Ambition Undying

Chapters

Return
Myth
Counsel
Distraction
Aid
Promise
Doubt
Initiation
Goddess
Temptation
Abyss
Sire

Return

Onyx blinked his eyes.

He shook his head, and his mane tumbled across his neck like it was supposed to. He looked behind him, and there was no smoke. There was only a grey coat and his cutie mark. His body was devoid of armor or adornment.

"What?" His voice seemed foreign. It was smooth and full of wonder, and he spoke again to confirm that what he'd heard was real. "What?"

The light was dim, but he recognized the marble floor of the throne room. Tapping it once, he confirmed that it was solid.

He looked up at his horn. There was no red at the tip. There was only a grey spiral that seemed so ordinary and yet so bizarre.

Onyx gasped as he realized that his mind had gone silent. He felt no desire to conquer. He wished not for dominion nor accolades nor victory. He wanted only peace, and he smiled broadly.

When he looked again, Princess Luna stood rigidly before him with her wings flared out. "Auntie!"

She remained silent. The tip of her horn glowed weakly, and tears flowed freely from her eyes.

"Auntie! You… You don't need to cry." He bounced up to her, like he had when he was foal, and nuzzled her face. He felt no warmth. "You stopped him!" He backed up, grinning ear to ear. "How'd you do it?"

Luna remained still a moment longer. "I did not need to." She looked to her right, and her horn glowed brightly enough to light up the entire throne room. "You did."

Onyx turned his head. "What do you–" He froze at what he saw.

An image of two figures sat before him. When he looked closer, Onyx saw that the figures had depth, like two masterfully crafted statues. On the right sat a dark blue alicorn princess on her throne, mouth agape and tears in her eyes. She was leaning forward and shouting, transfixed by the dark cloud looming over her. A ray of blue light reached out from her horn and touched the face of her opponent.

The head of a fierce-looking unicorn sat atop the dark cloud, pointed teeth bared and red horn aglow. The monster's pupils were tightly constricted, and the green eyes glowed only dimly. It seemed to be crashing down on the princess, its movement stopped by the whims of time. In its chest glowed a green orb, flickering weakly.

And there, through the center of the orb, rested a sword bathed in frozen red magic. It had an intricate black handle like curved tree roots with rubies on the guard and pommel. Its wide, black blade twinkled like the night sky.

Onyx stumbled in place. "This is… an illusion?"

Luna spoke slowly. "If only it were so. You are asleep, my treasured nephew, for now." She turned back to Onyx. "Forgive me. I could not bear to let you go so swiftly."

Onyx squinted at the scene before him. Nearly imperceptibly, the wisps in the monster's smoke continued to move, and blood dripped impossibly slowly from the hilt of the sword.

Slowly, without tearing his eyes away from the scene before him, Onyx brushed his chest with a hoof before bringing it up to his face. The grey fur was stained red.

Luna spoke quietly. "I… I am sorry."

Onyx turned his head to his aunt. She had bowed her head and closed her eyes, and she quivered with each shallow breath.

He looked back to his hoof. "I did this?" His eyes burned.

Silence hung in the air, interrupted only by a drop of blood ringing against the marble floor and resonating for many moments.

Onyx felt dizzy. He sat down on the floor, and Luna rushed over.

"Onyx?" she asked weakly.

There was no pain, and there were no voices in his head. Onyx stared at the giant monster in front of him, and a smile spread across his face. "I did it. I beat him."

Onyx glanced to his left and saw a large, black bubble far away from the two figures. "Noble!" He jumped up and galloped as hard as he could, but though his legs moved, they did not propel him forward. "What?" He looked down to find that he now hovered slightly above the floor. "Huh." With a shake of his mane, he stopped exactly where he started, and he began to feel the pain of the hole in his chest.

Luna appeared next to Onyx. "He will live, and he will remember you fondly."

"But I won't be around." Somehow, Onyx knew he was crying. He felt no tears in his eyes or lumps in his throat, but he knew. "Is he going to be happy?"

"His wife is beautiful, and their filly is healthy. Yes, I believe so."

"Tell him I'm sorry." Onyx shook his head. "Tell him I'm so, so sorry." He looked over to Luna. "Can I tell him myself?"

"I… think you will have a few moments, yes."

The two of them looked back at the scene before them, but it had begun to change. The dark mist that clung to the walls of the throne room began to fade, and tiny beams of light started pouring in through the windows. The wisps of smoke behind the demon moved more quickly, and little by little, everything began to speed up.

Even as a shade, Onyx's voice seemed shaky. "Do I… Do I get to come back? Like he did?"

"It is not for me to know." Luna turned her head. "But I am certain that Sombra will not return. The Starlight Blade has severed whatever connection he had to this world."

Onyx nodded, and a weak smile spread across his lips. "Then that's enough."

To their left, rays of light fell on the bubble of darkness. It slowly peeled back to reveal a battered Noble Shield. He looked at his hooves, then up at the light coming in through the windows, then to the two figures near the throne. Stumbling a little, he dragged himself to his hooves and dashed toward the blue princess and the rapidly deteriorating monster.

Onyx watched Noble slowly gallop across the room. His body was as svelte as ever. "Can I give him the sword? I'd like him to have it."

Luna nodded. "If that is your wish. It still follows only your command."

"Then I relinquish the Starlight Blade to Noble Shield."

Though the scene before them still moved slowly, the Starlight Blade transformed instantly in a flash of light. It no longer resembled a black longsword, but instead a rapier made of white gold. Intricate runes decorated the handle and guard, and a large crimson ruby served as the pommel. He couldn't see most of the blade, but he imagined it was just as beautiful as the rest.

Onyx felt pain again.

The monster had burned away to nothing. In its place stood a handsome grey stallion with a rich black mane and a sword in his chest. Ponies rushed at him from either side, one from a throne and one from the doorway. The edges of his vision began fading to white.

Next to him, Luna shuddered. "It is time."

"Kay." Onyx nodded solemnly. "I… I love you, Auntie Luna. May I make a last request?"

"Anything."

"Will…" He turned to her. "Will you hold me? I don't want to be cold."

"Absolutely, my dear nephew."

A sound like a thunderclap rattled in Onyx's head. He suddenly found himself staring at Luna, who rapidly descended from her throne. Searing pain shot through his entire body, and his head throbbed with intense agony. He tried to scream, but the sound caught in his throat. Warm stickiness covered his chest. The rest of his body felt icy cold. His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the red carpet at the base of the throne's steps.

Luna screamed. "Onyx!" She lie down next to him and wrapped her forelegs around his body.

Her warmth penetrated and dispersed the cold, all the way down to his soul. Onyx tried to say something, but his tongue didn't respond, and all the tasted was copper. He turned his head upwards to see a dazzlingly white unicorn in blood-stained robes standing over him.

"No! Nonononono!" The tip of Noble's horn shone brightly, and with a flick of his head, the Starlight Blade flew across the room and rattled on the floor. Noble's voice was panicked and choked. "C'mon, bro! Nonono, c'mon!" Another flourish of his horn, and a large swath of his robe ripped off, magically tightening around Onyx's middle. "You're okay, you're okay. C'mon!"

Onyx gagged. "I'm suh… I'm suh…"

Luna held him tighter.

Noble ripped more of his robes off with his teeth and rapidly started trying to bandage him. "Don't talk! Don't talk!" His horn flared again, and much of the pain in Onyx's chest melted away. "I've got you, bro." Tears fell from his face and onto Onyx's. "I-I've got you."

"Sorry…" Onyx coughed. "So sorry…"

"Dude, shut up!" Noble pulled back. He scanned all over Onyx's body, and his head began to shake more and more. "No…" Noble collapsed forward and clung tightly to Onyx's neck. "No!"

Onyx could feel nothing below where Noble hugged him. He could no longer taste nor smell nor move. He could only barely hear. But his mouth still obeyed him, if only just. "Suh sorry," he wheezed.

Noble sobbed and clung tighter. He kissed Onyx's cheek and whispered, "It's okay, it's okay. I forgive you. It's okay." His chest heaved, and he stroked Onyx's mane. "Th-that… That feel good?"

"Than… yuh." There was a loud ringing in Onyx's ears. "Love… yuh bro."

"I love you, too, bro." He sniffled, and his voice broke. "I love you, too."

Onyx could not see. He felt like his body was growing and shrinking all at once. "Luh yuh, br..."

The ringing ceased. No dark voice came to replace it. Instead, Onyx could think only of the ponies he loved: his parents, his brother, and his dear auntie. He saw visions of them laughing and crying and living their long happy lives, and in his heart, he felt at peace.

The throbbing in his head stopped, and his chest felt strangely still.

Myth

In the Ponyville school playground on a sunny day, a blade of grass stopped its swaying. Unlike its sisters, it stood rigid and firm. Tiny speckles appeared along the midrib and leaves. They were indistinguishable at first, but they grew into transparent glowing droplets of crimson magic, as if the plant itself were bleeding. Soon, a thick aura covered the whole blade, and with a swift popping noise, the plant became undone from its roots and blew away on the breeze.

Onyx stared down at the remaining grass. He felt a pang at its color. It was so vibrant and alive, mocking him with its stark contrast to his own body. His grey coat and full, black mane piqued the interest of the other foals, but the ponies his age always found a reason to avoid him given enough time. Onyx wished he could straighten out his curved horn as easily as he had the blade of grass, and he wished even harder that he couldn't hear the grown-ups talking about him again.

"Well... d-during arts and crafts, the room grew cold all of a sudden." His teacher, Cheerilee, bit her lower lip. Her gaze fluttered between Princess Twilight Sparkle and the ground below, and her voice shook as if she were still trying to convince herself what had happened. "We were learning about the princesses and designing new crowns for them. Uh, you. I heard Autumn Sunrise scream, and when I turned around, she was surrounded by a sort of red..." She took a deep breath and muttered a quick apology. "I'm sorry. It's difficult to describe."

Twilight nodded as she took in her surroundings. On the surface, everything seemed normal, but the finer details roused her suspicion. Even on this bright summer day, no birds sang. An unseasonable chill lingered in the air, and she smelled the slightest hint of something rancid.

Looking down to the shorter mare, she put on her warmest smile and most jovial tone. "Cheerilee, I'm sure you've seen magic before. It can manifest in a number of different ways. What makes you think Onyx had something to do with it?"

Twilight looked at the grey colt sitting alone in the grass. He sat motionless, head hung low and with sunken shoulders. He was barely more than a large pebble in an abandoned field, slowly plucking the grass with his magic.

Cheerilee cleared her throat and straightened her back. Her voice became firmer. "He was… staring at her, and he didn't scream. Onyx has had issues making friends and playing nicely with the other ponies. He transferred this year when his parents moved from the Crystal Empire, and they say he's always had violent mood swings."

Twilight turned back to her. "Mood swings?"

"I don't understand why. His parents seem very loving and kind, and I see them being affectionate with him every day. He just… snaps sometimes."

"I'll talk to him. I'm sure he was just having a bad day."

Cheerilee bowed her head. "Thank you, Princess Twilight."

Twilight considered correcting Cheerilee's for using her formal title among friends, but instead, she merely accepted the schoolteacher's respect. Gracefully, she walked forward into the field, her long flowing mane billowing in the breeze.

The colt faced away from her, and as she approached, she felt a tightness in her chest and a tingling in her horn. Her wings twitched, and she nearly stumbled as the air grew colder. Twilight's eyes widened as she recognized a familiar feeling. 'Dark magic,' she thought to herself.

A few step behind Onyx, Twilight halted her gait as softly as she could and recalled all the times her mother had comforted her. She tried to imitate that soothing voice. "Good afternoon, Onyx. How are you today?"

The grey colt didn't budge.

"It sounds like life's been pretty tough today. Anything you want to talk about?"

Onyx's voice was small and monotonous. "Everypony's angry at me. They don't like me."

Twilight's tone remained gentle. "Oh, that's not true, Onyx, but I'm sorry you feel that way." She circled around at sat in front of him, trying to minimize the difference in their sizes. "Why do you think they don't like you?"

"B-Because, th-they…" His tiny body heaved with sobs. Onyx sniffled and wiped his nose on his foreleg. "They… they a-always scream. And they're mean. And they tease me. And they don't share the crafts."

Twilight's stomach twisted in knots, and she felt a crackling in the air. A thin, nigh invisible mist began forming around them, tinting her vision red.

Twilight measured her breaths and refused to blink. If worse came to worst, she knew her alicorn magic would be more than enough to overpower this colt's blossoming abilities, but she hesitated to use them on such a young foal. 'Only as a last resort,' she promised herself. "Onyx," she said firmly. "You can't use your magic to hurt anypony like that."

Onyx began shaking, and a fog of red magic formed at the tip of his horn. He whispered, "I couldn't stop." The red energy dripped down his horn and onto the ground, staining both. "She deserved it."

"Onyx!" Twilight straightened her back. "That is not acceptable! Why would you say something like that?"

Onyx jerked his head towards Twilight. His eyes suddenly glowed a vibrant green, and dark smoke poured out of them. As the Princess gasped in horror, the grey colt spoke again, his voice rumbling and growing like an oncoming storm. "Because she wouldn't share the crystals."

Counsel

"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash's voice boomed across the large table and throughout the Hall of Friendship. It echoed off the smooth, purple walls, and even the ornate banners seemed to flutter at the force of the noise. "No way, Twilight!" She hopped up from her throne with a flap of her wings and zoomed over to the princess, stopping right in front of her face. "The Crystal Heart to banished King Sombra years ago, and we haven't seen him since! Why would he be back now?"

Twilight looked around at the five ponies, four on their own thrones and one hovering before her. "I'm not sure, but there's no mistaking it. What worries me is how we're supposed to help him. He's obviously using dark magic, but Onyx doesn't seem to be aware of what's happening, and when I asked his parents, they couldn't tell me anything unusual, either. All they said was that he's always been driven to succeed, and whenever he failed at something, he would snap."

A shrill voice pierced the air. "Well, then it's easy!" Pinkie Pie hopped onto the round table. "We just need to throw him a Super-Special-Happy-Time-Living-With-Your-Mistakes Bashtacular!" From nowhere, she pulled out a kazoo and played a marching tune as confetti rained down from above.

"Um… everypony?" None of them heard Fluttershy's quiet voice in the ruckus.

A quick lasso yanked Pinkie's instrument from her mouth, which Applejack caught with a free hoof. "Now, hold on there, Sugarcube. That kinda thinkin' never works with these big baddies. Personally, Ah don't see why we need to reinvent the wheel. The Crystal Heart beat Sombra once. Why not try the same thing again?"

Fluttershy spoke slightly louder. "Guys?"

Rarity lie down on her throne. "I agree with Applejack, and I think our course of action is clear: we shall bring Onyx to the Crystal Heart and use its power to banish any trace of Sombra." She playfully rocked her head back and forth. "No fuss, no muss, and we can send him on his way afterwards."

Twilight retorted, "But it's not the same! Sombra was a powerful unicorn sorcerer, and Onyx is just a colt!" She turned her head upwards. "Plus, if he's a reincarnation instead of a host, we could be sentencing an innocent foal to death!"

Applejack leaned forward and slammed a hoof on the table. "Whoa, now! 'Innocent' is way too strong a word. Did you forget who we're dealin' with here?"

Rainbow Dash fluttered back to her seat and crossed her forelegs. "What she said! Sombra's a huge jerk, and we need to be ready for action when he fights back." She slammed a hoof on the table for emphasis.

Twilight banged a hoof against her forehead. "Ugh! But we don't know what affect it will have. Nopony has even conceived of experimenting with the Crystal Heart like this before!"

Pinkie Pie spun, jumped back into her chair and smiled. "No time like the present! Rainb-ari-jack is right. Let's go back to the Crystal Empire! Then you can do your experiments! Whee!"

"So we have come to terms, then," said Rarity. "We will bring Onyx to the Crystal Empire and treat him there." She turned to Twilight and spoke in an even voice. "We won't do anything rash. We'll just investigate our options and keep him close by."

Twilight shook her head. "No. I am not comfortable with this course of action! And besides, quorum in this council requires that we reach consensus. Fluttershy, what do you think?"

"Um…" Fluttershy sunk in her chair as each of her friends turned to look at her. Slowly, she motioned to the door with her head. "I think we should hear what she has to say."

The Council of Friendship collectively turned their heads to the silent intruder, then gasped and rapidly bowed down in deference from their thrones.

Their guest made her way forward. A sparkling mane flowed from her form, tinted a beautiful blue that complimented her midnight-colored coat. Her black crown and ornate necklace spoke to her position, and she carried herself with all the grace expected of Equestrian Royalty. She stopped at the grand table, a dour expression on her face.

Rarity was the first to speak. "Apologies, Princess Luna. We did not hear you come in."

Luna nodded her head. "Please rise, everypony." Once they had done as commanded, she continued. "I apologize for being so firm, but you shall not bring the young colt Onyx to the Crystal Heart. To do so would risk not only the colt's safety, but also the security of the Crystal Heart itself."

Twilight breathed out a long sigh. "Thank you, Princess. Now, can we finally discuss how we're-"

"There will be no discussion."

The Council of Friendship snapped to attention.

"When my sister and I felt Sombra's presence and learned of his whereabouts, we immediately set to work. Onyx's parents shall be relocated to a sizeable home near the palace in Canterlot."

Rainbow Dash cocked her head. "Okay, but… what happens to the colt?"

Luna paused and smiled. "He shall come with me, of course."

Distraction

The summer flowers bloomed in the Royal Canterlot Gardens, bursting in an array of bold colors. Hedges and flower beds lined grassy walkways, masterfully groomed to look both lovingly crafted and completely natural all at once. Sweet scents wafted on the breeze, the heady mix of beauty and life. Insects buzzed from bulb to bulb, only occasionally silenced by the snapping beak of an attentive robin. And in a grassy opening amidst the perennials, two alicorn mares came upon two unicorn colts.

"Hey, Auntie Luna! Look! Isn't it cool?" Onyx bounced around his mentor's hooves, a broad smile dominating his face. "We made a pattern! I did the dark ones, and Noble did the white ones! I had to help him, though."

In the middle of a clearing sat a half-buried group of lustrous crystals. They alternated between stones of deepest black and brightest white in a small circle that was barely wide enough for a newborn to lie in.

Luna smiled at the bouncing colt. "It is indeed 'cool,' but I wonder how you found the time. You didn't skip out on your reading, did you?"

"Uh…" Onyx's face scrunched up. "No?"

Luna frowned for just a moment. "Auntie always knows when you're lying, dear. You shall complete your assignment before dinner." She looked back to the stone circle. "Alas, your work is still most impressive. Not many unicorns your age can manifest crystals with any accuracy." She chuckled. "Though the gardener may not appreciate having to restore this patch of grass."

"Uh-oh," whispered the other colt. The whiteness of his coat surpassed even newly fallen snow, and his mane and tail shone a dazzling silver with streaks with blue and pink. Though smaller in stature than his companion, his chest was broad and his face was handsome, all very becoming of a young prince. With wide eyes, he looked up at the pink alicorn. "He's not gonna be mad, is he, Mommy?"

Princess Cadence smiled warmly and shook her head. Her voice was as delicate and sweet as the flowers that surrounded her. "Remember, Noble Shield. What do we do when we make a mistake?" Cadence cast a narrow, sideways glance to Onyx, and for a moment, she ceased smiling.

Noble Shield nodded. "We make it better." He turned to Onyx, who was nuzzling Luna's foreleg. "We hafta dig them up, Onyx."

Onyx's head stopped moving, and he rolled his eyes. "Aw, really?" He looked up to Luna, who nodded her head. "Okay, but you gotta see the thing first." He bounded to one side of the circle of crystals. "C'mon, Noble!"

Noble Shield grinned up at his mother, then raced to the opposite side of the circle. He took a wide stance and lowered his head. "Ready. Just go slow, okay? It's harder for me."

"No. You gotta keep up." Onyx lowered his head as well. "Ready? Go!"

The tips of the colts' horns sparked to life, and after some grunting, two of the crystals in the circle began to glow: a red light flickered within a black crystal in front of Onyx, and a silver light twinkled in a white crystal near Noble.

Cadence's voice became more wooden. "That's very nice, colts, but it's time to clean up."

"We didn't do it yet," whined Onyx.

The colts grunted and strained, and the lights jumped from one crystal to the next. Then, with more effort, the lights jumped again. Then again, and again, and again, chasing each other around the circle in a clockwise pattern. Onyx and Noble stared intently at their work, smiles breaking onto their faces as their magic trick worked before their eyes.

"Faster!" Onyx shouted, smiling and pumping more energy into his horn, which glowed a stronger red.

"O-okay," replied Noble, teeth clenched and sweat collecting on his brow.

The lights danced around the circle, around and around and around, but to all who observered, it quickly became clear that the red light raced faster.

Onyx furrowed his eyebrows. "You gotta go faster!"

"I'm trying, Onyx!"

Cadence took half a step forward. "Alright, I think that's en–" The motion of a dark blue hoof stopped her in her tracks.

The lights each moved faster, but as time wore on, the gap between them closed. Inch by inch, the red light chased the silver like a predator after its prey.

Noble's legs shook. "Onyx, you have to stop!"

"No! I'm gonna go faster!"

Onyx poured more power into his horn, and the sparks collided.

A brilliant crimson light flared from the circle. Lightning arced between the crystals and the ponies, and a crack as loud as thunder split the air as a magical pulse of energy threw the two screaming colts backwards. The smell of singed fur tainted the sweet smell of the flowers. The air grew burning hot, then miserably cold as the two colts landed on their backs in the grass.

Cadence rushed to her son's side. "Noble!"

Onyx sat up quickly, tears in his eyes and feeling like a wedge had been driven through his skull. He swiftly shook his head and looked to his friend, but his view was obscured by the pink wing of Princess Cadence.

Cadence turned her head towards him, her mouth agape and her face twisted in a sneer that made Onyx's chest feel like it had collapsed. It was the same expression she always seemed to wear around him.

Aid

The soothing light from the tip of Luna's horn cast a faint glow onto the dark stone staircase. She walked deliberately, taking each step with poise and grace, though her mind raced and her heart ached within her body. Her teeth clenched onto a ribbon, and from that ribbon hung a large box covered with black velvet, as long as her body and wider than an outstretched wing.

Water dripped from the ceiling as she stepped on the final landing and into the nigh-empty dungeon. Barred cells lined either side of the small room, bathed in a faint red glow. Near the far wall sat a rusted set of metal stocks, accompanied only by the form of a slouching prepubescent unicorn.

Luna set the box down on a dry spot and took a deep breath of the musty air. She cleared her throat. "I understand you received some troubling news over the weekend, dear nephew. I…" She could not remember the last time she had been left without words. "I suspect your parents disobeyed my command."

Onyx looked over his shoulder. Even in the dim red light that sprang from his horn, Luna could make out the dark circles under his eyes. He did not speak.

Luna's voice took on a sharper tone. "They were to tell you only under on my instruc–"

"I asked them."

Luna paused. She walked forward, her hooves splashing in shallow puddles of dirty water. "You… asked them?" She raised an eyebrow.

Onyx turned back to the stocks. His voice was flat, devoid of any movement. "I saw a picture in my history book. His horn was the same. So were his eyes."

Luna stopped behind Onyx and rested a hoof on his shoulder. "My dear, you must understand: you are not him."

Onyx's head whipped back around. "They said he killed ponies! Thousands of them! They told me he always wanted more power." He stood and gestured widely with a hoof. "Can you believe that? I was this big, greedy sorcerer, and I killed ponies, and I wanted more?" His voice dropped, and his head hung low. "No wonder Cadence hates me."

"She doesn't hate you." Luna lifted Onyx's chin to look him in the eye. Her heart felt like it was being split in twain. "None of us do."

"But what if I turn into him? The books said he–"

"The books said Nightmare Moon was an irredeemable monster. Do you think that is true of your auntie?"

"No!" Onyx pulled away. "You're wonderful! And pretty! And you're never mean!" He looked away. "I'm sorry."

"Apologize not, my dear." She nodded. "I understand what it is to fight your nature, to struggle daily against a desire that threatens to consume you." She summoned the old feelings to her heart, the ones she'd tried for years to forget. "All I could think of was revenge. Tell me, dear nephew: what does the other you seek?"

"Conquest." Onyx sniffled and looked up again, the red light of his horn yielding to the blue glow of Luna's. "That's how I knew it was really him. I… I feel it every night. I feel like I wanna run off and beat up somepony and take everything they have. It's like…" He trailed off.

"Like a whisper that never ceases, yes?"

"Yeah." His lip quivered, and he shook his head, and his voice cracked. "Auntie Luna, I don't wanna hurt anypony. I don't wanna turn into him!" He stomped, and tears fell onto the stone floor. "I don't wanna!"

"Then you must learn to control him, and you must never yield to his desire. Only you can truly put an end to Sombra."

He recoiled at that name. "But… what if I can't stop?"

"I will always believe in you, dear nephew, and you need not fight alone. I have a gift for you." She turned and retrieved the box, once again holding the ribbon in her teeth. She returned and set it down between them.

Onyx's head cocked to the side. "Why did you carry it like that?"

Luna smiled but said nothing.

"Okay…" Onyx sat down and lifted the cover. The soft noise of the velvet seemed so out of place in the cold, hard dungeon, but Onyx cared only for the contents. Inside, laid out on purple silk, sat two thin, ugly iron rods crossed and welded together in the rough shape of a sword. The blunted weapon easily measured twice the length of his body. "What is it?"

"Take hold of it with your magic."

After a moment of hesitation, Onyx did as he was told. He concentrated. At the moment his magic touched the iron, the blade shot upward and hovered in front of his face. Before his eyes, the thin rods began to grow. Like the roots of a tree, black tendrils of metal sprung from the handle. They twisted in intricate patterns, forming a magnificent hilt while dazzling rubies appeared on the pommel and guard. Onyx stared wide-eyed as the longer end of the iron rod transformed into a thin, wide blade, colored like obsidian but sparkling like the night sky with a thousand points of twinkling light. The transformation was complete, and Onyx could not tear his eyes away from the sword's majestic beauty.

"Cool!" Taking the sword again into his magical grip, he swung it around playfully. It felt like it weighed nothing at all. "Whoosh! Whoosh! This is awesome!" He turned his head back to his mentor, grinning ear to ear. "Thanks, Auntie Luna!"

She chuckled at his enthusiasm. "You are very welcome. The Starlight Blade will be a loyal companion. From the moment you touched it with your magic, it became bound to you."

"Kay," Onyx said flatly. He continued twirling the sword around, marveling at how, even with its immense size, it weighed no more than the air he breathed. "Noble's gonna be so jealous! Whoosh!" He giggled. "Oh," he said, turning back to Luna. "Do I have to share?"

She shook her head. "You will not be able to. For as long as the sword is bound to you, nopony but you may touch it with their magic."

"Awesome! I'm… wait." He paused mid-flourish. The gears turned in his mind, and his eyes grew wider. He drew a sharp breath, then carefully set the Starlight Blade back down onto the silk. He stepped backwards, eyes locked onto the sword. "Nopony?"

With a slight smile, Luna lowered her head and tightly shut her eyes. The glow of her horn grew brighter, and the air began to buzz with energy. From nowhere, a wind picked up and swirled around the room, centered at the tip of her horn. A dark blue cluster of magic swelled there, calling a similar cloud of energy around the velvet box. The blue cloud grew deeper in color and thicker in appearance as it closed in on the blade. Onyx cowered as an ear-splittingly loud maelstrom of power flowed around the room. With the howl of a typhoon, all the magical energy in the room converged toward a single point, growing denser still as it closed in on the hilt…

...where it immediately dissipated. Luna gasped for breath, and one of her legs buckled. The blade had not moved.

Tentatively, Onyx stepped forward to examine the blade. He blinked at it several times, but not a trace of Luna's magic remained. He held his breath and slowly, carefully concentrated his magic on the hilt. The sword once again rose as if it weighed nothing.

Onyx brought the sword close to his face and examined the blade. His chest tightened, and his head ached. "But, if you're magic doesn't work, I could… What if he makes me…" He saw that Luna had regained her composure. "What if I can't stop?"

Luna nodded somberly. "Even if Sombra forces his way back, even if all that is left of you is a sliver of light, I will always believe in you, Onyx."

Onyx looked back to the Starlight Blade. Dark thoughts flooded his mind, but he closed his eyes and imagined himself cutting them in half with his sword. It seemed strange to him to be thinking that way. He called back happier memories of traveling with his parents or playing in the gardens. Those times that had felt so normal a moment ago now seemed so very, very far away.

Setting his jaw and opening his eyes, Onyx twirled the sword in the air so blade pointed downwards. He bowed his head, took a deep breath, and said in a low, even voice, "I will not fail you, Luna."

Promise

"Ugh," Noble whined as he lie back on his royalty-sized bed. He reached down and massaged his rear legs, trying desperately to make the bones stop aching. "I'm sick of these stupid growth spurts. I mean, I'm already taller than my dad. What gives?"

Onyx blew air from his lips and rolled his eyes. "Bro, quit complaining. I haven't grown in a year." Though he outwardly protested, he was thankful his height had plateaued. A constantly-changing body had wreaked havoc with sword-fighting, dancing, and even his spell-casting. Only by remaining the same size had he been able to hone his skills and calm the urges in his heart, if only temporarily.

He looked around the room. It seemed smaller than the last time he'd visited, and a lot of the furniture was different. Noble's pastel-colored dressers and tables with the cutesy hearts had been swapped out for more conservative furnishings not unlike his parents'. Everything was still made of crystals, of course. The empire had to live up to its name.

The decor was more mature, but the bed was still soft. Onyx flopped down on his back next to his friend. The cushions caught him without a sound.

Noble rubbed harder. "Yeah, but you've filled out a bunch." He held out a foreleg and examined it. "I'm still super gangly."

"Nah, you're…" Onyx turned his head. "...svelte."

Noble cocked an eyebrow at his friend. "What?"

"Svelte. It means, like…" Onyx brought a hoof to his chin, his eyes rolling up and to the side. "Lean but strong, I think. Right?"

With another groan, Noble allowed his limbs to collapse onto the bed. "Whatever."

For a long moment, the two young stallions lie there, not saying a word.

Noble cracked his neck. "What do you wanna do?"

"Anything."

"Okay."

They stared up at the mural on the ceiling: a somewhat abstract depiction of the Crystal Heart's light banishing the shadows.

"Is…" Noble's leg twitched. "Sombra still messing with you?"

Onyx's muscles tensed up, and he sucked in a large breath. He considered trying to change the subject, but when he caught sight of Noble's face, he did not see a judgmental hierarch that sought his embarrassment. He only saw a friend. "Yeah."

"Still getting worse?"

Onyx looked back up at the painting on the ceiling, the one that Cadence had commissioned after his first visit. He sighed. "Yeah. He's started commenting on random things. Pretty dark stuff. I can usually ignore him if I'm not too stressed, though." His honesty with Noble Shield always relieved and agitated at the same time. He was eager to change topics. "What's on your mind?"

Noble shrugged. "I dunno." He bit his lower lip and continued eyeing Onyx. "Mares. Like, all the time. That's normal, right?"

"Yeah, I think so. I do it, too." Onyx felt a familiar heat in his chest, a desire to one-up his closest friend. He snuck a glance at Noble and spoke quickly. "One time, in Canterlot, this random mare totally touched me down there."

Noble chuckled. "Heh. On accident, right?"

Onyx felt his cheeks flush and his face scrunch up. He looked away. "Maybe…" When he started feeling hot, he drew his legs in and shrank a little. "She did touch me, though."

Noble's eyes got wider. He tipped his head up, confirmed that the door was still closed, then leaned in and whispered, "Did it feel good?"

"I…" Onyx covered his face and chuckled nervously. "I don't know. I was too scared to remember."

"You're lucky. I never get to mix with the crowds." Noble sighed. "I wonder what… it feels like."

Onyx unfurled a bit. "Well, it has to feel pretty good, right? Otherwise ponies wouldn't do it. I don't think anypony wants to have foals that badly."

"Yeah, I guess. I… just wanna know what it feels like, you know?" Silence filled the air, broken only by the light breeze that rolled in through the window and the noise of Noble Shield scratching his chest. "Hey…"

"Yeah?" Onyx looked back to his friend.

"Do you ever…" Noble's eyes darted to the hoof on his chest, which he flicked twice. He looked up at Onyx again and shrugged. "...you know."

Onyx blushed a deeper red than the tip of his horn. His voice seemed trapped in his throat.

Noble flicked his hoof two more times. "You know, like..." He flicked it yet two more times. "...you know." He blushed as well, flicking his hoof over and over in the silence. One-two. One-two. One-two.

"Uh…" Onyx looked around the room, then whispered back, "Do… you?" The back of his neck felt hot.

"Hey, I asked first!"

Onyx's eyes grew wider. For the first time in years, he wished Cadence would burst through the door. When she failed to materialize, he sucked in a deep breath and barely choked out a response. "S-sometimes."

He jumped a little when Noble let out a big sigh. "Oh thank goodness! I thought I was the only one. Ha! Ah…" When their eyes met, Noble turned away. "So…"

"Yeah?"

"Sometimes, like…" The slow pace of his speech suddenly picked up. "...every morning before your bath?" Noble grimaced and stared, unblinking, scanning Onyx's face for any sign of reaction.

The sides of Onyx's mouth crept upwards. "Yeah, and… sometimes like, every night before bed…" His voice grew sheepish and quiet. "Sometimes twice."

Noble snickered. He tried and failed to keep a straight face. "And sometimes when you lock yourself in the bathroom in the middle of the day?"

Onyx's grin spread wider, and his throat felt like it would burst. "YeaaaaAHAHAHA!!!"

"AAAAHAHAHA!!!"

The two young bucks went berserk, rolling on their backs and holding their stomachs and slapping the mattress and laughing and laughing and laughing. They laughed until their sides hurt, until they couldn't breathe and their ears rang from the noise. They laughed until their throats were sore and muscles spasmed. They calmed down, met each other's gaze, and then laughed and laughed some more.

After what seemed like hours, they lie panting and chuckling, their bodies wracked with the force of their smiles.

Onyx was the first to speak up. "Bro, that–" he snorted. "Yeah, I do it, too. Oh, holy… When I tried to ask my dad about it, he literally ran out of the room."

Noble rolled onto his stomach. "Mine, too!" He gestured the side. "And I was like, 'Dad, you're supposed to be this big hero of Equestria. It's just a… thingy.' Right?"

Onyx sat up. "You can say p-penis, bro."

Noble's eyes narrowed. "You totally stuttered."

"Did not!" Onyx smiled and punched Noble's shoulder.

Noble sat up and punched back. "Did too!"

"Well, at least I didn't call it a 'thingy.'"

"Fine." He smiled. "It feels real good, though, right?" His eyes glazed over. "Real thing's gonna be better, I bet."

"If she's hot, yeah. Hey, did your parents arrange a marriage for you?"

"Nah, they don't believe in those. I get to pick whoever I want. When I do, though, wow… That wedding's gonna be huge."

Onyx chuckled. "Heh heh. Already got it planned out?"

Noble grinned and nodded. "I've got a few ideas."

Onyx rolled his eyes. "Softy. That's why I always win at sparring."

Noble ignored that comment. "It'll be great, though! The royal weddings are always these massive parties that everypony comes to. The princesses, foreign dignitaries, music stars, the works! I don't know about the ceremony yet, but…" Noble cast his eyes downward, but his smile did not fade.

Onyx pivoted where he sat and faced his friend. He scooted a little closer. "What's up, Noble?"

"I know it's way too early to think about, but…" Noble made eye contact. "But you'll be there, right? And be my best stallion? I want you to be my best stallion."

Onyx felt his heart swell. He took a deep breath, he straightened his back, and a wide smile spread across his face. "Of course. And you'll be mine, right?"

Noble nodded. "Totally." He held out a hoof.

Onyx bumped it with his own. "You're gonna make some lucky mare very happy."

"You will, too."

Onyx flashed a toothy grin. "Of course I will. My thingy's bigger."

Doubt

“I could kill her, Auntie Luna.” On the balcony of Luna’s observatory, the night wind stung deeply, bringing with it the first chill of winter. Onyx swung the Starlight Blade in front of him, parrying the attack of an imagined foe before thrusting the sword into its unseen chest. “One push, and she would be gone, and you would rule all of Equestria. You, a benevolent queen who would understand the darkness in the world and not hide in the light.”

A familiar voice whispered from inside his skull. ‘So easy. Why not tonight?’

“It wouldn't be hard.”

Luna stepped up beside him. “And for how long do you think you would be satisfied, were it I on the throne instead of you?"

Onyx returned the blade to the sheath on his back and looked out over the sparkling city of Canterlot. His shoulders felt heavy, and his head drooped. “Not for a moment.”

Initiation

"Atta boy, Noble! Get 'im, son!" Shining Armor, clad in his ceremonial purple garb, lowered his head and stomped the floor in a tight rhythm. Princess Cadence could only chuckle and shake her head.

Noble furrowed his brows and charged forward, hooves pounding on the marble floors of the Canterlot throne room. His deceptively light robes, white as his coat and trimmed with the same silver, blue and pink that colored his mane, flowed behind him, buzzing with the defensive enchantments they afforded. He flourished his rapier and conjured a magical shield in front of his body. "YAH!"

'You could have countered.' Onyx tried not to hear. 'You limit yourself. Do you wish to fail?'

"Ugh!" With a grunt, Onyx leapt from the ground to his hooves and shook off the daze that clouded his vision. Refocusing his eyes, he saw Noble draw rapidly closer. With a pulse from his horn, two phantasmal broadswords formed at Onyx's sides.

'Broadswords? Those won't do. Why not the pretty one over there, the one in the velvet box? He won't feel a thing.'

"RARGH!" Onyx charged the white stallion, his two conjured blades poised to strike.

'They say royal blood is like honey. Wouldn't you like a taste?'

In no time, the fighters were upon each other, and Onyx drew back one of his blades. "HYAH!" The clang of metal and the buzz of magic rang out throughout the throne room as the Noble and Onyx traded blows. A broadsword swung high, only to be blocked by a shield. A rapier thrust forward, quickly dodged by its intended target. On and on they struggled, neither able to gain an advantage, until…

'His neck is exposed.'

Onyx twitched, and one of his broadswords swung in a wide arc, closing rapidly in on Noble's neck. Time slowed, and Onyx could not breathe, and only too late did he notice the rapier's tip driving itself toward his unguarded chest. He tried to redirect his swinging broadsword to block, but the magic in his horn would not obey. He shouted at himself within his own head, 'I can't stop. Auntie, I can't stop!'

"Enough!" The rich voice of Princess Celestia filled the entirety of the massive space, and as she flared her wings, the two fighters froze, enveloped in a casing of golden light. The broadsword's blade stopped inches from making contact, and Onyx felt the slightest pressure on his chest. "I declare this match a draw. The exhibition is over." At her side sat Princess Luna, and nearby, two sets of parents beamed with pride.

On the opposite side of the room, one hundred unicorns in light armor stomped their thunderous approval. Half wore armor that was colored grey with red and black trim. On their armors' flanks were emblazoned a black sword with a red tip, a perfect facsimile of Onyx's cutie mark. The other half wore similar armor, though these were white and accented with blue and pink, and their insignia was of a silver shield adorned with a crown and radiating blue and pink light.

Panting, Noble and Onyx allowed their conjured armaments to disappear as the golden light surrounding them waned. Without words, they bowed to each other, then turned to face their recruits. They stood firm and motionless, one wearing a smile and bright eyes, the other seemingly staring into nothingness.

As the stomping died down, Princess Celestia descended the staircase that led to her throne. She walked along the spotless red carpet until she stood between the two stallions, where she spoke in loud, clear voice to the mass of unicorns before her. "Newest members of the guard, your commanders are honorable ponies and capable warriors. Do you swear loyalty to them and to Equestria?"

Rows and rows of warriors brought their hooves up in salute. "Yes, Princess."

"And will you pledge your life to justice and to each other?"

The response was louder still. "Yes, Princess!"

"Then by my order, let it be known that the sun shines brightly on the newest regiments of the Equestrian Military - Prince Noble Shield's Daybreak Guard, and Commander Onyx's Nightfall Guard!"

A thick silence hung in the air. Several of the recruits' eyes darted back and forth.

Shining Armor cleared his throat and announced, "Uh, you guys can start celebrating now."

Raucous cheering broke out from the crowd, and the unicorns of the guard broke formation to hug and converse and form bonds that would last a lifetime.

Satisfied, Princess Celestia turned and made her way back to her guests.

Noble maintained a straight back and marched over to Onyx with his head held high. "Pretty great, huh? You should cheer up, though." He playfully punched Onyx's shoulder. "You just got promoted, Commander."

Onyx gave a half-hearted grimace. "Yeah. It's… great."

"What's wrong?"

Onyx sighed and looked at the recruits, who were beside themselves with excitement. "Do they know what lies ahead? Do they know that this guard is not for ceremony, but for defense should the changelings break our truce? Do they comprehend that, even should they survive combat, they will return as different ponies than the ones that left?"

'Their worthless lives are not your concern.'

Noble shook his head and smirked. "I swear, Onyx, Luna's really screwing up your grammar."

Onyx snorted and bumped Noble with his shoulder. "Yeah, you're right. I should loosen up."

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Onyx slowly turned his head towards Noble and raised an eyebrow. "That we're not really breaking protocol if we hit on each other's subordinates?"

"Bingo!"

Goddess

'A whole army, ripe for the slaughter, and they're not even ponies! Quite the opposite, in fact. Your enemies are so much lesser than you, and when they pose a threat to these beloved friends and family of yours, what choice do you have? What choice indeed.'

Onyx lie curled up on his bed, clutching the sides of his skull.

'Such a waste. A withering kingdom, ruled by an incompetent monarch that cannot even keep her subjects fed. You could lead them, if only you had the will to do so.'

His hooves began to shake, and under his breath, he prayed for the light of day.

'Who do think will die first? Perhaps Winter Breeze will take a horn to the gut and spill herself all over the desert. Maybe Spellshaper will lose a limb and succumb to gangrene.'

Onyx could barely whisper into the dark night. "Please, h-help…"

'You'll want to keep your worthless guard alive, I imagine. I wonder if you'll succeed. Of course, there is one way to be sure. Are you strong enough to take that path? I wonder…'

The door to the hallway burst open, bringing with it a calming blue light. Borne on her outstretched wings, Luna glided into the room and landed at the edge of Onyx's bed. The glow of her horn grew brighter, illuminating the stallion that lie shivering on the red velvet bedspread. Her stomach lurched at the sight, and her tongue only loosened after great effort. "You need not fear, Onyx. I am here."

Onyx gasped for breath and snapped his head up to face the light at the tip of Luna's horn. He focused on it, the way it shimmered and changed hue every so slightly. The longer he kept himself transfixed, the further away the voice became, until all that remained was a shadow of a memory. He lie still for a moment, then sat up and whispered, "Thank you, auntie."

"Forgive my intrusion, but when I sensed your fear, I peered into your dreams." Luna sat down on the bed next to him. "You are… concerned for your Nightfall Guard's safety. I assure you, we have recruited only from the greatest masters of spells and swords. They will be most capable of protecting each other should your diplomatic mission fail."

"Auntie, it isn't just the changelings." Onyx kneaded the bedspread below him. "If something should happen and Sombra takes hold, I fear I won't be able to stop. I don't know what he'll force me to do. I might turn on my own troops or N–" His voice caught in his throat. A vision crossed his mind. White fur, stained red. "...or Noble. Please, auntie, you have such excellent control of Nightmare Moon. Help me lock Sombra away as well. Help me numb his influence over me. I don't care about the cost."

Luna gazed out at the cold room. Though Onyx's dwelling contained mostly fine luxuries, kept pristine through rigorous cleaning and organization, a small table remained littered with treasures from his past. His first lyre, on which he'd played a theme to make even Cadence smile. Black and white crystals from days spent joyfully practicing magic in the gardens. A love note from his first marefriend.

To the untrained eye, Luna remained stoic and unyielding, but to somepony that had known her for almost two decades, the signs were obvious. Her chest heaved almost imperceptibly with every breath. Her head hung slightly low. Her wings drooped a quarter-inch. "You… ask for sedation. What you seek will do you only harm. I shall not assist you."

Onyx leaned in, and his voice became more gruff and direct. "Auntie, all I ask is that you afford me the same protections you yourself have used, the same fortifications that you have placed on your mind and soul."

"What do you see what you look at me?"

"What?" Onyx withdrew a few inches. His lips parted and hung open while he searched for words. "I… you are a beautiful princess and a caring aunt that has always had my best interests in mind. I see a strong leader that deserves to be adored, one that I should model myself after." He scooted closer. "What do you see?"

"I see nothing."

Onyx shrank at the coldness of her tone. It gripped his heart, filling him with guilt and anxiety. As long as he could remember, Luna had never yelled at him, but the iciness in her voice had always sufficed.

Luna cast a sideways glance. "You seek to repress your nature, but it will not force Sombra away. All you would accomplish is the annihilation of yourself. I have been able to keep Nightmare Moon at bay, yes, at the expense of all the vibrancy in my life. I do not smile so much these days, nor have I allowed myself to cry since my return. I fear that allowing passion to take hold of me, even for a moment, would provide all the opportunity Nightmare Moon would need. She is under control, yes, but I would not wish this ennui, this smoldering nothingness, upon anyone. Therefore, I shall not assist you."

"Then you must promise me something else."

Luna cocked her head to the side. "Hm?"

"Should a time come when I am lost… If Sombra ever takes control of me, you must promise to destroy me."

Luna averted her gaze. "I cannot."

Onyx stood up on his bed. "But that's villainous!" He padded around Luna and began screaming directly at her face. "You have a duty to protect all of Equestria! Sombra threatens the well-being of your subjects, and you would sit idly by and do nothing? How? How can you argue that one meaningless unicorn is more important than stopping the reign of an evil tyrant?"

Luna closed her eyes. "Because you matter. Because I love you."

Onyx's eyes opened wide, and he took half a step back.

Luna took a long, calm breath and opened her eyes. "My dear Onyx, I could not possibly ransom your life for any sum." She shook her head. "I would be incapable. I would fail. Your value to me surpasses the threat of one thousand evils."

Onyx stared, suddenly feeling very small.

"Death and sedation are not so different. In either case, I would be trading away the happiness of somepony I love for uncertain safety. I would be sacrificing the young, talented colt I have seen grow into a great leader in the name of banishing the darkness for an unknown time. This, I cannot do. I cannot deny you the sweetness of life. It is only you that can truly defeat Sombra."

"But…" Onyx swallowed hard. "What happens if I can't stop?"

With a flash of movement, Luna reached out a foreleg, wrapped it around his neck, and pulled. Onyx could not react – he could only allow his auntie to draw him into her embrace. Her chest felt warm against his, and however briefly, she nuzzled him along his neck. "I shall always believe in you, Onyx. My faith shall not waiver for a moment."

"Ah…" Onyx tried to protest again, but he became lost in the warm feeling that spread from his chest to the rest of his body, from his hooves to the tip of his horn. It pushed back the cold emptiness of the room, and for the first time in years, the presence of Sombra seemed completely gone. In its place, Onyx imagined the countless faces of parents, princesses, guards, friends, and a brother of a different bloodline, smiling around him and viewing him not in the light of a former tyrant, but only as Onyx, a unicorn whom they cherished. He could feel their warmth as well, and the heaviness deep in his chest seemed to disappear.

For a moment, he understood. He did not feel like a reincarnation of a dead king. He felt like himself, a singular pony with beauty and flaws all his own. He saw himself on his own path, undeterred by the voices inside. For a moment, he saw clearly, and he felt free.

With a slow hoof, he reached around Luna's back and returned her embrace.

Temptation

The doors to the Canterlot throne room sang a melancholy dirge as they creaked open. Light poured through the stained glass windows, but the eerie stillness in the air made their scenes of victory and light seem hollow and artificial. Were it not for the manes of the two princesses magically flowing without pause, the room could have been mistaken for a museum painting.

Wearing battle raiment that was dirty but unscathed, Noble Shield marched forward, the sound of his hoofsteps ricocheting off the walls. He moved mechanically, each step a measured distance from the last. His eyes were sunken and marked by dark circles. The corners of his mouth were turned slightly downward, and though the stallion's visage showed signs of youthful vitality, deep wrinkles were etched across his brow. He barely breathed, and he blinked even less as he slowly trudged towards the thrones of the two princesses. In his mouth, he carried a ribbon, and from that ribbon hung a large, black velvet box.

Sixty-one unicorns followed closely behind him in a deteriorating formation. They looked equally tarnished, though their armor showed no sign of damage. Fifty of them wore white armor, and eleven wore grey.

As Noble Shield stopped before the thrones of the princesses, the sixty-one unicorns halted and groggily stood at attention.

Princess Celestia rose from her seat and addressed the crowd. "We welcome you with open hearts, brave warriors." She lowered her voice slightly. "And it is good to see you again, Noble Shield."

Noble Shield set the box down on the ground and bowed low. "We have returned from the western front with news of the changeling invasion."

"Invasion?" Celestia took a step forward. "Your orders were to meet the changeling army and re-establish our truce. What has happened?"

From atop her throne, Luna's back straightened, and she drew a sharp breath. Her eyes focused on the box that lie on the ground before Noble Shield. Her throat felt dry, and try as she might, she could not shake the unease that gripped her insides. "Rise, loyal guard. We are most relieved that you have returned safely. We imagine you have endured much in the unexpected battle."

Noble rose, but his eyes felt heavy. He could not lift them to view the princesses. "I'm sorry, Princess Luna, but you are mistaken." His voice seemed to falter. "I merely marched to the field, awaited on the sidelines, and marched back after the battle."

Celestia narrowed her eyes. "Your heart appears troubled, Noble Shield." She looked out at the sea of tired, downtrodden warriors and noted the lack of grey armor. "Tell me, what were the losses to the Nightfall Guard?"

"None, my princess."

Celestia remained still. "How can this be so? Was there not a battle at the Neighvada Wastes?"

"There was, my princess, near the Bluebell River."

Luna leaned forward and shouted, "Explain!" Her eyes widened, and she forced her voice to mellow. "Why have you returned in this state? Where is Commander Onyx, and why were there no losses?"

"There were no losses to the Nightfall, my princess. Commander Onyx… refused to let anypony onto the battlefield."

Luna gasped and turned her eyes once again to the box.

Celestia returned to her seat. "Noble, I understand that you have seen much, and we shall give you a hero's welcome, but we must request you explain everything from the beginning. Spare no detail."

Noble tilted his head upwards and paused. He took several breaths. "When we arrived at Bluebell, Onyx acted according to your order. He sent a messenger to the opposing commander calling for a diplomatic parley to renegotiate the truce. The messenger returned a day later, drained of his energy and on the brink of death."

"Hm." Celestia considered the ramifications, but her expression did not falter. "Then there was no parley."

"Correct, my princess. When he had recovered enough to speak, the messenger told us of the changeling forces. We had greatly underestimated their number: over eight thousand troops had amassed on the western border. They refused to speak with their 'appetizer' and had warned us to flee or surrender immediately. They meant to take Canterlot. We attempted to send word to you, but their wizards had crafted runes all around the wastes to block our sending spells."

Luna began rapidly blinking as tears formed in her eyes. She composed herself. "What… what was your decision?"

"Commander Onyx…" Noble cleared his throat. "The two of us argued vehemently in our tent for hours. Onyx wanted to fall back and save our guard so that we could join the battle in Canterlot, but I refused. I…" He wiped his eyes with a fetlock. "In my short-sightedness, I wanted to make a heroic last stand. I wanted to send messengers and buy Canterlot any time we could." Noble paused. "And he relented, but only on the condition that I lead both guards while he made his own preparations."

Noble drew a shaky breath. "I-I knew he was acting strange, but I didn't confront him. He... Dammit." He sniffled and shook his head.

Celestia nodded slowly. "Take all the time you need, Prince Noble."

Noble straightened his back and looked up at the princesses, his voice clear. "I posted an around-the-clock guard. He retreated to his tent and told us he would meditate, and that we were to disturb him only when the first changeling crossed the Bluebell River."

"And you did as he asked."

Noble paused, and his eyes grew dark. "At first daylight, when the first fleet of drones passed over the river, I hurried to the tent. Not a moment after I lifted the flap, a…" His head began shaking. "...horrible dread took hold of me. My blood felt like ice in my veins as something dark burst from the tent."

His eyes widened again, and he shuddered. "It was like a comet made out of dark fire. Large, inky tendrils wrapped around a glowing red center the size of a pony, and the whole mass sounded like an earthquake as it streaked across the sky. It flew through the air, and everywhere it moved, it left a trail of dense, black smoke that reeked of sulfur and did not dissipate for hours.

"It was a bloodbath. The comet moved erratically, wildly dodging left and right to consume changeling after changeling. Their formations broke instantly. Chitin and green ooze rained down on the field below. Those that were not consumed fled, but most did not get very far – they dropped out of the sky after breathing in too much of the toxic smog." Noble's lip quivered, and he bowed low to the ground. "Onyx… It was Sombra. It had to be."

Luna stood and raised her voice. "Do not speak such things! Onyx would not allow Sombra to take control!" Her gaze fell once again to the velvet box.

Noble continued unabated, though his voice was muffled by the floor. "The guard and I remained paralyzed by awe. We couldn't move, we couldn't speak… We just stood there, watching as Onyx tore apart every last one of them. And when he was finished, the comet took off, deep into the changeling lands."

Celestia grit her teeth. "His actions may have endangered any hope we had of peace!" she shouted. "Why didn't you stop him?"

Noble rapidly stood up, defiantly staring Celestia down. "I would have done anything to stop him, Your Highness! But he was gone in the blink of an eye. The Nightfall and Dawnbreak Guard looked to me for guidance, and I gave them the only order I could. I told them to wait." He turned to Luna. "Princess Luna, Your Majesty has always advised me to trust the Commander. He has been my best friend for years, and I have as much faith in him as you. So we waited."

Noble looked over his shoulder at the mixed guard. Their faces were pale, and all of them looked rapidly between the prince and the two princesses.

Celestia stood and descended the stairs. She spoke in a calm, collected voice. "I asked for every detail, Prince Noble Shield, and you have not yet told us why you returned."

Noble turned back around and stared at the box. "We waited. At sunset on the third day, the comet returned, smaller and glowing more weakly, but still terrifying in its own right. It settled in front of us, and all at once, the shell disappeared. In its place stood Onyx, panting and with the eyes of a pony that hadn't slept in a week. His ribcage showed under his armor, and his cheeks were sunken, and his teeth had grown sharp.

"He dropped an object from his mouth and merely whispered, 'It is done.' When we recoiled in horror at what he'd brought, he said more clearly, 'I harbor no anger for those that would turn back.' He summoned a guard to fetch this box. He then stowed the object inside with a note and cast a preservation spell, commanding that only the princesses should open it or speak of its contents."

Luna flapped her wings and glided down next to her sister. "Then Onyx is alive and well?" She spoke quickly. "Why has he not returned? Where did he go?"

Celestia interrupted her train of questions. "We will need to reopen diplomatic negotiations at once. If Onyx has trespassed into their lands, we may soon be at war with the Changeling Kingdom."

Noble looked down again and shook his head, tears forming in his eyes. "My princess…" With a weak hoof, he nudged the black velvet box towards her.

Celestia took the box in her own magic, covering it with a radiant golden glow. Her magical grasp on it dissipated.

Luna could not look away.

Slowly, Celestia bent down and removed the cover to the soft sound of velvet rubbing on velvet. With a flick of her hoof, the top came off, and Celestia tried to make sense of what she saw. It appeared to be a mass of seafoam-green threads. They were attached to a large black ball, which itself sprouted two staves: a chitinous black stick full of holes and a wide black blade that twinkled with flecks of light.

Celestia screamed. She flapped her wings and jumped back into the air, mouth agape as she understood what lie before her. There, in the black velvet box on the floor, was the Starlight Blade, driven to the hilt into the decapitated head of Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen. On her horn was stuck a note that merely read, "I will not stop."

Noble Shield bowed low. "I'm sorry, my princess. There is no more Changeling Kingdom. There is only the domain of King Onyx."

Abyss

King Onyx ran a hoof along the banister of his balcony. Part of him admired his own ingenuity – tearing down the hive and building a crystal palace in its place was no small feat, and it would have taken even the most skilled Canterlot architects decades to complete such a grand, opulent palace of dark crystal. With the more creative member of his Nightfall guard assisting, it had taken him only eleven months. Part of him admired their quick work, and the rest of him wanted to slam his hoof onto the banister and smash it to pieces. 'It can be better.'

Lost in his thoughts, Onyx barely heard his advisor's words. "...cape will be ready soon, my lord. Red velvet with spotted trim, as you requested."

Onyx rested his hoof on the ground. The armor wrapped around it clicked heavily on the smooth crystal floor. His voice was flat and weary, more of a rumble than a vocalization. "Thank you, Storm." He looked over his shoulder to the bowing unicorn before him. "But as I have requested, please forego the formalities when we are alone."

Storm Break, clad in his flowing green robes, stood and stared for a moment. "Yes, On–" He stopped himself. "I… hope you don't mind if I use your real name, then."

"Please do." Onyx looked back out into the expansive wastes before him. He imagined running east to the border of his land, the Bluebell River. He imagined jumping in and returning to Equestria, the water washing away everything he had become. And he imagined using it all as a ruse to win back the trust of a foolish princess. "Though I'm not convinced that stallion exists anymore."

"Onyx," Storm said firmly, joining him at the banister. Storm craned his neck to attempt eye contact, even as Onyx's gaze remained unbroken. "You are not Sombra. Taking his name to rally the Changelings to your cause was a stroke of genius, but you are still you." Tentatively, he set a hoof on Onyx's shoulder. "No old story about your soul or your mind or any part of you is going to change that."

Onyx slowly shook his head, the movements almost undetectable. "It already has."

Storm looked to the horizon as well. "We can still call a truce with Equestria. I'm sure your aunt will welcome you ba–"

"No!" Onyx roared. He threw his hooves onto the banister and leaned forward, precariously setting his body weight on the crystal beam. "This has nothing to do with choices, Storm," he grumbled, his voice taking on a low, gritty tone. "This desire, this longing… To conquer the greatest ruler in Equestria is the ambrosia that drives me, sears me to my bones. I long to have that sweet victory on lips. I want it." He clenched his teeth. "I need it. More than air, and more than life. I must become better, become the greatest conqueror the world has ever known. And I must do it quickly." He relaxed his face, and his voice became more gentle. "Else I risk a drawn-out war that claims the lives of a thousand-thousand innocents. Sombra is consuming me. Perhaps he already has, but I know that he will not blink in the face of all the world's pain."

"But Onyx, victory can only be achieved through careful planning and strategy. Why do you insist on laying siege with such a small regiment?"

"Because Celestia will do what she always does – send her champions to do her dirty work for her. I will need every changeling and pony I can get to defend the palace, and I need enough soldiers I can trust to maintain order while I am away." He turned his head to Storm Break. "Which is why you shall remain here. Celestia will not violate the terms of our treaty. If I am unsuccessful, the residents here will not be harmed."

"But that treaty excluded the leadership!" Storm inched closer. "My friend, I fear what will become of you should you fail."

Onyx backed away from the edge of his balcony. "And I fear what will become of the world should I succeed."

A dusty breeze blew through the parapets and up to the high tower where the two of them sat. Neither said a word as they gazed eastward, the sun setting behind him.

As twilight enveloped the land and a chill began taking hold, Storm Break spoke up, though the words tasted like ash in his mouth. "There is one other order of business."

"Yes?" Onyx whispered, still staring out into the desert wasteland.

"Our spies have…" Storm coughed into his hoof. "They report that Prince Noble Shield is to be wed early next month."

Onyx quickly spun around to his advisor. His eyes opened wide, gleaming in the failing light, and he realized he'd forgotten what it felt like to smile. "W-was there an invitation?"

Storm Break took half a step back and averted his gaze. He chuckled awkwardly. "Heh heh. My king… Onyx, we are on the brink of war with Equestria. I doubt even the princesses have the political clout to extend such an invitation, regardless of their wishes. Regardless of how much they all miss you."

"Oh." Onyx's head drooped, and he cast his gaze to the floor. "Yes. Of course."

"There will likely be extra guards, but the council recommends you take the opportunity to sneak in and begin your assault while the populace is distracted."

Onyx's mane billowed in the cold wind. "And what did you tell them?"

Storm gave him a weak smile. "That you would never even consider it."

Onyx drew a shaky breath. "Thank you," he sighed. "You are dismissed."

Without another word, Storm Break bowed low and slowly traipsed through the large doors and into the castle.

Onyx waited until the sound of hoofsteps had faded completely. When all that remained was himself and the night, he reached up and ran a hoof through his mane. His hoof knocked against his iron crown, and he lamented how easily he had grown used the acquisition of power. His limbs felt heavy, and his mind felt clouded, and even as peaceful as the night was becoming as the buzzing of changeling wings died down, the black fire in his chest raged on, and his madness continued whispering thoughts of conquest into his mind.

But for just a moment, his thoughts cleared, and he spoke aloud to the night. "Dear, sweet Auntie, I pray that you can stop me." He turned his head one final time to the east.

And there, on the balcony, Onyx wept alone, humming a familiar wedding tune.

Sire

'You have failed.'

Onyx sucked in a quick breath and braced himself against the oncoming pain. He was ready. It would finally be over.

But he felt no sting. He cracked open an eye to see the rapier hanging mere inches from his forehead, held fast by a white light. Beyond its pointed tip, he saw a slack-jawed, hyperventilating Noble Shield, looking directly at him and gently shaking his head. "No," he whispered.

Onyx felt his survival instinct raced through his body, and his anger burst forth like water from a broken dam. "Weak-willed fool!" The red tip of his horn flared to life in a cluster of black magical energy, and a dark cloud formed around the two stallions. As if drawn by a mighty vortex, it swirled in the air and was sucked into Noble's body through his ears, nose, mouth, and eyes.

Noble screamed and coughed as he choked on the fumes, collapsing to the ground along with his sword. Dark ink coursed through his veins. He tried to move his legs, but they refused his commands. His eyes darted around the room only to find the windows tinted to uselessness and the walls still bleeding with Onyx's dark crimson magic. The only light remaining was from the throne room's grand chandelier, and in its feeble glow, Noble Shield could only struggle for breath and turn his gaze upwards to the shadowy figure looming over him.

Onyx stared down at the prince, his sclera stained an unnatural green. Black smoke poured out of the corners of his eyes and joined the dark miasma that billowed behind him, indistinguishable from his black mane. Onyx's voice boomed. "I shall spare you only once. Should you stand against me again, I shall make an orphan of your foal." He swept his red cape over the trembling prince, shrouding him in a bubble of dark magic that completely hid him from view.

The walls bubbled with the red and black ooze that leaked through the stone and cast the room into darkness. Only two ponies remained – a grey unicorn whose horn bled with power, and an alicorn princess draped in the night itself.

Onyx moved slowly down the red carpet, eyes focuses squarely on Luna. "Care you nothing for your subjects?"

Luna remained on her throne, staring down the steps with half-lidded eyes at her beloved nephew.

A gleam on the wall caught Onyx's eye. Behind Luna, mounted directly above her head, sat the Starlight Blade. Onyx smiled. "I see you received my gift. Must have been terrible work cleaning that sword."

'Such hubris. She shall pay.'

Onyx's horn glowed with a black miasma. He focused his energy on the sword, but as soon as his magic reached out to take hold, it dissipated like mist in the sunlight.

Onyx felt his mind break in half. Seeing his magic falter upon the Starlight Blade weighed down on him like a thousand years of woe, and yet he could not deny the glee he felt at so nearly being rid of his weaker half.

Part of him fought to stop walking forward, to lie down and allow Luna to save Equestria, but this piece of him had no control. He could not stop.

Luna did not move.

The room creaked under the strain of the dark magic as Onyx drew closer. "Your subjects flee in terror, your champions are being drained of their energy, and your very sister lies dead by my horn!" He stopped at the bottom of the stairs. His body pulsed with red and black energy. He conjured a broadsword and swung it in front of his face, pointing directly at the princess. "And still you do nothing!"

Luna's mane blew in an invisible wind. She remained still.

Onyx panted. His muscles shook. Darkness creeped along the edges of his vision, and his mind clouded with images of violent acts and terrible destruction. A mighty roar burst from his chest and echoed around the room. "RAUGH!!!" He reared back and magically swung the sword with all the force and precision he could muster. It sliced through the air toward the princess, cutting off four hairs from her mane.

The echo died down, and Luna remained still.

Onyx trembled. "Do you find this entertaining, you witch? I will not stop. I cannot stop." His eyes glowed red, and he hissed through his pointed teeth. "I am Sombra, Sorcerer of the Wastes! Emperor of the Dark! I have slain Celestia, and you shall perish unless you raise your-"

Luna's voice cut through the darkness. "My sister remains unharmed."

Onyx took half a step back, his jaw hanging slack for a moment. He glowered again. "Y-You cannot…"

Luna nodded. She spoke calmly and softly. "I imagine you have captured her and sealed her away, much as you did to Noble Shield. A temporary solution, at best." She lowered her head. "You do not truly wish for them do die."

"H-How did…" The fog on his mind cleared, but only for a moment before his hatred once again seized his body. He snorted and growled like a feral animal. "You know nothing of my desires. I will kill anypony that-"

"Auntie always knows when you're lying, dear nephew."

Onyx's heart pounded in his chest. The deep dark whispered to him no longer. Instead, its shouting drowned out all other sounds. 'She has made a fool of you. She will show no mercy. Kill her.' Onyx ceased breathing. He ceased thinking. 'Kill her!'

"Argh!" Onyx threw the sword to the ground. It evaporated as it hit the hard marble floor, and he whipped his head back to face Luna as he spat out the words, "Why won't you end me? I don't want to be this way anymore!"

She frowned. "Because I love you, dear nephew, and I believe in you."

"You fool!"

The darkness whispered again. 'You cannot stop.'

And Onyx echoed its sentiment. "I cannot stop!"

He felt his power begin to swell, and his body along with it. He lost all feeling in his extremities, and a noise like a fireball bellowed behind him as he began to transmute into a giant, roiling mass of black smog.

'You will not stop.'

"I will not stop."

His form rose higher into the air, the cloud of toxic darkness rapidly filling the back of the throne room.

'Not until…'

Only his head remained untransformed, and a glowing ball of green fire raged amidst the cloud. A voice bellowed from Onyx's mouth, but he did not recognize it as his own. He did not will himself to say the words, and yet the words flowed freely. The voice cracked like thunder and shook the foundation of the castle. "Not until all the world is mine!"

Onyx looked down at Luna, envisioning a thousand tortures to inflict upon her, a thousand ways to revel in her utter defeat. His desire burned within him, a lust to see another corpse crushed by his power, and he licked his lips at the prospect. He loved and hated her, this princess that would not lift a hoof to save her kingdom. "Your end is now!"

She shook her head slowly. "I will always have faith in you."

Onyx seethed, and green fire blew out of his nostrils. His body acted on his own, reaching out black tendrils to either side of her. He screamed at himself how beautifully wrong it was, how he was about to dismember the one pony that understood him, and how much utter joy he would experience in relishing the feeling.

He wanted to laugh and cry all at once, and though a sliver of his conscious mind began to fight back, the darkness crept into the sides of his vision. It spread across his eyes, and he felt his soul slipping away, fragmenting into a million pieces. "No." His head ached, his eyes burned, and he felt a presence wrest control of his body. He tried to reach out to Luna with his magic, to push her out of the way or shield her or do anything, but all his power became consumed by Sombra.

He felt weak. Frail. He could not feel the cool air of the throne room or the heat of the fire that burned within him. The smell of sulfur was replaced by emptiness. With a last look at his dear Auntie Luna, his vision failed. He tried to protest, but the only sounds were a raging fire and a cackling sorcerer. Even his memories felt like they were being stripped away, one by one. His entire being became smaller and smaller and smaller, but his ambition, the driving force present through his whole life, still commanded him to fight on. It commanded him to push harder, to never stop, and to keep the promise he had made so long ago.

"NO!" Onyx reached out with his magic one final time, and in that moment, he felt himself become nothing.