//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9: Following the Light 
// Story: Rise of the Element Gang, Book 3: Heroes United 
// by Power of Six 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 9: Following the Light

As I looked around the room, I was in awe by where I was. It looked almost exactly like the Black Room of Soul Eater, except it was void of any furniture, the only other occupying the room besides me were these floating lights of color. It also felt different. Could be that this room was my own Black Room, which would explain the multicolored lights. Though awe wasn’t the only thing I was feeling. I was also confused for, a second ago, I was floating around in a void and was in such pain that couldn’t even move. Now I was here and I didn’t feel any pain. Then I remembered what Dragonis said to me. Was this what he meant? Was this him and Luna giving me a chance, a chance to fight back? It had to be. Seeing this, I wasn’t going to waste it and let their efforts be for nothing.

Diablo… he had to be stopped… Looking around, I found an exit: one entryway decorated with red curtains. I rushed over, but—from going past it, the floor beneath me disappeared. Turning back in an instant, I managed to grab the edge of the exit, saving myself from falling. Looking around, I saw that the whole room was in a familiar void. Pulling myself back into the room, I then tried to use my claw to feel around for anything, even going to the length of climbing the curtains to see if there was a surface above. But, from doing this, I was only met by nothing. There were no other floors, or walls, or even any ceilings beyond the room. I tried to get my Fire Dragon wings out, but it appeared that Diablo took most of my power when he took over. I couldn’t even use any of my powers in my regular form. Seeing all this, I went to the center of the room and slumped into a heap. Though Dragonis and Luna saved me from being consumed by the madness, it didn’t do much good in helping me get free from it. Right now, going back into the void didn’t seem like a bad idea. What could I do? Diablo had already won and taken over, now free to do whatever he wanted, while I was now stuck in a room with no way out.

“Diablo’s right.” I said with a sigh. “I really am pathetic.”

“Now is that really Dusk Noir?” Hearing that voice, that teasing yet encouraging voice, I gasped as I knew who it belonged to. Lifting my head, I looked to see two orbs of light circling me: one red with a golden glimmer and the other being blue with a light trail that resembled the night sky. “Giving up so soon after being given a chance?”

“Oh, Dusk, how far you've fallen.” Another voice… one that was soft and pitying… I knew that one too! But… it couldn’t be…

Standing up as the lights slightly ahead of me, I watched as they transformed. What they became were two ponies, one resembling my elemental form but with more muscle, layered with armor, and a top horn sheathed with a three-bladed weapon and the other a pony—an alicorn—with fur like the midnight sky and a mane as bright as starlight, gazing down on me with compassion and empathy. These were ponies I knew all too well.

“Dragonis? Luna?” I said with disbelief, the two looking at me with smiles as wonderful as Celestia’s. “But how?”

“We’re inside your mind, Dusk.” Dragonis explained. “This is a cognitive world, where anything you think of becomes real.”

“So you’re saying you’re not really here.” I said to them.

“Not exactly.” Dragonis told me. “You see, I’m something forged from your memories with Dragonis. The Luna you see here is a piece of her she has through a spell.”

“A spell? Was that the light brought me here?” I asked.

“That is correct, Dusk.” Luna told me. “Thanks to your help, I was able to cast the spell that can help you find your way back. I have done this in order to give you aid.”

“Luna, you’re… you’re not using the Royal ‘we’.” I couldn’t help but note.

“That is only to be used for formal address, not when addressing a friend or equal to a princess, such as her sister…or one for whom she cares for dearly.” she added, that smile shining like the moon she rose and lighting a small fire of pride in me.

“Then… then you…”

“Yes, I do.” Her smile faltered and her expression softened. “Oh, what has he done to you?”

“Diablo.” I said, remembering the state my “brother” left me in when he took over. “He really did a number on me.” It was then that I felt regret for not trying harder. “I’m… I’m sorry. I tried to fight back, but he was too strong.”

“No need to apologize, Dusk.” Dragonis said. “The past is the past.”

“He is right, my little pony.” Luna told me. “What matters now is that you must stop Diablo Nightfall. Only you can be able to defeat him.”

“Me? Defeat Nightfall?” Just saying his name made me feel afraid.

“His rage is untethered and his cruelty is tenfold. You must stop him before he can do any more damage, to your mind and your body.”

“Okay, but how can I do that? Besides this room, there’s nowhere else for me to go.”

“Yes, the path does seem to be shrouded in shadow.” Dragonis noted before he smiled at me. “Perhaps a little light can help.”

“Really? Light?” I knew that shining a light on the exit wouldn’t help. “Look, with all due respect, there’s no point in shining any light down there. There’s nothing for me to grab onto, I’ll just end up falling into the void again.”

“Dusk, have you really forgotten?” Luna gave me an amused smile. “You have more than one kind of light?”

“What?” I was confused for a moment until I realized what they were talking about. “Wait… you mean I should use one of my color puppets?”

“Well, they helped you find the right path before, right?” Dragonis said to me. “Certainly, they will be able to show you the way here.”

“Yeah, they have. But that was in the real world.” I pointed out. “I’ve only been able to use them to find other ponies. Plus, they only seem to work when I have positive emotions about the pony I’m looking for. The only pony I can track is Diablo and I only have negative emotions for him. I’m not sure if my puppets can even track anypony with that.”

“Well, I do believe the solution is simple.” I raised a brow at Luna. “If you cannot use the light to find Nightfall, then use it to find your way back.”

“But the only way back is to find Diablo. What else is there?”

“Well, you said your puppets will only work with positive emotions, right?” Dragonis spoke. “Then used the emotions of which helped you in the past to guide your way.”

“Dragonis, I can’t use a puppet of somepony in here.” I told him. “None of the girls or any of my friends are here. Not a single one of those puppets can be able to work in here.”

“Then make a new one.” He suggested.

“What do you mean?”

“I do believe what Dragonis is suggesting, if the puppets you have used before cannot aid you,” Luna spoke up, “then perhaps you can create a new puppet which can reveal your way back.”

“A new puppet?” Though I wasn’t sure it would work, I decided to give it a try. It was the only chance I got. “But what should I make?”

“Well, is there anything that has helped you before?” Dragonis asked me. “Anything of which helped face something like this?”

“Something that helped me? Wait…” I then remembered the butterfly I saw when Discord tried to use his magic on me. “The butterfly… When Discord tried to corrupt me with his chaos magic, I saw a butterfly. After that, I felt like I could be able to fight back.”

“Well, then use that.”

“But… I only saw that butterfly one time. I don’t even know where it came from.”

“Still doesn’t mean you can’t try.”

I thought for a moment, trying to figure out what to do. With the two smiling at me with encouragement, I then decided to do it, closing my eyes and recalling the memory of the butterfly. I felt like I almost had it until I lost it, feeling a little winded.

“Dang it!” I scolded myself.

“Don’t give up, Dusk. Try again.” Dragonis encouraged me.

I then tried to use my magic again, but it once again failed, tiring me out even more.

“Keep trying, Dusk.” With Luna’s encouragement, I then tried again to only be met with the same result.

“Oh, it’s no use! I can’t do it!” I was now feeling like giving up.

“Dusk, don’t quit now.” Dragonis told me. “If you just keep trying, I’m sure you…”

“Dragonis, I appreciate the encouragement, but it’s not really helping.” I then hang my head in shame. “The puppets I’ve made before we were that I had created with all that I experienced with my friends, the feelings I had in my memories of them. I only have one memory of that butterfly. That’s not enough to create what I need. It’s hopeless.” I then slumped down on the floor. “Just leave me here.”

“Dusk, I’m not gonna leave you here to waste away.” He said to me. 

“Neither am I. You are my subject and my friend and I am going to help you.” Luna added as I felt something slip around my neck, though I ignored it as I looked up at her in surprise. “Now, get up.”

“But, Luna… I can’t…” I told her, still doubting myself.

“Yes, you can.”

“I’ve tried, it didn’t work…”

“Then try again, you must do it.”

“How? I told you, I only have one memory of that butterfly.”

Luna was silent for a moment before she spoke again. “Well… is there anything else about this memory?”

“What?”

“When you saw that butterfly, did anything else occur?”

I then looked back to when I saw that butterfly and remembered that that something did happen when I did see it.

“Yeah… I heard… a voice.” I told her.

“A voice?”

“Yeah… it sounded like my own, but… more confident. Encouraging, really. I’ve heard its tone before… back when I got caught by the Paraserpent.”

“And did this voice say anything to you?”

“Yeah… back then and recently… it reminded me about my friends, how much they mean to me and how much I mean to them.”

“So it reminded you of who you’re friends are.”

“Yeah.”

“Then I believe you have found your answer.” I then raised a brow at her. “If you can’t be able to create a butterfly from a simple memory, then use it as a symbol for which to place what can help you inside.”

“A symbol?”

“Yes, one of which will help you find your way. Much like the voice had reminded you of who your friends are, the butterfly will now guide you to where you want to go, where you need to be.”

I took a moment to think. Could it really be possible? Could I be able to create the puppet I need by doing this? Suddenly, I felt the flames of hope reignite within me, now believing that I could able to do this.

“Okay.” I said as I got back up on my claws and hooves. “Time to give it another try.”

“Excellent.” She said to me with a proud smile. “Now try and concentrate, imagine the butterfly within your head.” Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and began to concentrate, managing to get a clear image of the butterfly. “Good. Now, like you have done before, remember the ponies of which you would have done anything to save; the ponies you had helped and had helped you in return; the ponies of who had always stood by your side as you have done for them; the ponies who helped you find out who you truly are. Dusk… remember… your friends.”

From there, I then felt a rush of memories flow into me and I experienced the important moments of my life. While there were some that were bad and I had felt great pain, like losing my father and my brother being taken away from me, there were memories of where I had good come into my life. And those were the memories I cherished every day: growing up with Gold Star and Silver Blade; the day of which I met Shield, Dog, and Leon and the four of us became the Element Squad; my time with the Black Bulls, with all the Mystic Knights; all the battles I had as leader of the Element Squad, all of which I had my friends by my side, the adventures we all had.

I remembered the day Princess Celestia discovered me and send me and the guys to Ponyville where we met all the girls along the moment of which the Element Squad had now become a complete Element Gang. I also remembered the girls and how each of them had brought changes into my life, much like the guys. Faithful and honest Applejack, loyal and brave Rainbow Dash, timid but kind Fluttershy, my generous cousin Rarity, the happy and energetic Pinkie Pie, and… Twilight Sparkle, the mare who I had helped me open myself to friendship, who I hoped to become friends with, and care for most of all. Everypony I met on my journey, everything I learned up to this point, they all helped me discover the magic of friendship. They all helped me become the stallion I am today.

It was there and then I remembered why I need to stop Diablo, why I had to keep on fighting. It wasn’t just for my sake, but for the sake of Equestria. For my home, my family, and, most importantly… for my friends.


No one’s view

Within that moment, both Dragonis and Luna continued to smile as Dusk was surrounded by a shining, blue aura. As soon as the aura appeared, the part around his horn began to change. It then began dividing adding new strands of color, becoming a spiral of blue, violet, sky blue, white, yellow, orange, and pink. Gathering at the tip of his horn, a small orb of light began to form. A moment after it did, it gave a flash as it popped of Dusk’s horn, becoming a little white butterfly. After so, the aura disappeared as Dusk slowly began to open his eyes.


Dusk’s view

A moment after I poured my feelings into my magic, I looked and was filled with both awe and pride at the sight of a white butterfly with a trail of rainbow stardust behind it. I did it, I really did it!

“I did it!” I said, unable to hold back the smile from forming on my face. “I did it! Yes!” I then watched as the butterfly flew outside of the room, the sparkles that made its trail creating a path of clear white as it reached the level of the floor. “The path…”

“Way to go, Dusk.” Dragonis congratulated me.

“Indeed, well done, Dusk! I knew you had it in you.” Luna praised happily, watching me closely.

“So what now?”

“The battle is now partly won, but there is still a way to go.” she informed me grimly. “You must climb out of here, defeat Diablo Nightfall, and regain control of your mind.”

“She’s right.” Dragonis told me, speaking just as grim. “Only you can be able to put an end to his madness.”

“But how can I stop him?” I asked. “He’s stronger and faster than me, not to mention more ferocious. What chance do I have?”

“Part of it lies around your neck.” Luna said to me. “Look.”

I did so and, to my pleasant surprise, discovered that feeling on my neck I had earlier.

“My necklace!” I said as I saw the necklace that Twilight had made me, that good luck charm that had become as much a part of me as my heart. Though I noticed something was different about it. “Wait, it’s only got one stone on it.” While the band around my neck remained the same, there was only one stone hanging from it: the one with Twilight’s fur color in it, that sparkling shade of lilac. In a way, I had a small chunk of the magic left in me… I gripped it gently as spoke to the two before me. “Where’s the rest of it?”

“They’re out there, scattered all across the madness that has taken your mind.” Dragonis told me, motioning to the exit and I looked to see the butterfly I made hovering at the end of the path like it was waiting for me. “If you’re going to face Diablo, you’ll need the stones you once wore.”

“And as such, you must find and recover them as you make your way out. They shall give you the strength you need to stop your darker self.” Luna added.

“Really? Are you sure?” I asked.

“Well, this one just helped you find the way out, didn’t it?” Dragonis noted.

“They are symbols of your friendship with the Wielders, Dusk.” Luna added as she and Dragonis came over with the guardian placing a claw on one of my shoulders and the princess placing a hoof on the other. “They can grant you a power far stronger than anger and rage.”

“You really think I can win?”

“Of course. Just trust in yourself and I am certain you will succeed.” Luna told me. “Believe in yourself much like your friends believe in you.”

Though I wasn’t sure of myself, of what I should do. But then I looked to the stone I had and felt it, that spirit. It was like a light was there, contained in the little rock that dangled around my neck, in that little speck of color that was her… her silk fur like lilacs, her shining purple mane, her wonderful voice, and shining eyes. The thought of her—of all of my friends—added to my strength, my determination. It was there that I made my decision. I couldn’t give up on them, not without a fight first. Not until I had given it my all and come out on top…or fall trying.

“I do believe in my friends.” I said, giving that stone one last grip and quoting a warrior from the Dragon-verse. “And I also believe in the friends that believe in me.”

“Then are you ready to go?” Dragonis asked me.

“Yes.” I said, smiling with determination.

“Then go on and find the stones.” He told me. “Take the first step.”

“You two aren’t coming with?” I asked them.

“Unfortunately so.” Luna told me. “We have done all that we can. The rest is up to you.”

“But don’t worry.” Dragonis added. “You won’t be alone. Just follow the light.”

Hearing those last words, I then remembered hearing them before. Those were the same words Dialga told me. Looking to the butterfly, seeing how its light was showing me the way out of here, I was beginning to wonder: was Dialga telling me what I needed to do? Pushing that aside, I then got back to the task at hoof and was now ready to venture out.

“Right. Follow the light.” I said as I then walked over to the exit and turned to give Dragonis and Luna a smile of gratitude. “Dragonis, Luna, thank you for helping me.”

“Anytime, Dusk.” Dragonis told me as he and Luna smiled proudly at me. “And good luck.”

Giving a nod to them, I turned back to the exit, took a deep breath, and then rushed through, going along the path. Upon reaching the butterfly, I then looked around and saw as some kind of pulse of violet light filled the area, somehow changing it. Reaching towards the ceiling, gathering over where the Black Room was, I shielded my eyes as a bright flash came in. When the flash dissipated it, I looked up in awe as there was a row of what seemed like violet stars floating above me, illuminating the vast cavern I was in. putting a claw outside of the path, I smiled as I felt solid ground. Looking back towards the Black Room, I was then surprised by another extraordinary sight. Above the exit, I saw that multiple violet stars had gathered up to form an image. The odd thing about this was that the image they made resembled… Twilight’s cutie mark? But how… that’s when I looked down at the stone around my neck and realized that this symbolized me taking my first step in breaking out of the madness and taking back my mind. Looking to what lied ahead, seeing the tunnel that laid before me, I then turned to the butterfly with a confident smile and said:

“Okay, little guy. Be my guiding light and show me the way!” With that, it then flew off and I began following it, going along the white path it made for me as I began my ascent.








Diablo Nightfall’s view

The earth shook beneath my claws as I slammed them into the ground in frustration, roaring my displeasure at this failure. I had them! Luna was low on strength, close to defeat, and she was at his mercy. I was close to making Dragonis the same. Now, like cowards, they had fled, unwilling to face me to the end and die with some dignity. I will hunt them down now and they would suffer. Oh, yes, they will suffer greatly for this!

“Good show, my minion! Bravo!” Discord clapped. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen a proper fight like that.”

“But, master, I failed you.” I growled. “They escaped me before I could finish them…”

“There’s that, yes,” he nodded, “but you still managed to break Luna quite a bit before she left. And I have no doubt Dragonis ran away because he knew you would break him too. I must say, I’m impressed by how much you withstood and still have some fight in you.”

“Thank you, master. Your words embolden me.” I bowed. “Shall I hunt them down?”

“No. They’re not important at the moment. I’ll deal with them myself soon enough. Something involving toffee, a trampoline, and a pair of tweezers, I think.” he assured me with an evil grin.

“That sounds entertaining, my lord. Is there anything else you would have me do?”

“Not that I can think of.” Discord shrugged. “Just go off and have yourself some fun, my little servant. You’ve thoroughly earned it.”

“Master, you are too good to me.” I thanked, bowing again.

“Think nothing of it.” He then clapped his hands together and grinned all the more widely. “Now then, I have some more chaos to wreak. Perhaps I’ll turn the lake into lime Jell-O or turn the snow on the mountains into sugar frosting and the mountains into cakes. Oh, the possibilities of chaos are just endless!”

“It is glorious indeed, master.” I agreed. “I shall be sure to spread some chaos of my own in your name.”

“You’ll do your best, I’m sure.” He snapped his fingers and summoned a large clock. “Make sure you’re at the library in about fifteen minutes to witness the end of harmony in Equestria forever. It should be quite a show.”

“I would not dream to miss it, my lord. I hope that you… have fun.” I said with a smile of my own.

“I’ll be sure to and you too, Diablo. Wait! Almost forgot something…” He then snapped his fingers and this big centipede of black and red with yellow eyes appeared on my neck. Surprised, I watched as walked around my neck for a moment before it grabbed itself by its own end, its legs digging into my neck before it changed into some kind of collar on me. “There.”

“What the…? What is this?” I tried to pull the collar off, but it looked it was stuck tight on my neck.

“Oh, nothing just a little something to make sure you aren’t too reckless.” As my master explained, I halted my efforts to remove the collar. “That little marble will stop you if you do something I don’t approve. Behave and we won’t have any problems.” I then watched as he walked a few feet away before turning back to me. “That’s all. Until next time…” He saluted and vanished in a flash of light, leaving me in the midst of the destruction my duel with Luna had made. How wonderful…

I growled at the collar he gave me, now more frustrated than ever. I thought this would be the chance to do what I want, like getting to become a full-on Kishin, but instead he’s still treating me like a dog and keeping me on a short leash! Oh, well. Guess I can still try and have a little fun. I was about to run off to spread some more chaos for my master until I stop when I felt a twinge in my skill, like a mild itch. Rubbing my head, I shrugged and decided to ignore it. Perhaps it was just an after-effect after my battle with Dragonis and Luna. It would wear off soon enough, just a mild pain. That’s not going to stop me.

Grinning at the thought of the chaos I could spread, I then remembered that I still haven’t gotten Dusk’s necklace. It was there that I decided that it was time to meet my brother’s old buddies. Though, as I sprinted off, that nagging feeling still in the back of my mind. It was like something scratching away inside my thoughts…








Dusk’s view

Though the small magical light from both the butterfly and the path provided me with some visibility in what seemed like an endless chasm of darkness in these tunnels and the small chunk of stone around my neck gave me some renewed strength, my journey wasn’t made any easier, especially due to a combination of my own fear of pain and death and the state that Diablo had left me in. I had passed one reflective piece of stone as I traveled on and I had screamed aloud at how I looked.

Both of my eyes had been blackened, though one more severely than the other. There were two cuts, bordering on scars and still dripping blood, across my face; as well as an innumerable number of large purple bruises and red cuts, some deep and some only on the surface, all over my body. In addition to the cuts and bruises from the sheer brutality of Diablo’s beating, my tail was at an awkward angle, indicating it had been broken and I was now dragging it along, along with strong pain in my back, possibly minor fracturing.

Despite this, I tried my best to push on. I couldn’t treat my wounds as I had neither the resources nor the medical expertise. Though I had read some medical books, they weren’t much use to me here and I couldn’t recall most of the details. Because of this, my body was burning and aching from the pain that seared through me. I could barely make it along this stretch of flat ground. How was I going to cope when it eventually inclined upward? How could I even hope to stand up to Diablo like this?

“Can’t give up.” I told myself, pressing myself on. “They’re counting on me. Got to stop Diablo.”

Up ahead, I could make out a clearing in the tunnel… was it my imagination or could I see something floating, a shining suspended in a beam of light? Maybe I was suffering hallucination from so many blows to the head… no, that definitely looked like something… a jagged piece of stone, no larger than a cherry.

“Another fragment!” I tried to run towards it, but suddenly, the ground gave way and began rolling down a deep and rough slope, hitting every part of me.

By the time I reached the bottom, the pain I felt back in the void had returned, and I was having a hard time moving, even as I got myself back up. I looked up and saw that fragment was that very high up. Just had to move a little further.

“Almost… Have to… get to it…” I coughed and wretched again from the sheer effort of speaking and my arms buckled as I almost collapsed. I tried to push myself back up, get back on my hooves and claws, and get back to making slow progress towards the fragment… but I just didn't have the strength to do it, not on my own… I needed help…

“Please… help me…” I bowed my head, knowing that nopony could hear me down here. What was the point of that when…

“Mr. Dusk? Are ya okay?” That voice… that sweet, innocent voice… it couldn’t be…

“He doesn’t look too good.” remarked another voice, without the farm accent of the first.

“Come on, Dusk! You gotta get up! You gotta kick Diablo’s butt!” urged another voice. 

“Help me get him up.” Said another voice, one I recognized anywhere. I craned my neck up and beamed at the sight of them, though it hurt the corners of my mouth.

There, standing before me, were the three little fillies that made up the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Gold Star, the son of Princess Celestia and Mystic King of Equestria. Apple Bloom was closest, bending in front of me and examining my face with concern. Sweetie Belle looked equally worried and afraid, whilst Scootaloo was resolutely determined.

“Girls… Gold Star… what are you… doing down here?” I asked, in-between coughs and splutters.

“We heard about what happened and we came here to help.” Sweetie piped up, smiling sweetly at me, though her eyes still shone with fear.

“Well… I could certainly… use it…” I tried to stand, but only ended up retching and collapsing again on my front arms.

“Oh, no! You’re not okay!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “Come on, Crusaders! Our friend needs our help!”

“Yeah, don’t you worry, Dusk! We’ll have you up in no time!” Scootaloo assured confidently.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders: Quest Helpers!” they chorused and scampered around me, taking up positions. 

Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo wormed their way under my arms, using their backs to provide support and lifting me up off the ground. They strained a little under the weight of my body, along with their own diminutive sizes, but managed to hold me up without dropping me. Gold Star walked by my right side and Sweetie Belle walked by my left side and began to keep up a stream of encouragement, both for me and my cousin’s friends.

"Come on, guys, you haven't got too far to go." she said brightly.

"Why…why are…" I couldn't get the words out, but they picked up my meaning regardless.

“Well, you are my cousin. Like you said, family helps family, right?” my cousin said to me, giving me that bright smile of hers.

“Yeah, and we’re also your friends, Dusk. We like you.” Gold Star said from my right side. “Why wouldn’t we help?”

 “Yeah. ʹSides, ya helped us with gettin’ our cutie marks too.” Apple Bloom said from under my arm.

“Yeah! We’re helping return a favor and helping you beat the bad guy.” Scootaloo put in. “You make sure you give him a butt-kicking from us, okay?”

“I’ll… bear that… in mind.” I replied, giving Rainbow’s idolizer a weak smile.

I still couldn’t quite believe my luck as I hobbled along, assisted by the young ponies and my one of my oldest friend. Right now, the moment when I’d needed help, here they were to give it. They didn’t have any kind of obligation or need to assist me, it had been simply out of the goodness of their hearts. I knew them and I liked them, but I’d always spent more time with the girls and the guys than with them, yet they were still willing to give me whatever aid I needed.

There was still quite a way to go however, still at least five other fragments to find on the way out and I was now backed to this weakened state. They would tire from supporting me eventually if I didn’t regain the rest of my strength and recover soon. They certainly wouldn’t be able to help me fight my darker alter ego. And yet…

Maybe… Dragonis was right and that… I really wasn’t going to be as alone as I first thought.

“Come on, almost there!” Gold urged as the beam of light grew brighter. 

“Good ʹcause I don’t think I can carry him much further.” Scootaloo grunted. “No offense, Dusk.”

“None… taken…” I groaned, trying my best to take some weight off.

“Just keep liftin’ him. It’s only a lil’ further.” Apple Bloom encouraged.

“Well, of course I’ll keep lifting him.” the Pegasus replied. “In this position, I couldn’t not lift, right?”

“This would be easier if we had your scooter.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah, we could just put him in the trailer and move him that way.” Apple Bloom realized.

“Please don’t remind me.” Scootaloo snapped.

“What? I’m just saying…”

“I know you’re just saying, Sweetie, but it isn’t helping.”

“Come on, girls… no need to… fight." I rasped as Sweetie opened her mouth to respond.

“Dusk’s right. Fighting with each other isn’t gonna help anypony.” Gold said to them before speaking to me with concern. “Man, you really don’t sound so good. Did Diablo hurt you bad?”

“Yeah… he did…” I grabbed my side as a twinge of pain shot up from it. “Though I think… that fall back there… might’ve… made it worse.”

“Why’d he do it?” Sweetie Belle asked. 

“Yeah, aren’t you two like brothers or something?” Scootaloo added.

“Well…” I tried to think of the best way to explain it to them. “You know those—ugh!—two fillies at your school… the mean ones?”

“Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?” Apple Bloom asked. “Yeah, what about ‘em?”

“Diablo is… rather like them… only ten times worse, if that…” I said, bitterly. “He hates everything that we… hold dear.”

“You mean like friendship and harmony?”

I nodded to Scootaloo’s question. “There are some ponies… who are like that… they can’t be talked to or… argued with. They need… to be fought… if there’s no other way.”

“But ya said that ya didn’t like fightin’.”

“Yes, but…that’s… mainly because I’m a… well, a wimp.” I admitted. “I just delude myself, it’s… a sense of honor and… decency, when really… I'm just too scared to do it…”

“Come on, Dusk. You’re not a wimp.” Apple Bloom said. “Ya saved my sister from the snake thingy in the Everfree Forest.”

“Yes, but…” I was about to say that was more foolish bravado than actual courage, but Scootaloo cut me off.

“Yeah and I'll bet there’s a bunch of other stuff you’ve done since then that’s pretty gutsy too.”

I considered this for a moment, all the things I’d done I might see as being brave: battling heavily armored diamond dogs, standing up on stage in front of hundreds to perform magic I’d kept hidden for so long, going head to head against one of the toughest fighters in the buffalo tribe, and winning and venturing once more into the Forest (even if I had some help) with no idea what I might find, with the intentions of trying to help my friends… Not to mention all the other stuff I had done in the past while leading the Element Squad.

Not bad… for a timid little history geek. I thought to myself with amusement.

“Well… perhaps.” I said quietly. “Either way… I still need to fight Diablo… before this is over… I have no choice.”

“Aren’t you scared though?” Sweetie asked.

“I am, yes. But… there’s more to it.” I croaked, still feeling the pain in my chest. “Courage isn’t about… not being frightened… it’s being afraid and doing—ugh!—what you have to do anyway…” 

“What about your whole thing about not fightin’?” Apple Bloom asked. “My sister had a word for that. She said it was called bein’ a paci… paci… pacifier?”

“Pacifist.” I corrected, smiling down at her. “Well… to tell you… the truth… I had… gotten into… fight before.”

“Really?” Apple Bloom was surprised by this.

“He’s not lying.” Gold spoke up. “I’ve seen him fight. He’s gone up against things a lot worse than this. It’s why he’s one of the toughest guys I know.”

“Yeah… And much like now… I didn’t really have a choice. Had to fight… for my own… protection… along with… others. As such, with Diablo… I’ll have to make an exception, right?”

“Now there’s the Dusk I know!” Gold smiled proudly at me.

“Yeah! Go, Dusk!” Scootaloo cheered.

“Hey, look! We made it!” I looked up at Sweetie Belle's words and realized that she was right. “See? We made it!”

“Yes… yes, we did…” Gently, I relinquished the girls’ support and let them rest from their efforts while I limped over to the fragment.

It was almost the same as the one I currently possessed, except that this one had the color of pink set into it. Fitting, as I knew she would have done her best to make me feel better too and made sure I had plenty of laughs as well. Just like the Crusaders and Gold Star. Carefully, I levitated it down and attached it to my necklace with a spell. 

The instant I did, I felt a small surge of energy throughout my whole body, concentrating near my legs and arms. When I moved them, I noticed that they didn’t hurt as much as before. There was still a good deal of pain, but I would at least be able to walk on them a little better now. I even felt the tail I had been dragging was back in a normal state as I wagged it.

Magic. I thought, it was the only explanation. 

“You need any more help, Dusk?” Sweetie Belle asked from behind me.

“No… I think I’ll be fine, Sweetie.” I told her, noting that talking didn’t hurt as much either.

“Does that mean we can go now? I’m wrecked after all that.” Scootaloo said in an annoyed voice. 

I turned to face them. “Will you be okay on your own?” They nodded brightly. “Then… goodbye, Gold, Crusaders. And thank you for your help.”

“No problem, bud. Glad we could help.”

“Just make sure you give Diablo a fight he won’t forget!”

“We hope you make it out okay!”

“No problem, good luck, Mr. Dusk!” Apple Bloom said as she, her friends, and Gold sprinted off into the dark.

I stared after them minutes after they’d left. I was sad that they left me on my own again, but I couldn’t make them stay with me if they didn’t want to. Besides, they’d done more than I would have even expected from them. I didn’t even know that they were here so… Then I remembered what Dragonis said about himself and realized they weren’t really the Crusaders and Gold, but merely cognitive forms from my memories of them. Would explain why the girls didn’t freak out about my tail. But, if they were here, did it mean there were others here in my mind, waiting to help me? Or was that just a one-off, a stroke of luck, and now I was on my own? Either way, I was glad of their help.

I was still marveling at my increase of strength, however small it was. I was still hurting in places, but I would at least be able to walk by myself, so long as the tunnel remained flat. It had all come from this little chunk of stone, so small yet so significant; the same before with the fragment Luna gave me. I was sure it had given me the strength to stand again. Perhaps, if I kept finding them, I would be able to recover myself entirely.

I tried to remember that as, at a slow and steady pace, I set off again down the tunnel. At first, it remained flat, but then the thing I dreaded came to pass. The passage started to incline upwards, at first gently, enough so I could manage it, but soon it started to become painful. My lungs started to burn again, even more so in their weakened state and the joints in my knees and ball sockets started to ache from the exertion. What kind of pony was I if I couldn't even manage a gentle slope uphill?

I tried my best to push myself up, but soon I was on my knees, practically dragging myself out of the passage at an even slower pace than before. Despite its gradual incline, this slope was starting to feel more like a mountain. I didn't exercise much anyway and, combined with my weakened and beaten state, I felt utterly exhausted from the effort. My legs and arms, while they had recovered a little, were still damaged and this was putting a great strain on them, to say the least.

Eventually, I had to stop, panting and wheezing like an old stallion. Now, I wasn’t sure if I even had the strength to get going again, let alone climb back out…but I was on my own now and I doubted anyone would be able to help me…

“Geez! And you call me lazy.” said a familiar voice behind me and I whipped my head around to see the short form of a purple scaled dragon.

“Spike!” I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled once more. “I’ve never been more pleased to see anyone!”

“Good to see you too, bro.” The two of us exchanged a claw bump. “Wow, you look like you’ve been dragged backwards through several hedges by an angry manticore.”

“And I feel like I’ve been pummeled and beaten by Hoofacles with his club whilst also being partially zombified about 20 hours into the process… to say the least.” I remarked.

“See? I got that last reference, but not the first one.” Spike noted.

I couldn’t help but grin wider. “You’ve obviously never read any books on ancient Pegasi myths then.”

“And you’ve obviously read the Zombie Survival Guide I gave you, nice work!” he said proudly. “The zombies will be hard-pressed to infect us when they rise.”

“Well… I had to do something you'd understand, given your limited background reading.” I said with a smile.

“Since when did you brag?” a voice asked, though Spike kept his smile.

“Sometimes, it’s nice to brag. You two taught me that if anything, Shield.” My confident smile diminished and became modest again. “Either way, Twilight’s still smarter than me.”

“There’s the Dusk we know.” Spike chuckled and held out a claw. “So looks like you need a hand, Number One Pony Assistant.”

“Are you and Shield willing to provide it, Number One Dragon Assistant?”

“Anything for my brother in library-assistantship.”

“And anything for my pal.” Shield said.

“Then, my brother, my friend…” I grasped Spike’s claw and Shield’s hoof and heaved myself up, as they ran to my side to support me. “Let us venture on, side-by-side.”

So together, me, Shield, and Spike, pony and dragon, started to climb up through the tunnels, me doing the best I could whilst being aided by Spike and Shield. It reminded me of the many times me and Spike helped each other out in the library, like when I covered for some of his work because Spike had been napping and forgot about it or the time Spike had helped me out of a mountain of books that had collapsed on me. That had not been a pleasant experience, especially the dragon's pun about how I’d always liked being buried in a book. I was also reminded of the times Shield helped get out of difficult situations, like during our first mission when he stopped that metal beam from falling on me and those construction workers.

Now, their help was more vital than ever before and much more was at stake than berating about laziness from Twilight or a few broken covers and torn pages. Once again, I was happy to know that there was someponies I could trust and rely on by my side, especially one as light-hearted and friendly as Spike and Shield. At the best of times anyway.

“Just you wait, bro. we’ll be out of here in no time.” Spike grunted and shifted on my side. “You could stand to lose a little weight though.”

“You've got more of a pudgy belly than me, my scaly friend," I remarked, making Shield chuckle.

“Hey, that’s just baby fat!” he insisted. “I’ll grow out of it.”

“I’m sure you will.” I replied with a chuckle that was cut off by a coughing fit, retching, and wheezing like a pensioner.

“You all right?” Shield asked with concern.

I took a few long, painful breaths before answering. “I’ll be fine, but thanks for asking.”

“Wow, Diablo really did a number on you.” Spike grimaced sympathetically, but smiled regardless. “But you’re still here, climbing your way back out to fight him in an epic final duel, probably on top of a tall place with a choir singing in the background.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well… that’s how all final fights go. There’ll probably be some lava and explosions too.” His smile brightened a little more. “This is even kind of like that story you showed me once. You know, where that big tough bad guy beats the hero by breaking his spine.” He paused for a moment. “He didn’t break your spine, did he?”

“If he did, I’m sure I’d know about it.” I remarked. “But I see where you’re coming from at any rate.”

“Yeah and then he climbs back out and beats him in a hoof fight, even though he was broken, weakened, beaten, bloody…” Spike said.

“Sorry, how is this making me feel inspired?”

“What? I’m just telling it like it is.” Spike shrugged. “You think you can beat him this time?”

“Of course, he can.” Shield spoke up. “He’s a Fire Dragon. He can give old Diablo a good one-two in a snap! Right, Dusk?”

“Well, that’s what I hope.” I stared off in silence as the three of us shuffled up the hill before I realized there was a shimmering beam of light before me. “We’re here.”

“We are?” Spike asked as he looked around and grinned. “Huh. That was quicker than I expected. What is that thing anyway?” he pointed to the stone that was suspended in the beam of light.

“Yeah. Kind of looks familiar.” Shield said, not realizing it was part of my necklace.

I staggered over to it, grabbing it out of its place and holding it before my eyes. The color of Rainbow Dash’s fur was dotted on the black. Loyalty, like the kind Spike and Shield showed to me and vice versa. I added it to the others, once again feeling a boost in my strength and alleviation of my pain and physical injuries. 

“It’s something that can help me a great deal.” I replied, turning back to him. “Shield, Spike, thank you for your help. I think I’ll be fine from here.”

“You sure?” I nodded in response. “Good, I'm gonna go take a nap.”

“Good luck with your ultimate battle for your mind, buddy.” Shield said in support.

“Your support is heart-warming.” I responded with a wry smile. “See you guys soon.” With that, I set off back up the tunnel, now able to manage the steeper slope with relative ease.

After much distance from them, I then looked to see the butterfly reappear before me, flying ahead.

“Hey, there, little guy.” I said with a chuckle. “Been wondering where you went.” But I noticed something different about it. On its wings, it had the image of a red lightning bolt and a light blue balloon. While I did wonder what caused these changes on it, I pushed my curiosity to it aside and continued following my puppet, focusing on gathering the remaining fragments.

So, three pieces down and four to go, all somewhere along the way back up out of the darkest depths of my mind. I kept this in mind and it gave me strength, along with what had happened recently that made me feel not as scared as before. So far, I’d received help from others when I’d needed it, friends I never would have thought would even be there for me, Dusk, who was so unimportant and unessential. I couldn’t help but wonder who else would come to my aid while I was down here…

Bolstered on by this, I continued along the path, knowing each step brought me closer to my ultimate fate. 


	





Diablo Nightfall’s view

Laughing and cackling at all the chaos I was causing in Ponyville, I enjoyed myself as I head towards the library, doing things like turning stone bridges into paper so they dissolved in purple water, making fish fly about in the air rather than swimming in the rivers and lakes, bringing trees to life so that they walked around and caused mischief and anarchy in mine and my master’s name. Words couldn’t describe the sheer joy I took from it. It was glorious, beautiful!

All the while, I only vaguely noticed that the slight headache I had from the end of my battle with Luna and Dragonis was getting steadily stronger. It was slight and hardly noticeable, but it was. At first, I was concerned about it, but—in the end—paid it no mind. I just let the pain it brought fuel my anger and let me revel even more in the chaos he spread.

After I had finished making flowers become carnivorous, so they ran around after flocks of long-legged rabbits, the anger still burned at the thought of those mares… my master had said that they still needed to find their precious Elements in his game and I would have all the time to toy with them afterward. But I thought there was no harm in having a little more fun… especially with Sparkle.

Smiling in satisfaction of what was to come, but rubbing my head with annoyance, I set off in the direction of the library, laughing to myself as I did. This was going to be amusing…