Not alone in life, but alone in the darkness

by BloomingStar

Rating: everyone
Tags: Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Romance, Original Character, Tragedy, Slice of Life
Length: 8319

Eternum encountered a mysterious pony who is said to be a family relative and part of a dark tribe. He also said that Eternum was the forgotten member of the tribe when he was still an infant.

Second part of the Shard Vine saga. Eter encountered strange pony whose said to be in relation to him. What he not know is the fact that this stranger is more different and that he's also different because he's based from a ancient tribe.

Published 2014-01-05 23:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-17 22:01:18 UTC

1 - A relative matter

January 4

It was a bright day at Sweet Apple Acres, Eternum helped the Apple Family in bucking the trees, cleaning inside the barn, and organizing the stockings. After a while, he played with Apple Bloom, playing the game tag and racing from the barn to the edge of the waterfall. It was very tiresome to him, but he doesn't mind at all for it was the best thing for a good memory. The two walked to the park, chatting any topics they can think of, then sitting at the same bench to rest up their hooves. The two looked up at the sky, viewing the clouds normal and the ones that are in different forms. After an hour, Apple Bloom fell asleep, Eternum placed his right hoof at her shoulder as she was leaning at his side. Eternum enjoyed the moment with her, but after a while, he recalled the note he read a few weeks ago, feeling so curious about this mysterious pony being there for him when the time is right. Eternum thought of this to himself,

"I don't know this pony's reason to ever write one of those words which cannot make sense to me, but I'm gonna find out why. I just need to make sure Apple Bloom avoids getting involved at this, I don't want her to be in danger."

Eternum continued to hold her while breathing heavily. After a while, Apple Bloom woke up, looking at Eternum's face being feared at something. She was very worried so she asked him,

"Are ya alright, pardner?" She asked at a normal volume.

"Wha...uh...yeah. I'm fine," said the young colt.

"Are ya sure? Ya looked so pale."

"Don't worry, I'm just feeling tired still."

"Okay, Ah'm going to the clubhouse with mah friends. Don't ya wanna come?"

"Yeah. I'll catch you up later." Eternum replied stroking her mane

"Okay then. Bye!" Apple Bloom gave a little punch at his shoulder.

The two waved at each other then they parted ways. Apple Bloom went to meet up with her friends for plans to get their cutie marks, while Eternum walked to the town's plaza, looking for food that he can be suitable for his current bits. While walking, he thinked again about the note cause he can't get it off from his mind. He can't stop thinking about it, he swore to find out the mysterious pony no matter what. Just as he was walking back to Sweet Apple Acres, he heard a whisper, the same whisper when he was still at the park a few weeks ago. Getting annoyed by it, Eternum ran to every buildings that he can find to search it's source or even the mysterious pony him/hersself. Searched for so long until at the alley, he finally found the source: The mysterious pony. He/She was wearing a hooded cape to cover his/her real appearance. Eternum shouted,

"HEY! Who are you? Were you the one who wrote those words?"

Eternum was very curious, but with a serious look. The mysterious pony made no response to his question, this caused the young being angry a little.

"Come on, answer me!"

He was getting to lose his patience, but the unknown instead gave nothing to reply. Feeling so much frustration, Eternum once again shouted out, "Well if you can't tell me, I'm gonna make ya!" The young colt started to chase the mysterious pony, running to the center of town until to Sweet Apple Acres to give chase. He felt the exhuastion from his hooves, but he is not giving up so he breathed heavily then ran as fast as what he had left in his energy. He chased him through the apple trees, to the hill, and lastly to the edge of the waterfall. The mysterious pony had nowhere else to go and Eternum was there readying himself to charge straight to him. "It's either you tell me or the both of us will die at the wave!" He was very furious to get the answer. There was not even again a response from the hooded pony so Eternum ran straight to him/her until, the mysterious pony vanished into thin air. Eternum didn't expect and he ran straight to the current. Unable to escape from it's fast force, Eternum shouted out,

"HELP ME!!! SOMEPONY!!!" He continued this as water began to swallow him.

There was a rock at the middle at the side, Eternum immediately hold on to it, but the water was too strong for him to resist it. He tried to get out there by moving above the rock, but he failed. Many times he tried, he knew that this will be his undesirable fate. He now gave one last shout saying,

"BLOOOOOOM!!!!!!!" He cried out, shouting her name for the last time.

After shouting her name, he let go, accepting his fate.

ONE WEEK LATER...

Eternum woke up and found out he's in a hospital, he thought he would be in heaven after falling from the waterfall. He heard somepony coming, fearing that it could be the mysterious, trying to get revenge after being chased, but it was just the doctor. The doctor said to him that there's somepony who wants to see you. Eternum replied,

"Okay, bring him/her here."

He was very afraid to see his visitor, he might think it will be Death or the hooded pony. Once again, it wasn't the ones that he feared of, it was just Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom, I'm very glad to see you." He said it softly.

"Ah know. Ah was very worried about ya." The young filly holds his left hoof.

"I know how you feel."

"Are ya gonna be fine, Eter?" She questioned

"Yeah. I'm just glad that I survived the fall."

"Ah'm so sorry, buddy! So sorry!" She started crying as she placed her head down at his shoulder.

"Sorry? Why? You never done anything wrong to me." The young colt moved closer to her then wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Ah heard you shouting mah name. When ah was at clubhouse, ah heard ya shouting like yer in trouble or something. Ah ignored it cause ah thought you were acting crazy, but after three hours, mah sister told me that you were in a hospital with a critical condition. She said she saw ya were at the river unconscious and covered part of yer body in blood. Ah thought ya would be okay without me cause ah know ya can take care of yourself, but ah guess it wasn't that much. Ah don't wanna lose ya, Eter, yer the greatest friend that I ever had aside from mah other friends. Yer just new here, but ya seemed to be already special to me. Ah should've been there..." Apple Bloom hugged him very tightly.

"Apple Bloom, there's no need to say sorry, it's not your fault." He wiped more tears coming from her eyes.

"Promise never to do that again?" The young filly kissed him at his left cheek.

"I can hardly promise anything, Apple Bloom, but I'll be sure for this. Promise." The young colt kissed her at her forehead.

After a while, Apple Bloom left the room, giving him time to recover from his injuries. After two weeks, he was released from the hospital and returned to Sweet Apple Acres.

The next day, they went to the river, swimming together as Apple Bloom holds his front hooves to make sure he doesn't get blown away again. After swimming, they walked back home to get dried up, eating dinner, and preparing to sleep. The next day, they went to school, Eternum showed an excellent participation in class, Ms Cherilee was very impressed by his brilliance which also caused the others to respect him while some still thinks of him as a sore loser. During lunch, he noticed a pony with a tiara walked to him and said,

"Hey there, freak."

"Hey there, Diamond Tiara." He said while taking a bite from his sandwich.

"Listen, you may not have yet a cutie mark, but I think you are not worth it to be teased." said Diamond Tiara.

"Really? Why not?" He questioned.

"Let's just say that you looked okay to me enough for not to bully you. You are a cool colt." The filly said as she blushed then turning her face away from him.

"Well, I really appreciate of what you said. Thanks."

"I would like to go out with you in sometime. If you are ever okay with it."

"Okay, Tiara. Someday."

"Bye, freaking freak. Sorry if I was being rude back at your first day." She said while giggled as she walked out of the cafeteria.

"What was she talking about?!" Apple Bloom said as she walked straight to him and then sitting next.

"She just said that I'm not worth to be annoyed and she said that I'm kinda cool to her." Eternum replied as he almost finishing his juice.

"Alright then, but if she tried to do anything bad to ya, don't hesitate to call me. Okay?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure she's not much of a big jerk."

During the time of dismissal...

"Are ya sure ya don't want some help? Ah can finish yours if ya want?"

"Don't worry Apple Bloom, I can handle it. I just need to handle other matters alone. Okay?"

"Okay, Ah understand that."

"I'll see you later at night, I might be late when I get back. Bye!" Eternum waved at her as he walked straight to the park.

"Bye!" Apple Bloom waved back to him.

Still not forgetting his mission, Eternum determines once again to find the mysterious hooded pony even if it will take him at night. After hours of searching, he walked back to Ponyville, hoping that it will be the same place where he last saw that filly/colt. Before he could go search again at the alley, there was a pony calling him at the side of Sugarcube Corner, it was the same pony that he had chased before. The mysterious pony asked him to meet at the park where he picked up the note at five in the afternoon. Eternum accepted it and warned him/her that if he/she ever plays a trick on him, he/she will suffer. The mysterious hooded pony gulped in fear and promised not to fool him. They walked to the park then they hid behind one of the trees to remain cover. Eternum now asked him/her,

"Okay, you told me to meet you here,now tell me, who are you and how do you know me?" The young colt angrily stomped his right front hoof at the ground.

The stomp caused an earthquake which reached to far distanced places, causing ruptures. The mysterious being was shocked by it and said,

"Okay! Okay! Please don't do that again!" The mysterious pony begged him for mercy.

The mysterious hooded being removed his/her hood and cape, shocking Eternum as he found out it's a colt somehow in the same age with horns of a demon, wings, and a horn of a unicorn like. The mysterious colt walked closer to him. Eternum was ready to tackle him, but he seemed to just hold his left hoof. The mysterious colt said to him this,

"My name is Phan Tom. I am your cousin." He smiled to see his cousin again with his real face.

TO BE CONTINUED

2 - From what's within: Part 1

Previously, from Chapter 1 - Eternum encountered the mysterious pony, he chased the being until to the edge of the waterfall. He accidentally ran through the current and got him falling down deep to the river. Wounded critically, but was able to recover from it. Still not wanting to give up his mission, he continued his search until the mysterious being decided to confront with him, but asked to talk in private. The unknown revealed itself and it was known to be a young colt that has wings, devil horns, and a horn of a unicorn. He introduced himself as Phan Tom and told him that he is his cousin.

Eternum was in shock to hear from Phan Tom cause he can hardly believe of what the demonic like pony said. He was thinking of running away, but decided to stay a while to think of words to reply. He was so confused cause he can't believe the possibilty of having a relative who is not an Earth, Unicorn, or Pegasus, but somewhat a combination of three and an addition of demonic species. After a brief moment, he still see that the demon is still holding his hand, starting to creep him out, he replied,

"What? What are you talking about? You're a demon and I'm a simple pony!" He said with an anger, but minor look on his face.

"Which is why I need you to calm down and listen so you will know the story why I'm like this," said the young demon colt.

Eternum followed what he said and sat down at bench. Phan Tom wanted to move closer to him, but Eternum doesn't want him to get a touch on him until he explain the story.

"Just a year ago before while your parents were still alive, us Draconequus had been hiding in the darkness to bolster our population to make a great legion. It turned out so well, unfortunately, we were attacked by unknown ancient golems that were very hard to eliminate cause of their powerful magic. Even if we were many, they killed every one of us so we decided to move to another place for settlement and rebuilding the tribe. After some months passed, the tribe was reborn with great determination. During those months, there was draconequus mare named Lucra who was very powerful and loyal to the tribe, she helped out in teaching the young ones about controlling the world and the use of dark and forbidden magic. One day, she was tasked by her parents to gather some food from the forest because the supplies were running low. As she was finishing getting all the fruits that she can gather, she heard a somepony groaning. Curious about it, she walked further deep in the forest to find the source, five minutes passed, she found it and it happened to be a stallion who is an earth type wounded from somewhat a war. The stallion, couldn't get a catch of his breath and couldn't see properly due to long slumber begged her for an apple, she was so worried about her parents finding out that she met a normal pony, but she couldn't just leave him alone to die from hunger, so she gave him an apple then carried him to the river. She healed his wounds and created shelter out from different materials from the forest. When she looked at him, her eyes were widened as she was astonished by the stallions eyes, the stallion was also suprised to look at her face, her horn and her appearance. She was holding his right hoof, infecting his mind with unforgettable love even if she was diiferent. The stallion didn't care about her look cause the only thing that cares to him is the love between each other. Months passed, Lucra told the stallion that she will never go back to her tribe cause she will start a new life, the stallion was very happy to here the words from her. The two moved to a small village where they can live together happily for eternity. They got married in that time and had a child after weeks passed, they were very grateful to have a son ( Earth Pony ) and promised to each other that they will protect him no matter what. As their son was qualified enough for school, they had trouble in dealing his problems due to the fact he was judged easily before they could even know him cause of his appearance even if he was normal. They had no choice, but to deal with it. One month ago, there was an accident which was very sad for the child, the house was spread in fire, the two couldn't be able to get out even if Lucra tried to use her magic to have them escape. They found an opening which they would've escape together, but the fire was getting worse and the stallion was about to die from the flames. As the house was almost to be torn down, they decided to end their life and letting their son to live to continue his journey. Lucra gave out one last magic with the last concentration to throw her child out of the window to let the rescuers get him. That was the last scene where the two coupled accepted their fate for the sake and life of their own son. They named their son..."

"Eternum... They thought of that name for me...," said the young colt in a low voice.

"Yes. They named you with that." Phan Tom replied with a smile on his face.

"So if my mother was part a draconequus tribe and part blood with it, does that means I'm also one?"

"Yes..."

"But how are you still relate to me when you there's no connection between you and me aside being part of a demonic group?"

"Do you remember back at your old school, there was a pony wearing a hoodie cape protected you from those bullies, right?"

"Yeah. This pony also helped when there were storms coming. He covered me with his magic shield to avoid getting wet."

"That was me." Phan Tom hugged him.

After a brief moment, Eternum recalled about the color of his cape, it's just the same from what he saw before back at his old school. He muttered,

"You.... You were that pony all the time? I-I-I...," said the young colt with tears running down from his eyes.

"Cousin! I can't believe I have a cousin!" He hugged him back with more tears.

"It's alright, Eternum. I'm here for you to help you. Tell you what? We go to my place to rest up a bit, what do you say?"
Phan Tom smiled at him.

"Okay, but I have to go back very soon." Eternum's tears stopped and gave out a smile to his cousin.

The two walked to a village nearby where the lights never ended like twenty four seven. They went inside an inn where Phan Tom showed Eternum the room where he sleeps and lived. Eternum was very curious about his Phan Tom's parents, but he doesn't want to matter him cause he only wants to have time with his cousin.

"Well your room seems to be okay at least."

"I know it's not much, but it's worth life living. Come on, let's rest up a bit then talk to get you know more about me." He removed the blanket from the bed.

"Sure, cuz." Eternum smiled and lied down at Phan Tom's Bed. Phan Tom joined with him.

Thirty minutes later...

"So you're adopted?" Phan Tom question him with great curiosity.

"No, I never asked about it, but they treated me like a member of the family."

"Is Apple Bloom your... You know." Phan Tom started to giggle.

"Yes. She's my favorite special pony. My girlfriend if you want to think about that."

Five minutes later, Eternum looked at the clocked and noticed it's eleven thirty in the evening.

"I gotta need to go now. Apple Bloom must be worried about me."

"Wait, Eter. You don't have school tomorrow." He responded as Eternum was about to open the door.

"So? I need to be with her cause she needs me."

"Okay then. I'll teleport you directly home."

As they waved at each other, Phan Tom concentrated his power from his middle horn as he creates a portal to Sweet Apple Acres. Eternum went to the portal and it closed right after. He was happy to have a cousin who was always there for him to look after him. He was getting sleep and hungry so as he was about to open the door, it was opened wide by the filly and said,

"Eternum, are ya okay? Ah've been worrying about ya, pardner." Apple Bloom asked.

"Yeah, Apple Bloom. I'm okay. It was a very tiresome business."

"Well ya missed dinner, but Ah was able to save ya some food left. Ya seemed to be hungry," said the young filly as she dragged him to the dining table with the leftovers.

"Thanks. You can go to bed now. I'll finish eating then cleaning." He said as he kissed her at her left cheek.

"Nah, Ah'd rather stay and help ya, Ah kinda hate it seeing ya working alone almost this late. It's okay, Ah'll help ya." She kissed him back with an intriguing smile.

After finishing his food then cleaning it with Apple Bloom's help along with the others that haven't been washed recently, the two walked straight to the bedroom, sleeping together in the bed as they hold each other. Eternum was very glad to have a cousin, though he still have a hard time to believe that he's part of a hybrid creature, but that doesn't matter to him cause the only thing that matters to him is life and his friend.

TO BE CONTINUED

3 - From what's within: Part 2

3 - From what's within: Part 2

The next day in the morning, he woke up looking at the clock and found out that it's already five in the morning, he got out of the bed then quietly walked out of the house, preparing his backpack filled with one apple pie and two bottles of apple juice. Just as he was about to take a step forward, he was stopped by a shocked as his tail was like got electrified or being grabbed by something. When he turned around, he discovered that Apple Bloom was grabbing his tail with her teeth. Just as she let go, she moved closer to him and said,

"Where do ya think yer going? Ya thought ah didn't hear ya walking out?," she said as she holds his right hoof.

"Uh... somewhere, but I'll be back later possibly in the afternoon or night." he gulped at the second.

"Then what's with the pie and the apple juices, pardner? Are ya going camping or something?"

"I'm just want to bring them and... that's it!" Eternum was about to run, but the filly stopped him by grabbing his tail again.

"Ah don't think so, pardner. Ya seemed to be hiding something. If yer going, then so am ah," said the young filly.

As she was about to grab his bag, a dark aura appeared and covered him until he disappeared into thin air, leaving Apple Bloom shocked to what she saw.

ONE HOUR LATER

Eternum woke up, finding himself lying at the bed. As he was getting out of the bed, he heard the door was about to open, he thought that it might be her, but it was just his cousin who entered. Eternum wasn't suprised at first at how he got to his room after being unconscious. Phan Tom explained to him the reason,

"Well you see, cuz. I teleported you here cause I heard that you're gonna come to visit me."

"Well thanks, but I think she's becoming suspicious about that cause she was there behind me when I was about to go."

"Oh...I'm sorry if I was being too hasty."

"Well on the bright side, she still hasn't know yet where I am." He sighed in a relief.

"Anyways, what do you want to do today, cuz?

"Well, I had been thinking lately. You told me that I'm also a demonic being, I want to know if it's really true by finding out my powers. I can't do it without you."

"Hmmm. You just only know the half of our origin, but if you insist, very well then, cousin. I'll help you, but let's do it somewhere safe." The demonic pony smiled as he grabbed Eternum's left hoof, taking him outside of the inn then on to the wide plain area.

As they reached their destination, Phan Tom gave him a book which contains different kinds of magic to let him choose any of them that shows his real potential. He tried to do telekinesis on a small stone then a big one, but it didn't work. He then tried to cast different elements. He can cast ice spells, however, he couldn't control it as he uncontrollaby casted a blizzard around him then it exploded. He was able to survive, but got lots of scars around his body. Although he suffered much blood loss, he still insists in finding more of his power. He tried summoning and it worked, additionally, he can create clones of himself. After a while, the two decided to take a break and eat snacks. While taking time to catch their breath, Eternum asked him if he still has more powers to unravel. Phan Tom said to him,

"I'm not really sure if you have more, but I can guarantee that when the time comes, you will attain more."

After a few minutes passed, they heard a shout coming from the forest that they came from. It said 'ETER!'. As Eternum looked behind, he saw Apple Bloom, Apple Jack, the other elements of harmony, Princess Celestia, and lots of royal guards. Phan Tom looked frightened as they saw them, including his real identity. Phan Tom told to Eternum,

"Please forgive me, Eter. I really hate doing this to you, but I cannot let myself being locked behind bars." He hugged him desperately as he shed a tear.

"What are y-"

His sentence was cut off as Phan Tom gave out a strong punch at him which sent him pushed back to them before disappearing into thin air. The last word Eternum heard was 'Yer gonna be okay, pardner. Ah'm here for ya' before hearing the sound of being teleported.

THREE HOURS LATER...

"Yer awake! Ah thought ya were gone forever," said the young filly as she shed tears from her eyes.

"What happened? Uggghhh... my aching head."

"Well after ya got pushed by that no good thing, we brought ya here and found out that ya got lots of slices and informed that ya only got a slight chance to live, but we were grateful that yer okay." said Apple Jack as she hold his left hoof tightly.

"Apple Bloom?" He called out as the filly shed more tears and hugged him very tightly.

"Apple Bloom, I'm still alive."

"Ya promised ya wouldn't get hurt again."

"I know and I'm sorry. I guess it's inevitable," said the young colt as he wiped off the tears from her eyes.

"Ah need ya, pardner. Please stay with me," said the young filly.

"I won't leave you alone, Apple Bloom. I promise." Eternum smiled as he kissed her and hugged her back.

After two weeks, Eternum finally recovered from his injuries and went home to Sweet Apple Acres. After experiencing of what his cousin did to him, he decided to never go back to his hometown and never see his cousin again. One afternoon, after finishing bucking trees and cleaning the barn, he walked straight to the top of the hill and looked at sky. After an hour, he noticed that Apple Bloom was beside him all along when he fell asleep. She asked him,

"Are ya okay, Eter?" The yellow filly placed her right hoof at his shoulder.

"Yeah. It's just that I need to forget the bad things that had happened to me before."

"Don't mind that anymore, pardner. What's past is past and ya should forget it."

"Thanks, Apple Bloom. I would never feel better without you." He said as he placed his arms around her.

"Ah know that ya will always see that Ah'll believe in ya forever." Apple Bloom replied as she kissed him at his left cheek.

After a while, the two fell asleep. With the powers that he attained in understanding his true identity, he decided to use it for another purpose. He only wished to tell her about it, but it might not end well for the two of them. Eternum is willing to tell her his true identity when the time is right.

TO BE CONTINUED

4 - Unforgiving

4 - Unforgiving

A few hours later at Sweet Apple Acres...

Even after being recovered from his injuries, Eternum would still not forget of what his cousin did to him. He promised to himself that when he's ready, he will challenge Phan Tom in a no mercy battle. He still reminded to himself of what will Apple Bloom think when she ever see his magic and his true origin. Will she still accept him even if he's different? That question kept repeating at his mind for like it never stops. After waking up from a long nap, he noticed that Apple Bloom is still asleep. He would've called her to wake her up, but he decided to carry her at his back then going home. As he reached the barn, he noticed a note with his name written on it attached to the door. Really not in the good time to know what his cousin wrote for him, the young colt ignored the letter and opened the door. He went to her room then placed her at her bed before leaving. Although angered, he went back outside to read the note as Phan Tom wrote these words,

Dear Eternum,

I'm sorry for what I did to you because I cannot let myself being trapped behind bars in order for me to continue my greatest task. I now know that you are angry at me for letting you being pushed back then letting your special girlfriend seeing the unfortunate event. I am deep sorry for that, but I hope you would understand this. Just remember that I'm willing to assist you in anyway I can to let you know more further your true potential. I'm not going to leave you hanging.

From: Phan Tom

After reading the words, he tore the paper up into little pieces still expressing his anger to him. As he turned around, he saw a large dark orb from a distance, he knew it was his cousin as he saw him coming out from it.

"Hey, cuz. You alright?" said the young demon colt.

"No thanks to you. Why would you care anyway?" Eternum replied with an anger tone.

"Please, you need to understand." The young draconequus pleaded him.

Just as he was about to make a move, Eternum released a shard of ice at him, but Phan Tom dodged it. He kept dodging the shards, but the young colt could not stop doing it. After a while, he stopped the ice spell and began charging an orb with the power of darkness, readying himself to charge forward to Phan Tom. The demonic being casted a runic aura around him which summoned a barrier. It deflected the attack and pushed the young colt back inside to the barn.

"Please stop this, cousin. I had no choice. I'm needed for the sake of our vision as much as it involves you. It's for our destiny. Your destiny as well."

"I already have my own destiny! Protecting the my love ones especially her even if it will ever be at the cost of my own life!" The young colt charged up another orb.

"But I..*sigh* I'm really sorry" His last words before disappearing into the shadows.

Just as it was about to be over, he heard a door being opened so he hid at one of the haystacks. What he saw was just Apple Bloom. Eternum questioned to himself of possibly she heard the noise. Just as he was finish saying the words in his mind, the yellow filly walked out of the barn. He then used heard a conversation outside so he used his powers to hear it from a distance. He heard the words,

"Apple Jack, where's Eternum?"

"Ah don't know, sugarcube. He may be at the town."

"Why didn't he left a note or something?"

"Well, a while ago Ah saw him carrying you back to the barn cause ya were asleep. He may be with yer friends, but Ah'm sure he'll be back soon."

Eternum, now thinking of what do next for he can't just get out of the barn and tell her a lie, she may find it suspicious. He thought of an idea as he looked at the empty buckets. He grabbed it and escaped through a window as the two members of the Apple Family didn't even notice it. He then ventured on to one of the apple trees to gather apples. He chose one and started buck every trees. Tired yet he continued as to look like he was doing work to make the job faster. After an hour, he completed in filling up the buckets. He questioned to himself in how he can bring these back to the barn. He cannot use magic cause they might see it. After thinking of what to do to solve the problem, Eternum decided to just carry them at least two buckets at a time. As he carried the first two to bring, he heard walking as it gets closer to him. He couldn't see what was in front of him because of the heavy filled buckets that he's carrying. Trying to find the strength to look up, he was able to do it and found out it was her.

"What are ya doing here, pardner?" Apple Bloom asked as she untied the string from him.

"I'm just doing some work. Gotta need to keep my feet on the move."

"But ya know mah sister never asked ya to do this all by yerself." She said as she wiped off the sweat from his head.

"I know, but I really want to help out."

"Ah really appreciate yer work, but ya should've asked us first." said by a voice behind her. It was Apple Jack.

"Don't worry, me and Big Mac will take care of these. Ya should be going home now. Apple Bloom will accompany ya.

The two young ponies walked back to the farm leaving Apple Jack and Big Macintosh to finish the job. They reached their destination and went inside to their room together waiting for them to return and for dinner. Eternum, still in the feeling the anger, hate, and somehow guilty because of the truth that he still don't want to tell her. Apple Bloom began to notice him and asked him,

"Are ya okay, pardner? Ya look a little bit guilty to yerself." Apple Bloom asked.

"I... well.... it's kinda hard to explain."

"Come on, pardner. Ya don't need to hide it cause yer just gonna hurt yourself."

"Its just that I felt like you will hardly believe me of this secret."

"What do ya mean, Eter?"

"There is something that I want to tell you, but I can't."

"Tell me, Eter. Ah won't laugh or be mad at it. Promise," said the young filly as she hold his hoof.

Fearing the possible outcome, Eternum took a deep breath in readying himself to tell her the truth of him.

"Alright. Apple Bloom, I'm a d-" The young colt's sentence was cut off when they heard the bell rang.

"Oh sorry, but it's dinner time, pardner. We should go."

"Uh... yes. Let's eat."

Meanwhile at dining room...

"So, Eter. What was it again that ya wanna say to me?"

" Should I really say it now? I don't think she will ever believe me. I guess I'll tell it when the time is right. Eternum thought to himself.

"Huh?" He replied as he regain his senses. "Oh sorry, but I forgot. Maybe some other time when I can remember it again."

"It's okay, pardner."

After dinner, they went to their room and sleep together as they cuddled with each other's hooves. Still in the verge of hatred, Eternum feared of the possible between him and Apple Bloom if his cousin will ever come back to change the future.

Meanwhile at the inn...

Phan Tom went into a long depression state because his cousin hated him for what he did and thinked that he lost him as if the plan for the draconequus' domination was foiled from the start. He now began to concentrate in mastering new spells, hoping that he will continue to carry out the dream of his tribe. While practicing his new impalement spell, an orb appeared right in front him with a figure that is covered in darkness. He knew that it was his master calling him so he said to him,

"Forgive me, master. I failed to bring the lost vision."

"I understand that Eternum now lives with those damn foolish weaklings. We are not giving up, my apprentice. The vision of our tribe will never end."

"But how, master? Eternum might be learning new powers and we don't have any idea how stronger he w-"

"You must continue on our vision, young prodigal. Double your effort for you have the skills that can really overpower any of our specialists. You must face him even if he's part of us. You can either kill him or bring him here for a special ritual. Never fail this one for this is our destiny that we have to take. Understand?"

"Yes, master."

"*sigh* Eter..."

TO BE CONTINUED

5 - Broken Lock

5 - Broken Lock

At Ponyville...

After school, Eternum asked Apple Bloom to keep his assignment at the clubhouse, but the filly replied by a grinning look. She grabbed his hoof and asked him that she's going with him since of what happened before. Eternum really wanted to be alone to train again on his own, but he just can't do it because she is going with him even if he tried to refuse. He told her that it's really important to be alone, but Apple Bloom wouldn't just accept it as she tightened her hold on his hoof. Honestly, he wanted to use his magic to stop her from holding his hoof, but he couldn't just do it out in the open. After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath and said,

"Alright, you can come along, just remember to stay close to me so can safely go back home later."

"Okay. Let's get going then."

The two then walked together with their destination to the open field as Eternum thought of himself in his mind 'I regret for accepting it, but I guess that's how I will live with it'. After a few minutes, they reached the plain area and sat down at the ground as they watched the sky. Eternum had a thought of being here to practice his powers, but since with her along, he had no choice but to postpone it. He would've show it to her right now, but he couldn't just take the risk of not just losing a friend, but also himself. He may not know what would really happen if he will ever either tell her or show her who he really was before he could even know himself. Nonetheless, he would dream that either the reality to turn out to be just fine or a disgrace to himself.

After three hours, still watching the sky, Eternum realized just now that Apple Bloom slept while he was looking up for the past hours. Although he may use the time to bring her home now, he decided to just wait for her. He thought to himself if what would possibly happen if he will ever meet again his cousin. What would he do if he ever have to face him again for like the last time? Will Apple Bloom ever forgive him for not telling her the truth about him? Those questions he made up will be answered as he gave out a big sigh before hearing something that caught his attention.

He heard a scream coming from the town, he wanted to wake her up now, but he didn't want it to worry her. He left without her knowing as she continued in her slumber. Though far from what he's in right now, he took a long deep breath. When he finally reached Ponyville, he looked at the caped mastermind and knew that it's his cousin, Phan Tom. He looked at every buildings being burned down as some of them were being burned down to ashes, ponies being imprisoned in stasis cells, and finally, he looked at the center of the town and saw the Elements of Harmony trapped under a static spell shield. Eternum knew that he would be back and understand that he came back for the reason that he really never cares.

"I can't believe you did this just for you and your tribe's stupid vision." He said as he charged up a dark orb at his hoof.

"You know this has to be done, Eter. I will not be stopped to make this our reality. Not even you." Phan Tom replied as he sent out a massive earthquake which caused ruptures everywhere.

"I'm not gonna let you take this! I will stop you even if I have to KILL YOU!" The young colt shouted.

"So be it..."

The two cousins then fought into a death battle. Little by little, yet, blood spread from their scars, flames expanding, and thunder roaring. The long battle impaled the balance of Equestria as the two demons fought with powerful and dark energies. Eternum had the upper hand as he absorbed the energies that Phan Tom used at him. He was about to deal the final blow with a more powerful orb, but Phan Tom casted a dark force at him which caused Eternum to pushed back until hitting to a wall. Unable to stand up to his hooves, the draconequus summoned a dark lightning ball and began throwing it straight to the colt. Just as he was about to meet his death, he heard a spark of electricity. He thought it hit him, but as he raised again to his hooves, he saw from his very own eyes that he could never forgive himself. In front of his view, he saw Apple Bloom took the shot and fell to the ground unconscious. Eternum just cannot believe it that his own friend sacrificed for his sake to live. He wouldn't accept it as he gave out tears from his eyes. After moments of looking at her with silence, another earthquake began to erupt, but it's source is no longer from Phan Tom this time cause the eruption became stronger by the minute. He looked at Eternum's face and shocked by what he saw from his own very eyes. The young colt's eyes turned light blue and a gray mist appeared surrounding his body. The mist became larger as it's energy now hit the sky. three flashes of lightning appeared in front of him. He gave out a scream and said to Phan Tom,

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU... YOU BUCKING PIECE OF BUCKING BIT!!!" He shouted as he turned his head to Phan Tom.

"What the... Eternum?! Is that his true talent?! I've never seen such hatred... and POWER before!" Phan Tom said quietly as he gasped.

Eternum combined his two front hooves together in making an orb, but this time, the orb's color turned into gray with a white spiral symbol in it's center. He then placed it at his right hoof and began charging his way to Phan Tom. The young draconequus was in shock to see Eternum's eyes glowing into something more different than being evil and looked at the symbol of his orb. He summoned a dome around him as to be prepared to deflect the attack. When the orb finally collided with the barrier, it was shocking as the demon saw it piercing through. Now in a bad situation, Phan Tom looked at his dome sides cracking even at his front as Eternum continued pushing it. After thirty seconds, the dome finally cracked to pieces and the orb finally launched directly at his chest. He was pushed back by a sheer force, but he wasn't done yet as he saw Eternum instantly teleported in front of his face. The young colt punched him straight down then instantly teleporting at the ground in a quick phase to punch him back up. Phan Tom didn't really expected the kind of power that Eternum has right now, so he closed his eyes and began shedding a tear. As he took in his last breath in the air, Eternum grabbed his back hooves and began spiraling like a ball before letting him go. As he made contact with the ground, a force of air appeared and covered him with dust and dirt. Phan Tom knew that he lost the battle and failed his mission. Eternum, now with normal eyes and without the mist surrounding him landed down and began walking slowly to the site of where Phan Tom is. The young colt said,

"This is now over, cousin. You took one part of my heart that I will not forget. Now, we are even." He said as he closed his eyes and began falling to the ground. He remembered a voice being heard near him before he went to a deep slumber. Yer gonna be alright. Don't leave me, pardner...

TO BE CONTINUED

6 - Ending

6 - Ending

Two months later after the attack

"Huh....ugh.... Wh.... Where am I?" Eternum said to himself as he heard the noise of beeping.

As he opened his eyes fully, he realized that he's in the hospital of Canterlot. From his right side, he saw a table with a folder with a written word: "CONFIDENTIAL". He removed the wire connected to his hoof and got out from the bed as he walked slowly to the table and grabbed the folder. He looked at it and opened it and saw a paper regarding about him. A demon, yet a great ally to us. A danger to them, but not responsible for any damage did and a hero to what he saw from the opinion of Princess Celestia. After a brief moment of silence, he closed the folder and sighed. He walked out of the room and made his way through the exit. As he walked briefly, he heard a shout which is calling his name out loud. He turned to his left side and found out its Apple Bloom. She galloped her way to him until they both meet in a loving embrace.

"Apple Bloom, I'm happy that you're still alive" He said as he tightened the hug further.

"Also for ya, pardner." She replied as a tears appeared from her eyes.

"Apple Bloom..."

"Yeah?"

"I'm s-" He was cut-off by her as she placed her hoof at his lips.

"Shhhh. It's alright, Eter. Ah know it already and Ah don't care if yer part of them cause the Eternum that Ah know is loving and caring for me."

"Apple Bloom, I thank you." Eternum said as he kissed her forehead.

"Yer welcome. Ah will always love ya. Always." She replied as she kissed him back this time at the lips.

"By the way, Eter."

"Yes?"

"Who was that no good pony or whatever you called it?" She asked.

"My cousin. His name is Phan Tom. A demon like me." Eternum said as he slightly stroke her mane

"But yer a different one, pardner. Ya should know that."

"Yeah. Anyways, have any plans for today?" He questioned.

"Nah. Ah was supposed to join with the girls in finding our cutie marks as cutie mark crusader miners, but Ah decided to let them go on without me cause Ah need to see ya."

"I see. Well then, what do-"

"Wait a second. What's that at yer flank?" She said as she pointed her hoof to it.

Eternum looked at his flanked and was shocked to see that he has a cutie mark. The mark is a spiraled black thorn with an orb in the middle. He was very curious to know how he got it. He asked her,

"Well, I never thought I would have one. Do you have any idea this mark means?" He asked.

"It means, ya changed to something new, something for the better of yer life. Yer very unique in that way, Eternum. Congratulations." She said.

"Thanks, Apple Bloom. So what do you want to do today?"

"Anything, pardner. Whatever ya decide, Ah'm okay." She replied with a smile.

"How about we do some ice skating?" He asked.

"Really? Ya know how to do skating?" She questioned

"Yeah. Back at my old school, when there was a frozen area, I did some skating. I even tried ice gliding." He chuckled.

"Sure! Sounds fun!" She said happily.

"Alright then, let's go back to the plain area. I will cast a spell to turn it into ice."

Eternum casted an orb that turned into a portal to the grassy area. The two walked through it as the portal closed behind them. Though victory comes at a cost, Eternum wondered of what happened to his cousin. He may hated him back already after what stopping the invasion. He may think that Phan Tom may never forgive him, but Eternum still hoped that someday, his cousin will see that there's more than just a vision. Eternum now enjoyed his life with her as a new ending comes to a new beginning.

Now I'm holding on to something anew

THE END

Author's Note

This is the ending of my story. There is a continuation for this in the future.