Brothers' Past

Later, as night fell, Nexus returned to his chambers and as he entered he was immediately met with a strange stallion that was jumping up and down on his bed.

“You there, who are you and why are you in my chambers?!” Nexus yelled at him, voice thick with complete rage.

“Oh hush, be nice, I’m a guest.” The stallion smiled. Nexus rushed over to him but he teleported away.

“Do not run from me, you cowardly peasant.” Nexus growled at the stallion as he turned around.

“Why not? It’s easier to run.” The stallion taunted him.

“State your name and reason as to why you are here.” The stallion teleported again and this time reappeared next to him; he stood on his hind legs and leaned on Nexus to annoy him.

“If you’re going to give me an order, you could at least do it politely-“ Cutting off the stallion's arrogant speech, Nexus’ entire body lit up with a black flame that threw the stallion off of him.

“State your name before I kill you!” Nexus yelled at him.

“Very well, my name is Discord, I was sent here by the Principles of Creation.”

“For what reason?” Nexus growled at him.

“When we heard that you killed one of the strongest magic users we began feeling a bit…uneasy. So, they sent me here to make a negotiation.”

“And that would be?”

“Stand down if you know what’s good for you.” He then disappeared, leaving nothing behind but a scroll reading ‘give up’ on it in black text. Nexus growled to himself then used his magic to light the scroll with a black flame. As the scroll burned he went to his bed and climbed under the covers and began to sleep. The next day as he awoke he saw June standing at the entrance of his room; she had a nervous look on her face as if something went wrong and she didn’t want to tell him.

“Good morning my lord-“

“What happened?” Nexus growled at her as he stood up.

“We…we have company.” She told him. He sighed loudly then got out of his bed, as he opened the door he was greeted by a familiar face.

“Hello old friend!” Discord popped up out of nowhere and startled him, sly grin on his face.

“You!” Nexus roared, he charged at him but missed and stabbed his horn into the wall.

“Well, some pony woke up on the wrong side of the bed today-“

“I’ll skin you alive and eat your lungs!” he yelled. He ripped his horn out of the cave wall and began chasing Discord all the way to the surface. When they got there, he saw a group of alicorns waiting for him. “What is the meaning of this-?”

“See, I told you he was scary! Why didn’t you listen!?”

“That’s enough Discord.” A mare told him. “Nexus Black, do you know who we are?”

“I couldn’t care less.”

“We are the Principles of Creation, and do you know why are here?”

“To taunt me by not allowing me to skin the obnoxious beast hiding behind you?”

“Keep talking pal-“

"Discord." She said sternly. "No, we are here for your decision.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Nexus turned around and started walking back to the den.

“Will you stand down or will you defile our orders?” Nexus began laughing.

“Defile of course, why would I listen to you? I do not fear you or your pets.” He said with a look at Discord, taunting them; he continued walking into the den. “Do what you wish, just leave me be.”

“Very well, we hereby declare war on you and your brotherhood of ‘darkness’” the mare replied; Nexus stopped dead in his tracks.

“You wish to go to war against beings who can move through the shadows? Are you putting a wish of death upon your soldiers?”

“No soldiers, just us and your brotherhood.” Nexus laughed at her.

“Very well, but be warned, we are savage fighters, we will show no mercy, and once the dust has cleared from the battle grounds, your corpses shall be gone, there will be nothing of you left. That which remains will wish it never had.” Nexus chuckled quietly as he entered the caves.

“My lord-“

“June, gather all our members in the chamber of my later mother.”

“…Yes my lord.” After that she ran off into the network of tunnels.
As night fell June reappeared in the colossal chamber. “My lord, I have gathered every pony just as you requested.” She bowed to him. As she stood up, the living shadows started appearing in the top area of the chamber, laughing as they crawled out of the shadows. Once the living shadows were situated in above everyone, the other members started gathering.

“Listen up! Earlier today we were challenged to war against the Principles of Creation, a group of alicorns who desires to separate our family.” Nexus announced. The crowd all began to boo and hiss at the sheer, impossible thought of their family broken. “They spoke to me as if they had already won! But when war comes we shall defeat them and we shall scrape every last piece of flesh from their bones!” With his simple words, cheers erupted from the booing. “We shall win this war and we shall coat the world in the darkest of shadows, that way we may forever roam the land whenever we please! So my children, now is the time to get ready! Forge your weapons and armor, and prepare for the War of Dawn!” When he finished speaking, every pony in the room started cheering and moving out to prepare for battle. Unicorns began teleporting out of the room with clever grins. They were followed by the Pegusi who flew out in a joyous burst of cheering, and lastly the earth ponies and the living shadows who group together and disappeared.

“Shall I go get ready my lord?”

“June, you are to stay in the den until the war has ended.”

“What!?” June complained as Nexus began walking off. “But my lord! I want to fight for you-!”

“You shall do no such thing!” He interrupted, growling.

“But why my lord!?”

“Because! Since all this began you have remained by my side, and I refuse to lose you.”

“My lord.” June stopped in her tracks, blushing, and watched him walk off. As she approached him he lifted his head and slammed it on the edge of the stone seats next to him. “My lord!”

“Impure thoughts of kindness leave my head. They sicken me with their truth.” He whispered to himself. As June approached him, he started losing his balance and fell into her side. She caught him, hearing his voice, muffled but sad. “Take me to my chambers, June.”

“Yes my lord.” She started guiding him through the cavern network and as they moved they heard the sound of clanging metal; the members prepared their armors throughout the caves.
They turned down corners and approached his room. June opened the door with her magic and helped Nexus through it. The room was luxurious. It was very large and fitting for its occupant.
A rug was laid across the floor, bones appearing to line the vivid edges due to the intricate artwork and skulls were shown on the corners against the crimson background. A fireplace with black wrought iron covering the barely flickering coals was to the left of the rug, cut into the cave wall by Nexus' magic. On the opposite side of the room was a dark red desk, maps placed haphazardly over the wooden surface. To the side of the desk, touching the door frame, were black bookshelves, books set neatly on each shelf. A large cherry wood bed was facing the door, plush deep red blankets with black sheets atop it. Two black silk pillows sat at the head of the bed, fluffed and positioned by June in an attempt to please her lord.
It was this bed that Nexus collapsed onto now, at war with himself, no enemies truly present, only inner demons. He curled into a ball and shut his eyes. June stood by the bed, curious, but unsure how to proceed. She opted for the direct route.

"My lord? Why must I stay here instead of fighting for you? Why are you so ill all of a sudden?"

"You foolish peasant." He growled. "I'm not about to lose you. Protecting me is not worth losing you. It's not your battle." June flushed, embarrassed, before glaring at him.

"It is where you are concerned. My lord I have been with this Order for as long as you have. I've been by your side since you took it over. You're... all I have. I'd give anything to protect you."
Nexus sat up on his haunches, his teeth clenched together, in obvious pain.

"You... absolute... fool. I forbid you from battle. If I lose you June..." He shut his eyes. "N-never mind."

"My lord, are you alright?" June questioned. "You are out of sorts because of this talk. N-nexus?" He looked up at her.

"Do not use my name."

"Yes, my lord. I merely required your true attention." She hesitantly lifted his muzzle with her hoof and looked into his eyes. They seemed cold with hate but there was something...something there, something unfamiliar to her. She leaned closer to him as their muzzles met. Before he could react she had stepped back, towards the fire. "I have been with this Order and by your side for most of my life. I have always been cheering for you, whether you've realized it or not. I do not want to see you harmed in battle. I'm sorry for my rash actions but if you don't return after the battle... I hope to have done that at least once. I... love… to have done that... at least once." She blushed.
Nexus stared up at her. She had closed her eyes and her head was down towards the rug. He stared at her, his legs still feeling weak beneath him as he stretched out along the bed.

"June. Do not... mistake my cold attitude for anger."

"What do you mean?"

"I am not keeping you home as a punishment. I cannot lose you. You'd better know that. You are the sole exception to the stupidity and imbeciles surrounding me on a day to day basis." June stepped toward him, her muzzle red.

"My lord... I do not know what to say. I think you should know something too..." She stepped closer, at the edge of the bed. The scent of her shallow, nervous breaths was sweet as candy upon his senses.

"Silence, for I already know it."

"Y-you do?"

"Yes. I know it because I feel it as well."

"You do?!"

"...yes..." He turned from her and laid with his back to her, curled into a ball again as his eyes shut tight. He opened them only when he felt the bed be disturbed. June sat at the edge of it, her head tilted slightly. She took a deep breath and laid down, her muzzle inches from his.

"I… love you." She whispered, barely audible.

"And I you. You are the single flicker of true shadow that keeps me going when the light threatens to expose me." He said, running a hoof from her ear through her mane. He kissed her, nervously at first, but content as he felt her push back into him, both content to have a weight lifted from them at the truth revealed.

The next morning, as the sun rose and the flames roared in his room, Nexus was surprisingly tolerable of the mare curled up next to him, her muzzle against his chest. He climbed out of his bed and using his magic he pulled the covers back over June.

“Sleep well my love.” He whispered to her as he ran a hoof through her mane; he turned around and left his chamber, quietly closing the door behind him.

“My lord-!”

“What is it Spire.” Nexus asked angrily; he faced the stallion and he backed up nervously.

“My lord, the war has started; the Principles have declared the first attack.”

“How so?”

“Well…Y-you should probably see for yourself my lord.” The stallion guided him through the tunnels and up to the surface. Once they arrived the two saw a crowd of members gathered in front of something. Nexus approached the group, his status forcing the ponies to step back, causing a path through the crowd. When he made it to the center of the crowd he saw what they were all looking at. The body of a stallion, completely black except for the blood that dripped from the cuts along it.

“This…is one of my Living Shadow guards."

“We found him like this a few hours ago-“

“Why did you not tell me!?” Nexus roared at him.

“I would have but... you were asleep in your chamber and you had a mare with you. I thought it would be impolite to interfere up on the two of you-“

“Silence!” Nexus roared causing Spire, along with everypony else, to bow in submission and fear. Nexus looked back at the body one last time. “All of you, prepare your selves for war. Today marks the day that our family kills those who stand against it. Those that oppose us will find too late that prudent silence is wise.” Every pony that was gathered there stomped their hooves a single time then started heading back into the caves. As Nexus entered the caves he saw June fighting past everyone to get to him.

“My lord!”

“June, I thought you were asleep.”

“I was, I... just woke up. What’s going on?”

“War has started my love; the Principles have declared the first attack.” Nexus continued walking into the tunnels and June followed him.

“My lord wait.” June called out to him but he ignored her and continued walking at a faster pace; when she finally caught up to him she saw he was already dressed in his armor. A sheath hung loosely at his side as he placed his sword inside it. “My lord please don’t do this, you can’t go.”

“My love, I promise you I shall return.” Nexus told her as she held her head up.

“My lord-“

“Do not address my as ‘my lord’ anymore. It is too plain for your lips. I request that you call me by my true name.” June smiled at him faintly.

“Very well... Nexus.” She murmured, kissing him a final time.
He walked off and joined the members he had told to get ready. Before they left he told the other members that he would escort thirty soldiers to aid him in the fight against the Principles. "My brothers, my sisters, I and a small, dedicated group, leave this day to restore peace and balance to our order; to seek revenge on the loss of our brother. A moment for him."
As his speech ended the soldiers around him bowed their heads in remembrance. When they opened their eyes a few moments later, the warriors had left them, their leader in front, his anger tangible.
Months have passed since that day. During dusk of the end of the fourth month Nexus finally returned, but something appeared wrong. “Nexus!” June shouted as she ran over to him.

“June?” Nexus looked up and dropped his blade as she approached him, when she was close to him she placed her hoof on his shoulder and kissed him.

“Nexus I’m glad you have returned safely.”

“It is... a relief to see you once more love.”

“Is something wrong?” June asked, seeing his body was covered with large scars. “Nexus... you're hurt.”

“I know. I’m sorry June, but I have failed, I was defeated in war.” Nexus sighed as he walked past her and back into the caves.

“Nexus wait, you have not failed yet.”

“What do you mean, June?”

“Nexus, while you were away other ponies came by wanting to join us, to serve you.’

“Is that so?”

“Indeed, a few of them were special; one was an expert on explosives, another is a great miner, and a mare offered to allow the use of her forbidden spell books.”

“You think a few black magic spells can aid us in a fight against alicorns!?”

“Nexus, wait no, I’m sorry I didn’t mean-“

“No. No I’m sorry, I failed and because of that I’m just furious with myself. I never truly meant to take it out on you. Forgive me.”

“I will always forgive you, but Nexus there’s something you need to know.”

“What is it?”

“While you were away some of the members insisted on leaving to aid you, I tried to stop them but they ignored me saying that I had no power over them.”

“Hmm, in that case, June I hereby put you in the position of Den Leader.”

“Excuse me?”

“While I am away, you are in charge of the caves, if any pony is to rise against you, you have the right to execute them.”

“Oh, Nexus, it’s an honor. Thank you.”

“And June.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you. Have you gained weight?” June blushed and turned away from him, a hoof over her considerably larger stomach.

“Well, I suppose so-“

“Your are refusing to tell me something June, what is it.”

“Forgive me my love. I have been hiding this but, Nexus, I’m pregnant.” Nexus sighed with anger and sorrow. “Nexus, what’s wrong?”

“I have burdened my family along with you, I’m sorry.”

“Nexus don't say that, it’s ok, I don’t feel burdened.”

“Really?”

“No, I’m proud to the mother of our child, it’s an honor.” June smiled as she nuzzled up to him, and feeling joy in him he did the same.

“My lord!” a stallion shouted from the forest. Nexus immediately turned around and saw him approach them, his pace slowing. “My lord, I have grave news.”

“What is it Decay?”

“The Principles said that they feel insulted because of how weak our forces were and now…now they are coming here to deal with you-“

“What!?”

“Forgive me…my…lord.” The stallion wheezed as he collapsed to the ground and died, wounds upon his back. In a panic, Nexus rushed inside.

“Nexus wait!” June shouted, when she caught up to him he stopped and faced her.

“June listen to me my love, you are to enter my chambers and extinguish the flames!”

“What-“

“Listen, extinguish the flames and enter the fire place, do not leave until I return-“

“But why-?”

“Just do it, for the sake of your life you must do this.” June stood there frozen but eventually nodded at him and ran down the tunnels to his room. Once she was gone he ran to the main chamber and sat atop the stone sarcophagus placed in the center, waiting patiently. Hours passed and he heard screams coming from the tunnels, trying his best not to aid the fighters he remained where he was and waited as opposed to joining in the fray and getting them hurt more.

“There you are! I was wondering where you ran off to!” a familiar voice shouted at him from behind.

“You again. I was hoping one of the others would find me first.”

“Yeah? Well too bad.” Discord replied, he stepped backwards to join the other alicorns entering the chamber.

“I hope you all do not think I shall go down without a fight.” Nexus growled at them as he stood up.

“We gave you a chance but you refused. For that you must suffer the consequence.”

“Fine, but as I said, I shall not go down without a fight.” Nexus charged at them. Before he could reach the first row of seats a wall of flame appeared in front of him, stopping him dead in his tracks; the wall quickly went around his protection spell and grew into dome trapping him within it.

“Nexus Black, for your crimes against your kind, you are hereby banished to Tartarus where you shall spend the rest of your days.” They all stomped their hooves and the dome began shrinking until it vanished taking Nexus along with it. His vision soon turned dark.

“Hey, wake up.”

“Who dares command me?” Nexus growled as he opened his eyes, when his sight became clear he saw a strange beast standing in front of him with twisted horns on both sides of his head. “Who are you?”

“I go by a few names, but they don’t matter, since you ain’t gonna be using any of them. But right now, all you need to know is that I rule this place.”

“I s that so? Why are you wasting time greeting me then?”

“Well it’s not every day you get to meet the son of the twin bridges. But anyway listen up…what was your name again?” the stallion laughed. “It was something Black…'Pitch Black'? Yeah that seems about right considering how you look.”

“How dare you.” Nexus growled at him, he looked down at his hooves and saw that his coat was stained black and all the scars on his body were searing red.

“Growl at me all you want, I really couldn’t care less. Anyway, listen up, you serve me now, you do as I say, I promise, that stuff here won’t be as bad as they are now-“

“Pitch Black-“

“What?”

“The same color as my heart and soul-‘

“What are you talking about? You know what, forget it. Get up kid-“

“You do not command me.” Nexus laughed at him with a voice that started growing deeper as he stood, overcoming the beast's height. “You do not command me, for I command you.”

“Again, what?”

“Bow before me-“

"You want to make me-" and just then Nexus slammed his hoof down on his head forcing him to kneel. “What do you think you’re doing-?”

“I’m taking your kingdom from you…Is there anything you wish to do about it?”

"How about I kill you where you stand-" he attempted to get up and Nexus used his magic to rip the bones from his flesh.

"Do not challenge me…You know I shall win-"

“What are you doing!? You’re supposed to serve me!”

“I shall do no such thing…for you see, you serve me now.” Nexus stared at him with complete hatred in his eyes. As the beast looked back, he saw that his eyes turned from the deep blue of the ocean to redder than the scars on his coat. “From this day on…you shall remain at my side.” Nexus pulled several more bones out of his body and melted them down into a hard material with his magic; sharpening it against the stone ground. The beast's spine was morphed into wood.

“Get…get off me..” the beast struggled, he attempted to get up but Nexus tore the skin off his body and turned into in to a black leather. He then took the leather and wrapped it around the wooden stick that was once held up the beast. He took the bone blade and attached it to the handle. “What…what are you?”

“I am your king.” He replied as he tore out his skull and placed it behind the blade; he then took what was left of his body and used it. The flesh was used as leather guard and the bones were added to the handle and blade for gruesome decorum. "You shall forever serve me." Nexus whispered to the skull; its eyes began to light up. He raised his new scythe and in a single swing cut off his horn. His horn fell to the ground and began disappearing into a black mist that would forever surround his new weapon as an enchantment. He raised it above his head and turned into a black cloud that disappeared shortly after. “Dawn shall fall beneath me and my new powers.” Nexus told himself, his back began to arch and his bones began cracking until wings grew, but his wings were unlike any Pegasus one would find, for they were the wings of bat.
“I shall rise…and they shall forever fall…”