//------------------------------// // One ending, another beginning // Story: The Hearts Melody // by Saro0fdemonz //------------------------------// "Father..." Amethyst began, ducking as the elder drake spun to punch him, following with a swipe of his tail that the younger drake leapt over, roaring as he tackled his father. Though Spike reacted quickly, kicking the kirin off of him and rolling to a standing position. Amethyst charged him, falling prey to a single punch to the gut, Spikes' elbow slamming into his spine and sending him to the floor. "After everything that's happened you still let your rage take control of you in a fight Amethyst." Spike said softly, walking past the winded kirin. Amethyst coughed, rolling onto his back "What does it matter? I never gave up, even when they had me locked away!" he yelled weakly. "It does matter Amethyst. If you fought free of your anger you wouldn't fall so easily. They wouldn't have caught you. Can't you see what i'm trying to tell you?!" Spike yelled. Amethyst sighed, laying his head against the ground. "I know..." he said softly. Amethyst stood slowly, untying his blindfold. "I know, but I don't know how...I can't bring myself to hurt anyone when my mind is clear. Because then all I can think about is the pain I'm causing others. When I'm angry...there's nothing there. Just the need to keep those close to me safe." he whispered. Spike smiled, placing a claw on his shoulder. "I understand Amethyst. But that doesn't mean you can fight like that. I'm gonna teach you something I should've all those years ago." Spike said as he walked away. "What?" Amethyst begged as he followed. "How to fight like a Dragon." "Melody, you shouldn't be pushing yourself..." Sunshine tried to argue as the mare forced her way past him. "I saw him. He's alive and he needs me. I can't just sit here!" she yelled, blinking as the colt grabbed her by her shoulders. "Then I'm coming with you." he said, bringing a smile to her lips. She shook her head. "Alright then, think you can carry me?" she asked. Moments later the two were in the air, hurtling towards Rainbow Dash's camp. Sunshine couldn't help but smile to himself as he felt Melody's hooves wrapped around him, clinging to him as he glided along. "We're almost there!" he called over the wind, gasping as a Gryphon flew past them. "HOLD ON MELODY!" Sunshine yelled, spinning through the air as Gryphon after Gryphon reached for them, the unicorn clinging to him for dear life. A stray claw caught his wing, the pegasus screaming and slamming his hoof into said Gryphon, gritting his teeth as he fell from the air, his wing useless against the currents that held him up moments ago. gotta protect Melody, gotta protect melody! he thought to himself, rolling in the air and throwing his hooves around the unicorn, grunting as he slammed into a tent and hit the ground, Melody on top of him. The unicorn groaned and shook herself, standing slowly. She blinked, feeling something soft and warm underneath her, her hoof landing in a puddle. She looked down, eyes wide as she saw Sunshine underneath her, the pegasus having used himself as a cushion to save her. "Sunshine...c'mon...w..wake up.." she said softly, putting her hoof against his cheek. It felt cold. "Sunshine?" she asked, the pegasus remaining silent. "No...NO!" the unicorn threw her head back, screaming as her magic tore through the remains of the tent, sending it flying into a circling group of Gryphons and tearing them apart. Her magic continued on its path of vengance, grabbing hold of wings and dragging her enemies to the hard, unforgiving ground, forcing them face first into the dirt and holding them there. "Mel..." a weak voice called out. The unicorn glanced down, seeing her tears matting her friends coat. He smiled up at her, placing his hoof on her cheek. "I-I'm ok Mel...Ju-Just, g-get to your brother..." he struggled to say. Melody shook her head. "I'm not leaving you here Sunshine." she argued, slipping under the pegasus and lifting him onto her back, using her magic to hold his wings in place. "Just hold on." she ordered as she ran from the slowly recovering soldiers, beating a path directly for the heart of the camp. "Oh no..." Emerald sighed as she watched Piper dive-bomb into the Gryphons. "We have to hurry! Piper can't handle all of them alone!" She called out. Nova nodded, turning to her soldiers. "Today, you fight not just for Canterlot, not just another fight in this meaningless war. You fight for yourselves. Today we end this!" She cried, the soldiers roaring as they launched into battle, Nova blinking as she felt a hoof on her shoulder. A weary Celestia smiled at her. "Well done Nova...now...we must find my sister..." Celestia said softly. "Mother? but...she's gone..." Nova barely managed to say. Celestia gave her a small smile. "She was never gone Nova. She was simply on vacation." the princess chuckled, stumbling forward and caught by Emerald. "You are still weak Princess. We'll find Twilight and Luna and let them know the situation." Emerald said, laying Celestia down on her side. "Nova, stay with her. Sunburst, with me." Emerald said. The pegasus nodded, placing a kiss on Aqua's forehead before taking off with Emerald. "Is it true Emy? Twilight and Luna aren't dead?" Sunburst asked. Emerald only smiled. "Oh far from it, look." she pointed a claw towards their destination. There stood Princess Twilight, doing her best to calm the ponies under Rainbows' protection. "LOOK OUT!" a voice yelled, slamming into Sunburst and Emerald, knocking them out of the way of a hail of arrows. A tower of ice rose around them as they hit the ground, shielding them from the onslaught. "Hey Sunburst, hey Emy." Piper said quickly before taking off once again. Sunburst blinked and sat there, dumbfounded. "Is anypony else that ah know is dead gonna pop up an scare th' crud outta me!?" she yelled, slipping into her natural drawl in her frustration. "How about an old friend?" another voice said, causing Sunburst to turn around. There stood Amethyst, blindfolded and smirking, on either side of him were the twins, Penny and Hayseed, dressed from head to hoof in Dragonsmane armor. Flanking them were Applebloom and Pip, joined by Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle moments later. Soon Honeycrisp stepped forward, a chest on her back. "We might need these." she said softly. "Hm, seems we're short a few." Pip mumbled, throwing his head back and whistling. A massive ball of flame fell from the sky, slamming into the ground in front of them to reveal one Spike Swift Shrike, and he was not happy. "Spike?" Twilight asked, surprising the dragon. "Tw-TWILIGHT!" Spike rushed to his friend, throwing his claws around her and holding her tight. "GAH! SPIKE! TOO TIGHT!" she yelled, trying to pull free. The dragon chuckled, loosening his grip. His smile soon faded though. "Twilight how could you abandon us?" he asked softly. Twilight placed her hoof on his cheek. "I never abandoned you Spike. I promise, I'll explain everything as soon as we're safe." she whispered. He wasn't happy with the answer, but it would have to do. he nodded, giving her hoof a squeeze before turning to Amethyst. "Ready?" he asked. The Kirin was suddenly surrounded in a dark eery glow, his voice echoing around him. "I was born ready." Piper grinned to himself as he launched away from Sunburst, knowing she'd be shocked to see him. It was a little prank and he took small pleasure in knowing he could feel happy doing something so small. Though he pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind as he came face to face with a gryphon he had been dying to see. "Niare..." he growled, walking forward slowly. The gryphon king chuckled as the fighting died down slowly, the two standing before one another. "So here we stand once again with you presented a choice. Kneel to the true king of these lands, or lose everyone you hold dear to you." Niare lowered his gaze, a corridor of darkness appearing before him and dropping not only Strawberry and Pinkie Pie, but also Sugarcane. Niare lifted the pegasus by her throat and grinned. "I wonder...how long it would take..." Niare froze, his vision growing blurry. Silence filled the air as his grip fell from the foal, his body slumping forward with several spears of ice coursing through his veins. "You keep your filthy claws off my daughter! AHH!" Piper screamed, clutching his head as the darkness slowly began to creep along his coat once more. "No, not yet..." he gritted his teeth, struggling to fight it back. "PIPER!" Amethyst roared, tackling the pegasus and grinning. Slowly the aura around him faded, sinking into the pegasus pinned beneath him. Pipers eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed. The kirin stumbled a bit, digging his claws into the ground. "Amethyst...Are you.." Emerald began. "You might want to stand back." he whispered, his head snapping backwards as the dark energy poured forth, cutting down everything in its path, mainly, an army of Gryphons. What survived quickly retreated as the Kirin fell to the ground. "AMETHYST NO!" Spike yelled, rushing to his son. "heh...Ho-How'd I do?" he asked softly as Spike lifted him. "You did amazing Amethyst...g-get some rest...ok?" Spike replied, holding the Kirin close as his breathing slowed. "Father...you didn't..." Emerald whispered as tears stung her eyes. "It was his choice Emy." Spike answered, holding Amethyst close as the Darkness ate away at him. "NO! I've given too much for it to end like this!" Emerald yelled, glancing around quickly, her anger fading as a unicorn walked past her. Dinky sat down beside Spike as he laid Amethyst down. Dinky sniffed, laying down in front of the kirin and tucking herself into his arms, wrapping her hooves around him. Spike mumbled a few words under his breath, an aura of Draconic magic surrounding them. "Anypony mind tellin me what in th' hay jus' happened?" Sunburst asked. "Amethyst removed the Darkness from Piper. Body, mind, and soul, and took it within himself as a weapon. But such magic requires a source more powerful than any other magic. Pure life energy." Emerald explained. "Ah don't get it." Penny mumbled. "He used his own life force to save Piper." Dinky explained softly, her horn matching the glow of the aura around them. "So I'm giving him some of my life...I've plenty to spare after all.." Dinky chuckled as an orange glow surrounded her. Friends and loved ones gathered close as they watched Amethyst and Piper slowly start breathing once more. Strawberry rushed to Pipers' side, throwing her hooves around him and their daughter. Twilight gave a small sigh of relief. "That was a close call." "A close call? A CLOSE CALL!? I ALMOST LOST MY BUCKING SON!" Spike roared. Twilight fell silent as the dragon glared at her. Twilight threw herself at him, burying her face in his scales. "Everything fell apart when you left. We needed you Twilight and you left us." Spike whispered as he held her. "I didn't mean to..." Twilight cried against him. "Whats done is done. We can't change the past. We can only look towards the future." Nova said as she landed a few feet away. "Nova...oh Nova..." Twilight sobbed, though the young alicorn only smiled, nuzzling the lavender mare as she came close. "We've missed you." "OUTTA MY WAY!" Melody yelled as she barreled past them, coming to a stop in front of Piper and Strawberry. The cloak she wore was stained in blood and her mane was disheveled, but she was determined to see her plan to the end. Out of breath, and out of energy, she collapsed next to her brother, placing her hoof on his as his eyes opened. "Big brother..." "Hey Melody..." "You owe me a bedtime story." Several Hours Later Piper groaned as Sugarcane hopped onto his stomach. "Papa! Papa! come on! Mama said you'd show me how to fly!" the pegasus zebra whined. "Mama didn't mention that I'd be sore." he mumbled under his breath. Sugarcane pouted. "Come on Sugarcane, lets give him some time to rest." Strawberry said softly as she picked up the young filly. "Wait..." Piper said as he sat up, gasping in pain. He hadn't adjusted to his wounds staying yet. "Why don't you stay a bit...I was gonna tell Melody a bedtime story." he said softly. Strawberry smiled, giggling as Sugarcane hopped onto the bed, the zebra mare joining soon after. moments later Melody rushed into the room, sitting next to the bed with a massive book held in her magic. Piper chuckled, taking the book in his hooves. "Long ago...in the land of Equestria, there were two sisters..." "Its not over yet. They are frightened, yes. They are broken, but they are resilient. Amethysts' attack will only have delayed their efforts. This won't be won until we take back Canterlot" Luna said softly. Celestia nodded, feeling her strength returning slowly now that she was closer to her sister. "I agree. But they need time to rest sister. Will we be able to buy them that time?" Celestia asked. "I'm sure we can." Twilight tossed in, glancing over her shoulder at the sleeping forms of Spike and Rarity. "We have to." she said softly, placing a blanket over her friends before returning to the small table they sat at. "Uncle and his forces should arrive within a few days time now that the path is clear for them. Auntie Cadences' added magic to the Crystal Empires Barrier will keep them safe and if we can get the railroads active we can get the citizens to safety." Nova said with a yawn. Twilight smiled, nuzzling her daughter. "You've grown so much..." Twilight sniffed. Nova gave her a small smile. "I had to." she said with a sigh. "We all did. All of this fighting...its costing Equestria everything. We have to put an end to it." the young princess declared. "I agree, and I believe it is you who should lead them when the time comes Nova." Celestia said, causing the others in the room to stare at her. "Why me? Why not you or my parents?" "Because in our absence it is you who has brought them together. You who have struggled and maintained what little is left. It would be wrong of us to simply push you aside and take over. Do not be mistaken, we will be here to help you. You are not alone in this, not anymore." Celestia smiled. The doors behind them opened, a less than happy Rainbow Dash strolling into the chamber with her family close to her. She cast a look around and took a seat, opening her mouth to speak and failing to find the words she wanted to say. "Rainbow, there's no reason to apologize. You did only what you thought was right given the circumstance. I'm sure...in your place, I would have done the same." Twilight admitted. Rainbow sighed, shaking her head. "I shouldn't have gone off like that. I dunno what came over me..." the pegasus mumbled under her breath. "The Darkness is a powerful thing Rainbow Dash. Simply being close to it as you were could have affected your judgement. It was part of the reason Piper tried so hard to avoid being around others. Just the Darkness within him was enough to turn them against one another." Luna explained. Sunburst chuckled quietly. "If'n ya ask me, he shoulda let us help him anyway." the pegasus huffed. Nova raised an eyebrow at the pegasus. "Well its true. We're family, close as close can be. Why couldn't he rely on us?" Sunburst asked. "That's exactly why. Because he couldn't bear the thought of the Darkness turning us against each other." Nova said. Sunburst fell silent, hanging her head. "Well he's not going to be alone anymore." Strawberry Swirl said with a smile, stepping aside so the mentioned pegasus could walk into the room. He slowly took a seat, looking around the room, his gaze stopping on Luna. "You know...I never thought..." Piper began, stopping and shaking his head. "Thank you Luna." he said softly. "As you once told me, dear friend. It was nothing." Luna chuckled. Rainbow turned away, blinking as Piper hugged her. "Piper...i..I'm sorry..." Rainbow choked out. "Don't be." he said simply. "We have a second chance to make things right. Lets not waste it. The past is in the past and we have only the future to look forward to." He smiled, pulling away from her. The pegasus sighed softly as he glanced down at the maps laid out on the table. "There is one other thing...Amethyst removed the Darkness that was about to consume me. But its still out there. Even though i'm not a part of it anymore...I can feel it. Its sleeping somewhere out there, but someday it will wake up and when it does...we'll have to be ready." Nox yawned loudly as the sun shone in through her bedroom window. Across from her on a seperate bed, lay her brother Shadowflare, tucked away in the shadows of the room. Beyond a curtain to her left her friends, Melody and a now recovering Sunshine Apple shared a bed. She smiled to herself as she sat up, gasping and placing a hoof on her stomach as pain coursed through her body. Shadowflare instantly awoke, rushing to her side. "Sis whats wrong?" he asked quickly. His hoof rested on her bed, landing in a wet spot. Their eyes met and they swallowed. "NURSE!" Shadowflare barked, the curtains thrown aside as the nurse appointed to tend Sunshine rushed in. Nox clung to Shadows' hoof as another jolt of pain ripped through her body. "Whats wrong?" the nurse asked quickly. "m..My water broke." Nox gasped, her screams waking her friends nearby. Melody rushed to her other side as the nurse lifted the blankets. "Alright Miss Nox. I'm going to need you to push when the next contraction comes 'round." The nurse said softly. Nox nodded quickly, laying her head on the pillow. Melody lit up her horn, using her magic to dim the pain just slightly. "Just hold on Nox, just hold on, you'll have a little foal to hold onto soon." Melody said softly. Nox smiled, gasping and squeezing her brothers hoof as the next contraction tore through her, pushing with all her might. "Almost there, just a bit more." the nurse said. "AHHH!" Nox screamed, feeling light-headed as her friends surrounded her. The sound of crying filled the air. "Nox, look." Shadow said softly, holding a bundle in his hooves. The young alicorn cast her gaze over to him weakly and smiled as he placed the bundle in her hooves. She nuzzled the delicate package gently as it yawned and reached for her. "A beautiful little filly." the Nurse said softly. "congratulations Nox. You're a mother." Melody said softly. "What are you gonna call her?" Sunshine asked. Nox looked around at her friends, then down at the foal in her hooves, wispy blue mane hiding her eyes and curled around her stub of a dark blue horn. Her coat was a lush blue, only slightly brighter than that of her horn. Nox smiled to herself, brushing the foals mane out of her face. "Shining Star...a beautiful star...lighting up the darkness..." Nox said softly. "I think its a wonderful name." Shadow replied, kissing her cheek. Melody smiled. "Everythings gonna change...isn't it?" she asked. "Maybe not everything Mel, but only time will tell. When in doubt, listen to your heart." Sunshine chuckled as he nuzzled the unicorn.