> Oathbound
>  by ChronicleStone
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     That miserable Chimera.  Just couldn’t keep its mouths shut, could it?
A lone cloaked figure paced the floor of the dark room.  The rain and wind smote themselves against the lone window, as though they themselves wanted to get in from the bad weather.  And as the lightning flashed and the thunder boomed, the strange notion came to him that the storm was an appropriate fit for his current temperament.
Everything was going so well.  I had the means and the power.  But of course, something just HAD to go wrong.  Nothing ever goes exactly according to plan.
He went to lick his dry lips only to find that his teeth were clenched shut in frustration.  With an effort, he managed to pry open a gap just wide enough to moisten his lips and provide a few moments of relief.  But as he began to retract his tongue, an earsplitting blast of thunder broke his concentration, and his jaw snapped shut before he was ready.
“Gah!  Ow…”  He brought his hoof to his mouth instinctively.  Upon inspection, he was grateful to find no traces of blood.  Not that such a discovery improved his mood.
“It was that pegasus,” he continued aloud, attempting to forget the stinging sensation in his mouth.  “Somehow, he managed to find a way.  And not just once, oh no,” he said as his body visibly tensed.  “But three times he managed to survive!  And the last time, he destroyed my little pet.  But not before it had gone and betrayed me!!!!”  He slammed a hoof to the floor, shaking several pieces of furniture.  All around him, the storm echoed his frustration in a deafening salvo of thunder blasts.
He paused, suddenly calm.  “That pegasus—the Council’s pet—now he’s in the Guard.  And he’s on high alert for trouble, thanks to my little turncoat monster.”  His crooked smile flashed white against a dazzling bolt of lightning.  “Some might view that as a setback.  But I think that it’s just what I needed.”
He walked to the window, where the intermittent light was broken by the streams of rain as it entered the dark room.  The clopping of hooves on the floor was nearly lost amid the roar of the rain.  “This is the greatest opportunity my family has had in hundreds of years.  And I will use it.”  Another blaze of lightning lit up the room.  And as it faded, it appeared as though the stroke had kindled a flame in the eyes of its lone inhabitant that did not go out.
“I will not fail again.  This time, nothing will stop me.”
The sky exploded as a dozen strokes of lightning fell at once, followed by a tremendous crash of thunder so violent that the window broke its lock and flew open, causing the figure’s long robe to rise up in the wind.  He felt the power of the storm around him.  And yet, it was nothing compared to what he would achieve.
“Princess Luna, you will have your revenge.”
> Chapter 1: Evil Stirs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Palace Throne Room
April 15, 9:09 AM

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t been here before.  It wasn’t the splendor of the hall, or the grandeur of the throne, or the glory of the one sitting on it.  By now, it was all a familiar scene.
And yet, it was entirely different.
“I…I’m sorry, what?” Sky stammered, trying to wrap his mind around the statement.  He was donned in the bright golden armor of the palace guards, which would have lent itself to his stern appearance had it not been for the flabbergasted look on his face.  “Princess Celestia, are…are you asking me for advice?”
Before him, the Solar Princess rose from her throne like the sun rose over the horizon at the dawn.  As she descended the stairs to where he stood, he could feel his muscles tense.  Over the past year, during his service in the Alicorn Guard, he had gained a new respect for the power and elegance of Princess Celestia.  He had thought he had known her.  He had thought he knew how powerful she was.  He had thought he knew all about her benevolent reign over Equestria over the last thousand years.
He thought wrong.
The history of Equestria had unfolded before him during his studies, revealing a long and bloody past, filled with war and strife.  Peace had been a fleeting comfort, and as one war came to a close, another was right on its heels.  Fortresses had risen and fallen.  Armies had assembled and been scattered.  Cities had been laid waste.  Landscapes had been changed in the wake of conflicts that rent the earth.
And in the midst of it all, the stories told of the terrible wrath of Celestia, as her magic shook the mountains and smote entire civilizations with paralyzing fear.  She was a mighty warlord; a relentless warrior who gave her enemy no respite and little mercy.  Tales gathered from other nations spoke of her arrival on the battlefield as being accompanied by raging storm clouds that rained fire.  Others stated that she could open great fissures in the earth to swallow entire armies that opposed her.  And others claimed that her gaze was enough to cause her enemies to burst into flame, or, at the very least, flee in madness.
Glad that she’s mellowed out a bit.
At last, within the last two hundred years, a long-awaited peace had fallen upon the land of Equestria.  Celestia returned to her throne upon Canterlot, and the neighboring nations sent emissaries to her to broker deals and treaties to ensure that the newfound peace would last.  None wished to see the return of the mighty Goddess of the Sun.
The peace did last.  And the lands prospered.  The great champion Celestia put away her sword and put on her crown.  No more would she conquer.  Now she would rule.
And now, that same powerful warrior of ages past stood before him, staring at him with concerned eyes.  Those same eyes that had caused generals of lesser nations to tremble in fear now silently pleaded with him to help her.
“I am concerned for my sister, Luna,” Celestia explained, snapping Sky back to the present.  She turned to a nearby wall, where a mural of the sun and moon hung over a closed doorway.  “I cannot help but notice that she has grown quiet and unsociable—more so than usual.”
She slowly lowered her eyes from the mural, passing by where Sky stood anxiously, until her gaze was fixed firmly on the long red carpet beneath her hooves.  “I do not want to make the same mistake I made a thousand years ago, Sky Streak,” she continued softly.  “Back then, I did not see the signs.  I failed to understand the jealousy and anger that arose in my sister’s heart.  It was because of my ignorance that I had to banish her to the moon.  It was the hardest thing I ever had to do.”  
Sky watched as a sparkling tear fell from Celestia’s face to the plush carpet below.  “And how can I help, Your Highness?” he asked, suddenly finding his voice.
Celestia looked up at the pale blue pegasus.  “You have always been fond of my sister, just as she has always spoken well of you.  I wonder if she has mentioned anything to you that may be on her mind and causing her to seem a bit…depressed.”
Sky blinked vacantly for a moment as his thoughts slowly began to organize.  Between regular guard duty, the strenuous exercises required by the Alicorn Guard along with the tasks that they performed, and his personal time (usually spent with Lily), he had found it increasingly difficult to remember anything for long.  But as his mind managed to sift through his memories, he found himself hearing the voice of Princess Luna from last summer, when she revealed the truth of their first meeting.
“As for that pegasus…I do not know of his fate.  I have yet to find the courage to ask my sister whatever became of him.”
“I think,” he began, “that she is dwelling on her past.”
“In what way?” Celestia pressed.
“Last summer, right after my acceptance into the Alicorn Guard, she explained to me the real reason she approached me that first night we met.”  He shifted nervously.  “She told me about this pegasus she knew long ago, before her time on the moon.  She said that he had been willing to do anything for her, and that just before she fought you, that she had sent him to start a rebellion in Equestria.  She never found out what happened to him, and I think she feels guilty about how her actions led him down that path,” he said.  Somehow, telling Celestia all this without Luna here felt uncomfortably like going behind her back.
But to his surprise, Celestia’s frown broke into a wide smile, followed by a gleeful giggle.  “Is that all?” she asked, making no attempt to hide her sudden happiness.  “Oh, Sky Streak, if that is all, then I can put Luna’s fears and guilt to rest.”  She turned and gleefully trotted back to her throne.  “His name was Storm Emblem.”
“Storm Emblem…” Sky echoed.
“And it is true, that he went and attempted to start an uprising against me.  But after Luna’s…exile,” she managed after a moment’s hesitation, “he disappeared, trying to hide away in the wilds of Equestria.  But it was not long before he was found and brought to me.  He was proud and fiercely loyal to my sister, but I could tell that he had not been twisted to evil as Nightmare Moon had been.  I pardoned him, granting him the opportunity to start a new life.  He accepted this and went to live in the area of what is now Vanhoover.  And all indications were that he lived a happy life.  He got married, had children, and lived out his days in peace.  Luna has no need to burden herself with guilt about his fate.”
Sky had slowly perked up as Celestia had spoken, and now he was nearly as giddy as she was.  “That’s great!” he exclaimed.  Then, almost comically, he attempted to compose himself.  “Oh, uh, I mean, that’s excellent news.”
Celestia brought a hoof to her mouth as a she chuckled lightly.  “Sky Streak, there is no need to hide your enthusiasm.  We both know how close you are to my sister, so it is only natural that you would be excited to hear that her grief can be so easily handled.  And as such,” she continued as she came alongside the armored pegasus, “I think it appropriate that we take care of it now.  Would you care to join me?”
An all-too-familiar grin flashed across his face as he turned and walked with the princess.  “I thought you’d never ask.”

“Sister?  Are you in there?” Celestia asked through the closed door.
The grand entrance into Luna’s chamber was adorned with many lovely jewels and trimmed with silver etchings that glistened in a light all their own.  Sky had passed this door many times while on guard duty over the past year, but he had never seen inside.  He braced himself for what he would find within.
From behind the door, the muffled but unmistakable voice of Princess Luna floated to them.  “Yes, I am in here, Tia.”
Celestia eyed the door as Luna spoke, then turned to face Sky as she responded.  “I’ve brought a friend of yours with me, and we’d like to talk to you.  Is it alright if we come in?” she asked with a distinct cheerfulness in her voice.
A moment quietly passed before there was the sound of a click as one of the doors opened.  “You may enter,” Luna said clearly, her voice now unhindered by the doors.
Celestia gave Sky an assuring nod before turning and entering.  He gulped nervously.  I’ve faced the Everfree Forest, an army of windigoes, and a Chimera.  And I’ve still never been as nervous as I am about entering the chambers of Princess Luna.  With a deep, calming breath, he strode into the room.
It was surprisingly bright within: the walls were a glossy blue color and were studded with colorless gemstones that broke and scattered the light throughout the room.  The many windows were open, and a cool breeze seemed to blow, though the curtains did not move.  Ornaments and mobiles were scattered around the room, hanging from fixtures that caught and reflected the light even more.  In fact, the whole scene seemed to Sky to be point in space, where the lights of a billion stars glittered all around him.
Across the room, on a canopied day bed, Princess Luna sat facing away from her two guests, gazing out one of the many windows.  In the silken curtains running across the canopy, emblems of the moon and sun surrounded the Equestrian crest.  The sight caused Sky’s heart to swell with pride.  That’s how it’s supposed to be.  The sun and the moon both belong.  They work together.
Luna slowly turned to acknowledge her guests, and her eyes lit up as she recognized Sky.  “Oh, Bli—I mean, Sky Streak, I didn’t realize it was you.”  She rose and approached the pair with typical grace.  “What can I do for you?”
Sky bowed his head respectfully as Celestia answered.  “Luna, I’m worried about you.  You’ve been isolating yourself and acting rather…well, gloomy.  Won’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”
Luna frowned but kept her eyes fixed on the blue pegasus before her.  “I do not think you will truly need the answer if you have brought Sky with you,” she responded.  “He knows what has been weighing on my mind.”
His heart began to race, and he bit his lip in apprehension.  “Then you are thinking of Storm Emblem?” Celestia pressed.
Luna whipped her head around and grimaced as though she had just taken a hoof to the nose.  The pain and grief of a thousand years was so evident on her face that Sky could have sworn his heart shattered from pity.  It took every ounce of his will to keep his hooves from carrying him to her side and taking her in a reassuring embrace.
However, all the willpower in Equestria would not have been able to hold back the flood of apologies that spilled from his mouth.  “I’m sorry, Princess Luna!  Please don’t be upset.  We’re just worried about you.  And Princess Celestia knows what happened to him!  It’s not bad!  Everything turned out alright!”
He was ready to continue, but the voice of Princess Celestia cut him off.  “Thank you, Sky Streak,” she said simply before turning her attention back to her younger sibling.  “But he is right, sister.  Storm Emblem was granted a pardon not long after the rebellion, and he lived out his days happily with a family in the northwest corner of Equestria.  You do not need to concern yourself with his fate.”
Sky looked eagerly to Luna, hoping to see a positive change.  And indeed, she took a deep breath and began to walk forward again, but her head hung limply and her steps were slow and lethargic.  “I thank you for telling me this,” she began, her voice so soft that Sky had to strain to catch every word.  “To know that he ended his days peacefully means a great deal to me.
“But that does little to relieve my worry about the results of my actions.”
Sky raised an eyebrow in confusion.  “Princess Luna?”
“The truth of the matter remains that I caused great pain and suffering to hundreds upon hundreds of ponies across Equestria during that time,” Luna continued.  “And while my thoughts have many times turned to Storm Emblem and what became of him, I cannot ignore the fact that there were multitudes of ponies that may not have had such a pleasant end.”
“Princess Luna, that was a thousand years ago,” Sky protested.  “You’re not the same pony now.  I don’t see how something like that should affect the here and now.”  He looked up to Celestia for support.  But instead of a supporting gaze, her eyes were glassy and filled with tears.  For a moment, Sky thought he saw visions of unfamiliar memories: a clear yet dark sky, the moon blotting out the sun, a castle engulfed in flames, and two alicorns, one as dark as the deepest pit in the dead of night, and the other bright as the sun at high noon.  He heard a loud scream and saw a bright flash of brilliant color.  And as he did, he felt the sudden crushing weight of many centuries’ worth of sorrow and regret.
His breath was snatched away as he reeled from the wave of emotion.  But almost as quickly as it had arrived, the feeling was gone, leaving him back in the sparkling room that he had been in mere moments before.  He brought a hoof to his head as he tried to work the cobwebs from his mind.  He slowly opened an eye.
Two alicorns stood opposite one another, just as he had seen.  One dark like the night, and the other as bright as the day.  But now, they were not combatants; he knew that.  No, now he understood: they were both victims.  Victims of their past, haunted by the terrible choices they made and the actions that came as a result of those choices.  They shared their sadness and grief between them.
Sky suddenly felt very out-of-place in the presence of the two princesses.  He slowly began to back towards the door when Celestia called out to him.  “Sky Streak, where are you going?” she asked without casting even a glance in his direction.
“Oh, uh, well, I was kinda feeling like the odd pony out here, so I thought I’d excuse myself…you know, in case you wanted some privacy,” he replied sheepishly.
“I ask that you remain here, for just a few more minutes,” she said in an even tone.  Even though her speech was courteous, Sky knew that it was more of a direct command than a request.  He quickly returned to her side.
“Luna, we both have regrets about our past.  But it was one thousand years ago.  This is a new age of Equestria.  Can you not move beyond the mistakes of so long ago?” Celestia pleaded.
Luna sighed, never looking up.  “My sister, it may have been one thousand years ago, or it could have been last year.  The truth remains that I betrayed the trust of everypony in this land.  And no amount of time can change that simple truth.  I am a traitor.  And as such, I have no right to rule over Equestria, either alone or beside you.”
Sky gasped in shock, but never managed to utter a word.  “Luna, I have forgiven you.  And there are ponies all across Equestria that love you and would not hesitate to do anything for you, including this one here,” Celestia said, laying a wing across Sky’s back.  “They do not view you as a traitor, but as their beloved princess, whom they trust and follow.”
Luna turned back to the window, finally raising her head to gaze out into the bright sunshine.  “I am sorry, sister,” she began.  Sky caught the sun reflecting off the wet streaks upon her cheek.  “Perhaps you are right.  But the past clouds my vision, and I can see little without seeing the face of somepony that suffered in that terrible conflict so long ago.  Maybe in time I will find a way to move beyond that, but that time is not now.”
Celestia nodded.  “I understand, Luna,” she said softly.  “If you ever need to talk, you know you can come to me.  Come along, Sky Streak,” she added, turning and walking toward the door.
Sky hesitated just long enough to catch Luna’s eye.  He held it for a split second before bowing.  “Princess Luna,” he said before turning to follow Princess Celestia.
As he exited the room, he saw Celestia’s glowing horn close the door behind him.  “Thank you for coming with me, Sky.  I now better understand what Luna is going through.”
“Princess, did you let me see—”
“Just a moment, Sky,” Celestia interrupted.  “Let’s move out of earshot.  We can return to the throne room now.”
They passed through several hallways before Sky began again.  “So, I saw a vision back there of you and Nightmare Moon.  Did you show that to me?”
“Yes,” she answered.  “You needed to understand what was going on between us.  It is so much more than you can read in any history book.  Luna and I share the grief and pain of those dark times.  The fact that she is reliving those days now makes my heart ache.  I wish she could move past that, but I can understand where she is coming from.  She is displaying a great amount of maturity to recognize her mistakes and accept the responsibility for them, but she lacks the wisdom and experience to know how to let them go.”  She paused for a moment and turned an appraising eye to Sky.  “And that is where you come in.”
Sky lurched forward as Celestia’s statement caught him off-guard.  “I’m sorry, what?” he said as he stumbled, attempting to steady himself.
“Luna sees you quite uniquely, Sky,” Celestia explained.  “You told me that the real reason she approached you that first night was because of Storm Emblem.  I can only interpret that as meaning that you remind her of him?”
Sky straightened up, having once again gotten his hooves beneath him.  “Yes, that’s right,” he answered.  “She told me that I was very much like him, and that it was her desire to honor his memory by helping me avoid the same tragedy.”
Celestia turned her gaze to the hallway ahead of them as she continued.  “I thought as much.  And she’s right; you are very much like him.”
He looked curiously at the princess, but she made no other remarks about his ancient doppelganger.  “But this tells me something: Luna takes your accomplishments and deeds very much to heart.  Every success you have will lift her spirits, and every failure will bring great disappointment.  I don’t know if she ever told you, but it was she that convinced the Council to send you to the Everfree Forest.”
Sky raised his eyebrows in surprise.  “Really?” he mumbled to himself.
“She was your most outspoken supporter.  She spoke many times to have us send you on difficult missions because she thought you were capable of handling them.  And even after your defeat in the Painted Forest, Luna never lost faith in you.  Perhaps it is because you both share so much in common.  I saw it that night that you vanquished the Chimera.  When she spoke to you about facing your darkness, I could feel the power she put into her words.  She knew you would win, and she knew how to get you past your apprehension.  And now, I think you are the solution to Luna’s depression.”
Sky narrowed his eyes as he looked to Celestia.  “How?”
Celestia’s brow furrowed.  “The evil you faced before is not dead, Sky.  It is merely patient.”
It was a memory he had not forgotten.  He would probably never forget it.  There, in his moment of greatest triumph, as he watched his archenemy dissolve into nothingness, it had boldly looked him in the eye and laughed, telling him that a great source of hatred still existed within Equestria.  And as long as hatred was alive, the monster would never truly be defeated.
“The Chimera,” he muttered.  “You think that it has something to do with Luna’s depression?”
But Celestia shook her head, causing her mane to ripple as it flowed beside her.  “No, but I do think that it can be used to help Luna.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“Luna takes pride in your accomplishments, and she knows as well as I do of the Chimera’s last warning.  If you can find this source of hatred and eliminate it, your victory may be enough to pull Luna out of this mood.”
“But there hasn’t been any indication of any concentration of hatred of any kind for the last year,” Sky protested.  “We haven’t got a lead at all.”
“Which is why I said that it is patient,” Celestia replied, adjusting her wings against her body.  “But just because we do not know where it is does not mean that it cannot be felt.  Just as the positive emotions and qualities of ponies can power magic, negative emotions can do the same.  And anger of that kind leaves a very distinct…mark.”
“Meaning…?”
“Just like how you could feel the Chimera, I can sense the animosity moving.  It’s growing; preparing to act.  But there’s more than that.  Luna has mentioned nothing of this, and neither has Cadance, Discord, or even Twilight.”
Sky grimaced at the mention of Discord.  It had not been so long ago that his friends from Ponyville had released him from stone at the behest of Princess Celestia herself.  After a week or so, Discord returned to Canterlot, claiming to have been “reformed.”  But ever since his initial attempt to cast Equestria into a new age of chaos, Sky had been wary of Discord and his supposed “conversion.”
He moved the thought to another corner of his mind, returning to the matter at hoof.  “So?”
“You were the only one able to sense the Chimera, correct?” Celestia asked.
“As far as I know,” Sky said.  “But what does that have to do with this?”
“I believe that you were able to feel the Chimera because you were the object of its animosity.  Its attacks were mostly directed at you, and as a result, you were connected to it, however marginally.”
“Wait,” Sky said, eyes widening as he suddenly caught on.  “You think that since you are the only one that can sense this hatred, that you are its target?”
“I do.”
A ripple of magic ran along his wings as they flexed.  “Oh, nuh-uh, not happening.  Not on my watch.  If anything wants to get at you, it has to get by me first.”
“I don’t think you will have to worry about that, Sky,” Celestia replied softly.  “I think it has its eyes set on you, too.”
“Good!” he exclaimed.  “I’d like to meet this pony, so I can teach him a lesson about threatening one of the princesses of Equestria.”
A large white wing flapped open in front of him, stopping him dead in his tracks.  As it retracted, he saw that Celestia had moved directly in front of him, staring him in the face and looking more serious than he could ever remember.
“Sky, listen to me.  The Chimera told you that this hatred could bring it back.  What if the same source of anger was what brought the Chimera in the first place?”
“Hang on,” Sky said as a new realization hit him.  “You mean the Chimera and this pony might have been working together?”  He bristled at the thought.  How could any halfway-decent pony even stand to be around such an abomination, much less work with it?
Celestia nodded.  “And if that’s the case, then this pony already knows everything about you.  It knows your strengths, your weaknesses…and the identities of those you care about.”
The color began to drain from Sky’s face almost as soon as the words reached his ears.  “Lily…my family…all my friends…”  His mind reeled as he fell back on his haunches.  “Princess, we’ve got to do something!” 
Celestia sighed.  “Calm down, Sky.  I’ve wondered about this for some time, so I have instructed several guards to keep a close eye on your family in Foalumbus, as well as Lily Pond here in Canterlot.  There have been no incidents, but I do not want to risk anything.”
Sky’s heart began to slow down as he tried to calm himself.  “Thank you, Princess.  You’re always looking out for me, aren’t you?”
“I try.  But this is now urgent on two fronts,” she continued, redirecting the conversation back to its original track.  “Evil is on the move again, and if it carries a vendetta, then it may strike at both of us.  But also, if you can defeat it for good this time, it may be just the thing my sister needs to recover from this depression.”
“One job, two reasons,” Sky said contemplatively.  “Guess I’ve got my work cut out for me.  Where do I begin?”
“Just be alert.  If you feel something peculiar, pay attention to it.  If my guess is correct, then you are a target of this thing just as much as I am.  Which will hopefully mean that you will be able to feel it, too.  Also, do not tell any of this to anypony else.  The Chimera caused enough of a panic in its first coming.  I can only imagine what would happen if word got out that it might return,” Celestia added.
“I understand,” he said with a nod.
“Now, I think you had best be on your way,” Celestia commented, looking out a nearby window.  “I wouldn’t want you to be late again for your meeting…Blitz.”
Sky looked in all directions to make sure that no pony was nearby.  Seeing nothing, he leveled his eyes and smirked.  “Thank you, Solace,” he answered quietly.  Then, with a bow, he took off down an adjacent hallway.
The evil is growing.
The thought lodged in his brain like a splinter as he raced along the corridors of the palace.  It was a constant, uncomfortable reminder of a much larger problem somewhere in Equestria.  And yet again, he had been tasked with the unenviable chore of defeating it.
Well, he thought to himself, who else?
> Chapter 2: The Alicorn Guard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Palace
April 15, 10:11 AM

It never changed.  It looked exactly the same way it had when he had seen it for the first time a year and a half ago.  And it probably hadn’t looked much different before that.
The door.  The same door that he and Fluttershy had visited just over a year ago still stood there, silent and mysterious.  Only now, he knew its significance.
It wasn’t a door at all.  It was a keyhole.
Slowly, Sky raised his front right hoof and placed it in the center of the force field.  There was a quick flash of light.  To his right, a fissure in the wall opened, and as it widened, it revealed a well-lit staircase descending down a flight of stairs into the depths of the palace.  He snorted.  Never would have guessed that it worked that way a year ago, he mused.
He casually worked his way down the secret path that had become so familiar to him over the past nine months.  Behind him, he heard the secret gateway slide shut.  Only a very few select ponies even knew of the existence of this path…and even fewer were allowed to traverse its steps.
Finally, the staircase came to an end.  Sky progressed along a short corridor until it opened up into a wide cavern, illuminated solely by bright crystals embedded into the walls, giving the chamber a distinctly calm ambience.  It was not furnished; in fact, it looked very much like a cave should look, save a few additions scattered around.
Along the walls, chests and cabinets sat in a long progression, holding supplies and contraptions of all sorts, each one suited for a specific need that may arise.  Several large rugs had been assembled together in the center of the chamber, if for no other reason than to provide something soft to sit on.  Against the far wall, coat racks had been affixed for those that grew tired of lugging around their outfits.  There were several outlets into smaller areas, such as the laboratory, the Guard library, and small meeting areas.  But all along the walls, the glowing crystals lit the paths in a display that had stolen Sky’s breath away the first time he had seen it.  Occasionally he would still find himself breathless, caught up in the simple elegance of the scene.
A group of familiar ponies was scattered around the chamber, all busying themselves with personal tasks or simply socializing with one another.  As Sky passed the cavern opening to the lab, an orange pony with a tawny mane and tail came out, tinkering with a device attached to his front leg.
“Hey, Blitz,” he said in a distracted voice, not even bothering to look up.
“Heya, Hobo,” Sky returned.  “Whatcha working on now?”
Still the pony stubbornly refused to look away from his contraption.  “It’s this orb launcher,” he replied simply.  “I’ve been trying to develop an improvement on it to keep it from jamming whenever you step or kick the wrong way.”
“I remember,” Sky nodded, observing the metallic object.  It was a cylindrical silver frame, shaped in such a way that it could be affixed to a pony’s leg.  A spring-loaded mechanism would fire magical spell orbs when the leg was flexed a certain way, but an issue had arisen that caused the mechanism to jam whenever the leg was flexed in the opposite direction.  Hobo had taken it upon himself to try and remedy the problem, but four weeks had passed without success.  “Still no breakthroughs?”
Finally, Hobo looked up at Sky, his face contorted in annoyance.  “No, not yet,” he said in a voice that matched his face.
Sensing that he should move on, Sky took a step back and looked around the chamber.  “Oh, well, I’ll just leave you to it.”  He walked towards his coat rack at a brisk pace, where a lavender pegasus mare with a bright yellow mane and tail was putting up her own guard armor.  “Hello, Nova,” he said as he approached.
She turned around, her bright eyes acting as a mirror for the cluster of crystals on the wall.  “Oh, hello, Blitz,” she said.  “Been working on your flight skills like you were supposed to?”
He placed his own helmet on the shelf marked with his code name, “Blitz.”  “Of course,” he replied, the corner of his mouth tugging into the makings of his famous smirk.  “I’d love to put my skills to the test against you sometime.”
Nova chuckled and worked her favorite ring onto the end of her tail.  “We both know you’re already a better flier than I am,” she admitted.  “But Nighthawk and I don’t want you to compare yourself against us.  You need to compare yourself to yourself.  Keep getting better.  You don’t know how good you may have to be one day.”
“Right,” he said, unbuckling his coat of armor.  It slid off his back and landed with a dull clang on the stone floor.
“I dunno, Nova,” said a beige pegasus with a jet black mane and tail who had wandered over.  “If he’s so fast, how is it that he was late to the meeting last week?”
“Oh, that’s rich, coming from you,” Sky shot back.  “You’re late more often than not.  You just manage to get off by telling one of your jokes and making everypony laugh.”
The pegasus shrugged.  “Hey, it works, doesn’t it?”
Nova gave him a disapproving look.  “Wouldn’t it just be easier to be on time?”
He frowned and lowered his ears against his head in a look of mock disappointment.  “Now, where’s the fun in that?”
Sky rolled his eyes as he finished hanging up his outfit.  “Rimshot, you’re one of a kind.”
His ears perked up as his cheerful demeanor returned.  “Haha, too true, too true!”
“And that’s a good thing,” Nova continued.  “Celestia knows that Equestria couldn’t handle any more than that.”
Sky and Nova shared a hoof bump while Rimshot looked on.  “Hey, I can’t argue with that,” he admitted.
“So, what’s up with Hobo?  He seemed…touchy,” Sky asked.
“Oh, him,” Rimshot answered, gazing across the cavern to where the orange pony continued to tinker with his shooter.  “Well, aside from the obvious, he asked Juggles out on a date again.”
“Oh, no,” Sky sighed.
“Oh, yeah,” Nova corrected.  “And wouldn’t you know it, she turned him down.  Again.”
“At what point does he give up?  I mean, Juggles and Sprocket have been together since before I joined the Guard.  And he always acts like this whenever she turns him down,” Sky said, shaking his head.
“What can you say?  The guy’s persistent,” Nova said.
“And determined,” Sky replied.
“And thick,” Rimshot added.  Then, seeing the looks of his fellow pegasi, he put on his best innocent face.  “What?”
“Hey, there’s my favorite newbie!” came a shout from the entrance to the library.  The three turned to see a white unicorn with a silver and red mane come strolling towards them.  “Nice to see you could make it this week!”
Sky sighed.  “Ace, I’ve already covered this.  I was busy wi—”
His words were abruptly cut off as he felt a leg wrap around his neck while a hoof rubbed against the top of his head.  “Aw, you’re so cute when you’re making excuses!” Ace exclaimed.
“Hey, whoa, Ace, take it easy!” Sky shouted, wriggling free of the unicorn’s headlock.  “You know, you’re going to get in trouble for that one of these days.”
Ace leaned in with an eager look on his face.  “Wanna bet on it?”
“No.”
Ace’s smile turned into a pout.  “Spoil sport,” he muttered.
“Oh, grow up, Ace,” said the dark green pony that slowly approached.  “You’re such a foal.”
Ace turned to his companion.  “You know, Scope, I’m beginning to think that the nerves around your mouth were damaged as a foal.  You should smile more.”
“I’ll smile when the situation warrants it,” Scope replied stoically.
A new voice rose above the din of conversation throughout the chamber.  “All right, fillies and colts, let’s cut the chatter.  Front and center; we’ve got stuff to talk about,” boomed a deep baritone voice.  Almost instantaneously, the ponies from all ends of the room began to assemble on the rugs, taking a seat in anticipation of the meeting and the topics they would cover.
A large, lumbering blue pony (who had been the one to call the assembly) stood to one side of a large bulletin board affixed to a wooden frame with wheels for convenience.  On the other side, an orange pegasus with a fiery red mane and tail looked on nonchalantly.  And between them, a deep violet unicorn with a colorless mane paced back and forth, waiting for the ponies to finish settling in so he could begin.  
His code name was Ghost.  Like every other pony in the Guard, that was the only name they used.  Of course, they had their real names, but to protect themselves, their true names were never spoken aloud.  Ghost had been in the Alicorn Guard for years, proving himself time and time again until he had earned the honor of being named the leader of the team.  It was a position he took seriously.  
Sky found himself staring at his commander thoughtfully.  When he had first met Ghost, he had thought him friendly, but a bit…aloof.  It was as though he knew he was good…better than most.  But as Sky had gotten to know him, he had come to understand that if that was indeed his attitude, it was not merely a haughty outlook.  His reputation spoke for him.  
At last, as the final pony took his seat, he stepped forward and whipped out baton.  “Thank you, Boulder,” he said with a nod to the large blue pony.  His voice was cordial, yet it carried the weight of somepony with a great deal of experience and authority.  “Okay, so now that we’re all here, let’s take a moment to show our thanks to Rimshot and Blitz for both being here on time this week.”
The group all stamped their hooves in applause.  Rimshot waved his hooves wildly, apparently enjoying the attention, but Sky was unamused.  “Seriously, it was one time; can’t you ponies just let it go?!”
As the stamping came to an end, Ghost cleared his throat.  “So, let’s get some updates.  Hobo, how goes the work on the shooter?”
The orange pony looked up for a minute, having heard his name.  He was still busy fiddling with the device, though his frustration appeared to be near the boiling point.  “I’ll get it; just give me some more time,” he answered through clenched teeth as he turned his attention to the contraption again.
“You’ll have time when this is over,” Ghost chided.  “Can you spare a few minutes for the meeting?”
Sky thought he heard a growl come from Hobo’s general location, but if anypony else heard it, they didn’t let on.  “Keeper, how’s the new spell working out?”
The teal-maned, yellow unicorn mare stood up where she was.  It was an unnecessary gesture, but it was a prime example of her unquenchable confidence.  “The spell itself is not overly complicated, though it is so powerful that it requires an immense source of magic to cast: a pool of which that is beyond my capabilities at this time.  Perhaps beyond anypony I have met.  However, I have yet to encounter a situation that would necessitate such a drastic healing spell.  I believe I speak for us all when I say that I hope that I never do.”  She sat back down, apparently satisfied with her answer.
“Oh, well, uh…”  Ghost turned in confusion to the orange pegasus on his left, who merely shrugged and returned the same befuddled look.  “Thank you, Keeper…I think.”  He made a face that conveyed his bewilderment before continuing.  “Anyways, some notes that Solace sent down to us for future reference.  The spiders in the Macintosh Mountains have been sighted a bit more recently, so be ready if we get a call to go handle a situation there.”  He pointed to a different paper on the board as he continued.  “Also, let’s not forget that the envoy from the Crystal Empire will be coming to Canterlot in a few weeks.  The Council hasn’t determined which teams will be given escort duty, but at least two teams will be devoted to the task: one primary, one observing team.  Maybe two observers.  Solace has assured me that we’ll be kept up to speed as the date approaches.  Now,” he said, pulling several pages off the board, “as for individual team assignments: there’s only one, and it’s for team four.”
Behind him, Sky heard the unmistakable voice of Ace.  “Woohoo!  Yes!  Something to do!”
The pegasus beside Ghost smirked knowingly.  “If you knew what you were in for, Ace, you wouldn’t be so quick to cheer.”
“Nighthawk, I’m just glad to get out and do something.  Isn’t that reason enough to celebrate?” Ace replied.
Nighthawk snorted and shook his head.  “Whatever you say.”
The sound of a throat clearing brought an end to the conversation.  An assignment sheet landed in Sky’s hooves as he quickly began to scan the page.  “Recently, a rash of train heists has been noted near Rambling Rock Ridge.  They appear to be burglaries, though they seem to be rather specifically aimed at wealthy passengers.  They don’t take bits or money of any kind; just jewelry.”
“Just jewelry?” Scope asked.  “Seems odd.”
“It is odd,” Ghost agreed, “so the Council did a little digging.  A source indicated that a group of canine bandits inhabited the area, and they were obsessed with gemstones of all shapes and sizes.  They even ponynapped a citizen of Ponyville to try and help them mine the gems that are found in their own cavern homes.”
“Despicable,” Scope replied.
“So what’s the plan?” Sky chimed in.
“The bandits are too well entrenched in their caverns for us to go in after them, so the Council has decided that the best way to flush them out is to lay a trap for them that they simply can’t refuse.  We’ve organized a group of ponies to board a train to Manehattan for a special black tie affair.  Word has gone out about the train and its passengers.  We’re hoping that such a tempting target will draw out the dogs so that the three of you can handle them.”
“Where’s the catch?” Ace asked.  “Nighthawk said that I wouldn’t be too excited about my role in this.”
“He’s right, Ace,” Scope said, lowering his page with a gleeful smile.  “You get to be one of the upper echelon of Canterlot.”
“What?”
Sky almost burst out laughing as he saw Ace’s role on his sheet.  “You mean…HE’S going to be on board the train?!  That’s too funny!”
“Me?!  I’m no snooty, proper, well-behaved pony!” Ace protested.
“Obviously,” Scope remarked.
“Gotta be this way, Ace,” Ghost explained.  “Scope needs to be able to see the bandits coming, and having him inside a car would severely limit his abilities.  And Blitz needs to be outside to engage them as quickly as possible.  You’re the only one left.  Besides, you can coordinate everything from inside the train car.”
“But why even have me on the train in the first place?  I mean, if our job is to stop the bandits from even getting to the train, then isn’t my presence there just one big redundancy?” he continued to argue.
“Because our first priority is the safety of the ponies on that train,” Ghost said sternly.  “Even if these bandits never reach the train, we have to think of the safety of the passengers first of all.  You know that.”
“Aw, poor Ace,” said a sea-blue unicorn with a matching sea-green mane.  “He’s gotta act like a grown-up.”
“He’ll have to act, Riptide; Celestia knows he isn’t one at heart,” Rimshot blurted.
“Ease up, ponies,” said Trucker, a dark gray earth pony with a burgundy mane.  “Let’s not make this any harder for him than it has to be.”
“Gee, thanks, Truck,” Ace mumbled.
“Anytime,” he replied.  Then, with the smallest of smirks tugging at the corner of his mouth, he added under his breath, “It’s still as funny as all get out, though.”
“You know, this sounds an awful lot like something that happened to one of my friends a few years back,” Sky asked, redirecting the conversation.  “Was the one you referred to happen to be a certain fashion designer?”
Ghost nodded an affirmative.  “We don’t know why they want the gemstones, but the fact that they are threatening the lives of ponies is reason enough to act.”
Scope looked over the top of his page and met the gaze of his commander.  “When’s the mission going to happen?”
“In six days,” Ghost replied.  “So I suggest you get prepared for it.  That’s all, ponies,” he finished with a dismissive hoof.
As the group dispersed, Sky began to meander over to the main exit from the chamber.  Behind him, he could hear the hoofsteps of Nova and Rimshot.
“A mission, huh?  Lucky,” Nova remarked.  “We’ve been working the same guard duty for what seems like forever.  I’d give just about anything to get out and do something.”
“Tell me about it,” Rimshot agreed.  “Cubic keeps telling us to ‘use the time to your advantage,’ but I have no idea what she means by that.”
Sky raised his eyebrows as a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.  “Wow, a serious comment from Rimshot?  Are you feeling alright?”
“Sorry, lost my head for a minute there.  I’m better now,” he replied, and Sky could hear the laughter on the edge of his voice.
“So, what are you going to do for the rest of the day, Blitz?” Nova asked.  “Got any plans?”
“Well, sorta,” Sky admitted.  “I need to do some research in the palace library, and I want to spend a little time with Lily.  It’s been tough to do recently, with our conflicting schedules and all.”
“Oooohh, someone’s got a date,” Rimshot teased in a sing-songy voice.
“Go ahead and tease,” Sky replied.  “We all know that the only reason you tease me about my dates is because you can’t get one.”
Nova snorted loudly as Rimshot took a deep, sudden breath.  “Oh, that was harsh,” he said, bringing a hoof to his chest as though he had been kicked in the ribs.
“It was a joke,” Sky said with a roll of his eyes.  “At least you’re not Hobo.”
Nova sounded like she was going to choke from being unable to breathe as Rimshot burst out laughing.  “Boy, you better get all that snark out now, or Lily’s liable to smack you!”
“You’re right.  She’s the kind of mare that would relish the opportunity,” Sky said.  Then, with a turn of his head, he regarded his friends with a quick salute.  “But even so, I don’t want to keep her waiting.  I’ll catch you guys later.”
“See ya’ around, Blitz!” Rimshot replied as he and Nova waved.  Then, with a quick flap of his wings, Sky accelerated through the remaining stretch of corridor before reaching the case of the stairs.  He stared up into the dimly-lit space above him before beginning his ascent.
It’s been almost two weeks since we’ve been able to spend any meaningful time together.  That’s too long to wait.  I want to make that time up to her.
As he climbed, the sounds of conversation from his fellow guardsponies faded until he was left alone with his thoughts in utter silence.  It hadn’t even been a whole year that he had been a part of the Alicorn Guard, but he already felt as though they were a part of his family.  He had come to know them, befriend them, care for them…he loved them all.  Sure, they all had their flaws (like Scope’s stubborn resistance to smiling), but what family didn’t?
Sky had instantly been taken in by the entire team, but he had felt most comfortable with three ponies that had become his closest friends: Nova, Rimshot, and his own team commander, Ace.  They were friendly and outgoing, and always seemed to be willing to lend a helping hoof to their newest recruit.  For a while, Sky had wondered if Nova had a crush on him, though it never amounted to anything more than a close friendship.
But of all the members of the Guard, the one that Sky wanted to truly spend time with was Nighthawk, the pegasus commander.  His flight skills and abilities were astonishing, and even Sky had been reduced to a stunned silence after watching a demonstration of his aerial prowess.  He was faster, nimbler, and just all-around better than any pegasus he had ever seen, including Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts.  Granted, Nighthawk was bolstered by a special magic, much like Sky was.  But it was obvious that he had a keen understanding of that magic and that it was phenomenally potent in what it could allow its bearer to do.
But Sky’s efforts to learn from his commander had usually ended in frustration.  Nighthawk was a demanding teacher, offering little praise and much criticism.  Nothing he did had ever seemed to satisfy his instructor, in spite of the acclaim and admiration of every other pony within the Guard.  It just seemed like Nighthawk didn’t approve of him…or didn’t like him at all.
Sky shook his head and shoved the thoughts to the back of his mind.  It wasn’t going to do any good to get upset because of Nighthawk’s ill treatment of him.  He was going to see Lily, and there wasn’t anything that could dampen his spirits now.  As he reached the top of the stairs, he peered through a small viewport to make sure the coast was clear.  Seeing nopony, he pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway, quickly shutting the door behind him.
“Well,” he said to himself, “let’s go see what Miss Pond is up to.”
> Chapter 3: The Jeweled Flower
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Home of Lily Pond, Canterlot
April 15, 12:13 PM

The sudden knock at the door drew her attention from the half-full bowl of cider on the floor.  She straightened up slightly as the furry monochrome cat beside her meowed in protest.  She hadn’t been expecting anyone.  She was due at the jewelry shop in half an hour; she didn’t have time for any unexpected visits from friends.
But her mouth didn’t seem to register her brain’s opposition.  “Come in,” she heard herself say.
As the door opened, she was surprised (and greatly relieved) to see the familiar form of Sky Streak appear against the glare of the sun.  “Hey there,” he said in a pleasantly chipper voice.  She smiled as he pushed the door closed behind him, allowing her to see him more clearly.  He looked taller than he had just last week, and a recent manecut had removed most of his hair from his neck so that it was only on his head, giving him more of a clean-cut appearance.  His turquoise eyes seemed to be alight with a certain electricity that caused them to be visible even in the deepest darkness.  And, of course, that perpetual smug grin of his was plastered across his face.  If she hadn’t been around to have seen him with different expressions, she would have sworn that he couldn’t make any other face.
Lily placed the pitcher of cider on a nearby counter with her magic and walked over to where Sky stood.  “Well, I didn’t expect to see you,” she said, rubbing her nose against her boyfriend’s.  “Did your shift end early?”
Sky shrugged.  “A bit.  Ring Tone got there early so I could leave.  Of course, I might’ve mentioned something about wanting to see you before you went to work today.”
Lily blushed slightly.  Behind her, an annoyed meowing reminded her of a certain feline that was intent on receiving a full bowl of cider before her owner left.  “You’re sweet,” she said to Sky.  Then, turning around, she said in an exasperated voice, “Yes, Cuddles, I hear you.”
“Whatever it is that you put in that stuff, it seems like that cat is addicted to it,” Sky commented.
“She’s just used to it,” Lily corrected as she resumed her pouring.  “Cider is to her what milk is to most cats.”
“Weird.  Anyways,” Sky said, turning the conversation back to the matter at hoof, “it had been a while since we’d seen each other enough to do more than wave, so I thought I’d come pay you a visit.”
“That’d be fine, Sky,” Lily replied, “but I’m about to head off to the jewelry shop.  My shift starts in about twenty-five minutes.”
There was a short pause before Sky’s voice returned, though it was softer and less energetic.  “Oh.  That’s…earlier than I thought.”
Lily finished putting the cider away as Cuddles excitedly lapped up her serving of the apple-flavored beverage.  A thought crossed her mind.  I hadn’t intended to show him yet, but he’s right: we don’t see each other nearly as much as I think we’d like.  This is probably as good a time as any.
“You know,” Lily said, slightly lowering her eyelids as she returned to the foyer of her home, “I still have to get to the shop.  And I wouldn’t mind some company along the way.”
She almost snorted as Sky’s right eyebrow arched mischievously.  “Is that so?” he asked.  “Well, I’d hate for you to be late.  How long does it take for you to get there from here?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
“That leaves us a few extra minutes, so we can take our time.  Need anything before we leave?” Sky asked, reaching for the door.
“Not that I can think of,” Lily replied.  “Pretty much everything I need is at the shop.”
The door opened once again, allowing the sunlight to spill into the room.  “Then shall we be off?” Sky offered.
“A wonderful idea.  Be good, Cuddles,” Lily called as she cast a quick glance into her home.  Cuddles was unmoved, unwilling to be distracted by anything until she was satisfied that she had managed to clean every inch of her bowl of cider.
“Has that ever been a problem?” Sky asked, looking a bit skeptical.
Lily pulled the door shut, then turned to the street as the latch locked with a reassuring click.  “What’s that?”
“Cuddles.  You told her to ‘be good.’  Has she ever not been good?”
She chuckled to herself.  “You obviously don’t know much about cats.”
“Well, alrighty,” Sky remarked as they began their stroll up the street.  He hesitated before letting the matter drop.  “So, how have you been?  That’s not really how I like to start our conversations, but I really don’t know how things have been with you recently.”
“No, it’s fine,” Lily replied.  “We’ve just been missing each other for the past two weeks or so.  I’ve been okay, though I’ve missed our times together.  I’d love to be able to go on a picnic again.  It’s getting to be warm enough for it now.”
Sky nodded thoughtfully.  “I’d love to be able to take you on one, but it seems that the only way we get to see each other is when we happen to be going to the same place.  Hard to have a picnic when you’re on the move like that.”
She made a face, though she couldn’t find anything wrong with his logic.  For the first few months, she and Sky had been able to spend plenty of time together.  He somehow had managed to make every outing special in some way, though the most memorable time was when they had been invited by Octavia herself to be special guests to her concert.  She had nearly fainted in surprise when Sky gave her the news.  The concert was excellent, and both she and he had thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
But after that night, something changed.  Sky suddenly seemed…not distant, but thoughtful.  He was constantly in a retrospective mindset, bringing up events and circumstances of the past, as though he were trying to piece together a mystery hidden in the whirlwind of the past year.  His duties in the guard had also picked up, gradually at first, but eventually, she realized that it had become uncommon for her to see him for more than a fleeting moment.
Her own job had become busier at about the same time, as it was apparently the norm for ponies to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and a myriad of other special days during the late summer and early fall.  And after that, the holidays piled on, with Nightmare Night, Hearth’s Warming Eve, New Year’s Day, Hearts and Hooves Day…
She felt her heart rate quicken from just thinking about it.  She took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself.  She was here with Sky, for once, and it was important for her to cherish the moment.
“Hey, you okay?” she heard Sky ask from beside her.
“Yes,” she replied, focusing on steadying her heart rate with the clopping of her hooves on the cobblestone road.  “Just remembering what the past year has been.  Ever since Octavia’s concert, our lives have been one big blur.”
“Ah,” came his brief reply.  “It was nice back when we had all that time and could really be together whenever we wanted.  Sad that had to change.”
She formed a half-smile and shrugged, leaning into him.  “Yeah, but that just makes times like this that much more special,” she countered.
“Can’t argue with that,” Sky replied, flashing his trademark grin.
“So,” she began again, “how was your shift?”
“Oh, pretty standard.  Stand around, look official, salute or bow whenever you’re supposed to…you know, more of the same.”  He kept his eyes trained on the road ahead, never looking at her once as he spoke.
Lily had become rather skilled at reading Sky.  Not that it was difficult; his emotions were usually as evident as his wings at full spread.  But whenever he was either trying to hide something, or be discreet, or just plain lie, his mannerisms would change.  His emotions would suddenly become muted, and he almost found it difficult to look her in the eye.  It was as though the effort to conceal something from her was too painful for him to manage.
“Is that so?  No secret meetings or special missions today?  They didn’t send you out on a quest to save Equestria from a horde of ravenous dragons threatening to destroy the Crystal Empire?  Not even a fight with a mutant cockatrice?” she half-teased.
She thought she saw him glance at her from under his eyelids, but if he did, it was quick, almost unnoticeable.  Aside from that, he made no indication that he had even heard her.  It was mildly frustrating.  She knew that he was part of something important; that much was obvious.  But his stubborn resistance to letting anything slip was borderline maddening.  She had tried many times to pry something loose from his lips, from subtle hints to clever suggestions, but whenever she so much as approached the subject of his alleged “secret work,” his mouth locked up tighter than the palace vaults.  She sighed, a verbal white flag.  “Fine, I’ll stop,” she stated simply.
Sky smiled sympathetically and nudged her, causing her to swerve off her course, nearly crashing into a street vendor selling various baked goods.  “Hey, watch it!” she shouted at the snickering pegasus, with a hasty “excuse me” aimed at the surprised vendor.
“I was watching,” Sky retorted as she returned to his side.  “I apparently didn’t push you hard enough.”
“Hey!”
“Kidding,” he quickly replied.  Then, receiving a hoof in the ribs, he added, “Ow!”
“You just can’t seem to grow up and be serious, no matter how hard I try to force it upon you,” Lily complained.
“That’s part of the problem,” Sky countered.  His eyes rose to the air, where a trio of pegasi chased each other around in what appeared to be a game of tag.  “Whenever I’m around you, I just feel so happy that I can’t be serious.”
Lily groaned.  “Ugh, how can you be so cute with so little effort?”
“It’s a gift.”
“A curse on those around you.”
“Hey, we can’t all have the gift.  But to be fair, your own cuteness is what makes me so giddy,” Sky replied with a wink.
She let her head drop.  “I give up.”
“Aw, is that any kind of attitude to have on your way to work?” Sky asked, draping a wing across her back.  “How do you expect to get anything done without any motivation?”
She smiled in spite of herself.  “You’re here with me…I’m sure that’ll be enough by the time we get to the shop.”
Sky snorted lightly, but the smile on his face was one of complete satisfaction.  She didn’t need to feel his emotions to be able to know that.
They walked together down the lanes and streets that led to the jewelry shop in silence.  All the way, Sky’s wing remained draped across Lily’s back, gently pulling them closer together.  It was a gesture that he had begun last summer, when their dates still occurred with regular frequency.  She had missed the sensation, and feeling his body next to hers with his wing curling around her made her feel more complete than she had in weeks.
Suddenly, she noticed that Sky was not wearing his usual accessory.  “Hey,” she commented, pulling away just enough to see his bare neck, “where’s your wrap?  Did you not wear it today?”
Sky blushed slightly as he looked her in the eye.  “Oh, well, I was wearing it last night, and I kinda had a bit of a clumsy spell while having soup for dinner, and, well, one thing led to another, and…it’s in the wash,” he finished simply.
Lily shook her head, though she couldn’t hide her laughter.  “Sky, what am I going to do with you?”
“You should probably just put me in a bubble so I can’t keep finding new ways to destroy my surroundings,” he replied.  When Lily had first met Sky, he had struck her as one of the most composed and organized ponies she had ever met.  He had a plan for everything, and his ability to stay cool even in the midst of very dangerous situations had left its mark.  It had been one of the things that had caused her to fall for him.
But after spending some time with him, she had seen that even a pony as initially impeccable as Sky was still as fallible as any other.  And in no place was that as evident as the kitchen.  In spite of his best efforts, he always found a way to leave a significant mess when it came to food preparation.  His most infamous snafu came on her birthday, when he had tried to make her a nice dinner, but had only succeeded in ruining one of her tablecloths and proving that apple cider could catch on fire.  It was a memory they laughed about now, but at the time, she had been so upset that she had kicked him out of her home for a week and refused to speak to him for several days.
“I think we should just leave the cooking to me,” Lily offered.
“I like that idea better,” Sky replied.  “Everypony gets to eat, and there’s a much lower chance that a house gets burned to the ground.”  There was a short pause.  “So, why’d you want to know where my wrap was?”
Lily smirked.  Can’t get anything past him.  He’s much too suspicious for that.  “Well, I have a surprise for you, and they’re a bit easier to keep with you if you’d have that wrap around your neck.”
“They?” Sky echoed, sounding intrigued.
“Yes, they,” she confirmed.  “But you’ll have to wait until we get to the shop to see them.”
“Fantastic,” he replied, jumping up and down in an exaggerated display of excitement.  “The anticipation is killing me.”

“Lily…”
“No peeking!”
The various pieces of jewelry throughout the store glistened like stars in the dim ambience.  The manager of the store had often said that leaving the main lights down brought out the beauty of the gemstones beneath the intense lights of their displays…and she agreed with him.  Even now, the spectrum of colors from beneath the glass coverings bathed the room in rainbows.
But her attention was devoted to the contents of a lone file cabinet against the back wall of the store.  Gently, she removed a pair of small black boxes and set them on the glass counters near where Sky patiently stood with his eyes…mostly closed.
“Hey!” Lily shouted, causing Sky to recoil and slam his eyelids shut.  “I said no peeking!”
“Oh, come on,” he whined, making a head gesture usually accompanied by an eye roll, “the fastest way to make somepony do something is to tell them not to do it.  How did you expect me to respond?”
“Obediently,” she responded without hesitation.  Shutting the cabinet, she sauntered back beside her boyfriend, who had begun stretching each wing separately, apparently in a childish act of boredom.  Several of the other customers in the store eyed him curiously, causing Lily to blush in embarrassment.  “Alright, you can look now.”
“Okay, let’s see what all the fuss is about,” he muttered.  Almost instantly, his eyes fell on the twin boxes on the glass counter in front of him.  “Aw, those are some great-looking jewelry cases you got there, Lily.  Bravo.”
Lily groaned.  “Do you want to see these or not?” she asked in frustration.  Sky’s smile did not fade, but he seemed to understand that her patience was beginning to wear thin, so he merely nodded and withheld any more of his witty commentary.
“Here,” she said, magically lifting one and placing it on his outstretched hoof.  “Have a look.”
She watched with an air of satisfaction as Sky opened the box.  As he did, she caught the glint of light reflecting off the surface of his eyes as he beheld her finished work resting in the box.  “Oh, wow…” he said, apparently speechless for the first time all day.
In the box sat a pin, no larger than a bit, but it glistened with tiny gemstones of green and white set within a golden frame.  Along the bottom, emeralds filled an oblong shape, while sparkling diamonds stretched up in curved triangular clusters.  After a few moments, Sky managed to regain his composure enough to speak again.
“This…this is beautiful,” came his remark.
“Do you recognize it?” Lily asked anxiously.
“Recognize it?  Of course I recognize it,” Sky said, looking surprised by the question.  “It’s your cutie mark.”
“It certainly is.  And it’s your birthday present from me.  Happy birthday, Sky,” Lily said, smiling broadly.
A look of confusion crossed Sky’s face.  “Birthday?  Lily, my birthday isn’t until the sixth of May.  You’re about a month early.”
“Nopony ever said that birthday gifts had to be given on your birthday,” Lily protested.  “Besides, with our schedules, we might not even see each other.  I just figured since I had them, I’d give them to you now.”
Sky’s eyebrow rose dramatically.  “What do you mean, ‘them’?”
It was Lily’s turn to give her boyfriend a smug grin.  “Two boxes, two gifts,” she said simply.
Sky slowly closed the first box and returned it to the counter, then hesitantly lifted the second, never taking his eyes off Lily.  His curiosity was as palpable in the air as the humidity after a summer storm.  His gaze reached right into her, relaying a question as understandably as if he had spoken it aloud: What HAVE you been up to?
And as the lid reclined back on its hinge, she felt his shock like a wave wash over her.  “Oh my…”
The box teetered precariously on the edge of his hoof as he stared at the contents of the package, spellbound beyond words.  She gingerly nudged it back into the center of his hoof, hoping to prevent any accidental drops.
“Lily...by the stars, how did you make this?” Sky whispered.
“I had some help,” she replied softly, coming around on his right.  She peered into the box, setting her gaze on the very object she had toiled over for weeks on end.  It was a perfectly circular pin.  Offset from center, touching one side, a large, flat, black opal sat alone amid a sea of glittering diamonds, arranged into a distinct shimmering crescent.  It didn’t take a genius to recognize the design.  And to Sky, it was something that he fought for every day.
“Princess Luna,” he muttered.  “This is Luna’s mark.”
“These are why I wanted to know where your wrap was.  I wanted to be able to pin these on so you could wear them out in public.  That is,” she quickly added, “if that’s what you want.”
Sky turned to her, looking startled.  “Why wouldn’t I want to show these off?  The marks of the two most important mares in my life?  I’d be willing to pin these straight into myself just so everypony could see them.”
“Let’s not go that far,” Lily replied.  “If you’d just do your laundry, your problem would be solved.”
“I told you, it’s in the wash!” he protested.  Then, softening up, he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.  “But they’re wonderful.  Thank you.”
She blushed brightly as she saw several nearby customers smile knowingly.  “You’re welcome,” was all she could manage.
“But,” Sky said, his face darkening into a concerned frown, “how did you afford these?  These are probably worth a small fortune.”
Lily smiled knowingly.  “You’ve got your secrets, and I’ve got mine,” she replied.  “But remember, I had some help.”
Sky looked at her curiously, perhaps guessing more than she had said, but if that was the case, he made no indication of such.  “Well, judging from the clock on the wall,” he said, redirecting the conversation, “you’ve got about two minutes to clock in and get to work.  So I’d better let you get to that.”  He picked up the pair of boxes and gently placed them into his saddlebag.  “I’ll head home and do some laundry immediately.  These things shouldn’t be kept in a box any longer than they have to.”
Lily couldn’t help but smile.  As silly as he so often was, Sky had a knack for showing a deep sincerity whenever he needed to.  And this was certainly one of those times.  “Maybe I’ll stop by tonight to show you, if I can catch you in the three minutes between when you get home and when you collapse in your bed,” he said, turning towards the door with a wave.  “Have a great day!  And thanks again!”
“You too!” she called, heading to the back room.  She found that she had a slight spring in her step now, and the corners of her mouth were constantly tugging in an attempt to break into an involuntary smile.  I don’t know if it was his reaction to the gifts, or if it was just being with him, but I don’t care.  He brightens up my day every time I see him.  I hope he knows that.

Sky stood outside the jewelry shop, staring longingly into the window.  She really is special, he thought to himself.  She never thinks of herself; just how she can brighten everypony else’s day and make Equestria a nicer place for all.  And every moment I spend with her is special.  There’s not a pony in Equestria I’d rather spend my time with.  I hope she knows that.    
> Chapter 4: Burden of Responsibility
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Royal Library, Canterlot Palace
April 15, 3:33 PM

“Ah, Sky Streak, you are here,” Princess Celestia said as she turned the corner around a row of shelves, spotting the pegasus.  He was reclined on the floor, staring intently into an open book.  While she did not recognize the tome immediately, the look of the pages allowed her to glean that it was more than likely a history book of some sort.
Sky looked up for just a moment before hopping to his hooves and bowing respectfully.  “Princess Celestia,” he said with his head to the floor.  “Were you looking for me?”
“I had not planned on looking for you, but I thought I saw you come this way, and I thought I would see what you were up to.”
Sky straightened up and looked at the princess skeptically.  “For being a princess, it seems to me that your number one priority is to keep an eye on me.”
Celestia returned his scrutinizing gaze.  “You’ve shown a certain penchant for getting into trouble,” she countered.  “I like to think that if I do make you a priority, my right to do so is well-founded.”
She saw him swallow nervously.  “Well…I guess you’ve got me there.”
A quick glimmer of light reflected from the short blue scarf draped around his neck.  Looking closer, she found that two small brooches now adorned his beloved accessory, one green and white in the shape of a flower, while the other…
“Those are new,” she said, gesturing to the pair of brooches.
Sky looked down and broke into a wide grin.  “Oh, these?  Lily made these for me.  She gave them to me earlier today as a birthday gift, even though it’s not for another month.  I suppose you can identify the designs?”
“I think I can,” Celestia answered.  “Well, one for certain.  I suppose the other is Lily’s cutie mark?”
“Yup.  I had to run home to clean this thing so I could show them off,” he said, tugging at his wrap.  Suddenly, his smile faded as his head rose and his eyes locked with those of the princess.  “Oh, and I noticed something while I was walking with Lily earlier.”
Celestia raised her eyebrows expectantly.  “And what was that?”
“You’ve apparently made Lily’s well-being more of a priority than I thought you had.  I counted at least four guard ponies that were watching us rather intently.  Three pegasi playing tag and a street vendor.  Did I miss any?”
“I’m not telling,” she replied with a smirk.  “But I’m glad you noticed them.  It shows that you’re being observant of your surroundings.”
“Well, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” Sky said, sitting back on his haunches and turning the page in his book, “what can I do for you?”
“You’ve come back to the palace even after your shift ended.  I wondered what reason you could have had for returning.”
“Oh.”  Sky looked down to the book again, and Celestia followed his gaze.  A lone picture depicted the legendary conflict between Celestia and Nightmare Moon a millennium ago.  She frowned as the memories once again moved in her heart, stinging her eyes and causing her breath to come faster and shorter.
One thousand years or one million, it’ll never be long enough to make me forget the pain of what I did.  “Reading up on the history of Equestria?  I would have thought you’d have had enough of that,” she replied, forcing her face to brighten again.
“Well, yes and no,” the pegasus answered.  “I’m not so interested in the past as I am the present, but I need to investigate the past to get what I’m after.”
“Meaning?”
“See, we know that Storm Emblem was pardoned and lived out his days in peace, right?” Sky began.  “The problem is that we don’t know what happened after that.  I want to help Princess Luna, and I figure one way to do that is to show her what became of Storm Emblem’s family.  If she sees that his family prospered and is living well in Equestria, it may cause her to feel better.”
Celestia looked at Sky sympathetically.  “I appreciate what you’re doing, Sky, but Luna said herself that she feels regret on behalf of all the ponies of that time, not just Storm Emblem.”
Sky nodded.  “I know, but I have to start somewhere.  And Storm Emblem was the only pony she mentioned by name, so I have to start there.”
She felt her jaw loosen and drop slightly in surprise.  “Are you going to try and trace the lineage of every pony from that time?”
Sky looked up again, his eyes set in a look of sheer determination.  “Princess Celestia, you let me see into your memory and feel the pain of regret from the past thousand years.  I’ve never felt anything as heart-wrenching as that, but even then, you told me that Luna was unlike you in that she hadn’t been able to move past her mistakes.  Which means that what she feels must be even worse than what you feel.  And I can’t imagine that.”  His hoof hit the floor and his voice began to quake as his emotions began to boil.  “And I don’t want her to have to bear that weight any longer.  And if it takes that much to free her from the burden of her past, then I’ll do it!”
Celestia found herself taken aback by Sky’s sudden outburst, though, to be fair, so was he.  “Oh, um…sorry.  Guess I got a little worked up there, huh?” he said, looking suddenly ashamed.
“Don’t be sorry!” Celestia said, placing a hoof on the pegasus’ shoulder.  “That was eloquently said, but more than that is just how much you obviously care for my sister’s well-being.  And I think she knows that.  Your loyalty and love for her has done much already.  However,” she continued, drawing back her leg, “you were correct when you said that her weight is more than mine.  I feel guilt for my response, but she feels it because it was her action that started the whole situation.”
Celestia sighed as she looked out an open window.  “Or so she believes.”
Sky suddenly looked surprised.  “Princess?”
“There were many things that could have been done to avoid that tragedy,” Celestia explained, letting her eyelids fall.  “The rise of Nightmare Moon was simply the culmination of much apathy and disregard for others.  And Luna does not bear the weight of responsibility alone.  She is simply the easiest pony to blame.  I wish it were not so.”
“I think, Your Highness, that Luna does bear the responsibility alone.”  Then, seeing the appalled look on the Princess’ face, he quickly continued.  “And that’s because the only one that feels compelled to blame somepony is herself.”
“Ah,” Celestia said, calming herself.  “I would agree with you about that.”
“And that brings me here.  I don’t need to convince any other pony about Princess Luna’s redemption.  Just her.”  He looked back down to his book with an air of sadness.  “I just wish there was more I could do than sit in a library and look for genealogies of ponies from a thousand years ago.”
“I wish I knew of something you could do, Sky,” Celestia said.  She understood his emotions better than perhaps even he did: she had been dealing with them for the last thousand years.  “But there is no simple, direct solution.  The problem exists solely within Luna’s mind.  And only she can make the decision to move past it.  All we can do is encourage her and be there for her.”
She barely heard Sky mumble his assent.  “Well, I probably have a mountain of things to do, and the last thing you need is to have me standing here distracting you, so I’ll leave you to your research,” she said with a smile that didn’t feel as sincere as she wanted.
Sky remained silent as he bowed again.  As she turned to go, Celestia cast one last sympathetic at the young pegasus.  He willingly subjects himself to sharing the burdens of others just to show that they don’t carry those burdens alone.  I only hope that he never has to face a time when he must carry a similar burden by himself.  I dare not imagine what it might do to him.

When Sky raised his head, the princess was gone.  It’s obvious she’s worried about me.  Why else would she spend so much time and effort looking after my well-being?
He gazed down to the book lying open at his hooves.  None of his research had pulled up anything on the genealogy of Storm Emblem.  Though, to be fair, he hadn’t really expected anything.  Genealogies weren’t necessarily something that were outlined in standard history books, but they might have an occasional reference to a descendant, which would have been more than he had to go on yet.
But no matter where he looked, he could find no reference to Storm Emblem or any trace of his lineage.  It was as though he merely faded into obscurity in the wake of the rebellion, and his descendants saw no reason to rock the boat.  He didn’t have to go and drop off the map entirely, Sky grumbled in his head.  He’s made this harder than it should be.
A sudden breeze blew in a nearby window, brushing across his face and mussing his mane.  The sky was clear and bright, and he could hear the birds singing from far below in the palace courtyard.  You know, maybe a short flight might do me some good.  Clear my head a little.

A short while later, Sky found himself sitting peacefully on a ring of clouds just above the pinnacle of the mountain.  The cloud formation had achieved somewhat of a celebrity status over the years, and was almost as recognizable now as the mountain itself, having earned the nickname of the “Crown of the Mountain.”
But to Sky, it was simply an available perch for him to use as he stared out over the sprawling land of Equestria.  The Crown had become one of his favorite lookout spots; a prime location to just get away from everypony and just relax.  He often came to empty his mind or catch a quick nap.  Because no bed in all of Equestria is as comfortable as a cloud.
He absently stared out toward the horizon, taking in the view.  “There’s so much to this land,” he mumbled to himself.  “So much history, so much life…just look at it all.”
“That’s a bit more philosophical than I’m used to hearing from you, Blitz.”
Hearing another voice (not to mention the use of his code name) caused him to whirl on the spot to identify its owner.  He quickly spotted a familiar pink pegasus with a pale violet mane sitting nearby, eyeing him curiously.  It didn’t take but a split second for him to recognize the form of his commanding pegasus from the Alicorn Guard, second only to Nighthawk himself.  “Oh, hey Razor,” he said to the mare.  “I didn’t hear you come up behind me.”
“That’s because I was already here when you showed up,” she explained.  “You’re not the only one who’s fond of using the Crown as a spot to relax.”
“Ah, sorry,” he said, wondering how long she had been sitting there, listening to whatever mumblings had been loud enough for her to understand.  “Hope I didn’t interrupt a nap or anything.”
The corners of her mouth seemed to tighten in the beginnings of a smile, but she made no other expressions.  “Not at all.  But if I may, you seem like you’ve had a lot on your mind recently.  Is everything alright?”
He sighed.  Even if I could keep a secret, I can’t hide my emotions, it would seem, he moaned to himself.  “Is it that obvious?”
Razor shook her head as she stood and walked over to where Sky was, causing the cloud to shift and fragment beneath her hooves.  “I don’t think so; I just see you up here, and you tend to sigh and mumble things about trying to make things right for somepony.”
Sky arched an eyebrow.  “You been spying on me?”
“No, you just seem to always come up here after I’ve already arrived,” she replied, smiling in earnest as she spoke.
He was tempted to ask why she had never let him know that she was there, but somehow, he felt it was a moot point.  “Well, no sense in trying to hide it.  Yeah, I’m trying to help another pony deal with some mistakes she made in the past,” he said, turning back to the edge of the cloud and sitting back on his haunches again.  “She’s having trouble forgiving herself, and I want to help her move on and see that the only one that’s holding her back is herself.”
He caught the look she gave him, which led him to believe that perhaps she had read between the lines and understood more than he had actually said.  But if that was the case, she didn’t let on.  “You don’t mean Lily?” she asked.
He snorted.  “No, as far as I know, Lily doesn’t have any skeletons in her closet.  This is another…”  He searched for an adequate description for his relationship with Princess Luna.  “…close friend of mine,” he managed at last.
“I see,” she said as she took a seat beside him.  “You must be quite devoted to her, then.  Does Lily know about this?”
“Of course,” Sky replied.  “She’s a mutual friend.”
“Well, that’s good.  You and Lily have a beautiful relationship…I know plenty of couples out there that would be jealous of what the two of you have,” Razor responded.
“Uh…” Sky stammered, feeling his cheeks flush as he suddenly felt that the conversation had taken an awkward turn.  “Is this really what you wanted to talk about?”
“Oh, sorry,” Razor responded, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”  She flicked a lock of her mane dangling in the breeze.  “I’ve just been in the Guard long enough to know how lonely it can feel.  You can’t tell anypony what you’re really up to, you’re living a double life, and it can just seem like you’re all by yourself.  You’ve been in the Guard for coming up on a year now, and I remember having a sort of emotional breakdown about that time.  I just wanted you to know that if you ever need to talk, we’re all here for you.  We’re about the only ones that can really say that we understand how you feel.”
“I appreciate that,” Sky began, “but I think I’m alright.”  He turned back to the view before them and took a breath.  But when he spoke again, his voice seemed to linger in his ears, like a song stuck in his head.  “It’s the life we lead.  Trading pleasure for pain, leading a thankless, lonely life, defending this land we love as much as ourselves.  No one knows everything we do, and maybe someday we’ll end up as legends fit for stories and fairy tales, but we’re only heroes after we’re gone.”
Razor blinked as she looked at him, apparently surprised by Sky’s unusually deep analysis of their existence, and perhaps the change in his voice.  And yet, in spite of the stoic nature of his words, he smiled broadly and his eyes seemed to brighten as the words flowed out, as if the thoughts of his heart came without his mouth’s consent.  “But you know, I don’t care about that.  If I wanted to be recognized, I would have picked a different path for my life.  I’m here because I chose to be here: helping ponies and making sure that their lives are full of joy, thanks in part to what I’m able to do on their behalf.  I have friends and family that love me, and whether or not they know everything I do for them, that’s enough to keep me going.  If Equestria deems me worthy enough to be honored in the future, then I hope that it’s because I was an example of a humble pony that put others first and cherished my relationships with those around me enough to defend them with my life.”
Silence prevailed for several minutes as Razor searched for something appropriate to say.  Finally, she said the only thing that came to her mind.  “That sounds rehearsed.”
Sky chuckled.  “Maybe a little,” he admitted.  “But it’s how I really feel.  If nopony remembers me, so be it.  If Equestria endures because of my actions, that is my legacy.  And that’s really all I could ask for.”
Razor shook her head.  “You know, Blitz, I don’t know if I’ve ever met a pony like you.  You care so little for yourself.  You only see the needs of others.”
“Nah, I care plenty about myself.  But if it appears that I care more for others than for myself…well, that’s what I’m going for.”
“You’re doing well,” she replied.
Inwardly, he felt a strong sense of pride well up in his chest.  However, in the back of his mind, a warning siren went off.  Don’t feel too good about yourself, it seemed to say.  You know perfectly well that you have a long way to go, too.
“So, what do you do when you come up here?” Sky asked, suddenly eager to change the topic.
“Well, sometimes I come up here for flight practice,” she answered.  She gestured with her hoof as she spoke.  “The drafts are nice up here; perfect for practicing my ability to manipulate air currents.”
“That makes sense,” Sky nodded.  When he had first been introduced to her, Sky had been surprised to hear that her magic was used to direct wind currents in specific ways.  However, after seeing a demonstration of her skills, he ceased to question her abilities.  She had honed her magic to the point of being able to saw through entire tree limbs with the wind from her wake.  He had also seen her carry another pony simply on her self-generated updrafts.
“But today,” she continued, interrupting Sky’s thoughts, “I just wanted to come up here and think.”
“Sorry I had to come and cut into that,” he apologized.
“Don’t be,” she replied.  “You’ve given me plenty to think about.”
“Well, don’t be a thought hog,” he said with a smirk.  “What’s on your mind?”
“Oh, just thinking about my family and my future,” she replied.  “I know I won’t be a part of the Guard forever, and I just wonder what I’ll do when my time here ends.”
“Seems like kind of a gloomy subject,” Sky commented.
“Maybe a bit,” she conceded, “but nothing lasts forever.  It’s just an understanding of how time changes things.  It happens every moment.  I wasn’t always in the Guard, and you weren’t always a magically gifted pegasus.  We change.  Every second molds us into something new.  It’s just up to us to make sure that those changes are for the better.”
Sky snorted.  “Now who’s sounding philosophical?”
They simultaneously broke out into a fit of laughter that flew freely into the open skies around them.  As they regained their composure, Razor stood up and stretched her wings.  “Well, I think I’ll leave you to your thoughts.  I have a few errands to run.  I’ll catch you later, Blitz.”
“See ya’,” he called as he watched her dive off the cloud into the gentle breeze towards Canterlot.  He took a moment to stare down upon the royal city.  Most ponies never got the opportunity to see Canterlot from above.  From here, the tall spires were nothing more than large dots that clustered in certain locations within the city.  Many small dots peppered the eastern edge of the city, while the more robust buildings dominated the northwest corner: Canterlot Palace.
As he stared at the city, he heaved a sigh.  So much to think about.  Princess Luna, Lily, the Guard, the Chimera’s warning…I feel like I need a nap.
Almost instantly, as though body reacted to his thoughts, his eyes became heavy and started to close while his legs relaxed, bringing him into a prone position.  Finally, his mind became numb as he succumbed to the welcome embrace of sleep.
> Chapter 5: Of Mares and Nightmares
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere in Sky’s dream…

You know, just once, I’d like to be able to sleep like a normal pony.
The situation was too familiar (and yet all too alien) to be anything but a dream.  Once again, he was surrounded by the dull, lifeless structures of a mist-filled Canterlot.  The color had been drained from the scene, casting everything into a depressing ashen gray.  There was no wind, no noise, and no one around.
The last time I saw this, the Chimera was threatening my home, Sky thought.  But the Chimera’s gone.  So why am I—
His train of thought was cut short by a conversation from not but a few hours earlier:

 “I believe that you were able to feel the Chimera because you were the object of its animosity.  Its attacks were mostly directed at you, and as a result, you were connected to it, however marginally.”
“Wait.  You think that since you are the only one that can sense this hatred, that you are its target?”
“I do.”
“Oh, nuh-uh, not happening.  Not on my watch.  If anything wants to get at you, it has to get by me first.”
“I don’t think you will have to worry about that, Sky.  I think it has its eyes set on you, too.”

“Ooohhh…” he murmured.
He gazed around at the unsettling scenery.  Everything was exactly the same as it had been in his dream, as far as he could tell.  It could have used at least a little creativity.
He slowly began to stroll along the silent streets of the pseudo-city, looking for any sign of whatever he was supposed to be seeing.  The last time he had seen this, he had been subjected to horrible visions of a future where Equestria was laid to waste, with its proud cities falling into ruin.  And Sky had been an unwilling witness to the Chimera’s designs.  Thankfully, though, none of it had come to pass.
At least, not yet.
He passed by Joe’s Donut Shop, noting that the windows reflected a miserable-looking image of himself back.  The door was slightly ajar, and the squealing of its hinges fell dead as soon as it hit the air.  If depressing was the goal here, then I think they’ve nailed it on the head.
As he continued to walk, he passed glass-roofed conservatory.  Normally, the green foliage of dozens of trees could be seen sprouting into the air.  But now, all that could be seen were the brittle ends of lifeless branches stretched to the sky, as though their efforts to escape this prison were immortalized in the trees’ poses of death.
A shudder rolled down Sky’s spine.  That particular thought had been surprisingly dark…and not at all welcome.  “Okay, I think that’s far enough,” he called out into the darkness.  His voice left his mouth with force, but it only took a moment for it to fade into the fog without so much as a single echo.  “You want me to see something?  Or do you want to talk?  Either way, I’m tired of waiting.”
He sat back on his haunches, not entirely expecting an answer.  So he jumped slightly when a strange, airy voice came back to him.  “Ah, so you do remember this scene?”
Sky snorted.  Whoever was speaking was obviously masking their voice, apparently unwilling to be identified by their speech patterns.  “‘Remember’ seems like the wrong word, since this never actually happened.  I was shown this once before, and I don’t think it’s a stretch to believe that this is related to that.”
“Fair enough,” the voice conceded.
“You know, I’m really eager to meet you,” Sky continued.  For some reason, the sound of the voice was an irritant to his mind, and the thought that its owner could be the source of the hatred within the land just caused his blood to boil.  “I’d like to stick out my hoof and smash your face into the dirt with it.”
“My, my, so violent,” the voice replied in a mocking tone.  “Whatever have I done to deserve such treatment?”
“Well, for starters, you invaded my dream,” Sky returned, voice dripping with frustration.  “I’d really like to just be able to sleep peacefully without having to witness some threatening vision of destruction of the place I call home.  Oh, and there’s the whole thing with the Chimera, and the fact that you want to take out Princess Celestia and cast all of Equestria into darkness…and you know, while we’re at it, if you really were working with the Chimera, you tried to kill not only me, but also my girlfriend, my family, and pretty much every pony I cared about.”  He rolled his head to one side, causing his neck to pop.  “I think that’s good for starters; shall I go on?”
The sound of a snort filled the air, though Sky couldn’t tell if it was the sound of frustration of mild amusement.  “You certainly know how to hold a grudge.”
Sky was dimly aware that teeth were clenched together so tightly that his jaw was starting to ache.  “A grudge?  You and your ugly accomplice tried to kill me on four different occasions.  So pardon me if I’m less than cordial with you.”
When the voice returned, there was a distinct unpleasantness to its tone, as though it was frowning as it spoke.  “This devastation all around you…you’ve seen it before, yes?  This is what the Chimera showed you that it would do to Equestria, correct?”
Sky managed to loosen his jaw’s vice-like clamp enough to speak.  “Why ask me?  Go ask the Chimera.  Oh, wait, that’s right, you can’t—we defeated it!  And we’ll do the same to you!”
But the voice seemed to ignore his remark.  “But what the Chimera wanted was not what I wanted.  I do not want to see Equestria like this.  The reason I show this to you again is because this is what will happen if drastic measures are not taken.  Measures that only I can implement.”
For a moment, Sky’s rage was replaced by a wave of confusion that left his brain spinning.  “Whoa, whoa, time out…say what?”
“You heard right,” the voice assured him.  “I desire to protect Equestria as much as you do.  It is my desire to make this land great…greater than it has ever been,” it added in an ominous tone.
His mind was still recovering from the previous remark, but the change in the conversation was already affecting his own emotions.  “Greater than it’s ever been?  By getting rid of its current leadership?”  Suddenly, he realized that his adversary was probably unaware of the conversations he had shared with Princess Celestia.  And that could be used to his advantage.
“What good would it do Equestria to leave it without leadership?  Sorry, but I don’t see the benefit in that,” he said, feigning ignorance.
The voice that returned to him was even and steady, but Sky could have sworn he heard the tiny influence of a smile.  “Ah, you misunderstand me.  I do not desire to leave this land leaderless.  I merely mean to replace its current leadership with someone more…effective.”
Replace Celestia?
He managed to push the foreboding thought aside and focused on the matter at hand.  He forced his face into a smile as he began to laugh—a laugh he didn’t feel.  “What, you?!” he said between chuckles.  “I’m sure the whole of Equestria would welcome you: the pony who unleashed a Chimera onto their lands and staged a coup to overthrow Princess Celestia, as if that would even work.  What a great leader!”
“Perhaps.  But even I can tell when I’m being baited.  And you will gain no information from me.”
Sky’s laughter stopped, but his smile did not fade.  “No?  I think you’ve told me more than you realize.”
“Bluff all you want,” the voice returned, “but our conversation is done.  Just remember: I mean to make Equestria greater than it has ever been.  I am not your enemy.”
With that, Sky’s smile turned into a determined scowl.  “I’ve seen your methods, and I’m not impressed.  If I so much as sense one pegasus feather that falls with ill intent to one of the ponies in Equestria, know that I’ll be on your hooves faster than the Wonderbolts can clear the sky.”
“I do not wish to harm you, Sky Streak,” the voice said, and Sky shivered upon hearing his name spoken in the airy, ghastly voice.  “But if you stand in my way, I will have no choice but to destroy you.  And believe me, I can and will.”
Sky took a breath to fire back his own retort, but before he could utter a sound, the mountain before him suddenly seemed to melt into a massive mudslide of dark fluid, falling in cascades upon the ruins of pseudo-Canterlot and plowing through vacant buildings and empty streets toward where he stood.
“Not bad,” Sky admitted as he watched buildings collapse against the unstoppable force of the suddenly-liquefied mountain.
“My turn.”
He spread his wings, and as he did, a sudden pulsing light painted his surroundings a cold blue hue.  The wind seemed to pick up from behind him, pushing back the gale-force winds riding the front of the mountain-slide.  Streaks of magic floated from his wings to the ground and back.  Small sparks appeared from his hooves, making a small popping sound with each surge of light.  And the bright blue irises of his eyes suddenly filled with electric streaks of light, constantly ringing his dark pupils, making him look more like a terrible apparition of power than a simple pegasus.
Time slowed down.  The wave of darkness, shrapnel, and debris slowed to a crawl, suspended in the air, towering above the remnants of the city.  Gradually, Sky became a beacon of light against the encroaching darkness; a brilliant flame defiant against the imminent storm.
Then, with a blaze of glory, the radiant pegasus rocketed ahead, blue and white streaks of lightning left in his wake.  A crack of thunder shook the city as he split the air with his speed.  The dark wave grew ever closer as it loomed above him, and Sky smiled grimly.
I’ve faced the darkness before.  I’m not afraid of it.
His hooves collided with the wave, and everything went white.

The light gradually faded into a clear blue sky above the familiar green landscape of Equestria.  The transition from the dim light of his dream to the brightly-lit afternoon was still drastic enough to cause Sky to squint as his eyes worked to adjust.  Out in front of him, his legs were stretched to full extension, much like they would be if he were in the act of flying.  Which I had been, in a manner of speaking, he thought to himself.
He went to stretch his wings, only to find that they were already extended.  Arching his eyebrows in surprise, Sky suddenly became aware that the Crown of the Mountain seemed a bit…angry.  Its normally white sheen had been replaced by an increasingly-ominous gray.  And only then did he sense not only the familiar static tingling of an oncoming storm pulsing within the cloud, but also the light that seemed to be emanating from just above him.
Craning his head around, he saw that his wings were aglow with a glaringly bright magic, which he had apparently summoned while still locked in his dream.  Quickly, he pulled his wings against his body and withdrew his active magic.  Instantly, he felt the storm within the Crown begin to subside as it gradually returned to its natural white.  Boy, that would have been great, he thought to himself, sighing in relief.  Every weatherpony in Canterlot would have been scratching their heads, trying to figure out how an unscheduled thunderstorm hit the city, from the Crown of all places!
Turning his thoughts again to his dream, Sky’s typically lighthearted mood was swallowed by worry and concern.  “I think I need to see Princess Celestia.”

Observation Tower, Canterlot Palace
April 15, 4:38 PM

“This is hardly unexpected,” Celestia said gravely, “but the message that you were given is disturbing.”
“No kidding,” Sky nodded in agreement.  Celestia was facing away from him, intently gazing into the eyepiece of an archaic-looking telescope.  The scene was eerily similar to a vision he had experienced in his first dream from the Chimera, over a year ago.  But now, in the presence of Celestia and in the bright sun, he wasn’t as disturbed as he had been then.
“Could you tell anything about the speaker?  Like gender or any kind of accent?” Celestia asked, still staring into the telescope.
“That’s the thing, Your Majesty,” Sky replied.  “There was nothing.  It was like it knew that I would be listening for something like that, and intentionally masked itself.  No accent, no vocal tones…everything it said was airy and thin, like a whisper.  The only thing I could really notice was whenever they put emotion into their voice.  You know, like how when you smile, you can hear it in your speech?”
Celestia hummed her assent, slowly swiveling the telescope to the west, where the sun was beginning its slow descent toward the horizon.  “Well, aside from that, there wasn’t a lot I could tell.  It was just…eerie.  Creepy, how it seemed so sure of itself.”  He snorted in mild amusement.  “Just goes to show how deluded it must be.”
Sky watched as Celestia finally withdrew her eye from the lens of the telescope, but continuing to stare towards the western horizon.  He thought he heard the softest of sighs, though he couldn’t be sure.
A painfully awkward silence ensued.  Celestia’s back remained turned to him, but the longer the silence lasted, the more Sky wished that she would do something.  So far, it had been a rather one-sided conversation, with the princess occasionally muttering something to indicate she was listening.  But now…Celestia seemed totally focused on lowering the sun over the next few hours, as though nothing else mattered.
Or perhaps, she merely wanted a few moments to escape from reality.
For the second time that day, Sky suddenly felt very out-of-place.  He couldn’t help but feel like an intruder upon Celestia’s inmost thoughts; an eavesdropper on her most confidential secrets.  Almost instinctively, he began to retreat towards the stairs descending back into the inviting halls of the palace.  He had nearly reached the first step when the princess’ voice called out to him.
“I’m sorry if I’m making you feel uncomfortable, Sky.  But I would much rather you stay here.  I’d appreciate the company.”
Sky stopped dead in his tracks.  Sure, Celestia had asked him to stick around, but that wasn’t what had stopped him.  There was something in her voice; some curious tone that caught his attention.  To him, he hadn’t heard her say, “I’d appreciate the company;” he had heard, “I’d rather not be alone right now.”
He found himself almost instantly by Celestia’s side, though he didn’t remember how he got there.  He stared up at her anxiously, hunting for the right thing to say…if there was a right thing to say.
“You’ve become so perceptive, Sky,” the princess began softly.  “Sometimes I wonder if your magic isn’t more than it appears to be.”
Sky could feel his cheeks flushing, but he remained silent while the princess spoke again.  “It isn’t all privilege and regality being the ruler of an empire.  There’s quite a weight of responsibility that you carry with you wherever you go.  Any leader will tell you that.
“However,” she continued, “here in Equestria, I think that it is even harder to rule here than in many other places.”
Sky’s eyebrow arched.  “How so?”
“Because of how our civilization is built,” Celestia responded.  “Here in Equestria, we emphasize harmony and unity so much, that it becomes the standard to expect that everypony is perfectly happy.”
“That seems like a lofty goal,” Sky replied.
“Perhaps it is a bit unreasonable,” she admitted, “but a leader should have high aspirations.  Only the best for those that we lead.”  Sky smiled, and he caught the princess looking at him out of the corner of her eye.  “And to think that even one pony is unhappy with the way that I lead weighs heavily on my mind.”
A warm breeze gently blew past Sky’s face as he shook his head in disbelief.  “I can’t understand how anypony could think that you’re an ineffective leader after listening to you talk about how much thought and concern you give to each pony in Equestria.”
“It’s a common saying that if you try to please everypony, somepony won’t like it.”
“That’s ludicrous,” Sky said, furrowing his brow in frustration.  “It doesn’t take a genius to see that you genuinely care about every single pony.  You’ve guided Equestria through countless crises over the last thousand years.”
Celestia smiled sadly, and Sky saw in her eyes the same sadness she had displayed in Princess Luna’s chambers a few hours earlier.  “Some might say that I caused some of them.”
“You did what you thought was best for everypony,” Sky protested.  “And Equestria is a better place because of that.  Nopony is beyond making mistakes, but I like to think that of all the ponies in this land, you’ve done a better job than anyone else could have done.”
He took another step forward, until he stood even with the princess.  The afternoon breeze had begun to pick up slightly, and as it blew past him, small wisps of wind found their way underneath his folded wings.  It was a welcome feeling, and for a split second, Sky’s mind was nearly pulled away with the breeze into the air.
In the distance, the sun’s descent had begun to turn the western sky into a light shade of orange.  And while Celestia’s mane did not naturally display that particular color, Sky became aware of an orange tint reflecting from the lighter shades.  As he stared, he wondered if Celestia had looked anything like this long ago, when Equestria was young and embroiled in the wars for its very survival: her mane a reflection of the fires of war, with her face etched in steadfast determination, but lined with grief and pain from the cares of many generations.
A slight movement in his vision refocused his vision to see that Celestia was now returning his gaze.  Feeling a bit embarrassed for staring, he diverted his eyes and forced the first thought that came to mind out of his mouth.
“So, uh…this pony must really hate freedom and harmony,” he stammered.
A knowing look flashed across Celestia’s face, though she neither chided nor questioned Sky’s intense gaze from before.  “What makes you say that?” she asked, looking once again to the horizon.
“A few things,” he said, surprised that his thoughts were still flowing in spite of his panicked initial response.  “For starters, if it wants to replace you, then it must disapprove of your methods and style, right?  And if this thing really is the nexus of hatred and the Chimera warned me about, then it must thrive on conflict.”  He paused as he began to piece together the logic.  “Which may indicate that it desires a more…aggressive approach to relations with neighboring lands.”
Celestia finally turned her head to look at him straight-on.  “A warlord,” she surmised.
“I was thinking ‘tyrant,’ personally.”
“One could say they’re the same thing.”
“I guess so.”  Sky spread his wings and flapped them a few times, trying to appease his mind’s increasingly strong desire to take to the air.  “But I still don’t understand how it could think that it could challenge you.  You’re the most powerful pony in Equestria.  What does it have that could possibly threaten you?”
A grave expression passed across Celestia’s face.  “There are many potent forms of magic, Sky Streak.  Just because I possess a certain power does not mean that I am invincible.”  She cocked an eyebrow.  “Or have you forgotten about Queen Chrysalis already?”
Sky turned away and bit his lip.  He could feel an embarrassing flush rise to his face as his cheeks grew warm.  “I…I didn’t want to be the one to bring that up,” he explained in a quiet voice.
“It’s all right,” Celestia assured him.  She placed her hoof under Sky’s chin and pulled his gaze back to meet hers.  “It is a fact that Chrysalis outmatched me that day.”
At least she’s not mad about it, Sky thought to himself.  “But even so, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were able to beat her.  And all the royal guards and even Twilight and the others fought, too!  You have tons of ponies that would stand with you!”  He suddenly became aware of how loud his voice had become.  He took a deep breath and tried to re-assert a sense of calm over himself.  “How can one pony, no matter how powerful, stand against all that?”
Celestia’s head drooped a bit, and Sky followed her eyes.  From what he could tell, she was staring out upon Canterlot, as many ponies prepared to get off from work and head home for the day.  “I do not know,” she admitted, “but the simple fact that it believes it can gives me pause.”  She turned to Sky, looking thoughtful.  “Did the Chimera mention if this source of hatred was just one pony, or was it a group of them?”
Sky’s eyes grew wide.  “A group of them?!” he exclaimed.
“Sky, focus,” Celestia said firmly.  “Did the Chimera say anything about it?”
“Uh…”  He forced his mind to process the princess’ request.  “N…no, I don’t think it said anything about that.”  He closed his eyes and, in spite of having no real desire to revisit that event, allowed the images to appear in his mind.  He heard that terrible triple-voice of the Chimera again, and he strained to hear the words afresh.
“And, as a gift for your victory, here’s some advice: there’s quite a source of hatred within Equestria.  Yes, from your own precious ponies.  And if you don’t confront it quickly, you may find yourself facing me again.  Sooner than you’d like, I’d wager.”
“No,” he repeated.  “It didn’t say one way or another.”  He became distinctly aware that the air had become still again, and he said a silent word of thanks.  To a pegasus, the wind was a fantastic distraction, and an equally thrilling temptation.
“Then it is possible that this pony has already begun to gather support for a rebellion,” Celestia concluded.
“But…but that’s just crazy!” Sky blurted.  “Why would somepony want to start a rebellion against you?”
“It would not be the first time,” the princess replied, eyes glinting in the orange sunlight.
“But Luna admitted that she was wrong!  Her rebellion was unjustified!”
“Sky, you must understand,” Celestia replied, turning to him, her face set in a stern visage, “part of being a leader is dealing with those that believe that they could do a better job than you could.  There will always be those who will grumble against leadership and say that it is ineffective.  It is my duty to address these complaints as best I can.”
“But Princess—”
“However,” she continued, cutting him off, “this particular pony has already shown that they are willing to go to drastic measures to see me removed.  And even if they had separate goals from the Chimera, as you told me that it said it did, the truth remains that it used that monster to place hundreds of ponies in harm’s way.  And that exists as a threat to the well-being of the citizens here.  Which forces my hoof in a way I do not wish to move.  Normally, I would take the diplomatic approach of talking with my opponents.  But this has moved beyond that.  Once this traitor is identified, they will need to be dealt with in such a way that they can no longer pose a threat to the good ponies here.”
Sky’s eyes grew wide.  “…Dealt with?” he asked nervously.
But her eyes softened in response.  “Don’t worry, Sky,” she assured him.  “I mean no harm to anypony.  All I mean is that this pony must be located and isolated in a place where they cannot threaten the peace of Equestria any longer.”
A question formed on Sky’s lips, but a yawn escaped first.  He raised his hoof to cover his mouth.  “You’ve had a long day, it seems,” Celestia said in a sympathetic tone.
He completed his yawn and lowered his hoof.  “It’s something I need to get used to,” he replied.  “I may be called to do more someday.”
Celestia tilted her head in with a contemplating look.  “Perhaps,” she conceded.  “But you also need your rest.”
Sky looked up at the princess in surprise.  “It’s not even five o’clock, Your Highness,” he said, sounding more skeptical than he had intended to.
“You don’t need to go to sleep to get rest, Sky Streak.”  He felt movement on the top of his head, and a quick glance upward revealed that Celestia had stretched her wing over and had gingerly begun to brush his wind-mussed mane back into some semblance of order.  “Why don’t you go get something to eat?”
As if on cue, his stomach immediately rumbled.  Sky blushed slightly, and it suddenly occurred to him that he hadn’t eaten one thing since before he had left his home early that morning.  “Well…maybe I should,” Sky said.  “Seeing as how both you and my stomach agree on that.”
“Oh, before you go, I believe that the guard at the gate has a letter for you.”
Sky looked in confusion at the princess.  “A letter for me?  Here at the palace?  Wonder why they didn’t just send it to my house?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have the answer to that, but it may resolve some of your confusion to know that it is addressed from a certain zebra friend of yours,” Celestia replied.
A sudden excitement grew in Sky’s eyes.  “Zecora!  She must have gotten my letter!  Oh, um, if you’ll excuse me, Your Highness,” Sky said with a hasty bow, “I have some urgent business to attend to!”
As he turned and leapt over the railing, he heard the princess’ voice calling out to him.  “Be sure to eat something!”
Just like mom would say, he thought, spreading his wings and making for the palace gates.  He shot over the gardens and outer courtyard in a flash before descending just behind the gates, where he saw the familiar form of a certain excitable new recruit standing guard.  As he landed, he called out in the most gruff voice he could muster, “Recruit!  At attention!”
The brown unicorn jumped at the command, bringing his spear up to position and quickly turning to face his commanding officer.  The spear rattled as it clanged against his armor, and Sky could see the grimace on his face as the sound reverberated around the courtyard.  It made it even funnier when he saw the guard catch sight of him and audibly groan as he realized that he had been had by the playful pegasus.
“Hahaha, at ease, soldier!” Sky laughed, approaching the embarrassed unicorn.
The recruit was not amused.  “Har har, sir,” he said, obviously unimpressed by Sky's antics.  “Funny prank.  Getting bossed around by an officer in plainclothes.  Hilarious.”
“Aw, take it easy, Redeye,” Sky consoled him, placing a leg around his neck.  “It’s a veteran’s job to make life interesting for the new guards.  You did a fine job; you’re just a bit uptight.  Maybe lay off the coffee a bit?”
“Can’t help it, sir; I’m addicted to the stuff,” Redeye explained.
“Maybe you should try decaf.”
“Ugh, no thanks.”
“Anyway,” Sky continued as he pulled his leg from Redeye's neck, “I hear that you have a letter for me.  Might I have that?”
“Oh, of course!” Redeye exclaimed, pulling an envelope out from under his armor.  “Here you are.”
Sky quickly opened it with a swipe of a wing, and eagerly read the short note within.  As he finished, an excited grin stretched across his face.
“Good news, sir?” Redeye asked.
“Excellent news,” Sky agreed, slipping the letter underneath his wrap.  “I need to go get ready.  Tomorrow, I’ll be making a trip to the Everfree Forest.”
> Chapter 6: Everfree's Gift
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zecora’s Hut, Everfree Forest
April 16, 11:53 AM

A steady triple-knock at her door drew her attention away from the pile of papers on her desk.  She hadn’t necessarily been expecting any visitors (not that she ever really did), but the intrusion did not come as a surprise.  She had known that somepony was coming: she just hadn’t known when.
And from all indications, he had wasted little time in making the trip.
She sauntered over to the door and pulled on its handle, causing it to open with a creak that was more welcoming than most sounds that were heard in the forest.  And standing in the doorway, wearing a royal blue shoulder wrap, a pair of well-worn saddlebags, and that oh-so-charming smile, was a pegasus that she had come to know and love.
“Heya, Zecora,” Sky said, flashing a toothy smile.  “I hope I’m not interrupting anything, but I got your letter yesterday, and I wanted to come as soon as I could.”
“My good pegasus, you have made good time!” she began.  “But you have not come simply to hear my rhyme.”
Sky shook his head, but his smile did not fade.  “Sadly not.  I was rather hoping that you had something to show me.”
“Indeed I do, but do you know what I think?  After such a long flight, perhaps you would like a drink?” she offered, gesturing into her hut.
Sky’s eyes seemed to drift, peering inside.  He had visited Zecora a few times since that fateful day when he and Twilight defeated the Chimera at the Everfree Castle ruins, but they had only been quick stops to say hello.  The last time he had truly been inside her home was during those few days she cared for the two of them after their Ponyville friends rescued them from the ruins.  And while Sky didn’t necessarily show it, she could tell that the memory still haunted him.
However, after an all-too-brief silence, he took a deep breath and calmly walked past her into the hut.  “I had forgotten what it was like in here.  It really hasn’t changed much since my last time here, has it?”  A quick moment of quiet fell as she shut the door.  As she turned to respond, Sky spoke up again.  “Oh.  You were working on something, weren’t you?” he asked, observing the various items strewn about her table.  He held up a paper of some kind of drawing.  “What is this?” 
Her eyes widened in surprise, but her smile was genuine.  “My dear, brave pegasus, you could learn from a young filly!  Have you never heard the Legend of the Everfree Lily?”
A quizzical look came to Sky’s face as he nervously glanced around the room.  “Um…no?” he offered as he let the paper fall back to the desk.
She quickly glanced over towards a nearby counter, where there sat two jars, each filled with a sweet blend of nectars from deep within the Everfree Forest.  After a moment’s consideration, though, she sauntered across the room and joined Sky beside her desk.  In truth, it really was cluttered.  She had been going through some of her records in hopes of piecing together an accurate picture of the elusive flower, and only now did she notice how messy the table had become.  “I am sorry that my home appears this way,” she lamented, “but I was not exactly expecting anyone today!”
But Sky merely shrugged nonchalantly.  “Eh, I don’t mind a messy home.  I won’t even try to describe how my home looks right now,” he added with a wink.
Zecora nodded, shuffling through the papers on her desk until she found the one she was specifically after.  It was a tan parchment, entirely blank save for one drawing: an outline sketch of what appeared to be a water lily, but the lines emanating from it seemed to indicate that it was more than what it appeared to be.  “Is this it?  The Everfree Lily, I mean?” Sky asked, looking intrigued.
“It is a picture of one,” she responded, “without its regal glory.  But as you seem unfamiliar with it, would you like to hear the story?”
Sky raised his head, looking much like he did the first time they met, when he had obviously been surprised both by her being a zebra, and by her method of speaking.  But it only took a moment for his eyes to focus on something beyond her.  “I’d love to,” he said, though he remained transfixed on an object on the other side of the room.  “But I think I’ll also take you up on that offer for a drink.  Those pitchers over there?” he asked, gesturing toward the jars filled with nectar.
“Indeed they are, and prepare for a treat!  That drink is not too tart, nor too sweet.”
“Thanks.”  He trotted around her and pulled a jar from its shelf and poured some into a glass.  “Now, what’s this legend?”
She cleared her throat dramatically, as though she was about to reveal a powerful secret about a dangerous magic.  However, it was merely a force of habit, as she did it whenever she told the story to the young fillies and colts of Ponyville, who would often beg her to recount some tale or legend to them, since, according to them, she was the best storyteller around.  And so she began:
“In the town of Ponyville, 
Every son and every daughter 
Knows the story of the magic bloom 
That rests upon the water.
The stories say it does not grow
By root or sprout or seed,
But will only come to fullest bloom
In times of greatest need.”
“‘Greatest need’?” Sky interjected.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”
But she cast a glance in his direction that needed no words, and he quickly grew silent, hastily bringing his glass to his mouth for another drink.  It was a comical display, but she wasn’t used to being interrupted.
“Some say it is the embodiment
Of the deepest purity of heart.
Others say it is a monument
Or a priceless work of art.
Still others say it’s a warning
That should be heeded lest you die.
And even more claim that it’s a star
That’s fallen from the sky.
But only those that have seen it
Can truly say they know.
Some come away with lasting change,
While others leave with sorrow.
So if you come to see one
Respond not with rage or strife
For doing so will only bring
Disaster to your life.
Perhaps there is no secret magic
Within this blessed flower
Which simply will reveal itself
Within one’s darkest hour.
The coming of this mystic flower
Is no cause for dismay.
For just perhaps, in the darkest night
It has come to light the way.”
A short silence followed.  Zecora looked again to Sky Streak, who sat attentively (if not a bit nervously) beside the mostly-empty pitcher.  “Is that it?” he asked softly.
With a nod, she folded the parchment of the drawing and gently placed it in a corner of the desk while she organized the rest of her papers.  “Oh, well, that was…um…” Sky stammered, rising to his hooves and walking over to the desk.  “It was, uh…”
“Do not be embarrassed,” she comforted him, “for I think you will find that few ponies are comfortable with a legend of this kind.”
“I wonder why,” he muttered and took a sip from his glass.  “It’s enigmatic and…kinda foreboding.”  He shuddered.  “Anyways, I was rather hoping you had something else for me.”
She knelt down and picked up a small vase, sealed with a cork, from underneath the desk and held it up where Sky could see it.  “Indeed I do!  If you seek to hide, then your greatest asset can be found inside.”
Sky set down his glass and hastily made his way so Zecora’s side.  “Is that so?  Well, let’s see this stuff.  My excitement’s been building for two weeks, and I don’t know how much longer I can wait!”
With a pop, the cork came off the top as Zecora set the vase down on the desk.  Sky leaned over, a distinct eagerness glistening in his eyes.  But within moments, a cloud of disappointment crossed his face.  “What is wrong, Sky Streak?  Is this not what you seek?”
“This is camoufly dust?” he replied, the skepticism in his voice matching the look of confusion on his face.
Zecora nodded, and Sky looked again into the vase.  “Well…I had imagined it looking…well, you know, kinda ‘magical.’  Sparkly, or hard to see, at least.  But this,” he continued, tilting the vase so a small amount of its contents spilled onto his outstretched hoof, “looks more like ordinary dust.”
Zecora smiled and placed her hoof on the small pile of dust and rubbed it around, spreading the dust over the whole of Sky’s hoof.  “Ah, I am sorry that this is not what you expected, but its magical essence is not yet reflected.  For I think you will find that to be properly used, a bit of your own magic must be infused,” she explained.
“My own magic?” Sky echoed.  “I thought this stuff was magical on its own.”
“It is magical, that much is true,” Zecora confirmed, “but its fullest potential depends upon you.”
Sky’s blank look persisted for a moment as he tried to piece together the puzzle that Zecora had presented to him.  It was almost comical when his face changed into a look of sudden comprehension.  “Oooohh, I get it!” he exclaimed, nodding in understanding.  “It’s magical on its own, but it needs my magic added so I can control and direct it.  Am I right?”
She nodded and smiled approvingly.  It was undeniable how much Sky had grown up since their first meeting, but more than anything, she was impressed by how perceptive he had become.  “Indeed you are, and as long as I have your ear, would kindly gather your cloaks and bring them over here?”
“Oh, sure,” Sky said, pulling a trio of folded gray cloths from his saddlebags.  “I figured that if they’re going to be changing appearance, then it wouldn’t matter what color they were,” he said, gently placing them on the side of the desk.  “Also, it was the cheapest color I could get.  Hope that doesn’t matter.”
“Color matters not,” she said, lifting one cloak and spreading it across the surface of the desk, “nor whether it is clean or dirty, so long as the cloth is both comfortable and sturdy.”
“It’s both of those,” Sky assured her.  “I figured they’d see plenty of use, so it should be something that shouldn’t chafe, but should hold up over time.  This is the best thing I could find.”  He grabbed the vase of dust and offered it to Zecora.  “Need this yet?”
In one fluid motion, she took the jar from Sky’s outstretched hoof and poured out a small amount of the dust over the cloak.  The cascade of particles fell slowly, and as they passed through a sunbeam from a nearby window, she caught the brilliant rainbow of light reflecting from each one, as though the light from the sun was triggering their magical capabilities.
Which, of course, it was.
She set the vase off to the side and placed her front hooves on the cloak.  Her breathing slowed and her eyelids fell as the world around suddenly dissolved into pure magical essence.  All around her, everything radiated a distinct magical flavor: the forest, the ground, the creatures…even Sky Streak behind her.  
He was like a bright fair weather cloud: white and unassuming on the outside.  He stood as a comforting presence that made it hard not to smile.  But inside, he was full of an energy that could transform him into a raging storm.  And yet, the storm was tucked deep within him, suppressed by another magic: a distinct magic that could only have come from one pony.
A very special somepony.
“Listen and watch closely, Sky,” she said slowly, “for it will fall to you to remember how to infuse the magic into the other two.”
“Alright,” he replied as he came up on her right.  “So first I sprinkle the dust onto the cloak.”  He frowned slightly as the last few bits of dust came to rest on the cloth.  “That’s not much dust there,” he commented.  “Are you sure that’s going to be enough?”
“If you use too much, you will surely pay the price.  Use only a small amount, and that will suffice,” she advised him.  “Now, come forward and place your hooves here and here,” she said, tapping her hooves near the edges of the cloak, “and we can complete the task of making this cloak able to disappear.”
Sky obeyed, rising up on his hind legs and placing his forelegs on the cloak.  Almost immediately, it began to glow, albeit dimly, in response.  “Now, focus on your magic and this cloak in your mind,” Zecora continued, “then force the magic through your hooves for the two to be combined.”
She looked on, curious to see if Sky understood her words, much less understood what to do.  To her surprise, Sky closed his eyes and took a deep, slow breath, just as she had done.  His face contorted into a grimace of concentration as his wings started to glow and the silver streak in his mane shimmered.  Then, in an unfamiliar display, the light progressed from his wings forward into his neck, then down his forelegs, all the way to his hooves.  A brilliant blaze of color erupted from the cloak, drowning the hut’s naturally earthen tones in an intense blast of multicolored hues.
Zecora stepped back in genuine surprise.  Sky was the only pegasus she had ever encountered that possessed the ability to use magic.  But somehow, he had managed to manipulate it as easily as though he had been working with it his whole life.  “I must admit, I was merely watching to see if my words were understood, but you have gone beyond that and mastered your magic like a unicorn would!” she said in admiration.
“I’ve had some good teachers,” came the cryptic reply from Sky, whose breathing had returned to normal, though his eyes remained closed.  A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face.  “The best, in fact.”
She raised an eyebrow curiously.  What kind of teacher did he have that would know how to help a pegasus master his unique ability to use magic?
A sudden thought ran through her mind, stunning her for a moment.  What if Sky wasn’t the only magic-using pegasus?
She shook her mind free.  As intriguing an idea as that was, even if it wasn’t actually the case, Sky was going to great lengths to conceal the truth, which meant that she shouldn’t try to pry him for any more information.  “A good teacher they must be to teach you so much.  And it seems to me that we are done with your disguise.  Now, if you will think on your cloak and imagine my desk, you shall see what I mean when you open your eyes.”
Sky’s left eyebrow twitched for a moment as Zecora watched in anticipation.  Again, his breathing slowed as his focus shifted to his magic manipulation.  Then, gradually, the radiance of the cloak faded as the natural brown colors of her hut returned.  She smiled as the last of the light vanished.  “Open your eyes, Sky Streak, for I believe you have succeeded.  And as for me, my expectations you have far exceeded.”
His eyelids rose slowly as he looked down to his cloak.  The shocked look on his face almost caused Zecora to laugh.  “Hey, where’d the—oh.”  He reached down and pulled up an edge of the desk, which seemed to have melted into a soft, pliable substance.  “I see.  When I focused on the cloak and pictured the desk, the magic in the cloak caused the camoufly dust to change the cloak’s appearance to match the top of your desk.”  He finished pulling the disguised cloak off the top of the desk, which had remained undisturbed the entire time.  The cloak abruptly changed back into its original gray color as Sky’s face again flashed a look of concentration.  “So, I can make it whatever color I want?  Or any design?”
“Objects or colors or awkward striations; its design is only limited by your imagination,” she answered.
“Awesome,” he replied, folding the cloak between his hooves and placing it in his saddlebags.  “Now I just gotta do that for the other two.  Thanks so much for your help, Zecora!  I can’t tell you what it means for me to actually have seen this work.”
“It was certainly my pleasure to have been of aid to you,” she said, pouring herself a cup of the Everfree nectar.  “I only hope that your comrades will find it useful, too.”
Sky looked up abruptly from his saddlebags, looking somewhat startled.  But it quickly faded with a shrug of his shoulders.  “I’m sure they will,” he conceded.  He finished stuffing the cloak into his saddlebag.  He hefted it over his back and stretched his wings as he made his way to the door.  “I hate to come and go so quickly, but I need to make sure these other two cloaks get done soon.  It was good seeing you, Zecora,” he said, reaching for the door.
But she wasn’t about to let him go so easily.  “A secret is a dangerous thing to keep from a friend, for it may come back to haunt you in the end,” she cautioned him.
Sky’s leg remained stretched to the door, but his head fell as he sighed.  Within him, Zecora could feel the storm churning as he struggled with some kind of internal conflict.  “Secrets are secrets for a reason,” he replied softly.  His eyes rose to meet hers, and she saw the pain and determination that accompanied those same secrets.  “And that’s because if they weren’t kept secret, then it would cause more harm than if they were.”
“But nopony is perfect, no matter how clever, and no secret is eternal or will last forever,” she countered.  “And if that pain and sorrow you must still face, then what is the purpose of the secret in the first place?”
Sky locked his eyes with hers.  An eerie, uncomfortable silence swallowed all sounds.  And all the while, Zecora felt the storm growing within Sky as he apparently grappled with his own demons.  But when he finally spoke, it was as if he had come to some kind of resolution.  “I wish they weren’t necessary at all, to be honest,” he said at last.  “I hate the fact that the world is such that secrets exist.  But they do.  And unfortunately, they have to.”  His face changed into a look of sympathy.  “You don’t know how badly I want to tell you everything that I know, Zecora.  You and all my friends.  Having secrets doesn’t just hurt you; it hurts me, too.  But the fact that those secrets could prove far more dangerous were they known forces me to keep them to myself.  I do what I do because it’s right.  I would never do something to bring pain to my friends unless I knew that doing so would prevent an even greater tragedy.  I hope you understand.”
Her heart suddenly panged with pity for the pegasus, and a small tremble passed through her body.  She sat her glass back on the counter and sighed.  She could take days guessing at the truth of Sky’s secret, but she didn’t need to.  It was his secret to share, and she didn’t need to know the details to know that it weighed heavily upon his mind.  “Wisdom and strength you have gained as you have grown older, and you will need both to bear the great burden you shoulder.”
A tiny beam of sunlight suddenly passed through the forest’s canopy outside and entered the window of her hut, landing on a glittering object on Sky’s blue shoulder wrap.  She flinched as it momentarily blinded her, but when the light faded within mere moments, she caught sight of the object: it was a beautiful brooch, with a setting of glistening green emeralds on bottom and clear, bright diamonds rising upwards.  If she didn’t know better, she would have said that it was a representation of the Everfree Lily, but more than likely, it was just an ordinary pond lily.  And beside it, in an equally stunning ornament, was the unmistakable mark of Princess Luna.
She walked over to where Sky was still standing with his leg stretched to the door.  “You owe me no explanation,” she continued, reaching out and lifting the flap of Sky’s wrap with the brooches on it, “for in the midst of many trials you are immersed.  But I know that in your mind, the care for your friends will always come first.”
A smile reluctantly rose to Sky’s face.  “That’s the goal,” he said softly.  “Thanks for understanding.”  With that, he opened the door and walked outside.  As soon as he was clear of the door, his wings burst into full spread, and Zecora could almost feel Sky’s relief as he did so.
“I’ll try to visit again soon,” he said, turning his head just enough to see over his outstretched wings.  “Thanks again for all the help.”  And without another word, he took to the air, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
She stood silent for a few moments, staring into the forest.  The pegasus was far away by now, but still she uttered a warning into the stillness of the Everfree Forest.  “You may think your trial has passed, Sky Streak, but it may be just the first.  For to prove that you are at your best, you must overcome the worst.”

Alicorn Guard Headquarters, beneath Canterlot Palace
April 16, 4:18 PM

“Did he mention why he wanted to meet?  ‘Cause I don’t remember him saying why.”
“For once, Ace, you know just as much as I do.”
Ace and Scope stood together within the mostly-empty main chamber of the Alicorn Guard headquarters.  In one corner, Ghost was studiously pouring over maps and records of some sort, while the incessant (and increasingly frustrated) sounds of Hobo’s tinkering came from the laboratory.  The occasional sound of a page turning floated from the library, where Cubic had retreated to work on her research…whatever that was.
Scope’s ear twitched for a moment as he swung his head towards the entrance to the cavern.  “He’s here,” he said simply.
Sure enough, within moments, Blitz’s familiar form emerged in the doorway.  He looked around for a moment, then smiled as he noticed his comrades in the center of the room.  He sauntered over, somehow looking even more confident than usual.  “Hello, gentlecolts,” he said, apparently trying to sound as suave as he could.  “Glad to see you could make it.”
Ace arched an eyebrow, but the playful grin on his face gave every indication that his curiosity was piqued.  “Wow, Blitz, that must have been some date you just got back from.  You look as confident and smooth as…well, as the complete opposite of Hobo.”
Blitz snorted.  “I didn’t have a date with Lily today, though I plan to see her later,” he explained.  “I’m about to blow your minds with my ingenuity and brilliance.”
Scope rolled his eyes in annoyance.  “Youthful exuberance, and nothing more,” he commented.  “You’ve been in the Guard for one year, and you think you’re going to show us something we haven’t seen before?  Check your humility at the door, Blitz.”
Ace looked disapprovingly at his partner, but remained silent.  However, the pegasus remained undeterred.  “Oh, trust me.  If you had seen this before, there would be evidence of it around here.  It’s too useful to be discarded.”
Scope frowned, but something about Blitz’s magical essence intrigued him.  Or…maybe it wasn’t Blitz at all.  Maybe it was something in those saddlebags…
“Well, I for one want to see what our little newbie has cooked up,” Ace said.  “You sounded really excited when you contacted me, and that doesn’t seem to have worn off at all.”
“Contacted us,” Scope corrected.  “We all share that connection.”  It was perhaps Ace’s most useful ability: a magical (some might call it psychic) connection with his teammates that allowed the three of them to engage in silent communication between themselves, even from great distances apart.  It allowed the team to have unparalleled coordination on the field, but all too often, Scope found it to be little more than another way in which he could be exposed to the mindless chatter of his comrades.
Blitz smiled broadly.  “Well, if you’d be so kind as to follow me to the lab, then I’ll show you the newest innovation in field work.”
“I like the buildup,” Ace replied.
“Speak for yourself,” Scope retorted.
Together, they walked to the lab, with Blitz leading the way.  As they went, the sounds of the main chamber faded a bit, but Scope was still perfectly aware of them.  As he was of most things.  It was his claim to fame: his magic-enhanced senses and keen awareness were second to none.  Celestia had recruited him years ago, and he was determined to prove that he had earned that right by being the best, regardless of what any other pony said…especially Tread.  Friends though they were, they were also fierce rivals.  Together, they could find anything and were virtually impossible to sneak up on.  But neither were willing to concede that the other was any better than they were themselves.
In front of him, Blitz was carrying on about how amazed they were going to be at what he had made, while Ace listened, smiling and nodding like an overexcited schoolcolt.  He blocked out Blitz’s inane rambling and focused in on the softer sounds: Ghost, shuffling through his papers; Cubic, carefully placing another book back on the shelf and grabbing another; the rising tink tink of Hobo as he fought his apparently never-ending battle with the orb-launcher.  He could feel the clopping of the hooves of the royal guards in the palace above him.  Nothing escaped his notice.
So it came as a mighty surprise when he bumped into the back of Ace, who had stopped abruptly while he had been focused on the sensations around him.
“Hey, Scope, ever heard of a personal bubble?” Ace protested, looking back with an agitated demeanor.
He straightened up and regained his composure.  “A simple misstep,” he said, trying to appear unruffled as he came up on Ace’s side.  “I’m sorry.”
“Naw, it’s fine,” Ace said, reaching over and pressing his hoof against Scope’s cheek.  “No worries.”
“Good,” he said, removing Ace’s hoof.  “If you’d like to keep it that way, I’d suggest you refrain from placing your hoof anywhere on me.”
Ace’s eyes grew wide, but his smile persisted.  “Yes, sir!” he teased.
Scope would have rolled his eyes in exasperation if he hadn’t been scanning the lab.  It was mostly empty, like the main hall, save for Hobo, looking (and sounding) fed up with his work on the orb launcher.  Most of the tables were in good order, with phials cleaned and neatly placed along with larger bottles of strange fluids that refracted the light from the crystal walls into new and attractive hues.
Blitz strode forward, placing himself into the center of the chamber.  The combination of the array of colored lights and Blitz’s confident expression almost made him look as though he was the newest sensation at some kind of dance party.  Which, Scope thought, would fit his outlandish behavior just perfectly.
“Okay,” Blitz said with a wave of his hoof, “you have to close your eyes for this to work.”
Ace frowned.  “Dude, that’s a terrible way to start a magic trick.”
“Just do it.”
Ace sighed, but obeyed.  Scope silently arched an eyebrow at the pegasus.  “You too, Scope,” he urged.
“And you think that my vision is the only sense I rely on?” he retorted.
“Of course not,” Blitz said, looking somewhat offended.  “But it should make this a bit more interesting.  Just humor me.”
“I usually am,” he said, reluctantly closing his eyes.
As his eyelids shut, his other senses immediately worked to make up for his lack of vision.  The first thing he noticed was the peculiar smell of Blitz’s breath.  He had smelled it when Blitz first showed up, but now, with his senses on high alert, he could really focus in on it.  It was…sweet.  Powerfully sweet, like it was drawn straight from a ripe fruit, though what fruit produced that smell was outside of his experience.
Within seconds, he heard the all-too-familiar sound of saddlebags hitting the floor.  A short shuffling followed, which Scope could follow almost as perfectly as if he had been watching.  Then, a quick flit of what could only have been a cut of fabric snapped through the air, creating a quick breeze that blew across his face.
And then, almost too quick for him to perceive, the room changed.  Well, not the room itself: the feeling inside the room.  It wasn’t anything that any of his normal senses would have picked up on: it was a change of a different sort.
Which meant that it was magic.
He managed to keep from smirking.  Beside him, Ace had taken a quick breath as the magic spell was cast.  Of course he had felt it; he was a unicorn, and a uniquely gifted magic user, at that.  And if Blitz had thought for one moment that he could fool either of them with some kind of magic spell, he was badly mistaken.
“Alright, you can open them,” Blitz’s voice floated to him.  “Just try not to be too surprised.”
“Trying to use magic to confuse us isn’t going to work, Blitz,” Scope replied, opening his eyes.  “No matter what the spell—”
His words stopped abruptly as his vision returned.  Blitz’s voice hadn’t moved during the entire time he had been in the lab, and yet, when he looked at where the pegasus should have been, he found himself staring at a blank space of floor.
“Sorry, what?  I didn’t quite catch the end of that,” Blitz replied, the smile in his voice all too obvious.
His voice came from right where Blitz was supposed to have been.  He could hear his breath from the same spot.  And he could still smell the fruity scent on his breath.  All indications were that he was standing where he had been the whole time.
All indications except his eyes, of course.
“Whoa, Blitz,” Ace replied, looking both confused and impressed.  “I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting that.  Where’d you go?”
But Scope had been using his magic long enough to have learned one important truth: of all the senses, the eyes are the easiest to fool.  And when it comes to choosing what to trust, go with the majority.  “He’s right in front of us, Ace,” he said simply.
“Right where?”
“Ace, how many times must I tell you?  Don’t rely only on your eyes.  Can’t you tell where he is with magic?”
Ace’s horn dimly lit, and a wholly puzzled look came to his face.  “Well, I mean, I can feel him right there,” he said, indicating the place previously occupied by their winged teammate, “but there’s no other proof.”
“Wrong,” Scope said, shaking his head.  “Your eyes are the only thing that would indicate that he’s not there.  Everything else should tell you that he is.”  He turned his attention back to the hidden pegasus.  “I’ll admit, Blitz, that’s not half-bad.  What did you pull out of your bags?  A coat of some sort?”
Suddenly, Blitz’s shaking head appeared through what looked like a hole in the fabric of reality.  “Close,” he said.  Almost immediately, a grey cloak appeared out of nowhere, obviously draped across Blitz’s body.  “Guys, this is what I wanted to show you…or not, if you catch my drift,” he added with a smirk.
“You mean…that made you invisible?  How?” Ace asked, still looking bewildered.
“Not invisible, just camouflaged,” Blitz corrected.  “This cloak can change its appearance to blend in with its surroundings, making it appear as though its wearer isn’t there.  I can control its appearance with my own magic, so I can blend into anything whenever I want.”
“Impressive,” Scope replied.
“Did Scope just give you a compliment?” Ace asked, looking even more flabbergasted.  “That’s the surest indication of success in all Equestria!”
“The best is yet to come,” Blitz said, digging through his saddlebags, which had been behind him.  “I’ve got cloaks for you guys, as well, but they need to be attuned to your specific magic so you can use them.”  Turning back around, he held up a pair of folded (yet slightly wrinkled) matching grey cloaks.  “We can do that now, if you want.”
“Blitz, I’d be interested to learn how you made that,” Scope admitted.  “This is an innovation that’s been far too long in arriving.”
“Hey, Hobo, did you see this?  You gotta check this out!” Ace called to his fellow unicorn.
“Later, Ace,” Hobo replied shortly.
“No, seriously, this is amazing!  You’ll get a kick out of this!”
Hobo sighed, and his agitation passed almost palpably through the lab.  “I’m just a bit busy,” he said, every word sounding as if it was said through clenched teeth.
Ace pursed his lips, then shrugged indifferently, returning to his teammates.  “Eh, he just needs to work through that.  I’m sure he’ll love it…when he finally gets around to seeing it.”
“It’s not a rush,” Blitz commented.  “I doubt this will be going anywhere anytime soon.”
“Except out on missions with us,” Ace replied.
“Well, yeah.”
“You’ll need to show us how to complete these other two before that happens,” Scope interjected.  “So, if you would be so kind…”
Blitz looked at him expectantly for a moment before his face morphed into a look of satisfaction.  “With pleasure.”
> Chapter 7: Showdown in Rambling Rock Ridge
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rambling Rock Ridge (southeast of Canterlot)
April 23, 12:16 PM

I can see you, Ace.  You look good.
Shut up, Scope.
No, I agree with him.  You look rather dashing.
You shut up, too, Blitz.
Sky and Scope sat on a cloud high above the craggy landscape of the Rambling Rock Ridge.  Below, Sky could see the train: a prize too tempting to pass up for the jewel thieves that lived out here.
Scope turned to him, looking unimpressed.  “Let’s be honest; you can’t actually see Ace from here, can you?” he asked.
Sky shrugged.  “No, but it was as good a chance as any to have a little fun at Ace’s expense.”
The earth pony seemed to contemplate it for a split second, which was a better result than his normally curt response.  “Just don’t overdo it,” he cautioned, returning his attention to the landscape.  “We’re here on a mission, not a joyride.”
Sky cast a casual glance at his teammate.  Anyone else would have completely missed the earth pony.  To the untrained eye, he was merely a light wisp of cloud.  But then again, for that matter, so was Sky.  His magic cloak was draped lightly over his body, with his hood drawn up over his head and a mask to hide all but his bright blue eyes.  “Right.  So, what do you think of the cloaks?  Work pretty well, don’t they?”
Scope’s head dropped with a sigh.  “I already told you what I thought of them.  Or do you just like hearing me say that I was impressed?”
“I figured I’d get your thoughts when we were out on a mission, since that’s where it’s important,” Sky explained.  “Though hearing any kind of praise from you is worth revisiting,” he added under his breath.
“If my opinion changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.”  He reached inside a flap of his cloak and withdrew a phial of a milky substance.  Uncorking it, he took a small sip.
You guys see any sign of our bandits out there?
Even though it was the familiar voice of Ace inside his head, Sky still flinched a bit every time he heard a voice that wasn’t his own resounding within his brain.  Memories of the Chimera still haunted him, and he was slow to forget the sickening sensation of having the creature crawling around his thoughts.
 Not yet, Ace, Scope’s voice chimed in as he returned the featherweight potion into his cloak.  But just keep your bow tie on.  I’m sure it won’t be long.
 He’s wearing a bow tie?!  That’s hilarious! Sky laughed.
 I thought you could see me, Blitz.
Well, Sky replied, I’m certainly getting an interesting picture now.
When Ace’s voice rose again, it was wrung with exasperation.  When I get out of here, I’m going to beat the two of you within an inch of your lives.
Not likely, Scope replied stoically.  How are the passengers doing?
 They’re fine, Ace assured.  They don’t suspect a thing.  So it’s up to you guys to make sure that it stays that way.
If this keeps up, there won’t be much to worry about, Sky commented.  It’s about as quiet out here as a crowd after one of Rimshot’s bad jokes.  He reached up and scratched his ear just as he caught a sudden movement from Scope.
Better hold that thought, Blitz, the earth pony replied.  We’ve got company.
Any ounce of distraction fell from him in a flash.  He leaned forward, pouring concentration into his search across the landscape.  Where? he asked.
About two hundred meters ahead of us, on the south side of the train, Scope replied.  There are five of them.  Two smaller, two medium, and one that looks like he’s part elephant from his size.
Sky looked down and, sure enough, he could make out a small group of bodies ambling towards the train.  He snorted.  Just five?  How do they expect to hijack and rob a train with just five of them?
It’s not like they’re expecting much resistance, Blitz, came Ace’s voice again.  To them, five is probably a little overkill.
A grim smile came to Sky’s face as his mind and body prepared for action.  Well, let’s show them how wrong they are.
Get this cloud down to the ground, Scope ordered.  My awareness is better down there.
Sky did a quick somersault and proceeded to push the cloud straight down.  As the ground loomed nearer and nearer, he realized that he was headed right for a rocky alcove with one wide fissure in the stone.  Must be the entrance to their hideout, he thought to himself.
“Hey, Scope,” Sky began, “not to question you or anything, but why do you want to be on the ground so much?  I mean, doesn’t the air provide you with a better view of things?”
The earth pony didn’t even flinch as his cloak changed color to match his new surroundings.  “Contrary to apparently popular opinion, my vision isn’t the only sense I like to use on a mission.  The ground tends to serve the others much better than the air.”
“Oh.”  An awkward silence prevailed for several moments.
“Well?” Scope said at last as he studied the cavern entrance.  “Are you waiting for an invitation?  Go stop them!”
“Oh, right!” Sky said, turning on the spot.  He was airborne as soon as his wings were spread, and within seconds he was closing the distance to the train, maintaining an altitude of a mere two meters as he flew.
Nice and smooth, he reminded himself as the train (and its attackers) grew in size as he approached.  It was a lesson that Nighthawk had worked to beat into him every chance he got.  Nighthawk had never denied that Sky was fast; that would have been foolish.  But when it came to “style and grace,” as Nighthawk put it, Sky had quite a bit of work to do.  He had often called Sky out as being either too wild, or merely reckless, when it came to his flying.  “If you’re leaving a wake, you’re out-of-control.  The way you fly shouldn’t cause the breeze to change at all.”
Sky hazarded a look behind himself.  Sure enough, to his dismay, he could see the trail of dust he had stirred up as he had passed.  To his credit, it would have been easy to overlook, but that wasn’t good enough for Sky.  If Nighthawk had been here, he would have given him an earful…and then some.
He focused again on the pack of dogs not fifty meters ahead of him.  With a quick flash of concentration, he double-checked to make sure that his cloak was set to match his surroundings.  With a quick burst, he covered the distance to the bandit furthest on his left and pulled up alongside him.
The dog was short and gray, wearing a tattered brown vest that may have been another color at one time, though it was impossible to tell now.  His beady green eyes were fixed on the prize before him: a train laden with gemstones, just begging to be snatched up from their unsuspecting owners.  He saw nothing else.
Sky gently coasted to within leg’s reach of the dog, carefully lining up the other four bandits before reaching out and tapping the mutt on the shoulder.  He merely reached over with his right paw and swatted away at his arm, as if some insect had landed on him.  Sky groaned inwardly and tapped him again, only to receive the same result.
Finally, he gave the dog a forceful shove, knocking him sideways a bit.  The dog stumbled for a few steps before regaining his balance and casting a confused glance in Sky’s direction.
The blue irises of Sky’s eyes lit up with magic as he returned the canine’s stare.  “Oh, hi.  Don’t mind me,” he said as his wings ignited in a burst of magical blue radiance that shone through the wing flaps across the tops of his wings.  He dipped close to the ground and spun beneath the bandit, causing him to stumble yet again.  Sky gave a slightly over-gratuitous jab with his hoof into the dog’s leg, sending him careening through the air until he crashed into the ground and rolled wildly, howling the entire time.
Sky quickly straightened up and turned his attention to the remaining four canines.  Their comrade’s howling had drawn their attention, though they were apparently unaware of Sky’s presence, thanks to his magical disguise.  Hey Scope, check this out! he called to his partner.
With a sudden burst of speed, he rifled through the air, colliding with each bandit in perfect sequence, knocking each one off their paws.  He watched with satisfaction as they finally came to a halt, each one a crumpled heap of confusion.  Haha, this is better than pinball at the arcade!
You still play at the arcade? Ace jeered.  How old are you again, Blitz?
Sky ignored his commander and landed before the bandits, placing himself between them and the passing train.  The cloak returned to its normal gray color as his hooves touched the ground.  The dogs regarded him curiously as they rose to their paws.
“This land is under the protection of the Equestrian Crown, by decree of Princesses Celestia and Luna,” Sky tonelessly recited his long-practiced message.  “Return to your homes and cease your criminal activities, or you will suffer the consequences of your actions.”
“Oh, look, boys,” said the medium-sized dog in the center.  His voice was gruff but high-pitched, making him sound almost whiny.  “This one pony thinks he can keep us all from getting those wonderful gems on the train.”  A sinister chuckle escaped his lips, prompting laughter from the rest of his fellows.
Sky’s eyebrow rose.  “I don’t want to hurt you,” he warned.  “Just turn back.”
“And just what do you think you can do against the five of us?” a second, smaller dog asked.
His muscles tensed as he crouched, and each pair of eyes staring at him reflected the defiant gleam in his own gaze.  “I’m sure you don’t wanna know.”
“Get to that train!” the central bandit shouted, and all five of them surged forward, desperate to get past the lone pegasus barring their way.
Blitz?
Chill, Ace, Sky reassured him.  These overgrown Chihuahuas just need a little demonstration.
The bandits continued their advance, but Sky could see each of them warily eyeing their solitary opponent.  Sky remained motionless, content to give them a chance to turn back until the last possible moment.
At last, the two largest dogs had covered the distance and were nearly even with where Sky stood, with the rest of their comrades not far behind.  Well, they asked for it.
He flexed his back slightly, causing his cloak to rise a few inches.  A split second later, Sky’s wings burst from the flaps in his cloak, ablaze with magic.  As they reached full extension, a pair of magical blasts shot from the tips of his feathers, rifling in opposite directions.  In a flash, they collided with the lead dogs, stopping them dead in their tracks as they collapsed to the ground.
The remaining three came to a grinding halt as they watched their fellows hit the ground.  In perfect unison, they turned to face the pony that still stood his ground.  “Last chance,” Sky said, and his eyes flashed with a magical white intensity.
Blitz!
Just a second, Scope.
Blitz, turn around!  There are bandits on the train! his partner ordered.
WHAT?! he mentally shouted, whipping around.  Sure enough, towards the front of the train, he could make out four more of the dogs, ambling along the top of the train towards the engine.  How did they get there?
They must have come from the other side of the train, Scope replied.  I didn’t notice them until they were on top.
Fantastic, Sky replied with sudden urgency.  Now I have to defend this train from BOTH sides.
Then quit standing around complaining about it! Ace snapped.  Get moving!
He didn’t need any more urging.  Casting a menacing look at the three bandits that stood before him, Sky caught the knowing smirk on the face of their spokesman.  I’ll be back for you, he thought to himself.
He changed his cloak to match the color of the top of the train as he aligned himself along its top.  The bandits had quite a lead on him, but he didn’t care.  He bore the distinction of (possibly) being the fastest member of the Alicorn Guard, and he wasn’t about to let some mangy mutts outrun him.  His mane shimmered as his magic ignited, launching him into a blinding rush towards the front of the train.
Hey, no pressure, Blitz, he heard Ace’s voice again, but they’re almost to the front.
Shouldn’t you be keeping an eye on the passengers instead of the dogs?  They’re my problem.
I AM keeping an eye on the passengers, his commander replied.  I’m standing on the opposite side of the car, keeping them distracted from the side where you can see the rest of the train.  But I can still see, and I’m telling you to GET GOING!
Before Ace had even finished, Sky pulled his wings in tight, performing a perfect aerial somersault, landing just in front of the group of bandits as his cloak transitioned to its normal gray hue.
“This train is off-limits,” Sky said, trying to calm his racing heart.  “Leave now or face the consequences.”
“‘Consequences’?” a medium-built gray dog asked caustically as he stepped to the fore.  “You’re outnumbered nine to one here, pony,” he continued as he spat the last word.  “I do not see how you can deliver on that threat.”
Sky arched an eyebrow as his eyes glinted.  “Then unless you want to find out, I suggest you leave.”
A hulking brown mutt stepped forward and took a giant swipe at Sky, who merely sidestepped it.  As the dog’s paw hit the roof of the car, Sky slammed his own hoof down onto it.  The brute recoiled back, wincing in pain.
“Last chance,” Sky said through gritted teeth.
The remaining two dogs behind the leader surged forward with grasping paws.  Sky barely reacted fast enough to get into the air, just beyond their reach.  The large brute leapt full into the air, clamping his paws together to deliver a savage blow to the defiant (yet curiously confident) pegasus.
A quick aerial roll took him out of the trajectory of the strike, but the bandits below him had recovered and were now moving again, only two cars from the engine.  Sky turned and planted his rear hooves in the face of his attacker, then pushed off, sending the bandit back to the car below in a crumpled heap, while propelling himself into pursuit of the three remaining canines.
He watched as his quarry of bandits came to the final gap between the cars and nimbly dropped into it.  A split second later, he heard the frightened cry of the conductor, now faced with a group of thieving brigands, intent on hijacking his train.
Sky flipped as he dove through the gap, adjusting his angle of approach with lightning speed.  His rear hoof connected with the side of one dog’s head, sending him sprawling to the front of the car.  With a quick flap of his wings, he backed away from the scene, under the canopy of the previous car, hovering in the air.
The two other dogs watched in surprise as their comrade reeled past them, slamming into the side of the metal boiler with a resounding clang.  Apprehensively, they turned back to where Sky calmly hovered in the air with his front hooves extended toward each of them, a glimmering silver contraption attached to each leg.  “I warned you,” he said.
His legs flexed, and a pair of clicks were heard as a golden orb flew from each of the devices.  As they made contact with the bandits, there was a flash of light as sparks of electricity burst from the projectiles.  The mongrels screamed, then seemed to seize up and collapse to the floor of the car, twitching occasionally.
Sky lowered himself to the floor and took a few steps forward.  The bandits were out cold, much to his relief.  Thank Celestia for these stun spell orbs.  Though I think I still kinda prefer the freeze spells.
“Uh…”
Sky’s attention quickly turned to the bewildered conductor, who was still huddled in the corner, not entirely certain what to make of what he had just seen.  His jaw hung open like a loose hinge, and he pointed to the unconscious bandits, then back at Sky, moaning and grunting incoherently.
Sky struggled not to laugh.  “Are you alright?” he asked in a low tone.
“Muh?”
“Are you able to stand?” he proceeded, offering him a free hoof.
“M…muh-huh,” he mumbled as he took Sky’s hoof and staggered to his own four hooves.
“Good.  Think you can keep this train going?”
The conductor’s mind seemed to clear from its confusion.  “I…oh, well, yes, I believe so.  But—”
“Then keep doing that,” Sky said, cutting him short.  He stepped around the conductor and took a look at the tracks ahead.  “If we can make it to that tunnel ahead, you should be clear.  I doubt these bandits will be able to keep pace with you once you’re clear of this area.”
“Wait, who are you?” the conductor asked, looking both suspicious and uncertain.
Sky locked eyes with the grey earth pony.  “That doesn’t matter.  If it wasn’t for me, then this train would be in the control of these dogs,” he said, nudging one with his hoof.  “I saved you once.  I should think that you’d trust me to keep you safe again.”
Blitz, you’ve got more trouble.
What now, Scope?
It’s that first group of bandits.  They’re on the train and…
Sky realized it too late.  The suddenly dismayed look of the conductor staring above where Sky stood.  The looming shadow that fell over both of the ponies in the engine car.
He never heard the rest of Scope’s message.  A sudden jerk on his cloak pulled him right off the floor and careening through the air.  He fought to align his senses, but just as he did so, he felt himself change course yet again.  Before he could regain control, he landed on a hard metallic surface that could only have been the roof of a train car.
As his mind settled and his vision cleared, he could three distinct sounds: the chugging of the train engine, a strange tinking sound of a small object bouncing on the roof of the car, and the mental shouting of Scope in his head.
Blitz!  Blitz!
“Forget about us?” asked the whiny-voiced bandit from before.  “You just don’t know when to give up, do you?”  His paws thudded heavily on the roof as he approached.
Sky rose to his hooves and stared down the six canines before him: the five he encountered earlier, and the hulking brute he had left on top of the train.  Inside his head, Scope was still shouting to him, but the urgency in his tone had been replaced with his usual exasperation.
That was smooth.  Want to take care of them for real this time?
A sudden glint of light caught Sky’s eye.  It was a quick flash of green near the group of bandits.  As he focused in on it, a wave of dread washed over him.  He knew exactly what that was.  He quickly reached up and pressed his hoof against his chest.  He could still feel the other one there… but losing either was unacceptable.
Apparently, the bandits had followed his gaze.  One of the smaller brown dogs reached down and picked up Lily’s pendant.  “Ooo, look at this!”  he jeered.  “The little pony seems to have dropped this!”
The leader snatched it up in a heartbeat.  “Not bad,” he said, examining the brooch.  His eyes turned back to Sky greedily.  “Got any more like it?”
Sky could feel his emotions beginning to boil.  That was one of his most prized possessions.  A gift from the sweetest pony he had ever known, and the one that he cared for more than anything in the world.  And that…thug…has the gall to touch something so sacred?!  The thought made his insides twist and his vision turn red.
Which gave him an idea.
His began to breathe deeply and shiver.  “I’d…give that back if…I were you,” he said, intentionally making his voice sound as though he were in some kind of agony.
“Oh?  Are you going to take it from us?  I think it’s just too valuable a piece of jewelry to give back.”
“Not…just…jewelry,” Sky managed, grimacing in fake torment.  “It’s an…inhibitor.”
The dogs looked amongst themselves in confusion.  “A what now?”
Sky knelt down, furthering the image of his own suffering.  “Urrrgg…it’s an inhibitor.  It…ngg…holds my power…in check.  If you don’t...don’t give it back…aaahhh!” he shouted, raising his head to the sky before pulling it back in dramatically.  As he did, he saw the tunnel not two hundred feet ahead of the train.
“Then what?  You’ll go murder-crazy and destroy us all?  Nice story, but not likely,” the leader said as he continued to finger the pendant.  His fellows, Sky noticed, did not seem to share his certainty.
Sky went silent and stone-still.  He waited for several seconds, then allowed his frustration to fuel a magical eruption as he sprang to his hooves.  A blaze of blue light surged from his wings as his eyes shone with a pure white light.  His cloak whipped about him in the wind, and his tail seemed to be aflame with magic.  He took a step forward.
The bandits leapt back in surprise and terror at the sudden change of the pegasus into the terrible apparition before them.  Its gaze fell on them, and they huddled together, trembling in fear.  And as the horrific beast stepped forward, blackness fell.  A complete and utter blackness, save for the glowing white eyes of the monstrosity that had awakened before their own eyes.  Its mouth opened, and in a whisper, it spoke.
“Yes,” Sky said in a startlingly eager manner, “that’s exactly what will happen.”

“So, does your work ever take you to Manehattan?”
“Oh, occasionally,” Ace admitted.  As loathe as he was to be conversing about his job while stuck on a train with a bunch of high-society ponies, he couldn’t afford to get caught in a lie, so he was forced to tell the truth…or part of it, at the least.  “But never for very long.”  He adjusted his bow tie and took a sip of sparkling cider.
They call this “civilized”?  “Up-tight and snobbish” is more like it.
The train car was filled with suave and debonair ponies, each impeccably dressed for an occasion that they all assumed was a major event.   Black ties and monocles, evening gowns and corsages, mane perms and hooficures…and of course, jewelry.  Loads of jewelry.  So much, in fact, that Ace would have given anything for a pair of sunglasses just to cut down on the amount of light that was constantly being reflected right in his eyes.
Of course, it was all a setup.  The bandits had taken the bait like a charm.  And once the train arrived at its next stop, the passengers would all be told that the “event” they had all been planning to attend had unfortunately been cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances.”  Apologies would be made, somepony would undoubtedly be contacting their agent about this, and everypony would return home safe and sound.
Assuming, of course, that Sky managed to handle the bandits trying to board the train and rob everypony on it.
“Ah, that’s a shame,” the gold-colored unicorn said, shaking his head.  He wore a white suit with a frilly ascot tie that made his head look abnormally small.  “There’s so much to see and experience there.”  Then, casting a knowing look at Ace, he added, “But living in Canterlot has its own benefits, am I right?”
“Quite so,” Ace agreed, mentally cringing.
Suddenly, a tremendous magical pressure billowed from the front of the train.  Ace immediately recognized it as Blitz’s distinct magic, but if he could sense it, then it was more than likely that the other passengers would be aroused by it.
Sure enough, several of the ponies began to look around in confusion, searching for the source of the disturbance.  Scope, what the hay is Blitz doing?
The earth pony’s tone was completely even as he responded.  Showing off, as usual.
You know, this is supposed to be a stealth mission.  He’s being so boisterous that even the passengers are noticing his magic output, Ace complained.  He continued to eye the other ponies in the car, which had begun to grow restless at the powerful magic aura emanating from Blitz.
You don’t need to tell me, Ace, Scope replied.  But you know, I think he’s got this one under control.
What?
As the car was engulfed in the blackness of the tunnel, Ace heard Scope chuckle in his head.  Just keep your eyes on the front of the train when you get out of the tunnel.  I think you’ll get a kick out of what you see.

I probably shouldn’t…but I’m enjoying seeing these thugs panicking like they are.
The blackness of the tunnel would have been complete save for the light radiating from his own body, primarily his eyes.  And with that light, he could see the terror-stricken hounds frantically clambering back up toward the engine, desperate to put some distance between themselves and the phantasmal pegasus.
“And just where do you think you can run?” Sky growled.
He got no response.  The dogs were far too focused on escaping to even give a moment’s thought to providing an answer.  They clambered and tripped over themselves (and each other), yelping the whole way.  The whole scene made quite a racket, Sky thought, but the reverberating sound of the rattling of the tracks was sufficient to cover up any commotion.
Up ahead, Sky could see the light at the end of the tunnel fast approaching.  He tensed into a crouch, preparing to take off, when Scope’s voice once again invaded his thoughts.
Blitz.
Sky sighed.  What? he asked, an ounce of irritation evident in his response.
 I know you’re probably ready to roast those mutts, but can you hold off on that until the whole train clears the tunnel?  I promised Ace a show.
Sky almost snorted.  Oh, so you tell me not to have too much fun, but when it’s you and Ace, it’s alright?  How ironic.
Humor me, came the simple reply.
And how am I supposed to that?
You’ve got a flare for the dramatic, Scope said.  Or don’t tell me you’ve decided to abandon your theatrics now?
Sky rolled his eyes but didn’t respond.  He stared down the dogs, which had nearly reached the engine car and had collectively turned to hazard a look back at their pursuer.  He began to slowly advance, and with each step, dazzling blue sparks slew from his hooves, illuminating the walls of the tunnel.  Amid the noise of the train, he could hear the frantic cries of the bandits, including some that pleaded with their leader to return the jewelry he had taken.
The green gemstone on the brooch suddenly flashed as it caught the light from the end of the tunnel.  Which meant that he had to stall for another twenty seconds for the entire train to be out in the open again.  “You were given the opportunity to leave this train peacefully,” Sky said, his voice growing in volume as he continued.  “But you have rejected that option, and have dared to defy the command of the Princesses of Equestria.”  He silently wished that he had Rimshot’s magic to manipulate sounds through the air, but since he didn’t, he had to make do with what he had.  He took a deep breath.  “NOW YOU WILL FACE THEIR JUDGMENT!” he roared like a peal of thunder.
Train’s clear, Scope informed him.
He spread his wings and charged.

> Chapter 8: Showoffs and Secrets
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Ace winced as the car emerged from the tunnel, light spilling in from the windows and reflecting off what seemed to be a billion different jeweled surfaces, blinding him multiple times over in a split second.
 Train’s clear, he heard Scope’s voice resound in his head.
Ace groaned to himself.  I bet you can’t even see the train from where you are.
That’d be a good bet, Scope replied.  But you know that I don’t need to see something to know where it is.
Ace couldn’t argue with that.  Scope had the best awareness of any pony he had ever met, and it wouldn’t have surprised him if he was the best of any pony in all Equestria.  If he didn’t feel or smell you coming, he almost certainly heard you.  And that was still without considering his superb eyesight.  Nothing snuck up on Scope.
And for all of Ace’s “dumb luck,” as his friends called it, it was next to impossible to win a bet with Scope.  He knew all of Ace’s tells…and probably a few that Ace himself wasn’t aware of.
A blaze of light from the front of the train accompanied a new wave of magic that passed through the train car.  Several of the passengers cried out, while others looked about, alert and wary of some mischief going on outside.
Blitz, what in the blazes are you doing?!
He got no response, but it likely wouldn’t have mattered if he had.  The passengers had become frightened, and he needed to offer some kind of explanation to try and assuage their mounting fears.
“I say, what was that?” he said in the most loosely-interested-yet-still-somewhat-intrigued voice he could muster.  “I could have sworn I saw something by that cliff over there.  Like an explosion of some kind.”
“An explosion?” asked one mare as the crowd suddenly shifted its attention to where Ace stood, staring out the window.  “How dreadful!”
“Erm, yes, quite so,” Ace said, turning and looking above the heads of the approaching ponies, hoping to catch sight of Blitz.  But all that he saw was the sharp crags of the Rambling Rock Ridge.
You know, for all his antics, you’d think I’d be able to at least see him, but nooooo, he’s being loud and boisterous, and I still can’t find him!
For a moment, all he could hear was the frustratingly monotonous beating of his heart pounding in his skull, when Scope spoke up again, a curious cheerfulness in his tone.  And how is that a bad thing?
Because—
He stopped short, suddenly realizing what he had just said.  Nopony had seen anything.  It was a complete mystery as to what it was…and mysteries can become anything when used properly.
You know, maybe he knows what he’s doing after all.

He had missed this.
Of course, he probably would never have admitted that he could ever have looked back with longing on any aspect of his struggle with the Chimera, but in truth, Sky found combat exhilarating.  It was the culmination of who he was: the pegasi had for ages served as a race of proud warriors, and that same ferocity flowed through Sky’s veins.  Equestria may be founded on peace and harmony, but I might not mind a little disorder every now and again.
Like right now.
The dogs were a mess of confusion and panic.  The largest mutt had gathered up his unconscious fellows from the engine car and was now trying to escape with them, but every time he flailed at Sky’s passing, the limp forms of his comrades thrashed about, making it look as though he was throttling a set of oversized rag dolls.  It took all of Sky’s willpower to keep from laughing.
He had tried to make himself appear as threatening and dangerous as he could manage, and he had apparently succeeded.  His hooves glistened in the air, and they sparked with every blow struck on the bandits.  The streaks of silver in his mane and tail still glowed, and his eyes shone with that pure white intensity, but what had unnerved the dogs the most was his cloak.  It was now aflame with a blue-white radiance that flashed like the lightning of a summer storm with every flap in the wind.  If only I could add some thunder sound effects.
Sky darted back and forth along the length of the train cars, bashing his foes over the head with his hooves and shoving them to the edge of the roof.  The adrenaline pumping through his veins ignited his senses and stimulated his mind, furthering his already potent magic output.  
Distantly, he heard the voice of Ace shouting to him.  Blitz, what in the blazes are you doing?!
Sky frowned.  If nothing else, the ponies on the train had felt his magic, but he had taken extra care to not be seen.  His cloak had always blended with his surroundings (when he had needed it to), and he hadn’t exposed himself to any windows: he was only flying directly above the train.  Ace could tell the passengers just about anything, and they’d probably believe it.
Turning his attention back to the matter at hoof, Sky noticed that the dogs had apparently had enough abuse for one day, and were leaping off the train and racing for the tunnel, presumably hoping to get back to their hideout.  “And just where do you think you’re going?” he called out to them.
The only response he got was an occasional glance over the shoulder, as they seemed to be far more intent on escaping than carrying on conversation.  Their terror had apparently lent them new haste, as they were running faster than Sky had seen up till that moment.  However, they still had Lily’s pendant, and there was no way under the sun or moon that he was going to let that stand.
He patiently waited for the last few stragglers to enter the tunnel, hovering in midair as the train chugged along beneath him.  The train is safe, but these mutts still need to be taught a lesson.
As soon as the last one entered the darkness of the tunnel, he rose slightly higher into the air, and, with a mighty flap, he rocketed inside in close pursuit.  He could feel the wind ripple and become unsteady as he tore through it, but he didn’t care.  Nighthawk may have wanted him to be sleek and smooth, but it was too late for that.  Now, he wanted to be noticed.  He needed to be seen and heard.
And feared.
He allowed the magic to well up inside him again.  The light from his cloak and body reflected off the walls of the tunnel, illuminating the once-dark cavern.   He caught the gleams of several pairs of eyes as they turned just in time to see his approach.  As the magic continued to build within him, he began to feel like a balloon that had been overfilled with air, ready to pop at any moment.
And as he reached the rear of the pack of bandits, he unleashed the magic like a mighty wave, forcing its way through the remainder of the tunnel and sweeping up anything that got in its path.
Pop.

The train angled back to the east again, and as it did, the passengers seemed to give up on their hunt for the source of the mysterious magic power.  They slowly left the windows and returned to their glasses of sparkling cider and plates of tiny hors d’oeuvres.   
Ace silently breathed a sigh of relief.  As much as Blitz had done a fine job of not being seen, there was no denying that he had made his presence known.  The passengers would have something to talk about, regardless of what happened from this point forward.  Honestly, couldn’t he tone it down just this once?
He stared out the window on the opposite side of the car.  His muscles had begun to relax and his jaw had finally unclenched as he could feel Blitz’s magic presence being left behind.  He hadn’t been certain what had happened, but from all appearances, it had worked, and the train was safe.
Suddenly, as the tunnel came back into view for a moment, he caught glimpse of an incredible sight: the bandits were sprinting into the dark cavern, retreating from something in the air behind them…
What the hay?
It was Blitz, no doubt.  It could only have been him.  But he wasn’t his normal light blue anymore.  The white light emanating from him rippled in a manner that reminded him of how an aurora had been described to him: like a curtain of light.  That description hadn’t made much sense to him until right now.
It had to be his cloak, but he’d had no idea it was capable of that.  He had only pictured it as blending into its surroundings.  The thought had never occurred to him that it could be used to create its own distinct appearance.  Perhaps it had something to do with the amount of magic you used, or something technical like that.  But that didn’t matter now.  Right now, all that Ace could think about was the vision of his teammate looking like some sort of specter of light, defying the will of a group of criminals.
And, almost as soon as it had come, the sight disappeared behind another of the rocky crags of the ridge.  Ace blinked, then quickly looked around the cabin.  The ponies seemed unaware of the scene, and were still discussing the latest fashion trends and upcoming to-do’s of the Canterlot high society.  He smiled.
Feel free to let loose, Blitz.
The reply didn’t surprise him one bit.  Way ahead of you, boss.

The dogs spilled out of the tunnel, some tumbling head over heels, some bouncing along, and some skidding out on their faces as the magic blast spewed them out.  But they recovered surprisingly quickly, huffing and puffing as they raced to the safety of their underground home.  They had only gone a few yards when Sky burst from the tunnel and angled his trajectory right towards the fleeing hounds.
Distantly, Sky knew that he was overexerting himself.  Expending this much magic in such a short time would leave him drained for days, but that was a fact he would have to live with.  These bandits would have had little to fear from one pegasus, and once he left, the raids on the trains would likely start up again.  No, he had realized that the solution wasn’t so simple as making them obey a command.  They needed an incentive.  He needed something that would make them think twice before emerging from their caverns with thievery on their minds.
He needed them to be afraid; so afraid that they wouldn’t dare trespass again while such a threat existed in their minds.  A magic-using pegasus was…unusual, to be sure.  But strangely curious wouldn’t cut it.  He needed heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, brain-locking terror.
So he became that terror.
He looped and spun through the air as he approached, causing the air to swirl in eddies as he passed by.  The mutts were still running from him, though they seemed to no longer care where he was.  All they were intent on was getting to their cave where they could take shelter from the airborne menace.
With a sudden dive, Sky surged towards the pack of dogs.  Instantly, he was bouncing and leaping off of them, swiping at them with his wings and shoving them with his hooves, knocking them off-balance as he passed by.  Before they could swat at him, he ascended again and fired off two orbs from his launchers.  He purposely aimed at two empty areas of ground, but as the tiny spheres collided with the ground, they caused the earth to rise in a small explosion as the magic spell escaped its prison.  Another howl of fear rose from the group as they continued their hasty retreat.
A sense of desperation suddenly took ahold of Sky’s mind.  Sure, the bandits were terrified and weren’t likely to attack the train anytime soon, but they still had Lily’s pendant, and he was running out of time to get it back.  If he didn’t manage to retrieve it soon, he’d likely never see it again.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the familiar voice of his earth pony teammate.  Blitz, say something dramatic.
I’m a little focused here, Scope.
And I’m trying to help you.  You think I didn’t see those dogs take that brooch you carry around wherever you go?  It was foolish to bring it on a mission, but I can appreciate how much you want to get it back.  So, if you think you can be your typical overly-dramatic self just one more time…
He didn’t have time for games.  They had reached the alcove where the cavern entrance was located, and he had maybe thirty seconds until they were safely inside.  And yet, he couldn’t help but wonder what tricks Scope had in his mane.  OK, anything in particular?
Something about not letting them get away should suffice.
Sky’s brow furrowed.  That’s not very specific.
You’re the dramatic one.  I’m giving you the opportunity to be creative.
Fine.  He thought for a short moment, then took a deep breath.  “There’s no escape!” he bellowed.  “You can’t hide from me!”
Eh, Scope said in response, I’ve heard better.
Sky didn’t have time to reply.  Before he could come up with a sufficiently witty response, he heard a loud crack from the cliff face.  Suddenly, the entire roof of the cave entrance collapsed, falling in a giant cascade and raising a thick cloud of dust.  Sky barely managed to reel in his senses and pull away before he flew into the blinding cloud.
The mutts had slowed their approach in response, but were still too eager to get away from their pursuer to be completely deterred.  But as the dust settled, Sky was surprised to find that the entire cavern entrance was blocked from a cave-in.  Apparently, the rock formation had been supporting a large deposit of silt and sediment that had fallen all-too-willingly when provided with a little bit of a nudge.
That was convenient, Sky remarked to his hidden partner.  What spell orb did you use for that?
It wouldn’t have mattered, Scope replied.  That was so precarious up there, it was liable to fall at any moment.  And you’re welcome.
Before him, the dogs sat stunned, staring in disbelief at the blockage to their homes.  Slowly, one by one, they turned around to see the shimmering pegasus float down to them.  The leader, trembling and shaking the whole time, crept up to him, holding Lily’s brooch in front of him in a defensive manner, as if he hoped it would shield him from the pegasus’ rage.  “Er…you w-w-wanted this?” he stammered.
Sky snatched it from the bandit’s outstretched paw, causing the mutt to flinch and stumble backwards.  He held it on his hoof for a moment, then slowly withdrew his magic aura.  His wings retracted, his mane stopped glowing, his eyes returned to normal, and his cloak once again faded to its normal gray hue.  The feeling of exhaustion that swept over him was expected, but its severity still surprised him.  However, he still managed to maintain his composure.  He reached up and slipped the brooch inside his cloak again.  “I warned you not to trespass here, and you ignored me,” he began, trying to choose his words wisely.  “I could have caused that to collapse on you, instead of sealing you outside.”
He heard an insulted snort in his head, but he smiled beneath his mask and continued.  “If you dare to attack another train, or do anything to violate the laws of this land again, you’ll find that my patience…and my mercy…have run out.  I suggest you remember that.”
They all began to eagerly give their assent to his warning, shouting and chattering over each other in an ever-increasingly noisy attempt to assure the pegasus of their sincerity.  Sky sat unmoved, but inwardly, he breathed a sigh of relief.  Let’s hope they mean it this time.
“Time will tell if you mean what you say,” he echoed his thoughts to the crowd, “but for now, you need to dig your way back into your home.  Because,” he quickly added, “I don’t trust you out here.  Get where you belong, and don’t let me see you again today.”  With that, he spread his wings and ascended to the top of the cliff.  As he landed, he turned around to see that every one of them was watching him intently.  He sat down, and he thought that he heard his muscles creak in protest from all the energy he had already expended.
“Waiting for a written invitation?  Get digging!” he barked.

It wasn’t long before they had made significant progress into re-opening the tunnel.  Sky watched them with mild interest until a voice spoke up from his right.  “Ever the dramatic one,” came the voice from the empty air beside him.
“They wouldn’t have left until they had a reason to not attack the train.  I had to show them that they had something to be afraid of.  Admitting that I had help would have diminished that sense,” Sky replied.
“I know that, Blitz,” Scope returned.  Sky could barely make out his outline against the near-perfect camouflage of his cloak.  “I’m merely commenting.”
“Right.”  He took a deep breath as the dogs continued their work below.  Occasionally, one of them would glance up at him, either out of curiosity or wariness, then return to his task.  “I wonder what explanation he’ll come up with for my little performance back there.  There’s no way they could have missed all that magic power.  I’m certainly going to remember it in the morning,” he added, rotating a leg gingerly.  
“If he’s smart, he won’t come up with any explanations,” Scope replied.  “If you just let one pony’s imagination run wild, it tends to fill in all the gaps with whatever it thinks makes sense.  And when you have a bunch of different minds with a bunch of different stories, it masks the truth rather well.”
“Smooth,” Sky commented.  “So, do you think that Ace will survive the rest of the trip?  I mean, he’s probably ready to lose his mind.”
“I’m sure he’ll live, though he may end up pulling out his mane,” Scope replied, a strange pleasure evident in his tone.  “Maybe those ponies will end up teaching him how to show a little class.”
Sky arched an eyebrow but kept his gaze trained on the bandits.  “You’re awfully hard on Ace, you know,” he said.  “He does a good job.  What’s with all the cynicism?”
Even though he couldn’t see Scope, he could feel his eyes burning into the side of his face like streams of fire.  “Ace is competent enough, but he has a penchant for getting a big head…and so do you, for that matter.”  Sky whipped his head around to look in the general direction of the hidden earth pony.   “Don’t act like it’s not true.  You can act so aloof, like you’re the next big thing.  I’m just here to keep you humble.”
Sky almost fell over from the irony.  “WE act aloof?!  What about you?  You’re always—”
He suddenly felt an invisible hoof press against his mouth.  “Shush, Blitz.  In case you’ve forgotten, you still have an audience.”
Sky turned his eyes back to the would-be thieves below, where several of them were gazing up at him with confused looks.  “OK, OK, I got it,” he said in a hushed voice as Scope’s hoof drew away from his mouth.  “But seriously, you act so high and above any other pony, it’s almost painful.  You can’t have any fun, or take a joke, or even smile because you act like it’s beneath you!”
“Blitz, we are professional protectors of Equestria, not court jesters.  Laughing and giggling like little school fillies isn’t very becoming of us.”
“Are you serious?” Sky asked, though his tone was even and his voice remained soft.  “Do you not remember what Solace told me back when I was accepted into the Guard into the first place?  She said that the strength we possess comes from the bond we share with others.  What better way to bond with another than through the power of joy and laughter?  And laughter itself is one of the Elements of Harmony.  Even you have to appreciate that.”
He had expected a quick response from Scope.  Even if he was maddeningly stoic, Sky had to admit that his logic and reasoning were outstanding, which made it even more frustrating when trying to argue with him.  He was too good at it.
Which made the silence all the more unusual.
The stillness that fell on the scene was broken only by the gentle breeze and the sound of the dogs digging below.  After an uncomfortable few seconds, Sky closed his eyes and reclined his head back, triggering a pair of muffled pops from his neck.  “Trying to come up with a proper response?” he asked.
“Don’t get smart, Blitz,” Scope shot back.  But his voice was calm and quiet as he spoke again.  “But I suppose you’re right.  It’s tough to argue with the Elements of Harmony.”
Before Sky could comment, Scope cut him off.  “However,” he continued, a sudden emphasis in his speech, “that’s no excuse to overdo something.  There are six Elements, not just one.  All of them have their place.”  Sky caught the glint of the earth pony’s eyes aimed in his direction.  “Don’t forget that.”
Sky nodded.  “Same goes for you, y’know.”

Ponyville
April 23, 8:01 PM

There they were.  All seven of them, looking exactly as he remembered them (save a certain pair of new wings).  So warm, so colorful, so inviting…
So much like home.
Sky couldn’t help but smile as he observed his friends through the window of Twilight’s library home.  They were sitting around a central table, chatting and laughing and carrying on about something.  Probably girl talk.  Poor Spike.
He missed them.  His duties had kept him plenty busy, and since Twilight’s coronation, it seemed that there was no shortage of things to keep her occupied.  He silently wished for the days when things were simpler: before the Alicorn Guard, before Twilight became a princess, before everything became so…convoluted.
His memories caused a tickle of magic to flutter through his wings, and while he paid it little mind, he almost immediately saw Twilight and Rarity perk up and turn towards where he stood.  Startled, he turned away from the window and pulled his cloak almost entirely over his face to hide his eyes from view.  He didn’t mind seeing his friends, but if they saw him, they would inevitably ask what he was doing in Ponyville…and he had no desire to have to lie to them.
To his right, he heard the door burst open.  Pulling the cloak down just enough to see, he saw a somewhat frantic Rainbow Dash looking around in all directions as she hovered above the ground.  “Hey, Sky, you out here?” she called.
“It was quite peculiar,” Rarity said, emerging through the doorway.  “It was most definitely his magic, but perhaps it merely felt closer than he really was.”
He continued watching, fighting the urge to run over and embrace his friends.  The desire only deepened as each of his friends came into view, and as Twilight finally walked out, it nearly reached the breaking point.  She looked up and down the street, hesitating ever-so-slightly as she peered past him.  “I’m sure we all want to see him again.  It’s been a long time.  But he’ll come see us when he can; I’m sure of it.”  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, spreading her wings as she did.  Sky found it a curious sight: an alicorn wasn’t anything new, but seeing Twilight as one?  Yeah, that’s a bit different.
“You girls go on ahead,” Twilight continued.  “I think I just need a bit of fresh air.”
“Take your time, darling.  There’s no rush,” Rarity replied.  She turned, followed her friends, and gently closed the door behind her.
Sky waited.  He almost knew it was coming.  She was too smart and too magically savvy to not notice.
“I know you’re out here, Sky.  Hiding isn’t your style.”
He didn’t move.  He watched her intently, wondering if she would press the issue, or just let him be.  But after a moment, her head turned, her horn lit up, and her eyes locked with his.  Sky looked down just long enough to see that his cloak had taken on its normal gray color, and his disguise was gone.  “I suspected you’d know I was out here, but I didn’t think you could do that,” he commented in genuine surprise, rising to his hooves.  As he did, he felt the hood of his cloak fall from the top of his head, revealing his mane, still tangled and disheveled from the mission.
“Alicorn magic,” she replied with an air of accomplishment, apparently oblivious to his messy appearance.  “But what are you doing here, and why exactly were you hiding?  You didn’t forget that you already mentioned your idea about the cloak to me, did you?”
He mentally cringed as the thought took hold in his mind.  Oh, duh, flank brain.  Really thought that one through, didn’t ya?  “What?  Me, forget something?  You must be joking.”
“Sure.”  Her face darkened, and Sky felt a pang of regret even before she could ask her next question.  “But seriously, why were you hiding?  Were you spying on us or something?”
It was a ridiculous suggestion in Sky’s mind, triggering an amused snort.  But one look back at Twilight indicated that she did not find it funny in the least.  “Sorry, that struck me funny.  But no, I wasn’t spying on you.”
“Then what were you doing?” she asked again, adding force to her words.
“It’s been a while since I had seen all of you, and I was in the area, so I thought I’d come see you.”
“And not come in yourself?” she asked quizzically.  “Come on, Sky, what are you hiding?”
He sighed and let his head hang.  If there’s one thing I hate about the Alicorn Guard, it’s all the secrecy.  Maybe I’m just really bad at hiding what I know.  “Twilight…listen to me.  I can’t tell you, on account of a promise I took.  I didn’t want to be seen because I knew that I’d have to explain what I was doing here, and I can’t bring myself to tell you anything that isn’t true.  It’s hard enough having to not say anything at all.”  The exhaustion he had felt earlier seemed to wash over him all over again.  “Forgive me,” he said, slowly raising his head just enough to see the shocked look on the violet alicorn’s face.
But her gaze quickly softened with a gentle smile.  “I know that look,” she said, her compassionate voice barely more than a whisper.  “That’s the look of a pegasus carrying the weight of Equestria on his shoulders.  A pegasus that’s scared to let down those he cares about.  A pegasus that needs to remember that his friends are there for a reason.”  She looked up to the orange sky, where a few bright stars had begun to pierce through the sun’s dying rays.  “Sky, we all know you well enough that if you say you can’t tell us something, we can respect that.  We all guessed that there was more than you actually told us back when Celestia spoke with you after the Summer Sun Celebration, and this is just kind of confirming that.”  Sky’s eyes went wide with alarm, but Twilight raised a hoof.  “But don’t worry…whatever that is, your secret is safe.  If it’s important to you, it’s important to us.  We’re your friends, and we’re here to help in any way we can.”  She looked to the door of the library, then back at Sky.  “That being said, would you like to come in?”
The temptation was overwhelming, but he already knew the answer he had to give.  “I’d love to, Twi,” he said, pulling the hood back over his head, “but I need to be going.  I need to get back to the train station.  I’m afraid I’m on a schedule, and I’ve already stayed longer than I intended.”
Twilight nodded, a sad understanding etched on her face.  “I figured that was the case.  But you’re welcome here anytime.  You and Lily both,” she added with a wink.
“Thanks,” he said.  “You all be safe.  I know how you like to live life on the edge.”
“We’re not the only ones,” she replied, though to Sky, it sounded as though it had been said to herself.
 If only you knew, he thought to himself as his cloak shifted appearance, and he vanished from sight.

“Did you have a nice visit?” Ace asked as his companion came into view.  The sunlight had finally begun to fail at the Ponyville train depot, and it hadn’t been until Blitz had stepped into the light of the lamppost that the unicorn had noticed him.
“Yeah,” Blitz returned unenthusiastically.
The train back to Canterlot had stopped in Ponyville for a brief delay, and Blitz had taken the opportunity to head into town.  He hadn’t said where he was going, but neither Ace nor Scope were so naïve that they didn’t know where he had gone.
Ace raised an eyebrow.  “I’m not convinced.  Everything alright?”
“It’s fine,” the pegasus answered, joining Ace and Scope as they boarded the train back to Canterlot.  “Just got a few things on my mind.”
“Anything you care to get off your chest?”
“It’s alright…it’s kinda personal.”
“Good,” Scope said, claiming a seat near the front of their car.  “I’d like a nap, and that would be quite hard with you two jabbering on about some nonsense.”
Blitz made a face, but Ace merely shrugged off the comment.  “Alright, Blitz.  But if you ever need to vent about something, you know where to find me.”
Blitz’s familiar coy visage returned.  “Probably at a casino somewhere,” he quipped.
Ace couldn’t help but laugh.  “Darn right!” he agreed as the train whistled and began to crawl forward.
A relative silence fell onto the train car for a few minutes, when Ace heard Blitz’s voice inside his head.  By the way, Ace, what explanation did you give to the ponies on the train?  I’m curious about how creative you are.
Not very, I’m afraid, he replied.  I just let the matter be.  They’ll come up with their own explanations, and it’ll keep them guessing at the truth for a long, long time.
 Yeah, Scope said you should do something like that.
He should be pleased to know that for once, he and I were thinking alike.  He paused and redirected the conversation.  I’m looking forward to getting back to Canterlot, so long as I don’t have to talk to any more of those high society ponies.  Think my mane’s turning white from having to suppress so much frustration.
Guys, Scope’s irritated voice resounded in his head.  I don’t think it’s too much to ask for you to stop thinking so loudly.  Can’t you just do what you normally do and empty your heads of everything?
No amount of beauty sleep is going to do you any good, Scope.
Ohhh!  Burn!! Blitz chimed in.
Again, Blitz, how old are you?
And in the perfectly silent train car, the banter continued all the way to Canterlot.

> Chapter 9: Fringe of the Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alicorn Guard Headquarters
April 24, 8:13 AM

“So I hear you had fun.”
“Please shut up.”
Sky sat at the center of a circle of his comrades, dimly attentive to the conversation going on.  Most of the chatter had revolved around Sky’s own magnificent magic display, but the conversation was apparently headed in a new direction, thanks to Nova’s latest comment.  
He stretched, wincing as he forced his sore muscles into service yet again.  His magic outburst from the mission had been impressive, but even if it had been necessary, he was certainly regretting it today.  Simply being awake was uncomfortable, and any kind of movement was like getting sat on by a buffalo.  Or an entire herd of buffalo.
He looked up just in time to see the tiniest hint of a smirk on Scope’s face.  “Don’t mind Ace,” the earth pony said to the cerulean unicorn mare.  “He’s suffering from an overdose of refined behavior.”  He paused for just a moment, and Sky was suddenly aware that he had become the focus of Scope’s gaze.  “Though I daresay that another of my teammates could have used it, too.”
“Couldn’t be helped, Scope,” Sky replied, shaking his head slowly, lightly ruffling his own mane.  “I was busy exercising my right to be awesome.”
A few scattered groans came from the group, and Scope rolled his eyes in exasperation.  “See what I mean?”
A collective laugh rose from the group, and Sky deemed it as good a place to exit the conversation as any.  He slowly rose to his hooves and walked through the group towards the library.  Normally, he would have been perfectly content to be the center of attention, but…today wasn’t normal.  Maybe his mind was still recovering.  Maybe it was just an off day.
Then a dark thought entered his mind.  Maybe it’s something else.
He remembered his most recent dream, where the mysterious pony had confronted him with the idea that they wanted to make Equestria “great again.”  The very consideration of what that pony was capable of sent a shiver down Sky’s spine.  Celestia, Zecora, and several other ponies had told him that he had become quite perceptive of things.  What if…what if he could feel and anticipate the moves of his unseen foe?
The methodical clopping of his hooves on the stone floor was briefly interrupted by an amused snort.  Nah, that’s silly.  Not even Celestia or Luna possess foresight, so why should I?  I’m betting I just need to rest a bit more.  And a little extracurricular reading should help with that.
“Blitz!” he heard a mare call from behind him.  “Hey, where are you going?”
He turned back to see Nova standing in the entrance to the main chamber.  “Oh, I’m just gonna go read a bit.  I think I’m still a bit tired from yesterday, so I was just gonna stare at some books for a little while.”
Her face changed from one of concern to a more neutral tone.  “Oh, I thought you were upset about something.  You were just a bit too…well, quiet.”
“Ha, well, even I can run out of things to say eventually,” he replied with a wink.
A smile brightened her face in response.  “You know, you three amaze me.”  Then, apparently noticing the Sky’s confused look, she continued.  “I mean, it makes sense that you and Ace get along so well—you could be related from what I can tell.”
Another peal of laughter reached his ears from the main chamber.  “Thankfully, I can assure you that we’re not,” he said, allowing his own smile to spread across his face.
Her own burst of laughter echoed through the hallway for a few moments.  “You know what I mean.  But Scope…he’s just so…”  She hesitated, searching for the right word, “…different from the two of you.”
It was Sky’s turn to smile.  “That he is.  But different doesn’t necessarily mean bad.”  His thoughts drifted to his recent conversation with the stoic pony.  “We each have different perspectives and viewpoints.  And our personalities certainly clash.  Often.”
“We’ve noticed,” Nova replied dryly.
“But we’re a team, and we make each other better, I think…somehow,” he finished, shrugging as he muttered the last word.
“Well, that’s true of all of us, Blitz.  I guess it’s just harder to understand with you three.”
“Can’t blame you there.”
Suddenly, a commotion arose from the main chamber, and a single voice rose above the din.  Sky and Nova both ran to the entrance to the chamber to investigate.  “Gather up, ponies!  Big news!”
“That’s Tread!” Nova said softly as they came to a halt next to a stalagmite formation that was topped with a glistening green crystal.  “I was wondering where he had gotten off to.”
“What’s all the fuss about?” Cubic asked from behind them, apparently having been aroused from her typical reading spot in the library.
“Dunno,” Sky remarked, “but I bet we’re about to find out.”  He led the way as the two mares followed him into the hall, where the group that had been attentively hanging on Scope’s and Ace’s every word had suddenly been diverted to the earthen-toned pony.
“What’s going on, Tread?” asked Buckle, Tread’s pale yellow team leader.
“Just a second, ma’am,” he replied in his uniquely respectful tone.  “Let’s get everyone rounded up first.”
The group quickly huddled into a mass of ponies before Tread when Ghost stepped forward and took a seat next to the earth pony.  “Now, care to tell us what this is all about?” he began, a slight irritation on the edge of his voice.  It was well-known that Ghost enjoyed a period of silent contemplation during the day, and it seemed that Tread had shown up just in time to interrupt it.
“Well,” he began, holding up a folded piece of paper before Ghost’s face, “this is for you, sir.  Straight from Solace herself.”
The unicorn lifted the paper and unfolded it before his eyes while Tread continued.  “But we’ve got major news from Passion and Bedrock.  Someone tried to steal the Crystal Heart!”
Sky blinked absently.  Passion and Bedrock: aka, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.  It had been so long since he had heard their code names used, he had nearly forgotten them.  And of all the names he had expected to hear...he hadn’t even considered them.
“What!?” several ponies shouted at once.
“When?” Cubic’s voice cut through the commotion.
“Last night sometime,” Ghost answered, still looking over his paper.  “Seems that big news of this sort travels fast.”
“Big is right,” Ace agreed, his normally cheery face set in a look of determination and focus.  “So what’s the response from the palace?  They gonna send a team or two to investigate?”
All eyes turned to Ghost, who continued to stare at his page.  His eyes flew from line to line, absorbing every word in a matter of moments.  Finally, he folded it in half again and sighed.  His eyelids closed as he appeared to calm himself.  “Seems like Solace thinks it’s too big for that.”
“Too big for the Alicorn Guard?” Hobo asked skeptically.
Ghost nodded.  “Apparently.  Solace herself is headed to the Crystal Empire to investigate.  She’s taking a retinue of her personal guards with her, and she’s leaving Mystic in charge while she’s away.”
“So…we’re not mobilizing at all?” asked a grey stallion to Sky’s right.
“Slow down, Sprocket,” Ghost chided.  “I didn’t say that.  We’re not going leaving Canterlot, but we are going to be mobilizing in response to this.”  His eyes scanned the group before him as he rose and began to pace.  “It seems that Solace is worried about something potentially happening while she’s away, so she wants us to stay put.”
Sky listened intently, hanging on every word, analyzing every statement.  That makes sense, he thought.  I’m betting she suspects that our little traitor is trying make us think that his target is something other than Canterlot.  So she’s baiting him by leaving.  She’s basically daring him to make his move while she’s away.  But if and when he does, I’ll bet that he won’t expect the Alicorn Guard to be breathing down his neck.
“What about Trucker and his team?” a colorful teal mare with a green and orange mane asked from the other side of Sprocket.  “Are we recalling them?”
“Ah, thank you for the reminder, Juggles,” Ghost said with a nod to the mare.  “Nighthawk, I’ll need you, Nova, and Blitz to send the signal tonight as soon as it’s dark.  I want the entire Guard back here as soon as possible, and that should give them time to be back before the day after tomorrow.”
The signal.  To most ponies of Equestria, it was known as the “Jewels of the Crown.”  But in reality, the “signal” was just Nova, Sky, and Nighthawk flying the circuit of the Crown of the Mountain at full speed, causing it to light up with a full rainbow of colors.  It had been the subject of widespread rumors and intrigue, but so far, the truth had been kept a secret.  There goes my night off.
And he had only been back in Canterlot a few minutes last night when he had discovered that Trucker, Razor, and Riptide had been dispatched earlier that day to deal with a report of giant spiders near the Macintosh Hills.  The threat had been real, and the possibility of a summons hadn’t surprised anypony, but Sky was still startled to find them missing when he returned with Ace and Scope that night.
“So, what is it that we’re supposed to do?” Keeper asked, rising to her hooves like she normally did when she spoke.  “If we’re not leaving, but we’re still mobilizing, then don’t we have a task to fulfill?”
“Yes, I’m getting to that, Keeper,” Ghost replied.  “This may not sound like much, but we’ve been assigned to the same duty as the rest of the Royal Guard.”
“Which is…?” Rimshot prodded.
“If you’d let me speak, I could get to it that much faster,” Ghost snapped.
He seems a bit touchy today, Sky thought.
If you knew how much he enjoyed that “meditation time” of his, maybe you’d understand his frustration, he heard Ace’s voice reply.
He says it helps him focus and stay calm and in charge, Scope added.  Seems that might have been an understatement.
“Oh.  Sorry, Ghost,” Rimshot replied softly, looking thoroughly reprimanded.
Ghost bit his lip and took a deep breath.  “No, I shouldn’t have lashed out like that.  This is just another thing to make us stress out.  Forgive my lack of control.”
“We’re good,” Rimshot said, and the return of his contagious smile confirmed it.
“Our big concern right now is surveillance.  We’re to double the watch, stay alert, and immediately report anything suspicious to Mystic.”
“That’s it?” Hobo asked.  “That’s rather…unspecific.”  He lifted his ever-present shooter and gave it a scrutinizing stare.
“Sounds like Solace isn’t sure what we’re supposed to expect,” Buckle commented.
“Or what we’re up against at all,” Scope added.
“There is no shortage of enemies of Equestria, and any of them could be the culprit here,” Ghost continued.  “That’s why it’s absolutely imperative that we report anything suspicious as soon as possible.”
A perfectly synchronized nod came from each pony in the room.  “Understood,” they replied in unison.
“With that in mind,” Ghost continued, finally looking like the calm-and-in-charge leader he was supposed to be, “I want to start with the increase in security right now.  Nighthawk,” he said to the orange pegasus directly in front of him, “you and Boulder take the throne room.”
Nighthawk turned and gestured to the hulking blue earth pony that sat beside him, and they galloped off.  Ghost turned his attention a yellow unicorn mare that sat behind Sky.  “Buckle, I want you and Keeper at the front gates.  And Blitz,” he continued, causing Sky to snap to attention out of instinct, “take Sprocket and patrol the city from above.  I don’t want a ladybug to change positions in this city without us knowing about it!”
Sky caught the eye of his new gray-bodied partner, but before he could say anything, Ghost shouted, “We’ll switch off in six hours!  Let’s get to it!”
The hall became a sudden whirlwind of motion as the Alicorn Guard burst into action.  Ponies with assignments gathered up their uniforms and prepared to head up to the city level, while those on standby prepped their equipment for the instant they were needed.
Sprocket met him halfway to the armor racks against the wall.  “Well, how was that for a good morning pep talk?” he said.
“Not quite what I expected,” Sky admitted.  He reached out and unfastened his armor from its rack.  “But it keeps us on our hooves.”
“Can’t be getting lazy, now, can we?” Sprocket said with a mischievous smirk as he threw his own armor across his back.
But Sky’s thought was devoted to a dark pony, with a red-eyed, three-headed monster at its command.  “No,” he mumbled to himself.  “Can’t have that at all.”


April 24, 8:58 AM
Above Canterlot

The city sparkled in the sunlight; a pristine example of the blessed peace of the magical realm of Equestria.  Ponies strolled through the streets, smiling and waving to each other and carrying on happily.  The sky was clear and blue, nary a cloud to be seen.  It was as perfect a day as one could wish for.
“That blue jay look suspicious to you, Blitz?”
Sky rolled his eyes as he turned to his partner.  “I’m betting Ghost would want us to detain it for questioning, just to be safe.”
“Probably.”
The pair of pegasi sat perched atop the Canterlot observatory.  Sprocket was donned in his familiar golden armor, as was Sky.  But Sky had taken the extra step to wear his magical cloak over top of his armor.  It retained its typical gray color, and Sprocket had questioned Sky’s desire to bring it along, but it was just too useful to leave behind.
“This doesn’t have quite the feel of the urgent task that Ghost made it out to be,” Sprocket said, stifling a yawn with a free hoof.
“You’re right, but I don’t think that we should have expected this to be a wild ride of an assignment,” Sky agreed.
Sprocket’s eyes scanned the view before him, taking in every motion.  “Must be quite a letdown after that trip you had yesterday,” Sprocket replied.
“Well, it’s certainly not as exciting, but I’m glad to have it,” Sky explained.  “I really let loose back there yesterday, and any kind of rest after that would be welcome.”
“I’m not so sure that any assignment should be considered ‘rest’,” Sprocket commented.
“Better than doing yesterday all over again,” Sky quipped back.
The city continued to awaken as they observed.  More and more ponies emerged from their homes, headed to their jobs, or the market, or the homes of friends and family.  It was as though the pleasant weather had put everypony in a good mood, and smiling had become not only contagious: it was automatic.
“You know, I’ve been meaning to ask you about something,” Sky said abruptly.
Sprocket inclined his head back to where he could see his partner.  “I’m listening.”
“How do you put up with Hobo like you do?  I mean, he’s constantly infringing on your relationship with Juggles, and yet, I’ve never seen you get angry or upset with him at all.  If somepony was hitting on Lily like that, I’d have planted him in a flowerbed somewhere.”
The earthen-toned pegasus smiled as Sky finished.  “Oh, it’s a number of things.  Part of it is that I think I’m a bit more patient than you are,” he began.  He waved to a lone pegasus as she flew by.
“Can’t argue with that.”
“I suppose it gets annoying and old, but you know, I think the main reason I’m alright with it is because of two things.  Juggles always seems to enjoy the attention, for one.”
Sky raised an eyebrow skeptically.  “Like she doesn’t get enough attention from you?”
“Touché.  But she’s an entertainer at heart, which means that she likes being in the spotlight, and I think that Hobo fulfills that desire for her, to a degree.”
“And the other thing?”
“I trust her,” he replied, letting his eyelids fall while his smile softened.  “We understand each other, and I know that she’s devoted to me, like I’m devoted to her.  So Hobo can do whatever he wants.  I know that no matter what, Juggles and I will still be together at the end of the day.  And that’s more than enough for me to be able to put up with whatever Hobo can do.”
“Huh.”  Sky tapped his chin with his hoof.  “Well, if it was Lily he was hitting on, I’d be flossing his teeth with barbed wire.”
Sprocket’s eyes reopened into a disturbed look.  “That sounds like it’d be painful.”
Sky threw his head back, flicking a few free hairs from his mane out of his face.  “I’d hope so.”
Sprocket tried to stifle a laugh.  “You know, I can’t help but think that you and Lily are just a bit different than Juggles and myself.”
The remark didn’t surprise Sky one bit.  “That’s probably because we are.  I mean, you and Juggles knew each other since you were foals, and you’ve been dating for...what, a few years now?”
“Three.”
“Speaking of which…anything special on the horizon?” Sky teased.
A bright red cardinal descended onto Sprocket’s head and began to settle down.  “Uh, Sprocket?  You have a—”
“He’s fine,” he said, cutting Sky off.  “He’s not bothering anypony…including me.”
Sky’s confused look persisted, but he let the matter drop.  “Ooooo…kay.”
“But even if I had something planned,” Sprocket said, picking up where he had left off, “I doubt you’d find out about it before she would.”
“Good answer.  But I guess what I’m trying to say is that you’ve had a long time to get to know each other and let your relationship mature.  Lily and I…well, as much as I try to say otherwise, we got together pretty quick.”
“Yeah, you met her and two days later you were on your first date?  Right after saving the windigo kingdom and an Equestrian colony?  Yeah, that wasn’t rushed at all.  Nice and methodical,” Sprocket said, elbowing Sky in the ribs.
“Yeah, yeah, yuk it up,” Sky said, rolling his eyes.  “But I believe that as soon as I met Lily, I knew she was something special.  I had never noticed how...incomplete...I felt until I met her, and that was because she filled those missing parts of me.  She made me feel whole.”
“That’s the sign of a good relationship,” Sprocket nodded.  “Juggles and I are the same way.  She’s way more enthusiastic than I am, so she pushes me from my introverted-ness, and I help her see things from a calmer perspective before she gets in over her head.”  He casually shook his mane, and the cardinal spread its wings, attempting to hold its balance.  “Oh, sorry there, bud,” Sprocket apologized.
A thought suddenly came to Sky.  “Have you ever met Fluttershy?  You know, the Element of Kindness?  She’d be doing pretty much the same thing as you right now.”
“I’ve never had the privilege of meeting her in pony,” Sprocket admitted, “but I’ve heard others compare me to her before.”
“It’s a fair comparison,” Sky assured him.  “I’m wondering if you aren’t siblings, and one of you was adopted.”
The cardinal turned and regarded Sky curiously.  “Doubtful.  Though I’m honored to know that I resemble her in that way.  It’s high praise to be mentioned in the same sentence as any of the Elements,” Sprocket replied.
They continued to watch in silence for another hour or so.  The cardinal sat contentedly atop Sprocket’s head, only occasionally shifting to stay comfortable.  A familiar blue jay eventually landed nearby, eyeing Sprocket and his avian companion.  After a few moments, it seemed to decide that the good spot on the first pony was taken, so he fluttered over and landed on Sky’s shoulder.
“Can I help you?” he asked the bird, feeling as though his personal bubble was being invaded.
Sprocket turned and smiled as he saw the second bird.  “Aw, you made a friend, Blitz!”
But Sky was unamused.  “Wonderful,” he said, perfectly deadpan.
“Oh, cheer up,” Sprocket admonished.  “Birds won’t land just anywhere.  They only settle on places they trust.  Apparently, your little friend there thinks you’re a trustworthy fellow.”
Sky eyed the bird, who squawked at him, hopping back and forth on his shoulder.  “Fine, you can stay there,” he said at last.  “Just let me know if you see something strange.  I’d appreciate the extra pair of eyes.”
The bird squawked again, which Sky took as an affirmative.  Together, the four of them sat, watching the city below.  Ponies came.  Ponies went.  Back and forth and all over the city.  The bakery.  The market.  Restaurants.  Homes.  All over the city they went, busy with their lives.
And no sign of anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.
Finally, Sprocket spoke.  “I don’t like it.”
“Sorry?” Sky asked.
“I don’t like this,” he explained.  “We’ve been up here for hours, and we haven’t seen a thing.”
“So?  Isn’t that a good thing?”
“It would be, if I could shake this feeling in my head.  I just can’t help but think that Solace knows more than she’s letting on.”
Sky’s heart rate suddenly increased.  Celestia might not have known more than what she told, but she certainly suspected more.  She had shared those thoughts with Sky several times over the past few days.  Dire concerns about the enigmatic foe that had yet to reveal himself (or herself) since the Chimera’s defeat.  And if those suspicions turned out to be right…
“Solace is smart, but she’s also wise,” Sky countered.  “Even if she does know more than she’s told us, I’m sure she’s doing it because it’s in the best interests of Equestria to do so.”
“Oh, like how the Guard is kept a secret from the citizenry of Equestria for their own safety?” Sprocket answered.
It was a fair point.  Not even Twilight, Equestria’s newest princess, had been trusted with the knowledge of the Alicorn Guard’s existence.  And most attributed it to the extreme dangers that the Guard was forced to brave during its missions to defend the land and the ponies that they loved.
“We do some of the most dangerous work in Equestria, Blitz,” Sprocket continued.  “If Solace doesn’t trust us with the information regarding an enemy, then just how dangerous might it be?”
Sky could feel the sweat beginning to form on his forehead.  The blue jay rose from its sitting position on his shoulder and squawked at him again, as though it could sense his sudden anxiety.
“Plenty dangerous,” Sky said in a raspy voice.  His mouth had gone dry.
“It could be worse than that,” Sprocket continued, though his voice had begun to sound distant to Sky.  “It could be like Nightmare Moon, Discord, and the changelings all at once.  It would be like the wars of old.”
The sun seemed to darken in Sky’s vision, and a shadow crept across Canterlot.  A black mist rose from the ground, shrouding the city in darkness.  Sprocket’s voice echoed in his ears.  “Could you imagine that, Blitz?  A full-scale war?  I can’t begin to fathom what would happen if it came to that.”
Flames suddenly erupted from the buildings below, filling the air with plumes of smoke.  Buildings crumbled and the sounds of screaming rose from the ruins below.  And in the black sky above, three pairs of glowing red eyes opened up and stared down in satisfaction upon the devastation below.
Sky shook his head free of the vision.  Dream on.  I’ll stop you long before that even comes close to happening.
His vision refocused as the landscape returned to normal.  “I try not to think about it,” he answered at last.
“Can’t blame you,” Sprocket agreed.  “It’s not a pretty picture, is it?”
Not at all.
“I just hope Solace knows what she’s doing.  The secret around what we’re looking for, leaving Canterlot and placing Mystic in charge, when we all know she’s been a bit…depressed...lately, the attempted theft of the Crystal Heart…I mean, it just feels like something is going to happen.  It’s like how you can feel the tension in the air right before there’s a storm.”  He snorted and let his head fall, causing the cardinal to jump and retreat to the nape of his neck.  “Does that make sense, or am I just rambling?”
“No, I understand,” Sky said.  “And you’re right, it feels like the edge of a storm, right before it hits.  I just hope that we’re wrong.  Because if the fringe of the storm feels like this, then the storm itself must be horrible.”
“Insightful,” Sprocket commented.  “But you know, if the storm does come, that’s why we’re here, isn’t it?  The Alicorn Guard?  It’s our job to handle that.”
“Yeah.”
 And we will.
> Intermission
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     So, that’s the way it’s going to be, is it, Celestia?  Trying to bait the trap?
Canterlot was a glimmering jewel in the sunlight as he stared through the open window.  It was a cloudless day, and the blue sky was so pristine that it would have seemed inviting enough for a hippo to try and take flight.
Celestia had left the city under the guise of going to investigate the attempted theft of the Crystal Heart, but it was obviously a feint.  Sky Streak and Celestia were perfectly aware of the threat that still existed, and they were smart enough to put two and two together.  The Crystal Heart wasn’t the goal; that was merely a distraction.  The true goal lay somewhere else in Equestria.
And Celestia had left it ripe for the taking.
Oh, she thought she had left Canterlot safe.  She had left behind the royal guard.  She had left behind her precious Alicorn Guard, the most elite squad of ponies tasked with defending Equestria.  And, most of all, she had left behind Luna, her dear sister, whom she trusted with ruling the empire in her stead.
And if she thought that any of that would be enough, she was drastically mistaken.
The figure smiled and observed the city.  It was a typical enough day, with ponies busily scurrying about with appointments and errands that needed doing.  But the lovely weather made it hard not to smile, whether one’s intentions were good or evil.
I wonder…do you know how long I’ve waited for this chance, Celestia?  How long we have worked from the shadows, silently plotting and waiting for our opportunity to strike?  But our patience has been rewarded: for every moment we waited, we were able to strengthen our grip in this city.  We grew stronger and drew closer, until failure was unimaginable.  And now it is impossible.
Laughter became nearly impossible to hold back.  Success was inevitable.  Order would be restored, and the balance of power that had been absent in Equestria for a millennium would return.
Have a safe trip, Celestia.  Remember how it looked when you left.  It will not be the same when you return.
So much to do, though.  Time was of the essence.  So, what do I take care of first?
Another glance out the window revealed a pair of pegasi, seated several hundred feet away on top of the observatory.  Both were donned in the all-too-recognizable golden armor of the royal guards.  One was gray with a sandy mane and tail (and a red bird on top of his head), while the other, despite the dull gray cloak he was wearing, was unmistakably Sky Streak…with a noisy blue jay sitting on his shoulder.  A chuckle reached the air, but it was permissible.  It was only logical.
What was the easiest way to ensure victory?
Eliminate the opposition.
> Chapter 10: Traitor!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Palace
April 27, 11:42 AM

Sky stood patiently outside the doors to the throne room.  He was adorned only by his beloved blue shoulder wrap (which was quickly becoming his trademark among the royal guards), along with the two brooches Lily had given him.  Standing on either side of the massive closed doors were two royal guards that he knew well: Redeye, the jittery recruit that had given him Zecora’s letter, and Night Crest, one of the lights Sky had encountered during his out-of-body experience following his third battle with the Chimera.
Sky turned a compassionate gaze to Redeye.  “You seem better today,” he commented.  “Less jumpy.”
“Thank you, sir,” the unicorn replied.
“Been laying off the coffee?”
Redeye managed a smile.  “Smaller mugs.”
Sky snorted.  “Ah, well…that’ll do it, too.”  He turned to Night Crest on his left.  “And how are you, Crusty?” he asked, referencing his friend’s nickname.
“Doing alright.  Been working more day shifts now that Luna’s having to take the throne in Celestia’s absence.  My sleep schedule’s all thrown off, but I’m managing,” the navy blue pegasus answered.
“Red over there doesn’t have that problem,” Sky said, peeking over at the other guard from under his eyelids.  “He’s on a constant caffeine high from all that coffee.”
Redeye didn’t make any physical movement to indicate he had heard the remark, but he offered a comment nonetheless: “I said I was using smaller mugs.”
The pegasi had a good chuckle at the unicorn’s expense when the doors suddenly glowed with a deep blue magic.  The sound of creaking hinges echoed down the corridor behind Sky as the doors slowly swung open.
“Princess Luna will see you now,” Night Crest said stoically.
“Thanks for that; I never would have guessed,” Sky quipped as he passed the guards and entered the hall.
He strolled into the room, the sound of his steps muffled as the carpet absorbed the contact of his hooves with the floor.  It was just the same as it usually was: brightly lit, with a pair of royal guards on either side of the throne.  The only noticeable change was the pony that graced the throne itself: Celestia was still away, continuing her investigation of the attempted heist of the Crystal Heart with Cadance and Shining Armor.  In her place, she had left her sister…
“Princess Luna,” Sky said as he reached the foot of the throne and bowed respectfully.
“Sky Streak,” Luna replied, inclining her head in response to his bow.  “What brings you to the throne room today?”
Sky quickly shot each of the guards on a look, then returned his eyes to the princess without a word.  Her eyes gleamed with comprehension as she nodded.  “Guards, please leave us.  We have matters to discuss between ourselves.  You may join the others outside this throne room until we are done.”
“As you wish, Your Highness,” the guard on Sky’s left answered.  Sky stood calmly as they passed him and took what seemed to be hours reaching the doors.  Finally, a familiar creaking was followed by a solid thud, and he finally unlocked his lips.
“Princess Luna, how are you?  I’ve been meaning to come see you, but ever since the mission, I’ve been busy.  You know, with Celestia leaving and the sudden increase in security and all…”
“I doubt you truly need an answer to that,” Luna replied.  Her face was proud and regal, but behind her eyes, Sky could see the look of a pony tormented with thoughts of regret.  “Little has changed.  Still the tragedy of my past haunts my steps.  How can I move on?”
Sky shook his head, as his mind and heart defiantly searched for the right thing to say.  “I believe that Storm Emblem would want you to move on.”
Luna’s eyes opened wide, but she concealed any emotion behind a fresh mask of stoicism.  But Sky wasn’t done.  “Celestia wants you to move on.  So do I.  And I think all of Equestria wants you to move on.  They have a chance to live under the benevolent rule of both of the alicorn princesses.  That’s an opportunity that nopony has had for one thousand years.  If I may be so bold,” he continued, confidence building with each word, “I don’t think you should withhold that from them.”
The mask of solemnity over Luna’s face finally cracked and broke apart.  The tears welled up in the princess’ eyes, and she slumped in her seat, burying her face in her hooves, sobbing uncontrollably.
Sky found himself ascending the stairs, quite without having intended to.  But instead of catching himself, he proceeded until he was directly before the throne, merely a foot from Luna’s face.  Her tears pooled at his hooves.  “Princess,” he said softly, “Equestria needs you.”
Luna raised her eyes from her hooves, and in an instant, their eyes met and locked.  But something was different.  As Sky looked on, he noticed that Luna looked…younger.  Much younger.  Hundreds of years, perhaps more.  Luna’s hoof stretched out to his face and gently stroked his cheek.  Sky drew back, startled, but he said nothing.  His voice had been snatched away.
And then, just like that, everything returned to normal.  Her hoof withdrew, and she looked much the same as she always had.  She rose up again, wiping the tears from her strangely wild eyes.  “Sky Streak,” she said abruptly, as though she was surprised to see him.  But she slowly seemed to master herself and calm her anxious spirit.  “Ah, forgive me,” she said.  “I…my mind must have wandered,” she concluded enigmatically.
“Princess?” Sky prodded, still shaken.
“I am alright,” she assured him.  “I am sure I’ve mentioned this to you before, but you remind me so much of Storm Emblem, sometimes, I see him instead of you.”
“You’ve said something like that,” Sky said, feeling a bit awkward.  The sequence had rattled him, in addition to having left him with one burning question: If she sees me as Storm Emblem, then am I seeing her as he would have seen her?
“They say that a pegasus’ greatest asset is their wings,” he heard Luna say, and to his surprise, she was smiling down at him.  “And your wings are certainly a mighty blessing.  But your heart is something special, Sky Streak.  It sees deeper than your eyes, and it understands more than your senses would tell you.  It is as though you have a special ability to connect with those around you and understand them better than perhaps even they themselves do.”
Sky could feel himself blushing.  “Oh, well, if that’s the case, then I’ll give Lily credit for that.  She’s the sensitive one between the two of us,” he said, rubbing his neck nervously.
Luna’s smile seemed especially bright, perhaps because it had been so long since he had actually seen it.  Her depression had concealed it for quite some time, but seeing it again lifted his spirits and brought his own smile, unbidden, to his face.  “Then she has rubbed off on you considerably,” Luna replied.  “Thank you, Sky Streak.  I feel…better, I think.”
“It is my pleasure to be of any service,” Sky said with another bow, simultaneously wishing that he would have said more and wondering if that came out too formally.
“And while I suspect that was part of the reason you came to me, I do not think it was all you came to see me about.”
She thinks I’m perceptive?  I swear, she sees right through me.  “That’s right, Princess,” he admitted.  “Though I think everything I have to say from here on out will be of lesser importance than what we’ve already discussed.”
Luna nodded again, and Sky continued.  “I honestly wanted to know if it was your idea or Celestia’s to have a pair of birds keep an eye on me a few days ago while I was out on patrol.”
Luna stared blankly at him for a short moment, when she suddenly began to chuckle softly.  Sky’s face contorted into a look of confusion.  “Ah, I had forgotten about that!” she giggled.  “That was Celestia’s idea, in its entirety.  She mentioned that you had noticed when we had sent ponies out to observe you, so she suggested that if we used some of Canterlot’s native wildlife, you might be less suspicious.”  She regarded him with a gentle grin.  “Though it seems you’re simply too alert to be fooled.”
“Oh, well, I don’t know about—”
A sudden boom shook the floor, causing both inhabitants of the hall to rise into the air instinctively.  Sky was the first to recover, spinning and looking in all directions, searching for any kind of threat to the Princess’s safety.
“By the Founders, what was that?” Luna asked, looking bewildered as she settled onto the floor before the throne.
Sky was still in the air, but at the very least, whatever it was didn’t seem to be anything dangerously close.  But the memory of the Chimera using its power to shake the city took a firm hold of his mind.  “I’m not sure, Your Highness,” he replied.  “But it sure felt like it came from…”  He hesitated as the significance of the thought solidified.  “…from beneath us.”
“It certainly did,” Luna agreed, her brow furrowed in worry.
Just then, the great doors to the hall burst open, and the four royal guards charged in.  “Princess Luna!” Night Crest shouted as he and the other three guards reached her, “Are you unharmed?”
“Yes, I am fine,” she said.  “Sky Streak, I suggest you go investigate that blast.”
He didn’t need to try and read between the lines to understand what she meant: Get to the Alicorn Guard HQ.  Now.
“On my way, Princess!” he called as he flew from the chamber, leaving an electric blue trail behind him as he went.
He shot through the halls of the palace, bouncing off walls and zig-zagging through the corridors as he raced to get to the entrance to the underground bunker.  Guards and maidponies ducked out of his way and watched him as he careened down corridors, flying like he had been fired from a cannon.  He was less than fifteen seconds away from the hidden entrance when Ace’s voice shouted into his head.  Blitz!  Blitz, you there?
I’m here, Ace.  What the hay was that explosion?
You’ll never believe it.
All the more reason to tell me, Sky countered.
Listen, Blitz, just get down here.  There was an explosion in the lab, and we’ve got a fire spreading…I hate to even suggest this, but it looks like somepony’s gone and sabotaged the HQ down here, and…it’s bad.  Just hurry up and get down here; we can use all the hooves we can get!
Sky’s mouth went dry and dropped open.  Somepony SABOTAGED the Alicorn Guard?!  Who?  And how?
Not sure, Ace replied, the urgency in his voice serving to further Sky’s haste to reach his friend.  We’re trying to take a count to see who’s accounted for, but it’s tough with all the chaos.  But…well, we may be dealing with a traitor here, Blitz.
Sky’s stomach clenched as the story unfolded.  Ace’s voice was foremost in his mind, but in a close second was the echoing voice of the Chimera, warning him of the mysterious source of hatred that existed somewhere in Equestria.  Only hatred would cause somepony to attack another, he thought.  Have I been working with a traitor all this time?
As he reached the gateway, he pressed a hasty hoof against the forcefield, causing the hidden door to open.  But as he turned to descend its steps, an orange and red blur rocketed past him, laughing maniacally as it shot through an open window and into the clear Canterlot air.
“Whoa!” he exclaimed, jumping back involuntarily.  The wake of the object’s passing tugged at his wrap, jerking his head towards the open window.  He had barely managed to avoid it, but the blur of color that passed him told him everything he needed to know.
Blitz, you OK?
Ace, you’ll have to handle the situation down there without me.  He stared out the open window with new resolve.
What?  Why?  Where are you going?
I’m going after the traitor.  He just passed me as I was getting ready to come down the stairs.
Wait, who is it?

Nova threw another bucket of water on the fire.  Even through her breathing mask, the fumes from the burning chemicals of the laboratory created a putrid smell that caused her eyes to water.  But her singular focus was on putting out the fire.  Nearby, Riptide was directing water from any source she could find—buckets, faucets, leaky pipes—onto the fires to attempt to put them out.  Five or six others of the Guard were in the room as well, trying to suppress the flames in any way they could.  Ace had been helping, too, but he now stood like a statue, apparently paralyzed by something.
“Hey, Ace, get with it!” she called over the crackle of the flames.  “We need more water on the fire by the mixing table!”
In response, his bucket, which had been suspended by his magic, rattled to the floor.  Apparently, his mind was focused elsewhere.
She shot down next to him and gave him a series of knocks on the crown of his head.  “Hey, Ace, you in there?  We’ve got a crisis to deal with!”
Ace recoiled from the blows, and when he looked at her again, his eyes were refocused, but filled with disbelief.  “Blitz isn’t coming,” he managed.
“What?!” Nova blurted, casting a look back at the roaring fires.  “Why the hay not?”
“He’s going after the traitor,” he said, shaking his head as if he was trying to dislodge something from his mane.  His eyes were pools of concern and denial.
“The traitor?  Who is it?”
“You won’t believe it,” he warned, regathering his bucket.
“Tell me anyways.”
As his eyes met hers, she saw the fiery rage of a pony that had been betrayed.  “It’s Nighthawk,” he said through clenched teeth.  “Blitz’s gone to confront Nighthawk.”

Sky’s vision was red.  Every beat of his heart was like a kick to the chest; his soul’s defiant struggle to push back the devastating truth of his current situation.  But no matter how hard he fought, one word echoed in his mind, a blaring siren that would not be denied.
Traitor.  Traitor.  TRAITOR.  TRAITOR.
“It can’t be,” he whispered to himself.  Below, Canterlot was nothing but a colorful blur of a backdrop as he pursued his quarry.  Up ahead, he could still see Nighthawk, racing along the edge of the mountain.  Sky had no idea where he was going or what he was up to, but he only had one objective at the moment.
Catch up.
He surged forward, beginning to close the distance between himself and the orange pegasus.  They continued to circle the mountain, higher and higher, neither slowing down in the least.  At last, just before they reached the Crown of the Mountain, Nighthawk came to a stop.  He turned where he floated as Sky approached.  But as Nighthawk’s figure grew in his vision, Sky noticed one peculiarity.
His eyes were closed.
A knot formed in his throat and his stomach twisted.  If he opens his eyes and they’re glowing red, I swear, I’ll hit him so hard he’ll go through this mountain.
“Ah, Blitz, you have questions for me, I’m sure,” Nighthawk began.  Aside from the obvious, his behavior was strangely formal for one whose current circumstances involved being the primary suspect of sabotage and betrayal.
“Yeah,” Sky replied, momentarily managing to suppress his anger.  “First one: why?”
“Why?” he echoed, smiling crookedly.  “Oh, did you really think that the mighty Alicorn Guard was so secret that none would know about it?  Celestia assumed that this city would be safe under your watch while she was away, didn’t she?  Neither you nor she suspected that your enemy was within your own ranks.  And there’s no faster way to expose vulnerabilities than to strike at the heart of a matter.”  He bared his teeth as his wicked sneer grew.  “And so I have.”
Sky’s mind erupted in a flame of emotions.  This was the truth.  It had been Nighthawk all along, orchestrating everything from behind the scenes.  
“You…you…YOU!” Sky shouted.  It was all he could manage through the red haze in his mind.
Nighthawk’s infuriating sneer persisted.  “Now where’s all that ‘peace and harmony’ you’re always going on about?  All I see is rage and anger.  I guess you really didn’t learn all that much from the fight back in the Painted Forest, did you?”
And as he finished, his eyes opened.  Sky fully expected to be greeted by the all-too-familiar sight of those glowing red eyes, but as he looked on, he was surprised to find that he was wrong.  They were not red, but they were not Nighthawk’s eyes, either.  They were completely black, save for a pulsing violet light in the center of where the pupils were supposed to be.  The sight broke Sky’s fury, giving him a moment of clarity.
“If you think I’m the same pony that lost that fight back then, then I’d wager you haven’t learned anything about me,” Sky said through gritted teeth.  “I was tasked with preserving the peace of Equestria, and if I have to fight to do that, then I will.”  He slammed his hooves together, causing sparks to fly.  “I’m gonna break you into a million pieces and bury them at the bottom of the ocean for what you’ve done,” Sky said, gritting his teeth.  “But tell me one thing first: how did you do it?”
“Oh, you want a full explanation?  I’m sorry, but I’m barely getting started with my plan.  If you want answers, you’ll have to stop me.”  With that, he tucked his wings and turned into a straight nosedive towards the city below.
“The hard way it is, then,” Sky replied, turning into his own dive.
The two pegasi accelerated towards the ground below like they were playing a game of chicken with the earth itself.  Nighthawk seemed to just slip through the air, smooth as silk, while Sky was a meteor, tearing through the air with tremendous force.
Just as Nighthawk reached the ground, he twisted his body parallel to the ground and caught the wind under his wings.  He reached out and lightly kicked against the ground with his rear hooves, barely losing any speed or momentum as he completed a near-perfect ninety-degree turn and raced between the buildings of a quiet Canterlot street.
Showoff.
Sky came in at an angle, spinning in the air to augment his turning radius.  As he entered the alley, he ducked under some line of drying laundry, which flapped wildly as he passed.  Several fell to the ground in his wake.  Look at him up there, trying to be all stylish and smooth, Sky thought.  Indeed, Nighthawk barely left any indication of his passing.  It was as though he wasn’t really even there: he was just a figment of a pony’s imagination.  Sky, on the other hoof…well, you couldn’t really ignore him.
And that’s when it hit him.  We’re totally visible.  
He had no cloak, no disguise at all.  Nighthawk was the same way.  They were both pegasi, and while Sky’s ability to use magic wasn’t entirely a secret, it wasn’t common knowledge.  Nighthawk, however, was, by all standards, just a royal guard pony.  He wasn’t a member of a secret society of ponies; he was just Firebolt, a pegasus of Canterlot.  If he started to use his magic…
And that was ignoring the fact that he was completely privy to many of the most confidential secrets of Equestria.  If he managed to let loose about the Alicorn Guard and even half of the knowledge he possessed, he could potentially shatter the peace of the realm and put countless other civilizations in danger.
I don’t have a choice, Sky thought.  I have to take him down now.  I can’t risk the safety of the realm just to preserve the secrets of my abilities.  Releasing a wave of magic through his body, he dashed ahead, pulling even with Nighthawk, who casually watched with those creepy eyes.
“Throwing caution to the wind, hm?” he called, and there was a cruelty to his voice that made Sky’s skin crawl.  “Very well.  You and me, Blitz!  Canterlot is our battlefield!  Prove to me that you are worthy of being my adversary!”  He decelerated slightly and gracefully rose into the air.  His wings began to emit an orange glow that grew and faded like a bonfire.  His eyes narrowed until they were mere slits.  And his sneer turned into a scowl that was the very essence of hatred and rage.
“I’ll be glad to finish you once and for all!” Sky shouted, rocketing towards Nighthawk.
The two met in the air, and a burst of blue and red illuminated the alleyway as their hooves slammed into each other.   The blast knocked Sky back, but he flattened his wings and spun, hoping to knock Nighthawk off balance.  But his teacher saw it coming and merely leaned out of the way.  “Haha, I can tell this is going to be too much for this little side street,” Nighthawk said, rising higher into the air.  “How about we go somewhere a bit more…open?”  He turned and retreated, skimming the tops of buildings as he headed for the center of the city.
Not good.  If he’s headed into the city, that’ll put other ponies in danger.  And I already know he’s perfectly willing to risk their lives to accomplish…whatever his goal is.  Sky was hot on his hooves, desperate to keep him within reach of his leg.  One thing was certain: Nighthawk was a pro.  He made everything look so simple, like it took only the smallest effort to do even the most technical and complex maneuver.
And that wasn’t going to be easy to counter.
Suddenly, Nighthawk stopped dead in the air, his leg firing out like a piston, aimed right for Sky’s quickly approaching head.  He barely saw it in time, managing to do a half-backflip, clearing the attack by mere centimeters.  His momentum carried him well past his orange-tinted foe, even without the added force of his wings, but as he turned back, a blast of magic slammed into his chest, sending him spiraling even further.
Can’t let him dictate the pace of the battle! Sky thought.  Gathering his wits, he conjured a magic spell of his own and waited for Nighthawk to re-enter his field of vision.  And in a split second, he was rewarded with a view of an upside-down smirking pegasus looking back at him.
That’s as appropriate a bull’s eye as I’ll ever have the opportunity to take aim at.
The spell torched the air as it sped towards its target.  Nighthawk managed to raise a magically-shielded hoof in time, and there was another flash of light as the two magics cancelled each other out.  “Nice try, but you’ll need to do better than that!” he taunted, lowering his hoof to see.
He had barely finished speaking before Sky’s hooves were planted in his back between his wings.  “I’m counting on it!” he shouted, kicking downward and unleashing a bolt of magic at the same time.  Sky heard a rush of air escape from his mouth as Nighthawk plummeted to the ground below, raising a cloud of dust as he landed.
To Sky’s dismay, a group of ponies had begun to assemble nearby, intently watching out of curiosity and concern.  “Clear out!” Sky said, flying overhead and waving his hooves desperately.  “It’s dangerous here!  You need to get to safety!”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” Sky heard from the settling dust cloud.  Nighthawk was brushing himself off, looking no worse for the wear.  He began to saunter over to where the onlookers stood, now suddenly wary of Nighthawk’s approach.  If nothing else, his eyes were enough to creep out just about anypony.  “There are very few places within Canterlot that could be safe from you and I, Sky Streak.”
Sky quickly landed and took a defensive posture.  If nothing else, he had to protect the innocent ponies of Canterlot.  “Run!” he shouted.  “Let me handle this!”
“So eager to be alone?” Nighthawk asked, his smirk returning.  “But I’d like to have witnesses to be able to testify to your failure here today.”
“Get real,” Sky snarled.  His body was taut as a rubber band pulled to full extension.  
“Oh, I am most serious,” Nighthawk returned.  The dust at his feet seemed to suddenly alight with fire as it swirled around his hooves.  “The culmination of everything starts today—with your defeat.”
The crowd of onlookers began to turn tail and run, apparently terrified by (What else?) a show of magic from a pegasus.  Sky held his position, but managed to relax ever-so-slightly at the sudden absence of innocent bystanders.  He watched as Nighthawk’s flames split into embers and streams that swirled around his body.  In response, Sky’s mane lit up, and his eyes radiated an electric blue.  Miniature bolts of lightning arced from his hooves to the ground, scoring the ground black along their paths.
“As I said, there are few places here that could withstand us, and that is most certainly the case should we get magic involved.”  He regarded Sky for a short moment.  “As it seems that we shall.”
“Shut up.”  Sky rose up, staring Nighthawk straight in the face.  “Talk is cheap.  You and me, right here, right now.  That’s all the discussion we need.”
“Suit yourself,” he said.
Sky made the first move.  He flipped into the air, dragging his rear hooves along the ground, then pulling them up in a vicious upward kick.  Nighthawk dodged the initial blow, but the dust that Sky’s hooves had accumulated flew into the air at the same time, clouding his sight.  He blew it aside with magic, only to reveal the light blue pegasus, barely a foot away, speeding in for a bruising tackle.
With blinding speed, Nighthawk managed to raise a leg and block the attack.  Their eyes met and held for a split second, until Sky noticed a radiating sphere growing between Nighthawk’s wings.  He withdrew his hooves and spun to his left just as the spell was released.  He rolled to his hooves in a flash and locked in again on Nighthawk.  Behind him, he heard the sound of a crash or explosion of some sort as Nighthawk’s spell collided with a home or building along the side of the road.  Inwardly, Sky grimaced, but he couldn’t focus on that right now.  He had a bigger problem to deal with.
Nighthawk’s wings suddenly ignited in flames.  He rose into the air and began to spin rapidly, encasing him in a whirlwind of flames.  For a second, Sky was entranced.  He had always heard of Nighthawk’s prowess in battle, but he had never actually witnessed it.  Truth be told, it was quite a sight.
The flaming tornado suddenly sped on him, and Sky’s mind snapped back to reality.  Mustering all the speed he could manage, he dove into a forward somersault, pressing his wings against each other.  As he came around in his flip, he released a blast of magic out of his wings, emerging as a blade of energy that crashed into Nighthawk’s inferno, dissipating it.  Sensing an opening, Sky thrust forward with a free hoof, aiming right into the jaw of his opponent.
His leg suddenly felt like it was caught in a vice.  Nighthawk stood on his hind legs, holding Sky’s outstretched leg between two of his own.  “Sorry, Blitz, but I’m just one step ahead of you.”  He entwined his leg with Sky’s and smiled confidently.
“Oh, I was planning on that,” Sky countered, flashing a smug grin, laced with the bitterness of betrayal.  He locked his leg with Nighthawk’s, sparked a pulse of strength-enhancing magic, and hurled Nighthawk into the air.  He watched with satisfaction as the orange pegasus flailed his legs and wings in a wild attempt to regain control.
As he finally re-oriented himself, he looked down with disdain on Sky.  “You know, that smug attitude of yours is beginning to get under my skin,” he said.  “I was content to play with you for a while, but if you think you’re all that, then let’s drop all pretense and just go all out.”  He gestured with his hoof to where Sky watched.  “Shall we?”
No words were necessary at this point.  Sky slowly ascended, rising until he was level with his adversary.  The air was alive with magic.  Flashes of blue and orange danced between the pair of pegasi like danger flares; harbingers of the impending battle.
In perfect unison, the pair launched themselves at each other, hooves reached to full extension as they raced to their imminent collision.  Sky’s navy and silver mane shimmered in the wind, while Nighthawk’s iridescent red mane rippled with magic.
Their hooves met, and the peace of Canterlot shattered.
> Chapter 11: Broken Skies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Palace
April 27, 12:02 PM

Why?  Why, sister, why now?!
Luna galloped through the hallways of the palace, flanked on either side by her faithful guards.  The truth was evident: she knew all too well the aura of Sky Streak’s magic, but that was not what concerned her.  No, she knew the other magic, as well.  It could have been none other than Nighthawk, the commanding pegasus of the Alicorn Guard.
And yet, she could not shake the feeling that while it was definitely Nighthawk, it was also certainly not him.  At least, not as she had known him.  The magic felt familiar to a degree, but it also felt…twisted.  Dark and menacing in a way that made her shudder.  It felt cold and black.  It felt like…
No, she thought.  I must not dwell on her.  I must focus on the here and now, not the past.
“Night Crest!” she called to the guard on her right.  “Set up a perimeter around the palace immediately!  You have direct authority over all guards, on duty or off!  Hurry!”
“At once, Your Highness!” the pegasus replied promptly.  He took to the air and slipped through a conveniently open window, diving to the lower levels to gather reinforcements.
“Redeye, stay with me!” Luna commanded to her lone follower.  “We must get to the north wing as quickly as possible!”
“The north wing?” Redeye managed between heavy breaths.  “But that’s just a dead end, isn’t it?”
“Just follow me!” Luna insisted.
“O-of course, Princess!”
They rounded a corner at full speed, and while Luna gracefully navigated the turn, the carpet gave way under Redeye, sliding out from under his hooves and sending him crashing into the wall.  Luna hesitated for just a moment to ensure he was alright.
And in that instant, her consciousness exploded.
It was like being electrocuted and roasted at the same time.  A magical shockwave unlike anything she had ever felt before.  Even the Elements of Harmony, in spite of all their power, had not exhibited a force as expressly violent as this.  She brought a hoof to her temple as she struggled to maintain control of her senses.  With one open eye, she squinted while looking out an open window, where she saw an amazing sight: a bolt of lightning split the sky, landing a strike in the seemingly open air above the city.  And from the impact area, a sudden ball of orange flame had blossomed like an eruption of some sort.
In spite of the pain in her head, she could not help but be spellbound by the scene.  She gradually opened her other eye and began to stagger closer to the window.  As she looked on, the wave passed, and the pain subsided, but the magical presence of Nighthawk and Sky Streak were as apparent as ever.  This was no mere spar.  This was a duel…possibly to the death.
An agonized groan grabbed her attention.  She whipped her head towards the sound to see Redeye, fighting in vain to get to his hooves.  In addition to his crash, the magic blast had probably knocked him clean out, and only now was he regaining consciousness.  She walked over to him and pulled him to a sitting position.  “Ugh…ow.  Princess, what was that?”
Luna shook her head.  “I am not entirely certain.  But whatever it is, I fear that it is just the beginning of something terrible.”
“Like…like the changeling invasion?” Redeye asked, still grimacing and shaking his head.
“No, not an invasion.”  Luna looked back down the hallway.  At the very end stood a doorway.  A sealed doorway that nopony could pass.  A forcefield covered the entrance, barring entry to all but those that knew its secret.  “I fear that it could be something much, much worse.”

He had long dreamed of the day he could fly alongside his teacher above the sprawling metropolis of Canterlot.  He had longed for the thrilling sensation of weaving and winding around the towering spires of the city, observing and learning from his mentor, improving his skills and adding to his repertoire of talents.  He had believed that in spite of all of his teacher’s cutting remarks and relentless criticism, nothing would ruin that moment.
But this was not at all what he had envisioned.
Instead of having the privilege of flying side-by-side with the single greatest flier he had ever seen, he was forced into engaging said flier in battle over the city.  And not just any battle, oh no.  This was a grudge match if ever there was one.  Nighthawk hadn’t just betrayed Equestria; he had used a monster to attack Sky, his family, his friends, and threatened to destroy everything he cared about.  Everything Sky had ever believed about his mentor had been torn to shreds, replaced by a dark truth he refused to accept yet could not deny.
Nighthawk hadn’t just used a monster; he was a monster.  And no matter how hard it was, that monster had to be dealt with, one way or another.
Sky twisted and tucked his wings as he shot through a tight alleyway.  Nighthawk was ahead of him, pulling suddenly and launching himself into the air like a firework.  Sky brought his rear hooves over his head and planted his fore hooves on the ground and maneuvered into a smooth cartwheel towards a gray brick building on the adjacent street.  He emerged from the alley in midair, steadying himself against the building as his rear hooves made contact.  His wings burst open, and with another mighty heave, he was off again, chasing his quarry.
Another glowing orange sphere shot towards him.  With a quick twitch of his wings, he rolled out of the way, keeping pace with the pegasus a dozen meters ahead of him.  “My magic too potent for you, Blitz?” he heard Nighthawk call.  “Can’t just break through it?  As reckless as you are, I thought that was your solution for everything!”
Sky’s brain readied about thirty different responses within a few seconds, but he managed to bite back all of them.  No need to play along with his little games.  I’m saving my magic for HIM, not his little party tricks. 
“You seem quite content to just sit back there and chase me,” Nighthawk shouted again.  “Why not come up here where we can resolve this…personally?”
Sky’s hooves twitched.  If there was one thing he wanted right now, it was the opportunity to beat this sad excuse of a role model in the most humiliating way possible.  He wanted to knock each of his teeth out one by one.  He wanted to rip out every hair from his mane and tail, weave them into a rope, and proceed to strangle him with it.  He wanted to hurl him into the sun and smile with satisfaction, knowing that his foe had received just recompense for his deeds.  It was no less than what he deserved.
But he reined in his emotions.  That kind of thinking nearly got me killed before.  I won’t make that mistake again.
Even so, he steeled his resolve and accelerated until he was even with Nighthawk.  The latter was smiling whimsically as Sky finally reached the point where he could see his face.  “Very good,” Nighthawk said, his voice a mix of satisfaction and amusement.  “Now we can settle this like stallions.”
Sky barely saw the motion of Nighthawk’s leg as it extended towards his face.  He quickly spun and brought his own leg up, knocking the attack aside and bringing his own hoof in for a counterattack.  But Nighthawk was already in the process of launching another strike, and their hooves met in a blaze of magic yet again.
Sky recovered and pulled into a direct charge at Nighthawk, desperate to put him on the defensive.  But as he reached his foe, the orange pegasus made a quick barrel roll to Sky’s topside and planted a hoof between his wings.  Sky barely had time to register the blow before he was careening out of control through the air.
The world was a blur of motion, and it took Sky a few agonizing moments to regain his senses.  As the world spun by, Sky managed to make out the distinct form of a familiar bell tower…and it was getting bigger.  And from all indications, he was going to be sharing that tower with the bell in just a few seconds.
He gritted his teeth and curled into a ball, bringing his wings in tight to protect them from the imminent impact.  His muscles were taut as a drawstring, but he tried to loosen them up.  The last thing he needed was to hit something at high speed as tense as he was.  He closed his eyes.
He felt the collision on his left flank.  The embossed surface of the bell pressed into his skin as a deafening gong filled his ears.  His body angled into a new direction, and he crashed into what felt like a pile of wood before finally coming to merciful stop.
The tumbling, the collision, and the sound of the bell had managed to scramble his brains, leaving him stunned for a few seconds.  He eventually managed to clear the cobwebs from his brain, and after shaking his head, he surveyed his surroundings.  The large brass bell in the center of his vision was still swinging back and forth.  All around him were strewn short wooden planks that had broken from several crates that he had landed on.  Incredibly, none had managed to impale or lacerate him, though he spotted a number of small splinters mingled in his light blue fur.
“I’m sure you’ll remember that in the days to come,” said a voice behind him.  Sky swung around and spread his wings as he stared into Nighthawk’s unsettling eyes.  He stood perfectly perched on a section of railing around the tower.  “You could say that it might ‘ring a bell’.”
A burst of magic from Sky’s hooves sent the broken planks in all directions, and Nighthawk was back in the air in the blink of an eye.  Sky wasted no time in giving chase, and was relieved to find that his wings were still in good working condition.  He’s good, but he doesn’t have what I have.  The support of my friends and loved ones gives me my strength.  That’s better than anything he can throw at me.
“You were always a fighter, Blitz,” Nighthawk said, staring down at Sky as he closed in.  “Never one to give up.  And I knew that one day, that would get you in trouble.  That day is today.”
With a defiant snort, Sky threw caution to the wind and launched himself at Nighthawk, proceeding to commence a furious melee assault on his foe.  Their legs and hooves became blurs of motion, parrying and deflecting the other’s attacks while retaliating with their own.  They followed an awkward trajectory over Canterlot, as each blow redirected their flight.  To the onlookers below, the scene must have appeared either humorous or highly disconcerting.  Probably both.
They continued their battle over Canterlot, with the occasional magical flash creating shadows from the spires of the city.  Sky could feel his body tiring as his blows became slower and weaker and his concentration started to lag.  C’mon, Sky!  Keep your head in the fight! he urged himself.
A sudden hoof in his right flank sent him spiraling through the air yet again.  The blow was painful and physically disorienting, but it did produce one positive effect: it was a jolt to his brain.  His brain received a new dose of adrenaline as his body reacted to the impact.
He saw the mountain getting closer and closer as he hurtled towards it, but the quick glimpses of Nighthawk indicated that he was hot on Sky’s hooves…which gave him an idea.  Flattening his wings, he steadied his careening body into a flat spin, focusing on trying to time his approach just perfectly.  As the mountain made contact with his hooves, he could almost feel Nighthawk’s breath as he closed in for another strike.
Perfect, Sky thought with a smile.
He looked back just in time to see Nighthawk’s eerily-satisfied scowl bearing down on him.  But the look of confidence faded when he saw Sky’s own smug grin as his body pivoted around his hooves against the mountain.  He was quickly rewarded with the crack of his rear hoof against Nighthawk’s jaw.  An extra jolt of magic was enough to send Nighthawk hurtling headfirst through the air along the side of the mountain like a missile.
Sky pushed off from the rock face and resituated himself as he took off in pursuit of his foe.  That caught him off-guard, he thought, a sudden confidence lending him new strength.  Now’s my chance!  Every beat of his wings bolstered his belief that victory was within his grasp.
Suddenly, Nighthawk’s wings, which had rippled lifelessly against his body as he reeled from the force of Sky’s blow, burst to full spread, bringing him to an abrupt stop.  Sky continued his approach for a split second until he heard a voice speak to him.  
“That’s enough, Blitz.”
It stopped him dead in the air.  It was Nighthawk, and yet…it was more.  It was a mixture of voices that blended together in such a way that one couldn’t separate each individual voice, but even so, it was obvious that it was more than one voice that was speaking.  It was unnerving, to say the least, and it made Sky’s skin crawl.  But what was more was the vivid imagery of another foe he had faced that had much the same vocal patterns.
The Chimera…
And, in a single moment, the situation changed dramatically.
Nighthawk swung his head around.  His eyes were no longer the dark orbs of the void from before.  Now they burned with an orange-white intensity as flames seamed to leap from the corners of each eye.  His mouth was turned into a hateful scowl, and his mane whipped in a wind that didn’t exist.  His whole body seemed to radiate a sudden dominating power that hadn’t been there before.
And, much to his dismay, Sky felt fear.
Nighthawk was an impressive flier.  He had been a brilliant teacher.  But nothing could have prepared him for seeing him as a warrior.  In everyday life, he had been a relatively unassuming pony.  No one would have suspected that he was capable of becoming something like…this.
Sky’s first instinct was to turn tail and flee.  And despite his stubborn pride’s insistence that he face his foe, his body began to tremble.  Beads of sweat rose on his forehead and quickly ran down his cheeks.  What’s wrong with me?  I’m supposed to take this guy down!  Not sit here like some spectator at a freak show!
But no matter what he tried, he simply could not find the strength to move, much less attack.  It was as though his will was suppressed, and his spirit was cowed into submission.  “You fight plenty well, Blitz, but there’s a lesson you’ve yet to learn,” Nighthawk hissed, floating ever closer to where Sky hovered.  “The most important lesson: no matter how good you are, there is always someone better.  You can only hope that you never have to face them.”  He regarded Sky with eyes that were little more than slits.  “Looks like you were just unlucky.”
Nighthawk’s leg abruptly thrust forward into Sky’s trachea, cutting off his breath.  But before he could even cough, he felt his back slam into something cold and solid.  All the while, Nighthawk’s hoof continued to press into his windpipe.  Straining through the pain, Sky could see Nighthawk’s hate-filled eyes mere inches from his own, still flickering with the consuming flames of his rage.  “The Chimera couldn’t kill you, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t,” he growled.  “Give that miserable creature my regards.”
Sky reached for Nighthawk in a fury borne of desperation, but he was still held against the rock wall by his foe’s hoof pressed into his throat.  He managed just enough air to sputter, but his legs were just a bit too short to land a blow against his attacker.  Spots began to dance across his vision as his brain began to suffocate.  And yet, he could still see the fiery orange glow of magic emanating from Nighthawk’s wings.
“Sleep well, Blitz,” he heard Nighthawk say.  Behind him, he heard a loud crack and felt the surface of the rock wall shudder.  His body lurched forward as he felt the hoof withdraw from his neck.  The air rushed in, and Sky began to gasp and wheeze uncontrollably.  His body dropped into a freefall, accompanied by a large slab of rock hurtling to the earth just above him.
He felt the wind rush past him as he plummeted.  Above him, the immense chunk of rock that Nighthawk had torn from the mountainside tumbled after him.  He was still trying to catch his breath, which was proving to be maddeningly difficult, probably due to the compression his trachea had to recover from.  He flipped right side up, hoping that the oncoming air would enter his lungs without much of an effort.
And there, fast approaching below, was the city of Canterlot.
Dangit.
He spread his wings, desperate to slow his descent.  But as he did so, he was interrupted as the boulder crashed into him, sending him sprawling out of its way as it fell like a meteor toward the city below.
No! he thought, recovering and racing back to the boulder.  Positioning himself underneath, he summoned all the magic and strength he could find and struggled against the immense momentum of the plummeting stone.  But for all his power, it was simply too much for any single pony to handle alone.  The wind continued to whip past him as the boulder seemed destined to crash onto a singular building below.
I can’t stop it! he thought as his mind scrambled for a solution.  But…maybe I don’t have to.  Maybe I can just send it in a different direction, away from the buildings of the city!  I should be able to do that!  Sure enough, closer to the side of the mountain, there were no buildings—the perfect place to plant an out-of-control boulder.
Gotta be fast about this.  He quickly circled the enormous rock and positioned himself opposite the mountainside.  He only had about ten, maybe fifteen seconds before the building below would be a scattering of splinters and gravel…not to mention anypony that happened to be inside.  Calling upon his magic again, he focused on a telekinetic spell that would, at the very least, redirect this hunk of rock to a less dangerous area.  He gritted his teeth and let loose his spell.
“Checkmate.”
Sky didn’t even have a chance to turn before he felt Nighthawk’s hoof collide with the side of his head, completely disorienting him and breaking his spell.  Instantaneously, the spots filled his vision again.  His ears rang, and his mind was sent reeling.  He had lost control of his body, and as close as the ground had been, he knew if he didn’t recover quickly, he’d come crashing into it in a matter of moments.
The world was a blur, a mass of color with the only reliable sights being the colorful specks that danced across his vision.  He felt his legs flailing around wildly, but he had no sensation in his wings.  His ears continued to ring, and the wind blew wildly around his head, but clear as day, a voice cut through the din.
“Good night, Blitz.”
There was a crash as Sky felt himself slam into something solid, then proceed to bounce off another dozen objects or so, and everything went black.

“Princess Luna!  Over here!  He’s over here!”
Luna?
Sky groaned and brought a hoof to his head.  Feels like I’ve got a blasted headache all over my body.
He slowly sat up, grimacing as his muscles ached in protest.  The sun was shining, but he found himself in a mostly-darkened shed of some kind.  Ahead of him, a hole had been blasted in the wooden wall, most likely where he had entered after Nighthawk had…
…Wait a minute…
He shot to his hooves in a heartbeat, suddenly alert.  The muscles in his back screamed, but a scowl was the only reaction that Sky allowed to indicate any discomfort.  His wings were equally sore, but he didn’t care.  The only thing that mattered was finding Nighthawk again.  He crouched and prepared to take off when a shadow appeared in the opening in the wall.  Sky was tempted to ignore it, but as soon as he recognized the silhouette, he instantly knew better.
A second shadow came up beside the first.  “In here, Your Majesty…oh.  He’s awake now.”
“Redeye.  Princess Luna,” Sky said, nodding to the both of them before addressing the one issue on his mind.  “Where’s Nighthawk?”
“He fled Canterlot.  But nevermind him,” Luna said, stepping over the debris.  As she approached, Sky could fully see the look of concern on her face.  “We have more pressing issues to deal with.  Are you alright?”
“What!?” Sky blurted, disregarding any proper courtesy he should have shown.  “He’s a traitor!  We have to stop him!”
“Rest assured, we will,” Luna replied, “but right now, we have things to address here.  A boulder fell off the mountain and has crushed a shop nearby.  We’re trying to search through the wreckage for any ponies that might have been inside and have survived.”
Sky blinked vacantly as the significance of the word took hold in his brain.  Survived.  He hadn’t considered that somepony might have…died…as a result of his battle.  He shuddered.  The desire to find Nighthawk did not vanish, but drifted from the forefront of his mind.  He was, first and foremost, a guardian of the realm and a protector of its citizens, and not an executioner, such as it was.  Nighthawk would have to wait.
“Alright,” he said, tucking his wings in and letting his head drop.  “Let’s deal with this.  I’ll deal with the turncoat later.”
He rose to his hooves and walked into the sunlight outside the hut.  He squinted as he left the darkness behind, but his eyes adjusted quickly.  In spite of its location on the edge of the city, this section of Canterlot did not seem to be residential; instead, he observed many business signs hanging over doors of several buildings.
However, his gaze was instantly drawn to a massive pile of debris off to his left.  The boulder had apparently cracked apart upon impact and now lay in three pieces in the middle of the wreckage.  As his hooves sifted began to sift through the fragments of the building, he found that alongside splinters and broken bricks and stones, there was a surprising amount of shattered glass littering the ground.  It was as though the majority of the building had been windows, as though its merchandise was meant to be on display constantly.
A knot formed in Sky’s throat.  He stopped dead in his tracks.  Luna looked over to him, wary of his sudden apprehension.  “Sky Streak?  Is everything alright?”
He quickly glanced around, senses suddenly on high alert.  The color drained from his face as he realized that every business sign looked familiar.  The bakery.  The furniture store.  The art emporium.  He knew every one of these places.  He had passed them on a walk through the city not even two weeks ago.
His mouth went dry.  Without a word, he broke into a sprint towards the wreckage.  Every ounce of his being desperately clung to the hope that everything would be alright.  Behind him, he heard Redeye and Princess Luna call out in alarm.  He began to toss aside the debris, simultaneously dreading and longing for something to confirm his fears.
A small group of royal guards turned to observe Sky’s frenzied assault on the ruined building, but they made no move to aid him.  Luna ran up beside him, appearing more confused than worried.  “Sky Streak?  What is it?  What’s wrong?”
Sky did not hesitate in his digging, but merely reached up to his shoulder wrap with one hoof and tugged at it until a small jeweled brooch appeared.  It was green on one edge, with a glistening white design rising from it like a flower emerging from a bud.  Luna gasped and stepped back.  Her eyes widened into shock and disbelief.  “No…you mean that she…?”
Sky sniffed back his suddenly runny nose and fought through the stinging in his eyes.  He had to know.  Beside him, Luna was now helping him toss aside pieces of wreckage.  His mouth was too dry and numb to speak, but he heard the princess call to the assembly of guards.  “All of you!  Start searching through this rubble!  We need to locate any possible survivors immediately!”
A hearty “Yes, ma’am!” echoed around the cul-de-sac, but Sky couldn’t have cared less.  He was fixed on one mission: find her.
His hooves tore through the rubble, relentlessly searching for anything that would serve to confirm or deny his fears.  Shards of glass and wood splinters surrounded him; dark omens of what may have remained of his life.  Luna continued to work beside him, removing large pieces of debris with her magic, along with the rest of the guards nearby.  They dug for what seemed to Sky to be several eternities, without finding anything.  Suddenly, off to his right, one of the guards called out.  “Your Majesty!  We’ve got a pony here!” he shouted in an urgent voice.
Sky and Luna were there in a flash, watching as the guards slowly removed the pony from the wreckage.  To Sky’s relief, it was the manager of the store.  He had suffered cuts and bruises all over himself, and he was unconscious, but he was alive.  A soothing sense of relaxation settled on Sky as he breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, almost immediately, the sensation faded.  Sky arched his eyebrow in confusion.  What the hay?
And then, he knew it.  That hadn’t been a sense of relief.  That had been magic.  A calming magic that had only lasted a few short seconds before inexplicably fading away.
Sky’s pupils slowly drifted across the whites of his eyes as he once again turned his attention to the remnants of the jewelry shop.  A small chunk of wall slid from its location on the pile, allowing the sunlight to spill into the hole it had left.
And, to Sky’s utter horror, he saw an unmistakable flash of white.
He surged forward, blasting the debris from the area with magic, revealing the broken body of the white unicorn.  Her normally green mane and tail were a mess of brown and gray, and her white fur was matted with a mixture of dirt and blood.  Sky felt as though his head were detached from his shoulders.  No…no…wake up, please.  Please wake up.  He reached down to her face and gently stroked her fur.  I’m begging you, wake up!  I need you!
Behind him, time slowed down as he heard the frantic shouts of Princess Luna giving commands to the rest of the royal guards, rushing to and fro.  But Sky’s focus was on the broken body of his beloved Lily.  The tears ran like rivers down his face, falling to the earth and pooling at his hooves.  His enemy had escaped.  Canterlot was in danger.  But, more than anything, the one pony in the entire world he cared for more than anything was here in his hooves, broken.  And he had been the one that had failed to protect her.
The anger and rage welled up inside of him.  He grew furious.  Furious with Nighthawk for his betrayal.  Furious for what he had done to the ponies he cared about.  But most of all, he was furious with himself for being unable to do anything about it.
He went numb.  Words failed him.  He threw his head back to the heavens above, where the sun cruelly beat down on a scene that was the epitome of Sky’s darkest dreams.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!”
> Chapter 12: The Times That Define Us
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Hospital
April 29, 11:26 AM

“Sky Streak?”
Sky groaned softly and groggily opened his eyes.  He wasn’t sure exactly when he had drifted off to sleep, but judging from the clock on the wall, it had been several hours ago.
He was lying on a long sofa in the white hospital room.  He had been there for the last two days, ever since Lily’s…accident.  Even now, he could hear the methodical beeping of the medical equipment as it worked to keep her alive.  Her eyes were closed and her breathing was dangerously shallow, but she was still hanging on.  For now.
The doctor’s prognosis hadn’t been good.  “I have to be honest; I’m surprised she’s alive at all.  She’s sustained extensive damage to her internal organs.  Even if she does survive, her life will never be the same.  She will probably need someone to help her with every little thing after this.  She might be paralyzed.  It’s hard to say.  But she’s got a long way to go before we’ll be talking about that.  For now, she needs to make it through this.”
He refused to accept the diagnosis, of course, but it was still a hard conversation to swallow.  To think that his beloved Lily might be crippled for life…it didn’t sit well with him.  And even before that, she was on the verge of…
He couldn’t say it.  He couldn’t think it.  It was enough that he was here beside her in a hospital of all places.  To consider the possibilities was more than he could bear.
He heard the voice call to him a second time.  “Sky Streak?  Are you awake?”
He reluctantly rose to a sitting position.  “I’m awake,” he answered softly in a neutral tone.
Princess Luna walked into the room.  In spite of her inherent elegance and royal demeanor, Sky couldn’t help but notice that she looked less of a monarch than she usually did.  Her eyes seemed sunken and tired, and her steps were slow and hesitant.  Apparently, the last forty-eight hours had taken their toll on her, as well.
“How is she today?”
Sky turned back to where Lily lay motionless in her bed.  “No change from yesterday,” he replied.  “Still in critical condition.  Doc Trotter’s monitoring her status on an hourly basis.”
“He’s a good doctor,” Luna nodded.  “He was the one that helped us take care of you after you were in that coma.”
“You’ve mentioned that before.”  Sky continued to fix his gaze on Lily’s serene face.  She was still as beautiful as she had ever been in his mind, but now, he could only grasp at memories instead of clinging to her.  Now, she was just a body in a bed; a husk of her former life and a portent of her future.  “What can I do for you, Princess?” he asked, changing the topic.
“Do?” Luna asked, sounding genuinely surprised.  “Sky, I would not ask you to do anything for me now.  I am just as concerned for Lily as you are.”
Sky was forced to bite back a bitter scoff.  There’s nopony that cares for Lily as much as I do.  No way, no how.
The silence seemed to indicate to Luna what Sky had been unwilling to say out loud.  “Well, then, how are you?”
Sky’s head drooped just a bit, and his eyelids followed suit.  “I’m not the one that part of a mountain fell on.”
The Princess was unwilling to let that remark go, however.  “Sky Streak, I beg you not to do this to yourself.  You cannot blame yourself for what has happened.  You did everything you could.  Nopony could have done anything more.  Think of all the lives you still managed to protect!”
An airy snort passed Sky’s lips.  He turned and looked at Luna with a hard gaze.  “Forgive me, Princess, but that sounds awfully ironic coming from you.”
Luna’s eyes widened, obviously taken aback by Sky’s blunt response.  Sky fully respected an angry retort, which would have pleased him just fine.  He was in the mood to argue.
But yet again, Luna surprised him.   She walked over beside him and sat on the floor where her eyes were even with his.  “Sky, I can only imagine what you must be feeling.  I have not suffered so great a loss of one that you cared about.  At least, not in this way.”
Sky permitted his eyebrow to rise as an indication of his curiosity, but remained silent.  “But it was not so long ago that your places were traded: you were the one lying in the bed, while Lily was left to sit by and pray that you would awaken to her again.  And here you are, but instead of facing this with the dignity and grace that she did, you sit here in self-pity and bitterness, refusing to accept the fact that this happened because you did the right thing.  Would it have been a fair trade if Lily was left unharmed, but countless others suffered as a result?”
Sky almost blurted out “yes,” but deep in his heart, he knew better.  It would have been an impossible trade.  Who was he to dictate who gets to live and die?  But that doesn’t make dealing with the consequences any easier.
He felt Luna’s wing settle over his back as her voice softened.  “Sky, you share your name with that big blue expanse above us.  And just like it, there’s too much of you to be defined by just one bad event.  There’s more to you than that.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but found that he had nothing to say.  For the first time since the accident, he had no caustic retort to somepony’s gracious attempt to console him.  Should’ve known, he thought.  Leave it to Luna to get to me.
“I just feel so…angry,” Sky managed at last.  “I’m frustrated and just...well, really mad.  I’m sitting in a hospital, and that’s one thing, but it’s not me in the bed!  It’s Lily!  She didn’t do anything!  She had nothing to do with this!”  His words began rush out like water released from a dam.  “It’s not fair, Princess Luna!  I’m the one that should be in that bed, if anypony!”  He paused suddenly as a new thought grabbed his attention.  “Because the one that did this deserves to be in a coffin.”
He could feel Luna’s frown without even looking.  “Sky, do you remember what I told you last year before you defeated the Chimera?  Right after you woke up?”
Sky shrugged.  “You said a lot.”
“Indeed,” she agreed.  “But in particular, do you remember what I told you about the darkness?”
The word sent a shiver down his spine.  Darkness.  Even if Luna was the Princess of the Night, the darkness carried a distinct meaning now—and not a pleasant one.  Ever since the Chimera had used Sky’s own rage and hatred against him as the purest black magic he had ever witnessed, he had been reluctant to associate himself with the word.  He wouldn’t have admitted that it was fear, but deep down he knew that was exactly what it was: a fear of what he was capable of.  A fear of what he might become.
“You told me that it’s the place within each of us where evil can most easily take hold,” Sky recalled.
“That’s right.  But I also told you that your darkness is not inherently evil,” she added.  “And it seems to me that whenever our darkness does turn evil, it is because we view somepony in an inaccurate way.  Inaccurate and inappropriate.”
“Inappropriate?” Sky echoed, becoming increasingly curious about the direction of the conversation.  “How so?”
“You believe that Nighthawk deserves to be punished for what he’s done, right?”
Sky simply stared at the princess.  The silence became uncomfortable when he finally spoke.  “I hope I don’t need to answer that.”
Her exasperated sigh made him regret letting his lingering bitterness.  “Sky, could you drop the attitude?  I like to think that I am a patient pony, but even my patience lasts only so long.”
The sense of shame that came upon him felt like getting hit by a herd of stampeding buffalo.  Here was Princess Luna, one of the most important mares in his life, and above that, a monarch of the realm, trying to help him specifically in the midst of trying to rule a nation, and all he could do was demonstrate ungratefulness and, beyond that, rudeness.  “I—I’m sorry, Princess,” Sky stammered, feeling like his racing heart had stolen away all his breath.  “I guess I’m just…”
“Lost,” Luna finished.  “And I can understand that.  But when another pony is trying to help you find the way, the least you can do is let them.”
“Yes, Princess,” Sky answered softly.
There was a brief period of silence, where the only noise was the sobering beep of the medical equipment beside Lily’s bed.  “Anyways,” she continued, “it’s not wrong to believe that Nighthawk deserves to pay for what he’s done.  He is guilty of a number of crimes, and justice dictates that wrongdoing deserves recompense.”
“Agreed.”  Sky looked again at Lily, whose face was now lit by a beam of sunlight from the window.  “But what does this have to do with an inappropriate view of others?”
“It’s easy to dislike wrongdoers, Sky,” Luna explained, rising to her hooves and pacing the floor.  “They’ve sinned against the law, and as such, they become targets for suspicion and anger.  I know that all too well.  The legends and tales of Nightmare Moon are evidence of that.”
“But…”
Luna turned to Sky and gazed at him approvingly.  “But just because they’ve done wrong doesn’t mean that they’re any less a pony than someone that’s never broken the law.  Everypony is somepony’s son or daughter.  I suppose that’s easier for me to accept because I’ve been there.  Evildoers deserve to receive judgment.  But what they don’t deserve is revenge.”
Sky’s brow furrowed.  “I don’t follow.”
“Sky, laws are in place to maintain order and a sense of balance.  And when a law is broken, a punishment is implemented to discourage its further breaking.  That’s our justice system.  And it affects everypony equally: no one is exempt from the law, from the youngest foal all the way up to Celestia and I.
“But revenge is entirely different.  It is not based upon a set of laws, but upon your perceived reality.  It’s an emotional response.  It causes you to see yourself as more important than the law, and see the one who wronged you as someone that is less than yourself because it ignores the law.  You take matters into your own hooves, and you lose control.
“And that’s when the darkness becomes evil.”
Sky’s mind flashed back to the battle in the Painted Forest.  He remembered the feelings of rage and hatred causing his blood to boil.  Every fiber of his being had just wanted to hurt the Chimera as much as he could.  And it had nearly cost him everything.
“Yes, that’s right,” Luna remarked, apparently privy to Sky’s thoughts.  “You lost control.  You were too focused on destroying your enemy instead of protecting those you cared about.  It wasn’t about Equestria anymore; it was all about you.  And when that happened, it all fell apart.  And if you should let it happen again,” she said, turning towards the door, “there’s no telling what may come of it.”
Sky gulped.  It was a terrifying thought.  “I think I understand,” he replied, “but it’s so hard, Princess.  Every time I look at Lily, I can feel those thoughts of revenge just beneath my skin, waiting to be let loose.  I know that Nighthawk needs to answer for what he’s done, but I don’t know if my mind is going to be able to keep my hooves from pounding him into the dirt.”
“To that end,” Luna answered as her horn lit up, “I’ve brought some ponies here to help you with that.”  The door swung open, and Sky’s gaze was drawn to four figures standing in the doorway.  From appearances, all four were old enough to have been his parents.  In fact…
Sky stared in disbelief.  “Mom?  Dad?”
The two pegasi hurried through the doorway.  Sky bounded off the couch and ran to meet them.  They met in the center of the room, and Sky quickly found himself tangled in a tight hug.
“Oh, sweetheart,” Feather Wisp sobbed.  She ran her hoof through Sky's mane, just as she had done so many times before.  “Honey, I’m so sorry.”
“Are you alright?” Midnight Sky asked.  His voice was thin and strained, possibly from a long night of talking…or crying with his wife.
“All things considered?”  Sky relaxed and let his head fall against his mother’s shoulder.  In spite of the tragic nature of the last few days, seeing his parents—two longstanding beacons of support in his life—gave him a reassuring sense of comfort.  “I’m…coping, I guess.”
His mother continued to stroke his neck and back gently, but his father released Sky from his hug and sat back onto his haunches.  “Son, there are some others here you should meet.”
His eyes drifted from the floor back to the doorway, where two unicorns approached.  The mare was quite lovely, with an off-white body with a braided mane and tail that were a curious shade of aquamarine.  Her husband was tall and slim, a deep red color that seemed to reflect an abundant amount of light, while his mane and tail were a warm golden color.  And even though Sky had never met these ponies before, he knew them.  Oh, he most certainly knew them.  And seeing them now stung his eyes as he realized how utterly heart-wrenching it was for them to enter this particular room.
“You must be Sky Streak,” the stallion said in a warm baritone voice.  There was no distinct accent that Sky could detect, though there was a peculiar formality to the way he spoke.  “I’m glad we were finally able to meet you.  We’ve certainly heard a great deal about you.”
He struggled to form words, but the mare took note and managed a welcoming smile.  “My name is Turquoise Twist, and this is my husband, Garnet Glint.  We’re Lily’s parents.”
Sky reached up and wiped away the tears forming in the corners of his eyes.  “Y-yes ma’am,” he stammered.  “Lily’s told me a lot about you, too.”  He twisted his neck to where Lily lay in her bed, then looked back to her parents.  “I’m…sure you want to see her,” he added, backing out of his mother’s embrace and bowing respectfully.
“We certainly do, but we’d like you to stay,” Garnet Glint replied.  “I’d personally like to have a chat with this young colt that has so thoroughly won my daughter’s heart.”
Sky felt his cheeks blush in spite of himself.  He caught sight of his parents, who were both smiling, but his father added a mischievous wink.  That’s Dad…ever the ladies’ stallion.
His thoughts were quickly interrupted upon hearing a sob from the other side of the room.  There, Lily’s parents stood side-by-side, but Turquoise Twist had begun to weep uncontrollably, while her husband held her close with his leg, trying to remain strong before a sight that undoubtedly shook him to the core.
Sky sighed softly.  It’s a rather cruel irony that Lily’s magic is just what we need here.
To his surprise, he heard another voice answer within his head.  No, Sky Streak.  What they need right now is YOU.
Sky’s head whipped to where Princess Luna stood quietly in the corner next to the door.  He had been so preoccupied with the arrival of his and Lily’s parents that he had forgotten that she was even in the room.  He gave her a curious look.  Me?
Yes, you.  Her eyes narrowed, but her expression seemed to brighten.  You are the one pony in this room that ties every other pony together.  Every single individual in this room is connected to you.  And right now, you are the one pony that is capable of holding them together and seeing them through this trial.
Sky stared blankly at the wall for a moment.  But…that’s not right.  It’s not supposed to be all about me, right?  It’s not just about one pony, but about us all.
You’re right; it’s not about just one pony.  Her eyes drifted around the room, lighting on every pony until finally settling back on Sky.  But in here, everypony needs something.  And it’s not about what YOU can give, but about how it helps everypony as a whole.
Sky considered for a moment, then nodded in understanding.  He slowly walked over beside Lily’s bed, where Garnet Glint had continued to console his wife, whose head now rested beside her daughter’s.  “I…I’m sorry.  This isn’t how I’d imagined meeting you.”
Turquoise sniffed and tried to control her sobbing, but it was Garnet that spoke first.  “Don’t be sorry,” he said quietly, his unusual formality subsiding just a bit.  “You have nothing to apologize for.”
But Sky couldn’t let himself off the hook that easily.  “But I should have been there!  I should have been able to prevent this!”
Midnight walked over and placed his leg around his son’s neck.  “Son, you were there.  In fact, it sounds to me like you’re still there.”  Sky’s head jerked up suddenly, where he found the compassionate eyes of his father staring back at him.  “I’m sure you did everything you could.  I can’t imagine you doing anything less than that.  But even so, no single pony can do everything.  And I know this is hard to hear, but you need to accept that maybe this was beyond your control.  It was beyond everypony’s control.  I’d wager that not even Celestia or Luna could have prevented what happened.”
A feeling of frustration once again rose in Sky’s mind.  He pulled away from his father and walked towards the nearest wall with an exasperated sigh.  “Fine.  But that still doesn’t explain why.  Lily was a source of strength for me.  She…she completed me.”  His mind drifted back to the first time he had told her that, on their first date on the frozen tundra outside Polarmino.  He could still see that orange sunset, reflected off the mounds of snow in all directions; a frozen fire more beautiful than anything…save the mare he had shared the moment with.  “But now,” Sky continued as his mind snapped back to the present, “now that she can’t be with me, I feel lost.  It’s like…”  He paused, searching for the proper analogy.  “It’s like Shining Armor without Princess Cadance.  Or like Mom without Dad.”  He watched as his mother moved closer to his father and leaned up against him.  He could see the glistening of the tears forming in her eyes.  “It’s like Princess Celestia without…”
He started, suddenly realizing what he was saying.  He quickly glanced over to the alicorn in the corner, who was now staring at him, looking equally surprised.  For a brief moment in time, his frustration and anger were forgotten, replaced with the light of comprehension.  Of course!  Why didn’t I realize it before?
The rewarding feeling of accomplishment suddenly vanished as he returned his attention to the room around him.  Every head in the room was turned towards him.  He returned their confused gazes until he remembered that he hadn’t finished his sentence.
He turned his eyes once again to the navy blue monarch by the far wall.  Her expression had changed from shock to contemplation, but she still seemed to be aware of the conversation going on around her.  “Please, excuse me,” she said abruptly, awkwardly rushing to the door while trying to maintain a semblance of composure.
Every eye had followed Luna through the doorway, and as the door slowly shut behind her, Sky once again found himself the focus in the room.  The constant, irritating beep of the medical equipment continued to grate against Sky’s brain, but his mind struggled to find anything to say.  “Uh…”
“Sky,” he heard his father say, “I probably don’t know what you’re feeling, but I certainly understand what you’re saying.”  He looked up to see his parents, draped in each other’s wings.  “Your mother and I are soul mates because of how we complement each other.”
Sky acknowledged the comment with a nod of his head.  “Yeah, you’re always telling Mom how good she looks.”
Midnight’s face contorted into a look of confusion.  “What?”
Sky returned his father’s stare.  “I was just agreeing with you about how you compliment Mom all the time.”
There was a spatter of laughter from the ponies in the room, much to Sky’s consternation.  “Sky, not complIment; complEment,” his father corrected.  “We’re greater than the sum total of our parts, so to speak.”
“Oh.”  Sky shrugged, feeling embarrassed.  “Something like that.”
“These are the times that define us, Sky,” his mother said, walking beside her son and running her hoof through his mane again.  “When you feel like you’ve lost everything and you couldn’t go on even if you wanted to.  When you feel lost and discouraged.  When you feel defeated.”
Defeated.  The word triggered a reaction in his mind and brought a fire to his eyes.  His vision narrowed as he focused on the enemy at hoof.  “Oh, I’m not defeated,” he growled.  “Not even close.”
Midnight made a face, indicating to Sky that his father knew all too well what his son was thinking.  Sky diverted his eyes, hoping to keep any further thoughts to himself.
“If Lily completes you, then that means you changed because of her.”  Sky found himself staring into the eyes of Garnet Glint.  “You learned from her.  And even if she can’t be with you physically, you can carry her love and faith in your heart.  Just because she isn’t there doesn’t mean she isn’t with you.”
Sky Streak, your friends are not merely physical bodies.  They are individuals, and they are the memories that you share.  They are the emotions that bind you to each other, and they are the connections between everypony in all of Equestria.  And wherever you take those feelings, your friends are there with you.
The words of Princess Luna rattled around the inside of his skull.  She had first spoken them over a year ago, but he now heard them fresh as they had been the first time.  “Seems like I’ve heard something like that before.”
“Then you should listen to that advice.  It will give you strength when you have to be alone,” he concluded.
Sky considered this for a moment.  He cast a look back at Lily.  Deep in his heart, he wished that she would come back to him and calm the fury of emotions just beneath his skin.  He felt as though he had no control over himself anymore.  He had no power to rein in his emotions, or even control how he would respond to any situation.  It was as though the only thing that held the storm at bay was Lily.
And she couldn’t hold it back any longer.
It will give you strength when you have to be alone.
The tempest roiled like a fire in his veins.  Like right now.

Alicorn Guard HQ
April 29, 5:43 PM

The HQ was…well, it was still a mess.  A big one.  But at least it wasn’t on fire.
Scope stood with the rest of the members of the Alicorn Guard in the central hall.  The putrid smell of burning materials and noxious fumes still wafted through the air, but he had finally managed to bring himself to bear it.  They had all been busy cleaning the scene of all the wreckage, trying to estimate the extent of the damage.
Until he showed up in the doorway.
It had gone silent when he had walked in.  A complete silence; not the typical pseudo-quiet that most ponies thought was a “total silence.”  No, this was utter calm; completely devoid of almost any sound.  It was the only proper response.
Blitz looked exhausted (as well he should).  His eyes were sunken and his gait was sluggish.  But in spite of his apparent frailty, there was an unmistakable spark in his eyes.  Scope knew that look.  He had seen it enough to know what was coming.
“Blitz,” Ace said, dropping his broom and stepping forward.  “Um…how are you holding up?”
The blue pegasus took a few slow steps forward, then stopped in front of his unicorn commander.  “I need Scope and Tread,” he said evenly.
Ace’s surprise rippled through the air.  For the first time in as long as Scope could remember, beads of sweat began to form on Ace’s forehead.  His ear twitched.  He, the incurably confident Ace, was nervous.
And, perhaps most curiously, Scope couldn’t blame him.
Physically, Sky looked like he needed about a week-long nap.  But his magical essence was a completely different story.  It was common knowledge that emotions lent distinct amounts of strength to magic spells.  They also caused that same magic to take on certain properties and change…flavors, for lack of a better term.  Love lent a sense of restoration to magic, while determination felt like a bolstering of strength.  A sense of laughter with magic could make one feel giddy, and using pity in conjunction with a spell felt like an easing of the aches of one’s pain, both physically and mentally.  Irritation had the opposite effect, and a vindictive spirit was like an oppressive fog.  And as for Sky right now…
It felt like he was a ticking time bomb.
“Uh…are you sure you should even be here?” Ace replied, deflecting the question.  “I mean, shouldn’t you be with Lily right now?”
Scope saw Blitz wince the slightest bit at the mention of Lily’s name, but it was quickly followed by a steely gaze.  “Her parents are here from Fillydelphia, and they’re with her now.”
“And what about you?” Riptide asked, rising from where she had been sitting.  “You should be resting.”
Blitz turned to face the unicorn as his ears flattened against his head.  “I can’t afford to rest,” he said.  His voice dripped with a frustration that had certainly been mounting over the past few days.  “Nighthawk is still out there, and he’s too dangerous to be left alone.”
“Then you should leave him to one of us,” Razor countered.  “You’re the last one that should be challenging him right now.”
“No!” Blitz shouted, and the fire in his eyes erupted for just a moment, causing those before him to recoil.  “I’m the one that needs to face him!  Every one of the pegasi in this room has told me that I’m a better flier than they are.  I’m the only one capable of facing him one-on-one.  By your own admission.”
“But you don’t have to face him alone,” Razor pressed.  “We could face him together, you know.  It doesn’t have to be just you.”
But Blitz shook his head.  “I can’t take any more than Scope and Tread.  I can’t afford to deprive Canterlot of you.  What if Nighthawk isn’t the only traitor?  He might still have designs for Canterlot in that…twisted mind of his,” he finished with an obvious effort.
“And that’s the only reason it has to be you?” Ace asked, looking skeptical.
The question hung in the air.  The two teammates stared at each other without a word.  Their faces were separated by mere inches, and the intensity of their eyes was matched only by the palpable magical pressure between them.  The fire in Blitz’s eyes had subsided, but had not gone out.  The situation grew more and more tense until a voice finally broke the impasse.
“Blitz, are you sure you can do this?” Ghost asked from behind Ace, fixing his calculating gaze on the pegasus.
Blitz’s head swung around again, locking in on the deep purple unicorn.  “Yes,” came the simple reply.
“How can you be so sure?” Ghost pressed.  “He’s the finest flier we’ve had in ages.  What makes you so sure that you won’t lose?”
“I just won’t.”
“How do you know?”
A twitch pulled at Blitz’s eyes and the corners of his mouth, giving him a face that looked like an unsettling cross between rage and anguish.  “Because I can’t.”
Ghost’s head drew back as Blitz finished.  His eyes darted back and forth in thought.  Finally, he returned his gaze to Blitz.  “I see,” he said.  Then, after another moment’s pause, he added, “Scope, Tread: get your things.”
“What?!” Ace blurted.  “You’re letting him go!?”
Scope obediently turned to gather his cloak and a few other amenities from his equipment chest, but the conversation behind him was still perfectly audible.  “All of his points were perfectly valid: he is the best flier we currently have, and there’s no telling what other tricks Nighthawk may have left here.  And,” Ghost quickly added, probably noting Ace’s attempts to protest, “as much as he has demonstrated an ability to remain calm and focused, we all know that magic is enhanced through emotion.  And nopony here can approach the emotion that Blitz has vested in this.”
“Kinda my point,” Ace returned.  “Can he keep those emotions under control?”
There was a pause.  Scope slipped his cloak over his head before Ghost spoke up again.  “Well, Blitz?  You’re the only one that can answer that.”
He turned around just in time to see Blitz’s response.  His face was neutral, but the spark of determination was still flickering in his eyes.  “I’ll be fine.  I’m not the monster in this ordeal.”
“Satisfied, Ace?”
“Not entirely, but I guess I’ll have to deal with it,” he sighed.  He nodded to Scope, who walked over and stood on Blitz’s right.  He had often criticized Ace and Blitz for their inability to take anything seriously, but here, in the solemnity of the moment, he realized just how wrong it felt to be without the levity they normally provided.  “If you’re really gonna do this, Blitz, you’re gonna want every edge you can get.”
“Yeah, I know,” he nodded.  “That’s why I’m bringing these two,” motioning to Scope and Tread, who had approached from Blitz’s left.
“We’re not exactly fighters, sir,” Tread answered.
“That’s fine, Tread,” Blitz replied.  “I don’t need you to be fighters.  And please, call me ‘Blitz.’”
“Sorry, sir.”
“Then why bring us along at all?” Scope asked.
“Because I don’t know where Nighthawk’s gone,” Blitz explained.  “I need you two to track him.”
“Track a pegasus?  And one as stealthy as Nighthawk, at that?” Scope scoffed.
Blitz’s eyes flickered again for an instant.  “Beyond your skill, Scope?”
His first instinct was to fire off a retort of his own, but he bit his tongue.  “I suppose we’ll just have to find out.”  His ear turned as he heard another two ponies approached from his left.
“Here, Blitz,” Nova said, holding out her leg.  Blitz’s cloak was draped over it.  “You’ll probably want this.”  Her face was set in a look of concern, which was no surprise to Scope.  It wasn’t common knowledge, but he knew that Nova had been attracted to Blitz from his first day in the Guard, and her heart had been crushed when she had learned about Lily.  But she had learned to accept that his heart belonged to another, and the two of them had become like brother and sister.  This must be hard for her…on two fronts.
Blitz managed an appreciative smile.  “Thanks, Nova,” he answered.  He turned to the other pony that had approached with her.  “What is it, Hobo?”
“All the shooters were either damaged or destroyed in the blast,” Hobo muttered.  “The only one we still have is the one I’ve been working on.”  He held it out.  It was still just as jammed as ever, and Scope could see the scratches and dents from Hobo’s frustrated work on it over several weeks.  “It still doesn’t work, though.  I’m honestly not sure why I even bothered to bring it over here, now that I think about it.”
Blitz’s brow furrowed as he took the two offerings.  As he touched his cloak, it again disappeared to blend in with its surroundings.  Nova and Hobo let out simultaneous gasp, which triggered an amused snort from Scope.  Well, Ace did tell him that he really should see it.
Suddenly, a smile burst onto Ace’s face.  “Oh, yes!” he shouted triumphantly, earning confused looks from every other pony.  “I got it!”
“Odd time for an epiphany, Ace,” Scope commented.
“Oh, you’ll be singing my praises for years to come,” he fired back, looking as confident as ever.  “You can bet on that!”
“You’d bet on anything,” Blitz retorted.  “But I’m game.  What’s got you so excited all of a sudden?”
He smiled broadly.  “Come with me.  You’re gonna love this.”
> Chapter 13: The Hunt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edge of the Everfree Forest
April 31, 5:19 PM

Two days.  Two days (and nights) spent away from Canterlot, attempting to track an impossibly stealthy foe on an impossible trail that had faded over the span of two prior days.  It was an impossible task.
Of course it had led them here.
“You know, I haven’t wanted to say anything, but I really can’t help it any longer…this is just ridiculous,” Tread spoke abruptly.
Sky merely continued to gaze into the forest.  “You mean how easily we’ve been able to track Nighthawk in spite of the fact that he’s had a two-day head start on us?” Scope asked.
“Well, yeah,” Tread answered.  “I mean, this is just crazy careless, especially for him.  It’s like he wanted you to know where he went.”
“Because he does want me to know,” Sky said.  He continued to stare into the shadowy forest like it was a long-gone foe that had suddenly returned to haunt him.  “It wasn’t about getting away for him.  He’s trying to set up the most climactic battle with me that he can.  It’s all theatrics.”
Scope walked up beside the pegasus and eyed him warily.  “Then you know where he’s leading us?”
“I’ve got my suspicions,” Sky admitted.  “To be honest, I was actually expecting to come this way the whole time.  Having the two of you with me just served as a confirmation.”
“Then this place is significant to you,” Tread surmised.
“Apart from these cloaks, presumably,” Scope added, holding up the fringe of his ashen garment.  Sky had told him the origins of the magic properties of their handy garments, though he had withheld the specific details.
“Yes.”  His eyes fell to the ground as the memories of that fateful journey through the forest came back to him.  Before the Alicorn Guard, before Polarmino, before Lily…it was just Sky, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike on a trek into the Everfree Forest to confront an unknown menace haunting the woods.  “I suppose you could say that my journey to the Alicorn Guard started here.”
He caught a glimpse of Tread’s wide eyes.  “You mean, you encountered the Chimera here?  From what I’ve heard, that thing was bad enough, but to face it in the Everfree Forest?  The rumors surrounding this place have always said that it’s haunted.”
“Which is why they sent me in the first place,” Sky explained.  Then, with an expectant glance at his comrades, he asked, “Shall we?”
The trio walked forward, penetrating the slightly-disturbing inherent darkness of the forest.  The boughs above them were draped in moss, and the leaves were colorless and black.  Sky had been here before; quite a few times, actually.  The “haunted” rumors of the forest had ceased to carry any true meaning for him ever since driving out the Chimera.
But such was not the case for other ponies.
Tread appeared suddenly nervous, ears twitching back and forth on his head, with his eyes (and even his whole head) following suit.  Scope looked calmer than Tread, but his typically stoic demeanor had been replaced with a look of concern.  Sky didn’t feel much like smiling, given the circumstances, but seeing that even these two veterans of the Guard could be unnerved by the Everfree Forest lifted his spirits, if only a little.  
Scope’s body twisted to look back and forth at his surroundings.  His body would normally have been described as being “forest green” in color, but surrounded by the muted shades of the Everfree Forest, the term felt…inappropriate.  “Something bothering you, Scope?” Sky asked.
“This forest…it’s not normal by any stretch of the imagination,” he replied, and Sky couldn’t help but note the anxiety in his voice.
“You said it, sir,” Tread commented.  “This is just…weird.”
“How so?” Sky asked, desperate to keep the conversation going.  The image of the foe that awaited him had grown in his mind, and he was reluctant to dwell on him before the time was right.
“This place is so…”  Scope hesitated.  “I don’t use this word willingly, but it’s really the only appropriate term I can think of.”
“What’s that?”
Scope cleared his throat.  “Dead,” he said, and the word evaporated into the air almost instantaneously.  “I pride myself on the use of my senses to know what’s going on around me, but in here…it’s too unanimated.  It’s unnaturally silent.  Nothing moves.  Even with all these exotic plants, I either can’t make one scent out from another, or I can’t smell anything at all.  It’s…unsettling.”
“I know what you mean.  Even if Nighthawk is leaving an intentional trail for you, in here, it almost gets lost.  It’s like this forest swallows everything up,” Tread surmised.
Sky arched his eyebrows in consideration.  “Interesting way of putting it,” he said.  “And I guess that’s one way of looking at it.  But this forest exists apart from the care of ponies.  I sometimes wonder if it has a will of its own, and it doesn’t give anything up unless it wants it to be known.”
Tread trembled as though a shiver had run down his spine.  “You describe it like it’s a living thing.”
“Trees are alive.”
“Well, yes.  But you made it sound like the entire forest is an entity capable of thought, possessing a will, and possibly desires.  And if that’s not the very definition of ‘haunted,’ then I’m a griffin.”
Sky shrugged.  “Dunno if I meant to insinuate all that, but I really can’t think of another way to explain it.  It just feels like the forest doesn’t give anything away willingly.”
The group of ponies continued on in without another word, much to Sky’s chagrin.  But despite his unwillingness to walk in utter silence, he understood that any conversation would likely revolve around the eerie feeling surrounding the Everfree, which would probably only serve to freak out his guides.  And while the thought of making Scope squirm a bit was tempting, Sky knew that he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
The task before him was too sobering.
The minutes dragged on.  The air was thick and heavy, almost making it difficult to breathe.  Every so often, Sky would hear a gasp of alarm from one of his guides, but it would inevitably be their eyes playing tricks on them.  The forest had a way of making you see more than what was actually there.
But Sky had visited this forest on a number of occasions, and he had trained himself to see beyond the illusions of the trees.  Groping branches, tangling vines, and swirling mists held no terror for him.  He saw them for what they were.
After walking for a time without any surprises, they came upon a mostly-open clearing.  The skinny, twisted trees of the forest stopped at the edge of the clearing.  In fact, the only tree within the circle was a large knotted one in the exact center.  It was decorated with curious exotic pieces of art along with bottles and jars of all sorts.  Sky paused for a moment to look upon the makeshift hut that had spawned so many memories.
Scope and Tread stopped on either side of the pegasus.  “What is that?” Tread whispered.
“That,” Sky said softly, “is a refuge in this place.”
Scope snorted in amusement.  “This is where you made your cloak, isn’t it?”  Sky looked at his partner, whose face was alight with comprehension.  “The magic I sense here is a lot like how your cloak feels.”  He paused for a moment before adding, “It also smells the same.”
“Well, Tread?” Sky asked, ignoring the other’s comment and turning to the pony on his right.  “Did Nighthawk come this way?”
A look of concern flashed across Tread’s face as Nighthawk’s name floated through the air.  He had apparently noticed Sky’s discomfort when mentioning his nemesis.  “Yes, he did,” he answered.  “Though that seems odd.  Why come so close to a habitation if he didn’t want to be seen?  More theatrics?”
“Yes,” Sky muttered through clenched teeth.  He slowly loosened his jaw and continued.  “He knows the places and ponies that are important to me.  But this is more than that: he’s making me re-visit that first trip into the Everfree.  He’s recreating that journey.  Myself and two companions, travelling the same path that I did a year and a half ago.  He’s trying to set me up for a battle that has the same buildup, but a different outcome.”
“Ludicrous,” Scope scoffed.  “Only a pony with an immense ego and a monstrous thirst for revenge would do such a thing.”
Sky snorted, feeling both amused and disgusted by the remark.  “Sounds about right,” he commented, turning from the clearing and taking a few steps back into the forest.
“Wait,” Tread’s voice stopped him in his tracks.  “You aren’t going to stop here?”
“There’s no reason,” Sky said, and he began to walk again.  “Last time I was here, I didn’t know what I was after.  But now I do.  And it’s not in there.”
There was another pause.  Soon, he heard the rapid hoofsteps of Tread and Scope running to catch up to him.  I brought them along to lead me, but it sure feels like it’s actually the other way around.
An uncomfortable silence once again took hold of the forest.  The companions continued their slow advance into the darkness of Everfree Forest, ever aware of their surroundings, but never trusting the apparent calm.  Somewhere in here, a traitorous menace was waiting for them.
Or, to be accurate, waiting for me.
Slowly, they made their way through the forest.  Without the light of the sun or moon, time became difficult to gauge.  Hours could have passed; days even.  But Sky knew that unless something was blatantly obvious in the Everfree Forest, it probably wasn’t what it seemed to be.
Silence prevailed, broken only by the light sounds of hoofsteps and the occasional request for confirmation that they were still on Nighthawk’s trail.  The air somehow grew thicker.  A deep sense of foreboding fell on the group as they grew aware of a distinctly menacing aura surrounding them.  Tread’s motions became sudden and jerky.  Scope’s eyes and ears were constantly in motion, struggling to fight through the distractions.
But Sky was unchanged.  If anything, he seemed the most comfortable among the three of them.  It could have been his familiarity with the forest.  It could have been that his senses weren’t as sensitive as his teammates’.  But most likely, it was that Sky knew what was coming.
He had faced it before.
At last, another clearing opened up before them.  The trees gave way in a wide berth to a grassy shelf, which abruptly fell off into a deep ravine that circled a central plateau like a moat.  A rope bridge spanned the chasm to the other side, where a ruined stone castle, covered in moss and vines, sat as a physical embodiment of the shadows of the woods.
“Well, Blitz?” Scope asked.  “This seems to be the place.  And you’ve got that look in your eye.  You think he’s here?”
“I do,” Sky replied.  “This place is significant to the both of us.  I suppose it’s some form of poetic justice that brings me back here again.”
“Wait…is this the Castle of the Two Sisters?” Tread asked, suddenly realizing what he was looking at.  “I knew that it was in the Everfree Forest, but I can’t say I’ve ever been here.  Or that I ever really wanted to come here at all.”
“Trust me, I’m familiar with that feeling,” Sky said.  “But yeah, this is the Castle.”
“So you’ve been here before, too?” Scope asked, still studying the ruins in the clearing ahead.
Sky nodded.  “Yeah.  My first battle was in those ruins.”
Tread looked at him in confusion, but a light dawned in Scope’s eyes.  “Ah, so this is where you actually fought the Chimera?”  He looked back at Sky, and the pegasus could have sworn that the look he saw in Scope’s eyes was…compassion.  “In that case, I wouldn’t use the term ‘poetic justice.’”
“What would you use?” Tread asked.
He returned his gaze to the castle ahead as his eyes regained their usual emotionless expression.  “I’d call it cruel irony.”
“I wouldn’t,” Sky said abruptly.  “What’s cruel is what led me here in the first place, but the irony would be if he completed the task and managed to beat me.”  He glowered through the trees towards his hidden foe.  “No, the only thing that’s going to happen tonight is justice.”
“You sure about that?”
Sky found himself staring into the concerned (and somewhat skeptical) face of Scope.  “I’m sorry?”
“Blitz, you may have tried to keep your mind a secret, but we share our thoughts more easily than that,” Scope explained.  “And ever since we left Canterlot, you’ve been thinking less and less about ‘justice’ and more and more about ‘revenge.’”
Sky eyed the elder pony.  He couldn’t deny the truth in his statement…but it would have been foolish to try at all.  “Can you blame me?” he returned, voice steady and eyes unflinching.
But Scope surprised him with a shake of his head.  “Not for having those thoughts,” he said, then added, “but I can definitely blame you for entertaining them.  You should know better.”
Sky redirected his eyes onto a small patch of ground.  This is why I hate arguing with Scope.  He’s logical, he makes great points, and he explains them well.  “Look,” Sky began, “I know in my head, Scope.  But it’s not my head that’s the problem.  It’s my heart that’s been hurt.  And right now, revenge seems like the only thing that will ease that pain.”
The next thing he heard was the subdued voice of Tread.  “Do you really think it will?”
The word “yes” was already on route to his lips before Tread could finish, but to Sky’s surprise, his mouth refused to speak.  It was if the words stuck in his throat.  He forced a cough and tried again, but still the word refused to come out.  
“See?  You can’t even bring yourself to say it,” Tread continued.  “You do know better.”
“Answer me this, Blitz,” Scope added.  “If you went through with your revenge, would you be able to look Lily in the eye and tell her you were proud of your actions?”
Sky winced as he heard her name.  The vision of her lying unconscious in that hospital bed stoked the coals of anger in his heart, and he felt the familiar emotion of bitterness grow again in his mind.  “That would depend on whether she even opens her eyes again.”
Scope made a face that indicated he was insulted by the response, but Sky didn’t care.  This conversation wasn’t going anywhere.  He rolled his eyes and looked back to the castle.  One way or another, he was going to face down Nighthawk and give him what he deserved.  Nothing was changing that.
“Alright, then how about this?” Tread offered.  “Would Lily be comfortable knowing that you used her as the fuel for this little crusade of vengeance you’re on?”  His voice grew louder, and as Sky finally turned to look at him, he looked about as animated as Sky had ever seen him.  “When she wakes up, will she be glad to know that she was the inspiration for your little quest to settle the score with Nighthawk?”
Sky merely held Tread’s gaze and offered one word in response: “When?”
“Yes, when!” Tread shouted back.  “Not ‘if’, WHEN!  Don’t tell me you’ve stopped believing in her!  I’m sure she still believes in you!”
Sky opened his mouth, then, after a moment of silence, found that it was closed again.  Believes.  Not believed.  Believes.
“Sounds to me like you’ve given up on her,” Scope observed.  “No wonder your thoughts are so dark.  A hopeless heart is a desperate heart.  And that makes it a seedbed for vengeful thoughts.”
“I’m not hopeless,” Sky said, though his own voice sounded unconvinced.  “Just honest.”
“Being hopeful doesn’t mean hiding from the truth,” Scope explained.  “If anything, it gives us courage in the face of trying times because we dare to believe that better times will come again.”
Sky stared in disbelief at Scope.  I never thought I’d hear anything like this from him.  It’s almost like he...like he speaks from experience.
“Rumors say that you managed to channel the Elements of Harmony to defeat the Chimera,” Tread said.  “I don’t know if that’s true or not, but that’s irrelevant at the moment.  My question is, do you think you could use them as you are right now?”
Sky didn’t even attempt to say anything.  His defiance was gone.  Between his two companions, he knew that he had no defense.
Tread continued.  “Well, until you can honestly say that you can, I wouldn’t go in there,” he said, gesturing towards the castle.  “Because the battle that awaits you is a battle against your own dark desires more than anything else.”
Sky sat perfectly still, staring again at that same patch of dirt.  “I have to go in there,” he said softly.  “I don’t have a choice in the matter.”
“Perhaps,” Scope conceded, “but you do have a choice about how you go in there.  You don’t have to go in looking for revenge.”
Sky’s staring contest with the earth continued.  “Do you guys believe in me?”
“We wouldn’t be having this discussion if we didn’t,” Tread answered.
Sky rose to a standing position, but did not lift his head.  “I don’t know how I’m going to go in,” he admitted.  “But I have to go in there.  There’s no one else for it.”
“Blitz, listen to me,” Scope said, and Sky felt a hoof on his shoulder.  “Your heart is hurt, but your mind knows what the right thing to do is.  You can’t let them exist separately; your mind needs to tell your heart what to do.  You can’t let your emotions control you.  But in the same vein, you have to use your heart.  Those feelings of love and courage give you strength and purpose.  They are the powerful emotions that are proof of the connection between the heart and the mind.”
Scope’s hoof withdrew, and Sky looked up into Scope’s eyes.  “Nighthawk wants to create a disaster, and he wants you to be a part of that disaster.  Don’t let him have the pleasure.  Be at peace with yourself.  If he wants to create a storm, show him that you can be the calm at its center.”
Sky’s eyes opened wide at the mention of the word ‘calm.’  He thought back to that first night in Polarmino, when Lily first used her magic to calm the storm.  He thought of how she had used it to still the Chimera’s reign of terror in the windigo kingdom.  He remembered how she had used it to signal him that the Elements of Harmony were ready against the Chimera.  And he thought of the dozens of times she had used it simply to ease his own anxious spirit.  Peace.  Calm.
He drew a deep breath.  “It’s time.”
“Are you sure you’re ready?” Tread asked.
“No,” he admitted, “and I don’t know that I ever will be.  But I think that after listening to you guys, I’m about as ready as I can be.”  He took a few steps out from the trees until he was standing in the gentle glow of moonlight.  “Go back to Canterlot.  Even if Nighthawk is here, I don’t trust that he doesn’t have something else in mind back there.”
“So you’re still planning on facing him alone?  You know this has to be a trap,” Scope commented.
“I told you; it’s theatrics.  But yes, it’s also a trap,” Sky admitted, shaking his mane.
“Then do you want our help?” Tread asked.
Sky pulled his cloak from over his head and laid it in a heap beside him.  He looked down at his faithful shoulder wrap, which looked even bluer than usual.  The two jeweled pendants that hung from the wrap glistened like stars in the moonlight.  “You’ve already helped me.  One pony I care about has already been hurt as a result of this conflict.”  He turned around and looked at each of his comrades.  “I refuse to risk the lives of any others that I love and care for.”
Tread still looked fairly unconvinced, but Scope nodded.  “Then good luck,” he said.  “We’ll be waiting for you back in Canterlot.”
Sky watched as the two signaled their departure with a pair of reluctant-looking waves, then disappeared into the consuming blackness of the forest.  He turned again and faced the twofold blackness that awaited him: the shadowy Castle of the Two Sisters…and the villain that lay within.
Sky warily approached the castle, crossing the chasm by the rickety bridge that had been out of service during his first trip here.  The castle did not seem menacing and evil as it had the first time he had come; instead, it seemed old and sorrowful: a witness to far too many conflicts.  Sky actually felt a pang of pity for the ruined stone citadel.  It had been the site of numerous battles, some ending well, some ending tragically.  And here he was, unwillingly forcing it to partake in another.
Nighthawk was here.  His essence was so powerful here that Sky didn’t need Scope or Tread to tell him that he had arrived.  This place was full of Nighthawk.
As he reached the crumbling stone steps, he stared for a moment into the darkness of the inner chambers.  No glowing red eyes stared back, much to his relief.  But a strange breeze floated from within, and Sky decided to approach from another angle.  His wings spread from his sides, and he gracefully flew up onto the parapets of the top of the castle.
Where he found a pair of eyes staring back at him.
A dozen brass urns suddenly blazed to life between Sky and Nighthawk, causing several ruined banners still hanging from the towers to flap wildly for a moment.  The orange pegasus smiled wickedly.  His eyes were black again, with that eerie purple light pulsing at their centers.  “Nice trick, wouldn’t you say?”
Sky approached, fighting to maintain his composure.  Just the sight of his enemy caused the hairs in his mane to rise.  “I’m not interested in tricks.  You’re coming back to Canterlot with me, willingly or unwillingly.”
“Oh, you’re so cute, trying to hide that thirst for revenge,” Nighthawk taunted, rising to his back legs and pressing his hooves into his cheeks.  “Would you also like a bottle and your binky?”
Sky rolled his eyes.  “Alright, unwillingly it is,” he said.
Nighthawk snorted in amusement.  “You really think you can take me down?  How’d that work out for you last time?  Oh, that reminds me, how’s that lovely girl of yours doing?  Bet she’s the best-looking mare in the entire ICU!”
Sky surged forward, taking a furious swipe at Nighthawk, who ascended into the air, avoiding the blow.  “My, my, you are angry, aren’t you?”
Sky stared up at his former teacher.  “Yes, I’m angry,” he replied.  “You went and stole something precious to me.”  He paused, steadying his breath.  “Lily completes me.  I’m the storm, and she’s the calm.  She makes sure that I never get out of hoof.”  His eyes suddenly blazed with magic.  “But now you’ve gone and stolen her away from me.  And she can’t restrain me now.  So I hope you’re prepared to answer for that.”
“Hmph.”  Nighthawk continued to hover in the air, looking rather disinterested.  “If you really wanted to have a chance at taking me down, you should have tried coming in secretly.  You know, a surprise attack.  But that never was your strong suit, was it, Blitz?  I could see you coming a mile away.”
“I want you to see me coming!” Sky shouted.  The anger in his mind pressed against the bounds of his control.  “I wanna see the fear in your eyes when you realize exactly what you’ve made me capable of!”
Overhead, a sudden boom filled the clearing.  A quick glance to the skies revealed that the once starry heavens were now hidden behind a thick wall of thunderclouds.  A stroke of lightning illuminated the scene below, revealing the two opponents preparing for battle.  Sky’s pendants gleamed like a pair of heterochromic magical eyes.  His wings glowed and every inch of his being tingled.
A second thunderous boom shook the forest as a heavy rain suddenly descended upon the castle.  Sky’s mind felt about as clouded as the atmosphere above.  On the one hoof, he knew that revenge was wrong and that the only right choice was to bring Nighthawk back to Canterlot for justice.  But on the other hoof, he could circumvent that needlessly time-consuming process and fill the role of vigilante, killing two birds with one stone.  In more ways than one.
“Well, Blitz?  This is about as appropriate a setting as we could hope for,” Nighthawk called over the roar of the storm, legs spread wide, inviting an attack.  “What are you waiting for?”
Sky’s eyes refocused on his opponent.  “Nothing at all,” he whispered, then ripped through the driving rain.

Twilight’s Library, Ponyville
April 31, 8:50 PM

Twilight and Rarity jumped to their hooves and spun towards the door, eyes wide with alarm.  Across from the table, Applejack sat between a confused Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie.  And in the far corner of the room, the Cutie Mark Crusaders’ laughter had fallen silent, and they were now staring with concern at the two mares in the center of the room.
“Uh, Twilight?  Sumthin’ wrong?” Applejack asked.
A distant peal of thunder rolled from the east.  Rarity and Twilight did not move, but as the thunder faded, every pony heard the alicorn whisper one word: “Sky…”
Spike was beside her instantly.  “Sky!?” he shouted urgently.  “What’s going on?  Is everything alright?”
“I’m…not sure,” Twilight responded, looking concerned.  “But that’s definitely his magic.  And it’s strong this time.  He’s not trying to hide it at all.”
“I wonder what he’s up to,” Fluttershy commented, trying to relax after being startled by Twilight and Rarity.
“From what I can tell from his magic, he’s quite angry,” Rarity said, looking more and more worried with each passing moment.
“Angry?  About what?” Rainbow asked, flying over to a window and searching for the storm.  “I mean, if he’s really mad, we should go help him.”
“No.”
Every head turned toward Twilight, who still looked concerned, but a bit more resolute.  “Whaddya mean, ‘no’?” Applejack protested.  “Sky’s our friend, an’ we should help him if he needs it.”
“Yeah!” Applebloom echoed.  “Ah’m sure even Mister Sky needs help sometimes.”
“We can’t,” Twilight said.  “He doesn’t want help.”
“WHAAAT?!” everypony shouted at once.
“What in tarnation is that s’posed to mean?” Applejack said.
“I have to agree with the rest of them, dear,” Rarity said to Twilight.  “Sky understands that everypony needs help.  Why wouldn’t he want it now?”
“Listen.  Sky’s in the Everfree Forest right now, and he’s fighting something.  Something important.  Something strong.”  Twilight sighed and shook her head.  “But he needs to fight it alone.  I can’t explain any more than that.  It’s just that everything I can sense tells me that this is Sky’s fight, and his alone.”
“How can you tell that?” Sweetie Belle asked, walking over beside her sister.  Rarity placed a leg around the filly in an apparent attempt to reassure her that everything was alright.
“I suppose that since it was me that helped give Sky his magic in the first place, it might be that I have a connection to him and can tell what he’s feeling through his magic,” Twilight explained.  “But that’s just a guess.”
“What about this storm?” Rainbow asked.  “I mean, just a few minutes ago, I could see the stars and moon, and now, it’s all overcast and stormy over the forest.  What gives?”
“Yeah!” Pinkie exclaimed.  “First it was all quiet and peaceful, and now it’s all CRASH!  BOOM!  Kcklkclklkclklcklkckl!”
“Uh…what was that last sound?” Rainbow asked, looking rather confused and skeptical.
“That’s the sound of lightning, silly!” Pinkie answered with a confident smile.
“Lightning doesn’t make sound, Pinkie,” Scootaloo replied.  “Thunder makes sound.”
“Actually, thunder is the sound that lightning makes, but that’s not important.”  Every eye again focused on Twilight, whose expression had changed into an anxious frown.
“Then what is important?” asked Spike, who was wringing his claws in worry.
“We can’t help Sky directly,” Twilight explained, “but do you remember what we did when he faced the Chimera that last time?”
“We…um, what did we do?” Rainbow asked, scratching her head.
“Nothin’ physical,” Applejack answered.  “We all believed in Sky.  We expressed our trust in him and our faith that he could win.”
“Exactly,” Twilight agreed.  “And that’s what we need to do right now.  I get the feeling that Sky is fighting not just someone else, but also himself, in a sense.”
“Fighting himself?  What’s that mean?” Scootaloo asked.
“I’m not entirely sure, but he’s dealing with some sort of internal conflict.  I couldn’t tell you what it’s about, but he needs our help for both of those things.”
“Then he’s got it!” Rainbow shouted, touching down as her friends assembled together.  “He’s always got our trust!”
They stood together, side-by-side, facing the direction of the Everfree Forest, all focused on their friend.  And as their thoughts all merged into one, Twilight uttered the words that they were all thinking, just as they had been spoken a year earlier.
“Your friends are with you.”
> Chapter 14: The Tempest and the Inferno
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zecora’s Hut
April 31, 8:57 PM

It had happened, just as she had feared.  The magic was too distinct to be mistaken for anything else.
The storm had been unleashed.
Zecora stood just outside the door to her hut, staring deeper into the Everfree Forest.  Somewhere past the thick and lightless boughs, Sky Streak had thrown aside the veil on his magic and now let his power flow, completely unbridled.  Every wave of power rippled with emotion: tragedy, rage, love, courage…judgment.
But none of it concerned her as much as the palpable battle evident even in his magic: the conflict of justice against revenge.  Sky’s desire to do what was right was strong, but the desire to avenge the pain of loss was tremendous.
And in spite of her concern, she knew she could not interfere.  This was Sky’s battle, and his alone.  He would brook no interference.  So she did the only thing she could do for him.
Believe.

“The difference between good and evil
Is an ever-blurring line
Especially in the heat of battle
In an already distressing time.
The faith of your friends and love of your peers
Will hopefully guide your path.
Otherwise you may fall victim
To your own indignant wrath.”

Castle of the Two Sisters
April 31, 8:58 PM

The wind hurled the rain against the walls and battlements of the castle in a roar that rose like a cruel applause.  The percussive peals of thunder only added to the chaos.  The lightning in the clouds above a constant source of blinding flashes in the utter darkness of the Everfree Forest.  It was a storm for the ages.
But at the edge of the forest clearing, the trees did not move.  Their leaves barely responded to the sheets of driving rain that pounded against them.  The grass barely twitched in the howling wind.  Even the puddles of water barely rippled in spite of the constant stream of raindrops that crashed into their surfaces.
Nature itself seemed compelled to stop for the great magic storm and the battle atop the ancient Castle of the Two Sisters.
Nighthawk, once the greatest flier of the Alicorn Guard, now exposed as a sinister mastermind bent on the collapse of the monarchy.  He was bathed in magic like a raging ring of flames all around him, causing the rain to evaporate into steam the moment it struck him.  And opposite him stood Sky Streak, the courageous pegasus whose own blood, sweat, and tears had fallen in this place one year earlier as part of his grand task of vanquishing the hideous Chimera.  His magic radiated from him like neon blue strikes of lightning that blasted each nearby raindrop into sparks, creating a seamless shower of golden rain that cascaded around his hooves.
Nighthawk stood in a defensive position, eyes steady and unblinking, even in the midst of the downpour.  Sky paced back and forth, analyzing his opponent, studying for vulnerabilities and openings.  It was like an endless staring contest; a game of chicken that neither one was willing to start.
At last, Sky, without any real warning, shot through the air with such haste that the standing water beneath him parted in his wake.  He reached his target almost instantaneously, but Nighthawk hadn’t been caught off-guard by Sky’s sudden attack.  With unnatural calmness, he rose up and met Sky’s hooves with his own, then used a magic-enhanced move to toss Sky right over him.
But instead of spiraling through the air, Sky made a half-turn and landed right behind his enemy, firing a vicious strike at the back of his head.  Nighthawk must have sensed it coming, because he immediately rolled into a forward somersault, extending his rear legs so that they knocked Sky’s outstretched hoof straight up, leaving him wide open for a counterattack.
A bolt of lightning seared the air between the two of them, surprising them both.  As the strike dissipated, a blast of thunder shook the area, and Sky felt as though his eardrums would burst.  One look towards Nighthawk revealed that he was struggling through his own fit of disorientation.  The pressure was tremendous, but Sky forced himself to bring a hoof to his chest, where he felt Lily’s brooch.
“Nnnyyyaaaaahhhh!!!” he shouted through clenched teeth as, pushing through the pain and launching himself through the air in a flying tackle.  Nighthawk still hadn’t fully recovered, and the collision sent the two of them tumbling along the masonry of the castle.  Their legs flew wildly as they rolled along, slamming into stone blocks, piles of debris, and occasionally, each other.
Finally, Sky managed to orient himself and pulled his rear legs in tight.  Then, mixing his strength with magic, he kicked off with both legs, launching Nighthawk away.  Sky struggled to his hooves and watched with satisfaction as Nighthawk crashed into the wreckage of a ruined tower nearby.  Sensing an advantage, Sky didn’t wait for his foe to reappear, but leapt after him, hoping to keep him on the defensive.
But once again, Nighthawk was quicker than that.  He darted out from under Sky’s approach, stopping just as the blue pegasus hit the ground.  Sky nimbly sprang into action, throwing out a leg in a spinning kick, which Nighthawk merely leaned out of the way of.  Again and again, Sky flipped and whirled through the air, launching attacks like an untraceable blur of motion: the very essence of speed and agility.  And yet, again and again, Nighthawk remained just out of reach, dodging and evading every blow with almost otherworldly grace and fluidity.
The frenetic dance continued until Sky pivoted off one hoof, oriented himself sideways and came in for a powerful overhoof smash.  However, instead of moving out of the way, Nighthawk stepped inside the blow, and let loose his own upward strike.  Sky felt the blow connect with his jaw, breaking his concentration.  A sudden surge of magic increased the force of the strike, and he could only flail wildly as his body was sent hurtling toward the clouds above.
His vision changed from clouds, to castle, then back to clouds again as he spun out of control.  The attack had rattled his brain, and he fought to regain control.  As his inertia finally gave way to the pull of gravity, his vision settled on the clouds above.  A crackling blue glow wormed its way through their dark gray undersides, and somewhere within the vaults of his memory, he saw a similar scene and heard his own voice from the past.
“Don’t take it personally.  I’m just doing my job.”
Oh, you bet I am.
He forced himself into another half-flip, angling himself into a straight dive to the castle below.  As he did, a bolt of lightning erupted from the clouds above, engulfing him and sending him earthward almost faster than he could blink.  Trusting his magic, he spread his wings and threw his hoof wide to his right.
The bolt made contact with the castle in an explosion of sparks, but Sky came hurtling from the impact area like greased lightning with his hoof planted firmly in Nighthawk’s midsection.  With a mighty heave, he hurled the orange pegasus into the ground ahead, watching him tumble like a ragdoll along the castle rampart.  Sky managed to skid to a stop just as Nighthawk slammed into the parapet.  Nighthawk sat with his back against the stonework, head slumped against his chest and breathing heavily.  Then, with a strangely satisfied smile, he rose to his hooves.
“Well, I must say, that is impressive,” he said, stamping the ground a few times in solo applause.  “Though it seems to have evolved a bit since you used it last.”
“I would hope so,” Sky said, eyeing his opponent as best he could through the still-driving rain.  “I wouldn’t be much of an opponent if I suspected you’d fall for the exact same trick twice.”
“Indeed!” Nighthawk exclaimed.  “But that can’t be the only thing that’s improved from your bag of tricks.  Where’s the fury?  What’s this new power that I’m supposed to be so afraid of?”
Every word felt like the plucking of a rubber band that had been stretched to its limit.  Sky could feel his composure crumbling as Nighthawk’s taunts chipped away at it.  “Hold still and I’ll show you!” he shouted, kicking off and shooting into the air.
Nighthawk wasn’t far behind.  To Sky, the steam rising from Nighthawk’s magical aura carried the same bright orange tint as his magic, giving him the appearance of a flaming windigo…if such a thing was even possible.  The golden spray of sparks still fell around Sky as he flew, though he didn’t even try to come up with a description for how he may have looked.
Sky came to a stop, allowing Nighthawk to close the gap between them.  Sky could’ve sworn he saw a smirk as the two pegasi met in the air.  Their hooves collided in a flash of magic, but they held their positions and continued to press against the other.  The longer Sky looked into Nighthawk’s dark eyes, the more he could feel his face contorting into a vicious scowl, until he could hardly stand it.
Suddenly, Nighthawk’s right hoof pulled away, and Sky lurched to his left as he found himself pushing against nothing.  At that moment, he caught sight of Nighthawk’s withdrawn hoof moving forward again, but this time, it was on a collision course with his head.  With a sudden urgency, he gyrated and performed an aerial cartwheel, avoiding Nighthawk’s blow.
As his body reoriented itself, Sky surged ahead, aiming right between Nighthawk’s eyes.  But the orange pegasus merely blocked the strike with his own hoof.  A second jab with his other hoof had the same result.  A third jab.  A fourth.
He threw a larger swing with his right hoof, only to watch his opponent lean out of range.  Sky continued his spin and pushed ahead, bringing his left leg wide as he came around, hoping to catch Nighthawk off-guard.  But his foe had merely dropped in altitude, and Sky’s leg whistled harmlessly over his head.
Again and again, Sky threw attack after attack, from kicks and jabs to headbutts and uppercuts.  But each time, Nighthawk was just ahead of the blow, an inch or two beyond the reach of the increasingly-frustrated blue pegasus.  To a casual observer, it would have appeared that the two were evenly matched: a perfect synchronization of fluidity in their battle.  But Sky knew better.  Nighthawk was just toying with him.  If he was going to win, he was going to have to be the better of the two of them.
And right now, that just wasn’t the case.
At last, when his aggravation had reached the boiling point, he charged headlong into a full-out flying tackle.  And again, Nighthawk darted under the attack, but this time, he swung underneath Sky and popped up behind him, hauling back for what appeared to be a vicious strike of his own.
Sky realized it just in the nick of time.  Quick as he could, he released a blast of magic from his rear hooves, which shot backwards and engulfed Nighthawk, forcing him into a defensive posture.  Sky breathed a sigh of relief and put a bit of separation between himself and his nemesis.
“Well, this has been fun,” Nighthawk quipped, “but I think it’s time for things to get serious.”  He held up a hoof, which began to glow with an intense orange light.
The eyes of the blue pegasus narrowed until they were little more than slits above his nose.  “You made it serious when you attacked Lily,” he growled.  His own hoof lit up with magic.  “I was done playing games with you days ago.”
“Is that so?” came the reply.  “Too bad your battle skills don’t show it.”  He outstretched his hoof, now glowing with an almost pure-white light, and let loose a blazing stream of magic.
Sky reacted instinctively, thrusting his hoof against the attack in an attempt to deflect it.  But instead of being redirected, the beam merely tore through his magic barrier and began burning into his hoof.
“Yaaahh!” he yelled, recoiling in pain and dropping to the ground, allowing the beam of magic to shoot above him.  As he landed on his stomach, he brought his hoof to his chest, rubbing it gingerly.  A dark black scorch mark had appeared in the center, and even though he had moved out of the way of the attack, the burning sensation still lingered.  He looked back at Nighthawk, who smiled knowingly.  Sky snarled as he locked eyes with the other pegasus.  A swirl of bright red and orange magic rose from the ground and wrapped around the airborne equine.
“See what happens when you play with fire, Blitz?” he mocked.  “You get burned!”
Sky slammed his burnt hoof into a nearby puddle and struggled to get back on his hooves.  Somehow, he wasn’t surprised to see the steam rising from where the burn mark had made contact with the water.  “I told you, no matter how good you are, there’s always someone better.  How much will it take for you to finally learn that?” Nighthawk asked, looking slightly amused.
“Maybe there always is someone better,” Sky began.  “But I’m not one to sit back and just let that be the way it is!  I’d rather rise to the occasion and make you earn that distinction!”
“Quite the masochist, aren’t you?” Nighthawk quipped.  “You just can’t get enough punishment.  Oh, well, more fun for me!”  Again, he lifted a brightly shining hoof and aimed it at Sky.
The beam seared the air, but Sky quickly sprang out of the way.  Nighthawk immediately took aim and fired again.  But again, Sky flipped over the blast.  Nighthawk rose into the air and advanced, firing again and again, leaving craters and holes in the stone roof of the castle, but each time, Sky was just fast enough to evade the attack.
Then, as Sky was backflipping away from another firebolt, he caught sight of the skies above.  The clouds were still pouring rain, but instead of the monochromatic gray that had dominated the past few minutes, he again saw the distinct blue glow of the lightning.
And then it hit him.  Oh, yeah.  Two can play at this game.
His wings were spread as soon as his hooves hit the stonework.  Nighthawk was preparing another blast of magic, but Sky was rocketing to the clouds even before he could fire.  In a matter of moments, he had reached the underside of the blanket of thunderclouds.  And with a motion that seemed almost casual, he reached out and plucked out a bit of cloud that was about as large as he was, thrust it between his legs, and dove back to the castle below.
He saw the telltale glow of Nighthawk’s firebolt as it approached, but instead of diving out of the way, he curled up into a quick double somersault.  He could feel his magic building up in the cloud like a surge of static electricity.  He closed his eyes and focused.  It wasn’t just a cloud: it was a conduit.
A brilliant bolt of lightning split the air and met Nighthawk’s fiery spell in a blaze of sparks, cascading with the rain to the castle below.  Sky sat on his cloud as it rumbled and pulsed with an electric blue light.  He looked down at Nighthawk, who appeared mildly impressed and yet equally annoyed.  “You don’t think I’m serious?” Sky called.  “Think again.”
Nighthawk began a slow ascent from the pockmarked castle battlements.  “Why don’t we see exactly how serious you are, then?”
With perfect timing, they both took off like rockets, skirting the roof of the castle, mere meters apart.  Encased by their magic, and peppered by the relentless rain, they appeared as twin orbs of energy: the perfect image of frenzy in motion.
Sky let loose another bolt of magic, only to watch as Nighthawk’s own fiery beam met it, causing a dazzling flash of light and rattling the air with a terrific crash.  Sky didn’t wait for his eyes to readjust from the blinding light before unleashing another strike, only to be greeted with the same impressive glare and earsplitting kaboom.
They zigged and zagged above the castle, each firing off their own individual magic volley, only to have it met by the other’s.  The sudden crashes and flares from the magic battle only seemed to add to the atmospheric agitation, and the storm somehow grew even wilder.  Between the lightning and thunder from the clouds above and their counterparts from the castle below, the entire forest seemed to be filled with a cacophonous symphony of battle, matched only by the sudden blaze of light whenever the combatants’ attacks met.
The hectic pace of the conflict, combined with the distracting volume and intensity of the storm about them, felt to Sky like it might send him into epileptic shock.  Keeping focus was nearly impossible now; he was firing off his magical spells through the cloud almost haphazardly.  His brain felt like it had been turned to mush by the constant noise and the incessant attacks.  Gradually, his emotions were sifted through the crucible of battle until only a few remained: pain, anguish, defiance, and love.  And every one of those fed one emotion above them all.
Anger.
He could feel it as distinctly as his heart beating in his chest.  He could taste it in the air.  He could see it: a hazy redness that blinded him to almost everything save the fiery pegasus that opposed him.  The burning sensation in his scorched hoof was nothing compared to the white intensity of his rage.  He remembered this sensation: he had felt it in the Painted Forest in his battle against the Chimera.  It had nearly destroyed him.
But it had also made him powerful.
It was right there.  It was a buzzing in his brain; a temptation that whispered in his ear: Do it.  Use me.  Become strong.
Sky ripped his mind from the thought and forced a continuous stream of lightning from his cloud.  The air lit up as it met Nighthawk’s own beam of fiery magic.  The two attacks pressed against each other as the combatants strained to maintain the offensive.  Nighthawk’s teeth flashed in a pained scowl.  Sky squinted and his brow furrowed in concentration.  It took all of his focus to hold the line against his enemy, and with his emotions already in turmoil, it was an almost insurmountable task.
The lightning and fire continued to push against each other, growing in brightness until it looked like they might have outshone the sun itself.  Sky drove his head into his cloud, hoping to shield his eyes.  He could feel the light as heat on his skin, even through the veil of the cloud.
Finally, there was an explosion of magic that could have rivalled a sonic rainboom.  Sky was thrown back as the shockwave tore through the air, shredding his cloud into nothing.  Through the blinding glare, he could make out the form of Nighthawk, contorting his body in midair as he too was tossed aside by the magical outburst.
Sky curled into a double-back somersault and landed on his hooves, skidding to a stop.  For a moment, all he saw was the dissipating magic explosion and the somewhat-abated-yet-still-steady rainfall.  He took a moment to catch his breath.  Win or lose, this battle was taking its toll on him, and was more than likely going to take a while to recover from.
Before he could finish exhaling, a blazing meteor slashed through the scene.  It only took a split second to close the gap to him, but in that time, Sky could see the face of Nighthawk, now twisted and cruel beyond anything he had seen from him before.  His eyes were no longer the eerie black pools of before: they were the flaming balls of fury that he had encountered back in Canterlot.
Sky didn’t have time to be afraid.  Reacting on instinct, he leapt into a sideways roll, dodging wide of the screaming comet that had him in its sights.  But before his second hoof had touched down, Nighthawk was on him again.  Sky twisted desperately, managing to avoid the fiery charge by mere inches.  The wake from the attack sent him into a clumsy pirouette, spinning out-of-control for seconds that seemed to last an eternity.
He felt the air rush from his lungs as he felt one hoof slam into his midsection while another caught him in the neck, driving him backwards until he crashed against what was presumably a wall.  His vision was fuzzy, but he could distinctly see the burning orange eyes and hateful scowl of Nighthawk as he held Sky against the rampart.
“Enough!” the orange pegasus growled through gritted teeth.  “That’s enough!  You thought you were a match for me?  Well, you were WRONG!”  His jaw was clenched tight so that every word came out with a sharp hiss like a snake.  “Dead wrong.”
Sky sputtered and struggled for breath, but Nighthawk’s strength was unrelenting.  “M—maybe so,” he wheezed, “but maybe you…shouldn’t be so qu—quick to count me…out.”  He raised a hoof in the air, and, for the first time, the chrome finish of the object fastened to his leg flashed in the darkness.
Nighthawk stared at the shooter pointed directly at his chest, then smiled.  “Really?  That’s all you’ve got?  Come on, Blitz.  This is desperate, even for you.  The only one I left in one piece was the one that Hobo had been working on for weeks.  And I know he hasn’t fixed it.  Just give it up.”
The colored spots were accumulating in Sky’s vision, but he fought to remain conscious.  “You’re…right,” he managed, “he…didn’t fix it.”  He gasped for a short breath, and the pressure against his windpipe relaxed just a bit.  “But that doesn’t mean…that it doesn’t work.”  Sky’s eyes lit with a spark of magic.  A soft metallic click resounded.
And, with a look of utter disbelief, Nighthawk reeled as the spell orb blasted him right in the chest.
Sky fell forward coughing and gasping for air as the hooves withdrew from his neck and chest.  Ahead of him, Nighthawk stumbled backward, his chest and upper forelegs encased in a thick layer of ice.  “Not possible!” he shouted, unable to believe what he was seeing.  “That shooter is broken!  Unrepairable!  I made sure of it!”
“I’m sure you did,” Sky said, rising to a sitting position.  His vision was clearing, and his breathing had steadied.  He raised his eyes to meet Nighthawk’s, which were wild in surprise, but just as cruel and heartless as before.  “But there’s one thing you need to know.”
He waited for a remark, but when all he received was a mocking sneer from the half-frozen pony, he continued.  “Just because something is broken doesn’t mean that it’s useless.”
“Clever,” Nighthawk quipped.  Then, with a blaze of magic from his wings, the shell of ice around his legs and chest shattered, sending fragments in all directions.  “But pointless.  Did you honestly expect that to hold me?”
“No,” Sky admitted, firing another orb at the ground in front of Nighthawk.  As it struck, a violent wind erupted from the sphere, launching Nighthawk head over hooves into the air.  “But that doesn’t mean that it was ‘pointless’.”
The fiery pegasus fought against the wind until it dissipated, then smiled cruelly.  “That’s two down,” he said confidently.  “Only one shot left.  What’s it going to be?  If it’s anything like the last two, it won’t matter.  They certainly didn’t work.”
Sky’s eyes glinted in response.  “I wouldn’t say that.”
Nighthawk dove straight for Sky, but with an almost leisurely motion, he sidestepped the attack.  He turned and made another charge, only to see Sky calmly dodge it again.  “You seem to have gotten faster.  Been learning on the fly, have we?”
“Hardly,” Sky replied.  “I haven’t gotten faster at all.  It’s you that’s gotten slower.”
Nighthawk turned to look at the blue pegasus, who merely returned his gaze with a cold, calculating stare.  “That ice spell?  Slowed your reflexes.  That wind spell just furthered the effect the ice had on you.  You’re not nearly as fast as you were just a few minutes ago.”
“Suddenly a thinking pony, are we?” Nighthawk mocked.  “You seem to have all this planned out, Blitz.  Let’s see if you were counting on this!”  With that, he bathed himself in magic and charged yet again.
But Sky was unfazed.  He continued to stare down his nemesis as he approached.  “Can’t say that I was…though I’m not disappointed.”  And as Nighthawk hauled back to land a crushing blow, Sky leapt into the air, placing himself over the blazing pony.
And, with one smooth motion, he took aim and fired his final spell orb between Nighthawk’s wings.
Nighthawk dropped from the air and tumbled along the ground for several meters before rolling to a stop.  He rose to his hooves only to find that his wings hung limply at his sides, numb to the touch and unable to move.  His face took on the sudden look of dread as he looked yet again to where Sky stood.
“A stun bolt,” he said simply.  “Ice and wind to slow you down to where I could actually hit you with it.  I knew that I had to take away your wings.”  Sky took a few slow steps towards the suddenly helpless orange pony.  As he did, his face gradually hardened from its neutral expression to a look of bitter pain and righteous anger.  “How’s it feel to be without the most important thing to you?”
“Is that what this is about?” Nighthawk fired back.  “Trying to make me understand how you feel?  That’s pathetic, Blitz.”
Sky’s hoof slammed into the masonry, and a thunderclap echoed overhead.  “You’re the lowest of the low, you filthy backstabber!” he shouted, his voice breaking.  “You betrayed those who call you their friend, tried to overthrow the government of the land, and didn’t even hesitate to try and kill innocent bystanders!  You don’t deserve mercy of any kind!  You don’t deserve death!  It’s too good for you!”
“Death?” Nighthawk asked, and a disdainful smile rose to his lips.  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Blitz.  You’re a long way from being able to kill me!”  He raised a hoof and hurled a ball of fire at Sky, which exploded on impact.
The fireball persisted for a moment, when a lightning bolt split the sky and struck it, ripping it apart.  However, the bolt did not dissipate.  Instead, it danced and writhed in the air as a bridge between the clouds above and the four-legged being below.
He had declared it in the windigo kingdom a year earlier, but it had not been evident until now.  This was who he was.
Sky Streak, the Living Lightning.
Not even Nighthawk could hide the look of awe at the sight before him.  Sky stood at the base of a column of persistent lightning; a bolt that did not end.  His body was totally encased in the brilliant bolt, yet the only part of him that seemed to indicate anything out of the ordinary were his eyes, which shone with the same intensity as the lightning itself.  His face seemed expressionless, but as he opened his mouth to speak, it became apparent that he didn’t have to make a face to get his point across.  He did not shout, but even over the continuous thunder, it came out as clear as a bell.
“This is for Lily.”
He rose to his back legs and brought his front legs together in a tight V.  With an otherworldly grace, he erupted into the air and performed a wide loop in the air, lightning trailing him the entire time.  As he exited the loop, he aimed straight for Nighthawk, who merely stood motionless, apparently resigned to his fate.  Sky raced in, summoning all his magic before surging ahead.
For a singular moment, all was peaceful again.  The rain fell gently, the breeze blew softly, and the storm above abated.
The peace was shattered in the next moment as a flash of pure white washed the clearing of all color.  The sky seemed to sizzle as an electric blue shockwave radiated from the roof of the castle.  A moment later, a singular lightning bolt seared the air and tore into the woods at the edge of the clearing.  Trees swayed in its passing, and the ground was torn into a long trench along its path.
The rain had stopped.  The clouds above were slowly beginning to break, and the stars peeked out from behind the misty veil.  And there, at the end of the trail of destruction, lay Nighthawk, unconscious and defeated.  And above him loomed Sky Streak.  His aura of lightning was gone, and steam rose from his entire body.  The lines across his face betrayed his feeling of exhaustion, but the intensity of his eyes had not died.  He stared down at his foe.  He was beaten.  Defeated.  Helpless.
And in Sky’s mind, one thought took hold.  Do it.  Finish it.  Have your revenge.
Sky stepped forward and raised a hoof.  Small blue arcs of magic ran along his leg as he the impending strike hung over him.  His eyes stung with tears as the suffering of the last four days came to its climax.  His muscles tensed as he prepared to drop his hoof like a hammer.  DO IT!
But before he could act, a new voice spoke to him.  An unrecognizable voice, and yet, somehow, so…familiar.  No, Sky Streak.  This is not the way.
Sky tore his gaze from Nighthawk and looked all around.  No one in sight, and yet…that voice had been so clear.  Like it had come from right beside him.  “Who’s there?” he called into the darkness.
The silence of the forest was his only answer.  He gave the landscape one last glance before turning back to the task at hand.  His mind hardened.  “That last one was for Lily,” he said coldly, holding up his hoof again.  “This is for me.”
“And what good will that do you?”
Sky again looked up, annoyed by the distraction.  “Who’s there?” he called again, only to receive the same response as before.  “C’mon, I’m tired of this.  Who are you?”
He waited for a response, fully expecting to hear nothing but the continuing silence.  So he jumped in surprise when the voice spoke again.  It seemed to swirl around him instead of coming from a distinct location.  “What have your anger and rage ever done for you?  What benefits are there to giving in to those feelings?”
“What benefits?  Perhaps now I can have some closure and move on, for one,” Sky remarked.
“Will you really?  Or will you spend the rest of your days regretting the decision you made?”
Sky’s face twisted into a scowl.  “That’s only if it’s the wrong decision,” he countered.
 “When has taking another’s life ever been the right decision?”
Sky winced.  He couldn’t deny the truth of the question.  He stood and began to pace back and forth, organizing his thoughts.  “He deserves it.  He deserves it a thousand times over,” Sky said, again feeling the sting of tears.
“Perhaps he does.  But maybe you deserve better than to spend your life regretting the one choice you can never forget.”
Silence again prevailed over the forest.  Sky sat still as a stone, grappling with his emotional turmoil.  Finally, he turned and walked over to Nighthawk’s limp form again.
“He does deserve it.  And maybe I deserve a better future.  But I just can’t picture a future without Lily.”  He lifted his hoof high over his head and held it there.  He hesitated.  This was the most important decision of his life thus far.  The choice to kill, or to spare.  He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.  Don’t think about it; just do it.
A sudden glare impressed itself against his eyelids.  Reluctantly, Sky opened his eyes.
And stared in awe at the sight before him.
A pond sat not far from where he stood.  Its surface was unnaturally still, and even in the darkness of the forest, Sky could tell that the water was crystal clear.  But none of that was as enchanting as the single object that rested upon the surface of the water.  It was an elegant white flower, gently glowing like a star from heaven.  It rested upon a perfectly round lilypad, green as the greenest emerald.  Involuntarily, Sky’s upraised hoof moved to his chest, where it pressed firmly against his treasured brooch of the same design.  His breathing became shallow.  His heart raced.  He knew this flower.  He had never seen it before, and he had only known of its existence a couple of weeks, but there was no doubt.  His throat went dry.
“An Everfree Lily,” he croaked in disbelief.
It was the very essence of beauty and purity.  It was perfect in appearance, and, much to Sky’s bewilderment, the sight of it sent a soothing chill along his spine.  Sky continued to stare in rapt silence when thoughts and memories began to rise unbidden to his mind.  He saw flashes of his triumphs and happiest moments over the past year, followed by an image that still haunted him: it was a memory of looking in the mirror, a mere three days ago.  He had been tired, and his actions and appearance made that obvious.  But more than anything, he had seen the bitterness and resentment he held in that moment, and he distinctly knew that was the moment when the thirst for revenge had fully awakened in him.
And then, he had the strangest feeling that an answer was required from him.  He shook his head and trained his gaze on the lily on the water.  It was just a flower from all appearances, but…
“So, this is what it means, huh?” Sky muttered.  “‘Greatest need?’  Look, I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
The memories again flashed in his mind, and the demand for an answer renewed itself.  “Hey, I said that I didn’t…wait a second,” he interrupted himself, “I’m…I’m arguing with a flower.”  He shook his head incredulously.  “I must be losing it.”
Fresh images played in his head.  Images of Nighthawk, but not the one that had been intent on destroying Sky just a few minutes ago. These were memories of a stern teacher and a staunch ally.  There were times of criticism and critique, but also times of laughter and enjoyment.  These somewhat pleasant thoughts were then interrupted by the now too-familiar image of the dark-eyed Nighthawk.  Again, the sensation of a question filled his thoughts.
“He was never that teacher,” Sky replied coldly.  “That was just a front.  He was a monster from the start.  He only showed his true colors when he sabotaged the Guard.  Stinking traitor.”
A new memory popped into his head: Princess Celestia.  She was standing in Luna’s room within the palace, and Sky remembered the occasion.  Her mouth was moving, but no sound was heard.  Not until a single word filled every corner of his head.
 “Forgiven.”
Sky nearly gagged.  “Forgive?!  Forgive him?!  Are you serious?  He’s a traitor!  He tried to kill me, my family, my friends, and hundreds of other innocent ponies!  Who could forgive someone like that?”
He took a deep breath.  “Besides, what do you know, anyway?  You’re just a flower.  You hear that?” he asked, raising his voice.  “A flower!  What do you understand about pain and loss and suffering and…”  His voice trailed off.  His eyes were stinging again.
The sad yet consoling face of Garnet Glint appeared.  “If Lily completes you, then that means you changed because of her.  You learned from her.  And even if she can’t be with you physically, you can carry her love and faith in your heart.  Just because she isn’t there doesn’t mean she isn’t with you.”
Sky’s eyes levelled as he stared out to the flower in pained irritation.  “You know what?  We’re done here,” he said, turning from the water and walking again towards the limp orange pony on the ground.  “We’re done debating over all this.”  He whipped around, eyes suddenly aflame with anger.  “You’re just some stupid li—li…little li..liiillllll….”
He couldn’t say it.  The word wouldn’t come.  It stuck in his throat, like an obstacle to overcome.  His wild eyes turned and stared at the ground.  Again, memories of Lily danced through his brain.  Their dates, their walks, parties, and just times they spent sitting in silence.  The tears ran uninhibited down the sides of his face as he heard his own voice from the past utter a singular word: “Future.”
The tears clouded his vision, but the lily remained perfectly clear.  “What future?!” he shouted, voice unsteady.  “She was my future!  I loved her!”  He began to sob uncontrollably, and he collapsed onto the dirt.  He wept for a solid minute before struggling back to his hooves and looking at Nighthawk’s form beside him.  “And…he…stole her away from me!  I don’t have a future anymore!  Because of him!”  He staggered over to where he was once again looming above the unconscious pegasus.  His eyes darkened.  “And it’s only just that if he steals mine, then I should take away his!”  He stretched his leg to the heavens, and blue arcs of magic sprang from his hoof.
Then abruptly, he paused.  His mouth went dry.  His pupils slowly drifted across his eyes as he stared in shock at the Everfree Lily.  His jaw clenched, his eyes closed, and his head fell as he began to weep yet again.  One final memory had entered his mind.  One he could not ignore.  “That’s not fair,” he sobbed.  “They’re completely different!  They’re nothing alike!”
One last word echoed in his mind: “Choose.”
He looked down at Nighthawk.  That face…it had haunted every moment that his eyes had been closed…and almost all the others.  He could feel the seething rage beneath his skin.  But in the recesses of his mind, he heard the melodic voice of Zecora, reciting that now-relevant Ponyville legend: “So if you come to see one, Respond not with rage or strife, For doing so will only bring Disaster to your life.”
The voice from earlier replied in turn: Do it.  Have your revenge.  It’s what you want, isn’t it?
Again, he heard that terrible, haunting word: “Choose.”
He saw the face of his enemy on the ground.  He heard the voices in his head, each warring for dominance in his mind.  He tasted the salt of his own tears and felt them as they ran like streams down his cheeks.  And still he saw that one final vision, that singular thought that he simply could not ignore.
His leg was still extended into the air, flashes of color whipping around it as his emotions lent strength to his magic.  He swallowed, but his mouth was as dry as a desert.  He lowered his head and closed his eyes as tightly as he could.  He screamed at the top of his lungs.
And like the stroke of a hammer, his hoof fell.
> Chapter 15: The Mystery of Mercy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everfree Forest
April 31, 9:48 PM

His eyes opened to near-complete darkness.  An occasional star managed to penetrate the darkness above and cast a momentary glimmer into his eye before being swallowed by the shadows again.  He blinked several times, trying to adjust to the shadows.  He didn’t remember falling asleep, but…well, it sure seemed like he had.
He sat up, and every fiber of his being groaned in protest.  His muscles were sore, his body ached from what felt like countless bruises, and his entire body seemed to tremble from an overexertion of magic power.  He twisted and stretched, hoping to work out the kinks in his muscles.  He rolled onto his side, where he found himself staring at a deep impression in the ground.  It resembled a miniature crater: something had crashed into the soft earth with a great deal of force.  And, from the look of things, it had missed his head by mere inches.
Suddenly, he saw a sight that took his breath away.  On a nearby pond, a beautiful white lily rested upon the perfectly serene surface of the water.  It was spellbinding—a beauty beyond words.
At the edge of the water, a flash of color drew his eyes.  A body sat there, still as a stone, staring out at the solitary bloom.  He didn’t immediately recognize the figure, but as he studied it more closely, he caught sight of a pony’s mane, and he instantly knew who he was dealing with.  He cleared his throat and called his name.
“Blitz?”

Sky cringed as he heard his own name.  He had been dreading it.  The voice caused his emotions to boil.  His muscles tensed like rubber bands.  His jaw clamped tight as a vice.  But in spite of his anger, he swallowed the urge to act on it and spoke only the name of the pony that addressed him.  “Nighthawk,” he replied.
“Ugh, ow,” he heard from the other pony.  “What happened?”
Sky raised an eyebrow and turned his head just enough to see the pony from the corner of his eye.  He didn’t need to worry about Nighthawk attacking him yet.  That stun bolt was good to last for another hour at the least.  “You don’t remember?  I must’ve hit you harder than I thought.”
Any action Nighthawk had been performing was cut short by the sudden glance he fired at Sky.  “You what?” he demanded.  “You hit your superior?”
Sky was ready with a caustic comment of his own when he became suddenly aware that Nighthawk’s eyes had returned to normal.  They were no longer the shadowy voids that he had stared into during their battle.  What the hay?
“Blitz!” Nighthawk shouted furiously.  “Answer me!  What’s going on?  Not only do I wake up in an unfamiliar forest, but then you tell me that you hit me hard enough to give me amnesia?  I want an explanation!”
“Uh…” Sky stammered.  Of all the things he had been expecting when Nighthawk came to, this had not been one of them.  It was as though he had no recollection of the battle.  But…that’s not possible.  He can’t just forget something like that!
“If this is your idea of a prank, then I’ve got a new definition of discipline for you!” Nighthawk bellowed, becoming thoroughly agitated.
“Hold on,” Sky said, turning to look Nighthawk full in the face.  He held up a hoof.  “Just wait.  You’re telling me you don’t remember…anything?”
“Blitz, I’m giving you to the count of three to tell me what’s going on, or I will personally feed you to a manticore!  One!”
“Nighthawk, listen to me, I need you to—”
“Two!”
Sky’s brain raced.  Nighthawk was suddenly back to his old self, as though his betrayal had been an illusion.  What was more, he didn’t have any idea where he was, how he got there, or even…
“What day is it?” Sky blurted.
Nighthawk gave him a scrutinizing glare.  “What?”
“What day is it?  Day and month, I mean,” Sky asked again.
“When I fell asleep, it was April the twenty-sixth, at about ten o’clock at night, but I fail to see how that is pertinent information,” the orange pegasus replied.  “Now, if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I swear I’m going to make you into a gourmet for that manticore.”
“Nighthawk, today is the thirty-first of April,” Sky shouted desperately.  “The twenty-sixth was five days ago!”
He hesitated for a moment, then sneered in disregard.  “You’re determined to play this charade to its end, aren’t you?  I gave you the chance to tell me the truth.”
“That is the truth!” Sky insisted.  “I can give perfect account of what happened each of those days inbetween then and now!”
“Then do it.”  Nighthawk’s skeptical gaze settled on the young blue pegasus.  “Though I doubt you’ll be able to keep your story straight.”
Sky gulped.  While he could give account for everything, the story would, at the very least, come as quite a shock to the elder pegasus.  “Uh, well…you might want to be sitting down,” he suggested.
“I’ll stand,” Nighthawk countered.  “Get talking.  What happened four days ago?”
“Well, I went to visit Princess Luna that morning.  She was in the throne room, and…you remember that Celestia went to the Crystal Empire, right?”
“Because of the attempted theft of the Crystal Heart.  Yes, I remember, Blitz.  Go on.”
Sky cleared his throat.  This was the start of the tough part.  “Well, I met with her probably around noonish.  While I was with her, the earth shook like a short earthquake or something.  Luna sent me to investigate, and on my way there, Ace contacted me and told me that somepony had sabotaged the HQ.  There had been an explosion which destroyed all the shooters, left the lab in shambles, and basically caused a lot of damage, so—”
“Wait,” Nighthawk interrupted, looking a little concerned.  “You’re telling me that somepony snuck into a place that officially doesn’t exist, evaded detection by everypony including Scope and Tread, and managed to sabotage the location?”
“Not quite,” Sky answered.  “I was headed down to the HQ to help with recovery when the traitor flew out of the exit and headed into Canterlot.  I had to chase him.”
Nighthawk looked genuinely intrigued by the story, but the look in his eye indicated that he knew he wasn’t going to like the next part.  “Who was the traitor, Blitz?”
“Well…” Sky stammered.  “You were, sir.”
Nighthawk sat back on his haunches and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  “And that’s why the traitor went undetected.  He was on the inside the whole time, right?”
Sky felt terrible.  Here he had been contemplating killing Nighthawk just an hour earlier, and now, the poor guy couldn’t even remember the past four days.  Something was off, but he couldn’t place his hoof on it yet.  “Yes, sir.  We fought over Canterlot, using magic and all.”
Nighthawk suddenly looked alarmed.  “So all of Canterlot could see two pegasi using magic?  Solace is not going to like that.  If this tale is actually the case,” he quickly added.
“I promise you, it is,” Sky assured him.
“What happened in the battle?”
“Well, we fought for a while, then we got magic involved, and...and then…”  Sky closed his eyes and shook his head.  No matter how many times he was forced to relive those horrible moments, they never lost their potency.  “…A piece of the mountain broke away and fell into Canterlot.”
Nighthawk sat unmoving, his eyes set on Sky.  “What aren’t you telling me, Blitz?”
Sky bit back a sob and sniffed.  “The boulder…it…it landed on the jewelry shop.  There were two ponies inside.  One was the manager.  He was hurt, but not life-threatening injuries.  But the other…”
For the first time in possibly forever, Sky could see a look of genuine pity in Nighthawk’s face.  He probably knew what Sky was going to say, but he had to hear it for himself.  “Who was the other, Blitz?”
Sky choked, and the tears he thought he had exhausted began to flow again.  “It was Lily!” he sputtered, tears and saliva flying from his face as his voice broke.  “She took the brunt of the collision, and now she’s in the hospital, and…the doctors…they don’t think she’ll make it…”
Nighthawk looked stunned.  His face changed into a look of dreadful disbelief.  For a long while, the only sound that could be heard was the sniffing and occasional cough from Sky, who struggled to master himself.  Finally, he began to talk in a slow, soft voice.  “I…I’m responsible for what happened to…Lily?  Your Lily?  The one from Polarmino?”
Sky nodded, but found himself unable to speak.  “You wouldn’t lie about something like that,” Nighthawk surmised.  “Then…this really is the truth?  I…might be responsible for…the death of an innocent pony?  And not just anypony, but Lily…”
His eyes darted to and fro, looking for anything to stare at other than Sky.  “I…I don’t know what to say, Blitz.  I honestly don’t have any memory of that.  As far as I know, none of this ever happened.  And yet, I know that you’re telling the truth.  So I have no choice but to believe that I did this terrible thing.  I’m…I’m so sorry, Blitz.”  He shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh.  “What happened next?”
Sky wiped his nose with his leg.  “Well, I spent the next two days in the hospital with Lily.  I was there until both her parents and mine showed up, and then I went back to the HQ and got Scope and Tread.  Ace wasn’t willing to let me go after you, but Ghost gave me permission.  Your trail wasn’t hard for us to follow, so we made good time following you into the Everfree Forest.”
“Oh, so that’s where we are?” Nighthawk asked, apparently glad to have moved beyond the topic of Lily’s accident.  “I can’t say I’ve ever actually been here before.”
Sky blinked.  “Hang on.  In the battle over Canterlot, you told me that you were the one responsible for the Chimera and its little reign of terror last year.  But I first met the Chimera in the Castle of the Two Sisters.  If you’ve never been here before, then how did the Chimera know where to go?”
“Now wait just a second,” Nighthawk held up a hoof, shaking his head as though something was in his ear.  “I said that I was behind the Chimera attacks?”
“Well, yeah.”
Nighthawk looked completely offended, and somewhat horrified.  “I assure you, I most certainly am not!  That’s simply ridiculous!”
“So if you weren’t behind it, why would you say that you were?”
Nighthawk returned a look that was just as confused as Sky.  “I wish I had a good answer for you, Blitz.  I remember no personal interaction of any kind with the Chimera.  I don’t ever recall having been to the Everfree.  But based on what you’re telling me, I don’t know if I can actually trust my memories as they are.”
“I understand,” Sky said, though he really didn’t.  What was even more ironic was how he was saying it to the one being he had hated more than anyone else not but an hour ago.
“So, after the battle in Canterlot, I fled to the Everfree?  What, did you almost beat me?”
“I would like to say that, but no, you beat me fair and square.  I was unconscious when you left.”
“Oh.  My apologies,” Nighthawk said.  “You should have tried harder,” he added, apparently trying to add some levity to the conversation.
“I got my revenge later,” Sky replied.
“Sure feels like it,” Nighthawk agreed, rotating a leg with a groan.  “Anyways, the three of you followed me in here.  I must have wanted you to find me if you were able to follow my trail after two days.”
“That’s what we thought,” Sky confirmed.  “So I figured it was all drama.  A setup, since at the time, we thought you were the mastermind behind all the Chimera incidents.  This was the first place I fought it, so I just assumed it was theatrics: a setup to a grand conclusion.”
“A cruel twist of irony that the site of your first victory was to be the location of your final defeat,” Nighthawk nodded.
“Exactly.  So when we got here, Scope and Tread went to catch the Ponyville train back to Canterlot, and I proceeded to fight you.”
“And they agreed to let you face me alone?”
Sky shrugged.  “Well, not exactly willingly, but I convinced them in the end.  Anyways, we fought, and I’ll admit, it was pretty epic, but, obviously, I won out in the end.”  He paused a moment, then decided it was best to skip over the part where he had nearly killed Nighthawk out of his thirst for revenge.  He shot a quick glance at the place he had slammed his hoof into the ground beside Nighthawk’s head.  “And then you woke up, and here we are.”
“It’s all ludicrous,” the orange pegasus said in response.  “But that just means that you couldn’t have made it up.  Even so, it doesn’t help us.  I don’t have an explanation for why I went crazy like that, or why I came to my senses only now, what any of it means, or where we go from here.”
“Yeah, I know,” Sky agreed.  “But you asked for the details, and now you have them.”
“I suspect there’s a lot you had to gloss over,” Nighthawk added, “And I’m not sure what to feel, or think, or do.  I mean...Blitz, I betrayed the Guard!  And put hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent ponies directly in harm’s way!  And I put a very important one in the hospital!  I…I…”
“You’re overwhelmed,” Sky surmised.  “And as mad as I could be, I think I’m past it.  So just take it slow.  We’ll straighten everything out…whatever all this is.”
“Thanks,” Nighthawk replied.  
Sky took a deep breath, and as he exhaled, he found himself surprised by how much it seemed to have helped.  “I’ve also got tons of questions,” Nighthawk continued, “but right now, I guess I can settle for two: first, what’s that flower?”
Sky turned again to the majestic bloom upon the water.  “That is something I had never seen before, and I’ve only known about its existence for a few weeks now.  It’s called the Everfree Lily, and it’s…well, it’s supposedly the topic of a Ponyville legend.”
“Oh?” Nighthawk inquired.  “What kind of legend?”
Sky sighed and let his shoulders sag.  “I don’t remember how the legend actually goes, probably because it’s a rhyme and I’m not very good with those.  But the story goes that it only blooms in ‘times of greatest need.’”
Nighthawk came up beside him and gave him a curious stare.  “And what need was so great to cause it to bloom now?”
Sky did not meet the eyes of the other pony.  He knew exactly what that need was.  And perhaps he understood it better now.  But explaining what that need had been would be more than embarrassing: it might be disastrous.
“Look, Blitz, before I woke up, you were the only pony here.  And from what you just told me, that flower only blooms when someone has a great need.  And since I don’t know of anyone else that had been here, I can only assume that the one with the need was you.”  Nighthawk’s eyes narrowed just enough to let Sky know that he meant business.  “So, I’ll ask again: what was the need that made it bloom?”
Sky bit his lip.  There was no getting around it.  “Nighthawk,” Sky began, “Lily’s in the hospital, and there’s a very great possibility that she won’t wake up again.  And as I saw it, that was your fault.  I…I became obsessed with revenge.  It wasn’t about bringing a traitor to justice.  In my head, all I wanted was for you to pay for what you had done to me.  You had taken away the most precious thing that I had.  And I was ready to take the same thing from you.”
Nighthawk’s eyes became wide as saucers.  “You mean…you meant to kill me?”
Sky nodded.  He was ashamed beyond words.  “Yes.”
“Really.”  Nighthawk sat down beside his pupil, who had turned his face away.  “As horrible as that sounds, I really didn’t expect anything else.”  He paused a moment, then turned the conversation in a different direction.  “Blitz, be honest with me.  Do you think I’ve been too hard on you with your training?”
“Huh?  Oh, well…uh…”
“I thought so,” Nighthawk replied, interpreting Sky’s grunts and hesitations.  “Let me be honest with you for a second.  Before you joined the Guard, I was unquestionably the finest pegasus they had.  None of the others could hold a candle to me.  It wasn’t even close.
“But then you came along, and something changed.  You were young, but your battles against the Chimera had given you a wealth of experience, and it was obvious to everyone that you had the potential to outmatch me one day.  And that scared me.”
“What?  You, scared?” Sky said, amused by the thought.
“Blitz, whether you knew it or not, your coming to the Guard was a revelation.  Everything changes over time, but I didn’t want it to.  I wanted to be looked at as the greatest pegasus to ever fly for the Alicorn Guard, and until you showed up, that dream was a reality.  And while the others saw you as the new star of the team, I only saw you as a threat to my legacy.”
Sky merely sat and stared at his teacher as he continued.  “Even I couldn’t deny that you would one day be better than me.  So, when I was asked to train you, I decided that if I had to do it, I wasn’t going to make it easy on you.  I was jealous of you, Blitz.  Jealous of your skill.  Your triumphs.  Your apparent destiny to become the greatest flier the Alicorn Guard has ever seen.”
A startled look came to Sky’s face.  “Yes, I believed that.  But what’s more important is that I still believe that.  You’ve become better than me.  But here’s where I’m going with this: if you had given in to that rage you felt towards me, I know that the unkindness I showed towards you would only have fueled those emotions.  And in the end, the actions I took to prevent my greatest fear from coming true would have contributed to my demise.  Ironic, isn’t it?”
Sky inclined his head to one side in acknowledgement.  “Well, yeah, I can see that.  But why tell me this now?  What changed?”
Nighthawk smiled, and Sky couldn’t help but feel that it was somewhat out-of-place given the context of the conversation.  “That’s easy, Blitz.  You did.  You had every opportunity to get your revenge, and yet, you didn’t do it.  You showed me mercy, even though I deserved none.  I suppose I could be bitter about that, but that’s just too ridiculous for me to even consider.  You’ve become great in spite of my attempts to prevent that.  You deserve my respect.”
Sky actually felt himself blushing a bit.  “Aw, well…thanks.  Heh, I’m so unused to hearing any kind of praise from you, I’m not quite sure what to say.”
“Then think of this as the start of something new.  Speaking of which,” Nighthawk continued, “you said that you intended to kill me.  But you obviously didn’t.  So that brings me to my second question…what changed your mind?”
Sky’s eyes suddenly darkened, and a troubled expression passed across his face.  “Ask me again later.  I don’t think I’m quite ready to talk about it.”
Nighthawk’s eyes betrayed a look of grave concern, but he nodded his consent.  “Alright, Blitz.  Whenever you’re ready.  I owe you that much at the very least.”
Together, they sat in silence, staring at the Everfree Lily for an extended time.  Neither spoke a word or moved a muscle.  It was almost as if a stray cockatrice had wandered by and turned them both to stone.  Sky’s mind was preoccupied with many things, and he could only assume that given the nature of their conversation, Nighthawk was deep in thought as well.
Finally, Nighthawk broke the silence.  “So now what?”
Sky almost chuckled.  What else could he have asked?  “Well, the obvious thing to do would be to go back to Canterlot and explain what we know now.”
“Which is what, exactly?”
“Uh…hm.”  Sky made a comical face at the sudden realization.  “I see your point.”
“For all the trouble I’ve put you through, we have no answers to any of your questions.  In fact, all we have are more questions.  And I’m not even counting all the questions you have that I don’t even know about yet,” Nighthawk added.
“Yeah, I hear ya,” Sky sighed.  Sure wish that flower would show me what to do next.  “But I suppose that Canterlot’s as good a place as any right now.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.”
The two pegasi leapt to their hooves and spun around.  They saw no one, but that voice had been undeniably real.  The shadows of the forest could hide just about anything.  But this voice was not unfamiliar.  Sky hadn’t heard it much, but the little he had heard had stuck with him.
Nighthawk apparently shared the sentiment.  “I know that voice,” he said.
“You do?!  Oh, how wonderful!  I’ve always loved being recognized for my work.”
The two ponies turned and saw a figure rise from the pond.  It had a long, winding body that looked strangely like a skinny “S”.  Its arms and legs were mismatched, and a pair of asymmetrical horns protruded from the top of its head.  Its yellow eyes glowed, and a mischievous grin revealed several not-entirely-intimidating fangs.
As he finished emerging, he threw his arms in the air, spawning a shower of confetti and a barrage of miniature fireworks.  “I do hope I’m not interrupting anything,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Sky scowled in disgust.  “Discord.”     
> Chapter 16: Lord of Chaos
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Everfree Forest
April 31, 10:26 PM

 Just when I thought I was done being angry today.
Sky stared up at the unmistakable form of the self-proclaimed King of Chaos himself, Discord.  Once the ruler of the lands of Equestria, he had been regarded as a tyrant until his defeat by Celestia and Luna.  He returned a thousand years later with plans to remodel all of Equestria with his own brand of mayhem, but was stopped yet again by the power of the Elements of Harmony.  Since then, he had “supposedly” been reformed.  Supposedly.
“Discord,” Sky growled, making a scowl that felt all too familiar, “how about you go crawl back into whatever slimy cesspool you came from?”  He could feel the tingle of magic ripple down his spine, causing the hairs of his mane to stand on end.
The draconequus turned his yellow eyes on the agitated pegasus.  He flashed that infuriating Discord-esque grin as he spoke.  “And a heartfelt greeting to you, Sky Streak,” he cooed in a relaxed voice that made Sky’s skin crawl.  “It’s so nice to hear some straight talk.  All this political correctness wears on the mind,” he added with a rub to his temple.
“Is that so?” Sky returned, smiling grimly in turn.  “Well, I’m glad to hear that, ‘cause there’s plenty more where that came from, you sad excuse for a—”
“Discord.”  Nighthawk gave Sky a warning glance before turning his attention to the god of mayhem.  “What brings you out here?”
“Ah, Firebolt,” Discord called Nighthawk by his true name, casting the same creepy gaze he had given Sky upon the fiery orange pegasus.  “The diplomatic approach, I see.  To tell the truth, I have many reasons for being here.  Not the least of which,” he said, floating out over the pond, “is this lovely flower.”  He stooped down to get a closer look.
“Hey, paws and claws off, you,” Sky warned, taking to the air and darting out in front of Discord, putting himself between the lily and the god of chaos.  “I don’t trust you within fifty yards of that flower.”
“My, my, aren’t we touchy?” Discord commented, squeezing Sky’s cheeks together with one claw.  He quickly withdrew his claw, and Sky’s skin snapped back into place, as though it had been stuck to Discord’s fingers.  “Distance has no bearing over the Lord of Chaos.  But you don’t have anything to worry about, you winged bundle of worry,” he said with a pat on Sky’s head.  “I don’t want to do anything to this delicate little blossom.  I’m simply here to observe it.”  His neck stretched as his head moved away from the rest of his body, over Sky (much to his surprise), and down to where the flower rested upon the water.  “Oh, I’m so giddy I could just squeal!”
Sky could taste the bile in his mouth.  Here was Discord—the ruthless, heartless, careless tyrant of the past—and he was carrying on what he must have seen as a normal conversation with two typical pegasi.  What was more, he was interested in not just any Everfree Lily: no, it had to be this one.  This particular one that, in this moment, meant more to him than nearly everything else in Equestria.  His muscles tensed and twitched with an anxious energy that almost begged him to drive his hooves into Discord’s eye sockets.  But behind him, he could feel Nighthawk’s eyes burning holes in the back of his head.  To be fair, he wasn’t exactly sure how much he could trust Nighthawk, but he believed that he could trust him more than Discord.
“And why should one flower be of such interest to you?” Nighthawk pressed in an even tone.
“Oh, please,” Discord said, turning around, looking annoyed.  “I’ve been a stone statue for the last thousand years, and these flowers don’t just come along every day.  I honestly thought that they had gone extinct.”
Sky arched an eyebrow in suspicion.  “And exactly how would a magical flower go extinct?”
“A magic flower isn’t any different from a regular flower,” Discord said, suddenly donned in a graduation cap and gown with a sudden poof.  He reached into the water and drew out a chalkboard, complete with a diagram of the lily.  “If you kill the original plant, then you don’t have any seeds.  Same with a magic flower: destroy the source, no more flowers.”  With a snap, his accessories disappeared.
“A magical source?”
“Oh, come on,” Discord groaned.  “I’ve covered this once already.  Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about this?”  He snapped again, and an image appeared of Twilight and her friends around a bright, shining tree as vines black as night vanished from around it.  Sky was unfamiliar with the actual scene, though he was familiar enough with the story to know what he was viewing.
“The Tree of Harmony?”
A burst of sparks and confetti flew from behind Discord and fell across Sky’s body.  “Oh, bravo, my boy!” Discord cheered, clapping his claws excitedly.  “Correct you are.  The Tree of Harmony is, in its simplest state, the physical manifestation of the ‘magic of friendship,’ as it were.  And while I’m not entirely sure this is the case, it seems to me that it naturally seeks out nearby places where the overall presence of ‘harmony’ is lessened.  As a result, the Everfree Lily blooms as a mechanism to restore the balance.”
“Seems like quite a lot to handle for a tree, even one with the power of the Tree of Harmony,” Nighthawk observed.
“Oh, indeed,” Discord answered with a nod.  “But that’s why it’s the Everfree Lily, and not the Equestria Lily.”
Sky found himself becoming more and more interested in the conversation in spite of those he was currently having it with.  “So it’s a localized event.  But why be so interested in this now,” he asked, still holding on to his suspicions, “when you were the one who tried to destroy the Tree in the first place?”
“Oh, I’m a reformed being now, Sky Streak,” Discord replied, sounding offended.  “It’s more of a hobby to investigate those things from my past.  You understand, don’t you?”
Sky wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily.  “Yeah?  Well if you were so ‘reformed’ so many months ago, why didn’t you just vaporize all the seeds and vines back then?  Surely the ‘god of chaos’ could have handled such a trivial matter with a snap of his fingers?”
Nighthawk made a disapproving click with his tongue, and Discord’s face betrayed a look of irritation before it was veiled once again behind a face of passivity.  “Oh, I suppose it merely slipped my mind at the time,” he answered, trying to look as innocent as possible…which, to Sky, was the surest indication of guilt he could have given.
Behind him, Nighthawk cleared his throat.  “You said you had a few reasons for being out here, Discord.  What else brought you here?”
Sky saw a strange glimmer in the eyes of the draconequus.  “Why, you did, of course,” he answered cryptically.
“Us?” Sky echoed.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I am Discord, the Lord of Chaos,” he replied.  “If I can honestly say that, then wouldn’t it follow that I would be aware of chaos and disharmony wherever it exists?”
Sky blinked as the thought took hold.  It made perfect sense…which, coming from Discord, made absolutely no sense.  Which, again, made perfect sense.
Better stop that train of thought right now, Sky thought, feeling dizzy.
“So, you sensed our conflict all the way out here?” Nighthawk surmised.  “But surely there are conflicts all over Equestria every day.  Why come specifically to this one?”
“Because out of all the tussles, arguments, and fights across Equestria, only one featured two magic-wielding pegasi.  I brought popcorn,” he said, conjuring a large bucket of the buttery treat, “but you were done by the time I got here.”
“You can instantly teleport anywhere.  How is it that you were late getting here?” Sky asked out of genuine curiosity.
“If you must know, Celestia has tasked me with several important duties within Canterlot.”  He raised his head piously and began to strut back and forth atop the water.  “I couldn’t just leave them uncompleted.”
“There’s probably no point in asking what they were, so I won’t,” Sky sighed.  “But you still haven’t answered why you appeared to us.  I mean, what’s the point in coming here and talking to us if the conflict is over?”
Discord smiled.  And not your typical “I’m-feeling-just-dandy” smile you feel whenever the sun is shining and all’s right with the world.  This was a “you’d-better-sit-down-because-I’m-about-to-rock-your-world-and-enjoy-every-minute-of-it” smile.
“Because the conflict isn’t over.”
“…And?  Is that it?” Sky deadpanned.
“Oh, certainly not,” Discord replied.  “I’m sure that you’ve figured out that poor Firebolt—or Nighthawk, or whatever he wants to be called—isn’t your real enemy in all of this.”
The idea wasn’t new to him, but the fact that Discord seemed to be aware of so much surprised him.  “Go on,” he pressed.
“I’m not as oblivious as most ponies think I am,” he continued.  “I know all about your little tussle with the Chimera last year, the Alicorn Guard and its members, and quite a few other things.”  He spread his arms out wide.  “I have eyes and ears all over the place!”  All around, eyes and ears of various shapes and sizes (and species, from all indications) popped into view.
An uncomfortable chill ran down Sky’s spine.  “Wonderful.  Your point?”
“No one understands chaos better than me,” Discord explained, acting strangely…normal.  “When I felt you two fighting down here, I was naturally intrigued.  But as I continued to investigate, it became obvious that your half of the fight,” he said, gesturing towards Sky, “wasn’t the same as his.”  He nodded towards Nighthawk as he finished.
“I don’t even remember the fight, though I certainly feel its effects,” Nighthawk said.  Sky turned back to see the orange pegasus rubbing his left shoulder gently.  Struck by a sudden pang of compassion, Sky glided back to the shore and pressed his own hoof into his companion’s upper back and began to massage.  His face tensed in response, but he managed a pained smile.  “Thanks,” he groaned.
“Exactly,” Discord continued.  “Sky Streak was the very essence of rage, if I do say so myself.  He was burning with emotion, and those emotions had a very distinct target: you.  But when it came to you, there was a distinct…absence…of any kind of feeling whatsoever.  It was almost as if you weren’t awake, or didn’t even exist, save in body.”
“But I still fought him,” Nighthawk said, unable to piece the evidence together.  “How could I not be present and yet still fight?”
Something rang in the back of Sky’s mind.  This feels familiar, like I should recognize this.  A body that acts without its own will…
As if on cue, his memory focused again, and he heard a pair of voices from the not-so-distant past.

“Spike, I’m sorry for what you saw back there.  It…it was just too much to handle then.  I feel like I’m losing control of myself.”
“Is it really that bad?  I mean, is the Chimera trying to take control of your body?”
“I don’t know what it wants, but it’s trying to make me lose control, at the very least.  It’s like getting hit in the head over and over; eventually, you’re not going to remember anything.”

Sky’s eyes slowly drifted across the water to lock gazes with Discord, who nodded with comprehension as he saw Sky’s horrified face.  “Ah, I see that Sky Streak understands,” he said nonchalantly, waving a hand in the air.
Sky’s horror gave way to a new rush of anger.  “I got played,” he growled.
“What?” Nighthawk asked.
“Someone used you to lure me here,” Sky explained.  “They wanted me to come here, so they used you to accomplish that.  By controlling you.”
Nighthawk looked horrified.  “Is that even possible?”
“The Chimera could do it.  I can only imagine that it’s possible for ponies, too.”
“Well, perhaps that’s not exactly right,” Discord interrupted.  “I don’t think it was so much where they wanted you as where they didn’t want you.”
Nighthawk’s eyes suddenly lit in understanding.  “Canterlot,” he said.  “Canterlot was the goal.  Oh, what a scheme,” he continued, putting the pieces together.  “They staged a theft of the Crystal Heart to get Celestia out of Canterlot, then used me to get rid of you, Blitz.  The city is without its leader and two of its strongest defenders.”
“But there’s always the rest of the Guard,” Sky noted.  “I mean, Canterlot should be…”
Suddenly, his thought was cut short by a terrible realization.  “Oh, no,” he muttered.
“What?”
“When I was fighting you over Canterlot, you told me that I was mistaken to believe that the Alicorn Guard was enough to protect the city from whoever this guy is.  But now we know that wasn’t actually you: it was someone else speaking for you.  Which means that someone else knows about the Guard.  And if he’s so confident in his plan, he must have designs on every member.”
“My, my,” Discord said, tossing a handful of popcorn into his mouth, “this enemy of yours is quite clever.  A pony after my own heart, you might say.”
“If you had a heart in the first place,” Sky muttered.
Nighthawk shot Sky another reprimanding look.  “We have to get back to Canterlot immediately,” he said.
“Oh?  And do what?” Discord asked.
“Do what?  Stop this guy, duh!” Sky shouted.
“And you know who this enemy is, then?” Discord pressed.
“Well…alright, no.  Not yet, that is,” Sky emphasized.
Discord began to float over the water to the pair of pegasi.  “And even if you knew who it was, what would you do?  You said yourself that he must have plans for every member of the Alicorn Guard.  You’re merely hoping to rush in there and stop them without any real plan of attack.”
“You just going to criticize me, or do you have something constructive to say?” Sky growled, agitation growing.
“Hmph.”  Discord held up a claw and conjured a sparkling orb of light.  “No one understands chaos better than me.  And this foe of yours seems to be quite adept at creating it: he has single-hoofedly turned friends against each other and rendered you incapable of opposing him on your own.  He has removed nearly every obstacle that could have stood in his way and is in the precise location he desires to be in.  As it stands, he is virtually unassailable.  Bravo to him,” he added, summoning a horde of disembodied hands in applause.
“Cut the crap, Discord,” Nighthawk snapped.  “Where are you going with this?”
“Fine.”  With a snap of his fingers, the hands disappeared, and the orb of magic grew in size until it was a large vertical circle in the air.  “You need two things: you need his identity, and you need a plan to oppose him.  Right now you have neither.  I’m offering you a chance to change that.  Just step through this portal.”
Sky could barely contain his skepticism.  “And that takes us where, exactly?”
“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” Discord began.  “I know where it leads, though I think you would be better at interpreting what you’ll find there.  And I’m perfectly willing to take you there…all that I ask is that you do something that neither of you have done since I arrived.”
“And what is that?” Nighthawk queried.
“Trust me,” Discord replied simply.
Sky choked on his breath.  He hacked and coughed for a few seconds before he could regain his composure.  “You?  Trust you?  Trust the villain that tried to cast all of Equestria into a night of eternal pandemonium, not once, but twice!  Trust the guy who, by his own admission, understands chaos better than any being in the empire!  Trust the one who tried to destroy a source of benevolent magic ages ago, and then, after his supposed reformation, doesn’t do anything to rectify that situation!  Trust you!” Sky shouted, almost laughing at the incredible irony of the situation.  “I’d be better off having a staring contest with a cockatrice!”
“But that doesn’t pose any possible positive outcomes,” Nighthawk countered.  “Blitz, let’s face it.  Right now, we don’t have any real options.  We don’t really know what the whole situation is.  Discord is offering us his help.  We can’t afford to turn that down.”
“He’s a snake,” Sky replied with a leer in Discord’s direction.  “If he’s so willing to help, then he must know something.  Why not just tell us and speed things along?  He’s hiding something.”
“Of course he is,” Nighthawk agreed.  “But that doesn’t mean we can’t take what he offers us.  Look, most ponies across Equestria would have a hard time taking Discord at his word.  Myself included.”  He looked across to Discord, who merely shrugged.  “But he’s got something that we need.  We can’t let our personal grievances get in the way of the larger picture here.”
“‘Personal grievances’?”  Sky shook his head in stunned disbelief.  “Nighthawk, you yourself admitted that we don’t really have any idea what’s going on here.  For all we know, he could be the very one behind all this!  We can’t trust him!”
“You know, Sky Streak, I expected better from you.”
Sky swung his head around and stared at the draconequus.  “What?” he growled in a low voice.
The shimmering portal disappeared.  “Well, you’re brutally honest, so you’ve obviously got that down from Applejack,” Discord began, “but I would have thought that Twilight Sparkle—oh, excuse me, Princess Twilight Sparkle—and her friends would have rubbed off on you a bit more than it appears.”
“What the hay are you going on about now?”
“Why, the Elements of Harmony, of course,” Discord answered, summoning images of the legendary stones in the air around the ponies.  “Since Twilight and her friends were their bearers for a time, I expected them to have left an impression on you, though it seems as though I was wrong.”
Sky arched an eyebrow.  “And how’d you come to that expert conclusion?”
Discord disappeared from where he stood as the five necklaces and one tiara appeared right in front of his face, looking just as they did when they were borne by Twilight and her friends.  “Let’s start with Honesty,” Discord’s voice said as his face appeared in the orange stone.  “You’ve shown a natural tendency to speak your mind, and you aren’t afraid of the truth, so I have to give you that one.”  A green checkmark was drawn over the image of the Element, and Discord’s face appeared in the next one.  “How about Laughter?  Well, you haven’t so much as smiled since I’ve been here, much less laughed at all.  So no credit for that one.”
“Let’s see you go through what I’ve been through and do it laughing the whole time!” Sky protested.
“I can only judge by what I see, and based on that, I don’t see it.”  A giant red “X” ran across the blue stone, and Discord moved onto the next one.  “Kindness…that’s a failing grade, too.  Care to argue that one?”
Sky grunted, but made no attempt to debate the point.  Another red “X” appeared as Discord moved again.  “Generosity.  If anything, I’ve been the generous one here, offering you my assistance.  You have offered nothing in return; not even a little bit of graciousness to treat me as something more than an enemy.  A no for this one, too.  And,” he said, moving to the last necklace, “as much as I’d like to give you credit for Loyalty, all you’ve been able to say are derisive comments that haven’t shown an ounce of Loyalty to anyone or anything.  And lastly,” Discord’s voice continued as his face moved to the fuchsia gem of Twilight’s old crown, “the Element of Magic was the ‘spark’ needed to trigger the power of the other five.  But what good is Magic when you only have one of the others?”
Discord’s body reappeared as Sky surveyed the scene.  One green check and five red X’s.  “Oh, Sky Streak, what would your friends say?” Discord asked, and Sky could’ve sworn that he was taking too much pleasure in asking.
“Yeah, well, they’re not here,” Sky said simply.
“Oh, aren’t they?” Discord returned.
Sky opened his mouth with another caustic comeback, but, as had happened so infuriatingly often over the last week, a memory interrupted him.
“If Lily completes you, then that means you changed because of her.  You learned from her.  And even if she can’t be with you physically, you can carry her love and faith in your heart.  Just because she isn’t there doesn’t mean she isn’t with you.”
“…Dangit.”  Sky stared into the eyes of Discord, whose face was the very essence of infuriating.  “Listen, you, I don’t know where you get off on trying to pose as the good guy here, but I’m not having any of it.  I would rather see Equestria in flames than trust its future to you!”
“Looks like you’re going to get your wish, then,” Discord fired back, looking somewhat insulted.  “You’re on the verge of it.”
“Would you just shut up!?” Sky shouted.  His feelings of aggression toward this miscreant had finally come to a head.  “You just waltz in here uninvited like you own the place and are completely deserving of our trust in a situation that could determine the future of the entire land!  Well, I’ve got two news items for you, you overgrown patchwork eel: one, you don’t own the place, and two, you are in no way deserving of anypony’s trust!”
Discord’s expression changed to one of distinct disinterest, but he maintained his silence.  “Why should we trust you?” Sky pressed, and his typical blue color almost appeared to be changing to a shade of furious red.  “That’s something that you have to earn!  And lemme tell ya’, you aren’t anywhere close to having earned it!”
“And just how am I supposed to earn it if no one will give me the chance?”
Sky was so angry that he almost missed the question, but when it registered with him, it forced him to take a moment in thought.  “You…well, I mean…wait.  You’re Discord.  The self-proclaimed king of chaos.  We’re trying to preserve order in Equestria.  Why should a being whose sole existence is the very embodiment of conflict help us maintain peace?”
“Conflict?” Discord echoed.  He shook his head and spread his arms in a gesture of innocence.  “Oh, you misunderstand me, Sky Streak.  There is a difference between chaos and conflict.  Conflict is the nature of battle and war.  It inevitably results in pain and suffering for all those involved.”
“And how is that different from what you did in the past?” Sky asked, still suspicious.
“I must admit, I did take pleasure in a certain amount of conflict in times before,” Discord admitted.  “But since my reformation, I’ve come to a certain understanding.”  Six stuffed dolls resembling Twilight and her friends appeared in midair, and Discord made a quick motion and snuggled them all in a disturbingly tight embrace.  “Chaos isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  Chaos is the essence of surprise; the wonder of the unexpected.  How dreadfully dull life would be if everything went according to plan.  Don’t you agree?”
“What are you saying?” Nighthawk asked.
An expression unlike anything Sky had ever seen before came across Discord’s face.  It was the look of someone ridden with guilt and desperate for redemption, filled with pleading, yet lined with the understanding that even if he never found forgiveness, he could take solace in the fact that he had found something worth living for.  “Even Discord has its place in the grand scheme of harmony.”
Sky stared in disbelief at the draconequus.  He couldn’t be sure, but he thought that, if only for a moment, he actually felt sorry for him.  He had shown a sincere desire to be a good friend to Fluttershy, if nopony else, and Sky couldn’t deny the distinct change that was from what he had been.  He found himself remembering the story as Twilight had told it to him: how, when no one else had been willing to give him a chance, Fluttershy refused to give up on him, and managed to make him realize just how much friendship could mean.  And now, here he was, offering to be—if it were possible—a friend to Sky, and he was too suspicious to accept that.
Or, just maybe, he was too stubbornly holding onto the last vestiges of his bitterness to extend the hoof of mercy to one who needed it.
Finally, Sky understood.  The anger seemed to drain out of his mind as though a valve had been released.  He stared out at the flower resting on the water.  “So that’s what it means,” he whispered.
Nighthawk cocked an eyebrow and continued to massage his wings.  “What’s that?”
“I understand it,” Sky replied.  The anger had vanished from his head, but it had not left a void of emotion: the feeling of peace was almost overwhelming.  It felt familiar…like a magic he had come to know and love.  “The Everfree Lily appears in ‘times of greatest need.’  I think I’m finally understanding what that need is here.”
Discord’s typically smug demeanor faded as he gave Sky a scrutinizing stare.  “Oh?  Please, share.”
“The Lily appeared here when it was just Nighthawk and myself, right?” Sky explained.  “Discord, you showed up later, but I don’t think it was your curiosity that did that.”
The draconequus gave Sky an intrigued gaze.  “Oh?  What do you think it was, then?” he asked, his neck stretching with accompanying sound effect.
“I think you were drawn here by the flower itself,” Sky suggested.  “Listen, every one of us here needed something.  We all had our faults; things that we needed to clear up.  Nighthawk needed to come clean about his jealousy and resentment towards me.  Discord needed a chance to demonstrate his trustworthiness.  And as for me,” he said, voice fading to barely more than a whisper, “I needed to come to grips with my own anger.  Anger towards both of you.  Anger it seems that was unjustified.”
“Alright,” Nighthawk said, still sounding confused.  “But what does that have to do with the flower?”
“We all had our shortcomings, but now that we’re here, together, we’ve resolved them…for the most part,” Sky continued.  “But what if there’s more to it?  What if we were drawn here to do more than resolve our differences?  What if we were drawn here because we…”
His audience gave him a blank stare.  “Because we what?” Nighthawk prodded.
The words stuck in his throat.  As much as he knew he should say it, he couldn’t deny how much he didn’t to say it.  It made him feel tremendously guilty, entirely inadequate, and hopelessly cheesy.  But deep down, he knew that it all went back to that very first lesson: Nopony can do everything.
“Because we need each other.”
“How do you mean?” Nighthawk asked.
Sky felt his eyes drift towards Discord, who stared back with a face that could only be described as hopeful.  “Discord needs us to trust him.  We need his help to save Canterlot.  We’re meant to work together.”
“Oh, this is exciting,” Discord said with building enthusiasm.  “I’m going to be a hero!  Oh, Celestia won’t ever be able to live this down!”  He chuckled to himself, quite amused with the prospect of having the princess owing him a favor.
“One step at a time, speedy,” Nighthawk chided.  “You’re not a hero yet.  We still need to save Canterlot.  And if we’re going to do that, we need to see what’s through that portal of yours.”
“Ah, yes, the portal.”  He again opened his claw, and the shimmering circle of magic returned.  “So, does this mean you trust me?”
Sky exchanged glances with Nighthawk, who shrugged and gave Sky a “well-here-goes-nothing” face.
“Not quite,” Sky said, “but we’re giving you a chance to prove yourself.”
His bushy eyebrows rose in genuine delight, and he bowed before the pegasi, as a gesturing to them to pass within.  “Then let’s be off, hm?”
Sky took a deep breath.  A shrill alarm was blaring in the back of his mind, struggling to prevent him from acting against his better judgment.  It was true: Discord had done nothing to merit faith of any kind.  Nighthawk had, just an hour ago, been Sky’s opponent in a duel to the death.  Neither were trustworthy.  Neither had any right to try and protect the land they had both betrayed.
And yet, Sky was overwhelmed by the feeling that this was the right thing to do.  Maybe his judgment was clouded by the rising sense of exhaustion.  Maybe he was tired of feeling like he was facing the world by himself.
But more than likely, it was the memory of his final battle against the Chimera, channeling the Elements of Harmony.  In that one moment, he was filled with the power of love for his friends: the only way he could have been able to have even handled the Elements.  And echoing in his mind, the voice of Tread asked the one question he could not ignore: “Do you think you could use them as you are now?”
The question stung like a thorn in the flank.  No, he thought, I don’t.  But I want to change that.
“Alright, Discord,” Sky said.  He hesitated beside Nighthawk.  “Let’s see what you’ve got to show us.”
The god of chaos smiled (a perpetually unnerving gesture).  Sky closed his eyes.
And stepped into the portal.

> Chapter 17: Breaking the Seals
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere on the outskirts of Vanhoover
April 31, 10:55 PM

For the rest of his life, Sky swore he would never complain again, just as long as he didn’t have to do that again.
He fell out of the portal exit into a crumpled heap, feeling as nauseous as a windigo that was allergic to the cold.  A moment later, Nighthawk dropped to the floor beside him, his eyes rolling around like marbles in a jar.  Yeah, that about sums it up.
Discord stepped out of the portal, standing upright and strolling ahead of the pegasi.  He turned back after a few paces, leaned down to where they lay prone on the floor, and bared a toothy smile.  “Well, here we are,” he chuckled.  “Enjoy the ride?”
Beside him, Sky heard Nighthawk groan in answer.  He struggled to get his own legs under him as he rose to his hooves.  He felt as wobbly as one of Pinkie’s jolly gelatin towers, but he finally managed to steady himself.  “Discord…let me be perfectly honest: that was the hooves-down the worst trip I’ve ever taken.  What the hay was that?”
“That, my dear boy,” Discord said, “is merely my mode of transportation.  The chaos vortex, if you will.”
A sound like a gag came from Nighthawk.  “Vortex is right,” he moaned.
Discord snorted in amusement.  “If you travel with the god of chaos, you had best be prepared for everything that comes with it.”
Sky’s mind was a mess of nausea, vertigo, and a host of other maladies as a result of the passage through Discord’s corridor of mayhem.  It had been a tunnel of absolute madness, where nothing made sense: and not just in what you could see and feel.  Everything about it had messed with his head.  It was confusing, disorienting…if this was Discord’s primary method of getting around, Sky could understand why the guy seemed so…insane.
As the last tendrils of disorientation fell from him, Sky took a moment to observe his surroundings.  He found himself standing in a tall, open hallway.  The floors beneath his hooves were of richly polished wood, which extended halfway up the walls.  Above the wood paneling, a series of formal paintings (which resembled solo family portraits) stretched down both sides of the hall.  Two rows of torches lined the corridor: one at head height, and another at the level of the pictures.  It reminded Sky a bit of Canterlot Castle, with the high ceiling and numerous torches.  But despite the numerous light sources, he couldn’t help but notice how much darker it felt in here.  The light didn’t seem to reach nearly as far as it did in Canterlot.  Maybe it was just the dark color of the wood.  Maybe it was the fact that it was the dead of night.  Maybe it was the distinct lack of windows.
A shiver ran down his spine.  Even his body knew that there was something was off about this place, and it was definitely more than the décor.  And in the back of his mind, a voice seemed to whisper: No.  Please, no.
Sky turned around and saw Nighthawk on his hooves, wobbly though he was.  His wings still sagged at his sides, but they didn’t seem to hang so low, like they were recovering from the stun bolt.  “So,” Nighthawk grunted, looking up at Discord, “where are we?”
“This is an old building on the outskirts of Vanhoover,” Discord explained.  “I think you’ll be quite intrigued by what you find here.”  His eyes fixed on the blue pegasus.  “Especially you, Sky Streak.”
Sky arched an eyebrow.  It wasn’t just that Discord seemed to think that this place had some sort of special meaning for him, but also that he had apparently kept his word: granted, they were half a continent away from Canterlot, but from all appearances, Discord was convinced that something here would be key to their quest.  He didn’t know which was more surprising.
“And why’s that?” Sky asked.
“You’ll see,” came Discord’s cryptic response.  The draconequus strolled past him and down the hallway, seemingly lost in the pictures lining the walls.  “Just have a look around.  You’ll see what I mean.”  He waved dismissively as he rounded a corner.
Sky continued to stare down the hallway.  Nighthawk came up beside him, still looking a bit green.  “So…what exactly are we *urp* looking for?”
“I’m not sure,” Sky admitted.  “But we’re not going to figure that out just standing here.  Discord brought us out here—”
“And I’d rather not rely on him to take us anywhere again,” Nighthawk interjected.
“No joke,” Sky agreed.  “But I don’t think he’s going to tell us what we’re supposed to find so easily.  He just can’t make it easy on us.”
“Maybe,” Nighthawk said, observing the portraits on the walls, “but I think he wants us to form an objective opinion of the information.  You heard him; he said that we’d be better at interpreting what was here.  He probably wants us to do just that.”
For the first time since the battle, Sky felt thankful that Nighthawk was with him.  Having cleared the air about his envy and jealousy, he seemed like a different pony.  He was a friend; not a stern taskmaster.  He was smarter and wiser than Sky was, and that was certainly a valuable asset.  Not to mention his ability to remain even-tempered in even the most trying circumstances—quite the opposite of Sky.
“Where do you suggest going first, then?” Sky asked.
“Like I’ve ever been here before,” Nighthawk quipped, and he suddenly looked much more himself.  “Let’s just follow this hallway and see where it leads.”
“Alright, but stay on guard.  I don’t wanna have to save you from a booby trap because you were careless.”
“Oh, I’ll go plenty slow.  I don’t want you falling behind, carrying that huge ego and all.”
Sky laughed, then was struck by the realization that it had been a long time since he had laughed at all.  It felt…comforting.  Cathartic.  In spite of the circumstances, he felt refreshed.  He wasn’t perfect, but the darkness that had been stirring in his heart for days subsided, leaving him feeling much more like himself than he had felt since Lily’s accident.
Maybe I can finally live like she’d want me to.
“Hey,” Nighthawk said suddenly, staring down at Sky’s hooves, “you’re wearing a shooter.  Didn’t you tell me that they were all destroyed in the explosion at the HQ?”
Sky looked down at the polished chrome shooter around his right leg.  “Well, that was mostly true.  All but one, to be honest.  This is the one Hobo’s been working on for weeks.”
“That one was just straight-up broken,” Nighthawk replied.  “The others were at least in semi-working condition, but that one wasn’t even usable.  Why do you have it now?”
A tired smile came to Sky’s face.  “Because we fixed it.”
Nighthawk’s eyebrow rose.  “‘We’ fixed it?”
“Hobo, Ace, and myself.  It works just fine now.  Your drooping wings are proof of that.”
Nighthawk flexed one of his wings.  It bent back and forth obediently, if not a bit sluggishly.  “Yeah, I was wondering about that.  Feels like a stun bolt.”  Seeing the affirmative nod from Sky, he continued.  “So, how’d you fix it?”
“It was Ace’s idea,” Sky explained.  “And we should have thought of it long before now.  For the longest time, we had been using the shooters as physical devices, so we implemented them with physical triggers.  But the thing that makes the Alicorn Guard so special is that we can all use magic.  So why not give them magical triggers?  That way, we could fire them independently of physical motion.  That solves the jamming problem, but it also lets us tune each shooter to individual ponies so that only they can fire them.”
“That sounds familiar,” Nighthawk mumbled.  “Didn’t you explain your camoufly cloak the same way?”
“It’s the same principle, yes,” Sky nodded.  “That’s what gave Ace the idea.  And it worked, too.  Sure surprised you when it actually fired while we were fighting.”
“I’ll bet.”
The pair of pegasi wandered along the hallway, poking their heads into rooms on either side of the corridor.  They quickly realized that this was a large house, but it was built like a cathedral.  The ceiling stood ridiculously high, allowing the doorways to stretch up into an arch.  And in spite of the vast amount of wall space, Sky was struck by the distinct lack of windows in the house.  They were rare, and even when there was one, it was high above the floor, so that no one on ground level could see in…or out.
“I don’t like this,” Nighthawk commented, peeking in another dimly-lit room.  “All the light in here comes from within.  Almost no windows, and even those few are small and out of the way.  It’s like whoever lived here didn’t want anypony to know what was going on in here.”
They rounded a corner, and Sky caught sight of a large, book-filled room on his left.  “Somehow, I bet you’re right,” he agreed, peering into the room.  “I wonder what’s in here.”
Nighthawk glanced over Sky’s shoulder as the latter entered.  “A library?” he asked.
“Sure looks like it,” Sky confirmed.  His eyes roamed around the room, taking in the scene.  The room was long, extending along what might have been an entire side of the house.  It held an immense collection of books, with packed shelves lining every wall just short of the ceiling.  There was a lone window high on the far wall, with a large pedestal placed in front of it, presumably with the intention of having the light shine down on it.  That’s a bit cliché for me, but I’m willing to be that whatever’s on that pedestal is important.
As Sky approached, his vision settled on the scene beyond the podium: a large plush chair, and in it sat none other than a comfort robe-wearing, bespectacled, pipe-smoking god of chaos, intently reading a book with the words “A Treatise on the Nature of Magic” printed on the cover.
Discord looked over the rim of his glasses as Sky advanced.  “Quite a collection, isn’t it?” he said, gesturing around the room with a free claw.  “I’d wager that the information available in this room would rival most other libraries in Equestria…perhaps even Canterlot’s own royal library.”
“I’d doubt that,” Nighthawk replied, walking beside the shelves and reading the spines of numerous tomes.  “Celestia has the accumulated knowledge of at least one thousand years of study and research in that library.”
Discord smirked knowingly.  “And who’s to say that this place doesn’t as well?”
Sky spun on the spot and looked Discord straight in the eye.  “What?!”
“That’s impossible,” Nighthawk countered.  “Even if such a place existed, it would have been recognized long ago by Celestia.  She would have opened it up as a center for knowledge and study.”
“That’s true,” Discord admitted.  “At least, it would be, if the great Celestia had known about it.”
The gears in Sky’s head began to turn.  “Wait a minute…”  The small windows; their scarcity and out-of-the-way placing…the darkness of the building…the secluded feel of the whole area…
The evidence began to assemble into an idea.  “No one was supposed to know about this place.  That’s why everything is so dark and hidden.  Almost no windows, and even those few are really high up.  Whoever lived here didn’t want anyone to know what was here.”
“Right you are!” Discord confirmed, rising from his seat, his scholarly attire vanishing in a puff of smoke.  “It’s a total secret to anyone that’s never been inside.” He clasped his claws behind his back as he began to pace back and forth beside the podium.  “Which is basically everypony in Equestria.”
“And just how did you find out about it?” Nighthawk asked.
The snap of Discord’s talons was all the warning Sky had.  His vision suddenly exploded in a blinding white cloud.  But in the next instant, the room had returned to…mostly normal.  He and Nighthawk now sat in schoolhouse desks (which felt just a bit too small for him), with a projector sitting between them.  Discord stood before them, the dropdown projector screen to his left.  He smiled confidently for a moment, then furrowed his brow in confusion.  “Hmmm, something’s not quite right…”
Sky squirmed in his seat.  “Uh, is all this necessary?”
“Just a minute,” Discord replied, apparently lost in thought.  He scanned the room for a moment, looking distressed.  Then, with a flash of comprehension, he snapped his talons yet again, and a slender chain of beads appeared in the air to his right.  With a simple gesture, he reached up and gave it a tug.  Instantly, the room darkened and the projector hummed and rose to life.  “Much better.”
“Great,” Nighthawk grunted, apparently upset about the shortcomings of his own seat.  “Can we get on with this?”
“Of course,” Discord replied, turning to the image that appeared on his left.  He began to narrate as the pictures clicked by.  “In all honesty, I was in Vanhoover not long ago, and I was taking a leisurely stroll on this side of the city, just minding my own business,” he began, smacking a pointer against the screen.  
Vanhoover?
Sky was instantly wary of whatever Discord meant by “business,” but he let it pass without interruption.  Discord rapped his pointer against the next picture, which showed Discord looking at a suspiciously normal-appearing house.  “I came across this building, which, mind you, is quite unimpressive from the outside.  Rather humble and simple in appearance.  But, being the king of chaos, I knew that it was merely a disguise.  The doors were locked, but that normally isn’t a problem for me.  However, I was surprised to find that the entire building was locked in a magic seal, which prevents entry of almost any kind, including teleportation.”
Nighthawk whistled.  “A complete magic seal?  That’s a rare magic.  There haven’t been any unicorns within the last hundred years capable of casting that.  Until Twilight Sparkle, that is, and even she’s an alicorn now.”
Discord nodded.  The next picture appeared, and Sky felt his stomach turn.  Beside him, Nighthawk groaned.  While it was merely a picture, it was nonetheless a reminder of the nausea-inducing “chaos vortex” that Discord used to get around.  “Naturally, that only served to pique my curiosity even further.  Not even a magic seal can keep me out when I’m determined, so with a bit of chaos magic, I found myself where you now stand.”
“And you kept this information a secret for how long?” Nighthawk asked.  Not even his bright orange fur could hide the shade of green that his skin had changed to.
“I suppose it’s been about two or three months,” Discord answered, twisting his goatee around a talon.  “Though it may have been longer.”
“And you just sat on this information for all that time when you knew that we needed it!?” Sky exclaimed, irritated by Discord’s lack of concern.
“I knew no such thing!” he protested, bringing a claw to his chest.  “I merely held that information until a time when I believed it would prove useful.”
“It would have been useful when you found it!”
Discord snorted and crossed his arms.  “Being a bit hasty with that comment, since you don’t actually even know what the information is.”
Sky could feel the tension building in his nerves, but he took a deep breath, swallowed his pride, and let logic take over.  “Alright.  What’s this ‘information’ you keep going on about?”
The projector, screen, and desks all disappeared as the lights returned to normal.  Discord sauntered up to the pedestal and let his claw slide across it.  It looked to be a grand podium; a place where one would give a speech.  But as they walked around it, it began to look less like a pedestal and more like a large wooden chest.  “Is it safe to open?” Sky asked.
“It was the last time I was here,” Discord answered.
“Not necessarily the most reassuring thing you could have said.”
He tugged at the rim of the lid, and it slowly swung up on its hinge, revealing its contents.  “Oh, look, more books,” Sky said, lifting one of the dozens of volumes and giving it a scrutinizing glare.  “Not like we don’t have enough of those here.”
“Hang on a second.”  Nighthawk handled a book, shuffled through a few more, then glanced up, eyes wandering across the room.  “These aren’t just any books.  These are journals.”
“So they are,” Discord confirmed.  “They’re quite a fascinating read, if you don’t mind the invasion of privacy.”
“I can’t imagine that bothered you,” Sky quipped.
“It certainly didn’t,” the draconequus agreed, “but it hardly matters now.  All the ponies that wrote these journals are dead and gone.”
“And how could you possibly know that?” Sky asked.
“From reading, Blitz,” Nighthawk answered.  “The dates on the entries are from centuries ago.”
Sky opened the copy on his hoof and flipped through a few pages.  It was true: the writings were dated from hundreds of years earlier.  Sky whistled softly.  He wasn’t sure how these books were even still in existence.  By any normal expectations, these books should have disintegrated long ago.  Yet here they were, ordinary-looking diaries sitting in a rather ordinary-looking chest in a mostly ordinary-looking house.
He snorted.  And when has the term “ordinary-looking” meant anything in Equestria?
Beside him, Nighthawk silently read through an entry.  His face was set in deep concentration.  “Simply riveting, isn’t it?” Discord said, causing both pegasi to jump, startled from their contemplations.
“Extremely,” Nighthawk managed as his nerves settled.  “Listen to some of this.  It’s from an entry some four hundred years ago: ‘Sometimes I cannot help but wonder if we are truly capable of performing this task.  So often it seems insurmountable to us, who at times appear so inferior to this tyrant.  But we cannot surrender, and we dare not give up, for the sake of our ancestor, who bore such unjust shame at her hooves over five hundred years ago.  While we wait for an opportunity to strike, we further our knowledge of ancient arcane magic: magic that our enemy has foolishly forbidden.  By doing so, she has merely revealed the instrument of her demise.  And when our time comes, she shall know the magnitude of her folly, and the overwhelming might of our revenge.’”
“Someone was mad,” Sky deadpanned.  But beneath his calm exterior, Sky’s insides twisted in worry.  He couldn’t help but think of the Chimera and its unsettling habit of using “we” to reference itself.  It had never told him the reason behind it, leaving him with nothing more than a final warning and an ambiguous hint about the future of Equestria.  And now, this journal entry, perhaps coincidentally, reminded him again of his three-headed foe.
He gulped nervously.  Maybe it’s no coincidence.
“It sure seems that way,” Nighthawk said, interrupting Sky’s train of thought.  But as Sky looked at his mentor, he was surprised to find a reassuring smile grinning back at him.  “Looks like whoever wrote this didn’t possess the self-control that you did, Blitz.”
Sky turned away, suddenly unable to meet the gaze of the second pegasus.  In truth, it hadn’t been his own self-control that had kept him from giving in to his fury.  When everything had failed, that one image had shaken him to the core; it had shattered his fury and forced him to face the darkness that threatened to rule him.  It confronted him with the truth.
Even so, it hurt like an open wound, and he was not yet ready to speak of the blade that had cut him.  “Yeah,” he said, hoping to avoid further discussion of his supposed “self-control.”  “So what’s all this about?  It sounds like someone was trying to stage a coup, but that was four hundred years ago.  Who cares about that now?”
“Ah,” Discord said, lifting a talon and shaking it back and forth, “you’re forgetting that nopony knew of this place for hundreds of years.”
Sky arched an eyebrow.  “So?”
“So it stands to reason that if nopony knew of this place, then the coup didn’t happen back then,” Discord explained.
“So the plan fell apart, big deal.  That doesn’t explain the significance now.”
“Unless it’s because it wasn’t supposed to happen centuries ago.”
Sky was caught off-guard by the response, but as he worked to grasp what Discord had just told him, Nighthawk began to fill in the gaps.  “Sweet Celestia…you mean that this plot has been in the works for hundreds of years?!”
“That…is one serious grudge,” Sky commented, shaking his head in disbelief.
“But why?” Nighthawk asked.  “I mean, what’s the point?  It only makes sense that they’d be upset at Celestia—they did refer to the tyrant as ‘she’—but what I don’t understand is what they could be upset over.  I mean, this is a house.  Not a shelter for changelings or any of Equestria’s enemies.  Whatever happened must have happened to a pony.  But what could she have done?  She’s always been fair-minded and just.  This makes her sound like she did something awful.”
A shiver ran up and down Sky’s spine as an answer came to him.  “Maybe she did.”
The eyes of his partner trained on him.  “Explain.”
“This book was written over four hundred years ago,” Sky explained.  “And the writer in the journal says that whatever happened was over five hundred years before that.  Which makes the initial event…”
“Between nine hundred and one thousand years ago,” Nighthawk finished.  Then, realizing what he had said, he echoed himself, a look of sudden comprehension etched on his face.  “One thousand years ago…”
They both turned to look at Discord, who placed his claws on his hips.  “Hey, don’t look at me.  I already had my shot at revenge, if you’ll recall.”
“Two shots, by my count,” Sky countered, but he let the matter drop.  “But that only leaves two other possibilities: Sombra’s defeat, and the,” he paused to take a breath, “banishment of Nightmare Moon.”
“And you’re suspecting the latter?” Nighthawk asked without hesitation.
“Well…yeah,” he admitted.  “See, I know a few things about that.  Princess Luna had this…um…follower, I guess, that was supposed to go incite a rebellion against Celestia.  But after Luna transformed and was defeated, he went into hiding before he was found and brought before her.  Long story short, she pardoned him and he moved to start a new life in the area that would become Vanhoover.”
“You’re thinking that he moved here to plot his revenge?” Nighthawk asked.
“Hmmm…” Discord chimed in, stroking his goatee again.  “It is certainly quite ways from Canterlot, though I’d find it hard to believe that Celestia would let a former conspirator against her go unchecked, no matter how good he may have appeared.”
Nighthawk arched an eyebrow.  “That makes sense,” he said, then quickly added, “By the way, I thought you didn’t make sense as a rule.”
“I actually said there was no fun in making sense,” Discord corrected.  “That doesn’t mean that I don’t ever do it.  Even if it is dreadfully boring.”
“Think of it this way: your logic here is going to help us create chaos against our real enemy here,” Sky offered.
“Oh, bravo, my boy!” Discord exclaimed, leaning back and reclining on his tail as though it were a third leg.  “What did I tell you?  Even Discord has its place in the grander workings of harmony!”
Sky snorted in amusement.  It felt good to be able to laugh with Discord, which was good, since Discord had a definitive knack for spontaneous hilarity.  It felt strange after the whirlwind of events of the past twelve hours, but…still a good feeling.
“But you’re right, Discord,” Sky began.  “I don’t think Storm Emblem—”
“Who?” Nighthawk interrupted.
“Storm Emblem.  That’s the name of Luna’s rebellion starter.”
“Ah.”
“As I was saying, I don’t think he wanted revenge.  I mean, Celestia pardoned him partly out of mercy, but also because she didn’t sense the corruption in him that caused Luna’s fall.  He was loyal to Luna, but that was all.  He hadn’t turned evil.  He was following orders.”
As he spoke, a curious sense of shame welled up in his head.  He hesitated, wondering what had brought that on, when Nighthawk spoke up, looking concerned.  “Blitz?  Is something wrong?”
“Huh?  Well, no, not really…just feel kinda funny, I guess.”
Discord looked equally perplexed.  “Then why are you crying?”
“Crying?”  Sky reached up to his face and wiped under his eye.  One look at his hoof revealed the tear that now rested on it.  “Uh…okay.  That’s…odd.”
“Got something on your mind?” Discord offered, poofing a couch into existence and patting it invitingly.
“I don’t think so…I mean, sure, I’ve been through a lot these past few days, but I thought I had moved past it all.  As much as was possible, at least,” Sky stammered, running his hoof through his mane nervously.
Nighthawk and Discord exchanged looks, then turned back to the blue pegasus.  “If you say you’re alright, we’ll let it go,” Nighthawk said, “but don’t hesitate to take it easy if you feel you need to.”
“Alright.”  As comforting as it was to have the two of them with him, Sky couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something else here…or someone else.  He could not ignore the distinct sensation of a second pair of eyes watching him, mimicking his every step, shadowing him everywhere he went.  It was unsettling.  It made him feel claustrophobic, as though someone was invading his personal space, suffocating him.
He tried to push the feeling away.  “Discord, you’ve read these journals, right?  How far back do they go?”
“Oh, pretty much through the last thousand years,” Discord replied, “though about four hundred years ago, the journals took on a rather…oh, let’s call it a darker tone.  For the first five hundred years, they were all pretty normal when it comes to diaries: no chaos, no real drama, just the occasional teenage angst.  Bleh,” he muttered, shaking his head and sticking out his tongue.  But he regained his composure almost immediately and continued.  “But then around 450 A.C., things started to change.  The name of Celestia wasn’t mentioned anymore.  It was replaced by the word ‘she.’  And not long after that, they start using words like ‘tyrant,’ ‘real traitor,’ and ‘power-hungry menace.’”
Sky shivered.  Nothing good could come from an opinion like that.  “Do they ever mention Storm Emblem by name?” he asked.
“About fifty years into the journals is the first time I saw his name.  Before then, he was always referenced as ‘dad’ or ‘grandpa’ or some silly familial—”
“So this is his family,” Nighthawk concluded abruptly.  “But why the change?  It sounds like there was a rather dramatic shift in philosophy at some point.  Why?”
The two pegasi looked to the draconequus, who crossed his arms in protest.  “Oh, you think I read all these journals?  Even I can only manage so much.”
Sky sighed and hefted a stack of books from the chest.  “Well guys, looks like we’ve got some reading to do.”

“Blitz?  C’mon, wake up.”
Sky groggily opened an eye.  He felt a hoof pressing into his side.  He didn’t remember falling asleep, but the weight of his eyelids was proof enough that he had succumbed to the allure of slumber.  “Urg…huh?” he grunted.
“Hey, welcome back.  Have a nice nap?” Nighthawk’s voice floated to him as Sky’s vision slowly focused in on the orange pegasus.
“Sure,” Sky said, his body unwilling to be disturbed from its relaxed state.  “I must’ve dozed off.  Sorry.”  He moaned and rolled onto his side.  “How long was I out?”
Nighthawk glanced over at a previously-unnoticed clock on the wall.  “Oh, just about two hours now, I guess.  But listen, we think—”
“Two hours?!” Sky blurted, his head jerking from the book it had been resting on.  “I slept for two hours?!  How could you let me sleep that long?  We have things to look into!  I can’t afford to lie around and—”
“Hey, take it easy,” Nighthawk interrupted forcefully.  “You’re not the only one here, you know.  Discord and I have both been reading while you were resting.”
“But…”
“And,” Nighthawk continued, ignoring Sky’s protests, “you needed to rest.  You tracked me for two days across Equestria, fought me in an all-out magic battle, travelled to Vanhoover, and expect to just be able to keep going?  Blitz, you may have an abundance of energy, but it’s not endless.  You can’t just expect to go on and on without sleep.  Discord and I agreed that we should let you sleep.  It’s for the best.  If we’re going to confront the pony behind all this, you’re going to need your strength, and you can’t spend it all before you face him.”
“Grrr…fine,” Sky grumbled.  He wearily rose to his hooves, trying to gather his wits.  “What did you wake me up for, then?”
“We think we found the answer.  Turns out that a ways down the family tree, some of Storm Emblem’s descendants became disgruntled with Celestia’s reign.  They viewed his relocation to Vanhoover as more of an exile than a merciful pardoning.  They began to write about the possibility of overthrowing Celestia.”
“That’s a pretty ridiculous proposition, if you ask me,” Sky remarked.
“Emotions often override logic, Blitz,” Nighthawk replied.  “You of all ponies should know that.”
“Yeah.”
“Anyway, during the time of the Equestrian wars, they began to assemble knowledge of arcane and secret magics to defeat the ‘great warmonger.’  Storm Emblem was a pegasus, but he apparently had some unicorn descendants down the line, so they began to master this magic.  The knowledge continued to accumulate, and it was passed on down the line…with the hatred they bore for Celestia.”
“Wow,” Sky said, shaking his head.  “What a waste.  Celestia went out of her way to forgive an avowed rebel, and what happens?  His line plots revenge for his supposed ‘humiliation.’”
“Tell me about it.  But here’s where things start to get interesting: at some point, one of his descendants finds out about the prophecy of Nightmare Moon’s imminent return after a thousand years.”
“So?”
“So,” Nighthawk emphasized, “that gave them an actual direction to focus on.  Storm Emblem had failed while trying to help Luna take control of the land.  Now that they had an actual timeframe to aim for, they could work to that objective: they could position themselves to prepare for Luna’s return and succeed where their ancestor had failed.”
“Then why didn’t they do anything when Luna did come back?” Sky asked.  “They should totally have been in place for that, if they’d been preparing for hundreds of years.”
“I’m sure they were ready,” Nighthawk agreed, “but if you remember, Nightmare Moon was defeated within hours of her return, and she and Celestia were reconciled.  The window of opportunity was probably dramatically shorter than they had anticipated.”
“I guess after waiting hundreds of years, they weren’t expecting things to move quite as quickly as they did,” Sky admitted.
“Probably not.  And that brings me to my final piece of news for you.”
Sky cocked an eyebrow.  “There’s more?”
Nighthawk nodded an affirmative.  “We couldn’t find Storm Emblem’s journal in the chest, which was surprising since several of the others referenced the one that he kept.  We wandered around the house for a while until we realized that there’s a central area that we can’t get into.  It’s large enough to be a room, but there are no doors or other way in.  Plus, Discord tells me that there’s a magic seal on the area that’s even more potent than the one around the house.”
“Interesting,” Sky said, the sleep lifting from his mind.  “Guess they had something they wanted to hide, huh?”
“Yes, and it worries me,” Nighthawk replied.  “A magic seal is an incredibly rare magic.  Conjuring a complete one, even a weak one at that, is a feat.  But the one around the house has repelled ponies for centuries, and now, there’s an even stronger one around the central chamber.  If they’ve been passing around knowledge of magic like this for half a millennium, then the pony that possessed the sum total of it all would be immensely powerful.”
The gravity of the situation came as a revelation to Sky.  For so long, he had imagined his foe as some magic-using pony, but never anything of such strength that Nighthawk seemed to indicate.  “Strong enough to oppose Celestia?” Sky asked.
“I don’t know,” the orange pegasus admitted.  “But I think it’s safe to say that we’ve drastically underestimated our foe up until now.  It’s going to take more than just you or me to take them down.”
Sky’s brain almost flatlined.  Facing his enemy could very well be on par with having to face Celestia herself.  How that was possible was beyond him.  How he would manage such a task was even more of a ridiculous idea.
And yet, in spite of the overwhelming feeling of foreboding and very real danger, a sense of determination rose to the front of his mind.  He could not imagine how he could oppose a pony of such magical prowess, but from somewhere within him, words rose unbidden to his mouth.
“I have to stop this.”
Nighthawk looked at him in surprise.  “Excuse me?”
Sky was equally stunned.  “Uh…I don’t know.  I’m…not sure why I said that.  I certainly wasn’t thinking it.”
Nighthawk gave his student a scrutinizing stare.  “Blitz, are you feeling alright?”
Sky brought a hoof to his chest and patted himself appraisingly.  He breathing felt fine, his heart was still beating, and Lily’s twin brooches still hung from his shoulder wrap.  The last few days had not been kind to his beloved scarf, and Sky wondered what Rarity would think to see her creation now.  “I…I think so,” Sky stuttered.  “I mean, maybe I’m still a little tired, but…I don’t think I’m becoming schizophrenic, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Nighthawk held his gaze for a few more moments, then relaxed and sat back on his haunches.  “Discord is supposed to let me know when he finds a way past the seal.  He didn’t think it would take too long, but I figured I’d have enough time to get you caught up on everything.”
As if on cue, Discord’s head rose from the wooden floor, a silly grin plastered on his face.  “Oh, I do some of my best work under pressure,” he said, looking all-too-pleased with himself.  “Whoever set up that seal certainly knew what they were doing.  I have to give them that much.”
“So you can get us inside?” Sky asked hesitantly.  The memory of his first trip with Discord was still fresh in his mind (as was the apprehension of enduring it again).
“Never a problem for the lord of chaos,” Discord said, rising completely through the floor and opening a portal in the air.  “Ready to go?”
Sky read the expression on Nighthawk’s face as though it was written for all to see: It’s not possible to be ready.  But his mouth simply said, “Let’s do this.”
The next thing Sky knew, his head felt like it had been filled with jelly and tossed inside a blender on a roller coaster, but he had just enough awareness to realize that his surroundings had changed dramatically.  Instead of the rich furnishings of the halls outside, the inner sanctum of the building bore the appearance of a simple log cabin.  The walls were made of stacked wooden logs, with only a few candles and a small fireplace on one end providing light.  A narrow bookshelf sat against the wall, though it contained few books, and even fewer with legible titles.  And against the far wall, a lonely desk sat with a single wax candle and a closed book.  The book was hidden behind a veil of dust that had been stirred up by the trio’s sudden appearance in the room.
“My, my,” Discord said, “this is rather unexpected.”
To his left, Sky heard Nighthawk struggling to keep the contents of his stomach where they were.  “What the hay is this?” Sky asked, wondering if his senses were still reeling from the short trip through the chaos vortex.
“It appears to be a rustic home.  A rather bland dwelling, if you ask me,” Discord answered.
Sky’s vision slowly cleared, and as it did, his eyes fell upon the sole image pinned to the walls.  It was a large picture, placed in a simple wooden frame.  In it, a solitary pegasus stood tall and straight, looking at a point off to the left.  His body was dark blue and his mane and tail were a pale golden color.  The cutie mark on his flank was a silver shield graced with the mark of a bright yellow lightning bolt.  But the most telling features of the image were his bright blue eyes.  They seemed to penetrate the dimness of the room with a light all their own.  Sky stared in silence at the image as a warm feeling of familiarity washed over him.  He walked over to the picture and placed his hoof against the base of the frame.
“Well,” he said, feeling oddly nostalgic, “I’ve found you at last, Storm Emblem.”
> Chapter 18: Legacy of Tragedy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere on the outskirts of Vanhoover
May 1, 2:13 AM

Surprise.  Frustration.  Relief.  Excitement.  Anxiety.  Fear.
Sky felt like he had been hit by a royal chariot that had fallen from the clouds.  The journey that had led him here had been a labyrinth of emotional highs and lows that had left him spent.
Or so he had thought.  Now, staring into the face of the pegasus in the portrait, those familiar emotions rose up again, as though they had been reignited by the light shining in Storm Emblem’s eyes.  I swear, when I make it back to the Royal Library, I’m adding a word to the dictionary.  “Stormemblemotion: a crippling wave of emotions produced by a single act of triggering the memories of many significant events all at once.”
“Oh, I remember him,” Discord said abruptly.  “Never spoke much, but when he did, he was usually talking with Princess Luna.  He seemed quite fond of her, as I recall.”
Nighthawk was rapidly recovering from his bout of chaos-induced vertigo.  “Remember him?  How could you remember him?  You were a stone statue by the time he came around.”
Discord snorted.  “Yes, but I was a statue, not a cadaver,” he retorted.  “Being turned to stone doesn’t mean you lose the use of your senses.  I heard him speak, and while my eyes were mostly closed, I still recognize those colors.  That,” he continued, gesturing to the picture, “is, without a doubt, Storm Emblem.”
Sky continued to stare while his comrades carried on behind him.  He had never seen so much as a passing image of Storm Emblem’s face, cutie mark, or anything, but now, gazing at his likeness from centuries ago, Sky could have sworn that he felt like he knew him.  Perhaps more than that: something within him seemed to say, “Ah, I remember those days.”
He tilted his head to one side.  “Does…does he remind you of somepony?” Sky asked.
The bantering between the two of his partners ceased, and a short pause followed.  But just when Sky thought that he wasn’t going to get an answer, Nighthawk spoke up.  “Well…you know, now that I look at him…I think he reminds you a bit of…well, you, Blitz.”
Sky’s eyes widened in surprise.  “Me?!” he exclaimed, craning his head around to look at his teacher.
“Well, just look at him,” Nighthawk replied.  “He’s a pegasus like you, he’s got a lightning bolt as part of his cutie mark, he’s got that same determined look that you get whenever you’re really serious about something…I can even see the makings of your typical sass and sarcasm.”
“Wonderful,” Sky deadpanned.
“You didn’t mention the eyes,” Discord chimed in.  “You both have the same bright blue eyes.”
“You know, you could be related, Blitz,” Nighthawk suggested.
A sudden spear of distaste shuddered through his body.  “No way!” he shouted, though it was more upset-sounding than it was loud.
Discord arched an eyebrow in confusion as Nighthawk recoiled in surprise.  “Well, you got defensive in a hurry.  Did we hit a sensitive subject?” the orange pegasus asked.
Sky clenched his teeth for a moment, then managed to relax and let out a sigh.  “Look, everything I’ve read about Storm Emblem seems to indicate that he was an honorable and noble pony.  Personally, I’d love to have him as an ancestor.  But that would mean that some of my family would have been involved with this plot to overthrow Celestia, and I just can’t stomach the thought of that being true.”
Nighthawk nodded.  “I get it.  We didn’t mean that, did we, Discord?”
The draconequus merely mumbled something as he concentrated on the mostly-empty bookshelf to his left.  Nighthawk gave him a quick jab in the side.  “Oof!” he grunted, turning an accusatory gaze upon the pegasus.  Then, seeing Nighthawk’s stern face, he gathered his composure and cleared his throat with a gentle cough.  “Oh, er, yes, of course.”
But as Sky turned back to the portrait on the wall, a quiet, familiar voice in the back of his mind whispered, “We ARE a lot alike.”
He stepped forward and took a look at the book on the table.  It was a simple, nondescript journal; its once-black cover faded to a worn shade of gray by the passage of time.  A chill ran along his leg as he placed his hoof atop the book.  “Well,” he said, trying his best to remain calm in spite of his racing heart, “let’s find out the truth about Storm Emblem.”
The pages turned with the sound of the rustling leaves in autumn.  The trio of visitors to the secret chamber crowded in close around the book; anxious to learn the secrets that it held.  After flipping through about a quarter of the journal, Sky stopped and began to read.
 “‘Today was more of the same.  Princess Luna remains convinced that her sister is trying to hoard all the love and allegiance of Equestria to limit the influence that Luna can gain.  I cannot help but notice the pain in her eyes whenever I am with her.  Personally, I cannot convince myself that Celestia bears such ill will towards her sister, but I have sworn to stay by her side.  And if she believes that Celestia is out to get her, then I shall do everything I can to rectify that situation.’  Wow.  Just listen to this guy.  I can almost smell the chivalry…”
“That’s gross, Blitz.”
“Chivalry.”  Discord made a sound like a growl that seemed to come from deep in his throat.  “Allegiance.  You know, I simply can’t understand how you ponies can live that way.  It’s all the same thing: you serve someone without question, always doing what they ask.  No variety, no excitement, it’s all just so…monotonous.”
“We can’t all be like you,” Sky replied somewhat absently, continuing to peruse through Storm Emblem’s journal.
“Too true, too true,” Discord admitted.  He turned again to the bookshelf, apparently distracted by one of its dusty tomes, pulling one and slowly opening the cover.
Nighthawk stayed with Sky.  “What else you got?  Anything from the time of the actual rebellion?”
“Just hold on,” Sky said, turning each page with care.  “Mmm…okay, here we go.  ‘I fear for Equestria.  Princess Luna’s determination to settle the score with her sister has reached dangerous levels.  She has…changed.  The sparkle in her eyes has dimmed, and the grace she once carried herself with has been replaced by a stern rigidity.  She has ceased to smile, even in my presence.  I do not know what she has planned, but for the first time since I met her, I am genuinely afraid.  Perhaps I am just being paranoid.  Maybe I am seeing more than what is truly there.  I hope that is the case.’”
Sky turned the page.  “Here’s the next entry: ‘I am at a crossroads.  On the one hoof, I love Equestria and both of its princesses.  I would do anything for either of them.  But on the other hoof, my deepest loyalty lies with Luna.  And now she has tasked me with instigating an uprising against Princess Celestia.  I am torn between allegiances.  I wonder if it is a desire for equality, or if it is simply (and I hate even suggesting such a thing) jealousy.  If I choose to go through with this rebellion, then I betray Princess Celestia.  If I do not, then I betray Princess Luna.’
“There’s a bunch of lines after that, and each one only goes for a word or two before being scratched out.  Here’s where it picks up: ‘I have made my decision.  I do not know if there is a right choice, but my heart will not permit me to go against Princess Luna.  I will start her rebellion.  I can only hope that it does not go too far.  I pray I am not wrong in this.’”
A period of silence followed, broken only by the occasional sound of Discord turning a page in his book.  “So that’s how it happened,” Sky said softly.  “He didn’t want to, but he just couldn’t bring himself to disobey Princess Luna.  That’s devotion.”
“I wonder,” Nighthawk replied.  “I think his sense of right and wrong was clouded by his loyalty to Luna.  An objective mind would have seen what the right choice was.”
Sky hesitated.  If it had been him in Storm Emblem’s place, would he have been able to make the right choice?  Could he have lived with the consequences of going against Princess Luna?
“What’s the next entry?” Nighthawk asked, interrupting Sky’s musings.
Sky turned the page again and gazed down at the page staring back at him.  Even after a thousand years, Sky could see the distinct mottling of dried tears as well as the telltale running of the ink as a result.  He took a deep breath, not certain what he would find within this entry.  “‘Princess Luna, were we wrong?  Did it have to end like it did?  I stood before Celestia today, and…she pardoned me.  I don’t understand it.  Did she not understand that I had followed your orders to incite a rebellion against her?  I was her enemy, and yet…she showed mercy?
 ‘I dare not even begin to believe that you will ever see this.  Perhaps one day, your sister will see fit to release you from your exile, but I cannot see that occurring within my lifetime.  She was stern, and yet…Princess, I could not help but see the utter agony in her eyes.  I never thought it possible that Celestia cared so much for you, especially after what you and I had discussed for so long, but in that throne room, awaiting her judgment, I knew that she wished that there had been another way.’”
Sky paused to wipe his eyes, which were watering yet again.  “‘Your sister has decided to move the throne from the Everfree Castle to a city that will be on the peak in the center of the realm.  I wonder if she, like me, seeks a fresh beginning.  Every so often, I saw her look at the empty seat beside her, and I know I saw her fight to hold back the tears.  As for myself, I am moving to the far northwest corner of Equestria, where another new colony is being established.  Perhaps there I shall be able to live out my days in peace.’”
Nighthawk simply stared.  Even Discord had lowered his book and looked on with interest.  Sky’s chest tightened, feeling as though he might burst.  His emotions were on fire…far more than they should have been.  “It continues,” he sniffed.  “‘Was there another way?  Did it have to come to this?  Are the day and the night so irreconcilable that the only possible outcome between them is conflict and tragedy?  When I look up at the moon and the stars now, they seem…dimmer.  They do not sparkle like they did not so long ago, when you were still here with me.  The night feels cold and empty.  Without the Princess of the Night, it feels as though a dark night of sadness has settled on everypony in Equestria.  Perhaps…perhaps the ponies loved you more than we realized.’”
And again, as had happened so many times over the last few weeks, Sky’s vision changed.  He no longer was reading from a long-completed diary.  Hovering over the book, the tip of a ghostly navy blue wing twitched and swirled, inking the writing upon the page as the tears fell from its author’s eyes.  The wing shook unsteadily as its owner struggled to maintain his composure.  And from somewhere in the room, a familiar voice spoke through his sobbing with each word.  “‘The sun still rises, but not even Celestia would say that the dawn brings with it the hope of a new day.  If anything, it is a reminder of the void that sits upon your throne in the castle.  I sincerely hope that you return soon.  I do not know what it will take for that to happen, but one thing I believe: that only when the Princess of the Night returns can the sun truly rise on Equestria again.’”
Sky tried to read final lines, but as he began, his windpipe closed off, and all that came out was a whimpering cough.  A knot formed in his throat.  A crippling sadness washed over him, making his knees go weak.  His eyes burned with the salt of his tears.  He tried again.  “‘I love you, Princess Luna.  If we do not meet again, remember that.
“‘Deae Lunae Sempiternum, Storm Emblem.’”
A long stretch of silence pervaded the room.  Sky shifted nervously.  He knew this sensation.  He remembered it from when the Chimera had attempted to infiltrate his mind.  Someone was trying to get in.
But unlike the Chimera, he felt no malicious intent directed at him.  If anything, he felt a certain desperate urgency.  It was as if someone was desperately trying to get his attention.
If that’s the case, you’ve got it.
“Wow,” Nighthawk whispered.  “He certainly had a way with words.”
“Sadness can do that for you,” Discord replied quietly.
Sky shook his head free of the images of the past.  “But I don’t get it,” he said.  “Storm Emblem stated over and over that Celestia was gracious, and that she loved Luna in spite of what she had done.  He wrote that he hoped he could…how did he put it?”  He scanned the page again until he found what he was after.  “‘Perhaps there I shall be able to live out my days in peace.’  That doesn’t sound like a pony who’s set on revenge at all.  What happened to start all this?”
“Oh.  Forgot to tell you, I read one diary from one particular bad egg,” Nighthawk said with a shrug.  “One of the first unicorns to come along.  Seems that he turned the story about Storm Emblem on its head.  He started gathering all these magical spell books to put in motion a plan to get revenge on Celestia.  And from what I read, he was quite the magic user: managed to master over a hundred spells during his lifetime.”
“You forgot that he also built this mansion here,” Discord added.
“What?  You never mentioned that!” Nighthawk protested.
“Oh?  Hmmm, I must have imagined telling you,” Discord replied with a not-so-innocent grin.  A faint hologram appeared in his claw of a small cabin being encased in a much larger-looking home.  “But he was the one to build the large home here.”
Sky arched an eyebrow.  “Then what’s this area we’re standing in now?”
“Ah.”  He placed a free claw on the nearest wall and patted it.  “From what I understand, this must be the original home of Storm Emblem.”
“What?!” Sky and Nighthawk exclaimed in unison.
“The unicorns built this mansion around Storm Emblem’s home.  Apparently, they felt embarrassed by the humility of their ancestor and mistook that for humiliation.  They believed that his line deserved something more grandiose than something that was little more than a shack, in their opinion.  Though it’s much too traditional for my tastes,” Discord explained.  His eyes looked appraisingly at his surroundings.
“I doubt anything in Equestria fits your tastes,” Nighthawk commented.
“Oh, so just take your ancestor’s legacy and rewrite it to whatever you want it to be?  Nice guys, these unicorns,” Sky remarked.
“Don’t be too quick to blame the unicorns,” Discord corrected.  “They weren’t the only guilty ones.  Before they came along, some of the pegasi expressed their discontent with Celestia.  The unicorns are the easy ones to blame just because the magic abilities could only pass through them.”
“And, of course, they wanted to protect their ‘underhanded plot HQ’ safe from discovery, so they cast a magic seal around it to protect it,” Nighthawk finished.
“And they were the ones that started all this?  If they had all that knowledge to pass down over the span of hundreds of years, just imagine what kind of knowledge and power Storm Emblem’s descendants have now,” Sky wondered.
“Plenty, I’m sure,” Discord answered.  Then, his face transforming into a knowing smirk, he asked, “Would you like to know their name?”
“Hold on, you know their name?!” Sky exclaimed.  “How long have you known?!”
“And what do you mean, name?” Nighthawk pressed.  “You mean there’s only one?”
“I don’t know,” Discord replied.  “At least, not yet.”  He held up the book he had been studying.  “This is a record of the genealogy of Storm Emblem.  It starts with him and follows his family in completion until—”
“Lemme guess,” Nighthawk interrupted.  “Unicorns, right?”
Confetti erupted from the floor around Nighthawk, and a large neon sign with the word “CONGRATULATIONS!” appeared behind Discord.  “Right you are!  From that point on, it only follows a select few families.  And even most of those eventually trail off into obscurity.  Only one actual line follows through the current day.  Almost like a monarchy.”
“A monarchy?” Sky echoed, brushing pieces of confetti off his nose.  That doesn’t make sense.  If they were obsessed with restoring Luna to the throne, then there’s no point in trying to establish a monarchy.  Why trace their lineage so selectively, then?
His own voice from the past suddenly echoed in his mind.  “It’s not YOUR thoughts that turn to darkness whenever you close your eyes.  It’s not YOUR mind that is filled with images of this nightmare destroying everypony and everything that I care about!  It’s not YOUR existence that this thing wants to bring suffering to in the fullest amount!  It’s mine!  The suffering, the pain, the anguish…it’s all MINE!!”
“Not a monarchy,” Sky whispered.  “An inheritance.”
He felt four eyes look upon him in sudden curiosity.  “A what now?” Discord asked.
“Look, they were obsessed with defeating Celestia.  They wanted revenge.  I know that feeling: I dealt with it last year before facing the Chimera in the Painted Forest.  But the point is, that thirst for vengeance clouds your mind.  It makes you irrational.  And it makes you possessive.  That chance for revenge belongs to you, and no one else.”
“But what does that have to do with this genealogy?” Nighthawk asked.
“When you become obsessed over revenge like that, at some point, it ceases becoming an obligation or responsibility: it becomes a right.  Or,” he continued, “maybe if that desire passes on to the next generation, it becomes a birthright.”
“A privilege.”  Nighthawk stroked his chin in thought.  “You know, that makes sense.  Who would get the honor of eliminating your family’s enemy of a thousand years?”  A question clouded his face.  “But why just one?  Why not let the whole family participate?”
“I think I can answer that,” Discord inserted.  A lone talon traced along the open page of his book.  “As I’m reading this, it occurs to me that along that one line, there are no indications that any family had more than one child.”
Nighthawk stamped.  “Of course!  This was a secret plot.  In order to protect that secret, they limited the number of ponies that knew about it by having only one foal!”
“That is legitimately crazy,” Sky shuddered.
“Said the pony to the lord of chaos,” Discord replied.
“So what’s his or her name?” Nighthawk asked.  “Once we have that, we can move in on them and finally put a stop to this.”
“Just a minute!” Discord said, flipping through the pages.  He placed a pair of reading glasses over his eyes as he perused through the tome.  “This is no small family tree we’re talking about here.”
Sky rolled his eyes in exasperation.  As he waited, his gaze fell upon a dark blue book on the mostly-empty shelf to his left.  His curiosity piqued, he pulled the book from the shelf and opened it.  The book (to no surprise) was another diary, but unlike the others, this one was new: unfaded by the passage of time.  The binding was still tight, the pages were well-lined and even, and the ink on the pages looked fresh.  But as he gazed upon the first page, his eyes fell upon the owner’s name, and a wave of dread crashed over him.
N-no…that’s…that’s not possible!  It’s impossible!  There’s no freaking way!
“Ah, here we are!” Discord announced, placing a talon on a page and adjusting his bifocals.  “Storm Emblem’s heir is a unicorn named Phantom Star!”
Nighthawk’s ears drooped beside his head and his eyes became wide as saucers.  “What did you say?” he asked incredulously.
“Phantom Star,” Discord repeated.  He looked over the rim of his glasses at the horrified pegasi.  “You’re familiar with that name?”
Sky couldn’t talk.  He couldn’t breathe.  It was beyond comprehension.  No…it was worse, it was beyond bad.
This was the very definition of worst-case-scenario.
Nighthawk brought a hoof to his chest and staggered where he stood.  “Phantom Star is his real name,” he explained breathlessly.  He moved his hoof against his head, as though trying to reassure himself that this was real.  “We know him by another name.”
Sky fought through a rising bout of what felt like vertigo.  And when he heard his voice speak again, it reminded him of the sound of a funeral dirge.
“Ghost.”
> Intermission #2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot
May 1, 2:30 AM

The moon hung low over the city, bathing the spires of the palace in its pale blue glow.  The stars glistened in the sky, dancing their way from horizon to horizon without a care to be had.  The stillness of the night was complete; a soothing environment for even the most restless soul.
Or so it should have been.
From a lonely room, one pony stood, staring out over the slumbering city, gazing anxiously at the crescent moon that slowly sank to the horizon in the distance.  The drowsiness he should have been feeling had never taken hold on him.  The thought of sleep was abhorrent to him.  He had no use for it.
The moon.  That glorious, beautiful, magnificent moon.  Every day for countless eons, it had risen and set in a predictable pattern.
Those days were over.
A cruel smile stretched across the face violet face of the unicorn.  He couldn’t help it.  His ancestors had waited centuries for this day.  Even he had waited patiently, biding his time for years on end, watching the passage of time until the opportune moment had presented itself.  And it had.
In a few hours’ time, the sun would inevitably rise into the sky, driving the moon back into hiding for another spell of daylight.  “You had best cherish those hours of sunlight,” the unicorn hissed.  “Every pony in Equestria will remember this day, but not for the sunlight.”
The moonlight gleamed off his white mane, but as it fell upon his eyes, it vanished, swallowed by the black pits of his pupils.  “You will all remember the day that the Ghost restored Princess Luna to her rightful place as the true leader of Equestria!” he said triumphantly, heedless of any nearby ears.  His voice was the fuel of nightmares to the slumbering ponies of Canterlot.
“None shall forget the Day of the Moon.”
> Chapter 19: All in the Balance
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere on the outskirts of Vanhoover
May 1, 2:30 AM

“Ghost.  It was Ghost.”
Sky could see the drops of sweat growing on Nighthawk’s forehead.  Discord looked perplexed at the sudden change in the pegasi.  “Ghost…Ghost…isn’t that the codename of your commander?” he asked at length.
“Commander?” Nighthawk asked, a sudden edge to his voice.  “That may be his title, but he is no commander.  He’s a traitor.  That’s the only title he’s worthy of, now that I see him for who he is.”
Sky shivered.  He thought back to the battle over Canterlot when he had been filled with awe and fear for Nighthawk in his rage.  He was in no rush to revisit that encounter.  He glanced back down at Ghost’s journal, sitting open on his hoof.
“We need to get back to Canterlot,” Nighthawk continued.  “We know who it is now, and he’s certainly got something nasty up his mane.  He’s gone to an awful lot of trouble to set this up, and his window of opportunity isn’t very long.  Whatever he’s got planned, he’s going to do it soon.”  Then, after a moment’s pause, he softly added, “If he hasn’t done it already.”
Sky looked up at Discord.  “You said yourself that you can sense chaos wherever it is.  Do you feel it in Canterlot?” he asked.
Discord’s eyes turned into miniature radar readouts for a minute, then flipped around to their normal yellow hue.  “Nothing more than usual,” he replied with a shrug.
“Then we still have a chance,” Sky said.  He held up the journal.  “And I suspect that this will give us a good idea of what we’re up against.”
“And what’s that?” Nighthawk asked.
“This is Ghost’s own journal.  I’m guessing that if he was anything like his forefathers, he’ll have kept a record with plenty of information on what he’s capable of…so we can be ready for it.”  He tossed the book to Discord, who caught it in spite of his surprise.  “Discord, you can read that faster than either of us.”
The draconequus frowned in disdain.  “Oh, what, just because I’m the god of chaos I can do anything I please?  I’m not a slave to your every whim, you know.”
But Sky didn’t back down.  “You’ve expressed that your sole purpose in life is to suspend reality and create general havoc.  I don’t think it’s too much to expect for you to peruse that journal in just a few moments.”  His voice was neutral, but his eyes carried the distinct look of a challenge.
“Hmph.”  Discord stretched out his claw and took the book.  Then, in a quick series of motions, faster than Sky’s eyes could follow, the pages of the book flew open, cover to cover, flapping like a swarm of birds had been aroused and taken to the sky.  Within a matter of moments, the blur of motion had steadied, and Discord turned and placed the journal back onto its place on the shelf.
“Well?” Sky pressed.  “What did you find out?”
“I understand that you are a bit pressed for time,” Discord began, looking both annoyed and complacent at the same time, “but I don’t care much for your tone.”
Sky’s brain felt like a fire had been lit under it.  Discord was always like this.  He would be your friend while it was convenient, but when the chips were down and it really mattered, he suddenly made it as hard as possible to get anything done.  He gave the draconequus a scrutinizing stare for a few moments, then dropped his head with a sigh.  “What did you find out, please?”
“Oh, that’s much better,” Discord said with a distinct giddiness.  “There’s quite a lot in here, though there’s not much in the way of good news for you, I’m afraid.”
“Typical,” Nighthawk replied.  “When have the writings of an enemy ever had good news for us?”
Sky nodded, then turned back to Discord.  “We are in a bit of a hurry, so if we could get the abridged version, that would be great.”  Then, noting Discord’s hesitation, he added, “Please.”
“Very well.  Phantom Star—or Ghost, as you call him—has apparently mastered a particularly nasty magic that explains your battle with each other: mind manipulation.  It’s a bit like mind control, but with a twist.  Instead of taking direct control of somepony, it merely changes their perception of the world, including their values and ways of thinking.”
Nighthawk tapped his chin with his hoof as Sky spoke up.  “That sounds a bit like what you used on the Elements of Harmony when you first came back.”
“It’s basically the same thing,” Discord admitted.  “Oh, that was fun,” he added with a nostalgic grin.
“I think the word you’re after is ‘reprehensible,’” Sky offered.
Discord regarded him.  “No, pretty sure that ‘fun’ was the right word.”
“So hang on,” Nighthawk interjected.  “What you’re describing sounds like they’re changing one pony into an entirely different one.  Like putting a new mind into the same body.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Discord agreed.  “But the manipulator can make the target believe or think anything; not just what the user thinks.  For instance, if I were to use it, I could make Sky Streak here believe that he was a sea pony living in the ocean, or I could make him think that he was the only color pony in a world that was only black and white.  It’s basically creating a false reality for the target of the spell.  The possibilities are virtually limitless.”
“Sounds like something you’d be fond of,” Sky said.
“You say that like you think I’m not,” Discord replied.
“So Ghost can make anypony believe whatever he wants them to believe,” Nighthawk surmised.  “Including that Sky is a traitor to Equestria and that Ghost is some kind of great leader that will bring about Equestria’s ascension to greatness by overthrowing Celestia and giving the throne entirely to Luna.”
“And we still aren’t sure how he’s planning to go about doing that,” Sky commented.  “Was there anything in the journal about that?”
“Not from what I saw,” Discord shrugged.  “Though there was the mention that he had been working on extending his use of mind manipulation to more than one pony at a time.”
The pegasi’s heads snapped to look straight at Discord.  “Did it mention how many?” Nighthawk asked.
“Well, not specifically…”
“He could be planning to turn all of Canterlot!” Sky exclaimed, horrified.  He spread his wings and took to the air, racing for the door.
“Whoa, now, there, little pony,” Discord said, suddenly donned in a cowpony hat, shirt, and duds.  He twirled a lasso for a moment before throwing it and snagging Sky right out of the air.  He fell to the ground as Discord dragged him over to where he stood.  “I’d wager that all of Canterlot would be beyond even Celestia’s abilities, so you don’t have to worry about that.”  His lasso and getup disappeared as Sky rose back to his hooves and dusted himself off.  “But even beyond that, this journal seems to say that it’s not an easy magic to master.  It takes a great deal of time to perform expertly, and even then, it would take quite a bit of exposure to the victim so that they become familiar with them.  It’s a magic that would take a lot of practice over a long stretch of time to be used efficiently.  I’d say that this Ghost is going for a much smaller group with a powerful influence.  One that he knows quite well.”
“The Alicorn Guard,” Nighthawk surmised.  “I’ll bet he’s planning on staging a coup with them as his support.  Then he’ll grant Luna the throne…somehow.”
Sky made a face.  “It bothers me that we don’t know how he plans on convincing Luna to take full control of Equestria.  All the rest of this was planned out so well.  It’s only logical to believe that he’s got something specific in mind for that, too.”
“You’re right,” Nighthawk agreed, “though I can’t think of anything like that.  And you’re sure he didn’t mention it in that journal?” he added, turning to Discord.
“Not by that specifically,” Discord replied.  “But there was something else that was…rather significant.”
“And that was?” Nighthawk pressed.
The draconequus turned to Sky Streak.  “You remember your little bout with the Chimera, don’t you?”
Sky snorted.  “Of course.  I was hoping we were done with it for good.”
“Well, yes and no,” Discord explained.  “It turns out that over the last two hundred or so years, the magic-using descendants of Storm Emblem have been sealing monsters all over Equestria in preparation to overthrow Celestia.  The magic seals they used could only be broken by the presence of Luna or the command of one of Storm Emblem’s family.  The Chimera was merely one of these creatures.”
The color drained from Sky’s face.  The Chimera had taken almost all of his skill and determination to beat…and there were even more out there.  “How many more are we talking about?” Sky croaked.
“It doesn’t say specifically, but I get the feeling that it could be dozens.”
“Dozens.”  Sky’s mouth went dry, and his head began to swim.  The wooden walls of Storm Emblem’s ancient dwelling seemed to close in on him as the maniacal laughter of the Chimera echoed around him.  
“So Ghost was the one to release the Chimera?  When did he do it?” Nighthawk asked.
“Actually, he wasn’t,” Discord corrected.  “It was actually kind of a freak accident.  A little bit of random chaos, if you will.”
Sky was in Discord’s face in a split second.  “Don’t you dare tell me you had something to do with it,” he snarled.
“Oh, certainly not,” the draconequus assured him, pulling the pegasus away with his own suddenly-detached arm.  “When Nightmare Moon returned, as I’m told, she faced down the Elements of Harmony in the Castle of the Two Sisters.  Correct?”
“Yeah,” Sky said, lighting on the ground as he watched Discord reattach his arm.  That’s just unsettling.
“Well, since the presence of Luna was one of only two ways to break the seal on the monsters…”
The light flicked on in Nighthawk’s eyes.  “It was a coincidence!” he exclaimed.  “Or an accident, at least.  Nightmare Moon took her stand by the Elements, which just happened to be the same place that the Chimera was!  But how did Ghost find out about it?”
“You weren’t the first to investigate the darkness of the Everfree, Sky Streak,” Discord said.  “Ghost knew about the sealed creatures all over Equestria, and he suspected that the ‘haunting’ of the forest was a creature that may have had its seal broken.  He came upon the Chimera and managed to use his mind manipulation to take control of it.  It wasn’t two months later that you faced the Chimera there.”
“It all happened so fast,” Sky said, shaking his head in disbelief.  “The Chimera made it sound like it had been there for over a millennium.  But it was really just Ghost’s manipulation.”  He leaned back and stared at the ceiling.  “But that’s not the worst of it.  It was just one of these monsters.  There are more of these things scattered across Equestria…and Ghost may be planning to use them.  The Chimera was only the beginning.”
“Then we’ll be the end of it,” Nighthawk growled, slamming his hoof into the floor.  “The Ghost that I knew was only a façade.  He was a mirage.  Now that I see him for what he is, I’m going to make him pay.”
“We’ll need a plan,” Sky interjected.  “We can’t expect to go against an enemy as well thought-out as this one haphazardly.  We need a strategy.”  He looked to Discord, who stared back incredulously.
“What, me?” he asked.  “You can’t be serious.  You’re asking me to make an organized plan of attack?”  A nametag with the words 'Hello, my name is DISCORD' appeared in his claw, and he offered it to the blue pegasus.  “Have we met?”
But Sky shook his head.  “That’s not what I’m asking.  I’m seeking the wisdom of the god of chaos on what he would do to create havoc within the ranks of the enemy forces.”  His eyes gleamed, and in spite of his ever-increasing desire for sleep, he could feel his old smug smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
To his satisfaction, Discord had the same look on his face.  “In that case,” he replied, flexing his talons and popping his knuckles, “we have some work to do.”

Everfree Forest
May 1, 3:00 AM

Too much.
It was overwhelming.  She had tossed and turned for hours, struggling to find her way into the soft embrace of sleep, only to be turned away by a sense of foreboding so potent, she could almost taste it.  It was like vinegar in her mouth; a distasteful substance that would linger even after it was gone.
She groaned and rolled over again.  The malevolent pressure of some unseen evil continued to bombard her mind with anxiety.  No foe that had arisen within her lifetime had possessed a power so great as to cow her spirit as the feeling she now endured.  A gentle, rapid tapping suddenly came to her ears.  A quick inspection of her legs revealed the source of the noise: she was trembling.
Cautiously, she slipped out from the covers on her bed and stood on the floor.  The night should have been warm with the winds of the approaching summer, but she shivered in a brisk wind from the north.  Grabbing a nearby blanket, she wrapped herself in it, hoping to stave off the unnatural cold.
She was disappointed at the results.
She paced the floor, chanting and muttering to herself in some forgotten language of her homeland.  She brewed a concoction with some freshly gathered herbs.  She sat and tried to meditate.  But nothing would clear her mind of the ominous cloud that had settled there.
Slowly, she stepped over to her pantry and removed a jar of her favorite drink.  It was, like all the others, a mixture of nectars from the forest, but this one was smooth and relaxing: just the thing to calm an anxious spirit.  She gently poured some into a wooden cup and returned the jar to the shelf.  The aroma of the drink filled her home within moments, and she felt a little better.  But as she lifted the cup to her lips, she heard a sound that came as a complete surprise.
Someone was knocking on her door.
She glanced out her window.  Luna’s moon still hung high in the sky.  What soul would be out at this hour?  And in the Everfree Forest of all places?
Warily, she grabbed a long staff and held it against her body as she approached the door.  The thought occurred to her that perhaps the source of her foreboding had come to seek her out on its own.  She shuddered.
She leaned against the door and spoke: “Who wanders the Everfree Forest and knocks on my door?  If trouble you bring, begone and return no more!”
For a tense few seconds, there was silence.  She wondered if she had simply misheard the sounds of the forest.  Perhaps the wandering creature had turned and left her alone.  But all thoughts vanished when, to her surprise, the sound of a soft, yet familiar, voice called out to her: “Zecora?  Open the door.  We need you.”
Initially, she was too stunned to act.  But as she regained her senses, she pulled on the door handle, revealing two pegasi and one tall draconequus standing in her doorway, staring at her hopefully.
“Sky Streak!” she exclaimed.  “You’ve given me quite a shock!  I think you would do well to go look at a clock!”
“Sorry about that,” the blue pegasus replied, looking thoroughly exhausted.  She wondered if he was going to manage to stay on his hooves much longer.  “It couldn’t be helped.  I needed to see you.”
“Needed, you say.  That is quite the strong word.  Did you mean to say as much as my ears have heard?”
“It’s true, ma’am,” said the other pegasus, an orange pony with a fiery red mane.  “Bli—er, Sky suggested that you may be able to help us.”
Zecora stared in curiosity at the god of chaos that now stood on her doorstep.  “Strange indeed are the companions that you have brought.  Seeing this one,” she said, nudging Discord with a free hoof, “I wonder whether I should help you or not.”
“Hey!” Discord protested.  “I have been a valuable member of this little quest of theirs.  You can ask either of them.”  Sudden spotlights from out of nowhere illuminated the pegasi where they stood.
“Strange as it sounds,” Sky said, rubbing the back of his head nervously, “he’s right.  We wouldn’t have gotten this far if it hadn’t been for him.”
“That might have been better, so I could rest, but here instead, I should help with your quest,” Zecora said.  The black oppression that had been bothering her had been pushed aside by the curious appearance of her visitors.  “But if you could, just so I am clear, could you please tell me why exactly you are here?”
“Tell you what,” Sky said, looking like he was on the verge of passing out, “let’s all sit down inside where we can talk about it.”
> Chapter 20: Loosening the Grip
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot
May 1, 8:18 AM

Ace?  Ace, you there?
Sky held his breath as he waited for a response.  He half-expected there to be none.  It would only be logical that something would go wrong right from the get-go.
So it was a startling surprise when, a few moments later, Sky was rewarded with the familiar voice of his team commander.  Blitz?  What the hay have you been doing?  Scope and Tread got back late last night and told us that you stayed behind to face Nighthawk by yourself!  What in Equestria were you thinking?!
Sky bit his lip.  He had hoped to be able to tell whether Ace was under Ghost’s influence or not from their first interaction.  But now, as Sky bantered with the unicorn through telepathy, he found that making the call was not as clear-cut as he had imagined it would be.
Look, Sky said, I’m almost back to Canterlot.  Meet me on the south side of the city.  We need to talk.
There was a moment’s hesitation.  About what? Ace asked at length.
Sky could feel the emotional shift in Ace’s thoughts.  It was as though he was hoping to hear that Sky had killed Nighthawk.  Just meet me there.  I’ll be at the train station.
Alright, Blitz, I’m coming.  You better make this worth my while, though.  Ghost’s practically worn through the floor in the HQ from pacing all night.
Sky snorted.  I’m sure he has, he thought to himself.
He withdrew his thoughts and took in his surroundings.  In truth, he was already at the train station.  He had been standing there for about half an hour, making sure that he wasn’t stepping into a trap.  As the ponies of Canterlot began to emerge from their homes and go about their business, they completely ignored the blue pegasus next to the waiting platform.
Because, of course, they couldn’t see him.
Sky’s cloak swayed lightly in the morning breeze.  Inwardly, he wondered if this would be the last time he saw Canterlot like this.  Today was likely to change a great many things, even if they managed emerge victorious…or survive at all.
Beside him, a disembodied voice whispered to him.  “Well?  Did it work?”
Sky managed a halfhearted smile in spite of the serious nature of their circumstances.  “It seems like it did,” he answered quietly.  “He said he’s on his way here, though I can’t help but think he’ll be bringing a few others along with him.”
“I’d bet you’re right,” Nighthawk agreed.  He was perfectly hidden underneath the veil of his own cloak.  Zecora had been gracious enough to create another one from one of her own robes in the hurried hours before dawn.  It was one of the few advantages they held against Ghost and his zombified horde.  “Blitz, listen.”
Sky snorted.  “If you’re about to get all mushy on me, you’d better save it,” he teased.
But Nighthawk was undeterred.  “Hey.  I didn’t think I’d ever be happy about working with you.  But right here, seeing you doing this, in spite of everything that was and still is against you…well, I’m just proud to be here, fighting alongside you.  If we make it through today, I’m nominating you to take the leadership of the Alicorn Guard.”
Sky’s head whipped around so fast that his cloak flickered visible for a moment.  “You’d better not!” he protested.  “I’m no leader.  There are at least a dozen other ponies in the Guard more qualified than I am, at the very least.”
“You don’t lead in the traditional sense,” Nighthawk explained.  “You lead by example.  I’d wager that if we were all a bit more like you, then we could make Equestria even greater than it’s ever been.”
A frown came to Sky’s face, hidden from the eyes of his partner by the hood of his cloak.  Just as he had been willing to accept Nighthawk’s compliment, the haunting vision from the Everfree Lily arose in his mind.  I’m not the pony he thinks I am.
“You’d better get to position,” Sky diverted the conversation.  “Ghost isn’t going to spare any expense to make sure he eliminates me here and now, so I need you to cover me.”
“As best I can,” Nighthawk promised.  Sky felt a rush of wind and heard a flutter of wings as Nighthawk took to the air for his post.
Again, Sky was left alone.  He felt much better than he had when he had first arrived at Zecora’s hut.  He had managed a few short hours of sleep, but more than anything, Zecora’s strange concoctions and potions had managed to refresh him, though she had warned him that they would not replace proper rest for long.  He needed to take some time off soon.
Won’t be today, he thought.
For over nine hundred years, the Alicorn Guard had secretly kept the peace and defended the land of Equestria from within and without, leaving only rumors of their existence: no physical proof.  And the day that he had joined, Sky had sworn an oath to never reveal the truths of the Alicorn Guard to anypony.  It was a vow he had taken seriously and had never questioned.
Until today.
The Guard had performed outside the laws of Equestria.  They were not above the law; merely outside it.  They could not be tried for their actions as they officially did not exist.  And for those nine hundred years, they had been the righteous servants of the empire, performing justice and preserving peace.  But then an infection found its way into the Guard.  One of the most powerful groups in the land had been corrupted…and there was nopony capable of overseeing it.  Not even Princess Celestia had known about the darkness.  And that secrecy had only nurtured the cancer.
Sky had always hated the secrecy he had been forced to maintain with his friends.  He hated the feeling that he wasn’t allowed to trust them with everything, like good friends should be able to do.  But he had done so out of respect for that first oath.  The confidentiality was necessary.  But now, the secrecy had been turned against the good of the land, and Sky knew what he had to do.  The truth had to be exposed.  He would break his vow.  Would that make him a traitor?  Possibly.  But if doing the right thing made him a traitor, then he was willing to accept that role.
I’ve lost so much already, he thought sadly.  He reached up and felt the two jeweled cutie marks hanging beneath his cloak.
But his mind hardened as another thought filled his brain.  No…I haven’t lost everything.  I still have my friends, my family, the princesses...
His eyes latched onto the approaching white unicorn with a silver and red mane.  He was looking all across the courtyard, hunting for the blue pegasus.
The Alicorn Guard.  And I’ll fight for you, even if I have to fight against you.
Sky stepped back into the shadows of the platform and allowed his cloak’s disguise to fade.  He reached up and brushed the hood off his head and gave his mane a quick shuffle.  Then, with a deep breath, he advanced into the light, where he saw Ace’s eyes lock onto him immediately.
Here we go.
“There you are,” Ace said, a stern look on his face as he approached.  “You certainly look like you’re still in one piece.”  He seemed to be sizing up the pegasus, looking for wounds, bruises, or other vulnerabilities, though there was little to see through Sky’s grey mantle.  “So, let’s have it.  What happened?”
But Sky had other ideas.  “I need to see Ghost.  He needs to hear what I have to say.”
“Then you should have called him here to start with,” Ace snapped.  “You asked for me instead, and here I am, so spill.”
Sky sighed.  “I’m sorry about this, but I’m going to speak to Ghost directly.”  He peered into the depths of Ace’s eyes.  “You hear me in there, Ghost?  I’m talking to you!  You listening?”
For a moment, Ace seemed rather taken aback.  But within moments, Ace’s eyes grew dark and a deep purple star pulsed from the center of the blackness of his pupils.  “So, Blitz,” Ace hissed, though his voice had grown deeper and colder, “you seem to have learned a few things while you were away.  Though I must admit, I don’t know how.  You’re more clever than I had counted on.  But it doesn’t matter.  You cannot oppose me alone.”
“Why, Ghost?” Sky pleaded, hoping against hope to prevent what was to come.  “This is crazy!  Luna and Celestia made up to each other!  Storm Emblem never wanted this to happen!  He wanted peace, not revenge!”
“Silence!” Ace-Ghost snapped.  “You know nothing of Storm Emblem’s plight!  I will complete my family’s work and restore Luna to her rightful place!  However,” he continued in a softer voice, “you do not have to oppose me.  We could work together.  We both love Princess Luna and would do anything for her, would we not?”
Sky knew that sensation.  It was like a worm trying to burrow itself into his mind: a parasite seeking to change him into someone else.  Sky once again pressed his hoof against the two brooches on his chest, and with a quick flash of light, the sensation was gone.  “Save your words and your magic for when you see me in the flesh,” Sky snarled.  His wings crackled with magic and the irises of his eyes were wrung with miniature electric arcs.  “I did not make an oath to Princess Luna, but to the entire land of Equestria.  Throw everything you’ve got at me, Ghost.  I’m going to end this right now.”
The body of Ace stood still as a stone for several moments before a wicked grin grew across its face.  “You also swore not to reveal the existence of the Alicorn Guard,” he mocked.  “Are you willing to break one oath to try and uphold another?”
“I will break any oath if it conflicts with what is right!” Sky shouted, drawing the attention of several nearby ponies.
“As you wish, Blitz,” Ace-Ghost said softly.  “You will fight alone here.  And you will die alone.  I will make sure of that.”
“Then come get me!” Sky said, launching into the air with a blaze of magic.
And in that moment, Canterlot became a battleground.
From just beyond the nearest row of buildings, a pegasus, sheathed in a cocoon of a magic aura, rocketed into the air on an intercept course with Sky.  At the same time, a lone unicorn unleashed a volley of rapid-fire blasts of magic from down the street, forcing him to a lower altitude.  A nearby door burst open and two earth ponies rushed out, peering back at Sky as he approached from above.  All the ponies that had been merely passing by took off in a panic, too frightened by the sudden commotion to look back.
Sky winced as he recognized his friends.  Nova tore through the air, wearing a hateful scowl as she closed in.  Between the blasts of magic, Sky could make out the form of Keeper as she attempted to force him closer to the ground.  And waiting ahead of him, Trucker and Scope looked on with dark eyes.
“Forgive me,” Sky whispered.  He silently counted down from five to one.
Suddenly, a flaming streak of red burst into the air with such ferocity that the ponies attacking Sky hesitated for a moment.  Nova barely had time to notice before she fell from the air, crashing into the roof of a nearby home.  With a sad sigh, Sky rolled out from underneath the Keeper’s blasts of magic and closed the distance to her within the blink of an eye.  With a surge of magic, he slammed both front hooves into her, sending her skidding along the pavement.
She recovered quickly and fired off twin magic beams back where Sky stood.  At the same time, Trucker and Scope leapt at him from his left and right.  He had almost nowhere to go.
Almost.
With an unnatural calmness, Sky launched himself into a high aerial flip, positioning himself just above the outstretched legs of the two earth ponies.  Then, as he stalled in the air, he reached down and planted his hooves onto the heads of Trucker and Scope.  And with a mighty heave, he hurled them back to the ground.
He watched with little satisfaction as they crashed onto the street, only to be met moments later by the pair of magic blasts from Keeper, sending them rolling down the street.  And as he completed his somersault, Sky pressed his wings together and sent a curved magic flare like an electric blade sizzling back to where Keeper stood with a strangely passive look of disgust, preparing for her next attack.  It struck the ground right in front of her, exploding on contact and raising a cloud of dust.
The unicorn burst from the cloud, horn aimed to the fore, ready to fry the pegasus where he stood.  But her determination faded into confusion when she noticed that he was no longer there.
Suddenly, Sky dropped from the air right beside her, his body tense and ready for his next attack.  Keeper reacted quickly, ducking and extending her legs quickly, trying to knock Sky onto the ground.  But he simply hopped over the strike and delivered a quick jab into her foreleg, knocking her slightly off-balance.  As she stumbled, Sky spun on one hoof and knocked her rear legs out from under her.  And as he settled on all four of his own hooves, he released a quick burst of magic like a bolt of lightning from the heavens.  The blast sent Keeper careening through the air until she collided with a storefront across the street.
Sky stared at the unconscious body of Keeper where she lay on the sidewalk.  Sun, moon, and stars, I hate this.
“Well, just look at you,” Ace-Ghost said, casually strolling towards Sky amid the debris.  Above, Nighthawk continued to keep Nova busy (with more than she could handle, from what Sky could tell).  “You’re even better than I hoped.  But I have to admit, I did not expect you to leave Nighthawk alive,” he added, thrusting a hoof to the aerial battle above him.  “You really are full of surprises.”
“Killing isn’t really my style,” Sky replied casually.
“Oh, just listen to you,” Ace-Ghost chuckled.  “You’re always trying to be so noble; such an upstanding servant of Celestia.  Never out for your own recognition, are you?  You said so yourself: ‘No one knows everything we do, and maybe someday we’ll end up as legends fit for stories and fairy tales, but we’re only heroes after we’re gone.’  Isn’t that right, Blitz?”
Sky’s eyes grew as wide as saucers as the unicorn continued.  “Oh, you thought you said those words just to Razor?  Blitz, you should know better than that.  I’ve been in the heads of every member of the Alicorn Guard for months.  If you said anything to any of them, you said it to me.”
“Then why didn’t Nighthawk know that we repaired the shooter?” Sky asked, biding for time.  He needed Nighthawk to clear the skies before their plan could continue.  “I mean, if you knew that Ace, Hobo, and I had gotten it working again, shouldn’t Nighthawk have been prepared for that?”
“Oh, I had far less direct influence on your battle with Nighthawk than you think, Blitz,” Ace-Ghost cooed.  “All I did was make him see you as his enemy.  Then I just watched the battle unfold through his eyes.  If Nighthawk won, then you would be gone and nopony would be capable of opposing me.  If you won, then you would kill him and corrupt yourself, giving me an opportunity to seize upon that darkness and control you.  Either way, I win.”
“Except that I didn’t kill Nighthawk,” Sky said, suddenly realizing the significance of his choice.  “I made the only decision you didn’t account for.”  Then another thought came to him.  “But even if I left Nighthawk alive, then why didn’t you re-take control of him after he woke up again?”
“Seriously, Blitz?” Ace-Ghost replied, looking appalled at Sky’s apparent lack of understanding.  “Why would I try to influence a pony I thought was as good as dead?  I didn’t take control of him because I didn’t know he was still alive, of course.  I withdrew my control from him the moment you beat him.  I never imagined that you could choose to spare the life of somepony that had killed your Lily,” he admitted.  “It was my only mistake.”
Killed your Lily.  Killed your Lily.  The words created an endless echo in his mind.  And for a moment, the seething anger he had felt towards Nighthawk returned.
But one look at the orange pegasus fighting above allowed the rage to float away.  He’s not my enemy anymore.  And then another comforting thought followed: Lily isn’t dead.  As long as I remember her, she’ll always be with me.
“Wrong,” Sky said through gritted teeth.  “You made a lot of mistakes.  Your first was deciding to follow this ridiculous plan of your family’s.  It corrupts the legacy of Storm Emblem, and it will ruin the empire!”
Nova crashed into a nearby wall with a thump, then fell to the ground in a limp heap.  It was tragic: friend against friend in a battle for the fate of all Equestria.  It took all of Sky’s willpower to keep from rushing to her side.
Nighthawk landed beside him, a fire in his eyes as he stared down the controlled unicorn.  “You talking to Ace or Ghost?” he asked.
“Both, from what he tells me,” Sky said.
A scowl grew on Nighthawk’s face.  “Ghost, you’d better hope I never find you, because if I do, you may not live to regret it.”
“Oh.  Looks like your choice of company doesn’t share your sense of self-control,” Ace-Ghost taunted.
“I’m not the same inexperienced pegasus you dueled when I first joined the Guard,” Nighthawk said, and his magic aura grew in response.  “You know that.  And I’d love to test myself against you now.”
“I’m sure you would,” Ace-Ghost replied.  “But I have a better idea.  See, now I know that Nighthawk is still alive.  And, seeing as how you two each have one victory against each other in battle,” he continued, and the surrounding air became thick and the light seemed to fade, “why don’t we have a tiebreaker?”
For a moment, Sky thought that nothing aside from the air had changed.  However, hearing a moan from behind him, he turned to see Nighthawk doubled over on the ground, groaning and shivering uncontrollably.  As his eyes blinked open and shut erratically, Sky could see a deep purple light slowly growing from his pupils.
“No!” he shouted, leaping to Nighthawk’s side and cradling his head in his hooves.  “Stay with me, Nighthawk!” he begged.  “Fight it!  Fight him!  You’re better than this!  Don’t give in!”
Ace-Ghost was laughing where he stood.  “Oh, this is rich.  You suddenly care about him, after what he did to Lily?  Let’s be real, Blitz.  You could care less about what happens to him.  All you want is an ally to face me with.  You’re just planning to throw him to the curb when all this is over.”
“That’s not true!” Sky shouted.  “You’re the monster that attacked Lily!” he continued, pointing a hoof at Ace-Ghost.  “Nighthawk may have hated me before, but that’s changed.”
The orange pegasus continued to shudder and twitch, but Sky’s voice grew warmer and kinder.  “We understand each other now.  We respect each other.  Yes, we’re allies, but we’re more than that, too: we’re friends.”
And as he held his friend’s head in his hooves, voices of the early morning returned to him.

“I understand you must go, Sky Streak, but before you do, I’d like a moment to speak.”
“What is it, Zecora?”
“Your pegasus friend is strong, but his mind is not yet clear.  A darkness yet lingers which your enemy may use, I fear.”
“Great.  Is there anything you can do for him?”
“Part of his mind still desires to see you betrayed.  For an ill of this kind, I fear I can offer no aid.”
“Fantastic.  He was victim to a nasty forbidden magic that basically put him under the control of another individual.  One that tried to kill me.”
“And yet here he now stands with you as a friend.  Would you see him come to such an unfortunate end?”
“Of course not!  But what can I do?”
“So soon you forget a battle not so long ago, when you faced a similar power from a different foe.  And now hundreds of ponies owe their lives to you.  Here you stand again.  You know what to do.”
“Last time I had the Elements of Harmony!  I don’t have that luxury this time!”
“The Elements are the embodiment of friendship, the deepest magic of all.  If you carry that in your heart, is it not always at your beck and call?”

Sky smiled confidently.  “I told you once before that friendship was the deepest magic, but it seems you weren’t listening,” he said softly.  “But I’ll make sure that you listen this time.”  He gently laid Nighthawk’s head on the pavement.  He then stood up, and a white glow seemed to rise as dust began to swirl around his hooves.  “You dare to pick on one of my friends?  You and your family were determined to be on your own.  You didn’t want help from the outside.  You only had one child to carry on your vendetta against Celestia.  You tried to concentrate all the magical knowledge and power you could into one pony!”
The light grew, dispelling the darkness, and the swirl of dust developed into a full-fledged whirlwind of light.  Ace-Ghost looked on, a half-intrigued expression on his face.  “But we understand that friends make us stronger!  We don’t have to be alone!  They stand in the gap for us and help us when we need it!  And if they ever need my help, I’ll be right there!”
His eyes shone like stars from his face in the midst of the whirlwind.  “You thought I was alone.  But as long as I have friends, I’m never alone.  My friends make me more powerful than you could ever hope to become.  And when I find you, I’ll show you that power.  Personally.”
“Looking forward to it,” Ace-Ghost replied nonchalantly.  Then, as the unicorn bowed his head in resignation, Sky unleashed the tornado, and it engulfed the entire courtyard within its walls of light.
The next few seconds felt like hours to Sky.  All around him, he could sense the presences of his friends.  He could feel Ghost’s mind manipulation in their minds like seeds of darkness.  He sighed with satisfaction as the darkness gradually evaporated in the consuming brightness of his spell until it was gone entirely.  The glare of the magic tornado was like staring into the sun, but it was not unpleasant: it was warm and inviting, much like his home had always been.
Or anywhere when Lily had been with him.
The thought stung like a hundred needles had stuck him all at once. Instantly, the light faded, and Sky found himself standing in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by the limp forms of the Alicorn Guard.  From the occasional window, Sky could see several pairs of frightened eyes peering out at him.
“Well,” he muttered aloud, “I guess the secret’s out.”
Traitor.
Sky snorted.  A traitor.  He had thrown aside his oath; broken a solemn vow.  He had betrayed the secret of the Alicorn Guard.  Of course, it would have been easy to blame Ghost.  But Sky had been given the opportunity to keep that secret by joining Ghost.  And he had refused it.  And now, he bore the same title that Ghost did.  That Nighthawk did.  That she did…
“I don’t care,” he whispered.  “No oath is worth keeping if it prevents me from doing what’s right.”
“How peculiar,” a voice echoed around the courtyard.  “That makes you both blandly predictable and yet equally unpredictable.  Quite an achievement, if you ask me.”
Sky fell back on his haunches and stared at the top of the train station, where a familiar form reclined upon the roof.  “Discord,” Sky began, “I half-expected you to not show up.”
The draconequus sat straight up as he regarded the pony below.  “My good Sky Streak, you may consider me untrustworthy, but I am a being of my word.  If I say I will do something, then you can be certain that I will see it done.”
“Good to know,” Sky said, and his eyes were drawn to the body of Nighthawk, which had begun to move as he slowly came around again.  “So, since I can count on you to do what you say you will—did you find Ghost?”
Discord vanished from the rooftop and appeared next to Sky with a poof.  “I certainly did,” he said, looking quite pleased with himself as he began to pace back and forth.
Sky sat expectantly for a moment.  “And?” he pressed.
“Ungh,” Nighthawk groaned as he rolled over.  “Oh, man…the hay happened?  Feels like somepony tried to pull my brain out through my ear.”
“Haven’t tried that one yet,” Discord commented thoughtfully.  “Might merit a try sometime later.”
“Save it,” Sky cut him short.  He turned his attention back to the orange pegasus on the ground.  “Glad you’re back, Nighthawk.  Ghost shouldn’t try to take control of you anymore.”
“Nice to hear,” Nighthawk answered, struggling to get to his hooves.  “Too bad he’s probably got all kinds of other surprises for us.”
“Well, he’s got a few less to use against us,” Sky said.  “We’ve got a few more allies now.”  He gestured around the square, where the rest of the ponies of the Alicorn Guard were slowly coming to.
“More allies—wait, what?  You mean them?” Nighthawk asked incredulously.  “You mean you freed them, too?  Seriously?”
“I think so,” Sky said, suddenly a bit uncertain.  It had worked before with the Chimera, but that had been his only attempt to use that particular magic.  The sample size of results was admittedly rather small.  “I guess we’re gonna find out in a second or two.”
Sky kept his eye trained on Ace—he seemed to be recovering the quickest, and he had been the one Ghost had been using to speak through.  Also, it had come into Sky’s mind that Ace might prove to be particularly useful in the battle to come…though that was dependent on many things.
Finally, Ace staggered to his hooves, unsteady and dizzy.  As he looked up to the two pegasi and one god of chaos standing in the center of the square, a look of pure confusion sprang to his face—and, much to Sky’s relief—complete with his normal, gray-colored eyes.
“Blitz,” he groaned, bringing a hoof to his temple as he swayed where he stood.  “Nng…sheesh, what a headache.  You’ve never experienced a headache like this.”
Sky smiled.  “Wanna bet on it?”
Ace’s head shot up with a startled look, only to be replaced by an understanding smile.  “You know, I think I’ll pass on this one.”
The smile quickly faded into another pained grimace.  “Sweet Celestia, that hurts,” he said, continuing to rub his head gingerly.  He hesitated as he stared at the trio of beings in the center of the square.  “Either that’s the ugliest statue I’ve ever seen, or it’s Discord,” he said, pointing to the tall, serpentine being next to the blue pegasus.
Discord was unamused.  “The sarcasm of you ponies is boundless,” he replied, looking annoyed.
“Tough to argue with that,” Ace said, working out a kink in his neck.  “So, if nopony has any objections, could someone please tell me what’s going on?  I open my eyes with a headache the size of an ursa, a bunch of my friends lying around a courtyard that looks like it just got hit by a tornado, Blitz talking to Discord without trying to strangle him, and Nighthawk, the traitorous fugitive.”  Sky noted the angry change in Ace’s tone as he said ‘traitorous fugitive.’
“Long story short?  We were wrong,” Sky explained.  “Basically, Ghost is the traitor, and he’s been using all of you keep us from finding that out.  Nighthawk’s on our side again, and Discord has offered his assistance, too.”
Ace stood unmoving (save for an eye twitch) for several minutes.  Sky waited patiently, while Discord took the opportunity to arrange a flowery wreath around Ace’s neck.  Finally, he wagged his head and shook off his reverie.  “That…is certifiably insane,” he managed.
“Wonderful, isn’t it?” Discord remarked.  He tossed the rest of his flowers into the air, where they exploded in a blaze of fireworks.
Sky cleared his throat and continued.  “Ghost is planning to stage a coup and give the throne to Princess Luna.  Don’t ask,” he said, seeing the question on Ace’s face.  “It’s too difficult to explain now.  Let’s just say that we need to find Ghost and stop…whatever his plan is.”
“Speaking of which,” Discord interrupted, “if you were wanting to know where Ghost is right now…”
“Oh, right,” Sky said, regaining his train of thought.  “You said you found him, right?”
Discord nodded.  “I did.  He’s currently in the great magic vault beneath the castle.  And he had somepony with him.  A large, hulking brute of a pony, from the look of it.”
“That’d be Boulder,” Nighthawk said.  “Ghost must have wanted a bodyguard.”
“What’s in the vault?” Ace asked, placing his flowery wreath on the ground beside him.  “I mean, sure, I’ve heard of it, but nopony I’ve talked to knew what was kept in there.”
All eyes turned to Discord, who merely returned an innocent gaze.  “I don’t go snooping into every little detail of Canterlot, mind you.”  He crossed his arms and stuck his nose in the air defiantly.
“Come on, Discord,” Sky said.  “Not even the Alicorn Guard knows what’s in there, and you’re telling me that you didn’t go investigate that for yourself?  You couldn’t keep from knowing that secret if your life depended on it.”
For a moment, Sky wondered if Discord really didn’t know what was in the vault.  But after a few tense seconds, he clasped his claws together and threw them wide open, revealing a stack of blueprints and floorplans with the words “Canterlot Dungeon Catacombs Magic Vault” scrawled across the top.  “Oh, alright,” he said at last.  “Goodness knows I can’t resist a good secret.  But don’t go telling Celestia.  She’d have a fit if she knew I had these.”
Sky actually felt himself smiling.  At times, Discord felt less like a malevolent would-be dictator, and more like a semi-omnipotent foal with an incurable penchant for mischief.  And in those moments, he wasn’t so bad to be around.
“Hang on…this seems to indicate that the vault is filled with…magic relics?” Ace asked, peering at the blueprints.
“Makes sense,” Nighthawk said.  “Secure vault, powerful items.  I see the Alicorn Amulet on here.  And those look like…weapons?”  He pointed to a row of items along one wall.
“Hm.  ‘Celestia: Sun Spear,’ ‘Luna: Blade of Night,’ and…‘Sombra’s Dark Scythe’?  What on earth are those?” Sky asked.
“Sound like weapons from Equestria’s early days,” Nighthawk replied.  “Can’t say I ever knew that Celestia and Luna bore weapons, though.”
“I’d heard rumors that Celestia and Luna had fought Sombra at the fall of the Crystal Empire.  I wonder if these aren’t the weapons they used?” Ace added.
“I hate to interrupt,” Discord interjected with a polite clearing of his throat, “but don’t you have more important things to tend to than speculations about the Princesses’ martial combat skills?”
“Oh, uh, right,” Sky said, feeling a bit awkward.  It somehow felt very…backwards to be corrected by the god of chaos.  He examined the blueprints again.  “I dunno…I mean, sure, there are lots of potent magic items in there, but nothing that really seems to say, ‘Hey, this has gotta be what he’s after’.”
“What about that?” Discord asked, laying a talon upon a secluded area of the map.
And as soon as Sky saw it, he knew.
“By the Founders,” Sky muttered, “The Shards of Nightmare Moon.  I gave him what he needed.”
“What?” Ace asked, looking bewildered.  “I don’t get it.”
Sky’s mind raced.  “After the Chimera was destroyed last year, we found these left behind.  We gave them to the Princesses for safekeeping, because if the Chimera had them, then they couldn’t have been good.”
“But they’re just the broken fragments of Nightmare Moon’s appearance, right?  What could Ghost do with those?” Ace asked.
“Until you’ve been around them, you can’t really describe it.  But those fragments still have enough dark magic to be dangerous.  If Ghost is planning to return them to Princess Luna…”
“Then he is literally wanting to live in the past,” Nighthawk concluded.  “He wants Celestia gone and Nightmare Moon to rule Equestria alone.”
“But why?  Why not Princess Luna as she is?  What has Nightmare Moon got to offer Equestria other than fear and never-ending night?”
“That’s what I’m going to find out,” Sky said, eyes glinting with resolve.  “He knows we’re coming for him now, and he’s going to do everything he can to stop us.  It’s going to take all of us to do this.”
A worried frown came to Ace’s face.  “I really don’t understand any of this,” he shrugged, “but I’ve seen enough to know that you know what you’re talking about.  You’re sure we can still stop him?”
Sky looked around the courtyard as the fallen Guardsponies, still looking a bit dazed and shaken, struggled to their hooves and approached.  He fired quick glances at each of his three companions, who returned grim but confident gazes at him.
A familiar smug grin tugged at the corners of Sky’s mouth.  “You can bet on it.”
> Chapter 21: Battleground Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot
May 1, 8:30 AM

Tartarus.  The ancient underground world where corrupt and evil entities went to be tortured and pay their punishment for their terrible deeds.  Sky had often wondered what it was like there, though he had never desired to experience it personally.
He didn’t need to imagine any longer.
Oh, he wasn’t in the actual Tartarus.  He was still in Canterlot: the bright, shining capital of Equestria.  The palace gleamed to the north; its golden spires radiating in the sunlight.  The homes and stores of the citizens of Canterlot were filed in neat rows all throughout the city.
But it was Tartarus enough.
This was his home.  He lived here.  He had memories of friends and good times here.  He had built a lovely relationship here.  He had found his life’s calling here.  And his heart had been broken here.
But now, his heart felt like it was about to shatter entirely.
Buildings below were on fire.  Screams of terrified ponies rose from the city below; a gut-wrenching sound to Sky, who had built his existence around protecting the very ones who now cried out in fear.  Blasts of magic rifled through the air and ricocheted off surfaces and blasted holes in the walls and pavement as former friends stood against each other, fighting for the fate of all Equestria.
Before him, Razor hovered in the air, a cruel scowl etched upon her face as she stared down the blue pegasus.  Nearby, Nighthawk and Nova were busy keeping the controlled Rimshot and Sprocket busy, while even more fighting continued between unicorns and earth ponies on the ground.
A distant buzz radiated from the back of Sky’s mind; a small warning siren amid the conflict around him that seemed to say, “Hey, take it easy.  Zecora’s potions can only do so much, you know.”  But Sky merely shut the door on it and focused in on Razor.  He would worry about himself later.  Right now, Equestria was the priority.
“Pulling your punches, Blitz?” Razor taunted.  “How very noble of you to resist hitting a lady.  I hope you know I’m not going to show you the same courtesy.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Razor,” Sky replied.  “I’d much rather be fighting beside you than against you.”
“Too bad,” she fired back.  “I guess you’re just going to have to accept the fact that you’re nothing more than a casualty of war!”  She surged straight at him, and the swirls of air to her sides suddenly transformed into lethally sharp blades.
Sky was tempted to launch himself straight into the air, but at the last moment, he changed his mind and dove into a backwards somersault.  As he came up again, Razor was right on him, teeth bared in a vengeful smirk, taut as a rubber band, prepared to strike.
Sky was familiar with Razor’s speed, of course, but this was different.  Perhaps in their spars, she had always held back, knowing that it wasn’t for real.  She had no need to go in for the kill then; they were merely practicing.  So it was that Sky was surprised by the speed of her attack; almost to the point that he didn’t have an opportunity to brace.
Thankfully, Sky didn’t intend to brace.
He brought a hoof straight up and into her windpipe, which caused her neck to buckle, pressing her chin against Sky’s leg.  Instantly, the wind blades dissipated into thin air.  Sky pressed harder into Razor’s neck, and, using her chin as leverage, brought the strike upwards, over his head, until he slammed the pegasus mare into the roof of the building on his other side.  He held his hoof in her throat as she looked on with rage etched across her face.  Sky could feel the stinging in his eyes as he thought about what he was doing.
It’s not really her, he forced himself to believe.  It’s for her own good, and the good of everypony.
But that didn’t make it any easier.
A blast of magically-summoned wind forced him up into the air, releasing Razor from his hold.  Instantly, she rolled over and clambered to her hooves.  “Not bad, Blitz.  But we’re pegasi.  Ground-based combat isn’t our style…even on a roof.  Let’s see how you fare in the air!”  She rocketed into the air, cackling like a witch as she rose.
Sky had just taken off after when a voice resounded in his head.  Blitz, we’ve got a problem.
He sighed.  Just one?  That’s nice for a change.
Drop the sarcasm, Blitz, Scope chided.  Apparently, Juggles and Hobo have been busy.  They’ve managed to set up a magic barricade at all the palace entrances.  We can’t get in.
Sky rolled his eyes.  Razor suddenly stopped on a dime and came hurtling back at him, leg extended in a powerful strike.  He barely managed to roll out of the way as she went screaming past him.  Tried a window? he offered.
He could have sworn he heard a scoff.  Blitz, did either of us have wings the last time you looked?
Fine.  Gimme a minute.  He glanced off to his left, where Nova and Nighthawk were corralling Rimshot and Sprocket into a corner of the city.  He surged ahead, leaving Razor behind.
“You’re in quite a rush, Blitz!” Razor called out to him.  “Hope you weren’t planning on leaving so soon!”
Sky ignored her.  He had more pressing issues to deal with.  He focused on the lavender pegasus ahead of him.  “Nova!” he called out.
“Little busy, Blitz!” she shouted back, deflecting a pair of jabs from Sprocket.  “Can it wait?”
Sky slammed into Sprocket, sending him tumbling onto a row of houses below.  “Afraid not,” he answered.  “Ace and Scope can’t get into the palace; the gate’s been barricaded with magic.  I need you to get into the palace through a window and warn Mystic about what’s going on.”
“What if they’re all blocked, too?”
“There are too many windows for them all to be barricaded,” Sky hoped.  “Keep trying till you find a way in.  She needs to know what this is all about.  Hurry!” he shouted.
“But what about you?  You’re outnumbered…”
“Never been a problem before,” Sky muttered.  He stared down at Sprocket, who had gotten back to his hooves and had wings spread wide, preparing to charge.  “Now GO!”
Nova's on her way, Sky messaged Scope.  Keep trying to get in, though.  I'll need you two on the inside.
If there was a reply, he didn't hear it.  Sprocket was in the air, but apparently, Sky was not his target.  He was aimed for the palace, with Nova dead in his sights.  A quick blast of magic sent him spinning off course.  When he finally came to a stop, Sky was looking at him expectantly.
“Picking on the girls?  Shame on you, Sprocket,” Sky said.  “Why don’t you try me for a change?”
Sprocket frowned in frustration for a moment, but his expression changed to a confident smile rather dramatically.  “Think you’re hot stuff, huh, Blitz?  Well, you think you can take on two of us at once?”
It was all the warning Sky had.  Quick as he could, he twisted into a horizontal spin.  He could hear the twin blades of air whistle just above and below him.  He brought his hoof up yet again in a magic-enhanced uppercut, but this time, Razor was expecting it.  Their hooves met in a flash of sparks, and Sky contorted and began to spin in the opposite direction.  He threw his rear leg out wide to try and catch Razor in the back, but she merely backed out of the way.  He extended the spin and tried to connect with the kick a second time, but again, Razor managed to stay out of reach.
He finished his spin, spread his wings, and surged ahead like he had been launched off a springboard.  Razor apparently had the same idea, and their hooves clashed in a blaze of light.  Again and again, they matched each other blow for blow: Sky, quick and sudden as a bolt of lightning, and Razor, twisting and swirling like the winds of a tornado.
Finally, their hooves met again, leaving the two pressing against each other, their faces, mere inches apart, etched in determination.  “Don’t do this, Razor,” Sky grunted.  “You’re no villain.”
“No?” the crimson pegasus replied.  “Guess I’ll need to change that!”
Suddenly, the air between them seemed to explode, and Sky went tumbling head over hooves into the air.  But he hadn’t lost all control.  As he flipped, he saw Razor come back into view.  With a quickness that was almost too fast to follow, he stretched out and launched a bolt of magic right at her.
But again, she surprised him.  She managed to block his blast with a compressed mass of air, then redirected it to the street below, where it blew a crater into the pavement.
Sky hadn’t expected Razor to be so skilled or powerful, but showing that would only give her more of an advantage.  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he mock apologized.  “Did I make that spell too powerful for you to throw it back at me?”
“You’re adorable, Blitz,” Razor replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.  “If you really thought that I meant it when I told you that you were better than me, you’re more gullible than I tho—”
She was suddenly cut off as a black and beige body crashed into her from above.  They both plummeted to the buildings below, where Sprocket was forced to jump back to avoid becoming crushed by the sudden rain of pegasi.
Nighthawk descended until he was hovering beside Sky.  “Sorry to drop in like that,” he said, regarding the trio of mind-controlled pegasi below, “but sometimes you just have to throw somepony at another pony.  Especially when they’re rude like that.”
The three pegasi struggled to get to their hooves, looking up at Sky and Nighthawk.  “It’s a shame, really,” Nighthawk called to them.  “Maybe if there were another four or five of you guys, it’d be a fair fight.  But I guess you’ll just have to try extra hard to keep up with us.”  He winked at Sky, who merely looked on in surprise.
Has he always been this…competitive?
“Nighthawk.”  Razor regarded the elder pegasus with interest.  “You’re still alive.”
“Sorry to disappoint you,” Nighthawk replied.  “But Blitz was kind enough to give me a chance to redeem myself here.  And I can’t just say no to such a gracious offer.”
“You’ll regret that decision,” Rimshot growled, grimacing as he rotated his leg.
“Oh?” Sky asked.  Nighthawk’s competitive spirit was contagious.  “We’re waiting, then.”
The three pegasi suddenly exploded into a trio of shining comets, slashing through the air as they charged the two others high above the rooftops of the city.  Sky watched for a second, then exchanged a quick glance at Nighthawk, who signaled to his right with a wag of his head.  Sky nodded a quick affirmative, then turned into a straight nosedive to the street below, causing the meteoric trails of Razor and Rimshot to shoot harmlessly past.  More screams echoed through the alley, causing Sky to wince in agony.  There’s no good reason to do this to do this to the good ponies of Canterlot.  None at all.
Sky turned even with the ground and skipped his hooves along the pavement for a meter or two before accelerating along the street.  The homes and storefronts on either side of the street whipped by as a sequence of blurs, highlighted by the occasional light or neon sign in a window.  The wind whipped in his ears, but above all sounds, he heard the buzzing alarm in his brain, warning him not to overexert himself.
I might not have a choice.
The sound of an oncoming train triggered a reflex maneuver in his wings, though it was only as an afterthought that he questioned the sound of a locomotive in a wide alleyway in Canterlot.  He rolled to his left, then mentally chastised himself.  Stupid, Sky.  You should know better than to fall for that.  Rimshot’s magically-conjured auditory distractions were convincing, if nothing else—especially if used against someone with a predictable response.  As he came out of his roll, he caught sight of a bright flare diving straight for him.
Quick as he could, Sky pulled into the tightest somersault he could, pinwheeling through the air several times before he heard the clash of hoof against pavement.  Instantly, he spread open and fired his legs straight out.  As it was, he was upside-down and facing backwards, but it could hardly have worked out any better for him.  Rimshot’s gambit had left him wide open.
Sky’s rear hooves found their mark right in Rimshot’s gut, and his rotation sent his foe straight to the pavement below.  Sky came down on him as the black and beige pegasus continued to skid along the pavement for several more meters.  “I hope you’ve got better to show than that,” Sky muttered as he took off into the air again, leaving Rimshot on the ground.
He ascended above the rooftops for just a moment, hoping to catch sight of any of his allies.  Off to the north, he saw several telltale flashes of magic; probably Keeper from the look of it.  Back to the east, he heard the rise of screams…though no indication of magic.  Must be Trucker engaged in a brawl with somepony.
But as he continued to look around, he realized that Nighthawk was nowhere to be seen.  “That’s odd,” he muttered.  “I wonder where he’s gotten off to.”
“No telling,” a female voice answered.  “So let’s focus on you.”
Sky was in motion faster than a blink.  He brought his hoof around in a perfect half-turn, where it met Razor’s already-advancing leg with a clang and a flash of sparks.
“Such power you have,” Razor whispered, driving her hoof against Sky’s.  “Just imagine what you could do if you didn’t hold back.”
Sky clenched his teeth and continued to push back.  “I hold it back because I value you too much to use it against you.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Razor mocked.  “I’ll make sure that’s written on your tombstone.”
For a second, Sky’s restraint gave way.  He unleashed a barrage of magic straight into Razor’s face.  “See to your own gravestone first!” he yelled as she spiraled away.
Then, as he reined in his anger, he was struck with a pang of regret.  Can’t do that; Ghost is looking for opportunities to use my rage to his advantage.
Razor had recovered and was rubbing her jaw.  Dark scorch marks lined her cheeks and just below her ears.  “That’s more like it,” she said through a pained smile.  “Can’t you see how strong your anger makes you?”
“I had a taste of that power once before,” Sky returned.  “That was more than enough, thank you very much.”
“I’ll just have to keep it all myself, then,” Razor continued.  Her wings lit up with magic and arched above her as they flapped.  “Let’s see how well you handle it.”
Sky knew that pose.  It was an ancient form of martial combat called Ars Alarum in the old Alicorn tongue, or “Art of the Wings” in everyday speech.  It was based off the work of a pegasus combat specialist from hundreds of years earlier, but with the Alicorn Guard’s magic qualities, it had become a ferociously potent form of melee combat.  All the pegasi of the Alicorn Guard were well-versed in it, though it was rarely used (because it was rarely needed).  “Going a bit old school, huh, Razor?”
“It’s a duel, Blitz,” Razor replied, looking annoyed.  “Can’t you respect a time-honored tradition?”
Sky rolled his eyes and rose to Razor’s level.  His wings illuminated with magic and rose high above him as he flapped.  He stretched one foreleg straight out in front of himself, while the other extended downward at his side.  “Whatever honor there is here,” he replied, “isn’t in some duel.”  His eyes lit up with white flame.  “It’s in those that hold to their vows to protect this land from any and all threats to its safety.”
“You’re like a broken record,” Razor sighed.  “I’ll have to break you for good.”
The two stared each other down for several seconds, unmoving save for the rhythmic flapping of their wings.  Then, without warning, Razor spun in the air and advanced; leg cocked for a mighty blow.  Sky merely leaned out of the way, but the follow-up strike was already on its way before he could move out of the way.  Instead, he deflected the hoof with his leg, only to be greeted with a rapidly approaching strike from Razor’s foreleg.  Catching it with his leg, Sky sensed an opening and threw an overhoof strike, hoping to send Razor to the ground.
However, his blow was stopped by a shield of Razor’s wings, which had wrapped around her shoulders and caught Sky’s hoof just in time.  And, before Sky could realize what was happening, a blast of magic had sent him spinning away.
He saw Razor coming.  She was racing in like a comet.  Sky quickly contorted his body in anticipation, then let loose with a haymaker that had her name written all over it.  But to his unending surprise, he could only watch as Razor gracefully changed her trajectory in a curve around him.  It reminded him of watching a fish in the water: smooth and easy, but to do it in the air would have defied the very laws of physics.
And Razor had just done it.
He felt the impact of her hoof with the back of his head like he had just been hit by a freight train.  His sense of balance and presence shattered as he was sent flailing across the Canterlot skyline.  He was dimly aware of the world flying across his vision as he tumbled onto a rooftop and rolled out of control for several meters.  And even after he came to a stop, the world continued to whirl past him.
After an agonizing period of disorientation, Sky shook off the dizziness and rose to his hooves.  He looked around, trying to piece together the events of the last thirty seconds when a voice spoke from above him.  “You’re far too deliberate with your movements.”
Sky glanced up, wincing as his head ached from Razor’s last blow, only to see the lavender pegasus hovering above him, looking unimpressed.  “I’ve been practicing Ars Alarum for years.  I like to think of myself as a master.  I’m just too good for you, Blitz.  Don’t think you can beat me just all of a sudden.”
Sudden.  The word seemed to resonate with him.  Sudden…
He slowly rose into the air, again taking the opening pose for Ars Alarum.  “We all have our methods and preferences.  There’s never just one right way to do things.  Especially when it comes to wings.”
Razor opened up with the same attack pattern as before, with a quick opening strike followed by a pair of jabs.  And again, Sky dodged and blocked the blows just as before, even catching the third attack on the same leg.  Sky hauled back with a rear leg, ready for a low attack against Razor.
But she was watching, and even as Sky’s leg began to flex, she smirked in anticipation.  Her own leg came up high in a blocking position, and her foreleg drew back for her own knockout shot.  “Predictable as ever,” she whispered.
But Sky’s attack never came.  He surprised her with his own smile.  “You certainly are,” he returned.
Sudden.  Unpredictable.  Like lightning.
Without any warning, Sky surged ahead like he had been fired out of a cannon, thrusting all his momentum and weight right into Razor’s body.  He unleashed a torrent of magic into her as he flew, and he heard the whoosh of air as the breath was knocked out of her, leaving her flailing as Sky continued to plow ahead.  He flew straight ahead for a few more moments, then turned dramatically toward the ground.  As the street approached, Sky contorted, holding Razor between his hooves, and threw her into a nearby collection of trash cans, which clanged and clattered as they rolled and tumbled in all directions.
He tried to calm his haggard breathing, though he could hardly be blamed for it.  Razor was no pushover, the buzzing sensation in his brain had only worsened, and the bruise on the back of his head from where Razor had kicked him wasn’t helping.  He reached back and gingerly rubbed the spot, when he felt the rim of his cloak’s hood.
He had been so occupied with Razor, he had forgotten about his cloak entirely.  It was certainly useful, but it took magic to use, just like so many of his other skills.  Is it more efficient to use this as opposed to direct combat?
He didn’t have time to entertain the question.  A metallic grinding sound was rapidly approaching.  Sky turned towards the noise, and as he did, he spotted an odd metallic disc come sliding up to him.  He stared at it suspiciously, when a pair of latches unclicked, revealing two small holes which began spewing some kind of foggy gas.
Sky leapt back instinctively, covering his mouth with a leg as he watched.  His ears detected a high-pitched whirring coming from the machine, and as he continued to stare at the source of the sound, he was caught off-guard by a blinding flash of light that left him dazed.
The cloak.
He reached up and pulled his hood over his head and triggered its magic, vanishing into the darkness of the alleyway.  He heard hooves rapidly approaching, and he shuffled to the side of the road, hoping to stay clear of the approaching pony.  He lowered his head and worked to clear his mind and steady his vision as a familiar voice called to him.
“Hey Blitz,” Hobo’s voice echoed in the alley.  “How’d you like that little device?  Cooked that one up a while ago, but I kept it a secret for a rainy day.  You know…like today.”  Sky could almost smell the eagerness in Hobo’s voice as he hunted for the weakened pegasus.
Sky almost fired back his own reply, but realizing that Hobo might not be alone, he held his tongue.  “C’mon, Blitz,” he taunted, “I can feel your magic here.  And it’s not like you to hide.  You’ve always been bold and unafraid of a fight.  Did I scare you so much that you can’t stand to come out and face me?”
A long cloth flew out of the shadows right into Hobo’s face, causing him to stagger for a moment.  As he pulled it away, he felt something latch onto his foreleg.  He turned around just in time to find himself staring into the angry blue eyes of Sky Streak.
Sky summoned all his strength and hefted Hobo into the air, then spun in place before hurling him into a nearby brick wall, which he slammed into with a loud smack.  The unicorn stuck to the wall for a moment before peeling away and landing in a crumpled heap at its base.  Sky reached down and picked up his cloak, slinging it across his back and clasping it again around his neck.  “Don’t flatter yourself.  I don’t have time to be afraid.”
Behind him, Sky heard the clatter of metal against pavement.  He turned around to see a lavender blur erupt from the ground into the blue sky above.  Sheesh, why can’t she just go down after one good shot like everypony else?  He spread his own wings and raced after the mind-controlled pegasus.
He broke the skyline into the clear air, hot on Razor’s hooves.  The mare looked back several times, appearing to become more and more furious with each glance.  Finally, she turned and looked Sky straight in the eyes, her face a mask of pure malice that reminded Sky of the Chimera.
“You keep trying and trying, but you can never understand what you’re up against,” she growled.  “And you can never win because of that.”
“Like that makes a difference to me?” Sky shot back.  “There was no condition upon the oaths that I took!  I just said that I would keep them, and so here I am!”
The deep purple glow in Razor’s eyes began to pulse with an almost violent frequency.  “We are through with you!”  All around the pegasus mare, the air swirled into a dozen miniature tornadoes, eventually shrinking down until they were little more than deadly-sharp darts of magic, all pointed at Sky’s heart.
But Sky’s mind had been drawn to something else.  ‘We’?
His attention snapped back to the matter at hand when Razor launched her opening volley of air spears at him.  He somersaulted out of the way, then sped off again, able to stay just ahead of Razor’s aim.  However, with each shot she took, another spear took its place, quickly turning to track the blue pegasus as he zigged and zagged through the air.
Then, as Canterlot sped past him, Sky’s eyes focused in on a building on the edge of the city: the hospital.  His heart sank.  To him, it had been the very embodiment of sorrow and pain.  No cheer or joy could come from that place any longer.  It was a source of tragedy.
“No.  You don’t have to accept that.  You don’t have to succumb to despair.  Do you still carry your love for her in your heart?”
Time seemed to slow down.  Razor’s magic darts slowed to a crawling pace.  The voice in his head was not his own: it was the same voice that had been calling to him for days now.  Of course I do!  But what does that do for me now?
“Haven’t you been listening to anypony?  How many friends of yours have told you that your friends are there to help you, even when they aren’t with you?”
Sky hesitated.  The voice was right, but…somehow, there was more to it than that.
“You yourself have said many times that Lily is the one pony that completes you.  She makes you whole.  Trust me when I tell you that I understand what it’s like to be torn inside.  In times like that, you need a direction.”
I have direction!  I’m protecting Equestria! Sky protested.
“Yes, you are.  But Ghost thinks he is, too.  The only difference between the two of you is the influences that brought you to this point.  Ghost seeks revenge and conquest.  You, however, use your power to preserve peace.  And did you not once write in your journal that Lily was the one that holds you in check?”
A flash of irritation rose in Sky’s head.  You certainly seem to be well-versed in my affairs.
“I’ll explain everything in due time, the voice assured him.  But not now.  Right now, you need to be the one thing Lily taught you to be: the calm at the center of the storm.”
Sky arched an eyebrow.  The way he had said “storm” sounded…strange.  Like it was incredibly important and equally personal.  But he moved it to a far corner of his mind.  He had more pressing issues to deal with.
Like just about everything.
Time was returning to normal.  The magic spears of air were closing in rapidly now.  Razor continued to glower hatefully at him.  And just as he finished re-assessing his surroundings, he became aware that somehow, his hoof was once again pressed up against his chest, but instead of feeling only one of his brooches, he was handling them both.
And, like the sun breaking through the clouds, he felt a peace for which he had longed for days.  His body rose up in response, and he felt a surge of magic shoot through every corner of his being.  I’ll never leave you behind again, Sky thought to himself, picturing his beloved unicorn.  We’re together forever.  He continued to hold the brooches for just a moment more.  Power, purpose, and peace: together at last.
And just like that, everything changed.
Sky adeptly spun out of the way of Razor’s latest wave of missiles, then took advantage of his opportunity.  He closed his eyes, channeled his magic through his body and opened his awareness, projecting a magic field around himself.  He hovered gently in the air, moving very little (save for his wings).  He opened his eyes and looked to Razor, who was in the midst of launching another furious salvo at him.
This isn’t for Lily.  It’s not for me, or for any single pony.  This is for all of us.
As the first spear entered his magic field, a bolt of magic sprung from Sky and vaporized it.  A second spear was victim to the same fate.  The third was deflected away, spinning away until it disintegrated entirely.  Another three approached all at once, and three bolts of magic intercepted each of them in one brilliant flash of light.
With each bolt of magic, Sky became more deeply aware of the sense of peace surrounding him.  The siren in his head had vanished.  His movements felt freer than they had before.  By all counts, he was pushing himself to the limit.  His strength shouldn’t be able to last much longer.  But the revelation from that strange voice had unlocked something within him.  He wasn’t trying to fight against his own limitations anymore.  He had always said that his friends travelled with him, but when Lily had been hurt, those beliefs had been shaken.  But that was before.  Now, he held onto the belief that Lily would always be with him, no matter where he was…or where she was.
The air around Sky flashed and sparked with each attack he blocked, so that it looked much like a compressed thunderstorm above a small portion of the city.  His defense held like a wall of lightning, barring passage of Razor’s attacks like a magic seal.  And as he opened his eyes, he saw something that made his chest swell with confidence: a streak of flaming red, inbound from the north, flying over the tops of buildings like a comet.
It’s about time.
Nighthawk tackled Razor where she hovered, and instantly, her arsenal of magic darts vanished.  The pegasi tumbled through the air, and Nighthawk delivered a smack with his leg right into Razor’s face.  “Blitz!” he shouted.
“On it!” Sky replied.  He launched another pair of bolts right into Razor’s midsection, and she released a sharp scream in response.  Sky shuddered, hating what he was now forced to do.
Nighthawk was beside him in a heartbeat.  “I know, Blitz,” he said solemnly.  His eyes were aflame with an unwavering determination.  “But we need to finish this now.”
Sky nodded.  He aimed his hoof at Razor’s body as she struggled to regain control of herself.  Beside him, Sky felt Nighthawk’s own magic building as his hoof lit up with an intense flame.  “Sorry, Razor,” the orange pegasus apologized, “but it’s for your own good.”  Then, with perfect synchronization, the two stallions unleashed matching blue and red streaks of magic.  They slammed into Razor, who gasped for a moment as she was engulfed in the magic blasts before plummeting to the city below.  Her body landed with a thump on a pitched roof, slid to the edge, then fell to the street, where a teal-maned, yellow-bodied unicorn caught her and gently laid her on the ground.
Sky breathed a heavy sigh of relief.  “Nice catch, Keeper!” he called as he and Nighthawk descended beside the unicorn.  “Is she alright?”
Keeper’s horn was glowing in use as she inspected Razor’s vital signs.  “She’ll certainly be sore for a few days, and I think she may have a cracked rib or two,” she said, pointing an accusing eye at Sky, “but she should be alright.  She’s certainly made of stern stuff to have lasted as long as she did.  I think I can heal her a bit, but—”
“Let’s hold off on that until we’ve settled all this,” Nighthawk interrupted.  “As much as I’d like to get her healthy again, I don’t want her to get a chance to ambush us when we aren’t expecting it.  We need to keep any advantage we get.”
“I can’t believe we’re actually even saying that,” Sky muttered.  “It’s just so wrong to have to face our friends like this.”
“I agree, though I think we’ve just about seen the worst of it.  All but Boulder and Ghost are accounted for from the Alicorn Guard, and Trucker’s managed to round up a bunch of the royal guards to help maintain control in the city,” Nighthawk explained.
“Trucker?” Sky inquired.  “Why not you?  You’re the ranking officer.”
“I thought I’d be better used in other ways,” Nighthawk answered with a wink.  “Besides, Truck’s got a level head on his shoulders, he’s smart, and he’s got quite the commanding presence when he needs to.  He’ll be fine.”
“Huh.”  Sky shrugged in acceptance.  “Guess I never pictured Trucker as that kind of leader before.”
Keeper smiled knowingly.  Her horn continued to glow as she encased Razor within a cocoon of magic.  “All ponies, even those closest to you, are perfectly able to surprise you at any given moment.”
“The rest of Ghost’s Alicorn Guard are being kept in a holding cell in the guard station by the palace,” Nighthawk continued.  “Keeper’s managed to keep most of them in some kind of induced sleep,” he explained, gesturing to where the yellow unicorn had finished putting Razor into a deep slumber, “so they can’t do any more harm.  I saw you take down Hobo in the alley, Blitz, and I can take him back to the station, if you and Keeper can get Razor back.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but Keeper will need to do that alone,” Sky said.  He looked to the palace, and a flicker of magic sparked from his wings.  “I have some unfinished business to attend to.”
Keeper looked up in surprise, but Nighthawk merely nodded.  “Right.  When you see that ugly turncoat, tell him that I’ll never forgive him for what he’s done.”
Sky spread his wings, but did not take off immediately.  He inclined his head back towards where Nighthawk stood.  “You know, it’s that kind of thinking that nearly got you killed earlier.”
A startled look came to Nighthawk’s face, but it quickly faded into understanding.  “You’re right.  I guess that’s why you’re the one to face Ghost instead of me.”  He paused for a moment, but his voice was loud and commanding when he spoke again.  “Go, Blitz,” he shouted, gesturing to the palace.  “We’re standing with you.”
“Thanks,” Sky said, slowly beginning to ascend.  “I’m gonna need it.  Listen,” he continued, “tell Trucker to makes sure one of the Alicorn Guard with the royal guards at all times.  I’m not convinced that Ghost isn’t saving some of them for a later time.  You’ll need to keep an eye on them.”
“That sounds like a hunch,” Nighthawk commented, “but if there’s one thing that I’ve learned today, it’s that whenever you have a hunch, I should trust it.”
“I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t like taking the risk,” Sky replied.  “Take care of things here.”
The two ponies on the ground waved farewell to him.  Sky hesitated, unwilling to leave to company of his comrades.  But he had no time to waste.  The final darkness awaited him, and it was his destiny to face it.  He turned and shot towards the palace, steeling his mind for one final battle.
An oily darkness seeped into his thoughts.  Come get me, Blitz, he heard the mocking voice of Ghost whisper to him.
Sky’s teeth clenched.  His heart rate increased, and his wings began to flap harder.  Even through the sense of peace that had come to him, he could feel the anger bubbling under his skin.  It was a war: peace against rage, each vying for control in his head.  And perhaps more.
He levelled his eyes as the palace gates grew in his vision.  As you wish.
> Chapter 22: Summit of Destiny
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Palace
May 1, 8:59 AM

Sky stared incredulously at the scene before him.  It was unbelievable.  Ludicrous.  It was just plain stupid.
Which, for the second time in the last twenty-four hours, made perfect sense.
Sky stood agape before the towering palace gates.  They loomed over him, as if to look down in contempt.  But to Sky’s surprise, the doors were wide open.  A glowing magic veil stretched across the opening, but in what may have been the most absurd sight he had ever beheld, an enormous zipper split the magic barrier in two, and the two sides of the magic wall swayed like curtains in the breeze.  ‘Wonder of the unexpected’ to be sure.
And, what was more, Ace and Scope were nowhere to be seen.  Looks like they got in, though I doubt it was the way they expected to go.
Sky turned back and gazed across the skyline of Canterlot.  Against the clear blue sky, distinct plumes of smoke rose in small columns to the heavens.  Sky’s mind grew hot in frustration.  How can anyone look at that and think that they’re “protecting” Equestria!?  He’s causing all that pain and destruction!
“But Ghost sees you as the greatest contradiction in Equestria.  So much power, but you never use it to its fullest potential.”
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Sky asked, opting to go vocal with the voice in his head.
“Discord didn’t tell you everything that was written in that journal.  If he had, he would have told you that Ghost wrote that he despises you because you remind him of Celestia.  The legend of your victory over the Chimera has demonstrated your power, but you hold it in.  You don’t use it to further yourself or your status.”
“Hello?” Sky scoffed.  “This is Equestria.  The self-proclaimed capital of Harmony and Friendship.  Where does he get off with these thoughts of self-promotion and conquest?”
“Because, Sky Streak, he does not look see the future of Equestria in the present: he sees it in the past.”
There was a moment of awkward silence.  “That’s the most confusing thing I’ve ever heard,” Sky managed at last.
“Ghost does not care for Equestria is now.  In his mind, the foundation for making Equestria great is not the present, but the past.”
“Okay,” Sky began with a touch of irritation, “we’ve established that you’re good with riddles.  So can we drop the double-talk and cut to the chase with this?  I know that Ghost is the heir of Storm Emblem, who was a…servant, I guess, of Princess Luna.  And his line has vowed revenge on Celestia for some trumped-up charge of cruel treatment of Storm Emblem.”  He traced the smoky outline of Canterlot again.   “But how does that play into Ghost’s plan for his ‘great Equestria’?”
“For the answer to that question, you will need to ask Ghost yourself.”
The curtains of magic swayed open invitingly, but a cold wind blew out, causing Sky to recoil and shudder.  Once the gust of air passed, he turned again to the gates, only to be met by a lavender pegasus mare staring back at him in surprise.
“Blitz!” Nova yelled, bounding towards him.  She threw her forelegs around his neck as she reached him.  “You’re all right!”
“You sound surprised,” Sky deadpanned.  But as she held him, he couldn’t keep the corners of his mouth from turning up in a soft smile.
“Hush, you,” she shot back, pulling away.  “I’m glad you’re okay, but listen: I couldn’t find Mystic,” she continued, a mix of disappointment and panic on her face.  “She wasn’t in the throne room, and I went to the royal quarters, but nopony was there, either.  I looked for any of the royal guards to ask them, but I could hardly find any, and what few there were didn’t seem to know anything.”
“Not good,” Sky said, drawing away from her and staring into the palace.  “Ghost might have managed to get her down into the vault.  And if he has, we may be too late.”
“But…but she might not be there!” Nova stammered, though she was clearly shaken by the possibility that they had failed.
“I think that if Ghost had succeeded, we’d know,” Sky continued, “so I think we still have time.  Though it’s not much.  Listen, I’m going to the vault to face Ghost.  I need you to keep looking for Luna.  If you find her, tell her what’s going on and have her seal off access to that vault.”
“But what about you?” Nova protested.
“That’s a good question,” Sky admitted.  “And to be honest, I’ve only really thought this out to a certain point, so I’ll just have to make it up after that.”  He offered her a confident smile, though the face she gave him was anything but pleased.
“You can’t go alone!  Ghost has to be expecting that!  He’s hoping for that!”
The look of surprise on Sky’s face was genuine.  “You actually thought I was going to face him by myself?  You should know better than that.”
“What?”
“Go find Princess Luna, Nova,” Sky ordered.  He walked past her towards the palace gate.  “We have to find her first.”  His head turned back again, and his eyes glinted with the grave nature of the situation.  “Promise me you’ll find her!”
“I—I promise!” she said, startled by his sudden stoicism.
“Alright, then, no time to waste!”  He spread his own wings and launched himself into the waiting grasp of the walls of the castle, leaving Nova outside before she could say another word.  She’d never be able to go if I didn’t leave.  She’d never admit it, but she’s scared.  I can see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice.  And she’s perfectly right to be.  She’d be crazy if she wasn’t scared.  I just hope she has the courage and determination to push through it.
Sky whizzed along the familiar corridors of the palace, but, as Nova had indicated, it seemed that he was mostly alone.  He saw no servants, no royal guards…it was as if the entire palace was asleep.  Or had been evacuated.
The rumble of a distant boom came to Sky’s ears.  He hoped it was nothing worse.
The light billowed in the windows as Sky passed them, but more than the glare of the sun, Sky was aware of the foreboding feeling of darkness as he raced for the secret vault.  I just don’t get it, he thought.  How can Ghost think that this is protecting Equestria?  This goes against everything that I believe in, so how can he believe in it?
The hallways narrowed as he headed for the north wing of the palace.  The passage was familiar to Sky, who had traversed the path nearly every day for the past year.  However, he had never done so with the urgency and sense of impending doom that weighed upon his mind now.  Luna was missing, and a mad pony was desperate to find her and use her in his sinister plot.  His friends had been manipulated into thinking he was a villain and had attacked him.  His truest love lay in a hospital, perhaps never to wake up again.  He couldn’t be blamed if he felt like the entire world was imploding.
Finally, he turned a corner and paused for a moment.  The hallway ahead of him ended abruptly with a familiar sight for him: a solitary doorway, covered by a magic barrier.  Sky had never really considered it before, but now he realized that it was indeed a magic seal.  And every day, he had used the same method to open the same door.
But he had never imagined that another method might open a different door.
“The entry into the vault is protected by an impenetrable barrier,” Discord had told him.  “It was designed so that only a specific kind of alicorn magic could open it.  Well, chaos magic, too, but I digress.  Anyways, alicorns have always possessed a highly concentrated amount of magic power.  As a result, they can channel magic spells from almost any part of their bodies, not just their horns.  You would need to be able to cast a magic spell from your hooves to open the door.”
“Blitz, you got your magic from Twilight Sparkle, right?” Ace had asked.  “She wasn’t an alicorn when you gained your powers, was she?”
No, Sky answered his thoughts.  But she is now.
He hurried over to the door and placed not one, but both of his front hooves against the barrier, causing it to glimmer brightly for a moment.  Another boom, only closer this time.  Ace, can you hear me?  Scope?
No response.
Sky closed his eyes and said a silent prayer: Twilight, give me strength.
Then he performed a spell that was impossible, save for those touched by the magic of an alicorn: he channeled magic through his hooves, directly into the magic seal.  The barrier did not shine, glow, or undergo any other kind of dramatic change; it simply ceased to block his path.
Sky couldn’t help but smile a bit.  Princess Celestia’s gonna kill me when she finds out I know about this now.
A third boom.  A banner hanging nearby swayed as the sound shook the wall from which it hung.  Again, Sky reached out to his partners.  Ace?  Scope?  Where are you guys?  What’s going on?
Blitz!  The sound of Ace’s voice rang in his mind.  Even in Sky’s head thoughts, the unicorn sounded exhausted.  There you are!  Hurry up and get down here!
Even without hearing anything aside from Ace’s voice, Sky was perfectly aware of the chaos surrounding his unicorn commander.  It was like a distortion, or an abundance of static filling their psychic link.  What’s all the commotion?
It’s Boulder! Ace shouted back.  He’s protecting Ghost!  An extra set of hooves sure would be nice to help deal with him!
Sky didn’t need any more of an invitation.  His wings burst open wide as he launched himself into a dive down the tunnel.  The tips of his wings came within millimeters of the narrow walls of the corridor, causing sparks to dance in his wake.  I’m on my way! he answered.  Just hang on!
But before he could even finish his message, the static of conflict detonated into an earsplitting ring, loud and piercing, like a dozen emergency sirens raised an octave in pitch.  Sky staggered, stumbling down a flight of steps as he reeled from the sudden outburst.  His senses were slow to recover, but his wits hadn’t lost a step.  Ace?  Scope?
Receiving no answer, he called out into the emptiness of his mind with increasing desperation.  Ace!  Answer me!
Nothing.
He nearly forced himself to dash ahead when his senses recovered just enough to reveal that all around him, the entire corridor seemed to be shaking.  The sound was fading, but given the volume that it was still rattling around with, it must have been quite the blast that had caused it in the first place.  And to Sky, it was a haunting reminder of the night the Chimera had used the earthquake to threaten the entire city.
Beads of cold sweat began to form against Sky’s skin.  It’s just theatrics, he told himself.  Ghost is just trying to psych you out!
But another thought was quick to follow.  Even so, Boulder’s power is immense, and if he puts his magic into it, there’s no telling what he might be capable of.  A dozen images of his friends flashed before his eyes, all lying helpless on the ground before Ghost’s cruel scowl, with Boulder standing obediently at his side.
“Never.”  
He bounded ahead, hooves skipping along every stair.  The jolt of every step stoked the intensity in his brain as he closed in on the final confrontation before him.  The staircase grew dark, lit only by the glowing crystals embedded in the ceiling of the corridor.
“Hold, Sky Streak.”
Sky skidded to a stop in spite of his sense of urgency.  What? he demanded angrily.
“You go to a fight, but you are not prepared for it.  I hope to change that for you.”
I don’t really have time for this, Sky fired back.  So, if you don’t mind…
“Why are you afraid of your darkness?”
Sky snorted aloud.  He was anxious to reach the chamber, but he couldn’t help but be amazed by the question.  Why?  Because it tempts me to give in to evil.  To become the thing I’m trying to destroy.
The voice sighed.  “No, Sky Streak.  If there is one thing you need to learn, it is that the darkness is not your enemy.  It is as much a part of you as the light is.”
Huh?
Sky suddenly felt a dramatic shift in the voice’s tone.  “Ghost has gone too far, but you refuse to go far enough.  Neither of you truly understand the darkness.”
That was enough for Sky.  You know, I’ve had voices in my head talk about the darkness before.  I’m kinda sick of it.
“You’ve heard others speak of it, but you’ve never actually heard the truth.”
The fires of Sky’s mind had settled in the moments since he had begun to banter with the voice.  The dim ambient light of the stairwell had served to further calm his emotions.  But he could not shake the appalling feeling that came at the voice’s statement.  Princess Luna told me about the darkness.  You wanna tell me she was lying?
“No,” the voice admitted, “but it’s obvious she didn’t tell you the whole truth.”
Sky arched an eyebrow curiously.  He didn’t like the direction of the conversation, but something urged him forward.  And what makes you say that?
The voice didn’t hesitate with an answer.  “Because she doesn’t fully understand it herself.”
The irony of the statement wasn’t lost on Sky.  Dunno if you’ve noticed, but she just happens to be the Princess of the Night.  She kinda knows the darkness.  A lot better than you do, I bet.
“I’ve seen a great deal over a long time, Sky Streak,” the voice explained, apparently unfazed by Sky’s taunt.  “And I’ve had even longer to think about it all.  The truth that Princess Luna does not understand is the same reason she struggles to move beyond her own past.”
A total silence pervaded for a space of time.  The voice had struck at the heart of Sky’s quest, intentionally or not.  It was only after a minute or two that Sky became aware of his own silence.  And what truth is that? he asked at length.
“Light and dark have suffered from unfair stigmas.  Those who stand for good cling to the light, while evildoers dwell in the darkness.”
It seemed logical enough.  Yeah, so?
“Isn’t that just a rather ridiculously shallow way of thinking?”
I prefer the term ‘practical,’ Sky corrected.  Evildoers are tied to the darkness because that’s where you usually find the scumbags: in the shadows and dark alleys.  They fear the light because it exposes them for who they really are.
“Ah,” the voice answered, “but that means that the ‘evil’ of the darkness exists only because it was brought there by someone.  The darkness was not inherently evil, was it?”
His eyes grew wide as the words took hold.  That’s…that’s what Princess Luna…
Then Sky was struck by yet another startling thought.  You know, now that I think about it, I don’t think even I fully understand what the dark actually is.
“Sky Streak, we all carry our own light and darkness within us,” the voice answered.  “The light is the collection of our strongest virtues and deepest convictions, while our darkness is the sum total of all our greatest desires and most terrible fears.  Neither is evil by itself; it is merely much easier to arrive at evil through one’s darkness.  It is just as possible to be evil in the light as it is to be good in the dark.”
Sky’s head was spinning.  The voice seemed to have the answers to all the questions Sky ever had about Princess Luna, the light and darkness, and even the purpose of his quest.  What?
“Think of it like this: your light is directed towards helping others.  It gives you a purpose.  But your darkness is directed towards yourself: it gives you your personality.  However, the dark’s natural affinity toward one’s own self can transform into selfishness and narcissism, which lead to their own evil.”  With each word, the voice seemed to grow larger and larger, to the point that Sky wondered if it was still just in his head, or if the sound was echoing through the chamber.
But then why not just banish it altogether? Sky asked.  It causes so much trouble; it hardly seems worth it.
“The darkness is not evil.  It makes you who you are, just as the light does.  Every day is measured by both light and darkness.  The day is not complete without the daylight and the dark of the night.  You are the same.  You can try to live only by the light, but by doing so, you limit yourself.”  The voice broke, and Sky felt a sudden pang of pity.  It was obvious that he spoke from the tragedy of experience.
After a moment, the voice resumed the thought.  “Those who try to run from the darkness only condemn themselves to run for the rest of their lives, because they are only trying to run from themselves.”
What are you saying? Sky managed at last.
“You fear the darkness because you’ve seen the worst of it.  That is why you chose to join the Alicorn Guard, is it not?  You believed that if you wholeheartedly devoted yourself to helping others and guiding Equestria into a bright future, the darkness would have no place in you.”
The words stung Sky’s heart, as each syllable scored a bull’s-eye on the truth.  The voice continued.  “But you have failed to recognize that there is also a good side to the darkness.  Each one of us has our own darkness, but remember that it is yours!  It is who you are when you are alone; in your most intimate moments.  The darkness cannot be evil unless you choose to be evil.  You know your own desires and fears.  They are a part of you.  Don’t let them control you: use them.
“Always remember, Sky Streak: Equestria exists in both the day and night; the light and the darkness.  Shouldn’t you do the same?”
Will it make a difference? Sky asked.
“That depends on you,” the voice replied solemnly.  “If you choose to exist in both the light and the dark, then you will not flinch when confronted with either.  And you also fight with all of yourself, instead of just half.  But again, that depends upon your willingness to use both sides.”
It was a confusing concept.  Light and dark, good and evil, and dealing with each of them.  Sky wasn’t too good with abstract ideas, but somehow, this one seemed to make sense.  Perhaps his encounter with the Chimera had granted him insight into the reality of light and dark.  Maybe the voice just had a good way of explaining it.  But whatever it was, Sky nodded in comprehension.
All of myself.  I think I got it.  Thanks.
When the voice spoke next, there was a smile in its voice.  “Then what are you waiting for?  The enemy awaits!”
The final few steps flew beneath him in a blur.  Finally, his descent ended, opening into a wide, sparsely lit room.  Dust rose up around Sky as he slid to a stop a few meters from the staircase entry.  Unlike the quarters for the Alicorn Guard, this room had been entirely furnished; transformed from its once cavernous state into a mysterious museum of mythical artifacts from time long forgotten.  The lights around each display seemed to illuminate the nearest item, unable to shine its glow in any other direction, causing the magic items around the room to stand out unnaturally in the surrounding darkness.
And yet, as Sky’s vision grew accustomed to the dim light of the vault, he became intensely aware of two other beings standing in the room with him.  One was the blank, soulless body of Boulder.  And the other, standing at the far wall and facing away from Sky, a unicorn whose every breath seemed to draw the darkness into himself, as though he craved it…
“Ghost,” Sky said evenly.  His voice seemed to ring in his own ears, but the sound died in the air.
Boulder twitched as he spoke, but made no move towards the pegasus.  A soft chuckling reached Sky’s ears from across the room.  “Can you feel it, Blitz?” Ghost whispered.  “This is it: the final battle.  You and I have come quite a ways to reach this point.  You, with your pitiful ideals,” he spat in disgust, “vainly clinging to a delusional hope that Celestia’s desire for peace and harmony will guide Equestria into the future.  And then,” he continued, turning around dramatically, his eyes wild like a crazed madpony, “here I stand, at the precipice of victory!  At last, Blitz, here we are!  All our struggles and trials; now, one of us will see the fruition of our labors!  Here, at this, the summit of destiny!”
And, with a look of horror on his face, Sky watched as Ghost lifted the Shards of Nightmare Moon into the air before him, laughing like a maniac as he did.  “The Elements of Harmony have been returned to their place of origin and cannot be used against me!” he screeched.  “Celestia dared not stand against her sister when she returned from the moon after one thousand years!  When I return these to Princess Luna, none shall dare oppose her, and Equestria shall be restored to her greatness once more!”
“What makes you think that Luna will even accept those fragments?” Sky countered.  He summoned images of Princess Luna, her smile as dazzling as the night sky full of stars.  “She’s not the same pony that succumbed to jealousy and envy a millennium ago.  She’s moved on.”
For the first time since Sky entered the chamber, Ghost turned his eyes upon the pegasus.  They were bloodshot, but even more than that, they were wild with something that Sky could only have referred to as insanity.  It made his skin crawl.  “If I have learned anything in this life, it’s that you cannot escape the past,” Ghost said, his voice calm and natural—a distinct contrast with the visage upon his face.  “Even now, it repeats itself.  Celestia hoards all the attention for herself, giving no respect to Princess Luna.  It is Celestia’s own apprentice that has been crowned as the newest princess of Equestria.  It wouldn’t surprise me if Celestia set it all up just to usurp Luna’s throne and give it to her precious student.”
With every word, Sky felt his self-control stretch more and more, until he didn’t think he could stand it.  Twilight Sparkle was one of the most gracious and sincere ponies he had ever met.  To think that she would be part of any kind of ploy to steal Luna’s throne was asinine.  And that wasn’t even considering Princess Celestia’s record of benevolence and goodwill towards all ponies, especially Luna.  “You’re out of your mind,” Sky growled from behind clenched teeth.  “Princess Celestia has always cared for every pony of Equestria, especially her sister.  Don’t you understand why she had to do what she did?  She did it to protect everypony, not to eliminate a rival!”
“Enough!” Ghost bellowed.  “Arguing with you like this is pointless, what with your mind having been muddled by Celestia’s whisperings.  So allow me to explain.  I did tell you that if you wanted a full explanation, then you’d have to stop me, didn’t I?”
“You did,” Sky admitted, “though it was with someone else’s mouth.”
“So it was.  But you’ve done so well, I think you’ve merited a bit of what I promised you.”  He sat down, and his once craze-filled eyes seemed to return to normal.  Boulder followed suit, though his eyes remained fixed on the light blue pegasus.  Ghost laid the dark fragments of Nightmare Moon’s armor at his side and cleared his throat before continuing.  “Though I must admit, you’ve learned far more than I ever expected you to find out, so I’m not entirely sure where to begin to avoid rehashing something you already know.”
What is it with villains and having some kind of insatiable need to monologue? Sky wondered to himself.  But a certain desperate longing had risen in his brain; an ache in his chest that needed to be addressed.  “Why, Ghost?  Why go to these extremes?  What good comes out of this?”
“Hm?” Ghost murmured.  “Oh, Blitz, you think far too narrowly.  You think I’m in this just for Princess Luna?  You obviously underestimate my noble intentions.”
“I’m sure I do,” Sky deadpanned.
Ghost ignored the comment.  “It’s true that my family has borne a grudge against Celestia for one thousand years—”
“Wrong,” Sky interrupted.  “Your family has had a grudge for about four hundred years.  Before that, I think your family was quite content with Princess Celestia’s rule.”
That comment did not go unnoticed.  Ghost’s face twisted into a mask of rage, and the deep purple glow of his magic swirled around the chamber for a few moments before he reined in his emotions, and his magic subsided.  “Believe what you will,” he said at last.  “But if you believe that our long-standing dislike for Celestia is the sole fuel for this enterprise of mine, you’re sadly mistaken.  I have not forgotten the vows I took when I entered the Alicorn Guard, Blitz.  I swore to do whatever it took to protect the land of Equestria, and I intend to keep that oath.”
Sky looked around.  As he did, he spotted the unmoving forms of Ace and Scope, lying prone behind him in the left corner of the room, opposite where Boulder now sat.  “And this is how you plan to do it?  Forgive me if I’m not seeing it.”
“Of course,” Ghost conceded.  “You see, this has been growing for some time.  When Nightmare Moon returned, was Celestia able to stand up to her by herself?”  He paused for a moment, apparently awaiting an answer.  When he received none, he continued.  “No, she did not.  When Discord escaped from his imprisonment, did Celestia stand up to him?  No?  How interesting.”
A sinking feeling fell into Sky’s stomach as he listened.  “And then Chrysalis and her changelings attacked at Shining Armor and Princess Cadance’s wedding.  Did she protect her subjects then?  Oh, no,” he said in mock sympathy, “she was beaten by Chrysalis and imprisoned.  Must’ve been a freak accident, because we all know that infallible Celestia could never be beaten!”
Ghost scoffed.  “No, the freak accident was that even after both Celestia and the Elements of Harmony were unable to save Canterlot, Shining Armor and Princess Cadance were somehow able to defeat the changelings with the power of love—something the changelings feed on!  And Celestia didn’t even try to save the Crystal Empire from Sombra’s shade…she just left it with her star pupil, who almost failed!  Oh, and let’s not forget about her most recent misadventure, when she was powerless to stop a magic that Discord had haphazardly planted a thousand years before!”
Sky listened, not moving a muscle.  The veil had been pulled back, and the truth of Ghost’s mind had finally been revealed.  “Don’t you see?” he asked.  “Under the rule of Celestia, Equestria has begun to crumble.  Enemies from without have no fear of us, and will continue to attack and invade us until we give them a reason to fear.”  He lifted the fragments of armor at his side into the air with his magic again and chuckled.  “And here is their reason.”
Sky blinked.  The puzzle was clear at last.  And as horrible as it had been to hear, Sky was confronted with an even more terrible revelation: he couldn’t deny a word of it.  Celestia hadn’t been able to protect Equestria from any one of the near-catastrophes that had befallen the land of late.  Nightmare Moon had hidden her.  Discord had circumvented her and, later, captured her.  Chrysalis had defeated her.
Even through the midst of his confusion, Sky clung to the belief that Ghost just couldn’t be right in his actions, but…how he could he argue with him when he was right?
“You see, Blitz, you and I aren’t so different,” Ghost cooed, apparently seeing Sky’s wavering.  “Equestria is attacked so often because it is vulnerable.  We appear weak because we are weak.  But we don’t have to be.  Luna could make us strong again.  We could strike terror into the hearts of our enemies and make our home secure again.  And you and I…we thrive on conflict.  We need it.  I’ve seen it on your face countless times whenever you were recounting the action from your missions.  Your eyes light up when you remember the thrill of battle.  It excites you; makes you feel alive.  And I am the same way.”
A sigh interrupted his speech before Ghost started again.  “But in this time, under Celestia, battle is not acceptable.  War is an activity of the night.  And because of that, we don’t belong in the day.  We belong to the night.  But while you stubbornly cling to the sunlight of day, fighting against your own nature, I have embraced the night.  And it has made me complete.”
Sky hadn’t expected this.  He had expected to come into the chamber, magic blazing, have a knock-down, drag-out brawl with Ghost and Boulder, put an end to Ghost’s schemes in a dramatic victory, and save Equestria.  But here he stood, his will crumbling as he struggled to push back Ghost’s all-too-convincing argument that Celestia was no longer fit to rule Equestria.  He stamped the floor in frustration, furious at himself that he could find no argument to counter Ghost.
He closed his eyes.  He had thought that his many conversations and arguments with Scope had made him into a superior debater, but here, in the midst of his greatest confrontation, he came to realize how woefully deficient he was in that department.  This isn’t about light and dark...this is about right and wrong!  I could really use some help here!
Behind him, Ace was silent.  Scope did not speak.  Sky gritted his teeth, trying to will himself to find something to say in response.
Then, as his determination finally began to give way, a small, quiet voice spoke to him from out of the distant light of his past:
“Oh, but Sky, you can’t do everything by yourself.  That’s why we have lots of friends.  Everypony can help in some way.  That way, no one has to do it all.”
Ah, of course.  He flung his eyes wide open again, his will restored.  Thank you, Fluttershy.
“See, that’s the problem with you, Ghost,” Sky said at last.  “You’re so consumed with hoarding power that you miss the big picture.”
Ghost arched an eyebrow, and his eyes seemed to light with a deep violet flame.  “As usual, you’ve got a response.  Can’t say I’m surprised.”  He shrugged; a gesture that would have been comical had it not been for the solemn nature of their debate.  “So, just what is that big picture?”
Sky rose to his hooves and began to pace.  “You’re right; Celestia hasn’t always been able to protect Equestria on her own.  But you know what?  She didn’t have to, because she made sure that Equestria didn’t have just one hero: it has dozens.  Hundreds.  Thousands.  She didn’t try to hoard all the power to herself—she spread it around all of Equestria.  That’s the Power of Harmony: knowing that you never have to stand alone.  There’s always someone else ready and willing to stand by your side, no matter the danger.
“And you know,” Sky continued, “you were also right about how I love battle.  You’re absolutely right.  It’s such a rush.  I guess part of it is that I’m a pegasus, but whatever,” he added with a shrug.
Or maybe that’s just my darkness.
“And,” Sky continued, “maybe you’re right that conflict and war aren’t fit for the daytime.  But last time I checked, one half of every day was the night!  So I don’t have to choose one or the other!  Because no matter if it’s the day or the night, I know that Equestria dwells in both!  So what I do to protect her in the night is the same as protecting her during the day!”  Sky stepped forward, a confident defiance surging through his mind.  “I don’t belong to just the night, or only the day.  The sun and moon share their rule over the land, and likewise, they both have my allegiance, and my love.”
He blinked as he finished.  Huh…it felt really good to say that.
And as he stared at Ghost, shaking in anger at his lecture, Sky noted a change in his own emotions.  Ghost was still his opponent, but he was no longer the dark menace of his dreams.  Now, he was revealed as a disobedient child, and Sky was consumed by a deep sense of disappointment, but an equally powerful feeling of determination to make right what had been made wrong.
“Now, Sky Streak, let us fight together, you and I.  Lend me your strength, and I shall give you mine.”
Sky smiled grimly.  You know, I’m generally not too trusting of voices in my head, but right now, I think I’ll take any help I can get.
“You idiot!” Ghost screamed, his normal purple color turning to a bright shade of red.  “You cannot reconcile the night and the day!  They are the exact opposites!  Light and dark!  They cannot coexist!  If you claim to love both, then you stand at odds with yourself!”
“Funny you should say that,” Sky replied, “because I read something like that in Storm Emblem’s journal.  And I think I understand it now.  The sun and moon both perform the same task: they provide light for Equestria.  The sun is brighter, which leads most ponies out into the light of day, where they can see what lies before them.  But at night, when the moon comes out, it doesn’t shine as brightly, but that just means that it doesn’t hide the stars like the sun does.  You see, Ghost,” Sky continued, confidence growing as words came to him almost without thought, “there is no Princess of the Dark.  Luna, just as her sister, serves her subjects by providing light to guide the way.  You can just see more of the light show when she’s on duty.”
“You read—”  Ghost stopped short, and the rage on his face was unmistakable.  “You imbecile!  You were in my home!  How dare you!  That is sacred ground to my family!”
“Then you should get better locks,” Sky retorted.
Ghost spat in rage, then locked gazes with Sky.  “Enjoy your last few moments of life, Blitz,” he growled, “because once I’m through with you, the darkness will be eternal and complete.  The light will have no place in Equestria!”
Sky’s eyes levelled and his muscles tensed into a battle position.  “You want darkness?  Then you’d best find your own princess, because you sure can’t have Princess Luna.  She’s too busy with the light.”
“Well spoken,” said the voice in his head.
Thanks.  Now comes the hard part.
“Enough!” Ghost shrieked, his eyes twice as crazy as Sky had seen them before.  “If you’re so ready to protect the light, then you’ll have to fight for it!  So, Blitz, show me what you’ve got!”
Sky almost managed to take off towards Ghost before an enormous shadow closed in on his right.  He barely managed to break into an evasive roll that took him outside of the impact zone, but the shockwave from the blow forced him through the air until he crashed into a nearby wall.
“Oh, you thought you were facing me?” Ghost taunted.  “I’m afraid you have one more challenge to overcome if you want the privilege of fighting me, Blitz.  And I saved the best for last.”  He grinned crookedly and nodded toward the hulking earth pony, who rose from the dust of his attack and stared at Sky, his eyes little more than dark pools of a distant, violet pulsing magic.
Oh.  Right.
Sky rose to his hooves, returning Boulder’s unnerving stare.  Well, he said to the voice, here we go.
He charged.
> Chapter 23: Those Who Stand Behind Us
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Royal Vault of Magic Artifacts
May 1, 9:20 A.M.

Another small cascade of debris fell from the ceiling.  Cracks were now evident in the walls and floor of the room.  And as powerful as Boulder had proven to be, Sky knew better than to presume that he was giving it his all.
He wasn’t even close.
Sky had often wondered how he would match up against Boulder in a brawl.  It was no secret that the earth pony’s strength was titanic, but Sky had figured that his own speed would prove as an effective countermeasure.  Everything about Boulder was physical.  He could have been Equestria’s best bouncer.  Intimidating stature, immense strength, near-endless stamina—the dude was a brute.  Even his magic went to further enhance his already impressive power.  But Sky was different.  He was a speedy little aerialist with a nasty bit of magic at his beck and call.  If anypony should have been able to defeat Boulder in a fight, it was Sky.
At least, that’s how it worked in his head.
But now that he was actually engaged in battle with Boulder, Sky saw how different reality was from his preconceived notions.  Boulder was strong, true, but he was also a bit faster than Sky had counted on.  What was more, with each kick, jab, and swing he fired at Sky, a shockwave emerged from the impact area, forcing Sky backwards.  Boulder could effectively just keep punching stuff and batter Sky from a distance.
The effects of the struggle had taken their toll on the chamber.  Displays had been upturned and tossed all across the room, and the priceless artifacts they once held lay scattered carelessly upon the floor.  Hoping to preserve what he could, Sky hovered in the air, avoiding any contact with the ground.
“Having a hard time, Blitz?” Ghost called out from the far side of the room.  He sat upon his haunches, watching with a distinct look of interest as the two combatants fought against each other.  He bore an infuriating smug grin on his face, but as he spoke, it seemed to transform into a sneer.  “I picked Boulder to come with me for a reason.  If you’re anything, you’re stubborn, and you’d fight to the death to make sure you got to face me.  So I had to make sure I was prepared for you.  Seems I’ve done well with that.”
“Save your breath,” Sky huffed.  “I’m saving my best for you.”
“I’m honored.  But you’d do well to make sure you get to face me, first.”
“Don’t mind him.  Focus on the task in front of you.”
Easier said than done.
The fight with Boulder was easily the focus of Sky’s mind, but the identity of the disembodied voice he had been listening to for about twelve hours now was a matter that had grown in importance.  He wasn’t comfortable with someone (or something) probing around his thoughts without his permission; much less someone without an identity.  But somehow, the voice seemed to invoke a sense of familiarity within Sky.  Somehow, he knew who it was; he just didn’t know how he knew.
“I promise, I am your friend, Sky Streak,” the voice said, apparently privy to Sky’s musings.  “I am just as invested in this as you are.  Perhaps more so.”
I’m not sure that’s possible, Sky returned.
“Perhaps it is not, but at any rate, you cannot afford to focus on anything but your opponent.  To battle!”
Sky couldn’t have agreed more.  Boulder had successfully won several tournaments of physical strength, even without his magical abilities.  Throw that in, and Boulder was a hooffull, at the least.  He probably could merit two or three hooffulls, no problem.
Which, of course, meant that Sky still had a hoof left over.
He came out of his contemplation just in time to see Boulder diving right for him, hoping to take advantage of Sky’s lapse in focus.  Sky surged forward, sliding underneath Boulder’s outstretched legs.  As he did so, he let loose a sustained bolt of magic into the earth pony’s underside.  Boulder roared in pain, landing awkwardly on three legs, while he clutched his scorched chest with his fourth.
“I really hate to do this, Boulder,” Sky said as he rose from his crouching position, a sincere sadness in his voice.  “I hope you’ll forgive me when all this is over.”
“I doubt he’ll have the opportunity,” Ghost interjected from where he sat, casually observing the battle.
“I don’t remember talking to you,” Sky snarled, casting a dark glance at the unicorn.  “It’s rude to snoop in on a private conversation, you know.”
“I’m afraid that Boulder isn’t home right now,” Ghost replied with a smirk.  “I can take a message for him, if you like.”
Sky’s wings sparked defiantly.  “You know, I’d rather give him the message in pony.”
“Good luck with that.”
Boulder’s hoof smashed into the floor, breaking the wooden panels apart, sending splinters in all directions, carried by the shockwave of the impact.  Sky leapt into the air, rapidly spinning as he aligned himself lengthwise to the point where Boulder had struck.  Fragments of the floor flew all around him, but Sky merely held his focus and opened his wings, catching the shockwave as it surged past him.  The force of the wave launched him into the air right as he triggered his magic, turning him into a high-velocity bolt of lightning, ricocheting off every surface until he came back around, slamming into Boulder’s jaw with enough force to snap a young tree in half.
Sadly, Sky found that Boulder’s durability far surpassed that of any tree.
A split second later, and Sky would have been turned into a grease stain on the wall.  He saw Boulder heft back into a terrific swing, hardly even flinching from Sky’s savage blow.  With a sudden jolt of adrenaline, Sky dropped to the floor, avoiding Boulder’s hoof by mere centimeters.  The force of the swing was so powerful that the wave of air behind it caused Sky to slide along the ground for a foot or two.
The adrenaline continued to pump, but Sky managed to retain his wits.  OK, beating him with my hooves obviously isn’t gonna do it.  What plan am I down to now?  D?  E?  Z, probably.
The floor directly in front of him shattered into a thousand wooden splinters as Boulder’s hoof again smashed into it.  Reacting instinctively, Sky backflipped away from the blast, allowing the shockwave to carry him away.  He winced as his body was peppered and scratched by the shrapnel from the initial explosion while he spun through the air.  His hooves made contact with the floor, but he continued to skid along its pockmarked surface for a few more feet before he finally came to a stop beside the unmoving forms of his partners.
One look at their limp bodies lit a fire in his brain.  They’re counting on me.  I’m fighting for all of us now.
But just before he looked away, Sky caught the gleam of a twinkle from Ace’s right eye.  A quick second glance confirmed his suspicions: Ace had just winked at him.
Take him down, Blitz, Ace’s voice came to him.
Have you been paying attention?  I’ve been working on that for a while now, Sky fired back.
Scope’s voice was next.  If you had been paying attention, you’d know that any kind of physical attack isn’t going to do much.  You have to attack him in a way that will hurt him.
Nice a thought as that is, Sky answered, I’m running a little short on magic.  I used a ton of it before I got here, and I’m sure I’m gonna need some left in reserve to take down Ghost.  He eyed Boulder warily as the earth pony paced back and forth before him.  Unless you think he’s just gonna surrender as soon as all of his lackeys hit the dirt.
Not likely, Ace agreed.  But don’t worry; we’ve got that covered.
Masking his shock took almost all of his willpower.  You?!  You just tossed around by this guy, and you’re expecting to take on the mastermind of all this?  Are you insane?
One crisis at a time, Blitz.  Boulder first.
Sky took a deep breath, exhaled, then swallowed.  I sure hope you guys know what you’re talking about, or we’re all dead.
Boulder was basically immune to attack.  No kick, buck, tackle, or blow of any kind was going to do much damage to him.  Which left only one real option.
It had to be Sky.  He was unique.  Celestia had told him that the rest of the Alicorn Guard had been given their special magic through artificial means.  But Sky’s power had come to him by the union of magic and raw conviction in the crucible of adversity; birthed into existence not only by the spark of magic, but by the very Element of Magic.  It could not be replicated in a laboratory or experiment chamber.  It was an achievement of the highest order.  Magic in its purest form.
But would even that be enough?
It’ll have to be.
He looked at Boulder, stationed between Ghost and himself like the final obstacle he had to overcome to prove himself.  He glanced at Ace, who winked again; a silent show of confidence and support.  He looked down at his ragged shoulder wrap, ripped and torn.  But with the touch of his hoof, two brightly glistening brooches fell from the folds in the cloth, dangling from the tattered scarf and flashing in the occasional lights of the vault.
Sky was never able to explain what happened next.  It seemed to him that it happened almost in slow motion, but everypony else that witnessed it swore that it took only a few seconds, and that Sky was little more than a shining blur of motion.  All Sky knew was that at that moment an irresistible compulsion rushed over him, like when his friends had rallied to him as he faced the Chimera for the last time.  It was as if all of reality was tugging at him, urging him forward to the point that he lost the ability to resist.
He flew like a missile, ramming straight into Boulder with an explosion of magic that lifted the earth pony off his hooves.  Sky didn’t let up; his wings flapped in the air with the pace of a drumroll.  His momentum and power carried Boulder into the air and into a far wall, where Sky pinned him.
“I’m sorry, Boulder,” Sky said with unnatural calmness.  “But I’m done letting Ghost use you like one of his pawns.”
His wings began to shine—not glow, shine—and his eyes followed suit.  Magic swirled around his legs and through his mane, making his hair stand on end.  For a moment, Sky saw his reflection in Boulder’s eyes, and he found himself truly frightened by what he saw.  Whoa…that’s me?
He couldn’t afford to dwell on it.  Beyond his own reflection, he saw the unmistakable pulsing of Ghost’s magic in Boulder’s eyes, and the color had taken on a distinctly menacing hue.  The glow spread from the pony’s eyes and encased his entire body in a blanket of violet flames; a direct contrast to the radiance of Sky’s own body.
You’re done using my friends against me.
And at last, the emotions that had consumed Sky’s life over the past week erupted like geysers to the front of his mind, but instead of clouding his thoughts, they energized him; gave him power and focus.  Darkness…darkness isn’t evil.  Princess Luna taught me that.  It’s where evil likes to take root, but it’s not bad in and of itself.
“You’re right.  And what’s more,” his head-voice added, “your darkness does complete you.  It is yours, just as your light belongs to you.  You do not need to fear it.  Control it.  Use it, just as you use the light.”
You know, last year, I would never have taken that advice, Sky thought.  His mind was aware of his current dearth of magic power, but his convictions would not be denied.  His body rose up in response to his outpouring of emotions.  But now I understand it.
Twin beams of magic burst from Sky’s wings like high-pressure water cannons.  They washed over Boulder’s body, extinguishing the dark flames.  The earth pony roared in defiance, but Sky was undeterred.  He could feel sparks of magic leap from his body as he worked, forcing even more power into his attack.  Boulder writhed against the wall, but Sky continued to hold him where he was.
The grey-maned stallion tried to coordinate his flailing limbs into a desperate counterattack, but every time he did, Sky increased the power of his magic beams, causing him to fall back into an uncontrolled frenzy.  Sky watched in silent resolve as he was unwillingly subjected to the images of what his friends had to endure at his own hooves.
Is this what the darkness has done to you, Ghost?  Turned you into a monster that would pit friend against friend in battle?  That’s not the power of darkness.
A cold chill ran down Sky’s spine.  That’s the touch of evil.
Boulder began to glow as a result of his prolonged exposure to the magic assault.  An aching sensation grew in Sky’s chest as he watched Boulder’s agony, while another ache swelled in his head as his last reserve of magic power dried up.
Finally, just as Sky believed that he could sustain his attack no longer, Boulder’s eyes rolled up and his eyelids closed.  Sky’s magic came to a halt, and the earth pony fell limply to the floor with a heavy thud, causing several pieces of nearby debris to rattle across the floor.
Sky dropped to the floor as well, barely managing to get his legs under him as he landed.  He was thoroughly spent.  He thought he had been tired after the final battle with the Chimera, but this was something altogether different.  Instead of being exhausted from the kind of magic he had used, he was now tired because of the amount of magic he had used.  He simply had nothing left to give.
The sound of a stamping hoof echoed from where Ghost stood.  “Bravo, Blitz,” he said over his own applause.  “There isn’t another pony out there that could have made it this far.  Only you.  Bravo, indeed.”
Sky was in no mood to take compliments from his adversary, but he didn’t have the breath to offer a response.  Spots danced in front of his eyes, and it took a fair amount of concentration just to stay on his hooves.  Even taking a few short steps was out of the question.
“It seems such a shame for it all to end here for you, after all you’ve been through and how far you’ve come,” Ghost continued as he slowly made his way towards Sky.  “I mean, I’m not blind, Blitz.  Anypony can see just how much you love Princess Luna.  You’d do anything for her, wouldn’t you?  I can appreciate that.”
Sky was still too winded to speak, but Ghost’s words still registered in his brain.  “Our disagreement seems to revolve around Celestia.  You seem to think she’s just doing a splendid job.  But I can see the truth.  The empire is crumbling around her.  It has been for hundreds of years.  And now, she’s brought it to the verge of collapse.  What we need is a regime change.  Luna realized that a millennium ago.  But Celestia refused to see reason, and now, here we stand again.  Only this time, things will be different.”
Ghost’s neutral face once again twisted into a gleeful scowl.  “You see, Celestia thinks she’s safe.  She’s so lost in her own delusional reality that she would never think that anypony would dare to stand up to her.  But her time is at an end, Blitz.  Her day of reckoning is here.”
The unicorn threw his head back and began to cackle like a maniac.  “Finally!  After a thousand years, the day has finally arrived!  One thousand years of vengeance will at last be unleashed upon my family’s greatest adversary!”
Then, with a sudden stoicism, he let his head fall as his eyes drew into narrow slits in his head.  “You see, Blitz, revenge is like a debt: it always finds you in the end, and it’s always bigger than the initial investment.  And this one just happens to have a millennium’s worth of interest on it.”
Sky could taste the bile in his mouth, but he felt like an ursa was sitting on his chest.  Every breath he took made his throat feel like it was on fire.  His wings resembled limp blankets as they hung at his sides.  His brain wanted to lash out and stuff Ghost’s stupid face in a feeding trough somewhere.
But his body simply had nothing left to give.
An orb of dark magic appeared and began to grow into an enormous ball of impending death.  “Was it worth it all, Blitz?” Ghost asked, a curious sincerity in his query.  “Was everything you did worth it all just to come here and die alone?”
Sky’s voice still refused to come.  But before his mind could succumb to his fate, another voice broke the silence with a defiant reply.
“He’s not alone.”
A feeling of hope surged in Sky’s mind.  Right…Ace…
“Oh, please,” Ghost scoffed and rolled his eyes.  “You two?  You couldn’t even handle Boulder.  You think that you have what it takes to stand against me?  You’re in for a rude surprise.”
“You’re not as clever as you think you are, Ghost,” Scope growled.  “You may have heard everything we’ve said over the last few months, but you obviously haven’t remembered it all.”
Sky remained where he was, still fighting to regain his breath.  Ace and Scope were behind him where he couldn’t see them, but even in his dazed state, he could sense the dramatic magic buildup and growing light from where their voices spoke out.
“Oh, what?” Ghost sighed.  “Some ill-conceived, last-ditch effort to beat me?  How cliché.”
“I guess you could call it that,” Ace said, and Sky found some small comfort in hearing the typical mischievousness again in his commander’s voice.  “But you’re right about one thing: we’re no match for you.  I wouldn’t even dream of trying to face you.”
Sky’s mental gears began to turn.  Hold on.  What’s he up to?
Ghost seemed equally perplexed.  “Then what’s all this about?” he asked, gesturing towards the pair of ponies.
“It’s not our right to finish this fight,” Scope replied.  “Only one pony here has earned the distinction of taking you down.  We’re just here to back him up.”
“Blitz!” Ace shouted.  “How about you take this creep down so we can all go home?”
The truth of the situation suddenly hit him.  “Wait, Ace!” he croaked as he finally found his voice.  “You won’t have any magic power left!”
“Then you’d better make it count!” Scope answered.
Sky didn’t have a chance to respond.  Before he could manage another word, he was swallowed within a glowing wave that rushed all around him.  It felt familiar, but as it brushed up against his skin, it tingled and sparked as though it was trying to interact with him.  And the longer he stood within its flow, the more it swirled around him in a gentle embrace...
Until it began to enter him.
Sky never found words to describe the sensation.  It was like sweating in reverse, or like an ache that worked its way deep into his bones from the outside.  It made him nauseous and queasy.  He felt as though a slimy eel had worked its way under his skin and was slithering around within his body.  It was a completely foreign entity that had entered into his system.
But even so, Sky knew exactly what this was.  In spite of all the discomfort, it was exactly what he had needed, just as Ace had promised.
It was magic power.
Ghost’s dark magic globe abruptly fired a beam aimed right at the pegasus.  Sky didn’t need to see it to know that it was powerful enough to have turned him into a puddle had it caught him unaware.
But as it was, Sky sensed it coming.  Perhaps it was some leftover remnant in Scope’s magic that made him more aware of his surroundings, but Sky could feel the shift in Ghost’s spell the instant it began.  In a move that was too quick to follow with the naked eye, Sky launched himself into a furious series of somersaults, extending his magic-bolstered wings like a pair of electric blades.  He landed on his hooves and slid to a stop across the room as the beam split apart and the dark sphere dissipated from where Sky had sliced it clean in two.
He stood up straight and tall, finally able to breathe freely again.  He turned back towards Ghost, who was still staring at the place Sky had been mere moments earlier.  Ace and Scope had collapsed onto the ground, now devoid of any magic power.
Sky had remembered hearing Cubic speak of an old magic spell that would allow one unicorn to transfer a certain amount of magic essence to another, though he hadn’t stuck around long enough to hear how the spell was performed…or if there was a limit to how much magic could be passed on.  He shuddered slightly as he stared at their fallen forms, wondering how much they had sacrificed to give him this one chance to end it all.
Suddenly, Ghost began to laugh, loud and full, yet it was not a happy laugh.  It was cold and unfeeling, as though he had dreamed up some new dark thought to entertain himself.  “Hahaha!  Oh my, Blitz.  Maybe I was right the first time!  Ha!  Maybe you really are impossible to kill!”
Sky sighed.  “If that’s the case, then it’s only because I have so many ponies supporting me that refuse to let me die.”
“Is that so?  I almost feel bad for having to shatter that dream of theirs.”  Ghost once again began conjuring a powerful attack spell.
“Now hold on a second,” Sky interrupted.  “I think you said that if I reached you, you’d explain everything.  I’m holding you to that.”
And, to Sky’s surprise, he did actually pause.  “Well, how about that?  You did make it to me.  Well, Blitz, I’m an honorable pony, so I’ll keep my word.”  The spell vanished into thin air.
I’d say that the “honorable pony” part is up for debate, but if it buys me some time, I’ll let him have it.  “Alright.  The Chimera.  Why was it able to shapeshift?”
“Ah, yes,” Ghost said, nodding.  “I know that you’re aware of my family’s accumulation of magical knowledge over the last several hundred years, correct?”
Sky nodded, unblinking.  Ghost continued.  “The Chimera was a creature that they planned to use in the plan to oust Celestia.  Only my family or Princess Luna could release the creature from its sealed state.  There were dozens of such creatures, but…
“So it’s true,” Sky blurted.  “You really did have a horde of monsters at your beck and call.”
“Indeed I did,” Ghost admitted, grinning cruelly.  “My family gathered all manner of vicious monsters and sealed them all over Equestria in preparation for Luna’s return.  We would have an army ready prepared to march against Celestia the moment Luna came back.  But unfortunately, I couldn’t mobilize quickly enough, and I missed my chance.  But all the preparations were in place.  I just had to change the date.”
Ghost shook his head dismissively and began again.  “But I digress.  At any rate, before they locked them away, my ancestors granted these monsters some rather unique powers.  And the Chimera was granted the skill to change its form.  All it had to do was absorb the body of its victim, and the Chimera would then be able to use that form.  Clever, isn’t it?” he asked, giving Sky an unnerving smile.
“Hardly,” Sky retorted.  “But what about its apparent schizophrenia?”
“I’m sorry?” Ghost asked, looking uncertain.
“It kept changing how it referred to itself.  Like, when I first met it, it said ‘I’ and ‘me.’  But when I saw it at Polarmino, it had changed to ‘we.’  And it kept going back and forth.  Why?”
“Oh.”  A shadow of anger slid across Ghost’s face.  “The Chimera was never a willing tool in my plan.  Luna had inadvertently released it when she went to the Everfree Forest after her return.  That’s where it was sealed, but when she arrived, the seal was broken.  I found it a short time later, and I used a little of that ‘mind control’ you’re so familiar with, and voila!  But the Chimera was never completely under my control.  It was rather stubborn and strong-willed.  It never liked the idea of being under the control of another.”
“I wonder why,” Sky muttered.
“I suppose that it changed its words as its own way of trying to subvert me.  Whenever it had the strength, it would change the words as some sort of subversion.  Perhaps as a sign that it was not the final foe you thought it was,” Ghost explained.
A light clicked on in Sky’s head.  “Of course,” he whispered.  “That’s why it gave me that final warning.  About the source of hatred in Equestria.  It was warning me about you.  It had been all along.”
“Anything else?” Ghost asked, as he began to stretch.
“Yeah,” Sky answered.  “Why?  Why the Chimera and all the monsters?  Why raise an army against Celestia?  You can’t honestly think that starting a war was the best way to protect the land?”
“Weren’t you listening before?” Ghost replied, an edge of irritation with each word.  “Celestia had failed to protect the Empire.  It wasn’t my plan to start a war, Blitz.  Only to show that Celestia was drastically incapable of protecting Equestria from danger.  I had everything I needed to do that.  It would be the final straw in the long list of her failures.  It would have been its own propaganda.  The citizens of Equestria would call out for Celestia to step down because of her inability to protect the land yet again from this sudden horde of monsters, clearing the way for Luna’s ascendancy.  I bestow upon her the Shards of her former self, she vanquishes the monsters, and Equestria emerges stronger than ever.”
“Wait a second,” Sky said, a sudden recollection becoming clear.  “In the windigo colony, the Chimera said something about trying to conquer other kingdoms.  Was that its idea, or yours?”
“Ah.  For once, the Chimera and I agreed upon something, though it was for different reasons,” Ghost explained.  “We both sought the overthrow of surrounding lands, but the Chimera only desired that out of a thirst for destruction.  I, on the other hoof, understood that the destabilization of our neighbors would serve a higher purpose in making Equestria stronger.  We would be the dominant power, forcing our enemies to think twice before assaulting us.”  A toothy grin stretched across his face.  “You see, Blitz, the security of Equestria has always come first with me.  It always will.”
Sky shook his head in disbelief.  “The amount of thought that has gone into this is astounding,” he admitted.  “But answer this: did you ever stop to think about the cost?  About how many innocent ponies would be affected by this plan?”
“Everything has a cost, Blitz,” Ghost retorted.  “You know that.”
“But innocents are never an acceptable casualty!” Sky roared back.  “They are the reason the Alicorn Guard even exists!  And this plan of yours would sacrifice them in order to serve them!  That is the very definition of betrayal!”
And Ghost did something Sky did not expect.  He paused and said nothing.  There he sat, one final step from achieving a goal hundreds of years in the making, and one young pegasus had confronted him with a truth that had forced him to stop and consider his actions.
Sky held his breath and bit his lip.  Was it possible?  Did Ghost still have some shred of nobility and honor that would hold him back from the final step into irrevocable evil?
The silence lingered, piling tension on the scene to the point that Sky could hardly stand it.  Darn it, Ghost, say SOMETHING!
Then, finally, Ghost took a deep breath, then exhaled.  “I have no desire to do harm to any of the innocent citizens of Equestria.”
Sky waited with baited breath.  But before he could say anything, Ghost concluded his thought: “And, thanks to your meddling, there is no need to do so!  I do not need the monsters anymore!  I only need to be rid of you!”
A dozen black globes burst into existence around the room, and, before Sky could even complete his gasp of surprise, they each fired a beam of deep violet fire, converging in a violent explosion where the young pegasus stood in the center of the room.
Ghost chuckled for a moment, clearly enjoying the scene.  But his pleasure was cut short as a piercing stab of shining blue light stabbed through his spell and tore it apart, revealing Sky Streak, wings wrapped forward around his face in a defensive position.  And as he pulled his wings apart, his eyes appeared as the tempest in the heart of a thundercloud, ringed with lighting and swirling with a furious wind.
“Oh, please,” Ghost scoffed.  “You can try to make yourself look as intimidating and fearless as you want, but you’re not hiding anything.  I’ve been in the Guard long enough to know fear when I see it.  You’re scared.  And fighting afraid is a sure way to lose.”
Sky splayed his wings wide at his side and crouched, ready for battle.  “Yeah, I’m scared,” he admitted.  “I am scared of losing to you.  I’m scared of facing an uncertain future.  I’m scared of going through the rest of my life without my best friend there with me,” he yelled, his voice cracking.  “But that fear isn’t who I am!  That fear reminds me of everything I love and all the things I have to live for!  And I refuse to let you steal that from me, and from all the other ponies in Equestria!”
“You refuse?” Ghost replied.  “Don’t even try to lecture me on stealing something from somepony.  Storm Emblem’s descendants have waited for hundreds of years for this chance to reclaim the honor and dignity that was stolen from them.  I have a history spanning centuries at my back.”  His horn lit up as he gazed at Sky menacingly.  “What do you have?”
But Sky was undaunted.  “You may have hundreds of years of hatred behind you, but I have the strength of thousands of ponies in this very instant standing with me!”
“But they’re not here with you,” Ghost countered.  “You’re all alone here.”
Sky smirked and jostled the brooches at his chest.  “Shows what you know.”
The time for words is over.  For everypony in Equestria, I will end this.
His magic power grew like a thunderstorm behind him.  And all around the room, Ghost’s dark magic seeped in through every crack in the walls and ceiling like oil through a sieve.
Here and now.
     
> Chapter 24: War of Oaths, War of Ghosts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Royal Vault of Magic Artifacts
May 1, 10:03 A.M.

Sky didn’t need to hear it this time.  Everything he had been through over the past two years had brought him to the point where he knew it, even when he stood alone against all odds.  The truth ran through his veins, filled his vision, echoed in his ears, and caused his brain to erupt with a surge of hope.
Your friends are with you.
Ghost’s spell whipped past him like driving rain in a downpour.  Sky began to spin rapidly as he approached, deflecting the attack with his own magical aura.  His hoof lit up with magic as he reached the unicorn, thrusting it forward with the intent of disrupting Ghost’s magical assault.
But Sky felt his hoof collide with an invisible barrier inches from Ghost’s face, then spiral away as Ghost’s counterattack caught him in the underside.  The magic was cold and biting, but it held a powerful essence that felt like getting shocked by a zap of electricity.
Sky winced, not in pain, but in the recollection of a similar power.  One he himself had elicited a year before, confronted by an unimaginable evil.  He had thrown his self-control aside and fought the Chimera with the power of his hatred for the monster.
And now, he was on the receiving end of those very same emotions.
Sky grimaced, leering at his opponent with one eye.  Even with the knowledge of everything Ghost had done, something within Sky still hesitated at the thought of fighting a pony he had once stood with as an ally.  Perhaps he was tired of all the conflict.  Perhaps it was some form of misplaced comradery.  Or maybe, beyond the edge of his own pain and anger, Sky still held some sense of pity for his former commander who had fallen so far.
But one look into Ghost’s face was enough to tell him that there was no option other than combat.  His eyes were wild with excitement, yet exuding a look of cold calculation, like the look of a predator that has cornered its prey.  His pupils flickered with a wicked black flame that curled up and ran from the corners of his eyes.
Sky shivered.  Was the Chimera really the way it seemed, or was Ghost behind more than its actions?
But a second thought came as quickly as the first, though it was even more disturbing.  Or maybe the Chimera found a way to influence Ghost right back…
He was quickly forced back to the matter at hoof as he noticed Ghost charging right at him.  He was surrounded by half a dozen black magic globes that rapidly orbited his body like a mobile that was spinning too fast.  Sky managed to duck out of the way just in time, rolling to his left as Ghost went careening past.  The orbs of darkness seemed to leave discolored ripples in their wake, as though their passing scarred the very air itself.
I can’t let him dictate the flow of the fight, Sky thought to himself.  I need to throw him off-balance somehow.
But almost before he was able to complete the thought, he found himself dropping to the floor to avoid another charge from Ghost.  Desperate for a chance to slow the pace of the fight, Sky discharged a blast of magic just as Ghost passed overhead.  If nothing else, it would serve to stun him temporarily, giving Sky a chance to catch his breath and plan his next move.
It was a good strategy.  But the light chuckle Sky heard next was all the indication he needed to know that it hadn’t been good enough.
He looked at Ghost and beheld a sight that seemed to twist everything he thought he knew about magic.  All around the unicorn, the six orbs of magic continued to swirl around him, but between them, Sky could see what appeared to be his own blast of magic being stretched and warped as it passed through each one, until its color had changed into a sickly black wrung with sparks of dark lightning jumping from it.  Sky watched in a horrified stupor as Ghost pulled the spell in front of him, where he observed it appraisingly.
“Magic is truly remarkable, Blitz,” Ghost cooed, still gazing at Sky’s transformed spell.  “We cast spells to perform the simplest of tasks almost without thinking about it.  But magic is so much deeper than that.  My ancestors discovered that it was possible not only to counter a spell, but to change it into something very different by adding their own power to it.  The youngest and weakest foal could use a telekinetic spell barely capable of lifting a broom, and by constantly taking and manipulating that spell, it could be changed into a magic that could lift entire buildings, set them on fire, and disintegrate them within seconds.  Of course,” he continued, looking disdainfully at the young pegasus, “I find it much more rewarding to take somepony’s attack spell and use it against them…with my own personal additions, of course.”
Without hesitation, Ghost hurled the dark orb at Sky, still spellbound from the scene he had just witnessed.  Even as he instinctively dodged to his left, he could not remove his eyes from the approaching blast.  He’s able to corrupt my magic just like that?  And then use it against me?  What chance do I have here?
But, whether it was a memory or an event of the moment, Sky heard the voice echo something it had told to him mere minutes before.
“If you choose to exist in both the light and the dark, then you will not flinch when confronted with either.”
I wonder…
Sky’s stomach clenched as he strained and stretched out with his mind to the magic spell.  It was crazy.  It shouldn’t work at all.  It was a desperation tactic, and, being borne of desperation, those rarely worked.  But sometimes, the craziest of ideas finds a hold within the space of reality, when all the laws of logic would determine otherwise.
He latched on to the spell, and immediately, a dark sensation sprang to life within his mind.  But, just as the voice had promised, Sky didn’t hesitate.  He dove into the darkness until he found a pulsing, familiar power at the core of the magic.  And Sky found what he sought.
Because, at its core, it was still his magic.
With a yell, Sky spun where he stood, his body dragging the magic blast by an invisible thread around his body, causing it to curve around him until he released it, sending it streaking through the air to where a surprised Ghost could only watch as the spell slammed into him, exploding on impact.  Instantly, the dark orbs around him dissipated, and he careened through the air until he crashed, upside down, into the far wall.  He slumped to the floor headfirst, while his legs hung in the air above him.
Sky’s mind was fuzzy from countering Ghost’s attack, but his success caused a renewed sense of hope to surge through his veins like adrenaline.  “You wanna play with magic?  Use your own,” he huffed.  “This magic was a gift to me.  I don’t think the ponies that gave it to me would approve of your use of it.”
In spite of his awkward position, Ghost began to laugh.  It was the same eerie laugh from before, when Sky had absorbed Ace’s and Scope’s magic power.  “Ahahaha!  The surprises never end with you, do they?”  He tumbled off of his head and rose to his hooves, dusting himself off in the process.  “You know, you might just make this interesting.”  Then, in the blink of an eye, his laughter faded, only to be replaced with a cold fury.  “Warmups are over.  Now it’s for keeps.”
Sky shoved aside the static in his head and cleared his mind.  He gestured to Ghost with his hoof.  “After you.”
A dark whirlwind suddenly sprang into existence around Ghost, who pirouetted on his rear hooves as he sent the tornado spiraling across the room to where Sky stood waiting.  He watched the approaching twister for a few tense moments, then fired a beam of magic from his wings, causing the cyclone to burst apart in a flash of light amidst the wisps of darkness.  Sky leapt through the fading fragments of the storm, somersaulting once and throwing all his momentum into his rear hoof as he brought it down onto Ghost’s head.
But just as Sky thought his blow would land, he felt all his momentum disappear, replaced by a weightlessness originating from the very leg he was attacking with.  Then, before he had a chance to recover, Ghost telekinetically hurled him across the room, where he landed in a pile of debris and raised a cloud of dust.
As he scrambled back to his hooves, a slender metallic object slid off of him and clattered onto the floor.  One look at it was enough to confirm what it was.
Sombra’s Dark Scythe.
“I have often wondered how my own power would stand up to that of King Sombra,” Ghost said, noting the object of Sky’s gaze.  “Simply to test my own mastery of the darkness against one who was regarded as being was so skilled with it that he became one with it.”  He smiled, and he seemed to not notice Sky any longer, caught within a vision in his mind.  “The rumors say that not even Celestia could stand up to his power.  Only the darkness of another could conquer him.”  His eyes opened again, and a flaming desire burned within them.  “I shall restore that darkness and squelch what remains of your precious light.”
Across the room, Sky reached out with his magic and pulled another object from where it lay against the wall.  He stuck the blade into the floor at his hooves and stared defiantly back at Ghost.  “You just don’t get it, Ghost,” Sky sighed.  “I have my darkness, just like you do.  Just like we all do.”  He arched an eyebrow, giving him the look of one issuing a challenge.  In front of him, the Blade of Night gleamed like the lunar crescent within the night sky.  “But there’s a line between darkness and evil.  And we’re standing on opposite sides of that line.”
“Hmph.”  With the subtlest of motions, Ghost summoned a trio of black orbs that slowly began to zig and zag around the decimated chamber.  Sky watched warily as they seemed to do little more than haphazardly worm their way through the air without any actual purpose.  Then, without any real warning, they exploded, casting the entire vault into utter darkness.
“I can’t understand you, Blitz,” Ghost’s voice cut through the black.  “I would think that you of all ponies would have the most to gain from accepting the darkness.  Think about it.  Just think about what you’ve been through.”  He paused for a few moments, though whether it was to try and increase the drama of the moment, or to give his words time to sink in, Sky didn’t know.  “Nearly a year of your life gone fighting a monster.  Having your spirit basically ripped from your body for a time.  Seeing dozens of ponies consumed by the Chimera.  And even now, somepony you love may be lost to you forever.  You have every right to be angry.  Why not be?”
Sky’s teeth clenched and ground against each other at the mention of Lily.  It was true; he probably had every right to fly off the handle and just embrace the rage he had felt so many times.  “Oh, I am angry,” Sky hissed at last, forcing himself to channel his emotions into words instead of actions.  A light began to shine from his wings, causing the darkness to retreat from him.  “And all those hard times have created a pain I’ll have with me for the rest of my life.  But I’m not willing to let that define me.  I’m not a part of the pain.  It’s a part of me.  I carry that darkness with me, but I won’t let myself be swallowed up in the past.  Unlike you.”  
“Some might call that ‘self-control’,” Ghost said softly.  “I call it weakness.”
A huge chunk of the wall behind Sky suddenly broke free and hurtled towards him like a meteor.  Thankfully, the sound of it separating from the wall was unmistakable, giving him ample warning of its approach.  As it reached him, Sky extended his wings and brought them against the slab of wall in a magically-enhanced slash, slicing it clean in two as his body neatly passed between the two halves.  Reaching out yet again with magic, he took control of the slabs of wall and threw them to where Ghost stood like a nexus of Sky’s pent-up frustration; a giant pony-shaped bull’s eye where Sky could hurl all the pain of the past week in one giant venting session.
It was a shame that the bull’s eye was able to fight back.
The chunks of wall crashed into an invisible barrier around Ghost and bounced harmlessly away.  In Ghost’s eyes, Sky could see the look of one who was both disinterested and unimpressed.  Sky could feel his frustration rising not only at Ghost’s nonchalant attitude, but also at the distinct feeling that Ghost was merely toying with him.
Under normal circumstances, I’d just take the fight right to him with my hooves.  But Sky knew better than to try that.  Ghost’s magic was potent, and even a marginally competent unicorn could hold off a physical attack with a rudimentary telekinesis spell.  And Ghost was far beyond mere competence.  Nighthawk had even gone so far as to compare Celestia’s power to that of Storm Emblem’s heir.  It had sounded ridiculous at the time, but now that Sky was here…
Another volley of magic seared the air as it closed in on Sky.  He dropped into an evasive dive, rolling to his hooves as he hit the floor.  Reacting as quickly as he could, he sprang into a full-force flying tackle, attempting to cover the fifteen or so feet between himself and his unicorn adversary.
But with unnatural calm, Ghost turned his gaze to the pegasus, and with a mere twitch of his eye, Sky knew that he was in trouble.
A massive boulder-sized crystal burst through the floor right in Sky’s path.  His nose slammed into the crystal, and his own momentum caused his body to buckle against the immovable object.  A sickening grinding sensation in his nose accompanied a sharp pain that came from inside his head rather than from without.
He staggered away from the crystal, bringing a hoof to his face.  And as he looked to the floor, trying to refocus his vision, a series of red droplets drew a dotted line from where he had stood mere moments before, and Sky’s suspicions were confirmed.
Broken nose.  Fantastic.
But he had little time to bemoan his misfortune.  The crystal suddenly radiated with intense light before shattering into thousands of razor-edged shards.  Sky dove behind the cover of an upright slab of wall for cover, but not before a dozen or so of the deadly fragments found their mark, mostly within his front left leg.
He winced as he pressed his back up against the wall.  The crystals in his leg were painful, but didn’t appear to have penetrated too deeply.  Still, pain was cruel enemy, and he was in a ton of it.  It slowed and weakened your actions, and made you hesitant in your decisions.  Oh, and of course, it hurt.
He stared at his leg regretfully.  Sky was no combat medic.  He had remembered often hearing that it was better to keep an invasive object where it was than remove it, but…seeing them sticking out of his leg was unsettling, to say the least.  Finally, he decided to let them stay.  They weren’t large or burdensome…just painful.  And worrisome.
Don’t get comfortable, he thought to the shards.  You’ll be leaving soon enough.
Sky’s protective slab of wall suddenly rocked back and forth from a small explosion, knocking against the back of his head and snapping him back to attention.  “You’re awfully quiet over there, Blitz,” Ghost’s taunts echoed through the chamber.  “Don’t tell me you went and died without my permission.”  There was a gleeful edge to his voice that made the hairs from Sky’s neck to his tail stand on end.
With a deep breath, Sky dove out from his cover, facing his foe.  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he answered, firing a pair of magic spears.  The nerves in his leg felt like they were on fire, but he managed to push through it, throwing himself once again behind the relative safety of the wall, still dutifully providing shelter from the battle waging throughout the chamber.
He took a moment to catch his breath.  The magic from Ace and Scope was still holding up, but his body was exhausted.  Every joint and muscle whined in protest as he forced them into service, flying and dodging all around the room.  I wonder if this is what getting old feels like.
The wall behind him rocked yet again, smacking him in the back of his head.  Sky lurched forward before spinning around, almost expecting to see Ghost peering at him.  However, all he received was a small cascade of debris raining on him from the top edge of the wall.  He permitted a small sigh of relief.
Then, without warning, the entire portion of wall was ripped straight from the floor and tossed aside, crashing into the far wall and crumbling into millions of pieces.  Sky flipped backwards instinctively, relying on natural acrobatics to keep Ghost guessing.
But his expectations were shattered as he felt a massive surge of magic rush over his body, overloading Sky’s senses with a pain like a cold fire.  The effects of gravity felt as though they had been suspended as he rose into the air.  He began to shake with the violence of a seizure.  His vision filled with dots and became blurry as his suffering seemed to last for an eternity.
A crunch accompanying a physical jolt brought an end to the torture.  Sky’s limbs were completely numb, splayed in all directions as he lay on his back, gasping for breath that just refused to come fast enough.  His entire body was afflicted with the lingering effects of the attack: his ears were ringing like a school bell, his wings were twitching at his sides, the nerves in his legs were completely shot, and his vision was an absolute mess of rainbow-colored dots with no real cohesion of any kind.  It was as though every nerve in his body had exploded all at once, leaving him crippled in nearly every capacity.
As he struggled to regain any control of his body, a glimmer of light pierced through the haze of his vision.  He focused in on it, tracking it as it seemed to float back and forth in a predictable pattern.  The rest of his eyesight cleared around the light, and as Sky recognized what he was seeing, his heart sank.  Above him, his cherished blue wrap swayed down toward him, Lily’s brooches flickering in the dim light.  They seemed to beg Sky to get up, to find the strength to challenge Ghost just one more time.
But as the fabric reached the ground, the bejeweled badges fell beneath the folds of the cloth, and their light was hidden.  And, sensing the symbolism in the moment, Sky succumbed to the inevitable truth.
He was beaten.
He stopped straining.  He closed his eyes and let his body relax.  Ghost wasn’t likely to let him die quickly, but it didn’t matter.  He was well-acquainted with pain already.
His mind drifted free of his surroundings, finding a home in Lily’s hospital room.  Ah, well…at least neither of us will have to live without the other.
“Are you giving up?”
Sky’s eyes snapped wide open.  He had expected to hear the mocking voice of Ghost, so hearing the stern voice of his thoughts shocked him for a moment.  But he gradually fell back into a state of calm and let his eyelids fall again.  Yes.  I’ve done what I can, but there’s no way I can beat him.  Nova will have found Luna by now, and she’ll seal this chamber and keep Ghost from ruining Equestria.  I’ve done enough.
“Then that makes it my turn.”
Sky arched an eyebrow and opened one eye out of sheer curiosity.  It was just a voice; what could it expect to do against Ghost?  Talk him to death?
“You told me you would lend me your strength, Sky Streak,” the voice continued.  “Now is the time I take you up on that offer.”
And Sky’s jaw dropped at the scene before him.
He was no longer staring at the ceiling.  He could still feel nothing, but…he felt different.  Constricted.  Small.  It was as though he had been boxed in to one small part of his mind and could only watch what unfolded.  There before him was Ghost, looking rather startled as he stared back at Sky.  But Ghost was standing several meters in front of him…which meant that Sky was standing.
What the—
“Vengeance, Ghost,” Sky heard his body speak, though he had made no effort to do so.  What was more, something sounded…off.  Instead of his own voice, it seemed to him that it was mingled with another who spoke with determination and conviction.  “It is all you can see.  It’s all you know.  Vengeance against Sky Streak for foiling your work with the Chimera.”
Ghost’s eyes grew wide as saucers as Sky’s body referred to itself in the third pony.  “But not only that: for gaining prestige within the Alicorn Guard.  For entering your home.  For trying to honor the memory of your forefather instead of defiling it!”
“Shut up!” Ghost screamed, his face turning blood-red.  “You know nothing of my forefather!  Just shut up and die like you’re supposed to!”
“But you’re after revenge against more ponies than just one,” the dual-voice continued.  “You despise Celestia for governing Equestria with benevolence instead of dominance.  You loathe Discord for having been offered a second chance.  And you hate even Princess Luna, for turning her back on the mistakes of the past and choosing a life that seeks the good of all instead of just herself.”
“Shut up!” Ghost shouted again.  “I’m doing this for Princess Luna!  Why would I do all this if I hated her?!”
“You are doing all this to change her,” Sky heard himself correct the unicorn.  “You hate her as she is now, so you plan to change her into what you want her to be.”
“Stupid little worm!” Ghost growled, and in the air, a large magic hammer materialized, swinging down with enough force to crush Sky’s body where it stood.
But Sky reacted in an instant, bringing a leg straight up, right into the hammer, his own magic smashing it to smithereens.  Sky smiled in satisfaction…until he realized he hadn’t been the one to do that.  It was his left leg in the air, and most of the crystal shards were still lodged within, but he felt no pain.  He tried to blink in confusion, but his body wouldn’t respond.  He was still just an observer.
You’re…controlling me?
“Forgive me, Sky Streak,” the voice said softly.  “I need your body.  This is just as much my fight as it is yours, and I cannot let it end without having my say in it.”
He should have been mad.  He should have been absolutely enraged.  This…being...had done the very thing the Chimera (and Ghost, by association) had been trying to do to him before.  And yet, somehow, Sky was fine.  The realization came to him as he watched his hoof block Ghost’s hammer.
Magic…
This voice had comforted him in his struggles.  It had offered him advice without any hesitation.  It had shown a fierce loyalty to those that stood as guardians of peace and light, and its blunt honesty had caused Sky himself to come to grips with his own fears and shortcomings.  And in spite of its rather stoic personality, Sky had still found himself smiling, and even chuckling, at this disembodied comrade.  And now, he watched as his own body responded with magic to the will of this strange entity.
Kindness.  Generosity.  Loyalty.  Honesty.  Laughter.  Magic.
The Elements of Harmony.
Sky steeled his resolve and reached out from the corner of his mind.  Mind if I gave you a hoof with that?
He instantly felt his body wrap around him, and a smile was already on his lips.  “I’d welcome it.”
His hoof fired out like a cannon, slamming into Ghost’s protective barrier.  His body ached, and the pain in his wounded leg sprung anew in his brain, but a new strength of will set a charge like lightning in his chest, urging him forward.  He continued to press, and a light grew from the point of contact.  Ghost’s magic discharged into his other leg, causing it to sting as though it was under assault from a swarm of bees, but Sky was undeterred.  He pressed harder, and Sky watched as Ghost seemed to shudder.  His face was twisted in a snarl of defiance, but in his eyes there was a look of concern.  No, it was more than that.  It was a look of fear.  It was a look of utter confusion, giving way to a terror that gnawed at his confidence.
Sky let the thought sink in.  Ghost…he’s afraid.  He’s actually scared.
“Does that please you?”
Sky pondered it for a moment.  It would have been perfectly reasonable for him to be happy.  It should have been a reason for glee to see the tables turned against his foe in such a way.
But Sky knew better.
No, he answered.  It just makes me all the more eager to end this.
His brain suddenly swelled with determination.  He pushed even harder against the barrier, seemingly immune to any sense of pain.  “How dare you!” Sky shouted.  “What of your oaths now, Ghost!?  You don’t want to protect anypony at all!  You just want to change everything to suit yourself!  You’ve become nothing but a petty foal who throws a tantrum when they don’t get what they want!  You’re a disgrace to the Alicorn Guard!  You’re a disgrace to all Equestria!”
Ghost looked ready to cower in terror, but his teeth were clenched in resolve, and his magic barrier continued to hold.  “As opposed to you, Blitz?  You think that songs of peace and love while you skip through fields of flowers are enough to sustain an empire!  Any oath to protect a kingdom like that is made in vain!  Equestria needs change!  Progress, Blitz!”
“Of course it does!” Sky answered.  “It always will!  Everything needs change!  I’m a different pony than I was when all this started, and I’m better for that!  But you want to change things going backward, not forward!  That’s not progress, that’s regression!”
“Hrrrrggggaahh!”  Ghost’s growl grew into a yell as he flung a second hoof at Sky.  There was a bright flash of light, and Sky found himself sliding to a stop on the other side of the room.  Across the room, Ghost’s breathing looked more labored than Sky had remembered.  “What the buck is with you?” he hissed through his teeth.  “Why can’t you just die like any other pony would?”
Sky was ready with a response, but as he began to spoke, he realized that his own breathing was just as haggard as Ghost’s.  “I told you already,” he wheezed between breaths, “there are too many ponies relying on me here.  They won’t let me give up.”
“And all my ancestors are counting on me to succeed here,” Ghost countered, his entire body emanating a powerful magic aura, “so I can’t afford to fail!”
Sky summoned all the magic power he possessed and prepared for Ghost’s assault.  The magic pressure in the chamber grew to such tremendous levels that Sky’s ears began to pop.  This is gonna be ugly, isn’t it? Sky asked his internal partner.
But he received no answer.  Hello?  Anypony in there?
“Sky Streak…can you feel it?”  The voice sounded…tense.  Nervous.  Sky wasn’t sure if a mere voice could hyperventilate, but…well, it sure felt like this one was about to.  “She’s coming…she’s actually coming…”
What? Sky asked.  Who’s coming?
The far side of the chamber suddenly exploded with magic, peppering the pair of combatants on the other end with tiny fragments of wall and floor.  Sky had raised a hoof over his face to protect his eyes, but as the rain of debris came to an end and he lowered his hoof, he saw beyond a doubt what had caused the blast.
And his heart froze.
She walked in with her typical grace, but her eyes were wide with shock at the scene before her.  The vault was absolutely decimated beyond recognition, and a gasp escaped her lips as she spotted the limp bodies of Boulder, Ace, and Scope splayed upon the debris-laden floor.  And as she turned again to where Sky and Ghost opposed each other, her mane swept aside, and Sky saw yet again those deep blue eyes for which he would have challenged an entire army of changelings on his own.  She was beautiful, just as she had always been: a picture of serenity amidst the madness.
But she was the last pony Sky had wanted to see here.
Her eyes filled with sorrow as she came to a halt.  She locked gazes with Sky, and his heart felt as though it would explode with agony.
And when he found his voice, he whispered the only two words that would come.
“Princess Luna…”
> Chapter 25: The Final Oath
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Royal Vault of Magic Artifacts
May 1, 10:26 A.M.

All went quiet.  Nothing moved.  No sound was heard.  Time itself stood still around the three ponies in the demolished chamber.  Here, in the place where events of the past were memorialized, the very future of all Equestria hung in the balance.
The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on Sky.  His heart was pounding in his chest.  He was so thoroughly drenched in sweat that he felt as though he had just come in from a rainstorm.  His legs trembled and his teeth chattered.  He was overcome with a sudden welling of emotions.
Most of which, Sky realized, he didn’t understand.
A desperate sense of longing.  The urge to ask a thousand questions, even though he could think of none.  A resurgence of duty and honor that set his mind ablaze. An overwhelming surge of joy accompanying a crippling sense of shame.  But one feeling cut through all the others, like a hot knife through butter.
Above all, it was a sense of finality.  Of fulfillment.  A realization that all the pieces had finally come together, and all the parts that had to be played had come full circle.  And here and now, something (or perhaps many things) would come to an end.
Sky’s heart panged with pity.  He knew that feeling.  It was the call of destiny; the inescapable reality that all things come to an end.  Sky had faced it twice before: once against the Chimera in the Painted Forest, and then again in the fields outside Foalumbus where he had finally defeated the monster.  The call existed as the moment that one is confronted with the end of an appointed road.  The climax of a journey.  It did not necessarily signify death, but it often did.  Fortunately for him, Sky had never had to face the call in regard to his own mortality.
But this time, it was different.  This time, a life would end.  At least one of the three ponies standing in this chamber would not be leaving alive.
Is this it? Sky wondered.  Is this my ultimate fulfillment?  Where my purpose for living comes to an end?  Maybe that’s why everything’s been falling apart around me.  Because the last thing to fall is me.
The stern voice of Princess Luna cut through his contemplations.  “Ghost?  Blitz?  What in the name of the Founders is going on down here?”
“Princess Luna,” Sky stammered.  “What…what are you doing here?  Didn’t Nova tell you to seal off this chamber?”
“Nova?” Luna asked, regarding Sky with a look of confusion.  “I never saw Nova.”
“But how—”
“Discord told me to come here,” Luna answered him before he could finish.  “He said it was urgent, though he did not expound in any greater detail.  It seems as though he was right, at least in some regards.”
Discord.   His mind cleared with the heat of his anger.  If Discord’s betrayed us and this all goes to rot, I swear I’ll deal with him before it’s all said and done.  “Princess, you need to go,” Sky said, ignoring the warning in his head against giving orders to a monarch.  “It’s dangero—”
But Ghost cut him off.  “Princess Luna!” he shouted, and the joy in his voice was undeniable.  “At last, you’ve come!  I knew it!”  He quickly reined in his enthusiasm and turned around, shuffling through a pile of debris before revealing the shards of Nightmare Moon.  He bowed as he presented the armor fragments to the alicorn.  “Princess, I am the descendant of Storm Emblem, your servant of old.  Throughout all the years, my family has been eagerly awaiting the day when you would return and we could restore to you that which should have been yours.”
At first, Luna’s look was one of horror as she instantly recognized the shards of her former self.  But she quickly mastered herself, though her discomfort was still apparent.  “Ghost, what is this?  What are you doing with those?”
“Princess, I have seen the decay of Equestria with my own eyes,” Ghost explained, never raising his head from its bowed position.  “Your sister has allowed the greatness of this land to crumble.  Our enemies plot against us and have nearly overthrown us on multiple occasions.  I believe that a change is in order.  And you are that change.”
Sky’s voice failed him.  He could only listen in despair as Ghost gleefully recounted his plan to the startled princess.  “Celestia’s path of peace and light will only end in ruin.  A thousand years ago, you sought to rule Equestria by the strength of darkness.  But instead of being willing to try a different way, she banished you for challenging her established rule, ineffective as it was.”  He finally raised his eyes, and a vengeful light flickered from his pupils.  “Now is the time for you to prove how wrong she was.  Take what is yours, Princess Luna.”  His voice grew soft, but its words rippled with power.  “No…more than a princess.  Queen Luna.”
And Sky watched in utter disbelief as his beloved princess’ eyes seemed to glaze over and she began to approach Ghost’s offering.  “My rightful place,” she whispered, as though lost in a reverie.  “Did Celestia fear me?  Perhaps she was right to.  Perhaps I should show her just how right she was.”  Her hoof extended toward the Shards, which seemed to be stretching out a dark magic tendril in response.
Suddenly, a voice cried out desperately in Sky’s mind.  “Help her!  Say something!  Don’t let this happen!”
Sky was too terrified to think of something eloquent, so he merely shouted the only three words that would come to mind.  “Princess Luna, NO!”
Thankfully, they were enough.
Luna started, her eyes focusing on her outstretched hoof, which she quickly drew back in surprise.  “Princess, don’t listen to him,” Sky pleaded.  His leg had begun to throb again where the crystals had struck him, and a quick glance revealed that several of the crystals had indeed come dislodged, leaving small trickles of blood running from the open wounds.  Of course, his body as a whole was in pain, but he had more pressing issues to deal with.  “Princess Luna, I’ve seen what happened one thousand years ago.  I have felt firsthoof exactly how Celestia suffered every day because of that one fateful tragedy.  And I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that Celestia needs you.  But what’s more,” Sky continued, and the familiar feeling of having words he couldn’t explain rose yet again, “is that I think you need Celestia, too.  At the end of every day, the night comes.  And at the end of every night, the day comes.  And even in the day, there is shade.  And in the night, the stars and moon shine their lights.  Neither exists entirely separate from the other.  I guess you could say that the day and the night…they’re sisters.”
Luna simply stared for a few seconds after Sky finished.  He held his breath.  That sounded good and all, but did it mean anything?
But at last, Luna’s expression softened.  She bowed her head with a sigh.  “Even after a thousand years, a war still wages.  Will the past continue to haunt me?  Is there no peace to be had even after a millennium?”
“Don’t run from the past,” Ghost cooed, and Sky saw his horn light up ever-so-subtly.  “The past is the answer to the present.  The only mistake from a thousand years ago was that the ponies of Equestria did not recognize that you were right.”  He inched the shards closer to the princess.  “Perhaps now they will understand what they did not then.”
“You’re right,” Sky answered quickly.  “We shouldn’t run from the past.  It happened, and nothing can change that.  But it’s called the past for a reason.  It’s behind us.  We don’t get an opportunity to redo or undo it, but we have a responsibility to remember it and learn from it.”  Sky’s legs unexpectedly carried him forward until he was right in front of the princess.  He looked up into her sad eyes, and, feeling his own wave of grief, raised his hoof to her chin.  “I’ve heard you talk about the Equestria of today; how it is a place of such harmony and love, where ponies get along and genuinely care about each other.  And I’ve seen that look in your eyes that says just how much you truly believe that you belong here.”
Luna’s gaze locked with his.  Behind him, Sky could hear Ghost seething with rage.  “You once told me that, much like the great blue expanse above me, I’m far too special to be defined by one bad event.  Well, Princess, I’m here to tell you the same thing.  The night is too beautiful and wondrous to be defined by one bad event.  Bad nights happen, but they also pass.”  A lonely tear streamed down Luna’s cheek, and a sudden compulsion sent Sky’s hoof from her chin to her cheek, where he caught it.  “Don’t rob the good ponies of Equestria of the night they’ve come to love and cherish.”
“Your mind has fallen victim to Celestia’s propaganda, Blitz,” Ghost muttered.  “Only she could try to twist the tale of Nightmare Moon into a bad thing.”
Sky snapped his head around just enough to see Ghost out of the corner of his eye.  “And when was the last time any nightmare was a good thing?” Sky countered angrily.  He turned again to Luna.  “Princess, tell me, which truly brought you more fulfillment: the chance to rule alone, or the chance to chance to help hundreds of ponies that look to you for guidance?”
He didn’t have time to react.  Sky felt himself lift off the floor just as the pain from Ghost’s magic blast registered.  He careened headfirst through the air until he crashed into a precariously-placed stack of debris, which collapsed onto him as he lay on the floor.
He slowly rose to his hooves.  He was legitimately angry now, but he was managing to hold it in check.  Sky knew what hatred and fury felt like, and this wasn’t it.  Every word Ghost spoke was an insult to the intelligence and decency of every pony in Equestria, and Sky wasn’t about to stand for it.  As he staggered forward, a thousand words of defiance raced to the tip of his tongue, just waiting for the chance to be the one to tell Ghost what Sky thought of him.
But, much to Sky’s surprise, his voice didn’t respond.  It wasn’t that his mouth was dry, or his throat was sore, or his tongue was sticking to the roof of his mouth.  It was just as if his voice was…gone.
“I think we’ve heard enough of Celestia’s nonsense,” Ghost said, and Sky saw the unicorn’s horn glowing menacingly.  “We don’t need any more ridiculous statements than necessary.”
Sky’s face twisted into a furious scowl.  Stealing away his voice…Ghost was playing dirty—even for him.  But what could he do?  To attack Ghost without being able to further justify his actions might drive Luna’s wavering spirit over to the darkness.  But if Ghost was able to continue his dissertation unabated, then she would certainly fall.  He hadn’t realized how important his voice was until it was gone.
“Celestia has always portrayed herself as the bearer of light within Equestria,” Ghost cooed to the princess, picking up where he had left off, “but even she casts a shadow…and she’s made sure that you’re always standing in it.”  He began to pace, and Sky saw his eyes twinkle in genuine delight as they passed by Sky’s silent form.  “How long will you allow that injustice to stand?  As long as Celestia persists, you are doomed to play second fiddle to her, never permitted to rival her glory and her power.  But I know the truth…and so do you.  She cannot hold you back forever.  The time has come, Princess.  Become who you were born to be.”  He once again lifted the Shards of Nightmare Moon before the eyes of Princess Luna.
Sky could only watch in horror and fight to break the spell on his voice.  He dropped his head and shook it violently, trying to dislodge whatever Ghost had put in his throat.  But while nothing came loose, as Sky ceased wagging his head, his eyes fell upon a patch of royal blue underneath a bit of wreckage.  And suddenly, he knew what to do.
One last hope.
Luna’s eyes darted back and for the between the two stallions, struggling with her inner demons.  But as she turned to Sky for the fifth or sixth time, her gaze halted and locked onto the young pegasus.  He held one hoof in the air, and upon it rested a glimmering badge of jewels, shining, as it seemed, of its own accord.  A crescent of diamonds stood in punctuated contrast to a single black opal.  Anypony in Equestria would have recognized the symbol instantly, but to the Princess of the Night, it was more than just a familiar emblem: it was the sign of her very existence.
Her pupils were dilated and her lower jaw sagged so that her mouth hung open.  Sky could see his own reflection in her widening eyes.  But Sky’s attention was too devoted elsewhere to really take notice.  He filled his entire magical presence with a sense of faith and belief in his beloved princess.  His magic was his voice.  And without a word or a sound, as the emblem of Luna’s cutie mark rested on his outstretched hoof, it relayed the most important message of his life.
This is who you are.
A quiet, almost hesitant voice spoke within his mind.  “Leave the past behind, I suppose?”
No, Sky replied.  Don’t return to the past, but don’t forget about it.  Carry it with you.
It was a hard lesson to learn.  Sky knew it perhaps better than most.  So often, he had been ashamed of his own failure to defeat the Chimera at the Painted Forest, where he had given in to his hatred.  It had nearly cost him his life.  And again, when facing Nighthawk in the Everfree Forest, he had come within a hair’s breadth of killing a pony whose only fault was that he was a pawn; merely a victim of the selfsame nemesis that stood before him now.  Sky’s passion and intensity had pushed him to the brink on several occasions.  And only by the virtue of a series of miracles had he survived the encounters with his integrity intact.
Even so, Sky thought as he stared into the eyes of Princess Luna, in my darkest moments, I can see the good that came out of them.  They are moments I am not proud of, but that is the reason I need to keep them with me.  They show me my weakness.  They let me know of my own shortcomings.  They make me aware of those ways in which I am most susceptible to failure, so that I can strengthen myself against them in the future.
He smiled, heedless of the stinging sensation it caused in his nose.  Now I know why Celestia told me what she did when I joined the Alicorn Guard.  Moving forward doesn’t mean that we leave the past behind.  It means that we move into the future on the foundation set by the past.  We don’t live by going backwards; we just build upon what’s behind us.
The voice of his unseen companion hesitated for a moment.  “Build upon what’s behind us…”
Suddenly, Sky’s brooch flared up with a piercing light.  He instantly moved to shield his eyes, which had grown accustomed to the dimness of the vault, only to find that the brooch did not remain on his hoof, or even fall to the floor, but hung in the air on its own.  The light seemed to shine right through him so that neither his eyelids nor legs would keep out the invasion of radiance.
The light dimmed mere moments later, though it did not cease altogether.  The chamber was well-lit now by a singular light source in the center of the room, casting long shadows along the floor and against the walls.  His pendant of Luna’s mark was still glowing, but it no longer hung in the air, suspended through magic.
It was now upon the uplifted hoof of Princess Luna.
The entire world suddenly shifted as the whole of reality began to revolve around the alicorn princess.  This is it, Sky thought, though it was more than that: he knew it.  It was in this moment that everything would be decided.  Luna was the key.  She had always been the key.  What would the future hold?  It had always been up to her.  And this was it.  The very thing he had foreseen a year earlier, the moment when the past would be reconciled with the future, had come at last.
Of course, Luna’s decision was not going to sit well with one of the stallions in the room.  Sky wasn’t about to let the future of Equestria collapse without a fight, and Ghost wasn’t likely to let any decision against him pass unopposed.  One last battle surely awaited.
And, as his thoughts came together, he realized the truth: he was about to die.
He was going to protect the future to his final breath.  He thought of his parents and his sister, and how they would cry and mourn together Sky’s passing.  He thought of his friends and how difficult it would be for them.  He thought of Twilight and how at their last meeting, he had refused to come in and be with her and her friends, and what he would have given right now to be able to go back and change that.  He thought of Celestia and the rest of the Alicorn Guard.  Regardless of the outcome here, would they be able to continue to protect Equestria?
And then he thought of Lily.  He hadn’t seen her in days, and he did not doubt that her own time was nearly over.  He wondered if, just maybe, beyond the end of this life, there was an existence where they could share together that which they had so little of in this life.
But as Sky refocused on Princess Luna, the most peculiar thing of all happened.  Right before his eyes, the form of the Princess of the Night seemed to transform, shrinking slightly and taking a more…youthful appearance.  Her mane and tail were shorter and kept closer to her body.  Her wings were smaller, yet still proportionate to her body, and her posture was somewhat humorously lax: it lacked the regality Sky had become accustomed to.  But nothing struck him like her eyes.  They were quite unlike what he was used to.  These eyes…they were pure.  Innocent.  They were free from the look of regret and dark memories.  They were bright and hopeful, shining like the moon whose name she bore.
And in that moment, the pieces finally fell into place.  The strange visions.  The feelings he couldn’t explain.  The mysterious voice in the back of his head.  And the uncanny connection they all seemed to have with Princess Luna.  At long last, the answer to the mystery within himself had revealed itself.
No… Sky thought, trembling in shock.  That’s…that’s beyond impossible…
“Is it?” the voice asked.  “I would think that you of all ponies would know just how perfectly possible it is.”
He had no time to contemplate the revelation.  Luna’s head rose, looking once again like the princess that he was familiar with.  Her eyes met Sky’s, and he was overwhelmed by the weight of pain they bore.  They were filled with sorrow, as if trying to offer a multitude of apologies when words would not suffice.  But beyond the grief, Sky could see a solid determination: a firm belief in what she was about to do.  There would be no dissuading her beyond this point.
And, turning her gaze back to Ghost, she spoke.
“Who I was, who I am, and who I will be,” she began in a whisper.  “I have struggled for so long to understand why I have been so different throughout my life.  I loved my sister in the beginning.”  She smiled softly, remembering those happy days, but her countenance quickly fell.  “But then, I grew jealous of her.  Jealous of her glory and the love she received from all our subjects, while I was shunned into the shadows.”
“You were right to be upset, Princess,” Ghost said as he approached, seemingly ready to seize his opportunity.
“Was I?” Luna asked, staring at the floor.  “Or was I too blind to understand that the ponies of Equestria did love me in their own way?”  She shook her head.  “I spent one thousand years feeding my anger and envy so that when I returned, I would throw down my sister and complete the task I had begun.  But to my unending surprise, that never totally happened.  Twilight and her friends freed me from my form as Nightmare Moon, and I became Princess Luna once again.  Ever since then,” she continued, “I have done my best to serve these ponies as a good leader would: with grace and humility.  But I could not help but wonder if I was truly free of my past.  Did Celestia watch me to see if I would rebel again?  Did I deserve mercy?  And so, I lived in the background, not daring to live as visibly as before.  I did not want to make my sister think that I was still trying to steal the throne.”
She shook her mane, and it sparkled in the light of the brooch she held.  “So I began to wonder: what would the future me be like?  Would she be doomed to live in the shadows of others forever, unable to live to the fullest because of others’ suspicions of her?”
Sky’s heart felt like it would shatter.  He had known about Luna’s struggle with her past, but he had no idea it had been so severe.
“But then I realized something,” she said, lifting her head and revealing a glow in her eyes.  “Here in Equestria, we place such a focus upon harmony and working together that we often overlook the fact that such a thing is only possible because we are united.  If we were all different with no single focus, wouldn’t that just be…chaos?”
“Chaos indeed,” Ghost snorted.  “I think we’ve had enough of that in recent days.”
“Then it is the same with myself,” Luna concluded.  “My past, present, and future are not three different ponies, but one.  They are me, each serving a different purpose with one singular goal: making me into who I should be.  If I try to shun my past, then I subtract a part of myself and become less of an individual.”
Sky gasped; his worst fears sprang to life as he listened.  He raised a hoof and began to shake his head violently, but Luna merely raised her own hoof in a gesture of trying to suppress Sky’s antics.  “But at the same time, if I embrace the past at the expense of who I have become, then I am no better off.  I need both my past and my present selves…as well as my future self.”
Ghost looked genuinely intrigued.  “And just who is your future self, Princess?”
“She is the me that is yet to be,” Luna replied simply.  “But in my mind, she is the promise of a better me than I was today.  She is the dream of a complete me; a me that can cast aside her worries and fears and live boldly for the greater good of all Equestria.”  She again caught Sky’s gaze, and as she did so, he could feel his worry and anxiety melt away.  “My past and present push me on towards the future, but in the here and now, I must cling to the future while carrying the lessons of the past.  I am a pony in constant motion, caught between where I was and where I am going.”
It was Ghost’s turn to look worried.  “Princess?” he asked.
She turned to him.  “Do you still not see, Ghost?  I allowed my own pride and jealousy to fester within the darkness of my heart until my thoughts were consumed with little but revenge.  I thought that my vengeance was justified.  I thought I merely sought to take back what had wrongfully been stolen from me.  But what I truly wanted was to take something that was never mine to take in the first place: the right of everypony to choose.  I was obsessed with the past, and as a result, I sought to dictate everypony’s future.”
Her eyes glistened with resolve.  “Others form opinions of you based upon how they remember you.  And after a thousand years, I have re-learned a lesson I should never have forgotten: it is better to be loved than feared.
“My past is behind me.  Nightmare Moon will fade into the dark.  I am, and always will be, Luna, Princess of the Night.”
Ghost’s mouth hung open like a door to a birdcage.  He sank to his knees, looking stunned beyond his wildest imagination.  The light from his horn extinguished like a candle in the wind.  Sky sighed in relief, but even so, he actually found himself feeling sorry for the unicorn.  His family had been planning to establish Luna as the sole ruler of Equestria for hundreds of years, and now, he had just been told by Luna herself that she would not usurp authority from Celestia.  His whole life purpose had just gone up in smoke. 
Even so, as Sky expected, he was unwilling to cede defeat.  “B-but…but Storm Emblem…he was humiliated by—”
“No, Ghost,” Sky blurted, surprised to find that his voice had returned.  Luna’s flat refusal of his offer had apparently shocked him so much that it broke his focus.  “That was a lie propagated by early members of your family to try and justify their hatred of Celestia.  Storm Emblem was allowed to live out his life in peace.  If Celestia had wanted to make an example of him, she would have.  But she didn’t.  She forgave him.  Can’t you show her the same courtesy?”
Ghost shot Sky a look of such hatred that he could have sworn it burned his skin.  “Did you just call my family a bunch of liars?”
Sky cringed.  Note to self: need to choose words more carefully.
Ghost rose to his hooves, and his magical aura suddenly changed.  It was dark and ugly, sinister and…well, there was really no other word for it than evil.  Sky’s stomach turned and he was forced to suppress a gag.  “Celestia dishonored my family, and she needs to pay for that,” he growled in a voice that no longer resembled the voice of a unicorn.  It had grown deeper and more…beastly.  “And if Princess Luna is unwilling to accept the task,” he said, casting a cruel look in Luna’s direction, “then I suppose I shall have to do it myself.”
And, as Sky and Luna watched in horror, Ghost lifted the Shards of Nightmare Moon into the air and fired a beam of magic into them.  Instantly, the fragments reacted by extending a dozen ribbons of the purest black imaginable that encased Ghost until they coalesced into a new layer of skin.  His white mane and tail grew and flapped behind him like shredded banners caught in a windstorm.  His teeth grew into rows of razor-sharp fangs.  Deep violet hoof guards covered in spikes protruded from his legs.
But more distressing than anything else, Sky’s mind filled with a thousand unwelcome memories as he stared into the pupil-less red chasms of Ghost’s eyes, glowing like twin furnaces that burned not with fire, but with pure hatred.
It was a dreadful sight, but Sky found it impossible to look away.  “By the Founders…”
“Better to be loved than feared, is it?” the monster shrieked in a piercing voice, causing Sky to cover his ears.  “Tell me: DO YOU FEAR ME?”
Sky dropped to his knees and began to cower.  He cried out in terror and pain as the voice of the Nightmare shook the entire chamber.  The ceiling began to rain down small pieces of debris, and Sky could sense little more than the awe-inspiring power of this new menace Ghost had transformed into.
“Enough!”  Sky heard the voice of Princess Luna cut through the din.  He opened his eyes and saw the Princess standing opposite the Nightmare, magic coursing along her horn aimed to the fore.  “I shall not permit another Nightmare to threaten this land!  Begone, and leave this stallion!”
But the Nightmare merely laughed; a cold, heartless chuckle that made Sky’s stomach rise into his throat.  “Ah, Princess Luna.  Come to reclaim what you once had?  We’ve certainly missed you.”
Somewhere amidst the panic of Sky’s own mind, a sense of confusion rose.  Nightmare Ghost seemed to be less Ghost and more another entity that hadn’t been present until right now.  It was as though it was simply using Ghost’s body as a vessel…just like the Chimera had done to its victims.
Luna fired a blast of magic into the heart of the monster.  “Spare me your words and leave this place!” she commanded.
But Nightmare Ghost merely smiled, his knife-like teeth flashing in contrast with the darkness of his face.  “Oh, Princess Luna, you cannot deceive yourself forever.”  He took a step forward, and Sky noticed that Luna’s blast had left no mark where it had struck.  “You surround yourself with darkness.  You willingly subject yourself to it every night when you raise the moon.  You crave it.  How would you survive without it?”
“Do not presume to understand me,” Luna growled, readying another magic attack.  “I walk the darkness to bring light to those who are lost.”
“Is that so?” Nightmare Ghost asked mockingly.  “Then I have news for you.”  He stretched out a hoof, and a dozen tendrils of darkness stretched out and attached themselves to the princess, whose scream, for a moment, broke through Sky’s terror enough for him to realize the danger of the situation.
“Princess Luna!” Sky shouted, leaping to his hooves and dashing towards her with reckless abandon.  However, one look into Ghost’s crimson eyes was enough to stop him dead in his tracks.
“This does not concern you, pegasus,” Ghost hissed.  “But do not worry: I shall deal with you soon enough.”
A feeling of total helplessness washed over him.  His legs locked up, his wings went limp, and once again, his voice vanished.  He could only stare in disbelief as the tortured form of Princess Luna began to grow dark as the streams of darkness wrapped around her.  Her form became hazy and seemed to shift between the Princess he was accustomed to, and another: a dark visage from the past he had faced once before, in the Castle of the Two Sisters.
Sky could do nothing.  Even if he had the willpower to move, Ghost was miles beyond him in power on a normal day, and with the might of Nightmare Moon, he was virtually unstoppable.  Even the agonized cries of Princess Luna were powerless to motivate him.  He had finally met his match.
His head dropped in resignation.  He stared at the floor in defeat.
And watched as his legs began to move forward.
He blinked in disbelief, and even being able to blink came as a surprise.  What the—
“Ghost!” he heard himself shout, and there was a fire in his voice that he had never heard before.  “Stop this now, or I will see to it that you never cast a magic spell again!”
You again.
The voice was unapologetic.  “I will not stand by and let this happen again, Sky Streak.  This is why I am here.  Today, I will do everything I can to prevent this disaster, even if I must forcibly use your body.”
But a familiar stubbornness grew in his thoughts, and Sky knew that wouldn’t be necessary.  What do you need me to do?
“Stand with her,” the voice said.  “Go stand beside her, so that I may also stand with her…one last time.”
He didn’t have the courage on his own.  The Chimera had been nothing compared to this.  He would have stood up to a hundred chimeras at once to protect Equestria.  But even seeing Princess Luna in mortal danger had been unable to get him to move against this foe that was, quite literally, a Nightmare.
And yet, this voice had somehow managed to touch Sky’s heart precisely where he had needed it.  It urged him on, against this enemy that scared him more than he thought possible.  Somehow, Sky knew the secret of the stowaway in his brain.
Here, in this moment, they were in perfect harmony.  Desire.  Will.  Belief.  They shared it all seamlessly.  Two beings, one body, one singular purpose.
And it was just enough to get Sky moving.
He surged forward, thrusting his hoof against Ghost’s, countering the dark threads with magic of his own.  Immediately, the darkness retreated from Princess Luna and fell back to the hoof of its caster.  Behind him, Sky heard the princess slump to the floor with an exhausted moan.
“Do you so desire to die now, Sky Streak?” Nightmare Ghost roared.  “How dare you stand between Luna and myself!  We have a score to settle!”
Sky’s leg was throbbing again, but he gritted his teeth and pushed past it.  “It’s where I’m supposed to be,” he countered.  “It’s my promise to Equestria: that I will stand between it and anything that threatens it!”
“Pah!” the Nightmare scoffed, and a burst of magic sent Sky sprawling backwards.  He managed to twist into a somersault and skid to a stop beside Princess Luna, who had risen back to her hooves but still looked woozy.  “I’ve grown tired of your pitiful attempts to oppose me.  You can’t frighten a Nightmare!”
Sky’s eyes glinted.  A whispered word ran through his head for only a moment, and he knew the time had come.  As his body began to glow, a pair of voices spoke in tandem from his mouth.
“You sure about that?”
A sudden flash of light bleached the room in a dazzling shade of white, leaving Sky blinded.  But as his senses returned, he became aware of a distinct…emptiness.  His emotions felt muted.  Deadened.  The sensation of the voice in his head residing in his thoughts was gone.  Confused, Sky, called out whispered to his thoughts.  Hey, you in here?
“You know what scares a nightmare?  The truth.”
Sky’s head snapped up in a flash.  That voice…it was the voice.  But it hadn’t been in his head.  No, he had literally heard that.  His eyes were drawn to the figure of a pony just in front of him, facing the Nightmare.  He was a bold navy color with a pale golden mane and tail.  A silver shield emblazoned with a yellow lightning bolt graced his flank as his cutie mark.  However, despite being fully visible, Sky couldn’t help but notice a peculiar trait of this pony: he was also see-through.
Impossible?  Perhaps.  But the voice had been right: if there was one pony in all of Equestria that knew just how possible the impossible was, it was Sky Streak.  He had beaten a monster.  He had survived an encounter that should have left him dead.  He had drifted across Equestria as a lonely spirit in search of his body.  And he had come back after being lost.
He had sought the truth of this pony for so long.  He had basically summoned him with all the times he had invoked his name.  So perhaps it was only fitting that when he finally found him, he was what Sky had been: a wandering spirit.
“Storm Emblem,” Sky stammered.  Across the room, he could make out the stunned face of Nightmare Ghost, looking as if he had seen a…well, an actual ghost.
“Sky Streak,” Storm Emblem returned.  “Thank you for helping me.  You are a true friend to Equestria.”
“No!” the Nightmare screamed, flailing in a panic as he struggled to back away from the apparition.  “No!  It’s an illusion!  An illusion!  You can’t be real!  You’re dead!  Dead hundreds of years!  You’re not real!”
“You’re right, I’m dead,” Storm Emblem answered coldly, taking a step towards the unicorn.  “But I’m also quite real.  I have waited a thousand years in this form, wondering why I was not permitted to have rest.  And now, I have my answer.  I am still here because even in death, I have a purpose to fulfill.”
“Storm Emblem?  What dream is this?”
The ghostly pegasus spun on the spot upon hearing his name, and Sky stared into the stern face of the pegasus who had been shrouded in mystery for so long.  However, his features went slack and his jaw dropped as his eyes beheld, on their own, the princess for whom he had sacrificed everything a thousand years ago.
“Princess…”  He took a few unsteady steps forward, and Sky found it strangely humorous that a bodiless spirit could stumble around on legs that…well, didn’t actually exist.  And in spite of the fact that Storm Emblem was no longer sharing his own feelings with him, Sky could feel the surge of emotions between the two ancient friends.  “Princess…it’s really you.  After all this time, you really did come back…”
Luna looked even more stunned than Storm Emblem did.  Her lip was quivering uncontrollably, and her eyes were glossy with tears.  This one pony, this friend—or perhaps more than just a friend—she had undoubtedly never expected to see him again or find any closure as to his fate.  And yet here, in the most unlikely of places and circumstances, here he was, standing before her.  A thousand years had passed…and it might have taken a thousand more to find all the right words to say.
“Princess Luna,” Storm Emblem repeated.  He extended a hoof and gently caressed it against her cheek.  He chuckled softly.  “I’ve waited a thousand years to see you again, and now that you’re here, I don’t know what to say.”
Luna reached her hoof up to his, only to recoil in surprise when her hoof went right through his.  She sighed sadly.  “Of course.  Only in a dream could this be possible.”
“Not a dream, Princess,” Storm Emblem replied.  “In another life, it would have been possible.  But our lives did not coincide as we would have wished.  So fate has granted me a bit of an afterlife to fulfill that wish.”
She stared wistfully into his eyes.  “I suppose that will have to do,” she said at last, smiling.
A familiar feeling washed over Sky.  As he watched the bittersweet reunion between Princess Luna and her former retainer, he again felt like a third wheel.  Yet again, he was an intruder upon a private conversation that he was never meant to see or hear.  But just as his discomfort grew to the point that he could hardly stand it, Storm Emblem turned to him.
“Sky Streak, you incredible pegasus,” he said, looking proudly at him.  “I wish I had some way to express just how thankful I am for you.  You have done what nopony else has done during the last thousand years.”
“Uh…” Sky stammered.  “Er…um…what exactly is that?”
The phantom pegasus turned his head and cast a dark glance at Nightmare Ghost, who, in spite of his frightful appearance, looked more uncomfortable than Sky felt.  “History has a way of repeating itself, Sky,” he explained.  “Today is proof.  Today nearly gave rise to Nightmare Moon, just as it did a thousand years ago.  And, just as before, my line attempted to aid her in that, to our shame.
“However,” he continued, turning again to Sky, “something else happened.  History did more than repeat itself: it gave itself a chance to be corrected.”
“Huh?”
“It was you, Sky,” Storm Emblem said.  “Just as before, a bold (and often brash) pegasus grew near to Princess Luna, offering to serve her and help her in anything she wished.  But where I failed to honor my promise by doing what I wanted instead of what was best for everypony, you put the good of others ahead of your own interests.  You did not succumb to the temptation of your own desires.  You took the high road, knowing full well that it was not the easy road.”
A quick flash of the vision from the Everfree Lily sprinted through Sky’s mind, and he shivered involuntarily.  “But, wait,” he interrupted, shaking off his unease, “I don’t get it.  How is that something that nopony has done for a thousand years?”
“Perhaps your sense of honor and integrity are nothing new, but something else was.  Certainly somepony has at some point told you that you remind them very much of myself?”
Sky glanced over at Luna, who was still staring raptly at Storm Emblem, but a soft smile spread across her face as he explained.  “History can repeat itself,” Storm Emblem said again.  “And that is why I came to you.  Because, Sky Streak, you are my repeat.”
Sky blinked in confusion.  “Say what now?”
“You are my repeat,” Storm Emblem echoed.  “A kindred spirit, if you will.  Luna’s past could not be allowed to repeat itself, but I had already failed once to prevent a tragedy, and my time had passed.  I was merely a wandering spirit, incapable of affecting the world around me.  If it was going to be avoided this time, it would need to be stopped by another.  However, my blood line was trying to cause a catastrophe, not prevent it!  I could not go to them.  So my only hope was to believe that somepony else would rise to the occasion: not a relative by blood, but a relative by spirit.”
Behind Storm Emblem, Sky saw Nightmare Ghost twitch at the mention of “bloodline,” but made little other movement.  The pegasus continued.  “And that is when you came along.  I first came to you that morning when you met with Princess Luna, before your fight with Nighthawk.  Perhaps you remember seeing the Princess a bit…differently?”
Sky nodded, still keeping a close eye on the Nightmare.  “I do.”
“I’m afraid that was my fault,” Storm admitted.  “And a lot of what you’ve seen since then has been my doing, as well.  However, when I encountered you, I was instantly drawn to you.  Even I knew that you were special.  I felt your pain of loss and turmoil in the days that followed.  I understood your struggle with your own emotions.  And did what I could to dissuade you from killing your comrade Nighthawk.”
“You.  That was you.”
“Yes,” he answered.  His eyes twinkled for a second, and Sky wondered if he also knew what he had seen after defeating Nighthawk in the Everfree Forest.  But if he did, he made no mention of it.  “But where I failed, you succeeded: you overcame your selfish desires.  I wanted to serve Princess Luna more than anything, and you wanted justice for the one you loved.  But only you managed to do the right thing.  And it was in that moment I knew that you were the pony that could end the tale of Nightmare Moon.  You see, Princess Luna said that she is a ‘pony in motion’: pressing on from her past, clinging to the hope of the future.  And if I was her past, pushing her forward, then you are her future, pulling her from the darkness into the light.”
He let his head drop, and Sky suddenly noticed that Storm appeared to have become a bit more transparent than he had been just a minute ago.  “Phantom Star talks a great deal about being my ‘heir.’  But I can see no resemblance between he and I.  No, my heir is not one who can merely trace his lineage back to me, but it is the one who honors the spirit I sought to uphold and represent: a desire to protect this land and see all its citizens dwell in perfect harmony with each other.  And I have found one who not only reflects this, but surpasses me in it.”
He lifted his head, and the smile upon his face glowed like the sun.  “Sky Streak, you are my true heir.”
“WHAT?!?!”
Nightmare Ghost’s scream was so piercing that it drowned out the sound of the explosion of magic.  A wave of jet-black flooded the chamber, casting it in darkness so complete that Sky lost sight of even the floor beneath his hooves.  For all he knew, he had been sucked into a lightless void, bereft of any features save himself and his sensations.
“You ungrateful snake!” Sky heard Ghost’s furious voice echo all around him.  “You would turn your back on your own family, who has earnestly sought to restore your good name for hundreds of years, for this pathetic fool?!”  The sound of somepony spitting reached Sky’s ears.  “Him!?  After all we’ve done?!  He is nothing!  Is this what you wanted?  To make him your ‘true heir’?”
If the Nightmare was expecting an answer, it received none.  “Then we shall end him and your line!  We shall begin our own!  One that will recognize the true makings of greatness!”
Sky wanted to run and hide.  In truth, he was scared out of his mind.  But hearing Storm Emblem name him his ‘true heir’ had made a profound impact on him.  Perhaps nothing tangible, but deep down, in his heart, he felt different.  More responsible.  Resilient.  Defiant.  And he knew he couldn’t run.
It wasn’t just that he had nowhere to run.  It was a promise he had made.  He had promised to protect Equestria.  And Ghost was certainly a threat to its well-being.  But even beyond that, Storm Emblem’s declaration had added a new layer to that promise.  It wasn’t just his own honor that was at stake; but Storm Emblem’s.  And even beyond that: Princess Luna.  Princess Celestia.  Twilight.  Lily.  They had all placed their trust in him.  He owed it to each of them to stand and prove he deserved the trust they placed in him.
It’s just another side of love and friendship, he surmised.  My friends go with me wherever I carry my love for them.  Oaths and promises are just another way to do that.  These vows bind my friends to me so that when I feel weak or scared, I remember the bond I have and the promises I’ve made, and they give me the strength to stand.
And if dying is the price I pay for keeping those promises, then so be it.  He clenched his teeth and prepared to call out into the darkness, but stopped upon hearing another voice that had beat him to it.
“My son, if it was about power, you would have my full approval,” Storm Emblem’s soft voice wafted through the darkness.  “But it isn’t about power, or might, or magic.  It’s about what’s right.  Look at yourself.  You have allowed yourself to become a monster; a nightmare to haunt the dreams of foals in their sleep.  What good is there in that?”
“What good is being right if you are too weak to defend your position?” Ghost bellowed back.  “What Equestria needs is a return to power!  We can worry about being right or wrong once we are strong again!”
Sky sighed.  “No, Ghost,” he said.  “If you compromise on the issue of right and wrong, you’ve already lost.  That’s why you can’t understand just how great Celestia’s rule has been.  She managed to build an empire based not on power, but on doing right and helping others.  And what’s more, she unified everypony together!  The division of the past is no more…except for you.  You are the only one clinging to ancient history like it’s our only option.”
“For all your power, Ghost,” Storm Emblem chimed in, “you are Equestria’s greatest weakness.”  Sky could hear the Nightmare fuming in rage, but it said nothing in response.  Storm Emblem continued.  “Nothing will destroy an empire as completely as dissent.  That is why Celestia did what she had to do…and why she forgave me.”  The sudden sound of crying broke through the darkness, and the form of Princess Luna appeared before Sky.  As he raced to her, Storm Emblem’s ethereal form became visible just in front of her; their eyes closed and their heads pressed up against each other’s.  “She saw that I still wanted what was best for Equestria in spite of my mistakes.  But Luna was too deeply changed to have been saved at that time.  But even in that, when the right time did come, she found forgiveness.”
Sky knelt beside Princess Luna and the barely-visible Storm Emblem.  As he dropped to his knees, he became powerfully aware of how exhausted he was.  His muscles just seemed to completely give up, relying on his skeletal structure to hold him up.
Storm Emblem turned to him.  “Sky Streak, promise me…promise me you’ll save him.  I couldn’t bear to have my line end like this.  Beyond today, he will need someone to guide him.  Promise me you will save him from his own darkness.”
Sky wasn’t sure what to say—wasn’t he about to die himself?  But in the end, all he could say was, “Of course I will.  I promise.”
He again pressed his head against Luna’s.  “Princess—”
“Storm Emblem,” Luna cut in.  “I’m so sorry…just look at what I’ve put you through.  I’m…”
“Princess, don’t say that,” Storm broke in again.  “Neither of us was ready for the consequences of our actions back then.  We knew that we would eventually have to say goodbye to each other.  I’m just glad that after a thousand years, I finally get that chance.”
“No!  Not after I’ve found you again!” Luna sobbed.
“Princess, I am just a spirit.  Our destinies must take us apart.  But today, I will redeem myself and fulfill my purpose by defending you from your Nightmare!”  He stood up and turned again to Sky.  “I must ask one last favor of you,” he said simply.
Sky gulped.  “What’s that?”
With a move as quick as a flash, Storm’s hoof extended right into Sky’s chest.  Instantly, Sky felt his magic began to drain out of him, while the faded form of Storm Emblem began to glow with a radiant light.  “I am the past, Sky Streak.  And the past must remain in the past.  You are the future.  Our paths deviate from here.  All I ask is that you remember me and do as you have always done: for the good of Equestria.”
Sky’s magic depletion was the last straw his body could handle, and he finally collapsed beside the weeping Princess Luna.  He fought to remain conscious, even though every ounce of his body begged him to close his eyes.  “Storm…Emblem…” he whispered.
“You dare to call me weak?!” Nightmare Ghost roared.  “Me?!  I’ll show you who’s weak!  I will crush all of you and begin a new age for Equestria with my power!”
Storm Emblem snorted.  “I think not.  Nightmare Moon belongs in the past, just like me.  And that’s where she’s going to stay!”  He spread his wings, and a golden light burst from him as he launched forward towards his foe.
The Nightmare roared, firing a barrage of magic missiles at the approaching pegasus.  But Ghost fell silent when the attack slipped right through the advancing pegasus.  “You can’t threaten me.  I’m already dead.”
He collided with the Nightmare, and a shockwave rocked the chamber.  A light brighter than the dawn filled the chamber, and as Sky’s consciousness finally faded, the last sight he saw was the dissolving form of Storm Emblem, leg raised to the heavens in a gesture of farewell…
> Chapter 26: Now and Forever
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Hospital
May 1, 1:00 P.M.

“Sky Streak, please open your eyes.”
Sky was vaguely aware of the voice speaking to him, although his body would have been just fine had he chosen to ignore it.  He hadn’t been able to sleep with any peace for almost a week, and just having his eyes closed felt like heaven.
“Sky Streak, please.  You have to wake up.”
Reluctantly, Sky spared a moment to answer the voice.  Look, just a few more minutes, alright?  I think I’ve earned it.
To his surprise, the voice did not acknowledge his statement.  Instead, a second voice broke in, and Sky was suddenly aware that it did not originate from within his head: it was speaking to him from without.  “Sky Streak, you must wake up.  Everyone needs you.”
His eyes were open in a heartbeat, but the faces that greeted him were not the one he had expected.  A tawny-maned, light grey stallion with lines under his eyes stared down at him intently.  Across from him was the worried face of Princess Luna.  
“Ah, you’re awake!” Doc Trotter exclaimed, eyes flashing with regard.  “Quickly, now.  There isn’t much time.”
“Princess Luna,” Sky croaked, blinking in the sudden light.  “Where…where’s Ghost?  What happened?  Where’s Storm Emblem?”
Luna’s face clouded, and Sky wondered what it meant.  But before he could continue, she shook her head.  “Now is not the time to worry about that, Sky Streak.  We have more pressing issues to deal with.”
But Sky wasn’t about to let the issue slide.  “I need to know what happened!  Is everypony alright?”
“You needn’t worry about your foes,” Luna advised, though Sky noticed she was careful to avoid using any names.  “They have no power any longer.”
It wasn’t the answer he had wanted, but he had come to recognize when a conversation was closed, and Luna had slammed the door shut on this one.  He slowly sat up, though every muscle in his body proved to be as unwilling to work as a royal guard at Joe’s Donut Shop during the lunch hour.  He finally managed to reach a sitting position, and he took a moment to observe his surroundings.  The sheer white walls of the hospital room were a stark contrast to the dim lighting of the Magic Vault (and the subsequent darkness of his unconsciousness).  
He looked down at himself and instantly regretted it.  Even behind his light blue fur, nasty bruises on his chest and right flank were visible.  His entire left leg was bandaged all the way down to his hoof, and he could feel a number of bandages wrapped around his wings to keep them stationary.  Sky breathed a sigh of resignation.  This sure feels familiar.
A curtain was spread beside his bed, acting as a fourth wall for his “private” room.  But the expectant gazes of Doc Trotter and Princess Luna indicated to Sky that there was something more behind the curtain.  Something important.  And it was becoming more important by the second.
Sky took a deep breath and braced himself.  “It’s alright, Doc,” he said, though his lip had begun to quiver in anticipation of what he would see.  He had fumbled and fought with it for nearly a week.  And even though he knew that a hundred thousand years wouldn’t be enough to fully prepare him for what was on the other side of that partition, he knew that if he didn’t look, he would regret it forever.  “I’m ready.”
The curtain was drawn back, and Sky beheld at last the sight he feared more than anything in the world.  No enemy, no matter how great or powerful, frightened him as much as this.  Before him, he saw the tragedy-stricken faces of four familiar ponies.  Two were his own parents, and the other two were the parents of the silent white unicorn laying in the bed before them.
Sky’s throat was already raw, and the sting of tears and the tightening of his chest did little to help.  So often, she had accused him of always having something to say…and occasionally for saying too much.  But now, he had nothing to say.  Words would never be able to accurately surmise what he felt.  Only one word would come, and it carried the same pain and heart-wrenching anguish for everypony in the room.
“Lily.”
For the first time, Sky noticed the awkward background noise in the room.  The machines that had been emitting a steady, rhythmic beep when he had been here last now seemed to be carrying a much slower beat.  The machines that had been monitoring Lily’s condition were alive with status updates, though Sky knew without looking at them that they weren’t carrying any good news.
“Sky.”
He looked up and locked gazes with his parents.  Their faces were a troubling mix of beaming pride and utter heartache—which made Sky only feel worse.  It was horrible enough to be here, watching this happen.  To then subject his family to two sets of contrasting emotions…it was a cruel fate.
He rolled over to the edge of his cot and gently placed a hoof on the ground.  Doc Trotter and Luna rushed to his side to help, but Sky held up a hoof.  “It’s alright,” he grunted.  “I can walk.”
It took him a minute, but he managed to get all four legs beneath himself (even though he could only use three of them).  He slowly walked to the edge of Lily’s bed, where the four elder ponies awaited him.
“Oh, honey…” his mother sobbed, pressing her son’s head against her own in a gentle embrace.  “Sweetie…”
“I’m alright, mom,” Sky answered softly, though he wasn’t entirely convinced it was true.  Physically, he was exhausted.  He looked like he had gotten into a fight with a thousand changelings…and, to be fair, he might have preferred that.  But physical pain was no match for the strain on his heart and emotions.  Each face in the room reflected it.  They all knew it.
“This is what you do?” Midnight Sky asked.  “You volunteered for this?  To be a pony punching bag?”
Sky shot his father a “not now” face and pulled away from his mother, who continued to stroke his cheek and chin lovingly.  He turned to Garnet Glint and Turquoise Twist, who did their best to put on brave faces, but there was no hiding the scars of torment they had been subjected to over the past week.  His face went numb.  What do you say to somepony whose child is about to die?  What do you do?  Can you even do anything?
He looked over to Doc Trotter, who was standing against the wall beside Princess Luna.  “How long?” Sky asked.
The doctor turned to Princess Luna, who merely sighed and wiped her eyes.  “I can’t say for certain…” he began.
“Doc.”  Sky could feel a small spark of magic flit through his body as he spoke.  “Let’s not do this.  Be honest with me.”
The stallion flinched for a moment, letting his head drop.  “Fifteen minutes, perhaps.  Maybe half an hour at the most.  Her body is shutting down as we speak.”  He lifted his head just enough to let Sky see his eyes beneath his eyebrows.  “I am truly sorry.”
Fifteen minutes.  Fifteen minutes to say goodbye to a pony that I should have spent the rest of my life with.  He looked to Lily’s parents apologetically, but they merely shook their heads in response.
“The doctor already told us,” Garnet Glint explained in a raspy voice.  “We’ve said our goodbyes.  These last minutes are yours.”
Sky’s jaw dropped.  He was dumbfounded.  “But…but…”
“We’ll be right here,” Turquoise Twist managed between sobs.  “But if there’s one pony in Equestria that deserves to be able to have the last goodbye, it’s you, Sky Streak.”
He was stunned.  She was their daughter.  And even so, they were willing to let him—a pony that had only been with her for a little over a year—take the last few moments of her life to make peace and say his final farewells.  It wasn’t fair…but it was gracious.  And courtesy demanded that he comply.
He made his way to the bedside.  She was beautiful.  A beautiful as he had ever seen her.  White as the snow upon the ground in Polarmino where he had first met her.  Her mane was as green as the brightest emerald, and he knew that behind her eyelids, her irises were a perfect match for that same, vibrant green hue.
He reached up and stroked her mane softly, and he heard both of the mothers in the room begin to cry again.  His heart felt like it was trying to claw its way out of his chest.  He sniffed as his nose began to run, and a quick sting of pain reminded him that he had broken it in the battle.
It’s just one of many broken things in here right now.
He fumbled for words, wondering what to say.  But each second gone was one second less to say something, so he finally began with the only word that would come to mind.  “Lily…”
And in that moment, he saw again the fateful appearance of the Everfree Lily after his battle with Nighthawk.  It had confronted him with his own anger and rage, forcing him to choose to give in to his own darkness or to accept the pain of his circumstances and take to heart the lessons of his friends.  And here again, he could feel the bitterness roiling in his heart; a dark seed of anger that refused to die.  But as he stared into the face of his beloved Lily, Sky knew that the anger had no hold on him any longer.
“Hey,” he said, pulling himself onto two hooves.  “This really isn’t fair, y’know?  I mean, I thought I was supposed to be the one who took too long to wake up.”  He snorted, trying to force himself to laugh.  “But I guess life isn’t fair.  I was the one that was supposed to be in danger.  I was supposed to be the one that would keep you and everypony else safe.  But I couldn’t…and now I’ll remember that I couldn’t forever.”
A loud sob came from the direction of Feather Wisp.  Sky gingerly wiped his nose and continued.  “And I’m really sorry, Lily.  You had to pay for my failure.  That’s not how it’s supposed to be.  But I know…I know that you don’t want me to beat myself up over that.  And I can’t promise that I won’t from time to time.  But you helped teach me that I can’t live in the failures and mistakes of my past.”  He reached over and clasped her hoof between both of his.  “So I’ll keep going.  I’m going into the future.  I wish you could come with me, but…I guess this is the way it has to be.  But I promise that I’ll carry you with me every step of the way.  I will never forget you.  You mean too much to me.”
A soft pattering came to Sky’s ears.  Looking down, he saw the dots of his tears upon the blanket.  “And I’m not supposed to, but I’m going to tell you a secret.”  He cast a quick glance at Princess Luna, who appeared too lost in her own thoughts to notice.  “You were right.  I was on a secret team protecting Equestria from all kinds of danger.  And we don’t have the time for me to explain everything, but they were all like me, Lily: they could all use magic.  Earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns, all of us.  I would have loved for you to meet them.  They all knew about you.  They counted you as a friend, even though they didn’t actually know you.  And they all mourned when they found out about…well, this.  I know it doesn’t mean much now, but…you deserved to know.  I can’t keep any secrets now.  You deserve to hear it all.”
He looked over yet again to Doc Trotter, who did little but stare back.  He pulled Lily’s hoof to his face, where he kissed it.  “I know you know this, but I can’t help but think that I haven’t said it enough,” Sky said, tears running in earnest.  He coughed, fighting to maintain some sense of composure.  “I love you, Lily.  We may part ways now, but that will never change.  I love you.  Now and forever.”
“How much do you love her?”
The arrival of a new voice caused everypony to jump and turn to the door, where a figure in a cloak and hood stood in the doorway.  A cloth mask covered the pony’s mouth and nose under the hood, but around the eyes, Sky could see a distinct yellow fur and a few wisps of the pony’s teal mane.  A unicorn’s horn poking into the top of the hood only confirmed his suspicions as a long-abandoned emotion dared to trickle into Sky’s wounded heart: hope.
He caught the unicorn’s gaze and held it, trying to beg with his eyes for help in the hour of his greatest despair.  And if there was one pony that could help, it was this one unicorn mare from the Alicorn Guard.
Keeper.
“What would you do,” she asked, her voice raspy and coarse, making it difficult for those who did not know her to determine her gender, and subsequently, her identity, “to save the life of this one?  This one that you love more than your own self?”
“Anything,” Sky said without hesitation, throwing every ounce of conviction he had into each word.  “Without a second thought.  I would gladly have given my life to save her from what happened.  And I would give it just as willingly to save her now.”
Sky saw the wrinkles appear in the corners of Keeper’s eyes that told him she was smiling.  “I do not doubt that,” she answered.
“Who are you?” Turquoise Twist asked, clinging to her husband.
“It is best that my name go unsaid,” she replied, striding into the room.
“Then why are you here?” Feather Wisp asked.  Sky watched his parents when he realized that his father had that “oh-I-get-it” look on his face.  Sky had seen it all too often growing up.  If there was one thing his dad was, it was perceptive.  He caught on fast, and even now, Sky realized that his dad had somehow put the pieces together yet again.
“He’s part of that organization Sky was mentioning,” he answered for Keeper.  “You’re here to give your condolences, perhaps…or is it more than that?”
“It’s she, actually,” Keeper corrected, coming to a stop at the foot of Lily’s bed.  If she had been alarmed at hearing that Sky had spoken openly of the Alicorn Guard, she didn’t show it.  “And I will pay my respects to Lily if it comes to that…but it is my intent to ensure that it does not.”
“What?” Lily’s parents exclaimed in unison.
Keeper looked to Sky.  She rose up on her rear hooves and extended her two other legs.  “May I?”
“Of course,” he answered, watching with nervous anxiety.  Keeper was a phenomenal healer, but…some things were beyond her.  Nopony was all-powerful.  But if anypony could save Lily, it was Keeper.
She set her hooves on Lily’s legs beneath the blanket, and a gentle glow rose from Lily’s body.  But after a moment, Keeper winced, groaned, and removed her hooves.  Taking a second to recover, she sighed.  “Her injuries are more extensive than I feared.  This is beyond me, I am afraid.”
For a few fleeting moments, hope had lived.  But it had vanished so quickly that it was as though it had never even been there at all.  Every face in the room had fallen at Keeper’s words.  “So, that’s it?” Sky asked quietly.
But Keeper eyes glinted as she stared back at him.  “Did I say it was?”
“Um…no?”
“Sky,” Keeper began, and he was keenly aware of how odd it sounded for her to call him by his true name rather than what he went by within the Alicorn Guard.  “Do you recall hearing about the spell I was working on over the last few months?”
Sky’s brain was barely able to cope with the present, much less events that happened weeks ago.  Yet somehow, a flickering memory arose in his mind.  “Well…maybe.  I seem to remember you saying something about a spell that used more magic power than you could summon on your own.”
Keeper nodded.  “That’s the one.”
“What good is a magic spell going to do?” Garnet Glint demanded suddenly.  “If an entire hospital can’t heal our daughter, then what is one unicorn going to do?  No offense intended.”
“None taken,” Keeper replied, “but you have obviously never witnessed my magic.  I could reduce this hospital’s current load by half, but alas, while I rely upon a limited supply of magic, the hospital does not require such a power source.  So it heals as it always has.  I do so only when I am needed.”
“I see,” Garnet Glint replied.  Sky couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.  He had asked an honest question, and while Keeper hadn’t intended to come across harshly, her habit of answering in such a blunt manner often made her seem cold and unfeeling.
“But as I was saying, I do not possess the magic necessary to perform a spell of that magnitude,” she began again.  “However, I believe there may be a way to gather all the magic I need.”
“What is it?” Turquoise Twist blurted.  She was apparently sick of being kept in the dark while her daughter’s life hung in the balance.
“I may be able to use the magic present within your own bodies and add it to my own, which may be enough to power this spell,” Keeper explained.  “However, there is no way to be certain that it will be sufficient.  I only know how to cast the spell, not how much magic it will take for it to work.”
“What about us?” Sky heard his father ask, his wing draped across his wife’s back.  “We’re not like our son; we’re just two typical pegasi.  No magic to speak of.”
Keeper regarded them from under the hood of her cloak.  “Do you care for Lily?  Do you love her like the other ponies here?”
“Yes, of course,” Feather Wisp answered.  “She is as much a part of our family as Sky is, in our eyes.”
Keeper extended a hoof to the two pegasi.  “Then relay that to me.  Let me feel your emotions and love for her.  In many ways, magic is a manifest expression of emotion.  And if I can feel what you feel, it may empower the spell even more.”
“You also have something else to consider,” said another voice from across the room.  Sky turned to find Princess Luna approaching, her face expressionless save for the grave flame flickering in her eyes.  “You said yourself you have never cast this spell before.  If you succeed in casting it now, do you know what will happen?  This is all conjecture.  You have no solid proof that this spell will do what we hope it will.  We are basing everything on blind faith that this will work.”
“You’re right,” Sky answered.  “But at this stage, Princess, what do we have to lose?  Everyone here loves Lily too much to give up on her now.  I love her, and that love compels me to believe, no matter what.”  He turned back to the bed and looked into the still face of his precious Lily.  On either side, he was flanked by her parents, who each placed a hoof onto his shoulders.  “And that goes for all of us.”
“Bravely spoken,” Luna replied as she arrived on Keeper’s right side.  “But even more than that, I can see that you truly believe it, too.”  She paused for a moment, beaming at him.  “Well done, Sky Streak.”
She reached out and took Keeper’s hoof between her own.  “My memories of Lily may be few by comparison to all of you, but I have heard and seen enough to understand just how special she is.  And as a citizen of Equestria, she deserves my love and respect.  So what I have, I offer.”
“Princess Luna…” Turquoise Twist said in a blubbering voice as she began to cry again.
“We’re behind you, Princess,” Midnight Sky said as he and Feather Wisp placed their hooves upon her back.  “We’re all together in this.”
“We certainly are!” Doc Trotter exclaimed, his head popping up from behind Keeper.  “I must say, while I am not acquainted with this young mare, hearing you speak about her has stirred me up!  I feel as though I honestly care for her, even though I have virtually no connection to her!  And I’m quite eager to see a miracle today!”
“Me, too,” Sky agreed.  He linked legs with the teal unicorn before him.  “Well?”
“Ready,” she answered.  Her eyes closed, and everypony followed suit.  When she spoke again, her voice seemed to echo, as though it had taken on a certain ethereal quality.  “Think about Lily.  Think about how much you love her and why you love her.  Then share that with me.  And most importantly…believe.”
Sky’s mind instantly filled with a thousand memories that he had shared with Lily over the past year, each one just as special and precious as the last.  Their journey to the windigoes and their date in Polarmino.  Seeing her when he awoke from his coma in the palace.  Standing together against the Chimera outside Foalumbus and the Summer Sun Celebration.  Their countless dates.  And even the short and simple moments they spent together.  He cherished them all.
How do I put into words what she means to me? Sky thought to himself.  She…she’s everything to me.  She is the fuel that powers me to do what I do.  She’s the purest example of what I strive to make Equestria into.  I can’t envision a future without her in it.  She’s more than just a friend, or even as close as family: she’s become a part of me.
Around him, Sky could feel the magic pressure building in the room as Keeper’s spell took form.  A warm light pressed against his eyelids.  Our lives are connected.  Mingled together.  But even more than that, her life is connected to so many others.  And if she were no longer here, part of all of us would be torn away, leaving us with just memories of her for the rest of our existence, and scars to remember the wounds we took when we lost her.
His body tingled as his magic sprung to life.  So whatever it takes, whatever it costs me, if there is a way to save her, I will give it.  Because she means more to me than anything else I could ask for.
And, as he basked in the comfort of his memories, new images passed before him.  Visions of a much younger Lily: a tiny foal, cradled by her smiling mother.  A young filly, playing out in the grass, rolling in the dirt and wrestling with her father.  A teenager, finally taking the steps into becoming the mare that Sky would one day meet and fall in love with.  What is this?
A trembling upon his shoulders revealed the answer.  He reached up and placed his bandaged hoof upon the outstretched legs of Turquoise Twist and Garnet Glint, who were once again shaking as they wept.  Their memories, he surmised.  These are their memories of Lily.  They’re sharing them with Keeper, and I’m seeing them, too.
Suddenly, his heart steeled with resolve and his magic flared up unexpectedly.  He opened one eye and stared at the unicorn in the bed.  A soft light shone upon her, and the only word Sky could think of to describe her was “angelic.”  Lily, you believed in me and stood by my side until I woke up before, and I’m not leaving this room until you open your eyes!  Do you hear me?  Are you listening?  His eye slammed shut as he forced the tears in his eyes to take form within his thoughts and feelings.  Don’t leave me alone!  I love you!  I need you!
And, for the first time, amidst the turmoil of his own thoughts, he heard a quiet whisper, speaking in the long-abandoned tongue of the alicorns.  It lasted only a second more before falling silent.  Then, a dazzling light filled the room, blinding Sky even behind the cover of his eyelids.  He heard several cries and grunts of surprise as the light grew brighter and brighter.  It seemed that it would never end.
And then it did.
Sky opened his eyes to the same room, and his gaze immediately fell upon Lily.  “Was that supposed to happen?” Midnight Sky asked, rubbing his eyes.
“You ask that as if I have witnessed it before,” Keeper commented, adjusting her hood.
“Regardless of whether it was supposed to happen or not, we can be sure that something did happen,” Princess Luna replied.  “Let us hope that it did what we hoped it would.”
Garnet Glint and Turquoise Twist advanced to the head of the bed, leaning in close.  “Lily?” Turquoise asked softly.  “Sweetheart, it’s us.  Mom and Dad.  Can you hear us?”
No response.
Sky held his breath.  It just had to have worked.  Why would it have been allowed to happen unless it was going to work?
And, in the midst of the silence, Sky noticed something.  The heart monitor that had been beeping so slowly just a minute earlier seemed to have picked up its pace.  Several other sensors seemed much more active, as well.  He stared at them for a moment, then looked at Lily.
I believe.
And, as if in response to Sky’s one last mental push, she coughed.
Doc Trotter was there in a flash, quickly working to remove the ventilator tubes from her mouth.  “I can’t believe it,” he repeated as he worked.
Lily’s mom had fallen to her knees at the sound of the cough, and her head rolled limply from side to side.  Midnight Sky rushed past Sky to help Garnet Glint hold her steady.  “Easy, now,” Midnight said.  “Just breathe.”
Finally, Doc successfully removed the ventilator tubes and stood back in observation.  He gave Garnet Glint a nudge.  “Call to her again,” he urged.
“Lily?  Honey?  It’s…it’s Dad.  Mom’s here, too.  Can you hear us?”
Sky thought he heard a soft sigh, like a kitten’s mewing, though it could have just been his over-hopeful imagination at work.  But in the next moment, there was no doubt.
A pair of bright green eyes peered out from the narrow slits between her eyelids, and a pair of whispered words were spoken: “Mom?  Dad?”
Sky fell back onto his haunches.  Midnight Sky whooped softly, grabbed his wife and twirled her around, laughing the entire time.  Garnet Glint stepped forward to the bed, gently caressing his daughter’s mane, while Turquoise Twist brought her hooves to her mouth in shock.  Doc Trotter smiled from ear to ear.  “Well, I’ll be,” he muttered.  “Miracles do happen, don’t they?”
“They certainly do,” Princess Luna answered.  “Every day.  Today has seen more miracles than most, in fact.  Though none pleases me more than this one.”
Sky looked back at the Princess in curiosity.  I wonder what she meant by that…
And that was when he noticed: Keeper was gone.
He staggered to his hooves.  “Hey, where’d…where’d she go?” he asked.
“Who?” Doc Trotter asked.
“That mare…the one with the healing spell,” Sky answered, wary of saying her name aloud.
“Oh, I…er…hm.  Where did she go?” the doctor asked, looking as confused as Sky.
“She stepped out,” Princess Luna answered, backing away from the bed ever-so-slightly.
Well, why’d she do that?  He turned towards the doorway.  “Excuse me just a moment,” he said.
“But Sky!” his mother called.  “What about—”
“I’ll be right back,” Sky interrupted.  “You guys aren’t going anywhere, are you?”
Feather Wisp looked like she was ready to give a response, but her husband beat her to it.  “Of course not,” he said with a wink.  “But make it quick.”
Sky limped into the hallway and spotted a cloaked pony about halfway down the hall.  “Hey!” he called out.
Keeper paused, turning her head to acknowledge Sky’s voice.  She patiently waited as Sky staggered down the hall to her.  “Where are you going?” he demanded.  “You just saved her life, and now you’re just going to leave?  You should be in there with us!”
“Now is not the time, Blitz,” Keeper said softly.  “And it was not I who saved her life.  I already told you that I did not possess the magic power to cast that spell.  That came from you.  From all of you.”
“But you were the one with the spell!” Sky countered.  “It was all of us.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right about that.  However,” Keeper continued, “I saw the memories and cherished moments you all shared.  The love that you feel for Lily is truly astounding.  It made a miracle happen, just as the love between Princess Cadance and Shining Armor created another miracle not so long ago.  My point is, I do not share those memories.  They are yours.  I was merely able to use them to help save her life.  I would be out of place in that room right now.”
“Perhaps you don’t have any memories like ours,” Sky conceded.  “But you could always make some.  Starting now, even.”
Even behind the cover of her mask, Sky could see a smile.  “Perhaps at a later time, Blitz.  Right now, this time belongs to you.  I believe they are probably expecting you as we speak.”
He looked back over his shoulder towards Lily’s room.  “Yeah,” he mumbled as he turned back to Keeper.
“Then go,” she admonished.  Then, with her eyes lighting in another smile, she added, “I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time to get introduced in the days to come.”
“I’m sure you will.”  He turned again and began back down the hallway, but before he took even three steps, he stopped.  “Oh, by the way…”
“Yes?”
“Thanks, Keeper.”
“You’re most welcome, Blitz.  It was my distinct privilege and pleasure to help.”  With that, she walked down the remainder of the hallway, turned the corner, and was gone.
She and Lily would get along fine, I’d wager, Sky mused.  Lily would be fascinated by Keeper’s magic prowess, and Keeper could learn some tact and grace from Lily.  
He proceeded back down the hallway, feeling as high on joy as he had been in months.  And why shouldn’t he?  Not three hours ago, he was prepared to die—to give his life in defense of his country.  The love of his life had been in a coma and was within hours of her own demise.  A horrifying monster had been threatening to cast the entire future into an unending darkness, dragging Princess Luna back into the shadows of her past.  And yet, by no small miracle (or series of miracles), every crisis had been averted, everypony had survived, and the future looked brighter than ever.  They had won.
But at what cost?
He had no word on Ghost, though Luna had told him that he had no power any longer…whatever that meant.  Storm Emblem had vanished completely.  The Alicorn Guard had been exposed, thanks in no small part to Sky’s own actions.  The future may have been bright, but many things were still uncertain.
But those were thoughts for another day.  Right now, it was a time to celebrate and rest in victory.
As he entered the door into Lily’s room, he found every eye focused squarely upon him.  His parents were beaming at him, Lily’s parents were holding each other and smiling amidst their tears, Princess Luna bowed her head in acknowledgement (though she couldn’t hide her own smile), Doc Trotter was stamping in a solo applause…
But none of that mattered.  There, still lying in her bed, but awake at last, Lily’s bright green eyes met his, and Sky’s heart stopped.  He thought he would never see those blessed emerald irises ever again.  And yet, there they were, glistening in the light of the afternoon sun.  He could see the tears welling in the corners of her eyes, and he knew that whatever tears he had left would probably start flowing as well if he didn’t say something.
“Hey,” he managed.  “Nice to see you came back.”
She lowered her eyelids slightly, and Sky’s knees went weak.  “Sorry about that,” she said.  “I guess I just have a thing for dramatic entrances.”  The very sound of her voice made his insides turn to mush.  He could feel the blushing in his cheeks, and the widening smiles of the ponies in the room told him that there was no hiding it, either.  He shrugged and walked to the bedside.
“Let’s face it,” he said, flashing his trademark smug grin, “you wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
> Chapter 27: Long Live Forgiveness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alicorn Guard HQ
May 8, 2:58 P.M.

He didn’t know what to feel.
The past week had been a whirlwind of emotion and information to Sky.  He had first gotten his headache shortly after Lily woke up, and it had persisted nearly the remainder of the week.  Even now, his head felt as though it was just one rapid heartbeat from a migraine.
Princess Celestia had rushed back to Canterlot upon learning of the events that had transpired.  It was only then that Luna divulged the full account of what had transpired.  After Storm Emblem had attacked Nightmare Ghost, he vanished without a trace.  The Nightmare withdrew from Ghost’s body and retreated back into Nightmare Moon’s broken armor.  Ghost had survived, but it was discovered that in the mayhem of the Nightmare’s defeat, his horn had somehow been broken, and he had completely lost his ability to use magic of any kind.
The remaining members of the Alicorn Guard that had remained under Ghost’s control had been released upon Ghost’s defeat.  None of them remembered any of what had happened, which supported Nighthawk’s account following his battle with Sky.
Discord, as it turned out, actually hadn’t betrayed them as Sky had suspected.  Princess Luna had been quietly resting within a hidden chamber where it would have taken Nova hours or even longer to find her.  So, Discord (being the lord of chaos) stepped in and notified Luna of an emergency within the Vault of Magic Artifacts, though he withheld any details for unknown reasons.  Sky believed he was probably trying to cover his own hide by not committing his allegiance to one side or the other, but his assistance had nonetheless proven invaluable in the defense of Equestria, and for that, he was grateful.
A final bit of comparing notes and detective work had revealed the more mysterious workings of Ghost’s plot.  While Ace, Scope, and Sky were dealing with the Diamond Dogs, Ghost sent Trucker, Razor, and Riptide on a supposed mission to the Macintosh Hills.  However, the truth was that, through his mind manipulation, he sent them north to the Crystal Empire.  There, they were to stage an attempt to steal the Crystal Heart with one major detail: their goal was not to steal it, but simply to make it appear as though somepony had tried to do so.  Ghost had no desire or need to take the Crystal Heart, but he needed something to draw Celestia away from Canterlot.  So, he made it appear as though a theft had been attempted without actually stealing anything.  Then, when Celestia’s edict came for the Guard to mobilize, he simply recalled them back to Canterlot, and nopony suspected a thing.
It had been a masterful plan.  It had not been without its risks and gambles, but as each one paid off, they demonstrated just how cunning Ghost had been in his designs.  
And yet, in spite of all his talent and brilliance, he still fell just short of accomplishing his goal.  And his failure had cost him everything: his position, his pride, and even his magic.  He was utterly beaten.
And so it was that Ghost stood before the ranks of the Alicorn Guard and the two Princesses of Canterlot, looking dejected and bereft of all dignity.  One the one hoof, he had been a monster that had caused near-insurmountable pain on numerous levels to not only Sky, but every member of the Alicorn Guard and the leadership of Equestria.  But at the same time, he was also a beaten foe.  Humbled and stripped of all power he once possessed.
So exactly what am I supposed to be feeling?  Anger?  Pity?  Both?  Neither?
Sky sat near the center of a semi-circle gathered around the violet unicorn.  All around him, he could see the mixture of emotions upon every face.  Bitterness.  Betrayal.  Compassion.  Satisfaction.  Judgment.
To Sky’s right, Celestia stood and cleared her throat.  “Phantom Star,” Celestia said, sitting on Sky’s right, her face stern, “you have turned your magic against your own and plotted against the crown of Equestria.  You have used your fellow guardsponies to further your own ends, unlawful as they were, and have even mastered many forbidden magics without approval.  Do you have anything to say to these charges?”
Ghost’s face was neutral, but beyond the jagged tip of his broken horn, Sky could see a bitter disgust smoldering in his eyes.  Celestia had been the object of his hatred his entire life because of her alleged mistreatment of Storm Emblem.  So it had to have been even more infuriating for him to face her, not as the victor he had expected, but as the defeated one.
A complete silence and a disdainful glare were all the answer that Celestia received to her question.  “You are held as a traitor to Equestria of the highest order,” she reiterated.  “Do you understand this?”
Again, she received no response.  “Very well,” she sighed.  “For crimes of this magnitude, the punishment is exile beyond the borders of Equestria, never to return unless granted pardon at a future time.  Do any others gathered here have anything to say before this judgment is passed?”
A chill ran down Sky’s spine.  He cast a quick look past Celestia to where Luna sat with her eyes cast to the stone floor.  She looked equal parts hurt and ashamed by the entire scene before her.  And even beyond that, Sky could read the truth written in her eyes: one thousand years ago, this would have been her sentencing.  She must have thought that she had no right to say anything now.
I know better, Sky thought sadly.  If anypony should say something, it’s her.
Across the room, the faces of the Alicorn Guard silently covered the entire spectrum of emotions.  Trucker’s face was solemn, displaying little of his emotions.  Nova was visibly upset, and beside her, Rimshot did his best to console her.  Sprocket and Juggles looked on with unsettled eyes.  Boulder appeared more uncomfortable than most, shuffling and twitching in his seat.  Ace, who showed no ill effects from his battle with Boulder, was one step short of positively furious, while Scope merely sat with his eyes closed.  And then there was Nighthawk, and Sky could see the mental battle he was fighting with his own thirst for justice and his determination to resist the desire for revenge.  If anyone could understand that, it was Sky.
And still no one spoke.
What’s there to say? one part of him seemed to say.  He’s getting what he deserves, isn’t he?
But as if in response, a voice that had become familiar to him rose like an echo from the depths of his memories…
“Sky Streak…promise me you’ll save him.  I couldn’t bear to have my line end like this.  Beyond today, he will need someone to guide him.  Promise me you will save him from his own darkness.”
I did make that promise, didn’t I?  Was this what Storm Emblem meant…?
“So be it.  Phantom Star,” Celestia resumed, her voice clear and powerful, “you are hereby sentenced to—”
“Wait, Princess,” Sky interrupted, rising to his hooves.  Instantly, every eye turned towards him in shock.  “I’m sorry I waited so long, but I would like to say something.”
Celestia looked half-expectant, but it was not her face that Sky had chosen to focus on.  No, it was the stunned look on the face of Princess Luna that he clung to.  “As I recall, a rebellion like this was attempted once before in the history of Equestria.  One that led to much heartache and pain for thousands.  And the repercussions of the decisions regarding that rebellion have reached far within this land.  Into hearts.  Across hundreds of years.  And they have reached us here.”
He gazed up into the face of the one they had called Ghost for years.  “Bitterness was one of the many evils that rose from that day.  And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this, it’s that bitterness is a tough root to kill.”  He caught the eyes of Nighthawk for a moment before the crimson-maned pegasus averted his eyes.  “And I think it falls to us to stop it before it can grow any further.”
“And how do you propose we do that?” Celestia asked.
“This is Equestria,” Sky said, feeling a sense of inspiration grow in his chest.  “Self-proclaimed home of harmony.  But not too long ago, a very wise pony reminded me that we can only be a nation of harmony when we are also a nation of unity.”
Princess Luna’s head whipped straight up with such speed, Sky almost thought it would fly off her shoulders.  She looked at him in surprise, but said nothing.  “And like it or not,” Sky continued, “every one of us in here is a citizen of Equestria.”  He scanned the faces of the room and got the distinct impression that not everypony entirely agreed with him.  “We of the Alicorn Guard swore to protect Equestria and serve its citizens as best we could.  I don’t remember a provision stating that we were exempted from that vow under certain conditions.”
“There’s no need for sarcasm, Blitz,” Razor admonished.
“I’m not trying to be sarcastic,” Sky replied.  “I just want to be clear.  We.  Help.  Everypony.”
Celestia’s eyes narrowed, and Sky could almost literally see the smoke pouring from Ace’s ears.  “Listen.  The only difference between Ghost and myself is how we were brought up.  What we were taught and what we learned.  Were our places switched at birth, I’d be the one on trial here.”  He looked at Ghost, and was surprised to see the unicorn’s emotionless eyes staring right through him.
“I don’t know about that…” Sprocket began.
“Well, I do,” Sky stopped him before he could go any further.  “Our service extends to all the ponies within Equestria.  And I can’t think of anything more disloyal or dishonorable than to see one who was named among us in need and not offer him our help.”
“He deserves his sentence!” Ace blurted angrily, jumping to his hooves.  “He earned it!  What possible reason could we have for wanting to help somepony who betrayed us all?!”
“I can’t blame you for not wanting to,” Sky conceded.  “But we promised, Ace.”  He paused.  “And some of us promised more than others.”
He took a deep breath and stepped into the midst of the half-ring of onlookers.  “Ghost,” Sky said, and the unicorn’s eyes locked onto him.
“Do you pity me, Blitz?” Ghost muttered.  His eyes darted around the room for a moment, taking in the faces of his accusers.  “Do you feel sorry for me?”
Sky narrowed his eyes, hoping to convey a sense of stoicism with his words.  “Yes.  I guess I do.”
“Then you’re wasting your time and energy with that,” Ghost retorted, his nostrils flaring with each word.  “I don’t want your pity, nor do I need it.  Save your compassion for the weak.  I have no use for it.”
“See?  Take it straight from his mouth!” Ace shouted.  “He said it himse—”
But without looking, Sky quickly raised a hoof in Ace’s direction, silencing him with the gesture.  He returned Ghost’s cold stare, but somewhere around the edges of Sky’s face, lines of care were laced with sympathy.  “You may not care for pity or compassion, and I honestly didn’t expect you to.  But beyond that, there’s something that you still need, whether you want it or not.”
“And that is?”
Sky took another step forward so that only a few inches separated his face from Ghost’s.  “Equestria cannot be united until rifts between us are filled and the walls that divide us are torn down.  Maybe that’s not much of a reason,” Sky continued, noting Ghost’s exasperated expression, “but it’s a gesture of goodwill that I offer to you.  Your family did wrong to you, and you only passed on that wrong thinking it was right.  And I want to do my part to make sure that the wrong never haunts you again.”
He closed his eyes, took another deep breath, then released it through his nose.  The next thing he was going to say might have been the hardest thing he had ever done.  But in his heart, he knew that he had no other option.  It was the right thing to do.
He reached out and laid his bandaged leg on Ghost’s shoulder.  The unicorn regarded it for a second curiously, then looked again into Sky’s face with a look of distinct confusion.  “Ghost,” Sky said, opening his eyes, “I forgive you.”
All around him, Sky heard a crowd of voices all gasp in unison.  Even Ghost, who had shown next to no emotion up to this point, couldn’t hide his surprise.  “I want to help you,” Sky continued, “in any way I can.”
But Ghost’s surprise evaporated within seconds, replaced with a heartless chuckle.  “Blitz, I can’t tell if you’re really that naïve, or if you just have a terrible memory.  But have it your way.  Forgive me if you want.  You won, after all,” he added with a sneer.
“Enough, Phantom Star,” Celestia commanded.  “Blitz,” Sky heard her say, and he turned to face the monarch, “what would you have me do?  You cannot deny that he has done many terrible deeds, all deserving of a severe punishment.  If you do not believe that exile is a proper sentence, then what do you think is?”
Sky shuddered on the inside.  Whenever he heard Celestia speak so formally, he couldn’t help but envision her as the mighty warlord of old, along with all her glory, splendor…and terror.  He swallowed, attempting to ease his nerves.  “Princess, if I may be so bold, was it not another exile that was the cause of all this in the first place?”
Celestia and Luna exchanged surprised glances, but quickly looked away as an uncomfortable silence fell.  “Perhaps so,” Celestia answered, in a more subdued tone, “but you still have not answered my question.  What should we do instead?”
“I’ve been to his home in Vanhoover,” Sky answered.  “Why not let him return there, just as his ancestor was permitted to do?”
“His ancestor had done nothing near as heinous as Ghost has done,” Cubic replied.  “Not to mention that we know of countless tomes and volumes of forbidden magic contained within the walls of that home.  I do not think we can afford to trust such devices to one so untrustworthy.”
“I’m not saying we let him go back scot-free,” Sky countered.  “By all means, those books should be confiscated and sealed away.  They’re dangerous…I don’t need to read them to know that.  Being around them was unsettling enough.”  He shuddered for a moment, remembering the dark sensations of Ghost’s home.  “But he already has somewhere he can call home.  We can watch him; post a guard to make sure he behaves himself, whatever you like.  But I’m sick of seeing the repercussions of the mistakes of one thousand years ago.  Storm Emblem was pardoned and forgiven.  So was Princess Luna.  And I’m going to see to it that after Ghost, nopony needs to be forgiven because of that fateful night.”
“That is easier said than done, Blitz,” Celestia admonished.
Don’t I know it, he thought.  “I’ve learned that most things worth doing are that way, Princess.”
“I must agree with him, sister,” Luna said suddenly.  She looked somehow…different than Sky seemed to recall having seen her over the past few months.  It was not the innocent look of the Luna that Storm Emblem had known, but it was not the troubled Princess of the Night that Sky had spoken with numerous times over the past two years.  It was a new Luna; one that had moved beyond both innocence and pain and found a new identity: one of peace.  “The seeds of hatred have been allowed to grow for too long.  I suggest we plant anew: let us sow the seeds of mercy and forgiveness, and be done with hatred among our subjects once and for all.”
Celestia seemed to smile to herself.  “When you put it like that…”
She looked down at Ghost, whose disinterested visage had persisted in the midst of all the debate concerning his fate.  “So it is decreed.  Phantom Star, your deeds here will not be forgotten, but neither shall you be held accountable for them at this time.  You shall return to your ancestral home in Vanhoover, where you shall either prove that these ponies’ willingness to forgive you was well-founded,” gesturing to her sister and Sky, “or that you are beyond redemption.  Should it be the latter, I need not tell you that judgment shall come swiftly.  Do you understand this?”
“The decree, yes,” Ghost said, though his voice lacked the disdain of his previous responses.  “Though I can’t say I understand the reasoning behind it.”
“That’s exactly the reasoning behind it,” Sky answered.  “Because we want to make sure that everypony understands what it’s like to be loved as a friend and be a friend in return.”
A shadow passed over Ghost’s face.  “Hmph,” he said, spinning and walking towards the exit, where two royal guards awaited.
But Sky wasn’t about to let him go so easily.  He reached out and wrapped his leg around Ghost’s and spun him back around until they were again staring each other in the face.  “Listen, I know you probably think this is all about shaming the defeated enemy, just like you think that’s how it was for Storm Emblem,” he said in a voice low enough so that only the two of them could hear.  “But I’m trying to do this because of Storm Emblem.  Because he asked me to save you.  And that’s what I want.  It’s what both Luna and I want.”
“And how does that help, Blitz?” Ghost countered angrily, but in an equally hushed tone.  “Storm Emblem basically disowned me and named you as his heir!  How could I expect any kind of ‘well wishes’ from a pony who would look on me and refuse to acknowledge me as his descendant?!”
“Weren’t you listening?” Sky barked back, tightening his hold on Ghost’s leg.  “He called you his son!  He didn’t disown you!  He just wanted you to understand that there’s more to being an heir than blood!”
“It doesn’t matter anymore!  Storm Emblem is gone, and everything that his descendants have worked for has burned to ashes.  All you’ve done is change the place where I will live out a meaningless existence.  So, thanks for that,” he added with a sneer.
“Then leave the ashes,” Sky challenged.  “Storm Emblem did.  And he left a legacy that you can still live out and honor.”
Ghost did not respond, though the look in his eye was one of mild curiosity.  “You know the story of Storm Emblem better than anypony,” Sky said.  “He lived out his days in peace.  You’ve been haunted by the past for too long.  We want you to find the same peace that he did.”
Ghost snorted again and shook his head.  “You’re bound and determined to ‘save’ me, aren’t you?”
Sky nodded.  “Yes.”
Quickly, Ghost pulled his leg free of Sky’s grip and turned around.  “Then you’re just wasting your life.  There’s nothing here to save.”  With that, he walked out of the chamber, escorted by the two royal guards, leaving Sky where he stood.
“There’s no saving him, Blitz,” Ace said as he approached on Sky’s left.  “He’s just too far gone.  Has been for too long.  Just let him go.  Equestria will be better off without him.”
“Maybe,” Sky admitted.  “But it would tarnish the nature of what we stand for if we were just to let him fade without trying to save him.  And I believe that mercy can reach anyone.  They just have to reach out and take it.”
“Do you honestly think he will?” Ace asked, looking surprised.
“That doesn’t matter,” Sky replied, looking his commander in the face.  “I can’t base what I do on whether or not ponies will accept them or not.  I’m just supposed to do what’s right.”
“Speaking of doing what’s right,” Celestia’s voice echoed through the chamber, drawing Sky’s attention to the Princess of the Sun, “that brings us to another critical decision we must make.”
Sky hurried back to his place beside the Princess as the semicircle reformed.  “Word of the battle over Canterlot has spread throughout Equestria, and with it has gone news of both pegasi and earth ponies that are capable of using magic.  As of right now, I have received numerous demands for an explanation.  The Alicorn Guard has always existed in secret as a temporary substitute for the protection of the Elements of Harmony.”  She let her head fall, and her voice grew softer.  “I should have brought an end to the Guard when the Elements returned.  But then Blitz acquired his power, and I began to wonder if that was a sign that the Elements and the Alicorn Guard were meant to exist together: in harmony.”
Luna placed a sympathetic hoof upon her sister’s back, who sighed in regret.  “But I was wrong.  I never worried about using the Elements of Harmony, but the thought of a group of ponies, many of whom should not be able to use magic, using magic to protect Equestria?  My fears misgave me, and I decided not to reveal the Alicorn Guard.  And as such, I achieved nothing: all that remains are questions and mistrust.”
She raised her head, and tears were visible in small pools in her eyes.  “And now, I have but one option: I must answer the questions I feared.  And the Alicorn Guard can exist no longer.”
A collective gasp rose from the group, though Sky merely snorted softly.  He had suspected this was coming.  Ever since he had fought Ghost’s controlled minions over Canterlot, he knew that the Alicorn Guard would never be the same, if it would even exist at all.  “The Guard was built upon secrecy, but Ghost forced our hoof,” Celestia continued softly.  “The secret is out, and the Alicorn Guard must disband.  I am sorry.”
A silence fell upon the group.  It was sad, but also contemplative.  The lives of each pony gathered in the room had been dramatically changed in one small statement.  What came next?  What would the following days hold?  Would Equestria accept them with their unique abilities, or would they be shunned as unnatural freaks?
Another voice cut through the silence.  Sky looked up in surprise to see Nighthawk, a look of sadness on his face, but a familiar glimmer in his eyes that Sky recognized.
Hope.
“Princess,” Nighthawk began, “what if we could continue the Alicorn Guard?  What if we didn’t have to disband?”
But Celestia shook her head.  “No, Nighthawk.  There are too many questions being asked for the Guard to continue to function in secrecy.  We have no choice but to terminate its existence.”
“Perhaps I misspoke,” Nighthawk replied, undaunted.  “The Alicorn Guard was based upon secrecy: a secrecy which has been shattered.  But why disband the group entirely?  I think we all agree that all of us make a good team.  We have a good thing here.  Why destroy the group when we could just…repurpose it?”
Celestia’s eyes narrowed.  “I’m listening.”
“Equestria will find out about our existence.  Fine.  But why should that mean that we can’t continue to do what we’ve always done?  I guess…why should secrecy matter?  Blitz is right,” he said, nodding to Sky with a knowing smile.  “We’re guardians.  That’s what we do.  We should keep doing it.”
“I admire your determination, but do you think that the citizens of Equestria are ready for you?  You are quite…strange, in no uncertain terms,” Celestia explained, her face betraying an unspoken apology.   “Twelve of you shouldn’t have magic in the first place, and even the five unicorns here possess magic beyond what they should.  I fear that your lives would be lives of involuntary seclusion.  It is not unusual for ponies to shun those things which they do not understand.”
“But Solace,” said a new voice, and Sky followed the voice back to the mouth of Trucker.  “I think I speak for everypony here when I say that throughout our tenure within the Alicorn Guard that we’ve already endured a sense of isolation.  All that secrecy…we weren’t able to be open with our friends and family.  We could never be as close as we wanted to be—always forced to hold something back.  In a way—for myself, at least—I’ve become used to feeling alone.”
A stunned expression came to Celestia’s face, only to be replaced moments later with a look as though she was going to cry.  Her lip began to quiver as she brought a hoof to her mouth.  Trucker appeared aghast as he watched Princess Celestia break down from his words.  “Wait, no…I—I didn’t mean it like that!  I just meant—”
“I get it,” Sky said.  His eyes drifted across the room, and he could see the flustered looks on each face, mingled with the guilt of knowing that they couldn’t deny the truth of Trucker’s revelation.  “It’s like what you told me, isn’t it, Princess?  How when you try so hard to lead in such a way that it helps everyone, it makes it that much more painful when you find someone that it hurt.”
“Yes,” Celestia sniffed.  “But I also told each of you when you joined the Alicorn Guard that its foundation was upon teamwork and dependency on others.  I told you to spend time with your friends and families so that it would make you strong for those times you could not be with them.  But at the same time, I’ve robbed each of you of that very privilege.  How could I not understand?  I’m so sorry!”
“Then give us that chance,” Nighthawk said, walking forward until he stood directly before the Princess of the Sun.  “Every one of us would gladly offer our lives to protect Equestria.  That hasn’t changed.  But if unity really does make us stronger, then wouldn’t we all be better off without the secrets?”
“Nighthawk’s right,” Trucker agreed, coming to the orange pegasus’ side.  “Let’s give the citizens of Equestria what they deserve: the protection that you’ve always wanted them to have, but also the right to know the truth.”
Sky’s gaze was drawn away from the softly crying face of Princess Celestia into the beckoning gaze of Princess Luna.  Within her eyes, he could see a distinct message: You have something to say.
He did.  It was true.  It had almost become a running joke: in dramatic moments, Sky always had something to say.  It was almost as much a calling card for him as “that stupid grin,” as Scope referred to it.
But this time was different.  He shook his head and raised his hoof, gesturing back to the Princess.  Luna’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment.  He could’ve sworn he heard her voice in his head saying, “Me?!”
Yes, Princess.  I could say it, but I’m not the pony that should say it.  That right belongs to you.
Her gaze faltered for a moment, fighting yet again with the pain of her past that clung to her like a parasite.  But she quickly raised her head again, and any trace of doubt she had was gone.  “We have all made mistakes in the past,” she began quietly.  But every head in the room turned towards her, perhaps sensing the weight in her words.  “And some here have made more than others.  But those mistakes have no bearing upon us now.  We need to leave them behind.  Let this be a place where we release our feelings of guilt and cast our mistakes aside.  I have my own mistakes which have plagued me since my return.  But here, at this place where so many of my faults converged yet again, nearly to our ruin, I lay them down.  I am determined to live free of the guilt of my past.  No pony else views me with guilt for my past—I will join the ranks of Equestria and live as I truly am: forgiven.”
Her eyes locked with his as she finished, and he didn’t need to hear a single word to understand what her face was saying
“Now you have something to say.”
Yup.
He stepped forward.  Every motion was involuntary: he didn’t need to think.  “I’ve let my anger get the best of me.  And I’ve caused pain to so many of those that I love with my poor choices and inability to control my emotions.  But they love me just the same.  They don’t see my mistakes when they see me: they see a friend that they love being with and having around.  My faults are part of me, but they don’t define me.  So I leave them here.  I’ve been forgiven.  So I’m gonna live that way.”
A gentle, warm feeling seemed to whisk about through the air, dispersing the sadness and bringing a smile to every face.  “I’m a lot like Blitz,” Nighthawk said with a sigh.  “I was so determined to be the best that when that distinction was challenged, I made it my goal to make it as hard as possible for that pony to surpass me.”  He looked at Sky, and a familiar peace shone from his face.  “But, when that same pony had the chance to exact a revenge that I deserved, he found a better way.  He spared me.  He showed me mercy when I had no right to receive it.  And now, I gladly follow him for it.”  He trotted to Sky’s side and gave him a friendly nudge.  “I lay my jealousy behind.  Because I’m forgiven.”
“Um…”
Sky watched as Hobo stepped forward, looking rather uncomfortable as the center of attention.  “I’ve been awfully rude to a lot of you guys recently.  When, uh…like when I was, uh, working on the shooter.  I guess I just got so focused on it that I forgot my manners.”  He looked around at his comrades nervously until his eyes drifted to where Juggles and Sprocket stood side-by-side.  “And Juggles…” he began.
But she stopped him.  “Hobo, you don’t need to apologize to us.  It was sweet how you kept asking me out, even though Sprocket and I are together.  We never took any offense to it.”
“But I should have respected your relationship, and I didn’t,” Hobo pressed.  “I…I was jealous, too.  I was jealous of you, Sprocket.  I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Sprocket said, stepping out of the semicircle and giving the orange unicorn a pat on the back.  “We’re friends, Hobo.  And I know you’d do anything for me, just like we’d do anything for you.  So if you feel the need to apologize, then we feel the need to forgive you.”  He smiled down at Hobo, who slowly offered a sheepish grin in return.
Sky’s heart swelled in his chest.  This…this is what it means to reconcile the past with the future.  This warm feeling…it’s the expression of the bonds of love between us: the love that looks past our shortcomings and sees each other as the special ponies that we are.  That’s the very essence of forgiveness.  It’s believing in the good instead of focusing on the bad.  I finally understand that.  His eyes drifted again to the form of Princess Luna.  And I think she does, too.
“Well,” Celestia said, rising to her hooves and wiping her eyes, “this took a dramatic turn…but one for the better.”  She stepped forward, smiling at every pony as her gaze swept across the room.  “Every one of us has our mistakes that haunt us, and we could be here for days talking about them.  But I have a better idea.”  Her horn lit up, and a circle of light appeared on the floor in the center of the room.  “You, the Alicorn Guard, all swore your oaths when you joined, vowing to uphold the principles of harmony and to protect this land from any that dare threaten it.  And you all have performed admirably in that regard.  But here, if I may, I would ask that you take one more oath—one that my sister and I will join you in taking.”
“What is that, Princess?” Nighthawk asked.
“I propose that here, in this place, right now, we make a solemn vow to leave the guilt of our past mistakes behind.  We have all seen the trouble that comes from dwelling on the darkness of our failures.  We may never be free of our shortcomings, but we do not have to live in fear of them.”  She shook her mane, and the glowing circle shimmered in response.  “Our friends show us love that is stronger than our guilt and fears.  So, at this time, I ask each of you to take this oath with me: that no longer would fear and pain have dominion over us, but that the love and joy we share with others would guide us and protect us from those feelings that would cast us under the shadows of doubt.”
“I’m in,” Sky said without hesitation, placing a hoof within the glowing circle.  “You don’t need to ask me twice.”
“I’m done with my jealousy and anger,” Nighthawk said, adding his own hoof to the circle.
“I’ll take the harmony of my friends over guilt and bitterness anyday,” Trucker agreed.
Soon, the circle was filled with the seventeen hooves of the Alicorn Guard.  “The upcoming days will undoubtedly be difficult and bring many changes to each of us,” Celestia said as she and Luna hovered above the shining circle.  “But we will face those days together.  And we will face the challenges to come with our friends by our side.  And should we stumble, we know that our friends will be there to pick us back up again.”
“We are done with fear, guilt, and bitterness,” Luna said, her horn igniting, matching her sister’s intensity.  “They are laid to rest.  Long live harmony!”
“Long live harmony!” everypony shouted.
A brilliant blaze of light burst from the circle, consuming the chamber.  As it subsided, Sky found himself staring at an amazing new sight.  Where the circle of light had once been, a large etching had been carved into the stone surface.  As they all stepped back, Sky ascended to get a better look.
It was a perfect circle, and all around the edge, he saw the shapes of seventeen familiar cutie marks.  And in the center, side-by-side, were the equally familiar cutie marks of Princesses Celestia and Luna.  And in the midst of all of them, seven short words were written.  He smiled as he saw them.
“What’s it say, Blitz?” Ace asked from below.
“It says, ‘HERE LIES OUR GUILT.  LONG LIVE FORGIVENESS.’”
“I think you mean, ‘It reads,’ Blitz,” Scope corrected.
“Shut up, Scope.”
“You will have to answer many difficult questions in the coming days,” Celestia said as she and Luna gracefully returned to the ground, “but I believe that none are as deserving as the answers as your families and friends.  They deserve the truth, and I’m sure you would like to tell them.”
“Your oath of secrecy is hereby nullified,” Luna said.  “You may speak openly of everything.  And it may be that this is the end of the Alicorn Guard.  However,” she added with a twinkle in her eye, “do not be surprised if all of you are summoned by the Council in the coming weeks.  There are some oaths you still must fulfill.”
“Yes, Princesses,” they all said with a bow.
As he lifted his head, Sky knew that a new age had begun.  No more secrets.  No more isolation.  The world was different…and it was all for the better.  Every face in the room reflected the newfound joy and excitement they all felt.  The next few days would be tough, sure, but he wasn’t afraid.  He had nothing to hide.  For the first time in nearly two years, Sky finally felt free.
He thought of his parents.  His friends in Foalumbus, Coltlanta, and Cloudsdale.  He saw Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy.  He saw Lily.  And he thought of how liberating it would be to finally bare his soul to them and tell them everything he had wanted to let them know for so long.
He cast one last look again at the giant stone etching and grinned.
Long live Harmony.



THE END
> Epilogue: Faith in the Future
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Palace
May 15, 12:00 PM

“You’re early, Blitz.”
The throne room was bright in the sunlight radiating through the windows.  A gentle breeze floated through the chamber from an open balcony door.  It rippled through Sky’s mane softly, reminding him of his mother’s soft caress from when he was younger.
Celestia sat on her throne, looking down at the pegasus.  Her expression was cordial in her surprise, though a few faint lines around her eyes told Sky everything that he needed to know: she was tired.  Tired of having to answer all the questions.  Tired of the rigmarole.
I wonder if she’s ever taken a vacation, he thought to himself.  I wonder if she’s even allowed?
“I’ve learned to be early.  The Alicorn Guard has a rather effective way of curing you of tardiness,” he explained.
“And that would be?” Celestia prodded.
“Endless ridicule.”
“Ah.”
Sky shifted slightly.  “That, and I figured there’d be a bit more privacy in here than most other places.”
It had been three days ago.  Celestia and the rest of the Council had released the truth of the Alicorn Guard to the public.  Unsurprisingly, it caused quite a commotion throughout Canterlot.  The identities of each of the members (save for Ghost) had also been released, but only to certain ponies who had the right to know—like Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends.  However, (also unsurprisingly), those names had managed to leak out and become public knowledge.  Sky’s magic abilities may not have been a “secret” before, but he had never actually made a public declaration about them, either.  However, within only an hour of the name leak, his popularity had skyrocketed.  It had become next to impossible to find somewhere quiet where he could be alone.
He had never been so thankful for his camoufly cloak.
“It looks that way for the moment, but it’s been quite busy lately,” Celestia said with a sigh.  “The guards are having a hard enough time trying to secure the outer gates from curious onlookers and conspiracy theorists.  And then some nosy pegasus reporters show up and try to get in here through the balcony doors, and…it’s been a madhouse.”  She took a deep breath and released it slowly.  “This is the quietest it’s been in about two days.”
“Glad I came at a good time,” Sky snorted.
“As am I,” the Princess said, rising to her hooves and descending the steps before the throne.  She approached until she stood directly in front of the pale blue pegasus, a concerned look on her face.  “Sky…how are you handling this?  Are you alright?”
“I think I’m okay, all things considered,” he answered.  “I mean, it’s tough without any real privacy, but I guess I’m learning what it’s like for all the stars in Las Pegasus.”
“Which I know you’re not comfortable with, and I apologize for that,” she replied.  “But we all knew this was coming.  Hopefully it will die down soon enough.  How’s Lily?”
Sky’s thoughts brightened at the mention of his beloved unicorn.  “She’s doing really well.  Doc Trotter can’t stop telling me how amazed he is at her recovery.  Even after two weeks, he still keeps calling it a ‘miracle.’”
“Because it is a miracle, Sky Streak,” Celestia admonished.  “You, Keeper, and your family proved that there’s no magic as strong as love.  That’s as much a miracle as you could hope for.”
“Oh, I know.  And I’m thankful for it each day.”  He paused, considering.  “It’s funny, you know?  Ever since Twilight, Spike, and I made that journey to the Everfree Forest and faced the Chimera, I’ve been surrounded by magic and miracles.  Before that, my life wasn’t nearly this exciting.”  A small chuckle escaped his lips.  “It’s like my whole life went in a completely different direction because of that day.”
Celestia looked down at him with such a startled look on her face that Sky nearly reached out to steady her.  “Princess!  Is everything alright?”
“Yes, yes, it’s fine,” she stammered, steadying herself for a moment.  “I’m sorry to have frightened you.”
“What was that all about?” he asked, himself now the concerned one.
“You understand that sometimes things remind us of other things?  Like how a smell can remind you of a memory you had long forgotten?” she asked, looking much more like herself again.
“Yes.”
“Well, what you said reminded me of a letter I received not too long ago.  It was…revealing about a number of things.  Things that weigh heavily upon my mind.”
Sky offered a supportive smile.  “Anything you need to share with somepony?”
Celestia chuckled.  “There are many things a monarch has on her mind that would not be fitting for the ears of others, Sky Streak,” she said with a wink.  “No offense intended.”
He rolled his eyes.  “Oh, fine.  I see how it is.”
“At any rate, I’m glad you came early.  I think it would be good if I prepared you for what this meeting will be about,” she said, striding to the open door and gazing out.
“Wait,” Sky replied, arching an eyebrow, “we’re not going to just have the meeting now?”  He began to walk over to where the Princess seemed to be beckoning him to her side.  “Are…are we expecting somepony else?”
“Two others, to be precise,” Celestia corrected.  “Nighthawk and Trucker will be joining us.”
Nighthawk and Trucker?  “Alright, I’ll bite,” Sky conceded.  “What’s this meeting about?”
She turned her head to face him, her eyes glistening with pride.  “The Council has come to a decision regarding the fate of the Alicorn Guard.  And your actions have inspired us, Sky.  Namely, your actions toward Ghost.”
“I’m sorry?  I really haven’t done anything for him.  I just told him that I wanted to help him.”
“Precisely,” Celestia answered.  She turned back to the open door and walked into the opening, widening the space with magic.  “And we came to realize that Equestria is the pinnacle of societies in the region.  We live under a united banner with united ponies.  Our economy is strong, our infrastructure is strong, our way of life is well-founded, and our land is protected by the most courageous and loyal ponies a monarch could ask for.  We have established a mighty civilization here.”
“Alright…”
“But just as you told Ghost, I can think of no greater disservice than to see a neighbor in need and not offer them our help,” she went on.  “And it is with that in mind that the Alicorn Guard is discontinued, but not dissolved.”
Sky narrowed his eyes as he tried to wrap his mind around Celestia’s words.  The breeze was yet again providing his mind with a fantastic distraction.  “What do you have in mind?”
“Here is our idea: the Alicorn Guard shall be repurposed and split into two groups.  The first group shall remain within Equestria and serve its citizens in their need.  They will travel wherever they are needed, but unlike the Alicorn Guard, they will connect with those they are helping instead of working in secret.  There are no true “missions,” just a single campaign of service.  They will go where they are needed, when they are needed.”
Sky’s eyebrow was arched again.  “And the second group?”
Celestia smiled.  “They will be the trailblazers of a new age for Equestria,” she said.  “They will operate beyond the lands of Equestria, bringing aid to those places that need it and showing our less fortunate neighbors the love and friendship that we hold so dear.  If we truly care for those around us, we should help them in their need.”
“Wow.”  Sky turned back to the open doors and the Canterlot skyline beyond.  “That’s…well…that sounds like something we’d do.”
“And your name has been suggested to lead one of the groups.”
Sky nearly choked on his breath.  “Say what?!” he exclaimed.  “Lead?!  I wasn’t even a member of the Alicorn Guard a year ago, and now I’m supposed to lead its next incarnation?  Did Nighthawk put you up to this?”
“Your name came up for this several times; not only from Nighthawk, though he was one of the ones that mentioned you,” Celestia admitted.  “You command a great deal of respect from your fellow Guard members, Sky.”
“That doesn’t mean I’d make a good leader,” he countered.
“Others look to you as an example to follow,” Celestia pressed.  “You’re a role model, at the very least.”
“I’m not much on the decision-making front, though.  My head tends to have a hard time keeping up with my heart.  Or my mouth.  Sometimes both,” he said with a shrug.
Celestia smiled knowingly.  “I understand.”
“I can only presume that Nighthawk and Trucker are coming because their names came up, too?”
“You may not be good at the decision-making process, but your perception is top-notch, Sky.  Yes, that’s why they are coming.  We will need to designate not only the two team leaders, but also the entire group commander.”
“I’m going to go ahead and disqualify myself from all three positions on account of my lack of experience,” he offered.
Celestia’s eyes narrowed as she regarded the pegasus.  “Nice try.  You can still refuse the position, and that’s fine.  But I think it would do you good to at least hear what Trucker and Nighthawk have to say about you.  They are, after all, the other two most respected members of the Alicorn Guard.  It might open your eyes a little to know what they think of you.”
Sky snorted.  “Somehow, I think I’ve already got some insight on Nighthawk.”
He saw Celestia’s eyebrow arch as she turned ever-so-slightly towards him.  “There have been many good things that have come of all this, Sky Streak, but none please me as much as you and Nighthawk patching things up.”
He started, surprised by the Princess’s statement.  “Wait, you knew about that?”
“Nighthawk was very straightforward when he and I talked earlier,” Celestia admitted.  “Sky, he felt positively ashamed for how he treated you.  And he truly regrets that.  But he saw himself for who he really was when you spared his life, and he holds you in the highest regard because of that.  You could say that he is eternally grateful.”
Sky hesitated.  “Does he feel the need to make all that up to me?”
“Um…I can’t say, though I wouldn’t put it past him,” she said, looking confused.
“Then he can start by taking the leadership role in this second edition of the Alicorn Guard,” Sky replied.  “I think that would make us even.”
Celestia smiled.  “You may not be much when it comes to decision-making, but you certainly seem to be quite good with ‘aggressive negotiations.’”
“Hm.”  Sky rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  “I think I could get into that.”
“Very good,” Celestia answered.  “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Sky gave her a scrutinizing gaze, but held his peace.  I’m sure I’ll find out what that means in the days to come.
A pervasive silence fell upon the pair.  The sky was a brilliant blue, and the city of Canterlot was bustling with life.  It was a happy sight to Sky…until he thought about the only pony who would find no pleasure in it.
“Princess, what about Ghost?  Any word on how he’s doing?”
A shadow passed across Celestia’s face.  “Sky, he is Ghost no longer.  He forfeited that name when he became a traitor.  His name is Phantom Star.”
“Yeah, I know,” Sky answered with a sigh.  “But I can’t stop referring to him like that.  He…”
“Yes?”
The connection triggered in Sky’s brain.  It was so obvious: the answer to the mystery hidden in plain sight.  “Of course.  Ghost is the other side of me: Storm Emblem said that both Gho—I mean, Phantom Star—and myself were his heirs.  I was his heir because I honored the past and sought to protect the future.  Phantom Star claimed the relation of blood.”
The vision of Nightmare Ghost in a blood rage flashed through his mind, sending a shiver down his spine.  “But what I never realized until right now was that we’re actually both heirs, just of different times.”
“Times?”
“Yeah.  Ghost was obsessed with the ‘injustices’ of the past and had sworn his life to rectifying them.  But I had no ties to the past like he did—I just wanted to defend what I loved.  I guess you could say that Phantom Star was an heir to the past: its pain and its thirst for revenge.  But I became the heir of the future: the hope and faith we carry into the next day.  Phantom Star had no connection to the future, because everything he wanted was based in the past.  And that just made him into an embodiment of past memories.
“And that, by definition, is a Ghost.”
Celestia looked like every event of the past few weeks had suddenly been cast into an entirely new light.  “Oh my.  He took the name Ghost on his own, instead of having it assigned to him.  We all agreed to it.  But I never questioned its significance until this moment.”  She shook her head sadly.  “What arrogance.  He taunted us with the truth in plain sight.  Such a tragedy…”
“That doesn’t mean that he’s beyond help,” Sky replied softly.
Celestia finally turned to look at him full in the face.  “Sky, this is part of what makes you such a blessing to everypony around you.  You never give up.  You’ve shown unmatched tenacity in battle, but that’s not restricted to your fighting style.  You just can’t bear to give up on anything, whether it be for yourself or somepony else.  Or even if it is somepony else.”
“If we all only had one chance to get everything right, we’d all run out of chances pretty quickly.  I guess I’m big on second chances,” he said with a smile.
“A good thing to believe in,” Celestia commented.  “Just like good friends, strong virtues, and a better tomorrow.”
Sky paused.  “A brighter future...”  
A sudden gust of wind whistled past Sky’s face.  An earth pony or a unicorn might have recoiled from such an intrusion.  But not a pegasus.  He raised his head and let the wind run through his mane.  It was a summons: the wind pulled at his wings and tugged on his legs, beckoning him into its gentle embrace.  “Well, Princess, if you’ll excuse me for just a little while, this wonderful weather has been teasing me since I walked in here, and I think it’s about time I got out into it.  Been a while since I had a nice view from the Crown.  Could I be excused until we reconvene?”
Celestia chuckled.  “Of course.  Far be it from me to try and restrain a pegasus.”
He stepped outside the doors, taking a moment to close his eyes and let the wind swirl around his body.  However, his face slowly took on a more concerned appearance as he turned again to the white alicorn.  “Princess, what do you think the future holds?”
Her face lit up so quickly, Sky wondered if she had expected the question.  “Only the best, Sky Streak.”


She watched as he rocketed off the patio into the air, headed for the Crown of the Mountain.  As he disappeared from view, she turned from the balcony and walked back to the throne.  He doesn’t understand just how much potential he has.  But even if he did, he’d be too humble to take control.  He doesn’t want power.  He only wants what’s best, whatever that may be.  It’s like he was made to be a leader; he just doesn’t have the desire for it.
She let her head fall, and her eyes drifted to an open letter stuffed into a basket beside the throne.  It was written in a script that she had seen countless times over the last few years.  Slowly drawing it out, she found herself reluctantly glued to the words on the page, each one resounding like a bell in a clock tower.  It was more than a letter.  It was a sign of the times; an omen of important events to come.
A countdown to fate.
“I don’t understand it.  He can affect the weather like most pegasi, but he doesn’t need to use his wings: he can clear the sky or summon a storm just with his willpower and some magic.  I don’t understand, Princess, but I’m worried about him.  He’s got more skill with magic than most unicorns do.  Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I’m genuinely concerned.  I hope you can put my mind at ease.”
Celestia looked back to the open bay doors as the breeze blew across her face.  A chill feeling swept over her brow, and she became aware of a cold sweat upon her forehead.  She shivered.
“What will he do when he finds out?” she pondered aloud.  “There’s never been another pony whose future has been as uncertain as his.  I wonder…”
The breeze again swept through her mane.  “The winds of change are coming.”
“Sky Streak…your destiny awaits.”
> Epilogue: Hope from the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rambling Rock Ridge
May 17, 3:32 PM

Go ahead.  Give me a reason to come down there.
The train from Ponyville leisurely worked its way across the rocky, muted landscape of Rambling Rock Ridge on its long trek to Baltimare.  The broken ground smoothed out only for the railroad tracks, like a dividing line between two advancing armies.  It was just as barren and desolate as it had been on Sky’s most recent visit nearly a month earlier.  His mission then had been to put an end to the bandit raids on the trains that ran through the region.
This time, it was to ensure that his previous mission remained a success.
He sat on a small, lonely cumulus cloud on the south side of the railway, his cloak draped across his back, though his hood rested behind his head upon his neck.  And far below him, barely visible from their hiding spots between the rocks, were about a dozen of the same diamond dogs that had attempted to raid the train the last time he was here.  They appeared to be keeping a close eye upon the approaching train.  He sighed.  I would have liked it more if they had just learned their lesson the first time.
He spread his wings through the flaps in his cloak and maneuvered his cloud in front of the bandits, coming to a stop directly above the tracks.  He could only see one of the dogs from his new vantage point, but he knew them well enough to know that was all he needed to see.  The moment one moved, they all moved.
The train continued to mosey along, gradually getting closer and closer to where he hovered in the air.  When he judged that it was near enough, he pulled his hood over his head and ignited his magic.  He instantly disappeared beneath the disguise of his cloak.  Now, let’s see what you do.
A full minute passed before the diamond dogs made their move.  Sky was still watching the same bandit before he saw the rest of them were halfway to the railroad and closing fast.  In about twenty seconds, they’d be boarding the train.
Let’s see if they remember me.
He allowed himself to sink through the cloud, slowly descending until he began to hover about thirty feet above the ground.  He waited.  Six…seven…eight…nine…
When he reached fifteen, the dogs burst from the cover of the rocks: all eleven of them, most of whom Sky recognized.  There was no mistaking the look their eyes: they were going to plunder every last gem and bit from this train.  They had been robbed of an opportunity once before.  They would not be denied again.
My turn.
He tossed his hood back and changed his cloak to a shimmering white.  At the same time, he summoned a bolt of lightning from his cloud perch, causing it to strike right in front of the group of charging canines.
When the bolt faded, Sky found himself staring into the faces of a dozen suddenly-terrified diamond dogs, stumbling as they attempted to retreat back to the cover of the ridge.  The train passed unhindered beneath him.  He floated forward and descended slightly, glowering at the outlaws before him.  “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear,” he fumed, trying to sound as menacing as possible.  “I told you that if you dared to attack another train, then you’d find out what it means when I run out of patience.”
A medium-build gray dog tried (with mixed results) to rise onto two paws.  “H-hey, no harm done, right?  I m-mean, nothing taken.  No one has t-to get h-h-hurt, right?” he stammered in a high, whiny voice.
Sky arched an eyebrow as he regarded the bandit.  He instantly recognized the dog as the mangy mutt that had served as the leader of the raid on the train during his mission a month earlier.  Considering the circumstances, there had apparently been no change in his outlook towards the ponies of Equestria.  And his comrades had been all too willing to follow him in that.
With a snarl, Sky shot to the ground, causing the ground to crack beneath his hooves.  Arcs of electricity leapt from his body, sparking as they ran along the ground and scoring the stony ground with black scorch marks.  The dogs recoiled in terror, and their gray leader fell onto his back, shielding his eyes from what he must have presumed was an inevitable attack.  “You tell me,” Sky growled.  “I warned you not to attack a train again, but you obviously didn’t think that advice was worth listening to.  So here we are again.  I apparently didn’t give you enough to fear last time I was here.”  He rolled his neck from side to side, letting it pop to add further emphasis to his words.  The cloud above him made a low rumble, and the dogs looked up with worry.
“I won’t make that mistake again.”
A second bolt seared the air behind him, surprising him.  He hadn’t called it down.  Maybe he was exerting more magic than he thought?
But as the light faded and the crack of thunder died down, Sky became intensely aware of a new presence behind him.  It was not an unfamiliar presence, but the fact that she was even there came as quite a surprise.  He turned his head around to look at the newcomer and found that her eyes were already trained on him.  He chuckled softly as he bowed.
“Princess Luna.”
The Princess of the Night strode forward, turning her attention to the group of bewildered canines before her.  “At ease, Sky,” she said.  “I will take it from here.”
“Yes, Princess.”  Sky stepped back as Luna took her place before the cowering bandits.  In spite of her natural grace and serene nature, Sky could tell that she intended to put her hoof down.  He wasn’t sure how she had known he was here, but…well, it was tough to know anything for sure with Princess Luna.  She had a certain penchant for uncovering secrets.  At least, that’s how Princess Celestia had explained it to him.
“I see that you have chosen to ignore my herald’s orders and have deliberately attacked yet another train,” Luna said, each word wrung with a cold anger toward the dogs.  “Your fascination with gemstones is intriguing, but your methods in getting them are deplorable…and deserving of punishment.
“But tell me this,” she continued, beginning to pace, “I have heard that your cavern homes are lined with many precious gemstones ripe for the picking.  Why do you ignore those and insist upon preying upon my subjects for something you could easily obtain on your own?”
“‘Easily’?!” the lead dog howled.  “There is nothing easy about mining!  It takes a lot of hard work to get those gemstones!  And they’re not even polished or shiny like the ones the ponies wear!”
Luna’s eyes narrowed into slits.  “And just how do you think the ponies’ gemstones got to be that way?” she asked, and to Sky, her voice carried the weight of an unspoken threat.
“Uh…”  The dog turned around to his comrades, who all shrugged or mumbled something unintelligible in response.  “We thought the ponies just grew better gems than our caves do.”
Sky’s jaw felt like it came unhinged as he heard the answer.  His eyes rolled almost instinctively before his hoof smacked into his face.  Are you kidding me?  This guy’s thicker than one of Pinkie’s twelve-layer cakes.
Luna managed to maintain her composure a bit better.  “Gemstones aren’t grown like trees.  They appear over many, many years.  Longer than I have been alive, perhaps,” she said, sounding contemplative.  “The gemstones my ponies have are much the same as yours.  They make them look the way they do by tumbling, polishing, and cutting them.  They make them look better by working on them.  You could do the same.”
“Gems aren’t grown?” a small tawny dog muttered.  “But you told us they grew like flowers!” he shouted, pointing at his gray-toned leader.
“That’s what I was told, too!” the lead dog yelled back.  “But why would we do that when we can just take the pretty ones from the ponies?”
Boy, was that ever the wrong thing to say.
Luna stamped, and instantly, the sky grew dark.  A blue fire streamed from the corners of her eyes, and her tail and mane whipped in a sudden wind.  The dogs stumbled backwards as the lovely alicorn transformed into a frightful specter: a terribly powerful monarch with a veritable arsenal of magic spells at her command.  Sky’s cloak shimmered for a moment before changing into a radiant white.  He caused a few sparks to fly from his hooves, and the silver streak in his mane lit in response to his magic.  For emphasis, he reasoned.
“You dare to threaten the ponies of Equestria in my presence?!” Luna bellowed in the royal Canterlot voice.  The very earth seemed to shake with every word, and her voice caused the wind to grow stronger, so that it tugged at Sky’s cloak, constantly working to drag him forward.
“I will suffer no threat, be it great or small, to be levied against the citizens of this empire!” Luna continued her tirade.  “I am not only a protector of Equestria, but I am also its enforcer!  I stand against those that would do her harm!  And that includes petty thieves such as yourselves!”
Sky watched with satisfaction as the dogs cowered where they were, too terrified to even consider running.  It was disappointing to think that they hadn’t repented from their lives of crime, but to know that they were getting at least some form of comeuppance…well, that was as good an outcome as he could have wished for.
“Go!” Luna commanded, pointing to the entrance to the caves.  “You are hereby banished to the confines of your underground homes until you have demonstrated that you have learned the errors of your ways!  If you should dare to attempt another robbery, I promise you that you will experience the true terror of the night!”
The dogs hesitated for a few seconds as the command worked its way through their terror-induced paralysis.  Finally, after several somewhat-awkward moments, all twelve leapt to their paws and made a mad dash for the caves, not daring to look back before they were enveloped within the blackness of their abode.
Once they were lost from sight, Luna lowered her magic, and the world returned to normal.  “Hello, Sky Streak,” she said simply.
“Princess Luna,” Sky replied with another bow, lowering his own magic as his cloak returned to its normal gray hue.  “I wasn’t expecting anypony to join me out here.”
“I did not plan to come here myself,” she admitted, “but something told me I should be here.  So here I am.  Would you care to join me?” she asked, gesturing to his cloud above the tracks.
Sky eyed the white puff for a moment, then turned his gaze back to the princess.  “I’d be honored.”

“You’ve certainly been keeping yourself busy.”
“I suppose.”
The two winged companions sat upon their small white perch above the seemingly endless stony outcroppings below.  The bright sun still stood high in the sky, and many of the smoother rock formations cast a glare back up towards the heavens.  “You don’t think so?” Luna asked.  “You attended a meeting where you flatly refused to accept leadership of the next incarnation of the Alicorn Guard—”
“I prefer the term ‘self-disqualified’,” Sky interjected.
Luna ignored him.  “—you went and found yourself a new shoulder wrap, as well.  And that stitching certainly looks familiar.  Been to Ponyville, too, have you?”
Sky looked down at the royal blue fabric loosely hanging around his neck.  It bore a striking resemblance to his last one, save for some extra embroidery lovingly sewn into the ends.  Along the edges, a line of silver clouds burst with golden lightning bolts: a symbolism that anyone familiar with Sky could appreciate.  And, as always, his beloved pair of brooches hung side-by-side, glistening in the light of the afternoon sun.
“Yeah,” he admitted, tugging gently at one of the folds.  “Rarity was upset with me that I ended up kinda destroying her last one.  But once she got over that, she made a new one for me.  She really went above and beyond on it.  I’m going to have to take better care of this one.”
Luna arched an eyebrow.  “I hope you actually paid her this time.”
Sky returned an annoyed glance.  “The last one was a gift.  I wasn’t mooching.  But at any rate, she didn’t want any bits.  She said that it was ‘a gift and a symbol of thanks for what you do for Equestria.’”
“That’s sweet of her,” Luna commented.
“Yeah.  She really is the Element of Generosity.”
A few seconds of silence passed.  “But you did pay her, right?”
“I left an envelope with a note and the bits inside under a stack of thread on her work table.  She’ll find it soon enough,” he said with a wink.
“Good.”
The silence again fell.  The sun slowly began to descend towards the horizon, though the sunset would not come for several hours.  To the northwest, Sky could make out the shape of Canterlot Mountain, standing like a monument and a testament to the duration of Equestria and as a staunch commitment to its continued existence.  He looked over to Princess Luna, whose eyes were closed with a peaceful, satisfied look upon her face.  A gentle breeze ran through her mane, and Sky’s heart fluttered for a moment as he was reminded just how beautiful the Princess of the Night truly was.
“Princess Luna?”
“Yes, Sky Streak?” she answered, unmoving.
“…Why did you come here today?  It was to see me specifically, wasn’t it?”
Luna’s eyes slowly opened, and as she turned them upon Sky, he saw within them a question.  A question she herself did not understand, but one that she knew she needed the answer to.
And perhaps, himself, as well.
“Yes,” she said at last.  Her voice was soft, but distant.  “I needed to see you, but you had been so busy recently, I found little opportunity to do so.”
Sky snorted.  “You’re a Princess of Equestria.  You could just command me to come see you.”  There was a short pause before he quickly added, “But asking works just as well.”
“No, Sky,” Luna shook her head.  “A request to meet with you carries with it a certain sense of formality, and for this…it needs to be candid.  Perfectly open and honest.  This is between you and I, and nopony else.
“I need to ask you a question.”
A lump grew in Sky’s throat.  His chest tightened.  He had spent the last few weeks running from it, but no longer.  The time had come for him to face his demons.
“Storm Emblem had one final request for you before he faded.  He asked you to save Ghost from his own darkness.  You already knew that.  But what you didn’t know was that he also had a final request for me.  He told me to ask you a question.  I…I am afraid I don’t know what it means, but I cannot shake the feeling that it is important for both of us to hear the answer.”
Sky’s knees went weak as the words left Princess Luna’s lips.  “He told me to ask you what you saw.”
His mouth went dry and the corners of his eyes began to sting as they flooded with tears.  “What I saw…”
“Then you do know what it means?” Luna asked with growing concern.
Sky swallowed, trying to moisten his suddenly-dry throat.  “Princess, have you ever heard of the Everfree Lily?”
“The old legend?  Rumors about the Everfree Lily have been circulating since before Discord’s first defeat by my sister and I, Sky Streak,” Luna answered.  “I have never seen it myself, but I can only assume from your question that you have?”
Sky nodded.  “It was after I beat Nighthawk at the Castle of the Two Sisters.  I was so bent on getting revenge that I really couldn’t control myself.  I just wanted payback for what I thought Nighthawk had stolen from me.  I thought Lily was going to die, and if he was going to steal something that important to me, then…”
“You were going to kill him?”
Sky sniffed.  Tears were slowly beginning to stream down his cheeks.  “Yes.  Storm Emblem tried to dissuade me, but I was too stubborn to listen.  That’s when the Everfree Lily appeared.  And even then, I almost didn’t turn back.  But then it showed me something that I just couldn’t handle.  Something that broke my desire for vengeance.  It almost broke me entirely.”  His head dropped to the cloud beneath him.
Luna leaned forward, trying to look Sky full in the face.  “And what was that?” she whispered.
An overwhelming sense of shame filled his chest, making his lungs feel like they were filled with concrete.  His eyes slowly rose until they met the compassionate eyes of Princess Luna.  “I saw you.”
“Me?” Luna asked, surprised.
“I was looking at him,” Sky muttered, the haunting vision as clear and vivid as it had been when it had come to him in the first place.  “He was unconscious, lying face-up in front of me.  I had my hoof in the air, and I was ready to smash his skull in.  But right before I could, he changed.  It wasn’t Nighthawk anymore.  Instead of him, I saw you.  Your eyes were closed, and you were lying just like he was, but it was definitely you.  I saw Nightmare Moon’s helmet beside you, and…and…”
He sobbed and wiped his nose with his leg.  He had never felt more ashamed in his life.  He had claimed to have left his guilt behind, in the old Alicorn Guard headquarters, where the great etching now sat in stone, but this…he couldn’t just leave this behind.  It was a defining moment of his existence.
It was humbling, to say the least.  Though “humiliating” seemed more appropriate.
“I…don’t understand,” Luna said at last.  “Why did the Everfree Lily show you an image of me?”
“Because,” Sky managed between sobs, “Nighthawk was a traitor.  And I wanted to exact my own form of ‘justice’ because of it!  But the Everfree Lily showed you to me to make me realize something.”
Luna remained silent as Sky continued.  “There was a time when you were considered a traitor, too.  It placed you there to force me to face a question: who was I to determine who lives and dies?  If I had been in Celestia’s place one thousand years ago, in a battle with the traitorous Nightmare Moon, would I have done the merciful thing and exiled her, or would I have given into my rage and done the unthinkable?”
His hoof slammed into the cloud, nearly punching a hole clean through it.  “I was furious!” he shouted, teeth grinding together as the emotions of the moment welled up within him.  “I protested!  I refused to accept it!  He deserved his punishment!  You had atoned for your sins, and I was convinced that there was no way that he could ever find forgiveness!  You were nothing like Nighthawk!”
He finally stopped, breathing heavily as he worked to catch his breath.  After a few moments, he looked up to find the compassionate eyes of Princess Luna seemingly staring right into his soul.
His voice fell to little more than a whisper.  “Except that you were,” he sobbed.
The words felt like they were being drawn out of him.  The truths that he had tried so hard to bury and hide so that he wouldn’t have to face their cold reality.  “You both had been wrong.  Jealous of the successes of another.  It made you susceptible to the darkness.  And it brought both of you into a battle with ones that were close to you.”
He could see Luna’s own tears forming, and he quickly turned away.  Heaven knew that if he saw the Princess crying, he’d quickly be reduced to a blubbering mess himself.  “I didn’t know all of that at the time.  But even then, I knew that even if it was true, I didn’t want to believe it.  So I tried to justify my actions by forcing myself to believe something else.  Anything else.  But in the end, it didn’t matter.  Nighthawk may have been wrong in his own way, but so was I.”
He felt Luna’s wing wrap around him in a consoling embrace, but Sky only felt more shame.  “You and Princess Celestia tell me all the time just how perceptive you think I am.  But when it came down to it, I wasn’t perceptive: I was willfully blind to the truth.  I wanted Nighthawk to be guilty.  I wanted to have an outlet for all the pain and rage that had built up inside of me.  I craved that revenge so badly…”
“Then why did you spare him?” Luna asked softly.
“Why?” Sky echoed, though his voice sounded distant.  “I…I guess I’m not really sure.  I certainly wasn’t thinking about the future when I did it.”  He paused, considering.  Then, after a brief moment, he resumed.  “You know, I think that more than anything, I just couldn’t cross the line after what the Everfree Lily showed me.”
“You mean when it replaced Nighthawk with myself?”
“Yeah,” Sky said, still not lifting his gaze from the cloud beneath his hooves.  “Even if it wasn’t real and was only symbolic…I think it was just too much.  I knew who you were now—who you had become. You aren’t Nightmare Moon anymore: you’re Princess Luna.  And somewhere in my head, I think I knew that ending Nighthawk’s life would have been a line I could never retreat across.  It would have been a disregard for your life and everything you represent, and that just wasn’t something I could accept.  You mean too much, Princess.”  He finally raised his eyes to the horizon, where the blue sky had just begun to change hues in the light of the descending sun.
“Sky Streak, listen to me.”  Her voice was soft, but firm.  “You don’t think of yourself as being as perceptive as we say you are, especially when you think about that moment with Nighthawk.  You wanted to hide from the truth because it exposed what you chose to believe as a lie.  And I can understand that.  And while that is something that you need to learn to overcome, I still hold to the opinion that you are one of the most sensitive and perceptive ponies I have ever met.”
“What?” Sky blurted, turning to look at her.  “How can you say that?  After all I just told you?”
“Very simply, Sky Streak.”  Luna shook her head, and her mane waved gently behind her.  “You didn’t kill Nighthawk.  You spared his life.  Every emotion you felt in that moment told you to have your revenge: that you deserved it.  And yet, you didn’t take it.  Deep within your heart, you knew better.  And the Everfree Lily showed you exactly what you needed to see to keep you from listening to all the angry voices in your head.”
Sky snorted.  “You know, the phrase ‘voices in your head’ carries a bit of a different meaning with me.”
Luna chuckled softly.  “True enough.  But regardless, the Everfree Lily touched you where you would understand what was right and wrong, even if you didn’t fully embrace it.  You didn’t let go of your morality.  You rose above your emotions and did the right thing.”
“But if it hadn’t been for that flower, or whatever it really is, I would have given in!” Sky protested.
“And here we are, yet again,” Luna answered.  “We keep coming back to it.  Nopony can do everything alone, Sky Streak.  You already know that your passion and fire are your personal darkness.  We all have those weaknesses.  And it is because of those that we rely on others so much.  Because we all have shortcomings.  We all fall short, each in our own ways.  The relationships we build are meant to strengthen us by surrounding ourselves with those that can lift us up when our weaknesses get the better of us.”
She smiled at him.  “And you should consider yourself very blessed to have so many helping you.  Even a flower.”
“Uh…”
Luna arched an eyebrow, though her smile did not fade.  “You know the truth, yes?”
“Uh…yes?”
“And you’ve accepted it?”
“I think so.”
“And you’ve forgiven Nighthawk as a result of that truth?”
“Of course,” Sky replied.  “He’s been more right than I have recently.”
“Then let go of the pain and regret, Sky,” she admonished.  “You’ve been trying to hide part of yourself because you were ashamed of it.  But if you embrace the truth, then you have nothing to hide.  It’s so much easier that way.  Freedom comes when you accept the truth.”
An involuntary smile stretched across Sky’s face.  “You make it sound like this is old hat to you.”
“Very old,” Luna replied with a laugh.  “But in all seriousness, it’s something I learned through experience.  I’ll never forget it.”
“Hm.”  Sky stared at the horizon thoughtfully.  I’m so blessed.  All these things that I should know, and yet all these friends of mine are willing to teach me again and again because they love me too much.  What did I ever do to deserve that?
Another thought suddenly came to him.  He looked up to Princess Luna, who herself had decided to gaze out over the rocky landscape in silent meditation.  “Princess, I have a question, if I may.”
“Of course, Sky Streak.”
“Um…to be honest, I’m not entirely sure how to ask this.”  He rubbed his left leg nervously.  “So, uhm...er…”
“Must be quite a question to have you this nervous,” Luna observed.
“Well…yeah.”  He shrugged and decided to throw caution to the wind.  If Luna got upset, that was probably his own fault for asking such a personal question.  “Storm Emblem.  Were you and he a…well…you know, a—”
“A couple?” Luna asked.  Even if she anticipated the question (which was possible), she couldn’t hide the surprise at the direct nature of Sky’s query.  “I have often wondered the same thing.  Storm Emblem and I were certainly close, Sky Streak.  You don’t need me to tell you that to know it was true.  You saw how we treated each other back in the Vault.”
Sky nodded.  “Yeah.  That’s part of what prompted the question.”
“I don’t think we ever actually reached that point, truth be told,” Luna sighed.  “Had I not given in to my dark side and become Nightmare Moon, it might have been possible.  But my selfishness destroyed that dream, however likely or unlikely it was, when I was exiled.  I won’t deny that Storm Emblem has always held a soft space within my heart.  I was still young back then, as alicorns are considered.  He was always so noble, so honorable and chivalrous…he probably entertained the thought of courting a princess just because that’s how his mind worked,” she said with a nostalgic giggle.
“Princess,” Sky said, reaching into his saddlebags next to him and drawing out an old book with a faded gray cover, “I have something I think you need to see.”
Luna regarded the book with mild curiosity.  “And what is this?”
“It’s…it’s his journal,” Sky answered simply, gently presenting it to her.  “Nighthawk and I found it while we were in Vanhoover, in Phantom Star’s home.  Storm Emblem wrote a lot in there, and I’ve read most of it, but…well…you’re the one that deserves to read that the most.”
Luna hoisted the book with her magic, staring at it with wide eyes.  “His journal…” she whispered.
“I know it wasn’t mine to take, and if you think I should return it, then I will,” Sky explained.  “But while I was reading, I just couldn’t help but think that you needed to see it.  He didn’t think you would ever get to see it, but I doubt he could have known that things would turn out the way they did.  He would want you to see this.”
“I see.”  She silently opened the cover of the book, turning her eyes to the words upon the very first page.
For several minutes, Sky watched the princess read.  He had expected her tears, but he hadn’t expected the laughter and joy that sparkled in her eyes as the pages turned.  That’s true, Sky thought to himself.  It wasn’t all about the rebellion and the dark times.  Luna and Storm Emblem shared lots of good times together.  That’s why they were so close.
But, sure enough, Luna’s laughter and happy memories were replaced by a pained expression full of remorse.  A familiar discomfort rose in Sky’s head.  “Princess Luna, do you want to be alone?”
“No.”  Her response almost cut Sky off.  Her wing pulled him closer, and it was only then that Sky detected the trembling in her body.  “I’m glad you’re here with me.  I…I may need you to read the last few pages to me.”
Sky hesitated, then nodded.  “Alright.  Just let me know, Princess.  I’ll be right here.”
Another minute passed; its silence broken only by the occasional turning of a page in the journal.  Neither Sky nor Luna said a word, though with every passing second, he could feel the Princess’ trembling grow stronger.
The page turned yet again, and Sky recognized it: it was the final entry.  The pained words of Storm Emblem in the days following Luna’s banishment and his own pardon.  The tear marks upon the page seemed strangely more pronounced to him now.  Perhaps it was because it was in direct sunlight now, as opposed to the dim interior of Phantom Star’s home.  But perhaps more likely was the fact that Sky now had a direct connection with the author of the words on the page.  They had shared a body.  He had felt every pang of regret and every ounce of resolve to correct centuries of mistakes.  He had been named Storm Emblem’s very heir.  In a sense, the words on the page didn’t just belong to Storm Emblem: they belonged to Sky, too.
He watched as Princess Luna read each line.  Her lip quivered and her eyes slowly filled with tears with each letter.  He could see it—the regret and anguish that Luna had borne ever since her return—more and more with each passing moment.  Maybe this was a bad idea, he considered.  What if this drives Princess Luna back into a depression?  Or worse yet, what if this turns her into a new nightmare?  What have I done?!
In a panic, he refocused on the deep blue alicorn.  But to his surprise, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and closed the book.  She slowly exhaled, and when she opened her eyes again, there was no mistaking the look on her face.
Closure.
“Sky Streak, I cannot thank you enough for this,” she began.  She clutched the book close to her chest.  “This means the world to me.  It is painful to remember those days; even more so to read the torment that I put my closest friend through during that time.  But at last, I have the whole story.  I believe that Storm Emblem found his rest.  Now, I too have found peace.  I have lived every day since my return in the shadow of Nightmare Moon, fearing her image and wondering if I would ever truly be free from her.  But now, I feel as though I can finally leave her behind—in the past, where she belongs.”  She beamed at him, and Sky could feel his face turn red.  “Storm Emblem would be proud.  You are truly a worthy heir to his legacy.”
He blushed even further.  As much as he loved being complimented by Lily, there was something special when any kind of praise came from a princess: Princess Luna in particular.  Never gets old.
But his flustered smile faded as another sobering thought came to him.  “Guess that puts us halfway to where we need to be,” he sighed.
Luna seemed to have known it was coming.  “Ghost,” she replied simply.
“Yeah,” he answered stoically.  “He’s Storm Emblem’s legitimate heir…by family, I mean.  I shouldn’t have even mattered to Storm Emblem if his family wouldn’t have completely messed everything up like they did.”  He again stuffed his hoof into the cloud.  “I swore that I would save him from his darkness.  And as much as I think I could be upset with Ghost—Phantom Star, whatever—I can’t help but see him not so much a villain as a victim: just the recipient of bad information from a bad source.  He wasn’t corrupt because of his own decision.”  He looked deep into Princess Luna’s eyes, and his chest swelled with conviction.  “He’s not evil.  He just doesn’t know any other way.”
Luna’s expression softened again.  “Perhaps not, but that does not change the fact that he was still wrong, and has done wrong.  To many innocent ponies, I might add.  Not the least of which being yourself.”
“But—”
“However,” she cut him off, “it is our job to set right what is wrong, is it not?”  She gave him a reassuring smile.
“Hm.”  He turned and gazed back to the horizon.  “I guess it is.”
“And I like to believe that of all the ponies in Equestria, you’re the one most able to set him right.”
Sky sighed in uncertainty.  It sounded good, sure.  But whether or not Sky could actually succeed in showing Ghost the error of his ways—well, that was a different matter entirely.  But no matter how difficult the task, Sky had made a solemn oath to try.
And try he would.
The sky had changed to a lovely golden color as the sun began its final descent, giving way to the night—which gave Sky an idea.  “Princess Luna?”
“Yes?”
“Could you do me a favor?”
She regarded him from the corners of her eyes.  “What would that be?”
Sky lifted his head straight into the air and stared into the sky, letting the breeze swirl around him.  “Could you make the stars especially bright tonight?  In honor of Storm Emblem.  I think he’d like that.”
Luna smiled softly as she lifted her own head into the air.  “I think I can do that.”
He continued to gaze into the empty atmosphere above him, half-expecting another vision to appear there.  But the sky remained silent and bare of any intrusions.  Even so, he found himself picturing Storm Emblem’s last moments and the final charge he had left to the one he had named his heir.  I sure hope I’m the right pony for the job, he thought to himself.
A familiar, comforting voice entered his mind, and every doubt and concern he felt melted away as he saw a knowing smile spread across Luna’s face.
I know you are.
> Epilogue: Love for the Present
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot Hospital
May 18, 7:58 PM

Stillness.
It’s not something usually found in a hospital.  If anything, the hospital is in a constant state of hustle and bustle as doctors and nurses move from one room to another, checking in on their patients.  Emergency responders race down the hall, hastily wheeling carts with injured ponies on board.  As a general rule, hospitals were noisy, crowded, busy places that were all-too-eagerly avoided at any cost.
Not today.
At least, it didn’t appear that way to Sky Streak.  Everything seemed so serene and calm, like the quiet that follows a snowstorm.  It could have just been his imagination, but…nah.  It felt too real for that to be the case.
He casually strode down the unusually empty hallway towards room 195.  His perception of peace within the white walls of the hospital was made even more ironic when he considered that every visit he had made to this place prior to two weeks ago had been filled with thoughts of pain, sorrow, regret, and despair.
Not today.  There was no room for grief today.
Today was a day for joy.
He stopped before the door marked with the numbers “195” and slowly pressed open the door, peeking inside.  It was a single-occupancy recovery room.  Balloons and flowers sat on either side of a white linen-covered bed, most with the words “Get Well Soon” prominently displayed upon them.  A small smile rose to Sky’s face as he considered the outpouring of love and support that was evidenced there.
The far wall was comprised mostly of consecutive windows, looking out over the city like some kind of gigantic structural eye, watching diligently for any that needed aid within the security of the hospital.  And there, seated just behind the windows, quietly gazing at the outside world, was the one he was looking for.
Her mane and tail were loose and unbrushed, but Sky didn’t mind.  In his mind, there was probably nothing she could do to change his opinion that she was always beautiful.  He slowly shut the door most of the way, leaving it just slightly ajar.  He walked up beside her and sat down, taking a moment just to look at her.
She was really here.  Awake.  Alert.  Alive.  Several weeks ago, he never would have thought that any of those were possible.  His life had been a wreck.  He had been prepared to throw everything away because, as he saw it, he had nothing left.
Then, from somewhere beyond the reaches of his imagination, a miracle interrupted his despair and rewrote his story.  He was supposed to live out the rest of his days as a scarred individual, wounded to the core by an event outside his control.  But, cliché as it sounded, love found a way to do the impossible.  
A miracle at the eleventh hour.   A miracle of the most unpredictable and unbelievable kind.  But one that was undeniable as well.  As a result, here they sat: Sky and Lily, alive and well, and, most importantly, together.
But even that was unusual.  Every test and scan they had run on Lily had revealed that she had made a full recovery and was in perfect health, and yet, Doc Trotter had not yet released her from his care.  Everything would indicate to Sky that Lily should be good to go, but between himself and Doc Trotter, only one of them had a medical degree, so…well, here he was.  
Besides, “recovery induced by miracle” probably wouldn’t cut it as a valid reason to release a patient without some other tests and procedures.
So here he was.  Here she was.  For what had seemed like an eternity, Sky would have given anything to just have had the opportunity to speak to her and have her hear him.  And yet now, when she was perfectly capable of listening to his every word, he found that no words would come.  What was there to say?  What words or expressions could convey anything he was feeling or had felt since her accident?
Then, with a simple yet entirely deliberate gesture, she laid his head on his shoulder.
His face flushed instantaneously—partially from excitement, but also from embarrassment at a sudden realization: she could feel his emotions.  It was one of the many amazing things about her.  
If the Princesses thought that Sky was perceptive…well…he had nothing on Lily.  Even without her magic, she was one of the most sensitive, kind, and compassionate ponies in Canterlot—probably within the whole of Equestria.  But when you threw in her burgeoning magic talent to sense the emotions of others…
Sky smiled.  If there was a title of “Equestria’s Best Listener,” she’d deserve it.
But what was more, apparently her magic was...“contagious.”  Ever since Keeper had saved her life a few weeks ago, Sky had found that, in some small way, he had become able to feel a little of what she felt.  It was a confusing new talent, though with the memory of Storm Emblem still fresh in his mind, it wasn’t an unfamiliar one.  He had kept it a secret since then, not sure of what to make of it, or how it had even happened.  He assumed that it had something to do with the magic spell to save her life, but…he had no evidence of that—just a theory.
He looked down at her.  She had closed her eyes, and with her head resting up against his shoulder, it appeared as though she were sleeping.  So beautiful…so peaceful…
Peace.  It was a curious feeling to consider.  For the last month, it had been the one thing he had never truly felt.  He had been under a constant stream of conflict and turmoil, thrown from one struggle right into another—never given a moment’s rest.  When coupled with the twin problems of Lily’s uncertain fate and her inability to soothe Sky’s anxiety…well, suffice it to say that “peace” had never felt so far away.
But that was past now, right?  The conflicts were over.  Every threat to the safety of those he cared about had been neutralized or eliminated.  They had not only shaped the future: they had saved it.  It was a time of peace.
Then why did he still feel so uneasy?
He looked down again, only to find Lily’s eyes trained up at him.  They were innocent in appearance, but Sky could feel the concern emanating from her.  She could sense his discomfort, no doubt.  He couldn’t hide anything from her—even if he didn’t wear his emotions like a badge.
What was he supposed to say now?  He couldn’t explain the restlessness he felt even to himself, so how was he going to tell somepony else what he was feeling?  But he had to say something.  He owed her an explanation of some kind.  Denial would have been an idiotic move: she knew better.  He took a breath and opened his mouth.
But before a single word could pass by his lips, Lily’s hoof pressed up against his mouth, silencing him and earning his undivided attention.  She continued to stare at him with those pure, innocent eyes, and Sky understood the message as clear as day.
Hush.  Peace.
He could only imagine that his face was the perfect image of some kind of idiotic stupor.  Of course Lily knew what to say.  She always did.  An involuntary smirk pulled at one corner of his mouth.  It was basically her lot in life to cover for Sky’s “derp” moments.  And they happened frequently.
It was a good thing Lily was such a good sport about it.
She regarded his smirk with a serene smile of her own and laid her head back against his shoulder.  He slipped his wing out from between their bodies and draped it across her back.  She responded with a slow, contented sigh.  He felt her relax beneath his wing, and he flexed it to draw her closer to himself.  He could feel her heart beating, her every breath…even a small shiver as a cold chill presumably ran along her spine.
And in that moment, he realized the truth: this was peace.
Looking ahead, he had every right to be worried.  The reorganization of the Alicorn Guard into this new entity—the “Sentinels of Harmony,” they were to be called—was sure to be a painful and trying process.  Trucker had been appointed as its commander, but both Nighthawk and Sky had positions of authority within the group.  And while Sky was slowly coming to terms with his meteoric rise through the ranks, he couldn’t help but notice that Nighthawk seemed even more unsure of his abilities as a leader than Sky did.  It was a cause for concern, to be sure.
Celestia and Luna had their hooves full with all manner of requests for answers in regard to the Alicorn Guard, as well as the planning of logistics for the Sentinels as they prepared to begin their work all across Equestria and beyond.  Twilight had graciously offered her assistance (and, by inference, Spike’s, as well), and they had recruited the ever-capable Cubic to aid them, but it was still a daunting task that had them up to their eyeballs in work.
And then there was Ghost.  There had been little word of him from Vanhoover.  All indications were that he remained locked within his fortress of solitude, only leaving for short periods of time to get food or other such essentials.  Sky couldn’t help but think about him.  He had made a promise—a dying promise, in a sense—and he fully intended to keep it.  He needed to make a visit to Vanhoover.  He didn’t expect to be welcomed with open hooves, but…well, he had to start somewhere.
But in spite of all these concerns, Sky felt content.  Did he think about the future?  Of course.  It would have been foolish not to.  But in this moment, he found solace in an overwhelming sense of love.  Love for his friends.  Love for his family.  For his comrades.  For his home.
For Lily.
Love.  As he reflected upon it, he slowly came to realize—love had been the foundation for every miracle that he had experienced.  His victory over Nighthawk, but also his mercy upon him.  Ghost’s defeat.  Lily’s salvation.  Princess Luna’s redemption.  Every victory he had achieved had come as a direct result of his own (or even somepony else’s) love for another.  His own power and determination had helped to see him through each trial, but apart from love, he never would even have had a reason to fight.  Love was his compass: it led him to where he needed to be.
Maybe that was why the Princesses thought he was so perceptive.
So here he was.  Steadied by a hope from the past, steadfast in his faith for the future, and sustained by his love in the here and now.  He could leave his guilt and worry behind.  Only the joy of today and the bright possibilities of tomorrow remained.
It was only then that Sky realized that he still hadn’t said a thing since walking into Lily’s room.  His mind had been so aflutter with thoughts of things to come that he hadn’t even perceived the continuous quiet around him.  His eyes drifted down to where Lily’s head pressed against his shoulder.  Even after everything she had been through, she didn’t need an explanation from him.  It was enough for her that he was here, and that they were together.
Sky smiled and let his chin rest upon her head.  Maybe there was something to this peace thing, after all.
Maybe sometimes, the perfect thing to say was nothing at all.