//------------------------------// // Blooming In Shadows // Story: Prince Of Darkness // by RegalCrescent45 //------------------------------// POV Alucard The Medical wing of the castle was buzzing with activity one evening in mid fall... as a new life would soon enter this world for all to see. The mare who was to being this life into the world was none other than the younger of the two regal sisters. As the Nurses and Doctors hurried around the room with different pieces of equipment meant for various things. Though standing in the corner trying not to faint from the situation I was being placed in and somehow looking even more pale and lifeless than anyone thought possible. Soon the screaming of the regal figure gave way to the quieter screaming of newborn lungs taking their first breaths of air. The nurses cleaning the newly born foal off to the side. I slowly move closer to my wife and take her hoof in my hand. We each give one another a reassuring smile and turn to face the Doctor now holding our child in a pink blanket. Luna took the small bundle in her hooves while I stood by her side and watched. I had been told of the pony naming process but had not seen it in person until now. Holding her horn to the foals forehead which also sported a lump indicating she would grow her own horn later. Luna's give off a brief glow before she smiles and whispers to herself. Then she turns to face up at me and through a teary smile she says, "Ally, say hi to our daughter Shadow Lily!" It was then I black out as the gravity of what just happened hit me like a freight train. But as the darkness consumed me I thought I heard the Doctors scrambling and making noise, oh how I wanted to tell them to shut up and let my wife and newborn daughter rest. POV Luna After Alucard had been carried from the room I hadn't moved from the spot I was standing. It was that look in his eyes again... I never thought I would have to see that again. The bloodlust behind them still terrifies me to this day but... I can't bring myself to fear my Ally. His desire to protect those he cares about is one of the reasons I fell for him in the first place. "Sister you should call Twilight and her friends back up here in case the elements are needed to calm him down like the last time this happened" "I fear you may b correct Luna." Celestia replied while a scroll appeared and she started writing the summons for her student. Within seconds it was done and sent off to Ponyville. "I propose we talk to Ally when he wakes sister. He might not be okay when he wakes up and remembers what happened." "That sounds like a good idea Tia." And with that we make our way off to the infirmary with Blueblood in tow. Though after a few minutes of walking he asks the question we were most expecting and something I was wondering as well since I didn't know either. "What was on the scroll Aunt Celestia? It must have been pretty bad to get to Uncle like that." At this Celestia tensed and nearly tripped over her hooves. "It was a name... One that reminded him of his greatest failure both as a prince and father." After that nothing more was said as we made our way to the room where he as resting. Of course I knew that only meant one of two names... Which one however I don't know. We enter the room they placed him in and saw his sleeping peacefully. "Why?" This got my attention as I didn't know what Celestia was asking. "What is it sister?" "Why did this have to happen so soon after getting him back?" Looking in her eyes I could see tears almost ready to spill out. "I don't know Tia, but you can bet I'll find out." After a little while the Elements arrived back at the throne room and were waiting for the two of us. though a few didn't look like they were happy to be called here so soon after going home to rest. I can't blame them in that regard, I too wish I could curl up and sleep... but Alucard needs me right now. "I am sure all of you are wondering why we have called you back so soon, I'm afraid an incident has occurred involving Prince Alucard." Celestia started explaining to the group gathered below. "What happened Princess?" It was Twilight who spoke up first, though the rest of them looked like they had questions of their own. "It seems somepony decided to contact him today during an impromptu meeting between myself, Luna, Blueblood and himself. The message had been sent with the sole purpose of setting his anger off... with rather violent results. Thankfully nopony got hurt but I am concerned that somepony may be targeting Alucard." She continued. This time I stepped in to offer some information. "The message that arrived via teleportation contained only two words, two words that can send him off the deep end almost instantly as they remind him of his greatest failure. Both as a male and a ruler." This time the meek pegasus spoke up from the back of the group, "What were they... If you don't mind me asking that is..." "I don't have any problem with sharing such information so long as it doesn't leave this room as it is a secret kept from all but family. The two words were-" "Shadow Lily" Nearly everyone in the room jumped out of their fur as the sound of Alucard's voice echoed from the doorway . Looking up I saw him standing there looking at us from the entryway. Looking even closer I saw his eye still had the piercing red color instead of the calming blue he normally has. "Dear what are you doing up already? You should be resting after your ordeal!" I call to him from were I was standing. "No Luna... It seems I have taken too long to solve the riddle set before me. I must finish what has been presented to me before I can truly rest." He says while taking long strides to reach us quickly. "Tell me Celestia, Luna... does the word Millennium mean anything to you?" He continued with an almost steely gaze fixed on us. Looking to my left I saw Tia sweating profusely. What could she know about it that could cause her to act this way? "Now hold on, Weren't we gonna learn what this Shadow Lily was all about?" A voice spoke up from the gathered mares, the voice belonging to Rainbow Dash. "I suppose you all should know, but be warned I won't tolerate being interrupted during this... To start with I should explain just who Shadow Lily was. In her time she was the most talented unicorn when it came to illusion magic and conjuring magical constructs, like physical objects constructed purely out of raw magic. She was also going to be a teacher at my magic school but that's another story altogether. However the most important of her titles was one of her least known, She was the daughter of Luna and I." He explained in an almost monotone voice devoid of emotion. "WHAT?!" The group collectively shouted. "But if she was your daughter then why haven't we seen or heard anything about her before?" Twilight questioned looking like her brain was melting. "That's simple Twilight, I didn't want anyone knowing. So I hide or destroyed everything pertaining to her existence." "But why would you do that?" Fluttershy asked looking about ready to cry. POV Alucard "It all started around her second birthday, her doctor had asked to see both Luna and I in private and explained to us something that would eventually add to the reasons Luna turned into Nightmare Moon. According to Doctor Pulse at the time it appeared that her health was on a steady decline with very fe causes possible. The most likely was simple biology, meaning that while Luna and I could have children they likely wouldn't survive past their tenth birthday. And so we were forced to watch as our daughter withered away. We had thought long and hard about our situation, As Luna still wanted to have children we came to a decision. We agreed to let another into our relationship and form a herd of sorts, while back then it wasn't as common as it likely is now... We allowed a Unicorn stallion who had been seeking Luna's affection before I arrived to join us. It was a year later when Luna was found to be carrying another foal. This time a healthy unicorn colt. The major difference being the body structure or both the colt and Shadow. While the colt was born as an ordinary pony Shadow was a hybrid of sorts. She was born bipedal like me but with features of her unicorn heritage." "Who was the unicorn that joined the two of you?" Rarity asked, though I don't know why because it isn't relevant right now. "His name was Star Gazer, Unfortunately He is no longer with us." Luna spoke from behind me. "Anyway moving on and skipping seven years down the line, It is now Shadow's ninth birthday and she was already bed ridden, Even her magic which had been almost as strong as Luna's was too weak to help her move under her own power at that point. It was three days after her birthday that she passed from this world and moved on to the other side. That day marked my biggest failure as a father. Two days later the service was held and the entire castle staff was present. That is who Shadow Lily was." With that I turn around and address Celestia. "You have been rather quiet sister, Something you wish to share with the rest of us?" She was practically sweating bullets now. "That name, Millennium. I haven't heard it in almost seven hundred years. Not since The Purge."