//------------------------------//
// Chapter 15 
// Story: Internal Darkness 
// by Silver Sorcerer 
//------------------------------//

Disclaimer: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and all associated characters, settings and stories are the rightful subjects of Hasbro, the HUB, Studio B, and Lauren Faust. 

Chapter 15

The snow continued to fall as she lay there. She couldn't move. She felt pinned into the snow. She desperately tried to flap her wings but felt no response. She struggled to break free of her snowy prison now crushing on her with more weight. The cold was seeping through her; she felt its chill course through every vein in her body. Her breathing was frantic, her mind unreadable as she thrashed about the merciless snow.

She wasn't quitting but the more she resisted the more energy she wasted and the more tired she became. Her vision was blurry and she struggled to keep her eyes open. Suddenly a thought came over here, a horrifying thought. She was dying. This was death. She was going to die here, alone, in the cold and unforgiving snow. She felt herself slipping, sliding further from consciousness despite her efforts. It was all in vain as darkness surrounded her. She managed to see one last glimpse of light before a sudden shock woke her up.

Rainbow Dash quickly sat up, looking frantically about her. She felt her hooves, her wings, her cyan coat and rainbow mane, all still part of her. She let out a long sigh of relief. It was just a dream. She felt weak and drained but she was alive and sitting in some cave.

'Wait, how did I get here? What's going-'

Her thoughts were dashed with the sight of the now waking orange coated pony lying next to her. Even in the low dim of the coals from a fire she could still recognize the rough, yet beautiful coat of her lover. The memories flushed back to her, the last moments, their last kiss, and the blackness that had consumed her. She had been so close to death and yet she was alive with her lover and best friend.

Waking from her sleep, Applejack rubbed her eyes and rose slowly stretching out her hoofs until she grabbed a soft pony who was now sitting up next to her. Opening her eyes Applejack made no sudden reactions but quietly grabbed Rainbow Dash and pulled her into a tight hug. Tears dripped from her eyes as she held Rainbow Dash who hugged Applejack in turn, tears in her eyes too.

"Ah thought Ah lost ya'."

"Yeah, I thought so too."

"But you're alive."

"By some miracle."

"Indeed, it was a miracle. If we hadn't found this here cave ya' would've been a goner."

"AJ, thank you."

"You're welcome and thank ya', Dashie."

"For what?"

"For always bein' that special pony to me."

"And for me."

"Dashie?"

"Hmm?"

"I love ya'."

"I love you too, AJ."

Their lips met. The sweet and simple passion and romance flooded both of them. Rainbow Dash was alive and with her was Applejack. All their past conflicts, all of their arguments, all of their embarrassing moments disappeared as the simple joy of living connected between them. They held each other in a warm and affectionate hug, their hearts exploding with love and thankfulness: thankful for being alive, thankful for their friends, and most of all, thankful for each other.

Their lips only parted for air and they kept meeting each other until all of the emotions had been shared. Only then did they part their moist lips and look deeply into each others eyes. Rainbow's magenta eyes were soft and sweet while Applejack's emerald eyes were calm and compassionate. They lost themselves in the others eyes, and they loved it. The best part about losing oneself is being found by that special pony.

Their cheeks weren't red; there was nothing to be embarrassed about. They were two best friends who were in love. They loved and tolerated each other and their friends did as well and that's all that mattered.

"So…what happens now?" asked Rainbow Dash as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Well, Ah have good news, we found Twilight."

Astonishment flashed over Rainbow as she spoke, "Really? Where?"

"In this here cave. But, Dashie, she ain't herself."

"What do you mean 'ain't herself?"

"She…well…erm…attacked us."

Rainbow Dash sat in silence, confused about what Applejack had just said.

Noticing her confusion Applejack said, "It's true, Dashie. She ain't herself. Her mind ain't right."

"What happened?"

"She thinks she's the old form of Princess Celestia from a thousand years ago."

"What?"

"Eeyup. She thinks she's Princess Celestia."

"I don't understand."

"Ah can't make it any easier ta explain, Dashie. Maybe when she's awake ya'll see what Ah'm takin' about."

"Maybe…where did you find her, again?"

"Right here."

"And you know it definitely was our Twilight?"

"Without a doubt. She don't look good though. She hasn't eaten in Celestia knows how long and is really weak, both in mind and body."

"Well, where is she now?"

"Just look over there."

Rainbow looked over past the coals of the fire to see a huddled mass of purple with a white unicorn, a yellow pegasus, and a pink earth pony lying next to her. Rainbow was speechless as she looked over at them. They had found Twilight; they hadn't given up on her. They had endeavored to find her and they did. Rainbow Dash turned back to Applejack and pulled her into a tight hug, tears in her eyes.

"I…wish I…could've been there."

"Oh no, Dashie. Ya've done more than your fair share for us. Ya' led us through that storm and saved our lives."

"But I nearly died."

"But ya' didn't. We saved ya'. Ah wasn't lettin' ya' go like that. The snow ain't gonna take mah lover away from me. Ya're mine, Dashie, and Ah love ya'."

"I…love you too, AJ."

This time their kisses were small and subtle, just little pecks on each others lips. A thought popped into Rainbow Dash's head and she pulled away from Applejack.

"Somethin' wrong, sugarcube?"

"It's…just I can't get over how weak I was in that snow."

"Gosh darn it, Rainbow Dash, ya' ain't weak. You're the strongest, most endurin' pony Ah know. You're the only pony that matches my skills. 'Member the times we raced and challenged each other? 'Member how we pushed ourselves? 'Member how ya' had mah back? Well now Ah have yours. Ah'll always be there for ya'."

Rainbow Dash managed a meek smile at Applejack's words. They were sweet, honest, and fulfilling; overflowing her mind with the wonderful memories that she loved so much. Her tears dried as she cuddled with Applejack. She felt safe, warm, and protected. Applejack was here for her. Despite everything she had done, both good and bad she was still loved. She hadn't failed; she merely needed time to rest and regain her strength to overcome the next challenge. She was alive and with her friends and lover, she could do anything. Her loyalty was unquestionable. It was these times that try a pony and Rainbow Dash and all of the girls proved that they deserve the Elements of Harmony.

They didn't know how long they cuddled before they heard a small "ahem" behind them. Turning around to find its origin Applejack and Rainbow Dash saw Pinkie Pie staring at them with an expressionless face. She didn't move as they two silently watched her, both holding each other.

"Glad to see you're alive, Rainbow," Pinkie said quietly.

"Umm…thank you, Pinkie," replied Rainbow Dash, unsure if that was supposed to be a compliment or not.

Quickly diverting attention from Rainbow, Applejack suggested, "Why don't ya' come over here and give Dashie a big ol' Pinkie Pie hug?"

"I'm not really in the mood," responded Pinkie unemotionally.

"But aren't ya' happy to see Rainbow Dash alive?"

"I guess, but it isn't her that worries me."

"Then what is it, sugar?"

"It's this feeling of sadness that overcomes me. I can't shake it off. It's like a bad song you get stuck in your head."

"Well, what's causin' it?"

"I think it has to do with Twilight."

"What 'bout Twilight?"

"I think it's bothering me because of the way she acted when we found her. Instead of welcoming us or even acknowledging us she blatantly attacked us and I had to stop her. I tackled her. It was just so…wrong. I never thought I would have to hurt Twilight but I did. I feel so disgusting."

"Pinkie, ya' had ta do it to save us and save Twilight. She was gonna hurt us and herself if we didn't stop her. Beside, she would want ya' to stop her. Our Twilight would never hurt us under sane conditions and if she was struggling with it she would want somepony to stop her from harmin' others, includin' us. Ah'm sorry ya're upset but ya' can't blame yourself for it and nopony is blamin' ya' either. Ya' did the right thing."

Pinkie seemed only slightly satisfied with Applejack's words. She still felt ashamed.

"I wish there had been another way," she regretted.

"Sometimes in life there ain't no other way. There is only one way: the right way."

"You did the right think, Pinkie," added Rainbow Dash. "I don't know if I could've done it."

"Now why don't ya' come over here and sit with us?" suggested Applejack once again. "We can talk and reminisce and see if that storm outside let up."

"I already check on the storm while you two were tending to your private matters. The storm is over but there's something else out there."

"What is it?"

"The moon is out."

"Yes, Pinkie, we know the moon is out. It hasn't risen since Luna's death."

"No, silly, the moon has risen. It's shining in the sky right now."

Rainbow Dash and Applejack exchanged glances and rushed to the magical barrier at the cave's entrance. Rainbow Dash was sore, but Applejack helped her the whole way. Gazing through the shield the girls saw that Pinkie was correct. The snow had stopped falling and now covered the ground in a blanket of white. The wind had ceased leaving the air still and calm, and above it all, between the dark patches of clouds, shined a bright white and circular object, its light coating the land and glistening off the snow.

The girls stood in silent awe at the wintery scene before them. Applejack put a hoof around Rainbow Dash and said,

"Ah guess they know what they're doin' in Canterlot."

"Yeah, I guess they do," replied Rainbow Dash.

"Should I wake the others?" asked Pinkie slowly walking behind the girls.

"Nah. Let 'em sleep. It's been a rough day for all of us. We should go back ta sleep too."

"Pinkie, if you want to keep warm or want a pony to talk to, you can stay with us, if you like," suggested Rainbow 	Dash.

"No thanks. I'll be okay."

"Ya' sure?"

"Positive."

"Alright, well then…um…good night, Pinkie."

"Good night, Applejack. Good night, Rainbow Dash."

"Good night, Pinkie Pie."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

The moon continued to rise over Equestria as most ponies slept. The few that were up woke their friends and families to show them the small yet brilliant sphere of white shining over Equestria. Though no official announcement had been made about the lack of the sun and moon everypony knew what it meant: Princess Luna was either dead or no longer capable of raising the sun or moon. The rumors soon spread but one from Canterlot dominated all the others: Princess Luna had committed suicide to join her sister in death. It was a sad thought but everypony quietly accepted it.

While everypony had known Celestia and had wept for her, few ponies truly knew Luna. She had only returned to Equestria just four years ago. Previous generations did not know of her and even the current generation that saw her and respected her still did not know her. Other than her moon, her presence was minimal. To the few that did know her they wept bitterly, even more so than they did for Celestia. Luna had been humbler, intelligent, and willing to try new things and experiences. She had been thrust into a modern Equestria and had adjusted well and had been accepted as a great princess.

Now she was gone, just like her sister. It was incomprehensible. To have not one, but two princesses dead within two weeks was impossible. Yet it happened. It was real. No magic could change it. No spell could reverse it. They were gone, gone forever.

With Luna's death, the sun and moon mourned for her and had refused to rise. But thanks to a select group of unicorns Equestria was once again bathed in moonlight. The true calm and pensive night that had existed for generations had returned. Everypony felt its tranquil and peaceful presence but they also felt something else: hope. The moon had risen and that would mean the sun would rise too. Equestria would return to normalcy, or as close as possible.

In the tallest tower of the palace a lone astronomer observed the moon and recorded its progress while a group of unicorns rested and slept. They were recuperating their strength and energy that they had used to raise the moon. Now they were preparing for the daunting task of raising the sun. Among them was a large stallion with a shining with coat and another with a dark crimson coat.

One was a military leader, the other civilian. One was admired, the other respected. One had clawed his way to the top, the other flew into it. One had the easy life, the other a tough one. Yet despite their differences these two stallions had been drawn together in a game of sorts. A game of emotions and of fate, with unknown winners and unknown losers.

But neither of them thought of the game or of fate; they were focused on the task at hoof. Magicon silently read over the parchment with instructions, mumbling the incantations to himself, feeling their potency and power. Shining Armor, on the other hoof, watched over the resting unicorn with a vigilant eye, protecting them as the white knight in shining armor.

Finished with the instructions Magicon set them aside and wandered over to Starry Skies who silently observed the moon and stars through his telescope. Noticing Magicon approach out of the corner of his eye Starry Skies removed himself from his observations and patiently waited for Magicon. When he approached him Magicon sat down, his eyes heavy and his head low.

"Beautiful night, Magicon," Starry Skies quietly complemented.

"Thank you, Starry."

"The moon is right on course. You've done wonderfully."

"Thank you again."

"So, why the long face?"

"Well, it's the difficulty of raising the moon. It was hard for all of them, you saw it. I had to jump in and put in a lot of my magic to help them. I'm worried that we won't be able to raise the sun."

"Magicon, Magicon, Magicon, you worry yourself too much. You not only have some of the most skilled unicorns in all of Equestria but you are extremely skilled as well. Your magic probably doubles that of one of these unicorns. You will be able to raise the sun. Do I need to give you another pep talk?"

"No, no. That won't be necessary."

"You've been so brave and so strong. I know you can do it. You are quickly making a name for yourself, Magicon. You will go down in history as a great hero to all of Equestria and I foresee many other great things you will do for Equestria. Celestia and Luna would be proud of you and thankful that they selected you to be the heir to their thrones."

"Oh, yes they are," mumbled Magicon to himself.

"What was that?"

"Oh, just some advice to myself. That's all, Starry. Nothing to worry about."

"Well, alright then. Come here, Magicon, I want to show you something."

Magicon rose and followed Starry Skies to his telescope. It was a remarkably simple instrument, yet beautifully designed. The gold trim beautifully accented the dark wood along its length and the poles is rested on were crafted with some of the purest metals in Equestria. It was a priceless object.

"This telescope has been observing the stars for nearly three centuries. It was given to Princess Celestia as a gift so that she may have the most beautiful and most effective telescope to view the sky with. At least that's what the main story says. What it fails to mention is that Princess Celestia would use this telescope for only one purpose: to watch and love her sister who was banished in the moon. It was her way of seeing her and making sure she was still there. She loved Luna and this telescope is a testament to that. That's why it always is set towards the moon. It is the moon telescope."

"A very interesting and heartfelt story."

"There's more though. This telescope was commissioned by a wealth pony named Sir Lofty Fields."

The name hit Magicon like a frying pan. Sir Lofty Fields had been the pony charged with Mission 13 in Red-Blood's book. He had been instructed to keep Princess Celestia focused on her work at all times and keep her out of the social life. It was to make her lonely and put up less of a fight when the time came to kill her. Lofty's wealth, which he had amassed from the pony in Mission 12, was used to hold extravagant parties at his estate, none of which Celestia was ever invited to. He kept her away from them, which angered her and she eventually arrested and tortured him, though not before he taught his apprentice everything he knew, and died silently at Celestia's hooves. None of the secrets of Red-Blood got out and the missions carried on without Celestia ever knowing. A tragic story, but only the real truth was known to the followers of Red-Blood.

"He gave it to her so she would be able to focus on her work because he cared so much about her," continued Starry Skies with the Celestia-made narration. "Unfortunately, he died a few years later from a farming accident."

"Yes, I know the story, Starry. Thank you. I'm the pony who currently owns his estate with the mansion."

"Oh, wow! Magicon, I didn't know that. I would be happy to return the telescope back to its home."

"Oh no. By all means keep it here. It would just collect dust if it were at my mansion. You use it a lot more than I do so keep using it. It's obviously helping you with your observations."

"Indeed it is. Come here and have a look."

Magicon peered through the small eyepiece and saw the large surface of the moon. At this magnification Magicon could see some of the larger craters and mountains of its surface. It was very rough and uneven, indeed.

"If you look on the left you can still see the outline of the mare in the moon," said Starry Skies.

"Wait, I thought the mare in the moon was on the right?"

"It is. Telescopes show mirror images to the naked eye because of the lenses. But look anyways, it's very fascinating."

Sure enough it was. Through the telescope Magicon could see the darkened outline where Nightmare Moon had resided during her banishment. Whether she had been awake or asleep that whole time was unknown but Magicon guessed it wasn't pleasant for her.

"Each night the outline fades into the rest of the moon and the process has accelerated with Luna's death. It's almost like the moon knows she's not alive anymore," finished Starry Skies.

"That is really interesting, Starry. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, why don't you get some rest? A little sleep will calm you down and help recharge your batteries for the sun. Don't worry, I'll wake you early so you'll have time to prepare and ready the group."

"Alright, Starry, thanks."

Magicon left Starry Skies behind and approached Shining Armor who remained in a motionless state other than his eyes which were slowly gazing across the sleeping unicorns.

"Shining, why don't you get some sleep? We're going to need your strength for the sun."

"No thanks, Magicon. I am perfectly capable of watching over the group and conserving my energy. I will be ready come sunrise."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Very well then, Shining. I'm going to get some rest, if that's possible. I'll need my strength."

"Alright then. Good night, Magicon."

"Good night, Shining."

Magicon slugged himself over to one corner and made himself comfortable. He didn't know if he would get much sleep but he might as well try. Equestria would need him and every ounce of magic he had in him. He just hoped that this wouldn't be the end of his days of magic. He hoped to do much more for Equestria and much of it would require his magic. It was something he couldn't afford to lose.

While Magicon liked Equestria needing him he never expected Red-Blood's plan to put into so much stress. His personal relationship troubles with Shining Armor weren't helping matters. His mind was struggling to simultaneously deal with all these issues and more. He liked Red-Blood's plan and he had fulfilled it. What Red-Blood and his followers, even his own master, failed to mention was the stress and extra responsibility that came with accomplishing his mission. Among the things that came with modern Equestria, more stress and more multitasking were some of the unexpected ones. Magicon had brought all of these problems on himself and now he had to deal with them.

Part of him relished in this busyness, it kept him ready for anything and helped hide his true self and dark secrets. But another part longed for the simpler life he led during those long summers, where he could just waste the day at his mansion, when Celestia took care of everything. Well, that was gone and so was Celestia. He brought the change to Equestria and he would see it through. He would get through these problems now so he would have less later. Equestria needed him and he would help them. He would do it for Equestria.