//------------------------------// // Hello Darkness My Old Friend // Story: A Glimmer of Hope: The Beginning // by Mewrilah //------------------------------// “Cadance, are those two really -” “No, they’re best friends,” Cadance smirked. “So close that I can feel the love just pouring off both of them. They’re not in love, but they love each other. Like Twilight and her friends.” “That’s nice and all, but shouldn’t we be looking for Nick? I got an idea of where he might be,” Shining had a new determined look. “So do I,” Cadance grinned. “And here gentlecolts is the throne room. Guards, will you please leave us?” They all reluctantly did as they were ordered. “Honey, what are you doing? Why would you just dismiss the guards?” “Why don’t we ask our guests here. Right, Nick?” Nick just sighed and nodded, closing his eyes and reverting back to his normal form. Once he was done he nodded to his companion, who transformed as well. “I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting that,” Cadance wowed. “You were expecting them to be changelings?!?” Shining looked at his wife with disbelief. “Shining just hear me out-” Nick started to explain. “And you!! How could you break Twily’s heart like that? You ‘loved’ her and Luna, and you just went off without them, not even giving a reason why.” “Just let me-” “No! You had your chance to talk before starting all of this mess! As her BBBFF, it’s my responsibility to make sure you pay!” he started charging the wolf. Both Cadance and Thorax looked to Nick, who just shook his head. Shining leaped into the air, which was his second mistake, and brought his hoof down. Nick stuck out his paw to the captain’s chest and slammed him down into the floor. He pinned him there. “You don’t think that I didn’t want any of this to happen,” Nick calmly spoke, but kept a firm grip on the stallion. He could feel the darkness rising up within, but reminded himself he was in control. “That I had to make a hard decision in leaving Twilight and Luna so they wouldn’t get hurt by me? Look at me! Can’t you feel the dark magic flowing through me, the hatred?” “So why did you get into a relationship with them if you knew that you would have to absorb all this evil?” Shining struggled under his grip. “Chrysalis,” he spat. “Or should I say my first love.” “First love?” Cadance asked. With that, Nick had little choice but to come clean with the couple. Maybe then they could trust him and help him with Sombra. Thanks to his new transforming powers, he was able to show them what a human looked like, thankfully changeling magic giving him clothes as well. He explained what he had to do, and what he had been doing this entire time. “Chrysalis entered my head and pretended to be Sabrina. She convinced me to accept the girls’ offer so she could feed on our love. I was powerless against her and wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Thorax here. He saved my life, twice.” Cadance smiled at Thorax. “That now explains why I felt the connection between you two. It’s like a brotherly type of love. But now that you bring up the memory of Sabrina, something more than just leaving her.” “... I had to kill her. Chrysalis, being the coward she was, changed into Sabrina and got stuck as her. I had no other choice but to kill her in that form.” Nick fell silent. “Nick I’m sorry-” Shining tried to apologize, but the wolf held up a paw. “You didn’t know, and honestly I don’t blame you. I went off on my own, without explaining myself. I wish I had a caring brother like yourself.” “So does that mean you’re going to let everypony know that you’re here and going after Sombra?” Cadance suggested. “As much as I want to see them again, I’ve already absorbed too much darkness. Sombra has been awfully quiet, the other two villains as well. I have a feeling if we brought everypony important here they’d spring a trap. Once Sombra is defeated, all that needs to be done is to get the Elements, maybe all the princesses’ magic as well and purge the gem. That will end all of this.” A sound behind them captured all their attentions. Flurry Heart, at least what Nick could gather from her being a baby alicorn, was flying around, zapping items with her magic. Her foalsitter, a very raggedy orange unicorn tried to reign her in. The foal stopped when she noticed Nick, and immediately flew towards him. She stopped inches away, looked sadly at him, but then got an idea and smiled. Flurry flew closer and landed on his back, patting his head and petting him. It was her way of saying “Good doggy” without any words. Everyone dawwed at the sight, Sunburst relieved she had finally calmed down. “You must be the wolf I’ve heard so much from Starlight about,” he adjusted his glasses. “Nick was it?” He nodded, careful not to knock off the foal on his back. “The one and only. You sure have your work cut out for you, caring for an alicorn foal. I thought my job was dangerous,” he joked. “Oh it’s not that bothersome. After all I’m the Royal Crystaller, I’m the only one qualified to look after Flurry Heart, besides her parents that is. Sunburst, at your service. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but did you mention purging the gem you carry? May I see it?” Remembering the last time he tried to remove it, Nick hesitated. “I’ll have to keep it on my body. It acts like a storage for all this magic. Twilight determined if I removed it, all of this magic would consume me.” “Right, I assure you I’ll be extra careful,” Sunburst approached Nick and carefully lifted the gem in his hoof. Immediately he could tell that this was some strong magic at work, that one being linked to it was unfathomable. “You’ve carried this gem ever since you arrived in Equestria? I’m sensing otherworldly magic here.” “Really?” Nick looked down to the gem. “It’s true I’m not from Equestria, but where I’m from, magic is a myth, something that doesn’t exist.” “On the contrary,” Sunburst further examined the gem. “From my research into magic, collaborated with Starlight, magic does exist in other worlds and dimensions. It may not be as strong as it is here in Equestria, where ponies can physically harness it, but it’s essential for every living being. It has many different names: in your case I believe science is what it is called. And for some reason, it’s really strong with you.” “Well I loved science back home. How things worked, why things did what they did. But just being passionate about that would increase my ‘magic’ for it?” The ponies all smiled. Cadance decided to explain. “That’s what we call a cutiemark. It also makes sense why your was a microscope when you transformed into a pony.” “Wait, he can change like a changeling?!” They all pointed to Thorax. “Oh, right. I should’ve figured that out.” “With that all being said, I think it’s best I get going,” Nick spoke up, gently floating Flurry back to her parents, with some resistance from the foal. “Sombra is getting stronger with each passing moment. I brought Thorax here to try and forge an alliance between pony and reformed changeling. Discord has been hinting at some big event happening after I defeat the dark king.” He turned to leave. But Shining stopped him. “Let us send a squad with you, the Frozen North can be unforgiving.” Nick smiled but shook his head. “No. I don’t want to put any more lives in danger. Just make sure Twilight and her friends are ready when I return. And let both her and Luna know I love them.” Cadance winked. “We’ll let them know. Now go and save us all!” Nick nodded and began sprinting towards the balcony. He leapt up, his magic taking over, and he flew out of the castle, back towards the outskirts. He looked down at all the ponies below him, none paying him any attention. Would the average pony know what he did, that he saved them from possible destruction? He touched down, shaking his head. “I didn’t choose to be a hero for the recognition. I chose because it was the right thing to do.” That’s a bit cliche, even for you Nick. “Nice of you to finally show up,” he looked around for his companion. “And then there were two,” a wolf that had Discord’s eyes materialized. “I honestly don’t know why you choose to remain in this form, now that you have Chrysie’s magic you can go back to your ape-ish self.” “I’ve grown rather fond of being a wolf,” Nick replied. “Plus when I transformed back into a human, I felt weak.” “Suit yourself,” Discord changed back into his unique form. “By the way, you seem to be a good dad, the way you handled the op baby there. Sure you don’t have time to make your own with your marefriends? A memory after you’re gone?” “There’s no boundaries for you, are there?” “I cross dimensions at my own digression. You’re sexual wants or needs are nothing compared to the stuff I’ve seen. Besides, the other heroes gave into their carnal desires. You more than deserve some loving, even if it’s your widdle cuddle twime.” Nick rolled his eyes. “Do you want to cuddle with them. Can’t really stop you after I’m dead.” “Always the downer. Seriously Nick, be happy with the time you had or make more time. No one’s saying that you have to defeat Sombra right away.  And Fluttershy is my one and only cuddle buddy.” “You said it yourself that he’s growing stronger. I can feel it too. There’s no going back. Now are you going to help me or just bug me.” “Aww Nick, I zzought we were friendzz,” Discord buzzed around him. “I don’t know what we are,” he swatted at the insect. “But we’re wasting time.” He closed his eyes. The gem began to warm up. He went one direction and it continued to warm up. Another and it cooled off. Nick looked to Discord who was just grinning at him. “Must everything be a game with you?” “That’s not me unfortunately. Although that is a pretty good idea the Tree had. Your survival in the Frozen North depends on the gem and finding Sombra.” “So does that mean you’re gonna help me?” Discord shook his head. “The rest is up to you Nick. I need to get some preparations made and then also inform everypony of your ‘homecoming’. Ooh this is exciting!” “You really think I can do it? Even after what happened with Chrysalis?” “That was out of your control Nick,” Discord placed a paw on his shoulder. “But you defeated her with the help of Thorax. Just remember, you’re not alone in this world anymore. That’s all the help I can provide. Go usurp that tyrant’s throne!” With that Discord faded away, leaving Nick once again by himself. Discord spoke the truth, but looking towards Mount Everhoof, he couldn’t have felt more alone. Nick was no longer sure how long he had been searching the abyss, it definitely wasn’t hours any longer. He climbed partway up the mountain, but the gem had grown cold. He cursed himself for not buying the supplies he needed for this trip, having to find shelter in abandoned caves. His food supply was also running low with the ration system he had in place. “I thought you were going to make this easy,” he accused the gem around his neck. “You’ve only shown me how futile this is.” “Oh don’t be like that Nick,” Sombra’s voice echoed around him. “After a week of searching and you’re just giving up? Even when you’re so close.” “About time you made yourself known Sombra,” the wolf looked around the cave, picking a shallow one with only a wall just so that he knew he was alone. “Where are you!?” “Temper, temper,” Sombra tutted. “Have you thought about my proposition?” “To forfeit what I’ve been fighting for and join forces with you? Just so that it’s easier for me? Come on Sombra, what type of hero do you think I am?” “A smart one. One that actually considered my offer even though you claim it was just a diversion. I’m inside your head remember? Good work with Chrysalis by the way, she was probably the toughest of us all.” “You’re now complimenting me on doing my job? Now what’s your angle?” Sombra chuckled. “You still don’t get it do you hero? I used to be like you, had everything taken away from me. Except I accepted the darkness and gained power.” “But you were defeated by the Elements, twice,” Nick sighed at the villain’s insistence, but was glad there wasn’t a backstory involved. “How is accepting my ‘dark’ urges going to be any better than stopping you?” “You’re different Nick, different than all those heroes. That’s why you’ve gotten this far, you understand the balance between good and evil. Too much of either side is never a good thing. Honestly, how fun is it when there’s not just a little resistance when you take over Equestria?” “So what, the light is too strong and so I need to bring the darkness in balance?” Nick was getting tired of Sombra’s game. “Did you not feel uncomfortable or at odds with your conscious when you killed every creature? That when you absorbed the darkness you found it overpowering? That’s because a mortal alone should not handle all that power. But you, you can become more than just a mortal. You can be a god, just like your lovers, then you won’t have to worry about them outliving you.” “I don’t know who’s more pathetic, you or Chrysalis,” Nick got up, starting to pace. Obviously he couldn’t hide from him, but staying here was just as awkward. “Both of you waited to weaken me, her throne draining my powers, you waiting for me to be low on my rations. Both have tried appealing to me for your own selfish purposes. I know you’re just tricking me, why should I believe you?” The king laughed again. “How about I just show you?” Before Nick could protest, he was surrounded in Sombra’s magic and teleported. It felt similar to the villain possessing him. Flashes of light temporarily blinded him, so when he landed on the floor with a thud he wasn’t too sure where Sombra had kidnapped him to. The dots subsided and gave way just to even more darkness, save a red glowing light. Getting up to his paws, the light came from the middle of the room, on top of a pedestal. Cautiously walking up to it, he saw that it was a horn. He reached out to touch it, but it flew away, floating in the far side of the “room”. Dark smoke started forming under it, bright green eyes with red pupils the first features to appear. Thanks to the almost pitch black darkness he was in, it was hard to see the rest of his guest’s body. His voice confirmed his suspicions. “We finally meet Nick,” Sombra grinned his toothy smile that shone bright enough to illuminate his entire body. “Like my new body? It’s all thanks to you.” “At least you’re not using mine anymore,” Nick took in his features. “I will admit, you do look more evil with a body, although being a spirit has its own creepy vibe. So you were saved by your horn?” “It was the only thing I could think of when I was defeated by the Elements. Using the last of my magic I transferred my soul into this horn, waiting for someone like you to revive me. There’s a reason you’re the Element of Hope. Both sides depend on you, and it’s ultimately your decision. But before you decide, I think there’s someone you should meet.” Nick felt a chill run down his spine. Something, or someone according to Sombra, had just entered the cave. There was a flash of lightning, which conveniently illuminated the surroundings permanently. A human stood next to Sombra, one that Nick hadn’t seen in over 10 years. Dark clouds flowed from him, a dark robe covering everything but his face, most likely on purpose. “Hello brother.” “What do you mean you just left Nick on his own!?” Luna yelled at Discord. “He’s a big wolf now, he can handle the likes of Sombra, especially after defeating Chrysalis. We just need to get ready for his return,” he brushed the mare off him. “And he wants us to hit him with our magic?” Twilight added, looking to her friends. They all shrugged, their magic had defeated villains before, made sense that it could “cleanse” Nick of the darkness in him. “He’d barely feel anything,” Discord answered. “He knew what he was getting himself into and is willing to do what he needs to do. We have to be prepared to help him out.” “I still think we should’ve gone with him, from what you described Chrysalis got awfully close to ‘winning’. When do we get to meet this reformed changeling?” Luna huffed. “Is now ok?” Thorax asked as he walked into the room accompanied by Shining Armor and Cadance.  “Wow, you both feel just as strongly for Nick as he does for you. You really miss him?” Twilight, her curiosity getting the best of her spoke up. “Yes, terribly. Discord said you traveled with them and you saved Nick’s life twice? Do you mind telling us more, since Discord didn’t really tell us the details.” Thorax thought for a moment before nodding. “He’d want you both to know everything.” With that he retold the story of their adventure to all the ponies in the room. “I should’ve known you were behind all of this,” Nick growled, pacing around his brother, if only by blood. “Would make sense you wanted to ruin these ponies’ lives just like you did mine.” “Now that’s just harsh Nick,” his brother shook his head and sighed. “You’re not even going to let me explain myself after all this time?” “You had 10 years to do so, Aiden. Now that I’ve been taken from Earth, fell in love with two princesses and so close to saving this world by sacrificing my life, you want to explain yourself. Makes about as much sense as you taking everything Mom and Dad left behind.” “You didn’t need it, you were already finishing your doctorate or whatever and had several jobs waiting for you. What did I have? Living in a crappy apartment with a dead end job, going nowhere with my life. You had everything, a best friend, amazing girlfriend and two loving parents.” “Had. I had all of those things. Sabrina left to pursue her dreams, Alex and our parents died. You were the only thing I had left, and you abandoned me,” Nick felt tears in his eyes. Why was he getting emotional now? This was just making him weak. “You were my older brother! You were supposed to look out for me! You did so when we were younger! What changed you!?” Aiden’s grin faded and he looked down. The three stood there in silence before the eldest brother spoke. “You’re right Nick,” he finally looked his brother in the eyes. “I was a terrible sibling, you needed support after losing the two most important people to you. I was just jealous of everything you had, everything you had going for you. I saw you with Luna and Twilight the night of the Gala and I realized you had found love again. I want to help you.” “You help me?” Nick blinked. “How could you possibly do that?” “Like this,” Aiden casually replied, stepping over to Sombra. Reaching a hand to his horn he ripped it off the unicorn, his body beginning to turn back into smoke. Oddly, Sombra didn’t say or do anything. He handed the horn over to Nick. “Here, destroy it and you’ll be done with him.” He looked at the horn. Why would his brother just do this, hand him the last villain. He still had to deal with his brother if he was involved in all of this. But he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. Placing the horn on the ground, he ignited his paw and struck down with all his strength. The horn shattered, and Sombra’s wispy body flowed into Nick. With him out of the way, the brothers were the only ones to remain. “So it’s just you and me, brother. Soon just me,” Nick looked back to Aiden. His brother laughed. “And then what? You become a martyr and lose everything you love all over again? That’s just like you, only seeing things one way.” “So you propose I just let you go? Let the darkness continue to threaten this land and sit idly by?” “No. No. No, Nick. Don’t you get it? Good and evil, one can’t exist without the other. That’s why you felt uneven absorbing those dark souls. Just like Sombra said, one mortal is not strong enough to possess both good and bad,” Aiden’s eyes flashing, at least that’s what Nick thought he saw. The lighting was still dim. But decided to listen further to his brother. Maybe he had a point. “But if you had someone else to take all that darkness for you, to ease the burden, then you don’t have to worry about succumbing to it. Besides do you really think you can take me on in the current state you’re in?” Nick considered it. His brother was exuding more power than any of the other villains, even Chrysalis. He could also feel his resolve crumbling, the darkness was trying to take over. “So what do you propose?” “We go back to Canterlot, where your marefriends and everypony else is waiting for you. Then we come up with an agreement. No one else has to die, and we’ll be still at odds but then again, I’m sure you don’t want to change that.” His brother had a point. Even though he hated him, Aiden was now trying to help him out. Maybe Discord was overexaggerting with what he said, that everything would turn out bad for him wanting to do something for himself for once. He had two mares that needed him just as much as he needed them, he couldn’t just leave them without trying. “Alright brother, I accept your offer,” he finally spoke. Aiden grinned. “Perfect. Now I’ll need to borrow your body.” “What-” was all Nick could utter before his “brother” transformed into smoke and diffused into his body. Nick tried to struggle, but as Aiden pointed out, spending a week looking for Sombra had weakened his willpower. He fell to the floor, and after a few minutes got back up, his eyes and the gem glowing red. He grinned maniacally. “It’s time for a reunion, Nick.”