-Somewhere inside the Everfree Forest-
Crash landing in the Everfree, knocked the wind out of Twilight as she tiredly ground to a halt from fleeing the Crystal Empire. Her new found stature and recently acquired half-feathered/half draconic wings, made it difficult to move about through the dense forest canopy. She practiced deep, labored breathes as she attempted to steady her rapid heart beat, its constant thumping causing Twilight to hold her head in minor pain. She cursed herself mentally for running away without anypony's knowledge. 'I guess this is it then.'
Twilight stood up, and grunted as she felt cold rain drops soaking her entire coat. She cast a glance to her freakish looking wings. “This day just keeps getting better and better.” She whispered, trotting under a particularly low hanging tree. “Echo, you there?” Twilight asked, wanting some company even in her unusual state of being.
When Echo didn't answer, Twilight pinched her muzzle. “Come on, I know you're there.” Silence. Twilight probed her mind for signs of the comforting voice, only to find no sign of her. “Echo?...Great, she's gone too...” Twilight's face took on a downcast look. “Celestia is most likely furious with me, my friends are probably being awarded something for saving the Empire...I'm not the same anymore...Argh!!” She flared her wings in agitation. “Nothing makes sense anymore!” Twilight screeched while massiaging her temples with her hooves.
Around her the forest was quiet, despite the down pore of rain water. She regarded the many trees surrounding the area, noticing so few animals within the confines the hallowed parts of the pines. A lone squirrel passed by the purple mare, and flinched in fear of her mere presence before bolting up a distant tree. Twilight glared at its retreating form. “...So, animals are scared of me now too.” She sat back against the tree, being careful not to clip her wings on a sharp branch. Twilight's anger stayed with her all night as stared blankly forward with an heated expression.
“I can't go back like this, everypony would think I'm going to become a Nightmare.” Twilight worriedly said as she closed her eyes. She did not dare to use any magic, unless she wanted Celestia to feel her magical aura and come running to her location. The thought of Princess Celestia's disappointed expression filled her with dread. “Oh, I am such a fool...I should have just stayed in Canterlot and listened. Like I was supposed to in the first place.” Twilight pawed the ground with a hoof as she felt hot angry tears threaten to fall.
Twilight than remembered something the mysterious voice said in the Empire.
...you are merely...a container...for the magic you...carry...
She wiped her eyes clear of tears and crossed her much longer legs in worry. “Anyway, I know Echo said the magic within me was beginning to awaken, or something like that...” She let out a grunt. “But why me!?”
'Because Mistress Twilight, that power is what they want.' Echo suddenly explained as she appeared before Twilight. Echo's current form looked like Twilight, albeit completely black, and her eyes were a solid white with no pupils.
“Echo? Wh-where were you!?” Twilight stood up angrily, and glared at apparition.
Echo smiled knowingly. 'I was merely sleeping Mistress, but please don't interrupt me right now. I have regained some of my memories about our current predicament.' Seeing Twilight sit down again, Echo continued. 'Firstly Mistress, I have gained the ability to appear before you, as I currently am. It seems the sudden power surge throughout your soul has invigorated me.' Twilight flexed her new wings nervously. 'Secondly, King Sombra is no more, the Crystal Heart outright annihilated him. His entire being was expunged and purified by Princess Cadence and the Crystal Ponies.'
“How do you know this Echo?” Twilight asked wanting more than a simple report.
Echo grinned at Twilight's stern look. 'As you were retreating, I took the liberty of my new ability and witnessed the whole incident as it played out. Continuing on though Mistress. Thirdly, as you have guessed most likely, the body you have currently is due to the magick within you, and it's half-way awakened now. Three more surges should awaken it fully Twilight, and that is when your fate will be sealed.' Echo took a frightened step back as Twilight, took a steady step forward.
“And what exactly, do you mean by that Echo?” Twilight asked evenly as she rounded on the small, scared apparition.
'I-I merely meant that y-your destiny will be before you, whatever it may be Mistress.' Echo stuttered until she was almost nose to nose with Twilight.
Narrowing her eyes, Twilight stood up as tall as her wobbly legs would allow her. “Go on.” She ordered.
Echo nodded quickly. 'My fourth point, the voice you heard in the tower was emitting from the Crystal Heart, but even I don't know who it was, Mistress. At this point, I would agree that it was not anyone you knew.' The apparition gulped nervously. 'Fifthly, I have sensed movement to the north of our location, several cloaked beings have surrounded us but have not moved for hours.' Echo lowered her head as she finished, noticing Twilight's panicked expression. 'Not to worry Mistress, I have placed a barrier ward around us to keep the cultists out. They're only watching us right now.'
“Quite true, Shade.” A deep male voice spoke out from beyond the barrier.
Twilight spun around, and saw a Kirin with two antlers proudly protruding from its head as he smiled at her. “A Kirin? Here in Equestria?” She dumbly asked.
“Ah, yes. My name is Avec, the leader of the Cult of the Dark Arts. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Sparkle.” Avec greeted as he held out a scaled claw to Twilight. “We have been dying to meet you in person.”
Twilight lit her horn in caution. “I bet you were. Don't be surprised if I'm just a little apprehensive with you cultists.” She took a defensive stance as more cloaked forms appeared from the underbrush.
Avec kept smiling. “We understand completely, what with the several kidnapping attempts over the years. You see, we need you for something very important.” Twilight's horn became brighter as her anxiety rose. “Don't be like that now. We know all about that Dark Magic within that frail frame of yours Miss Sparkle.”
Echo growled darkly at him. 'Mistress Twilight just defeated Sombra by herself, do not think you'd fare any better.' The apparition warned.
Some of the cultists winced from hearing Sombra's name, Avec continued smiling. “That fellow was a lost cause. Powerful yes, but weak minded. There was no way he could control the Dark Magic he was blessed with.” He huffed at the thought of the deceased king. “Unlike you Miss Sparkle.”
Twilight blinked owlishly for a moment, before curling her lips downward. “Beings like you disgust me. He may have been a villain, but Sombra was still a pony his magic merely corrupted his mind. I could tell just by looking at him, his thirst for power consumed him.”
“Yes well, regardless, you are the one we need for our ritual.” Avec than smiled with wicked glee, as his fellow cultists closed in on Twilight and Echo. “That flimsy ward isn't enough to hold us back, we have had hundreds of years to perfect and master the Dark Magic our Goddess gifted us with.” Lifting a claw he effortlessly shattered the barrier. “Capture her for the revival ritual.” He pointed at Twilight as the other cultists rushed her.
Twilight couldn't move or cast magic as the cultists blasted her with stunning spells imbued with dark magic. “Agh!” She yelled as her face hit the ground.
'Mistress!!' Echo rushed around and weakly fended off the attacking cultists.
Avec watched as Echo's barriers fell one by one. “Foolish Shade, you are too weak to defend the both of you. Ah, at long last, the prophecy will soon come true.” He reached into his cloak and pulled out a strange crystal. “Our Goddess Penumbra will soon rise again.” He whispered, before rushing in with his own magic at the ready.
Uselessly flapping her wings Twilight tried to catch the air, but the cultists refused to let her even move a little. 'No! Damn it! I can't let them catch me now! Celestia said they were hiding near Ponyville, and that's why she said to stay in Canterlot...I...I oh Mom, forgive me please!'
Echo's last barrier dissolved as Echo too began to fade away. 'S-sorry Mistress, your last battle with Sombra weakened you too much, so I don't have anymore strength left to...stop...them...' Echo couldn't finish what she was about to say as entire form disappeared.
“Echo...” Twilight pleaded as Avec and his followers surrounded her.
The cult leader smiled viciously. “Sorry about your Shade, Miss Sparkle, but I'm afraid she was a liability. Now you will come with us, seeing as you have no way fighting us now-”He was roughly blasted away by a beam of pure moonlight as several bat-winged ponies flew in. “-Ack! It's Princess Luna! Stop her!” Avec painfully growled.
Luna and several of her Night Guard hurled themselves at the cultists. Luna turned to Twilight and gasped. “Twilight Sparkle, what has happened to you?” She gaped at Twilight's new form as she helped the weakened mare to her hooves.
Twilight looked away. “It's a long story. But Princess Luna, how did you find me?” She asked as the three of guards felled and captured the cultists.
Closing her mouth, Luna blasted Avec back as he charged her. “One moment Twilight.”
Avec glared at Luna. “So the Fallen One has showed herself at last. It's been a while Nightmare Moon.” He said condescendingly. “How's your sister's shadow?”
“That was a long time ago Avec, a mistake I will never make again I promise.” Luna returned his glare and took up a defensive stance at his remaining followers. She looked at Twilight, noticing her confusion. She mouthed 'later' and looked back at the mad Kirin. “I suggest you surrender now, and face your punishment.”
Avec dropped his glare and raised a claw to inspect it. “That won't happen, our ritual must be completed soon. Not that a failure like you would understand.” He grinned at Luna's hateful look.
“How dare you insult me, you monst-!” Luna closed her mouth before she could finish.
“Nice save Miss Monster, but we really don't wish to delay our destiny.” Avec's grin turned malicious as he summoned dark magic into his claw and petrified the nearest guards into stone. Luna's eyes snapped open in alert while she ordered the other guards form up. “Those fools won't stop us from taking the mare with us for our ritual, Nightmare Moon.” He crept closer to the group.
Luna was about to retort a threat back, but was interrupted by an irate Twilight. “Luna, don't listen to that half-bred lizard.” Twilight struggled to stand on her hooves, but her anger was giving her all the strength she needed at the moment. Her draconic pupils bore into Avec's own like heated coals. “You really should stop, Avec or you're going to get hurt.”
The grinning Kirin merely laughed. “I mean no disrespect Miss Sparkle, you're powerful. Very powerful, but you are only a newbie when it comes to our Goddess' Dark Magic.” He wreathed his single claw in black flames as he took up a stance on two legs.
'Mistress?' Echo weakly let out as she woke up.
Internally Twilight was shaking in fear. She knew that in her current state, that there was no way she could stop Avec's attack. 'Echo, do you know what kind of magic that is?' She questioned quickly. Echo remained quiet. 'Echo?' Twilight tried again in panic.
Wind whistled around them as Avec's spell gained power. Without warning he dove at Luna with his sparking claw aiming to claim her throat. Two of Luna's Night Guards brought their shields up and deflected the blow, Avec recoiled then jumped right over them. Luna saw the blade hidden in his cloak, so she conjured up a light-blue barrier around herself and Twilight, which in turn stopped his dagger cold. “Damn traitor...” He muttered under his breathe, before leaping back from a sharp spear wielded by a night guard.
The Moon Goddess charged him with her horn pointed at his black heart. Side-stepping, Avec bull rushed Luna's side with his sharp antlers. “You're far too soft now Nightmare, life in that light-filled palace of your sister's has made you weak.” Avec lifted his claw and pelted her with bolts of black fire.
“You know nothing.” Luna flapped her wings and flew into the air, while her remaining guards circled Avec. “I have left that dark aspect of my life in the past. It no longer has any hold over me.” She proudly exclaimed. 'Never again.'
“Things like that can never just be forgotten Nightmare.” Avec narrowly dodged being gutted like a dead fish by Luna's horn again. A guard came up behind him with a spear pointed once more at his throat, he rolled his eyes at the attempt and bashed the guard with his scaled forehead. The pony barreled over, but refused to be knocked out. Avec grit his teeth in frustration and grabbed the guard's spear, he and the guard charged at each other once more. A couple more guards flew directly at Avec but soon found themselves hitting open air.
“Where did he go?!” One asked while scanning the forest underbrush.
The other two readied their weapons before the left one was speared clean through his chest by a shadowy Avec. “Gotcha.” He chuckled with glee while turning to the other shocked guard. “What, cat got your tongue?” He asked giddily.
Twilight stared at the dead stallion with a terrified expression. Sure she had seen dead ponies before, but she knew that night guard personally. 'No...what will Silva think? A-and their young foal? Damn, why now? Why am I so weak, when I need to be strong?!' She screamed in her mind. Avec continued his slaughter of Luna's guards and caught a brief look of horror on said mare's face before rage took over.
“That's it, Avec! You're going back to Tartarus where you belong!!” Luna cursed him while unleashing a powerful beam of pure moonlight from her horn.
After lopping off the head of a nearby guard, Avec glared at the beam speeding towards him. There was only two guards left, but Avec decided they weren't worth his time and shrouded himself with a shadowy barrier. Luna's beam slammed into his shield full force, causing it to crack in several places.
“My guards get back, I'll finish him myself!” Princess Luna yelled with a determined look. Her opponent summoned five small spheres of black flame, and sent them careening into her own shield. 'If he thinks it will be that easy...' She readied another spell while concentrating and trees around her, a thick thread of light-blue magic cascaded into the trees and brought them to life. Several gnarled branches reached down at Avec's barrier and wrapped themselves around it, lifting the Kirin and the barrier high into the air. 'I've got you this time, Avec.'
Avec tapped his barrier finding it turning against him. 'So, she wishes to drain me of my magic.' He grinned. Using a clawed finger, he drew a pentagram symbol into the barrier while Luna's magic flowed through it.
Luna felt a strange pinch of something flowing through her magical aura, but couldn't quite tell what it was until she looked Avec square in the eyes. She recognized that look. 'Oh no, what could he be possibly be up to?'
“It's been fun Moon Princess! But I'm afraid, I'll have to cut our reunion short.” Hearing this, Luna sent a pulse into the branches urging them to crush the life out of Avec. The Kirin laughed and vanished from the barrier all together, his voice whispered through the trees with one message before fading away as well. “Before I go, I'll leave this memory you so desperately left behind. Hahahahaaa!!”
Luna clutched her head in pain, as the branches returned to normal and her magic evaporated into the air. 'No! Not that memory, it hurts too much!' The remaining guards sped to their pained monarch in concern. Twilight also weakly limped towards Luna in confusion. The Moon Princess caught Twilight's gaze, the lavender mare's rippling purple dragon eyes brought up a longing Luna had thought she had suppressed long ago. 'No, not now. Please not now, she died ages ago by her own kin. There was nothing left of her. Bu-but how can Twilight Sparkle have the same eyes as her?' Luna wanted to cast her Mage Sight spell, but she was afraid of what she would discover. 'I couldn't bare to...' A memory of a deep black coat passed by her mind's eye. '...see her again, not after so long. Avec is to blame for this, I never should have trusted him in the first place.'
“Your Highness, please we must gather the dead and return to Canterlot before dawn.” The guard on Luna's left reminded.
Luna nodded slowly, blinking away mournful tears. “Do so, Twilight Sparkle w-we must go now, Celestia is most worried.” She held out a wing to help Twilight steady herself, but tensed when she noticed Twilight's new height. “W-we are glad thou art safe.” She stuttered.
Twilight blinked slowly. Was Luna stammering? “Alright, I need to speak with her anyway. She's probably not very happy with me right now...” She eventually felt a day's worth of exhaustion catch up with her, so Twilight promptly collapsed on Luna's side.
Rain pelted Luna's coat as she hefted Twilight onto her back and into her chariot. She waited for her two remaining guards to call up another group of her sister's guard, most likely to collect the bodies themselves. 'All of you will be remembered for your noble service to the crown.' Luna promised before her chariot was flown into the dark sky. She watched Twilight closely, her feeling of longing wasn't directed to the purple mare face, as it was drawn to her new wings and horn. She turned away sharply, reprimanding herself for ogling her sister's student. 'What's wrong with me?! Twilight is not Her! They have nothing in common, besides...my beloved died long ago.'
Luna sighed, she was always the more emotional of the two Alicorn sisters. 'One of the reasons I became Nightmare Moon.' She looked down again at the sleeping Twilight, suddenly wanting to gaze into those deep violet draconic eyes once more. But she repressed the feeling under her hoof and locked it away the best she could. 'No, it was the reason I became Nightmare Moon.' Twilight shivered when a cold draft of wind blew though the chariot. Seeing this, Luna draped a hesitant wing over her. “You know Twilight...” Luna told the sleeping mare. “...It was thanks to you that I was freed of the Nightmare and my hatred for my sister. If it wasn't for you and your friends, I would still be trapped within that darkness and Equestria would be under Nightmare Moon's Eternal Night.” She smiled softly.
-Canterlot-
The chariot landed in Canterlot an hour later, Luna thanked her guards before lifting Twilight onto her back and heading inside the palace through a side gate. Beside her, Luna levitated Twilight's saddle bags in her aura, she was curious about the odd piece of cloth poking out from one of the flaps. So she carefully took it out and unrolled it, what it showed brought more tears to her eyes. 'Twilight, where did you get this? It depicts Celestia and I, but it also depicts them...' Luna paused in front of Celestia's bedroom door and traced a hoof over the image of the dragon-winged Alicorn. “Oh, Penny...I miss your presence so much.” She drew her watery eyes over the image of the mare opposite of the dragon-winged alicorn, and her eyes filled with hate. 'I don't care if you were close friends with Celestia, I'll never forgive you for what you did to Her.'
A loud creaking sound interrupted her thoughts as her elder sister peaked her head out. “Luna, you're back.” Celestia said with a sleepy yawn, but Luna could see the deep bags under her eyes. “Did you find Twilight? Please tell me you did. I've been so worried about her.” She asked hurriedly despite her exhaustion.
“Yes sister, I have her here on my back. But you should ready yourself for what you're about to see.” When Celestia smiled in relief, Luna lowered her wings covering Twilight. Celestia's smile dropped into a look of terror.
“Lu-Luna, wh-what happened to her?” Celestia felt a pang of fear overtake her, as she gave Twilight a motherly nuzzle. “Sister, lay her on my bed.” She gently directed as she closed her bedroom door. Luna carefully lowered Twilight onto Celestia's queen-sized matress and felt that feeling of longing rise up again. Celestia came up beside her. “Do you know what caused this?” The solar princess asked.
Luna shook her head in regret. “I'm ashamed to say that I haven't a clue, sister.”
“Have you tried Mage Sight?” Celestia pressed, her voice tinged with worry.
The lunar princess froze. She had been hesitant to use that spell, she refused to acknowledge that Twilight had any connection to the dark Alicorn. 'I-I-I couldn't possibly tell Celestia that I believe Twilight could be related to Her of all ponies. They never really liked each other in the past.' Luna frowned at the thought, not wanting a repeat of their last argument. “I have not.”
“Why not? It could reveal the reason behind Twilight's transformation.” Celestia glanced at Twilight.
“I-I don't think it would be wise, Celestia.” Luna took a step back when her sister leveled a small glare at her.
“Luna, you're the only one who can use the spell at the moment. I'm very worried about Twilight, so please, just cast the spell and find out what's really wrong with my student.” Celestia's stern gaze softened slightly when she noticed Luna's nervousness. “Please, Lulu, for me?”
Luna swallowed hard and lit her horn, readying her Mage Sight spell. 'I'm going to regret this...' Throwing caution to the wind, she cast the spell, her eyes glowing an eerie blue. She expanded her magic outward through Celestia too, so they both could see Twilight's aura.
What they saw, shocked them both to their very cores.
-Badlands-
A lone, large black spire stood proudly along the ridge of a mountain range as changeling drones of several hues buzzed to and fro. The full moon shone through the crevices and skylights of the spire, and into the central room where four large changelings sat around a circular table made of solid obsidian.
These particular changelings were four of the five ruling queens of their kind, sans Chrysalis due to her current imprisonment in Canterlot. One of them stood up with a huff. “Chrysalis, that fool, did she really think that her half-baked plan would work?” Her multi-toned voice carried through the cavernous chamber, which caught the attention of her fellow queens. Queen Aphelia, the largest of the group, had a fiery red mane and tail that resembled (ironically) flames and hung loosely along her shoulders. As with all queens, Aphelia had almond-shaped pupils, but her eyes were sea blue in colour. Her carapace was dark grey with light-red chitin covering her back and stomach. Aphelia had less holes in her body unlike most Changelings, and she wore a small gold crown around her horn signifying her as a Queen. Her horn was as long as a Princess Celestia's, but was curved upward like King Sombra's. “We all warned her what would happen if she was caught, and look where she is now.” She sat down exasperated.
The blue maned Changeling Queen, by the name of Physia, sat back in her chair tiredly. “Then why don't we send someone to save her? I'm sure that we could bargain with the Sun Queen for her release, she's too nice for her own good.” Physia's chitin was the same shade of dark blue as her mane and tail, her glowing blue eyes had a piercing quality to them that would make even the bravest of warriors freeze up in fear. Her carapace had was lined with holes, and was black in colour, and on her head sat a fluted horn.
The next queen to speak up, had an unusual white body with a green mane and tail. Her forest green chitin was her most striking feature, since it was adorned with several chains of jewelry of various hues. She carried no crown upon her head, but chose a golden circlet as her choice of royal regalia. Queen Jellisa's insect wings buzzed in irritation. “I'd say just leave her be.” She stated.
Aphelia gave the white changeling a questioning glance. “Really now, Jellisa? You were the one who supported Chrysalis' campaign the most. After all...it was thanks to her mother that you became a Queen in the first place.” She smirked when Jellisa glared at her.
“Be that as it may, Chrysalis failed to take over Equestria horribly.” She paused for a moment. “I mean really? Defeated by a little Unicorn. How unbecoming of a Changeling Queen.” Jellisa remarked as she swirled her champagne glass around in her magic.
Physia rolled her eyes as Aphelia and Jellisa began bickering. She coiled her mane around her hoof, deciding to straighten it while watching the most quiet of the Queens. She had her eyes closed currently, and seemed to be meditating. “Silence? What do you sense this time?” Physia asked.
Queen Silence. She was eldest of the Changeling race, the first to become whole. She was unfortunately blind at birth, but she had a heightened sense of things. So she could feel the magical auras of others, be they Changeling, Pony, Zebra, Minotaur etc. Her carapace was the colour of ashen grey, while her chitin and mane was a faded yellow. Silence didn't talk much, so getting an answer out of her was almost like talking to a wall. “Dark Magic, immensely powerful dark magic.” She answered curtly.
That gained the attention of the other two Queens, promptly ending their bickering. “Where?” Aphelia pressed, her curiosity piqued.
The ashen grey Changeling Queen remained silent.
Jellisa cleared her throat while gesturing a hoof for her to go on. Despite been blind, Silence spoke up as if she saw Jellisa's holed hoof. “It was coming from the Crystal Empire, but suddenly moved to over where I believe Canterlot presides.” Silence moved her head and pointed a hoof in the direction of Equestria's Capitol. “I believe it to be the Dark Mother's aura, if only at a much lower level than usual.”
The other three Changeling Queen smiled devilishly. “That could mean, Avec was right about his prophecy. Our Dark Mother Penumbra, is returning.” Aphelia laughed.
-Canterlot, The Next Day-
“Alert the Guard! All of them!” Princess Celestia ordered as she made her way through Canterlot Palace. Twilight had awoken abruptly last night, and began screaming bloody murder. Which had led to her suddenly flying out the window and into the night, unfortunately Luna had been unable to catch the lavender mare but could sense that she was still in the city. “Twilight, where did you go my little pony?” Celestia was frightfully scared of what she saw the night before, when Luna used her Mage Sight spell and peered into Twilight's magical aura. 'I...it just can't be. Why does Twilight have Her magic?' She suppressed a whimper. “I can't let this get to me, I have ruled Equestria for over a millennium. And with Luna back, things will not end like they did before.”
After Nightmare Moon was banished, Princess Celestia was deep in regret over her sister's downfall for well over a century. Ruling the country on her own was not easy for the solar Alicorn, she had made several plans for Luna's eventual return. A few failed here and there, mainly the ones involving a certain Unicorn mare named Sunset Shimmer and a magical mirror. Celestia made sure to keep the mirror under heavy security if her former student ever returned. Sunset was like a daughter to Celestia, before Twilight came around and lost her parents. 'The two most likely would have been great friends.' Celestia thought with a frown.
Celestia was so lost in her thoughts, that she almost ran into her sister in the hallway. “Celestia! You scared me!” Luna exclaimed taking a step back.
“Hmm? Oh, sorry Lulu. I was just thinking.” Celestia sighed.
“Is it about...Twilight?” Luna guessed, already knowing the answer. Celestia nodded sadly. “I won't ask you to not worry sister, cause I'm concerned about her too.”
Celestia bit her lip, not wanting to burden her sister anymore than she had last night. She knew her sister was fully capable of handling herself, but when it came to a matter involving the Alicorn of Tartarus? Celestia did not want to remember the time she and Penumbra last spoke, it would drive Luna to tears again. “Luna.” She said gaining her sister's attention. "I promise, I will not allow a tragedy like what happened over three thousand years ago, to occur again. They both were important to us, albeit in different ways of course.” Luna chuckled a little at that.
Luna was about to say something but was interrupted by a Royal Guard that trotted up to them. Both Princesses steeled themselves, and adopted their usual regal masks. “We have found Twilight Sparkle, your Majesties.” He saluted briskly.
“Lieutenant Flare Wing.” Celestia nodded to the stallion. “Where has my faithful student gone?” She asked with hint of concern.
“We found her in an abandoned warehouse in the eastern district. But we were unable to get to her directly, there's some sort of barrier ward surrounding her and she seemed to be in pain.” Flare Wing winced.
Both Princesses' eyes widened, fearing the same thing. “Lead the way, quickly.” Celestia ordered.
The lieutenant saluted crisply, then turned around soon followed by the princesses. They swiftly passed by several buildings in the market district, ponies bowed their heads in reverence to their princesses as they trotted down the cobblestone street. Celestia's face tightened in a deep frown as she bit her lip in worry, but smartly slipped in her usual kind demeanor that was known across Equestria.
Luna was another matter entirely. Her mood was turning sour at the thought of Avec and his Cult wanting to sacrifice her sister's student/daughter for their sick religion. But then again, as much she hated what would happen to Twilight, the chance that she could be reunited with Penumbra brought a grim smile to her face. 'But regardless, we can't let any harm come to Twilight, she does not deserve any of this.' She ruffled her wings as they came to a stop before a rather large metal warehouse.
Normally the warehouses were filled with crates and had winding labyrinth-like passages in between them. But this particular one had most of its numerous boxes turned over and half wrecked by a powerfully dark wind cascading up and down the walls. A burst of energy blasted a nearby crate straight at Luna, but was caught in a golden aura by Celestia. “Be careful! Whatever has hold over Twilight, clearly doesn't want anyone near her!” She shouted over the booming noise.
Flare Wing and several of his subordinates took formation around the princesses as they carefully approached the center of the chaos. Celestia and Luna took notice of a swirling mass of darkness that towered over them like a fierce Manticore. Another blast of energy forced the platoon of guards back a few feet, but the Alicorn sisters stood their ground. “Twilight! Are you in there?!” Celestia yelled as she approached, with Luna close behind her.
A cold voice answered her. “Stay away from my Mistress, Celestia.”
Princess Celestia felt a familiar shiver go down her spine. “I know this feeling...” Celestia narrowed her eyes at the mass of darkness. “So, are you the reason for what's been happening to Twilight?” She demanded.
The voice giggled darkly. “Maybe, maybe not.” Its tone took on a creepy foal-like guise.
Luna growled. “Foul creature! You will release Twilight Sparkle immediately, or you will face our wrath!” She charged up her horn as her sister did the same.
Two white eyes opened up from the mass followed by a gleaming white mouth. A black head shaped like Twilight's formed and grinned savagely. “My mistress is sleeping, and I shall not allow anything to disturb her.”
Both princesses glared furiously at the mass of darkness. “Twilight is no ones mistress and you will release her from whatever hold you have over her.” Celestia stepped forward.
“Neither of you understand the true importance of Mistress Twilight.” It hissed. Long thin shadowy tendrils sprung out of the mass, reaching for their horns. “Hand over your Alicorn Magic, my Mistress needs more power!”
Celestia and Luna conjured up two barriers of opposite power, which deflected the tendrils. The black mass recoiled in pain causing something within itself to scream. Celestia strode forward after it. “Lieutenant! Encompass the area with a triple-max barrier ward, to ensure that the creature doesn't escape!”
Flare Wing snapped to and turned to the Unicorn guards in his platoon. “You heard the Princess, get those wards up!” Several of the stallions saluted then took up positions around the outside of the warehouse. After a moment or so, a light-blue dome surrounded the building with the creature, Flare Wing, five guards and the Princesses inside. “Barrier ward is up, Your Highnesses!”
Celestia nodded without turning away from the mass before Luna and herself. The creature unleashed a blast of darkness upon her shield, but she withstood it easily. 'Whatever has Twilight, is not as powerful as it seems.' Hearing its growl of impatience, Celestia flared her wings and flew around it, hovering just behind the mass. “Listen to me, whatever you are. You will release Twilight Sparkle and give yourself up.” Celestia did her best to peer into the dark sphere, trying to catch a glimpse of Twilight.
Luna on the other hand, was staring directly into the creature's featureless white eyes. “You heard my sister, do as told and maybe we shall see fit that no harm comes to you.” If the thing made any suspicious movements, Luna would pulverize it in a heartbeat. 'Celestia needs time to look for an opening. Guess I'll be the distraction.'
The creature's grin widened to an unnatural size. “I think not, Princess. I may not have the power to outright to defeat either of you, but I am able to sap you of your Magic!” It lunged forward, intent on entangling the lunar princess in its tendrils.
Luna jumped out of its reach, slashed two of its tendrils to bits then conjured up a sword made of solid moonlight. One tendril attacked her from the right, Luna performed a somersault in midair and cut the shadowy appendage in two. Raising her head up, Luna parried several more incoming attacks hacking each tendril into pieces. Using her left wing, she smacked another tendril away from her horn, while slashing another with her blade.
She rose her sword above her head, charged head first into the creature's smug face which caused to howl in pain. “Irritating little-” It never finished as Luna swiftly decapitated its head, before flying back several feet.
“Hmm, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of your head being severed.” Luna banked left as a stray tendril attempted to whip her face. “You're becoming quite sloppy, creature.”
The dark mass rounded on Luna, while its still grinning head reattached itself. “If this form isn't enough for you, than...how about THIS!?” The spherical mass shuddered before withdrawing its tendrils and head. For a moment it didn't move, Celestia took a chance and hammered the creature with a beam of pure sunlight, the mass than morphed its body inward taking on a more serpentine shape.
Celestia poured more magic into the beam, just as she was about to pull back when the mass turned into a flying serpent, she saw a shred of lavender within the writhing mass of darkness. 'Twilight!'
Two long fangs protruded from the creature's maw as it became solid again. It breached the ceiling with its head, flew outside, then noisily collided with the barrier the guards had set up. Letting a out roar, it rammed the barrier repeatedly just as the Princesses, Flare Wing and his remaining Pegasi pursued it.
-Twilight-
“It hurts...it hurts so much...” Twilight moaned as she floated within a sea of black. “My...my chest is on fire...” A sharp pain ran through her body as she drifted seamlessly. She felt as if a blade had pierced her chest and heart, but she couldn't move. “I can't feel my body, t-the pain is too much...”
Only Twilight's eyes remained functional as she gazed about fruitlessly searching for whatever was causing the pain in her chest. A shard of crystal passed over her field of vision. It was flawless,opaque and eerily familiar. “Another feeling of deja-vu. Geh...” Another spike of pain as multiple other crystals appeared before Twilight. “I can't see anything except these crystals and darkness...ngh it hurts. What is this pain?” Suddenly Twilight began to regain feeling in her fore hooves. She struggled to turn her limbs into view and what she saw was...not a lavender coat, but a midnight black one. “Wh-what happened to my legs?” She looked further down her torso, once feeling came back to her neck. “W-was my body always this large?” She looked up, deep into the abyss above her, where some kind of glowing purple symbol hovered. “A Pentagram. Not good, then that must mean I'm under some sort of dark spell.”
Her hooves fell to her sides causing ripples across the expansive sea of black, the glow of the crystals her only source of light. Twilight attempted to turn over, as her hind legs slowly became responsive. After finally finding purchase on her feet, Twilight stood up with some difficulty. She winced when another jolt of pain surged through her chest. “Damn...” Taking a deep breath, Twilight steadied herself and looked at her chest. A large, pulsating, glowing white scar sat in the middle of Twilight's chest and ran down to right above her belly. “Where did THAT come from?” Panic filled her voice as brought a hoof to the scar.
She stumbled backwards as her wings stood up in alarm... “Wait, WINGS!?” Twilight snapped her head to her back, where two gigantic dragon wings sat proudly behind her shoulders. Despite their huge size (given that they would be much too large for even Princess Celestia of all ponies)Twilight barely felt any weight coming from them. “They're so majestic...gah what am I saying!? I'm a small lavender Unicorn! Not some kind of huge dragon-winged one!” She began to unconsciously flap her wings frantically.
“Ohnonononono!!” Twilight caught sight her reflection in one of the crystal circling around her. While her coat was currently pitch back; her relection's was her natural lavender, no wings adorned her back, and her legs were definitely not longer than they should be. She licked her lips in disbelief and felt that every one of her teeth were serrated.
“Mistress, this is your true self. You merely forgot about it. Lost sight of your past.” Echo's voice reverberated across the void.
Twilight shook her head rapidly. “No! This is not me!” She dropped to the semi-solid sea of black with thud. “I am not Her! I am not Penumbra!” She screamed in defiance.
“Don't deny what you know to be true, Twilight!” Echo appeared before her, an almost exact replica of Twilight but completely black with white eyes. “Only you could possibly possess the might of the Goddess of Darkness! The Alicorn of Tartarus!” Echo punctuated each word while tapping a hoof to Twilight's scarred chest. “Where do you think this scar came from?! Things like this don't just appear Mistress!”
Twilight's eyes went frantic, as she glared at Echo. “You! Are! WRONG!!” She unleashed a powerful wave of energy, knocking Echo onto her back. “I am Twilight Sparkle! NOT some evil Alicorn of the past!!” Her glare hardened as Echo backed away in fear. “Is this what you wanted, Echo!? To make me into some sort of monster!?! You will pay for your insolence!!” She lit her much longer horn in rage.
Echo's eyes widened in terror. “Wait, wait Mistress! Please, please show mercy! I didn't mean it like that!” Her vision went blank as the mindscape became engulfed in a dark violet explosion.
-Outside-
Princesses Celestia and Luna tightened their magical grip on the dark serpent as it began writhe suddenly. “Sister, something is happening to it!” Luna shouted over the creature's roaring.
“Everypony, take cover!” Celestia tackled her sister as barreled into the warehouse.
The shadowy serpent coiled around itself, while beams of purple light burst through cracks appearing across its body. “NOO! Mistress! Don't!” Echo screamed as her body exploded apart and Twilight fell to the ground half-awake.
Flare Wing made to catch her, but stopped dead in his tracks as Princess Celestia rocketed past him and intercepted Twilight's fall. “Twilight? Twilight, can you hear me my little pony?” Celestia asked worriedly.
Twilight blinked open an eye as Luna approached then answered. “P-Princess? Please...help me... this darkness hurts so much.” She croaked.
“Don't worry Twilight, Luna and I will use our magick to seal away that cursed Dark Magic within you.” Celestia smiled reassuringly.
The exhausted unicorn smiled at them both. “Th-thank you, I don't...want to lose...sight of who I am...” With one last look at the rising sun, Twilight drifted into a blissful, dreamless sleep.