> Story Of An Alicorn > by Applepip > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Arrival (Revised 13/06/2014) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I try to keep warm by using my tattered wings as a blanket. My horn is too ice encrusted to use. This is not exactly how I expected my life to turn out, but here I am, an alicorn with a blank flank and no home. I have friends, but how can I still call them that after what I did to them? Here I was. A lonely pathetic stallion, sitting in a cave miles from anywhere. Though to me, I’m not just anywhere. I came here to be alone perhaps for the rest of my life, which will be a long time considering I am one of the few immortal alicorns. I think to myself, why did I let him control me? I let my emotions boil and I hurt them! He was always there, hiding, plotting, I just didn't see it! Even after two millennia traveling around Equestria and seeing the world, you would think he would have shown himself before now. Even when I went to Manehatten and Fillydelphia but, he didn't. Now I am sitting in a freezing cave hiding from my former friends, who are probably out to kill me. I wouldn't blame them, I just hope that she can forgive me. I hurt her so bad. If I knew he was going to come out at that time, I would never have come to this place! Then again, I would never have found her. The mare of my dreams. "*sniff* What have I done?" /~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\ I arrived in Ponyville after a somewhat bumpy ride from Hoofington. As train rolled into Ponyville's main station, the first thing I noticed was the colours. It didn't have the drab greys and browns of Hoofingtons station, it was bright red and yellow. Even the wood decking was bright and welcoming. "So this is Ponyville?" I said while stretching out my legs. "Nice place!" The train journey had been a long one and my muscles were really wound up tight. Leaving the train I stepped out onto the platform, firm ground beneath my hooves was a great feeling, even when you have traveled as much as me. It also made me laugh that my appearance still got me looks were ever I went. "Hi! You must be new in Ponyville?" I turned to see the face of probably the most beautiful mare I have ever seen, though my stare did not go unnoticed. "Um, hello? Are you alright?" The mare asked by waving a hoof in front of my eyes. I shook my head, realising she was talking to me. "Sorry! I was...distracted," I said. She looked away, a hint of red appearing in her cheeks. "Oh! I didn't mean it like that!" I panicked and waved my front hooves, she started to giggle. "I gathered that," she says. "My name is Twilight Sparkle." She held out her front hoof, I slowly calmed myself down and reached out to shake it. "My name is Valder." "Valder?" She says tilting her head side ways, looking somewhat quizzical. "Yeah, It was given to me a long time ago, so I just held on to it." I said, slightly digging at the ground. "Not as some others, but yeah it is kind of weird," She taps the wood floor of the station platform. "Um, so are you here to welcome somepony else? Or are you just hanging around?" I said looking around quickly. "I heard that an alicorn was traveling to here from Hoofington, so I wanted to come and greet them.” "I take it you don't get very many alicorns this way?" I asked. "Quite frankly the only alicorns that come here are the Princesses," she states while walking around me. "But I didn't know any other alicorns existed." “I am from a land that doesn't exist any more.” "Really, just how far have you come?" "From very far away, I have been traveling for almost two millennia.” "Two millennia!?" She shouts, a look of shock adorning her face. "Yeah, my home was lost long ago and my family passed on while I was traveling. I didn't even get to say good bye... I guess that's why I travel, to forget." "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked, it was none of my business." She lowers her head and looks to the side. "No, no, I knew I would have to visit those memories again, one day or another. Besides, I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful listener." I stated, gesturing to her. "Oh really?" Twilight says while turning red. "Oh Celestia I did it again." I feel my face burn as the blood flows to my cheeks. "Well, is this your first time to Ponyville?" Twilight asked me. "I have passed this way before... But Ponyville wasn't around then, so yeah you can say it is my first time here." I replied. "Maybe I can show you around and you can meet my friends. I can guarantee your going to love Ponyville." I thought to myself, 'here I have a beautiful mare asking to show me about and i'm thinking about it, in fact the sole reason for my visit was simple curiosity', yet there was something I couldn't fathom that told me, I was going to get more than I bargined for. After leaving the station Twilight and I started to walk along a small street, which was lined mainly with small vendors and shops selling many different gifts and trinkets. After a while I noticed Twilight was looking at me, almost staring. "Is there something wrong Twilight?" I asked, she straightens up as though i've just caught her doing something she shouldn't. "No, um, I-I mean... I’m j-just..." She stutters. "Twilight if you have a question please, just ask." I stopped and turned to her, looking her deep in the eye's I say, "Twilight you haven’t said anything since we left the station." "I'm sorry, it's just that you look so regal like Celestia but more..." "Male?" I raise an eyebrow, she looks away again. "Look, I have been around for many centuries and there is nothing you can say that hasn't been said already. If you have a question, just ask it.” "OK, Valder, I just don't understand, why do you have no cutie mark? I mean everypony has one! But your fully grown and have no mark." I see a nearby bench and gesture for Twilight to sit with me. We get comfortable as I carry on the conversation. "Twilight, you would be surprised how many ponies I meet ask that question. The truth is, I have never earned my cutie mark because...I don't think I can." I look down to the floor. Twilight puts a hoof on my shoulder, I look to her and see tears forming in the corners of her eye's. "I didn't mean for it to sound that bad!" I state, smiling at Twilight. "It's not that, it just the fact you seem to have excepted that you will never earn one." "Twilight, I have travelled for countless years. If I haven't earned one by now, I have excepted that I never will." "Have you tried getting help?" Twilight asks me. "No! Cutie marks cannot be magically given, I thought everypony knew that?" I reply. "I do, but it's just so saddening that you have gone so long without one." Twilight says, the tears forming again. "Look Twilight, I am who I am; and no mark is going to change that!" I state. "Anyway, I have to find someplace to stay tonight and perhaps for the rest of my trip." "Oh! You can stay at mine!" Twilight says, jumping up from her seat. "Just like that?" I ask. "I'm just some stranger you have met today, and you're giving me a place to stay?" "Yes! I mean you don't look bad, maybe a little grey, but a good clean might sort you out!" Twilight replies. "Gee, thanks! I'm not really that dirty am I?" I ask. "Not really, But you have the city look about you. You're in Ponyville now so we need to scrub that city look from you!" Twilight states, walking away and prompting me to follow. 'Huh! maybe this trip won't be so bad!' I think to myself, as I follow this purple mare. > Memories (Re-edited) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "My birth was not your standard birth. As most births happened with unexpected results or mutations, as some would call them." I have to admit at the time the story of my past life didn't start as soft as Twilight thought it would. "You were considered a... mutation?" She puts one hoof to her mouth in disbelief, "Back then; yes. Alicorns were just a myth." I turn to look at Twilight seeing that she had finally removed her hoof from her muzzle. "Take into account, Twilight, that this was long before the Princesses took power." I point to the visible fortress of Canterlot Castle. "It's hard to imagine what the world was like back then." "It wasn't much different from how it is today, just more towns and cities," I make a small general gesture at Ponyville, "But as I was saying, There was some complications with my birth. First was the fact I had wings and a horn, something nopony in the clinic had expected, most of all my parents." <><><><><><><><><><><><><> "That's it Mrs. Kicker, Keep pushing I can see the foal now... dear pony heavens," The doctor reels back slightly. "What, Whats wrong doctor?!" The male pony says while holding the female giving birth, "I don't know how to say this, but your foal has wings and a horn." The nurse nearby folds the foal into a blanket and hands it to the two happy ponies. "Good heavens light, It's an Alicorn, our son is an Alicorn!" The female pony exclaims while still being out of breath. "I don't understand, We are both earth ponies, We have never had any Pegasi or Unicorns in our bloodline." The male pony explains to the doctor. "How is this possible doc?" "I'm afraid I have no idea, Perhaps we all have latent Alicorn DNA somewhere inside of us." The doctor goes to a nearby self containing a lot of books and scrolls. "Hm.....Ah here it is." The doctor drops a book on a nearby table the book was labeled myths and legends, "Now lets see here... page two hundred and one... here we go; Alicorns and their signs, it seems I was right, Alicorns can be born even if no parent has the genetic traits of either Pegasi or Unicorn." "But what does that mean Doctor, Please give it to us straight." The two ponies now looking very worried. "I'm afraid it means that your son will forever be, an Alicorn," The doctor points to the sleeping foal. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> "So your parents were scared of you?" Twilight says, "Well, a lot of ponies were scared of me. As I grew up I had a lot of mishaps. Most of all it showed as my horn and wings became bigger and my overall size grew to a point I couldn't stay in the family home." "You had to leave?" "No, no, nothing as bad as that, but we did have to build a bigger home. It didn't sit right with the rest of the town." <><><><><><><><><><><> "Mr Kicker, I have to say building this home for just your child is mildly inappropriate," The mayor of the town states by pointing at the building work in progress, "I'm sorry Mr Mayor, But I have to my son has become too big and we must make more room for him," "Your son is a blight Mr Kicker, A blight on society, we all see it," The crowd now gathered behind the mayor nods their agreements, "You can't expect me to believe that?, He's my son," Mr. Kicker says displaying some anger that the mayor would even propose such a thing. "You have two choices Mr. Kicker. Either he goes, or you all go!" Mr Kicker recoils at the sudden hostilities by the townsponies. <><><><><><><><><><><><> "My Celestia, They wanted to kick you out of town?" Twilight says, again putting her hoof to her mouth. "It's funny though Twilight, After all this time, I finally realize why they were afraid of me." I stop walking and touch my horn and flex my wings. "It's because I was born with both of these appendages, that's why." "That's stupid, just because you have both wings and a horn doesn't mean you're a bad pony." Twilight puts a hoof on my back, though she can just reach it. "Thanks Twilight, But I have come to except what happened and now I just want to get on with my life," I touch her hoof and I feel for the first time something......I don't know what but something, "Hello!" The sudden interruption gives Twilight and I a pony version of an heart attack. "Hey Twilight! What-cha doing? Who's this?" "Pinkie! How many times have I told you to stop appearing like that." I noticed Twilight's tinge of anger and fear, Though I have no idea what the fear could be about. "Um hi Pinkie, is it? I'm Valder, I just arrived in town." After I say that Twilight leans over and whispers "You shouldn't have said that." She makes a slight giggle, which only causes me to raise another eyebrow. "Oh! You're new,” She said, giggling wildly “I should welcome you properly at Sugercube Corner." Just before I reply Twilight starts to push the hyper pony away, "Hey, that's rude Twilight." "Sorry Pinkie, But maybe you can welcome him later OK?” Pinkie was about to retort but notices the small glance and gleam in Twilight's eye's. "Oh! OK, I get-cha ," she elbows Twilight in the chest, "Well see you later then, new pony," I wave good bye but I am still recovering after the hyper scare. "Who in Equestria was that?" I look to Twilight, "That was Pinkie Pie, probably the most hyper active pony you'll ever meet." "Probably." I say, after a few more seconds we both start to laugh. At the time we didn't realize but we had stopped right outside of Twilight's house. It was amazing. Four stories high and carved into a huge tree. Much better than some of the buildings I have seen in my travels, "Woah! Is that the time," Twilight looks at the nearby clock tower. "Whats wrong, I didn't make you late for anything did I?" "No, but I have a very important meeting to attend and it's starting soon." She rushes into the library and comes back out with a satchel matching her cutie mark, "You should be OK here in town by yourself, right? At least until I get back..." Twilight pulls on the satchels straps making sure it's tight, "I'll be fine, Anyway it will give me a good chance to see more of your town, I read about a famous boutique and orchard farm near here when I was in Hoofington. I might just go and seek them out." I noticed Twilight's ears droop slightly. "Yeah, I'm sure Applejack and Rarity would love the attention!" That time I knew I had touched a nerve but in light of the increasing friendship I choose not to ask why. "So, see you back here tonight then?" Twilight walks over and pecks me on the cheek. "You got it." She then activates some spell and disappears, "What was that for?" I think to myself, but I just shrug it off and pull out my journal. In side I find the leaflet titled Sweet Apple Acres. "Hm, best apples in Equestria? Now that I have to see." > New Friend (Revised and edited 02/12/2013) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After leaving Twilights place I started to make my way outside town. I noticed how the scenery changed quite rapidly. It started out with the towns many shops, then it gave way to little homes and hamlets. When I finally reached the outskirts, I took in the countryside for all it was. I was taken aback by the beauty of how the land around Ponyville was strikingly similiar to my home land. But I did realise something, getting anywhere was harder than I thought it would be. "Right! Now which way do I head?" I look at the leaflet I had for Sweet Apple Acres. "Now that's weird." I turn the leaflet upside down, even flip it back to front. "It doesn't actually say how to find It! Oh well, I'm sure there's a sign around here somewhere." I look around. Not finding one I sigh and continue walking. After what seemed like an hour or two of trotting up an ever increasing road, I come across what can be only discribed as some sort of grove. The trees were different here. More how can I say...'Crafted' than the others along the road. "Nice place!" I think to my self as I walk up to the nearest tree and place a hoof on it's trunk. "Um?........Excuse me?.......Could you not do that!........ If.......If you don't mind?" I look around. Not seeing anything I shrug and continue to press my hoof on the tree. "Excuse me.......I........I did ask for you to stop.......Please?" At first I thought it was the tree talking and removed my hoof quite sharpish, I gave the tree a small prod again just to be sure. "I must be losing it again, too much sun Valder! The travelings finally getting to you!" I say to myself rubbing one hoof on my forehead. Then as I go to turn, I get the second shock of my day. "Um.....Hi." I trip back and bang my head on the tree, Last thing I know a light yellow coloured mare hovers over me. "Oh dear!" she says as I black out. After waking up I find myself lying on a couch with several small animals staring at me. "Oh Celestia, Now where am I?" I look about the room and notice all the walls are coated in various cages and boxes. Several birds and other creatures were sitting in them. I look to the far end of the room as I hear a sound of a pot being dropped. I see the same young mare that was hovering above me earlier stiring a pot on some stove. I leave the seat much to the dismay of some white bunny that growls at me. "Uh? Hello?" I say while slowly walking towards her. "Eek!" The mare screams as she jumps into the air, clearly she had not noticed I had awoken. I look more into the small room and I see that the mare had made a small hole in the ceiling where she had punched through during her leap. "Hello again, I didn't mean to scare you!" I look at the hole just as two small hooves appear at the edge, seconds later a face appears followed by two large but frightened eyes. Which is strange because at that moment I felt something wierd, It was the same sensation I felt when Twilight touched my back. "Hi." The pony said, But it was so quiet I almost didn't catch it. "My name is Valder, i'm sorry I scared you." "I'm Fluttershy," Yet again it was very quiet, I'm so glad of my Alicorn hearing or I would never had heard it. "Nice to meet you Fluttershy," I say while holding out my hoof. "Um.....Nice to meet you," The mare quietly replies while not moving from the hole. "I take it you are the pony I have to thank for helping me?" She nods slowly, "Are you by any chance going to come down?" "Your not going to eat me are you?" "Why would you think that?" "Well your so much bigger than me!" "That's because I'm an Alicorn, you mean you didn't realise that?" I ask. "An Alicorn like Princess Celestia?" Fluttershy's face lights up. "Yeah but just a bit more Stallion," I laugh so does she. Fluttershy comes down from her hiding place. She lands in front of me and twirls her hoof on the floor. "Shall we try introductions again?" "It's ok, I'm fine now, You said your name is Valder?" "Yes," I nod. After we introduced ourselves in a bit more of a calm and collected fashion, I learned alot about Fluttershy and what she does. How she helps all the animals out there and takes care of them if their injured. I was quite suprised at Fluttershy. She seemed scared at first but when I reassured her I wasn't going to gobble her up she became more open, even to me a stranger. After an afternoon of tea and some delicous cakes Fluttershy had pulled out, I hadn't realised it was getting late. That is until the sun started to set beyond the trees. "Well thanks again Fluttershy, I had a wonderful time!" Setting down my cup on the table in front of me. "But i'm afraid I have to get going." "Oh? Your going now?" She lowers her head. "Yeah, I have to get back to Twilights library before it gets dark." I open my wings after leaving her house and notice her eye's widen in surprise. "See you Fluttershy, Maybe we can do this again someday?" And I take to the sky. For a second there i'm not entirely sure though, but I think Fluttershy was staring at my flank. I thought to my self "Maybe it's not so bad here after all." > Night pleasures (Re-edited 02/06/2014) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A short flight from Fluttershy's house and I was landing in the outskirts of Ponyville. I didn't want to land in the town as my huge form still casts quite a large presence, I thought it still may scare a few of the little ponies still out and about. I make my way back through the outer streets of houses and small shops arriving at Twilights library just as the sun was going down. I stop, a sensation washes over me, It's a feeling I have not felt for many centuries. I think to my self 'It can't be, not here, but how can I be sure it's her?' I shake the feeling away and notice a few ponies are looking at me, wondering if i need help. I ignore them and walk up to the library, as I get there I hear voices from within so I listen, curious. "I can't help it! He just brings these feelings up in me!" "Look sugercube, ah know he's new in town, but ya got ta keep a calm head. Ah mean, how do ya know he'll return those feelings? Ya don't want ta get hurt." "I know Applejack, It's just........ughh!" "Ah'm flattered that ya asked me Twilight. But when it comes ta relations, ah'm not exactly the best pony ta talk ta." Applejack states. "I just don't know what to do, what do I say? I know he's only been in Ponyville a day, but I feel something for him!" "Ah would keep it too yourself for now, like ah said ya don't know how he will react." At the door I move my head while smiling, "I know exactly how I'll react." After listening to the conversation for a few more minutes, I knock on the door. "Coming!" I hear from within. The door opens revealing a flustered Twilight. "Evening Twilight, Is everything alright? You look a bit flustered" I say after putting a hoof on her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine really." Twilight invites me in. "Valder I would like you to meet Applejack, she's the owner of Sweet Apple Acres right here in Ponyville." "Nice to meet you, Miss Applejack." I hold out my hoof. "Umm, Applejack?" Twilight asks waving a hoof in front of her face. Applejack just seems to be staring at me. "You.....Big......Wings!" Applejack shakes her head and snaps out of what ever she was in. "Sorry, ah didn't know ya were an Alicorn. Ah big Alicorn!" "I take it Twilight left that big piece of info out when she described me?" I give Twilight a raised eyebrow look, she lowers her head and blushes. "Just a bit." Applejack says, as she starts to put on her saddlebags. "Oh, you don't need to leave on my account." I say. "It's ok, ah have ta get back home before the road gets too dark." Applejack opens the door. "Well it was nice meeting ya, Valder Was it?" I nod. "Nice meeting you too Applejack." I give a little bow of my head, which is funny enough cause Applejack to laugh as she walks out. I turn to Twilight. "She seems like a nice pony." I still notice Twilight keeping her head down and still turning an ever increasing shade of red, though it's hard to see it considering she's a dark purple. "Twilight, Is something wrong?" I move to and sit next too her. "No, Nothings.....W-Wrong," I notice the hesitation in Twilights voice. "Twilight, I know something's wrong. Talk to me." She looks up at me tears in her eye's. "I.....just can't tell you, Not........" I cut her off. "Twilight if something's wrong, I can help." I say as Twilights tears get heavier. Twilight grabs me and starts to cry. "Twilight?" I say hesitant at first, but slowly I put my front fore legs around her. I give her mane a stroke, while avoiding her horn as I know from experience how sensitive they can be. "Twilight? Why are you crying? Did somepony hurt you? Or is it me?" I know why she's crying but I had to act like I didn't know. "It's- It's about you!" Twilight says through her sobbing. "About me, why? If me being here is causing you grief, I'll go." "No!" Twilight shouts. "Then what?" "I want you!" Twilight states lifting up her head, meeting me gaze for gaze. "You want me? But we just met!" I reply, pretending to look shocked. "I know! But I felt something today, something strong between us. I can't explain it but....I think I love you!" Twilight pushes forward and kisses me. "Do you have feelings for me?" Twilight asks, after breaking the kiss. I am still reeling from the kiss but I manage a reply. "If I never did before, I do now!" I pull her closer and we kiss again. After another few minutes we part, our tongues becoming untwined. "Twilight, I think I love you too." Twilight smiles. "I love you too." Twilight starts to lick my neck as she slowly moves down my body. I have never felt anything like this before, the ecstasy, the adrenaline. I freeze as I feel she has reached my lower body and she begins to rub and massage my sheath. I feel every stroke of her fur upon me and I just let go, I hear Twilight gasp. "Are you alright?" I ask looking down. "Yeah, I just wasn't expecting it to be this big," I see that now I have fully extended, my shaft is almost the same size as Twilight, I thought there was no way she could fit that anywhere. The look in her eye's told me she didn't care about that. "Brace yourself!" The comment caught me off guard, but it was washed away as she plunged her mouth over the top while stroking the shaft with her wings and hooves, I was surprised. She seemed to have a lot of experience in this, yet earlier she was afraid to tell me her feelings. "Twilight, I........Oh.........Uggghhh," I feel myself reaching the end quickly but I think so did she as she stops and looks me in the eye. "Not yet, I want to try something first." I look on in shock as she turns her flank towards me and grins. "Please, I want you to stick it in. It won't hurt me, I promise." At first I stand and approach her thinking if it will fit or not, but it's what she wants so I give it to her. "Ok Twilight, it's going in." I push the tip against her outer lips and she makes a sound of pain. I stop my advance. "No, please! Don't stop!" Twilight shouts, so I push further until I feel myself enter her form and we become one. "Ohhhh! Celestia! It feels so good!" I notice blood running down her leg. "Twilight? Am I your first?" She looks around and nods. "Why didn't you say?" "Would you have had feelings for me if I did?" She asks panting slightly. "Of course I would have!" I reply. "Now I'll move slowly, ok?" I start to move my hips, the tightness and wetness comes in waves as I thrust. "Twilight? How are you doing?" "I'm ok, you can move faster if you want?" I increase the rhythm of my thrusting as her moaning starts to get louder. For several minutes we are locked in a display of love and passion, until I feel my loins tense. "I think I'm gonna!" Twilight says while tensing up. The act of her tensing increases the pressure on my shaft. "Twilight, I think I'm, I can't hold it!" As one we both end in one massive release of ecstasy. I see my whole life pass before my eyes in the seconds it takes me to empty my load into Twilight, we both fall to the floor together, exhausted. I put one wing around Twilight and pull her in close. "Twilight that was great!" Twilight rolls onto me a pecks me on the muzzle. "Glad you liked it, there's plenty more if you want it?" My brain explodes with possibilities, my shaft erects again. Twilight reaches back grabs my now hard again member. "I'll take that as a yes then." she giggles before guiding me to re-enter her. I lay on my back letting Twilight do the work. It surprised me that she had this knowledge and drive. I looked Twilight in the eyes and kissed her again. Damn, Ponyville was going to be better than I thought. > Regret (Re-edited and Revised 02/06/2014) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's been a few days now since our intimate embrace, but I can't help but feel Twilight is giving me the silent treatment. I mean the day after we went about a normal routine, I helped sort out the library books and we both went shopping together. Yet, Twilight never spoke to me, she always teleported away when I tried to talk to her. After a while I got worried that maybe we embraced to early, the last straw came when I tried to talk to her, all she did was make an excuse and run off. So I made a decision, I had to get her to talk but the only one I could trust to help was Applejack, though the last time I saw her was the night me and Twilight became intimate. Applejack was apparently the element of honesty, so if I couldn't trust her, who could I trust? I flew up over Ponyville towards Sweet Apple Acres, I'm so glad I took the time to find out where it was yesterday, yet I still never visited. When the apple orchard appeared I circled a few times to see if Applejack was around. When I couldn't see her I thought about going home, then I spotted a big red stallion bucking trees so I thought to myself, "hmmm i'll ask him if Applejacks around." I landed just outside the field of trees and headed towards him. "Excuse me, hello?" The stallion looks around, he gives me the raised eyebrow while looking me up and down. "I was just wondering, could you please tell me if Applejack is around?" The stallion just points and goes, "Eyup." I follow his hoof and find the red barn on the small hill. "Thanks Mr....?" "Mac." He says, then goes back to bucking trees. "O...k?" I head to the barn, when I get there I see a cart out front just about the size of what Applejack would use. I walk up to the door and stop short after I hear groaning. I push the door which is slightly ajar and go in. "Hello? Anypony in here?" I walk further in still hearing the small groaning sounds. After I have walked to the centre I see a small flight of stairs going up the back wall. I hear rustling up above and decide to go up, I slowly approach the top step and peer over. What I see can only be described as unexpected, I find Applejack lying on two hay bails and Clopping! At that point I have no idea what to do or say, yet I do get that warm feeling while watching her clop out so to speak. I watch her for two or three minutes I'm not really sure how long it was, then I give in to my conscience. "Eet, Hem!" I cough, the sudden realisation she got caught was just a little too much. Applejack jumps and rolls behind the hay bails. "Who's there!? Show yourself or ah swear ah'll scream bloody murder!" I cautiously raise my head above the top step. "Hi Applejack." I say, giving her a slight wave of my hoof. "Valder! What in the light of Celestia do ya think your doing sneaking up on me like that?" I have now fully reached the top step, yet I am unsure if I should walk any further. "Sorry Applejack, I didn't mean to intrude on your...private time." I turn away and go to leave. "I think I should just leave, I shouldn't have come." At that point I wish I had seen Applejack's face, because something inside me tells me she had other ideas. "Well, there's no rush!" Applejack says, grinning while walking slowly up to me. At this point my heart starts to pound and I lose all capacity to talk. "You've come all this way to speak to little ol' me, least ah could do is listen." She sits close to me, really close. "Now...." She places an arm around my back and twiddles some of my wing feathers. ".....What is it ya want ta discuss with me?" I let out a small breath trying to calm my racing heart, but Applejacks twiddling is starting to feel REALLY good. I try to block out Applejack's wondering hooves as I explain my reason for coming. "Applejack, I have a small problem, It's about Twilight." "Twilight!" She stops touching my wings. "What about Twilight? Ya haven't hurt her have you?" She gives me the don't lie to me stare. "No! I would never hurt her! She just won't talk to me after......" I trail off my sentence. "After what?" Applejack asks, getting confused. "Well we.....embraced.....intimately, the night you left the library." Applejack pulls away and puts a hoof to her chin. "Ah see." She stands up and walks to the stairs. "Wait! Where are you going? I haven't stated why I came yet!" Applejack looks back. "Ya need ta come with me." "Why?" "Maybe I should let Twilight tell you that." Applejack replies, starting her walk down the stairs. "What? You mean she's here?" I ask, quickly following after the farm mare. "Yup, Why do ya think she keeps ignoring ya?" "Well, I thought it was because she had second thoughts about what we did?" I reply. "Humph! Stallions, ya have no clue, do ya?" I raise an eyebrow and just as I go to reply, she leaves me standing on the top step thinking. 'What in the moons light can she mean?' After leaving the barn I see Applejack having a word with the stallion called Mac, when their conversation ends with Applejack pointing to the house the red stallion looks over Applejack at me and frowns. He nods to Applejack and does a my lips are sealed gesture and walks back to his bucking. "What was that all about?" I ask as Applejack returns to me. "Big Mac won't tell anyone your here, even if they come ta ask." "But why?" "Look!" Applejack points to a small well behind the main house, and low and behold I see Twilight sitting there looking sad. "She's been coming here everyday since that night!" "You knew?" "Of course ah knew! She told me the day after, ah think she regrets it, but ah can't for the life of me figure out why?" Applejack scratches her head. "Maybe ya can go and speak ta her, ah think it's what she wants." "You really think so?" "Yup." Applejack replies, smiling at me. "Thank you, Applejack." I give Applejack a peck on the cheek, causing her to blush. "Well, Git going!" Applejack says, nudging me with her muzzle. I slowly walk over to the well behind the house, though I don't know exactly what I'm going to say. "Twilight?" She turns to me, tears well up in her eyes, just before I thought she was going to run, she sprints to me and hugs me bursting into tears and crying. "Twilight? I..." She looks up at me half sobbing. "I couldn't......Talk to you...." Twilight puts her head back into my chest. "...I didn't know what to say." "Twilight? How many times do I have to tell you?" I lift her head up with a hoof. "You can tell me anything." I let her head go and rest my chin on her head. I wrap one of my wings around her body. After a few minutes of Twilight crying, she finally regains some composure. "I couldn't tell you! I didn't know how to tell you! When I found out the day after, I was worried that you would never see me again!" I unfold my wing and lift her into the air with my front legs, I land in a small section of the orchard well away from the house and the ponies working. "Now Twilight, what has you so worked up that you think I'll leave you?" Twilight hesitates, almost like she doesn't want to tell me. "I'm pregnant!" Well if anything in your life can and will hit you like a ton of bricks it was that! Twilight lowers herself to the ground and sobs, mean while I am struck almost dumb, and the only thing I can say is... "What! But! But! How? I mean it was only 2 days ago! Shouldn't signs like that take at least a week or two to show up? I mean your not even in heat yet.....right?" While still covering her head with both of her legs Twilight replies. "I know! I looked every where! Every book I could find! None of them could tell or even had information on accelerated pregnancy, I didn't even know it was possible!" I look down to Twilight and smile. "Then we better get advice, don't you think?" Twilight stops crying and looks at me confused. "Ad....Advice?" "Well yes. I have never been a father and since it was your first time, I guess you've never been a mother before?" Twilight stands up. "You really.....mean it?" Twilight wipes the tears from her eyes. "I sure do! I have been searching my whole life looking for a family, and now I have found it." I walk forward and hug Twilight, kissing her on the forehead. "Now, do you have any idea who to talk to when it comes to parenting?" "Well there is the Cakes, they have been parents now for months, they would have some advice for first time parents." "Well better late than never, shall we go?" I gesture by opening my wings and Twilight follows by opening hers, before we take off she kisses me and takes off. "Come on, Mr Sparkle." She giggles. "Hey, wait up!" I shout after Twilight takes off like a rocket. "Damn! She's faster than she looks!" I say to myself laughing as we both twirl through the air. It's been great so far, I have found my true love, met lots of wonderful ponies and now for the first time I am going to be a father. Even with the magical abilities I possess, I never could have foreseen the events to come and that was the biggest shock I could ever imagine. > Unexpected Party Guest (Re-edited and Revised 13/06/2014) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's been four days now. Twilight and I are better than ever. However most of the other elements apart from Applejack are starting to get suspicious. Twilight's attitude has been calm and collected as usual but now she is prone to some spates of irritability and short temper, more than once I have come home to Twilight's place and found her lying body deep in books. After a short spell in town picking up some groceries, I return home to find Pinkie talking to Twilight. "It's going to be great!" Pinkie Pie says, doing her famous hyper bouncing. "There's going to be cake, cupcakes, lots of balloons, Animals, It will be fun fun fun!" I can tell Twilight has had Pinkies company for quite some time as she lets out a small groan. I walk into the library's main floor as Pinkie and Twilight both look up as I enter. Pinkie is the first to respond. "Hi, Valder!" Pinkie giggles. "Looking forward to your party today? It will be so fun!" Pinkie dances around me giggling in her weird but funny way. "Oh! Is that the time!" Pinkie says looking at her vacant front leg, I raise an eyebrow. "Well I got to go, busy busy busy!" And just like that, Pinkie disappears. "I still can't get used to that." I laugh with a smile on my face, then I notice Twilights sombre expression. "Twilight? What's wrong?" She looks at me. "The princesses are coming to the party!" She wails. "They are? That's good news then, we can tell them together." Twilight stands and walks over to hug me. "You don't under stand! Princesses are joined with a suitor when they feel it's the right time!" I can feel the nervousness in her tone. "Twilight, you know that's not true, just look at your brother and Cadence, she's a princess but she choose your brother instead." After hearing that Twilight lets me go and calms down. "Now Twilight, you get so worked up over nothing, I'm sure it will be ok." If I knew how wrong I was, I would have stayed away from the party, but as I thought, It was far from the truth. A few hours later and the party was in full swing, almost everypony was there, who would want to miss one of Pinkies party's anyway. After meeting a few of the ponies I found Twilight near the food table. "Twilight, this is great! I didn't know Pinkies party's where so famous!" I wave my arm in a look at it gesture, but Twilight seemed preoccupied. "Um? Are you ok Twilight?" She turns to me shaking. "What's wrong?" She lifts a piece of paper. "The princesses are on their way." She folds the paper and places it down, "I don't know what to do Valder, what do I say?" She then sits down and puts two hooves over her eye's. "What will they do when they find out?" I put a hoof around her neck. "Then we will sort that out when the time comes, alright?" I ask as I wipe the small veil of tears out of her eyes. After our small conversation we spread out and start to mingle with the new guests that have arrived, It wasn't long before the royal carriage touched down in the town centre, though at that time I didn't notice the princesses walking towards Twilight. It seemed most of Ponyville had gotten used to their presence and didn't make a big fuss about them, both of the princesses approached Twilight. "Twilight, how nice to see you." Twilight turns after hearing the soft regal voice. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna! How nice to see you here." Twilight gasps for air, "did you have a nice trip? Not too bad I hope?" Twilight pours some punch for the two princesses from the nearby table and hoofs them over. "No, Not at all," Celestia says, Luna nods in agreement. "So?" Celestia starts looking around. ".....Where's this new pony that the party is for? I heard he's very special?" "Yes, one has heard this information as well, where is thou one you speak of?" Luna pitches in. Twilight looks around frantically trying to find me in the town centre, she finds me talking to two ponies near a fruit stand. "Wait here princesses, I'll go get him!" Twilight walks off leaving the two princesses enjoying the party and nodding to ponies that bow as they walk past. "Valder!" Twilight calls as she approaches me. "The princesses are here!" I bow to the ponies I am talking to and forgive them for cutting our conversation short, they bow back and walk off. "Twilight, how you holding up?" "I think I'm about to burst, Is that bad?" She looks at me as we walk back. "Only if you want it to be, Twilight." We reach the area where the princesses are waiting, as we get nearer I feel the same strange feeling I felt when I came to Ponyville, this time however it was much stronger. I see the princesses standing near a food table drinking some of the punch, then as I lay my eyes on them something hits me, a pain so big it causes me to stumble. Twilight looks back and shouts. "Valder!" Everypony near by stops and looks shocked, I sprawl on the floor almost bending in two, pain racking every inch of my body. The princesses come over only to stop short as they see a white alicorn flickering black then back to white. Where there was once beautiful white eyes with blue irises were now just red. The screaming of pain coming from a voice that was not mine, Twilight goes to help and Princess Celestia stops her. "No, Twilight! You must leave here, now!" Princess Luna starts to push other ponies back trying to get them to leave. "What's happening!?" Twilight shouts out, almost on queue a flash of dark red energy lifts my prone form off the floor and into the air, then like some caterpillar evolving, the energy envelopes me. Forming a solid circle around me it starts to spark and red lightning bounces of nearby tables and tree's, the wind and magical force starts to swirl around the town centre getting stronger. It lifts tables, chairs, even some of the smaller ponies get tossed around. Most of the ponies have now run away leaving only the elements, the princesses, and the few too scared to move. The princesses order all of the ponies left to move back behind them as they put up a defensive shield to protect against the dark energy, "STAY BEHIND US!" Celestia shouts as the sound gets louder and louder. "WHATS GOING ON!?" Twilight shouts as she moves beside the two sisters, Celestia looks down while sweating with effort keeping the shield active. "Twilight, You must stay back! We never thought he would return, after so many years, we thought he was dead!" Luna now looks at her sister, "Sister, You mean it's...HIM!" Luna looks around at the energy with hurt in her eyes. '.....HIM,' Luna thinks to her self. A huge blast of energy pulses out, knocking over everyone in the town square, even breaking the defensive shield of the princesses. Tree's once rooted deep are now uplifted and toppled, as the smoke clears, the ponies are all laying on their sides. Recovering from the blast the ponies try to shake off the dizzyness and try to focus into the centre, but what greets them is not what they expected at all. An alicorn stands before them, his fur is jet black his eye's are red like rubies and his mane is as red as blood, All the while flowing like some majestic river. Before anypony could speak, the figure steps forward and says with a grin. "Hello my pretties! Darksides BACK!" He lets out a laugh that causes clouds and red lightning to fall all around, Celestia looks up and in a tone of disbelief and for the first time fear, Says..... "No..." > Darkside Returns (Re-edit and Revision 13/06/2015) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "No! It can't be! You are dead, I saw it with my own eyes!" Celestia shouts lowering into a fighting stance, her horn glowing brightly. Darkside just stands and grins. Darkside laughs. "Oh come now princess, you really think you could destroy me? It's pathetic really, the great and powerful Celestia and her wayward sister." He looks at Luna and she growls, "No-one ever had the power to destroy me, but it's curious? How did I get released from that awful prison? Ughh! You have no idea what it's like being stuck in a place like that, not even able to speak or do anything yet being conscience all the time." He looks at Luna and points "Well, maybe you do!" Darkside laughs again. "But what's this?" Darkside looks around Celestia and spots the ponies huddling behind her. "Oh, this is rich. I may have been hidden away in that Alicorns mind but i was aware of EVERYTHING!" Twilight covers her head. "You'll never go any further Darkside, we will see to that!" Celestia and Luna step forward in front of Darkside. "You will have to get by us first!" Darkside raises his eyebrow, then confusing everypony just laughs. Celestia and Luna both raise their heads slightly. "You may have defeated me all those centuries ago, but that was because I was weakened, now I am full power!" Darkside points at the princesses. "And You have no chance!" "We will see about that!" Celestia fires a beam of energy at Darkside and he just lifts up his hoof and blocks it, his face never moving from a constant smile. "Is that the best you have princess? Pitiful." Celestia grinds her teeth putting more energy into the beam, yet still it's not enough, Darkside lets out a sigh. "Are you even trying? All these years has made you weak princess." Darkside fires his own magical beam and completely rips Celestia's magic apart, hitting her full force. Celestia flies back through the air beyond the six friends still huddling in the open. They watch as Celestia's form slumps near by and doesn't move. "Oops! How nasty of me!" Darkside states holding a hoof to his mouth and cackling behind it. As he cackles Princess Luna steps up. "Now we are getting somewhere. Lets see what you have Luna." Luna fires blasts of energy, Almost every second and Darkside blocks everyone. "He truly is stronger than he was, but how can we beat him?" Luna thinks to herself as she continues her onslaught. Luna never gives up even when Darkside starts to walk towards her. As Darkside paces forward, Luna starts to feel the drain of her magic, this type of attack was never meant to be kept up for this long. Luna fires off three more blasts before slumping to the floor. "Out of energy so soon? Tsk tsk Luna, It was a good effort though." Twilight looks on in horror as Luna is picked up in Darksides power and smacked to the ground again and again, then she is thrown into a nearby tree, badly injured Luna doesn't move, small trails of blood leaving her mouth. "Luna! Celestia!" Twilight turns to both in saying their names, but gets no reply as they are both motionless. She then turns to Darkside. "What have you done?!" Darkside turns his attention to the pony who dares to address him. "What have I done?....What have I done? I have done what should have been done long ago, taken out the two weak leaders of this disgraceful land!" Darkside walks towards the huddled ponies, but Twilight steps in his way. "What have we here? Suddenly got guts have we young one?" "I will stop you, I have too!" "You? What chance do you have that they did not?" Darkside points to the now prone princesses. "I may not be much in your eye's but I have one advantage." Twilight says. "And what is that?" "YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN ME BEFORE!" Twilight lets out a blast of energy and it catches Darkside off guard, It hits him causing a small scorch mark on his shoulder. "You little pest!" Darkside's grin drops from his face. "You will pay for that!" But as Darkside uses his horn something unexpected happens and Darksides energy stalls, Twilight notices his energy flicking back and forth between red and white. "No! It can't be! You're gone! I'm now in control Valder!" Darkside starts fighting with himself, talking to a voice only he can hear. "I won't let you harm her!" "Fool, If you fight it will tear us apart." "I don't care, If it means she will be safe with my death then so be it!" Twilight stands bemused about what was going on until she senses something, Just under the malice and hatred of Darkside there's a twinge, Just a small amount of love and compassion. "Valder?" "No, I will not let you out, You are weak!" "You are weak Darkside, you have no idea the strength of love as you have never felt it!" "Noooo!" Darkside's body seems to shake and then go limp but manages to stay standing. Twilight stands unaware of what happened in Darksides head, then as Darkside's eyes reopen they are not red but the white and blue Twilight knows. "Valder is that you?" The Dark pony nods, she runs up to me and cries "I thought I lost you?" Twilight says hugging me tightly. "Twilight, I don't know how long I can keep him at bay, I......Must leave." Twilight now pushes away. "What why? No! Please don't leave me!" Twilight now goes back and holds me tighter. "You don't understand Twilight, If I don't go he will come back, I may not have the power to beat him again." Twilight Sobs but Valder turns to the others. "Guys, friends, I may have not known you for too long but I have come to know you and trust you as my friends, trust in me that if I knew this THING was in me I would never have come here at all. I ask you please take care of Twilight for me, and I will be entirely grateful." I look back at Twilight and wipe the tears from her eyes. "I love you Twilight, from the very first moment I met you, I will always be with you." I kiss her and then push her away with my magic, Twilight lands in the hands of her friends, I use my horn and teleport away. Twilight holds out her hoof and says, "I love you too, my love." > Everfree The journey Begins > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Princess Celestia, It has been a whole week since Valder Sacrificed himself for all of Ponyville, I still miss him greatly, But the reason for this letter is that after the fight you promised me that you would find him, I don't want to push but i keep having this dream that he reaches out to me, Then as i focus on him he gets pulled away, I know you and Luna are heavly injured and can not personnally join the search, But i was asking if you had any new information?, Your former student Twilight., Twilight puts down the letter, "Spike!, Are you here?," Spike now recently returned from his vacation Pops a head out of the kitchen, It took a while to explain to spike what happened when he was gone but after he understood he became a proper trooper, Helping all over the library and not even questioning or complaining, "Yes, Twilight i'm here, Whats a matter?," Spike rushes over and does a quick look around expecting to find something, "I just have a letter to send off to Celestia," Spike walks forward and grabs the letter, "No problem, Spike the dragon at your service," He says sporting a small bow, Twilight noticed a change in him after she told him she was pregnant, Though he was sometimes overbearing in help, It brought a smile to her face, Spike walks to the window and with a small burst of fire he sends it away, "Thanks spike," "Twilight can i ask you something?," "What is it?," "Ummm it's about the......Baby, I just want to know.....Um," "Spike," "I just want to know, What will i be to It?," Twilight looks curious, "You want to know what you'll be to the foal," Spike looks down and goes red, "Um....Yeah," "Why you ask?" "I have never known where i came from, And i have always though of you as my.....Mum, So i wanted to know what i'll be to the new arrival," "Well, I suppose in that way you would be the foals brother," Spike Glows at the news and just as he turns to happly walk off he puffs out a letter, "Oh a reply from Celestia," Twilight dashes forward and Grabs it as spike lifts it up, Dear Twilight, I was nice of you to write to me and Luna, But i have kept my promise and have had my royal guards out checking every corner of equestria since Valders disapperance, I however have recieved a report from a guard sent to check the Everfree Forest, He has reported that he has detected a huge surge in magical force yet it wasn't there a week ago, I have sent more of my guards to Everfree to check out this disturbance, I will write back if it turns up anything but please don't get your hopes up it could just be displaced energy, Your former mentor Celestia. Twilight, Thinks about the letter for a while then turns to spike, "Spike, Gather the girls, We need to talk," Spike runs to the door, "What will you do Twilight?" "Learn as much as i can about the Everfree forest," It took Half an hour to gather all the 5 friends, But spike managed to get all of them in the library, "Twilight, What is this all about?" Applejack says while looking slightly annoyed, "I have apples to buck and a whole Field to do," "Sorry girls, I know it's short notice but i need your help," "Now darling, You know we are here for you no matter what," Rarity states after putting a hoof around Twilight, "Yeah," They all say at once, "Ok, I Think Valders still alive and somewhere in the Everfree Forest," All the mane six gasp in shock, "He's still alive," Pinkie repeats, "Well, I think he is yes," "You think?," Applejack rubs her head, "And he's in the Everfree Forest," "Yes," "But why?" "I recieved a letter from Celestia that one of her guards was out searching Everfree, He reported back that a magical force was out in the forest and it wasn't there a week ago," Twilight looks out her window and towards the Everfree Forest, "But how do you know the energy is Valder," Rainbow dash does a wave gesture with her hoof, Twilight sighs, "Ever since that night, I have been seeing Valder in my dreams, He reaches for me but as i reach out he gets yanked away like something is stopping him," Twilight turns and stamps her hoof, "And i will not stay here when there could be a chance he is out there," The others look at one another then Applejack Walks forward, "Then we leave, immediately," Twilight hugs Applejack, "Thank you," After spending 2 hours getting supplies and making sure all their other buisness was taken care of, The 6 friends met up outside the Everfree Entrance, Twilight speaks to all the other ponys before they enter, "I know we have been in the forest before, But this time we are going deeper than ever before, If any of you want to back out now i will not blame you," Twilight looks at each inturn, All she gets back is a nod from each, Even fluttershy seems to be holding back her emotions, Twilight smiles, She looks into the dark forest trying to reach out with her mind, "I'm coming," All the six friends then charge into the blackness. > Everfree: The Showdown > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Twilight, We have been walking for almost 3 days, Are you sure you know where your going?" Applejack says while very tired and weary, Twilight stops and turns, "Well maybe we can have a break, This seems like a good spot," All the 5 flop down, Catching a breath, Twilight sits away from the group and looks over a small hill seeing just endless forest, She begins to cry, "Help me find you, Tell me, Give me anything, I know you are here, Just give me a sign," Twilight wispers to her self, Tears now welling in her eye's, Then almost as if she fell asleep, She faints on the hill leaving all the others rush over unable to wake her, Twilight wakes up, The ground is soft almost cloud like, Theres bright white light all around, Theres no other landmarks or ponies in sight, She cries out, "Hello?, Is anyone there?, Where am i?" As Twilight walks forward she feels it's like that dream, That no matter how fast you run, What ever you are heading toward still gets further away, Twilight starts to panic, After almost hyper ventilating she sits and starts to cry, "What does this all mean, Where am i?", "You are in my mind Twilight," The mysterious voice causes her to bolt up, looking all around she can't find the source of it, "Don't be afraid Twilight, I said i would never leave you, And i meant it," Twilight squints her eye's as a figure strides out of a patch of white light, Wings held up, "Valder, Is.....Is that you?," When the figure comes between her and the light her wishes are forfilled, She runs to the white figure and hugs him, "I miss you so much, I just want you back," She closes her eye's never wanting to lose this moment, "I have come for you, I have heard your messages, I want to save you," The figure puts his wing around Twilight losing her in it's embrace, "Twilight, You must leave here," The figure lifts up her head, "I sent those dreams to keep your memory of me alive, Not to come on some foolish errand," Twilight backs away, "Foolish.......But i thought," Then just like that the white visage turns black, "Awwwww, Did i make the famous Princess Sparkle cry? Hahahahaha," The white figure fades away leaving only a black horse with a red mane flowing like water, "Your precious little prince isn't going any where, My dear, You see he used up the last of his energy teleporting my body here, In this gastly forest, I don't know how but i can't leave either, It seems this forest has barrier for any shall we say....." Darkside waves his hoof in a circle, ".....Evil types," Darkside points his horn and Twilight gets enveloped in a red magic field unable to move, "What have you done to him," Twilight asks the hatred so resonate in her voice, Darkside taken aback by this sudden out burst replys "Oh, I havn't done anything to him, He's right here," Darkside points to his temple, "Safe and sound, But i digress, The reason i have contacted you Princess Sparkle, Is that i have a proposition for you," "What could you possibly offer me," Twilight exclaims still with the scowl on her face, "Your lover for a start, And maybe all your friends lives," Darkside waves a hoof and an image of the real world shimmers into view, Twilight gasps as all her friends are now also passed out beside her body, "All you have to do Twilight Sparkle is do a bit of magic, Just a small piece and it will all be over, You and him can go back to your silly little house or tree and have as many young foals as your hearts desire," "Whats the catch?" Twilight looks questionaly, "Well it's so small, You probley wouldn't even break a sweat, All you have to do is split me in two," "WHAT?" "Sorry i should have worded that better, I meant split me in two mentally," "what will that achieve?" "OH for Celestias former student you are quite dumb arnt you?" He taps her on her head, "The spell in question can remove one ponies, Shall we say mind from anothers, It will basically pull "HIM" from my head and i'll be free," "Thats it and you'll leave us alone," "Look i may be evil but i do have principles, With him in my head it's giving me a bad image, Though i can probley say it may be due to my excessive killing," Darkside shrugs, "Fine, I'll do it," "Oh goody, Glad you saw it my way," Darkside flicks his head and the whole world changes, "I think this is more the setting don't you think," Twilight looks around at the new location, It seems like a graveyard but with not many graves, just blank tombstones, She also notices that the energy field holding is now gone too, "What do i have to do?" She asks, "Oh yes thats right, You havn't done a spell like this before, Let me show you," Darkside pushes his front hoof to Twilights forehead, She goes blank for a few seconds and see's clearly what needs to be done, "What was that?" She shockenly questions, "That my dear was a mind transferance spell, Basically i gave you some of my spell knowledge just by touching you," "I didn't know you could do that?" "Yeah well ask your former mentor, She's the one that was supposed to teach you magic," Darkside punches out his left front hoof, "Enough of this stalling, are you going to do the spell or not," "Yes," Twilight goes into her magical stance and focuses on Darkside, "Yes, Yes, I feel it," Darkside Flinches, "Wait! Somethings wrong, What are you doing?" Darkside holds his head as suddenly his body starts to split not just his mind, "No! This was not our deal.....AGGHHHHHH!," With almost a tearing sound Darksides body rips apart, Twilight falls to the floor exhausted after the effort, she looks up just as the magic aura dissapates, What she see's causes her to smile, To the right of where Darkside was standing, I now stand holding my head but to the left, Darkside now stands, Still holding his painful pose, "Valder!," Twilight gallopes up and graps me, "Twi...Twilight, What happend?, Why....Why am i here?," "I saved you from him," She points over to where Darkside is checking to see if he is in one piece, "DARKSIDE!" I shout, Darkside looks over, "Great, You are not what i wanted to see today," Darkside brushes down his mane and fur, "You will not leave here alive Darkside, I will see to that!," "Oh please, You can't kill me, I am you remember," "Not any more," Twilight now stands before Darkside, "What do you mean, Not any more?," "I saw that your spell could be modfied to split you at the genetic level, You and Valder are now seperate beings," I flex my wings and crick some bones, "This will be fun," I grin, Darkside just growls and mimics my stance, I am the first to move firing a blast of magic, Though Darkside dodges easily, I fire again and again keeping Darkside on the defensive, "Is this the best you can do?, It's almost like Celestias pitiful attempt," Darkside laughs, Finally he fires back though i don't move but throw up a shield, "Now where have i seen this," Darkside stomps, "Ah yes right before i arrived and defeated the princessess," "You should consentrate more, Instead of babbling," I say, "What?, How dare you!," Darkside then puts everything into his magical beam, I feel my shield breaking as i look over to Twilight, She is holding both front hooves over her mouth, Shocked by the power she is witnessing, I smile, "You know Darkside, You should have learned from Twilight," "Learned what?, How to be weak and disgracful," "No, How to love someone so much that no matter the risk, You will always be there for them," "As i said, Weak," "Oh really?," I wink in Twilights direction and she starts to look confused, "You look tired Darkside whats a matter can't keep up?" "Don't.....Mock.......Me!" Darkside snarls lathered in sweat, Just as i thought he was going to give up, Darkside roars and dumps the last of his energy into the beam, "Thats it!, Just as i thought you would," I think to my self, As the new wave of energy hits my shield, I drop it and dodge to the side, The torrent of energy surges past, And in one flap of my wings i propel myself at a fast speed towards Darkside, Before he can respond i hit him, Plunging my horn through his chest, I hear Twilight cry out, But i ignore her as i lift Darkside off the floor raising him up, Then just as he goes to say something i charge the tip of my horn and with a internal "Whommpf," Darkside explodes into tiny pieces of white light, I lower my head panting and breathing rapidly, Next thing in know Twilight grabs my rear leg, I smile and say, "Lets go wake the others," After reaching the clearing where the others where still sleeping, I touched my horn to each of their heads in turn and each woke groggy but ok, "What in the hay just happened," Applejack rubs her eye's and spots me, "Valder, Well i'll be a snake in the grass, Your alive," "Yup, And i have Twilight to thank," "So what you going to do now?" "First we need to get out of here, Then i have some apologizing to do to the princessess," I turn to Twilight, "Lets go home," > Valders Confession > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upon finding the way out of Everfree Forest, We came across several of Celestias guards, At that time we were glad to see them, Right upto the point they arrested me, "Whats going on?" Twilight asks by approching the lead guard, "Guard i demand an answer," She stomps her foot, The guard turns and upon seeing Twilight he bows, "Sorry princess, But we have orders to return Valder to Canterlot," The guard remains bowed, "This is ridiculous, Who gave the order," Twilight looking now angry as ever, The guard mean while doesn't dare lift his head, A small bead of sweat falls from under his helmet, "The order came from the princessess," The guard answers, Twilight goes to question the guard again, Until i put a hoof on her shoulder, "Twilight , Please," She looks down, "But i just found you, They have no right to take you away from me again!" I smile and walk to the guards but turn back, "You won't lose me again," I nod to the guards and they fly with me off to Canterlot, Leaving Twilight behind, I think to my self, "What could the princessess possibly want with me?," After a short flight from the forest to the castle, I am left in what seems like a small vistors room though even this is big, Even for me!, I turn away from a nearby painting after hearing a guard cough behind me, "The princessess will see you now," The guard exclaimed will holding a deep frown, I am lead to another chamber where i witness the decore change from bright colours to more darker hues, "The princessess are inside," The guard turns to walk away but stops before looking at me, "We WILL be watching you!," And on that note he leaves, I knock on the door which is detailed with both sun and moon icons, "Come in," I hear from the other side, I gently push the door open and stick my head in, At the back of the room i see Princess Celestia sitting next to Princess Luna who i am happy to see awake, But my eye's quickly notice the bandages and dressings both are sporting, Yet Luna seems to be the worst, "Ah Valder, Please come in, Me and my sister would like a word with you," My ears drop and i lower my head trying to look smaller, But with my natural size it just comes of as ungainly, "Princessess, Let me be the first to apolo-," My sentence is stopped by Celestia holding up her hoof, I instantly lower my self to the ground almost groveling, I felt pathetic and scared, "Valder, What has happend cannot be undone, Someone is to pay for this crime," I swallow, And start too sweat, "And i believe that pony already has," My ears semi raise, "Princess....?" I look confused more than ever, "Darkside was defeated by you, And since it was Darkside and not you that perpatrated these acts, Then the punishment has been forfilled," Celestia waves her hoof and Twilight comes out of the shadows, And for the first time i see Luna smiling, "Twilight came to us after the guards arrested you and told us everything that happend," Twilight comes over and rubs against me with a large grin on her face, "After hearing Twilights testimony, I have pardoned you from all the charges while under Darksides influence," I see Princess Luna move forward to speak and i wince at the damage done to her, I break down slightly, "Valder," she speaks, "Thou has done a great service to us and all of Equestria, And thou shall recieve your reward," Luna looks to her sister, "Yes Valder as of now you are Prince of Equestria and....," The princess looks at Twilight, ".....You can legally wed Princess Twilight," Twilights face beams, I look in a state of shock and almost suffer what would be my 4th heart attack since arriving in Ponyville, I sit down quickly and feel faint, "I...I....I have no words that can thank you for this great honour, I finally speak," Though i am quite put off as Twilights hoof seems to be getting lower on my flank, Then just as she reaches my tail i stand up quick and squeak, "I....I mean, Is there some where i can sit down with Twilight alone if possible," "Yes, You may use my quarters, Guard please show them the way," A Guard by the door walks forward and gestures for us to follow, After a long walk across many different halls we come to the sunnier more brighter side of the castle, The guard approches two other guards standing watch, He gestures to us and the others look our way and even with my ears i can't understand their conversation, Finally the first guard returns, "You may enter, Princess Celestias honour guard will let you through," He points to the door, I bow my head, "Thank you," The guard looks me up and down before walking off, "I guess not everyone at first will be happy of your princeship," Twilight giggles as she walks past me, "It's not funny," I reply, "After what i did to you, Your friends, The princessess, I clearly understand their causiousness," We both pass the guards as they open the large door with magic, "Enjoy your stay, Princess," The guard speaks, While i notice completely ignoring me, The door shuts behind us making almost no sound, As i turn away from the door i am greeted with a large room surrounded by pillers of solid gold and marble, I step further in and at that point i felt small, "So what do you think?" Twilight waves about the room, "Impressive," Which at that point is all i could say, Nothing else came to mind, "Twilight....," I start to question, Twilight places a hoof on my mouth, "I will have no regrets spoken here," she kisses me, I pause for a second then grab her before she walks away, "Twilight, You know back in Ponyville i told you about why i have no cutie mark?," She nods, "Well i wasn't all the truth," "What do you mean?" Twilight now gives me the 'go on' look, "Sigh.....The truth is, I can't," "Can't what," "I can't earn a cutie mark," I sit by the large windows, Leaving Twilight to think about what i said, "But everypony earns one, I don't understand why you can't," She places her hoof on my back and then sits beside me, "It's because i have no destiny," I look her in the eye's, "When i was out traveling, I came across a sooth sayer, She told me that i will never earn whats rightfully mine, That my future was black," I look away back at the sky outside, "Everypony has a destiny Valder, Everypony!" Twilight now stands infront of me causing me to look down, "I have seen and read things that make no sense to the average pony, But everypony knows that cutie marks are part of you, That when you find that special 'talent', It will appear," I smile, "I always thought that i would get my mark in my travels but even then i felt, That nothing i did even came close to what i was supposed to do, To what my special talent was," I move to the what is the bed and lie down putting my head onto the soft pillow, The one thought that never crossed my mind was that i was lying in Celestia's bed, "I feel so ashamed of my self," Turning away from Twilight i start to well up, Twilight walks to the bed and slides in behind me, "I don't care if you have no cutie mark, You'll always be the one i love," I turn in bed, "You mean that?" She looks at me tears now in her eye's, "Of course i do," She hugs me closer folding her wings around my neck, I with my size overlap her wings with mine and tighten the hold, we both lay there in each others embrace for what seems like ages as we both drift off to sleep, Mean while a white figure stands in the doorway and smiles, then closes the door. > Dream Visit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I started to dream, I thought of the home i left behind, The family i missed, But always i was drawn to the events of the last week, I walked through Ponyville smiling as i remember the night in question, Then my face drops as i also remember the night and it's events, As i walk into the clearing that is Ponyville town centre i see the image that still haunts me, Everytime i close my eye's, I see Darkside lifting an unconcious Luna with his magic, The face of Luna though unconcious still bears a hint of forgiveness, I lie down in the clearing and weep, "I'm so sorry....," I look at the others in the same way, The fear, The helplessness, "I just didn't know, I would never of came if i knew," At that point i wasn't saying it to Celestia or Twilights image but to Luna's, I don't know why but i feel something as I lower my head further and turn to walk away the frozen and still image causing me to hate myself, "You shouldn't think that this is your fault Valder," I turn to find the source of the voice, "Who's there?" I charge my horn as a mist forms infront of me, I relax though as it turns into an unblemished Luna, "Luna, What are you doing here," "I came to speak with you," I sit, "Well, I'm not going anywhere," I gesture for her to sit beside me, Of which i notice that she does not hesitate, "What do you want to talk about?" Luna looks at me a small smile appears but still the hint of sadness is visible, "I know how you feel, I still have thoughts about when i was nightmare moon," Luna looks at the frozen image of her being lifted by Darkside, I'm sure I saw her shiver, "Why do you still visit this memory, And not just forget it," I look down at her then back at the image, "I can't forget it, What i did was, Unforgivable, Even by Equestrias laws," "But you were cleared of all this, By me and my sister," Luna places her right hoof on my back, "Was i?, I may have been by you and Celestia but i still see the anger in others," "It will take time but soon ponies will see you for who you truly are," I notice Luna now faces me completely, I also see tears in her eye's, "Look at me, When i was saved all people saw me as what i was, Nightmare Moon not Princess Luna, But when Twilight showed me that being myself and letting go once in awhile, I have been happier because of it," "But really, Do you want me to know there could be evil such as that in me," I point at Darkside, Luna grabs me by the sholders, "Don't think that, Ever!," Luna looks at me with small beads of tears in her eye's, I think to myself that Luna is pretty cut-, My train of thought is cut off by Luna now kissing me, I pull away and with a shocked expression, "Luna, What are you doing!?," Luna hovers for a moment in some half kiss stupor, "I wanted to see what Twilight saw in you," She leans forward, "And now i see it,Ii'm jealous," Luna bats her eyelashes, "Um, Luna why are you looking at me like that?" She grabs me around the neck and we tumble backwards, As we finish rolling i notice that Luna has gotten bigger, "what, How did you......Get bigger," I start to feel a tension between us and it was the good kind, "Oh this, It was spell i've been working on, It allows you to increase your size to match the other pony your looking at," Luna places her nose close to mine, "You like it?," She asks dragging a hoof through my mane, "I.....I...," Then i feel my body heat up, "Oh, Screw this," I shout as i roll over pinning Luna to the ground, She looks shocked, "Valder, That was.....Rough," I thought about apologizing, "I like rough," she kisses me again this time i don't push away, "Luna, I never thought you to be this kinky," Luna gives me a 'all you had to was ask' look, I kiss her again, At the same time Luna reaches down and strokes my erection i never felt appear, "It's seems something wants to play," She giggles, "Yeah you have that effect," "I bet i do," She unfolds her rear legs and puts them around my waist, "I want you, Valder, i always have," I suddenly click and push off her, "Whats wrong?," Luna now looks worried, "Was it something i said?," "I can't not like this, I love Twilight, I can't betray her like this," Luna sits up, "But your not," I look at her confused, "This is your mind we are in, Not reality, What you wish to do here is entirely on you," "I'm sorry Luna i can't," I spread my wings and fly off, Leaving Luna behind, "Damn, I was so close, why doesn't he remember me or us," Luna stamps her hoof, "But i will find out, Valder, I will find out," I awake to a constant tapping to my ribs, "I'm up, I'm up," I get greeted by a smiling Twilight already dressed in royal regalia, "Twilight whats going on?" I rub my eye's and notice it's morning, "Wake up sleepy head, Time for your public appearence," "Public Appearence?," "Yes silly, You think becoming a prince you would just go about your buisness," She giggles, "You have to be officially introduce to Canterlot by a royal reception, then do a tour of all neighbouring towns and citys in equestria," "Uh huh," Still half asleep i nod, Then a knock comes at the door to Celestias chambers, Twilight trots over and opens it with a small burst of magic, "Celestia, Luna," I hear Twilight call, I quickly hide in the changing area of the room, I notice a small note attached to a pile of cloth, Prince Valder, Please wear this for the royal meeting today, It should fit you, After all you look so much like father, Yours respectivly Princess Celestia,' "Where's Valder?," Celestia asks, "Oh he's just getting ready, First day and all," They all laugh, "Ok, I'm coming out," I walk out of the changing area clad in what seems to be cerimonial armour of gold and silver, I see patterns of battles and words so finely carved into it, "I hope i'm wearing it right," I look up as Celestia walks over, "It looks great on you," She lifts over a helmet and puts it on my head, then she steps back and turns to Luna, "Luna can you see the resemblance," Luna comes beside Celestia, "Yes, I can my sister, Father would be so proud, Just like.....," "Luna! We agreed not to speak of that yet," Luna nods and walks back to the door, "Now Valder, Shall we go?, The crowd is getting restless," She points with her hoof and i follow all of them out, I give a small look to Luna and she gives me a small smile, After that we spent the whole way to the gathering not saying much, I answered a few questions that Celestia threw my way, But all i could think about was the dream last night, Was it real?, I coudn't tell but then again i didn't question it either. > You Again! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I walked alongside Twilight and Celestia, Always thinking about what happend in my dream, I side glance at Luna, If she showed any emotion from last night, She was good at hiding it, Almost as if she could sense me her ears picked up and looked at me, Suddenly realising she was stareing my way i raised my head high and gave her a cheeky grin, Luna giggled, "Prince Valder," Celestia started, "This is a great day for you as you take your place in Equestrian royalty," She stops turns to me and smiles, "And is also a great day for you and my former student," Twilight blushes, But i notice Luna's head lowers, "Luna, We must prepare the crowd," Celestia and Luna unfold their wings and walk through a set of gold curtains to a balcony, Where Princess Celestia starts to address the crowd, "People of Canterlot, Today we celebrate a momentous occasion, Today a new face is added to our royal family," Celestia turns to the curtain and i notice a small nod my way, I walk forward, But just before i reach the curtain, Twilight stops me and gestures with her wings, "Hold your wings up," She says, "Why?" I reply "It's makes you more regal," I nod and unfold my wings, My wingspan equally as big as Celestias, With one small gulp of air, I walk out onto the balcony, Celestia carries on, "Today we mark the rise of a new prince, Prince Valder of Equestria," The crowd goes wild, It was the greatest thing i've ever seen, Thousands of Caterlot and Surrounding town's citizens line the castle grounds, I give them a wave, "Oh, Your good!" I freeze, I look around trying to understand who said that, "Close, But not warmer," The voice lets out a laugh, "Who are you?" I think to myself, "Oh, Are you really that naive, The great Prince Valder," Another laugh is heard, "With all that time i spent in your head, The least you could do was remember me!" I now start to panic, "Darkside, But how?" I now start to notice the princessess looking at me, "Valder is everything alright?" Celestia asks, "I'm fine, It's just alot for me to take in," Celestia nods, "Then perhaps you would like to rest awhile, Me and Luna can finish here," I nod and bow as i take my leave, I notice Luna not taking her eye's off me until i walked out of sight, "Maybe it was not a good idea," Luna turns back to her sister, Seeing confusion on her face Luna continues, "I mean giving him a princehood, It seems it hasn't quite sunk in yet," Celestia nods, "But it was the right thing to do given his past with us," Celestia lowers her head and a tear forms, "Then maybe we should tell him, Atleast let him know who he is," "And what then? Do you think he will believe us? That armour was the last piece to the puzzle, If he didn't react to it, Then what he was is lost," Luna walks back to the curtain, "I just don't believe that, I really don't, I want to tell him more than anything," "I know you do sister, But we have no idea what that will do, It could tear his mind asunder," Celestia gives the crowd one final verbal send off before turning to Luna, "We will know when it is the right time, And only then will we truly find out, It's him!" Luna rubs her head against Celestias wing, "Thank you, Sister," And they both re-enter the castle, I walk along a small hallway the seems out of the way before i confront the voice again, "How did you do it?" "Well contrary to popular belief, I am not stupid, I knew your precious Twilight would see the flaw in my spell, So i kept just enough of me back to annoy you, And it seems like i was succesful," I frown, Then why now, And not after the battle," There's a long pause, "Darkside," Another pause, "You know, You have a wonderful mind, Even i havn't seen it all, But there's a place i can't go, Curious," I start to wonder what he means, "How so?" "It seems there is an area in your mind sealed by magic, I cannot bypass it," I hear the tension in his voice, "Maybe it was sealed for a reason?" "Hmm, Just makes me wonder, The memories contained within date back to when the princessess were born," I stop, "Really?" Stupid question of course it's true, I have felt it sometimes, That missing part of my memories, The time about 1200 years ago, Nothing just blankness, 100 years gone, After that i can remember everything, I rub my head, "Oh, Whats wrong my tampering giving you a headache?," "It's been a long night, I'm just, Still tired," The voice chuckles, "Yes, The dream with Luna was so interesting," I panic, "You saw that?" "Of course i did, I'm not blind, I can see everything you can, Just i am not strong enough to interact....Yet!" I frown again, "You will never take me over again!" All i heard after that was laughter, Strange maniacal laughter, I thought to myself, Who had the only magic back in my past to hide an entire set of memories?, I sat and thought looking out over Canterlot, Until i suddenly realised something, I was the only pony powerful enough to do it, either that or Discord, But he would see no fun in it, The only one who seems to know, Though i didn't tell her, Was Luna, But it seems like she always knew, I have to know, And the only one who will tell me is her, I stand up and run towards Luna's quarters, Just as i arrive Luna is entering through the huge double doors to her bedroom, "Luna!" I shout, She turns smiling to see me, I stop just as i get to her, Panting heavily i demand, "You know something of my past, Why i have 100 years gone from my memories," I notice her two guards approch me, "Tell your guards to stand down Luna or i swear it will be the last thing they do!" Luna see's a small red glow come over my eye's but it passes quickly, Luna waves off her guards and sighs, "Maybe you should come in," She turns and gestures me to follow, Then as i pass she talks to her guards, "Please, We do not wish to be disturbed, The guards nod, After closing the door she looks at me, The anger still present in my face, "You better sit down," she gestures to a cusioned area by the fire, "Because you won't like what you hear!" > The Truth At Last > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I sit down near the fire place, Anger still boiling in me but i managed to suppress it, Luna hovers nearby with a look of pity on her face, I look to her, "Luna, I don't care how you say it, But i need to know, Do you know about the my missing memories?" Luna was shocked at how softly i spoke, I see her face, "I'm sorry about earlier, I just.....Felt so angry, That you and Celestia are keeping something from me," Luna walks over and sits down beside me, "I'm glad you came to me and not my sister, She has a different point of view on what i'm about to say," Luna rests her head on my shoulder but i ignore her, "Luna, All i want is the truth, You know something, Please! Tell me," I feel the presence that is Darkside swirl in my head, "She won't tell you what you really want to know," I flinch still not used to his voice, It's like someone scraping a hoof down a blackboard, No matter how you block it out, It's still there, I move away from Luna and sigh, "Please Luna, Tell me what you know," Luna looks to the fire still burning in the fire place, I think to myself does it ever go out?, "Valder, What i say cannot leave this room, You understand can't you? If my sister was to find out....," I nod to Luna and she continues, "Ok, Well the reason for your memory loss is.....Your doing," I sit half shocked but half excepting as i had recently come to that conclusion, "But what you don't know is why," She stands up and goes to the window seeing the afternoon sun, I place a hoof on her shoulder, "Then please tell me what i must know," She looks at me tears almost in her eye's, "Valder, You are.....Our father," The news stung me, I reeled back, Unable to grasp what she told me, "But.....Thats not possible, How can i be? You and Celestia?" I feel the laughter in my skull, "Oh, This is rich, You are the father of the two most powerful ponies in Equestria, hahahaha "You were here in canterlot, during the reign of Discord, But you were not a normal pony," Luna starts to shed some tears, "You see, You were......." The tears start to flow, "You were Darkside!," I suddenly felt sick, As if all the hatred and pain was forming in my throat, "He was the top general in Discords army, And our mother was his mistress, However something went wrong during birth, Instead of two foals born in Darkness, We were born seperate, I came first, Dark blue and flowing with energy, It pleased him, But then Celestia came and he hated her, One born of darkness and one born of light," I recoil from her and move back to the fire place, I sit down thinking about what she said, "If he was the stronger, How did he come to be, I know i didn't start off as him but...." Luna walks over to me, "That is one piece i cannot tell, For i do not know it, The only being capable is Discord, but he left Canterlot and has not been seen since," I feel several emotions, Hate and regret are the main one's but i don't feel them towards her, I feel them towards him, The one still in my mind, I turn and look at Luna, "Luna i.....Thank you," Is all i can say, When the bedroom door is flung open, "Sister! What have you done?" I see Celestia standing there angry, I have never witnessed her like this, It was quite intimidating, "We agreed on never telling him till it was the right time," I stand up and move infront of Luna, Celestia growls, The anger showing more than ever, "You can't speak to her that way," I speak, "She had the heart to tell me, What you never had the guts to say," Celestia slightly rears up, "You ungratful.....We believed in you, We made you a prince and you still wanted more," "You made me a prince because you saw the good in me, But you never told me what i wanted to know," I stamp a hoof, "All i wanted was the truth, But you couldn't see that," "I couldn't tell you, It was for your own good, We had no idea how you would react, Or how your mind would handle it," "Excuses and more excuses, I should have known coming back here would result in this," The princessess notice my change in voice, I became more gruffer and darker toned, "I came to Luna because she had the knowledge that i wanted and i knew she would tell me," Celestia could see my eye's changing, "Luna! Get away from him!" Celestia shouts out, "No!" I shout, Making the walls shake, "She is my Daughter and you will not take her from me," My horn starts to glow red, Though she hated to do it, Celestia struck first, she sent a powerful blast my way, But it never reached me, At the last second Luna steps in the way, The sound was heard through out the castle and nearby guards came rushing, Luna layed near me, I could not see her moving, Only dead silence came from her, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" I fired the building energy in my horn, But it wasn't a blast, The energy grabbed Celestia and i threw her against the wall, I heard her grunt under the impact, I picked her up again, This time i held her high in the air, And i started to squeeze, At that time Twilight appears in the room, She gasps in horror at what is happening, "Valder, Nooo!" I hear her shout but my eye's focus on Celestia, I feel the energy getting tighter, I see Celestias face turn blue as i slowly crush her, Then from nowhere a powerful blast of magic hits me from behind and i fly across the room, hitting the wall i lose my grip on the princess and she drops gasping for air, I turn to see Twilight panting, Her horn glowing, "You little pest!" I spit in her direction, She fires again and i run forward, Before she can react i hit her full force, At that moment the whole world almost turns a shade of grey as Twilights body rebounds off the nearest piller, And as if just like that my mind returns, The anger i felt, Gone, As if it never existed, I look at the room, The first one i notice is Luna by the fire place, I run over, Panic sets in, "No no no no no," I say to myself, I prod Luna with my hoof, no response, I turn to see Celestia by the door, Now passed out, My panic starts to turn to dread as i now focus on the unconcious body of Twilight by the piller, I sprint to her only to see her face unmoving, I nudge her with my hoof, No response, I turn her over, My face now darkens as i see the gash across her stomach, I then look up and see the blood on the pillar, It then suddenly dawns on me, She hit the pillar gut first, "No, Not the foal, Please!" I shout in fear, I place my ear to her body and, Nothing, I hear no heartbeats, Thinking the worst i grab her and cry loudly, I can still hear the guards shouting and demanding to be let in, I drop Twilight by the fire, I look to the window and open it with my horn's magic, for some reason i can't fathom, It's started to rain, I look back at Twilight, Tears in my eye's, Just as i thought to go back the guards bust in, "There he is, I knew we couldn't trust him," One guard shouts, upon hearing those words, I leap into the air as fast as my wings can take me, But in my haste i missed one crutial speech, A Guard lays by Twilight and puts his ear to her chest, "Medic," He shouts, "She's still alive," > The Pain > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight opens her eye's, The sound of rain and thunder can be heard, But the first thing she hears is the sound of a friendly voice, "Twilight, Your awake!, Oh thank the stars," Twilight turns her head slightly, And comes across the smiling faces of her friends, "We thought you'd never wake," "We were so worried darling," Twilight tries to move but finds her body racked with pain, "Where.....Where am I?" She rasps, "Your in the royal infirmary, In the castle," Twilight looks over to see a young stallion doctor walk over, "You had a nasty injury princess," "Injury, Is that what you call it?" Rainbow dash states by flying at the doctor, "We call it betrayal," The five friends nod in agreement, The doctor sighs, "I am only stating why she is here, If you want to reveal more i will leave that upto you," He points at the elements, "But if you do, Try to keep it down," The doctor then leaves, As he checks on the other patients, "What happened?" Twilight says still half groggy, The five friends suddenly turn sad and no-one speaks first, Then applejack walks forward, "Twilight, We don't know how to say this but, It was Valder who done this too you," Twilight now looks away small tears welling in the corners of her eye's, The friends move to comfort her, But are surprised at what she says next, "It wasn't him," All the elements stop and gasp, "What do you mean Twilight?" Applejack asks "When i arrived, Valder wasn't himself, His eye's were red," The friends reel back, "Darkside!" They all say at once, Twilight nods, Though the pain quickly puts and end to it, Then as if Twilight just got slapped she screams, "THE FOAL! PLEASE TELL ME!", Twilight cry's as she see's the bandage across her waist, "Oh, Please, No!" Twilight is cut off by a reasuring hoof from Fluttershy, "The foal is fine, The doctor says it was undamaged," Twilight sighs a huge sigh of relief, Then starts to look around, "Where's Luna and Celestia?" The five friends show a small sign of grief as they point to the other beds, Twilight moves her head and see's Celestia and Luna in the other infirmary beds heavly bandaged and asleep, "Oh my heavens, Are they going to be alright?" "I can answer that princess," Another doctor says as he walks up to the bed, "Princess Celestia will recover, Though she will be out of action for several days, Princess Luna however is a different story, She seems to be in a.....," The doctor pauses as he thinks the word to say, "I think you call it a dream coma," "A dream coma?" The doctor nods, "Yes, I have always known of Princess Luna's ability to walk in other pony's dreams, But this time i'm afraid, I have no idea what is going on, All attempts to snap her out of it, So to speak, Have all failed," the doctor sighs, "We have all come to a decision to let her ride this out, As none of us has experience in this," Twilights face drops, "Maybe Princess Celestia can help?" "Maybe, But like i said, Celestia will be out of it for some time," After looking at Luna for a few more seconds Twilight looks back to the doctor, "Wait, If we are all here, Who's running Canterlot?" The doctor then remembers some information, "Ah, Yes right, I was told your brother Prince Armour is coming from The Crystal Empire to, Fill in the royal gap," Then as if on que the infirmary door opens, Shining Armour in his 'Shining armour' stands in the doorway, A happy smile on his face, "Twily, Your ok!" He runs over and hugs her causing her to wince, He pulls back, "Sorry, Forgot about that! I was so worried about you, After i heard what happend, I came as fast as i could," Twilight looks at him also with a smile, "It's nice to see you too brother, I hope everything in the empire is ok?" "Yes, Me and Candence with the help of the crystal ponies have really turned it into a true city again," "Thats nice to hear, I knew you two could do it," Twilight still smiling looks to her friends, "Guys, Can you give us a minute?" The five remaining friends all nod and file out of the room, "Brother, You know about the foal right?" Shining Armour Sits down, "Yes twily, And i'm happy for you, but it's just that i.....," "What is it brother?" "I don't want to see you hurt again, I have every guard i can spare out looking for him," Twilights smile drops, "I don't want you to hurt him, I want him brought back unharmed," Shining Armour stands up, "You know i can't do that! He attacked the princessess and you," "No, It wasn't him! It was the thing inside of him, When he becomes emotional, It just takes over, He can't help it," Shining Armour walks to the end of her bed, "Please, Promise me brother, That you won't hurt him, Bring him back to me, I still love him!" Shining Armour stops and looks to Twilight, "I promise, I wont harm him," Twilight relaxes, "Thank you, Brother," Twilight sinks into her pillow and falls asleep again, Shining Armour walks out the room passing the other elements, "Prince Armour," Rarity shouts, "Is she going to be ok?" He stops and turns facing all five, "Twilights fine, But she is asleep now, I would let her get some rest," The five nod, "what will you do now?" Rainbow asks, "I have a patrol to lead, We are searching for Valder," "You'll bring him back?" Fluttershy questions, Shining Armour nods, He is shocked by the reaction to it, They all sigh agreement, "Good, He is too important to Twilight to just be left out there, You must find him," Applejack states, "We just can't see Twilight be heart broken, It would kill us," "Yeah and even after all he has done he deserves help, And then maybe he can saved," Rainbow dash states walking between the other four, "I will bring him back, But it will be upto the princessess, To give him any punishment," He nods his leave and proceeds out onto a small platform, where several of his top guards are waiting, "Sir," The guards salute, "Do we have our orders sir?" Shining salutes back, "We do, We are to find Prince Valder and bring him back," The guards express some shock at the order, "Sir, Bring him back?" "Yes, Guardsmen, Bring him back alive and unharmed," the guards now panic slightly, "But sir, The way he beat the three princessess so easily, We would be easy pickings," "I know that guardsmen, But it is a straight order from Princess Sparkle," The guardsmen all nod their agreement, "But if he attacks us, We will defend ourselves, Understood," The guards nod again, "Good, Now the patrol will encompass this area of Everfree," Shining indicates on a map he pulled from his armours satchal, "Why there sir?" The guard asks, "There are some caves there, I think if he were to seek shelter then that would be a good place to start," Shining puts away the map and flexes his wings, "Ok, Patrol move out!" > An Old Acquaintance > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, There you have it! Back to square one, Alone, Unloved and probley hated by everyone i didn't attack, But as usual the story never ends!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I shiver again, Without my horn the bundle of wet twigs remains unburned, I try again, But my horn just fizzles out and nothing, I feel so pathetic, I long for the embrace of Twilight but i shake my head, She's dead, Long gone, Because i killed her, I cry, And my child, My sounds of sorrow echo off the cave walls, My wings barly keeping the cold at bay, "Why do you cry? Prince of Canterlot," The voice brings me out of my thoughts, "Someone of your station shouldn't be out here, Crying," I detect a small hint of sarcasum, "But it's luck that you come here to my doorstep," I try to stand but my legs are so weak, "Who are you?" I finally reply, "Names are trivial, My brood just call me 'My Queen', But if names are so important to you then somepony's know me as Chrysalis," When the last word was spoken a figure steps out from the shadows, Barely lit by the moon light, "I ask again prince, Why do you cry?" I try to stand this time and manage to get myself onto my hooves, "Why should i tell you?" A small hint of malice in my tone, "I don't know you," "True, True, But i know you," She points with what you would call a hoof, Apart that it was full of holes, I take one step forward, "What do you mean you know me?" Chrysalis walks around me nodding, "Yes, I still see it, The nobel flank, The arched back, The perfect body," I notice the last few words she said with a grin, "Stop delaying, How do you know me?" I grit my teeth, Though at this stage i am defenseless, My body too weak from flying in the cold weather, "I don't know this form," She gestures at me with her hoof again, "But i know the other you, The dark one," I start to seem interested, And i feel my anger subside, "You know Darkside?" She turns after walking to the cave entrance, "Yes, I do, Well not personally, but more of an acquaintance, I would scratch his back he would scratch mine, And he would scratch good," I take a few steps more toward her, "So you worked for him?" This statement seemed to anger her, I also seem to hear a small clicking sound coming from the back of the cave, "I did not work for him, I worked with him, My brood and i are changlings, He saw the potential in our abilities and offered us a place in his ranks, Untill he betrayed us!" I hear more clicking coming from behind, "All these centuries i had thought he perished in the final battle between the princessess and discords army, But it seems i was mistaken, And here i have the opportunity to take my revenge," I stiffen as several more changlings appear from behind me, But i was willing to fight even if it meant i died, At this point i didn't care, "Then why don't you bitch? Or are you going to get your lackeys to do it for you?" Chrysalis yells out causing the cave walls to vibrate, But before she can charge seven figures land in the cave from outside, I recognise Shining Armour But when did he grow wings, I started to get confused, "Prince Armour, Am i glad to see you," "Don't get your hopes up," One of the guards behind him seems to hiss rather than say, And in a wash of green, Prince Armour and the six guards behind him turn into the same creatures as the one's now surrounding me, My relaxed face turns to stone, "Ha ha ha, You thought you were going to be rescued, How quaint, Now for all the things you did to me and my brood in the past, You will die for them!" The changlings dive for me, I manged to kick some of them knocking them out, But in my weakened state i was no match for all of them, A large changling almost the size of me barrels into me full force, I cry out in pain as i hit the cave and knew instantly my wing was broken, "Now prince ....You will die, Ha ha ha ha," Just as the changlings closed for the kill, A blast of blue energy flew past me killing the large changling, "What!!" Chrysalis shouts out, She turns to the cave entrance and spots royal guards entering, "How can this be, I should have detected them," More guards enter the cave firing their magic at the few changlings still stupid enough to be standing there, "Retreat my brood," Chrysalis looks at me as she runs past, "I will get you! Mark my words prince, I will get you," The sound of beating wings fading into the cave, I slump to the floor, Only to look up at five guards standing before me, I don't move as my body seems to be in too much pain, The guards look behind and part ways, I lift my head slightly to see a pony in purple armour walk between them, "I thought i would find you here, The only cave system for miles," I try to reply but i know it would be a wasted effort, Shining Armour looks down at me and removes his helmet giving it to a nearby guard, "You are wanted very badly, You know that right?" I move my head, "Then just do it already," I blurt out seeing Prince Armour step back i say it again, "Just do it!" Tears form as i hold back the memory of Twilight laying on the floor, "I don't deserve to live after what i did, I killed them!!" I shout, "killed who?" Prince Armour raises an eyebrow, "Twilight and Luna, I killed them," My voice turning into a wisper with the last three words, "They are not dead!" My eye's open, "What!!" I now look at him, "Tell me this isn't just a joke before i die?" "No, It isn't, Both are fine i havn't seen them yet but the doctors told me their condition, And the foal is fine too," I close my eye's with tears of joy, Twilight had survived my anger and the child too, Atleast now i die happy, I manage to push myself up though in great pain, My damaged wing hanging usless at my side, "Then i guess there's only one thing to do," I kneel before him, "I embrace my fate," Prince Armour looks at me, "What are you doing?" I look up again, The same confused look on his face, "I attacked the princessess, It's treason under punishment of death," Prince Armour looks at me then just laughs, I grate my teeth, Here i am going to die, And he just laughs, "Are you going to do it or not? Stop taunting me!!" He stops laughing, "Prince Valder, Why are you willing to die?" I meet his eye's gaze for gaze, "You know why!" "No, I don't," "I attacked the princessess, I deserve my fate," "There's more to it than that," I sit down exhausted with the pain and effort and just emotionally succombe, "I don't want to hurt her again!!" "Hurt who?" "Twilight, My love, My everything, I have hurt her so much since i arrived, I can't do it no more, Seeing her in pain and the feeling of anguish that i thought i had lost her, Is too much, Even for me, I can't take it!!" I lie back down to the cave floor and just break down, "You really love my sister don't you?" "More than anything and i am willing to die so that i can't hurt her again," Shining Armour leans down to me and says softly, "Thats all i needed to know," After lifting up his head, His horn glows, I think, 'This is it!', Goodbye Twilight, I'll miss you!! With a dark blue flash of light, I close my eye's and pass out. > Forgiveness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have no idea how long i was out, But when i finally awoke, I felt alive but more than that i felt nothing, The feeling of something in my head was gone, For the first time i felt whole, Then something flashed in my mind, It was a memory through somepony else's eye's, I thought what is this?, Then a foal came to view, I instantly recognised a baby Luna, At that moment i cried, It was the most beautiful sight i have ever seen, Tears start to fall around my face, Then after a few more minutes the memory changed, And now a baby Celestia moves into view, My emotions boil over as i realise what this memory is, It's Darksides memories of the princessess birth, After the memories wash away my vision settles on the real world, I look around and notice it's dark outside and the rain has stopped, I focus on other things in the room, I see various dressers and a few bookselves, Then as i move my vision across the room i spot a familier shape asleep on a chair, I smile as i see it's Twilight with a bandage around her waist, I stare at the bandage and the attack at the castle flashes before my eye's and i look away, Just as i do, Twilight wakes up, Twilight opens her eye's and looks towards me, "Valder, Your awake," She quickly jumps down and runs across giving me a big hug, Which causes both of us to wince, "Sorry, We all thought you wouldn't wake up!" "How....How long have i been out?" Twilight smiles before answering, "Four days," "Four days!?" My eye's widen, Twilight nods, "We had to keep you out, The procedure was....Complicated," I look at her, "Procedure?" Twilight then turns red, "Oh, Right, Yeah, After my brother brought you back, We found a spell in the castles library that could completely remove what was left of Darkside from your mind," She looks closer at me, "Did it work,?" I reach forward and kiss her, "I take that as a yes then," We both kiss again, Until a cough is heard, "I'm sorry to interrupt," We both look behind, Celestia stands in the doorway, "I see you have awoken, Prince Valder," I nod but the image of her being born is still strong in my mind, "Princess, What i did to you was unforgivable, I will take any punishment you deem fit to give me," "Punishment?" Celestia looks at me, "You misunderstand the reason for my visit," Me and Twilight both look at each other, "I came here to see how the procedure went, But judging by your embrace, It went well?" I look at her and smile, "Yes, But it also unlocked the memories i had hidden," Celestia nods, "I thought that would happen, Did you remember anything important," I cry, "Yes, You and Luna's birth," Celestia blushes, "It was wonderful to experiance that emotion," I look to Twilight, "And i will again," Me and Twilight touch noses, "Then i hope you two will have a wonderful family," Celestia goes to turn away, "Wait!" I call after her, "You are still my daughter Celestia, And i will never forget that!" Celestia looks back a small tear at her eye, "I hope you don't," Then she leaves, Twilight hugs me again, "I wish Luna could be here," Twilight starts to cry, "Where is she?" I ask, Twilight stops the tears long enough to tell me what happened, "The doctors can't do anything to help," My face fills with sorrow, "I have to help her," I say, "But in my current condition, I'm no help to anypony," I bang my head on the beds headboard, "Dammit, I feel so useless," "Your not useless!" Twilight shouts, "You never have been, You've got to stop thinking like that!" I sigh, "I know, But everytime somepony needs my help, I'm always like this," I point a hoof at my body, My wing still heavily bandaged, "I need to help her, It was my fault she got hit," The tears now rolling of my face again, "It was not your fault! Luna made a decision, It was a bad one but it wasn't your fault," She hugs me and kisses me again, "but your here now, safe!" We kiss again, This time it lasts, "I missed you so much, Twilight......," I couldn't finish my sentence, "It's ok," Twilight puts a hoof on my mouth, "My brother told me what you said in the cave," "He did?" "Yes, Do you really love me that much, That you would die so i couldn't get hurt again?" I nod, "And i meant every word," Twilights face beams as she hugs me closer, "I will never endanger you or the baby again, I promise," Twilight looks into my eye's, "I'll hold you to that," We both kiss, And slowly we sink into the bed,