Regrets of the Past

Chapters

Prologue: The story
Chapter 1: The Beginning
Chapter 2: The Talk
Chapter 3: The Past of an Empire
Chapter 4: The Dark Ones
Chapter 5: The Darkness of our Hearts
Chapter 6: The Goodbye

Prologue: The story

Twilight Sparkle the purple alicorn galloped out of the throne room in Ponyville as fast as she could toward the ever free forest. She had been called for a meeting by Princess Celestia at the castle of the two sisters. Just as she passed by town hall a rainbow pegasus mare with the name of Rainbow dash, zoomed by over head. Stopping short, she lands in front of Twilight, swerving out of the way just as Twilight trips and flips over landing on her back.
"Uh hey Twilight," Rainbow Dash greets. "Where you heading off to?"
"The castle....... Everfree............forest!" Twilight exclaims panting.
"Why don't you just fly there?" Rainbow dash questions helping her up.
"Oh yeah," Twilight blushes embarrassed. Realizing that Rainbow Dash was giving her "The Hopeful Look" she sighs and rolls her eyes.
"Would you like to come with me?"
"Really!" Rainbow Dash's eyes light up.
"I would enjoy the company, but you must be quiet during the meeting!" Twilight instructed.
"Yes mother," Rainbow dash rolls her eyes sarcastically.

The two race each other to the castle with Twilight in the lead she let's out a big "Woo Hoo!"

They eventually reach the castle, and they both sit on the top of a fallen log watching the beautiful orangish-yellow glow of the sunset as the sky turned into a blazing red-orange
"Romantic isn't it?" Rainbow dash jokes making a kissy face at Twilight.
"Aw shut up!" Twilight laughs pushing Rainbow dash off the log.
"It was just yesterday that we all were here defeating Nightmare Moon and getting the elements of harmony for the first time." Rainbow dash smiles, sitting down in front of Twilight.
"And that is one of my best memories of all," Twilight puts her wings around Rainbow dash "The one where we all became friends,"
"You sure do live up to your title as the princess of friendship." Celestia says walking up to them with a warm smile on her calm face.
"I don't mean to be rude but, what did you call the meeting for?" Rainbow dash asks bowing quickly.
Celestia's smile disappears and is replaced with a small frown. "We can talk about that later, for now we shall join Cadence and Luna in the lunch I have prepared."
"Where is my brother?" Twilight asked cocking her head to the side.
"He had to stay at the Crystal empire to teach some foals atheletics." Celestia concluded. "But we have important matters to discuss after lunch. You can stay if you want Rainbow Dash you might as well know also,"
Giving the white alicorn a puzzled look she follows the ancient mare into the castle dinning hall which the mane six had fixed up the previous week. Un aware that Twilight was directly behind her she jumps when Twilight whispers "Beautiful isn't it!" into her ear.
"What are you talking," Rainbow Dash started following her gaze untill her eyes landed on her target in the throne room. "About,"
It was a statue of two golden quills surrounding a red gem, floating above of the gem were three pearl sized diamonds that were rainbow colored.
"What is it?" Rainbow Dash inquired clearly admiring the statue.

"You both will learn more about it later." Celestia assured.

The meal was very delicious. The ponies were served at the ancient stone table that was once used a thousand years ago. There were fruits, vegtables, oats, sandwiches, drinks, and baked goods of all sorts. Three times more than Rainbow Dash had even known existed. picking up a red and green fruit that was shaped like a horseshoe Rainbow Dash was about to take a bite but was interrupted by the perky little purple alicorn.
"That is called fruit de fer à cheval des nuages, it comes all the way from Prance! It means horseshoe fruit of the clouds." Twilight continued talking, clearly in teacher mode. "Ooh ooh! And that one comes from Shireland!" Twilight points at a purple cone shaped fruit.

"Thanks for the lesson, but im going to stick to what i'm used to eating." Rainbow Dash Giggles, throwing an apple into the air and catching it in her mouth. Everypony clapped, even the guards. "Thank you! Thank you!" Rainbow Dash bows, as if she had just successfully done a violin performance. Taking a bite of her apple she glances into the throne room again.

After the delicious feast the five ponies slowly made their way into the throne room to see that there had been four matresses set up for the meeting. Uncomfotably Rainbow Dash sprawls on the floor next to Twilight while the four alicorns snuggle up in blankets and pillows.
Starting to realize that it is probably getting very cold later, Twilight motions with her head for Rainbow Dash to snuggle up next to her on the matress. As the two ponies huddled under the blankets and pillows, Celestia clears her voice and says that it was time to start but, was interrupted by Cadence who grabbed her blankets and handed them all out to the shivering guards. Next, she went and huddled up with Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Celestia glances at Luna who stares at her hooves like a foal who broke something and was getting scolded. giving her a look of sympathy the white mare lifts up Luna with a magical levatating spell and lays her next to her. Now that each pony was cuddled up nice, warm, and quiet Celestia clears her voice once again and announces,
"It's time to start,"
She sets out five cups and pours a white potion into the cups and gives them to each of the four ponies and then grasps her own cup.
"Princess, isn't this the potion I used when we had to save the harmony tree?" Twilight asks studying the familiar drink.
"Yes, it is. And this story can't exactly be explained with words." Celestia replies expertly.
Every pony holds their cups either with magic or their hoof. "Bottoms up." Rainbow dash shrugs.
And everyponys' eyes flash white as they are all thrown back into time at the speed of light.

Author's Note

Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of my story, I will be making the seccond chapter soon so if you like the story so far, hang on in there. Let me know what you think about the story in the comments, by for now. I <4 you all (divergent term lol)

Chapter 1: The Beginning

It was on a calm sunny Saturday afternoon In the Aroure forest, or Everfree forest as you know it, a young filly was born. But not just any filly, she was the newest princess to the royal alicorn family. Of coarse, this is way before your generation, a time where alicorns were the most common type in the pony race. Anywho the new princess was a light blue alicorn with a brown mane and tail. Her eyes were a royal purple, there was also a red streak going down the bangs all the way to the tip of her mane. She had two older sisters. Celestia, the eldest who was four. And Luna, who was two. The three loved each other as soon as they made eye contact. The sisters' parents were Dreamcatcher, their mother, and Solar Orbit, their father. Because of the little blue alicorn's fiery, curious, trouble making, loving, and beautiful spirit, she was named Princess Brightfire.

"Boo!" Brightfire shouts jumping from behind the sun and moon statue, scaring Luna.
"Hey!" Luna pouts. "How do you keep on finding me!"
"Because I have a strong connection to my BSBFF!"
"Whaaaaaaaaa," Luna tilts her head in the puzzled way she almost always does.
"You are my big sister best friend forever!" Brightfire explains bouncing excitedly. Suddenly pausing she cocks her head "Tia is in second place!"
"Okay well at least i'm still one of your BSBFF's" Tia chuckles strutting over to the two younger fillies. "So, are you excited about tomorrow?"
"Yup!" Tomorrow Brightfire was turning five, which meant that Luna was going to turn seven. Also it meant that Tia had already turned nine.
Noticing that Brightfire's face had gone blank and only her ears were twitching, Luna was about to ask what was wrong but was stopped by Tia, who placed her hoof on Luna's shoulder. Promptly Brightfire turns and gallops out of the throne room and stops in front of the fillies' parents room. Eventually Brightfire sees Tia and Luna following. Hushing them she puts her ear up to the door.
"You are so bad Brightfire!" Tia smirks whispering. "Eavesdropping on mom and dad like that," She starts to trot away.
"Well at least I will be the only one's to know about the banana sundaes that mommy and daddy are going to make for us later." Brightfire teases.

Rolling her eyes Tia sticks her tongue out at Brightfire. "Come Luna let's leave Brightfire to her, spying."

It was June 1st. Finally June 1st. The morning started out with me falling out of the bed. I had a purple bedroom with white tile. My bed was huge and had royal purple curtains on it. My pillows were orange and I had the comfiest baby blue blanket EVER. Do you know why? Because i'm a princess. Okay maybe Luna's blankets are softer but why am I talking about blankets softness on a day like this. No, not a day like this. On this day. Why am I making it sound like an important day. Oh yeah, because it's my birthday and i'm now five! Today my whole family and me, oh I mean and I are going to go to Prance to celebrate. Oh but that meant that I need to get ready.
"Gumdrops are red, And candies are blue. I would give away all my sweeties because, I love YOU!" I sang in my adorable squeaky voice. "I am one no more, neither am I two, if I was still that than I would be very blue. Wait I am blue!"
I liked making up new songs. Actually, I loved it. I love singing, it lets other ponies know how I am feeling. I grab my brush with my hoof and start to brush my mane and tail, they are down to my knees now. I stare hard in the mirror. I sure don't look five, I look like the same, everyday old Brightfire. Then I randomly see a flash of light appear on my head. But, it disappears just as fast as it came.
"Could it be?" I exclaim. "Somepony napped my glow!"
I dive into my huge closet searching for my detective outfit. Finding what I was looking for I pick up my maggieflying glass and slip on my jacket and hat.
"I can be a detective for my Birthday!" I suddenly realize the brilliant idea and race out my room closing the door behind me.
I observe everything around me through the glass as I head to the throne room, when suddenly I feel like something is different. I look up and gasp as I see the glow on my horn again! But it disappears just as quickly as it did the first time. I then hear a thump and see my glass flat on the floor.

"Okay who ever is doing this, it's NOT funny!" I shout. Glaring around I don't see anypony, so I place my glass on my hat and keep on walking. At that moment I hear a sound that I hear only mommy, daddy, and only the unicorns make. I glance up at my horn and see the glow. Except this time it was huge. I gape around the room as I randomly see antique items such as vases, trophies, pantings, my hat, and my glass floating around. I was so shocked at that moment that my wings spread by themselves and all of the items fell to the floor, and before i know it, I have crashed through the castle room and I was getting farther and farther from the ground.

I couldn't help it. I scream. But not out of the terror that I thought that I was feeling. It was out of the excitement that I have never had so much of in my life, what I was truly feeling.
I unclip the button to my jacket and it floats back down to the castle. I then realize that I was going to far up. Panicking would have been my first reaction but I remember what my mommy told me to say if i'm about to panic, it was really a nice song actually.
"Buttercups, Dandelions, remind me of you.
And they remind me that i must do what i must do.
First I close my eyes and count to ten,
And when I open them i'll be calm again."
I close my eyes and count all the way ten,i feel my heart slow down, when I open them I am floating in mid air far away from the ground. An idea comes to my mind.
"No, i'm only five." I reason with myself. "Even if I seem weak I can do this!"
I nosedive down, as I gain speed I feel the wind resistance against me stronger and stronger. I feel like I should give up, my muscles burn so bad and I feel like I will come apart. No, I will never give up!
Then, it happens. I break the chains that held me down. I feel free like nothing can hold me anymore I belong to myself. I see a trail of rainbow and fire colors following me as I continue to ascend down. An explosion of blinding colors grows larger and larger above me.
"Woo hoo!" I cheer and I look down to see ponies of all sorts cheering and staring in awe. I am over a forest now. I crash into the trees and fall to the ground I fall on top of a young colt the same age as I. He is red and has a white and grey mane and tail. his eyes are solid black. His wings have red and white feathers in three layers. I must admit, he is handsome. Even to some pony as young as me, or I I mean. Realizing that I landed on top of him and that I was staring at him, I quickly jump up and back up.
"I'm so sorry!" I apologize. I move forward to help him up first by grabbing his hoof.
As soon as he looks up at me his jaws drops, he tried to cover it with a yawn.
"I truly am!" I repeat.
"For what?" He assures. "I'm fine really! I feel great knowing that I broke a pretty filly's fall!" He blushes looking away. I feel a tingling in my stomach all the way into my heart. I too blush and look down at my hooves.
"I'm Dreya,"
"I'm Brightfire,"
"I better go." He starts to walk away but falls over and starts to cry.
"Oh my are you okay!" I ask observing his front left hoof. "We should go find your mommy and daddy,"
"I don't have any." He sniffs.
"Well why don't you come with me to my house and my parents will help you."
He looks as if he might object but considers it. He nods his head. I then focus on how I will get him to my house. I see an orange glow start to appear from my horn and then one start to surround Dreya. He gives me a look of confusion and worry but doesn't fight me. I flap my wings and I am once again in the air except this time Dreya is right next to me. He studies my wings then does the same.
"I'm, i'm flying!" He shouts.
As we start towards the castle he pants more and more, then he leans against me. I fly up high grabbing a cloud and return with it to the exhausted colt. Without an invitation he settles down onto it.

"This has been the strangest day ever!" I exclaim.

"GET THE NEEDLES!"
A white mare with a grey and pink mane cuddles Dreya and a black and hot pink one readies a shot. With one look at the size of the needle and where it will enter Dreya faints.
"AND A WET TOWEL!"
I walk into the hospital room with Tia, Luna, Mommy, and Daddy. Every pony bows and returns to what they were doing before.
Trotting to the side of the bed, I jump up and hold Dreya's good hoof in my hooves and call his name.
"Brightfire.....?" Dreya groans regaining his consciousness.
"Hey," I reply softly feeling the tingling again. I look to where the nurse is holding his hoof lightly.
"Are you a princess?"
I nod my head and hold his good hoof.
"Will he be alright?" My mommy asks looking worriedly back and fourth from his hoof to the Nurse's face.
"Yes your majesty," She assures bowing her head.
Daddy gestures for me to follow him into the hallway. I hesitantly follow.
"Explain everything starting from this morning."
I cower back into the corner and I eventually step forward and describe everything starting from when I woke up. He seems to believe me and has the worried look that mommy has a lot.
"I should have known this day would come!" He closes his eyes and sighs. Shaking his head he lifts me up onto his back and zooms out of the hospital and deep into the Aroure forest. But he didn't go to the castle, he went into the dark and spooky part.
"Daddy where are we goin'?" I shake.
"You are more powerful and important than you know it,"

Chapter 2: The Talk

"What was it like?"
"Were you scared?"
"Was there monsters!"
Those were only three questions that Tia and Luna tortured me with.
"Children your sister has had a long day! We shall go eat Lunch and then it's nap time." Mommy scolded.
Daddy and I had gotten back from the dark place a few hours ago.
"You can tell us later then!" Tia whispers excitedly in my ear and then dashes away to the bath room. Luna walks with her head down to her room.
"I'm not hungry right now mother," she says sadly and disappears into another hallway.
"I will bring you some food later on then!" Mommy calls after Luna. "You can go play if you want, I will see you later at lunch!"
She nuzzles me and hands me a small purple box. She then turns and heads to the throne room.
I walk to my room. I quietly open the door and gently place the box on my bed next to my hat and coat. I walk out the room closing the door behind me. When I glance up I see that the roof has already been fixed and that the antique items have all been moved somewhere else. I trot to Luna's room and knock on her door.
"Come in!" I heard a small voice instruct.
The voice surprisingly belongs to Luna who sits on her balcony who glares up a the sky. Her hair is frizzy and the room looks as if a tornado or hurricane had passed through.
"L-luna?" I stammer.
"Its just so unfair." she chokes. "Mother works so hard on making the night perfect, and no pony even cares. All that they love is Father's day."
"I-I care."
"Yeah right." She scoffs.
"No Luna, the ponies care." I say. "It's just that they have to work so hard to make a living and get food and shelter during the day that they are so exhausted by night time."
"Why during the day!" she questions.
"Because it is easier to see!" I conclude. "Plus, the night is a great time to cuddle up and let the stars sing you to sleep!"
"What?"
"Everything can sing, the trees' cool songs, the water's smooth songs, and lot's more!" I surmised.
Luna bites her lip and seems to consider it. She smiles and hugs me tightly.
"What would I do without you!"
"It's because I love you Luna!" I lean against her.
"You are the best friend and sister a pony couldn't even ask for!" Luna explains. "You are smart, kind, selfless, brave,"
"And you are really smart!" Tia adds in patting my head. She must have sneaked in. "Mother said that we could eat lunch in our rooms because father called a meeting!"
She hands us both a sandwich out of a picnic basket. Mother must have given it to her. We all eat our lunch and I open Tia's and Luna's presents. From Luna I get a little purple cat with a star on it's nose. From Tia I get a little yellow dog with a sun on one of it's eyes. then I remember that I still have to open Mommy's present.
"thank you guys, now I need to go open Mommy's present!" And I leave my sisters behind in the room.
As I pass the throne room on the way to my bedroom I hear my Daddy's quiet voice speaking to the council members. I peek through a crack in the doors and recognize most of the ponies.
"The time has come my friends," The young king starts "My daughters might just be the ones for the prophecy."
------------------------------------------@

I pace from my bed to the balcony over and over again. Words randomly pop up in my head and before I know it I'm singing them.
"Two beloved Alicorns,
Shall fall in love and three will be born.
Beauty will rise to be queen,
Knowledge will be Possesed by a darkness unseen.
She will grow jealous and hate the queen,
Killing the youngest of the three.
When the Most powerful dies,
The world will cry.
Knowledge will fail,
To Beauty the ponies will hail.
But powerfuls power shall be held in a tree,
So one day she might just return upon thee!"
The song seems to posses me and I throw myself at the big mirror in my room. I grab a quill, ink, and some paper and write the song down. As soon as I finish I scream and run to the edge of the balcony. Something is trying to push me off.
It is a dark shadowy figure with sharp green eyes and is making a hissing sound.
"NOOOOOO!" I scream at the top of my lungs and I spead my wings to try and fly away but it grabs me and we both start to plummet to the ground. With my back facing the ground I freak out and flail my legs.
When we are halfway to the ground the shadow goes into my chest, directly into my heart. For a moment I can't breathe. Then I hit the ground except everything explodes around me. I am all alone in the Aroure forest with no pony to help.

Then, darkness.

When I wake up I see a dim light though my right eye but everything is mostly blurry in my left. If I focus than I can see things but it is still very blurry.
I sit up and look around the dark room to discover that it is actually a cave and I am laying on an old blanket. A red blob with white and grey rushes over to me. I blink a few times and then everything clears out. It is Dreya and there is a small cast on his hoof.
"Hi," he greets.
"Is your hoof okay?" I question.
"it's just sprained!" he laughs. "it is actuwally the best thing that's happened to me!"
He jumps and dances in circles.
"what happened?" I ask.
"your parents agreed that I could go to school with you if we can become friends because they said that you don't really get along with new ponies."
My eyes light up.
"really! I will finally have a friend." I stand up and my legs shake a little, then I regain my balance. "how did you find me?"
"oh I just followed the sound trail of crashing!" he cracks up. "just like how we met."
What does he mean?
He must see the puzzled look on my face because he seems just as confused.
"don't you remember?" he asks
"all I remember is when I woke up, randomly visiting you at the hospital, and the gifts that my sisters gave me."
"wait, so how do you remember me?" he chokes. "Ah never mind!"
I waddle over to him and hug him.
"maybe we were destined to be fwiends, and go on adventures, and much more!" I reply.
He smiles and hugs me back.
"is your eye okay?" he puzzles.
"what do you mean," I snort.
He grabs a mirror on a stone dresser by the blanket I was on. When he faces it towards me I see what he meant.
"what!" I gasp.
My left eye was a light silver purple color.
"can you see okay?" he asks.
I nod my head. "it is a little blurry though."
"we should get you home!" he instructs.
We both start to walk over to a waterfall.
"um Dreya? How long have I been here?" I ask him worriedly.
"don't get mad but I was only making sure you recovered!"
"cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"
"you have been asleep for a whole week!" he answers.
"wow," is all I can say. We pass through the waterfall and I see the Aroure forest below us. In the distance I see the castle.
"ready?" he nudges my shoulder. I winny yes and he takes off.
I surprisingly catch up fast and zoom past him.
"so you remember how to fly then." he giggles.
"no," I answer. "but I do remember how to beat ponies in a race!"
When we are nearly there I hear tiny howls. I quickly slow down and fly to where the noise is comming from.
It is a red wolf pup on a log floating in the Purple River. I react without thinking and swoop down grabbing the pup before it falls in. I hear Dreya calling my name as I set the pup on the bank. Suddenly a huge tan wolf jumps out of a big grey bush, it growls.
"Bayoo aloo alpha." the pup defends me.
I somehow know what that means.
It's alright alpha.
A burgundy she wolf jumps out after alpha and cuddles the pup.
"I thought I lost you Cherokee!" she cries. In the corner of my eye I see Dreya walking hesitantly up to us. Alpha is about to launch at him but I step in the path.
"Bayoo aloo alpha!" I shout crouching into submission.
He stops and is probably shocked.
"you can understand wolf language." he gasps.
"yes but he can't," I reply motioning to Dreya.
"how?" he gapes in awe.
"I don't know," I stand up.
"uwm, I don't know what your saying but we need to get you home." Dreya buts in.
"we are in debt to you young filly. For saving my only son." Alpha thanks me. "we hope that we can prevent any wars between your kind and mine."
"umm ok but who are you all?" I gape.
"we young one, are the Last Great Wolves. We have wanted to ally your kin to ours but we have been afraid to."
" Afraid? Of ponies!" I giggle a little. "you should be, but we treat our allies like family."
" let us walk you back to your home." he offers.
"thanks! And I could teach you some English on the way!" I conclude. I turn to Dreya.
"it's alright, they are going to walk us home."
He wraps his wing around me. "don't worry I will protect you!"

we then follow alpha, cherokee, and the she wolf.

The burgundy she wolf I learned her name was Farencha. The alpha female.
I teach almost the whole language to alpha. He after all is a fast learner. Dreya and Alpha talk to each other so Alpha can perfect his English. Farencha and I giggle every time Alpha messes up.
"Well that is something to be proud of," he scoffs.
"What!?!?" we all shout harmonizing.
"I'm being taught by six year old ponies!" he laughs.
"Five!" Dreya and I snap.
We all crack up, and in less that an hour we arrive home. I see the worried look on Alpha's face which i now notice hat he has small wrinkles.
"It will be fine!" I reassure the old wolf. He smiles at me for a second then it disappears into a tight frown.
A guard rushes out through the gate followed by two other guards. The first one slips off his helmet and his red and gold hair falls just above his eyes. he has a lime green coat and mango yellow eyes. "Princess are you alright!" I fall into his embrace. He is the captain of the royal guard and he was here way before I was born. He was always like an older brother to me.

"It's ok Marigold!" I motion my head towards my strange looking group. "They are with me,"

"My sweet Gem!" Mommy exclaims bolting over to me as we arrived at the throne room. Daddy stares blankly at me then at Alpha and Farencha. His golden aroure glows and the sun starts to set.
"I was worried sick for you," She chokes tearing up. She randomly tuns her head away from me and coughs really hard.
"Mommy?"
"I am ok, really." Her face relaxes a little bit. "I just have a tiny cough."
"And Who do we have here?" Daddy questions, his voice sounding like a lions roar.
Alpha strides over to my daddy and they begin into a quiet conversation. Mommy scoops Dreya, Cherokee, and I up in her hooves and flies to my sisters and my playroom. I get a tiny glimpse of Farencha and my mommy giggling and speaking quietly to each other in the hall before slowly and quietly Cherokee closes the door.
"So this is your room?" Cherokee asks in Wolfen politely trying to break the silence.
I shake my head and show him around the room. We then trot out to the balcony and watch as my mommy raises the moon and places the stars in their positions.
"It's beautiful isn't it!" I State as we both gape in awe at the enchanted starry sky.
"Do you guys want to hear a poem I wrote for my mommy?" I offer. They both nod own words. I move a stone out of the way on the balcony to reveal a folded up paper and read it using the moons light.
"Darkness creeps across the sky,
the stars shine bright tonight. The ponies are all sleeping.
All cuddling close and tight.
the fireflies take flight above,
Shining like little diamonds.
And if i am to lose my way.
In my heart the stars will stay." I pause and dreya looks at the paper.
"Some days are gloomy, some days will shine," surprisingly Dreya continues it grabbing some ink and a quill.
"But it will always be alright," We add new words to the song-like poem back and fourth.
"When you sang me the star lullaby with,"
"You cheered me up when I would cry."
"If i'm sad you are somewhere near."
"You'll tell me not to worry dear,"
"For you told me to sing the lullaby,"
"When it was the time to say our goodbye,"
"I'll love you forever mother dear,"
" I wrote this small poem for you to hear,"
"It expresses my love my light my cheer,"
"you will stay forever in my heart,"
"I will guide you through the dark,"
"And if look to the light that's never far,"
"I will see you in the brightest shining star." I finish.
"See now THAT is a master piece!" Dreya compliments me and himself.
"Goodness how you both just happen to love to creativity!" Cherokee gapes.
I look from Cherokee to Dreya. "Let's all be friends forever!" I run to a small brown box and grab three moonstone necklaces out of it and placing them around each of our necks.
"Well one thing is certain!" Cherokee announces. Dreya and I glance over to the little wolf. "I'm just like fish in a net."
Dreya casts a confused look at Cherokee.
"I'm quite the catch my self!" He explains. We all laugh and Dreya starts to tell really funny jokes.
"What time is it when the elephant sits in the chair?" He starts. We both shrug. "Time to get an new chair!"

I must admit that this was the craziest week of my life so far, but everything is fine. For some reason, that made me love my life even more. Note to self: When times are rough and things get tough, just keep calm and walk on.
I then remember that I still have a gift I need to open from my parents.

Author's Note

thanks for getting this far and for believing in me! and more will be added!

Chapter 3: The Past of an Empire

SEVEN YEARS LATER

Seven years of my life has passed, much like lightning. Just one blinding flash with thunder in tow. I am now twelve. My sisters and I are have been attending a private school for alicorns, hosted by my daddy. As promised by my selfless mother Dreya attended the school with us. He was treated like he was part of the family now. He had a room next to my mine, across from Tia's and Luna's room. The castle seems different ever since my fifth birthday. The oddest day ever! Well not really, I've had some pretty other weird days that I probably shouldn't mention right now.
Anyways! If I really think about it, my life hasn't been that much exciting ever since that day. Except for the boring school work and lectures of how we will rule equestria one day. Dreya on the other hoof joined Aroure flight team which they go to competitions and win medals and scholarships and that interesting stuff.
I sigh as I glance out one of the many windows in the throne room just in time to see Dreya zoom past supposedly training for an upcoming meet.
I hear my daddy lecturing us about some disease and how it relates to some fallen empire in the background.
"This disease can not be cured and is much like cancer. It always leads to death. If a pony has this disease then he or she will never earn their cutie mark." Some of my classmates gasp at the idea of not ever knowing what makes them special. Not having a purpose in life. It's just horrible thinking about it.
"Only seven and a half years ago the Byzantine Empire was destroyed by an unknown source, these ponies that lived there before their great fall were born without cutie marks."
"That has to be his fastest yet!" I ponder while shaking my head feeling a hint of jealousy and that tingling rising. Dreya got to do he more fun classes while I got stuck with the future leaders courses.
"Brightfire!" I hear a sudden booming voice roar. I already know that it's my father.
I regretfully turn my head to meet his cold dark eyes set with a death glare. I cower down covering my head. I nearly cry when I notice snickers that can only belong to Tia, Luna, and the rest of the class. He steps down from his throne and stomps over to me.
"This is the fifteenth time this week! And you are just getting worse." he glares.
"I'm sorry Daddy," I stare at my hooves.
"Thats all you ever say!"
"Oh yeah! W-well I never asked to be a part of this stupid prophecy anyways!" I snap regretting it as soon as the words left my mouth.
My fathers eyes go wide. And instead of the look of anger that was there merely seconds before, a look of pure horror and shock spread across his aged face. But not for long.
"Get out," He commands too low to hear.
"What was that your majesty?" The nearest guard steps forward.
"I SAID," He growls towering over the guard "GET OUT ALL OF YOU!"
All the ponies give quick curtsies and bolt out of the room like their lives depend on it. But I know that they will be eavesdropping on him as soon as the doors close. I stand follow the others out but am stopped by my father. "Except for you,"
"Daddy i'm sorry i snapped at you, it was an accident! I didn't meant." I cower.
"OF COARSE YOU DIDN'T!" He spat.
I cried and started to back away. Daddy isn't supposed to curse. I see Tia and Luna giving him a horrified look as they trot out of the room. Tia has her wing around Luna because she was shaking so hard.
"Daddy i'm-"
"Don't you start with that i'm sorry crap because sorry isn't going to get you out of this!" He talks in a hushed voice which only makes him seem scarier.
"Please daddy-"
"And don't you think you are going to get away with this that easily!" He scolds me. I jump when the door slams shut and look in his eyes to see the pupils narrowing. "But how?" I think to myself.
He laughs evilly and smiles enough to display his once flat white teeth are now needle pointed and red stained. He struts to his throne
and picks up his gold and red dagger along with the rock he uses to sharpen it.
"I've waited a very long time to find you," a pained look appears on his face as if he were fighting something.
"F-f-father?" I stutter.
"You will never win, or take my family!" He screams.
"After i'm done there won't be a family to worry about! and then i will rule equestria."
"No!" He dashes over to me and holds me in a tight embrace. "I love you no matter what! but time is running out."
He looks me dead in the eyes. "remember all of our days together?"
I nod.
"You know that i love you right? I love all three of you equally,"
"I love you too daddy, but what is going on here!"
"It's time that you took your powers back and can you protect mine too?"
"What?"
His face scrunches up and he groans falling backwards. He then jumps up and his red aroure on his horn shines blindingly, growing bigger and bigger until it is half the size of him. And he whispers "I'm sorry sweetie."
Unexpectedly a ray of it hurtles towards me and strikes me before I can even dodge out of the way. All I can feel is pain all over my body as i am lifted from the ground and surrounded in a red bubble like glow. I screamed an ear splitting scream but I was in so much pain that I can only manage to open my mouth. I felt like I was on fire. I prayed for it to end but it seemed that the bubble only grew bigger and brighter. More pain followed. I was about to pass out when abruptly the bubble disappeared into my heart and I hit the marble floor with a huge thump. When my vision cleared and my ears stopped ringing i saw my father holding me whispering "It's over darling, it's over."

That was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.

I awoke to the sound of my mother's and father's hushed voices somewhere near me.
"What were you thinking!"
"I did what was right,"
"So nearly killing her is the right thing huh?"
I hear hoof steps coming near me and stopping.
"Listen to me!"
"Why should I,"
There was a long pause and I heard a sigh.
"That thing came back and almost caused me to,"
Another pause.
The hoof steps went back to their original spot.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to worry, especially with somepony in your condition!"
"Don't you blame it on my Disease! She could have gone in shock and died because of your selfishness.
I hear a heavier set of hooves stomp to what must be the door.
"I'm not selfish! I tried to save this kingdom and my family without trying to lose my wife too!"
Right after the door is slammed I hear a soft sob and some heavy coughs as my mother walks quietly out of the room. This was a whole lot to take in. My father did something to me that nearly killed me, and my mother is sick.
I open my eyes and sit up. I ignore the aching sore all over my body and look around. I was at home in my room.
"Well then, I think i'm going to go get a sandwich!" I think to myself and chuckle. I jump down of of my bed and open the door when out of the blue I felt that something was watching me. Observing around i step forwards and walk right into Dreya the tingling starts like a fire.
"Uh hey, Heard you were sick!" He greets with a confused look.
"Yeah I was, but i'm much better now," I blush. "I was just going to get a sandwich wanna come?"
"I was going to also! and yeah sure," He bounces. We start to walk down the hall after I close my door.
"So how's your day been?" He tilts his head and looks at me. He looks so handsome at that moment that I smile foolishly and then sigh. "I just realized that my live just got stressful again,"

Chapter 4: The Dark Ones

Author's Note

If you have gotten this far re read the story in case you have missed the updates!

Chapter 4: The Dark Ones

That night after we all say goodnight to each other I slowly make my way past the main classrooms. It's ten p.m. and boy was I tired! I hear the slow creaking of a door and see the last teacher leaving to go home. It is my old third grade teacher Mrs.Defrancesco. She doesn't see me and walks the other way towards the grand entry. I shrug and walk into a dark hallway. That is strange, this one was on just a moment ago. suddenly something crashes through the window. Since i'm the only one in this area of the first floor no pony could have heard that. It looks to be a hooded pony as it quickly stands. I back into a dark corner hoping it wont see me. The hooded pony's aroure glows. So it's a unicorn.
I gasp but I was too late to realize my mistake. It faces me and advances slowly towards me. The aroure glows for a second more and stops. I then feel my eyes flash. It felt like water was touching my eyes. The figure throws something at me and jumps back out of the window. This time a guard was near enough to hear the rest of the glass breaking.
"Are you well my lady?" He asks worriedly galloping over to me. I like his accent, wait why was i thinking of accents?
"I'm fine," I answer lying. I truly felt shocked.
The guard feels around the wall and lights the torches with some spare matches. "Then I shall escort you to your room for safety measures."
I nod a thanks to him. He hesitantly looks at me.
"I think you dropped your necklace princessa!" He scoops up the black mass and suddenly drops it groaning in pain.
I react quickly by grabbing his hoof and start a cooling spell hoping it would help, the relieved look he has answers a yes. There is a nasty burn mark on his hoof where the chain touched it.
"Are you alright?" I ask worriedly observing his hoof.
"I am ok, thank you your majesty!" He curtsies.
"Brightfire!" Dreya exclaims trotting over to us. "It's alright officer Endiot, I shall be escorting her to her room now."
The guard smiles and starts to turn away but stops. "Hey! How did you know I was escorting her to her room?"
He raises an eyebrow and gives Dreya a cold stare.
"One, that's just common sense. Two, uh she could have been killed just now isn't her room the safest place for her since it has TWO guards on it?"
The guard considers it. "Well, just how do you know that she could have been killed."
"Four words: Broken window, night time. It's part of exercise four to bring her to the guarded room. And with a pony like her...."
Dreya tilts his head towards me.
"HEY!" I growl.
"Plus I'm training to be a guard myself! I wouldn't be surprised if they BEG me to be the captain as soon as they see my killer moves."
Dreya punches at an invisible target, While the guard and I burst out laughing and we both fall to the floor choking for air.
The guard helps me up and pats Dreya's head while he continues down the hallway.

I hear him chuckling, "Good kid man, good kid."

"So what did you want to talk about OFFICER DREYA?" I roll my eyes.
"Ha ha brightfire, must be awesome to make fun of ponies' dreams." He teases.
"No, only yours!" I reply. Dreya and I laugh and then he clears his throat.
He gives me a look of what? Hope?
"I really like you Brightfire." He states hesitantly.
"Isn't that what friends are supposed to do?" I question with a laugh. "You know, get into fights allot over who's prettier. Tell each other our deepest secrets and crushes. Talk about the latest fashion. Or, is that to girly for you."
"No, no! I mean past the point of, well, friends." He glances at me not quite meeting my eyes.
"Best friends? Because we became that when we first met!" I say punching him softly on the shoulder.
"Past that." He shakes his head and rubs his shoulder.
I just look at him. Could he really? I can't even finish the thought. I can't even think straightly.
"But Have you ever felt any feelings towards me?" He asks.
All I could manage to do is nod. "I don't know why though it's just something about how every time I see you."
"Before you met me I lived in this incredible place called the Byzantine empire and there was this filly I really liked. More of a foal crush I should say!"
"Dreya, we are still foals."
"Anyways. My mother said that she wish that I could love her but it would not be allowed. She saw how we did everything together and that we were in love, but she simply laughed and she smiled and told me loved me but I can't love her. For she is in love with another and that I was too young to find love anyways. So I went to ask Castillia if she loved another and I learned that it was true. She didn't even notice me when I shouted out to her."
I felt sympathy growing for Dreya. Even though he was way too young to already be in love it must be pretty harsh to have his heart broken at what age Four?
"I was five if thats what you are wondering about. Five when she broke my heart and five when I lost everything." He explains sadly. He must of seen my puzzled face and continues his story.
"That same night, my mother held me until we both fell asleep. We were one of the highest ranks so we were living a great life, but we decided not to spend that much so if anything bad happened we would have enough money to hopefully fix it. In the middle of the night I awoke to the sound of screams and to the smell of smoke. My mother was carrying me out of the city in the direction of the woods of the forgotten. but halfway there she was shot by an arrow in the chest and there as so much blood.." He breaks into a sob and I hug him tightly. He calms enough to finish. "As she lay there she told me that I was born with the powers of the cupitine, and that only one every thousand years was born with it. And that I had the power to make ponies love me. She also warned me to never use the power. and those were the last words I heard before she closed her her eyes and I saw a horrible explosion at the castle. so I ran and ran until I couldn't go farther. After I spent a few days healing I traveled for a whole week and found that cave. So I lived there for a month until somepony crashed into my life LITERALLY! and instead made it better by giving me a second chance in life, but I felt that she would leave me like Castillia did so I....." He drifts off.
"Used your powers on me." I finish very shocked.
He nods with his eyes closed.
"I should be mad," I tell him. "But that only makes me happier!"
"But I turned off my powers! How could you still like me, for what I did to you!" He exclaims begging for an answer.
"Now I know that somepony likes me for who I am, not what I am." I hug him and sigh.
"What was her name? Your mother's I mean." I ask.
" I was never able to meet my father but her name was Basilissa." He replies with a sigh.
"It's beautiful,"
"Like you!" He implies and smiles happily when he sees me blush. And with that He leans in and kisses me softly on the cheek.
"I like you because you are smart, strong, loving, honest, and nice enough." We both laugh. "Well now that our feelings are out I think we should probably go to sleep!" He whispers with a yawn. "See ya in the Mornin' Brightfire."

And with that he leaves me in his empty room with only the faint whisper of a kiss that I would never forget.

"Hmmm, Basilissa. Basilissa!" That next morning I had gotten up extra early to search the Byzantine empire in the grand library. It was a saturday so I didn't have much to do today. I feel the black chain that I had put on earlier with my hoof. It had a pendant of a silver talon holdin a blue sphere on it. It must be a pearl or something. I then remember the shadowed pony and what it whispered when it was casting that spell. "Look to the flames when all is lost, you must learn to trust them so they can guide you." What did that mean?
Suddenly an interesting passage catches my mind as I flip through the dusty old book.
Emperor Leo the fourth was married to Irene of Athens. But there were rebels trying to hurt him and his family. Wait? It says that Irene was sent into hiding to protect her and their only son. Empress Irene went by her nick name BASILISSA! and the son was named. I Drop the book. Dreya wasn't just any pony born with special powers. He was heir to the throne of the Byzantine empire. The book said that It was destroyed. So for all I knew, Dreya is the emperor of the Byzantine Empire.

I need to tell my father of this but first I needed to find Dreya.

I found Dreya in a random hallway. Without saying anything I grab his hoof and we walk speedily to the throne room with the book tucked under my wing. I nearly give my Father a heart attack when I gallop into the throne shouting while dragging Dreya behind me.
"Is something wrong Brightfire?" He drops his scroll that he was reading before I entered the room.
"We need to talk....NOW!" I gasp for air. "EVERYBODY OUT! Please I mean."
The ponies in the room hurry out and close the door silently.
"What is going on Brightfire?" My father asks walking over to us.
"Yeah!" Dreya adds in.
We sit in a triangle in the middle of the room and I start to speak.
"Last night dreya told me about his past and it was very surprising!" I Start wondering if I should tell him about the powers too. Maybe at the end of the conversation. "Dreya told me that he is from the Byzantine empire but escaped the rebel attack and came here through the woods by him self when he was still five."
"But that's impossible With a pony his age it should have taken a month or two!" my father gasps in awe.
"It took me a week, then I lived in a cave for a month." Dreya answers.
I hold up my hoof so he doesn't ask any more questions.
"So I looked up the Byzantine empire and guess what I found!" I excitedly look from my father to Dreya and open up to the page I as reading earlier.
"It says that Leo the fourth the Emperor was married to Irene of Athens, and they soon had a son. But not long after the rebels started attacking hoping to kidnap Empress Irene and their son. So they were sent into hiding as normal towns ponies but still living a life of luxury."
"What does that have to do with me?" Dreya asks with my father sharing the same look of confusion.
I smile unable to hold in my excitement any more.
"The empress went by her nick name Basilissa! The same name as Dreya's mother. And last of all, they named the son Dreya!"
"So i'm Emperor Leo's son?" Dreya manages to get the words out.
"It says that the empire was destroyed the same night you left. So for all we know you could be the emperor of the Byzantine empire!"
We all jump up excitedly whooping with joy for Dreya. When several guards burst in with spears drawn we all laugh and tell them that everything is fine. I then remember something.
"And Dreya also told me that he was born with the powers of the cupitine!"
My fathers face fills with amazement.
Dreya nods happily.

"Well then let's throw a banquet to celebrate!" My father announces.

The banquet was scheduled for next week on friday. Maids, guards, and other ponies rushed to prepare for it. They were nearly done by the time wednesday night came. Tia bounces around Dreya asking what it felt like to be an emperor excitedly.
"But you must know that we are not exactly sure that i'm the emperor just yet, there is a chance that my father could be." Dreya doesn't bother to finish.
"Well I think!" Tia starts but Dreya covers her mouth with his hoof before she can say anything else.
"How about I just go take a walk?" Tia follows him quietly. "Alone, please!"
She looks a little hurt but runs off to a guard and blabbers away of what she thinks it feels like to be an emperor or empress.
Dreya trots my way and bumps into me.
"Oh! Sorry Brighty!" Dreya laughs.
"Brighty?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Whatever!" We both walk into the royal gardens. "Oh yeah! I was wanting to ask you, want to go for a fly with me and the flight team?"
"When?" I ask.
"Now,"
"Okay!" I shrug my shoulders.
He leads me to the field that they all meet in. There are about seven colts there when we arrive. I should have known it was an all colt team.
"Hey bud!" A neat mained alicorn colt struts over. "Got us a new admirer?"
I recognize him as Derby Fjords. The fastest colt in all of Aroure academy.
"No i'm a challenger!" I reply smoothly.
"I like her all ready!" He hands out his hoof for me to shake I see his muscle twitch and know what he is planning.
I reach to shake it but instead pull back at the same time he does. He stare in awe.
"How?"
"I'm royalty," I get closer to him. "It's in my blood!"
He chuckles "Alright then little miss princess! How about I offer you a deal, If you win a race against me you can join my team! If you lose, you have to go to the dance with me!"
That's right. I now just remembered the posers that were hung up in the school area of the castle. The dance was scheduled on friday. The same time as Dreya's banquet.
Before I can answer Dreya pulls me to the side.
"Don't tell me you were going to accept!"
I gaze at the sky to see the sun almost ready for my father to lower it. I didn't have much time, the sky had the smallest bit of pink and orange creeping along the edges it was quite beautiful actually. In he soft haze I forget everything and get lost on the pinkish glow.
"Yes Dreya, I was. Now can I go now?"
"But you might have to go to the!"
"I have nothing to lose Dreya so I might as well go with him anyways!" I notice that our soft whisper had gone to a loud conversation.
"But, the dance is on friday!" He looks hurt.
"I know that Dreya!" I growl and walk away. as soon as I leave i'm behind I regretfully look back to see him close to tears.
"Sooo," Derby struts over again. "Do we got a deal?"
I wish I could take the words back as soon as they left my mouth. "I accept!" I then remember Dreya's banquet.

It's too late anyways! I have a race to win!

Derby and I stood side by side on a big white cloud. A much smaller was placed in front of ours for a much good reason. To start the race. I feel a cold breeze blow against me causing me to shiver.
"Just think of it! in a few minutes I can wrap my wings around you whenever you get cold."
"And just exactly why is that!" I ask.
"Because in a few minutes you will be dating me!" He remarks.
"Then again why is that," I ask again pushing dreya's hurt face out of my mind.
He leans closer to me. "Because I always win the races, and I always get the girls!"
He snorts and gets into starting position spreading his average sized light grey wings. I soon follow except I place my hooves farther ahead than my face.
A tall skinny yellow filly with a long pink mane and tail lands on the smaller cloud ahead of us holding a checkered flag. She seems to cower into the cloud. I glance up to see The rows of clouds filled up with colts, fillies, and even teachers on them. I look below us an see unicorns, earth ponies, and some pegasi that couldn't fly yet, all of the ponies cheered either "Derby!" or "Brighty!". Seriously what's is with everypony calling me names other than simply Brightfire? I glance up at the checkered banner that hung on two poles above us.
I snap back to my senses when I see Tia and Luna cheering my name and I feel overjoyed. But that feeling vanishes when I don't see Dreya anywhere.
The sun was being lowered about at the end of the race it would set.
"Oh, um! On you m-mark," The yellow filly stutters. I set my position again.
"G-get set," I spread my wings facing down and as wide as I can and push my waist up. I only focus on my breathing.
"GO!" She waves the flag up and down furiously and I am already in the lead by a very long shot. I even up my breathing so my heart doesn't fall out of my chest. The first cloud "O" shaped ring comes into sight, I tilt up at the right moment and zoom straight through it.
I see the second far to my right, I was going to have to make an extremely sharp in order to avoid crashing. I slow a little bit and hear hard panting and fast wing beats getting closer. He was wasting his energy on getting past me instead of saving it for the end of the race. He makes the turn and accidentally kicks up a small chunk of cloud. I react quickly by dodging and making the turn in the nick of time. next the third ring which was another long turn to the right. I aced it and caught up easily to Derby. He beats his wings faster. It helps him a little. Finally, the fourth ring. It was hundreds of feet below us. I don't even hesitate and nose dive towards it. A familiar feeling comes up as I feel the wind push against me harder and harder. What is it? It gets to the point where the wind pushes so hard it gets hard to see. I am neck to neck with Derby. He thinks he is so fast? Let's see then!
He falls behind just the tiniest bit but not enough. the ring is only moments away and the WIND is starting to feel like i'm burning alive. But it also feels wonderful. The thrill in my stomach, the burning in my throat, the flame in my heart and soul ignites. And I embrace it warmly. My wings are tucked in so tight until I reach the final ring, and every thing explodes in a blinding light. At the same time, a green light flashes as the sun finally sets. I snap my wings open and a rainbow trail follows me on the way up. To the finish line. I bolt straight past the finish line. I won. But I keep on accelerating up o the point where another fiery rainbow explosion follows. I try to stop but I can't and end up going faster. Another one. I suddenly can't breathe as i go faster past the point of possible. I just made one thing impossible possible. A fourth explosion and I hear a loud rumbling. Then, Nothing. I am completely alone in a starry heaven. I settle onto, well nothing! I'm literally walking on the stars. That's something I can't say everyday! An ancient but young mare appears out of a silver-like mist.
"Hello Brightfire," Se greets with a calm smile. She is all white and has a short bergundy-red mane and tail, her cutie mark is a quill and ink.
"Who are you?" I gasp. "and where am I?"
"You should tell me! After all you created this place," She smiles again. I now just notice that she is an alicorn.
"Am I related to you?"
"Brightfire, my power runs within you, so can you keep it safe?" She gives a worried expression.
I nod. "Where am I though?"
"It's called the Starlight lanes." She hands me a small crystal mirror. "I will answer any of your other questions later." She looks deep in my eyes. "But before you go, let me ask you this."
"Who are you?" She whispers "Your destiny is right in front of you but only Brightfire can complete it."
"But I am Brightfire!" I remark.
"Are you?"
"There is only one of each and every creature and there is definitely No pony going to replace me!" I explain.
"So once again, who are you?" She grins.
"I am Brightfire!" I confirm almost shouting.
"And you are the princess of the elements."
"I am Brightfire the princess of the elements!"
"Good!" She praises. She casts a spell causing my heart to burn as a dark shadow seeps out of my chest and vanishes. "Now go you have a prophecy to fulfill! look to the mirror to find me!"
"But how do I work it?" I beg.

"Use your imagination!" Then she and everything else fades away.

A few moments later i'm back high up in the sky except this time i'm falling with my back facing the ground. I react lightning fast by spreading my wings, flipping right side up and landing on the big cloud. Everypony roars with excitement as they see me. I must have only been gone for a few minutes then because the sun was still setting. I rub my head it's getting harder to breathe and my whole body hurts. I keep on a strong face any ways. Tia and Luna come speeding up to me.
"Where did you go!" Tia asks furiously. I'm starting to feel dizzy. "I thought I lost you!"
Luna pulls me into an embrace, Tia soon follows. "Sometimes I wonder if you are still my little sis because you have grown!" Luna chuckles. We all do. Tia walks me to my room while Luna has to have an extreme bathroom break. Tia and I sit on my bed.
"I can't help but realize that things have been both exciting and strange lately." Tia looks out to my balcony.
"I completely agree!" I say and see a silver flash on my dresser. It's the mirror.
"Well, I'm pooped from the race! I think that I'm just going to call it a day." I yawn faking.
"You haven't even eaten dinner or lunch yet! Not to mention how you barely touched your food today, except for the porridge!"
"I will eat later, as in the middle of the night!" I joke.
She doesn't look amused.
"That was a joke. Something you are supposed to laugh at!" I explain amusingly. I feel like i'm about to pass out.
She shakes her head and tucks me in. She kisses my head. "I love you sis, I know things have been a little odd lately but it will all be fine."
Before she leaves I shout "Porridge and pickles!"
"What!" Tia jumps.
"Nothing!" I lie. My lungs felt like they were on fire right now. I could just scream. After she leaves me I pounce out of bed and grab the mirror with my magic. I look into the mirror.
"Hello?"
Nothing.
"Are you there?"
Still nothing. I place it on my bed and lean over it. My wolf necklace skims over it and it flashes.
"I told you that you would figure it out," I hear the familiar voice of the old alicorn. Her aged face appears on the surface.
"Ugh you could have told me!"

"I'm helping you." She softly replies.

The knock on the door startles me for a second but I relax when I see that it's Luna. I feel a little disappointed that it wasn't Dreya I need to apologize to him.. She enters and shuts my door silently.
"Um, Luna?" I ask.
She glares at me and creeps over. "Hello little sis," The whisper sends chills up my spine.
"Come with me! I want you to meet some of my friends." She seems to add a little bounce to it.
"Ok! what time are we going tomorrow?" I ask.
"Now!" She grabs my hoof and drags me over to the balcony."Ready?"

"What NO!" she launches into the air dragging me along with her into the dark sky and she then dives towards the old cave Dreya used to live in.

"Stop struggling or you will make it worse!"
When we arrived I had been blindfolded and carried off to, well somewhere! I fought against the hooves or claws that held me. Either way they were really sharp. I heard the sound of loud buzzing hoof, claw, and paw steps?
Finally after what seemed like hours I felt what ever holding me stop, and so did the many others.
It drops me to the ground and rips off my blind fold causing me to hit my head on the ground. "Ow!"
Something snatches off my blindfold furiously.
"Hey!" I hear Luna yell from somewhere behind me it much to dark to see. "You do NOT treat my sister like that you understand me!"
It mutters a yes.
"Excuse me?" Luna shouts this time.
"Yes princess." The creature adds in with a slight hiss.
"Chrysalis!" I see a glowing green light flicker and it buzzes over to where Luna is. My eyes finally adjust to the dark and I become more terrified than I ever had so far in my life. Countless black ponies with curved horns and holes in their legs and hooves. There were also holes in their green buzzing bug-like wings. "Luna," I meant to shout but it comes out in a whisper. My lungs burned horribly now, I couldn't breathe but I held on.
"Hey sis," Luna flies over to me.
"I want to go home Luna!" I snap and choke at the same time.
"Not yet," She shakes her head.
I groan in frustration. my lungs were killing me, and my sister just foal napped me. What a great night. An image of Dreya pops into my head. I need to go say sorry to him still.
I hear hoof steps behind me and they stop after a few moments. I turn to see a colt with a curved horn that was red at the tip and beautiful silver feathered wings, he also has a long shiny black mane and tail and dark grey pelt only a few inches from me. His laugh nearly scared the living daylights out of me. "Scared?"
I turn back around and pout.
"Don't tell me that you aren't the brave pony your sister has been telling me about!"
I give him a death glare.
"Of course! I'm very sorry princess!" He bows smirking. "My name is Sombra,"
He gently holds my hoof in his and kisses it. "Sombra of the fallen."
The fallen. The name sends chills up my spine. I roll my eyes and scoff. "You expect me to melt all over your hooves just like that SOMBRA OF THE FALLEN!" I slap him with my tail and walk away. "Not for a hot shot like you."
He bites the inside of his bottom lip for a moment and catches up to me, where ever I was going.
"Come with me so we can get this meeting over then," He gestures with his head over to a cave not far off into the distance.
"Fine!" I submit. He leads me silently through a large crowd of now sitting, well, things!
"You are probably wondering what they are," Sombra says with out looking back.
"You read my mind." I mutter loud enough for him to hear. He smiles at that.
"Changelings, and they can take any shape or form and you wouldn't even notice."
I look up at the blood red sky. Not a star in sight. Not even the moon. All around me is a brown and black land symbolizing death and decay. But I like to color for some reason. No trees in sight, only rocks and a gigantic mountain with many different holes and huge black clouds surround the very top. It must be where this whole swarm sleeps. Oh, so thats why I felt claws.
We are heading straight towards the mountain. A muscular changeling carries Sombra to the top cave. I fly after them. When we finally get there I see Luna behind a huge round table talking to a changeling sitting next to her who is bigger than the others.
"That's the changeling princess, Chrysalis." Sombra explains.
He leads me over to the other side of the table and sits next to me.
"No matter where you go, if there are two fillies like Chrysalis and Luna then there will be nonstop talking!" Sombra whispers. I Laugh and he smiles, obviously satisfied. "So thats the real you huh?"
I then feel comfortable for some reason and relax a little bit. We sit waiting and when about thirty minutes later three of the oddest creatures i've ever seen in my life burst into the cave. One is part pony, reptile, lion, and many others that I can't even name.
"The one that is mixed beyond recognition is Discord," Sombra explains. Discord has a bat wing and a pegasus wing that I can't help but stare at. The furry one is Scorpan, and the monkey faced one with the huge horns is his brother Tirek."
Discord and the other two fill in the remaining spots causing me to have to squish close to Sombra. our wings are touching due to the limited space.
Chrysalis clears her throat.
"Welcome my friends, once again for our thirtieth meeting of the New Age Force." it suddenly hits me that Luna has been strangely missing once every week. Has she been coming here?
"Enough with the fancy intro!" Tirek blurts out. He wraps one of his bulging muscular arms around me pulling me into a one armed bear hug. "I want to know who's our little friend here."
I attempt to squirm out of his grip but I'm trapped by his arm.
"Put my little sister down Tirek." Luna growls.
Tirek puts his hands up in defeat and I drop to the cold hard stone floor. Luckily Sombra catches me. A familiar memory flashes into my mind of when caught me years ago. Or more like broke my fall. I jump up realizing that I was staring at Sombra.
"What?" he asks in a whisper not wanting to interrupt Chrysalis who was once again back into her introduction.
"Nothing!" I whisper back hoping that he didn't hear the hint of embarrassment in my voice. Judging by his smile and silent chuckle, he probably did.
He leans over and then whispers in my ear. "You're blushing. So I can tell that's a lie."
He shuts up when Chrysalis shoots him a death glare.

"How about we welcome our newest member Brightfire," Chrysalis raises an eyebrow.

After the interesting meeting where we only talked about recent events in Equestria I steped outside of the cave and immediately choked on the thick stench of pure black smoke in the air. I look down and It only take a small glance to take anypony's breath away.
"Never seen a dragon before?" Sombra asks teasingly.
"I've heard of them but I've never seen one!" I reply. It's a gigantic black dragon with curved horns that lean in front of his gapeing mouth with needle sharp teeth. The horns are like a bull that are twice the size of the dragons grand black head. It's huge leathery wings are withered and are worn at the edges the tail has a very thick bushel of feathers at the tip. Almost like a whip. The dragon was big enough to be able to wrap its wings around the castle and still have room to spare. It's eyes are the silver of the moon and shine like the stars. Much like my mothers eyes. No. Exactly like hers.
"Why is it here?" I question not taking my eyes off of the sitting dragon.
"you've got to be kidding me!" Sombra scoffs. "that is not an it He just happens to be the King of dragons!"
"oh! I'm sorry I didnt know." I apologize.
"It's fine, you have never seen a dragon before so I guess that it doesnt matter."
"Wait! I thought that the dragons hated us!" the thought itself confuses me.
"They do, especially the king." Sombra answers.
The look I give him tells him that I don't understand.
"I will tell you soon, but I think that it's about time for you to go home. Its almost morning."
Just him mentioning that it was almost morning made me realize how tired I was. If we didn't go home now then Tia and my parents would freak out.
Suddenly I stop breathing and my lungs feel like they are filled with water. I clutch my chest and fall over choking.
"S-S-S- ombra!" He holds me looking straight into my eyes with a worried expression. More like a "sweet hay apples there are crabs coming out of your ears!" expression. He is screaming something but I can't hear him or anything else around me. I only hear the ringing in my ears growing louder and louder until my head falls back and my vision turns black around the edges. Growing dimmer and dimmer until the last thing I see is the silver of the moon in the dragon king's eyes and my whole world stops.

Chapter 5: The Darkness of our Hearts

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6: The Goodbye

It's Friday night, in two hours the banquet will start. I pretend to sleep in the small bed as Nurse Lauren comes in and gives me the same shot every seven hours. As soon as she leaves I jump out of the bed, removing the wires. I shut the white hospital door and push everything in the room against it. Thanks to the shot I don't feel dizzy. I unlatch the window and swing open the window panels. Jumping onto the ledge I look back into the room.
Last chance to turn back. I spread my wings and feel the cool breeze in each feather. Some of them have turned silver. Nope, I'm defiantly going. I push my hips up and chest down with my wings spread up as far as they can go. Launching up into the air, I truly feel free leaving everything behind. I make sure to fly to my home cautiously so I'm not seen. I fly up to my balcony and attempt to open the doors to find it locked. I feel around for a loose stone in the wall and pull it out to find my secret spare key. I knew it would come in handy sometime later. I unlock the door and swing them open. Closing them quietly I check my clock on the wall. Thirty minutes left. It takes me twenty minutes to find a dress I like. It's a simple light shade of purple with a short silver piece on top of that. It's short sleaved and has a purple heart hair clip to go with it. The matching shoes stap halfway up my legs. As I quietly leave my room I forget to check for guards but am surprised to find, there are none. I feel the lump in my dress and pull out my journal that I was given by my parents on my fifth birthday. I wrote poems in there and I decided that I wanted it with me tonight. Tucking the journal and the red quill back into my dress I head down the halway to the dinning hall where the banquet will be starting in three minutes. Before I grab the door handle I stop.
I'm randomly feeling nervous.what if Dreya still doesn't want me here and I ruin his banquet? I back away from the door. It would kill me if that happened. I then remember that the dance should have started eight minutes ago. Maybe if I go there?
"Brighty?" I jump and nearly throw a magic blast at the imposter. Oh it's Dreya.
"What are you doing here?" he asks worriedly and shocked to see me.
"Why Dreya," I reply smoothly. "I'm here to be there for my best friend. Hint hint, it's you."
"When the nurse told me to go home I thought that you wouldn't want to see me or even talk to me again." He looks so happy to see me.
"I wouldn't miss something this important to you for the world." I confirm.
"I thought that if you weren't supposed to be in the hospital that you would have went to the dance with Derby."
"Are you trying to say that I lost that race because I can assure you that I won! And I can't honestly believe you would think i'd go to the dance with that little uptight brat!"
He smiles trying to hold back a laugh.
"Dreya Leōn ho Sophos!" Dreya looked up his full name on Tuesday and told me straight away.
He bursts out into hoots and howls until he was unable to breathe. After he calms down he wipes a tear from his eye and is still chuckling.
"Keep that up and it will not bode well for your future," I growl glaring at him. He looks at the doors and takes a step back.
"Oh hay apples, are you even nervous?" he asks.
"No, are you?" I reply.
He gulps.
I roll my eyes and softly peck his cheek. "Now are you nervous?"
He shakes his head no. If he wasn't literally red then I bet you could see him blushing as red as a tomato.
"Shall we walk in like royals?"

"We shall." he nods. And we both walk in together hoof in hoof, with no fears at all.

The banquet was very fun. Even though my parents gave me the "You're going to explain this later" look, they still let me have fun. My favorite part was that royals from all over came to the banquet. I even got to meet some distant cousins on my father's side! I was disappointed that nopony from my mothers side of the family. Actually, I don't remember ever meeting anypony from my mothers side. I would make sure to ask her about it later. The food was awesome, and Dreya and I played with the princes and princesses our age. Shortly after the banquet ended and every pony left, it was only my parents, my sisters, Dreya, the Guards and I left in the dining hall. Only about ten minutes later all of us were called to attention by the dining hall doors bursting open and as a very tough looking guard struts in spear up. He had thick armor as he was flanked by like thirty other guards who move and circle around the room. Then stepped in a tall tan pony who was so pale that he looked almost white. He had a very short black and messy beard, mane, and tail. hints of grey were scattered in the neat mess. He had muscles half the size of my head. And i'll admit my head is big for my age group but, he looked intimidating enough. No-pony dared to greet the scary intruder. Not even my father. Gathering up courage I march straight up to him and I fix a welcoming smile onto my face. Dreya stays behind.
"Hello um sir, forgive me but who are you?" I greet innocently.
The strange stallion lays his cold beady eyes on Dreya and takes a step towards him his white and tan layered wings open and make him seem bigger.
"I apologize but if you were here for the banquet then it has already ended,"
"Get out of my way you foolish filly! You needn't know who I am! All you need to know is that i'm above you, and you are nothing but a peasant." He scolds.
He shoves me out the way. The guards hold back anypony else from joining the brief conversation. Anger builds up in me but I push it down and intercept him from reaching Dreya.
"I believe I asked you a question. And no pony disobeys me in my castle!" I growl. I ignore the fact that I just called this my castle.
"My apologies, your majesty. I didn't recognize you Princess Brightfire." He bows briefly to me. His deep green cape rolls off and exposes his pale flank, without the trace of even the smallest cutie mark. The whole room gasps. He stands in his original position. I can't help but to feel intimidated by his smug expression. I don't care what any pony says, I don't trust him.
"You all are probably wondering why I don't have a cutie mark," The impostor answers out loud for every pony in the room to here. "And why I came barging in late to your little, party here." He spits the words at us.
He can tell by the awkward silence that that is a yes.
"I'm Leo, the true emperor of the Byzantine Empire." He sets one beady eye on Dreya and finishes his sentence that makes a weight drop in my stomach.

"I've come to collect my son."

Dreya takes a step towards the frightening intruder. I deeply consider if I should move out of the way or stand my ground. Emperor Leo lifts his hoof to push me out of the way. An unexplainable surge of power flows trough my veins. And not the good kind.
"Touch me and you'll be going strait home with one less leg you little mule mouthed lizard creep!" I snarl with my teeth clenched together. Nothing is making sense, I would never say that to anypony. I wouldnt even think that!
"Brightfire!" My Mother gapes.
"I find quite a spirit in your youngest heir here Sol," Leo smirks staring daggers at me. My anger returns, man how I wish I could shoot laser out of my eyes right now. My eyes feel like they are starting to heat up. I rub my eyes until they return to normal. Better not risk scorching the Emporer of an ancient kingdom in the face with lazors. Anyways, he better not have just addressed my father by his old nickname. Royal or not I will seriously never allow that. My heart beats faster, what is happening? This isn't me!
He gives a nervous laugh and it still sounds boastful. Well, there goes another chance of me ever going to get along with him. But I respectfully back up and give the father and son some space. He struts circles around Dreya, examining his posture and such things like that. An uneasy feeling fills my stomach. The power surge is getting stronger and my spirit is getting darker by the moment. I try to signal my parents for help but some unknown force is making me shut up. Not just that but it's taking over me. Filling my mind and mouth with foul words.
"Well thank the gods that I came here before they completely brainwashed you with this Equestrian nonsense! There are a lot of things that need to be changed, and that should take only about a year. And after that we will need to find an appropriate wife for the throne. We will explain everything else in the cart home." He instructs almost robotically.
"Whoa, whoa! Wait just a second." I step forwards. No, stop! Why am I acting this way! Please! Make it stop, nothing good is to come from this.
"Brightfire," Dreya murmurs in a hushed voice.
"Who do you think you are just bursting into MY realm, into MY castle and just claim that Dreya is even your son!" I growl. My spark-like spirit ignites into a small flame. Growing darker and larger by the moment. I can't stop myself and I feel the force almost fully take over.
"Brightfire," Dreya says normally now.
"And you insult our traditions and ways! Not to even mention that you probably want to change everything about him!"
"What, do you care for him or something?" Leo questions accusingly. The memory of the night we admitted that we liked each other flashes by.
"We all care about him, he is a part of our family!"
"Obviously that was a huge mistake you made, damaging my son like that."
"A MISTAKE!" I scoff nearly lose it. Leo takes a step back. Electric is crackling around me. Is this what my power looks like? Or just a glimpse of it.
"Well I'm sorry that I'm the reason that your son has a family who has cared and loved him for the past seven years! I'm sorry that I'm the reason that your son has a proper education! I'm sorry that I'm the reason that your son is not still living in a cave, starving or probably even dead right now!" I'm so frustrated and mad that my hair has flames on the edges slowly making its way to my head and flank. Flames slowly lick their way onto the tip of my feathers but it doesn't hurt me. This is a fire that comes from within me. The electric crackles like lightning bolts all around me. Stop. STOP! Please don't make me hurt any pony!
"I'm sorry that I'm the only reason that you both probably are even standing here looking at each other! Some grave mistakes huh!"
My hair is turning a very dark blue now with some lighter blue and silver on the top and bottom. I don't even notice it. My pelt is slowly turning black.
Now every pony in the room was cowering into and corner or enclosed space that hid them from my sight. Soon I was a completely different pony. The only thing left of me were my eyes. The Emperor was trembling really hard now. Good, he needs to fear me!
That didn't sound like me. But I suddenly felt like I was losing control if I even had any left before. My teeth form into sharp needles. Only a few moments later do I realize that I'm floating six feet above the floor. No, no, no! I struggle as hard as I can and pull the flames back into me. All of the terrifying side affects go with it. The only thing left from the strange encounter is that my hair is floating. Wait! My hair is floating! That only could mean that it's almost time for me to find my true self, and my Cutie Mark! But my excitement quickly dissolves away when im interrupted out of my fantasy by the rat. I cringe at how I feel that something caused this when it wasn't ever supposed to happen.
"I told you! This land is brainwashing my son with their traditions of the dark arts! We are leaving now!" Leo exclaims reaching for the door.
"Wait!" Dreya yells.
The old rat turns to face Dreya.
"Let me get my things first,"
"Dreya!" I gape feeling betrayed.
"No Brightfire! I've been alone for years ever since my mother died!" Dreya states.
Leo clears his throat. "Lets go now Dreya,"
Dreya storms out of the room. I follow after him but he is moving to fast and I lose him in the hallway. Furious with myself and everyone I rush straight to my room and slam the door. Throwing myself onto the bed I glare at the sky through my balcony. What happened to me! None of that was who I am! The mirror on my dresser flashes a green and blue light. I levitate it over to me and look into it.
I see the mysterious mare. Eyes closed and there is a sinister feel to seeing her this way. I set the mirror down.
I hear a knock only a few minutes later.
"What do you want!" I shout.
The door opens and Dreya walks in, his expression blank.
"Welcome traitor," I say sarcastically. Oh no, it's happening again.
"What was that!" Dreya snaps.
"I believe that that was something called defending your flank!" I snap in return. He grumbles.
"You were supposed to support me, you know like you said earlier." the memory of me telling him that comes to my mind and I sit up on my bed still not facing him.
"Dreya I'm happy for you now that you have found your father but all I want to tell you is not to let him change you."
"Well maybe you don't have to anymore."
My ears perk up. I this time turn to face him.
"I'm an emperor now,"
"You're a prince."
"Well I will be one very soon, unlike you."
"Well I don't plan on switching genders to become the leader of my own kingdom, but a queen ah yes. The jewels, the glamour! How flawless!"
Dreya's nostrils flare. "All that I came to say is that I don't need you to be my friend anymore."
I already knew this feeling as I remember my dream when he walked out. Except this time I don't cry, I nearly burst into flames of anger again. "What?" I whisper.
"Soon I will have my own wife, empire, and no distractions like you."
"GET OUT!" I scream hoping the guards will come and drag him out. Dreya would never act like this. And neither would I.
Then I notice that his wings were tan at the tips.
"You rotten lizard!" I whisper suddenly understanding what was happening.
"Hmm?"
"I know it's you Leo,"
He looks surprised and raises his eyebrow. He lets out a boastful laugh and lashes out at me hitting me in my face which knocks me off the bed and onto the cold hard floor.
In one swift motion he jumps over the bed and pounces on me pinning me down.
"Clever filly," He states mockingly.
"Get out of my ROOM!" I scream but he muffles my cry by clamping his hoof over my mouth.
"Listen here you little," He takes a deep breath and softly snickers. "My my, you almost made me lose it."
"What do you want you two faced rat," I thunder.
His face gets so close to mine that our muzzles are almost touching. "I want you to keep yourself and your kingdom out of my business,"
"That includes me taking back my empire,"
"Sounds good anything else you want to tell me before we shake on it?" I raise my eye brow. He looks away and looks back at me.
"That also includes my son," He clamps his hoof over my muzzle again before the thought of getting angry comes to my mind again. "Listen, I know that you probably dislike me. But this is something of Dreya's choice. I can assure you that I don't exactly like you either but I know that you care about him."
I look away out to my balcony. "It's all true,"
"But if you and your family have really cared about him then you have to love him enough to let him go, to do the right choice."
There is a long pause. I close my eyes and take a deep sigh. Nothing is making sense and I felt that something bad is about to happen but one word is forced out of me, choking me from the unknown.
"Fine,"
"Thank you, and you don't know how grateful I am that you have done something that I wasn't able to do." I look up at him.
"Give him a family for the past seven years, if you truly care about him then you will let him go with me, his true family."
I nod my head in agreement. I just wanted the conversation to end already, this was honestly the hardest thing I could ever do but it was for the best. Even if it meant letting go of my best friend. "But i'm only doing this because that's what she would want."
I see a glimmer in his eyes. "Yeah, she told me that I can be a little harsh sometimes," He chuckles rubbing the back of his neck. "And Brightfire, I know that I have ruined making a good first impression on you.... but all I ask is for another chance."
He helps me up. I take a moment to think. Should I really trust him. Glancing up at him I give my answer. Something is about to happen.
"Okay,"
He nods happily. As he steps past me to leave I call his name for no reason.
"Leo?"
"Yes?" He turns.
"Can you tell me what she was like? If its okay with you of course,"
He smiles warmly.
"Soon young heir," And he's gone. The feeling still hasn't left me. But I push it aside and my attention is pulled to the mirror which now rests on my bed. I climb up onto my mattress and curl around the mirror. I stare endlessly into the depths of its reflective surface. Into those eyes of a pony who looks so familiar to me. Those eyes where mine of course but then again, weren't. I hear a slow rumbling from outside but I can't pull my eyes from hers. Those eyes that I shared with this strange pony seemed to be consuming me.
"Everything is just a mess!" that familiar pony complains. "and so disorganized, I'm sorry darling but I will have to find a way to change your story!"
The familiar pony's whole shape, colors, and form shift and change into the old burgundy maned alicorn mare. She stares at me with worry.
"don't go outside," she tells me. Actually, she commands me not to go outside. I attempt to shift my head and look outside but she holds me locked in her stern gaze. I see a flash of frustration in the depths of her eyes.
"please let me go, I want to go outside!". I beg, struggling to escape her trap.
"No My darling you can't. It isn't safe." her eyes softened and had that motherly look in them.
"I must see what's going on outside!" I once again felt the rumbling but even louder, and stronger.
"No Sol! Why can't you be like your brother and listen! Even Leo can do that better than you!" she freezes. She had said my father's nickname only known by close friends and, I gasp. She said your brother. She said Leo meaning Leo is my father's brother which makes him my uncle whih makes Dreya my cousin. No, it can't be!
"He isn't." the mare's calm voice breaks my silence beside the rumbling. "You will know in time but Leo and Dreya aren't related to you or your father by blood or step marriage."
I'm relieved and shocked at the same time but use this opportunity to escape the prison I was held in.
Ditching the mirror, I gallop out of my room to the source of the thunderous rumbling. There are no guards in any of the halls here except for a guard running towards the frond of the castle.
"Excuse me! Mr.Guard!" I call out. But he doesn't hear me. I can't even hear my self over the deafening battle cry of a dragon, breaking away the walls of this grand palace. Reaching in, grabbing me and snapping me between his talons.