My Little Pony: Darksiders

by colorbrush94

Chapter 4: Choices

It was a beautiful morning in the small town of Ponyville, the birds were soaring in the air, gliding with the wind so gracefully, and the grass flowed like the sea against the wind. It was still early morning, so not many ponies were up and about the town, it all seemed relatively quiet. However, one specific house was not exactly quiet, it was actually really busy.

"Spike, did you finish dusting the "Pony History" section yet?"
"I haven't even gotten to that section yet!"
"Well just don't take to long on one section, we have to get this place shiny clean."

Today was cleaning day in the tree house Library, and Twilight Sparkle got up early as always to start dusting right away. Spike got up early to, mostly because Twilight made him wake up. Even thought Discord had been defeated only yesterday, The Purple Mare had scheduled today for cleaning as she had seen cobwebs and even spiders hanging around when they returned from Canterlot, and like always; she would not leave the tree house until the entire place was spotless. They had already cleaned and dusted the bedroom, the bathroom, and the kitchen, now they were tackling the library itself, taking down all the book, dusting the shelves, and putting the books back. Spike didn't really find it enjoyable, he found it boring actually. However, this was a task that was far to big for Twilight to handle by herself, so Spike was more than happy to help out Twilight, not caring how boring it was.

Twilight was busy dusting off the "Science" section, and Spike had finally gotten to the "Pony History" section, he was starting to take down the books when his tummy didn't feel so good. He thought it was a simple stomach ache when he felt a sudden jolt and a scroll emerged from his fiery breath, which unfortunately caused him to lose his balance. Twilight acted fast and quickly teleported, and caught him just as he was about to hit the ground.
"Are you okay Spike?!" Twilight asked, panicking.
"Yeah," Spike said calmly, "I'm okay, no scratches."
Twilight sighed, relieved that he was okay.
"What just happened?"
"Well, I think that's your answer."
They both looked at the rolled up scroll in the middle of the floor, then looked back at each other, then back to the scroll, both completely confused. Twilight then used her magic to pick up and unravel the scroll, then she began reading it.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student,...."
"Oh, it's a letter from the princess," Twilight said.
"Really, what does the princess have to say?"
Twilight looked over the letter, and looked at it with surprised eyes.
"Spike," she said worryingly, "We have to go, now!"
"What, but why?"
"The princess wants me over in Canterlot to see her right away, and your coming with me."
"What, but we just got back from there!"
"I know Spike, but I would never refuse a request from the princess for anything."
"Not even dusting?"
"I'm sorry Spike, but that will have to wait, this is too important to ignore."
"But what about the library, we can't open it without us being here
"Don't worry Spike, I'll just leave a note saying were closed until we come back from Canterlot."
"Well okay, if you say so."
"Just don't worry, it will all be fine, I'm much more worried about the princess anyway."

Twilight quickly went back upstairs, opened one of her desk drawers and took out a small piece of paper. She quickly scribbled something on it, pulled out a tape roll and stuck a piece of tape on the paper, she went back downstairs and put the taped note on the front door.

And with that, the two friends headed for the train station, headed for Canterlot.

Dear Twilight Sparkle, my most faithful student,

I know you have just returned to Ponyville yesterday, but something dire has come about, and I need your help. I humbly ask that you to come back to Canterlot. I hope that you accept my request.

Yours,
Princess Celestia

The train was moving a top speed, though Twilight wished it would go faster, she was worried about the princess, hoping nothing bad has happened to her. As the train sped across the cliff side, her thoughts became permanently stuck on her teacher, she was unaware of her surroundings, and did not notice that Spike was trying to get her attention.
"Twilight!!!"
"Huh, what?" Twilight regained focus and stared at Spike.
"You were zoned out, are you okay?"
"Yeah, sorry, my mind was on other things, about the princess."
"I'm sure you'll be able to sort this whole thing out when we get there, if anyone can do it it's you."
"But Spike, we don't even know what the problem is, how can you be so sure?"
"Because, your the best unicorn ever Twilight, and you know that." Spike said happily.
Twilight blushed, that made her feel a little bit better, but she still felt concerned, she had no idea what would happen when they got there, they would just have to wait and see.

The magnificent city of Canterlot looked as beautiful as ever as Twilight and Spike got off the train. The view was spectacular, but there was no time to go site seeing, they had to get to the palace right away. Twilight ran as fast as she could with Spike holding tightly onto her main, hoping not to fall off. She ran past the Art Museum and even past Pony Joe's Doughnut Shop, until she and Spike finally reached the Palace. The guards were expecting her, and kindly let her in, however in a hurry she simply ran past them and burst through the doors without second thought. As she entered the throne room she saw the princess herself on her throne, but she didn't look like herself. She looked concerned and worried, not the same happy princess that Twilight remembered seeing only yesterday. Twilight and Spike calmly walked over to the princess, as they did she looked up with surprised eyes, as if she had not expected this.
"Twilight?!" She said, she was most definitely surprised.
Twilight was a bit confused, "Yes, it's me, I got the letter you sent me, and I came over as soon as I could."
She rose off her throne, "Guards, please leave us," The guards left without question, leaving the three alone in the empty throne room.
"I'm so glad you came Twilight," she said with a warm smile but sad eyes.
"Of course I came, why wouldn't I come?" she asked.
"But you defeated Discord only yesterday, I was sure that you would be exhausted and needed some time off, but then something came about, and I wasn't sure what to do. I needed help and you were the only pony I could ask for it, I just didn't want to strain you...."
Twilight held up a hoof to stop her.
"Princess, I would never deny a request from you, you have done so much for me, I would do anything to help you, even give up relaxation time."
"Twilight...."
"And I mean that, truly."
"Thank you, that means a lot to me." Celestia said happily
She walked up to her and nuzzled her neck, happy that her student would never abandon her for anything, she felt so thankful that she met Twilight, even since the day she hatched Spike, she had grown up so much, and become a greater unicorn then she had ever hoped to be.
"Princess?" Twilight asked, "What happened, what is this problem you have that you need my help with?"
The princess' eyes turned concerned again, "Spike, Twilight, come walk with me."

The three walked down the hall of the palace, past various statues and treasures that stood on the many pedestals in the halls.
"Twilight," Celestia began.
"Yes Princess?"
"Have you ever heard of a place called, "Shadowedge"?"
Twilight stopped dead in her track.
"Princess," she began, "This may surprise you, but....no, I have not heard of it.
"It's alright Twilight, I don't blame you, nopony now a days knows about it, and very few even remembers it.
"But what is this place.... this Shadowedge?"
"I can tell you what I know."
Celestia took a deep breath, and began her story.
"Shadowedge is a country not to far from Equestria, beyond the Drackenridge Mountains," she began, "It is a shadowy place, with a dark cloud looming over it, forever covering the land in darkness."
"Really?"
"Yes, and the country has inhabitants as well, creatures called, "Darksiders"."
Twilight stopped again, "Dark.... what?
"Darksiders Twilight," she continued, "Large reptile like creatures I can only describe as shadow silhouettes."
Spike started to shiver, "They sound, really scary!"
"What are they like?" Twilight asked.
"We once held a great trust with them, we worked together economically, but unlike us, the Darksiders were more brutal and savage, and unkind to creatures not of there type. Over time they became more divided from us, and our opinions often led to tensions, until we just grew apart, and our relationship just faded into memory. That's why you haven't heard about Shadowedge Twilight, we haven't heard from in over 2000 years."
Twilight's mind suddenly snapped.
"two..... thousand..... years?!" She stuttered.
"That's a long time," Spike said.
"And not only that, my most faithful student, but prior to our long dwindled contact, we were at war with them once."
"You were?!"
"Tensions broke out between Equestria and Shadowedge, it soon evolved into what became known as the "Shadow Wars", we fought against each other for the longest time, for 500 years," Her voice became soft, " We were able to win the war and,but at a high cost, we lost so many good people and innocent lives."
"I'm so sorry princess."
"It's alright Twilight, it was a long time ago, and Shadowedge has left us alone for the longest time."
There was a short pause.
"Princess, were there any.... good Darksiders?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, that is essentially the reason I called you here. Out of all the other Darksiders in the entire country, one was the kindest and most considerate, and was very wise as well, in fact he was the only friend I ever made from Shadowedge back in my early years."
"Who was he?"
"His name is Overture."
Twilight's bookish thoughts started to kick in as heard that name.
"Doesn't that word mean "An approach or proposal made to someone with the aim of opening negotiations or establishing a relationship"?" She asked.
Celestia looked at her student with a warms smile.
"I have taught you all too well it seems, but yes, that is what it means."
"Overture did actually try to keep our relationship together, but in the end he couldn't stop the war from happening,"
"It must have been terrible for him."
"Yes, he felt ashamed that he couldn't stop it, instead he did something that completely shocked Shadowedge."
"What was that?"
"He defected to our side."
"What, he did?!"
"He was the reason we were able to win the war, he defected to restore peace between us, and with his help we were able to learn all the Darksider's plans, and were able to push them back and achieve victory. His decision was vulgar to the Darksiders at first, but after the end of the war, they commemorated Overture for his actions, and he eventually became the leader of Shadowedge itself."
"That's amazing!"
"Yes, but unfortunately due to our peace agreement afterwards, I never saw him again, I insisted we stay in touch, but it really was for the best."
Twilight lowered her head, "Oh princess, I'm so sorry."
"Well, that is until now."
Twilight perked her head back up, "What do you mean?"
"Because he's reason I called you here, he sent me a letter just yesterday."
"Really, that's great, what was it about?!"
"He needs my help."
"What?'
Celestia's horn glowed brightly, and a scroll appeared in from of her, she handed it to Twilight and gestured her to open it. With her magic, Twilight unraveled the scroll and began to read it, with Spike looking over her shoulder....

Dear Princess Celestia,

Surprise, it's me, Overture, its certainly been a long time since we hear from each other. I know that this may seem rather sudden, I'm sure you might be quite busy at the moment, but I have writing this letter asking for your help.

Shadowedge has reached a critical point, our neighboring countries have grown bitter towards us, as well as we are growing bitter towards them, and because of that our trading relationships have nearly broken, and our country is falling under economic depression. We have tried to repair our bonds with the others, but they will not believe we have really changed our old ways, they still believe us to be the savages we were so long ago.

That is why I am writing to you, my dear Celestia. I believe, that it is finally time we reform the bond that was lost so long ago, that we should unite together once again and help us in this predicament. I know that we promised that we would never interfere with each other ever again, but that was a long time ago, and my country is dying. I wish I knew what else to do but I don't seem to have any other option.

So here is what I propose, We will be sending one of our own Darksiders into Equestria, there he shall record observation and learn if your community is much kinder to us than before. Along with that, we ask that one of your kind observe our Darksider, and learn if we are much kinder than before. When the time comes to part ways, we will see if the observations are excellent, and that will give us assurance that we can become friends once again.

This is our last chance to set things right, I beg you to understand that we are not as we once were, and that we can prove it to you, to all of you. I humbly ask that you accept my request, and help us to reunite in harmony once again.

I look forward to your response.

Your old friend,
Overture

Twilight wasn't really sure what to say after reading the letter, her eyes read feeling of surprise and worry. There was only one thought that was popping up in her mind, what will the princess do?
"Princess?" Twilight asked
"Yes."
"What will," She stuttered a bit, "What will you do?"
"I already made my decision before you came, I will, no, I want to reform with Shadowedge!"
"Really?!" She had never seen the Princess this sure before.
"We are a peaceful race of creatures, I don't want to live in the past anymore, I want to embrace the future, and forget all the feuds and hatred we had so long ago. Restoring our lost relationship with Shadowedge is, I believe, a step to a greater future,"
"But, my decision is not final yet."
"What, why?" Twilight asked.
"I still need a pony to do the task given to us, to record observations on our guest from Shadowedge."
"Who is that pony Princess,"
"I was hoping," She paused for a moment, "You would be my observer."
Twilight was stunned, "You called me over to ask me for that?"
"Yes Twilight, I would like you to be my eyes and ears while observing the Darksider, but that is all up to you."
"What do you mean?"
"I will not make you do this task, I understand if you feel too exhausted or don't feel ready for this, it's your choice Twilight."
Twilight had never seen the princess like this, she had always asked for her help, but she had never felt that she was weighing down on Twilight. She could see that the princess needed her help, and there was no way she would ever deny a request from her.
She finally spoke, "I would be honored to help you Princess,"
"You will?"
"I would do anything to help you." She said reassuring her.
"Thank you Twilight."
Distracted by the conversation, Twilight soon realized that they had made their way to the old pony archives, and the princess was motioning her to go inside.

"Princess, why are we here?" She asked perplexed
"I shall show you."
Celestia's horn glowed, and a book on one of the top shelves slowly floated down to Twilight, she then looked at the cover.
"Equestria's Guide to the Unknown?" Twilight asked curiously."
"Turn to page 28." She told Twilight.
Twilight flipped to page 28 and understood the reason.

Shadowedge and Darksiders:

"This book tells about Darksiders?"
"It's the only book I have that tells about Darksiders, all of the other books telling anything about Darksiders were burned and destroyed."
Twilight looked at her teacher with shocked eyes, "That's horrible!" she said.
"After the war, ponies never wanted to talk or learn about Shadowedge again, so they destroyed all evidence that they ever knew Shadowedge or the Darksiders."
"I see."
"You should take this copy and read about Shadowedge, I trust this will help you understand a little bit about them, just enough to help you."
"Thank you Princess,"
"Twilight, I would also like you to stay in Canterlot, just until our guest arrives, and when that happens, I would like you to escort him to Ponyville, so that the Darksider can meet all the nice ponies there, and your friends as well."
Twilight knew very well, if there was anypony who could put a big smile on anyponies' face, it was the citizens of Ponyville.
"That sounds like a good idea princess."
"Right, but you must excuse me Twilight, I need to send my reply to Shadowedge, telling them that we are ready."
"Alright, I'll start reading this book right away Princess." Twilight said, and in a flash she and Spike took off to the Canterlot library to start reading.
Celestia walked back up to her room, she felt more confident than she had been all day, now that Twilight was helping her with the situation. She then sat down on her bed, magically brought forth a piece of paper, a quill, and some ink, and began to write her letter.

My dear Overture,

I have received your letter and I firmly agree that we should reunite once again, and reform the bond that we broke. So long have we remained dormant from each other, and I think it's time that we stopped living in the past, and become friends once again.

I shall await the arrival of the Darksider you are sending, and will see that he is treated with the utmost respect.

And, before I end this letter, I have one other thing I need to tell you, I've missed you Overture, I've missed you so much.

Your old friend,
Princess Celestia

And with that, Celestia ended the letter, and sent the letter off in a puff of magic, all the way back to Shadowedge.

It was a quiet morning in Shadowedge, the sun's rays shone through the thick cloud looming above them, giving off a brown radient color to the land below, and to the glorious white city of Nightingale.
Overture was sitting quietly in his chair, all alone in the meeting hall, anxious to receive any letter back from Equestria. He had been sitting their all day, worried that nothing would happen, and that any chance of reforming with Equestria were folly.
Just then, when he had just about given up, a cloud of magic swooped in, ad a scroll rested gently on his lap. He quickly opened the scroll, and read it very carefully. His eyes widened, and he quickly got up off his seat.
"It's time."