The Last Pack

        Me and Luna flattened our ears at the combined sound of all three of them yelling at once. Twilight was trying to get a hold of her breathing, SkyQuill just looked at the ground as if her heart had broken, Spike he regained himself the quickest and waited for the others just as me and Luna.

        When Twilight finally regained herself, she poured another cup of tea for her and SkyQuill. SkyQuill shook her head and looked back towards us. Spike let out a quiet giggle.

        “Yeah, we knew that would take you as more of a surprise but we didn’t expect you to not know of our marriage until three years later. More so that she is nine months, not just getting pregnant.” I said to them, Twilight face hoofed, SkyQuill just looked astonished, and Spike, he had another guilty look upon his face. “Spike, don’t feel bad, in none of the letters had we mentioned this to Twilight, so you’re fine. We wanted to tell her this in person, not over letter, so it’s okay.” I said to the dragon, I saw him visibly perk up at it, letting out a sigh of relief.

        Twilight finally released her hoof from her face and gave us a small smile. SkyQuill flattened her ears against her head and laid down on the couch with her head hanging off, I didn’t think much of it. “So, it’s been nine months? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Twilight asked, pointing a hoof at Luna.

        “Because we wanted to tell you in person, and we thought the war would have been over by now, but we were wrong. Yet that is why we are here today, not just for a social call.” Luna said, sitting up straight, her look hardening. I followed suit to my wife. “Twilight Sparkle, we need you.” Luna said aloud.

        Twilight gave us a quizzical look. “What do you need me for Luna?” She asked calmly, taking a sip of her tea.

        “When he is born, the war may still be going on, and if anypony knew of his existence, he would be in danger, constantly. What we want of you, we’re not asking as leaders, but as friends. We want you to watch over him as he grows up if the war has not ended by the time he breathes his first breath.” She said. It took Twilight, SkyQuill, and Spike all by surprise. Twilight most of all, her jaw hit the floor at the news.

        Twilight shook her head to regain herself from her stupor. “What? You want ME, of all ponies, to raise YOUR son?! Why?!” She exclaimed in both happiness and astonishment. I held Lunas hoof tighter.

        “Twilight Sparkle, We trust you, not as a friend, but as a family member. We want you to be the Godmother, in a sense, of our son.” I said lightening my gaze upon her. “I know it’s not something that you would want for your child if you had one, but this is our only option. You’re our only hope if the war does not end.” I said. Twilight looked at us in astonishment.

        “You trust me that much?” she asked, her voice laden with happiness and sadness. Me and Luna nodded in unison. “Are you sure about this Luna, and Lionel? I mean, I would be more than happy to, but are you sure there is no other option?” She asked, we simply shook our heads. Twilight let out a sigh and looked away thinking about it no doubt. When she finally returned her attention to us, she held upon her face a big smile. “I’ll do it.” She said happily.

        I felt a smile of relief and happiness fall upon my face as I hugged Luna. We then walked over to Twilight and hugged her, quickly joined by Spike who was going to help with taking care of our son, no doubt. “Thank you Twilight, Spike, and SkyQuill.” We said in unison, before pulling away from the hug.

        “One question though Luna, why do you look so, normal?” Twilight asked, pointing a hoof to her stomach. “And have you been going out on missions while you were like this?” She asked.

        Me and Luna laughed as Luna released the illusion spell from her belly, allowing it to expand to the real size. “Simple illusion spell, that’s how, and nopony has made me go on any missions in the past nine months. The Generals know, and so do very very few other ponies.” She said giving a wink to Twilight as she said it. We looked over at SkyQuill who was still moping on the couch, we decided to leave her alone.

        “We’ve gotta get going Twilight, but thank you for your understanding and for accepting. You made us both very happy. We’re going to be here for a week so we’ll stop on by to make some plans with ya. If you want to find us tonight, we’ll be at the Drunken Stallion. General Dusk is buying us drinks, well me at least, Luna’s gotta stay sober.” I said nudging Luna with my hoof. She rolled her eyes, causing Twilight to laugh.

        “I’ll see if I can make it tonight, but you two be safe.” Twilight responded before showing us to the door. As the door closed behind us we made our way towards the Drunken Stallion, both of us in our disguises again.

        “He’s married…for three years…a foal on the way as well…” SkyQuill mumbled to herself as she laid on the couch with her head dangling off of it. She felt tears start to well up behind her eyes. Twilight made her way over to SkyQuill, releasing her disguise. SkyQuill returned to being Jazmine. Twilight saw that she was hurt.

        “Jazmine, I’m so sorry.” Twilight said hugging the pegasi. Jazmine broke into tears as Twilight held her. Her husband thought she was dead, and he had moved on. Even though she wanted this for him, she didn’t think it would hurt this much for her. Her heart had broken, she even had to keep herself disguised when she saw him for the first time in over 2 years. Whenever he had visited previously, she was out doing something for Fluttershy, or Rarity.

        “Why…why does it hurt so much Twilight?” She asked between sobs. She wrapped her arms around twilight crying into her shoulder. Twilight couldn’t say anything to console her, as she had never known the feeling of heartbreak. She just held her as she cried.

        Twilight was just as surprised as Jazmine by the news, but didn’t expect it to hurt Jazmine this much. The previous night, she had said that she would have wanted him to move on, that she would be happy for him if he was happy, yet it came to a bigger surprise that it had been 3 years since he had moved on. While Jazmine, had never given up hope that she would return home someday, he had given up and accepted his new life.

        Jazmine soon fell asleep listening to the thoughts inside her head stir. Her will had been broken, her mind had been shattered, her thoughts of only sadness. She had very little chance to ever return home now, and Celestia made it so. All of which pointed back to her, Lionels sadness and hatred at the news, and also him moving on from her, even though she was truly alive. No matter how she looked at it now, she had lost. She lost all she had left of her human life. Even if she didn’t want to admit it, this was her life from now on, there was no way out of it.

        She didn’t have nothing as a pony, she had a surrogate family, Twilight her sister, and Spike her brother. She had something as a pony, she had friends all around her, at every moment. One’s who would help her through anything, one’s who cared for her, and loved her for who she was. She may have lost the only connection left to her previous life, but her new life had only just begun, and she was going to make the most of it. Last of all, she was going to be able to care after Lionel's Son.

The next day…

        “Dash, where are you taking us?” I asked to the cyan pegasus walking mere feet in front of me and Luna. Shortly following us were Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, SkyQuill, Twilight, and Spike, all of whom were talking amongst themselves with Rainbow Dash in front of us. She didn’t answer me.

        “I’m sure wherever she’s taking us, it can’t be bad, so just wait okay Lionel?” Luna said taking my right hoof in hers as we continued towards our destination. I sighed and nodded, it’s not like she would be leading us into a fight or anything, I mean, we are in Utopia.

        It took about five more minutes before we arrived at a large building, the sign had, “Sugarcube Corner”, printed on it. I quickly realized she was taking us to a bakery shop and sighed, remembering how the last time I had a sweet from a shop I almost died from sugar rush. I flattened my look scrunching my eyebrows.

        “Oh great, a bakery.” I sighed rolling my eyes. Luna gave a small giggle and shook her head before we entered the establishment. We were quickly greeted by an energetic pink pony, no doubt this was the Pinkie Pie that we had been told about.

        “Hi I’m Pinkie Pie! It’s so so so nice to finally meet you!” She said furiously shaking my hoof and Lunas. I lightened up a bit, even in the face of me disliking this pony.

        “Hello Pinkie Pie, I am Lionel, it’s a pleasure.” I said, faking a smile as best I could. I knew she was going to be a ball of energy as Rainbow Dash said, but I didn’t expect her to be like this. Dash knew that if I heard she was happy go lucky, I would want to repeatedly stab her. I quickly put the thought at the back of my mind.

        “Hello Pinkie Pie, I’m Midnight Star, but please, call me Midnight.” Luna said keeping her tone friendly, I could tell that she would get along with her just fine, unlike me. Pinkie Pie then proceeded to run into the kitchen, disappearing from sight, I quickly yanked Dash over to us, ripping her from her conversation with Twilight.

        “Hey! I was talki-” I cut her off by putting a hoof up, motioning her to silence.

        “I know you said she would be energetic, but this is just NUTS! Happy-Go-Lucky, and friendly to no bounds?! You know how I am!” I said quietly through my teeth so only she could hear me. She rolled her eyes.

        “I also knew you wouldn’t give her a chance if I told you. I know you hate happy go lucky, but at least give her a chance, if you don’t like her, I’ll do 30 miles of jogging, no wings, when we get back to HeadQuarters. Okay?” Dash said putting out a hoof. I glared at her before shaking her hoof as Pinkie Pie bursted out the kitchen. She carried with her a catering cart with a large round metal cover on top of it.

        “Cake is served everypony! I made it special just for you three!” She said pointing a hoof towards Rainbow Dash, Luna, and I. We walked over as she took the top off the cake. Underneath lay a cake in the form of The Pack Insignia in pink frosting it said, “Thank you Rainbow Dash, Lionel, and Midnight Star for everything!”, I felt a small jump in my heartbeat at this. It was nice to have some ponies who thanked us for fighting for what we thought was right.

        Luna then shut the door to the bakery and cast a spell allowing none to see into the building as she revealed her real form. “Sorry, but if you don’t mind I’d rather be seen as who I really am for this get together.” She said stretching her wings out as her cutie mark changed back to its normal crescent moon, and her mane to the normal starfield. All the ponies except me, Twilight, Spike, and SkyQuill gasped as she revealed herself.

        They quickly bowed to her, recognizing her as the princess she once was. “Please, do not bow to me, I am not your Princess nor am I your ruler. I’m just another pony just like you.” She said closing her wings close to her body as Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all raised their heads from the ground.

        “But, ah thought ya were Midnight Star?” Applejack asked pointing a hoof at her. Luna gave a small laugh.

        “I am Midnight Star in an essence, but it’s only a cover up name while I am out and about as it were. Just as Lionel here is really Lost Solstice, the Vice Commander of The Pack. I’m more surprised you knew not his name.” She said hugging me and nuzzling my head. The four ponies gave mixed expressions to the news. I let my magic flow and my mane changed to the red starfield and my eyes changed to the bright yellow slitted eyes they normally were. My cutie mark also changed from the sword it was back to the Theta-Delta Symbol it normally was. The Symbol meant “change” and it derived from the Greek Language.

        “More surprising that you didn’t recognize my name as I’m sure Twilight has told you about me, at least she told me she has in her letters. We are on vacation for the week, well me, Dash, LightningTwist, and Rose are actually suspended, Luna and Dusk are on vacation.” I said lowering my head as Luna shook me jokingly. The other ponies in the room looked lost in thought before letting out a collective, “Ohhhhh”. I gave a sheepish smile and nod.

        “Wait a minute though, you say you’re Lionel, as in, the Lionel from a different world, Lionel? The Lupine Demon? The Savage Killer? The Ruiner of Pegasi? The-” Pinkie Pie was cut off by Rainbow Dash shoving her hoof in her mouth. I felt a wave of sorrow wash over me as those titles came to my ears, long since forgotten by me when I was cold hearted after the death of Jazmine. They all shot a glare at Pinkie Pie who averted her gaze to the ground.

        I lifted my head up, my gaze turning to one of pain. “Yes, that is me, but Pinkie, I prefer never to be called any of those again. I already regret my actions enough without being reminded of them, especially since they bring back the most painful memory of my life.” I said flatly, making it clear I despised the names. They all nodded their heads.

        “May I ask something then?” Rarity asked aloud. I motioned her to ask the question she had brewed for me. “I know you hate talking about it, but no pony really knows why you were so hostile back then, more so why you changed 3 years ago. If it isn’t too personal, may we know at least?” She asked causing all eyes to shift to her. Pinkie Pie joined her waiting for an answer which caused the others to wonder as well, other than Luna, Spike, Twilight, Dash, Vasquez, LightningTwist, Rose, and Dusk who all sat next to me, knowing the answer already.

        “Luna, Spike, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Vasquez, LightningTwist, Rose, and Dusk, you all already know the story so you are more than welcome to leave, but the rest of you, I will tell. Once, and only once, as the memory as long ago as it may seem, is still vivid in my memory.” I said flatly again, my gaze turning into a wide glare at all of them. Luna, Twilight, Dusk, and Dash all stayed while Spike, Vasquez, LightningTwist, and Rose left the room. Closing the doors behind them and standing in front of them not to allow anypony in.

        “Mr. Lionel, may I ask why it’s so personal?” Rarity asked using formalities now.

        “Mrs. Rarity, I ask for you to call me by only Lionel as you wish for me only to call you by Rarity. The reason why this is personal, is because if word got out about it, no doubt they would use this to tear me down by hurting friends in The Pack and Utopia.” I retorted harshly, narrowing my glare to the white unicorn. Fluttershy stayed behind AppleJack the whole time.

        “You already know that I, Lionel Varellian, am not from this world. Yet I had not come alone. I came with two other of my kind, Sergeant Luis Vasquez, the jasmine unicorn that sits outside the room right now, he has no recollection of his life from our world and he wishes not to gain that memory back as he is happy here and wishes to stay when all is over. The other one who came with me was……Major Jazmine Lynn, my wife.”

        “Jazmine and Vasquez, they were the last things I had of my life on the planet I once called home. With Vasquez having no memory and no want to regain it, he left me with only Jazmine as he is not the same person he was before. The reason I became so dark, so grim, so morbid and cruel, was because a week before Luna’s return, my wife was captured by Queen Celestia. Two days before Lunas return, they sent a letter announcing the death of Jazmine.” I said coldly, feeling nothing but anger and sorrow rise to my heart, causing my mind and body to go cold.

        “She had taken the one thing I had left in my life, but she didn’t keep it so I could regain it. She killed her without second thought of the repercussions it would have on me, or those around me, or to her guard. She had no remorse for me, so I felt no need to hold back any longer. So I killed and killed and killed until I could no more, hoping that one day, I would be able to join Jazmine soon. That day never came.”

        I lowered my gaze shortly before returning it to them as my eyes grew a deep maroon red. “She created a monster, a monster who only saw hatred for two years. One who showed no remorse to those around him, one who chose the path of darkness, one who let anger consume those around him. Jazmines death, it is something I will never forget, and something I will never forget until I see that Celestias head is held in my hoof, claw, or talon.” I said my voice darkening and casting a shadow over my face.

        I let myself calm down before continuing. “After two years lingering in the darkness, I found my way back to the light again. It was slow but eventually, I became who I was before my fall into darkness. I was able to finally smile again, able to laugh, able to be happy. Jazmine would never of wanted me to be like that, she would have wanted me to move on, to be happy. I found that out all too late, everypony was scared of me, they cowered away from me if I came near, they loathed me.” I said my expression brightening a little.

        “I never once thought about my actions during those two years. Not about the ponies I would hurt when they found out somepony special to them died on the battlefield, or about the ponies who we could’ve captured and returned them to their families instead of killing them as I did. The reason for my darkness, the reason for my hatred and the cause of those titles, were the result of Celestia killing my wife who was innocent in all this.”

        “I will tell you now, when you lose everything, you’ll stop at nothing, and I mean NOTHING! To get back at what took everything away from you. Just as I will not stop fighting until Celestia is dead and this land is free from her.” I stated stamping a hoof onto the ground as I finished. Almost all of them had looks of shock on their faces. Only SkyQuill looked remotely intact after I told them all the secret.

        Applejack moved up to me and slapped me across the face. “Why?” She asked simply. I turned to face her again.

        “There is no why Applejack, I just did. If I could change it, I will be straight with you, I wouldn’t.” I said coldly, causing even Luna to gawk at me. I felt Applejack slap me again this time with tears in her eyes.

        “Why wouldn’t you change it!?” She yelled confused. The others wore glares on their face as well, all except for Dusk, Dash, and Rose. They wore looks of understanding.

        “I wouldn’t change it because if I had been happy go lucky after her death, that would make me a true monster. The last thing you had from your life, taken away from you in an instant and you’re completely fine with it. Maybe I wouldn’t be as evil for as long, but there would still have to be the time period of grievance. Even when I was in my old world, I dealt with death by releasing my anger and sadness on those who even looked at me wrong. This is who I am Applejack, I may not always be proud of who I am, but I would never change a thing about me because if I did, I would no longer be me.” I said coldly, hardening my glare on the orange farm mare. Luna was no longer glaring at me, but smiling.

        “Ah don’t know what ta say…” Applejack said quietly as I walked over to the door to let the others back in before I was stopped by SkyQuill. I looked back at her and she hugged me before returning to the others leaving me wondering why she hugged me. I shook the thought off and let the others back in.

        “How did they take it sir?” LightningTwist asked. I simply pointed towards the still stunned group. “Oh, well at least you know they have hearts seeing as everypony you tell reacts that way.” She joked with me. I gave a small laugh at the joke.

        The party continued without anymore “events” occurring and we made our way to our hotel. We stopped near a dinner as we recognized a unicorn in the window, he was talking to two other ponies. Me and Luna decided to stop in and say hello.

        As we walked through the door we were greeted by the waiter. “Hello Sir and Madam, would you like a table or a booth?” He asked us, we simply shook our heads before continuing over to the three ponies.

        “Well well well, never expected to see you here Kale.” I said aloud, holding Lunas hoof. The Unicorn looked up, spitting out his drink at the sight of us causing me to laugh.

        “Lionel! What in the name of Faust are you doing here?!” He exclaimed, causing others to turn towards us, some recognizing my name and quickly returning to their meals. I motioned him to quiet down.

        “Hey, I’m trying to keep it on the down low Kale, why don’t ya say my name a little louder?!” I whispered harshly gaining a laugh from his mare friend. “And who might this be?” I asked. He rolled his eyes.

        “This is Milor and Gresh, members of the council.” He said slightly irritated.

        “Hello Lionel and Midnight Star.” Milor said with a wink. She no doubt knew it was Luna as all the Order knew everypony. Luna looked at her awkwardly.

        “I forgot you don’t know the council. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you Kale, how have you been?” I asked sitting down next to him, along with Luna. He shot me a glare.

        “I WAS trying to have a nice dinner with my friends, but then you had to up and ruin it. Milor, remind me to screw with him later.” He said pointing a hoof towards the unicorn. I gave a small chuckle. “I’m serious, you’re gonna pay for this later.” He said glaring at me.

        “Okay okay, we’ll leave, for Fausts sake was just trying to say hi.” I said getting up from the booth.

        “Well you said hello, now why don’t you get out of here.” He said angrily. I put my hooves up pretending I was scared gaining a laugh from Gresh, Milor, and Luna while he sat there glaring at me.

        “Seeya around Kale!” I said as we exited the dinner. We made our way towards the hotel again. As we reached our room we hopped into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

        The days we spent there in Utopia passed quickly as we spent time getting to know the 4 ponies and their families. It was a fun week but it was not without annoyance as Kale made good on his threat and I constantly messed up during my vacation, either a small trip or hurting somepony on accident. I knew the next time I saw him not to talk to him unless he talked to me first.

        About halfway through our vacation we were given the location of the last Element by a messenger pegasi. We knew what that would entail for us when we returned to base, Vasquez, Dash, Rose, LightningTwist, and I all knew we would be heading out first thing. We kept the news of the mission until we were ready to leave. When we arrived at the train depot in full armor, carrying weapons and all, the ponies and other creatures on the train platform looked upon us with fear, as did our friends we had met during our stay in Utopia.

        I stood still waiting for the train, staring straight ahead to the hills beyond us, Dash and Vasquez stood the same next to me, keeping their sights on the horizon. I no longer held back my magic allowing my body to flow with the marks of red starfield and my mane and tail to flow as well. I knew that everypony knew who we were now and Luna even dropped her disguise knowing it would be a fruitless effort to hide herself with me like this in public. Applejack stood in front of me waving her hoof in my face trying to get my attention.

        “Hey! What do ya think yer doing Lionel?!” She asked loudly. She went to slap me with her hoof but I caught her hoof and set it back on the ground returning my gaze straight ahead. “Will ya listen ta me!” She exclaimed.

        “Applejack, there is nothing to discuss. Now please leave me be or risk angering me.” I said coldly, not even shifting my gaze to her. She looked at me, stunned at my threat.

        “Why are ya doing this! Ya don’t got ta go!” She said trying to glare holes into me. I stood there unphased as Rarity came over and tried to remove Applejack. I put a hoof between them.

        “Rarity, let her. She, just as everypony else here has a right to be mad, but this is our job, we can’t risk losing what we are after.” I said flatly looking down to the unicorn who shrunk back under my gaze. Applejack went to slap me again, I let her but her hoof stopped on my cheek, not making me even flinch.

        “Please Lionel, you don’t ha-” I cut her off by putting a hoof to her mouth.

        “Applejack, if we don’t do this, we may lose the only chance we have to end this war sooner rather than later. You may hate seeing your new friends going to battle along with one of your best friends, but this is the fate that we have chosen to make your life, and everyponies life better.” I said motioning to Dash who kept her gaze forwards. “Dash, please say goodbye to Applejack and your other friends, this may or may not be a final goodbye.” I said flatly looking at Dash as she softened her eyes and ran over to Applejack giving her a hug soon joined by Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy.

        “Goodbye girls, if this is the final goodbye, it was a fun ride.” she said softly, letting a single tear come down her face, the others crying furiously. They were drowned out by the train stopping in front of us. I walked over to Luna and gave her a kiss and said my final goodbye. I shook hooves with General Dusk.

        “Good Luck Vice Commander, you better come back with that element and your squad intact.” He said jokingly, hoping to raise spirits. It worked as it brought a smile to my face.

        “You better keep Luna safe General, or I’ll have your flank on a platter when I return.” I said with a smirk laughing wholeheartedly before turning towards the train where my squad was waiting. I boarded as Applejack grabbed my tail. I turned around to see her eyes pleading for us to stay. “I’m sorry Applejack.” I said levitating her away from the train allowing her to flail and yell wildly as the train started to leave the station.

        For the entire trip we all stood in a circle of silence, not speaking a single word. Dash looking out the window, Vasquez standing against the wall, his gaze kept on the ground. Rose sat down her head in her hooves being as silent and still as she possibly could. LightningTwist fell asleep on a seat. Me, I was constantly looking around making sure we weren’t in trouble and there was no trouble.

        By the time we finally arrived at the edge of Utopia, it was night time. “Everypony up and out! We’ve arrived at the edge of Utopia, we have a two hour trip to the badlands. Make sure you get some sleep on our way so you are at your full strength when we arrive.” I ordered. Everypony got up collecting their gear and trotting off the train station platform where we were greeted by two royal guards. They smiled at us oddly.

        “Hello Vice Commander.” One of them said happily. I readied my dagger spell, they quickly held their hooves up. “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! We’re here on our leave!” He said backing away from me. I quickly dispelled my daggers.

        “We just got back from our leave and there are two Equestrian Legion soldiers at the train platform of Utopia, yeah how are we not supposed to be alarmed?” I said sarcastically. They scratched the back of their heads.

        “We can’t expect you not to be alarmed, it would be weird if you weren’t, but we are seriously going on leave. I’m visiting my sister, Twilight.” He said lowering his hoof. My eyes widened.

        “So you’re the famous Captain Shining Armor? Well it’s nice to meet you, sort of.” I said walking over and holding a hoof out to him. He stepped back with a glare on his face.

        “How did you know my name?!” He asked angrily. I shook my head and approached him again.

        “I know your sister, Twilight Sparkle. She is a good friend of mine, don’t worry I have no mal intentions towards her or you.” I said calmly putting my hoof back out for him to shake it. He relaxed slightly and cautiously shook my hoof.

        “Fine, but if you hurt her in any way, I will kill you, personally. Got it?” He said threatening me. I smirked at him waving off his threat.

        “Captain, if I wanted to hurt her, I could have done so a long time ago, I met her when I arrived here five years ago. I’m more surprised she hasn’t told you she knew me. I also made her the promise if I ever found you, I wouldn’t hurt you and on the battlefield I wouldn’t kill you but capture you or just knock you out.” I said with a smile, Causing him to shift uncomfortably. I heard a laugh come from behind me.

        “We ought to be going. I’m sure you’re busy and I’m sure Twilight is waiting for me. If we meet again, it will most likely be on unfavorable terms, I wish you luck Vice Commander.” He said politely before motioning his friend to follow him to the platform.

        “As do I to you Captain, may your visit go well, also send my regards to Twilight for me as I’m sure she will be happy to know we have finally met on favorable terms.” I said giving him a smile, him smiling back. They trotted over to the platform and waited for the next train. We did not see them off.

        I turned my attention towards my squad who were all waiting at attention waiting for me to give them orders. “Everypony ready?” I asked, they responded, “Sir, yes sir!” I gave a smile as I conjured a platform underneath us and lifted us off the ground. On the platform I could see Shining Armor gawking at us.

        I smiled and waved as we started flying upwards casting a shield around us and an invisibility spell allowing us to have no wind or snow or rain come in at us and allowing us to travel without being seen. The others quickly fell asleep as we flew, as I kept the platform, shield and invisibility up.

An hour later...

        The train came to a halt as Twilight waited for her brother to step off the train. She had hoped that Lionel and him had not encountered each other. She waited for two minutes before finally seeing her brother step off the train in his armor. She smiled as he saw her. He did not smile back, but held a grim look upon his face. No doubt, he had met Lionel. She gulped as he approached her.

        He hugged her quickly before speaking. “Twilight, I need to talk to you about something.” He said flatly, keeping his grim look. Twilight sighed as she realized what it was about.

        “Shining I can explain!” She said. He raised an eyebrow to this.

        “Explain what?” He said coldly keeping his look. Twilight shrunk under his gaze.

        “I know you don’t like me being friends with him but-” She was cut off by him putting a hoof up.

        “That’s not what I wanted to talk about, what you do is your business, not mine. I honestly don’t care about that, it’s about something else.” He said slightly lightening his gaze. Twilight raised an eyebrow to this. She looked into his eyes and saw exactly what he wanted to talk about.

        “Oh no…” She said quietly. Shining hugged her quickly and motioned his friend to come say hello. He simply waved at the mare, Shining rolled his eyes. Twilight started to walk off the platform, Shining Armor following behind her shortly. It took only a couple of minutes to reach the library.

        “Brother, did you ask to be stationed there?” She asked quietly looking towards the wall with him behind her. He hung his head before replying.

        “I did…but-” She cut him off.

        “WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?!” She yelled at him. He found his way onto the couch before motioning Twilight to sit down on the chair. She kept standing.

        “The reason I did this is because…I found out what The Pack is doing. They are collecting the Elements of Harmony to try and end the war.” He said flatly. Twilight shook her head, she already knew this.

        “Shining, I already know that.” She said flatly looking back up to him. He looked at her in utter surprise.

        “You knew?!” He practically yelled. Twilight kept her stance.

        “I did.” She said simply. Not even blinking as his anger rose to meet his face. Twilight suppressed the urge to laugh. “Shining Armor, just as I didn’t tell you of their plans, I never told them of your plans. I am just a neutral body in this, so you can be mad at me all you want.” She said flattening her eyebrows. Shining didn’t calm down though.

        “Why wouldn’t you tell us?! That information is vital to the Equestrian Legion!” He exclaimed, stamping a hoof into the sofa.

        “As I said, I’m a neutral body Shining. You can report me to the Legion if you want, but I can’t guarantee your safety if you do. Lionel may be my friend but he will not take lightly to having me hurt, especially by my own brother.” She said flatly, causing him to look away in shame.

        He thought to himself, could I really do that to my own sister… he thought about it, but he knew that it would be for the better if he did. He decided once he returned to base, he would report it to Celestia. “I won’t do that to you Twilie, I’m sorry for that.” He lied to her. She brung a smile to her face.

        “Good, now that, that is out of the way, we should get some sleep. Your room is upstairs on the left, be quiet though, Jazmine is sleeping.” She said quietly.

        “I’m not asleep anymore, what with your yelling and all.” Jazmine said, descending the stairs. “Hey there Shining Armor, long time no see.” She said walking over the unicorn and hugging him wholeheartedly. He returned the hug, giving her a smile as well.

        “Hope Twilight hasn’t been too rough on ya the past couple of months.” He said jokingly as Twilight rolled her eyes. “How did you take the visit from Lost Solstice?” He asked, causing her to quickly avert her gaze to the ground. Twilight cleared her throat, shooting him a glare. He raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

        “It…it was good…” she said quietly. Shining felt his heart fall realizing her lie.

        “What happened?” He asked placing a hoof on her shoulder, she shifted away letting his hoof fall away.

        “Nothing that I can tell. Please don’t ask.” She said harshly. Twilight smiled at her as Shining opened his mouth to proceed further but closed it realizing it was a sensitive topic.

        “Alright, I won’t ask any more. Just know me and Twilie are here if you need to talk about it.” He offered. She nodded her head and started walking back up the stairs.

        “I’m going to go back to bed. I’ll see you two in the morning.” she said sadly, keeping her head low as she ascended the stairs, disappearing into the darkness.

        Shining kept looking up the stairs with a sorrowful look on his face. He turned to Twilight. “What happened?” He asked. Twilight sighed and motioned him to sit down, proceeding to tell him the events of the week prior, of course leaving out details that were to be kept to her and her friends.

Thirty-Seven Minutes later…

        We slowed down and reduced our height as we approached the castle ten miles ahead of us. I walked to each pony, silently shaking them from their sleep to wake them. “Listen everypony, the castle may be old but it shall not be unguarded no doubt. Be ready for all that may meet us upon entry, keep yourselves in the shadows and stay alert. The castle of beginnings is not to be taken with caution.” I told them as they readied their gear. They all gave a silent nod of acknowledgment.

        We landed a mere mile away from the castle, not taking any chances of there being Equestrian Legion soldiers or otherwise. We hid unneeded gear in some brush and I cast a warding spell over them to conceal and keep them safe in the brush. “Let’s go and get the final Element of Harmony everypony.” I said quietly to them. They all smiled and nodded.

        I had cast an invisibility spell over us as we walked down an overgrown path of plants that used to be made of cobble. It did not take us more than twenty minutes to reach the entrance of the castle, which had collapsed on itself allowing us easy passage over the rubble. When we reached the top of the pile I jumped down only to feel the jolt of a warning ward be broken underneath my hooves. I mentally cursed myself, motioning for the others to stop on the top of the pile.

        “Ready yourselves everypony, I accidently broke a ward.” I whispered back to them. I could hear the unsheathing of three swords and a spell being cast. I slowly approached the door to the tower as I heard the whizzing of an arrow. It narrowly missed my snout as I turned around and sent a dagger flying at the one who had sent the arrow my way. The dagger burrowed its way into what looked like a skeleton pony. “Oh great, skeletons, what does this world not have.” I thought to myself as two more skeletons popped up next to the dead skeleton.

        They shot two arrows in quick succession but they were quickly cut away by a dagger of mine. I was about to send two more daggers as Dash and LightningTwist landed upon them with a crushing strike. You could hear the swords slam into the ground after cutting the skeletons in half. “Looks like silent is not what we shall have, keep your guard up and split up into two groups. Sergeant Dash, Corporal LightningTwist, you search the east and north ends of the castle. Sergeant Vasquez and Corporal Rose, you’re with me, we will search the west and south ends of the castle. Let’s go!” They all responded, “Sir, yes sir!”.

        I bucked down the door to the castle sending it crashing into the ground mere feet in front of us. As we walked in we were greeted by the smell of mold and moss, it looked like we had entered into the royal kitchen. We looked around for the element only to be disappointed, so we made our way out into the hallway. It was lined with Skeleton soldiers clad in rusted armor, I gave a small smirk.

        I transformed into Azriel and cast my dagger spell along with making a staff for me to use. I stood in front of Rose and Vasquez, who readied themselves for the fight ahead. I jumped forwards at the army of skeletons who were using swords and spears to try and pierce me. I landed in the middle of a giant group and spun my daggers around me as fast as I could, clearing out a small area as the skeletons were sliced into dust along with their rusted armor and weapons. I proceeded to start smashing skeletons with my staff as I heard the clashing of swords and spears from where I had just jumped from.

        When the dust cleared I could see they were holding off the army near the, killing quite a few of them. I returned my attention to the skeletons around me. I noticed something, they had eyes, not holes of black, but a small ball. It was a pure white sphere that embedded itself into the eye of each of them. I quickly snatched one up and ripped the balls out of their eyes, the skeleton fell apart and the balls of white faded into the air. Somepony was controlling them.

        I casted a sphere of antimagic around me and slowly increased it, causing the skeletons to fall one by one as the spheres of white faded from their skulls. I encompassed the entire hall in the sphere, killing any skeletons that might of been “alive”. I returned to my unicorn form, walking over to Rose and Vasquez who were panting, trying to regain their breath. They had no cuts, only a few bruises. “Good job you two, now lets continue searching.” I said smiling at them. They smiled back to me.

        We searched all the rooms along the hall for the Element to no avail. When we entered the hallway again I heard something come from the end of the hallway. I couldn’t place my hoof on it, but it sounded like a mare. I motioned Vasquez and Rose to silence as the doorway opened on its own. I raised an eyebrow and cast my daggers spell and slowly approached the open entrance. Cautiously I poked my head into the room to find it was the main hall.

        “Hello?” I asked into the room. I received no response and chose to enter the room, Vasquez and Rose following closely, keeping their weapons handy. I dispelled my daggers only to recast them as the main doors burst open, revealing Rainbow Dash, and LightningTwist, shortly followed by an army of skeletons.

        “Help!” Dash yelled through her breaths. I rolled my eyes casting the same anti magic sphere I had used previously, causing the skeletons to all fall into a giant pile of bones. I sighed releasing the sphere. I looked at Dash and LightningTwist who wore expressions of awe on their faces. I chuckled as I heard hooves approaching from behind us. I quickly readied myself for a fight and looked to where the sound was coming, but saw nothing. I was staring at the throne of the castle. I heard the hooves approaching from the hallway next to it.

        “Who’s there!? Show thyself demon!” I growled. The hooves got louder and louder before we saw what had been approaching us. My eyes widened in shock as I saw an alicorn slightly larger than Celestia stop at the doorway. Her coat was a snow white, her mane a violet red, her eyes a teal color.

        “Demon? Why I think not that I have been called such before.” She said lightheartedly. She gave me a small smile as I dispelled my spell and bowed. My squad kept their weapons at the ready. When I raised my head I motioned for them to sheathe their weapons and listen.

        “Who may you be ma’m? From what I can tell you are either a princess, queen, or an ex-princess/queen.” I asked holding my head high, speaking with formality added to my voice. I held a warm smile on my face.

        “Who may I be you ask? For one who knows whom I am already you ask such a question, Lost Solstice, or do you prefer Lionel Varellian?” She said loudly, her voice reaching the farthest end of the room. She walked to the front of the throne and sat down on the ground. How did she know my name? Oh wait, never mind…

        “I would ask how you knew my name, but I’m afraid it no longer surprises me. I don’t know yours though, even if you would like to say I do. The only alicorns I know are Queen Celestia the Tyrant, and Princess Luna. None more and none less.” I said, making it clear I had no idea of whom she was. She chuckled as she motioned me to come forwards. I walked up to her and she whacked me on the head with her hoof. I rubbed the spot where she hit me and glared at her. “OW! That hurt! Why’d you do that!?” I exclaimed, causing her to laugh.

        “Still dimwitted as you used to be. How little you have truly changed.” She said, her tone turning to one of reminiscence. I looked up to her with a quizzical look splayed across my face.

        “What do you mean? I’m not dumb…” I said growing irritated with her. I heard Dash and Rose laugh from behind me. I shot them a glare that made them shut up immediately. “Also you say, “How little you have truly changed”, what do you mean? You were never mentioned in the legend of a thousand years ago to my knowledge.” I stated.

        She sighed and looked up to the broken roof above us. “That’s because I’m from even farther back Lionel, back from the days of old. I ruled before Luna and Celestia. Believe it or not, this tis not your second life here, but your eighth.” She said returning her gaze down to me. My eyes grew wide.

        “Oh great, so this is a recurring theme for eternity isn’t it?” I said sarcastically, knowing the answer. She placed a hoof on my shoulder and the world around me faded to white.

Lost Solstice, a name known across the ages as a hero, forgotten by lies and tragedy. You are not a simple pony, nor a simple human. You are a pony without end, one without a fate to fade as many others have. You are more than anypony could dream to be, you are a true immortal. Not physically, but mentally and spiritually.

Your soul has endured the worst disasters in history, it has endured many lifetimes worth of pain and suffering, but you always stay true to yourself and keep fighting, even if all is lost. You brought upon the Equestrian Kingdom with the help of me and I let your name be forgotten from Equus. You brought upon the downfall of Lord Shamble, breaking his will to nothing by showing him a light that would never fade, yet your story faded as you sacrificed yourself. You destroyed the Queen of Frost by showing her no mercy without end, only to be forgotten by history and waved off  as the weapon known as excalibur.

You helped the griffin kingdom from certain destruction by sacrificing yourself to the dark, allowing it to consume a light that in turn destroyed itself, nopony remembered the name of that selfless pony. You killed the King of Equestria, King Ignis, to ensure that Celestia and Luna lived, you were forgotten by all except I. You threw yourself into the depths of Tartarus to keep Lucifer himself at bay, you let your body become the binds that hold him in his unbreakable prison of light, forgotten by many and legend told by many but name lost to time. You tried to save Equestria from a life terror under the cruel hoof of Celestia, yet you had lost after Luna was banished, killed in cold blood and legend written over.

You are the light that has given so much for so little in return, the one who has suffered eight lifetimes of terror and anguish. You are the one who has been forgotten across the ages, the one who has saved countless lives in sacrifice of his own, even if he had to take blade up against those around him to do so. You are the light that is lost, found only when darkness wishes to consume the land. Never to find peace or solitude, but to live countless times despite your want to rest in peace. You are the Lost Solstice.

        As my reality returned to me I felt the urge to throw up and my head throbbed with enough pain that it felt as if my brain was going to burst out of my skull any moment. I groaned at the pain as I slowly got to my hooves.

        “You’re finally awake.” I heard a voice come from behind me. As I opened my eyes I was met with a room decorated with stars and clouds on the walls, all moving around as if it were the night and day skies merged to one. At the top was a half moon, half sun figure. I stared at it only for a couple of seconds before the voice from behind me cleared its throat. I turned to face the voice, realizing it was the alicorn from before.

        “What did you do to me? More importantly where is my squad?” I asked calmly, keeping my gaze hard upon her. She smiled.

        “Your squad is as unharmed as you Lost Solstice. As to what I did to you, was tell you of what could not be told by anypony else.” She said happily. I shook my head as I remembered what I heard.

        I closed my eyes and let my magic flow again. I opened my eyes staring straight into hers as I realized that she had told the truth, she was not lying about it. “That may explain me, but that does not explain you, Queen Faust, from what I was told, you died by a spear as my wife has said. It explains not why you are here before me and why you are even alive.” I said questioning her existence. She merely laughed.

        “Just as you are a true immortal, I am as well. Not to mention Discord, Harmonis, Ignis, Lucifer, Starswirl the bearded, and the Element Wielders. We may all die, but we are born with different names, all of us except for you. Your name in the world of humans may turn face and choose fate, but your name here in Equus has always been the same. As where you have died seven times and lived seven lives, the Element Wielders, Starswirl, and Ignis have all lived  a multitude more than thou, but Harmonis, Lucifer, and Discord have lived under three lives each as our lifespans are greater than that of any other. Only dying to the hand of fate mostly. This tis only my second life.” She stated clearly, keeping her royal composure up as she did.

        I took a moment to contemplate the whole idea. As I took it in, I realized, I never remembered anything from previous lives then, or at least as far as I know. I looked back up to her about to ask my question as the doors burst open revealing my squadmates as they all fell onto the ground. All of whom were panting heavily, no doubt they were running themselves ragged trying to find me. I gave them a smile as they looked up to see me talking with the Alicorn.

        “Attention!” I shouted, causing them to scramble to their hooves and stand at attention. “At ease soldiers, I am unharmed, but I do wish to know how long it has been since I have been out.” I ordered. Sergeant Dash was the first to step forwards.

        “Sir, we have no clue how long we have all been out, we only woke up a few minutes ago, oddly we were in a room with two alicorn beds. We saw no trace of you so we decided we should look for you. So here we are now.” She stated motioning to the rest of the squad who nodded in acknowledgment.

        I turned towards Faust. “Faust, how long have you kept me and my squad?” I asked flatly, short on any patience I had left for slow answers.

        “You have been here only for but two days Lost Solstice.” She responded quickly and calmly. When I heard this my eyes widened in fear. We were expected back yesterday at headquarters, no doubt Luna and the generals were going crazy trying to find out what happened to us.

        “Oh for Fausts sake! No offense to you Faust. How in the world are we going to explain this one to the Generals!” I facehoofed. A small laugh came from the alicorn as the others did the same as I.

        “I know not what intentions you hold for the Elements of Harmony, but I do know that your intentions may be true to the heart, as such I shall relinquish the Element of Magic that I have held to since your demise those many moons ago.” She said as she walked over to a blank wall. She pushed a stone into the wall causing gears to go off behind it. The wall itself sunk into the ground below revealing a single pedestal in the middle of the room it blocked off, on that pedestal was a necklace that held the insignia of the pack.

        I trotted over to her to take a look at the Element. “Faust, you are helping us? Not that I should be mad, but why?” I asked worriedly. She gave me a small smirk.

        “What I do is my business alone Lost Solstice, just as I have told you in the past my intentions will become clear when they need to you. There is but one thing I wish for you to tell my daughters. To Celestia, The night has come for the light and in which you shall be followed. To Luna, Life has brought upon sorrow but the light will show you the path. Do not tell them who has said this as they will more than likely realize it soon after they hear it.” She said smiling, giving me a scroll in her blue field of magic. No doubt it says exactly what she wanted me to tell them. I nodded my head taking the scroll in my mane and placing the scroll in a pocket of my jacket.

        “I shall Faust.” I said as she placed the Element around my neck. “Why are you pl-” I was cut off as a surge of strong magic flew through my entire body, turning my mane and tail from a red starfield into a pure white flow, along with turning my markings into pure white magic as well. I felt as if all the magic in the world was in the palm of my hoof.

        “Be cautious with the Element Lost Solstice, I have released the bindings of each Element to allow the full and proper use of each. They are not to be used for idle usage, so please find the bearers quick. Hold each one in a field of magic and use this spell to find the bearer of the element.” She said floating another scroll to me, I took it in my new field of white magic and placed it in my pocket, next to the scroll she gave me earlier. I nodded and gave her a salute. She gave the same and I teleported me and my squad outside the castle to where we stashed our equipment.

        I took off the element, allowing my normal magic to flow again, panting from the power that left my body so quickly. I shook my head, waving off the weakness and nausea. “Hopefully we can find the new bearer soon, I don’t think I would be able to take all that magic again without hurling my lunch.” I said jokingly to Vasquez who gave a smile.

        As he was fetching his equipment he proceeded to ask me how it felt to have that magic, how I felt about Faust, more importantly, If I would tell Luna the truth. I sighed at the thought, what could I do? I didn’t want to lie to my wife, but Faust, the creator of Equestria, had told me specifically not to. Who knows what she would do to me if I didn’t obey her.

        “Honestly Vasquez, the power felt good, but it burned. How I felt about Faust? How was I supposed to feel meeting the long since thought dead mother of my wife, I felt both a pang of guilt and a pang of happiness. Also if I told Luna the truth, no doubt Faust would know immediately and rip me apart one by one for not listening to her only wish. So I’m keeping what happened here, with Faust, Class 12 classified. Meaning if any of you speak of Faust or what happened, you will be dishonorably discharged, got it?” I finished glaring at each of them. They all nodded. I turned to face Rainbow Dash.

        “Sergeant Dash” I started as she turned her attention towards me. “Since I know you are best friends with Pinkie Pie, you must make a Pinkie Promise on this.” I said coldly. She rolled her eyes and did the promise. “Good” I said as I cast the platform under us all. “Everypony ready for lift off?” I asked. They all nodded. “Alright then, let’s go!” I said lifting us off the ground almost three times faster than I had ever before causing us all to flatten against the platform and it to send us flying at the peak.

        I quickly caught everypony with the platform, shaking it off. “Sir, pardon me but, what in the buck was that?!” Rose practically yelled, causing all of us to stare at her. She shied back under our combined gaze. “I’m…I’m sorry…” She said quietly. I walked over to her offering a hoof up, she took it nicely.

        “Honestly Rose, I have no clue. I’ve never gone that fast before with a simple push. I think I should cast a shield around us this time, not to keep the cold out, but to keep us from flying off if that happens again. Also I’ll form my magic around each of your hooves to keep you firmly planted if it does happen again. Now stand still.” I said as they all stood facing the four corners of the platform and me in the middle. I cast a shield around us then an invisibility spell along with expanding parts of the platform to encase our hooves.

        I slowly started pushing forwards with my magic on the platform causing me to jerk forwards into about 30 miles per hour. It was odd, usually that small push would only put me at ten miles per hour. I decided to test this further by doing a really strong push that would normally let us go at our normal speed of 200 mph, this time I noticed the significant difference between my speeds. This time I was at 600 mph causing all of us to jerk harshly as we sped up.

        We reached the crystal empire faster than we had ever before. Our total trip took under 45 minutes.We slowed down significantly as we lowered onto the Captains Platform of the spire. It was noon when we landed, we were greeted by the generals and Luna. Luna cried into my arm as I held her, no doubt thinking that I was dead.

        We sorted out our things into our quarters and got debriefed putting the Element of Magic with the other Elements for the time being. I left out all of the occurrences after we entered the throne room playing off that the hooves we heard were another skeleton that was wearing the element but knocked us out with a spell before we could kill it. I also told them once we woke up Dash killed it and took the element bringing it to me and we got out of there as fast we could using a teleportation spell. They accepted it as the truth from each of us.

        It was night time by the time I was able to tell them of the spell we had obtained from the castles archives, of course lying. I decided that I wouldn’t tell Luna the other scroll until we were in private, no matter how much she asked for it. She even tried to use her rank to get me to tell her it then and there, when I denied she pouted. Which only allowed us to concentrate on getting the spell decoded soon. We had decoded it by the end of the night but decided we should get a nights rest before using it on any of the elements.

        As me and Luna made our way to our quarters I couldn’t help but feel that there was something off. I kept looking around, making sure nopony was watching us. “Luna, do you feel like somethings…off?” I whispered quietly to her.

        “No I don’t, why? Should I feel like somethings off?” She asked flatly, raising an eyebrow to me. No sooner did we stop in front of our door did we hear a letter appear behind our door. I rolled my eyes and sighed as I opened the door. There behind the door was not just one letter, but a pile of letters.

        “Ummm, I guess someones been trying to get a hold of us Luna.” I said sarcastically, causing her to glare at me. I walked into the room levitating all the scrolls onto my desk. “Luna, before we open any of these scrolls, I need to read this one.” I said levitating the scroll out of my shirt pocket. Her eyes lit up like fireflies in the darkest of nights.

        “Finally!” She exclaimed as I removed the seal from the letter. I cleared my throat.

Dear Luna,

I have not much to tell but only this. Life has brought upon sorrow but the light will show you the path. Make of this what you will as one day you will understand.

Signed,

        The letter cut off on both parts for her and Celestia at the Signed part. I looked up to Luna who only held a quizzical look on her face. “Luna, who has given this to me I have no idea as I woke up with it in my pocket. When I read it, I knew it was for you and Celestia.” I said sitting next to Luna who was still pondering the meaning.

        “What does it mean Lionel?” She asked silently, looking at me. I shook my head telling her I had no clue. We heard as another letter appeared. I rolled my eyes.

        “I guess we should see what these letters are about.” I said levitating the newest scroll over to us opening it.

LIONEL! LUNA! HELP PLEASE! THE EQUESTRIAN LEGIONS GOT TWILIGHT AND SKYQUILL! PLEASE HURRY!

        The letter stopped there, but it didn’t cause any less damage. I felt the anger boil inside of me, spilling over as I screamed in anger. “HOW THE BUCK DARE SHE!!!” I yelled at the top of my lungs causing Luna to cringe under the sound. I got up and stomped out of the room. “SERGEANT DASH, SERGEANT VASQUEZ, CORPORAL ROSE, CORPORAL LIGHTNINGTWIST, GENERAL DUSK, GENERAL FROST, GENERAL LOTUS, GENERAL SLYNN! ALL OF YOU OUT HERE NOW!” I yelled down the corridor at the top of my lungs. The doors opened quickly as each of them dived out weapons in mouths and spells cast only to be lowered in disappointment.

        “Vice Commander! What is the meaning of this?!” General Frost exclaimed irritatedly only to widen his eyes in fear as I approached him in a full on rage.

        “General, right now is not a good time to push me. Get your best gear and best men ready for battle now. Twilight Sparkle and SkyQuill have both been captured from Utopia. One breaking a long time peace zone and two kidnapping Twilight Sparkle. This isn’t an option, this is a BUCKING ORDER! NOW MOVE!” I yelled in his face, causing him to shrink back before saluting and gathering his armor and weapon from his room

        “DO YOU ALL THINK YOU’RE EXEMPT FROM THIS ORDER! GET A MOVE ON!” I yelled at the remaining ponies who all saluted quickly and slammed their doors shut in a hurry to get their armor and weapons ready. I turned around to see Luna surprised at me.

        “Lionel, I didn’t think I would ever see this again.” She said approaching me, holding a hoof to my chest. I looked down on her and hugged her bending my neck around hers.

        “I’m sorry Luna, but Celestia has given me no choice but to take charge like this. She may have Twilight, but she doesn’t have even a single Element of Harmony, which is her one crucial mistake, especially since we have the Element of Magic now.” I said coldly releasing my hold on Luna. I quickly kissed her and ran down the stairs to the room that held the Elements.

        I unlocked the door and used the spell on each of the elements quickly putting the knowledge of each bearer into my mind. I sighed realizing each pony was a pony I already knew, one of them being the one who I was about to rescue. One of them is in my squad and the others are friends of her and Twilight. My mind became focused only on getting Twilight back, safe and sound. Even SkyQuill was at the back of my mind, even though she had been captured as well.

        I put the Element of Magic around my neck again this time the magic flowed a bright orange into my mane and I felt myself grow a couple feet. The Element seemed to have a potent effect on me this time, increasing my size and magical abilities. My eyes turned a pure white all the same. I walked out of the room, running straight into General Frost who was half my size now. He simply gawked at me not able to take his gaze off of me.

        “Tis me Frost, art thine troops ready?” I asked, speaking in olden tongue. Much to my surprise my voice held a more regal tone and it was louder than normal. It broke him out of his stupor no doubt.

        “Sir, my troops stand at the ready in the courtyard, what are your orders?” He asked standing at attention. I motioned for him to relax.

        “Thou shalt wait in the courtyard for the other Generals Troops to gather, when all are gathered, from the courtyard we shall depart.” I ordering him towards the courtyard where his troops were gathered. He saluted and made his way to the platform above the courtyard.

        I took only thirty minutes before all the Generals were gathered along with their respective troops that were stationed in the Crystal Empire. I joined the generals upon the platform. I motioned for my squad to come forth onto the platform as well.

        “Listen up everypony! Tis not a night of solitude and love, tis a night of war and breakage of peace. The enemy has broken the long since made peaceful area of Utopia, kidnapping two ponies by the names of Twilight Sparkle, and SkyQuill. Luna and I only recently did receive word from her scribe, Spike. We shall NOT stand idly by as the territory we have long since kept to peace be destroyed by her vile hooves. Tonight, we shall fight! Tonight, we shall rescue Twilight Sparkle, and SkyQuill from her! Tonight we shall return peace to Utopia and the land surrounding it!”

        “Before we do go, amongst my squad lies two of the bearers of Harmony. To which their respective elements shall be bestowed. One being I, the wielder of the Element of Magic, but not the true bearer of this day and age but the bearer of old from a thousand years ago. The other Element, the Element of Loyalty, is bestowed upon its bearer, Sergeant Rainbow Dash.” I yelled motioning Rainbow Dash to stand next to me. Her eyes were widened in shock as the news came out. None wore nothing but the expression of shock.

        She slowly approached me as she realized what this meant. I placed the Element on her neck as it turned its shape into a necklace that created a lightning bolt from the crystal. She grew only slightly under the magic of the Element, but it was noticeable among other pegasi. I motioned for her to stay standing next to me as I continued my speech.

        “Many of you may not return unharmed, whether physically or mentally. Tonight you fight with all you have as this will be a deciding battle as she has the Element of Magic Bearer, without her, the Elements cannot truly be connected to one another. We shall either live in the embrace of night or cease our lives in the grasp of day. We fight for honor! We fight for dreams! WE FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE!” I yelled at the top of my lungs causing a roar to go over the crowd gathered below. “ARE YOU READY!?” I yelled again. “SIR, YES SIR!” They yelled back. I smiled as I wrapped us in an embrace of magic, causing many of them to start whispering to each other.

        I wrapped us in a sphere and teleported us a mile outside of Canterlot castle. No doubt we got their attention as the moment we appeared, you could hear war horns blowing in the distance coming from the Castle city. I looked over the gathered army to see many faces of confusion coming from even the generals and my squad.

        “LISTEN! What has just occurred was a mass long distance teleportation spell, do not let that fear overcome you but let that fear flow to your weapon as you let yourself loose in battle against the Equestrian Legion. Our time is now! TO ARMS EVERYPONY!” I yelled above the crowd, my voice reaching the farthest ends of the army.

        “Separate into squads under the orders of your respective general and stay together, watch each others backs and MOVE!” I yelled again, causing a roar from the army. I turned towards the generals. “May I see you all again at the end of this. Now get to work and we will see you on the frontlines with your squads you command.” I ordered them giving a salute. The saluted back and proceeded to organize their troops.

        “Element Bearer Dash, Sergeant Vasquez, Corporal Rose, and Corporal LightningTwist, you’re with me. We stay together and we fight as one, do not stray far from one another or it may be fatal. Now, let’s move.” I said coldly to my squad. “Sir, yes sir!” They replied, following me down the path.

        Only moments later were we joined by the Generals and their respective troops, separated into 7 squads per general. I trusted their judgement as to who they put in command of each squad and how they would go about this battle. I walked a few feet in front of the army before turning around to address them one last time.

        “To all who shall sacrifice their lives this day, I commend you and tell you, you shall never be forgotten. Your names will be scribed in stone and your legacies will be told for many years to come. They have brought this fight to their doorstep by breaking peace, and kidnapping those of whom were neutral in this war. I will say no more, but know you are in the hearts and minds of everypony here, and those of whom you are fighting for. Now, let’s move.” I yelled turning around again and starting to walk, the Generals and Dash standing on the front next to me in a line. My squad right behind us, then the army we had gathered.

        It took us only about twenty minutes to reach the gathered army of Equestrian Legion, with Celestia, Commander Bolt, the Vice Commander, and her generals on the front line as well. I motioned for the army to halt as me and the generals walked forth to meet in the middle. Celestia and her generals did so as well, stopping seven feet in front of us in the middle of both armies.

        “Celestia, stop this battle before it begins and return Twilight Sparkle and SkyQuill. If you do so I will order my army to return to their posts.” I said coldly, lacing my voice with anger. She rose an eyebrow to me.

        “You will not get her this day or any other day Lost Solstice.” She replied lowering her eyebrow and hardening her gaze.

        “I wish not to take her for my own. She twas a neutral party in this war, yet thou hast broken a peace area in which all could live peaceful. I wish to return her to her home in Utopia, she has done not a thing to thou nor has she done anything to the ones who did take her. Thou dost only wish for her knowledge of which I have given her yet she did not tell me of any knowledge thou hast parted to her either.” I said keeping my gaze on Celestia who only shook her head.

        “Oh, but I will get that knowledge Lost Solstice, just as you have gotten the Elements of Harmony. She may be my student, but any information is worth it.” She said coldly, reminding me of the cold that encompassed her heart. I furrowed my eyebrows in anger.

        “You know not the pain she shall endure dost thee? Not only shall she resent thee, but she will be driven towards taking arms against thee, and her brother. You dare drive apart the family that hast lost but a father and mother leaving them nothing more than one another? Your heart truly hast become cold as stone and clouded by resent your mind has grown. I’ve only one last thing to say to thee before we fight.” I growled through my teeth.

        “Oh and what is that Lost Solstice? That you want to give up?” She said cockily.

        “This message be from one who shalt not reveal till right as time should deem. The night has come for the light and in which you shall be followed. As to Luna I have said you make of this what you will and thou shalt know soon when thou realize it too late.” I said coldly, letting her look at me in surprise.

        “It…It can’t be…” I heard her whisper under her breath as her face grew with worry.

        “Oh Celestia but it is.” I said grinning maniacally. I proceeded to turn around and walk back to our front with the generals in tow. I looked back briefly to find Celestia staring at me in fear. No doubt she realized exactly who it was from.

        It took us only a couple minutes to find ourselves at the front of the army, waiting to charge as we readied ourselves. I cast a spell I had been working on for over two months finally being able to sum up the magic to cast it. I created a plethora of swords and daggers in the air above us creating a strong offense that could also defend us from the pegasi above us.

        We stood at the ready, waiting patiently as the sun rose over the horizon helped by Celestia herself. “CHARGE!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, sprinting at full speed towards the front line, bringing my swords and daggers flying towards the frontline of the enemy army. I was followed by a roar of hooves and battle cries from the army behind me. It was deafening but it did not stop us.

        I jumped high into the air and came down onto the skull of a unicorn whose magic faded quickly as bits of brain matter and skull flew out from where his head used to be. It was shortly followed by the sound of weapons clashing behind me as the two armies clashed. I quickly ducked as a spear flew above me landing itself into the back of a legion soldier. I smirked as I turned to where the spear came from seeing a pegasi flattening his ears against his armor as he heard the cry of pain from his friendly soldier.

        I took this opportunity to kick him into the air then proceeding to cut his wings off with a sword and as he fell down I brought six daggers up through his chest leaving a giant hole where his heart was. His body fell limp on the ground as I was charged by a gryphon clad in golden armor with intricate designs, this was no doubt a captain. I grabbed him as he flew towards me throwing him past me only for him to catch the ground then spin around at full force. He flew towards me kicking me in the chest sending me flying into a crowd where I quickly recovered and took to the air with my assailant.

        We hovered there for a minute. “May you be a Captain?” I said keeping my glare on him hovering a few swords around me in a circle.

        “I am, but you shall not win this fight.” He replied coldly. He dashed towards me as I blocked his talons with a sword.

        “We shall see.” I said calmly, knocking him back with a sword then charging at him, punching him in the stomach sending him hurdling backwards before he caught himself only a couple feet above the ground. He quickly charged at me. As I went to swing he dodged upwards and brought a talon down on my helmet full force knocking me to the ground. I recovered looking upwards to see him coming down at full force about to slam me into the ground. I narrowly dodged it as he hit the ground with a thunderous crack, the ground beneath his talon had cracked.

        I brought a sphere down on his back before he could recover and slammed two swords down on his wings, incapacitating his flight capabilities. He struggled to his feet, panting heavily. I walked over to him keeping my glare concentrated as I started bringing in my weapons for one final barrage. I knocked him into the air with a sphere and levitated him there as I brought all of my daggers and swords slicing through his body. As I let his body out of my field of magic he turned into a rain of blood, bone, meat, and armor.

        I took to the skies again, searching the field for Celestia. She was no where in sight so I decided to help my squad, they were holding their own again a squad of unicorns who were barraging their shield with bolts of magic. I brought a sword down on each of their horns causing them to die from magical backlash as the energy they had in their horns jolted through their bodies.

        I landed softly next to my squad as I put up another shield so that Vasquez and Rose could take a moments rest. “We must get inside the main castle, everypony huddle together for a teleportation spell, I have enough to get us in but I cannot guarantee we will be able to get out the same way.” I ordered flatly. They all obeyed huddling close to me as I started to engulf us in my field of magic and cast the spell, visualizing the throne room from years past.

        As I reopened my eyes I found us to be on top of a meeting table with several ponies, naga, and griffin surrounding it. All of whom looked at us surprised, only one of which did I recognize as Celestia. I quickly cast a sleep spell over the others leaving Celestia as the only awake one.

        “Seems thou hast cowardly retreated leaving your army to fend for themselves. For shame Celestia.” I said snarkily. Creating daggers around her before she had time to respond. “You should tell me where she is before I create swiss Celestia for the world to savor.” I said casting a shadow across my face. She smiled and laughed.

“Coward? Says the one who wants to see me dead after a thousand years of peace. You are a coward fearing change.” She retorted glaring at me.

“Fear change? For I do not fear change, but I fight for change. You feared those around thee because thou hast not a underlying layer of trust left of her subjects, only one of irrationality and insecurity. A coward does not give their life in the name of what is right. Now, Twilight and SkyQuill, speak now or die now, tis your choice Celestia.” I said narrowing my glare, my eyes glowing red.

“You shall find them where the ones who object to the throne are.” She said coldly, keeping a steady glare on me. I gave a smile then cast a sleep spell over her.

        “Goodnight Celestia, may its embrace take thee away.” I mumbled under my breath as I turned towards the main doors. I thrust them open with a strong push sending the guards outside flying down the hallway. They hit the wall with a thunderous crash, knocking them out. “Take haste and only put down if need be, the dungeon is where our targets lie.” I said to my squad who silently nodded as we walked out of the throne room.

        We met surprisingly little resistance as we made our way towards the dungeon. All those we did encounter I dispatched quickly with either a spear or a sleep spell. As we descended the stairs we started smelling the burning of oil from lanterns that lit up the staircase. “Sir, if I may ask, what do you plan to do when we rescue them?” Dash asked from behind me. I looked back at her really quickly before turning my attention forwards again.

        “What I plan to do is teleport them to the Crystal Empire in me and Lunas Quarters. Leaving me with only one choice left for our escape.” I replied. I heard them all stop and freeze, realizing what I meant. “Listen all of you, when they are teleported you are to sum up what energy you have and get the heck out of here as fast as you possibly can. This is an order, heed it or die.” I said flatly, continuing down the steps.

        We had finally reached the bottom floor of the dungeon where Twilight and SkyQuill were supposedly being kept. “TWILIGHT! SKYQUILL! WHERE ARE YOU?!” I yelled down the hallway.

        “Down here!” I heard a voice come from the far end of the hall. I sighed in relief that they were not dead, but it did sound as if she was hurt. I quickly ran down the hall to the door from which the voice had come.

        “Stand back Twilight and SkyQuill! I’m going to kick this door down!” I exclaimed through the opening. I waited for a few seconds before bucking the door as hard as I could, sending the door crashing into the far wall of the cell. I walked inside of the cell as Twilight hugged me as hard as she could. “Tis nice to see thou art alright.” I said turning towards the other figure in the room who was under a blanket in the corner, no doubt traumatized from these events.

        I walked over to the cowering figure grasping the blanket in a field of magic before Twilight put a hoof on my shoulder. “Lionel don’t!” She exclaimed, causing me to stop and look at her with a quizzical look. “If you do, you won’t ever recover.” She said, her eyes pleading for me to stop.

        “Twilight, the pain endured has wrenched my heart enough. I wish to see how she fares before I teleport you two.” I said flatly, grasping the blanket again and tearing it off. What was there caused the world around me to fade with only her there in the middle of my vision.

        I felt anger, sadness, happiness, and hope flood my body. There, staring back at me was Jazmine, my wife. I started to shake as the realization came to me.

        The world flooded back to me as I felt the quaking of my body. “Twilight, know not this shall be discussed soon but take Jazmine in your hooves and ready thyself.” I said lowering my head to allow my flowing mane to cover my eyes.

        “Lionel, I’m so sor-” I cut her off raising a hoof and pointing towards Jazmine who was still crying in the corner. I heard her walk over to her. I looked up only enough to see Twilight grasp her. I imagined my quarters and teleported the two as fast as I could.

        I waved this off as fast as I could turning my attention towards my squad who were all waiting for orders, only Vasquez looked at me with a sad face. “Now is not the time for joy or sadness. Get out of here now.” I ordered them. They quickly took the order and started running down the hall and up the stairs, leaving me in quiet, only the sound of the torches flames crackling.

        “Celestia, you shall pay, not today, but you shall pay.” I said aloud not minding if there were anypony else around me, as all who were around me now were considered enemy. I heard the clopping of hooves coming down the hall now. I readied myself and ran out into the hall only to stop as I saw Faust standing there in front of me.

        “Greetings once again Lost Solstice.” She said happily, giving me a smile. I couldn’t help but glare at her as I felt anger arise once again in my heart.

        “Faust, you must leave now or face death once again. I dare not harm friend if need be, but I know you knew of Jazmine, so I recommend that thee disappear from me for a fortnight as I work this all out.” I said angrily as I felt the despair rise into my heart as well.

        “I shall, but before I do I have only one thing to say to you.” she started, “Alone you are not, the day and nights embrace doth take hold and allows you your life. Take these gifts and bring upon the end.” She finished teleporting out of the dungeon. I looked at where she stood for a few minutes before shaking my head.

        I released Tiamat as all went dark.