Children of the Night

Chapter 1: For 1000 years.

The sun was high in the clear, blue sky, and ponies everywhere were enjoying their daytime, either by playing, learning, or working. Equestria seemed to be perfect. Discord was imprisoned, the land had healed from his chaos, and everypony was at harmony once again...well, almost everypony.

It was about noonish or so, when Princess Celestia had barged into the throne room, worried. The moon was still in the sky, just above the horizon. She feared that her sister had either forgotten, was tired, or she had finally lost it. With every single talk they have ever had after the defeat of Discord, Luna had offered something dark and evil, but she didn't see it that way in her eyes, and at the end of every talk, she would stomp away in anger with tears. Celestia hoped for the best though.

She looked around the room, only seeing windows, carpets, a few guards, and a royal throne. She ordered the guards to clear the room, and they went quietly.

"Luna...where are you?" She called out.

"NOT in another state."  voice came from behind the throne. Then a figure stepped out of the shadows to reveal...

"LUNA! Where have you been!? The moon is still up, and I feared that everypony would think something was wrong or..."

"Did you really think that I was going to sit quietly by, while they all bask in your PRECIOUS LIGHT!?"

"I...Luna, you don't understand. We rule together in harmony. Why would you do this?"

"There can only be ONE princess in Equestria," She walked over to the twin's throne, the sisters were painted on it to represent their rule together. "and that princess WILL BE ME!!!" Luna smashed the throne. It was powerful enough to even crack the wall behind her, and continued to the window with the same painting. The crack grew and grew, until it shattered the entire window, revealing the sun. The shards of the glass hit Celestia's wing when she blocked the shards from hitting her face. Then she looked up to see Luna, raising the moon even higher into the sky, until it completely blocked the sun's view to Equestria. Luna had created the first Solar Eclipse.

Then, Luna began to moan, for she felt a great pain in her head. As she held her head, black smoke surrounded her. Luna became frightened. She tried to escape, and Celestia tried to use her magic to save her, but it was no use. The black smoke had almost completely surround her, and at the same time, lifting her into the air. Luna looked at her sister with sorrowful eyes as the smoke covered her entirely. All Celestia could do now was watch in terror. She saw Luna inside of the smoke curl into a ball, as nightly-colored smoke covered the black smoke. It turned and glowed a little, until finally it disappeared. In its spot was a shady figure as tall as Celestia. It opened its eyes, and its irises became thinner. As it opened its mouth, sharp teeth began to form. It gave out a terrifying and evil laugh. Then, its set foot on the ground to reveal not Luna, but Nightmare Moon.

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Inside the Garden of Shadows, Gari awoken in shock, for she felt a great pain in her heart. She knew something was up. She looked around to see the others had felt it too.

"Did you feel that?" Magpie asked.

"Yeah, what was that?" Night Light asked.

"Somethings up, you guys." Tingle answered.

"And I can tell you what it is." Nightshade replied, as he pointed at the Solar Eclipse. The 12 ponies stood in shock, for they knew their mother must have done this.

"Candlelight, I'm scared." Night Light quivered as she placed her head close to his.

"I'm here, there's no reason to be scared." Candlelight hugged her back.

"Not yet, at least." Gari answered. She didn't know how or why, but she knew exactly what was happening. "Mother has lost control of her senses. She has turned on Equestria, thus bringing forth nighttime eternal." The others gasped. Nightshade looked up into the sky again.

"Doesn't surprise me. Mother had always struggled with her nighttime duties, because no pony has ever been interested about her night...except for us, of course." He explained. Then, he walked over to Gari. "But what's worse than nighttime eternal is our mother turning into none other than Nightmare Moon." The others gasped again. Night Light hugged Candlelight tightly. Magpie looked at Fly-By-Night, then hugged each other as well. Tingle and Moondancer just gazed into each other's eyes. The others stood in shock.

"I think you all know what this means now." Gari said sorrowfully. Everypony nodded, and Gari looked at Nightshade. They were now cursed ponies forever, for on the night Luna had united her new colony, she had given each of them a gift of their own, and that was to use their talents as their greatest weapon of defense, though they never understood why this was bestowed upon them. But they knew that there will come a time when evil rises against their dear mother, and it would cause effect on the Children of the Night as well. This curse is the price of their gifts. They can never feel total love, happiness, joy, or laughter, and when they loose control of their anger, sadness, or fear, they become like Nightmare Moon until they realize what they have done.

"Do you guys know how long we'll stay like this?" Wind Whisperer asked.

"Until Luna turns back to normal, or maybe forever. But remember this everypony, we still have each other, and we will be there for each other, right?" Nightshade said. Everypony nodded. Then, they gazed at the Solar Eclipse again, waiting...

With Nightmare Moon banished to the moon, Celestia took the duty of raising the moon, everypony had nothing else to fear, but the Children of the Night were to live their lives as orphans once again in the Garden of Shadows, away from Equestria. They feared that if they were to unleash their evil and true selves, the kingdom would divide and shatter as Celestia had predicted. The Garden of Shadows was never discovered by anypony except Luna, for it was a place that was far beyond Equestria and it was a place that would keep the colony a secret from Celestia's eyes. It was a dark place, but it was filled with love of some kind. The plants would only grow at night, the animals slept during the day, and the Children of the Night were now its civilization. They had no where else to go, and nothing to do. What can they do? Luna is gone. They can never enter Equestria again...

Ten years later, Gari walked into a forest wearing a hood and cape, bringing a bag of supplies. The forest was a beautiful and quiet place, where the Children went to be alone. She walked deeper and deeper into the forest, until she came to a cliff with trees and rocks surrounding it. She layed down and took out a candle, a book, and a quail. Using her magic, she lit the candle and began to write.

   "I still remember it like it was yesterday, though it was countless moons ago. After 'He' was defeated, not much of our home was left, but the two brave ones who stood for us all ruled Equestria from then on. One day, the younger one, saddened by her daily struggles, proposed to form a new colony where all of us would grow strong and happy, but the elder one forbid it, for she felt it would divide and shatter the kingdom forever. Nopony knows that we are still here, smiling beneath the moon while remembering our dear mother, for we will forever be her Children of the Night."

She blew out the candle, closed the book, and put her quail away. She got up and gazed at the moon, remembering that very night Luna had chosen her children. The gentle breeze in the air played a little tune in her ear. Gari closed her eyes and let it all sink in. Then, she heard Luna's voice.

"My child." Luna's voice was heard.

"I'm here, mother. What news do you bring to me?" Gari replied.

"I have seen the future, and I fear you will not approve. There will come a time when I will be set free, but it will be the same time when the Garden will be shrouded with eternal darkness, something of danger and destruction. You must promise me that you and your offspring will be prepared for this event."

Gari stood there for a second, thinking of what might happen. Then she answered, "I promise we are ready for any event to occur, and we will be there for each other, either good or evil. And our offspring will do the same."

The breeze stopped and Luna's voice disappeared. Gari wondered about the things Luna had warned. Danger and Destruction? The Garden will be shrouded with eternal darkness? The more she thought about it, the more it scared her. Then she remembered, "Maria..." and she ran out to the end of the forest to meet the others.

One she got to the campground, she ordered a group meeting. The others met up with her in no time. She told them about what she heard from Luna, and she told them about what was yet to come.

"And we must be prepared no matter what, for it is unstoppable and it will come eventually." She finished. The others took the story in for a sec. Then Nightshade spoke.

"Then let us waste no time. We must train ourselves and our children to defend each other from any harm. Train with caution, for one evil trait must not go underway. Train with love and friendship, even if we cannot feel its true power. War is coming, weather it is near or far." He finished. Everypony nodded and went off to their tents, except for Nightshade. He went to a nearby hill to keep watch.

Gari walked into her tent and looked on her bed. On it was a baby unicorn named Maria. She had a violet colored coat with green eyes and a black main and tail. She was sound asleep in the moonlight. Gari looked at her and smiled, not because she knew she daughter was going to be fully prepared, but she felt a great love for her as well. Then she too went to bed with Maria in by her side. Tonight, they can rest, but when the time comes, training will begin for Maria.

Ten years later, Maria was just outside of the campground, waiting for Lightning Dash. She looked up at the full moon and saw the Mare in the Moon. Mother had told her that that particular mare was the watcher of them all, guiding them on the right path of friendship. But Maria always wondered why her father was always making her train so hard? Then, memories came to her head.

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Inside a painted ring, Nightshade stood against Maria for a fighting lesson. Gari watched calmly, but had fear for her daughter. Maria kept thinking to herself, "I can do this, and I will show you that I can." gesturing her parents. Then Nightshade closed his eyes.

A breeze came in, whistling a strong lullaby. Maria heard it, but let it take no effect. Her horn lit up and created a force field that surround her from the tune. Nightshade opened his eyes, and the wind became calm. Then he went down into a fighting stance, and so did Maria. They charged at each other and began to fight, punching and kicking at each other. Maria was determined to pass this test. Then, Nightshade blinked to reveal no pupils in his eyes, and Maria saw evil images in her head. There was darkness and destruction everywhere, Maria hesitated. She held her head from the pain. Then, she remembered her friends, Cloud Chaser, Star Light, Moonlight, Ruby, and Lightning Dash. The evil images disappeared, and Maria stood up once again. Just before Nightshade could punch again, Maria blocked him. The taking his hoof, she threw him out of the ring, but before he could hit the ground, she used her magic to levitate him from harm. She set him down gently. Nightshade stood up and looked at his daughter.

"Your skills have improved, and you were even able to resist both the evil images and my powers. But you need to learn not to hesitate, for if you do, your foe will surely attack and you will render helpless." He said.

"Forgive me, father. But I do not wish to harm you. You are good to me, and I would hate to see you in pain." She lowered her head. Nightshade, moved by her love, smiled and walked up to her. He lifted her head to meet his.

"I appreciate your kindness, so I will let you pass if you promise me one thing. That you and your offspring shall learn not to hesitate, but also to love one another." He finished. Maria hugged her father.

"I promise." She answered, a tear ran down her cheek. Nightshade hugged her back.

"I'm so proud of you." He finished. Then after their hug, Maria ran off to join her friends. Gari walked up to her husband.

"I'm proud of both of you. Not only did she pass, but you also let her go." She said.

"I believe she's ready for anything now." He replied, and they watched their daughter run off.

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She may not have known why she was trained like that, but she knew one thing. She must do the same with her child and harmony will come. For now, she lived in hiding and away from the real world.

Then she spotted Lightning Dash coming up to meet her. He was a unicorn with a white coat and yellow eyes, mane and tail, and 3 bolts of lightning for a cutie mark. Maria's cutie mark was a crescent moon with five stars all around it. She looked at Lightning with a loving heart, and he saw it too.

"You look beautiful." He complimented. Maria blushed. Then they went off into the night together.

After many years of training and friendship, it was nearly the time for Luna to return, and also for the disaster to occur. It has come down to only six Children of the Night since the first generation. Their names were Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow Luxurious, Swift Star, Emerald Abstract, Blossom, and Thunder Dash. All of them were still a little young, but were trained like their ancestors, although they didn't know why. At least not until 'It' happened.

As the four stars were moving into place, a strong breeze in the Garden was stirring everypony. They looked up to see a shroud of darkness, much worst than the night, was nearing their campgrounds. Everypony looked at it in shock. As it came nearer, dark figures formed from it, and charged right at the camp. All of the mothers and fathers were ready to fight. The stars moved closer to the moon as did the figures, but everypony stood their guard. All except the young ones. Then, as the stars were moved into place, the mare in the moon had disappeared, and the figures were upon the camp. There was war among them, and now everypony understood. The dark figure's leader was among them, walking through the camp watching them fight everypony. Then she came to the six young ones, who were frightened of its appearance. Ultimate Lifeform stood in front of them guarding them from it. Then it spoke.

"My dear children, you do not deserve to live in such a dark place such as the Garden of Shadows. Join me, and we will rule in a land where we shall have harmony among my subjects." It offered. Ultimate spoke.

"Your subjects are destroying our home! Why should we serve you in your ways?"

"Perhaps you do not understand. I can offer you an escape from this dark garden, to a place where ponies roam free, away from evil. Come with me, and we will return to Equestria and rule the night."

"Perhaps YOU do not understand. We must stand together in harmony, and never shall we step hoof into Equestria, for it is said that our evil ways will divide and shatter the kingdom forever. No, the Garden of Shadows is where we belong, away from evil, keeping Equestria safe." He finished. Then the figure grew large and hovered over the entire camp. Everypony looked up in fear.

"So be it." It said. The figure charged at the ground splitting it in two. The parents on one side and the young fillies on the other. Then, Ultimate's mother cried out to him.

"RUN! AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER!" She cried out as the crack grew consuming everything in site. The trees, animals, and even some of the parents were sucked down. Ultimate did as he was told, took all of the young fillies using his magic, and ran to get away from the pit. Many obstacles came his way. There were falling rocks, trees, and dark figures heading his way. But he kept going. Using his magic, he dodged, blasted, and ran passed the obstacles until he got to a huge cliff. He looked behind him to see the dark figures closing in on him and the abyss slowly growing to consume him and the others. He looked back at the cliff, which seemed to high to climb. For the first time, he was scared and he didn't know what to think.

Then, the full moon shined upon him. He looked at it, and saw the bravery in him. Then he looked at the other fillies, who also saw the bravery inside of them. They nodded at Ultimate, who now knew what he had to do. Using his magic, he created a force field around him and the fillies protecting them from the dark figures. Then he cast a spell on the fillies and himself that made them rise into the air. They all galloped up to the top of the cliff, leaving the figures below to fall into the abyss, which stopped growing once it got to the cliff. The fillies touched the ground and looked at what used to be their home was now only darkness and destruction. Then they looked ahead and saw a world beyond their imagination, Equestria.

Chapter 2: Equestria

As they walked, they saw more than just trees and rocks and animals, but ponies and towns, something they have never seen before. It was like they were living under a whole new world. Everything was beautiful and peaceful. Even at night, it was like home. They could see why that darkness of destruction wanted to take over.

They came to a large city called Canterlot, were ponies everywhere were casually walking and talking to each other. They seemed to be talking about the sun and how it hasn't risen yet.

"Ulty, where are we gonna stay now?" Shadow Luxurious asked. Ultimate looked back at her, then at the castle that hoovered over the city.

"Maybe we should check there." He pointed out, and they started to trot toward the castle.

Before they could reach the front steps, two guards stood in their way.

"Who goes there!?" One guard demanded. Ultimate spoke.

"Please sirs, my...friends and I need a place to stay. If we can just talk to the pony in charge here, I'm sure we can-"

"I'm sorry, but the Princess will not be seeing anypony right now. We can offer no home to anypony here."

"...well, maybe you can escort us somewhere where somepony will take us in to stay?"

"I'm afraid that we cannot help you. You must find some other-"

"Dad." the guard was cut off by a young pegasus who stood at the top of the stairway.

"SHIELD! What in Equestria are you doing still up!?" One guard, inquiring to be the young one's father, commanded.

"Dad, it's the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony has to stay up to watch the sun rise. Anyway, I came down to see what all the fuss was about...who are these guys?"

"Just some wanderers," he looked at Ultimate, eagerly "who are NOT welcome!" The filly looked at them.

"You guys are just looking for a place to stay, huh?" he asked.

"Yes, can you help us?" Ultimate replied.

"Sure, I know a good place. Follow me!" he announced.

"COURAGEOUS SHIELD! I will NOT allow this!" the guard demanded.

"Aw, come on Dad. What if you were them? Would you want help from somepony too?"

"Of course I would, but that doesn't mean YOU have to escort them to...to...wherever your going."

"Jeez dad, just listen to yourself. All these guys need is a home." the filly said. The guard looked at his son, then at the others. Then, seeing the sorrow in they're eyes. He let them pass.

"...oh...alright, but I DON'T want to hear from the Princess about this!" he demanded. The fillies walked off.

"Don't mind him. He's just cranky cause he didn't get enough sleep. I'm Courageous Shield." He said.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality. My name is Ultimate Lifeform, and this is Blossom, Shadow Luxurious, Thunder Dash, Emerald Abstract, and Swift Star." He gestured the others.

"Nice to meet you guys." Shield greeted.

They walked all the way around the city to a small cave. It had crystals surrounding it, and it was a little darker than most caves.

"Here we are! The caves beneath Canterlot. Although it is a little dark inside, it's nice and warm, and almost nopony knows about it. Well, except for me of course." Shield announced.

"It's perfect. Thank you Courageous Shield." Ultimate thanked.

"Hey, no problem. And, just call me Shield." He said, and with that he trotted back to the castle, leaving the others to check it out.

"Well, this looks like a nice place." Shadow said. She stepped into the cave, stood there for a minute, then gestured the others to follow. They walked in and for a while they saw nothing but crystals. Then they came to a place with a waterfall and a light coming from a hole in the ceiling. There was a flat area where they could sleep soundly. Once the Children set in, they did exactly that.

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Shadow Luxurious walked in the Garden of Shadows, looking around to see everything was back to normal. She came to the campground where she could see her mother and father waiting for her. She ran up to them in their arms with love. Suddenly, they began to transform into dark figures. Shadow stepped back in terror. She walked back as they came closer to her. Frightened, she closed her eyes to hide her fear from the dark figures. They came closer and closer, leaning down over her. Then, she opened her eyes to reveal no pupils. She flew high in the sky, full of fear and anger. She looked down at the figures, who stood there shocked at what the young filly can do. Then, with all of her strength, she charged straight towards the figures, but just before she hit them, she now saw fear in their eyes.

Suddenly, Shadow woke up breathing very heavily. She looked around to see the others were sound asleep in the cave. Then she looked up at the moon light to see Ultimate standing on the outside. She flew up to him.

"Ulty...can I stay up with you?" She asked. Ultimate looked at her, seeing fear in her eyes.

"Sure." he answered. Shadow walked in front of him, gazing up at the moon with him.

"I had a scary dream. I dreamed I was in the Garden again with mom and dad, but then they turned into those dark creatures. And I felt so much fear that I felt evil too. Then...I killed them..." She explained. Ultimate looked down on her.

"You must learn to control your fear, anger, and sadness. They can overpower you if you don't, and you turn into an evil creature like those you attacked in your dream."

"And the ones who attacked the Garden too, right?"

"...yes, those who attacked our home. We cannot live in peace anymore. We must learn to survive on our own, reject evil, and we must train even more to learn the ways of friendship."

"But I don't feel love or friendship anymore. After we left the Garden, it felt like all of the happiness inside of me left...and now I only feel emptiness."

"That's because the curse we were bestowed upon didn't effect us in the Garden. Now, we can only find the cure to end this curse, or we'll be stuck like this forever." Ultimate finished. Shadow said nothing more. Then they both gazed at the full moon once again, thinking about what will become of them in the future.

It was around noon when the children woke up with the sun in their eyes. They took a look outside the cave to see Equestria beneath them in broad daylight. Everything seemed completely different then how the Garden worked. The plants grow, the animals play, and ponies roam free during the day instead of the night. Even the sleeping patterns seemed different.

"Hey guys, glad to see your finally up." Shield greeted, who was standing nearby. "I brought you guys something to eat." and he gave them each a hay sandwich.

"Thank you, Shield." Ultimate replied. After they ate their brunch, Shield lead them into the city.

"You guys look like you've never seen Canterlot before. So why don't I show you guys around?" He implied. They followed close by, gazing at the town. There were a lot more ponies out during the day, and there were homes that were beyond their imagination. There were no tents anywhere, just strong homes and a few food stands. Everypony seemed relieved that the sun had finally come out. Then Shadow began to wonder.

"Hey Shield? What was everypony talking about yesterday? Something about how the sun wasn't rising, and how you said it was the Summer Sun Celebration...what did it all mean?" she asked.

"Yeah, I don't know what happened. During the Summer Sun Celebration, everypony had to stay up and watch the sun rise. But when it was time for the sun to actually rise, it didn't. We waited for like an hour before it actually rose into the air, not exactly sure why though..." Shield answered. Then Ultimate remembered...

"You don't happen to know that this is the longest day on the thousandth year, do you?" he asked.

"Well, yeah. That's when the celebration begins." he answered. Ultimate stood in fear.

"And this Princess of yours. May we speak to her?" he then asked.

"We'll have to sneak past my dad, but I'm sure I can get you to Princess Celestia no problem." he answered.

They walked toward the castle, but instead of going to the front steps, they walked around the side where Shield lead them to a secret door into the inside of the castle. They followed Shield through many halls, sneaking past any guards, until finally they came to a huge door. Shield signaled them to stay in place for a sec as he opened the door just a crack. He saw Celestia sitting on the Royal throne, working on some paper work. Shield opened the door a little more, and Celestia noticed him.

"Come in Shield." she called out to him. He entered the room. "What brings you here? Don't you want to celebrate with everypony?" She asked.

"Forgive me for interrupting, but I have some lost fillies who wish to speak to you." He answered.

"Let them in." And the six children entered the room. They looked around and saw grand windows with beautiful paintings, statues were placed around the room, and the Princess sitting on her throne. Then Ultimate spoke.

"Princess Celestia, my name is Ultimate Lifeform, and we do not come from Equestria. We have heard about your annual Summer Sun Celebration and have come to warn you that Darkness is nearing." Celestia stood and walked toward him. She looked into his eyes and saw the evil and darkness of the night, but she also saw caring and compassion. She knew these must be her sister's subjects. Then she looked at one of the stain glass windows that showed a black, dark pony being defeated by six elements of some kind. They all looked at it too, seeing the same darkness that took their home, but also the mare that watched over them every night.

"I assume you mean Nightmare Moon." Celestia said. "Many years ago, my sister Princess Luna was overpowered with darkness inside her heart. She wanted to bring forth nighttime eternal, thus turning her into Nightmare Moon. Using the most powerful weapon that defended Equestria from evil, the Elements of Harmony, I defeated her and banished her to the moon." She began. Suddenly, the children began to have terrible images in their heads. Some where about the evil shrouding over their watcher, some where about the darkness that took the Garden of Shadows. They held their heads, trying to swallow the pain. Once the images disappeared, they got up and looked at Celestia.

"Not long ago, she had returned to repeat the process again. But the Elements of Harmony defeated Nightmare Moon, saving Princess Luna from its evil ways." she ended. She looked at the children, seeing fear in their eyes.

"We understand, and we must warn you that the darkness of destruction is coming to Equestria. It has already taken out homeland, and is now on its way here. Something must be done to make sure that this event must not occur." Ultimate spoke out. Celestia nodded.

"Come with me. I will introduce you to Luna. She will take care of you first, and them we can talk about this darkness of destruction." Celestia ordered. They followed Celestia to a room, where a younger Princess sat working. She looked up to see her sister come into the room.

"I am certain you know who these fillies are." She gestured the young six. They walked into the room and saw the same eyes that they saw in the Garden. They saw their watcher and their guide to greatness. They saw their mother.

"Come in, my Children of the Night." the young princess ordered. Celestia left the room. The six bowed down in respect.

"My dear mother, we have come to-" Ultimate started.

"I know why you are here. The Garden has been taken, and darkness is on its way. Your ancestors have known this too. That is why you were trained as your mothers and fathers were. But now, the time has come to train once more, for I have seen what will become of Equestria in the future. Darkness shall be upon us once again, but until then, all we can do is train and watch over Equestria. I will be there to guide you in your time of needs. I will be your princess, and you will be the Children of the night, guardians of Equestria, and friends of the Elements of Harmony." Luna said. The Children nodded in respect for their mother, for even from that very moment on, they were at war.

Shadow Luxurious and Swift Star walked into the Everfree Forest, searching for the olden pony castle. It has been 2 years since Nightmare Moon was turned back into Princess Luna, and she said that whatever was left behind from Nightmare Moon could give us some clues on how to defeat the darkness of destruction, for Luna felt that the Elements of Harmony weren't going to be strong enough to defeat it entirely.

"This place isn't even creepy. Why doesn't anypony some here?" Swift Star asked himself.

"Swift Star, they live in the sunlight, not in the moonlight like us, remember?" Shadow answered.

"I know that, but the least they could do is explore the place, right?"

"I don't know, lets just keep going."

They walked a little further until hey got to an old bridge, but instead of walking on it, they flew over to the castle behind it. They looked around for a little while, until Shadow spotted a sparkle of light coming from one of the towers.

"There! Let's go see what that is." She turned to face Swift Star who was looking at a certain book.

"You go, I'll catch up." He said, and he opened the book and started to read. Shadow rolled her eyes and flew off toward the tower.

She peaked in the window to find 5 small, blue shards on the floor. Each were pieces of a helmet of some kind. She looked at them for a minute, then she saw Nightmare Moon wearing a helmet that was the same color as these shards. She knew this was the evidence she was looking for. She took the five shards, placed them in their bag, and flew off.

Meanwhile, Swift Star looked into the mysterious, dark book, written by Star Swirl the bearded himself. He read to himself...

"Many ponies have always thought that darkness is only evil, but in some cases, dark magic can be used for good as long as it always will be used for the same purpose. Weather you are a Unicorn, Pegasus, or even Earth Pony, anypony can learn this dark magic. But be warned, dear reader, for if you use this power to do evil, you too will become evil. With that said, I give you the gift of magic beyond anypony's imagination." and Swift Star was then enveloped with the dark magic. Swift Star could feel it running through him, and it made him feel much stronger than a regular Child of the Night. Then, a glow came from his flank. He looked at it so see that it was no longer blank, but in its place shown an artistic X symbolizing his new power.

Shadow returned to her brother, seeing the cutie mark.

"You finally have it!" she said. Swift Star looked at her, closing the book.

"...yeah, I guess I do. Did you find anything?" he asked.

"I think I have, but we must tell Luna right away." she answered. Swift Star nodded, and they flew off toward Canterlot.

About 5 years later, inside the Crystal Mines, Shadow and Ultimate were training once more. Luna stood by and watched. Ultimate had the first move.

He fired a beam of magic at Shadow, who flew up to dodge it. Then she flew around the room, dodging the beams of magic from Ultimate. Shadow stopped and flew in place. Ultimate charged his horn, ready for her to attack. Shadow flew straight toward him, almost at full speed, but was hit by Ultimate's force field. Shadow flew back up. Then, using her wing power, she created a breeze that played a calm but powerful tune. But Ultimate was able to resist, firing a different spell at Shadow. She dodged and flew down straight at him again. Then, they started to fight, punching and kicking at each other. They were at each other for a while, when images appeared in Shadow's head. Images of the Darkness of Destruction, but also and image of something beyond her belief. Using all her strength, she pushed away the images and blocked Ultimate from punching her again. Then they pushed on each other, trying to knock each other down. The images kept appearing in Shadow's head, until she couldn't take it all. She opened her eyes to reveal no pupils, and pushed Ultimate down. Then, with a tear in her eye, she flew up once again for one more attack. Once she got high enough, she looked at Ultimate, who rendered helpless, she charged straight at him t full speed, causing a Sonic Nightboom.

"ENOUGH!" Luna shouted. Shadow heard her, and just before she hit Ultimate, she stopped and touched the ground, realizing what she could've done. She bowed her head in shame as she turned back to normal. Ultimate stood up.

"You're strong in your fighting skills and wise in your fighting method, but you need to learn to resist evil. If you fail to do so, you too will do evil. Do you understand?" Luna commanded.

"Yes mother. I promise it won't happen again." Shadow replied.

"Do not make promises you cannot keep." Luna finished and walked out of the room. Ultimate looked at Shadow.

"You saw something that feared you. What was it?" he asked.

"I don't know. It felt like something from the past. Something about my real mother and father...I felt their pain." she answered. Ultimate looked away.

"Get some rest. We will train more tomorrow." he ordered, and then he left the room. Shadow looked up at the crescent moon, gazing at it with wonder. What did that image mean?