Author's Note

With so much going on this is all I could get done so far. I'm working on the next chapter as I post this. Hopefully I can get these out without issues. Hope you all enjoy

Chapter 15

Midnight walked through the old cave tunnels that ran under the castle. He came to an opening to a huge room and in the middle of this cave the moon was shining bright through the opening in the roof. In the middle a hooded mare stood “You're running late.” The hooded mare said seeing Midnight standing there at the entrance of the cave.

“I’m sorry, it’s been sometime since I’ve been in these caves.” He said standing in front of her “I hope you had no trouble getting here.”

The hooded mare moved her hood away and her red and yellow mane fell to the side and her red eyes looking at him “Getting here was hard, seems the trains are being packed with humans these days.” She looked into his eyes as she placed a hoof on his cheek “It’s been so long since I’ve seen your beautiful face.”

Midnight laughed “I should be saying the same thing about you.”

“I’ve been so busy over seas that I've missed so much.”

“It’s not your fault, you wanted to help the ponies over seas bring human’s peace.” He said placing a hoof on her cheek “I’ve heard so many stories of humans becoming right hands of Kings and Queens as free people. You’ve made a difference to so many people over there.”

A tear rolled down her cheek “Now I’m home and it’s still the same, humans still in chains while ponies who support their freedom are locked away as traitors in many towns that aren’t running with traitor guard ponies.”

“Things are changing Sunshine. The Crystal Empire have freed the human’s and have given them a life there.” He said “Celestia is making sure she can get as many humans she can there.” He smiled.

Sunshine looked at him “I’m surprised you’re smiling after what Celestia did.”

“Celestia isn’t to blame, from what I know her father is to blame.” Midnight said “Sunset is on her way to the old ruins to met up with Night, he survived.”

Sunshine eyes widen as tears ran down her cheek, her son was alive “I’m coming with you.”

Midnight smiled as they made their way out of the cave.

Applejack laid in her bed, tears running down her cheek. Her home was taken from her and everything her parents worked for was taken from them.

She rolled over and saw Matthew sound asleep in a chair near her bed. She couldn’t help but slightly smile. Since the news reached everypony about her farm being taken from her family. Everypony has tried everything to try and cheer her up. Yet it was Matt that seemed to make her smile after the news. He’s just been by her side throughout everything. She thought he left to go to his room yet here he is sound asleep in a chair.

She saw saw his hand on the bed. She placed her hoof onto his hand as she looked at him. She felt more calm and relaxed. She felt his fingers lightly wrap around her hoof. She saw his eyes were closed still.

Her eyes began to close as she held his hand. A light orange began to glow around her hoof and a light blue light began to glow around Matt’s hand.

The orange light slowly made it’s way around Matthew’s body as the blue light wrapped around Applejack’s body.

Applejack found herself standing in a cornfield, she had no clue where she was till she saw Matthew picking corn and placing into a wagon. She could see other human’s putting corn into the wagon “Matt, do ya know where we’re at?” Applejack asked walking up to Matthew, she went to place her hoof went through Matthew making her jump back as she was starting to freak out.

“Calm yourself Applejack.” Applejack heard a male voice making her turn around to see a man with armor on.

“W-Who are ya? What is goin’ on here!?” Applejack was panicking.

“This is Matthew’s past.” The man said to her “Your element is connecting with Matthew’s mind allowing you to see into his mind.”

“H-How do ya know this? Who are you?” Applejack asked.

“I’m just a spirit my dear.” The man said walking up next to her “I’ve connected to the elements along time ago Applejack, you are accessing the memory of something in Matthew’s life that has made him feel good and that has hurt him.”

Applejack saw a filly and a colt come running up towards Matthew as they hid under the wagon “Alright, you grab a piece of corn while I keep this human from seeing you?”

The filly nodded as the colt slowly made his way out from under the wagon only to have Matthew bend down making the two freeze “Here, take two.” Matthew said giving the two some corn “Just make sure you don’t get caught.”

The two nodded as they took the corn and took off running “YOU LET THOSE BRATS TAKE MY CORN!” Applejack saw a unicorn standing there his horn glowing as Matthew was brought to his knees.

“T-They looked hungry, I-I thought i-it would be alright.” Matthew said stuttering.

“You aren’t allowed to think you useless human!” Matthew felt the magic wrap around his body “I’m going to show you what happens when you give away my corn!”

Matthew was dragged back to the farm as the storm clouds were being placed around the farm.

Matthew felt his hands be placed around the fence post as rope wrapped around his wrists “Alright boys! It’s time we teach our new human what happens when you disobey.”

Applejack watched as two other stallions came walking out of the barn as they were using their magic to carry their rum bottles with them “We’re gonna have a good whipping tonight.” Rain started to fall to the ground as the three stallions began this attack on Matthew. The sound of the whip cracked as Applejack heard Matthew let out a muffled scream.

Applejack rushed to Matthew tried to stop the stallions from whipping Matthew only to have her hoofs go right through them “You cannot change what has already happened Applejack.” The man said as Applejack slammed her hoof down.

“This isn’t right! He was only tryin’ ta help those poor kids!” Applejack heard the whip crack and Matthew let out a yell “STOP IT!” She yelled.

The rain fell to the ground and the stallions were laughing as the whip cracked over and over again as they poured rum on his open wounds. Applejack’s anger grew as she watched the stallions hurt Matthew. Tears fell down her cheeks and her rage broke as she let out a scream “LET HIM GO NOW!”

Applejack eyes shot open to see Matthew sitting up and looking at her with a worried look on his face “M-Matt, ya alright?” She asked looking at him.

“Y-You screamed, let him go in your sleep.” Matthew said nervously.

“I’m sorry Matt, ah just just had a nightmare is all, ah’m alright now.” She said giving him a warm smile “Ah didn’t mean ta scare ya.”

“I-If you don’t mind me asking, what was the nightmare about?” Matthew asking making Applejack blink.

“I-It was about timberwolves, there were tryin’ ta take Big Mac.” She said “Matt can ya give a hand to the bathroom?” Applejack asked wanting to get cleaned up and get ready for her family to show up. Matthew nodded and helped Applejack into her wheelchair and he wheeled her into the bathroom “Ya can leave me be.”

“I’m sorry Applejack, but I can’t do that.” He said making Applejack looking at him funny “You’ve been trying to clean yourself up and I noticed dirt in some places.”

Applejack felt embarrassed that she missed the dirt “A-Ah can handle it Matt.”

“With all do respect Applejack, I can help, please let me help you.” She looked at him as she saw that he wished to help her clean up. She looked at the bath and sighed.

“Alright, why don’t ya get the bath ready.” Applejack watched as Matthew moved over towards the bathtub and started the water.

Applejack watched as he put some bubble bath into the water allowing the soap to make bubbles. Matthew then helped Applejack into the bathtub “Ya can wash mah back first.” She said blushing.

Matthew nodded as he grabbed the washrag and began to scrub Applejack’s back. Applejack felt his finger run across her back and it felt amazing to her. She could help but close her eyes as he moved his fingers up and down her back.

She felt his fingers move from her back and across her belly. She couldn’t believe how amazing his fingers felt on her fur.

Applejack then felt Matthew’s hands move up from her belly “Want me to wash your mane?”

“I-If you want too.” Applejack stuttered as Matthew started his work on her mane. She felt his fingers running through her mane. She couldn’t believe how amazing his fingers felt. How they rubbed through her mane. She began to blush when a thought of his fingers going somewhere else.

Matthew helped Applejack dry off and began brushing her mane. Applejack looked in the mirror as she saw Matthew brushing her mane “T-Thank you Matt for ya help.”

She saw Matthew smile “No need to thank me Applejack, I like to help.” She saw him blush a bit. She couldn’t help but smile and feel happy with Matthew helping her out.

There came a knock at the door “I’ll get it.” Matt stood up and walked out of the bathroom and towards the door. He opened it to see Rainbow Dash standing there “Hello Miss Rainbow.”

Dash looked at Matt with a strange look “Do I have the wrong room?” Dash asked looking around the hall way.

“If you're looking for Applejack, she’s in the bathroom at the moment.” Matthew said.

“Why are you in her room?” Dash asked.

“I’m giving her a han-” Matthew’s words were cut off as Dash pushed him aside and made her way into the room “Applejack! We need to talk!” Dash yelled into the room making Matthew wonder what is wrong.

Applejack walked out of the bathroom on the three good hoofs “What in tarnation is goin’ on out here?”

“I need to talk to you, Matthew if you can please leave us alone that would be nice.” Dash said looking at Matthew.

“If ya need ta talk, ya can talk with Matt in the the room.” Applejack said looking at Dash.

“It’s alright Applejack, I can wait outside.” Matthew said walking out of the room leaving the two to speak.

Applejack looked at the door as it closed “What is it you need to talk about?”

Matthew stood outside of Applejack’s room. He kept his head low as the guards walked by. He didn’t wish for the guards to harm him “What are you doing standing outside of Applejack’s room?” Matthew looked up to see Princess Celestia standing there with a concern look on her face.

“Miss Rainbow Dash wanted to speak with Applejack alone.” Matthew said giving Celestia a smile “Did everything go well with the banks?” He asked. Matthew notices Celestia’s face became sadden. He knew already what had happened “Princess, can I ask you for a favor?”

Celestia blinked “W-What do you need?”

Matthew looked at the door to make sure no pony was gonna walk out, he then looked back at Celestia “Applejack’s cousin still owns me, i-is there any chance you can buy me?” Celestia mind started racing. Her grandson wanted her to buy him “I-I wish to remain by Applejack’s side. If Braeburn came calling… H-he could take me away… I can’t leave her side.” Matthew could feel the tears starting to form.

“Matthew, I’ll do what I can, you won’t ever be taken by that stallion.” Celestia said walking up towards him “You have my word, I’ll buy you so he cannot take you.”
Matthew smiled “Thank you Princess.” Matthew could feel a tear roll down her cheek as he was happy to know he’ll remain by Applejack’s side.

“I need to address a few things, if you could have Applejack meet me in the library.” She said leaving Matthew by the door.

Matthew watched as Celestia walked away. He felt at peace knowing Princess Celestia would own him instead of Applejack’s cousin.

Matthew looked out the window and could see the sun shining bright. He couldn’t help but smile.

Matthew stood next to Applejack as the train pulled into the station. Applejack’s ears were lowered and her eyes were filled with sadness, her farm was lost and there was nothing she or anypony could do to get it back.

“I vow Applejack, you will one day have your home back.” Applejack looked up at Matthew to see his eyes full of rage.

The train whistle went off as everypony started to board the train. Applejack went to speak when Twilight stepped towards them “I have everything we’ll need for the journey ahead of us!” Twilight was excited and it showed to everypony.

“You remembered to pack my rubies right Twilight?” A young dragon said walking out of the train with a small bag in his claws.

“SPIKE!” Twilight nearly yelled rushing over towards the dragon and hugging him.

The dragon hugged her back “I was so scared when I heard your train was attacked.” The dragon said as he hugged her tighter.

“Do not worry Spike, nothing shall harm anypony while I’m here.” Everypony looked to see Princess Luna standing there with a smile on her face.

“P-Princess L-Luna, what are you doing here?” Twilight asked while stuttering.

“I thought I would join you on this journey. I’ve always wanted to see what became of the human’s home as I was never allowed to see it.” Luna said “And I thought it was unfair that Cadance gets to join the train ride there.”

“Only reason I get to enjoy the train ride is because it’s the trainline home and my train is safer with my crystal guards protecting us on the journey there.” Cadance said with a big smile.

“If everypony is ready let us get going!” Twilight said as everypony began to board the train.

Matthew was stopped by Night Fire “Remember, report to me if you see anything funny.”

“I plan on it Captain.” Matthew said as they both made their way onto the train.

Matthew walked into the train car and saw everypony taking their seats “Matt! Over here!” Applejack called out from her spot.

Matthew walked over and sat down next to Applejack, Matthew notice Rainbow Dash was sitting across from them. Matthew notices something strange about Rainbow Dash the moment he sat down, her eyes were filled with something he’s never seen before.

Matthew felt the train move “Our journey is underway.” Matthew thought as the train moved.

Celestia sat within her room as she looked at the painting Matt had painted for her. A gust of wind blew through her window as fire lit up the night sky. The alarms began go off “No!” Celestia went to rush towards the window to see what was going on when she was sent flying backwards.

“I’ve returned like I said Celestia!” Celestia slowly got back to her hooves as she saw a hooded figure standing in her window “From this day forwards, I am the new King of Equestria!”

Celestia’s horn began to glow bright yellow “You’ll have to get past me!” Her magic was stuffed out as a black magic surrounded her horn “I have the books now Celestia, no alicorn can ever defeat us in battle.”

Celestia felt her power being taken from her “There is still three alicorns out there that can defeat you!”

The hooded figure laughed “Luna, Twilight and Cadance. The three shall fall and I shall still stand as king!” Celestia watched as the figure’s red eyes looked at her “For years I’ve tried to weaken your light and yet you kept strong. The curse I forced upon you was a mistake. I should have killed you instead, Luna was more easier to turn to the darkness.”

Celestia felt her voice be taken from her as she felt chains wrapped around her hooves and horn and neck “I still need you alive however. I need the spell for the sun and moon, without them my rule will not be forever.” The hooded figure used his magic to place Celestia outside “Look at your kingdom now, it has fallen!”

Celestia saw griffin armies moving throughout the city “The proud kingdom of the sun and moon now covered by darkness!” Banners fall over the walls and towers with a glowing red eye and the moon and sun covered in blood “The age of darkness has returned to the land once again.”

Celestia watched as the griffin’s were moving around the city “Now, it’s time for the griffin’s to stay my allies.” A blood red light engulfed the city as the griffin’s wearing the armor began to glow blood red. The griffin’s began to change colors, their feathers turning blacker then the night skies and their eyes a hellish red “Soon every creature shall become enslaved in the darkness.”

The hooded figure smiled as he dragged Celestia way. A single tear fell down her cheek as her finale thoughts were of her sister, She hoped Luna would be safe.

The hooded figure looked out over his new kingdom “Master? Should we worry about the elements and Luna? They could be a threat.”

“The elements are nothing to me, my magic is stronger now that I have the books.” The hooded figure removed his hood and throwing it to the side with his magic “I’ve gained back my youth, soon I shall gain back my army.”

“And what about me master?” The mare asked

“In due time my student. I’m now king, as king I must first make sure nothing stands in my way.” The stallion stood before the mare, his black mane blowing in the wind as his red fur sent a slight shiver down the mare’s spine “I need you to head north, the crystal empire holds on thing I shall need to reclaim the army of stone.”

“Why do you need this army of stone? You have control over the griffin army now.”

“Stone has no free will. Not all shall become my slaves. Souls of stone are easy to control.” He moved towards the window as a crown of golden fire surrounded his head “Grab the stone heart hidden within the library and bring it back here as fast as you can.”

The mare left the king to look upon his new kingdom “King Silver Heart has returned!”

To Be Continued.