Chapter 182: Our Town Pt. 3

Everything returned back to normal as Twilight felt the surge of magic as she had her head fall back. Starlight was pushed back as she crashed into the wall. The princess felt the sudden powerful magic as it caused her to lose consciousness. Starlight groaned as she looked at her hand. It shook a bit, and she could feel how powerful the girl's magic was just a moment ago, despite it just being in a state of mind. The girl got up and growled as she looked at Twilight, passed out in her chair.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Storm was shown seated as he had his eyes closed. The boy was centering his mind as the door opened to the room. Two figures began to enter as they approached the helpless Jedi Knight. They picked up the boy as he opened his eyes and began to lead him away. They walked down a hall and came to an elevator when the button was pushed. It opened, and they all stepped in. As they began to descend down, Storm kept his gaze forward. When the door opened, they exited and headed down another hallway. At that moment, the Jedi began to act as he shoved one of his holders off and used his locked hands to hit them in the gut before delivering a knee to them. Storm was grabbed from behind and thrown backward as he tumbled on the floor and rolled through onto his knees. He looked at his captor as he lifted his hands to show that the cuffs were broken; the boy was also shown wearing a bracelet, but not just any bracelet; it was his Element of Harmony. The Jedi rushed forward and rotated his body in the air. His foot was shown coming down, making everything go dark.

At the castle, some of the royal scholars were in a panic. A few were going over their computers as a hologram of Equis came up. Night Light entered as he was flanked by some guards, having received word about an urgent crisis.

"What's the matter?" asked Night Light.

"Your Highness, we picked up a magical spike concerning the Elements."

The lead scholar led the King to the hologram of Equis as he touched it and zoomed in on the specific spot where the energy spike initially came from.

"It matches the same energy as the Elements of Harmony."

"But aren't they locked up?" asked Night Light.

The scholar pulled up the case containing said Elements, as two were missing. And one of them was obvious.

"Do we have a location?" asked Night Light.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It emits from the same place as where the Jedi said he was going."

"Twilight still has yet to return," muttered the King as he turned to leave with his guards in tow. "Prepare for immediate departure."

"At once, sir!" said the lead guard as he left to round up some men.

"Send me those coordinates now!" commanded the King.

"Yes, your Majesty! We have a clear lock on their position!" stated the scholar as he began to pinpoint the exact source.

Starlight growled as she approached the unconscious Twilight. The girl couldn't believe the princess managed to break her hold as nobody's magic was that strong. As she looked to end the defenseless girl, her foot clanged against something. She looked down, and to her surprise, there was a crown. However, it wasn't just any crown, but Twilight's Element of Harmony. It seemed the princess had unintentionally managed to call on her Element to aid her as it allowed her to overcome Starlight's magical grip and free her before losing her mind.

Starlight picked up the Element as she looked at it. The moment she grabbed it, she felt the magical energy from it coursing through her veins. The girl struggled and had to grab her wrist as she tried to fight against the searing pain she got from holding such a sacred object.

Starlight… Starlight… Starlight…

The girl heard a voice emit as she held the crown before she dropped it on the floor. She stumbled as she looked at her hand to see it sizzling from the magic it emitted. Soon, the pain she felt ceased as she growled upon looking at Twilight. Just then, an alarm went off as she looked at a nearby screen. Starlight saw Storm fighting off against some of her bodyguards she magically conjured up.

"As if I had enough to worry about," mumbled the girl as she slammed a giant red button on a nearby panel. She then turned to see Twilight still out of it. "I'm not done with you yet, princess. Nothing or nobody is going to stop my plan."

With Storm, the Jedi was moving about a hallway while fighting some bodyguards. He slashed his lightsaber at them and when he struck down the first one he came into contact with, they let out some magical particles. It confused the boy as he didn't expect that, but he soon turned his attention to fighting for his life. The boy flipped and spun his lightsaber before driving it into the chest of a bodyguard. Like the others, magic began to stream out of the body before it disappeared.

"How the hell is that even possible?" Storm wondered as he wondered how these things could function and move, all by magic.

The boy heard the large alarm as he figured Starlight was probably sending more his way. He knew he had to find Twilight so they could escape. He rushed down the hall he was in as he turned the corner and noticed a door at the end. He got to it, opened it, and was welcomed to something he didn't expect. The Jedi Knight was introduced to a large maintenance room with a walkway dangling over a huge water reservoir. The boy was curious how all this was possible, given they had been in a simple house before, until he noticed a small sign nearby.

"Underground reservoir," read Storm as he put together that Starlight must have manipulated their surroundings when they moved out of that room.

Regardless, the teen had to find his partner as he booked it across the walkway.

Starlight was entering a room as she searched for something. She came across what she was looking for and pocketed the thing. She halted as she looked to exit the room, and a bright yellow light came at her face. She backed up as Storm entered the room, and he found his target. The boy looked unpleasant as Starlight merely smiled, used her magic to pull a chair, and sat down with her legs crossed.

"Where is she?" asked Storm.

"Don't worry. The princess is perfectly safe. But isn't it rude that you're ignoring a girl in front of you for another?" asked Starlight.

"Don't play games with me!" barked the Jedi.

"Am I?" she smirked Starlight as she walked toward Storm.

The boy held his weapon out as Starlight approached him. The girl put her hand out and touched Storm's as the teen let her approach him but still kept his guard up. Starlight smirked as her hands began to travel up his arm and lowered his weapon before going around the boy. Her hands still roamed about his chest, and she felt his muscles. She then came around and had a seductive smirk on her face as she came into the Jedi's field of view.

"You know… I used to say all the time that revenge is a confession of pain, and it is… I still believe that. And I feel like confessing some things to you. I feel like that can help, right?" smirked the girl as she kept circling Storm. "So here it goes. I can confess that I have problems. I know I have problems; I've always had problems. It's not hard for people to see. But there are a few of them, like anger. Sometimes… it can take me to places that I don't wanna be in this past time. But I confess… I confess that I'm going to do horrible, horrible things. But I will never feel sorry for them. I'm just a servant now; I go where the circle takes me."

The girl then touched Storm's chest as a magic blast shot out and flung the boy back; he crashed into some crates. Starlight chuckled as she bolted out the door; Storm used the Force to make the boxes fly out. He stood up quickly and caught the last glimpse of Starlight running out. He bolted out as he saw the girl running down the hall. He began to give her chase as Starlight turned to see the Jedi coming at her. She shot her hand out to fire some magic as Storm ducked before pushing off and continuing to pursue. The girl was throwing out magic shot after shot as Storm used the walls to bounce off and avoid them while closing the distance.

The girl soon arrived at a corridor, and she slid and turned her upper body to shoot out some magic to destroy the control panel. The door malfunctioned as it began to shut, with Storm picking up speed to get there before it shut, hopefully. The Jedi Knight put his hand out as the door closed before he could get there. Starlight smirked as she looked at the sealed door. Storm reached the door and banged his hand on it defiantly. He then pulled out his lightsaber and thrust it into it. Starlight saw the blade tip pierce through as it began to move about in a circle; she turned and began to take off, knowing it was but moments before Storm would cut through. The Jedi finished making his shape before retracting his lightsaber and delivering a flying kick through the shape he made as it fell and he reached the other side. He took off as he looked to find the girl.

As the Jedi turned the corner, he was smacked by a magical tendril. The long whip smacked him into the nearby wall, and he dropped his lightsaber. As he slid to the ground, Storm let out a moan. He looked and saw Starlight, who had ambushed him. Storm pushed himself up and summoned his lightsaber back to his hand as he charged at the girl. He swung at the girl, who dodged the attack, and swung another magical tendril at the boy from the back. The Jedi Knight was thrown forward and crashed to the floor. Before he could recover, Starlight grabbed his leg and dragged him across the ground. The girl then began to bash the boy all about the walls as Storm cried out. His lightsaber fell out of his hand as he was treated like a pinata. Starlight chuckled as she was having fun with the Jedi.

Seeing he had to escape, Storm saw where his lightsaber was and tried to call it to his hand, but couldn't concentrate due to his constant motion. He soon began to tap into his hidden magic as the lightsaber vanished and then rematerialized into his hand as he swung it at the tendril holding onto him. Starlight let out a painful yelp as her tendril retracted back to form her hand. She held it and staggered. Storm flipped and landed on his feet as she held his lightsaber in a fighting stance. The girl looked at the boy as she wondered how the Jedi could make his weapon materialize in his hand without using the Force. Storm began to charge at Starlight, who slammed her hand on the ground as it made a magic cloud of smoke appear.

The boy was overwhelmed as he covered up his face with his hand, with the smoke covering the entire corridor. His Jedi senses went off, but he couldn't see the tendril coming at him from within the smoke, so he was smacked again. He then felt a tendril wrap around his body as it pinned his arms so he couldn't call his lightsaber regardless of what method he tried. Storm was lifted into the air as Starlight smirked; the boy tried to break free, but the grip was too much. He struggled and struggled as it made the girl smile. Soon, the bracelet that he wore began to glow. It shone and then burst out, pushing the girl back. Starlight skidded to a halt as Storm dropped and fell to his knees, and his bracelet ceased glowing. The boy looked at his Element, and Starlight also saw it.

"You have one! That explains it!" said Starlight.

The girl then took off, and Storm decided to give chase. As he followed in, he saw the girl go into a dark room. As soon as he entered, he was welcome to nothing but darkness as the lights suddenly came on. The boy was momentarily blinded as he found himself in a large room.

"That's far enough, Jedi!"

Storm turned as he saw Starlight on the second floor of the room. Twilight was behind her, tied up and still unconscious. The girl had in her hands Twilight's lightsaber as Storm could only speculate what she might do with it.

"I should have known someone like you would have his own Element," stated Starlight as Storm looked at his golden bracelet. "So tell me… what Element do you represent?"

"Like I'd tell you!" responded Storm.

"Well, luckily, I don't need to ask you when I already know. So tell me, Jedi? You ready to sacrifice?" asked Starlight, turning on Twilight's lightsaber.

"Don't!" said Storm, putting his hand out as if to get Starlight to stop.

"You don't get to make the rules, Jedi. See… I'm the one holding all the cards. I get to decide the next move. And I decide that I'm getting my revenge one way or another."

"What do you have against Twilight?!" asked Storm.

"Oh, it's not just your partner I have an issue with, Jedi. It's her whole goddamn family!" said Starlight as she turned and looked to drive the purple lightsaber into the princess.

"No!" shouted the boy.

Twilight's eyes opened as the girl quickly reacted and kicked her legs up to make the chair she was sitting on flip over and avoid her blade. She rolled through as Starlight tried to slash at her, and she turned around and made the lightsaber break the chair and her binds; she quickly grabbed Starlight's wrist, pulled her forward while disarming her, and spun with her lightsaber in tow. Storm smiled as he was grateful Twilight woke up and avoided Starlight's efforts to strike her.

"It's over, Starlight!" said Twilight.

"It's over… when I say it's over… Princess!" growled the girl as she thrust her hand out.

Magic shot out as Twilight avoided it, but the blast continued and hit a sensor. The sensor went off, and huge alarms blared throughout the place as red lights went off.

"Emergency Self-Destruction Activated!" said the place. "Five minutes till total destruction."

"The legacy of the Sparkle family will be buried and be where it belongs!" stated Starlight.

"Storm!"

"Leave it to me!" said the boy as he looked about and saw another exit.

The boy jumped and landed before it as he rushed out, hoping to see if there was some way to stop the meltdown. Twilight kept her lightsaber ready while Starlight put her hand out and used her magic to make a weapon appear. The girl now held a staff as she spun it in her hand and took a battle stance; the princess took a deep breath as she looked ready to fight. The lights flicked off in the room as Starlight began to walk forward before picking up the pace and charging. The princess clashed her blade against Starlight's staff as the pair held their grip. To Twilight's surprise, Starlight moved with incredible grace and precision as even the princess struggled to keep up with her movements.

Storm ran along the facility as the timer was plastered everywhere. The Jedi had to hurry as they were running out of time. He soon came to a door with maintenance written on it as it opened. He came to a control panel as it had the timer still going.

"Alright, how do I stop this?" wondered Storm.

Just then, he heard footsteps as he turned to see two foes spotting him. One lunged at him and pinned the boy down. He threw a punch and got it off of him as the other jumped at the boy. He used his legs to flung the guard over and crash through the window down below to the reactor. He got to look at the broken window as the guard he punched came behind and got him in a chokehold. The Jedi Knight tried to fight back as he managed to get ahold of its hand and roll forward to make the guard get off; he lunged with a punch and tanked it before kicking the boy back across the floor.

Back with Twilight, she was still having trouble fighting against Starlight. The girl showcased her moves as she kept up with Twilight's fighting and sometimes outfought her. The princess blocked one of her strikes, but Starlight then spun around, causing Twilight to leap back to avoid being hit in the waist. Starlight immediately followed up her attack as she lunged forward with a downward slash. Twilight blocked her strike, groaning as Starlight forced her onto one knee. Starlight pushed and groaned.

"You will pay, princess, for everything you and your family have done to poison Equis!" Starlight said.

"Everything my family has done… is to make Equis better!" responded Twilight as she took her window to push Starlight backward. Then, she shifted to the offensive.

The princess began to attack as hard as possible, using every trick and maneuver her master taught her. However, Starlight predicted her every move and countered perfectly. She deflected a slash and didn't fall for her feint, swatting away her blade before she tried to strike at her legs. Twilight jumped back as she skidded to a halt and looked at Starlight, who smirked.

"How?" asked the girl.

"I did more than just peek into your mind to find your insecurities, princess. I saw your training. I know every move you make before you do it." smirked Starlight.

Twilight ran forward and slashed at her, to which Starlight blocked and spun around, elbowing the princess in the back, making her stumble forward before finding her footing. Twilight turned with her blade out as she adjusted her grip; Starlight once again outmatched the princess as her knowledge of the girl's moves allowed her to maximize her offensive. Twilight had everything to her advantage: speed, skill, training, and yet all that was thrown out the window due to Starlight's power. At the final moment, Starlight knocked Twilight's lightsaber from her and thrust her hand forward. Twilight felt the magic blast as it pushed her back and collided with a wall. The girl's weapon went flying, and she fell to the floor with a thud. Her head spun as she tried to pick herself up.

Twilight tried to recompose herself as multiple copies of Starlight were shown walking toward her with her staff dragging along the floor. The princess realized she was in serious trouble when she finally gained her senses, and the copies fused into one.

"The greatest Sparkle you're supposed to be," said Starlight. "What a false statement that turned out to be."

Storm was still trying to get past the bodyguard protecting the panel in the control room. He'd been grabbed and thrown across the room, ramming into some panels. The guard began to rain down some fists on him as he moved his head out of the latest one and used his arms and legs to grab its head. The guard delivered an overhead northern light suplex to the ground, causing the Jedi to break his hold. It then got up spiderlike and twisted its body unnaturally to walk toward the boy with heavy steps. Just as Storm got up, he felt the guard grab him by the back of his neck and held him up. He looked to crush his throat when a sound was heard. The guard had Storm's lightsaber running through its head as it dropped the boy and fell to his knees. Magic seeped out as it landed with a thud and vanished.

Storm grunted as he got up and held his side. Emerging from the window was the other guard he flung earlier, reeling its fist back and looking to strike the boy. His Jedi senses went off as Storm turned and ducked. His right hand turned into a fist, and his bracelet shone golden. His fist collided with the guard's chest as it burst through cleanly. The guard crumpled and fell to the floor when Storm removed his fist. Magic seeped out and made the foe vanish. The boy was taken aback as he looked at his fist to see his bracelet cease to glow.

You're welcome.

"Could have done that sooner," said Storm to the voice in his head.

Ugg, so ungrateful.

The boy approached the console and began working at the control panel. He tried to override the denotation system, but it didn't allow him. The Jedi Knight slammed his fist on the control, then went under and pulled out the panel. He got on his back and looked under the panel, seeing a bunch of wires. The teen was now looking for the right wire to shut it down, as he was having trouble finding the right one.

"Come on, come on," muttered Storm, having difficulty with the process. He removed one wire and connected it to another. The boy pulled out a circuit and swapped it with another.

Are you sure about that?

"Honesty… no," said Storm as he took a deep breath and connected the last wire to the port.

The sounds of the alarms ceased as the boy rolled out from under and looked about. He saw the timer had stopped at a minute and twelve seconds as it disappeared. The Jedi Knight smiled as he managed to stop the meltdown in time. The lights came on in the room with the girls as Starlight looked about in confusion.

"He did it," smiled Twilight as she was glad Storm stopped the countdown.

The girl rotated her body to get up, using her legs to kick Starlight back as she got to her feet and pulled her lightsaber into her hand.

"Looks like your plan is over," said the princess.

"It's far from over!" responded Starlight as she revealed her wrist and inputted a small code into her wrist device.

"Override! Total Annihilation!" said the voice as Storm saw the countdown continue.

"Uh-oh!" said the boy as he began to book it to go find Twilight and get out.

Twilight also heard the voice as she looked about. Starlight then lunged as she and Twilight once again danced about. The princess switched her specialty, as her defensive style allowed her to block and deflect each of Starlight's attacks without losing any ground to her. When she gave a rare opening, the girl capitalized on it and struck.

"Gahh!" expressed Starlight as she had to leap back to avoid being slashed by her foe.

"Looks like you don't know all my moves," smirked the princess.

"Well, good thing I have this," said Starlight as she pulled out Twilight's Element.

The princess was shocked as Starlight had cast a spell to hold Twilight's Element safely and looked to put it on. Just as the girl was going to stop Starlight, the crown materialized from her hands. The pair were confused as they looked as Storm was shown holding the crown as he somehow managed to make something else other than his lightsaber appear in his hand.

"Wow, that worked."

Of course, it worked. Do you doubt my powers?

The boy then jumped as he landed beside Twilight, and the girl smiled, grateful to have her partner by her side.

"I believe this is yours, my princess," said Storm with a smile as he showed off Twilight's crown.

"My hero," responded Twilight with a smirk.

"Ugg! Kill me!" said Starlight as the sight of the two's flirting disgusted her.

Twilight took the crown from Storm as she put it on her head. Her Element coursed with power as it recognized its owner and warmed the princess.

"Even with your fancy Element, you're no match for me!"

"You're right. I'm not…" said Twilight as she looked at Storm, who smirked. She put her hand in his and held it. "But I'm not alone."

Storm brought Twilight's hand up and kissed it.

"Shall we?" asked the boy.

"Let's," smiled the princess.

The two Jedi Knights turned on their lightsabers and held them close to their bodies; Starlight growled and twirled her staff as she looked ready to battle both foes. Storm rushed forward and slashed at her. Starlight started to fight back as Twilight charged in. The pair had memorized each other's movements through countless duels as they could fight side by side without getting in each other's way. The pair felt like they were dancing with one another, moving about the floor with grace and style. As such, Starlight was forced to protect herself from twice the attack, and even then, she realized the combined teamwork of both Jedi outmatched her.

She blocked Storm's slash and dodged Twilight's stab, her staff swinging wildly. Storm leapt back before Twilight blocked with her sword. Starlight quickly used her opening to blast some magic at the boy; he used the Force to make it go around him while standing his ground. She then pushed Twilight back before leaping into the air. The two partners watched her land at a platform at the top as she smirked and went through the door. The countdown was also done, as the pair knew they had to leave. Twilight was about to jump when Storm grabbed her wrist and pulled her in so their faces were close.

"Carry for a lift?"

Twilight smiled as Storm picked her up bridal style. The princess kissed his cheek before he bent down and jumped. He jumped from platform to platform while carrying Twilight as the girl held onto her partner. They soon landed on the same platform as Starlight went through. He set the girl down, and they ran through the door.

Starlight was shown walking up a set of stairs. She came to another door and scanned her hand. It opened to the outside world as she looked to make her exit. The girl was heading to the nearby cave, where her escape route was waiting; just as she was about to disappear, she heard some noises and turned to see both Jedi emerge. The plan managed to get out in time as they looked about to spot Starlight.

The girl growled as she thrust her hand out to fire some magic. Storm noticed it and quickly pushed Twilight out of the way and got hit in the back, and fell to the floor. Twilight was concerned as she looked at Starlight with a glare before firing her own magic blast. Starlight made a magical round shield appear to block the attack. She smirked deviously and returned fire with another magic blast; Twilight made a dome shield to block the attack. She then concentrated and felt a course of magic through her body before firing a steady beam of magic at Starlight. The girl encased herself into a crystal-shaped shield. The magic from Twilight pushed Starlight's crystal shield across the ground. Once the princess stopped firing her magic, Starlight smirked from inside her shield and made it explode, which blew in all directions.

The blast was coming at Storm, who still lay on the ground. Twilight landed in front of him and created a force field to block all of it and protect them. The princess had easily blocked Starlight's magic blast as she smirked, not breaking a sweat.

"Wh-I studied that spell for years!" Starlight interjected, "How can you-"

"I studied magic as well!" said Twilight, "But what I didn't know is that studying can only take me so far." The princess walked toward Starlight as she continued. "See, along my adventures, I've made many friends. And each one of them has taught me something different about myself! It was their unique gifts and passions, and personalities that helped bring out the magic inside of us! I never would have learned that I represent the element of magic without them. I wouldn't have learned that my partner is the Element of Sacrifice, the most powerful element of all! And we certainly wouldn't be here to stop you now!"

Starlight seethed with fury and gave the princess an eye roll.

"Spare me your sentimental nonsense!" Starlight snapped angrily, "My one goal is to make you and your family pay for all the damage you've done to Equis."

"Why, though?" asked Twilight. "What is it that you have against me and my family? We've kept Equis safe for as long as we've been around."

"That's the issue right there, princess. You and your family… you all claim to be saviors… when, in reality, you've been nothing but monsters. Murderers, poisons, cancers sucking the life out of this great planet… all in the name of your bloodline. A bloodline… that has spilled blood and stains your hands." growled Starlight.

"What are you talking about?" demanded the lavender-haired princess.

"I'm hell-bent on you and your family, Twilight, because of what they've done to me! What you've done to my father! What you've done to my ancestors!" yelled the girl as her voice echoed through the entrance of the cave.

"What?" said Twilight.

"Your family… murdered mine!" proclaimed Starlight.

"Wha?"

"Astros… he killed Tlaloc! My ancestor when he invaded our home!" yelled the lilac girl.

"Wha?"

"Your ancestor Salim… he fought against my ancestor, Rodrigo!"

"No… no…" stated Twilight, taking some steps back.

"Morgiana and Lerae, Shirai and Karai, Axiom and Tiberius! All of them were rivals to the core! And your ancestors murdered and killed each of them!" yelled Starlight. "Even your father drove my dad to his deathbed!"

"No… that can't be… that's… that's impossible!…" gasped Twilight as she fell to her knees. The amount of information Starlight revealed proved too much to process, and she couldn't wrap her head around it.

"Your family ruined mine from the very beginning of time. If it wasn't for you and your bloodline… I would stand as the ruler of Equis—not you!" growled Starlight. "You Sparkles claim to be heroes, but you're nothing but cold-blooded killers who deserve everything that's coming to them. The villain is always the villain when the hero is telling the story." Starlight pointed at Twilight to signal that her family were pretending to be painted in a good light when, in reality, they were the bad guys.

"And you're no different. Just as you are to be prophesied as the greatest Sparkle of your family… I'm to be the greatest member of my family! So understand, Twilight. You are my mortal enemy! And I will not rest until I make you bleed! Until I drive your bones into the ground! I will not rest until I slaughter each and every one of your family. To make you feel the pain that I have suffered all my life! You, Twilight Sparkle… will die by my hands… if it's the last thing I do. I! HATE! YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

The voice of Starlight rang for miles to be heard. The girl made an orb of magic appear as she looked angrily. It expanded around her as Twilight covered up and looked away from its blinding light. Once the magic orb disappeared, Starlight was gone. The princess looked at the entrance to the cave and heard footsteps inside as they started to fade. She wanted to go in and chase her down but was too distraught with what she learned. The princess was on her hands and knees as she looked at the ground with a freaked-out expression.

"It can't be…"

Your family murdered mine!

"Tell me it's not true…"

Storm began to stir as he came to his senses. At that moment, the meltdown began as a huge explosion went off. The boy felt the explosion as he turned to see the thing coming at him. He turned to see Twilight on her hands and knees, looking at the ground, stunned, as she didn't see what was happening.

"Twilight!"

The Jedi rushed at the girl as the explosion came over them. In the distance, Night Light and his crew of guards were riding toward the location of where the signal came from. Soon, a rumble was heard. The King and guards all halted their horses and looked as they saw the massive smoke explosion cloud go high into the air.

"Over there!" said Night Light as he began to lead the way.

At the site, Storm had his arms around Twilight as the girl's crown and boy's bracelet acted on their own and put a protective forcefield dome around them. The boy opened his eyes, expecting to see them dead, but they were perfectly fine. He was grateful as the shield died down once the explosion ceased, leaving them in rubble and bits of fire near the ground. Twilight was still out of it as her mind was focused on other important things. She was snapped out of her trance when she felt Storm's hand on her shoulder and turned her head backward to look at her partner. The boy raised his hand to caress her cheek as they leaned in. Then, hooves were heard as they turned to see the girl's father and guards coming up the mountain path to them.

The town that Starlight took over was shown as many royal guards were about, talking with the townsfolk and offering them some supplies. Twilight had told her father about this place and how it was off their grid. The King then got his guards to work on recording this place to put into the family archives as they set up a rune gate so they could now fast-travel to this point at a moment's notice. In addition, he began to hand out some supplies to the townsfolk in order to help them out. Immediately, all the people got down on their knees and thanked the King for his generosity, some even kissing Night Light's hand to show their loyalty and devotion to their ruler.

Storm sat on the steps of Sugar Belle's house as he held a cupcake. Unlike before, the girl made a tasty-looking treat as she was glad not to hide her talent anymore and embrace her passions. The boy looked about the town, glad to see that the town would have become a better place without Starlight's influence. He soon saw Twilight as the girl sat on his horse. The princess was still lost in her head about the shocking discovery.

"Anything?" asked Night Light.

"Nothing, sir. The facility is beyond repair. And as for who captured your daughter, the men searched the cave she disappeared into and found no trace of her," said a guard.

"Prepare the last supplies for the people. Then get to depart," ordered the King as they nodded.

Twilight saw her father approach her as he looked at his daughter.

"You okay, Twily?"

"Yeah, Dad."

Night Light smiled as he walked away. Storm came up to his partner as he looked at her.

"Hey, what happened with Starlight?" asked Storm as she didn't tell him what happened after her magic had blasted him.

The princess just sighed as she looked away to the mountains. Storm called out to the girl, wanting her to answer, but she just looked with a far-gone look. The thought and reveal of Starlight's ancestry and how it was intertwined with hers. It spoke volumes and made the princess question some things.

A tavern was shown as several people sat about. One person sat with a cloak over them as it hid their face. A person came to their table as they stood off to the side.

"What can I get you?" asked the person.

"They've been lying to you…"

"Hmm."

The waitress looked at the cloaked figure as they reached for their drink. They brought it to their lips before setting it down and spoke.

"They've been lying to you. There ain't no such thing as a hero… not anymore. But you… you, and you, you have become addicted to the illusion of what a hero is! You've become addicted to the illusion of what a hero does! For you… you think you need someone to pat you on the back. You think you need someone to tuck you in at night. Kiss you on the cheek and tell you everything is alright. But everything, everything is not alright! But… what if I was to tell you that the man who made you… is a liar. What if I were to tell you that your own flesh and blood turned their back on you? I… would never turn my back on you. And maybe… maybe the answers you've been seeking have been slapping you in the face. Or maybe… just maybe… I, Starlight Glimmer, the Eater of Worlds, have always been the answer."

The girl in her disguise rose up and walked out, leaving the waitress with a confused look. As the girl walked out, she began to sing the lullaby her father sang to her.

"She's got the whole world in her hands. She's got the whole wide world in her hands. She's got the whole word in her hands. She's got the whole wide world in her hands. She's got the whole world in her hands. She's got the whole wide world… in… her hands."

Author's Note: And so... it has been revealed. The most shocking truth. It turns out that the reason Starlight is so hellbent on Twilight and her family... has to do with the fact that they've killed hers. Just like Twilight, Starlight has her own line of ancestors and each one of them has been the rival to Twilight's family. Every single member of her ancestors has all been the enemy of Twilight's family and met their ultimate demise by Twilight's ancestors. For Starlight, this is more than just revenge for her family, it's about ending the Sparkle bloodline and taking getting her ultimate salvation for her family by getting rid of not only the royal family, but by ending the greatest Sparkle of that bloodline. History continues to repeat... just as Twilight's ancestors had their enemies, she now has found hers.