs to the castle.
Twilight made her way to the guest chambers where she found Rage sitting on the balcony that looked out upon the Royal Garden. The full moon was on the horizon and the starry skies gave a gentle calm, somber tone to the land below.
She stood there unsure what to do as the crimson alicorn stared off into the distance. "Are you going to say something or just stand there?" He finally asks in a low tone. "It's not like I didn't hear you come in, Twilight."
The princess walks up next to him on the balcony. "You were quick to rush off back there…I came to see how you're doing. You've got me worried." She admits.
Rage let out a hefty sigh and turned to the alicorn. "It's nothing," he says.
"Rage...you know you've never been a good liar right?" Twilight says with a huff.
The red alicorn stood there looking at her before he lowered his head. "I guess everything that was said back there is kinda getting to me..." he says.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asks.
"What if I can't change back? What do I do then? Surely I can't just stay here. Celestia said it herself, I am not royalty yet I took this form. Not because of blood but because of my own power." Rage says upset with how everything was playing out.
"Well if it means anything I would be happy if you stuck around for a while." Twilight says with a smile.
"Twilight..." Rage sighs as he turns to her. "What about Sunset Shimmer?" he asks her.
"Well...she is welcome here too..." Twilight says.
Rage sighs "Even so. I look too much like Celestia and Luna. I'd likely be mistaken for a prince or something. I can't have that. I am no royalty nor do I want to be. Not to mention my friends back in CHS..."
Twilight nods in understanding. Now that she thought about it, Rage was about as tall if not slightly taller than Celestia was. Which was uncommon for any pony to be that tall even though most older Alicorns are. As well as leaving friends, that's not easy…
"Rage, why don't we worry about that when the time comes? Right now we need you to help us against Sombra and whatever that dark unicorn with him is." Twilight says.
"Do you though...?" he asks. "You and your friends seem very capable...This talk about the Elements of Harmony and all..."
"Who told you about all of that?" Twilight asks.
"Applejack, she seems to be the only one of your friends who puts any faith in me...or at least is willing to butt heads with Rainbow Dash about it." Rage answers.
"Don't take Dash's comments personally. She's just worried about the rest of us. She is extremely loyal so to her you're encroaching on her friends." Twilight sighs.
"Given the vibes I was feeling...I half expected them to be like the ones from CHS..." Rage sighs "Guess I was just being hopeful."
"Why don't you get some rest Rage?" Twilight sighs. "You'll need your strength in the morning..."
"That's probably best." Rage nods in agreement. "Good night Twilight." he says as he walks over to the bed. Twilight nods and walks out of the room.
Rage crawled in and closed his eyes. It didn't take long for the grip of sleep to take hold and he let out a long deep sigh as he fell asleep. The bed was soft and warm which was why it was a surprise when he suddenly felt cold and it was as if his head was on a rock rather than a pillow.
Concerned, he raises his head and opens his eyes. To his shock he didn't see the walls or decorations of the room he was staying in. Instead he found himself in a thick forest of trees and undergrowth.
"What...in the world...?" he asks as he stands up. He looked around and started trotting through the thinner undergrowth. He had never been in a forest like this before. It wasn't like the one back home, or the one surrounding Camp Everfree. "Where am I...?" he asks himself and his voice echoes softly.
Finally he stops and closes his eyes to focus. He felt little in the way of ambient and free flowing energy. At this point he was becoming frustrated. Was this a dream? If so, it was a weird one. He'd never had one like this. "What the hell..." he curses as he opens his eyes and in the foggy mists he swore he saw a strange shadowy figure. It looked like a pony. He squints and slowly walks in that direction. He was met by a wall of underbrush that he had to fight his way through due to the thickness.
Finally he made his way through and sitting on a rock was what looked like a shadowy unicorn figure "Hello?" He asks and the unicorn looks at Rage. It showed no hostility and stood up.
"So you're the one." it says in a deep commanding voice.
"Excuse me?" Rage asks, looking at the unicorn in the eye. "What is this about?"
"Hmph I should've figured...you've no idea who or what I am do you?" the figure chuckles.
"Should I?" Rage asks in a more defensive tone as he stands a few steps back. The figure chuckles as a green fire erupts around it and Luna was standing there.
"Princess Luna...?" Rage asks confused.
"Correct." she sighs "We called out and hoped to nab Twilight but...it was you instead..."
"Why though?" Rage asks.
"I am sure you think that Celestia and I are all nice and safe back in Canterlot..." she answers.
"What do you mean?" Rage asks.
"The truth is that 'Luna' is actually Nightmare Moon. We don't know how it happened but when Celestia and I went against Sombra all I remember is him striking me with...something...then I woke up here...I am able to see and feel everything that Nightmare Moon does but we can't do anything about it...I figured if I called out maybe Twilight could answer in her dreams...so I could warn her...but it looks like you're the one who picked up on it..." she explains.
"That explains a lot..." Rage says rubbing a hoof to his chin. "So what's she going to do? Uh...Nightmare Moon that is."
"I fear it will be too late by the time you and the girls wake up but she plans to take Canterlot from the inside for Sombra...I want you to please do everything in your power to stop them!"
"I should tell your sister." Rage says sternly.
"It's too late for that." Luna sighs.
"Then I'll tell the girls." Rage says "We'll figure something out."
"Rage..." she says softly.
"Don't worry." He smiles "I promise. I'll do everything in my power to help you!"
The dark alicorn looks at the burning determination in Rage's emerald eyes and finally she nods. "Thank you." She says, "Good luck."
With that Rage's vision whited out and he shot up in his bed accidentally hitting Applejack's head on his way up. "Ow!" They both exclaim and look at each other.
"Applejack?!" Rage exclaims "What are you doing in my room?!"
"I came up to get ya, partner. Time to go." she states readjusting her hat.
"Oh..." Rage sighs "Sorry..." he apologizes as he gets out of the bed and stretches.
Applejack looks at him. "You alright?" she asks.
"Sure." he says. "Why?"
"Well you were tossin' n' turning a heck of a lot." she says.
"Ah don't worry about it." Rage smiles, "it's normal when I am not used to a bed."
"If ya say so, partner." she shrugs as the two walked out of the room.
The two made their way to the train platform where the conductor was waiting. "Hurry it up. I have no idea how long this break in the weather will last." he says as they board. The others were already on board and they joined them.
"Good morning sleepyhead." Twilight chuckles. "I was wondering if Applejack was going to be able to wake you."
"Well I am up." he says.
"So this is it then?" Rainbow Dash asks. "All or nothing?"
"Seems that way." Rarity says as she looks at her front hoof.
"I hope it is. I want to get back to the farm." Applejack sighs. "I hope Big Mac is hanging in there alright."
"I am sure he's fine darling. Besides Applebloom is there too." Rarity says.
"I hope my friends are okay…" Rage says to himself looking out the window. His mind was on Sonic and Shadow. The two were back home because of Eggman and he couldn't help but worry that they were okay.
The land of Equestria sped by as the six chattered about their plans. Meanwhile Rage sat in silence. He thought of his dream. If it was true then he knew there was another he'd have to deal with.
"Twilight…?" Rage speaks up, making the alicorn look at him.
"Is something wrong Rage?" She asks and he nods. "What's up?"
"Last night, I had a dream…" Rage sighs heavily. "About Princess Luna…"
"You dreamed about Princess Luna?" Rainbow Dash asks "Creepy."
"No! It's not like that!" Rage barks. "It's hard to explain but…it was more like she was calling out for help…she said that thanks to Sombra she is trapped and Nightmare Moon has been masquerading as her…"
"What?!" Twilight exclaims "You didn't think to tell Celestia?!"
"You think she'd believe me?!" Rage shouts back. "Luna herself didn't seem to think so…"
Twilight glared at Rage before she sighs. He was right. Celestia wouldn't even believe it if she told her. They'd have to figure it out when they arrive.
It didn't take long before the train came to a stop. "Here we are." The conductor says. "Tracks end here." The team disembarks and thanks the conductor.
"It's another few hours from here." Twilight says.
"We need to make haste." Rage states. "We may not have much time. We have to defeat them before nightfall…"
"Why?" Rainbow Dash scoffs "We can kick their butts be it morning, noon or night!"
"Because of the eclipse." Rage says. "Darkness is much stronger during them…"
"How did you find out about it?" Applejack asks.
"You can thank Celestia for the lunar calendar." Rage says.
"That may be how Darkness works on your world Rage but not here." Twilight says.
"I pray you're right…" Rage says.
The group continues forward before reaching the Crystal Empire. "Something isn't right." Twilight says.
"This feels too easy?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"Yeah. Last time we fought some beasts that were guards for the path but this time there is nothing." Applejack says.
"Very perceptive my little ponies." Sombra's voice echoes as he walks into view from a top one of the spires of the Crystal Palace.
"Sombra!" Twilight shouts. "Time for you to pay for what you've done!"
"Oh and who's going to make us?" The black unicorn chuckles as it appears out of a gateway of Darkness on the ground in front of them. "Certainly not you…after all you fell once and we can do it again easily enough."
"Together we can!" Rainbow Dash shouts as she rushes for the unicorn.
"Dash no!" Twilight shouts. The unicorn smirks and grabs her in a mgical grip.
"Ah ah ah…not so fast…" he chuckles.
"Agh- let me go you…you…"
"Sorry what?" He chuckles and Sombra leaps down.
"It's over." Sombra laughs. "You can't do anything. Give up."
"Never." Twilight states firmly firing a beam of magic at the unicorn who steps out of the way.
"Too slow." It chuckles, throwing Rainbow Dash at her.
Rage ducked under the thrown pegasus and went right for the unicorn. "Are you stupid?" It laughs as it goes to use the same spell but Rage vanishes. "What?!" It exclaimed before it was struck from behind by Rage's front hoof.
"You were saying?" Rage smirks.
"Interesting…" The unicorn pants. "There seems to be more to you than meets the eye."
"I hope you're ready for this." Rage says as his horn glows and he fires a beam of light at the unicorn.
Sombra steps in front and blocks it with a magical barrier. "For being this almighty aspect of Darkness, you sure seem gullible, Nix." Sombra scoffs.
Rage's eyes open in shock hearing the name. "Can it be?" He asks "Nix?!"
"Yeah, that's my name…" the unicorn scoffs "Why?"
'Does…it not remember me…? Could my last fight have disrupted it that bad?" Rage thinks. "Nevermind that…" the crimson Alicorn says "Surrender now…or else."
"You underestimate us!" Sombra shouts as he fires a burst of dark green fire at Rage who is struck and sent flying.
"Rage!" Applejack shouts as she tries to get him but he flies over her head. He hits the ground hard making a small streak of debris where he landed.
"Monster!" Twilight shouts as she fires magic at the two.
"Not so fast!" Sombra laughs as he stops the magic and turns it around on the six forcing them to dodge out of the way.
Rage shakes his head and stands up. He wasn't used to fighting in this form and it was showing. He looks to Sombra and Nix before he runs forward again.
"Rage no!" Twilight says as he fires a beam of energy from his horn at Sombra who reflects it. The beam hit Rage and shocks him.
Sombra laughs as he picks Rage up. "Pathetic." He says "All bark and no-"
"Gotcha bitch!" Rage shouts as he releases a burst of light magic sensing Sombra flying. Sombra used his magic to return to the ground and glared at Rage.
"Having trouble?" Luna's voice comes from above as she flies down and lands in front of Sombra.
"About time you showed up." Sombra scoffs. "Order your ponies to stand down and tell them we mean no harm!"
"You heard him." Luna states.
"You're not fooling us. Nightmare Moon." Twilight says.
"What in Celestia's name are you talking about?"
"We know what you did…" Rage says.
"Hmph…" Nightmare Moon scoffs as she returns to her normal appearance, no longer disguised as Lina. "Very well then why don't we make this more interesting!" She calls as the sun begins to drop in the skies.
"What?! That's not-" Rage exclaims.
"Foolish Outlander, the sun and moon are controlled by me and my sister…I can raise the moon whenever I want!" She cackles as a dark purple hue covers the crystalline roads and paths of The Crystal Empire.
"What's going on?!" Twilight exclaims.
"With the Lunar Eclipse…" Sombra laughs "We're unstoppable!"
"No-" Twilight tries firing another magical attack but Nix strikes the entire group with lightning stunning them.
"You have failed…" Sombra laughs as he begins forming a ball of darkness. "I am going to enjoy this…" he laughs.
"N-no…" Rage grunts trying to move. He looks up and sees the large orb as Sombra floats into the air.
"Now…to end this!" Sombra laughs launching the orb at the group.
"No!" Rage screams as he glows leaping. He didn't know what was going on but he felt weird as if he was changing into his Ultima Chaos Form. Unbeknownst to him, or the others, he was changing back to a human.
A large burst of light causes everyone to cover their eyes for a few seconds. Once it subsided Sombra looks to where Rage was in shock. There floating wasn't a red Alicorn rather a human with bright white-red hair and a powerful flare of energy around him. His hair was spiked and flailing by the small wind generated by the massive amount of power he was radiating.
Rage opens his eyes to reveal a pair of deep purple irises and a gazs full of fury. He extended his arm and realized from the black fingerless glove he was human again.
"What is this?!" Sombra asks.
"Interesting trick." Nightmare Moon laughs. "Who are you boy?"
"My name is Ragis Chaotic, The Last of the Chaos Guardians." he introduces himself.
"Well Rage I hope you're ready to die!" Sombra laughs.
"Come at me." Rage challenges. He knew how to fight like this. He was ready now. Sombra rushed for Rage blasting magic at him.
Rage blows through the weak magic bolts and lands his fist straight into Sombra's face, sending him flying into Nix. Then Rage lands in front of Twilight and the others.
"Rage…?" Applejack asks.
Rage throws his right arm out to the side and in his hand his sword forms which he then raises pointing the tip of it at Sombra and Nix. "What's the matter? I thought you were going to destroy us…" Rage teases.
"How is this possible…" Nix growls "A human wielding Chaos?! That's never been-" his thoughts were interrupted by a piercing pain in his chest. "Wh-what…" he coughs, turning his head around to see Rage.
"You're finished." The raid haired boy says as a dark purple fire engulfs him. Nix screams in agony as his body is burned by the dark flames. This left Nightmare Moon and Sombra.
"Who's next?" Rage asks.
"What is this?" Sombra asks in fear "How is this possible?!"
"An explanation would be wasted on you." Rage says "To put it simply, you should have left Twilight alone!" He shouts as he charges for Sombra.
"If you know what's good for you then you'll stop." Nightmare Moon shouts.
"Help!" Fluttershy's voice calls and he stops turning to see Nightmare Moon holding her in a tight grasp.
"Fluttershy!" Twilight shouts as she and Rainbow Dash fly into the air. "Let her go!" She demands.
"Dammit…" Rage curses.
"One more step and I'll break her." Nightmare Moon threatens.
Rage turns and flies in front of Twilight and Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash…" he says softly to her. "Can you trust me?"
"Huh?" She looks at him.
"On my count you're going to fly after Fluttershy." He says. Rainbow Dash, still unsure exactly what the young Chaos Guardian was thinking, just nods. She had to put her faith in him. At this point he was their best bet to stop both Sombra and to save Proncess Luna.
"I hope you know what you're doing." The pegasus replies.
"I do." He whispers. Then he raises his left hand and points a finger at Nightmare Moon. "Let her go."
"No." She refused. "Stand down or go through us."
Rage sighs as his hand glows. "Fine…" he says.
"You wouldn't!" Nightmare Moon laughs. "Not while I have this pretty little pegasus…"
"Shut up." Rage says emotionlessly. He then fires a beam of energy through Fluttershy hitting Nightmare Moon. Fluttershy gasps as does everyone else as Nightmare Moon drops her. "Now Rainbow Dash!" He shouts.
The blue pegasus flew and grabbed Fluttershy who was limp and her eyes closed. "Flutters?" She asks as she lands.
Nightmare Moon screams and looks at Rage as her eyes flash between the demonic-like shape to normal. "What did you…"
"Absolute Purge…" he says as she teleports away.
Rage now turned to the girls and landed on the ground. His energy was spent and he had to let his Ultima Chaos Form go. He sighs powering down and that caused him to return to the alicorn form.
"Flutters…" Rainbow Dash sniffs fearing the worst.
"The heck did you do?!" Twilight shouts stomping up to Rage. "You…you…"
"D-dash?" Fluttershy asks, opening her eyes. "Thank you…"
"Fluttershy!" She exclaims "Are you hurt?"
"Maybe a few bruises from Nightmare Moon…otherwise I am fine." She says with a soft smile.
"But…Rage…" Rainbow Dash stammers.
"I know." She says "It felt…tingly…but it didn't hurt. I must have passed out from the shock…I didn't mean to worry you."
"I wouldn't have used something that would have harmed her." Rage says "She is much too innocent…besides I'd not be able to live with myself if I did something like that."
"What about Night- er I mean Luna?" Rarity asks.
"She'll return to being Princess Luna in time." Rage says. "I used Absolute Purge, like I did for Twilight."
"You could have said something…" Twilight says.
"Ahem…" Sombra clears his throat "I am still here…"
"Twilight shall we?" Rage asks. The princess nods as they both walk towards him.
"Let's fix that then…" Twilight smirks as she fires a magical blast at Sombra. At the same time Rage flies at blinding speeds directly at the unicorn. Sombra avoids the magic blast only to be struck in cheek by Rage who then gets a few hits in before knocking him into the ground forming a small crater from the force.
Twilight flew up next to him and they both charged a magical attack. "It's over…" Rage says
"For you!" Twilight finished as they fired their attack at Sombra hitting him dead on. Sombra screams as his body is slowly destroyed.
Both alicorns then drop to the ground. Rage let out a heavy sigh and half falls over from exhaustion. He hadn't used his power to this extent in a while and it showed. He was exhausted.
Twilight helps him over to the others who embraced them in a group hug. Rage jumped some from the surprise but soon he hugged them all back.
"I'm sorry for doubting you." Rainbow Dash apologizes to Rage. "I was just worried about our friends…"
"It's okay Rainbow Dash I." Rage says "I would have done the same."
The group managed to break the hug and Twilight supports Rage who took a bit to stand up right. "You gonna be alright?" Applejack asks.
"Yeah." The crimson alicorn says "I am just a bit worn out is all." He smiles and they walk their way to the station.
"So that thing that happened…?" Rainbow Dash says looking at Rage. "Was that what you normally look like?"
"Almost." Rage answers "Hair was a bit off but otherwise more or less."
"You sure have a…strange clothing taste." Rarity says. Rage looks at Twilight and the two chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"Oh nothing." Twilight says. "Just that was exactly something a friend of ours from his world said to him."
"Almost to a tee." Rage chuckles "Oh Rage honey you surely have a strange taste in clothing." He says in a poor mocking of a sassy and uppity tone.
"That sounds a lot like Rarity." Rainbow Dash chuckles as they board the train.
"I do not sound like that." She huffs as everypony finds a seat.
"How have things been at CHS?" Twilight asks Rage. "Anything interesting happened since I left?"
"Oh where do I begin? The last two years have been crazy."
"Two years?!" Twilight exclaims in shock "I've only been gone a few months!"
"Yeah in Equestria you have." Rage says. "Time flows differently there than here."
"Okay…regardless, anything interesting?" She asks, brushing the passage of time aside.
"Well where should I begin? Vampires, old dark god…oh a Chrysalis from another Equestria…that was a lot of fun." Rage chuckles.
"Another…Equestria?" Twilight asks, tilting her head.
"Yeah, weird thing…another Equestria and she was pursued by, get this, another version of me!" Rage exclaims.
"But…you're not…" Twilight looks confused.
"Right?!" He says "Apparently that version of Equestria had dealings with another version of Mobius and I guess that version of me was there in Equestria for a long, long time…it wasn't until later we found out it was a different universe altogether."
"That sounds…needlessly complicated…" Twilight says.
"Oh you don't know the half of it." Rage scoffs.
"What are they talking about…?" Flutterhsy asks.
"I haven't a clue." Rainbow Dash says "Probably egghead stuff."
"I heard that!" Rage calls over to her. She looked back and blushed embarrassed.
"How did he hear that?" She shout-whispers to Rarity who shrugs.
"I have really good hearing." He says back to her.
"Sounds like you should be careful what you say around him." Rarity chuckles.
"Please it's not like he'll find out I like him or anything." Rainbow scoffs.
"What?" Rarity exclaims. "Please tell me you were testing him…"
"Well…duh." The headstrong pegasus scoffs "Course' I am." She snorts looking out the window of the train as it stops in Canterlot.
"Rage and Rainbow Dash sitting in a-" Pinkie starts singing as she bounces to the exti before she is silenced by Rainbow Dash.
"Pinkie Pie…" Rage glares at her as they walk off the train.
"What? It's clear that Rainbow wants to-mmf mmm mf" she says before Rainbow Dash covers her mouth.
"I want to nothing…besides he's in a relationship….Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash says sternly looking at the hyper pink pony.
"Whatever you saaaaay." She says in a sing-song voice.
"Rainbow Dash, is there something you want to tell me?" Rage asks her with a curious look "I won't say anything or think any different of you if you're honest."
"C-can it be…in private…?" She asks.
"I guess...?" He shrugs. Rainbow grabs him by the hoof and flies them up to a nearby cloud. "So?"
"Look I don't want my friends to think I am weird or anything…" she says still trying to keep her tough girl attitude up. "But…I do kinda find you…cute…"
"Excuse me?" He asks. "You…do know I don't look anything like this…for real…right…? Besides that you've done nothing but ridicule and doubt me the whole time I am here. You sure have a hell of a way to show attraction Rainbow Dash."
"I know…" she sighs "I bet you think I am some crazy pony now…"
"Nah." He chuckles, "I won't hold it against you. Don't worry, I won't say anything to the others."
"Thanks." She says with a smile.
"There's something else isn't there?" He asks.
"How did you…?" She asks.
"It's not hard to tell. So go ahead." He says.
"Well…hypothetically if I am really attracted to another…pony…how would I…tell them…?"
"Geez that's hard to say…" Rage says rubbing the back of his head. "I'd just be honest with them…" he suggests.
"…Okay." She sighs "Thanks." She smiles and gives him a pat on the back and two fly back to the others.
"So?" Rarity chuckles.
"It's nothing." Rage says "She just.. needed advice."
"What kind of advice would she need that she couldn't get from us?" Rarity asks, almost offended.
"Relationship advice." She says "I mean he's in a happy relationship and last I checked none of you are…"
"Well…" Rarity says as she stops "I guess…that's true…"
"Nothing major." Rage smiles as they walk up to the stairs and return to the throne room where Celestia awaited.
"Welcome back." She says.
"Princess." Twilight says, bowing her head, "I have good news…"
"Sombra is defeated as is that unicorn?" She asks.
"Yes." She says. "But Luna…"
"I know…" Celestia sighs. "Where is she…?"
"After Rage made an attempt to…uh…save her…? She sorta vanished…" Twilight says.
"Vanished?" Celestia asks.
"She teleported away…" Rage says "What happened to her after is beyond me. We still had Sombra to deal with at the time."
"I pray she is alright. She returned and hasn't stirred since. I was worried something had happened to her after we fought Sombra." Celestia says standing up.
"I am sure she'll be fine." Twilight says.
"I agree." The tall Alicorn says. "Now then…" she sighs as she looks at Rage. "Ragis Chaotic, Guardian of Chaos…you have done Equestria a service I won't soon forget. You have done what even we princesses failed to do. You not only saved Princess Twilight from Darkness but defeated the Evil King Sombra in battle. You saved Equestria from a great darkness. For that…we are in your debt."
"It wasn't a big deal…" Rage says with an embarrassed blush. "I was happy to help my friend Twilight and I hope…perhaps I made some new ones as well…"
"Oh definitely." Rainbow Dash smiles.
"If there is anything we can do Rage or anything you wish in return let us know." Celestia says bowing her head.
"Well…" Rage says rubbing his chin "What about me being able to visit from time to time?"
"I don't know how you'd come back when the portal closes…" Celestia says "I can't manipulate it either."
"Well…" Rage says, rubbing the back of his head. "I can…sort of traverse between worlds on my own…"
"That's interesting…" Celestia says "However…I worry that time discrepancy may cause…issues…"
"Yeah…it's strange how closely linked this world and CHS are…I wonder if it's the portal itself…" Rage says tapping his chin. "A question for another day I suppose…I should be getting back to CHS…"
"I agree." Celestia says nodding "I wish you safe travels until we meet again. Tell Sunset hi for me."
"I'll come visit soon okay?" Rage smiles as he waves walking to the room where the mirror was housed. He sat a minute thinking about his little adventure and how much he got to know the five ponies here who were like his friends. He finally walks through and returns to CHS.
He stood up on his two feet once again. He was human again. The sky was dark with speckles of stars here and there and the full moon shined down with a calming glow. "How long have I been gone…?" He wonders "A month? I left on a full moon…"
"It's only been a few hours." Sunset's voice comes from beside him. She was leaning on the side of the statue. "What makes you think it'd have been that long?"
"Well…" he rubs his chin "Twilight said she'd only been gone for like three months or something not three years…I don't know honestly…It was a few days for sure."
"Weird…" Sunset says uncrossing her arms "Everything good in Equestria?"
"Sounds like it." Rage says "It was weird though. Being there…meeting Twilight's friends, it was like seeing double."
"Oh trust me, I know." Sunset says. The two start walking when they could hear the sound of someone coming through the portal.
It was Twilight, "Rage!" She shouts nearly falling down but Sunset catches her.
"Now what?" He sighs as he walks over.
"Here." She says handing Rage a strange necklace with a red gemstone. "Celestia forgot to give this to you…"
"I don't need a reward." Rage says.
"It's more than just some necklace." Twilight says with a scoff "It will let you come back anytime you want, and Celestia would like you to come back for a celebration. There'll be food, a party and she plans to make a congratulatory speech."
"I…am not the kind of person who takes the spotlight." Rage says.
"Rage, don't be rude. If they want to thank you then you should go." Sunset says.
"Alright." Rage sighs. "I guess I am a little hungry after all of that." He smiles.
"Come on then!" Twilight says, grabbing his arm and pulling him in.
'Help me' Rage mouths to Sunset as his head is pulled through. Sunset simply laughs.
Back through Rage once more hits his chin on the ground once more being an Alicorn he groans "Ow…"
"You okay?" Twilight asks.
"I…yeah…" Rage says standing up and following Twilight out of the room that held the mirror. "But Twilight…why the urgency to bring me back for something like this."
"Celestia wanted to thank you." Twilight responds almost like a broken record.
"Twilight…?" Rage asks "What's going on here?" He demands.
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"Something isn't right about all of this." Rage says. "Sunset wouldn't have been so easy going about you dragging me back…in fact…she was in Equestria the last time I checked…"
"She went back when-" Twilight says a bead of sweat forming on her left cheek.
"Wait a minute…" Rage says, narrowing his eyes. He focused slightly and suddenly was a human again though about as tall as she was. "None of this is real…it's a dream…"
"Hmph…I was expecting you'd never find out." Twilight says in a different voice.
"I recognize that voice…Nightmare Moon." Rage says angrily. "What is this about?!"
"I know that Luna came to you…I kept you and the other ponies asleep so that Sombra and I could finish our total takeover of Equestria…" she chuckles as the Twilight in front of Rage becomes Nightmare Moon.
"You bastard…" Rage curses. "Once I-"
"Once you what? Wake up? I am the princess of the night…I rule over the domain of all dreams! I rule over sleep! You can't wake up! Even if you did…you and the other…ponies…are all taken care of…where you'll be unable to stop us! Bow thanks to your dreams we know where the portal to CHS is…it'll be a breeze to take it over with your friends Sonic and Shadow stranded…"
"This was your plan from the start…" Rage says clenching his fists.
"A plan you fell for!" She laughs. "With you trapped in this nightmare…forever…there's nothing you or anypony can do to stop us!"
"Don't be so sure." Rage says.
"Your bravado is admirable but wasted." Nightmare Moon cackles.
"Let him go…" Luna's voice calls as Princess Luna appears out of Nightmare Moon's shadow and grabs her.
"Luna!" Rage exclaims.
"Rage!" She exclaims "Wake up! This was what I tried warning you about! Quickly you have to…wake up…"
"But-" Rage objects.
"Silence! He is mine!" Nightmare Moon shouts.
Rage looks at Nightmare Moon and closes his eyes focusing on waking up. When he opens them to his surprise he saw the linework on a bricked stone wall. He blinks a few times and raises his head. He was an alicorn…
"Rage?!" He hears Twilight's voice as the purple Alicorn rushes over. "You're awake!" Rage looks to see all of the mane six there.
"Twilight…what happened…?" He asks standing up slowly.
"Nightmare Moon…" She says "Sombra came while you were asleep and Luna turned out to be Nightmare Moon. We were all captured and you haven't been waking up…"
"Nightmare Moon trapped me in this dream…" Rage says "She knows where the mirror to CHS is now too!"
"No…" she gasps.
"We have to do something!" Rainbow Dash shouts.
"Like what? Even Twi can't break the magic spell they have keeping us locked in!" Applejack snorts.
"Let me see…" Rage says walking up to the bars and extending a hoof only to be shocked by a magical barrier. "Agg!" He shouts in pain shaking the hoof.
"Not really a smart move there…" Rainbow Dash chortles.
"Damn that is a strong barrier." Rage says. "If only I could change back…"
"Change back?" Twilight asks "You mean be human?"
"Yeah…if I had Bureijingukaosu…I could slice right through it!" Rage says.
"We tried everything; it just shocks us if we make contact and reflects any magic back to the caster." Twilight says.
"That's it!" Rage exclaims "If it reflects magic back at the caster…I'll use my Chaos on it!"
"Are you crazy?!" Applejack shouts "You'll get yerself killed!"
"I absorb Chaos…" Rage says.
"That's brilliant!" Twilight exclaims "He'll create a feedback loop. Eventually it'll break as Rage absorbs and puts more power into it until the barrier reaches a point it breaks."
"If it doesn't work?" Rarity asks.
"We try something else." Rage says as he crouches and his horn glows. "Stand back!" He shouts. The others get along the wall to not interfere with him as he fires a yellow beam of energy. It strikes the barrier which begins firing bolts back at him.
Rage grunts and shouts as he continues to fire the beam. He continued for nearly a minute before the barrier cracked. Shortly after it shattered like glass.
"It worked!" Twilight cheers.
"Teach them to put me in a cage." Rage pants.
"Are you going to be okay?" Fluttershy asks him.
"Yeah." He answers "I'll be fine. That looked a lot worse than it was."
"We don't have much time." Twilight states "The portal is closed thanks to Celestia but it will open back up in a few hours!"
"Wait…where is Celestia?!" Rage asks.
"If I had to guess, Nightmare Moon and Sombra have her captured in Canterlot's throne room…as a trophy." Twilight replies. "Get ready Sombra…it all ends here!" She says softly.