//------------------------------// // Chapter Twelve: Disgrace // Story: Darklight // by snoninja7 //------------------------------// Darklight was up the following morning. No one talked about it, but they all knew that it was time for Twilight and Derpy to return home, now that there was nothing keeping them there. They traveled to the battle site one last time so Derpy could get some pictures. There wasn't much to see, the lifeless monster was now little more than a collection of mounds that all but filled the narrow valley. Derpy asked Twilight and Darklight to stand together on top of the mounds to pose for the pictures. She kept motioning for them to stand closer together even though it they were mostly wide, panoramic shots. Darklight explained the significance of the necklaces Twilight and Derpy were wearing. "This is a hero's talisman. It is given to ponies who have bravely defended others at great personal sacrifice to themselves. It reminds the wearer that when you fight for the ponies you love, the only real sacrifice is your old, 'false' self', that in doing so you discover who you really are." Twilight later noticed that Darklight was not wearing his talisman. Upon asking him, he replied, "I don't think I'm ready to wear it yet, could you hang on to it for me?" Twilight noticed that his mood was beginning to change. The loneliness was returning to Darklight's eyes, and he became more quiet and introspective. She thought about all that she had learned about him, from the glimpses into his past during the life spell, the cryptic words that Raven's Wind spoke to her the day before, and when she saw his true self after removing the amulet. How much should she tell him? The three of them were very quiet when they returned to Darklight's cave. Finally, Twilight spoke to him. "Well, I guess it's about time that we went back home. I hope you know that you are welcome to come with us when I reverse the teleportation spell. I have a lot of friends that I would love to introduce you too. I think you would really like it there. I'm sorry that I didn't say anything about my home country. You see, I'm from- " "Derpy," he interrupted. "May I have that letter now?" Derpy took a moment to remember "Aw, I'm sorry, I totally forgot about that." She opened her mail bag and pulled out the letter, "Here ya go." Darklight opened the letter, holding it where only he could read it. Twilight watched his eyes as he read. There was no sign of surprise, only a deepening sadness. "Darklight," she said, "is there anything wrong?" He didn't answer right away. He closed his eyes, almost as if he was fighting back a tear. When he opened them again, there was a look of resignation, and of resolve. "I... guess I already knew. I knew you were both from Equestria. That you, Twilight... were her student. But I wanted to get to know you, to be your friend." "Darklight, what is going on?" Twilight was starting to become more alarmed. "Whatever happens," he blurted out, "Whatever you might think about me, I want you both to know that I'm doing it for the good of Equestria. I've seen the suffering and oppression with my own eyes. I know what the Demon Queen is doing there... " "Demon Queen?! Are you talking about Princess Celestia?!" Twilight almost started laughing at such a ridiculous statement, but stopped when she saw the haunted look in his eyes. She remembered his childhood memory, how he had been terrified to even be reminded about what he had seen. How could his experience in Equestria be so different from her own? "I have to stop her. I can't let the oppression go on for another thousand years." He said solemnly. "What are you talking about?! What oppression?! Equestria is not like that! Princess Celestia is a kind and gentle ruler!" Twilight practically screamed at him. Darklight wasn't listening to her. The two astonished mares barely noticed that their saddlebags were being placed on their backs, and a gentle nudge was moving the closer together. "Thank you, both of you," he said with a sad smile, "For helping me to be a hero, if only for a little while." "No, Darklight!" cried Twilight, "You don't understand! I have some important things that I have to tell you!" "Please don't interfere, I don't want anything to happen to you." Darklight was already reversing Twilight's teleportation spell. He had one last thing to say, before the circle of light engulfed the two mares. "I love you, Twilight." * * * * They were home. The crater was becoming overgrown with grass. In the light of the moon they could see Ponyville in the distance. "Twilight, what's going on?" Derpy asked, fear and curiosity in her voice. "What was Mister Darklight talking about? What’s he going to do to Princess Celestia?" Twilight started to cry. "I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I tell him when I had the chance?" She composed herself and quickly explained to Derpy what she learned over the last few days about Darklight. "I think his Father must have manipulated him somehow into believing that Princess Celestia is evil and that Equestria is being oppressed. I think his Father wants him to kill the princess." Derpy was alarmed now. “But why would anypony want him to do that?" she asked. "I don't know, but I also took his amulet off while he was sleeping and found out what he really is. He's a pony, just like us... " "Well, I already knew that." "And I think he is related somehow to Princess Celestia." "WHAAAT?! Did you tell this to Mister Darklight?!" "No! He thinks he's some kind of a monster who has to do this to pay for some past sins he thinks he's guilty of, but I was too scared to tell him the truth. How we're too late, and it's all my fault!" A plan suddenly formed in Twilight's mind. "We have to get to get to Canterlot and warn Princess Celestia! I think we have just enough time to catch the night train if we hurry, I need you to fly ahead and get us tickets. And hold up the train until I get there." Derpy zoomed off towards town as fast as she could fly. Twilight galloped in the same direction, but was unable to keep up with her. Ponyville was strangely quiet, even for night. There were a few ponies walking about, but when they saw Twilight they seemed surprised, even alarmed. A couple of windows and doors slammed shut as she passed. A few times, she thought she also saw ponies wearing the brush-topped helmets of the palace guards in her peripheral vision. Twilight had no time to think about any of this, she focused all of her energies towards getting to Canterlot as soon as possible to warn the princess. The train station was largely empty except for a few guards that looked gravely at Twilight when she arrived. There was a train, but it was completely idle. It appeared that the firebox wasn't even lit. Where was Derpy? Twilight wondered in exasperation if she had become lost on the way to the station. She would have to leave without her if she didn't show up in a few minutes. "I need a two tickets for the night train to Canterlot, please." she announced to the earth pony mare at the ticket booth. The mare looked frightened. "I'm sorry, Ms. Sparkle, but the trains are down until further notice." "But I need to get to Canterlot tonight! I have some important information for Princess Celestia and it can't wait another minute!" Twilight realized that somepony was behind her, and she whirled around in surprise. Several palace guards were there, and they had surrounded her. "Wha... what's going on?!" "Twilight Sparkle, you are under arrest for aiding in a conspiracy by the former Lightning Duke Prometheus to assassinate Crown Princess Celestia." "WHAT?! But I've never even met the Lightning Duke!" "Please come with us." "No! I'm innocent! I haven't done anything wrong! Let go of me! I have to get to... " Twilight's legs suddenly went limp, and she flopped to the ground. Her last thought was: A stun spell? Did they really have to use a stun spell?