Sour should go for a melee, let's return the electric hit with a fistful of sparks. And, oof, that blind is going to fuck with Sunset's attacks... she'll be going before whatever happens with the support move, so I don't see much way to avoid it, let's just try a Dark move for this turn? We'll reassess after this turn. Maybe we can hold off and have Purinki Pai give her Gummi cannon a shot while Lemon heals us up. I feel bad, constantly putting her on heal duty, but her time will come soon enough. Let's scan Midnight for Rage, if we can get her swinging instead of thinking that'll be a big help, probably. >Doubt I'll hit anything like this, but it's better than just standing around. "Dark Blaster, fire!" >Trying my best to aim, I fire a volley of darkness at the silhouetted figure in front of me, but I don't need to see to know that I'm way off target. >From what I can tell, Midnight Sparkle simply moved out of the way, effortlessly avoiding the attack. >"Time to pay you back for the fucking zaps, Twilight!" >Flanking the dodging opponent, Sour catches the middle of her back with the electrified baton, the voltage dealing heavy damage as Midnight twitches in pain! >"You're wide open, Twilight. Gummy Cannon, fire!" >Pinkie whips her cannon in front of her, taking close aim before firing an emerald shell from the gator's maw. >The shot land on the surprised opponent, dealing moderate damage and shaking her back to reality. >"Looks like I'm back to healing duty again. Let's do this, Ame-no-Uzume!" >Riffing on her guitar, Lemon calls forth her elegant Persona as she dances around the group to the rhythm. >As the dancer passes me, the static on my screen clears away, giving me a view of the battle once more! >"Burn!" >Midnight Sparkle snaps her fingers, and an explosion of crimson flames rushes over us, searing all but Pinkie as Agni gathers the coming inferno into his hands. >When the raging fires subside, the god giggles with demented glee before flinging the magic back to the sender, dealing moderate damage in the process. >Ignoring the pain, she sends a volley of icicles at Lemon, striking her for limited damage as the barrier does its best to mitigate it. >Midnight turns to Pinkie with an interested look on her face. >"I think it's time for some in-depth analysis." >(Thankfully she hasn't figured out our weaknesses yet, but I don't like the look she's giving Pinkie. It looks like Rage has a low chance of working.) >Even with these protective spells, it looks like the magic Twilight collected has strengthened her. >What should we do next? Status: Sunset Shimmer: 56% HP, 65% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Pinkie Pie: 100% HP, 100% SP Lemon Zest: 47% HP, 75% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 60% SP In reserve: Indigo Zap: 100% HP, 100% SP Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 80% SP Sugarcoat: 100% HP, 100% SP Rarity: 100% HP, 100% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 100% HP, 100% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 50% SP So she's got a scan too, huh? This is why having friends by your side comes in handy. Swap out Sour for Fluttershy, and throw ice resistance on Pinkie. With her weakness covered, time Agni to set off some Fire-works. Sunset, let's show her why a rider never gives up, and land a Dark Buster on Ms. Midnight. And Lemon can encore that gunshot number, let's see if the increased shot count can net us a crit. Trying to reserve her SP for the moment, I think Lemon will be fine this round but if not we have SO many ways to res her. "Sour, switch out with Fluttershy: we need to cover Pinkie's weakness!" >"We could just switch her out or something, but alright!" >Sour nods before falling back to Phoebe, with Fluttershy swiftly taking her place. "I won't miss this time: Dark Blaster!" >Firing another barrage of cursed orbs, they strike true and deal moderate damage to Midnight in the process. >"Let's turn up the heat, Agni!" >With a blast of Pinkie's cannon, the god of hearth conjures forth a flaming pie, tossing it up and down before launching it at Midnight. >The spicy pastry splatters all over her face, dealing heavy damage as the fires raged on around her! >"Come on, girl, let's see some critical hits!" >Lemon Zest fires another volley of shots from the Tombstone Special, all the shots finding their mark and dealing heavy damage as a result! >While a few shots managed to hit in critical areas, it doesn't look like it was enough to send Midnight to the floor. >"Tzaphkiel, hear my plea. Please safeguard Pinkie from the cold!" >Focusing her kunai at the card hovering down, Fluttershy slices it cleanly in half, the one-eyed angel descending from the heavens. >With a flap of her elegant wings, Tzaphkiel grants Pinkie a cloak of down feathers before flying off. >"Ooh, this is so fluffy and warm. Thanks, creepy eye lady!" >Pinkie waves at the vanishing Persona before turning her attention to Midnight, nearly complete with her incantation. >"Take this!" >The air visibly chills as an enormous block of ice falls down from the ceiling, crashing into Pinkie with impossible speed! >However, the cloak around Pinkie's body warms in response to the freezing temperatures, keeping its wearer protected from the worst of the attack. >"If you're not going to be my guinea pig, then perish!" >Infuriated, Midnight unleashes a beam of pure energy, blasting Pinkie for heavy damage! >"Guess she doesn't like being wrong..." >Pinkie giggles for a moment before flinching, her wounds slowly patching themselves up. >(Silence seems to be a complete no-go on this one, so don't bother trying. Both the debuff on Midnight and your defensive buff are about to run out, so keep that in mind.) >It might be a good idea to reapply them, especially if Pinkie and Lemon's combination attack is what I think it is. >While most of our health is low, we could probably handle one more round of attacks if we needed to. >In addition, like you guys said, these Incenses might be a smarter idea to spend than a heal, if we can help it. >Our momentum's good so far, so let's keep at it! Status: Sunset Shimmer: 56% HP, 45% SP Pinkie Pie: 49% HP, 70% SP Lemon Zest: 47% HP, 75% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 50% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 60% SP In reserve: Indigo Zap: 100% HP, 100% SP Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 80% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Sugarcoat: 100% HP, 100% SP Rarity: 100% HP, 100% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 100% HP, 100% SP With the buff and debuff wearing off, time to try reapplying it with Pinkie and Lemon's combo, hopefully it comes with some neat buffs as well? But even just continuing the debilitate is a pretty nice use. If we can drain Twi's SP pool, she seems pretty reliant on spells, so maybe we can hobble her that way? Plus Yellowquiet could use the SP buffer in case we need an emergency stun but still want to throw out some Bless spells. And let's get Sunset Shimmadome (owner of the Shimsdale Shimmadome) to burn some HP on a Persona physical, she's got the least to lose from a KO since she gets an auto-rez anyhow. >Then let's keep this debuff train going! "Toh!' >Leaping into the air, I focus my momentum into my right foot, slamming it into Midnight Sparkle and knocking her back with the force of it. >"I think now's the perfect time for some dancing. Hit it, Lemony!" >Pinkie finger-guns at Zest, who grins in reply. >"You got it, Panko, one musical number coming right up! Persona!" >"Persona!" >Agni and Ame-no-Uzume square off, the flame-headed deity offering a hand before dragging his partner to the dancefloor. >The two Persona glide across the room like professionals, their bodies gyrating to the beat in ways that clearly aren't suited for children. >As they keep to the beat, my suit's sensors begin to beep rapidly as the temperature skyrockets! >Looking up, I see a flaming heart surging to life above the dancers, shifting in shape as gouts of flame burst from it in random intervals. >Suddenly, Agni and Ame-no-Uzume's movements become faster, more erratic as the tempo of the tune reaches its climax. >Finally, with one final leap, the goddess leaps into her partner's arms as the two pose to the final beat. Combo Activated: Mata Hari >The heart explodes in kind, washing over Midnight and sapping her strength away once more. >Either due to the passion of the dance or the magic of their spell, she also seems incapable of moving for the moment. >Pinkie and Lemon pant as their Persona vanish away, satisfied grins on their faces. >"That... was intense." >"Yeah, I don't think I've ever felt this exhausted before. No lesbo, though." >"U-um... Persona!" >Flustered by the combination attack, Fluttershy collects herself before slicing her card, the seraph's eye shining a bright white before firing a beam of piercing light. >As the spell strikes its target, a stream of magic flows back towards Fluttershy, her SP levels rising. >Midnight regains her composure too late, as we raise our weapons to counter her plans. >"Damn it, this isn't nearly enough power! I need more." >Holding her hands out towards the nearby walls, the ooze draws to her like a magnet, covering her body in the tar-like substance. "Twilight, no!" >But by the time I reached out towards Twilight, the Shadows already buried her. >(Something's happening to the Shadows, no, this whole Fantasia is starting to be absorbed into Midnight's form!) >Suddenly, the ooze hardens, losing its glossy glow and turning brittle and cracked before bursting like a cocoon! >... >I don't like this feeling, this oppressive atmosphere coming from the being in front of us. >Her flowing hair now has nary a trace of purple in it, leaving only an odd shade of pink which shimmers in wrong places. >Instead of the feathery wings of Midnight, a set of butterfly wings sprouts from this being's back, their beauty both ethereal and dangerous. >As she opens her eyes, only blank, bright-yellow eyes shine at us, a sickening grin spread across her face. >"Now, where were we?" >(Be careful, everyone, Twilight's changed into something else entirely! My scans are only showing one name: Pandora.) "The one who opened the box of all Evils. That's how you see yourself, isn't it?" >Shaking my head, I ready my sword towards Pandora, who giggles in response. >"Oh, I'm very much looking forward to what you will do in particular." >Her gaze doesn't even focus on me, almost as if she's looking through me. >Never mind, it's almost certainly my imagination, and we've got other things to be worrying about. >What should we do next? Status: Sunset Shimmer: 36% HP, 45% SP Pinkie Pie: 59% HP, 40% SP Lemon Zest: 47% HP, 60% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 62% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 60% SP In reserve: Indigo Zap: 100% HP, 100% SP Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 80% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Sugarcoat: 100% HP, 100% SP Rarity: 100% HP, 100% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 100% HP, 100% SP >(It looks like the debuff is still on Pandora.) >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUjcsNDVCLc Hm. Wonder if she can hear us? Keep your guard up, Sunset. With the Heat Riser on, we should keep everyone alive to get the most out of the boost, so Lemon can throw out a Mediarama. Pinkie should lay down an Agnidyne, now's the time for our big hitter moves. Sunset can follow up with a Dark Phoenix Strike. With the extra SP, Flutter can throw out a Bless blast. We'll give it another turn, but it's probably close to nuke time, too; for now, let's scan for Enervate? >I don't feel any strengthening magic on any of us, but we shouldn't let Pandora's weakened state go to waste. "Taste the power of my Dark Blaster!" >Charging my output to maximum, I shoot out a focused beam of darkness that slams into Pandora. >That had to have been a direct hit, but my smile withers as Pandora weathers the blast with nary an injury on her! >"If Curses don't do the trick, maybe we should turn up the heat. Go get her, Agni!" >Pinkie blasts her card as the fire god lobs a flaming pie at the enemy. >However, just like before, while the flames engulfed Pandora, her body received little damage from the attack. >"I've got a bad vibe coming from her; better heal up to stay safe." >Strumming with her card, Lemon calls forth Ame-no-Uzume, who slowly saunters around the group, recovering most of our wounds with the magical dance. >"Persona!" >Fluttershy summons Tzaphkiel, as the one-eyed angel unleashes a powerful beam of light from its retina. >Suddenly, Pandora giggles and vanishes from her spot, leaving the laser to strike the ground where she originally was. >Looking around, I get a dangerous feeling from above me, flipping backwards on instinct as she slams into the ground where I once stood, catching Lemon Zest and Fluttershy in the shockwave! >"Don't you think you're taking this fight a little too lax? It only takes one lucky hit to make everything go wrong!" >Pandora takes to the sky once more, holding a hand out as a barrage of needles descend from the sky, barely missing me as everyone else is caught in the crossfire! >Fluttershy collapses to the ground as Pandora cackles in delight, flinging an orb of raw magic onto the field and knocking her out! >Thankfully, Pinkie, Lemon and I manage to avoid it, but Lemon looks like a thought could kill her. >(Be careful when reviving Fluttershy: now that Pandora knows her weakness, there's a good chance she'll focus her attention on Fluttershy. Here's the new scan on Pandora:) Pandora (???) - Resist: All "So she just takes next to no damage against our attacks? How are we supposed to defeat her?" >(Some of our Persona have the ability to break resistances, so we could do that. Otherwise, Almighty looks like it'll work just fine on her.) >I scowl, looking at the giggling girl in front of us as she inspects all our reactions. >At most, I think I have enough SP to activate Burning Justice, but I'd be completely dry afterwards. >Fluttershy's knocked out at the moment, and Sunny has a point: the moment she gets back up, there's a good chance Pandora will just focus on her again. >Most importantly, we'll need to figure out what to do about all those resistances she has. >It might be best to swap out with someone else for a while, but I'll leave that decision to you. Status: Sunset Shimmer: 90% HP, 25% SP Pinkie Pie: 72% HP, 20% SP Lemon Zest: 1% HP, 53% SP Fluttershy: 0% HP, 42% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 60% SP In reserve: Indigo Zap: 100% HP, 100% SP Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 80% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Sugarcoat: 100% HP, 100% SP Rarity: 100% HP, 100% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 100% HP, 100% SP Hmm, that's fucking tough, she's pretty sharp. Of the Breaks we have available, I think Psych and Wind are our best bets, since the other elements we can break are tied up in users with low SP. This is going to necessitate basically a full team change. Sunset, sorry, you're on res duty, gotta get Fluttershy awake and moving. Let's swap Flutters for Rarity, and kick off with a Wind Break. Zest should trade with Spike, who should give Rara an Elec Wall. Ponk can let Sugarcoat in, who should likewise Wind Wall Spike, thus mostly shoring up the weaknesses. And y'know what, let's have Sunny blast Pandora with some pure Almighty force. No sense holding back. >Me being on support is fine, especially since the only skill I could use with a break is too expensive right now. "This is no time to be on the ground, Fluttershy!" >Conjuring a fiery feather in my hand, I fling it at her downed form, the magic within it reviving her and granting her new strength to stand. >"Sorry, everyone..." >(It's fine, Fluttershy: Pandora having Ranged abilities wasn't considered before now. Everyone but Sunset switch out with Sugarcoat, Rarity, and Spike.) >The three girls next to me nod, falling back to safety as fresh allies take their place. >"Hel, protect Spike." >Sugarcoat silently calls forth her Persona, encircling the tiny pup with an airy aura of protection. >"If Pandora has no weaknesses, then we'll simply need to make them ourselves. Persona!" >Rarity shatters her card with grave, as Cait Sith launches his épée at Pandora, piercing her torso and creating a conduit for wind magic. >"I won't stop trying to save you Twilight! Persona!" >Spike howls as Amarok drools an inky black substance over Rarity, creating a translucent, rubbery barrier around her as it hardens. >(Unleash your might, Phoebe: punch a hole through Pandora!) >The titaness of the stars holds a hand up as a flicker of a star begins to descend upon the stage. >With a howl, the meteor crashes into Pandora, dealing heavy damage and pulverizing the floor beneath her! >"Now's that's far more like it: it'd be boring if I was curbstomping you all without a fight!" >A light begins to radiate from Pandora's wounded body, and another horrible premonition makes me vault to the side as the others are caught in a powerful explosion of holy energies. >That was too close, if I didn't dodge out of the way in time... >Suddenly, a feeling of sickening heat slams into me as the resulting nuclear explosion of her second attack catches me blindsided! >I see Rarity gracefully dance through the atomic nightmare, unaffected by the energies surrounding her. >"Left yourself wide open, Darling!" >With a precise jab, she strikes Pandora's flank, dealing minimal damage as her natural defenses shrug it off. >(Everyone's injured again, but now we've got a way to wrack up some serious damage. Indigo and Rainbow wanted to let you know that their normal combination attack together can both buff and heal the group, if you want to focus on casting Wind this turn.) >What should we do next, guys? Status: Sunset Shimmer: 61% HP, 10% SP Sugarcoat: 36% HP, 100% SP Rarity: 60% HP, 95% SP Spike: 39% HP, 95% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 10% SP In reserve: Indigo Zap: 100% HP, 100% SP Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 80% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Pinkie Pie: 82% HP, 20% SP Lemon Zest: 1% HP, 53% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 42% SP >(Scans for Enervation show no chance of it working. In addition, the debuff on Pandora will time out soon.) Wind/Elec, Fire/Ice, Melee/Ranged, Light/Nuke. Yeah, trading in Indigo sounds like a good idea, and if we weren't low on health I'd seriously consider keeping Spike in as well. Depending how this next round goes, we might bring him back in next round. For now, though, Indigo on the field for that combo, in place of Sunset. Same with Dash in place of Spike. Strongest Wind moves, respectively, from Sugarcoat and Rarity. Let's find out if we can Blind her, since we don't have a good way to break physical resistances. >Sounds like a solid plan to me. "Spike and I will fall back while Indigo and Rainbow do their combo. I think it's time to exploit that break like never before." >"You got it, Sunset!" >The two of us retreat as the rivals take our place, readying their cards in preparation. >"Gotta say, I wonder why our combinations are so different from each other." >Rainbow shrugs looking at Indigo with a sympathetic expression. >"Honestly, at this point I've just decided to not think too hard about all of this. Persona"! >"Fair enough, Persona!" >Pheidippides's chest piece opens, revealing a white-blue orb of condensed energy, pulsating with an unnatural rhythm. >The 'heart' of the suit levitates from its resting place, hovering above the group as its warm light envelops them. >With blinding speed, Achilles spins his lance around, slamming the butt of it into the earth with all his might, under the 'heart'. >Suddenly, a geyser of water erupts from the spot, engulfing the orb in its torrential fury! >The water glows from the energy source, its contents filled with focused power. Combo Activated: Ambrosia >The energized waters wash over the group, healing their wounds completely and strengthening their bodies! >"How's that for an energy drink? Give her hell, you two!" >Sugarcoat and Rarity nod as they pull out their cards and call forth their Persona. >Hel releases a chilling, dry blast of wind, the épée catching the magic and channeling it into Pandora for heavy damage. >Cait Sith, meanwhile, yowls as a massive typhoon sprouts from the ground, slowly lumbering towards its target. >The uncontrollable storm slams into the enemy, the break sucking it all up and forcing it into Pandora for massive damage! >"Agh, so you can learn!" >Pandora shakes away the pain as she launches a powerful blizzard at the group, catching Rainbow in the crossfire. >With silent focus, the death goddess redirects the magic sent her way back to its sender, dealing moderate damage to her surprise! >"Die!" >A flash of light is the only warning before lightning strikes the group, the electricity coursing painfully through their veins! >Thanks to the rubbery shell around Rarity, the lighting merely shocks her, rather than take her out completely. >(That Wind Break is working like a charm, though it looks like her debilitating magic has worn off. Here's everyone's status at the moment:) Status: Indigo Zap: 79% HP, 70% SP Rainbow Dash: 43% HP, 50% SP Sugarcoat: 70% HP, 90% SP Rarity: 84% HP, 65% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 10% SP In reserve: Sunset Shimmer: 61% HP, 10% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Pinkie Pie: 92% HP, 20% SP Lemon Zest: 1% HP, 53% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 39% HP, 95% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 42% SP >(Blind has no chance of working.) >"Eh, we don't need the debuff, especially with that break. Rainbow, catch!" >Indigo grabs one of the Ciders from the communal bag and tosses it to Rainbow, who easily catches and drinks it down. >"Alright, time to charge for a big one!" >Achilles's armor shatters as his power is focused for the next attack. >"Blast her again, Hel!" >"You as well, Cait Sith: we'll need to hit as hard as we can while it lasts!" >The two Persona unleash a devastating storm upon Pandora, the conduit focusing all the magic into the weakest spot! >(Pandora looks like she can't keep taking this much damage. We're almost through this, everyone!) >Chuckling can be heard from our opponent, soon bursting into flat out laughter as we all brace for the coming assault. >Instead, she catches her breath before looking dead straight at Phoebe, almost as if she saw me. >"I must admit, this was fun while it lasted: you're all the smart planners I knew you would be. Unfortunately, it's time to end this." >With that, she holds a hand at my direction and simply snaps her finger. >Suddenly, I feel a sharp pain in my head as I let out a scream and fall to the floor, the others looking at me with shock and worry. >"Sunset, are you alright?" >Something feels wrong as I get back up, looking at the smiling Pandora with anger. >"What did you do to me?" >"I did nothing other than set you free, dear puppet. The dreamers will interrupt my plans no more." >And with that, Pandora charges a bright ball of light, the caustic energies inside it giving me a sense of dread. >Before I can blink, she fires the beam at Rarity, catching her before she even has time to react and engulfing her entirely. >As the magic subsides, what we see of Rarity terrifies me more than anything. >Nothing. >Rarity isn't injured or down, she isn't even dead: literally nothing remains where she once stood. >I check around, hoping beyond hope that I can find even a sliver of Rarity somewhere. >(Sunset... Rarity's not here anymore.) >The feeling is like a knife through my gut, as my memories of this world's Rarity flood through my mind. >Each one only highlights the sorrow of her lost, and my anger at this bitch who took her from us. "You're going to pay for that, Pandora!" >Her smile never faltering, Pandora shakes her head as if she was talking to a child. >"Unfortunately, Sunset Shimmer, I will not. All shall become mortar for the foundation of my new dream: whether you choose to accept this or fight is of no concern." >The aura coming from Pandora is nothing like it was before: no longer is she taking joy in fighting us, this feels like work to her now. >Taking one last look to where Rarity used to be, I ready my weapon and stand my ground with the others. >We will have time to mourn for her later, now we need to make sure she never hurts anyone ever again. >What should we do, guys? Status: Sunset Shimmer: 61% HP, 10% SP Indigo Zap: 79% HP, 70% SP Rainbow Dash: 43% HP, 50% SP Sugarcoat: 70% HP, 80% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 10% SP In reserve: Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Pinkie Pie: 92% HP, 20% SP Lemon Zest: 1% HP, 53% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 39% HP, 95% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 42% SP Yes, what will you do now, dreamers? Going to assume RD's health is actually full, that'd be a bum rap if Pandora undid her healing. I'll trust the Heat Riser to keep us from missing and say RD should lay down a beat down with her strongest available physical. Sugarcoat is going to keep the Wind onslaught alive, we've still got a turn of Wind Break before we're back to resistances. Zap is up to bat, and I think Pandora might go for a Ranged move next, so let's give that to Dash, so we keep the bases as covered as possible. And Sunset, let's give her a taste of cold steel with that sword. The fae never did care for it, after all, and we might goad her into making a mistake. Maybe a scan for exhaustion? Nothing we've looked at has a very good likelihood of landing, but we never know. ... Or is this a case of >"Don't bother. Your voice can no longer reach him where he is." ? She can hear your manipulations no longer, dreamers. Your interference in my dream is over. >... >Can't think of anything, then? >That's fine, you've guys have done a lot of work up to this point. >Trust us to be able to do our best on our own. "Taste my steel!" >I lunge towards Pandora, who seems to be talking to the air as I thrust with Celestia's blade with all my might. >As expected of her defenses, though, even with my enhanced strength it only bounces off her enchanted skin. >"Punch a hole through her, Pheidippides!" >Charging her cannons in unison, the marathon gal fires powerful jets of energy that slam right into Pandora, dealing reduced damage. >"You don't hurt my friends and get away with it! Persona!" >Roaring in pain and anger, Rainbow shatters her card, the souped up Achilles soaring into the air before plummeting onto the smiling enemy. >The lance manages to pierce through her defenses with the power boost, dealing heavy damage before the Persona falls back to defend his user! >"...Persona!" >Sugarcoat throws her card to the ground, calling forth Hel as she unleashes another tempest of pain through the brittle épée and dealing heavy damage! >Finally, the conduit can handle no more and shatters, leaving behind nothing to remember Rarity by but memories... You know, >Pandora looks off to the distance and seems to be talking to no one in particular, another beam charging in her hands. I originally wanted to make this process slow and painless. >Fully charged, she fires it all at Rainbow Dash, who attempts to brace for the blow before she is devoured by it! These people would have slowly become the foundation for my dream, oblivious as they lived their lives to the end. >The light fades, with Rainbow meeting the same fate as Rarity just a moment before. But then you came: fought my Shadows, halted my plans, created bonds with my mortar. >Suddenly, Pandora vanishes from view, appearing in front of Sugarcoat as her eyes widen in shock. And now I am forced to hasten the process: make it fast and painful. >Without warning she holds a hand to Sugarcoat's face and blasts her with another beam, obliterating her in an instant! "No!" >I cry out in pain and anger, swinging my sword at this monster with reckless abandon, only for her to teleport back to her original position. Remember this, dreamers: everything that is happening now is entirely YOUR fault. >(Sunset, pull yourself together! We need you to stay focused and lead us through this.) >Lemon Zest and Fluttershy take the fallen's positions, readying their weapons before nodding to me. >... >They're right, I need to keep going and lead everyone to victory. >But none of the spells we have can even compare to the raw strength of that attack Pandora keeps using. >We need to find some way to either stop her from using it, or take her out before she uses it again. >This is a really bad position, guys, and I'm not sure I can think of a good strategy on my own. >What do you guys think? Sunset Shimmer: 61% HP, 10% SP Indigo Zap: 79% HP, 40% SP Lemon Zest: 1% HP, 53% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 42% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 10% SP In reserve: Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Pinkie Pie: 100% HP, 20% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 39% HP, 95% SP Is that what you think? That we're driving her to oppose you? That we're ruining your perfect utopia? Lemon Zest could cure the group, but it looks like no HP buffer is going to keep them here, so a full-on assault is probably the best bet now. Thunder Reign from her. Another physical from Sunset, use her Persona if it'll add the extra punch we need to make a dent. Flutters can pump out an Ice move, see if that's still effective. Indigo, Persona physical as well, we don't have the luxury of a mind charge round to prep a Psych move, so direct attacks are probably the best bet. You don't know us at all, if you think this is going to slow us down. We dared to dream of a happy ending when the odds were way worse than this. So we'll keep going, holding on to hope until the very end. After all, it's only appropriate, don't you think? Wow panDorA. Just when we thought you couldn't be anymore pathetic you kept on talking. I mean, we knew somoe as small as you would resort to something so desperate, but in the end it won't work. Our girl here has more resolution, hopes and dreams than you could ever hope to even imagine. Go ahead and try to break her. You will only seal your defeat even faster. Hope... Of all the evils Pandora released upon the world, the last thing contained was hope. >Being silent at a time like this is infuriating, guys! >It's almost like you're not... >...Even here. "Set me free." >As I mutter those words, I feel a cold feeling in my gut. >Didn't this happen before, back when I lost my temper against Twilight? >Theo mentioned my connection to the Myriad Hearts was severed or something. >If that's the case, then even if you guys wanted to talk to me, you couldn't. She certainly is the smartest of them all, isn't she? >Leaping into the air, I focus my vitality into my boot, forming bloody talons at the end that pierce into Pandora. >Judging from the impact, her natural resistances deflected most of the blow. >"Even if our friend is inside you, I won't forgive you!" >The runes on Indigo's gloves begin to glow brightly as she lunges in for a smack down. >With the added energy spent, the blows hit their mark, bypassing Pandora's defenses and dealing heavy damage in return. Humans truly believe, with all their heart, that hope is the only good thing to come from that damnable box. >"Wait, wait, wait you motherfucker! We challenge you to a rock-off: give us one chance to rock your socks off!" >Lemon Zest puts her heart and soul into her next piece, channeling her inner emotions to summon Ame-no-Uzume in her peak. >The furious dancer raises her hands to the sky, clouds forming above the nonchalant Pandora before calling down a veritable onslaught of lightning! >Even with her natural resistances, the force from the shockwave deals considerable damage, forcing her to stagger in response! That with hope, humanity can surpass any obstacle in their way, to achieve their happy ending. >"I won't let you hurt my friends anymore!" >With steely determination, Fluttershy slashes her card and calls forth Tzaphkiel, a righteous fury emanating from her very being. >The angel unfurls in all her elegance, a myriad of holy arrows poised around her. >With a flash of her eye, Tzaphkiel fires the entire arsenal at Pandora, punching her full of holes and dealing considerable damage in the process! However... >Even after what should have been the killing blow, Pandora stands tall, another two orbs of magic ready to let loose. Hope is the greatest evil from that box. >Lemon never stops playing her solo, even when the blast consumes her entirely. >Even as she vanishes, the sounds of her guitar ring through the room like a haunting elegy. Hope that everything will go back the way it was, hope that doing horrible things will eventually lead to a happy ending. >Fluttershy doesn't bother evading the blast, dropping her Kunai before whispering something under her breath. >The weapon's tip pierces the ground as its owner vanishes in a flash of light, almost standing like a grave marker. For an iota of hope, one will be willing to suffer through everything, even if there's no reason to- "I won't give up, Pandora!" >The monster stops her prattling to the air and looks at me with an odd expression. "Even if you take away my friends, even if you kill me, I won't give up to the likes of you!" >Again with the annoying, chirping from her lips, as Pinkie and Spike take to the field. >"It truly is evil to give people hope like that..." >I don't know what she's talking about, but our situation isn't looking good. >Out of us remaining, there's barely enough to count as a reserve. >I know I can't truly hear you guys, and I don't know if you can hear me, but don't give up. >There has to be a way out of this. >Somehow... Status: Sunset Shimmer: 41% HP, 10% SP Indigo Zap: 79% HP, 30% SP Pinkie Pie: 100% HP, 20% SP Spike: 39% HP, 95% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 10% SP In reserve: Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Don't worry, Sunset, it's not over yet. Burn that SP, strongest Dark move you can muster. Won't need it where we're going. Pinkie should go out in a blaze of glory, full Fire. Just give me a joyful beam beam beam. Spike, Amarok, we're going to pump out as strong a Dark move as we can manage. And Indigo, let's give her something to remember with a Psych move. So you think hope is just another ill to be foisted on mankind? How terrible, to live in a world without it. But if you win here, I guess you'd be right all along, so I'm inclined to put my lot in with hope; after all, what else are dreams made of? Tell me, then, is this your dream, or mine? >It's not like we'll be needing these items, with where we're going. >Grabbing the final Zap Apple Candy we've been saving since we came in here, I chomp down on it, restoring my SP. >"Alright, let's give her all we got, Pheidippides. Full Power!" >Crushing her card, Indigo calls forth the eternal runner, the twin cannons charging beyond their capabilities as the suit around her has to adjust to stick together. >Right as the energy threatens to shatter the cannons themselves, Pheidippides fires, unleashing a double helix of psychedelic energies that engulf Pandora! Even now, when your voices cannot possibly reach them, they still follow their orders like the mindless puppets they were. >"It's never over 'til the fat lady sings, Sunset. Give it all you got, Agni!" >As Pinkie blasts her card, the fire god chuckles uncontrollably as he flings a hoard of flaming cherries at Pandora. >The barrage seems endless, as Agni pulls out a kitchen sink on fire and flings it at the enemy, causing a massive, fiery explosion! You've truly embedded yourself deep into the past dream, like parasites who cling to their fragile lives. >"I know you're in there somewhere, Twilight!" >Howling to the unseen moon, Spike calls forth Amarok, his volatile saliva gushing down like a waterfall. >The expanding pools of ink rise into countless dark blades, hovering in the air as they track their target. >"You can still fight this, Twilight, I believe in you!" >With a powerful howl, the dire wolf launches them at Pandora, most of the blades striking true as she once again stumbles! But this has always been my dream to control, mold into what it needs to be. >Damn it, she's still not going down! >Another two beams of light soar through the sky, their trajectory showing their targets all too easily. >"Worth it." >Indigo Zap's reckless smile doesn't leave her as she leaps forth to meet the coming oblivion on her own terms. No matter what connection you all share, it is as transient as their lives are: easily erased. >Looking at Pinkie Pie, her body can't stop trembling, but only laughter leaves her throat. >She giggles and guffaws until there's nothing left of her smile. You are like the man dreamed up by the butterfly, convinced he is real. >As Sour and Applejack take to the field, I feel a gnawing sense of pain and regret. >Even if we get out of this, can we bring back those we lost? >... >No, I can't be thinking of this right now, not when there are still others that need me. In the end, you are not in control of this dream: not anymore. >Readying my weapon, I look to the others and share a serious nod with them. >Everyone, I won't let your sacrifices be in vain! Status: Sunset Shimmer: 41% HP, 100% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 83% SP Applejack: 100% HP, 75% SP Spike: 39% HP, 55% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 10% SP Sour, Debilitate. I don't think damage is the solution to this, but I want to make sure she feels it on the last blow. Sunset, go for the throat with a Dark move. AJ, doesn't look like there's much point in dodging, so plant and fire with that greatbow. Spike, Let the Lightning fly. "Are we the man, dreamt of by the butterfly, or are you the the butterfly who's been dreamed up by the man?" You seem to be stuck on the belief that we're driving and controlling this dream, that there's someone at the helm. We're passengers, just like you and just like them, we're just part of the ride. Since you like taoist philosophy so much though, smarty-pants, let me remind you that "Green Peace plants produce leopards, leopards produce horses, horses produce men, and men in time return to the Mysterious Workings. So do all creatures emerge from the Mysterious Workings and return to them." You might be breaking them down for the mortar of your world now, but know that they'll be back, better and more beautiful than before. Consider this an open invitation to join them, Twilight. But of course they'll come back from this: each of them hold a place in Twilight's heart, so they will be a part of my new dream as well. >If I were those guys, I'd be focusing on offense right now. "Sour, throw a Debilitate on Pandora. Even if we can't kill her with this, we can sure as hell make it hurt!" >"You've got it, Sunset, time for another helping of debuffs!" They won't be the same as they were originally, but 'tis the price paid for creating them out of memories. >With a steeled expression, Sour smacks her card, calling forth Doppelgänger from her illuminated shadow. >The look-alike's expression twists into sadistic glee as its cackles echo throughout the room, weakening Pandora's condition. And I am no longer the Twilight you think you know: now there is only Pandora. >I ready my handcannon, determined to make this monster bleed for every inch she tries to take. "Dark Blaster, fire!" >Pumping as much energy as I can into my gloves, I launch a barrage of cursed shots at the enemy, each one causing her to stagger just a little bit more. >With a mighty heave, Applejack slams her greatbow into the ground, the roots embedding themselves as she pulls back a javelin with all her might. I'm the only one strong enough to make that foolish girl's wishes come true: to change the past and forgive her crimes. >"I ain't gonna lose to the likes of you, not when my family's waiting fer me!" >Applejack lets the arrow loose as it soars through the air, slamming into Pandora's gut and causing her to keel over in pain! >"Twilight, please, this is enough already: I know you don't want to do this!" >Amarok forms above Spike once more, the electricity charging in his mouth creating a light show of sparks between the two groups. >"Come to your senses, please!" >With a pained howl, the Persona unleashes the destructive beam, striking Pandora head on before she swipes it out of existence! To do so requires the will to do what must be done. >Arash Kamangir attempts to take the brunt of Pandora's beam, to the surprise of Applejack, unable to move from her attack. >However, his interference merely delays the inevitable, consuming the two of them at once. >As she turns to blast Spike, I notice her hand tremble slightly, though her facial expression remains the same. ...Even though it hurts. >The hope in Spike's puppy eyes ends up misplaced, as the beam effortlessly claims him as well. >"Damn it, we're down to two of us now. It's going to take everything we have to even make an impact!" >(Then how about three?) >Phoebe vanishes as Sunny takes her place beside Sour and I, her fingers nearing the Belial app once more. "Are you sure you want to fight now? You could keep scanning for weaknesses." >She shakes her head, giving a sad, little smile. >"I honestly doubt we'll learn anything more from scanning anymore. Besides," >She presses the button before looking at us with her final moment of lucidity. >"This is my responsibility, in the end." >With that, Sunny howls in savage fury as she lowers her stance, ready for battle. Make peace with yourselves, for this harvest is almost complete. >I hate to say this, but this might be it, guys. >Even if Pandora only does it twice again, that'll leave only one of us remaining. >If... If I don't make this, you need to find a way to warn them, on the other side of the mirror. >They'll surely think of some way to beat Pandora and get everything back to normal. >I'll hold her off for as long as I can! Status: Sunset Shimmer: 41% HP, 80% SP Sour Sweet: 68% HP, 78% SP Sunny Flare (BM): 100% HP, 100% SP Then let's see, Pandora. Let's just see. Sunny has made her choice, and to be fair, this was pretty much inevitable too, but for formality's sake: Sunset, Sour, don your suits and fight for justice. Never give up, and never back down! If this is to be the end, go into it with your heads held high, and know that all of us, even those who fell, are behind you! Rider Phoenix, Rider Mimic, carry our hopes and dreams to a new tomorrow!!! Come, then, break yourselves upon me! >Pandora holds her arms out in a taunting fashion, daring us one final offensive. "Sour, let's do that trick one final time!" >Softly chuckling like a man on death row, Sour Sweet poses like before. >"One last hurrah, huh? Alright, then, let's do this: Monomane Henshin!" >Doppelgänger's shadow entwines with it's owner, creating the imposing sable warrior standing beside me. >I turn to the enraged form of Sunny, an idea sprouting in my mind. >It's an idea full of desperation, but we have no more options left. "Sunny, if we time our attacks at the same time, one of us should be able to catch her unawares." >"Gyah!" >With her higher mental faculties gone entirely, I shouldn't be surprised when all she can muster is a pained scream. >But the look in her posture suggests that she at least understands what I want to do. "From Hell's heart, we stab at thee, Pandora. This is our final strike against your dream!" >The three of us lunge at Pandora simultaneously, our war cries filling the room as thrust out with my sword! >...Only for Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare to be obliterated by the awaiting magical blasts, my own blow halted as Pandora's free arm grips my helmet like a vice. >"This is the end, Sunset Shimmer, everyone of this dream has been harvested to create the foundation of the next." >With little effort, she flings me to the far wall, the impact causing me to cry out in pain as she tosses the helmet to her side. >"For you, resident of another dream, there are three options: fight, and become part of the mortar like all the rest; return to your original dream, and never come back. Or," >Pandora walks to me with a purpose, kneeling to my position on the ground before offering a hand. >"Join us in that new dream: Twilight cares about you, more than you could ever know, and it would pain her to lose you. I will only give you this option once: take my hand and enjoy the world with her." >Her face parts, showing the hopeful smile of Twilight as her hand grows ever closer. >I look to her hand, considering the possibility of just giving up and joining this new dream Twilight has planned. >It's not like there's a chance of defeating her now, is there? >We'd be able to see everyone, safe and sound, and Twilight would be happy, right? >But... >If that's the case... "...Why are you crying?" >Tears freely flow from Twilight's eyes, betraying the confident smile plastered beneath them. >This is wrong: Twilight doesn't want this. >I don't know what I was thinking, giving in so quickly. >Using my upper body strength, I leap up and point Celestia's blade at Pandora, determined now, more than ever, to save Twilight. >Pandora's face covers Twilight's once more, her hand charging one final beam. >"Then begone!" >She unleashes her magic as I thrust forward with all my might, the two forces clashing with a powerful explosion! >I can feel the caustic energies eating away at me with each second I clash, threatening to claim my entire being at a moment's falter. >Crying out with all my heart, I put the rest of my strength into punching through, feeling the wave of energy give in response! >But that hope shatters as even more magic swarms me, overpowering my offense and engulfing me entirely. >I'm sorry, everyone... I let you all down. >Hanged Man... >I'm sorry... >But I didn't... >Run. ... ... ... Sunset Shimmer is no more: merely more mortar for our foundation. We can simply make another one in our new dream, but she will not be the one Twilight remembers. As for you, dreamers from another world, you have lost this little game of ours. I cannot harm you, no matter how much I wish to make you suffer for prolonging my plans. But I can still rid you from this dream entirely. BEGONE. .. ... >My eyes open to complete darkness, almost as if I never opened them at all. >Feeling my way around my location, I find myself in a small cage of sorts. >It's certainly big enough not to feel cramped, but I have, at best, two steps in every direction. >I wrack my brain, trying to remember how I even got here. >We were fighting Midnight Sparkle, I think, or was she Pandora? >But she... >Obliterated us entirely! >Feeling my body for any missing parts, I only find that my combat suit is gone. >My clothes seems to still be there, and the familiar weight of my belt shows that I'm not completely defenseless. >Still, I'm trapped in an inescapable cage, likely waiting to become fully processed into Pandora's "foundation". >Damn it, we were so close! >How did she see those guys; hell, how did she manage to completely disconnect me from them? >...I wonder where they are right now: their eyes closed in blissful sleep, dreaming new dreams without having to worry about me. >But what is this feeling, then, that I'm being watched? >Is it them, or is it something I shouldn't attract here? >Does it even matter at this point; I either die trapped or assimilated into my personal nightmare. >Edging near the direction where I feel the presence strongest, I draw in a deep breath, hoping beyond hope that something answers. "Is there someone there? Can you hear me?" >Silence responds in kind, though I must have caught something's attention, as the feeling escalates. "I don't care if you hurt or kill me, just let me know you exist. Give me a sign that I'm not alone here!" Sunset, you are never alone. Don't give up >I hear a voice responding to my pleas, an all too familiar one as another pops up in reply. This is weird, but your pals are still here Sunset. >...It's good to hear from you guys again. >But if you can hear me, that means you're just as trapped here as I am. >We've got to figure out a way to get back and stop Pandora, before she does something Twilight regrets! >Feeling around the cage, there's no locked door or opening large enough to exploit. "Persona, Henshin!" >I pull out my Persona card and jam it into my belt, only to hear the one thing I didn't want to hear. >"CARD REJECTED" >That isn't good: without something else to power the transformation, I won't be able to use my Persona to break out of here. >Suddenly, the cage lights up with a faint, flashing light. >Looking down, I see the source originating from my pocket. >When I pull the object out, I suddenly remember that I've been carrying around a magic collector since the beginning of the Fantasia. >The power I feel from this device is immense, but pure, almost as if the power was given, rather than taken. >If I use the device to power my belt, that should be more than enough power to break through and fight back. >On the other hand, I reach out and focus on where your voices originated. >The Myriad Hearts you're all carrying appear to also be a strong source of power as well. >I could try integrating the suit directly to that power source, but there's no way to tell what will happen when I do. >This may be our last chance to save everyone, so this is an important decision. >Should I use the power of Twilight's amulet, or integrate the suit into the Myriad Hearts? now i know it sounds crazy but why not both its all or nothing, right? >I don’t think that will work. >There’s something about these two powers that seem to cancel each other out. >As much as I’d like to use both, we’ll need to choose. If anything we should consider, what is the better way to make Twilight [Wake Up] from her dream? Use the same power she had but to show her how unreal and empty it is to be the master of a dream? Or show her that an outside source, the strenght that comes from making bonds with others, can help her face the scary and hard reality and even let her [Daydream] every now and then? >To fight fire with fire, or show another way... >If those truly are the options you're considering, then the choice is obvious. Hm, using our strength, or that of the Amulet... of the two of them, I think you should use ours. Not because it's stronger, but because ultimately, we're the outside source. If that power was gathered from Fantasia, it's the power of people from your world, whether that's the other students and people caught in Fantasia, your friends, or Pandora herself. But us? We're just here for the ride, here to help. I say use us to get out of here, and keep the amulet to rescue your friends. >Alright, beginning integration into your Myriad Hearts. >Immediately, I'm flooded with a barrage of presences, like before, but with an even stronger effect. >The feelings of dozens of voices surrounding me, each one tugging in their own direction, both big and small. >But among all of them, the single burning desire to help. >Is this how Anonymous felt all the time? "Everyone, please lend me your strength one more time. Help me save everyone!" >The hearts all beat in unity as the lights on my belt light up the entire cage, creating a radiant light that shines throughout the darkness! "Henshin, together!" >Pandora finally relaxes, for the first time since she was summoned: her task complete. >Now that none threaten the dream she must create, it is time to finish the harvest halted by that vice-principal. >It will certainly be annoying to deal with yet another Persona user, but it should be no more trivial than the ones who came here. >She looks to the discarded, horned helmet, shattered on the ground after her conflict with that Sunset Shimmer. >Determined, fearless, full of hope, it was no surprise Twilight liked her so. >But she is no more, and Pandora can not be sto- >Suddenly, a lone figure punches through the fabric of reality, a someone with a long, crimson scarf who shouldn't be here. >"No, this cannot be. Sunset Shimmer?" >With one final push, I shatter through the weak point of the darkness, my momentum flinging me back into Pandora's chamber! >The land is a bit rough, but thankfully I manage to keep my balance. >"No, this cannot be. Sunset Shimmer?" >I rise to the surprised call of Pandora, turning to her with determination in my eyes. "This is it, Pandora, we're going to show you the strength of our bonds!" >"We?" >Just then, I see the first of you, completely clad in nondescript Rider suits, jump in with Sour Sweet in your arms. "Glad to see you could finally make it, guys. Sour, are you alright?" >Offering a hand, I pull her back up with minimal effort. >"I think I am, though I'm pretty fucking confused by all these extra people here. The hell happened?" "I'll explain later, but the main thing is that they're with me, and we can trust them." >More of you leap in as I tell her this, the other girls and Spike in similar states of disorientation as Pandora trembles in rage. >"Once again you taint these walls with your manipulations!" >She fires another caustic beam from her hands, aimed directly at me, but a handful of you guys manage to block the blast easily. >"Told you we'd be coming back, better and more beautiful than before!" >Pandora growls with rage as I move up to the rest of you, the 44 of us joined by our friends. "This problem can't be solved by burning everything away and making something new. Only with the strength of our friends can we completely move on from our traumas and fears!" >Shaking her head furiously, Pandora regains her composure and prepares herself for combat. >"I don't know how you managed to escape utter annihilation, but I will return you back to the foundation where you belong!" "Diplomacy has failed, then. Team, unite up!" >"Roger!" >Don't worry, Twilight, we'll save you this time. >The communal bag that held our items shines with a bright light as they're replaced by twelve radiant orbs. > >The team's back together, so it's time to finish this, once and for all! >We'll need to remain on the front lines, due to our size, but who should join us first? >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCBClMqzbao We're taking point, so let's get out there with a fuckin' Dark move like she's never seen. Let's get Rarity and AJ out as well, test out that combo. And I think Spike should be our 4th, he's guaranteed not to be the fastest so he can use those Flames of Storge to push past some of Pandora's defense. >With our numbers, I think we can definitely arranged that. "Rarity, Applejack, and Spike are with us for this round. Legion, focus your target where I shoot!" >We all ready our handcannons, the combined dark energy lighting the room in shades of dark blue. "Unite Dark Phoenix!" >At my mark, we unleash enough shots to blot out the sun, the combined assault slamming into Pandora hard, in spite of the protective barrier around herself! >"Aww yeah, we back, baybee!" >"Applejack, darling, now's a perfect time to unleash our combination attack, don't you think?" >AJ nods, aiming precisely at her card while Rarity positions to strike her own. >"You won't hear nothing from me, Rarity. Persona!" >"Persona!" >Arash begins the assault by letting out three poison-tipped arrow at Pandora, who swipes them away with ease. >But that's just what the archer was counting on, ducking down as Cait Sith uses his body as a platform, lunging at the shocked and defenseless opponent! >As the ferocious feline slashes all around Pandora, the arrows she deflect have their heads burst as they collide with the surrounding scenery, releasing a sickly sweet mist that surrounds her entirely. >Spinning his épée, Cait creates a miniature vortex that attracts the miasma onto the blade. >With finesse, the fencer slices away with the poisoned sword, Pandora crying out in pain and annoyance! >However, when she goes to strike the fey, he leaps backwards, leaving a clear shot for Arash Kamangir to fire three more arrows with shocking accuracy! Combo Activated: Cantarella >The three arrows hit their mark, pouring their noxious payload into Pandora and poisoning her! > >"I'm going to save you, Twilight!" >Green flames trail from Spike's mouth as he chomps down on Pandora's leg, who is unable to shake him off. >Clamped down on his target, the dog unleashes the fires in his heart, causing the opponent to collapse to the ground in pain! >"Sunset, now's a good time for an All Out Attack!" "Let's go for it!" >"I'm sorry, Twilight!" >Seizing the opportunity granted by Spike's strike, we descend upon the downed Pandora, striking with all we got. >It must be because of our numbers, but I notice our attacks seem to pierce through her resistances, dealing far more damage! >Eventually, Pandora pushes us off her, pulling herself up in a fit of fury. >"No, we were so close! I cannot let you stop me this close to our utopia!" >Conjuring several orbs of fire, she flings them at us with reckless abandon, catching nearly all of us in the crossfire. >Thankfully, our strengthened suits reduce the flames to mild inconveniences, while Applejack and Spike soldier through with the protective magicks surrounding them. >Rarity gracefully steps through the spell, countering once more, dealing minor damage before hopping back! >Pandora then slams her hands to the earth, a huge exorcism circle spawning underneath us. >The me from before would have been in trouble, but we manage to nullify the purifying magic while the others avoid it just in time. > >Several of Legion's members give thumbs up and cocky poses at Fluttershy's praise as I shake my head with a smile. "At this rate, you're gonna encourage them, Fluttershy." >Still, we're doing good work so far, and the coughing from Pandora shows that she's vulnerable now. >If you guys want to use any combinations that haven't been done yet, now's the time. >How shall we continue the assault? Status: Sunset Shimmer: 94% HP, 80% SP Rarity: 80% HP, 100% SP Applejack: 69% HP, 80% SP Spike: 67% HP, 100% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 100% SP In reserve: Indigo Zap: 100% HP, 100% SP Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 100% SP Sour Sweet: 100% HP, 100% SP Pinkie Pie: 100% HP, 100% SP Sugarcoat: 100% HP, 100% SP Lemon Zest: 100% HP, 100% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 100% SP Let's keep her on her toes, shall we? Sunset, we should go for a Unite Flying Knee Kick or something like that, right? Sugarcoat and Indigo, jump in for Rarity and AJ. Spike and Sugarcoat, let's see that combo! And Indigo, Mind Charge up, you and Sour are next up to bat. >Don't see why we can't try that out. "We'll switch out Rarity and Applejack for Indigo and Sugarcoat. Gotta keep things interesting, wouldn't you say?" >Pandora gives me a smoldering look as we switch members around. "With me, Legion: Unite Leg!" >We leap into the air, forming a giant leg from our combined numbers. >Bending to create a appropriately destructive knee, we slam into Pandora's gut with a meaty thud! >"Wouldn't hurt to prime for another combo with Sour. Persona!" >Crushing her card, Indigo calls forth Pheidippides, focusing all her resources to the main cannons. >"Spike." >Sugarcoat motions to the diminutive pup, who barks happily in reply. >"Persona." >"Persona!" >Amarok rips through the ground immediately, as the goddess above him mutters under her breath. >The ground underneath Hel freezes over from the incantation, as bones begin to jut out of the floor. >Even underneath Pandora, the bones surround the entity, denying her escape! >With a vicious tug, the dire wolf pulls out a gate, its sable surface gleaming like a bug's carapace. >Hel thrusts one arm forward, the gate bursting with the wretched souls of the departed. >The deceased find an acceptable target with Pandora, their shrieks and wails weakening her constitution! >Amarok discharges an alarming amount of inky liquid from its maw, creating pools of concentrated curses. >Suddenly, the pools begin to move on their own accord, rushing towards the immobile Pandora! Combo activated: Gates of Helheim >The tidal wave of curses slams into the tightening cage, shattering the bones and catching Pandora in the chaos! >Unable to escape, her defenses only help so much as the bone fragments and malice slam her against the nearby wall! >Hel then beckons to the beings from beyond, as they slither back to their eternal slumber. >"You're welcome to give up and let Twilight be happy anytime you want, Pandora. Until then, though, this is fun too!" >Legion taunts Pandora as she pulls herself back up, her composure failing her as the poison continues to eat away at her. >"This is to make Twilight happy, you wretched dreamers!" >She leaps into the air, slamming the earth and catching everyone in its radius. >Huddling together, Legion manages to shield the blast, but the others aren't so lucky. >"Everything I have done has been for her: my entire existence is to fulfill her wish!" >Clapping her hands together, she calls forth a mighty tornado that sweeps through the arena, missing Spike by a hair and throwing the rest of us for a wild ride! >While we manage to weather through it just fine, and Hel protects Sugarcoat, Indigo takes even more damage before the storm abates. >Indigo pulls herself up, wiping the blood from her lip before looking at Pandora with anger. >"For something meant to fulfill wishes, you sure don't pay attention to the person who wished them! Did you ever ask Twilight how she felt?" >Pandora pauses at the question momentarily before shaking her head, countering the athlete's glare with one of her own. >"I was created by the desires in her heart: if she did not want this, I would not exist!" >It looks like we've got Pandora on the defensive, thanks to our concentrated assault. >Still, we're all pretty banged up, considering how a number of you guys are on the floor now. >Let's make sure to keep an eye on our health as well for this one. Sunset Shimmer: 58% HP, 80% SP Indigo Zap (MC): 38% HP, 90% SP Sugarcoat: 44% HP, 90% SP Spike: 31% HP, 80% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 100% SP In reserve: Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 100% SP Sour Sweet: 100% HP, 100% SP Pinkie Pie: 100% HP, 100% SP Rarity: 80% HP, 100% SP Lemon Zest: 100% HP, 100% SP Applejack: 69% HP, 80% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 100% SP Fair enough, let's trade Spike in for Rarity then and cure up. Sugarcoat can hand the reins over to Sour, who can bust out that sweet Doppelcombo with Indigo. And Sunset, let's buff up for next round with a Heat Riser. We're probably getting close to the limit, so let's prep for a finale, right? "Spike, Sugarcoat, you've done your part: switch out with Sour and Rarity so we can punch some holes into Pandora!" >Another quick swap later, I pull out the microphone and point defiantly at Pandora. "Heaven or Hell, let's rock!" >A boost of beneficial magic envelops Legion as they let out their own battlecries in reply! >As we psyche ourselves up, I notice Sour and Indigo preparing for another dose of their charged combo. >"Time for an encore!" >"Fuck yeah, especially since it looks like she can't take much more of this. Persona!" >"Persona!" >Doppelgänger's form sinks into the ground and begins to expand around the room, creating an umbral sphere around Pandora. >With an angled leap, Pheidippides soars through the air, taking a number of potshots before sinking into the nearby edge. >Suddenly, from underneath the surprised entity, the runner grabs her ankle, using the momentum of her ascent to fling Pandora into the darkness instead! >The speed of Pandora's trajectory only increases as the lack of resistance leaves her unable to escape the velocity. >Pheidippides nonchalantly takes roost in an empty spot and stylishly fires away at the speeding woman, riddling her full of hole as Doppelgänger hardens the far side of the sphere. >With nothing to stop her, Pandora slams into the makeshift wall, the shock of the impact leaving her open as Pheidippides unleashes a powerful beam! Combo activated: Pandemonium Lost >The supercharged laser punches Pandora through the sphere, slamming her into the closest wall for substantial damage! >"Let's be mindful of our own condition, darlings. Persona!" >Cait Sith purrs gently as a gentle, green aura covers us all, restoring our health to full. >"GRAH!" >Pandora roars to the heavens as a powerful explosion of raw magical energy bursts from her, catching all but Rarity in its wake! >"Enough, I was able to make you all part of the foundation before; I can do so again!" >Holding her hands out, Pandora focuses her magic into two orbs of that similar caustic energy. > >If she's that desperate, she has to be on the ropes. >Well, if this is the last push, then we might as well go all out ourselves. >You guys ready to go out with a bang? Status: Sunset Shimmer: 60% HP, 80% SP Indigo Zap: 61% HP, 90% SP Sour Sweet: 67% HP, 100% SP Rarity: 100% HP, 80% SP Fluttershy: 100% HP, 100% SP In reserve: Rainbow Dash: 100% HP, 100% SP Pinkie Pie: 100% HP, 100% SP Sugarcoat: 44% HP, 90% SP Lemon Zest: 100% HP, 100% SP Applejack: 69% HP, 80% SP Spike: 31% HP, 80% SP Sunny Flare: 100% HP, 100% SP Is it time to... [UNITE DRILL]? I think Myriad Hearts may indeed be the finisher we're looking for, don't think we'll quite make 50 unfortunately. Let's bring in Sunny for an Almighty move in place of Rarity, Indigo should go all out with a Psych barrage, and Sour double up with Doppelganger for some sweet Persona physicals. >Then let's finish this, together! "Rarity, switch out with Sunny: the time's come for us to go all out!" >Sunny rushes to the battlefield, readying herself for the final confrontation. "Listen to us, Pandora, we want Twilight's happiness as much as you do. And we're not going to stop until we show her that!" >Pandora's magic expands to dangerous levels as she shakes her head furiously in reply. >"No, only I have the strength to make her dream come true. Begone!" >Undeterred, she unleashes an enormous beam of unstable magic at us, barreling through the air with reckless abandon. >Suddenly, the momentum of the beam is halted as Pheidippides fires her double helix of psychedelic energies at it. >"So all we have to do to make you listen is show we're stronger, huh?" >The size and magnitude of the lasers is apparent: Pandora's attack slowly, but surely, continuing its trajectory. >"Monomane Unite Hand!" >Doppelgänger quickly splits into various shadow clones before merging with Sour Sweet, allowing her to combine the copies into a flaming, black hand. >Sour leaps at the blast with her newfound armament and joins in Indigo's efforts to keep the magic at bay! >"Twilight is our friend: no matter what happened that caused our memories to fade, our bonds are stronger than any magic you have!" >Bit by bit, the combined efforts halt the laser's progress, even pushing it back towards a shocked Pandora. >"And you think these bonds will take away all the pain inside her?" >Sunny slices her card, Phoebe rising into the sky and cupping the cosmos in her hands as she replies. >"It's true we can't cure all the pain, loneliness and sadness Twi's been suffering for years with. But we can help her get over it and build new memories of happiness!" >The titaness's eyes light up as the power of the stars shoots through her hand, slamming into the beam and tipping the scales in our favor! >The triangle attack successfully reflects the caustic magic and engulfs Pandora in an instant! >When the light fades, her form is barely holding together as parts of the entity crack and crumble away. >"Sunset, now!" "Unite Drill!" >Legion forms around my hand, the familiar drill I've seen Anon do countless times forming before my eyes. >Unlike the passionate pink flames, however, a raging inferno of crimson engulf our entire form, banishing the shadows! "This is the power of our bonds: our Myriad Hearts! The power to make our own happy ending, even if the odds are against us!" >Allowing your hearts to guide me, I leap into the air, the drill rotating at insane speeds as we charge straight towards the weakened Pandora. >Unable to escape, our aim strikes true, punching a blazing hole through her and pulling Twilight out safely! >Now an empty husk, Pandora begins to crumble apart, looking up to the air with a defeated expression >"Then... my dream was over before I was even born. Promise me, that you won't make her cry." "Of course, with all my power." >With that, the entity known as Pandora fades away, as Twilight's eyes begin to flutter awake. >"What...?" >Just then, her eyes shoot wide open as she finally takes in her surroundings. >"Oh no, that's right, I broke the barrier of Decoherence! If we don't do something soon, the world will be..." >I hand over the shining amulet, a look of worry starting to show in Twilight's eyes. "Twilight, with the amulet you can fix the barriers and put everything back to normal again." >Tears flow from her eyes as she looks at me with fear. >"I... I don't believe I can." >The others crowd around her with reassuring smiles as I place a hand on her trembling one. "Then believe in us who believe in you." >Twilight's tears dry as she looks down at the amulet in her hand. >"...Alright, I'll try." >Twilight closes her eyes and focuses on the amulet, its light engulfing the entire Fantasia. >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Fc3PxsXzE >Piano music floats through the room, creating a relaxing atmosphere as my eyes adjust. >It's the Velvet Room, but it looks practically pristine, with nothing of the damage it displayed a week ago. >Looking around, I see the others blinking in surprise as they take in the new locale. >"Where the hell are we?" >"Welcome to the Velvet Room, dear guest, as well as her friends." >Theodore appears beside the desk once more, a satisfied smile on his fact as he closes a new book and places it onto the nearby shelf. >"You have successfully managed to prevent the destabilization of your world, even with the odds heavily against you. I am quite pleased to see you succeed in your task." >He turns to the chair nearby, motioning to something I can't quite see. >"Wouldn't you agree?" >From the chair, an all too familiar toy foists herself into the air and floats towards Twilight, a shocked look on the girl's expression. >"Miss Smartypants, is that you?" >She shakes her head at Twilight's hopeful question, a sad look on its button-eyed face. >"I am merely the childhood you abandoned to punish yourself. Have you stopped your foolishness and accepted your mistakes?" >After a moment of hesitation, the girl looks to herself with an unwavering gaze. >"I have: I can't just keep running away from my problems anymore. I can't keep running away from you." >Twilight grasps Miss Smartypants's stuffed paw, a smile forming on her lips. >"You're me, just like I'm you." >With those words, the doll nods, rising into the air and fading into particles of light. >Remaining in Twilight's hands is a lone, ornate box with no keyhole. >"A box?" >Theo nods. >"Indeed, a box containing your true self. Whether it contains good or evil, nothing or everything, depends entirely upon you now, Twilight Sparkle." >With that out of the way, I feel my connection to the Myriad Hearts fading away as you all appear beside the alicorn. "Guys?" >"Your contract is finally complete, Sunset Shimmer, and thus your time in this Velvet Room as well. The dreamers cannot stay sleeping forever, after all." >While I can't quite see your expressions, I feel a wave of regret and sadness flood my senses as you look amongst each other. >Perhaps this is the effect of a place of the heart like the Velvet Room. >Or is this a side effect of being with you guys for so long? >Regardless, I shake my head and look at you all with a genuine smile. "So this is it, then: we've gone through a lot this one week. While I won't miss your smartass remarks, it'll be weird thinking to myself again." >That's right: even if this is just a dream, even if our actions aren't entirely our own, we still decide our own endings. >You guys and Anon are proof enough to that statement as is. "Thank you." Nah, if anything, thank you for letting us help and be a part of the journey, Sunset. Take care of yourselves and each other, and who knows, maybe we'll be back sooner than you know. I don't like goodbyes at all, so I'll just say I'll catch you real soon Bacon. It's been real. We are all a world ending event away, so we are likely to see again sooner than you may expect. Until next time Sunset! "I'm looking forward to it." >The lot of you huddle around me, trapping me in a sweaty group hug that I'm reluctant to part with. >And yet, I feel you all waken, one by one, fading from the dream you helped save. >"Sunset?" >Sniffling, I wipe my eyes and turn to the girls, their concerned expressions apparent. "I'm alright, everyone; let's go home." >Everyone nods as they make their way through the blue door in the back, leaving me the last in this room. >Turning around one last time, Theo bows to me with a gentle smile. >"You have been a most wonderful guest. Now go, see the dream you have built." >Canterlot High Courtyard, Noon, Friday, October 31 >The first thing I feel is the bright glare of the noon sun, covering my eyes while they adapt. >"Ah, Twilight and Principal Cinch, it's certainly a... surprise to see you two here by yourselves." >Hearing a familiar voice, I look around to see us all in the same place we were at before Twilight opened the amulet. >If that's the case, we need to get over there, fast! "We need to get moving, everyone. Move!" >As we hurry on over, Cinch drops the pennants unceremoniously on the table, her grin looking like she ate the canary. >"I trust the return of all these pennants is enough to declare a winner?" >Celestia frowns, looking between the Principal and the pennants right in front of her. >"I don't think you understand the meaning of this competition-" "Stop!" >All eyes in the courtyard turn to our group as we rush in. >"Sunset, what's wrong?" >Principal Celestia looks at me with worry as Cinch turns with a dark expression. >"You." "Principal Cinch has blackmailed Twilight into rigging these games and stealing the pennants!" >Celestia and Luna look at Cinch with questioning stares, the normally collected principal spluttering against the accusations. >"Absurd! Do you even have any proof for these baseless accusations?" >"We have plenty, Miss Cinch." >I turn to see a group of police officers walking over with stern expressions on their faces. >A particularly burly one who, judging from his similar skin and hair color, looks to be Sour's uncle, walks up to a relieved Cinch. >"Oh, Midnight, thank goodness you're here. This ruffian has been attempting to besmirch my reputation and-" >The officer holds up a badge, giving her a glare strong enough to wither further remarks. >"That's Chief Hero on duty, Abacus, and I'm afraid you can't talk your way out of this one. Officer Armor, if you would?" >This world's Shining nods, pulling out a phone and fiddling with it before a familiar voice comes out of it. >"I tinkered with both the Academic Decathlon and the Tricross Relay, all to give my students the decisive advantage for these Games." >Cinch pales in horror as she listens to her own voice damn her. >But how did a conversation from Twilight's Fantasia get sent to the police? >Wracking my head for any potential clues, I think back to the conversation I had with Sour and Sunny at Pinkie's sleepover. >Sunny does have a voice recorder, but how did she manage to catch it all in the Fantasia and send it from there? >She must have sent it before we entered the room with Midnight in it. >"Th-this must be some sort of mistake. Our r-reputation would be in shambles if I truly risked that..." "What was it you told us, Principal Cinch, 'Our reputation is pristine, so long as there are no witnesses to my deeds.'?" >Unable to retort, the nearby officers cuff the dumbfounded principal, taking her away as I walk to Principal Celestia. "I hope the subterfuge doesn't mess with the results of the final round." >To my surprise, Celestia laughs at my legitimate worry, Luna doing her best to hide her grin. "Did I say something weird?" >Taking a deep breath, the principal calms down and smiles gently at me. >"It's not you, it's just that I do believe we failed to properly explain what the 'tiebreaker' actually was." >She picks up one of the pennants, flipping it around and showing off both schools' colors. >"You see, the Friendship Games was created when Principal Sombra and I decided that our schools needed some more camaraderie between themselves. >"The Decathlon and Tricross Relay are meant to show the bonds of friendship and teamwork between the schools, though we seem to have been more focused on winning. When both sides have a win, we bring up the 'tiebreaker' and make the top students from each school team up with the other school's students to work together and find the pennants." >Luna picks up where her sister leaves off, her smile no different from Celestia's. >"You see, no one actually wins from the 'tiebreaker'. The point is for the schools to work together and find all the pennants, and gaining newfound friendship from the trials." >... >This feels so obvious, like I should've seen it coming. >Guess all of the excitement afterwards pushed the thought out of my mind. >Chuckling sheepishly, I turn to my friends: both the ones I had and the ones I've made. >Their smiles and laughter truly make me happy that I have them now. "I think I understand what you mean, Principal and Vice-Principal." >The two nod, Cadance finally returning from her talks with Shining with a conciliatory smile on her lips. >"Well, barring the unfortunate circumstances of Principal Cinch's activities, I announce the Friendship Games... to be over!" >Students from both sides cheer wildly as my friends nearly tackle me with a group hug! >Noticing Twilight sitting out, I grab her arm and pull her into the circle, the bashful nerd squirming in protest before giving up. >Canterlot High Courtyard, Afternoon, Friday, October 31st >Judging from everyone's general condition, it looks like everyone completely forgot about the broken Decoherence, save us. >Well, all's well that ends well, though I can't help but feel like there are more questions still unanswered. >Who told Cinch about the Ur-Dream? >Why are the Decoherence events happening. >What exactly was that creepy dream? >Still, no need to worry about questions I have no way of solving currently. >Got some more free time before we part, so what do you guys think we should do? >... >As expected, only silence responds my query. >They really are gone now, aren't they? >Though I suppose it's more accurate to say that they finally woke up. >Guess it's time to make my own choices again, isn't it? >:Pulling myself back up, I notice Sour Sweet running towards me with a worried expression on her face. >"We've got a situation, Sunset!" "Sour? What's going on?" >Without explaining, she grabs my arm and drags me towards the statue mirror. >"We were just hanging out by the old statue and shit, when this big dude just barreled through the mirror like it wasn't even there!" >Through? >But that can only mean-! "Hanged Man!" >As we arrive, I see him holding his hands in surrender at the girls surrounding him, Dream Magus's amulet around his neck. >"Sunset?" >He turns to look at me just in time to catch my full-body tackle of a hug. >It feels like it's been so long since I've seen him... >As I hold the man I love tightly, I feel his arms encircle around me like a comforting blanket. >After I calmed down a bit, Hanged Man explained the situation. >It seems we weren't the only ones to experience weird things on Nightmare Night. >Thankfully, it sounds like everyone's alright, if a bit rattled. >I am curious as to what this "Bray" fellow is like. "We've also had a bit of an... episode, as it were." >Twilight flinches at the description of her near complete rewrite of this world, though I put a reassuring arm on her shoulder before continuing. "I think it might be best to talk about it with the others, see what we want to do about it." >Hanged Man nods, and the two of us go through the portal. >My name is Twilight Sparkle, student at Crystal Prep Academy, reader, scientist, egghead. >And I'm currently taking part in horse court. >Well, ponies, apparently, according to Pinkie and the other Canterlot students. >Sapient ponies capable of remarkable feats of strength, flight, and magic. >Certainly not beings you want to have upset with you, and that is exactly what I did. >Even if no one remembers the stuff I did as Midnight Sparkle, that doesn't mean they didn't suffer from my weakness. >Feeling something land on my shoulder, I jump in alarm, turning around to see Sol and the other girls walking towards me. >If I hurt anyone the most, it would be those girls I lied to and hurt as Pandora. >I wouldn't be surprised if they- >Sol hugs me gently, her prosthetic apparent on my back as she shakes. >"-rry." "Sol?" >"I'm so sorry I forgot about you. You must have been so alone this whole time, without friends." >It feels wrong for Sol, of all people, to apologize to me. "N-no, I'm the one who sh-should be sorry..." >Barely containing my tears, I grip onto my old friend, afraid she'll disappear again if I let go. "I should've said something, anything, but I was so scared. It's all my fault you guys got hurt." >"You dumbass, that's what friends are for." >Sour joins in the hug, followed by Indigo, Lemon, and Sugarcoat, with Spike staying close to my side. >I can't stop the tears anymore, my ugly sobbing muffled by their loving embraces. >"Let's be friends again, Twi." "...Y-yeah!" >Twilight's Castle, Afternoon, Friday, October 31 "And that's what happened." >All the Arcanas and the Dream Team take their time to consider the tale I told them. >It certainly seemed like a surprise to Dream Magus when Hanged Man and I came through the portal almost immediately after he left. >And gathering everyone from their witch hunt for Death was damaging to my soul, but we managed to wrangle them all into a room without infighting. >After their deliberation, Princess Luna is the first to speak. >"What of the amulet, after the other Twilight used it to recorrect that world?" >I shrug, thinking about the scene we ran into before Cinch was arrested. "Not sure, but I haven't seen it anywhere since that final battle with Pandora." >"But man, it sounds like that was quite a journey. Not as stupidly long as ours, but way longer than a week!" >The other Arcana agree and discuss amongst each other, though I could have sworn I heard something about a record. >I'll just grab it over the weekend, since Lug Nut's taking a break this weekend. "So what do we want to do about that Twilight?" >I feel like I can guess what most of the Arcana will say, but I wait until I hear their verdict. >"Eh, she isn't doing it anymore, right? I say give her a second chance." >"You guys are always too lenient on folks." >Even with the side arguments, it seems they're all willing to give that Twilight a second chance. >Princess Twilight walks up, a worried look on her face. >"I had no idea the other me was dealing with that much pain. Maybe I should go and talk to her." "She's been through a lot today, Twilight. It might not be a good idea to add that she's a Princess of Friendship in another world as well." >After a moment of consideration, she nods, a sheepish smile on her muzzle. >"Yeah, that might be a bit too much to handle for one day." "Don't worry, I'm sure we can get a date set up where the two of, yourself, can meet." >She nods to the idea, satisfied with the suggestion as Luna rises from her seat. >"Thank you for the report, Sunset. I'm glad to see you are still safe from that ordeal." "No problem, Princess Luna, it looks like we'll need to be even more vigilant around this time." >Nodding, she exits the room to probably prepare for tonight's festivities, and the others follow, leaving Hanged Man waiting next to the mirror. >"you're gonna go back over there, I'm assuming." "Well, it's still technically a school day over there. Plus, I need to say goodbye to my new friends as well." >Trotting over to him, we share a hug and kiss, his expression softening. >"just come back safe." >Smiling, I give a playful wink to my fiancée before making my way through the portal. "Always do." >Canterlot High Courtyard, Afternoon, Friday, October 31 >Emerging to the other side, the girls look at me with anticipation of our verdict. >Twilight, in particular, seems worried, yet accepting of what we decided. "Don't worry, Twilight, everyone says you deserve a second chance." >Everyone lets out their breaths they probably didn't know they were holding as I continue. "One of them wants to meet you in person for a while some time, so let me know when you've got time." >"Right, of course." >Principal Celestia and Dean Cadance make their way towards as Luna continues to help students prepare to leave. >"Ah, Sunset, I've been looking for you. With the unfortunate circumstances you revealed about Principal Cinch, the school board wants to take some time to figure out who replaces her." "Meaning?" >"Next Monday will be an impromptu day off to give them an appropriate amount of time." >Cadance nods, looking to the Crystal Prep students with a smile. >"In addition, until we figure out an appropriate replacement, I'll be acting as a substitute principal." >Well, it looks like I've got even more time to be with Hanged Man and the others, then. >With the remaining time, I work with the other students to help out with moving. >Finally, it's time to say our goodbyes, the other students swapping phone numbers and friendly farewells. >Indigo stretches out her limbs, a grin plastered on her face. >"I don't care what Principal Cinch said. It's been more fun gettin' to know everyone at CHS than it ever was playing against 'em." >Sunny nods, looking around at all the smiles and laughter now spreading among her fellow students. >"Crystal Prep is definitely going to be a different place now." >Pinkie pops in with a party favor, covering Sugarcoat in glitter and ribbons. >"Especially with all your new old friends!" >Sour nods, looking at me with gratitude. >"And we wouldn't have found out about any of this if you didn't stick your nose into everyone's business." >Yeah, I guess I did push rather hard to listen to their dreams and problems. >"Alright, everyone, it's time to go back to Crystal Prep!" >The newly minted Principal Cadance calls to the students of CPA, as my new friends wave goodbye and enter the bus. >Even as the vehicle roams on, our two groups wave to each other until the bus disappears from view. >As the final school bell goes off, most of the students take off, finally free of the ordeal that was the Friendship Games. "Thank goodness that only happens once every four years." >"I concur, darling: all this running around has made me tired and wanting for a nice, long bath." >We all laugh at Rarity's "plight" as Pinkie's eyes light up. >"This totally calls for a 'Victory/Nightmare Night/Best Ending' Party! It's just a shame you won't be able to make it, Sunset." >She deflates a bit as Rainbow puts an arm around her shoulder with a grin. >"Eh, it's no biggie, we can always cut the parties up for later." >"I'm just happy we'll finally be able to relax and enjoy ourselves." >Fluttershy holds her hand to her chest, Applejack nodding to the shy girl's comment. >"Yeah, it'll be good to not worry about classes or extradimensional entities for an extended weekend." >Listening to their conversations with a smile, I move to the front of all of them. "Thanks for helping me get through all of this, even with all the risks attached to it." >They laugh in reply, pulling me in for one final group hug. >"Come on, Sunset, that's what friends are for!" >"Yeah!" >I'm truly blessed to have these girls as my friends. >No matter what, we'll get through anything that stands in our way. >Together. FIN