"It was Spike?" Luna asked, her mouth slightly hanging open.
Celestia lowered her head and nodded, "Double Edge!"
A large stallion slowly walked up, his armor clinking and his weapon slightly raised at the dragon, "Yes, your majesty?"
"Take the soldiers back to camp...give them all extra food and start with night shifts as soon as they are finished eating."
The general bowed his head and ordered the ponys off, they almost ran back to camp. After it grew silent, the dragon looked around, "By Discord's horns...where are we?"
Moonless Night sat and stared at the ground, Snow Flake watched him and yearned to go to him, but she noticed his body was tense and his eyes were slammed shut.
Princess Luna stepped forward, "Spike...this is Ponyville."
The dragon almost started laughing...then he looked at Celestia who face was just as grave as Luna's.
"What...what happened?" he dragged his eyes over the burnt village again, this time noticing familiar landmarks.
Luna continued, "You...you burned down Ponyville after Vilis Malum killed everypony."
"How can you say such a thing?! Ponyville is my home! My friends, my family! Tell me the truth! I will rip that demon's heart from his chest!!" his eyes flashed with anger as he bared his teeth and growled.
Celestia raised her head, "Spike...Ponyville was attacked and everypony was murdered ...then you burned down the town."
The dragon roared, "I didn't burn down Ponyville!! Search my memories, Celestia!"
The Sun Goddess nodded, "I have Spike...thoroughly...but you didn't do it knowingly. Vilis Malum took control of you with a gem."
"Vilis?! You are telling me a New Bearer did this!! D! Tell them how absurd this is! D?"
Moonless Night shook with anger, "Vilis...took over your mind with a magical gem...he ordered you to incinerate everything here."
Celestia stood, "The gem was linked directly to your mind and Vilis'. He basically possessed you, Spike. And whatever he did when he was you would only be recorded in his memories, not yours. You are innocent."
"As if..."
The group turned to Moonless Night who was shaking with anger.
Spike lowered his head close to Night's snout, "D?"
The stallion jumped up with such speed the dragon pulled away in fright, "How could you, a mighty dragon, be overcome by a mere unicorn?!"
The dragon was flustered for a moment, Celestia spoke again, "Vilis power grew almost daily, Night. If he could take down the New Bearers AND the Legendary Six, he could easily control a dragon, let alone one he knows so well."
Night's anger grew more, "So? You said yourself that dragons were very magical creatures! Spike could easily have crushed Vilis before he used he got hold of him! In fact, I bet you are working WITH him!!"
Celestia and Luna starred, dumbfounded at the stallion.
Instead of shrinking back, Spike rushed forward, "You actually think that I would attack my HOME?!? Don't be a foal, Lucent!"
"STOP CALLING ME LUCENT, SPIKE!!" screamed Night.
Spike's head loomed closer as he stared seemingly into the stallion, "You have a scar above your left eye from when you fell of the library ladder and smacked your head against a table. You are a blank flank, your horn is snapped in two and your eyes are just like our mother's. You are my brother, Lucent Dawn!"
Night reared back on his hind legs and slammed down his fore-hooves, The dragon pulled his head back and Snow shuffled a little back, terrified at the scene before her.
Celestia and Luna watched as the dragon and stallion glared at eachother.
"I may have burned down a village, Lucent. But atleast I will never deny my family!"
Spike spread his massive, leathery wings and took to the sky, flying towards the mountains. Roaring in sadness and anger till he finally disappeared behind a snowy cap.
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"I'm worried about him," exclaimed Snow Flake as she laid next to the princesses a few yards away from Night who sat staring at the full moon about to set. "He hasn't moved all night since the dragon left."
Celestia sighed, "Moonless Night is a sad and lost pony in need of some answers."
Snow turned to her, "Is he really who everyone keep saying he is? Lucent Dawn?"
The white alicorn nodded, "Yes...in body only sadly."
"What do you mean?"
Luna snorted, "That he's a nut case."
"That's enough Luna," snapped Celestia.
"Sorry, but I've never known a pony to be so foalish."
Celestia shook her head, "I can name one."
"Alright, alright," breathed Luna.
Snow Flake turned to the moon, "So is he insane?"
Celestia chuckled silently, "No, my dear. He is just lost in the past. He can't face who he was so he runs from it, becoming a whole different pony."
"What made him want to do that? How could anypony want to forget their family?"
Celestia sighed again and laid down next to the small mare, "Because he is ashamed of his past...he is punishing himself."
Snow closed her eyes, "Why? What did he do?"
"Actually, he didn't do anything...he just believes he did."
Snow Flake looked up at her princess, "What? Why?"
Celestia turned to her, "Maybe you should ask him."
Snow took a deep breathe, "I have another question...why am I here? I just bumped into Night one day and now we're on an adventure to save Equestria..why me? Why not you two? Or even Double Edge?"
Instead of answering to her, Celestia turned to Luna, "I believe you are better suited to answer this question, sister."
Celestia stood while Luna sat down on the other side of Snow. Snow watched as Celestia walked over to Night, who still hadn't moved.
"Let me tell you a small story...Many years ago, a few years before you were born i believe, there was an evil mare who wanted to rule Equestria herself instead of Celestia...do you know who I speak of?"
The silvery-blue mare nodded, "Of course. Nightmare Moon...you."
Luna stared at the radiant, white disk in the sky, "Correct...I was blinded by jealousy and hate. I was ready to kill my own sister to get power...but do you know what saved me?"
"The Legendary Six with the Elements of Harmony."
Luna smiled, "Many ponies also believe it was the Elements themselves, but that is not true."
Snow looked up at the goddess of night, "It wasn't?"
She shook her head, "No...it was friendship. All the Elements really did was channel the magic, they have no other power besides that. It was truly the Loyalty of Rainbow Dash, the Kindness of Fluttershy, the Generosity of Rarity, the Honesty of Applejack, the Laughter of Pinkie Pie, and the Magic of Twilight Sparkle. Friendship is the most powerful thing there is, Snow Flake. It is stronger then me and my sister combined."
"I still don't see how I can help Lucent."
Luna rubbed her snout against Snow's forehead, "In the end only he can choose to be free or not, but you must give him the key. You will give him the choice of freedom "
Snow Flake looked up at Luna and smiled, "I will do my best, princess."
Luna returned the smile, "Please, call me Luna."
=================================================================================================
Moonless Night continued to stare up at the moon as Celestia drew close and sat beside him.
She breathed slowly, "It is beautiful isn't it?"
If you came to scold me about how I reacted to Spike, save your breathe. I fell no shame in what i said."
Celestia sighed, though his hood shrouded most of his face in darkness, she could still make out a small tear trail down his cheek, "I came to tell you that I know where Vilis is."
"How? Read that traitorous dragon's mind?"
She shook her head, "After you shattered the gem, the same wave of magic that blasted you backwards also hit me. When it did i made contact with Vilis' mind and saw a few of his more recent memories. One of them was where his camp is, he has apparently placed numerous spells to make it sound proof and invisible."
Night rubbed a hoof against his face, secretly trying to hide the tear stains, "Where?"
"In a plane in the Everfree Forest, a few miles from here," she answered.
As the moon touched the horizon, Celestia's horn grew, and he could only guess the same was with Luna, as they lowered the moon and brought forth the sun for another day.
Night stretched as Snow and Luna walked up. He lowered his hood and turned to Snow Flake, "We know where Vilis is..ready?"
The mare nodded, "Whenever you are."
Luna bent her head, "Remember why you are here Snow...and good luck to you both."
Celestia nodded, "May fate and fortune gallop with you."
Snow Flake smiled, turned and walked away with Moonless Night towards Everfree Forest.
=================================================================================================
Moonless Night could easily smell the rain that was coming, but the thick tangle of branches above him blocked any view of the sky except for a few rays of sunshine to illuminate the trail. They had been walking for a while now, only stopping whenever they heard something coming close. Night wasn't really worried about the creatures in Everfree, but more rather he was paranoid of being caught by a group of Vilis' soldiers.
Snow looked around cautiously, all the while thinking about what Luna had told her. How could she give Night the key if she didn't know what truly held him back? She wanted to ask, but she didn't know where or how to begin...they had never really talked about Night's past, whenever she had tried, he had always somehow flipped the question around on her. She sighed and lowered her head, how can i be a friend if he won't let me?
Night turned his head, "You okay? Want to take a break?"
She nodded and sat down, as did Night.
She turned to the stallion, "Who is Spike?"
He cocked his head, "You don't know about the dragon Spike? I'm surprised! Everypony has! He was the assistant of Twilight Sparkle ever since she was a filly, he helped them on all their adventures as the Elements of Harmony, he once grew rapidly on his birthday from greed and attacked Ponyville, but he regained his common sense and changed himself back."
Snow smiled as she heard the excitement rise in the pony's voice, maybe this won't be so hard.
He continued, "He also was the same dragon that saved Manehatten from that attack by saltwater Hydras a few years ago. Spike was always funny...and kind...he was always there. I remember one time wh-"
The smile fell from Night's face and he coughed, "I mean, I remember hearing stories about him in pubs..."
SNAP!
Night raised his quickly raised his head and stared in the direction of the noise, only his eyes moving...back and forth. Snow lowered herself as low as possible, trying to blend in with the dirt, her silvery-blue coat making it 110% impossible.
After a few long and agonizing seconds, Night raised his head higher and immediately lowered it again.
"What do you see?" Snow whispered.
Night squinted, "Five spear heads slightly poking up in the brush right behind us...about thirty yards away."
"What are we going to do, Night?" The mare's heart started to beat faster, sweat formed on her forehead.
"Whatever you do, don't move till I say...and for sweet angel's sake don't make a sound."
Snow nodded, oh princesses! Protect us!
Night continued to watch as the sharp tips crept forward silently among the dense brush.
Twenty yards...
Twenty...
Fifteen...
Ten...Just a bit closer!
Five...Almost! He gritted his teeth.
Two. Five black snouts appeared, slowly poking out of the brush, NOW!
Night took hold of his magic, grabbed as much loose dirt and sand as he could in his magic, and flung it at the ponies, hitting them straight in the eyes.
They cried out in fright and threw their hooves up to their eyes as Night and Snow galloped as fast as possible off the trail. As they ran in started to rain, something he would have liked to have sat and enjoyed if they weren't running for their lives. Night could hear a pony yell behind him, "Stop! In the name of Vilis Malum, New Bearer of Generosity!"
A patrol? We must be very close to his camp.
The rain picked up and soon their were drenched but they didn't stop, till Snow looked and noticed a small cave to her right. She called for Night and fled towards the opening, hearing Night following. They ran into the dray cave and shook, throwing as much water off as they could. Night pulled of his cloak and laid it across a large rock and looked around their shelter, it only really had room for about five ponies, it had a low ceiling only two feet above his head and the back of the cave was about twenty feet from the mouths which rain poured in front off like a liquid drape.
Snow Flake sat and and looked at Night who was holding his head, "You okay?"
"Headache...don't worry, I get them all the time."
"Why?"
Night sat down as well and slightly smiled, "A unicorn using magic with a broken horn is like a pegasus flying with two broken wings, it is possible, but hurts a ton. I only really have enough magic for little things such as my batons or tricks like what we just did."
She walked over to him and stared into his purple eyes, "You should get some rest, we can't really go anywhere with all this rain and i can see how tired you are."
"No really, I'm fine."
Snow stepped forward, "Go to sleep."
Night smiled but stopped when he locked eyes with her ice-blue eyes, he felt his insides go cold and he backed up a little in fright. He lowered himself to the ground as she continued to watch him sternly. He closed his eyes and was almost immediately taken away by his dreams.
Snow smiled and sat a few feet from the front of the cave, somepony had to keep watch after all.
After a few seconds, the cave tinted purple and Snow turned her head to see Twilight Sparkle walking up beside her and also sit down. They both smiled, she could see the loving compassion in the purple unicorn's eyes.
Twilight looked over at the sleeping Night, "I see you have The Stare. Just like Fluttershy."
Snow reared her head a little in recoil, "You can talk?"
Twilight giggled, "Yes, my little pony, i can talk. There has just hasn't been a reason to till now."
Snow nodded, "I guess I agree, Miss Sparkle."
"Please, call me Twilight. I never really liked "Miss Sparkle" even when i got old enough for it. They giggled and Snow looked back at Night, "Is he really your son?"
She nodded, "Yes. He is my son."
"Why does he deny it?"
Twilight smiled and stared out into the rain, "He does not think he is deserving of the title, that and he hates me."
"Why?" Snow started to get excited, hopefully now she would get some answers.
"He must tell you that."
The young mare lowered her head, defeated again, "Do you still love him?"
A tear fell from Twilight's purple eye, "Yes."
"Even though he hates you?" Snow knew she starting to over step her bounds, but she wanted to know.
The unicorn sighed, "No matter what happens, I will always love him. When you have children, Snow Flake, you will understand."
They sat their quietly for a while, listening to the rain.
Twilight Sparkle spoke, "I must thank you."
Snow looked at her, quizzically, "Why? I haven't done anything?"
Twilight smiled, "You are my son's friend. You have been with him through this time."
"He is a great stallion, Twilight. He is my best friend..."
Twilight chuckled, "Lucent always was a gentlepony, a little rough around the edges, but he was always kind to the mares. I remember once when he accidently threw a rock too far with his magic and hit a filly square in the head. She was fine, a few tears, but there was no damage. But little Lucent was distraught, he told her that he would be her slaves for two weeks to make up for it." Twilight laughed and continued, "Little did he know what he set himself up for! She made him do some of the funniest things, but no matter what she told him to do, he did. They later on became the best of friends, never leaving each other's sides for more than to sleep..."
Snow couldn't help but smile as she pictured a little Moonless Night galloping around Ponyville doing different stunts and tricks for the mare. As she continued to think, she noticed a thin layer of fog creep in through the veil of water and wrap around her legs. She stood and turned to Twilight Sparkle who was also standing, the smile vanished from her lips.
It suddenly constricted and pulled her legs out from under her, she screamed as she fell to the hard cavern floor and was drug to the rear end of the cave.
"Night!" the mare screamed.
Moonless Night shot up and looked around, spying his friend on the floor he ran to her, but before he could reach her, Twilight Sparkle jumped in front of him, blocking his way.
He stopped for a second but leapt forward, and instead of sailing through the ghostly image, he smack against a wall that shimmered where he hit and was thrown back. He rubbed his head and tried again, with he same consequences. Twilight Sparkle laughed, but it wasn't a cheerful laugh as expected, instead, it was a dark and wicked laugh that chilled Snow's bones.
She watched as Twilight's purple coat turned to a sickly grey and her mane and tail writhed and turned to silver. Large gashes appeared over her body and blood flowed out, her mane fell off and an eye fell out. She screamed and twisted as the image faded to mist, but quickly returned in an exact copy of Moonless Night.
"Hello, Moonless Night," the mist said with a devilish smile.
Night lowered himself into a battle stance, "What do you want?"
It laughed again, "What I've always wanted! To pester you and fight with you until you cry and make my whole day!"
Night neighed angrily, "No! What do you want with Snow?! She has nothing to do with this! Let her go!"
"Oh reeaally Night? I believe she has EVERYTHING to do with this, you dragged her into it too...just like some other pony not to long ago."
"Shut up! Let her go!" Night growled.
"Or what?" the mist sneered, "You gunna beat me up with those sticks again? Ha! I bet Snow Flake would love to know why she is a part of this, and your past, don't you darling?"
Night looked at Snow who was lying on the ground, wrapped in mist, her eyes full of terror, but Night could also see a little interest.
The doppelganger smiled, "You see, dear Snow Flake, Night here killed somepony! Simple as that! Or is it??" he laughed again.
"Yes! It is!" yelled Night.
"Oh? What about Vilis Malum? He played a pretty good part, causing you to use more magic than you wanted and so killing-"
"No! I miscalculated! It's all my fault! She wouldn't have died if i hadn't tried it!" Night interrupted.
Snow finally found her voice, "Who?"
Night lowered his head, "My best friend..."
The mist smiled and twisted it's head all the way around, "And who might THAT be? Hmm??"
The stallion lowered his head further, "Radiant...Radiant Spectrum."
The image put a hoof to its ear, "Sorry didn't hear that...who?"
Night's head shot up, "Radiant Spectrum! Daughter of Rainbow Dash and New Bearer of the Element of Loyalty!!"
The mist smiled and laughed, "See? Wan't that hard now was it??"
Snow looked at Night who lowered his head again, "What...what happened?"
"Well you seeeee, little one-"
"No...I will tell her..." Night interjected.
The mist seemed confused, but regained himself and smiled again.
"When I was a colt, me and Radiant went to a cave so I could she her a magic trick I had just learned...Her and Lucent hid there because my mother had told me Lucent not to try this kind of magic. It was meant to simply allow her to hold her breathe longer...Lucent had done it to himself and so I wanted to try it on Radiant...Well he miss used to much magic...and...and i killed Radiant Spectrum...after that Lucent's horn was broken and he was exiled."
Snow listened to the story, trying to understand it as he switched between third and first pony. What's happening to him?
His identities are clashing, she heard Twilight's voice answer, he will either choose to forever be Moonless Night, son of non. Or Lucent Dawn, New Bearer.
"But that's no the truth is it, Night?" cackled the mist.
"It was all Lucent's fault! I should have known to listen to his mother!" Night's horn began to glow, "Just leave me alone!"
It smiled, "You know i can't do that, Night. I gotta be stuck to somepony!"
Sow raised her head. she had to save Night...she couldn't let him live forever in sorrow and regret, "What about me?"
The twins looked back at her, one smiling the other completely dumbfounded. The mist was the first to speak, "If you are willing, I can free Night."
"No! You can't do that Snow!" yelled Night.
Snow looked up at him, "If it frees you from this ghost, I will gladly give up my life to make you happy."
Night stared at his friend, she was willing to give up her sanity to remove his demon. He could be free. Free to roam the world without fear of being haunted by his past...
Night...either you can let Snow take your past away and you will become Moonless Night forever. Or you can face the mist and become Lucent again, a calm, smooth voice whispered.
Who are you?
Make your choice, stallion.
His eyes grew wide, Radiant?!
He looked back at Snow who seemed rather calm, considering what she was asking for....she had been with him this whole time. She was his best friend...the time he had spent with her was the greatest time of his life.
Yet.
How could he go back? Lucent had killed his best friend by doing something absolutely foalish! There was no excuse for what happened...
No. Snow was his friend. He wouldn't let her take the punishment for his past. He had to take responsibility.
"Well, Night? Do we have an accord?" the twin smiled.
Night raised his head, he looked deep into Snow Flake's eyes...he loved those eyes. He had to do this, for Snow Flake, for Twilight, for Equestria.
"No."
The mist seemed stunned by this, but quickly smiled again, "Oh then you wish to fight me again? Beat me up with your sticks?"
Night took a step forward, "I'm done with you haunting me."
"You brought me here, Night! Not my fault!"
Another step, "You hurt my mother."
Psht. That's only a misty image, no pain." worry appeared on the doppelganger's face as he took a small step back.
Another step, "And most of all...you hurt my friend!"
Night shot forward and slammed into the mist.
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Moonless Night opened his eyes, instead of seeing the cave, he was in a huge all white area.
Where am I?
He looked around, "Snow? Snow Flake!"
No answer.
He turned his head and in front of him stood Twilight Sparkle, smiling. Their purple eyes locked for many quiet seconds when Night finally walked to her and lowered his head to the ground, "I'm sorry...I-"
Twilight shook her head and put her forehead to his, "I forgive you."
Tears burst out of Night as he wept with joy at the tough of the purple mare. He wrapped his arms around her and cried. His warm tears running off her smooth coat which he had longed to feel for years. He nuzzled his snout into her neck, feeling the warmth he missed oh so much.
"I love you Lucent."
"I love you mom."