Nightshade spent most of the following afternoon and night in a depressed slump. The latest failure of the Gemini spell had brought him to the edge of despair. His head throbbed from the bucket-related beating he had bestowed upon himself. His whole body felt like it had just ran a marathon. He was tired, aching, and utterly lacking in any positive thoughts. He had never felt so low in his life. Despite her best efforts, Red Rose was unable to raise his spirits.
"Please, darling." Red Rose patted him on the back. "Don't give up hope. I'm sure the next try will work."
"But what if it doesn't?" Nightshade sniffed. "What if I'm doomed to be stuck with Black Thorn for all eternity? What then?"
Red Rose couldn't think of an answer.
"Exactly." Nightshade sighed, as he got into bed.
Unable to think of anything she could say that could make things better, Red Rose silently climbed into bed beside him.
The next morning, Echo woke up before Sunset. Making sure not to disturb his pregnant fiancé, he climbed out of bed, still half-asleep. His work board was propped against the wall, covered in magic equations that he had been writing ever since they started their work on the Gemini spell.
The previous night, Echo had shared his new theory with Sunset. Though it seemed plausible, Echo found there was still one thing wrong with their calculations: some unseen flaw that would continue to ensure failure. Echo and Sunset had spent many hours fruitlessly going over the problem, writing and erasing all kinds of new formulae. Sunset gave in to sleep first, climbing into their bed. Ultimately, Echo too was forced to stop for the night, grudgingly acknowledging that he wouldn't be much use to anypony with rest.
Echo drowsily walked past the board, then stopped.
"Somepony touched my board." He realized, turning to examine it. "Oh Faust, my board!" He turned to face the bed. "Sunset! Sunset, wake up!"
"What's the matter?" Sunset yawned, as she climbed out of bed.
"My equations." Echo pointed at the board. "Somepony's tampered with my equations!"
"Are you sure?" Sunset asked, squinted at the equations.
"Of course I am!" Echo nodded. "Look at the beta function of quantum casting dynamics! The sign's been changed!"
"Oh, yeah..." Sunset looked closer. "But wait, doesn't that solve the problem we've been having?"
"Are you serious?" Echo frowned, his tiredness not helping his mood. "Are you joking? Are you-" He glanced back at the board, and realized that Sunset was correct. "Hey look, that fixes the problem we've been having!"
"Fancy that." Sunset snarked.
"It's so simple, so obvious." Echo gasped. "I can't believe none of us noticed it before."
"They do say the greatest discoveries are often right under her nose." Sunset admitted.
"This is wonderful!" Echo embraced Sunset. "We can finally separate Black Thorn from Nightshade!"
"And finally go home." Sunset sighed with relief. "I was beginning to worry I might wind up giving birth here."
"But who could have done this?" Echo frowned as he gazed at the equation once again. "Who could have solved this perplexing problem?"
"Not me." Sunset shrugged. "Maybe Twilight?"
"Perhaps." Echo mused. "But why not simply tell us about the breakthrough, instead of anonymously writing it down?"
"Who knows?" Sunset asked. "Well, it'll be breakfast soon, so we can ask her then."
"Either way, it's marvelous." Echo smiled. "We finally have the means to ensure the Gemini spell works perfectly."
"And not before time, too." Sunset nodded. "Poor Nightshade was a wreck yesterday. I'd hate to think what another failure could do to him."
Shortly afterward, Echo and Sunset came down for breakfast. They made a beeline for Twilight, was enjoying her food alongside Flash.
"Good morning, you two." Twilight smiled.
"How goes it?" Flash added pleasantly.
"Actually, we wanted to talk to Twilight about that." Echo declared, as he and Sunset led Twilight to a corner of the room.
"What's the matter?" Twilight asked.
"Twilight, did you come into our room last night and change Echo's equations?" Sunset asked.
"Of course not." Twilight frowned. "Why would I do something like without letting you know?"
"True, it didn't seem likely." Echo admitted. "But we had to be sure. Somepony has altered my calculations, and actually solved the problem we were having with the Gemini spell."
"Wait, really?" Twilight smiled. "That's great!"
"But if it wasn't you figured it out, who did?" Sunset asked.
"Not to sound pompous, but there are very few outside the three of us who could even grasp those formulae, let alone solve them." Echo declared. "Which makes this quite a mystery..."
"Still, why look a gift horse in the mouth?" Twilight smiled. "If we have the means to finally make the Gemini spell work, it really shouldn't matter where it came from, shouldn't it?"
"I suppose not..." Echo shrugged. "But honestly, I would quite like to meet this mystery genius."
"Me too." Sunset nodded. "At the very least, I'd shake his hoof for finally solving our problem."
"Me too." Twilight smiled. "Thanks to our anonymous helper, Nightshade will finally be able to get his life back, and nopony will ever have to worry about Black Thorn again."
"That's the plan, at least." Echo nodded. "After we double-check everything, we can let Nightshade know that we're ready for one last try."
"And this time, the outcome will be different." Sunset smiled.
"Wonder what they're whispering about?" Blueblood frowned.
"Probably some fancy-pants brainbox stuff." Sleight shrugged.
"They seem rather happy about something." Luna noted. "Perhaps they finally have a way to separate Black Thorn from Nightshade?"
"If anypony could do it, they could." Celestia smiled proudly.
"That's my Twily." Shining grinned with brotherly pride.
"And my wife." Flash added.
"You really think they've found a way?" Cadance asked.
"Let's hope so." Chrysalis frowned. "For all our sakes."
"Especially Nightshade's." Constell frowned. "Poor guy was a wreck yesterday."
"If we're lucky, he won't be a wreck for much longer." Dusty smiled.
Meanwhile, Starlight and Day Light were laying on the roof of the palace. Starlight was telling Day Light about her friends and family back in Ponyville.
"And then there's my sister-in-law, Dazzle." Starlight continued. "She's a well-known model, but she's so down-to-Earth and generous. And my nephew, Sparkling Night, is just the sweetest little colt you could ever meet!"
"So you don't just have wonderful friends, but a wonderful family." Day Light noted. "That's something else you have up on me..."
"Don't you have any close family members?" Starlight asked.
"Not anymore." Day Light shrugged. "My maternal grandparents passed away a couple of years ago, and my paternal grandfather left the country not long after I was born; to 'travel', as my father puts it. Also, both my parents were only children, so I've never had much in the way of aunts, uncles, or cousins."
"Oh." Starlight said quietly. She was getting a sense of how truly lonely Day Light's life was compared to hers. "...That's too bad."
"I can't complain, really." Day Light sighed. "The family I do have provide me with love and caring. Even if father can be a little overprotective..."
"Let me guess." Starlight frowned. "The whole 'not allowed to travel' thing?"
"Yes." Day Light nodded. "I know father says that it's best I stay close to home, but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to it than that."
"Maybe he just doesn't want you to get hurt." Starlight suggested. "It can be dangerous, out in the wide, wild world."
"That may be, but I am a grown stallion, and more than capable of taking care of myself." Day Light huffed. "Father can't treat me like a child all my life."
"Maybe you should tell him that." Starlight suggested.
"Maybe I should." Day Light said firmly. "After all, once the summit is over, you'll be heading back to Ponyville, and our chances of seeing each other again any time soon is slim at best."
"I know." Starlight sighed. "If your dad could let you come and visit, it would so great. I could show you around Ponyville, and introduce you to all my friends..."
"That would be nice." Day Light nodded. "You know what? I'm going to do it. I'm going to go to my dad, and tell him that I won't be kept here like fragile trinket."
"Are you sure you should do that now?" Starlight frowned. "I saw your dad earlier today. He looked really stressed out. And no offense, but I think the last thing he needs right now is to have his son mouth off to him."
"Believe me, I know how stressed my dad can get." Day Light assured. "I'll take it easy on him, but I am going to get my point across. Wish me luck."
"Good luck." Starlight smiled, the thought of Day Light coming to Ponyville warming her heart.
"Thanks, Star." Day Light beamed. "And not just for this. For everything. For being my first friend, and doing such an amazing job of it."
"No problem." Starlight jabbed him playfully on the shoulder. "You go tell your dad what's what. I'll be right here when you're done."
Day Light climbed off the roof, sharing a wave with Starlight as he descended. He quickly made his way to the throne room, where Nightshade and Red Rose were.
"Dad, we need to talk." Day Light said firmly.
"This really isn't a good time, son." Nightshade sighed. "Can't it wait?"
"I'm afraid this matter has waited long enough." Day Light declared.
"Day, your father really needs to take it easy." Red Rose urged.
"I know." Day Light nodded. "Which is why I'm going to make this brief; I want to be able to leave Cairode, and travel to other places."
"Oh, not this again..." Nightshade growled.
"Yes, this again." Day Light shot back. "I'm a grown stallion, next in line for the throne. And yet, I've never travelled beyond the city walls." He kept the secret of his 'relaxation spot' well. "I should be allowed to go beyond Haygypt, and see the rest of the world."
"Out of the question." Nightshade retorted. "You are to stay here. Cairode needs you."
"I'm sure the city can get along without me for a week or two." Day Light frowned. "I'm not talking about leaving forever, just for a while. I want to broaden my horizons, interact with ponies in other countries."
"Like Starlight, for instance?" Red Rose smirked knowingly.
"Well... yeah." Day Light blushed slightly. "Starlight's the first actual friend I've ever had. I'm sure I could make a lot more if I just got there."
"My answer is still no." Nightshade said firmly. "You're staying here, and that's all there is to it."
"Why?!" Day Light yelled. "Why don't you want me to go? Do you think I'm too weak to handle being on my own? I'm not a foal anymore, father! I don't need you coddling me!"
"That's not it..." Nightshade shook his head.
"Then what?" Day Light asked. "What are you so afraid of?"
"I'm afraid of you shirking your responsibilities." Nightshade declared.
"'Shirking'?" Day Light spat, his anger growing. "All my life, I've done nothing but live up to my responsibilities! I think I've earned a little time to myself!"
"Foolish boy." Nightshade frowned. "Being royalty is not something you take 'time off' from. You were born to be a Prince, and I will not stand by as you spit on your birthright."
"I'm not doing anything like that!" Day Light roared. "I want to connect with other ponies, show what being part of this family means! But you're content just to hide behind these walls, like all the others..."
"Watch your tone, Day Light." Nightshade growled.
"Why?" Day Light spat. "Because it's the truth? Maybe you could have gotten rid of Black Thorn years ago, if you hadn't left calling other royals for help as a last resort! Or were you just too ashamed of your little secret to share it with the world?"
"Day..." Red Rose said nervously.
"That's enough, Day Light." Nightshade frowned.
"Isn't it, though?" Day Light growled. "If it weren't for your stupid pride, maybe we could have had a normal life at last. Face it, everything that monster did these last few years has been all your fault!"
"How dare you say that!" Nightshade roared.
"Well, somepony had to!" Day Light shot back.
"Day, stop!" Red Rose yelled.
"No, mom!" Day Light snarled. "We always have to suffer because of dad's 'condition'; You, me, the ponies of Cairode! Is it any wonder I want to take a break from that lunatic Black Thorn?"
"So you just want to run away from our problems here?" Nightshade growled.
"Your problem." Day Light countered. "A problem that probably could have been fixed years ago if you'd asked for help sooner. But you didn't, and we've all had to suffer for that."
"Day, that's enough!" Red Rose admonished him. "Stop this at once!"
"It's not my fault dad's too stubborn to see reason!" Day Light declared.
"Quiet!" Nightshade bellowed. "You don't what you're talking about! I am your father, and I will not be spoken to like... like..." His face began to harden.
"Oh no..." Red Rose gasped.
"Oh, great..." Day Light grimaced, as Black Thorn emerged.
"What's this?" Black Thorn sneered, acknowledging the look on Day Light's face. "A little father/son disagreement, I'm guessing? Good for you, kid. Finally sticking it to the old stallion."
"We were talking about you, you monster." Day Light glared at him.
"'Monster', huh?" Black Thorn mock-pouted. "That's a fine way to treat your uncle Black Thorn. Clearly, that spineless worm didn't teach you any respect..."
"Like anypony should respect a stallion like you." Day Light snorted.
"Is that so?" Black Thorn snarled, as he approached Day Light. "Sounds like a certain brat needs a spanking."
"No!" Red Rose gasped. "Black, please!"
"I'm not afraid of you, Black Thorn." Day Light said defiantly. "You're nothing but a bully and a coward."
"Oh, really?" Black Thorn smirked. "And what are you, some kind of tough guy? You definitely didn't get that from your dad." He turned to leer at Red Rose. "He probably got it from you, Rosie-posie. You always did have a fiery side. That's what I like most about you, actually."
"Don't you dare touch him!" Red Rose growled.
"I won't have to." Black Thorn shrugged. "Just so long as he learns his place. Y'hear that, kid? All you have to do is apologize, and admit I'm better than your loser dad in every way, and that he'll never be half the stallion I am."
"Never." Day Light snarled. "My dad may have his faults, but he's still ten times the stallion you'll ever be."
Black Thorn scowled deeply, then lashed out and struck Day Light in the face.
Day Light stumbled back, clutching his cheek.
"That's IT!!" Day Light screamed, as he fired a bolt of magic, striking Black Thorn in the side.
"Gah!" Black Thorn seethed. He glanced at the scorch mark, then back at Day Light. "...Big mistake."
With a roar that was on loan from Tartarus, Black Thorn lunged at Day Light, tackling him to the ground. He then started pummeling him madly.
"Lousy brat!" He snarled, as he punched Day Light on the nose. "I'll teach you to respect me!"
"Get off him!" Red Rose rushed over and tried to pull Black Thorn off her son.
"Get lost!" Black Thorn backhooved her hard, knocking her to the floor. He then resumed beating Day Light. "Now where's all your tough talk, huh? Lousy little runt! Like any offspring of that wimp could take me!"
The pummeling continued. Before long, Day Light was a broken mess. He struggled to hang on to consciousness, as Black Thorn raised a hoof to finish him.
"Time to tuck you in and say goodnight!" Black Thorn taunted.
Just before Black Thorn's hoof hit Day Light's face, it froze. Black Thorn started groaning.
"Not... yet..." He grunted, as Nightshade made his return.
"...What?" Nightshade blinked, confused. "What's going-"
Nightshade looked down in horror at his son's bruised and bloodied face.
"Nighty..." Red Rose sighed with relief.
"No..." He gasped in horror. "No, no, no... He didn't... Son, I'm so sorry."
"No..." Day Light gurgled, coughing up a bit of blood. "My fault... I was so angry... shouldn't have pushed you..."
"Don't try and take the blame off me." Nightshade shook his head, as he lifted his son up. "You were right. Everything Black Thorn's done is all my fault." He glanced over at Red Rose, who bore a bruise from the backhoof. "And now, my worst fear has come true. Black Thorn has finally gone too far. He has harmed those closest to me."
"We should take Day Light to the royal physician." Red Rose suggested.
"You mean you should take Day Light to the royal physician." Nightshade corrected her. "I've already done enough..."
"Dad..." Day Light whispered, his voice full of guilt, as Red Rose leaned him against her.
"Forgive me, my son." Nightshade sighed. "I've failed you. A father is supposed to protect his children, and I could do nothing to stop Black Thorn from hurting you."
"It wasn't your fault." Red Rose shook her head.
"But it is." Nightshade lowered his head. "You had me pegged from the start, son. I was too proud and ashamed to reach out for help. Instead, I resorted to cheap mysticism and back door tricks. And now you've paid the price for my mistake."
"I'm sorry I said those things..." Day Light groaned. "I wasn't thinking... brought it on myself..."
"Save your strength." Red Rose told him, as she helped out of the room. Just before leaving, she cast a concerned look at Nightshade, who could barely bring himself to look up.
Following their departure, Nightshade sat on his throne and buried his face in his hooves, awash in a sea of misery and self-loathing. A short while later, Echo and Sunset entered the room.
"Is, er... this a bad time, your highness?" Echo asked.
"My whole life is a bad time." Nightshade muttered.
"Pardon?" Sunset asked.
"Never mind." Nightshade huffed, taking his head out of his hooves. "What is it?"
"We've finally figured out how to stabilize the Gemini spell." Echo revealed.
"You have?" Nightshade gasped, his face lighting up. "You're certain this time?"
"Indeed we are." Sunset smiled. "We've checked everything out, and the problem that was holding us back has been discovered and fixed. We're ready to go whenever you are."
"Excellent!" Nightshade smiled for the first time in two days. "And not a second too soon! Gather the others in the courtyard! I'll be right with you!"
As you wish, your highness." Echo nodded.
"See you out there." Sunset smiled.
As Echo and Sunset left the throne, Nightshade was positively giddy with joy. The one thing he had yearned for all those many years was finally within his grasp. To live his life without fearing Black Thorn's sudden appearances... it seemed too good to be true. But it was true. He could feel it.
"At long last." He smiled. "I will be free!" His expression dimmed as he looked into a mirror. "I hope you enjoyed yourself today, Black Thorn. Because harming my son will be the last evil deed you will ever commit! I'll finally have you out of my life for good!"
Nightshade raced out of the throne room. He intended on picking up Red Rose before heading to the courtyard. It seemed only right his wife would be by his side, as Black Thorn's vile essence was removed from his body. To be rid of Black Thorn at last, just as he was starting to go too far, seemed like divine destiny.
Little did Nightshade know, destiny was just getting started with him...