The Dark Pony: Origin

Ashen, headed toward the town’s restaurant as the evening sun begin to cast its final rays. He saw Midnight sitting at an outdoor table as he approached. She sat at her table and eagerly tapped her hoof as she waited for him and Scion.

Ashen smiled as he walked up to her “Hey, Night, am I late?”

Midnight quickly looked up “Hey Ashen, no you’re not late, I'm just early.”

“Have you ordered yet?” asked Ashen.

Midnight shook her head “No, not yet. I wanted to wait for everypony to get here first.” Her front hooves quickly reached for her stomach as it rumbled.

Ashen looked at her with a grin “I don’t think you can wait much longer.”

Midnight looked away “I-I'm fine but what about you, are you feeling alright?”

Ashen’s yawn broke his laugh “Yeah I'm ok, just a little tired, nothing a good night's sleep won’t fix.”

Midnight showed a small smile “Glad to hear it but you shouldn’t push yourself so hard.”

Ashen flashed his smile “I didn’t know you cared.” He lowered his head with a sigh “Sorry, I’ll try to be more careful next time.”

Midnight showed a frown to match Ashen’s “I'm the one who should be apologizing.”

Ashen quickly spoke up “What are you apologizing for?”

Midnight’s eyes drifted down as she answered “For the fight.”

Ashen chuckled “Oh, come on, Night you have nothing to apologize for, you fought great.”

Midnight let out a small sigh “It’s not that.”

Ashen’s smile faded, replaced by a calm stare “It’s what happened before the fight, when you took off, right?”

Midnight’s body tensed up “Yes, if you hadn’t stopped me…”

Ashen quickly interrupted her “You already apologized for that, you obviously had something on your mind keeping you from thinking clearly, it's no big deal.”

Midnight snapped back at him with a yell “Yes it is! If…If you weren’t there I-.”

Ashen interrupted her again “Night, really it's.”

Midnight’s body tensed tighter, she gritted her teeth then shouted “Ashen please!” She took a breath as she glanced around the empty café. She looked back to Ashen with sad eyes before she closed them tightly “Please, just-just let me say this.”

When he saw the look on Midnight’s face, Ashen sat in silence and answered her with only a nod of his head.

Midnight took a slow breath “Thank you, Ashen. I was rash and careless today, I rushed unprepared into a dangerous situation, dragging you and Scion with me. I knew we might have to fight and yet I did not stop to get my wing blades. I was completely unprepared and acted without thinking and for that, I am sorry. It won’t happen again, I swear it to you.” Ashen started to say something but Midnight raised her hoof to stop him “And” she added, “If you weren't there to stop me from rushing into the forest…or that ambush, I might not be here now.”

Midnight looked up at Ashen, her strong eyes now showed a hint of tears “So, Ashen, I want to thank you for what you did today, truly.”

Once Ashen saw that she was finished, he spoke up in a calm, kind tone “Midnight, you are very welcome and even though I feel there is no need for your apology, I will gladly accept it.”

Midnight sighed “Thank you, Ashen.” She stood up from the table “I'm sorry but…I think I'm going to go.”

Ashen ran up to her “Whoa, wait a second. Where are you going? ”

Midnight slowly walked past him “I'm sorry Ashen. I'm…just going to go home.”

Ashen stood in front of her “Hold on, you got here early and waited for us and now you’re just going to go home, even before Scion gets here.”

Midnight started to walk around him “I'm sorry, I'm not hungry. I just want to go to bed.”

Ashen took a step back and blocked her way again “Your stomach has been growling all day and you yourself said that you missed breakfast and lunch. So tell me have you eaten anything at all today?”

Midnight looked away “Umm…well.”

Ashen sighed, he stood tall and looked straight into Midnight’s eyes “Midnight, what you did today was reckless. You charged into an unknown situation completely unprepared and you were wrong to do so.”

Midnight took a step back, surprised by Ashen’s serious tone.

Ashen took a step towards her “Is that what you want to hear Midnight, do you want to be reprimanded?” He shook his head as his smile returned “If so, then that’s too bad, because you don’t deserve it. You just made a simple mistake and everything turned out well in the end. You’re not a child that should be sent to bed without dinner, so quit trying to punish yourself.”

Midnight’s eyes opened wide as she let out a quick breath.

Ashen walked past her and stopped halfway to their table “Come on, Night, let me thank you for your help today. Stay for the first course.” He smiled with a small laugh “Humor me.”

Midnight hesitantly turned around and walked back to the table.

After they sat down, Ashen tried to lighten the mood with small talk “So uh, I had fun today, I mean I got to see you fight, which was very impressive by the way. I learned that Scion’s got some skills and.” He flashed his smile with a wink “I got to show off a bit myself.”

Midnight ignored him altogether.

Ashen’s smile slowly faded as he hung his head “I'm…I’m sorry, Night.”

Midnight looked up at him “Why are you apologizing?”

Ashen slowly ran his hoof through his mane “Well, I have realized, since we met I have said some things that might have been inappropriate and I…I just want to say, I'm sorry.”

Midnight looked away “Is that all? I don’t care about that.”

Ashen saw she is still quite upset and thought for a moment before a smile grew upon his face “In that case, mind if I say something now?”

Midnight sighed “Go right ahead.”

Ashen walked up to her, as his grin grew wider. He stopped just in front of her and winked “You know, Night, you’re cute when you’re sad.”

Midnight quickly turned away.

Ashen leaned in front of her and looked her in the eyes “But you know what, you’re beautiful when you smile.”

Midnight turned away again.

Ashen moved back in front of her with a big grin “Come on, show me a smile.”

Midnight growled as she turns away.

Ashen jumped in front of her “Just a little one.”

Midnight yelled at him with a growl “Stop it, Ashen!”

Ashen tilted his head “Come on now, I’ll beg if I have to.”

Midnight crossed her fore legs and adverted her gaze “I-I'm warning you, Ashen. Don’t…don’t make me hurt you.”

Ashen stared at Midnight “Alright you asked for it.” He dropped to the ground, put his front hooves together and looked up at Midnight “I'm begging now, Night…please.”

Midnight’s eyes widened as she stared down at him “A-Ashen! W-what are you doing down there? Get up before somepony sees you.”

Ashen stretched his hooves out to Midnight and pouted his lip. He stared up at her with big puppy dog eyes “Pwetty Pwease wit whipped cweam on top.”

Midnight’s face slowly turned to a delightful shade of red “A-Ashen stop that!, You’re…you’re acting like a child.” Midnight covered her mouth and turned away.

Ashen quickly moved in front of her and dropped into the same pose “Pweeeese!”

Midnight tried to hold it back, but a small snicker escaped her lips followed by a giggle. A small smile came with her giggle, much to, Ashen’s delight.

Midnight brushed her mane from her face “Ashen…you’re a child” Her smile slowly widened “But thank you.”

Ashen stood and showed a gentle smile “Anytime Night” He looked deep into her turquoise eyes “You know, you really are beautiful when you smile.”

Midnight blushed and looked away, after a moment she looked back and started to say something but her growling stomach interrupted her.

Ashen grinned “See, I knew you were hungry.”

Midnight held her stomach “More like starving. If Scion doesn’t get here soon I'm ordering without him.”

A voice called out from behind “Talking about me?” Scion walked up and showed a playful smile “You do know it is rude to talk about somepony behind their back.”

“Sorry” said Midnight “But you took so long.”

Scion took his seat “My apologies, removing the stench of those beasts out of my coat and mane was very time consuming.”

Ashen glanced at Midnight then turned to Scion “Well I'm glad you here, Scion, now we can eat before poor, Night starves to death.”

Midnight scoffed at Ashen “I'm not going to starve. With my training, I could go a week without so much as a scrap of food easily.” Her stomach growled again.

Scion flashed a grin at her “I do believe your stomach is telling a different story.”

Midnight quickly looked away “Oh, who asked you?”

Both stallions began to laugh as Midnight crosses her hooves with a “Humph!”

Scion managed to compose himself “I am sorry, Midnight but you know you did not have to wait for me.”

Midnight turned back “I know, but we fought together, we should eat together.”

Scion smiled “How very thoughtful and I must say, there is nothing better than sharing a meal with friends, especially when you get to eat for free.”

Midnight stared at Ashen with a grin “That’s right, Ashen’s paying. A fair warning, Ashen, I'm not going to hold back tonight.”

Ashen chuckled “Not holding back huh? That’s fine, I brought enough bits to pay for a feast so order anything you want. The two of you deserve it.”

Scion laughed “I have a feeling you will regret saying that Ashen.”

Midnight showed a playful grin “Oh, he will.”

Ashen shrugged “You know, I don’t think I will. As long as you’re both happy, I don’t care if it costs me a hundred bits.”

“My, my” Scion said teasingly “Aren't we feeling generous tonight.”

Ashen smiled at him “What can I say, guess I'm just in a good mood. Are you two ready to order?”

Midnight and Scion nodded. Ashen raised his hoof and called for the waiter. Ashen and Scion ordered their meals and Midnight ordered enough for three ponies.

Ashen laughed “I guess you weren't kidding about not holding back.”

Midnight returned his smile “Just wait till dessert.”

“Dessert!?” scoffed Scion “Do you truly think you can even finish your first course?”

Midnight raised her head proudly “Of course I can. Never underestimate the appetite of a pegasi warrior.”

Scion chuckled “Duly noted.” He turned to Ashen “Ashen, while we are waiting, would you mind explaining what happened today?”

Ashen sighed “I could but it's a very long story and it's only a theory, are you sure you want to hear it?”

Scion nodded “Of course I do. After what we witnessed today I for one would like an explanation, even if it is only a theory”

Ashen nodded then took a breath “Alright then. First off, I should say that this is a friend’s theory, not mine. Although I did help with research, she is the one who dedicated her life to understanding magic.”

“Who is she?” asked Midnight.

“Her name was, Everswirl.” answered Ashen.

Scion gasped when he heard the name “Everswirl!? You cannot mean Everswirl the Enchanted!?”

Ashen chuckled “The one and only. She and I have been friends for as long as I can remember. She taught me everything I know, including the purification spell.”

Scion put his hoof to his chin “Incredible, to think a legend like her tutored you.”

Ashen glanced at Scion with a grin “Legend is putting it lightly, nopony alive knows more about magic than she did and the Chaos Theory is her life’s work. That’s why I believe it's true, even though there’s no real proof.”

Midnight sat up straight and stared intently “Now I want to hear it even more.”

Ashen nodded “Ok then, here goes. If the theory is right than magic exists all throughout our world, though invisible to us, it flows through everything, coursing through the ground, streaming through the air, and running through the veins of every living thing, from the grandest of dragons to the smallest blade of grass. Magic also flows through everypony, no matter if they are unicorn, earth pony or pegasus.”

Midnight spoke up “Wait a second, I can’t use any magic.”

Ashen grinned at her “I believe you can, you use it every day, you just don’t realize it.”

“How?” asked Midnight.

“You fly.” answered Ashen.

Midnight chuckled “I fly by using my wings and they're not magic.”

Ashen closed his eyes, taking a slow breath. A calm air surrounds him before he opens his eyes again “I believe they are. A pegasi’s wings are quite small when compared to their body size. Other flying things such as birds or insects have wings that are much larger, sometimes making up half or more of their overall body mass. Your wings, as large and lovely as they are, make up about a fourth of your body size. They simple cannot generate enough force alone for you to fly and I've even seen pegasi with wings one tenth or even less of their body size fly. There’s no way that their wings alone could even get them off the ground.”

Midnight stared at him skeptically “So you believe, that the only reason I can fly is because of some sort of magic? Then why do I have to flap my wings to fly?”

Ashen nodded “Good question. I believe your wings are a conduit that channels the magic within you, allowing you to use that magic to affect the world around you, just like a unicorn’s horn.  When you flap your wings, you activate your magic, just like when a unicorn focuses on a spell. Now I'm not entirely sure what your magic does exactly, but I believe it has an effect similar to an anti-gravity spell.”

Midnight grinned “If that's the case, then how come I can fly further and faster as I train and strengthen my wings?”

Ashen grinned right back “Another excellent question. One possibility is that pegasi with larger and stronger wings can more easily channel their magic, while another is that the magic is just part of the equation giving you the lift you need while the trust is provided by your wings.”

Scion opened his eyes and lifted his chin from his hoof “You have certainly put a lot of thought into this, Ashen and you do make some valid points.”

Midnight sighed “Yeah, I guess.” She looked up and gave, Ashen a stare “But I'm still not sure if I believe it or not.”

Ashen shrugged “That’s fine but don’t forget pegasi can walk on and move clouds too. No other ponies can do that, at least without a magic spell.”

Midnight smiled “Ok, let’s say you’re right. If all ponies have magic, then how does it affect earth ponies?”

Scion gave, Ashen a questioning stare “Yes, Ashen, how do earth ponies fit into your theory?”

Ashen closed his eyes and took another calm breath “Earth pony magic is more subtle than the others but I believe they still have it. An earth pony seems to have more strength and stamina than any other type of pony. On average, they can work for longer without getting tired and are able to move heavier objects easier with less strain on their bodies. They are also physically tougher and seem to heal quicker than most, I believe that their magic is the reason why.”

Scion glared at Ashen with a small grin “So, we earth ponies are only good for work horses then. Is that what you are saying Ashen?”

Ashen’s eyes opened wide “No, no, no! That is not what I'm saying. All I'm saying is that pound for pound earth ponies are stronger and have more stamina than any other race, not only that but they seem to have some kind of connection with the land. Their plants always seem to germinate faster and grow stronger than any other.”

Scion tilted his head slightly “Hmm…that is true. My plants always grow well with very little effort on my part. Does your theory explain that?”

Ashen smiled “Well I believe, your hooves act as a conduit, passing your magic into the seed making it healthier and stronger, therefore allowing it to grow faster and produce more. I need to do some more research on earth ponies though; they also seem to make better chefs and inventors for some reason. Maybe it's just a stereotype or maybe it's because of their magic, I'm not really sure.”

Scion nodded “I will agree when it comes to the plants but as for earth ponies being better inventors and chefs that is most likely a stereotype; however Claymore does have an abundance of brilliant inventors as well as some of the world’s best chefs.” He laughed to himself “Perhaps we earth ponies pour a little of our magic into the food we make.” He grinned at Midnight “Just think, Midnight your meal may be flavored with earth pony essence.”

Midnight giggled “Oh come on, Scion, that sounds gross.”

Ashen’s eyes widened “Although, he might be onto something there. Think about it, as they touch the food, magic flows from their hooves. The magic enters the food enhancing its natural flavor and the-.”

Midnight quickly spoke up “Can we change the subject? I don’t want to think about earth pony essence being in my food.”

Scion pointed to the approaching waiter “Speaking of food.”

Midnight's eyes lit up “Finally, I'm starving.”

The young waiter delivered their meals. Scion took a sip of his tea “Well, as interesting as our conversation has been, you still have told us nothing about the monsters yet.”

Ashen ran his hoof through his mane “Sorry, I guess we got a bit distracted.” He slurped up some of his noodles and his eyes widened “Oh, wow, this stuff is really good!”

Scion rolled his eyes and sighed “Ashen, please do not talk with your mouth full.”

Ashen swallowed then took a sip of wine “Sorry about that, but this is the best pasta I've ever had. How’s yours, Night?”

Midnight looked up from her spaghetti with a “Hmm.”

When Ashen saw her mouth covered with tomato sauce he couldn’t help but to laugh “Never mind, I can see the answer on your face.”

Scion interrupted Midnight’s growl with a stern shout “Ashen! The monsters!”

Ashen ducked down “Sorry, sorry!” He took a sip of wine And muttered to himself “Ok, so magic flows through everything got that. We covered earth pony and pegasi magic. We all know about the recently discovered harmony magic. Alright then all that’s left is the fifth type of magic and purification.”

Ashen closed his eyes and took a deep breath “Everswirl and I spent a lot of time studying monsters. We even went inside the Everfree Forest a few times; sometimes we stayed in there for days.”

Scion spoke before he could think “Were the two of you insane? That is no different than sleeping in a dragons den.”

Ashen laughed “I might have been.” He sighed as his cheer melted away “However, she was more like…obsessed. She wanted to know everything about monsters, what their made of, what they do and most importantly, where they come from. After all monsters are not like normal animals at all, the way they look, the way they act, the way they hunt and kill, the way they devour their dead and the way their bodies dissolve sometime after they die, there just not natural. She believed that something was creating or changing them into these unnatural creatures.”

Midnight took a sip of wine “Why can’t they just be born like everything else?”

Ashen looked at her “Well, Night, have you ever seen a baby monster?”

Midnight thought for a moment “Hmm…you know what, I don’t think I have.”

As soon as Midnight finished, Ashen continued “Well neither have I. I spent a lot of time with Everswirl inside the forest and we never saw a baby monster, or for that matter any monster that looks different from a member of its own species. One goblin looks exactly like any other goblin same color, same height, same weight and no noticeable genders; there all perfect copies of one another.”

Scion’s eyes widened as he thought back on all the monsters he has seen “I believe you are correct. I have never paid it much mind but they do all look exactly alike. That is very unnatural…and quite disturbing.”

Ashen barely lets Scion finish before he continued “That’s why we thought that somepony or something was creating them. That is until we saw something awful on one of our trips into the forest.”

“What did you see?” asked Midnight.

Ashen’s eyes grew stone cold as he stared at them both “The truth. It was late at night; we heard a sound like a small animal in pain, so Everswirl and I went to investigate. As we neared the source of the sound, we saw a rabbit lying on the ground. It looked like it was suffering, so we walked up to it to see if we could help. When we got closer, it turned towards us and we saw its eyes. While its pupil and iris were normal its sclera, more commonly called the whites of its eyes, were filled with a black mist.”

Midnight gasped “Just like a monsters’.”

Ashen quickly nodded “Just before we reached the rabbit, it let out a horrifying screech.  A black mist began to pour out of its body, a mist just like the one we saw today. The mist swirled around it, enveloping it entirely, just like a cocoon. Then right in front of our eyes, the cocoon began to take shape and before we knew it, we were standing face to face with full grown goblin.”

A cold chill ran through Midnight “I…I can’t believe it.”

Scion’s voice broke as he tried to speak “A-Ashen! Are…Are you telling me, that monsters were once normal animals?”

Ashen took a breath then nodded “Yes, until they were transformed by that black mist. Everswirl believed that the black mist is a type of magic, which she named chaos magic. After that night she became obsessed with chaos magic, she abandoned everything else and researched it tirelessly.”

Ashen’s eyes began to quiver more and more as he spoke “She…she would go into the forest and stay there for weeks on end. No matter how much I pleaded, she insisted on going in alone. When she would finally return to town, she would just lock herself in her workshop for days. After she was done with…whatever she did in there, she would come out, resupply then head back to the forest. This went on for about two years until one day a small group of monsters attacked the city, I went with few others to stop them but just after we arrived, Everswirl walked up and pushed passed us. She stood right in front of the charging pack, with one unbelievable spell, she blew them all away.”

Ashen’s smile quickly returned with a small laugh “It was an incredible sight, once she finished her spell she gathered all the monsters using her magic and then she cast the purification spell. It was like nothing I've seen before and it made the purification I cast today seem pathetic in comparison.”

Scion tilted his head “Hmm…for one unicorn to have so much power, Everswirl must be more incredible than I have heard.”

Ashen’s smile quickly faded “She…she was, she truly was.” He cleared his throat “later that day I caught up to her, she finally agreed to explain everything to me. For three months, she taught me the purification spell and everything she knew about the forest. I’ll try to summarize it all.”

Ashen closed his eyes and took another long breath “Everswirl basically told me, that the black mist is a dark magic that infects a creature, slowly corrupting it until it becomes a monster. When that monster dies, its body dissolves turning back into chaos magic. Then that magic infects another creature in a never-ending cycle. The purification spell removes the wicked corruption and returns the creature’s magic to its natural state, basically killing the chaos magic.”

Scion nodded with a smile “Now I understand, you abolished the darkness within the monsters so it could not infect another creature. Correct?”

“That’s right” answered Ashen.

Midnight’s eyes suddenly opened wide, the gasp that filled her chest ripped the smile off her face. “Wait a second!” Her voice quivered “Does…d-does that mean, every monster I've ever slain was just…reborn?”

Ashen looked away with a sigh “I'm…I'm sorry, Night…but I believe so.”

Midnight’s eyes slowly drifted down to her halve eaten salad “Then…e-everything I've done has…meant nothing at all.”

Scion stomped his hoof down on the table “Nonsense! You have defeated countless monsters and stopped many onslaughts. Even if they were just reborn, by slaying the beasts when you did you saved many lives that would have been taken otherwise and that is not meaningless.

Midnight looked up with a faint smile “Your right. If they come back a hundred times.” Her faint smile grew into a confident grin “Then I’ll just have to take them out a hundred and one times.”

Ashen laughed “That’s the spirit, Night.”

Midnight looked over at him “But, Ashen isn’t there some way to stop the chaos magic?”

Ashen nodded “I asked Everswirl the same question; she told me that all magic including chaos magic must have a source. Whether chaos magic’s source is a living being or an object she wasn't sure. However she believed whatever creates the monsters must have a finite amount of magic and if we keep purifying its dark magic, in time it would weaken and eventually lose its power.”

Midnight flashed a glare at him “That’s your plan, just weaken it and hope it goes away? Why can’t we just find the source and destroy it?”

Ashen sighed “We don’t know what it is, even if we did, it has the entire Everfree Forest and an army of monsters protecting it. We wouldn’t even stand a chance against those odds.”

Midnight put her front hooves on the table and stared at Ashen “But if we could destroy the source then we could stop the monsters for good, right?”

Ashen hesitantly answered “Well…I believe so, but trying to with so little knowledge would be suicide. Besides there is no solid proof that any of this is true, just the observations of myself and Everswirl.”

Midnight’s stare intensified “But still, if I could find the source and destroy it, then I could stop the monster attacks for good. I believe if there’s a chance then I should take it.”

Ashen’s eyes opened wide “I…I can’t believe it.” A depressed smile crossed his face as he slowly closed his watering eyes.

Scion looked at him with concern “Ashen, are you alright?”

Ashen turned away “Sorry, I’m fine.”

Midnight’s intense stare quickly faded as she looks at him “You don’t look it” She bit her bottom lip “Did… did I say something wrong?”

Ashen shook his head and took a breath “No it's not your fault, it's just, I know those words.”

Ashen turned back, took a sip of his wine then cleared his throat “You see, one morning I woke up and went to talk to Everswirl but she was nowhere to be found, apparently she left in the middle of the night. I found a letter addressed to me, it had those exact words in it. She went off alone into the forest trying to find and destroy the source of the chaos magic. That was three years ago now and noponies heard from her since. Every day I regret not chasing after her.”

Midnight’s eyes instantly drifted away “Oh, Ashen, I'm…I’m sorry.”

Ashen looked up with a smile “It’s alright, Night, you couldn’t have known. But will you please promise me you won’t go into the forest alone?”

Midnight took a moment then hesitantly answered “Alright, I won’t go into the forest alone. I swear it to you.”

“You swear it to me?” asked Ashen.

Midnight nodded “Yes, I swear it to you and when I swear, I mean it. It’s a promise I will never break, even on the pain of death.”

Ashen chuckled with a smile “I kinda like that, I’ll have to remember it.”

Midnight smiled back “You can use it if you want, but if you do use it, you must mean it.”

Ashen flashed a grin “I will” He winked at her “I swear it to you.”

Midnight shook her head before continuing her meal but soon her curiosity got the better of her “Ashen, can I ask something?”

Ashen put his wine glass down “Sure, go right ahead.”

Midnight paused for a moment “Why…why didn’t you go after Everswirl? Why didn’t you try to stop her?”

Scion quickly spoke up “Midnight, that question is a slight tactless, is it not?”

Midnight covered her mouth “Oh, you’re right, I'm sorry Ashen, please forget I ever asked that.”

Ashen let out a weak laugh “Don’t worry about it. I…I didn’t follow her because of the letter she wrote. When I first found it, I immediately wanted to rush off and stop her or at least join her. That is until I read the last part she wrote, Everswirl final words to me.”

Ashen closed his eyes as he recalled the bittersweet words “I’ll never forget those last words she wrote. ‘Ashen please don’t follow me. You’re the only reason I can enter the forest without apprehension. No matter what happens to me, I won’t regret anything as long as I know you’re there keeping everypony safe. I beg of you Ashen, you are my hope, my light, the only one I can trust, please take care of Equestria and leave the forest to me.’”

Scion sighed “Take care of Equestria.  That is truly a heavy burden she placed on you.”

Ashen laughed trying to push back the pain “No kidding.”

Midnight slowly looked at him “Ashen…you didn’t have to answer that.”

Ashen tried his best to smile “I know, I don’t mind.”

Midnight had to look away “But…you just look so miserable.”

“I'm alright…really” said Ashen

Scion crossed his forelegs “So you say, however the tears in your eyes tell a different tale.”

Ashen sighed and looked away “I….I'm sorry.” He wiped away the tears “I…I didn’t think telling this story would be so…hard.”

Scion smiled gently “It is alright, Ashen, there is no need to hide your tears my friend. We all have painful memories and there is no shame in having a heart.”

Ashen looked back with a fragile smile “Thanks, Scion.”

Midnight cursed her curiosity as another question escaped her lips “Were umm….were you and Everswirl close?”

Ashen smiled at her and chuckled “Yeah you could say that. I saved up my money for months to buy her a necklace. I finally got enough to get it one day before she left. It was beautiful, a gold necklace with a round pendant that had a heart shaped diamond at its center…a pink diamond. ”

Midnight gasped and covered her mouth “A…a pink diamond!? That’s a sign of proposal.  You mean, you were going to propose to her?”

Ashen nodded with a quiet laugh “Yeah, I was, but I was a fool, she was already married to her research, she never would have said yes to me.”

Midnights eyes grew dim “Oh. I'm…I'm so, so sorry Ashen. I seem to be doing all the wrong things today. Now I really feel bad.”

Ashen’s normal smile flashed across his face “Please don’t. If you feel bad then I’ll feel worse and then poor Scion is gonna start feeling bad, which will make you feel worse, which will make him feel worse, which will make me feel terrible, which will make the both of you feel terrible. Then we’ll all start crying with the tears, the sobbing, the blubbering, and the runny noses. We’ll all look just awful and nopony wants to see that.”

Midnight smiled with a small giggle “Ok, ok, I get it, I won’t feel bad.”

Ashen laughed with a big smile “Glad to hear it.”

Scion smiled as he took the last bite of his salad “It is good to see you smile friend, a frown does not suit you.”

Suddenly the voice of a mare called out from behind them “Doctor, Vial.”

Scion turned to see one of the nurses he worked with earlier as she ran up to him “Is something wrong?”  said Scion

The nurse stopped with a small bow “Doctor, Vail, the young mare you brought in today woke up and I have a message for you.”

Scion stood up “Excellent news.” He bowed to the others “If the two of you will please excuse me. I will be right back.”

Scion and the nurse walked a little ways off to talk

Ashen turned to Midnight “Do you want to go to visit the girl, Night?”

Midnight took the last bite of her baked potato “No, that’s ok, she’s in good hooves and besides you’re not getting out of buying me dessert.”

Ashen laughed “Didn’t think I was, but I can’t believe you still have room after all that.”

Midnight smiled “Umm well…I think I’ll just have a small dessert.”

As Midnight looked at the menu something stirred in Ashen’s mind. He looked at her with a deep stare “Midnight?”

Midnight slowly lowered the menu, a bit surprised by Ashen’s serious tone “Umm…yes.”

Ashen stared at her for a moment “I have told you my story, now will you tell me yours?”

Midnight hesitantly answered “I…I don’t know what you mean.”

“I think you do” said Ashen “Earlier today when I stopped you from going into the forest, you yelled ‘I have to save her.’ You weren’t talking about the girl. So who were you talking about, who were you trying to save?”

Midnights bright eyes quickly grow dim as her gaze drifted off Ashen and onto the ground.

Ashen nodded “I see, that’s a look I know all too well. You lost somepony special to you, didn’t you?”

Midnight closed her eyes and nodded her head.

Ashen smiled gently “It's alright, Night, you don’t have to say anything at all. I'm sorry I asked.”

Midnight spoke up in a broken voice “Don’t be. I asked things I shouldn’t have and you answered them all.” Midnight looked up to Ashen and took a breath “I…It h-happened a…a long time ago, when I was just a filly. Her name was…was.” She bites her bottom lip, grabbed her right shoulder and turned away “I-I'm sorry…I-I just can’t. You told me so much but I-I just…”

Ashen quickly ran up to her “Night!” He put his hoof on her shoulder “Night It’s ok. You don’t have to say another word.”

Midnight closed her eyes tight as a tear rolls down her cheek. Her breath grows heavy she stared down at the ground .

Ashen stared at her quivering body “Look at me, Night.” He lifted her chin “look at me. It’s ok, whatever happened is in the past and you don’t have to say anything, please just-.”

Scion’s voice called out “What is going on here?!” He ran up to Midnight and glared at Ashen “What did you do to her!?”

Ashen stepped back, turned away and gritted his teeth “I…I said something stupid.”

Midnight quickly spoke up “No…It wasn’t his fault, I…I did this to myself.”

Scion glanced at Ashen then looks back at Midnight “Is this true, Midnight?”

Midnight nodded “yes, he didn’t do anything.”

Scion looked at Ashen “I am sorry for accusing you, Ashen.”

Ashen shook his head “Don’t worry about it.” He sighed then mumbled under his breath “It’s my fault anyway.”

After a few moments, Midnight regained composure “I'm sorry for that. Today has just been a rough day. I just…really need to go to bed.”

Scion sighed “Well I am afraid that will have to wait. The nurse had some good and bad news. The girl is awake and will be fine but there was another pony with her.”

Ashen and Midnight both quickly turned to Scion.

Scion cleared his throat “A young pegasus stallion was with the mare. He tried to defend her and was overwhelmed.”

Midnight looked at the ground and Ashen hangs his head with a sigh “By the blood, that’s just awful.”

Scion nodded “That is not all. Once the stallion’s father found out what happened, he began to gather ponies in the council chambers for an emergency town meeting, without permission. Most of the town is now waiting for us in our chambers.”

Midnight stood from her chair “Well, we better not keep them waiting then.”

Ashen looked up “You two go on ahead. I’ll pay the bill then meet up with you.”

Ashen sat at the table staring up at the stars. H thought about the day and wished that it were over. A well-dressed teenaged unicorn walked up and brought Ashen the bill.

Ashen looked at the bill and laughs “Thirty bits! She was trying to break me.” He pulled a bag of coins out of his saddlebag and tossed it on the table with a smile.

As Ashen walked away, the waiter’s voice called out “Sir, Sir! You overpaid. The bill was thirty, you paid fifty.”

Ashen smiled without turning around “The rest is your tip, kid.”

The young waiter’s eyes opened wide “B-But sir, tha-that’s twenty bits. That’s almost what I get paid for a week!”

Ashen laughed “Then you shouldn’t complain, kid. Buy your mom a nice gift or something.”

The waiter laughed happily “Thank you, thank you very much sir!”

Ashen waved back at the waiter then walked off with a chuckle “That was fun” He lets out a heavy sigh as he neared the council building and heard the shouting voices coming from within “Now for the hard part.”