"Maestro? Why are you here?" Soren asked.
"You should know, Soren," replied another voice. "After all, you've been looking for the answer all day, I presume." Soren turned towards the right of Maestro to see an earth pony mare walk up and stand next to the brown stallion. She was purple with a blue mane and a cutie mark of a flowing bar of notes. It was Violet Melody.
"Actually..." Soren began, as a spark shined in his pupils, "I do know why you two are here."
"What are they talking about, Soren?" Luna asked.
"Let me explain: They knew we were looking for them. In order for Maestro and Violet to figure this out, they had to recieve a tip...a tip from somepony who knew our plan and could contact them...somepony like Octavia." Luna gasped, but Celestia continued to listen. "After Twilight and I left Octavia's house, she must have sent a letter to her parents saying that I was looking for them, and that Octavia would send me on a slight goose chase. Octavia's parents must have quickly rushed to their old mansion to see if I would show up. It's almost like they wanted to test me and to greet me face-to-face. Was this was some sort of test for me?"
The couple was silent for a few seconds, until Maestro finally answered Soren. "Yes...it was. And the purpose of this was to see if you were still corrupted."
"Corrupted?" Celestia replied. "Since when was Soren ever corrupted?
"So you go by Soren now?" Violet inquired. She gave a small smile then continued. "When Nyroc disappeared as a foal, we looked everywhere for him. We eventually had to give up, but after a few months passed, we figured out who took him."
"With the help of many ponies around Canterlot, we were able to find out that there was a group of evil ponies known as the Shadow Horses," Maestro said. "The Shadows like to foal-nap children and convert them to their cause. We figured Nyroc was taken by these ponies and that he was now corrupted."
"I remember those incidents. Children went missing almost every week but eventually stopped," Celestia explained. "May I ask, was Nyroc an alicorn when you found him? I'm sorry to point out that surely he couldn't have been a natural-born alicorn with two earth pony parents." Luna and Soren stared at Celestia, mouths agape.
"...He was," Violet continued. "We found him on the doorstep to this very house many years ago. He was very young, probably not even two years old. We took him in and raised him as our son. To this day, we could not find his birth parents. We stopped trying after his fifth birthday, knowing that we were his parents now. We couldn't have been happier."
"Can I interrupt?" Soren interjected. "Nyroc was foal-napped, these Shadow Horses obviously got him. I'm an alicorn who appeared near Ponyville as a kid with absolutely no recollection of my past or family. I'm obviously your son, but the big question still needs to be answered. If the Shadow Horses wanted me, why did they give me up?" Luna shivered.
"Their leader was an alicorn as well," Maestro answered. "She probably saw your potential and didn't want to risk another alicorn overthrowing her. She most likely teleported you somewhere random, used magic to somehow make you foal sized and to have amnesia, and she is now most likely focusing on her grand plan."
"And do you know what her plan is?" Celestia asked. Meanwhile, the gears in Soren's head turned. A female alicorn, who has an evil plan. No...not her...
"All anypony can gather is that the Shadow Horses have a plan against the highest authority, which would be you and Princess Luna."
"It's not just a plan against solely them," Soren started to explain. Everypony looked at him. "She has a plan against all of Equestria. Their leader is the Nightmare Guardian and she plans to bring back Nightmare Moon!" Maestro and Violet gasped.
"She is willing to gather an army to follow through with Nightmare Moon's plan of resurrection?" Celestia asked, becoming more serious. "This cannot go ignored. If this is true, Equestria is on the brink of battle against these Shadow Horses. We need a plan of action." Celestia thought very hard about the next course of action. Everypony waited patiently for the brilliant princess of the sun to voice a plan. Eventually, she looked at Soren.
"Soren, I need you to study the elements and master as many as possible. Then you will need to be as physically fit as possible in order to fight Night Wing. Meanwhile, I will need to spread word to all of our castle guards about the Shadow Horses and their plan. Word cannot spread too fast through the cities or the Shadows will surely hear the plan. Luna, I need you and the Elements of Harmony to recruit ponies from as many towns as possible for the battle. I have a feeling that our guards will not be enough to fend off these foes. We will also need spies within the ranks of the Shadow Horses so we can learn when they will strike and where." Celestia paused for a minute.
"I believe I may know when it will happen. Soren, have you figured out that Night Wing is technically the opposite of you?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Well, here is something you may not know: Ponies born during an eclipse are given amazing powers. A pony can either use these powers for good or evil. During an eclipse, the pony's powers are dramatically increased."
"I believe I can figure out the rest," Soren interrupted. "Night Wing is technically a Nyr, isn't she? She is going to plan her attack on an eclipse so she will be near-unstoppable, except that since I'm also a Nyr, I will be strong enough to fight her."
"Indeed, that is why the Elements are the factor that will decide who will win that conflict."
Soren looked at Maestro and Violet. He trotted over to them and gave them a hug.
"Mom, Dad...I know we were just reunited and don't have time to catch up right now. You don't have to worry about me anymore, ok? I'll make sure those Shadow Horses are stopped."
"Take care of Octavia," Maestro said.
"Always." Celestia and Luna walked up to the three family members.
"Soren, we must return to Ponyville posthaste," Luna said. Soren nodded and waved goodbye to his parents. Pretty soon, the three alicorns were standing outside on the front doorstep.
"Sister, will Equestria be ready for such a conflict?" Luna asked Celestia. "When was the last time a civil war has occurred on this land?" Celestia didn't answer either question as she faced her sister and Soren with a serious stare.
"You two, return to Ponyville and explain the situation to Twilight and her friends. Afterwards, Soren, you are to begin your Element training immediately. Time is of the essence as of now, and we must be as prepared as possible. I will see you both on another day." After Celestia finished her sentence, she teleported away with a bright, yellow flash. After his eyes readjusted, Soren turned toward Luna.
"I don't care what Rainbow Dash says, I'm never going to be as great of a leader as Princess Celestia." Luna gave a weak laugh before it died underneath the seriousness of the current situation.
"The time for jokes is over, Soren. We have more important matters to tend to. Let us head to Ponyville. We should arrive by sunrise." Soren nodded, so the couple flew away from the mansion and into the night. A few teleportations will also help their journey.
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The night sky was breezy. The moon was bright. And the alicorns were tired. The flight was calm, at least for Luna.
Can you say "déjà vu"?
Soren's eyes widened. What the...Why again?
Because you can't run from yourself. But you're busy right now, so I'll take my leave. See you soon...'Guardian.'
This better not be another one of Night Wing's tricks. Soren swore he heard the voice say, "Not this time."
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The sun was just peeking over the horizon by the time Soren and Luna arrived in Ponyville. The two immediately went to find their friends and bring them to the library. It took them about an hour, but the couple managed to do it. Soren and Luna even dragged Vinyl and Octavia to the library. Unfortunately, the two had to wake up everypony very early, so most of them were cranky or tired; others were curious as to what was going on. After everyone was gathered in the library, questions were flung left and right.
"Why'd you wake us up so early?"
"What's going on?"
"How was Canterlot?"
"Is Octavia your sister?"
"How long were you two awake?"
"Why didn't you two let me throw a morning party for everyone?"
"Not even Tavi wakes me up this early."
After silencing everypony with the Royal Canterlot Voice, Luna began to speak. She first explained what happened in Canterlot. This is where Soren jumped in and told Octavia that he knew about the tip to her parents. Even though he expected her to feel guilty, Soren saw that Octavia appeared unnerved as events were being explained. As Luna continued to speak, Fluttershy walked over to Soren.
"Um, Soren?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"When was the last time you slept?"
"Before we left for Canterlot. Me being tired isn't what's important right now."
"Well then what is important right now?" Rainbow Dash asked, while Fluttershy was telling Soren to rest.
"Why won't you rest?" Fluttershy persisted. Since he was tired and his patience was thin as a result, Soren shouted to silence Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.
"Because there's a war about to happen!" The entire library was silent after the sudden outburst. Soren now had everypony's attention. Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Soren continued. "At Canterlot, Octavia's parents, Maestro and Violet, told me and the princesses about a group of ponies called the Shadow Horses. We all deducted that the Nightmare Guardian is the leader of this group. She is planning something against the princesses and we plan to stop it. Luna, do you want to explain the plan?" Luna nodded, and turned to face the silent-stricken mares.
"Now I know this is a lot to take it, but Equestria needs us. My sister has jobs for all of us that need to be completed if we do not want these Shadow Horses to get the upper hoof. Soren's job is to learn and master Elemental magic. We'll explain that part later. Celestia is going to train the Solar Guard in order to prepare them. Girls, I will need your help to find any ponies that are willing to fight against these ponies to defend our home." The eight mares were silent for awhile, but Vinyl decided to speak up.
"What about me and Tavi?" she asked. "We're not much for battle, we're musicians."
"If thou thinkest that you and your friend will not be of service, then both of you do not have to help in this plan. We will not judge you." Both Octavia and Vinyl smiled and nodded at the princess. Meanwhile, Soren was standing like a statue, watching his friends talk. He started to feel sick, so he decided to lay on the ground.
Am I interrupting something?
What are you? Another one of Night Wing's tricks?
Oh, no. I think you'll find that I'm quite...closer to home.
Well, whatever you are, you're leaving my head right--
"Soren!" Soren's head jerked up. He saw everypony looking down at him worriedly. Soren realized that he was grabbing his head and shaking as he was having a mental battle with that voice. "What's wrong?" Twilight Sparkle asked. He slowly got up, brushed off his coat, and looked at her.
Your friends are losing patience with you. Here...
"Oh nothing is wrong, my dear," Soren cooed with a slightly different voice. "Just...a little tired is all." Twilight's eyes widened as she took a step back. That voice... she thought. When Twilight took another step back, she bumped into Applejack.
Very soon, they'll turn their backs on you.
"You alright, sugarcube?" the farmer mare asked the unicorn. "Ya look worried." Twilight sat on her haunches and continued to express nervousness, even more so when Soren walked up to her.
"Ms. Sparkle, are you alright?" That sentence was the last straw for Twilight as she scooted back all the way to a bookshelf and just sat there. Everypony gave Soren a weird look after he addressed Twilight like that, but they soon went back to worrying about Twilight. Pretty soon, Soren looked at the other mares. "Why don't you all comfort Twilight while Vinyl, Octavia, and I walk back to their place as I catch up with my sister."
A few of them nodded, so Soren, Octavia, and Vinyl walked out of the library. After the three of them left, Pinkie Pie decided to comment on something.
"Wow," she awed. "Twilight, he was acting just like that one pony we went on adventures with!" This time everypony's attention was gathered on Pinkie Pie.
"Twilight?" Rarity started. "Who is this pony Pinkie Pie is talking about? And why were you afraid of Soren?" Twilight sighed in defeat since she knew she now had to explain everything.
"A while back, I made a friend. A friend who would go to places and help anypony that needed it. He was a stallion with a very special machine that took us to various places, where we met wonderful and frightening creatures. We were having so much fun, and even Pinkie Pie joined us at one point. But eventually...something started happening to him.
"Soren is acting strangely like that stallion, and this could be a good or bad thing. Before my friend and I parted ways, he began to become...discorded." Twilight's friends gasped at the possible reference to the draconequus. "When he was discorded, my friend started hating everypony. He didn't want to help anypony anymore, and he wanted to be in solitude forever. I don't know if he ever changed back. My fear is that Soren may become discorded somehow. He's already acting strange, so I can't say I trust him right now. Please girls, we need to find him. I-I can't lose two friends like that!" Her friends looked at each other before Rarity sat next to Twilight and hugged her.
"If what you say is true...then we will gladly help you, Twilight," Rarity assured. Twilight smiled and the mares stood up.
"Luna...do you believe me?" Twilight asked the princess, who was just standing there, looking slightly surprised.
"More than you know, Twilight Sparkle. Lead the way." Twilight nodded and proceeded to lead everypony out of the library and straight to Vinyl and Octavia's house.