//------------------------------// // Chapter 43 // 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 43 Twilight remained at the wall of rocks and gems, trying to find some way Magicon could've escaped. Yet, she found no evidence of his presence or the method as to how he managed to get away. She realized that it was a hopeless search. Magicon was gone, either somewhere in the caves or already outside of them. If he was to be stopped she needed to find him and fast. But she couldn't do it alone. Twilight realized that her friends and brother would have to help. If Magicon could escape Twilight's grasp, then he could escape all of theirs if they didn't work together. They had to, for Equestria's sake. Turning away from the wall Twilight hurried down the caves to find her friends. She knew where she was going. Princess Celestia had given her maps and charts of the caves to study as part of a mental exercise. As always, Twilight did beautifully, with much praise from her teacher. Now she was putting those skills to the test and couldn't help but shed a sweet tear for her teacher who was no longer there for her, or anypony. 'How could anypony seriously murder her? How could one pony be so blinded by a madmen and his philosophy? Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't it have been some other pony? Why am I asking these questions?' Twilight sighed, slowed her speed, and lowered her head as she walked. She knew it was pointless to ask those questions. Magicon had done too much harm to herself, to her brother, to Cadance, and to her friends. Now he was loose, somewhere in Equestria. Yet, she had learned a valuable fact about Magicon that he was very troubled by: his mother. What drove him to such a murderous action against his own mother was beyond Twilight's comprehension. Yet he had done it. He had killed her and destroyed her corpse. His own actions had destroyed his foalhood and put one the blackest marks on his soul. It was then only a matter of time until he succumbed to the ways of Red-Blood. It dawned on Twilight that there was no salvation for Magicon, despite Fluttershy's desperate pleading. He was just too dark and too dangerous. He had to be stopped. She rounded a corner and saw her friends sitting together in the dim light of the oil lamps. Shining and Cadance were with them and they all raised their heads as Twilight approached. She spoke firmly, "We have a problem." "What is it?" Rarity asked. "Magicon's escaped." The reaction was of immediate surprise and disbelief amongst all the ponies. "Are you sure? "How did he escape?" "Where is he now?" "How could you let this happen?" "Did you let him go?" "What did he do to you?" "Girls, girls!" called Shining, his voice rising above the girls questions. Once they silenced themselves he took a deep breath and said, "Look, I don't how Magicon got out and that's not the point. The point is that he's free and running around Equestria doing Celestia knows what. We need to get out of these caves, find him, and stop him by any means necessary." "By any means?" Fluttershy worriedly asked. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy, but this is the final straw," Twilight stated. "He's too dangerous to be kept alive. You must see that." She shook her head, grounded in her belief in morality and fairness. Twilight simply shook her head and ignored Fluttershy. If she was going to be like that, then the least she could so was stay out of everypony's way. "So, where is he?" asked Rainbow, stretching her wings, preparing herself for a rapid flight. "I don't know." "What do ya' mean?" "I mean Magicon managed to take advantage of my sympathies, broke free, and escaped these caves. I don't know where he went." "Wait, you went to see Magicon, alone?" Cadance asked, shocked. Twilight lowered her ears in embarrassment, "I…uh, yes." Cadance shook her head and Shining looked down on his sister. "I thought we all agreed: never see Magicon alone. He's too dangerous. And you disobeyed us and now look what happened. He took advantage of you and is now free." "I'm sorry, Shining!" Twilight wailed in response. "There, there, Twilight," comforted Pinkie. "It's not your fault." "Yes, it is, Pinkie. Don't deny it. I made this happen and now we have more work to do. I'm sorry for all of you." "It's alright, darling. We'll find him," comforted Rarity. "Yeah, I'm ready right this second," proclaimed Rainbow. "Then, let's get moving," Shining stated and began walking towards the exit. "Shining, wait!" called Twilight. "There's something you all need to know." "What is it, sugarcube?" "Magicon is on the verge of…insanity." "He's talking to himself again?" Shining asked quietly. Twilight nodded and added, "More than that. It seems rather than just talking to himself, he's talking to ponies that aren't there and following their orders. He can't distinguish between who's real and who's not." "That's a problem," Cadance lamented. "If Magicon can't distinguish between myth and reality, he may think we're all characters of his imagination, he may be harsher towards us, since he'll think we're just in his mind." "Who cares? It's not like he was going to go easy on us anyway," Rainbow satirized. "Dashie's right. Right mind or not, we gotta at least fight him and stop him," Applejack added. An uncomfortable silence fell on the group as they each came to grips with the fact that stopping Magicon would require more than just restraints. It may just require a permanent end to his existence. It was something only half of them accepted, while the other half still hoped for a change in Magicon. They hoped for something good to still be inside that unicorn, though they realized that hope was quickly dimming. "So, where to?" Rarity asked. "The palace," answered Shining. "If I know Magicon he'll want to prepare himself for our arrival and get ready for the final fight." "Then, let's go," boomed Rainbow as she flew down the cave towards the exit. "Right, come on girls!" called Shining as they all chased after Rainbow, determined to find their escaped criminal. They followed him as he chased Rainbow towards the nearest exit. They were silent as they ran, each concentrating on their hooves. They were still divided in their opinions about the fate of Magicon, but they didn't show it as they ran. Now was not the time for discussion, it was time for action. He had to be stopped before he hurt more ponies, they all agreed on that. They found the exit and climbed up. They arrived in a small alleyway in the middle of Canterlot. Only the moon and a few nearby oil lamps afforded them any light. But they climbed out of the cave and rushed towards the palace. They passed few ponies, most were asleep anyways, and soon arrived at the palace gates. Though sealed, they were easily broken with a quick spell from Shining Armor and the group charged through the gardens and into the entrance hall. They found no guards, no servants, no ponies to speak of. It was as if the palace had been deserted. The only sign of life was the lit torches and chandeliers in the hallways. They slowed their pace and pressed further into the palace. "Where is everypony?" Fluttershy asked. "Well, we all know where the guards are, May they rest in peace," stated Shining. "But the servants may have fled, fearing for their lives. Who knows who's-" He cut himself off as his ears perked up by the faint sound of crying. Turning in its direction, Shining followed the sound. The rest of the group heard it and quieted their hoofsteps as they walked, determined not to lose this pony. They stopped just behind the opened doors to the Throne room. "It's coming from in there," whispered Cadance. "Should I check?" asked Rainbow. Shining nodded. "Be careful, Rainbow," warned Twilight. "I will." She silently flew towards the ceiling and hid behind the chandelier directly facing into the throne room. She returned within a few seconds, a softer expression on her face. "It's not Magicon," she stated. "It's somepony I've never seen before." "Is he or she dangerous?" "It's a he and no. He's just crying in the middle of the floor." "Hmm…" Shining puzzled and began to walk forward, only to have Cadance put a hoof on his shoulder. "Wait, what if this is a trap set up by Magicon?" "That's exactly what I'm thinking which is why I want to go alone." "No way, BBBFF," Twilight chimed in. "I thought I lost you once. I'm not losing you again." "We'll go together. Just the three of us," Cadance suggested with a nod from Twilight. "Alright, I can't disagree with that," Shining replied and turned towards Twilight's friends. "Keep an eye on us and don't hesitate if something goes wrong." "We will," replied Pinkie. With a quick nod the three of them entered the throne room and saw the pony crying in the middle on the floor. Shining instantly recognized the pony and rushed forwards with Cadance and Twilight exchanging glances and running after him. "Starry Skies, is that you?" Shining asked as he approached the sobbing stallion. He raised his head, surprised by their presence but managed to respond with a simple nod. He began rubbing his eyes attempting to wipe the tears, obviously embarrassed. "Shining? Is…that…you?" "Yes, it is. Along with my wife and sister." "Hello," Starry greeted the two mares. "I'm sorry…for the display…but I'm just very…emotional." "What happened?" Cadance asked sympathetically as she approached the stallion. "Well, it was…Magicon." "He was here?" Twilight asked. Starry nodded. "How long ago?" "Not too long ago. He was very rushed and angry." "Starry, did he hurt you?" Cadance asked. "Not physically." "What did he do?" "It's…rather private." "You don't want to share?" Twilight asked. "Maybe later." "Well, where is Magicon now?" "He's heading towards his mansion outside Manehattan. Why?" "We need to help him," Shining stated. "You mean…kill him, don't you?" Starry asked. "We make no promises." "Oh no, Shining Armor, please, I beg of you! Show mercy towards him! I know he's bad but there's still good inside him!" "I don't see any good inside him and I don't want to. His time has come." "Shining, no!" Starry cried as a rush of tears flowed down his cheeks. He pulled himself to Shining's hooves, practically clinging on to them. "Let go of me, Starry," order Shining as he struggled to free himself from the grip of the hysterical stallion. "Get a grip, pony! I don't have time for your nonsense! You've been helpful but now we must go and stop Magicon." He freed himself and turned back towards the main entrance with Cadance and Twilight exchanging glances and Twilight running up to her brother. "Shining, we can't just leave him like this. Magicon did something to him. We need to help him." "We don't have the time, Twilly. Our goal is to find and stop Magicon before he hurts more ponies." "You're making this sound like another military expedition." "And that's a problem?" "And you don't think it isn't? Shining! Magicon isn't an enemy commander or something. He's just a dark and confused pony who's hurt you and me and Cadance and my friends. But Starry has a point. We must try and show mercy. We must be better than Magicon." Shining Armor was silent for a few moments as he contemplated his sister's words. He sighed and looked at his sister with sympathetic eyes. "We really don't have time to comfort Starry now." "I wasn't suggesting we comfort him. I was merely suggesting that we follow what Fluttershy has been saying all along: be merciful. If Magicon has good in him, then we must pry it out and make him good." "Twilly, I don't think you can force anypony to be good against their will." "That's why we should try to make Magicon be good in accordance with his will. We need to change his will so he can be good again." "That sounds absurd." "Ponies do absurd things because it's the right thing to do." Shining sighed and turned back to Starry Skies who as quietly sobbing as Cadance brushed his bane and coat, attempting to comfort him. Shining proceeded forward to the two and kneeled down to Starry. He extended his hoof and raised the crying stallions chin. "Starry…I'm sorry for what I said. I was just angry to see Magicon hurt another pony, especially a good pony like you." "It's…all right…Shining." "Twilight has convinced me to change my heart. While I can't promise to be merciful with Magicon, I will do everything in my power to restrain myself and help Magicon. If there is good left in him then we must bring it out." "Oh thank you, Shining! Thank you so much!" "Will you be alright by yourself, Starry?" Cadance asked. "Now that I know you guys will try your best to be kind, yes. Thank you for your kindness, Princess Cadance." "You're welcome." "Well, let's go," Twilight encouraged and the three nodded, bid their adieus to Starry Skies, and exited the throne room. They met up with the rest of the group just outside the door. "Thank you," Fluttershy stated. "For what?" Twilight asked. "For what you agreed to do to Magicon." "We make no promises, but we must try," Shining said. "Well, come on! We're wasting time!" Rainbow boomed and took to the sky as she zoomed out of the corridor back towards the entrance hall. The rest of the group took her lead and galloped after her, running through the palace until they were outside in the moonlit night on the side entrance to the palace. Rainbow landed among them, with a determined expression on her face. "Now what?" Rarity asked. "Starry said Magicon's mansion was outside of Manehattan," Shining stated. "We better get a move on." "How do we know where we're goin'?" Applejack asked. "Yeah, it's nighttime and it'll be hard to find out where we're going," Cadance added. "Oh you sillies, I can find anypony and where they live," retorted Pinkie happily. "I'll create a magical tracker when we get closer to Manehattan so we'll be able to find Magicon. His magic is too powerful to hide. We'll find him, I promise," Twilight stated. "Well, how do we get there in a hurry?" Rarity asked. "I think I have the solution," replied Rainbow and flew towards the stables signaling the others to follow. Once they arrived they saw a few royal carriages just waiting to be used. "Rainbow, you're a genius!" Twilight exclaimed. "No, she's not. She's a pegasus," Pinkie chuckled. "Come on! Fluttershy and Princess Cadance and I will hitch ourselves to the front and fly towards Manehattan. Everypony else get in," Rainbow ordered. "You sure you can carry all of us?" Shining asked. "We have to try, Captain." "Then very good, Lieutenant." They saluted and Shining boarded the carriage with the rest of the group in tow as Princess Cadance and Fluttershy hitched themselves to the front of the carriage. "Everypony ready?" Rainbow asked as she attached herself to the front. She received a unanimous confirmation and yelled, "Ready, one, two, three, go!" The three galloped down an open stretch of grass to build speed and wingpower and jumped into the air pulling the carriage behind them. They were on their way. It wouldn't be long now. The end was near. Whether it was the end they wanted remained a mystery. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ They landed faster than he expected and he descended in a quick pace. The carriage had landed in the central courtyard past the gatehouse and Magicon could see the black silhouette of the mansion slightly glowing in the moonlight. Most of the windows were dark expect a few ones in the upper floors. "One of them must be awake," he said as he walked towards his mansion. Montville was awaiting him. It hadn't changed and it wouldn't. He knew his loyal servants were here, and would be happy to see him. He just knew it. It had to be true. He banged on the front door and only had to wait a few minutes before Littlemore opened it. He was dressed in his nightgown with weary eyes and holding a candle in his right hoof as Magicon entered. Yet Magicon's sudden appearance wiped the tiredness from his eyes and he stared in at the unicorn in disbelief. His jaw dropped and he shook his head to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "Ma…Magicon?" "Yes, Littlemore. It's me. You're not dreaming. Assemble the rest of the household immediately and tell them to meet me in the parlor as quickly as possible." "Yes, sir, but might I ask why-" "I'll explain everything when everypony is assembled. Just give me a few minutes to do something and I'll be right with you and the rest of the servants." "Uhh…yes, sir." "Go, Littlemore!" Magicon ordered as he walked past him and began ascending the staircase. As he watched Magicon climb the stairs Littlemore grew anxious. "Something's wrong," he mumbled as he began walking towards his own room to wake Fresh Mint. As Magicon continued climbing the staircase he began his conversation. "It won't be long before they arrive. They will do everything in their power to destroy me. I can't let that happen. I've come way too far to let it all end so quickly! They will all fall before I fall, even if I do. I may not be immortal, but I am still one of the most powerful unicorns in Equestria! I know things they'll never know! I know dark magic! I know how to stop, or at least delay them!" He rounded a corner and opened an old wooden door leading to a long, spiral staircase. It was pitch black and Magicon ignited his horn for light. He climbed swiftly over the stone steps, his hoofsteps echoing through the tower that he was now climbing. His cape fluttered behind him as he ascended. Once he reached the top he pushed open a large, creaky wooden door and lit a few candles in the otherwise pitch black room. Illuminated by the soft glow he could see that the room was untouched since he had last used it, whenever that was. He hadn't used this room in some time. Dust and cobwebs were quite prevalent and Magicon would've cleaned the room if he had time. Unfortunately he didn't and didn't waste any time as he walked over to the opposite end of the room where a closed book lay on top of a wooden desk and chair. The room was small, but comfortable, filled with all sorts of weird and bizarre objects. On corner of the room was occupied by large globe, with Equestria highlighted in gold. In another corner stood a tall armoire containing various objects that suited Magicon's magical purposes. Still, another had a simple rocking chair with a small window that had a magnificent view of the grounds. Magicon never used this upper room much, other than for two purposes: weather control, since it was the highest room in Montville, and light magic. Dark magic was reserved for the basement. Light magic reserved for the tower. However, the time had come to break that balance. Magicon had to do it if he was going to live. He telekinetically brought a scroll, ink, and quill to his desk and began scribbling down words. He paid no attention to the rest of the world as he diverted all of his attention to his thoughts and conveying them on paper. In a matter of minutes he had a full wall of text, He didn't bother reading it over, he knew what he wanted to say and he opened the desk drawer and placed it neatly inside. He left it slightly ajar, just enough to provoke the curiosity of the one pony who needed to read it. He couldn't hand it to that pony; it just wouldn't convey the same message. It had to be this way. As Magicon rose from the desk he heard the creaks of the door and saw Littlemore enter. He bore a solemn expression as he met eye-contact with the red unicorn. "Magicon, what's going on?" "I don't have time to explain." "Please, tell me. I'm worried about you. Showing up at this hour, in such a rush? Something's wrong. What is it?" "I'll tell you when the rest of the servants are ready." "Do you not trust me, Magicon?" "I trust you completely." "Then tell me." "I can't." "Why not?" "Because it's wasting time!" "You're wasting time now by arguing with me. Just tell me, I beg you." "No! I don't have to do anything you say! You don't know who you're dealing with! I'm Magicon: the Prince of Equestria and the Lord of Darkness!" "Magicon?" asked a sweet feminine voice that appeared at Littlemore's side. Magicon immediately ceased his angry tirade with Fresh Mint's appearance. He lowered his head as he observed him with confused, yet sympathetic eyes. "Yes, Fresh Mint?" "What's wrong, my dear?" He closed his eyes and his lips twitched ever so slightly. Her words were so clear and so caring. It punctured his very skin and layers of his dark soul into the tiniest part of his old soul. He felt lighter than any feather, yet heavier than any stone. He felt freer than a bird, yet more bound than any tree. His contradictions were only further conflicted by the darkness and purity of his soul, vying for control of him. "Magicon, can we help?" Fresh asked with the tenderest and most comforting voice as she walked up to the unicorn, seemingly frozen in the center of the room. She put her hoof on his face and raised his head until they were at eye level. Her soft-spoken, golden eyes met his mysterious blue ones and an indescribable emotion was shared between them, if only lasting for a brief second. Magicon gently pushed her hoof away and took a deep breath. He spoke softly, "Yes, something is very wrong. I…don't really know how to say this…but I'm in great danger." Fresh Mint managed to exchange the slightest glance with her husband but continued to focus on the red unicorn before her. "You see…I think…I may be the greatest fight of my life. I mean…my very life may, no is, at stake." Both were silent as they listened to Magicon, awaiting more from him. When he didn't continue Fresh Mint asked, "Magicon, you think you may die tonight?" "I don't plan to…but a group of ponies are on their way to stop me and overthrow me. I very well believe they're coming to kill me." "Oh, Magicon," sympathized Fresh as she embraced the unicorn in a tight hug. Littlemore stepped further into the room, not wanting to see his master and friend suffer. "What do you want us to do?" he asked. "Nothing," Magicon replied. "Nothing?" "Nothing." "But surely, you don't mean-" "But I do." "But, why?" "Because you two, Garden Hedge, and Trim Tam have done so much for me already. This is just too dangerous for me and I would never live with myself if any of you were killed while trying to defend and protect me." "Can't we hide you somewhere?" Fresh asked. Magicon shook his head. "I must face them alone. I will stop them. You guys run and hide and take Garden Hedge and Trim Tam with you. I can't risk having you guys be seen or heard. Celestia knows what they might due to you if they discovered you still trusted me and liked me." "Magicon, why would they think that?" Littlemore asked naively. "Because I've done some very bad things to them. Because I am a very bad pony." "Magicon, you are no such thing," comforted Fresh. "No, Fresh. I know you guys love me, but it's time to face the facts. Look at my past, look at what I've done, both before my ruling and during. You guys know about Red-Blood and the ponies after him. You guys know how I came here and what I did. You guys know what I did to the princesses. You guys know everything." "No, Magicon. We are your servants. We live to please you," Littlemore stated. "Don't give me that crap! I know you know! You may still love me, but I can't afford letting anypony else get hurt, especially you of all ponies! Leave and hide! Save yourselves and leave me! I must be alone to do this!" "But, Magicon, we-" "Leave!" Magicon boomed and sent out a huge wave of magic that sent Littlemore and Fresh Mint flying out of the doorway, tumbling down the stairs. They landed at the bottom with a loud thud and heard a loud slam and lock, a clear sign that Magicon had locked himself in, intending to fight to the death. They glanced at each other, unsure of what to do next, but they had to do something, anything. Magicon's life was at stake and they had to do something for him. It wasn't because of service; they had moved past that point. It was because of love. They loved Magicon like family and he loved them the same. "What do we do?" Fresh asked. "Get the others," answered Littlemore. "We'll figure out once we're together. After all, Magicon is more than our master. He's-" "Family."