It was midnight and screams of agony echoed throughout the castle dungeon, Midnight blaze was hard at work the stallion he was working on had barley made a sound all night, he was tough this one that was until Blaze used his magic and slowly pushed a nail towards his eye closer...closer there was a soft squelch as the nail punctured the stallions eye and finally Blaze heard the sweet sound of agony, then he turned to the mare his job was done he knew everything, they were part of the cult of the moon and they were going to kidnap the daughter of the Lulamoon's and sacrifice her to bring back nightmare moon, now it was time for some fun.

“Stop, please stop this” pleaded the mare. “we told you everything please just stop it.” she sobbed.
She had a red coat and a straw coloured mane, her cutie mark was a large red apple. The stallion however was the opposite with a straw coat and red mane his cutie mark was three green apples.

These were all details that Midnight Blaze had written down during his... interrogation he would always write down these sorts of things he didn't know why it was just always something he did..
”Please just shut up the interrogation is over and now its time for the execution .” He said in a monotone voice not a trace of emotion in his voice.

“Your sick you know that you and that bitch of a pri-" There was a sickening crack as the stallion was silenced His head was turned at an odd angle. Blaze turned to the mare his gaze merciless and asked “Any last requests Mrs...?”

“You can call me Mrs Apple" she said quietly, and yes I have one request.“ she passed Blaze a letter with a shaky hoof. ”Send this to my family. That’s the address, just send it through Pegasus mail."

Midnight blaze was stunned usually when he asked this he was usually cursed and screamed at or they would plead for their life sometimes they would ask for him to end it quick he never got any real requests and because of this he accepted he could have ignored her request but he saw no harm in it and he hadn't left the castle in a long time, so he turned to the mare looked in her eyes and replied "sure thing" and with that Blaze continued with the torture of the traitor until after what seemed like hours she finally gave up.

The next morning, Midnight blaze went to the post Pegasus but since he hadn't been out in a while so he got a little lost, apparently the post office had moved since he was last out and he was getting irritated he looked over and saw a day guard, "May as well ask Mr goldy over there" he walked over to the guard "Hey there goldy can you tell me where the post office is? I'm kinda lost."

"Sir, if you make another remark about my armour, I will have you down at the station for questioning" said the guard menacingly.

Blaze for the second time that day was stunned. "You really think that a golden fairy like yourself could even touch me? Well then, try it, you little whelp."

The guard took a step forward ready to incapacitate this public nuisance when he saw his cutie mark, it was a full moon on fire, his eyes widened in horror as he realised how close to possible death he had come. "Shadow! Sir, forgive me I didn't recognize you without your Armour. The post office is right behind you look for the grey Pegasus."

Blaze nodded and walked away still a little tense, he saw the grey Pegasus she was wall eyed and had bubbles for a cutie mark.
I wonder what her cutie mark represents? thought Blaze. “Um, I brought a letter. The address is on the envelope” he said quickly

“Oh, it’s for the apples! she exclaimed. "I know them, they're really nice. They always give me an apple muffin... Mmm... muffins..." she stood there staring with a hungry look on her face "OH! Sorry I zoned out, uh, That will be two bits.” The mare said happily as she held her hooves out. Blaze passed her the bits and made to walk away.

“Um, mister" The mare trotted up to Blaze quickly, keeping a slight distance. She then lowered her head to the ground and started shyly kicking at the dirt. "Mister? W-would you be my friend I don’t have many a-and you seem nice." She looked up at blaze with one eye and smiled. "My name is Derpy.”

Blaze raised an eyebrow at the mare “No, I will not be your friend. What are you, stupid? Stop being such a foal!“
At those words Derpy sat on the ground, making a thud sound as her rump hit the ground. Her ears drooped and so did her wings as she proceeded to kick at the dirt again.
“I-I'm so sorry for asking” Tears were forming in her eyes "it’s just I don’t really have any friends. Every pony is always nice but I know they just want me to go away. I’m sorry, I just wish some pony would be my friend bu-“

Blaze looked at the sad, lonely mare and saw a little of himself in her. He too didn't have any friends. All the other ponies treated him different too, they were nice but scared of him. They all just wanted him to disappear. Just like all the ponies wanted her to disappear. A little bit of Blaze opened up and before he knew it his hooves were around Derpy, hugging her.

“Wha-?“ The mare yelped in surprise.

“It's okay Derpy." Blaze didn't know what it was like to have friends. He didn't know what to do, he was clueless. What if I became Derpy's friend? After all it was only one pony. That was when Blaze decided. I want to see what this whole "friendship" fuss is about and gave it a try.
"Derpy, we can be friends. I-I don’t hate you.”
The tears in Derpy's wall eyes that had threatened to fall, rolled down her cheeks as a massive smile crossed her face. Blaze let go of the mare and went to give her some space, but as soon as he took a step he was knocked to the ground by Derpy's hug. She had leaped up into the air and tackled Blaze down to the ground. Blaze had to fight his normal reaction to being knocked to the ground, which was to get up and fight the attacker. But Derpy wasn't the enemy, she was now his friend.

Suddenly blazes head felt like it was about to explode you don't need friends get rid of her I'm the only one you need

"Who are you.” Blaze asked out loud.

“It's me, Derpy.” The mail mare said confused, still hugging him. “Are you okay, Blaze?”

“I-I'm fine, I’ll see you later okay Derpy.” Blaze said as he broke from her embrace and started to trot away.

“Okay bye!” Derpy replied in a very loud voice, waving her hooves in the air at him.
Blaze stopped as a thought hit him. “Wait how did you know my name?" He asked, turning towards Derpy.

“Oh that’s easy I’m the mail mare! It's my job to know every pony’s name.” The mare announced happily and with a wave Derpy flew off, her body on an odd angle as she flew, narrowly missing a lamp post on her way up into the skies.
.
“What in Tartarus was that I felt? Some pony else in my head? I think I should go to the keep and sleep it off. The princess is going to yell at me anyway” He muttered to himself as he made his way back home.

“Hmm, where am I and how did I get in these woods?” blaze looked around but all he could see was trees.

There was a blinding flash and Blaze's vision took a while to recover and slowly he began to see silhouette. The silhouette slowly took the form of Derpy. But something was different, she didn't have that happy look in her eyes as she did when they had met. She was huddled in a corner, afraid. Slowly a shadow began to form over her body and more fear crept over her face. Another silhouette appeared in front of Derpy and it slowly took form of a stallion he didn't recognize. The pony was laughing at Derpy as she cowered, it made Blazes blood boil he wanted to kill him. He tried to charge up some magic into his horn to cast a spell. but nothing happened. His magic wasn't working, he couldn't even move. He tried using all his strength to just to move one hoof. But as he tried there was a bright flash and Derpy was standing there looking at him. Hiding behind her was a little filly that looked just like her.
There was another flash, there was no Derpy this time, but an azure mare with a silver mane she softly whispered in his ear. “You’re on the right track, keep going and you will find me. You will find more than hatred, it may take many years but you will find me, look to the forest."
And as quickly as the flashes had came, they disappeared leaving him in blackness.

Blaze awoke to find the world was upside down after he righted himself and put on his armor he walked to the mess hall and started eating breakfast it was decent today pancakes and orange juice afterwards he checked his duty roster .
Day guard it read….”WHAAAT!”

Blaze stormed through the castle “CELESTIA! WHERE ARE YOU?” he screamed at this point the royal guard tried to stop him with stun spells and non lethal weapons.

But Blaze confused them with illusion magic, he walked through all of them before they realised he was cloaked. He walked quietly into the throne room sealed the door and used a sleep bolt on the two guards "Princess, why am I now on patrol during the day?"

"Because you're ready for it" she replied proudly.

"B-but princess I don't want to be a day guard I-

"Blaze you will do as I say or I will confine you to your quarters without any meals" she said a little more sternly.

Blaze lost it. "What you think you can ground me? I'm not your child, Tia, I may be young but you can't tell me what to do I-" Blazes head started to pound he saw red he felt his magic charging" I WILL DESTROY YOU IF YOU GET IN MY WAY TIA YOU CANT CONTROL ME ANYMORE I WILL HAVE REVENGE FOR WHAT YOU DID TO HER" magic flared around his horn a dark purple aura replaced his usual red one. He fired a spell of his own creation, one that made you feel whatever Blaze wanted you to feel.

"Oh no” cried blaze coming back to his senses “oh no, oh no, oh no princess, are you okay princess?” he asked the pony he thought of as his mother.

“I-I’m fine” she stuttered.

“Are you okay, Tia? I didn’t mean it, I should not have lost it like that I-“

“That was not you. That came from inside you.”

“you mean it was-

“Yes, shadow broke free. This is why I want you on day guard so you can see that mare you met more often it will help keep the shadow in check“ she replied.

"Okay" was all he could say, he bowed and left. His shift started soon.

"How did she know about Derpy” Blaze said aloud. "Ah well the princess knows all, I guess” he started to think about the silver maned mare, wondering who she was as he headed on patrol.

It was a sunny day in Ponyville and Big Macintosh and Applejack were working around the farm when Derpy arrived there with the letter. Derpy liked the apple family, they treated her nicely and never made fun of her she landed a couple of meters away and announced proudly “Hi! I brought you a letter, is Granny Smith here?”

Big Mac replied first ”Nope.”

Apple Jack offered more information as she usually had to after her big brother spoke;”She’s in town at the moment won’t be back for a while either”

Derpy scratched the back of her head with her hoof and looked at the letter one more time.
"Well, I can come back later then." She announced happily.

Derpy spread her wings, ready to take off, she had just left the ground when a rope crossed her vision and wrapped around the letter. The letter was then pulled from Derpy's hoof. She turned around to see AppleJack observing the letter. The mail mare landed, looking confused, but not questioning what just happened.
"I recognize this writing..." Applejack said in a quiet voice. Big Mac peered over his sisters shoulder to have a look at the writing on the envelope, but before he had the chance to see it, the envelope was torn away to reveal a letter.

Derpy landed, wanting to know what was going on, it must have been an important letter if it was snatched from her like that. She sat down with a thud, watching the apples as they read the letter. She begun to feel uncertain about staying when she saw their faces slowly fell. Applejack stared at the letter after she had finished reading it, tears forming in her eyes.
Big Mac made his way towards Derpy, a sad look on his face. "Who gave you this letter?"
Derpy's ears drooped as she answered. "One of the guards at the castle... Why? What's wrong?"
Big mac went over to Applejack and took the letter from her and shoved it towards Derpy, as if he wanted the thing to disappear. The only thing he said was "Read it."
Derpy took the letter and begun to read it.

Dear Granny Smith, Apple Jack and Big Macintosh,
If you are receiving this letter we are sorry but we cannot return to you…ever we are a part of a movement trying to reverse the banishment of nightmare moon and we have been caught and most likely executed by the shadow. Your father and I just want you to know that we will always love you no matter what.

Derpy stared at the letter, tears rolling down her cheeks. ”How… HOW COULD YOU” she screamed and flew off towards Canterlot a few hours flight for her but she didn’t care she had to…well she didn’t really know but she had to confront him.

Blaze was sitting in a cafe, on his break from his first day of patrol when he heard a voice calling his name.
"MIDNIGHT BLAZE! WHERE ARE YOU? MIDNIGHT BLAZE" Blaze recognized the voice, it was Derpy's. He turned to see Derpy flying over the area, seeking him out. Somehow she spotted him almost instantly, she did a nose dive towards him and almost landed perfectly, if it wasn't for the table he sat at getting in the way. Derpy had landed on Blaze's table, knocking it over and spilling his coffee. Blaze stared at the coffee he had yet to drink, and mourned it for a moment.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Derpy had tears in her eyes as she faced the stallion.

Blaze stared at Derpy, seeing the pain in her eyes, pain that he must have caused.
'What are you talking about?" Blaze asked.
"Where did you get the letter from?"
"I got it from a mare, it was her last request."
The look of horror on Derpy's face made something snap inside Blaze.
What is this feeling I-I don’t want to lose her. The thought popped into his head without hesitation.
“Derpy I...I care about you please don’t hate me I couldn’t bare it you’re my only friend except the princess I-I….” and with that Derpy started recovering from what she had just heard, just as she was about to reply Blaze charged magic into his horn and teleported away.

Derpy stood there, she felt slightly... angry? Derpy had never really been angry before but when she was, it was for a good reason. All her life people talked over the top of her, drowning out her voice as she tried to have her say. And Blaze, he didn't even let her have a say, he disappeared before she could open her mouth. Enough was enough, Blaze was her friend, and friends should always listen to each other. Derpy was determined to find Blaze, so she could speak her mind.
“Well,” She said out loud. “It looks like I have a letter for the princess”.

“Hmmm” said the castle guard “Everything seems to be in order, go on in.”
Though he thought to himself why would they give such an important letter to a regular mail mare? Especially one with such weird eyes. Oh well it’s none of my business, I guess.

Derpy walked calmly to the princess, as calm as she was there was still a part of her excited to be in the palace. She had to force herself not to explore the place.
Derpy reached the princess and asked “Princess can yo-“
“KNEEL BEFORE ADDRESSING THE PRINCE- “cut in one of the royal guards

“It's okay, Captain. Stand down.” Ordered the princess, a slight annoyed tone in her voice. The guard saluted and stood down

The princess looked at Derpy and recognized her. “Derpy... The shadow does not want any visitors. He is…out of sorts”

“With all due respect princess. I…WANT…TO…SEE… BLAZE” she said through clenched teeth.

At this, Celestia smiled “If he means that much to you, alright. But I must warn you, he will hurt you.”

“I know.“ Replied Derpy. “But I need to explain something to him. I’m used to pain anyway, so I will be fine.”

“I’m not talking physical pain.” replied the Regal Mare, a sad look crossing her face.

“Neither am I.” The grey mare told Celestia with shadows in her eyes.
With the last words Derpy said, Princess Celestia nodded at one of the guards and ordered him to show Derpy to Blaze's room.

As she walked in to blazes room she was hit with a chilling wave of sadness, that awoke memories deep inside her very being, sending a chill down her spine causing her to shudder.

“D-Derpy, why are you here? Go away, GO AWAY! Please, I couldn’t stand to hurt you just go GO” the stallion pleaded as he saw the mare walk in and shudder.

Derpy stood her ground, sitting down with another 'thud' sound and replied with “No, I won’t abandon you.”
There was determination all over her face, and Derpy tried her hardest to focus both her eyes on him but didn't succeed.

“Whywhywhywhywhywhyhwhyw-“he cried hysterically.

“Blaze stop.” She said quietly, getting up and walking closer to him and immediately he stopped. “I may have a disability but I’m not completely stupid. You’re hurting and you’re scared that you will hurt me and I will abandon you. I’m telling you I will always be your friend."
Derpy placed herself next to the stallion, who was sitting on his bed, his hoof covering his face.
"I know this because you’re hurting me now in one of the worst ways possible I’m re-living every horrible moment in my life over and over but its okay, I don’t hate you."
Derpy placed a hoof on his shoulder.
"You’re the nicest pony I have ever met you have your problems but so do I and…we need each other so… I’M NOT GOING TO LEAVE YOU OKAY.”

And with tears running down her cheeks she hugged the blue maned stallion, with that the spell broke and she was no longer in the darkest part’s of her mind. She was in her friends room hugging him and calming him down. She knew if their roles were reversed he would do the same for her, she started smiling through her tears because she finally had a true friend who cared about her.

Author's Note

Just letting everyone know that while this chapter is done whenever i learn something new about grammer or punctuation ill be coming back and adding or editing old chapters