//------------------------------//
// I will be there - this do I swear 
// Story: My Little Ponys' The Count of Monte Cristo 
// by kahnac 
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An hour later at the Dantes' residence, and every pony had long since noticed a certain teenage drake's absence. They had already searched through the house, but couldn't find any trace of him. They even looked around the perimeter, and had still found nothing. It had been well past midnight, and Twilight was already growing fearful and anxious. Losing her brother to some kind of outlandish accusation was bad enough - but now her younger surrogate brother was missing, too? This was almost becoming too much for her to handle. "Oh, this is terrible! Where could he be?"

"Ah'm sorry, Twilight." Applejack said sadly. "Ah wish ah knew the answer to that, but none of has any clue."

"Yeah: we've already looked around town, and we couldn't find him anywhere!" Rainbow exclaimed in concern. "But that doesn't mean we're giving up looking for him, Twi!"

"But what if we DON'T find him?" Twilight exclaimed. "He could be anywhere in Mareseilles, and wouldn't know the first place to look! What if he went after Shining, and something bad happened to him?" She gasped in fright. "What if they arrested him for trying to help him escape? What if-" A gentle hoof on her shoulder snapped her out of her panic attack. She turned, and saw that it was Cadence who had snapped her out of it. "Please, calm down, Twilight." She said in a gentle, reassuring tone. "Wherever he is, i'm sure Spike is okay."

"Oh, I do hope so!" Rarity exclaims with worry. "I hate to think of something dreadful happening to poor spikey-wikey out there."

"Especially with those....." Fluttershy gulped in fear. "Scary Gargoyles out there."

"Hey, come on, everypony!" Pinkie exclaimed happily, trying to cheer everyone up. "It might not be that bad. Heck, i'll bet Spike's already on his way back now. Smiling, and wagging his cute, long tail like gummy when he gets to eat his favorite cupackes."

"Wow, Pinkie." Rainbow said with disbelief. "That description at the end was weird, even for you. And.....no offense, but aren't you being a little too optimistic about this situation. I mean, it's not like he's just gonna knock at the front door right this-" Then suddenly, there came a series of knocks at the front door. "-minute?" Rainbow's eyes were filled with shock at how unexpectedly timed that was. Either way, none of the ponies dwelt on it for long, and went to answer the door. Twilight opened it, and she gasped at what she saw.

"Thank goodness, I made it!" Sombra said, before he indicated to the unconscious form on his back. "We have to hurry, now! I think he's just unconscious, but we have to make sure he's alright!"

"Spike!" Twilight exclaimed, ushering Sombra to come in. Every other pony gasped with worry, and concern as they saw Shining's (Ex)Friend carry in Spike on his back. Night Light and Velvet especially, who were quick to ready a couch for him to rest on. Sombra brought him over, and Twilight used her magic to levitate him onto the couch. FLuttershy came over, and had him checked out. After a while, she sighed with relief, and said, "He's alright, everypony. I'm not sure what happened, but he's only unconscious. Just like Sombra said." With that sense of relief calming their senses, everyone turned to the black-coated stallion who was now sitting on the floor, also looking concerned for, and relieved for, Spike's condition. "Thank you, Sombra." Twilight said genuinely. "After what's happened to Shining, I don't think I could bear to lose Spike."

Sombra put on a sympathetic smile as he placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I heard the news just recently: I am truly sorry for what's happened. If it's any consolation.......I don't think Shining's guilty, either." Twilight didn't say anything, as she felt her heart racing from her emotions. She simply smiled with appreciation, and nodded to her brother's friend. Rainbow, of course, was the first to ask the obvious question. "Okay, so how did you find Spike? Or I guess i should say where did you find him?"

He then assumed an uncertain expression to allude to confusion. "I found him when I was heading back into town: he was unconscious on the road leading to the woodland area. I......have no idea how he ended up out there, or why he was so far away from Mareseilles. But I knew I couldn't just leave him there for something bad to happen to him. So I picked him up, and brought him here, knowing you'd be worried about him." When his head was lowered, Cadence came over, and placed her hoof under his chin in order to look him in the eyes. "What you did was wonderful Sombra. Trust me when I saw we're all grateful too you for being so compassionate." His eyes widened, and he looked to every pony in the room. All of them showing how grateful they were to him for aiding Spike. Especially the Dantes' parents, who had tears in their eyes. Seeing them like this......actually made a piece of him feel a little guilty about what he ACTUALLY did. It was Shining who had earned his ire - not his family. He had respected them, and cared for them as much as he would his own family. And he wished no ill will towards them. He only wished Shining wasn't related to them, so he'd feel a little less guilty. But he quickly blocked off such an emotion from his heart. All he'd done tonight was for a reason: and he was going to see it through to the end. Even if someday, they may end up learning the truth about him. Till then, he'd sleep in the bed he made.

What else COULD he do?

"Strange." Mercedes said. Her horn was alight with her aqua-colored aura seeming to scan Spike. "I'm sensing alot of emotions raging around in his heart, and mind. Alot of it feels like.......anger....frustration.......and even....guilt?"

"Oh, my!" Rarity said, feeling so horrible for her precious Spikey-Wikey. "Do you think maybe he ran out so that he could let his feelings loose? He undoubtedly feels guilty for what happened to poor Shining Dantes. Maybe he was letting out those emotions, and cried himself into unconsciousness."

"I wish I had an answer for that, Rarity." Cadence said with a grim look, aimed at the slumbering form of Spike. "We won't really know anything until he wakes up. I just hope whatever happened to him wasn't anything severe."

Sombra smirked in the background. These ponies came up with their own stories, and theories, and only made it easier for his trick to work. Oh, how sad it would be when he would wake up with no memories to recall.

He just wished he could erase the memory of Shining Dantes as easily.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of whom, the unfortunate, and heart-broken ex-general of the Equestrian Military remained in his abysmal state as the guards sailed him across the ocean on a single boat. His hooves had been cuffed together, and a nullification ring had been placed on his horn beforehand so he wouldn't attempt to escape. As he was, however, that outcome had appeared unlikely. He appeared so defeated that it didn't seem he would ever get back up afterwards. And why should he? Last night, his entire life had been destroyed because his own best friend, Sombra, had framed him for treason and murder. And he was beginning to think that the centaur, Tirek, and Chief Prosecutor, Neighsay, had joined together in a conspiracy to frame him, and send him away to prison for life. And yet, he had absolutely no idea why they did this. Although, he did admit, Sombra gave a rather vague hint of his reasons last night. But it wasn't clear enough to answer why he did it. Still, it hardly mattered in the long run - because somepony whom he trusted, and respected, and even loved as a brother stabbed him in the back, and marked him both a murderer, and a traitor.

Lord knows how Mercedes would manage without him there at her side to support her. It wasn't fair, he thought to himself. This was meant to be a happy, and momentous day. His wedding, as well as Cadence's wedding, which would finally bind them together as they always wanted. Now........he might never see her again. And his eyes shut tightly as tears threatened to escape at the thought of her being alone. Among-st other thoughts running through his mind, he also thought of the others he would be leaving behind. Mother, and Father, Fancy Pants Firrel, Twily and her friends............and Spike. Oh, god, how could he have forgotten Spike? While he was hopeful his surrogate younger brother was alright, he also now had a new feeling of hope beginning of Hope arise within him. For Spike had been following him ever since his arrest. He knew the details of the conspiracy thanks to his avoiding detection. Unless they would even harm Spike, or worse, detain him, then there was a chance he could tell the others what was happening. Twilight would use that magnificent brain of hers to figure out how to save him. And he'd be reunited with Mercedes. The thought of embracing her again brought warm feelings to his heart, and made him smile earnestly. Hope was still alive. And by all the powers that be, he silently pledged to hold onto it until his freedom had arrived - or death take him.

The tolling of a loud bell snapped Dantes out of his thoughts. And he was met with an imposing sight that left Shining feeling all-too fearful of his fate. For this was the ringing of the bells of the Infamous Chateau D'if Le Tambelon prison. In fact, it was one of Equestria's most infamous, and notorious prisons which was considered second only to Tartarus itself. Once a magnificent, and beautiful city, the realm of Tambelon had fallen into decay when it's civilization had died out, and what few survivors left the city centuries ago. Now, it was reconditioned into an inescapable prison, wardened by a figure who was not of equine nature, but of a much harder, and more ruthless species: A ram. One who once served in the equestrian military, and was known for his vicious skills, and brutal tactics. All before he retired to become the keeper of the Chateau D'if prison. So far, his record had remained unabolished - for no prisoners had ever escaped this prison before. At least, not alive, anyway. And it was that notion which sent a chill down Shining's spine, and weakened his feelings of Hope a little. If these dark tales were true, then his only hope of ever escaping this infernal place was for his family to pull through for him - no matter how long it took.

The boat carrying Shining across the water eventually entered a sea cavern directly below the prison. Inside, standing at the edge of the rocky platform serving as the dock, were a pair of blue-furred goats who wore an imposing, navy-blue armor, and had glowing, red eyes. Their horns glowed with their own magic, and fashioned a rope to attach to the boat, and haul it in. The moment Shining had been dreading was here, at last. He only prayed that his time here would not be as horrible as he heard this place would make it out to be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deep within the confines of the prison, where the sound of crying and screaming prisoners echoed throughout the  halls, and corridors of the domain, Shining had been brought before the infamous warden of the prison. Even when he sat in his chair, Shining couldn't help but feel intimidated by the sight of this Ram. He was a few meters bigger than him in size, and was far more defined in muscle-tone beneath his navy-blue fur. Around his neck was a leather strap adorned with gold coins, and a single bell - which befuddled Shining for some reason. Protruding from his mouth were a pair of tusks aiming upwards, accompanying a row of razor-sharp teeth which the ram had shown with a smile. These complimented his glowing red eyes perfectly well, along with the humongous, curved horns on both sides of his head. The sight of Shining being intimidated is what made the Ram smile in the first place. But it didn't last long, and was soon eyeing the unicorn with a curious expression while stroking his white beard. His voice was monotone, and gravelly. And it only added to the creep factor of this ram.

"So, you must be the now infamous Shining Dantes I've heard about. Pleasure to meet you. I am Grogar: the warden of the Chateau D'if Le Tambelon prison. And now, I suppose you could say I am your keeper in this time of imprisonment you will experience."

While Grogar's tone was unnerving, Shining thought it was maybe a good idea to attempt to reason with him. Despite his frightening appearance, the warden could possibly be a reasonable creature. And he doubted he was a part of the conspiracy, so there WAS a chance. "Warden Grogar.....I know...you must hear this every time you have a new prisoner arrive here, but........but you have to believe me when I say i'm innocent of the crimes against me." Shining said in a desperate tone. "I'm being framed for something I didn't do. And now i'm being forced to pay for it here. You don't have to believe me, but........i'm begging you to believe me, sir!"

Gorgar chuckled in what sounded like clear amusement. "Oh, don't worry, Mr Dantes: I believe you. In fact, I believe you are 100% innocent. Of that, there can be no mistake."

Shining was feeling indignant by Grogar's casual sarcasm. "You're mocking me."

"What?" Grogar said in an exaggerated voice. "How could you say something so ridiculous? Of course I believe you. After all, if you were innocent.........." He then shot a harsh glare at the unicorn stallion. "Then you wouldn't find yourself in MY prison, now would you?" Shining was taken by surprise by that statement. He wanted to argue against it, and say how flawed the logic was. But then his expression fell to another defeated one. Because he knew there was a basis in that mindset. And it was the reason none would believe him in this place. His stay was guaranteed. "But that is besides the point." Grogar said, rising out of his seat. "All that you DO need to know is that as long as you do nothing to prove disruptive - or make any foolish attempts at escaping - your time here does not need to be as horrible as the rumors say. Though I still won't guarantee your stay is to be all that pleasant." The Ram allowed his silent threat to hang in the air, and intimidate Shining further. "Now, it is time for your official installation into this prison." He nodded to his guards, and they pulled Shining along after their warden. Wherever it was they were heading, it was taking them deep into the bowels of the cavernous prison. The sounds of a few shrieking inmates giving Shining the chills like he'd never known before. He only wondered how things could get worse from here.

Fifteen minutes later, they entered into an empty room with chains hanging from the ceiling. Shining gulped at the sight of them. He was unsure of what the purpose of those chains were, but he was certain they couldn't be good. He was beginning to grow suspicious that he was right when the lines of Grogar's horns glowed red, symbolizing his use of magic, an brought over something he didn't like the looks of: a strange, black band which looked like an equine-sized collar. "Isn't the suppressant on my horn good enough?" Shining questioned.

Grogar merely chuckled in amusement. "I can see where the confusion may enter here. But let me assure you, this is no inhibiting device." He then opened the collar, and fastened it around Shining's neck. Already he felt like he was being degraded to that of an animal by being forced to wear this "Collar". But then he received an unpleasant surprise when he felt the collar restrict around his throat, and felt as though it was actually melding into his neck. It wasn't excruciating, but it still hurt, and left his neck feeling constricted for a bit. "To put it simply, these are to allow us to keep an eye on our prisoners by tracing their mystical signatures. And, if a prisoner ever becomes unruly....." His horns glowed again, and this time Dantes received an even worse surprise than before: the collar released an unholy, electrical shock which electrocuted his entire body. He actually screamed in agony from the amount of pain he was forced to suffer. And never in his life had he EVER felt such an agonizing amount of pain. He began to fear that this was what was awaiting him in this prison. Thankfully, it ended when Grogar cut off the spell, and allowed him a chance to recover. His breathing was labored, and he was sweating in anxiety. "I feel that you receive the idea. Now, let us go over a well-tended "tradition" here in our prison." He nodded to his soldiers, and the rushed forward. Grabbing Shining by his hooves, they had him cuffed to one of the chains on the wall. One of them pulled a lever, and his arms were forcibly pulled up, leaving him hanging in the air with his lowers hooves barely touching the ground. They then used their magic to rip off the white shirt, and red tie Shining had been wearing. Thus was he laid bare, gasping, and feeling ever-more frightened by his predicament.

"Here in the Chateau D'if Le Tambelon, we have a method for keeping all of our prisoners in line: simple discipline. Lets them remember who's in charge of them here, and what happens when they disobey, and misbehave. Now, ordinarily, we give them a simple beating on the anniversary of the day they arrived here." He then grabbed some manner of handle from one of the walls. Out of one end came a long extension, which appeared to be made of the same material as the collar he wore. "But for your case, we've decided to add a little something special. Every lash will coincide with the collar's surge capacity. Meaning each strike i unleash, a quick, but strong surge will course through your body. Not that it matters, since you'll be getting used to the collar's shocking nature: because once a day, our prime bell rings throughout the city - releasing a magical signal for the collars to do their work. A rather successful method that's prevented more escapes than you realize. And something you should consider if you ever try something like that."

Shining couldn't believe any of this. From what he was hearing, these sick, demented monsters utilized torture as a means of keeping their prison secure. And a kind of torture which should never be condone by anypony, or creature. Yet somehow this fiend got away with it? It was unheard of. "You're insane! An evil Monster!" He exclaimed angrily. "Even prisoners don't deserve that kind of treatment! Do you get some kind of sick enjoyment out of making others suffer?!" Such defiance from this unicorn, Grogar thought to himself. But then again, it's not exactly as if he hadn't encountered prisoners like this before. The kind who always seemed to have a morality, but just spouted out things to help themselves. Still, he couldn't help but feel the need to explain some aspect of himself. "Of course I get some enjoyment out of punishing the criminals of this world: those who would disrupt the order of things for any number of reasons. Many of which would ruin the lives of the innocent. All I do is for the good of Equestria, and its people - ponies, or otherwise. Despite what you may think, the world is not one consisting solely of Black and White. So........i'll make you a wager: when you learn to find the grey areas in life's morality, then maybe i'll stop." 

And with that, the unholy torture began. Every strike of the whip not only marked Shining's back - but as promised, it unleashed a timed shock from his collar. The process, of course, left him crying out in excruciating pain with each strike dealt to him. His cries echoed throughout the prison. Each one seeming louder than the last. It was unknown how long this would last. But one thing was for certain: this was only the first day of the worst of a series of terrible days to come.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It wasn't until late in the afternoon that Spike had finally awakened. At least, he was as awake as someone in his position could actually hope to be. His head was pounding, and his senses felt as though someone had impaled them with something extremely sharp. Nevertheless, Pinkie was quite thrilled to see Spike was alright now. So much so she delivered one of her signature hugs. "Spikey-spike-spiiike! I'm so happy you're okay! Ithoughtyouweren'tgonnawakeupandtwilightwasalreadyreallyupset,butsehwould'vebeenreallyREEEEALLLYupsetifyoudidn'twakeup,so-!"

"Pinkie!" Spike gasped in her grip. "I won't.....BE okay....till you let....go!"

She turned sheepish and let him go. "Oopsie. Sorry, Spike: still don't know my own hugging strength." She then called for the others to arrive, telling them spike was awake. All of them rushed into the room, but not so as to overwhelm him. They all spoke of their gladness for his safety, and that he was awake. His smile was bright, and we was grateful for such concern. Finally, it was Twilight who began to speak. "Oh, Spike: you have no idea how worried we were. I thought something bad might have happened to you, and-"

"It's okay, Twilight." Spike said, placing a gentle finger over his muzzle to silence her. "I'm sorry I worried you. I promise I won't let it happen again." Then he gained a confused look. "But, um......can somepony explain exactly what happened? Or at least how I got back here?"

Twilight herself was confused by his question. "You mean, you don't remember anything? Anything about last night?"

Spike then tried to recollect his thoughts. "W-well.........well, I remember Shining, and Cadence had announced their marriage was coming sooner than before last night. We were all excited, and happy, and discussing plans for how to help out." Then his face fell into sadness. "But then.......that overbearing freak, Tirek, came in and arrested him for murder, and treason. I watched them take him away, and........." He then winced as his memory was canceled out by an unseen force - said force being Sombra's curse. Despite his friends concern, he shook off the pain. But in his mind, nothing else came around. "And that's it. Everything else is a big blur. I don't even remember leaving the house." he then looked inquisitively to his friends. "Did I really leave without anypony realizing?"

"I'm afraid you did, Spike." Cadence said, before pointing to Sombra. "Sombra found you in the woodland region, and brought you back to us. You were unconscious when you were brought in." Her horn lit up again. "I sensed some kind of emotional affliction in you last night that we pegged as intense emotional trauma brought about by guilt. Probably about Shining." she said the last part with obvious hints of pain in her voice. All it did was make Spike feel the same as he lowered his head, with his arms resting against his legs. "Guess I couldn't blame myself if I did. I mean, i only-.....i just......I just wish I could've.....helped Shining more than I did when they came for him! Maybe if I did, i-" He soon felt a warm, soft, and gentle form embracing him. To his endearment, he saw it was his sister, Twilight, who was hugging him with a warm, reassuring smile. "We all wish we could've done more, Spike. I know exactly how you feel." She then looked into his eyes. "But holding onto guilt will only make things worse - for everypony. And.....I don't think Shining would want you to feel this way on his account." This was something Spike did, indeed, consider for a moment. It hardly made things much better, but it certainly did help. And after giving his adoptive sister a smile, and returning the embrace, he showed that he was willing to stay strong for his brother's sake. All the others - minus Cadence and Sombra - joined in this heart-warming group hug. "And don't think we're giving up on Shining, either. I promise, that somehow, I WILL find a way to prove his innocence, and get him back from wherever it is they're holding him."

"That's right: we ALL will." Night Light said while holding his beloved grandson. All 9 of them sharing such tender warmth and happiness. Even thought he sight of it made Cadence smile......it soon brought a saddened look to her. Especially when she remembered that this was meant to be a much happier day for different reasons. If things hadn't turned out as they are now, then they'd all be sharing such a happy moment with her, and Shining. And not to have to keep calm about this tragic event. It made her end up going towards the front window, to look up at the sky. She could see it was already beginning to grow dark. Had a whole day already passed by so suddenly? Honestly, it was all but impossible to tell. So much had happened today, that is was quite a distraction. Yet nothing was distracting her when she gazed up, and saw something which made her lips quiver, and a tear form in her eyes.

It was the Little Star she shared with Shining.

It hung in the sky, next to the nearly full moon, whose visage hung in the air with the little light filling it as it always did in midday. And the sight of it only reminded her of the promise she made to Shining, and he to her: that this star would always help them find their way back to each other. As she reached a hoof up to her chest, feeling the ring she had tucked away in her dress, she only prayed that Shining could see it, too. From wherever it was he was being held. Sombra, of course, noticed her sitting by herself over by the window. As another with empathic abilities, he could sense she was missing.......him. Oh, how Sombra still detested him. Shining was always on Mercedes mind, he knew all too well. And even though he knew it would take time for her to let him go, it still irked him that she still fawned over him even when he wasn't there. But he was far better at controlling his emotions than others thought. And he knew he could use this to worm his way into her good graces again. With a brief, devious smile, he moved over to where she was, before putting on a sympathetic expression. "Hey." He said gently, earning her attention.

"Oh, Sombra. Hi." She said, turning back to the window.

"H-hi." He said, realizing this probably wasn't gonna go anywhere unless he did something. Then, and idea came into mind. He knew exactly what he needed to say in order to get her to speak with him. "Listen, uh.......a-about yesterday at the rocks? I'm.....i'm sorry. I shouldn't have let my emotions get out of hoof, and drive me to say what I said. I always let my temper get the better of me, and there is no excuse for that." When she looked at him, with some surprise in her eyes, he went on. "If I did, all i could say is that it was only because I was concerned for your well-being. And........I was still clinging to the notion of almost losing my best friend. I was an idiot who let his fears get ahold of him, and then took it out on somepony....." He sighed. "Somepony I should've just considered a friend like she wanted. It was selfish of me to expect any differently from you." He then looked regretful. "I only wish it didn't take this incident with Dantes to make me realize that. Can you ever forgive me,  Mercedes?"

She looked into his pleading eyes, and saw his sincerity - or what she thought was sincerity, given how good of an actor he was. Seeing this allowed her warm, caring nature to set in, and she smiled sympathetically as she embraced. "Oh, how could I NOT forgive you? I'm also to blame for being less considerate, and getting frustrated. I said some pretty nasty things to you, too, and.....i'm sorry, too."

Sombra chuckled in her embrace. "Guess even alicorns make mistakes, huh?" Cadence herself giggled in amusement. All the while, Sombra held a triumphant expression which was a mix of genuine happiness for his situation - and sinister glee in knowing he was one step closer to getting her, at last. "But I forgive you, too, since we were both in the wrong, it seems." A few moments later, and they broke off their embrace. Sombra, still appearing sympathetic asked, "How are you feeling?"

Cadence sighed in contemplation. "A little better." Then her face fell slightly. "But.....I still think I need a little time to adjust to what's happened. Will you.....tell the others I went out for a while?" She said while moving towards the door. "I just don't them to worry, and-" Sombra raised a hoof as he smiled. "Say no more. Take as much time as you need for recovering. You of all ponies deserve it." With a nod, she thanked him before exiting the household. Once she was gone, however, his smile fell, and a small frown stretched across his face. "Just don't take TOO long - you won't be seeing HIM again anytime soon, after all."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Evening had arrived at the Chateau D'if. Shining sat along in his cell, waiting for the last hints of pain to leave his body. His eyes turned towards his back, where he saw the faint outlines of the marks which were now all over his back bleeding through the mangy, brown shirt he was forced to now wear. They said it was his uniform, and all he would need to wear from now on. He was only grateful they had given him a small spell to help ease his pain before bringing him to his new "home", referred to as Cell # 37. Sadly, it was the exact kind of Cell Shining had expected: bare, empty, with nothing but a cot hanging on the wall next to him. And a single window with four bars over it, letting the light from outside in. It could have been worse, of course: they could have simply placed him in a stone room with no windows, or lights, infested with vermin, and a leaky roof. Or whatever the cliche' for prisons held. He also had a feeling he wasn't going to see anyone for a long time.That didn't mean he was going to give them the satisfaction of his keepers seeing succumb to the pain he would be put through. For his own sake, and to show his defiance, he would take as much as he could, and swallow it like a bitter medicine. But still, it would do nothing to ease the loneliness he knew would eventually come for him in this empty, stone box he had been thrown in.

At this moment, he was alone with only his thoughts to keep him company. All they did was make him worry for his friends, and family. They must have been worried sick about him, and had no idea what they should do. His only comfort being that, hopefully, Spike would tell them what had happened, and they would work to set him free. It wasn't much, but it was something to go by. However, his eyes widened with shock when another hope presented itself to him. Going up to the window, he peered out to see the night sky. And a feeling of joy filled his heart at the sight he saw.

It was the Little Star he shared with Cadence.

It hung in the sky, next to the nearly full moon, whose visage hung in the air with the little light filling it as it always did in midday. And the sight of it only reminded him of the promise he made to Cadence, and her to him: that this star would always help them find their way back to each other. As he reached a hoof up to his chest, he only prayed that Cadence could see it, too. And always use it to remember him, and the love they share between each other. On this night, he decided to make a solemn promise to add to the one he had made to her on the rocks that night. One he hoped would somehow reach Cadence, and bring her comfort through the loneliness he feared she would endure. So long as he lived, he would never allow her to be alone. This was something he swore.



🎵In the light that falls at moonrise
In the rhythm of the rain
In the miracle of ordinary days
In the hush of night
I will be in the whispers of lovers
Everywhere
You will find me there
In the rustle of a curtain
In the bustle of the world
In a thousand little unexpected ways
When you lift your gaze
I will be like the shimmer of one small star
Out there
Shining everywhere
I will be there
Beside you
Through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes
Remember my embrace
I will be there
Like mercy
I will find you through it all
This do I swear
I will be there

All the while, back in Mareseilles, Cadence had gone down to the docks in order to better gaze upon the Little Star in the sky, hanging beside the moon like a "star-crossed" lover, holding onto their dearly beloved. Doing so brought her memories of Shining to a head, and made her smile dearly. And thus further strengthened her resolve. As she let out the ring she had made from her dress, she gazed upon the celestial bodies in the heavens above, and made a solemn vow of her own. On this night, she decided to make a solemn promise to add to the one she had made to him on the rocks that night. One she hoped would somehow reach Shining, and bring him comfort through the loneliness she feared he would endure. So long as she lived, she would never allow him to be alone. This was something she swore.

🎵In a language never spoken
With the promises we made
In the endless low that owns me heart and soul
In the certainty I will always be true and as near as my next prayer
You will find me there
In the echo of the ocean
In the haunting of the wind
In mysterious extraordinary ways
Through the darkest sky
I will be like the shimmer of one small star 
Out there 
Shining every where

Overcome by her feelings, she took to the air with the grace of a swan. Dancing through the night sky as he elegant, beautifully long mane flowed through the air. Her back was turned to the ground as she dropped to the ground. But her maneuverability was as fast as any creature with wings, and she stuck the landing in a most graceful manner.

I will be there
Beside you
Through the lonely nights that fall
So close your eyes
Remember my embrace
I will be there
Like freedom
I will find you through it all
This do I swear
I will be there

The waves of the ocean began to splash against the dock. But did so in a manner which appeared as though the sea was playing alongside her hopeful melody. All the while, Shining had decided to attempt to at least break down the door to his cell - all to eager to be free, and reunite with Mercedes. He bucked twice, then slammed his shoulder into it, but to no avail. So he returned to the sight of his star, unknowingly singing alongside his beloved Mercedes

CADENCE:
In the harbour quarter

SHINING:
In the stone and mortar

BOTH:
In the star that we both share

CADENCE:
In the sound of laughter

SHINING:
Now and ever after

BOTH:
Look for me I will be there


Suddenly, their hearts became as one. And in their hearts, they envisioned themselves rising out of the clouds with each other. Cadence holding her beloved in her magic, as the two began to dance on the clouds in the light of the moon. Both of them were wearing beautiful, white wedding clothes, to symbolize their unity, and their dream of becoming husband, and wife realized. Both caressed each other, nuzzled each other, and held each other in their front hooves. Squeezing gently, but firmly so that they might never EVER let go. And finally, they gazed lovingly - longingly - into each other's eyes as tears threatened to fall. Shining's hoof stroking her face as she held it in hers. This was the most wonderful moment of their lives. And neither of them ever wished to let it go.

BOTH:
I WILL BE THERE
BESIDE YOU
THROUGH THE LONELY NIGHTS THAT FALL
SO CLOSE YOUR EYES

SHINING:
REMEMBER MY EMBRACE
(REMEMBER MY EMBRACE!)

I WILL BE THERE
(I WILL BE THERE)

BOTH:
LIKE JUSTICE
I WILL FIND YOU THROUGH IT ALL

SHINING:
This do I swear
(This do I swear)
I will be there

But sadly, they had to eventually let go, and return to the harsh reality which awaited them. Both their faces fell to sadness as they remembered just how far apart they were. Yet the hope of seeing each other still burned brightly inside of them. A flame which they would keep ignited forever.

CADENCE:
This do I swear
I will be there

BOTH:
This do I swear
I will be there

The moment their song ended, a black cloud sailed overhead, and consumed the light of their star and moon. Cadence's head was held low as she felt sadness return to her heart. And Shining had left the window, letting his head lower to the floor as he felt the same. The effect of this darkness much more bleak for him, as he was now left in his cell with not even a speck of light. He was all along in the darkness, and with noone else to be there for him.

A symbol of the Dark Days that awaited our hopeful, but sad lovers.