Chapter 1: The Invitation
It all started out as a normal morning for me. I was walking through town on my normal morning routine when i noticed six young ladies sitting out in a field, apparently having a picnic. I decided to not bother them when i noticed a baby dragon run up to them. I quietly listened to the conversation and learned of a wedding being held in Canterlot between Princess Miamore Cadenza and Twilight Sparkle's brother, Shining Armor. I grinned as i walked off.
"So, she's finally getting married is she? Hmm, i wouldn't want to miss this for the world. Not. One. Bit." I whispered to myself as i changed my form to one wearing a long black cloak and a hood. I walked alone through town as people looked at me. They must have thought i was creepy or insane because of the cloak, but i cared not. I made my way to my home on the farthest border of Ponyville property and opened the door and then shut and locked it. I grabbed a book off the shelf and read over a few pages quickly then put it back.
"Going somewhere?" A voice asked from behind me. I turned and faced my companion, Inferno.
"Yes, a wedding in fact. Royalty." I said and he nodded.
"Come home soon my friend. I fear the princess's may learn of our presence if you stay out too long." He warned me.
"Fret not Inferno, i can mask my presence. I shall be back when the wedding ends." I said and walked out the door. I lit my horn up and cloaked myself in an invisible wall to block my energy, then spread my wings and flew towards Canterlot. When i arrived there was a massive barrier around the place. "Oh this simply wont do." I said and spread a hole in the barrier then slipped through then fixed it. I landed in a back alleyway and began wandering the street with dozens of other people. I hid my wings as to not cause a commotion as i walked. After about a half hour i heard a train arrive before i slipped into an alleyway and transformed into a guard. I had the horn showing helmet and regular armor to cover my wings as well. I warped to a position at the tracks and saw Twilight and her friends get off.
"What's with all the guards?" The one called Rainbow Dash asked as they unboarded.
"Extra security miss. Please, you six come with me." I said to them in monotone as they followed me. "The princess's have been expecting you both. Im sure they'll be glad to know you've arrived." I said, somehow knowing about everything.
"Well its nice to know someone expected us." Twilight Sparkle said. We reached the main gate and stopped. "I've got something to say to you!" Twilight shouted, causing all guards to aim weapons at her. They were all lowered when the captain of the guard, Shining Armor, called out to her and ran downstairs to meet her. They talked for a moment as Armor repaired his control on the barrier and walked off with her. I grinned as i changed back to my cloaked form and walked off towards the castle. I made it to the cathedral where the wedding was to be held and looked around. Silence, just what i love.
"Aah, a quiet place at last." I said and flew up to an open window on the ceiling and laid down in it. I fell asleep inside of it and when i awoke it was nighttime and Celestia was standing inside with Cadence, Armor and Twilight's friends. Twilight wasn't there though. Then, she came bursting through the doors.
"Im here! And im not standing next to her! And neither should YOU!" Twilight shouted at her brother.
"I-Im sorry, i dont know why she's acting like this!" Shining said.
"Maybe we should just ignore her." Cadence said. After a few minutes of talking Twilight said something that caught my attention.
"She's EVIL!" SHe shouted and i nearly fell from the window. She went on for a moment before Cadence ran out crying.
"Twilight, she hasn't been putting SPELLS on me! Shes been using her magic to HEAL me! Ever since i've had to hold up this barrier around Canterlot i've been getting terrible migraines. Now if you'll excuse me, i have to go and comfort my bride." He said and stormed out, followed by Twilight's friends.
"I-Im sorry, i was just-" Twilight began but was cut off by Celestia.
"You have a lot to think about." Celestia said and slammed the doors shut behind her. Twilight was in tears as she sat there.
"I could have gained a sister..... But instead, i just lost a brother....." She said and i sighed and slowly floated down to the ground. She spun around, startled and looked at me. "W-Who are you?" She asked shakily as i pulled back my hood.
"A friend. Please, let me help you." I said and she sighed.
"How could you help me?" She asked.
"I saw the whole thing. I've been up there for hours." I said and pointed to the window. "I can tell you are troubled miss Sparkle. Tell me, why are you upset?" I asked her and sat down next to her.
"I probably just made everyone i hold dear to me hate me forever." She said and let a tear drop.
"Shh..... Its okay. Im sure they'll forgive you in time." I said and she smiled slightly.
"Thank you, whats your name?" She asked and my eyes shrank back. If i told her my real name, she'd go to the princess. I had to make one up, and fast.
"M-My name is Steel Wing." I said and smiled.
"How did you know my name?" She asked.
"Everyone knows Celestia's star pupil." I said. This was true. "How could i not know the woman who defeated Nightmare Moon and Discord, as well as single handedly defeating an Ursa Minor?" I asked, hinting a tone of fake awe in my voice. I had done so much more amazing things with my lifetime, but that was unimportant.
"Well, i dont like to brag. But thank you anyway." She said with a tear forming.
"I should leave you alone now. I'll see you later. And Twilight?" I asked.
"Yes?" She replied.
"Tell no one you saw me." I said and flew out the window i came in. I stayed just outside the window and listened as she sang something and then heard her voice.
"Im so sorry....." She said. When i looked in i saw Cadence looking at her. Then a ring of green fire appeared.
"You WILL be....." Cadence growled as Twilight fell through the ground and disappeared.
"Hmm, this can only mean one thing." I whispered as Chrysalis walked off. I levitated silently to the ground and then lowered myself through down to where Twilight was.
"Hello?!" She called out through the darkness. She saw me and gasped.
"Shh, keep your voice down and dont say my name. Im going to get you out of here." I whispered but gasped and dematerialized into a wall as Cadence's voice echoed through the room. Cadence spoke to Twilight briefly about the room she was in.
"Its the perfect place to keep people from interfering with my plans....." Cadence said.
"Plans? What plans?!" Twilight called out.
"The plans i have for your brother of course!" Cadence said and Twilights horn glowed.
"Dont you dare touch my brother!" Twilight said and began firing magic it the crystals Cadence hid in. Then she blasted a hole in a wall, revealing Cadence. Twilight's growled and charged her.
"NO,wait!!!!" Cadence yelled as Twilight tackled her. "Please, dont hurt me....." She said and looked up at her, shaking the whole time. "Twilight, its me Cadence! I've been imprisoned, like you. The Cadence who brought you down here was an impostor." Cadence said and Twilight growled.
"Likely story!" She half yelled. Cadence stood up and sighed.
"Sunshine, sunshine ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake." She said and Twilight followed as Cadence smiled. Twilight's eyes lit up as she hugged her and i walked into the room.
"You remember me!" She said and hugged Cadence.
"Of course i do. How could i forget the girl i loved to sit for the most?" Cadence asked as she noticed me. "Who are you?" She asked me.
"My name is Steel Wing. I came to help Twilight out of this mess. Come on, we haven't time to waste!" I said and picked up Cadence. She was injured so i carried her around. After a while of running we finally found a way out. It was a mine cart, old, but usable. I put her down inside and Twilight climbed in.
"What about you?" She asked as i lifted the rocks away.
"Dont worry about me Twilight. I'll find a way out. Right now, you've got a wedding to save. GO!!!!!" I said and pushed the cart. They fly down the rails as i slowly walk away back to the center of the room. I make it back to Where Twilight was when she was imprisoned after about half an hour and when i look up i can see a barrier coming towards me. "They defeated Chrysalis..... How unfortunate....." I said and sighed. "I guess my plans are go for now." I said as i shrugged and sat down. I sat in silence for a few more hours before i heard voices. Celestia was about to wed the bride and groom. I grinned and stood up.
"I know pronounce you, Husband and Wife." Celestia said and everyone else cheered. I grinned and flew at the ceiling and smashed my fist into it. The walls shook and all above went silent. I kept smashing through until my arm burst through the rock and into the cathedral. I burst my other arm through as well and pulled the floor around them down and leapt through into the room. My wings hid before i leapt through so no one saw them as i stood up.
"This wedding..... Is over." I said as a large number of guards pointed weapons at me.
"And who are you to say that?" Shining Armor asked me.
"The one person you dont want to meet." I said in a low voice.
"Guards!" Shining shouted and i pushed them all back and knocked them unconscious.
"Ah, ah, ah. We wont want that now would we?" I asked as Shining drew his sword.
"I do not wish to fight you sir!" He said and stepped in front of me.
"Nor i you, Armor. So i wont." I said and smashed my fist into his chest, spiraling him into the wall across from me.
"SHINING ARMOR!!!!!" Cadence shouted and kneeled at his side. He wasn't dead, nor was he badly injured. He was unconscious as well though.
"Steel why are you doing this?!" Twilight shouted.
"Twilight, you know this man?" Celestia asked and i laughed maniacally.
"No, she doesn't." I said and levitated into the air. My cloak vanished and revealed the scarred surface of my face and arms. My eyes, shifted to a bright, crimson red and my hair turned grey. I expanded my wings and landed across from them.
"Who are you?!" Celestia asked.
"Oh, you dont remember me Celestia? Oh but how could you? You took my wife from me for a thousand years after all....." I growled at her as she stepped back.
"No..... No, no, no, NO, NO, NO, NO! NO YOU CANT BE HERE!!!!!" She screamed as i laughed.
"So you DO remember me?! HA!!! This will be even sweeter than i thought! Everyone, my name is Dark Rider. I am the true master of shadow and the night. I am the husband of Nightmare Moon as well. I have been brooding your downfall for a thousand years Celestia, and now the time has come..... The time has come for the world to once again witness my power..... The time has come..... For the return.......... Of THA ANGEL OF DARKNESS!!!!!" I said and flew through the ceiling and fired a beam at the sun. I laughed maniacally as the sun slowly turned black, shrouding the land in darkness. "EMBRACE ETERNAL DARKNESS!!!!!" I screamed and laughed more.
Chapter 2: Embrace The Darkness
I laughed, howled i should say, for a few minutes before looking back at the castle. I saw Twilight and her friends running towards the main castle. I tapped my chin and grinned at the realization.
"YOU CAN RUN SPARKLE, BUT YOU CANT HIDE!!!!!" I howled as they shot a glance back at me before they kept running. "Finally, a challenge." I whispered and darted off after them. I smashed to the ground at the entrance to the castle and blocked them off. "Oh, whats wrong? Give up already?" I asked as they all took fighting positions. Celestia and Luna landed behind them as well. "Well, well, well. What have we here? The princess's actually fighting for once?" I joked sarcastically as they stepped towards me.
"Out of our way." Dash said. I stood my ground and grinned. "I SAID MOVE IT!!!!!" She howled and smashed a kick into my side, sending me spiraling into a wall a few feet away. Rubble landed all over me as they ran into the building and locked the door. I grinned, stood up, and smashed the wall to bits and walked in.
"Knock, Knock." I said as i saw them with the elements of harmony.
"ENOUGH!!!!!" Twilight howled as her eyes glowed and they all lifted up. I sighed as the elements charged and fired at me. The rainbow hit and swirled around me as i yawned in amusement. I lifted a hand and waved it, causing the twister to exploded away from me.
"A bold sentimate. But did you really believe the elements could harm me?" I asked, lifting them away from the girls and looking at them.
"B-But how?!" Twilight shouted.
"The elements defeated Nightmare because she had light in her heart. Luna's heart. True darkness is immune to the elements." I said and smashed the elements to pieces. "Now, where. Is. She?" I asked and walked forward slowly.
"Who?" Celestia asked. I growled and lunged at her, grabbing her neck and lifting her up.
"WHERE IS NIGHTMARE?!?!" I howled at her.
"She's dead." Twilight said.
"The elements cannot kill, nor can they harm. They shredded Nightmare away from Luna. She is alive and well in this world. Now Celestia, WHERE. ARE. THE SHARDS OF DARKNESS?!?!" I howled again as a door opened. I looked over at it and growled at Celestia. " If this is not what i seek, you shall pay." I said and dropped her as i walked into the room. There was a box with the scraps of Nightmare and her armor locked inside. I grinned and smashed it open with my bare hand, then used my magic to lift, empower and animate the scraps and armor. The armor took the shape of a body while the scraps did the same, then i infused my life force into the form to give it life. Its eyes opened looked at me with the same turquoise, daggers i loved. "Hello Nightmare. I've finally come home." I said and kissed her. "This time, our destiny is complete." I said.
"You did it?" She asked me.
"Yes, the sun is no more. Only a land shrouded in pure darkness." I said as we walked back into the other room. "Let it be known that on this day, Equestria became a land of utter darkness. Go now, feel the power of the shadows. and embrace the darkness!" I shouted and raised my hands as an army of black creatures rose up behind me and formed soldiers. The men had crimson red eyes, like their king, and the women had turquoise blue eyes, like their queen. "Go now, spread the darkness over all of the world. Those who refuse my rule shall be imprisoned and brought here. I shall determine their fate from then on." I said to them and they all saluted.
"Yes, Lord Rider." They all said and flew off.
"Lord Rider..... Its been a thousand years since i was called that..... It feels good to be home again." I said. "Now then, as for you few." I said and walked towards Twilight and the others.
"W-What are you gonna do to us?" Fluttershy asked.
"Hmm..... I dont quite know yet....." I said and grinned at them. Two shadows materialized at the door and formed guards who then blocked off the door. "Hmm, i could lock you up. But where's the fun in that? I could torture you all, but im above that. Oh the possibilities are endless....." I said and chuckled to myself. I opened my eyes and sighed happily as i saw a few of them trembling. "Or i could just let you go free. Let you go about your lives as if nothing changed." I said and smiled genuinely.
"W-What?" Twilight asked and i laughed.
"Twilight, do you really think you DESERVE imprisonment or torture?" I asked and walked forward.
"N-No, i suppose not..... But why would you let us go?" She asked me.
"Because. You and your friends have provided me with a thrill i haven't had in a thousand years. Why should the fun have to just end? Now run along, i am tired and need some rest." I said and smiled.
"One more thing Dark Rider." Luna said.
"Ask freely princess. My ears are yours to listen." I said and looked at her.
"What have we done to wrong you?" She asked me and i sighed and turned around.
"More than you could possibly imagine....." I whispered.
"Tell me, what have taken from you?" She asked again. There was a silent between all of us before she spoke again. "What have we taken-" She said but i cut her off and spun around angrily.
"YOU TOOK BOTH MY CHILDREN FROM ME!!!!!" I howled at her. She stepped back in fear as i calmed down. "You took my two sons, my wife, my pride, my honor, my home. You, DARE ask me what you've done to me?!..... Im sorry you two, but i cannot continue speaking. It pains me so....." I said as Nightmare and i walked upstairs. We walked up the stairs and two shadow guards opened our bedroom door for us. "Thank you sirs." I said as they bowed.
"Yes lord Rider." They said and shut the door behind me. I turned the lights on and looked around the room. It appeared to be similar to Celestia's room but with a slightly different design. I tapped my chin and smiled.
"Its missing something..... Ah, i've got it!" I said and the whole room flashed and changed. When the light disappeared the whole room was a series of dark colors and everything was using the same design of the shadow guards, Luna's guards and many other dark symbols. I looked around and smiled at my work. "Well, what do you think?" I asked Nightmare.
"I like it." She said and smiled.
"Glad to hear it. Come on, we should get some rest." I said as we went over and laid down in the bed. I turned the lights off with my magic and fell asleep.
The next morning, i awoke to the sounds of hollering and orders being shouted. I jumped out of bed and ran through the doors and upstairs. I passed several soldiers and injured the like as i ran. I reached the top of the tower and saw Nightmare standing next to me shadow captain, Soul Snare.
"What in Equestria is going on out here?!" I shouted.
"Lord Rider! We are under siege!" Soul Snare shouted back at me and i looked over the ledge. There was an army of soldiers approaching the castle as my armies massed at the front door. I growled as i saw who was leading this attack as well.
"Celestia....." I growled and jumped over the ledge. I smashed into the roof of the lower castle and looked over the army. "Celestia! Why do you lay siege to my city here?! Have you not learned that you cannot defeat the darkness?!" I howled at her.
"Dark Rider! I have come to reclaim my city, and to defeat you and free this land of your darkness!" She shouted and fired a beam of light at us. I gasped as the light evaporated my men and struck me next. I howled in pain as the light burned me down. When it faded i was heavily wounded as i panted and growled. "FREE THE LIGHT!!!!!" She shouted and the barrier over the sun disappeared and burned me even further.
"Dark move....." I growled as two violet spheres appeared in my hands. I pressed them together and held my hands up. "DRAGON EMPEROR SOARING FIGHT STRIKE!!!!!" I howled and fired a massive black and violet beam at the sun. "NOW I CLAIM YOUR PLANET, AND YOUR BELOVED SUN!!!!!" I howled as the sun shrank down and exploded in the sky. The blast evaporated before reaching the planet as i looked down at Celestia in pure rage. "YOU TRY AGAIN TO TAKE MY HOME AND THOSE I LOVE?!?! You, DARE EVEN SET FOOT IN THIS CITY AFTER ALL YOU'VE DONE?!?!" I screamed at her. I levitated myself to the ground in front of her army as they all raised their weapons.
"Hold on everyone. I wish to speak-" She began but i cut her off.
"NO! ATTACK ME NOW!!!!! I wish to show you just what TRUE DARKNESS IS CAPABLE OF!!!!!" I howled and drew a long, obsidian sword from a sheath on my back. "COME ON!!!!!" I said and charged into the army, slaying all who came before me as Celestia ran. The warriors fought valiantly, but to no avail, for all who passed before me died before me. "CELESTIA!!!!!!!!!!" I howled and chased her down. The gates to the city sealed shut in front of her and a barrier of darkness appeared around the city. She turned to me and backed into the gate as i stepped closer and closer to her. Another long, obsidian blade materialized in my other hand as i stopped a few feet in front of her and growled. "Do you fear me princess? Do you fear that which you know is invincible here?" I asked and sheathed the blades. She whimpered and slid to the ground and looked away from me as i kneeled in front of her.
"M-Make it quick....." She whispered to me as i stood up.
"As you wish Celestia. Know that we could have avoided this had you listened." I said to her and drew my blade. I slowly lifted it into the air above my head and sighed. "Goodbye Celestia." I whispered and began to swing the blade. I gasped and stopped dead as a long, silver blade pierced my chest and went upward as i lifted from the ground. I was slowly turned around to face a tall man with black and red hair and a hook in front of it.
"You shall harm my daughter no longer Dark Rider....." The man growled at me as i came to realize who held me.
"Dante. Crest. Sparda as i live and breath..... It appears there still is someone who can finish off the darkness..... Will you be the one to finish me off?" I asked him as he withdrew the blade and dropped me. I drew my swords and we began mercilessly fighting each other. I impaled him and he did the same to me as i looked into his eyes. "You too, immortal?" I whispered to him.
"No..... I just dont fear death....." He whispered back and twisted the blade and withdrew it. I realized we were standing on top of Canterlot tower now. I backed to the edge and looked at him. "Dark....." He said to me.
"DIE!!!!!" I screamed and finished his sentence for him as the life faded from my body and i dropped from the tower to the ground. I smashed into the street of Canterlot and blew pieces everywhere with the impact. I lay there in pain as Dante, Celestia, Luna, Twilight, her friends and two men i did not know stood around me. "You have defeated me..... You have beaten the darkness Sparda..... The darkness is no more..... I just have one... Final request....." I said as Dante kneeled next to me.
"Ask and i shall listen my nephew....." He whispered to me.
"Please..... Take good care of Nightmare for me..... It is all i ask of you..... Please....." I asked him as he stood.
"It will be done....." He said to me. The sunlight reached me and began evaporating my body slowly as i lay there. I whispered one final thing under my breath to them before my head disappeared.
"The darkness..... Shall rise again.......... Some..... Day.........." I whispered as my body vanished into the distance. Dante stood up and looked out over the city.
"Let it be known, to all the world, that on this day, the darkness shall be no more. For now, and forever." He said.
"What did he mean by the darkness will rise again?" Celestia asked him.
"I do not know. But when the time comes.......... We will be ready....." He said as my vision faded from the world to nothing.