Darkness' Light

~The Next Day~

I once again find myself waking up to somepony shaking me from my slumber, and judging by the feel of them it's Brick and Dazzling so I groggily sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before I look down at the two smiling foals who are staring up at me. "Hey you two, what's up?" I ask them, just noticing that it was in fact morning.

"It's time for breakfast Uncle Dark and we're huuuuungry" Dazzling whined with Brick nodding his head in agreement as they both hop out of the bed before the two of them grabbed my hands, trying their hardest to drag me out of bed. I give a chuckle at their attempt before getting up myself.

"Alright you two, let me use the bathroom first then we'll head out to get some food." I tell them as I', already walking towards the door. Once I get inside I do my business before washing my hands, stopping when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, more specifically the red mark on my cheek, the same that Luna punched yesterday. I let out a sigh at having remembered the situation I was currently in as well as remembering Celestia's order. I walk back into the room with a more somber mood as I look towards the little foals eagerly waiting for me which makes me sigh again. I walk over to them and kneel down to their level, "Sorry you two but you're going to have to go on without me, Princess Celestia doesn't want me leaving my room until she says so." I tell them which instantly makes both of their moods drop as they hang their heads down and look down towards the floor. I sigh for the third time this morning as I bring them into a gentle embrace. "Sorry guys, as much as I want to go with you I have to stay here but everypony else will be there so why don't go on and fill those little bellies, you have to grow into a big, strong stallion, and beautiful mare." I say to them with a smile as a poke their stomachs getting both to giggle a little as they nod to me. Getting up from my kneeling position to move towards and knock on the door before cracking it open. "Hey, can one of you takes these two to the dining room or go find their aunt Cheerilee?"

It takes a few seconds before I was a response from one of them, "Step away form the door!" I hear one of them shout, which I do before the door opens fully and one of the guards step through. He looks at me before looking over the rest of the room until his eyes finally went down towards the floor and spotting the two, scaring them as his intense glare is directed at them, making them hide behind me which makes me produce one of my blades and having placed at the guard's throat before he had time to even blink.

"You want to keep your job and your live I suggest you drop the attitude and do as I asked and help these two get something to eat." I threatened him as the other guard came into the room as saw his comrade shaking like a leaf. He opens his mouth to say something but a quick glare from me makes him shut it real quick.

"O-ok-kay little ones, f-f-foll-l-low me, we're gonna g-go find y-y-y-your aunt." Stuttered the guard that first came in as he tried to usher the two foals towards him though they didn't want to leave from their spot behind me.

I turn around and put a hand on both of their heads as I kneel down to their level with a smile back on my muzzle. "Go ahead you two, you'll be alright and if he tries anything just shout and I'll be there faster than you can blink." I said, trying to reassure them. They look at each other before looking back at me, smiling sad smiles before they lunge at me, wrapping their little arms around my neck as they both hug me. I blink in surprise before returning the hug, nuzzling them both before we separated and they ran off with the guard following close behind, though not before shutting and locking the door, which got an eye roll from me as they seem to think that that will actually keep me from getting out.

Moving back over to the bed, I plant my flank down on the soft material, thinking about what am going to do next with everypony now royally pissed out me besides Diamond and Cheerilee, though she's really only to a lesser extent as I could still feel it even as we were talking making plans for a date in the future. Fuck even Hyperion's anger returned after we got back though I have a feeling that was mainly because of everything else everypony else was saying, things, it seemed, that she hadn't even thought at the time. Sitting there thinking for a bit I just sigh, again, and turn to look out the window, trying to figure out what would my parents have to say at the moment, I could imagine that their reactions wouldn't be much different from the rest but maybe this wouldn't have happened if they were still around, if I was able to grow up with them like only normal foal until I became a full grown stallion, if I had grown up with the sisters that I never got the chance to meet, if Tender Heart was around to give me another one of her lectures.

It was then that I noticed something wet sliding down my cheeks and realize that I was crying before putting my head in my hands again, letting the tears flow as once again thought about everything that I had lost, namely the family that I had lost. Damn it, why did things have to happen like this, I don't regret being here to safe Brick, Dazzling, and Diamond but why couldn't I have had my family there with me, why did I have to lose them because of other's fears? I know my parents were just as afraid but I know they never stopped loving me, and the same could be said for Celestia and Luna, even I did originally blame them, no, the my main problem was that slut Nightmare, of she had never showed up then I would have had the chance to see them again before they passed, maybe even helped them to live longer lives too if I had gained the power back then. I know I wouldn't be feeling this way if I didn't- I was taken away from my thoughts when I heard the door to my room open was again, quickly wiping away my tears and any other sign that I was crying, don't want, or need anypony feeling sorry for me after all.

"So what is this I hear about you threatening the guards that were standing outside of your room?" Came Luna's angry voice as I had went back to looking out of the window.

"One of them was scaring Brick and Dazzling so I put a stop to it, nothing more, nothing less" I told her as I turned to look at her, now seeing her angry visage directed at me. It hurt greatly to see her still so angry with me but I can't exactly blame her or the other's for how they feel about me right now.

"I see, well either way I'm here to fetch you for breakfast so get up and follow me if you're ready." Luna said, sounding only slightly annoyed as I nodded, got up, and started following her out the door and into the halls. It doesn't take long to get there though it was very tense as neither said anything to the other, me not wanting to get my head chewed off and Luna for obvious reasons. As we got closer I could hear the happy chatter of everypony else, telling me that they all stayed. The doors were opened for us and Luna walked in, happily being greeted by everypony while I got their silent glares when I stepped into their sights. I watch as Luna takes her spot next to her sister before making my way to the other end of the table where nopony was sitting as I'm sure none of them really want to be anywhere near me right now.

Silent pertains throughout the room for a few more minutes after I sit down and then they start talking happily to each other, most likely acting as though I'm not there. I find interest in the silverware and cloth napkins in front of me, tracing indistinguishable patterns in the napkins with a fork. I'm not sure how long I was doing this but stopped once one of the castle cooks put down a bowl of cereal in front of me. I blink a couple times before looking towards the others and notice their own meals consisting of haycakes, eggs, juice, and toast with jelly.

I'm not all that surprised by this, I'm actually more surprised that they have any sort of assortment of cereal more than anything. I thought to myself as I started eating, which was done soon after considering they didn't give me a big serving which now that I thought about it, I'm starving. Holy shit am I hungry, must have spent a lot more energy from that flight than I thought. I thought about asking for some more but I very much doubt that I would granted that request so I just sat there in silence as everypony else ate their own meals, or at least that was the plan before my stomach released a loud growl. Ignoring it, I continued to sit there and wait for them to be done though it seems my stomach decided to be just as much of an asshole as I am and growl even louder, this time I'm sure they all heard but still play it off as if it's nothing but it doesn't really seem to work as I hear the tell tale sign of a chair being pushed back and feels my ears instinctively press themselves against the top of my head. Playing off the best I could I just sat there as hoovesteps grew louder as whoever got out of their seat was making their way towards me.

"We my be angry with you but that doesn't mean we would let you starve Dark Heart, though I guess it is somewhat our fault for giving you such a meager meal. We all almost forgot about the fact that you must have used up a lot of energy with the stunt you pulled." Luna said as she pulled up the seat beside me and sat down with her own plate as she waved to the maids that were on standby. I looked at her as she started eating, opening my mouth a few times to try and say something but nothing came out as I didn't know what to say to her and so decided to sit there in silence as I waited for my real meal, which didn't take long as it came out not a few minute afterwards, in a much bigger portion than their's. I sat there wide-eyed at the portion given to me, though that didn't last long as my stomach had again made it's emptiness known which had made Luna giggle a bit, "You may want to eat before your stomach decides to pop out of you and do it for you." I gave a sheepish nod before grabbing my utensils and dig in though soon stop as I notice that something had grabbed my tail. I look towards my tail and see that Luna's ethereal one had intertwined with mine and makes me look at Luna again but she is in the midst of once again eating herself. I go back to eating as well but with a small smile this time around.

~One hour later in the Throne Room~

We all gathered in the Throne room with me once again standing in front of everypony I know, most of them still looking rather pissed but it's definitely not as intense as it was before so I guess that's an improvement in this situation already.

"Now that we're all rested and fed we can continue with the issue at hand." Celestia announced as she and Luna sat on their thrones with a seat pulled up for everypony, except for me though one look at Luna told me the real reason why as I shake my head before conjuring up my own seat. "So Dark Heart, we realized that interrogating you so soon after dealing with everything that you did in the past few days as well as our reactions hadn't helped you in the slightest and instead provoked the reaction that it did so I wanted to start this all off with hearing what you have to say before anything else." She says though I'm not so sure if it's true with the way I'm being looked at but then again I don't feel the anger, disappointment, or anything else in that regards to that, but I can't say the same for the other emotions such as sadness, fear, and minute amounts of regret.

I sit there for a minute or two looking at everypony and run a hand through my mane before looking at them again. "I guess I should first start off with saying sorry everypony. I'm not gonna take back anything I said but I definitely didn't mean to sound as harsh as I did. I care for every single one of you and I will do whatever I can to protect you all and most of time that tends to supersede my own well-being and as I'm sure you already know, or at least you should, I know that none of you are angry with me, not anymore at least but either way I'm not gonna say it wasn't unwarranted," I grasp the H.O.L. in my right hand as my mind goes back to what I was thinking about this morning before Luna came and got me. "I know I've been living here for a few months now and am trying to adapt as much as I can having grown up with only Nova and Shadow as company to help guide me. Of course it also doesn't help that I was never much of an outgoing pony in the first place." I laugh at the last part, earning some from the others as well. We let the humor wash over us to let the mood lighten a bit though not much as when they stopped they were offering me sad smiles and eyes full of sadness and I guess why but choose not to comment on it as I continued on. "I know thing would have been much different if I had my parents with me and we wouldn't be here now because they would have set me straight, and I don't think I need to make mention of Tender Heart do I Celestia and Luna?" I asked with smirk which they replied with rapid shakes of their head which got another chuckle from me. "And I'm not sure what my sisters would have done but I can only imagine that they wouldn't have been too happy with me either. There are also a lot of other things that has happened that I didn't think would have, like me having any friends or even finding love and yet here I am, sitting in front of all of you, some of I can call my friends, others family, and the rest lovers and I don't want to lose that so I'm sorry for making the lot of you worry because of my own stupidity." With that marked the end of my long-winded apology, and monologue?

"I've got the say Dark Heart, that was actually nicely done and I accept your apology" Came Nova's response and I had the resist the urge to roll my eyes as it seemed that she was giving me the silent treatment the whole time.

"Fucking finally, this damn goody two-shoes would let me say shit until you offered some kind of apology!" And there's Shadow, I think enough has already been said.

I was brought back to the rest of the world when I felt a hand lay over my own and saw the blue hand of my first love when I refocused in on everything before following the arm of said love till I came muzzle to muzzle with her smiling visage which caused a small one of my own to appear. "I'm still a bit mad at you," She starts of before leaning forward and giving me a kiss on the cheek as her hand tighten it's grip on my own. "But I know that you meant every word of what you said and I believe you've just lost yourself a bit with everything that's been happening since you've gotten back which is the real reason we want you to take a break for a bit and I mean an actual break, meaning no training, researching, scouting, or anything else of the sort. Just some rest and relaxation as well as actually spending time with your marefriends that have been feeling a bit neglected lately." She ordered, though the last part was said with a pout. I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my lap as I nuzzle her with all the love I have to give her.

"Sorry I made you feel that way Luna. It was never my intention and I promise to make it up to you as well Hyperion, Diamond, and Cheerilee." That last one got a surprised look from her as she and everypony else turn towards the now blushing mare. Oops

"When did you confess?" Twilight asked the flustered mare.

"I um, I confessed last night after Brick and Dazzling had another nightmare and said they wanted to go sleep with Dark Heart. I told him how I felt after they fell asleep and we're planning to try to get used to being in a relationship with a few outing between the four of us since Brick and Dazzling have started calling us their mommy and daddy." Cheerilee explained as she hugged the two foals who hugged her back as we all looked on with smiles at the scene. At least I was before Luna got up and got me out of my chair before gently shoving me towards them. I take a brief glance at back over to her before walking over and joining them as I wrapped my arms around them, which was soon followed by my new wings. This got gasps from everypony besides Hyperion and Diamond who had already seen them. I poke my head up and looked at their awed and shocked expressions before landing my eyes on Luna, "I have no clue how I grow them all I know is that once again my dark magic saved my flank when I needed it the most."

"So fascinating, would you be willing to let me do some test?" I heard Twilight asked before feeling her run her hands on my new appendages which caused shivers to run through my body. This seemed to be the queue everypony else to do the same as more hands were felt running all over my wings and was powerless to do anything as it seemed my mind couldn't concentrate on anything but the new sensation running through me, one that was starting to turn pleasurable. Once I felt a certain of my anatomy start responding to their touch, I snap out of the trance that I had been in and quickly transformed back to my normal form and made my wings to disappear.

"Hey, why'd you do that?" Pinkie whined.

I stood there panting a bit with everypony now looking at me with concern since I hadn't answered right away. Cheerilee, still being in front of me, looked me over with worry before her eyes landed on the bulge showing in the front of my pants which caused her to blush as she covered Brick and Dazzling's eyes and guided them behind me and out of view. "I think it's safe to say that touching his wings is ill advised in the presence of foals." Cheerilee stated as Luna took her place. She looked down below and smirked at spotting what was causing me issues.

"Hmmm, ill advised indeed in any situation but the most private of settings." Luna said in a sultry tone which caused more blushes to bloom amongst them as they all quickly caught the meaning. A round of apologies were muttered but I waved them off as I got myself under control before bopping Luna on the head as her hand is slowly making it's way toward my crotch. She pouts as she rubs her head while grumbling something inaudible as I turn around towards the others.

"Ahem, well now that that is out of the way I have to ask, what are we gonna do now?" The blushes go away as I turn the conversation back to what we were previously discussing which causes Celestia to sigh.

"For now, nothing but keep an eye out and see if what Cheerilee suspects is true as well as keep looking for anything relating to the Desolate Fields though I wouldn't get your hopes up, any information related to that region is scarce to us seeing as the windigoes destroyed it all shorty after the pony tribes united, unless you happen to know anything Diamond Sky." She shook her head at that which caused me to was to be expected considering how she was raised and treated.

We all stood there in an awkward and tense silence before Rarity perked up and addressed Celestia and Luna, "Oh, your majesty, wasn't there something else you needed to discuss with Dark Heart before we found out about his recklessness?" This seemed to make them all perk up as I stared at them with confusion, looking towards Hyperion and Diamond who shrugged their shoulders.

"You know it's rather rude to keep a lady waiting Dark Heart but considering the circumstances I can forgive you." I hear a very familiar voice chided me playfully as I turn towards one of the stained glass windows that depicted the girls defeating Discord and spotted the source who was waving towards me. The source was a mare, a changeling mare and a familiar one at that, from before I was sealed to be more precise. Said mare fluttered down until she landed a few feet away from me and letting us see her in all her glory. She was as tall as Luna and just as curvy, she was wearing a dark blue longed-sleeved top that stopped just below her midsection and show off the band that all changelings are known for, her's being colored a golden yellow. She had a black, steel chest plate over it which helped show off her breasts. Tight, form fitting pants the same color as her top covered her legs and showed off her plump butt, with more of the black, steel armor covering the lower part of her legs from her knees to the upper part of her shoes and a front-open long skirt that went down to just above her ankles completed the entire outfit. All in all she looked like a warrior princess, a beautiful yet fierce one at that.

"Um, excuse us, but who are you?" Hyperion asked with her claws already poised to strike, at least they were until I grabbed it which made her look towards me with a questioning look. I nodded at her with a smile which made her relax and stand down before she gave my hand a light squeeze and letting go. Once our hands were separated I look back towards the unexpected, though very familiar arrival.

"Queen Flare, nice to see you again after a millennium of imprisonment, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" I asked, really laying in the formal tones in my voice with a smirk on the entire time as I take a bow. I wasn't in the position for very long though as I bashed over the head by an annoyed changeling queen.

"Don't think I won't beat you into the ground you jerk, I may have missed you a ton during to entire time you were trapped but I was hoping for something a bit more serious when you saw me." She said with huff before turning her back to me. I let out a small chuckle as I picked myself up of the floor and dusted myself off before moving in closer and putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, I just thought I try and keep things a bit on the lighter side Flare, hope you can forgive me." I apologized sincerely as she turned back around and threw her arms around me and I did the same.

"It's alright Dark Heart, I know you didn't mean anything mean by it, just next give a mare a hug or something before spewing your terrible attempts at a joke out of that muzzle of yours." She said as she buried herself in my embrace with her eyes closed as I smiled softly at her.

"Haha, duly noted, so how did you find out I was finally out anyway?" I asked her.

"The same way Spirit knew of course though it was a pain trying to track you down since you like bouncing all over the place, and you wondered why I asked you to come visit me instead of me going to you," She said as she pulled back away from me enough to poke her fingers into my chest. "And I have a feeling that's it's going to be worst now that you have wings."

"Ahem" Interrupted my response and made my look towards the source, which was an irritated Luna with an amused Celestia next to her. "Do you mind introducing us Dark Heart?" She phased it as a question but we all knew it was a demand.

"Oh yeah sure, sorry about that Luna," I said completely unphased by her tone as I let go of Flare and moved over to Luna, slinging my arms around her as I held her close to my side. "This is Changeling Queen Flare, she rules over a hive that is a few miles south of that little settler town known as Appleloosa. She's a friend of mine from way back before I was sealed away."

"And how did that happen?" Celestia asked curiously.

"He saved us from that disciple dragon when he tried to torch my entire hive, would have succeed too if it wasn't for Dark Heart. He's been an honorary member of my hive since then as well as a very dear friend." Flare answered in my stead. "Though what I want to know is why you didn't to bother to come visit me after you got settled in?"

"Sorry about that Flare, I've been meaning to check up on you for a while now but I've been a bit busy."

"Busy with what exactly mister?"

"Making plans to rescue Diamond here from her abusive father and carrying out said plan and I just got back yesterday." It was a weak excuse I know and I'm fully expecting to get hit or blasted for it.

"So in other words you forgot." She said with a deadpan expression before sighing as she rubbed the area between her eyes. "Like I said already, I will forgive you this time because of the circumstances of everything that has happened but next time I won't be so lenient, is that clear mister?" She asked with a heated glare which made me gulp and nod which made her perk up with one of her beautiful smile replacing the deep frown that had been there not even a second before earlier. "Good, now what do you say to introducing me to everyone?" She asked rather excitedly.

"Oh yeah, sure," I let go of Luna and go stand beside Flare and facing everyone as I start off with Luna and Celestia who are standing on the far left. "Well I'm sure you know Princess Luna and Princess Celestia-" I start off before being cut off.

"I do, we were getting acquainted while you were on your rescue mission." She said as the three of them started giggling which made me raise an eyebrow at them.

"Anyway, the two next to them are Hyperion and Diamond, a dragoness and windigoe princess." Gesturing towards my other two herdmates.

"Nice to know that our Dark Heart loves variety." Hyperion said which made my eyes start twitching and making the others snicker.

"Hello there Queen Flare, it's an honor to meet you." Diamond said while still giggling herself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both, and I do agree with you beautiful, it's glad to see that Dark Heart loves variety, I wonder if it's the same in the bedroom?" Flare said sultry as she and Hyperion glanced over at me while my other herdmates, or potential herdmates, to blush while my eye twitch increased in strength. Deciding on being an ass was in my best interest, I extend my wings before swatting the both of them over the head and shutting them up as they pout at me.

"Now that you two have control over yourselves I can get on with introductions." I said before directing Flare's gaze towards the others. She seemed to get along well with everyone as I showed her each and every one of my current friends and family that was here. They all told her about themselves and shared a few stories as we all chatted about and having a good time, at least they were. Me on the other hand was still on the fence about how they were acting towards me. I know we had made peace of the situation but I can't help but have a nagging feeling in the back of my head that they don't exactly trust me, at least not as much as they used to.