MLP FIM: Season 4 Rise of the A.M. (a what if story)

Chapter 17: The Battle

“Ah, look who it is!” cried one of the A.M. laughing at the sight of Dark Heart. “You have quite the nerve showing up,”

“Be quite!” spat Dark Heart, glaring at his former companions. ”I brought a little something for the king,“

“Your Father doesn’t want anything to do with you,”

“He will if he wants to see the princess!” said Dark Heart jerking his hoof at the levitating sack behind him.

At once the A.M. stopped sneering and escorted him through the city. Along the way he saw the eyes of the citizens following him. He wanted to tell them to not worry, but he couldn’t. He only ignored them as he was taken up to the castle where his father and mother were waiting inside at the top stairs.

“Dark Heart…” exclaimed Safire as she saw her son, “I told your father you wouldn’t disappoint.”

Night Blade glared at his son and his eyes switched from him to the closed sack.

“What is that?” he asked coldly.

The two A.M. that stayed by the entrance door approached Dark Heart’s sack cautiously.

“I wouldn’t do that,” warned Dark Heart to the guard who started to poke the sack with his spear.

The sack dropped and once the second guard opened it, he was blasted aside by a burst of magic and when the second guard tried to attack he was hit by a stunning spell. Arthur got himself out of the sack and looked around for any other A.M guards.

Safire looked like she might scream, but her husband held up a hoof and glared down at the two unicorns below them.

“So,” he said angrily. ”So, this is how you earn access to the castle?”

“How else was I going to get in here?” questioned Dark Heart. “Father this has to stop. Please see reason, It doesn’t have to be this way!”

“You sound like Sullivan,” said Night Blade his temper rising. “I was right in suspecting that he had gotten to you!”

“That’s not true!” shouted Dark Heart. “I chose this path on my own! The same way you chose this one!”

“Silence!” boomed Night Blade.

“Father I beg you, give up now. We have the guards of the this kingdom along with Canterlot and Crystal Empire approaching. They want this to end peacefully, but if you continue down this root then they will have no choice but to fight!”

“Then, let them come,” said Night Blade desperate longing in his voice. “I was wrong to let Sullivan live last time and when he comes back I will correct my mistake!”

“What’s happened to you?” asked Dark Heart refusing to believe the evil Alicorn before him was his father. “What happened to the dream of returning to the Sapphire Kingdom?”

“Dark Heart,” began Safire. “Your father’s plan all this time was to return to the kingdom that had betrayed him. And once he did return he would begin a new order! This order!”

“This isn’t the way!” shouted Dark Heart. “Do you really think that what you’re your doing is for the best?! Have you even looked outside?! These ponies are afraid of you! Not worshiping you!”

“Enough!” Night Blade snarled and cast a red beam of light at Dark Heart who was hit by it and slammed to the ground feet behind Arthur.

Before Night Blade or Safire could deal with Arthur next he spoke up,

“Wait! There’s one thing I don’t understand. King Sullivan betrayed you?”

“That’s right!” said Night Blade. “He and the rest of the old fools ran me out all those years ago!”

“But he told me that he was against it and when he managed to track you down, you had already left on your own.”

Safire’s eyes widened. Arthur had said the exact same thing her brother had told her at the ball. Could it be true?

“Did he now?” said Night Blade unfazed by this information. “And did he tell you that he tried to stop me and we wound up having a duel resulting in him loosing a fraction of his left ear!?”

“Yes,” said Arthur.

“I was too dangerous to have around in the old kings eye and I knew that he would never allow me to return. So that’s why I fled.”

“And you couldn’t at least try to make him see that he was wrong about you?”

“And what after that? Be persecuted for the rest of my life. Always being cast aside for being a blank flank? Destined to be alone? I think not! What good could have come from that!?”

“You were not alone! You had Sullivan as your friend! Even if you didn’t see it, he was there for you! Even your wife!”

Night Blade’s anger seemed to have stopped his red eyes looked at Arthur as if he had slapped him. Arthur knew that he had crossed some sort of invisible line and now that he was over it he had to press forward. If they were to have a chance at ending this whole thing peacefully he had to pull the right strings.

“You claim that you were alone, but the reality is that you were not. Even now when you have threatened this kingdom and its neighbors, King Sullivan had taken his sister back because he believed that there was still a chance get you both back. I must admit that I didn’t trust you Safire, but I see now why Sullivan did.”

“Yes,” said Safire eyeing Arthur with ill contempt. “I thought you did and when you shared your doubts with my brother he still defended me. He has never changed. So foolish, so… blind.”

Arthur could tell that he wasn’t getting anywhere with Safire so he switched tactics and returned to face Night Blade who at this point looked like he was battling two fights. One with the possible outcome of ordering his followers to attack the approaching kingdoms and the other he was fighting with his inner self.

“Night Blade, as king, you are responsible for the citizens and your followers. There is still time to end this without conflict. Do what is right, and allow Sullivan and the other rulers in when they come.”

Night Blade looked like he might be sick. His red eyes darted from Arthur to his son who was just now getting up. He cringed his sharp teeth and his horn glowed for a brief second before it stopped.

“Let Sullivan and the other rulers in?” he questioned more to himself than to Arthur. “Maybe if things were different then I could… No, no…”

His red eyes returned to showing hate.

“If I let them in they would only banish me again. I have come to far to give up!”

His voice echoed through the halls.

“These ponies will thank me in the end! In time they will understand! My queen,” he said this by stroking Safire’s face. “Ready our followers for battle.”

Safire smiled affectionately at him and her horn glowed.

“Father, please don’t do this!” cried Dark Heart.

“You may have joined Sullivan’s little fan club Dark Heart, but I will not! So, I ask you… Join us, or watch them all die!”

The Alicorn Amulet glowed red at his last words and Safire teleported out of the castle.

“I hope they know what they’re doing,” said Rainbow dash flying above the marching herd below.

“Do not worry Rainbow,” said Fluttershy flying beside her. “By the time we reach the Sapphire Kingdom there may not be a uh… war.” she said the last word like it was causing her physical pain.

“I hope your right,” said Rainbow Dash.

Below them Twilight walked next to Princess Celestia. Her armor glimmered in the evening’s sunlight. She felt like something inside of her was trying fight its way out when ever she thought about what would happen if the negotiation plan failed. As the army of Canterlot, along with the Sapphire Kingdome’s guards and volunteers of Ponyville trekked though the woods outside of the Sapphire Kingdom they grew alert of their surroundings. They had half expected the creatures inside the woods to give them problems when they ventured on in, but they didn’t. The creatures seemed to understand what was going on and kept to themselves while the army marched through the deep woodlands. That or it was the protection spell that Celestia had casted over them before they entered. Either way, they didn’t stick around to find out.

“I hope Princess Luna makes it,” said Twilight to her teacher and fellow princess.

“I have faith that she will Twilight,” said Celestia.

Before they headed out of Ponyville Luna had refused to join the battle, fearing that if she did, she would be in danger. She didn’t understand why she felt that way, but she refused to join her sister and Twilight and stayed behind with the night guards. While Twilight didn’t understand why Luna stayed behind, Celestia did. Dark Heart was the one who placed a memory spell on her sister making her forget what had happened between her and Night Blade. When they came to the end of the woods they gazed out at the Sapphire Kingdom in the distance.

“This is it,” said Crimson Shield stepping beside the two princesses. “Lets hope those two can talk some since into the situation before it’s too late.”

“And if they don’t,” asked Twilight scared of the response.

“Then, we fight,” said Crimson Shield.

Safire stepped onto the balcony so that she could be both seen and heard. The A.M. turned their heads as they heard their queen’s voice call out to them from the castle. Her voice was loud and carried through the street.

“Alert! My faithful subjects, you are needed! All Anti Marks, prepare yourselves! Head to the gates and meet our enemy! Show them who they are dealing with! Take no prisoners, to war!”

An ear-ringing storm of battle cries spread through the city and castle grounds as ponies in black cloaks flooded the street and marched toward the front gates. The citizens in their homes either locked themselves inside or tried to stop their family members that were new recruits for the A.M. from answering the call to arms. They waited outside the gravel road as in the distance they saw a herd heading strait for them. As the herd approached the open vast open field they spotted a lone A.M. on his way to meet them. His black hood shadowed over his eyes and the army in front of him froze.

“What’s happening?” asked a confused Canterlot Royal Guard. “He’s just standing th… oh my…”

The cloaked A.M. turned to wave his hoof at something behind him and in seconds cloaked and black armored ponies marched forward. Carrying spears, and swords. The unicorns seemed to be the only ones with out tools of war.

“How many do you think there are Princess?” asked Twilight.

“Enough for a fight,” said Celestia worriedly.

“What’s going on?” said Crimson Shield sounding fearful. “There weren’t that many when we left!”

“It appears that they have gained new followers while we were away,” said Sullivan stepping up beside the three mares.

The cloaked pony up at the front of the army behind him lowered his hood to reveal himself as a blue unicorn with a long scar on his face. They waited eyeing each other intensely. It looked like no one was going to take action just yet so one of the guards from Canterlot and the Sapphire Kingdom volunteered to head over and try to negotiate with the A.M. He trotted over to the cloaked ponies that remained stationary. When they came to a stop, they looked at the blue unicorn whose lip curled at them.

“We want to end this as painlessly as possible,” began the Canterlot guard.

“It was foolish to come all the way here without your princess to help you,” said the unicorn smirking wickedly at the two in front of him.

“Listen, we want nopony else hurt,” said the Sapphire guard.

The Unicorn laughed and so did the cloaked herd behind him.

“Oh, we understand, and that’s why if you don’t put up a fight then it will be quick.”

“What will be… Aaaaaahhh!!!!!!”

The unicorns horn glowed and he sent both of them to their knees completely helpless.

“Allow me to retort your offer of negotiation,” said the unicorn as he chucked both of the guards mercilessly back where their Pegasus friends caught them.

The cloaked herd sent a wave of spells being cast directly at the army they faced. Celestia cast a protective shield protecting her subjects as the spell crashed into the invisible shield snapping with loud bangs. The cloaked ponies started to rush toward them, their battle cries fierce and longing to cause physical pain. The Canterlot Royal Guard hurried to the front of the line and left the protection of Celestia’s spell. They galloped to meet the approaching A.M. With earth shattering screams and grunts from both sides. The battle had begun! Swords clashed and spears swung.

“So much for talking things out!” said Crimson Shield spreading her wings and prepared to take flight.

Rainbow Dash hit her hooves together and readied her side of brave Pegasi to fly into battle. The A.M. were faster to think of this and the Pegasi on their side took off and soared toward the fighting ponies below them. Crimson Shield lead her Pegasus allies into the fight and Rainbow Dash watched as they collided with the attacking A.M. in the sky, sending them off course. Rainbow Dash only had to leave the protective barrier and when she did her team followed her. Together they helped Crimson Shield fight off the A.M. and instantly they too were locked in aerial combat.

“Do you hear that?” questioned Night Blade to Dark Heart and Arthur. “The screams of your friends will be the last thing you hear as one by one they all will fall.”

His words were like poison as they sunk deep into the two stallions minds. Safire came back inside the castle. She approached her son and Arthur; a look of meaning edged on her face as she saw the markings on Arthur’s legs.

“Tell me, where did you get those things on your body?”

“I don’t know,” said Arthur truthfully. “I woke up one day and they were just there.”

“Were you not practicing magic the night before?”

“Yes, but King Sullivan told me that it was probably a minor incident.”

“Did he now?!” Came Night Blade’s cold voice. “Just a minor incident? Dear, dear… I never thought I’d see the day when Sullivan would lie to his subjects, let alone his student.”

His words stabbed Arthur like a thousand knives. He felt anger rush through his body and to his horn that gave off a slight spark.

“You have no idea what those markings are do you? I suppose if Sullivan won’t tell you, then I will. That spell you were supposedly practicing was one from none other than Star Swirl The Bearded. He made magic for both light and dark. It just so happens that your spell happens to be one of his dark ones! Those aren’t just for show boy! That I dare say is a curse and you have your precious king to thank for that!”

“Shut up!” Arthur roared, his horn was now glowing.

“Did you not feel the markings expand when ever you tried advanced magic? Did you not feel like you were in control when ever that happened?”

As much as Arthur hated to admit it, Night Blade was right. He did feel that way when ever he tried to cast difficult spells. Did Sullivan know this would happen? If he did then why didn’t he tell him? Arthur felt a new wave of rage flow through him as his horn glowed brighter than ever.

“Careful,” said Nigh Blade carelessly. “Or those marking will continue to grow. I wonder what will happen when they reach their full extent?”

Arthur looked down at his legs in a shock of terror. Night Blade was right. The markings were crawling up his body becoming elongated as they stretched to his neck.

“NO, no! Stop! Stop it!” Cried Arthur, but it was no use, the markings were expanding at an alarming rate. “Dark Heart, get away from me!”

“What’s wrong!?”

“I… I… can’t control it!” Shouted Arthur as his eyes turned white and his body lifted off the ground.

Arthur sent a strong blast of magic through the castle. Both Dark Heart and Night Blade cast shield spells that protected them from being thrown off their hooves. Safire wasn’t so lucky. The force of the blast alone broke her shield and was sent smashing into the wall where she sunk to the floor unconscious. When Arthur drifted down to the floor his markings had stretched from his legs to his face. He ran at Night Blade and teleported out of sight. Night Blade staid on high alert as the overpowered unicorn reappeared behind him and cast a strike of purple light at his back. Night Blade gave out a loud scream as he the spell hit its mark. He quickly turned only to be blasted with another burst of magic. His body flew in the air and his wings spread in order to catch himself. He avoided another spell and dove at Arthur who, didn’t get out of the way in time. He was hoisted into the air and pinned against the ceiling where Night Blade glared at the unicorn who dared to attack him.

“I was going to let you live long enough to watch your king die, but I think I’ll take away his student before his life!” roared Night Blade as his horn glowed.

He gave Arthur a good jab to the stomach before he tossed his body to the tile floor below. Arthur crash landed with such force that he cracked the floor around him. Dark Heart galloped to aid his friend when not Night Blade but Arthur himself cast him aside with a levitation spell. Dark Heart could only watch as his father cast a powerful beam of red light down on Arthur who vanished under its force. The smoke cleared and Arthur’s outline came into view. His body was steaming from the spells power; his eyes were no longer glowing bright. He stared over at Dark Heart as if looking past him and he sunk to the floor and didn’t get back up.

Night Blade landed on the top of the stairs again looking down at his fallen opponent. He felt no remorse, no mercy as the magic flowed through his vanes, filling him with power.

“Incredible,” he said to himself. “This amulet is more powerful than I thought. Not only have I beaten Sullivan, but I’ve overpowered his little puppet too.”

His red eyes found his son who focused on the motionless body of his friend.

“Come Dark Heart,” said Night Blade. “Don’t be a fool, join me and together we can rule over the Sapphire Kingdom and bring it and the rest of Equestria to a new tomorrow! The blanks will at long last have their rewards and those who defy us will alt long last know what it’s like to live as we did. Nothing has changed since I left and there is nothing out there for you if you continue down this road!”

“You’re wrong father!” shouted Dark Heart just as loud glaring up at his father. “Things have changed since then! Sure you may find a few bad ponies here and there, but that doesn’t mean everypony is like that!”

He started up the stairs, taking each stride with purpose.

“Come to your senses, this isn’t you!”

“Ah, but you are wrong my son, this is me. What you see in front of you is what they made! Not only am I more powerful than I could ever imagine, but I feel… Reborn.”

Before Dark Heart could react, he felt his body being lifted and he was flung down the flight of stairs landing sideways. Shaking slightly he stood up only to be launched right against the throne room doors flinging them open. Dark Heart got up again trying to catch his breath as the last hit knocked the wind out of him. He could hear the sounds of screaming and shouts coming from outside. The clouds disappeared to allow the moonlight shine through the throne room’s windows giving the middle section an eerie yet mystifying look. From the hallway the sounds of his fathers hoof steps drew close to the doors. Thinking quickly, Dark Heart galloped behind the throne and hid there waiting for his chance to fight back.

“Come on!” roared a flying Pegasus above the raging warzone as he lead a small group into battle. They dove for the ground, but were tackled by A.M. members.

Now the Pegasi were locked in their own fights that raged on above the ground below. While most were either getting chased or pursuing attackers, others were being caught in mid air and began to fall. The pairs fell, the attackers refusing to let their captive go. Suddenly multiple shadows flew over the fights and before anyone could respond the Pegasi in danger were tackled by a third member. This one wore dark blue armor and a crescent moon symbol was seen on the chest plate. The interceptors grabbed the attackers swinging hoofs while their hostages released themselves from their grasps. On the castle grounds, the sounds of rushing hoof steps were making the ground shake and from out of the mists of battle came dark armored unicorns and earth ponies. All of which swooped into battle lending a hoof to their brothers and sisters in arms.

“Sister look out!” shouted a voice from behind Celestia. As her attacker was sent backwards by a blast of magic.

Princess Luna came galloping forward and together the two lead their forces into the fight. The A.M. had no choice but to fall back to the city as the herd came their way. Some stayed behind only to be blast aside by the two sisters. The fleeing A.M. members took refuge behind barricades hoping that this would keep the approaching herd away. The sounds of fast hoof steps gave them their answer and before any of them could give an order, earth ponies leaped over the barriers and fought the closest enemy. The obstacles stood no chance against the two princesses who made quick work of them with their magic. If the Castle grounds were nothing but chaos, it was nothing compared to how quickly things escalated in the city. Reinforcement’s were sent to aid the A.M. from the castle, store windows were shattered by ricocheting spells, tops and sides of houses were being blown off and the grounds were set on fire by changelings who dive bombed the fighters.

“Applejack heads up!” warned Rarity who sent an approaching changeling into a shop breaking the glass and tipping over manikins.

Mark Cloud and Crimson Shield were teaming up on an A.M. general who showed no sign of wanting assistance. Twilight saw an opening and teleported to help a cornered and frightened Spike and Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie and a group of earth ponies lined up with unicorns in front of them waiting until something charged them. A group of changelings came into view, she gave the order to grab the unicorn’s tails, and the unicorns bowed their heads as rapid bursts of magic shot out from their horns sending their targets soaring out of sight. Rainbow Dash had just finished helping pry loose a fellow Pegasus from an enemy when she was tackled and the two of them shot strait for the castle.

“Do you hear that son?” asked Night Blade looking through the window, listening to the sounds of battle. “That would be the sounds of victory drawing close.”

Dark Heart didn’t answer; he only stayed behind the throne thinking of what he should do.

“I do not wish to hurt you,” said Night Blade. “But if you choose to defend them, then I will have no choice.”

Once again his red eyes flashed as the thought of being betrayed by his only son made his blood boil. A thought came across him. It had to be King Sullivan’s doing. First he took the throne and now he and the rest of the marked ponies had claimed his son.

“You’re wrong about them dad,” said Dark Heart. “They are not as bad as you led me to believe. I’ve seen the good they have. They live in harmony with those without marks. They’ve taught me a lot of things.”

Dark Heart smiled to himself thinking of the one thing that he was missing from the time he had spent with A.M.

“You know I was like you for a time. The constant feeling of an emptiness that couldn’t be filled, hatred toward marked ponies, everything. It wasn’t until somepony showed me magic that I, even you, knew nothing about.”

“Magic that I don’t know? What magic could you have possibly learned? I taught you everything you know!” said Night Blade snickering wickedly.

“Yes, you did. But this type of magic isn’t given to you from a book. No this magic is something else. Something special and once you have it you never want to let it go. The emptiness I had is filled now dad. Would you like to know what new magic I have learned?”

Dark Heart stepped out from his hiding spot and walked down the red rug. Night Blade turned and stared at his son curious to what he was about to say. Dark Heart gave off a new presence of superiority as he stood next to the moonlight. He looked at his father, but instead of reflecting hate back into those ruby eyes he gave a look of pity.

“What’s surprising is that it’s so clear to me now. It’s the one thing you had, but never truly saw. Friendship.”

“What is this nonsense you’re saying?” demanded Night Blade.

“You were offered friendship by King Sullivan long ago and you were given it again by mom when she joined you. But you didn’t accept them. All you saw was just another marked pony.”

Night Blade’s eyes flashed again as a pain all to familiar to him was felt. If there were any tears left to shed, they were lost long ago. The only thing he had left was an emptiness that refused to be filled. He lowered his head and closed his eyes all the while anger was building up inside of him.

“Dad, I’m about to offer you that option again. Only this time, try to see me as not just another marked pony. So, will you accept my friendship?”

Dark Heart rose out a hoof, but his father was beside himself. When he raised his head, opened his eyes, a black miasma wrapped around his red pupils. His black unicorn horn glowed giving off the same color. Dark Heart looked at his father shocked at what the amulet had done to him and knew what was about to happen. Night Blade gave a shriek of furry and cast his red magic. Dark Heart’s horn glowed blue and he cast his own spell. The two collided and the two were feeding the spells from one side to the other. For a moment Dark Heart saw the red magic inches away from his horn and with a burst of newly found energy he shot the magic back at Night Blade. The force of the two spells broke and the two were launched backwards. Night Blade shot up and was about to cast another spell when the sound of a loud thud caught his attention. Turning he saw pinned on a now cracked window was a battered A.M. member and holding him was Rainbow Dash. Her mane ruffled, scrapes were formed on her side and legs and from the looks of it she was exhausted from her resent fight. Her red eyes caught Night Blade ‘s who grinned with nothing but evil intentions as he took aim and prepared to fire the pair of them. Dark Heart launched himself at Night Blade who’s aim was thrown off, but the spell still fired and broke the window sending glass falling to ground bellow. Dark Heart was cast aside with a shot of red magic then was stopped in mid air by a levitation spell. There was no trace of warmth left in Night Blade’s eyes as he lifted his son in the air then slammed him to the ground and up once again.

“If you are not with me,” he spat. “You can join them in death!”

Letting Dark Heart fall through an already broken window would have been too kind. With a turn of his head he sent him smashing into a second window. The force alone sent Dark heart straight through it. Shards of glass were cutting into his face, legs, and back as he felt him self begin to fall. Rainbow Dash let her captive go allowing him to slide down the cracked window while she dove after Dark Heart. She caught him and soared away.

“Ta… Take me back!’ said Dark Heart ignoring the pain.

“Are you nuts?!” replied Rainbow. “No way!”

“I have to finish this Rainbow!” Dark Heart shouted. “I… I would rather it be me than anypony else!”

Reluctantly Rainbow Dash made a tight turn and flew back to the castle.

“Just drop me off on the balcony!” said Dark Heart.

Rainbow lowered herself and when she dropped her passenger, she nodded at him. Dark Heart saw a streak of red light fly past him and hit Rainbow in the back as she turned to fly away.

“No, No, Rainbow!” Dark Heart could only watch as Rainbow’s body came in for a crash landing on the ground.

“It was Foolish for you to come back here boy,” said the cold voice of Night Blade.

“I would want it to be me who defeats you,” said Dark Heart angrily, preparing to cast his spell.

Night Blade laughed his most evil laugh.

“You?! You defeat me?! What a ridiculous thought!”

Their horns began to glow a bright red and purple. They eyed each other and as the moon was being covered once again by clouds. The two cast their spells at each other. The magic collided and the pushing began. In an instant the red and purple magic reached Dark Heart, but then he pushed back and sent his purple magic along with the red back at Night Blade. The Alicorn Amulet began to glow red too and Night Blade felt his neck and chest burn. He closed his eyes concentrating hard to send the flow of magic back at Dark Heart, but the more he focused, the more the amulet burnt him. He couldn’t take it anymore; he screamed and lost focus allowing the two spells to be shot at him. Purple and red magic hit him and when they subsided steam was floating from his body. Night Blade made to rip the amulet off, but the heat was too great. Dark Heart could only watch his dad struggle with trying to pry the amulet off his neck. With every bit of strength he had left in him, Night Blade grabbed the amulet and began to tug. He could feel it burning his hoofs, but he still continued to pull. The sound of static was heard and Dark Heart saw the amulet begin to give off sparks of red magic. The more Night Blade pulled the more the amulet started to loose it’s grip on him. He could feel the amulet getting looser and with one final tug, he threw the accursed thing off him, sending it off the balcony. It landed on the ground below breaking off a wing. Knight Blade felt the two spells starting to take affect as his black horn began to wither away. Dark Heart looked at his dad whose back hooves began to turn to stone. Night Blade’s eyes returned to purple and he looked at his son. He lifted a shaking hoof as the rest of his body turned into a stone prison.

Dark Heart stared at his father and sighed lowering his head. Safire had just entered the throne room and when she spotted Dark Heart and her husband having been reduced to stone she glared at him.

“Mom, I…” began Dark Heart, but Safire turned her back to him and galloped out of the room and within seconds she was outside running through the city barking orders to the fighting A.M. members.

“Retreat! A.M. fall back! To me! It’s over for now, we’re done here!”

Immediately those on the A.M.’s side who could fly picked up the followers who were not laying on the ground and took off after Safire. The sky was filled with changelings and A.M. members as they all flew away into the horizon. For a moment all was silent. The night and day Pegaguards remained hovering in the sky. Then it was like someone had turned up the volume. From the sky and grounds below cheering was heard. Dark Heart was beside himself. They had done it! They won! Dark Heart felt his stomach leap as he remembered his friends Arthur Cloud and Rainbow Dash and he galloped off. He found Rainbow lying sideways a few feet from the balcony. He approached her unsure if he should give her a nudge. There was a singed spot on her back where Night Blade’s spell had hit. He was about to reach his hoof out when wings twitched and she groaned. Dark Heart sighed his relief.

“Rainbow Dash, it’ll be alright the rest of our friends should be heading up here any moment. Just stay where you are.”

“Di… Did we win?” she asked.

“Yeah, we won. Don’t move, just wait here; I need go and check on Arthur.”

Back inside the castle, Dark Heart went back to where Arthur was last. He was laying crumpled on the ground. However, when he nudged him he didn’t respond.

“Leave him be Dark Heart,” said a soft voice from behind.

Dark Heart turned to see King Sullivan standing in the hallway. He looked down at Arthur his expression blank.

“Your majesty...” said Dark Heart and he backed away to allow Sullivan to get to his apprentice.

His head lowered and his horn glowed light blue.

“Is he going to be alright?” asked Dark Heart.

Sullivan didn’t respond and continued whatever he was doing before he lifted his head again and smiled at Dark Heart.

“He should be just fine. A rather nasty headache when he wakes, but other than that…”

Sounds of scared screams were heard outside as they both knew that the crowed Sullivan had beaten up to the castle had found Rainbow Dash’s body. Clearly Sullivan had checked on Rainbow before he came inside the castle for he showed no sign of worry. When the two headed back outside with Arthur on Sullivan’s back they were greeted by an awaiting, cautious crowd.

“Sullivan, did you find them?” asked Celestia worried.

“Yes, now if you excuse me I need to take my apprentice and Rainbow Dash to the rest of the injured.”

“No need your majesty!” called out a pair of unicorn guards. “Allow us!”

They levitated both Rainbow and Arthur onto their backs and headed back to the city’s hospital.

Dark Heart spotted Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy amongst the crowd, but Apple Jack, Rarity, and Spike were missing. Twilight made her way past the crowd and followed the rest of the rulers back inside the castle with a group of guards. No doubt ably they had gone back inside to find Night Blade. Dark Heart went over to Fluttershy who smiled weakly at him.

“How bad is it?” he asked

“Umm… not bad,” replied Fluttershy. “I think they will be fine. It’s nothing too serious.”

There was something in her voice that didn’t sound too reassuring.

“Fluttershy, what happened to them?” asked Dark Heart.

Fluttershy sighed and began to tell him what was going on while he and Arthur were fighting Night Blade.

“We thought that we wouldn’t be able to take anymore charges. A lot of us had already fallen even with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor returning. Then Princess Luna showed up and gave us all an extra push for another attack. We made the A.M. run into the city, but then the changelings came to their aid and we were back to square one. Rarity and Apple Jack got ambushed by group of changelings. By the time anyone got to them, they were already beaten up pretty bad.”

“What about Spike?” asked Dark Heart.

“Oh, he’s fine. He’s in the hospital watching over Rarity,” said Fluttershy.

Of course Dark Heart thought to himself. It was practically known to everyone in Ponyville that Spike had a crush on Rarity and for him to be with her in the hospital was only to be expected. When he and Fluttershy entered the hospital there wasn’t a bed that wasn’t in use. Doctors hurried passed them with volunteered earth ponies that carried extra beds from the furniture store. Making their way past the working nurses and doctors they found Spike standing on a stool over a white unicorn.

“I saw them bring in Arthur,” said Spike sniffing. “What happened to him?”

“His magic got too strong and then those strange markings on his legs immerged on his neck and face too,” said Dark Heart.

He looked down at Rarity. Her white coat bruised and dirty. The once neatly tightened purple mane was now reduced to a tangled mess. Looking at the beds around her he spotted the half covered bodies of Apple Jack, Arthur Cloud, and Rainbow Dash. Apple Jack’s hat lied beside her horribly dented. The part of her orange mane that used to be in a ponytail was gone. Scratches and formed bruises were visible from where Dark Heart stood. Over at Arthur’s bedside was his older brother Mark who looked on as his wounds were being treated. He wondered how many had actually survived the battle and how many had fallen. A nurse that was working on Rainbow Dash put a green type of paste on her burnt back making her tense up.

“How is she?” Dark Heart asked the nurse when he approached them.

“She should be fine,” replied the nurse, as she made sure that she had put on enough paste. “I shutter to think of what could of happened if she wasn’t brought here a moment later. Most of the damage is on the outside, so this should do the trick. After that she like the rest of the Pegasus will have to go through wing inspection.”

Dark Heart thought that Rainbow would object to this if she could, but even she knew that she was in no condition to do so. The rest of the time spent in the hospital went by in an uneasy silence. Once or twice the ponies around them shifted in their sleep. Spike put his hands on Rarities bed side when this happened expecting her to wake, but took them off when waking up was the last thing on any of their minds.

A nurse with a clipboard hovering next to her took notes as she passed by. The three beside Rarities bed caught a glimpse at what was being written down on the board as the nurse passed by. On a piece of paper was written the total amount of ponies, those who have fallen, and those who had survived.