Chapter 18: Departure Once More

Sounds of distant chatter caught Arthur’s attention. He might have been sleeping, but the next thing he knew, a terrible spike of pain was felt in his head. His hooves touched his head and he felt himself swaying back and forth. The pain was like his very skull had been set on fire. He felt his arms being pulled away and something wet and soft was placed on his forehead. For a moment the pain was still there but then it started fade. Not entirely though, it was almost as if something had caused his head to go numb and he fell back into darkness.

Arthur opened his eyes slightly, just enough to see where he was. This wasn’t the castle. What had happened? How long was he out? Did they win? All these thoughts came swimming in and before he was about to sit up he tilted his head to see his older brother talking to a tall brown pony who’s voice was all too familiar.

“As I said before Mark, your brother’s magic has been growing for some time,” said Sullivan. “I brought him under my teaching in hopes that I could teach him how to control sparks of great power.”

“By doing what? Marking him?!” spat Mark. “He is just a kid Sullivan!”

“Those marks on his legs were there after a month of studying,” said Sullivan calmly. “I knew what I was dealing with as soon as I saw them. Arthur will grow to be a powerful unicorn, but first he must learn to control his own magic.”

“I don’t get you,” growled Mark. “Why did you let him continue his studies? Why didn’t you stop him?”

“Oh, I did try. I hoped that sending him to the Equestria Games would have been just the thing to set his mind away from it. Alas, I was mistaken. Even there his magic was proving to be more consequential.”

“So he’s stuck with the markings?” asked Mark looking mad.

“Not exactly,” said Sullivan. “I have been working on a way to help him get rid of them,”

“Please tell me you have found something,” said Mark.

“It’s tricky, but until I’m sure that it will work it is crucial that your brother has to stay in control over the markings.”

Sullivan looked down at his awoken student and added, “Do you understand what you have to do?”

“Yes,” said Arthur in response.

Now his brother and the other ponies by his side came to comfort him.

“What happened?” asked Arthur.

“Don’t you remember?” asked a familiar voice from his left.

It was Dark Heart.

“All I remember is Night Blade telling me what my markings are and then…” Arthur felt like there was something clogging his throat as he tried to say what he had feared would be true.

Sullivan sighed.

“That wasn’t how I wanted you to find out.”

“Then what was?” questioned Arthur feeling mad at the saddened unicorn. “When were you going to tell me that the spell was a curse?”

Sullivan opened his mouth ready to answer, but closed it knowing that there was nothing he could say to lift his student’s spirits this time. The only thing that came to mind was “I’m sorry.” but it would sound more like an insult. Sorry was when you step on some ones tail, or arrived late to a meeting. This was as far away from sorry as you can get.

When the rest of Twilight’s friends awoke, they were greeted by relieved smiles. Arthur found Twilight and embraced her in a hug. When they broke apart Twilight looked at Arthurs battle damage and felt guilty for not being quick enough to help him and Dark Heart out.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Arthur reassuringly. “Dark Heart seemed to have managed well on his own.”

When she didn’t look convinced he did something that he never thought he would do in this situation. Reaching out a hoof he gently lifted her chin up and placed his head against hers so that their horns touched.

“I’m fine really, we’re all just fine. Don’t worry.”

Twilight closed her eyes and smiled as her breathing became relaxed. She couldn’t help but to feel something in her chest as they stood in the same position for a while. It became even more apparent to Twilight that her friends were doing all right considering the circumstances and in no time Pinkie Pie was cracking jokes with them and they laughed in their beds.

Outside Dark Heart watched as the stoned prisoned body of his father was carried out to the back of the castle and placed gently on the grass. The guards that have joined him and Sullivan eyed the statue with loathing, thinking that this treatment was too soft for a unicorn like him. King Sullivan and Dark Heart on the other hoof looked at Night Blade with wonder.

“Do you think he got the message?” asked Dark Heart.

“Only time will tell,” replied Sullivan. “Until then, I think its best to let him think things over in his sustained animation.”

“Will he stay this way?”

“Again, only time will tell, but when he is finally released one way or another I hope he can at last let go of his hate.”

Dark Heart sighed thinking of his mother. The look she gave him was one of pure hatred. There was no doubt in his mind that as long as she was still around to lead the A.M. and if the changelings were still their allies, then his and everyone else’s troubles were far from over. He and the rest would face them again and whenever that day would come hopefully they will put an end to it.

The rebuilding stage of the aftermath was worrisome at first, but with everyone pitching in to lend a hoof, the three kingdoms returned to their normal states. Well almost normal… The Sapphire Kingdom’s citizens were brought the news that the possibilities of their marks being returned to them was low. Their disappointment was short lived when one filly had discovered her talent again and found herself with a new cutie mark. Everyone else who was affected by Night Blade’s spell began to grow back confidence. Sure the road for them would be long, but in time they would be given back their marks or perhaps find a new talent. The statue Night Blade was left in the back of the castle where Sullivan ordered it to be undamaged and be given extra security fearing that the citizens would be willing to take revenge on his friend’s frozen form. For some time the citizens did try to do harm to the statue. Horrible graffiti and cracks were placed on the stone stand. They only stopped when they put their anger aside and realized that doing harm to the statue unicorn would only make them just as bad as the A.M.

Ponyville awoke to the sun’s rays shining down on them. Arthur was in his apartment room packing his belongings. There was knock at the door and he went over to open it. Twilight was there and offered to help him with his bags. Outside, Twilight’s friends stood beaming up at them.

“We’re sure gonna miss ya Arthur,” said Apple Jack taking off her hat.

“Are you sure you need to go darling?” asked Rarity.

“When do you think you’ll come back?” enquired Pinkie Pie.

“Yes, Rarity, its time I leave,” said Arthur. “I was here to protect Princess Twilight and seeing that my job is done for the time being, I have to return to my kingdom. As for when I’ll return…I don’t know you’ll just have to wait and see.”

“That’s quite a way of saying goodbye,” said Rainbow Dash waspishly.

“You think so?” asked Arthur. “OK then how’s this? Goodbye girls, I hope to see you again some day.”

“Just get to the train already!” roared Rainbow Dash. “The sooner you’re gone the better.”

“Now whose the jerk hot head?” said Arthur smirking as he and Twilight reached the bottom step.

Rainbow Dash blushed and turned her back to him.

“All in seriousness though, I will miss all of you.”

He was embraced in a group hug and felt his face go red with embarrassment.

“Ah, there you are,” came Dark Heart’s voice.

The group turned to look at the approaching newcomers.

“Hey Dark Heart, since when did you and Luna patch things up?” asked Arthur grinning at him.

Princess Luna was walking beside Dark Heart. She felt a blush forming as she tried to hide her face with her wing.

“Don’t be an idiot!” snapped Dark Heart. “She is far from trusting me again and she and her sister are here to say their farewells.”

“Then why are you here?” inquired Twilight.

Now it was Dark Hearts turn to blush.

“Lets just head on over to the train already.” He growled.

Giggling to themselves the girls headed over to the train station where the Friendship Express was waiting for its passengers to board.

“You are welcome back anytime,” said Celestia.

“Thank you Princess,” said Arthur bowing his head appreciatively. “I won’t forget my time spent here. Thanks to all of you; you showed not just me but Dark Heart too just how important friendship can be.”

“Wow,” said Dark Heart shaking his head. “And I thought my lines could get cheesy.”

Luna nudged him hard in the ribs, which made him flinch.

“Anyway, Dark Heart are you sure you want to stay behind?”

“Yes, I think I’m needed more hear than at the Sapphire Kingdom. You just be sure to keep you magic under control. Otherwise I or one of us will have to knock you out again.”

“I will,” said Arthur knowing perfectly well how important it was for him to control his magic.

The train gave off a loud whistle signaling the final boarding call. Twilight lowered Arthur’s bags and he took them.

“You will come back to visit us?” she asked.

Arthur smiled at her.

“Of course I will your highness.”

“Can you do me a favor? Just call me Twilight.”

Arthur nodded his head in agreement and gave her and the rest of his friends a final hug goodbye and boarded the Friendship Express where he waved to them form out of his car window. As the train picked up speed and became nothing but a speck in the distance they knew that when Safire or Queen Chrysalis unleashed their wrath upon them again, they would be ready and most importantly, they knew that they wouldn’t be facing them alone.

Author's Note

And that concludes the MLP FIM Season 4 Rise of the A.M. (a what if story)
I hope you enjoyed reading and I hope that you will enjoy reading future projects as well .