> The Hearts Melody
>  by Saro0fdemonz
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Seven Years
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Are you sure about this Mel?" a gruff voice spoke up, shrouded in shadows.

"Of course I am. This has to be the place, we've hit every outpost and everything points to here." the unicorn replied, lowering the hood of her brown cloak. It was her most prized possession, given to her by her brother so long ago.

"I don't want you getting your hopes up for nothing, it hurts seein you upset Mel." a bright yellow pegasus colt spoke up from the unicorn's other side. The unicorn sighed, giving the colt a small smile. It was forced, but it was for his sake.

"Don't worry so much. I know he's here. I can feel it." A cloud slowly took shape in front of them, taking the form of a young alicorn filly. She seemed a bit out of breath but wore a smile on her face.
"He's there!" she said excitedly, stumbling a bit. The shrouded figure caught her before she could fall, letting her lean against it.

"Take it easy Nox." the figure mumbled. She nodded, sitting down and resting her head against him.

"He's in bad shape, but he's in there. Spike is in there too. I got to talk to him a bit but I had to leave before I was noticed. He's not looking too good and the guards are talking about having him executed."

"Then we'll just have to get them both out in one go." The unicorn spoke up.

"Mel, I know you wanna see him again but...You know they can't kill him. We've gotta save Spike while we can and then come back for hi..."

"NO! I won't abandon him again. He's suffered for too long. They took my parents just to make him suffer! They killed my parents to make us both suffer!" the unicorn yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Melody, I saw them...your parents...their alive." Nox said with a small smile.

"They've kept them alive, just to hurt him. Its their favorite way of torturing him. But they are there." The Alicorn said weakly, the shadows from her brother surrounding her, lending her some of his magic.

"They're...alive?" Melody sat down, putting a hoof against her head. For so long she had thought her parents dead. Now she had a chance to save them. She lowered her head.

"Please forgive me...Piper..." she whispered. She took in a slow breath and stood, once again the commander, once again the leader.

"Alright, we'll go in Flares cover, Nox you'll open the cells and teleport Spike to the rendezvous while we grab my parents and meet up with you. We'll regroup at base and come up with another plan. We'll need to change to a separate base and we'll need a new tactic on our second entry, they will most likely be expecting us with three of their prized prisoners escaping, understood?" She asked them. They all looked back with faces of concern, even Shadowflare.

"Am I understood?!" she barked. All three nodded.

"Good, lets move out."





A bit of light shone in through the tiny cage window, waking the wounded drake within. He sat up slowly, forcing himself not to smile. It had been years of torture, years of enduring being the Gryphons little toy and now they were coming for him. He didn't know when, but he knew they would come for him. It worried him though, they were still just kids, this war had taken so much from them. He lowered his head and sighed. This war had taken much from him as well. He calmed himself and watched as a guard unlocked the bars of his cell, tossing a bowl of mush at him.

"Eat up freak." the Gryphon said with a chuckle. Spike would have loved to set the Gryphon aflame, but the collar around his neck barely allowed him to breath, let alone create flames. The framework of his cell had been carefully crafted to block out any attempt at Draconic Magic. Spike scooped up the bowl of mush, turning his back to the Gryphon. It was only a matter of time now, he would be free and he would have his revenge.





Nothing. Thats all there was. For seven long years thats all there had been in between the never ending days and constant torture. Harmony had abandoned him.Piper was dragged from his empty sleep as a claw dug into his side, reopening a wound just as it closed.

"This is getting boring, bring out the torch!" the Gryphon called out. Piper slowly opened his eyes, watching as a massive torch was dragged by several Gryphons. Oh how he hated that stupid thing. They loved hanging him above it and letting him catch on fire. 

The first time they had left him like that for an entire day, only for him to heal the next day and have it done again. It had become old and while he had become accustomed to pain, his body still reacted in a way that pleased the Gryphons. The one thing he hated the most about the torch, was its source of fire. A single unicorn horn tied to the edge with an orange feather wrapped around the bottom. A reminder of how badly he had failed.

"Time for another barbecue already?" Piper joked weakly as he was lifted in the air by the chains tied to his forehooves.

"Don't you ever get tired of this?" he asked, exhausted as he hung his head, already feeling the flames licking at his body.

"Nope, it got boring tossing away all the burnt bodies, but you, heh heh. You're a real treat." the lowered the chains and Piper screamed.





Sweetie Belle felt her heart shatter once more as Pipers screams filled the air.

"The torch again..." she mumbled, tears trying to form, though none came. She had used up all of her tears long ago.

"He'll tough it out Belle." A raspy voice said, trying to cheer her up. It had been ages since Scootaloo had been given anything worthy of being called water and it was starting to show. The two were kept apart by their chains. Scootaloo's wings nailed to the wall. The sight made Belle sick every time she saw it. Though Scootaloo didn't care when she saw the cracked stump that was the remains of Sweetie belle's horn.

"Belle..."

"I'm sorry Scoots...I just can't do it anymore..." she said, lowering her head.

"I understand..." Scootaloo said softly, closing her eyes and licking her lips. If the unicorn wouldn't sing, then she would have to, dry throat and all. She began quietly, shaking with silent sobs that soon turned into loud wailing. Sweetie Belle reached out a hoof to her wife, wishing she could hold her, just for a moment. Scootaloo hung her head for a moment and started to shake, screaming as she thrashed against her bonds, though she only succeeded in ripping her wings apart with the nails keeping them against the wall.

"STOP IT SCOOTS! JUST STOP!" Belle yelled. The unicorn began to sing softly and slowly but surely the pegasus began to calm down.

"I promise Belle...I swear on my life...we'll get out of this somehow..." Scootaloo said weakly before passing out from blood-loss. A gryphon sighed and came into their cell to dress the wounds. After all, they couldn't have their best torture tools die on them.





From almost anywhere in the camp the horrifying torture Piper experienced could at the very least be heard if not seen. It broke Nox's heart, but she didn't have time to mourn. She had to move or all was lost. She quickly made her way back to Spike's prison, a thin tendril of smoke slipping in between the cracks of his collar and prying it open. 

Slowly she lowered the collar to the ground so as to keep quiet, more tendrils working on the cuffs around his wrists.

"Is it time?" Spike asked softly. Nox gave a small nod before realizing he could not see her in this form. She tapped his claws gently and he smiled, stretching and taking in a slow breath.

"Good, stand back kid, I'm busting out." Nox quickly placed her hooves over his mouth, shaking her head as she took form. Her horn began to glow, surrounding both of them and causing them to vanish. Spike looked around and roared, throwing his head back and letting a jet of flame fill the air.

"WHY NOX?! WHY?!" he screamed at her.

"Because these were my orders. I'm sorry Spike but Mel's parents are in there and they still have Piper."

"Belle is alive?" he asked softly, seeming to calm slightly.

"Yes, Flare and the others are getting her and Scootaloo out and then we'll go back for Piper."

"No, you can't just leave him there, we have to go back now!"

"Spike I understand you are angry, I understand you want revenge, but please restrain yourself." She spoke softly, placing a hoof on his shoulder. The drake looked into the young Alicorns' eyes, seeing just how tired she was. He closed his eyes, smoke drifting from his nostrils as he slowly calmed himself. 

He had already lost too much by acting recklessly. He needed to think things through, he needed to be rational. He took a long slow breath, just as Twilight had taught him when he was just a baby dragon. The memory of his old friend brought tears to his eyes.

"H-How are they Nox?" he asked quietly, his eyes still closed. The Alicorn hugged him gently.

"They are resting now...But they want to see you again."





Shadowflare. That was the name given to him upon his birth and it was a name he took to heart. His father had constantly beaten himself over the fact that his only son had inherited his powers of darkness, but the Alicorn had made good use of such abilities and thanks to the love and care he received from his sister, he remained unaffected by the darkness. 

He did have occasional episodes, but as long as he had Nox he had nothing to fear. Now though, he was without her, on a dangerous mission that would require all of his power. His 'cloak of shadow' kept the others hidden from the eyes of the Gryphons as they made their way toward the cell of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. 

He didn't know the couple all that well, but they had been some of the very few who accepted what he was without question. He credited this to who their son was, but all the same it made him...happy. He had to force down the spike of warmth that filled his heart as that thought struck him. 

He needed to focus on the darkness, keeping hold of the reins and keeping his friends safely hidden. He grinned slightly as they reached the cells and opened his mouth, darkness drifting from it and wrapping around the two mares inside. They both opened their mouths to scream as they were swallowed by darkness, their screams muffled as it completely consumed them. 

Melody's horn began to glow and together they vanished, a passing guard watching in shock as the two prisoners were simply gone. He rushed into the cell, thinking it to be a trick and found they that were truly gone. Outside the camp the sound of the tower bell could be heard, alerting all of the escape.





He couldn't help but smile as the sound of the bell met his ears. He chuckled a little, knowing that they weren't here for him. They wouldn't come for him, he hoped they wouldn't. It would be suicide. No, when the time was right he would find a way out, he always did. If it were Melody, she would go for their parents. They would be safe. Which meant he no longer had to keep quiet. No longer had to be the domestic pet. They had nothing to force him to stay here. 

So now, it was time to escape. Piper threw his head back and roared, howling in pain as the heartless symbol slowly etched itself into his chest, hidden by the flames still licking at his coat. The Gryphons failed to notice as darkness crept its way around his waist and began to cling to his wings, changing their shape and swallowing his body. 

Only when the chains holding him snapped did they realize what was happening. But by then, it was too late. The torch toppled over, a blur zipping past it and snatching up its source of power as well as snatching up a gryphon by its throat. The guard found himself pinned to a wall by a nightmare. A large black beast with dark goop dripping from its maw. 

Two massive yellow orbs filled its head where eyes should be, and in its claws it held a unicorns horn. It snarled and flung the gryphon away, spreading its massive wings and taking to the air. Gryphon after Gryphon attempted to attack the beast, only to be devoured by the darkness, a heartless taking the place of the gryphon and joining the beast as it flew away. 

Inside the darkness, Piper could feel the power of their hearts filling his form. For a moment he regretted using this power, but the feeling was quickly forgotten as he vanished into the clouds, the heartless surrounding him. They bowed their heads and Piper held his high, his voice holding a terrible echo as he spoke.

"Never again will they harm them, never again will they have them, never again will they breath so long as I stand." He chuckled, the heartless roaring around him. This time he would not fail.





Melody watched in horror as a large black beast tore through the air, any living thing that touched it joining its ranks as another beast.

"No..." Flare said quietly, his deep red eyes wide as he watched.

"Has he..." Nox asked softly. Flare shook his head.

"Not entirely. We'll need to find Strawberry Swirl if we have any hope of preventing a full change." Spike sat down, Sweetie Belle leaning against him as she rested, all of them hidden by Shadowflares' cloak.

"That's Piper isn't it?" Spike asked. Flare nodded, turning away as the 'pegasus' vanished into the clouds.

"He's forming an army...I can feel it. He is going to take them on alone as the Beast."

"He can't! What about what Oracle said?!" Melody yelled.

"I'm sorry Mel, but from what mother has told me, he has never been wrong." Nox spoke up. Melody shook her head, turning her gaze back to the clouds as the Alicorns words filled her mind.

'The beast will rise and darkness shall fall over Equestria. Driven by betrayal and anger, all will fall to the beasts wrath. None shall survive...The girl...is the key' He had fainted and couldn't recall anything but a few things he had seen. He hadn't spoken much since then. She turned back to the swirling cloud, a look of determination in her eyes.

"Well its time we break his record."





The group appeared with an almost silent pop. Nyx throwing her hooves around her children and holding them close as tears streamed down her face. They both nuzzled her in silence. Melody finally letting herself go, throwing herself at her parents and letting the tears flow. 

"I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry..." the young unicorn repeated again and again.

"Shhh, Melody. none of this is your fault, you saved us." Sweetie said quietly, holding her daughter close.

"But your horn...and moms wings..."

"Kiddo, your mom and I, we've been through a lot. We can go without these old things."

"You won't have to. Applebloom is here. Once you are well rested we can restore the three of you." Flare spoke up, the darkness still drifting around him.

"The three of us? What happened to Bloom?" Scootaloo asked. The ponies gathered there lowered their heads, none of them knowing how to break the news to the recently rescued pegasus.

"She...she tried to go after you alone." Nyx spoke up, shocking everyone. It was the first time she had spoken aloud in seven years. Scootaloo turned to Nyx.

"What happened?"

"Scootaloo...this wasn't your fault, please believe me when I say that." Nyx tried to assure her friend.

"JUST TELL ME!" The pegasus yelled.

"They broke her. Slowly. Literally. There's not much left of her." Shadowflare declared in a cold tone of voice.

"And that's why we need you to recover as quickly as possible. We have a war to finish and we have to stop the Beast before it takes its full form." He slid past them silently, pulling a curtain aside to reveal Applebloom, merely a body with stumps for legs, her eyes sealed shut and one of her ears missing. Sweetie Belle gagged at the sight, Spike holding her tightly as she turned away. Scootaloo lowered her head, her Keyblade appearing with a quiet CHINK.

"We do this now."

"Mom..." Melody stood in front of her.

"You're still weak and injured. Please rest a bit." Melody argued gently. 

Applebloom began to stir, coughing loudly.

"Scoots? Belle? i-is that...really you?" She wondered, looking around the room blindly. The two rushed to their friends side, nuzzling her gently.

"Its us Bloom, its us." the wounded mare smiled, resting her head against her pillow.

"Ah'm so glad you're okay...w-was Pip with you?" she asked softly. Scootaloo felt tears sting her eyes.

"N-No Bloom...They took him somewhere else. We haven't seen him since Canterlot."

"I know where he is." Spike spoke up, everyone turning to face the drake.

"When we were captured they talked about one of their camps and were about to take me there. But they decided it would be better to keep me away from Pip and lessen the chances of us escaping."

"Where is he?" Applebloom asked, slowly sitting up.

"Applebloom you shouldn't be moving" Nox began, trying to lay her back down. Applebloom merely brushed her away with a shrug of her shoulder

"WHERE?!" she demanded.

"Damarescus." a voice spoke up, stepping out of the shadows.

"Dinky...you're alive!?"
> Blessings and Curses Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So...he's alive an...an he's alright?" Applebloom asked hesitantly. She had experienced the Gryphons methods for herself, but she needed to know. She couldn't go on wondering.

"He is as ok as one can be in a Gryphon maximum security prison. I know what you are thinking, you want to go save him." Dinky said, lifting a map in her magic.

"And I plan to help." she said softly. Beside her a dragon snorted, smoke coiling around his face.

"Dinky this is nuts, we'll be killed if we go in there." Spike said, looking over the map.

"We aren't the ones going. You are staying here Spike. We need you at full strength. I'll go, I already have it planned out. I'll need Shadow though." The colt nodded, Nox sitting close by him.

"Then I'm going too." Nox said, determined to help her brother.

"I'm sorry Nox, but if you tagged along it would ruin our chances. I need Shadow because he is the only one immune to the changelings power."

"What in th' hay are ya goin on about Dinky?" Applebloom asked from her bed nearby. Dinky smiled slightly to herself.

"I've been observing the Gryphons in Demarescus. I can only get so close with the TARDIS without them noticing. They seem to have found a way to detect its presence. I don't know how, but thats not important right now. What is important is that I have seen their security, how their codes work and how they communicate. The only thing left to do is to infiltrate the Prison and break out Pip and Amethyst."

"Amy is there?" Melody asked excitedly, snapping out of her trance at the mention of her mentors name. Dinky nodded, her smile fading.

"Yes...He's...He is there." Dinky said softly.

"Then I'm going too. Shadow is under my command and Amethyst is our number five rescue target."

"Melody, you need to understand. This isn't a normal rescue mission. We will be relying on the Changelings for this."

"How do you plan on convincing them to help us? In case you don't remember, we aren't exactly the best of friends." Sweetie Belle spoke up. Dinky looked over at her and flinched visibly. She couldn't help it, it was a natural reaction every time any unicorn saw such a sight. 

A unicorn who had her horn removed, it was enough to make her sick, so much so that she was forced to swallow the bile rising in her throat. She smiled once more, trying to ignore the cracked stump atop her friends head.

"That's why I need Shadowflare. With the Darkness that fills his heart he can be completely emotionless and can stand against the Changelings manipulative powers and give them a message. You see, long ago the Changelings were ruled by a king, not a Queen. Much like the Alicorn's, the Changelings have an incredibly long lifespan, but this can only be maintained if they are well-fed. In the time of their Kings rule, the Doctor came to their Aid. Just as they were on their last vestiges of strength, he found them a source of willing love to keep them alive. In return for his help, they offered him this." Dinky lifted a strange relic into the air with her magic.

"This emblem marks The Doctor as an Honorary Member of the Changeling Royal Family. Shadow will go to them wearing this and demand they help us."

"Now how do you expect that to work?" Shadowflare asked, raising an eyebrow, though all they saw was a shifting of darkness.

"The changelings are bound by powerful magic to obey any who wear this emblem." Dinky said, continuing her explanation, though it was broken with a long yawn.

"OK, I understand the power of the Emblem, but if thats true why does Shadow have to go?" Melody asked.

"As I said before, he is the only one immune to their power. A changeling could still take the form of someone we love before we would have a chance to use the Emblem. Its a last resort in any case. You see, the changelings need only a peek into our minds and hearts to see who we cherish most. Then they take that form and drain us of our love and strength." Shadow took hold of the Emblem.

"I understand. The Darkness shrouds my mind and heart and if I allow it to, it will protect me from the Changelings. But if Nox comes along then love will fill my heart and my defenses will fall and we will lose our advantage. But that doesn't explain why you are tagging along and no one else can."

"I have nothing left to love." Dinky said simply.

"What about Amethyst?" Melody asked knowingly. Dinky merely lowered her head.

"Its not meant to be Melody. Amethyst...he deserves better." Dinky said, turning away.

"And before you ask again, you cannot come with us. You are too close to Sunshine to enter the Changeling Hive. It has to be me and Shadow. We'll return soon."

"Be careful..." Nox said softly. Shadow nodded, closing his eyes for a moment. 

I am darkness...there is no light, no hope, only darkness, strength, power, unending and forever growing he chanted to himself. When he opened his eyes, all that remained was the empty red glow. It worried Nox and her mother, but they knew it was for the best. Dinky marched half-heartedly to the TARDIS with Shadow close behind her.

"In the meanwhile, Melody...take care of your family and don't worry about Piper."

"Dinky, theres something you aren't telling me..." The unicorn smiled for a moment and tipped her hat.

"Spoilers." the TARDIS closed and vanished.





A field of maps sat before the Pegasus. She sighed loudly, rubbing a hoof against her temple and looking back over the maps. Things weren't looking well for them. It would take a miracle for them to survive the next assault and they didn't even know when it would be coming. 

Only one of her scouts had returned and they had done so on hoof with a pack of Gryphon's chasing them. It had taken hours but they managed to save the wounded Pegasi scout. The Gryphon's would rather die then give them any information and she had been only too happy to oblige them. Her frown faded into a smile as she felt a pair of hooves wrapping around her from behind.

"I need to focus AJ." Rainbow spoke up softly, feeling the mare lean against her back.

"Ya'll need t' relax a moment sugarcube. We can't have ya overworkin yerself." Applejack said back, tightening her grip slightly. Rainbow shook her head.

"They could attack us at any time AJ. I gotta be ready. We still haven't heard from the other camps. If we can get just one of them to send us reinforcements we can push them back and then we can surround them. We'll have the stronghold and the Gryphons will be that much closer to getting the buck out of Equestria." Rainbow said, determined to see her plan through. She blinked as a letter appeared in a burst of flames in front of her. She dared not hope, dared not dream who it had come from. She slowly unfurled the letter, her smile growing.

General Rainbow Dash. I would like to report my mission was a success. Sadly though it was not. Upon reaching the Gryphon outpost we discovered that Piper was indeed being held prisoner there, as well as Spike (who will be sending this letter to you) and my parents. We were unable to rescue Piper in our attempt. 

However he did manage to escape on his own. I do not wish for you to get your hopes up, he is not himself. He has begun the changes towards becoming the Beast. In other news, Dinky has discovered the whereabouts of Percival Ignacious Peregrine Squeak as well as Amethyst Darastrix Shrike. She has taken Shadowflare with her as well as a magical artifact to recruit the changelings in our efforts to free them. 

We do not have many targets left and will be returning to the battlefield shortly. 

Your Loyal Crusader

Melody Delia Belle.

Rainbow Dash chuckled to herself and set the letter down.

"That kid...so much like her brother." Rainbow said. Applejack read over her shoulder and smiled.

"So they got Spike an her parents. But what 'bout Piper? What are we gonna do about him?" Applejack asked softly. Rainbow sighed and paced back and forth for a moment, glancing at her maps.

"If he does become the Beast...then we won't have any other choice. He'll be an enemy...and we'll have to kill him."






Hundreds of thousands of Heartless stood in formation as Piper walked down the aisle. He had formed his castle in the clouds, searching for the strongest amongst his army. Those of which had the power of mind to be able to speak were further tested to see the extent of their knowledge. To those who met his standards, he gave the titles of Generals and Commanders. The rest were devoured to increase their strength. 

He would need all of them at their peak when he tore Niare down from the throne. He glanced to his right, his latest commander saluting.

"Blackbeak, with me." the Beast spoke up, the Heartless falling into line beside him along with his contingent of soldiers. A smirk spread across the Beast's face. 

That's right. I'm not Piper anymore. I am the Darkness, I am the Beast. Piper was weak, he failed. But the Beast will not fail. All will be made right. The smirk changed into a grin. It was time for Equestria to see its savior, to repay its debt for all of his work from the shadows. But first, he had a date with a nearby Gryphon Stronghold.





Shadow remained quiet as Dinky turned and tweaked with the main console of the TARDIS, a look of grim determination on her face. Lost in the Darkness as he was, he felt no sympathy nor pity, but knew in the back of his mind that a piece of him wished happiness on the unicorn. 

"Dinky. What you said back there about Amethyst, was it true?" he asked softly. Dinky paused for a moment, resting her hoof against a lever as she glanced over at him.

"There's nothing there for me Shadow. If we...no. When we do free him, he will need to recover and take his place as protector of the Elements."

"What point is there in that? The Element of Magic is dead. The Element of Loyalty is our enemy. The Element of Laughter is nowhere to be seen. The Element of Kindness has become bitter and sticks to her only duty of protecting the Element of Generosity who has given nothing but false promises to her soldiers and citizens. Dinky, you need to face the truth. There is only one way out of this." Shadow said simply, his voice holding no emotion.

"Love isn't the answer Shadow. We can't just 'love' the war away. My 'love' for Amethyst won't fix anything. We need to be strong, we need to fight. Thats all there is left to do."

"Is that what your father and mother would've wanted Dinky?" he asked as the TARDIS came to a stop. He pushed the doors open, taking the Emblem with him.

"Wait here." he told her.

"I'm going with yo..." she stopped as he glared at her.

"You still love Amethyst. All it will take is a moment of weakness and they'll have you. I can't allow them to tap into your mind. If I have to I will kill you to keep that from happening and you know I will do it Dinky. Wait here until I have subdued them. Then make your move." He said softly, letting the darkness fade for only a moment, a smile touching his lips. 

Dinky wouldn't have seen it if she hadn't been staring directly at his face. She sighed and gave a nod, stepping back as he turned away.

"Be careful." She said, the doors closing behind him as he vanished.





Darkness and voices, screams echoing in the distance. He was sure he had gone insane. He rested his good ear against the stone wall, listening for the sounds of Gryphon claws against the cobbled road outside his cell. Sound had become his only means of determining anything these days. 

He could still feel the sunlight against his scales, what little of it there was. It had to have been about mid-day. He brushed his claw against the wall, tracing the markings slowly. At the end he dragged his claw against the wall, making another marking. He had lost count of the days so long ago, but he had an estimate with this. Each day more and more prisoners were brought in. 

It had become a true madhouse. He was thankful to be on the higher cellblock where the sun still managed to shine in, even if he couldn't see it. Down below were the dungeons. There was no light down there, no sun, not even a torch. If the torture didn't break you, the darkness would. 

But there was one soldier below who stayed strong and pure within the darkness. A pony blessed by the mare of darkness herself. Pip. Amethyst smiled to himself, feeling a tug at the back of his mind. He curled up in a corner of his cell and let himself drift off to sleep. There in the dreamstate waited Pip, looking over plans he had formed in mid-air. 

Amethyst couldn't physically see him there, but he could sense him. He sat beside him and looked up, knowing thats where the plans would be. He reached out with his mind, letting his thoughts brush against them.

"This isn't going to work Pip. They've doubled the guard and on top of that they moved me from my old cell. I don't know my way around and it would take too long for me to figure it out." Amethyst said with a sigh, placing a claw over the blindfold he wore.

"You told me about a trick you used once. How you rearranged Discords castle, well that's what we're gonna do. Look, all you have to do is make contact right? Keep your claw embedded in the wall and you can feel your way to my cell, drag it out next to yours and drop us at the outer gates. After that its as simple as running for our lives." Pip said with a small smile. Amethyst chuckled and shook his head.

"If it weren't for her, I'd say you were crazy."

"She could help you too you know." Pip said softly. Amethyst lowered his head.

"No...She couldn't. Even if she could...I don't deserve it. If that day is to ever come, I will earn it. Until then I will make do with my fate." The kirin said with finality. Pip sighed.

"For the last bucking time, Emeralds dea..." he was cut off by Amethyst placing a claw on his throat.

"She isn't dead...I can hear her sometimes...calling my name, reaching out for me. But everytime I reach for her there's something in the way, something pushing me back." He sighed, letting go of Pip. The stallion had become accustomed to Amethyst's sudden outbursts. Especially after his eyes had been plucked out. The kirin cleared his throat, turning his attention back to the plans.

"It won't work Pip. My cell prevents any and all draconic magic."

"Then use Unicorn magic." Pip said simply. Amethyst snorted and laughed.

"You know I can't do that and so do the Gryphons."

"Have you ever tried?" Pip asked. Amethyst was silent for a moment.

"Alright, lets say I do manage to somehow use some unicorn magic. The spell we need is draconic by nature, a unicorn CAN'T use it which means the plan is useless anyway."

"Amethyst, you're thinking too hard."

"AND YOU AREN'T THINKING AT ALL!" Amethyst yelled, steam drifting from his nostrils.

"All i've had time to do is think Amethyst. Thats all i have. My body is chained to a wall. I can't move, I can't even get up and go take a piss!" 

"Will you two just shut up already." a voice echoed around them.

"That voice..." Pip blinked, looking around.

"Wait...you..you heard that too?" Amethyst asked softly.

"Yea..." The stallion replied, searching the dreamscape for its source. He jumped in surprise as his plans vanished, a pair of mismatched eyes hovering where they had been, a mouth slowly forming into a smile just underneath them. Slowly the floating face began to fill in with color, scales and claws taking shape until a figure appeared, standing on two feet and smiling at them, a single fang protruding from her mouth. Amethyst lowered his head.

"Now I know i'm dreaming." he muttered, surprise taking over as the figure pulled him into a hug.

"Just because this a dream, doesn't mean its not real big brother." Emerald said softly.
> Blessings and Curses Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This place..." he muttered to himself. Why did he feel so at peace here? Even within the Darkness of his heart, this place called out to him, made him feel at home. Made him feel like he belonged. He shook off the feeling, letting himself sink deeper into the darkness, his body coated in shadows as he made his way deeper into the cave. 

His piercing red eyes dove into every corner, spotting the changelings hiding, believing themselves to be invisible. He could feel their fear, feel their curiosity, feel their hunger. He pushed it aside, finding a long, crooked, winding staircase. He ignored it, projecting his sight to the top, moments later finding himself standing right where he wanted to be. He was beginning to understand why he felt so at peace here. It was the darkness. He hadn't realized it until now. 

The cave was pitch black.

"And who do we have here?" a voice filled the room. Shadow stepped forward.

"My name is ShadowFlare. I come in the Doctors name for the favor owed him for saving your race." he spoke up. The changeling queen merely laughed, snarling as she stared into the young colts eyes.

"A favor promised by an old dead traitor. You expect me to respect this?!" she yelled at him. He stepped forward once more, smacking his forehead into hers and causing her to stumble back for a moment.

"I do." He stated simply, lifting the Emblem in his magic. Chrysalis snarled and took another step back, her eyes beginning to glow as she probed the stallions mind, but he was ready for her, instantly slamming a wall between her and his thoughts, sending her reeling. 

He took yet another step forward, filling the Emblem with his magic.

"You feed off love changeling. You see into the hearts of creatures and sap away that which they cherish most. What power have you over something that possess' no heart?" she merely glared up at him, pushing weakly to her hooves.

"But that's whats important isn't it? You are dying without any source to feed you and your people. They are feeding off what little love you can give them. That's your weakness. You love them, all of them. They are dear to you, I can see it in your eyes and it pains you to see so many of them die even with the love they drain from you. So I'll make you a deal." he walked around her slowly.

"You need the love ponies give one another, and the ponies need an ally against the Gryphons."

"Why would I help you when I can just take what I want?"

"Because if you don't help us, there won't be any ponies for you to feed off of."





"But..that's impossible." Pip spoke up, watching the siblings as they held one another. He couldn't tell if the kirin had grown any, though she seemed taller, especially since she walked on two legs instead of four now. He couldn't put his hoof on it, but he recognized the stance from somewhere, or something.

"Of course it is" Emerald said with a smile. Pip's eyes widened and he quickly shifted his own stance, blades forming around him in the dreamstate. 'Emerald' gave a sigh and snapped her claws, the blades vanishing.

"I know what you are thinking Pip. I'm not Discord, you don't have any reason to believe that of course, seeing as I have these eyes, and the fang. But I have my horns, my magic, my thoughts. If you just give me a chance I'll explain."

"Its not like I have any choice." He muttered. This was his dream, he should have been in control of everything, it was a gift bestowed upon him by Luna herself. But if Emerald could so easily banish his thoughts here then he was helpless against her. Amethyst remained silent. He could feel the changes in his sister, but deep down her heart was still her own. He smiled and punched her shoulder gently.

"You could've told us you were alive. Its been years Emy."

"Well...its only been a few hours for me..." she said, sitting down and running a claw through her mane.

"Its a bit hard to really explain, I can already feel his needs in the back of my head, the need to stop being so serious and have fun, to sprinkle a bit of chaos here and there, just a little prank or two" she shook herself, quickly banishing those thoughts and taking a slow breath.

"When you cast the Transmodification Spell on Piper, he swapped places with Rainbow Dash. She was struck with powerful Dark Energy, dragged from the deepest darkest pit of the Realm of Darkness where the most powerful of all Heartless are born. When Piper vanished he was instantly sent there. But Harmony snatched him up and began rebuilding his body. For her it took no time at all. But it required her to give a piece of herself to him, to make her apart of him. That's how he was connected to her. In the same sense, I am connected to Discord."





SEVEN YEARS EARLIER.

Emerald began to pant, biting down on her lip as the Darkness dug itself into her scales. She knew her body could hold itself against it, but not for how long. In an instant she found out as her scales began to fade away, leaving her unguarded soft tissue free for the Darkness to wreak havoc. 

She tossed and turned within the darkness, her screams echoing down every hallway as she continued to drag the Darkness to her. She opened her eyes and found herself drifting, the pain slow to fade as her body began to fall away.

Is this...the darkness? Am I going to become just another Heartless? Oh Nova...I'm so sorry...

"Oh come now, you aren't giving up just like that are you?" a voice rang out. Emerald blinked and turned her head, finding two oddly shaped eyes staring into her own. She gritted her teeth and spun, barely noticing her form forcing itself back together.

"Discord!" she glared at him, horns ablaze with magic. Discord held up his claw and paw, showing he meant no harm.

"I have no doubt you could handle me in a one on one match sweet little Emerald, but that's just what you are. Sweet and Shy. And also dead in a few minutes. The Element of Magic, gone forever." 

"SHUT UP!"

"Is that what you really want? Do you want me to stay quiet while your family suffers? Or do you want the chance to help them?"

"Why would you help me?"

"Because I'm not as awful as you all see me. For peace and harmony to exist there must be chaos and disorder. There must be a balance. All I want is a little fun and its sooo boring trying to explain myself. I'll put it in terms you can understand. My deal with you will be the same as Harmony's' deal with Piper, but unlike him you won't be a little dog to obey my every whim. I'll give you some of my power, a new stronger, more durable body, and let you run loose to do as you will." he said with a smile as they floated within the void of Darkness.

"Why? That doesn't make any sense!" 

"I know! So, do we have a deal?" he smiled, holding out his claw. Emerald bit her lip for a moment. With her own power, plus that of Discord, she would have enough magic to take him down if need be. She could also return and help in the fighting. 

Or this could all be a trick to steal my magic so that he can take them down himself.

"I see that you don't trust me. That's good, but you can trust your own eyes and you know that these never lie." he waved his paw, a window opening to reveal a peek into the events unfolding in her absence. Piper falling to Niare's cloaked figures. Amethyst escaping with Melody, and Spike and Pip being thrown in cells to rot. She lowered her head for a moment.

"You'll give me your magic..and I can stop this from happening?"

"Oh no, all of this has already happened and it'll take time for your body to accept its changes. You are running out of time though. Here are your choices. You can die here and end up as the most powerful and deadly Heartless known in all creation, OR you can have some fun with me and save your friends at the same time. So whats it gonna be?" He held out his claw once more, surprised when the Kirin grabbed it.

"Alright then, lets have some fun!" he said with a grin and a snap of his fingers.





The air around them felt heavy and thick as Emerald finished her explanation.

"So this whole time that I was reaching for you, the darkness was blocking me?" Amethyst asked softly.

"Yes. Discord said it would be best if I remained within it until the change was complete. That way my body would be more stable as its own form unlike Piper who has to constantly battle his heartless self."

"His heartless self? I thought he was a heartless." Pip spoke up.

"Not exactly. Piper's body only broke down about halfway before Harmony forced the process to stop. So his entire form is completely unstable. If she allowed a full change his appearance would be closer to her own, horn included. Her way is much faster but far more dangerous. Even with the urge to wreak havoc and chaos, Discords path is still better. He took the time to allow my body to become what it needed to be in order to survive this ordeal."

"So...you're a Heartless like Piper now?" Pip asked softly.

"No, I was. Again its hard to explain and make sense. Discord has access to magics long forgotten and forbidden. And now..." she brushed her claw against Amethysts' cheek, the kirin blinking in surprise as the blindfold fell away and he looked upon his sister with his own two eyes.

"So do I. I cannot yet give you these back in reality, but at least here, you can be you."

"Emy..." he couldn't think of anything to say, merely pulling the green kirin close. Emerald sighed softly and held him.

"Pip, you might want to rework that escape plan of yours. There's a rescue team coming for you guys. Amy, you have to..." The purple kirin put a claw against her lips.

"I know what I have to do Emy. Just promise me this, when we meet again out there, don't give me my eyes back and don't interfere."

"Bu..but why?!"

"Because I need to earn them and this all started with you godlike creatures interfering in mortal affairs. Harmony wreaking havoc across time by forcing Piper to be born, Discord dragging you from the pit to come help us...we need to do this on our own Emy." Amethyst said softly, picking up his blindfold and smiling over at her for a moment.

"I've grown accustomed to the Darkness. And I'll need that advantage for as long as possible against the Heartless and the Gryphons."

"As much as I hate to admit it Emerald, he's right. We need to do this ourselves." Pip said with a smile of his own. Emerald sighed and shook her head.

"Stallions...bunch of bullheaded stallions is what you are." she muttered under her breath. She sighed and placed a kiss on both of their foreheads and snapped her claws.

"At least let me give you this much." and with that, she vanished. The two glanced at one another, touching their foreheads and finding nothing.





Piper chuckled to himself, staring into the eyes of one Commander Stormbeak. One of Niares' most favored soldiers.

"Me..mercy..." the Gryphon begged, his voice raspy as he struggled for air. 

"Did your kind show mercy in Canterlot? Did you show mercy on the battlefield? WAS THERE ANY MERCY THEN?!" He screamed, tossing the Gryphon aside. The soldier gasped and wheezed, rolling into a standing position. Piper waved away his own soldiers.

"This one is mine." he said softly. The Gryphon panted heavily, blood caked over one of his eyes. He weakly lifted his sword and for a moment Piper saw himself in the Gryphons place. He gritted his teeth, remembering himself being in a similar situation during the War of Nightmare.

That's all in the past. All that matters is the future. a voice said in the back of his mind. He roared and launched himself forward, the Gryphon dropped his blade, closing his eyes as Piper's sliced through him. The Soldier fell to the ground with a smile on his face. Piper watched as the body faded away and the corpse slowly became another Heartless. 

Though this one was different. It did not bow. It did nothing, but smile.





"Princess, please, we are starving and in desperate need of reinforcements!" A pegasus begged. Nova sighed quietly.

"I have no soldiers to spare. Food is scarce here as well. There is nothing I can do."

"T...There must be something...maybe if your Aunt could let the sun out a bit more..." the pegasus bit his tongue as Nova glared at him.

"You are aware of her condition, are you not?" she asked softly. The pegasus gulped and nodded slowly.

"Then do not ask for the impossible. If you need soldiers you can send scouts to Rainbow Dash and join forces with her. Her military mind is far more skilled than mine. She will find a way to use what little soldiers you have to their full potential."

"Th...thank you Princess." the pegasus stammered, rushing out of the castle as fast as his wings would carry him. Nova sighed to herself, her court finally empty.

"Am I doing the right thing?" she asked softly, finding little comfort in the hoof on her shoulder.

"Of course you are Nova. There isn't anything else you can do." a voice spoke up behind her. She closed her eyes as she felt hooves gently wrap around her, holding her close.

"I just don't know anymore..." she spoke softly.

"Nova, listen to me. You are doing everything you can...Its not fair and its not right, but its what has to be done." Sunburst said quietly, gently kissing her cheek. Nova smiled just slightly.

"Thank you Sunburst..." the pegasus sat beside her and smiled.

"It was a good idea to send him to help mom. We just got a report from her. Spike will be returning to the battlefield soon and Nyx has started speaking again. The Crusaders have been reunited and once they recover their power will rival that of our best soldiers." Sunburst said as she looked over the papers. 

Nova rubbed a hoof against her temple and blinked as she felt something nudge her leg. She smiled and pulled her daughter close to her, the kirin nuzzling her neck. Sunburst fell silent as the two held one another. She knew she could never replace Emerald 

she cared deeply for Nova and for Aqua. But she could never be the mother the Kirin deserved. She would never admit it, but she heard Nova crying and begging for Emerald to return when she thought her pegasus lover was asleep. It hurt, knowing she could never hold that special place in the Princess' heart, but at the same time she felt she didn't deserve it. Aqua turned to look at her and giggled.

"Momma, can we go outside today?" she asked the pegasus. Sunburst felt a stab of guilt and forced a smile.

"O...Of course Aqua." she said softly. Nova glanced over at her and Sunburst held back a sigh. She knew that look. They would be having a long talk later.

"Try not to stray too far, ok Aqua?" Sunburst said, draping a wing over the kirin.

"Aww...ok momma." Sunburst glanced back at Nova who wore a worried smile. The Princess watched as the two left to the gardens where an armed guard awaited them, keeping an eye out for any would-be assassins. Nova sighed and lifted the papers Sunburst had left behind in her magic, her eyes quickly scanning over them. 

Shadow is walking into the changelings den...without Nox...That can't end well. Spike is alive and doing ok. That's good, and big sis is talking again. I thought she'd never speak again...Aunt Celestia isn't doing any better. We've barely managed to grow anything lately and our best unicorns and pegasi can't figure anything out. This whole war is sapping Equestria of its very essence. To top it all off, Aqua is asking questions about Sunburst...

"So, Sunburst. I guess it makes sense. She is cute. It must have taken forever to work out the drawl in her voice." a voice rang out. Nova dropped the papers and looked around.

"And the little one is so adorable." the voice continued. It was a voice she knew well, a voice she had been desperate to hear again. But now it seemed to be taunting her as it always did.

"JUST STOP IT!" she screamed, lowering her head. The voice faded away, leaving her alone in the Throne Room of the sisters old castle. It was always like this. The voice would appear when she felt the most guilt and then vanish as soon as she lost control of her anger. But this time was different. She felt a claw against her chin, gently forcing her to look up and see a green kirin, just slightly taller than herself. Her eyes widened as the kirin's lips met her own. She pulled away, stumbling back into her throne.

"Y...You c..can't...a..are you..b..but..." she stammered. The figure only smiled, sitting cross legged in front of her. She resembled Spike in his teenage years. Tall and lanky, though with perfect curves in all the right places. Nova fought down the blush that rose in her cheeks and cleared her throat.

"Who are you? You can't be Emerald. She..."

"Sacrificed herself to the Darkness so you could escape. In that last moment she flung you into the arms of your dear Aunt and gave herself so you could go on. And go on you have. It took about three or four years before you finally accepted you'd never see her again and you were finally able to accept Sunburst's love for you. 

Though each day the guilt grew. The guilt that you had forgotten the kirin you had come to know and love. You never officially ended your marriage with her either and Sunburst never questioned it. That's just who she is and you love her for it. But you still love Emerald as well." the figure spoke up.

"So you admit you aren't her?"

"I'm not that Emerald. No matter how much I wish it, I can never be her again. but I am YOUR Emerald."

"That's impossible. Nothing could survive the darkness."

"And who is capable of the impossible?" It only took Nova a moment to figure it out.

"Discord. So you are Discord just messing with my mind aren't you?!" she screamed. The figure stood.

"No. Discord isn't capable of the sort of bond we share Nova. You can see it, you can FEEL it. You know its me." the smile faded from the figures face as Nova looked into its eyes. Those eyes were the eyes of Discord, without a doubt, but beneath them, deep within were the eyes that use to greet her every morning. The eyes she had come to know and love. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks and shook her head.

"But that's impossible...I must be going insane..." she stopped as she felt a claw on her cheek. The kirin smiling at her.

"You are insane Nova. All of the pressure on your mind has brought you to the brink and its because of that, because of the madness, that I can take form in front of you now." Emerald spoke up softly.

"Just...tell me everything...from the beginning...like she would" Nova whispered, burying her face in the kirin's chest, hardly noticing as Sunburst and Aqua returned to find the Princess with her hooves wrapped around a strange green Kirin.





Nox watched as Spike weaved and rolled through the obstacle course that had taken her and her brother months to conquer. It was really something amazing to see. The Drake easily avoided traps and brushed off arrows like feathers, dummies were unrecognizable after he had passed them by and the track record was shattered, but he hadn't seemed to have broken a sweat. He took a slow breath, letting a bit of steam curl around his face.

"Nox, how is your mother?" he asked quietly, the silence shattering against the innocent question.

"She's...adjusting. Life isn't the same without father and this war has done nothing but drag up memories of what she once was."

"and what of your brother?"

"He's...complicated..."

"and your unborn foal?" he asked, causing her to blush. The Alicorn began to stammer, finally setting on the only words she could focus on.

"How could you know?" she asked quietly.

"Nox, I wasn't born yesterday. Even when you two were little I could see it. I know others might see it as wrong, but love is love. I dealt with the same thing when me and Rarity first became a couple. I'm happy for you, but have you thought of what will happen if Melody finds out?"

"I'd think she would understand..."

"Then why not tell her?"

"Because...she'll make me stop fighting...she'll be too busy protecting me and then she'll be alone. Nopony else can get close to her, not even Sunshine. She won't let herself become romantically involved. Not until she's won this war. I have to stay by her side. She needs somepony to be there for her and you've seen my brother..Love isn't his strong suit..." she mumbled.

"He's only able to show himself when we're alone..." she said, hanging her head. The alicorn blinked in surprise as Spike pulled her close, his breath rolling against her ear.

"Nox...everyday you hold back is another day you are causing harm to your foal. Magic is dangerous to an unborn child, especially one such as yours. Amethyst and Emerald were close calls and Rarity barely used any magic. You've been fighting all this time. I don't want to make you worry, but if you don't stop, you'll kill your child."

"H...How am I suppose to choose?" she almost begged. Spike placed his claws on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Its true she needs you, but there are other ways for you to be useful to her Nox. Please just think on it." he gently kissed her forehead and began to walk away.

"Spike...Did you want to see Rarity again?" Nox asked softly, causing him to stop in mid step.

"Of course I'd want to see her again Nox...but she's gone. I saw her die."

"What? no she's not." Nox slid in front of him, confused by the drakes words.

"The Gryphons captured her and killed her in front of me Nox." he said softly. The Alicorn shook her head and smiled.

"Spike, Rarity is alive. She's been waiting for you."





A soft sigh escaped the young fillies lips as the wind blew by. She lifted her wings, letting the wind drift over them, a light chill running up her spine. She looked up at the clouds and sighed again.

Someday I'm gonna fly... she thought to herself. She stood, looking over the edge of the hill, her wings giving a light twitch against another breeze. The winds were perfect, at the very least she would be able to glide along them to the bottom. 

But as she took a step forward she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up to see her mother shaking her head. The filly sighed and folded her wings against her side.

"But..."

"Its dangerous." her mother said softly.

"But how am I gonna see Papa if I can't ever fly?" she asked softly. Her mother turned away for a moment.

"H...He'll find us someday, and then he'll teach you." she smiled slightly and sighed.

"Now hurry inside, your dinner is getting cold."

"Ok momma..." the pegasus filly hung her head, making her way to the small cottage the two of them shared. The mare waited a few moments more after her daughter had entered the cottage before turning her gaze to the clouded sky.

"Piper...wherever you are...we miss you..." Strawberry spoke softly before turning away and joining her daughter within their home.
> The Key, The Beauty, and The Beast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

This isn't you! You have to fight it! the voice screamed within the darkest corners of the Beasts mind. It shook away the thoughts that continued to grow with each passing day. The voice seemed familiar and at times he thought he could place who it belonged to. Somepony long dead.

I'm not dead you idiot, but if you keep this up we'll all be dead! the voice screamed again, louder this time.

"There it is again..." he growled, his commanders and generals looking at him in confusion. He waved them away with a claw.

"Check on the patrols. I need some time to think" he muttered, glancing over a few maps, but he did not see them. He stared off into the distance as the voice returned, and this time with friends.

Snap out of it Piper. they said together. The Beast paused for a moment. That name. It was always that name that kept tearing at the back of his mind. Who was this Piper the voices continued to call out to? It was driving him mad! He didn't have time for mindgames. He had a war to win, a kingdom to raise.

That is enough Piper, rest and know peace. a voice said softly in his mind. The beast stumbled as his vision began to blur, finally collapsing onto the clouds he stood upon and passing out.





Sunburst pushed Aqua behind her, flames burning in her eyes as she stared down the creature who held Nova.

"Let her go, NOW!" She demanded of the creature who turned toward her with a smile. Nova looked at her marefriend and daughter with tears in her eyes, which was all Sunburst needed.

"Aqua, go find Shining Armor." she said softly to the kirin.

"B...But mo..."

"GO!" she yelled, pushing the Kirin away. Aqua glanced at the pegaus, then at her mother and finally at the creature who held her. She froze as their eyes met and without realizing it had begun walking towards her.

"Aqua no!" Sunburst reached for the Kirin only to have her run into the creatures arms.

"Hello little one..." the creature said softly, embracing Aqua. Sunburst froze as the voice reached her hears, swallowing hard as her magic dissipated.

"E...Emerald?" she said, her voice cracking. The creature looked at her and smiled.

"I'm happy to know she was safe with you Sunburst. I always knew I could count on you for anything." she spoke quietly, running a claw through her daughters mane.

"B..But how? T...They said..."

"Its a long story and we don't exactly have time for me to explain. The short version is I died and Discord brought me back the same way Harmony brought back Piper. Well not the same way, his way worked the right way and hers corrupted Pipers mind. Which reminds me, we need to act before he completely loses himself." She said, letting go of Aqua and standing.

"Listen to me little one. There are going to be a lot of bad things happening soon. I want you to stay safe with your mom and mommy over there ok?" she said with a smile. Sunburst blinked in surprise, realizing the kirin was referring to her.

"Y...you know?" she managed to say.

"Yes, and stop beating yourself up over it. You thought I was dead, ponies move on, they need to. You can't hang on to someone forever."she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"B...but what about you momma?" the young kirin spoke up. Emerald smiled, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I have a job to do little one. We all do, and yours is to stay safe." she turned to Nova to see her shaking.

"Emerald...I..." the alicorn blushed as Emerald pulled her close, burying her face into her scales and letting her tears free.

"We'll talk about it later Nova, right now there are things to be done. Equestria needs you. I've already checked in on Amethyst and Pip, they should be joining us in a week or so if the rescue effort goes as planned." She rubbed her temples and crossed her legs, hovering in mid-air.

"Sorry, it takes quite a bit of focus to keep myself in check these days." she mumbled, lowering herself to the ground. Nova only smiled, something she hadn't done in a long, long time. She beckoned Sunburst over with a flick of her horn and placed a wing over her as well as a wing over Emerald.

"Together, we will turn the tide of this war and bring back peace to Equestria." she said softly, laughing as Aqua pushed herself in between them. Things were finally taking a turn for the better.





Spike was silent as he followed Nox through the twists and turns of the many caverns that had become the base of the Crusaders. He dared not hope what the Alicorn had said was true but at the same time he wished with all his heart that it was. 

He still remembered that day. He had only been a prisoner of the Gryphons for a year when they brought his beloved before him. Beaten, bruised, and barely alive. Her face had been unrecognizable, but he wouldn't have doubted it was her. 

Her death had been made as slow as possible with the dragon restrained and forced to watch. They had broken him that day, for years he simply WAS, losing count of the days and no longer caring for life. Though they made him live, they made him survive and now that he was free he would make them pay. 

He was pulled from his thoughts as Nox paused, smiling at him. Her horn lit up for a moment and she stopped herself, lowering her head before the two massive doors.

"Spike...could you...open it?" she asked sadly. He smiled, happy with her decision and gently patting her back.

"Of course Nox." he replied softly, nudging the door open. There before him, floating in mid-air within a field of concentrated magic, her horn ablaze with the powerful force and her mane curling elegantly around her face, was one Rarity Diamondheart Shrike. The drake slowly walked up to her hovering form, standing on his back legs and gently placing a claw against her cheek.

"Is this...really her?" he asked. Nox sat beside him and nodded.

"Yes, she's currently in a field of magical stasis. Its maintained her current health and age and kept her alive. when you didn't return she was...well...it wasn't pretty..."





"He'll be here any moment...him and my darling gems a..and everything will be ok." Rarity tried to convince herself.

"Rare...I wouldn't get your hopes up...maybe...maybe they..." Rainbow started, gulping as the mare spun on her with a glare that could petrify a cockatrice.

"NO! Spike would never...h..he's coming back, and he'll have my children and my sister with him. You'll see!" she huffed, staring at the entrance to the hidden caverns.

"Ain't nothin we can do fer her Rainbow...jus' give her time." Applejack said quietly, leaving with the pegasus. Soon all of her friends had left to comfort one another, leaving Rarity waiting for Spike to return. Minutes turned into hours. Hours into Days. And Days eventually gave way to months. 

The mare remained in the same spot, her makeup long since ruined by tears that forced their way into the open. Her expression remained the same however as the mascara stained her cheeks, full of hope and the knowledge that the dragon would come back to her and make everything better. 

She couldn't remember her last meal as her stomach ached and growled desperately. She turned her bleary gaze to the entrance once more, smiling as a figure made its way to her. 

In her emaciated stupor she thought it to be Spike, stepping forward and instantly falling to the ground, out cold as her friends rushed to her side.

"RARITY!" they called out to her. She felt herself on her back, weakly raising her hoof and placing it against the figures cheek.

"I...I knew you would come back...Spike..." she said weakly before the darkness claimed her. Gathered around her, her friends began to worry as the mare held her hoof in the air, speaking to the emptiness around her before losing consciousness.

"Come on, we have to get her to Zecora." Fluttershy spoke up, lifting the unicorn onto her back, amazed and frightened by how light her friend was. With a powerful beat of her wings she took off, leaving her friends stunned by her speed and determination. She nearly crashed into Zecora as she landed, breathing heavily with Rarity's limp form clinging to her back. 

The zebra said nothing, motioning to a table where Fluttershy placed the unicorn. The two looked her over, happy to discover she was still alive. Something within her seemed to be holding her on a tiny thread of life, but without food and proper rest they would lose her.

"Is there anything we can do?" she asked softly. The Doctor, who sat in a corner, reading over a few books in a language Fluttershy could not understand, stood and sighed as he closed his book.

"Without Spike here I doubt there is much we can do for her. If Twilight were here it would be a simple matter...no, not even then." He looked over the unicorn for a moment and sighed.

"There may be one thing we can do for her. I have every bit of confidence that Spike is alive, perhaps not well, but alive." He turned away from them, pulling open the tent to find three ponies eavesdropping on them. 

He gave them a small smile and beckoned them inside. Nyx was silent as she and her children took a seat near Rarity. Nox propped her hooves on the table, frowning as she peeked over the top.

"Whats wrong with her?" she asked softly.

"She's suffering little one. The heart of a mare is a fragile thing, just one wrong step can have horrible consequences, even if that step is out of your control." he said quietly. 

"Nyx, right now you're magic is the only thing that can save Rarity." the chestnut stallion said, keeping his gaze on the white unicorn mare. Nyx glanced at him for a moment, looking away and sighing. Shadow gently nudged her, bringing a smile to her lips. She gave a simple nod in response.

"We can nurture her back to health as she sleeps. When she has been properly restored we will need a very powerful spell from you. A way to keep her from drowning herself in her sorrow again. In short, a long, peaceful sleep. Something that should be a simple matter for The Mare of Dreams." he spoke with a knowing smile. Nyx sighed

"I can place her in a dreamstate that will keep her happy, but the longer she is in that world the more she'll believe its real." She explained.

"Then we'll have to get Spike back quickly." Fluttershy said simply, already mashing together a few herbs.

"I'll get to work on that." The Doctor said, bidding them goodbye as he left.





"You said a few monthes went by. Why did it take seven years? And why was it you who saved me?" Spike asked softly. Nox lowered her head, as if she feared the answer.

"Nox? wheres the Doc?"

"s...Spike..." Rarity's voice filled the room weakly, causing the drake to spin and stare at her with wide eyes.

"Rarity, its me, i'm here." he placed his claws on either side of her face, catching a glimpse of Rarity standing in a field, snuggled close to him with their children sleeping nearby. He gasped as Nox pulled him away.

"She's been like this for all that time Spike. She believes that world is the real world now. There's no war there, she has you, and Emerald and Amethyst in that world."

"But its all a lie...I'm right here!" he yelled. Nox nodded.

"I know Spike. If you want Rarity back, you'll have to go and get her. It wont be easy. She's been in that world for seven long years. But the family she has there isn't the same as her real family. Its based on the knowledge my mother had of you. You just have to prove you are the real Spike and you can drag her out of there." She explained. Spike closed his eyes for a moment, a smile touching his lips.

"Alright. I'll bring her back."

"Its not that simple though Spike...somepony has to maintain a strong connection between the two of you, or you'll lose yourself to the dream world. A magical connection..." she said, looking away.

"Nox...I..." he turned to Rarity for a moment and forced himself to stay calm. Here he was, where he never thought he would be again. So close to his beloved and yet so far away. And his only chance of getting back could cost the life of an unborn foal.

"Its up to you Spike...I trust you." She said quietly. The drake roared in frustration, flames billowing around him and scorching the walls. He panted heavily as he lowered his head.

"I can't do that to you Nox...I WON'T. Isn't there anypony else who can hold the connection?"

"I can do it." Melody said as she entered the room.

"M..Melody! H..How long have you..."

"All day. You should've told me you were having a foal. We'll discuss it later, right now we've got some dream-diving to do." the Unicorn spoke up, glancing up at her aunt.

"I owe her that much." she said, almost to herself.

"Melody, Spike's natural resistance to magic is going to make it extremely difficult to even cast the spell on him, let alone maintain it. Are you trying to k.." Nox gasped as Melody put a hoof over her mouth, glaring at her.

"My family and my friends come first Nox. I will not risk an innocent life when there is something I can do about it." she said through gritted teeth before turning back to Spike.

"Are you ready Uncle Spike?" she asked quietly.

"Mel...are you sure about this?" 

"Of course I am. We'll make it through this."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I haven't saved Piper yet...I can't die until I save him..." She wore a sad smile on her face as she took a seat in front of Rarity, her horn glowing dimly.

"The spell is ready."

"I'll be quick." he promised as Melody's magic enveloped him. Moments later his body collapsed and Melody grunted with the effort of holding the sudden extra weight added to the spell. Nox bit her lip as she watched, helpless.

"Melody...please just..."

"NO! I swear if you even so much as flick your horn in the wrong direction..." the unicorn threatened, her focus slipping for a moment, causing her to pour more magic to fuel the spell and maintain the bridge between Spike and Rarity.

Hurry Uncle Spike...





"Do you think this will work?"

"It has to, he can finally hear us now. We just gotta drag him out of that thing and into this realm, then we can all break free."

"In the dreamstate he is in, it will be simple for you to enter and pull him free. I think you will have the best of luck alone though Riku." 

"Me? Why me?" he asked, turning to the cloaked mare.

"Because you have lived within the darkness for far longer than Sora. You know it, you control it, it is a part of you. Sora has been apart of the light, your equal counterpart in the ways of the Keyblade. But he is the light and you are the darkness. He shall remain here as a beacon for you to return to." She explained. Riku nodded, turning to his friend. Sora grinned, giving him a thumbs up.

"I'll be waiting Riku. I'm gonna need you to cover my back when we get home, Kairi's gonna kill me for this one." he said with a chuckle. Riku gave his friend a small grin to match the smile. While he was focused on  the task at hand, his mind continued to swim with thoughts of finally returning to Nyx and his children. Finally he was going to go home.

"Alright Riku, the bridge is prepared, be careful not to lose yourself. There are many terrible things within the mind of the beast, but even worse resides within Piper's mind." Luna warned. Riku nodded, running into the portal the Princess had opened for him, feeling the darkness claw at him, dragging him into the deepest depths of Pipers mind.





Silence, darkness, the faint scent of rain and a hint of mildew. It was late night, or early morning. He wasn't sure. He did know that any moment he would need to take action. All he needed was the signal. A faint pinch in the back of his mind lowered the start flag and the drake went to work, pounding the floor of his cell in a seemingly random and frantic manner. The Gryphon's ignored it, assuming he was simply venting his frustrations. There was no way he could break out, especially going down, he would only found stronger cells below if he could even break through the ground he stood upon. 

Though Amethyst didn't plan on getting out just yet. Unlike the cell he was held in, the ones below could only hold back the magic of a unicorn. So it was that even against the hunger building within him, against the pain of his bruised claws and the feeling of his blood dripping from them did he continue pounding away at his cell, a smile lighting up his face as he felt smooth stone against his claws. 

He sat there for a moment, forcing himself not to fall into a fit of laughter. After years of constant frustration his cell had finally weakened. He dug both claws into the stone, feeling his magic slowly building, pushing every ounce of it into the small bit of stone he had managed to reach. His ears twitched at the sound of keys and panicked ranting, grinning at the Gryphons who struggled to pull open his cage and stop him. 

But it was already too late. The Drake vanished in a flurry of stones and flames, leaving scorch marks across the cell. Amethyst stumbled, emptying what little was in his stomach after his body reformed itself in Pips' cell. He pushed himself forward, placing his claw against the wall. 

The clamps around the earth ponies legs snapping and the pony himself flipping in the air. Landing easily on all fours. Even without his own eyes he could feel the glow that surrounded Pips' eyes, another gift from the Princess.

"Alright, now we just have to fight our way to the front door." the pony mumbled. Amethyst placed a claw on his shoulder, shaking his head. 

The pony looked at him confused, realizing in an instant what he intended to do.

"Wait, Amethyst don't!" he yelled, finding his body scattered for a moment, reforming on the top floor with the drake next to him. Both of them leaning against a wall to gather themselves, both figuratively and literally.

"Where the buck did you learn that?" Pip asked, swallowing the bile that built up in his throat.

"Emy taught me...I think...it was just there in the back of my head..." the drake explained, finally pulling himself together. He felt Pips' eyes on him and smiled.

"What?"

"Y...You're claw..." he said as he caught his breath. Amethyst felt his claw and chuckled, realizing in his hurry he had replaced it with stone instead of his own scales.

"That's interesting..." he mumbled, his ear twitching and a growl building in his throat.

"They are coming, We need to move." Amethyst whispered, placing his claw against the ground which began to fade away, forming around Pip, creating a suit of armor and a hoofblade for the Earth Pony.

"With any luck they'll be waiting for us on the outside." Pip said, testing the weight of the blade. Despite Luna's blessing his body was still weak from lack of excersize, food, and water, but he would manage, he had to. The two, Dragon and Pony, looked on as Gryphon soldiers charged for them and together as brothers in arms, charged head on into the fray.





The Lunar Princess smiled as a presence entered her realm. A presence she had not felt in such a long time. Despite the form it held she still wrapped her hooves gingerly around it, pulling it close.

"I take it you were successful?" she asked.

"Yes. They didn't put up much of a fight." the darkness said quietly, slowly taking the form of her grandson Shadowflare.

"They are there now, within a group who will be hunting them down. After that it will be a simple matter of freeing them. Though...I cannot do the same for all of those trapped there..." he lowered his head and Luna smiled.

"Trapped so deep within the darkness and still with a power of love so strong...You are very much like your father."

"Father? You've spoken to him?" he asked, his eyes wide. Luna nodded silently.

"He and the one called Sora are trapped within realms even I wish to never cross again. It is tasking as it is to reach out to you, but to reach them requires much more. I cannot physically reach them as I can you. But I have found a way to help them." She looked away for a moment

"Do not take this as hope little one and do not hate me for this, but your father has Delved into the mind of The Beast to free Piper."

"H...WHAT?!" The darkness around him grew, quickly quelled as he took a slow, deliberate breath.

"So you have sent him on a suicide mission." he said quietly.

"I have done no such thing. The beast and Piper form a gate from that realm into yours. If Piper is freed..."

"Then Father and Sora can be freed...Grandmother that's...genius." he smiled, nuzzling the Alicorn.

"I will walk in the dreams of those still trapped and spread the word of an escape. I will spread the word of those who seek to help them and keep hope alive until such a time that you can free them. Now go, your friends need you."

"Thank you..." Shadowflare said, his eyes flickering open. A single flare coming from the prison was all he needed to make his move. He couldn't wait any longer. He had an army with him and he was going to do this now. There had been too much suffering already. With a wave of his hoof the changeling swarms dived into Demarescus and the battle for the Gryphon Prison began. Dinky stood beside the Alicorn as he watched the Changelings.

"Is this the right thing to do Shadow?" she asked.

"It is what needs to be done Dinky. Amethyst is in there, waiting for you. Just imagine the smile on his face when you walk through those doors." he said quietly, his wings spreading out as he took to the air, Dive-bombing into the battle, the darkness swirling around him in a mess of blades and blood as he roared. Piper wasn't the only one with a beast hiding within them.





"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" a young filly screamed as a claw tore through her, faces flitted in and out of existence, wearing smiles and suddenly coated in blood. A voice echoed a lone mantra of 'Its all my fault' again and again. So many faces, so many names, so much lost. 

In the center of it all sat a lone pegasus colt. Watching it all with a look of determination on his face. Riku sat beside him quietly, saying nothing at first.

"I failed them. All of them." Piper said quietly, tears streaming down the young colts face.

"You never failed them Piper." Riku said just as quietly. The pegasus tilted his head to look at him.

"Everytime they needed you, you were there. There were times you could've run away and saved yourself. But instead you gave it your all." Riku reached forward to place his hand on the colts shoulder, freezing as a loud roar filled the air. Piper began to shake his head, tears stinging his eyes.

"i..its back..I..I can't..stop...it...AHHHHH!!" The colt screamed as chains flew from the surrounding Darkness, embedding themselves into his body and lifting him high in the air. a barrier forming around him. The beast slowly took form in front of Riku, keeping him from reaching Piper. 

Riku chuckled as he stood, drawing his keyblade and closing his eyes. This was the most important part. Sora had carefully explained it to him time and time again, having completed his mark of mastery exam. Riku only had a crash course held by Sora and Luna, but he understood the principle of what needed to be done. 

He opened his eyes once more, seeing the world around him drowned in light, meshing with the darkness. There, embedded in the Beasts chest sat a hole filled with light. A heart that couldn't possibly exist. Riku held out his keyblade as the Beast charged towards him and twisted it, a loud clicking noise echoing around them as he unlocked the seal around the heart. The Beast screeched to a halt, screaming and running about aimlessly. 

Above them Piper was in the same predicament, his agonized scream mirroring that of the Beast. The light slowly consumed the Beasts form, leaving behind a small pegasus filly. She smiled up at Riku before spreading her wings and soaring into the air, hovering in front of Piper. The colt stared at her with wide eyes as she leaned towards him, leaving a light peck on his cheek. Riku smiled and gasped as the world around them shattered.

"Thank you, for teaching me how to fly...Big Brother."
> Secrets Revealed Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh Spike, today was simply wonderful..." Rarity cooed in the embrace of her beloved. The drake merely smiled, wrapping an arm around her and holding her close. For a moment the mare felt like something was missing from the embrace, but her thoughts were quickly replaced with the sounds of her children laughing and playing nearby. 

Though as she continued to gaze at the two young Kirin, laughing and enjoying a game of tag, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Spike seemed to notice and tightened his hold on her.

"Something wrong Rarity?" he asked her softly, his words laced with concern. The unicorn shook her head.

"Its nothing Spike. Just a bit tired is all. It was a rather long day." she said, her smile returning.  Emerald froze, pinned beneath her brother who had been tickling her without mercy who had also frozen, both of them staring at a figure as it marched towards them. Spike loosened his hold on her, growling low in his throat as the figure came into view.

"T...That's not possible...Spike?" Rarity asked in disbelief, a copy of her beloved standing before them, scars criss-crossed his body, his left eye jammed shut and a massive purple bruise surrounded his throat.

"Rarity...you've gotta listen to me, none of this is real! Nyx..." The drake grunted as Amethyst tackled him, standing between him and Rarity. Her Spike stood between them, staring down his copy

"I don't know who you think you are, but how dare you pretend to be me?!" He roared, steam rising from his flared nostrils. The copy merely chuckled, standing his ground.

"Because I'm the real Spike. You may love her as I do, you may protect her as I would, but you could never know Rarity the way I do." The wounded dragon spoke, his eyes latched onto Rarity who had pushed to her hooves. Emerald had tucked herself in hiding behind her mother while the 'battle' raged on.

"You aren't my dad." Amethyst growled.

"And you aren't my son. You're just an image of him. Even so...I'm still proud of you..." the copy said, watching as Amethyst's expression softened.

"w...what?" he said softly, blinking in surprise as he was pulled into a tight hug, tears streaming down the drakes face.

"You've always protected them...no matter the cost to yourself...you've always taken care of your sister, even when you were little and she was being bullied. You came home with a busted wing and a smile..."

"He never broke his wing! You're being stu..."

"I remember that..." Rarity said softly, interrupting Spike. He spun, looking at her in shock.

"And the first time he flew, Emerald tried to copy him and he caught her. He twisted his arm so far it nearly snapped..." The copy continued, letting go of Amethyst and walking towards Rarity slowly. The mare hardly noticed as the world around them began to fade away, rushing toward the dragon, throwing herself into his arms. She suddenly felt warmth around her, her face buried in her beloved's worn scales as she cried, her memories suddenly rushing back to her.

"Shh...its ok Rarity...I'm here..."

"J..Just like you promised..." she choked out. She looked into his eyes, or his eye rather, her hoof brushing against his cheek

"Oh Spike...what happened to you?" she whispered. He only shook his head, holding her close.

"Now isn't the time for that Rarity...I promise, I'll tell you everything later."

"Heh..see..I told you I could do i..." THUMP.

"MELODY!"





Nox could only watch as Melody's horn grew brighter and brighter with the effort of the spell, blood dripping down her nostrils and her eyes bloodshot. The cloak she wore began to glow dimly, clinging tightly to her body and aiding her in her spellcasting, though moments later a strange black goop began to grow from the cloak, staining Melody's coat, vanishing only to appear again and again. She could only watch as every attempt at helping was met with cold eyes and unspoken orders to stay back.

"I...won't...GAHHHH! Let you..lo...lose...your..f..foal..." Melody managed to say, her eyes losing focus for a moment. She planted all four hooves in the ground which shifted slightly underneath her as she poured more magic into the spell. 

It was becoming harder to maintain the link and Spike's resistance to magic wasn't helping any.

"Please Melody! j..Just let me lend you some of my magic..j..just a little!" Nox begged. She expected her friend to yell, to get angry at her. But as the unicorn turned she wore a soft smile.

"Nox...There is an innocent life inside of you, desperate for its mother to protect it...don't leave it alone...it needs you..." she said with tears in her eyes. Realization hit her so hard it nearly knocked the wind out of her. Melody had spent the past seven years without her parents, it was obvious she might have felt abandoned at some point and couldn't bare to think of allowing anything similar to happen to another. 

The Alicorn nodded sadly, watching as her friend continued to pour her life and blood into the spell, smiling as Rarity fell, Spike quickly waking and catching the distraught mare. She smiled as they shared a romantic, sob-filled reunion, watching her friend put on a smug smile.

"Heh..see..I told you I could do i..." Melody collapsed, hitting the ground hard with a loud thump.

"MELODY!" Nox screamed, standing over her friend, her horn lit up dimly and she gasped, feeling Spike's claw around it, stopping her magic instantly.

"If you do that now, all that she did will have been for nothing..." he said softly, releasing her horn. With Rarity still clinging to him weakly the drake placed a hand against the younger unicorn's cheek, wincing as his claw brushed against the cloak.

"This cloak...its Piper's cloak isn't it?" he asked softly. Nox nodded, not sure what he was getting at.

"Its filled with both the magic of Harmony and Discord. She's worn it this entire time...for seven long years she has held back the madness of it...but why?" He asked no one in particular. He reached to remove the cloak, blinking in surprise as Melody weakly placed a hoof against his arm.

"N...No...I can't...not yet..." she mumbled, pushing his claw away. With grim determination and a gasp of pain the young mare pushed to herself into a sitting position.

"Melody...what..." Rarity placed a hoof against her nieces' cheek.

"You've grown so much..."

"Somepony had to." she said quietly. The words hit Rarity hard but brought a smile to her face.

"Just like him..."

"Like who?"

"Your brother...you're just like him...When he came back to us." she looked around for a moment.

"Just...how long was I..."

"Seven years." Nox answered. Rarity paused to think and nodded.

"Tell me everything."





"CHAAAAAAAAAARGE!" The commander roared, leaping ahead of her soldiers, her mane hung flat against her as her blades tore through her enemies. There wasn't a creature dead or alive who would challenge her upon the field and hope to win, but orders were orders, and so Griffons hurled themselves into the death machine that was one Pinkamena Diane Pie. This war had cost so many so much, ponies and Griffon alike. Her daughter and granddaughter had vanished without a trace, her husband had been murdered, and her sanity had long since left the building. 

Rainbow had managed to keep her focused, managed to help her maintain herself by keeping her on the front lines with a promise that she would have her revenge against the ones who had taken her family from her. She had always trusted Rainbow Dash, but it had been two years now and she had seen no sign of the murderous fiends. Her patience, what little there was, was wearing thin. 

But with Applejack promising the same as her friend Rainbow Dash she was forced not to question them. Applejack had never lied to her, at least not about something as important as this and even those hadn't really been lies. Even so, she was growing tired of the slaughter, it didn't fill the void left behind by her family. 

But she had sworn that she would do as ordered until she found the ones who took away her family, so it was that she made quick work of the Griffon Siege, standing on her hind hooves amidst the corpses. She looked up to the sky, tears mixing with the blood staining her coat. Her soldiers stood behind and let her vent out her pain. It was like this after every battle. 

The pink mare would always stare at the sky for a moment before sinking to her knees and letting the tears take over. Her mane would return to its normal poofy self, signaling that it was safe to carry her 'home'. The ponies gathered around her, lifting her in silence, letting her sob silently atop them. 

Nopony was entirely sure why the sky brought her to tears, only that afterwards her mane would become flat against her body once more and she would become their Commander, leading them into another battle. It was always the same. No attempts at comfort would be made, many had learned the hard way that the mare did not want to be consoled, one of which had been Rainbow Dash herself. Though today to their surprise they found said pegasus waiting for them outside Pinkie Pies quarters, wearing a smile.

"Pinkie." Rainbow said softly, this grabbed her attention. It had been ages since she had been called by her name. Rainbow had always referred to her as Soldier ever since Braeburn's death. It had helped her remain detached, had allowed her to cling to her last tiny shred of sanity. Something had to have happened for her to be using her name now.

"What?" the mare almost spat as her soldiers lowered her. Rainbow pulled the earth pony into a hug and whispered something the pink mare thought she would never hear.

"Strawberry is alive." she said. Pinkie Pie merely stared into the distance for a moment, rushing into her tent to find her daughter with a filly pegasus asleep against her. Her words of anger died in her throat at the sight. The two stared at one another until Pinkie pulled her daughter into a deathhug, crying into her stripped coat. In that moment she didn't care where her daughter had been, she didn't care that there would be more killing tomorrow or that she was still soaked in blood. In that moment she was once again Pinkie Pie the baker of Ponyville, the party pony of Equestria and all was right in the world.





Piper found himself in a place he thought he would never see again. In the white abyss with Harmony. He had thought he would feel anger, that he would unleash his rage upon the Alicorn Goddess and make her feel the pain she had caused so many. But to see her in such a state as she was made him regret ever harboring such thoughts. Her mane hung limp against her bruised and battered frame, the clouds in her wing had long since turned gray, sagging painfully and all the stars in her opposite wing had burned out. 

The flames that had once been her mane were on the verge of death themselves. On either side of Harmony stood Luna and Twilight, chained to the abyss, collars around their throats and shackles clinging to their hooves. On either side of Piper stood Sora and Riku, their keyblade's drawn, both of them sinking to one knee and bowing their heads to the Queen and Princess'. Piper was lost, just what was going on? As if on cue Discord appeared in front of him, along with the six figures atop their pillars.

"Piper."

"No" he said simply, each figure staring in shock. The pegasus pushed to his hooves, glaring at each of them in turn.

"Don't you even DARE! Just look at them!" he roared, pointing a hoof at the downtrodden mares before him, even Discord looked worse for wear.

"A lesson had to be learned."

"What lesson?! That you are a bunch of cruel bastards with no respect for life?! well point proven!" he yelled.

"Piper." Luna said quietly, drawing his attention. She smiled and shook her head.

"You and I are both aware that Twilight and myself brought this upon ourselves. It was to be expected. Demi-gods are not to interfere in the affairs of gods."

"And the same goes for Gods interfering in the affairs of mortals." Piper spat, Harmony wincing.

"I see...so that's why..."

"Yes my little pegasus. That's why we have been put through every horror you and your friends have experienced. A lesson for us all, don't you think?" Discord said, stroking his goatee.

"Release them." Piper said as he lowered his head. When no one answered him he growled, his keyblade hovering in front of him.

"I SAID RELEASE THEM NOW!" He screamed, his blade glowing brightly, the restraints clinging to the Princess' instantly melting away, leaving them to gasp for air that had so long been denied them. With a flourish of his blade the darkness that hid the figures from his view vanished, leaving them all in shock as, standing above them upon the pillars were faces all of them recognized. Embedded just underneath them were the Elements of Harmony, Magic, Honesty, Kindess, Generosity, Laughter, and Loyalty. The final figure wore a smug grin, the pillar it stood atop lowering itself to Piper's level.

"Bu...wha...I don't understand..." he tried to convey his thoughts into something that made sense, but then again nothing really did at the moment.

"Its alright Squirt, we'll explain it later." Rainbow Dash said, ruffling his mane.

"I suppose we lost touch with ourselves for a while there didn't we?" Rarity said as her pillar landed.

"Yea, but it was super fun being in charge!" Pinkie giggled.

"Yes, but it was a lot of work as well. I think its about time we pass the torch." Twilight spoke up. Princess Twilight stared at the pony, realizing the Twilight who had held her prisoner was still only a Unicorn.

"I know what you are thinking." The unicorn said with a sheepish smile.

"Well I'd assume so seeing as you're me..." The Alicorn returned.

"But its like Rainbow said earlier. We can't rightly explain it all right now, there's too much t' handle right now. But ah promise ya that we'll explain everythin later." Applejack spoke up. It was then that they noticed something strange about the ponies gathered around them, which was only confirmed as Fluttershy joined them. 

Each pony had a horn and as they continued to watch they saw all six grow and spread out their wings, forming a circle around the gathered creatures. Riku and Sora stood with smiles on their faces.

"Alright, everyone ready?" Riku asked. Together they nodded, Discord answering with a yawn and a snap of his claws. Above and below them two locks appeared, Sora aimed for one, while Riku aimed for the other.

"This is gonna be a bumpy ride!" Riku yelled as both locks opened.
> Secrets Revealed Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Falling, that was the only thing he could think of as he literally fell through the abyss, Riku and Sora on either side of him, chuckling and grinning like idiots.

"ALRIGHT! Our stop is coming up! get ready!" Riku yelled, gripping his Keyblade tightly. Piper decided to follow his lead, gripping his own Keyblade tightly in his mouth.

"And don't worry. We'll explain everything when we land." Sora said from his other side, giving him a thumbs up moments before his body began to glow, shifting into the form of an Alicorn, turning to look at Riku he saw that he too had changed.

"We must be close." Piper thought aloud, gasping in pain as his chest began to burn.

"Piper! Are you alright!?" Luna yelled from behind him.

"STAY BACK!" he yelled, grunting as he landed. He panted, staring at a figure cloaked in black.

"Xipper..." Piper growled

"Welcome back Piper." The nobody said with a smile before rushing forward, a Keyblade appearing before the nobody who roared as he flung it toward the pegasus. Piper grinned catching it with his own blade, flinging it away as he rushed toward the nobody.

"GIVE ME BACK MY HEART!" He screamed, pausing mere inches away from cutting down the nobody as a loud roar filled the air. Pipers eyes wide as he looked up.

"No...that's impossible..." the pegasus reasoned, though his eyes weren't lying to him.

"Oh its possible. I'm just not sure how yet." Xipper mumbled, staring up as well. High above them atop its cloud Castle, was none other than the Beast itself.





Pip panted heavily, back to back with Amethyst who had a barrier of blood surrounding them, being fed energy from several open wounds.

"we can't hold this up forever." Pip mumbled, watching the Gryphons walk around them in search for an opening through Amethyst's defenses.

"we don't have to. I just need a minute more." Amethyst spoke up, runes etched into his scales and slowly marking themselves upon the shield. Pip watched and blinked in surprise as the Gryphons began to fight among themselves.

"Wow, how the hay did you do that?!" Pip laughed.

"...I didn't." Amethyst answered, his ears flicking back in confusion.

"Huh? Well what did you do?" Pip looked at him, also confused.

"Nothing...not yet anyway. But this makes things easier for us, that's for sure."

"Never thought I'd hear you taking the easy way out Master Amethyst." a voice spoke up from nearby. Both Kirin and Earth pony stared as a beast of darkness marched towards them, goop dripping from its maw. Pip shifted his stance, holding up the blade Amethyst had made for him.

"Is this the Beast?" Pip asked. Though Amethyst only smiled, dropping his barrier.

"No...it's a friend..." Amethyst said, hugging the strange creature. Its yellow eyes blinked once before the darkness faded away, revealing a tall black alicorn with red stripes filling his mane. He slightly nuzzled Amethyst, a massive show of emotion for the alicorn.

"We've missed you Master Amethyst..." Shadowflare said quietly.

"I've missed you as well Shadow. But what are you doing here?"

"I'm on a rescue mission, why else would I be here?" he said, walking past him, several Gryphons bowing to him before running deeper into the prison, more following them from above. It was an entire army's worth of soldiers.

"And how did you get them to fight for you? You didn't use any forbidden magic I hope..."

"Not exactly. Not all is at it seems. They aren't Gryphons. They are changelings. And they are going to free all of those who are captured here. In the meanwhile we have matters to handle elsewhere." he said, turning away and pushing the door open. Outside stood one Dinky Do, her hat tucked down to hide her eyes. 

Amethyst stood slowly, his heart in his throat as her scent filled his mind, presenting him with a picture of his crush within his minds eye. She was a bit taller than he remembered, worry lines tinging her features but she was still beautiful all the same. He lifted her hat slightly and smiled, feeling a tear against his claw and wiping it away

"Dinky..." He said softly. And just like that, all of the unicorns plans to avoid him fell away. She launched herself at him, burying her muzzle in his scarred and bloody scales, clinging to him for dear life as if he would vanish the moment she let go.

"Amethyst..." she sobbed as he held her, letting years of depression and anger slide away in the few moments they lay there. Pip smiled.

"Well, a reunion is all well an good but I think we should wait until we are safe and off the battlefield before getting comfortable." he spoke up. Shadowflare nodded, enveloping them in his magic and teleporting them inside the TARDIS nearby. Dinky blinked in surprise and looked around.

"You can get inside the TARDIS? How?!" she asked, staring at the young colt. He chuckled, surprising them.

"That's for me to know and you to find out."





"Why?" Rainbow asked. The young zebra laying before her turned away, seeming drained of her normal energy.

"Because...I...he's back again...a-and he's close. I can feel it." Strawberry explained, placing a hoof over her chest.

"No, why did you leave? Do you have any idea..." Rainbows words died in her throat as the zebra began to cry.

"Dash, lemme talk t' her. Ya'll gotta go get everypony ready anyway." Applejack said quietly, coming to her rescue.

"Alright Aj..." Rainbow Dash left the tent, leaving Applejack alone with Strawberry and her young foal. Applejack smiled as the foal yawned, nuzzling her mothers side as she slept.

"Whats th' little darlins name?"Applejack asked softly. Strawberry sniffed, nuzzling her daughter.

"Sugarcane.." Strawberry said quietly, the filly yawning and opening her eyes.

"Hm? Yes momma?" she asked tiredly.

"Its nothing, go back to sleep." she said, nuzzling the pegasus who nodded, quickly returning to the world of dreams.

"She's jus' adorable as can be..." Applejack said with a smile.

"Thanks Applejack...How has everypony been?" she asked, looking away.

"Ah ain't gonna lie t' ya sugarcube, things have been mighty tough 'round here, 'specially since th' day ya'll up an left on us. We were hurt badly by that...Now don't get th' wrong idea. Ain't nopony mad at ya. Ya did what ya thought ya needed t' do an we're all jus' happy yer back. But like ah said, it hurt. But nopony was hurt more than yer mother." Applejack explained.

"I know...I feel so terrible about what I did. Maybe if I stayed...no..." she sighed.

"Applejack. Have you ever...had a dream that's come true? And not just any dream, but a dream that could change the fate of everything. And if you didn't do something horrible then something even more horrible would happen?" Strawberry asked in a rush, never stopping for air.

"No ah don't believe ah have sugarcube, jus' what are ya gettin at?" Applejack asked.

"When Discord attacked the castle when we were kids...me and Emerald had a dream about it...we knew it was going to happen. But in our dream when we told everypony about it they were killed defending the castle. So we stayed quiet and let everypony get caught and because we said nothing nopony was killed." she explained softly, hanging her head.

"That's crazy talk missy."

"Please just hear me out Applejack..." the zebra begged.

"Alright, ah'm listenin."

"I had another dream...that Princess Luna and Princess Twilight were going to destroy themselves to save everypony. In the dream I warned everypony about what they were planning and because I did...everypony died in the Gryphon attack...But because I didn't say anything outside the dream..."

"Twilight an Luna were able t' go through with it an saved our skins..." Applejack sighed, shaking her head.

"Whats that gotta do with this?" She asked.

"Because...I had another dream...if I don't go through with this...then you, momma, everypony...is gonna die..." She said through her tears.

"Shh, its okay. We ain't goin anywhere darlin, jus' tell me." Applejack said, trying to comfort the filly.

"I-Its Rainbow Dash...I have to kill her."





"How is she?" Spike asked softly. Fluttershy placed a hoof against the young unicorns head, sighing quietly.

"She has a bad fever...It seems like she's been this way for a while, at least a week or so." the pegasus said sadly.

"But why would it be this bad now?" Rarity asked.

"Maybe because she was holding a bridge between you and Spike. As a unicorn you can understand what that could do to a pony." Fluttershy said absentmindedly.

"So she's been sick this whole time and still she...oh Melody...this is my fault." Nox nuzzled her friend, the unicorn slowly opening her eyes and smiling.

"Its not...your fault Nox." she mumbled, turning her gaze over to Spike and Rarity, wearing a tired smile.

"Its nice to see you together again...it makes me believe...that there's still hope for everypony." she admitted, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep. The room fell silent as the unicorns breathing slowed, her horn glowing dimly as a ghostly figure appeared on the other side of the bed. 

It slowly took the shape of a pegasus filly which then propped its hooves on the bed, nuzzling Melody gently. Melody began to breath easy again, murmuring a quiet thanks, the ghostly figure smiling slightly before looking at the ponies gathered on the other side of the bed.

"Oh, you can see me..." she mumbled.

"And hear you darling. Just who are you?" Rarity asked, being the first to break free of the shock of seeing an actual ghost pony.

"My name is Cherry Blossom. And if you can see me then something really bad is about to happen," she sighed, watching as Spike pulled Rarity close, a loud whirring noise filling the air as the TARDIS appeared in the room. Out of it walked Shadowflare who was quickly greeted by a teary eyed Nox. 

Next to step out was Dinky and Pip, both wearing smiles and standing on either side of the TARDIS as a wounded and blindfolded Amethyst slowly made his way out of the TARDIS. Rarity and Spike sat there, speechless as they took in the state of their son.

"Dad?" he asked quietly.

"I'm here." Spike choked out, Rarity pulling out of his hold and throwing her hooves around Amethysts' neck.

"My poor child..." Rarity managed to say as she held him.

"M-Mother! You're awake..." Amethyst nuzzled her gently, feeling a sob build in his throat, though he refused to let it make itself known. He had to be strong, there was still much to be done.

"Yes...and now I've realized what I've done to all of you. I am so sorry...I will never abandon you again. I swea..." Rarity blinked, feeling Amethyst's claw against her lips. It was a surprise in itself to have the kirin silence her, what was more of a surprise was that his claw was made of stone.

"Broken Promises are what got us into this mess mother. I think it best for us to wait until we know for sure that such a promise can be kept." he said quietly.

"Amethyst...you've grown so much..." she smiled, placing a kiss against his forehead, the gentle movement causing his blindfold to fall away. Rarity's eye twitched as she stared for a moment before letting a terrified scream escape her lips. She kept her hooves on Amethyst's cheeks, staring into the two empty holes that were his eye sockets. The kirin quickly closed his 'eyes' to shield her from what had been done to him, but it was too late. She had already seen.

"Oh Amethyst...h-how...I..." Rarity stammered. Amethyst quickly replaced his blindfold, tying it tightly this time to ensure it wouldn't fall off.

"They did it," he muttered angrily, steam drifting from his nostrils and the air around him growing hot and heavy.

"They were going to take my wings next. I'll die before that happens." he growled, flames licking his lips as his anger grew.

"You most certainly will not! I am still your mother and you are still my child! I don't want you having anything to do with this anymore Amethyst. You've lost your eyes...your claw has been turned to stone...Haven't you suffered enough?"

"No, I haven't." he said with a smile. Dinky sighed and shook her head.

"I apologize miss Rarity. He has this crazy notion stuck in his head that he has to suffer to atone for failing to save Emerald," Pip explained.

"And he needs to get over it" Dinky added, tapping her hoof idly.

"Amethyst. Come with me." Spike ordered quietly, walking past them. Rarity watched as her husband and son began to leave.

"Wait..." a voice spoke up. Amethyst stood still as the voice reached him. 

"Melody?" he dared to ask, knowing full well the young unicorn was there, waiting for him.

"You came back...just like you promised..." Melody smiled as she rolled onto her side, wincing slightly.

"Did you find him?" she asked quietly, excitement tinging her voice. Amethyst lowered his head.

"Y-Yea...I found him." he stuttered.

"Where is he?" she asked, glancing around the room

"He...He isn't here Melody...It was a trap..."





"I'll find him Melody. Just promise me you'll stay out of trouble."

"B-But Amy! You can't just leave!"

"Promise me." he said again, the filly sighing and hanging her head as she clung to her brothers cloak.

"Only if you make me a promise. Promise me you'll come back." she looked up into his eyes. The Kirin felt his heart stop and turned away.

"I promise Mel. Take care of your friends. I'll come back as soon as I can." He said, lifting the hood of his cloak and turning away.

"Wait! Y-you didn't...um..." the filly bit her lip, smiling as the kirin turned back, placing a claw against her cheek and kissing her forehead gently, just below her horn and whispered.

"Everything's gonna be okay little sis. Big brother is gonna protect you." Melody smiled, nuzzling him gently and watching as he turned away once more. Amethyst spread his wings wide, getting a decent running start before taking off and vanishing into the dark grey clouds that filled the sky.





Amethyst sat beside the bed, placing his claw on her cheek and leaned forward, placing a kiss on her forehead just below her horn.

"Everything's gonna be okay though, cause you're big brother is coming home and he's gonna protect you." he whispered. Melody blinked in surprise. That wasn't what he had always said. He always played the part as her big brother, being the one to protect her.

"Amy..."

"I can feel it Melody, I've lost myself to Dark Magic and because of it I can feel that The Beast is missing something. And that something is Piper. He's free and he's gonna come see you. So just keep your head up, ok?" he smiled, before turning away and following Spike. 

Melody watched him leave and sighed, laying back down and blinking as she felt a hoof over hers. She turned her head to find Sunshine smiling at her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly. 

"I'm fine. That's not important right now..."

"It IS important Melody!" Sunshine yelled, surprising her. He had never raised his voice before. She sighed, blushing as the pegasus nuzzled her.

"Sunshine...I'm sorry..." she apologized. Fluttershy smiled, beckoning the other ponies out of the room to give the two some privacy. Outside the room Nox lowered her head.

"Shadow...Th-There's something we need to talk about..." She mumbled.

"Of course Nox. What is it?" he asked coldly. She knew he didn't mean to sound so cold, she could see all the bottled up emotions in his eyes, no matter what showed in his voice. That was only the darkness seeping into his voice, the real ShadowFlare was caring and would never speak to her like that. 

Though it would've been nice to hear that kindness in his voice. She bit her lip for a moment, taking a slow deliberate breath as she stared into his darkened near-soulless eyes.

"We're having a foal." she said, surprising herself with how calm she was at the moment. Something seemed to snap in Shadowflare, his eye twitched, light filling both of them and a smile breaking his lips as he swept his sister up in a massive hug.

"That's great!" he said excitedly. She blinked in surprise, looking at him.

"Y-You think so?" she asked, looking at him as he let go of her. He was still smiling. She had to admit, after seeing nothing but a grim mask of death on his face for so many years a smile seemed...creepy.

"Why wouldn't I?" he asked, confused.

"I thought you would...I don't know...freak out? Everypony is gonna find out about us..."

"I'm pretty sure they already know." he mumbled with a shrug.

"Listen Nox. I know...I haven't been the best brother...But I'm going to make it up to you." as he spoke the smile faded, the darkness returning to his eyes.

"As soon as this war is over...I promise." He kissed her cheek and turned away, following a few soldiers down a hall, leaving her standing there with a hoof against her cheek.

"Shadow..."





Piper rolled, Xipper sliding in the opposite direction as the Beast crashed down where they had been standing just moments before. The pegasus and Nobody glanced at one another, coming to an understanding as their eyes met. Their rivalry could wait, there was a mutual enemy to be defeated. Both shifted their stances, Keyblade's at the ready as the Beast growled.

"Now what I'm curious about is how you are still alive without this thing keeping you attached to reality." Xipper mumbled around his Keyblade.

"You know, I have no idea." Piper chuckled, rushing towards the Beast, his Keyblade bouncing off its claws as he rolled and flipped around it, Xipper buzzing his wings and zipping across the ground in the blink of an eye, his Keyblade barely even scratching the Heartless' side. Both leapt away as the Beast roared.

"You can't hurt it without you're heart." Xipper realized.

"And You can't tap into the Keyblade's power without the bonds I share with my friends." Piper pointed out. Both of them glared at one another.

"So its come to this..." Xipper sighed, surprising Piper as he walked towards him.

"What are you doing?" Piper growled, gasping as Xipper slammed their foreheads together, images flashing through his minds eye of all the Nobody had endured. It seemed to last an eternity, but in reality it was only but a few moments. Piper hung his head, tears stinging his eyes. He gasped in pain, placing a hoof against his chest.

THUMP...THUMP His eyes widened as he felt the heart beat in his chest. It wasn't like before when he had protected Cherry Blossom's heart. This was his own heart. He glanced around, searching for Xipper, but the nobody was gone.

"I'm right here you idiot, Don't waste any time and don't make me regret this" Xipper spoke from within his mind. Piper grinned, his Keyblade appearing and clinging to his right hoof while Xipper's appeared clinging to his left, the pegasus flaring his wings open and standing upright on his hind legs.

"With my strength!" he roared, dashing forward and slashing the beast, sending it flying backwards and quickly giving chase.

With my speed! Xipper roared in turn, Piper cutting into the beasts' chest with the second blade.

"With the power of our loved ones and the heart that binds us...we will defeat you!" the two yelled together as one, stabbing both blades into the beast. Piper panted heavily, standing atop the beast with the blades trapped within its oozing flesh, watching as the Beast heaved its final breath. He sighed, hanging his head.

"Piper look out!" Luna screamed, the pegasus looking over his shoulder at her, realizing for the first time that she had come with them, grunting as he felt something sink into his neck. Through the corner of his eye he could see it, the Beast was alive and had its jagged teeth digging deep into the flesh of his neck. The pegasus felt light-headed as blood flowed freely from the wound.

You idiot! Don't you dare give in! Xipper yelled, mentally slapping Piper and forcing him to focus. Though this was lost on him as the Beast twitched its head, snapping Piper's neck clean in two, a loud CRACK filling the air as his body went limp, the Beast standing victorious and roaring, pinning Pipers lifeless body underneath a dark blood soaked claw.

"It can't be...mothers blessing..." Luna choked out, waiting for the tell-tale feeling of unspeakably powerful magics coursing through the pegasus.

"Is attached to his heartless form. That's why its still standing, Piper...is mortal." Riku explained, standing in his human black-cloaked form.

"The darkness is still there, as strong as ever. As long as it sits there alongside the light, then there is hope. But if we destroy the beast now, then we lose Piper." he continued, gripping the hilt of his Keyblade

"But we would stop the reforming of the X-blade," Sora pointed out, also in his human form, a long flowing pure white cloak clinging to his frame, his Keyblade hovering in the air beside him of its on accord.

"You can't just let him die! Not after all he has done! Not after all he has been through!" Luna yelled at them. Riku smiled.

"Well, no matter what we choose, we need to choose soon. The Beast won't celebrate for long and we'll be next on its menu," 





Piper felt himself drifting and laughed.

"Trapped in the Darkness once more..except Harmony can't drag me out of it this time...So that's it I guess. All of that for nothing..." he sighed, staring into the never-ending Darkness.

"Quit being so pathetic, you aren't dead yet you idiot." Xipper scolded, giving him a flat look.

"I've seen your memories. You and I really are the same...the organization just used you and promised to make you feel like you belonged...but that isn't how you feel is it? More like a tool than anything else...why should we bother anymore?" Piper asked.

"Because unlike you I'm not being held back by a heart weighed down by guilt. I can think rationally on this and you need to come to your senses and pull yourself out of this or we're all screwed. You and I have become one again and soon I'll fade away, I never existed to begin with and now I'll never have existed. But that isn't whats important, if you don't escape, the other lights will come for you and they will be walking right into a trap." Xipper explained.

"The other..lights?" Piper asked, still sifting through the memories of the nobody.

"The Keyblade wielders of this world. They will come for you and awaiting them here are the thirteen great Darkness' you created in your journeys. When the two meet in battle a great weapon will be forged that binds and commands both light and darkness, and he who wields it will be king of all. The X-blade."
> Awakening
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The X-blade...so it is real." Piper mumbled, his eyes blank as he floated through the abyss.

"Yes its real you idiot and if we don't get out of here then that slimy bastard Xayir is going to get his hands on it and we are all going to be in very big trouble!" Xipper yelled, shaking him by his shoulders.

"Why does it matter...Nobodies like him can't even use Keyblade's..." the pegasus continued to mumble, his heart and mind being swallowed by the darkness.

"You idiot. If he gets his hands on the X-blade it won't matter. He won't be a Nobody anymore. He'll have complete control over Kingdom Hearts, over both Light and Darkness! You've seen what he can do from my memories, you've heard the stories and you know what he'll do once he has the X-blade." Xipper sighed.

"He'll revive Xehanort and bring about another war, but this time the Darkness will win."





"Finally, I'm sick of seeing you like this Applebloom. Its about time we fix this." Scootaloo said with a smile.

"N-Not that anythings wrong with you! We just want you to feel better is all!" Sweetie Belle added quickly, worried they might hurt her feelings. Applebloom chuckled weakly and nodded.

"Its alright Belle, ah'm sick o' bein like this anyway. Ah'm ready when ya'll are." she said, her Keyblade resting at her side. Scootaloo nodded, holding her Keyblade in her teeth, Sweetie Belle doing the same. She gasped in pain, focusing a few weak sparks through her stub of a horn, though not having anything to keep them on a focused point, flew in every direction, a few falling upon her Keyblade and giving her the spark she needed.

"Here we go!" she cheered, each Keyblade glowing brightly, the glow surrounding each mare and in a flash of brilliant white the three became one. A powerful Alicorn with a smirk standing where they had once been. In an instant the form broke, three healthy mares falling atop one another and groaning in pain.

"Mah hooves! Mah eyes! Ah can see!" Applebloom cheered, bouncing around her friends in a circle, almost as if she was a little filly again. Scootaloo smiled and stood, wincing as she felt Sweetie Belle's hoof brush against her wing.

"Wait a minute...my wings! Oh man I missed you guys!" she grinned, flaring them open. Sweetie Belle stood, slowly reaching up with her hoof, her eyes wide as she felt her horn, totally unharmed and smooth against her hoof. Tears stung the unicorns eyes, her legs giving out from under her in disbelief.

"Belle! Are you alright?!" Scootaloo panicked, rushing to her marefriend. Sweetie Belle nodded, throwing her hooves around the pegasus, sobbing into her chest.

"I...I never thought..." she managed to squeak out before her words were lost to tears, though Scootaloo understood, nuzzling the unicorn.

"Yea...me either..." she whispered, holding Sweetie Belle close. Applebloom smiled, watching her friends.

"Its almost like things are normal again, ain't it..." she said quietly. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiled, pointing behind the earth pony.

"Not yet Bloom. There's one thing missing." Scootaloo said, watching as Applebloom turned around to find a bruised and scarred Pip standing behind her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed to him, tackling him to the ground.

"Woah! Guess my legs aren't as strong as they use to be..." he joked, earning a glare from the pony on top of him.

"Don't joke like that...ah heard...that ya'll were in some terrible prison...ah can't imagine what they did t' ya..." she whispered against his chest. The pinto stallion ran his hoof through her mane, holding her close as he smiled.

"They couldn't do anything to me Bloom. They locked me away and thought they could break my spirit, but they made the mistake of leaving me alone in the dark and left Amethyst above me. All that was left was for us to wait." he nuzzled her lovingly, barely noticing as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo made themselves scarce, giving the two some much needed privacy.

"You aren't going back out there t' fight are ya?" she asked softly. Pip sighed and nodded, laying his head against the ground.

"I have to." he said simply. Applebloom bit her lip.

"Then..ah'm goin with ya." she said with a determined look in her eye. Pip tried to argue, silenced by a simple kiss from the mare who had him pinned.

"Percival Ignacious Peregrine Squeek, ya'll know ya can't argue with me an if'n ya try t' ya know what'll happen. Ah'm comin with ya an that's that." Applebloom declared, jabbing her hoof into his chest. The earth pony stallion chuckled, wrapping his hooves around her.

"Alright Applebloom."





"w...what in th' hay are ya talkin about?! Why would ya need t' do a thing like that?!" Applejack demanded.

"Because...because if I don't she'll...she'll lead everypony to their deaths." Strawberry said softly as she stood.

"Please...watch Sugarcane for me..." the zebra said quietly, moving to walk past her, though Applejack blocked her path.

"Now look here missy, ya'll ain't thinkin straight an ah ain't lettin ya..." Applejack gasped, feeling her eyes roll back into her head as the zebra's hoof met the back of her neck. She had barely even seen the movement, catching sight of her out of the corner of her eye as she fell to the ground. The young zebra's mane had flattened itself against her body, a horrible look in her eye causing the workpony to shudder as she hit the ground.

"I'm sorry Applejack, but this has to be done." she said softly, leaving the tent as Applejack lost consciousness.

The zebra slowly made her way through Rainbow's camp, snatching up a weapon harness and slipping several blades into it, strapping one to her tail and gripping another between her teeth. 

Memories of long ago filling her mind, back when she trained with Chrome Mist, when she taught the others how to balance on their hind hooves, when she tore through explosive cotton candy clouds, when Piper saved her from murdering another living being. She paused as thoughts of her beloved filled her mind.

"I have to...I have to!" she yelled, roaring as she charged into Rainbow's tent, the pegasus rolling out of the way of one of the oncoming blades, kicking a table in Strawberry's direction, the zebra slipping her hooves into the blades along her midsection, drawing them and slicing through the table as she rushed the pegasus once more, Rainbow deftly dodging her attacks and landing a hoof to her cheek, causing the zebra to slide backwards.

"HOLD STILL!" she screamed, rushing forward once more, Rainbow remaining calm as she leapt backwards, fluttering her wings slightly to keep just out of reach of the enraged zebra. Strawberry roared, flinging the two blades off of her hooves, grinning as they sliced clean through the pegasi's wings, the zebra quickly drawing two more and dashing forward, her blade finding Rainbow's hoof and pinning it to the ground, she raised the other, poised to strike her throat.

"I WON'T LET YOU HURT THEM!" she screamed, her eyes rolling back into her head as a hoof struck the back of her neck. Pinkie Pie watched as her daughter slumped to the ground and sighed, quickly removing the blade from Rainbow Dash's hoof, the pegasus wincing slightly

"Sweet Celestia that hurt...geez Pinkie..." Rainbow muttered under her breath, the earth pony picking up her daughter.

"Sorry Dashie...I should've warned you faster. I didn't think she would actually try it." Pinkie Pie admitted.

"Its alright I guess...I'm not gonna be doin much flyin though. But do you think its true? Am I really gonna lead us to our deaths?" Rainbow asked.

"I dunno Dashie. All I know is..." Pinkie Pie paused as a loud whistle reached them, the entire camp falling silent as the whistle rang out. It was a whistle many of them knew, having been residents of Ponyville and nearby towns. A sound that filled the air whenever a ragtag group of heroes was needed. The Whistle of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.





The Beast paused as the sound rang out around them. A sound it knew well, but not where from. It was a sound that made it feel safe, protected, watched over, loved. The Beast threw its head back and howled in answer to the sound before leaning down to scoop up its prey, the limp form of the pegasus sinking into the darkness of its body.

"Damn...this is bad..." Riku swore under his breath, gripping the hilt of his keyblade.

"What do we do?" Twilight asked weakly, Riku glanced around quickly and swore again.

"We can't do anything yet. Princess Luna, do you still intend to save Piper?" Riku asked softly.

"Without a doubt. He has done too much for Equestria to simply die so easily." She said, determined to save the pegasus. Riku nodded.

"ok...we won't have much time to act. That sound is drawing the Beast and its slowly absorbing Piper. It'll revive him, but after he's alive it will start to devour his heart now that he has it back. We'll need to strike then, but if we aren't careful we'll risk killing Piper, everyone understand?" he asked looking around, they nodded, smiling at him. Sora patted him on the back.

"I can see why the Keyblade meant to pick you." he said softly before chasing after the Beast. Riku stood in place, stunned by his friends comment before shaking out of his daze and chasing alongside him, Luna and Twilight keeping pace. Though Twilight wore a worried expression.

"whats wrong Twilight?" Luna asked softly, watching Riku out of the corner of her eye.

"Something feels...off. Don't you feel it?" Twilight asked, glancing over at her wife. Luna paused to think.

"You are right...my sister, she has grown weak and weary..."





"May I enter?" a voice called out from beyond two massive doors.

"Yes..." she replied softly, staring out her window. She felt...something, tugging at her. Something she hadn't felt for seven years. She knew the feeling well, she had felt it long ago when she had sealed her sister away and then the creature, Nightmare Moon, had returned. Four figures entered the room, though she only saw them out of the corner of her eye.

"I knew you would come eventually..."she whispered

"I had to." one of the figures replied.

"I'm sorry I left you there...But I had to save Nova...I..." she began

"Its fine. Its what I wanted you to do and I'm happy you did it Princess. She would've died in there." the figure spoke up, sitting at the edge of the bed.

"We haven't much time left Emerald. Surely you feel that I am fading...but my sister and Twilight have returned...I hope they will have the power to return Equestria to its natural state." Celestia said softly.

"Momma...why is she crying?" Aqua asked, quickly shushed by Nova.

"Its nothing to worry about Aqua." Nova assured her daughter. Celestia smiled, turning to her niece.

"Nova, don't hide her from the world, let her know the truth. She deserves that much, don't you think?" She asked. Nova sighed, lowering her head.

"She doesn't deserve to live in a world like this, nopony does!" Nova yelled angrily, tears stinging her eyes.

"That's why we are going to fix it." Emerald smiled as the room lit up, a ghostly figure of a small pegasus filly sitting on the bed.

"You know what to do Cherry." Emerald smirked as the filly pegasus saluted and vanished. The kirin chuckled, turning to Nova.

"Now..."





"MOMMA!" a scared filly screamed, whistling as loud as she could and attempting to awaken the unconscious Applejack. The poor pegasus had awoken to find her mother missing and their friend knocked out and did the one thing she had always been told to do in a bad situation.

The Cutiemark Crusader whistle. She had been told that someday her father would hear her whistle and come to her rescue. She desperately hoped today was that day. But as she continued to whistle it seemed no one was coming and the poor filly collapsed against Applejack, shaking and sobbing.

"Anypony...papa..."

"WHAT IS THAT?!" a pony screamed outside, the sounds of thudding hooves echoing around the area along with a loud THUD followed by a terrifying roar. Sugarcane gasped and stumbled backwards as a massive black monster walked into the tent she sat in. Again the frightened filly bit her lip and whistled, the eyes of the monster widening as it stepped closer.

"NOW!"





Riku watched as the Beast stepped into a tent, the whistle echoing throughout the camp. 

"That whistle...its the old crusader whistle..." he mumbled under his breath, stalking the Beast. He waited until it had calmed and turned to Sora.

"NOW!" He yelled, both Keyblade wielders snagging the Beast in the power of their blades.

"Luna! Go!" Riku yelled as he strained and struggled to hold the Beast in place. The alicorn gave a nod, diving into the Darkness that was the Beast. Meanwhile, Twilight rushed into the tent, spotting Applejack and Sugarcane.

"Don't worry little one, everything is going to be okay," She said softly to calm the pegasus. To be honest she was shocked by the fact that the pegasus was in fact a zebra. She hadn't been aware such a thing could even happen. Though she wasn't sure how it was possible, she didn't question it, having only one answer. She pushed the thought aside, nudging Applejack.

"hm...huh...ah'll get up in a minute Dashie..." the earth pony muttered. Twilight shook her head, turning to the filly.

"Whats your name?" she asked softly.

"S-Sugarcane..." she stuttered, shrinking away from her.

"Sugarcane...that's a wonderful name. Listen, I'm here to help." Twilight continued softly, spinning in surprise as the Beast roared and slashed with its claws.

"LOOK OUT!" the filly screamed, tackling Twilight out of the way, the claws catching the young pegasus and sending her through the back of the tent. The Beast seemed to freeze as its eyes latched onto the wounded form of the pegasus filly, its eyes growing wide. It threw its head back, howling in rage.





Luna grit her teeth as she sunk deeper and deeper into the Darkness of the Beast. Somewhere within the Darkness was a friend who had made her a promise, she too had shared that promise with him and now it was time she deliver.

"I promised...I Promised I would drag you from the darkness! As you once did me!" Luna screamed into the void, a light appearing out of the corner of her eye. She spun, finding two pegasi floating along through the emptiness. She quickly made her way over to them.

"Oh great, it got you too. Well now we're all royally bucked." the first pegasus grumbled. The second turned soulless eyes towards her, a look of complete depression taking hold of his features.

"Luna...why are you here?" he asked sadly.

"A promise, my friend. A promise we once shared before my banishment, when you allowed me those precious seconds to speak with my sister...a promise to pull you free of the Darkness that holds you. I plan to keep my promise friend. Whether you like it or not!" she declared, throwing her hooves around him and throwing her wings out wide, her eyes searching for the light of the Keyblade's. 

She smiled as she saw it in the distance, struggling against the Darkness to break free. She blinked in surprise as the other pegasus spun around her, a keyblade twirling around him.

"I will keep the path clear. You have to get him out of here." the pegasus said quickly.

"What of you?" she asked. The pegasus gave her a sad smile, his body fading slightly.

"I was never here to begin with. I never truly existed and I never will. But now, while I hold a form I will do what I should have done. Its too bad really...I really thought I might be able to have my own life...heh." He shook his head.

"That doesn't matter anymore, its already too late for me to change whats been done. You need to move, now!" he yelled, slicing through the Darkness. Luna continued to climb through the emptiness towards the Light, throwing herself through it as it closed. Xipper smiled as he watched the two vanish.

"Good luck..." he said, fading away moments later, devoured by the Beast.





"Whats happening?!" Sora yelled over the roaring of the Beast

"I don't know!" Riku yelled back, gasping as he lost hold of the Heartless, allowing it to roam free, though it held itself over the body of a pegasus filly, nudging her gently.

"Oh no..." Twilight shook her head, rushing toward Sugarcane, only to have the Beast roar and glare at her. The Alicorn took a step back, watching as the Beast calmed down, returning to weakly nudging the pegasus.

"Its...worried for her?" Twilight realized. They watched as the Darkness slowly began to fade away, yellow orbs shifting into light blue eyes, black turning to orange until moments later the wounded form of Piper was the only thing left, falling to the ground with Luna appearing above him in a flash of white.

"Luna!" Twilight cried, rushing to the alicorns side. Luna gave her a weak smile before turning to Piper and Sugarcane. She gently nudged the pegasus.

"Piper my friend...it is time to awaken." She whispered softly. Piper groaned and rolled onto his side, blinking as he caught sight of Sugarcane.

"Cherry?" he mumbled to himself, pushing to his hooves slowly. He stumbled over to the pegasus, realizing it wasn't his friend and then realizing she was hurt.

"WHAT HAPPENED?!" he screamed, looking around at them.

"Piper..." Twilight began.

"NO! Tell me what happened!" he yelled, panting and glaring at them.

"You attacked her Piper." Riku spat at him. "You did this. You let the Darkness win." 

"No...NO! NOT AGAIN!" he screamed, shaking his head. He stood over the filly, pressing his ear to her chest and smiling.

"Her heart...her heart is still beating, she's still breathing." he sighed in relief.

"Papa..." the filly said weakly, opening her eyes.

"Papa?" she asked, Piper smiled.

"Its gonna be okay, I promise. Just stay awake okay?" he said quickly, the filly nodding slowly. Piper winced as he pushed himself under her, lifting her to his back.

"Don't just stare! Get help!" he yelled at them as they watched him. The pegasus swore under his breath and spun, blinking as Luna stood before him.

"Piper, my friend. The Darkness.." she began.

"Worry about it later for suns sake!" he yelled, pushing past her and stopping as he realized where he was. Before him stood Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Draped across the bakers back was one Strawberry Swirl.

"Berry..i-is she..." he choked.

"She's fine Piper. I'm surprised to see you." Rainbow said quietly. Guards surrounded him, spears pressed against his throat. The pegasus gritted his teeth.

"Don't do this..." he whispered.

"I don't have any choice. If you change into that thing again we'll all die. I'm sorry Piper." Rainbow Dash nodded to the guards and Piper roared, flaring out his wings, the guards caught in ice and frozen in place. The pegasus stepped forward slowly, death in his gaze.

"This is what its come to...AFTER ALL I'VE DONE?! AFTER ALL THAT I SACRIFICED AND LOST?! Betrayed by my own family..." his voice softened at the end as tears stung his eyes.

"Pi...per..." Strawberry groaned. The pegasus cast his gaze on her, the Zebra gasping as she spotted him.

"PIPER RUN!" she screamed, throwing herself at Rainbow Dash. Piper swore under his breath, kicking off the ground and vanishing into the clouds. Rainbow roared, kicking Strawberry off of her and rolling.

"FIND HIM!" she ordered her soldiers who took off into the clouds.

"RAINBOW DASH!" Twilight yelled, the pegasus pausing to see her old friend glaring at her.

"T-Twilight? Bu...But...you were.."

"Dead? Yes in a manner of speaking. Just what are you doing?! We finally drag him free of the Darkness and you seem bent on throwing him back into it!" she fumed.

"Twilight you don't understand. Its not safe having him around anymore. He could change at any minute! Then what?! We all become Heartless." she argued. Above them hell raged on as the clouds began to roar with the sounds of thunder and lightning. They watched as Rainbow's soldiers fell from the sky one by one, burnt to a crisp with ice clinging to their bodies.

"You may have just doomed us all. The greatest warrior Equestria has ever known now believes us to have betrayed him. What are we to do now?" Luna asked of Rainbow Dash. She had no answer.





Piper roared as he rolled through the air, flinging shards of ice through the soldiers his own grandmother had sent after him. He twisted the cloud around him, flicking his wings and letting the charge roll throughout it, sending the bolt through the rest along with his magic. he watched as they fell from the sky, blinking as he felt something around his neck. The hooves of a young scared filly.

"Papa...I'm scared..." she cried into his neck.

"Don't worry, the bad ponies are gone. I need to get you somewhere safe. Is your mother in that camp?" he asked her. She nodded, clinging to him.

"She told me you'd come Papa...that you'd fly with me..." she sniffed.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not you're dad." he said softly. "Listen...I'm gonna let you fly down there. I can't go back."

"B-But!"

"Trust me on this. You're a pegasus, you were born to fly." he smiled and rolled, watching as the filly fell into instinct, throwing out her wings and gliding downwards, though she struggled to climb back up to him.

"PAPA! DON'T LEAVE!" she cried. Piper shook his head, hiding within the cloud. He didn't have a choice now.





"PAPA! DON'T LEAVE!" a voice called out. The ponies gathered there looked up, seeing a young filly gliding down and struggling to climb into the air.

"SUGARCANE!" Strawberry screamed in terror, rushing to catch her daughter. The pegasus landed in her mothers hooves.

"He left momma...Papa left..." she cried.

"Shhh, its okay. He'll come back, I promise..." Strawberry said softly, holding the filly close.

"Well this is quite the mess we have." Riku said as he took a seat.

"What are we going to do? Knowing Piper he is going to gather his strength and attack with full force. That little pegasus took on an entire army of Gryphons for my sister, he took on MY entire army for her, over a simple promise to our mother. Now he thinks us his enemy..." Luna lowered her head.

"This is what you meant...isn't it Berry? When you said I'd lead us to our deaths..." Rainbow asked.

"I didn't know it would happen like this..." she admitted softly.

"That's not the worst of our problems." Twilight said, pointing over the horizon. There, rushing toward their camp, was an army of Gryphons, ready for battle.

"They are moving now?! We aren't ready for this!" Rainbow swore and grabbed a horn, blowing into it as hard as she could to alert everyone of the coming battle. Whoever could do so took up weapons and stood ready.

"Too bad we don't have Piper to help us huh?" Riku remarked as he stood, brandishing his Keyblade.

"Me and Riku will hold off as many as we can. You should start trying to get everyone out of here." Sora said. Luna simply nodded, turning to Twilight.

"We'll have to move fast."

"Whoa whoa whoa wait, I'm in charge here!" Rainbow yelled, the four giving her a blank look.

"FINE! I busted my flank keeping us alive for so long and this is how I'm repaid!?" she asked desperately. A massive boom drove them all into silence, a figure crashing into the horde of Gryphons. They watched in awe and terror as it tore through their ranks. For they knew that it could very well be them that were next.





"That filly...she almost looked like...No, she couldn't be..." Piper peeked through the clouds, watching as Strawberry caught the pegasus, realization hitting him hard. The strange pegasus...was his daughter. His ear twitched as the sounds of metal and wings reached him. he turned, knowing full well what he would see. An army of Gryphons rushing into Rainbow Dash's camp. And he had killed all of her soldiers.

"Buck today," he mumbled, running along the cloud and roaring as he took off, smashing the sound barrier and diving into the crowd of Gryphons, ice blades spinning around him as he weaved and rolled through the Gryphon ranks. He had to protect the camp, he had to protect Strawberry.

He had to save his daughter.
> One ending, another beginning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Father..." Amethyst began, ducking as the elder drake spun to punch him, following with a swipe of his tail that the younger drake leapt over, roaring as he tackled his father. Though Spike reacted quickly, kicking the kirin off of him and rolling to a standing position. Amethyst charged him, falling prey to a single punch to the gut, Spikes' elbow slamming into his spine and sending him to the floor.

"After everything that's happened you still let your rage take control of you in a fight Amethyst." Spike said softly, walking past the winded kirin. Amethyst coughed, rolling onto his back

"What does it matter? I never gave up, even when they had me locked away!" he yelled weakly.

"It does matter Amethyst. If you fought free of your anger you wouldn't fall so easily. They wouldn't have caught you. Can't you see what i'm trying to tell you?!" Spike yelled. Amethyst sighed, laying his head against the ground.

"I know..." he said softly. Amethyst stood slowly, untying his blindfold.

"I know, but I don't know how...I can't bring myself to hurt anyone when my mind is clear. Because then all I can think about is the pain I'm causing others. When I'm angry...there's nothing there. Just the need to keep those close to me safe." he whispered. Spike smiled, placing a claw on his shoulder.

"I understand Amethyst. But that doesn't mean you can fight like that. I'm gonna teach you something I should've all those years ago." Spike said as he walked away.

"What?" Amethyst begged as he followed.

"How to fight like a Dragon."





"Melody, you shouldn't be pushing yourself..." Sunshine tried to argue as the mare forced her way past him.

"I saw him. He's alive and he needs me. I can't just sit here!" she yelled, blinking as the colt grabbed her by her shoulders.

"Then I'm coming with you." he said, bringing a smile to her lips. She shook her head.

"Alright then, think you can carry me?" she asked. Moments later the two were in the air, hurtling towards Rainbow Dash's camp. Sunshine couldn't help but smile to himself as he felt Melody's hooves wrapped around him, clinging to him as he glided along.

"We're almost there!" he called over the wind, gasping as a Gryphon flew past them.

"HOLD ON MELODY!" Sunshine yelled, spinning through the air as Gryphon after Gryphon reached for them, the unicorn clinging to him for dear life. A stray claw caught his wing, the pegasus screaming and slamming his hoof into said Gryphon, gritting his teeth as he fell from the air, his wing useless against the currents that held him up moments ago.

gotta protect Melody, gotta protect melody! he thought to himself, rolling in the air and throwing his hooves around the unicorn, grunting as he slammed into a tent and hit the ground, Melody on top of him. The unicorn groaned and shook herself, standing slowly. She blinked, feeling something soft and warm underneath her, her hoof landing in a puddle. She looked down, eyes wide as she saw Sunshine underneath her, the pegasus having used himself as a cushion to save her.

"Sunshine...c'mon...w..wake up.." she said softly, putting her hoof against his cheek. It felt cold.

"Sunshine?" she asked, the pegasus remaining silent.

"No...NO!" the unicorn threw her head back, screaming as her magic tore through the remains of the tent, sending it flying into a circling group of Gryphons and tearing them apart. Her magic continued on its path of vengance, grabbing hold of wings and dragging her enemies to the hard, unforgiving ground, forcing them face first into the dirt and holding them there.

"Mel..." a weak voice called out. The unicorn glanced down, seeing her tears matting her friends coat. He smiled up at her, placing his hoof on her cheek.

"I-I'm ok Mel...Ju-Just, g-get to your brother..." he struggled to say. Melody shook her head.

"I'm not leaving you here Sunshine." she argued, slipping under the pegasus and lifting him onto her back, using her magic to hold his wings in place.

"Just hold on." she ordered as she ran from the slowly recovering soldiers, beating a path directly for the heart of the camp.





"Oh no..." Emerald sighed as she watched Piper dive-bomb into the Gryphons.

"We have to hurry! Piper can't handle all of them alone!" She called out. Nova nodded, turning to her soldiers.

"Today, you fight not just for Canterlot, not just another fight in this meaningless war. You fight for yourselves. Today we end this!" She cried, the soldiers roaring as they launched into battle, Nova blinking as she felt a hoof on her shoulder. A weary Celestia smiled at her.

"Well done Nova...now...we must find my sister..." Celestia said softly.

"Mother? but...she's gone..." Nova barely managed to say. Celestia gave her a small smile.

"She was never gone Nova. She was simply on vacation." the princess chuckled, stumbling forward and caught by Emerald.

"You are still weak Princess. We'll find Twilight and Luna and let them know the situation." Emerald said, laying Celestia down on her side.

"Nova, stay with her. Sunburst, with me." Emerald said. The pegasus nodded, placing a kiss on Aqua's forehead before taking off with Emerald.

"Is it true Emy? Twilight and Luna aren't dead?" Sunburst asked. Emerald only smiled.

"Oh far from it, look." she pointed a claw towards their destination. There stood Princess Twilight, doing her best to calm the ponies under Rainbows' protection.

"LOOK OUT!" a voice yelled, slamming into Sunburst and Emerald, knocking them out of the way of a hail of arrows. A tower of ice rose around them as they hit the ground, shielding them from the onslaught.

"Hey Sunburst, hey Emy." Piper said quickly before taking off once again. Sunburst blinked and sat there, dumbfounded.

"Is anypony else that ah know is dead gonna pop up an scare th' crud outta me!?" she yelled, slipping into her natural drawl in her frustration.

"How about an old friend?" another voice said, causing Sunburst to turn around. There stood Amethyst, blindfolded and smirking, on either side of him were the twins, Penny and Hayseed, dressed from head to hoof in Dragonsmane armor. Flanking them were Applebloom and Pip, joined by Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle moments later. Soon Honeycrisp stepped forward, a chest on her back.

"We might need these." she said softly.

"Hm, seems we're short a few." Pip mumbled, throwing his head back and whistling. A massive ball of flame fell from the sky, slamming into the ground in front of them to reveal one Spike Swift Shrike, and he was not happy.

"Spike?" Twilight asked, surprising the dragon.

"Tw-TWILIGHT!" Spike rushed to his friend, throwing his claws around her and holding her tight.

"GAH! SPIKE! TOO TIGHT!" she yelled, trying to pull free. The dragon chuckled, loosening his grip. His smile soon faded though.

"Twilight how could you abandon us?" he asked softly. Twilight placed her hoof on his cheek.

"I never abandoned you Spike. I promise, I'll explain everything as soon as we're safe." she whispered. He wasn't happy with the answer, but it would have to do. he nodded, giving her hoof a squeeze before turning to Amethyst.

"Ready?" he asked. The Kirin was suddenly surrounded in a dark eery glow, his voice echoing around him.

"I was born ready."





Piper grinned to himself as he launched away from Sunburst, knowing she'd be shocked to see him. It was a little prank and he took small pleasure in knowing he could feel happy doing something so small. Though he pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind as he came face to face with a gryphon he had been dying to see.

"Niare..." he growled, walking forward slowly. The gryphon king chuckled as the fighting died down slowly, the two standing before one another.

"So here we stand once again with you presented a choice. Kneel to the true king of these lands, or lose everyone you hold dear to you." Niare lowered his gaze, a corridor of darkness appearing before him and dropping not only Strawberry and Pinkie Pie, but also Sugarcane. Niare lifted the pegasus by her throat and grinned.

"I wonder...how long it would take..." Niare froze, his vision growing blurry. Silence filled the air as his grip fell from the foal, his body slumping forward with several spears of ice coursing through his veins.

"You keep your filthy claws off my daughter! AHH!" Piper screamed, clutching his head as the darkness slowly began to creep along his coat once more.

"No, not yet..." he gritted his teeth, struggling to fight it back.

"PIPER!" Amethyst roared, tackling the pegasus and grinning. Slowly the aura around him faded, sinking into the pegasus pinned beneath him. Pipers eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed. The kirin stumbled a bit, digging his claws into the ground.

"Amethyst...Are you.." Emerald began.

"You might want to stand back." he whispered, his head snapping backwards as the dark energy poured forth, cutting down everything in its path, mainly, an army of Gryphons. What survived quickly retreated as the Kirin fell to the ground.

"AMETHYST NO!" Spike yelled, rushing to his son.

"heh...Ho-How'd I do?" he asked softly as Spike lifted him.

"You did amazing Amethyst...g-get some rest...ok?" Spike replied, holding the Kirin close as his breathing slowed.

"Father...you didn't..." Emerald whispered as tears stung her eyes.

"It was his choice Emy." Spike answered, holding Amethyst close as the Darkness ate away at him.

"NO! I've given too much for it to end like this!" Emerald yelled, glancing around quickly, her anger fading as a unicorn walked past her. Dinky sat down beside Spike as he laid Amethyst down. Dinky sniffed, laying down in front of the kirin and tucking herself into his arms, wrapping her hooves around him. Spike mumbled a few words under his breath, an aura of Draconic magic surrounding them.

"Anypony mind tellin me what in th' hay jus' happened?" Sunburst asked.

"Amethyst removed the Darkness from Piper. Body, mind, and soul, and took it within himself as a weapon. But such magic requires a source more powerful than any other magic. Pure life energy." Emerald explained.

"Ah don't get it." Penny mumbled.

"He used his own life force to save Piper." Dinky explained softly, her horn matching the glow of the aura around them.

"So I'm giving him some of my life...I've plenty to spare after all.." Dinky chuckled as an orange glow surrounded her. Friends and loved ones gathered close as they watched Amethyst and Piper slowly start breathing once more. Strawberry rushed to Pipers' side, throwing her hooves around him and their daughter. Twilight gave a small sigh of relief.

"That was a close call."

"A close call? A CLOSE CALL!? I ALMOST LOST MY BUCKING SON!" Spike roared. Twilight fell silent as the dragon glared at her. Twilight threw herself at him, burying her face in his scales.

"Everything fell apart when you left. We needed you Twilight and you left us." Spike whispered as he held her.

"I didn't mean to..." Twilight cried against him.

"Whats done is done. We can't change the past. We can only look towards the future." Nova said as she landed a few feet away.

"Nova...oh Nova..." Twilight sobbed, though the young alicorn only smiled, nuzzling the lavender mare as she came close.

"We've missed you."

"OUTTA MY WAY!" Melody yelled as she barreled past them, coming to a stop in front of Piper and Strawberry. The cloak she wore was stained in blood and her mane was disheveled, but she was determined to see her plan to the end. Out of breath, and out of energy, she collapsed next to her brother, placing her hoof on his as his eyes opened.

"Big brother..."

"Hey Melody..."

"You owe me a bedtime story."





Several Hours Later

Piper groaned as Sugarcane hopped onto his stomach.

"Papa! Papa! come on! Mama said you'd show me how to fly!" the pegasus zebra whined.

"Mama didn't mention that I'd be sore." he mumbled under his breath. Sugarcane pouted.

"Come on Sugarcane, lets give him some time to rest." Strawberry said softly as she picked up the young filly.

"Wait..." Piper said as he sat up, gasping in pain. He hadn't adjusted to his wounds staying yet.

"Why don't you stay a bit...I was gonna tell Melody a bedtime story." he said softly. Strawberry smiled, giggling as Sugarcane hopped onto the bed, the zebra mare joining soon after. moments later Melody rushed into the room, sitting next to the bed with a massive book held in her magic. Piper chuckled, taking the book in his hooves.

"Long ago...in the land of Equestria, there were two sisters..."





"Its not over yet. They are frightened, yes. They are broken, but they are resilient. Amethysts' attack will only have delayed their efforts. This won't be won until we take back Canterlot" Luna said softly. Celestia nodded, feeling her strength returning slowly now that she was closer to her sister.

"I agree. But they need time to rest sister. Will we be able to buy them that time?" Celestia asked.

"I'm sure we can." Twilight tossed in, glancing over her shoulder at the sleeping forms of Spike and Rarity.

"We have to." she said softly, placing a blanket over her friends before returning to the small table they sat at.

"Uncle and his forces should arrive within a few days time now that the path is clear for them. Auntie Cadences' added magic to the Crystal Empires Barrier will keep them safe and if we can get the railroads active we can get the citizens to safety." Nova said with a yawn. Twilight smiled, nuzzling her daughter.

"You've grown so much..." Twilight sniffed. Nova gave her a small smile.

"I had to." she said with a sigh. "We all did. All of this fighting...its costing Equestria everything. We have to put an end to it." the young princess declared.

"I agree, and I believe it is you who should lead them when the time comes Nova." Celestia said, causing the others in the room to stare at her.

"Why me? Why not you or my parents?" 

"Because in our absence it is you who has brought them together. You who have struggled and maintained what little is left. It would be wrong of us to simply push you aside and take over. Do not be mistaken, we will be here to help you. You are not alone in this, not anymore." Celestia smiled. The doors behind them opened, a less than happy Rainbow Dash strolling into the chamber with her family close to her.

She cast a look around and took a seat, opening her mouth to speak and failing to find the words she wanted to say.

"Rainbow, there's no reason to apologize. You did only what you thought was right given the circumstance. I'm sure...in your place, I would have done the same." Twilight admitted. Rainbow sighed, shaking her head.

"I shouldn't have gone off like that. I dunno what came over me..." the pegasus mumbled under her breath.

"The Darkness is a powerful thing Rainbow Dash. Simply being close to it as you were could have affected your judgement. It was part of the reason Piper tried so hard to avoid being around others. Just the Darkness within him was enough to turn them against one another." Luna explained. Sunburst chuckled quietly.

"If'n ya ask me, he shoulda let us help him anyway." the pegasus huffed. Nova raised an eyebrow at the pegasus.

"Well its true. We're family, close as close can be. Why couldn't he rely on us?" Sunburst asked.

"That's exactly why. Because he couldn't bear the thought of the Darkness turning us against each other." Nova said. Sunburst fell silent, hanging her head.

"Well he's not going to be alone anymore." Strawberry Swirl said with a smile, stepping aside so the mentioned pegasus could walk into the room. He slowly took a seat, looking around the room, his gaze stopping on Luna.

"You know...I never thought..." Piper began, stopping and shaking his head.

"Thank you Luna." he said softly. 

"As you once told me, dear friend. It was nothing." Luna chuckled. Rainbow turned away, blinking as Piper hugged her.

"Piper...i..I'm sorry..." Rainbow choked out.

"Don't be." he said simply. "We have a second chance to make things right. Lets not waste it. The past is in the past and we have only the future to look forward to." He smiled, pulling away from her. The pegasus sighed softly as he glanced down at the maps laid out on the table.

"There is one other thing...Amethyst removed the Darkness that was about to consume me. But its still out there. Even though i'm not a part of it anymore...I can feel it. Its sleeping somewhere out there, but someday it will wake up and when it does...we'll have to be ready."





Nox yawned loudly as the sun shone in through her bedroom window. Across from her on a seperate bed, lay her brother Shadowflare, tucked away in the shadows of the room. Beyond a curtain to her left her friends, Melody and a now recovering Sunshine Apple shared a bed. 

She smiled to herself as she sat up, gasping and placing a hoof on her stomach as pain coursed through her body. Shadowflare instantly awoke, rushing to her side.

"Sis whats wrong?" he asked quickly. His hoof rested on her bed, landing in a wet spot. Their eyes met and they swallowed.

"NURSE!" Shadowflare barked, the curtains thrown aside as the nurse appointed to tend Sunshine rushed in. Nox clung to Shadows' hoof as another jolt of pain ripped through her body.

"Whats wrong?" the nurse asked quickly.

"m..My water broke." Nox gasped, her screams waking her friends nearby. Melody rushed to her other side as the nurse lifted the blankets.

"Alright Miss Nox. I'm going to need you to push when the next contraction comes 'round." The nurse said softly. Nox nodded quickly, laying her head on the pillow. Melody lit up her horn, using her magic to dim the pain just slightly.

"Just hold on Nox, just hold on, you'll have a little foal to hold onto soon." Melody said softly. Nox smiled, gasping and squeezing her brothers hoof as the next contraction tore through her, pushing with all her might.

"Almost there, just a bit more." the nurse said.

"AHHH!" Nox screamed, feeling light-headed as her friends surrounded her. The sound of crying filled the air.

"Nox, look." Shadow said softly, holding a bundle in his hooves. The young alicorn cast her gaze over to him weakly and smiled as he placed the bundle in her hooves. She nuzzled the delicate package gently as it yawned and reached for her.

"A beautiful little filly." the Nurse said softly.

"congratulations Nox. You're a mother." Melody said softly.

"What are you gonna call her?" Sunshine asked. Nox looked around at her friends, then down at the foal in her hooves, wispy blue mane hiding her eyes and curled around her stub of a dark blue horn. Her coat was a lush blue, only slightly brighter than that of her horn. Nox smiled to herself, brushing the foals mane out of her face.

"Shining Star...a beautiful star...lighting up the darkness..." Nox said softly.

"I think its a wonderful name." Shadow replied, kissing her cheek. Melody smiled.

"Everythings gonna change...isn't it?" she asked.

"Maybe not everything Mel, but only time will tell. When in doubt, listen to your heart." Sunshine chuckled as he nuzzled the unicorn.