“Everypony get out of here!” Twilight yelled, “Shining, Get the unicorns to start teleporting everypony from the battle field. He'll take care of them foe us and give us time to stop him.”
With a nod, he blinked away. Twilight picked up Midnight and flashed the colt to safety.
“Shiro!” Kataya said, “Midnight's going to be OK! The arrow didn't hit anything vital! Please, fight it! Don't let it take over you!”
Her efforts were in vain. Her friends once white and black coat was a solid, sickly black, like before. This time, however, it was a little different. He looked even more sickly, and black energy came from him like oil falling up. Realizing she failed, Kataya flew off towards Canterlot. She looked back at him to see him raise up and let out a bellowing roar that sent chills down her spine.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Ahhh!” Midnight screamed in pain.
“I'm so sorry, Midnight.” Twilight apologized, “I'm trying to get this out as fast as I can.”
“It hu... urts.” The cold said through his tears.
“I know, sweet heart, I know. I'm sorry I can't cast an anesthetic spell, but I need to concentrate on removing the arrow and healing you. I need you be strong, like your dad, OK.”
Midnight nodded his head and squeezed his eyes shut, “OK, just do it quick, please.”
Twilight wrapped the arrow in her telekinetic grasp, feeling it out. The young alicorn crushed the barbs on the back of the head to a rounded point. After making sure it won't do more damage on the way out, she gave it a quick yank, pulling it cleanly from the druid child. He hollered in pain as blood began pouring from the wound. Twilight quickly got to work casting a healing spell in him. After no more than seven seconds the wound was nothing but a scar.
“There you go.” Twilight said, “I'm all done. Just rest here for a bit, OK. I need to do something.”
In a flash of lavender light Twilight vanished, leaving Midnight in the room by himself. He looked at the scar on his side. Dad's going crazy again because of me. He thought to himself, I have to do something before he hurts somepony again. He slowly crawled out of the bed he was in and limped out the door.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Twilight blinked into existence in the war room. Princess Luna, Shining Armor, General Saga, Captain Night, Waya, and Fus Paruk (in pony(ish) form of course) were all there talking about how they can keep Shiro away from the city. Shining and Luna looked exhausted from teleporting so many.
“Is little Midnight alright?” Asked Luna.
Twilight nodded, “He's fine. He's just resting now.”
The group remained silent for some time until Kataya flew through the window. She looked defeated.
“Don't blame yourself, Fluttershy. You tried to bring him back, and that was enough.” Twilight didn't need to be told what happened, she knew her friend too well.
“Thank you, Twilight.” She said, “Oh, and please, call me Kataya now.”
Twilight smiled at her friend, “Does this mean you finally accept who you are?”
Kataya smiled and nodded, but her smile quickly faded, “Twilight, he looks different than before, more... evil. He feels more powerful too.”
“It's OK, Flut... er, Kataya.” Twilight said, “Come on Shiny, Aunt Luna. We have to lead him away from the city. Do we know what he's doing?”
“Yes ma'am,” Said Captain Night, “He's slaughtering the last of the enemy.” Night guard were given an enchantment that let them communicate telepathically, “He's mainly using teeth and claws but he's also projecting bolts and jets of black fire.”
“Fire?!” Twilight said, surprised, “He couldn't do that before. Let's go. Captains, general, please help evacuate the city of as many ponies as you can. I know you won't be able to get everypony out but just try. Shiny, Aunt Luna, let's go give them some time.”
With that, everyone but Kataya and Paruk left the room. The sun dragony looked at the red dragon-turned-kinda-pony. His form was nowhere near as good as Laalia's was. His head was still the same, except he had a mane the same pink as his crest was, he had claws instead of hooves, but he was completely covered in fur except for his wings. At the moment, he was turned away from Kataya, reading a book.
“Um, are you OK Paruk?” She asked.
“Oh, I'm fine.” He said as he took one last look at the book before closing it and turning towards the dragony, “How do you like weather?”
“Huh?” Kataya was confused by the question, “Um, I guess it's OK...”
“Oh, good.” Replied the dragon, “Um... Your scales are shiny.” He faceclawed.
“Are you feeling OK?” She asked, “Your not making any sense.”
“I'm fine.” He said and turned back to the book he was reading, “Did that, did that. Arrrgg, this thing is useless.”
He tossed the book at the wall. Kataya jumped at the sudden outburst. She looked at the dragon then to the book, and walked over to pick it up. Paruk suddenly realized what she was doing and moved to stop her, but it was too late. She looked at the title of the book with a confused look on her face.
She looked up at Paruk, “Pony Courtship Practices for Non-Ponies? Why would you be reading this?” Then with a gasp of realization, “Paruk do you... like me?”
He was thankful his red color hid his blush, “Um... well... you see... y-yes.”
“Oh, I see.” Kataya said, “You know you don't need a book. Sometimes all you have to do is ask a pony on a date.”
“Oh, OK then.” Paruk said, “In that case... um...” He couldn't believe how hard it was, “Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?”
Kataya smiled, “I'd love to.”
“Really?” The dragon smiled and jumped for joy, “Oh thank you, Kataya... Kataya?”
Her eyes went wide as an inky blackness covered them.
“Daddy, why did you have to die?”
“I present you new rulers”
“Come on Raz, Blaze needs help!”
“Don't do that, Autumn!”
“No one hurts my Friends!”
“He's gone, Shiro. My baby... he's gone.”
“I've been waiting for you.”
“Why hello your prince-y-ship-ness.”
“Dad! Please... don't do this!”
Kataya gasped for air, and slumped to the ground.
“Kataya, are you OK?” Paruk asked, worried.
“P... Paruk.” She said, “I think... I know... how to stop Shiro.”