It has been a long time since Light has been here.
The crystalline dimensions of the hidden vaults in her own mind flicker around her bright spiritual form as the Mother of Creation transcends reality into one entirely her own. The entire collection of her amazing ideas, along with her less-than-amazing-ones, are here stored in all the right places should she ever feel the need to look. Being practically as powerful as what mortal ponies call a deity, she sleeps at night not just to get a break from her fairly heavy responsibilities but also to remember and draw inspiration from the things located here.
At this particular moment however she is not in the mood to reminisce, for Light is heading to a place she hasn’t been for years – a vault she had hoped to never have to visit again. Seeing an orb-like shield of white light, she descends towards it somewhat reluctantly. Passing through the veil she is immediately confronted by a wall of blackish red mist that washes over her, pushing on a wave of emotions that are not her own. She senses anger, frustration, hatred, and… patience.
None of these are too unusual, for this is Dark’s prison and those feelings belong to him. Light finds barely solid earth amongst the lava cracks that adorn the molten floor, hissing and creaking as she sets down hoof lightly. Frowning, she notes the ‘redecorations’ that Dark has managed to achieve outside of his prison despite all her safety wards and precautions. She will have to have a word with him about it…
Performing the special sequence of spells that only she knows, the Mother of Creation unlocks the truesteel doors of the vault she has created for her nemesis. Judging from the molten drips creeping down the edges, even this door has fallen into disrepair. Putting off that business for another day, Light composes herself for a moment before advancing into the sea of mist that awaits her.
“Come to see me, so soon?” a booming, hissing voice greets her cordially, as if she were his friend.
Light walks straight towards the centre of the round, dome-like chamber she created to house her greatest foe. All around her dance scenes of the stars and the universe, as well as visions of her most prized worlds. She had created it in an attempt to reform Dark and convince him that places so beautiful were not worth destroying, but as it became clear to her he wasn’t going to change she left it going anyway to torment him; A little present for what he put her through so many centuries ago. As a small concession she allows him to control where it looks, but with limitations. He can’t see the Palace of Creation for instance, nor can he linger in any one place too long.
The cage that holds Dark at bay appears to be a glass semi-circle, but in reality it is an impenetrable barrier of her finest creation. The only blemish upon it is the small slit she had used to take some of his essence to create Celestia and the others the last time she was here a few years ago. She had crafted a spell to reseal it, but evidently it isn’t as tight as she had hoped. Another thing to fix when she gets the time…
“I don’t suppose you’ve come here to let me out,” teases Dark from the other side of the barrier, though he is only a shifting cloud of red mist, “I really would like to meet my children one of these days.”
“You know why I can’t let you do that,” replies Light hardly, “you’d harm them, or worse.”
Dark laughs.
“You mean your brats? Oh how delightful that would be, to send them screaming back to the abyss they came from. No… I’m talking about MY children. You know… the ones who come out every now and then in moments of anger or danger? Oh how I love them all.”
“What would you know about love?” demands Light, “the only thing you love is yourself.”
“Indeed,” admits Dark smugly, “but then… they are ME aren’t they? Fiery Solar Flare, how she just burns every time Discord pranks Cadence, and sad Dark Moon with her tears and insecurity – I would swear she came from you.”
“Shut up!” fumes Light as she grinds her teeth, “I didn’t come here to play games.”
“Then why are you here? Given the indefinite nature of my imprisonment, I would think you have better things to do then amuse me.”
Light registers his unusually cordial tone and begins to grow suspicious. Dark is never this outgoing. The insults are expected and predictable, but usually he hollers at her in rage about how he is going to ‘end’ her efforts and expand her suffering in numerous creative ways. She concludes Dark must be hiding something… maybe he knows the whereabouts of the twins.
“I’m here to bring you to account Dark,” replies the Mother of Creation, “I can see you’re keeping something from me, and I demand to know what it is!”
The mist shifts uncomfortably as the images on the outside of the dome shift of their own accord to a world made of pure water, casting a bluish shadow over the entire scene.
“Very well,” submits Dark with a laugh, “I had been hoping to keep this a secret until next century but you’ve caught me.”
Suddenly the red cloud presses together in a series of bright red flashes that momentarily light up the prison. Inside the cage the Father of Destruction fuses into a form Light has never seen before, and after a moment of examination she frowns as she gets the joke he is playing on her.
“This is my new form,” teases Dark with a deep cackle, “do you like it?”
He had become an alicorn like Light, but with a few major differences. His mane had become a skin of spikes, which extend outward and cover most of his body except his flank and legs. Underneath it his brownish skin has thickened into a layer of carapace, and his fleshy tail extends from his rear end like a whip. The most profound changes, however, are in his face. Jagged predatory teeth fill his jaw and fit together like those of a reptile hungry for more prey. Two ugly tusks like those of the wilder breeds of dragon reach out from the sides of his face creating an insectoid look that is unbecoming. His charred-skin bordered eyes are vicious and red with nasty black pupils like that of the cruelest of beasts. From his mouth and nostrils seeps the same red mist that he had so recently been apart of moments before. Fittingly the mark on his flank is so horrid she can’t even call it a cutie mark – a black supernova surrounded by red beams shooting out in all directions. Looking at Light, the monstrosity forms a smug grin.
The Mother of Creation rubs her head with her hoof and utters a sigh of annoyance. Every time she comes down here he makes her put up with something like this. She doesn’t even want to think about the adjustments he has made to back row centre.
“What’s the matter,” Dark coaxes as he leans up against the barrier, “I thought you wuv your cute littow ponies.”
“Stop it!” demands Light aggressively, “I mean the twins! Where have you hidden them?”
“Hah so your little brats have gone missing?” goads Dark, using her admission of incompetence as ammunition, “somepony isn’t taking motherhood too seriously.”
So he doesn’t know, Light concludes. If he had Dark certainly would have used it against her right away. She silently fumes in frustration at another dead end, and turns to leave.
“What, leaving so soon?” pushes Dark insultingly, “but I was just about to talk about how much I love the way your mortal ponies are so fragile they have to breed in order to continue existing. It’s so amusing watching them suffer – the females I mean. Kind of reminds me of another pony I know I enjoy watching suffer…”
“Consider this your first and final warning,” fumes Light as she turns and looks angrily over her shoulder at him, “if I find out you are responsible for this, mark my words you will pay.”
“Lift your tail a few inches higher and that’s all the payment I need to give,” teases Dark while crossing his hooves and sticking his smoking tongue out.
A few moments later Light slams the truesteel door shut behind her. Despite all her attempts to shield herself, he still always manages to make her angry.
…
Inside the prison Dark drops the act, and reassumes his more convenient gaseous form. Turning towards the panoramic view Light saw fit to give him so many centuries ago, he wills it to switch back to the Pony World. He quickly searches out his minion and quietly praises Ruin’s remarkable progress in gathering an army to his side and decimating all the civilization he has so far came across.
The Lord of Destruction swirls with anticipation, but he also understands the value of patience – after all one’s children do not grow up overnight. Dark silently realizes how attracted he has become to Light’s brand of creation lately, but he quickly shakes off the thought. Regardless of how useful his servants may be he would still prefer that nothing of Light’s work remain when he is finished – including them. Ruin, along with the other three soon to be released, are just the means to an end.
Allowing the panorama to settle, Dark sits and waits for the inevitable confrontation between the twins and his first harbinger. Soon, very soon, Nightmare and perhaps even Dark Moon as well will come to his side and he will be unstoppable.
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On the morning of the arrival of the High Lector, Castle Nightstar is abuzz with anticipation. All the preparations that had been underway for the past few days are now complete. The main hall is fully decorated with the most fabulous embroidery and bows that Lady Nightstar and her hoof maidens can produce, making the normally grey meal area look more fancy then normal. Lord Nightstar, recently on his feet (but still not feeling a hundred percent), walks the parapets with the Castle Reagent ensuring that all his battle trained and armoured unicorns are ready and know their official welcoming positions for when Starswirl’s procession arrives.
Solon, on the other hoof, continues to focus on his training in the castle grounds. Dissatisfied with Sky Sparkle’s slow rock throwing rate the previous day, today he has ordered Zephyr out instead. As the navy blue unicorn commences with his routine, a wave of thoughts about events of the previous few days washes over him. He had a dream last night, where he was fighting Pridewing again. This time however, he gave her a run for her money. Unfortunately he woke up just as he was about to finish her off, denying him the satisfaction of victory even in his dreams.
The last rock breaks into pieces in the air as his precisely aimed spell cuts it in half. Dismissively, Solon eyes the crumbled bits of a perfect show of magical accuracy – five out of five hits. He should be feeling wonderful about his accomplishment, but he realizes that it’s really something else that’s bothering him. Breathing heavily, the unicorn looks back over his shoulder to where Luna should be. Perhaps the reason why he has been training so hard is not because he lost and was nearly killed – but because it happened in front of her.
Running through all the things he has said to her over the past three days, Solon realizes that he hasn’t been very nice. Sure the injury made him grumpy, but that’s no excuse. No wonder Luna has locked herself away in the guest room – she’s probably feeling trapped. Admittedly if the High Lector was coming to see him to evaluate his magic skills or whatever instead, he would be pretty nervous too.
“Good set milord,” comments Zephyr, trying to sound proper, “are you ready for the next one?”
“Take a rest,” orders Solon, before turning and leaving the courtyard.
The navy unicorn walks through the set of hallways that leads to the guest room on the other side of the castle. On the way he meets a dozen other denizens who salute or bow to him politely, but he doesn’t have time for them. His passage takes him through the entrance hall, where his father is busy overseeing the arrangements for the procession from Diamond Castle, which they are expecting to arrive later that day.
“I want every guard pony wearing their full armour, including ceremonial tabards,” insists Lord Magnus Nightstar evenly, “we can’t let those Diamond Castle ponies out dress us by too much.”
“I’ll ensure every set is fully polished milord,” insists the Castle Regeant, who departs with his assistant.
With that matter taken care of, Magnus turns to face his son.
“I see you are healing up nicely my son,” complements his father, “Have the wounds in your mind followed suit?”
“Yes father,” replies Solon, playing along with Magnus’ annoyingly prescient question, “but I still desire vengeance.”
“As is your right,” agrees his father, “be careful to not let it consume you however, Solon. Not when the day is coming nearer that my title will pass to you.”
“It is still a long way away father,” insists Solon in politeness.
“Your sentiment is appreciated,” thanks Magnus, “but I can feel age creeping into my bones. If not for our honoured guest’s assistance, would I still be able to lead the raising of the sun and moon?”
Solon doesn’t know the answer, and so he says nothing.
“Your mother left me something to give you when my rounds took me to the courtyard, but it appears now is a better time.”
Casting a spell of summoning, Magnus conjures a bundle of clothing to his side with some effort. Solon notices an elegantly sown cyan blue dress woven with an emblem of Castle Nightstar on it, as well as another cloak of far finer make he doesn’t recognize. The power this cloak exudes is palpable, and even bright to his magical senses. It must belong to Luna.
“I was told of an incident downstairs in the castle dressers, Solon, involving Fantasy and our honoured guest.”
Solon’s ears rise in interest. This is news to him.
“What happened?” pushes the navy blue unicorn.
“Sky Sparkle told me there was a fight between them, and Fantasy came away from it very upset. Lady Nightstar is seeing to her as we speak, but even in her distress she managed to complete the garments for our guest. Your mother and I want everything to go smoothly with the High Lector’s arrival nearly imminent. I need you to take these up to Luna and smooth things over – after all the two of you seem to be very close.”
Solon goes over things in his mind, and he finds his anger flaring up. How could Fantasy be so discourteous to Luna? Having lived with her all her life, he knows the castle dresser’s penchant towards jealousy. Her neediness and dishonesty are the main reasons why he doesn’t find her attractive – after all, who wants a wife who only loves you for the title?
“I’ll take these vestments up to Luna,” agrees Solon with enthusiasm, since he had been heading that way anyway.
“Good,” replies his father with a nod of approval, “I’ve had the blacksmith refashion your helm and armour as well. Pay him a visit and pick it up as well – I need my son by my side and looking presentable for those Diamond types.”
Solon agrees and bids his father goodbye, continuing down the passage on his way to the guest room.
…
Standing in front of the doorway to Luna’s room, Solon takes a moment to make himself more presentable. Having just come from training in the courtyard, he probably looks a bit scruffy and sweaty. Silently he curses himself for not getting his mane trimmed prior to coming up here. Taking a deep breath, the navy unicorn lifts his right hoof and knocks on the door.
“Wait, don’t come in yet!” he hears Luna call out after a moment.
Solon holds for another minute as he notes a slight rustling on the other side of the doorway. Finally, she calls out again.
“Okay, you can come in now.”
Hovering the bundle of clothing in the air behind him, the navy unicorn pushes the door open and steps into the guest room – only to be utterly amazed.
What had previously been a completely grey and empty room apart from the bed is now an artistic wonderland of the night. The roof appears to be completely gone, but he can see it’s just an illusion depicting the night sky (quite a feat considering it’s the middle of the day). Around him he hears the sounds of crickets and birds though they sound like they are coming from the walls instead of any living creatures. Where the windows had previously been there are now elegantly decorated coverings blocking the light. Given she has only lived in this room for going on three days, the profound changes Luna has wrought have changed it completely. To attempt something like this on their own would’ve cost Castle Nightstar thousands of gold pieces, and a legion of skilled unicorns. The only thing missing from the room is the mane herself.
“Luna it’s me Solon,” he shouts, unsure where she is, “I’ve…uh… brought you something important.”
Suddenly the Princess of the Night slips out from underneath the covers of the bed, leaning on the wooden endpiece cautiously. He can see she appears nervous, and appears to be drawing up the covers to ensure her back is blocked from sight. Could it be that he caught her at a bad time?
“Hi,” she utters awkwardly, and it sounds like there is some shame in her voice.
“Wow… I can’t believe what you’ve done with this room,” compliments Solon with amazement.
Luna dawns a look of fear.
“I just wanted to make it more comfortable that’s all… if you need me to change it back I can.”
She begins to draw power into her horn, but Solon stops her.
“No, wait! I think it’s absolutely wonderful.”
“You do?” inquires Luna, but with a hint of shyness.
“Yeah,” replies Solon with a smile of confidence, “yet again you’ve done something amazing for our family.”
His complement draws a smile from Luna, and she relaxes a bit.
“What have you brought for me?”
Solon takes the bundle and sets it down in front of him.
“This is for you – your dress for today and a cloak mother insists is yours.”
“Thanks,” replies Luna with gratitude, eyeing it for a second before turning her eyes back to him.
“I’d… uh… like to apologise for being so distant these past few days,” Solon says with a hint of regret, “I know you were upset after what I said in the courtyard.”
“Oh no, I’m not upset,” insists Luna, “it’s just that… I’m worried about this pony that’s coming to see me and… I just… miss home that’s all.”
Solon sits down on his hind legs and gets comfortable.
“I don’t think you need to be worried at all.”
Luna looks surprised, “…w-why not?”
“Because I’ve seen the things you can do… we all have. You have more power and more talent then all of us here at the Castle combined.”
Solon doesn’t usually talk this way, but he really likes her and the words are just flowing.
“You really think so?” asks Luna nervously, “I mean I try my best but… what if I fail and embarrass all of you?”
“I think you need a bit more confidence,” answers Solon with a smile, “after all, I challenged a pegasus and nearly died. I doubt anything similar will happen to you if you disappoint him.”
“You sound like my sister,” replies Luna with a bit of a giggle, “but I guess you’re right.”
“I’ll tell you what,” begins Solon, “when the High Lector gets here, I’ll walk you down there personally to meet him. If you’re uncomfortable at any point, just tell me and I’ll excuse us.”
Luna begins to look a bit happier, and smiles at his courtesy.
“…that is if you want me to.”
“Thank you Solon,” answers the Princess of the Night, “I accept your offer.”
The two ponies look at each other for a moment in silence, as if neither can think of anything else to say. Suddenly Luna frowns with indignation.
“You’re not going to watch me dress are you?”
“Oh,” utters Solon with embarrassment as he makes haste to remove himself from the room, “sorry.”
The navy unicorn steps out through the doorway, and slowly shuts the door behind him.
“I’ll be back when the trumpet sounds,” he hollers back through the wall, referring to the bugle announcing the procession’s arrival.
He hears Luna acknowledge him from behind the stonework, and carries on his way down the stairs towards the blacksmith. Not a minute later the shrill sounds of a muffled musical horn fill the hallway. The High Lector is here!
Solon swears as he realizes he hasn’t even put on his armour or cleaned himself up yet. He knows his mother and father will be upset if he’s late, and given his promise to Luna he is perilously close to that mark. Aware of the need for urgency, he breaks into a gallop on his way to the smithery.
…
Inside the room Luna listens to make sure he is gone. Satisfied, she hops out of the bed and spreads her majestic wings to stretch them. Picking up the cloak she has been using to conceal them all this time, she puts it on and resumes her disguise. The burden of keeping them secret is taxing her, and having nearly been found out a couple of times she decides to be extra careful in the future to avoid discovery. If the High Lector sees through her disguise… Luna doesn’t want to think about what could happen.
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