The fight for Equestria

by Ironheart Watermane

Rating: mature
Tags: Dark, Alternate Universe, Tragedy, Adventure, Sad
Length: 52640

Two years after the fall of tirek, the six heroines find theirselves face to face with a mystery.

A human awakes to find he is no longer in his own world, even, in fact, his own body. Unfortunately, this has brought the attention of an old and ancient evil that has slumbered since before the appearance of the ponies of Equestria. Stealing a part of the newcomer, it gains back a body it has long sought.
Twilight is now tasked with raising the colt, whose mind has changed since a part of himself was torn away, fractured and is now the physical and mental equivalence of a young child. While her friends, and even the princesses search out this new threat.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-06-28 08:50:47 UTC

Prologue

Published Edit: 5/14/15

“Auntie Twilight.” Came the voice of a small filly from down the hall.

An elder Alicorn pony halted in her tracks and turned to the voice. Purple from horn to wings, and mane to tail, the only difference in color being that of the violet and pink streaks in her mane and tail, and her own personal cutie mark on her hindquarters of a large star with five smaller ones surrounding it. Twilight was well known around the land of Equus as the princess of friendship. Once a Unicorn of great magic potential, she quickly became the star pupil of Celestia, an elder Alicorn princess, known as the princess of the sun.

Twilight’s early life was all about magic and books, and proving herself to her mentor, and idol. In time things for her changed, with the warning of Nightmare Moon, she sent word to her mentor and was sent to Ponyville with little idea of what was to come.

Celestia had sent Twilight out, to this small town to make friends, and to find the root of her power. A spark, just something she felt from deep within when she came face to face with the returned princess of the night, and nightmares. This spark had remained dormant until the voices of those who quickly became friends with her showed her there was more to her life than dusty old books.

With this in mind her first test and challenge fell before Twilight Sparkle, but not just her, each of her five friends shared in this, and thus her first steps of becoming the princess of friendship had been taken, and few times did she find herself looking back since then.

A life filled with difficult times, and decisions, she remained strong as long as she remained true to her friends, and they to her.

Over the years, each friend became as close to her as family, thus when they had their children, the foals came to see her as ‘Auntie Twilight’.

Three of them came running up to her now, one small unicorn filly with something small levitated in a magical grip, quickly followed by two others. A room nearby, where the others were playing heard the calls and began to poke their heads out of the room.

The small Unicorn, fur white as new fallen snow, much like her mother, and a blue and violet mane, done up in a slightly curly way, came sliding up to Twilight’s hooves as she tried to halt her running through the castle. Her chest heaved somewhat, a slight blush on her cheeks from all the running. Her mother certainly would not have approved, as a lady, in her opinion, must always be poised and presentable.

“Why, hello there Silk Star. What do you have there?” Twilight asked, trying to get a look at what was still hovering in the sparkling light blue aura of Star’s magic grip.

Silk Star held the picture up to her, a picture of her and five other mares surrounding a young looking stallion with a smile on his lips, and a sad look in his eyes. The six mares held him in a group hug in the foreground of the picture, the background was of a lake, with a waterfall nearby.

“He did always love the water, didn’t he?” Twilight asked no one in particular, a lump forming in her throat as the image began to waver due to the tears forming in her eyes.

“Who is it, Auntie Twilight?” Asked a little colt. He had brown fur with a creamy golden colored mane, each curled in a peculiar way at the tips, colored white making one think of whipped cream. Pecan, was his name, Pecan Pie. He held a slight pudge in his body that reminded Twilight so much of his mother. They shared the same smile, imagination, and love of sweets. When he was born, Pinkie smiled down at him and said he looked just like a little round pecan pie with buttermilk whipped cream on top, thus she named him pecan, and loved him ever so much.

“Yea, yea, who is it, Auntie Twilight?” Asked a small gray pegasus behind the other two foals. Thunderclash was the foal of a certain cyan and rainbow colored pegasus mare, and the youngest of the group thus far. He was at the point of following Silk, and Pecan, the eldest, and at times mimicked them. Fortunately for Twilight, as well as their parents, the two took it in stride and let him tag along, as long as they were exploring and not working through any of their crusader antics.

Twilight turned and glanced at the room she was heading to, and spotted a few other foal sized heads peeking around the corner, after hearing the commotion, the others understandably were curious.

“How about a story, and I promise, that after I am done, you will know who this stallion is.”

All of the foals cheered, for their greatest love aside from visiting Auntie Twilight, was Story Time. They loved listening to all the stories she told of all her adventures, from Nightmare Moon, to Discord, Tirek, and many more. Twilight smiled and lifted the picture in her magick before Silk dropped it in her hurried excitement and made her way to the playroom where all the foals now sat around a soft cushioned couch. This corner was always neat and tidy for story time, just as Twilight preferred it. Granted she preferred the whole playroom to be picked up, but she already knew how to work that out.

Twilight let out a small satisfied sigh as she climbed up onto the couch and settled onto her hooves, and faced the children before her. She looked from one to another, before setting the framed picture down against the back of the couch of the empty cushion in front of her.

“So, you know the mares in the picture are of all of your mothers, and I. This,” she took a moment to point to the stallion before continuing, “Is my son. His name was colt.”

“Was?” Asked Silk Star.

Twilight realized her past tense term, caught by the intelligent young foal. Twilight lowered her head and closed her eyes for a moment. The torrent of emotions brewing up within her chest were threatening to burst forth, but a deep calming breathe before she opened her eyes and nodded.

“Yes, was. He,” Twilight paused, trying to keep from saying he was dead, then again, she was not entirely sure about those last few days, and the strange fact he had simply just vanished right before their very eyes. A thought came to her rescue, and she was grateful she was able to, alter the truth, “He had to leave to someplace urgently. I have not heard from him in a very long time.”

“So, the beginning of this story, is not the same as many other stories, the once upon a times, and such. Do you remember the story I told you not too long ago of Tirek?” The foals all nodded, their eyes wide, their attention seemingly spellbound by her voice. “Well, Two years had passed, summer was quickly coming to an end...”

The days were growing shorter, a cold winter was coming, guided by the weather pegasus, and Cloudsdale. A winter of this degree had not been known since the Wendigos all those years ago with the founding of Equestria, a winter, that not even the accidental snow-pocalypse created by Rainbow Dash could match. The strong winds that were occasionally released over the lands, even miles away could still be felt as far as Ponyville as Cloudsdale floated ever closer all the time. Despite the fact that Cloudsdale could be easily maneuvered by every pegasai of Cloudsdale, it had been agreed upon, that due to the ferocity of this winter’s storm, to release pressure as they went across all Equestria to keep it as contained as possible. The air as Celestia’s sun slowly lowered to the horizon held a crispness growing more substantial over the days and weeks.

It was, as word would have it, be sometime before Cloudsdale would even be seen upon the horizon that six mares would be arriving in town. This excited everypony in Ponyville, as their recent time away upon mediations to other countries and kingdoms had taken away those six who felt like family to the residents.

Still, a week before The start of the running of the leaves, Mayor Mare emerged from within Town Hall and began to make her way through town. Her smile seemed filled with life that many ponies she passed were curiously caught up in her enthusiasm. For her, though this was a momentus occasion, one everypony had been waiting for, so it was not long before her excitement came forth and she began to speak to other ponies informing them the rumors were indeed true, that Princess Twilight and all the bearers of the elements of Harmony, Heroes of Equestria, would be returning that very day. But it was still early, and Mayor Mare wanted to welcome their missing friends and family with more than open arms. She began to bring forth a small gathering, that grew with every block she passed heading towards the train station where a small platform and podium had been erected quickly.

The same moment Mayor Mare began to make her way to the podium, than several ponies walked into town and made their way to the curious crowd of ponies. Many were familiar, while others were rarely seen, all coming from the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Many members of the Apple family had in fact been waiting for this day as well, several arriving to welcome home their missing member, and friends.

Mayor Mare looked out to everypony present and smiled wide, “Welcome one and all! I want to speak to you all about a few rumors. A few rumors regarding the Princess of Friendship, and the bearers of harmony. Princess Twilight, and her friends are indeed returning home to Ponyville, this very day.” Cheers of the crowd erupted, none louder than from the apple family. Mayor Mare waited for the crowd to settle down, before continuing. “Yes, I thought there would be excitement for this moment, however, I would ask a favor from those of us who know them as friends, and I dare say, as close as family. I wish to welcome them back with a celebration, one that would impress even Pinkie Pie. Are there any ponies brave enough to take on this task for the ones we love?” So many ponies began calling out, raising their hooves into the air, and more trying to get her attention.

Nearly the entirety of Ponyville was volunteering. Mayor Mare laughed aloud, and began working to organize many of the ponies, something she had studiously picked up from Twilight herself. Ponies raced off once they had their jobs assigned. The hours ticked by, and very quickly the whole town was decorated with such a large festive mood, one would indeed have thought Pinkie had been the mastermind behind it, especially since the Cakes had decided to bring out a few of Pinkie’s stored party canons.

Once the finishing touches were completed, the ponies again returned to the podium where Mayor Mare congratulated them on a job well done and looked to the sun.

“Yes, they should be arriving sometime very soon with an escort of guards on the next train.” The cheers erupted again, to quickly be drowned out by the arrival of the next train. The train rolled into the station, the steam of it stopping filling the walkway planks as it did upon every arrival. A few ponies got off the train, but none were the ponies the town was looking for. A murmur began to ripple through the crowd, the excitement that had been built the whole day seemed to vanish in bitter disappointment.

Mayor Mare called over her assistant who retained the scroll they had received from Princess Celestia fore-mentioning the arrival of Twilight and friends by train.

“Odd, there are no more trains scheduled for today, what could be wrong? Frost, run back and see if there have been any other letters to come from Canterlot.” The pale blue pony nodded once and took off.

Mayor Mare turned to the crowd and called their attention, “No worries everypony, No doubt there is a viable explanation for this. Please be patient, let us take some time to rest our bodies and minds with refreshments. We have plenty.” Some seemed to shrug at the odd situation and take on the suggestion and began to move to the various tables of drinks and foods set up just minutes before. Others seemed to want to remain in case, as the nearest group to the mayor stated to one another, the Princess and her friends could be holding out for a surprise entrance.

A call to Mayor Mare, caught many ponies attention as frost came running from through town. Once she reached the Mayor, she removed a letter from a satchel and passed it over. Reading the letter, the Mayor simply raised an eyebrow and looked to Frost, who could only shrug. She had only verified it was a late letter sent from Canterelot to them to in form a last minute change in plans.

Mayor Mare turned to get the attention of the ponies still around when there came a thunderous boom off in the distance coming from Canterlot. Everypony stopped and looked to the direction, where came a very strange thing. Two separated colored blurs shot overhead, one rainbow colored, the other purple. The colored streaks left the ponies below to gasp, eyes wide, wondering what was going on.

“I think they went this way, girls.” Came a familiar drawl.

Everypony turned to see an orange colored Mare with blonde mane and tail wearing a brown hat and three bright red apples on her flank for her cutie mark. She was quickly followed by a butter yellow pegasus, with pink mane and tail, with butterflies for her cutie mark, and finally A completely pink pony with three balloons for a cutie mark.

“Oh, pardon us Mayor, we need ta see ta our friends first. Sorry everypony.” Applejack called over her shoulder as she and the other two mares ran past the crowd.

Filled with the utmost curiosity, the crowd and Mayor Mare followed quickly, till they reached a large crystal blue tree, where they spotted two mares on the ground, worn out, their chests rising and falling in quick succession to show their exhaustion.

“Hoo-whee, Dash, did Twi actually beat ya?”

The rainbow colored mare looked at her friend incredulously, “Please... I’m too awesome... To beat. But, she has been getting better.” She added in looking over at the purple mare next to her with a smirk. Her sentence broken by her body working to get oxygen.

“Well, she certainly gave you a run fer yer bits.” Applajack said while laughing.

“Oh, my, are you girls okay? I was so worried the way you two took off. Did you hurt anything, did you crash. I have some extra supplies left over from my trip to Mareagascar.”

“No, I think we are good, Fluttershy, just need to rest.” Twilight finally spoke for the first time.

“Well, the two of you really should have stretched before jumping straight into a race like that.” Fluttershy chided, “I mean, that really would have been preferable, if you really wanted.” She mumbled out.

“Yea, buth we habn seen eath ofer fer so long. Om!” Replied the pink pony, a large pile of sweets in her arm, tossing a cupcake in as she finished her sentence, her mouth already filled with other delights.

“Uh, Pinkie, where did ya get that food?” Applejack asked.

Pinkie took a hug swallow, the lump of food making its way down to her indomitable stomach. How she did that without choking was anyponies guess.

“Oh, the whole town threw us a welcome home party, and it seemed a waste to let some of this awesome food they and the cakes made go to waste.” She finished before taking the rest of the food in her arm and shoving it all into her mouth, forcing her already slightly chubby cheeks to puff out like a chipmunk stuffing food into their cheeks for storage.

Now the five mares turned to the crowd they had neglected and looked around to see all the banners reading, ‘Welcome Home’, as well as streamers between all the houses, and buildings, and dozens of tables all packed with foods of every kind, two of the nearest looking like a hurricane had passed over it. A pink hurricane to be specific.

“Oh, sorry Mayor, everypony. We haven’t seen each other fer so long, well, we kind of got caught up with each other. We really weren’t expectin y’all ta go through all this fer just us.” Applejack said, removing her hat and placing it over the barrel of her chest.

Mayor Mare stepped up, her gray hair still nice and neat, her brown coat shining in the sunlight, and her spectacles slightly askewed. She took a moment to adjust them, before offering her brightest smile.

“Well, We just missed you girls so much, it has been like a hole in our hearts with you all gone. We wanted you to know how much we all missed you.” She turned to the crowd gathered before them all, “Now, let us welcome back our dearest friends.” She called out.

No sooner had her words left her mouth than the crowd began to cheer and scream for the girls. A white mare and a pony sized purple green dragon just finished skirting the crowd and walked up to the others.

“Well, this is quite the welcome home enthusiasm we weren’t expecting.” Rarity commented before turning and leaning her head close to Applejack, “So who won?” she whispered.

“Dash, o’course, but Twi was literally right on her tail.” The two shared a small laugh.

The group shared a look before moving on to enjoy the festivities the town had worked so hard for.

Chapter 1: Lost

Published Edit: 5/16/15

“Wait, what? Hey, where did my mom come from? I think you left out a part of the story. How was my mom and Spike already there?” Silk Star spoke out as Twilight came to a stop in the story.

“Hey, did somepony call?” Came a deep gravelly voice. The head of a tall green and purple dragon poke through the door.

“No, no, Spike. I’m sorry, I was trying to decide where a good stop for one of my stories was to be. And I left out a lot of details.”

“Oh, another story huh? Is it the one where I single handedly stopped Sombra, or I helped save the Lord of Dragons?” Twilight rolled her eyes at the dragon.

“Ok, you did not single handedly defeat Sombra, you helped. And you never helped save a Lord of Dragons, that is your own little story you made up and placed yourself as the hero.”

Spike blushed and chuckled.

“Hey, since your here, would you be kind enough to fix some snacks for everypony?” Twilight added.

“Oh, yea, sure thing. I was getting hungry anyways and it is just about lunchtime. I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you, Spike. Now, I do not mind continuing the story, if you all would be so kind as to clean up some of your toys. I know your mothers will be by soon to pick you all up. You know better than to leave a mess.”

A collective groan went up from the foals all around on the floor.

“Oh, well, I guess I won’t be continuing the story, I mean, it’s almost to one of the good parts too, when my son comes into the story, and many others things. Oh and the big bad monster that we fight-”

“Quick everypony grab the toys and get them put away.” Pecan almost screamed at the top of his lungs. The foals all scrambled about trying to pick up their toys and place them in their proper places, either satchels that came with them, or into the large trunk for toys.

It was almost comical the way they scrambled around. Twilight could not help but to place a hoof over her mouth to keep from laughing.

The foals did not take long to get all of the toys put away. Twilight looked around the room and offered a smile.

“Ah much better, thank you my little ponies. Now, where was I...? Ah yes.”

The foals gathered before her once more.

Twilight had explained the six mares had all decided to go by a different mode of transportation, using three of the larger royal Canterlot chariots. They, as she had expressed previously, had been completely unaware of the town awaiting them for a welcome home celebration and therefore did not think they were expected. The girls had gone on a shopping trip through the main strips of Canterlot before returning to the castle. They all gathered together with the royal Canterlot pegasus and began their journey back. As quick as it was, it was no surprise that Rainbow Dash quickly became bored and goaded Twilight into a race to see how well she was doing with her flying. The soldiers did their best to keep up, but were unable to with their load. The other three left their vehicles and made their way across the ground, while Rarity, and Spike decided to ride the rest of the way.

“Oh, that make’s a little bit more sense.” Silk Star replied, momentarily interrupting Twilight.

“Well, I’m glad to have cleared things up for you.”

“Lunch is ready, and guess who I found.” Spike said as he rounded the corner and entered the room, his physique filling the entire doorway. As he moved to the side, his hands filled with a large tray topped with all sorts of snacks, of sliced apples, honey dipping sauce, chips, muffins, and some drinks. Behind him came a pink Mare, pushing a small cart, where a sleeping foal lay wrapped in a pink blanket. Behind Pinkie came two others, A butter yellow pegasus, with pink hair, and a white Unicorn with a purplish blue mane and tail.

“Rarity, I didn’t know you were back from Baltimare so soon. Oh, you look simply exhausted.” Twilight said once she gaze hugs to Pinkie and Fluttershy, before moving to Rarity. The bags under her eyes, and her mane slightly frazzled left Twilight worried.

“Oh, no worries dear. I pulled another all nighter, and when I made it to the fashion show, there were so many fashion don’ts I felt it a complete disaster. I got a little shut eye after I decided to come home a little early. I just couldn’t bear to be away from my little Silk Star for much longer.” Rarity explained as she walked over to the little white foal and nuzzled her.

“Aw, mommy.” Silk said as she nuzzled her mother back.

“But, I see I missed the big delivery, Pinkie. I’m so sorry.” Rarity turned to Pinkie Pie.

“Aw, I know you would have been there if you could, Rarity. It’s no big deal.”

“Oh, she looks so precious.” Rarity cooed as she looked into the basket, “What’s her name?”

“Cherry Pie. Actually her full name is Chimina Cherry Chunga Pie. Cherry Pie is shorter.” Pinkie replied with a proud smile, as the small foal yawned and rolled over to her side and sucked on her tiny hoof.

Everypony just stared at Pinkie. It was Rarity who asked the question without being able to think it through all the way, “Pinkie, Darling, how many more children are you going to name after actual Pie flavors?”

“How many are there?” Pinkie replied without pause.

Everypony moaned as Pecan walked over to the basket and lifted himself up just enough to stand on his hind legs and look over into the basket at his little sister.

At that moment, Cherry opened her eyes and looked up at her big brother and smiled.

“So, Twilight I see the room isn’t a complete disaster today, What have you been doing with the little ones?” Fluttershy asked

“I had them clean up the mess and was just starting a story.”

“Oh, which one?”

“Um, do you all remember Colt?” The other mares and even Spike paused and looked at each other.

“Twilight, what brought this about?” Spike asked the question they were all thinking. Twilight turned and looked at Silk Star.

“Oh, we were wandering around the castle to see if there were any secret passages like the ones you told us about at the castle of the two sisters. We found this room that was filled with all kinds of old stuff and then we found that picture.” Silk Star explained before pointing over to the framed picture still sitting on the couch leaning against the cushions where Twilight had left it.

The four mares gathered around the couch, each looking at the picture, each with their own thoughts.

“It’s been so many years, Twilight.” Twilight could only nod to Rarity.

“You know, we all still miss him, very much.” Pinkie added.

Twilight bit her lip as she turned to look at Cherry and Pecan, and wondered how different things would have been if Pinkie had returned the affection Colt had once showed her. Then her thoughts began to turn again and she wondered how things would be now for her and the others had she been there for him. Or had done more for him. Maybe, just maybe, there had been a better way to save him than... So many times after he had gone she had felt she was the cause of it all. That he died, either because she had failed as a mother, or had perhaps been the actual reason he was killed.

These darker thoughts occasionally plagued her, left her with fitful sleep. She had not wanted foals, whether through adoption or natural birth since she had lost her son. Her heart at this moment, ached, as much as it once had.

No, that wasn’t quite true. Despite the pain, she could bear it now, quietly, without tears falling.

“Twilight?”

“Huh?” Twilight came back from her thoughts, she realized everypony, and dragon were staring at her, concern in their eyes. She noticed, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were there now. She had been so lost in her own thoughts, she was not even aware of the others coming in, or having spent the last minute or so trying to reach her.

“It still hurts, don’t it sugarcube?” Applejack came over and wrapped a hoof around Twilight.

“Not as much, but yes.”

“Come on, cheer up, you don’t want to lose it in front of the little ones do you? Tell you what, we have all been busy recently, but how bout we come back once the little ones are in bed. I think it’s about time you talk with us, and share some of this pain.” She advised in a low hushed voice.

“Have you been having trouble sleeping? Has Luna been able to help you with any nightmares?” Fluttershy interjected.

“Uh, no. I haven’t slept too well, but no, Luna has been busy with other things. Anytime I try to request to speak with Luna, she seems suddenly busy and unable to help.” The others shared a look. The only pony who had gotten closer than any of them was Luna, and she seemed to have left for a long time after Colt had vanished. Celestia had calmed the ponies around Equestria and assured them all that Luna was only busy with many duties she had and was still near enough to raise and lower the moon. None had wanted to question Celestia, except Twilight and her friends, even then, Celestia was very hesitant to say anything. All she would admit was that Luna needed some time and had gone to see Cadence in the Crystal Pony empire. She had not stayed away for long and returned, but she didn’t seem the same.

Twilight had given up on seeking help from Luna and did her best to deal with problems in her usual way, constantly pushing her nose into books, studies, new spells, other ponies, and more. After a while she had gotten better, but it had festered within her, it was no longer a constant thing, but it came back from time to time.

“If you girls come back, I would enjoy some company tonight. Actually, I think I will go for a bit of a nap, it’s been a long day. Just come wake me when you get here.”

“Sure thing Sugarcube.” Each mare offered Twilight a small hug before taking their foals and heading home for the evening.

“But when are we going to hear the rest of the story?” Whined Thunderclash. The voice of his mother’s response faded as the ponies all walked down the hall, leaving Twilight to herself.

Twilight yawned and left the playroom and made her way down her hall to her own bedroom. Once inside she walked over to her bed by the glowing light of her horn, not wanting to bother with turning on the actual light. Crawling in, Twilight made herself comfortable and closed her eyes, easing herself into sleep. Once more, her last thoughts as she drifted off was of her son, Colt.

Colt was walking down one of the halls of the castle, his back to Twilight. The hall was large, and almost empty save for a table with a vase of flowers in the alcoves. The windows were dark, Twilight briefly wondered how long she had been asleep, and even a small part of her questioned when she had gotten up out of bed.

“Mom, I’m sorry, but its time.”

“What? Time for what?” Twilight asked, her eyes moving back to colt. He stood before a door at the end of the hall.

“It’s time for me to leave, you failed. I loved you, and yet, you still failed. You let me die, and here you bring me back only to die again. I thought I was loved here. But you are as heartless as the other world I came from.”

Twilight now could not halt the tears that came to her eyes and began streaming down her cheeks.

“No, no how can you talk like that? Of course I love you, Colt. I always have. I have not forgotten you.” Twilight began to move towards Colt, she wanted to hug him, to hold him in her arms.

The door behind Colt opened to darkness beyond. He turned, and there she saw him change. He was wounded, hurt, and filthy. Just as he had been that same day. A large black shadow with red eyes emerged from beyond the door, wrapping around him, changing him from white to black, red mane and tail to an off gray color.

“No. NO! Not again. Blackheart, stay away from him.” Twilight screamed recognizing the darkness that was going into his body. She lit up her horn and shot at the shadow. As the bolt of light hit, Colt screamed out in pain.

“Why!? Why are you hurting me mom?” Colt screamed out, his eyes turning to her, the pain on his face, the blood seeping out of his side where she had shot the shadow. OR at least, she thought she had.

“No, I was trying to protect you. I did what you asked. You said it was the only way to save everypony.” Twilight screamed, tears falling hard down her face, an unstoppable flood at this point as all the pain that had been sheltered away inside of her came flooding forth.

At this, small pinpricks of light began to appear through the darkness beyond the door, as a figure emerged from beyond.

“Twilight Sparkle, hold thyself. This is not Colt.” Came the voice of Luna. Her form appeared from the doorway and entered into the hallway.

“Luna? I... I’m dreaming?” Twilight asked, wholly confused.

“Indeed, you are. I want to speak to you, Twilight. But first,” Luna’s horn lit up and the image of Blackheart and Colt vanished in the overwhelming white light. “Twilight,” Luna spoke as she approached her fellow princess, “I am so sorry I have not been here to help you. I fear this is partly my fault for not doing my duty as the Princess of the Night and helping you cope with your loss. It was my own foolishness to think that only your closest friends could help you mend your heart. I, too am your friend, and I was selfish. But, please understand, I too was hurt when Colt left. I was stuck in Canterlot when I had finally awoke from my slumber. So, I could not be there when...” Luna paused a moment, to keep herself from crying and to gather herself once more, “Twilight, please forgive me.”

“Forgive you? Luna, what happened had nothing to do with you. How could you be suffering? You are not the one who lost your foal, I was.”

Luna nodded, “Nay, I did not lose a foal, but I lost a pony I came to understand, and even care for, as much as any other pony that was close to him.”

“Luna, what do you mean?”

“Let me just say that I came to understand Colt in a way that nopony else has. Now, I am not here to speak of myself. I came here, as I friend, to try and help you. These dreams are from the feelings and pain of your heart you have bottled up within yourself all this time.”

“But, what else can I do?”

“You can talk to your friends, talk to me. I was not there for you when you needed me, even came to seek me out. I was a horrible friend to you for that, but I am here now. Please, allow me to take time to listen to your grief, to what troubles you, Twilight.”

Luna cautiously stepped up to Twilight. She noted how Twilight lowered her head, her eyes seeming closed as she continued crying, finally unable to stop the tears now that they had begun to fall.

“Luna, how... How did you come to understand him in a way nopony else could?” Twilight asked, her eyes turning up to the elder Alicorn. Luna halted in her steps, the eyes staring at her, seemed to want to accuse her of something, to go to her, to be comforted, and yet to be angry with. But without a definitive reason, there was confusion, a gray cloud in her eyes that showed. Luna closed her own eyes and heaved a resigning sigh before she too sat back and wrapped a wing around Twilight, trying to comfort her.

“I shall endeavor to share with you, as much as I learned, that I know you will be able to handle. But this will take time, dear Twilight. There is much to say of the mind of Colt. Let us go back to the beginning, and try to fill in the blanks that we each know, or have learned over time.”

Twilight leaned her head against Lunas chest and nodded. It took a minute, but her sobs began to subside, and her mind was able to calm itself. She in turn began to think of Colt, and when he first appeared in her life.

It was fairly late in the evening when the party the town had set up for the six friends, and Twilight had gathered them all together as things began to wind down. It was agreed upon that they would return to the castle the next day and share their adventures, and things they had been capable of accomplishing together, and separate.

Twilight had woken up a bit late in the morning, allowing herself to lounge in the bed, for once before making her way to her renewed book collection, finding a title she had wanted to read. She had worked her way to the kitchen on the first floor, and sat down to some grain toast. Not long after, Spike had entered and began working on a good breakfast for the two to enjoy. The day seemed promising, Twilight had thought to herself. They had all done so much for so many other ponys and other races, bringing the power of friendship across the lands. It had at first started with the castle connecting to each of the girls, as if alive somehow, and sent them out together, but as time went on, they came to understand in some situations, only a few or specifically one of them could use their experience to resolve some issues.

This was how they first had begun to be seen as emissaries of the pony kingdom.

Not long after her musings, she and Spike enjoyed their breakfast, and conversation. As they finished their breakfast, there came a resounding knock that echoed through the castle. Twilight made her way to the front doors, as Spike had remained behind to clear the table and clean the dishes.

The girls were a little earlier than Twilight had expected, but greeted and welcomed them warmly into her home nonetheless.

The girls sat around their chairs speaking, and laughing, As a book was passed to each one. As the book made its way to a pony, than she began their newly made ritual of reciting their adventures, the book magically writing the text and words as they spoke and remembered things that had happened. Once done, Spike picked up the book and took it over to the shelves nearby, where it glowed and floated from his outstretched claws. A beam of light shot to the partially filled book shelf and, the words flowed from the book to the shelves, where appeared books with the cutie mark of the mare could be spotted on the spine. Shorter stories were collected into one book, while longer ones became volumes all of their own accord.

It was something that was provided by both Twilight and the castle. A sharing of magic, she had explained, to take their stories and pass it on to later generations when they were no longer around.

The girls spent many hours talking and catching up, even sharing lunch, that both Fluttershy, and Spike had fixed together for everypony.

Around the time that they had finished their lunch, than a loud knocking sound came from the door to the room. Twilight had excused herself and went to see who it was. She had long before already worked to bring back a library to Ponyville, finding copies of many of the books she had lost, some donated, and even many newer ones. She had already decreed the Library section of the castle open to the public.

When she opened the door with her magic, she paused, an eyebrow raised. There before her, stood an armored pegasus pony, orange in color, with blue mane and tail.

“Flash, is something wrong?” Flash, upon Twilights return home with her friends, had been assigned by Celestia and Twilight along with many different other guard ponies. The Sentries, Rainbow Dash had jokingly nicknamed them, were to guard Twilights castle, and by extension the town.

“Well, we found something strange. It, might be best if you came for a look yourself.” Flash reported, in a more comfortable tone, than the usual bark of a military guard.

“What do you mean? Is it Discord?”

“No, I don’t think this has anything to do with Discord, though I would not be surprised the way this pony appeared out of nowhere.”

“A pony appeared out of nowhere? Flash, you’re not making any sense.”

Flash put a hoof on the back of his head, “Uh, well the whole thing is really weird, even, I think, by Discord standards.”

“His standards don’t usually include whipped cream with his cotton candy clouds and chocolate rain.” Pinkie complained, seeming to appear next to Flash out of nowhere.

“What is it with you and whipped cream, Pinkie?” Rainbow Dash called.

“Whipped cream makes everything better. EVERYTHING!” Pinkie yelled back, her face serious, before she smiled and bounded back to her seat.

Twilight could only shake her head, before returning her attention to Flash, who seemed at a loss for words.

“Just, explain what happened, if you don’t mind?” Twilight encouraged.

“Well... I was speaking with a soldier, when we both starting hearing this strange high pitched noise. It was so loud we both had to cover our ears, it was actually kind of painful. Uh, anyways, when it ended I looked over and spotted this foal, laying on the ground.”

Twilight immediately became alert, “A foal lying on the ground? Are they okay? Were their parents nearby?”

“Uh, well, this was inside the castle, and nopony else was around, no children, no parents. Aside from the seven of you, and of course the guards, there are no other ponies here. I even still have some of my men searching around. I sent a couple of guards with the foal to the hospital to see if anything was wrong. He is alive, but unconscious.”

“Wow, that is weird. Okay, so we can finish up here and go ensure the foal is okay.”

“Well, that’s not all. There was, something in the wall of the castle, sort of, like a giant hole or something.” Flash seemed at a loss as to what to actually say at this point.

Finally, Twilight agreed to go and check on everything. Just as they were about to leave, another guard came up and reported that the giant hole was gone.

“Are you sure Discord has nothing to do with this?” Twilight asked again.

“Well, I can’t really say. But last I heard, the same as you, Discord is gone on an errand for Celestia.”

“Well, we will know soon enough. I know a chaos detecting spell, Celestia taught me.” The two made their way through the castle, the other five mares following, now caught up with curiosity as to what was going on.

Flash pointed out where the hole had appeared, and Twilight worked to see if there was any chaos magic used around there, when she found none, she was quite a bit perplexed. After this she and Flash went to the hospital where the foal was.

Once they made it to the hospital, they were directed down the hall to a room where, they were told, the foal was still unconscious.

Twilight entered the room alone, first, while Flash stood outside speaking to one of the guards who brought the foal. Within, the room seemed dark, with the curtains drawn closed, the smell of antiseptics was strong. The only sound in the room, aside from Twilights own beating heart, was that of an incessant beeping sound from a monitor nearby the bed. A curtain on the left side of the bed was drawn only part way, as if there were another pony sharing the room. Upon investigation, Twilight found an empty bed.

She could see it was a small unicorn foal, with white fur, and a striking bright red mane. As Twilight stood looking over the foal, she spotted a movement at its back. She walked over and grabbed the edge of the blanket in the aura of her magic, slowly pulling the blanket part way down.

“I-it couldn’t be, but...” Twilight tilted her head in slight confusion.

Chapter 2: Awakening

Published Edit: 05/17/15

The beeping continued its rhythm, following the heartbeat of the small foal in the bed. Twilight remained where she was, head tilted. Her gaze moved from the short horn on the forehead, to the wings on the back.

The door cracked open as Flash began to enter, Twilight moved back a step, but kept the blanket where she had it. Flash was followed by a doctor, a deep brown coated stallion with a white coat, covering him all the way back, even over his cutie mark.

“Ah, Princess, good to see you once again.” The doctor offered.

Twilight acknowledged with a nod before bringing their attention to the foal. “Flash, when you found the foal, did she have wings, AND a horn?”

Flash looked at the foal and nodded, “I’ll admit, I did not think much on it immediately, I had thought it best to have you and the doctors check for sure.”

“Well, I can assure you of a few things, Princess Sparkle.” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Just, call me Twilight, please?”

“As you wish, Twilight. Now, I would care to express a couple of things: First, this foal is a colt, not a fillie, as would be expected of an Alicorn. Second, His anatomy, as far as anypony can tell, is naturally similar to an Alicorn. The wings and horn are real, skin, tendon, muscle, bone structure, and even a vast amount of magical ability. One, that may even rival your own potential, Miss Twilight. However, as far as I can tell, from my knowledge of unicorns, his power is currently dormant. When he awakes, I hope to be able to run a few more tests, to see if the power will remain dormant, or if it will come forth in his later years.”

“Wait, later yeas? Doctor, what do you mean?”

“Twilight, I am not an expert in Alicorn physiology, but I do know foals. It is rare to find a foal born with,” The doctor paused, as if trying to find the correct word, or term. “restrictions. I have found some proof, when we began examinations, that... Well, he may not be completely normal for a pony, and even with Alicorn physiology. There are certain ponies that are born, extremely rare in all cases, who cannot be completely normal. He may have the appearance of an Alicorn, but I have doubts he really is. It may be that the horn, or wings may not work properly. My bet, and I mean no offense, is that the restrictions will be with his horn and any magic he has within him. I think he will grow up to be a fine pegasus, however, I have reason to believe his mentality may not be up to par with the rest of his body.”

“Okay, so, in your professional opinion he is not a complete Alicorn because of his restrictions? How does that make any sense, you even admitted he has magical ability that could rival my own.”

The doctor took a deep breath, before continuing further.

“Miss Sparkle, the reason I have these concerns and have come to this conclusion, is... Well, in the medical profession with many new unicorns coming in, we had a group recently progress some spells. We used one of these spells to see if we could look more into foals and ponies to find any possible issues. I used one of these spells, Cerebral Calibration. Not too fancy for a name of a spell, but this spell revealed to me that there is significant differences in the way his brain works and that of any other type of pony. And yes, Miss Sparkle, before you ask, I compared his results to many other foals we have here in the hospital. Despite the proof, we have yet to properly diagnose this.”

A nurse stuck here head in through the door before Twilight had a chance to ask anymore questions.

“Doctor, we need to see you in room three oh eight.”

“Ah, yes, Jenkins. I will be there to see to him. I am finished here anyways, I believe.” With that, the doctor turned his back to Twilight and Flash and left them in the room alone.

Her mouth hanging open, Twilight gaped at the spot the doctor had just been. She quickly closed it and shook her head a little.

“Well, that was different.” Flash offered in the absence of sound, aside from the continuing beeping of the heart monitor.

“I’m, not too sure, the doctor has this foals best interest at heart.” Twilight said with a raised eyebrow. There had been something about everything he had said that did not make much sense. Actually, if she were honest, none of it made any sense, from the foal appearing in her castle out of a portal, being a male Alicorn, and this doctor. No, there was definitely something about the doctor that rubbed her the wrong way.

“I think I want a second opinion.” She said, more to herself than to Flash.

“Who’s?”

“Mine, if it’s true there was this kind of advancement in medicine, I think it would be rather easy for a princess of magic and friendship to track down said spell and check it out myself.”

“Okay, but what are we going to do about him?” Flash asked, pointing to the bed with the foal.

“Well, we don’t know when he will wake up, and I really don’t trust this doctor.”

“Mother instincts kicking in? He’s not even your foal.” Flash responded at an utter fail of making a joke. Twilight turned and gave him a humorless look.

“Okay, I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I-I think I’ll just be quiet now. Though, I am curious who his parents are.”

“Yes, that is a good question. Do you think you can find out? I mean, a couple giving birth to an Alicorn should not be something easy to hide.”

“He has a name you know.” came a small voice from the bed.

Twilight and Flash both turned their heads as one to the small foal sitting up in the bed. His eyes were closed, tight, a hoof lightly rubbing a temple as if in pain.

“Oh, you’re awake. Um, hello, do... Do you know where you are, or remember who you are, or perhaps, who your parents are?” Twilight prompted.

The foal let out a small groan and stretched.

“I’m surprised I’m not in more pain, I could have sworn a ca-” He stopped mid sentence as his eyes opened and took in the sight before him.

“Is something wrong?” Twilight asked.

“You... You just talked. Your a horse, how can you talk, and why are you purple?” Twilight and Flash shared a look of confusion.

“Wait... Twilight?” The foal asked hesitantly.

“Uh, yes?” Twilight asked cautiously, “How do you know my name?”

“No... No way. You can’t be real.” The foals eyes were large discs, his pupils small pinpricks as he stared at her in disbelief.

“He has to know at least who you are because he recognizes you as the princess of friendship.” Flash leaned over and whispered.

“Y-You...” The foal went silent as he had began to point a hoof at her, when he looked at his hoof in complete disbelief, and even shock.

“My hand, my arm... Wha-?” He began to move about looking at his body, even throwing off the blanket. “Ahhh, where is my body? Where are my CLOTHES!?”

At this point Nurse Redheart had just entered and saw the foal awake, freaking out. Without hesitation she rushed over and pushed an emergence button on the wall summoning the doctor and other nurses.

It took only seconds for Redheart to move around to the other side of the bed and try to speak to the foal and calm him down. His screams of panic were louder than her soothing voice.

“I need you two to leave, the doctor and I can handle this situation.” Nurse Redheart said to Twilight and Flash.

Flash began to lead Twilight out of the room, and were pressed against the wall as the doctor re-entered the room followed by a couple of burly stallion s dressed in Nurse garb. They immediately relieved Redheart of trying to restrain the foal.

Flash urged Twilight, but she refused to move now. The doctor readied a needle in his magic, filling it with a liquid from a small glass container.

“Now, now, you will feel a small pinch, but it will only be for a moment.” The doctor calmly replied to the still straining foal.

“No! Not needles, I hate needles. Who are you, where am I? Get away from me! LET! ME! GO!” At that very moment his horn lit up with a bright light.

Twilight had to jump to the side, into Flash to avoid being hit by the doctor a he went flying back against the wall. One of the male nurses had also been sent flying through the curtain, tearing it from the rings holding it up, and into the wall on the opposite end of the room, missing being sent out the window.

Twilight spared a glance and saw the foal already closing his eyes, the adrenaline pushing the sedative through him faster. The needle sticking out of his hindquarters. Nurse redheart was busy stroking his red mane, hush him, and speaking softly into his ears, trying to keep him calm and not burn through the sedative.

A groan from near Twilight caught her attention. She looked to see the doctor crumpled on the floor, a little more than dazed. She wasn’t sure why, but it made her smile, she felt he somehow deserved what he got.

This day held something different, something new. For so long it had lain, feeding on what was dark. It had been there shortly before the time of these ponies, and knew it would remain after. So much new negative emotion, such delicacies, but it was not dainty as it in fact gorged itself on so much. Then, they came, the sisters, taking their strange new power and using it. Those delicacies began to flow from abundance, to so rare, it felt as if it would starve. There was also something more, a heat, something that burned him in his coldness, something he did not care for.

　 It settled itself as deep into the darkness as it could within the land of Equestria. It remained there in a near hibernation, taking what was available and trying to spread it over time.

A few centuries passed when it last awoke to the sweet taste of a growing malevolence. This was not a taste of small morsels; No it was something different. This, where it was so small it was held in check, but the power connected to it. Now this was indeed turning to an appetizing morsel. It tingled with magic, allowing the emotions to alter slightly, almost like adding spice, or seasoning to something bland you had become accustomed to.

Its sentience was as sharp as ever, but its body had lost substance and form in its loss of nourishment. No, it had not mattered, for, this magic allowed it to seek out the source. The closest thing it had ever known to delight came to fruition once it found the uneasiness between the two sisters. Even their magic that allowed them to put an end to its food had grown weaker.

It took its time, slowly drawing power in the darkness of the forest it had laid claim as its home, and find its way, again and again into the nearby castle. Night after night it returned, listening to the annoyance of the night sister. As it slowly gained more nourishment, some of its tricks and powers returned, yet it was still not enough to return its form, its body.

The shadows were like an old suit, so easy to slip itself into them again. Soon it was able to reach out to the sister of the night, softly speaking, coaxing her to speak, and share the burden of concerns.

Luna paid the voice no mind, at least at first, until she tried to offer suggestions to help their people. Her sister would take time to consider the ideas, but none would work as they eventually lead to greater problems. One tried to find wisdom in things, thinking of tomorrow, rather than immediate solutions. They would not lead their people to be able to find their own strength. Such quick solutions lead to apathy, laziness, and dependency on the sisters and their powers.

This promoted the small annoyances to frustrations, which brought forth the bitterness, and more. Swelling now, it would speak from the shadows, insisting that solutions and problems are one and the same. Sometimes focusing on the problem would bring about a solution. In time, its insistence paid off, as the night sister would pace in the absence of the light and her older sister.

This continued until it had found itself capable of doing much with this, magic. So, it went to the night sister, in her dreams and would leave presents of power, words, thoughts, and anything else it could to try and show more. It would be there in her darkest dreams, that were her darkest desires, twisted by it. It would help her bring the power from these nightmares.

During this time, others came another in a rise of power, also with magic, and emotions. But the power of this one was disgusting, the sister in the light seemed to be growing with her people in the day. It had to stop, it wanted to be free, so it began to go to the night sister more and more, slowly convincing her of betrayal.

Betrayal of family for power. The people gave her power over day and night. It worked until its efforts were close to paying off. The sisters confronted one another and the force of their battle brought forth so much negativity and magic, it had felt itself growing more. Its body was so close, something tangible, more powerful than its former body.

Its thoughts, plans, and manipulations crushed in a matter of moments. The elder sister took the old power from its hidden area, bringing it forth again, but instead of two, the sister used their peoples power with her own. She steeled herself and tore away at the nightmare that should have overpowered her and sent it, and the sister of the night away, to that desolate realm that she maintained. Stuck to chase back the sun, and the place she once knew as her home.

His body had been so close to returning. Best to return and see what else he could do. Perhaps if he used this, magic, he could find a way to sustain his self better in his hibernation, so the next chance would not take so long for his return. The forest he returned to seemed to teem with life he had not taken to before as it seemed so far below his desire. Perhaps, though, with his magic, and a few well made efforts, a seedling could take root, as the old Earth pony saying went.

So, he dug deep, planting the now dark and twisted seed of magic he had gotten from the sister of the night. Celestia took her leave not long afterwards, never even noticing the slow change of the Everfree Forest. The water, land, plants, and animals changed over time to strange odd, and at times, frightening versions of their previous selves.

Now, it felt nearly alive again as a sudden flood of raw and unimaginable negative emotion rolled over it.

No, not it anymore, He, Him, His; The memories were no longer hazy. Where ever this came from he wanted more, as it was so close.

He could sense how near the source was, and not just that, he also could sense that the sister of the night had returned. She was no longer a holder of the negativity, but with this new course to feed from, it did not matter.

There in this large building, a short distance from the forest, and there within, yes. If his body were whole again, he would certainly be salivating over this sumptuous morsel. Such a small form, but the body did not hold to the truth of what lay beneath. A mind and spirit that had been aged held so much raw emotion, and yes, even magic. It was so, delectable.

“What are you, and what do you want?” Echoed a voice.

He was taken a little aback, not expecting to be noticed. That which spoke, it was he, the one negativity came from, but there was something else. He stopped in darkness, but this was not a darkness he was accustomed to. Yes there was fear, loneliness, sorrow, and more, but for so much negative, there was also positive here.

As if a switch were thrown, he was accosted with light, so much light. His form of the shadows was exposed, shapeless, intangible, seeming more like living coiling smoke.

There before him was something he had never seen before. It stood on two legs, strange limbs emerged from its torso, a head. Skin like fallen snow, a short mane that was almost like fire, but failed to move. The eyes stared him down, behind them seemed a depthless knowledge that should not exist there.

Behind this strange creature were three forms. Two chained, and one between the two, very similar to that which stood before him but laid slumbering.

A disgusted look came across the things face.

“You are nothing more than a parasite.”

“Yes, and you have something that I want.”

　 “I am merely here as a connection to him. It is not my place to say whether you can do as you wish, or not, that resides solely with him.”

“Why is that? He slumbers, obviously weaker, why do you not control this?”

“That is not how it works. But my time has already run out.” The being seemed to vanish as the sleeping form stirred.

　 He decided to try and take the chained figure that was to his own left. It was strange, gray in color, it reminded him of one of the creatures from the Everfree forest, one called an ogre. The thick muscular body, squatted and chained, its face unchanging, a look of oblivious stupidity frozen in place.

The other seemed a stark contrast, though strong, it was coalesced in a light that came from itself, thin, and a serene calm.

As he reached it, the chains seemed to shift as he began to feel it slowly alter and drain into him slightly.

“Stop.” Came a commanding voice. The once sleeping being now came near. Though he resembled the other, the eyes were bright and youthful, but they did not hold the same intelligence as the other. Instead, there was a resilience and strength.

He was forced back from his prize, so close, but now he had to contend with this one.

“You do not belong here. Leave now.” He could taste the perceptible fear, but it was being doused, over ridden by the taste of something else. If he had a face he would no doubt be making a soured look, as the fear remained but seemed less than paltry.

The sound of chains straining caught both of their attention. The gray ogre struggled against the chains, as a few snapped under the strength, the being seemed to wince in pain.

“No, what are you doing?” The being said.

An internal struggle was just fine; taking advantage of the distraction, he shot forward, his smoky form enveloping the gray ogre, and vanished.

Celestia stopped dead in her tracks as she sensed a change from the Everfree forest. It felt like Nightmare Moon was returning, or the power, but no form. Quickly Celestia teleported to her sisters chambers, and was shocked to find the doors swinging open as Luna emerged, the same expression on her face.

　　“The Everfree forest?” Luna asked, wasting no time.

　 　“Yes, but take as many royal royal guards with you as you can, and scour the area as much as possible. I must check on Twilight and her friends.”

　　Luna wasted no time as she raced around her sister and through the Canterlot castle gathering all Flying guards she could. Then without hesitation she leapt from the nearest open balcony. HEr dark blue wings snapped open, the moment her body was no longer confined to the castle. Her mane flowing faster in the sudden catch of air, the small specks of light, representing the stars, all glistening with each billowing strand. Not far behind were all the nearby guards calling out to Luna, trying to make sense of things as they ask for her orders.

　 　Celestia turned to the throne room, she felt that armor would be beneficial if there was need for a battle. She hoped to be wrong, but the feeling she had in her mind said otherwise, and heart heart ached in agreement.

　　“Princess Celestia.” Came a voice from her right. She turned, seeing a guard galloping towards her, his horn alight with magic. The magic surrounded what seemed to be a scroll.

　　 ‘Strange,’ she thought, ‘Twilights letters are supposed to go straight to the throne room, and are incapable of being touched by anypony but I.’

　　As the guard neared, she used her own magic to take the scroll, unfurl it and read it. She saw it was from Flash Sentry and slowly read the letter.

　　‘That’s not possible.’ She thought, her brow furrowing slightly and she forced herself to re-read the letter again even slower, the significance of the words sinking in.

　　 Without another thought or order for the awaiting guard, Celestia rushed to the throne room still using her magick to hold the letter. Once there she immediately stopped at a stand with a stunning set of golden armor, the sun emblem, a copy of her own cutie mark, decorated with special gems and dust with spells not used since she and her sister youth.

　　She did not take long to dress, the armor still fitting snugly, yet comfortably to allow easy maneuverability both on the ground and in the air.

　　Once done, she too took off out an open balcony, spreading her wings. Her course only slightly differed from Luna’s as she made her way to Ponyville Hospital. Using a spell, Celestia flew faster, fast enough to make even Rainbow Dash envious.

　　Once she landed she ran in asking for Flash Sentry and Twilight Sparkle. She could sense they were near.

　 　“This way princess Celestia.” Came the voice of a guard. They made their way quickly to the designated room. The guard knocked on the door and called out.

　　“Sir, Princess Celestia just arrived and wants to speak to you and Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

　　Flash Sentry was first to emerge from the room, followed by a reluctant Twilight.

　　“Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked as she saw her former teacher dressed in battle armor.

　　“What is happening? I sensed something dangerous, are you okay?”

　 　As Twilight opened her mouth, there was a thunderous explosion that seemed to rock the very foundation of the Hospital. All three rushed into the room to see a gaping hole in the wall. A dark gray stallion stood there, with wings unfurled, red eyes, a black heart shaped cutie mark, laughing.

　　“Stop!” Celestia called out using her royal speaking voice.

　　This seemed to only get the stallion to laugh louder and harder before flapping his wings and taking off.

　 　Celestia was moving fast through the hole in the wall taking chase, but stopped as black bolts of lightning shot down around her. Where ever the lightning struck , the point of impact smoldered, turning black, with a hole that appeared melted.

　　Celestia threw up a defensive spell bubble, but even this did not seem to help as more lightning struck straight through it. The bubble popped without a sound, but the remnant of it fell to the ground in thick foul smelling ichor.

　　 Celestia had no choice but to take refuge back inside the room. Once the noise stopped, all three stepped out and saw no trace of the stallion.

　 　Inside, came the sounds of whimpering, as if from a  small child. The colt was cowering under his blanket, but the wings and cutie mark were now gone, as was the strange older look in his eyes.

　　With a sigh Celestia turned to Twilight.

“Twilight, take this foal, and come with me. I do not understand or know what is happening, but we must find out.” She said.

Chapter 3: "Are you my Mummy?"

　　Published Edit: 5/18/15

The throne room within the Castle at Canterlot had been cleared of most ponies who came day after day to bring issues, and propositions to the sisters. Not even guards were permitted within the throne room this day. The only ones today aside from Celestia were the mane six and one small foal. Luna had returned just as they had all arrived with no report from the Everfree. Whatever had caught their attention seemed to have vanished, until she heard the explosion in Ponyville. Luna had seen Celestia and the others leaving and had scoured the area with the royal guards, still to come up empty hoofed.

Luna, after her rush of adrenaline, had retired to her bedchambers seeking rest before her night was due.

“So, Flash had explained that this foal had arrived from a hole, a portal within your own castle?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, I though at first this had to be some sort of antic Discord decided to pull on us, for whatever reason.”

“Well yes, portals from nowhere does seem like something he would do. But taking a foal? I do not believe even Discord would stoop that low. Yes, he has tried multiple times to take over Equestria, even helped Tirek, but he never went after foals.”

“Oh, no. Discord once expressed to me, that he could never, ever hurt a foal.” Fluttershy interjected, not being too far away from the conversation.

The other mares had been only a short distance away, keeping a close eye on the little foal, now wingless. He enjoyed running around the throne room and the mares with Pinkie chasing after him. His laughter was the only sound that echoed through the large room, somehow bringing something cheerful to the now otherwise seemingly oppressive space.

“Then, perhaps, we can place our full trust in him enough to not have him as a suspect. But, I must admit, it does bother me. How can a portal appear out of nowhere, and a foal as well. And this stallion I saw, do any of you know who he is?” Celestia looked to all the ponies present. Each in turn shook their heads. None had ever seen a large stallion with pure black fur, and a gray mane and tail with a black heart cutie mark.

“We also have found no trace of parents missing any children. I had thought for sure, that if a parent had a natural Alicorn child, we would know.” Twilight added.

“Yes, that is also another mystery all its own. I must admit, this is bringing up so many questions. For now, though, it would be best to answer the simplest of questions. Finding a home for this foal.” Celestia began to pace as she brought this thought about.

It had kind of caught Twilight by surprise, she actually had not thought of this yet, a foal with no known home, or parents would definitely need to be taken care of. A place where he would have enough room, someplace where he can easily learn and grow, a nice school, a good community. Then it hit her, it seemed so simple, there was only one small problem she could see, but she knew there would be help for that.

“I can take him to live with me. I can watch over him until we do in time find his parents.” Twilight offered.

There was silence now, Celestia stopped her pacing to look over at Twilight.

“Twilight, are you sure? Are you sure you can handle responsibility like this?”

“Well, I more or less raised Spike.”

“Uh, sugarcube, are you sure, this is a good idea?”

“What is most important right now, at this very moment, is making sure this foal has a place to live, a roof over his head, somepony who will care for him, watch out for him. Someplace he will have plenty of space to grow, a good school, a good community, and plenty of friends. There is no better place I can think of than right in our own home in Ponyville. My castle is large enough to house, well really plenty of families all at once, and still have room for all the guard and still more room. I also know that everypony is Ponyville are very close almost like one large family in of itself, I have amazing friends who I know I can rely on, I want him to have that same chance.”

Everypony stared at Twilight open mouthed, while Celestia smiled, “Well, my little pony, it seems you have actually thought this through. But it is still a very big responsibility, on top of being the princess of Friendship. Aside from that, I do not think we could have a better pony than you to watch over this foal.” Celestia stated as she moved to Twilight and rested a large soft white wing over her former student. One, if she were to admit, was almost like a daughter to her.

“Hey, where is the little foal, anyways?” Applejack asked taking a moment to look around. It was then that everypony noticed how absolutely still Pinkie Pie was, her eyes wide, and staring vacantly.

Pinkie began to shiver for a moment, her thick curly mass of mane also began to move. Everypony shared a look before turning back to her, as her body began to shake all over.

“Pinkie...?” Twilight began when suddenly she stopped.

“I claim this as Mount Fluffy!” The little colt said as he sprang forward from the top of Pinkie’s mane.

“Quick, get him, it tickles.” Pinkie said as she began to lose her composure trying to fight falling over into hysterics.

Twilight laughed out loud and used her magic to remove the colt from her mess of a mane, after which, Pinkie fell backwards laughing so hard she began to shed tears.

“So, what’s his name?” Fluttershy asked.

“Uh, Colt?” Twilight offered.

“That name, needs to be at least twenty percent cooler.” Rainbow Dash deadpanned.

“For now, it is a fine name until we get everything situated. I will say this, though, if the parents of ‘Colt’ do not come forward, or we cannot find them in that time, then by decree of the law, you can officially become his mother. A new permanent resident of Ponyville, and your son, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said.

“OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! We have a new pony, time to PAR-TAY!” Pinkie gushed.

“My, son...” Twilight repeated quietly to herself. This was a moment that literally left her breathless with the meaning, as everything dawned on her.

“Uh, Pinkie, we are all for parties, but after yesterday, how about we wait until we get back home and just have a small celebration, darling?” Rarity asked.

The others began to move towards the doors, as Twilight was rooted to the spot, the shock of what had just happened still held her in a strong grip.

“Twilight? Is something the matter?” Celestia asked, concern evident in her voice.

“I just... I never thought about something like this. Having a foal, I mean. With everything else that has happened in my life, I never, ever came close to thinking of having a little one of my own. I mean, it is true it’s so much responsibility raising a pony. I...”

Celestia wrapped a hoof around Twilight, holding her close, comforting her in her state of shock. “Think of this as a test, Twilight, to show if you are ready. I think you are, or else you would not have offered the strong argument you did to help this foal. You were right when you said how good Ponyville was for you, and how good it will be for Colt. You have been a very big part of my life, Twilight, I have seen you grow from a foal, yourself. And when I sent you to Ponyville, you kept growing, you have become a wonderful, and strong Mare in my eyes, and in the eyes of so many others. You can do this, and you have more than just your friends for support. You have your mother, and even I to help you. Do not let yourself despair. You have made a wonderful and noble choice. This too will help you to grow, and become stronger.”

Twilight could not help but to look up at Celestia with a few tears in her eyes. “Thank you.”

As the day wore on, and evening began to fall, all seven ponies made their way onto the last train bound for ponyville. Celestia had accompanied them to the station, and waited until they were off. Once they went around the first bend to vanish on the tracks around the mountain, she spread her wings and lifted herself into the air, headed back to the castle, with her six pegasi guards.

Luna was just making herself comfortable as Celestia entered. “Ah, Sister, I thank thee for helping to raise the moon. So, how did everything go?”

“It’s a long story, Luna.”

“Then share, sister, I am already seated for any shock which may come.”

“Twilight has a foal now.”

Luna stared open mouthed at Celestia, before shaking her head, “Nay, thou surely jests with us.”

Celestia sat back on her haunches and just looked to the side, she had a lot on her mind, and she needed Luna to understand everything.

“How?” Was all Luna could say.

Celestia began explaining everything in short order, without detail, so as to save time and keep straight to the point.

“Perhaps this black hearted stallion was the one we sensed?” Luna offered, once Celestia had finished.

“Who, or whatever this stallion is, is extremely dangerous. The sense of something dark emanating from him, it left a cold chill down my spine. I haven’t felt something like this, since-”

“Since before we came to rule.” Luna finished, her eyes wide. It seemed impossible for her to witness her sister afraid of something, but here it was. A stallion, with power they had never experienced before, and knew nothing about. That had always been her sisters greatest ally, knowledge.

“Sister, I have a feeling this foal has something to do with this new threat.”

Luna tilted her head in confusion, “How is that?”

Celestia shook her head, her eyes were drooping, she was so tired.

“We will try and speak more of this tomorrow. I am trying to form a plan on how we can keep a better eye out for this stallion. We will need to call the Wonderbolts back to their true duties to the crown, and we will need another. The element of Loyalty.”

Luna raised an eyebrow before nodding to her sister. Celestia excused herself and left the throne room to retire to her bedchambers. Her wings folded, Celestia took a deep breath before holding her head high, and offering a prayer that her suspicions were wrong. She now feared for her little ponies, most of all, Twilight Sparkle.

The forest had changed, it was still fairly dark, and wild from his manifestations into it previously, but still something had been changing over the centuries. The forest held its own power, something he had not been aware of before and it was changing the forest back to what it had been before he changed it. The areas where it felt strongest, made him sick, more so, the closer he got to the castle of the two sisters. He decided to remain as far from it as possible. There was nothing there, as far as he could sense.

He moved on deeper, it was easier now that the guards and the sister of night had left the forest. He momentarily wondered how it was that the sister of the night was able to return, and when. Another thing at that moment that did not matter.

What did matter, was the pain in his body, already it was tired, and hungry. So much to trade for the use of so little power that had been used in his escape. It was a new body, yet at the same time, it wasn’t his his own. At least compared to the old one he head once long before. He remembered his form, was larger, blacker than shadow, even night. His children swept out over the land bringing cold misery to ponies when they were found. Easily allowing him to feed. It had once been so plentiful, but none were quite like his three daughters, stupid though they were.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts. His mind was in shock, bringing up old memories to try and cope with the body it was now commanding. He struggled through trees, shrubbery, and vines thick like jungle, through a swamp, and further. Soon he came to the thickest part of the forest, some miles from the castle.

Collapsing against a thick trunk, Blackheart waited, trying to control his breathing, and rest. The tree, he noted, was held somewhat higher than most of the others, its roots so strong held the full weight of the tree above the ground, yet still thick gnarled roots sunk deep into the ground feeding and taking what was needed to live. The ground around it, and the roots felt damp, most all the way around the bark and roots alike were covered with thick green moss. He saw then that there was a large comfortable hollowed out piece of Earth under the tree. Removing some of the moss he was able to make a moderate hole to crawl through.

The fresh compact dirt filled his nostrils it was soft, something his body would need only for the time being. He had to find a way to restore his body to its former glory and find more sustenance. As he laid his head down, he heard something.

Raising up he looked around through the hole to the shadowed forest beyond. Nothing seemed to move, but the leaves swaying in a gentle breeze The distant sounds of birds was all he could hear.

Grunting in annoyance, Blackheart turned his head and laid it back down.

“Weak.” A voice whispered in the dark.

Blackheart jumped, hearing what sounded like a deep gravely voice just over his shoulder. Looking around, he could see nothing, no other creature or being was there. But he knew he heard a voice.

“WEAK!” It came again before he could lay his head back down. Now it was louder, and far more aggressive.

“Who’s there?” Blackheart called out. His voice commanding, and strong, despite his bodies resistance.

“Not who, what. Just as you are not a who, or at least in your mind you never were before. I thought you were stronger than this, but no, you are just weak.” Blackheart ground his teeth and growled, whatever this voice was, it was mocking him.

“Then, what are you?”

“Foolish as well.” He could feel something at the back of his neck, as if something were staring at him, and he could almost feel it sneering at him.

Distantly he thought he heard the rattle of chains, his eyes widen for a moment, before they narrowed.

“How? I took you from that weakling, I was able to gain a body by taking your power, how are you still there as if you are separate from me?”

“Does it matter? Besides, that ‘weakling’ as you call him, is far stronger than you could possibly imagine, much less understand. You only have me, and this body, because it was allowed. He may not have realized it, but he has been trying to rid himself of me for most of his miserable existence. He could have stopped you, but, well, here we are.”

Blackheart smiled, “So, he was weak. Even if for only a moment, he still showed weakness, I took you and was able to lay claim to what I wanted. That is strength, losing to something stronger than you, that is weakness.” At that, there seemed to be no more response from the voice. With a satisfied smirk, Blackheart once again settled down to rest and recover his strength.

The train was winding around the bottom of the mountain now, Ponyville was coming closer. Most of the time, Colt, had been staring out the window, a wide smile on his face, his eyes wide with excitement. Despite the darkness, and not being able to see anything beyond trees that lined next to the track, it did not seem to bother the little pony.

Twilight had kept him in a seat beside her, her friends all around them trying to talk Pinkie Pie out of throwing another large party, bigger than the one the town threw for them.

“But, its a party challenge. The gauntlets been thrown, I have to meet it and beat it.” She whined.

“Twilight?” She looked down to see Colt now sitting beside her, looking up at her with those startling emerald green eyes.

“Yes, Colt?” After the incident at the hospital, they had found that Colt could not remember anything, his name, where he was from, or even what had happened. He was somehow able to remember their names.

“Where are we going?”

“Ah, well, we are going home, in Ponyville.”

“Are... Are you going to be my mommy?”

That shock was back, not as bad as it had been in the throne room, but it definitely made her pause for a moment.

“Well, we are trying to see if we can find your parents. If we cannot find them, then... Yes, I will be something like a mommy to you.” She smiled down to him as he smiled back up at her before yawning and snuggling against her side and closing his eyes.

“I hope I know what I’m getting myself into.” Was all she could think at that moment. Looking down at Colt, Twilight wrapped a purple wing around him and lowered her head to his for a few minutes. It was not long before the two of them fell asleep.

The train rolled on, and before long it came to a stop at the ponyville train station. The girls all gathered around the new mother and son, all with smiles. Even Rainbow Dash had to admit the scene somehow looked right. Twilight, a mother, it was the one thing going through all of their minds.

“Twilight, we’re home.” Fluttershy whispered, nudging the princess, gently so as to keep from waking the foal.

Twilight opened her eyes, and glanced at everypony.

“What? Is something wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?”

The girls only smiled and pointed. Twilight turned and looked at Colt, who was still leaning against her side sleeping, snoring slightly, her wing still wrapped around him. She eased her wing back, and grimaced at the stiffness in it for having been extended in the way for so long during the ride. It was no wonder ponies with wings did not keep them extended for so long unless flying.

She eased Colt up from her side with her magic and stood up, before lifting off the seat gently and laid him on her back. She turned and smiled to her friends as they all began to move, leaving the train together. The night was still fairly brisk, the mist of their breath coming in short puffs that vanished into the night. They all walked Twilight home, before saying their goodnights and heading home theirselves.

As Twilight began to open the door, a thought hit her still slightly sleep fogged mind, ‘What is Spike going to think of this?’

Chapter 4: Nightmare

Twilight entered the dark room, for now it was only filled with basic necessities, a bed, curtains over a window, shelves, closet, and it’s own bathroom. A room right across the hall from where she slept, and Spike right next to this room. Twilight pulled the blankets back, and within the glow of her horn, lifted the still sleeping foal from her back and gently settled him into the bed. Once done, she lifted the blanket and covered him, carefully tucking him in.

Looking down at his sleeping form, Twilight could not help but to smile, she raised a hoof and pushed a strand of his mane from his face. Colt rolled over and gently grabbed hold of her leg, snuggling up to it. Twilight suppressed a giggle and leaned down and kissed his forehead. It took her a few minutes of slowly removing her hoof from his grip and keep from waking the sleeping foal.

With Colt tucked in and slumbering away, Twilight all but dragged herself back into the hall and into her own room. She pulled back the covers and settled into her bed and swiftly fell asleep.

Colt felt sluggish, and so tired. There was pain in his body, that seemed to come from everywhere, and yet parts of him that seemed at the edge of his body were so cold and numb. He was not sure why he was suddenly in so much pain. He tried to move, but his body would not respond. The pain, however grew into a white hot searing feeling he almost could not stand.

It was then, as he prayed for the pain to go away, that he could faintly hear a loud rapid beeping, and distant voices all around him. He tried to say something, but his throat felt dry, and also as if something were stuck in his throat. He tried to swallow to clear it away, but it wouldn’t work. He was confused as to what was going on. Everything around him seemed an unbodied form of chaos, and it scared him to know he could not do anything.

As he lay there, coming to terms with the fact he could not move, could not see, could barely breath, and could feel nothing but pain, his mind began to panic.

Finally some of the pain seemed to begin to fade away as something cold clashed against the burning hot pain at the center of his body. At that moment something pressed against his head, just beside his eyes. Some sort of cloth was removed and his eyes were accosted with bright light from overhead. A distant voice of a woman came through to him.

“Doctor, he’s conscious.” The figure of a bald older man peered over at Colt, before taking something small and shining another light into his eyes. He could still see perfectly in one side, but the other, he realized was nothing but a faint spot. He tried to say something, but there was only a strange faint gurgling sound.

“Now, don’t panic sir, you’ve been in a terrible accident, you need to try and remain calm-”

“Doctor, his vitals are spiking.”

“Give him a little more morphine, we have to try and keep his heart rate under control.”

Colt tried again to say something, but the same gurgling sound emerged, and little red spots appeared on the face of the doctor. He took it in stride and had an assistant wipe his face as he tried to keep him under control. His eye wide, Colt could only comprehend one thing now, as the pain returned with more intensity as he tried to get his body to respond.

It was too late as the doctors began to work harder and faster, suddenly Colt could feel his chest lurch up, more blood spilled out from his mouth, the beeping in the background changed from it steady fast paced beeping to a single long high pitched drone. His body fell back, and everything began to fade. The pain, the numbness, sound, and finally his vision.

“Alright... calling it....” Was the last thing he heard before he was drifting in darkness.

Colt awoke in his bed, a sliver of light coming in from the window. He could not breathe, or move, and panic seized him. He was not sure what was happening. There was not an intense amount of pain as when he was at that other place, but there was a strange intense ache through his whole body. His mouth opened and closed as his chest felt a tightening from the lack of oxygen in it.

“Stop!” Came a commanding voice in his mind, it was his voice.

“Calm yourself. Calm your mind first, then take a deep breath.” He did as it instructed, his closed his eyes and quickly emptied his mind, halting the panic. The turned his mind to taking a breath, and with his mouth open he was finally able to take in a deep breath. The air filled his lungs, and he was grateful. Now that he was no longer panicking, he knew what else to do. It felt as if he had gone through this about a dozen or so times before.

Once he knew he was breathing easily enough, he closed his eyes and followed through with the process of startling his body awake from the false belief of death. It took him some seconds to work his mind to regain  feeling in the top part of his body, he was able to move. Though it was more of a jerking motion with the top part of his body, he was able to get himself to the edge of the bed. HE could tell, by the tingling in the rest of his body, he still had to go through this.

With one last grunt and motion of his body, Colt forced himself over the edge of the bed. The very second his mind registered he was falling, his older instincts kicked it, sluggishly moving his body faster than his fall, his arms and legs shot out to hit the ground before he face planted.

The impact did the rest of the work for him, the sudden jarring stop shocked the rest of his body out of lethargy. Colt closed his eyes, grateful he was able to use his body again. Whatever that nightmare before, it seemed familiar, and yet completely different. Where his previous nightmares he could understand were not real, this, this was different.

Colt suddenly felt cold, he could tell his body was sweating. He opened his eyes to look at the ground and try to stand up on his legs. This resulted in him quickly falling over, barely catching himself on the edge of the bed. He looked down, and realized his body was different.

All he could do at that moment was to open his mouth and begin screaming in panic, again.

Twilight rolled over, she had just woken up, unsure of why. She had been in a deep sleep, and suddenly woke. The sun was just rising, and she covered her eyes with a foreleg. After a moment, she thought she heard a faint thump, like something heavy hitting the floor. After a second, she brushed it off as imagining the whole thing, until she heard the screaming.

Twilight jumped up out of bed, and promptly fell flat on the floor. Her back hooves were tangled in the blanket. She used her magic to remove the blanket as quickly as possible and run out the door, nearly running over Spike in the process as she made her way to the room with Colt.

As she entered, he looked up, his screaming coming to a stop, but his eyes were still wide, and he was breathing heavily.

“What?” He began to back away.

“Colt, its okay, calm down.” Twilight said, trying to take a step towards him.

His breathing was still too fast, and as he stepped back, she could tell he was becoming to unsteady as he hyperventilated. His eyes began to roll as he fell to the floor. Twilight sprung forward, wings out, and grabbed Colt in her hooves before his head hit the floor.

“Colt, Colt, please, wake up. Whats wrong?”

“I-I ... I died...” He said as he came back around only a second or two later.

“What? No, no Colt, you’re right here. You’re okay, it must have just been a nightmare. Just take a moment to calm down, okay? There you go, just take deep slow breathes.” She coached.

She could feel him shaking in her grip, and she settled the two of them down on the floor, and she began to hold Colt tight to her chest, slowly rocking him and stroking his mane.

“It’s okay, Colt. It was just a nightmare, you are going to be just fine.”

Spike watched from the doorway, he felt bad for the foal, after his scare. He turned and made his way towards the kitchen, deciding it would be better to have breakfast ready for the two when they were able to pull themselves together.

It was not long before Twilight and Colt joined Spike downstairs in the dining room. He was still working on breakfast but already had some cold apple juice, milk, toast, and some pancakes set up. He offered a smile as the other two settled in some seats, before turning and disappearing back through the door.

As Twilight and Colt set about getting some food, Spike re-emerged from the kitchen with some food for himself, evident by the collection of gems sticking out of some oatmeal, and a small apple dish. As everypony began eating, Spike leaned over and whispered to Twilight.

“How is the little guy doing?”

Twilight glanced up, the concern evident in her eyes as she cast them over to the foal. He only had one piece of toast and a single pancake with syrup over it. He ate slowly, mostly poking at the food.

“He still seems pretty shaken up. He wouldn’t really talk about what happened, even when he calmed down.”

“That must have been one bad nightmare.”

Twilight nodded in agreement, and explained she wanted to send a letter to Luna.

“Spike, Can you take him out to the market? I was thinking maybe we could have a special dinner just the three of us tonight. You know, give him something positive to enjoy, and definitely nothing sweet before bed. I should not be long before I catch up with the two of you.” Spike nodded.

They did not take much longer to finish breakfast, Colt having only been able to eat half of his food. Twilight had to admit, after his experience waking up, she was glad he had at least eaten anything at all. She suspected if they could distract him from whatever was bothering him, then perhaps he could get his appetite back, and even laugh. She liked his laugh, when she had heard it in the throne room in Canterlot, after he had claimed Pinkie Pie as ‘Mount Fluffy’. She wanted that smile and laugh back, she wanted to know what it would be like in the castle if his laughter echoed through the high vaulted ceilings throughout.

Spike did not take long to clear away the dishes and clean them before he spoke with Colt to let him know they were going out for a bit and Twilight would join them later. Colt at the time seemed to have a dejected kind of attitude and so went along with Spike without argument.

Twilight stood at the door, offering a smile and waving them off. As soon as the two were out of sight, Twilight turned and closed the door and headed straight for her study. Once there she uses her magic to levitate a blank parchment and quill over to her desk. She dipped the quill into the bottle of ink that had already been carefully placed and thought for a moment before beginning to write.

Dear Luna,

I know it is strange to write to you, since I usually write to Princess Celestia, but I need some help.

You see, I awoke this morning to Colt screaming and crying. When I went to him, I asked what was

wrong, he was in a panicked state. He explained that he had... Well, died. I assured him this was

not so, since he was there, in my care.

Twilight halted in her letter, as she read it, and then re-read it, she failed to notice the small splotch of ink land lower on the parchment as she considered what she had written so far. It just did not feel right.

She shook her head as she used her magic to ball up the parchment and toss it into the waste basket, already grabbing the next parchment and beginning another letter. She had failed to notice, in her concern, the crumbled paper hit the tip of the waste basket and tumble to the side, bouncing off the floor and finding its way almost behind the waste basket where it settled.

Dear Luna,

I have some concerns for Colt. I know, I know, I haven’t been a real mother for long enough to already have concerns. But

With a frustrated sigh, she scratched the first sentence out, and continued a little lower, not wanting to already move onto another parchment already.

I have some concerns for Colt. I know, I know, I haven’t been a real mother for long enough to already have concerns. But

Colt awoke this morning screaming, I was scared and went to him. Once there, he told me he had died. I assured him it was merely a nightmare. I admit, I am scared right now,

“Oh, come on Sparkle, you can do better than that.” Twilight reprimanded herself. “You don’t want to seem like you’re already in way over your head, even though you are. And why am I talking to myself, but what do I know of raising a foal? Why did I do this? Why did I have to open my mouth, and say I would take care of the foal? Celestia had even tried to offer me a way out by telling me it took a lot of responsibility.” Twilight realized she was starting to lose her nerve, she bit her lip and closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.

She stood there, silent and still for a few seconds, before raising a hoof, placing it over her chest and breathing in deeply before slowly moving her hoof away from her body, straight out, and exhaling simultaneously.

As she opened her eyes, already starting to feel the effects of her calming exercise that Cadence had taught her all those years ago, seeming more than a lifetime; Twilight realized there was no reason to give explicit details, all she had to do was present her concerns, and ask Luna for a little help.

She balled up that parchment and began the next one, her eyes wide as she leaned in to the parchment, unaware of her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth as she scribbled away.

Once done, she looked it over, and smiled, it wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. At the very least, it was short and straight to the point, with a simple request.

“Spike.” Twilight called out as she levitated the parchment and rolled it up, sealing it. It took a moment of nothing more than silence answering her, to remember that she had sent him with Colt to the market.

“Well, I could wait until later to send this, by Spike’s magic. Luna wouldn’t even be awake right now. Perhaps its time I try that spell I made that resembles Spikes ability to send scrolls to the castle.” She remembered all the precious parchment she had wasted while trying to work the kinks out of the spell previously, which included several other parchments catching fire. The tip of her horn  blackened and smoking more often than not with a partially burned scroll, and even one time she lost a very comfortable chair from the spell backfiring as it began its journey once it burned properly and simply exploded into a green fiery torrent over he chair.

Twilight shook her head, it was why unicorns practiced magic as often as they could and in safe places. Mostly. With her eyes closed, Twilight brought the spell to mind and focused on it, and its destination which were required, or else, she could lose something else, like the bookcase over there with the finely crafted wood intricately carved. No, this was no time for distractions. She refocused on the spell again, properly now.

A green ball of fiery magic formed and engulfed the scroll, burning it to ash, and then flying off through the nearby window. Twilight could feel the tug of the magic as it now was on its own, and she no longer needed to guide it. It was how some spells went, some needed full concentration the whole time to complete, usually sapping the unicorn of more strength than other spells. By finding a path in the world, and connecting her spell to that, she could feel its ebb and flow, and as she brought the magic to it, they seemed to almost reach out like kindred spirits. The moment it began to pull the spell along, Twilight knew she could release it and it would no longer have any problems reaching its proper destination. This form of magic easily helped reserve energy and strength for a unicorn, by allowing an already flowing concentrated magic to take control once she had everything else set up.

Once that was done, Twilight realized, as she glanced to the other parchments, she had not informed any of the rest of her family as of yet, of her predicament. Then, an idea came to her, who else could help her in her situation, why another mother. Her mother, had more than enough experience, not just with raising a foal, but raising two. Her thoughts drifted for only a moment to her mother, father, and brother.

Her next letter was to her mother, she explained only enough details to let her mother know she was helping a lost foal, and would need some help, preferably motherly advice. She promised, in the letter, she would explain more details as time went on and things developed from there. This was because, in all honesty, Twilight still was not sure of how things were going to go, whether she would be allowed to adopt and raise Colt as if he were her own, or anything else really.

Yet, at the back of her mind, a memory came forward that she had forgotten about, considering all that had happened. It was just a small detail, of Colt asking where his hands were.

Hands. Perhaps... Yes, a portal randomly opening and closing, and a foal being found. He may not have even been a foal in the first place. The obvious place she could connect the knowledge of hands, was the other Equestria she had gone to, back when Sunset Shimmer had stolen her crown, and then again when they all had to face the sirens. The world of bipedal beings at the high school. After a few more thoughts, Twilight decided to store this connection away and speak to Celestia about, preferably face to face.

Twilight once again prepared herself another letter, this one to shining armor and Princess Cadence. As she began to write out the opening of the letter, her mind briefly turned to curiosity if she twisted the words around a little and played a bit of a prank on Shiny. She sat there staring at the mostly empty letter as her mind imagined what would happen if she said she had a foal, and did not know who the father was. She could imagine the fury her brother would be in. She could see him taking a full garrison of guards, hopping the next train and showing up on her front step with several stallions in tow from Ponyville, demanding who the father was. Flash would be top of that list-

Twilight halted her mind, and realized how far her imagination had already gone. She shook her head, there was no way she could do that to her BBBFF.

“Wow, I wonder where that strange dark thought came from?” She idly wondered aloud as she offered a more in depth explanation of the situation, including that she found the foal, and Celestia and many others were searching for the parents and for the time being she would be helping to take care of the foal.

That should more than explain the things as they stood now, and also did not have any form of misinterpretation of her previous thoughts. She hoped. With a quick P.S. She added that she had sent a letter to their mother and had also asked for her help since she had already had enough experience raising the two of them. She wanted to assure Shining that she was fine, and there was no need for concern or panic.

Once done, Twilight picked up her saddle bags for shopping from by the door and placed the two letters within. Once done she headed out to the market, with a quick stop by the post office, where, as it turned out, Derpy was just on her way out on her new added route and gladly took the proffered letters.

Derpy, for her part, had closed the door behind her, and began to take off immediately, only to be halted by the bag. Twilight briefly wondered if the bag may have been too big and heavy considering it was almost bigger than the poor gray mare. That is until she saw that a small corner of the bag had caught in the door. She helped Derpy out by opening the door, releasing the bag from its captor.

“Thanks Twilight, I just don’t know what went wrong.” She said as she brushed herself off and attempted her flight again, this time to not be impeded with anything going wrong.

Twilight couldn’t help but to chuckle, she had known Derpy for some time now, and she was such a good mare, very nice and friendly. The only problem she had were her gold colored eyes. They were slightly crossed, and could never quite meet in the middle to look straight. It led to a few incidents now and again, as well as a little klutziness, but no pony really tried to hold that against her. How could they, as nice as she was, as well as a hard worker, and very approachable, she was able to take some of her short comings and make herself better. She had no problems laughing at herself at times.

When asked, she had explained that she had been laughed at so much when she was little. “But, if I can get everypony to laugh with me, instead of at me, for any problems I have, they will remember sharing that laugh a lot more than my problems. They seem more willing to forgive me when something does go wrong. Its better to share a laugh, than to laugh at somepony.” They had been fairly wise words, and also proved true more times than anything else.

Twilight waved to Derpy as the gray pegasus mare turned and smiled, her own way of assuring she knew how important her job was, and she held that responsibility close to heart. It was the best way for ponies to communicate their love and feelings, ideas and opinions, as well as experiences. Derpy had also shared this bit of her understanding with Twilight once, and it proved how dependable Derpy was.

Twilight turned and made her way further into the market now looking for Spike and Colt. It was not long before she spotted the two, Spike already had a bag of a few items and they had stopped by a stall with books. A pony from out of town was trying to raise money for a bookstore in Ponyville, as least that was what the sign at the front of the stall expressed.

Twilight turned to start heading towards them when she bumped into something and fell back, the sound of a bag tearing and things hitting the ground. Twilight saw fruit rolling by and looked up to see a familiar pony also on her haunches, staring with a small frown at the food that had spilled. The frown, was not at all a harsh or in any way an angry one, just tired. Once she looked up and spotted Twilight, the mare stood and offered an apology.

“Oh, dear Twilight, I’m so sorry. I had so many bags I was trying to carry, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“It’s no problem, here let me help you.” Twilight offered as she began to pick up the food in the aura of her magic, that was when a thought struck her.

Chapter 5: Plans

Twilight had been helping the mare picking up the food that had spilled out on the ground, when a thought hit her. She paused and looked up at the mare, who was trying to fix her bag that had busted and finding it stubborn. The mare before her was a very light violet color, her mane and tail holding a two-tone pink color, light at the edges, and almost white down the center. Her mane curled some at the edge over her forehead, threatening to cover her eyes, it was the same for the end of her mane, as well as the tip of her tail. Her cutie mark were of three smiling daisies, representing her want to see her students blossoming forth happy and eager to learn. Normally her eyes were a bright green, showing her eagerness for the day, though at times by the end of the week, with all the antics of the foals she dealt with she was usually tired and looking forward to the weekend.

Ms. Cheerilee was the local teacher for the foals of Ponyville. Her recent class, including the younger siblings of a couple of her own friends, the CMC, or Cutie Mark Crusaders, had just graduated and were on their way to doing their own things and living their own lives, as were the rest of the students. Which meant since the passing of summer she had a newer class, of fresh young eager foals.

“So, Ms. Cheerilee, how is your new class doing?” Twilight asked, unable to notice the way she asked the question made it seem like she was trying to uncover some sort of secret.

Cheerilee froze in place, hearing the inflection of Twilight’s voice, but tried to be as friendly as possible in her response. “Oh, it’s fine. The foals are all very eager, and seem like a good lot.”

Twilight smiled widely, unbeknownst to her, it left Ms. Cheerilee feeling a little uncomfortable after the start of the conversation.

“W-why do you ask, Twilight?” She inquired cautiously.

“Well, I have some possible good news. You see, recently I came to care for a little foal, he was lost, alone, and scared, the poor thing. I went to Celestia about it, and offered to help the foal until his parents are found. Which, in case is turning out harder than we first thought.”

“Oh the poor dear,” Cheerilee said, her expression changing to heartfelt concern, while inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief the conversation was not going to get any weirder. Which in turn brought her mind to concentrate fully on the conversation now, and she realized where Twilight was going to go with this.

“Oh, and you want to enroll him in the school until he’s returned to his parents, right?”

Twilight smiled, genuinely now, “Yes. I don’t want him to lose out on an education, and well,” Twilight halted for a moment not sure how to continue. “I think this has already kind of gotten to him, being in a new place, and around strangers.”

Cheerilee’s eyes went wide, “Oh, really?”

Twilight nodded before continuing, “I was thinking, it might be better to go ahead and distract him, as we try and place his mind at ease.”

“Oh, well, Twilight, I'm sure the other foals in class will be more than happy to meet another foal. If he can make some friends, that will no doubt help.”

“So, would you be willing to take on one more foal?” Twilight ventured.

“Oh, I don’t see why not. I will do what I can the first day or two to help him cope in class, and see if I can’t get the other children to help him feel more welcomed.”

Twilight felt like jumping for joy, but restrained herself, and just thanked Ms. Cheerilee.

“By the way, Twilight, where is the little foal?” Cheerilee asked.

“Oh. I sent him out shopping with Spike a little while ago, I had just spotted the two when, well, we bumped into each other.”

Cheerilee blushed lightly at that, and offered another apology, which Twilight shook her head. She explained that one apology was too much, and she herself should offer an apology as well. Since, it seemed, as she pointed out, both of them had been distracted.

Twilight looked and was surprised, though relieved, to see the two still at the book stall. Spike was speaking with the stallion present, most likely either trying to convince him to add Daring Do books, or comics to his collection, while Colt was reading.

“Oh, they're still there. Huh, I wonder what Colt is reading.”

Cheerilee looked over and spotted the white and red foal standing by Spike, his muzzle almost pressed into the book leaning against a stack of others. Cheerilee chuckled as she looked at the scene, and turned to Twilight.

“Are you sure you’re not his real mother? He seems so engrossed in that book, reminds me of seeing you around Ponyville reading a book with the same amount of concentration and focus.”

Twilight blushed furiously, and smiled, wholly embarrassed.

“Can I meet him?”

“Oh, uh, sure. We could probably see about getting you another bag, maybe one that is doubled, as well?” Twilight offered.

Cheerilee looked surprised as she remembered her dropped food, and thanked Twilight for helping her to pick up everything. She agreed that another bag that was not so easily broken would help her quite a bit. The two mares laughed as they went to a nearby stall, got the bags and placed the food into it before making their way over to Spike and Colt.

“Hey, Spike. You remember Ms. Cheerilee? I just, erm, well, ran into her on my way over to see you guys. She wanted to meet Colt. We were just talking about enrolling him at the School.”

“Oh, yeah? That sounds good, he hasn’t moved from this spot since we got here a little bit ago. Oh, hey, before I forget,” He said as he held out a scroll.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, and noticed the seal on the scroll held the imprint of the Princess of the Night.

“Luna already responded? I’m surprised she isn’t asleep, preparing for tonight.” Twilight took the scroll, breaking the seal easily and reading the letter.

Earlier that morning, as Luna returned from her dream walking, she found she was not alone in the throne room. Luna would choose certain times, during her nights, to walk through the realm of dreams, watching over other ponies, and seeing if any were troubled. It varied some nights, some she found were normal ponies worried about normal things. Family, home, jobs, and such; Where these would have troubled dreams from their own anxiety, Luna would use her magic to ease their troubles by bringing in something they found comforting.

It was easier than taking time to personally speak with each and every pony, when there were thousands of them that dreamed each night, it took too much of her time, and she had to carefully split her nights up between tending to things her sister could not get to during the day, watching over the ponies of Equestria, and ensure everything was accounted for, whether it was guards, treasure in the vaults, ponies in a town, the rare criminals in the dungeons, or prisons, and more.

If Luna ever noticed a pony was having a particularly troubling time with easing their minds, or something persisted and showed through their dreams; that was when she took the time to gain permission to enter their dreams and speak with them. Passing on words of wisdom, insights, ideas, and thoughts on how to help ease them.

Tonight it seemed, a very particular pony could not rest. Luna normally watched over her dreams very carefully, even taking time for the two to speak and catch up on things if the night was going slow enough.

As she had come around, she had been fairly surprised to see Celestia, up, long before it was time for her sun to even rise, giving an order of food for one of the night chefs.

“Something troubles your sleep, sister?” Luna offered gently.

Turning, Celestia smiled, it was warm, and radiant, but nothing like her usual one. This one showed a little bit of her age, which she had waited until the chef had already turned away before showing to Luna.

“I am well enough, Luna. My mind is merely filled with concerns. We must take time to prepare for the eventuality of facing this new threat to our home and family. The loss of a little sleep is better than the possible loss of lives.” Luna frowned, but said nothing as she had to agree with her sisters logic of the situation.

A thought did occur to her, and with that in mind, she spoke up, “You said you had thoughts on a plan involving the Wonderbolts, and the Element of Loyalty.”

“Ah, yes. Unfortunately right now, the Wonderbolts are off in Manehatten with their next show. I will be needing to get a letter to them quickly enough for them to make arrangements to cancel their show and return. I think it is time, Luna, to bring the Wonderbolts back to their original namesake duties. We will need them to help us track down, Blackheart. I am fairly certain he used the Everfree to escape, while I was at the hospital with Twilight, and you were scouring the area overhead with guards. I doubt he actually flew right by you, as I also doubt he could just vanish.”

Luna merely nodded to show she was listening and following along so far.

“I have a feeling, the spell he directed at me, was not actually directed at me. I think he may have been trying to cover his escape. He did not want me to fly after him, so he used whatever dark magic he had to keep me from going immediately after him. As well, I think he may have been aware of you and the guards patrolling the skies of the Everfree. Which left only two things he could have done to escape. Either hide in Ponyville, or hide along the ground as he went into the Everfree.”

“Because we have not heard of a Pegasus with his description in town, you believe he escaped right under our muzzles and hid in the Everfree?” Luna offered.

Celestia nodded, glad that Luna was proving more than proficient in thinking ahead.

“Now, the Wonderbolts are a tight knit group of specially trained ponies, but none have the ability that Rainbow Dash does.”

“Which is?” Luna asked, hoping Celestia would continue her thoughts.

“Twilight once sent me a letter explaining Rainbow Dash’s unique ability of learning things. Her eyes and mind are very keen and sharp when she is flying and is able to pick out details, that could only be rivaled by only the fiercest predators of flight, such as Falcons. With her assisting the Wonderbolts, I believe we would stand an even greater chance of finding something of Blackheart, if not finding him directly. However, just flying over the Everfree is not enough. I will be summoning all of our guards to set up special units to comb through the underbrush at the same time. We do not want to risk a chance of him escaping.”

“But, sister, the Everfree is a very large area, with many dangers, it will take a long time to search through all of the forest.”

Celestia had been ready for this argument, “We know this stallion was somehow connected to Nightmare Moon in some way, with what we sensed before. This plan does hold some flaws and many risks. Which is why I am going to set up the guards into specialized groups, so if there are any creatures that would decide to take on the military, they would easily hold their own. Our Unicorn and Earth pony soldiers are very well trained in hoof to hoof combat, alone, in a group, and even with mixed unit tactics. My plan is for the soldiers to work their way through the forest, as far as the castle is located. There may be a chance he went where it all began, if he is connected to Nightmare Moon.”

“Yes, I see the risk, sister.” Luna said. With consistent mentioning of Nightmare Moon, Luna could not help but to lower her head ever so slightly as her thoughts dragged up the memories involving her former self. For so long she had been stuck in that form, so small, cold and frightened. Nightmare Moon had been a storm of emotions and raw power, and without direction, except towards Celestia.

“Neither do I want the soldiers and guards harmed in this endeavor. I will give them explicit instructions not to confront him if he is found. It is too risky. I want them to contact us, then we will head over there, but I want you to remain back. I do not want him aware of your presence in case he tries to do anything to you. Yet, at the same time, I know I will not be able to take him by myself, so I will need your help. I want you to be an element of surprise, to our enemy.”

Luna looked up to her sister, a mix of emotions trying to burst from her chest, but what got to her the most, was the sense of trust Celestia was willing to give to Luna with this.

“Sister, I... Thank you.” Celestia nodded as one of the kitchen staff members entered the throne room with the breakfast Celestia had ordered.

“Oh, thank goodness, I am starving.” Celestia muttered, seeming to almost salivate as the meal came closer. She wasted no time in digging right in, barely giving thanks.

While there, Luna requested a small hot meal to be brought to her since her night was almost over. In fact, turning to the nearby balcony, Luna could see, and feel the Moon in the night sky as it made its slow way to the horizon, following the magic she had set for it. Something her sister had taught her so long ago, leaving it much easier to deal with other things than constantly having to stand there using all the magic they could muster to continually move the celestial bodies through the sky endlessly. With this, all they needed now was to only raise and lower them, otherwise, the orbs would follow the path set for them without need to do anything more.

They would have used a little more power to keep the orbs continually moving through the skies, but the ponies came to enjoy the princesses personally raising and lowering the sun and moon, so much, they even turned them into celebrations. So, they remained as they were, following the path set, but upon crossing the border of the Equator of their world, a little extra was used by them personally to ensure the sun and moon were kept on the path. It was more like they were wheels now, rolling through the skies on their own set roads, with an occasional bump, and the sisters were the drivers, the ones in control, ensuring everything kept running smoothly. All the while, the effect to every other pony was that princesses maintain constant and explicit control making the sun and moon continually revolve around their world.

Then again, thinking of it in that way, were they not still doing exactly that, even if they no longer had to tire and exhaust themselves completely with direct contact and control?

“Luna, is everything okay?” Celestia ventured, bringing Luna back to the present.

Luna merely smiled, the ghost of a tear vanishing, she felt proud with what they did and what they could do. They could not allow this balance to be broken again.

Since Celestia had finished her meal, and Luna was still waiting for her own, Celestia went ahead and began writing out a couple of letters. One for the Wonderbolts, one for Rainbow Dash, and a summons for the captain of the guard, and military leader, Iron Hoof.

As they were sent off, Celestia stood, stretching some before making her way, with Luna to the Balcony where they worked together to lower the moon and raise the sun. Their magic working in tune together left them both feeling more than relieved, and closer. It was rare times they did something like this together, yet it always seemed like a way to find their sisterly bond, and help each other when it was needed. They reveled in the closeness, despite their differences.

Upon entering the throne room, Luna found her food waiting for her. She, too, wasted no time in digging in. The sharing of lowering the moon, and raising the sun always left the sisters with a little extra pep in their step, and a little more energy.

“Luna, would you mind in staying awake a little while longer? At least until we have a chance to speak with Iron Hoof of the plan? I do not want you to try and stay awake while we also wait for the Wonderbolts. If I calculate the time it will take them to get from there to here, even if they all flew the whole way, I would not expect them anytime today. Tomorrow at the earliest if they leave immediately.”

Luna assured Celestia she could stay up a while longer to tend to what was important.

It was sometime in the middle of their talk with Iron Hoof, that a scroll appeared in the Throne room. Celetia had taken it, figuring Twilight was sending it to her. As she read the start of the letter, she blushed and passed the letter to Luna with an apology.

Dear Luna,

I am writing you with some concerns. Colt had a nightmare last night and woke this morning in a terrible state. I fear it is his placement that is causing this, being in a new place, and around strangers. I am already working to alleviate his fears and make him as comfortable and welcome here in Ponyville. I only wish to make a request, if you possibly can. I do not expect an immediate resolution to his night terrors, as something like this, I feel, could take time. I ask your help, Princess Luna, from one friend to another, would you be willing to watch over his dreams and help him if he has any other nightmares?

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle

“Well, it would seem Twilight, is doing well enough.” Luna said after she read the letter, a smile on her face as she read it a second time, out loud to Celestia.

“Night terrors due to being in a strange place? Yes, I can see how that could cause concern.” Celestia said, as if thinking out loud.

Luna nodded before taking a quill and parchment and sending an immediate response.

“She does seem to hold simple wisdom beyond her years, does she not sister?” Luna said as she sent her response on its way.

Celestia merely nodded, pleased with Twilight’s quick thinking.

The clearing of a throat brought the two Alicorns back to the matter at hand and quickly resumed their plans with Iron Hoof.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I thank you for thinking of me to come to for help. It would not be a problem to watch over Colt’s dreams for the next few nights. I am sure you are surprised to find me still awake at this time. My sister and I are merely taking care of a few last things, before I retire. If there is anything else I can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to ask, Day, or Night.

Your friend,

Luna

Twilight was indeed surprised to find Luna was up late. The letter, though, brought some relief to know that Luna would be helping to watch over Colt’s dreams. Twilight turned and ticked the letter away in a bag. She looked up and smiled at Ms. Cheerilee, before moving over to get Colt’s attention.

“Mommy,” He said as she called his name, turning away from the book and quickly hugging Twilight. She could not help but to feel a swell in her chest at his reaction and nuzzled him affectionately.

“Aww, that is simply adorable. It would seem he has already taken to you, Twilight.” Cheerilee said, a smile on her face.

Despite her blush, Twilight introduced Colt to Ms. Cheerilee.

“Colt, this is Ms. Cheerilee, she teaches other foals at the school. We were just talking about having you attend her classes.”

Colt blushed, and tried to hide part of his face beside Twilight, “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cheerilee.”

“Well, aren’t you the little gentlecolt? Its a pleasure to meet you as well colt. So, tell me, what book were you reading?”

At this, Colt’s eyes lit up, “Oh, its an adventure book. Its called, ‘Peaceful Sleep’, its about a group of three friends that travel an older Equestria and work to bring together the nations in peace and harmony for the Princesses. One of the ponies, a pegasus mare named Swift Shadow was just kidnapped by a bad guy, and the other two ponies, a Unicorn, and an Earth pony have to find a special key in the Land of Dragons and seek the help of their leader to find Swift Shadow-” Colt had seemed so eager to share what he had read so far. His eyes were lit up and wide, his voice almost shrill with the description of the story so far.

“Oh, my, that does sound like an adventure.” Ms. Cheerilee said as she laughed.

“Yeah, but I don’t think its the start of the series, and Mr. Uh...” Colt hesitated as he tried to remember the ponies name, “I’m sorry, I forgot what your name was, sir.” The stallion on the other side of the booth chuckled. He was a much older stallion, hair turning gray at the sides of his mane. He was a light brown, with a dark brown mane and tail, his eyes blue, and held a soft and kind quality to them, despite the heavy bags under them, a pair of glasses hung loosely over his chest.

“Oh, it’s quite alright.” The stallion chuckled, “My name is Quick Read.” Quick Read said as he introduced himself to the group.

“Oh, thank you. Mr. Read doesn’t seem to have the others that are the start of the series.”

“Sadly, I do not. A pony came by earlier and spotted them when I was first setting up and bought the other three of the series. She had apparently been collecting the books one by one for a couple of years now and only needed those three to complete the collection.”

“Well would be able to get any other copies?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, Sadly no, they stopped production of the books when the author passed away a few years ago. They only made so many copies of each book in the series. It really is a very good collection, and was considered very valuable.”

Colt lowered his head, looking let down.

“Well, how many of the books do you still have left?” Twilight asked. Colt’s ears perked up as she asked.

“Hmm, well aside from this one, the fourth book, I have the sixth book as well with me. I also have two others of the series stored away. Unfortunately they are stored away in Baltimare. I just moved here.”

“Well, the price seems fair, twelve bits? I will take both of the ones you have now. Would you be willing to have the other books shipped here for us? I can pay you for the books and a little extra for any trouble of getting the books here.”

Quick Read chuckled, “I was already working out what books to have shipped in the next couple of weeks. It would be no trouble for you, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Nor would it be an issue for your son, a fellow avid reader.”

“Just Twilight is fine, thank you Quick Read.” Twilight paid the twenty four bits, as the price was twelve bits for each book. Twilight lifted up the books and gently placed them into her saddlebags.

Colt couldn’t hold in his excitement, he bounced around thanking Twilight exuberantly.

“I can tell he will make a good addition to the class, Twilight. Have him ready first thing Monday morning.” Cheerilee said with a large smile. She excused herself as she needed to get home and get to work on grading some papers.

With an additional goodbye to Quick Read, Twilight, Spike, and Colt made their way through the rest of the market, picking out various ingredients for their own dinner. Once their shopping was done the three made their way back to the castle. There they enjoyed the rest of their day, talking, reading, and more.

Twilight did take time to talk to Colt, letting him know that Monday he would be starting school.

As the day drifted on, the sun began to set, turning the sky to a beautiful gold and red, as the dark blue of the night began to approach, stars slowly seeming to appear in the night. After the sun had set, and the moon began to rise, the two ponies, and dragon shared their dinner.

Afterwards, Twilight walked with Colt to his room, where she set up the two books she had bought for him in the rooms only bookshelf. She could not believe that a small foal who enjoyed reading had found his way into her life. She briefly wondered what other amazing things she would discover and be able to share with him. Parenting, despite its worries and concerns, was proving to be better than she thought.

As she turned, she saw Colt snuggling down into the blanket on the bed, looking up at her and smiling.

“Thank you, again, mom.” Twilight once more felt that swell in her chest, this time leaving a giddy, happy feeling. She walked over and tucked him in, and kissed the top of his head.

She remained there for a time, watching over Colt while he slept. His face serene in sleep, unbothered by anything at this moment. She hoped Luna would be watching over his dreams soon.

Spike entered the room quietly and caught Twilight’s attention, offering her a hot mug of cocoa. The two made their way out of the room, down the hall, and then downstairs, where they made themselves comfortable in the dining room. They spoke at length as they slowly sipped their cocoa, laughing and remembering his excitement when talking about the story he had come across.

“So, how does it feel?” Spike asked.

“How does what feel?”

“Being a mother.”

“Well, I haven’t been a mother for very long, Spike. It is nice though, yet I can’t shake this feeling he may not actually have a family here.” Twilight said after a quick sip.

“Well, that sounds like bad news, but how do you know that?”

Twilight shook her head, “I’m not sure yet, I’ll tell you later, if the time to find his parents run out and I can adopt him.”

The two finished their drinks and headed to bed after Spike washed their cups.

Chapter 6: School Days

He didn’t know why, but snuggling up to Twilight at that moment, even though it was only her foreleg, just felt natural. It left him comforted, and feeling safe. For that very moment, he felt like he somehow, was actually home, someplace he actually belonged. Feeling her soft fur brush against his cheek as his eyes closed, Colt quickly drifted in the the embrace of sleep, while it overtook him faster than he would ever have imagined before in his life. So much so, he was completely unaware of Twilight removing her leg, or even standing there watching over him before leaving.

With Spike and Twilight leaving, the room was dark, the silhouettes of the bookshelf set against the far wall like a large single block of shadow against the darkness of the room. The only light came from the slowly rising moon outside the window, the night sky, already stretching on, filled with all the stars and constellations Luna had once made so long ago.

As the moon rose, a single sliver of bright light seemed to stretch forth over the crystal floor of Colt’s room, leaving almost a strange haunting glow, before the sliver of silver moonlight touched upon his bed. Before it moved up higher over his blankets, another light began to emit within the room. This one coming from Colt, himself.

As the glow grew brighter, it seemed to lift from his body, like a morning mist rising from a grassy meadow with the break of dawn. There it hung heavily above him as it seemed to begin to roll and move about. It was not long before the glow began to coalesce into a form of a figure floating above his bed.

The figure held the light, and smooth presence of a woman, surrounded by a flowing gown of white light, her eyes seeming to hold a sadness within them, as she looked over the pony foal below her. A soft hand of light came forth, gently passing over his muzzle, failing to disturb the sense of something pressing over his fur as she did this motion.

“Such sorrow, and pain lingers deep within. I will do what I can to help you.”

Corporeal lips came forward, lightly touching at the tip of his horn, the hair around her head seeming to shift in a slow fashion, as if in a lazy way it decided to allow gravity to affect it in just the slightest bit. As her lips lingered upon his horn, the foal below her scrunched his eyes, and let out a soft moan, as if being disturbed in his sleep, but did not wake. Deep within his mind, beyond his consciousness, as deep as memories remain within, there came a shadow crossing over much of the inner mind, a wall being constructed, pressing against everything, pushing it all back and blocking it from affecting the conscious mind, leaving an almost fresh emptiness in its place for new memories and thoughts to be made and formed.

The figure pulled away slowly, a smile touching upon the lips. It glided through the darkness of the room, avoiding the light of the moon. A bit of red lingered about her mouth, a hand lifting to cover it, breathing it in, the eyes closing a momentary look of listless desire passed across the face, before the light began to flicker and becoming more substantial.

There, within the darkness now stood a figure, seeming of opposition to what had been there only in the briefest flicker of time, a being standing tall, curves at the chest and rear dictating it female by some forms. Her dress of flowing light falling to a listless wrinkled form of black clothing, as if she had briefly stolen some of the shadows around where she stood and threw them about her body. She stood there, her face the only thing light about her features now.

The figure that stood there now, clothed in darkness held a straight vertical form, completely different from the ponies of this world. Two legs with feet holding her up and straight, covered in tight and stretched fabric with high heeled boots, a loose garment of a shirt tucked in covering her torso, but large enough to remain hanging loosely over the top of her pants, to give one the sense of wonder as to where her hips ended and her stomach began, as well hiding the actual form of fitness of her body. Her chest lifted, momentarily swelling her breasts slightly more than they already were, as her lungs took in the fresh, though alien air. He shoulders rolled, from their attachment to the sides of her chest, her long arms lifting into the air over head in a stretch, a light popping sound emitting from her frame. A head full of blue and black hair fell around a rounded face, and eyes, as they slowly opened held a strange almost lifeless look about them. She brought her hands down, letting them flow about her hair, her fingers raking through them, enjoying the fresh tingling feeling of finally being alive, of existing.

Before long she allowed her hands and fingers move down about her face, relishing the feel of the simultaneous stimulation of touch through both her face and her hands. As her hands fall to move about the rest of her body to acknowledge the change of the rest of her body, her lips spread wider into an almost pleasurable grin, before drawing back into the sadistic smile as her lifeless eyes fell upon the sleeping form before her.

“Colt,” she whispers out into the deathly silent room, a part of her mind seeming to scream out with satisfaction at the sultry sound of her voice once more, “I simply must thank you for freeing me from the confines of my prison. If you hadn’t come along, I would still be left there.” Her lips momentarily pulled into a frown as her thoughts briefly turned back to that pit of nothingness. Her face would have contorted to rage, until she remembered where she was, and once again the sadistic smile was back. “This world we are in now, granted not as devious of sins as the one you come from, should still prove to be fun. I want to explore and see what it is like. I am so glad we ended up here, but I may have to try and do something, or else you could come to be a threat. Yet, I don’t want that thing to take away all of the fun either, I can’t have you broken too soon.” She all but spat out as she remembered the invasion of that blackness.

No doubt it was having as much trouble as Colt was, but she had a feeling if she worked things just right, she could enjoy an endless amount of fun, and also bring a challenge to Colt. She wanted him stronger, and yet still right on the verge, so all she had to was just tap against his fragility and he would easily crumble before her. She just needed to give it what she just took, it wasn’t too much, but it should prove to be enough.

Once more she closed her eyes as she concentrated, trying to pull up the memory she had of feeling that things presence. It took her longer than she wanted, but her patience wore off as everything around seemed to change, from a sparse crystal room with a sleeping foal to a dark overgrown forest. There she found it, in its new body sleeping.

‘Oh, how I could easily end you right now for what you did.’ She thought as she towered above the thing, her eyes allowing her to see the aura of its true form. Indeed it was a very old and ancient darkness. She could almost see into its past. It had once brought cold, darkness, and suffering to the now controlling race f creatures. This had once been a truly suffering and miserable world.

‘If you can bring that back, then you would perhaps prove more useful to what I want.’ She thought as she leaned forward to its forehead. There, she breathed out a red mist and allowed it to flow around the head of the now black stallion. It took only seconds of the red mist to swirl about before it snaked its way into the stallions nostrils and mouth. It grunted in pain as the change began to make itself known. There upon its brow the flesh seemed to form a bump, before the bone of its skull pressed out a horn. It grew out further, the bone continuing it protrusion with a strange hollow grinding sound as it forced its way through skin. There was very little blood, which almost disappointed the woman as she watched with a nearly sickening enjoyment of the scene unfolding before her.

As the night progressed, the moon made its way across the sky, settling down by the horizon. Far away from the slumbering town of Ponyville, the Luna, the sister of the Moon and night made her way to the balcony, shortly to be joined by her elder sister, Celestia, sister of the Sun and day. As the moon meet the horizon, drawing the cold night to a close, the sun began to make its way to greet the morning. The yellow of the edge of the sky growing further, its light reaching, chasing away the blanket of the night, the stars slowly starting to fade in the light. With little effort, Luna was finally able to bring the moon down over the horizon, she stood there beside her sister, waiting, politely, for her sister to finish.

Within seconds, the whole of the sun rose up above the distance, presenting, and calling the attention to the new day. All over Equestria, roosters rose to the light, and called out, awakening farm animals and ponies alike.

Colt, in bed, remained fast asleep, an occasional groan, and twitch of his body as if in pain. His body was growing hot, a pain forming in his head. Deep within his mind, the wall that had just been placed, was already beginning to crack under the pressure it was made to hold. No account had been made in an effort to understand his mind when this was placed, already it was fighting back, trying to return to what it was before it is left to alter to adapt to its change.

Twilight made her way into the dining room.

“Morning, Twilight. Is Colt up yet?”

“What? I thought he was awake with you?”

The two looked to one another before Twilight heaved a small sigh. “I’ll go wake him up. I’m a little concerned, but I suppose since he didn’t wake up screaming, he is fine.”

“Well, sometimes no news is good news, uh, right?” Spike asked, as he scratched the back of his head, a bowl of liquified eggs in the other arm.

It did not take long for Twilight to make her way to Colt’s room where she found him still sleeping. She walked over and leaned her head down and gently nuzzled him to wake him up. At first he didn’t react beyond rolling over with a groan.

“Colt, it’s time to wake up.” Twilight spoke,a little above a whisper, as she nudged his back with her muzzle.

“Unh...” Colt, rolled over to face Twilight, a strange look on his face.

“Colt, are you alright?” Twilight asked a bit concerned. She lifted a hoof to try and check his forehead.

Colt turned away from her outstretched limb, “I, I’m fine, I just feel really tired, and my head hurts a little is all.”

Colt turned and moved to the edge of the bed and eased himself off. When he finished he turned and began to make his bed, slowly. Twilight waited patiently, watching him carefully until he finished.

“Hey, Spike is making breakfast, I think it’s omelettes today. Are you hungry?”

A soft gurgling sound emitted from Colt’s stomach, making him blush, and nod, his head hanging low.

“Omelettes it is then.” Twilight said with a smile. Together, they walked through the hall and down to the dining where Spike was finishing setting up their plates. The omelettes held a fantastic golden brown, topped with shredded cheese, and a side of well cooked haytots.

The three enjoyed their breakfast, Colt giving Spike compliments on how delicious the food was.

“So, I was thinking, since its Saturday, we could all go out to the park with the girls.” Twilight offered as Spike was clearing the table.

“Oh, that sounds awesome, hey, would you mind if I brought Peewee, with us? He’s been bugging me to get together with everypony for so long.” Twilight offered a nod in response. “Sweet, thanks Twilight.”

With the last warm day for the season, the girls, their pets, and Colt gathered together in the park, all ready to play, that is, all but one pony.

“Hey, where’s Rainbow Dash?” Pinkie asked.

“Oh, uh, well...” Fluttershy began hesitantly, her voice quiet, and almost impossible to hear over Winona’s barking.

“Well, who knows, prolly just off takin' a nap on a cloud.”

“Well, she could, but...”

“Or, maybe she’s laying in a tree and re-reading one of her Daring Do books.” Twilight offered.

“No, she’s...”

“Mom.” Colt said, trying to get Twilight’s attention.

“Yes?”

“Mom, I think Fluttershy is trying to say something.” Colt said, after seeing her behind everypony seeming to mutter something he could not hear.

The other four girls turned their attention to Fluttershy, which only made her scream out and try to curl up and hide behind her long flowing pink mane.

“Fluttershy, don’t worry, you know you’re with your friends. Go ahead and tell us what you were trying to say.” Twilight encouraged.

“Oh, well, I was just saying that Rainbow Dash got an emergency letter from Celestia about needing her with the Wonderbolts immediately. I only know because she came by earlier to drop off Tank with me.” She explained, almost in a rush.

“Huh, well, then I guess she finally got her chance to join the Wonderbolts.” Twilight said.

“But, I thought the Wonderbolts were supposed to be performing in Manehatten.” Rarity thought aloud.

“Maybe one of their team mates got hurt and since Rainbow is in as a back up, they needed her.” Applejack suggested.

The girls talked for a little bit longer. Colt huffed as they continued before walking over to the nearby tree and digging through Twilight's bag and pulling out his book. He settled down, opening the book to where the little bookmark was. He smiled as his mind whirled, bringing back the story in his mind as he read over the words.

The day moved on, as finally the mares turned their attention from their topic and speculations and began to once again enjoy their time at the park. It took some time, but eventually they were able to draw Colt away from the comfort of his book.

By the end of the day, all the girls were wore out. They all made their way home for the night, and agreed to meet up the next day. It was a momentous occasion as Cloudsdale was now passing Canterlot a little ahead of schedule, and the running of the leaves had been pushed forward about a week.

Twilight walked over to where she had left Colt to rest and found the little foal fast asleep, having worn himself out after being drawn away from the book. She smiled sweetly down at him as she used her magic to lift him up onto her back and headed to the castle. He awoke just as she was walking up to the doors, she eased him onto the ground and they made their way in and set up for dinner. Spike, at the last minute, had been requested to the Apple Farm to help with some last minute chores as Bic Mac had hurt one of his legs.

The rest of their night passes without incident, both going to the library where Twilight and Colt sit together on a comfortable oversized bean bag, each with a book near them, surrounded by a few bright lanterns.

Twilight had enjoyed herself, but Colt had made a suggestion of making a small reading fort in the library for the two of them. Twilight had agreed and piled up some stands and a large sheet over the top, it had a very homely campy feeling the two enjoyed. Before long, both Twilight and Colt fell fast asleep.

Sunday came and Twilight and colt made their way to the race. As they left the castle they found a light dusting of snow on the ground and noticed that Cloudsdale was almost right overhead, some of the weather pegasus already working to let some of the pressure off. Rarity was already there, waiting with a bag full of soft new scarves and some ear muffs. She passed them out, as ponies approached, glad to help any who were not prepared for the weather.

The race went of without a hitch, now and again, snow fell, and the racers continued. The pathway, for the running of the leaves, after the group of racers passed was well cleared of snow, from the heat of their pounding hoofs, grounding the snow more and more until it was nothing more than water seeping into the stone. As the leaves fell, the reds, yellows, oranges, and early brown all began to change to a single color, as pure white snow covered them completely.

As the day wore on, the snow began to become heavier and heavier, forcing many ponies to decide to retreat to the warmth of their homes. Twilight and Colt met up with the rest of their friends at Sugarcube corner for a round of delicious hot cocoa, or hot cider, provided by the Apple family.

Sunday came and went, the snow falling more and more over Ponyville. Twilight, Colt, and Spike when he was finally able to return from helping the Apple’s, settled down for dinner, then after, Twilight and Colt introduced Spike to the small indoor tent they had set up. With a good round of laughs, the three worked together to expand the tent some more, using a few more sheets as well as other things, chairs, and such to use as poles to help keep the tent up. They all laughed and shared more hot cider, sharing a few stories for Colt, before the three settled down for the night.

Morning came, with what seemed a dreary and cold day, Twilight helped Colt put on his boots, scarf, a nice blue one fore Colt, as well as a hat, freshly gifted from Rarity the day before, and led him out of the castle.

They moved through the already cumulated hoof deep snow on the ground, the win d picking up on occasion and swirling the snow about their eyes. It got so bad at one point, Twilight used a spell to shield their way through the cold snow and wind. With this, it took less time to fight against the weather to get Colt to the single red building set aside.

They entered the building, Twilight moving the shield to keep the cold from entering through the door as they entered. Ms. Cheerilee greeted them with a large smile. She helped Colt with his stuff setting it to the side. Twilight spotted all of the other students already there and settled into their seats.

“Oh no, we weren’t late were we?” She asked with serious concern.

“Heavens no, Twilight. Just in time actually-” As she said this, her voice was drowned out by the school bell ringing, its sound beyond the storm sounding muffled.

Twilight smiled and heaved a small sigh, she would have to try and get the two out to the school sooner. Colt said his goodbyes, and turned to Ms. Cheerilee who beckoned him to stand beside her desk.

“Well, children, we have a new student joining us today. Everypony, this is Colt, I would like to ask for your help welcoming him to school. He recently moved here and is living with Twilight.”

As one, the class said hello to Colt, who smiled awkwardly, a small blush coming to his face as he hesitantly returned the greeting with a mumble.

“Well, yes, I know it can be a little scary with a new place and school, but you have nothing to worry about with us. Now, I do not want to delay class any further, would you mind having a seat in the back? I set up an empty seat for you.” Ms. Cheerilee explained before pointing to the back. Colt gulped and slowly made his way, mostly staring at the floor, only glancing up at the other foals as he passed them. They held a various array of looks upon their faces as he passed, some gentle smiles, some curiosity, one or two even flat out ignored him, while a third, a pegasus foal, rolled his eyes as he passed.

Colt spotted the desk near the middle of the class in the far back, set between two other foals, one of whom quickly caught his attention. The colt on the right side of the desk was an earth pony whose fur was an earthy orange with a strange light blue mane and tail with a single green jagged streak running through it. On the Left side of the desk was the filly who certainly had caught his attention, for she looked like living crystal shaped like a pony. Or, a pony made entirely of crystal, he was not sure. Her body was a lovely teal blue, her mane and tail seeming a unique gold and silver, set in a braid, each braid showing off each color at the sides, as if framing the blend of the colors in the center braid. When the filly caught Colt staring, almost wide mouth she blushed and turned her eyes back to the workbook in front of her.

Colt shook his head at the clearing of a throat, he could only assume was Ms. Cheerilee and placed himself into the empty seat.

Ms. Cheerilee smiled at Colt, hoping to ease his fears before starting with her prepared work for the day. It moved on, with Colt trying his best to write with his hoof, since his training in magic had yet to begin yet. The fillie and colt to either side merely glanced at each other and shrugged, both noticing his horn, but the lack of its use before returning to their own work.

Inwardly, Colt grimaced at the horrible hoof writing he had done, yet he had sworn he knew how to write perfectly well with his right hoof, he just could not understand why he felt that way, or why, even if it were true, he ended up with quit a bit of mess.

Ms. Cheerilee caught everypony’s attention and explained, that with the current state of weather, she did not want them to go out for recess after lunch, and so were permitting them to find an area in groups or friends to sit together and enjoy some extra time. Which included five minutes of screeching desks being moved around with chatter of the foals, forcing Ms. Cheerilee to splay her ears to the back of her head in annoyance and already working on how to not only rephrase this type of situation for the future, but to try something different.

Colt was content to sit at his desk, where it was. He had spotted a few books in the back of the class a few feet behind him and had looked across the titles and decided to choose one that he thought might interest him. As he sat, regretting his decision, he realized there was somepony nearby. Looking up, he was startled to see the filly and colt that had been sitting next to him, both with smiles.

“Hi.” They said in unison.

“Oh, uh, um, hello.” Colt glanced down at the book, and quickly closed it and tried to move it to the side, though with the desks being so small, it still took up most of the surface.

“So, your name is Colt, and you’re a colt. Wow, that’s a little weird, huh?”

“Oh, that’s just being mean, Tasky.” Colt blushed heavily, making almost his entire face glow, as he hung his head, not realizing the name his mother and friends had chosen for him was really that bad. It was still better than some of the names they had come up with and was simple, he had liked how simple it was.

“Oh, sorry.” The colt quickly apologized after the crystal filly chastised him. The two tried to smile at Colt again, but saw his expression.

“Um, you really don’t have that weird of a name, his name is Fast Task.” The filly explained quickly, pointing a hoof at the colt beside her.

This caught Colt’s attention, as he looked up and raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, thanks for selling me out.” The colt grumbled.

“Sorry, my name is Crystal Tone.”

“That’s pretty.” Colt muttered, making the filly blush.

“I know, right?” Fast Task said, agreeing, making Crystal Tone blush even harder. She stood there staring wide eyed at the floor, moving her hoof lightly in circles.

“I don’t want to sound mean, but, why do you look different than the other ponies?” Colt asked, directing the question to Crystal Tone.

She looked up, giving a look like he’d been living under a rock.

“I’m a crystal pony, from the Crystal Empire.” Colt stared, “Up in the North?” Colt continued to stare blankly.

Task and Tone shared a look, “Uh, well we might cover it later this week. Ms. Cheerilee mentioned it last week. But, uh, There is an empire of ponies in the North, we all look like this, and all the buildings and castle are all made out of crystal.”

“Hence why you’re called a crystal pony?” Colt ventured uncertainly.

“Uh, yea pretty much.”

“What does hence mean?” Task asked.

“Uh, erm... Hang on, I know, I know what the definition is, or at least understand its meaning. Like, uh, henceforth, what is to come, or no, that isn’t right. Uh... Perhaps I should rephrase, instead of hence, I should have used, ‘Which is’ why you’re called a crystal pony.” Colt finally mumbled out.

“But, what does hence mean?” Task asked again.

“Its the same as ‘which is’, its a type of word that can be used intermittently. Its to infer a meaning, or consequence, or something? Ugh, man my head hurts now. I know the word, I just can’t seem to remember it correctly.” Colt laid his head down on his desk with a sigh. His cheek pressing against the books edge, working a small crease onto his face.

“You sure know a lot of big words.” Task said.

“Yea, well, his mom is Princess Twilight Sparkle. She reads a lot, and is super duper smart.” Tone responded.

“So, do you read a lot, Colt?” Task ventured.

“Oh, yeah I do.” Colt said immediately, his excitement evident in his voice as he was ready to gush about his favorite thing to do.

The two foals laughed a little, which made Colt to realize his mistake. He once more lowered his head, his spirits dropping once again.

“Oh, no. Don’t be sad, we just saw how excited you were about reading. We can’t blame you for that.” Tone quickly tried to explain, “Just ask Task about numbers, someday. He is crazy good.”

Colt frowned, as Tasks eyes lit up exactly the same way that Colts had just moments before, and before either of them asked he began to spew forth multiple different mathematical problems and their answers faster than the other two could keep up with it.

“Okay, okay, we get it, Task.” Tone quickly interjected, shoving her hoof at his mouth to quiet him.

“Wow, that was kind of awesome. I don’t like math all that much, but still that was awesome.” Colt said, before turning to Tone, “What about you?”

At that, Crystal tone blushed fiercely, “No shrubberies here.” She suddenly blurted out.

“What?” Both colts asked simultaneously, at the sudden randomness.

“Nothing.” She said, her eyes darting back and forth, when suddenly the bulb in Task head clicked on.

“Oh, she is really shy, but she has a really awesome voice when it comes to signing.”

“Nooo!” She screamed out.

“Is there a problem, children?” Ms. Cheerilee asked from across the room.

“No, Ms. Cheerilee.” The three said in unison, sounding as if they were almost guilty of something, before stopping and looking at each other. Seconds passed before all three foals laughed uproariously.

“Jinx!” The three screamed out at once, then tried to top each other by screaming jinx first, over the others.

“If you say so.” Ms. Cheerilee mumbled, smiling as she watched the three foals. She was glad to see that the two had taken the initiative to try and get to know Colt, they already seemed to be getting along.

The rest of the day, Ms. Cheerilee continued her teachings after the students had their long break. Towards the last hour the foals seemed a little unsettled, and very jittery. She knew it was from not being able to go outside and play and burn off extra energy, so she worked with them the last hour with a fun activity. She had them lift the light desks and move them against the walls of the school before playing a game of duck, duck, goose.

The sounding of the bell caught them all by surprise, as they had started to actually have fun and lost track of time.

“Oh, dear, time to go everypony. I must say I am very proud of you all. I also hope you have a wonderful day, and I will see you bright and early tomorrow morning.” She said before allowing the ponies to collect their winter gear and head out the door to their awaiting guardians.

Colt, Crystal Tone, and Fast Task, hung back from the rest of the class to speak a little more. They expressed their gratitude to each other about having fun and hoping to see each other again and do more together.

Twilight was surprised to see Colt already smiling and waving goodbye to two other foals as he made his way out at the end of the line.

“A good day of school, I take it?”

“Oh, well, you know. School is school.” Colt said, before stopping and briefly wondering why he had answered in such a way.

“Ookay then. I’ll just chalk that up to excitement. I hope you’re not planning on causing any trouble.”

“No, ma’am. I’m sorry. What I meant to say was, yes, I had a lot of fun. I met two ponies, and one is made of crystal, from a place called the Crystal Empire.”

“Really? Wow, I had not realized they had been able to get ponies from the crystal empire out to the rest of Equestria. I’ll have to write a letter to my brother and sister about that.”

“You have a brother and sister in the Crystal Empire? Are they Crystal ponies to?”

“Oh, uh, no actually. Cadence, and Shining are not crystal ponies. But, well, it’s a story for another time, but they help rule over the crystal ponies.”

“Wow.” Was all Colt was able to say.

Chapter 7: Taking

The sound of his stomach rumbling, drew his attention from the sky. The sound was quickly followed by a momentary empty feeling, before the wretched pain began twisting in his gut, forcing him to nearly fall over. Eyes screwed shut tightly, he gritted his teeth and placed a hoof over his abdomen while waiting for it to pass. This pain was coming more frequently than it did before when it had been hours, it now felt like every few minutes.

The sweltering heat of the sun in the desert sapped more and more of his strength as he tried to push on, he was starting to believe he would die in no time. The last of the water he had, he had already drank due to his thirst in the heat. That was in fact earlier that morning the last few ounces had been swallowed. The feeling of it still being cool to his mouth had long since vanished leaving him to think it may be what was causing him to be thirstier.

He licked his lips, trying to wet his mouth, only to find his tongue as nothing more than a dry parchment rubbing against already dry and cracked lips. He tried swallowing only for his throat to constrict causing an unnatural feeling to force his to cough. When he finished, and was able to draw a breath, his could hear the hoarseness of his voice, as his lungs sucked in air that was even hotter than before.

It had only been a week now since he awoke in the Everfree forest, to a painful headache where he found a newly grown horn. The whole day his head hurt as he made his way through the underbrush, he had found a small stream before he came across the edge of the forest and found dried blood on his brow from where the horn had forced its way through. He took his fill of the water, and rested more until the pain began to ease. He wanted to be through the forest and find someplace he could hide, but in his state he did not trust himself to fly, nor was he certain flying would be a good idea as he was clueless to the effect of the whether the sisters were still searching for him or not. He decided the pain in his head was excuse enough to keep from taking a risk and so, he continued on with his own four legs.

At one point, a pack of timberwolves had thought to take on what they, at the time, perceived to be easy prey. They surrounded him, and attempted to take him down, a couple charging in at once. He did his best to fend them off, but one got a lucky bite on a hind leg. The pain blinded him as its sharp splinter-like teeth dug into his flesh. The pain urged him in an act of desperation, as he drew in what power and magic he could and began shooting at them. He got a few caught and as they were hit, they were engulfed in flame. The rest of the pack made a quick escape, leaving an overly enraged Blackheart to stand howling a bestial roar at their fleeting backs, the flames of those that had been caught rising to the sky in a fury of red, and green fire.

A day of walking through the desert after that he came across a small town of ponies. He caught the name was Appleloosa, and there were quite a few hard looking ponies. But this was not the place that would welcome him, if he were to guess right. He went in and picked up bites of food and drink when and where he could in the cover of night. He had even found a container to hold more water, and quickly filled it. The next day as he was keeping an eye out for any trouble and another easy target he caught site of a pony stallion that immediately had his attention.

It was far different than the others, in only the fact that it held an aura, something none of the others had as far as he could see through his eyes. He watched, intrigued, as it went among all the other ponies, of whom he deduced could not see this aura and were completely blind to it. He waited, finding water in a small pool under a large stone formation, he wanted to see if he could keep an eye on this pony the next day. He settled to the North of the town and laid down to rest, not even aware of the hunger that had already begun.

As he laid there, closing his eyes, he heard a strange buzzing sound and went to investigate. There, flying through the sky was the pony he had seen, leaving a trail of black and green aura. He immediately followed, wanting to know more.

All his troubles, led him to this moment; this moment, of holding onto a sliver of his life as his mind brought forth a picture of his newly attained body a shriveled husk in the ever baking sun.

He glanced to the sky once more, seeing that the trail was now beginning to thin, he had reached the point that it was fading. Strange as it had seemed to have held strong thus far, to now suddenly begin to waver. He figured it was because it had gone much further than he had thought, since it could fly. His mind cleared for just a moment to wonder how it could have flown when he had not seen a single pair of wings on it.

As his eyes lowered, he squinted into the distance, unsure if he was truly seeing what his eyes were telling him. In the distance, as the heat rose up from the sand and scattered red stones, like waves rippling through water he saw a tall formation of stone monoliths towering. Darkness at the base surrounded them, giving him the fleeting hope of shade, and shelter from this horrible ordeal.

Closing his eyes, Blackheart struggled to find just a little more strength in him and placed a hoof forward, sinking slightly into the soft sand. Another, then his hind legs, he could feel his body ready to give out.

“Just a little further.” He told himself. Another step, and another, the sight before him of the world seemed to tilt. At the impact of his head hitting the ground, his face embraced by the sand, as if welcoming its next victim, did he realize that he had collapsed.

He struggled, grunting in his effort, as he attempted to stand again, finding his limbs weak and unwilling to respond in his effort. Grains of sand blew out away from his face as his breath exhaled. Once more, his stomach rumbled, the twisting sharp pain once more held him in its grasp as his body curled in on itself. It eased, but this was the longest stretch of the pain he was having to endure. It left him lightheaded, and feeling his consciousness fading.

As his eyes closed, he once again heard the strange buzzing sound overhead of him that he had encountered previously. He wanted to look to see what it was, but all he was able to do was just crack one eye open, and was greeted by the glaring light of the sun.

Before his eye closed, to show a large round replica of the golden orb high in the sky, did he barely notice a black speck coming straight toward him.

He did not know how long he had been unconscious, but he could tell his surroundings had changed as he came round. It was not as dark as he had expected, which could very well mean that it was night, yet the strange coldness that surrounded his body now was not the same as the coldness of the desert night he had already experienced. This was different, and he relished in it, drawing it in as he drew in the cold air into his lungs through his nose. There was a strange scent as he did this, that his nose could not register.

He could hear something in the distance, buzzing, yet, it also felt as if it were on a larger scale, as if whatever was making the sound came from a multitude rather than a single entity. He could also faintly feel vibrations in the ground beneath him, as he turned his attention to the rest of his body. He also realized that it was not the same, whereas the ground of the desert was un-level, sand that only altered as the weight of ones body rested against it, this was a completely different feeling.

Beneath him, as he tried to move as subtly as possible by focusing his mind and moving various muscles in his body as it laid against the ground, he could tell it was flat, smooth, and colder than the air around him. It was no easy feat, as he moved one of his legs more than he had meant to, and so worked to make it seem as if he only momentarily stirred in his sleep. He tried to make his body relax, and steady his breathing, he could not tell if anything else was nearby, but there had to have been since he was someplace different.

“It would be better for you to remain on the floor, fool. We have already been given permission that if you show hostility, we are to kill, and without question. We have found ourselves without entertainment, until you were found, please, test me, and I will be sure to find enjoyment in torturing you first.” Came a strange voice from nearby.

The voice had been male, yet high pitched and held a notable strain, as if it were trying to force out the words in some way that did not work like other ponies.

Blackheart did not attempt to move again, and just laid there, relishing in the cold. At some point he lost consciousness again, but it was no longer against his will. He could tell he was still exhausted from his endeavor to follow the trail that pony had left behind. So he gave in, hoping to regain more of his strength, yet he knew otherwise; If he could not find some sort of food, then who or whatever had just spoken of visiting death upon him would lose that chance.

He was not sure how long he had slumbered this time, but he was not happy when something hard impacted hard into his side, jarring him awake.

He turned to look at his surroundings, most of which was blocked by the sight of a strange creature before him. It held a pony shape, but that appeared to be where the similarities ended, and the differences were ten fold. It was almost half his own height, its body made from what appeared to be a hard shiny black carapace body, a dark blue shell like cover on its back, which was slightly lifted with translucent silken wings sticking out from underneath. Its legs were wide at the hoof, and held several random holes, though for the most part, looked more as if large bites had been taken out of its legs, the mane and tail seemed more like membranes sticking out. On the fore front of the head was a small, black, curved horn, its ears resembled its own legs, looking as if something had taken bites out of it. Its eyes were a blue-green color, and the end of its muzzle, where its mouth was, was a set of viciously sharp teeth.

As for the rest of the, room, if that was what it was, was covered all around in a strange dried green ichor, closing in walls and ceiling.

The creature before growled and thrust its foreleg against Blackhearts side once more, eliciting a bark of pain.

“Rise, lowly filth, and plead your life to our queen for mercy.” The creature hissed out.

“I’d sooner ask what chewed you up and spat you out. You look more like a disgusting insect to stamp beneath my hoof.”

No sooner had he spoken, than the creature before him struck him once more before lowering itself and hissed, ready to jump at Blackheart.

“Nearix, halt your foolishness.” Came a strange two-toned voice. It certainly sounded feminine enough, and Blackheart looked past the creature before it to spy a larger, more detailed version of this smaller one.

The way she, for he could only assume this was the queen the creature had spoken of, appeared in similar fashion. A black carapace body, holes in its legs, the shell on its back where the wings protruded from was green, the mane and tail a light shade of blue, the horn upon the fore of her head was larger and strangely crooked, and upon the top of her crown were several antaenae like protrusion which were topped with small orbs. The length of her proportions were far larger than the smaller bug, almost, twice his own height, her legs were longer, as were her wings, which were held almost straight up, her eyes somehow an entrancing dark green iris, surrounded by a lighter shade of green. Her pupils were black slits, and her mane, upon further study looked more like long blue webbing that had been deftly place upon her head. However, he did notice that there were cracks all along her body, in various places, though they seemed to have been healing for some time.

As he stared at her, he realized she held herself with an air of nobility. One of her brows, if that was what the slight bulge was over her eyes seemed to lift, almost as if in proof of what it only could be.

“So, what are you? How did you come so close to our hive, and why should I keep you alive?” She spat the questions in rapid succession.

“I spotted a strange pony that had an aura about it. I thought it strange I could see it, but no other of those ponies could. That night I heard it flying off, where it left a trail that was similar to its aura. I followed.” Blackheart explained.

“Despite how it sounds, and how much I do not believe you, I cannot argue that you got as close to our hive as you did. Another dozen yards and you would have been at our entrance. I would say that is impressive, but considering one of my drones found you near to death from thirst and hunger, you must be just a fool. A fool who more than likely just stumbled across us. I do not want the ponies to know of us, or Celestia to know we have already returned.” With that, she turned to the creature she called Nearix, and with an almost imperceptible nod of her head, seemed to have signaled him.

Nearix let out a dark laugh as he turned his attention back to Blackheart, where it found a horn quickly thrust through its chest. A strange foul smelling thick liquid began to ooze from the wound, and down along Blackhearts horn. He shook his head and shed the weight of the Nearix’s dead body.

The queen let out a dissatisfied grunt and rolled her eyes. She then turned to another one of the creatures nearby, that Blackheart had not seen.

“Kill him, and please do not be as foolish as Nearix.” She commanded, calmly.

The creature smiled and launched itself, its wings working furiously to keep it airborne. The buzzing sound which emitted from its wings clued Blackheart as to what had been making that noise, so the fact there were so many that made the very ground and air buzz and vibrate assured him, this would be a difficult fight for him.

He quickly gathered up a bit of his stored magic and focused it into his horn, when the creature was closer he blasted it with a wide burst of magic. It only succeeded in knocking the creature back a few feet, but it was able to maintain itself in the air. There was nothing to show for damage against its body.

“Obviously I seem to have forgotten my fly swatter.” The creature launched itself at Blackheart once again, with a shrill shriek that was certainly insect like. He focused once more, and was able to find the air about him quickly becoming charged with the power. He waited until it was upon him, and just before it struck, he released the pent up magic and shot a bolt of raw energy, searing its b;ack carapace body, leaving a deep wound.

The force threw it back so hard that it slammed into the queen, who screamed in fury as she hit against the strange wall surrounding them and continued through.

Blackheart stood, unsteadily and slowly made his way to the hole in the wall. Below he could see a massive chamber with hundreds, perhaps even thousands of the creatures like the two he had already disposed of. Many had halted in whatever they were doing, as their queen was blown through the wall, the fury of her scream filling the air even over the incessant buzzing.

She halted her trajectory in midair and threw off the dead carcass, letting its lifeless form fall heavily to the ground far below, with a large and disgusting splat.

“YOU. WILL. PAY!” She screamed with all the rage she could muster, her horn glowing green as she flew towards him.

Blackheart spread his wings wide and jumped out into the empty air, allowing his body to be the weight, and his wings fully extended to catch the air and allow a more controlled descent than an immediate free fall. It was then that he had realized he was not suffering from the hunger pains he had before. He was not sure when or how he had gotten food into his body, but the smile that spread wide across his muzzle was the only thing that revealed his intent now.

Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings was beyond furious, never had a single pony such as this one ever defeated any of her brood so quickly as if they were frail newborn foals. This to her, was now no longer a matter of killing off a single pony to keep their secret hive from the rest of the world, it was now a matter of personal interest in bringing this pony down and show him her power.

She was surprised to see him with a horn, and wings, as he leaped into the empty air from the cell they had constructed quickly around him, but there was no way he could have power that matched Celestia’s, or hers. She would see to it, this pony never saw the light of day again.

Before the changeling drones, and soldiers, their queen and the strange pony fought in the air, hooves striking at one another, teeth biting, seeking something to latch onto, horns glowing and striking at one another, or bouncing off of shields if they were separated. There came a commotion among the hive, each changeling yelling out to support the power of their queen. None were sure how to help their queen, except to give her and her opponent a wide berth until an opening presented itself.

Blackheart was quick to find out what his weaknesses were in this match, he was already tired and weakened from his trek through the desert, even though he was not as out of it as he was when they had first found him, he still was nowhere near full strength. Because he had not used any of his magic since his attempt to leave the Everfree forest, it felt as if he were filled with it, and these few shots at this queen barely felt as if it were draining his reserve. He could tell, though, it was already making him burn through his recently collected strength. On top of that, using his wings in this place, in enemy territory, strained his body even further, tiring him faster. Which was noticeable as when he and the queen separated at one point, and the two combatants could tell he had lost some air.

The queen, on the other hand, despite her obvious wounds from however long ago, was quicker with her wings able to move about just like an insect whether up, down, forward, back, or in any other way she needed to dodge and attempt a different approach for an attack, which kept Blackheart on edge.

Blackheart began to strain as he attempted to maintain his height. His form lowered several feet, before he was able to level himself. He looked up as the queen slowly circled him, like a vulture that could sense a meal from a prey. The smile on her face, if he could really call it a face, showed her sharp teeth. She began to laugh as he dropped once again, the buzzing of the drones about him sounding louder as they all started to slowly close in.

Nothing to do, but to bring her down to his level. If he could just gather enough power to affect her, and it would have to be in a way so that she could not dodge it. He watched her, allowing his mind to focus, that one blast of energy had done quite a bit to a drone, if he could muster a bit more strength, then perhaps he could hurt her enough to affect her.

“Whats the matter? Has the moth that’s flown into the spiders web lost its strength? You know, in Nature, the more an insect struggles while caught in a spiders web, the more it entangles itself.” The drones, which had been slowly closing in the space, all began to close faster, some closer to Blackheart than others seemed especially eager to have their chance at him.

The best way, he thought, was to expand this kind of power, so that there was less chance for her to avoid its path. It may even help by taking some of the others. He had to play this right, or else it would be pointless, and she would have this.

Blackheart slowed his flapping, allowing himself to descend slowly, drawing them all in further. It wasn’t difficult, his body seemed almost relieved to be easing off its strain. As he neared the ground, which seemed to be a mix of stone and more of that green ichor, the drones closed in. The queen seemed content to allow herself to fall back as her drones closed in on their prey.

“I may be tiring, but I know you are as bad off as I am, otherwise you would finish me, rather than allow your lowly drones to finish your job. How sad it must be to fail at showing your strength and power in front of your minions.” His goading worked, as again the queen moved forward, in front of her drones and signaled them to remain as she drew herself closer.

Her eyes seemed to take him in, the slowing of his wings, the sweat on his brow, his labored breathing. He was almost to the ground as she watched him, taking time to allow his strength to fade even more.

“You are fortunate to have been able to stand up to me. In the past, only Celestia had been my equal, and I had even once beaten her. You have no more strength left, I doubt you even have any magic left either. I must say I was at first interested in you, since I could not sense the normal things within you, as I do in other ponies.”

Her words done, she watched him as he settled onto the ground below her. She felt she was well out of his reach, more so considering his wings fell heavily at his sides, to worn out to even be able to fold up like a normal pony with wings. His eyes remained locked on hers as he stared up at her.

The queen offered a smile, as she looked down upon him, a feeling of superiority swelling within her. This was it, she seemed done with him, and turned her back on him.

The very moment she turned, the drones began their descent upon him, as well a discharge of blue white light emitted from Blackheart. It flew, spreading out as if it were a net, a crackling sound filled the air all around. The queen halted hearing the noise, and began to turn; The nearest drones, hooves before them, saw the threat to their queen too late to put themselves between her and the danger before them.

A shriek from the queen, followed by dozens of shrills of other voices joining in as so many were hit by the energy Blackheart sent out at them, with her in its center.

Several black smoking carcass’ hit the ground hard, all followed by the queen landing among them.

Blackheart and the drones still left waited to see what was to be of the fallen queen. After a few minutes they all witnessed, much to Blackhearts distress, a movement of a singe black body, with blue web like hair, and large crooked horn. Smoke still rose from her body as she lifted herself from the pile of drones, and dragged herself over them to reach the ground. Her wings were heavily damaged, nearly burnt completely off, a large crack down her back, with several smaller cracks running down her sides.

“I have never felt pain, such as that since I was defeated at the wedding.” Her eyes held a smoldering look, directed wholly at the black stallion before her, who stood as coolly as he could. It was not the look that bothered him in the least, he was still trying to find a little bit of strength for his body, as well as the feeling that was now lacking in his wings which still hung limply at his sides rather than folded.

With a scream, she launched herself into a full run, her horn glowing a dark green color, seeming to extend in a straight point. Blackheart likewise lit his horn in a similar fashion, his glowing a deep dark purple as he too charged at the queen.

They clashed in the center of their ring of changeling drones, the impact of their magic sending out sparks, and flashing light that reflected off the surrounding bodies.

The glowing horns, one green, one purple struck again and again as the two combatants now struggled to overcome the other with sheer force of will. Chrysalis duck a thrust of Blackhearts horn, and shifted forcing her horn forward and hitting flesh. The howl of pain was her reward , as blood seeped out from the wound at his left shoulder, and down his leg. She was not quick enough in pulling away as Blackheart turned his head, aiming his horn and did his best to hit her in turn. It was nothing more than a graze against her side, but the force of his own magic burned at her carapace, heating it enough a small portion bubbled up as if it were about to begin to melt.

Her shriek, was his reward, the two moved back, circling one an other only a few feet away. Again, they charged and clashed in the center, but instead of shifting their heads about to get a hit they pulled back again, trying to find an opening.

Once more they circled, and once more they charged, though this time, Chrysalis lowered her head at the last moment and charged her horn forward, thinking to impale her opponent a she had to one of her own drones. Blackheart had been ready with a different approach himself and had shifted his body, turning his head looking to strike her in the eye.

Blackheart fell, a deep gash along his side, blood pouring out form the wound across the ground beneath him. He tried to stand, but his body was quickly failing him, leaving him prone on the floor before Chrysalis as she came up to him, her chest heaving from the extent of this struggle.

She narrowed her eyes as she gazed down at him, “You fight well, my little moth, but your end is now. I shall give you a death befitting of a warrior. Your body shall burn with magical fire until nothing is left but the blackened earth beneath you as a reminder of your existence.”

“You talk too much.” Blackheart rolled his eyes, fighting to maintain his consciousness as he laid there, bleeding out.

Chrysalis was eager to finish this, but hesitant to approach in case this trickster before her held any further surprises. His head sagged forward, before he collapsed to the ground. Chrysalis let out a haggard breath she had not been aware of holding. She lit her horn, barely keeping her own focus due to the after effects of whatever spell, or magic he had used on her.

“Weak,” once again came the voice, barely heard over the sound of chains.

“No...” Blackhearts ragged breath was shallow as he spoke the word so quietly, Chrysalis was unsure if she had heard it. Her eyes grew wide, she knew with a wound such as this, he should not still be alive. She had to end him, and quickly.

“You have my power, and yet you allow yourself to fall. Pathetic, and weak.”

Blackheart felt something from deep within him heating up, while his body slowly grew cold. His anger began to build at the mocking tone of this thing that was supposed to be his. As he felt the heat rise within him, the numbing sensation that had been spreading through his body began to slow, before reversing.

Chrysalis could not believe her eyes, the horn of the stallion before her, began to glow a bright golden light, the wounds of his body began to slowly close, healing faster than any kind of healing magic a unicorn could muster. She charged her horn more, her intent to not hesitate any more than she already was.

The body of Blackheart became engulfed in a bright and intense fire. So intense, Chrysalis and many of the drones had to move back, only able to barely see the silhouette of the body within the flame.

At that moment, the only sound throughout the hive, was the buzzing of wings, and the crackling of the flames on the ground before them. The light cast seemed brighter than a normal fire as it burned with such unnatural intensity, the shadows of the drones on the walls of ichor behind them danced about.

It did not seem possible, but before them all, the silhouette of Blackheart stirred before rising up. A hoof raised and then slammed down sending a wave of energy out, forcing the fire away and finally extinguishing it. He stood there, no wounds upon his body, wings out wide, seeming to hold strength once again, his horn still glowing with the same golden light.

As he stood there, Blackheart turned his gaze upon Chrysalis, once more he raised his hoof, and with a mighty bellow he slammed it down, cracking the ground beneath him, sending out a force of power that caused the entire hive to shudder, cracking the walls all around. Another stomp, and a burst of energy flew out catching all of the drones around him, like a blast of an explosion, decimating the numbers. Another wave began to emit, and dozens of drones either fled in fear, or cast themselves around their queen.

When Chrysalis came around she laid in near darkness, so many black carapace bodies littered the ground all about her, the only light coming from the stallion before her as he approached.

With tears brimming her eyes at the destruction of her hive, and the last remnants of her drones, Chrysalis laid her head down, “Go on then, destroy me, as I sought to do to you.”

“No, you prove worthy to do my bidding. Bring the last of your drones to me, I have a plan as to how we can both achieve greater power.”

“What is the point when you already have great power?”

“No,” Blackheart shook his head, “I must still learn to control this power, as well, I want to learn what I have missed while I slept since the time of this lands founding.”

The foals of Ms. Cheerilee’s class emerged to the near freezing cold. Since they had gone to class just that morning, the snow had built up partway against the door, so much so, that they had to wait an extra few minutes for the janitor to come along and clear away the snow enough to make a path.

Once again, since the start of the week, the last three were Colt, Task, and Tone, each taking their time to emerge from the warmth of the classroom. They had been discussing taking some time to get together after class, and had finally gotten the okay from all their parents. That day, they were planning on spending the rest of the day at Crystal Tone’s house, as Task explained he did not want his older sister, Diamond Tiara to nag them about being there.

“Well, well, look at all the babies. Going home to have your diapers changed?” Came the voice of a mare. The three turned, to see a filly a few years older than them all standing in the snow, covered in heavy winter garments, all the color blue, matching her dark blue and black striped hair. It would have been thought the lighter blue of her fur was from the cold, but they all knew that was just her natural color.

“What do you want, Dementia?” Colt asked, his face going near expressionless.

“Pfft, leave you babies alone for a week and you already think you’re better than me?” Dementia asked, as she lifted a hoof and took a bite out of an apple.

“No, we just enjoyed the days you weren’t bugging us.”

“Come on, Dementia, do you really have to be so nasty to us? What did we ever do to you?” Tone added.

“What, you ain’t figured it out yet? I’m bored, and I want some entertainment.”

“Only a backwards brat, like you, would find entertainment in harassing others smaller and younger than her.” Colt quipped, making Task and Tone gasp as one.

“Hmm, you wanna run that by me again? Not sure if I hear you right with my cap on,” Dementia explained as she stepped closer, lifting one side of her cap from over her ear, as if she wanted to hear Colt clearly.

“I said, you’re a bra-” Colt was not able to finish as a hoof crossed his cheek, sending him backwards into a large drift of snow.

“What’s going on out here?” Came Ms. Cheerilee’s voice from the doorway.

“Oh, Ms.Cheerilee, I was just standing here minding my own business when this poor little colt slipped on some ice and fell. I think he got hurt, I can walk him home.” Dementia was quick with an excuse.

Colts cheeks turned a bright crimson, much like his hair, as he stared at her back, infuriated that she had hit him. One of the things he despised was being struck in the face. He knew he had not been kind to her and was allowing her to antagonize him, but he did not care for Dementia, and her bullying.

“Uh-huh, well, if he is seriously hurt, then perhaps it would be best for him to wait inside with me, while I contact his mother. Quick Task, Crystal Tone, you can go on home.”

The two foals looked at each other, then to Dementia, who glanced over her shoulder giving them a dark look.

“Uh, c-can we stay with Colt? We want to make sure he’s okay, he did take a bit of a nasty fall.”

Ms. Cheerilee looked over them all, only silent for a few seconds before nodding, “Come on in, the three of you. Dementia, you had best get on home.” She said in a stern tone.

Dementia merely shrugged and sauntered past the foals, tossing her once bitten apple off into the snow somewhere behind the school house. It did not take long for her to vanish into the still blowing snow, despite the dark colors she wore.

“Quick, come on in, children.” The three foals did not hesitate to run back into the school. Ms. Cheerilee closed the door behind them before making her way to her desk. There she sat and looked to the three, inviting them to come to her desk. “Would any of you care to explain what happened?”

The three were quiet for a long time, before Colt heaved a sigh. “Dementia was just messing with us, is all.”

“And?” Cheerilee prompted, knowing there was more to the story.

“Ms. Cheerilee, Dementia has been talking down to us for a while now. But, well, Colt had talked back to her, and she hit him.” Tone explained as she turned a concerned eye to her friend.

Cheerilee motioned Colt closer, she took a close look at his face, which now blushed of embarrassment from his teacher being so close. He tried to look away, but she placed a hoof gently on the side of his face that had not been injured and turned him back towards her. He could see something in her eyes, but could not tell what it was as she looked over the cheek that was now already starting to swell up.

“I am going to write a letter to each of your parents, I think it would be best for them to work out something for you three. Perhaps if they switched out each day as to who can come to the school to pick you three up, it should be enough to keep Dementia from bothering you anymore.”

Colt let out a groan, while the other two remained silent.

“Quick Task, go to the door and gather up some snow in this bag, then close it and let Colt press it against his face. It should help the swelling, mostly,” Cheerilee instructed. Task set about doing as he was told and brought the bag packed with snow. He handed it to Colt who pressed it gingerly against his now swollen and bruising cheek.

Cheerilee opened one of the lower drawers and removed a quill and ink followed by a few pieces of parchment, before she began, Colt caught her attention with something she was not expecting. “It was my fault, Ms. Cheerilee.”

She paused and looked at him, “Colt, it is not your fault Dementia is being a bully.”

“No, but it is my fault she hit me,” when he could see that Ms. Cheerilee was not understanding he explained the situation in full detail, including what he had said to her.

Ms. Cheerilee was silent for a bit, her eyes not quite focused as she thought on it.

“It still isn’t your fault, you were trying to stand up for yourself, and your friends. Dementia went too far by placing a hoof on you. If she had only restrained herself with taunting as a form of bullying, then this would not be as big of a problem. If she tries again in the future to bully you, she may remember how she upset you and will most likely try to get you riled up again to try and hit her back. I have only one thing to ask you, and this goes for all three of you.”

She waited until the three nodded and listened, “If she tries to bully you, corner you, or anything else, short of placing a hoof on any of you again, please do not give in and attempt to hit her back. First, it is wrong for a colt to hit a filly, or even a mare. Secondly, she is only trying to instigate this into something more, and deprive you of what is most important, keeping yourself calm, cool, and collected. Thirdly, all three of you are better than to give in to a bully. They will only try whatever they can to hurt you, in any way, shape, or form.

“The best thing for you to do is to keep calm, and walk away, when you are able, tell one of your parents, or me if she is bullying you again. We will do what we can to help you.”

“But how? How will you, or our parents help us? Can you stop her from bullying us? And if so, what happens if she stops bullying us and starts bullying the other foals in class. It isn’t right, or fair for somepony to do something like this for literally no reason.” Colt was breathing hard now, the bag of snow, on the floor a she had dropped it in his outburst, completely forgotten, as he stared at Ms. Cheerilee angrily. His eyes were starting to burn with the threat of tears, but he didn’t want to let them out in front of his friends. He had tried his best to be brave for them, to shift her focus away from them so he would be the only one burdened with dealing with Dementia.

Cheerilee stood from her seat at her desk and stepped over in front of Colt, her form towering over him. At that precise moment, a chunk of the wall that had been blocking his old memories fell, and a memory sprang forth.

The room was dark, and Colt was human, again, but he was so small, and so weak. He had been crying from missing his mother while she had to leave for work. His dad was gone, unknown to him, instead of working, he had met up with his older brother, Colts uncle, and were off in the middle of nowhere getting drunk again. His mom needed someone to watch him, and a man, one they had thought they could trust, had offered to watch him since his mom had been in a hurry.

Now, he stood over Colt as he cried, a tall towering form heavily shadowed. As Colt looked up, his head snapped to the side, his cries momentarily halted as his mind registered that he had just been slapped. The pain on his cheek felt the same as when Dementia had struck him, yet, this, this felt worse because he was still just a baby, and this man before him was so much bigger than he was, and now seemed so mean. Once again, Colt began to cry, from the pain and the hurt, he wanted to ask why, but he still only had a few words he could speak, and so he used the second word he had learned.

“No,” The man turned and stormed off, as Colt wailed out for his mom. Moments later, the man was back, again towering over him, but now he held something in his hand. His face contorted in rage as he screamed at Colt to be quiet, or else.

Colt could not think to do anything else but what he was already doing, he wanted this man to go away, and his mom to pick him up and quiet him.

The next thing he knew, the man over him took the pot in his hand and threw the boiling hot water over his face. The scalding heat was almost too much as he sputtered as Colt screamed as loud as his little lungs could, his eyes were closed, and he could not open them, his face felt like it was on fire. Or so he thought, until he felt actual fire from something small and round burning into his left arm, the smell of singing flesh churning his stomach once it finally made it through his nose. Once that pain eased he felt himself being lifted harshly into the air and then almost thrown down onto a floor and a door shut. The skin around his eyes raw, he attempted to open them, barely able to see he was in a dark room, a light from under the door was the only light in the room.

He was in pain and screamed and cried, wanting his mom to comfort him, a part of his mind thought it was all just one big nightmare, yet the pain was all too much for him to lie to himself, this was pain, this was not love from someone, and now he was alone in darkness.

Colt returned to the present suddenly, he jumped back and screamed out, the tears no longer being held in check. His reaction had not been expected and made the three in the school room with him jump, in momentary fear.

“Colt?” Ms. Cheerilee asked cautiously. His eyes moved back and forth, his breathing rapid, as if he were lost, or his mind was elsewhere.

At that moment, Cheerilee’s heart went out to him, as she remembered that Twilight was not his real mother. This was perhaps, she thought, a bad memory he had suppressed from his time with his real parents. She was, for a moment, uncertain as to what to do.

The next thing any of them knew, Cheerilee sprang forward and wrapped her forelegs around Colt in a comforting hug, whispering to him.

Surprised, Colt was not sure what to do, or how to react. He stood there, in Cheerilees arms, hot tears streaming out of his eyes, his throat constricting, almost choking him as he tried to make sense of everything.

It was several minutes before Colt was calmed down. Cheerilee went back to her desk, a few tears staining her own cheeks. She had to clear her head, and refocus on what she needed to do.

Once more she looked down at the still blank parchment, before she lifted the quill into her mouth, dipped its tip in the ink, and began writing. The letters to Task, and Tones parents were short and to the point. Which was to say, easier, in mentioning Dementia and the problems she had been causing them. The letter to Twilight, however, was much harder. She basically repeated what she had said about Dementia, but did her best to describe what happened with Colt in the classroom afterwards, and added her belief it may have been from repressed memories from his time with his parents before she took him on. She added, at the bottom of the letter, her hopes that Twilight could remain as a proper mother figure for Colt.

As for Quick Task, and Crystal Tone, they merely stood back, their eyes never leaving Colts form, as he sat there, now, next to Cheerilees desk, his head hanging low, a pained expression on his face.

Chapter 9: Dreams and Knowledge

Twilight sighed after Celestia stepped through the door, “Luna, what’s going on with Princess Celestia?”

“She has much on her mind, and many concerns for the ponies of all of Equestria, you most of all.”

“What? Why me?”

“Because you are the closest to the source of the recent problems.”

“You both truly think Colt is responsible for what is going on?” Twilight pressed.

“It is difficult to answer-”

“We have the rest of the night.” Twilight pressed.

Luna closed her eyes, as she prepared herself. She could say her opinions only as to what she has been aware of, but beyond that she could only speculate. At this point, she feared upsetting Twilight. Neither sister could be sure, but the moment Twilight had made her decision to foster the foal, she had seemed irrefutable in this, as well as her attachment to him. Such a strong bond so very quickly, Luna was left to wonder what it was that made it so.

“Twilight, as I said, it is difficult,” Luna raised a hoof to stall Twilight, so she could explain further. “But, you must also understand the situation as it appears from our point of view. A foal, of unknown origin appears out of a portal, after that, this, Blackheart, appears; This child loses his memory of his past, and then on a field trip to Canterlot itself, he is attacked by a changeling? There are such things as destiny, fate, even coincidence, dear Twilight, but all of this happening in a span of mere days? As rulers of this land, we perceive a threat towards, not only our home, but to every pony that we hold dear to us. We have to move with caution, for we are uncertain of whom our enemy truly is.”

Luna took a moment to gather herself, prepared to go on, she had to choose her words carefully. She could see the hurt in Twilight’s face, “Keep in mind, it is not you we do not trust, it is the circumstances surrounding Colt. Until we can find this Blackheart, and resolve whatever is happening, we cannot lax our guard. It is, in fact our trust and respect for you, that Celestia has permitted Colt to remain under your care.”

“Then, at least trust in my judgment as well, I do not think Colt has anything to do with what is happening. We have a new enemy, and instead of trying to find him, you’re here trying to ease your mind by accusing a child that just happens to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Luna looked to Twilight’s pleading eyes, the corners becoming moist as tears began to emerge.

“I am trying my best to keep an open mind,” Luna all but whispered.

The look on Twilight’s face seemed relieved, but then she frowned as she considered some things, “You never actually said if you think he is the cause in all of this.”

Luna walked over to a window and peered out into the cold wintry night, the light of her moon shining down over the fallen snow, making it appear as if the stars of the skies were spread over the ground. The slightest breeze shifted the snow, the effect as if millions of tiny stars were dancing on the ground.

“Twilight, if I were to make any decision without knowing the answer for sure, and not being able to see the bigger picture of things as they stand now; I am repeating the mistakes I made all those centuries ago, when I came to be Nightmare Moon. I would feel I were betraying everypony.” She said as she turned to look at Twilight.

“That only shows you are refusing to make a stand.”

“Be that as it may, you must understand, I have to find answers to questions before I make any kind of decision. You can see me as a coward for my hesitation, I, though, dare not make another mistake and hurt those I love.” Luna’s voice rose as they began to become upset with one another.

Twilight stomped her hoof into the floor, she knew she was getting upset, but she couldn’t think right now. Perhaps if she were to try and calm herself, she could see things with a clearer mind. She knew Luna had a point in what she said, but things were so confusing and hard right now. There was so much she did not understand.

“I-I’m going to go check and make sure the children are going home safely.” Twilight turned to leave.

Colt heaved a small sigh as he closed his eyes, ‘This is all because of me. Once again, I’m making those around me unhappy, making them hate me for just being here.’

Luna caught the movement from Colt, she lit her horn, and used a spell of sleep on the foal, hoping to help him. Once she was certain he was sleeping soundly, she walked over and settled down on one of the large and comfortable couches.

The space around her was dark, at least for now. There was no light, except what glowed from deep within Luna herself as she stood there among the true eternal night of the realm of dreams. She moved her front right hoof forward, and placed it down; the instant her hoof made contact with whatever suspended her, a path of lighted orbs appeared below and before her. As it moved on into the distance, the horizon about her lit up in a soft gray light.

Taking a second to look about her, Luna walked forward a few steps, after which, for every step she took, small silvery spheres of light began to appear around her. Upon further inspection, she could see through the hazy cloud of minds and into the dreams of ponies. These were the dreams of those within the land of Equestria, the children who were already settling down into slumber.

Here and there she came upon those that were filled with the simplest needs of the mind, variations of colors, shapes, and occasional figures. She smiled, newborns whose minds were still working things out. Others began to join the ethereal realm as she continued on her way, she could not help but to smile to see the happiness of the families as they slumbered. Their memories seeping into their dreams making them glow slightly brighter as happiness, true happiness, filled their being so much that the presence of this exuded from the orbs.

Seeing that no others were of immediate need or danger, Luna nodded to herself as she spread her wings, her hooves slightly lines, standing there regally in her own realm. It did not take long for her to gather her magic around her as she focused it and placed out feelers of magic seeking the one she came her for.

As the feelers of magic continued, she sighed in relief as the seconds ticked by as if they were hours before she was able to find him. Luna moved herself through the intricate web of magic she had spread forth, following the ticking course which led her to one silver bubble. This one glowed like many of the others, yet, Luna could not see what the dream was. She tilted her head, finding this strange, and raised a hoof to see if she could breach the dream before entering. What surprised her further was a sudden force stopping her hoof, before a ripple flowed out like water surrounding the orb.

“Strange, I have never seen one so guarded as this.” Luna gave the bubble another tentative tap, seeing the same effects ripple out.

‘Ask for permission, and it shall be granted.’ Came a voice from before Luna.

“Who is there? Identify thyself.” She commanded.

‘You seek entrance, ask permission and it shall be granted, Princess Luna.’ Luna pondered for a second, her eyes squinted as she felt she should not trust this voice that came from the orb. She took a few minutes to check and ensure that the magic had not led her astray.

“May I enter?” Luna carefully asked. At first it seemed that nothing happened, then she lifted her hoof and tentatively pushed it forward and found the orb no longer blocked.

‘Thank you kindly for asking permission. You may enter.’

“How do you know who I am?” Her question was met with silence. “I demand an answer, how do you know me?”

‘M’lady, when invited into the home of another, do you always remain at their door with mistrust and demands? There are rules one must abide by.’

Luna pulled her head back, blinking. She stepped forward and closed her eyes, allowing her magic to guide her when entering the dreams of another.

Once she felt something hard beneath her she opened her eyes and looked around to find something she was not expecting. Before her lay the strangest landscape she could ever perceive as there were multitudes of doorways, paths, walkway and stairways facing in any and every direction. Up down, vertical, horizontal, backwards, forwards, sideways, and even a few that seemed to spiral, and even one not far away that seemed to go up, before reaching a platform and then almost folding back in on itself as if to expect the one to walk it to begin to walk upside down. In the center of it all there was a massive empty space that fell away to darkness. Luna stepped back, a little uneasy on her legs as she shook her head trying to take in everything.

“Well, congratulations, you passed the Escher test.” Came a kind chuckling voice from behind her.

Luna nearly jumped and turned to find a familiar stallion behind her. She paused in her thoughts as she took him in, ‘Strange, he is a foal, so how can he be a stallion...’ Luna mentally facehoofed, ‘Of course, it is his dream world, this is how he perceives himself.’

“Hello Colt, can I safely assume it was you who spoke to me?”

The tall white stallion with red mane and tail chuckled again.

“What? What is so funny?”

“That you think I am Colt. Though I suppose that should not come as a surprise if you are not aware of the kind of per- sorry, pony, that we are.”

“We assure thee, if thy speakest with formality for but to jest with us, we shall see thee fallen.”

“Nay, Princess, Luna, we doth not seek to jest with thee. Thou art mistaken if thine thoughts are so narrow.”

Luna blushed as her eyes narrowed, “Art thou calling us dense?” She spat.

“Nay, we merely enjoy the singular occasion to enjoy words with thee,” Colt cleared his throat, before a smile split his face. “Princess Luna, you are correct to think I am Colt, as you are familiar, for I am, and yet I am not.”

“How canst- Erm, how can you mean this?” Luna gritted her teeth as she found it a little harder to return to the normal way of speaking she had been working hard to master. “My apologies, Colt. What I mean to ask, is how can you be Colt, and yet not be him, if that is what you are insinuating.”

Colt closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath before opening them to reveal a deep sorrow, “Have you not realized it yet, Luna, Oh Princess of the night, master of dreams, and witness to the intimacies of minds.”

“Surely now, you are making fun of me.” Luna accused.

“Surely not, I am merely attempting to see if I have my understanding of your abilities correct. You are princess Luna, the Mare of the night, who can use her powers to enter a realm overlaying your own like the softest of sheets that is a realm made by and for dreams. Which in turn, allows you to glimpse the minds of your subjects.”

Luna made to speak, but only found herself gaping. She snapped her mouth shut and eyed Colt suspiciously.

“Well, am I correct in my deductions?” Colt pressed.

“Well, I... I suppose since I can view dreams and memories I can indeed come to understand a ponies mind. But it is nothing like truly seeing their mind.”

“Hence why I said, ‘glimpse’, but duly noted. I apologize for the way I am acting. It... I have not spoken to another being, aside from Colt, for a quarter of a century or so. I have not really even been able to speak with him for half of that time. That is, until recently. Maintaining a fragile mind as this, and working to help him see the better of things is not so easy a task. Which I must admit, I have great respect for the subconscious for being able to maintain this to a far greater extent.”

“Um, Colt, I am not following. The way you speak, it seems as if you are a whole separate entity than the Colt from out there, beyond this dream.”

“Ah, well, you see, erm... How can I put this? You are not in a dream, and yes, to a degree I am a separate entity from Colt.”

“What do you mean I am not in a dream?” Luna pressed, she looked around to see that everything around them had changed. Where there had once been a confusing and headache inducing place, there was now what felt like a large open space where everything at the edge held multiple colors and hues and more than she could even begin to consider. “This looks like a dream to me, since you have been able to alter the surroundings. I must admit, I did not expect one who has trouble sleeping to be capable of Lucid dreaming, especially since your mother spoke of your nightmare.”

She looked to see Colt shaking his head, “Again, you are not quite grasping the circumstances of this meeting. I have lived within my own mind since my split. Oh, wait, I apologize, I mispoke. Yes I have spoken with others, but I had to be careful so as to not disrupt our life to any major degree. Though, when confronted it has scared Colt, and then he began to slowly piece things together.” Colt looked to Luna who had a hoof up to her head with a grimace on her face, “I seem to be failing at making any sense. Luna, do you know what it means for a pony to have a split personality?”

“A what?”

“Split personality, multiple personality disorder? No, you don’t have that in this world? Well, this may prove to be a challenge.” At that, Colt’s eyes lit up, “Oh, a challenge, a chance to teach and share what I know.” He excitedly spoke in a near gush, jumping in place.

Luna tilted her head at Colt and his strange behavior.

“Here, let us see if we can settle in a better, more peaceful surroundings.” He said as he closed his eyes and let out a long breath. As Luna looked she began to notice everything fade out of focus, and then entirely leaving them in a state of semi-darkness. Then as she continued to watch, the darkness seemed to draw away, revealing a beautiful scenery in its place.

Luna stood on a well placed stone path, surrounded on both sides with the most vibrant and green grass she has ever seen. As she followed the stone path with her eyes, she could see that it went to a veranda with a elegantly made metal rail. There in the center was a table with two chairs with pillows for cushions placed on them. In the center of the table sat a silver platter with an elegant tea set. Luna walked up hearing a distant thundering noise and found several feet below a wide river lazily flowing past. To her right just barely seen beyond a copse of trees was a waterfall, the thundering sound was coming from.

“Care to join me for tea?” Colt asked before Luna turned.

“This must be a dream, a very vivid dream, since you are controlling everything as you are.”

“You know,” Colt stopped, tapping a hoof against his chin, “If it helps you to think this is a dream, then so be it.”

Luna carefully made her way to the opposite side of the table and settled in her seat. The pillow below her was certainly as comfortable as it looked. She could not feel any lumps, and it seemed that whatever made the stuffing seemed to cushion her without sending everything to the edges. She looked up to see Colt sitting and smiling, waiting for her.

“Well, this certainly feels better.” He said, as a small gentle breeze lifted up from the direction of the trees on the other side of the river. The sound of them rustling, and the higher branches waving lightly caught Luna’s attention, before something else did. It was the smell of a forest, damp earth, blooming wild flowers, and more. Luna’s eyes widened, this was shocking to find how distinct and specific everything seemed to flow. She could not find the normal intrusions or miscreations, or even the billowing effects to prove this was a dream.

“I must say, Colt, you have a very vivid imagination, and the detail is impressive.” Luna complimented turning back to him.

Colt, in response, merely gave a slight smile.

“So tell me, do you know what is going on out there?” Luna asked after the stretch of silence began to grow uncomfortable.

“Not really. Lack of information is something that would keep me from properly assessing anything. Now, I do know a couple of things from what has happened which directly involves us.”

Luna raised an eyebrow, “So, back to the matter of... I am sorry what exactly was the term you used previously?”

“Multiple personalty.”

“Well, yes. What is this exactly?”

“Hmm, well, I am quite a bit rusty, which is weird considering what we have known from mom, ourselves, and what we learned quite some time ago. However, I will give you the most understandable meaning I have been able to deduce more from experience. You see, in certain situations, a mind can become stressed, stretched, or in danger. Normally, it is the subconscious part of the mind that has to shut things down to be able to cope. In this one of the effects is a mind that is so far gone it begins to fracture. Think, of a mirror, that is cracked. When you look into it, what do you see?”

“Well, I would see myself reflected back in each of the fractured pieces large enough to hold my image.”

“Exactly. Think of the mind as being as fragile as the glass of that mirror. Once it has reached a point of taking so much, it has become weak, and the resulting effect is it splits. Now from what I recall learning, which I have not had a chance to update my stored information, this is something the mind does as a way to cope with the stress, as well as to begin its course of healing. However, in my case, it has always seemed slightly different.” Colt paused as he brought a cup filled with tea to his lips with a hoof and took a sip, “Hmm, this is the only thing I do not enjoy with being trapped within my own mind, I cannot experience anything first hand, I have to find the freshest memories and try to manipulate things and try to pass that off as my own experience.” Colt grumbled out as he looked into the cup of tea with a displeased look. “It’s enough to drive one mad. Sorry for my tirade, but as I was saying. I was five years old, and had just attempted to end my own life-”

“What!?” Luna asked, thinking she had misheard him.

“Oh, yes... Probably not the best way to go about having a conversation...” Colt seemed to think for a few minutes, “Well there is no real proper way to say or explain any of this is there?” Colt was silent even longer as he worked to think of something to say.

Luna was concerned, she had never heard of a foal that would willing try to do what he had said, yet there was something that did not sit quite right with her. She was not sure what it was and wanted to hear more, so she sat there, waiting.

Colt heaved a sigh before he spoke up again, “No, there really is no way to explain this. All I can say, is after my experiences I withdrew into myself trying to block out the world around me. I no longer wanted any part of the cruelty I had suffered and was certain I would continue to suffer. It was during this time, that something happened, I am not sure what exactly, but I remained here, before all of this,” Colt said, raising a hoof to once again show the scenery before them, “came about, and Colt came to the front, sort to speak. The strangest part, from my understanding, when a mind splits, the two personalities are never aware of one another, yet here, wherever I came to I was aware of everything. Well, no that is not quite right. I was aware of things, going on. It just seemed, there was a delay...” He trailed off.

“How do you mean a delay?” Luna asked, curious now.

“Well, I’m not sure how to describe it, but, things that happened to him, he was aware of, and affected immediately. For me, it was a while before I was able to discern anything of what was going on, or at least it was this way at first. Time went by and we both grew, remaining separate, but I began to learn things he was not aware of. I became aware of us being two halves of the same mind. Though, I did not want to go back out into that world, it was... Frightening. I let Colt live our life, unaware of me. Yet, he was also affected by our life, but not directly through memory. That remained with me, until I was able to deal with it. Which, by deal with it, I mean try and separate myself from it and lock it away and shove it to the darkest coldest part of our mind. There were times when nightmares would take him, and on top of him and mother living alone trying to find shelter, it was not easy. He needed someone, so, after some time, I found I could reach out to him. I still have no idea how that was possible, but it happened, I began to speak to him from time to time.

“He, at first, thought I was God, since he had been going to church and trying to find peace, as well as answers. I was not sure what to say or do, for no mortal is God, nor could they ever claim to be such. Yet there, I saw what he needed, he needed guidance, of a sort, and someone or something to encourage him. So, I did, to my best ability. I saw things differently since I could look at things differently than he could, and understood things he had yet to realize. It went well, until he began to mature, that was where things began to become difficult for us both. Often things were difficult for us, I did what I could to keep from feeling the pain, but at some point, Colt began to endure things internally. It has not been easy, for as rough as things were for him out there, he made them even harder in here.”

Colt drifted off into silence as he stared at the tea set, Luna had been listening as intently, following everything he said, and trying to understand it. It had been confusing listening to him talk about himself as two entities in the same body.

“How can you say you are separate from Colt, and yet interact with him?” Luna ventured to ask.

“You know, I still don’t understand how it all works. Though rethinking the whole situation of a broken mirror, perhaps, one does not always find themselves completely fractured. Perhaps, Colt and I are still connected in some way, yet...” Colt shook his head, “Yep, no, I’m done.”

“Done with what?”

“I have spent so many years trying not to figure things out after Colt and I stopped speaking. I just, I don’t think it matters.”

“Is it possible, that with you withdrawn into your own mind, you began to became further separated from him?” Luna ventured a guess. Colt did not say anything he merely looked away and climbed out of the seat and walked away from the table.

“I think it’s time for you to go, Luna.”

Luna stood and walked over to Colt, “Colt, perhaps... Perhaps you can try to come out into this world here where you are now? It is not so bad, as you think.”

The effect was the sound of something cracking, and Luna took a step back and saw the stone beneath Colt begin to crack under his hoof. She could feel something emanating off of him it felt as though it completely surrounded her. She took another frightful step back.

“Alone... That was the choice I made. I tried to get him to experience something more than loneliness. I helped him realize the fault in being alone, but cruelty sometimes never ends. Please, go away. I made a mistake at allowing another here.”

“Why? What have I done to you to deserve you to treat me like this?” Luna ventured a step forward, yet there seemed to be a force growing around Colt. It pushed her away several feet. Suddenly a sound as a giant stone cracking and tearing apart emanated through the air. She looked around to see a similar crack running through the sky above her, looking around more, she found the waterfall had stopped, the leaves of the trees fell away in a torrent of wind. It all blew past Luna, forcing her to turn her head and lift a hoof before using her magic to shield herself. This in fact failed her, to her immense surprise and concern.

It took a few moments as everything seemed to grow dark around her that she heard Colt speaking, quietly at first, then louder and louder.

“One who thinks we are the reason to whatever is happening out in this world, whatever it is. The way Celestia looks at me, Twilight and Luna cannot see it, but I do, I can see the hatred on her face, her distrust, and most of all the fear. I can see it all now. She fears what she does not understand, and because we cannot speak and provide our innocence we are immediately seen as guilty. Even you, Luna do not trust us. That is why you are here. To spy on us, and to see if we are truly evil, such as whatever this thing that is causing your grief.”

“What? No, Colt, that isn’t-”

“DO NOT LIE TO ME!” Colt screamed out, turning around and facing Luna, anger and rage in his eyes, all directed towards her.

“Colt, what is wrong?”

“Do you remember me saying that HE experiences things immediately, but it takes a little time for me to find it, well guess what just felt like a slap to the face. Celestia, your sister, does not trust us. The way she looks at us, like-like, some kind of MONSTER!?” Luna took a step back, her mouth wide, her head shaking back and forth trying to deny what he was saying, “You also don’t trust us. Yes, you are trying to stand back and ‘look at the big picture’ but you are no better. THERE, there, I see it in your eyes too. You fear us. For what? What have we done to deserve this? Do you even know what it is to live your entire life hearing the hatred from others just for being born differently, or being born period? Do you know what it’s like to be ignored or hated when you have done nothing to deserve it!?”

Luna gritted her teeth at the accusations, she could see it there before her, as tears fell down his face, the pain as well, and suddenly she could see herself, with her accusations at her own sister. She wanted nothing more than to be loved as well, only to find so many distrust her because she was different than others. Her rule was of night, and dreams, and so many found distrust in her so readily. As if fate were trying to show her what happened to her all that time ago, how she changed, her own internal grievances, her pain, anger, sorrow, all of it. She suddenly felt as if she were watching from the outside in, and in that moment she felt as if all that had happened was repeating itself. Her chest ached, and her breath was labored.

‘No, not again. No, oh dear sister, what have we done?’ As everything around her seem to crack and break, crumbling down into darkness Luna became truly afraid. Darkness was encroaching upon them swiftly now.

“STOP!” She wasn’t sure if she was the one who screamed, but she found herself running towards Colt and embracing him in her arms. She wrapped her hooves around him and began to cry, “I do, I do know what it is to be hated for being different. To be mistreated, loathed, and more. I do not see you as a monster. I will not ever see you as something like a monster, you are not. I am sorry you think you are, I am so sorry.” She sobbed into his shoulder. It took her seconds to realize everything had stopped and even changed about them. She looked up to no longer see things breaking or falling, or darkness ready to consume them, instead there was something like a fog all around them. Everything was gray and dull, she was not sure where any light was coming from, yet despite the fog, there did seem to be some sort of light around them.

Luna ventured to pull away, slowly, and look at Colt. As she did, she saw him in her hooves, eyes wide, tears halted, and a look of shock. Slowly, he looked at her and focused on her eyes before he fell forward embracing her as well.

“I-I’m sorry. I...” Colt became quiet.

Once Luna was able to calm him, she felt her magic waning. Through all of what happened she had lost track of time, though she felt it odd. Normally being in her own realm time moved differently since the mind could work faster and so made time stretch out. Luna needed to rest and continue her duties. Quietly, Luna excused herself.

“Will you be back?” Colt asked as she stood.

“I will try if I can.”

“Thank you.”

Luna opened her eyes and looked around the room. She felt tired and looked outside, it was still night, and yet she could not shake the feeling that more time than she thought had passed. She turned away from the window and looked to the bed, where the still sleeping form of Colt remained.

Not chapter 10: Fear

Colt rolled over in the bed, his body restless, his mind shut off from the rest of the world around him. Deep within the darkness behind his eyes his mind worked in its own accord as it always had before. It was working to organize, move and alter things from what had been before. Nothing was more tiresome than having to organize a mess, and with what had happened recently, his mind was working over time, while retaining the dream that stormed throughout overhead.

Within the dream, Colt could barely comprehend what was going on. He stood before a small town of thatched roofs and buildings, only a handful held differences from the scenery, with one exception of a large crystal castle behind the town. Down below him, he could see several creatures, most being ponies of some collection of color or so, while others of pure black, with glowing green horns and glistening wings that seemed a twisted version fought all around. Yet what held his attention the most, were six specific ponies, their colors appeared familiar, and their manes long, flowing, and wild. At the sight of them he could feel his entire being fill with pure hatred and he opened his mouth to hear the most unnatural sounding inhuman roar.

He felt a surge of power, as he moved a large black claw towards them. Those with wings, he had not seen before, easily dodged out of the way, while one, with a dark purple coat easily blocked his attack with a large bubble before tossing his claw aside as if it were nothing.

Flashes seemed to go by and the scenery change slightly as they now appeared in the air before him, all glowing before a multi-colored stream of light shot out of their bodies and into the clouds just above their heads. It seemed to coalesce there before it came at him, hitting him, suppressing his powers he had and failed to protect himself with. He opened his mouth and roared again as he tried in vain to fight it.

It seemed as he fought against whatever this was he felt himself becoming weak even faster. It was then that it seemed that his body began to tear and break, he thought he was going to fall, but he remained in the swirling vortex of colors.

What happened next surprised him the most as he heard, and felt a voice, in his ears, in his mind, and all around him, ‘So your end is decided.’

With a scream, Colt sat upright in the bed, the blankets and sheets falling away from him. He sat there, sweat on his body, tears streaming down his cheeks, his chest hurting he saw he was in the room he had fallen asleep in before. The window across from him was lit with early morning sunlight. He closed his eyes to take a steadying breath, only to be reminded of the image of him slowly being destroyed, piece by piece. It was then as he looked out before he woke up he recognized through the rainbow colors, Twilight, standing below.

Colt grimaced and raised a hoof to his chest feeling the pain intensify for a second before beginning to fade.

“Colt?” Came a muffled voice he did not recognize.

He turned just as the door opened, and there he saw Twilight stick her head in, a look of concern on her face. HE turned his head as she walked in, quickly wiping away the tears and clearing his voice with a few coughs.

“M-mom, good morning...” He said as he turned in time to see her sit down on the side of the bed. She was looking down to the floor, biting her bottom lip. For a second he was glad she had not seen the tears.

“Princess Celestia just received a letter. We should get going.” Colt tilted his head at her cryptic words, but obliged.

It took a handful of minutes to make their way from the room he slept in, to the throne room. There, under the gaze of Celestia, and the dozen or so guards surrounding the room, colt shivered in fear, unknowingly tucking his tail between his legs.

“Colt, it would seem that you will be moving on from Ponyville. I just received a letter, and two ponies will be here very soon.”

“Uh, who are they?” Colt, ventured nervously.

Celestia raised an eyebrow, which led Colt to look between her and Twilight, “Surely you would be excited to know your parents are on their way to the castle even as we speak to see you.”

“P-p-parents?” Colt squeaked out. He fell back on his haunches in mute silence as he tried to understand what was going on.

He wanted to say something, yet the moment he looked at Twilight once more, the dream came full front to his mind and the pain in his chest appeared for a moment before fading away. Instead, Colt sighed, and nodded.

Chapter 10: Betrayal

The two ponies who entered the throne room were not quite what Colt was expecting. Then again, knowing he had never laid his eyes on them before, there was no way he could have possibly known what to expect. The stallion was a pure red pegasus named Blaze Feather, and the mare, same as Colt, white coat and red mane and tail, was a unicorn named Storm Rift. They had introduced themselves to everypony present, explaining that Colt’s real name was Storm Blaze, and was a Unicorn, not any sort of an Alicorn.

Colt was sent outside as Celestia, Twilight, and Colt’s parents spoke about what had happened.

“They may look like me, but those are not my parents. Guess Celestia is quick to try and get rid of me.” Colt glared at the tiled floor. He sat there for a while, unsure of exactly how long until his parents emerged with Twilight.

“Well, we have everything set, we will spend the rest of the week in Ponyville, Storm Blaze.” Storm Rift explained. Colt did not bother to look at any of the ponies near him as they all made their way from the castle.

“Storm Blaze, what’s wrong darling?” the mare asked noticing how quiet he was being.

“Does it matter?” He snapped back.

“Colt, I mean, Storm Blaze, that is no way to speak to your mother.” Twilight said, surprised by his reaction.

Colt gritted his teeth as he wanted to lash out at all of them. He did not know who these ponies were, but he did not know if it would help saying so.

The three adults stopped in front of Colt, causing him to bump into them and fall to his hindquarters.

“Storm Blaze, you’re being quite rude, what is wrong?” The mare asked, seemingly in earnest concern.

“What’s wrong? WHAT’S WRONG!? You’re not my mother, you’re not my father, I have no idea who either of you are. I have never seen you before in my life,” he screamed. The two ponies took a step back.

“That’s enough!” Colt stopped and looked up at Twilight, who seemed angry. Colt wanted to stare angrily back at her, but despite everything, he felt he couldn’t stay mad at her. “Storm Blaze, we have already discussed everything, you’re going to be okay once you get back home with your parents. We know you’re still confused, the effect of that spell backfiring, caused not only amnesia, but it confused much of your memories. Give it time, and stay calm,” Twilight advised, her look of anger cooling.

“Twilight,” Colt said his eyes downcast, “I am not confused, but if you want to believe everything they are saying, then so be it.” He opened his mouth as to say more, but closed it and walked past her.

Twilight looked at Colt as he continued on, she glanced at his parents, who held looks of shock, but much sorrow, as they returned their gazer to her and mouthed an apology. Twilight shook her head to dismiss their concerns, knowing he was only lashing out for being so upset. She shook her head, trying to keep her thoughts clear. Celestia had made it clear, Twilight was not to interfere anymore and allow Storm Blaze to return to his parents.

No pony spoke after that, not during their walk to the train station, and not during the ride back to Ponyville. Colt was furious, the fire in him burned for a while before it began to cool. Once it was down to nothing more than embers, it left him feeling cold, and empty. He remembered all the times he had experienced this back on Earth when he lost his temper. It happened frequently when he got older and began to understand the futility of his anger so often misplaced towards others. Instead he began to think about the situation he was in, he certainly never had someone try to pretend to be his parents.

Well, there was that one incident he had been told about after he had been burned and shoved into a closet. His mother back home had told him he had been taken away from here right after that by those who were supposed to help and protect children by taking them away from unfit homes. He had been told by her that he was placed in a foster home, though there were many children, he had come to learn from that situation that he had been violated.

‘To think I had thought that one hell of a tall tale till it was proven otherwise by a doctor, much to my embarrassment.’ Colt was not able to continue hos thoughts as the train came to a stop, the announcer pony explaining they were at Ponyville.

Twilight, the other two ponies, and Colt all exited the train and began to make their way through town. They stopped at a large building where all of the ponies said their goodbyes, and Colt with his, ‘parents’ entered the building. They made their way up the stairs and into a room. As Colt made his way around the sparse room, he heard laughter. Turning he saw the two ponies change into changelings.

“Well, no point in saying, ‘I told you so’, considering I am not near anypony to say that to.”

“Yes, and now we can take you back to our Queen.” one changeling said.

“Hey, I have a question, I know you can pose as any pony, stallion, or mare, but how the hell do can you tell your gender in your natural form?”

“What?” The two changelings turned to each other for a second. Colt used that second to charge at them, trying to barrel through them and to the stairs. He hoped if he caught them by surprise, he might be able to get to Twilight, or really, any pony available.

That is, until Colt realized he was running, placing all his efforts into the movements, but wasn’t going anywhere.

“You, this kid is being naughty. How should we punish him?” One changeling asked the other, as their horn was lit, holding Colt in the air just above the floor.

“I don’t know, I’m not the queen, so I don’t know how to take care of brats. Just put him to bed and let’s get on with the show. I am itching for some fun.”

“Wait, wait,” Colt said, catching their attention once again. “Can you at least answer my question, I really do want to know, honest. I mean form my position, neither of you look to really have the balls to do anything. Really, I don’t see any balls at all.”

‘You little bastard,” one said just before everything for Colt went black.

Twilight looked up from the book she had just begun to read, the sounds of screaming could be heard. “If that’s Roseluck and Daisy crying timberwolf again, I am so go-” Twilight stopped as she looked outside and saw the black carapaces moving around, both in the air and on the ground.

Twilight ran from her study, heading for the front door of the castle, “Spike, send a letter to Princess Celestia! Ponyville is under attack from changelings.”

A scream sounded from somewhere in the castle. Twilight slid to a stop and turned, eyes going wide, “Spike, oh no.’ She turned and began to search for the dragon assistant.

With a sigh, Celestia decided she needed to go for a walk. She left the throne room making her way through the halls of the castle. After a little bit of time, Celestia felt a strange sensation, she paused to consider it, and began to look around. It felt as if somepony were watching her. Seeing herself alone in the corridor she was in, she shook her head.

‘With everything going on, this situation must really be getting to me,’ she thought to herself before continuing on.

It was not long before the feeling returned, several times Celestia would stop and look around her and see nothing there. Eventually her wanderings brought her to the Lunar wing, where her sister stayed. With a small smile, the feeling of being watched fading in the back of her mind she made her way to her sister’s room and knocked, before calling out, “Luna, are you in there?” She waited, listening as the silence was drawn out. She tried to knock again, to find the door open just a bit. She looked into the room, finding the window curtains closed, and the room in pitch darkness. Celestia lit up her horn and allowed its light to shine through the room, first over the bed, before she moved it throughout the rest of the room. Indeed finding it empty of any sign of her sister, she huffed and stopped the light before moving and closing the door.

‘Odd, I would have thought Luna would be in her room sleeping for a little bit longer. Wonder where she is?’ With a frown, Celestia left her sister’s room behind her before turning down another corridor and eventually making her way to her own room. Her thoughts were on trying to relax as the feeling of being watched returned, though to a lesser degree. She ended something to rest her anxious mind, and she was sure a brief rest in her room, sipping tea, and reading a little bit from a book would help her. As she came to her door, she smiles kindly to the two guards standing nearby who dip their heads to acknowledge her. She opened the doors and entered her room, finding it strange that her room as well was dark. Well, perhaps thinking it was dark, in comparison to how she saw her sisters room was not quite accurate. Whereas Luna had thick dark curtains over her windows when she needed to rest during the day, Celestia had lighter, sheerer curtains so that even if she were to close them, it still allowed in a muted amount of light.

Celestia moved near to her curtains and used her magic to open the curtains, though before she is able to do so, she is hit hard from the side with a strong blast of magic. Stunned, she shakes her head, finding herself on her stomach, though not completely prone. She quickly stands and begins to look around, at first she does not see anything that was the root of the attack. She begins to edge her way carefully to the door in an attempt to get the attention of guards for help. As she reached the door, she spotted movement, her eyes going wide at seeing the red and white of her attacker, before another, slightly stronger blast hits her and sends her flying through the door.

She hears the calls of her two posted guards, before they are taken by surprise of her own attacker. Celestia staggers to her hooves and looks to the room, eyes narrowed as she waited for her attacker to emerge from the room. To her dismay, she watched as the young stallion entered the hallway white coat, mane and tail red, and eyes that were once an emerald green color, now altered to a darker shade with red pupils and purple smoke emerging from the corners.

“Storm Blaze, why would you do this?” Colt grinned, making Celestia feel as if she were being watched by a predator.

He no longer hesitates to attack, momentarily forcing Celestia onto the defensive as he attacks her again and again. Through her defenses, she tries to reason with Colt, to calm him, and get him to lsiten to reason. Only when he breaks through her defense and actually pushes her to the edge does she stop trying to reach out to him. Instead, she now works to bring down the threat. All through out the castle, the two move, fighting, Celestia occasionally trying to use her wins and superior knowledge of magic to gain an advantage. Yet, to her surprise, he keeps up with her, for everything she uses, he found a way to counter her, and again she found herself grounded, working to fight back.

It does not take long for Celestia to find her way back to the throne room, where to her relief, several guards are posted and immediately work to try and help Celestia.

Colt uses his magic to create a field around the two and continue the fight. Celestia presses her attack more now, knowing that to try and keep them separated from her guards requires more concentration and power. She sees him weakening and moves to finish the fight only to find him vanish before her eyes, the shield falling apart.

“Well, now, Celestia, I see it is true about how powerful you are. My, if I didn’t have an escape plan, I am sure I would have met my end.” Celestia looked around, as the voice echoed around the vaulted space of the throne room.

“No, you would not. Storm er, Colt, listen, you must stop this, put an end to this before things get out of hoof.”

“Out of hoof? Hmm, I think it is already past that, considering what I did to your sister, dear sweet Luna.”

Celestias eyes widen as she hears this, “What have you done with Luna?”

“Oh, not much, just had to make sure she was out of the way for now. Tell you what, let’s play a game. I am sure you can win, as long as you’re not a sore loser.”

“This is no time for playing games. Show yourself, now,” Celestia demanded.

“Aw, but I want to have some fun. Let’s play a little game of chase. I already have a good head start back to Ponyville, can you catch me before anypony get’s hurt?”

Celestia screamed in anger, stamping a hoof.

Celestia looked around, finding the various residents of Ponyville doing their best to fight off the small horde of changelings as her chariot landed on the ground. She gave orders to the guards and sent them off, keeping only a few near her knowing they would not all leave her despite being more than capable of taking care of herself. She made her way through town, stopping at the address she had been told. She looked up to find a light turned on in the room above.

“This is Princess Celestia, by order of the crown, I demand you show yourself!” She called out using a stronger version of the Canterlot voice that Luna had once used after her return from her banishment. She watched and waited, before spotting shadows moving across the ceiling as if bodies were moving in front of the light.

Above her, the window opened and out flew two changelings, each with a grin on their faces. They flew about in front of the building as if afraid to go near Celestia as she was now.

“Where is the foal, Storm Blaze?” She demanded.

“Oh, looks like somepony is mad.” One changeling, laughing.

“Hmm, wonder what mom would do in a situation like this, huh?”

“Well, you know we do have our orders to make sure our new friend gets home.”

“Oh, you’re right. Oh just imagine what it will be like when we can accomplish that and mother will be able to return.”

Celestia frowned, “Your, ‘mother’ was defeated before, and she will be defeated again.”

The two changelings, much to Celestia’s anger, merely laughed this off.

“I doubt that, considering our new friend, oh, and that one is the final piece of the puzzle.” One changeling spoke, pointing a black hole filled hoof back at the window.

“Enough of this. We have already fought back this little raid of yours. You have already lost, if you value your lives, then you should surrender.”

The two changelings looked at one another and laughed, “Oh, this is so wonderful. She really doesn’t know, does she?”

The other tisked, “Do you think we should tell her?” A shrug was the only reply, “Well, I know I’m bored, so why don’t we have some fun?”

“Oh, I like how you think. Yes, I agree, we should have some fun before this comes to an end.” The two changelings looked at Celestia before flying off to opposite sides of her and flying in to attack.

As they flew in, they seemed to glow and change, the one to the left became Twilight Sparkle, while the one on the right changed into Luna. Celestia took a step back, her eyes widening for a moment before narrowing, “You have chosen the worst possible time,” Celestia growled out as her horn lit up. Just before the changelings could reach her, their bodies began to glow in a golden light, quickly consuming them completely. There came screams that were quickly silenced as the light came to it’s full intensity before fading.

Quickly, Celestia teleported into the room and looked around, quickly finding Colt on a bed, fast asleep.

‘Whether you are a part of this intentionally, or not. It is clear you can not be left as you are.’ Celestia thought as she lifted Colt in her magical grip and teleported with him to the ground outside. She and the few guards with her made their way to the chariot she had arrived in.

Twilight had worked hard to fight off the few changelings that had invaded her castle and attempted to attack Spike. With them pushed back and now fleeing with several others away from Ponyville, Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. She and Spike both made their way out of the castle, where Twilight Spotted the princess, with Colt laid out beside her, take off with the royal guard puling a chariot.

Twilight called out to the princess, hoping to find out what was going on and why she was taking Colt. The princess merely glanced back at Twilight as the chariot took off in to the sky. Twilight skidded to a halt where the chariot had just been, watching as her former mentor and her adopted son left Ponyville.

“Colt?” Came a demanding voice, breaking Colt form his sleep. Groggily he opened his eyes, groaning as his head swam. Looking up, he tried to focus, the colors of the room he was in seemed to move as it felt like the world tipped to the side. It took a moment to fight back the nausea and to gain his focus. He glanced down, to find himself chained to the floor, looking up he could see Celestia sitting on her throne.

“Do you know what is going on?” Celestia demanded.

“What?” Colt asked uncertainly.

“Do you know what is going on? Did you intend for things to have transpired as they have?”

“I-I don’t understand.”

With a sigh, Celestia closed her eyes for a moment, “My sister, Luna, the Princess of the night lies in the hospital wing, where doctors tending her say she is in a coma. Changelings have attacked Ponyville, putting many in danger, and two changelings, who posed as your guardians revealed you were a part of what is transpiring. I will ask once more, do you know what is going on?”

Colt looked at Celestia with confusion clearly etched on his features, “No, I don’t know what is going on. Why are you accusing me of, whatever it is you’re accusing me of, and have me chained like some animal?”

“I fear, that it is unsafe to trust you on your own, whether you are under Twilight Sparkle’s care or not. I will have you remain here, under close observation to ensure that you are protected.”

“You mean you want to lock me up and hold me as a prisoner,” Colt accused.

Celestia stared at Colt for a time, “Please, do not consider yourself a prisoner, I-”

“Stop, whatever you’re about to say is no doubt a load of crap. I do not want to hear it. I know your kind Celestia, there are those like you back where I come from. Just because you think you have this power over others you think you can wrongly accuse one of something they are innocent of. You also do not care if I know what is happening or not, you only care that I am the bad guy, since you cannot do anything more than hold distrust in your heart and mind.” Colt lowered his head, face contorted in rage, “I am so sick of you idiots always thinking I am some sort of danger to others. I do not hurt others so long as I remain in control of myself, but no, you all think you know better.” Colt closed his eyes as he shed a few tears, his body growing hot, as his anger began to cloud his judgement. His mind was now filled with all the memories of those of his past life who had accused him of hurting others, he knew what it was to hurt others, and it frightened him, ever since his mistake as a child, he had worked hard to try and remain in control of himself. It was always avoid conflict, avoid speaking ill of others, always put others needs before his own, be sure to do what he could for others.

He was beyond his breaking point as everything came rushing back, doctors thinking they knew better, making him take medicine through needles, strapping him down to a bed, just because he had admitted to one doctor he had felt so worthless in his life and thought it best if he did not continue to live. They lied to him shoved him into a small room, tied up like some animal, knowing he had expressed his fears of being in closed in spaces, as well as being cornered. His heart pounded in his chest, the blood rushing in his ears, he felt worse now than he did when he was waking up. As the heat in his body increased, he began to feel sick, he staggered, though nearly falling over since he could not move more than a few inches.

He heard a noise and looked to find a group of guards in golden armor that had been surrounding him closing in. He couldn’t tak eit again, he couldn’t be locked away and treated like some wild animal, like some monster.

‘But, is that not what you are?’ Came a strange voice in his mind. There, flashes of other memories came forward, people beating on him with their fists and belts, saying they were punishing him, the pain of being burned with boiling water, the pain of an older boy when he had been taken away from his mother removing his diaper and hurting him on the inside, this and more memories flooded his mind. The panic his body was experiencing seemed to grow, ‘Yes, a monster. Why else would others have done so much to punish you. They could see it, just as you saw their fear of you in their eyes. Look! Look at those around you now,’ Colt, becoming less steady on his legs glanced up to the faces of the guards. Despite the world beginning to try and tip further he caught the looks of a few, there it was. Again, beyond their false bravado, there was unease, uncertainty, and fear in their eyes. His mind seemed to take this in as he stared them in the eyes, and he could see a reflection of himself, and indeed he looked like some sort of stranger creature. Chained to the ground, fighting against the restraints, as they approached, leveling spears at him. The last thing he could see, was a strange cold look in his eyes as it felt as though he were sinking into himself, a cold darkness surrounding him.

He had to fight, he didn’t want to become lost in that and be lost to it, all alone, without the closeness of others. He struggled to fight against it to keep himself surfaced, it was like trying to remain afloat in a seemingly endless sea drawing him down into it, draining him of strength.

It was then he felt something, a sharp pain followed quickly by an overwhelming heat. A light all around him seemed to fight back against the darkness, and he reached out for it, reaching as if this was something that could save him. He wanted to be away, to leave those who would see him as the monster that he was. He wanted to be with others, and to enjoy life and happiness, but to his mind, this will never happen. Monster’s do not live life like others, in the stories he had read, the monsters were always feared and spurned. True few who were not the same as the masses could endure him, but it never lasted, eventually even they came to hate him. To be alone, it was his fear, and yet, at the same time, it felt as if it would prove to be his salvation.

But it felt as though his life were in danger, what was he to do?

Colt reached for the fire that was beginning to consume him, he did what he could to embrace it, allowing it to burn him, but also to fill him. So long as it could keep the fear and darkness away, so long as he could not feel cold and alone, so long as this fire could fill that void and help him when he needed it, then he would take it. In that instant, it felt as if he were breaking, and he could see the fire change itself as it latched on, and filled him. Changing into a wild beast, fangs bared, mouth open, and a horrifying roar emerged from it, a roar, that he felt himself echoing.

Colt opened his eyes, the fire burning within him, the guards, and even Celestia taking a hesitant step back, as the scream echoed throughout the throne room. His horn lit, before a deep rumbling shook the ground. As the ponies looked all around, the ground beneath them began to crack, before stone from below them erupted all around. Breathing hard, Colt looked around seeing the destruction he was making, he began to feel tired and cold. He shook his head and strove to bring back the fire, finding it ready as long as he focused on the negative emotions that had been boiling beneath the surface.

“You want me to be the monster, then I will be the MONSTER!” Colt screamed the last word sending out lights from his horn. Fearing an attack, Celestia threw up a shield as several guards jumped to intervene. Colt saw them, some going to protect Celestia, others jumping or climbing over the stone to get at him. In that moment, he shifted his mind and brought the light in close to him, allowing it to cover his body. Just as those guards nearest him leaped, he watched as the scenery around him changed.

What had just been a large bright room, now became a dark filthy alley. He struggled to remain on his hooves as he stumbles, feeling cold and weak, and tired.

‘Maybe, I’ll just take a little nap.’ He thinks as he collapses and his eyes slowly close.

“So, what will you do now? If he get’s caught, we won’t be able to do anything with him.” Chrysalis pointed out, as she watched the crystal glowing, the scene playing out before them within the once clear stone.

“Yes, we certainly don’t want that, at least, not yet. Spick?” The stallion of all black spoke to the crystal.

Well above the alley in the air, hovered a familiar form resembling Colt, but with green translucent wings buzzing to remain aloft, “Yes?” Came the response, its eyes glowing.

“I need you to take him and hide him until we can figure out what to do next. Do you think you can do that?” There came a brief grunt of acknowledgment, to which Blackheart smiled.

Chapter 8: Trip

Time. There would always be time, whether it seemed long, or short, quick, or slow it did not really matter. For the moment, he was lost in that, uncertainty leading him first one way, then another. The world around did not wait for him, it waited for no being, for in life of the universe, all will continue to move forward, never back, whether a creature on some small unknown world wanted it to or not. So, without fail, the universe continued its own machinations following its own path, smaller parts of it that made up the universe continued in their own way as well, in their own path.

Colt sat beside Cheerilees desk, lost in his own mind. He was searching, trying to find where that ‘memory’ had come from, and whether it really was his or not. He could not find anything else like it, even as it began to fade, it still felt like a dark spot of oil on a clear surface of water. His mind could only go back as far as the hospital, he tried again and again to turn back to before. When he did, he felt a strange sensation as if he were held in nothingness, his entire being filled with a strange emptiness. When he worked to come back from that, he felt old, used and worn out. He did not understand the feeling, nor why it left a cold shiver down his spine and left the impression he was alone.

Colt jumped as he felt a soft wing touch his back.

“Colt?” Twilight asked hesitantly, drawing her wing back ever so slightly, as she looked at him. The fear in his eyes more were evident to her, she could see him shaking as he looked at her. More specifically, as they stood there facing one another, it felt as if Colt were trying to look deeper into her, as if he were seeking something.

“Colt, it’s okay. Its me, Twilight, your mother.”

“No... You’re not.” Colt said after a moment of silence.

“Twilight, it may be as I said in the letter.” Twilight looked at Ms. Cheerilee, she had rushed over the moment she got the letter from Filthy Rich, and his youngest, Quick Task. It was now, Just Ms. Cheerilee, Colt, and Twilight in the school house.

She then turned her attention back to Colt who was now lowering his eyes to the floor. In a split second, she could have sworn she caught sight of what she had seen when he had first woke in the hospital. The thought of him getting back his memories was a bit difficult for Twilight to deal with, immediately. She was happy he was remembering his past, as she wanted to know what had happened, and if he had any indication as to how he had come to be there. She wanted to find out if her suspicions of him being from that other world, where the counter parts of her friends went to that High School, were true. Yet, her heart felt heavy, if he remembered everything, then he would know who his real parents were, and where he belonged, which would not be with Twilight anymore. Worse, was the reaction he had in the school, if Ms. Cheerilee was correct, that meant that his home life with his real parents may have not been all that well.

“Colt,” Twilight stopped herself, she was not sure how to handle the situation, but she needed to try. “We should get going. Can you get your stuff?” She asked softly.

Colt nodded and walked to where he had left his stuff, his movements were slow, as if he were not really focusing on them. As he reached for his coat, he heard a voice calling to him.

“Colt, please wait.”

Colt stood there, hoof held out as he lowered his eyes, and listened, his body stiff.

“It’s been too long since we were last able to speak. I want you to understand, things can be different. You do not have to grasp the past so tightly.”

Twilight was taking a moment to watch Colt as he moved to grab his stuff when she turned back to Cheerilee. Twilight thanked her for her help, but before they could speak further, a blast of freezing cold wind and snow blew into the room.

Colt had felt hot, like the air around him was stifling, and so made his way to the door and opened it. The cold winter weather felt refreshing, as his mind fell in on itself. He knew this voice, he did not know how, yet somehow he did. It sounded older, and spoke so gently to him, leaving him the feeling of a father who cared for his child.

“Father, is that you?” Colt looked up to the gray sky, tears welling in his eyes, as he waited for a response. The voice did not speak again immediately, but it came differently to him, as he had fully entered his mind, unaware of everything around him, he could feel him all around.

“Colt, listen; This memory is painful, but you must not let it control you. You have a chance to change things and without realizing it, you have already begun.”

“But, how? I don’t understand?” Colt questioned, the uncertainty evident from within him.

“Where the world before was different, you remember, don’t you?” Colt nodded, “What did you learn before?”

Colt was silent as he thought, there was pain as he tried to move his mind back once again, casting into what seemed a vast empty ocean. His efforts reflected in the barrier set around his mind, as more larger, deeper cracks appeared. Chunks began to loosen, bits of memories here and there began to seep out, but still not quite enough to bring any forth. Colt halted, holding his head, as he groaned in pain.

“Try again, Colt. You know I would not ask this of you for you to experience pain, after all you have been through,” The voice advised. Colt tried again, this time instead of trying to force himself, he first relaxed both his mind and body.

As if following a regiment of exercise, Colt began to feel himself drift, but no longer alone in an endless endeavor, but he felt himself floating as if in water. That very sensation had always brought him momentary peace as he imagined himself floating, his body partially dipped below the surface of water, while his upper body remained, bobbing above, the light of a sun overhead, skies clear and blue. With this, the barrier could no longer hold back the flood of memory as something greater than it began to strike against it, like the very natural waves of the world rolling in against stone, eroding it away over time. The barrier crumbled and slowly fell, the repressed memories seeping out, held in check by the mental control of water.

As if bottles floating through the oceans seeking a place to land, the memories went about, drifting, as a few came forward as Colt sought them out. He recalled then, the few times, he could actually remember speaking to this voice when something bothered him. It would explain things which he, at the time, truly could not understand, while at other times, as he spoke, trying to figure things out for himself, he would find help in only that this other entity would help him make the proper connections.

“Yes, that’s right. Now cast your mind to what you have experienced so far, and compare it to the earliest memories you can find, for yourself.”

At his behest, Colt thought back to his first full week of being here in Equestria. What he found was smiling faces of these ponies, willing to help him. They celebrated him, accepted him among them, welcomed him with open arms, and open hearts. When he compared this to the other memories he could remember from just before his sixth birthday and on, he found himself often withdrawn, before trying to branch out. He could remember laughter, but here in this form of understanding, he could also hear the cries of himself.

“Be my friend? I don’t want to be alone. Why do the people int he stories I read always find such good friends to stand by them. I-I’m alone, here in the library reading my books, all alone, while everyone else is outside, playing, becoming friends.” Further still did he move through his memories, of the pain, others put him through, but he would smile and accept it, because in the little bit of innocence he still had, he did not know they truly did not like him. Very few, though over the years, came to him when he needed a friend.

“There is still more, but to refrain from overburdening you, the world before was a harder place to live and grow, not by your choosing, nor by theirs, it just was. Here, you have been only a week and already you have a family, you already have friends. Take that, over any of the darkness of your past and try to take a step forward.”

There before him, as the feeling of water all around him faded and he felt himself standing, a bright light appeared before him with a hand held out to him. Colt grasped it with his, and was helped forward a single step. The shadows of that one memory, and many more were still at his back, yet, for the first time, Colt could feel lighter. It was true, he had been struggling before for so long, seeking help to move forward, yet, to his mind, he could not.

“They are there for you, others of like mind, who hold friendship dear to them, can help you. Just ask,” the voice continued as it began to fade, there before him were the new memories, he could see them all, he could see the smile on his face, so genuine, the light of his eyes were bright.

“Mom, and, my friends.” Colt whispered.

“Colt? Colt, please, answer me.” Twilight cried, as Cheerilee worked to shove the snow away that had already accumulated in the doorway, and around Colt’s front hooves. She finally was able to clear enough to force the door close with a small crunch. As she turned, Colt seemed to blink and turn his attention to the two mares.

Colt looked up, his face full of sorrow, “I’m sorry for what I said, mom.” He began to tear up and leaned against Twilight.

Twilight embraced Colt, once more wrapping a hoof and wings around him, a small smile on her face.

Cheerilee gave a small sigh, glad that Colt was seeming to come out of whatever was wrong. She still had concerns, as no doubt, Twilight, did as well. In time, things would work out, they always did before. They just had to.

“How about we continue this at home. I’m sure Ms. Cheerilee would like to go as well.” Twilight said, as her horn lit up, lifting Colts coat and other articles of winter clothing. She briefly glanced up at Cheerilee who smiled and gave a slight nod.

Celestia turned as she sensed the heat shield over the open balcony falter as the last pony came through. She let out a small breath, grateful that, Rainbow Dash, had made it back.

The mare in question shook what was left of the snow from her mane, and wings, revealing her striking rainbow colored mane. She certainly looked the part of an official Wonderbolt, now. The blue and gold one piece suit, with the jagged lightning going from neck to chest, and to stomach, as well as a circle around each leg.

Rainbow strode forward, removing the goggles that usually helped to keep the wind from affecting eyesight. The usual cocky manner and confidence was gone, and upon closer inspection, lines of worry and stress had begun to form under her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Princess Celestia, still nothing to be found. With the strength of this winter, most of the Everfree itself seems to have given way to it. I had to stop and catch my breath in the swamps, before I came back. The natural gases still keep that part warm enough that the snow doesn’t stick to the ground.” Rainbow bowed as she gave her report.

“I am just glad you made it back in one piece, Rainbow.” Celestia offered a smile, to which Rainbow Dash only returned a less than halfhearted smirk.

Rainbow stood and began to make her way through the throne room, her body sagging from exhaustion.

“Rainbow, can I speak with you a moment?”

Rainbow paused, and turned her head back, “S-sure. What’s up?”

Trying her best to bring about a bit of humor, Celestia turned her head to look up, “It would appear the ceiling.”

Rainbow paused, eyes wide, a look of disbelief on her face as if her brain suddenly stopped working.

“Are, are you serious?” Was all she was able to sputter out after a second.

Celestia, for her part could no longer keep a straight face, and chuckled.

“Please, Rainbow Dash, that joke is far older than you will ever know,” Celestia winked.

Rainbow checked herself before offering a wise crack, and just smiled. Celestia was happy to see it was natural, if only to show she was willing to humor the princess.

“I want to say, I am glad for your help in this. However, because of the storm getting worse, there is no more need for you or the Wonderbolts to continue. I am afraid I did not take into account the power of this storm this year. So for that, I apologize,” Celestia explained as she dipped her head.

“Whoa, whoa, Princess Celestia, you don’t have to do that,” Rainbow said as she waved her front hooves in front of her. She was feeling suddenly very uncomfortable with the princess of her home apologizing and bowing her head to her, “Look, it’s okay. This was something that, in your eyes, had to be done. Storm or no storm. I can understand that much at least, and I am more than happy to help.”

Celestia chuckled at Rainbow Dash blushing. When she had first arrived a week before, she had been excited to learn that Celestia herself had wanted her help along with the Wonderbolts. She had described the stallion they were looking for, and how dangerous he was. Rainbow Dash had been so excited, Celestia had feared she might destroy part of the throne room with a Sonic Rainboom out of sheer joy.

Fortunately, the pegasus had kept her head well enough even after putting in the wardrobe.

From there, they had all gone out in groups to the various parts of the Everfree searching up to the former castle. For days, as winter began its cold fury, they had worked hard, coming back unable to feel the tips of their wings and hooves. They had all been grateful for Celestias heat shield for it helped to put a rush of warmth through their body as they entered the castle.

Celestia had felt her hopes dwindling in the face of fear. She did not let anypony else know of her concerns, not even Luna, even working to keep from sleeping except short naps to keep her sister from seeing into her mind with her concerns.

As for Luna, she had been busy trying to find Colt, in the realm of dreams, to see if he was being bothered with anymore nightmares by Twilight’s request. Yet, for so long she searched only to find that Colt either did not dream, or did not sleep. Until she could find him, she did not know for sure without asking Twilight first. Luna held her own fear of failing her friend after she had come to her for help.

She had confided into Celestia her concerns, which the two could not think of anything, except that perhaps everything going on had been affecting his sleep, and therefore at this time his dreams were not showing. Luna, with some determination, vowed she would not give up, until she could ensure Twilight her son was well.

Cheerilee greeted the class in the morning, “Good morning class, I have some good news for you all. We have been working to try and allow a field trip for you all. Celestia accepted our proposal of visiting the Canterlot Castle library. I, as well as Princess Twilight Sparkle, will be your chaperones, as well, Twilight will also be your guide.”

Colt was only half listening, so he did not hear the rest of what she had to say, he began to worry about Task, and Tone, he noticed they kept glancing his way, then trying to turn away before he noticed. During break, he asked them if anything was wrong.

“Well, we were just wondering if you were okay after yesterday.” Task expressed, trying not to meet Colt’s gaze.

“Yea, I am now, for the most part. I just, uh,” He thought back to the couple of friends who had tried to help him, before turning him away when he needed their help the most after telling him they would be willing to help him if he ever needed it. It was not right to thrust everything on his mind onto his new friends. Twilight was already dealing with enough as it was, there was no need to spread his form of evil- No, he had to stop that, he was doing it again, “I’m sorry, just some bad memories from before I came here to Ponyville.”

Task and Tone looked to each other, then seemed to visibly relax. Colt hated lying, but this was as close to the truth as he was willing to get with them, he was starting to remember even more, a little bit at a time, and he knew for sure he was older than this body appeared. These two though, were still literal children, there was no need or reason to bring such darkness to their lives. Colt took a deep breath and let it out slowly, before offering them a smile.

He was at least glad his two friends were not holding it against him, with what had happened the day before.

“Oh,” Colt said, almost in a yell as he remembered something, “Hey, no, I am soo sorry. We were planning on hanging out yesterday when everything else happened. Oh, no, that’s all my fault.”

Colt was starting to feel really down, until he was surprised by the two laughing, “What? What did I say?” He asked looking between the two in confusion.

“Well, its okay, we already talked to our parents and we can hang out again next week after class, and, as Ms. Cheerilee suggested, somepony will be here after school.”

“Seriously? Oh,yes!” Colt raised a hoof into the air in celebration.

It was then a thought struck him; In his other life, he really did not get a chance to have a childhood. He had to make sure he enjoyed this while it lasted.

The rest of the day went about as well as could be expected, all the students returned to their studies, taking notes, and doing the work as Cheerilee presented it on the board.

Everypony left the school right away as they needed to be up early the next morning to get to the train station for their field trip.

The train ride had been long, and if not for Quick Task, and Crystal Tone, Colt would have either died of sheer boredom, or lost himself in another book.

As the train pulled into the station, Cheerilee and Twilight watched over the foals as they exited the train. There, on the platform before them, they were met by Celestia herself.

“Hello there, my little ponies. Twilight, its good to see you. Ms. Cheerilee, how are you, oh I remember the last time I saw you at a summer sun celebration. Oh you were so adorable with those daisy hair clips.”

“Oh, Princess Celestia, I did not expect you to still remember that day.” Cheerilee blushed, as the foals all turned their attention to her.

“Well of course. So, children, are you ready for a trip to the library?” Celestia chuckled as she was met with a mix of emotions, none any louder than the three in the back of the crowd.

“Oh, I can see you’re all so excited.” Celestia teased with a bit of sarcasm.

Celestia turned and led the class up to the castle and on through the hallways until they reached the library.

“Here, little ones, you will find a grand collection of knowledge, those who have an inquisitive mind will find it simple to quench their minds thirst.” Celestia smile wide at her own words, to only be met with unenthusiastic children. Celestia huffed and rolled her eyes, “Starswirl and Clover the clever would have been excited, children today just don’t seem to want the knowledge laid before them.”

“Uh, Princess Celestia, we can still hear you.” Twilight ventured.

Blushing, Celestia smiled and turned to leave, quietly grumbling.

“Do you think she’s having a bad day?” Crystal Tone asked. The two colts could do nothing more than shrug in answer.

At this, Twilight decided to head the class and begin the tour of the library. The children filed in after her, with Cheerilee among them.

As Colt began to step forward, having to wait for the pressing bodies in front of him to move ahead, something caught his attention. He held back and glanced to the right, waiting to see if he spotted anything once again. After a few seconds, he mentally shrugged it off.

Just as he turned, he stopped as he saw the flash of green again, though this time it was further down the hall. He didn’t like the feeling he got from seeing it, so against his better judgement he walked away from the library and followed the round of the hallway.

After a few seconds of walking, he came to a staircase going to a floor above. Walking up, Colt spotted somepony walking through a set of doors. He looked around, but did not see any other flashes of light. It did not take him long to decide to go to the doors where he spotted the pony entering. As he approached he looked up and saw the writing above the double wide doorway, ‘StarSwirl the Bearded Wing’.

As he looked into the Library, his eyes went wide. There before him was a guard pony in golden armor, but a green fire like light was engulfing it and tearing away the flesh and armor, to reveal a black body, wings and a small curved horn. The creature before him moved about the shelves, seeming to look for something in particular. Occasionally it would stop, its horn would glow green, and a book, or scroll would levitate out before it as it inspected the item, and then toss it to the side.

A part of Colt suddenly remembered what this thing was, an insect like creature that could replicate the look of any other pony it desired. It stopped at another shelf and removed a thick looking book, and seemed satisfied as it opened this one and began to flip the pages.

“A changeling,” Colt whispered, louder than he intended.

The changeling stopped in its tracks and turned, spotting the loan pony. It hissed, and began to flap its wings hovering in the air. Colt began to take a step back,when the changeling spat a glob of green mucus, which stuck fast to his front hoof. Colt fell back as he attempted to dislodge himself from the green mass.

The changeling, finding its prey prone to its attack, charged in; Knocking Colt back, and pinning his legs to the ground. Despite his struggle, he could not muster the strength to fight back.

“Get off!” He screamed as he continued struggling.

The changeling lowered its head, and with a deep growl, began to charge its horn, covering Colts face in a green glow, reflected in his eyes as they stared in horror.

Colt squeezed his eyes shut, and began to scream, fueled by fear and rage. He felt something within his chest tighten, before a sensation of heat began to flow through his body. He thought it was whatever the changeling above him was doing.

Thoughts of death filled his mind, being found there by Twilight, by his friends, and more, the tears in their eyes. That look of sorrow and pain, something that he would be responsible for causing. Hot tears began to leak from his eyes, he turned his mind, trying to deny the image, but it was persistent.

The blast of green light, of a spell that should have incapacitated the foal, leaving its mind confused, began to emerge from the changelings horn. The next moment, the changeling felt a surge of power from the foal, a sickening mix of love and something more. When the sensation passed, the changeling felt as if it were drained of all it powers, as its head turned up towards the ceiling. An immense light surrounded it.

The ceiling itself, seemed to give way to the light, crumbling and tumbling outward, along with the changeling. It wanted to try and stop, its mind attempting to flap its wings to regain its balance in the air, only to find it could feel nothing more than an encroaching coldness. Its vision began to darken, even though, now, as it was outside the library it could see the sun shining.

The entire class, Twilight, and Cheerilee heard the scream of a foal before the whole room began to shudder along with a resounding explosion that left them almost deaf.

Despite the ringing in her ears, Twilight took off through the library, around the foals, and on. Dust falling from the ceiling, as well as cracks appearing right above her, told her whatever it was had been right above their heads. Her mind quickly took in the mental map she had created from years before and assessed what was directly above her.

As it dawned on her, it was the Starswirl the bearded wing, Cheerilee screamed out, calling for Colt.

Eyes wide, Twilight took off up the stairs and into a cloud of smoke as she reached the top. Coughing, Twilight lowered her body and called out, hoping to hear from Colt, or anypony for that matter.

“Here! Somepony, help!” Came the call of a deep voice. Twilight began to make her way to the voice, before she lit her horn and began working to try and summon enough wind through the hallway to blow the smoke away and out the windows. It worked only enough to clear some of the smoke before her, revealing a guard in golden armor dragging a familiar body of a white colt with a red mane and tail.

Despite being choked by smoke, as it began to layer out over her once more, and her concern for Colt, Twilight rushed forward.

“Princess, I found this one laying down on the floor just inside the wing. There is debris everywhere, and I also found one of his hooves stuck in green ichor. I think it was a changeling, that did this.”

Twilight used a spell to check and ensure the foal before her was still the genuine article. She wanted to breath a sigh of relief when it turned out to be him, but she still had to work to get the smoke cleared.

With help from the Guard, they were able to finally clear the smoke, to find the room littered with rubble, and a giant hole in the library. From outside, snow began to enter along with a ice cold breeze.

Twilight placed a temporary bubble shield over the hole to keep the winter weather out. She needed to fix the hole and then ensure Colt was taken to the hospital.

“Twilight? What is going on?” Came the voice of one pony Twilight did not want to hear just yet.

“P-princess Celestia, what are you doing here?”

“I was out on a catwalk leaving the library when there was an explosion overhead, and then this landed at my feet,” She explained before a golden aura surrounding the head of a changeling came into view.

Twilight turned to look at the unicorn guard, seeing him and his armor covered in small spots of white powder from the cloud that had previously filled the room, “Well, looks like you were right about it being a changeling.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, before looking down at the unconscious form of Colt.

“Odd, this is the second explosion in the same room as your adopted son, Twilight. With a changeling this time.”

“What? No, you can’t possibly be thinking of accusing him of anything to do with this, are you?” Twilight was beginning to feel crushed under the chaos that seemed to be surrounding her.

“No, merely making an observation.”

Both Celestia and Twilight worked to repair the hole in the ceiling, before moving to look after Colt, who was just coming around as they began to move him to a private room in the Castle.

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be, you left the group, and went to a part of the library that very few ponies have permission to enter. What on Equestria were you doing there?” Twilight demanded.

Hearing how angry Twilight was, Colt turned his head and with a sniffle, explained his reason.

“I saw a green flash of light, when I went to look I saw the changeling. It heard me, then attacked, I don’t know what happened after that until I woke up with you over me.”

“If you saw something like that, you should have told somepony. Namely me, I was your chaperone, along with Ms. Cheerilee,” It was then that Twilight got right up to Colts face and squinted her eyes. “How often are you going to wind up in the hospital, or unconscious and have me worry for you?”

Colt would have thought she was furious with him, had she not made a funny face at the same time she was reprimanding him.

Mother and son looked as one to the door as it opened and a dark blue mare, with flowing mane and tail, sparkling like stars caught in the night entered.

“Good day, Twilight, are you staying warm?” Luna asked as she greeted Twilight.

“Good day to you, Luna. I have, where it counts.”

Luna offered a smile, before turning her attention to her sister on the other side of the bed, Colt was laying in.

“It is okay, sister, I shall endeavor to watch over him for the night.” Celestia nodded before excusing herself and leaving.