Chapters This story is held in the same universe as “A Special bond” Please note that in this universe Shining Armor is only friends with Cadence and will play very little to no role in this story’s world
The Ties that bind us
“The whole world is divided for me into two parts: one is she, and there is all happiness, hope, light; the other is where she is not, and there is dejection and darkness...”
“What can we do; The griffons continue to move closer and closer to our borders your Highnesses and should they cross into Equestria well... You know the damage they could do.” Said Alistair the guard who was Neon vassal and the one who took care of him when Luna was away before Cadence had become his foalsitter.
“ It would seem we can no longer sit idly by while you bravely risk your lives for us, It’s been a long time since we’ve had to get involved with such matters, but I will not allow any harm to befall my subjects while I draw breath.” Sighed Celestia turning to Luna who nodded grimly.
“ But then who would rule while we we’re gone?” Asked Cadence looking scared at the prospect of having to hurt another living creature.
“You, and Neon, neither of you are going with us!” Replied Luna “I’m not having my baby on the battlefield and you don’t know any combative spells at all as such things haven’t been used for hundreds for years!”
“Hey, that’s not fair; I’m a vampony, I know how to fight as well!” Snapped Neon standing up and pointing a hoof at his mother.
“My decision is final, you mean too much to me for me to lose you, besides what if you lost yourself during the battle, that’s a risk we cannot afford to take, you would drain not only the enemy but everything nearby with blood.” Rebuked Luna standing as well
“But I...” Began Neon until the look in Luna’s eyes made him reconsider.
“You’ll be doing your part by staying here and helping Cadence, she’s not much older than you are Neon, and besides you and Cadence are the only one who have been taught the things necessary to ruling the kingdom.” Explained Celestia as Neon lowered his head in defeat.
“When will you be leaving?” Asked Cadence
“As soon as possible, we’ll need to get to the battlefields so that there’s no chance of us not arriving in time, Alistair will accompany us of course.” Replied Celestia starting towards the stairs, Luna following right behind her sister.
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http://www.deviantart.com/art/Celestia-in-armor-PNG-343201543 http://larsurus.deviantart.com/art/Luna-in-armor-348523069
Twenty minute later the two sisters descended back into the foyer where Alistair awaited them with all their provisions and other things they would need for the journey.
“You looks so powerful like that your highnesses.” Bowed Alistair as he took in the millennia old armor the sisters wore, Luna’s a medium blue color, a crescent blade hung from the flank plate,and a spear on the other, while Celestia’s was golden and her weapons of choice were a sword and naginata,both sheathed as Luna’s were on her flanks.
“We should go now.” Said Celestia as Luna sighed looking at Neon who was standing on the balcony looking down at his mother, crying slightly.
“Neon, come to Mommy... please.” Said Luna trying not to cry as well.
Neon walked slowly down towards his mother, not bothering to stop the small sobs shaking his body, the fear that he’d never see Luna again, it was disabling.
“Mommy’s going to be alright.” Said Luna wrapping Neon in her wings and putting a locket around his neck. “Remember what I said to you all those years ago?”
“Mommy’s never far away.” Replied Neon trying to commit the feel of Luna’s hug to memory before that was all he had left.
“That’s right, I’ll never leave you; I swear I’ll be back, but until then keep that safe for me, my little moonbeam.” Luna blinked away tears as she let go of Neon and Celestia took her place.
“I’ll keep her safe Neon, you have my word; as long as I’m able, my sister will come to no harm.” Celestia then turned to Luna and the two of them flew off towards the mountains that would lead them to the Griffon kingdoms.
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“Neon.” Called out Cadence as she knocked on the door to Neon’s study.
“What do you want Cadence?” Asked Neon sharply not wanting to be bothered as he prepared for his court that night as he would have to explain why Luna was absent for it’s proceedings.
“You can’t lock yourself away, Aunt Luna wouldn’t want that!” Cadence used her magic to break the lock as she opened the door and made her way towards the pegasus vampony.
“Cadence, you had no right to do that!” Snapped Neon as he turned to her.
“I’m not letting you lock yourself away until Aunt Luna comes back, now come you’re going to join me for dinner and then I’m going to take care of you until it’s time for you to hold court.” Ordered Cadence as she took ahold of Neon in her aura before he could use his abilities to disappear.
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“You are one of the most annoying ponies I have ever met.” Sighed Neon as a large roast carrot and a cup of ginseng tea was sat in front of him.
“Call it annoying if you wish Neon, but I was charged with taking care of you, and that is what I’m going to do even if it has to be against your will.” Replied Cadence as she tied a bib around his neck and cutting his carrot into pieces spearing one of them on a foal-safe fork and feeding it to him.
“Prince, she’s only doing what she feels is best for you, your mother wouldn’t want you moping around the castle while she is gone, that and it won’t help you to take her place as she has asked you to.” Said one of the servants.
“I know but still.” Sighed Neon “I miss her.” at this Neon began to cry and therefore didn’t notice as he started to mess his diaper.
“It’s okay Neon, I miss her too, now how about we go upstairs and play until we need to get you ready for court.
“Okay.” Smiled Neon as Cadence picked him up and took him to the playroom.
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“Ok pass me the ball.” Giggled Cadence as the two of them rolled a ball back and forth, suddenly Neon’s stomach growled as he started to mess his diaper again.
“Uh-oh looks like somepony needs a diapy change, that carrot must not have agreed with you.” Chuckled Cadence as she levitated Neon over to the changing table and began tending to Neon’s diaper.
“Carrots have never really been the best thing for me to eat.” Giggled Neon as he felt the coolness of the wipes as Cadence drew them along his skin cleaning the mess that had stuck to Neon’s coat.”
“Well I’ll have to remember that.” Smiled Cadence as she powered him and taped up the diaper tightly around Neon’s flank. “There we go all done.” She smiled and placed him back on the floor and the two of the continued to play for the remaining two hours before the night court was slated to begin.
“Well, I should be going to bed Neon, Goodnight.”
“Goodnight Cadence.” Smiled Neon as the two of them parted ways and Neon opened the doors to the throne room.
TBC
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When everything falls into place, the first battle
The ties that bind us
“Writing laws is easy, but governing is difficult.” “When one's head is gone one doesn't weep over one's hair!”
“The court is now in session.” Announced the guard as Neon stepped through the door and made his way to his throne; although it wasn't long before ponies began to notice that Luna was not with him and that he was missing his normal foalish attire save for his diaper, and they started gossiping among themselves.
“Silence, we will have order!” Ordered Neon having learned the Royal Canterlot voice from Luna, however when he used it he still continued to talk in modern Equestrian.
“Where is the Princess?... What’s going on here?... What makes you qualified to rule the night in your mother’s place?...” Screamed multiple ponies from the rabble.
“WE SAID SILENCE!” Bellowed Neon his amethyst eyes turning red temporary which muted everypony into complete and utter silence for fear of their lives as Neon took a couple of seconds to take a few deep breaths before continuing; although he was still upset. “You ask what makes me qualified, I have stood at my mother’s side for five years watching her and assisting her with her nightly duties as Princess of the night, and even longer have I been studying. Equestrian laws, history, battles; things that would make your blood run cold. I know the truths behind her transformation into Nightmare Moon, I know just how close the Kingdom lay at the brink of destruction which she and my Aunt faced Discord, and I know the secrets of the times before Equestria was even founded. There is no pony save for my cousin Cadence who is more qualified to do this job, however as both Princess have left, she is taking over the day courts and is not our Aunt she could not do what Aunt Celestia did for a thousand year, nor could I so the burden of ruling this Kingdom splits equally on both our shoulders.” Explained Neon allowing his words to sink in before continuing.
“Now you also asked where my mother is. She and Aunt Celestia have gone to the Griffon kingdoms, I know she would not approve of me telling you this but as it has gotten to the point that even they have had to intervene it will do you more harm than good to continue to keep you unawares, Equestria is in the middle of a war with the Griffons, already many of our brave soldiers have fallen, and so The Princesses have left to join the battles and ensure that no harm with befall you, in the meantime as I have stated before Cadence and I will be taking over the everyday rulings of Equestria, if you have any problems that cannot be addressed to the police, please do not hesitate to bring them forward to us as we will endeavor to help you as much as we can in their place, and please anypony who sights a Griffon within Equestrian lands is to inform a member of the guard at once, and now that is out of the way, please you may approach the throne and have your inquiries heard.
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“So, that is how it stands your Highnesses, the Griffon strongholds are here, here, and here.” Began the general pointing to three black Griffon markers on the map of the mountains. “The largest battles have been here, here, here, and here.” He showed them four spots on the map three of them markers of beheaded ponies, and one of a beheaded griffon. “As you can see we’ve managed to keep them in the mountains as when they fight us out on the plains and flatlands we have the advantage, but when we have to consider the mountains and rely on Pegasus troops we don’t fare so well.”
“Because Griffons are better fliers than Pegasi.” Nodded Luna “However you’ll find Alicorns are better fliers the Griffons.” she smirked and bumped lightly into Celestia their armor clacking together in kind of a weird high hoof.
“Shall I show you the last battlefield?” Asked the General as he opened the flap of the tent for the Princess.
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“So many dead.” Sighed Celestia as she watched the medical team carry away the bodies of the dead and wounded alike.
“The Griffons outnumber us twenty to one as they’re a much more war bound race, but as we have magic and they don’t we've been able to keep from being annihilated completely.” Sighed the grey coated pony as they moved throughout the gully.
Suddenly the sounds of metal on metal and the cries of both griffon and pony carried on throughout the battlefield.
“Quickly Luna!” Bellowed Celestia taking her naginata in her aura and taking to the sky
“I’m right behind you Celestia!” She replied hot on her sister’s tail
“This was too easy...” Cackled a black feathered, grey coated griffon as she pecked away at the corpse of the pony she had just killed before the screams of her comrades reached her ears.
“Fuck, I didn’t believe they’d come!” Screamed the Griffon general as Celestia and Luna cut down Griffon after Griffon as one after another tried to stop the two Alicorns.
“This is for all the Ponies you’ve slain!” Screamed Celestia as she speared a Griffin on the blade of her Naginata, throwing him into the air and beheading him as his body fell and landed with a sickening crunch on the ground.
“Stop them, do whatever it takes and for fuck’s sake don’t attack them one at a time, those are the Princesses you need to overtake them with numbers!” Screamed the General as she too joined the battle grabbing two Ponies in her claws and slamming them together hard enough to break bones, and ripping them apart.
“Celestia behind you!” Screamed Luna racing forward and gutting the Griffon who had been about to swing a claw at Celestia before her life had been ended by the moon Princess’s blade, however in her haste she didn't notice that she herself was in danger as she was caught in the flank by another of the fifty Griffons the two were fighting on their own. Luna screamed as she felt the talons ripping through her flesh, and the warmth of her blood spilling from the wound as the Griffon continued to tear at her with her claws before Celestia was able to get to her sister.
“There’s too many Sister!” Screamed Luna as she tried her best to fight off as many Griffons as she could while blocking out the pain coming from her mangled side.
“There’s only one thing left to do Luna, quickly shield everypony!” Ordered Celestia as she began to gather as much energy as she could into her horn while fighting with her enemies.
“Fuck get away from her she’s going to use her connection to the sun to unleash a solar blast, there’s no stopp...” Began the General before Celestia let loose a huge blast of white fire that engulfed the entirety of the gully, and soon the skies were full of the flaming bodies of the griffons who had not known what she was going to do and escaped in time, and the nearby mountains were full of the screams of those who were caught at the tail end of the attack; as their flesh burned and blistered under the burns caused by it.
“This isn’t over, not by a long shot!” Shrieked the General as she shot at Celestia in her rage at being defeated, but before she even got a chance to so much as raise her claw, Celestia had her by the throat in her aura.
“Return to your King and tell him that he is more than welcome to challenge my sister and I, but know this we will not go down without a fight and so if he intends to win this war he should stop being such a coward and come face me himself.” Spat Celestia her eyes like fire as she held the white hot blade of her naginata against the flesh of the General’s face and listened as the Griffon screamed in pain as her flesh cooked before Celestia let her go, and she flew off in terror to relay the message that she had given her.
“Come Luna we need to get your wounds tended to.” Said Celestia as she took her now weakened sister to the medical tent.
The next dawn came crisp and cold as winter was beginning in Equestria, but that was not what woke the young Prince of the Night up as a messenger Dragon opened the door and woke Neon up.
“Prince, I have a message for you front the war front, The Princess asked me to tell you herself that your mother has been wounded.” Said the Dragon catching Neon as the young Prince collapsed and fell unconscious.
TBC
The ties that binds us
“Nothing is so necessary for a young man as the company of intelligent women.” “Well, pray if you like, only you'd do better to use your judgment.” “We are asleep until we fall in love.”
The beeping of a heart monitor, the taste of blood on his tongue, and the jumbled mashed up words of the ones looking after him were the first things Neon could process as he began to come around.
“Look he’s coming around.” Said one of the castle orderlies racing over to Neon’s side to begin taking his vitals.
“Neon, are you okay?” Asked Cadence as she made her way over to him.
“What happened?” He asked sitting up slowly before Cadence placed a hoof on his chest- making him lay back down.
“The dragon express came with news from the battlefield, and when you learned that Aunt Luna had been hurt you fainted.” Explained Cadence pulling out another scroll. “But there’s been another message since then.” she held it out in front of her as she read it. “Cadence, Luna is on the mend and will be fine, keep Neon away from here at all cost; we don’t need him here if the Griffons decide to attack again.”
“Why don’t they trust me, as long as I have drunk within the last day I won’t frenzy during battle, why won’t they let me help?” Roared Neon as the heart monitor beeping increased with his agitation as Cadence used her magic to hold him down.
“It’s not that they don’t trust you Neon, you’re needed here and now that Aunt Luna’s been hurt she doesn’t need to have her attention split between having to fight and protect you, and don’t say she doesn’t need to.” Snapped Cadence as she seen Neon about to interrupt. “She loves you whether or not you are strong enough to fight on your own she’d still want to be there to keep you from getting hurt, and if that were to happen it would likely get both you and her killed.”
“So you say!” Spat Neon still fighting against Cadence’s aura. “Let me go I have to get to my Mother, I have to take her place, she can switch with me; come back here and take care of her night until she gets better, so she doesn’t get hurt worse.” Neon continued thrashing about until Cadence came up and slapped him.
“You’re an idiot if you really think that would work, why can’t you understand that they only want what’s best for you. Say Aunt Luna did come back and you took her place fighting the Griffons beside Aunt Celestia; do you really think that would help any, she’d be so worried about you that she wouldn’t be able to focus on running the kingdom, that and she has thousands of years more combat experience than you, do you really think a twenty-three year old Pegasus, even if he is a vampony could fight better than a three thousand year old Alicorns, with all the powers of the moon to assist her.
“But she’s hurt.” Said Neon starting to cry and Cadence let him out of her aura and hugged him noticing he had given up.
“Yes, but Neon she’s a strong pony she’ll get through it, I mean she’s been hurt before, and I don’t think Griffons can cause as much damage as Discord, or Windigoes or any of the things Aunt Luna and Celestia’s faced before, now come on we need to get you changed you’re starting to smell.” Smiled Cadence as she helped Neon to his feet and took him to the nursery.
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“The wounds have closed well; you should be able to fight at a hundred percent in the next battle, your highness.” Said the Doctor as he cut the last stitch and pull the wiring out of Luna’s flank.
“Thank you Doctor for all your help.” Smiled Luna as she stood gingery testing out how much weight she could put on her back legs without pain.
“The pleasure is all mine Princess, please be careful out there; we couldn’t afford to lose you.” Said the Doctor bowing and leaving the private medical tent that had been sent up for Luna to go and see to the other soldiers.
“Tia, do you think Cadence will be able to keep Neon in check?” Asked Luna as she stared out of the open flap at the morning sky.
“ She’s not going to let anything happen to him Luna, he’ll be fine, she’ll keep him safe and away from her, even if she has to lock him in his crib; I sent her a letter telling them you would be fine and to keep him away at all cost.” Explained Celestia looking pensively at her sister.
“I just worry you know, I miss him.” Sighed Luna trying to keep from crying.
“I know Luna, I know and I’m certain he misses you just as much.” Celestia hugged her sister and the two of them left the tent and walked among the soldiers, enjoying the sun as it was sunny even if it was cold.
“How goes it your highnesses?” Asked one of the soldiers as they walked past.
“It goes well, thank you.” Replied Luna smiling as he saluted them and went back to sharpening his blade.
“It’s so quiet.” Sighed Celestia as they had reached the clearing where last night battle had taken place.
“Yeah.” Luna nodded looking out over the bodies that they had not yet been able to bury, and the plots of those who had. “We need to do something for them Tia, so anypony who passes can know what happened here and pay their respects.”
Celestia nodded and using their magic both gathered metal ore from the surrounding mountains and formed a gate around a fair amount of the clearing, creating a makeshift cemetery covering the graves of the dead and leaving enough room for the many more graves to be made, they then made headstones for each.
“I’ll gather the date of birth for each of the dead.” Said a commander coming up behind the princesses and bowing. “Thanks for everything; I’m sorry it had to come to this.” He sighed as he bowed and looked at the ground remorsely.
“Don’t be sorry, we are the ones who should have seen this coming and prevented it.” Sighed Celestia as she waved her hoof at the officer telling him he should rise.
“We don’t blame you, you did what you could; It’s the Griffons fault, such bloodthirsty creatures.” He spat as he stood and looked into the eyes of the Princesses
“No, instead of showing them that they could not push me around and praying they wouldn’t attack; I should have prepared and showed them that they would do better to keep peace.” Sighed Celestia as she remembered the decades of peace talks and striving to show she'd prefer peace and kindness over action and intimidation.
“They’d have still attacked us; that what I think, but I should get those names so we can get some pony started on them.” The Commander bowed and walked away
“Tia, how are they going to know who’s who when they’ve been buried?” Asked Luna as they walked back to their tent.
“They wear tags that have their name and rank on them and if they die the collection teams take their tags off when they bury the body and place them on the plot until they can make a stone for them.” Said Celestia remembering the wars that had happened after Luna had been banished and they started using the tags to identify the bodies of the dead.
“Oh.” Smiled Luna as they entered the tent and they laid down to rest.
“Neon fell asleep after I fed him.” Answered Cadence as she entered the dining hall and the servant asked what had happened to him.
“Oh I though only Princess.”
“That only his mother breastfed him, nah, it’s nothing I haven’t done before being as foalsitter.” She smiled as she knew the two of them were growing closer.
“You care about him don’t you.” Said the servant; it wasn’t a question as she had lived long enough to know when a young mare had fallen in love.
“Yeah, but as we’re in a war it’s not really time to be telling him about how I feel, after all, all we can do it’s take one day at a time.
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Neon’s past, the barrier breaks; how deep can scars run Part 1 a moonlight flight
The ties that bind us
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”
“He is tainted, you can see it in his eyes- the demon he is, trying to change who he is; it is folly”
Neon thrashed in his crib as the nightmare continued
“Who would have you, you who bear her curse. Do not deny it we see it in your eyes; the darkness of your coat- you are sin.” Declared one of the ponies as he kicked Neon in the stomach once he had fallen.
“Stop, please!” Neon cried as the ponies continued to beat him and he began to cough up blood from his internal injuries.
“We will not suffer one such as you!” The beating did not stop, and soon enough Neon felt unbearable pain as a stake was driven through his heart and he was left to die.
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Neon shot awake as the nightmare ended, for the last week he had had begun to have the nightmares from his foalhood again and again- dragging him through his tortured past, the beatings, the attempted murders, fighting vampony hunter after vampony hunter, it never ceased. His father tried again and again to press charges against the ones who harmed his son, but they could never stick as the police could never be bothered to defend the outcased young colt.
He stroked the scar on the center of his chest over and over again as he tried to calm his racing mind; it was the largest of them all as he had been staked so many times, the assailants never understanding that vampony lore was mostly heresy and that a stake simply paralyzed it’s victim until it was removed or they suffered final death, whichever came first.
“It may not kill, but it still hurts like a mother fucker!” Cursed Neon under his breath as he thought about it.
Soon enough Neon stood and got out of his crib and headed over to the window looking out at the pre-dusk light and sighing as he watched the clouds moving overhead, the Pegasi moving them too far away to see.
“ I need a break, this is getting to be too much for me.” He said as he opened the window and jumped out spreading his wings just before hitting the ground and taking off.
I wonder where he’s going, he looks upset; I should follow him. Thought Cadence taking off after Neon but keeping her distance as to not be noticed, soon enough the grassy plains turned into farmland and apple trees as far as the eye could see.
Ponyville, what is here for him? Cadence asked as she seen Neon beginning to descend heading for a small graveyard nestled in a small hillock of pine trees, and flying inside of it.
Soon Cadence touched down as well and following Neon soon came up upon a large gravestone and a statue of a handsome Pegasus stallion holding a small foal, he sat down on his haunches and looked up at the now night sky; obviously speaking to it.
I can’t hear him, but I’m not sure I should get any closer, I mean do I have any right to be nosing into this, but Aunt Luna told me to take care of him- if he’s depressed about something then I need to find out what it is.
Cadence slowly moved between each of the stones hiding the best she could as she moved closer and closer towards Neon’s resting spot.
“..... Was funny wasn’t it Dad, you know I don’t think we ever found that cloud, I wonder where it went."
That must be his father’s grave, if so they must have had some kind of money; to have a stone and a statue, I wonder what happened to it.
“I miss you, things at the castle are going well enough, but Luna still hasn’t come back; this war, it’s messed up I don’t know why we all can’t just get along, but then again I should know better than most ponies being different can be enough for somepony to hate you.” Sighed Neon “But I should go it’s starting to snow, I love you Dad, I promise I’ll be back when I can.” With that Neon started to walk back down the path towards the entrance and Cadence followed him, but she hadn’t noticed that the wind had knocked some of the smaller branches off the trees, and in her haste to follow him she stepped on one making a loud snapping noise.
“Who’s there, show yourself!” Demanded Neon as he made his way toward where Cadence had been hiding using his Malkivian skills to turn invisible so that he could search without being detected and soon he had found her.
“Cadence, what the fuck are you doing here, are you following me!” Snapped Neon becoming visible again and glaring at the pink Alicorn
Cadence stared back and now that she got a good look at him it was obvious that Neon had lost weight and his eyes were starting to darken.
“You’ve not been eating have you?” Asked Cadence a mixture of anger and sadness to her voice.
“That not what I asked you, have you been following me or not; I’ll bet you have, only a handful of ponies know about this graveyard and I’ve never told anypony but Luna that my father was buried here!” He hissed his anger at being followed to his special place causing him to grind his teeth.
“Why does it matter?” Asked Cadence becoming angry herself. “You’ve not been eating I can tell, so why shouldn’t I follow you if you’re not taking care of yourself, your Mother would be beside herself to know you’ve been going without blood or food. All this time I’ve been leaving you alone because I thought that you’d been busy with your court; after all how could you not be with everything that’s been happening, but now I find it’s been this- you’ve been avoid us haven’t you?” She finished pointing an accusing hoof at Neon.
“Yeah, so what if I have, I mean just because I act like a foal sometimes don’t mean I’m not still a full grown stallion. I don’t need you or anypony else to take care of me; I did it for ten years after my father died, got my own food, blood and water for ten years from the time I was a colt till Luna offered to take me in, so I’ll say it again; I don’t need you to worry about me if I want to play or talk or something I’ll find you but until then just leave me alone.” Spat Neon tears starting to run down his face again.
“Neon, don’t shut us out, that’s exactly why you need us, you’ve been strong for far too long it’s time to open up again, it’s time to trust, you don’t have to do everything alone, I would have thought the last five years would have shown you that.” Said Cadence who began hugging the slightly smaller pony despite his struggling.
“All it’s shown me is that the world’s not as bad as I had thought ,there are some ponies who do care what happens to me, but when I really need help what will happen then, when and they will the hunters return for another try at killing me, you can’t always be there and so I can’t afford to drop my guard not even a little, You can’t understand Cadence, nopony can. I’m a monster and that’s all I’ll ever be, I can use donated blood and try and use my powers for the good of Equestria, but it’ll never matter, ponies will still hate me and I’ll always be damned.” Said Neon as he continued fighting against Cadence
“Neon, I don’t know how many times we need to continue to go through this, Aunt Celestia, Luna, Me the guard, all of us are here for you, you don’t need to worry about things like that anymore, and it’s better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not, you are a wonderful pony, I cannot believe that you are damned because it’s not what you are but what you do that truly matters, and every day you fight a curse that you were born with, it wasn’t something that you chose but instead of giving in to your bloodlust you fought it, you decided you weren’t going to let the beast control you and hurt other ponies.” Sighed Cadence holding the struggling Pegasus.
“That doesn’t change anything, they still hate me because they can’t understand me, nopony can.” Neon rebuked
“I do.” Said Cadence holding him close. “You put up this mask when you start to feel yourself slipping, start shutting down so that you don’t let anypony in, but under it your just a young stallion who’s seen and been through horrible things, things nopony else besides Luna has had to endure, but that’s all the more reason to open up to us, we love Luna, and we love you, I love you.” Cadence lifted Neon’s face so that they eyes met and lightly pressed her lips against his.
“Cadence.” Neon stared at her in shock. “You want.... you really want to know?
“I do, it’s time to let go; let us in it’s the only way we can help you.”
“Well then I guess it starts fifteen years ago.”
End part 1
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Neon’s past, the barrier breaks; how deep can scars run- Part 2 the story of an Outcast
The ties that bind us
“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.” Sigmund Freud
“Where your Treasure is there will your heart also be”
J.K Rowling- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Fifteen years Previous
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The rain fell heavy from the sky as the young stallion stared down at the mound of freshly disturbed dirt; not even bothering to hide the fact he was sobbing as the casket was lowered into the grave.
“Daddy.... Daddy
The graveyard attendants continued as he cried; none of them could be bothered to console him, and if it hadn’t been for the fact that they had been paid they wouldn't have even bothered with a funeral for Sky Shadow, but they had and so it was with contempt that they covered the casket with the soil and walked away from the grieving colt.
“Okay you got your service, now you need to come along with us.” A silver mare with a turquoise mane said coming up next to Neon and grabbing him by the hoof.
“Why should I, you don’t give a fuck about me so why don’t you just bend the law for once and leave me to myself! Neon spat as he tore his hoof out of the mare grip- glaring at her with all the venom his amethyst eyes could muster causing her to roll her eyes at him.
“Believe you me you fucking demon, I’d love to but as you said the law forbids minors being on their own until they are thirteen, now are you coming or are we going to have to beat you to an inch of your life. She hissed
“I’d love to see you try, if you hadn't been starving me for the last two weeks I’d fucking rip your throat out!” Neon screamed after he dove at the mare his fangs exposed and was quickly bucked away into the stone wall of the chapel.
“Let us teach you a lesson- be careful of what you wish for you may just get it.” She hissed as the other orphanage workers grabbed wooden staffs and beat Neon over the head until he passed out and was bleeding
For five years Neon lived at the Orphanage, and while they took care of him and gave him a roof over his head he was always kept an inch from final death and frenzy by the caretakers that were support to take the utmost care of him
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Three Years after
Neon’s 16th birthday
The young Pegasus flew faster as he heard the shouts and the wing beats of the hunters behind him- he didn't know how they had seen him but they had and now the young teen prayed to anypony who would listen to help him.
“Please somepony help me!” He screamed to the skies as he felt one of the hunters catch up enough to clip him with a weapon and he began to bleed, soon it became too much for him and he collapsed in mid-air crashing with a sickening crunch, rolling, and then finally skidding into one of the buildings nearby
“Well now, what have we got here?” Cackled one of them as she stomped on Neon’s wing breaking each of the bones that weren't already shattered, and pulling out a long stake and some silver chains with her magic.
“Why do you always get to have the fun Lyra? “ Asked one of the cloaked and hooded hunters as they passed by her- frustration leaking from every word he spoke.
“Because I’m the leader and I’m the one with the magic here, your just here for hired muscle as for some reason you earth pony numb-skulls are stronger than everypony else and I still haven’t learn how to fly by magic so I need them.” Lyra hissed removing her hood so everyone could see her golden eyes glaring at them as she pointed at the Pegasi in the group “Now then.” She smirked as she turned back to Neon and positioned the stake above his heart. “I hope this hurts, have fun starving to death.” She then plunged the stake into Neon’s heart and then added the chains for good measure before her and her gang left to go find another vampony to slay.
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“So that’s where they….” Cadence paused unable to finish her sentence as Neon stood on his hind legs to show her the massive scar over the center of his chest
“She was the first…. The pain is indescribable” Neon Replied returning to four hooves.
“But how did you survive?” Asked Cadence horrified
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The Morning after
Neon couldn’t move as the stake and chains bound him to the ground
Am I going to die here….. It hurts ….. So hungry…… Thirsty …….. I guess ….. Dad He thought before he blacked out
Water hit Neon’s lips as slowly he came to and he noticed the feeling of having been healed by vampony magic.
“It seems that you’re coming around, so I guess Trixie wasn't too late” A voice from Neon’s left said and as he opened his eyes to find who was talking to him
“Would you like some waffles, Trixie is making some.” Trixie asked as she seen Neon’s eyes upon her taking in her azure coat and white mane.
“Why did you save me?” Neon asked weakly sitting up and taking the tray Trixie offered.
“Watch and you’ll understand.” Smiled Trixie and she began levitating blood around her head.
“You’re a Vampony too?” Neon asked
“Not just a vampony, a Tremere.” Smiled Trixie as she swallowed the blood and noticed the confused look on the young stallions face. “I take it your sire didn't explain the clans to you.”
“Sire?” Neon shook his head.
“The pony who embraced you.” Trixie said surprised but then began to get pissed when Neon continued to look lost “The pony who fucking bit you, seriously Trixie has never met somepony so stupid before!”
“I wasn't bit, I was born a Vampony.” Neon said a little put out from being screamed at.
“Born….. But is that even possible.” Trixie looked scared but then recovered. “So you've never had anypony to explain it to you; I mean normal ponies don’t really know much about us, how’d they take it when you first drank?” She asked smiling
“My dad took care of me, but my mother….” Said Neon before he started to cry
“Yeah I figured, all except you dad not ditching you too, so somepony kill him or what?” She asked not really doing anything to calm Neon down
“No, he was sick, Cancer.” Neon Replied
“Oh Trixie is sorry.” She said sadly
“It’s cool it was years ago, so can you explain what it is I need to know?” He asked polity.
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Two weeks later
“You have everything Trixie gave you?” Trixie asked as she smiled and shook Neon’s hoof.
“Yeah thanks for all the information and teaching me how to use my powers, oh and for the place to heal and stuff.” Neon smiled as well
“No problem, good luck Neon.” Trixie smiled
“You as well Trixie.” He replied and left.
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So Trixie is the one who taught you how to control your power and about the world of vamponies.” Cadence smirked remembering what Twilight had told her about the Unicorn showmare.
“Yeah and I know that she did some bad things in Ponyville and stuff but she really isn't a bad vampony, she just really loves magic and showing people her powers.
“Well she did save you life so I guess she can’t be all bad, but we really should be going back; thanks for telling me about most of what happened to you.
“Well It’s all that really matters after Trixie taught me how to use the disciplines and how to turn invisible I never really had much trouble.
“Still I’m sorry.” Cadence sighed
“Thanks Cadence.” Smiled Neon as she hugged him and with a flash of pink magic they returned to the Castle
TBC
Author's Note
Sorry about the huge wait, real life got in the way but the stories not dead ^^
The ties that bind us
Chapter 6
Darkness over Canterlot
Smoke rose in columns as the buildings of Canterlot burned to the ground,as ponies fled for their lives this is what Neon and Cadence returned to after teleporting back from the graveyard.
“What the hell!” Neon screamed as Griffon after Griffon charged over the annihilated city wall that had once kept Canterlot safe from all invaders through a magical force field created by Shining Armor himself, but somehow that wall had fallen and now that it had Canterlot was in mortal peril.
“Prince Neon Shadow, Princess Cadence He.....” Screamed one of the earth pony guard before a Griffon torn by him and slit his head off taking it as his prize.
“So they're back are they.... Good.” The Griffon smiled devilishly as he made a beeline straight for the two royal ponies.
“Cadence, look out!” Neon Shouted as he pushed Cadence out of the way just in time and was caught in the side by the Griffon’s talons.
“Hmmm. I must be getting rusty, no matter the next one takes off your head.” The Griffon crowed as he turned around to take another try at killing Neon and Cadence.
“Neon, Your side.” Cadence moaned as the crimson blood continued to spill from the wound that had yet to start healing.
suddenly the blood that was seeping slowly to the surface began to boil and Neon took flight, the pain in his side not even noticeable now that the beast had taken over.
“Do you know what the best thing about having been born as a Vampony is? “ Neon Cooed as his eyes began to glow and dark magic began to gather around his hoofs.
“Like a give a fu....” Began the Griffin before a rope of blood snaked itself around the Griffon’s neck and he was dragged face the face with Neon.
“It’s that we aren’t limited to one clans discipline, we can use any power granted to the children of the night, and I do so love the Tremere Clan’s art of blood magic.” Giggled Neon as the Griffon began to shriek in pain as the blood inside him began to heat up to boiling and soon he exploded covering Neon and Cadence in blood.
“Neon what’s happening to you?” Cadence Asked terror evident in her voice.
“I’ve simply let the beast go they want to attack me when I’m hungry, they’re going to find out just how terrifying I am.” Neon said in a whisper then took off though the burning streets slaining all in his path and draining them of their blood.
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Meanwhile In Canterlot Castle.
“My lord the wall has fallen, you were exactly right on how to take it down and now the Griffon soldiers are storming the city; soon enough it will fall and the Griffon King will declare you the Governor of the new Griffin controlled Equestria.
“Excellent, finally I shall take what should have been mine a long time ago.” Said a posh voice with a smug tone
“So will we get what we were promised as well my lord?” Asked the vassal
“Of course I always keep my word, you can count on that.” The voice said amusingly the owner having begun to pace around his room. Soon he strode over to his window and removed the hood that he was wearing around his face.
“Soon all shall bow to me, Prince Blueblood!" Blueblood laughed Maniacally.
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“I can’t believe my brother would betray us” sighed Cadence as the guard told her all they had found out in the few short hours that Neon and her had been gone and Blueblood put his plan into action.
“I’m sorry Princess, we were woefully unprepared for an attack from the inside and now... now all we can do is wait for news of our defeat to reach the battlefield and hope Princess Celestia and Luna can return to free us.” Shining Armor sighed as they continued to try and treat those they could inside the crystal caves of Canterlot.
“No, Neon is still out there fighting we have to believe he’s okay and that he can keep enough of himself that he doesn't become a monster.
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“What is going on!” Screamed the Griffin commander as his forces began to retreat towards the castle.
“It’s some kind of demon pony Commander.... But it looks like the Prince Neon Shadow.”
“But how can this be none of our intelligence told us that he was this powerful, that he was a vampony yes, but that his powers had been tamed; suddenly the Commander was grabbed from midair and trapped in Neon’s necromantic aura.
“Does this seem tamed to you.” Neon laughed Sadistically as he sank his fangs in the Griffon's neck and tore his throat out.
“Next” cooed Neon as he licked his lips and charged the shell-shocked Griffons.
One by One Neon mercilessly slayed and drained each Griffon he seen until at last he reached the Castle and forced his way inside.
“Knock Knock any Griffin home.” He Cackled draining two more Griffons as they tried to jump him.
“I figured you would come back.” Blueblood said as he made his way down into the Castle’s Foyer which had now been soaked in blood from the battle and Neon’s attack..
“Blueblood, I should have known it was you, you Traitor, I never did trust you.”
“And I never did respect you, You overgrown foal. Diapers, onesies, soiling yourself as if you were some little foal, I’ve had enough! How Aunt Luna ever got the idea to take you in I’ll never know, but now it doesn’t matter the time for talk has passed, I single-handedly have brought this city to it’s knees and now I shall kill you En-guard Neon Shadow.” Rebuked Blueblood drawing his sword and leaping down to face Neon.
“If you wish.” Neon Hissed taking one of the longswords of the fallen guards and parrying Blueblood’s thrust.
For over an hour the two ponies dueled neither of them able to get the upperhand on the other, using every spell and curse they knew just the have the other be able to counter it and soon it was becoming a battle of stamina and will as each parried the other’s sword attacks and tried to hit the other, but as Neon’s supernatural blood was stronger than Blueblood’s the latter soon tired and Neon was able to take the upper hand and knock Blueblood’s sword from his hand.
“It’s over Blueblood, I’ve won surrender now and I’ll spare you to face trial when Mother and Aunt Celestia return.” Neon Spat pointing his sword into Blueblood’s face once the other had realized it was over.
“You really think you’ve won, don’t you, well enjoy this victory while it lasts because you won’t win this war now that the Griffons know how to destroy the magical barrier protecting this City Canterlot will never be safe again, I may fall but so with this whole country.” Blueblood hissed as Neon called for what guards were still alive in the castle and had Blueblood taken to the Dungeons
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“Sir, A report from the Castle. The Prince he has done it the Griffons have all been slaughtered and Prince Blueblood had been taken into custody, it’s over we’ve won.
“Excellent, I knew he could do it.” Cadence cheered as they made their way out of the caves and catacombs out to the surface and back to the castle where Neon was waiting for Cadence and trying to get himself back under control.
“It’s okay Neon, Sissy’s here, you did really good, okay now come on, breath.” Cadence chanted as she held Neon close and his eyes began to return to amethyst and his fangs began to recede.
“Cadence, Did I do it, did I save Canterlot.
“You did, I’m so proud of you.”
“I’m glad...” Began Neon before he passed out in Cadence’s hoofs.
I guess he doesn’t remember anything from when his beast comes out, I guess that’s a good thing, but still I need to let Aunt Celestia and Luna hear about this, Canterlot cannot be attacked again because I don’t want to see Neon transform like that again.
End Chapter 6
The ties that bind us
Chapter 7
Reborn from the ashes.
Neon’s heart beat rapidly as he ran for his life between the trees of the forest he had been staying in, trying to find a place he could hide or strike back from. The hunters were only a few feet behind him and he could hear one of the Unicorn’s horn humming as they charged a spell, what spell it was was obviously unknown to the young Vampony, but he knew it couldn’t be something pleasant.
I’ve got to do something fast or I’m done for! He thought as the trees began thinning out as they ran out into a large clearing in the center of the forest, a large river spanning though it at a width that in his current weakened state Neon couldn’t jump over.
“Yes, now I’ve got you.” Crowed the Unicorn in the group as he shot the spell at Neon, no longer deterred by the trees and the young Vampony dodged it, throwing a kunai made of blood in their direction.
“We’ll see about that!” Soon a slew of kunai and other assorted throwing weapons made of blood surrounded Neon, having used his own blood to form them, as blood from a wound was much easier to manifest then blood drawn from inside his enemies.
“You’re a fool, are you seriously thinking you can defeat us are you are? Especially if you’re going to use your own blood to fight us!” Hissed the Unicorn as he began charging another spell only to lose it as he had the dodge one of the blood forged Shuriken.
“Oh I may go down, but I wouldn’t underestimate a Vampony, especially when we’re cornered.” Hissed Neon the battle having properly started and the clearing soon filled with magic spells and weapons of blood.
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The soft beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room as the nurses and healers ran around the bed that Neon had been placed in after his battle with the Griffons and Prince Blueblood; and even though the young Pegasus had won and drank his fill of his enemies blood, giving into the beast for the first time in years left his body weak and in shock.
“Is he going to be okay?” Cadence asked as she listened the the heart monitor and prayed.
“Yes Princess, He’ll be fine. His body just needs some time to recover fully. After all this time of not fighting to jumping to using all of his powers, it overwhelmed him.” The nurse wiped his forehead with a washcloth and brushed his mane back so it would stay neat. Soon however nature began to call and Neon began to moan in his sleep, the crinkling sound of his diapers alerting Cadence of what had just occurred.
“Can you please leave for a moment, Neon’s making poopy in his diaper.” Cadence smiled as Neon’s face showed that his was still pushing.
“Of course Princess, call us if he or you have need of us.” The head nurse replied leading them out of the room leaving the pink Alicorn alone with her charge. Cadence smiled as she stood up and made her way over to Neon’s bedside, pulling back the covers and his robes to reveal his heavily soiled diaper.
“Oh my you really had to go didn’t you Mommy’s little moonbeam.” Cadence giggled as she played around with Luna’s nickname for her adoptive son as she changed his diaper,and made sure that he was clean. Suddenly he began to moan and wake up.
“Neon?” Cadence asked as she slowly back away giving him space just in case he was still violent.
“Ca....dence?” Neon moaned as he sat up slowly, even though his body felt like iron. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is okay.” Cadence replied returning to Neon’s side and finishing up his diaper change.
Neon cringed as he felt the wipes cleaning his coat and turned to face Cadence. “I messed my diaper didn’t I?”
“Yes, it’s not a big deal hun, after all you’re not potty trained anymore remember.” Cadence finished up and taped the new diaper around Neon’s waist, pulling him in for a hug. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah, I don’t remember anything from the last few days though.” He replied trying to get to his hoofs but failing as his body had still not fully recovered. “There was a battle, wasn’t there?” Cadence stayed silent as Neon’s amethyst eyes continued to look at the cuts and bruises that covered the pink Alicorn’s body. “Cadence, please I need to know, has anypony been hurt?’
“Yes, a few of our guards died as well as a couple hundred civilians, and obviously as that’s the only way they could have gotten through, the city wall has been destroyed and Canterlot city is in ruins. If it hadn’t been for you, it probably would have been razed to the ground.” Cadence explained crying slightly as she looked out the door that led to the balcony, out at the ravaged, war-torn city.
“Me?” Neon Questioned looking at Cadence confusion deeply set in the young Pegasi’s eyes- Cadence nodded.
“You hadn’t eaten or drank any blood in a few days, having been depressed. I followed you to the little cemetery there in Ponyville, and when we returned the battle had already been underway. You were attacked and the shock of it- plus all the blood in the air sent you into a frenzy. You killed all the Griffon foot soldiers as well as many of our own guards in your blood-lust, but in the end you found out that it was Prince Blueblood who had betrayed us. You then defeated him; bringing the battle to an end.” She explained watching how Neon would react to all of this.
“So, Mother was right... I can’t be trusted to be on the battlefield.” Neon sighed putting his muzzle into his hoofs, crying.
“Neon, don’t blame yourself. You hadn’t drank for quite sometime, all of that blood. I mean no matter how you try to fight it the fact remains, you are a Vampony, to drink vitae is in your nature.” Cadence drew Neon in for a hug once again, but instead of simply embracing him- she picked him up completely and cradled him as best as she could; since the two were almost the same size Cadence having a slightly bigger size being an Alicorn. She then used her magic to summon a baby bottle and soon Neon found himself being fed. “You always fight so hard to ignore your darker instincts, everypony appreciates that, but we also understand that they exist. A situation like that, you could help but react the way you did, and in a way think of it as them making a sacrifice to a better cause, if you hadn’t fed off them you may not have been strong enough to have defeat my brother.
Neon sighed as he suckled the warm milk from the bottle, he felt horrible that he had taken the lives of ponies that had done him no harm, but what Cadence was saying did have some validity to it. He must of been weak when they returned from Ponyville, had Neon not been such he wouldn’t have fallen to frenzy and none of that would have happened. Therefore it was possible he wouldn’t have been able to defeat Blueblood the way he had and Canterlot would be gone by now, a feast for the Griffons bloodthirsty beaks. In a way by sacrificing their blood to Neon, they had done their duty to Equestria by insuring Canterlot didn’t fall and those who could be saved lived to see another day.
“Rest now Neon, you haven’t healed completely yet and you’ll need your strength soon. we have already started plans to rebuild Canterlot stronger than ever and for us to make this a reality we’re going to need your help, so rest now Prince Neon Shadow, for now the fight is over.” Cadence cooed as she rubbed Neon stomach with her hoofs, holding the bottle with her magic. Soon Neon’s eyes started to slip closed as his fatigue and Cadence’s years of foalsitting started taking over him and soon he fell asleep.
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“Your Highness!” One of the Soldiers raced through the camp heading toward Princess Luna, a scroll in his aura as he tried catching up to the two Alicorns. “News from the Capital.” The Unicorn handed over the scroll to Luna who opened it quickly reading it’s contents, her face turning pale as she reached the end of it.
“Luna, what’s happened?” Celestia demanded to know trying to tear the scroll out of her sister’s aura.
“Canterlot’s been attacked, Blueblood has betrayed us.” Luna hissed the scroll dropping to the ground.
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The next morning found Princess Cadence,Shining Armor, Neon, and several of the city council members sitting around the table in the royal meeting room.
“So we’re all in agreement, the first thing that needs to be addressed is the wall and it’s barrier.” Cadence said as each of the other ponies at the table nodded in agreement.
“Yes, all other things must wait, insuring the safety of Canterlot and all it’s citizens comes first.” Fancy Pants smiled looking at Fleur as she too nodded her ascent.
“I’ve already got most of my men working on said wall at the moment, as soon as they are done I will reform the barrier and we can start rebuilding the structures that were destroyed in the fire.” Shining Armor added bowing to Cadence and Neon respectively.
“That’s all well and good Shining Armor,but what’s to stop the Griffons from destroying this new shield that you’re going to put up against them. They know it’s weaknesses now, thanks to Blueblood; using the same tricks over and over is not going to keep them out for long.” Neon sighed his amethyst gaze burning a hole through the Captain of the guard.
“Then what is it that you propose Prince Neon, a barrier shield is the only known form of defensive magic that modern Unicorns know how to cast, unless you can somehow get away with casting spells that have been outlawed for over a millennium, it’s our only option.”
“I love how you all fail to see the resources that are at your disposal, I’m not talking illegal arcane magicks, I’m talking about the Tremere technique of blood shielding.” Neon laughed and Shining Armor glared at him.
“Please explain Neon.” Cadence asked as Neon stood up and began circling the table.
“It’s simply this, Shining Armor will create a traditional barrier around the wall, while I with my Thaumaturgy will weave blood into his magic creating what is known as a blood barrier. It is much more stronger than a simple Unicorn barrier and will stand up to even the most advanced dark magicks.” Neon explained using a small amount of the blood from his flask to animate the process.
“It sounds promising, how much will it take out of you Neon?” Cadence asked concern for the Vampony evident in her voice.
“If the cleanup of the City is not complete then it won’t take anything at all, I will simply use the blood that has been spilt in the street from the battle, the fallen guard will live on in the spirit of protection, and the blood of our enemy shall protect us from their own.” Neon replied smiling at his foalsitter.
“Well then I say we should get started immediately.” Fancy Pants added stand up from the table. “All in favor of the Prince’s proposal?”
“Aye.” Everypony said in unison.
T.B.C