> A Thousand Years Ago. > by Illusion Flight > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A Friend In the Night. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A thousand years ago, in the beautiful land of Equestria, there was an enchanting kingdom ruled by two alicorn princesses. The eldest, brought the beautiful day. The youngest brought the wondrous and magical night. In this peaceful kingdom, there was a darkness brewing that would change the fate of the two sisters. This is where our story begins. This is where the truth comes out. One evening, the young sister flew high in the sky, taking in the cool, crisp air. As she spotted a small village, she descended towards a clearing nearby. She landed with a thud. She had to get out more.she thought. After recovering from her crash, the young princess turned her back on the village. With her eyes to the east, she called on all her essence to raise the moon high above the horizon, darkening the sky. As she turned her gaze back to the small town, she sighed, "Nopony in this kingdom loves my night." She lifted her wings with an empty feeling in her chest. She would've flown away, had she not seen a teal figure in the sky. She widened her light blue eyes. What? Was I wrong? Do some ponies in the Everfree kingdom enjoy her night? I have to follow her. The moon princess took to the sky, her midnight blue coat easily blending into the night sky. She and the strange pony landed in a nearby clearing. As Luna watched from the shadows of the forest, she saw that the pony was a mare Pegasus with a teal coat and black and blue mane. She had a black lighting bolt being engulfed by hot red flames as a cutie mark. The mare lied down, putting her head on her hooves. The young princess's hopes gave way to sadness as she thought that this pony just came here to sleep like the others. Once again, The Night Princess lifted her wings, prepared to jet home as fast as she could. To hide from her pain, much like her subjects hide from her night. But, like last time, she was stopped as she heard a low, smooth voice. Her ears were perked up as she quickly searched for the source of the noise. She had heard blood-chilling stories of the monsters that roamed these parts of the kingdom. The noise got louder as it went on. As it went on, the princess concluded that the mare was singing a lullaby. The song was a lullaby she knew very well. Her mother and father,who created their world, sung this lullaby to her and sister through the moon and stars. She knew the lyrics perfectly, like they were sung yesterday. Don't misunderstand me and wait until the ending. of a gypsy legend, tell about a woman, who prayed to the moon in the sky. Crying, she was asking, pleading until sunrise to marry today. "You will have your husband, darker skin but, you will have to promise." said the moon," that the first son he gives you, will be mine at want, and that's the price you shall pay. If you sacrifice him not to be alone, the you would barely love him." Moon, you want to be mother, when you can't find a love, so what will you do? Tell me silvery moon, what will happen to you? With a kid made of skin? Hijo de la Luna So a son was born from the dark father but his skin was pale as snow in winter. His eyes weren't olive, as they had expected, he was Son of the Moon. "This is a betrayal! He isn't my son, and you've dishonored my name." Moon, you want to be mother, when you cant find a love. So what will you do? Tell me silvery moon, What will happen to you? With a kid made of skin? Hijo de la Luna Man was made unconscious by his anger, grabbed the woman violently, knife in hand and shouted with a cymbal, " How dare you deceive me?" Then he hurt her to death. Holding small albino, he went to the mountain, and abandoned him there. Moon, you want to be mother, when you cant find a love. So what will you do? Tell me silvery moon, What will happen to you? With a kid made of skin? Hijo de la Luna If the moon becomes full, son is sleeping. But if she is half, then he'll be weeping. So she'll be his cradle, lower than diminish, and embrace him again. So she be his cradle, lower than diminish, and embrace him again. "HEY!!" The princess jumped as she was snapped out of her memories of her dear parents. "Hey, I'm talking to you! Come out." She was reluctant at first but, eventually, she came out of hiding. The mare quickly bowed and closed her eyes. "P-Princess! I'm sorry! I didn't know it was you. It's just that I'm sensitive about my singing and-" The mare was silenced by a laugh. "It's quite alright. In fact your song was lovely." "Really?!" "Yes, in fact, I would like to become your friend if you'd like me to be." The princess chuckled as she noticed the mare's eyes were still closed." you can open your eyes." "N-no. I can't possibly. The elders said Nopony should look upon my defect." " You can trust me. I wont laugh." The mare hesitated but, she slowly opened her eyes to reveal two red AND blue snake eyes, much like the bat ponies. "What is your name?" "Illusion Flight" " Well, Illusion Flight, I think your eyes are perfect. Don't let anypony else tell you different." "I wont. What's your name?" "Just call me Luna." For the rest of that night, Luna and Illusion Flight talked about how their lives are and what they do on a daily basis. Luna explained, " Being a princess of the Everfree kingdom is harder than it looks. Me and my sister, Tia, we do more than just raise the sun and moon." " What else do you do?" "Well, Tia usually sits in the court room, organizing guard patrols, weather patterns, and protection of the citizens. She also sends resources to the towns and cities that are attacked by the monsters of the forest! Me, on the other hand, does the fun jobs. I calm dreams, give advice, care for the orphans of the kingdom, and train my own special, and handsome, apprentice!" "What? You like your apprentice?!" "Well, yes and no. Yes I do but, its not like a full on crush, more like a school-filly's crush. small. It wouldn't go anywhere." "Oh. I think I kind of understand what your going through. Only, its like a full on crush!" "Really? Please do go on." " Oh it doesn't matter. He'll never like me." " Are you kidding? I mean look at you! You may not be as beautiful on the outside, but, any stallion can plainly see you have a pure heart and great personality." "Thanks Luna, but, I don't think anypony in my village can overlook my eyes. Or fangs." The rest of the night flew past the two mares. usually what felt like hours, felt like minutes. As, Luna lowered the moon, she hiccupped, causing the moon to shake. She quickly and gracefully, corrected her mistake and lowered the moon. She yawned and Illusion Flight had bags under her eyes, but both of them were still full of fun. As they walked past a pond they examined both of their faces and laughed at how tired they looked, yet they felt full of energy. "So, do you want to meet tomorrow night?" Illusion Flight asked in a exhausted tone. " Definitely! This is the most fun I've had in centuries! Honest." Luna exclaimed. Illusion Flight laughed," Tomorrow it is then." When the two parted ways, it was like they knew each other for years. Luna, flying high above the towns she passed, she couldn't stop thinking of her new friend. She was so excited for the next day, had she not been up all night, she wouldn't have gotten to bed. Luna also thought of how her sister would think. Tia would be so happy for her! But first, she had to sleep. And as she dozed off, felt the warmth of the fire cradle her to sleep. > A Darkness Growing. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darkness, that's all she could see. Not a glimpse of light. The mare stopped. Frozen in place! Standing there, she knew she was vulnerable to the darkness chasing her. Even so, as hard as she tried, she couldn't. The alicorn panicked, she was alone in the darkness. She tried to scream, call for her sister, but nothing came out of her voice. Instead, she began to see images. Her hopes rising, the princess was able to move towards the light. As she drew nearer, she could barely make out the voice of Illusion Flight. "LUNA!" Shocked by the sudden outburst, the lunar princess raced towards her new friend's voice. When she got to where Illusion Flight should have been, she saw a clearing. The same clearing that she met the friend she searched for. "Illusion Flight?" "Luna." whispered a silky, yet dark sounding voice. The princess of the night jerked her head to the left, then to the right. Nothing. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she continued to search for the Pegasus mare. As she continued forward, she stopped to look back, in case she was being followed. Her anxiety rose so much the princess's wings flew out and she began to fly higher and higher above the illuminated land, even though there wasn't a moon to light it. " Who's there?! Illusion Flight, this isn't funny!" Luna shouted, now starting to wish this was a cruel joke, even if it didn't seem like it. " Don't you recognize your own voice?" Luna stopped, her heart pounding as she readied her magic. Only to have her horn stolen from her. She only knew two ponies who would dare go to these lengths to scare her. "Discord? Tia? Tell me its just you! I'm serious! This isn't funny!" Luna cried out. 'Please tell me its just them, Please.' " Yes, call out for the demon and the sun. Yet where are they?" the voice said, mocking her. It was in that moment that Luna was truly afraid. So much that she began to fall from the night sky, flapping her wings like a filly who hadn't learn to fly. Then, she saw what had been chasing her, a blue mist. Much like a cheap replica of her mane. Only, through it, she could clearly she two scalene eyes. But they weren't her dear friend's eyes. No, these eyes were a snake- like version of her turquoise ones. And instead of the whites being white, they were light blue. The words it whispered in her ears echoed in her head until it she was able to make out what the figure said. She was scared by what she heard. The voice- no. She had said the words, "Darkness will fall upon the kingdom, and the sun shall rule for the rest of the centuries. Your reign will fall to the sister of the sun. " ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Luna? LUNA! Are you ok?" The eldest princess lay by the bed of her dear sister. She knew something was wrong when the castle was covered with moonlight in the middle of the afternoon. Celestia remembered how worried she was when she found her sister on the floor, screaming her name. hen Luna was being transported to the doctors of the castle, she was muttering a pony's name. Trying to help her. She told her guard to bring the pony named 'Illusion Flight' to her. BANG! The door slammed open as an extremely worried pegasus pony barged in. "Where is she? Where is Luna? I'm Illusion Flight. Her friend! Please tell me where she is!" the mare cried, worrying for the worst. The receptionist looked up at the pony as she pushed her glasses up closer to her face. "I'm sorry, only the doctors and the princess can be allowed to go in." The pegasus's eyes were filled with anger, widening so much that it almost looked like her eyes were pure red. "I just flew from the East corner of the kingdom, by Celestia's request!" The doctor who was usually calm, was now scared by the pegasus's unusual eye defect and fangs. Her gray coat and brown mane/tail were losing their color somehow. "I'm sorry miss. Unless I hear that you're allowed I can't-" the mare was silenced by the mare's fangs as she scowled. It was then Celestia walked in, thinking that she couldn't keep the mare waiting. "Um, Illusion Flight, was it? You can check on her." said the sun princess. Illusion Flight nodded and walked quickly to the room that held Luna. When she saw how scared even Luna looked, she couldn't hold back a small tear. In doing so, her eyes widened again. Only, in this case, her eyes seem to turn a deep blue. She sat by her only friend and held on hope that everything was alright. After a few minutes, Celestia joined her. She was curious about the mare in front of her, Luna had never mentioned her when she was awake. She decided she would get to know the one who claimed to be her sister's friend. "So, Illusion Flight, I would like to hear about how you know my sister and what your life is like. If you don't mine." The teal pegasus looked up at the larger alicorn princess, nodding. She wiped her mane out of her face. "Of course. Well, you see, last night I was going out to -" > The Past of A Misfit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Luna lay on the medical bed, Celestia questioned Illusion Flight about how and when they encountered. The sun princess's expression almost never changed. As the questioning continued, Celestia began to see why her sister would like the mare. Illusion Flight was hesitated at first, but soon became open about the previous night. She spoke of the song, how she heard a bush in the forest behind her, how they laughed and sung songs they both enjoyed, how they parted ways, and how they planned to meet tonight. The princess thought how sadly ironic it was, for them to plan to meet again on more enjoyable terms, only for this accident to rejoin them that very day. But for Celestia to truly know if this mare ,who claimed to know her sister, need to know her past. She needed to know if this mare was too dangerous to keep around her sister, especially in this state. "Illusion Flight, I know some of my subjects like you are, well, sensitive about these sorts of questions. But please, I need to know how the mare you are today came to be." Celestia stated. " I want my sister to have as many friends as she can, since some ponies are afraid of her power over dreams. Especially in her time of need." Celestia gazed at her sister, who had an expression of worry and loss on her face. Illusion Flight who had been chatting to past the time, and to keep her mind off of things, fell silent. The sun princess felt a prickle of familiarity, and yet uncertainty. 'Why does this seem so familiar? I haven't met a mare like this before, had I?' she thought. Only to realized that, in fact, she had. And she was lying on the bed next to her. ' Luna always was the quiet one wasn't she mother?' she thought to herself. She drifted off into the memories of Luna still as a filly. Though the lunar princess was always ready for more fun than her duties, she was always quiet when it came to her problems and new ponies she met. Tia's gazed drifted off into the walls, floor, and candles that were filling up the room. Were going to have to make a device that lights up the room more. Maybe lighting would help? I'll have my inventers go into that. she thought. "Ok princess. I'll tell you my past." Illusion Flight said, knowing that the eldest princess's thoughts were drifting. " Thank you, Illusion Flight. I'll be sure to tell Luna later, when she's awake." Celestia replied , being pulled back into reality. "Of course." She said in a funny sounding impression of the seriousness in Celestia's tone. The princess laughed. She guessed that they all needed a little laughter in their lives. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Of course." I said in a mocking impression of the princess. The sun princess laughed slightly, then regained her composer. Thank goodness. I couldn't imagine what would happen if I made her angry with me. I looked up at the princess, seeing if there was some way to get out of this. I looked up, only for my eyes to meet two curious rose-colored eyes. I sighed in defeat. I gazed at the floor, the Celestia, then Luna, then the floor again. It was when I heard a cough from Celestia that I knew I was waiting too long to start. "OK, here goes." I sucked in a breath," Well of course knowing me, it wasn't a normal life-" As I started telling Celestia my story, she watched curiously and intensively. Eating up every word. I began with my earliest, and happiest memory of my past. It was my fifth birthday, I was having cake with my family. I didn't have any friends because of my ,special, defect.My father was a bat pony, my mother was a pegasus. We were often frowned upon because we were so strange. My brother and sister (she wasn't born yet though) had the same problems as I did, being out casted because of how they looked. How they were feared. My brother was a well built Earth pony stallion, he had a neon green coat with a dark red and purple mane and tail. His eyes were like mine, only they were brown and yellow. My sister was the cutest of us all. She had a hot pink coat , a green and blue mane and tail, plus her eyes were rose- colored and orange. When we had finished polishing off the cake, we went outside to play. In reality, my parents were trying to surprise me with a spectacular weather show! As our big, happy family was walking to where the show was going to happen. With our excitement rising, we didn't know that my mother and father had set my surprise up in the deepest part of the forest. When we got to our destination, I looked around. As a filly, I didn't see much, only dark. I ran to my brothers side, who's coat seemed to light up the place. " I don't see anything, Vocal Cover. Why would Mommy and Daddy take us here?" I said with my small voice i had back then. I don't know sis, but, I believe it was for a good reason. If not, they wouldn't have made us go this far into the Everfree forest." He replied in a deep whisper. " But why? They know I don't like the dark! I always feel like something would jump out at me." "It'll be ok Illusion Flight, even if something does come out, I'm here and so are Mom and Dad. And you know how tough they are together." I heard my brother chuckle. CRASH! I remember how I jumped, scared by the loud noise. I soon realized that the sound came from above. After a while, I poked out my little head. I was thankful that I did cause when I looked at the sky, I saw the stars merging with lighting, causing an illusion that made it seem like the stars exploded into rainbows. My pupils widened larger than they've ever been out of pure joy and wonder. It was then I heard a low growl. Thinking it was another thunder cloud, I jumped out, waiting for the show to continue. Only to be tackled by a larger figure. At first I thought it was Vocal Cover trying to keep me from seeing something, but then I was cut from my forehead to my cheek. Blood flowing from my head, I cried out in pain. My call was met with a deathly howl. With my own blood getting into my eyes, I could barely see what was happening. But I could sense it all, a giant boney figure made of wood, with glowing yellow eyes and horrid breath. I could also hear the bushes and small trees around me and my brother come alive as a pack of what I came to call , Timber Wolves. "GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!" When I heard my Father's voice I felt the weight of the creature be pulled off my body. Then, I was pulled up by my mother. "We have to get help." my mother yelled, " Dear, go fly to the village elders." " But Mommy-" "No buts. Go! I have to help your brother!" So I flapped my wings as fast as I could, so fast I broke through the thick layers of branches above us. I flew away farther and father away. Almost to the village, when I heard a blood- chilling cry. "AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" I couldn't turn back. I couldn't help my family, I was alone. But I had to get help, to save them! I rushed in the door of the Elder mare. " Please! Please, Velvet Fire! My family is being attacked! Send help! A Dark purple unicorn rushed out of her room quickly. Her Gray and Red mane poorly brushed from being woken up. But, she was completely awake as I told her a quick version of my story. "Oh, dear. I'll send the best of our pegasi warriors. Your mother and father are strong. Best duo warriors we ever had. So, is your brother. He could beat every stallion in the combat training we gave him." Though those words helped a little bit, I still had a sickening feeling like I did something wrong. While the warriors of our village were off, Velvet Fire kept me calm and fed me. I came to think of her as a second mother. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 hours later, Celestia's sun was coming up when me and Velvet Fire walked to the scene. The warriors had reported many Timberwolves chasing my parents towards the east border. My brother ,though, was never seen. Me, hoping that he was with my parents, insisted that I had to go to the clearing. Velvet tried to reason with me, thinking how I would react if the worst came to pass. I wouldn't budge. As we came near the clearing, I saw what many would mistake as twigs. But I knew, the the bones of a timber wolf. As we continued, where the birds should have been chirping was silent. I looked around the place where I was hours ago. I searched around the clearing, searching for any sign of my brother. I looked around silently. Any other filly would have broken down in tears by now. Not me. BRUSH I quickly turned, expecting another of the monsters to jump out. What I found instead was a neon green coat falling in front of me. "VOCAL COVER!" I shouted ,VELVET FIRE!" I saw a flash then a dark purple unicorn dropped near me. Her eyes full of worry. " Come child, we cant do any thing like this." Even when I tried to, I couldn't move. I was stuck, lost in a timeless trance. I was watching my dear brother's breathing slowly decrease until finally, it stopped. His usually lively green coat losing its color. It was that moment I snapped. I cried out, louder than Celestia's royal voice, out of pain. Tears ran down my face, with each one I wanted to kill anyone who ever looked down on him. When she turned to the elder unicorn, her midnight blue eyes were filled with fear. "What?" I asked in a voice that wasn't my own, or didn't seem to fit a filly of my age. I was taken aback by my own tone. I slowly got up and trotted to the nearest puddle of water, looking at an image of myself. Only, the eyes, they weren't my usual red and blue snake eyes. They were pure, blood red. Even my whites were a hint of red. I screamed at the monstrous image in front of me, and it screamed back. I then collapsed. My vision fading, I managed to whisper, "vocal cover." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " After that, my parents came home weeks after the attack, we only celebrated my birthday on the day afterwards, they had my sister, and I lived with my family." Celestia was taken aback by this pony's story. She would've expected a mare with a past like that , at such a young age too, to grow up with rage. She looked at her sister. Luna always seemed to be friends with the misfits. Luna was a kind princess, to accept such strange ponies. The sun princess was about to continue with one last question, only to be stopped by her sister sitting up gasping for air. Luna shouted in the royal voice, causing the ground to shake. Her eyes glowing white. "DARKNESS SHALL FALL UPON THE KINGDOM, AND THE SUN ALONE SHALL RULE FOR CENTURIES! YOUR REIGN WILL FALL TO THE SISTER OF THE SUN!" As quickly as she woke, Luna collasped against the bed. Only to wake up up binking. "Tia? Illusion Flight? Where are we? What happened?" > The Village of Secrets > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- After Luna's incident, Celestia had insisted that she stay in the castle, but her little sister did not feel safe here. Thus, she and her friend set off for Illusion Flight's village. Luna listened to Illusion Flight, who was explaining just what happened during her horrifying nightmare. She was still shaken up by what the voice said, which seemed to keep echoing back into her head. Saying things she would never imagine going through her head. That her sister was just waiting for the right moment to cut her down from her rightful throne. That she shouldn't have to wait for that, that SHE needed to take the throne from her dear sister, Tia. "Luna? Are you listening?" "Huh? Wha-? Oh, yes, its just that I have a lot on my mind." "Now that I can understand. But, please, don't be silent the whole way. We have to fly for two hours before we get there." The dark alicorn chuckled. "Of course." As they flew for the small village, Illusion Flight told her of how the pegasus's past was. Luna ,like her sister, was surprised that a mare so kind. So loyal, could possibly have such a dark past. ' If it was me, I probably wouldn't be able to take it.' she thought, thinking if Celestia died like that. ' Illusion Flight is a lot stronger than I am if she could stand that with out losing her mind or growing up sad and angry.'. The princess was cut off from her thoughts as she heard her friend's voice. " Luna, we're here!" The teal pegasus shrieked excitedly. Which the princess thought was weird.' Doesn't she live here? Why would she be so what could make her act so giddy?' The princess also noticed that her friend's eyes were focused on a small figure below. The ponies were finishing up their jobs since the sun was getting prepared to set. The pony that her pegasus friend was looking at was a black unicorn with a curly grey and red mane and tail. His cutie mark was a crescent moon with a white star by it. The princess raised an eyebrow. ' Now why would Illusion Flight be so fixed on this stallion? She did say her brother died didn't she? As if knowing what she was thinking, the pegasus explained. "That's Cosmic Shadow." She said with a trance of red on her cheeks. " He's Velvet Fire's only son. He's the musician of the village. His sister ,Lunamoon, is a show pony." The princess was quickly directed towards a unicorn with the same coat color as her, only this mare had a smooth silver and purple mane. Then, Illusion Flight gestured to a black unicorn with a solid purple mane and tail. Her blue eyes full of determination as she pasted below the cloud where the princess watched. When she did, the princess felt a small pulse in her chest. One she had never felt before. She guessed it was the medicine she was given, since she had never needed it before and wasn't used to it. If that even made since. "Nyx, on the other hoof, is the guardian of the village. After my families, accident-" The mare cut off remembering the painful memory. She took a breath, exhaling it slowly. " Velvet Fire established a guard during the night. Nyx came shortly after the old one became too weak to protect the area. She has a talent with combat skills and protecting ponies, which happens to be what her cutie mark stands for.But she always wears this stupid vest." The princess nodded in understanding. This Velvet Fire had been an important part of her life ,yet, each time Illusion Flight mentioned her there was a flicker of sadness, confusion, and regret. 'something's wrong here, did something happen to Velvet Fire?' " We- I mean, I'd would like to meet this Velvet Fire and the other elder leaders you spoke of." The princess said, not knowing why she had addressed herself as 'we'. That ,however, didn't effect her pegasus friend. The teal pony cringed at what the princess said , not knowing how to explain this. " That wont be possible." The princess was once again confused. "Why not?" "Velvet Fire is dead!" the mare cried. Luna immediately regretted her tone. She would never had wanted to make a pony cry. No matter if they were a filly or not. She frowned more when it was time to raise the moon. Luna lifted the silver orb into the sky, calling on all her magic, which seemed to come back in reply of the moon. She turned to her friend. " I- I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped." Luna said in a warm voice. "It's alright. It was in the past." "Do you feel like explaining how this came to be?" Illusion Flight told Luna of how one day Celestia came, saying that this land was going to be part of the Everfree kingdom. When Velvet heard of this, she jumped up from the crowd, unleashing a dark magic blast that could have hurt the new ruler, Luna's sister. The pony went on saying how she was exiled from the village by her friends, family, and other ponies of the village. The last thing they heard about her was when Nyx was found by Velvet Fire's sister ,Shimmer Cast, lost in the woods. Nyx told her that Velvet trapped her, imprisoned her, and experimented on her. Luna gasped, what pony in there right mind would do that? Even so, that wasn't the only thing on her mind. 'Why didn't Tia tell me about this?' Suddenly, the cloud that they had been on vanished, causing them to fall to the ground. "Ah Ha!" "N-nyx?!" "I should have known you were sneaking around in the night with,.........." Before she could finish, Luna's eyes flew open, glowing white. Her chest pulsing with a black energy. She then landed, her eyes fading back to their normal state. "Illusion Flight, you did not tell me your village guardian was an alicorn!" > Nyx's Story > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nyx awoke to the night bell's dull ring. Bing. She rose from her soft , warm bed. Her back aching, ,probably lied down on it wrong. She ignored the pain and slowly rose, her wings extending out. The only place she could ever live without a watching eye, without danger for her identity. She could never get caught without her vest. The alicorn mare called out on her magic , having to balance its power more than other unicorns due to the greater amount of power, she levitated her vest up to her face. Nyx then imagined an image of the vest on her back , and used her magic to teleport the vest from the air in front of her, to the alicorn's back. After adjusting it so her wings were comfortable and wouldn't rub, she walked out the door of her late adoptive mother's home. 'Shimmer Cast, thank you saving me that day. I wish you were here right now, guiding me through my life and protecting me like you did those many years ago. Nyx shuddered at her earliest memories. She went to her beginning post for the night, thinking of how she got this blasted job! 'Shimmer Cast had died, of course it wasn't my fault that I had a magical surge during the contest, right? Would my adoptive mother get mad because of that? No, she told me that she knew all too well that when she found me, I would have unpredictable power.' She still remembered how she had won the contest, how her magic lost control. She walked around the lookout post, thinking of her past. The contest, a test of combat to see which unicorn was the strongest in magical defense and offence. It was horrid. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was the final match, her and a unicorn colt were going to face off for the prize! At first, the alicorn was scared, this colt was the top in his class. His dark red coat gleaming in the sunlight, joy-filled and determined sunset orange eyes shining, his mane and tail were ruffled up by previous fights. The solid gold and blue colors mixed up in knots. He was a handsome colt, had Nyx not been saddened by Shimmer Cast's death, she would have liked to know him. The leaders, the Elders, were sitting at the top of a balcony above the arena. The eldest, Starlancer, gave the command for the fight to begin. Nyx fell into her fighting stance, her horn pointed directly towards the colt, Sun Beam. When the fight started, she wanted to do what she did in the other matches, attack first and weaken them, then wait for the precise moment to use her physical strength. But something was wrong, she couldn't call upon her magic at first. Given this brief amount of time, Sun Beam used a fire spell, heading straight towards her. Nyx's tail was burnt a little but no real damage. The fight went on like that for a few minutes. It was only until Nyx felt the strong pulse of her magic did the tables turn. With her magic, she unleashed a mist cloak spell, causing the arena to be covered. It was so thick , in fact, that the colt had begun to panic under the impression that this filly would leap out at any moment. He cast a force field around him, an effective choice since the second later, he was being bombarded with a rock spell. With each powerful strike, his shields weakening. With one last blow from a boulder caused the force field to collapse. By this time, the mist had cleared out, making the scene visible to the crowd again. They were surprised by the small filly's speedy recovery and fell unto a chorus of "WOW"s and " How she do that?!" Sun Beam would not give up so easily, ' How is she besting you, Sun Beam? Get it together!' he thought in aggravation. Nyx, on the other hand was thinking of other things than the battle. 'Fight Nyx! Fight for her! Shimmer Cast, I WILL make you proud of me! Today I'll prove my worth! I'm more than just a spell's creation, like you said!' Nyx cried out of sorrow as she thought of her recently deceased mother. Her emotions out of control and mind scrambled by her sadness, her magic became almost as chaotic as a draconaquis. Out of control, she unleashed a powerful lighting spell. At the same time, she used a levitation spell. She was able to get everypony out before there were serious injuries. Everypony except the colt across the arena. "Sun Beam! You must get out of here!" The unicorn colt was too fixed on the sight in front of him to hear her. Nyx's mane and tail exploded in to a mist-like cloud filled with stars, her eyes began to glow white, and her magic couldn't be controlled. She opened her mouth but no words came out. Instead a dark, hollow voice ;unlike the usually cheerful Nyx's, echoed in his head. Had his life not been in potentially in danger, he would have found it a horrifyingly beautiful scene. THOU SUBJECT SHALL FLEE FROM THOU PLACE! FLEE! After that, the young foal didn't hesitate to race towards the iron gate. He glanced back, worried for the filly that was now flowing in a magical barrier. He knew why she was in pain and couldn't do nothing, for he had lost his mother as well. He called out for her. "NYX! Come with me!" The corrupted Nyx turned, her enraged eyes furrowed, turning a light blue. Her coat got darker until it was almost black. Her mist-like mane got a thicker color. She was beyond emotions besides sadness and grief. Tears of fear and grief rolled down her muzzle. She yelled back in reply. " DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?! I DONT WANT TO HURT ANYPONY!!!! JUST.LEAVE. ME. ALONE!!!!! As she yelled that , her glowing eyes turned dark blue. Lighting struck out at the unicorn colt from her mane. A burn mark hit right on his cutie mark. He yelled in pain, running out of the arena as quickly as he could. Nyx could only watch and hope she doesn't unleash her dangerous amount of magic. It took hours but she calmed her self down. Though the mental, magical, and emotional exhaustion had token its toll. She slowly closed her eyes, which were dry with old tears. The last thing she saw was a figure entering the arena and walking up to her. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Present Time... Nyx shuddered at her actions of the past. She walked under a normal cloud, barely able to hold more than two pegasi. She felt a pulse, she decided to ignore it. She glanced at the lowering sun. The mare smiled. She used to love the lullabies her late mother sung to her at this hour. ' I wish she was here now....'. Intending to use a spell that lets her sit on clouds, she levitated herself up towards the cloud. "..... and that's how Velvet Fire was exiled, Nopony has heard from her since the Nyx torture thing." " How awful, Who in the wide kingdom of Everfree would do that?!" Nyx gasped, losing her breath. In doing that, her magic cut off. Regaining herself in the air, she just barely hit her head on the ground. ' Who would talk about Velvet Fire besides,....' Her thoughts trailed off , realizing who would be up there. She set off a lighting spell towards the cloud. "AH HA!" "N-Nyx?!" " I knew it had to be you! Sneaking out at night all the time, not caring what happened to your brother!" Nyx gasped, trying to take back what she just said. The teal pegasus's eyes widened as if she just got attacked by the very pack that killed her brother. So wide, her eyes were pure, blood red. Her eyes furrowed. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Nyx jumped back in fear, Illusion Flight's voice had more pain and venom in it than hers all those years ago. The mare's deformed fangs shined in the sunset as the pegasus leaped out at the disguised alicorn. Her now blood red eyes narrowed like a snakes, her pupils like a thin line against red irises. Nyx wanted to stop her, the cast a spell to keep herself safe, but magic requires concentration. Concentration she did not have. The enraged pegasus stood over Nyx's head, ready to use her fangs to kill the unicorn right then and there. One side of her thoughts thought, ' What would Vocal Cover think?'. The other side thought, 'WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHEN PONIES DONT APPRECIATE HIS MEMORIES? AFTER ALL HE'S DONE FOR THEM!?' Illusion Flight, listening to her good nature, tore herself off of the pathetic mare before her. She took a few steps before stopping, sitting down, and wept alone in silence. " Illusion Flight?" a male voice called," what happened?" When the black stallion was close enough, the pegasus but her hooves around her long beloved friend. Crying, she had to take breaths to tell him what Nyx said. " She,.... She said I.... DIDNT care, Cosmic Shadow,.... what happened to my brother! That..... every time I go outside during....... the night..... was an insult to his memory!" Tears streaming down her face, her eyes once again turned a solid blue. Glaring at his cousin -in - law, he comforted the mare in pain, " ssssshhhhhh, It'll be ok. I knew him well, I know he would have wanted you to live your life without being chained." The unicorn narrowed his emerald eyes, which were now also filled with tears of pain, " Don't let any other of those.... Those CRETINS tell you different." Nyx, who had gotten up from the assault that she deserved, looked at the scene. Feeling like a rock had been forced down her throat. Trying to speak, " I..... I-" The unicorn turned his back on her, not daring to listen. For she had hurt the one pony more alone than herself, Illusion Flight. 'My poor, poor night angel. Why do others torture you so much?' He had thought. " Why Nyx? What did she do to you? What did anypony do to YOU?!" " I- I DON'T. KNOW!" Nyx screamed back. ' Why do I hate her so much? Why I do I?' During this time Nopony had notice the night princess, who was floating in black energy. As the two sides of sadness fought, she could not help but hear an unwelcome voice. 'The hate of ones heart grows, fix it if you hope to save yourself.' It whispered. After that Luna was told of a secret of the guard pony. She walked towards her pegasus friend and unicorn companion. She looked towards Nyx. " I didn't know alicorn lived in rural village's." "They don't princess, just in your castle." Nyx answered coldly. " I don't understand." "Oh, I think you do." Nyx leaped away from the princess, but not before Luna took away her vest. Revealing two majestic wings. All Nyx heard was a gasp from the hated pegasus and a 'How?' from her "cousin". In that moment, her life secret was out. Her eyes were those of a mad mare as she glared at the three ponies. In a hysterical laugh she said, "Well there you go! Good for you, you've found the lying alicorn. The imperfect alicorn! ME!!The QUEEN OF SHADOWS!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!' "Nyx," Luna said taking a step towards the delusional mare. " Calm down and tell us how you are an alicorn or" She paused, "You'll be sent to the asylum for insanity." "Fine." Nyx said in a more normal voice. "You see, Velvet Fire was-" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- X day/X year/ unknown location Velvet Fire had made an alter to the darkness, ' The only thing those princess's don't control.' The thought of the fool Celestia made her angry. Who was she to exile me?! She readied her horn, which was now tipped with red. In this dark forest, for years she had been controlling the creatures with her new-found dark magic. It was only when she lashed out at the princess had she recognize the true power of it. Hate. When all of her hate merged with her magic, she began the spell. Chanting in a hollow, dark, and cold voice. Speaking in a language only she and the darkness knew. In the middle of her ritual, she heard a panicked voice behind her. She turned to the unicorn Velvet Fire knew as her only sister. Her yellow coat dimmed by the lack of light, her fiery red mane covered in small thorns, her purple eyes filled with fear. "VELVET FIRE! What are you doing?" "What do you think I'm doing? I'm making a way to stop those horrid princesses!" "That's crazy! They're alicorn's! You can't possibly beat them!" "Not me, but another alicorn!" Velvet Fire explained. "Another.... You're CRAZY!" her sister screamed. "No, Shimmer Cast, I'm not. Me and the darkness have made a plan, and you're going to help us!" " Talking with dark? Now I know you're crazy. and, no , I'm not." Before she could race out, a trail of black magic caught her hooves, dragging her back. Shimmer Cast panicked. "HELP. SOMEPONY HELLLLLLLLPPPPPP!!!!!" Velvet smirked," This truly is pitiful sister. All I needed was a drop of your blood. You were always the prettiest of us, perhaps my new alicorn could use that." The purple unicorn took a wooden knife to her sisters wrist, making a small cut to get one drop of blood. "Perfect." As her sister continued with her delusional plan, Shimmer Cast sneaked away into the bushes to watch her once respected sister. Suddenly, Velvet stopped chanting. Whispering on last word. "Nightmare." And with that, the forest became shrouded by more darkness. Shimmer Cast couldn't see her sister. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 hours later, Shimmer Cast awoke being dragged along the ground. In panic she used a fire spell to attack the one who dragged her. She heard a pony suck in air. "Ow!" Shimmer Cast stood up and bolted away from her captor. "Sister!" the maniac voice called after her. Shimmer made her way back to a familiar clearing. In the center, was a black filly. Shimmer Cast thought her sister had captured her. So, she walked over to the small mass. When she woke it up, it stood tall with a unicorn horn ready for battle and two wings on her back, which meant she was an alicorn. She stumbled back in surprise. "W-who are you? Can you help me? My momma is scary." the filly said in a small, scared voice. After she recovered from her panic, Shimmer Cast took the small filly out of the woods. What they didn't know was that two blue eyes were watching they're every move. "Don't worry my dear, we'll make those princesses pay." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nyx stared at the ground. After her story was revealed, and she awaited judgment. Luna, had a hard gaze on her face. "Nyx, with the power you have, you are unstoppable by normal ponies. This is why," Luna paused ," I want you to come to the castle with me." "REALLY?! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later, The two groups of ponies split up, Cosmic Shadow and Illusion Flight walking in silence towards the mare's house, filled with hatred towards the alicorn. Nyx and Luna had begun to fly towards the castle of the royal sisters. > The Return Home (part 1) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As I said goodbye to Luna, I glared at Nyx.' If she ever comes near me again, I'll kill her' I thought. As Nyx and Luna flew off towards the castle, for the first time today, my wings were aching with exhaustion. I looked over at the unicorn stallion standing next to me. Thank you Cosmic Shadow. I wish you knew how felt about you. Cosmic Shadow looked at me after a while. "What are looking at?" He asked with a quizzical voice. "N-nothing." I said, looking away so he wouldn't see my rose red cheeks. " Well ok, I guess we should head to your house first right?" I nodded, "Eeyup" As we were walking to my house, the moon was raised high in the night sky. It was a glorious full moon. Luna did well tonight.Once again, my gaze drifted to the black unicorn. His mane was shining like a combination of rubies and silver. He looked over as well, not saying anything. It went on like that for a while until we both snapped back to reality, looking away at the same time. Stop it Illusion! If he ever finds out- My thought was cut off by a warm hug. Cosmic Shadow was holding on to me tightly, yet tenderly. After getting over the shock, I relaxed and hugged him back. It may have just been a second, or a minute, or an hour. Time stood still for me. And I loved every second of it. After a while, he let go, with a thin trace of red on his face. We were almost half way to my family's hut, suddenly I was surrounded by a green magic aura. Cosmic Shadow used his magic to drag me towards the safe side of the woods, away from my home. I started getting nervous. "C-Cosmic Shadow" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "C-Cosmic Shadow?" I look back at Illusion Flight. I try to look away from those scared, questioning, and beautiful eyes. I shook my head, getting the ridiculous thought out. We've been friends for as long as we can remember. I cant possibly like her like that. I thought. I opened my mouth, only for it to go dry.Why did I turn here? This path leads to.... Before I can stop myself, I answer. " We're going to a very secret and important place of mine." She relaxes, rolling her eyes, she put on a childish smile. "If you wanted to take me on a date you could've just asked." She replied in a mocking tone. If only you kne- Once again I shake my head. "Sure Feather Hooves, whatever you say." Her expression changed from that of a prankster to an annoyed adult. She slightly lifts her muzzle. " HEY! Its not my fault I'm silent on my hooves!" She smirked. "Anyways, at least my nickname isn't Cosmo." " What wrong with that?" I asked , slightly offended. "Hold on to your flank Cosmo. Nothing, just a joke." She said , almost surprised that I didn't pick that up. We're on the edge of a big pond. We have made it. I smile. "We've made it." "What this is it?" She asked. " Sorry ,but, I've passed this place before." " During the night?" " Well no but-" "That your problem then. Plus it's a FULL moon." "I don't get it." " Fly up and tell me what you see." "O-ok." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I fly up higher and higher until I could see all of the mass of water before me. What I see takes my breath away. The pond's shape is a large heart, I would've rolled my eyes at that. The center of it though, had a picture id never expect in a pond. In the center, moonlight reflected a familiar cutie mark. A white crescent moon with a white star by it. "He freaking showed me a pond with his cutie mark in it." I laugh flying down. Cosmo looked at me with a quizzical look. " Hey, I guess a pond with your cutie mark in it would be awesome but, the heart shape? Really?" I say. My friend falls silent. He looks at me intensely. I stiffen up, getting nervous. "The pond is enchanted Illusion Flight. It's called Moon Match Waters. It shows the pony who looks upon it the cutie mark of who they truly love the most." He said " It only works on a full moon." My mouth instantly goes dry. For that means I just told him I liked him. I felt a tear roll down my cheek. One after one tears start pouring down my face. My chest felt like a hole just got stabbed into my heart. I look at his face, with a look of understanding and an unknown emotion to her. She fell to the ground for the second time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "- It only works on a full moon." Illusion Flight looks at me, stunned and embarrassed, she stiffened. And I know why. S-She likes me? Why? And how? I think. She falls to the ground again, crying out the only remaining tears she has. I look at her, my friend, and admirer. I understand why she is despaired. She thinks there is no way for me to love her now. She is heart broken. I walk slowly towards her. Putting a hoof on her shoulder, I whisper " Why?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Why?" I stop crying and get off the ground. I didn't need to keep feeling sorry for myself. I chuckle at the question. "Isn't it obvious?" I say with my usual spunk. " Your cute (in a good way), talented, smart, and caring. Yes, you've been hurt beyond compare by those who reject you. But you also are important to those around you. To me." I can tell that he's a little surprised by my words, but hey, when you find out your friend likes you stuff gets crazy. I turn, intending to fly home, where I can cry in peace. I'm in air when I feel my tail get caught. I look back and see Cosmic Shadow's magic aura holding it back, keeping me pinned in the same spot. Though, his gaze is on the water, the pond. His eyes widen, he gasps, taken aback. He looks me in the eyes, his emerald gaze crossing mine. He softens his look, smiling. He walks over to me, who landed on the ground a few feet away. He puts a hoof on my back, looking at the moon. I look at the ground. "The moon is especially pretty tonight. Look." He sighed. I look up at the silver orb. It was, it always was. I look at him, expecting his look to be focused on the sky. But no, his gaze was on me. Instead of looking away like I usually do, I didn't. I became transfixed by his emerald gaze, enchanted by an unknown magic. Love. Love is a crazy thing. I think. " For years I've never seen a cutie mark in this pond." He begins," For years I've never truly loved somepony. Until now." My heart is pounding. 'Surely he doesn't mean me? No. He couldn't.' "Until a moment ago. Illusion Flight." He paused, " I love you." I'm stunned, mouth dry, and I'm crying again. Only out of joy this time. I smile, revealing my fangs, not caring. " You know, I think your eyes reflect your mood cause they're hot pink now." He laughs. I blush. I still can't speak, too choked up I guess. Not liking the silence, he put his hooves around me again, hugging me. I instantly relax into the warm embrace, hugging him back. We slightly pull our heads back to look at each other. For the first time, I see a dreamy look in his eyes. Breaking the space, he kisses me lightly. My heart explodes! After what seems like a day, We part. Then, we return to our route to our own houses. We reach an intersection. I look at him. "So, are we dating? I'm trying to see if this a dream." I ask and tease. He nods. " Yes. Want to meet some other time?" " Tomorrow?" I ask excitedly. "Sure." He says, nodding. " Goodnight." We part down our separate roads. As I walk down mine, I think one thing. YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I think as I bolt to my house. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " The pegasus is falling for my son, perfect." A mysterious figure says watching the teal mare fly into her home. She turns toward the black figure by her. "It's time to begin our plan." She said, her blue eyes narrowed with a sly smile. > The Return Home (part 2) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna glanced back after she said goodbye. Her friend sent a death stare towards the alicorn next to her. Nyx only glared back. 'Though Nyx was mean, it isn't fair to use it against them forever. Illusion Flight should try forgiveness.' She thought. Extending their wings, the two alicorns shared a glance. Each crossed the others' turquoise gaze. Nyx, stressed from the events that happened moments earlier, narrowed her eyes in disgust as the two normal ponies walked off with joyful smiles on their faces. She turned her head away quickly, stomping off in anger. Luna, being so much taller than her fellow alicorn, was able to catch up to her in a few hoof steps. Luna examined the mare by her, the purple mane, dark cobalt coat, and turquoise eyes. " I thought we were going to me and my sisters' castle, not the prairie." The midnight blue princess said. Nyx, rushed back into reality, looked up with a confused expression. Luna quickly repeated herself. And after stretching out her wings, Nyx slowly lifted herself off the ground. With a simple flap of her wings, the lunar princess joined her. Nyx, due to lack of flying practice, faltered a little. Luna quickly and gracefully dodged the stumbling mare. "Sorry." Nyx whispered in embarrassment. Her cheeks basically glowing pink while regaining her balance. "It helps to focus on a good memory." Luna chuckled. " I like to think of how me and Tia played together in the royal garden. And how she comforted me and my fears of the hall of disembodied hooves." Nyx smiled. " Disembodied hooves? Count me out." Luna and Nyx both erupted in laughter. So much so, that they had to lye down on the clouds below them. Then, Luna noticed how dark the sky was getting. The clouds were starting to reflect the evening twilight. She looked towards the horizon where her gorgeous moon was slowly rising. Luna could just barely see the yellow aura surrounding her celestial orb. ' No. NO! Nonononononono! I may have been weak this morning, but I am not that weak anymore! This night is MINE!' the young princess thought, enraged by the fact that her elder sister had even thought to take advantage of her accident earlier. 'You may think your more special but this is my night! AND I WONT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE IT!!!' Luna furiously used her magic, which now had a darker tint in it, to guide the glowing moon up into the center of the sky. The young princess could feel the surprise of her sister by the sudden halt in the flow of her magic. She too was taken back by it. By her rage and power. Losing control of it, the moon slowly came closer and closer to the planet. Luna soon regained control and returned the moon to its place high in the sky. "Come on. Lets go home." She yelled to the mare resting on the cloud a few feet back. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As they flew close to the castle, Luna could already see a plethora of guards patrolling the outer wall, garden, and streets. 'Tia must've thought something happened again.' She thought. " Stay here." She told Nyx When the pair walked into the main throne room, Celestia was pacing around with half eaten chocolate cake by her seat. ' Great.' Luna thought. ' She worried so much she ate the cake!' "Tia! What the hay? There's like a thousand guards out there! Wh-" The Night Sister was cut off by the warm embrace of her sister. "Oh Luna! I was SO worried. When I was raising the moon for you, I could feel how enraged you were. It made me worry for you. So much that even Discord tried to comfort me." The Solar princess explained. And, as if on cue, the draconaquis appeared in a tuxedo with a fancy hair, holding yellow, orange, and scarlet flowers. Luna couldn't believe her eyes. Discord with . ... . ................ a mustache. She nearly burst out laughing, had Celestia not lightly smack the back of her head. " Celestia. I know how much you worry for little Lulu but please, wont you give me a little affection?" He asked in a deep, un discord-like voice. " Come on Tia. At least say somethi-" He stopped when opening his eyes. He looked between the two alicorn sisters. After a couple of minutes he processed the situation. He walked towards Luna, glaring. " Why you! Do you know how worried everypony has been? Look at your sister! Not to mention poor Sombra down there. With how Tia put it, you were basically gone." Luna's eyes furrowed, she hated it when Tia and Discord told her what to do. Her mind went back to the nightmare she had the day before. Yes, call out for the Sun and the Demon. And yet, where are they? The young sister shook her head to clear the thought out. She tried to fight back the urge to yell back at him. Failing she screamed. " WELL MAYBE SHE SHOULD'VE MINDED HER OWN BUSINESS! I'm NOT a filly anymore! I don't need you or anypony watching me all the time!" Luna paused and took a breath. "sorry." She said solemnly. " It's been a long day for all of us. After I make the stars bright, we should go to sleep and sort this out later." The trio agreed, nodding their heads in unison. Celestia was the next to speak. "Sister, my guards unformed me that you had brought a guest. Is this true?" "Yes Tia." Luna nodded, " I have found another alicorn in the village Illusion Flight calls home." With this, Celestia was reeling back in disbelief. Though she knew Luna was always honest, there was NO way another alicorn was on this planet. And, as if reading her mind, Luna went towards the door. Discord and Tia waited in silence, Tia trying to listen to the whispers outside the door. When she came back, a smaller mare alicorn was following her. " Nyx. This is Princess Celestia, owner of the sun and day, and my sister." Luna said, introducing the sun princess to the mare. "P-Princess!" Nyx said, intimated by the tall and regal pony in front of her. Looking at both of the princesses, " Its an honor to meet both of you." "My My. Isn't she a flatterer." Discord said, flashing in front of the small mare. " Yet similar to Lulu here." The draconaquis continued to examine the alicorn. "Hmm. Purple mane, turquoise irises, dark cobalt coat. YES! She's a perfect apprentice for sweet Celestia here!" Discord concluded. "WHAT?!" Screamed all three alicorn's in unison. Celestia the loudest. " I don't have time for an apprentice! All my duties." Tia replied. "That's why she can help you. Being an alicorn herself, she's destined to be a princess some day! With Sombra as Luna's apprentice, you're the only one who could possibly do it." He explained in a mocking tone. "But Discord-" "Don't 'but Discord' me. I mean lets ask the little princess-to be herself." He snapped. With the attention now on her, Nyx quivered as the tall beings looked down on her with wide eyes. "If you would have me, when I become princess, I'd like to be called Princess Nyx, ruler of darkness." She spoke. " Then its settled!" Discord applauded. " Nice name too!" Luna shuddered at the title. ' Ruler of Darkness? That's like that scary part of my night, only in shadows. She'll be a fearsome ruler.' She thought. " Now that that's over, lets get some rest." Discord told them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna went out of the throne room, expecating a pale pegasus to be there. Instead, a black pegasus with joy-filled, icy blue eyes. His mane smooth, with colors black and white. His Cutie mark was a vinjl record with lighting going through it. " My name is Private Wub Step. My brother, Private Video Speaker was your personal guard, but due to consistent disobedience he was suspended for a few months." The guard told the lunar princess. " I see. Any thing else?" she asked. " Yes, due to your...... accident this morning, the apprentice Sombra insisted you stay at his dorm for help in case of emergency. Your bed and thing have been moved there already." Wub Step explained. " That is all." With that, the pair trotted down the main halls to the study room. In the back, there were two doors. One labeled, Sombra's Study/ Room. the other, Luna's Room. Luna entered the large room, chuckling under her breath as she realized it looked just like her old room. "I'll be outside the door if you need anything else." Wub Step said, gently shutting the door. After a moment or two, Sombra came into the room. With a goofy smile, he greeted her. " Hey neighbor!' He laughed. His black mane obviously ruffled by stress. " Glad you're feeling good. Tomorrows gonna be packed huh?" " What does thou mean?" Luna asked, teasing , yet oblivious to what's happening. " Final magic practice! Then I'll be an official prince like my father!" He said, his red eyes shining with pride. ' YAWN' The pair giggled sleepily. It was awfully late. " Well goodnight Princess." He said. " Good night Prince." Luna replied. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was all black again, only it was a welcoming darkness. What was different? It seems like a dream, but what if its not? the alicorn of dreams asked herself. Just then, a figure appeared. A neon green Earth pony stallion with a dark purple and red mane. He had eyes like her pegasus friend, only they were brown and yellow. Though his mouth did not open, his words were clear. ' The darkness is growing, the darkness that took me. Save my sister. Save Illusion Flight and all you love. Before you're gone too.' Finally, he whispered one last thing. ' I'm not dead. My name was Vocal Cover. Save me.' Then, the same blue mist from last time swept the stallion away. In his place was a dark purple unicorn with deep blue eyes. ' Your rule shall end at the hooves of the sun.' She giggled evilly. > Just Another Morning. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ah!" With a red flash, the gray apprentice was by Luna. His red eyes filled with concern and worry. Luna, was panting loudly, as well as sweating. She was quickly starting to hyperventilate from the shock of her dream. ' How come I'm the one who's getting all the dreams?' she asked nervously in her head. "Luna, are you ok? Do you need a healing spell? A sleep spell? Wait! How about a-" Sombra was cut off by a black hoof covering up his mouth. " Quiet Sombra! Can't you see your making it worse?" Private Wub Step commanded. " Princess, calm down, you're fine. Tell us what's wrong." It took a Calming spell from Sombra and words of encouragement from the guard to calm Luna but soon she was breathing at normal speed. Clearing her throat, she began with her first dream. How nightmarish it seemed. Then she told the listening pair of the days events, of Illusion Flight and Nyx's past. Then finally when it came time for her to explain her latest dream. "Then what Princess?" "Tonight, the dream I had started like any other. It was just dark, not a threating dark, a welcoming dark. Like my night. But then...." Luna's mind drifted off. "Yyyyeeeessss?" Sombra asked, wanting her to continue. "Then ....... it was Illusion Flight's brother, I think, who came up to me. He said that he wasn't dead, just taken, by a darkness. And that-" Luna paused. " And that everyone I love will be taken by it too if I cant stop it. That I had a chance to save you all. And him as well." There was a long silence after that. Sombra was deep in thought on how this could even be possible. The guard, though seemed to be like he always is, jolly without a care. And Luna just looking down at her hooves. Suddenly, all three of their stomachs erupted in a storm of growls. The trio also burst out loudly, laughing. " Come on. Lets get breakfast." Sombra said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walking down the halls, the trio searched for Discord and Celestia, as well as going to the kitchen. Failing to spot the dragconaquis or the sun princess, Luna decided to go ahead and eat. Partially due to her rumbling stomach. The three entered the kitchen silently. Sombra, running, went inside first. Then Luna, and then Wub Step. The guard made one last peek behind the door before closing it. * CRASH!* " Ah HA! I caught you this time! You can't have them Video Speaker. And I'll make sure of that!" said a gray unicorn mare, with a pink mane with a strip of teal in it. Her eyes were dark brown like chocolate. "OW! Sheesh. Warn a guy first." Sombra said, appearing from a pile of pots and pans. Ignoring this, the unicorn rushed up to the princess. " Princess Luna! Why in Everfree are you here this early?" "Chips Delight. This is a kitchen, I think you can work out the variables." Luna simply replied. "Oh. Right." Chips Delight turned towards the young apprentice. " Please excuse the trap I had set. That fiend, Video Speaker keeps stealing the special desserts for Celestia's government meetings. Just last week he stole some that was meant for the meeting with the governor of the Griffon Kingdoms." Guard Wub Step took a step towards the baker mare, a charming smile on his face. " I think its only appropriate that I be the one to tell you that my ridiculous brother wont be bothering you, or any other pretty mare, anymore. " He said confidently. The baker mare quickly brushed past him, her eyes closed and her nose in the air." Sorry." She replied bluntly. " Not interested." Wub Step only looked sadly at the ground. Sighing, he whispered under his breath. " Always rejected. My stupid brother has all the attention." Gaining his composure, he lifted hid head high and all attention turned towards the princess. "Well, princess." Chips Delight spoke. " What would you all like for breakfast?" Luna quickly replied saying she wanted oats, and a salad. Wub Step only took a small sandwich, while Sombra ordered juice, apples and some hay fries. "Ok! Coming right up. It might take a couple minutes though." The baking mare said cheerfully. She quickly bounced away into the kitchen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 minutes later... *BURP* " Ew. Gross Sombra!" the young princess exclaimed. "Hey its not my fault the food is so good!" Sombra pointed out. " Great job Chips Delight." Chips Delight giggled gleefully. " Oh. It was easy! ~All I had to was take of flour, add it to the mix!-" SLAM "CHIPS DELIGHT! THOU REQUEST A MORNING MEAL!" Celestia barged in, using the royal voice. " How is it that you're the morning person Luna? " Chips Delight groaned. "CHIPS DELIGHT!" The sun princess turned towards the mare." Oh! Luna. I didn't know you were here." The young princess who had been sitting silently eating her salad now had a confused and shocked face. 'I know its morning and Tia must be tired but why must she act like the staff are nothing but servants! They're ponies too!' The lunar princess stood up and walked over to her sister. She readied her voice. " While I am oversensitive there's just one thing," She started. " ARTH THOU SO RUDE AS TO SCREAM A THY HUMBLE STAFF?" Luna asked in the royal voice, her look was serious. Celestia, startled by the outburst, fell to the ground. She looked at her younger sibling. The Moon Princess's coat was a darker hue and her eyes. Oh her eyes. They were narrowed so much, they looked like tiny dots compared to the whites of her eyes. Her smile was crooked, making the mare's appearance only more menacing. Laughing the lunar princess began rising in the air. " What's wrong Tia? Afraid of the dark?" Luna mocked."What? Not that GREAT and MAGESTIC everypony call you are you?" The young alicorn flew down by her sister. Her eyes glowing, her menacing smile replaced by an angry frown. " Try and recognize the ponies with less power than you." Luna whispered. "Even your little sister knows that. Luna doesn't know that she can be controlled though." The white glow from Luna's eyes faded, leaving two dark, sea-blue eyes in the place of where two turquoise eyes should've been. "Who are you? Why are you doing this? How are you doing this?" Celestia asked, confused by what happened in a couple of seconds. "My name is Velvet Fire! Former respected elder thanks to you. Second, I'm doing this because ALL ponies should rule this country. Not just alicorns. And third, the corruption spell is quite simple with dark magic." The possessed Luna replied. "Dark Magic?" Sombra asked, wondering about this new subject. " Sombra, do not be tempted by this horrible mare." Celestia's attention turned back to the form of her sister " I remember you. My life was in danger from that blast of dark energy." "Hmm. Yes." Velvet Fire replied. " Well, its been great but I must be going. I don't want the death of alicorns being delayed." And with that, the body of Luna dropped to the ground. She quickly awoke and was rubbing her head. "Ugh. Tia! How come you keep yelling in the morning?" Luna said. "Why can't I get a decent order without something bad happening?" Chips Delight said towards the wall. " Um. Chips? Who are you talking too?" Sombra asked. " Oh nobody! Just the readers." She replied. "The..... readers? Chips Delight! there's no time for goofing off. Now help me with Luna. I already have enough confusing things going on." Celestia said, walking away to the throne room. > Dark Knowledge > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "........ Well, that's what happened after you and Nyx I mean, the alicorn liar. Oh! Almost forgot, the village has declared me new guardian due to my training progress. I got to show you next time I come over. Hmm. Guess that's it. Reply soon Luna! Your Frightful Friend, Illusion Flight. " Luna turned the letter around, checking to see if there is any other messages. Barely knowing her latest new found pegasus friend, besides Private Wub Step; who has permanently placed as her personal guard, couldn't know what she does. Nonetheless, the princess inspected the letter. Nothing. She checked the envelope. 'Noth- Wait, ..... YES!' Besides the night pegasus's poor hoof writing, there was a sloppy message on the back. ' Ask the mail mare, Twirl Feather, about a small piece of paper.' " Err, Twirl Feather, Is it? " The purple-ish, gray mare nodded, her pink eyes faced each other. Her blonde and silver mane almost covering up the right eye. "Illusion Flight always reminds ponies to remind me about her small messages. I got it,.... right.... HERE!" Twirl Feather exclaimed whilst scavenging through her luggage. "Well, sorry princess, I gotta fly. More deliveries." "Of course. I wont keep them waiting." And with that the mail mare was off. ' What a strange mare...' Luna placed the small piece of paper on her desk. She had to get to work. Surely nothing was on there she needed to read at the very second? Leaving the room, she slammed the door. The force from it caused the scrap of paper to fall from the small desk onto the flaming logs by it. The note read, 'Also, I'm flying over tonight. Strange noises have been coming from the forest, ponies are disappearing from neighboring villages, I wondered if... ' The remainder of the note was left to burn. *********************************************************************************************************** "Ok Sombra! If you are going to be the kingdoms next king, your going to prove to me that YOU, yes, YOU! Are the pony for this task!" Luna resided. Sombra, who was sitting in a desk like a he was at school. Going along with the theme, he raised his hoof. Luna glared, annoyed that her speech was interrupted. "Yes, Sombra?" "Aren't I training today to be a prince. Not a king? I mean, wouldn't I have to marry to be a king?" He asked. " Well, yes. But still, if you want to be a good ruler, you pay attention to EVERYTHING. Not just one topic. Anyways, you're going to have to get a queen if you live up to my expectations." "Okay. But one thing, what is dark magic?" Sombra inquired. The lunar princess stiffened up at the very mention of the foul subject. She turned her back on him. "SHUT YOUR HEATHEN MOUTH! THOU SHANT SPEAKTH OF THE FOUL MAGIC. " She exclaimed. Sombra was shocked, lost for words. Luna had never once used the Royal Voice on him, well, maybe once or twice. But even so, it was just a question. Even so, he hated when Luna was upset with him. "I'm sorry Luna. I shouldn't have asked after yesterday morning." He apologized. Luna blinked, she looked at her hooves. She had been too hard on the young apprentice. She sighed. Facing the grey stallion, whose eyes were on his desk. "No." She began, looking intensively at the handsome apprentice. " I was too hard on the question. You've done nothing wrong. That is why I'm proud to call you my apprentice." Young Sombra looked up, a smile paced on his face. "Not after today! I'll be able to call myself royalty!" He boasted. Luna snickered. His ambition was large, it drove him to do greatness. But, with too much ambition, comes disaster. "Yes, but today you're still my apprentice. And, as a special lesson, I will give you access to the forbidden archives. Where all books on dark magic are kept." The princess's tone changed from proudness to a dark, serious attitude. " BUT, be warned, Never! EVER! read the books aloud. They curse the ones that speak out." Sombra nodded, not daring to show his excitement. He was beckoned to head towards the study. As he left, Luna rushed to her drawer. Bringing out a quill and paper she wrote a letter to the sun princess. ' Dearest Sister, As you know, my apprentice Sombra, has come on his final exam. I've sent him to the Forbidden Archives to answer his questions of Dark Magic. Do Not Worry, I have informed him on the danger. And, to be sure, I've cast a special protection spell to keep all dark magic from corrupting him. Unless of course, HE cast the spell on himself. But he wouldn't do that... ' ******************************************************** Illusion Flight was posted on the North section of her village. Noises from the forest had caused her to get a partner to keep the village safe. One eligible stallion volunteered for the job. This stallion just happened to be Cosmic Shadow. The pair was thrilled. Now as she explained her shifts and his, not only was she excited for her visit with Luna later, but she got to hang out with the stallion of her dreams. Weird dreams, ones of saving the world together or ones of just hanging out, but dreams nonetheless. "Okay, so tonight I'm heading out. That means you'll have to be here, here and here. The guard squad will handle the rest." The mare said, pointing to the center of the town, the forest line, and the wall perimeter. "How do you know where the squad goes?" Cosmic Shadow asked. " Even I don't know which route they take." "Simple. I TALK to people. You should try it." Illusion Flight teased. " Anyways, Commando Strike told me." Even though the pegasus mare said the name with annoyance, Cosmic Shadow bristled at the fact his friend so much time with her. And no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't hide the hint of jealousy. Okay, not a hint, a pretty large amount of jealousy. ' Stallions. What gives? He's only my friend for Celestia's sake!' She thought, noticing it. "Why are you talking to him? Cosmic Shadow asked. "Wait. Really? You're jealous? No way!" the strange mare began. Gesturing with her hoof, she replies, " Please, every little detail of him makes me sick. His orange coat, the black and green mane, and the horrendous cutie mark. A simple sword? Really? Anyways, you're the only guy who's caught my eye." " SISTER!!! You got to get going!" A small voice called out. "Okay Sunset Sky I'll be right there." Illusion Flight replied. With that, a little flash of hot pink went by. A green and blue tail flying past. The small filly had a musical scale as a cutie mark. " See you at the house." She called. The teal mare turned to the black unicorn, sadness In her eyes for leaving so soon. He returned the look of disappointment. "I have to go. If we're going to get more protection from what's out there, this is our best chance." She sighed sadly. " I'll be back in the morning. Don't get yourself caught." Then she kissed him on the cheek. She turned, and flew off. "Goodbye." He whispered. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the castle, Sombra arrived at the study, he looked around the large room. Not once had he come across the Forbidden Archives, like many before him. He walked to the center of the library of knowledge. A familiar unicorn was sitting there. She was reading a book called, 'The Ways of Fire Magic', It was written by the famous Star swirl the Bearded. She also had a book with her own cutie mark on it. A violet flower slowly turning into a quill . The book on the other hoof was likely her journal. " Ah hm." The grey stallion coughed. The unicorn mare looked up. Her emerald green eyes widened with familiarity. Her foggy- white coat shiny compared to the gloominess of the dark corridor. She used her magic to get the dark purple strands of her mane out of the way. The unicorn smiled and stood up, revealing that she was unnaturally taller than most ponies. "Violet Scribe. May you direct me to the Forbidden Archives? Luna sent me here to answer a question of mine." Sombra said cheerfully. The mare looked surprised. " The Forbidden Archives? I'm sorry Sombra, Your not one to lie , but I cannot allow it to anypony. Not even the princess's apprentice. Unless, Luna sends me a letter." She replied in a flat, smooth tone. At that very moment, a light blue flash came and went. In its place was a note. Violet Scribe read it. Her eyes skimmed the page quickly. "Very well. I will reveal the Archives to you Sombra. First, do you know the danger?" She asked suddenly. He simply nodded. Princess Luna had informed him of all he need to know. " I'd probably be dead if not for her.." He thought to himself. "Okay, follow me." She said, snapping him out of his thinking. Violet Scribe led him down the oldest section of the library. Sombra was confused, he had been here a million times. ' How could this place be "Forbidden"?' He thought. "If you think this is all , I'm sorry to say you're wrong." The mare remarked, as if reading his mind. " We're here." "This is it?" Sombra inquired. " Its a dead end." "Surely you're brighter than that? Come ON! The knowledge of the most evil spells in history are stored here." The mare said mockingly. Her horn lit up with a ocean- blue aura. She focused her magic on the wall, sweat rolled past her eyes, showing her struggle to control the amount of power surging through her as she completed the spell. Upon releasing the spell, the wall glowed brightly. The two ponies shielded their eyes from the blinding light. Had they not, they would've seen a black cloud go through the light. Warping through it. As the light disappeared, Violet Scribe disappeared as well. "Violet Scribe?" Sombra searched for the unicorn mare. 'I guess she went back while I wasn't looking.' He contemplated. He turned towards the wall, which now held a door made of black crystal. He carefully walked towards it. Opening it, he popped his head to peak through. His red eyes widened at the sight before him. Every direction he looked there were books. So many books. He instantly became entranced by his need for knowledge. He rushed skimming over the titles, oh, the things he could learn from this simple room. He rushed towards the back of the room. 'Dark Magic- Immortality spells, Love spells, I might need to use that one. ' He thought. ' Multiplication spells, and Corruption spells.' He stopped on "Corruption Spells" He flipped the pages to get to the right page. It was blank. ' Use your magic.....' a mare's voice whispered. Thinking it was Luna, Sombra obeyed and used his magic on the book. This triggered a magical effect, causing his eye whites to turn green, purple mist streamed out of his eyes. Suddenly images came to him. It showed him, wearing a red cape with iron armor, His horn was tipped with red, and he was joined by Princess Luna. Only she was taller, she now had a black coat, and her eyes. Those terrible eyes! They were replaced by turquoise, reptilian eyes. She had a midnight blue cape, much like his vision-self. The scene switched. In this one, a beaten Celestia lay on the ground. Only her wings and horn was gone. She bowed before them. She opened her eyes, they were filled with a terrible amount of fear. " Celestia, you were once a powerful ruler, but like all powerful rulers you over shadowed those around you. Much like my dear wife here. My Queen, Nightmare Moon." He turned to Luna. " My dear, what shall we do with your former sister." The normal Sombra was mortified. It was a nightmare, a curse, something! Just Something! This wasn't right. Yet, he saw himself, married and sitting beside Luna. Or Nightmare Moon. Yes, it was true, he did always like Luna but he would never rule beside her like this. The vision Luna stood up. Her black coat contradicting her elder sister's. Her eyes cold. But, for just a moment, she showed a look of sympathy. It was soon covered up by a wicked smile. Fangs barred out at the sun goddess. " Dearest Sister," She spat. " As ruler of the day and elder princess, you were blessed with adoring subjects. Every pony at your side, but, you became obsessed with the limelight. You over shadowed me, Sombra, and our ponies. You did crimes against us all, and for what?" the visionary Luna did not wait for an answer. " That's right. Yourself! We all once looked up to you. Loved you. But you betrayed us. Had Discord not stopped your reign, giving up his life, he would be ashamed of his...." Luna stopped. She hated it, hated what pain the poor soul went through. Sadness cracked her voice, while her face showed no remorse." Lover. " Celestia shook as tears flowed out of her eyes. She looked up at her young, powerful sister, the queen. Her rose-pink eyes pleaded for mercy. " Please, please Luna. Please forgive me." She cried. " Forgive me sister. But I must do my duty." She paused. "And be loyal to my subjects. I decree, my sister, to be executed at 9:00 P.M. When the moon is rising." With those last words, the vision shifted. It was dusk. He was standing in a crowd of angry ponies. As he readjusted to his surroundings, he heard his vision self. " As the Queen decreed, the evil tyrant Celestia," The crowd up roared, the ponies pilling over each other, reaching out for the white mare by the king. "is to be hanged!!" The crowd cheered. "Down with the Sun!" "Long Live King Sombra!" "Long live Queen Luna!" These were the awful things Sombra heard. He looked up, Celestia already had a noose around her neck. She wasn't looking at the angered ponies, instead she looked past them. Sombra turned, looking over the enraged ponies. He gasped. Instead of her recent regal outfit, Luna was now wearing blue armor, her flowing mane glowed against the sunset. "Long Live Discord! Our savior!" She shouted. Her horn lit up, signaling the rise of the moon. King Sombra put his hoof on the lever by Celestia, who was powerless without her wings or magic. He gazed across the ponies, stopping at Normal Sombra. He spoke loud and clear. "Long Live Equestria!" It was then the king pulled the lever, and Celestia's body fell. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "NNNNNNOOOOOO!!!" Sombra screamed. He looked around frantically, sighing in relief as he realized that he was by the book. He looked at the spells name. " The Spell of Fear." Sombra's blood ran cold. It wasn't Luna who told him to use his magic. It was somepony else. He searched around. Stopping at a mirror. He ran towards it. His eyes widening at the sight. He put his hoof on the glass. His reflection's touch being blocked by the thin glass. Sombra's fear- filled eyes met cool, calm pure red eyes. Who had whites that were green. Purple mist pouring out of his eyes. "Is it everything you've ever dreamed Sombra?" A female voice came out, it was strangely familiar. "Velvet Fire. Remember?" The stallion narrowed his eyes. "I do remember." he thought, his horn lighting up."She's the one who controlled Luna!" "Yes. Yes. Luna! Is she all you ever think about? That Princess?" She said mockingly. " You shouldn't hangout with some princess that likes her own apprentice, waiting for him to be a prince." While he was serious, he couldn't help but feel joy at that news. Snapping back into reality, he snapped at the reflection, who had changed into a dark purple unicorn with blue eyes. Her horn tipped with red. " How'd you hear what I was thinking?" He snapped. "You want to know more about dark magic? Well, better spells than that." She asked. "But, to answer your question, I've connected with the dark magic. My eyes are a symbol of that. It's a sign of power. And with that power, comes with knowledge. So, I can hear your thought through the dark magic." He was intrigued, never had he heard of such magic. He almost wanted her to teach him all she knows. He quickly shook that thought away. "I'd never betray Luna for your games." He said. "Oh. you wouldn't have to betray her. I'm just offering some spells in case something bad happens. Let's say, I don't know, what you saw in that book there." She replied. He shook. The mare was convincing. And his curiosity and fear got the better of his judgment. "If you teach me a few spells, only a few, I won't tell Luna about this." He commented. "Begin tomorrow? After tonight you'll be a prince. Able to wed your beloved princess." She asked quizzically. "Sure. I expect you'll hold up your word?" He asked. "On my honor." She vowed. "Oh. and take a few books with you. they'll give you a better understanding of everything." Sombra did as told and left the Archives. Velvet Fire stood as a black mist. "Excellent. Now, the draconaquis." She said, smiling evilly. With a new prince at her side, all she needed was to get back at the sun princess. Through Discord. " Lets make things Disappear." She chuckled to herself. > The Exam. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was noon. Sombra had just left the Forbidden Archives. His mind a blur. Had he really just agreed to train with the enemy of his dear beloved Luna? He had felt like his body had taken over. Not his mind. He could feel a magic still engraved in his head like a tumor. It spoke thoughts in his own head, turning his mind against him. A dark voice whispered in his head. ' You can't honestly believe the beautiful mare you call Princess Luna could Ever. Love. You. ' It taunted. "Shut Up!" Sombra yelled. He quickly closed his mouth, regaining himself. "Sombra?" A familiar voice responded from the doorway he passed. He looked behind him. It was Luna, her eyes filled with worry. "Sombra? Are you OK?" She asked, her bright blue eyes shadowed by concern. He put on a smile, hoping it would fool her. "I-I'm ok. Sorry, I was just asking myself why those spells were cast away." He said. 'Do you truly believe you can fool HER?' The dark voice said. Sombra jerked his head back in response. Upon seeing this, Luna narrowed her eyes. " Don't Lie. I've never doubted you, in such, I have never seen into your dreams. We'll see what makes you lie to me. In your own dreams." She said menacingly, she turned towards the courtyard. Her wing stretched outwards, directing towards him then herself. "Come. We must begin your exam." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The courtyard was lush with flowers and trees. Animals ran around the grass, birds sat in trees, and fish splashed in the pond. Nature sung out as Luna and Sombra walked out. As soon as the sun's rays hit Luna's mane, the normally solid blue color erupted into a rainbow of purples and blues. Sombra couldn't help but stare in awe. His envy grew as the sun hit his mane, only revealing a sleek black mane. Noticing this, Princess chuckled. "Do I look like my sister now?" She teased. "No." He replied bluntly. " You look better." Luna's cheeks burned with embarrassment. ' You have got to be kidding me. He's about to take the exam that proves if he can be a worthy ruler and he thinks about how I look.' She thought, then pausing. ' He thinks about how I look. And said I looked better than Celestia! ' "Luna?" Sombra said, snapping the reality back to the princess. " Um, we're here." Once more, the night ruler blushed. "I-I knew that! Okay. Let us begin." Luna replied. " What is the goal of the rulers of Everfree?" "To be a fair, honest, kind, loyal, generous, and likable ruler. To never make others feel underneath you. To treat everypony with respect." He said with emotion. ' Perfect. ' Luna thought. "Now, what do we do in case of any......... emergencies?" She commanded. "We use a signal spell. To summon all the other rulers." "yes." She responded. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ " Now Sombra. We're are through with the talking." Luna said dismissively." But, your combat needs studied." "But that would imply that I fight somepony." He responded. " Surely not you." "Oh no. Of course not. I have somepony else in mind." The night ruler said. As if on cue, a dark cobalt figure stepped out of the castle doors. Her purple mane brushed neatly, and put up in a "ponytail". Her scalene eyes filled with determination. When she reached the pair, she extended her wings. "Sombra. I want you to meet Nyx. Celestia's apprentice." Luna commented. " As well as your fighting partner." Nyx bowed before them. "Luna. Sombra." She said respectively. "Shall we begin?" "Isn't she a little young to be fighting me?" Sombra said. "No offense." "None taken. I've been fighting all my life. That's how my village works." Nyx said coolly. "Alright. Lets head to the arena." Luna said. "Arena? Where's-" The trio disappeared in a flash. They then reappeared in a round arena that looked abandoned. Nyx gasped. "T-This place. I know this place! Luna. W-Where are we?" Nyx stuttered. "Only a few miles from your village. Why?" The princess asked. "This was where fillies and colts went through a 'Right of Passage' Battle. But I destroyed it." Nyx replied, her head tucked behind her hair. After a few moments of awkward silence, Sombra spoke up. "Well, we're here to battle right? Not stand here." He said teleporting to the far side of the arena. "SO LETS BEGIN!" Luna flew up to a seat on the top row. "I agree." Nyx teleported to the side opposite of Sombra. She never spoke. But as she looked straight at him, Sombra could hear her voice in his head. Saying one thing. " There is a darkness in you. One I've only seen once. Tread the path of destiny carefully. " "BEGIN!" Luna yelled. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "BEGIN!" Luna yelled. Nyx was the first to move. Her horn lighting up with a purple aura. Luna couldn't see what was effected by that or if she was simply using a power spell. Luna's flowing mane was swirling violently against the wind. 'a wind spell. Smart.' She thought. Soon fast moving clouds shrouded the sun, leaving the arena dark. Sombra, battling against the wind, lit up the area using magic. He created an orb of light and shot it up to the sky. The orb made the area brighter. Sombra prepared a lighting spell. He was too slow. Before he knew it, Nyx used a fire spell, burning his hoof. Gritting his teeth he cast a self healing spell, a light red aura covering his wound. He immediately summoned a crystal sword. It was made out of black and red gems. He raised it high above his head. Nyx had no time to use a defense spell, she flung herself out of the way, her wing was cut. Sombra let the sword disappear, absorbing the extra energy. Nyx's horn lit up, her eyes filled with pain and shock. Her purple mane and tail began to flow. Her eyes glowing white. Sombra quickly readied a shield against the attack. Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Ice pillars grew from the ground like death itself. Dust blew up, blurring the scene. Once it cleared out, Nyx's form dropped to the ground, Sombra understood from the determined look he got that she had meant for that magic outburst. "Is that all you've got?" He asked. "I could ask you the same thing young prince." She rebuked, her gaze never changing. "Princes." He said calmly. "What?" She asked quizzically, processing what he had said. Once she realized, a sharp pain came from the back of her neck. Her injured wing not helping. The Sombra in front of her disappearing like he'd never been there, his form replaced with dust. A heavy hoof pinned her to the ground. "Well Nyx, Give up?" The grey stallion asked. "You're too cocky." She said grinning happily, her horn lit up. Sombra looked to the sky, figures of ponies rained from the sky. Their features black out, they looked like dark silhouettes. Each of them held a type of weapon. One, a pegasus had ice swords on her wings. The second, a unicorn held a battle axe in his magic. Another had a war hammer in his mouth. But Sombra noticed only one thing, Nyx's horn remained lit up. 'So she can't continue the spell without her magic going at all times. Perfect." He thought. ' But, what spell do I use?' Sombra was too lost in thought that he got tackled by the pegasus shadow. The ice swords freezing his shoulders, he jumped back in agony. Nyx teleported up to a pillar of ice. Two pegasi guards soon were by her side. On the right, a smaller pegasi had claws on her armored boots. The one on the left, had pair of daggers sheathed in pouches on her flank. 'Okayyyyy. That makes it a little bit harder. ' He thought.' These things aren't ponies. They're just shadows.' An idea came to his mind, one he had to make. Sombra readied his magic, he ran into the horde of shadow ponies. The shadow ponies lifted their weapons. They each ran towards each other. The wave of 'ponies' slowly morphed together, dropping their weapons. Sombra only grinned at this. With a flicker of magic, Nyx ordered the swirling mass of darkness to engulf him. Doing as told, the shadows crashed down to the earth, the apprentice disappeared underneath it. Watching this, Luna stood up, prepared to call off the fray. Her eyes filled with sadness. If he couldn't win,.... they would never be... As if in response, a fiery red glow erupted from it. A beacon of light reached up to the sky. As it dissipated, the shadows focused onto the area Sombra disappeared. The ball of darkness lifted into the sky. Its energy surging through, the shadows turning on each other like a storm. Luna looked at the pony below it, Sombra lifted his horn to the black abyss. The red aura reaching out to it. And slowly, bit by bit, it got smaller and smaller. Until it was the size of a ball. Sombra had absorbed all of the dark energy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sombra opened his eyes. The arena was clearer now, he had absorbed ALL the shadows. Regaining himself, Sombra faced Nyx. Satisfied to see a look of horror. He blasted a magic beam straight at her. Surprised to see that the beam was black, not red, Sombra paused after he hit Nyx. Who was now on the ground. He walked over to her, he seemed a bit taller now. He looked down at the figure. She looked weak, vulnerable. 'Finish her. She's no use. ' The voice was back. And stronger. Sombra didn't snap back at it. He just stood there. "Sombra? W-When did you learn to do that?" Luna said as she landed by him. "I don't know." He said simply. Luna levitated Nyx onto her back. "Well, you won. Lets go home. Prince." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna teleported them back to the garden, it was night now. The pair opened their eyes. Sombra headed towards the door, but Luna stayed back for a while. She loved to outdoors. She began to walk. She went to the pond. She listened for anything. nothing. The lunar princess sat under a huge oak tree. A few leaves fell, Luna listed the color in boredom. 'green, light green, dark green, teal.' She thought , closing her eyes. Then it hit her. 'TEAL?' Luna looked up immediatly. She gasped in terror. A pegasus pony was hanging from a branch, her body limp, her breaths short, and she had blood coming from a hit to the head. Her armour was badly damaged and her wings were a mess. The mystery mare was none other than Illusion Flight, the princess's friend. Luna teleported her to the ground. She paniced and beg for her to speak. Hearing her crys, Illusion Flight muttered one thing. "D-Disco-ord." > Orders and Doubts. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Please ,Tia! I need thou to help me!" Luna cried, running through the throne room where Princess Celestia was waiting. The Solar princess looked up at her sister. Her expression was one Luna had never seen. It scared her. Fear. It was a look so foreign for Tia it startled the young princess. ' Why would Tia be scared? She's never scared.' She thought. "What is the matter Sister?" Celestia asked in her regal tone, obviously trying to hold down her trembling voice. Luna was too concerned to worry about that fact. She lifted Illusion Flight off her back and sat her on the floor. Celestia gasped, her professional gaze gone. Luna watched in wonder as Celestia examined her wounds. The elder sister narrowed her eyes at a few unnatural burns. Celestia stood up and faced her sister. Luna's worried gaze crossed her sister's urgent one. " I need you to bring me three magically skilled unicorns here for me. I need them for a particularly powerful spell. And bring Sombra as well. I believe you went through his trials today?" The Princess said. "This is true. And he passed, but honestly, this isn't the time to discuss princes! I think we both know this is not normal magic.." Luna said, her voice fading of as her thought drifted away from reality. Celestia's ears flopped to the sides of her face. She had feared Luna would sense the dark magic. Tia had never wanted Luna to be involved with it. Ever since the unicorn Velvet Fire had attacked her with it. Or when that same mare corrupted her sister. "Just do it! I must find out what happened to Illusion Flight and I can't do that until you do as I say." Tia said, her hooves lightly gripping Luna's face. Luna backed away slowly, frightened by her sister. She wasn't used to Celestia being so off the edge. So....Weak. ' So, you see your sister for who she is. A COWARD. " An all too familiar voice said in Luna's head. "Did you not hear me? If you want your, no, our friend helped do as I say." Tia ordered. Luna quickly rushed out of the room, her tail leaving a slight, blue, blur behind her. " This is the dark times Discord told me of, isn't it? Why? Why is Luna involved?" Tia said to herself. A tear rolled down her cheek. As it fell, a pair of blue eyes stared viciously at the princess. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sombra was walking to his room, he had made a quick stop to the kitchen to have a snack. Of course, Chips Delight gave him a cookie. Again. But, who could blame her? The snack was quite delicious. He even saved one for Luna. He had planned to ask if she would be his special somepony for hearts and hooves day coming up. The cookie was even heart- shaped, chummy for him, but the message would get through. Once he got to the two doorways, he walked up to Wub Step. Sombra had become friends with the pegasus guard. He even gave him a nickname. "Hey there ChumChum! How ya doing?" Sombra said, munching on a cookie. "Not much." He chuckled upon spotting the heart cookie. " What's that for? And where did you get it?" "Oh! Chips Delight made it for me! Along with these tasty sweets!" Sombra said, revealing a bag of cookies. Wub Step wasn't too impressed. In fact, his happy nature was changed into a jealous rage. "C-Chips Delight gave that to YOU?!" He replied. "Whoa! Calm down. It wasn't like that! She made them cause I asked her to. This one," Sombra gestured to the heart cookie," is for Luna." He said defensively. Suddenly, The grey stallion had a sly grin on his face. "Wait? You? and........ the- the-" Sombra couldn't even finish his sentence as he burst into laughter on the floor. " Oh boy! This. IS. GOOD!! I gotta tell her!" 'ChumChum's' jaw dropped." Y-you wouldn't." "Nah." Sombra paused." You will! Come on, Come on, lets go!" "Oh No! I'm not gonna do that. If you wanna go do something crazy, do it yourse-" He was cut off by Princess Luna running in. "Sombra! Come with me!" Luna paused and looked at Wub Step. ' Eh. Why not?' she said to herself. "You too!" "Wait! Luna! I have someth-" He began, but she was already gone. Wub Step put a hoof on his shoulder. "It'll be okay. Maybe later?" He said trotting off. Sombra went in his room. Put his bag of sweets down and took the heart cookie out and placed it on his desk. He frowned. He had been so sure that this was the time, that this was when he would confess his love for her. And she had ignored him. ' That is just prove she doesn't love you.' The voice taunted. Sombra closed his eyes. "Be quiet!" He said. ' You don't deserve her. You don't love her!' It continued. "I SAID BE QUIET!" He said. Opening his eyes he saw that the precious cookie he got for Luna was crushed between his hooves. He stared at it his heart aching. He wanted to fix it. But lacked the love in his heart to cast the spell. The amount of hatred though, that was different. His magic reached out to the shattered snack, its black aura merging it back together. Until, it looked exactly like it was. "Well! That was a perfect display of Dark Magic Sombra!" A voice said. He turned around. It was an elderly unicorn. Velvet Fire. "Velvet Fire! My deals off! I know you forced me into it! Leave me out of this." He said. "Oh stop worrying about that. That's what I was here about. I don't need you anymore. So, id get going before somepony sees you with the enemy." She said, disappearing. Sombra looked towards the door. She was right. He should go. As he walked out of the room, he looked at the heart cookie. 'For Luna...' He thought and trotted off. > Memories of Chaos > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna walked through the halls with Sombra, Chips Delight, Wub Step (Who seemed to be acting odd.), and Violet Scribe. The halls, to Luna, seemed empty. Hollow and without purpose. The princess's thoughts seemed to cloud out even the loud clicking of her royal boots. She couldn't even be comforted by Sombra's presence. The four ponies made it to the staff dorms, where the last unicorn waited. Luna told the ponies to wait while she went in. The night ruler slowly and quietly opened the door. The mare in the room was sprawled across the small bed. A large notebook was on the dresser. Luna took a seat near her and enter the dreamscape. In it, she saw many ponies dreams and nightmares. She entered the nearest dream. It was dark as Luna tried to become a character in the dream. The dream started showing itself to the Moon Ruler. The ground underneath her hooves was dark and cold. The air was tense and sickeningly warm. Luna raised her hoof to call out to the pony. Only the wind answered back. Luna lifted her wings, she silently raised off the cold dirt. The pale dead trees surrounding her seeming to reach out to her as she flew up higher and higher in the dark, moonless night. Even the stars were not out. But ,of course, it is a dream. Luna flew for a long while, searching for the mare she was sent to retrieve. Then, out of the corner of the her eye, the princess saw a speck of bright blue. Luna swan-dived down to the ground. She lifted her wings to slow down her descent. She walked up to the quivering figure of a pony. "Note Story? Is that you? Are you alright?" Luna asked calmly. The bright blue pony stopped shivering on the ground but she did not answer. Luna still could not see any of the mare's features besides her cutie mark of a pen and pencil, how she is indeed a unicorn, and how her mane and tail was a rich brown color. Yet she couldn't see her face. "Note Story? Look at me. Are you alrigh-" Luna stopped in mid sentence as the pony turned to her. Luna had expected a warm smile and welcoming expression on the unicorns face. Note Story, on the other hoof, had a nightmare-ish smile. Her Iris and pupil were similar shades of red and her whites were gray. Luna could barely recognize the mare since there was a long scar going from her eyes to her chin. The light from her eyes was gone. "Yes Luna?" She said in a dark tone. The princess did not respond. "You told me to look at you. What's the matter? Afraid of a little darkness?" The mare said lighting up her horn with magic. Its black aura surging. 'That aura....' Luna thought. 'I've seen it before. In Sombra! During the battle, during the absorption spell.' The nightmare version of Note Story struck out at Luna. Striking her with spells that did no pain but still put fear in the night princess's heart. "What's wrong dear Luna? You're already being overpowered by your sister, you should be used to this." It taunted. "Everypony know it. Don't deny it! We all love the day more than the night. Nopony needs you." It continued lashing out harmful words until it seemed to be echoing around Luna, engulfing her with fear, anger, and confusion. Luna, distraught by how it seemed to be true, fell to the ground. "N-no. It's- That's not true..... My friends.-" Luna whispered. Hearing this, the nightmare clone of Note Story quickly took action. The mare walked up to the alicorn, used her magic to lift the distraught mare's head, so that Luna could look at her when she spoke. "Face it, they're all around you so that they can be with your sister when you're taken down for power. All of them. Chips Delight. Violet Scribe. Wub Step. Illusion Flight." The being paused, knowing all too well that this remark would hurt the sad alicorn. "Even Sombra doesn't want you around. He just wants Celestia." Luna couldn't take it anymore. She stood up, horn alive with dark magic and struck the nightmare. The being screamed and shouted out at her. The dark shade on the pony slowly started dissipating. The pony, who now had a welcoming atmosphere, shook her head. "Wha- what happened? Luna?" The blue mare asked worryingly. "N-no. No! NO! No! NO!" The princess screamed. " You're nothing but a nightmare! I hit you with that spell, why can't you just go away?!" "Whoa, wait! Luna! It's me. I'm normal, why would think I'm a nightmare?" Then the mare looked around at the barren forest. "Oh. We're in a nightmare, what happened?" she asked. "It's nothing. Just leave me alone. Celestia want you awake for a spell. Its urgent, a good friend of mine was attacked." Luna said, getting up. " I'll be by your bed when you wake." As Luna began to exit the dream, the scenery around the two began to fade, warning that Note Story was waking up. The princess flew up towards the sky, opening a portal back into reality. After closing off the portal, she uttered one thing. "Could she have been right?" Luna whispered to herself. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "- And then my elder sister told me to get three magically gifted unicorns. So, I go you, Chips Delight, Violet Scribe, and Sombra." "But that's four unicorns." Note Story said. "Well Tia asked for Sombra herself as well as you three." Luna spoke almost in a whisper. Noticing this, the unicorn mare chose not to ask. "Well lets go!" The blue mare remarked cheerfully as she walked out of the room, notebook in her magic. And she left the night ruler alone. Before following, the princess felt a surge of magic go through her. Almost like somepony was watching the whole thing play out. Watching them and their struggles. Suddenly, her heart felt like it was being squeezed. The pain quickly went away, but in its place was all the things that Luna worried about. Her fear of Sombra not loving her, but her sister. The doubt she has about her role as ruler. The lack of emotion she's had lately. How ponies loved her sister more than her..... Luna looked at herself in the mirror. Her coat was a lighter shade of blue, but it was still darkened by the shadows. Her hair was solid and short, as it is when she feels weak or sad. And her eyes, they were scalene and her whites were a greyish- blue color, even her eyelids has a shade of purple. Then, she felt something stab her gums. She opened her mouth to reveal fangs. Her wings form was sharper. Then Luna smiled. "Oh Nyx is a fool to believe she is going to control the shadows. Even Celestia doesn't have the power to do so. But I," Luna said, using her magic to put pressure on the glass. " Have the power to control them and more. From now on, the night and all its darkness now belongs to me. " Luna looked at her reflection one last time, then smashed the mirror. Some pieces fell on the floor, and in their reflection, a shadow hung over Luna. The shadow had her same smile. " Nopony understands. Celestia may think she can control shadows through lifetimes of study. When its the same power I was Born with." She finished as she closed the door. Princess Luna turned around to her group of friends, a smile on her face. Her eyes landed on Sombra and said. "Let's not keep my sister waiting." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Do you all understrand this spell?" Celestia asked. The three unicorn mares nodded in unison. "You're going to cast a spell that transfers our energy to you," Chips Delight said, repeating Celestia's orders. "Then You'll begin your memory spell with Sombra and Luna-" Violet Scribe continued. "And we'll be sleeping for you so that you don't mess up anything during the process." Note Story finished. "Good." The solar princess commented. The white mare turned to her sister and Luna's apprentice. "Sombra." Celestia paused, noticing that Luna tensed up. "Sombra, you defeated Nyx today on your exam. You have been deemed worthy of being the Prince of Everfree. Luna? You shall decide what he shall rule over." Luna grinned, happy she got a say in this. She inspected Sombra, thinking of what would suit him as a ruler. Then an idea crept into her mind. "I name you, Sombra, the Prince Of Dreams and the Stars." Luna said, finishing the deal. Everypony in the room all murmured in agreement and approval. "Oh this is awesome! I'm best friends with the Prince of Dreams.!" Wub Step cheered." Talk about the stallion of ponies' dreams!" "And Stars!" Chips Delight giggled. "And here I thought you were just as lifeless as a rock, but you're funny!" She laughed even more as she placed her hooves around Sombra and Wub Step in a big hug. "Ahem." Tia spoke, silencing the room. "Luna, you know what to do." The young sister nodded, turned to Sombra, and struck him with magic. Only there was no pain. Sombra opened his eyes as he felt a cool breeze go rushing through his body. He started to get all the knowledge he needed for his new role. He could feel his muscles tightening up with the amount of magical power flowing through his very being. Visions of all Luna had experienced through her reign with her sister played out for Sombra. When it was over, Sombra had grown in height, his grey coat got a bit darker, and finally a pair of wings. Finally, he was fitted with armor and a red cape. Celestia placed a steel crown on his head. The group of ponies that surrounded him all bowed in respect. Even the two alicorn princesses. "Now Let's begin." Celestia stated. And with the flash of her, Luna's, and Sombra's magic, they began to travel through the beaten pegasus's memories. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna opened her eyes as she, her sister, and Sombra seemed to be floating in an unknown dimenson of space. Much like her dreamscape dimenson. As they floated through it all, squares of what must've been her memories. "I'll try guiding us through the old memories to get to the most recent ones." Celestia said. "I'll guide us through the saddest and happiest memories." Luna said. " I think that might also give me a good idea of who she is as a friend." "I guess I'll guide through the memories of her attack?" Sombra questioned. "So we're all agreed. I'll start." Celestia began. The pasts memories quickly flew past the trio of alicorns, though Luna and Sombra could make out some of the memories. They saw that as a filly she was feared and picked on by the other ponies. Then ,a few years later, she earned respect from some ponies when her temper broke and she stood up for herself against dark grey unicorn colt. Then a year later her best friend , a red bat pony with dark purple eyes and his mane was orange and blue, was mad that she did not return his feelings for her and attacked her through rage. Then, that same year, a eclipse happened when she was just a teen and she fought an innocent earth pony. Her eyes went red and her cutie mark's flames were black and the lighting bolt was red. Even her wings morphed into the shape of a bat pony's. Even Luna was afraid of her friend's unusual "Oh Illusion Flight, what are you?" Sombra said towards the vision, a sad but honest look on his face. "She's a pony like any other! She's no different a pony than you or me!" Luna snapped defensively. Celestia paused, slowly coming to a stop in the sea of memories. The elder sister looked sick and mournful. She gestured towards her younger sister. "Guide us." She said. Luna concentrated on her most emotional thoughts and tried to search for a similar signal from the memories she needed to go through. As soon as she found them, her horn lit up and made a path for them. She floated in her own self- conscious and slowly her vision faded to black as her body moved through the memories. Visions came one by one to Luna. The happiest memories appeared to her first. Her second birthday, a perfect gift for the pegasus pony, of course is a pet. Illusion Flight was given a black kitten with green eyes. She named the cat Shadow Gem. It played with her all the time and was her only friend for a long time. Then, later on, around her ninth birthday, her life was turned around by the birth of her sister. Then the visions showed her meeting with Luna. The lunar princess chuckled in remembrance at how random it was. The last happiest memory shown to her was the night she left with Nyx, where her crush asked her out after going to a magical lake, which seemed absurd to Luna. After the happy memories faded, Luna call up the most horrible emotions she could and traced the memories linked with those emotions. A flurry of visions seemed to swallow the blue alicorn. First, was a blurry vision of a small building, a small , newborn Illusion Flight was barely breathing, Luna was standing right by her when two teal pegasus fillies appeared next to Illusion Flight. The new figure on the right had a strange glow to her, and her hair was like Illusion Flight's only her hair had emerald green instead of blue. Plus, her eyes were normal and were red. She had no fangs, or odd features. The only different thing was that she had pure white wings. Though a filly, it had a cutie mark, a ruby crown with wings. The one on the Left, once again very similar. The hair had a dark purple streak instead of blue and had large fangs, it's eyes were a dark blue and the whites were dark grey. The filly had a sort of shadow over it, making its appearance all the more horrifying. It had a pair of black wings. It's cutie mark was a sapphire with black wings with blood on them. The black winged version of her friend looked straight at her and spoke. "Go away night ruler. I am nothing but a vision of her sister. But I am also her inner demon. You are but a fragment in this reality." It said towards the young alicorn. "Sister? Illusion Flight told me she had a brother and a little sister not a twin or two. Who are you? What are you?" Luna asked aloud. "You are in no place to question me." It simply said back. The white winged pony glared at the shadowy being across from it. " Illusion Flight does not know of us really. We died so she may live. I would've been a pony named Pure Flight, loved by all and too perfect a child. Night Flight over there" She gestured towards the black winged pony. " Would've been a marvelous soldier and leader but her looks would have her feared for life. Leaving her without love, making her jealous of me and we would have wrapped the world in more chaos than even Discord. If we lived, the world and Illusion Flight would have been in danger." "Why would Discord plunge the world in chaos?" Luna asked. She got no response. "You must go! Before it's too late." Pure Flight suddenly snapped. "This is a memory not a dream. Now go!" "No please stay, I do enjoy talking to your inner demon." Night Flight said, her dark blue eyes filled with devious The vision started fading to other ones. Before it could disappear, Night Flight spoke. " Bon Voyage. I'm sure we'll meet again, many years later." She said, her fangs showing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna watched many, many memories pass like when her brother died on her birthday. She shuddered as she remembered her dream of him. And what he said. After all the memories were done, she turned to Sombra. "Ok, It's time we know what happened today." Celestia said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Illusion Flight said goodbye to her family and coltfriend Cosmic Shadow. She flew off, map in hoof. She made the two hour fly to the castle without to much difficulty. When she walk up to the gate guards ask who she was and had Celestia approve of her entry. As she trotted down the hallway she met a unicorn cook and a librarian. They took joy in talking to her after they were impressed by her facts on exotic animals and other subjects like the history of the kingdom. She even had lunch with them soon after. Then as they said goodbye, Illusion Flight wrote down their names to remember. She made her way to the staff dorms where a strange creature was using magic to mess with a blue unicorn. "Hey! Stop that!" Illusion Flight shouted. The creature dropped the unicorn and the mare quickly dashed away. Illusion Flight flew up to the creature, looking it in the eyes. It's red eyes and yellow whites didn't bother her, after all she basically had a similar problem. She flashed her fangs and pointed her claw armored boots at the being. "I don't know what you are, but you should know not to bother ponies like that! It's mean and disrespectful. You should be ashamed of yourself. Apologize!" she said, her eyes blazing with rage. "And who, pray tell, are you to tell me what to do? And no. I won't apologize, she said that nopony will ever love me." The creature said, making a box of heart chocolate appearing then disappearing. "Well I am very sorry about that, but you should know better than to fight back words with magic!" The pegasus mare said. "Name?" It responded. "Illusion Flight, yours?" "Discord, spirit of Chaos!" He said proudly. "No offense but are you some kind of pet?" Illusion Flight asked observing his physical features. "I'll have you know I'm the Princess's royal chief advisor." Discord said. " What are you? A science experiment?" " Guess I deserved that. Do you know where Princess Luna is? She's expecting me." Illusion Flight chuckled. "Lulu hmmm? She's gone, her apprentice is trying to become prince." Discord stated calmly. "Her apprentice huh?" She chuckled. " I've heard a lot about him." "Have you now? Well Let's not wait for them here. I'll show you around." Discord said. The two walked around the castle, getting to know each other since they probably won't meet anypony as weird as them. They even played pranks on other ponies, without hurting them of course. On one occasion, they made two of the servants who didn't do their jobs slip on banana peels. Illusion Flight forced Discord into making the ground in front of them soft. So, he replaced the hard rock with cotton candy. the two landed face first into the sugary sweets and they got out, shouted about how it stuck to their manes. Later right before sunset, they flew down a long corridor of the castle. They raced down the hallway, both trying to beat the other. Illusion Flight was in the lead and she turned around the corner, leaving Discord behind her. After a few minutes and she hadn't heard from the draconaquis, the teal pegasus stopped and turned around. She waited for a pair of red eyes to come crashing into her. She waited. And waited. and waited. No pony, no draconaquis came. Getting nervous, the mare started going towards the corner she had passed. When she peeked around the corner, the first thing she saw was a ratty and dirty grey and red mane and tail. The pony in front of her had a very dark purple coat. Her horn was slightly curved and the tip of it was red. Illusion Flight could barely notice that Discord was on the ground wriggling around in agony. And that his limbs were held down by a dark magical aura. His eyes, though closed, leaked out a purple mist. And as Illusion Flight observed a little while longer, she noticed that the familiar mare looming over him had the same mist. Illusion Flight pulled her head back as she processed what was going on. "Why is V-Velvet Fire here? Why is she torturing Dis-" Illusion Flight paused. "SHE'S TORTURING DISCORD!" Illusion Flight jumped out from the corner and looked at Velvet Fire. She quickly extended her wings, preparing to hit the old mare at full force. She crouched down, trying to put as much energy as possible in her legs. She waited until she knew the mare couldn't see her, and charged. She raced on her hooves faster and faster and then lifted her wings, lifting her almost to the ceiling and then after flying forward a little she tucked her wings to her side quickly. She flipped in mid air then slammed the old mare with her right fore hoof. Velvet Fire fell to the ground, a gash on her forehead brought a dark red color as time went on. Illusion Flight had thought she won when the figure of Velvet Fire disappeared. "Where'd she go?" Illusion Flight turned to the walls around her, calling out to no pony in particular. " Where are you? Come out witch!" "Witch? That's a bit harsh isn't it? I mean, I was a good family friend." Velvet Fire said. "Until you started attacking innocent ponies. And Getting yourself banished so that Cosmic Shadow and Lunamoon had to fend for themselves." Illusion Flight countered. " What a mother." She taunted. "Who said I didn't help them?" The dark unicorn said, slowly walking out of a room a few yards away, her expression was blank. " Don't you remember those days they both disappeared, everypony thought they went for an adventure?" "But Cosmic Shadow would never-" Illusion Flight began. "Oh, But he would NEVER! Boo Hoo, Boo hoo. Face facts kid. I did help them, I told them how to wield magic effectively, how to hunt, and how to attack other ponies for protection." Velvet smirked. "No." The teal mare said calmly. " I will not believe my very special somepony would ever listen to you after you attacked an innocent pony. This time, I won't let you confuse me, I will fight you. Unless you're scared." The purple mare just rolled her dark blue eyes, the whites of her eyes glowing green. " Take a shot." She said darkly. Illusion Flight stomped her hoof down. Her multicolored eyes turning mostly red. She ran at neck breaking speed and charged towards the unicorn. There was a green flash of magic and the pegasus mare skidded to a stop right in front of the new pony. The stallion was a dark grey unicorn with green eyes, his mane and tail similar to Velvet Fire. The stallion who blocked her was, "Cosmic Shadow? What are you doing here? Why aren't you protecting the village?" Illusion Flight stopped, noticing the long gash on his forehead. She her knees gave out and she was left sitting on the floor, helpless to her confusion and heartbreak of realizing why he was here. "Oh foolish mare, I'm helping my mother. I thought it was obvious. And don't worry about the village, you're not gonna be hearing from it anytime soon." He said. "No." Illusion Flight said "Please don't let that be true. I know you wouldn't-" "You sound like my sister." He said trotting past the broken - down mare. He took a limp Discord in his magic and turned back to his mother. She was given the draconaquis and quickly teleported away. Cosmic Shadow waited, he looked at Illusion Flight, who looked at him with tears in her eyes. He felt a small pulse of guilt as she turned away. Her ribs quivering through each sob. Her wings were ruffled, the feathers twisting over the other and her mane was a mess. Her eyes were small a dots and she was talking to herself like a mad mare. " I'm so sorry." He was about to leave when Illusion Flight spoke. "You didn't kill them did you?" She said, her eyes glared at him with hatred. "My family?" He didn't look at her. He couldn't. "No. I didn't." He sighed. " They left soon after the attack began." He paused. "You know I wouldn't kill them , right? Even if they were here?" He asked, guilt flooded the question. "I don't even know you." She answered back, no emotion in her voice. Cosmic Shadow looked at the floor. Illusion Flight was silent. Then she chuckled, a dark ,sickening laugh that caused Cosmic Shadow to get shivers down his spine. The pegasus got off the ground. Her laugh echoing off the walls, a continuous chorus of laughter. " Do you think, that I would let you destroy my village and let you Live?" She turned to the smoky grey unicorn. " Well, I'm sorry dearie. That's not going to happen. " Illusion Flight held up one armored boot the two claws attached to it were razor sharp. Illusion Flight's eyes turned blood red, her whites were a dark grey. Her pegasus wings changed form into bat pony wings. "H-how are you-" Cosmic Shadow started. "Looks like your mother has a few secrets. I guess she blew me off as a failed experiment?" Illusion Flight said coldly. "Let's play a game." Illusion Flight jumped towards Cosmic Shadow, her fangs pointed towards his throat. Her claw-boots were aimed towards his torso. Her wings were extended, her eyes were narrowed and small. The teal pegasus looked like death itself. Her fangs missed, but the claws made a cut on his leg and chest. He stood there, stunned. Taking this chance, Illusion Flight used her speed to bite his back and right leg. Snapping back to reality, Cosmic Shadow used his magic to trap her and keep her from attacking him. " I didn't want to hurt the village! I never wanted to hurt you! I just..." He trailed off. "Enjoyed the rush?" She finished darkly. "No, I-" He stopped. So did his magic. His horn fell to the floor. The stallion looked at the scrap of bone, his emerald eyes filled with fear. Though it was a clean cut, a few drops of blood went down the wound. Illusion Flight stood tall compared to Cosmic Shadow, as she stepped towards him, her boots clicked against the stone floor. She put a clawed boot up to his neck, she lifted his chin so he would look at her. In the background the sun was almost below the horizon, giving her a shadow. While her face was darkened by rage and hatred, her eyes seemed to glow with sadness for the loss of her village. Her home. " You lying monster. " She said, her fangs glinting. She was about to end it for the poor fool, then she was blown back by a blast of magic. As she got up, she looked towards the pony who struck her. Two stallions, one was a unicorn, the other was a pegasus. They seemed to be twins, both were black with gray manes with a streak of blue. Their eyes were an amber color. The unicorn's horn was curved and was tipped with red like Velvet Fire's. The pegasus's wings were tipped with the same shade of red. Illusion Flight closed her left eye, the blast caused her to get a few scratches. With one good eye, she grinned at the newcomers. "Can't save yourself Cosmic Shadow?" She teased. " Pathetic." The pair still said nothing, they looked at the dark grey stallion on the floor, then at Illusion Flight. The injured pony got up and looked towards Illusion Flight, hatred in his emerald eyes. Even through that hate, Illusion Flight could see guilt in his stare. She calmed down, her wings turning back to normal and her whites once again were their natural color, though her cold glare remained. "Just go. You're not worth killing. I already ruined your life." Illusion Flight pointed with her hoof at the two twins. "Take them with you." "Negative. We are here to finish the job." The pegasus stallion spoke. " Black Spark, go with Cosmic Shadow. I'll take care of her." He said. "Of course Shadow Wings." The unicorn said. Before the two left, Illusion Flight called out. "Good Luck with the life of an Earth pony Cosmic Shadow." She spat. After Black Spark and Cosmic Shadow left, Illusion Flight flew towards Shadow Wings, her hoof pulled back to hit him. The impact threw the pegasi backwards a few feet from each other. The teal mare got up first, and she felt her strength giving out. She jumped up into the air a flew outside to the garden, she searched and searched for one guard, somepony who could help her. She saw a black pegasi guard, his mane was black and white, and was about to ask for help when a hoof came slamming down on her spine. She gasped in pain as she fell to the ground. Shadow Wings grabbed the mare and put her up against an old tree. While his eyes are normal, when he opened his mouth to laugh, fangs glinted against the moonlight. Illusion Flight didn't have the strength to move or fight back. Shadow Wing bit her wings, hooves, and chest. Each times the biting pain was increased by a burning sensation of dark energy. Lastly, the black pegasus stallion took Illusion Flight into the air and threw her down. Illusion Flight could barely see him fly of west before hitting the tree and blacking out. Seconds before she closed her eyes, she heard a flash, as she hung limply from the tree she could make out the colors of Princess Luna. "P-princess L-luna..... help." She whispered and blacked out. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna blinked her eyes open to see she, and the others, were back in the throne room. Sombra and Celestia stayed silent while they woke up the three unicorn who slept by them. All of them had many questions, but nopony could ask any as they heard a groan. They all looked at the teal pegasus in the middle of their group. The mare lifted her head, looked at Luna and asked. "What happened?" She moaned. "It's a long story." Sombra explained. "But for now lets all rest." "Wait, Velvet Fire, Cosmic Shadow they-" Illusion Flight began. Celestia stopped her. "We know, we went through your memories of the event." "So I guess you know I need a place to stay?" The teal mare joked. " You can stay with me in my room." Luna suggested. " Its big enough for both of us." "We can descuse living arrangments later. For now, lets rest." Celestia concluded. > Calm Before the Storm > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ' Dear Princess Celestia, Though I know I have only been staying here for a few weeks as we find my family, I am conflicted by guilt. I feel that as long as I'm here, I overstay my welcome. Thus, I want to make the issue up to you and myself. By my request, I wish to become a personal guard for either Princess Luna or Prince Sombra. I know you do not know of my fighting skills outside of my rage, but I assure you, I will learn to control my feelings to fight and protect others. Perhaps you could consider training for me? I overheard that the pegasus guard Wub Step went through a short, but effective, training of two weeks? Though I am in no position to ask more of the Princess's and Prince of Everfree, I wish to go through this training and work as a guard here in the castle. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Illusion Flight.' As Illusion Flight put down the quill, she read it over. ' It'll do, I think this will get the point across without being disrespectful.' She thought. ' I hope.' Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. KNOCK KNOCK "Yes?" Illusion Flight answered. "Umm, Sorry to disturb you Illusion Flight, It's Sombra." The voice answered. " Prince Sombra? Dang, Luna wasn't kidding when she said your voice got lower." Illusion Flight said, opening the door. " Well I'm sad to say she's not here right now." "Actually, I came to ask for help from you." He stated. "Well, I guess I have nothing better to do. But first, a favor for a favor. Can you teleport this to Celestia?" She bargained. The new prince rolled his eyes at the new title, he didn't like how his friends treated him as if he was above him. While it had been a long time ago, the visions of himself ruling viciously still burned in his mind. He swore he would never place himself above others, but the praises and comments only encouraged him to do so. He quickly flashed the letter away to the solar princess. "Now what's the problem? Tell me what troubles you so." Illusion Flight said with a change in tone, her expression was a welcoming one. " Well, to be frank, I-" He paused, realizing that he was talking to a stranger he's barely met. Her trusting gaze snapped him out of his doubt. " I love Luna! I just can't tell her! I'm asking you for advice." Despite the smile on her face, Sombra found no change in expression. " That's a natural problem. Everypony has it at some point in their lives. My solution, just remember that even if she says no, you're just one step closer to 'the one.' " Illusion Flight got up from her chair. She brushed past him, but she stopped and turned to look at the gray prince. "And who knows maybe she loves you too." She said as she walked out the door. " Yeah, one step closer." Sombra said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne when a royal guard ran through the doors. The two unicorn guards stationed by her tensed. The white earth pony guard came to a stop in front of her, bowed and got up. " Your Highness, news from the outer district villages!" He announced as he pulled out a scroll. " All the details are meant for your eyes only. You and your sister's." "Thank you, you may go." Celestia dismissed, taking the scroll in her magic. The princess opened the scroll, silently reading the news. ' Dear Princesses of Everfree, The three villages on the east outer boundaries of the kingdom have all been destroyed and abandoned. I request that you send any extra guards you can to the outer districts, I cannot count the lives lost in each attack nor can I know how many survivors are out there. Also, I have been led to believe that the family from Canter village has headed to the northern kingdoms. I have sent messagers to alert the Crystal Empire of them and to send them straight to your castle. Sincerely, Mayor of Mane Town ' Suddenly, a gray flash of magic appeared then disappeared just as quickly. Another scroll dropped to the floor. Celestia read the letter, reading it over carefully. She smiled at the politeness of it, though it wasn't needed. She turned to the unicorn guard on her right. "Captain, Miss Illusion Flight of Canter Village wishes for your training. She must begin immediately." She ordered. " Also, send four squads to the east districts." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna was walking down the hallway, alone as she mostly is. Her days mostly consist of her sleeping, walking around the castle, eat and talk with friends, and raise the moon and stars with Sombra. She hasn't been feeling like herself lately. Luna was being flooded with self- doubt and guilt. She doubted herself and her role as leader. And how she wallowed in self pity as her friend faced worse problems made her filled with guilt. She even felt sad about her love life. She had hoped Sombra would've asked for her hoof, since she couldn't bring herself to ask him. She sighed at that one sad thought that seemed to bounce inside of her head daily. She stopped and looked outside of a clear window. She saw the gate that blocked the castle from woodland, Every thirty feet a new guard was stationed against the walls. Each main door was guarded by two unicorn guards. In the sky, a patrol of three pegasi came around every fifteen minutes. Luna heard hoof steps getting louder and louder. She thought it was simply a passing staff member, until the mare joined her. "Good to see you Illusion Flight." Luna greeted. "Is it good? You never seem like it after you guys went through my memories." Illusion Flight snapped, noticing this she apologized. "Sorry." "No no. I'm Sorry. I know I haven't been acting myself lately but I've been under a lot of stress. I'll try to act happier." She stated as she vacantly stared out the window. "Nope." "What?" Luna asked. "Nope. Don't act happy. Be happy. You get to hang out with all your friends each day. Do your job alongside somepony you like and you get to rule with your sister." Illusion Flight stated. "Your life may be full of hardships, but you can't give up. It's not about just you anymore, you're a leader. You're not able to give up." "Yeah I guess." Luna stated, taking mental note of what the teal pegasus said. "Speaking of the pony you like," Illusion Flight continued " He was talking to me just now." "Really? What he say? Did he talk about me? What'd he want? Why didn't he go to me? What'd you do?" Luna lit up at that with a flurry of questions. "Whoa there! Well, he stopped by to ask for-" Suddenly, before she could finish her sentence, the ground shook violently. The window shattered and glass rained down on the two. Luna quickly cover them with her wings, shielding them from the sharp glass. After a couple seconds, the earth stopped shaking. Luna and Illusion Flight jumped through the window and saw Wub Step. "Wub Step! Hey! Come here!" Illusion Flight called. "What's going on?" Luna asked when he landed near them. "I don't know! That earthquake shook open a canyon right in front of the castle. And the forest is being turned into a real candy land! Also, some rope bridge appeared with taffy for ropes!" He reported. "Who can do that kind of magic?!" The teal mare asked to herself. " Wait, oh no." She said realizing. "DisCord!" The two mare cried out at the same time. "Quick, get my sister and warn the guard immediately!" Luna ordered the pegasus stallion. "I hope I'm wrong. But Discord may be the enemy now." Luna said aloud, mostly to herself, but to everypony within ear range. "I'm not ready to fight him. I couldn't bear to hurt him, he was fun and friendly, I do not think you are right. " Illusion Flight responded. The two flew up in the sky and looked towards the forest. And as they watched the storm of cotton candy clouds moved quickly their way, the lunar princess whispered to herself. " Please tell me I'm wrong." And as the first drop of chocolate fell, the draconaquis revealed himself. > The Broken Order. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The wind whipped and howled as the Celestial and Lunar Guard took defensive stations outside of the gate. The Earth ponies and Unicorns took to the ground in groups of four. In the air, Pegasi and Bat Ponies split into teams of six, half of them were pegasi and the other half were bat ponies. Any other remaining guards were either on patrols in the forest or within the gate scattered around the city. The two princesses sat in the court room, with them was the pegasi guard Wub Step, The pagemare Note Story, guard in training Illusion Flight, and The Lunar and Celestial Guard leaders. Twin Blade, the Celestial Guard leader, was a stern white pegasus stallion. His mane and tail were silver, his eyes were a bright purple color. Blood Cut, the Lunar leader , was a unicorn mare with a crimson coat, his mane was mainly dark purple with a strip of yellow in it, his eyes were amber. From the top of his forehead to his chin ran a long scar that went over his right eye. " We have every reason to believe Discord is a threat!" Twin Blade declared. " His oncoming storm is a clear sign of hostility!" "And yet you forget how he tends to make an entrance." Blood Cut argued. "You speak of me forgetting when you have forgotten what we heard about his disappearance. And even if he did escape, why now? Why not sooner?" The white pegasus snapped back. The mention of the previous events made Illusion Flight shutter, causing Wub Step to calm her down. The Lunar Guard Leader pondered this for a minute. After a while of hushed silence spread around the room, Celestia stood. Luna rised with her in turn. Celestia opened her mouth to speak but choked on her own words. Luna only put a hoof on her sister's shoulder, her turquoise eyes showed their combined sadness at their own orders. Celestia looked to her sister for support. Luna nodded in response. " She..... We say that if Discord is in sight and harms anypony that....... that he is to be imprisoned or executed." Luna finished, her gaze cold as she spoke. "Then we are agreed." Twin Blades looked to Blood Cut. "We must inform the troops." The two leaders rushed out of the room, leaving Luna, Celestia, Note Story, Wub Step, and Illusion Flight alone. As soon as the doors closed, Illusion Flight dropped to the floor shuttering slightly every few minutes. Wub Step and Note Story rushed to the mare's side. "Don't worry, it's not your fault." Wub Step said. " What could've you done?" " I could've saved him!" She snapped. " And I don't need your FREAKING SYMPATHY!" Wub Step's bright blue eyes widened. " I was only trying to help." He whispered to himself. " I know." Illusion Flight sighed quietly. " I'm sorry." The teal mare got up and trotted over to Princess Luna. Wub Step slowly followed. "Luna, I'd like to fight. I may not be fully trained, but I have more than enough experience." Illusion Flight requested. "Me also." Wub Step added. The Night Princess could not disobey the request. She nodded and told them to wait for them outside. When they left, Celestia broke down crying on the floor. Luna sat by her, shaking with each sob. Since they were little, the three immortal beings had been together as a group. Now Discord was their nation's enemy. " I think- I think I love him." Celestia sobbed out. Luna stroked her dear sister's mane, whispering over and over again the same thing. "I know.... I know.... I know." She repeated until there was silence in the room. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Half an hour later, Everfree Castle. Beginning of Battle. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ The air was tense with impatience, a cold breeze went through the mass of ponies. Each waiting for their battle to start. The two princesses stood at the back of the army, each wore enchanted armor to shield any of Discord's magic. Luna, wore a pale blue helmet, boots, and chest piece. Celestia, had the same armor type only it was a bright yellow. They both sat watching in silence. "Where is Miss Illusion Flight? And Private Wub Step was supposed to be here." Celestia said aloud. "They will be here shortly, I requested that they gather all castle staff to the archives. The unicorn ,Violet Scribe, will have a magic barrier to protect them." Luna said. " Though I feared it would not be enough. " "That was a good idea, anyways, her friend Chips Delight will no doubt help her if it need be done." Celestia replied. Just then the two could hear galloping behind them, they turned to see the teal and black pegasi. Wub Step was in a full body armor of silver, with just his wings and head uncovered. He had a steel sword. Illusion Flight had a purple metal covering her back to her tail. She had a dark purple helmet with shaded glass covering her eyes slightly. Her wings had sword attached to the ends, and her clawed boots were equipped. "We gathered all staff members and citizens in the archives. All guards and volunteers to fight are accounted for." Wub Step reported. " We also found a strengthening spell to help with the barrier." Illusion Flight added. " Barrier? My, My I'm touched." A voice shouted from the forest. With a flash of light, Discord sat on the gate of the city. " So, I'm guessing with the army, that I'm now a threat." He hissed. The army shook, ready to charge at the draconaquis. Celestia gasped and flew up to Discord and shrieked at the army. " Thou shall halt! No harm shall come to thee! Let thou explain thy self! " She shouted with the ancient voice. She turned to Discord, her voice still loud but quieter than before. " Explain Discord, why didn't you escape earlier? And why did you make such a storm of chaos?" She asked. He growled at her ,then he looked down at her. His gaze held nothing but pain and rage. " Why? WHY?! Because of you and that grey prince of yours! I've seen how you've looked at him, only I ignored it! Then, on that day Velvet Fire appeared, She saw it too and said that if I didn't take action You'd live with him!" He spat. " She showed me your secrets, and the lies that you told me! So no, I didn't escape. I'm taking action. I'll take the all you have left until your heart breaks. Just like mine." He finished. The horde of guards in the air and on the ground were hushed. No one spoke, nopony dared. Celestia hid in her mane, ashamed. " I...... Yes, I d-did have a fondness of Prince Sombra. But Discord, the only being I loved that way was-was you." She stuttered, then had tears streaming down her face. Discord snapped his lion paw, making him wrap around the sun princess. He stared blankly at her, then grin darkly. " Don't act like you care." He said while snapping his claw, turning Celestia's tears into chocolate milk. " This is how tainted you are. I'll show this to the world when I take over Equestria!" And as he finished his sentence, the cotton candy clouds that were hanging over there heads erupted. Chocolate raining from the skies. Discord stood tall and proud, laughing at the white mare as she flew back sadly and slowly. "Twin Blades, tell the Celestial troops to attack him with all force." She ordered. She stared at the draconaquis with full hatred. She knew it was time. The fight had Begun. > Equestria's Strongest? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "But princess-" Twin Blades began. "NOW!" Celestia shrieked. " I am the Princess! You listen to ME! Now do your job, Leader." "Yes, your highness." the pegasus stallion shook as he bowed then turned and shouted to the troops. " Attack!" Discord laugh was silenced to a frown. With a few flaps of his wings, he stood directly in front of the stampeding herd of armor and swords. His eyes furrowed. Suddenly, the candy clouds formed in a line and rained the sweet , chocolate liquid. Causing the front lines of the ponies to slip and fall on each other. Some of the soldiers were quickly injured by the weapons of the other ponies. "I'm not so easily beaten." He sneered. With a flick, he vanished. Only Discord's voice echoed through the city. " You'll have to find me in the land of Everfree." With that, silence hung in the air for the day, the night , then the morning after. Celestia locked herself in her private chambers, Luna took records of the injured and did daily jobs. Illusion Flight and the only four ponies she calls friend outside of Luna, stood in the medical wing, awaiting orders to do something. oOoOoOoOoOoOOoOooOoOoOoOoOoOoO *Illusion Flight's POV (Point of view) * We had been waiting outside of the two wooden doors for some time now, I still couldn't see why we were not allowed to help with small tasks. My friends are not feeling any different, I can see it. Chips Delight and Violet Scribe sat in the farthest corner from the door. Wub Step was pacing back and forth as Note Story just sat with her notebook in her hooves. Writing down notes. I, on the other hand was on the highest ledge with the least amount of light. I listened to the silence. It seemed to speak. This had been my habit since I got here, when Cosmic Shadow betrayed me. Once again, I could feel the darkness surge through me. It whispered, in the smallest voice ever to exist, so only the listener could hear. "He must pay for what he did to you. To your family!" It tempted. I gritted my teeth, of course with fangs that only made a hole in my lips, causing my anger to grow. ' No, he got what he deserved. And he didn't kill my family.' I thought back. " That's what he told you. What if he's lying? FACE It! You are nothing but a stupid love-sick filly!" It snapped back in response, sending a chill down my spine. Suddenly my body was cold as ice, and even with the room being heated by the many fires and candles surrounding the halls, I could never shake it off. Like the chill was stuck to me. I was about to snap back in rage, only to be stopped by a sound of doors opening. CREAK I glanced down, closed my eyes, and rolled of the ledge. I counted two seconds. ' One Two..' I inhaled, spread out my wings, and gave then a powerful stroke. I glided to the ground and exhaled. I opened my eyes, I was facing the two wooden doors when a surprisingly fast stallion quickly ran behind me and tackled me to the ground. 'Dang, he pretty freaking fast. I couldn't do anything at all!' I thought angrily. Frustrated from being bested, I kicked his hind legs and rolled over him. Now I was on top of him, glaring down with coldness. He was a fairly young stallion, maybe a year older than me. He had a dull sky blue coat. Like me he was a pegasus, well if I'm considered a pegasus. He had a bright green mane with a wide stripe of pink. He had cold purple eyes. He glanced to the side, looking bored as ever. "Tch." He muttered. Before I could snap at him, he quickly looked back up at me. His purple eyes reflecting my blue and red ones. For some reason I held my breath. He frowned and huffed. I was caught of guard by how close his breath was to mine. Suddenly, he closed the gap between us. His lips touched mine. HIS. FLIPPING. LIPS. TOUCHED. MINE. I tried to jump back in shock, only to be held back by his hoof. He basically had me pinned on him. I could feel my eyes go red. "Hey! Get your stupid lips of-" I started. When I yelled out, I had foolishly opened my mouth. Allowing him to let his slimy gross tongue into my mouth. ' That's IT!' I thought in pure rage. MY surge of anger gave me the power to pullout oh his grip and try to punch his stomach. Only he had caught it with his other hoof. Then he rolled us over again, jumped and threw me 5 ft away. That's right. Five. Stinking. Feet. "HEY, what your problem?" I growled at him. His cold gaze wavered for a bit. " A mare like you should learn to hold your tongue when speaking to a superior." He stated calmly. "Superior? But you're so short!" I laughed in disbelief. I knew that when a huge pain went through my abdomen I had said too much. I felt my fangs extend out of my gums, peeking out of my mouth. Next thing I knew, He was an inch away from my face and whispered. " You're not so bad yourself." He smirked. I just glared at him. Not understanding what he said must have shown on my face. "Tch." He said annoyed. "Just who do you think you are?!" I spat darkly. He just turned to the others as I slowly got up. As I slipped when I was trying to get up, the stranger just grabbed me and shoved me into Note Story. "Ugh." I muttered under my breath. "I am Lance-Corporal Lighting Dagger. Now, I have been sent by Her Highness, Princess Luna. Apparently, I've been put with the degrading task of caring for two rookie soldiers who are believed to be here." He announced, that stupid frown still on his stupid face. Wait, rookies? "I'm looking for Private Wub Step-" "Here Sir." The black colt announced politely. " And Cadet Illusion Flight." He finished. My heart sank to my hooves. "Here" I sighed. "Tch. I know what to fix as soon as we're in training. Do anything funny, and you'll get a severe punishment." Lighting Dagger replied. I didn't like how he said punishment. He turned and lead me and Wub Step to the training grounds. As soon as we got there, dust was everywhere. Kind of like no one had been there in ages. "How are we expected to train in this dirt hole?" I thought aloud. The Corporal stood directly behind me, his breath sending a cold chill through my body. "That will be a problem." He said. ------------------------------------------------------------------- "Three hours." I huffed angrily. "He made us clean for three hours!" "I know but he's a Corporal. We have to do what he says." Wub Step stated. well duh "First, He's a Lance-Corporal. Second, I cant believe Luna would have us train under such a-" "Finish that sentence and you're dead." A cold voice came from right behind me. 'AH! How long has he been there? That stupid, short, handsome, jerk! Wait What did I just think? How-Wha- ?' "Quit blushing rookie." He said, his dark purple gaze engulfing me. "Y-yes sir!" I said a little too loudly. "Hm. Perhaps that cleaning did do you some good after all. Hold that tongue of yours and you'll be fine." He said rushing off. "Tch. What a jerk." I muttered to Wub Step. "If I didn't know any better, you're starting to talk like him." He teased. " So what was that when we first met him? You know about how he-" I instantly tackled Wub Step, putting my hoof over his mouth, immediately shutting him up. "One more word about that and I'll do more than bite you." I sheathed through my teeth. I let him off the ground and continued." Besides, I'm going straight to Luna about this. Perhaps we should get stallions who don't sexually assault mares in training." "Geez, you are turning into him. Ya got the scowl and everything." Wub Step said. "Keep an eye open when you sleep tonight." I replied darkly. > 2 Months Later........ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Illusion Flight's POV It's been two months, and I've been made Lighting Dagger's 'professional assistant in training.' At least that's what Wub Step says. Every time there was a problem, the stallion always called upon you to fix it. I always deny the fact Lighting Dagger seems to see me as an assistant. "He probably wants to punish me for back talking all the time." I suggest. "Most likely, but still, don't you think its weird that he doesn't pick on me nearly as much?" Wub Step asked. " For a short-stack, he's pretty tough and mean. Hey, what if he started dating? That'd be weird, he doesn't seem the type." The black pegasus stallion went on and on, I just felt a pulsing pain in my chest. 'What the heck? What the heck is that?' I think to myself. The pain quickly faded. 'Probably just bruises from my last training.' "Hey, Illusion Flight? Do you think the Corporal likes you? As more than a friend I mean." He said suddenly, his ice blue eyes full of deep thought. "W-What? No! He would never. Like you said, he's not the type to date any who. And for all we know, he might already have somepony. And, now that I think about it, we should stay out of the subject. If we continue on with such rambling, we'll both be sent on cleaning duty." I can't help but smirk at the thought of my supervising officer's cleaning obsession. "You're exactly right Cadet." I hear a particularly low voice call out from behind me. I turned and he was mere inches from my face. I feel my cheeks heat up. "I'm not the type for love and romance. It's good to know you respect that, unlike some pony." I knew what he was talking about. There was one fellow soldier that had taken a liking to the Corporal. She was a misty grey pegasus mare, her orange hair always glistened, her amber eyes seemed to light up when he was in the room. The mare had even tried putting makeup on, but I thought she looked better without it. This mare's name was Petal Rose. She was pretty nice, compared to the corporal anyways. How she had fallen for him was a mystery to this day. "Corporal, may I be so bold, may you please be nicer to her? You can at least acknowledge her for her hard work? She is a fellow soldier after all. If you do, I might be able to get her to back off." I suggest. He clicked his tongue. "Perhaps. You talk about her hard work, but from what I've seen, you have been on many more jobs and tasks than her." He swiftly walked around me and Wub Step. "And Cadet Wub Step," "Hmm?" he responded. "Stop talking about my love life. And Illusion Flight," He paused. " I'm not as cold as you think." "Of course not sir." I respond. He left, leaving me and Wub Step in shock. Not only was he open about himself, he had also complemented me. I felt warm inside. I still felt bad for Petal Rose. She was a sweet mare, being rejected by a restrained stallion. I still didn't understand why me and Wub Step were placed under his care. We had to share living quarters with him, Of course I slept separate, but I was only a room away. When I approached Princess Luna, who had been stressed lately while her sister went through a rough emotional patch, she simply said that I would become a fit soldier faster. 'I wonder, when will Discord come back?' I thought, a hollow feeling went through me. 'I'm the reason he's gone. If only I protected him better.' I look up at a long window, it was dark and the moon shone brightly. It's shine beaming down on me. I embrace the moonlight, I felt a rush of familiarity. 'I hope my family comes home soon.' I look at the moon, and drift off into my thoughts. ~~~Luna's POV~~~ It had been forever, but, my sister had snapped out of her emotional stress. I lay on my bed, taking off the royal boots joyfully. It'd been so long since I'd had a decent rest. When my face hit the pillow, I think back to my friends. 'Illusion Flight asked me why I'd placed her under Lance Corporal Lighting Dagger, I was twisting the truth by saying she was placed under him for just training. Of course, that's the main reason. But, as time went by, she just keeps getting distanced from all of us. Same goes for the Corporal, he's been through much. Considering what happened to his special somepony when he was a young-adult stallion.' My head started aching. I stopped thinking and fell asleep quickly. As I closed my eyes, I felt a small twitch. Then I drifted into sleep. > Standing Up for The Enemy? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~Illusion Flight POV~ The next morning I woke up weakly. Tears were stained on my cheeks. Nightmares drained all the happiness of the day. The days always started that way, I still couldn't believe the one stallion I loved would kill my village. And his own sister. I can't help but feel sadness. I get up from my cot, this is all the soldiers can get. I go to my drawer, in it, there was a knife and a comb. I got my armor from home on, looking at how the purple hue goes well against my teal coat. I force a smile on my face and leave, I trot down the long stone path. I try to make my way to the Dining Hall. Since there was silence, I couldn't help but start to think about my problems. I start to think about Cosmic Shadow, my family, Luna, and everything. I feel warm liquid starting to built up in my eyes. I growl at my own tears, I look up and see a dark patch of space. I swore I heard a mare's voice coming from it. 'You'll get nowhere with you feeling oh-so-sorry for yourself.' It snapped at me, it voice resonating from my head. 'Shut it.' I say in my head. I jerk around the corner. My muzzle felt a sharp pain and I jump back in shock. I open my eyes to see Lighting Dagger. His eyes were bloodshot and his sword was drawn out. His breaths were quick and quiet. I stare at him in shock, the stallion didn't have his normal armor on and his mane was a mess. 'I thought he was a clean freak!' I think. "O-Oh. It's just you, Illusion Flight. Why were you up by to yourself?" The greyish-blue stallion asked me. "I could ask you the same thing." I say worried. "Nightmare?" "N-no, I don't have time for things like that." He responded, his gaze darted away. I think I even saw a small patch of pink on his cheeks. " You baka. I can tell your lying, you're eyes are blood shot." I counter. "Shut up and tell me what your nightmare was like." He said, lifting his hoof. "It was nothing, anyways. We have more important things to do sir." I say, wanting to change the subject. "Don't lie to me Cadet. That was an order. If you are to be in my squad, I need you to be honest with me." His look softens. "I want you to tell me anything that bothering you." "Ugh. You starting to sound like somepony I'm not so fond of right now." I hiss. "Don't compare me to that Cosmic Shadow of yours." He calmly replied. I stiffened at his comment. I turn around and start walking away. 'He's right though........ Cosmic Shadow's a traitor. Lighting Dagger on the other hoof... ' That silence spoke to me again, trailing off at the end. My ears folded down in anger, one reason is for knowing she's right. The other, well, I don't really know. "Don't bring that up." I snap. "You don't know him." 'Why do I defend him?' I ask myself. "What don't I know? I know he betrayed us! I know he attacked you! I also know he burned down your village with no trace of your family!" Lighting Dagger called out. I freeze. 'Why? How could he do that?' My eyes felt a sting. Tears. I turn around, bent down into a pounce stance. My fangs were bared, I felt my eyes slit. My started seething. I glared at the small stallion. He just looked amused. "Are you really that love-sick?" He taunted. I dash towards him, directing my fangs towards him. I threw a kick at his hind legs. He lost his balance, much to his surprise. A loud thump was heard as he hit the floor. He looked at me in confusion. My anger slowly subsided. I looked down at my superior in disgust. I turned around and walked away. I heard him call out a question. "Why are you standing up for a stallion who attacked his very special somepony? And betrayed the kingdom?" I turn around once more and looked him straight in his purple eyes. "You don't know him. He regretted his decision, but his mother went nuts and is forcing him into this. Unfortunately, the fool's loyal to his family. It doesn't even matter, I cut off his horn. He's basically a normal Earth pony now. As for why I'm standing up for the enemy?" I take a step forwards. " It's because I know he felt regret, he's feeling pain. So, I at least know he kept his compassion for others. It also makes me believe he can change. For better or for worse." I turn around and rush out of the room. 'Of all things, this is how I start my day?'