Second Chances

There was absolute silence in the courtyard. Everypony stared at the broken body in front of Twilight. The black creature started to laugh again. "I did it! I killed the ruler of the Nightlands. We have won, nothing can stop the Nox from taking over the world. I can now take my rightful place as King Umbra, Tyrant of Evil."

Twilight looked up at King Umbra, eyes blazing magenta. "How dare you! I only found out he was still alive this morning, and now he's gone again. Do you know how it feels to have your heart ripped out twice? I'll make you wish you were never born." With a scream, her mane changed from its normal purple mist to crackling black flames. She ran towards the unnatural creature, firing bolts of magic. King Umbra collapsed into a dark mist, letting the projectiles strike the courtyard wall. The wall vanished in a flash of light, leaving behind a haze of dust. Twilight froze, looking around for the monster that had attacked her lover.

"Do you actually think you have a chance of defeating me?" The disembodied voice rang through the air. "I am Darkness, your precious Friendship is useless against me. The power within your friends has been drained, Harmony can no longer help you today. But you and your friends don't have to suffer the same fate as Darkened Sky. Give in to the darkness in your hearts, I know you can hear it speaking to you. Join the Nox and become more powerful than you could ever imagine. You would all be gifted with immor—Ahhh!"

The offer was cut off by a blaze of light sticking the courtyard. When the light cleared, Celestia, Luna and Cadance stood pouring power into a orb of magic around King Umbra. Celestia shouted something above the roar of magic, pointing at Twilight.

"What? I don't know—Oh, magic." Twilight sent a blast of pure power at the orb. The pool of magic shrunk around the captive king, forcing him to curl into a ball. There was a flash of of lighf and Twilight felt herself leave the ground, sight fading to black as she heard a sound like breaking glass.

Pain was the first thing Twilight felt, pain everywhere. She tried to rub her pounding head, and found her forelegs wouldn't respond. If fact, she couldn't move anything. What's going on? Why can't I move?

"What do you mean she doesn't have that level of power? You saw her fire that spell, that came completely from her pool."

Twilight tried to open her eyes unsuccessfully. What are they talking about? My head hurts so much.

"I was with her that morning. She didn't even have enough energy to fly, let alone the fireworks she pulled off during the fight. She drew that power from somepony else, and it couldn't have been the other Bearers. They were drained from using Harmony to defeat Trixie Deathmoon. Sister, you must accept the fact that the end is nearing."

Let's try this again. Twilight slowly moved her right hoof a few centimeters away from her body. "Uunn. Mmm."

The two Ponies ceased their argument. "My dear Twilight, you're finally awake. Over the next few minutes, the sedatives in your body should wear off. There is much we need to discuss."

Twilight felt a hoof caress her muzzle. I must have passed out after whatever spell we did. I hope the others are alright, I really don't need any more dead—don't go there, focus on moving. Slowly, she was able to move her upper body with relative ease. Opening her eyes, she found herself in a private hospital room, much like the one Darkened Sky was in before his execution. Tears started flowing from her eyes. "Celestia, what happened? I remember light and noise, then nothing but darkness."

"You poured so much raw magic into my reversal spell that it exploded. The backlash sent you flying, all the way back to Ponyville. Thank goodness the rest of your friends followed Darkened Sky's advice and ran. They could have been killed by that blast. As it is, you've been unconscious for a day and a half." Celestia helped Twilight sit up and drink some water.

"Nopony else was hurt?" Twilight took an other sip of water.

"All of them are fine. We actually had to threaten to keep Darkened Sky asleep until he healed enough to come visit you." Luna received a face full of water and Twilight's saliva.

"He's alive! Why didn't you start with that? I thought he was dead! I thought he was murdered right in front of me!" Twlight threw her glass across the room.

Celestia placed her hoof over Twilight's mouth. "Please don't shout, there are other patients in the castle. Yes he's alive. He simply passed out from the pain of being hit with magical lightning three times."

'B-But his eyes, and the words and blood everywhere!" She looked between Celestia and Luna a few times.

Luna smiled grimly. "Did you check to see if he was still breathing before assuming he was dead? Bat ponies eyes change to black when they fall asleep. It's a defense mechanism to prevent most predators from attacking them while venerable."

Twilight looked at the sheets, face red from shame. "I didn't check. I let that, thing, get me enraged. What did happen to, whatever that creature was?"

Luna's smile disappeared. "King Umbra was removed from Black Nightmare's body. Black Nightmare is currently in a coma, but can still dream. He is a Dracorn, and the King of the Nightmares. A long time ago, he was once my friend. We got into an arguement and he ran off, I hadn't seen him since then."

"So, the same type of thing that happened to Trixie, happened to him?"

Luna glanced at her sister. "Yes, and the same thing is going to happen to both Darkened Sky and Celestia. Celestia has a few months before she loses herself. Unfortunately, Darkened Sky only has about two weeks before we will lose him. And this time, he won't ever be coming back. The stallion you knew as Darkened Sky will cease to exist, along with any freedom or hope on this planet."