//------------------------------//
// Cutie Mark 
// Story: Cursed Eclipse - Captive Light 
// by AImostpure 
//------------------------------//

Time can pass differently for different ponies. For Gold Mine time couldn't move slow enough. The disaster with the Hoity Toity contract left him at the loss of millions of bits. He was forced to sell property to cover the costs and the jewels that were to be shipped were sold for mear bits of what they could have been worth. His seclusion from the rest of Equestria in his country manor was no longer just to hide Eclipse but to hide him self from the world that now laughed at him.

Diamond Mine felt that time was passing too fast. She watched every day as her health and her youth vanished beneath the sun into dust. The once beautiful mane of clear hair was reduce a few strands. What caused this radical increase in aging since Eclipse's birth? No answer had ever been given to her making her believe that indeed a curse was brought on by the little foal. It was unfortunate but the answer was far simpler than she could ever imagine. 

In the cellar of the manor, time never moved. Cursed Eclipse resided down there in near isolation never knowing what day, date, or time of year it truly was. She had no calendar, no watch or clock, and she only knew what holiday it was when the silhouette would wish her a happy holiday. Each day she spent playing with her two dolls. Unicorn magic making them move either pretending she was a princess being saved by the two Alicorns or Eclipse was a hero rescuing Nightmare Moon from an evil Celestia.  The hoops had grown too small for her to fly through any longer, so when not playing, she self taught her self from the library of books in the cellar. School, fiction, non fiction, and poems made up the bulk of the literature that Blueberry collected for her. The precious rock that Blueberry gave to her before they were separated was kept near the stairs acting as a guard. Somewhere in Eclipse's child mind she thought that it may protect her some day or be able to bring Blueberry back to her.

Not every day she was left alone. Gold Mine would come down to shout and hit her, blaming her for anything he had done wrong or had occurred. During the day light there was no way to hide or protect her self from him such as there was rarely a day she was not bruised or bleeding. At night, though, the darkness seemed to protect her. It covered her and hid her away so long as she kept her eyes closed to keep the glow from giving her away. Gold was careful not to break any bones or make any wounds too large. He didn't want to risk taking her to the hospital for care. It was now the winter three years after Blueberry was forced to leave. Cursed Eclipse was growing but slower than most ponies, her body smaller than it should be. She was now eight years old.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“That concludes the main portion of the guard summary report.” Although a cold chill ran outside, within the castle it was warm and comfortable for anypony. Many of the servants and guards had taken time off to visit their family and friends which left the castle unusually empty. Yet, Iron Mind remained at his post ever vigilant to the safety of Princess Celestia. As he did each week, the black maned pony stood before her Royal Highness giving his report. The Royal Hall was nearly deserted save for the dedicated few who remained for protection of the Princess. Even when she deemed it unnecessary she wouldn't stand in the way of their duty if they decided to persist. “But I still must insist that you remain asking for additional Pegasus patrols when you use the outdoor bath. We have yet to catch the peeping tom who breaks in, and now with your young apprentice.” 

Iron Mind was cut off when Princess Celestia softly laughed to her self. “You worry too much, Captain, ponies do not always wear clothes so what is there to peep for?” Every week she asked the same question about the lone peeping tom who has escaped the guards pursuit for nine years.

“Because, Your Majesty, many ponies consider the state when one sleeps and when one baths to be different than how they are normally outside.” As per the usual, the reply came nearly exactly as it did the weeks before. Iron Mind laid his right hoof against his armored chest, bowing his horned head until he heard the sound of the door creaking behind him. “I do wish to ask, Captain, why have you not requested to return home again this year?” 

The Guard Captain kept a watchful eye on the main entrance to the royal hall. The small head of a filly foal poked inside. Curious and filled with wonderment on her face, her violet coat glistened in the sunlight, dark violet blue hair with a streak of jasmine and pink down the center. “I do apologize, your Majesty, but I have no desire to return there. Now, if you'll excuse me, your Majesty, I believe I do not wish to keep your student waiting much longer,” He chuckled softly before continuing, “Or else she may get hard feelings for me keeping her from her favorite teacher.” Celestia fluttered her wings laughing tenderly at his comment just as the captain turned back to the door. The little filly ducked back when the Captain approached. His horn lit up bringing a black energy to the large doors pulling them back revealing the apprentice. “Good morning, Lady Twilight.” Iron Mind spoke respectfully bowing his head.

“Good morning, sir.” Twilight Sparkle replied giving a bow in return. Just when she believed it was safe to, she gleefully rain forward passing the exiting captain to rush to her teacher. She had come to enjoy her time at the castle since she moved in. 

Celestia smiled at the arrival of her student. They exchanged a rub of their necks together before the Alicorn brought Twilight against her beneath her wings. “Welcome, my faithful student.” She spoke with a serene comforting tone. Brilliant eyes raised to the closing doors. Her thoughts temporarily returning to the guard captain. He was a good colt. He was protective of all the citizens, when Celestia would walk the streets, Iron Mind was tentative to let the children approach her. He volunteered at the hospitals and orphanages, gave time to help with projects or training guards, and rarely spoke of anything ill of anypony. Still, she worried that there maybe something missing for him with his focus entirely on his duty and not of himself. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The very same morning in another province of Celestia, mine workers were gathering in front of a stage and podium. Some of the ponies held signs demanding more pay, others demanding safer working conditions, and even more held signs asking for muffins. The protestors chanted for the mine owner to show him self to them, They wanted to know exactly why even the demands that are set in place by Equestria Work Authority was being ignored. 

Behind a portable office, Gold Mine was preparing his speech with the on site manager. The blonde haired stallion kept a heavy pony trench coat across his body to keep out the biting cold that seemed to stick to his flesh. “If this doesn't work, just fire the lot of them and hire new workers.” The wealthy pony cared not for the lives of the people under him. They could beg for bits in the street if they didn't work.

The Manager shook his head, glaring at his employer from behind thick, flight sunglasses. “No can do, boss. Union rules and equal employment laws say we can't just fire em.” The Earth Pony manager twisted his lips to spit out a bit of chew juice to the ground. “I recommend getting up there before they come hunting for you, sir.”

The disrespectful tone that the manager held to him made Gold scowl. 'How dare this lowly worker think he can speak to his betters like that,' Gold thought turning away from the manager. Hooves dug down against the soft dirt beneath him when he began to trot out from behind the building towards the stage. The crowd of workers grew silent waiting now to hear what Gold Mine had to say on his behalf. He took his position behind the podium raising to stand on his hind legs. His forelegs moving to cross over the wooden stand. “Fillies and gentlecolts! I have heard your cries, pleas, and demands!” He would begin.

~*~*~*~*~

At this moment Gold Mine was approaching the stage to speak to the workers. At the Mine Manor the home was ghostly quiet. The cook was out purchasing foods for when Gold Mine returned home that evening, Diamond Mine was alone, silent as a mouse upstairs in her study, and down in the cellar Eclipse remained alone. 

Time as not kind to her prison. The paint and pictures on the ceiling and walls had begun to fade and peel, toys began to feel their age breaking apart becoming useless pieces of cloth, plastic, or wood, the clothes that Blueberry bought for her were no longer wearable from being too small and filth. Aside from working plumbing, the books were the only thing that remained intact. The filly was reduced to doing laundry in her bathtub without the aid of soap and she had to be careful when she did even this. It took time for things to dry in the dank cellar, and winter was one of those times she couldn't afford not to have the heat of the blankets just to clean them. 

Eclipse laid curled beneath an abundance of soiled bedsheets and blankets. Every night she stayed up late talking and playing with the silhouette that she called Nightmare Moon then watching the moon once it came into view outside her bedroom roof window. Mismatched wings twitched beneath the covers conveying the distress of a nightmare plaguing her mind. She saw visions of chaos and death. A golden haired monster hovered over a cavern filled with jewels and precious metals. Wood began to snap as ponies began to run for their lives but very few made it before rocks and dirt came crashing down over head. The monster laughed sucking at the life that was buried before its cruel eyes raised to stare at the filly. A cold sweat trucked over Eclipse's coat. Her muscles tightening as she trembled from the sounds and visions that plagued her slumbering thoughts. 

~*~*~*~*~

“I assure all of you ponies that I have safety inspectors on their way here at this very moment to show you that these mines are the safest to work in!” Gold Mine declared with a vocal shout of encouragement. He would only be met with boos and scorn. Unicorns used magic to throw rotten fruit, Earth Ponies dug their hooves into the dirt ready to lunge forward at a moments notice, and the Pegasus ponies hovered in the air above Gold mocking and shouting at him. The wealthy aristocrat scowled in disdain for these ponies. “Do not worry I will ensure tha--” His words were cut short. The earth below the area began to quake heavily. Gold Mine looked across the area back and forth searching for some cause. It had to be something light, maybe a dragon had landed or something else. The worst case scenario was the one thing he hopped it wouldn't have been.

From behind the workers, at the entrance of the mine, a Unicorn came rushing out. Blood trickled down his face from an open wound besides his horn. “Help us! There's been a cave in! The.. the support beams just began to crack and fall over.. Oh god somepony help us!” He fell down against his knees then to his side. The loss of blood finally triggering a state of unconsciousness. The crowd of workers turned away from their employer to rush to the aid of their fallen comrade and whoever else may still be in the mine. 

Gold Mine felt his body shake. He was terrified at the prospect of what accident occurred. This couldn't have been happening he tried to convince him self. So what if he cut corners on repairs, used old screws, or skipped on proper equipment, these kinds of actions held up in the past and they should have now he believed. His financial status began to flash across his eyes at the amount of fines and lawsuits that would begin to accumulate at this. “I have to leave,” he whispered to him self dropping to all fours. He began to gallop off the stage making a straight line towards his driver and the carriage. 

“Hey! The bastard is leaving!” An Earth Pony shouted from a crowd waiting for the ponies that went into the mine to bring out survivors or tell them what could be done to help. The group turned at once to see their employer flee. Mob mentality took over as all at once they rushed to stop him from leaving the scene of his crime. Pegasus took to the skies with large rocks held in their hooves swooping down dropping them in Gold's direction. The Unicorns and Earth Ponies were prepared to join their brethren but were called away into the mine to help with the collapse.

Gold Mine clambered into the coach and shouted at the driver, “Hurry and go! I'll pay you double to not think and just get me back to the Manor!” The driver, the same who took Blueberry Pie to her home, fastened himself to the carriage's harness. He took one glance to the Pegasus that hovered over head then began his gallop. The driver had to be swift to avoid the rocks falling from outraged ponies. He forced himself and the coach from one side to the next tossing Gold ridiculously back and forth in the vehicle. After two hundred yards or fleeing, the Pegasus were forced to give up and return to help the workers. The owner had gotten away on this day.

In the carriage the mood was grim and dark. He sat on his hind quarters hunched forwards rubbing his hooves against once another. Much of his words to him self were mumbles repeating the situation over and over. Gold Mine couldn't see how this was his fault at all. He broke down the things he did and gradually pushed the blame onto others and other things. One thing crept into his mind finally. “Yes, that's it. It's always been it, it has to be it.” Hysterically, Gold Mine began to laugh at the situation. “Oh how foolish I was. It's that little whelp! That little curse that did it! This time though,” His voice lowered down rubbing his hooves faster, “Curses come from magic. I'll just destroy the source and all will be well.” 

~*~*~*~*~

The Golden Haired Monster left the site of death and despair. He charged down a pathway over hills and through forests towards his next goal. In the nightmare ponies fled from the beast not daring to stop its rampage. She saw next the manor in which she lived. The beast came to the front door entering without reason or cause. It moved swiftly through the halls with a purpose and destination. In her nightmare she could hear every foot step as it came to the cellar door and opened it. The creaking of the wood beneath its weight, the laughter that hauntingly came from its maw, and its sinister stare sent shivers through the slumbering filly. She wanted the nightmare to end, to wake up and be safe but it didn't seem to happen. The monster came to the bottom of the stairs glancing around the barely lit room. It clomped towards the bedroom door, easing it open with a curved hoof. 

Suddenly, Eclipse was awakened by a hot breath against her face. The blankets that once covered her body were pulled away leaving her shivering. Weary eyes took a moment to focus as her body began the process of returning from the land of slumber. The fur of her coat stood out on its ends when she could see him. The brown stallion hovered over her leaned down close enough that his flared nostrils snorting with a pained rage. Eyes were wide but his pupils were microscopic, his lips twisted in a sinister smirk. “Oh my poor little, Cursed Eclipse.” He whispered reaching a hoof down to gently stroke along the filly's side. “You just have to keep misbehaving don't you? Daddy is very upset.” His voice hinted with malice while he tried to keep it gentle and soft. “Your curse will again cost Daddy a lot of money and has hurt a lot of people.” Eclipse trembled at the touch of his hoof, her eyes never leaving the stallion's face. “You need to be... Punished.” He sneered. His horn lit up coming to encircle Eclipse's hair with magic. Her body raised up while her legs kicked and wiggled to get free. She found her self flung towards the bedroom door. Hitting the ground with a heavy thump, she slid against the book shelf near the bathroom entrance. 

“Daddy, I'm sorry. I di..di..didn't do anything.” Eclipse coughed out raising up on her forelegs staring at the door to her bedroom. Her glowing eyes could see the vague outline of her attacker moving casually towards her. “I... lo..lo..love you, daddy.” She pleaded raising up onto all fours, her hind legs wobbling. Fight or flight instinct took over giving her a sudden surge of energy to her legs. She galloped the short steps to the staircase, but more importantly to the rock that Blueberry left her. Her magic brought the rock floating when she heard Gold's hooves close by. She bit down on her tongue, shut her eyes, and flung the hard stone towards her father. 

Gold Mine didn't take long to come back upon her. He wouldn't let her think she could just escape from him. Trotting from her bedroom, he went straight to where he saw the weak filly run. “Do not run from my, little Cursed Eclipse, you need to be puni--,” His words were cut off when the rock flung with all of Eclipse's magic connecting with his snout and nostrils. Gold's eyes flinched down, he felt the warm flow of flood drip down over his lips. His tongue darted out tasting the bitter, metallic taste. She used magic to protect her self, and now he had the final nail he needed to truly condemn her. “And now you strike daddy?” He said before lunging on top of her. His hooves moved slapping across Eclipse's head. She yelped in pain twisting onto her belly but his left hoof came down pressing against her neck, pinning her to the stone. “I was right, that is the source of the curse isn't it?” His right hoof moved feeling over the little foal's horn.

Dreadful sensations flooded through her mind. Eclipse began to try and fight back harder. Her wings flapped hard to try and raise her self against the heavy hoof on her back, limbs flailed failing to give any aid to her efforts. “Daddy don't! Please do...do..don't!” She pleaded but the fears she felt came to fruition. Gold Mine raised his hoof bringing it down as hard as he could against the filly's horn. “No! Daddy stop it pl..pl..please stop!” She screamed out in vain. Crack! He stomped down against. The action was repeated despite her attempts to free her self.

“No, Cursed Eclipse,” Gold Mine chided stomping again down on the appendage. “You need to break this curse. You need to be taught a lesson!” Stomp. “You should have learned your lesson years ago.” Stomp. “But you keep forcing Daddy's hand!”  His hoof dug down onto the filly's back grinding her body against the cold stone. “Now, behave your self!” Crack! The sound was thunderous to Eclipse. White hot pain shot through her body from her hooves to her horn. Gold Mine laughed victoriously. He had done what he wanted. Eclipse's horn had shatter, broken in half leaving nothing but a jagged, splintered remains on her head. The pieces fell across the ground near her head sparkling in the day light. “See! See what you made me do!” 

Eclipse's vision blurred behind the veil of tears that flowed freely from her eyes. Something occurred inside the broken filly. A rush of energy flowed through her body creating a euphoric sensation dulling the pain that shattered her nerves. A new sensation came into her mind. From beneath her, darkness shot out in all directions. It covered the walls, the doors, and the ceiling. The magic flooded the room filling it entirely.

This was something he had never seen before. Gold Mine retreated from off and away from the filly. His horn glowing trying to banish the darkness that poured out from the broken children. The very light his horn emitted was snuffed out. The black continued to spread until it smothered Gold Mine and Eclipse both. The cellar was quiet. Outside the manor, and for all Equiestria, the moon had moved from it's normal cycle coming up to block the sun. For ten seconds this remained until the cellar was no longer quiet. The silence broken with a stallion's scream.

~*~*~*~*~

It was not often that Diamond Mind left her study unless she was going to sleep for the day. Something drew her towards her bedroom, to sit on her haunches outside the window overlooking the front of the property. The sickly mare caught a glimpse of her husband's carriage returning at a hastily pace. Curiosity peaked her mind to the sudden return of Gold Mine. She had believed he was not to return for several more hours. He had inspectors to bribe and workers to lie to. The few locks of hair that remained on her head were brushed back by her hoof. Her horn glowing lightly raising a brush to come down along her brown coat. Diamond watched Gold leave the carriage in a rush. He appeared eager to perform some duty. A bitter thought came to her mind. Could he finally be doing what she had demanded he do all this time? Get rid of her? 

Diamond Mine couldn't help her self. She raised onto all fours and in turn began to gallop from her bedroom. Down the two flights of stairs, and making a pass by the kitchen. The cook was busy preparing lunch for her, but she gave no mind to a question he spoke up when he saw her come by. She reached the cellar door with a murderous glee. Her head tilted forward pressed to the wood. She could hear it in its muffled entirety. The throwing of Eclipse, the slaps from the hooves, the accusations and condemning. When the sound of Gold stomping on Eclipse's horn hit her ears, Diamond began to giggle at what trauma she imagined he was inflicting on the filly. 

“Madam! Hurry you must see this!” The chef called out from the kitchen. “Outside, hurry!” 

Diamond Mine didn't want to be pulled away from what she was hearing. It was the greatest entertainment she had in eight years. But, to the kitchen she quickly retreated. She caught the last few seconds of what had gotten the chef excited. An unscheduled eclipse of the sun blocking Celestia's light from the land. Diamond was awed by the beauty of this until her ears flattened to her head. A scream, not that of a filly she had wanted but of a stallion. “Gold?” She whispered in a hushed voice. The chef knew not to investigate himself. He was paid to remain in the kitchen and no where else. The mare turned speedily moving towards the cellar door. Her magic thrusting the wood forward letting her access within. Her eyes cast down to the bottom of the stairs 

The sight was something from a crime novel or a supernatural horror. Eclipse rested on her back legs, knees bent to the knees. Her front hooves were lazily placed on her knees. Her slate storm cloud gray coat was splotched with red. Her eyes, still glowing, were unblinking staring at what laid in front of her. The horn on her head appeared to be repaired, if not temporarily. Magic of a gray hue formed the broken portion of her horn but vanished when Eclipse raised her head to stare at the woman who birthed her. Her ears extended to either side, revealing her newly obtained cutie mark; an eight pointed white star set in the middle of a black orb surrounded by a white, wavy aura. The star was centered near the top of the black circle with the bottom point twice as long as the other seven. 

The mare no longer wanted to look at the freakish child, but the red drew curiosity from her. She peered downwards now to where Eclipse once looked. Horror struck her at the sight. Gold Mine laid bloodied. His body covered in cuts and wounds with blood seeping to the floor. “My husband!” She shouted letting her horn flare with its magic. She raised the bloodied body upwards staring to see any sign of life. The faint raising and lowering of his chest gave hope to Diamond. She rushed forth from the cellar door with him in tow with magic, slamming the wooden blockade shut with an errand hind leg. 

The chef took a moment to leave his kitchen to peer into the hall that Diamond had gone down. When he saw the state that Gold Mine was in, he fled out the front door before the mare and stallion could first. “Driver! Get the carriage ready!” The chef shouted waving two hooves at the earth pony. “Gold Mine is hurt! Hurry!” 

The driver was preparing to depart for his home in Fillyton when the chef came rushing out. The Earth Pony only shrugged reattaching him self to the harness of the carriage. Whatever had happened he wasn't about to stand around and ask questions especially when he saw the sight of Gold and Diamond coming from the home. The bloodied body of Gold was much more then anything the driver had seen. No pony could have survived something like that, he believed, but he wasn't paid to say things like that. The chef reached with his hooves up pulling the door open allowing Diamond and then Gold to come within its confines. Once secured, the driver sped off towards the hospital.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The glow of Eclipse's horn dissipated leaving behind the broken half on her head. The shards around her turned to mist floating from existence. The filly trembled staring again down at her hooves once Gold and Diamond had left her alone once more. She was covered in her father's blood. Eclipse knew not how all of this unfolded. The final memories she had before waking to find her father in such a state was the pain from her horn breaking.

Her horn breaking. A tired hoof raised feeling the jagged points of the splintered mass. Wings faltered laying flat against her body. She felt exhaustion take its toll finally leaving her to collapse against her side. Eye lids fell over glowing eyes succumbing to the needed slumber of unconsciousness. Her mind drifted away form this horrible place. She no longer smelled blood, any any pain she still felt was no longer tickling her nervous system.

“How is it you are here?” 

Eclipse heard the voice of a mare tickle at her ears. The cold of the stone floor was no longer felt, instead it was replaced by a warmth. Glowing eyes opened gradually finding her self in a place she had never been before. The ground beneath her was a pathway of stars. Each tiny dot illuminated and sparkled casting the tiniest warmth. Around her was a sea of rock and gray. This place felt peaceful but a sense of confinement was very real. She finally looked to who spoke to her in front of her as she raised onto all fours. Gray blue hair fell partially over her left eye when she turned her head. Her mouth parted in a silent awe amazed at what she saw. 

The mare before her was a magnificent sight. It was the Mare in the Moon herself. Her coat, a polished black, reflected the stars light, light blue hoof guards set onto each of her legs, and a purple dipped blue helmet rested on her head running down the base of her muzzle. The mare's mane was a beautiful sight mimicking the night sky perfectly in its entirety. Her wings were larger then normal Pegasus and her horn was longer than most unicorns. She was how Eclipse had envisioned her from the pictures and the books, a larger version of her doll. “I...I...” She stammered unable to contemplate a proper response.

“Do not be afraid, child, of course I know who you are. Have you forgotten the many nights we spoke?” The Mare in the Moon raised an elegant eyebrow in curiosity to the withdrawn motions Eclipse made. 

“N..No. I remember you Ni..Ni..Nightmare Moon.” Eclipse smiled as bright as the stars beneath her, scampering forward without regret to nuzzle at the mare's leg. She felt safe suddenly. Her worries of her horn no longer there and the condition of her father no longer bared her trouble. Eclipse had always seen Nightmare as a silhouette but never as a breathing alicorn. Since as far back as little Eclipse could remember she saw the mare. After Blueberry left, it was the single comfort she had left.

“This is good child. Now, what happened to you?” Nightmare Moon whispered returning the affectionate nuzzle with one of her own. Carefully, as not to smother Eclipse, she lowered resting against bent legs. Eclipse shifted to the left when Nightmare lowered then came back again to her side when she raised her wing offering the foal a place to rest. Nightmare's normally dark stare offered one of sympathy until she saw the gleam off Eclipse's broken horn. “Child, your horn.”

Eclipse raised her hoof up feeling the shattered remains on her forehead. She did not dare speak of what occurred. The sensation of being held down, a hoof cracking her horn apart, then finding her self covered in her father's blood. Blood. Eclipse looked down at her self. It all seemed to be gone from her. Maybe in this place, it never occurred? The reminder of the events were in her horn, though. “I can't sa..sa..say.” 

“Child, I have never been short with you but if you are not honest with me.” Nightmare moon warned gazing down to Eclipse's glowing eyes.

The foal swallowed hard forcing her fears down into her belly. Butterflies danced and placed putting her in turmoil “I did som..som..something bad to Daddy again. He said he wou..wou..would stop it.” The words choked out from her mouth. Tears fell down in twin rivers glistening from the starlit road. “I... I don't know what ha..ha..happened next but he was hu..hurt.” Eclipse's chest hurt remembering the sight of her father. His mangled and lacerated body barely alive in front of her. Every groan he had made resurfaced torturing her ears. 

“Ssh.” The mare in the moon quieted the foal. Nightmare had felt something strange when she first found her self spiritually out of her prison near Eclipse. Something in the back of her mind reminded her of a mare in the old. She too had glowing eyes and mismatched wings. Whenever Nightmare Moon tried to remember this mare, she felt a bitter hatred tingle her senses. Her thoughts retreated to Celestia and her plans that would come to fruition in eight short years. After she brought Equestria to enternal night, she would free her little friend. Eclipse's parents would understand fear then.

Eclipse yawned softly resting her head against Nightmare's side. Just as soon as she fell into slumber there, she awoke again back in a nightmare. Glowing eyes opened wide finding her self back in the dank cellar. Night had fallen over Equestria. Stumbling to stand, Eclipse looked over her self in the soft glow of the magic rocks she used for lit. The blood splatter on her coat remained but now dried. She had to get cleaned up if she wanted to feel better again. Unbeknownst to Eclipse, her cutie mark had changed color when nightfall had come. What was once black was now white, and white now black. 

Once clean and dry, Eclipse checked up the stairs to see if any food had been left for her. Even after the events of the day a cold meal waited for her to eat. It was a simple meal of grass, wheat, and dandelions. She ate what she could leaving the rest at the top of the stairs. Eclipse went to occupy her bed again even if she couldn't sleep. She still saw the image of her father's bloodied body laying in front of her and wished she didn't have to see it anymore. She wanted to be back with Blueberry or even with the delusion she had earlier. Anything would have been better than this prison.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Six months passed with the seasons changing, lives moving on, and past sins laying in wait to be prosecuted. Gold Mine had been in a coma for these passing months. The wounds he had sustained took a terrible toll on his body. He awoke in the middle of the night to find him self in a warm, white room. No longer was he at his manor where he thought his end had finally come. Several days passed since his waking and his doctor finally came around to tell him of his situation.

“Mr. Mine, the damage you sustained was remarkable at best. It managed to miss all major arteries and organs but only seemed to cut tendons, nerves, and muscle. I was amazed when---.” 

The unicorn doctor was cut off by a limp hoofed wave of Gold Mine's forearm. “I am thrilled my injuries amaze you, doctor,” Gold Mine spoke in a flat pan tone. “Now, tell me what damage was done if anything permanent.” 

The doctor scowled for a moment lifting a medical chart with his magic to view. He had more to say but decided to cut straight to what Gold wanted to know. “You have partial paralysis of the body. While you have lost feeling sensations in your right foreleg and left hind leg, you can still move them. But, the more stress you place on them the more likely they will stop functioning for a short period of time.” The doctor cleared his throat looking towards Gold Mine. The brown coated stallion was not looking at the physician but instead out at the window. “Your magic seems to gave been damaged somehow as well from what our tests show. If you use too much at once you may find your entire body paralyzed for a moment. Now, your wife is here to see you and I have to make a call to the Sheriff. He told me to contact him when you woke.” The doctor nodded his head then turned do the door. His magic swinging it open allowing Diamond Mine to enter first, and the doctor to leave.

Gold Mine finally looked back to the door to his wife. She looked far different then when he last saw her. Her mane was growing back into its beautiful, clear color it had before, her body seemed tighter, and trimmed, and her eyes healthy and young. “Oh Gold,” she whispered trotting quickly to her husband sides. Her forelegs raised resting against the bed next to him moving to wrap her hooves around one of his. He averted his gaze now to return to the window. 

Diamond hissed low from tongue against the top of her mouth. “Six months I spent by your side not knowing if you would wake up or not. Six months I worked with our lawyers over the accident, juggling funds to keep them from being frozen from fines and lawsuits, and because you chose to all these years, I even kept the little monster fed and alive.” Her cheeks flushed red. She was furious at the actions her husband decided to take. “I took care of my self and brought my beauty back without you and I'm still here.” 

“You're right.”

“What?” She spoke pulling her self from the bed stomping several feet away. “Yes I am right.” 

“For these past eight years I have neglected, blamed, and shunned you.” The golden haired stallion twisted his neck to bring his head and eyes to face his wife once more. “Because of 'it' I almost perished. As I laid there bleeding I thought of the time I wasted. When I woke it occurred to me that if I had only spent that time with you, the six months wouldn't have happened.” 

Diamond turned swiftly with a tremble running down her spine. She trotted back besides the stallion that she loved looking into his eyes seeking truth to what he said. The sincerity that she saw let blissful tears fall down her cheeks. “Oh Gold.” She whispered clutching onto her husband with her forelegs around his neck. 

Gold raised one hoof to rub down Diamond's back. “I will make this all up to you, but first,” His voice, stern, spoke directly to her ear in a whisper, “Has anything been investigated about my injuries? The sheriff is supposed to come ask me questions of it soon.” 

The mare shook her head, leaning back enough to look at her husband's face. “Some, but I the maid clean the blood around the cellar door up and told him I did not see the attackers. He's convinced it happened near the back door to the gardens.” She brought a hoof back brushing the tears from her eyes. “The mine accident, though, the lawyers are pushing to keep it from going to court. Twenty one ponies died in the mines. We've stopped them from investigating the others but the one is under guard by the Royal Guard themselves.” 

“First things will be first, my love. I will tell the sheriff I recognized the guards from the mine. Workers who were angry and came after me. Contact the Griffon, Handy Candy and tell him to meet me at the Manor in two days. Once this is all over, we're going to go on a vacation that will make Princess Celestia jealous.” Gold assured his wife bringing her close to him for an impassioned kiss. 

Through the rest of the day the loving couple talked, spoke with the sheriff, and discussed their future. Into the wee hours of the night, Gold was still awake looking down at his wife asleep besides him. Half her body on the bed with the other half sitting on the ground. Even in their older ages, Diamond still acted younger then he. His eyes traced down over his body. He was covered in scars everywhere but his neck and head. He would do well to hide these behind clothes he believed. He smiled then. He had this all planned out in such short time. His wife, while intelligent enough to handle affairs while he was gone, would never be the wiser to the things he was going to do to get his fortune back. Diamond was crucial and her role was set. His hoof came down brushing along her clear mane. “Sleep well, my love, all will be fine soon enough.” He smiled a wicked desire coming to him. He would rebuild.