The Final Exam (Nightlight)

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((sorry this took so long. I blame life.))

It was just like Twilight to think of things in a sensible manner instead of drawing from crazy notions and superstition. Which was why she wanted some sort of idea on what was going on, if there was anything different about this dream that could stick out a bit more than the obvious. If other ponies were affected, then maybe solving what's going on in her scenario could help other ponies in theirs, whatever that was. If there was a common link, there had to be something causing it, right? Find it, follow the source. She thought to herself, glancing back at her father as he started summarizing the 'weird' stuff that had happened.

Bleak classroom...Twilight guessed that was just from her nerves about this 'final exam' bit making the room seem more imposing than normal. Red diamonds? Then again, Twilight always had her nose in the books to notice the decor, much less the magical aura of the secretary at the desk. But the more those odd red diamonds came up, the more the purple unicorn was certain that there was something to this. Just as she was about ready to make her guess, Rarity heard the comment about a bit of food in her teeth and gave a small squeal before politely excusing herself to turn around and check for herself.

"Red diamonds...that seems to be all too common." Twilight spoke, mostly to herself while pacing the ground in the rather small domed enclosure. "I'm surprised I didn't notice it before; I'm usually pretty keen on details."

Rarity turned back around after fixing her minor issue. "Now that you mention it, Mr. Light, the princess normally has on purple diamonds, almost like the Element of Generosity I have on my necklace."

"Okay, problem solved! Let's bust out of here and fix this!" Rainbow exclaimed, pounding her front hooves together.

"Two issues though: We still need a way out of here, and we need to find the source of this."

"What if this 'Solaris Flare' is what y'gotta face b'fore wakin' up?" Applejack interjected. "Maybe it's th' source of what's goin' on."

"If that's the case, we need a plan. A pretty good one. And fast..." Twilight replied, glancing back toward where Ponyville was. "...because I think she's on her way back!"

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Nightlight watched as his daughter paced around and thought of different logical things. The imaginary cup of coffee set down as Twilight and Applejack mentioned Solaris Flare. Cracking his neck a bit he walked toward the back of the dome. "Well since we are in a dream lets imagine our path to victory. Hey Rainbow Dash, what do you think of instantaneous thrust in flight?" In the center of the dome a large slingshot formed with a giant red rubber band. The cradle seemingly large enough for a pony. A rope attached to the back looked like it had enough space to be stretched all the way to the back of the dome. His face had a small smile like he had a plan. "Though breaking through would be a little dangerous at Sonic speeds without some sort of armor."

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If anyone had any imagination, it was Pinkie Pie. Although Twilight was starting to get the faintest idea on how to work through this issue, she still didn't have any of her own magic to help them out. The rainbow-maned pegasus turned to look at Nightlight as the question was posed with a confused expression at first before getting a crazy idea in her head and a proud expression on her face. "Are you kidding me? Sonic speeds? I'm the only Pegasus around that can do the Sonic Rainboom; I'm THAT awesome! I tried that trick once with Applejack helping me with a level and a heavy weight...ended up crashing in on Twilight while she was reading. But if it means getting out of here, I'm willing to try anything once...and armor? Hah! I'm good enough without it."

"No offense, Rainbow Dash, but you simply MUST wear some sort of protective gear. If we are to get out of this dreadful scenario, then all of us must stand united and help Twilight in her moment of crisis." Thankfully, Rarity had some cloth and gemstones in her bag to help pass the time while waiting on Twilight to finish her 'test', and within a few moments crafted a sturdy yet blingy accessory for Rainbow's head. "Hmm, definitely not my finest work, but it'll have to do considering the circumstances." She added while using her magic to settle it on the pegasus's head.

Twilight Sparkle looked at her dad. "Are you sure this will work? I mean, the princess's magic is pretty strong."

"We won't know unless we try, Twilight." Fluttershy answered, placing a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "Have some faith in us; we stood by your side while you faced Nightmare Moon...even when you didn't want us to. Same with Discord. We can get through this...all seven of us."

Rainbow, in the meantime, had settled herself inside the rubber band portion of the slingshot with a determined expression on her face, and AJ was already yanking back on the rope as far as she could go.

Watching her friends and her father band together to help her out of this (even though she now knew that her dad was the only real pony here), Twilight felt a familiar feeling, very similar to when she acknowledged the five mares as her friends. Closing her eyes, the purple unicorn felt a tear escape before she spoke up. "Thanks, girls. You just reminded me what I'm supposed to be doing. I can't let you do all the work, can I?" A small glow from the corner of her eye caught her attention; upon looking, she noticed that her cutie mark had returned! Concentrating for a moment, Twilight was elated to find out that her magic had returned as well! "We can do this!"

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Night Light could not help but laugh as the two went back and forth about the gear. At least they all seemed eager. The range pony was showing some real muscle as she pulled back, though the stallion wasn't about to let the mares do all the pulling. His telekineses acting as a pseudo yoke pulling to the side. "Crashing into another pony? That would be even better than just getting through the barrier." The yellow pegasus had started on what he normally did and supported his daughter. Brought a small tear to his eyes. Now he saw first hand, that she didn't need her father anymore. She had a great circle of friends. Holding the line with Applejack, he dug his hoves down to hold it steady with magic. Ready to just stop concentrating and letting the Rainbow one fly. "Somepony give us the singal to release her. We are out of pulling room. And Rainbow. Think Unstoppable force." Beads of sweat started to form on his brow in both concentration and muscle exertion.

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"No need t' trouble yerself with th' pullin', Mr. Ligh'." Applejack managed to get out as she held the slingshot in place with her hooves and let Rainbow get settled in. "Ah just hope this works..."

The blue pegasus gave a grin and a wink to the other. "Chillax, AJ. We got this.." After adjusting the helmet to give her a bit better view on what was in front, Rainbow lifted a hoof to signal she was ready.

And good thing too, because Solaris Flare landed with a THWOMP onto the barren ground and all but glared at the seven ponies under the dome. "And just what is it that you expect to be doing with that?! You cannot possibly break through my magic! You may as well give up your futile efforts and submit yourselves to my rule!"

That was when Twilight stepped forward after swallowing hard, finding the courage she had several times before. "But this is not you, Princess Celestia. You have been my mentor for a long time, and not once have you shown this side of you...if it even exists! I know now that this is a dream!" As those words were spoken, the golden dome seemed to fade bit by bit, slowly vanishing. The purple unicorn continued after giving a smile to her father. "I realize that no matter what happens in the future, be it the Elements are destroyed or taken away, but my family and my friends will always remain, keeping their faith in me!"

As the shield vanished, Rainbow looked all the more eager to let loose. Twilight called out, "Aim for the necklace and crown! I think we can destroy this illusion if we destroy those red diamonds!"

"Got it!". Rainbow lowered the hoof, prompting Applejack to relinquish her hold over the slingshot, and a rainbow blur shot past the princess...who now found herself without her crown and necklace. Flying around in several loops, the blue pegasus increased her speed as Solaris took flight in an effort to apprehend the speedy filly, but Rainbow tossed the items to the ground in the middle of Nightlight and the rest of the group.

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Guess the old stallion wasn't needed when all six mares worked together. They were like perfect gears, moving in time with each other and executing thier parts perfectly. Even if they couldn't help in the physical aspects, they provided the encouragement or knowledge to get it done. Despite just being regular old figments of his daughter's imagination ponies, they managed to get the hypothetical source of power away from a rampaging alicorn. With Rainbow Dash tossing the vestiges of power to them. Night Light just kind of half lided his eyes looking at them. "I guess if I'm going to use it. Now might be the last chance." His horn glew with the pale moon light radience of dream energy and his cutie mark before a wide beam shot down engulfing the accesories in the uber blast magnificence of Holy Dream Mega Blast of Justice. Despite the name and the fact that the telekinesis specialist fired it off, he seemed not to thrilled with it. He sort of expected like a rush of power through him after firing it. Nope. Nothing. Perhaps because it was just a dream, not his actual magic. Besides. This victory wasn't his, it was Twilight's. Sure he nudged her a little, but her friends, imaginary as they may be at the moment, gave her alot more than the pedastal he started her on.

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When Twilight ran to catch the crown and necklace, she saw that her father was glowing with magical power and somehow 'fired' a beam of moonlight at the jewelry. Getting the idea, she did the same after reaching the items, while Rainbow Dash and the rest of her friends tried to block Solaris Flare from getting them back.

When both magic powers struck the jewelry, an audible cracking sound was heard as the gems shattered into tiny fragments and disappeared. Solaris screamed and fell to the ground, prompting Twilight to use her magic again to bring over a pile of leaves to catch her. The dark gold aura fell away, revealing their beloved Princess of the Day once again, looking a bit confused and sorrowful. Noticing Twilight and her father standing together, she bowed her head to the both of them...and vanished.

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Meanwhile, back in the real world, Twilight was slowly stirring from her sleepy state. Opening her eyes, she glanced around, unsure if where she was or what happened. "I feel so drained of energy...what happened?" The purple unicorn asked, rubbing her head.

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Night Light walked up to the bed a littl tired himself. The room in the Canterlot palace was easily recognizable. "Nothing to worry about. It was just a bad dream after all. You can sleep it off back at the manor. I think we are both a little too weary for the train ride back to Ponyville." With a little of his trademark telekinesis, he grabbed both of thier saddle bags and sat them on his back as he waited for his daughter to stretch and get ready. Though he wouldn't be surprised if she just rolled over and went back to sleep considering the amount of time she had spent in the castle. It was almost as if she grew up in these walls instead of thier home. But grow up she did. Though he was waiting to spring the surprise back in Ponyville with her Mom, now that she knew, it would give them something to talk about on the ride home.