The Final Ritual

[Red Charge]

Princess Luna stared at herself in the mirror. Was she ready for this? It seemed not so long ago she was filled with rage and jealousy. Would this battle not tempt her back into her old ways? But the Cult had to be stopped. Eclipse was dangerous. She had no choice.

"My lady I..." Valkyrie Razorwing interrupted her thoughts as she entered her tent, but halted at the sight of her. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, Valkyrie." She replied, walking past the pegasus. The army would need a speech, they would need to hear her words.

"We've sent Team Phoenix and Thunderbird ahead, now all that is left is Team Moonbird, and of course, the rest of the army." The pegasus female said sternly, her shining blue armor fastened against her slim figure.

"Valkyrie, I realize that you think of the best for our nation, but please, this time, do not use excessive force." Luna pleaded. Valkyrie did not respond.

The Princess stepped out of her tent, floating on a cloud high above her army, stallions and mares armed and armored, dedicated to the country, ready to face the Void if need be to protect their nation.

"My dear ponies," Luna started, "Now is a time of great turmoil. Creatures normally unseen outside of Everfree have been plaguing us, pirates roam the skies and the seas. Even within our own cities and towns discontent is beginning to surface. We are here today, fighting not against monsters, not against the enemy, but against our own ponies. Our friends, our families, our own. These ponies believe in their cause because we failed to show we can protect them against the coming threat."

The alicorn princess looked round at the attentive faces below her, "I will not deny, there is a chance that this cult is the reason the monsters are getting restless to begin with. I will not deny, in their struggles against us, they have been more valorous than we, I'm afraid, not having taken a single pony life. It is this reason why I now ask, wherever possible, capture and incapacitate. Though the Cult remains an enemy of Equestria, they are still a Cult, caught in the wily charms of their leader, the wanted pony Red Charge.

It is today that we prove that they are wrong. It is today that we prove we CAN protect them, and that we will with no hesitation. Be it from monsters, enemies, or our own if necessary. We will prove that Equestria will not relinquish the safety of its citizens. Today we prove, that like many times before, we will fight for good, and we WILL prevail.

Zounds of dragons could not destroy us, The Adversary could not destroy us, Discord could not destroy us, the Cult of Eclipse will NOT destroy us. And today, we show them the power that will save us from this crisis. Not some ancient deity of destruction, but the power of our bonds, our friendships, our love. As my sister would say so many times, Friendship is Magic, and it is that magic that will win the day, so I ask you this, my little ponies. Are you ready to return confidence in Equestria?"

To which the army replied with an uproar, "Yes!"

"Are you ready to show that we will not let this crisis bring us to our knees?"

"Yes!"

"Are you ready to stand united and cry with one voice, we are Equestria?"

And at that a crescendo swept across the valley, as the many hoof steps and the beat of war drums echoed towards the Froggy Bottom Bog.

---

"Looks like your guests are about to arrive." Said the blonde Pegasus.

"Indeed it seems that way. You best be off." The armored pony suggested.

"Good luck." The winged mare said, and with a peck on the red stallion's cheek flew off.

"White Fire, you know what to do." The armored pony uttered, as he began focusing on the last of the rituals. "Be careful."

"I will." She replied, rising from her own seating position next to where the pegasus mare had just sat and left the chamber. The fighting would start at any moment.

[Red Charge]

The bog was shrouded in an ear splitting silence as the Equestrian Army stood across the clearing from the Cult's battlements. Far in the distance loomed, ever-ominous the large pyramid like acropolis. With the limited visibility of the sky any-pony could see the large round object approaching the sun. The Eclipse was about to begin.

The Equestrian Commanders stood with their battalions, quickly running their orders and instructions through their heads for when the battle started. Princess Luna was standing serenely on a cloud on top of it all, a rolling vista of the battlefield ahead was revealed to her. The mounting buzz accompanying the quiet stillness was ringing in her ears much like a speeding train.

She could see now the dire situation they were facing, as she saw the Water Golem, approximately as high as the pyramid itself standing ready on the outer flank. The murky green water composing it seemed odd to her, she had rather thought a reportedly flamboyant mage like Watermark would have made a creation with a more appealing visage. Surely yet, the gnoll-shaped creature was had a bizarre formation of clouds on its back, almost like a long mane over its hunched form.

On the other side she could see the heightened platform housing the mage battery, protected of course by shields the like of which she has not seen since the Prism Wars. Between her army and them buffered many trenches, traps, bottlenecks and walls. Quicksand spells have been cast all over the field, creating sinkholes against ground based ponies, murky green clouds shrouded the vision of Pegasi and served as possible staging grounds for ambushes, and the organized mage ranks provided cover from long range artillery. If there was one thing the Princess had to admit, is that they were holed in well.

Though she was concerned whether or not they would reach the pyramid in time, Luna put her trust in the strength and courage of her military, as well as that of the strike teams. The Stars, under Valkyrie's command were ready to spring into the air, along with the Equestrian Air-Force. The Royal Canterlot Mages were providing as much magical assistance as they could, from potions of healing and power to magical spells to defend against or attack the cultists. Her army was by far the better, but it was not a question of victory or defeat at the stakes, but of time.

With one last deep breath, the Princess aimed a hoof forwards, and the pressing stillness so far present around her erupted into a crescendo of a stampede followed by war cries. Her was mane and tail whipping in the gusts made by the Pegasi flying past her, her ears ringing from the noise of magical explosions, sending massive balls of magical energy hurtling towards the enemy defenses. She stood there for a few more moments, taking in the sight of her charging forces, her champions, and then took off, her night colored armor inspiring her ponies as she flew with them into battle.

[Red Charge]

"Steady!" The call rang out throughout the Cult's defensive positions, magically magnified so that all could hear. Archers prepared their bows, loaded with flat tipped arrows, to which a pearl sized sack was tied. The stun powder within would explode on contact, stunning any pony in the vicinity of the impact. The front rows of burly earth ponies stood frontline shields facing forwards, and behind facing upwards in Equiterian style.

The clouds on the Water Golem's hunched back began to dislodge and float towards the battlefield, as the Golem itself, legs deep in two very large basins of murky green water aimed it's claws towards the Equestrian forces.

The mages shuffled with discomfort, horns beginning to glow with concentration as White Fire raised a hoof. "Steady!" She called again, her voice again echoing throughout the area. Her eyes were fixed on the Equestrian forces, as soon as they would enter optimal range, she would give the fire command.

The Equestrian forces almost reached the banner marking the "point of no return" a warning to turn back, placed by the Cult, but also a clever marker for the time to strike. As the first pony's hoof crossed the line, White Fire called, "Now!"

At once hundreds of arrows shot into the air, disappearing above the thick cloud cover for just a moment, before raining down on the Equestrian forces. The sounds of fire-crackers filled the bog along with the massive bursts of energy coming from the mass stun spells shot by the Red Mages, massive balls of energy colliding with Equestria's own and crashing down upon the charging forces with ear splitting bangs. The Water Golem began a Gatling-like barrage of thick globs of water. The murky green substance aimed with pinpoint precision.

The battle had begun.

[Red Charge]

It was soon very apparent that the Cult was more than prepared for everything the Equestrian Forces had to offer. Minutes into the battlefield Princess Luna was accosted by a Pegasus mid flight, "Princess Luna, we're flanked! It's a …" But before the soldier could continue, a loud earth shattering roar came from behind them, as a hydra lifted itself out of the pool of muck it was hiding in, knocking soldiers to and fro.

"I will take matters into my own hooves. Send in the air-force!" She called, turning back and flying towards the hydra. A peculiar situation was revealed to her on the way, however. It seemed that all ponies struck with the swamp water cast by the golem lost the will to fight.

"No…" She realized, they had become disoriented! Unicorns lost their magic, Earth Ponies began to tremble uncontrollably. The green was not swamp water… but that would mean… "Stop the air force!" She called out quickly, but it was too late. The Pegasi going through the clouds began crashing into each other, or otherwise spinning uncontrollably as they lost all sense of balance. The clouds and water were made of poison joke serum! She had no time to handle it now. She had to trust her commanders. She turned back and took off towards the Hydra once more.

On the Cult's side, the Red Barons, vaccinated against the poison joke lurked between the clouds, peeking every now and then to check if the air force was making progress. What they were really waiting for, however, was a chance to get back at the Stars. Now that Percheron was with them, the Stars had no chance.

Percheron surveyed the airspace, he could spot not a single Star in the sky. "What in Equestria are they doing…" He mumbled, until he caught it… a trail, a long dark trail of smoke. There was no way… "Shadow Bolts!" One of his men called. It was true, streaking towards them were Luna's fabled creations the Shadow Bolts, materialized smoke, as dangerous as any pony. Percheron was worried, he had not been prepared for this. He did not know anything about the Shadow Bolts, not their powers, not their tactics, not their methods… He had prepared to fight the Stars… Valkyrie must have caught on.

Even as he ordered the ambush Percheron was astounded by how crafty the Princess and Valkyrie had been. The Shadow Bolts immediately dispersed, and even as the Red Barons looked at them from within their smoky trail emerged the Stars, tearing through the barons. The Shadow Bolts were using this as a distraction. Before the Barons knew it they were surrounded, leaving the Cult's forces with no effective air force.

Percheron had to adapt, had to distract them. At once he signaled all the Barons to feint a retreat and then charge again, catching the Stars and Shadow Bolts only slightly off guard, giving him the edge he needed. The Red Baron lifted up high into the air, brushing through clouds and gathering electricity, there would be no choice he'd have to use Titan's Blade.

His distant cousin expected that. With a swing seemingly out of nowhere she was upon him. Two wrist mounted blades slashing at him in the air, one right through the strap of his mask, leaving his face exposed.

"I thought I'd find you here, traitor." She accused him harshly, eyes glinting with vindictive fury.

"I never betrayed Equestria. You are just blind!" He called back, "You tried to kill my lieutenant, you shame the unit you're in!" To this he received another two sharp slashes in reply, one nicking his side shallowly.

"I shame the Stars? Not the turncoat who joined a pirate group?" Valkyrie shrieked with rage at the stallion, "You have no idea how we looked up to you." She whispered, though giving off the impression she was talking of all the Razorwings, she was in fact speaking only for herself. "You were a goal to us! A bar to surpass!" She swept at him, he deflected, "You were a hero!" she feinted a stab and then struck with a roundhouse kick. "And then you quit, you were discharged, the only one in the family, and you walked away!"

"I was disowned! Even my sister wouldn't talk to me!" Percheron snapped, "The family exiled me because I didn't fit their vision of a perfect Pegasus!" He began his own series of attacks, all struck home, sending Valkyrie back.

"You didn't try to fight back! You just gave up! You were everything to us, to me! My role model, my inspiration and then you gave up! You left! There was no sense of satisfaction replacing you as Captain of the Stars! It was shameful! Empty!" She slashed again and again. "You failed me!" she called with a final screech before charging him again. There was no time for words in the battle that ensued.

Back on the ground, traps began to go off as the Equestrians advanced. The clever cult left booby traps and pits of quicksand everywhere. The approach was slow, and being under the constant bombardment of the enemy was not easy. Shining Armor at the front of the forces did his best to deflect any missiles headed his way. But having to fight through enemy ground forces kept his concentration from being able to fully maintain a shield. The Element bearers were around too, helping where they could. Fluttershy was healing the wounded, Rarity patching up whatever damaged armor she could. Applejack was in charge of rescue and Pinkie Pie of rations. His own sister Twilight was using her extensive magic knowledge to counter as many enemy spells as she could and Rainbow Dash was in the strike team heading into the pyramid. He couldn't be more proud of them than at that moment. So he fought on, disregarding fatigue or injury, determined to win.

[Red Charge]

It was in the middle of exchanging blows when the thundering screech was heard, even so high as where the leader of the Red Barons and the captain of the Stars were fighting.

"PERCHERON! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Both Valkyrie and Percheron knew that voice, they turned to look just as a raging ball of fire smashed right into Percheron.

"What the BUCK do you think you're doing?!" Firefly demanded, grabbing the stallion Pegasus by the collar of his armor. However, without even giving him the time to reply she delivered a vicious headbutt, sending him spiraling down out of control.

Valkyrie wasn't entirely content leaving Percheron to Firefly, but there were more pressing matters to attend to now, and she had her duties. She blasted off in the other direction, hoping she could make it in time.

---

Princess Luna, having finally taken care of the Hydra attacking the flanks of her forces (and shrinking it down to the size of a hamster), took off back towards the forward communications center.

"How many have we taken down?" She asked Static, chief communications officer. Though she asked it in a calm, official tone, her exerted, flushed visage was apparent; hair frayed and still slightly panting with the exertion of fighting the hydra.

"Our estimates are in the dozens." Static responded, his speaking voice had the unbelievable effect of being insanely fast, but despite so, being incredibly clear. He could relay information in seconds that would take minutes for any normal pony.

"And on our side?" Luna asked, bracing herself for the bad news.

"None." Said Static simply, proceeding to direct a three sided assault on one of the Cult's battlements.

Luna was taken aback, "What? That's impossible." She said, almost infuriated at the misleading information.

"No, there's no casualties. Every time they turn away a wave they go heal our soldiers and send them back. It doesn't look like they're keen on fighting us to begin with." The communications said casually.

Luna felt enraged, "This is a tactic. Red Charge knows that if he hurts us it'll drive us to bring him down more. But killing an enemy that's not trying to kill them will ruin the soldiers' morale, make them question orders." She said rigidly, waves of anger swelling within her.

Red Charge had to seem the more valorous, had to do all he could to appear the victim, make Equestria look like the oppressor. But in truth, it was not that he was attempting to make her soldiers doubt her that bothered the Princess. It was that he succeeded in making her doubt herself. She had not revealed to anyone the plea he had sent, asking her not to attack and that it would only be a pointless cost of pony life. She had perceived it as a threat, a boast of their military might. But could she have been wrong? Was the cult really, as it was claiming, just trying to work for Equestria?

This sent another wave of fury through her being, for the first time since returning from the moon she felt close to Nightmare Moon again.

"Spread the words, don't let the soldiers be fooled." She ordered coldly, hoping she was making the right call.

---

"Mom and Dad are fighting in this battle, and you're fighting on the side against them?" Firefly asked, kicking Percheron, who had regained control. He blocked her kick and held her hoof in place.

"The same Mom and Dad who disowned me, along with you for that matter!" Percheron said angrily pushing Firefly back. It took only a second for him to realize he had said something terrible, for that terrible spark in Firefly's eyes lit. The spark he never wanted to be on the business end of.

"*I* disowned you?! *I*?!" She called out indignantly sending a quick kick to his gut, which he did not manage to block. "*I* vouched for you when gramps disowned you, *I* fought with him, *I* even quit the army so I could start a new, Razorwing mercenary firm with *YOU* as partner! But no, *YOU* were so quick to turn traitor, I couldn't find you anywhere. You even sold your house in Cloudsdale so you could come live in this stinking swamp!"

Never before had Percheron noticed how much of their parents Firefly had in her. Their mother, Diamond Sword was the pure Razorwing, while their father Hornet was a mercenary turned soldier. She inherited their mother's coat but their father's mane color and attitude. But now he stood in front of his big sister and had no idea what to say to her.

---

Below, Blitz Streak was doing her best to organize her forces against the Shadow Bolts and the Stars. The rest of the Equestrian Air Force had already began descending at their battlements. They could really use Titan's Blade about now, but he seemed to be nowhere in sight.

There was one last tactic she could try to disrupt the Pegasi Platoons, it was desperate, but better than nothing. Quickly calling a rally, she gathered the Barons, now surrounded from all sides by the enemy. There was one last tactic they could use, desperate though it may be. The armored pirates held hooves and formed a sort of sphere, all of their hind hooves pointing at the center of it. All at once, the Barons channeled the electricity in the air into their hooves, for lack of a better word magnetizing their shoes, all at the same polarity.

Instantly the repulsion sent them speeding in all directions, smacking into Stars and Shadow Bolts and knocking them unconscious, cutting through the Pegasi and forcing them to halt their advance. The one downside of it was, however, that it completely exhausted the Barons and separated them, making them easy targets for capture.

Panting and completely spent, Blitz hoped that they stalled them long enough.

[Red Charge]

"Go!" Luna called, drying up yet another pool of quicksand placed by the cultists, "Get to the pyramid, the eclipse has almost started!" Though she knew they were no where near the pyramid. It was as she suspected, it would be up to the air force and the strike teams to stop the ritual.

She looked up to survey the situation of the Pegasi, what was left of the air force unaffected by the poison joke clouds and golem were surrounding the remainders of the Red Barons. The pirate band was now backed against a large clump of poison joke clouds, with nowhere to retreat to. The battle was decided when Valkyrie joined the fray again, having dealt with the mage battery herself.

"Get them!" She called, leading the charge. The Pegasi were almost upon the Barons when several powerful torrents of poison joke serum swept through them.

An airship has just emerged from the cloud cluster, the ponies on board dressed in toxic suits and using high powered water canons to blast the Pegasi out of the way. The surprise attack caught the air force by surprise, in mere moments their numbers fell. The Shadow Bolts exposed to the poison joke were dispelled, it was now, as before, what was left of the Stars against what was left of the barons.

Valkyrie was infuriated, she charged forwards, ducking and dodging blasts of poison joke left and right, diving right through the gas balloon of the zeppeling and popping it, causing the ship to descend rapidly towards the ground. But the damage was done, the Pegasi air force was no more. Only Team Moonbird had a chance of stopping the ritual now.

Before the mare had any time to contemplate this however, Blitz Streak crashed into her purposely, "Remember me?" She called, sending them both into one of the clouds, effectively poisoned. Though she had received a certain level of protection against the poison joke, such exposure was too much, and she too began spiraling towards the ground.

---

Luna sighed woefully; her air force was down and out. All they had now was the strike teams. A heavy fear began nesting in her heart. Her mind finally returned to the battle at hand when a pony near her called "Artillery!"

White Fire's fireballs streaked over the battlefield, the power and intensity of the flames threatening even from afar. These, while they might not kill any pony, would certainly cause a lot of damage. To her surprise, the golem immediately intercepted them, stretching out its hand to shield the battlefield.

After that, more artillery appeared, impact blasts again. The cultists were intent on stunning rather than hurting, it seemed. But if the mage battery was still active, what was the fate of Team Thunderbird?

The princess was torn between the desire to help her soldiers and the fear of failing to stop the ritual. But as long as the Water Golem was there, she would be hard pressed to get anywhere near the pyramid to begin with.

With the eclipse moments away, she decided to put her trust in her Strike Teams. She would need all of her strength if they failed…

[Red Charge]

The numbers were rolling in Princess Luna's head, not a single casualty. Granted, they had one Pegasus injured and captured, Storm Shroud from Strike Team Thunderbird and one Unicorn launched out of the area, Star Shade from Strike Team Phoenix. But it was still beyond astounding that there has not been a single Equestrian casualty, not even by accident.

The enemy casualties remained unchanged after the first estimates; it seemed that as the princess predicted, the fighting slowed down and by the time the Eclipse started it almost stopped completely. Both sides knew that it was too late for the Equestrian force to actually stop the Ritual. Whether or not Moonbird would succeed or fail was beyond both sides' influence now. The cult passed around anti-joke serum to the Equestrian forces both those in captivity and those back at the camps. Even the Princess had to appreciate how earnestly they believed they were working for Equestria. Again she had to force down her own doubts.

She saw the shadow of the moon dragging across the sky, an Eclipse was different than a regular day. It was driven by its own power, a power that she alone could not stop. That same power was what, as told by legend, granted Eclipse the god-like powers. He had managed somehow to tap into the power of the solar shadow, an intersection of both the Celestial and Void energies. Energies not meant to be wielded by a single pony.

The golem in the distance, now a slimy brown in color and texture stayed motionless, observing as both camps tended to their own. White Fire had stopped launching artillery and was now busy reviving her fellow mages. Checking on Storm Shroud every once in a while to make sure he was in no danger.

"News from Canterlot, your majesty," Static reported, "It's gone." As she knew it would, the Horse Head Nebula had vanished. All knew of the strange horse shaped distortion, but few knew it served as a prison. Much like the moon served as hers.

There was still time of course, stopping the ritual before the Eclipse peaked would reverse the effects and return Eclipse to his prison. All The Princess, for all her considerable power could do now, was hope.

[Red Charge]

The Princess was only barely aware of the ruckus coming from the front lines now, she was overseeing the distribution of the poison joke antidote, the first batches of course went to the mages and pegasi and later to the earth ponies. As finally her officers grabbed her attention, she saw why. The cult's forces were slowly backing away from the pyramid now, as a tremendous pressure began to build up in the air. The pyramid began practically radiating raw untamed power, she could feel it pressing against her, nearly constricting her.

Looking up at the sky she knew it was too late now, the Eclipse would peak in just a few moments. Eclipse was about to arrive, and the entire swamp could feel it.

[Red Charge]

The entire swamp felt the energy building out throughout the entire time they were there. But it was the sudden appearance of Team Moonbird, Frostbite, Red Charge and White Fire in the midst of the now combined groups of cultists and Equestrians that signaled what was about to happen. The sky turned red as blood as the eclipse finally peaked, the moon overlapping the sun perfectly, dimming the light over the world.

In an instant the entire energy build-up erupted in a massive explosion, in a split second a massive ice barrier jutted out around the Equestrian and Cult forces, due to the efforts of Frostbite, pushing everypony into a tight circle to maximize the density. Through the transparent ice they could see the bog trees being uprooted, the land trembling and the air igniting all around them with energy. It was as though a massive bomb had just gone off. Explosions and sparks burst all around the barrier, and despite the fact that now many of the cult mages were helping to maintain it, it began to melt away.

When the burst of energy finally subsided, they could see clearly that half of the pyramid was gone, scattered all over in rubble, in its stead was standing a colossal figure. If any pony that day had any doubts as to why Eclipse was banished, and how could any pony have "too much power" they all disappeared in a flash at the appearance of the Titan.

Eyes like two burning abysses, red lightning dancing all over his frame, strange shadows moving across his form and cosmic dust rising at his feet, the monster Eclipse stood now before them, towering as high as the pyramid itself. He let out a terrifying, unearthly whinny it echoed throughout the entire valley. The tremors of his arrival could be felt as far as Canterlot mountain.

Just by observing him it was obvious there was no reasoning with this beast, the power had consumed him entirely, it was, as was said, a machine of pure destruction waiting to be unleashed. "So much power… I could never imagine…" Red Charge stuttered, lending his own strength to the shield now, but even that did no avail, Eclipse's pure presence was enough to wear down the shields.

It noticed them, those flaming eyes in their burning sockets turned to them and it snorted, deathly black smoke erupting from the nostrils, even through it lightning shot. It flapped its wings powerfully, and the ground around him acted as though another violent explosion took place, the shockwave struck their shields hard, cracking it with barely any effort by the demon.

"Shining!" Princess Luna called, and the stallion obliged creating his own shield bubble around them, supported by the Equestrian mages, hoping to defend them from its wrath.

"Red Charge we can't hold it for long!" Called Frostbite, sounding alarmed, something which was alarming in itself, as spirits rarely feared anything. "It must be stopped!"

Then the beast opened its maw agape and from it an otherworldly glow struck at their shields, slowly breaking through them. White Fire, in her burning form quickly tried to form another shield, supported by what unicorns were left to offer their aid.

Princess Luna struggled to maintain Shining Armor's shield, noticing Twilight Sparkle and Rarity groaning and shaking with the effort of helping maintain the slowly failing cover for their fellow Equestrians and the Cultists. There were no more sides, it was now a battle between Eclipse and the world he sought to destroy.

[Red Charge]

[Red Charge]

"How are we going to stop it?" Asked Shining Armor through gritted teeth, as the monster Eclipse stood in place, the otherworldly glow emanating from him still dissolving everything around their barrier, it included.

"I have set up a mage battery in Canterlot. They are to open fire as soon as they see him!" Luna replied, eyes shut tightly as she now not only strained against the forces against her barrier, but also against the ever-increasing physical pressure that was pushing her back.

"No, you'll just attract him to Canterlot! Call them off!" Red Charge shouted, pieces of his armor beginning to fall apart as he too was subjected to the same powers.

"YOU brought him here, how were you planning to stop him?" The princess replied angrily, that stallion had some nerve bossing her around after all he's done.

"If you hadn't interrupted our second ritual this would never have happened!" White Fire snapped back, her flaming body flickering slightly, before diminishing into orange flames.

"We don't have time to throw blame around, if we live through it, we can fight until next year. Right now I need you all to focus. He's still barely here and not at his full power."

"You want to tell me that's not all of his power?" Valkyrie called, watching in awe as the unicorns worked hard to protect them.

"Not even half of it." Red Charge replied resolutely, "He draws his power from the shadow of the eclipse, only ending it will diminish him. But he's holding it there!"

"I can't stop the Eclipse!" Luna yelled desperately, "If I could I would have stopped it in the first place. If only Celestia was here!"

"No need, I can do it." Red Charge said dismissively, "But if we're focusing on the Eclipse, the barriers will collapse."

"I'll distract him." The red armored Pegasus known as Percheron took to the air, "Titan's Blade can protect me for a while."

"Percheron," Frostbite called, "Going out there is suicide." Then another voice, Watermark's erupted from the same icy shell, "You'll be toast."

"No, I'll be a Razorwing." The Pegasus replied swiftly, about to depart when another Pegasus drew him down.

"Oh no you're not. I haven't seen you for over a year, and now you go off to be the hero? No way. I'm coming with." Firefly Razorwing said, bearing that stern, heated look that cast fear all over her family.

Diamond Sword and Hornet were quick to join her in the air, "Us too."

Immediately there was a sharp outburst of outrage out of the Razorwings spread around in the forces below.

"What?" Firefly screeched at them, "This pony did what he did because he wanted Equestria to benefit. He was willing to throw away his reputation and any chance of returning to the warm folds of his family to do what he believed was right, which is no less than what Titan Razorwing would have done. Now he's about to go sacrifice his sorry flank so that we have the smallest possibility of fixing his mistake, and you filthy slugs go against the ones who want to help him?" The torrent of words escaped her in a terrifying fury.

"This pony has more guts than the lot of you combined. Doing what's right for Equestria is all this family should have ever been about. But I'll deal with grandpa later. Right now I'm saying outright, any Razorwing here who would put his pride before the fate of his country is not family and I will personally hunt you down and tear your wings off." Though exaggerated as any threat could be (as there were more than several dozens of Razorwings in the audience) it worked.

The first Pegasi who took to the air, however, were not all Razorwings at all. They were the Stars. Ever faithful and loyal to their old Captain, they never doubted him for a moment. For them what was good for Equestria was what he said, because they knew, better than his estranged, distant family, that Equestria's safety is all he lived for.

Slowly more and more Razorwings lift into the air, reluctantly at first, but as the numbers grew, so did their confidence. As finally the last Razorwing Pegasus, Valkyrie, took to the air, Firefly whispered in her brother's ear. "It's your time to shine little brother. Make me proud."

Percheron, now filled with confidence and secure in the midst of his family shouted out, "Stick to me, fury formation, do not break formation for anything. If we fail, Equestria is doomed." He called, igniting into lighting and streaking off towards the barrier, the others, while not radiating the raw elemental power he did, were on his trail in a bird like formation. Their lightning trails combined as they flew, engulfing them in a field of energy. Then again it grew, as Firefly, being the Sun oriented Pegasus she was, added her unique ultra heated red lightning, igniting the entire field with it.

And they burst through the barrier, a unified solid platoon. They streaked over Eclipse… and it turned.

"Now!" Called Red Charge, and immediately the ice barrier of Frostbite began to melt with speed, as there was no longer enough support to keep it solid.

Even as his armor began to scorch due to the energy, the heat threatening to overtake him, Red Charge gave it his all. Along with Princess Luna, who could only barely stand now, against the powerful energies she had to face.

[Red Charge]

Luna and Red Charge, at the forefront of the pony forces, standing united and facing the ripping pressure still emanating from Eclipse shook and were slowly pushed back with every surge of power.

High above and beyond the Razorwings and volunteer Pegasi streaked by, protected somewhat by their red lightning shield, circling around Eclipse in a fair distance and distracting him. They knew they could not slow down, any change in velocity and he would catch them in his glow, which would burn through their shield and end them all. They had to buy more time for Red Charge and the Princess.

The monster Eclipse roared fiercely, the earth around it cracking and bubbling with steam and heat. The crater which was just moments earlier the Cult's headquarters in the bog was filling in with rushing waters from the rest of the swamp. The Giant Squid formerly nesting peacefully was now dropped into the fray. When subjected to Eclipse's might, it became hostile, and with a rush of water, pounced at it. Only to be incinerated by the energy radiating from the massive stallion.

This caught Valkyrie's eye, unfortunately breaking the formation, forcing them to slow down. The worst possible scenario, Eclipse had them exactly where it wanted them. Even as it opened its mouth the Razorwings knew they were dead.

Closing his eyes Percheron lamented his failure, as the ponies below him could only watch in horror as Eclipse locked on them, and a sudden powerful beam caught it straight in the midriff, throwing it off balance. The winged monster instantly turned to the source of the attack, giving the Razorwings time to catch up again in speed. They were close now, so terribly close.

Red Charge and Luna were straining so hard that they could feel their hair singing from the energy erupting from their horns. The multiple distractions weakened Eclipse's grasp on the eclipse, providing the two with exactly what they needed. Slowly and surely, the sun and the moon began to separate from each other. While pony after pony behind them collapsed in exhaustion trying to maintain the barrier, they persisted valiantly. If there was one thing that both Equestrian and Cult forces could admire about the two, was their dedication to their ponies. To suffer through such heat, pain, pressure and strain. The Earth Ponies did not know how they could help, the unicorns were holding the shields, the Pegasi distracted Eclipse. But they had no special powers to assist with. So they did what they could, and with hardiness and determination, moved in front of their leaders, creating a wall of ponies to ease their leaders. They were taking the brunt of the heat and energy now. Their leaders would have that much more strength to use for their spells.

And then it came, the first beams of light, shining brightly through the red skies, lighting the face of Eclipse, weakening its grasp further. They could still do it, they could still survive.

Eclipse turned to the source of the magic, it had not fully gained its powers yet, but the process was grinding to a stop now, the sun was separating from the moon, the shadow of the eclipse could no longer fuel its fury. It turned to the source, the barriers now cracked and nearly shattered. All it had to do was take one step in that direction, ignoring the beams of magic assaulting its body and the pesky flies around it. It began to lift its mighty leg to descend in their direction.

Percheron, not oblivious to this turned, he had been formulating this attack in his mind since they took off. It was unheard of, no pony has ever even attempted this dangerous tactic before. The energy and amount of whiplash could and would probably kill them all. But if they followed him precisely and in formation, they could pull up just in time, and pull off the impossible. If he ever believed in destiny, it was in that one moment, when he believed that somehow, this was what he was meant to do.

Diving towards the monster Eclipse, his Pegasi formation behind him, he did the impossible. It was a combined Pegasus assault like no other, Titan's Fury. Gathering their lightning shield, and aligning it to the offense they swooped down, not as a flock, but as one being, and sped in a collision course with the monster. There was a point the size of a needle in which they could make sure the attack would hit with full power, but still have time to pull up. But Percheron's accuracy had to be pin point, and at these speeds, it was dangerous. However, there was one among them who could help. Firefly, already catching on to his plan, brought her forth; The Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash, performer of the Sonic Rainboom.

She nodded her understanding to Firefly and took Percheron's spot in the lead. Percheron held his breath as they approached the point of no return now. The shadows and lightning covering Eclipse's form were now all they could see. Then, at once Rainbow pulled up in a sharp angle and as they followed, the vast amount of pent up energy was released, ultra heated red lightning with enough power to light up all of Equestria for centuries was unleashed on the summoned monstrosity. Even with its tremendous power, it felt it, and stumbled back, quickly regenerating as beam after beam struck it. From their new, escaping angle Percheron could finally see where the beams were coming from: The mage battery in Canterlot, now joined by Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia always said she was an incredibly clever pony. She knew that Eclipse would go for Princess Luna and Red Charge once they started breaking up the Eclipse. Using her exceptional teleportation skill she crossed that entire distance instantly, directing the assault from the Canterlot mountainside.

Percheron had not noticed yet, but the Eclipse was finally broken, the sun shining in full force on them all. Eclipse's source of power was no more. Now it was vulnerable.

[Red Charge]

At once the entire pressure around Eclipse faded away.

"His destructive aura is gone! We can attack him now!" Princess Luna called out with a hopeful yelp.

However, without the need to stay still to absorb energy, Eclipse was now fully mobile. it jumped off of the pyramid and landed with a quake in the crater caused by its arrival.

Finally the Earth Ponies, who consisted the vast majority of both Equestrian and Cult forces could assist. "Immobilize him!" Red Charge ordered, pointing at Eclipse's huge legs.

"Mah pleasure." A hat wearing pony he knew was Applejack said, immediately pulling up lengths of rope from her saddle and charging forwards. "Git 'im!" She called.

"Eeyup!" her elder brother called, close behind her. The two leading the massive Earth Pony charge against the beast. Water were still pouring into the crater from all sides and slowed them down, but on the upside, they offered good traction if they were going to try and keep him down.

"Alraht now, ya'll hang on to these ropes!" Applejack called, catching on to her plan the stars began buzzing around Eclipse's face, everything to keep it from noticing the ponies beneath him, anything to prevent it from simply crushing them.

Quickly whipping around Eclipse's front leg, Applejack tied a tight noose around it. Eclipse shook its head back and forth, trying to scatter the Pegasi assaulting it with its mane. Unfortunately it was starting to work, the exhausted Pegasi couldn't hold up much longer.

That's when the flocks came, dozens of raptors and birds came from apparently everywhere and began flapping around Eclipse's face, pecking and clawing at his eyes, blinding him to all around him.

"That's right!" A timid voice called out with determination, "You show that meanie!" There was nothing short of admiration to be felt for Fluttershy's ability to step up when she was needed. With Eclipse distracted by pain and blindness, the Pegasi regrouped again.

Below Applejack was already using her special rope skills to tie off the second of Eclipse's legs, a back one this time, as a whole mass of ponies were now holding back its forehoof, to keep it from swatting at the birds. Though every yank it tried nearly pulled them off their feet, they held strong. Another group jumped on Eclipse's other forehoof, holding it down as much as they could until Applejack could tie that one as well. But Eclipse was still moving, a beam from Canterlot just narrowly missed it as it moved forwards towards the unicorn forces.

"Conserve your energies!" Red Charge called, "Save it for when he's still!" The exhausted unicorns needed every break they could get now, if they were planning on striking at the behemoth.

"They need more help out there!" The princess called, watching as the earth ponies struggle to keep Eclipse's hooves on the ground and on location. They were dragged along as it continued to close the distance between itself and the rest of the forces.

"Worry not Princess, I am not unprepared!" Rarity declared, marching an army of brought-to-life armor suits towards Eclipse, helping the other ponies ground it as long as possible. But now Eclipse spread his wings, one flap would blow away the entire force, armor or otherwise.

"Shining, the wings!" Luna commanded.

"On it Princess!" The stallion replied immediately casting a shield bubble to hold Eclipse's midriff in place. Supported by a few of the mages who could still offer aid. But the persistent beast would not stop its advance.

"It's not enough!" Applejack grunted as she yanked hard on her rope to no avail.

"Nope!" Agreed Big Mac, holding the line on the colossus' other side. Hundreds of ponies working together as well as dozens of magically animated suits of armor could barely slow this creature, even as it was bereft of its destructive energies. Eclipse's power never ceased to surprise and amaze even Red Charge and to think this power could have been at Equestria's service!

Ranger quickly let go of his rope, "What'n tarnations d'you think you're doing?" Applejack yelled angrily through biting teeth. Ranger huffed for a moment, before taking something out of his cloak, he breathed deeply and blew into what appeared to be a finely carved wooden whistle.

No sound was heard, and all eyes were on Ranger, who was looking to the edge of the crater. "They'll come!" He reassured the others, "They have to come…" He said, still huffing.

And between Eclipse's enraged roars they could hear it, the howls. "Ya'll tamed a pack of Timber Wolves?" Applejack asked with wide eyes, as the creatures sprinted across the muddy patches and jumped into the crater. As though their goal was apparent to them, they split in four and grabbed on to the ropes tied around Eclipse's hooves.

"At some point traps and gadgets just don't cut it." Ranger explained quickly before biting back into the nearest rope and yanking. Finally Eclipse could move no more, everything but its neck was immobilized by the tremendous cooperative powers of the ponies before it.

"Unleash your fury!" Red Charge called and at once every horn on the field was glowing. Frostbite, whose energies were now exhausted, made way for Watermark again, who was flashing his signature grin as he watched the cascading water from all around him.

"My turn!" He called jubilantly, launching torrents of water from all sides into Eclipse, ramming him from all directions with the force of freight trains. Eclipse roared in protest and his hind leg lifted up dangerously in the air. Determined pulling from the ponies holding it however, brought it back down.

From the other side, White Fire, now relinquished of Ashrider's aura used her own untapped energies to strike with concentrated flames at Eclipse, two surges splitting up and striking at full speed from both its sides.

Red Charge and Luna used their own magic to fire beams of concentrated energy straight at the beast's chest, while from Canterlot another concentrated beam slammed into him, this time however, it was continuous.

Yet with all of these attacks, including those of dozens of other unicorns working together the monster would not fall. Worse yet, its rage was further fueled by these and it began to move again, albeit slowly towards the attacking unicorns.

"This… thing… is impossible!" Red Charge cried, what would it take to bring that monster down? What else was left for them to throw at it?

Percheron was gliding through the air, the Pegasi around him knew the painful truth, they were all too exhausted to spark a lightning to attack the beast with. If only one of them had been able to conjure even one bit of lightning, it could ignite all the rest of them, but Titan's Fury took it all out of them. They were spent, helpless…

"Need a light, boys?" A familiar voice struck him.

"Yes!" He called out jubilantly as his long time rivals arrived on the scene, the Wonderbolts, along with his own Red Barons. Spitfire smiled at condescendingly, the same smile they would always exchange.

"Hey boss," Blitz Streak called over excitedly.

"Your gang here thought you could use some help, they took Canterlot by storm." Spitfire winked, and with that she sparked a lightning. No, it was better than just lightning. Spitfire, like Fire Fly was sun oriented. Ultra heated red lightning, better than everything he could hope for, was now igniting his entire formation. With the barons and the Wonderbolts now in formation, there was no way even Eclipse could be left standing.

Ignoring Rainbow Dash's childish squeals at the Wonderbolts saving the day Percheron aimed the formation towards Eclipse again. Without his destructive aura, they would not have to approach as fast as they did last time. He could pull this Titan's Fury off beautifully.

As the sky filled with red lightning, Fluttershy's birds retreated, knowing their time was up, Eclipse had time for one last look into what was coming before the attack hit it at full strength, the pain shot through its body. The sun shining high above, it seemed that it might have been the entire galaxy attacking it at once.

It toppled over, defeated. The Earth Ponies fled from its collapse, scattering to the four winds.

Its landing against the earth caused another terrible quake, but it did not matter.

The unicorns approached it cautiously.

"It's time you were released of your pain, old one." Red Charge said, standing in front of Eclipse, smiling comfortingly.

It tried to nod, but found its head was too heavy.

It was dying, and for the first time in millennia, it thought.

Death was … a relief.