Prologue

"NO! Stop! Princess!"

It was too late, the expel of magic knocked the wind out of the unicorn. It was blinding, the castle foundations shook, the now lifeless orbs of The Elements of Harmony fell with a bang.

"I am sorry."

The unicorn slowly rose, tears forming in eyes.

"You can't have..."

"It was the only way. It's hold on her was too great."

"Did, did you...kill-"

"No I could never do that." Celestia cut in.

"Then, what did you do?"

"I...I banished her."

A glint of hope crossed the unicorn's eyes.

"But that means she'll come back!"

The look on the alicorn's face made the small drop of hope fade.

"I'm afraid... The spell went wry. It was meant for ten years, ten years to think but..."

"How long? How long, Celestia?!"

A small sigh escaped the solar princess.

"One thousand."

"..."

"Amicus, I am so sorry."

"I...I never wanted this."

The unicorn named Amicus swallowed before speaking slowly.

"Is there any way for me to, wait for her?"

Celestia looked up, shocked.

"Even if there is a way, could you do it? Survive it?"

"For her? Anything."

Celestia shook her head and started pacing.

"I cannot change death. But that does not mean I cannot alter life. There is a way, one way with a problem."

"A problem?"

"Your spirit if you will, shall be cast forward into time. You would be reborn, but with no memories of this life."

"But... How will I know my goal? To protect her?"

"I can make it your instinct upon seeing her."

"Are you sure? You may... Not be reborn at all. Set in an endless drift."

"Without her, no life of mine is worth living. If what you say is true, then she will be feared, alone, an outcast. I cannot allow that for her, Do it."

The noises of the still raging war echoed into the castle from the Everfree Forest. Neither Amicus or Celestia moved.

"Very well." Celestia finally said.

"Thank you." Amicus whispered.

"Take off your armour."

Without questioning Amicus took of his battle-gear; a black helmet and steel black armour, letting both fall to the marble with a clang.

"I will keep your amulet. When we next meet I will give it to you. If we meet."

Amicus wordlessly deposited the sapphire amulet into Celestia's outstretched hoof, then prepared himself.

"Princess!"

Both heads turned to see a group of seven ponies adorned in Celestial Guard armour whom must have broke away from the battle gallop into the room, all seven pairs of eyes trained on Amicus.

"The Traitor! The Dark Legions general! Kill him!"

Amicus realised without his amulet, he would not be able to take take on all seven, never the less he prepared a sheild spell to protect himself, but Celestia walked in front of him and rose her wings in defence.

"Lay down your arms, Medax."

"Celestia? What has that liar done to you?!" Medax spat at Amicus.

"It is over. Luna... Is gone."

The seven ceased their death glare on amicus and turned, shocked.

"The nightmare? Gone?"

"Luna will return, In a thousand years, but the 'Nightmare' Is gone."

Medax however, frowned.

"The Nightmare will return, and he will help it! We cannot allow it!

Celestia stepped forward, anger clear upon her face.

"You dare defy me Medax?" My own general, turn on me?"

"If I must, Celestia. For the good of Equestria!"

"Princess! Quickly!" Amicus shouted as the guards prepared to attack.

The princess closed her eyes and her horn lit up with her golden aura. Slowly, from the hooves up, Amicus was dissolving; pieces of him fluttering like paper until each one lit up with his own midnight blue aura and faded into the ether.

"No!"

Celestia's concentrated wavered, as she winced when the bolt of magic struck her shoulder.

With one last thought, it went black.

"Luna..."