A Dark Shade of the Past

by InfinityBreach

Hearth's Warming Eve

"So, we're finally all together." Victory said, standing in front of a massive vertical crevice that glowed a bright white, a smirk dancing over her lips.

"Technically, I guess…" a pitch black horse stated, his roaring voice blowing the leaves off of trees nearby as his body vibrated as if it weren't a solid object. "How long do we have to wait for War?"

"Well since you started the deep freeze, it shouldn't take very long. You know how impatient War can be." Victory replied, sitting down on the heated ground.

"And what of this… ruler, that you have gotten so keen with?" the black horse asked. "I do not think using her would be wise."

"Oh, pipe down." Victory said, rolling her eyes. "If it weren't for her, we'd be stuck inside that idiot still. And besides, she wants power. So she'll be getting power."

The black horse raised an eyebrow, before continuing with his questions. "So you mean to tell me that we plan on using her as the seal?"

"Yes. Yes I do." Victory smirked. "We know where the host is, and we know where HIS spirit is, along with HIS powers. All we need is to seal them together, and we'll be ready…"

The black horse sighed. "I don't think this will work…"

"Always the optimistic one, aren't you?" Victory sarcastically stated. "Anyway, as soon as War is done I need you to head back to Ponyville and finish ruining the host. You've already cooled down enough of Tartarus anyway, so we don't need your help over here at the moment."

"…alright." The black horse said, leaning against the stone wall. "Do you really think we can break the runes here? I mean you do know who made these, right?"

"And you do know who we are, right?" Victory asked with a sneer. "We can destroy anything."

*Fluttershy's Cottage*

"So, why am I here, Discord?" Twilight pensively asked, as Fluttershy poured her some tea. "I want to know everything you know."

"My, my, dear Twilight. Have some patience. It's almost as if you believe I'll trick you." Discord replied, taking a sip of his own drink. "This is some marvelous tea, 'Shy. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Fluttershy quietly said, before sitting down.

"So, now can you tell me why I'm here?" Twilight asked.

"Friendship." Discord stated. "That's why you're here."

Twilight tilted her head in confusion, as Discord let out a sigh.

"Fluttershy, tell me about how you found Eclipsal." Discord asked, to which Fluttershy fully obliged.

"There was this weird storm that rushed through the town, even Rainbow didn't know about it. There was this huge tornado that appeared right by the edge of the forest. I remember seeing what I thought was a pony in the darkness, when the tornado hit." Fluttershy shivered slightly. "Lightning was flashing through the skies, and I think a small fire happened too. It was just so cold that I had to go and help him out. There were so many trees that died from it, that I had to replant them the next day."

Discord's ear twitched, as she continued with her story. Fluttershy looked out the window where she had originally seen Eclipsal. "Anyway, I ran out to go and grab him. There was this massive crater where he was, with him unconscious in the middle of it. Rainbow appeared a few seconds after that and helped me get him inside."

"And then when he woke up, he had no memories of who he was. We ended up giving him the name Eclipsal because of his cutie mark which looked like the eclipse the Princesses' made before summer." Fluttershy explained.

Discord processed this for a few moments. "The princesses made an eclipse, huh… just like his cutie mark…."

"What is it, Discord?" Twilight asked.

"I'm… I'm not sure yet." Discord stated, casting his gaze to the ceiling. "Celestia… what in Tartarus's name are you thinking?"

"So there IS something wrong with her?!" Twilight exclaimed, slamming her hoof on the table. "I need to know what you know, Discord."

"Twilight, calm down…" Fluttershy said, putting her hooves on Twilight's.

"No, Fluttershy. Twilight is right. Something is wrong." Discord stated, his stare becoming strained as he thought. "I just hope I'm wrong about what we did…"

*Eclipsal's POV*

"Are you sure it's okay for me to be with you on Hearth's Warming Eve, Rarity?" I asked, as I sat down at the table of her home. She had invited me to come and visit today, as well. "From what I understand your supposed to spend time with your family and loved ones, today."

"Well, yes, that is usually the case. However, Sweetie went to visit our parent's, right before the blizzard happened a few days ago." Rarity explained. "So I've been stuck here all alone with Opalescence, and I figured that we could just have our own fun today!" Rarity finished with a smile.

"Sounds fine to me." I stated. "But I don't really know what else ponies do today."

"Hmmm…" Rarity put a hoof to her chin for a moment. "Well… let's not worry about that right now. Pinkie is working Sugarcube Corner today, and has a deal on special treats. Would you like to escort me there?" She asked.

"Sure thing. Pinkie always makes great sweets, so I don't doubt that it'll be amazing…" I muttered, licking my lips.

"Well then, let's go." Rarity stated, opening the door to reveal that a pile of snow had already blocked the exit.

"Hmph. This snow is really getting on my nerves." Rarity exclaimed, letting out a dramatic sigh. "I can't even use a spell to get rid of it since magic has disappeared!"

I looked at the snow, and tapped my hoof on the ground to see if my magic still worked. Smirking, I came up with an idea. "Rarity, how do you feel about a one horse open sleigh?"

*Five minutes later*

"I never thought I'd have a stallion carrying me in a sleigh!" Rarity exclaimed, raising her hoof in the air. "Especially not one made of magic!"

"And I definitely didn't think this would be so much fun!" I yelled back to her.

I had made a sleigh out of my magic, creating a plough right in front of me so that as I galloped, the snow would be pushed to the side. Rarity sat in the back, a scarf around her neck that trailed behind her as I swiftly moved through the streets.

I cut through the snow like butter, making an easy three minute trip to Sugarcube Corner. When I saw that we were just about at the confectionary store, I slowed down my pace, stopping at where the door would be.

I tapped my hoof on the ground once more, making a wall that split through the snow, making a walkway up to the door. I removed the plow and the sleigh, leaving a floor for Rarity to step on. Then I extended the floor all the way up to the door, and opened up the entrance.

"Ladies first, dear Rarity." I said in a jokingly royal way.

Rarity couldn't help but laugh as she walked up and into the store, me following after her.

*Fluttershy's cabin*

"Twilight, how much do you know about the beginning of recorded history?" Discord asked, glancing at her.

"Well, not much to be honest. In terms of history, I mostly studied magic." Twilight explained. "All I know is that you ruled over the land, then Celestia and Luna appeared, and put you in stone. King Sombra took control of the Crystal Empire, and the princesses stopped him, but he laid a curse on the empire, so it disappeared with him. Not long after that, Luna became Nightmare Moon, and got placed in the moon. Then the three pony tribes became united, after the Windigos nearly froze the land. That's about as much as I can think of off the top of my head, that is actual history and not a legend."

"Good." Discord said, taking another swig of tea. "You know the basics."

Discord placed down his tea, and snapped his fingers at it. He faceclawed, remembering the issue. "No magic, right…"

"To be honest, I came here to talk to you for advice. I just wish that there weren't more dire circumstances at play." Discord sighed.

"Well I'll be glad to help you, whenever you need it." Fluttershy said, patting his back.

Discord looked to her with a smile. "Yes, I know 'Shy. But Twilight would know more about her than anypony else."

"Her? You mean…" Twilight began, before Discord raised his claw.

"More dire situation, remember?" Discord stated. "Now, I'm not a hundred percent sure what is going on, but I have an idea."

"Yes, we know. Windigos." Twilight replied.

"There's more to it than that." Discord explained. "You see, throughout the past there have been four beings who tried to destroy this world."

"Four beings?" Twilight asked.

"Yes. Four horses, to be honest." Discord said.

"The first was a white mare with a lightning cutie mark, named Victorious Nightmare. No matter who she fought against, she could always win as long as magic was out of play. She'd strike them down quickly, just like lightning would. She's the most vile of the group, along with the smartest. She devises plans to take over where, what, or whoever she wants, and succeeds. She definitely lives up to her name, as fighting her is a nightmare in itself."

Victory raised her head, perking up her ears at the sound of hoofsteps coming towards them, a snide smile growing on her face.

"The second was a red stallion with a fire cutie mark, named Warring Love. He could get into the minds of ponies, figuring out their deepest secrets. He's the most violent of the group, and the strongest. Just like his cutie mark, he makes the passion and fear within anyone go ablaze, burning to their very being. Those manipulated by him are in terrible danger; enough that it could destroy them. Not their body, but their soul. He's the most violent of the group, and the strongest. He barely goes into battle though, preferring his soldiers to instead do his work."

War's visual appeared from the shadows, smirking. "The first job is done. I'll be commencing the next one soon. Then I'll be back there."

"The third was a pitch black stallion with a snowflake cutie mark, his soul matching both of them; cold and dark. His name being Famine Syndrome, and he was heartless, but very calculating. He usually found all the issues with plans that they would make, and point them out. He's also the most magic based of the four, absorbing magic from everywhere, causing a shortage of it throughout the world. Then he uses his unearthly voice to trigger his magic; getting those around him extremely sick, to the point of dying. Just so he can have the magic of their life force as well. All of the work he does, he does in the shadows; barely do you ever see him. When you do, he barely appears to exist."

"That means you are up next, Famine." Victory said, to which Famine gave a slight nod, walking into the darkness from which War had appeared from.

"Famine's power… That sounds a lot like the problem we have." Twilight stated.

"In a way, it is. But let me finish, then we'll talk about him a bit more." Discord told her.

"The final one is the most terrifying of them all. If one were to touch him, they would be dead. He is the reason Tartarus exists. Celestia sealed that gate to lock him in there a thousand years ago, and Luna and I have added to that seal as well. His purpose is to kill every living thing. Now why not lock the other three in Tartarus with him? Because, he amplifies their power. He makes them stronger and gives them heightened abilities from the very essence of this world's darkness. He is the monster that foals and adults alike are afraid of, encased in pale skin with bones. He has no mane, no eyes, no cutie mark, no emotions, and no heart. But most of all, he has no name. So we gave him one. We call him… Death."

An eerie silence took over the room.

"I…. I thought that Death was a legend…." Twilight muttered. Fluttershy was shaking on her side of the table.

Discord shook his head. "I wish he was."

"How… why have I never heard of these horses before they began to appear?" Twilight asked him.

"Because, they never existed in reality before." Discord explained. "Originally all four lived inside one horse; Shaded Darkness. He was the master of darkness throughout this entire dimension; that's right, I said dimension."

"So, Shaded was a… a.. bad horse?" Fluttershy asked, still shivering.

"No. No he wasn't. You see, he was in charge of ALL darkness in this dimension. And to put it basically, there are two types of darkness; his own darkness, which consists of his own fears, doubts, and everything else that revolves around him; which included his other power; death."

"So he was Death?" Twilight asked, aghast.

"No and yes. Just in the way that Luna is Nightmare Moon, he is Death. Or half of Death, to say the least. Except Shaded is one of the good horses. He'd use death for good, sending others to the afterlife when their time had come, at the end of every month. So that the departed would have a chance to say goodbye. When their time had come, he would cast them away…" Discord stated. "…with an eclipse."

At this, Fluttershy stopped shaking, and realized something. "So you're telling me that all this time…"

"Unfortunately, yes. For a thousand years, spirits have been unable to rest. Unable to say goodbye and actually be given peace." Discord stated, resting his head in his claws.

"That's…. horrible…" Fluttershy muttered.

"But Celestia and Luna created one." Twilight whispered, in disbelief. "Wait, what happened to Shaded anyway?"

"I'm getting to that." Discord said. "The other darkness that Shaded had was the entire world's. Now I never thought much of it before he…"

Discord rubbed a claw across his head.

"Just imagine it. The ENTIRE world's darkness being absorbed into your being every. Single. Day. Imagine how much that would mess with your thoughts. How much it would mess with your emotions." Discord voice began to shake. "I never realized that…"

"And that's where the other three horses came from, right?" Twilight asked. "The world's darkness?"

Discord regained himself a bit. "Yeah. That's where they came from. Victory over War, bringing Famine to the opposing country. That's pretty much what happened. The governments of the world were so corrupt with power, that it made Shaded's life so hard. Until he met us."

"So now do we know what happened to him?" Twilight asked.

"He died." Discord sullenly said. "Slain by a monster we have never seen before. That was when everything went bad…"

"Remember when I said that the horses were never in reality before?" Discord asked, getting nods from the other two. "When Shaded died, they were no longer his darkness and the world's darkness… they became entities. They took us over. Manipulated our minds! We couldn't think! We turned against those we loved, we did… I did… horrible things…" Discord's voice faded, as his downcast eyes settled on the floor.

"Victory came from Luna." Twilight said. "That was what made her into Nightmare Moon originally. War and Famine though…"

"Let me tell you something, Twilight. Something important." Discord said. "Seeing the light once imprisons you in your power. Seeing it again releases your darkness."

Twilight's eyes lit up with realization. "So you're telling me that when Celestia used the Elements on Luna the first time, it locked her in the moon, and when we used it again, it released Victory! That makes complete sense!"

"Twilight…" Fluttershy said, getting her attention. Twilight looked up at Fluttershy, who was petting Discord's back.

Twilight sat in shock, realizing that she never once took note of Discord's growing sadness as they talked. There he sat, his head buried in his arms, his back making strange convulsions that Twilight could only know of as crying.

"Shh… it's okay." Fluttershy hushed, continuing to pet his back.

"No… it's not…" Discord muttered, his voice shaking as he started to blabber.

"I loved her… and War… that MONSTER…." Discord yelled, slamming his fist on the table.

"It took you, didn't it?" Twilight asked.

"I didn't even realize it had until it was too late." Discord muttered. "A thousand years in stone. A thousand years, and then that extra time. He was gone, already. And I didn't even know, until I met my newest friend." Discord said, looking to Fluttershy, who game him a confident smile. "Then I looked back at my past, and realized what had happened. I knew. I knew that War had manipulated me into fighting Celestia. Only Celestia. He turned my love for her into hatred… jealousy… I…"

He gave one large hiccup, excusing himself from the table. Twilight watched as he walked upstairs to Fluttershy's bathroom.

"I… wow." Twilight muttered.

"I told you how much of a softie he is, Twilight. You should be more careful what you say when he comes back out." Fluttershy told her. Twilight nodded her head, still awestruck.

Discord walked back down the stairs, his face still red, but looking better.

He took a seat, and began talking. "And this leads me to the final issue I need to talk to you about."

Discord rubbed his claw down his mane, before speaking. "I've had my suspicions from watching Celestia over the time I've been freed. Something is wrong. I could be wrong, but… I think I know. You see… your friend, Eclipsal. I think I know who he is."

Twilight and Fluttershy looked at him in shock, before unanimously saying, "You know who he is?!"

Discord let out a sigh. "I think. I think I know. I've seen his power, and the way he looks… he isn't just any horse. He's…"

Discord stopped moving, his body completely frozen. A moment later, he leapt up, grabbing at his heart, yelling from the pain. "Agh! T..trouble…. your friend is in trouble!"

Discord flew out of the cottage, followed by the two mares. Twilight looked up to him, then back at the town that he was now staring at. "Eclipsal's in trouble?"

"No… your dragon is." Discord replied.

Twilight's eyes widened in terror, as she galloped as fast as she could back to her home to help her very first friend, the dragon she gave birth to, her number one assistant.

"…Spike, please be okay."